A/N- Hey, I don't know how this happened, but I forgot to post this chapter with Bath Time. So, sorry if it was confusing for a minute there, this was supposed to happen before Lex's shower. Again, so so so sorry.

They all left shortly after that, giving some lame reason or another for having to leave so soon. Chloe would have liked to have stayed behind, but Clark made sure she was out the door before him. Lex threw her a desolate look as she said goodbye.

Luckily Lana started right in on what her and Clark would be doing the rest of the day, saving Chloe from having to have some stupid big brother chat with him. Regardless of her acceptance of his apology earlier, she still wasn't gonna stand around and listen to Clark tell her how untrustworthy Lex could be, and how she should keep her distance. Like she didn't already know that.

She left the hospital, tossing some 'goodbyes' and 'see you laters' in her wake. Martha had reminded her to get some of Lex's things for him, so she figured she'd go do that now. It'd give her a valid reason to come back and see him again anyway.

Chloe had no problem getting into the mansion. Lex's servants were already expecting her, and they had been given explicit instructions to allow her access to his bedroom to retrieve some of his belongings. There was, however, a slight problem when it came to finding something suitable for him to wear on the Kent farm.

She was standing in front of a formidable closet, scanning its contents with growing unease. Most of his clothes looked like they cost more money than her car, and they probably did. Her eyes drifted over them, coming to rest on one shirt in particular. A rich plum color, she ran her hand over the material, enjoying the feel of it on her skin, like silk mixed with water. Her hand fell away. Too showy.

She moved on to one of the dressers. Eureka! Here she found some soft cotton t-shirts in a variety of colors, and even found some designer jeans in the bottom drawer. She threw all of this into one of two black duffel bags she'd found in the closet. She tossed some slacks in there, too, just in case he'd feel more comfortable in them.

She quickly tossed a large stack of boxers into the bag as well, blushing profusely. Shoes and socks completed the ensemble. She felt thoroughly uncomfortable just standing around now that she was done. Which was weird because normally she would revel in the opportunity to go through Lex's things freely and openly.

But, right now, it just felt invasive. And, rude. Lex had trusted her to come and get his things. What would it say about her as a person if she betrayed that trust and began snooping?

She sighed, and then grabbed the two duffel bags, instantly regretting packing so much stuff as the weight fell upon her shoulders. As she made her way to the door, another question entered her mind, one more troublesome than the first.

What did it say about her feelings for Lex that Reporter Sullivan was willingly walking out on the opportunity of a lifetime?

She was about to close the door when she noticed the end table beside his bed was open slightly. She didn't want it to seem as if she'd been snooping inside it, so she set down the bags and went to close it. As she was easing it shut, she caught a glimpse of something all too familiar. She quickly opened it the rest of the way to reveal a small stack of papers. Not just any papers: The Torch.

She recognized each edition, ones she'd been especially proud of, actually. Why would Lex have these? Better yet, why would he keep them? They were older editions. One was the first edition that held one of her articles.

She wanted desperately to ask him why, but knew she'd have to wait. And, even then, it would be the real Lex that she'd have to ask. She knew that whatever explanation he gave would only be half true.

Shutting the drawer, she turned to leave only to be bombarded with the awful image of Lionel Luthor. He was standing just inside the door, still and silent as a sculpture. His expression was, as always, unreadable. He didn't seem surprised to see her, quite the opposite.

"Why, Miss Sullivan, two encounters in the same day," he said, blocking her only exit, "But, I believe this situation suits you much better than sitting on my son's bedside." A smirk emerged on his face that was so reminiscent of his son's it was scary. "Of all the people I would have thought of to take advantage of my son while in his current condition, you were not among my top ten. Maybe my top twenty, but certainly not first and foremost."

"Look, Mr. Luthor, I can unfortunately imagine all too well what you think is going on with Lex and me, but we're just friends. I know it's difficult for you to understand the concept, but it exists nonetheless," her shoulders were set, and she stared him straight in the eye, but on the inside she was screaming and cursing at herself for being so careless, "I'm here collecting some of Lex's things for when he stays with the Kents. I have permission to be here."

"Permission to get his clothes, yes," Lionel corrected, a small smile playing on his lips, "But, I highly doubt he also told you to go through his personal things with reckless abandon." Chloe had no intention of getting into an argument with this…man. If he were going to throw her out, or worse, try and have her arrested or something, he would have already done so. He was just playing with her. Lionel interrupted her quiet interlude, "Does your father know that you've stooped to such methods as collecting information from someone clearly not in his right mind? I'm aware that reporters aren't generally known for their ethics, but I expected more from Clark Kent's friend."

That was it. "I knew the whole salvation and deliverance routine was a bunch of crap," Chloe spat, "Why don't you do everyone a favor, including your son, and just die already. Because you'd be much more beneficial to society that way, fertilizing the soil. I am only trying to help Lex. And I will continue to do that whether you want me to or not. You're not all he has, and I'm sure if he was in his right mind right now, he'd still prefer my company to yours any day. Now, I need to get these things to the hospital. If you'll excuse me."

She opened the door the rest of the way, heart pounding in her chest, prepared to shoulder past him if need be. But, to her surprise, he stepped aside, even handed her the two bags at his feet. Stunned, Chloe hoisted them onto her shoulders, and started down the hall. Before she was of earshot, Lionel called out to her. "Chloe..."

She stopped, but refused to turn around, only tilting her head slightly. After a pause he said, "I'm only looking out for him…He's all I have…" He was silent then, and she was about to start walking again when he said, "Do keep an eye on him for me. He's alone right now, and as unbelievable as it sounds, I think he's scared. He needs someone to count on, and I already feel as if he's suspicious of me. It would bring me peace to know you were there for him…" Since you can't be, Chloe finished for him.

"I'm not doing this for you," Chloe said over her shoulder, "I'm doing this for Lex."

As she started walking again, she could have sworn she heard him say, I know.