Disclaimer: Read Chapter 1.

A/N: thank you all for your encouraging reviews. Keep them coming you know I love feedback.

Today I'm posting two chapters, taking into account the first one's rather short. I hope you'll enjoy the suspense.

Good reading !

CHAPTER 9: Cashing in a Favour

" Honey, you've hardly touched your breakfast. "

" I don't feel like eating, Marion. The FBI won't let me see him and they look at me as if I had suddenly grown two heads. Everybody has already passed judgement- the FBI, the media, people in the streets- and they have found him guilty. If the Grand Jury thinks the evidence presented by the DA's strong enough, he won't be given a fair trial, Marion. "

" Let's hope it doesn't come to that. He needs you to be strong, Lana. Make an effort and have something to eat. "

" I can't just sit here doing nothing, Marion. "

" He's got the best attorneys in the country, Lana. If they can't help him, nobody can. "

" I know somebody who can help. We haven't been in touch lately but this person's indebted to Lex, and I believe the time's come to cash in a favour. Could I use your phone ? "

Lana went up to her room to look for her organiser and browsed the telephone index. She prayed the number was still the same.

" Good morning, The New York Times. How can I help you ? "

" I need to speak with Miss Chloe Sullivan, please. "

" Hold on, please. I'll put you through. "

" Chloe Sullivan speaking. Can I help you ? "

" Chloe ? " asked Lana hesitantly.

" Lana ? " asked Chloe in disbelief. " Lana ! How long has it been ? "

"Eight years this November. I'm sorry I didn't get in touch before, Chloe. I wasn't sure you'd be happy to hear from me. "

" That's in the past, Lana. We were two immature teenagers who had a crush on the same guy. He chose you over me and it felt like the end of the world. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then. "

" You don't know what this means to me, Chloe. I... I don´t know where to start... "

" I think I have an inkling of what this telephone call's about. "

" You do ? "

" Has it got something to do with a charismatic bald billionaire we both know ? "

" Oh, Chloe ! " exclaimed a tearful Lana. " I feel so helpless ! Have you read ' The Daily Planet ' ? I can't believe Clark could stoop so low as to endorse the far-fetched story Lois has written. "

" Lana, I'm going to ask you a question and I don't want you to take offence. Do you trust Lex ? "

" I do. He's always been truthful with me. "

" You know I had my differences with Lex in the past and that my record with the Luthors is far from exemplary. "

" I'm aware of that, Chloe, but Lex isn't his father. He can't be involved in such an abominable project. "

" I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, Lana. He protected me and my father once and we owe him our lives. "

" Will you help him now that he needs you ? "

" I guess I owe him that much. But, Lana, are you prepared to accept whatever I dig up on Lex- even if it doesn't make him look well ? "

" I promised I would stand by him, Chloe. I love him. I don't think I've ever loved anyone this much- not even Clark. Chloe, would you get into trouble with Lois if you gave us a hand ? "

" Let me worry about that, Lana. If Lex comes clean after my research, she'll have to accept that it doesn´t pay to be rash. A little bit of humble pie doesn´t hurt from time to time. "

" Thanks for everything, Chloe. "

"You're welcome. I'll start with my research right away and I´ll contact you with news as soon as I can.

Lana... don't hesitate to call if you need someone to talk to. "

" Thanks for the offer, Chloe. Goodbye. "

Don't stop here there's another chapter a click away.