Disclaimer: read Chapter 1.

A/N: Here´s the long-awaited final instalment. I hope it´ll please everyone.

PLEASE, ATTENTION!!!

If you´re open-minded, you´re welcome to read both this chapter and the previous one.

If you´re a Chlexer and a Lana-hater at heart, restrain from reading this version of Chapter 9.

If you´re a Lexana fan, skip the previous version, and stay here to read the second version of Chapter 9.

Enjoy! And remember: all shippers deserve our respect, so I´d appreciate it if you´d not bash either pairing.

CHAPTER 9: Coming Back For More (Version Two)

The Talon

It was Friday, the last weekend of Lana and Chloe's holidays, and the girls had decided to celebrate and say ' Mission accomplished '. Lana had managed to finish the annual inventory in record time thanks to Clark and her partner. Meanwhile, Chloe had tied up her historical research on the Lyttons with the aid provided by the same helpful pair of former friends.

Lex arrived at the coffee shop to find Lana and Chloe talking amicably over a cup of foamy coffee. Clark was nowhere in sight and Lex wondered whether he was to blame for his absence. The had crossed their first words in months while helping the girls, but their relationship could hardly be called harmonious. Still, Lex had hoped -for Lana and Chloe's sake- that Clark could bury the hatch for a while; he was more than ready to do that for the woman he loved.

"Good evening, Lex. I'm glad you've decided to accept the invitation, " said Lana.

"I couldn't say ' no ' to two beautiful ladies, " he responded with his trademark smile. " I've brought a couple of bottles of cold Bollinger, " he said, setting them on the table.

"Champagne, Lex? " asked a surprised Lana.

"You're of age now, aren't you? " he responded, looking at both girls.

"Excuse me, guys, I've got to take this call, " interrupted Chloe when her mobile rang and Clark's name appeared on the display.

"It's Clark, isn't it? " asked Lana worried.

"Put your mind at rest, Lana, " answered Chloe, placing a hand on the girl shoulder.

"I'll go for the flutes, " said Lana, going behind the counter." You know, Lex, you've brought the perfect booze for the cake I've got in the fridge. "

"Let me guess... strawberries and cream, right? " asked Lex with a smirk when Lana leant down to fetch the cake.

"How did you know I'd go for strawberries? " she asked with a grin.

"They're pink, aren't they? " he responded, putting on a serious face.

"You're pulling my leg, aren't you, Mr Luthor? " she answered with a fake frown.

"Not at all, Miss Lang. You know I've always seen you as a strawberries and cream girl, never as a meringue kind, " he responded sincerely.

"I haven't baked it. I'm hopeless at cooking! " she answered in an attempt to hide her embarrassment.

"Is Clark coming, Lana? " asked Lex suddenly sober.

"I don't think so... No, " she murmured, looking towards the small office at the back, where Chloe was still on the phone.

"What's happened? Have you two fought again or is it because of me? "

"You? " asked Lana taken by surprise.

"Why are you wearing that strange look on your face, Lana? I thought he and I'd be able to behave like civilized men, judging by the last three weeks, but it seems I was wrong. He can't stand the thought of having to share a meal with me. "

"You're wrong, Lex. It's not you but me. I could see by the look in his eyes when we went to Metropolis he was hoping we could get together again. "

"And you're not? "

"Hoping to get together, you mean? "

"Yes. I thought that was what you wanted; taking into account what you told me the evening you went to the mansion to show me the figures for the new coffee vouchers. "

"No, Lex. I asked for your advice and you misunderstood my words completely, " she said, blushing and lowering her eyes." I've been fighting these feelings inside of me for too long, and this morning I decided I couldn't let Clark delude himself any longer. What we once had is gone and no matter how hard I try I can't give him what he wants from me, " she added, raising up her eyes to meet his.

"Guys, I hate to do this but I've got to leave, " interrupted Chloe apologetically.

"How is he, Chloe? " asked a concerned Lana.

"You know... but stop worrying. It was for the best, and I'm not saying this because I... "

"You're a marvellous friend, Chloe, " responded Lex. " I hope one day Clark wakes up and sees the amazing woman he's got under his nose all this time, " he added with a warm smile.

"Thank you, Lex, for trying to brighten me up. I'm glad we're friends again. "

"So am I, Chloe. Now, go and don't worry about us. We'll see how to while away the time, " he responded with a smirk, looking at Lana out of the corner of his eye.

"Lana, may I speak with you before I leave? "

"Sure, Chloe. What is it? "

"In private, please. "

"OK. I'll be right back, Lex. "

"Take your time, Lana. "

"Listen, Lana. Do you remember the conversation we had last night? " asked Chloe in the kitchen.

"Of course, I do. Why do you think I went to see Clark this morning? "

"Yes... well... the thing is... I dropped by the mansion today because I had to return a couple of books I'd borrowed from Lex's library, and it suddenly hit me. "

"Hit you? What are you talking about, Chloe? You aren't having second thoughts, are you? "

"Wipe that frown, missy. I'm not interested in Lex that way but, by the looks of it, he's interested in you. "

"Has he told you so? "

"No, Lana. He'd never talk about his private life with me, least of all make names, but you should have seen him today when you were finishing with the annual inventory. The look on his face was priceless. Fortunately, he didn't realise I was standing at the doorway or I wouldn't have caught him unawares. He was devouring you with his eyes, Lana. He's completely smitten. Trust me. "

"Are you sure? "

"Lana, please, don't be so dense. He isn't in love with me. He's never looked at me the way he looks at you. He may wear that poker face most of the time, but nothing escapes this sleuth, " responded Chloe, tapping her nose." I've got to leave now. But, please, do it for me. You two love each other, so stop running away. "

"Oh, Chloe! How I wish things could also work for you!" said Lana, embracing her tightly.

"Hope is the last thing I'll lose, Lana, " she responded, wiping her eyes, and bidding her goodbye.

Lana saw the reporter to the door and locked it behind her. She took a few moments to collect herself and control the shaking of her hands before ambling back to the table where Lex was sitting.

"We should talk some sense into Clark. She doesn't deserve this suffering, " murmured the girl.

"We can't help who we fall in love with, Lana. The heart's stronger than the mind, and the harder you fight it the worse it gets, " responded Lex with a knowing smile. " How about a piece of that strawberry and cream cake? "

"There's a chocolate and mocha cake as well, " answered Lana, getting up to fetch the tray.

"I'm very fond of mocha, but I love strawberries and cream, " he answered, smiling to himself, and uncorked a bottle of champagne.

"Is the piece big enough, do you think?" she said, handing him the plate and a fork.

"I'll want a second serving, " he responded, holding her gaze. "I don't think one'll be enough. Strawberries and cream have always been my weakness, " he added, pinching the cake with his fork and noticing Lana's red cheeks.

"Could I have a glass, Lex? " she asked, swallowing the lump in her throat.

"You're a grown-up now, Lana. You don't need to wait any longer to take what you want. It's yours for the taking. Has Clark ever told you look adorable when you blush? " he asked passionately.

"Lex, is all this true? "

"It can be as true as you want it to be. Just say the word, Lana. "

"I'm afraid of making a fool of myself, Lex. "

"More afraid than I am ? I love you, Lana. There, I've said it. I know I don't deserve you but... "

"Why do you say that, Lex? Everybody deserves to be loved and know happiness in this life, " she said, squeezing his hand tightly." Are you going to deny me that? " she whispered.

"I could never deny you anything, Lana, " he responded with cloudy eyes.

"Then, don't. I love you, Lex. My love's yours for the taking. "

"I think I'll have my second serving now, " answered Lex throatily, cupping her face in both hands and kissing her passionately.