Disclaimer: as usual, look at Chapter 1.

CHAPTER 21: Feeling Awkward

Chloe's Apartment

" Nice to see you, Vicki. So... I won't be coming back tonight. You're staying over, Vicki, aren't you ? " asked Lex with his briefcase in his hand.

" Yes. It'll be like one of those pyjama parties teenage girls are so fond of. "

" Right, " he murmured. " OK. Goodbye, then, " he added, walking to the front door.

" What's going on, Chloe ? "asked Vicki to a flushed Chloe.

" What do you mean ? "

" You could cut the air with a knife. What's happened ? "

" Nothing's happened ! " exclaimed Chloe, leaving the sofa, and starting to tidy up an already tidy living-room.

" Come on, Chloe ! I'm Vicki, remember ? Let those damn cushions be and talk to me. Something transpired here I couldn't exactly put my finger on, but I believe my arrival was the perfect excuse for him to run away. Damn it ! He knows how to talk you into doing anything he wants you to do. Explain to me how I've ended up baby-sitting you on a Friday evening when all I was thinking of was having a bubble bath and a glass of Malbec at home. And he never looked at you once throughout his speech ! And you stayed there with your mouth shut. Chloe Sullivan tight-lipped ! I'd never thought I'd see the day ! "

" He took me out to dinner last night. In fact, he booked an entire French restaurant for the two of us. "

" Did he ? Interesting. "

" He said it was a matter of logistics. Security logistics, that is. "

" Right. And what did you think ? "

" That it was one of his typical Luthor grand gestures. "

" Meaning he was showing off ? "

" No. Lex doesn't do things like that to show off. "

" And why does he do them, then ? "

" Because he wants to say something and he doesn't know how. "

" Lex Luthor speechless ? Chloe, you're two of the most articulate people I've ever met in my life. And what did you do to scare him away ? " she said with a laughter.

" At dinner, we were talking about living surrounded by cameras and bodyguards. Then, one thing led to another, and we ended up talking about Lucas. "

" And ? " said Vicki, gesturing for her to go on speaking.

" And then he said something... Oh, Vicki ! I don't know. It wasn't my intention, but I think I questioned his marriage to Lana. "

" You think ? Don't you remember what you actually said to him ? "

" He must hate me ! " exclaimed Chloe, with tears streaming down her cheeks.

"He didn't appear like a man who wanted to kill you, if you asked me. What do you feel for him, Chloe ? "

" Feel ? Lucas died two months ago, Vicki. "

" And what does that have to do with anything ? You knew Lex before you met Lucas, didn't you ? "

" Yes, but... "

" Who are you kidding, Sullivan ? As I remember only too well, you were nursing a major heartbreak when you came to Gotham ten and a half years ago. You know the saying: ' Where there's smoke... . "

" There were never flames between Lex and me, Vicki. Besides, you know I was in love with Clark. "

" Clark. Yes, the farmboy.That was before he shattered your romantic dreams, and you entered that dangerous deal with daddy dearest. And who came to your rescue, or rather, who did you go running to ? "

" He was the only one who could help me get rid of Lionel, Vicki. "

" Point taken. But something happened that year, and Lex ended up helping you leave behind a lot more than Luthor Senior. Don't try to convince me you were picking up the pieces that the farmboy had left when I met you. You had an inordinate loathing for the rich- particularly for young, good-looking billionaires like Lex. That's why you felt so uncomfortable around Bruce when I introduced him to you. "

" This is preposterous, Vicki. Listen to what we're talking about: a widow and a virtual-widower harbouring romantic feelings for each other when their partners' bodies are still warm. "

" I might have agreed with you if you had just met each other, Chloe. However, there's a history between you two. "

" I cannot afford the luxury of dwelling on my potential romantic life, Vicki. For one thing, it is too soon, and for another, whoever's killed Lana and Lucas is still at large. "

" You may put it on hold, Chloe. But once you've found closure, you'll have to face whatever it is you feel for him. "

So... was it worth the wait ? Still interested in finding out what the heck Lucas was involved in ? Want to find out if Lex and Chloe will finally have a chance together ? You know what to do then...