The first thing that occurred to Lex Luthor was that he was lying on a hard floor surrounded by several people. As faces came in and out of focus, he tried unsuccessfully to recognize someone, anyone. What the hell had happened? Where was he?
Then, in a flash, images came hurtling back at him. That Mason guy yelling at him, blaming him for ruining his father's life. A room full of floating objects. And, most of all, Clark Kent playing superhero, moving faster than he had any right to, shooting some kind of weapon out of his eyes, and barely getting a scratch on him as he was assaulted by a variety of Lex's possessions.
Just as this last thought came to him, Clark came into his vision, leaning down beside him, a worried expression on his face. Without meaning to, Lex flinched away from him. The farmboy looked at him questioningly, but the worry remained there, greater than before.
He needed to get up. He needed to find out who was responsible for him being here. Lex didn't know any of these people; most of them still looked like they were in high school, for God's sake. He felt like shit. His jaw was sore, and the back of his skull was throbbing like he'd been hit up side the head with a full bottle of scotch. He was getting more and more pissed off by the second.
Only a few moments had passed since he regained consciousness, but he didn't want to lie around any longer. As he quickly tried to regain his composure and reestablish the persona he's worked so hard to build, a small blond curl comes into view. At first, he's confused as to why there's this small little bundle cradling his head in their lap.
Before he can become concerned that there's been a complete stranger taking liberties with him while he was out of it, he realizes its Chloe Sullivan. His confusion quickly turns to wonder as he realizes she's crying, her small shoulders shaking with the effort to control her sobs.
As their eyes meet, and she sees that he's awake, she suddenly hugs him to her, repeating his name over and over again in his ear. Lex is stunned. He doesn't know what to do. Should he jump up and run out the door, as far away from the feelings this tiny blonde girl is eliciting in him? Or, should he just go with it, and find out what was going on later?
He never gets a chance to make a decision, because after chanting his name for what must have been the twentieth time, she whispers, "I love you, Lex." Then, like the images from before, he's remembering.
Waking up in a strange room, surrounded by a familiar group of people, Chloe's face clearer than the others. Strangely, the most erotic shower he's ever had before. One dance between friends that leads to a kiss that stirred something in Lex that he hadn't even realized was there. And a rainy night where he laid his heart out on the line.
Then, all of a sudden, before he knows what he's doing, before he can stop himself, he's hugging her back. Whispering her name against the soft skin behind her ear. Breathing her in, and wanting nothing more than to forget who he is all over again. He can't lose this. He can't lose her.
He won't.