Chapter 10- A Dream and Songs
When Chloe opened her eyes she was in a large room. In front of her was a bed with a small red-haired woman laying in it. She looked sickly, but her eyes twinkled as she talked to a boy. The boy looked like he was twelve or thirteen. The woman held his hand as she spoke.
"I love you," the woman said softly.
"I love you too, Mom," the boy said. His voice was shaking and came out only a whisper.
"I'll always be with you, Alexander," the woman said searching the boy's eyes.
"Please don't leave me mom," the boy pleaded desperately.
"I love you, baby," the woman said again.
The boy started to cry.
"Be strong, Alexander. Be strong for me," the woman said.
The boy started to shake and through his tears and his breathing became labored.
"You'll always be my baby boy," the woman said with a ragged breath.
"Mom?" the boy pleaded.
"I'll always be with you…in your heart. Don't forget that. Don't you ever forget that," the woman said gasping for breath.
"No!" the boy shouted when the woman stopped breathing. "Mom? Mom! Mom, please. Don't leave me!! Take me with you!"
Chloe gasped, bringing herself out of her dream. She heard a knock on the door between her and Clark's rooms.
"Come in," Chloe said breathing heavily.
"Chlo? Are you okay? I thought I heard you crying," Clark said.
Chloe reached up to her face. She hadn't noticed the tears until Clark pointed them out. "I'm fine," Chloe said hurriedly.
Clark sat next to her on the bed. "What's wrong? Why were you crying?"
"How did Lex's mom die?" Chloe asked Clark, ignoring his questions.
"I'm not really sure. She was sick for a long time. I know she had to have surgery and that she was on heart medication," Clark said.
"How old was Lex when she died?" Chloe asked.
"Thirteen, I think. I know that she died in '93, and Lex is twenty- one now," Clark said thinking about it for a second.
"Was he there when she died?" Chloe asked.
"You mean in the room? I'm not sure. He never really talks about it. I've kind of put the little bits and pieces together," Clark said.
Chloe nodded and looked at her clock. "It's almost six fifty. We better go," Chloe said standing up.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Clark asked narrowing his eyes at her.
Chloe smiled. "I'm fine, don't worry about me. Let's go."
When the two walked down the stairs Lana shot another look at Chloe. "I'm sorry that we're late. It's my fault, I fell asleep and Clark had to wake me up."
Pete laughed at her comment. When Chloe looked at him he said," I'm sorry, Chloe. It's just that we are in Lex Luthor's mansion and our plucky intrepid reporter sleeps. I figured you would have been all over this place by now!"
"I will be Pete. Trust me," Chloe said with a mischievous grin.
"I'm afraid to," Lex said taking Chloe's hand and leading the group to the dining room.
When they got to the dining room Lex said, "I didn't know what everyone liked and disliked so I had the cook prepare a smorgasbord. Just take a plate and help yourself."
"Lex, there's enough food here for fifty people," Clark said eyeing the tables full of food.
"Not with you and Pete here," Lana joked taking a plate.
"Got that right," Pete replied.
Lana, Clark, and Lana laughed as Pete piled his plate with food.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"You put that in here on purpose, didn't you?" Chloe asked, lowering her voice so only Lex would hear her. The friends were still eating when Chloe had noticed a karaoke machine in the corner.
"I don't know what you mean," Lex said innocently.
"Little sneak," Chloe muttered.
"You don't mean it," Lex said with a smile. "You said Clark says you sing 'like an angel.'"
"I'm not going to sing for all of you," Chloe said.
"Well, if your voice is that bad," Lex said. He had Chloe right where he wanted her.
Chloe shot him a dirty look before turning to Clark. "Clark, how do I sing?"
"Like an angel," he answered a puzzled look on her face.
Chloe snorted in victory.
"You can sing?" Lana asked. "Wow! You are full of surprises!"
"I won't do it," Chloe told Lex adamantly.
Lana looked to where Chloe was glaring and she understood how they had started this conversation. "I want to hear you sing."
"Come on, Chloe. I haven't heard you sing in forever," Pete urged.
"See what you started?" Chloe asked.
"I didn't bring it up," Lex said with a sly grin.
Chloe mumbled something under her breath. "You want to hear a song? I'll sing you a song," Chloe said as she got an idea.
"This can't be good," Pete said with a laugh.
Lex almost wished that he hadn't brought it up…almost.
Chloe stalked over the rack of CDs and picked one out. She shoved it into the machine before grabbing a microphone. She almost laughed out loud as the music came on. Chloe started to sing and tried to put as much attitude as possible into the words.
"chuva! chuvinhao! venho, venho, venho ca, rapaz!
chuva! chuvinhao! venho, venho ca, rapaz!
this is not political it's just that I demand attention when I walk into a room
and it's not that I can't play ball hard it's just that I don't want to
and the more I think about this pressure love I don't want you
and I can't have you and that's what hurts the most
I cannot show you these things I boast
I'll throw my heart out, keep my head up, I cannot fuck up cuz
I got what you need boy (baby I do) but I will only cause you pain, yeah (I promise that)
I got what you need boy (baby I do) but I will only bring on the rain
so I'll prefer to run this road rough around the edges
good for something but too good to give it to you
you run your own course at your own pace but I just got impatient
see, I wanted to explore
forsake you, forsook you, abate you, dissipate you
so turn fate around, I believed that I was free of you (not)
I still believe in those days on benches at sunset or the waves in July-or was it March
we weathered weathers and storms real and imagined, such fragile tenderness
you are truly blessed
I stress this as I blow you this kiss as I blow it in the wind, mmwa
I got what you need boy (baby I do) but I will only cause you pain, yeah (I promise that)
I got what you need boy (baby I do) but I will only bring on the rain
chuva! chuvinhao! venho, venho ca, rapaz!
gonna make u cry so damn hard you're gonna curse your drawers and wish you weren't a boy
gonna make u cry so damn hard you'll curse your drawers and wish you weren't a boy, yeah
I will make u cry
I will make u cry (boohoo)
they say time is made of memories
well I remembered and I'm tired
this is not political
it's just that I remember the fire
babe you left me with my head held high and I feigned to be more than I was, didn't I
I thought I could do without sugar love but this chocolate has turned into sweet bubble gum
candy is sweet but honey is sweeter
it tastes like the real thing but candy is much much cheaper (cheaper)
I got what you need boy (baby I do) but I will only cause you pain, yeah (I promise that)
I got what you need boy (baby I do) but I will only bring on the rain
(rain a'fallin' down, rain a'fallin' down, hahahaha)
(rain a'fallin' down, rain a'fallin' down, hahahaha)
(rain a'fallin' down, rain a'fallin' down, hahahaha)
...time crying...you'll be crying... I'm sorry I made you cry... I didn't mean to, let me wipe those tears away...wipe those tears away...don't cry baby...it's only rain."
"Ouch," Lex said when Chloe had finished.
"You wanted a song, I gave you a song. Happy now?" Chloe asked with a smug smile.
"Ooh," Lana said getting up and jogging to Chloe. She stopped beside the blond and whispered in her ear. The boys could only hear what Chloe was saying.
"Depends…that would be hilarious…which one?…I can't wait to see his face…you're gonna do it?…sing back up?…ok…oh, yeah, it will get the point across," Chloe said with a laugh.
Lana walked over to the CD rack and picked out a CD and pointed to the list of songs on its cover.
"Oh, yeah," Chloe said nodding her head and trying not to laugh. "Guys, we are going to sing one more song. Lana will sing lead for this one," Chloe said handing Lana a microphone. "Ready to play it up?" she asked Lana.
"Oh yeah," Lana said with a mischievous grin at Clark.
"Be afraid, man. Be very afraid," Pete told Clark.
Lana turned on the track. As she started to sing her voice became more and more confidant.
Lana:
Should have been different, but it wasn't different, was it
Same old story Dear John and so long
Chloe:
Should have fit like a glove should have fit like a ring,
Like a Diamond ring token of true Love
Should have all worked out but it didn't
Lana:
She should be here now but she isn't
Lana/Chloe:
There's your trouble, there's your trouble
You keep seeing double with the wrong one
You can't see I love you, you can't see she doesn't
But you just keep holding on
There's your trouble
Lana:
So now you're thinking 'bout all you're missing how
Deep you're sinking, round and round dragging down
Why don't you cash in your chips, why don't you call in a loss
Chloe:
Not such a big loss
Chalk it up to better luck
Could have been true love but it wasn't
It should all add up but it doesn't
Lana/Chloe:
There's your trouble, there's your trouble
You keep seeing double with the wrong one
You can't see I love you, you can't see she doesn't
But you just keep holding on
There's your trouble
Chloe:
It should have all worked out, but it didn't
Lana:
She should be here now, but she isn't
As Lana started to sing the chorus she mustered up her courage. She glanced at Chloe who nodded at her and smiled. Lana took a deep breath and moved to sit on Clark's lap.
Lana:
There's your trouble, there's your trouble
You keep seeing double with the wrong one
You can't see I love you, you can't see she doesn't
But you just keep holding on
There's your trouble
With that, Lana motioned to Chloe and moved to stand next to her friend.
Lana/Chloe:
But you just keep holding on
There's your trouble
As soon as the song was over Pete laughed. "Go, Lan!"
Clark's eyes had grown to twice their normal size.
"Clark, you have that deer-in-the-headlights look, going on," Chloe said with a laugh. She couldn't stop laughing. "Say something."
"I think the operative word is gulp," Clark replied and Chloe broke into another fit of laughter.
"Well, well. I didn't know we had such talent in our midst," Lex said.
"I think you boys bit off more than you could chew," Chloe replied.
"Come here," Lex told Chloe.
"No. Come here," Clark said standing and walking across the room.
Lana looked at Chloe and her eyes got wide. Chloe laughed and told Lana, "Don't worry. I have it under control!"
Clark leaned down to whisper in Chloe's ear. "What was that about?"
Chloe had to stand on her toes to reach Clark. "It was all her idea. She likes you, Clark," Chloe said, then leaned back to see Clark's reaction.
Clark's face brightened. "Really?"
Chloe grinned at Clark's reaction. Maybe he wouldn't be obsessed with Chloe for much longer. "Really. Now let's go have some more fun," Chloe said pulling him back to the table.
"I was just trying to show him-" Lana said cutting herself off when Clark sat beside her.
Chloe sat back in he chair and Lex pulled the chair close to his. When Lex put his arm around her she leaned into him. On second thought Chloe looked at Clark to see what he would think of Lex's arm around her. To her relief and amazement Clark was still grinning from ear to ear. Lana shyly looked at Clark and he blushed in reply.
When Chloe opened her eyes she was in a large room. In front of her was a bed with a small red-haired woman laying in it. She looked sickly, but her eyes twinkled as she talked to a boy. The boy looked like he was twelve or thirteen. The woman held his hand as she spoke.
"I love you," the woman said softly.
"I love you too, Mom," the boy said. His voice was shaking and came out only a whisper.
"I'll always be with you, Alexander," the woman said searching the boy's eyes.
"Please don't leave me mom," the boy pleaded desperately.
"I love you, baby," the woman said again.
The boy started to cry.
"Be strong, Alexander. Be strong for me," the woman said.
The boy started to shake and through his tears and his breathing became labored.
"You'll always be my baby boy," the woman said with a ragged breath.
"Mom?" the boy pleaded.
"I'll always be with you…in your heart. Don't forget that. Don't you ever forget that," the woman said gasping for breath.
"No!" the boy shouted when the woman stopped breathing. "Mom? Mom! Mom, please. Don't leave me!! Take me with you!"
Chloe gasped, bringing herself out of her dream. She heard a knock on the door between her and Clark's rooms.
"Come in," Chloe said breathing heavily.
"Chlo? Are you okay? I thought I heard you crying," Clark said.
Chloe reached up to her face. She hadn't noticed the tears until Clark pointed them out. "I'm fine," Chloe said hurriedly.
Clark sat next to her on the bed. "What's wrong? Why were you crying?"
"How did Lex's mom die?" Chloe asked Clark, ignoring his questions.
"I'm not really sure. She was sick for a long time. I know she had to have surgery and that she was on heart medication," Clark said.
"How old was Lex when she died?" Chloe asked.
"Thirteen, I think. I know that she died in '93, and Lex is twenty- one now," Clark said thinking about it for a second.
"Was he there when she died?" Chloe asked.
"You mean in the room? I'm not sure. He never really talks about it. I've kind of put the little bits and pieces together," Clark said.
Chloe nodded and looked at her clock. "It's almost six fifty. We better go," Chloe said standing up.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Clark asked narrowing his eyes at her.
Chloe smiled. "I'm fine, don't worry about me. Let's go."
When the two walked down the stairs Lana shot another look at Chloe. "I'm sorry that we're late. It's my fault, I fell asleep and Clark had to wake me up."
Pete laughed at her comment. When Chloe looked at him he said," I'm sorry, Chloe. It's just that we are in Lex Luthor's mansion and our plucky intrepid reporter sleeps. I figured you would have been all over this place by now!"
"I will be Pete. Trust me," Chloe said with a mischievous grin.
"I'm afraid to," Lex said taking Chloe's hand and leading the group to the dining room.
When they got to the dining room Lex said, "I didn't know what everyone liked and disliked so I had the cook prepare a smorgasbord. Just take a plate and help yourself."
"Lex, there's enough food here for fifty people," Clark said eyeing the tables full of food.
"Not with you and Pete here," Lana joked taking a plate.
"Got that right," Pete replied.
Lana, Clark, and Lana laughed as Pete piled his plate with food.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"You put that in here on purpose, didn't you?" Chloe asked, lowering her voice so only Lex would hear her. The friends were still eating when Chloe had noticed a karaoke machine in the corner.
"I don't know what you mean," Lex said innocently.
"Little sneak," Chloe muttered.
"You don't mean it," Lex said with a smile. "You said Clark says you sing 'like an angel.'"
"I'm not going to sing for all of you," Chloe said.
"Well, if your voice is that bad," Lex said. He had Chloe right where he wanted her.
Chloe shot him a dirty look before turning to Clark. "Clark, how do I sing?"
"Like an angel," he answered a puzzled look on her face.
Chloe snorted in victory.
"You can sing?" Lana asked. "Wow! You are full of surprises!"
"I won't do it," Chloe told Lex adamantly.
Lana looked to where Chloe was glaring and she understood how they had started this conversation. "I want to hear you sing."
"Come on, Chloe. I haven't heard you sing in forever," Pete urged.
"See what you started?" Chloe asked.
"I didn't bring it up," Lex said with a sly grin.
Chloe mumbled something under her breath. "You want to hear a song? I'll sing you a song," Chloe said as she got an idea.
"This can't be good," Pete said with a laugh.
Lex almost wished that he hadn't brought it up…almost.
Chloe stalked over the rack of CDs and picked one out. She shoved it into the machine before grabbing a microphone. She almost laughed out loud as the music came on. Chloe started to sing and tried to put as much attitude as possible into the words.
"chuva! chuvinhao! venho, venho, venho ca, rapaz!
chuva! chuvinhao! venho, venho ca, rapaz!
this is not political it's just that I demand attention when I walk into a room
and it's not that I can't play ball hard it's just that I don't want to
and the more I think about this pressure love I don't want you
and I can't have you and that's what hurts the most
I cannot show you these things I boast
I'll throw my heart out, keep my head up, I cannot fuck up cuz
I got what you need boy (baby I do) but I will only cause you pain, yeah (I promise that)
I got what you need boy (baby I do) but I will only bring on the rain
so I'll prefer to run this road rough around the edges
good for something but too good to give it to you
you run your own course at your own pace but I just got impatient
see, I wanted to explore
forsake you, forsook you, abate you, dissipate you
so turn fate around, I believed that I was free of you (not)
I still believe in those days on benches at sunset or the waves in July-or was it March
we weathered weathers and storms real and imagined, such fragile tenderness
you are truly blessed
I stress this as I blow you this kiss as I blow it in the wind, mmwa
I got what you need boy (baby I do) but I will only cause you pain, yeah (I promise that)
I got what you need boy (baby I do) but I will only bring on the rain
chuva! chuvinhao! venho, venho ca, rapaz!
gonna make u cry so damn hard you're gonna curse your drawers and wish you weren't a boy
gonna make u cry so damn hard you'll curse your drawers and wish you weren't a boy, yeah
I will make u cry
I will make u cry (boohoo)
they say time is made of memories
well I remembered and I'm tired
this is not political
it's just that I remember the fire
babe you left me with my head held high and I feigned to be more than I was, didn't I
I thought I could do without sugar love but this chocolate has turned into sweet bubble gum
candy is sweet but honey is sweeter
it tastes like the real thing but candy is much much cheaper (cheaper)
I got what you need boy (baby I do) but I will only cause you pain, yeah (I promise that)
I got what you need boy (baby I do) but I will only bring on the rain
(rain a'fallin' down, rain a'fallin' down, hahahaha)
(rain a'fallin' down, rain a'fallin' down, hahahaha)
(rain a'fallin' down, rain a'fallin' down, hahahaha)
...time crying...you'll be crying... I'm sorry I made you cry... I didn't mean to, let me wipe those tears away...wipe those tears away...don't cry baby...it's only rain."
"Ouch," Lex said when Chloe had finished.
"You wanted a song, I gave you a song. Happy now?" Chloe asked with a smug smile.
"Ooh," Lana said getting up and jogging to Chloe. She stopped beside the blond and whispered in her ear. The boys could only hear what Chloe was saying.
"Depends…that would be hilarious…which one?…I can't wait to see his face…you're gonna do it?…sing back up?…ok…oh, yeah, it will get the point across," Chloe said with a laugh.
Lana walked over to the CD rack and picked out a CD and pointed to the list of songs on its cover.
"Oh, yeah," Chloe said nodding her head and trying not to laugh. "Guys, we are going to sing one more song. Lana will sing lead for this one," Chloe said handing Lana a microphone. "Ready to play it up?" she asked Lana.
"Oh yeah," Lana said with a mischievous grin at Clark.
"Be afraid, man. Be very afraid," Pete told Clark.
Lana turned on the track. As she started to sing her voice became more and more confidant.
Lana:
Should have been different, but it wasn't different, was it
Same old story Dear John and so long
Chloe:
Should have fit like a glove should have fit like a ring,
Like a Diamond ring token of true Love
Should have all worked out but it didn't
Lana:
She should be here now but she isn't
Lana/Chloe:
There's your trouble, there's your trouble
You keep seeing double with the wrong one
You can't see I love you, you can't see she doesn't
But you just keep holding on
There's your trouble
Lana:
So now you're thinking 'bout all you're missing how
Deep you're sinking, round and round dragging down
Why don't you cash in your chips, why don't you call in a loss
Chloe:
Not such a big loss
Chalk it up to better luck
Could have been true love but it wasn't
It should all add up but it doesn't
Lana/Chloe:
There's your trouble, there's your trouble
You keep seeing double with the wrong one
You can't see I love you, you can't see she doesn't
But you just keep holding on
There's your trouble
Chloe:
It should have all worked out, but it didn't
Lana:
She should be here now, but she isn't
As Lana started to sing the chorus she mustered up her courage. She glanced at Chloe who nodded at her and smiled. Lana took a deep breath and moved to sit on Clark's lap.
Lana:
There's your trouble, there's your trouble
You keep seeing double with the wrong one
You can't see I love you, you can't see she doesn't
But you just keep holding on
There's your trouble
With that, Lana motioned to Chloe and moved to stand next to her friend.
Lana/Chloe:
But you just keep holding on
There's your trouble
As soon as the song was over Pete laughed. "Go, Lan!"
Clark's eyes had grown to twice their normal size.
"Clark, you have that deer-in-the-headlights look, going on," Chloe said with a laugh. She couldn't stop laughing. "Say something."
"I think the operative word is gulp," Clark replied and Chloe broke into another fit of laughter.
"Well, well. I didn't know we had such talent in our midst," Lex said.
"I think you boys bit off more than you could chew," Chloe replied.
"Come here," Lex told Chloe.
"No. Come here," Clark said standing and walking across the room.
Lana looked at Chloe and her eyes got wide. Chloe laughed and told Lana, "Don't worry. I have it under control!"
Clark leaned down to whisper in Chloe's ear. "What was that about?"
Chloe had to stand on her toes to reach Clark. "It was all her idea. She likes you, Clark," Chloe said, then leaned back to see Clark's reaction.
Clark's face brightened. "Really?"
Chloe grinned at Clark's reaction. Maybe he wouldn't be obsessed with Chloe for much longer. "Really. Now let's go have some more fun," Chloe said pulling him back to the table.
"I was just trying to show him-" Lana said cutting herself off when Clark sat beside her.
Chloe sat back in he chair and Lex pulled the chair close to his. When Lex put his arm around her she leaned into him. On second thought Chloe looked at Clark to see what he would think of Lex's arm around her. To her relief and amazement Clark was still grinning from ear to ear. Lana shyly looked at Clark and he blushed in reply.