Chapter 19- D'oh!
"Lex!" Chloe said, surprised to find him in the Torch office.
"I forgot how amazing your 'wall of weird' was," Lex said perusing the articles and pictures. "I especially enjoy this article," Lex said gesturing to a picture of a small boy with a shock of red hair. Beside the picture of the little boy was a picture of the same boy, only older and bald.
Chloe grimaced. "Thank you. What brings you to the Torch?" she asked setting her bag down.
"I came to ask for your company at dinner tonight," Lex replied walking to within inches of Chloe.
"Lex, I-" Chloe started.
"If you would be more comfortable with Lana and Clark there, I'll understand," Lex said with a pained look in his eyes.
"I was going to say that I would love to," Chloe answered with her trademark smile.
"Good, I'll pick you up at seven," Lex said turning to leave.
Chloe grabbed his wrist and pulled him back. They looked silently into each other's eyes for a moment before Chloe stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. A few seconds into the kiss the picture of Lex in the field of human bones flashed across Chloe's mind and she gasped involuntarily.
"What?" Lex asked searching her eyes.
"Nothing," Chloe said shaking her head to get rid of the mental picture. "You know what, I'll see you tonight."
"Tonight," Lex said walking out.
Chloe had to resist the urge to smack herself in the head.
"Chlo, was that Lex?" Clark asked walking in a few seconds later.
"Do you know of any other well-dressed bald men, Clark?" Chloe teased.
"Come to think of it…" Clark replied.
"Oh, I wanted to say I'm sorry about my little soap opera last weekend. I didn't mean to wake you, or soak you to the bone," Chloe said animatedly.
"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad that I was there," Clark replied.
"Clark Kent: Defender of the weak; helper to the helpless," Chloe said with a grin.
"That's me," Clark answered.
"Do you have your article?" Chloe asked.
"Right here," Clark said handing her a bright blue disk.
"Ahh…thank you," Chloe said slipping the disk into her computer.
"I liked your article this week," Clark said picking up an issue of the Torch.
Chloe smiled as he began to read it.
Of DreamMen and Friends
by: Chloe Sullivan
Friends. What would we do without them? Most of us
don't realize what we have right in front of us. It takes some
tragedy, or painful experience to see the greatness that we call
our friends. Why is this, I ask you?
Recently I attended a party with a small group of friends.
Three different times I attempted to talk to the man who I
believed to be the man of my dreams. Sadly, but not
completely unexpected, DreamMan blew me off all three times.
Why, you ask? You say, if he was the man of my dreams then
he wouldn't treat me that way.
You would be exactly right. I did my best to show
DreamMan how I felt and all I got to show for it was the brush-off
and his handprint on my arm. Well, I got more than that. My
three friends, make that best friends, came to my rescue and we
left DreamMan in the dust.
I know that everyone is just dying to know exactly who
three wonderful people are, so I'll tell you.
First, is Pete Ross. All around football player, and…well,
just a player. He's always been a shoulder to lean on and an ear
to complain into. Thank you, Pete!
Second, is Lana Lang, budding equestrian. Although, as you
all know me and Lana have had our differences in the past, she has
become a true friend. Everything she does comes straight from the
heart! Lana, you never cease to amaze me with your generosity!
Last, and certainly not least is Clark Kent. Lovable Farmboy,
and soon-to-be (if I have anything to do with it!) journalist. Clark
has stuck with me through thick and thin, and believe me it has
gotten pretty thick! Clark, I couldn't go on without you!
So, this leads us to Chloe's advice for the week:
1. Pick your friends wisely, they do come in handy.
2. When picking your DreamMan (or woman!) make sure
your decision won't come back to bite you in the rear.
To all friends everywhere: Thank you!
"You like that, huh? It wouldn't happen to be because of the little section all about you would it?" Chloe teased.
Clark raised his eyebrows innocently. "Is Lex still in the dust?"
"He's not as dusty as he used to be, but he still needs a good dry cleaner," Chloe answered, her eyes shining.
Clark laughed. "Will he be taking his Armani suits to the dry cleaner anytime soon?"
"Tonight, maybe," Chloe said. "We're going out to dinner."
"Me and Lana are going to dinner and a movie tonight. Do you want to meet us for the movie?" Clark asked.
"Will Lana mind?" Chloe asked.
"Will Lana mind what?" Lana asked walking into the office.
"If me and Lex meet you at the movies tonight," Chloe responded.
Lana stood in front of Clark and he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Lana won't mind," Lana answered.
"Will you come?" Clark asked hopefully.
"Just a second. I'll have to ask Lex, but I'd rather he came back up here," Chloe said.
"Why?" Lana asked.
"Let's just say that I didn't make a very good impression a few minutes ago," Chloe said rolling her eyes. "Are you staying in here during study hall, Lan?"
"Yeah," Lana replied leaning against Clark.
Chloe picked up the phone and dialed Lex's cell. "Hey, Lex. It's me…Will you come back up here?…You will? Thank you!…See you in a minute!"
"Wait…he was up here before?" Lana asked.
"About fifteen minutes ago," Chloe said. "Uh, he didn't happen to see an issue of the Torch this week, did he Clark?"
"I usually take him one, but considering the article, I thought better about it," Clark said.
"Good," Chloe said taking Clark's issue and shoving it into her desk.
"Hey! I want that back, you know?" Clark protested.
"I know, I know. Just not until he leaves," Chloe said.
"You know, there are other copies here. Like in every rack in every hall," Clark said.
"There aren't that many. It came out Monday, by Wednesday they were pretty much all gone," Chloe stated.
"I'm just warning you," Clark said.
"Oh! You and your warnings!" Chloe said in fake exasperation.
Lana laughed. "Hey, his warnings have saved you plenty of times," Lana said.
"Yeah, when I actually listen to them," Chloe said laughing.
"You tend not to do that very often," Clark replied.
"And see where that gets me? Frozen in a pool, almost burned to a crisp, knocked out and nearly chain sawed, and buried alive" Chloe said laughing. "And that's just the beginning!"
"Well, I'm glad you can laugh about your oh-so-many near death experiences," Clark said sarcastically.
"Hey, you may have warned me and I didn't listen, but you're also the person that saved me every single time, and then some," Chloe replied. "What's your tally now?"
Clark shook his head and smiled.
"You know it's true," Chloe replied with a grin.
"What's true?" Lex asked walking into the Torch.
"Nothing," Chloe said watching as Clark visibly stiffened. "Clark and Lana have invited us to see a movie with them after dinner."
"It's up to you," Lex replied.
"No, you decide. If you want it to be just us tonight, that's fine," Chloe said.
"It will be just us at dinner. Let's go," Lex answered.
"We are going to see Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me," Clark said.
Chloe laughed outright. That was definitely not Lex's kind of movie! "Think you can handle two hours of Mike Myers?" she asked Lex.
"I'm sure I can manage," Lex joked as Chloe slipped her arm around his waist. Lex walked back to Chloe's wall, pulling Chloe with him. "Didn't there used to be a picture of you up here, Lana?"
"Yes. I didn't like how it reminded of my parents. That picture makes me feel like all I'm ever going to be is a little girl in a fairy princess costume. When Chloe and I became friends I asked her to take it down. So, she did," Lana replied.
Lex looked at Chloe. "Could I ask the same favor?"
"Of course," Chloe said. She took the pictures and article off the wall and put them in a filing cabinet.
Lex looked at her quizzically.
"I have a file of articles that I've been asked to take down, or that it wasn't right to put up in the first place. I don't want to get rid of them, because they are part of the wall, but they don't necessarily need to be on it," Chloe explained.
"Who else do you have in there?" Lana asked.
"I have an another article on you, Coach Walt, Sean, and Justin among others," Chloe clarified.
"I understand why you took down Lana, but why the others?" Clark asked.
"I didn't want them up because I didn't want to keep being reminded of what happened with them. Coach Walt torched the 'Torch', to quote you Clark, with me in it. Sean Kelvin tried to turn me into a Popsicle, and Justin tried to filet me with a chainsaw," Chloe explained.
"You have another article on me? What article?" Lana asked.
"Ah, yes, my favorite. The whole seeing visions episode. You know, being buried alive in a glass coffin is a lot more than it's cracked up to be," Chloe said, her voice cracking.
"Chlo?" Clark asked.
"Sorry. I know it's been a long while, but I'll always be able to hear the sound of the dirt being flung onto the coffin," Chloe said with a forced smile. "That has got to be the worst thing I have ever had happen to me, and I have had a lot happen."
"Yes, you have," Clark said.
"But I'm fine now," Chloe said quickly. "My friend seemed to have the best timing with his savior-complex," she said with a laugh.
"What do you mean?" Lex asked his brows furrowed in thought.
"Cl-" Chloe started but Clark cut her off.
"Chloe always got out of trouble in the nick of time. So, tonight at eight forty-five okay?" Clark asked trying to change the subject. He certainly didn't need Lex getting any more bright ideas about his powers.
"Sounds great to me," Lex said, for once he was easily pulled off his train of thought. Lex looked at his watch. "I have to go. Dad insisted on making the three hour trip from Metropolis to 'talk.'"
Lex kissed Chloe and she took his hand and walked him to his car.
"Don't let him treat you badly this time," Chloe said putting her hands on Lex's upper arms.
"You don't 'let' Lionel Luthor do anything. He does as he pleases," Lex answered.
Chloe nodded. "Well, I still wish that he wouldn't treat you like that."
"I know. Don't worry, I'll be fine. I always am, aren't I?" Lex assured her.
"Yeah, like how fine you were that you avoided me for a week," Chloe muttered.
"Chloe…" Lex said making her look at him.
Chloe raised up on her toes to kiss Lex. After a minute she pulled back and laid her head on his shoulder.
"I'll see you tonight," Lex said kissing her hair.
"Tonight," Chloe agreed as Lex stepped into his white Ferrari. Chloe watched him speed off before going back inside.
"Lex!" Chloe said, surprised to find him in the Torch office.
"I forgot how amazing your 'wall of weird' was," Lex said perusing the articles and pictures. "I especially enjoy this article," Lex said gesturing to a picture of a small boy with a shock of red hair. Beside the picture of the little boy was a picture of the same boy, only older and bald.
Chloe grimaced. "Thank you. What brings you to the Torch?" she asked setting her bag down.
"I came to ask for your company at dinner tonight," Lex replied walking to within inches of Chloe.
"Lex, I-" Chloe started.
"If you would be more comfortable with Lana and Clark there, I'll understand," Lex said with a pained look in his eyes.
"I was going to say that I would love to," Chloe answered with her trademark smile.
"Good, I'll pick you up at seven," Lex said turning to leave.
Chloe grabbed his wrist and pulled him back. They looked silently into each other's eyes for a moment before Chloe stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. A few seconds into the kiss the picture of Lex in the field of human bones flashed across Chloe's mind and she gasped involuntarily.
"What?" Lex asked searching her eyes.
"Nothing," Chloe said shaking her head to get rid of the mental picture. "You know what, I'll see you tonight."
"Tonight," Lex said walking out.
Chloe had to resist the urge to smack herself in the head.
"Chlo, was that Lex?" Clark asked walking in a few seconds later.
"Do you know of any other well-dressed bald men, Clark?" Chloe teased.
"Come to think of it…" Clark replied.
"Oh, I wanted to say I'm sorry about my little soap opera last weekend. I didn't mean to wake you, or soak you to the bone," Chloe said animatedly.
"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad that I was there," Clark replied.
"Clark Kent: Defender of the weak; helper to the helpless," Chloe said with a grin.
"That's me," Clark answered.
"Do you have your article?" Chloe asked.
"Right here," Clark said handing her a bright blue disk.
"Ahh…thank you," Chloe said slipping the disk into her computer.
"I liked your article this week," Clark said picking up an issue of the Torch.
Chloe smiled as he began to read it.
Of DreamMen and Friends
by: Chloe Sullivan
Friends. What would we do without them? Most of us
don't realize what we have right in front of us. It takes some
tragedy, or painful experience to see the greatness that we call
our friends. Why is this, I ask you?
Recently I attended a party with a small group of friends.
Three different times I attempted to talk to the man who I
believed to be the man of my dreams. Sadly, but not
completely unexpected, DreamMan blew me off all three times.
Why, you ask? You say, if he was the man of my dreams then
he wouldn't treat me that way.
You would be exactly right. I did my best to show
DreamMan how I felt and all I got to show for it was the brush-off
and his handprint on my arm. Well, I got more than that. My
three friends, make that best friends, came to my rescue and we
left DreamMan in the dust.
I know that everyone is just dying to know exactly who
three wonderful people are, so I'll tell you.
First, is Pete Ross. All around football player, and…well,
just a player. He's always been a shoulder to lean on and an ear
to complain into. Thank you, Pete!
Second, is Lana Lang, budding equestrian. Although, as you
all know me and Lana have had our differences in the past, she has
become a true friend. Everything she does comes straight from the
heart! Lana, you never cease to amaze me with your generosity!
Last, and certainly not least is Clark Kent. Lovable Farmboy,
and soon-to-be (if I have anything to do with it!) journalist. Clark
has stuck with me through thick and thin, and believe me it has
gotten pretty thick! Clark, I couldn't go on without you!
So, this leads us to Chloe's advice for the week:
1. Pick your friends wisely, they do come in handy.
2. When picking your DreamMan (or woman!) make sure
your decision won't come back to bite you in the rear.
To all friends everywhere: Thank you!
"You like that, huh? It wouldn't happen to be because of the little section all about you would it?" Chloe teased.
Clark raised his eyebrows innocently. "Is Lex still in the dust?"
"He's not as dusty as he used to be, but he still needs a good dry cleaner," Chloe answered, her eyes shining.
Clark laughed. "Will he be taking his Armani suits to the dry cleaner anytime soon?"
"Tonight, maybe," Chloe said. "We're going out to dinner."
"Me and Lana are going to dinner and a movie tonight. Do you want to meet us for the movie?" Clark asked.
"Will Lana mind?" Chloe asked.
"Will Lana mind what?" Lana asked walking into the office.
"If me and Lex meet you at the movies tonight," Chloe responded.
Lana stood in front of Clark and he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Lana won't mind," Lana answered.
"Will you come?" Clark asked hopefully.
"Just a second. I'll have to ask Lex, but I'd rather he came back up here," Chloe said.
"Why?" Lana asked.
"Let's just say that I didn't make a very good impression a few minutes ago," Chloe said rolling her eyes. "Are you staying in here during study hall, Lan?"
"Yeah," Lana replied leaning against Clark.
Chloe picked up the phone and dialed Lex's cell. "Hey, Lex. It's me…Will you come back up here?…You will? Thank you!…See you in a minute!"
"Wait…he was up here before?" Lana asked.
"About fifteen minutes ago," Chloe said. "Uh, he didn't happen to see an issue of the Torch this week, did he Clark?"
"I usually take him one, but considering the article, I thought better about it," Clark said.
"Good," Chloe said taking Clark's issue and shoving it into her desk.
"Hey! I want that back, you know?" Clark protested.
"I know, I know. Just not until he leaves," Chloe said.
"You know, there are other copies here. Like in every rack in every hall," Clark said.
"There aren't that many. It came out Monday, by Wednesday they were pretty much all gone," Chloe stated.
"I'm just warning you," Clark said.
"Oh! You and your warnings!" Chloe said in fake exasperation.
Lana laughed. "Hey, his warnings have saved you plenty of times," Lana said.
"Yeah, when I actually listen to them," Chloe said laughing.
"You tend not to do that very often," Clark replied.
"And see where that gets me? Frozen in a pool, almost burned to a crisp, knocked out and nearly chain sawed, and buried alive" Chloe said laughing. "And that's just the beginning!"
"Well, I'm glad you can laugh about your oh-so-many near death experiences," Clark said sarcastically.
"Hey, you may have warned me and I didn't listen, but you're also the person that saved me every single time, and then some," Chloe replied. "What's your tally now?"
Clark shook his head and smiled.
"You know it's true," Chloe replied with a grin.
"What's true?" Lex asked walking into the Torch.
"Nothing," Chloe said watching as Clark visibly stiffened. "Clark and Lana have invited us to see a movie with them after dinner."
"It's up to you," Lex replied.
"No, you decide. If you want it to be just us tonight, that's fine," Chloe said.
"It will be just us at dinner. Let's go," Lex answered.
"We are going to see Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me," Clark said.
Chloe laughed outright. That was definitely not Lex's kind of movie! "Think you can handle two hours of Mike Myers?" she asked Lex.
"I'm sure I can manage," Lex joked as Chloe slipped her arm around his waist. Lex walked back to Chloe's wall, pulling Chloe with him. "Didn't there used to be a picture of you up here, Lana?"
"Yes. I didn't like how it reminded of my parents. That picture makes me feel like all I'm ever going to be is a little girl in a fairy princess costume. When Chloe and I became friends I asked her to take it down. So, she did," Lana replied.
Lex looked at Chloe. "Could I ask the same favor?"
"Of course," Chloe said. She took the pictures and article off the wall and put them in a filing cabinet.
Lex looked at her quizzically.
"I have a file of articles that I've been asked to take down, or that it wasn't right to put up in the first place. I don't want to get rid of them, because they are part of the wall, but they don't necessarily need to be on it," Chloe explained.
"Who else do you have in there?" Lana asked.
"I have an another article on you, Coach Walt, Sean, and Justin among others," Chloe clarified.
"I understand why you took down Lana, but why the others?" Clark asked.
"I didn't want them up because I didn't want to keep being reminded of what happened with them. Coach Walt torched the 'Torch', to quote you Clark, with me in it. Sean Kelvin tried to turn me into a Popsicle, and Justin tried to filet me with a chainsaw," Chloe explained.
"You have another article on me? What article?" Lana asked.
"Ah, yes, my favorite. The whole seeing visions episode. You know, being buried alive in a glass coffin is a lot more than it's cracked up to be," Chloe said, her voice cracking.
"Chlo?" Clark asked.
"Sorry. I know it's been a long while, but I'll always be able to hear the sound of the dirt being flung onto the coffin," Chloe said with a forced smile. "That has got to be the worst thing I have ever had happen to me, and I have had a lot happen."
"Yes, you have," Clark said.
"But I'm fine now," Chloe said quickly. "My friend seemed to have the best timing with his savior-complex," she said with a laugh.
"What do you mean?" Lex asked his brows furrowed in thought.
"Cl-" Chloe started but Clark cut her off.
"Chloe always got out of trouble in the nick of time. So, tonight at eight forty-five okay?" Clark asked trying to change the subject. He certainly didn't need Lex getting any more bright ideas about his powers.
"Sounds great to me," Lex said, for once he was easily pulled off his train of thought. Lex looked at his watch. "I have to go. Dad insisted on making the three hour trip from Metropolis to 'talk.'"
Lex kissed Chloe and she took his hand and walked him to his car.
"Don't let him treat you badly this time," Chloe said putting her hands on Lex's upper arms.
"You don't 'let' Lionel Luthor do anything. He does as he pleases," Lex answered.
Chloe nodded. "Well, I still wish that he wouldn't treat you like that."
"I know. Don't worry, I'll be fine. I always am, aren't I?" Lex assured her.
"Yeah, like how fine you were that you avoided me for a week," Chloe muttered.
"Chloe…" Lex said making her look at him.
Chloe raised up on her toes to kiss Lex. After a minute she pulled back and laid her head on his shoulder.
"I'll see you tonight," Lex said kissing her hair.
"Tonight," Chloe agreed as Lex stepped into his white Ferrari. Chloe watched him speed off before going back inside.