Chapter 30- A Sore Subject
"Hey, Whitney," Chloe said seeing her friend outside of the Talon.
"Hi, Chloe. What's up?" Whitney asked.
"Came to get my morning coffee fix," Chloe said hungrily.
Whitney laughed. "This would be the place to get it."
"Where you going?" Chloe asked.
"Football practice," Whitney answered.
"Well, thank you for coming to my party last week," Chloe said.
"Anytime. I'm glad you liked your presents," Whitney replied.
"They were the best! I'll see you later," Chloe said opening the Talon door.
"Bye, Chloe," Whitney answered as Chloe's cell phone rang.
"Hello?" Chloe asked into the phone.
"Hey, Chloe. It's Lex," Lex said.
"What's wrong?" Chloe asked.
"Nothing. Where are you?" Lex asked.
"At the Talon. What's up?" Chloe asked hesitantly.
"Can you come over here?" Lex asked.
"Lex, what is it?" Chloe pressed.
"Just come over, okay?" Lex asked.
"Fine. Let me grab a coffee and I'll be there in a sec," Chloe said walking up to the counter.
"Alright. See you in a few minutes," Lex said.
"In a few minutes," Chloe agreed hanging up the phone.
"What is that look for?" Lana asked.
"Lex wants me to come over," Chloe said with a dazed expression.
Lana laughed. "And that elicits that look from you?"
"I can tell something's wrong, but I don't know what it is. He just kept insisting that I come over," Chloe said.
"I'm sure it's nothing," Lana assured her friend.
"Well, I'll find out soon enough. Can I get a coffee to go?" Chloe asked.
"Sure," Lana said turning to pour the coffee. "Tell Lex I said hi."
"I will. Thanks, Lan," Chloe said handing Lana some money. "Bye."
"Bye, Chlo," Lana said as Chloe left.
"You're pacing again," Chloe pointed out when she found Lex.
"Good, you're here," Lex said hurriedly.
"Lex, what is it? Tell me," Chloe demanded.
"It's my father. He's forcing me to go back to Metropolis," Lex said looking at Chloe.
"What? Can he do that?" Chloe asked.
"He's bringing in a new someone to take my place and having me shipped back," Lex explained.
"You're leaving?" Chloe asked in disbelief.
"I don't know. That's what I have to figure out," Lex said.
"Why is he doing this?" Chloe asked.
"Because I'm not a screw up. I don't depend on him anymore. By forcing me to Metropolis he is forcing me back under his wing. With the new position I will work directly under him," Lex said angrily.
"Forcing you to need him. Shouldn't he be happy that you're doing well?" Chloe asked.
"No, if I do well then that means that I will not be dependent on him. If I'm not dependent on him, then I won't become the power-driven, apathetic person he wants me to be," Lex said.
"Why does he want you to be like that?" Chloe asked.
"That's who he is. He says my destiny is with him. I'll always be his son, he says," Lex raved.
"Calm down, Lex," Chloe urged.
"I can't. He always does this. This time he might actually get away with it," Lex fumed.
"Why does he want you to be like him? I don't understand," Chloe said.
"Because I have some of my mother in me," Lex said simply.
"Why is that bad?" Chloe asked. "I thought he loved your mother."
"How did you know that? " Lex asked throwing a rude look at Chloe.
"It doesn't matter. What's wrong with being like your mom?" Chloe asked.
"My mother was a good person. She loved everyone. She never judged. She was an angel. In other words, she was the exact opposite of what a Luthor should be," Lex said.
"Have you talked to Clark?" Chloe asked.
"No, I wanted to tell you first," Lex spat the words like bile.
"I think Clark can help you more than I can. I'm going to call him," Chloe said picking up her cell phone.
"I'll talk to him later," Lex said losing control.
"Lex, look at how upset you are. I can't help you when you're like this," Chloe said dialing the Kent's number. "Mrs. Kent, can I talk to Clark?"
"He's in the field. Do you want me to get him?" Martha asked.
"Tell him to come to Lex's," Chloe said.
"Are you okay sweetheart?" Martha asked.
"Mrs. Kent, please. Just tell Clark to come here, okay?" Chloe asked.
"Yes, he'll be there in a little bit," Martha said hanging up the phone.
"Why did you call Clark?" Lex asked.
"Lex, you look like you're about to lose control. I obviously can't help you calm down. Maybe Clark can," Chloe said.
"Why does my father always do this? How dare he? I just got settled in here. I have friends, and a girlfriend and he's going to take it all away!" Lex almost shouted.
"Lex, please don't shout," Chloe asked. "Talk about it. Talk to me."
Lex took a deep breath and turned to Chloe. "He tries so hard to bring me down. I finally thought I had a chance to make it on my own."
"You still do, Lex. There has to be a way," Chloe said as Lex stalked around the room.
"I worked for so many years to not get close to anyone. 'Don't get caught up in your emotions,' is what Dad always says. Then, I came here. I found Clark, the Kents, then you. I forgot all about being a Luthor. For once I was actually happy," Lex said almost shaking in anger.
"Keep going," Chloe urged.
"I was stupid enough to let him know I was happy," Lex growled. "Once he found out he tried to take it away from me. I wouldn't let him."
"Lex, come here. Stop moving around," Chloe asked. "Then what happened?"
"He found out about you. That sent him off. When he saw that I wasn't going to back down after his infamous talks, he did this," Lex said towering over Chloe.
Chloe had to make herself not back away from Lex. She was afraid, but she was going to talk him through this. "There has to be something we can do. Think about it, Lex. Stop raving and think about it."
"I have thought about it. There's nothing," Lex sneered.
"Why do you let him do this to you? Why do you let him turn you into this anger-driven maniac?" Chloe asked.
"What other choice do I have? I'm a Luthor. Nothing can change that!" Lex said breathing heavily.
"What would your mother think if she heard you talking like this?" Chloe asked getting in Lex's face.
"What do you know of my mother?" Lex said through a clenched jaw.
"I know she loved you. She was the only one of your parents who didn't think you disgusting after the meteor shower. I'm not sure she would feel the same if she saw you now," Chloe said sternly.
Lex reached up and backslapped Chloe across her cheek. It sent her flying onto the couch.
"How dare you talk about my mother! You don't know what you're saying," Lex boomed.
Chloe held her cheek and looked daggers at Lex. "I know more than you'd think," she said heatedly matching Lex's tone.
"Don't ever talk about my mother again. You don't know what you're messing with," Lex sneered.
At that moment Clark came in. He took one look at Chloe and started to walk to Lex. Chloe held up a hand for him to stop.
"I know it hurts to talk about her, but you have to. You can't keep holding it in. You can't let your father squelch the last bits of her out of you. She loved you, Lex. Remember that," Chloe said advancing on him.
As Chloe got closer to Lex, Clark stepped forward to make sure Lex didn't try anything.
"There is no more of her in me. I can't even remember her voice. I don't remember the perfume she used to wear. I barely even remember her face," Lex said more calmly.
"She called you sweetheart. You were her baby boy. She knew that Lionel would do this to you. She wanted you to be strong. She wanted you to get past your father, but was afraid you couldn't without her help," Chloe said taking a deep breath.
"How do you know this? You're making it up!" Lex said, his voice filled with pure hatred.
"You can't let Lionel do this to you. Show your mother that you can be better than your father, Lex," Chloe said taking another step closer.
"Chloe," Clark said in warning. Lex's hands were in tight fists at his side and his jaw was clenched tight. Chloe glanced at him before stepping even closer.
"Stop talking about my mother! You never knew her. You don't know how she felt!" Lex raged.
Chloe had figured out what the dreams meant. It was her job to help Lex get over his obstacles. These things that had happened to him were turning him black inside. It was Chloe's destiny to help him get over them. That was the only explanation she had for the dreams.
"Lex, I know that after the meteor shower your father hated you. You had been his chance for an heir. What was he going to do with a bald son? He was utterly disgusted," Chloe started.
"You think I don't know that?!?" Lex raged. "I'm just another meteor freak in my father's eyes! What's your point?"
"Lex, calm down," Clark said taking Lex's arm.
Lex jerked his arm away and Chloe looked to Clark. "Just a sec," she told him.
"What…Is…Your…Point?!?" Lex boomed.
"The point is that your mother never gave up hope in you, Lex. If it was even possible she loved you more after the accident. You can't let her down. Her dream was for you to be you own person. Don't disappoint her," Chloe said calmly.
Lex huffed and turned to sit down at his desk.
"What's going on?" Clark asked putting his hand to Chloe's red cheek.
Chloe brought a hand up to hold onto Clark's wrist. "Lionel is forcing Lex to go back to Metropolis."
Clark put his hand by his side before talking. "Can he do that?"
Chloe spent the next few minutes relaying her and Lex's conversation.
"Why did you hit her?" Clark asked walking to Lex.
"She was talking about my mom. She doesn't know what she was talking about," Lex growled.
"I told you I do know! Why won't you listen to me?" Chloe shouted.
Clark reached over and put an arm in front of Chloe. "You, I warned you not to hit her. You, don't bring up his mom. Both of you, calm down! You're acting like children."
"Am not!" Chloe retorted.
"You just proved my point. Come on, why are you acting like this?" Clark asked Chloe.
"I don't want Lex to leave," Chloe said crossing her arms indignantly.
"Lex, why are you acting like this?" Clark asked.
"I don't want to leave," Lex threw out.
"Then let's calm down. No more hitting, no more low blows. Let's think about what we can do," Clark said calmly. He gently forced Chloe into a leather chair in front of Lex, then sat in a chair beside hers. For the next hour they talked about what they could do to keep Lex in Smallville.
"Hey, Whitney," Chloe said seeing her friend outside of the Talon.
"Hi, Chloe. What's up?" Whitney asked.
"Came to get my morning coffee fix," Chloe said hungrily.
Whitney laughed. "This would be the place to get it."
"Where you going?" Chloe asked.
"Football practice," Whitney answered.
"Well, thank you for coming to my party last week," Chloe said.
"Anytime. I'm glad you liked your presents," Whitney replied.
"They were the best! I'll see you later," Chloe said opening the Talon door.
"Bye, Chloe," Whitney answered as Chloe's cell phone rang.
"Hello?" Chloe asked into the phone.
"Hey, Chloe. It's Lex," Lex said.
"What's wrong?" Chloe asked.
"Nothing. Where are you?" Lex asked.
"At the Talon. What's up?" Chloe asked hesitantly.
"Can you come over here?" Lex asked.
"Lex, what is it?" Chloe pressed.
"Just come over, okay?" Lex asked.
"Fine. Let me grab a coffee and I'll be there in a sec," Chloe said walking up to the counter.
"Alright. See you in a few minutes," Lex said.
"In a few minutes," Chloe agreed hanging up the phone.
"What is that look for?" Lana asked.
"Lex wants me to come over," Chloe said with a dazed expression.
Lana laughed. "And that elicits that look from you?"
"I can tell something's wrong, but I don't know what it is. He just kept insisting that I come over," Chloe said.
"I'm sure it's nothing," Lana assured her friend.
"Well, I'll find out soon enough. Can I get a coffee to go?" Chloe asked.
"Sure," Lana said turning to pour the coffee. "Tell Lex I said hi."
"I will. Thanks, Lan," Chloe said handing Lana some money. "Bye."
"Bye, Chlo," Lana said as Chloe left.
"You're pacing again," Chloe pointed out when she found Lex.
"Good, you're here," Lex said hurriedly.
"Lex, what is it? Tell me," Chloe demanded.
"It's my father. He's forcing me to go back to Metropolis," Lex said looking at Chloe.
"What? Can he do that?" Chloe asked.
"He's bringing in a new someone to take my place and having me shipped back," Lex explained.
"You're leaving?" Chloe asked in disbelief.
"I don't know. That's what I have to figure out," Lex said.
"Why is he doing this?" Chloe asked.
"Because I'm not a screw up. I don't depend on him anymore. By forcing me to Metropolis he is forcing me back under his wing. With the new position I will work directly under him," Lex said angrily.
"Forcing you to need him. Shouldn't he be happy that you're doing well?" Chloe asked.
"No, if I do well then that means that I will not be dependent on him. If I'm not dependent on him, then I won't become the power-driven, apathetic person he wants me to be," Lex said.
"Why does he want you to be like that?" Chloe asked.
"That's who he is. He says my destiny is with him. I'll always be his son, he says," Lex raved.
"Calm down, Lex," Chloe urged.
"I can't. He always does this. This time he might actually get away with it," Lex fumed.
"Why does he want you to be like him? I don't understand," Chloe said.
"Because I have some of my mother in me," Lex said simply.
"Why is that bad?" Chloe asked. "I thought he loved your mother."
"How did you know that? " Lex asked throwing a rude look at Chloe.
"It doesn't matter. What's wrong with being like your mom?" Chloe asked.
"My mother was a good person. She loved everyone. She never judged. She was an angel. In other words, she was the exact opposite of what a Luthor should be," Lex said.
"Have you talked to Clark?" Chloe asked.
"No, I wanted to tell you first," Lex spat the words like bile.
"I think Clark can help you more than I can. I'm going to call him," Chloe said picking up her cell phone.
"I'll talk to him later," Lex said losing control.
"Lex, look at how upset you are. I can't help you when you're like this," Chloe said dialing the Kent's number. "Mrs. Kent, can I talk to Clark?"
"He's in the field. Do you want me to get him?" Martha asked.
"Tell him to come to Lex's," Chloe said.
"Are you okay sweetheart?" Martha asked.
"Mrs. Kent, please. Just tell Clark to come here, okay?" Chloe asked.
"Yes, he'll be there in a little bit," Martha said hanging up the phone.
"Why did you call Clark?" Lex asked.
"Lex, you look like you're about to lose control. I obviously can't help you calm down. Maybe Clark can," Chloe said.
"Why does my father always do this? How dare he? I just got settled in here. I have friends, and a girlfriend and he's going to take it all away!" Lex almost shouted.
"Lex, please don't shout," Chloe asked. "Talk about it. Talk to me."
Lex took a deep breath and turned to Chloe. "He tries so hard to bring me down. I finally thought I had a chance to make it on my own."
"You still do, Lex. There has to be a way," Chloe said as Lex stalked around the room.
"I worked for so many years to not get close to anyone. 'Don't get caught up in your emotions,' is what Dad always says. Then, I came here. I found Clark, the Kents, then you. I forgot all about being a Luthor. For once I was actually happy," Lex said almost shaking in anger.
"Keep going," Chloe urged.
"I was stupid enough to let him know I was happy," Lex growled. "Once he found out he tried to take it away from me. I wouldn't let him."
"Lex, come here. Stop moving around," Chloe asked. "Then what happened?"
"He found out about you. That sent him off. When he saw that I wasn't going to back down after his infamous talks, he did this," Lex said towering over Chloe.
Chloe had to make herself not back away from Lex. She was afraid, but she was going to talk him through this. "There has to be something we can do. Think about it, Lex. Stop raving and think about it."
"I have thought about it. There's nothing," Lex sneered.
"Why do you let him do this to you? Why do you let him turn you into this anger-driven maniac?" Chloe asked.
"What other choice do I have? I'm a Luthor. Nothing can change that!" Lex said breathing heavily.
"What would your mother think if she heard you talking like this?" Chloe asked getting in Lex's face.
"What do you know of my mother?" Lex said through a clenched jaw.
"I know she loved you. She was the only one of your parents who didn't think you disgusting after the meteor shower. I'm not sure she would feel the same if she saw you now," Chloe said sternly.
Lex reached up and backslapped Chloe across her cheek. It sent her flying onto the couch.
"How dare you talk about my mother! You don't know what you're saying," Lex boomed.
Chloe held her cheek and looked daggers at Lex. "I know more than you'd think," she said heatedly matching Lex's tone.
"Don't ever talk about my mother again. You don't know what you're messing with," Lex sneered.
At that moment Clark came in. He took one look at Chloe and started to walk to Lex. Chloe held up a hand for him to stop.
"I know it hurts to talk about her, but you have to. You can't keep holding it in. You can't let your father squelch the last bits of her out of you. She loved you, Lex. Remember that," Chloe said advancing on him.
As Chloe got closer to Lex, Clark stepped forward to make sure Lex didn't try anything.
"There is no more of her in me. I can't even remember her voice. I don't remember the perfume she used to wear. I barely even remember her face," Lex said more calmly.
"She called you sweetheart. You were her baby boy. She knew that Lionel would do this to you. She wanted you to be strong. She wanted you to get past your father, but was afraid you couldn't without her help," Chloe said taking a deep breath.
"How do you know this? You're making it up!" Lex said, his voice filled with pure hatred.
"You can't let Lionel do this to you. Show your mother that you can be better than your father, Lex," Chloe said taking another step closer.
"Chloe," Clark said in warning. Lex's hands were in tight fists at his side and his jaw was clenched tight. Chloe glanced at him before stepping even closer.
"Stop talking about my mother! You never knew her. You don't know how she felt!" Lex raged.
Chloe had figured out what the dreams meant. It was her job to help Lex get over his obstacles. These things that had happened to him were turning him black inside. It was Chloe's destiny to help him get over them. That was the only explanation she had for the dreams.
"Lex, I know that after the meteor shower your father hated you. You had been his chance for an heir. What was he going to do with a bald son? He was utterly disgusted," Chloe started.
"You think I don't know that?!?" Lex raged. "I'm just another meteor freak in my father's eyes! What's your point?"
"Lex, calm down," Clark said taking Lex's arm.
Lex jerked his arm away and Chloe looked to Clark. "Just a sec," she told him.
"What…Is…Your…Point?!?" Lex boomed.
"The point is that your mother never gave up hope in you, Lex. If it was even possible she loved you more after the accident. You can't let her down. Her dream was for you to be you own person. Don't disappoint her," Chloe said calmly.
Lex huffed and turned to sit down at his desk.
"What's going on?" Clark asked putting his hand to Chloe's red cheek.
Chloe brought a hand up to hold onto Clark's wrist. "Lionel is forcing Lex to go back to Metropolis."
Clark put his hand by his side before talking. "Can he do that?"
Chloe spent the next few minutes relaying her and Lex's conversation.
"Why did you hit her?" Clark asked walking to Lex.
"She was talking about my mom. She doesn't know what she was talking about," Lex growled.
"I told you I do know! Why won't you listen to me?" Chloe shouted.
Clark reached over and put an arm in front of Chloe. "You, I warned you not to hit her. You, don't bring up his mom. Both of you, calm down! You're acting like children."
"Am not!" Chloe retorted.
"You just proved my point. Come on, why are you acting like this?" Clark asked Chloe.
"I don't want Lex to leave," Chloe said crossing her arms indignantly.
"Lex, why are you acting like this?" Clark asked.
"I don't want to leave," Lex threw out.
"Then let's calm down. No more hitting, no more low blows. Let's think about what we can do," Clark said calmly. He gently forced Chloe into a leather chair in front of Lex, then sat in a chair beside hers. For the next hour they talked about what they could do to keep Lex in Smallville.