Chapter 35- Verbal Judo
"Hey, you okay?" Lana asked.
Chloe was sitting at her desk with her head on her arms. "Yeah, I guess," Chloe answered.
"Can I do anything?" Lana asked.
"Not unless you can make Lex a different person," Chloe sighed.
"I can help relieve some of the stress," Lana offered.
"How do you propose to do that?" Chloe asked raising her eyebrows.
Lana laughed. "I don't know what you're thinking…but, no. I was suggesting that all of us: you, Clark, Whitney, Pete, and me go to Metropolis tomorrow."
"Go on," Chloe pressed becoming intrigued.
Lana grinned. "We'll make a day of it. We'll shop for clothes for your internship, eat, and see a movie. The works," Lana explained.
"Well, Clark and Pete aren't too keen with helping me shop. I know from experience," Chloe said, slightly less gloomy as before.
"They'll have to deal with it," Lana replied.
"That sounds great. What about Lex?" Chloe asked.
"If you want to ask him, it's fine. Just remember, this is supposed to be a stress-free day," Lana answered.
Chloe laughed. "Alright, no Lex," she said as Clark walked in.
"Clark, do me a favor," Lana said. "Round up Pete and Whitney."
"Okay…" Clark said with a curious look. When neither girl said anything more he left. Lana and Chloe burst into laughter.
"It's good to hear you laugh," Lana said as Chloe's phone rang.
"Hello?" Chloe asked, her smile traveling to her eyes. She immediately became serious. "What? Calm down and talk to me. He did what? Okay, I'll be there in a minute."
"I have to go," Chloe said grabbing her bag.
"Where are you going?" Pete asked entering the room followed by Clark and Whitney.
"Two guesses and the first two don't count," Chloe replied.
"Who was that?" Lana asked.
"The above statement applies to both questions," Chloe answered.
"Lex. What's wrong?" Lana asked.
"I don't know. Something about Lionel and- I really don't know. Lana, tell them our plans and I'll call you tonight for more details," Chloe said quickly.
"Let me go with you," Clark said worried.
Chloe looked straight into Clark's eyes. "Lana has her cell. So does Pete. If I need someone I'll call," Chloe assured him.
"But I don't have a cell," Clark complained.
"If I need you Lana or Pete can find you," Chloe said leaving. "Don't worry," she shouted over her shoulder.
"I hate it when she says that," Clark muttered.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chloe walked quickly towards the sound of Lionel and Lex's controlled angry voices. "Facing two Luthors at once," she muttered to herself. "I must be crazy." She paused outside the door to square her shoulders. Chloe opened the door and walked in a few steps waiting for Lionel or Lex to notice her.
"Stop playing games, Lex," Lionel said in exasperation.
"But Dad, games are all we have," Lex replied coolly.
"Why do you refuse to come home?" Lionel asked.
"There is no 'home.' Just a big empty penthouse," Lex replied.
"Your future is with me, Lex," Lionel told his son.
"No…it isn't," Chloe said announcing her presence.
Lionel scoffed. "I thought you'd want him out of your life with the way he beats you," Lionel tried to take a dig at Chloe.
Chloe wasn't going to let him bother her. She moved so she was between Lex and Lionel. "Wrong again."
"What a little spitfire," Lionel said with a laugh.
Chloe looked daggers at Lionel, "Leave."
"Is this your protector Lex? A 16-year-old child?" Lionel asked in amusement.
"No, just one of the two most important people in my life in Smallville. I won't let you force me to leave. I am finally happy. I have friends, and you can't take that away," Lex said placing his hands on Chloe's shoulders.
Lionel smirked. "You'll do as I say."
"No…he won't," Chloe countered.
"Shut up, child! Do not speak of matters you know nothing about," Lionel told her.
"Like I haven't heard that before," Chloe muttered.
"I've told you before, Lex," Lionel said ignoring Chloe. "You are my son. You'll always be my son. You'll always need me. I am your destiny, Lex," Lionel said smugly.
"No!" Chloe whispered.
"I will fight you or die trying," Lex growled practically shoving Chloe out of the way.
"I thought as much. We're Luthors. We have war in our blood," Lionel responded.
"No. Maybe you do. But being a Luthor has nothing to do with it," Chloe said trying to speak loudly.
"You can't hide from the truth," Lionel told Lex.
"And you can't candy coat it with words like 'son,' 'family,' and 'future,'" Lex told him angrily.
"We can be great together," Lionel said.
"I plan on being great all by myself," Lex replied.
"Not at this plant. Not unless you are by my side. I can make your life miserable, Lex," Lionel said.
"You already have," Chloe growled at Lionel.
"I've warned you once, next time I won't be so nice," Lionel snapped at Chloe.
Chloe rolled her eyes. "Like you were nice the first time?"
"Leave her out of this!" Lex told Lionel.
"You're right. Your little tramp should have nothing to do with it," Lionel agreed.
"That's not what I meant," Lex said with a clenched jaw.
"I'm not a tramp," Chloe added.
"Why else would you be here other than for Lex's money?" Lionel asked.
"Because I love him!" Chloe shouted startling herself and both Luthors. "I love him," she said in a more quiet tone.
"I'm sure he loves you, too. That's why he risked your life playing chicken with his Camaro, and why he broke your wrist, and gave you those nasty bruises," Lionel said smugly.
"That has-. I mean-. He didn't-. It's just-," Chloe said struggling for some kind of witty comeback.
"Not a very big vocabulary for a reporter," Lionel scoffed.
"I told you to leave…her…alone," Lex boomed.
Lionel looked almost gleeful. "He's getting angry. Better be careful."
"No," Chloe smirked. "He's not angry with me."
"It's only a matter of time," Lionel replied.
"Get out!" Lex shouted.
"Fine, I have a meeting to attend anyway. This isn't over, Lex. It won't be over until you're in Metropolis with me," Lionel said leaving the room.
When Lionel was gone Chloe threw up her arms in frustration. "Ugh! Sometimes I just want to-" she said balling up her fists as best she could around her cast. When she noticed that Lex had gotten quiet she turned to him. He was sitting at his desk. "Are you okay?" she asked kneeling beside him.
"No," Lex answered truthfully.
"Is there something I can do?" Chloe asked putting her good hand on Lex's arm.
"No," Lex repeated, staring straight ahead.
"Is there something anyone can do?" Chloe tried.
"No," Lex answered again, not looking at Chloe.
"I don't know what to do," Chloe said. "I don't know what to say."
"There's nothing. He's done what he came for," Lex replied coldly.
"What's that?" Chloe asked.
"Tear me down. Show me I'm useless without him," Lex said. His voice was like ice.
Chloe pulled back abruptly at the hopelessness in Lex's voice. "Don't say that."
"It's true," Lex said standing up suddenly.
"Why? Why are you useless without him?" Chloe asked.
"I'm a Luthor. I'll always be a Luthor," Lex said walking across the room. "Nothing can change that."
"You're right," Chloe told him. "But you can change what Luthor means."
"How?" Lex asked with disinterest.
"You'll have to figure it out on your own," she said wrapping her arms around Lex's waist from behind.
Lex removed her arms and walked a few steps away.
"I can only do so much," she told Lex.
Lex wouldn't look at Chloe or respond to what she was saying.
Chloe sighed. "I have to go. I won't be home tomorrow, but I'll have my phone."
Lex still refused to speak, so she left quietly. Her phone rang on the way out.
"Hey," she said tiredly. "Where is everybody? Okay, I'll be there in a few minutes."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Hi," Chloe said plopping herself in a seat next to Pete.
Pete threw his arm around Chloe's shoulders. "You okay?"
Chloe leaned against Pete in exhaustion. "Just wiped out. Lana, can I have a caramel macchiato?"
"Sure," Lana said walking away quickly.
"What happened?" Clark asked.
Chloe laughed tiredly. "Dealing with two Luthors at once can wipe anyone out."
"What happened?" Clark asked again.
"Verbal judo," Chloe said simply.
Whitney gave her a puzzled look. "That's what Lex said about our interview for the Torch. 'I'd love to continue this verbal judo.' Anyway, I really don't want to talk about it. Let's talk about tomorrow," Chloe said as Lana returned.
"Is Lex coming?" Lana asked.
"Oh, God, no," Chloe replied making everyone laugh. "I just need a break from him right now. I am so tired with having to try to help him all the time. I just need a break."
"Well, tomorrow will be perfect for that," Whitney said.
"Tell me more," Chloe urged. "Who all is going?"
"I am," Whitney told her.
"Me too," Clark replied.
"Same here," Lana answered.
"Of course, I am," Pete said.
"Good. That's everybody," Chloe said. "Tell me more plans."
"We are going to meet at my house tomorrow at ten for breakfast," Clark supplied.
"Mmm. Mrs. Kent's breakfast," Chloe said hungrily. "So far I like it. Keep going."
"We'll go shopping first," Lana said.
"And second and third," Chloe added. "Yes?"
Pete laughed. "We'll eat lunch anywhere you want."
"Then we can go see a movie," Whitney added. "If we're not too busy shopping," he teased.
"Well, with the amount of money I have, you never know," Chloe answered, beginning to smile.
"I'll drive my mom's car. We can all fit into it," Clark suggested.
"Like sardines! I like what I hear," Chloe said pleased.
"Good. That is the extent of our panning at the moment," Lana said.
"Don't forget the kidnapping, Lan," Pete said.
"Oh, yes. We are going to kidnap your phone and screen your calls. If it's Lex, you're not talking," Lana said.
Chloe sat up straight. "What? You can't do that! What if he needs me?" Chloe asked becoming frantic.
Pete pulled Chloe back against the seat.
"If it's important, he'll keep calling. If he does, one of us will answer. We'll deem it important or not, and if it is you can talk," Whitney explained.
"You will have no clue how important it is," Chloe said in amazement.
"Chlo, calm down. We just want you to have fun tomorrow and you can't do that with Lex calling you to the mansion to fight his battles for him," Clark said reassuringly.
"Fine," Chloe snapped. "But if something happens…"
"Nothing will," Pete assured her.
"It better not," Chloe said in resignation.
"Wow, mama bear anyone?" Whitney asked.
Chloe shot him a dirty look.
"It's for your own good," Whitney told her. "You said yourself you need a break. How can you get one with Lex calling you all day?"
"You know you're right, just leave me alone to sulk," Chloe said trying not to smile.
"That's better," Lana said when Chloe broke into a small smile.
"Hey, you okay?" Lana asked.
Chloe was sitting at her desk with her head on her arms. "Yeah, I guess," Chloe answered.
"Can I do anything?" Lana asked.
"Not unless you can make Lex a different person," Chloe sighed.
"I can help relieve some of the stress," Lana offered.
"How do you propose to do that?" Chloe asked raising her eyebrows.
Lana laughed. "I don't know what you're thinking…but, no. I was suggesting that all of us: you, Clark, Whitney, Pete, and me go to Metropolis tomorrow."
"Go on," Chloe pressed becoming intrigued.
Lana grinned. "We'll make a day of it. We'll shop for clothes for your internship, eat, and see a movie. The works," Lana explained.
"Well, Clark and Pete aren't too keen with helping me shop. I know from experience," Chloe said, slightly less gloomy as before.
"They'll have to deal with it," Lana replied.
"That sounds great. What about Lex?" Chloe asked.
"If you want to ask him, it's fine. Just remember, this is supposed to be a stress-free day," Lana answered.
Chloe laughed. "Alright, no Lex," she said as Clark walked in.
"Clark, do me a favor," Lana said. "Round up Pete and Whitney."
"Okay…" Clark said with a curious look. When neither girl said anything more he left. Lana and Chloe burst into laughter.
"It's good to hear you laugh," Lana said as Chloe's phone rang.
"Hello?" Chloe asked, her smile traveling to her eyes. She immediately became serious. "What? Calm down and talk to me. He did what? Okay, I'll be there in a minute."
"I have to go," Chloe said grabbing her bag.
"Where are you going?" Pete asked entering the room followed by Clark and Whitney.
"Two guesses and the first two don't count," Chloe replied.
"Who was that?" Lana asked.
"The above statement applies to both questions," Chloe answered.
"Lex. What's wrong?" Lana asked.
"I don't know. Something about Lionel and- I really don't know. Lana, tell them our plans and I'll call you tonight for more details," Chloe said quickly.
"Let me go with you," Clark said worried.
Chloe looked straight into Clark's eyes. "Lana has her cell. So does Pete. If I need someone I'll call," Chloe assured him.
"But I don't have a cell," Clark complained.
"If I need you Lana or Pete can find you," Chloe said leaving. "Don't worry," she shouted over her shoulder.
"I hate it when she says that," Clark muttered.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chloe walked quickly towards the sound of Lionel and Lex's controlled angry voices. "Facing two Luthors at once," she muttered to herself. "I must be crazy." She paused outside the door to square her shoulders. Chloe opened the door and walked in a few steps waiting for Lionel or Lex to notice her.
"Stop playing games, Lex," Lionel said in exasperation.
"But Dad, games are all we have," Lex replied coolly.
"Why do you refuse to come home?" Lionel asked.
"There is no 'home.' Just a big empty penthouse," Lex replied.
"Your future is with me, Lex," Lionel told his son.
"No…it isn't," Chloe said announcing her presence.
Lionel scoffed. "I thought you'd want him out of your life with the way he beats you," Lionel tried to take a dig at Chloe.
Chloe wasn't going to let him bother her. She moved so she was between Lex and Lionel. "Wrong again."
"What a little spitfire," Lionel said with a laugh.
Chloe looked daggers at Lionel, "Leave."
"Is this your protector Lex? A 16-year-old child?" Lionel asked in amusement.
"No, just one of the two most important people in my life in Smallville. I won't let you force me to leave. I am finally happy. I have friends, and you can't take that away," Lex said placing his hands on Chloe's shoulders.
Lionel smirked. "You'll do as I say."
"No…he won't," Chloe countered.
"Shut up, child! Do not speak of matters you know nothing about," Lionel told her.
"Like I haven't heard that before," Chloe muttered.
"I've told you before, Lex," Lionel said ignoring Chloe. "You are my son. You'll always be my son. You'll always need me. I am your destiny, Lex," Lionel said smugly.
"No!" Chloe whispered.
"I will fight you or die trying," Lex growled practically shoving Chloe out of the way.
"I thought as much. We're Luthors. We have war in our blood," Lionel responded.
"No. Maybe you do. But being a Luthor has nothing to do with it," Chloe said trying to speak loudly.
"You can't hide from the truth," Lionel told Lex.
"And you can't candy coat it with words like 'son,' 'family,' and 'future,'" Lex told him angrily.
"We can be great together," Lionel said.
"I plan on being great all by myself," Lex replied.
"Not at this plant. Not unless you are by my side. I can make your life miserable, Lex," Lionel said.
"You already have," Chloe growled at Lionel.
"I've warned you once, next time I won't be so nice," Lionel snapped at Chloe.
Chloe rolled her eyes. "Like you were nice the first time?"
"Leave her out of this!" Lex told Lionel.
"You're right. Your little tramp should have nothing to do with it," Lionel agreed.
"That's not what I meant," Lex said with a clenched jaw.
"I'm not a tramp," Chloe added.
"Why else would you be here other than for Lex's money?" Lionel asked.
"Because I love him!" Chloe shouted startling herself and both Luthors. "I love him," she said in a more quiet tone.
"I'm sure he loves you, too. That's why he risked your life playing chicken with his Camaro, and why he broke your wrist, and gave you those nasty bruises," Lionel said smugly.
"That has-. I mean-. He didn't-. It's just-," Chloe said struggling for some kind of witty comeback.
"Not a very big vocabulary for a reporter," Lionel scoffed.
"I told you to leave…her…alone," Lex boomed.
Lionel looked almost gleeful. "He's getting angry. Better be careful."
"No," Chloe smirked. "He's not angry with me."
"It's only a matter of time," Lionel replied.
"Get out!" Lex shouted.
"Fine, I have a meeting to attend anyway. This isn't over, Lex. It won't be over until you're in Metropolis with me," Lionel said leaving the room.
When Lionel was gone Chloe threw up her arms in frustration. "Ugh! Sometimes I just want to-" she said balling up her fists as best she could around her cast. When she noticed that Lex had gotten quiet she turned to him. He was sitting at his desk. "Are you okay?" she asked kneeling beside him.
"No," Lex answered truthfully.
"Is there something I can do?" Chloe asked putting her good hand on Lex's arm.
"No," Lex repeated, staring straight ahead.
"Is there something anyone can do?" Chloe tried.
"No," Lex answered again, not looking at Chloe.
"I don't know what to do," Chloe said. "I don't know what to say."
"There's nothing. He's done what he came for," Lex replied coldly.
"What's that?" Chloe asked.
"Tear me down. Show me I'm useless without him," Lex said. His voice was like ice.
Chloe pulled back abruptly at the hopelessness in Lex's voice. "Don't say that."
"It's true," Lex said standing up suddenly.
"Why? Why are you useless without him?" Chloe asked.
"I'm a Luthor. I'll always be a Luthor," Lex said walking across the room. "Nothing can change that."
"You're right," Chloe told him. "But you can change what Luthor means."
"How?" Lex asked with disinterest.
"You'll have to figure it out on your own," she said wrapping her arms around Lex's waist from behind.
Lex removed her arms and walked a few steps away.
"I can only do so much," she told Lex.
Lex wouldn't look at Chloe or respond to what she was saying.
Chloe sighed. "I have to go. I won't be home tomorrow, but I'll have my phone."
Lex still refused to speak, so she left quietly. Her phone rang on the way out.
"Hey," she said tiredly. "Where is everybody? Okay, I'll be there in a few minutes."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Hi," Chloe said plopping herself in a seat next to Pete.
Pete threw his arm around Chloe's shoulders. "You okay?"
Chloe leaned against Pete in exhaustion. "Just wiped out. Lana, can I have a caramel macchiato?"
"Sure," Lana said walking away quickly.
"What happened?" Clark asked.
Chloe laughed tiredly. "Dealing with two Luthors at once can wipe anyone out."
"What happened?" Clark asked again.
"Verbal judo," Chloe said simply.
Whitney gave her a puzzled look. "That's what Lex said about our interview for the Torch. 'I'd love to continue this verbal judo.' Anyway, I really don't want to talk about it. Let's talk about tomorrow," Chloe said as Lana returned.
"Is Lex coming?" Lana asked.
"Oh, God, no," Chloe replied making everyone laugh. "I just need a break from him right now. I am so tired with having to try to help him all the time. I just need a break."
"Well, tomorrow will be perfect for that," Whitney said.
"Tell me more," Chloe urged. "Who all is going?"
"I am," Whitney told her.
"Me too," Clark replied.
"Same here," Lana answered.
"Of course, I am," Pete said.
"Good. That's everybody," Chloe said. "Tell me more plans."
"We are going to meet at my house tomorrow at ten for breakfast," Clark supplied.
"Mmm. Mrs. Kent's breakfast," Chloe said hungrily. "So far I like it. Keep going."
"We'll go shopping first," Lana said.
"And second and third," Chloe added. "Yes?"
Pete laughed. "We'll eat lunch anywhere you want."
"Then we can go see a movie," Whitney added. "If we're not too busy shopping," he teased.
"Well, with the amount of money I have, you never know," Chloe answered, beginning to smile.
"I'll drive my mom's car. We can all fit into it," Clark suggested.
"Like sardines! I like what I hear," Chloe said pleased.
"Good. That is the extent of our panning at the moment," Lana said.
"Don't forget the kidnapping, Lan," Pete said.
"Oh, yes. We are going to kidnap your phone and screen your calls. If it's Lex, you're not talking," Lana said.
Chloe sat up straight. "What? You can't do that! What if he needs me?" Chloe asked becoming frantic.
Pete pulled Chloe back against the seat.
"If it's important, he'll keep calling. If he does, one of us will answer. We'll deem it important or not, and if it is you can talk," Whitney explained.
"You will have no clue how important it is," Chloe said in amazement.
"Chlo, calm down. We just want you to have fun tomorrow and you can't do that with Lex calling you to the mansion to fight his battles for him," Clark said reassuringly.
"Fine," Chloe snapped. "But if something happens…"
"Nothing will," Pete assured her.
"It better not," Chloe said in resignation.
"Wow, mama bear anyone?" Whitney asked.
Chloe shot him a dirty look.
"It's for your own good," Whitney told her. "You said yourself you need a break. How can you get one with Lex calling you all day?"
"You know you're right, just leave me alone to sulk," Chloe said trying not to smile.
"That's better," Lana said when Chloe broke into a small smile.