Disclaimer: Do I care if I get sued?  Yes, this really isn't mine.

Author's Note: My lit essay on 'Dido' by Christopher Marlowe, is getting nowhere, so I thought I'd write another chapter.  I ought to be doing X-men but I need something to inspire me for it as I am beyond bored by it, anyone got any ideas to get me interested again?

Chapter 6: Sex and Shopping.

After he had left Chloe at school, Lex headed into Metropolis to find the perfect 'thank you' gift for her.  He was almost at a small bohemian clothing store when a familiar figure appeared and started walking a few metres ahead of him.  Lex, having spent too much time in Chloe's presence, followed her at a discreet distance.

About twenty minutes, and five non-designer clothing stores, later, his target stopped, turned around and said

"Are you going to follow me all day like some Scooby Doo wannabe or would you like to go get some coffee?"

"Well, coffee would save me having to start smoking pot and talking to dogs."

"C'mon then, there's this great little place about a block away."

Lex caught up to Catherine and they headed off.

They entered a tiny little establishment, half the size of The Talon, and found a seat in the corner.  A young brunette arrived at the table almost immediately.

"Hi, welcome to Hippy Joe's Coffee House, I'm Marie may I take your order?"

"A large, black, Moroccan blend with a dash of vanilla."

"And you sir?"

"A cappuccino."

"I'm sorry sir, we do speciality coffee blends, go to Starbucks if you want the frills."

Catherine fought back a smirk.  "He'll have the same as me.  Thanks."

"I'll bring them right over."  She left to get the order.

"What kind of coffee house doesn't do cappuccino?"  Lex asked.

"One that cares about good coffee rather than profit."

Lex looked bemused.

"Taste the plainest, most boring coffee they serve here, and it'll still beat anything else you've tried hands down."

The girl brought their coffees over and Lex tried a bit.

"Wow."  He would have to bring Chloe here sometime.  "I lived in Metropolis for years, how did I only just find this place?"

"No one would come in here if they didn't know what it was, face it the place looks like a dive.  But it's actually the best kept secret in the city."

"So, why are you in Metropolis?"

"Why not?"

"Don't be evasive."

"Well as you know I'm staying in Smallville, because it's more discreet.  But I felt like coming to do some shopping.  What about you, why've you been to Victoria's Secret?"

"Lingerie."

"Something I should know?"  She cocked an eyebrow at him.

"For my girlfriend."  The woman's sick, maybe it wouldn't be so bad being related to her.

"What's she like?"

"Chloe?  She's bright, funny, snarky, sexy and intelligent."

"Maybe I could meet her sometime."

"Maybe."

"Lex, I don't want this to be awkward, I'd like us to be friends.  Even if we're not related."

"I'd like that."

"So could you not come up with anything better?"

"What, than underwear?"

"Yeah, you should get her something cool, funky and unique."

"You just described her."

"Well that proves my point further.  She's more likely to put out if you make her feel totally unique."

They laughed, and then finished their coffees in silence.  Catherine picked up her bags and paid at the counter.  She returned with a small package.

"Aphrodisiac."  She said handing it to Lex.  "This could have been worse, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Wait, the name of the girl whose arm you broke, what was it?"

"Erm, I can't remember.  They did tell me, it'd be on record somewhere."

"It's not."

"Huh?"

"We were looking, on the net, we can't find her name."

"I did do it Lex, I'm not lying.  When I was a kid I was like the spawn of Satan, but you probably know that."

"I do, but I'm just saying how can you be sure if you don't know who you did it to?"

"I don't know, for various reasons I won't go into here and you're bound to find out about, I don't remember much of my childhood."  She was almost shouting.  Lex made to apologise but she beat him to it.  "Fuck off, okay, just fuck off.  I'll see you tomorrow."  She stormed out before Lex could say anything further.

He looked down at the packet in his hand it read 'Hippy Joe's Extra Caffeinated Brew: You'll be up all night guaranteed.'  He smirked to himself, a perfect gift for Chloe, coffee and innuendo all rolled into one.

He felt a pang of guilt about the way he'd approached the subject, he'd been having a good time up until then.  He had other things to worry about right now though, such as how to pay Chloe back.

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Flame me if you want, all criticism is good. I know there's no sex, and little shopping, sorry.  I also know this doesn't follow on right from the last chapter, but I will explain.  I think it would compromise my plot to give it all away now.

I admit this chapter was a bit odd, but I wanted to get something out, and this was the only way I could think of to do it.  Still Dickens had loads of bizarre coincidences, they were just better written.

Stay tuned

Flip.