Title: I Just Want to Let You Know, I Care for You?I Love You

Author: Andaluchia aka Lisa

Email: eruvue@yahoo.com

Disclaimer: The characters in this story are not my own. The characters belong to

whoever created Superman. And I'm sure the WB also owns some of these

characters. I am only borrowing them for my own little story,

Distribution: I like to keep track of my stories. So, if you would like to post this on

your site please please please drop me an email first. I promise I won't say no.

Summary: This is a Chloe fic. It has a lot of Lex Luthor in it though. It's basically

safe to say this is a Chloe/Lex fic. And by the end of it you can decide for yourself

if it's also a Chloe/Clark fic. It's hard to explain I just hope you give it a chance

and read it in full.

Feedback: It's always greatly appreciated. Despite the fact that some think

feedback is simply to feed the authors ego I can assure you it's not. We just like

to know that people are actually reading the fic and what is it they think of it

exactly. You can write me and tell me how much you love it or how much you

think it sucks. Constructive criticism is the best way to go, but I can't force it out

of you. Either way please drop me a line if you can.

Note: I like to name the chapters after my favorite song. So, if you recognize any

titles then now you know why.

Chapter One: Beautiful Stranger

December 23rd, 2005 11:33 P.M.

So, here I am once again...er...more appropriately millionth again, sitting

here alone, with my personal journal as my only company. In approximately 26

minutes and a few seconds it will officially be Christmas Eve. And I, alone in my

apartment in Metropolis, tight on funds will be unable to visit my small family in

Smallville. Sure, I could drive but the gas costs alone would be the price of a bus

ticket and that I can't even afford.

Technically, I'm not bothered that I can't see everyone this Christmas.

Well, I wish I could see my dad. But, this is my first time living alone in Metropolis

and having a job as well as going to school, but a girl's first years alone are

always tough when you aspire to be a career woman. I know that all my hard

work will lead to a wonderful career and no matter how much of a cynic I am I

know someday I will find my Knight in shining armor and have many wonderful

Christmas's ahead of me.

So, with that being all I have to say tonight I will leave you with those

contemplative thoughts and sign off for the night.

Chloe Sullivan

With a small smile Chloe clicked the off button on her laptop and stood up

to stretch. She turned around and climbed onto her twin bed and tightly hugged

her pillow. She looked at the clock, 12:01.

"Welcome Christmas Eve," she whispered and closed her eyes to sleep.

Christmas Eve-Sometime before 9 A.M.

Chloe walked the streets of Metropolis, the chilling air making her face

pale with rosy cheeks. People hurried around her trying to get last minute

Christmas preparations and gifts. But, they were no bother to Chloe. She really

didn't see them. Sure life right now was hard. But, it was finally her life.

After graduation in June, Chloe decided it was time to seize the day and

make her life her own. No more jocks, cheerleaders, childhood crushes, or

limited creativity. It was time for her to take hold of everything. Be as disturbingly

creative as she wanted to be. So, when her acceptance letter to Metropolis

University came in the mail she saw it as a sign. In August, she moved out and in

to her own little one-bedroom apartment and happily slaved over a warm laptop

every night, with no interruptions, no worries, and the best of all, no limits.

She could write the best, the disturbing, the confusing, or the shittiest stuff

she wanted and no one had to criticize it unless she decided to let her babies out

into the world. College was the best type of school she had ever encountered. It

was freedom. You picked when you wanted to go and with the exception of a few

mandatory classes it was simply a free-spirited environment.

People there weren't so wrapped up in what everyone else thought, had

on, or what they listened to. Chloe even noticed how in the beginning some of

the girls who were used to being fashionable in high school slowly but surely

started wearing jeans and T-shirt's to classes. It was simply amazing to her.

Again, Chloe breathed in the cold air. She smiled and walked into a mom

and pop type coffee shop.

With a smile from ear to ear, Chloe sat on one of the stools and greeted

the wife and husband owners.

"Chloe, how nice to see you this Christmas Eve morning," Mister Blake

said with a warm smile.

"Same to you and Mrs. Blake," she said as they set her usual Hot

Chocolate with whipped cream in front of her. She breathed in the warm steam. "I

was surprised to see you were open on Christmas Eve."

"Why, of course. We need all the business we can get," Mrs. Blake said.

"You have taken notice we are no Starbucks."

Chloe leaned forward and set her elbows on the counter as she took sips

from her hot chocolate. "But, that's what I like about this place. It's so cozy

and...Small, like home."

The husband and wife smiled at her.

"Chloe, would you like a cinnamon roll? I just made some that I will be

frosting in a moment," Mrs. Blake asked.

Chloe scrunched her face thoughtfully as she inspected her pocket for

extra change.

"It's on the house, Chloe," Mrs. Blake said before Chloe could finish

inspecting.

"No, it's OK I can pay," Chloe assured her.

"Chloe, its Christmas Eve. It's on the house," Mrs. Blake said again.

Chloe smiled appreciatively at her.

"I'll be back in a few moments," Mrs. Blake said and ran to the back to

finish the cinnamon rolls.

"Well, Ms. Sullivan what are your Christmas Eve plans?" Mr. Blake asked.

Before Chloe could answer there was a ring that indicated a new customer

had walked in. Chloe smiled at Mr. Blake that let him know they would finish the

conversation later.

Chloe watched as Mrs. Blake frosted the cinnamon rolls. She couldn't wait

to bite into one. In the background, she could hear the person stomping snow off

their feet and rubbing their hands together to shake the cold off.

"It's quite cold out there, yes?" Mr. Blake asked the customer, who was

still standing in front of the door.

She heard the customer make a sound to say he agreed. The footsteps

got closer to the counter. From the corner of her eye she could see the man

fidgeting with his gloves.

"So, what can I do for you today?" Mr. Blake asked the man.

"I'll have a coffee. Strong and caffeinated."

Chloe froze for a second. She recognized the voice. She felt the man look

over at her and even felt as his eyes inspected her. She felt as if he recognized

her as well but wasn't sure.

"Do I know you?" He asked suddenly, with confidence.

Chloe scoffed. It was just like him, she thought, always so blunt and

confident.

"Mr. Luthor," she said, turning to look at him.

He squinted his eyes at her. "I do know you. I must. You're too exquisite

for me not to know you."

Chloe burst into laughter. Her, exquisite: She looked at her clothes. Faded

jeans, a fitting T-shirt that read "Get Away from me" on the front, as well as worn

army boots, no makeup, an old Jean jacket, with a black scarf, and red hair with

two black strips in the front covered by a black knit cap.

Lex smiled as if reading her mind. "Natural beauty is something I find

exquisite," he answered her silent questions.

Chloe tilted her head as she studied him. She simply smiled and Lex

smiled back at her. She stared at him in amazement. He had smiled in a way she

had never seen before. Sure, she'd seen him smirk or half smile, but never

actually smile.

"You act like you've never seen someone smile before," he said as he sat

in the stool next to hers, still looking at her.

"Never one quite like yours," she answered.

Mr. Blake set Lex's coffee in front of him, and secretly smiled as he

pretended not to notice this interesting interaction.

"So, you know me? How?" Lex asked.

Chloe took a sip of her hot chocolate. She shrugged, "Everyone knows

who you are."

Lex just stared quietly at her.

"You're a celebrity," she added with a quick rise of eyebrows.

Lex pressed his lips together, squinted his eyes, and slightly shook his

head then said, "Yes, it's possible. But," he shook his pointer finger, "I have a

feeling you know me from something else."

"Why I'm hurt Mr. Luthor that you have yet to recognize me?" She said.

"Who said I didn't?" Lex asked, but something in his expression told Chloe

that he still didn't know who she was.

"We've crossed paths quite a bit," she said. "A long time ago."

Lex continued to think. "I know you," he said.

"It's been a long time. I've changed in appearance. It's fine that you don't

know me," she said, trying to let him off the hook.

"No, no! I know you. I'll prove it. See you've tried to trick me, but I know

your secrets," he said. "It's your hair! It's different."

Chloe waited.

"No help here, huh?" He asked. "All right, your hair used to be...all black?"

Chloe giggled, "Nope."

"No? Are you sure?" Lex asked.

Chloe glared at him.

"OK, OK. It used to be longer?"

"Shorter," Chloe corrected him.

"Shorter?" Lex wondered.

Chloe laughed.

Lex's watch beeped. He looked at it to see the time.

"Business calls," Chloe said.

"I know you, I do," Lex said, while standing up to fix his trench coat and

adjust his scarf.

"You haven't proven so yet," Chloe told him.

"Well, seeing as I have to depart will you let me in on your secret?" Lex

asked.

Chloe thought about it. She smiled and said, "Nope. I'm just going to let it

linger. Linger linger linger, till you finally figure it out."

Lex smiled at her.

Mrs. Blake came in from the back. "I've finished! Here is your cinnamon

roll," she set it in front of Chloe. "Oh, another customer! Would you like a

cinnamon roll? They are fresh from the oven and frosted!"

Lex looked at Chloe who smiled at him as she took a bite of her cinnamon

roll, then looked back at Mrs. Blake. "Yes, I think I'll have one."

"Oh good!" Mrs. Blake gave him one.

"Thank you," Lex said and set the money on the counter.

"Oh no! It's on the house today!" Mrs. Blake told him.

Lex saw a bowl containing some pieces of change for children shelters.

He placed the money in there and took out some more money from his pocket to

place it in there.

"Thank you sir! And Merry Christmas to you," Mrs. Blake said.

"Merry Christmas to you and thank you for the cinnamon roll," he said.

"Merry Christmas Mr. Luthor," Chloe told him.

"Merry Christmas," he replied and turned to leave. At the last minute he

turned around and went up to Chloe. "Call me Lex, Ms. Sullivan."

Chloe looked up in surprise.

Lex, pleased with himself, walked out the door and down the street.

In the background he could hear the sound of Chloe's boots running

towards him.

To be continued