Chapter 19-Spotless

Chloe stared down at the syllabus in front of her and tried to read along but her mind was elsewhere. It had been a week since Clark had left. She really missed him. It'd be easier if he left just because he didn't want to live with a girl. But, he left because he was angry and hurt. He left with the possibility of never being her friend again. She really needed him as a friend

He loved her. She should be ecstatic. She had wanted this since they first met years ago. But, things were different now. Chloe had become independent and found herself able to live on her own. Then Lex came into her life and not only did she find herself in love but found herself being loved back. Clark had waited too long to do that.

Maybe if Lex wasn't in her life right now she could…love Clark back. Actually, she'd never tell Clark or Lex this, but she knew that if Lex wasn't in her life she could definitely love Clark again. Of course, that was only if Lex wasn't in her life. It was like the woman who loses the man she loves and finds love again later but could never love like the first. She knew that's how it was. No matter what happened she didn't think she could ever love Clark like she loved Lex.

Clark's her best friend or at least was. She really wanted to still be friends, but not if he was going to act childish. Still her eyes looked all over the place for him when she arrived for the first day at school. She hoped he hadn't decided to pack up and leave to Smallville permanently because of what happened.

She tried to shake her head from the thoughts that frustrated her. She had a lot of things to do today. It was the first day of school and this was her only class today, thank goodness. Then she had to go to work, then pick up her paycheck, go to the bank to deposit it, then go home and finish packing and getting the apartment clean for the next tenant.

Chloe was kind of glad things were a little back to normal now. Last week, meeting up with Lex mixed with dating and becoming engaged had her at a natural high all week. She was glad that this week things resembled normality and she was down from her high. She was able to think clearly and realize that her love for Lex was not really just a bunch of excitement. She came to realize that she absolutely truly loved Lex Luthor and she did in fact want to be his wife.

She made it clear to him that she did not intend to be living off of him. He understood and admitted that he loved her independence. So, that was settled. Though Lex did mention that he was scared her many hours at work could distract her from school. He told her he really wanted her to stay focused and believed she'd be one of most unique journalists the world has yet to know. Chloe loved that he believed in her. She promised him her grades would stay A's and B's.

"And you ma'am?"

Chloe's head shot up to look at the teacher. "I'm sorry?"

"We're doing introductions. Would you please stand up, tell us your name, and something interesting about yourself?" The teacher requested.

Chloe hesitantly stood up. This was the only thing about college that she hated: introductions. She could have sworn those were only for high school. "My name is Chloe…Chloe Sullivan."

The teacher smiled. "And why did you pick Egyptian History as an elective?"

"Because knowing as much history as possible for different cultures can help lead you to answers," Chloe said.

"Answers?"

I thought she only wanted my name and something interesting about myself. I didn't realize this was an interrogation. Nonetheless, Chloe smiled and said, "I'm into the paranormal and I find the many myths and superstitions of Egypt intriguing."

The teacher smiled at Chloe. "That's the first time I'd heard that answer. So, Ms. Sullivan, tell us something interesting about yourself."

Chloe thought about this and went blank.

The teacher chuckled. "She's silent."

Chloe shrugged, "I collect Spiderman comics." It was in fact true. It was not something Chloe admitted everyday. But, considering her kind of personality, it would be something people found surprising and interesting. Plus, Spiderman was the only superhero she found that had substance and depth. It was an interesting story on how his life came to be. It was simple genetic mutation. Being bit by a genetically engineered spider gave him a whole new life.

Of course, nobody in the class knew her well enough to find that surprising and interesting. So, the girls just gave a strange look while some guys didn't care and few gave her a 'I think you're cute' look. Chloe sighed. The door to the classroom opened and the rest was slow motion to Chloe as Clark walked in and sat down. The teacher didn't mind that Clark was late and said something to Chloe, but she missed it.

"Excuse me?" Chloe said to the teacher, when she finally came back from being surprised.

"Are you engaged? I see a ring on your finger," the teacher asked, pointing at the ring that Chloe was absentmindedly fidgeting with.

Chloe looked down at the ring then stopped playing with it. She looked up and said, "Uh…yeah. Yes, I'm engaged."

"When are you planning to get married?" The teacher asked.

Chloe momentarily looked at Clark who was looking down at his Egyptian History Book. She looked back to the teacher. "This summer. We…haven't exactly set a date."

"That's nice," the teacher commented.

"Can I sit down now?" Chloe asked politely.

The teacher nodded and went on to the next student. Chloe sat down relieved then blanked out through the rest of class. After class was over she quickly gathered her things and ran to get Clark.

"Chloe."

Chloe stopped running and turned around to see Clark leaning against the wall near the classroom door. She walked up to him, "Clark…"

He gave her a small smile. "Hi."

"Clark, where have you been? Is everything OK? We need to-"

He put a finger to her lips. "Chloe, slow down. I went to Smallville for a day then came back and managed to score a dorm. I'm OK and yes we do need to talk."

Chloe smiled.

A few minutes later…

"Hungry?" Chloe asked, as Clark took a big bite out of a cheeseburger. They were sitting at a bench on campus.

"A little bit," he managed to say through chewing.

"Yuck."

He put the Cheeseburger down. "Chloe, I have something to say."

Chloe waited.

"I'm sorry for how I acted," he told her. "I was wrong…and jealous."

"Clark…"

"No, Chloe listen. I still…love you. It's not something you get rid of overnight. But, hopefully I'll get over it. Either way I'll have to put it aside because I definitely want to be best friends," Clark said.

Chloe's eye lit up as she happily hugged Clark. "I'm so happy. Thank you Clark!" After hugging him she sat back down. "This is awesome!"

"So, how did your Dad take the news?" Clark asked out of curiosity.

Chloe's eyes widened.

"Chloe! You did tell him right?" Clark asked.

Chloe didn't say anything.

"You haven't told him yet?" Clark said shocked.

"I told him."

"Well, don't keep me in suspense. What did he say?" Clark asked, curiously.

"He freaked."

"Seriously? I'm sorry, Chloe." Clark said, in a way happy.

"Clark, don't be sorry. My dad was ecstatic," Chloe said.

"What?"

"Yeah, he said he always found Lex to be an admirable young man. He also said I couldn't have picked a better guy," Chloe said, seemingly still shocked at her father's reaction.

"Wow," Clark said, genuinely shocked that Mr. Sullivan was actually happy. "Did you tell him you've been dating Lex only a week?"

Chloe smiled mischievously, "I…may have left that part out."

Clark replied with a smile and a roll of the eyes.

"I'm glad things are back to normal," Chloe said.

"Yup. I do have a surprise for you."

"Really?"

Clark nodded and handed her a manila folder.

"What's this?" Chloe asked, beginning to open the folder.

"Just a little something to satisfy the reporter appetite in you."

She looked at the pictures of the meteor rocks. She remembered how she'd been obsessed with them in high school. "These are the meteor rocks."

"Uh hm," Clark nodded. "There was death a few months ago. See?" Clark had her turn to the picture of the dead body.

Chloe quickly shut the folder and handed it to Clark. "I'm sorry Clark…I…can't…"

Clark looked at her in surprise. "Chloe, I don't understand."

"I don't want to do this. I have too much going on right now," Chloe said.

"Lex."

Chloe huffed. "No, not Lex. Well, not just Lex. I've got work and school and I have a lot of things to do. We're planning our wedding."

"So, you're dropping the whole reporter thing?" Clark asked. "You've lost your passion."

"No, Clark it's not that. It's just that…this," she tapped the photo of the dead body. "Is old news. And bringing it back up as well as adding some bizarre theory is just not a good idea."

"Bizarre theory?" Clark said stunned. "You would stake your life on this theory back in high school."

"I still believe the theory. But, Principal Kwan was right, without hard evidence it's just a tabloid story. And tabloid stories are dangerous. They just bring disrespect and I don't want that. Right now I just want to concentrate on school and follow the straight line of journalism. Then once I've developed my own style I'll go buck wild with my theories," she said with a smile.

Clark was not smiling. His plan was backfiring. She wasn't falling for it.

"I'm sorry Clark. But, if you want to pursue this story you can, just…on your own," she said sadly.

Clark wanted to be angry with her, but he couldn't. He sighed. "I understand."

"Thanks," she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "I gotta get to work now. Stop by later if you want."

Chloe began to leave but Clark stopped her. "Here," he handed her the folder. "Just in case you change your mind."

Chloe smiled and took the folder. "Bye Clark."

"Bye."

With that she left Clark all alone still stunned at what happened. Chloe had definitely changed. The problem was he couldn't blame this on Lex. Clark had a feeling that Chloe had changed just from having to live on her own.

Clark may have to just give her up. He loved her and the way to her heart was not to manipulate her. He would just have to accept the fact that if it were meant to be it would happen.

**

Hours Later…

Chloe had gotten home an hour ago and was already hard at work making the floors of her apartment spotless. She sneezed for what seemed like the millionth time. "This stuff really stinks," she muttered pouring more of the chemical on the floor and mopping it. She looked at her watch. Lex had promised to come by after his meetings to help her. But, he was late.

"Oh well," she looked at the mop and said, "We're doing just fine without Mr. Clean. Great, I'm talking to a mop!" She started laughing when there was a knock at the door. She walked over to open the door, "Lex, you're- Mr. Luthor?" She stared at Lionel Luthor.

"Ms. Sullivan, how are you?" Lionel asked, with a wide grin.

She eyed him nervously. "I'm…f-fine. Um…what are you doing here?"

"I came to visit my future daughter-in-law. I wanted to get to know you a little," he said as he picked something off of Chloe's sleeve. This gesture made Chloe nervous. "Can I come in?" He asked.

"Um…actually I was about to lea-" Chloe was cut off as Lionel walked in anyway. "Come on in," she muttered sarcastically. Oh God, Lex please get here soon. Please! She prayed.

"Doing some cleaning?" Lionel asked, noticing all the cleaning products.

"Yup," Chloe said, still standing at the door with it wide open.

Lionel turns to look at her. "Aren't you going to close the door?"

Chloe tried to play it cool. "Actually, I'm going to leave it open. It lets the chemical smells get out." LEX! She screamed in her mind.

Lionel nodded. "I guess I'll get right to the point. I want to talk to you Ms. Sullivan."

Chloe walked over to grab her jacket. "I don't want to be rude. But, I really have somewhere to be," she lied.

He walked over to Chloe, leaving only a few inches between them. "Am I making you nervous?"

"Uh…N-no. I just…have somewhere…" she gulped nervously. "To go."

He used his fingertip to stroke her arm. She backed away as if she'd been burned. "You are a very beautiful young lady."

"Thanks," her voice was very shaky. "I think you should go now, Mr. Luthor."

He tilted his head to look at her. "Now, what makes you think you can be part of my family?"

Chloe was officially scared. Not only was he coming on to her, but also he was trying to intimidate her and it was working. She wished it wasn't, but she couldn't help it.

"Are you going to answer me?" He asked.

"Mr. Luthor-"

"Please, call me Lionel," he said.

"I'd rather…not."

Suddenly he backed away from her and turned around. He walked to her kitchen and pulled out two glasses. He pulled out a wine bottle and poured some in the glasses. He walked over to her and handed her a glass. "Let's make a toast to your engagement to Lex."

"Mr. Luthor, I don't drink," she told him. She also did not trust him, especially anything that came from him.

He smiled. "You can make an exception this one time." He tapped her glass with his and said, "To you and Lex."

Chloe dropped the glass. The glass made a loud shatter and the wine and pieces of glass was felt on her foot. "Oops…" She gave him an innocent look.

Lionel looked at the spilled wine and broken glass on the floor then eyed Chloe suspiciously. He sighed, "Ms. Sullivan-"

"Dad, what are you doing here?"

Lionel tried to keep his composure when he saw Lex, but it was evident he was startled.

Thank God! Chloe's mind screamed when she saw Lex at the door. She let out a loud sigh of relief.

Lionel gave a fake smile and said, "Lex, how are you? I just stopped by to meet your fiancée."

Lex smiled back, but Chloe knew he was angry. "I'm sure."

Lionel looked at his watch. "Well, I have a meeting."

Lex rolled his eyes.

"We should all have dinner sometime," Lionel said and left the apartment.

"Don't count on it," Lex said quietly as Lionel passed by him.

Lex closed the door and walked over to Chloe. She wrapped her arms around him. "Oh God, Lex I'm so glad you're here."

He hugged her tightly. "It's OK, Chloe," he assured her. "Everything is going to be OK. I'm sorry I was late. The meetings ran over."

"I tried to get him to leave, but he wouldn't. I told him I had to go, but he didn't even listen," Chloe said, her voice still trembling.

"Chloe, It's OK. There is no way in hell I would think you'd actually want him here," Lex told her. "Besides, he's a gross old man. Remember?"

Chloe was able to laugh.

"I'm glad to hear you laughing," he said with a smile. He then noticed the broken wineglass on the floor. "By the way, smart move."

She tightened her hold on him and let a few tears spill. "I never want to be near him again."

"You won't have to. We're both staying away from him," he assured.

"I love you, Lex," she whispered in his ear.

"I love you too," he kissed her on the lips. "Oh, look what I brought." He pulled out a Wedding magazine.

Chloe's eyes widened. "I feel faint." She pretended to need Lex to hold her up.

"Very funny," he said.

Chloe burst out laughing.

Lex smiled as she laughed. He was relieved that she felt better.

She took the magazine and set it down. "Let's look at it later. Right now we have an apartment to clean and you promised to help."

Lex sighed, "Yeah, I guess I did." He smiled at her.

"Here you go, Mr. Clean," she said handing him a mop.

"For your own health, I'm pretending you didn't just call me that," he said, eyeing her as he started mopping.

"Just mop man. Mop," she commanded and laughed.

To be continued…