Chapter 21-Headlines

Chloe yawned. She sat at the kitchen table in her pajamas on a Sunday morning, chuckling to herself as she read the headline in the Daily Planet.

Lex Luthor is Off the Market

Lionel Luthor has been known to keep secrets well hidden only to shock us when it comes to light. And it looks as if son, Lex Luthor, has inherited that talent. Coming three weeks too late the inevitable nightmare has come true. Don't worry Big Industries out there, this is not a heartbreaking article for you. Lex Luthor has not strategically beaten you to a million-dollar deal or bought you out. Nope. This article is for the entire race of woman out there dreaming of becoming the heir's Mrs. Luthor.

If your hunch is telling you Luthor has slipped a ring on a girl's finger then you are right. Don't worry. I'll give you a moment to grab the Kleenex. It is so sadly tragic and true. He's off the sales floor. He has sealed the deal, excuse the pun, with an engagement ring on the finger of Chloe Sullivan, a major of journalism at Metropolis University.

Wondering where you were three weeks ago? That's not the right question to ask yourself. The correct one is where were you five years ago? That's right. Luthor and Sullivan met five years ago when he was making his business mark in a tiny town called Smallville and she was making her mark as editor and reporter of the Torch. They lost touch momentarily only to be reunited at the end of last year. They wasted no time. Luthor popped the question shortly after.

Luthor is keeping mum about how and where he popped the question but was all smiles at the mention of his engagement. Sadly girls, it seems he is deliriously happy. "I'm very excited. Truth be told, I'm almost giddy and that's strange for me. I love her with all my heart and frankly, I can't wait to start the rest of my life with her," Luthor said Friday afternoon.

Well, Luthor and Sullivan we may say it through gritted teeth but it should still count for something. Congratulations!

Note to all Daily Planet readers, I am only an intern that has been granted a chance to write her first article. Please refrain from sending hate mail and remember this; don't shoot the messenger. Lois Lane.

"Some pancakes for you, Ms. Sullivan?" Gerard, Lex's butler and cook asked.

Chloe set the newspaper down to look at Gerard. "It's cool Gerard. I'm not hungry right now."

"If I may say so, it is 9:30 A.M. and you have yet to eat. How is it possible that you are not hungry?" Gerard asked.

Chloe smiled at his question. "I ate some toast."

"Unacceptable breakfast," Gerard snorted, setting a plate of pancakes in front of Chloe.

"Gerard, I said-"

"Ms. Sullivan I suggest you only open that mouth to eat."

Chloe rolled her eyes.

"Gerard knows best," Lex said, entering the kitchen and sitting down across from Chloe.

She smiled at the sight of him. If only all those woman could see the behind the scenes Lex. They'd be shocked. They're so used to seeing him clad in Armani suits acting professional. They probably couldn't imagine a Lex Luthor relaxing on a Sunday morning in Tasmanian Devil boxers. They'd laugh at the thought of Lex watching Batman cartoons on a Saturday morning. This was definitely a Lex that would be unrecognizable to them. But, hey this was Chloe's Lex.

"What are you smiling about?" Lex asked, finally noticing Chloe's gaze on him.

"Nothing," she said and stuffed her mouth with pancake.

Lex smiled at her.

"What?" Chloe asked, mouth filled with pancakes.

Lex cringed then laughed. Chloe laughed with him.

After she finished chewing she slid the newspaper towards him. "Interesting article this morning," she commented.

"Really?" Lex asked, picking up the paper. He raised an eyebrow at the headline and brought his eyes to the bottom. "Lois Lane. L.L. how fitting?"

"Fitting?" Chloe asked.

"I remember her Friday afternoon. She was extremely annoying," Lex said, wincing at the memory.

"So what do her initials have to do with?" Chloe asked.

"I found Lana Lang quite annoying as well," he commented.

"Well, Lois Lane is only an intern," Chloe pointed out.

"Yes, well I have a feeling if she becomes a full fledged reporter she'll be even more irritating," he said as he read the article.

"You don't really like reporters do you?" Chloe asked.

"I'm engaged to one. You might know her. Her name is Chloe Sullivan," Lex said.

"You know what I mean," Chloe said, hitting his arm playfully.

"So, what are your plans today?" Lex said, changing the subject.

"Clark's mom is in town. She wants to have lunch with me," Chloe told him.

"To convince you you're making a mistake, I'm sure," Lex said. Gerard handed him a plate of pancakes. "Thank you Gerard."

"Lex, she's a great lady. And she happens to be the only mother figure I had growing up," Chloe told him. "Besides, everything is fine now. Clark understands and I'm sure his mother will as well," she added.

Lex leaned forward and kissed Chloe then said, "He loves you Chloe. He'll never understand."

"I thought I was in love with him for a long time, but got over it. Clark can do the same," she pointed out.

"You have too much faith in people," Lex commented.

"So? What's so bad about that?"

"Nothing at all. It's OK to have faith, but keep your eyes open," he advised.

"I will."

Lex smiled. "Hey, so did your Dad like me?"

"He's always liked you Lex," she said.

"You know what I mean, Chloe."

"Yes, he liked you. And he's really happy that we're engaged," Chloe told him.

"I really liked him as well. He's a wonderful man," Lex said.

"You guys should hang out. You know, do the bonding thing," Chloe suggested.

"You know, that's a good idea. I never really had a father type to hang out with," Lex said, honestly.

Chloe put her hand over his. "See it's perfect."

"By the way, I came across something very interesting of yours," Lex said.

Chloe gulped. He probably found the folder with the pictures of the meteor rocks. "You-You did?"

Lex nodded as he took a sip of orange juice. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted to, but…" Chloe didn't know what to say.

"I mean I never would have thought you collected Spiderman comics," Lex said.

Chloe choked on her orange juice. She coughed a little then said, "Went down the wrong pipe. So…so you found my collection." She mentally sighed with relief.

Lex nodded. "I wouldn't say it's the best choice. Batman is much better."

Chloe gasped. "He is not! You just think he's cool cause he's rich."

"I beg to differ. He has much better powers," Lex argued.

"He doesn't have any powers. His suit has the powers. Spiderman has real powers," Chloe said.

"He got bit by a genetically engineered spider! Purely coincidental luck," Lex told her.

"Oh that's it, we are definitely having our first fight," Chloe exclaimed as they continued to argue over who was better, Batman or Spiderman.

**

"How is everything Chloe?" Martha Kent asked, over lunch.

"Everything's great," Chloe told her, she was a little nervous. Her question was only leading to what Martha really wanted to ask about.

"And school?"

"Doing good so far," Chloe commented.

Martha Kent set her fork down and sighed; "I'm worried about you."

"This is about Lex, isn't it?" Chloe asked.

Martha nodded.

"You don't know him," Chloe said.

"You're young."

"You were only 18 when you got married," Chloe reminded her.

"That was normal then. These days it's different. He's 25 years old," Martha said.

"That doesn't make him any less wonderful," Chloe said with a smile.

"Chloe, if he loves you he'll wait till you've graduated college to get married," Martha said.

"Why does it matter if I marry Lex now or in 5 years. Either way I'll still love him. Marrying him now doesn't limit my future in anyway," Chloe told her.

"I just think it best if you and Lex wait a while," Martha told her.

Chloe sighed. "Mrs. Kent, I love you dearly. But, I can't help to think we wouldn't be having this conversation if it were Clark and I instead of Lex and I."

Martha stared at Chloe for a moment before sighing and said, "I guess you're right Chloe. Clark loves you and naturally I've got to be on his side."

"Mrs. Kent, I love Lex. I guess it seems strange because back then the thought of Lex and I would have been odd. And I know people think the worst of him or don't trust him. But, that's business. Lex and I are personal, we're not business," Chloe explained.

Martha smiled. "You always had a way with words. I have no choice but to trust your judgment."

Chloe was about to speak when her cell phone rang. "Excuse me, Mrs. Kent," she said and got up from the table. She answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Is this Chloe Sullivan?"

"Yeah, who is this?" Chloe asked.

"Raymond Hamilton. I'm calling about the pictures you sent me," he said.

"Oh! Yeah, I remember now."

"These meteor rocks are interesting. Where do you find them?" He asked.

"I'll tell you when you give me some information," Chloe told him.

"Well, I have to go to Texas for a conference at the Health Science Center. We can meet in a week if you'd like," he said.

"That'd be great. Just give me a call when you get back," Chloe said.

"Oh I will. You know, it'd be helpful if you could bring me a sample," Raymond said.

"I could do that. So, next week then," Chloe said.

"Yes," he confirmed. "Oh and Ms. Sullivan, congratulations on your engagement."

"Thanks," Chloe said then hung up the phone.

"Chloe, is everything all right?" Martha called to her.

Chloe looked over and smiled. "Everything's great."

To be continued…