6:44am
Her cell phone rang way too early, jolting her out of a fuzzy dream. "Hello?" she mumbled into it.
"How soon can you get here?" Lex asked tersely.
"Wha?" Chloe pushed herself up in bed and rubbed her eyes. "Forty minutes, why?"
"We have a problem. I'll meet you in the lobby at seven-thirty."
"Bring coffee," she told him right before he clicked off.
She made it to the LexCorp building with seven minutes to spare. Unsurprisingly, Lex was in the lobby waiting. As she approached him, he handed her an insulated mug. "Coffee, as requested," he said lightly. "Be careful, it's hot."
"Mmm." Chloe sipped carefully. "So what's up?"
"This way." He turned and headed toward the elevators; Chloe followed, hands wrapped around the mug, wondering what had happened.
Lex punched in a code on the elevator and the doors slid shut easily. "Our mysterious vandal broke into the labs last night," he said as they descended. "Or I should say the lab area--whoever he is, he doesn't have the skills or the clearance to get into the labs themselves. But he still managed to do a significant amount of damage."
The doors opened and they stepped out. "We had received a new shipment of chemicals yesterday. They were being held in one of the storerooms down here."
"And now they're not?" Chloe hazarded.
"Not exactly. Our vandal has a good working knowledge of chemistry--he tampered with the shipment. If Marie hadn't noticed that things looked a bit--off--" Lex looked grim. "It could have cost lives. As it was, the whole shipment was ruined, but no one was hurt."
"Good for Marie," Chloe murmured.
Lex nodded. "Here, I'll show you where the chemicals were--they're gone now, of course. Too hazardous to keep around people. We kept samples, but the rest are gone."
As she wasn't a scientist or a police officer, she didn't expect to find much in the way of evidence. And from the looks of things, Lex and his people had the clean-up well in hand. "Well, there's an up side to this," she commented, watching Marie direct the clean-up team.
"How so?"
"We're inferring that all the sabotage has been the work of one man--or woman. So far all we've had to go on is his ability to work the security system. But this indicates he's got a good working knowledge of chemistry, which narrows our search parameters."
Lex nodded thoughtfully. "Good point. Shall we go back to the files?"
"I can barely contain my excitement at that prospect." Chloe grinned and followed him back to the elevator.
8:32am
Clark dropped into his seat and winced at the squeak it made; one of these days he was going to break it if he wasn't careful. While his computer booted up, he thought briefly about getting a cup of coffee and decided against it; the coffee at the Planet was worse than the stuff he made, if that was possible. And unlike Chloe, he hadn't developed a tolerance for it yet.
The computer finished whirring at him and he opened his email, his thoughts wandering to Chloe and her involvement with Lex. Oh, he knew they weren't personally involved--yet, at any rate. But he was concerned. He'd kind of hoped they'd left the life-endangering situations behind in Smallville. "Maybe it's not me," he muttered, skimming through his email. "Maybe *she's* the trouble magnet."
"Talking to yourself already?" a low, amused voice said over his shoulder. "Generally people don't start doing that for at least a few weeks."
Clark started and turned to see a pair of long, long legs, shown off to advantage by a a black skirt that ended just above the knee. He looked up, seeing a beautiful face framed by thick dark hair. "I'm a quick learner," he said, smiling a little. Who was *this* and why hadn't he seen her before?
She laughed and leaned on the edge of his desk. "Always a good thing." Extending one hand to him, she smiled and tilted her head to the side. "I'm Lois Lane, and you are?"
He shook her hand--it was warm and dry, with a firm grasp, he noted absently. "Clark Kent. I just started a couple days ago."
"Oh, so *you're* the one." Lois smiled.
"The one?" Clark questioned.
"The one who's filling in for Sullivan while she makes the rest of us turn green with envy," Lois explained lightly.
Clark grinned. "Yeah--but I've been warned not to get too comfy doing it."
"That doesn't surprise me."
"Me either," Clark admitted. He loved Chloe, he really did, but 'territorial' didn't even come close to describing her.
"So, listen--can I interest you in lunch today?" Lois asked, leaning back on her hands a little.
"Uh--sure, that'd be great!" Clark grinned, but the grin faded when he realized he'd made tentative plans to meet Chloe. "Oh, I just--"
"I mean, if you *have* plans--" Lois began.
Chloe could take care of herself for one meal, Clark decided. "No, no, it's fine. I just need to call Chloe and let her know."
Lois smiled and slid off his desk, straightening her skirt absently. Clark wondered if she knew how the movement drew attention to her legs. "I'll see you at lunchtime, then," she said lightly.
"It's a date." Clark didn't miss the way Lois winked at him before strolling off.
11:47am
Chloe ran a hand through her hair and sighed, looking down at the papers strewn across the table. "Well, we're down to six," she said glumly.
"I think we can knock a couple more off the list," Lex said, studying them.
"Wonderful." She rubbed her eyes and hid a yawn. "Sorry, I didn't get much sleep last night."
"Clark keep you up late?" Lex asked mildly.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I know it can be difficult to sleep somewhere that's not your own bed," he said easily.
She shrugged. "I don't mind sleeping at Clark's, as long as I get my own place back soon. He hogs the covers."
"So you're sharing the bed?" Lex asked, looking over at her.
"His couch is too lumpy not to," she said with a grimace.
"Mm-hmm." Lex turned back to the files, idly flipping through one.
"What?" Chloe demanded. "Do you think I'm sleeping with him or something?"
"I don't know, Chloe--should I think that?" Lex asked, looking up again. His face was carefully casual.
"You're jealous," she realized slowly. "You're jealous of Clark, aren't you."
"Why would I be? As you keep reminding me, there's nothing between us."
"That doesn't mean anything." Chloe crossed her arms over her chest.
"Would you like me to come out and demand to know if you and Clark are lovers?" Lex asked archly. "Would that soothe your ego?"
"This isn't about *my* ego," she retorted.
Lex shrugged. "You say potato..."
Chloe sighed and ran a hand through her hair again. She really didn't want to play this game. "Would you just come out and ask me whatever it is you want to know?" she said tiredly.
It took a moment, but he nodded. "Are you and Clark lovers?"
"No, we're not." Well, that had been simple. Relatively speaking, anyway.
Lex nodded again. "Have you been?"
Damn. She sighed again and dropped into a chair. "At one point, in college," she said slowly, "there was a period of time lasting about a week where we were. But that was a while ago, and there's been nothing romantic between us since. Okay?"
"Okay." Lex walked over to her side of the table, picking up something near her left arm. He set it down and the back of his hand brushed against her arm, almost by accident. Chloe would have dismissed it if she hadn't known that Lex was acutely aware of his personal space every instant of the day. If he'd brushed against her, he'd done it on purpose.
She pushed herself to her feet and turned, intending to go find another cup of coffee. But when she did, she found Lex looking down at her, his eyes shuttered. "Lex--" she said hesitantly.
That was all she got out before he kissed her. Or she kissed him--she wasn't sure which it was. One moment they were looking at each other and the next his hands were in her hair, her arms were around his neck, and her only thought was that he tasted like really good coffee and a hint of chocolate.
"No," she said breathlessly, wrenching herself away from him when his knee began to press between her legs. "No, we can't do this." Chloe swallowed, not looking at him. "We can't."
Lex nodded coolly. "You're right, of course. It was a mistake."
"No," Chloe said, shaking her head. "It wasn't a mistake. It was just--bad timing."
"There'll always be a story, Chloe," Lex said quietly.
"That's as may be, but--" She sighed. "Look, Lex--I'm not seeing anyone at the moment. You know that. And--yes, I'm interested in you. But you need to respect my choice not to get involved until *this* particular story is over."
"As long as I have your word that when this story is over, you'll consider the possibility," Lex countered.
"Are you always as ruthless in personal relationships as you are in business?" Chloe asked, sitting on the edge of the table.
He smiled slowly. "I like a challenge," he said silkily.
"Well, challenge this." Chloe gestured at the table. "We're down to six--let's see if we can knock off another two or three before you have to go do work and I have to go interview Leslie."
"Sounds like a plan."
1:14pm
"So, did you know Chloe before you came to work at the Planet?" Lois leaned back in her chair, crossing one long leg over the other.
"I've known her since eighth grade," Clark admitted, smiling. He sipped his water, covertly admiring the thick mane of hair that spilled over Lois's shoulders. "She and Pete and I--we were kind of this inseparable trio through high school."
"So you know her pretty well." Lois smiled at the waiter as he brought over her salad and Clark's sandwich.
"Yeah, I do. Why?"
She shrugged prettily and picked up her fork. "I like to get to know my fellow reporters, and she's kind of--stand-offish, you know?" Lois smiled. "Not like you."
Clark took a bite of his sandwich to cover his confusion. Chloe, stand-offish? He didn't think so--but maybe his memory was fogged because he'd known her for so long. "I try to be friendly," he said lightly.
Lois smiled. "You succeed very well."
Okay, so maybe he was a bit clueless where women were concerned, but he was reasonably certain the look in her eyes meant she was interested. He just wasn't sure what the protocol was on dating a co-worker. Maybe Chloe knew; he'd have to ask her later.
"So you and Chloe are both from Smallville?" Lois asked.
"Yeah. Although she'll tell you she's from Metropolis--she just took a detour for a few years."
"That sounds like her," Lois said, laughing.
Clark grinned and nodded. "What about you?" he asked. "Where are you from?"
"Oh, I'm from here. But before you ask--I didn't know Chloe growing up. Metropolis is a big city."
"Yeah, I'll agree with that," Clark said with a smile.
"Too big for you?" Lois teased.
He shook his head, setting down his water glass. "No, just--different."
"I'm sure." Lois tilted her head to one side, looking thoughtful. "Lex Luthor spent a few years in Smallville, didn't he?"
"Yeah, why?"
She shrugged. "Just thinking. Smallville isn't all that big, you know? I was just wondering if--"
"If they knew each other back then?" Clark finished.
Lois laughed. "Well, yes."
Clark shrugged. "I couldn't really tell you. It's not like there's any secret history there." Which was true--it wasn't like they'd been having a torrid affair or anything.
"Maybe not to you," Lois pointed out.
"No, seriously. I'm sure there's nothing." Well--not on Chloe's part. Clark wasn't so sure Lex didn't have ulterior motives; in fact, he was pretty sure Lex *did*. It probably should have worried him more, but he knew Chloe wouldn't let Lex get away with anything. Besides, she'd come to him if she needed help.
"Are you always this earnest?" Lois asked lightly.
"No. Well, maybe." Clark grinned sheepishly.
She laughed and leaned forward. "There's nothing you can tell me?"
"Sorry." He wasn't really sorry, but he didn't want to explain the complicated friendship that had existed between him and Chloe and Lex back in Smallville. He didn't think Chloe would appreciate it either.
"Damn." Lois sighed and picked up her fork again. "There's *got* to be something there."
"Maybe she's just a good reporter," Clark offered.
"Sure. So am I. So are a bunch of people at the Planet with more experience than she has. So how'd *she* finagle her way into Lex Luthor's offices?" Lois asked, gesturing with her fork.
"I--don't know."
"Me either." Lois stabbed her salad. "That's what I'm going to find out."
Clark swallowed. Oh boy.
3:26pm
"Clark Kent," he said, tucking the phone under his ear.
"Clark, it's me."
"What's up?"
"Can you come by LexCorp tonight around nine? Our mysterious vandal tends to work after business hours. So Lex and I are going to hang out and see if we can catch him in the act."
"You two can't handle it yourselves?" Clark said lightly.
"Clark..." Chloe's voice had the threatening growl to it he'd learned to take seriously a long time ago.
"All right, all right. I'll be there at nine."
She sighed with relief. "Thanks."
9:34pm
"I'll go on ahead," Clark said. "I doubt he'll show this early, but you never know."
"I'll go with you," Lex said smoothly, slipping his hands into his pockets. "You'll need my codes to get into the labs."
"It's really not necessary."
"It is if you intend to do more than a cursory look."
"Can we please *not* do the guy-posturing thing tonight?" Chloe asked from behind them.
"We're not," Clark said. Okay, maybe they were. He couldn't help it; Lex just--grated on him. It was almost like third grade, where the boys would tease the girls they liked. But Lex didn't like him like that. Didn't he?
This was *not* the time for this discussion. He'd worry about Lex's interest in him later. At the moment, they were looking for an intruder who didn't appear to be around.
"Uh huh. Then go on ahead like good little guys and play nice. I'll be fine. This place is deserted."
Clark sighed. "Coming?" he said to Lex, who just quirked one corner of his mouth and glided around the corner.
"Nothing," he said a few minutes later. "It's completely--what was that?" Clark spun around, hearing a noise behind them.
"I don't know," Lex said grimly.
They rounded the corner carefully, quietly. "Oh, shit," Lex said under his breath; had it not been for his enhanced hearing, Clark wouldn't have heard it. He was glad he had--it saved him from repeating the statement.
"Come on out, Lex," the man said, one arm holding Chloe in a headlock. She appeared to be unconscious--although she could have just been afraid to move, given the gun he had to her head. "Now."
Her cell phone rang way too early, jolting her out of a fuzzy dream. "Hello?" she mumbled into it.
"How soon can you get here?" Lex asked tersely.
"Wha?" Chloe pushed herself up in bed and rubbed her eyes. "Forty minutes, why?"
"We have a problem. I'll meet you in the lobby at seven-thirty."
"Bring coffee," she told him right before he clicked off.
She made it to the LexCorp building with seven minutes to spare. Unsurprisingly, Lex was in the lobby waiting. As she approached him, he handed her an insulated mug. "Coffee, as requested," he said lightly. "Be careful, it's hot."
"Mmm." Chloe sipped carefully. "So what's up?"
"This way." He turned and headed toward the elevators; Chloe followed, hands wrapped around the mug, wondering what had happened.
Lex punched in a code on the elevator and the doors slid shut easily. "Our mysterious vandal broke into the labs last night," he said as they descended. "Or I should say the lab area--whoever he is, he doesn't have the skills or the clearance to get into the labs themselves. But he still managed to do a significant amount of damage."
The doors opened and they stepped out. "We had received a new shipment of chemicals yesterday. They were being held in one of the storerooms down here."
"And now they're not?" Chloe hazarded.
"Not exactly. Our vandal has a good working knowledge of chemistry--he tampered with the shipment. If Marie hadn't noticed that things looked a bit--off--" Lex looked grim. "It could have cost lives. As it was, the whole shipment was ruined, but no one was hurt."
"Good for Marie," Chloe murmured.
Lex nodded. "Here, I'll show you where the chemicals were--they're gone now, of course. Too hazardous to keep around people. We kept samples, but the rest are gone."
As she wasn't a scientist or a police officer, she didn't expect to find much in the way of evidence. And from the looks of things, Lex and his people had the clean-up well in hand. "Well, there's an up side to this," she commented, watching Marie direct the clean-up team.
"How so?"
"We're inferring that all the sabotage has been the work of one man--or woman. So far all we've had to go on is his ability to work the security system. But this indicates he's got a good working knowledge of chemistry, which narrows our search parameters."
Lex nodded thoughtfully. "Good point. Shall we go back to the files?"
"I can barely contain my excitement at that prospect." Chloe grinned and followed him back to the elevator.
8:32am
Clark dropped into his seat and winced at the squeak it made; one of these days he was going to break it if he wasn't careful. While his computer booted up, he thought briefly about getting a cup of coffee and decided against it; the coffee at the Planet was worse than the stuff he made, if that was possible. And unlike Chloe, he hadn't developed a tolerance for it yet.
The computer finished whirring at him and he opened his email, his thoughts wandering to Chloe and her involvement with Lex. Oh, he knew they weren't personally involved--yet, at any rate. But he was concerned. He'd kind of hoped they'd left the life-endangering situations behind in Smallville. "Maybe it's not me," he muttered, skimming through his email. "Maybe *she's* the trouble magnet."
"Talking to yourself already?" a low, amused voice said over his shoulder. "Generally people don't start doing that for at least a few weeks."
Clark started and turned to see a pair of long, long legs, shown off to advantage by a a black skirt that ended just above the knee. He looked up, seeing a beautiful face framed by thick dark hair. "I'm a quick learner," he said, smiling a little. Who was *this* and why hadn't he seen her before?
She laughed and leaned on the edge of his desk. "Always a good thing." Extending one hand to him, she smiled and tilted her head to the side. "I'm Lois Lane, and you are?"
He shook her hand--it was warm and dry, with a firm grasp, he noted absently. "Clark Kent. I just started a couple days ago."
"Oh, so *you're* the one." Lois smiled.
"The one?" Clark questioned.
"The one who's filling in for Sullivan while she makes the rest of us turn green with envy," Lois explained lightly.
Clark grinned. "Yeah--but I've been warned not to get too comfy doing it."
"That doesn't surprise me."
"Me either," Clark admitted. He loved Chloe, he really did, but 'territorial' didn't even come close to describing her.
"So, listen--can I interest you in lunch today?" Lois asked, leaning back on her hands a little.
"Uh--sure, that'd be great!" Clark grinned, but the grin faded when he realized he'd made tentative plans to meet Chloe. "Oh, I just--"
"I mean, if you *have* plans--" Lois began.
Chloe could take care of herself for one meal, Clark decided. "No, no, it's fine. I just need to call Chloe and let her know."
Lois smiled and slid off his desk, straightening her skirt absently. Clark wondered if she knew how the movement drew attention to her legs. "I'll see you at lunchtime, then," she said lightly.
"It's a date." Clark didn't miss the way Lois winked at him before strolling off.
11:47am
Chloe ran a hand through her hair and sighed, looking down at the papers strewn across the table. "Well, we're down to six," she said glumly.
"I think we can knock a couple more off the list," Lex said, studying them.
"Wonderful." She rubbed her eyes and hid a yawn. "Sorry, I didn't get much sleep last night."
"Clark keep you up late?" Lex asked mildly.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I know it can be difficult to sleep somewhere that's not your own bed," he said easily.
She shrugged. "I don't mind sleeping at Clark's, as long as I get my own place back soon. He hogs the covers."
"So you're sharing the bed?" Lex asked, looking over at her.
"His couch is too lumpy not to," she said with a grimace.
"Mm-hmm." Lex turned back to the files, idly flipping through one.
"What?" Chloe demanded. "Do you think I'm sleeping with him or something?"
"I don't know, Chloe--should I think that?" Lex asked, looking up again. His face was carefully casual.
"You're jealous," she realized slowly. "You're jealous of Clark, aren't you."
"Why would I be? As you keep reminding me, there's nothing between us."
"That doesn't mean anything." Chloe crossed her arms over her chest.
"Would you like me to come out and demand to know if you and Clark are lovers?" Lex asked archly. "Would that soothe your ego?"
"This isn't about *my* ego," she retorted.
Lex shrugged. "You say potato..."
Chloe sighed and ran a hand through her hair again. She really didn't want to play this game. "Would you just come out and ask me whatever it is you want to know?" she said tiredly.
It took a moment, but he nodded. "Are you and Clark lovers?"
"No, we're not." Well, that had been simple. Relatively speaking, anyway.
Lex nodded again. "Have you been?"
Damn. She sighed again and dropped into a chair. "At one point, in college," she said slowly, "there was a period of time lasting about a week where we were. But that was a while ago, and there's been nothing romantic between us since. Okay?"
"Okay." Lex walked over to her side of the table, picking up something near her left arm. He set it down and the back of his hand brushed against her arm, almost by accident. Chloe would have dismissed it if she hadn't known that Lex was acutely aware of his personal space every instant of the day. If he'd brushed against her, he'd done it on purpose.
She pushed herself to her feet and turned, intending to go find another cup of coffee. But when she did, she found Lex looking down at her, his eyes shuttered. "Lex--" she said hesitantly.
That was all she got out before he kissed her. Or she kissed him--she wasn't sure which it was. One moment they were looking at each other and the next his hands were in her hair, her arms were around his neck, and her only thought was that he tasted like really good coffee and a hint of chocolate.
"No," she said breathlessly, wrenching herself away from him when his knee began to press between her legs. "No, we can't do this." Chloe swallowed, not looking at him. "We can't."
Lex nodded coolly. "You're right, of course. It was a mistake."
"No," Chloe said, shaking her head. "It wasn't a mistake. It was just--bad timing."
"There'll always be a story, Chloe," Lex said quietly.
"That's as may be, but--" She sighed. "Look, Lex--I'm not seeing anyone at the moment. You know that. And--yes, I'm interested in you. But you need to respect my choice not to get involved until *this* particular story is over."
"As long as I have your word that when this story is over, you'll consider the possibility," Lex countered.
"Are you always as ruthless in personal relationships as you are in business?" Chloe asked, sitting on the edge of the table.
He smiled slowly. "I like a challenge," he said silkily.
"Well, challenge this." Chloe gestured at the table. "We're down to six--let's see if we can knock off another two or three before you have to go do work and I have to go interview Leslie."
"Sounds like a plan."
1:14pm
"So, did you know Chloe before you came to work at the Planet?" Lois leaned back in her chair, crossing one long leg over the other.
"I've known her since eighth grade," Clark admitted, smiling. He sipped his water, covertly admiring the thick mane of hair that spilled over Lois's shoulders. "She and Pete and I--we were kind of this inseparable trio through high school."
"So you know her pretty well." Lois smiled at the waiter as he brought over her salad and Clark's sandwich.
"Yeah, I do. Why?"
She shrugged prettily and picked up her fork. "I like to get to know my fellow reporters, and she's kind of--stand-offish, you know?" Lois smiled. "Not like you."
Clark took a bite of his sandwich to cover his confusion. Chloe, stand-offish? He didn't think so--but maybe his memory was fogged because he'd known her for so long. "I try to be friendly," he said lightly.
Lois smiled. "You succeed very well."
Okay, so maybe he was a bit clueless where women were concerned, but he was reasonably certain the look in her eyes meant she was interested. He just wasn't sure what the protocol was on dating a co-worker. Maybe Chloe knew; he'd have to ask her later.
"So you and Chloe are both from Smallville?" Lois asked.
"Yeah. Although she'll tell you she's from Metropolis--she just took a detour for a few years."
"That sounds like her," Lois said, laughing.
Clark grinned and nodded. "What about you?" he asked. "Where are you from?"
"Oh, I'm from here. But before you ask--I didn't know Chloe growing up. Metropolis is a big city."
"Yeah, I'll agree with that," Clark said with a smile.
"Too big for you?" Lois teased.
He shook his head, setting down his water glass. "No, just--different."
"I'm sure." Lois tilted her head to one side, looking thoughtful. "Lex Luthor spent a few years in Smallville, didn't he?"
"Yeah, why?"
She shrugged. "Just thinking. Smallville isn't all that big, you know? I was just wondering if--"
"If they knew each other back then?" Clark finished.
Lois laughed. "Well, yes."
Clark shrugged. "I couldn't really tell you. It's not like there's any secret history there." Which was true--it wasn't like they'd been having a torrid affair or anything.
"Maybe not to you," Lois pointed out.
"No, seriously. I'm sure there's nothing." Well--not on Chloe's part. Clark wasn't so sure Lex didn't have ulterior motives; in fact, he was pretty sure Lex *did*. It probably should have worried him more, but he knew Chloe wouldn't let Lex get away with anything. Besides, she'd come to him if she needed help.
"Are you always this earnest?" Lois asked lightly.
"No. Well, maybe." Clark grinned sheepishly.
She laughed and leaned forward. "There's nothing you can tell me?"
"Sorry." He wasn't really sorry, but he didn't want to explain the complicated friendship that had existed between him and Chloe and Lex back in Smallville. He didn't think Chloe would appreciate it either.
"Damn." Lois sighed and picked up her fork again. "There's *got* to be something there."
"Maybe she's just a good reporter," Clark offered.
"Sure. So am I. So are a bunch of people at the Planet with more experience than she has. So how'd *she* finagle her way into Lex Luthor's offices?" Lois asked, gesturing with her fork.
"I--don't know."
"Me either." Lois stabbed her salad. "That's what I'm going to find out."
Clark swallowed. Oh boy.
3:26pm
"Clark Kent," he said, tucking the phone under his ear.
"Clark, it's me."
"What's up?"
"Can you come by LexCorp tonight around nine? Our mysterious vandal tends to work after business hours. So Lex and I are going to hang out and see if we can catch him in the act."
"You two can't handle it yourselves?" Clark said lightly.
"Clark..." Chloe's voice had the threatening growl to it he'd learned to take seriously a long time ago.
"All right, all right. I'll be there at nine."
She sighed with relief. "Thanks."
9:34pm
"I'll go on ahead," Clark said. "I doubt he'll show this early, but you never know."
"I'll go with you," Lex said smoothly, slipping his hands into his pockets. "You'll need my codes to get into the labs."
"It's really not necessary."
"It is if you intend to do more than a cursory look."
"Can we please *not* do the guy-posturing thing tonight?" Chloe asked from behind them.
"We're not," Clark said. Okay, maybe they were. He couldn't help it; Lex just--grated on him. It was almost like third grade, where the boys would tease the girls they liked. But Lex didn't like him like that. Didn't he?
This was *not* the time for this discussion. He'd worry about Lex's interest in him later. At the moment, they were looking for an intruder who didn't appear to be around.
"Uh huh. Then go on ahead like good little guys and play nice. I'll be fine. This place is deserted."
Clark sighed. "Coming?" he said to Lex, who just quirked one corner of his mouth and glided around the corner.
"Nothing," he said a few minutes later. "It's completely--what was that?" Clark spun around, hearing a noise behind them.
"I don't know," Lex said grimly.
They rounded the corner carefully, quietly. "Oh, shit," Lex said under his breath; had it not been for his enhanced hearing, Clark wouldn't have heard it. He was glad he had--it saved him from repeating the statement.
"Come on out, Lex," the man said, one arm holding Chloe in a headlock. She appeared to be unconscious--although she could have just been afraid to move, given the gun he had to her head. "Now."
