Title: Standing on Common Ground
Author: Snoogins123
Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Smallville they are the property of the WB and superman creators, but I'm not against the idea of them renting out Michael Rosenbaum for an evening.
Rating: PG-13
Notes: There are spoilers for Crush up to the end of the series but this bunny has a mind of its own, so no-one flame me if it doesn't stay particularly loyal to the series storylines. Reviews are always welcome as this is my first attempt at fanfiction.
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Lex turned the corner and onto the path leading out of Metropolis Cemetery, Pamela's visit weighed heavily on his mind. He mentally chastised the part of himself that had wanted to be wrapped in her arms as he wept at how much he had missed her, the part that still wanted her betrayal to be a lie, to be told that she hadn't deserted him and shredded his already broken heart when his grief had still been so raw.
But she did. She did betray me. She did pretend to love me when all she wanted was her hands on my mother's money. She did leave me to deal with her death alone. I loved her and she left me, just like mother. Lex felt the rage that he had so carefully kept at bay all these years rising to the surface, his stomach felt tight and his hands involuntarily balled into fists inside the pockets of his overcoat.
No! I won't let her get to me. Not again. She wants some kind of reunion, to be back in my life? Well she will just have to keep wanting, just like I did when I wanted her to return so badly. Lex hadn't even noticed that he had stopped walking and was now staring down the hill to the cemetery's gate and the sprawling city below. He was pulled out of his reverie by the sensation of a small hand gently clasping his forearm, he blinked and found himself looking down into the pretty face of Clark's friend Chloe Sullivan.
What is she doing here? Isn't she supposed to be at school? The realisation dawned on him, and he bit back a groan. She definitely wants this interview badly if she is willing to follow me all the way to Metropolis and into a graveyard to get it. How did she know I would be here? I give her points for good research but if she thinks I'm going to agree just because she caught me off guard… I'm not in the mood, not here, not today
"Sorry to disturb your quiet time Mr Luthor" She gave him a gentle smile, one he did not return "But I thought it rude to just pass you by."
"Seems a bit strange that you would consider passing me by when you made such an effort to get this opportunity in the first place, Miss Sullivan"
He noted that she wrinkled her nose when confused.
"Effort? I don't understand I just got here and saw you coming round the corner, you're Dad's boss and Clark's friend. I thought I should say hi."
"Now Miss Sullivan, let's not play games shall we. We both know that this is the anniversary of my mother's death and she is buried here and I do congratulate you on grasping an opportunity to catch me alone and maybe a little more vulnerable than usual. But I'm afraid I won't be granting any interviews today." He offered a cruel half smile as her look of confusion changed to one of anger. He was surprised, she maybe angry at herself for being caught out but he had expected just the smallest amount of embarrassment and contrition on her part.
"Jeez, paranoid much?" Chole's voice dripped with sarcasm "For your information Mr Luthor I had no idea this was the anniversary of your mother's passing and I certainly did not know that you would be here"
He let out a derisive snort, "So I am to believe that you just felt like a walk in a cemetery 3 hours away from Smallville and what a surprise you bump into me?" He turned to leave, throwing one last comment over his shoulder, "Normally I would be more than happy to indulge your journalistic enthusiasm, but this is not the place or day for indulgence."
He felt the hand that had never left his forearm tighten as he was turned to face the teenage editor again. He was surprised by the unconcealed anger and hurt that was evident in her face.
Are those tears in her eyes?
"The fact is Mr Luthor, I came her to see someone else"
He gently removed his arm from her grip, restraining himself from being too forceful, she was still one of Clark's friends after all.
"And who exactly would that be?"
"My mother." At that moment he noticed her hand slip from behind her back and in it was gripped a bunch of sunflowers. He balked for a moment, than regained his composure quickly.
So she brought a bunch of flowers, how convenient.
"So your mother died on the exact day that mine did." He gave the statement all the sarcasm he felt it deserved.
"Oh, let me guess that it sooo convenient for you isn't it? I may be an enthusiastic editor for my high school paper but I can guarantee you that a story is the furthest thing from my mind today."
She's angry! Why is she mad when I'm the one being ambushed? Why the hell is she doing grabbing my hand?, who the hell does she think she is? Where the hell is she taking me?
Almost before Lex could finish his thought he found himself before a modest gravestone, it barely came up to his knees. He didn't even look down before he grabbed Miss Sullivan's shoulder, bringing her body flush with his.
"I do not appreciate being dragged through a graveyard Chloe" he registered that this was the first time he had used her Christian name, if front of her. She met his gaze, her steely demenor a perfect match for his, if she felt intimidated by his close proximity she did not show it.
"And I don't appreciate being accused of being a story-hungry reporter that would abuse someone's personal time and space just for the chance of a front-page exclusive in a high school newspaper. Would you just look at what I brought you here to show you" She pointed to the gravestone in font of her. As Lex took in the writing on that granite face, his mask of indignant surprise gave way to one of apologetic remorse.
"Here Lies
Hannah Gail Sullivan
1957-1997
Beloved Mother, Wife and Daughter
May Her Laughter Be Heard Always
We Love you"
Lex had talked with Gabe on many occasions, work related or not, the silence about his other half but his great (and very vocal) love and pride of his daughter had led Lex to believe that a messy divorce lay behind him. Lex had never really considered that grief was the reason for his reticence. He watched as Chloe knelt at the gravestone, laying her flowers with a familiar gentleness that only another person robbed of a loved one would recognize.
"Hey Mom," She spoke gently, he leant in to hear her words, so easily snatched by the whistling wind above. "I hope you didn't think I would forget, just the buses from my lovely leafy hamlet are scarce. I've miss you, but then again I always miss you" Lex heard the breathy laugh but couldn't help noticing the tears that were flowing freely from her eyes as she gently stroked the outline of the gravestones words with her finger.
"Dad is good, he's working hard but I know that he thinks of you all the time. I might have a shot at the internship at the Daily Planet, keep your fingers crossed for me ok? And any pull you have celestially would be great? I think of you always, but I hope you already know that" She placed a gentle kiss on the top of the gravestone and wiped away the tears that had left salty trails on her cheeks before turning to face Lex, who was shifting uncomfortably behind her.
"Mr Luthor, I'm sorry that you lost your mom, as you can see I can sort of understand" She gestured to the stone behind her, "But I did not come here to make use of your vulnerable moment, I came her for my own reasons. And I had no idea that this was the anniversary of your mother's death. But just to put your mind at ease this is no coincidence, my mother didn't die the same day as yours, that's is not why I'm here.
"Then why are you?" Lex hoped that the soft tone of his voice was enough to placate Chloe, her was never good at apologies
"Because I never want to remember my mother's death, I came here to celebrate her life. Today is her birthday."
A long moment passed as the billionaire tried to process this revelation. Her visit to Metropolis had nothing to do with him and now that he thought about it there had been no real reason for his accusations, Lex felt the need to explain, "I shouldn't have accused you of being someone that puts story above all else, Chloe. I've just been a little shaken by a visit from someone I never expected to see again, and this day is never my favourite in the calendar. I'm sorry Chloe"
Hey look at that maybe I can apologise!
Chloe looked back at her mother's grave one more time before moving back towards the path, "It's fine, these places are hardly designed for pleasant conversation. Trust me, I never planned on bumping into my father's boss when I bought my bus ticket."
He took that as an acceptance, "Speaking of which, isn't this a school day?"
"And that's why I would be grateful if you didn't mention this to my Dad. He doesn't know I'm here, I just couldn't miss her birthday."
"Of course your secret is mine " he smiled down at the teenager but she wasn't returning his look, her gaze intent on the gravel passing under her feet, "Speaking of which, won't he know when the school calls to report your absence."
"Well it turns out that my written skills also tend towards forgery" She gave him a weak smile, this time turning her face up to meet his gaze.
"Well as long as you don't make trips out to Metropolis a weekly thing, I'm sure I can keep from mentioning this to Gabe."
"Thank you"
They walked in silence until they reached the gate, Lex's driver was already waiting at the limousine's open door. He thought for a moment before turning to Chloe.
"I would really like to make some amends for what I said earlier, could I possibly offer you a lift home? As way of an apology and much more comfortable than the bus"
Chloe looked momentarily alarmed at the suggestion, but that soon gave way to her trademark toothy grin.
"I would like that very much Mr Luthor"
"Well then climb in and I'll see if I can't get my driver to stop for coffee on the way."
As he pulled the door shut, noting out of the corner of his eye how Chloe contentedly sank into the leather seats he added,
"By the way Chloe, it's Lex."
