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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The remainder of the journey to Smallville passed quickly. Lex was pleasantly surprised to find Chloe was fun company. She had a sharp mind, and an even sharper wit. She was incredibly enthusiastic about her journalism and had all but bounced up and down when talking about applying for the internship at the Daily Planet. Happily the conversation had moved away from the reason for their meeting that day. Lex had been surprised that Chloe had not even made small attempts at extracting information about his mother from him, but then again he hadn't pressed her on the subject of Clark Kent. There seemed to be a silent agreement that neither of them was eager to open their hearts to the other.

As they drew up to the front of Chloe's house, he turned to his companion, "Thank you for the company Chloe, you have made what could have been a very hard day infinitely more tolerable."

She pointedly ignored his choice of adjective.

"Well it certainly beats the bus."

"Enjoy the journalism symposium."

"I will thank you Lex." She turned but her hand froze as she pushed down the door handle. "Oh no!"

Lex followed her gaze through the windshield of the limo, Gabe's car was pulling up the drive.

"Damnit what's Dad doing home? He's not due back until 5. How am I going to explain getting out of your car when I'm supposed to be in maths class?"

Lex reached over, covering her hand and pulling the ajar door closed.

"Let me deal with it."

He was out of the car before she had a chance to ask him what he had planned, the blacked out windows concealing her from her father. He met Gabe as he got out of his car.

"Lex, what's brings you here?"

"Gabe, hello. I was just returning from Metropolis and I saw you coming up the road. I just thought I would take the chance to see how everything was at the plant today."

Gabe looked at his young boss with confusion, it was common that Lex would check in with him when he hadn't been at the factory for some days but coming to his home was new. But as it turned out, it was a happy coincidence.

"I actually just came home to get some of the reports I keep here. It looks like we are going to have a spot-check inspection by the safety guys."

"Anything I should be worried about?"

"No, but I wouldn't mind you taking a quick look at the report from the Earl Jenkins incident."

"Of course."

As the men walked to the house, Lex heard the quiet metallic pop and click of the limousine's door opening and closing. He smiled at the image of a crouching Chloe making her way round to the back of the house.

Lex had been bent over the paperwork for Plant 3 for about an hour, his manager taking any recommended changes and adding them on the computer, when he heard Chloe's pseudo return home.

"Dad, you here? The door was unlocked."

Gabe stuck his head out the office door, "Honey I'm up in office, I'll be down in a sec'. Excuse me Lex."

"Actually, if you don't mind Gabe, I'm going to head home. I have things to deal with back at the house. Do we have time to go over this tomorrow morning?"

"Umm sure, the guys aren't due until the afternoon and I think we've pretty much covered everything here."

"I appreciate the extra work you're doing here Gabe. I know that going over the Earl incident can't be fun."

"We all got out just fine, there's no problem."

Lex followed him down to the kitchen, the smell of freshly brewed coffee greeting him. He fought back a smile as he saw Chloe sitting at the kitchen table, her school bag in front of her, dressed in a different outfit from the one she had worn to the graveyard. More 'school-like' he guessed.

"Mr. Luthor." She stood holding out her hand in greeting, "Nice to see you again."

"And you Chloe, and as I've said it's Lex."

"Right. Lex." He held her hand just moment too long, unable to resist the urge to watch her squirm just a little. Gabe's voice interrupted his fun.

"Lex can I get you a coffee? Chloe here makes a mean mocha latte." He ruffled his daughter's hair affectionately, dropping a kiss to her temple.

"Daaaadd!"

"Thank you but I really have to be getting back. I hope it isn't too much trouble, Gabe, but I really would like to look at the report more before they arrive could you possibly come into the office a little early tomorrow, say 7.30?"

"Sure, no problem. Let me show you out."

As Lex made his way down the porch steps the conversation from inside reached his ears.

"So hon, how was school?"

"I hardly even registered I was there, but that's high school for ya...anyway better get a head start on that homework."

Well she may just make a great journalist. Her twisting of the truth is imaginative

Sitting at his desk Lex wished he had taken his manager up on that mocha latte. Pamela's second visit had left his mind reeling.

What if she was telling the truth? Do I hate my father more than what I do, or her for her weakness. She knew that I had my mother's money, dis-inheritance would not have ended me. Why did my father have the power to make her run? I needed her then, why did she let him scare her out of my life? Goddamn why am I still thinking about this, it's been ten years?

The phone's shrill ring brought him out of his thoughts.

"Luthor."

"Lex?"

Chloe? What the hell?

"I hope you don't mind, I found your number in my dad's address book."

"It's fine Chloe, this is my business line not my personal."

"Oh, o.k."

"What can I do for you Chloe?"

Please don't let it be an interview.

"I just wanted to say thanks."

"Oh?"

"Not just for the company. Turns out the bus I was going to catch had engine trouble on the motorway. I don't want to think how I would've explained being 4 hours late from school to my dad. I just wanted to say thanks for saving my butt...twice. You didn't have to do that."

"You're welcome. I assume your father didn't discover you hadn't been at school today."

"No he didn't. Thank god. I don't like lying to him."

Refreshing.

"Anyway, that's why I called. To say thanks."

"You are welcome. Goodnight Chloe."

"Goodnight Lex."

Lex hung up.

He turned out his desk light and headed to his bedroom, feeling a little lighter than when Pamela had left.