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 gently massaged his temples, shutting the lid on his laptop as the numbers and text began to swim in front of his eyes. It had been a long day, due in no small part to his father's revelation about Pamela's health.
He had come straight to office as soon as Lionel had left, hoping to immerse himself in work. It had been a mildly successful idea, this future production projection had managed to occupy his mind for the last 4 hours. But as he sat there now, quietly wishing away the headache that was threatening to burst through his forehead, his thoughts drifted back to the subject he had been avoiding.
He had found that she was at the hospital in town. A phone call had seen that she had a private room with cable. He had made sure she wasn't to know the room was because of him and he was still unsure as to why he had made the call. He wondered if he should go see her, one last time. Pushing down the anger and bitterness he felt at her leaving, he let himself feel his sadness at the impending death of the only other woman he had loved besides his mother.
I loved her once and she left me. Now she comes back into my life, bringing with her all the feelings I had tried to forget and now I have to lose her all over again. I wish I could hate her, that would be easier. Add her to the list of people that only cared about me for what they could get and leave it at that. But I can't. But I don't know how to forgive her. God! More time, I need more time.
He felt his chest tighten, the grief and anger battling for control. He would go see her tomorrow, how could he not? He was thankful for the insistent knocking at his office door.
"Come in."
He was greeted by a very agitated manager.
"Lex, I need to leave, something's happened to Chloe." Gabe was pulling on his jacket, desperately patting the pockets in an attempt to find his car keys.
"Is she alright?" He followed Gabe out of his office, heading for the parking lot.
"I don't know. Something about that Justin kid she was seeing, a concussion and Clark Kent. I need to get her at the hospital. Ah ha!" The keys had been located.
Chloe was dating someone? So that's why she has suddenly come to Clark's attention. That's why he asked my advice. Teenage boys are nothing if not predictable.
"Gabe I'm sure she'll be fine. Don't worry about the plant, we'll survive without you."
They stepped out into the Kansas sunshine, Lex having now caught up with the fast-paced man beside him. Gabe climbed into his car, starting the engine.
"Thanks Lex. I'll call when I know what's happening."
"Of course."
He watched his manager pull out of the parking lot at a speed that may not have necessarily been within the speed limits before turning and heading back to his office. Ten minutes later his attention was once again focused on the computer screen before him a gentle sigh escaping his lips as all other thoughts were pushed to the side.
A short call to his friend in administration at Smallville hospital had assured him that Miss Chloe Sullivan had received a nasty contusion and a cut requiring stitches to the forehead. A concussion had eventually been ruled out and she was just waiting on her father to pick her up.
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Later that week he found himself at the Talon, watching a very intriguing scene play out before him. As he lowered himself into a seat at the very back corner of the café, cradling his cappuccino, his gaze never shifted from the table at which Clark and Chloe were seated. Chloe looked upset, the plaster on her forehead adding to her look of vulnerability, reminding Lex of a child's clumsy bump to the head. Although he knew it had been much more than that and reined in his rush of anger at Justin, thankful that Clark had been there to stop the unthinkable.
He raised his eyebrows in surprise as he saw Clark reach out and take Chloe's hand. He had been hoping that their talk in the barn had given his young friend the push he so desperately needed to take that leap of faith that Lex himself had never. He just hadn't expected it to be a leap in Chloe's direction as opposed to Lana's. Mentally crossing his fingers, he hoped that Chloe had won out of desire rather than circumstance. He would hate to see Clark take second choice just because number one had a boyfriend. Chloe struck him as someone who doesn't take kindly to having their heart broken.
He took the opportunity of their at distraction of Whitney's arrival to approach Clark and Chloe.
"Hey Lex." Clark looked up at him giving his trademark 100 watt smile.
"Hi Clark. Chloe I hope you're feeling better."
"I am Lex thank you. I was just lamenting with Clark here about my choice in men." He looked for the sadness in her eyes that should have accompanied that statement but it wasn't there.
Looks like Clark may just have said something she had been wanting to hear.
"Oh I'm sure that's not true Chloe. I'll bet your choice in men is excellent."
She glanced quickly at Clark and turned her face back to Lex. She virtually glowed.
"I guess you could be right."
Lex reached for the milk when the expressions on their faces stopped him in his tracks. Turning around he took in the sight that had them riveted. Lana was standing in the middle of the Talon, holding a weeping Whitney Fordman.
"Oh no." The tremble in Chloe's voice and Whitney's despair were enough to tell him what had happened. Whitney's father was dead.
He watched as Lana led her boyfriend out of the cafe, the glance over her shoulder silently asking Clark to look after the place while she was away.
"Sorry guys, I've got to help."
"Of course Clark, go."
A familiar silence descended between him and Chloe as Clark left to take orders.
I just hopes she says it before I have to.
"Poor Whitney." The packets of sugar in front of Chloe suddenly became fascinating to her.
"I've never been his biggest fan, believe me. But that just isn't fair."
"No it isn't."
"I remember exactly how I felt when..."
"So do I."
She looked up at him then, her empathy evident.
"It sucked."
Yes it did.
There was a pregnant pause as Chloe added the final packet to her Sweet 'n' Low™ tower.
"It was cancer by the way."
"What was?"
Her eyes never left his face.
"My mother, she died of cancer."
She was up and gone from the table before he had a chance to respond. He watched until she left the building before rising himself. Waving briefly Clark he headed out to his car.
So did mine.
