Title: Graduation

Author: Lucy Mars

Disclaimer: I think that by this point, we've established that they aren't mine.

**Thanks so much for all the amazing reviews guys! ;] Make me write faster. Hint. Hint. *ahem* ;]

OCTOBER

Taking a ridiculous amount of time to inspect the cluttered corners of her closet, Chloe chided herself. She was being silly. Who cared what she wore. She didn't even know if he was going to show up today. He was probably sitting in Smallville working and living his life, right at this moment. Looking at her clock, Chloe mentally corrected herself. Well no, maybe not right at this moment. He was probably sleeping right now. Lying in bed, satin sheets clinging to his warm body…

Oh my god.

Bad Chloe. Bad, bad thoughts. Well no so much bad as sexy and… Groaning, Chloe could feel her face warm considerably at the thought of Lex sleeping clad in nothing and cool satin sheets sliding over his smooth and warm skin…

No. No. Not going there. He wasn't going to show up today. He lived in Kansas. What business did he have here? None. None whatsoever.

"Chloe, what are you doing?"

Turning around, Chloe smiled sheepishly at her roommate. "I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"

"It's 7 in the morning," Lola groaned, "What the hell are you doing up?"

"Getting ready."

"You don't have class today."

"I know. I'm going to the park."

"Oh," Lola grinned knowingly, "Is it that time of the month again, already?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Chloe lied, feeling her already heated face blush some more, "I'm just going to the park to read. It's a beautiful day."

"Sure, sure." Lola replied stuffing her pillow under her chin and grinning at a red Chloe, "Should I expect to see a hanger on the door tonight? Give a girl some notice here. I can ask Terri if I can stay in her room tonight, if ours is going to be occupied. If you know what I mean."

"Lola!" Chloe exclaimed, "we're just friends."

Laughing, Lola rolled back onto her side and pulled her blanket up over her head to shield her from the offending morning light. "I thought that you were just going to the park to read."

"Shut up." Chloe grumbled.

"Wear the blue skirt and my bohemian top. You always look cute and funky in that." Lola laughed sleepily, her voice muffled by her blanket.

Grabbing the clothes, Chloe patted Lola's head quickly as she headed to the bathroom. "Thanks."

"Have fun!" Lola yelled as Chloe rushed out of their room.

`~`~`~`~`~`

Slowly maneuvering the busy streets, Lex made his way to the familiar park that sat in the middle of the concrete jungle. He didn't know why he was here. He didn't understand what possessed him to get out of bed in the middle of the night and fly out here.

If he let himself admit it, he would realize that he was addicted to her. Her laughter, her smile, her hair, her wit and her snarky-ness mesmerized him. She made him smile and laugh in ways that he never has. She teased him, talked to him, ranted at him and argued with him. His mother would have loved her fierce spirit, her compassion and her smile.

If he let himself see it, Lex would realize that he was in love with her. So madly, head over heels in love with her, that he couldn't stand to stay away. Yet at the same time, he was too afraid to stay.

Passing the familiar oak tree, Lex spotted her patient expression and energetic hair with ease. One day he was going to drown in his love for her. For now, he was going to wade the water cautiously.

`~`~`~`~`~`

"Funny running into you here," Chloe smiled sarcastically.

"It is, isn't it?"

Grinning, Chloe handed Lex her coffee when he settled himself down beside her. "Are we making this a tradition?"

"What?" Lex asked, feigning innocence.

Rolling her eyes, Chloe took her coffee back. "Seeing each other every month."

"What makes you think that I'm here to see you?" Lex asked taking Chloe's hand and tangling their fingers together.

Laughing, Chloe leaned into Lex and watched as children ran past them. "Okay, than what brings you to my polluted corner of New York?"

"They hotdogs," Lex said without hesitation, "I can't get enough to them."

"They're good hotdogs."

"Fresh,"

"Tasty," Chloe added.

"Eating them makes me feel adventurous."

"It's own food group," Chloe replied seriously, looking over at Lex.

Meeting Chloe's sparkling eyes, Lex said small voice, "Not to mention the fact that I missed Lou terribly. Has he missed me, Chloe?"

"I didn't think to ask, but now that you mention it, he has looked a little down lately."

It took them all of 2 seconds for the two of them to fall into a fit of laughter.

NOVEMBER

"How are your classes?"

"Good. How's business?"

"Good," Lex smiled.

"Nothing in Smallville require your attention today?" Chloe inquired, leading Lex through the crowded streets.

"I'm playing hooky," Lex mock whispered, "Don't tell anyone."

"I won't." Chloe promised.

Wrapping a protective arm around Chloe as they crossed a busy intersection, Lex couldn't help but smile like an idiot when Chloe returned the smile and didn't pull away.

"Chinese today?"

"No, we had that last time." Lex pointed out.

"We did," Chloe said laughing at the memory, "Remember the noodles?"

"Who could forget?" Lex teased, "There were more on the table than on our plates."

Rolling her eyes, Chloe poked Lex's firm chest. "It was your fault."

"My fault?" Lex laughed.

"Making me use chopsticks." Chloe scoffed, "I told you that I was a disaster with them."

"You'll learn," Lex told her confidently.

"Will I?"

"Yes, you will."

"You going to teach me?"

"If I have too. You'll be a master in no time."

"Confident, aren't you?"

"Always," Lex smirked.

"Where do you want to have lunch today?"

"Somewhere warm," Lex said looking up at the clear sky.

"Warm is a good idea," Chloe laughed furring closer into Lex's warm coat.

"Cold?" Lex asked rubbing his gloved hand over Chloe's pink cheeks.

"A little," Chloe said breathlessly.

Watching the steam of warm air escape her mouth with a seductive trance, Lex pulled Chloe closer to him. "Hot chocolate?"

"Sounds good."

Smiling, what he was sure was a stupid smile, Lex lead Chloe through the throng of people, his face glowing, his eyes dancing, and his heart speeding away without him.

Wrapped comfortably in his embrace, Chloe couldn't remember any other time she'd been happier to follow, instead of lead. Snuggling closer into Lex's warm arms, Chloe inhaled his distinct scent and burned it into her mind. God, he smelled good. He always smelled good. If Chloe didn't watch it, she would happily drown in his arms.

`~`~`~`~`~`

"Will I ever meet your mystery man?"

"What?" Chloe asked stupidly.

"You're mystery man," Lola repeated, gesturing wildly with her cookie. "This man you whisk away to meet every month in the park. It's all so romantic. When can I meet him?"

Romantic and Lex. Not two words that Chloe would have thought to put together, but for some bizarre reason, it fit. It fit perfectly. Like his black sweater. Like his purple shirt. Like…

"Earth to Chloe."

"Sorry," Chloe stammered, turning her thoughts away from Lex and trying to focus on Lola. God, why was it so hot in here all of a sudden?

"Thinking about Prince Charming?" Lola teased.

Snorting, Chloe absently chewed on her pen. "Lex isn't Prince Charming." Lex was sarcastic, witty, conniving at times, ruthless in business, gentle with her, funny, caring, sexy as hell…

"But your prince, nonetheless." Lola said snapping Chloe out of her Lex induced train of thought.

"I have no idea what he is," Chloe sighed, abandoning her books and joining Lola on her unmade bed.

"He's your boy toy."

Laughing, Chloe grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her chest. "No, he's not."

"Liar."

"No, really, he's not."

"Are you serious?" Lola exclaimed, "You mean, you two aren't doing the horizontal tango?"

"Nope," Chloe said with more disappointment than she meant to display.

"Like…ever?"

"Not a once," Chloe sighed grabbing one of Lola's cookies and popping it into her mouth.

"God, than what the hell do the two of you do all day?" Lola asked, "You always disappear first thing in the morning and come back late at night with a ridiculous grin on your face. I always thought that you were out getting some."

"Nope," Chloe frowned grabbing another cookie, "not getting any."

"Poor, poor Chloe." Lola said genuinely unhappy for her. "Here, have the whole box. You need it. Being sexually frustrated must suck."

Laughing, Chloe hit Lola with her pillow. "We have fun though."

"What do you do all day?"

"Talk."

"Talk?" Lola repeated skeptically.

"And walk."

"Walk?" Lola asked, her frown deepening.

"And have hotdogs," Chloe added, with a silly grin on her face.

Wrinkling her nose with disgust, Lola patted Chloe's leg gently. "Girl, you need to get some, already."

"Lola!" Chloe laughed, "A relationship is more than just sex."

"Well, is this really a relationship?" Lola asked cautiously.

Thrown by her question, Chloe bit her lip nervously.

"Chloe?"

"I don't know what it is," Chloe confessed sadly, "I don't think that he knows either."

`~`~`~`~`~`

So...what do you think?

-Lucy