Letters to a Dear Stranger
"Sincerely Yours" Part II
Fic type: Smallville
Placement: TV
Time: 1 year after "Love Always"
Explanation/Descript: Clark's set..this will be a collection of letters
between Clark and Chloe when finished
Talk: Thoughts welcome.....flame somewhere else
Writer: Manda -- bloodrosedragon@hotmal.com
~*~*~
Dear Chloe,
Summer already, I almost can't believe it's here. Lex convinced us, and we in turn convinced out parents with a little wheedling, so all of us are bound for a summer away, too. Metropolis for a few weeks. It's not the same time your in Europe, so maybe you can join us a few days if you're free. It took lots of convincing to get my dad to let me go though not as much as I expected. Pete's parents were all up for him getting some time out of the house during break and Lana's aunt was a little hesitant but she's come around now.
I'll make sure to send the dates and phone numbers along with this before I close out the letter tonight.
We'll be staying in a large laid out place Lex said he got specifically so we were stuck on a Luthor Corp landing stripe. It's interesting to hear him talk about his father. No matter how far he comes from the guy I met on the road, each year seems to intensify that anger and hate inside him for his father. Sometimes it makes me want to wince the venom that can come out if the thoughts even connect up to his father, the cold and empty looks are enough. I wish there were ways to make them work it out or take them away from each other for good.
They seemed completely tied to each other regardless a chink in each other's chains and their chains are tied together so strongly by family, hurt, anger, money and who knows what. There could be so much more Lex has never told me. That he's never told any of us. I know his mother, his brother, and his nanny, all of them gone, stand between them completely. Lex is the son that Lionel didn't get to have his way except he seems to be becoming so much like the man he hates when he explains it all.
I try to be as helpful as I can to him, but there are places he shuts me out of even.
Sometimes I think Pete's sometimes still jealous of how much time I spend with him, but he (Pete) and I still go out and do things all the time now, not like when all this began and I started leaving him out of things - even accidentally. It's a wonder it's not Lana who'd be the jealous one for Lex taking up my time, or me taking up his, but she's never said a word about. They seem to be getting along fine. Ever since he helped her get the Talon up and running and continued to keep her challenged on what to do next they've seemed to remain pretty good friends.
Even though I spend time with Lex, I seem to find myself more and more with Lana and Pete. He called us the Three musketeer's one day. Lana just smiled, and Pete and I really didn't comment. It made me think of you so far away from us. You'll be even further soon. I know it's not for long, but you won't even be on the same continent anymore.
I'll miss you regardless of where you are, but I hope you have a blast on your trip.
Sincerely Yours, Clark
~*~*~
Dear Chloe,
Love the post cards and pictures you've sent from Europe. You and Joseph look very happy in them.
Hey, did you even think maybe this thanksgiving or Christmas, maybe you'd come home and bring him so we can all meet this so far illusive name that makes our Chloe so happy? I know it's a million months away still, but you might want to consider it. We'd all like to meet the mysterious guy you come home and act bubbly about, if your ready for that.
Tomorrow we leave for Metropolis. Lana seems to think it'll be wonderful fun all around and seems to be stuck picking out what to take. Pete has been over helping me in the barn most of the day, discussing all the details of tomorrow and what we know of the next few weeks. It's the top subject on everyone's mind, even all out parents. Numbers, cell phones, everything. It makes me laugh. You wouldn't think we were all almost twenty the way they act about it.
My dad tries not to act like it bothers him he has to trust Lex to watch over us should anything happen. It doesn't hide very well, but at least he's trying. He's getting more used to having Lex as a friend of mine and not the demented spawn of the devil which is what he must have thought first hearing Lex's last name. Okay, so their not perfect yet, but that kind of relationship is hard and Lex has always tried his best to help us or let us be.
I'm glad you'll be coming to join us during the last week we're up there. Can't wait to see you there.
Sincerely Yours, Clark
~*~*~
Dear Chloe,
The condo is almost quiet at the moment except for Pete and Lana across the room shredding jokes at some soap opera. I was, too, till I decided to write you. We're waiting for Lex to get back from a meeting with his father and the board of directors. His words before he left was that they were just a joke really since they couldn't make any decisions Lionel hadn't already approved. They were just puppet figureheads. He seems colder, angrier and quieter since we got here.
It made me wonder, when he left slamming the door a little harder than normal on his way out, why he would want to bring us somewhere where he himself would spend that time unhappy.
Metropolis is not like Smallville, Chloe. I know I've said that before, but it amazes me to just stand there in the center of it all. No one seems to notice me staring in awe of this whirling, running city that never stops, never even sleeps. It's amazing. Always a show, a party, a meeting, a place to go, things to do, people going and coming in an unending sea of movement.
I've only had one moment where this whirling world stopped and stood still though. Just the fact that I can remember if it is not a dream is enough to put me to whit's end when I remember what happened. I can't tell Lana or Pete. I can't even think of anyone I could talk to about it. You'll be here before this letter ever reaches you, too. Maybe that's why I'm writing, so someone will know, even if not now.
It all started yesterday evening. The first dinner Lionel and Lex had went badly or so it seemed when he came home looking like he was going to kill something. He didn't hit anything or say anything, it was more what he didn't do and how much he didn't talk. He came back to us hours later than we expected. We'd been debating a movie in this ritzy place that everyone talks about when he did come back. He slammed the door once, and let it bounce open as he just walked away into the kitchen.
Lana went and shut the door, while I followed him to kitchen, Pete a few steps behind me. We found him, with his hands spread apart on the counter, clenched on the edge so hard his knuckles were white, eyes closed. I'm not positive but I think he was shaking. We asked him what was wrong and he eventually told us it was nothing new. That everything was the same as always.
He said he was going back out. It was his only response when Lana joined us in the kitchen and asked if he'd like to join us in the movie. He walked back to the room he was using and we all stood there confused. We eventually worked it out. Pete and Lana went on to the movie, and that I would follow him. So they agreed reluctantly but went. Lex left a few minutes after and I followed him. How I kept up I can't explain but I did for a few hours.
He stayed at a bar and then when I had gone to sit on a bench outside to take a deep breath, to wonder what it is was I was doing, I was surprised to feel a hand on my shoulder. When I looked up it was him, and he said in a somewhat slurred single breath that he had wondered whether I would join him for a drink or leave him to his drink alone. I just stared at him, I hadn't realized he was there. He may have forgotten his invitation because he sat down on the bench next to me suddenly.
He said that the city never changed in a way that made it seem like he'd wished it would. He said it was always the same games and lies with everyone, always. I told him he could just stay with us, leave his world behind, that we were his friends and maybe we could make it better for him. He just laughed suddenly, cold, harsh, and somehow for him, completely empty. It stilled all of the air for his next words, seeming to make them louder. He said no one in the city was anyone's friend really, so quiet I almost didn't hear him.
I placed my hand on part of his arm and told him I was. I meant to tell him Pete and Lana were, too, but it never came out. He just looked up at me suddenly. If I hadn't known him better, I would have thought he was about to start crying. Lex doesn't cry though, he says he only plays the game better on his side. But he looked like he might cry staring at me with this odd expression for a minute before he finally spoke again. Ever so quietly he asked me if I really meant it, but he didn't give me a moment to respond before he leaned toward me and kissed me.
Lex Luthor kissed me.
Stop rereading that line, Chloe. I can see you already, hands holding this piece of paper wondering why I didn't tell you in person, wondering why you didn't see it between us. I'm not even sure how I feel at all. I just know it happened. I'm not even sure he remembers, after all he was drinking heavily, since he hasn't said anything since he woke up this morning.
I had to get it out on paper and I had to tell someone I trusted not to make something of it right now.
Now I can't stop reading that line either.
At least someone else knows.
Well, will know, soon.
There he is again. I better go. Can't wait to see you soon.
Sincerely Yours, Clark
~*~*~
Dear Chloe,
I guess this is the after letter to go with the one I wrote before you showed up in Metropolis. I'll mail them together once I'm done. You're gone by almost five hours now and we still have about twenty hours before we all head home, too. I'll miss this busy city more than I'm thinking I will. The lively city and its mirad people seem to pull to me. It was almost like these few weeks weren't enough.
Maybe I'll get to return to the city sometime soon. This city. Another city. I'm sure someday.
Smallville will always be my home, Chloe, but there's this huge world out there basically begging to be explored. I can hear it all the time. I want to go see it, meet it, find out all the secrets, learn things, help people, right wrongs.
Home, it's such a different word now. I'm debating going out of Smallville for school, or putting in for an exchange program. I haven't mentioned much of it to Lana; she seems so happy and content just to stay in Smallville. She doesn't have the urge to just get out of dodge and find the missing pieces of all the world. Pete mostly understands but he adores home, too. Maybe you'll understand, after all you were ready to be in Metropolis running the Daily Planet the day I first met you.
A fiery whirl wind we'd only be able to hold so long.
Lana says it's time to go catch the last tour slash luncheon Lex wanted to take us on while we're here. Hope by the time this reaches you you're safe, sound and happy back home.
Sincerely Yours, Clark
~*~*~
Dear Chloe,
Almost Christmas again.
Can't believe you won't be up this year, even though I know you, and Joseph, were hear for Thanksgiving just a few weeks ago. It'll be strange. This will be the first time you haven't come home during the holidays. One less stocking, one less place setting...but you'll still be getting gifts from everyone. Hopefully you'll love them.
We're still planning to a have a large dinner. Lex even offered to help cook this year. I can't get over that. It makes me laugh anytime I think of Lex anywhere near my mother and the other mom in the kitchen. I'm not sure what he'll do but he'll find someway to try and make himself useful. He keeps his word, tirelessly.
I'll probably call and wish you a Happy Christmas Eve on your cell phone. So be expecting it.
I enclosed some of the pictures from Thanksgiving for you so you'd have copies. Hope crunch time isn't getting you down.
Sincerely Yours, Clark
~*~*~
Continued in "Your Friend" Part I
~*~*~
Dear Chloe,
Summer already, I almost can't believe it's here. Lex convinced us, and we in turn convinced out parents with a little wheedling, so all of us are bound for a summer away, too. Metropolis for a few weeks. It's not the same time your in Europe, so maybe you can join us a few days if you're free. It took lots of convincing to get my dad to let me go though not as much as I expected. Pete's parents were all up for him getting some time out of the house during break and Lana's aunt was a little hesitant but she's come around now.
I'll make sure to send the dates and phone numbers along with this before I close out the letter tonight.
We'll be staying in a large laid out place Lex said he got specifically so we were stuck on a Luthor Corp landing stripe. It's interesting to hear him talk about his father. No matter how far he comes from the guy I met on the road, each year seems to intensify that anger and hate inside him for his father. Sometimes it makes me want to wince the venom that can come out if the thoughts even connect up to his father, the cold and empty looks are enough. I wish there were ways to make them work it out or take them away from each other for good.
They seemed completely tied to each other regardless a chink in each other's chains and their chains are tied together so strongly by family, hurt, anger, money and who knows what. There could be so much more Lex has never told me. That he's never told any of us. I know his mother, his brother, and his nanny, all of them gone, stand between them completely. Lex is the son that Lionel didn't get to have his way except he seems to be becoming so much like the man he hates when he explains it all.
I try to be as helpful as I can to him, but there are places he shuts me out of even.
Sometimes I think Pete's sometimes still jealous of how much time I spend with him, but he (Pete) and I still go out and do things all the time now, not like when all this began and I started leaving him out of things - even accidentally. It's a wonder it's not Lana who'd be the jealous one for Lex taking up my time, or me taking up his, but she's never said a word about. They seem to be getting along fine. Ever since he helped her get the Talon up and running and continued to keep her challenged on what to do next they've seemed to remain pretty good friends.
Even though I spend time with Lex, I seem to find myself more and more with Lana and Pete. He called us the Three musketeer's one day. Lana just smiled, and Pete and I really didn't comment. It made me think of you so far away from us. You'll be even further soon. I know it's not for long, but you won't even be on the same continent anymore.
I'll miss you regardless of where you are, but I hope you have a blast on your trip.
Sincerely Yours, Clark
~*~*~
Dear Chloe,
Love the post cards and pictures you've sent from Europe. You and Joseph look very happy in them.
Hey, did you even think maybe this thanksgiving or Christmas, maybe you'd come home and bring him so we can all meet this so far illusive name that makes our Chloe so happy? I know it's a million months away still, but you might want to consider it. We'd all like to meet the mysterious guy you come home and act bubbly about, if your ready for that.
Tomorrow we leave for Metropolis. Lana seems to think it'll be wonderful fun all around and seems to be stuck picking out what to take. Pete has been over helping me in the barn most of the day, discussing all the details of tomorrow and what we know of the next few weeks. It's the top subject on everyone's mind, even all out parents. Numbers, cell phones, everything. It makes me laugh. You wouldn't think we were all almost twenty the way they act about it.
My dad tries not to act like it bothers him he has to trust Lex to watch over us should anything happen. It doesn't hide very well, but at least he's trying. He's getting more used to having Lex as a friend of mine and not the demented spawn of the devil which is what he must have thought first hearing Lex's last name. Okay, so their not perfect yet, but that kind of relationship is hard and Lex has always tried his best to help us or let us be.
I'm glad you'll be coming to join us during the last week we're up there. Can't wait to see you there.
Sincerely Yours, Clark
~*~*~
Dear Chloe,
The condo is almost quiet at the moment except for Pete and Lana across the room shredding jokes at some soap opera. I was, too, till I decided to write you. We're waiting for Lex to get back from a meeting with his father and the board of directors. His words before he left was that they were just a joke really since they couldn't make any decisions Lionel hadn't already approved. They were just puppet figureheads. He seems colder, angrier and quieter since we got here.
It made me wonder, when he left slamming the door a little harder than normal on his way out, why he would want to bring us somewhere where he himself would spend that time unhappy.
Metropolis is not like Smallville, Chloe. I know I've said that before, but it amazes me to just stand there in the center of it all. No one seems to notice me staring in awe of this whirling, running city that never stops, never even sleeps. It's amazing. Always a show, a party, a meeting, a place to go, things to do, people going and coming in an unending sea of movement.
I've only had one moment where this whirling world stopped and stood still though. Just the fact that I can remember if it is not a dream is enough to put me to whit's end when I remember what happened. I can't tell Lana or Pete. I can't even think of anyone I could talk to about it. You'll be here before this letter ever reaches you, too. Maybe that's why I'm writing, so someone will know, even if not now.
It all started yesterday evening. The first dinner Lionel and Lex had went badly or so it seemed when he came home looking like he was going to kill something. He didn't hit anything or say anything, it was more what he didn't do and how much he didn't talk. He came back to us hours later than we expected. We'd been debating a movie in this ritzy place that everyone talks about when he did come back. He slammed the door once, and let it bounce open as he just walked away into the kitchen.
Lana went and shut the door, while I followed him to kitchen, Pete a few steps behind me. We found him, with his hands spread apart on the counter, clenched on the edge so hard his knuckles were white, eyes closed. I'm not positive but I think he was shaking. We asked him what was wrong and he eventually told us it was nothing new. That everything was the same as always.
He said he was going back out. It was his only response when Lana joined us in the kitchen and asked if he'd like to join us in the movie. He walked back to the room he was using and we all stood there confused. We eventually worked it out. Pete and Lana went on to the movie, and that I would follow him. So they agreed reluctantly but went. Lex left a few minutes after and I followed him. How I kept up I can't explain but I did for a few hours.
He stayed at a bar and then when I had gone to sit on a bench outside to take a deep breath, to wonder what it is was I was doing, I was surprised to feel a hand on my shoulder. When I looked up it was him, and he said in a somewhat slurred single breath that he had wondered whether I would join him for a drink or leave him to his drink alone. I just stared at him, I hadn't realized he was there. He may have forgotten his invitation because he sat down on the bench next to me suddenly.
He said that the city never changed in a way that made it seem like he'd wished it would. He said it was always the same games and lies with everyone, always. I told him he could just stay with us, leave his world behind, that we were his friends and maybe we could make it better for him. He just laughed suddenly, cold, harsh, and somehow for him, completely empty. It stilled all of the air for his next words, seeming to make them louder. He said no one in the city was anyone's friend really, so quiet I almost didn't hear him.
I placed my hand on part of his arm and told him I was. I meant to tell him Pete and Lana were, too, but it never came out. He just looked up at me suddenly. If I hadn't known him better, I would have thought he was about to start crying. Lex doesn't cry though, he says he only plays the game better on his side. But he looked like he might cry staring at me with this odd expression for a minute before he finally spoke again. Ever so quietly he asked me if I really meant it, but he didn't give me a moment to respond before he leaned toward me and kissed me.
Lex Luthor kissed me.
Stop rereading that line, Chloe. I can see you already, hands holding this piece of paper wondering why I didn't tell you in person, wondering why you didn't see it between us. I'm not even sure how I feel at all. I just know it happened. I'm not even sure he remembers, after all he was drinking heavily, since he hasn't said anything since he woke up this morning.
I had to get it out on paper and I had to tell someone I trusted not to make something of it right now.
Now I can't stop reading that line either.
At least someone else knows.
Well, will know, soon.
There he is again. I better go. Can't wait to see you soon.
Sincerely Yours, Clark
~*~*~
Dear Chloe,
I guess this is the after letter to go with the one I wrote before you showed up in Metropolis. I'll mail them together once I'm done. You're gone by almost five hours now and we still have about twenty hours before we all head home, too. I'll miss this busy city more than I'm thinking I will. The lively city and its mirad people seem to pull to me. It was almost like these few weeks weren't enough.
Maybe I'll get to return to the city sometime soon. This city. Another city. I'm sure someday.
Smallville will always be my home, Chloe, but there's this huge world out there basically begging to be explored. I can hear it all the time. I want to go see it, meet it, find out all the secrets, learn things, help people, right wrongs.
Home, it's such a different word now. I'm debating going out of Smallville for school, or putting in for an exchange program. I haven't mentioned much of it to Lana; she seems so happy and content just to stay in Smallville. She doesn't have the urge to just get out of dodge and find the missing pieces of all the world. Pete mostly understands but he adores home, too. Maybe you'll understand, after all you were ready to be in Metropolis running the Daily Planet the day I first met you.
A fiery whirl wind we'd only be able to hold so long.
Lana says it's time to go catch the last tour slash luncheon Lex wanted to take us on while we're here. Hope by the time this reaches you you're safe, sound and happy back home.
Sincerely Yours, Clark
~*~*~
Dear Chloe,
Almost Christmas again.
Can't believe you won't be up this year, even though I know you, and Joseph, were hear for Thanksgiving just a few weeks ago. It'll be strange. This will be the first time you haven't come home during the holidays. One less stocking, one less place setting...but you'll still be getting gifts from everyone. Hopefully you'll love them.
We're still planning to a have a large dinner. Lex even offered to help cook this year. I can't get over that. It makes me laugh anytime I think of Lex anywhere near my mother and the other mom in the kitchen. I'm not sure what he'll do but he'll find someway to try and make himself useful. He keeps his word, tirelessly.
I'll probably call and wish you a Happy Christmas Eve on your cell phone. So be expecting it.
I enclosed some of the pictures from Thanksgiving for you so you'd have copies. Hope crunch time isn't getting you down.
Sincerely Yours, Clark
~*~*~
Continued in "Your Friend" Part I