Title: Metropolis
Author: AmandaG
Summary: Chloe and Lex find themselves leading parallel lives while spending the summer in Metropolis.
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or places contained here in. I just like to take them out and fiddle with them when no one is looking.
E-Mail: ficklemuse02@yahoo.com
Feedback: Replies and reviews are lovely things.
**
"Lex..." Chloe's jaw snapped shut as soon as she realized how ridiculous she must have looked. "What are you doing here?"
"I have business with Richard. I'll assume you're the granddaughter."
"That'd be me."
"I knew that you'd lived here in Metropolis before your father got the job at the plant- I had no idea that you were related to Richard Reed."
Chloe quickly put all of her thoughts in order before she opened her mouth. It was something her friends would swear she never did- but she always tried to be as precise as possible when she spoke and even more so when speaking to Lex Luthor. "I'm here for my intership at the Daily Planet- which now that I think about I never thanked you for." Sensing an immediate denial Chloe waved off Lex's next words. "Stop. I know you didn't *get* me the internship. But I also know that you had a copy of the Torch delivered to Perry White's desk first thing every week. That means a lot."
"How did you know about that?"
Chloe can feel an infinitely smug smile plaster itself to herself. It wasn't every day that someone got to know more than Lex. "Reporters have their sources too Lex."
"Well I'm glad that it worked to your advantage." Lex demurred quickly. "And I'm even more glad for your company this evening. I wasn't looking forward to yet another dull business dinner filled with mindless chitchat."
"Why Lex. I think I've been the recipient of the infamous Luthor charm!"
"Actually something far more rare- and valuable. Luthor honesty." Lex offered Chloe his arm in a gallant gesture. "Your grandfather is waiting."
"So how's it feel to be un-exiled?" Chloe asked unable to *completely* control her curiosity.
"Are you asking me personally or is this an interview?"
"If I said it was an interview would you say yes?" Chloe took Lex' arm with a small smile.
"Probably not."
"Then 'No Lex. This isn't an interview.'."
"I'm not entirely sure how it feels to be out of Smallville. When I first got there I couldn't wait to leave. Now... now I find myself missing it."
"I know. As creepy as it is, there's something special about that place." Chloe's nose wrinkled. "I think it's something in the water."
"Not meteor rocks? Why Miss Sullivan- I'm disappointed."
"I don't know if I'd be joking about that if I were you Lex- this last year you've pretty much been a meteor mutant magnate."
"Tell me about it. I could use a summer just worrying about the usual- smog, muggings, robbery, carjackings- the simple pleasures of city life."
"Amen."
"Did you find Chloe?" Richard stepped out onto the stone terrance, a drink in his hand. Seeing the two young people arm in arm, he mock scowled. "I see you're a fast worker Mr. Luthor. Just like your father. I'll have to keep my eye on you."
Chloe could feel her face heat up. "Grandfather. I've met Mr. Luthor before. Actually we have friends in common."
"Your grandaughter is the only reporter I would ever consider giving an interview with." Lex declared, and Chloe was certain he was enjoying her discomfort.
"Not that Mr. Luthor is very forthcoming..."
"Just because you didn't get the answers you wanted doesn't mean I was stonewalling you Chloe. Perhaps you were just asking the wrong questions." Lex replied with an enigmatic quirk of his lips that made Chloe want to peer inside his brain and see exactly *what* he was thinking.
"You can tell us about this over dinner. Your grandmother will be less than pleased if we keep her waiting any more Chloe." Richard motioned for the two to follow him.
**
Watching Lex at dinner was like watching an exotic jungle animal in it's natural habitat. Lifting her waterglass to her lips, Chloe covered a snicker.
She could just hear the commentary in her mind: 'Spotting his prey near the watering hole- the wild Luthor stalks cunningly before pouncing'.
Obviously it was enough to make her smile, attracting her Grandmother's attention.
"Chloe! Why didn't you tell us you knew Lionel's son?" Evelyn smiled hugely at Lex. "Why Richard and I have known your father since he was a boy not much younger than yourself."
"It just never really came up Grandmother." Chloe sipped at her water and mentally added 'Yeah. It never came up in the ten minute yearly phone calls we've had since Mom died.'
"So what is it you do in Smallville Mr. Luthor?"
"Please- call me Lex. And I happen to manage my father's interests in Smallville as well as working on my own management consultant business."
Surprised, Chloe filed that piece of information away in the back of her mind for later analysis. She knew Lex ran the plant- but she didn't know that he was consulting outside LuthorCorp.
"That's a cutthroat business I'd imagine these days with everyone desperate to cut costs. They lose sight of the big picture and just start firing everyone."
Lex nodded. "And I'm of the opposite frame of mind. I think when times get lean that's the time to expand. There are no great rewards without great risks."
That chafed. "I don't know that all your employees at the plant would agree Lex. Some pretty big risks were taken with their livelihood recently and they haven't seen any great rewards. It seems like the little people take the risks while the big guys reap the rewards."
"Chloe!" Evelyn scolded. "This isn't an interview- or an interrogation!"
"No- that's quite alright Mrs. Reed. Chloe and I have had this conversation before- our critics are our friends."
"Right..."
"I meant it then and I mean it now Chloe. I love a challenge."
"Sure- challenges keep your tap dancing skills current."
"And I have to point out that you weren't technically asking me a question. You were making an observation. Now- if you want to have a discussion about the plant I would be thrilled. But if you're trying to interview me for the Daily Planet then I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to make an appointment."
Hmph. Critics are our friends indeed! Chloe could feel her inner snark bubbling to the surface at Lex's glib answer and self-satisfied smirk. One look at her her shocked grandmother and vastly amused grandfather and Chloe decided to be the bigger person and concede the round of verbal judo to their guest. "Actually you're right Lex. I'll get my interviews the old fashioned way. But if I'm going to do that then I'm going to need my sleep. First day at the office tomorrow and everything. I hope you will all excuse me." With a fluid grace and impeccable manners Chloe rose from the table and swept out of the dining room and told herself it wasn't a defeat- just a tactical retreat.
And if she did say so herself it was a magnificent retreat.
**
Lex had to hand it to Chloe. She certainly knew how to exit in style. He barely had time to get to his feet before she was out of the dining room. Her grandmother looked as if she might go into shock at any moment.
Richard pushed away from the table and stood up as well. "Well young Mr. Luthor, let's go look at these contracts and count the ways Lionel's going to try and steal me blind this time."
Evelyn rose as well. "I'll have some coffee sent in. Mr. Luthor if I don't see you again this evening- it's been a pleasure. Please send my regards to your father."
"Mrs. Reed the pleasure was mine. Thank you for a lovely meal."
One he and Richard were behind the walls of the library, the older man loosened his tie and poured them both brandies. "So... Lionel banished you to the pits of nowhere did he?"
"I prefer to think of it as a learning experience."
"Yes. I can see how that might be a preferrable way of looking at things." Taking a seat at the backgammon board, Richard studied Lex until the younger man had to fight the urge to shift uncomfortably.
Lex had the feeling he now knew what a butterly pinned on a board felt like.
Unless he was mistaken backgammon wasn't the only game about to be played.
**
Author: AmandaG
Summary: Chloe and Lex find themselves leading parallel lives while spending the summer in Metropolis.
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or places contained here in. I just like to take them out and fiddle with them when no one is looking.
E-Mail: ficklemuse02@yahoo.com
Feedback: Replies and reviews are lovely things.
**
"Lex..." Chloe's jaw snapped shut as soon as she realized how ridiculous she must have looked. "What are you doing here?"
"I have business with Richard. I'll assume you're the granddaughter."
"That'd be me."
"I knew that you'd lived here in Metropolis before your father got the job at the plant- I had no idea that you were related to Richard Reed."
Chloe quickly put all of her thoughts in order before she opened her mouth. It was something her friends would swear she never did- but she always tried to be as precise as possible when she spoke and even more so when speaking to Lex Luthor. "I'm here for my intership at the Daily Planet- which now that I think about I never thanked you for." Sensing an immediate denial Chloe waved off Lex's next words. "Stop. I know you didn't *get* me the internship. But I also know that you had a copy of the Torch delivered to Perry White's desk first thing every week. That means a lot."
"How did you know about that?"
Chloe can feel an infinitely smug smile plaster itself to herself. It wasn't every day that someone got to know more than Lex. "Reporters have their sources too Lex."
"Well I'm glad that it worked to your advantage." Lex demurred quickly. "And I'm even more glad for your company this evening. I wasn't looking forward to yet another dull business dinner filled with mindless chitchat."
"Why Lex. I think I've been the recipient of the infamous Luthor charm!"
"Actually something far more rare- and valuable. Luthor honesty." Lex offered Chloe his arm in a gallant gesture. "Your grandfather is waiting."
"So how's it feel to be un-exiled?" Chloe asked unable to *completely* control her curiosity.
"Are you asking me personally or is this an interview?"
"If I said it was an interview would you say yes?" Chloe took Lex' arm with a small smile.
"Probably not."
"Then 'No Lex. This isn't an interview.'."
"I'm not entirely sure how it feels to be out of Smallville. When I first got there I couldn't wait to leave. Now... now I find myself missing it."
"I know. As creepy as it is, there's something special about that place." Chloe's nose wrinkled. "I think it's something in the water."
"Not meteor rocks? Why Miss Sullivan- I'm disappointed."
"I don't know if I'd be joking about that if I were you Lex- this last year you've pretty much been a meteor mutant magnate."
"Tell me about it. I could use a summer just worrying about the usual- smog, muggings, robbery, carjackings- the simple pleasures of city life."
"Amen."
"Did you find Chloe?" Richard stepped out onto the stone terrance, a drink in his hand. Seeing the two young people arm in arm, he mock scowled. "I see you're a fast worker Mr. Luthor. Just like your father. I'll have to keep my eye on you."
Chloe could feel her face heat up. "Grandfather. I've met Mr. Luthor before. Actually we have friends in common."
"Your grandaughter is the only reporter I would ever consider giving an interview with." Lex declared, and Chloe was certain he was enjoying her discomfort.
"Not that Mr. Luthor is very forthcoming..."
"Just because you didn't get the answers you wanted doesn't mean I was stonewalling you Chloe. Perhaps you were just asking the wrong questions." Lex replied with an enigmatic quirk of his lips that made Chloe want to peer inside his brain and see exactly *what* he was thinking.
"You can tell us about this over dinner. Your grandmother will be less than pleased if we keep her waiting any more Chloe." Richard motioned for the two to follow him.
**
Watching Lex at dinner was like watching an exotic jungle animal in it's natural habitat. Lifting her waterglass to her lips, Chloe covered a snicker.
She could just hear the commentary in her mind: 'Spotting his prey near the watering hole- the wild Luthor stalks cunningly before pouncing'.
Obviously it was enough to make her smile, attracting her Grandmother's attention.
"Chloe! Why didn't you tell us you knew Lionel's son?" Evelyn smiled hugely at Lex. "Why Richard and I have known your father since he was a boy not much younger than yourself."
"It just never really came up Grandmother." Chloe sipped at her water and mentally added 'Yeah. It never came up in the ten minute yearly phone calls we've had since Mom died.'
"So what is it you do in Smallville Mr. Luthor?"
"Please- call me Lex. And I happen to manage my father's interests in Smallville as well as working on my own management consultant business."
Surprised, Chloe filed that piece of information away in the back of her mind for later analysis. She knew Lex ran the plant- but she didn't know that he was consulting outside LuthorCorp.
"That's a cutthroat business I'd imagine these days with everyone desperate to cut costs. They lose sight of the big picture and just start firing everyone."
Lex nodded. "And I'm of the opposite frame of mind. I think when times get lean that's the time to expand. There are no great rewards without great risks."
That chafed. "I don't know that all your employees at the plant would agree Lex. Some pretty big risks were taken with their livelihood recently and they haven't seen any great rewards. It seems like the little people take the risks while the big guys reap the rewards."
"Chloe!" Evelyn scolded. "This isn't an interview- or an interrogation!"
"No- that's quite alright Mrs. Reed. Chloe and I have had this conversation before- our critics are our friends."
"Right..."
"I meant it then and I mean it now Chloe. I love a challenge."
"Sure- challenges keep your tap dancing skills current."
"And I have to point out that you weren't technically asking me a question. You were making an observation. Now- if you want to have a discussion about the plant I would be thrilled. But if you're trying to interview me for the Daily Planet then I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to make an appointment."
Hmph. Critics are our friends indeed! Chloe could feel her inner snark bubbling to the surface at Lex's glib answer and self-satisfied smirk. One look at her her shocked grandmother and vastly amused grandfather and Chloe decided to be the bigger person and concede the round of verbal judo to their guest. "Actually you're right Lex. I'll get my interviews the old fashioned way. But if I'm going to do that then I'm going to need my sleep. First day at the office tomorrow and everything. I hope you will all excuse me." With a fluid grace and impeccable manners Chloe rose from the table and swept out of the dining room and told herself it wasn't a defeat- just a tactical retreat.
And if she did say so herself it was a magnificent retreat.
**
Lex had to hand it to Chloe. She certainly knew how to exit in style. He barely had time to get to his feet before she was out of the dining room. Her grandmother looked as if she might go into shock at any moment.
Richard pushed away from the table and stood up as well. "Well young Mr. Luthor, let's go look at these contracts and count the ways Lionel's going to try and steal me blind this time."
Evelyn rose as well. "I'll have some coffee sent in. Mr. Luthor if I don't see you again this evening- it's been a pleasure. Please send my regards to your father."
"Mrs. Reed the pleasure was mine. Thank you for a lovely meal."
One he and Richard were behind the walls of the library, the older man loosened his tie and poured them both brandies. "So... Lionel banished you to the pits of nowhere did he?"
"I prefer to think of it as a learning experience."
"Yes. I can see how that might be a preferrable way of looking at things." Taking a seat at the backgammon board, Richard studied Lex until the younger man had to fight the urge to shift uncomfortably.
Lex had the feeling he now knew what a butterly pinned on a board felt like.
Unless he was mistaken backgammon wasn't the only game about to be played.
**