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.
**
Wheeling up the driveway to the mansion, Lex pulled to a smooth stop next to what had to be his Ferrari's soul mate. Another Ferrari, a little red one- older but in impeccable condition, was parked at the top of the circular drive. Climbing out of the 348, Lex took a closer look at the little red number.
He knew it was a cliche- but Lex liked toys. The faster the better. It was more than just some post-adolescent Freudian issue with him, or at least Lex hoped it was. He liked the way the world looked at 110 miles per hour. Brighter, more alive. The edges were blurred and everything bled into one another. And there was more than a little rush in knowing that his entire destiny was in his hands; he was the one steering and accelerating and no one could make him change his course.
And women.
Women really dug the cars.
Not that he really needed the cars to attract beautiful women. His name and his money were usually enough to do that.
And lately Lex found himself losing his taste for the women in his social circle. He was always confronted with the same choices- vapid socialites with more silicone than sense, or grasping money grubbing pit vipers with more interest in his checking accounts than him.
He was beginning to prefer the pit vipers. At least they knew what they wanted. The vapid socialites were a special kind of hell. Giggling, gossiping, insipid wastes of space always trying to lure him out into somebody's garden. Like modern day snakes in Eden.
Walking through the front door- Lex heard a sound that he didn't think had been heard in the old house in more than 10 years. The sound of his father laughing. Genuine laughter.
He moved to stand in the library doorway, stunned to see his father sitting across from a flushed and laughing Chloe Sullivan. He strained to overhear the rest of what Chloe was saying.
"Then the principal came in- the look on her face was *priceless*! Here Mom was- the 'class monitor' for the day and we were all covered in flour from HEAD to TOE. She didn't see Mrs. Yates until it was too late- she let that last egg fly and -"
"Let me guess? Right in the face of your principal?"
"Nope. Mom had terrible aim it hit her in the chest and ran down into her blouse. I have never seen anyone laugh so hard as Mom was. Then the rest of the class lost it and we were laughing so hard we had to be excused from our next classes. We all got detention and Mom had to come in every day after school and clean the Home Ec room for a WEEK!"
"Ah yes- that's the Eloise I remember." Lionel poured Chloe a up of coffee. "You know Miss Sullivan I'm quite pleased that you came here today. I've been feeling a bit confined lately," Lionel waved a hand to indicate his legs. "And you are excellent company."
Lex barely restrained himself from rolling his eyes. Lionel could be the smarmiest bastard in the universe when he put his mind to it and right now he was looking at Chloe like he was the Big Bad Wolf and she'd just commented on how large his teeth were.
"Can I ask you something Mr Luthor?" Chloe smiled charmingly. "Off the record."
"Certainly."
"LuthorCorp owns several design houses not to mention several hospitals, and medical supply sources."
"Yes."
"Why in hell would you pick a wheelchair like that?" Chloe blurted out. "It just looks like the most uncomfortable thing in the world. I mean- I look around this house and I can tell you like being comfortable..."
"Very astute observations- you'll make one hell of a reporter Chloe. But to answer your question, I don't want to be comfortable as I am. I intend to walk again. And soon. This chair is my way of reminding myself not to become complacent."
"Somehow Mr Luthor- I can't quite see you as ever being complacent."
When Lionel bared his teeth again, Lex felt the inexplicable need to step in between the two. He dropped his jacket over he back of a chair on his way in, remarking casually to Chloe."Will you walk into my parlor? Tis the prettiest little parlor that you ever did spy. The way into my parlor is up a winding stair. And I have many pretty things to show you when you are there.'
'Oh no no no' Chloe answered with a wide smile. 'To ask me is in vain- for who goes up your winding stair never can ne'er come down again.'
Lex nodded. "Just so you remember the moral of the story Chloe."
"Why Lex. Are you comparing me to an insect? I think I'm offended."
"Think of yourself as 'well advised' instead. Dad I see you've met Smallville's most intrepid reporter."
"Yes. Quite. Chloe's been keeping me company for the last hour or so. Lex, you've been keeping secrets. I had no idea the young ladies of Smallville were anywhere near this charming. I'm beginning to think your exile wasn't nearly as effective as I would have liked."
"That's the risk you run when you drop your kid into a pack of lions. He might end up preferring their company." Lex replied smoothly before turning his full attention to Chloe. "Is that your Ferrari out there? I thought you had a Falcon?"
"I do. But the Falcon's starting to show some of her age. I left her with Pete and his brothers for the summer and Grandfather gave me the Ferrari as a loaner. She brushed her hair back behind her ears. "I'm seriously considering smuggling it back to Smallville in my suitcase."
"I don't know- Smallville is very hard on cars. I've practically gone through a fleet what with going off bridges and having them blown up or stolen by joyriding cheerleaders on a high from an extinct flower."
"True. I think I'll leave the Ferrari here and just take lots of pictures of me in it to show to Pete and Clark."
"Speaking of Smallville's saviour- I spoke to Clark this afternoon." Lex watched Chloe's face for a reaction.
Nothing.
She was better at concealing things than he thought.
"Oh? How is Clark spending the summer?" She put a hand to her forehead as though she were having a vision. "Wait! It's coming to me... he's spending the summer draped over the counter at the Talon making googly eyes?"
"Essentially."
"You must be thrilled." Chloe drawled slowly.
"Why would that thrill me?"
"Please! Lex! Everyone knows that you've been acting like clark and Lana's 'Yenta' since you met him. You did everything but dip Clark in a vat of Godiva dark chocolate, tie a ribbon around his neck and leave him on Lana's doorstep."
"Do you think that might work?" Rude. He was a very very bad man. But Lex couldn't help but press Chloe a little bit. The reaction was definitely worth it.
Chloe drew herself up straight and looked him in the eye. "You sir have all the finesse and manners of a goat on Viagra." She turned to Lionel. "I really should be getting home-"
"Oh I wouldn't dream of it. No! You must stay to dinner! I insist. We'll banish Lex to the kitchen and dine in the formal dining room and you can tell me all about life in Smallville."
"And you can tell me all about what Level Three was. And about the unauthorized experiments going on in Des Moines. PETA seems less than fond of you recently."
This time Lex couldn't help but roll his eyes. There were bigger forces at work than him. His father's unflailing ego combined with Chloe's insatiable desire for a story it was an alliance forged in the darkest pits of Hell and Lex was outnumbered.
He didn't like his odds at all.
**
Lex conceded dined with them in the formal dining room complete with the best china and silver.
And in spite of his determination to be a silent observer in the battle of wits his son and Chloe were playing out, Lionel found himself actively participating, egging on either side in whatever they were arguing about.
It was really far more fun than it should have been.
Chloe was a delight. It was as though he had been taken back in time to a place where he and Eloise were still unbowed by society's expectations of them. But as long as Lionel could remember his own son had never been like that.
Oh, Lex projected a cool, collected exterior to the rest of the world, but Lionel knew what deep anxieties and insecurities lurked just below the surface. He'd spent the better part of 21 years seeking out that fear and crushing it.
He also knew that his relationship with Lex had suffered for it- perhaps to the point of no return, but Lex was going to one day control billions of dollars- global economies would hang on the balance of his judgement and his intuition. There was no place in his future for fear.
He wasn't sure whether to be flattered or insulted at Lex's reaction to finding him with young Miss Sullivan. Flattered because Lex honestly thought that a man old enough to be her father would interest a teenage girl in the slightest. Or insulted because Lex honestly thought his father was sick enough to pursue her.
Something had to change between them- there was no way that LuthorCorp could go on as it was- the two of them pulling in different directions.
Common ground was needed.
Lifting his wine glass to his lips, Lionel began to smile as he watched Lex and Chloe engage in a hot debate about the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Common ground indeed.
**
After dinner his father made himself unavailable- citing the need for a phone conference with Toykoyo, leaving Lex and Chloe alone in the library.
"I really didn't come to stay for dinner, or interview your father. I just wanted to thank you for the flowers. They're beautiful."
"I'm glad you enjoyed them. And I must say that you surprise me more every time we meet. You do realize that my father is not usually this amiable don't you?"
"Of course. He invited me to stay because you didn't want him to." Chloe curled one leg beneath her and absently rubbed at the arch of her foot.
"Not because I don't enjoy your company- I just don't like playing my father's games..." Leaning over, Lex took Chloe's foot in his hand and pulled it onto his lap.
Seeing the shock on her face, Lex pressed his thumb *hard* into the softest part of her arch, eliciting a blissful groan.
"What's that?? It's got to have a name. Nothing that feels that good can't not have a name." Chloe's head fell back against the sofa cushions.
Lex almost answered with 'Foreplay', but decided instead to curb himself. "That's shiatzu. My masuesse Gabby is an angel of mercy."
"You know- I'm started to feel indebted to you Lex. First the internship, then because of the flowers Mr White assigned me to cover the hospital gala, and now you're giving me what has to be the best footjob in the history of the world... did I sign some contract promising you my first born child and immortal soul?"
Lex choked at her description of the foot massage. "Is there where you bat your eyelashes and ask me all breathy whatever can you do to repay me?"
"Sorry- I don't do 'breathy'. Pete and Clark say I can be 'huffy' if that turns you on."
"I've seen you huffy. Very intimidating. And as for what you can do to repay me, be my guest at the hospital benefit. After two evenings spent in your company it would be inhumane of you to ask me to accept anything less for such a special occassion." Lex watched as a delicate pink flush tinted Chloe's cheeks and she ducked her head, concealing her eyes from his.
"I mean it Lex. Thank you. I know you've always been a good friend to Clark and that you'd do anything for him..."
Leaning forward, Lex's lips brushed the curve of Chloe's ear. "Clark's not here and no one makes me do anything I don't want. I enjoy your company Chloe. You challenge me in a way very few people ever dare to. And you don't want anything from me-" He chuckled, causing his cheek to brush hers. "Aside from the ocassional interview and 'footjob'."
When Chloe lifted her head, Lex's lips just brushed the corner of her mouth. Chloe jerked back as if stung.
"Lex- I'm so sorry-"
Damn. Chloe actually thought kissing him was reason to apologize? The girl'd obviously spent too much time in the shadow of the infamous Lana Lang.
Refusing to question his motives, Lex leaned just a little bit closer and framed Chloe's face between his hands before pressing his lips to hers on a slow, tender kiss.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd kissed someone for the sheer pleasure of feeling lip to lip. Little gusts of air escaping and warming the face. The delicious tickle of fingers at the nape of the neck. Not greedy. Not grasping. Not even outwardly seductive. Just a kiss in its purest and most lovely sense of the word. Connection. Feeling. A shifting of the glacial wall Lex normally held himself behind.
He was pleasantly surprised to feel Chloe's hand sketching like butterfly wings over the side of his face. And Lex realized that he couldn't remember the last time someone had touched him so gently
As the kiss continued on and on Lex could see in his mind'seye something fragile and delicate taking shape like a tower of spun sugar and he knew with absolute certainty that he would never let anything destroy what he and Chloe were creating between them.
**
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.
**
Wheeling up the driveway to the mansion, Lex pulled to a smooth stop next to what had to be his Ferrari's soul mate. Another Ferrari, a little red one- older but in impeccable condition, was parked at the top of the circular drive. Climbing out of the 348, Lex took a closer look at the little red number.
He knew it was a cliche- but Lex liked toys. The faster the better. It was more than just some post-adolescent Freudian issue with him, or at least Lex hoped it was. He liked the way the world looked at 110 miles per hour. Brighter, more alive. The edges were blurred and everything bled into one another. And there was more than a little rush in knowing that his entire destiny was in his hands; he was the one steering and accelerating and no one could make him change his course.
And women.
Women really dug the cars.
Not that he really needed the cars to attract beautiful women. His name and his money were usually enough to do that.
And lately Lex found himself losing his taste for the women in his social circle. He was always confronted with the same choices- vapid socialites with more silicone than sense, or grasping money grubbing pit vipers with more interest in his checking accounts than him.
He was beginning to prefer the pit vipers. At least they knew what they wanted. The vapid socialites were a special kind of hell. Giggling, gossiping, insipid wastes of space always trying to lure him out into somebody's garden. Like modern day snakes in Eden.
Walking through the front door- Lex heard a sound that he didn't think had been heard in the old house in more than 10 years. The sound of his father laughing. Genuine laughter.
He moved to stand in the library doorway, stunned to see his father sitting across from a flushed and laughing Chloe Sullivan. He strained to overhear the rest of what Chloe was saying.
"Then the principal came in- the look on her face was *priceless*! Here Mom was- the 'class monitor' for the day and we were all covered in flour from HEAD to TOE. She didn't see Mrs. Yates until it was too late- she let that last egg fly and -"
"Let me guess? Right in the face of your principal?"
"Nope. Mom had terrible aim it hit her in the chest and ran down into her blouse. I have never seen anyone laugh so hard as Mom was. Then the rest of the class lost it and we were laughing so hard we had to be excused from our next classes. We all got detention and Mom had to come in every day after school and clean the Home Ec room for a WEEK!"
"Ah yes- that's the Eloise I remember." Lionel poured Chloe a up of coffee. "You know Miss Sullivan I'm quite pleased that you came here today. I've been feeling a bit confined lately," Lionel waved a hand to indicate his legs. "And you are excellent company."
Lex barely restrained himself from rolling his eyes. Lionel could be the smarmiest bastard in the universe when he put his mind to it and right now he was looking at Chloe like he was the Big Bad Wolf and she'd just commented on how large his teeth were.
"Can I ask you something Mr Luthor?" Chloe smiled charmingly. "Off the record."
"Certainly."
"LuthorCorp owns several design houses not to mention several hospitals, and medical supply sources."
"Yes."
"Why in hell would you pick a wheelchair like that?" Chloe blurted out. "It just looks like the most uncomfortable thing in the world. I mean- I look around this house and I can tell you like being comfortable..."
"Very astute observations- you'll make one hell of a reporter Chloe. But to answer your question, I don't want to be comfortable as I am. I intend to walk again. And soon. This chair is my way of reminding myself not to become complacent."
"Somehow Mr Luthor- I can't quite see you as ever being complacent."
When Lionel bared his teeth again, Lex felt the inexplicable need to step in between the two. He dropped his jacket over he back of a chair on his way in, remarking casually to Chloe."Will you walk into my parlor? Tis the prettiest little parlor that you ever did spy. The way into my parlor is up a winding stair. And I have many pretty things to show you when you are there.'
'Oh no no no' Chloe answered with a wide smile. 'To ask me is in vain- for who goes up your winding stair never can ne'er come down again.'
Lex nodded. "Just so you remember the moral of the story Chloe."
"Why Lex. Are you comparing me to an insect? I think I'm offended."
"Think of yourself as 'well advised' instead. Dad I see you've met Smallville's most intrepid reporter."
"Yes. Quite. Chloe's been keeping me company for the last hour or so. Lex, you've been keeping secrets. I had no idea the young ladies of Smallville were anywhere near this charming. I'm beginning to think your exile wasn't nearly as effective as I would have liked."
"That's the risk you run when you drop your kid into a pack of lions. He might end up preferring their company." Lex replied smoothly before turning his full attention to Chloe. "Is that your Ferrari out there? I thought you had a Falcon?"
"I do. But the Falcon's starting to show some of her age. I left her with Pete and his brothers for the summer and Grandfather gave me the Ferrari as a loaner. She brushed her hair back behind her ears. "I'm seriously considering smuggling it back to Smallville in my suitcase."
"I don't know- Smallville is very hard on cars. I've practically gone through a fleet what with going off bridges and having them blown up or stolen by joyriding cheerleaders on a high from an extinct flower."
"True. I think I'll leave the Ferrari here and just take lots of pictures of me in it to show to Pete and Clark."
"Speaking of Smallville's saviour- I spoke to Clark this afternoon." Lex watched Chloe's face for a reaction.
Nothing.
She was better at concealing things than he thought.
"Oh? How is Clark spending the summer?" She put a hand to her forehead as though she were having a vision. "Wait! It's coming to me... he's spending the summer draped over the counter at the Talon making googly eyes?"
"Essentially."
"You must be thrilled." Chloe drawled slowly.
"Why would that thrill me?"
"Please! Lex! Everyone knows that you've been acting like clark and Lana's 'Yenta' since you met him. You did everything but dip Clark in a vat of Godiva dark chocolate, tie a ribbon around his neck and leave him on Lana's doorstep."
"Do you think that might work?" Rude. He was a very very bad man. But Lex couldn't help but press Chloe a little bit. The reaction was definitely worth it.
Chloe drew herself up straight and looked him in the eye. "You sir have all the finesse and manners of a goat on Viagra." She turned to Lionel. "I really should be getting home-"
"Oh I wouldn't dream of it. No! You must stay to dinner! I insist. We'll banish Lex to the kitchen and dine in the formal dining room and you can tell me all about life in Smallville."
"And you can tell me all about what Level Three was. And about the unauthorized experiments going on in Des Moines. PETA seems less than fond of you recently."
This time Lex couldn't help but roll his eyes. There were bigger forces at work than him. His father's unflailing ego combined with Chloe's insatiable desire for a story it was an alliance forged in the darkest pits of Hell and Lex was outnumbered.
He didn't like his odds at all.
**
Lex conceded dined with them in the formal dining room complete with the best china and silver.
And in spite of his determination to be a silent observer in the battle of wits his son and Chloe were playing out, Lionel found himself actively participating, egging on either side in whatever they were arguing about.
It was really far more fun than it should have been.
Chloe was a delight. It was as though he had been taken back in time to a place where he and Eloise were still unbowed by society's expectations of them. But as long as Lionel could remember his own son had never been like that.
Oh, Lex projected a cool, collected exterior to the rest of the world, but Lionel knew what deep anxieties and insecurities lurked just below the surface. He'd spent the better part of 21 years seeking out that fear and crushing it.
He also knew that his relationship with Lex had suffered for it- perhaps to the point of no return, but Lex was going to one day control billions of dollars- global economies would hang on the balance of his judgement and his intuition. There was no place in his future for fear.
He wasn't sure whether to be flattered or insulted at Lex's reaction to finding him with young Miss Sullivan. Flattered because Lex honestly thought that a man old enough to be her father would interest a teenage girl in the slightest. Or insulted because Lex honestly thought his father was sick enough to pursue her.
Something had to change between them- there was no way that LuthorCorp could go on as it was- the two of them pulling in different directions.
Common ground was needed.
Lifting his wine glass to his lips, Lionel began to smile as he watched Lex and Chloe engage in a hot debate about the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Common ground indeed.
**
After dinner his father made himself unavailable- citing the need for a phone conference with Toykoyo, leaving Lex and Chloe alone in the library.
"I really didn't come to stay for dinner, or interview your father. I just wanted to thank you for the flowers. They're beautiful."
"I'm glad you enjoyed them. And I must say that you surprise me more every time we meet. You do realize that my father is not usually this amiable don't you?"
"Of course. He invited me to stay because you didn't want him to." Chloe curled one leg beneath her and absently rubbed at the arch of her foot.
"Not because I don't enjoy your company- I just don't like playing my father's games..." Leaning over, Lex took Chloe's foot in his hand and pulled it onto his lap.
Seeing the shock on her face, Lex pressed his thumb *hard* into the softest part of her arch, eliciting a blissful groan.
"What's that?? It's got to have a name. Nothing that feels that good can't not have a name." Chloe's head fell back against the sofa cushions.
Lex almost answered with 'Foreplay', but decided instead to curb himself. "That's shiatzu. My masuesse Gabby is an angel of mercy."
"You know- I'm started to feel indebted to you Lex. First the internship, then because of the flowers Mr White assigned me to cover the hospital gala, and now you're giving me what has to be the best footjob in the history of the world... did I sign some contract promising you my first born child and immortal soul?"
Lex choked at her description of the foot massage. "Is there where you bat your eyelashes and ask me all breathy whatever can you do to repay me?"
"Sorry- I don't do 'breathy'. Pete and Clark say I can be 'huffy' if that turns you on."
"I've seen you huffy. Very intimidating. And as for what you can do to repay me, be my guest at the hospital benefit. After two evenings spent in your company it would be inhumane of you to ask me to accept anything less for such a special occassion." Lex watched as a delicate pink flush tinted Chloe's cheeks and she ducked her head, concealing her eyes from his.
"I mean it Lex. Thank you. I know you've always been a good friend to Clark and that you'd do anything for him..."
Leaning forward, Lex's lips brushed the curve of Chloe's ear. "Clark's not here and no one makes me do anything I don't want. I enjoy your company Chloe. You challenge me in a way very few people ever dare to. And you don't want anything from me-" He chuckled, causing his cheek to brush hers. "Aside from the ocassional interview and 'footjob'."
When Chloe lifted her head, Lex's lips just brushed the corner of her mouth. Chloe jerked back as if stung.
"Lex- I'm so sorry-"
Damn. Chloe actually thought kissing him was reason to apologize? The girl'd obviously spent too much time in the shadow of the infamous Lana Lang.
Refusing to question his motives, Lex leaned just a little bit closer and framed Chloe's face between his hands before pressing his lips to hers on a slow, tender kiss.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd kissed someone for the sheer pleasure of feeling lip to lip. Little gusts of air escaping and warming the face. The delicious tickle of fingers at the nape of the neck. Not greedy. Not grasping. Not even outwardly seductive. Just a kiss in its purest and most lovely sense of the word. Connection. Feeling. A shifting of the glacial wall Lex normally held himself behind.
He was pleasantly surprised to feel Chloe's hand sketching like butterfly wings over the side of his face. And Lex realized that he couldn't remember the last time someone had touched him so gently
As the kiss continued on and on Lex could see in his mind'seye something fragile and delicate taking shape like a tower of spun sugar and he knew with absolute certainty that he would never let anything destroy what he and Chloe were creating between them.
**