Title: Beginning to End

Author: Erica

Rating: R (probably overrated, but better to be safe than sorry)

Disclaimer: ::sob:: They're not mine… oh, how I wish they were…

Summary: Chloe deals in her own way with Clark and Lex's relationship.

A/N: This is my very first fanfic. I hope you all enjoy it. Please review. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Sorry in advance to any Chloe fans out there. I know I make her into a jerk in this story, but to be honest, I really don't like her much.

Endings:

Clark and Chloe barely saw each other in the following days, let alone spoke. Each seemed to be avoiding the other, their biting words still ringing in their ears.

"Where are you Clark?" Lex prompted.

They were in the loft, Clark seated at one end of the couch, and Lex, uncharacteristically relaxed, was sprawled across the entire couch, his head resting on Clark's lap looking up at him. Clark was in turn staring off into space. If he tried hard enough, he might just be able to see it.

"… I was just thinking." Clark replied.

"About?"

"Chloe."

"Are you two still fighting?" Lex asked, slightly annoyed.

"Yes. She's just too damn stubborn to admit when she's wrong."

"I know someone like that," Lex whispered under his breath, but not quite quiet enough.

"Hey, I wasn't in the wrong here. I was just trying to protect those I love." Clark was on the verge of yelling, but he kept himself in check so he didn't start a fight with Lex as well.

"You know I hate it when you fight with your friends. Especially when I think it has something to do with me, and our relationship. And although you haven't told me anything about this fight, I still think it has something to do with me."

"You don't have to worry about it," Clark said, leaning down to give Lex a kiss. "It will all be over soon. I may have one less friend, but that's a price I am more than willing to pay. Now, how about we drop this before it becomes a bigger deal than it already isn't."

"If that's what you want Clark. I trust that you'll make the right decision. Just know that I am here if you need any friendly advice."

"I know you are, Lex. But I hope to not need you on this one."

Lex gave Clark a very hurt look.

"That's not to say that I don't want you," Clark quickly added kissing the hurt look off his lover's face. "Everything will be fine. I promise."

Lex still had his doubts, but he was going to keep them quiet, for now. "I have some work I have to get done at home. I'll see you tomorrow?" he asked.

"Yeah. I'll drop by sometime tomorrow afternoon," Clark replied.

And with one last kiss, Lex was gone.

The Next Afternoon

"Lex," Clark called entering the office, "I'm he—Chloe!? What the hell are you doing here?"

Chloe jumped out of her seat in front of Lex's desk, glaring back and forth between Clark and Lex.

"Lex, I thought you said he wasn't coming by today," Chloe remarked, obviously irritated.

"So I lied. Sue me," Lex replied coolly. Mental note: don't ever again invite someone, especially a reporter, to sue me.

"Lex, what's going on?" Clark asked, he too sounding very annoyed.

"Clark, Chloe, why don't we all just sit down and have a nice quiet talk."

"Lex, didn't I tell you that I'd handle this?" Clark asked, more and more anger creeping into his voice.

"Clark, we'll talk about that later. Now, which one of you would like to start?"

"Start what?" Chloe snapped viciously. "Why are we here Lex?"

Oh, the shallow mind of Chloe Sullivan… "We're here to end the argument between Clark and yourself."

"And just how did you find out about that?" Chloe wondered aloud.

"Probably the same way you found out that Clark and I have been -- active."

They both looked at Clark at the same time. "What did I do?! So I can't keep secrets." Lex gave him a sarcastic smirk. "Well, most of the time… I tell important things that affect my life to those I care about."

"So you do care about me?" Chloe asked.

"Of course I do, Chloe. You're one of my best friends. How could I not care about you? Unfortunately for you, friendship is the only level to our relationship." Clark turned to look into Lex's soulful gray-blue eyes. "Lex is the only one I want to be with now."

"I'm touched Clark, really, I am," Chloe's sarcasm defense was up full strength. "Don't you remember what I told you before? Did any of that sink into your thick head?"

"People, people… Could we please refrain from insults?" Lex tried to mediate the meeting, but he was of no use between two stubborn hormone-driven teenagers.

"Lex, shut up," Chloe snapped. "I don't know who brought you into this in the first place."

"I believe that was you, Chloe," Clark defended, "when you said basically that he is the spawn of Satan. Remember that? I do."

Lex was quite taken aback that Chloe, his own plant manager's daughter, would think so poorly of the one who was signing her father's paycheck. Ahh… But this is Smallville… Money isn't everything here like it is back in the city. Lex and Clark exchanged looks, Lex's begging for an explanation, Clark's promising one later.

"Yeah, I do remember it. And you know what? I don't regret saying it, nor do I take it back." Turning to Lex she said, "I don't think that you're good enough for Clark. All you know how to do is use people, and I know that's what you're doing with Clark. I don't know why, but as soon as I find out, it will be all over town." She got up and began to storm out.

"Chloe," Lex called. She spun around quickly, shooting a look at him that if it could kill, Lex would be dead ten times over.

"What?" she spat, venom in her voice.

"If I wanted to use Clark for something, trust me, I would have moved on that a long time ago. Clark and I love each other. When two people love each other, the most natural thing is for them to be together. Surely I needn't explain this to you."

"No, you needn't. I still don't trust you. You are your father's son. I will find out what you're up to Luthor."

"Chloe, back off," Clark warned. "Lex and my relationship is no business of yours or anyone else's. Consider yourself warned. Back off, or else."

"Or else what, Clark? Are you going to get all your fairy friends together and pillow-fight me to death?" Oops… Definitely shouldn't call them fairies to their face.

Both Clark and Lex were glaring at her. "How many time do I have to tell you that we're technically not gay? We are the only men that either of us has any attraction to."

"Doesn't matter Clark. You're still a gay the way I see it."

"Then maybe you shouldn't see it anymore. Maybe you shouldn't see me anymore. I think that I really need to rethink this whole friendship. It just doesn't seem to be working out with you not accepting the way I am."

For once Chloe was speechless. Could I really be losing my best friend right now? All because he's attracted to a man? I wonder how far they've gone… Eww!! I don't even want to know. If it were any other man would I be this pissed? Or is it just because it's Lex Luthor? Hell, I don't know, nor do I care right now. I love Clark. I want to be with him. But obviously he doesn't want to be with me. Maybe we should rethink our friendship. Maybe it would be better if we went our own separate ways… "Whatever," was all she was able say as she walked out of the mansion, and possibly out of their lives.

"Well, that went well." Lex sighed and leaned against the desk. When did I stand up? And when did Clark get in front of me? He's so wonderful. Always so protective. Always so… beautiful.

"Not funny, Lex. I told you that I'd take care of this. Why didn't you let me? I really didn't want you to hear all that. I didn't want you to be hurt," Clark explained pulling Lex into his arms in a deep embrace.

"I told you before, I hate it when you fight with your friends, especially because of me. I knew I was somehow the reason for your fight with Chloe, so I felt the need to help fix it. But instead I made it worse," Lex responded nuzzling into Clark's neck as a small child would, looking for protection.

"You know what? I don't thing you did make it worse. I'd rather have a big blow-out about all this now, and get rid of Chloe since she can't accept me for me, than to keep fighting about this for the rest of our lives." Clark pulled Lex into a deep, passionate kiss. "I think that you did help to fix it."

"Well, I can see your logic, but it still doesn't make me feel any better." Lex drew Clark back in for another kiss, this one more demanding and needy. "I feel horrible that I just made you loose one of your lifelong friends all because I'm with you."

"She's not worth being my friend if she can't accept me… us. I'd rather loose all my friends than to even spend one day thinking about losing you. Now how's that for devotion for ya?"

Clark smiled as his and Lex's mouths met again. Lex really liked how it felt to have his lover smile when he kissed him. This is the first time in my life that anyone has said they were devoted to me, and really meant it. It makes me feel great that I make Clark so happy. I'm going to have to remember this, he thought. I'm going to have to make Clark smile more right before we kiss. It shouldn't be too hard. He's always smiling for me anyway. God, I love his smile…

-- Fin