Authors Notes: Story takes place after the events in Tempest. All is nicely explained in the story. Isn't that swell of me? "It's called storytelling Laura" oh...
Disclaimer: I don't own them, der doink! If I did the whole world would be sharing in the Chlexy goodness!! Instead, I am resigned to telling my tales online *sigh*
Chapter One: "Meteor Capital of the World"
Chloe checked her watch for what had to have been the fifth time, in the last five minutes. 4:45 PM. Same time it was last time she checked. Chloe wasn't known for her patients, and today was no exception. Sitting in an overly plush chair, in the overly lavish lobby, of the overly expensive Metropolis Inn, Chloe had to silently laugh. Normally "Inn" would call to mind images of a quaint bed and breakfast, perhaps in a pastel color, with rose bushes out front. The Metropolis Inn, however, was the largest hotel in Kansas. *And probably for a couple of surrounding states* Chloe thought.
It was pretentious, pricey, and the obvious choice for Lex Luthor to choose to have his plant seminar at. Chloe probably would never have even seen more then a view of the hotel from a passing taxi, had Lex not chosen it for the seminar. Her father as Plant Manager was obligated to be in attendance at the meetings, and Chloe therefore found herself waiting in the lobby for a long overdue catching up session with her father.
Chloe had spent the whole of the summer in Metropolis, as part of her internship for the Daily Planet. Even though her main tasks consisted of restocking the Styrofoam cups, and making sure there were enough jelly doughnuts, it had easily been the best summer of her life. After her time in Smallville, Chloe had almost forgotten what it was like to get caught up in a crowd of people, none of whom knew who you were, or even cared. It was refreshing to be able to go to the same coffee place everyday, and never see the same person, aside from the person behind the counter.
In only three days she would be on her way back to Smallville, and Chloe was both happy and unsure. At the beginning of the summer when she thought she'd be leaving Smallville she had been sad, then the storm had happened. Clark had ditched her to save Lana, or try to anyway. Her car had gotten tossed, but she was OK. Clark had found her in a roadside ditch and taken her to the hospital, with only minor injures to show for the storm.
Chloe had wanted to scream at Clark, and she did. He felt bad, as he should of, and wanted to still remain with Chloe. It was hard, but Chloe recognized that she would always be left for Lana, the perpetual damsel in distress, and that was not what she wanted. Clark thought maybe he could have feelings for Chloe, but he did have feelings for Lana, and Chloe told Clark that she'd rather be his friend then end up losing him after dating him. Then, thankfully she had been shuffled off to Metropolis for her internship.
The day after the storm had turned out to be not so bad, however. Chloe and her father had been prepared to move back to Metropolis, after the closing of the plant, but on the day after the storm it was announced that the plant was reopening. Chloe had no idea what had happened, it seemed that no one did either, including her father. All she knew was Lionel Luthor had ended up in the hospital during the storm. Either his getting injured got in the way of his enforcing his will on his son, or Lex beat Lionel into submission. Which ever it was, the people of Smallville didn't ask any questions, as they were all happy to still have their jobs.
Chloe had gotten a phone call from her father a week ago telling her that he would be in Metropolis for two days, and he would have time to take her out to dinner and give her back to school shopping money, before she returned home. It was less then half a week before she returned to Smallville, but Chloe welcomed the chance to see her father, even if she would get to see him again on Monday night. Her father had arrived in Metropolis the day before and called her Aunt's apartment to make arrangements for dinner the following night. Thus, Chloe found herself waiting in the lobby for a long over due hug, and some much needed shopping money.
Chloe avoided the urge to check the time again. She was early, and she knew it, but she still hated to be kept waiting, with nothing to do. That lead her mind to thinking about things she shouldn't worry about, such as how she was going to react to Clark this school year. And how she was going to readjust to small town life. And how she was going to get her luggage on the bus back to Smallville on Sunday.
"Ms. Sullivan, how are we today?" Chloe was pulled from her snowballing thoughts by a familiar voice. She looked up to see Lex Luthor standing in front of her, smirking. He settled into the chair next to hers.
"Mr. Luthor I recall you asking me to call you Lex, I suggest you address me by my first name as well"
"As you wish, Chloe" Lex replied "Now what brings you to Metropolis? I didn't recall your father mentioning you accompanying him on this trip" Lex leaned back in his chair.
"Oh, I'm just meeting him here. I had my internship at the Daily Planet this summer. Dad couldn't wait until I return to Smallville on Monday to see me, so I came by to attend dinner with him. Your meeting seems to have the exact perfect timing as to fund my back to school shopping, with out the hazards of attempting to find decent clothes in Smallville" Chloe smiled. "Smallville should be renamed the flannel capital of the world"
"That it should" Lex agreed. "It's nice to know that someone else in town has more then Levis in their clothing vocabulary" Chloe laughed in agreement and Lex continued "So, how was your internship? Clark had mentioned to me that you were at the Planet, now that I remember"
"Well…" Chloe tried to think of the perfect way to describe her Daily Planet experience. "I can now add doughnut sorter to my resume"
Lex smirked "You were the glorified coffee maker?"
"Without the glory" Chloe sighed, then her face brightened "But it wasn't all bad. I made some friends, and kept my eyes and ears open. I didn't really get to do much, but I think I learned a lot… And I doubt I'll ever eat at Krispy Kremes ever again"
"At least you're finding the positive," Lex offered.
"Yeah, and it's over, so it's easier to sit back and laugh now. Two weeks ago it would have been a different story. I'm just glad I get to go back to my beloved Torch. If the plant hadn't stayed open, I would have to over throw the established newspaper at my new school, and it's going to be so nice to go back to being in charge. I don't know what happened to keep the plant open, but what ever happened, I'm glad it did"
Lex's smirk didn't fade "Most people seem to wonder about what happened to my father ending up in the hospital, and the plant ending up open"
"Hey, as long as I get to stay in Smallville, I don't care who ended up in the hospital" Chloe grinned wickedly.
Lex's eyebrows shot up in surprise "Why Chloe Sullivan, are you suggesting that the end justifies the means?"
"Only if it's in my favor" Chloe replied.
Lex smiled "How very much like a reporter, that is"
"Some would say how very Luthor like it is" Chloe grinned.
"An excellent point" Lex returned her smile. Lex then caught a figure standing at Chloe's side.
"Dad!" Chloe cried, then wrapped her arms around her father, who returned her hug. They released each other and shared two identical smiles.
Lex stood and Gabe took notice of his boss. "Mr. Luthor, how are you tonight?" He offered his hand and the two men shook
Lex had tired of correcting Gabe from calling him Mr. Lex, and now found it easier just to let it go. "Fine Gabe, I was just chatting here with your charming daughter"
Gabe smiled broadly, showing obvious pride "She is a bright one… I hope she didn't ask too many questions though…" He added, remembering his daughter's ability drive some people batty with her inquisitive nature.
Chloe rolled her eyes "Dad, we were just talking. I am capable of doing more then just pumping people for information"
"I know, sweetie, you just sometimes get carried away"
"The two of us were just sharing a conversation about Smallville" Lex assured Gabe, and he seemed to relax a little.
"Oh yes, Chloe will be returning soon. I just figured that since I was here in Metropolis it would be a wonderful time for catching up"
"Since I'll be exhausted after the bus ride" Chloe interjected, and Gabe nodded.
"Bus ride? Why don't I let you take one of my limos?" Lex offered.
"Oh no, really that's OK…" Gabe started, but Lex interrupted.
"Nonsense, I have a million cars, and Chloe shouldn't bother to ride the bus back alone"
"It's alright, really" Chloe said "Pete is flying back from his vacation in Florida on Saturday afternoon. His family is going to drive back, and Sunday the two of us are going to bus back together. We have it all worked out"
"So both you and Pete can take the limo back. It's not like there won't be enough room" Lex handed Chloe one of his cards. "Just give me a call and we'll set everything up"
"OK, thanks Lex" Chloe accepted the card and smiled "It will certainly be more comfortable then the bus" Chloe caught her dad's smile falter when she called Lex by his first name.
"It's no problem Chloe" Lex smiled at her, and then turned to Gabe "I don't want to hold you up from your dinner. Enjoy your last night in Metropolis Gabe, you'll be returning to the plant when?"
"Er, tomorrow morning" Gabe answered "… you really don't have to loan her the limo…"
Lex held up his hand "Nonsense, there's a lot of things I don't have to do, but I do them because I enjoy helping my friends. Now, I must be going, or I will be later for my own dinner engagements" He turned his attention back to Chloe. "Just give me a call sometime on Saturday"
"Will do" Chloe smiled. "And thanks again"
"You are welcome again" and with that, Lex was off.
"That certainly was nice of Mr. Luthor" Gabe said, as he and Chloe made their way toward the Hotel exit.
"Lex isn't that bad of a guy" Chloe pocketed the card Lex had given her. The doorman held the large door and she slipped through into the warm city night, followed by her father.
Disclaimer: I don't own them, der doink! If I did the whole world would be sharing in the Chlexy goodness!! Instead, I am resigned to telling my tales online *sigh*
Chapter One: "Meteor Capital of the World"
Chloe checked her watch for what had to have been the fifth time, in the last five minutes. 4:45 PM. Same time it was last time she checked. Chloe wasn't known for her patients, and today was no exception. Sitting in an overly plush chair, in the overly lavish lobby, of the overly expensive Metropolis Inn, Chloe had to silently laugh. Normally "Inn" would call to mind images of a quaint bed and breakfast, perhaps in a pastel color, with rose bushes out front. The Metropolis Inn, however, was the largest hotel in Kansas. *And probably for a couple of surrounding states* Chloe thought.
It was pretentious, pricey, and the obvious choice for Lex Luthor to choose to have his plant seminar at. Chloe probably would never have even seen more then a view of the hotel from a passing taxi, had Lex not chosen it for the seminar. Her father as Plant Manager was obligated to be in attendance at the meetings, and Chloe therefore found herself waiting in the lobby for a long overdue catching up session with her father.
Chloe had spent the whole of the summer in Metropolis, as part of her internship for the Daily Planet. Even though her main tasks consisted of restocking the Styrofoam cups, and making sure there were enough jelly doughnuts, it had easily been the best summer of her life. After her time in Smallville, Chloe had almost forgotten what it was like to get caught up in a crowd of people, none of whom knew who you were, or even cared. It was refreshing to be able to go to the same coffee place everyday, and never see the same person, aside from the person behind the counter.
In only three days she would be on her way back to Smallville, and Chloe was both happy and unsure. At the beginning of the summer when she thought she'd be leaving Smallville she had been sad, then the storm had happened. Clark had ditched her to save Lana, or try to anyway. Her car had gotten tossed, but she was OK. Clark had found her in a roadside ditch and taken her to the hospital, with only minor injures to show for the storm.
Chloe had wanted to scream at Clark, and she did. He felt bad, as he should of, and wanted to still remain with Chloe. It was hard, but Chloe recognized that she would always be left for Lana, the perpetual damsel in distress, and that was not what she wanted. Clark thought maybe he could have feelings for Chloe, but he did have feelings for Lana, and Chloe told Clark that she'd rather be his friend then end up losing him after dating him. Then, thankfully she had been shuffled off to Metropolis for her internship.
The day after the storm had turned out to be not so bad, however. Chloe and her father had been prepared to move back to Metropolis, after the closing of the plant, but on the day after the storm it was announced that the plant was reopening. Chloe had no idea what had happened, it seemed that no one did either, including her father. All she knew was Lionel Luthor had ended up in the hospital during the storm. Either his getting injured got in the way of his enforcing his will on his son, or Lex beat Lionel into submission. Which ever it was, the people of Smallville didn't ask any questions, as they were all happy to still have their jobs.
Chloe had gotten a phone call from her father a week ago telling her that he would be in Metropolis for two days, and he would have time to take her out to dinner and give her back to school shopping money, before she returned home. It was less then half a week before she returned to Smallville, but Chloe welcomed the chance to see her father, even if she would get to see him again on Monday night. Her father had arrived in Metropolis the day before and called her Aunt's apartment to make arrangements for dinner the following night. Thus, Chloe found herself waiting in the lobby for a long over due hug, and some much needed shopping money.
Chloe avoided the urge to check the time again. She was early, and she knew it, but she still hated to be kept waiting, with nothing to do. That lead her mind to thinking about things she shouldn't worry about, such as how she was going to react to Clark this school year. And how she was going to readjust to small town life. And how she was going to get her luggage on the bus back to Smallville on Sunday.
"Ms. Sullivan, how are we today?" Chloe was pulled from her snowballing thoughts by a familiar voice. She looked up to see Lex Luthor standing in front of her, smirking. He settled into the chair next to hers.
"Mr. Luthor I recall you asking me to call you Lex, I suggest you address me by my first name as well"
"As you wish, Chloe" Lex replied "Now what brings you to Metropolis? I didn't recall your father mentioning you accompanying him on this trip" Lex leaned back in his chair.
"Oh, I'm just meeting him here. I had my internship at the Daily Planet this summer. Dad couldn't wait until I return to Smallville on Monday to see me, so I came by to attend dinner with him. Your meeting seems to have the exact perfect timing as to fund my back to school shopping, with out the hazards of attempting to find decent clothes in Smallville" Chloe smiled. "Smallville should be renamed the flannel capital of the world"
"That it should" Lex agreed. "It's nice to know that someone else in town has more then Levis in their clothing vocabulary" Chloe laughed in agreement and Lex continued "So, how was your internship? Clark had mentioned to me that you were at the Planet, now that I remember"
"Well…" Chloe tried to think of the perfect way to describe her Daily Planet experience. "I can now add doughnut sorter to my resume"
Lex smirked "You were the glorified coffee maker?"
"Without the glory" Chloe sighed, then her face brightened "But it wasn't all bad. I made some friends, and kept my eyes and ears open. I didn't really get to do much, but I think I learned a lot… And I doubt I'll ever eat at Krispy Kremes ever again"
"At least you're finding the positive," Lex offered.
"Yeah, and it's over, so it's easier to sit back and laugh now. Two weeks ago it would have been a different story. I'm just glad I get to go back to my beloved Torch. If the plant hadn't stayed open, I would have to over throw the established newspaper at my new school, and it's going to be so nice to go back to being in charge. I don't know what happened to keep the plant open, but what ever happened, I'm glad it did"
Lex's smirk didn't fade "Most people seem to wonder about what happened to my father ending up in the hospital, and the plant ending up open"
"Hey, as long as I get to stay in Smallville, I don't care who ended up in the hospital" Chloe grinned wickedly.
Lex's eyebrows shot up in surprise "Why Chloe Sullivan, are you suggesting that the end justifies the means?"
"Only if it's in my favor" Chloe replied.
Lex smiled "How very much like a reporter, that is"
"Some would say how very Luthor like it is" Chloe grinned.
"An excellent point" Lex returned her smile. Lex then caught a figure standing at Chloe's side.
"Dad!" Chloe cried, then wrapped her arms around her father, who returned her hug. They released each other and shared two identical smiles.
Lex stood and Gabe took notice of his boss. "Mr. Luthor, how are you tonight?" He offered his hand and the two men shook
Lex had tired of correcting Gabe from calling him Mr. Lex, and now found it easier just to let it go. "Fine Gabe, I was just chatting here with your charming daughter"
Gabe smiled broadly, showing obvious pride "She is a bright one… I hope she didn't ask too many questions though…" He added, remembering his daughter's ability drive some people batty with her inquisitive nature.
Chloe rolled her eyes "Dad, we were just talking. I am capable of doing more then just pumping people for information"
"I know, sweetie, you just sometimes get carried away"
"The two of us were just sharing a conversation about Smallville" Lex assured Gabe, and he seemed to relax a little.
"Oh yes, Chloe will be returning soon. I just figured that since I was here in Metropolis it would be a wonderful time for catching up"
"Since I'll be exhausted after the bus ride" Chloe interjected, and Gabe nodded.
"Bus ride? Why don't I let you take one of my limos?" Lex offered.
"Oh no, really that's OK…" Gabe started, but Lex interrupted.
"Nonsense, I have a million cars, and Chloe shouldn't bother to ride the bus back alone"
"It's alright, really" Chloe said "Pete is flying back from his vacation in Florida on Saturday afternoon. His family is going to drive back, and Sunday the two of us are going to bus back together. We have it all worked out"
"So both you and Pete can take the limo back. It's not like there won't be enough room" Lex handed Chloe one of his cards. "Just give me a call and we'll set everything up"
"OK, thanks Lex" Chloe accepted the card and smiled "It will certainly be more comfortable then the bus" Chloe caught her dad's smile falter when she called Lex by his first name.
"It's no problem Chloe" Lex smiled at her, and then turned to Gabe "I don't want to hold you up from your dinner. Enjoy your last night in Metropolis Gabe, you'll be returning to the plant when?"
"Er, tomorrow morning" Gabe answered "… you really don't have to loan her the limo…"
Lex held up his hand "Nonsense, there's a lot of things I don't have to do, but I do them because I enjoy helping my friends. Now, I must be going, or I will be later for my own dinner engagements" He turned his attention back to Chloe. "Just give me a call sometime on Saturday"
"Will do" Chloe smiled. "And thanks again"
"You are welcome again" and with that, Lex was off.
"That certainly was nice of Mr. Luthor" Gabe said, as he and Chloe made their way toward the Hotel exit.
"Lex isn't that bad of a guy" Chloe pocketed the card Lex had given her. The doorman held the large door and she slipped through into the warm city night, followed by her father.