Authors Notes: I give you LEX!! Yes, he's still in the story, silly! You were getting worried weren't you? There's no mattress wrestling or anything, but he's here, he's interacting with Chloe, and he's getting snarked at by Pete. The obligatory "Lex and Chloe meet in a club" chapter. Onward!
Disclaimer: I own a Smallville DVD... that should count for something, shouldn't it?
Chapter Two: "Two Lefts"
Chloe was beginning to think she should of rethought coming along with Pete. They had made it past the bouncer easily enough. He glanced at the Ids quickly, and let them through. Pete was almost bursting, and Chloe had to tell him to relax a couple of times, reminding herself that he was a small town boy loose in a big city.
They stopped at the edge of the dance floor and took in their surroundings. "Drunk people to the left. Sweaty people dancing to the front. Groping people to the right. What's your poison?" Chloe yelled over to Pete. Between yelling for conversation, and the strategically placed speakers, Chloe was sure she'd be needing a Tylenol endowed with super meteor strength in order to get the pounding in her head to go down later in the night.
"I want to dance!" Pete practically squealed. This was diffidently cooler then what passed as entertainment in Smallville.
"Go right ahead" Chloe said, and she headed to the left. She felt Pete grab her arm.
"You don't want to dance?" He asked, already starting to pout.
"Nah, it's cool" Chloe said. "Go meet some nice floozy. I'll join you later"
"Are you sure?" Chloe could hear the indecision in his voice over the blaring of the music. "Cause I don't have to dance…"
"Pete, go. It's what you want. What I want to do is watch you have a good time" She smiled, and she saw him relax. "Besides, I saw that red head checking you out when we came in. I don't want her to think you're taken"
Pete grinned "OK, I'll be back after two songs"
"Sure thing" Chloe said, as she watched him start toward the dance floor. "Just don't cabbage patch!" she yelled after him, earning some odd looks from the overly made up couple nearby, but she just ignored them, and walked over to the bar.
*Now, I could just ask for water, but how stupid is that? I might as well scream high school* Chloe thought about what she could order to help her dry throat. Between the loud music you had to yell over, and the dancing, it was no wonder clubs managed to push so many beverages.
"What'll you have?" An overly muscular bartender asked Chloe, as she slid up to the counter.
*Somebody got an economy sized tub of 'insta-tan'* Chloe inwardly remarked. She quickly tried to think of something she'd want to drink. "Er, rum and coke"
"Sure thing" the bartender said, before turning away to prepare her drink.
*That was easy enough* Chloe found a vacant stool and eased herself up onto it. Some tasks were difficult when wearing heels and a skirt. Chloe laid her money on the counter for when her drink was ready, and in a moment's time, a glass was in front of her, and her money gone.
She picked up her drink, and took a small sip. *Not bad* she thought. If Chloe was anything, she wasn't a drinker. *But why the hell not* In fact, she only thought of rum and coke because it her father enjoyed it. Chloe scanned the dancing crowd and saw Pete sandwiched between a redhead and a blonde. "I'm going to have to drag him out of here" Chloe muttered.
"So, what's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?" a male voice said from beside her. Chloe was about to make a witty retort, but stopped mid eye roll when her eyes registered a familiar face, wearing a familiar smirk.
Chloe switched tracts from rude to mildly snarky in a flash "Lex. Out on the prowl one last time before you return to the land of farm girls?"
"That was the plan" Lex answered, reaching over to grab Chloe's drink. He noted the slightly irked look on her face as he brought the glass to his mouth and took a small sip. "Rum and coke?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow, and placing her glass back down.
"You and the Capt make it happen" Chloe winked at him. "I'm hardly the type of person to consume something with a paper parasol in it" Chloe scrunched up her nose at the thought.
"I agree" Lex smiled "But you also seem hardly the type of person to be in a club, with an alcoholic beverage"
"You're forgetting the part about me being underage" Chloe added.
"And who said I was forgetting?" Lex smiled. "I'm not here to lecture Chloe, I'm just a little surprised, that's all"
Chloe took a sip of her drink, "Well, it's not really my idea to be here. And our man Capt Morgan is just helping me deal with the insanity that is club music. I'm here because of Pete"
"Really" Lex scanned the crowd and sure enough there was Pete in all his dancing splendor. "Is he…?"
"Cabbage-patching?" Chloe finished. "Yeah, poor boy doesn't get out much, what with being a Smallvillitte and all"
Lex turned his gaze back to Chloe "And aren't you, also from the same berg as Mr. Footloose out there?"
"Hey, I was born and raised in Metropolis" Chloe defended "I'm not getting lumped in with the townies"
"Oh, yes. I had forgotten. My apologies" Lex offered. "So, how come you aren't dancing?" he inquired. Chloe made a face, which clearly showed she wasn't much interested in dancing. "Strobe lights can make anyone's dancing look good" he added.
"While I'm flattered that you assume both my of my feet are lefts, that is not the case at all. Pete needs to get his groove on the dance floor, and once he's settled a bit, I'll go join him. Thus, the sitting, and the.." Chloe held up her glass.
"Understandable, but if I went out with a lady, I wouldn't leave her alone"
"But I'm not alone" Chloe poked him in the chest with her finger. Lex looked down at the offending finger, then at the face of the girl attached to it. "Never been poked before?" Chloe inquired, the felt her face turn a deep shade of red as she realized the implications of her words.
"Why Chloe, I wasn't aware they made gutters that dirty in Smallville" Lex laughed.
"And I wasn't aware that Luthors laugh" Chloe said, attempting to forget about her previous choice of words. The person in the stool next to Chloe stood up, and motioned that Lex could take his seat. Lex easily slid into the seat, and Chloe whirled around so she was facing him. In a moment Lex had a drink in front of him. *Guess he comes here often* Chloe mused.
"It's a new thing I'm trying" Lex took a sip of his drink, something dark *and probably toxic to small animals* Chloe noted. "I'm trying to work it into the whole 'Luthor Charm'" Chloe snorted, catching Lex off guard. "You don't think highly of the Luthor Charm?" Lex asked, lowering his glass.
"It's just that I've meet your father before. And I wouldn't go bragging about Luthor Charm"
"Then what would you call it" Lex asked, looking into her eyes.
"What, you mean the whole thing you're trying to pull off now, by looking in my eyes and lowering your tone to a seductive level?" Chloe smirked.
*ouch* Lex thought inwardly, but kept his calm exterior "That's the one" he replied.
Chloe thought for a moment, "I'd call it… umm Lex-appeal" she decided.
"Lex-appeal" he repeated. "I'm going to have to use that"
"I'm sure you will" Chloe rolled her eyes. "Which begs the question, why aren't you in the company of a lovely young woman?"
"Ah, but I am" Lex poked Chloe in the shoulder, mimicking her actions before. "Actually, there is a woman here who's been lurking around, bothering me. I have no idea who she is. That's why I moved to the cheap seats" Lex looked over at the roped off section that he usually sat in, filled with his wealthy, yet boring comrades. Lex turned his attention once more to Chloe.
"I see" Chloe smiled "I'm just a nice diversion tactic. Once she's gone, it's off to the first class section" Lex gave Chloe a mildly intimidating glare, which she easily returned. "So, what does this mystery lady look like?"
"Black hair, a little taller then you, wearing a blue…"
"shirt with black pants, and carrying a small handbag?" Chloe finished.
"How did you know?" he asked suspiciously.
"Because she's spotted you" Chloe pointed to the aforementioned girl, as she made her way out of the roped off section and started walking over. "Do you want me to fake a seizure or something?" Chloe offered, trying not to laugh. It would be amusing to see Lex be pestered by an enamored woman.
"I'll handle it fine" Lex said, just as the girl walked up next to them.
"Mr. Luthor," The girl said in a snide tone "I'm sure you don't mind me interrupting your assuredly intellectual conversation…" The girl couldn't finish talking, before Chloe interjected.
"Hey, I'm not one of his bimbos" Chloe spat out, getting ready to defend her intelligence. She glared at the girl "Lois?!" she asked. "What in the hell are you doing?"
"Chloe!" Lois returned the surprise "I'm just... What are you doing here?"
"The dancing! Remember?" Chloe pointed out Pete on the dance floor, still working it.
Lex glanced from girl to girl, smirked, and took a sip of his drink. He had no idea what was going on, but it had the potential to become amusing.
"Oh yeah" Lois looked at Lex "But why are you here with him?"
Chloe sighed "He was avoiding you. You were acting like a stalker, apparently. Are you on some 'catch the millionaire off guard get a great story' crusade tonight?"
"That was the plan" Lois bit her lower lip. "I figured if you could get an interview with him, then I sure could" she noticed Chloe nostrils flare up in mild anger "Not that you are any less of a reporter then I am" Lois backpedaled.
Lex took this awkward moment to finally speak up. "So, you two know each other?"
"You really are the boy genius, aren't you?" Lois answered. "Chloe is my younger cousin"
"So this journalism gene is a dominant trait in your family?" he asked. Not just one intrepid reporter, but two. Though Lois seemed a bit overtly pushy for his tastes. "It's a shame, since Gabe seems like such a normal man"
"It's only on my mother's side" Chloe replied, then to Lois she asked "So, why didn't you tell me you were going on a story quest? It's not like have dibs on him or anything" Chloe indicated Lex, and he stifled a smile. Amusing how they talked about him like he wasn't there. Or was, but was more like a plant, then a person.
Lois shrugged "I just didn't know if you'd think I was copying, or would get peeved. I mean, we do tend to get a bit competitive. I just thought it would be easier if I got the interview, then told you. When you couldn't do anything about it"
"First of all" Chloe sighed "You can interview who ever you want. I've been there, done that, so if you want my sloppy seconds go right ahead"
"Hey" Lex interjected.
Chloe continued "And second of all, I'm sure there is no way in Hell you are getting Lex to give you an interview, in a nightclub. I've interviewed him and you might as well ask for the publicity department of Luthor Corp for the amount of info you can squeeze out of him"
"There you go, thinking you are a better reporter" Lois spat out. "Just because you got to interview Lex, you got an internship..."
Lex figured that he'd better step in, seeing as it looked like the two of them would take out half the club in a fight. "Ladies?" Lex tapped the fuming reporters on their respective shoulders. "This is neither the time, nor the place" He took a card out of his shirt pocket and handed it to Lois. "If you want an appointment, call my secretary, don't trail me down in a club"
"Thanks" Lois smiled "Is this your nice way of telling me to 'no chance in hell?'"
Lex smiled his most gracious smile "Basically. I don't enjoy reporters"
"You were just sitting here chatting one up a moment ago, you know" Lois argued.
"Chloe wasn't interviewing me, we were having a friendly conversation. A little charm will get you a long way, rather then being pushy"
"I wonder how her charm has gotten her with you" Lois muttered under her breath. Chloe was too busy downing the rest of her drink to hear, and though Lex heard her, he chose not to respond, as Pete was walking over. *Just what I need now* Lex inwardly moaned.
"Lois, I thought you had plans?"" Pete said, as he came up between Lois and Chloe.
"I did, but here I am" Lois replied, not wanting to drag everything up again. "Sharing the lovely company of Chloe and Lex"
*Great* Chloe thought. *Now I have to deal with Pete's Lex issues* She made a signal to the bartender for a refill, which she quickly received. Lex noticed her new drink and wished he had a fresh one.
"Lex, making acquaintances with yet another one of my friends?" Pete protectively moved closer to Chloe and Lois.
Chloe held back a snort "Pete, this is always cute and macho-y, but Lex and I were just talking… and Lois happened along"
"I'm sure" Pete said, steadily looking at Lex.
"Well, this has been lovely, but now that I figured out the mystery of my tailgater, I should be going" Lex left a large bill next to his and Chloe's empty glasses. "Chloe, as always, it was a pleasure. You all enjoy your evening"
Chloe found herself a bit disappointed as she watched him walk away. She turned on her two friends, no point in being miffy with Lois now, or tell Pete he was acting like an ass. *Amazing how the Capt calms your nerves* "So, what do you two want to do now?"
"We could, oh I dunno… dance?" Pete suggested.
"Are you sure your fan club out there won't mind?" Chloe smirked.
"Yeah" Lois joined in "If they see you dancing with two lovely ladies such as ourselves, it could break their hearts"
Pete grinned "They'll survive" he held out his two arms, and Chloe and Lois each took one, and the trio headed out onto the dance floor. Chloe glanced over her shoulder to see Lex inside the exclusive section. He silently raised his glass, and she smiled back, before turning her attention back to the two friends by her side.
Disclaimer: I own a Smallville DVD... that should count for something, shouldn't it?
Chapter Two: "Two Lefts"
Chloe was beginning to think she should of rethought coming along with Pete. They had made it past the bouncer easily enough. He glanced at the Ids quickly, and let them through. Pete was almost bursting, and Chloe had to tell him to relax a couple of times, reminding herself that he was a small town boy loose in a big city.
They stopped at the edge of the dance floor and took in their surroundings. "Drunk people to the left. Sweaty people dancing to the front. Groping people to the right. What's your poison?" Chloe yelled over to Pete. Between yelling for conversation, and the strategically placed speakers, Chloe was sure she'd be needing a Tylenol endowed with super meteor strength in order to get the pounding in her head to go down later in the night.
"I want to dance!" Pete practically squealed. This was diffidently cooler then what passed as entertainment in Smallville.
"Go right ahead" Chloe said, and she headed to the left. She felt Pete grab her arm.
"You don't want to dance?" He asked, already starting to pout.
"Nah, it's cool" Chloe said. "Go meet some nice floozy. I'll join you later"
"Are you sure?" Chloe could hear the indecision in his voice over the blaring of the music. "Cause I don't have to dance…"
"Pete, go. It's what you want. What I want to do is watch you have a good time" She smiled, and she saw him relax. "Besides, I saw that red head checking you out when we came in. I don't want her to think you're taken"
Pete grinned "OK, I'll be back after two songs"
"Sure thing" Chloe said, as she watched him start toward the dance floor. "Just don't cabbage patch!" she yelled after him, earning some odd looks from the overly made up couple nearby, but she just ignored them, and walked over to the bar.
*Now, I could just ask for water, but how stupid is that? I might as well scream high school* Chloe thought about what she could order to help her dry throat. Between the loud music you had to yell over, and the dancing, it was no wonder clubs managed to push so many beverages.
"What'll you have?" An overly muscular bartender asked Chloe, as she slid up to the counter.
*Somebody got an economy sized tub of 'insta-tan'* Chloe inwardly remarked. She quickly tried to think of something she'd want to drink. "Er, rum and coke"
"Sure thing" the bartender said, before turning away to prepare her drink.
*That was easy enough* Chloe found a vacant stool and eased herself up onto it. Some tasks were difficult when wearing heels and a skirt. Chloe laid her money on the counter for when her drink was ready, and in a moment's time, a glass was in front of her, and her money gone.
She picked up her drink, and took a small sip. *Not bad* she thought. If Chloe was anything, she wasn't a drinker. *But why the hell not* In fact, she only thought of rum and coke because it her father enjoyed it. Chloe scanned the dancing crowd and saw Pete sandwiched between a redhead and a blonde. "I'm going to have to drag him out of here" Chloe muttered.
"So, what's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?" a male voice said from beside her. Chloe was about to make a witty retort, but stopped mid eye roll when her eyes registered a familiar face, wearing a familiar smirk.
Chloe switched tracts from rude to mildly snarky in a flash "Lex. Out on the prowl one last time before you return to the land of farm girls?"
"That was the plan" Lex answered, reaching over to grab Chloe's drink. He noted the slightly irked look on her face as he brought the glass to his mouth and took a small sip. "Rum and coke?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow, and placing her glass back down.
"You and the Capt make it happen" Chloe winked at him. "I'm hardly the type of person to consume something with a paper parasol in it" Chloe scrunched up her nose at the thought.
"I agree" Lex smiled "But you also seem hardly the type of person to be in a club, with an alcoholic beverage"
"You're forgetting the part about me being underage" Chloe added.
"And who said I was forgetting?" Lex smiled. "I'm not here to lecture Chloe, I'm just a little surprised, that's all"
Chloe took a sip of her drink, "Well, it's not really my idea to be here. And our man Capt Morgan is just helping me deal with the insanity that is club music. I'm here because of Pete"
"Really" Lex scanned the crowd and sure enough there was Pete in all his dancing splendor. "Is he…?"
"Cabbage-patching?" Chloe finished. "Yeah, poor boy doesn't get out much, what with being a Smallvillitte and all"
Lex turned his gaze back to Chloe "And aren't you, also from the same berg as Mr. Footloose out there?"
"Hey, I was born and raised in Metropolis" Chloe defended "I'm not getting lumped in with the townies"
"Oh, yes. I had forgotten. My apologies" Lex offered. "So, how come you aren't dancing?" he inquired. Chloe made a face, which clearly showed she wasn't much interested in dancing. "Strobe lights can make anyone's dancing look good" he added.
"While I'm flattered that you assume both my of my feet are lefts, that is not the case at all. Pete needs to get his groove on the dance floor, and once he's settled a bit, I'll go join him. Thus, the sitting, and the.." Chloe held up her glass.
"Understandable, but if I went out with a lady, I wouldn't leave her alone"
"But I'm not alone" Chloe poked him in the chest with her finger. Lex looked down at the offending finger, then at the face of the girl attached to it. "Never been poked before?" Chloe inquired, the felt her face turn a deep shade of red as she realized the implications of her words.
"Why Chloe, I wasn't aware they made gutters that dirty in Smallville" Lex laughed.
"And I wasn't aware that Luthors laugh" Chloe said, attempting to forget about her previous choice of words. The person in the stool next to Chloe stood up, and motioned that Lex could take his seat. Lex easily slid into the seat, and Chloe whirled around so she was facing him. In a moment Lex had a drink in front of him. *Guess he comes here often* Chloe mused.
"It's a new thing I'm trying" Lex took a sip of his drink, something dark *and probably toxic to small animals* Chloe noted. "I'm trying to work it into the whole 'Luthor Charm'" Chloe snorted, catching Lex off guard. "You don't think highly of the Luthor Charm?" Lex asked, lowering his glass.
"It's just that I've meet your father before. And I wouldn't go bragging about Luthor Charm"
"Then what would you call it" Lex asked, looking into her eyes.
"What, you mean the whole thing you're trying to pull off now, by looking in my eyes and lowering your tone to a seductive level?" Chloe smirked.
*ouch* Lex thought inwardly, but kept his calm exterior "That's the one" he replied.
Chloe thought for a moment, "I'd call it… umm Lex-appeal" she decided.
"Lex-appeal" he repeated. "I'm going to have to use that"
"I'm sure you will" Chloe rolled her eyes. "Which begs the question, why aren't you in the company of a lovely young woman?"
"Ah, but I am" Lex poked Chloe in the shoulder, mimicking her actions before. "Actually, there is a woman here who's been lurking around, bothering me. I have no idea who she is. That's why I moved to the cheap seats" Lex looked over at the roped off section that he usually sat in, filled with his wealthy, yet boring comrades. Lex turned his attention once more to Chloe.
"I see" Chloe smiled "I'm just a nice diversion tactic. Once she's gone, it's off to the first class section" Lex gave Chloe a mildly intimidating glare, which she easily returned. "So, what does this mystery lady look like?"
"Black hair, a little taller then you, wearing a blue…"
"shirt with black pants, and carrying a small handbag?" Chloe finished.
"How did you know?" he asked suspiciously.
"Because she's spotted you" Chloe pointed to the aforementioned girl, as she made her way out of the roped off section and started walking over. "Do you want me to fake a seizure or something?" Chloe offered, trying not to laugh. It would be amusing to see Lex be pestered by an enamored woman.
"I'll handle it fine" Lex said, just as the girl walked up next to them.
"Mr. Luthor," The girl said in a snide tone "I'm sure you don't mind me interrupting your assuredly intellectual conversation…" The girl couldn't finish talking, before Chloe interjected.
"Hey, I'm not one of his bimbos" Chloe spat out, getting ready to defend her intelligence. She glared at the girl "Lois?!" she asked. "What in the hell are you doing?"
"Chloe!" Lois returned the surprise "I'm just... What are you doing here?"
"The dancing! Remember?" Chloe pointed out Pete on the dance floor, still working it.
Lex glanced from girl to girl, smirked, and took a sip of his drink. He had no idea what was going on, but it had the potential to become amusing.
"Oh yeah" Lois looked at Lex "But why are you here with him?"
Chloe sighed "He was avoiding you. You were acting like a stalker, apparently. Are you on some 'catch the millionaire off guard get a great story' crusade tonight?"
"That was the plan" Lois bit her lower lip. "I figured if you could get an interview with him, then I sure could" she noticed Chloe nostrils flare up in mild anger "Not that you are any less of a reporter then I am" Lois backpedaled.
Lex took this awkward moment to finally speak up. "So, you two know each other?"
"You really are the boy genius, aren't you?" Lois answered. "Chloe is my younger cousin"
"So this journalism gene is a dominant trait in your family?" he asked. Not just one intrepid reporter, but two. Though Lois seemed a bit overtly pushy for his tastes. "It's a shame, since Gabe seems like such a normal man"
"It's only on my mother's side" Chloe replied, then to Lois she asked "So, why didn't you tell me you were going on a story quest? It's not like have dibs on him or anything" Chloe indicated Lex, and he stifled a smile. Amusing how they talked about him like he wasn't there. Or was, but was more like a plant, then a person.
Lois shrugged "I just didn't know if you'd think I was copying, or would get peeved. I mean, we do tend to get a bit competitive. I just thought it would be easier if I got the interview, then told you. When you couldn't do anything about it"
"First of all" Chloe sighed "You can interview who ever you want. I've been there, done that, so if you want my sloppy seconds go right ahead"
"Hey" Lex interjected.
Chloe continued "And second of all, I'm sure there is no way in Hell you are getting Lex to give you an interview, in a nightclub. I've interviewed him and you might as well ask for the publicity department of Luthor Corp for the amount of info you can squeeze out of him"
"There you go, thinking you are a better reporter" Lois spat out. "Just because you got to interview Lex, you got an internship..."
Lex figured that he'd better step in, seeing as it looked like the two of them would take out half the club in a fight. "Ladies?" Lex tapped the fuming reporters on their respective shoulders. "This is neither the time, nor the place" He took a card out of his shirt pocket and handed it to Lois. "If you want an appointment, call my secretary, don't trail me down in a club"
"Thanks" Lois smiled "Is this your nice way of telling me to 'no chance in hell?'"
Lex smiled his most gracious smile "Basically. I don't enjoy reporters"
"You were just sitting here chatting one up a moment ago, you know" Lois argued.
"Chloe wasn't interviewing me, we were having a friendly conversation. A little charm will get you a long way, rather then being pushy"
"I wonder how her charm has gotten her with you" Lois muttered under her breath. Chloe was too busy downing the rest of her drink to hear, and though Lex heard her, he chose not to respond, as Pete was walking over. *Just what I need now* Lex inwardly moaned.
"Lois, I thought you had plans?"" Pete said, as he came up between Lois and Chloe.
"I did, but here I am" Lois replied, not wanting to drag everything up again. "Sharing the lovely company of Chloe and Lex"
*Great* Chloe thought. *Now I have to deal with Pete's Lex issues* She made a signal to the bartender for a refill, which she quickly received. Lex noticed her new drink and wished he had a fresh one.
"Lex, making acquaintances with yet another one of my friends?" Pete protectively moved closer to Chloe and Lois.
Chloe held back a snort "Pete, this is always cute and macho-y, but Lex and I were just talking… and Lois happened along"
"I'm sure" Pete said, steadily looking at Lex.
"Well, this has been lovely, but now that I figured out the mystery of my tailgater, I should be going" Lex left a large bill next to his and Chloe's empty glasses. "Chloe, as always, it was a pleasure. You all enjoy your evening"
Chloe found herself a bit disappointed as she watched him walk away. She turned on her two friends, no point in being miffy with Lois now, or tell Pete he was acting like an ass. *Amazing how the Capt calms your nerves* "So, what do you two want to do now?"
"We could, oh I dunno… dance?" Pete suggested.
"Are you sure your fan club out there won't mind?" Chloe smirked.
"Yeah" Lois joined in "If they see you dancing with two lovely ladies such as ourselves, it could break their hearts"
Pete grinned "They'll survive" he held out his two arms, and Chloe and Lois each took one, and the trio headed out onto the dance floor. Chloe glanced over her shoulder to see Lex inside the exclusive section. He silently raised his glass, and she smiled back, before turning her attention back to the two friends by her side.