Title: The Virus

Author: NickyJean

Summary: Something from Chloe's past comes back to "shock" her. It's a Chlex story. They may not get totally together but there are definite bonding issues.

Disclaimer: Yet, still also I own not a drop of water to parch my unnatural thirst. Please give me such that my mind shall flow forth with the imagination of a child and the wisdom of an adult and the hindsight to know which is which.

A/N: Anything with *…* around it is considered thoughts.

Chapter 1

[Interior of Chloe's room. Tap, Tap, against her window. She's not in bed despite the late hour. Those who know her know she is fast a work on her computer typing out her next editorial or editing one of her many articles turned in by her staff. Before a third tap can be heard she waltzes over to the window and opens it. Below are Pete, Clark and Lana.]

Chloe: Why didn't you just knock? I knew you were coming over.

[Clark blushes which even in the dark can be seen but Pete steps closer to the spot underneath the 2nd story window.]

Pete: Clark though this would be more romantic.

[Chloe would have laughed but Lana spoke up]

Lana: Oh, Clark you're just so sweet. Chloe's lucky to have a guy like you.

[With the distance no one actually saw Chloe roll her eyes but Pete felt it and the pit of his stomach did that thing it did just before he watch Old Yellow get shot. Pete didn't say anything though, Chloe asked him not too.]

~-~

[Exterior Whitney's house. They all were waiting out side in the yard, Chloe, Clark, Lana, and Pete. Whitney finally had his first leave in months and the gang was going to kidnap him for a welcome home party. Clark swore to Chloe earlier how they were going to have so much fun (A/N note sarcasm, these are Chloe's thoughts after all.) tonight.]

Chloe: *It will be great. Watching Clark, watching Lana, watching Whit-less. Can't wait. Should be a barrel of laughs. *

[Pete and Clark vanished into the darkened house leaving Chloe and Lana alone. Chloe tried to distance herself by walking away from Lana toward the outer gate of the yard. Lana didn't take the hint and almost skipped in happiness over to her.]

Lana: Thanks for understanding about the dance and Clark.

Chloe [placing a false smile on her face in the name of peace]: Sure. What's one dance when another's life is in danger.

[Even the shrug involved an acting talent she had no idea she had.]

Lana: It's just I know Clark cares about you so much and I'd hate to come in between that.

[Chloe bit back a comment but couldn't stop the seething stare. It went unnoticed by Lana in the darkness of night.]

Chloe: Luthor knows about the party for Whitney at the Talon. Did he charge you or anything? *What can I say? I'm desperate for a subject change. *

Lana: He absolutely insisted on it. He even mentioned wanting to stop by.

Chloe: To give moral support I'm sure.

[Lana was about to question the comment when the guys returned from their mission with their prize in reluctant tow. Lana raced to Whitney and jumped into his waiting embrace with a high pitch squeal that grated on Chloe's nerves.

Chloe noticed Clark approach and rolled her eyes at the obvious longing in Clark's glance at the lovebirds. Once he reached Chloe though his expression did a 180 and his smile almost made her forget. Almost. He tried to place his arm around her but she shrugged him off.]

Chloe: I'll be right back, [Pause] I want to talk to Pete about his sports article.

[She ignored the hurt look on his face as she fled to Pete, meeting him half way in the yard. Pete looked at her knowingly.]

Pete: You're going to have to tell him.

Chloe: I will when I'm ready.

Pete: Chloe..

Chloe: Hey! [She yelled in a hushed voice (A/N is that possible) hoping not to attract attention.] It's not like we're dating or anything. I don't have to tell him anything. He didn't even ask me to be his date tonight he just assumed I would be. [She was torn between disgust, hurt, and pride] Maybe if he said, "Hey Chloe, will you be my date?" I would have brought up the fact that, I would rather be eaten alive by Scarabs then date you again. But the conversation didn't come up.

Pete: Well, you said you forgave him. You didn't mention any of the other stuff and you should have. You two have got to talk.

[Her only response was a scowl.]

Pete: It's been four months now. Three of which you were able to hid in Metropolis with your internship. He went to save the girls life….

Chloe: I know all this believe me. I'm just tired of being second best. If it was just one time [sigh] but it's not and it never will be.

[She went silent as the group reassembled at Clark's truck. Clark politely opened the door for Chloe but she shoved Pete in her place and crawled in to the back. Even seeing Lana and Whitney getting all smoochey-faced was much more palatable then being in the cab with Clark. ]

~-~

[Interior the Talon. Lex entered as the party was raging. He took in the atmosphere. A homemade "Welcome Home" banner, streamers and balloons, kids everywhere and music throbbing from the speakers. Colorful lights shot onto the ceiling, floor, and walls despite the illumination of the house lights. He noticed several of the kids bouncing around to the beat. But his attention immediately focused on the one who wasn't.]

Lex: Kent

Clark: Lex, hi.

[Finally drawing his eyes away from something. Lex sought out what Clark was looking at and saw that it was Chloe. He couldn't explain it but knowing that Clark was now watching her the way he once watched Lana gave him a sinking suspicion. He pushed the feeling aside and gave Clark one of his million dollar smiles.]

Lex: What are you doing over here? It's a party, you should be dancing or something.

Clark: I'm waiting for Chloe. She's on the phone. [Hesitantly] I think she still mad at me because of the dance, [Pause] Lana.

Lex: *Big DUH on that one kid* What makes you say that? I mean I thought you said she was over that before she left town on her internship.

Clark: I was wrong I guess. The signs are all there. [Lex was almost afraid to ask but Clark offered the answers.] Exhibit A: I overheard her and Pete talking. Let's just say favorable things were not said in my favor. Exhibit B: She road in the back of the truck with Lana and Whitney instead of in the cab with Pete and me. [Lex could just imagine what torture that was for her. He's always been able to see how she felt about those two. Any idiot could tell. Well, almost any idiot. Lex held off the smirk] But most importantly, she's been on that phone for twenty minutes.

Lex: Maybe it's an interesting conversation.

Clark: Her phones off. It's never actually been on. The light that shows power would be reflecting off of her but there's none of that non-greenish meteorite glow. [He sighed.] I really messed up with her Lex and I don't know how to fix it.

Lex: Well, have you tried talking to her about it.

Clark [He gave Lex a look that made him feel like the idiot.] You've been on the receiving end of her "Verbal Judo." How do you think she is when she really wants to flay you.

[The thought actually gave Lex pause. Chloe snarky was one thing. Chloe down right pissed was an experience he has been graced not yet to experience. Lex knew where Clark was leading with this and he had no qualm about face the "Lady or the Tiger" even when they were one in the same.]

Lex: Do you want me to talk to her.

Clark: I don't know. [Lex knew Clark wasn't being coy or trying to manipulate him into doing this. Clark was way to honorable for that. Clark was actually very desperate and willing to take any hand offered him.] I know you two don't get along too well.

[Lex almost laughed at that understatement, but years of keeping his emotions in check kept the calm façade in place.]

Lex: Don't worry Clark, few women have been able to resist the Luthor charm.

[As true as his statement was, they both knew Chloe was one woman able to resist anything Luthor, especially their "charm". None the less Lex gave Clark one of his most confident smiles and strolled over to where Chloe sat.]