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: I own nothing. I never have owned anything and I never will own anything…I am sooooo pathetic….
A/N: Anything with *…* around it is considered thoughts. Also special thanx to all those who took the time to review…Beautiful 'N Bruised and Queen of Tack. I thought I'd take your advice and I dropped the rating. This chapter's kind of longer then most so it took a little while…Please review, review, REVIEW,……
Chapter 3
[After a moment of intense hugging and squealing, Chloe's feet touched the ground reluctantly. She stood before her former crush and smiled sweetly up at him.]
HiJack: Clover, babygirl, look at you all grown up in all the right places. [She almost giggled at the way his eyebrows jumped above his dark blue eyes]
Chloe: Well, I was going to ask what you're doing here but obviously you were just awaiting my legal courting age. How sweet.
HiJack: I hope I'll still be the first but I'll understand if you didn't wait for me.
Chloe: Surprise, I saved myself for you anyway, so you better be worth the wait and live up to that reputation of yours.
HiJack [chuckling]: I would absolutely love to go into great detail on how I would passionately and romantically deflower you, Babygirl, but your boyfriend is starting to look pretty damn pissed.
[Chloe turned and noticed Lex right beside her.]
Lex/Chloe: I am not her boyfriend/ He is NOT my boyfriend.
[Stunned slightly by the animosity] HiJack: OK. [A bit warily] Hi I'm…
Lex: Jack. [Holding out his hand in mock acceptance but Chloe looked at him disgustedly and pushed his arm away. Which HiJack looked at curiously.]
HiJack: Tom Collins actually. HiJack was a nickname back in the day.
Lex: Lex Luthor, pleasure.
[Then Tom's eyes grew huge and Chloe rolled hers.]
Tom [Staring wide-eyed at Chloe] What the, Chloe are you insane? You better be pumping him only for information. You cannot honestly be hanging out with this capitalist money grubbing defacer of the humanities.
Chloe: Calm down HiJack, I'm not hanging out with him. We just have a mutual friend. One that believes by the power of his will alone that this Luthor clone can be given a soul.
Tom: Have you thought about a gypsy curse. I hear they do wonders for redeeming one's self.
[Lex didn't much like conversations that treated him like he wasn't there but held his tongue.]
Chloe: Changing topics, you can't really be wanting for a bit of loving from me if you still see me as a "babygirl" now can you.
HiJack: [with an endearing smile that probably had most women swooning] The emphasis is on the "Babe" there. Babygirl. [Rolling her eyes she just let out an unladylike snort] Hey is there someplace we can talk. We have some things….to ….ah…
Chloe: [She noticed the sudden change and worry flickered across her face. Lex noticed the look but kept his attention on the stranger.] Sure, Lex was just leaving weren't you Luthor.
Lex: [It really bugged him that she referred to him by Lex everywhere, except when she spoke to him.] No.
Chloe: Go away. My friend and I have a lot of catching up to do.
Lex: No.
Chloe: Why you pompous ass…. Never mind, we will just leave. [She took Tom by the hand and pulled him after her muttering under her breath obscenities that would make a sailor blush.
Lex went to his car and watched them settle on a park bench half a block way. If she had gone out of his sight he would have felt no qualms in following her. Leaning against his car he wasn't surprised when Clark arrived silently by his side.]
Lex: I thought I told you to wait inside. [not bothering to look at him because he had to stay focused across the street.]
Clark: I guess it didn't go so well.
Lex: I at least got her to admit she was mad. The first step is admitting you have a problem. Do you know that guy?
Clark: [looking over] No, but I'm sure Chloe will tell us.
Lex: His name's Tom Collins and he went by the name of HiJack a while ago. Not to mention the guy was all over Chloe and he's older then I am.
[Clark felt something in him a kin to protectiveness. Lex felt something a kin to possessiveness, but neither of them said a word as they watched the couple in the streetlights.
On the other side of the street Chloe and Tom just smiled. Tom watching Lex and Chloe watching Clark.]
Tom: So do you like him?
Chloe: Yeah, he's really sweet, when he's not being a naïve, insensitive jerk.
Tom: I never thought any of the Luthors would be considered naïve. Insensitive sure but naïve.
Chloe: Lex, LEX? OH GOD NO…Very big on the no…I'm talking about Clark, Clark Kent the guy next to him… The mutual friend. [She didn't know whether to laugh or vomit at the thought of her being interested in Lex. She settled for a giggle] So what did you need to tell me.
Tom: Remember the Virus.
Chloe [A smirk appeared on her face]: Yeah is the FBI still hounding him?
Tom: Yes. But there's a problem. [He took a deep breath] I think he's hounding us too. Sarah and John are missing and….[Pause] I've been getting messages. Feeling like I've being followed. I can't prove anything but I think the guys after us.
Chloe: But the others??
Tom: I just want you to lay low for a while. I'm going to head west for a bit and I stopped off just to let you know. I didn't want to e-mail you or anything just in case, ya know. But I'm sure this is all for nothing.
Chloe: [Her mind was whirling and she didn't have a clue how to respond.] Are you going to be OK?
Tom: I'm sure I'm just over reacting. I mean I haven't tried to contact them in years. I didn't even try to look them up until I started getting the weird vibe on the computer. It felt like someone was taunting me and he did a pretty good job. My credit was screwed up and some of my gaming information was tampered with before major meetings. I wouldn't have even thought that it was him if it hadn't have been for the e-mail he actually signed. I'm sure it's nothing serious. Just scare tactics as pay-back. After all I don't have $10 million to steal so he would have to get his kicks another way.
Chloe: What about the FBI? Did you at least clue them in so they might protect you?
Tom: In case you forgotten our knowledge of the Virus was not done in the proper legal manner. Beside the guy messed with my criminal record and really gave me an unreliable history.
Chloe: So what do we do now?
Tom: Well, you are going to go to school and live happily ever after with which ever one of those boys meets your fancy [Chloe chose to ignore that comment] and tomorrow I'm starting out on my road trip again. You'll be OK. Trust me. I pretty much obliterated your existence with the Voice of Freedom anyway. What are friends for if not to cover your pretty little ass when you're in trouble?
Chloe: [struck by an inspiration]: On that note, before you leave town do you think you could do me a favor?
Tom: Of course, Babygirl.
Chloe: Meet me at the high school tomorrow night about 5pm or so. I need some help. I'll be in the Torch office. I'm Editor and Chief of my school paper don't you know.
Tom: Of course you are. I'll be there. You better get going or those two over there are going to do something that I might regret in the morning.
Chloe: You are so full of it [and she leaned down to give him a hug.]
[When she returned she was still laughing a little trying to push aside the fear she felt at the possible return of this virus guy. Hoping that Sarah and John were OK and that she might be able to look for them when this whole thing blows over.]
Chloe: Hey, Clark, I know you're having fun and all but you brought me here and I was hoping you would take me home now.
Lex: Don't be silly Chloe, I would be more then happy to escort you home.
Chloe: [barely spared Lex a glance.] That's so nice of you to offer but I'm not going to let you drill me about Tom. It's none of your business and I would much rather spend some time alone with Clark.
Lex: I won't even mention the fact that you spent the entire evening making sure you didn't spend anytime with Clark
Chloe: Funny that sounds like mentioning it to me.
Lex: But I also have to talk to your father about a meeting that we're going to be having in the morning. Besides there's no sense in tearing Clark away from the party, after all he is practically the host.
Chloe: Fine, Clark would you mind if Pete drove me home in you're truck.
Clark: Sure I don't—
Lex: Mr. Ross seems to be having a good time himself and what kind of friend would drag him away from that when I have a chariot awaiting right now.
Chloe: A friend that didn't want to be arrested for murdering some egotistical, arrogant, patronizing, billionaire playboy.
Lex: Patronizing? Ms. Sullivan, I'm crushed. But if you are so afraid about being alone with me on some long drive through the country on such a beautiful night then far be it from me to take it as an insult.
[Clark was stunned and confused by the fight going on and unsure how to stop his two friends who were steps away from coming to blows if Chloe's hand clinching and Lex's domineering stance were any indication.
Chloe made a real effort to control her high strung emotions and looked him in the eye.]
Chloe: Gee Lex, why don't you just double dog dare me as long as you're going to act like a juvenile.
Lex: Would it work, [He knew he already won and didn't even try to hide his knowing smile as strolled to the passenger side of the car and opened the door. He waited patiently as she huffed and puffed and rolled her eyes at something she knew was such a bad idea on so many levels.]
[Chloe sat down and Lex wasted no time hopping into the driver's seat and waving at Clarks astonished face as they sped off in the night.]
Chloe: I really hate you, you know that right and most importantly I shouldn't have let you win.
Lex: Yes, but you did. And I can think of no other opponent that is as worthy as you, Chloe.
Chloe: That's Ms. Sullivan to you. [The words were half hearted and missing the venom of earlier.
They had been driving for what seemed like hours to Chloe but was only five minutes. She refused to acknowledge his existence and stared out the window. The scenery floated by seamlessly as the stars remained motionless. The harvest moon hung low in the sky and seemed larger then life. As much as it pained Chloe to admit it, this was a beautiful night. She snuggled into her seat feeling cozy, wrapping her denim jacket more around herself. With her eyes closed she thought of Clark. It would have been romantic, just the two of them on the bench seat of his truck. She could be snuggling up against him instead of deeper into her seat here. She could be smelling Clark's earthly scent instead of inhaling Lex's deep musk. That thought snapped her out of her trance immediately as she realized that Lex had draped his coat over her while she wasn't looking. Well she was looking but she wasn't paying attention.
Chloe: What is this for?
Lex: [not bothering to mention she had it for a while already] You looked cold.
Chloe: Well I'm not. [Trying to shrug it off]
Lex: You might as well keep it. I mean you can't throw it in the back and I really don't want it on the floor.
[Chloe figured if she continued to fight him on it, she would be expanding way too much effort on something as meaningless as this was. So she resorted to just giving him a dirty look and returned her gaze to the scenic outdoors.
Lex [tired of the silence]: Are you going to ignore me all night, Ms Sullivan.
Chloe: Not all-night, I should be home in twenty minutes or so. That's as long as I would have to ignore you.
Lex: Ah, come on. You could at least talk to me. In gratitude for the ride home.
Chloe: The ride you blackmailed me into? Forgive me if I'm less then gracious for your charity.
Lex [laughing]: We can talk about what ever you want; off the record of course.
Chloe: How fast are you driving?
Lex: That was out of the blue but fear not, I'm driving the legal speed limit.
Chloe: That's what I mean. Word around town is that you didn't even know the speed limit.
Lex: You shouldn't believe the gossips. I thought better of you, Ms. Sullivan.
Chloe: I was referring to Clark. He feels he takes his life in his hands every time he's in the car with you.
Lex: Well that's polite of him.
Chloe: Oh please. I've seen you driving around town. It's amazing Clark's was your only accident. So what's with the Driving Ms. Daisy.
Lex: [He smirked and his eyes glittered just a little] Well, Ms. Sullivian, I figured it would be all over the press if I drove normally. [She gave him a disbelieving look, and he cleared his throat to avoid the laughter that was trying to escape.] Not to mention Clark and your father would make my life more of a hell then it already is if you were hurt due to my carelessness.
Chloe: First, don't even try with the poor little rich boy act. Second, you being afraid of Smallville retribution is just on this side of the Wall of Weird.
Lex: I'm quite certain they would burn me at the stake if I even thought of harming their paragon of virtue.
Chloe: Ah that would be Lana, not me. I'm as far from virtue as you can get without actually not having any.
Lex: You amaze me sometimes, you know that.
Chloe: In what way? [Not really wondering but he did want to talk]
Lex: You come off all full of fire and confidence except when it comes to two things….
Chloe: Don't go there Luthor.
Lex: Lana and Clark. I wonder why that is.
Chloe: I'm not talking about this with you. Just leave it alone.
Lex: See that's what I'm talking about. Most people would fear telling me off. Clark doesn't even do it, mostly because it's not his style. But here you are willing to scratch my eyes out without a thought to the consequences.
[Chloe refused to respond knowing that no matter what she said it would just prove his point.]
Lex: Most people fear me or want something from me that would be a hidden agenda. But you…You're straight to the point, honest, candid. You're only sensitive when you have to be. For people who obviously couldn't take the truth. You're one amazing woman.
Chloe: [mimicking a southern accent] Why, Mr. Luthor just shut your mouth or you might just turn my head.
Lex: Somehow, I think it would take more then flattering words to get that heart of yours all a flutter, Ms Sullivan. But I'd be more then willing to find out.
[Chloe looked at him as if he just slapped her, shock and pain written all over her face. But there just around the corner was her house. She had never been so glad to see her home. She was about to jump out of the car before it even slowed when Lex placed a hand on her seat belt release.
Lex: Wait [It almost seemed like a request. She waited as he brought the car to a full stop, turned off the engine and got out. She could only watch him as he came to her door and opened it for her. He held out his hand and she looked as if it may bite her.
Chloe: *Get a hold of yourself girl* [taking a deep breath she took his hand and allowed him to assist her out of the car.] Do you think I'm too much of a lady to get out of the car by myself?
Lex: *Now if that isn't a loaded question..* Actually, I'm too much of a gentleman to neglect the presence of one. [Noting the darkness of the house] It doesn't look as if your father is awake. I figured he would be waiting up for the return of his daughter.
Chloe [smiled a little at the thought]: My father hasn't waited up for me since I came to this burg. I'm sure he realizes how safe I am with Clark.
[Together they walked up her front porch and she was unlocking the door]
Lex: I'm sure your father would have a completely different view if it were say, me, you were with.
Chloe: It's you I'm with now and I'm sure my father would trust me completely. Now if you hold on a minute I'll go wake him.
Lex: No that won't be necessary. I really did think he would be waiting up for you. You know pretending to watch the end of a movie or something, but I guess he really does trust you. That makes perfect sense though, when you take into account how proud he is of you.
Chloe: Are we back to pointless flattery again?
Lex: Flattery is never pointless. Also I never say anything I don't mean. But most importantly those are your father's words not mine.
Chloe: Goodnight Luthor [Starting to open the door.]
Lex: I should at least get a proper good night. [He swung her to face him and used her shock to close in on her lips. She was so stunned she couldn't respond at first, allowing him plenty of opportunity to deepen the kiss. She shivered and melted in his embrace. His tongue warmly caressed hers. As her legs weakened she instinctively placed her arms around his neck and leaned against the wall. This left her no escape but that was the furthest thing from her mind. She returned his kiss with more passion then experience but he didn't seem to mind as he moaned into her mouth as response. His reaction startled him. He was used to being in control and it was slowly ebbing away. His sensibility returned at illumination, despite his closed eyes.
He reluctantly opened his eyes and broke the spell pulling away from her. His arms remained trapping her against the wall.
Chloe: Lex? [Her voice was husky and her eyes, though half closed, were heavy with desire.]
Lex: I would absolutely love to go into great detail on how I would passionately and romantically deflower you, Chloe, but it seems we both under estimated your father.
She snapped out of the trance instantly. Anger replaced desire almost instantly. Her demure turned instantly and she looked him dead in the eye with a look of indifference that had to have been practiced on for years. She turned and noticed the light in the kitchen and movement where the fridge was.
Chloe: I believe that should constitute as a proper goodbye. [She then opened her door and without a backward glance waltzed inside the house. She noticed he was still on the other side of the screen when she tried to shut the wooden door.] Aren't you leaving Mr. Luthor, or would you prefer to still speak with my dad.
Lex: [Still smiling] That won't be necessary. I'll see him in the morning. Good night, Ms. Sullivan.
Chloe: Good night, Mr. Luthor, can't say it's been fun. [And then slammed the door in his face.]
Lex: [Whispered as he walked to his car] That's right, Chloe, you do most certainly amaze me sometimes.