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: ….Please oh, please sir may I have some rights please….NO!!! How unnecessarily rude.
A/N: Anything with *…* around it is considered thoughts. ***I hope that you like this chapter is was really hard to get the time line working the way I wanted it to…So much to do and make sure is said and so little time to do it…READ AND REVIEW….please..
Chapter 4
This was something Lex thought he would never have to experience again. The carnage, the chaos, the smell, the noise, the complete disregard for self-preservation in the face of possible hunger. He understood those who were suffering; had been in there place before. If ever there was a time a Luthor ever empathized it was this place at this time.
Clark: Lex what are you doing here.
[The familiar voice snapped Lex out of his trance. He looked around the Smallville High School cafeteria shaking his head.]
Lex: *some things never change. * I read Ms. Sullivan's editorial on the hazards of the cafeteria food and had to see it for myself.
Pete: Yeah, I'm sure all those prep schools you were kicked out of had five star restaurants and world class chefs.
Lex: Mr. Ross, I hate to disillusion you, but you only have to worry about the 101 ways to disguise hamburger and chicken. Our chefs made haggis made of herbs and spices in a nice plump sheep stomach. [Both Clark and Pete blanched a bit at the thought] So our torture was just slightly more creative.
Clark: You're welcome to join us if you can "stomach" it. [Luthor and Pete rolled their eyes]
Lex: Absolutely. I really did come to talk to you anyway.
Pete: [rolling his eyes again] Well, I guess I'll just find someplace else to sit.
Lex: Mr. Ross that won't be necessary. I wanted to discuss Ms. Sullivan and could use your input.
Pete: And what exactly is your interest in Chloe?
Clark: Pete, it's not like that. It's not like Lex would ever have any interest in Chloe.
Pete: [Pete saw something flicker in Lex's eyes but since Lex wisely chose to stay silent Pete focused on Clark] And why the hell not? Just because you can't see past Lana doesn't mean nobody else can.
Clark: Hey, you know that's not true. Lana and I are just friends. Most importantly, I care about Chloe and I'm trying to work things out with her.
Pete: That's why you spent all morning talking to Lana instead of Chloe.
Clark: Well, if you hadn't noticed she had been avoiding me. [In deep thought] Come to think of it she was even avoiding you this morning. I wonder why that was.
Lex: Gentlemen, you both have valid points, but I really would like to get to why I'm here. [Now that he had both of their attention he pulled out a thick file] I did a little research last night on our friend Tom Collins. I don't think it would be in Chloe's best interest to socialize with him.
Pete: Tom Collins?
Clark: What did you find out?
[Pete quirked an eyebrow at his friends willingness to do something that would normally be by Clark's standards wrong.]
Lex: Tom Collins – Alias HiJack—
Pete: HiJack's in town?
Clark: You know him?
Pete: I know of him. Chloe couldn't stop talking about him when she came from Metropolis back a few years ago.
Clark: And why don't I recall any of this?
Pete: Well, ah, she wasn't 'exactly' being a very good girl at the time.
Lex: Mr. Collins was the leader of a computer hacking group that would break into computer systems of major corporations and steal confidence documents.
Clark: Chloe wouldn't have had anything to do with that. She's a good person.
Pete: [was giving Lex a knowing look] Left out a few details there Luthor. Those 'confidential documents' were released to the press and other 'interest parties' as proof of profession misconduct and negligence. Hell her pride and joy was the some oil tankers that sank of the coast of Alaska. Not to mention that criminal guy, what was his name? Virus. Led the FBI straight to his stash in the Cayman Islands. The FBI was able to recover $100 million that he had been stealing from other companies.
Lex: [his eyes wide] That was Chloe?
Pete: Yeah, [beaming with pride] you heard about that?
Lex: Heard about it? My father ranted and raved for months after it hit the press.
Pete: Let me guess LuthorCorp was a major shareholder of Mid Oil wasn't it? [Luthor's refusal to speak was all Pete needed and he laughed.]
Lex: That's not possible, she would have only been what 12?
Pete: Thirteen actually, and well Chlo's a pretty amazing girl.
Chloe: Why thank you Pete. Now why are you guys talking about me?
[Pete and Clark jumped a little at the sound of her voice but Lex wasn't easily startled. He knew she was coming, almost as if he could sense her. After all a Luthor is nothing if not completely aware of his surroundings (at least that was his excuse). He couldn't take his eyes off of her. Dress in a soft pale pink that made her appear soft, tight black jeans she must have been poured into and a pair of ankle boots that made Lex think of some many other things then he should be thinking of right now. ]
Lex: *Focus, you're a Luthor for Christ sake* Ms. Sullivan, a pleasure as always. [Lex stood and pulled out the chair next to him for her. She gave him a glare that told him what he could do with that chair and anything else he deemed fit to offer her. She then turned her attention to Pete and Clark who both looked very guilty.]
Clark: Lex just stopped by to discuss the finer arts of food poisoning. [He kicked Pete under the table, his eyes pleading for help]
Pete: [his mind racing] Ah, yeah, Lex was just comparing the Mystery Meat to Haggis.
Chloe: Haggis happens to be a delicacy in Scotland and I'm surprised a Luthor would forget his roots like that. Not to mention, none of you lie very well.
Lex: Ms. Sullivan, I'm insulted. I happen to lie excellently.
Chloe: I'm sure you do but I was referring to my "friends" here. [Then she caught sight of the file and her eyes flashed on the name.] You had HiJack investigated. [Glaring at Clark] I thought you trusted me. How could you?
Clark: I didn't –
Lana: Hi guys what's up? [Lana stood there still with her books in her hand. When she heard Chloe yell, she went right to her side hoping to help in some way (A/N isn't that sweet)]
Chloe: Oh nothing, Clark's just having my friends investigated.
Lex: Ms. Sullivan, I took the initiative to looking to Mr. Collins past. Clark had no idea I had done it until I arrived here to discuss my findings.
Chloe: [Snatched the file from the table] and what pray tell gives you the right to pry into my life?
Lex: [Snatched the file back and placed it on the table. Using both hands to brace himself on the table with the file in between he met Chloe's blazing glare with fire of his own.] The fact that Clark is my friend and I look out for him and by extension that would include you.
Chloe: I don't believe you for a second. You are SO up to something.
Lex: That man is a criminal and he's dangerous and you are not seeing him again.
Chloe: [She would have laughed if she weren't so pissed]. I do not work for you Luthor and there for do NOT take orders from you.
Lex: Yes, but your father does.
[Several things happened at once. Chloe dropped her tray and it clattered loudly onto the table. Pete jumped from his seat to avoid food that splattered. Lana dropped her books and reached for Chloe not realizing how strong the girl really was. Chloe almost succeeded in dragging both her and Lana across the table as she tried to once again strangle Lex. Pete and Clark seeing that Lana was going lose the battle, Pete held Chloe and Clark jumped in front of Lex.]
Chloe: How dare you threaten my father.
Lex: [Trying to shove Clark out of the way] You know that's not what I meant. I was just going to talk to him. I'm sure—"
Chloe: I'm going to kill you.
Lex: Once your father puts his foot down--
Clark/Pete/Lana: Shut up Lex!
Pete: [Turned his attention to Chloe] Chill out OK. [He repeated a few times before Chloe finally gave in and ceased struggling. Pete knew she wasn't just playing nice, playing to attack again. He felt when her temper was brought more under control. But Lex and Chloe's eyes never broke contact. Chloe left him no doubt of the silent promise that she was going to rip his head of eventually. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but someday, and the thought made Lex smile.
That smile was the last thing Chloe needed to see and if she wasn't going to wipe it off his overly smug face then she wasn't going to look at it either.]
Chloe: I'm a so outta here. [Pete released her and she stormed out of the cafeteria with ever person there watching her leave. Then every eye turned back to the table and back to Luthor. Used to it he just collapsed in his seat looking slightly defeated but definitely still angry.
Clark started to go after her but Pete put up his hands.]
Pete: I better do it. I'm the only one that she doesn't hate at the moment. [He grabbed an apple, sandwich, and one of the milks on the table and takes off to follow Chloe]
Lana: [Kind of in shock, sits down] What just happened?
Lex: Chloe decided to give her theatrical debut of Kate. She's a shoe in if you ask me. [Looking at Clark] I cannot believe she's being so stubborn about this. Is she always this stubborn?
[Clark's about to nod but Lana gives him a dirty look and he just smiles.]
Lana: [Somewhat timidly she turns her attention back to Lex] Well, you were prying into her life.
Lex [His eyes flashed but his emotional façade remained deceptively calm] That person is not a positive influence on Ms. Sullivan.
Lana: [Laughed a bit nervously] You make it sound like she's some social debutante being groomed to marry some Lord of the Manor. It's not like she's going to be ruined in the eyes of society for seeing him. I'm sure her father will still be able to marry her off even with a checkered past.
Lex: The man is a criminal and dangerous. Just look at this – [Lex noticed the file was gone] That stubborn little chit. I'm going to kill her. [Without a bye-your-leave he stormed off]
Lana: So again with the "What just happened?"
Clark: Chloe met this guy last night that she knew from Metropolis. Apparently, he's in a bit of trouble and wanted to make sure Chloe's OK.
Lana: So this guy's not really trouble right?
Clark: Well, something is definitely wrong. He might not be the problem but I think there might be trouble.
Lana: So what's the deal with Lex.
Clark: I don't know. Serious warning bells went off with him about the guy if he did all that research last night.
Lana: Of course "you" would never pry into Chloe's privacy like that would you?
Clark: No [half-heartedly] No [with more firmness] never. That would be wrong.
Lana: So we don't want to look at the file you have hidden under your tray do we?
[Clark at first was stunned then a smile spread across his face. He took the file from under its hiding place and motioned for Lana to take the vacant seat next to him.]
Clark: Of course not it would be wrong. [Allowing the small bit of laughter to escape as they started sifting through the information.]
~*~
Meanwhile:
[Pete chased Chloe down the partially deserted hallway. With it being lunchtime everyone was either outside or in the cafeteria.]
Pete: Chloe come on, wait up.
Chloe: What could you possibility want?
Pete: Hey, I come in peace. [Offering her the sandwich and the milk and keeping the apple for himself.] So you want to tell me what happened?
Chloe: Don't wanna talk about it [She grumbled as she plopped down on the set of stairs nearest them. She noticed no one in the hall at all now and felt the tears welling in her eyes. She refused to cry. Not about this. There were people being raped and murdered in dictatorial countries. There was famine and wars being fought in the name of power and faith. No way was she going to cry over something so unimportant.
Pete: Now don't go all pouty on your Uncle Petey here. Tell the big strong man what the problem.
Chloe: [giggled at his words and the tears never broke their dam. She always could count on Pete to feel better.] Well, it's just that, I can't believe Lex had my friend investigated. I mean what business is it of his, who I hang out with. Why would he even care? Do I look like Clark to you? I mean he may have all this money and power and stuff, but I mean ask me if I care. Go on ask me.
Pete: Do you care?
Chloe: Hell no…. I don't care. He could be some poor pauper and I wouldn't treat him any different. But I deserve some respect. He has no claim on me. He's not my father, or my brother. I'm not dating him or anything. I mean the guy kisses you once and he thinks he owns you.
Pete: He kissed you?!? [His voice echoing in the empty hall.]
Chloe: Did I say that out loud?
Pete: I'll kill him.
Chloe: Pete, no. It was no big deal.
Pete: It seems like a big deal to me. Did he hurt you?
Chloe: God no, It was [Pause] nice.
Pete: Nice? [She was holding back]
Chloe: What? It was nice.
Pete: Nice? [He knew she wasn't even giving him a half-truth]
Chloe: [knowing she could never lie to him] Fine it was toe curling, legs watering, fireworks in the sky, world standing still, ground shakily awesome. Satisfied?
Pete: Can we go back to nice? How did this …. Wait I don't want to know.
Chloe: Its no big deal. It didn't mean anything.
Pete: You kissed Lex Luthor.
Chloe: I did not. He kissed me. [Slightly stuttering]
Pete: And you let him.
Chloe: But –
Pete: and you liked it…My God you like HIM.
Chloe: Now stop right there. I most certainly do NOT like Lex.
Pete: But you liked it.
Chloe: Well yeah, but come on Pete. Luthor has been groomed to be a womanizer since birth. It would be unnatural for him not to be good at it.
[Chloe could tell Pete was struggling to keep his temper in check. But before he could say any more the bell rang.]
Pete: Stay away from him, Chloe. I didn't trust him before and I trust him even less now.
Chloe: Pete, don't say anything to anyone about this, OK?
Pete: [he smiled at her pleading eyes.] Our secret. [He agreed begrudgingly and she jumped into his arms giving him a sisterly hug.]
Chloe: You know that out of all the guys I love, you're my favorite.
Pete: Just keep Lex out of that crowd.
[Chloe just smiled angelically and ran in the opposite direction. She raced down the halls that still had only a few students walking through them. No one noticed the door swing open behind Chloe or the hands that grabbed her. One around her waist and the other muffling her started scream. She was dragged into the dark room and only a silent click of the look was heard.