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: Nope, still nothing…but I was thinking of buying a light bulb someday.

A/N: see bottom….R/R

Chapter 8

[Lex sat in his office once again thinking of Chloe. He hurt. He hurt a lot. This shouldn't be happening. He wasn't supposed to feel, well bad. He might feel disappointment or even a little self-disgust but the pain he caused Chloe the anger in her voice that tore at something he didn't know he had. This was just supposed to be about sex. Sure he respected her. He knew he could talk to her as an intelligent person unlike the debutantes that he was used to. But she wasn't supposed to be something that had influence over his emotions. Not something that could make him so happy or so sad.

His thoughts were interrupted by his e-mail chiming in.

Lex:

I noticed you had an interest in Clark Kent. Well, I happen to have some information that was being electronically manipulated about him. If you are interested in this information electronically transfer five hundred thousand dollars to the attached account numbers. This offer terminates in forty-eight hours.

Also attached is a preview of what the information holds. You may recognize the source.

Sincerely,

Someone concerned

Lex opened the file and found Chloe's name printed on top of the document. It went into information about Clark's adoptions and her theories. Before it could go into detail it was abruptly ended. There was more but Lex knew he would have to pay for the rest. He had no idea who would have sent the information but his concern lay with the fact that Chloe's name was in the file. That fact alone caused fear to creep through him. He debated whether or not to go and confront Chloe about the information when the chime once again alerted an incoming message.

Luthor:

I will be out of town for the next few days due to a death in the family. My sister was in a tragic accident and Chloe and I will be flying out by the time you read this. I took care of the shifts and also made sure that Johnson knew what was going on while I was away.

Sincerely,

Gabe Sullivan

Lex felt a moment of sympathy for Chloe and her father. To have this happen after everything else, he really thought this would be good for her. To get away from everything for a while. He knew that the last person Chloe would want to see would be him but he couldn't allow her to think he didn't care. He took a resolving breath, rose and put on his coat. He knew there was one other person he could talk to. One other person who may not have forgiven him but wouldn't deny his request to express his sympathy to Chloe.]

~*~

[Music pumped from Chloe's house. 'I Want Candy' could be made out as a person moved in closer proximity. Inside Lana just sat on the couch shaking her head as a drunken Chloe danced around her living room.

When Chloe called and begged Lana to come over she figured that Chloe really needed a girl to talk to. She was surprised that Chloe really called her over to be a baby sitter.

Earlier Chloe sat in the archway of her home as Lana approached. The look on Chloe's face wiped the smile from Lana's. In Chloe's and was a bottle of beer and she only said it wasn't healthy to drink alone as she ushered Lana into the living room. It only took a moment to discover that Mr. Sullivan was in Omaha for some convention to take the place of someone else at the last minute. Leaving Chloe all alone, which after yesterday's events she planned on taking full advantage of.

In the beginning she tried to talk Chloe out of drinking but it didn't do any good.

Lana: Are you sure we should be drinking this stuff?

Chloe: Not 'we' ME. You are not allowed to be corrupted oh Paragon of Virtue. You are just here to keep me company. I trust you and I really need someone I can actually trust right now. No secrets. Not you. [There was a trace of sadness in Chloe's eyes that just tore at Lana. But she knew she had to stay firm.]

Lana: Aren't you too under age to be drinking?

Chloe: Do you realize that in other countries, like Germany for instance, as soon as you reach the stool you can drink. [she paused for a moment] Do you think it's worth it?

Lana: Is what worth it?

Chloe: Being able to drink if it's only warm beer. I've had warm beer before. It's just well nasty.

[Now after about forty-five minutes and a lot of really loud music Chloe was effectively buzzed. Lana would have been nervous but as Chloe became less stable she also drank less bringing out glasses of tea that she alternated between swigs of beer.

Lana: This really isn't a good idea. I mean I don't want you to be drunk.

Chloe: I'm not drunk [she didn't slur her words but she did stagger a bit.] I am just twitterpated.

Lana: Like Bambi?

Chloe: No silly, I'm not a deer. I'm a person. 'Twitterpated' is just the word I use instead of buzzed. [Lana reached for the unopened bottles of beer and Chloe slapped her hand away.] No! You are a good girl and I will not contribute to the delinquency of minors. Besides you probably couldn't hold it anyway. [The words were accented with a very girlish giggle that Lana was sure Chloe would be traumatized if Lana ever reminded her that she did it.]

Lana: It's nice to know you're concerned about me but [Lana decided to humor Chloe instead of argue with her] don't you want the beer cold. I could put it in the fridge.

Chloe seemed to ponder the thought for a moment before a wide smile appeared on her face and she nodded her head approvingly.

Lana disappeared for a moment and quickly returned to see Chloe staring at her. She was so close that Lana almost ran her down.

Chloe: You know I love you.

Lana just nodded her head warily. I love you too, Chloe.

Chloe: Enough to hold my hair back when I throw up.

Lana: [Panicked] You're not going to be sick now are you?

Chloe: No silly. I haven't drank nearly enough for that.

Lana: [She sighed in relief. But then looked into Chloe's hopeful eyes and realized that she hadn't answered her question.] Of course I would hold your hair back. What are friends for?

[Chloe rushed Lana with a hug.]

Chloe: See I knew you loved me too. A person would only do that for someone they love. I mean yeah, they might care enough to give you a soda or something to watch your mouth out with. Or a rag to clean up with but only a person who really loves you will hold back your hair.

Lana: Ah, yeah.

Chloe: [She looked almost sad and lost at the same time.] I've never had a girl as a friend before. What ever they've talked about never interest me? I was never one for talking about boys or make-up. But you know, you're not so bad. I mean it's better then mooning over Clark mooning over you. Or having Lex stick his hands down my shirt.

Lana: What?!?

Chloe: I mean sure it was nice, but I'm not going to sell my soul to the devil just for a roll in the hay. I mean, I sure he'd do it but is that really what I want my first time to be, with a much more experience guy that's probably just keeping me distracted while Clark goes after you.

Lana: Again, What?!?

Chloe: Do you think he really wants me at all? I mean we did go to the dance.

Lana: Lex?

Chloe: No silly, Clark. I mean he must have wanted me a little right? Just not as much as he wants you. But that could change right?

Lana: I'm sure Clark cares about you.

Chloe: But he's been trying so hard to get me into bed and when he's not we're just fighting like cats and dogs.

Lana: Clark's trying to sleep with you.

Chloe: [Looking disappointed at her child] No, Lex, pay attention.

Lana gulped: Lex has been trying to sleep with you? I didn't even know you two could stand each other especially recently. But then again that could explain why he's been acting this way about your friend. He's jealous.

Chloe: No, not jealous, possessive. He told me so himself. Once he has me he may never let anyone near me again, except of course my father. [She laughed with such sadness that Lana couldn't help but want to hold her.]

Lana: Oh, Chloe, [She didn't know what to say.] Do you like him? I mean do you want him to like you?

Chloe: He makes me feel all bubbly and not to mention that he actually seems to want me even if it is for just sex. You know this is all Clark's fault. If it weren't for him Lex wouldn't have even talked to me. If Clark had showed the slightest interest in anything but you, I wouldn't be so confuse. You know what though, I don't blame you. I wish I could, but I can't. [After a moment of deep thought] I love you Lana. [Then she grabbed the girl into another big bear hug.]

Lana: [She patted Chloe on the back and hugged her in return] I love you too Chloe. [with a new resolve for her new friend] Now this is suppose to be a party and you are sitting here all mopey.

Chloe: [definitely] I'm not mopey.

Lana: Well then come on and dance with me then…[dragging Chloe off the couch]

~*~

Clark sat at the counter of the Beanery. Liz told Clark that Lana wasn't coming in tonight. That she was over a Chloe's. He sat there wondering if he should risk going over there right now. After all everything with Chloe and Lex still shocked him. He couldn't decide if he was hurt or relieved to know that he wasn't the only person in the world that had mixed emotions. He could feel something between him and Lana. The way she would look at him and smiled. It was almost like she wanted reassurance that he still cared for her because she seemed to start to care for him.

Then Chloe had to go and be so darn cute and open. She would just look at him with open love and he just wanted to drown in it. At least she did before the tornadoes. Now she was as reserved as Lana. She cared, he could see it but she wasn't about to act on it. The difference between the two was that Lana had Whitney for a reason and Chloe didn't.]

Lex: Clark

[His friend dragged him out of his thoughts. Yeah, he forgave him already. Most of what he said last night made sense and he accepted that just maybe Lex might have feelings for Chloe too. Not to mention Clark used his super hearing and over heard the conversation between Tom and Lex. It was something he couldn't stop thinking about for a while.]

Clark: Hey, Lex.

Lex: Listen, I know you're still mad at me and all but could you tell Chloe that I'm really sorry about her aunt.

Clark: What about Mrs. Swan?

Lex: Well, I got the e-mail early this morning that Mr. Sullivan's sister had died and that both Chloe and him were going to be out of town.

Clark [He almost jumped out his seat.] First, Mr. Sullivan doesn't have a sister or brother for that matter. All the aunts and uncles are on Chloe's mother's side. Most importantly, Chloe hasn't gone anywhere. Lana's at her house right now. She's planning on there be all night.

Lex: [He eyes went straight up to the ceiling for he closed them and frustration and took a deep breath that was released as a sigh] The e-mail specifically said Chloe was going too. [He could see the Clark was getting that same uneasy feeling.] Is this what your trouble radar feels like? It's quite discomforting. [Clark might have smiled if he wasn't worried.] I think we better get over there. Looks like the trouble we both knew was coming is here.

They both headed out. But Lex stopped.]

Lex: Wait, you go to The Lenox Hotel. That's where Tom is staying and see if you can find out anything. I'll go get Chloe and Lana and meet you back at your house.

Clark looked like he was about to argue but he realized with his super speed he could get to the hotel and home with enough time for Lex to get Chloe and Lana. He nodded his head in agreement and Lex jumped in his car and took off. ]

~*~

A/N: OK when I started this, I was like wouldn't it be funny if Chloe was drunk and Lana and her did the girl thing dancing around the table and such. Then it snowballed and became important…this is how Clark knows that Chloe's out of town and not to mention the thought of a drunk Chloe talking to Lex since their first fight. But then it wasn't as funny as I thought it would be…So over the next couple of chapters please tell me what you like and don't like and offer suggestions…be specific or vague…cuz this parts not working for me but now the story relies on it…