Title: The Virus

Author: NickyJean

Disclaimer: That's right, they're not mine…What of it?

A/N: Well, this is it….I'm not posting on FanFict till my Beta goes over it but you guess get the preview, well final draft before I turn it in to the teacher…LOL

Chapter 12

[The first thing Chloe noticed was that her surroundings were soft against her skin. The plush comforter was wrapped around her body and the satin sheets were beneath her. The fluffy pillow under her head sunk under her weight.

She couldn't help wanting to keep her eyes closed, the brightness of the room penetrated her closed eyelids. She willed herself to open them despite thoughts to the contrary.

Once her world came into focus she noticed a person in the room. Mrs. Kent stood by the door watching her. Martha noticed right away Chloe had awakened and said something about telling the others. Chloe for a moment thought she was now alone. She should have known better as she felt someone else's presence. That someone being Lex Luthor.

Chloe: Great I've died and gone to hell. [Smiling at the look that flickered in Lex's eyes.]

[Looking around the room, she realized she had to be in Lex's house in one of Lex's rooms. Maybe his room. Her face felt hot at the thought and if she was a lesser woman she thought she might have been blushing.]

Lex: It's nice to see you back to your snarky self, Chloe.

Chloe: What am I doing here? Why aren't we at Clark's?

Lex: After that run in with the newest Wall of Weird nomination he knocked out all the power at the Kent's. I suggested my manor would be safer with our security and all. We have a back up generator just in case and fireplaces in most of the rooms.

Chloe: Clark, [she remembered all of a sudden] Where's Clark? Is he OK?

[Lex was a little hurt at the concern for him and he had to force the words out.]

Lex: Clark is in one of the other rooms. He was shocked pretty bad. He regained consciousness for a moment but then passed out again. His pulse and breathing are both fine. Lana and Mr. Kent have been with him while Mrs. Kent and myself wanted to make sure you were OK. Are you OK?

Chloe: I guess we needed a chaperone huh? [She chuckled looking up at him trying to sit up. It made her dizzy a bit but she refused to let that stop her.]

Lex: Chloe, you really should be resting.

Chloe: I'm fine really, but thanks for your concern.

Lex: I … I [He looked like he was trying to say something and Chloe couldn't help but smile.]

Chloe: Usually I have to ask some embarrassing question to get you speechless. Normally though it involves a no comment at the beginning.

Lex: [he smiled a bit more reassured of himself] It's just that I was very worried about you and you were in danger. I don't like feeling helpless, so don't ever do that again.

Chloe: That sounded like an order there.

Lex: It was; not that I expect you to follow it or anything. [He had a look on him that seemed almost, should I say innocent? ]

Chloe: *Does he really care about me? * You are a very wise man to know me so well.

Lex: Of course I know you, [He smirked, radiating the superiority that he has been taught from birth.] You are stubborn; it's one of the things I love about you.

[He almost cursed as the words left his mouth, but his practiced expression made it appear less a slip of the tongue and more of figure of speech.]

Chloe: So, tell me what else you love about me.

Lex: I've never known you to need your ego stroked.

Chloe: I've never known you to back down from a challenge.

Lex: A challenge? Is that what this is?

Chloe: No, that's what I am. [She smiled at him a knowing smile.]

Lex: [he knew where this was going and he felt honor bound to nip it in the bud as Mr. Kent so poetically put it once they reached the manor.] You know this can never work.

Chloe gave him a look of confusion.

Lex: You and me. We just, I mean, from two separate worlds.

Chloe: We're not that different. I was born in Metropolis, remember.

Lex: There are lots of other things though. Despite Metropolis, we both have very different backgrounds.

Chloe: Are you trying to convince me or yourself? I hate to break it to you but I already had this conversation before and I have to say it came to a different conclusion.

Lex: That's because you are optimistic and have the whole world ahead of you.

Chloe: Optimistic, [she laughed] that's just not true. I'm usually the most cynical, pessimist person I know. But I am stubborn and I do have a way of going after things that are important to me.

Lex: So I'm important to you? [His heart clenched and his eyes danced at the thought]

Chloe: Not important so much as other things. [slightly turning red under the scrutiny of Lex's gaze.]

Lex: Other things like what?

[Chloe was saved from answering by Jonathan's timely arrival. Lex jumped from the bed as if stung and moved toward the fireplace. Jonathan wasn't fooled.]

Jonathan: Chloe, it's good to see you feeling better.

Chloe: I'm feeling fine, Mr. Kent. Thank you. [She almost chuckled at the looks Jonathan was giving Lex and at Lex trying to avoid them.]

Jonathan: Has Lex mentioned that your father was able to find a flight back home and will be here soon? Pete and Whitney went to pick him up.

Lex: Yes, my private jet was able to take off and will get him here that much sooner.

[Chloe knew Lex was only reminding Jonathan that her father arriving was all Lex's doing and that he wasn't the least bit afraid of Gabe showing up or the confrontation that was sure to follow.]

Chloe: No, we hadn't really had much time to discuss anything.

[Lex wisely turned to the fire of the fireplace not wanting Jonathan to see the emotions on his face.]

Jonathan: Well, I'm sure once Gabe gets here, you two can have a long talk-.

Jonathan was cut of by Martha's scream. He turned from the others and ran from the room. Lex was also quick to action as he grabbed a quarter-staff. As Lex reached the threshold both Chloe and he watched as Jonathan flew threw the air under the impact of the electrical charge the Virus had just juiced him with. Martha was trapped behind the enemy fearful of her husband's condition.

The Virus on the other hand had a very angry Luthor in front of him. Lex held the quarter-staff with all the expertise of Little John. The Virus quirked a smile and studied Lex.

Virus: You don't really think you can hurt me with that do you? I'll just shock you.

Lex didn't waste the opportunity and struck out at the villain, sweeping his feet from under him.

Lex: Wood doesn't conduct electricity. [With that he tried to drive the wood staff down but the Virus rolled away.]

Virus: Yeah, but I do. [He then whipped out a long metal chain and Lex watched it glow green with electricity.] Let's see how good you really are.

Martha: Lex, be careful.

Lex: Go Mrs. Kent, and lock the door behind you.

Martha: Jonathan?

Chloe: I've got him. He's fine. [Chloe was sitting by the prone Jonathan. She found his pulse, which was strong.]

Lex: Chloe, get back in that room and lock the door. [Virus used the distraction to his advantage and was able to make a quick hit. The combined force had Lex airborne for a moment. He landed on his ass with his staff a few feet away from him.

The virus started heading toward Chloe, ignoring Lex inbetween them. Lex only had enough time to either grab Chloe or the staff so he went for Chloe.

Lex: Chloe run.

[He ordered grabbing her hand and racing down the stairs with her in tow.

The Virus just laughed with malicious intent, stalking down the stairs. Lex knew his house well and chose the room with the least amount of metal, his dining room to hide out. The only problem was that there were two entrances to the room. One was blocked by the Virus, the other lead to the kitchen, which was a dead end and was designed with stainless steel. Here would have to be the stand off.

Lex kept Chloe protectively behind him as he watched the Virus pace back and forth with relish with only the dining room table to separate them.

The Virus: So this is it? The last stand? The final act? I thought it would be grander than this for some reason. Like some sort of Luthor grand scale. But I guess in the end I just electrocute you and take the girl anyway.

Chloe: Don't hurt him. I'll come with you. You don't have to electrocute him. [Chloe fought against Lex's hold, trying to distance herself from him as best she could.]

Virus: You don't get it, sweet thing. I'm going to zap him. It's just how much is the question. I mean, for all this inconvenience, all this run around. I am a little put out.

Lex: What do you want? You don't need her. I can give you money.

Virus: I'm sure you could. But you, trying to buy me off, I'm hurt. Don't you think my intentions are honorable?

Lex showed no emotions as the Virus taunted him. He kept his mind focused on the chain the Virus was using as a weapon.

The Virus did something unexpected and climbed onto the table. Lex edged more for the corner on the opposite wall. The Virus walked to and fro on the table, measuring his options.

With Chloe still behind him, Lex realized he didn't have much maneuvering room. He started to panic and pushed Chloe toward the kitchen entrance.

Lex: Run, Chloe.

The both took off for the kitchen with the Virus hot on their heels. Lex and Chloe were almost instantly backed into a corner. Lex kept tossing metal carts in to ward off the attacker, but the villain just laughed at the attempt. Lex had his hands on one he was going to shove at him when Virus hit it with his chain. The current ran through the object knocking Lex onto the floor.

Chloe: Oh, my God.

She crouched down to him, Lex trying to shake his head clear. She pulled him to her as the Virus just smiled with triumph.

Virus: This is it baby, just you and me. I can't tell you how long I've been waiting for this.

He advanced on her and Chloe tried to place herself between him and Lex. Lex on the other hand was relying on adrenaline to protect her. He forced himself to his feet and once again, shoved her behind him.

Lex: It's never going to happen.

Virus: Come on, there's no where to run. Nowhere to hide. I win.

To prove his superiority he raised up his chain and swung it harmlessly in the air. It glowed green with electric current, making it that much more menacing.

Lex said nothing; there was nothing to say. He had to protect her even if it meant his life. But of course with him dead he couldn't protect her either. He refused to let his mind give up as he continued to contemplate and disregard ideas for escape.

Lex: You can't have her. I won't let you.

Virus: I just love your arrogance.

Finally tired of the game he swung his chain and it struck Lex in the midsection throwing him and Chloe into the wall.

Virus: No one can save you now.

Then a shotgun blast echoed into the kitchen. The Virus looked stunned as he felt, for the second time, his life bleed from his body. He collapsed to his knees then, with shock still on his face, fell to the floor, dead.

Gabe: Nobody hurts my little girl.

Slowly coming around from the last shock and the dizziness from the wall that she bounced off of Chloe only looked in wonderment.

Chloe: Daddy? [He just smiled. Chloe felt Lex stir beside her and she said his name hoping that he was awake and OK] Are you all right?

[Struggling to get to his feet and holding her up as well, Lex only nodded]

Lex: Are you OK?

Chloe: Fine, [She just smiled sweetly and looked into his eyes. The tenderness there was something that Lex had really seen before. Her lips so soft, her smile so sweet. He leaned in and just as his lips were about to touch hers he heard the sound of a cocking shotgun.]

Gabe: Now Mr. Luthor, I know you're not really going to be kissing my little girl while I'm standing here with a shotgun right?

Lex couldn't help but want to disregard the threat, but he turned to see that Gabe did indeed have the shotgun aimed at him. This was not the first impression on 'Can I date your daughter?' that he wanted to make.

Lex: No, Sir.

Chloe: Well, I am [She said with a stomp of her foot and threw herself into him, kissing him with all her might. Gabe just sighed and shook his head.]

Gabe: She's as stubborn as her mother, [seeing the audience that had gathered] Whitney, Pete, go break that up. I think I need a drink. [He rubbed his newfound migraine.]

~*~

Epilogue:

Chloe strolled up to the fence where Jonathan was working on barbed wire.

Chloe: Hello Mr. Kent.

Jonathan: Hey, Chloe. Clark's out right now--.

Chloe: Actually, I came to see you…. I, ah, have a confession to make.

Jonathan: Bigger than you and Lex? [The look he gave her made her want to hide, but her pride refused to acknowledge the disapproving look.]

Chloe: Ha, Ha…. Respectfully not going there, Sir. What I came to discuss was that, well that story I did on Clark for school….

Jonathan started to look a bit uncomfortable.

Jonathan: What about it?

Chloe: Well, I never really got rid of the information. Selfishly, in the back of my mind I figured that if he would one day want the information and then he would have to come to me to get it. I was hoping that it would be something he would only be able to share with me.

But that is not why I want to become a reporter, or even why I want to uncover secrets. I only want to find the truth to protect people from those keeping the secrets. I don't want to hurt people by finding out the truth, and I don't want to do it just to have leverage or embarrass people. This secret of Clark's, it's his and it won't hurt anyone, because let's face it, you and Mrs. Kent raised a boy that would never hurt anyone purposefully or otherwise. He should be protected and so should his secret.

So on top of getting rid of my own information, you have the only copy there, I also kind of covered up all the inconsistencies.

Jonathan: How..?

Chloe: I wasn't always the Paragon of Virtue you see before you. I've fractionated a law or two in my day. This stuff [handing him a manila envelope] is the information that I used to cover it up. You might want to read through it in case questions arise from someone trying to investigate Clark.

Technically, adoption records are sealed even from the children of the people involved, but in your case you knew who was involved that made the family more comfortable. So you can't get caught in knowing too much or not enough.

Make sure you go over this stuff eventually with Clark. If he ever decides to know about his family he'll never be able to tell what's real and what's fabricated.

[Seeing the doubt in Jonathan's eyes, Chloe smiled] No really, I'm that good.

The only other person, who knows, knew about this was Tom. He never would have told anyone, but I guess that's irrelevant now. Just know you have everything now and no one has any of the original information. Your secrets, whatever they are, are safe with me. I don't need to know the truth to know how important it is to you and your family, and I would never hurt Clark.

Jonathan: Chloe, all this was really unnecessary, but thank you.

[His gratitude was something that really humbled her, but Chloe being Chloe didn't allow the deeper emotions to show.]

Chloe: Not a problem Mr. Kent. What are friends for?

~*~

Clark stood in the secret room where Lex had been keeping the car and everything else of the Clark mystery. His was at the point of rage that Lex had been lying to him for so long.

Clark: Lex, you swore that you let this go.

Lex: Well, I couldn't… Until now.

[Lex jammed his hands into his pocket, feeling as guilty as someone who had committed murder. He understood Clark's anger and even his distrust. He just hoped that maybe Clark would be able to forgive him for his transgression.]

Clark: Why, what changed your mind?

Lex: Believe it or not, Chloe.

Clark: Chloe?

Lex: Yes, she asked me what I was going to do once I found out the truth. Why I couldn't just accept you, secret or not.

I realized you were the first person to accept me. Money or not, power or not, evil father. You just accepted me as I was and judged me for what I did. How could I not do the same for someone that means so much to me?

So I decided to just accept the mystery that is Clark. I guess I really do like you more than I care about knowing.

Clark: Do you mean it this time?

Lex: More than you know. But there is one problem. [Going to his computer] I also received some information from sources unknown. I don't know if it's the only copy but I'm looking into that [looking at Clark] for your sake not mine. I'll let you know what I uncover, but it looks like someone was going into your past.

[On the computer screen Clark watched nervously as his adoption information came up.]

There seems to be a before and after. Its almost like someone was covering up your past, making it more plausible. They used the information that was there originally to add more information that makes this almost infallible. So who ever did it doesn't seem like they were out to hurt you, but protect you. It's the person that sold me this information that I'm more concerned with. I just want to find out if it's the only copy.

[Clark watched the information stunned. He recognized Chloe's work. He knew she was behind the added information. But he couldn't believe she'd go out of her way to come up with this elaborate scheme just to turn around and sell it to Lex. But he didn't tell Lex of his suspicions he had to talk to his family first. Which means explaining that Lex was still investigating him. Well was investigating him.

Lex watched Clark absorb the information. He prayed that Clark wouldn't hate him for protecting Chloe. He deliberately made sure her name didn't appear anywhere in the information. He knew Chloe was only trying to protect Clark and once he found out who stole the information from Chloe, Lex was sure that it would be the end of it. Chloe would never hurt Clark, but Lex knew it might hurt Chloe and Clark's friendship if Clark found out that Chloe was involved in searching into his past. He couldn't let that happen. He cared about them both too much to let either of them be hurt.]

Clark: Thanks, Lex. This means a lot to me.

Lex: Don't worry about it, what are friends for?

~*~

The End

~*~

A/N

HELP WANTED:

Struggling fanfic writer seeking fun-loving Beta. Great salary offered. Well, not really offered, more like wished for, let's face it you get no salary, I can't help it I'm poor. Volunteers only. Those expecting money other then love, appreciation and eternal graditude, need not apply. Only serious offers considered. Must have a love for the Chlexness (Smallville), Spuffiness (Buffy), and a scence of humor. Must also be old enough for NC-17's (No notes from mothers or other guardians will be excepted.) Please send your resume to Nickyanddannyboy@msn.com. No phone calls please.