Title: Surprise, Surprise.
Author: Lucy Mars
Disclaimer: Nah, not mine.
Chapter #10: Home Sweet Home.
Exiting the Talon and standing out in the open air, Chloe let out a breath of relief. If one more person came up to her and said her name in awe, she'd be sick. One more gushed and squeaky voice exclaiming how much she'd changed would make her burst. "Was I really that much of an ogre before?"
"What?" Lex asked coming out to stand beside Chloe.
"Was I an ogre before?" Chloe demanded crossing her arms angrily, "Because I've just spent the last two hours in that coffee shop having people come up to me and tell me with wonder in their voices about how much I've changed and how great I look. So tell me, was I really that hideous at 16?"
"You were not an ogre at 16." If Lex remembered correctly, she was rather pretty, in an annoying, demanding, reporter on the trail-esque way. She wasn't the beauty that she was now, but she wasn't hideous either.
She didn't believe him. "I don't believe you."
"Why not?"
"Because," Chloe stated stubbornly, "I don't."
"You've won me over with your argument," Lex replied dryly.
"Come on," Chloe pleaded, "Tell me that truth. Was I really that bad?"
"Chloe Sullivan," Lex smirked, "Are you fishing for compliments?"
Her face flushing an adorable shade of red, Chloe opened her mouth to protest but Lex effectively cut her off with a brush of his hand. Holding her car door for her, Lex waited impatiently. "Well, are you coming or not?"
"Where are we going?" Chloe asked slipping into the car.
"Home," Lex answered just before he slammed her door shut.
***
Finishing with the last report for the night, Lex methodically arranged the files that he would need for tomorrow and shut off his computer. Piling everything into his suitcase, he glanced up expecting to see Chloe still reading by the fireplace, but all he saw was a book lying face down on the cushion.
"Where did she go?" Lex muttered getting up and crossing the threshold quickly. Searching the kitchen first, Lex found nothing but gleaming appliances upon arrival. Moving onto his office next, Lex didn't find her checking her e-mail either. If Lex was addicted to the internet, then Chloe was an internet junkie in need of rehab.
Working his way through the various rooms he never used, Lex finally arrived in the solarium to discover Chloe curled up outside on a bench on the west side of the manor. Through the window, Lex examined the picture Chloe created. She made a beautiful picture sitting under a full moon, her blonde hair lighting up the darkness around her and casting a golden glow on the night.
There was only one thing missing. Him. Turning on his heel, Lex headed towards his study and poured two glasses of wine. Retracing his steps, Lex silently slipped out to where Chloe was sitting and murmured softly, so not to startle her, "I'm starting to think that you're addicted to the open space."
Wrapped securely in an oversized quilt, Chloe inhaled the sweet night air and moved over so that Lex could sit down on the bench with her. "I'm starting to think that I am." Chloe confessed, looking up at the million stars that highlighted the night sky.
Settling himself down beside her, Lex handed her a glass of wine. "It's been a long day." It was more of a statement than a question.
"It has, but it hasn't been all bad." Chloe smiled, looking at Lex over the rim of her glass.
"Really?" Lex asked feeling his lips quirk upwards at her admission.
"Really," Chloe said turning her attention back up to the glistening diamonds that lit up the night, "You've somehow managed to make what should have been a horrific day bearable. Thank you."
"Well, I try."
Laughing, Chloe opened her quilt up and waited for Lex to join her. Tucking the edges in around them, Chloe drank her wine, looked up at the stars and sat in comfortable with Lex. All in all, it wasn't a bad way to spend her night.
***
"Do you ever stop reading?"
Answering Lex with a distracted 'hmm,' Chloe moved her feet so that Lex could sit down beside her. Not raising her eyes once from the article she was reading, Chloe waited until Lex settled down beside her before depositing her legs across his lap.
Raising an amused eyebrow at the pair of feet resting quite comfortably on him, Lex didn't know whether to throw her feet to the ground or tickle them.
"Want a section?" Chloe asked blindly reaching behind her for the rest of the paper.
"No," Lex answered, "that's okay. I've got to head into work."
"Okay. Want some breakfast?" Chloe asked raising her eyes to meet his and offering him a piece of her toast.
"Coffee," Lex answered with a shake of his head. Dropping her feet to ground with a satisfying thud, Lex crossed the room to where a breakfast cart had been set up. "So what are you going to do all day without me?" Lex smirked, watching Chloe munch on her toast and read the editorials.
"Beside weep at the misery of being denied your company for a couple hours?" Chloe deadpanned.
"Yes, besides that."
"I don't know," Chloe said feeling a frown mar her features, "I hadn't really thought about it."
Sipping his coffee slowly, Lex slipped his free hand into his pocket. "Do think you'll spend all day here?"
"Sure," Chloe shrugged, "Why not. Maybe I'll take a walk around the grounds later, or check out what your library has to offer."
"In case you change your mind," Lex said tossing her a ring of keys, "and want to go for a drive."
Deftly catching the keys before they smacked her in the face, Chloe glanced up surprised at Lex. "Keys?"
"For a car," Lex smirked his eyes dancing with amusement.
"Really?" Chloe asked rolling her eyes at Lex, "I never would have guessed."
"Just trying to help,"
Holding the keys like they were made of glass, Chloe raised her eyes to meet Lex. "You really don't need to do all of this, Lex."
"So you've told me." Not waiting for a response, Lex swept out of the room as quickly as he arrived.
Watching the last piece of his coat disappear through the door and down the hall, Chloe shook her head. "I hate it when he does that."
Secretly though, she loved it.
***
"Son,"
Sighing, Lex resisted the urge to hang up his phone. "Hello father."
"Business is good," Lionel stated, his voice booming over the tiny receiver.
"Thank you for pointing out the obvious." Lex replied dryly.
Choosing to ignore his comment, Lionel plowed on. "I'm reading your first quarterly report…"
"That I've yet to release," Lex observed, not at all surprised.
"And I have to say," Lionel said acting as if he hadn't heard his son talk, "I'm impressed."
Sitting up now, Lex felt surprise inch its way towards him. He wasn't going to jump for joy yet. Lionel Luthor wasn't a praising sort of man…unless it was for himself.
"Your profits can be defined as mediocre."
And there it was, the words of a loving father. "Careful dad," Lex said dryly, "I just may take that as a compliment."
"Be sure not too," Lionel ordered, "That was anything but."
"I'll try and refrain myself,"
"Son, you know I want what's best for you,"
Since when? "Is that so dad?"
"And what's best for you," Lionel said, his voice booming all the way from Metropolis and filling Lex's office, "is to be in Metropolis with me."
Clenching his jaw, Lex had to resist the childish urge to shout 'liar, liar' at his father. Being away from his father was what was best for him. Being as far away as possible from his father's influence was what was best for him. Being happy for the first time in so long was what was best for him.
"Lex?"
"Father," Lex grounded out slowly, "We've had this discussion before, and my answer still hasn't changed."
"I've put up with this for long enough, Lex."
I've put up with you for long enough. "And you're going to have to put up with it for a little while longer, dad."
"What can you possibly learn in Smallville of all places?" Lionel demanded the anger evident in his voice.
How to be a good man.
"Lex?" Lionel snapped when the only answer he received from his son was silence.
"I have a meeting," Lex said nodding wordlessly at his secretary when she discreetly entered his office.
"This discussion isn't over, son."
Yes, it was. "Goodbye father." Lex said hanging up the phone.
***
Soaking up the entire Normal Rockwell-ness of it all, Chloe lazily wandered down the vacant streets of the downtown district. The boutiques were all the same and the bakeries still selling the same tarts and treats. It was almost eerie to be walking down the unchanged streets as a different woman.
Chloe almost found herself longing for the swarming crowds of Metropolis and the nameless faces that greeted you at ever turn. Once in awhile it was nice to just be swallowed up by the masses. Once in awhile, it was nice to be no one, especially when you just wanted to be left alone.
The people were still as polite as ever. Every once an awhile someone would stop her and welcome her back to town. It was touching and borderline annoying.
But, there was a part of Chloe that was touched by all the warm welcomes. She almost felt missed. The resident outsider for so many years, it was ironic that now she was starting to feel like part of the community. Ironic, because the Chloe of today was more of an outsider then the Chloe of yesterday. She was nothing like the residents of Smallville now. After the last few years in Metropolis, Chloe knew she could never be part of the small town ever again. It was nice to be back, but she didn't belong here. She never did.
Great, now she was getting all maudlin.
Her cheeks were red and chapped by the cold, her face was sore from smiling politely for so long and her coffee was too sweet. How hard was it to make a black coffee with one sugar? Obviously, much more difficult than the people at the Talon could handle. Sighing, Chloe found herself longing for the manor. At least there she could be alone when she wanted to and be with people when she needed company. In town…she had no choice. Maybe she'd made a mistake by coming into town. It wasn't the people that were the problem though.
It was crazy how everyone in Smallville was so nice.
"Chloe Sullivan?"
Well, maybe not everyone.
"Ms. Potter," Chloe greeted as politely as she could. She'd never liked Nell. There was something about her slanted eyes and constantly pursed mouth that made Chloe suspicious.
"Well," Nell said taking in Chloe's changed appearance with obvious surprise, "Lana wasn't kidding when she said that you had changed."
Looking down at the simple black slacks, white sweater and black overcoat that Lex had left in her room, Chloe had to admit it wasn't a Chloe-Smallville-ish outfit, but it was growing on her nonetheless. Slipping off her sunglasses when Nell didn't make any move to intimate the quick greeting that the rest of the town had used, Chloe pointed out the obvious, "You look exactly as I remember, Nell."
Giving Chloe an appraising look, Nell was right not to take that as a compliment. "Lana tells me that you graduated from high school last year."
"I did," Chloe answered eyeing Nell suspiciously. Why was Nell Potter taking out time from her day to actually converse with her? Chloe had never been particularly close with Lana and especially not with Nell. What did she want?
"Lana also tells me that you're staying with Lex Luthor."
Bingo. "I am." Chloe confirmed, not offering any explanation or elaboration about the situation.
Giving Chloe an annoyed look when she didn't make this easy for her, Nell persisted. "I never knew that you and Lex were such good friends."
A small smirk playing over her lips, Chloe answered casually, "Well, we are."
"How does your father feel about you staying with Lex?" Nell asked looking over Chloe's expensive clothes and new attitude. Nell would be lying if she didn't admit that Chloe had blossomed into an urbanite beauty, but her niece was still better. Lana was the classical definition of brilliance and Lana was more deserving on the Luthor name than Chloe could ever be.
Easily masking her emotions, Chloe told Nell coolly, "He didn't have anything bad to say about it."
Narrowing her eyes at Chloe, Nell informed her bluntly, "People in town are talking,"
"I have found that people are going to talk whether we want them too or not," Chloe said not rising to the bait, "Also, if I remember correctly, talk is harmless and just part of the 'small town' charm."
Flinching just where Chloe knew she would, Nell felt her patience with Chloe wear out. "Aren't you bothered by what people are saying about you and Lex?"
"I have a better question," Chloe said pulling herself to her full height and looking down at Nell with displeasure. She didn't like being played and that was what Nell was trying to do to her. "Aren't you bothered that I've suddenly appeared out of nowhere and thrown your carefully planned life for Lana out the window, Nell?"
When Nell didn't say anything, Chloe plowed on calmly. "Aren't you at all annoyed by the fact that I'm the one living at the Luthor ancestral home, and not your darling niece? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see your displeasure with the entire situation, Nell. Though I'm sure that Lana has no clue how you 'really' feel about it."
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Nell demanded, glowering at Chloe's calm face. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. This wasn't the way that Nell had planned her life would be. She had never planned to live in Smallville for the rest of her life. But if she couldn't have what she wanted, then she would make sure that Lana would. Chloe wasn't supposed to step in and complicate things. She was so close to making Lana and Lex more than 'just' friends. She had enough problems with Clark Kent constantly around. Nell didn't need Chloe to make things worse.
Ignoring her question, Chloe slipped on her sunglasses and told Nell warmly, "It was nice seeing you again, Ms. Potter."
Smiling at Nell, Chloe effortless side stepped the older woman and walked away. Maybe coming into town hadn't been such a bad idea.
Watching Chloe slip into Lex's car and drive away, Nell muttered to nobody in particular, "This isn't how it's supposed to be."
***
"Busy?"
"Chloe?" Lex asked, tearing his mind away from fertilizer for one brief second.
"Yup," Chloe chirped, munching on a carrot stick, "Busy?"
"Not really," Lex said, his eyes falling on his barren office.
"Good. Listen, do you feel like chicken or fish tonight?"
What? "What?"
"Chicken or fish," Chloe repeated scrutinizing every inch of Lex's massive fridge, "What do you feel like eating tonight?"
"Ah," Lex stuttered, thrown for a second, "I feel like eating whatever the cook prepares?"
"See, that's where you run into problems seeing how I'm making dinner tonight."
"You're what?" Lex asked dumbly.
"Making dinner," Chloe said grabbing some vegetables and throwing them into the sink, "Do you feel like having salad tonight? Maybe I'll make a potato salad. Or we can just forgo the salad and…"
"Chloe," Lex said cutting her off, "Why are you making dinner when it can be made for you?"
"You can't see me, but I'm currently rolling my eyes at you rich boy."
"All right,"
"I'm making dinner," Chloe said emphasizing the words, "because it's fun."
"Fun?" Lex echoed, disbelief lacing his tone.
"Fun," Chloe confirmed, "Come on, making dinner is fun!"
"I'll have to take your word for it."
"You've never made dinner before." It was more a statement than a question.
"Do you really want me to answer that?" Lex asked leaning back in his seat and feeling the stress from the day melt away. The stress that had been planted there since his father's phone call this morning.
"Save your breath," Chloe ordered, "Are you done for the day?"
Looking at the documents and reports that could wait until tomorrow, Lex felt something rise through him at the realization that he had somewhere else to be. That he had someone waiting for him at home. What was that feeling?
"Lex?" Chloe asked interrupting his silent questions.
"Sorry," Lex said pushing the foreign emotions aside for a second, "Yeah, I'm done for the day."
"Good. You can help me make dinner."
Make dinner? "Make dinner?"
"Yeah," Chloe said laughing at the disbelief in Lex's voice, "Get your ass home buster. You're gonna help me make dinner."
Before Lex could protest, Chloe hung up on him. "Well…" Lex said to no one in particular, "okay."
***
"See," Chloe laughed, watching Lex stir the sauce as she sliced cucumbers, "I told you making dinner was fun."
Looking up from the pot that he was concentrating on, Lex couldn't find any points to disagree with Chloe. It was fun. The almost burning yourself wasn't fun, but aside from that, he was having a great time doing what had been done for him his entire life. Making dinner was like taking an adventure with Chloe. She buzzed from one end of the kitchen to the other, adding ingredients and dashes of spices that he's only ever seen in passing. Preparing dinner, as Lex slowly discovered, was nothing like preparing breakfast. The simplicity of the first meal was quickly lost in the drama that was the last. Chloe's logic was that the mornings weren't a time for excitement, whereas the night was.
"So we're being adventurous with the last meal of the day?" Lex asked, watching Chloe slice chicken with the same ease and confidence that she did everything else with.
"Always," Chloe told Lex seriously, "Breakfast can just consist of coffee, and lunch a bagel, but dinner, dinner always has to be a full meal. Dinner is when you unwind. It's when you sit down and just let the problems of the day drift behind you and the problems of tomorrow stay where they are. No need worrying about things you've already dealt with and things you can't prevent, right?"
"Right," Lex grinned leaving the more difficult parts of dinner to Chloe and moving over so that she'd have room to work. He'd do what he did best. Lex would just observe.
"Try this," Chloe said dipping a small piece of chicken in the sauce that Lex had made, "All your hard work comes down to this."
His hand reached over to take the piece of chicken from her fingers, but they moved on their own accord and gently caught her wrist. His eyes flying up to Chloe's, Lex was surprised to see her smiling at him, instead of frowning. Pulling her closer, Lex let her slim fingers feed him the small sliver of chicken. His lips barely grazing the tips of her fingers, Lex never let go of Chloe's hand as he ate the chicken and she never pulled away.
"Is it good?" Chloe asked her voice soft and a little hesitant.
"Delicious," Lex grinned.
Smiling slyly at Lex, Chloe reached over and gently ran her finger over his bottom lip. "You had a little bit of sauce there," she explained when he looked up at her. Giving Lex one last smile, Chloe pulled away and put the final touches on their meal.
"What do you want to drink?" Lex asked, recovering quickly.
"Anything's fine," Chloe said looking at Lex through her fallen bangs, "How was work today?"
"Good," Lex grinned pouring two glasses of wine, his phone call with his father momentarily forgotten.
"Take over any companies today?" Chloe teased taking the wine from Lex.
"I save that for Friday," Lex quipped taking the plates that Chloe handed him, "Lets me feel like I've had a full week."
"Let's go eat," Chloe laughed playfully pushing Lex into the dining room, "Corporate Raider Man."
"I prefer Mastermind."
Shaking her head, Chloe sat down to dinner with Lex and for the first time in a long time, she felt at home. She finally felt like she had a home again.
***
TBC.