Disclaimer: Don't own them, but I'm up to almost a book of "Things to do
with the Smallville Men"
A/N: Thank-you to all the wonderful people who read and review. You make me feel all warm and fuzzy.
Author request: Does anyone know if Chloe's mom has been given a name yet? If so could you please email me! Thank-you!!!
Chapter 5: Lunch and other edibles.
A slow smile spread across Chloe's face. Just as she was about to speak the office door opened. Both of them turned in time to see Lionel, cane in hand enter the office.
"Lex, Stevens tells me Miss Sullivan has arrived." Chloe moved across the room to where Lionel stood just inside the door. Taking his free hand in both of hers Chloe then placed it on her arm as she'd seen Mrs. Kent do so many times.
"Yes Mr. Luthor, I got here a few minutes ago, how are you today?"
Lionel smiled. "I'm fine dear, but please call me Lionel. I'm not that ancient that it would make you uncomfortable?" Chloe guided the man through the room.
"No I could handle that if you can handle calling me Chloe?" They reached the couch and Chloe placed his hand on the arm and watched him take a seat.
"Chloe it is then. So what have you two been up to?" Lionel asked sounding like he thought they'd been plotting which of the many spots in the garden it would be best to bury his body in after lunch.
"I was just getting the Lex Luthor health update." Chloe told the half truth easily.
"Ah, the staff tell me he's wearing a lovely rainbow on his face."
"Not quite the full spectrum, but he does have some very pretty shades of purple and blue." Chloe chuckled and quite out of character for Lionel he joined in.
"Oh Lex, did I tell you last night I arrived at the Kents just in time to overhear Chloe's dressing down of Jonathon Kent." the amusement in his voice very evident.
Lex raised eyebrows and looked at Chloe who was blushing slightly.
"She was defending your honor, if you can believe that!" Lionel finished looking like the cat who ate the canary.
"Oh really?" Lex looked throughly amused.
Chloe swallowed the lump in her throat. "It was only a little dressing, like a stove top stuffing of the dressing downs."
"Ha! Chloe you are just wonderful!"
"Father did you by any chance bump your head this morning? You're frighteningly chipper." Lex looked at his father as if he'd grown a second head.
Lionel leaned over to Chloe in a mock conspiratorial manner. "Is he giving me that look?"
Chloe glanced at Lex and then turned back to Lionel. "Oh yeah."
"Then maybe it's best if we retreat, shall we go have lunch?" Lionel held out his hand and Chloe took it placing it back on her arm. While she was trying to figure out where to go from here Lionel unwittingly helped out. "I hope you like chicken and stuffed crab my dear, Lex why don't you lead the way to the west terrace? I told Kelly to have lunch brought out there."
Lex remained where he was leaning against his desk. Chloe picked up Lionels cane from against the couch and poked Lex with it. "You heard your father, lead on MacDuff!" Lex looked at Chloe
"Et tu Brutus?"
Lex started out of the office and Chloe laughed as she followed leading Lionel with her.
"You know Chloe if you ever want a job, I hope you come to me first." Lex glanced over his shoulder at them.
"Father, Chloe is a reporter, she's in charge of the Torch. She'll get her first Pulitzer exposing all the bad things you and Luthorcorp have been up to over the years."
Chloe was stunned, she wasn't sure which she liked better the thought of getting a Pulitzer or the thought that Lex believed she would.
"You mean I'm touching a reporter?" Lionel looked like she was the equivalent of the plague. "I'm just kidding my dear, for you I can overlook it. Just please don't quote me on it."
Chloe glared at Lex not really feeling it though. "Don't worry Lionel this lunch is completely off the record." Taking Lionel's cane from his hand she then cracked it like a whip against Lex's butt.
"Hey, what the..?" Lex whipped around to stare at Chloe. "You two are starting to scare me."
Chloe handed the cane back to a smirking Lionel. "Lionel 2 o'clock." Lionel stopped smirking and paused for a moment before bringing his cane down and connecting with Lex's shin at 2 o'clock.
"That's it! Do I have to separate you two? Quiet time in the corner for each of you?" Lex couldn't believe what was going on. His usually hard as nails, cold as an ice bastard father was being playful with the young bright eyed pixie girl that seemed to melt even the coldest heart.
"Tell me Chloe is my son always like this? I thought it was reserved just for me."
Chloe smiled slowly, winking at Lex. "Oh no Lionel. You'd be surprised what Lexy's like when it's just the two us!" Lex's mouth hung open.
"Ha! This young lady's going to give you a run for your money." Lionel chuckled.
"Don't be angry Lexy! Uh oh Lionel I think I've upset him."
"Is he giving you the look now?" Chloe glanced at Lex.
"Worse, I think he's plotting the quickest way to have us both committed."
Lionel smirked again. "Oh then we're ok Miss Sullivan if he tries to have me committed he's automatically disinherited."
"Why do I believe you father?" Lex gave Chloe a "this is the father I know and hate look."
"Get going Lex, I don't want lunch to get cold" Lex paused looking at Chloe. She raised her eyebrows and made as if she were going to get the cane again. "I said get going."
Lex turned on his heel and walked away briskly. Chloe placed Lionel's hand back on her arm. "We'd better hurry Lionel" Chloe affected a British accent as she spoke next. "For I think we've upset the young Master."
Lionel let out a small sigh. Quietly he spoke, sadness tinging his voice. "It would seem I have a talent for upsetting the young Master."
Chloe couldn't help the pang of sympathy that she felt for Lionel, 'maybe it's not his fault that he's this way.' she thought. Chloe thought of her own father and how much she loved him. Their relationship was one of ease. The man that had lost his wife more than ten years ago when she chose to walk out and he had reached out for his daughter. This man had turned in to hide from his pain pushing his son away in the process. "Do you ever wish things were different between you and Lex?" Chloe looked at Lionel expecting a lie, or to be told to mind her own business.
"I won't insult your intelligence by pretending to not understand your question." Lionel slowed his walk and patted her shoulder. "There are days I hate myself more than my son hates me if that's possible."
Chloe tried to digest the seemingly sincere and honest confession. The silence grew heavy and uncomfortable. "Lionel you know there are a lot of people that hate you more than Lex" Chloe almost hit herself in the mouth when she raised her hand, quickly covering her mouth in shock, astonished at what she'd said. "I'm so sorry, that came out totally wrong."
"No my dear, that came out just right."
They continued walking down the hall slowly each lost in their own thoughts. Turning the corner Chloe couldn't even fully appreciate the beauty that lay before her, her thoughts still centered on the earlier words. The terrace offered an extraordinary view of the grounds. They were a brilliant green and well tended. The flowers below them supplied a light mixed blossom scent. Lex sat at a table set with the finest crystal and china. He stood when he saw Chloe approach. Placing Lionel's hand on the back of one of the chairs she announced their arrival. "We're here Lionel. Lex tried to lose us but he wasn't quite quick enough for us." Chloe tried to lighten the mood unsuccessfully.
"You two aren't plotting world domination are you?" Lex inquired looking at Chloe. When she gazed back their eyes locked. Never again would she be envious of Lex Luthor. Nor could she quite look at Lionel the same. They were both hurting. Chloe wondered if there was anything she could do to bring the two closer. Still smarting from what she had thought was being helpful to Clark, Chloe decided that if she took any action to help these two it would have to be done very gently.
"Lex, I've told you I am not plotting world domination." Lionel paused and smirked. "I have no use for Greenland it's too cold!"
Chloe laughed and was happily surprised when Lex joined her. "Good, now let's enjoy our lunch." Lionel sat in his chair and Chloe and Lex sat as well.
Lionel decided to bring up a new topic of conversation. "Chloe, are you wearing the necklace I hope?"
Chloe fingered the beautiful stone. "Yes, I haven't decided whether to accept it or not but I thought it wouldn't hurt to wear it here."
"It looks stunning on you Chloe. I couldn't think of a more appropriate person to wear it." Lex looked at Chloe in a way that made her blush.
Lionel smiled. "Yes if I remember correctly it certainly would. You look so much like you mother."
Chloe dropped the water glass she had just picked up wincing when it shattered on the marble floor.
Lionel's brow furrowed. "Did I say something wrong?"
A/N: Thank-you to all the wonderful people who read and review. You make me feel all warm and fuzzy.
Author request: Does anyone know if Chloe's mom has been given a name yet? If so could you please email me! Thank-you!!!
Chapter 5: Lunch and other edibles.
A slow smile spread across Chloe's face. Just as she was about to speak the office door opened. Both of them turned in time to see Lionel, cane in hand enter the office.
"Lex, Stevens tells me Miss Sullivan has arrived." Chloe moved across the room to where Lionel stood just inside the door. Taking his free hand in both of hers Chloe then placed it on her arm as she'd seen Mrs. Kent do so many times.
"Yes Mr. Luthor, I got here a few minutes ago, how are you today?"
Lionel smiled. "I'm fine dear, but please call me Lionel. I'm not that ancient that it would make you uncomfortable?" Chloe guided the man through the room.
"No I could handle that if you can handle calling me Chloe?" They reached the couch and Chloe placed his hand on the arm and watched him take a seat.
"Chloe it is then. So what have you two been up to?" Lionel asked sounding like he thought they'd been plotting which of the many spots in the garden it would be best to bury his body in after lunch.
"I was just getting the Lex Luthor health update." Chloe told the half truth easily.
"Ah, the staff tell me he's wearing a lovely rainbow on his face."
"Not quite the full spectrum, but he does have some very pretty shades of purple and blue." Chloe chuckled and quite out of character for Lionel he joined in.
"Oh Lex, did I tell you last night I arrived at the Kents just in time to overhear Chloe's dressing down of Jonathon Kent." the amusement in his voice very evident.
Lex raised eyebrows and looked at Chloe who was blushing slightly.
"She was defending your honor, if you can believe that!" Lionel finished looking like the cat who ate the canary.
"Oh really?" Lex looked throughly amused.
Chloe swallowed the lump in her throat. "It was only a little dressing, like a stove top stuffing of the dressing downs."
"Ha! Chloe you are just wonderful!"
"Father did you by any chance bump your head this morning? You're frighteningly chipper." Lex looked at his father as if he'd grown a second head.
Lionel leaned over to Chloe in a mock conspiratorial manner. "Is he giving me that look?"
Chloe glanced at Lex and then turned back to Lionel. "Oh yeah."
"Then maybe it's best if we retreat, shall we go have lunch?" Lionel held out his hand and Chloe took it placing it back on her arm. While she was trying to figure out where to go from here Lionel unwittingly helped out. "I hope you like chicken and stuffed crab my dear, Lex why don't you lead the way to the west terrace? I told Kelly to have lunch brought out there."
Lex remained where he was leaning against his desk. Chloe picked up Lionels cane from against the couch and poked Lex with it. "You heard your father, lead on MacDuff!" Lex looked at Chloe
"Et tu Brutus?"
Lex started out of the office and Chloe laughed as she followed leading Lionel with her.
"You know Chloe if you ever want a job, I hope you come to me first." Lex glanced over his shoulder at them.
"Father, Chloe is a reporter, she's in charge of the Torch. She'll get her first Pulitzer exposing all the bad things you and Luthorcorp have been up to over the years."
Chloe was stunned, she wasn't sure which she liked better the thought of getting a Pulitzer or the thought that Lex believed she would.
"You mean I'm touching a reporter?" Lionel looked like she was the equivalent of the plague. "I'm just kidding my dear, for you I can overlook it. Just please don't quote me on it."
Chloe glared at Lex not really feeling it though. "Don't worry Lionel this lunch is completely off the record." Taking Lionel's cane from his hand she then cracked it like a whip against Lex's butt.
"Hey, what the..?" Lex whipped around to stare at Chloe. "You two are starting to scare me."
Chloe handed the cane back to a smirking Lionel. "Lionel 2 o'clock." Lionel stopped smirking and paused for a moment before bringing his cane down and connecting with Lex's shin at 2 o'clock.
"That's it! Do I have to separate you two? Quiet time in the corner for each of you?" Lex couldn't believe what was going on. His usually hard as nails, cold as an ice bastard father was being playful with the young bright eyed pixie girl that seemed to melt even the coldest heart.
"Tell me Chloe is my son always like this? I thought it was reserved just for me."
Chloe smiled slowly, winking at Lex. "Oh no Lionel. You'd be surprised what Lexy's like when it's just the two us!" Lex's mouth hung open.
"Ha! This young lady's going to give you a run for your money." Lionel chuckled.
"Don't be angry Lexy! Uh oh Lionel I think I've upset him."
"Is he giving you the look now?" Chloe glanced at Lex.
"Worse, I think he's plotting the quickest way to have us both committed."
Lionel smirked again. "Oh then we're ok Miss Sullivan if he tries to have me committed he's automatically disinherited."
"Why do I believe you father?" Lex gave Chloe a "this is the father I know and hate look."
"Get going Lex, I don't want lunch to get cold" Lex paused looking at Chloe. She raised her eyebrows and made as if she were going to get the cane again. "I said get going."
Lex turned on his heel and walked away briskly. Chloe placed Lionel's hand back on her arm. "We'd better hurry Lionel" Chloe affected a British accent as she spoke next. "For I think we've upset the young Master."
Lionel let out a small sigh. Quietly he spoke, sadness tinging his voice. "It would seem I have a talent for upsetting the young Master."
Chloe couldn't help the pang of sympathy that she felt for Lionel, 'maybe it's not his fault that he's this way.' she thought. Chloe thought of her own father and how much she loved him. Their relationship was one of ease. The man that had lost his wife more than ten years ago when she chose to walk out and he had reached out for his daughter. This man had turned in to hide from his pain pushing his son away in the process. "Do you ever wish things were different between you and Lex?" Chloe looked at Lionel expecting a lie, or to be told to mind her own business.
"I won't insult your intelligence by pretending to not understand your question." Lionel slowed his walk and patted her shoulder. "There are days I hate myself more than my son hates me if that's possible."
Chloe tried to digest the seemingly sincere and honest confession. The silence grew heavy and uncomfortable. "Lionel you know there are a lot of people that hate you more than Lex" Chloe almost hit herself in the mouth when she raised her hand, quickly covering her mouth in shock, astonished at what she'd said. "I'm so sorry, that came out totally wrong."
"No my dear, that came out just right."
They continued walking down the hall slowly each lost in their own thoughts. Turning the corner Chloe couldn't even fully appreciate the beauty that lay before her, her thoughts still centered on the earlier words. The terrace offered an extraordinary view of the grounds. They were a brilliant green and well tended. The flowers below them supplied a light mixed blossom scent. Lex sat at a table set with the finest crystal and china. He stood when he saw Chloe approach. Placing Lionel's hand on the back of one of the chairs she announced their arrival. "We're here Lionel. Lex tried to lose us but he wasn't quite quick enough for us." Chloe tried to lighten the mood unsuccessfully.
"You two aren't plotting world domination are you?" Lex inquired looking at Chloe. When she gazed back their eyes locked. Never again would she be envious of Lex Luthor. Nor could she quite look at Lionel the same. They were both hurting. Chloe wondered if there was anything she could do to bring the two closer. Still smarting from what she had thought was being helpful to Clark, Chloe decided that if she took any action to help these two it would have to be done very gently.
"Lex, I've told you I am not plotting world domination." Lionel paused and smirked. "I have no use for Greenland it's too cold!"
Chloe laughed and was happily surprised when Lex joined her. "Good, now let's enjoy our lunch." Lionel sat in his chair and Chloe and Lex sat as well.
Lionel decided to bring up a new topic of conversation. "Chloe, are you wearing the necklace I hope?"
Chloe fingered the beautiful stone. "Yes, I haven't decided whether to accept it or not but I thought it wouldn't hurt to wear it here."
"It looks stunning on you Chloe. I couldn't think of a more appropriate person to wear it." Lex looked at Chloe in a way that made her blush.
Lionel smiled. "Yes if I remember correctly it certainly would. You look so much like you mother."
Chloe dropped the water glass she had just picked up wincing when it shattered on the marble floor.
Lionel's brow furrowed. "Did I say something wrong?"