Title: Dinner and a Whole Other Dance

Chapter Completed: January 5, 2003

"Ahem," Doctor Helen Bryce cleared her throat. She was almost compelled to throw a piece of bread at him, until he finally looked directly at her. "Hi Lex," she wiggled her fingers in a wave, plastering on a fake smile.

He gave her a quizzical look, "Did you say something?"

"Just for the last half hour," she snipped, taking a rather large gulp from her wineglass.

"I'm sorry," he shook his head, giving her a small sympathetic smile.

"so," she put down the glass for the moment, "What was so much more interesting then my company?" She was trying to tease him.

Lex watched a piece of ice swizzle in his drink, "My father's new assistant, Anna. Can't seem to get her out of my head." He looked up to find Helen's evil glare.

"Really?" she sucked her teeth in disgust, becoming as cold as the ice in his drink.

"Yeah, there's just something that doesn't fit right," he got lost again in thought. His mind working like a well-oiled engine – heading straight for one destination. Set on solving the puzzle.

"Lex!" childishly Helen slammed her hand down on the table to get his attention, also getting the attention of the patrons around them.

Lex raised his eyebrows to question her behaviour.

She let out a loud groan, "That's it!" She rose from her chair, tossing her napkin on the half full plate and stormed off. All to the audience around them.

The young millionaire was left confused for a moment until he realised he had just confessed to thinking about another girl to his date. It wasn't until then that he actually thought about Anna as a girl, instead of a seemly family mystery. A small smile crept across his face as he pictured the pretty form of the girl, warming him more then the glass of alcohol in his hand or the short embrace with Helen.

He almost chuckled as he paid the bill for the unfinished meal. It seemed that Anger Management was doing him wonders, but sadly wasn't working as well for the doctor. The thought amused him as he walked out to the car. Until he spotted the good doctor waiting at the passenger side door.

"I was leaving," she fumed, "Until I realised I left my car in Smallville."

He could have laughed out loud at her, completely breaking character. But the scene held so much pathetic humour for him – the independent, professional woman storming out just to wait by the car for him to give her a ride home. Of course he didn't, he just nodded solemnly as if he understood and unlocked her side like a true gentleman.

She nodded without exchanging any pleasantries.

The whole, long drive back to Smallville from Metropolis was in silence. All except the over exaggerated sighs from her side of the small, luxury car and him drumming the steering wheel with his fingers.

There was also the parting suggestion she offered Lex, "Don't bother calling me," when she left the car matched with some muttering about how stupid she was for even trying to date the "Luthor Brat", or at least that was what he thought he heard. This time he did laugh though. He laughed all the way home. The whole thing was so amusing to him.

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Lex walked into the vast manner, debating whether or not to get a jumpstart on his paperwork or not. As to make the evening not a total waste of his time. He walked toward the library, destined for a glass of brandy before making any decision on work, when he heard what he swore was sobbing. Tentatively, he opened the oak door on to the room and scanned it for occupants, finding Anna kneeling on the floor next to the leather armchair. Her shoulders were shaking as she sniffled.

He walked over to where she was, "Anna?" he said softly.

"Shit!" she jumped forward, her hand landing in the mess of glass and brandy in front of her. "Shit!" she cursed again, recoiling her now bleeding hand.

"Lemme see that," he crouched beside her, taking out his handkerchief as he cradled her hand in his. "Hold still," he told her in a calming voice as he inspected the wound.

She sat back on her heels; shyly wiping the tears from her face in embarrassment, for the accident and for having him find her crying - again. But all she could concentrate on was how gentle his touch was and even how caring he seemed to be. A complete contrast to her earlier company.

"Think you'll live," Lex's smile was in his words as he applied pressure to the palm of her hand with the silk cloth.

"sorry," she choked out, crying again. She was unable to get a reign on her emotions, they were still all over the place, much like her head.

"Hey," with his free hand he reached to wipe away the tears on her cheek. Surprising himself with his tenderness. But there was something he couldn't name in her eyes that had this effect on him. His hand fell to cup her cheek, softly pulling her in as he leaned in, pressing his lips to hers. The kiss was so chaste, his bottom lip brushing against hers before making full contact. Her lips were equally pressing against his.

Her head was swimming: The soft touch of Lex's fingers and lips on her face and the dominating grasp of Lionel. The contrast of the gentle electric jolt given off by his lips and the draining pressure. The possible pleasure pushed out by the pervious pain. She gasped, pushing him back and shaking her head to clear the confusion. The confusion that was clear in her face.

He sat back on the floor, completely dumbfounded as he watched as she shook her head and stumbling to her feet.

"Sorry," she repeated taking another hopeful and apologetic look at Lex before hurrying away.

A smirk formed across his lips. He was completely intrigued by her.

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A/N: Please review! And thanks for the ONE I did get. *smile*