Everything In This World

By Viv

*~*~ Part Fifteen ~*~*

The countryside continued to speed by as Chloe continued to chat inanely to Lex about anything and everything. After they had gotten through the initial awkwardness, or more accurately, the initial verbal sparring and witty retorts that masqueraded as decent conversation between them, Lex had been a surprisingly pleasant person to talk to. Of course, she made sure to stay away from any topic that would entail more exposition about her feelings for Clark (she didn't know what she felt herself) or business (talk about not understanding a topic).

"This is great." She half-shouted, as the wind washed over her face and buffeted her hair, the sun warm enough to leave her with a warm glow. "We should do this more often."

Lex grinned at her indulgently. "Do what?"

"This." She shouted, waving her arms about her wildly. "This whole road trip thing. It's fun."

Lex smirked. "Three hours isn't a road trip, Chloe."

"No, it isn't." She said, mocking his smug manner. Not even his worldly attitude could dampen her enthusiasm right now. "I know that every red blooded American's rite of passage involves driving cross country in a slightly beat up car, drinking gallons of illegally purchased alcohol and ingesting copious quantities of junk food. And singing - I think definitely singing involved." She grinned at him, her smile infectious in its vitality. "Hey, maybe we should sing." She suggested.

"Oh, no." Lex protested quickly. "There will be no singing involved, today or any other day." He looked askance at her, trying to keep his amusement at her good mood contained. "How much coffee have you had?"

Chloe decided to ignore him. There will be no dampening of her mood right now. "You can't sing, can you?" She taunted him. "Didn't you get any singing lessons?"

It was now Lex's turn to roll his eyes. "What makes you think that I even got singing lessons?"

"Come on." Chloe countered. "You just told me that your dad shipped you off to dancing, fencing and horse riding lessons, and possibly an art appreciation class or two. Don't tell me he neglected the all important singing lessons?"

Well," he said defensively, "heirs to corporate fortunes generally need to present an impossibly polished facade to the circling piranhas in their wake." He paused, waiting for her laugh of derision to subside. "It isn't all that funny."

"I know it isn't." She said, before bursting out laughing again.

"Not that it's any of your business, but I happen to be a great singer. You know I'm good at everything." He added impishly.

"I'll take your word for it."

"Good." He said, satisfied that he had made a good enough defence. He abruptly changed the subject. "I'll have to take you on a real road trip one day."

"I'd like that." She said flirtatiously as she closed her eyes to better absorb the wind and the country air that was streaming by her face. She felt so free, so alive, so young and so ridiculously un-Chloe like. And it was all because of Lex Luthor.

Her face turned abruptly serious. "Why are you doing this Lex?"

"What?" He asked, seemingly caught out by her sudden change in tone.

"This." She pointed to the road in front of them. "Driving me to Metropolis, talking to me like you're actually interested in what I'm saying. And don't say you're only doing this because you have to be in Metropolis anyway. It's not you couldn't have flown there in your private jet or something."

He shook his head as if floored by the quickness of her mind. "That's because I am interested." He said quietly, astutely avoiding her eyes.

"Why?"

"For the same reason why I enjoy hanging out with Clark or Lana rather than a bunch of people my own age." He smiled bitterly. "There's no ulterior motive with you guys. You say what you think to me and don't give a damn what my net worth is. Especially you." His eyes softened as he met her gaze. "I need friends like that."

Chloe nodded, discomfort crawling through her body at the hidden depths of his gaze. There were so many layers to Lex that were just not immediately apparent to the casual observer. To know him Chloe realised, you had to spend a lot of time with him, something that Chloe wouldn't mind doing in future, given the opportunity.

"Thanks." She found herself strangely touched.

"You're welcome." He smiled guilelessly at her, before his expression closed up again to one of arrogant charm. "Not to mention the fact that you're interesting in your own right."

Chloe was incensed at herself for blushing so furiously. "Oh - uh huh?"

"Yeah," he continued, oblivious to her reddening face, "you're your own person. You do what you want to do, and damn what everyone else is thinking. You're smart and talented, and determined to get what you want. I can relate to that." He smiled roguishly at her.

"You really know how to make a girl feel appreciated, don't you?" Chloe asked half-jokingly. Talk about a smooth operator - he was one well oiled flirting machine.

An indecipherable smile was all the reply that she received from Lex as the car sped on towards Metropolis.

(c) August 2002