Chapter 4

It's not hot that you be callin' me

Stressin' me pagin' my beeper

You're just non-stop

--Bug A Boo--by Destiny's Child

"Honey, I'm home," Chloe said cheerily, letting herself into Lex's office.

"Honey? Lex, she must be talking to you. Who is it?" Lionel asked. He was sitting in a plush chair next to the fireplace.

Chloe blushed. "Chloe Sullivan, sir."

Lex was sitting at his desk. "Don't let him bother you, Miss Sullivan. He's just a piece of furniture."

Lionel huffed, then took a drink of his brandy.

"Lex, why aren't you in bed?" Chloe asked, setting her bag in a chair in front of Lex's desk.

Lex went back to work. "Pain is a weakness. I don't show weaknesses."

Chloe reached for the pill bottle on Lex's desk. She opened it and studied the contents. "Lex, you didn't take your pain meds this morning."

"And I'm not going to take them tonight, either," Lex said, not bothering to look up.

"Why not?" Chloe asked, shooting a hate-filled look at Lionel.

"I'm not in pain, Chloe," Lex replied.

Chloe walked around the desk to Lex's side. She put the back of her hand to Lex's head. "You're sweating, and your skin is cold and clammy. I'd say you were in a hell of a lot of pain."

"Would you-" Lex asked, standing quickly. He wasn't able to finish his sentence when he swayed.

Chloe took Lex's arm to steady him, guiding him back to his chair. She walked to the bar, and pulled out a bottle of water. She pulled off the cap and handed it to Lex.

"Thank you," Lex said, taking it from her. "Now as I was saying. Would you just drop it?"

"Fine, Lex. I'll be in my room," Chloe said, palming the pill bottle before leaving.

"I don't know why you have her here, Lex," Chloe heard Lionel say as she was leaving the room. "You aren't a child."

"She's a friend, Dad. She's just looking out for me," Lex countered, as Chloe began to slowly close the door.

"She's a reporter, Lex. Look out for ulterior motives," Lionel said bitterly.

Chloe rolled her eyes with a snarl.

"Miss, dinner is ready. Where would you like it served?" a voice asked.

"In my room, please. Is that Lex's?" she asked, nodding toward the tray of food.

"The soup is Mister Lex's, the pasta is Mister Lionel's," the man said.

"I'll take it in to them," Chloe said, reaching for the tray.

"Yes, Miss," he said, turning to leave.

Chloe waited until he was gone before setting the tray on the hallway table. She pulled the pill bottle out of her pocket, and dropped two into the soup. Chloe grinned to herself as the pills dissolved.