Chapter 11

And I'm high enough from all the waiting
To ride a wave on your inhaling
And I'm high enough from all the waiting

--Breathe In-- by Frou Frou

"Yeah, Dad," Chloe said with a bright smile. She walked into the library, the phone to her ear. "Uh huh."

Lex looked up from his book, smiled at Chloe, then went back to reading as she sat on the end of the couch.

"Yes, he's here. Yeah. Dad," Chloe said in a warning tone, her face becoming serious. The smile faded a second before coming back on full force. "I know, I know. You're always right. Yes, for the millionth time, I'm fine."

Chloe was silent for a moment, cocking her head to the side as she listened into the phone. After a moment she burst into laughter. "Okay, okay. Bye, Dad. I love you."

Lex looked over his book at Chloe. "What was so funny?"

"He told me not to scare Lionel too much," Chloe said, laughing again. "He said he knows how I can be."

"Actually, I think you scared Dad pretty bad the other day. He's not used to people standing up to him," Lex said with a smirk. "Is Gabe bothered that you're staying here?"

Chloe shook her head, her blond hair swishing around her face. "Dad said it's better you than Clark."

"Why's that? I thought everyone pictured Clark as the epitome of safe," Lex said in confusion.

"Yes, that is until he leaves you high and dry numerous times. Dad knows what's Clark's done to me, and, well, we won't go there," Chloe said, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"He said that?" Lex asked, a smile pulling at the corners of his lips.

"That, and that he knew I was in good hands with you, and that you would never hurt me," Chloe said, with a firm nod of her head. "That's when he said I wasn't allowed to pry, snoop, poke around, or ask questions that weren't my place to ask."

Lex chuckled. "Your father knows you very well."

"Yeah," Chloe said with a sigh.

"Do you miss him?"

"More than anything," Chloe said, turning the phone in her hands. "He gets back a week from Tuesday."

"A week and two days. That's not very long," Lex said, reassuringly.

"Just long enough for us to put my plan in motion," Chloe said, her eyes taking on a mischievous gleam.

"I don't think I like that look, Chlo," Lex said.

Chloe cocked her head to the side. "Chlo?"

Lex shrugged. "Slip of the tongue. If you don't like it…"

"No," Chloe said, seeming to think for a moment. "I like it."

"Good. Now, about your plan."

"Right. In one week, and two days we're going to win over Lana and Pete, and secure them in a relationship."

"All four of us?" Lex asked, his eyes shining.

Chloe laughed. "Yes, Lex. A foursome," she said, rolling her eyes. "No. You and Lana. Me and Pete."

"Oh, that makes more sense."

"I thought so. I'm tired of waiting."

"Yes, the looks you give Pete could rival those of Clark's to Lana," Lex said, with a smile.

"Don't remind me," Chloe said in disgust. "I was just as bad with him, so I have no room to complain."

"That's true."

"Hey, you aren't supposed to agree with me."

"Okay, then that's not true."

"You're such a smart aleck, Lex."

"I try. So, you're tired of waiting. What do you propose to do about that?" Lex asked.

"I have a plan," Chloe said simply.

"A plan?" Lex asked skeptically.

"A good plan," Chloe amended.

As Chloe went into intricate detail about her plot, Lex could tell she had thought long and hard about it. This wasn't something that she took lightly. Lex was in complete awe at the intricacies of her plot. Her plan rivaled any that Lex himself could have formed. What neither knew was that on the other side of town Pete and Lana were creating a plan of their own.