Chapter 14

You're movin' along, just goin' your own way
Don't try to change
You're jumpin', you're runnin', you learn to play
Never try to rearrange
--Total Hate 95--by No Doubt

"What came over you, Lex?" Lionel asked in a condescending tone. "Dating a sixteen-year-old. How does that make you look?"

"I don't care about your precious PR, Dad. I'm doing what makes me happy," Lex retorted, turning his back.

"You're letting your emotions get in the way, Lex," Lionel said firmly.

Chloe had heard enough and she burst into the room. "That's only because you never allow him to have any emotion," she said in anger. "To you the slightest bit of emotion is getting carried away. I won't let you talk to him like that."

"Hold your tongue, Miss Sullivan," Lionel said.

"I will not. Lex is my friend. I protect my friends. Besides, no one deserves to be talked to like that," Chloe said.

"Chloe, it's late," Lex said gently, walking over to her.

"Yes, go back to bed. Mind your own business, Miss Sullivan. It's dangerous to stick your nose where it doesn't belong," Lionel said.

"Dad, I can handle it," Lex said, shooting a glance at his father. "It's almost one, Chloe. I'm fine. I can handle myself. Go back to bed."

"No," Chloe said, not taking her eyes from Lionel.

Lex put his hands on Chloe's shoulders, drawing her attention back to him. "I can fight my own battles, Chlo. Go to bed."

Chloe reached up and wrapped her hands around each of Lex's lower arms. She studied him for a moment before replying. "Okay, Lex," she answered softly.

"Good girl," Lex replied, putting a hand on the small of Chloe's back to lead her to the door.

As soon as Lionel heard the door close he started up again. "You're dating a business partner, Lex."

"Yeah, and what was Victoria?" Lex threw back.

"She was a pawn."

"But Lana isn't. Don't you see? She isn't some piece in one of your games."

"No, she's a pawn in another one of yours."

"Just because you're devoid of human emotion doesn't mean that I am," Lex said hotly. "I thought that Mrs. Kent was getting through to you, but obviously you're a better actor than I thought."

"You're not thinking, Lex. That's why you allowed that pesky reporter to stay here."

"Her name is Chloe, and she's my friend."

"You don't have any friends. She's just using you."

"She's the one who found me that night. She's the one who stayed by my side until I woke up. She's the one that wanted to stay here to make sure I was okay," Lex said, breathing heavily through his anger.

"She stayed here to snoop," Lionel said, not backing down under Lex's tone.

"I will not allow you to talk about Chloe like that. You don't know her. She will chew you up and spit you out without a second thought."

"I'm not afraid of children."

"And she's not afraid of you. Go to bed, Dad."

"I'm not through with you, Lex."

"Well, I'm through with you. Get. Out."

"Fine, we'll resume tomorrow," Lionel said, walking from the room.

Lex could hear the click of Lionel's walking cane as he made his way down the hallway. Lex sighed and walked from the office. He almost tripped over Chloe. She was sitting by the door, her head was resting on her arms, and her arms were propped on her knees. She was asleep.

"Chloe," Lex said softly, reaching down to run a hand over her head.

"Wha?" Chloe asked sleepily, looking up at Lex. "I'm awake."

Lex smiled. "You are now. Come on. It's time for sleep." Lex took Chloe's hand to pull her to her feet.

"Did you kick his ass?" Chloe asked, yawning.

Lex looked shocked for a moment. "Not exactly. I just ordered him to bed."

Chloe smiled, walking with Lex down the hall. "Good for you," she said, rubbing her eyes. "I'm so tired. I'm going to bed so I'll be at least half alive for classes tomorrow."

"Good idea."

"Goodnight, Lex."

"Chloe?"

Chloe turned. "Yeah, Lex?"

"Thanks," Lex said, looking at Chloe.

"Anytime. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."