Ok, ok. I am *so* sorry. I haven't been on the net in like, a week. Seriously, it's depressing really. But, here you go, a nice, long chapter. Wanna summary? Ok, then, it's Chloe's and Lex's second date. That's all you get. Enjoy (I hope.)

why me?

"So, what do we talk about today?" Chloe asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

She and lex were seated at the same table as before, coffee in hand, and had gotten there at about the same time, Lex only being a couple minutes early.

"How bout anything but Clark," Lex replied, then, seeing the suspicion growing on her face, added hastily, "Not that I don't like the kid, it's just that you discussed him in such detail during our last conversation that I don't think there's anything else to talk about when it comes to our dear friend.

Chloe looked embarrassed. "Yeah, about hat. I'm sorry I kinda let everything out on you. It's usually not in my nature to go around spilling my guts to multi- billionaire (playboys) like yourself."

"Oh, there's no need to apologize. You made it so I didn't have to be all insightful."

"Cute. That's cute."

"Cute? You think I'm cute?" Lex teased.

"No, no, no. I never said that. I just said your comment was cute. But, from your reaction, I'll make sure to specify next time."

"That's not necessary."

"Not necessity. Just… precaution," Chloe said lightly.

"Precaution?" Lex mused, "You feel you need to take caution when speaking with me?"

"Well, certainly," Chloe stated matter- of- factly, "You see, you have a way of misconstruing things."

"Really? I hadn't noticed," Lex responded innocently.

"Well, I'm glad I could be the first to point it out to you," Chloe said, smiling into her cup.

The week had pretty much flown, despite the fact that Lex had nearly died from all the meetings he had had to reschedule so he could have Saturday off, so to speak. But, of course, it was all worth it. Sitting here with Chloe, he understood that as long as he was with her, everything was fine, everything *felt* fine. And Lex liked that feeling.

"Watcha thinking'' bout?" Chloe asked, her eyes gleaming.

"I do believe the correct response to that would be, 'None of your business."

"Reorr."

"Excuse me? Did you just reorr me? I thought that was a girl- to- girl- thing."

"Yeah, that's right. And your point is…?" Chloe joked.

Lex laughed. "Cute."

"Cute? You think I'm cute."

"Of course," Lex answered seriously. Too seriously apparently. Because Chloe began to choke on her coffee.
"Really?" she asked amused.

Okay, this can't go too badly, Lex thought, dread beginning to fill him once more. "Well, yeah. You're quite attractive. I can't have been the first person to tell you that," Lex asked, incredulous.

"Well…yes and no. Clark and Pete are pretty oblivious to the fact that I'm a female in the first place, as have the rest of the male population. But, of course, my Dad tells me that occasionally, he has to, it's like some unwritten rule among parents."

"Is that a fact? My Father's never told me anything even remotely close to that. Every so often he does comment on my little ' abnormality,' as he sometimes calls it, but that's more along the lines of criticism than of compliment."

A look very reminiscent of pity briefly flashed in Chloe's' eyes, but she glanced down too quickly for Lex to be for sure.

"There's no need to feel sorry for me," lex said, his voice lined with resignation.

"No, I wasn't…" but she was cut off.

"Yes. You were," lex said calmly, "But, don't worry. I'm used to it. I don't get pity anymore, but when I was younger…" Lex trailed off. It was still somewhat difficult to discuss to mother, and his encounter with the meteor shower, with others. He was about to change the subject , when Chloe spoke what he was thinking.

"Your mom."

Momentarily caught off guard by her perceptiveness, he just glanced down at his cup and nodded.
"I know that," chloe whispered. She apparently had the same amount of trouble talking about her mom as he did his own.

"I'm taking it you got the same false promises of grief healing with time," lex guessed.

"Yep, the exact one. Of course, I also got the occasional 'we're here for you,'s and 'sorry's, blah, blah, blah."

They sat in silence for a moment, both trying to decide how much they were willing, or able, to discuss. Chloe was the first to speak.

"How is it that all our conversations turn to depressing matters?"

"Perhaps because out lives are composed of depressing events."

"Ah, yes, I see. That explains it," Chloe said sarcastically.

"I guess it does…" And there it was again. The silence. Not uncomfortable silence. Just…knowing silence. Each knowing why the other person wasn't talking. Because, even though they had had time to "heal," as many people who hadn't gone through this would say, they were both feeling the same pain they had felt when it had happened. The only difference now was that they'd each found ways to dull that pain, to numb it. Chloe had her Torch, and Lex had… whatever was there at the moment. Be it anger, speed (the driving kind as well as the drug kind, at least when he was younger), and right now…Chloe.

"I think it's worse when you don't talk about it," chloe said, finally looking up from her cup at Lex.

"It?"

"People we've lost," Chloe answered softly, "I mean, just because it hurts to talk about my Mom, that doesn't mean that I should just push aside her memory and forget."

"Yes, but it's different when you have no one to talk to about it. You've got Clark, Pete, your Dad…"

"Yeah, I guess. But, there's just no way I could. Clark and pete, if I talked to them about it, I'd feel like they were pitying me or something. And my Dad, well, I think it's an even more difficult subject for him than it is for me."

"Oh…Well, at least you know how your dad feels about your loss. I'm not completely sure how my father feels. I think he's happy…relieved…that he got rid of one more "responsibility," or "liability," depending on his mood."

"I see your Dad wasn't very helpful in the whole grieving process."

"And ten points go to chloe," lex laughed lightly, "My Father…he showed the cameras what he should have been feeling, but when they went away…About a week after she'd died, I had this tiny little breakdown, in her room. And I remember holding this picture of her in my hands, her favorite one, the only one she thought she looked good in, even though in every picture taken of her, she looked radiant, beautiful, graceful…The door burst open, and my father came in and saw me there," Lex swallowed hard, " he marched over to me, took the picture out of my hands, and threw it at the wall."

Lex stopped for a minute, the memory of it caving in on him. Chloe didn't say a word, she obviously knew how difficult this was for him to talk about.

Taking a breath, he continued, "He gave me a 'lecture' after that. At the time, name- calling was *not* below him. He even told me that he'd wished the meteor shower had just finished me off for him. Then, he wouldn't have to put up with my whining anymore…"

"But, you were just a kid. I mean, you had the right to…" but she was cut off.

"He gave me no rights, and what rights I had before were taken away," Lex recalled bitterly, then he saw that look in her eyes again, "Hey, we don't feel sorry for each other, remember?"

"I know. It's just, I can't imagine was I would have done without my Dad."

"What's your Dad like?"

"He works for you. So, you tell me."

"No, Gabe Sullivan works for me, not your Dad."

"Oh…" Chloe caught on, "Well, he's your basic hard at work parent. He was really there for me when my Mom died. I mean, I know all parents… or most parents are, but he was determined to make me feel better. Even now, he goes out of his way to make sure I'm okay. And don't even get me started on how over- protective he is."

"Seems like you're one of the lucky ones."

"Thank God. Like I said, if I hadn't had him… I can't imagine what it was like for you…what it *is* like for you."

Lex sighed. It was fairly obvious, from lex's point of view, that even though her intentions might be good, she was digging, trying to make him spill his guts, even more so than he already had. But he wasn't ready for that. Not yet. Not now. Not even for chloe.

"Yeah, well, I've adapted."

Chloe looked at him, a mixture of frustration and disappointment on her face. "And so you have," she said defeatedly.

"What?" she'd gone from probing to practically giving up in less than ten seconds. Not very Chloe- like.

"It's nothing." Then seeing the look in Lex's eye, continued on, "It's just…As much as you probably think that 'adapting' has helped you, it hasn't. You adapted by becoming more like him. Like your Father."

Lex glared at her. Then she added hastily, "Not that that's entirely bad. The 'qualities' that you borrowed, some people would kill for. The calmness, the power- driven superiority, the self- assurance…It's just that, you sometimes come off as arrogant…conceited…cocky, even. I'm sure you've noticed," Lex nodded slowly, "All I'm saying, is that you use these acquired traits to do battle with your father, to survive you Father. But, I don't think you understand that you should put aside those…characteristics aside when talking to real people."

Lex stared at her for a second. Then, got up, and walked to the counter. He could feel Chloe's eyes on him, following his progress through the crowded café. Once he got to the counter, he ordered himself and Chloe some more coffee. Lana was out serving a group of customers, so he knew he wouldn't be stopped by her. Thanking the girl behind the counter, he turned around, and made the trip back to Chloe with mild difficulty. He now had coffee, and the crowd around him was pressing in. He saw Chloe stand up, probably coming over to help, when he was almost to their table. And that's when it happened, some skinny, freckled teenager bumped into him, and the coffee which was intended for Chloe rebounded on him, drenching him in scalding hot coffee, causing him to yell.

Everyone around him turned to see who had made the noise, and the room went completely silent. Lex pulled his shirt away from his skin, in hopes of preventing more damage. Chloe had now reached him, and the kid who was at fault for this whole thing was visibly shaking from head to foot. Lex knew why. The boy had just caused Lex Luthor, powerful, rich, influential Lex Luthor, to spill coffee all over himself, burning him. The kid was probably even considering taking a run for it.

Anger rising, Lex looked over at Chloe, who looked just as worried. That's when lex remembered what Chloe had just said to him, and decided to handle this differently than usual. He laughed.

Glancing over rat the kid again, who had now turned white, Lex composed himself enough to talk, "Don't look so worried, it was an accident, no harm done," then he again made his way to his and Chloe's table. As he sat down two things happened. One, conversation started up again, even the boy who had bumped into him had begun to regain color again. And two, Lex realized that he was seriously mistaken about his last comment, 'no harm done,' like hell. His entire chest was on fire. Deciding that he should check to make sure no permanent damage had been done, he chanced a glance down his shirt. It was almost blood-red.

He got up quickly, too quickly. Chloe had been right behind him, and he bumped into her, causing her to almost fall backwards. And she would have, had it not been for Lex, who caught her arm before she lost complete balance. He brought her towards him, so she could recover her footing. As he did this, she brought her hand to his chest, and he flinched. Chloe apparently saw this because she then took his hand and led him through the crowd towards the bathrooms.

Stopping in front of the girl's bathroom, Chloe knocked. No answer. Then, she turned the handle and was about to pull him inside when he pulled back.

"I'm not going in there," Lex said childishly.

"Oh, is that right?" Chloe asked doubtfully, then she put her finger to his chest, and he again recoiled, "Get your ass in here." She then pulled him inside, locking the door behind them.

"Take off your shirt," Chloe demanded.

"My, my Chloe, I never knew you were into this sort of thing. In a bathroom? I thought you had more taste than that. But, hey, I'm not one to say no," Lex joked, trying to lighten up the situation, even though a normal man would be sobbing his eyes out from the pain he was in right now.

Chloe apparently hadn't thought it was that funny, "I'm serious, I need to see how bad it is."

Deciding it was no use to resist, he began to unbutton his once white, silk shirt, which was now a deep brown. Chloe watched him as he did this, which made him feel very un-Lex-like. He felt overly nervous, almost embarrassed. Not that he didn't think that she wouldn't like what she saw, just…he couldn't explain it with words.

As he undid each button, he could see Chloe was getting increasingly worried. And so was he. He knew it was bad, but he hated hospitals, and he certainly didn't want to attend one today.

As he finished, he took his shirt off completely, laying it on the sink. Chloe, seeing the full extent of his injuries, walked into one of the stalls. She came out of it with an armful of tissue paper. A joke formed in Lex's mind, but he decided now was not the time.

"Does it hurt much?" Chloe asked hesitantly.

"About as much as it should," Lex answered. He didn't want to come right out and say that it was sheer hell right now, he didn't want Chloe to think he was some wussy.

"About as much as it should, huh?" Chloe repeated skeptically, "You know, I won't think any less of you if you say it hurts."

"Uh huh."

Chloe glared at him for a minute, then went to the sink. After turning on the sink, she began tearing the paper up. She placed them over her shoulder, apparently not wanting them anywhere near the possibly dirty sink.

"Why not use those," Lex asked sarcastically, pointing to the brown paper hanging off the wall.

"Because they're rough, and I don't want it to hurt any more than I know it already does," Chloe answered, apparently too wrapped up in tearing the paper to notice he was being sardonic.

"Okay."

After she'd finished tearing the paper into what looked like strips, she placed one in the water.

"Lay down on the couch."

"Excuse me?" Lex asked. She pointed to the other wall, and Lex saw a pink and purple couch. "I didn't know they had one in here." Lex walked over to it, sat down, and then went into a lying down position.

Chloe took one of the wet strips, and walked over to him. She kneeled down on her knees, and placed the paper on his chest. It was near freezing. Lex jumped up, causing Chloe to fall to a sitting position.

"Sorry," Lex mumbled apologetically, "I didn't know it was going to be that cold, you could have warned me, you know." He offered Chloe a hand, which she accepted.

"It's okay," Chloe said, smiling weakly, "Let's try that again, shall we?"

Lex nodded. He laid back down on the couch. Chloe went back over to the sink

Pulling another paper strip off her shoulder, she drenched it in the water. Then, she turned around, and started walking back towards him again.

"Now, this is going to be cold," Chloe warned, kneeling down beside him, "But, it has to be cold, sorry."

"Hey, at least I'm prepared this time," Lex joked, though still not as prepared as he'd wished. As the paper touched his bare chest, he winced. The water was still just as cold as before, and it brought no relief to the pain.

After she'd placed the strip over his chest, she stood up. "I think you should go to the hospital."

"There's no need for that," Lex lied, "See, it's not as red as it was before." But, it was, darker, yet brighter at the same time. Lex noticed that it was even gleaming a bit, and not gleaming because of the water, more like gleaming because a layer of his skin had been singed off. And, besides his chest looking like shiny red wrapping paper, he was in an excruciating amount of pain. And the paper wasn't helping, if anything it just worsened it.

Reading his mind for the second time today, Chloe asked, "Does it still hurt? And don't give me that crap about it hurting as much as it should. Tell me the truth."

"Well…" Lex started, again, his pride was at stake, he didn't want Chloe leaving this room with the opinion that he was some sort of weakling. So, choosing his words carefully, he said, "I guess you could say it doesn't *not* hurt."

Chloe scowled, but then she looked down at the his chest, and softened. She turned back to the sink. After a few seconds, she returned with another strip. She arranged this one on top of another patch of skin.

"I'll be right back," she promised. And with one last look at Lex she walked to the door, unlocked it, and left.

Lex stared down at his chest. As much as he hated to admit it, he did need to go to the hospital, and fast, before it got worse. He was about to get up so he could examine himself in the mirror, but the door opened. Chloe walked in, locking the door behind her again, with a cup and a small white bottle in hand.

"What's that?" Lex asked suspiciously.

"Medicine. Well, not exactly medicine, just pain relievers. I thought it could help," Chloe said, handing him the cup, which was actually filled with water.

"Water?"

"I didn't think you'd be up to drinking coffee just yet," she answered, snickering.

"You think it's funny, do you?" Lex asked, disheartened. How could she think that him being in pain would be funny.

"No, it's just…" Chloe trailed, then obviously finding the right words, continued on, "It's just that I never thought I'd ever see you get covered in coffee."

"Really, I never thought that particular scenario would happen to me either."

Chloe smiled. She seemed to be having difficulty opening the bottle, "Damn child- proof bottles," Chloe huffed.

Smiling to himself, Lex walked over and took the bottle out of her hands, "Let me try."

He popped the lid off easily, and handed it back to her, smirking. "Don't start," she warned, Lex put his hands up in defense, "Don't play innocent. The only reason I couldn't open it was because my hands are still kinda wet," Chloe went on in defense.

"I know," Lex assured softly. "Let me help you with that." He took the bottle out of her hands and placed it on the sink. Then, he pulled the remaining strips of paper off her shoulder, and began drying her hands for her.

"Oh, my God," Chloe gasped, "I can't believe I just walked out there with that over my shoulder."

"I'm sure no one noticed," Lex said, tossing the paper into the wastebasket after he'd finished.

"Gee, thanks," Chloe said quietly, retrieving the bottle off the sink.

"No, no, no. I didn't mean no one noticed *you*," Lex began, "I just meant…"

"I know, it's ok," Chloe cut off.

"Sorry, I didn't mean for you to take it like that."

"Well, obviously," Chloe said, smiling, "Here, take these."

She dumped three small pills into his hand. Lex glanced up at her, and she gave him a look that told him that if he didn't take them willingly, she'd make him. Which, of course, didn't sound all that bad to Lex, but he decided against any wrestling match between him and Chloe right now, due to the overwhelming soreness spreading even further through his body. So, he downed the pills in one gulp.

"See, that wasn't so bad," said Chloe.

"I think that's putting it mildly," Lex said, looking down at his chest.

"I didn't mean that," Chloe began stubbornly, but stopped when she saw him smiling, "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Laugh it up…"

They stood there in silence for a minute, Lex checking out the damage in the mirror. He was now worried, he needed medical attention, but he didn't want Chloe to know that he did.

"Hey, Lex?" Chloe asked.

"Yeah," Lex asked over his shoulder.

"What you did back there, or didn't do, with that kid and everything," Chloe began hesitantly, lex turned to face her, "well, it's just, I know how much you would have liked to do something…Luthorish, but you didn't."

"Yeah, well I decided to try something different," Lex replied.

"Why?"

"Because…you were very convincing."

Chloe smiled shyly, she stayed quiet for a minute, then said abruptly, "Come on, we're leaving."

She grabbed Lex's arm, and pulled him towards the door.

"Wait, my shirt!" Lex exclaimed, mildly shocked by her sudden urgency to get out of there.

Letting go of his arm long enough for him to go and get his shirt, she latched right back onto him as soon as he'd retrieved it.

"Hey, I still have to put it back on."

"Later," Chloe said, unlocking the door, and pulling him outside. As they walked to their table to get the rest of their things, people stared at them, well, more like ogled them, the entire time. Grabbing their stuff, she walked a little bit ahead of him, dispersing the crowd. She opened the door, and they both walked out, leaving the stunned crowd behind. Lex could only imagine what they were thinking. Lex Luthor and Chloe Sullivan walking out of a girl's bathroom together, Lex himself being half- naked, his chest being a color that could compete with Kool- Aid.

"Hey, wait a minute, where are we going?" Lex asked, stopping in his and Chloe's tracks.

"The hospital," Chloe said, continuing on in a rather forceful tone when Lex began to refuse, "And don't even tell me no. Those are third- degree burns, I think, and those have to be treated by a doctor in a hospital, not a reporter in a bathroom."

They had a bit of a staredown for what seemed like forever, when Lex finally gave in. He knew he had to go, might as well go with Chloe, it might not be so bad if she was there.

"Fine, but I'm driving."

"Cool. We get to take your car," Chloe said, smiling playfully, "Can I drive? I mean, you probably shouldn't, with…" she trailed off pointing to his very exposed skin.

Lex contemplated this for a moment, but that moment didn't last long. The look on Chloe's face…he really couldn't say no to her.

"Sure, but try not to run into to many objects, alright?" Lex half- joked.

"I'll try," Chloe replied, half- joking herself.

Lex handed Chloe the keys. She unlocked the door, and jumped in. She'd obviously found the button to unlock the other door, because she motioned for Lex to get in. Easing himself into the car slowly, Lex wondered if this was the best means of transportation.

"Ready?" Chloe asked, somewhat flushed.

Lex smiled weakly, "Yeah, let's go."

And with that, Chloe turned the key, stepped on the gas, and sped off, completely ignoring the speeding limit, as well as some stop signs. As she turned sharply at the next intersection, Lex silently prayed that when he arrived at the hospital, he'd still have his car, and all his body parts still firmly attached to himself.
******
Well, did you like it. I hope so. I hadn't really planned on sending lex to the hospital, but then I found out that coffee burns, scalding hot coffee burns, don't just disappear in five paragraphs, so…hope this turns out well. I'll put more up soon, I mean I'll really, really try. Ok, so bear with me. Thanks to everyone for all the reviews, they're like little presents waiting for me when I come on here. (and, Aurora Magician, if you meant what you said in your review, i think you'll really like their next date a lot.) So… everybody, thanks.