i know, i know, again with the delay. you're probably mad, i would be. well, not mad, just impatient. with good reason. i said i'd get this up sooner than i am. and, i know i'm excusing, but, it's kinda been a problem lately for me to get on the net. but, still, sorry. i hope you like this chapter, took me long enough. but, i think you'll enjoy, it's funny.
(don't own show, characters, including the well-built, charming, incredibly sexy Lex Luthor/ Micheal Rosenbaum)
enjoy...

why me?

Lex walked into the Talon in fairly high spirits. He'd actually gotten some sleep that night, but was still in need of coffee. As well as in need of some Chloe. He knew it was unlikely that she'd be there at this time, the sun was still not completely set. But, more unbelievable things had happened recently, so he was willing to take his chances, because, he also knew that Chloe would make everything better, the fight with his father was still on his mind.

"Lex, hey!" he heard call from behind the counter. Glancing over, he saw Lana smiling brightly. Returning the gesture, he made his way over to her.

"Hello, Lana. How are you?" he asked as she poured him a cup of coffee.

"Oh, I'm fine. Fine. How about you?" she asked as she handed him the coffee. She had one of her permanent smiles plastered on her face, and she seemed to be eyeing the door to the Talon.

Taking a look back at such door, he raised an eye, "Waiting for someone?"

Snapping her eyes back onto Lex, her smile widened and faltered at the same time, "No, well, yeah, kinda. Clark said he was coming by."

Nodding, Lex took a sip of his coffee, "Clark, at this time?"

"Yeah, he said he'd keep me company today," she answered. The door opened, and in walked a customer. Lex stepped aside as Lana took their order.

"So, Lana, anyone else coming by today? Other than Clark?" he was trying to be subtle, but he doubted it came across as that.

"Other than Clark?" she repeated, as the she handed over the guy's coffee, "Um..Well, what do you mean?"

"I just meant if Clark was bringing along anyone else to help keep you company," smooth, real smooth.

"Oh, sorry. Yeah, I think Pete's coming," she apoligized, then, busying herself with cleaning off the counter, she added, "And Chloe," at this, she couldn't help but smile. Lex didn't like this smile.

"What?" he strung out, tilting his head so she couldn't avoid his eyes as easily.

"Nothing, nothing," she replied, smiling wider, and then giggling.

Lex's head shot up. He may not know much about the habits of women, but he knew what this kind of behavior meant. The shy smile verging on laughter, the girly giggles. They only did this when they knew something they shouldn't, and just couldn't suppress their...natural inability to keep it to themselves.

She knew.

Chloe told her.

"Lana?" Lex threatened in a very authoritive voice, though not coming out so, mainly because he was slightly happy she knew. That Chloe told her. Because that meant that it wasn't just something that happened that should never be brought up again.

"Hmm...?" she had now taken up stocking the cups and creamers.

"Don't 'hmm' me," Lex warned, grabbing the creamer she was about to fill, "Tell me."

"Tell you what, there's nothing to tell, I have nothing to tell," she stumbled.

"I know you know something, now what is it...?" though he wasn't able to hear a response, because at that moment the door opened, and in walked...

"Clark, hey!" Lana greeted, waving him over. Lex glanced over and saw Clark about to join them. He turned back to Lana, who shrugged. Lex shook his head, and set the creamer onto the counter.

"Lex, what are you doing here?" Clark asked, smiling just as much as Lana, who was no longer in cleaning mode.

Lex lifted up his cup of coffee in response to Clark's question.

"Ahh..." Clark registered, nodding slightly, "Gotcha." He seemed to be in a thoroughly good mood. Chloe obviously hadn't told him.

"So, Clark, I hear you're here to entertain Lana," Lex quickly looked over his shoulder as he heard the door open. And, in walked...someone who wasn't Chloe. Actually, it was the freckled kid who'd made him spill the coffee. The kid waved to a small group of teens over at one of the tables. He was about to join them, when he looked over and saw Lex.

His face went all ghosty, as it should, even if Lex had said it was no big deal. Lex had the sudden impulse to just jump at the kid, for fun. But, shoving that aside, he merely smiled and nodded in acknowledgement. The boy colored a bit, and smiled back, waving weakly. Then, he journeyed over to his friends.

"Friend of yours?" Clark asked, bringing Lex back to their conversation.

"Acquantance," Lex asnwered, "So, what were you saying?"

"I was just saying yeah, I'm here to keep Lana company," he repeated, presumedly.

"Oh, where's everyone else?" Lex asked flicking off a piece of paper on the counter.

"Everyone else?" Clark asked.

"I told him you were going to bring Pete and Chloe, too," Lana filled in, throwing a quick look in Lex's direction, which he returned with a scowl.

"Oh, yeah, they're coming. They said they'd meet up with us."

"Together?" Lex questioned...demanded...barked.

Clark gave him a puzzed look for a moment before shaking it off as curiosity, "Well, no. Pete wanted to sleep in. And Chloe, well, you know her."

Lex laughed.

"Yeah, Lex, you know Chloe," Lana chimed in, giggling once again. Clark looked between the two as they had a sort of showdown. Lex did not want Lana telling Clark about this. Not yet. He needed to have more of a hold on Chloe first. There's no telling what Clark might do if he found out about, well, Lex didn't quite know what it was that was going on, but he did know that if Clark found out, he'd never get the chance to know.
***
Again, sorry bout the delay. Lalalalala. You know, you know. But, seriously, i'll try to get the next chap up maybe this weekend. really, i'll try. but, No promises. i'm kinda busy this week, and, well, blah, blah, blah. again, you know.
before i stop typing, i'd like to thank EVERYONE for reviewing. you guys/girls are great. the best. see ya later people. bye all.