(Hey, thanks for the nice reviews. Well, here's the next chapter, it's kind of like the set up... for a lot things to come... hope you like it ^.^ )

Angels or Devils

Disclaimer: Don't own Smallville characters.

Chapter 2

Dim lights illuminated the quiet streets of Smallville, covering any of its bystanders with little guidance. Still, there was a small car invading the peace with caution, yet hasty speed. It was past midnight and Lana had finally finished her first day of work. She was beyond exhausted with everything she had been assigned. Waitressing was nothing compared to being C.Z.'s personal squire, at least it seemed that way. The British broad had required her to master the artistic to business aspects of work... of course, Lana had the niddy griddy leftover work, which was always left to the intern. She had to do so much that she had forgotten to get a bite to eat. And so, the Talon was first destination since it was in closer proximity.

"There's nothing like free food and mocha café," Lana thought to herself as she parked herself in front of the old theater. Of course, no one was there, and luckily she hadn't forgotten the keys to the Talon. She headed inside and quickly searched for food, "No...no.. no, not in the mood for muffins... oh, cookies." Her eyes brightened as she made a grab for an assortment of chocolate cookies. Lana quickly bit into one, finding exquisite ecstacy in that first morsel and groaning audibly.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything special," a familiar voice filled the room, ringing in apparent confidence. "Wouldn't want to come between the two of you."

Lana kept her back to the intruder, she knew perfectly well who it was. Her eyes widened in shock and embarrassment as she tried to swallow the last of the cookie quickly. She swiped any evidence of crumbs from her lips and slowly turned around, "Um, Lex... hey, what are you doing here?" Lana smiled innocently.

"Nothing... I was just in the neighborhood when I noticed, through the window, a shadow rushing for some food," he replied, grinning slyly at her indiscretion. "I figured it might be this overworked intern that I happened to know."

She looked to her side, avoiding his eye contact. "Well, you figured right," she mumbled, yet quickly redirected her gaze at him. "Now, tell me why you're really here."

"Like I said, I was just in the neighborhood," he feigned innocence. "So, how was your first day with the famous C.Z. Morgan?"

Lana stared at him suspiciously, wondering why he was all of sudden interested in her daily activities. But she soon dismissed her thoughts, finding this overwhelming comfort in his mere presence. Not knowing why, she indulged in it. "Aside from the starvation, second-hand smoking, and floods of assignments, I think it was an overall good day," she released her pent up frustrations in frank sarcasm. "I must admit, though, it looks like it's going to be quite an educational adventure."

"In other words, your summer is going to be quite busy? Not as you originally planned," he asked, arching his eyebrows as he shifted his eyes from the floor to her.

"Yeah, I guess it'll be busy," she answered hesitantly, not knowing where this was leading.

Lex stood stoically before burying his hands into the front pockets of his black slacks, throwing his matching coat behind him. "You know... it's only you and me this summer. Clark, Chloe, and Pete are away. It's just Smallville, you, and I," he reiterated, staring brazenly at her eyes.

Lana remained motionless, losing herself in his surreal, intense blue eyes. There were traces of questions floating in her mind, pondering the meaning of his comments, the definition in his stare... but, they were gone as soon as he had deepened his look. All queries lost, it was like he had said.... just them and Smallville.

Suddenly, a wild rush of reason and earthly common sense hit Lex. He stirred from his daze, uncomfortably giving Lana a small grin... turning it quickly into one of his infamous, nonchalant smiles. With that, he nodded a farewell and turned around, walking out of the Talon as quietly as he came in. Once outside, he let out a breath he had know idea he was holding. Sighing tentatively, he opened the door to his black Porsche, hesitating his next move. Slowly, he turned around and looked through the clear window, admiring the young woman who was rapidly stealing his heart. But, in Lex's case, denial and stubbornness weren't a thing of the past. He studied her soft, reluctant moves from the counter to the back room... everything in him was telling him to go back inside. Yet, with the last glimpse of her raven-hair, he glided into the driver's seat, turned the key, and left.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three weeks later...

Granted, Lana was learning all about designing fashion, its finance side and the creative process, but it was all a difficult task. C.Z. was overworking the intern, justifying each assignment with, "You've got potential, darlin'. Don't let anyone tell you different." She wasn't lying either, Lana had proven to be quite astute and inclined to the whole fashion business. C.Z. was truly impressed and once she notice her potential, she wasn't going to let anything get in the way of building a career for someone who in the end could either work for her or benefit her funds.

All the while, Lana was feeling more overwhelmed each day and each night when she'd have to drive back home at midnight. Of course, she'd stop by the Talon to take a breather and few bites to eat... and await her nightly visitor, Lex. It had become a sort of rendevous point for both hardworking souls, meeting to vent about their days. They'd have some mocha café, exchange a few quips, laugh, and then call it day. Each goodbye was the same: Their eyes would meet, speaking a thousand feelings, but never expressing, nor figuring what they were. Fear and stubborn streaks seemed to clash.

"Lana, darlin', can you do me a favor and go deliver these papers to Lex? Tell him, it's very important he make a decision soon," C.Z. ordered, handing her the documents. "Oh and don't forget to finish drawing in the new Emerson line... it needs to be done before tonight."

The frazzled intern groaned inwardly, attempting to hide her displeasure to an added assignment. At least, she was going to take a break from the second-hand smoking and see Lex... Lex who had been invading her thoughts since the summer began. She had hopelessly tried to keep him out of her mind, but his blue eyes, sexy smile, clever remarks, and the rest of his unforgettable features would relentlessly flash through her thoughts.

"Lana? Lana? Weren't you leaving," inquired the British designer, trying to get her to hurry along.

"Um, yes... I'll be back in a few, then," she replied, stirring herself out of her day-dream state. "Anything else you want me to tell Lex?"

"No, darlin', that's it... now, go on, dear." C.Z. waved her hand as she lit a cigarette and went outside to her backyard.

Lana grabbed her keys and headed out. She drove on the empty road heading towards the Luthor estate. Finally arriving to the mansion, Lana took a quick glimpse at the rearview mirror, making sure all strands of hair were rightly in their place. "What am I doing," she asked herself. "It's only Lex." Trying to dismiss her unconscious actions, she slipped out of the car and made her way to the mansion's front door. She knocked, immediately receiving attention.

"Ms. Lang... how may I be of service," Charles, the butler, asked.

"Hey, Charles," she greeted the elder servant. "Is Lex in? I need to see him."

"Yes. You can find him in his office. If you like, I can escort you there," he offered kindly.

"That won't be necessary, Charles," she smiled, appreciating his benevolence. Thanking him again, Lana then went onto Lex's office, hoping that she wouldn't be interrupting any important calls. She soon reached her destination, knocking softly on his door.

"Who is it," Lex questioned, his voice assertive and slightly annoyed. He wasn't expecting any visitors toady. In fact, he was hoping he could indulge in a few moments of peace... thinking about the young woman who had caused unspoken feelings... feelings he'd attempted to suppress because he knew they were weaknesses, dangerous emotions he didn't know how to handle, and would soon control him. He couldn't let them control him... nothing could control him

"It's Lana," the small voice called from behind the door.

Whatever control he thought he had, Lex soon lost. He nervously patted down his buttoned, long sleeved shirt, and quickly made his way to the door, opening it as he breathed out nerves and inhaled control. With his usual cockiness, he asked, "If it isn't the future headlining fashion designer, the talented Ms. Lana Lang... and how are we today Ms. Lang? We look a little peaked. Can't handle C.Z.?"

She laughed, rolling her eyes at his playful attitude. "Well, if you must know, I'm actually doing quite well... handling C.Z. with grace and determination. Nope, I'm not tired at all," she lied in attempt to defy his smug implications.

"Right... So what-" His phone rang, cutting him off irritatingly. "Excuse me, Lana," he picked up the phone. "Luthor... Yes...what do you mean Kyker won't sell? Why not?... 'Danger in long-term profit lost'? That's ridiculous... Listen to me, you tell him-"

"Tell him, if he doesn't sell, he'll lose his best and only offer... no one will buy him off the market if everyone finds out Luthor Corp 'lost' interest. He'll be an un-lucrative, unwanted, 'Bowey' corporation," Lana interrupted surprisingly, not realizing that she (of all people) was giving Lex financial advice.

Lex's mouth fell slightly ajar, astonished by her business knowledge. "Tell him, I'll give him a call later," he uttered as he was able to find his voice once again.

Meanwhile, Lana covered her mouth with her hand, ashamed of her sudden outburst. "I'm sorry, Lex... it's just all that time was C.Z. has taught me a lot about business," she tried to apologize.

His serious features softened at her embarrassment. "I'm impressed," he simply said. Truth was as much as he was impressed, he was increasingly concerned. Lex knew she was in obvious need of a vacation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Next day...

Lana was out buying some supplies for C.Z. who was lounging on her couch as she spoke on her cellphone to one of her old clients. "Don't worry, lad... the new clothing line will suit you just fine. Trust old C.Z. on this one," she assured the client. "It'll be-"

"C.Z., get off the phone, I need to talk to you," demanded Lex as he waltzed into her living room, taking off his sleek sunglasses and unveiling his cold gaze.

"Pardon me, lad... I have an undeclared guest who has graced me with his polite presence... so let me give you a call later this afternoon." She turned off her cellphone and directed her attention to Lex, "What seems to be the problem, dear?"

"There's no problem. I just have a request," he answered smoothly. "Give Lana a week vacation."

"That's out of question," C.Z. immediately contended. "She's one of the best interns I've ever had, and I'm not about to let her go when new merchandise is about to hit Metropolis and the rest of the world."

"A week off will not affect any of your products, I assure you," Lex asserted, irritated by her unyielding response. "In fact, what will affect your new merchandise is an unsigned contract forbidding Morgan stores and stocks from hitting the market."

"You wouldn't?" The British broad looked at him suspiciously.

"I would... don't tempt me, C.Z.," Lex warned. "Week off and I'll sign it."

"Fine," she surrendered, hating being at the mercy of a Luthor. "I'll tell Lana her vacation starts tomorrow."

"I'm glad to hear it... and as you know, this conversation never occurred," he emphasized as he slid his hands in his pockets and smiled smugly at the designer. He bid his farewell and exited her house with quite a satisfaction.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once Lana had completed all her assignments, C.Z. had surprised her by announcing she had a week vacation. She was so relieved and happy, she couldn't wait to tell Lex. Hold on... she couldn't wait to tell Lex? "Like Lex would care," she thought to herself, still believing that her friend continued to see her as 'Lana the sixteen-year-old homecoming queen.' But, she quickly dismissed her thoughts as she parked in front of the Talon and noticed that Lex was already there.

Surprised, since she usually got there before him, she walked in reluctantly. "Hey," she greeted, somewhat shyly. "You're here early."

"I got off early," he explained. "How was your day? Hassle free?"

"No, but I have good news," she eagerly proclaimed. "C.Z. gave me a week off."

Lex was genuinely elated by her happiness, but, of course, displaying such an emotion was out of the question. Instead, he smiled, "That's quite the news. As a matter of fact, I think it's especially appropriate."

Lana furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, "Appropriate?"

"Yes, appropriate," he repeated. "Appropriate because I am going to Metropolis tomorrow and staying for a week."

"Lex, are you asking me to come along," she questioned hesitantly.

Lex swallowed nervously, clearing his throat, "Yes. All expenses paid. Just you, me, and Metropolis. All I need is a yes from you."

The bright eyed young woman stood stoically, expressionless and truly speechless. Insecurities ran through her mind as Lex's stare deepened into hers.