Title: Princess of the Tower.

Author: NickyJean

Summary: Chloe learns too much and the lengths Lex would go to protect her from his father.

Disclaimer: I'm still in the poor house so I still own nothing…Everything's on credit with interest rates and such…So if I skip a payment, Bruno comes in breaks my knee caps and takes all of Smallville away from me..LOL

Distribution: Please tell a friend, then tell me…drop me an e-mail…then have at it…

A/N: This is dedicated to all those Authors out there who have taken the time to write and then post their stories for other's enjoyment. I really enjoyed them though I haven't had the time to review like I should. Also special thanks to my Crayola loving beta Sarah…she's was so great to color in the lines for me just so I could have ego stroking with my corrections … big **S.W.A.K.** to you…

Chapter 8

February 2004

Lex slowly opened his eyes. It took a moment for him to readjust himself to the sunlight filtering through the curtains. It looked like he was in Clark's room but he couldn't imagine why.

"Lex, you're awake. I was beginning to worry about you." Chloe's voice came from the corner of the room. Sitting on Clark's dresser with the window behind her, she was covered in dark shadows and Lex could barely make her out.

The memories flooded back. Rescuing Chloe, being hit with the dart, falling on the beach and blacking out. "What happened, how'd we get here?" His throat burned as he spoke.

"You do remember rescuing me don't you?" Chloe asked while a smile played on her lips. She sat there just watching him, gauging his response. When he nodded she continued, "Well, you weren't the only one doing some saving." She hopped off the dresser and for the first time, he noticed she was wearing a nightgown like the one she had on when he rescued her.

It was a bronzish, gold silk, with spaghetti straps. It swished acrossed her delicate ankles as she came closer to him. His heart pounded in his cheat as she moved. He shook his head to clear the thoughts she invoked and focused on her face.

He realized that it was just a useless as her dancing eyes and sweet looking lips made it that much harder to concentrate on her words. "I couldn't very well let my dark night suffer at the hands of the evil dragon, so I dragged you into the boat with me."

He gave such a look of disbelief that she laughed. "It's not so hard to believe. I'm sure that if you think really hard you will remember that happening in your fogged filled mind." She finally reached the bed and seated herself beside Lex's stretched out body. "On second thought, why don't you wrap your brain around a way to thank me for saving your life."

Chloe's words were something he hadn't expected to hear but he recovered quickly, a dangerous smile played on her lips. He couldn't resist countering, "I figured that would make us even if you ask me. After all, I did rescue you despite the danger to myself. In fact, I think you owe me for saving your life; which I did at the beginning of this thing." He gave a look of such sheer arrogance that she laughed.

A mischievous grin spread across her face. "When you're right, you're right." Her voice was soft and husky and she leaned in and touched her lips to his.

He was too shocked to respond. His eyes were the size of saucers and surprise reflected in their depths. Chloe pulled away from her chaste gift and hovered mere inches from him. When he could finally breathe again he asked, "Why did you do that?"

"Come on Lex, isn't this your idea of a happy ending, a happily ever after?" She didn't wait for him to answer. He had such a look of uncertainty that Chloe couldn't resist. "I know it's always been my idea for one," she whispered before kissing him again.

Lex returned the kiss. He was helpless not to. He couldn't deny it. It was what he wanted. What he believed he always needed; Chloe in his arms. Even in captivity, despite of it, she made him smile. He knew he met his match when he met her. He deepened the kiss and stroked her hair. She moved on top of him and moaned slightly at the increased passion. Lex's other hand moved to her breast and she arched into his palm. His finger teased the nipple through the silky material.

**Whack**

Lex awoke with a start, pain throbbing in his head. With his eyes opened and confused, the first thing they fixed on and recognized was the last thing he wanted to ever see again, his father.

Lionel studied his son, "I figured Chloe wouldn't appreciate it if she awoke with you groping her like some sex starved teenager," Lionel explained with a disapproving tone. Well that explained who and why he was slapped in the head but it wasn't like his father to ever explain his actions. Lex then realized 'what' his father actually meant and for the first time he noticed the flush body pressed against him.

Lex sprung out of bed and immediately regretted it. The world spun, tilted, shifted and whirled. He felt instant nausea and grasped the bedpost hoping to still the spinning.

"It might be wise to have a seat. You don't look very well," Lionel smirked and gestured to the chair in the corner near the bed.

It took all of Lex's concentration to fight the waves of dizziness and understand what his father was saying. He almost missed the sinister gleam in his father's eyes. For the first time in his life he truly wondered if his father was the demon people believed him to be. "What have you done? What did you give us?"

"Lex sit down," he insisted more forcefully, "before you fall down." This time there was a note in Lionel's voice that could not be denied. Lex looked from the bed to the chair judging the distance. Much to his disgust, Lex realized he wouldn't make it, so he positioned himself back on the bed.

Carefully he pulled Chloe close to him, laying her head on his lap. He could still feel her pulse while lightly caressing her neck. Even feel her breath causing her chest to rise and fall. When she hadn't stirred Lex glared at his father. "What's wrong with her?" he demanded refusing to let the topsy-turvy world affect the steel in his voice.

"Nothing. You both have been sedated until my arrival." Lex's look of pure bewilderment prompted Lionel to once again go against his grain and explain himself. "You were a bit violent when you first woke up and discovered that she had been recaptured. Took out three men before they could subdue you from what I heard. They thought it best to keep you both sedated until I arrived to contain the situation."

Chloe's moan distracted Lex from his father's explanation. His fingers found their way into her hair and though she was finally stirring he felt no desire to stop. He prayed that it would help calm her as he felt her stiffen and her heart race.

Chloe opened her eyes. She fought the waves of dizziness that threatened to engulf her. Moments passed and no one said a word. She slowly moved away from Lex and slid carefully to the headboard for support. Now in a sitting position, her mind lost some of its fuzziness and she felt the nausea subside slightly. She was confident that she wouldn't lose her dignity as long as she remained perfectly still.

She still didn't resist turning her head ever so slowly to meet Lex's concerned eyes. Chloe's mouth was dry and her tongue felt swollen, so speaking was out of the question. She settled for a small comforting smile. Lex, in return, smiled back with some of his tension easing away.

Lionel watched the two with a mixture of growing irritation and something he refused to identify. "Do you two think you can desist in mooning over each other long enough to realize how foolish you both were?"

For the first time, Chloe realized they weren't alone. Worse she realized that they were back at the mansion. "I drowned and went to hell, didn't I?" Chloe muttered in disbelief at the thought of it all being for nothing.

"No, you didn't," Lionel growled rising from the chair. He began pacing unsure of what to say next but when his words did form there was no stopping him. "I do not appreciate one bit, you trying to usurp my authority, Chloe. Let me remind you, I will be the one that has the pleasure of snuffing out your pathetic existence. You will not under any circumstances depart this Earth without it being MY intent. And I plan a means much more appropriate then drowning in a shark infested ocean."

Chloe took a deep breath trying to reign in the anger this man had a knack for unleashing. But when she caught a glimpse of Lex's wide eyes, she couldn't stop her response if she wanted to. "I'm sure you are taking great pleasure in scaring the hell out our your son."

Lionel scoffed, "You think he cares for you my dear? How delusional of you. He was the ringleader of this little escapade. He knew from the beginning there was a possibility you would die in the attempt. He didn't seem to care at all."

"I do to care about--" Lex argued.

"Lex please, you are a Luthor. You have been instructed since birth to look at every possible consequence of every action. You must have considered that the guards would have tranquilized her. Do you honestly want me to believe it didn't cross your mind that she might, while unconscious, fall out of the boat and into the depths of the ocean?" The look on Lex's face showed Lionel that he hadn't considered that as one of the possible outcomes.

"Do you realize that she had sunk so deep into the water they needed under water search lights to find her, that it was just luck that they did? One of the men was nearly attacked by a shark while trying to rescue her. Her lungs were so filled with salt water that they had to perform mouth to mouth and CPR to keep her alive."

Lex looked at his father slightly confused. If it were any other person than his father talking he would almost think he was concerned for Chloe's safety.

Chloe didn't realize the change in Lex but she refused to stand by and let Lionel continue scolding his son for trying to free her. "How diligent of your goons to leave my death, I mean life in your hands."

"Diligent indeed. At least I will insure that you are conscious when you meet your end," Lionel snapped with promise. "You nearly cost the girl you were 'saving' her life, not to mention the man that was shot tonight."

Both Lex and Chloe turned to him with curious expressions. "We didn't shoot anyone. We didn't even have a gun," Lex offered.

"I know," Lionel said with the coldest look in his eyes, leaving no doubt as to his meaning.

Lex refused to flinch and Chloe quelshed a threatening gulp and blinked away tears.

"Now as to the 'consequences' of your actions," Lionel started with menace.

Lex edged over to Chloe watching his father's eyes dance with amusement. "You're not going to hurt her," Lex swore.

"No, son, you've done enough of that for the both of us this time around. I doubt corporal punishment is the way to go this time." He turned his attentions to his wayward son. "You will shut the plant in Smallville down." Both the gasps of outrage were ignored. "And move from that hick town." He stroked his chin in contemplation. "That boy has been having too much of an influence on you. You're trying to become the hero he seems to believe he is. It ends now. I don't want that boy around you anymore."

"I can't just up and leave father. The plant is showing a profit, it wouldn't be rational," Lex explained.

"You will find a way. More importantly, that plant will be closed. Not sold but closed. I want those people out of work. I want every ounce of equipment in that building either sold off or melted down. I want that building abandoned and sold off. I never want you in that town again. Do I make myself clear?"

Lex was at a loss but he knew what would happen if he said no. He gave Chloe a sweeping defeated look. "Yes, Father," he responded between tight lips.

"You can't do this," Chloe started. Lionel only arched a brow in response. "All those people, that town, my father, they need that plant."

"They will just have to find a new plant in a new town."

"You can't just destroy lives because you're mad at us," Chloe countered.

"I seemed to have had yours in the palm of my hand for quite a while now. Should I just save us all the bother and just get rid of you, once and for all?"

"You can't be serious," Chloe shook her head slowly in disbelief.

"Girl, do not confuse acceptance for compassion. I have grown accustom to your existence but your absence from my life would be of less consequence then the death of an employee."

"Then for God's sake just do it. I'm more tired of this 'existence' then you could ever imagine. But I can't let this continue."

"And exactly how do you plan on stopping me over your dead body?" he asked matter-of-factly. "Not to mention you do still have some uses," he turned to face Lex again.

"I said I'd do it. You don't have to threaten her anymore. You've dealt your punishment, now--"

Lionel laughed, "You thought that was it? Oh, no. This gets better. You are not allowed to come near Chloe or even talk to her for two months."

"WHAT?" they both yelled.

"Two months? You could have her killed and buried and I would still be doing your dirty work. No way. I need to know she's alive."

"You can just have two months of sleepless nights because there will be NO communicating in person or otherwise. Not a sound or word from anyone on her well being. Or I just eliminate her now." Lionel treated it like it was an actually option which just caused Lex's blood to boil.

"One month," Lex negotiated.

"Two and I won't be talked down. This is non-negotiable," Lionel vowed. "But I give you my word as a Luthor, she will not be…" He paused for a moment grasping for the exact words he would be more then willing to abide by. "She will not suffer during the two months you are gone, unless she tries anything as foolish as she just did."

Lex felt he was at the end of his rope but showed none of his fear as he turned to Chloe with all the confidence in the world. "Fine father."

"You don't believe him do you? You've already made a deal with the devil and are paying for it. You don't really think he will keep his word do you?" Chloe asked, uncertainty shining in her eyes.

"That's the thing about making deals with devils. We always keep our words verbatim." At Chloe's blazing eyes, Lionel just smirked. "Now on to you, my dear. You're grounded."

"Grounded?" she stammered. "Grounded?" she screeched in a much higher tone of disbelief. "What exactly could you possibly be grounding me from? Those little field trips we have are payment for services rendered, which I am more then willing to give up. Thank you very much."

"Considering how difficult for you to be investigating without your computer or the Internet for the next two months, you won't be completing any services and therefor will miss out on those 'little field trips'.

"Are you insane? I can't survive without a computer for two months."

"Oh, not just the computer, but TV, and radio as well. That includes CD's and DVD's. I won't have to suffer through that Avril Lavigne, or Merlin Manson freak."

"MARILYN Manson is not a freak. He's an artist," Chloe defended.

Rolling his eyes, "Be that as it may, you will be on a flight in the morning for Emerald Isle. Where you will stay in the tower, not the castle, but the tower. You will eat, sleep and breathe in the tower. You will not leave its confines for any reason save fire. And if I discover that you started one just to get out, you will continue the rest of your punishment in the ash."

"You have got to be joking. What do you expect me to do for two months with out an outlet to the world? I'll go insane."

"You can spend the time considering the error of your ways and repenting for your disobedience."

"Who do you think you are? You are not my father--"

"Be glad of that. After the danger your life was in, I suspect you are both getting off pretty easily." After a quick glare at the both of them he left the room, yet before shutting the door, "This will be the last night you two will be spending together for two months. I wouldn't waste it if I were you. And in case you're wondering security has been increased so I wouldn't waste the night plotting your escape."

With that the door was shut. Chloe stared at Lex through the moonlit room. "I'm glad you're OK," she whispered with a sweet smile.

"Yeah, well what can I say, I'm like a Timex. But I was never worried for a moment about you though. Your too tough to let some shark eat you."

"Oh, really," she said with a twinkle.

"Not to mention when you're on a soap box there's no stopping you. So you have to have the most powerful lungs in the universe."

"Oh, really," she said slightly more forcefully. Then when he just shrugged she swung a pillow at his midsection.

Both groaned with the action, the drugs had not entirely worn off. Lex collapsed on the bed stretched out. Chloe, whose heart was already aching with the thought of losing her only (dare she venture) friend for the next two months, didn't resist the urge to curl up next to him. With her head resting on his chest, she acknowledged quietly, "I'll miss you, Lex."

Her words were whispered softly, but he heard them nonetheless. His heart melted and he wondered for a moment if Chloe noticed the change in rhythm at her confession. He took a deep breath and moved his hand from her shoulder to her hair. While he enjoyed the feel of the silkiness of her tresses he couldn't help but return the honest sentiment. "Not half as much as I'll miss you."

Together they stayed in silence. Part of them waited for the sun to rise and for their torment of loneliness to begin, but the other part of them, memorized each facet of the other. Burning it into their minds to help them survive the time they would be apart and couldn't wait for the day to begin. For the sooner it began the sooner it would be over.

~*~

TBC