Chapter 4: Saving Private Sullivan
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Chloe slid off her gas mask, stunned at the information she held in her hands.
Meanwhile, Lex was still searching the mansion. He was sure he was going to die, and for what? A florist? There were only a couple of rooms left, though he could barely see into them anyway. Lex burst into his office, he could just make out a young girl hunched over his desk. He wasn't sure whether or not she was hurt but he wasn't going to take any chances. There was a dense cloud of smoke hovering above him as he went to grab the her.
Chloe shrieked in surprise as somebody's arms wrapped their arms around her waist from behind.
'What the hell do you think you're doing?' She screeched, feeling herself being hauled away.
'I'm rescuing you!' Lex yelled, his blood racing, 'What does it look like I'm doing?'
Lex half dragged, and half carried the squirming girl out the office. He looked towards their exit and swore.
'There's too much smoke we're going to have to go out the back.' he informed, still holding onto the girl.
'Look, you really don't have to do the whole GI Joe thing, the situation isn't that...' Chloe began coughing; maybe she shouldn't have used so much of that chemical stuff. This smoke screen was so dense that they made her eyes burn.
Lex ran towards the door, slamming it open with his shoulder. The force of impact sent them both sprawling onto the damp grass outside. He caught his breath and for the first time he turned to the young woman.
"Chloe?!" he cried incredulous.
"We went through this before, it's Miss Sullivan to you..." She trailed off, lying down on her back, breathing hard. Maybe if Lex thought she was dying he wouldn't sue her.. this wasn't how the plan was supposed to go.
Lex stared at her for what seemed like an eternity before pulling himself off the ground. "You have a lot of explaining to do Miss Sullivan."
He helped her off the ground and paused, waiting for a decent explanation. If there was one thing he hated it was being lied to.
Chloe groaned inwardly. She couldn't believe she'd gotten caught.. there was no way out now except the truth. Well, most of the truth. She quickly recounted the events that had transpired, outlining the story for him
"I don't know whether to congratulate you for executing such a devious plan or to have you arrested..." Lex smirked. No damage was done but she couldn't be allowed to breath a word of this to anyone. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number.
"False alarm. Tell everyone it's safe to go back outside and whatever you do, make sure the police and their cavalry don't set foot in the mansion," Lex said to his security guard.
"Now I must ask about this operation of yours, how exactly did you get the tools to pull it off?" he asked. He'd had no clue that the girl was so resourceful.
"Well I borrowed the gas mask from Pete's mother, she uses it when she sprays her plants with pesticides. The gas bombs were state of the art. I made them in chemistry, it's quite interesting. First you take cans of hairspray and empty them, then you mix- well, you probably don't want to hear the details," Chloe stated.
"I'm impressed Sullivan. I underestimated you, but rest assured that I will never make that mistake again." Lex smirked, "Now since my home *isn't* on fire why don't we go back inside and you can't tell me the truth about what you saw in my office?" he asked, motioning back to the door.
"Sure," Chloe said brushing past him and heading inside. "I have nothing to hide."
The two made their way back through the haze of smoke that was left. Chloe sat down while Lex opened a couple of windows. He returned to his seat and leaned over his desk, staring at the girl hard, just waiting for her to crack. She didn't.
"What? Do I have grass on my face?" Chloe asked, breaking the silence.
Lex groaned. "You have absolutely no idea how important this is, do you? Do you realize that you're the only one other than my father's lawyer who knows about this..." he trailed off, breaking the intense eye contact with her.
"It's a twisted game Lionel's playing with you." Chloe stated, "..but it can't be that bad. You have an entire week to find a bride."
"Not that bad...? How the hell can I find someone to marry me within seven days?!" he yelled.
"Lex... you're worth billions. Grab any brunette slut you can find, promise her a life of luxury for one year after which you get a divorce. Brunette slut girl is happy and you inherit your fortune." Chloe stated mildly.
Lex couldn't believe he was discussing this with Chloe, a reporter, but he didn't have anyone else. and he'd make sure she never printed anything. "It's not that simple I-"
Lex stopped as there was a sudden burst of wetness from above him. The sprinkler system.
Chloe laughed, "Well it's about time those things kicked in..." she stated.
Lex groaned as his entire office was soaked, then yelled out his door, "Will somebody please switch off the damn water! You think I pay you people enough to do that for me!" he barked.
"Breathe Lex, you're going to give yourself a heart condition." Chloe said seeing his scowl.
"Thanks for your concern," he said as his white shirt became drenched. "I risk my life for you by running into what I thought was a burning building and this is the thanks I get? You know that Italian leather on my couch will never be the same again."
Chloe diverted her gaze from the man's very visible chest and unsuccessfully shielded her hair from the water," We should get out of here." she said getting up and heading for the door.
"We're not going anywhere until you tell me exactly what you plan to do with that information." Lex said quickly stepping in her path and blocking the doorway.
"Well probably nothing seeing as how I'll die of pneumonia before I get out of this building." she snapped, refusing to be intimidated.
Chloe watched as tiny rivers of water fell down Lex's face and she released a frustrated sigh. Suddenly her cell phone began ringing and she rolled her eyes. Of course she'd go on an undercover mission and still leave her phone on.
"Chloe? Where are you?" came Gabe's concerned voice.
"I... I... " Chloe started.
"Thank God!" Lex stated as the shower of water ceased.
"Who's voice was that? Young lady you better tell me where you are right now!" he said, shifting into concerned parent mode.
Chloe covered the mouthpiece of the phone, "Thanks a lot," she hissed venomously.
"Chloe? Did I or did I not hear Lex's voice?" came Gabe's question.
"N-no dad... that wasn't Lex... it was this old lady who er... lost her cat, and- hey!" she yelled as Lex swiftly stole the phone from her. She was digging her own grave and he couldn't stand by and watch anymore.
"Gabe, I'm putting you on the speaker," Lex said, hooking Chloe's cell phone to his home phone, "Now there was a minor... accident at the mansion- "
"Oh my God, is Chloe alright?" Gabe asked with concern.
"I'm fine Dad," Chloe reassured him.
"It was all a false alarm, Gabe. The heating system malfunctioned and there was a lot of smoke." Lex lied smoothly. "Chloe mentioned earlier that she was working on a report involving Smallville economy, and I told her to stop by if she needed another opinion, that's why she was here," he continued.
"Well, I'm certain you have enough on your mind without Chloe talking your ear off." Gabe said pointedly.
Lex smiled widely at Chloe's indignant expression. He was enjoying this way too much.
"Well actually Gabe, Miss Sullivan and I never got to have that discussion. We would like to continue it... preferably over dinner." Lex ended, glancing at Chloe. He had to find out exactly what she knew about the will, and make sure she didn't breathe a word about it to anyone.
"That's a great idea. I need to submit that report with my application to Met U, so I need all the help I can get..." she replied. This was great, and exclusive interview with a Luthor and all she had to do was pretend to set his house on fire.
Lex waited for Gabe's approval, but the man was in a silent confusion. With a smirk at Chloe, Lex sat down on the edge of his desk and leaned towards the phone.
"It's not a date, Gabe. Just a discussion to help Chloe out." Lex stated looking directly at Gabe's daughter.
"Yeah dad... don't worry about it. I have my pepper spray if he tries anything." Chloe stated, matching the man's gaze.
"Well... I guess it's okay..." Gabe said slowly. "Of course it's not a date, I mean what do the two of you have in common?" he laughed.
The three way conversation continued, and Lex agreed to pick Chloe up at seven so that they had plenty of time to discuss the 'report'.
As Gabe hung up the phone he couldn't help but wonder about what he'd said about Lex and Chloe not having anything in common.
"Now that's not entirely true..."
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"A report on Smallville's economy?" Chloe rolled her eyes as Lex handed her back her cell phone, "Now that has to be the shortest report ever written,"
"Yeah.. it's about as short as that report on 'Way's to make Chloe Sullivan smile,' I believe it's about three lines long," Lex smirked.
"Oh, but the list of people who would want to marry you would be the shortest."
"Don't remind me. I only have six days left."
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Thanks for reviewing!
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Chloe slid off her gas mask, stunned at the information she held in her hands.
Meanwhile, Lex was still searching the mansion. He was sure he was going to die, and for what? A florist? There were only a couple of rooms left, though he could barely see into them anyway. Lex burst into his office, he could just make out a young girl hunched over his desk. He wasn't sure whether or not she was hurt but he wasn't going to take any chances. There was a dense cloud of smoke hovering above him as he went to grab the her.
Chloe shrieked in surprise as somebody's arms wrapped their arms around her waist from behind.
'What the hell do you think you're doing?' She screeched, feeling herself being hauled away.
'I'm rescuing you!' Lex yelled, his blood racing, 'What does it look like I'm doing?'
Lex half dragged, and half carried the squirming girl out the office. He looked towards their exit and swore.
'There's too much smoke we're going to have to go out the back.' he informed, still holding onto the girl.
'Look, you really don't have to do the whole GI Joe thing, the situation isn't that...' Chloe began coughing; maybe she shouldn't have used so much of that chemical stuff. This smoke screen was so dense that they made her eyes burn.
Lex ran towards the door, slamming it open with his shoulder. The force of impact sent them both sprawling onto the damp grass outside. He caught his breath and for the first time he turned to the young woman.
"Chloe?!" he cried incredulous.
"We went through this before, it's Miss Sullivan to you..." She trailed off, lying down on her back, breathing hard. Maybe if Lex thought she was dying he wouldn't sue her.. this wasn't how the plan was supposed to go.
Lex stared at her for what seemed like an eternity before pulling himself off the ground. "You have a lot of explaining to do Miss Sullivan."
He helped her off the ground and paused, waiting for a decent explanation. If there was one thing he hated it was being lied to.
Chloe groaned inwardly. She couldn't believe she'd gotten caught.. there was no way out now except the truth. Well, most of the truth. She quickly recounted the events that had transpired, outlining the story for him
"I don't know whether to congratulate you for executing such a devious plan or to have you arrested..." Lex smirked. No damage was done but she couldn't be allowed to breath a word of this to anyone. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number.
"False alarm. Tell everyone it's safe to go back outside and whatever you do, make sure the police and their cavalry don't set foot in the mansion," Lex said to his security guard.
"Now I must ask about this operation of yours, how exactly did you get the tools to pull it off?" he asked. He'd had no clue that the girl was so resourceful.
"Well I borrowed the gas mask from Pete's mother, she uses it when she sprays her plants with pesticides. The gas bombs were state of the art. I made them in chemistry, it's quite interesting. First you take cans of hairspray and empty them, then you mix- well, you probably don't want to hear the details," Chloe stated.
"I'm impressed Sullivan. I underestimated you, but rest assured that I will never make that mistake again." Lex smirked, "Now since my home *isn't* on fire why don't we go back inside and you can't tell me the truth about what you saw in my office?" he asked, motioning back to the door.
"Sure," Chloe said brushing past him and heading inside. "I have nothing to hide."
The two made their way back through the haze of smoke that was left. Chloe sat down while Lex opened a couple of windows. He returned to his seat and leaned over his desk, staring at the girl hard, just waiting for her to crack. She didn't.
"What? Do I have grass on my face?" Chloe asked, breaking the silence.
Lex groaned. "You have absolutely no idea how important this is, do you? Do you realize that you're the only one other than my father's lawyer who knows about this..." he trailed off, breaking the intense eye contact with her.
"It's a twisted game Lionel's playing with you." Chloe stated, "..but it can't be that bad. You have an entire week to find a bride."
"Not that bad...? How the hell can I find someone to marry me within seven days?!" he yelled.
"Lex... you're worth billions. Grab any brunette slut you can find, promise her a life of luxury for one year after which you get a divorce. Brunette slut girl is happy and you inherit your fortune." Chloe stated mildly.
Lex couldn't believe he was discussing this with Chloe, a reporter, but he didn't have anyone else. and he'd make sure she never printed anything. "It's not that simple I-"
Lex stopped as there was a sudden burst of wetness from above him. The sprinkler system.
Chloe laughed, "Well it's about time those things kicked in..." she stated.
Lex groaned as his entire office was soaked, then yelled out his door, "Will somebody please switch off the damn water! You think I pay you people enough to do that for me!" he barked.
"Breathe Lex, you're going to give yourself a heart condition." Chloe said seeing his scowl.
"Thanks for your concern," he said as his white shirt became drenched. "I risk my life for you by running into what I thought was a burning building and this is the thanks I get? You know that Italian leather on my couch will never be the same again."
Chloe diverted her gaze from the man's very visible chest and unsuccessfully shielded her hair from the water," We should get out of here." she said getting up and heading for the door.
"We're not going anywhere until you tell me exactly what you plan to do with that information." Lex said quickly stepping in her path and blocking the doorway.
"Well probably nothing seeing as how I'll die of pneumonia before I get out of this building." she snapped, refusing to be intimidated.
Chloe watched as tiny rivers of water fell down Lex's face and she released a frustrated sigh. Suddenly her cell phone began ringing and she rolled her eyes. Of course she'd go on an undercover mission and still leave her phone on.
"Chloe? Where are you?" came Gabe's concerned voice.
"I... I... " Chloe started.
"Thank God!" Lex stated as the shower of water ceased.
"Who's voice was that? Young lady you better tell me where you are right now!" he said, shifting into concerned parent mode.
Chloe covered the mouthpiece of the phone, "Thanks a lot," she hissed venomously.
"Chloe? Did I or did I not hear Lex's voice?" came Gabe's question.
"N-no dad... that wasn't Lex... it was this old lady who er... lost her cat, and- hey!" she yelled as Lex swiftly stole the phone from her. She was digging her own grave and he couldn't stand by and watch anymore.
"Gabe, I'm putting you on the speaker," Lex said, hooking Chloe's cell phone to his home phone, "Now there was a minor... accident at the mansion- "
"Oh my God, is Chloe alright?" Gabe asked with concern.
"I'm fine Dad," Chloe reassured him.
"It was all a false alarm, Gabe. The heating system malfunctioned and there was a lot of smoke." Lex lied smoothly. "Chloe mentioned earlier that she was working on a report involving Smallville economy, and I told her to stop by if she needed another opinion, that's why she was here," he continued.
"Well, I'm certain you have enough on your mind without Chloe talking your ear off." Gabe said pointedly.
Lex smiled widely at Chloe's indignant expression. He was enjoying this way too much.
"Well actually Gabe, Miss Sullivan and I never got to have that discussion. We would like to continue it... preferably over dinner." Lex ended, glancing at Chloe. He had to find out exactly what she knew about the will, and make sure she didn't breathe a word about it to anyone.
"That's a great idea. I need to submit that report with my application to Met U, so I need all the help I can get..." she replied. This was great, and exclusive interview with a Luthor and all she had to do was pretend to set his house on fire.
Lex waited for Gabe's approval, but the man was in a silent confusion. With a smirk at Chloe, Lex sat down on the edge of his desk and leaned towards the phone.
"It's not a date, Gabe. Just a discussion to help Chloe out." Lex stated looking directly at Gabe's daughter.
"Yeah dad... don't worry about it. I have my pepper spray if he tries anything." Chloe stated, matching the man's gaze.
"Well... I guess it's okay..." Gabe said slowly. "Of course it's not a date, I mean what do the two of you have in common?" he laughed.
The three way conversation continued, and Lex agreed to pick Chloe up at seven so that they had plenty of time to discuss the 'report'.
As Gabe hung up the phone he couldn't help but wonder about what he'd said about Lex and Chloe not having anything in common.
"Now that's not entirely true..."
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"A report on Smallville's economy?" Chloe rolled her eyes as Lex handed her back her cell phone, "Now that has to be the shortest report ever written,"
"Yeah.. it's about as short as that report on 'Way's to make Chloe Sullivan smile,' I believe it's about three lines long," Lex smirked.
"Oh, but the list of people who would want to marry you would be the shortest."
"Don't remind me. I only have six days left."
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