Looks like I was a little off on my estimated time for finishing this fic. Opps. But as usual RL gets in the way…and I've also started beta reading for someone else. Which I'm not complaining about at all….love doing it! But now that the summer is fully here for me…I should be able to spend quality time in Smallville.
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Title: Decisions
Chapter Completed: May 5, 2003
Anna stood in the middle of the scorched earth. The golden-green fields were burnt and brown – even the sky reflected a barren wasteland. The sun shone, but gave no warmth or real light; it was just an ominous presence looming behind her. Glancing around, there was no life. He trees were skeletal remains of where life once was. The form of where life was once held. She could hear the ground under her feet groaning and moaning with every step. It was calling her, wanting her to stay. The place was trapping her. The open space so confining, but she felt lost. It was a punishment to be here, to be dropped off and left here. A way to be rid of her. The only thing she didn't know was exactly where she was she had no idea. She had never seen this before…but it all felt familiar. She searched, the frantic way someone looks for truths and signs and miracles. Then she saw it. The large, looming, honest to god sign. Large block letters spelled out what she, deep down, already knew. She knew where she was; she knew what this place of imprisonment was. It spelled it all out for her, 'Welcome to Smallville'.
"Anna," Lex whispered to her. He leaned over her bed in an attempt to wake her. They had slept separately for the three days she had been back at the house, because of the fractures and bruises.
She slowly opened her eyes, focusing on the way the morning sun softened his lit features. "Lex?" she still questioned the vision and her reality.
"Morning," he kissed her forehead, "It's about time for your pills," he was referring to the low dose pain medication she was given as part of her early release from the hospital.
She groaned. She hated the pills and being treated like a child, but most of all she hated the pain. "Okay," she reluctantly kept her eyes open and pulled herself up in the sitting position.
"I have a few errands to run…"he ran his hand along the back of his neck, "Are you going to be alright alone for a little while?" He was worried about her. She had been moping around, understandably, but he was only used to brooding behind these stone walls.
The younger woman just nodded, she fought the urge to groan at his over protectiveness. "I think I'll call Chloe today," she added to make him feel better, and in honesty she wanted to talk to her friend – something back in the ordinary. It was just hard to get back to where things were before a personal tragedy. No matter how many people were feeling it, it still only happened to that one person.
And Lex did relax at hearing this. Anna hadn't talked to anyone but him for the last few days and even that was minimal.
"That would be good," he knelt on the bed to lean in and kiss her goodbye. His lips pressed lightly to hers, but she didn't reciprocate. He pulled back, brow creased, "I won't be long," he promised returning to his full height.
She slowly nodded, making a noise of agreement as she dragged herself off the bed to stand.
"Or I could stay if you want me to," the millionaire wrapped his arms around her waist, protectively pulling her against him.
She leaned back, usually able to relish in the feeling of his broad chest and strong arms but now still not feeling right, She felt as if she was just going through the motions. "No, it's okay," she shook her head, peeling out of his embrace, "You don't have to stay and watch me."
"But I like watching you," he teased, the words bordering on dark and twisted.
The young woman forced her face into a smile, even if she didn't feel it. "No, it's okay, really," she touched his arm, "I don't want to keep you from anything important."
He brushed the hair off her face, his fingers trailing on her cheek in the only way that Lex Luthor can caress, "This is important," he smirked, "But I do have some important decisions to finalise." He agreed to going. He was sure it would cheer her up…and himself for that matter. The millionaire leaned in to kiss her, catching her cheek instead. "I won't be long," he assured again before finally leaving.
Anna sighed. She really did love him, being around him. So much in fact that it excited and scared, not to mention pained her lately. Pulling herself together she grasped the cordless phone receiver, she did promise to call Chloe and missed the spunky young girl, before venturing into the bathroom. One of the values of a cordless was the ability to do more then one thing at a time. The young woman proceeded to draw a bath before picking the receiver back up and noticing her face in the mirror. Only it wasn't really her face anymore…this was hollow and sunken, colourless and lifeless. It was defeated and dead. She dragged her hand down the inhuman flesh, watching the reflective glass. Being here was really destroying her.
She threw open the medicine cabinet, to displace the horrid representation, and stared at the bottle of painkillers. A whole bottle of escape. She reached out and grabbed it. Her other hand had dialled the semi-familiar phone number and the ringing called out to her friend.
"Yah, hello?" Chloe answered the shrill ring in a hurried voice, as if she had ran for it.
"It's Anna," she replied without taking her eyes off the bottle, "Mind coming over?"
Chloe perked up at receiving a call from her. They hadn't actually spoken since the hospital and it was worrisome, "No, of course!"
"I've made an important decision," Anna set the bottle down on the sink side, "So if you could hurry…"
The young reporter nodded, already scanning her room for clothes and other necessities, "I can be right over. Ten minutes max." She was beyond curious about the decision and noticed the other girl's tone was odd.
"Great," the older blonde replied, "I'll see you soon," she finished the call in a trance like state, the phone falling from her ear. Her final decision was made.
Chloe hung up her end and began to rush.
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Chloe came out of her house, not watching where she was going as she was digging through her bag for the keys to match her cherry red VW convertible beetle in the driveway. But instead of making it to the car, she crashed into the limbering form in front of her.
"Hey Chlo," Clark beamed at her. His hands protectively on her arms to rebalance her.
"Oh…hey Clark," she was surprised to find him in her driveway, unless of course he needed something, "what's up?" She eyed him, slightly suspiciously.
"Just thought I'd come over and see you," he rolled on the balls of his feet then back on his heels.
She nodded, "well…you saw me," she smiled and shrugged before continuing to her car.
The farm-boy was a little dumbstruck. Sure he figured things were different between them, but she seemed to be totally ignoring him now. "Ah, Chloe?" he turned toward her.
"Yeah Clark," she was still digging through her bag for the illusive keys.
"Wha…what's going on with us?" he stuttered the question out, feeling uncomfortable for even asking.
She spun around, "huh?" the question was out of no where to the girl. Wasn't it Clark Kent who agreed without hesitation to being just friends?
"I mean…I just," he took a deep breath. Words were never his strong point.
Chloe bit her bottom lip. She was unsure where this was going, but that puppy dog look in his eyes always got to her.
"Chloe…Is there any us?" he tried to motion with his hands.
"An us?" she was confused.
He nodded, as sternly as possible for the boy.
"I thought we were friends Clark," she fought to keep her voice as light and airy as possible – to try to keep the mood that way.
"So did I," his voice sounded like that of a defeated boy as he looked down to watch his foot kick at the dusty drive.
She let out a definite huff, locking her jaw sternly. Crossing her arms over her chest she waited for him to continue.
Clark slowly dragged his eyes off the ground when she didn't respond. His eyes locked on her expression and defensive stance. "What is this?" he almost whined now, surprising one of his oldest friends, "Why are you acting like this?"
She ran her tongue along her top teeth, a tactic to maintain her-self. "Just how am I acting?" she succeeded in keeping an even tone, even with her building rage.
"Like I'm not important anymore," he was a spoiled child.
She laughed. The absurdity of the comment, the arrogance, and the damn tantrum he was having. All her frustration, anger and bottled up resentment broke through her as she laughed at his comment.
He was not amused.
Chloe shook her head, moving back to the car. She didn't have anymore time to deal with Kent's wounded pride.
Falling shot of stomping his foot, Clark broke into tantrum mode. He swung around to face her back, glaring at the corduroy jacket. "I need you to decide Chloe," he began his ultimatum, "Right now. Decide where we stand."
She turned to see if he was really serious, finding the stone features and knotted brow. "You can't be serious," she muttered finding no break in his look. 'Fine', she thought. She was sick of the games with him, these games. "If I have to decide right now," he gave a curt nod," No where." Her voice was stronger then she thought possible, "we're no even friends anymore. Goodbye Clark."
In one fluid movement she was in the car, safely behind the wheel before the tears spilled from her eyes. But she didn't look back.
-x-x-x-x-
"Excellent choice sir," the man behind the glass counter nodded with satisfaction. He held the piece up again, marvelling at the art, "Excellent."
"I know," Lex replied with that certain smugness, his hands shoved in his pockets awaiting the transaction. Mentally he was willing the man to hurry. He had another stop yet, one far less joyful, but still as meaningful.
"Very special woman?" the man continued fishing for the information to quench his curiosity. This particular Mr. Luthor had been shopping in his jewellery store for years, but never in person. It was usually the professional shopper flashing the Luthor card.
A smile formed on Lex's lips in reaction to the mere mention of Anna's existence. She was special. And had to be for him to even consider a marriage or even a proposal again. At least this time he was sure that this had nothing to do with little green rocks, or his father's sick business plans. This time he could feel it, and that had been what made his decision. He nodded now.
The clerk seemed satisfied and content with the millionaire's reaction. It felt like he had some sort of responsibility when handing out engagement rings, no matter what price was paid. It was where he gained control in this little corner of the world. He smiled and held out a white paper gift bag, with the velvet box safely inside, to the waiting patron, "Best of luck Mr. Luthor."
Lex smirked, taking the bag. Luck wasn't something that Luthors believed in.