A/N: is it just me or does everyone else find awkward so awkward looking? Trip was great, except for the harsh sun burn on my back, and the sleeping on the hard ground parts. :D but I survived and wrote a ton on the bus, Hopefully soon, ( have Ch 8 and the epilogue to type out still.) what can I say, I was on the bus for more than ten hours yesterday alone.
Masquerading
By S. Ann Smith
Chapter seven: The Dropping of Masks
"Planned this? Now why would I go through all of the trouble to plan the meeting between you and Bruce, the interview, having Lois invite me to game night, and set up this meeting?" Lex asked raising an eyebrow, innocence playing on his face like a mask.
"Because you're a Luthor?" She retorted trying hard to resist the urge to smile.
His smile turned into a smirk with her comment and leant across the table. "You know I'm not the typical Luthor." He proudly declared with a wide grin.
"What with the lack of hair, and all." Chloe stated with a smile, she was glad, almost relieved that the verbal judo part of their, what ever it was, was back.
"Don't forget the part that about me having a heart." It must have been the shock, because Chloe could find no smart comment to top that, so she quietly sipped her water, and wished two things. Either that the waiter would arrive soon, or that she would turn into a speck of dust. She patiently awaited the former, to break the awkward silence.
As if he had read her mind, the waiter arrived. "Have you made up your mind sir?" The waiter asked Lex.
"Seafood platter, no crab." He said not looking up at the waiter.
"All right sir and you miss?" The waiter looked at her expectantly/
"Chicken Linguini Alfredo please." She looked up at him, and passed him the folded menu. The waiter had a slightly shocked look on her face when she said please, it was almost as if he had never heard anyone say that to him here.
"Would you like anything to drink with that?"
"Scotch on the rocks for me." Lex said, not giving Chloe a chance to make any smart comments on his choice of beverage.
"Just a lemon water," she said, smiling softly.
"I'll be back with your beverages shortly." He retreated quickly; afraid of the authority figure that is Lex.
Chloe sighed contently and looked up at Lex. He had a smitten look on his face. That was, if Lex could look smitten. He was intently watching her.
"I didn't." He said quietly breaking the silence.
"You didn't what?"
"I didn't set this up." He repeated. "Bruce did. He was afraid I'd screw up."
"You didn't." She said softly, as their waiter placed their drinks on the table soundlessly. "Thank you," She said to the waiter. She took the glass from the table, after she took a quick sip, she carefully replaced it.
"I didn't what?"
"Screw it up." She looked up at him.
Either it was the scotch that was making his eyes catch the light in the way it was at that exact moment, or it was the bright light from above. At least she hoped it was the light.
"Good," replied a smiling Lex.
"But if that waiter hadn't been here when he was-" She began.
"I would have been out that door so fast." The said in unison. She was the first to laugh, and was followed by a small chuckle from Lex
"Your dinners sir," the waiter interrupted, placing their plates on the table. Chloe's first then Lex's.
They ate quietly, eyes locked on each other's. She was shocked by the intensity of the gaze she was receiving. She felt like she knew his thoughts. It scared her, a lot.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~
It was cold outside as Lex walked her home. It turned out that Lex had also 'not' planned the lack of ride home. Bruce had done that one on his own.
"You're cold." Lex said softly resting a hand on her hip.
"I'm fine." He swung her around to face him. "Really I am," She said quietly as he pulled her into a kiss.
When he pulled away several minutes later, out of breath, Chloe finally relented and answered him with "Okay, now I'm fine."
"That's what I thought." He smirked to himself, as they continued to walk.
The lights from the street lamps streamed down like heavenly pillars around them as they walked down the road. The lights played tag with the darkness as they walked.
They didn't walk immediately to Chloe's apartment, and only arrived there after stopping at a small Italian Soda shop for a drink.
Before they knew it they were standing at the door of her apartment.
"I'd invite you in but Lois is still up." She said leaning against the door softly.
He smiled and pulled her into a deep kiss. I'll call you tomorrow." He said as he pushed the button for the elevator.
"Until tomorrow then," she said quietly as the doors opened.
He smiled and walked backwards into the elevator. He waved to her as the door closed in his face. Chloe turned towards the door and sighed. She didn't know if she could wait until tomorrow.
