A/N: HAPPY FRIDAY TO EVERYONE! Sorry I just had to say it.... Happy birthday to my friend Shaina, who'll probably never read this, but I can't say I tried... this is the last Chapter of the story,(to be followed by the Epilogue) so enjoy! :)

Masquerading

By S. Ann Smith

Chapter eight: Identities Revealed

"And where were you missy?" Lois asked the moment Chloe opened the door. "I've been trying ot reach you for at least an hour!"

"I had my phone turned off." Chloe stated nonchalantly, as she numbly took off her coat.

"What if there was an demergency?" Lois was obviously angry at Chloe's carelessness, and probably worried about if she was drunk or not, as Chloe had been fumbling around the apartment since she arrived.

"I would have to turn it on to phone 9-1-1," she said as she went into her room. Lois followed.

"It's past midnight Chloe! We have to work today!" Lois said finding some other reason to be mad with the blonde infront of her. Lois had always done that since they were little.

"You do, WHite gave me the day off because of my exclusive on Wayne Enterprises. He thought it was exceptionally well done and Could possibly win me a Pulitzer." Chloe sat down on her bed.

"Whit wants another one, huh?"

"Yeah." Chloe replied taking out her Pj's.

"Then I'll se you when I get home." Lois said going to the door, "Good night Chlo'."

"Night Lois."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Chloe awoke to an empty apartment. Lois was already gone, and judging by the time, was probably in the middle of a major flirt-a-thon with her favorite corn-fed farm boy, Clark. Chloe shuddered as she opended the cupboard and grabbed the coffee.

Just the thought of Clark and Lois flirting brought back traumatizing memories of Clark and Lana in High School. The awkward moments after Clark had left Chloe at the spring formal. The times when Chloe felt like a third-wheel to the googley-eyed pair. And all of the times when CHloe had wished Lana had never been born perfect.

The sound of the coffee perculating snapped her out of her brood, and chloe decided avoiding the thought of Clark would be better for her health. She would think about Lex instead.

The way he made her feel when she was arond him, the way his eyes sparkeled when he spoke to her, and, strangely enough, the way his perfect bald head reflected the light.

She hated to admit it, but she was smitten. There, she had said it. Except this time the smitten...ness, was reciprocated. If it wasn't she didn't think that Bruce and Lex would have gont through all of the trouble of confusing Chloe beyond the extremes, not that she minded.

She poured a cup of coffee and sat on the sofa. The old worn sofa, angrily groaned and grumbled as she sat down.

She turned the television on to the local Metropolis channel, aptly named Metrop-o-vision. She was greeted with a beautiful view of the LuthorCorp building with a speck of a person standing on the roof.

"I'm Holly Daiz reporting live from the LuthorCorp building where an ex-employee is percariously perched on the rooftop. The man had apparently been fired from the corperation's head staff. While C.E.O., Lex Luthor is unavailable at the time, we will try to keep you further posted as the crisis continues." The onfield reporter said as she disappeared and was replaced by the anchor man.

"Thank you Holly. We'll keep you posted with a further interview with multibillionaire Lex Luthor the man who apparently-" Chloe turned off the TV and headed for the shower.

Placing the coffee cup on the kitchen counter as she passed she made certain that the doors were locked before closing the bathroom door behind her.

She ran the water until it ran warm before stepping in, The water wasn't scalding but it was hot.

As the water rained down on her she becgan to think of Lex agian. Teh way he alway scan keep a clear mind when things are hectic. The way he always has a slolution to any situation and it mad him strong. She felt that that was one of the things that attracted her to him. When Chloe was finnished, she went into her room to change.

Emerging once again Chloe headed to the door. She had her laptop in hand adn intended to do nothing but play internet card games, if anything, with it. All of her stresses, as she had intended, were washed away with the shower water.

She walked along the sidewalk to the First Cordial Metropolis Park, founded by the same person who founded Metropolis, and now owned by the Luthors, not that they didn't own everything in Kansas. This park was the closest to the LuthorCorp building , and she was going to watch the drama unflokd, if it wasn't too late, and if it was, she was going to be the first Metropolis Newpaper Journalist with a Lex Luthor interview.

But it wasn't the interview that she wanted the most. She thought with a smile as she turned into the park.

It was almost sembpty, except for the lovebirds and the dog owners who were heavily engrossed with their game of frisbee.

Chloe was walking to an empty bench whenshe saw a shadow above her, When she looked up she got a glimpse of Lois' 'Superman'.

She could have sworn the gangly feet looked familiar, even in the flattering pointy shoes. She thought that she recognized the lanky frame, but decided that it couldn't be who she thought it was.

For some strange reason, Chloe found herself mumbling, "be careful Clark."