"Miss Sullivan"

"Mr Luthor"

They both smiled, and Chloe accepted the coffee with glee "You definitely know how to make an entrance" she stated breathing in the sweet aroma of Vanilla.

Lex chuckled and took a sip of his own coffee "Well it is 3am…I figured that the Chloe Sullivan I used to know hasn't changed enough that she would turn down free caffeine besides as far as greetings go, its one of the more practical ones"

"What no hug?" Chloe teased. She saw bodyguards standing nearby exchanging looks and watching Lex like he was Frodo's ring. Although…she supposed he was pretty valuable cargo.

Lex smirked "I don't 'hug'" he stated "Hugging is for the weak"

Chloe's eyebrow raised as she checked out her tall coffee cup "Vanilla Latte huh?" she smiled "I always took you for a straight, black kinda guy"

Lex smiled, leaning back into the chair beside Chloe, it was that mysterious smile that had always driven her journalistic instincts crazy…she wanted to know all about him. She always had.

"Straight and Black is predictable, I like to do the unexpected, keep people on their toes"

Chloe nodded mock seriously "You succeeded …Lex why are you wearing a toupee?" she asked

Lex almost choked on his coffee, her questions were abrupt, refreshing…rude even. It was quite the change to people kissing his ass constantly.

"My campaign manager recommended it…" he rolled his eyes at her "It appears that the people of America prefer Lex Luthor with hair rather then without"

Chloe studied him carefully for a moment "Nope…I liked your old do…made you unique…plus…that thing on your head looks like a dead rat" she reached out her hand and whipped it off "There much better"

Lex made a grab for his *hair* but it was too late, she had it in her hands examining it like it was some kind of lab experiment "What kind of hair did they use for this anyway? Its actually soft" she sounded amazed with herself as she ran her smooth fingers over every strand.

She shrugged "Oh well" she threw it into the bin across from them "…and Sullivan scores!"

Lex looked at her, his eyes serious "You slammed dunked my hair"

Chloe shrugged "Yeah it was probably worth more then a year's of rent on my apartment, but trust me Lex, you don't need it"

Lex shook his head, sinking back into his seat and bringing the coffee to his lips, crossing one leg over the other. Chloe noted that this one move made him seem more important then anyone else in that airport lounge.

"How's work?" he asked her "Breaking stories left right and centre I suppose? I managed to catch the one you wrote about a giant sewer rat?!"

Chloe smiled, and her blonde hair fell over her face as she looked at the floor and then back up at him "You know me, give me freaks over politics and reality any day" she smiled "I'm hoping that while I'm in Metropolis I get to meet Superman. Lois practically guaranteed me an interview"

Lex frowned "You would want to meet the freak of nature?"

Chloe gazed at him incredulously "You are aware that meeting freaks is part of *my* nature right? I mean there is a reason I'm sitting here talking to you" she nudged him lightly and he chuckled, nodding.

She grinned "So how goes the great political icon that is Lex Luthor?"

He attempted a light hearted smile "Well I'm sure my odds have gone down since you threw away my image"

Chloe laughed "Lex as much as people like the hair, even more like the bald you, and if hair is the basis of your presidency, why would you want it anyway?"

He realised it was the first time she had called him by his first name and listened "Maybe your right" he allowed, a far away look in his blue eyes.

"So where are you headed?" he asked attempting to change the subject. Even if Chloe was an old acquaintance, she was still a journalist and a clever one at that. "Gotham to see Bruce?"

Chloe shifted a little and when she spoke her voice was laced with an underlying sadness "Bruce is doing business in Australia actually…I'm heading to Metropolis for the week" she raised her eyes from her lap to meet Lex's

"The Ross-Lang affair?" he questioned.

"That's the one" she quipped back "I have to be there to make sure the dress isn't crinkled and Pete doesn't lose the ring" she smiled ironically.

"You know…I never would have picked it" Lex admitted "Lana and Clark yes…but Lana and Pete…"

Chloe nodded smiling "I know what you mean, it was like one day the girl was my rival in the Clark stakes-" Lex frowned "… and the next she was dating my OTHER best friend and making him the happiest I'd ever seen him" she sipped her coffee and took a breath "Where are you headed?"

Lex focused on the trash can "Metropolis actually" he looked up at her.

"So you're going to the wedding?" Chloe asked, her eyes widening.

Lex shook his head, "I have business, though Miss Lang did invite me"

Chloe nodded "I wonder if Pete knows if she invited you" she pondered the thought and then continued.

"Couldn't you go? I mean you're already in town…what would happen that would be so bad at a wedding?"

Lex's eyes narrowed and his voice came out sharper then he intended "I have reasons for not attending"

Chloe rolled her eyes "Of course you do" she was getting annoyed with the avoidance issues this man clearly had.

"Let's cut to the chase shall we?" she gazed at him "You and Clark had a huge fight, I don't know what it was about and I don't want to know…all I know is you guys used to be best friends and now you not only aren't friends but you avoid each other at all costs" she shook her head "Lex you cant build your life avoiding Clark"

Lex shifted a little in his seat as he realized that he must have given something away. His voice lacked any inflection when he spoke, "It looks like you have the makings of a real Lex Luthor exclusive."

Chloe shrugged, the smartass was back "If I wanted to expose you – yes, your lucky cause I'm off duty" she paused "I heard about your father you know, I'm sorry Lex"

Lex stiffened, his father's death still affected him…he hadn't liked his father but he hadn't wanted the bastard to die the way he had.

Chloe closed her hand over his and Lex flinched at the touch "Don't let your life go by without knowing people Lex…because you will die alone…and repeat history"

"Do you take your own advice?" Lex asked staring into her eyes.

Now it was Chloe's turn to avoid as she strategically took another mouthful of coffee before answering "And you would be referring to?"

"Bruce" came Lex's reply "Chloe your in a long distance relationship that isn't going anywhere and that I suspect is more for show and tell on his behalf" he shook his head "You don't need a man in your life Chloe, look at you now, what difference has dating Bruce Wayne made to your life?"

"Can you honestly say he's impacted?"

Chloe shrugged and looked him in the eye "I don't know what the future holds for my relationship Lex, but at least I'm in one, at least I have someone to call when things get rough, I mean someone who isn't my attorney" she gave him a pointed look and instantly wanted to snatch back her words at the look on his face.

Her flight was announced and she stood up, holding out her hand for him to shake. Lex reluctantly followed suit, standing and taking her hand wondering when Chloe had gotten so direct. Had she always been this way?

"It was nice talking to you Chloe"

Chloe nodded, a sad look in her eyes "Goodbye Mr Luthor" she let go of his hand and walked towards the line of people already boarding.

He watched as she walked away and sank back down into his chair. It was amazing how well she seemed to know him for someone he had barely associated with in Smallville. He was intrigued.

"Miss Sullivan" he called out just as she had handed in her ticket.

Chloe sighed, turning to look at him, a 'what do you want now' in her eyes "Yeah?"

"Bruce Wayne isn't good enough for you"

Chloe rolled her eyes at him but as she turned around, a small smile crossed her face "Goodbye" she called sarcastically back over her shoulder before disappearing from his sight, the smile still playing over her lips.



Lex smiled as well, watching as she walked out of his life as quickly as she had appeared again. He heard his own flight announced and turned to walk away, a business like look on his face as his bodyguards pounced on him once more. It had taken all his power to make them back off to 100 metres during his conversation with Chloe, but now….now he had a life to get back to.