"What happened to 'Miss I refuse to sing pop' Chloe, you know the one who has given me lectures on my taste in music oh…just the better part of my life?"

Chloe laughed as she sat down across from her best friend "I will say it again for the zillionth time this lifetime, Lana the world does not revolve around divas like Mariah Carey and groups like the Backstreet Boys besides Delta Goodrem isn't pop…exactly"

They were at O'Connor's, Chloe's favourite place in the entire world – a karaoke bar across from Central Park. "Where's Pete?" she asked looking around, she made a face "Don't tell me he's going to sing!"

Lana shuddered "No way, I hear him enough in the shower, I wouldn't allow it" she grinned, that Lana Lang smile of pure bliss "I think he went to get-"

"Drinks" Pete smiled finishing her sentence. Chloe looked between them, a smile crossing her own lips as she accepted her tequila and slice of lemon. It had been three months since the wedding and they were still just as happy – if not more so after their 2 month honeymoon travelling around the world.

"So I want to know everything" Chloe started and noticed Pete and Lana exchange a look, she was hasty to correct herself "Oh NOT Everything, I don't need to know about any of that – uh just the travel part" she blushed and grinned at her best friends.

Lana started "Well I guess Australia was a highlight, the beaches there are pretty fantastic and their zoo's…" Chloe smiled, Lana was practically obsessed with animals. The Ross's had 3 dogs, and 2 cats not to mention a rabbit. She wouldn't be surprised if a baby was soon to be added to the list.

"We went to a couple of AFL games" Pete continued "They were okay" he made a face "Not as good as real football"

*Tell that to the Australians* she thought silently, a hint of glee crossing her face.

"Uh Natasha… I'm not sure this is a good idea" Chloe looked up suddenly, her ears trying to pinpoint the voice "This place isn't really me" the voice was cool, calm, collected.

Then she spotted Bill standing at the door – Lex's latest body guard. Big, Bulky…so Lex was here…she felt her stomach do a flip flop as Pete continued to talk animatedly about Australia. She hadn't heard from Lex since the wedding, when he had left early and the truth was, she needed a partner in banter – most people just didn't cut it.

She had actually looked forward to seeing him again. He challenged her.

"Lex over here" Lana had been the first to spot him and Chloe rose her hand in a half wave, on his arm was a leggy blonde supermodel. She wished that he would get a life and start dating some women with substance. Although clearly this one was not his kind of woman …well karaoke and Lex Luthor just didn't seem to be a good fit. Maybe it was a first date? Or an organised business meeting went astray. After all, this was New York.

Lex approached his hand firmly at the small of Natasha's back. He was doing a business colleague a favour and getting his daughter out of the hotel. Unfortunately Natasha was being more then a pain in the ass. She was whiny and immature and acted as if she was 14yrs old rather then the 23yr old she was. She's wanted to go to a karaoke bar for goodness sake.

"Lana, Pete…Chloe" his eyes drifted over the blonde sitting in front of him. She was sucking on a lemon and was wearing what was obviously a strategically planned pair of leather pants and a red tie at the back top. Her blonde hair that had fell to her waist just months ago was once more choppy and short. She looked happier now. Laid back, hanging out with her friends…she looked like a woman who had been released from the spotlight. The release about Chloe and Bruce's split came a couple of days after the wedding and the tabloids had un surprisingly blamed Clark Kent. Of course photo's were published of Chloe and Clark dancing at the wedding and shopping and goofing off in Metropolis. A part of him had wondered if their was truth to the rumours. That in itself made his blood boil but he had come to the conclusion that Chloe and Clark were trying to piece their fragile friendship back together – and plus both of their best friends had just married each other and taken off honeymooning. That left the two of them. Still …he had said he would stay in contact with Chloe. And he hadn't – to which he still felt guilty.

"Uh this is Natasha Jacobs" he said introducing his date.

Natasha scanned the table "Hey everyone" she smiled.

As Lana started asking questions, Chloe had the chance to watch Lex. He looked uncomfortable, and who could blame him, an Armani suit wasn't exactly O'Connor's style. Plus his date was kinda clingy and had a weird high pitched voice. Her eyes met his and she smiled her hazel eyes boring into his blue orbs. For a second it was as if she could read his mind and vice versa. Then they both smirked and looked away. Like a private joke.

"…and this is Chloe" Lana introduced beaming.

"Hi" Chloe said with another wave "Uh I'm going to go get us some more drinks" she stood up and Lex nodded "I'll come with" she raised an eyebrow but allowed him to follow her.

"You know I wont get kidnapped Lex, you can go back to Natasha" she said pointedly as they weaved through the crowd.

"I saw you singing before" he smiled "You didn't sound half bad"

Chloe made a face and punched his arm hard "Well if I didn't sound half bad, that must mean you think I only sang half good…if your going to pay someone a compliment at least do it properly Luthor"

Lex was surprised to see the blonde packed a good punch "I remember Lana being the girl I taught to fight" he said warily.

Chloe smirked "Believe it or not Lex, I knew how to stand up for myself before I met you" she rolled her eyes.

"Oh so that's why Clark saved you so much in high school"

"Come to think of it, I remember Clark saving your rich ass more times then he ever saved me"

Lex held up his hands "Truce?" he asked.

"For now" Chloe replied with a smile as they reached the bar.

"So Natasha?" she questioned

"Its business" was Lex's reply.

"Oh"

"Yes"

Chloe focused on the red velvet of the barstool cushion for a second "I read about you and Bruce" Lex said softly.

Chloe nodded, spinning around on the seat "Like I said at the wedding, it wasn't meant to be" she shrugged "But I sure did figure out why you hated journalists so much"

Lex shook his head "Correction, I hate tabloid reporters. Journalists, real journalists, like you…well I think that there should be more in the world"

Chloe smiled, a real smile "Thanks Lex" she said blushing "That means a lot coming from someone who wouldn't even let me finish an interview with him in high school" she pointed out

"I tried once" he protested "It wasn't my fault meteor induced thieves threw you out a two story window"

Chloe met his eyes "Does that mean your up for a rematch?" she questioned, a glint in her eyes

"I thought you didn't like politics?" his reply was easy.

"I don't, I figure I could question you about who you used to be. The boy beneath the toupee"

Chloe smiled sadly "The boy that used to help out the locals of Smallville anyway he could"

Lex's eyes grew cold for a second "Chloe…that isn't me anymore" he said weakly.

Chloe nodded looking down and then back up to his face, she almost looked disappointed in him…

"You know what? Your absolutely right…just like I'm not the same person I used to be, Lex you cant treat me like I'm going to break okay" she gazed at him "I live in New York, this is my natural habitat, I didn't need an escort to the bar" she gave him a look before turning to Charlie and placing their order.

The rest of their evening was pained and forced, Chloe dancing with numerous guys as Lex and Natasha made chit chat with Pete and Lana. Occasionally Chloe would pop in to drag Lana off or add something insightful to the conversation but for the most part she kept her distance and Lex knew it was because of him. Why did that girl have such an affect over him? He almost always felt like he had to apologise for something around her. A repeat of Jonathon Kent.

They staggered out of the karaoke bar in the early hours of the morning as a group. Lana and Pete were the first to leave, Pete whisking her off as she giggled, leaning her head on his shoulder and telling Lex that they would have to do it again sometime. Natasha gazed at him, impatiently waiting for her escort home but he carried on the look he was sharing with Chloe.

She was the first to break the silence "I guess this is it once more, and Lex Luthor disappears into the sunrise"

Lex smiled at her joke "It was a pleasure Chloe"

Chloe shook her head and smirked "Let's not lie now, it really wasn't but…thanks anyway Lex" she shrugged and turned on her heel, heading down the busy New York footpath and disappearing into the crowd.

He felt the body guards surround him as he wrapped an arm around Natasha and they headed for the limousine. Before he got in, he caught one last glimpse of blonde hair and red material. He sighed and sank into the limo, pulling the door shut behind him "The Plaza" he muttered.