Title: A Chlex Story

Author: MitchPell

Disclaimer: I don't own anything that has to do with Smallville, it's characters, DC comics, or the WB. I'm just using them for a little bit of non-profitable fun.

Authors Notes: Ok, I'm sorry it took me so long to plug this one out. But do you see how long it is! It is a whooping 35 pages long! I decided to reenact the entire hostage situation in Jitters. Why you ask. Because it was a great episode and it also aids in the development of the Lex/Chloe relationship. I hope it is not too boring or just me writing out what you guys already saw on TV. I tried my best to capture the thoughts of most of the characters and also added some scenes of my own. If you do decide just to skim through it though, you might miss some things that will be popping up in later chapters. There is also some foreshadowing you might miss. So bear with me and read this hopefully not too awfully boring chapter. I've done a lot of research about the medical stuff, but if I've made any huge errors let me know. After all, I'm not an expert. I've decided that the episodes are going to take place on the week they were aired. So, since "Jitters" aired 12/11/01, the events that deal with "Jitters" in this fanfiction will take place during the week of 12/11/01. I'll try to let you guys know approximately what time of year it is. I'm going to using any and all spoilers, so read at your own risk. This story is going to be a long one. I already know that it is going to span the course of 7 years, and probably longer. I appreciate any and all feedback. Tell me whatever you think: the good, the bad, the ok, the grammar errors, etc… Trust me, I need the help!!

Summary: Lex and Chloe just seem right for each other. I don't know why, they just do.

Email: mitchpell@yahoo.com

Adri: I like Gabby too. She will be in most of the series, helping Lex combat cancer and various other things. I'm not quiet sure what all she will be doing, but she will be doing quiet a lot. I hope this chapter is all you wanted it to be. Thanks again for all the ideas, and beta work! You're awesome!

Faith: I hope you exams and papers are almost done! I can't wait for you to get back in the Beta-reading game!!

Tanya: I glad you had a great vacation. I hope I didn't miss too many grammar errors without your help!! I can't wait for you to get back to Beta-reading!!

Lrnd: LOL! Yes, I think Chloe is almost as witty as Lex. Which is one of the reason I think that they are so good for each other. I'm glad to see that I'm leaving you waiting to see what happens next. I feel sorry for Lex too. Our poor baby! He really does need a hug! OH NO! Did I just give out a spoiler? I guess you'll just have to read and find out!

Deanz: Nope! I actually didn't just make this chick up. Gabby is the spawn of the woman from Jitters and the masseuse from Drone. Lex said her name was Gabby, so I made up the rest. Oh, you better have the tissues ready. This fanfiction is, hopefully, going to make you cry tears of joy, laughter, and sorrow. Not in that order either! Don't worry there won't be any romance between Lex and Gabby. This is a Chlex fanfiction all the way! Thanks, I really worked hard on getting the medical stuff right.

mythirdeye: Thanks! That banter was hard as hell to write. It is so hard to write witty characters when you are the non-wittiest person out there. But I'm trying.

papergirl: As you know, I love Clex as well. But Chlex is definitely at the top of my list! I'm glad you like it. I love it when I snatch up the non-Chlex shippers. It makes me feel like I'm writing something that is actually worth reading. LOL! Yes the relationship will be slow in growing, but the smut will come. I grantee it!

Irrel: Glad you liked it. Don't worry there will be plenty of Lex and Chloe goodness to come! I promise!

vix: Like I've said before, this relationship is going to be built very slowly. I just can't picture Lex, or Chloe for that matter, jumping the gun in a relationship. Glad you liked it!

NeeterDilly: Thanks! I love it when people tell me that I'm doing a good job with Lex. He is so hard to write. I'm updating as fast as my little fingers can type. If all of my thoughts could magically appear on paper, I would have a 1000 page fanfiction all ready for the posting! Ok, so maybe I exaggerated a little on the length. But, it will be a daisy!

Trina Casey: Glad you like it! LOL! I'm going to keep writing for a while!

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Chloe sighed. Her father had been thrilled this morning about the tour. So thrilled, in fact that he had practically bounced out the door. He said that the tours exposed the students to the numerous employment possibilities the plant had to offer. He said it showed them that there was more to a fertilizer plant than manual labor. Chloe had said it was a waste of a Saturday afternoon. She would much rather be eating Lucky Charms and watching cartoons than touring a dingy factory with her father, who she was sure was going to embarrass her.

"Hello, everybody! I'm Gabe Sullivan, plant manager and proud father. Hi, sweetheart."

"Hi, Dad." See, Chloe thought as she hid behind Clark, I was right. It was times like these that she wished her dad was a little more like Mr. Summers.

"Welcome to LuthorCorp, where we give a crap."

"Okay, somebody kill me now." She groaned.

"A little fertilizer humor there."

"No crap, Dad," Chloe muttered. "Oh god!" She whispered after her words had registered. "It's contagious."

"All right, before we go inside, I need you to remove all your cell phones, pagers, and jewelry. Anything that jangles, dangles, or rings has to go in these plastic trays. Any other questions?" Gabe saw Clark raise his hand. "Yes?"

"I heard there was a third level to the plant. Is that true?" Though he didn't expect Mr. Sullivan to say yes, Clark didn't think it could hurt to ask.

Gabe laughed. "Yeah, yeah, that's where we do the alien autopsies." Gabe liked Clark, but it was obvious that Chloe's fascination with the strange was rubbing off on him. Which might not be a good thing. "I think we better get started."

"Don't encourage him." Chloe pleaded before following the rest of the students farther into the plant.

"This way, everybody. Alright people, let's stay together." Gabe called over his shoulder.

A little more than an hour later, Chloe found herself in a large room filled with computers. She had to admit that the tour hadn't been that bad. A lot more went on at the plant than she had realized. In fact, she could see a rather interesting Torch article coming out of this little trip. The headline would read: 'Fertilizer, a lot more goes into it than Crap.' She was sure that her dad would let her quote him, and if she was lucky, he might even get her an interview with Lex Luthor. Or, if her dad couldn't, maybe Clark could. The sound of her father's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"This is it, the plant's mission control. One hundred thousand tons of animal waste is processed here every year. Trust me, the results can be pretty explosive. So if any of you have had beans for lunch, I'm gonna have to ask you to leave."

Chloe groaned. Except for the episode at the beginning of the tour, her dad hadn't done any joking. He was doing so well, she thought. "Among his peers, he's considered witty." She told Pete, who didn't quite seem to be listening.

"Mm-hmm. Where's Clark?" Pete asked.

Chloe looked around. She hadn't even realized that Clark was missing. But now that she thought about it, he hadn't been around for most of the visit. She wondered if he was off looking for Level 3. She hoped that he wasn't. Despite the fact that she was curious about why Clark thought there was this mystery level, she didn't want her father to get in trouble. After all, he was responsible for the students, and it wouldn't look good if one of them started causing problems. She heard noises coming from a door in the corner of the room. It sounded like someone was trying to open it.

"What the heck?" Anyone with the proper authority to be on the other side should have a key, Gabe thought. God, I hope it isn't a student. "Excuse me," he told the kids as he went over to the door. He reached out for the handle, but just as he was about to turn the knob, the door flew open. Before he could even register what happened, he was spun around and a gun was pressed to his head.

"Don't move! You take me to Level 3." Earl demanded.

Chloe watched as the large black man grabbed a hold of her father. "Dad!" She practically whispered. She had expected it to come out as more of a scream, but the sudden onset of panic stole her voice. She recognized Earl immediately. It was the same man she had taken Clark to see at the hospital last night. Images of Earl's violent shaking and Clark flying through a glass window flooded her mind. She looked to the gun pressed to her father's head. If Earl were to have an attack, he would kill her father. She fought back the tears that threaten to stream down her cheeks. She had to be strong, for both herself and her father.

"Now!" Earl yelled.

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Gabby looked up from her book, as there was a knock at the bathroom door. She stepped over the body lying asleep on the floor so she could open the door. She peeped her head out to see Ann standing on the other side.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but Mr. Luthor has a very important phone call." Ann whispered.

"Who is it?" Gabby asked. She knew Lex would kill her if he found out that she was screening his phone calls. But she didn't see any need to wake him up, unless it was absolutely necessary.

"It is someone from the plant. They said it was urgent." Ann replied.

Gabby let out a sigh. "Alright, tell them he'll get it in a minute."

Ann nodded her head and then left. Gabby turned back to look at Lex. This morning's treatment had hit him hard. It had been his first large dose of cytarabine. One hundred mg/m2 in twenty minutes was a big difference from 100 mg/m2 over one week. He had just spent the last three and a half hours either vomiting, or afraid that he was going to vomit. Now that he had finally fallen asleep, the plant was calling. He was lying in a semi-fetal position, with his head resting on one of his pillows and a blanket draped over him. She watched the slow easy rise and fall of his breathing. He looked peaceful, and she considered telling the plant people to fuck off at the sight of him. She bent down and placed a hand on his shoulder. She didn't want to shake him for fear that it would cause him to throw up again.

"Lex," Gabby whispered close to his ear. She didn't get a response, so she raised the level of her voice. "Lex." Again, she got nothing. She let out a sigh, causing him to shiver and reflexively pull the blanket tighter and higher around himself. Not wanting to yell, Gabby gently shook his shoulder as she called his name. That got an immediate response.

"Don't do that again," Lex warned her. "What do you want?" His words came out as a sleep mumbled whine.

"You have a phone call from the plant."

"Tell them to have Gabe handle it," he mumbled.

Gabby smiled. My thoughts exactly, Lex, she thought. "They said it was urgent."

He groaned, and then stood up very slowly. Gabby went to help him, but he shrugged her off. He clutched his blanket close to himself and stumbled into his bedroom. After sitting on the bed, he picked up the phone on the nightstand. "Lex Luthor."

Gabby was impressed that his voice didn't reflect his haggard appearance or state of mind.

"What!" Lex exclaimed.

She watched his expression change from disbelief, to fear, to anger, and finally settling on uneasy calm as he listened to the other person on the phone.

"I'll be there in fifteen minutes." Hanging up the phone, Lex jumped off the bed and into his closet.

"Lex, what's going on? Why are you going to the plant?"

He returned from his closet carrying a pair of black slacks, his favorite purple shirt, and his long black jacket. He threw the garments on his bed, and then started rummaging thru his dresser. She could hear him muttering under his breath from across the room.

"Lex!"

"What!" He snapped as he pulled a tie, belt, and pair of socks from the drawers.

"What is going on? Why do you have to go to the plant?"

"The students were taken hostage." By this time he had already stripped down to his boxers, and was pulling his slacks on.

"What?" Gabby asked. "What are you talking about? What kids?"

"The kids that were touring the plant were taken hostage by some disgruntled ex-employee." He explained while tying his tie and stepping into his black Kodaks. He pressed the intercom next to the phone and told Frank to bring a car around. Then he grabbed his coat and headed for the door. "I have to go."

Gabby ran after him. "Well, when will you be back? What about your treatment tonight?"

"Look Gabby, I don't have time to discuss this with you. If I have to skip it, I have to skip it." He said as he opened the door. "Besides, I think this is more important don't you?" He asked then shut the door behind him before she could respond.

"Fuck," she muttered. Then turned to go back to her room. She had a feeling it was going to be a long night.

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"We need to find out if they're all right," Jonathan yelled at the security guard on the other side of the gate. He couldn't believe it. He should have known better than to entrust a Luthor with his son's safety even for an afternoon. "When we send our kids on a fieldtrip, we'd like to believe that they're gonna be safe! If you can't do it, then we need to do it!" He bellowed.

The crowd around him started to call out "Lex Luthor!" Jon turned to watch the black convertible approach the gate. If he could have, he would have punched Lex right then and there. But he decided against it as the security guard told him to get back.

"Watch your hands. Stand back, stand back." The guard said as the gate was opened and Lex drove through.

Lex cursed under his breath. He couldn't believe the news had spread so fast. How the fuck did all of these people get here before me? He wondered. I know I'm a little off my game, but Christ. He was going to have to do some serious reevaluation of the plants security personnel. As he got out of the car, he had to restrain himself from clutching at his rolling stomach. He glanced over to the crowd of concerned parents and nosey reporters. He could see Jonathan and Martha at the front of the group. He couldn't help but notice the daggers Jon was sending his way. Lex walked over to the gate and told the guard to let the Kents in. "Let these two in, just these two." He said.

"Alright, what's going on here?" Jonathan demanded as he followed Lex into the temporary control center. He had thought about thanking Lex for letting them in, but decided that Lex didn't deserve it. He had let this mess happen, therefore, Jon wasn't about to kiss his ass just because he had given them special treatment.

"There's a lunatic inside demanding to be taken to someplace called Level 3. We've managed to evacuate the plant, but he's taken the students hostage." Lex explained. He thought it was strange that Jonathan didn't already know what was going on. Then he realized that information about the situation hadn't leaked, but that the kids never returned from the fieldtrip. Maybe, he wouldn't have to fire anyone after all.

"Is anyone hurt?" Martha asked. She knew that Clark was most likely okay, but she was still worried. There were other kids in there, kids she cared for as her own.

"Not yet." Lex said while mentally thanking God.

"What's his name?" Jon demanded.

"Earl Jenkins."

"I know Earl Jenkins. He used to work for us." Jon softened his tone at the mention of Earl. He couldn't help feel a little guilty about the situation. He had known that Earl was troubled, that the man was desperately seeking help. He felt as if he should have warned someone, or done something. But he hadn't done anything, and now his son and his classmates were being held at gunpoint.

Oh really! Lex thought. In the business of hiring deranged terrorists, are we Mr. Kent? And here I thought only my father did that. Hypocrite. "Well, what's he doing in my plant?" Lex asked.

"Well, he claims that LuthorCorp is doing some crop experiments on some secret Level 3, and that's what made him sick. He's convinced that it's the only place he can get a cure." Jon snapped in response to Lex's condescending tone.

Lex snorted softly. "Then we've got a serious problem, because there is no Level 3."

Martha watched the two men subtly go at each other. She couldn't believe Jon and Lex were trying to out do each other during a crisis situation. They should be working together, not against each other. She was about to say so, when a video monitor caught her eye. The monitor displayed the kids inside, all the kids, except Clark. "Where's Clark?" She asked, her maternal instincts overtaking her need to reprimand the two men before her.

"I'm sure he's there," Lex reassured her. He wondered if that statement would be more reassuring or worrisome. Is it better that your son is being held at gunpoint or missing, he thought? "He's probably just in a corner of the room that the surveillance camera can't see." Lex knew he was lying; the cameras had been strategically placed to avoid that problem. But it seemed to calm Martha down, which was the purpose of the lie.

*************************************************************************

"I swear, I don't know anything about Level 3," Gabe told Earl. He kept glancing up at Chloe, trying to comfort her by sending her little half smiles. The look on her face was one of pure terror. He didn't want her to worry about him. It was bad enough that she was held up with the rest of the students, but to have the man holding a gun to her father's head must make it that much worse. He just prayed that Earl didn't make the connection between him and Chloe. He didn't know what he would do if Earl threatened her to get answers from him. Answers he didn't have.

"You're lying." Earl yelled.

"He's not lying!" Clark called. "I found these blueprints. There is no Level 3." Clark stretched out his arm in order to distance himself as Earl snatched the rolls of paper out of his hands.

Gabe was shocked to see Clark emerge from the hallway. He couldn't remember Clark leaving the group. What was he doing? Gabe wondered. He was going to have to have a serious talk with Jonathan about teaching Clark responsibility. The boy should know by now not to go snooping around were he didn't belong. Though, he had to give Clark credit. He was trying to help, even if his attempts were futile. Even Gabe knew that the blueprints weren't going to show anything. After working for LuthorCorp for eleven years, going on twelve, he learned that certain unwanted things could miraculously disappear.

Earl spread the blueprints out on a table and scanned over them. "Every night, I go down to Level 2, I follow the red pipes down that long hallway…" Earl said as he picked up the plans and started to walk around the room. He stopped next to Pete and shoved the plans in his face along with the gun. "I go to the door, I open it, and I take the elevator down to Level 3!" He turned back towards Clark. "You're just like everybody else. Now, you get over there and you sit down!"

Chloe watched as Clark went over and sat beside Lana and Whitney. She knew it was trivial, but she couldn't help but wish that Clark had come to her. Lana had Whitney to comfort her. Chloe glanced over at Pete. After having Earl wave the gun at him personally, he looked more shaken up than she was. Her eyes scanned over the group of students. Everyone looked nervous, some on the verge of tears, others with tear stained cheeks. Finally her eyes settle on her father. Earl was still standing behind him, muttering something that was inaudible. She tried to return her fathers halfhearted smile then turned her gaze to the floor.

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Lex, Jonathan, and Martha had been watching the exchange between Clark and Earl on the monitor. Jon and Martha had both let out a sigh of relief when their son entered the room. However, their relief didn't last long as they realized that Clark was now at the mercy of the gunman. Lex wanted to know what in the hell Clark was doing snooping around the plant. He also wanted to know what he was going to do to resolve this situation. How do you meet the demands of a man who wants something that doesn't exists, Lex wondered. Or does it exist, he thought as he heard the approach of a helicopter.

"Who's that?" Martha asked.

Lex slowly let out a breath, causing his cheeks to puff out. "My father," he replied while trying to prepare himself for what was sure to come. Well at least I got here before he did, Lex thought as he distanced himself from the Kents. He didn't need them to overhear Lionel ripping on him.

Lionel was pissed. He was used to cleaning up Lex's messes. But this was the first time the mess dealt with the company, and that was unacceptable. Of course, the real reason Lionel was particularly unhappy with the situation was because it wasn't entirely Lex's fault. He knew that Lex didn't know anything about Level 3, so he had been shocked when his assistant mentioned the failed project. I only hope that he didn't say anything foolish to the press, Lionel thought as he bounded up the stairs to the 'control center.'

"Mr. Luthor, we have a hostage situation." A security guard informed him.

"I was briefed on my way down." Lionel replied shortly. "Lex! How did you allow this to happen?" Lex might not have been responsible for this man's motives, but he had allowed him to get into the plant. And that was inexcusable.

Lex's stomach was tied in knots. He didn't know if it was because of the chemo or his father. But he was pretty sure it had more to do with the latter. Despite his best efforts, Lionel still managed to rattle him. Lex hadn't done anything wrong, yet here he was letting the bastard fill him with guilt. "I didn't allow anything." He managed to say. In the short time it had taken his father to walk up to him, he had started to sweat and his breathing had become slightly ragged. Usually, he was better able to conceal his nervousness around his father. But, his fucking medication was making everything more difficult.

Though his facial features remained stern, Lionel smiled internally at the effect he was having on his son. "Then how did this man get inside?" He demanded.

Lex swallowed, as he searched for an answer. He didn't know what had happened, but he couldn't tell his father that. "I think…" He began, before his father cut him off.

"You think!" Lionel practically yelled. "Why don't you know, Lex?"

Lex was trying to think of something, anything to say that would make it seem as if he was in control of the situation. However, he knew it was impossible. Any chance of appearing in control had been abolished with the word 'think.'

"Can we focus on the what's important?" Jonathan demanded. "We got innocent kids in there." Though, he enjoyed seeing Lionel put the arrogant little snot in his place, he felt there were more pressing matters at hand. He hated Lionel Luthor; everyone knew that. Yet he had to admit that Luthor was a very good businessman. This made him wonder why Lionel had put his son in charge of the plant. The kid obviously had no idea what he was doing. He was fairly certain that someone older, with more experience would have been able to prevent this. For pete's sake, Jon thought, the kid wasn't even here! What kind of management is that?

Lex had never been more grateful for Jonathan Kent. Though Jon wasn't backing him up, he hadn't joined Lionel in his verbal assault. And that gave him just enough support to recompose himself. "This is Jonathan Kent," he told his father.

Lionel looked the man up and down. It only took him a minute to place the farmer. "It's been a long time, but I never forget a face," he said while extending his hand. He had to smirk as Jon refused to take it. Very few people had the balls to decline anything from Lionel, and this man had done it twice now. He shot Lex a look, asking what Kent was doing there.

"Kent's son is inside, and they know the gunman personally." Lex told his father.

"What's you assessment of this lunatic?" Lionel demanded while making his way towards the monitors.

"He's sick, he's desperate, and he blames your plant for his condition." Jon replied.

"This Level 3 nonsense?" Lionel scoffed.

"I've assured everyone there is no Level 3. That is the truth, isn't it?" Lex asked. He knew his father would say it was, but he was hoping that he would be able to catch Lionel lying. The man was so good at controlling himself, that after twenty-one years, Lex was just barely able to distinguish the truths from the lies.

"Of course it is." Lionel calmly answered.

Lex looked away while rolling his eyes, mentally cursing at himself. He knew that was the answer he was going to receive, especially since the Kents were standing right there. But he couldn't tell if the old man was lying.

"People's lives are at stake, including my son's." Jonathan said. He was getting tired of the game between the two Luthors. "What are you gonna do?"

"I'm going to let SWAT do their job." Lionel responded as if Jon had just asked the most ridiculous question he had ever heard. "When he makes a mistake, they'll move in."

"What about the kids!" Martha exclaimed. "You need to get on the phone and talk to him!" She wasn't about to let this man just sit here safe and sound while these kids' lives were in danger.

Lionel looked at Martha. "Mrs. Kent, I understand how you feel." He said, his tone not at all convincing. "I want every one to walk out of there alive, too, but I do not negotiate with terrorists." He was ridiculing her purposefully. These farmers needed put back in there place, in his opinion.

"He's not a terrorist!" Martha shot back. Hell would freeze over before she let this man make her feel inferior. He can take his cockiness and money and shove where the sun doesn't shine, she thought. "He's sick, and he needs help! If you won't talk to him, then Jonathan will!"

That didn't get much of a response from Lionel, but it did from Lex. He grabbed a hold of Jonathan, who had started to leave. "You're not the one he blames." He said, looking Jon in the eye. "Is he, Dad?" Lex had to give the Kents credit. Very few people dared to stand up to Lionel, even Lex rarely did. But as much as he appreciated their help, this was not there problem to solve. He was going to make damn sure that they didn't do anything that would put them at risk. And that included protecting them from Lionel. He looked at his father, daring him to object. The two held eye contact for a moment then Lionel reached for a phone headset.

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Gabe jumped, along with everyone else, when the phone rang. He picked up the receiver and pressed it to his ear.

"Gabe, it's Luthor." Lionel said into the other end.

"Lionel Luthor." Gabe said as he handed the phone over to Earl. He let out a small sigh of relief. He didn't want to give anyone false hope, but he figured that if Lionel was calling then they had a plan to get everyone out.

Chloe heard her father announce that Lionel Luthor was on the phone. She was slightly troubled by this revelation. If Lionel was there, then he was running things. And though she was confident he could resolve the situation, she didn't trust him. She figured him for the type that would consider a 75% survival rate among the hostages as acceptable. She would have preferred that Lex was handling things. Though less experienced, he seemed to be able to talk his way out of most things. Plus, he also seemed more compassionate than his father.

"Mr. Luthor, " Earl said, "I've finally got your attention, haven't I?" He asked while stalking around the room.

"Earl, why don't you come out? We've got a lot to talk about." Lionel said.

"Just tell me what you were using down on Level 3." Earl demanded.

"You're sick, Earl. Let everyone go. We'll get you help." Lionel's voice was condescending, devoid of any sympathy.

Gabe watched in horror as Earl started to shake. He had never seen anything like that before. His eyes widened as he saw Earl grab onto the methane valve. He tried to move. He wanted to help Earl, but his limbs wouldn't cooperate. He was frozen. He heard Clark call out Earl's name, and turned to watch the boy run up to the seizing man. It all seemed to be happening in slow motion. His eyes followed the valve as it turned, releasing the gas. It continued forward, breaking off the pipes it was connected to. Finally it came into contacted with Clark's forehead, sending the boy flying backwards. He sat there, glued in his seat, not breathing. Oh God! He thought. Clark's dead. Clark's dead.

"Oh, no." Earl muttered. Fucking Luthor, he thought. This is all his fault; I didn't want any of this to happen. He walked up to the cameras. "See what you made me do? See what you made me…see what you made me do?"

Lex looked at his father. "Way to go, Dad. I see you haven't lost your touch." He smirked. However, he heard Earl saying something about gas, and turned his attention back to the monitor.

"The gas valve just broke," Earl said, "this whole place is gonna go up."

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Whitney watched as Earl spoke into the camera, turning his back on the students. He and Lana had gathered around Clark after he had been hit. None of the adults in the room were taking any action. "We need to do something." He said.

"I don't think that's a good idea." Clark replied. He couldn't get close to Earl, and he didn't want Whitney to get hurt.

Whitney looked at Clark in disbelief. "The man's nuts!" He exclaimed. "He's not listening to the cops. That methane gas is gonna blow."

"He's sick, but strong." Clark argued.

"Whitney, I don't want you to get hurt." Lana said.

"I'm not putting my life in that man's hands. Two of us can take him. How 'bout it, Clark?" Whitney asked.

"I can't." Clark said, unable to look Whitney in the eyes.

Whitney couldn't believe it. He was sure that Kent would have jumped at the idea. The guy took any opportunity he could to play hero, now all of a sudden he was chickening out.

"It's okay." Lana said.

That's it Lana, Whitney thought, don't try to help me out or anything. He watched Lana and Clark exchange a look, and then got up. He made his way towards Earl, ignoring Lana as she called out his name.

"Luthor, I trusted you." Earl said into the camera. "You told me you were trying to help people."

Whitney knew he had to act while Earl was distracted. He was just about to make his move when Earl turned around.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Earl yelled.

Whitney lunged for the gun, successfully knocking it out of Earl's hand. Having rid the man of his weapon, Whitney let down his guard a little. Therefore, he didn't react in time to stop Earl for backhanding him across the face. He fell to the ground hard, cutting his arm on the rough floor. He heard Lana call out his name, and then felt himself being lifted off the ground by Clark. Whitney glared at him. Oh sure, he thought, now you try to help. We could have had him if you hadn't sat on your ass earlier.

Earl retrieved his gun, then turned back to the camera. "It's all your fault, Luthor." He said before firing a bullet into the lens.

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"We got shots fired, one hostage down. Full alert." A passing security guard said into his earpiece.

"What was that boy thinking?" Lionel asked.

"He wasn't." Jonathan shot back. "He's a teenager waiting for somebody out here to take the initiative. You've got a hostage situation, a potential bomb in there…Somebody's gotta do something."

Lex was staring at the now fuzzy monitor. They had no idea what was going on now. Earl had taken away their only line of sight. For all they knew he could be killing everyone, Clark, Gabe, Chloe, Ross, the other kids and workers. Jonathan's words hit home. He was right; someone had to do something. He knew that his father wouldn't risk a hair on his head to help these kids, and he didn't want the Kents risking any of theirs. That left him. Well, he told himself, there is a thirty percent chance you're going to die of anyway. What difference does it make if it is by Earl's hand or cancer. "You're right." He told Jonathan. "I'm going in." He turned from the group and started heading towards the plant.

Lionel jumped up and chased after Lex. He hadn't expected this. "Lex," he called, "don't be foolhardy. This is no time for mock-heroics."

"You said this is my plant, then it's my call." Lex said without stopping. He was afraid that if he stopped know he would lose his nerve.

"I won't allow it, Lex." Lionel said while grabbing a hold of Lex's arm, halting his departure. He wasn't about to let his only son sacrifice himself to this madman, no matter how much they disliked each other.

Lex turned and looked at the offensive hand on his arm. He glared up at his father, praying that his fear didn't register on his face. "Don't ever do that again." He said sternly, daring his father to challenge him. He then turned to one of the security personnel. "Tell him Lex Luthor's coming to see him." He told the man.

"I wouldn't advise that." The guard replied.

Lex didn't stop. The more people who tried to stop him, the more determined he became. "Make the call." He ordered. "And give me your vest." He was going to do this. He could do this.

****************************************************************************

Lex walked slowly down the corridor. God he was nervous. He wiped the sweat that ran down the side of his face off on his shirtsleeve. He knew he could talk his way through this, he just didn't know where to start. His plan was to try to relate to Earl, to find a common ground between them. Then he needed to get Earl to see that the hostages hurt, rather than aided, his cause. No one sympathized with child-killers. Finally, he would offer to trade himself for the release of the kids. All he needed was to find a way to connect with Earl. He kept going over the things they had in common as he made his way towards the control room of the plant. However, by the time he reached the door all he had come up with was that they were both sick. Somehow he didn't think that was going to be enough to convince Earl to trust him. He just hoped that Earl spoke first, that way he could play off Earl's words. He took several deep breathes before opening the door. "God, what am I doing?" He muttered. He wished himself 'good luck', and walked through the door.

As Lex walked up to Earl with his hands in the air in a sign of peace, he scanned over the kids sitting on the floor. Most of them were either staring at the ground or looking at him with eyes mixed with fear and hope. When Lex looked at Chloe, however, he saw something else. He saw concern. Her face pleaded with him not only to save herself but her father as well, the man who had been threatened the most by Earl.

"What kind of man sends his own kid to do his dirty work?" Earl asked, his voice dripping with venom.

"I'm no doing anybody's dirty work, Earl. This is my plant." Yes, Lex thought, my plant. He needed Earl to believe that he alone could help him, not his father. He wouldn't be worth much to Earl, if the man was stilling looking to Lionel for answers. He glanced down at Lana holding onto Whitney. "How is he?" Lex asked.

"He needs a doctor."

Lex looked back up at Earl. "What are we gonna do about these kids, Earl?"

"I never meant to hurt anybody. I tried talking to your father, but he wouldn't listen to me." Earl replied.

There it is, Lex thought, this is how I can relate to the man. "I know the feeling," Lex said, watching the effect his words had on Earl. He seemed to soften a little bit, but his eyes were still wary. Lex knew he needed to show Earl that he could be trusted, so he started to take off the bulletproof vest. Though, Earl could easily shoot him in the head, Lex hoped the man would see the gesture as one of trust, belief in the fact that Earl wouldn't hurt him. "Earl," he said after removing the vest, "you say that everybody's been lying to you. I'm gonna tell you the truth. My father doesn't care about you. He doesn't care about anybody in this room. Because if we all die, his P.R. firm will spin it, his insurance company will pay out, and you, Earl, will go down as the bad guy."

"I'm not the bad guy. I'm just trying to get better." Earl replied.

"How you gonna get better by killing a bunch of kids?" Lex asked. He could see the guilt spread across Earl's face. That is what he wanted, for Earl to realize his foolishness in harming the kids. It was time to swap hostages. He took a deep breath. No backing out now, he told himself. "If you let everybody go, I'll take you to Level 3."

"You stop lying." Earl yelled, waving the gun at Lex.

Lex didn't flinch. "Let them go, and I'll show you where it is." He could see the doubt written across Earl's face. "Earl, trust me. I'm a man of my word." He just stood there as Earl looked over him, judging him.

"Get out." Earl said. "Get out. Get out! Everybody, get out!"

Lex swallowed and closed his eyes as the kids and employees started running from the room. He opened them just in time to watch Chloe run past him, her hand entangled with her fathers. She mouthed a 'thank you,' as she passed. Lex was started to slightly panic as he watched everyone leave. His breath was coming in short gasps, and his tie was choking him. He was loosing the offensive garment when Clark came up to him.

"Do you really know where it is?" Clark asked.

"Yeah," Lex replied, "it's in his imagination." He looked at Clark. He wanted him to stay. Clark seemed to have an uncanny knack for getting out of impossible situations. But he couldn't do that; he couldn't be that selfish. "There is no level 3, Clark. Now get out of here." The two just looked at each other.

"Clark," Earl called.

Lex didn't watch Clark leave the room. He had done it. He had gotten everyone out alive. Now all he had to do was find some way of saving himself. Unfortunately, all he could think of was how Earl was going to react when he found out that he was lying. He didn't have much time to dwell on it, however, as two large hands shoved him forward and into the chair, which had been previously occupied by Gabe.

****************************************************************************

"Go, go, go!" The guards yelled as they ran up the ramp.

Chloe couldn't remember the last time she had held her father's hand. Right now, she held on to it as if her life depended on it. They soon emerged from the tunnel, and into the dwindling evening light. She spotted Martha and Jonathan, who took off in her direction after speaking to a guard. On her way past, Martha pulled Chloe into a hug and asked her if she was all right. Chloe nodded in response, still fighting back the tears that threatening to fall. Martha squeezed her tighter then ran off to where the remaining hostages were exiting the plant. Chloe felt her dad squeeze her hand. She followed him as he led her further into the 'control area.' She saw that they were headed towards Lionel Luthor. As they approached, Chloe overheard the conversation between Lionel and a guard.

"We need to bring down the fire doors." The guard said. "The gas levels are too high. Your son will be sealed inside. I'm sorry, sir."

"Do it." Chloe heard Lionel say. She was shocked. She understood that it needed to be done. She knew that they couldn't risk the safety of everyone outside, to save the lives of the two men inside. But what got to her was Lionel's tone. He didn't seem worried, or even saddened by the thought of locking his only son inside a bomb with a madman for company. He merely seemed thoughtful. Chloe hardly knew Lex Luthor; she had only met the man twice. But even if he had been a complete stranger, let alone her only child, she could not have made that choice so easily. Her mind went back to the words Lex had said inside the plant.

'My father doesn't care about you. He doesn't care about anybody in this room. Because if we all die, his P.R. firm will spin it, his insurance company will pay out, and you, Earl, will go down as the bad guy.' Chloe had thought that he was only saying it to make Earl think he couldn't win with the scenario he had created. She couldn't believe a man could have so little compassion. What a bastard, Chloe thought. She looked up at her own dad, and smiled at him. Gabe pulled her into an embrace before leading her up to the ass himself.

****************************************************************************

"Clark, come on, man, we gotta go!" Pete called to his friend. He watched as Clark looked back towards Lex. He couldn't believe his best friend was considering staying behind to help a Luthor. In Pete's mind Lex deserved whatever happened to him. After all, he created the situation, so he should deal with the consequences. He grabbed a hold of Clark and started to pull up the ramp. However, right after they had passed underneath the door, Clark pulled from his grip and ran back inside in the plant.

"Don't worry about me!" Clark yelled back to him.

Pete wanted to go back and get Clark, but the door had already shut. Reluctantly, he continued up the ramp and out of the plant. When the parents came into view, he heard Martha call out to him.

"Pete! Hey, Pete." Martha said as she drew him into a hug. She looked past Pete, back into the tunnel. She expected to see Clark emerge from the plant, but he didn't come. "Where's Clark?" She asked Pete. She already knew the answer, but she was hoping her son had just fallen a little behind.

"He's back inside, Mrs. Kent." Pete replied, guilt and worry filling his voice. "I...I tried to stop him. I'm sorry. I…I'm sorry."

Martha hugged Pete one more time, and then let him go off to his awaiting parents. She spotted Lionel Luthor and walked purposefully up to him. "You have to open the doors." She told him.

He looked at her, suppressing his chuckles at her request. "They're safety- locked and can't be opened until the gas levels have gone down." He informed her.

"My son is still in there." She said.

"So is mine." He replied.

****************************************************************************

Lex could hear the blast doors closing, sealing him in the plant with Earl. He watched as Earl went over at read the pressure gauge on the gas valve.

"We're running out of time." Earl told Lex as he walked to stand behind the sitting man. "All right, I've done my part. Now it's time for you to do yours."

Lex leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees. He was glad Earl was behind him. Whatever Earl's reaction might be, it at least gave Lex a chance to protect his face. "Earl, there is no Level 3. It's all in your head." He had no more than said the words when he felt the hard handle of the gun connect with the back of his head. He screamed out in pain as he tumbled out of the chair and onto the cold hard concert floor. Lex saw spots. His vision became fuzzy and faded in and out to the point where he thought he was going to pass out. Earl grabbed a hold of his arm and yanked him to his feet. Lex swayed, the only thing keeping him up was Earl's painfully firm grip on his arm.

"I should have never trusted you." Earl barked at Lex. "You Luthors are all the same. A man of your word." The big man snorted. He didn't know what he was going to do now. He had nothing left to bargain with. He highly doubted that Lionel would listen to him now, even if he held the man's only son. He was thinking of what he was going to do, when Clark's voice came through on the intercom.

"Earl! I found Level 3. They built a wall in front of the elevator, but it's still here." They heard Clark say.

Earl dragged Lex over to the wall. "Stop playing with me!" He shouted into the little call box.

Lex couldn't believe that Clark hadn't left. He was furious that Clark had come back in, giving Earl an opportunity to hurt someone other than himself. He was upset that Clark had found whatever this man was looking for. But most of all he was outraged that Clark was seriously pissing Earl off, and Lex was the only one around for Earl to take his anger out on. "Get out of the building, Clark!" He yelled into the intercom. His efforts, however, only resulted in getting him thrown back onto the floor.

"Earl, it's here. Don't you want to see it? I promise." Clark said.

Lex lay there on the floor. He didn't have any strength left. Between the chemo, his fear, and the crack upside the head, it had all been drained from him. He shivered from the cold of the concert on his sweat-dampened body. He barely felt the hand grip the back of his shirt, but he did feel his collar cut into his throat when he was, once again, forcefully lifted from the floor.

"Come on," Earl spat at him. "I want you to see the truth."

Lex let himself be dragged out of the room and down the hallway. He somehow managed to keep his legs moving, as he stumbled along side Earl. Earl was moving at a rapid pace, and Lex knew that the only reason he was keeping up was because Earl was forcing him to.

****************************************************************************

All Chloe really wanted to do was go home, but her father had to stay.

"I know you want to leave sweetheart. But I'm the plant manager. I need to stay and help out as much as possible. There probably won't be much for me to do, but I need to stay to make sure." He had said. "Listen, why don't you have Pete take you home. You're exhausted, and there is no reason for you to be here. I don't know how long it will take before this is over. But, I promise I'll call you as soon as anything happens."

Chloe had disagreed. She didn't want to leave him or be alone. So she stuck by his side, never letting go of his hand.

A security guard walked up to them, and addressed Lionel, who was speaking to some man named Dominic back in Metropolis. "Sir?" The guard said to get Lionel's attention.

"Hold on." Lionel said into the phone before turning to the guard.

"The gas pressure's beginning to drop." The guard told him.

"How did that happen?" Lionel asked.

He looked shocked to Chloe, shocked, but not relieved. In fact she would go as far to say that he seemed disappointed. Chloe was relieved. That meant that Clark and Lex only had to deal with Earl, and not a bomb. She still couldn't believe that Clark had gone back in after Lex. She couldn't understand why one of her best friends felt it was necessary to try and save everyone. If…no, when he makes it out of there I'm going to kick his ass. He has no right to scare the hell out of us like this, she thought while glancing over at the Kents. Both of them looked worried, which didn't make much sense to her. Why aren't these people happy that the gas pressure's gone down? She thought. These three people's sons are trapped in a building that used to be a bomb. And instead of being comforted by this, one is disappointed, and the other two seem unconvincingly baffled. Well, Clark, Lex, at least I'm rooting for you, she thought.

****************************************************************************

Lex felt like they had been walking for hours. The throbbing in the back of his head and neck was getting worse. If they didn't stop soon, he was going to collapse whether Earl was holding him up or not. Earl finally shoved him through a door, before jerking him to a halt. Lex forced his eyes to focus. He was in, what looked like, a small storage closet; only the far wall had been knocked down revealing an elevator.

"You son of a bitch!" Earl yelled. "How do you explain that?"

"I can't," Lex panted. He really couldn't. He hadn't known about the elevator, hell he hadn't even known about this little storage room. Whenever he was at the plant, he spent most of his time in the offices upstairs. He never really ventured out into the work area. He had to wonder what other little dirty secrets his father was keeping. He lurched forward as Earl shoved him into the elevator. Lex looked at the buttons. "Two buttons, two levels. I'm sorry, all right?" He watched as Earl reached out and pressed his finger into an empty space in on the control panel. The little yellow light was like a slap in the face. Lex had figured that his father had lied to him, but it didn't take away from the sting. The bastard had let him walk in there with false information. Not that it would have made much of a difference if Lex had known the truth, but it was the principle of the thing. Lex was risking his life to resolve a situation that his father had created, and the ass hadn't even had the decency to give him all the facts. He could feel his shock turning to anger, anger fueled by his father's lies, the pounding in his head, and the shitty week he had endured before this even shittier day.

The elevator dinged as it shut, laughing at him. Lex didn't like things that laughed at him, mocked him, just ask the grandfather clock in his home office. The elevator started to descend causing Lex's stomach to jump. The familiar sensation was too much for his already queasy stomach. He leaned over as much as he could with Earl restraining him and retched. He could feel the acid from his stomach burning his esophagus, the back of his throat, and even the tender passage between his mouth and nose. Earl's laughter penetrated his ears. The elevator doors added to Earl's gibe with its sweet little chime.

Once the doors had opened completely, Lex once again found he was plummeting towards the floor. He put his arms out to catch himself, scraping his hands against the grated landing. His contact with the floor lasted just long enough to dislodge most of the skin from his palms. Then Earl pulled him to his feet again. Once Lex was on his feet, Earl turned on the lights, and then pushed past him.

"I told you it was here." Earl said as he walked further out onto the catwalk.

Lex was stunned. The place was huge and empty, completely empty. He couldn't believe all of this space was going to waste. He took a couple of steps out onto the catwalk, turning in circles to take in the vastness of the place.

"Where is…where is everything?" Earl asked. "There used to be a…there was a field of corn with sprayers all over it. And every night they'd spray this green mist on it. What have you done with it?" He whispered the last part, and then yelled. "What have you done with it?"

"I don't know." Lex replied. "They lied to me too, Earl. I had no idea this was here." He was wondering what Earl was going to do now that he knew everything was gone. Lex didn't see any way to escape. The only exit he knew of was the elevator, and if he didn't get shot on the way there, Earl was sure to catch him before he could get the doors closed. It wouldn't do him any good to head towards the lower portion of the level. It was wide open, plus he didn't know the area. He would only succeed in getting himself lost. He thought about attacking Earl, but Earl still had the gun. Not to mention the fact that Lex probably had a concussion and had been on chemo for the past week. The odds were definitely in Earl's favor. All Lex could do was hope the man came to his senses, and gave up.

"Earl!" Clark called from the elevator. "Let's go back upstairs and talk about this."

"It's all gone, Clark." Earl said. "How am I gonna get better if I don't know what poisoned me?"

Lex looked at Clark. "I didn't know about this place, Clark. You gotta believe me." Lex could hear the pleading in his voice.

"I believe you, Lex." Clark said.

Lex let out a small sigh of relief; Clark believed him. He had been afraid that Clark would stand against him. That the boy would take to side of his father's trusty farmhand, over the spoiled rich brat that had just moved into town four months ago. But Clark didn't abandon him like so many others had in the past.

"He's lying!" Earl yelled. "He is just like his father!"

Lex first felt the shaking in the railing. He glanced towards Clark, then back to Earl. The man was convulsing uncontrollably. The whole catwalk soon started to shake, and Lex had to grab a hold of the rail with both hands to steady himself. He could hear the bolts coming loose, and he could feel the walkway shaking more and more violently. He knew he should have run, that he should have made a beeline for the elevator. But, he was rooted there by his fear. The whole catwalk twisted sideways. Lex was thrown into the rail. He couldn't slow his momentum. His chest just kept moving forward, over the rail. He tightened his grip and tensed his abdominal muscles, trying to will himself to stop. Despite his efforts, his legs soon followed the rest of his body over the side.

"Clark!" He yelled, when he looked down at his dangling legs and the concert floor below, very far below. Lex panicked. He could feel his hands slipping on the rail, the mixture of blood and sweat on his palms loosening his grip. I'm going to die, he thought. His fingers lost their hold and he started fall.

Lex didn't scream. He wanted to, but the sound didn't escape his lips. He saw Earl's legs out of the corner of his eye, and reached out for them. He clasped his arms around the big man's shins and clung to him with all the strength he could muster. "Oh! Oh, God!" He looked down one more time, and then clamped his eyes shut. Lex could feel the toe of Earl's foot digging into the catheter in his chest. He tightened his grip, until his chest ached. He figured as long as he could feel the pain, he wasn't going to fall. The pain was his gauge; as long as it was there he was going to live.

After what seemed an eternity Lex felt Earl and himself being lifted. Lex forced his eyes open. Once it was in reach, he let go of Earl and grabbed onto the rail. He watched Clark pull Earl completely up. After Earl was up, Clark told him to "get to the elevator." Lex watched Earl move away from them, while Clark waited. Clark is waiting, Lex thought, he's not going to pull me up. He quickly pushed the thought out of his mind. He knew Clark wouldn't do that. Hurry the fuck up, Clark, he thought as his grip started to slip. He felt the strong hand clamp around his right wrist, pull him up. Once his feet were on the rail, Clark let go and started to head towards the elevator. Lex followed him, excepting the offered hand Clark extended once he had reached safety.

Lex rested on his knees, trying to get his breathing under control, when the shaking started again. He glanced at Clark, who pulled him up and helped him run towards the elevator. He hit Earl, and their momentum caused them to topple over one another into the safety of the small box. Lex turned and watched the catwalk fall to floor, smashing some barrels below. He turned to Clark. The boy had just lifted what had to be at least 350 pounds, easily with one hand. "Clark, how did you pull us up?" Lex asked.

Clark looked back at him, and gave a small smile. "I don't know. Adrenaline, I guess."

Lex looked back out to Level three. If he hadn't been in a slight state of shock and a little beaten up, he might have called Clark on his obvious lie. But instead he just stared blankly out the doors of the elevator. He was starting to wonder just how many lives he had. How many times would he be able to cheat death? He had no idea, but he knew that it probably wouldn't be too many more times. Somebody up there wanted him to die slowly. Much the way his mother had.

"Lex?" Clark shook his friend's shoulder. Lex was starting to worry him. He had been just sitting there staring out into space for the past couple of minutes. Clark figured that he was probably trying to get a grip on what all had just happened. But, Clark needed to get away from Earl. He was starting to feel sick being crammed in this small space with the meteor infected man. "Lex?" He called again, finally getting his friends attention.

"Yeah, Clark?" Lex replied, still looking out over Level 3.

"What floor should we go to?" Clark asked.

"Two," Lex said. "One will probably have a brick wall blocking it off like two did." Lex turned his head to look at Clark. "I don't know about you, but I can't tear down a brick wall with my bare hands."

Clark looked away while shaking his head no. "Of course not, Lex." He weakly responded.

"I didn't think so." Lex replied, his voice disparaging and tainted with sarcasm. Go ahead Clark, Lex thought. It's not like I haven't been lied to enough to today. What's a couple more to add to the mix? He watched the doors close in front of him, cutting off his view of Level 3; and heard the chime of the elevator bell, still mocking him. He was going to have to have that damned thing removed.

Luckily, the ascent of the elevator didn't cause his stomach to jump. And Lex was spared the humiliation of retching in front of Clark. But now that he really focused on him, the kid looked like he was about to hurl himself. "Clark, are you alright?" He recognized the look on Clark's face. Yet he couldn't quiet place it.

"Yeah, fine." Clark replied with another little half smile.

Lex was about to say something, when the fucking elevator door dinged to announce that it was opening. "You know, I really hate that fucking chime." His comment rewarded him with a look from Clark that told him that he was crazy. Lex had to laugh a little at that. "Don't ask," he said before Clark could say anything. "Help me get him out of here." Lex said while getting to his feet. He swayed a little once he was upright, his head injury demanding to be recognized. He managed to push some of the pain away and steady himself. Bending down, he hooked his bloodstained hands under Earl's armpits and started to pull the huge man out of the elevator. He noted Clark's lack of assistance, but didn't comment on it.

Lex was thoroughly winded by the time he had gotten Earl out of the elevator and small closet-like room. After gently lying the thankfully unconscious man down on the ground, Lex turned back to Clark. "Clark, do you think you can find your way back to the control room?" He asked. When Clark nodded a yes, he continued. "Good. When you get there I need you to call the guards and tell them that the situation is under control." He really didn't want to let Clark out of his site, but someone had to let the people outside know that things were resolved. Lex didn't have his cell phone, and he wasn't about to leave Clark alone with Earl. Though he doubted that Earl was going to wakeup, his last seizure seemed to have drained everything out of him; Lex wasn't about to take any chances.

"Lex, why don't you go?" Clark asked. "Even if I find my way back, I wouldn't know what number to dial."

Lex shook his head. "No, I don't want to leave you alone with Earl." Lex looked around him, trying to remember from which direction he and Earl had come from. "Look," Lex said, "if you follow this hallway, it should lead you to the control room. Do you remember which phone my father called Mr. Sullivan on?"

"Yeah."

"Ok, find that phone and use 'star 69.' It should work. Stay there until someone comes in then lead them down here. Make sure they send in the paramedics, alright?" Lex knew he was forgetting something, but he couldn't remember what. Then it struck him, the gas. "Fuck!" He yelled.

"What?" Clark asked, the worry evident on his face.

"The gas," Lex replied. "My father sealed the blast doors," he said, just catching himself from rubbing a bloody hand over his head. Lex turned to Clark. "I'm sorry Clark, but they can't be opened until the pressure levels drop." But now that he thought about it, the place should have gone up by now. He looked questioningly at the smile Clark was giving him. "What?" He asked.

"I don't think it is going to be a problem, Lex."

"What do you mean?" As far as Lex knew the only way to stop the gas flow, and decrease the pressure was through the busted valve back in the control room. Yet, Clark was still smiling at him.

"Just trust me Lex." Clark called as he started to walk down the hallway.

As soon as Clark rounded a corner on the far end of the hallway, Lex eased himself back down onto the floor. He leaned his back up against the cold wall of the plant and stretched his legs out in front of him. He was both mentally and physically exhausted. The Adrenaline that had been carrying through this ordeal was quickly depleting His head was pounding so hard he could hear it. He looked down at his hands, which were burning from the sweat that had entered the wounds. His right hand wasn't too bad. It only had a couple of little scraps that had drawn blood, most of which had dried up. But his left hand had a large gash cutting across it. The cut stretched from one side of his palm to the other, slicing his lifeline in half. Lex tried to rest his head against the wall, but it was too tender to be comfortable. So he pulled his knees up to his chest, and rested his arms across them, and his head in his arms.

Lex wasn't sure how long he had been sitting there. But as soon as he started to dose off, he heard the sound of a gurney being rolled down the hallway. He rose to his feet, schooled his features, and stuffed his hands in his pockets. He saw Clark first, leading the medics and security men towards him. Clark walked up to him and smiled.

"See, I told you we didn't have to worry about the gas."

"Yeah," Lex whispered as he watched as the paramedics loaded Earl onto the stretcher. One asked him if he was all right. He lied and said that he was fine. As they all made there way out of the plant, Lex wondered what he was going to say to his father. He had so many questions. What had they been doing down there? What had happened that the project was sacked? Why was Lionel letting all that space go to waste? Why had he lied to him? How could he seal his only son inside a bomb with a killer? When they emerged from the plant, Clark gave him another smile and a pat on the shoulder before running off to his parents. Lex tried not to grimace at the touch, but he was sore as hell, especially his head, neck, and shoulders. He watched Clark embrace his parents and then made his way over to his own father.

"You lied to me." Lex stated, looking his father in the eye.

"No, no, I didn't." Lionel replied. "I said Level 3 wasn't on any plans, and it wasn't."

Lex had to look away. After all he had been through tonight, the bastard still had the nerve to lie to him, to call him on a technicality.

"It's plausible deniability, Lex."

Lex shook his head. Unbelievable, he thought. "What were you doing down there?"

"Doesn't matter. It was a failure. We moved on."

"You almost got me killed!" Lex exclaimed.

"No, you almost got yourself killed. It was your call remember?"

Lex just looked at him, trying to mask all of the emotions that were flowing through him. He couldn't believe what an ungrateful ass he had for a father. After twenty-one years it shouldn't be such a shock to him. But it was still hard to swallow the fact that the person standing in front of him was his father. He heard the press rush up to them and turned his gaze to the ground.

"I'll handle this." Lionel told him.

"What can you tell us about Level 3?" One reported asked.

"I think you're referring to a redundant storage area at the base of the plant. Mr. Jenkins is a very sick man who desperately needs medical attention…"

Lex listened to his father start to run off his spiel of lies. He couldn't let him get off clean for this. He had to smile when he thought of the perfect way to make sure that didn't happen. He stepped up, leaning close to his father, and making his presence known to the reports. "That's why my father and I have pledged to find Mr. Jenkins the best medical care possible. He was a LuthorCorp employee, and here at LuthorCorp, we always put family first." He turned to his father. "Isn't that right, Dad?" He tried not to smirk, but he couldn't help himself after seeing the look on his father's face. Lionel didn't show much of anything. But, the smallest grimace was enough to let Lex now that he had hit his mark.

"Mr. Luthor, is it true the government is trying to shut you down?" Another reported asked.

"No more questions, please. My son has been through quite an ordeal today."

Before Lex knew what was happening, Lionel had wrapped his arms and him in the least personnel embrace in history. Lex felt himself stiffen like a board. He hated it when his father touched him, and Lionel knew it. All he wanted to do was jerk himself free of the pseudo hug, but he couldn't make a scene. He looked over at Clark and his parents who were still relieving in their happiness. It was like rubbing salt into an open wound, yet he couldn't look away.

To Lex's relief, the embrace didn't last very long, and he was freed from his father's clutches. He backed away from his dad, as Lionel turned to address the press once again.

"Though the crisis is over," Lionel said, "there are still pressing matters for us to attend to. Thank you." That said, Lionel placed an arm in the middle of Lex's back and led them back into the 'control area.' Lex was grateful for the hoards of people that were still loafing around. It spared him from having to listen to more of his father's speeches for the time being. However, the two bypassed the 'control area,' and made straight for the helicopter pad.

Once Lex was aware of their destination he turned to his father. "Leaving so soon, Dad. I don't know if that's so good for your P.R. Don't you want to stick around and make sure your little dirty secret is properly reburied?" He said, with his little smirk in place, as the two went down the metal staircase leading to the awaiting copter.

Lionel chuckled as he turned to look at his son. "Don't be ridiculous, Lex. You don't have to lie about storage space. I'm returning to Metropolis in order to get in touch with the shareholders, to calm any nerves that might have been frayed because of this little fiasco you got yourself into."

"This was not my fault and you know it." Lex yelled back mostly out of anger and frustration, but also so his voice would carry over the starting helicopter. "If you would have informed me about what was going on down there, I would have been able to avoid this situation."

"That information wasn't necessary for this to be prevented, Lex. You don't need to know about failed projects in order to keep unwanted people out of the plant. All that was required was the proper security measures, which you failed to meet." Lionel replied.

"If you would have cleaned up your mess, Earl wouldn't have been down here in the first place." Lex snapped. He was having a hard time keeping his anger under control.

His father grinned at him. "Are you sure you didn't hurt yourself in there, Lex? Because, I don't believe you're thinking properly." Lionel gibed.

Lex looked away from his father and snorted in disgust. He wondered what would happen if he told his dad the truth. Probably wouldn't change things, Lex thought, I would just become his P.R. puppet. "Yes, Dad, I'm fine. I appreciate your concern." Lex replied, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "I better not keep you from your hoards of lackeys and money worshippers."

Lionel just laughed. He didn't say anything; a response wasn't needed. His mirth said more than a million words ever could. He simply turned and boarded the chopper, leaving Lex alone on the helipad.

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Lex watched the helicopter take off, before going back up the stairs to the control area. He spotted Gabe Sullivan and made his way over to his plant manager. "Gabe," he called, "I'm glad your still here." He went to glance down at his watch, only to find that it wasn't there. His eyes widened and he stuffed his hands further into his pockets to search for it. He would never forgive himself if he lost his mother's watch. Lex tried to remember the last thing he did with it. He recalled taking it off, but it wasn't in his pant's pockets. God I hope it is in my jacket, Lex thought. He turned to a nearby security guard and told him to go find his coat. He then returned his attention to Gabe, who was giving him a strange look. "Gabe, I'm going to need your help with a couple of things tonight. I understand that it is late, but the sooner we get things rolling the better."

"Here you go, sir." The guard said, handing Lex his long black jacket.

"Thanks," Lex replied, pulling his hands out of his pant's pocket, for the first time since the paramedics had arrived down in Level 2, to receive the coat. He heard a female gasp and turned to find a worried Chloe staring at his hands. "It's not as bad as it looks, Miss Sullivan. There is no need to be concerned." His voice adapted its usual suave tone. "Is the building secure?" He asked the guard while fishing through his coat pockets for his Napoleon-faced watch.

"Yes, sir." The guard replied.

Lex let out a sigh of relief when he found the object of his search. "Good," He said while strapping the watch on his left wrist. "Gabe, could you come with me please?" Lex asked as he started walking back into the plant. It really wasn't a question, and Gabe was quick to follow bringing Chloe along with him.

Chloe really didn't want to go back into the plant. She had hoped that Lex would just tell her dad to go home and get some rest, or something like that. She hadn't expected him to request her father's personal assistance. Didn't he have someone else who could help him out besides her father? She wondered. She knew that he did, so why did Lex need her dad? That was when she remembered that it was Saturday, Saturday night to be more exact. Even though the plant still ran on Saturdays, the offices were closed. Which meant that Luthor's secretary and other office aides weren't there. Plus, her dad was second only to Lex himself, so he was probably the best man for whatever was needed. She heard Lex talking and listened to what he was saying.

"Look, Gabe, I know it's late and that you and your daughter have been through a lot today, but you were there in the room personally. Therefore, you will be more helpful than anyone else in this matter." Lex never stopped walking as he spoke, as his work mentality kicked in helping to block out the screams of his aching body. "This is what I need," he continued, "I need a list of all the employees who were working today with the names of those personally involved highlighted. I also need a list of all of the students on the trip, and any chaperons that accompanied them. You're going to have to look at that busted valve down in the control room. I need to know the extent of the damage, and how stable the gas pressure is. I plan on getting it fixed as soon as possible, but I need to know exactly how much leeway I have. I suggest you look at the valve first."

By this time they had reached Lex's office. He unlocked the door and the three of them entered the rather large room. It was furnished with a mahogany desk, two filing cabinets, two black leather chairs, a matching sofa, a mahogany coffee table, a fully stocked mini-bar, and a private bathroom. Chloe tried not to let her jaw hit the floor after she took in the room's lavishing fixtures.

"When you get those lists, Gabe, you can just place them on my desk." Lex said as he rummaged thru one of the drawers in his desk. "I'll leave the door unlocked." He pulled a large key ring from the drawer and stuffed it in his pants pocket. He turned towards Chloe and her dad. "Miss Sullivan, you can wait here if you wish, or you may accompany your father."

Gabe turned to his daughter. "Why don't you stay here sweetheart. I promise I won't be gone long." Normally, Gabe wouldn't worry about leaving Chloe alone. She was a very independent young woman, who was quite capable of taking care of herself. But tonight had been very traumatic for the both of them.

"Alright," Chloe said, "I'll wait here." She had regained enough of her composure to feel she could be alone for a little while. Plus, being alone in Lex Luthor's office was sure to help her take her mind off today's events.

"You may help yourself to anything in the bar." Lex said while grabbing his cell phone. He gestured for Gabe to exit the office. Once they were just outside the door, he turned and said, "We'll be back shortly."

"Nothing alcoholic, Chloe." Gabe yelled in the door as Lex shut it.

****************************************************************************

Chloe looked around the plush office. She walked over to the couch and sat down. She leaned against its back, sinking into it. Despite the comfort of the piece of furniture, Chloe found it difficult to just sit there. She got up and started wondering around the room. She peeked inside the bathroom and received another shock. Not only did the room have a toilet and sink, but it also contained a small shower and a linen closet. Curious, Chloe opened the closet. It will filled with soaps, washcloths, hand towels, full-sized towels, a couple pairs of black slacks, three dress shirts, a black suit jacket, socks, ties, and even a few pairs of boxers. Interesting, Chloe thought. I wonder just what Lex does around the plant that an extra suit or two might be necessary. Or maybe the better question would be whom Lex does around the plant. She thought, while trying to suppress her laughter. She didn't know when her dad or Lex would be coming back, and she didn't feel like explaining the cause of her amusement.

Chloe poked her head back into the office, checking to make sure her father or Lex hadn't entered. After seeing that the coast was clear, she reached into the closet and pulled out a pair of the boxers. They were plain, dark gray, silk Calvin Klein's, size seven. "How very…boring, Lex." Though she commended the man's excellent taste in clothes, she also couldn't fail to notice just how uninteresting his wardrobe was. The two times she had seen him in person, he had on black slacks, a solid dress shirt, and that black coat. Which was the same thing she had found in this closet. In her opinion, he needed to spice things up a bit, get some clothes that actually had patterns on them. She couldn't help but imagine his reaction if she snuck a pair covered with hearts or lipstick kisses in amongst the plain ones. However, knowing Lex, he would merely smirk and make some smart- assed comment. It would still be worth it, she thought while making a mental reminder to do just that next time she came to the plant.

Chloe absent-mindedly tossed the boxers over her shoulder, shut the closet, and walked over to the sink. As she looked at her reflection in the mirror, she noticed it had hinges. "This ought to be good," she said as she opened the cabinet. Sadly, she was mistaken. "Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash, face-wash, hand soap, Q-tips, fingernail clippers," she muttered the contents of the cubby. "What? No razor, no shaving cream, no drugs?" The whole point of looking in people's medicine cabinets is to see what kind of medication they have, Chloe thought. "Lex Luthor is addicted to fluoride! How scandalous!" She gasped. Disappointed, she closed the cabinet and left the bathroom.

Glancing around the room, Chloe decided to check out the mini-bar. The top portion of the bar contained an assortment of brandy, scotch, vodka, whiskey, and glasses. She opened the lower cupboard and looked at the contents. She had to laugh; at least half was filled with nothing but red Twizzlers. There had to be a minimum of twenty-five bags. "Geez, Lex. Like Twizzlers much?" The other half contained peanuts, various gourmet chips, mints, and thin crackers. She grabbed a can of peanuts then turned her attention to the fridge. Blue Ty Nant bottles lined the door, and filled the top shelf. There was also a bowl full of yellow delicious apples and a pitcher of orange juice. Chloe grabbed a bottle of Ty Nant, unscrewed the lid, and took a drink.

Having thoroughly exhausted the rest of the office, Chloe turned towards the two large filing cabinets. She opened the office door and looked around the immediate area. There was no sign of her dad or Lex, so she shut the door and walked over to the cabinets. She grabbed a hold of a drawer handle and pulled. It was locked. She tried another and another; all of them were locked. "Damn," Chloe cursed. He locks the office door and the cabinet drawers. She glanced over to the desk. She didn't remember Lex using a key before he started rummaging through the drawer. So she decided to give it a shot. She sat down in the black leather desk chair, and placed her bottle of water and peanuts on the desktop. She leaned over in the chair and grasped a drawer handle. As soon as she started to pull, the office door opened and Lex Luthor walked in.

Chloe jumped out of the desk chair. She tried to say something, anything, but all she could manage were a couple of stutters.

"Looking for something Miss Sullivan?" Lex asked as he leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms across his chest. "I can assure you that you won't find anymore items to add to your ensemble in my desk."

Chloe could feel her face turn bright red. She had just been caught trying to snoop around inside Lex Luthor's desk while sporting a pair of his boxers on her shoulder. She just stood there searching for words as she watched him stalk up to her. He didn't stop until he was right in front of her, infringing on her personal space. He brought his right hand up to her cheek and traced his finger down the smooth skin. Chloe's breath hitched. Despite his rumpled, almost haggard, appearance, the man was arousing feelings within Chloe that she didn't even know she possessed. "If you wanted these so badly, Miss Sullivan," Lex said as he finished tracing her cheek and moved on to her neck, leaning in to whisper in her ear, "all you had to do was ask." Lex's voice seethed with seduction. He grabbed a hold of the silk fabric, and slowly slid if off her shoulder. Chloe could feel his warm breath on her neck. After freeing the garment from its perch, Lex stepped back then abruptly walked into the bathroom, leaving a shallow breathing, aroused, and thoroughly embarrassed Chloe standing beside his desk.

Lex had no sooner shut the door to the bathroom than Gabe entered the office. He had finished assessing the gas valve and had returned to the office to leave Lex a note. He looked over at his daughter, and his heart stopped. "Chloe?" He asked, the concern evident in his voice. "Are you all right?" He had thought that she was slightly traumatized by today's experience, but he hadn't thought it had affected her that badly.

"I'm fine Dad," Chloe replied after she had found her voice. She got her breathing under control and managed to give her dad a small smile. She was more than willing to let her father think that her current state of dishevel was due to the day's events.

"Are you positive sweetheart?" Gabe really hated forcing Chloe to stay here. But he really wanted to help Lex. He felt it was the least he could do for the man who had possibly saved his life.

"Positive," Chloe assured him. She picked up her bottle of water, and went back over to sit on the couch. She watched as her father, starting writing something down on the post-it notes on Lex's desk. She considered telling him that Lex was in the bathroom, but then decided against it. She knew her face would become beet red all over again, if he were to enter the room. She needed a couple more minutes to compose herself.

****************************************************************************

Lex neatly folded his boxer shorts and returned them to their place in the linen closet. He laughed lightly at the reaction his little stunt had stirred up in Chloe. He had gone down to the disclosed entrance to Level 3 to lock the door. From the privacy of that little room he had called his home security provider and told them he needed a locksmith there tonight. All the janitors had access to this room, and he didn't want anyone knowing about the "redundant storage facility," at least not just yet anyway. He had never thought he would have caught Chloe the way he had. Her attempts to break into his desk didn't surprise him. But his boxer shorts flung over the young woman's shoulder had shocked him. He would have to process that little tidbit on Miss Sullivan later.

Lex listened to the conversation between father and daughter. He immediately felt guilty about taking advantage of Chloe like that. He hadn't technically done anything, but his behavior had been inappropriate. But, then again, she had taken his underwear.

Lex walked over to sink to wash his hands. The smaller scraps and cuts on his right hand were barely noticeable. But the large gash across his left palm was still bleeding. He opened the cabinet above the sink and grabbed the soap. Using his right hand, he turned on the water and adjusted the temperature until he could just place his hands in the water and not burn himself. The hot water stung, but he forced himself to keep his hands under it. He lathered them with the soap, before returning them to the hot stream. The water running down the drain was tainted pink with blood. He shut off the water and looked at his left hand. He needed something to dress it with, but he didn't have any medical supplies in the office. He didn't even have a first-aid kit. "Fuck," he muttered. He grabbed a clean washcloth from the closet and neatly folded it into a thin strip. He then wrapped the fabric around his palm, making a fist to hold it in place until he could get some tape.

Chloe jumped slightly when she heard the bathroom door open. She watched Lex swagger over to his desk, and blushed when he gave her that all-knowing smirk. Her dad, who was standing behind the desk, moved to the side to give Lex access to his chair. She listened to her dad explain the gas valve situation to Lex, who was acting as if nothing had just happened between the two of them. She huffed in disgust, which caught the attention of both men.

"You ok honey?" Gabe asked his daughter as he looked up from the note he had written. Lex gave her a sympathetic smile, but Chloe could see the laughter behind his eyes.

"Yes!" Chloe exclaimed. "Would you please stop asking me that. I'm not some fragile little flower that is going to break any minute!" She hadn't meant to snap, but Lex was infuriating.

Lex turned to Gabe. "Gabe, why don't you and your daughter go home? I can finish up things here."

"It's alright, Lex. It shouldn't take me long to compile those lists you asked for." Gabe replied.

"I insist." Lex said. "Go home, take care of your family, get some rest. I'm quite sure I can manage on my own." Truthfully, he had no clue where to find the things he needed. But he wasn't about to keep Gabe and Chloe here any longer than he already had. They deserved to go home, especially since he had pushed one to many of Chloe's buttons. Gabe looked hesitant, like he was about to protest. Lex looked at him. "Gabe, go home."

Gabe knew there was no winning. Once Lex made up his mind, there was no changing it. "Thank you, Lex. Come on Chloe. If you need anything, feel free to call." Gabe took Chloe's hand when she walked up to him and led her out of the office, closing the door behind them.

Lex waited for the door to close before letting out a sigh. He took the masking tape out of his desk and used it to secure the washcloth to his hand. He glanced at his watch, 11:00 pm. He rubbed his forehead; the dull thumping in his head was turning into a sharp pounding. This is going to take forever, he thought. He whipped out a pen and pad of paper and starting making a list of everything he wanted to get done.

***************************************************************************

Lex yawned. It was 2 am. He was dead tired and had a killer headache. The locksmith had showed up around 11:30. Now, Lex had the only key to the little room that lead to the elevator. After checking schedules, security tapes, and fieldtrip permission slips he had finally put together the lists he needed. Of course it had taken him an hour and a half to find all of those things, but he had managed to do it. Everything was mapped out. He knew whom he needed to call, and the number to call them at. He placed his lists in a manila folder and stood up from his desk. He swayed on his feet a little and had to place his hands on his desk to steady himself. After the dizziness subsided a little, Lex put on his coat and headed for his car.

It took him a little longer than usual to drive home. Lex hadn't driven at his normal speed for fear of getting into a wreck. He pulled up the drive, parking the car by the kitchen entrance to the mansion. He tried to be very quiet as he made his way through the house. He didn't know if Gabby was still up, but he wanted to avoid her at all costs. Just as he reached the stairs, he heard his office door open.

"Lex!" Gabby called. She had been on her way to make some coffee from where she was waiting in his office. She expected him to try and avoid her, but she was almost certain he would stop in his office. Luckily, her caffeine levels needed a boost or he would have been successful in dodging her.

Gabby took in the site of the man before her. He looked as if he could collapse at any minute. She noticed the makeshift bandage on his left hand and the discoloration on the back of his head, which she couldn't tell if it was due to the lighting or a bruise. "Lex, are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Lex replied, the exhaustion showing in his voice. "I'm going to bed."

"Wait! What happened to your hand? You should let me take a look at it."

Lex sighed. This is why he wanted to avoid Gabby. He didn't want to be fussed over. He wanted to go to sleep. "Gabby, I'm tired, I have a headache, and I have to get up early tomorrow. If you want to play nurse it is just going to have to wait. Alright." He had tried to sound stern and authoritative, but he couldn't pull it off.

"There is no play to it, Lex. I am a nurse, your personal nurse. And I'm going to treat you whether you want me to or not." Gabby snapped. She walked up to him, grabbed a hold of his arm, and started pulling him down the hall. He tried to protest, but he didn't have any fight left. So he submitted himself to her wishes.

Gabby dragged Lex into the 'medical room' as she liked to call it. She plopped him down in a chair then sat on a rolling stool. She pulled up a little table on wheels and told him to put his bandaged hand on it. He slouched down in his chair and placed his arm on table. She undid the tape and removed the washcloth. "My word, Lex. What happened?" She looked at the rugged cut. It was deep, almost to the bone. "This is going to need stitches." She told him.

"Mmm-k." Lex muttered. He had leaned back, turning his head to the side so that minimal pressure was placed on the bruised area, and closed his eyes.

Gabby got up to get the various things she would need to clean and suture the wound. As she past by she caught a glimpse of the back of Lex's head. She gasped. "Jesus! What happened to your head?" The usually pale skin was colored with a mixture of dark blue and purple, and there was obvious swelling. The coloration ran from the back of his head and down his neck to his shoulders. "Lean forward, Lex," Gabby ordered. After what could only be described as a whine, Lex complied. She wanted to poke and prod at the wound, but refrained for fear of causing him any more discomfort. "Are you dizzy or sick to your stomach?" She asked. "Did you lose consciousness or experience any memory loss."

"No," Lex mumbled. He had been sick and dizzy, but didn't disclose that information. The last thing he wanted was to be woken up every couple of hours because Gabby thought he might have a concussion.

"Well, I would bet money that you have a concussion." Gabby said, ignoring Lex's groans and protests to the contrary. "You're tired, you're mumbling, you were swaying a little on the staircase, plus your probably lying to me about the dizziness and sickness."

"Did it ever occur to you that all of that could be signs of fatigue? It is almost 3:00 in the morning." Lex asked, his annoyance breaking through his exhaustion.

"Maybe," Gabby replied, "but I'd rather be safe than sorry." She went over to the cabinets and closets and retrieved a suturing kit, Betadine, and a cold compress. She placed everything on the table then activated the ice pack. "Here," she said handing him the cold pack. They sat in silence as she cleaned and sewed him. When she finished stitching up his hand she wrapped it using four-by-fours and gaze.

Gabby followed him up his room making sure he didn't need assistance. When they reached the door he stopped and turned to her. "Thank you," Lex said.

Gabby smiled. "Your welcome." She paused for a moment. "You'll have to make up tonight's treatment at the end of the two weeks, ok." At Lex's nod, she added, "I'll be waking you up in a few hours." He rolled his eyes then shut the door. Lex toed off his shoes and climbed onto his bed. He'd change later.

***************************************************************************

Chloe didn't know what she was doing at Lex Luthor's mansion, but there she stood, at the front door. She had lain in bed last night thinking of how infuriating this man was. But the more she thought about him, the less angry she became and more thankful. If it hadn't been for him, she might not be there right now, staring at his doorbell at 12:00 in the afternoon. She remembered mouthing a thank you to him as she ran from the plant with her father. But he deserved more than that, he deserved to actually hear the words. She summed up her courage and was just about to ring the bell when the door opened.

"Yes?" Ann asked.

"Hi," Chloe said to the woman at the door. "I'm Chloe Sullivan. I was wondering if I could see Lex."

Ann smiled sympathetically. Lex had said that he didn't want any visitors. She hated to send the young woman away, but she also wanted to respect her boss's requests. "I'm sorry, dear. But Mr. Luthor doesn't wish to be bothered at the moment."

Chloe frowned. "Are you sure you can't make an exception." She asked. "I promise I won't be long. It is really important that I see him."

Ann sighed. "Alright," she said, "follow me." After closing the door, she led Chloe to Lex's office. "He's in here." Ann went to open the door, but Chloe stopped her.

"You don't have to announce me. I don't want you to have to catch the wrath that is sure to come." Chloe said with a smile.

Ann smiled back then turned to go back to the kitchen.

Chloe eased the massive door to the study open. She had expected to hear instant yelling about wanting to be left alone come from the room. But she heard nothing. She walked in the room and looked around. She furrowed her brow in confusion. The room was empty. She was about to leave when she heard what sounded like someone shifting on the couch. Chloe crept around the black sofa, and smiled at the site. Lex Luthor, dressed in black pajama pants and a grey long-sleeved t-shirt, head resting on a gray pillow, arms hidden underneath said pillow, bare toes stuffed between the arm of the couch and last cushion, body covered with gray blanket, was sleeping peacefully.

"Damn," Chloe muttered. "I wish I had my camera." She considered leaving. She didn't want to disturb him. But she knew that if she didn't thank him now, she might not do it later. Plus, the longer she waited, the less sincere it would seem. She knelt down beside his head, and gently shook his shoulder. "Lex."

"Lex Luthor, 21, Smallville, June 11, 1980. And I swear to God, Gabby, if you wake me up one more time, I'll find some way to cause you bodily harm." Lex said, his pillow muffling his voice.

Gabby had woken him up every two hours. Then at 8:00 Lex had gotten up and made the phone calls he needed to make. He had arranged to have both private and group counselors available at the plant and the high school for those involved in the plant incident. The counselors would be available for the next week. He had also given one week's paid break for the workers who Earl had held hostage. He had set up an appointment, for tomorrow, with a security advisor in order to improve the security at the plant. Lex had found out where they had taken Earl, and arrange for his medical bills to be paid for. He had also inquired about Whitney Fordman's injuries. While he was making his calls, Gabby gave him his morning treatment. After he had had semi-recovered, Lex had crashed on the couch, demanding to be left alone.

Chloe laughed. "I'll be sure to relay the message to her, Lex."

Lex's eyes shot open. "Chloe?" He asked as he sat up pulling the blanket around his shoulders. "What are you doing here?" He was going to have to have talk with Ann about admitting houseguests and demands to be left alone. Obviously she didn't seem to know how to differentiate between the two.

"Don't be mad." Chloe quickly said. "I had to beg your housekeeper, maid woman to let me in." Ok, so maybe she hadn't begged. But she didn't want the woman to get in trouble on her account. She noticed the bandage on his hand. "What happened to your hand?" She asked. She figured he had been injured at the plant last night, but she wanted to change the subject.

Lex looked at the bandage, then back at Chloe. "I cut myself." He rose off the couch and made his way over to the bar. "You still haven't answered my question, Miss Sullivan."

Chloe stared at the back of Lex's head. Besides the cuts on his hands, she hadn't even noticed that he had been hurt last night. Lex turned from the bar where he had retrieved a bottle of Ty Nant. "Miss Sullivan?" He asked when Chloe didn't answer his question.

She stuttered for a minute then said, "I wanted to thank you." She gave him a concerned look then asked, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." He replied a little to quickly. "You wanted to thank me?" He was shocked. He hadn't expected anyone to thank him for what he had done, let alone come to his house to do it in person. He was touched.

"Yes, to thank you, for trading yourself for us. You took action when no one else would. And I wanted to make sure that you knew that I'm grateful for what you did."

Lex couldn't help but smile, a true smile, not his usual smirk. "Your quite welcome Miss Sullivan."

Chloe looked at the man before her. It was amazing how much a simple smile could change a person's appearance. Gone were the bags under his eyes and the hardness of his face. His features seemed to soften, and his icy blue eyes sparkled. She even noticed the small dimples in his cheeks. He looked...handsome. She grinned back, causing her face to scrunch up and her eyes to squint. Chloe was certain Lex didn't smile often, and she felt privileged to wittness it. "You should smile more often, Lex. It suits you." She said, her eyes detecting the slightest pinking of his pale cheeks. She blushed herself. She hadn't meant to embarrass him. "Well, I…I better go."

"I'll show you out," Lex said while crossing the room.

"Don't worry, about it." She said quickly "I can see myself out." She needed to get away from him before she did something foolish, like hug him. "Thank you," she said before walking over to the door. She stopped and looked back one last time. She smiled at him, and then left, closing the door behind her.

TBC...