A/N: Last Chapter, very long, and there are 3 POV's... I don't know...*warning Miss pink and perfect is in this chapter*....like Seeds of Evil the title of the last chapter leaves possibilities open for a sequel.... but as you'll read, a sequel would be very difficult...oh yeah, and don't be upset with me... I'd say you should grab a tissue now... enjoy...
The Flowers of Destiny
By S. Ann Smith
Chapter eight: Pressed Flowers and Memories
Mrs. Luthor had been in that coffee shop way too long, Marcus decided opening the Limo door. He had to go see if she needed any help. Opening the door to the small coffee shop, he scanned the room. No Mrs. Luthor.
"Can I help you?" A very pregnant lady, dressed in a pink floral maternity dress asked. Marcus recognized her as Mrs. Ross, Mrs. Luthor's friend.
"Can you point me to the direction of Mrs. Luthor?" He asked gruffly. All the pink Mrs. Ross was wearing was making him slightly nauseous.
"Mrs. Luthor? Chloe left almost an hour ago, aren't you supposed to be looking out for her?" Mrs. Ross looked worried, Marcus decided uneasily.
"I'm her driver, not her body guard."
"You don't think that that murderer got her do you?" Mrs. Ross got a panicked expression on her face. "I have to call Pete." She bolted behind the counter and phoned her husband.
Marcus took this opportunity to phone Luthor.
"Luthor."
"Mr. Luthor, this is Marcus."
"What seems to be the problem?" Luthor asked nonchalantly.
"It's Mrs. Luthor."
"I'm aware that Chloe can be a bit, snarky if you will, but I assure you she isn't a problem." Humour tinged his voice.
"She's missing."
"Where are you?" Luthor's voice changed to a serious tone.
"A small coffee shop in...Smallville, sir."
"I'll be there shortly. Don't do anything until I get there." Marcus heard the urgency in his voice and the phone went dead.
"Yes sir." He mumbled and closed the phone. If anything happens to Mrs. Luthor, Luthor will have him killed, or worse. Marcus decided not to dwell on all of the possibilities that the 'or worse' could bring.
Mrs. Ross waddled over. "My husband and Chloe's other friend will be here shortly." She looked down. "Can I get you a coffee or something? Was that Lex on the phone?" she looked up at the large man.
Marcus nodded, "Mr. Luthor is taking the jet here, and will be here shortly. No coffee."
"I'm sure Chloe's fine." Mrs. Ross looked down.
"Chlo' can take care of herself." Mr. Ross said coming behind his wife. "And she's got Luthor jr. to keep her company. Clark's on his way."
"All the way from Metr- oh." Mrs. Ross nodded in understanding.
"He'll find her Lana," Mr. Ross said softly, more to himself and to comfort his wife. "Clark will find her."
A half an hour later Mr. Luthor rushed into the small coffee shop. "Tell me everything Marcus."
"I picked Mrs. Luthor up from the Beagle, and she asked, then demanded me to drive her here. I stopped here when she asked me to, and she went in. She didn't come out."
"Lana?"
"She ordered a coffee and-slipped out the back way. I guess this is my fault." She looked down.
"It's okay honey, I'm sure you couldn't have stopped Chlo' if you knew." Mr. Ross comforted his wife again.
Pete's cell phone rang. "Hello? Clark my man, did you find Chloe? Uh huh." Mr. Ross looked down. "Okay. See you then. bye." He looked up at Luthor. "Clark found her." Luthor's eyes brightened. "But he was too late."
"What do you mean too late? Did they leave or something?" Luthor asked worried now.
"Lex, Chloe's dead."
The blood drained from Luthor's face. "You're joking. You've got to be joking. Tell me that you're joking."
Mr. Ross shook his head. "I wish I was Lex. Clark's taking her and Lucas to Smallville Medical Centre." As soon as he said Smallville Medical Centre, Luthor was gone, and Marcus knew he was a dead man.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lex knew he was speeding. But it was Smallville and there was only one cop car between here and Grandville, and it was at the Talon. He sped along the road to SMC to convince himself that Pete was lying. Mr. Ross hated him that much.
Once inside he was gripped with sorrow at the look on his friend's face. "Where is she?" Lex asked angrily. He didn't want Pete to be right. Chloe was too full of life to be dead.
"They're looking her over now. Lex, I'm sorry." Clark's face contorted with pain, and he looked down, tears welling in his eyes.
"What about Lucas. Pete said you brought him here too. He's not-" Lex's voice broke against his control.
"He's in a drug induced sleep right now, the doctors had to- Lex he was so worried about Chloe. The drug should wear off soon if you want to see him." Lex nodded quickly.
"Mr. Luthor?" The doctor asked. Lex nodded. "We have successfully revived your wife, she should be ready to go home soon-" The room shifted back to the dimly lit hallway. "I'm sorry we did everything we could. We called the time about two minutes ago. If you would like to see the body, it's in the mortuary." Lex nodded. He had to make sure that they weren't lying. He had to.
He'd walk in there and see her smiling at him. And she'd tell him that it was all a big mistake. They'd hug, and he'd take her home.
Following the doctor down the hallway, he noticed people staring at him and whispering.
"His wife's dead." and "...killed his wife" followed him to the doors of the mortuary.
He followed the doctor to a metal fridge and he opened the door. His wife was under there, and all he was thinking about was that she'd sit up any minute, and say it was all a misunderstanding.
"Mr. Luthor, I'm sorry for your loss, shall I have the body sent to the Smallville funeral home?"
"Yes." That seemed enough for the doctor, and he left Lex to make arrangements. "Hello beautiful." He said softly looking at his wife. He stroked her ice cold cheek, and was surprised at how cold she was. He kissed her forehead, his eyes transfixed on her closed eyes, he was waiting for them to open. Her eyelids were purple, as were her lips. She was so lifeless that Lex wanted her to wake up, he was willing her to wake up. She was his everything, she had to wake up. She just had to.
But she didn't.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Chloe. When we hear her name, we will remember a sassy reporter, a friend, a daughter, a cousin." Clark's voice cracked, as a silent tear coursed down his cheek. "Someone who was always asking questions, and always there when you needed her- even if it was three in the morning. I know we will all miss her very much." His voice faded, as his face contorted with grief. He slowly walked down to his place between Chloe's widow, and her father.
"My cousin, my fellow reporter and my best friend, I salute you. I hope that you'll be happy wherever you are." Lois Lane, Chloe's cousin said sadly looking up. "I know that you'll always be here with us, looking over our shoulders. Silently criticizing us for our mistakes and silently cheering with us in our small victories. I know you'll help me when I need you to, just like you were in life. The Beagle didn't just lose a reporter, they lost the best damned reporter that they'll ever have. We all miss you Chlo', good luck working for that big newspaper in the sky." She didn't bother to wipe away the tears on her face. No body noticed the whispered words she said to the coffin behind her as she stepped off the podium, even though its what they were all thinking the same thing. "Come back to us Chloe."
Sitting down beside Gabe she squeezed his hand softly and watched Pete stand infront of everyone.
"You know I wasn't sure what to say... Or if I'd even be able to form the words that Clark told me on the phone two days ago. One of my best friends, and one of the best friends in the world-" His voice was cut short by the sorrow he was experiencing. "I'm sorry." he whispered. He paused until he was ready to continue. "She was taken from us by the very thing that made her the happiest. That would have been what she wanted, but not now, maybe after her life was almost over. We all figured she was invincible," Pete looked at Clark, 'She grew up with only Gabe, but that was enough, you did a good job Mr. Sullivan." Pete looked at the older man. "I know that she loved you very much. She fell for the wrong guy," he looked at Lex, "but she fell hard and loved him with all of her heart. Lex made her happy, as much as I hate to admit it, she was her happiest around him." Pete smiled at Lex through his tears. "But most importantly she was the strongest out of all of us because of her stubbornness. She wouldn't want us all here blubbering about her. She'd want us to subtly mourn her, and hold dear the memories of her that we have. We miss you Chlo'." Pete sat down beside Lana, as the minister gave Chloe her last rites. She was lowered into the ground before it started to rain.
But he didn't stay. He hugged Gabe, shook Pete's hand and wheeled Lucas to the limo. He couldn't stay. He knew that Chloe was with him, he could feel it, but he missed her so much that it was unbearable.
He missed her smile.
He missed her biting come backs.
He missed her in general.
And he missed her with all of his heart.
That was the day Lex Luthor changed.
End
So whadd'ya think. *in a really small voice-* Don't hurt me.....
