A/N - Ok I know it has been an age, and I am sorry this has taken so long. I am not quite sure of the direction of this, it seems to be twisting on me, I think it s gonna go all chlex on me. Anyway, hears the next chappy. And as before, I own nothing connected to smallville in any way shape or form!

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Chapter 10 - Little Kitten

That was how he found her, standing soaked on the balcony, watching the storm die away. He watched her from the doorway as he lent against the frame. He was frowning slightly, not liking the fact that she was standing in the cold, drenched to the bone.

Turning her head, Eaisland saw Lex and smiled warmly, and she held her arm up and beckoned to him with her outstretched hand. Lex said nothing, but lost his frown and returned her smile. He marvelled at the contentment he saw shining in her eyes, she was happy. Taking her hand in his, Lex stood beside Eaisland, there faces turned to the sky once more, to follow the clouds as they rolled of into the distance.

Lex was first to break the silence that had grown between them. So I take it that you had a good day today, you seem much happier, are you? Lex didn't like to question Eaisland, but he didn't want her to have another breakdown, and his concern laced his playful voice.

I think a corner of sorts has been turned. I have met and made new friends, been relaxed around those who I do not know, and I liked it. there she paused to take a deep breath then carried on, her voice soft but strong. I have felt more normal, more content today than I have in years. It is a good feeling to have again Lex, one that I have missed, one more thing that I owe to you. Lex raised there clasped hands and placed a gentle kiss on the back of hers as the sun finally reappeared from behind the diminishing clouds streaking the sky gold.

You don't owe me anything Eaisland, I think you are healing me as much as I am you. I can't think of a time since my mother died that I have been happier than I am now. Eaisland squeezed Lex's hand and was touched by his admission, it took him alot to open up, but it seemed he was right, they were helping each other break down the impenetrable defences that they had built up around themselves.

After the sun had set, Lex felt Eaisland shiver with the cold that had now cloaked her, and her took her back to her room to have a hot shower and change. Leaving Eaisland to herself while she warmed up, Lex went down to the library and on the way asked Andrew to make them both coffee.

I'm so glad that she is finally getting better, starting to overcome what happened to her.' his museing was halted momentarily by Andrew arriving with the coffee, which he set on the low table to the side of the old leather chair that Lex had sat down in. dismissing Andrew after that, Lex got up and began to search the library shelves for one particular book. It was a tiny sky blue leather bound compendium of hand copied poetry, it had been his grandmothers. She had passed it to his mother, and Lillian had filled the last remaining pages bar two before she died. She had told him that one day the little book would be his and that she was leaving these last two pages for him, and that he was to choose what he filled them with very carefully. Lex had yet to put a single pen mark to the beloved tome, now in the hands of it's third generation.

Lex went and sat back down, taking the small book with him. Just as he sat Eaisland quietly entered the room and softly shut the door behind her. Lex looked up and grinned over at her. Swathed in black sweatpants, thick socks and one of Lex's steal grey cashmere jumpers, Eaisland made her way quickly to where Lex was sitting and proceeded to arrange herself, choosing to sit upon him, snuggling into his chest for warmth. Though she had no real need of it, the comfort was the real reason.

A chuckle escaped Lex as Eaisland, curled up cat like upon his lap.

Comfy, little kitten? I wouldn't want you to deprive you of any comfort I could give you! Eaisland snorted softly and smiled as she felt Lex's continued merriment rumbling through his chest.

Just shut up and pour the coffee, or this kitten will get busy with its claws! swiping her hand in mock attack, Eaisland make a little snarling noise and then broke into a fit of giggles. Lex's almost spilled the coffee he had begun to pour as her giggling shook his arms.

A wide smile cracked Lex's face and when she had calmed down again he held Eaisland's mug of hot coffee just out of her reach.

Such an ungrateful kitten may not get any coffee at all! Eaisland narrowed her eyes, growled, bared her teeth and made ready her claws. Lex, seeing the imminent attack thought better of his jesting and gave in, handing her the coffee. Ok, Ok, I surrender! Here, have your prize O'snarling one.

Works every time! Grinning evilly, Eaisland accepted her coveted cup of coffee and murmured contentment as she sipped the hot bitter liquid.

Relaxing back into the chair once again, Lex left his own coffee standing on the side table and picked up the poetry book again. Snaking an arm around Eaisland he propped the book upon her knees and turned the worn pages until he found the text he was looking for. Lex felt Eaisland grip on him tighten as he read the lines of poetry his mother had written into the book, he remembered it was the summer, they had been sitting together on the beach. As he finished and the words he spoke faded into the warm air of the library. Eaisland sighed.

I remember when I was young and my mum and dad would take me to a place called Bracklesham Bay. I would play on the beach for hours, swimming and making castles in the sand. One time my mum took me horse riding along the beach, I was riding a white welsh pony, but of course I thought he had to be a horse because he was so much taller than me, I was only six at the time, so to be taller than me wouldn't have been hard. laughing softly at the recollection of herself, Eaisland lapsed into silent reverie, as she relived the summers of her youth that the poem had reminded her of.

I spent some of one summer by the beach with my mother. It was around this time of year, we were in the Caribbean somewhere, I don't recall exactly where now, I do remember very tall palm trees though, they were all around the place that we stayed. That was when she copied this poem into the book, to remind us of our time here' she had said.


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So Chloe, what did you think of Eaisland? Pete asked his best friend as they sat drinking coffee's of there own on Chloe's front porch. Pete wasn't sure what his other friends had made of the new girl, and even though she seem to be stuck to Luthor alot of the time, he had still really got on well with her, In fact, I really like her' he thought to himself.

Oh, I thought she was great, little shy and skittish, but that's understandable. I think that once she gets a bit more confidence she'll be chasing meteor freaks with the best of us! Chloe smiled, he liked' Eaisland. Which was great, she just wasn't sure how ready Eaisland was for that sort of attention, or what Lex would think.


TBC........