Chapter 9
Chloe looked at the strange man that had interrupted her conversation with a mixture of annoyance, curiosity and surprise. Any pretty girl in a small town gets used to a few sleazy hicks coming on to them at the slightest opportunity, but this man carried himself differently, with a certain air of confidence that she knew she'd seen somewhere before but couldn't quite put her finger on.
" I doubt it, Mr..." she looked up at him expectantly, and he smiled and brushed his fingers through his hair.
"Wayne. But you can call me Bruce." He gave her one of his killer smiles, knowing that his name alone was usually enough to make women swoon at his feet. Chloe didn't make the connection.
"Well then, Bruce. As I said, I doubt you can help. My friend and I were making plans to go to a party tonight."
"Chloe!" Lana shook her head and looked pained.
"Your friend doesn't seem too taken with the idea." Bruce was surprised that the girl wasn't simpering and fawning all over him, but pressed on regardless. "Perhaps I could accompany you to the soiree?"
"Ah, Bruce, I don't think that's such a good idea!" Lucas had found his voice at last and leapt into the conversation, positioning himself behind Chloe and trying to gesture to his friend.
"And who are you, flapping around behind my head?" Chloe shot a measuring glare at Lucas, and he dropped his hands sheepishly.
"Um, Chloe, this is Lucas Luthor, Lex's brother." Lana added eagerly, glad to have information to share and not wanting to be left out of the conversation entirely. Chloe's eyes lit up. It seemed that the story she needed had just fallen into her lap.
"Really? You're Lex's brother? That's fantastic!"
"Um, why?" Lucas looked genuinely confused.
"Because I'd love to interview you! I missed you last time you were in town, but this would be a great opportunity to get your perspective across." Chloe had turned fully to face Lucas, and held out her hand for him to shake. "I'm Chloe Sullivan, by the way. I write for a small newspaper called the Torch." Lucas shook her hand weakly, mentally replaying Lex's warning to keep a low profile. What in the hell had he gotten himself into?
"Oh, my friend is a little publicity shy." Bruce was perturbed at all the attention being focussed on Lucas, and determined to win back the advantage. "But I'll gladly give you an interview Chloe... on one condition." Chloe laughed and gave him a slightly pitying look.
"That's very kind of you Bruce..." Chloe's jaw dropped and she looked up at him with amazement as she finally started to put the pieces together. "Wayne... of Wayne Industries... Close friend and ex-schoolmate of Lex Luthor... here with his brother..." She swung her gaze back to Lucas. "Lucas Luthor." she finished, turning back to Bruce.
"I see you know me..." Bruce leant in, bringing his lower body into contact with her bare leg and his arm around behind her. "By reputation at least." Chloe fought back a shiver at the contact and intense look in the handsome man's eyes, and instead flashed him a winning smile, trying to look confident.
"Well, in that case I'd love to interview you." A frown crossed her face suddenly, and Lucas found himself waiting for her to smile again. "But you said there was a condition."
"Smart girl. I hope it won't be too much of a hardship, but the condition is that you accompany me to your party this evening. What do you say?" Chloe tried to contain her astonishment. Bruce Wayne wanted to take Chloe Sullivan to a keg party full of jocks. If this were a film, she'd throw popcorn at the screen! There was something about him that she didn't quite trust, but this was too good an opportunity to pass up. Thinking quickly, she threw a glance over her shoulder at Lana, who was standing open mouthed clutching a teaspoon, frozen in the act of tidying up.
"Sure, that sounds lovely. But I have a condition of my own."
"I wouldn't expect anything less. Name it." Bruce was confident that he could provide anything that this small town girl would want. After all, she probably hadn't developed much of an imagination in Smallville.
"Lana comes too." Chloe didn't know many of the people that were going to Jeff's party, and she'd feel a lot safer if there was someone there she could trust. Lana gaped like a fish and couldn't seem to make any noise come out. Even by Smallville standards, this evening was shaping up to be extremely weird.
"Of course. Lucas can escort her." Bruce punched his uncomfortable friend on the shoulder. "You don't mind accompanying the lovely Lana for the purposes of this evenings' entertainment, do you?" Lucas reflected that whether he agreed or not Bruce would probably end up taking Chloe out. At least if he was nearby he could keep an eye on her. Bruce had a bit of a strange reputation where women were concerned and he didn't want Lex to find out that he'd upset Chloe in some way.
"That would be great." Lucas smiled across at Lana, who was now staring at him in disbelief. He didn't think he'd ever met anyone quite so slow on the uptake. Chloe was just as out of her depth, but she'd turned the situation to her advantage. He could see that tonight was going to be interesting for Bruce, and quite possibly mind-numbing for him. Lana most likely wouldn't even fuck him to liven things up. "Lana, I'd be honoured if you would let me take you out this evening." Somehow that hadn't sounded quite as good as when Bruce had said it, but Lana didn't seem to mind.
"I'd... like that?" Lana looked at Chloe, incredulous that they had just been asked out by millionaires. Chloe was too busy composing questions for her interview, and making a list of the best internet sites to get information from.
"Great, well, can we pick you up at nine?" Bruce looked at the seemingly dreamy eyed girl in front of him, glad that he'd finally had the desired effect on her.
"Hmm? Oh, yes, sorry, I was miles away! You can pick us up here." Chloe met Bruce's eyes and was surprised by the amount of sheer smugness she read there. She resolved to be very careful in her dealings with him. Suddenly a new, and to Lucas, most unwelcome voice startled the group.
"Lucas! My boy! I'm glad to see you!" Lucas froze for a second, and then cringing turned to greet his father. Suddenly the previously airy cafe seemed musty and claustrophobic.
"Dad." He didn't really know what to call this near stranger in front of him, but settled on the same thing that Lex called him. Which reminded him that Lex was going to go crazy when he got back, so far he'd managed to do just about everything that he'd warned him not to do, and some more besides. He might as well jump of a bridge now, because if his father didn't kill him, his brother most assuredly would.
"Let's sit down and talk. And Bruce! How are you? Wayne Industries had a very good quarter. I congratulate you! Please, won't both of you sit with me for a while?" Lionel's demeanour was all innocent happiness, and the two younger men warily sat down with him at a nearby table. Chloe and Lana were left at the counter, Lana clearing up mechanically, Chloe paying close attention to the men's conversation.
"Well, I wish I'd known you boys were in town, I'd have organised a get- together." Lionel smiled at the two uncomfortable young men in front of him. Lucas seemed to have been rendered unable to speak, so Bruce spoke in his place.
"It was an impromptu visit, Mr Luthor. Lucas came to visit me for a couple of days," Lionel raised his eyebrow at the obvious lie, but let it pass unmentioned, "so I suggested we drive up to see Lex. We had no idea you were in town..." Bruce finished somewhat lamely. For some reason Lionel Luthor always put him on edge, in a way that no one else could affect the arrogant young playboy. Lionel smiled and nodded in what he considered an encouraging way, but actually reminding Bruce of nothing so much as a boa constrictor tightening its grip around an unfortunate deer. Suddenly Lana seemed to shake herself, and looking at the clock, stepped cautiously towards the group.
"Um, gentlemen, Mr Luthor, its actually closing time... So if you wouldn't mind...?" Lionel steepled his fingers and replied without looking at her.
"I believe, last time I checked, Ms Lang," his voice was even and pleasant, and Chloe was reminded of Lex in an uncomfortable way that she couldn't quite place, "that this establishment belongs to me. I think we can stay for as long as we wish, don't you?" Lana struggled, the ever-ready tears springing into her eyes. Thankfully Bruce had seen the opportunity for escape and came to her rescue.
"Actually, Mr Luthor, Lucas and I must go anyway. We are escorting these two ladies to a party this evening and we must get ready." Rushing on despite Lionel's blackening looks, Bruce stood and pulled Lucas to his feet. "So we'd better go. Ladies, good evening." He flashed Chloe a brilliant smile and pulled Lucas towards the door. Just as escape was near in the rounded shape of the doorknob under his fingers, he was brought up short by Lionel's voice.
"Since you are in such a rush this evening, why don't you call around to the mansion for a family dinner tomorrow night? Just a simple affair. You can catch up with Lex." Lionel seemed entirely casual, gathering his coat over one arm. To Bruce's surprise Lucas spoke with steely determination.
"That would be great, Dad. See you then." Lucas pulled the door open, nearly smacking Bruce in the face with it despite his usually exceptional reflexes, and strode out into the darkening twilight. Bruce followed, beginning to feel like an extra in 'The Young and the Restless'.
Chloe looked at the strange man that had interrupted her conversation with a mixture of annoyance, curiosity and surprise. Any pretty girl in a small town gets used to a few sleazy hicks coming on to them at the slightest opportunity, but this man carried himself differently, with a certain air of confidence that she knew she'd seen somewhere before but couldn't quite put her finger on.
" I doubt it, Mr..." she looked up at him expectantly, and he smiled and brushed his fingers through his hair.
"Wayne. But you can call me Bruce." He gave her one of his killer smiles, knowing that his name alone was usually enough to make women swoon at his feet. Chloe didn't make the connection.
"Well then, Bruce. As I said, I doubt you can help. My friend and I were making plans to go to a party tonight."
"Chloe!" Lana shook her head and looked pained.
"Your friend doesn't seem too taken with the idea." Bruce was surprised that the girl wasn't simpering and fawning all over him, but pressed on regardless. "Perhaps I could accompany you to the soiree?"
"Ah, Bruce, I don't think that's such a good idea!" Lucas had found his voice at last and leapt into the conversation, positioning himself behind Chloe and trying to gesture to his friend.
"And who are you, flapping around behind my head?" Chloe shot a measuring glare at Lucas, and he dropped his hands sheepishly.
"Um, Chloe, this is Lucas Luthor, Lex's brother." Lana added eagerly, glad to have information to share and not wanting to be left out of the conversation entirely. Chloe's eyes lit up. It seemed that the story she needed had just fallen into her lap.
"Really? You're Lex's brother? That's fantastic!"
"Um, why?" Lucas looked genuinely confused.
"Because I'd love to interview you! I missed you last time you were in town, but this would be a great opportunity to get your perspective across." Chloe had turned fully to face Lucas, and held out her hand for him to shake. "I'm Chloe Sullivan, by the way. I write for a small newspaper called the Torch." Lucas shook her hand weakly, mentally replaying Lex's warning to keep a low profile. What in the hell had he gotten himself into?
"Oh, my friend is a little publicity shy." Bruce was perturbed at all the attention being focussed on Lucas, and determined to win back the advantage. "But I'll gladly give you an interview Chloe... on one condition." Chloe laughed and gave him a slightly pitying look.
"That's very kind of you Bruce..." Chloe's jaw dropped and she looked up at him with amazement as she finally started to put the pieces together. "Wayne... of Wayne Industries... Close friend and ex-schoolmate of Lex Luthor... here with his brother..." She swung her gaze back to Lucas. "Lucas Luthor." she finished, turning back to Bruce.
"I see you know me..." Bruce leant in, bringing his lower body into contact with her bare leg and his arm around behind her. "By reputation at least." Chloe fought back a shiver at the contact and intense look in the handsome man's eyes, and instead flashed him a winning smile, trying to look confident.
"Well, in that case I'd love to interview you." A frown crossed her face suddenly, and Lucas found himself waiting for her to smile again. "But you said there was a condition."
"Smart girl. I hope it won't be too much of a hardship, but the condition is that you accompany me to your party this evening. What do you say?" Chloe tried to contain her astonishment. Bruce Wayne wanted to take Chloe Sullivan to a keg party full of jocks. If this were a film, she'd throw popcorn at the screen! There was something about him that she didn't quite trust, but this was too good an opportunity to pass up. Thinking quickly, she threw a glance over her shoulder at Lana, who was standing open mouthed clutching a teaspoon, frozen in the act of tidying up.
"Sure, that sounds lovely. But I have a condition of my own."
"I wouldn't expect anything less. Name it." Bruce was confident that he could provide anything that this small town girl would want. After all, she probably hadn't developed much of an imagination in Smallville.
"Lana comes too." Chloe didn't know many of the people that were going to Jeff's party, and she'd feel a lot safer if there was someone there she could trust. Lana gaped like a fish and couldn't seem to make any noise come out. Even by Smallville standards, this evening was shaping up to be extremely weird.
"Of course. Lucas can escort her." Bruce punched his uncomfortable friend on the shoulder. "You don't mind accompanying the lovely Lana for the purposes of this evenings' entertainment, do you?" Lucas reflected that whether he agreed or not Bruce would probably end up taking Chloe out. At least if he was nearby he could keep an eye on her. Bruce had a bit of a strange reputation where women were concerned and he didn't want Lex to find out that he'd upset Chloe in some way.
"That would be great." Lucas smiled across at Lana, who was now staring at him in disbelief. He didn't think he'd ever met anyone quite so slow on the uptake. Chloe was just as out of her depth, but she'd turned the situation to her advantage. He could see that tonight was going to be interesting for Bruce, and quite possibly mind-numbing for him. Lana most likely wouldn't even fuck him to liven things up. "Lana, I'd be honoured if you would let me take you out this evening." Somehow that hadn't sounded quite as good as when Bruce had said it, but Lana didn't seem to mind.
"I'd... like that?" Lana looked at Chloe, incredulous that they had just been asked out by millionaires. Chloe was too busy composing questions for her interview, and making a list of the best internet sites to get information from.
"Great, well, can we pick you up at nine?" Bruce looked at the seemingly dreamy eyed girl in front of him, glad that he'd finally had the desired effect on her.
"Hmm? Oh, yes, sorry, I was miles away! You can pick us up here." Chloe met Bruce's eyes and was surprised by the amount of sheer smugness she read there. She resolved to be very careful in her dealings with him. Suddenly a new, and to Lucas, most unwelcome voice startled the group.
"Lucas! My boy! I'm glad to see you!" Lucas froze for a second, and then cringing turned to greet his father. Suddenly the previously airy cafe seemed musty and claustrophobic.
"Dad." He didn't really know what to call this near stranger in front of him, but settled on the same thing that Lex called him. Which reminded him that Lex was going to go crazy when he got back, so far he'd managed to do just about everything that he'd warned him not to do, and some more besides. He might as well jump of a bridge now, because if his father didn't kill him, his brother most assuredly would.
"Let's sit down and talk. And Bruce! How are you? Wayne Industries had a very good quarter. I congratulate you! Please, won't both of you sit with me for a while?" Lionel's demeanour was all innocent happiness, and the two younger men warily sat down with him at a nearby table. Chloe and Lana were left at the counter, Lana clearing up mechanically, Chloe paying close attention to the men's conversation.
"Well, I wish I'd known you boys were in town, I'd have organised a get- together." Lionel smiled at the two uncomfortable young men in front of him. Lucas seemed to have been rendered unable to speak, so Bruce spoke in his place.
"It was an impromptu visit, Mr Luthor. Lucas came to visit me for a couple of days," Lionel raised his eyebrow at the obvious lie, but let it pass unmentioned, "so I suggested we drive up to see Lex. We had no idea you were in town..." Bruce finished somewhat lamely. For some reason Lionel Luthor always put him on edge, in a way that no one else could affect the arrogant young playboy. Lionel smiled and nodded in what he considered an encouraging way, but actually reminding Bruce of nothing so much as a boa constrictor tightening its grip around an unfortunate deer. Suddenly Lana seemed to shake herself, and looking at the clock, stepped cautiously towards the group.
"Um, gentlemen, Mr Luthor, its actually closing time... So if you wouldn't mind...?" Lionel steepled his fingers and replied without looking at her.
"I believe, last time I checked, Ms Lang," his voice was even and pleasant, and Chloe was reminded of Lex in an uncomfortable way that she couldn't quite place, "that this establishment belongs to me. I think we can stay for as long as we wish, don't you?" Lana struggled, the ever-ready tears springing into her eyes. Thankfully Bruce had seen the opportunity for escape and came to her rescue.
"Actually, Mr Luthor, Lucas and I must go anyway. We are escorting these two ladies to a party this evening and we must get ready." Rushing on despite Lionel's blackening looks, Bruce stood and pulled Lucas to his feet. "So we'd better go. Ladies, good evening." He flashed Chloe a brilliant smile and pulled Lucas towards the door. Just as escape was near in the rounded shape of the doorknob under his fingers, he was brought up short by Lionel's voice.
"Since you are in such a rush this evening, why don't you call around to the mansion for a family dinner tomorrow night? Just a simple affair. You can catch up with Lex." Lionel seemed entirely casual, gathering his coat over one arm. To Bruce's surprise Lucas spoke with steely determination.
"That would be great, Dad. See you then." Lucas pulled the door open, nearly smacking Bruce in the face with it despite his usually exceptional reflexes, and strode out into the darkening twilight. Bruce followed, beginning to feel like an extra in 'The Young and the Restless'.