Author: hickchick
Rating: PG-13
AN: I'm soooooo sorry that it took me so long to update. My muse kind of left me on this fic. But my muse and I sat down and had a talk and we've got things squared away. So I was finally able to write the next chapter, I really hope you enjoy it.
And now that I'm out of school for the summer, I'll have more time to write. So I promise that the next chapter will be up soon. Enjoy and please review!
Thank you to my wonderful beta, PMD! You're awesome!
Chapter 3
Chloe and Lex are sitting in his library, agonizing over their notes on Clark. What either of them would give to unravel the mystery of him and his secrets. To be honest, Chloe is having a hard time focusing on the task at hand. Her mind keeps drifting back to the night before when she had awoken Lex from his sleep. The sight of Lex, clad only in boxers and a silky sheet, was not something she would soon forget.
Chloe tries not to look obvious as she glances over at Lex. He is wearing a light purple button up shirt. The top button is undone, giving her a small hint of his chest. A chest that had been in plain view the night before. Who knew that he was hiding such a well-sculpted and muscular chest under all those expensive shirts? Oh wouldn't it be nice to just reach over and---
"Clark's parents found him the day of the meteor shower," Lex announces, which quickly snaps Chloe out of her thoughts.
She tries to shift her gaze quickly but he looks up just in time to catch her staring at him. A sense of masculine pride washes over him at the thought of her staring at him.
Chloe tries to fight the blush rising in her cheeks. "Um, I don't know, I've done some research into Clark's past, but it was inconclusive for the most part."
"I'm not asking you Chloe, I'm telling you. I know because I was there," Lex replies.
"What?" Chloe looks confused at him.
"The day of the meteor showers I was in the cornfield. My dad was the one that found me after I had lost my hair. He managed to flag down a truck that was driving by in order to get me help. The occupants of that truck turned out to be none other than the Kents. I was unconscious most of the time, but I remember waking up once, just for a second. I found myself staring into the eyes of a young boy. He reached out and touched me, but it wasn't just a physical touch. It was as if he was touching my soul." Lex laughs in spite of himself for rambling. "I know it must sound crazy."
Chloe shakes her head as she tries to absorb the information he has just given her. "It doesn't sound crazy Lex." Chloe gives him a small smile.
Lex smiles back at her for understanding him.
"So you think Clark's parents found him in the corn field?" Chloe questions, not quite sure whether to believe it or not.
"I don't know, maybe," Lex replies.
"Well where did he come from Lex? Babies don't just fall from the sky. I thought you of all people knew that," Chloe snarks.
Lex decides to ignore her sarcastic comment. "Maybe his parents were killed in the meteor shower."
"I've checked the local records. No one in Smallville had a son that age, reported missing, at the time of the meteor show. Even if his parents were killed, the next of kin would have would have tried to find him."
"What I don't understand is why the Kents never reported finding him. They don't seem like the type of people who would find a kid in a corn field and just keep him," Lex says.
"Unless they found something else in the corn field that day," Chloe proposes.
"What?" Lex questions.
Chloe and Lex just stare at one another as they try to come up with an answer.
"Your father is the one who created United Charities, which is the adoption agency who handled Clark's adoption. It was created shortly after the meteor shower," Chloe states.
"I think it was a cover up for something."
Chloe lets out a small laugh. "Yeah, I think we can safely say that. It's not like your father to do something out of the kindness of his heart."
"There's one thing I don't get. The Kents always seem so hostile towards my Dad. It's hard to imagine that he helped them at one point."
"Well you know what they say; no good deed goes unpunished," Chloe retorts.
"Meaning?"
"Meaning that if I know anything about your father then he probably asked for something in return."
"You're probably right."
"Well, in the mean time, Lex, we need to worry about cooking up a plan that will prove our theories on Clark," Chloe announces.
Lex thinks for a minute. "I have an idea."
"This ought to be good," Chloe mumbles.
Lex shoots her a look.
"Okay fine, let's hear it."
"I know this guy who's a professional stunt man. For the right price, I'm sure he'd help us out," Lex says.
"Are you sure about this Lex? I mean how do we know this guy won't talk? I don't want to expose Clark to the world. I mean, after all, he is still my friend."
"You still have feelings for him," Lex retorts.
"No I don't. And even if I did, I don't see how it's any of your business."
"I'm just making a friendly observation," Lex says, holding up his hands in mock surrender.
"Well next time you feel like observing someone's love life, why don't you take a look at your own," Chloe snaps.
Lex lets out of frustrated sigh. "I didn't mean to offend you. I just don't want your personal feelings to interfere with our business agreement."
"It won't!" Chloe practically yells. She lowers her tone before continuing. "Can I just hear your plan already so we can get it over with?"
"Gladly," Lex mutters.
Lex explains his infallible plan to Chloe as she listens intently. Lex doesn't know for sure if this plan is going to work, but he needs answers, and so does Chloe. The two of them had been lied to long enough and it was time they take matters into their own hands.
"So you really think this plan is going to work?" Chloe questions.
"You sound so doubtful, Miss Sullivan. Don't you have any faith in me?"
"All I'm saying is I just hope this works."
"It'll work, I know it will. Just meet me at the bridge tomorrow at noon, I'll take care of the rest," Lex assures.
"I'll be there."
With that Chloe turns and walks out of his office.
'This has to work' Lex reassures himself.
As promised, Chloe shows up at the bridge at the appropriate time. Lex is already there, as he has been setting everything up. Chloe meets Lex's stunt-man friend, who Lex introduces as Rob. The two of them had just finished setting up the final details when Chloe arrives.
"Well it looks like everything is about ready," Lex says, as he admires his work with an evil grin.
"How are we going to get Clark here?" Chloe questions.
"I've already worked it out. I told him to come over to my place. And the fastest way to get there is by crossing this bridge."
"Well it looks like you've thought of everything," Chloe snarks.
"Oh you have no idea, Chloe," Lex says, as he flashes his trademark smirk.
He turns his attention to stunt guy Rob. "He'll be here soon, you'd better get into position. And hey, don't screw this up."
Rob just nods as he jumps into his car to get ready.
"What now?" Chloe questions.
"Now we get to go over here and be the look out," Lex replies.
"So we don't just get to sit on our asses and watch."
Lex inwardly groans. Chloe is kind of starting to get on his nerves. It is almost like torture, but what a sweet torture it is. Despite how annoying Chloe may get at times, Lex enjoys ever minute he gets to spend with her.
They walk over to a tree, set to the far side of the bridge. They hide behind it, knowing, from their location, they will be able to see everything without giving themselves away.
"Hold on Chloe, we're about to make history today," Lex says, in a prideful tone.
It isn't much longer before they see Clark's truck coming up the road.
"Okay, I have a visual---get ready," Lex says into his hand held walkie-talkie. He has a camera in the other hand, just to make sure that every moment is caught on tape.
As the truck nears them and reaches the target point, Lex yells, "Go!"
Chloe and Lex watch intently as Rob's car comes speeding onto the bridge just about the time that Clark's truck reaches the bridge on the opposite side. Rob heads straight for Clark. As Clark slams on the breaks, Rob swerves his car to the side and crashes his car into the rails. It barrels into the water. Clark quickly gets out of his trunk and looks around to make sure no one is looking. Without a moment's hesitation, he jumps into the water after Rob's car. The car is still floating on the surface because it isn't completely filled up with water yet. Clark quickly swims over to the car and tries to open the door. When the door doesn't open, he grasps it by the handle and rips the door off. Chloe and Lex gasp at seeing this.
They don't know whether to be shocked because of what they have just witnessed or overjoyed because they were right. And they have the evidence to prove it. They have caught Clark on tape doing something that no ordinary man can do.
Chloe and Lex continue to stare as Clark rips Rob out of the car and carries him to safety.
"We'd better get out of here before the cops arrive," Lex says, finally.
"Wait, we're just going to leave Rob here?"
"Don't worry, he knows what to do," Lex comments. "Come on, let's go."
Chloe and Lex manage to slip away without Clark noticing them. They have to take Chloe's car since Lex had rode with Rob. They have to take the long way back to the mansion because they don't want to risk driving over the bridge. Neither of them minds the long ride. They both need this time to clear their heads. Their fears and suspicions about their friend had finally been revealed to them. They knew he was no ordinary person, but today they found out how out of the ordinary he is. They've done it; they now know Clark's secret. Well part of it anyway. There is still much more to learn about the mystery that is Clark Kent. But today Chloe and Lex were able to crack a tiny piece of the mystery. And to them it's a great victory.
Chloe and Lex make it back to his mansion and all the way to the library before they began to speak about what they had just witnessed.
"Oh my God!" Chloe looked at Lex with a shocked expression. "I can't believe it. It's true."
"I knew it, I just knew it. Clark is no ordinary farm boy," Lex says.
"I think I'm still in shock," Chloe mutters.
"Do you know what this means?" Lex questions.
Chloe thinks for a second. "That Clark is some kind of super strong person?"
"No! That Clark is what we thought he is," Lex says, proudly.
"And that would be?"
"A meteor freak. Think about it, Chloe. His parents found him in the corn field the day of the meteor shower and as a result he gained some abilities."
"I just don't buy that, Lex. I don't think he's a meteor freak. Not if we're going to go with my theory of him being allergic to the meteor rocks."
"Chloe, we haven't proven that yet."
"Well then maybe we need to. It's like you said Lex. This is all one big puzzle and we just need to put the pieces together. We need to use every single thing we think we know about Clark."
"I understand that Chloe. Now if you'll excuse me I have prior engagements this afternoon."
"What?"
"Nothing for you to be concerned about, it's just business." Lex replies.
Why does she not believe him? She decides to let it slide for now. She's too busy cooking up her own plan.
"Good afternoon Clark," Lex says, as he strides into the Kent's barn.
"Oh, hi, Lex," Clark greets. "What's up?"
"Well I heard about your heroic efforts at the bridge today. To be honest I was having a little flashback. I'm somewhat reminiscent of the day I crashed my car on that same bridge and you saved my life. Two rescues in the exact same spot. How did you manage that?"
"Just lucky I guess," Clark mumbles.
"I was wondering if I could ask you some questions."
Lex steps closer to Clark as he fingers the piece of meteor rock in his pocket. Clark begins to grab his stomach with a pained expression on his face.
"Are you okay Clark?" Lex questions, as he steps even closer and places a hand on his shoulder.
Clark doubles over in pain and falls to his knees. "Oh, God!" Clark moans.
Lex slowly starts to back up and he can see Clark returning to normal.
Clark tries to use his x-ray to see if Lex has any Kryptonite on him. But in his weakened state, it takes him longer than normal to get it to work. Before Clark is able to see anything his cell phone starts ringing.
"Hello," Clark says into his cell phone. His voice is still a little weak from Lex standing so close. "Okay, I'll be there in a few minutes."
He closes his cell and then turns his attention back to Lex. "I have to go. Chloe needs my help with a story or something."
"What story? Where?" Lex questions.
"Lex, why are you so concerned about Chloe? And I don't know. Something Chloe's investigating; who knows what it is this week. She didn't say. She just told me to meet her at Crater Lake."
Clark starts to feel weak again as he walks past Lex. He does his best to stay as far away from him as possible. Clark walks out of the barn and hops into his truck.
Lex follows him out and walks over to his own car. 'What could that girl be up to?' Lex questions himself.
Upon arriving at his destination, Clark jumps out of his truck and looks around for his blonde headed friend. "Chloe? Where are you?" Clark calls out.
"I'm over here Clark." A voice comes from behind him, several trees off in the distance.
As Clark walks towards the voice, he silently wonders what Chloe could have in store for him this time. He is often the one who helps Chloe chase her latest lead. Clark hates to admit it, but he actually enjoys being around Chloe. She never ceases to liven up his life. He thinks about how different his life would be if he had never met Chloe. He realizes that he'd be in an entirely different place right now. But in the end, Clark decides that he enjoys having Chloe in his life. She's become a very good friend to him.
They almost became more than friends once, but he had left her to go chase after Lana. While he doesn't regret saving Lana's life, he kind of wonders what would have happened had he not left the dance. Would he and Chloe have hooked up? There's no way of knowing that now. A strange thought enters Clark's mind; what if she still has feelings for him. He had never really thought about persuing a relationship with Chloe. It had always seemed like the wrong time. He was always holding out for Lana. But now that Lana and Pete might be together, maybe it was time for him to move on too.
"Hey Chloe," Clark says, when she finally comes into view.
"Hi Clark," Chloe replies. She is standing next to a cliff with a very low drop.
"So what are you researching today, Chloe?"
"We're friends right, Clark?" Chloe ignors his question.
"Of course." Clark looks at her with a confused expression.
"So you would do anything for me right?"
"Yes, you know I would. Chloe what is this about?" Clark starts to get really worried. Chloe just isn't acting like herself.
"Would you even save my life if you had to?" Chloe whispers, as she slowly steps closer and closer to the edge of the cliff.
"Chloe what are you doing?"
"What if I accidentally fell?" Chloe questions, as she dangles her foot over the edge.
"Chloe don't!" Clark yells, as he super-speeds over to her.
Chloe is so startled that she jumps back quickly, out of reflex. Before she knows it, she's falling and speeding towards the ground. She screams for Clark to help her.
As soon as she starts falling, Clark jumps over the ledge after her. He manages to make it to the ground before she does, just in time to catch her. But the force of stopping so suddenly knocks her unconscious. As she lies limp in his arms, Clark carries her to safety.
"What were you thinking Chloe?" Clark mumbles, to the non-responsive girl he's carrying.
Clark manages to get Chloe to the hospital. She's released with a mild concussion and an order from the doctor to take it easy for a couple of days.
While she's at home recuperating, Clark decides to pay her a visit.
"Hey, Chloe," Clark says, as he knocks on her bedroom door. She's sitting at her computer, typing away.
"Hey Clark. Come in."
"Aren't you suppose to be in bed?" Clark laughs. Chloe was never one to follow anyone's advice.
"Probably," Chloe mumbles.
Clark plops down on her bed across from where she's sitting. "I need to ask you something Chloe. Do you remember what happened yesterday?"
Chloe thinks for a minute. "Humm, let's see. I was at Crater Lake, working on a story for the Torch. And I was looking around for some evidence and---" she trails off.
"And what?"
"That's it, that's all I remember."
"You don't remember calling me on my cell phone? Or me coming out there to meet you?"
Chloe shakes her head no. "Why? What happened?"
"I uhhh, I don't know. I just found you."
"I guess I must have slipped and hit my head or something," Chloe says.
"Oh yeah, I guess that's what happened," Clark mumbles. "You sure you don't remember anything?" Clark asks one last time.
"I'm sure," Chloe assures him. "Clark, I was just wondering, did Lex pay you a visit yesterday?"
"Yeah, he did. Why do you ask?" Clark questions.
"No reason." Chloe replies.
Clark starts to get suspicious when Chloe asks about Lex, but he quickly pushes the thought out of his mind.
"I'm glad you're going to be okay, Chloe."
"Me too. Thanks to you." Chloe smiles at him.
"Chloe, I was wondering, do---" Clark is cut off when her phone starts ringing.
"Hold that thought, Clark."
Chloe picks up the phone. "Hello? Oh hi! I was just about to call you," Chloe says into the phone. "Yeah, I'm doing fine."
"I'm just gonna go," Clark whispers, as he gets up to leave.
Chloe waves goodbye to him as she continues speaking into the phone. When Chloe is sure that Clark is out of earshot, she mumbles, "I'm on my way."
With that, she hangs up the phone and heads out the door.
"What the hell happened yesterday?" Lex questions, as soon as Chloe enters his library.
"Well, it's nice to see you too, Lex. Are you having a nice day?"
"Don't get cute with me!" Lex snaps. "What the hell were you thinking? You jeopardized our whole arrangement. What if Clark had found out that we were setting him up?" Lex is practically yelling at her now.
"I'm sorry, Lex."
"I'm sorry doesn't cut it, Chloe. You could have screwed things up in an instant."
"Hey, I'm not entirely at fault here!" Chloe yells back in her defense. "If you weren't so secretive with me and you let me in on all your little plans I wouldn't have to go behind your back! We're supposed to be a team, Lex. We're supposed to be working together!"
"Chloe, I am honest with you! I told you everything I was doing."
"Clark told me that you were at his barn yesterday. What were you doing there?" Chloe questions.
"Nothing," Lex replies.
"Oh nothing, like I'm going to buy that!" Chloe snarks.
"Fine, I'll tell you what I was doing, if you tell me what you were doing."
"Fine!" Chloe snaps.
"I went to Clark so I could test out your meteor rock theory."
"And?"
"And you were correct. The meteor rocks do weaken him. When I got close to him with the meteor rock in my pocket he could barely stand."
"Ah ha! I knew I was right!" Chloe says, as she basks in her glory.
"Now tell me what you were doing at Crater Lake."
"I wanted to do some investigative reporting on my own."
"So, what happened?"
"You ready for this? I pretended that I was going to jump off of a ledge and Clark---I don't know what he did. One moment he was over there and then he was right in front of me."
"So you're saying he has some kind of super speed ability?"
"Yes, exactly."
"So then what happened?" he asks.
"Then I fell and Clark caught me."
"Wait a minute, you fell off of the ledge and Clark caught you?"
Chloe nods.
"How?"
"I don't know, it was so bizarre. When I fell I remember looking up at him and screaming for him to help me. Then I see him whiz by me. And that's it. That's when I blacked out."
"Oh my God. This is amazing. But wait, does Clark know?" Lex questions, as he starts to get a little worried.
"No, I talked to him earlier today. I told him that I forgot everything. I told him I that I fell and hit my head. Don't worry, I'm totally sure he bought it."
"Okay, look if we're going to continue this, then we have to promise we're not going to go behind each others back's anymore. We can't risk a fiasco like this again."
Chloe nods. "Agreed!" she replies as she extends her hand for a shake.
Lex takes her hand and swears that he feels electricity shoot through his body just by her simple touch. He almost doesn't want to let her hand go. He can't help but notice how perfectly it fits in his.
Chloe grabs her head. "I think I need to sit down."
Lex helps her over to the couch.
"Are you okay?" he asks, concern showing on his face.
"Yeah, my head still hurts a little though."
"See this is why I didn't want you to go off and try to do this yourself. I knew you would get hurt."
Chloe lets out a frustrated groan. "Spare me the lecture." She places her head in her hands "And can you yell at me later? I really don't feel like doing this right now."
Lex brings Chloe's face up to look at him. "I'm not going to lecture you Chloe. I'm just concerned. I don't want anything to happen to you. I promised you I'd keep you safe and I intend to do just that. But I'm going to need your help with that."
"Okay. I promise I'll try to keep myself out of danger for the time being," Chloe says, as she gives him a weak smile.
"That's all I ask," Lex whispers. "I'm glad Clark was there to save you. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Yeah, I guess I'd miss you too, Lex."
Lex just smiles at her. All this time they had been working together he had tried to deny their passion, but he just couldn't hold it inside any longer.
Lex slowly brings his hand to her cheek and gently cups it. He leans down and lightly places his lips on hers. At first he can tell that Chloe is a little shocked by his action but then he can feel her responding.
Kissing Lex Luthor is nothing like she thought it would be.And oh yes, she had thought about it many times. But this is so much better than she could have imagined. His lips are soft, and he uses the right amount of pressure as his lips dance upon hers. Chloe can't even hold back a moan that escapes from her throat. Lex willingly takes it into his own mouth. He's the first to pull back from the kiss. She looks up into his blue eyes, which are alive with passion. Her hazel ones are equally alive.
Lex gives her one of his trademark smirks and she finds herself smiling back at him in response.
"I have to go," Chloe says, when she finally finds her voice.
"I'll see you later then, Miss Sullivan."
Lex gets up and walks her to the door.
"Bye, Lex."
With that Chloe leaves his mansion and heads back to her car.
Chloe feels like screaming at the top of her lungs for no reason. That was by far the best kiss she has ever received in her entire life. She smiles to herself at the thought of many more of Lex's kisses.
'This is going to be the start of something wonderful' Chloe thinks to herself, as she heads back to her house to recover from that mind-blowing kiss.
AN: That's it for now. Chapter 4 coming soon! And I promise I won't take as long to update as I did last time.
Don't forget to review!