A/N: I was reading the Smallville Torch website and found an interesting article by Chloe. It was the 22 things she learned this year. It's was number 2 that stuck my interest, it was very fitting for the events in the finale. So I used it in my story. It's at the very end so you'll see.

Ch 3 Coffee House

Lex was sitting at the coffee house again; he didn't even like the coffee here. But he had hoped to run into Amanda again. Why do want to see her so badly. I don't even know how old she is? Thought Lex There something about her that I'm drawn too, I usually do go for brunettes but it's not her hair color that I'm interested in. Lex was going crazy thinking about her. She reminds me of Chloe. But Chloe had this light that shone in her and made her sparkle with life. Amanda's eyes sparkle only a little bit, something bad must have happened to her, to make her light burn out.

Chloe walked into the coffee house, not for coffee, but hoping to see Lex again before she had to leave. There he was sitting by himself with a thoughtful look on his face.

She walked over to him and stood there watching him. He looked up

"Amanda!!" he said loudly "sorry"

Chloe laughed he was happy to see her and that made her feel good. "It's alright Mr. Luthor"

"Please call me Lex," he said as motioned for her to sit down.

"Ok"

"Do you think I could ask you a weird question?"

"Sure why not"

"How old are you?"

She laughed again "18"

"Oh, are you still in High School?"

"No I graduated early, that's why I'm doing the soul searching, trying to find myself before I start college" all these lies, I don't know how much longer I could take this

"How's that going for you?"

"It's amazing"

"Really"

"No, not really I think I'm just scared to take the next step"

"Most everyone is, but you're an intelligent young woman I think you'll enjoy college"

"Well thank you"

"Your welcome"

Somebody turned up the radio at the counter.

"In local news, billionaire businessman Lionel Luthor was released on bail this afternoon, being that his main witness died in an explosion six months ago. Although his son Lex Luthor did try to put the blame on him for the killing, they could not find significant proof that he was responsible. Now on to the weather."

Lex could feel his anger rising. He looked over at Amanda and looked into her eyes, For just a second her eyes looked so cold, but her mood changed quickly before he could register anything.

She turned to him with her eyebrow raised. But didn't ask any question about what she just heard. Lex tried to help me, but he didn't have enough proof, I'll find all the proof I need to make sure Lionel can't hurt anyone ever again thought Chloe her anger rising, but she couldn't show it, she had gotten a little better at masking her emotions but they told her she still needed work. Lex didn't seem to notice, so I guess I'm ok for now

The news about his father's release upset him, he would find away to make his father pay for what he did. But now he wanted to enjoy his time with Amanda, he wanted to get to know her better. She's still a little young, but she so much smarter then the average 18 year old

"Would you like to have dinner with me?" he blurted out before he could realize what he said.

Chloe was taken aback at the question. Lex Luthor wants to go on date with me. I wanted him to ask me that almost every time I went over to house, I figured he only liked me as friend

Lex was staring at her waiting for her reply hoping she wouldn't turn him down.

Chloe stop thinking about it "Sure" she answered I shouldn't go, I'll probably get in trouble for this, but I don't care. I've done everything they've said for months I should be allowed to have some fun thought Chloe this is wrong in other ways, but if I couldn't go out with him as Chloe, then I'll go out with him as Amanda

Lex sighed with relief, he thought maybe she wasn't feeling the heat between them; he thought he was the only one.

"What kind of place did you have in mind?" Chloe asked

"Well not a restaurant around here, I was thinking of a restaurant in Metropolis. Do you like Japanese?" He said

"Yes"

"Ok, well where are you staying so I could pick you up?"

"The Farmer's inn" she replied. After living in LA she had gotten used to living in a big city again and realized why she liked them better, they had more then one hotel for one thing.

"Ok how about I pick you up at say 7"

"That's fine." Hopefully I could lose them for tonight.

"It's a long drive up there, so will just stay in my Penthouse and drive back tomorrow"

His penthouse, he's bringing me there. Her heart was pounding again. He was making her feel llike a kid again.

"Ok sounds great"

She parked the jeep in the garage and was walking to the hotel, when a man bumped into her, he had given her a note. Reminding her of the real reason she was in Smallville. She waited until she was inside her room before she read it

On the bottom it said one word Phoenix.

That was the nickname they gave her, it was fitting. A Phoenix always rises from the ashes, stronger then ever.

TBC