Chapter 17

He couldn't concentrate. Lex stared at his laptop for a moment then leaned back in his chair and exhaled tiredly. Ever since that whole incident with Clark and Chloe, he hadn't been able to focus his attention to his work; his mind was always drifting to the issue with Clark and Shishio then shifted to more pleasant thoughts of Chloe and that wonderful mouth and tongue of hers. Of course his thoughts tended mostly to Chloe as it wasn't as stressful to think about her.

However, the moments when he did think of Clark's sudden appearance and the fact that he was connected to Shishio caused all the questions about his father's death to resurface. Clark had a personal record with the older Luthor and therefore, there was a motive for Clark to kill the man. Chloe – wondrously soft lips coupled with enthusiasm among other things – had brought it up when they were discussing Shishio and she presented the probability that it was just a point of circumstance – Lionel was there and so he was to be killed. Lex joked about her watching too many hostage movies and she just shrugged and said that it was better to be open-minded than to see things in one solitary way.

Still, Lex was never one to see the crime so brutal as just an act of circumstance. Killing a man just because he was there didn't explain the carving on his chest – The monster will come and swallow you whole. There was a reason why it was there; it was a warning. Had it only been for Shinomori, it would have solely been on the old man's body, but it was also on his father's body. A warning of conflict yet to come.

And I've gone and endangered Chloe and Remy's lives. His inner voice accused him once again, but he knew that what it was saying was wrong. They would have been in more danger had they not been under his care. They would have been totally exposed – easy prey for a starving predator. Shishio Makoto with the strongest weapon Lex knew: Clark Kent.

The young Luthor closed his eyes for a moment before he pushed his seat back and got up, shutting down the lap top as he moved. There was no way he was going to get anything done with all the things that were going on inside his mind. His muscles felt strained despite the fact that he hadn't done anything strenuous. Damn stress, he thought bitterly in his mind. He needed some distractions; something effective… like…

Chloe.

With a little smile on his face – there because of the anticipation coursing through him – he strolled out of his home office to check on that lovely blonde that was residing with him. As it was, she was talking to someone on the cordless phone in the library. Remy and Misao were there as well, immersed in another round of Big Two.

Lex's mirth, however, came to a dead stop at Chloe's giggle. She never giggled; not to his knowledge had she ever allowed such a – a girlish thing to come out of her mouth. His head snapped to her and narrowed on her form – sprawled on the couch as she spoke to whoever it was on the other line. I swear if it's Shinomori I'm stuffing those precious swords of his down his throat!

"Sano, you're such a freak!" she laughed into the cordless phone as her pointer finger on her free hand twirled wisps of her hair.

Lex felt something surge in him. Danger! Danger! Intervention needed now! "Chloe, could I speak to you for a moment?"

His voice was deadly calm. The movement – the easy-going atmosphere was replaced by tangible electricity and everything froze for a moment. Remy looked up at Lex with his wide blue eyes and suppressed a giggle. He was finally accustomed to what the Chloe and him were feeling for each other – mostly because Misao kept on muttering about it when she saw the two on her way to see the small boy. It's so obvious, yet those two are so baka to see it, she told him with the shake of her head before they settled into their usual rounds with the cards. With a knowing look on his face he glanced at Misao, who nodded at him and they brushed all the cards together and headed out quietly.

Meanwhile, Chloe had tilted her head backwards and blinked at him. Even if he was upside down, she could tell he was irritated. With what, she didn't know. She was too busy listening to the quirky stories that Sano was telling her about the women he dated. Pursing her lips she settled back again in her seat.

"Sano, uhm… something kind of came up –"

Yeah, I know, the man on the other end replied with a mischievous tone. I heard baldy-man. Go talk to him. He sounds like he's got something stuck up his ass. Chloe repressed a laugh.

"Okay, bye," she said in a muffled voice before she disconnected. Waiting a moment and taking a breath before she got up and looked straight at the stony-faced Luthor. "What's up?"

"I think it's high time we talked about that kiss we shared just a while ago," he answered point blank.

He strode purposefully towards her, causing her to stiffen. He took a seat across from her and leaned forward; his elbows settled upon his thighs. Chloe moved in her seat and mimicked his posture so that they were at eye-level. She wasn't about to show she was intimidated by him. "What about it?"

"I was hoping you could tell me. I've told you my story. It's time for yours." His eyes were intense, piercing her; making her feel almost vulnerable.

"You told me squat, Lex," she retorted. "I knew it would irk Clark… among other things." Her voice turned mocking when she quoted him then she snorted. "I mean what the hell? That's no answer; that's avoiding it. I'm absolutely not going to say anything until I hear the truth from you."

"But I already gave the truth." He could feel the blood in his veins pump more furiously.

"Yeah, half baked!"

"It's a lot better than nothing – which is what I have from you. Do you make it a habit to have someone kiss you then reciprocate only to flirt with some other guy afterwards? Some people would call that –"

"Oh, no, don't you dare even go there!" she yelled. "I was talking to a friend just now; I wasn't flirting! Why the hell am I explaining any of this to you? You're not even explaining your side of the damn story!"

"Don't be so pig-headed, Sullivan –" he started, his eyes narrowing.

"Ooh, very bad choice of words, Lex! Pig-headed? Sullivan? Oh yeah and let's not forget the fact that you almost called me a damn slut!"

"I wasn't going to say –"

She went on raving, refusing to let him speak. "First you insult me then you place distance! You know, I'm thinking it really was all for show because if you really did care then you'd have forgone the extra crap and just told me straight out that you actually like me."

"I wouldn't have done that if I didn't like you, Chloe," he told her in a deadpan voice.

"From what I can see, as long as it's got ample cleavage and can be used to your advantage in another situation, you would have done the same thing with it as you did to me." Chloe inhaled and pinched the bridge of her nose before she moved to get up. "You know, Lex, I thought that we were friends but I see that it's all just my imagination."

"I don't want us to be friends," Lex growled as she walked away.

She whirled around with spite in her eyes. "Oh, is that right? Let me guess…" she tapped her finger against her chin as if she was thinking then looked back at him, her eyes a stormy colour. "You want us to be fuck buddies?"

"Damn it, Chloe, you know that is not what I want our relationship to turn out to be."

"You're certainly not being clear about what you want of it, Lex." She sighed tiredly then. "And until you are, I think we should keep a bit of space between us."

She began to walk out – her fingers rubbing her eyes. Ranting always took so much energy out of her, but it was better than keeping in all that frustration that was pent up in side of her. And all for the –

"Chloe you better not be walking away from me. No one ever walks away from a Luthor our circumstances."

The enraged voice was kept low, but menacing enough to stop her in her tracks and caused her to turn around and peer at him. He was standing in front of the couch his eyes a dark and stormy colour while a muscle worked at his jaw. When she faced him fully, her head was tilted up in defiance and her eyes refused to waver from his face.

"You know, Lex, there's a first for everything," she seethed. "So consider this your first." With that she stomped off leaving Lex in the deafening silence.

"Sano, it's gotten worse," Misao murmured into her cell phone with a heaving sigh. "It's been a week since they've spoken to each other. They refuse to dine together and Remy's becoming distressed."

"Don't worry, anata," Sano reassured his girlfriend. "Ice-box is thinking something up. Just… entertain Remy for a while longer."

"His senses are acute, tori-tama," she hissed into the phone. "He will always be aware of what's happening around him. There are no signs of the two even making eye-contact within the next few weeks and Halloween's coming up in that time. If Ice – I mean Aoshi, doesn't act now, Remy's going to head for a steady decline!"

"Really, babe, just chill. Here, talk to Ken-san. He knows more about what's going on with that baka-shishou of ours. Aishiteru, itachi-anata!"

There was a moment of fumbling and then Kenshin's voice – chipper as usual – met Misao's ears. "Konbanwa, Misao-dono!"

"Oh, cut the formalities already, Ken-san!" she whined, rolling her eyes. "You make me feel like I'm a hundred instead of twenty-two!"

"But, sessha could never drop formalities for everyone deserves the utmost respect," the flame-haired man said, chuckling.

She grumbled into the phone. "Anyway, what is it that my cousin is cooking up for the two? It's excruciating to be around them when they refuse to talk or acknowledge each other. It's – it's so childish!"

"Yes, well I recall another couple a year ago that had gone through such a phase," he answered in a jokingly wistful voice.

"Mou, Ken-san!" But the woman laughed. "So tell me what's up?"

"Well, with Halloween coming up, Aoshi thought it would be nice to host a nice party at the penthouse. It'll be just you guys there, us and a few other selected guests."

"Uh huh… and how do we get them together, spike their drinks?"

Kenshin laughed heartily. "No, of course not; that would defeat the whole purpose… the thing is, we're going to make it a masquerade party… so they're bound to run into each other, but not recognize each other."

"And you're sure this is going to work, how?"

"Maa, maa, Misao, some things are supposed to be a surprise! Just expect an invitation in a day or two. Everyone gets one. If one plans to back out, you inform us and we'll do the coaxing… if we left it to you I don't think we'll be seeing them at all."

Misao snorted. "Look, I know I'm aggressive and all but –"

Kenshin chuckled. "Really, Misao-dono, you can just leave it to sessha or Aoshi. Anyway, I have to get going. You take care, okay? Ja!"

"Bai-bai," Misao said with a smile on her face.

Exhaling loudly, she flopped back on the bed she was sitting on. Soon, she thought relieved. She was so sick of them skirting around each other… Chloe to Lex no baka.

Chloe ran her fingers across the keyboard expertly, typing in the address to her email account. When she logged in, she found that she had merely one new mail. Nonchalantly she clicked on the inbox icon and her face instantly lit up when she found that the sender was Aoshi;

You are cordially invited to an All Hallow's Eve Celebration
Hosted by: Himura Kenshin and Shinomori Aoshi
Where: 24th Floor, Kyoundai Towers
When: October 31; 7:00 pm
All guests are required to attend in full costume.

The whole idea seemed wonderful. She immediately sought out Misao and upon finding her, she asked her about the possible costume she had in mind. The raven-haired girl seemed enthusiastic about the entire thing and said also added that Remy would be going (upon Aoshi's request) and wearing a prearranged traditional Japanese costume from the early 1800's. Chloe felt the anticipation build in her, only to feel it drop slightly at the probability that Lex would go to. Pursing her lips, she went to seek him out.

Lex gave a once over at the invitation and snorted. He knew that Chloe must have gotten one, too, considering she was the closer one to the Shinomori's out of the both of them. He was very tempted to go. But his blood still boiled at the idea that she could possibly spend more time with that Sagara character. Did she know that he was a playboy – seeing a different girl everyday and flirting with women left and right?

Oh he would go, he thought resolutely. There was no way in hell that he would allow her to be in a place at such close proximity with someone who oozed sexuality like Sagara did. He'd be there and she wouldn't know it.

There was a sudden knock at his office door and his eyes flitted from the screen of his lap top to the raven-haired woman with sharp blue eyes. "Makimachi-san," he greeted stiffly.

"Damn it, why is everyone being so damn formal with me all the time? It's 'Misao', Lex; I'm going to be here a while so you better get used to saying that name."

"What do you want?" he asked shortly, his eyes going cold as she approached his desk.

Misao placed both palms against the wooden surface and looked intently at Lex. "You're going to Aoshi-sama's party, right?" There was something in her look that made him want to answer 'yes'.

"I plan on declining, actually," he told her instead, leaning back against his chair and looking at her with his usual easy smirk.

"Oh right! I forgot; you're never one to associate yourself with those who are obviously far more superior to you. Okay, well, I'll go tell Aoshi-sama that his lowliest invitee will not be coming."

Lex pursed his lips, so tempted to speak his mind, but he knew she was baiting him. So, Aoshi wants me to come, he thought when the door to his office was closed and once again he was left alone. That was a sure sign he was plotting something; most probably to show him that he was capable of winning Chloe over. Oh, no, he hadn't forgotten their first non-business conversation. You know, considering she isn't attached, I believe I would like to try a hand at courting her… the Japanese man's voice, so suggestive and arrogant, was still clear in his mind.

Lex leaned forward onto his elbows and pursed his lips as he stared ahead of him. Damn it, why was everyone after her all of a sudden? There was no doubt that she would showcase herself during the party since she wasn't one to be anything less of a spectacle wherever she went (she had a habit of drawing attention to her… must be her personality and aura that draws their attention to her).

"Lex," someone called snapping him out of his humourless thoughts.

His grey eyes rested on the only person who could occupy his mind so completely. "Chloe," he greeted just as aloofly as he had with Misao. "What is it you want?"

A lot of things that you aren't willing to give me as of yet. "I just want to know if you're planning to go to Aoshi's party," she answered in a huffy voice, shoving down the thought viciously.

"As much fun as it sounds, I plan on passing the invitation," he lied, a small smirk playing across his lips. "Sorry to disappoint you."

The fact was that Chloe did feel put down that he wasn't planning on attending. Despite the fact that they weren't in good terms whatsoever, the tension around him, always kept her fears of Shishio and his men at bay. "Oh, yeah, very disappointing," she retorted, trying to hide her true feelings on his answer. "Okay, well…" she cleared her throat and walked out.

Despite her best efforts to keep it from him, Lex saw the play of emotions on her face… and once he was in the presence of only himself, he leaned back against his chair and a full-fledge smile grew upon his lips.

Vocabulary:

anata - endearment akin to 'love' or 'dearest'

tori-tama - rooster head (nickname of Sanosuke; given by an old acquaintance... it stuck obviously)

Aishiteru - I love you

itachi-anata - endearing way of saying 'weasel' (Misao's nickname given by same person who first called Sano tori-tama

Konbanwa - good evening

sessha - 'this unworthy one'

mou - come on (in essence)

Maa-maa - now, now!

Bai-bai - fancy shmancy way of writing 'bye-bye'

Chloe and Lex no baka - Stupid Chloe and Lex

Yep I know, you're on the verge of killing me for delaying the coming together of Chlex, but be patient.. it's coming... :) Thanks to all those who have reviewed. Greatly appreciated.

Dew aka BB