Chloe walked into the office with an long forgotten chirpiness about her. The talk with Pete had helped, well, he hadn't helped much, Lex wasn't one of his favourite peoples. Yet somehow saying her thoughts out loud had helped her feel more at ease. At least Clark was beginning to fade away, it still hurt to see him, but more out of indignation than love. She had felt so humiliated by him that it was stronger that what she felt for him.

How her sight turned from Clark to Lex was hard to explain, even to herself.

"Maybe its how he's so poised, yet so mysterious," she let her thoughts take voice. "How he can be so aloft, yet his presence is so heavy and hard to resist" she let out a giggle and turned to sit down, only to have the giggle die uncomfortably in her throat.

"Chloe laughing at herself? May I be let onto the joke?" Lex walked in, hands in pocket and a lopsided grin on his face, which was beginning to turn into a full blown smile as Chloe's face comically turned all colors.

"hasn't anyone taught you to knock?" she sputtered, shuffling some papers and averting his eyes.

"yeah, but I don't usually follow the norm in my own house." He grabbed a curious looking object from the desk and examined it before putting it back down.

"Is there something I can do for you?" Chloe quickly regained her composure and changed the subject.

"I was just passing by, hadn't seen you the last couple days, thought maybe we could talk" Chloe didn't hide her look of surprise. What are you doing Lex? Just throw it out in the open why don't you. He scolded himself

"Talk? Don't you have some girlfriend in turn you can talk to?" as soon as she said those word she regretted them. "Sorry, I mean, its not like I haven't been here. Do you have some doubts about work or something?" His face maintained a serious look about it, glad the conversation had turned to more familiar ground.

"Yes, mind if I sit down?" not waiting for her response he sat in front of her. "I was wondering if you could do some research for me" he watched her intently as he talked.

"Sure, what about?" She sat and turned her attention on the Luthor in front of her.

"Um, I was just wondering if there were any updates to the deciphering of the cave writings" He fibbed as he scolded himself. You shouldn't be here, you have stuff to do, people to see, business to attend to. Right, that's what your employees are for Luthor. He let a small smile appear in his mouth.

"The caves, well, there hasn't been much movement just a couple new." As Chloe talked about the caves Lex took his time to examine her. Strong, independent, so many things he had known in himself and the women he had been with. The comparison made another thought pop in his mind. Every other woman he had been with had also been with her father and was only after him for his money or to take some advantage out of him. He thought sourly. Don't doubt that she is any different, just younger. An almost cruel smile crossed his lips and anger filled his eyes. Maybe for one I could have the up hand in this. Let see if she can resist my money, my bed, my father. I wonder..

"Lex, Lex are you still here?" Chloe waved a hand in front of his eyes, which he caught and examined it. She only stared, surprised.

"You have writers hands alright. Long fingers, tell you what, why don't we talk about this over dinner?" He said as he abruptly let go of her hand. Chloe was still silent, her eyes wide with the unexpected turn this had taken. "I'll pick you up at eight, is that okay? Oh, and dress formal" He stood up and turned to leave.

"Wait, what?" her voice finally found its way out.

"Oh, just business, I seem to get my better ideas with Bach and a good caviar."

"business," she nodded her head, an uncertain smile played on her lips. "Fine, eight it is."

She watched as he walked toward the door, admiring his strong and yet lean upper body.

"business" she repeated as he closed the door behind him. And plopped back in her chair, not wanting to think too much into it, she dove for her computer and started working.

On the other side of the door Lex smiled into the closed door, his look sad yet cruel. One week and she will be in my bed, and my father's, maybe less. A weary smile played on his lips as he retreated down the hallway.