Ok, thanks for all the reviews...sry for the longg wait for the update. I got busy, with more than just school work. the other story and blah blah blah...anyways, here's the next chapter. enjoy! XD

KH

Chapter seven: Friends?

The next morning Chloe woke up to the smell of coffee in the air. Yawning she sat up and stretched. Blinking slowly she looked around and stopped.

'Wait a minute, this isn't my room…where am I?'

It took the young girl a few seconds to remember what happened the other night. Groaning she placed her head in her hands.

Why had she run? Why did she even go other to Clark's? Why did he kiss that bitch?

Lex glanced toward the guest bedroom. Where he knew Chloe was. It was past 10pm. Probably the latest he had slept in for a long time.

Pouring himself a cup of coffee, he sat down and started to read the newspaper, wondering when sleeping beauty was going to wake.

"Lex?"

A soft voice asked quietly.

'Ah, speak of the devil.'

He grinned and looked up.

"Hey Chloe."

The blonde smiled a little and made her way over to the table. She was barefoot, her hair messy and she looked exhausted.

"Sleep well?"

Chloe sighed and ran her fingers through her hair.

"No, actually. I…I want to thank you. For everything. Last night, the ride…"

Lex nodded and held out a cup to her.

"Its fine. I can, understand."

"Really?"

Her green eyes were slightly hopeful as she took the cup and sat down across from him.

"Yes."

"How so?"

He smiled bitterly.

"I was in love once."

"You make it sound like you're old."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No, sorry, go on."

"Well I mean I had this friend, a really pretty girl. She had …"

"Don't tell me, brown hair and doe eyes?"

Lex laughed, leaving Chloe startled. She hadn't seen him laugh, ever. Not even when h was around Clark. Maybe a smile or too, but never laughter.

"No actually. She had grey eyes and carrot red hair."

"She sounds pretty."

"She was."

He sighed and ran a hand over his scalp. Remembering her, he had a bittersweet smile on his face as he looked back at the reporter.

"Her name was Emma White. My best friend for years."

"Was she extremely rich?"

Lex chuckled again.

"Yes. Somewhat, though she never really cared. She wanted to be normal. She hated being rich and famous."

He shook his head with a small smile.

"Man, Chloe. You would have loved her. She was an oddball. Emma loved to read. Loved to learn about the truth. Her curiosity rivals your own."

"Oh? What ever happened? I mean, between you too?"

Lex sighed and sipped some of his coffee.

"She 'grew up'. More like she moved away as did I. Her mother, changed her. Turned her into someone I didn't know. She became a cold, hard woman."

"I'm sorry Lex."

"No don't be. I wouldn't have been in Smallville if it hadn't been for her."

"Really? I thought you came there because of your father."

Lex grinned crookedly, giving Chloe a wink.

"He's part of it."

"Are you ever going to tell me?"

"When you tell me the truth about your past as well Miss Sullivan."

Chloe raised an eyebrow, giving him a look before she shook her head.

"Its going to be a long time eh? I don't even talk like this with Clark or Pete."

Lex shrugged.

"Yeah, guess so. I've never told anyone about Emma."

His voice was soft when he admitted that. Chloe was silent. She hadn't known he trusted her that much. Heck! She didn't even know that they were friends!

"Does this make us friends Lex?"

Lex looked up into a pair of green eyes staring intensely at him. Waiting for a response. It seemed that something was riding on his answer, and Lex didn't know what to say.

"Chloe…"

Suddenly a cell rang. Making them both jump.

"Damn."

Chloe muttered and scrambled for her bag.

"Its probably my dad, wondering where the hell I am."

Lex nodded. And watched silently as she answered the phone and started talking to Gabe. She was right, he was worried and a little freaked.

"Dad…look, something happened last night."

Pause

"Yes I know, I should have called early, but I…uh…got distracted."

Pause

"Ok, dad I'm in Metropolis."

"WHAT?"

Lex chuckled a little. He could hear Gabe from all the way over her at the table. Chloe winced and held the phone a little away from her ear.

"Dad! Calm down! Geez, it's not like I went clubbing nor had sex, or even taken drugs. Nothing happened. I swear."

"Where are you! I'm coming to get you right now!"

"Dad! I'm fine, look I spent the night with…uh friend."

She glanced over at Lex who was smirking into his mug.

Pause

"Thanks dad! I'll be back as soon as I can. I'll call you when I can."

Pause

"Yeah, ok. Thanks dad."

She was grinning now, it was infectious. Soon Lex was grinning back.

"Oh, alright. Thanks dad, bye!"

Hanging it up, Chloe stuffed the phone into her bag before she flopped herself down in the seat again.

"A friend?"

Lex asked, looking incredulously at her. Chloe grinned.

"Well, we ARE friends, are we not?"

It took Lex a few seconds before he reluctantly nodded.

"Yes Chloe, you can say that we're…friends."

TBC...