I want to thank everyone again for the reviews. decided to post this next chapter up quickly, before i forgot. enjoy! and remember to R&R!
Chapter eight: Choices
After admitting the fact that he considered Chloe a friends, Lex had the urge to protect her. Like an older brother to a younger sister. He wanted to make sure she wasn't hurt again.
Even if he had to protect her from Clark.
"Lex?"
Chloe's voice slipped into Lex's thoughts. Glancing over at her, he saw pair of worried and concerned eyes. It took him a second to realize that it was for him.
Smiling a little, he drank the last of his coffee before he set the emoty mug down.
"So tell me Chloe, what are we going to do now?"
The blonde looked down and stared in silence at her cup. It took her a few minutes to respond to his simple, yet loaded question.
"I don't know."
Her voice was soft barely above a whisper. Like she was afraid. Lex knew from experience that she was hurting.
On impulse, she reached out, barely touching her hand, making the reporter look up at him
"Look, Chloe…"
He paused trying to put what he had to say into words.
"We're going to have to go back to Smallville…"
She took a deep breath, and he continued.
"But you can choose when we go back."
Chloe blinked owlishly at him for a few seconds. He let it sink in as he watched the surprise an gratitude bloom on her face.
"Really? I can choose?"
"Yes."
It was like taking a deep breath before the plunge into the icy waters. Lex though, kept his eyes trained on Chloe. Almost like he was afraid she mock him, or something.
This was quite personal. In a silent way, he was offering her use of his home. His private place. His time, friendship.
It wasn't something Lex Luthor did lightly, and Chloe didn't miss the sugnificience of the simple yet wonderful gesture.
"Thank you."
Lex nodded, and started to pull away, but she stopped him.
"Why?"
He shrugged, trying to make himself relax. He was nervous, something that didn't happen often. He had been afraid of her answer. Yet had waited, with baited breath to hear it.
"Because you're the reason why we're here in the first place."
He didn't tell her that he had been heading home from Metropolis. Not going towards it. It had been instinct to help her, and impulse to take her back here.
"Oh."
They both went silent as Lex looked down at their hands, barely touching. Pulling back he fiddled, almost nervously with the mug in front of him.
"Do you mean it?"
"Yes, Miss Sullivan,…Chloe….I mean it."
She smiled, at first it was small, but then turned into one of her huge Chloe-like million watt ones.
"Thank you."
"Its no problem Chloe. I'm glad to help."
"You have a hero complex, even if you hate to admit it."
Lex grinned a little.
"Yeah, but don't tell anyone. It'll ruin my reputation."
"Alright deal."
She grinned back at Lex and took a sip of her now obviously cooler coffee. After a minute she gave Lex a thoughtful look.
He wasn't at all what she expected.
"Lex, but what about your work, the plant?"
"Gabe can handle it and anything he can't do, I can do from my computer."
"School?"
"I'll have them send you the work."
Chloe watched him stand up.
"You've given this a lot of thought."
"Not really, seeing how I've done the same thing when I was younger."
"Oh?"
He grinned devilishly.
"Yes, we just called it a mental vacation."
Chloe laughed as Lex grinned, really grinned at her. And put his empty coffee mug in the sink. Pausing there, he looked back.
"Tell me Chloe, what are we going to do today?"
"Today?"
"Yes, today."
"Uh…I have to decide now?"
"No, but I'd like you to make a choice in the next minute or so. Then I can plan my day accordingly."
"Oh. What are my choices?"
"Anything you want to do."
"Really?"
"yes."
"Let me think about it."
"Of course."
It took her about five whole minutes to 'think about it' before she grinned.
"Tell me Lex. You'll do whatever I want to do today?"
"Yes…"
He saw the evil smile beginning to form and started to look suspicious.
"Why do I get the feeling I'm going to regret saying that?"
"Because you will be…"
He groaned.
"Oh no…"
"Oh yes…"
Lex had a feeling, that this was going to be a longggg day.
TBC...