Author's Note: This is a short chapter, I'm aware. It's crucial to plot development, though, and the next chapter has a plot twist. Forgive me for making this one not so long as the others. I promise I'll make it up to you.
The following days fell back into their normal routine; Lex had come by twice - once to introduce Lucas to her, and once to tell her his plans of what to do with Lucas.
Chloe didn't think Lex's ideas for Lucas were so great, and she told him that. Pitting Lucas against Lionel - for a company, of all things - could end up dangerously. Lex had thanked her for being concerned, but told her that he had everything under control.
Chloe certainly hoped so.
Lex was fuming with anger. He should have listened to Chloe. If he had, maybe it wouldn't have been like this. Lucas and Lionel had kicked him out of the mansion. Out of the family heritage entirely, it seemed. Knowing his father, though, it probably would have happened eventually.
He drove up the Kent's driveway and prepared to face Jonathan Kent with what would probably be the hardest question he had ever had to ask in his life.
"Lana, calm down."
"How can I calm down?" Lana was furious. "Not only was he rude, but threatened to take the Talon!"
"I understand why you're angry." Chloe flopped down on the bed. "I would be too, but I'm just making a point that getting angry about it won't help the situation."
Lana sighed. "You're right." She sat on the bed beside Chloe. "But if they take away the Talon..."
Chloe hugged Lana. "They won't." The phone rang. Chloe crossed the room and picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Chloe?"
"Lex?" Chloe shot a glance at Lana who was looking at her inquisitively. She shrugged her shoulders. "Is something wrong?"
"Can you meet me?" His voice sounded strained; desperate.
"Um sure. Wh-"
"Your spot. Where I found you."
Chloe left the house, stammering something about going to interview Lex, then drove to the cornfield. She stopped her car right outside her spot - Lex had already parked there. She got out of her car and headed up to the Lex's vehicle. She knocked on the window.
"Lex?" she said, once the window had been fully rolled down, "You wanted to see-"
"Get in," Lex said, motioning to the passenger seat. Chloe obeyed moving to the passenger door. She opened it and got inside.
"You wanted to see me?"
Lex turned to face her. "You confided in me, so I think it's my turn to confide in you." He looked past her, out the window. "I guess that you've heard I've been disowned by my father and Lucas."
"Smallville. The name implies the size, so news generally get's around fast." Chloe sighed. "Where are you staying?"
"With the Kents."
"Ah, honorary farmboy." Chloe smiled, but it quickly faded when shea realized Lex wasn't smiling back. "Lex, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to-"
"You didn't, so don't apologize." Lex looked at her. "You only tried to lighten the mood." He put his hands together, placing his fingertips under his chin. "My father and Lucas were in this together behind my back. He knew about Lucas before I found out where he was. I was his sole heir, but now that he has another son, he can do away with me." Lex scowled. "All those years, he wanted to get rid of me, and he finally got the chance."
Chloe put her hand on Lex's shoulder. "I'm sure he loves you, Lex - he's your father."
"He doesn't love me!" Lex snapped. "He hasn't loved me since..." his voice trailed off, and Lex looked away.
Chloe watched Lex intently. "Since when, Lex?"
"It's not important," he said.
"It is important if you're going to confide in me, Lex!" Chloe said. "A friendship rarely lasts around secrets and lies. Tell me."
Lex put his head in his hands. "I was twelve." His voice sounded strained and weak. He looked up, and out into the cornfield. "My baby brother Julian had just been born. I was so excited - I had a brother! Someone I could share all my thoughts with. I would finally have friend." Lex closed his eyes. "I went into his room one night - he was crying... I rocked him... and rocked him... and then-" Lex's body shuddered, a sob escaping him. "God, why?"
The tears came unexpectedly to Chloe. She had never seen Lex cry. It was a strange sight to see so powerful a man seem so weak and vulnerable in this one moment. She reached over and embraced him in a hug, his head upon her shoulder, the tears constant.
"It's okay," Chloe said. "Don't cry."
"...Julian..." he whispered.
"He loves you." Chloe ran her hand on the back of Lex's neck. "He'll always love his big brother." She released Lex, and wiped the tears from his eyes. "So don't cry. He's in a much happier place than this world, away from all the bad things."
Lex looked up at her, his eyes full of hope at the thought of that last statement. Chloe looked back at him, searching his eyes, looking for belief in them. Then, a realization hit her - she cared deeply about Lex. His feelings, his well being... It dawned on her that this was the first friendship that she had ever had with somebody where nothing had been held back, even when she asked. However, there was another feeling she couldn't quite place. It was like an invisible wire that ran between them, connecting them. It was something unseen, but known. Something that belonged. But what was it?
She didn't have to answer her own question. Lex answered it for her. He leaned in, and softly kissed her. Chloe felt a surge of emotions overcome her, and she returned the kiss. After a moment, she pulled away, her eyes still closed. She opened them, and found Lex's eyes on her, searching her face. She blushed, and averted her eyes from his gaze. Now she felt slightly awkward.
Lex noticed, and said, "I'd better head back to the farm before the Kents send out a rescue squad."
Chloe nodded, reluctant to leave, and yet ready at the same time. "I need to get home before Dad starts worrying." She exited the car, and walked to her own.
"Chloe!" She turned, and saw Lex in his window. "Thanks for listening."
Chloe smiled, and continued the walk to her car. She was smiling not only because she had someone trust her enough to confide in her, but she knew the answer to her question.
She was in love with Lex.
