I am on a roll tonight! this happens only once in a while so be grateful. i might have chapter 10 up by the end of the night. but then again, i might not. anyways, hope you enjoy this. keep up with the reviews! it makes it all worth while!


Chapter nine:

Chloe groaned as she stared at the math text book laying open in front of her. She ignored everyone around and glared at the book. She hated Math. The fact that there were all these little tiny details, like ab2 plus –m….blah blah blah.

Rubbing her temples, Chloe frowned. Her mind suddenly drifting back to the mysterious e-mail message. Well, ever since she had gotten it, she hadn't been in the chat room. She was afraid of this 'Lord' guy. He scared her and made her uncomfortable.

'all this because I'm friends with some unknown guy…' she shook her head at the irony. Things that happen because of friendship. 'its sad. Very sad. Wonder who 'Lord' is?'

"Mind if I sit down?"

A silky voice asked politely. Looking up a little startled, Chloe smiled at Lex.

"Sure, sit you're obscenely rich butt down. I don't mind the company."

Lex laughed and complied. A waitress came by and got his order.

"Tall, black please."

"Wow, Lex I never would have pinned you for a heavy drinker."

Chloe teased. Lex winked.

"There's quite a lot of things that you don't know about me Miss Sullivan."

"But I would like to try."

Lex couldn't help but shake his head. Another unexpected friendship with someone a third of his age.

"I don't know Miss Sullivan…"

"Chloe, Lex, its Chloe. I hate it when you get all formal on me."

He grinned.

"Ok, Chloe. Like I was saying, I don't know if you want to get to know me. There are strings attached to being my friend."

"Are we? Friends I mean Lex. Are we?"

"I don't know."

He shrugged and stared down at his cup of coffee that had magically appeared in his hands.

"I would like to be."

Lex looked up to see Chloe smiling at him. He grinned back. A real smile soon lit his features.

"Me too, Chloe. Me too."

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Clark walked up.

"Hey guys!"

He greeted them both cheerfully, shaking the two out of their thoughts.

"Hey Clark."

"Hi dork."

"So, what are you two up too?"

"Nothing much actually. You?"

Lex was silent as he studied Chloe. She seemed worried. Like there was something on her mind and she didn't want to share what it was. Something told him that it was important that he found out. Because, well, it was just a gut feeling.

"-anyways, you've got the night off Clark. Count it as a blessing you lucky booger."

Clark grinned and laughed. Then he noticed Lex's face.

"Hey Lex, something wrong?"

He asked sincerely.

"No, nothing important. Just something from wrok that's been bugging me."

"Oh?"

Chloe sat up, suddenly looking predatorial.

"What is it?"

Lex shook his head.

"Just because we're friends now Miss Sullivan doesn't mean I'll discuss my dealings with you."

"Why not?"

The blonde pouted. Lex hid a smile. It was adorable to him. She looked cute when she pouted like that.

"Because, you'll just turn it into a story."

"Dang, too bad you know me so well. Now really Lex, what's really bothering you?"

He shrugged.

"Like I said. Its nothing"

"Uh-huh. Yeah right. Why do I get the feeling that you're lying to me Lex Luthor?"

"Because maybe I am?"

Clark watched the two. A little surprised really. Hearing Lex say that they were friends came as a shock. He knew that him and Chloe were friends. That he and Lex were buddies. But not the two of them. It was a little strange. Like there was an underlying inside joke that he didn't get. And it was starting to annoy him.

"Well, uh. Ok you guys. Guess I'll get some coffee."

"Ok."

"Sure Clark. Now Lex, lying isn't something you should ever do-"

The rest of their conversation mixed with the rest of the noise of the talon as Clark approached Lana.

"Hey Clark."

She smiled warmly at the cute blue eyed kid as Clark grinned back goofily.

"Hey Lana, I've got a question."

"Shoot."

"Have you noticed the way Lex and Chloe are?"

The brunette glanced over at the two. Seeing their familiar banter she grinned before her eyes returned to Clark.

"Yes, why?"

"How long?"

Lana thought about it for a minute.

"Oh, a while now actually."

Clark frowned.

"What is it Clark? They've had coffee and talked. They're friends. Over the last few months since Chloe's Daily Planet Column feel through she's been hanging out at the Talon more and more. It just so happens that Lex likes to come here and get his coffee. Honestly, I think that their friendship is good for both of them"

"Still though, why do I get the feeling that there's something that neither of them is telling me?"

"Because maybe there is? Clark, they don't have to tell you every little detail that is going on in their lives."

"Why not?"

The tall teen pouted as the girl of his dreams rolled her brown eyes.

"Please Clark. Not all things have to be shared and known by the whole town. Sides, maybe they like their secrets and privacy."

"Ok."

He looked disappointed. Like he had wanted Lana to agree with him. But for some reason, she didn't. She and Chloe had grown close. They had become friends and it wasn't going to change anything, except the way she treated the blonde.

She knew that Chloe was getting over Clark, and that it was going to take a while. But seeing her friend with Lex. It was one of the first steps toward a different path.

"So Lana, can I get something to drink?"

The young girl tore her eyes away from the couple in the back, to meet Clark's blue ones. She smiled warmly at him. He was so sweet.

"Of course Clark, what do you want?"

Sometimes.

TBC...