A/N2: January 2, 2013: And another one... And I hope you enjoy this edit.

Disclaimer: I do not own Smallville.

A/N: Hi again! Isn't it amazing, I'm updating already. I owe it all to having free time due to school being finished. Anyways on with the chapter, please R&R

Chapter 14:


Returning from Paris, Lex didn't have much time to relax. There were a few business matters he still needed to attend to in Smallville before he could go to Metropolis and focus on things there. He intended on finishing by four pm, though, so he could pick up Chloe then.

A little later, it was almost time for him to leave; he was thinking of stopping at the Talon before heading to Chloe's when the doors to his office opened abruptly. There was only one person who would stop by completely unannounced and he was so not in the mood for him.

"And where do you think you're going, son?" Lionel asked as he walked through the doors.

Lex refrained from rolling his eyes at him. "Dad, I'm on my way out. So, can we save the surprise inspection for later?" he asked rhetorically as he walked past him.

He was almost out the door when his father's next comment stopped him in his tracks. "Off to see that Sullivan girl, are we?"

Lex did not like the accusation in his father's tone. He turned around slowly to eye him carefully. "Yes, as well as some of my other friends."

"Don't play games with me, Lex," Lionel replied patronizingly.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Now if you'll excuse me…" He turned around abruptly, ready to end this. "… I'll be on my way."

"I know all about your little trip to Paris… Lex, I didn't know seducing high school students was your thing," his father continued chidingly.

"Not that it's any of your business, dad, but I haven't seduced anyone. Chloe is my friend and I'd like to think I treat her with respect," Lex replied, trying very hard to contain his anger.

"Of course, son. It must be all her then. I'll bet the little tramp threw herself at you and, well, naturally who could resist a beautiful, willing young woman," Lionel replied, nastily.

"You're disgusting," Lex spit out, not hiding his feelings any more.

"What's wrong, Lex? I thought you liked them that way," Lionel asked, innocently.

"Is there a point to you being here, other than to harass me about my friends?" Lex asked coolly.

"The Tuesday meeting in Metropolis, you'll be there right?" Lionel questioned.

"Of course, dad. In fact, I'm heading into Metropolis today. So, don't you worry, I'll be there," Lex replied tiredly.

"Good, good. I left some extra notes for you to read, to prepare you for the meetings. See to it that you read them," Lionel told him as he walked towards the exit. He had one last parting message to impart, though. "Try not to mess everything up."

"Well, thanks dad, I see I've got your vote of confidence…"


"They went to Paris?" Clark asked Lana for the hundredth time since she'd told him about Lex and Chloe's 'friendly' trip.

"That's right," Lana said as she turned to refill the mug of an awaiting customer. Turning back around she finished, "And apparently they're still just friends."

"That doesn't sound like a just-friends type of relationship to me," Clark commented in confusion. "There's definitely something going on between them."

"Between who?" a voice asked from behind Clark, making him jump.

Warily, Clark turned around to find a smirking Lex standing behind him. He returned his look with a sheepish one of his own.

"Hey, Lex," Clark started nervously. "How's it going?"

The smirk on his face faded as he took the empty stool beside his best friend.

"That well, huh?" Lana surmised accurately.

"It was going pretty well until my father showed up today," he confirmed.

"What happened?" Clark asked, wincing visibly for his friend.

"Let's just say it wasn't particularly delightful and leave it at that…" Lex stated cryptically, wanting nothing more than to forget his father even existed. "Could I get a strong cup of coffee?"

"Sure thing." Lana turned around to pour him some coffee, handing him the cup a second later. "I'll be right back, there are some customers over there that need their orders taken."

Once she was out of earshot, Clark turned to his friend; he knew that Lex didn't like to advertise just how dysfunctional his family really was. But he also knew that Lex needed someone to confide in at the same time. "So, what did he have to say?"

"He had some comments to make about my relationship with Chloe," he confided, grimacing. "And then he felt the need to put down my business skills. You know… the usual Lionel routine." He took a sip of his coffee waiting for Clark's response.

"So, there is something between you two," Clark said in awe.

"I can't deny that there isn't," he confessed, shooting Clark a happy smile. "I have feelings for her."

"Lex," Clark began tentatively, a worried look on his face. "That's great, but, you've got to remember that Chloe's really young and—"

Lex held up his hand, urging him to wait. "I don't want you to worry, Clark. Hurting Chloe is the last thing I ever want to do. I like her a lot… but I'm willing to take things real slow. Anyways, I'm not even sure she has any feelings for me…"

"Maybe you should ask her?" Clark suggested.

"Maybe I should. I do have the whole drive to Metropolis to talk to her," Lex said, considering.

"Metropolis?"

"Yeah, don't you remember, I'm driving her up there for her interview…" Lex reminded.

"Oh yeah," Clark replied contemplatively.

Reading his friend's thoughts, he added, "She'll be perfectly safe, relax Clark."

"I know. I'm sorry, it's just you're both my friends… I don't want to see either of you hurt," Clark explained.

"Well, thanks for the concern, it really shows you care," he said, patting his shoulder as he stood up. "Is that the time?"

Clark followed his gaze to the clock on the wall. "Yeah, it is…"

"I've got to get going," Lex said quickly.

Lana was just heading back to the counter when he turned around. He had one last request before he headed out. "Could I get a large cup of coffee to go?"

"Sure," she said; she proceeded to carry out his wishes.

"Thanks. I'll see you guys in a couple of days…"


Hope you enjoyed.

Old review replies: Reviews: MoonAngel24/7 (Thanks for the review and the advice, I'll definitely follow it.); Autumngold (Thanks for reviewing. I hope to get the Metropolis chapter up very soon. So keep a look out.); and Artemis Moonshine (Thanks for sticking with it. And I understand about the Gabe part. But I guess it's too late now. Thanks for the review.) Thanks to anyone else who may be reading.

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