Chapter 5

a/n : Chloe's p.o.v. flashbacks or dream sequences in italics. I have the fic pretty much planned out for the next few chapters. While this is a fic about Chlex, I'm more interested in developing the plot not just the relationship. So their interaction and pending romance will be a few chapters off. Thanks for the patience. And the feedback helps because I often have no idea what to think about this piece.

One week earlier:

Chloe was waiting by the side of Crater Lake. She glanced down at her watch. "I'm 5 minutes early," she mumbled to herself as she sat down on a tree stump. "I hope tonight's talk doesn't take too long" She'd lied to her father again tonight and told him that she would be at the Torch working on a last minute filler article. But since these meetings were happening every night for the last week she didn't know how many more excuses Gabe would accept without starting to see through them.

Seconds later she heard a second car pull up and the door closed as the driver got out of the car.

"We've got a lot to go over tonight Chloe."

"Lex, this is ridiculous, you're spending too much energy plotting situations that may never happen and I don't think…" Chloe was cut off by the look in Lex's eyes as he put a hand on her shoulder.

"Chloe, I'm done discussing this. You've been dealing with Lionel Luthor for a couple of months, I've been his child for years. Trust me when I say you are both underestimating him, and overestimating the FBI. They cannot protect you. I can. And since you and your father will not relent and let me put you under my protection. I at least insist that you let me provide the two of you with backup options."

"But Lex we've been over these 'options' every night for a week. You've driven me out to Edge City twice and flown me out to Gotham once. How many more times do we have to go over this?"

"Chloe, in all the traumatic experiences you've had in your life, think back to that feeling of shock you experience as it happens. Were you able to form a coherent thought? Do you really think that you'll still remember everything I've been telling you in the midst of a Lionel Luthor payback scheme? Not to mention we do not know how he's going to play this so there are many many scenario's to discuss."

Chloe let out a sigh and shook her head, "Okay Lex, okay. What are we discussing tonight?"

"The simplest thing Lionel can pull will be some sort of episode at the safe house or on the way there. I would like to believe that that may be too simple for him, but given that he's in jail and working with limited resources I believe that may be our best guess. So.."

They went over plans and disguises and travel and hiding for the better part of three hours. Then they both silently walked back to their respective cars and drove home.

Edge City : Lilly Kane's apartment. Present.

The sound of the bomb echoed in her brain, but the loudness was drowned out by the sound of Lionel Luthor's evil laugh. She was standing in the middle of an open field and turned around to see her father standing there reaching out his hands to her. He was so far away. Chloe started to run towards him but her legs would not move. She was frozen.

"Chloe," Gabe cried out frantically reaching for his daughter.

"Daddy," Chloe cried.

Suddenly Lionel appeared standing next to her father. He lit a match and tossed it at Gabe's feet. Chloe stood and watched as her father's form was immediately engulfed in flames. Lionel looked at Chloe and laughed.

Chloe's form fell as she screamed "NOOOOOO!" Her body should have hit the ground but she just kept falling and falling seeing her father's body burn and hearing his screams of pain. The image of Lionel laughing mixed with it.

She bolted up from the bed with tears streaming down her face. Her entire body was covered in sweat. She had to concentrate to catch her breath.

"It's just a dream," she started to tell herself. Her body began to calm itself. She glanced around the room that she had awoken in and realized exactly where she was, and suddenly Chloe could not breathe as she realized: It isn't a dream. It's real. He's gone, Daddy's gone. And it's all my fault for not listening to Lex. Chloe broke down and sobbed. She sobbed harder than she ever had in her life so far. Then just as suddenly another thought entered her mind. What if Lionel had tried to kill Lex too? "Oh God, I hope he's alright! Why did I ever think I could go after Lionel Luthor"

Chloe began to sob again and rocked back and forth sitting in the bed saying over and over again "It's all my fault, it's all my fault."

Moments later Chloe snapped out of the mantra she's been repeating over and over. Then she scolded herself aloud. "Chloe! This is not solving anything! Get out of bed and start putting life back together again. " Almost as soon as she'd finished scolding herself she climbed out of the bed. And almost collapsed as her legs practically gave out from under her. Food Chloe, you have to eat if you're going to survive. And damnit you will survive. Long enough to see Lionel in his grave, and long enough to see that Lex does NOT blame himself for this. "If he's even alive," Chloe said with a shudder.

God, I hope so. I may be able to survive, but I know that I cannot do it alone. Lex is all that's left. Without him I'm truly alone.

She slowly made her way to the kitchen and began to look for something to eat. Bide your time Chloe, by tomorrow morning you'll know if Lex's alive or not and have a better grasp on where to go from here.

She choked down something from the pantry, not bothering to try to taste it. It was just fuel. Nothing else mattered, everything was numb. After she'd put away the mess in the kitchen she looked for the sedatives Lex had mentioned in his letter. She took two then made her way back to the bed. Lying down she eased herself back to sleep.

Tbc—