2.
Chloe entered the Talon with her mind wandering between two things. Her run in with Lionel, which had happened less than an hour ago, and that she, Chloe Sullivan, actually needed Lana Lang's help.
Chloe inwardly cringed at the thought. Ever since Lana had been back from Paris she'd had to bite her tongue more than once to stop from pointing out that a person couldn't change that quickly.
Or that a little black liner and a new wardrobe did not the person make.
Either way, she had to get on Lana's good side, and she wasn't happy about it.
After her and Lionel's embrace, they'd both sat down on the small loveseat in the Torch's office and spoken, not of the past, but of the present and what had happened to Lionel to cause his sudden turn around.
He wasn't the same person who'd tutored her. Who'd taken her under his wing and taught her everything he knew. He had changed. But she wasn't so sure it was at all for the best. She still missed his ruthlessness and his take charge personality.
But she couldn't deny that she was happy for him, that she was glad that he had been given a second chance.
She'd been less than slightly shocked when Lex had called her to the mansion to tell her about his father's disease that would soon kill him. Lionel had told her prior to Lex even finding out about it. She'd been oddly charmed that he would trust her with such a secret, and at the same time, she'd toughened up and started working against him.
In other words, she'd taken a page right out of her mentor's books. He'd been proud. She could still remember the first day in court when the date of the hearing had been set. He'd looked over at her from his chair in the front of the courtroom and something mischevious had sparkled in his eyes. It had appeared to be the equivalent of an unspoken threat that day. But it was their earlier conversation today that led her to beleive that he had not been threatening her, but that his eyes had been filled with pride.
In some ways what she was about to do could be considered her being his vessel once again. But as it turned out, the something that Lionel had reluctantly asked her to confirm was something that had piqued her interest as well.
"Miss Sullivan."
Chloe's head whipped around at the sound of her name, the deep timbre of his voice breaking her of her thoughts. She immediately smiled and motioned for him to sit down. "Hey, Lex."
Lex returned her smile and sat down across from her, waiting patiently for his order to be taken. "Chloe." He nodded and then leaned forward the tiniest bit, hardly noticeable, and studied her features. She looked much more light hearted today than was normal for her since the summer had ended. "You're looking exceptional."
Chloe's head jerked to attention and she stared straight at Lex.
Lex looked behind him and then turned back to face her. "Are you all right?"
Recovering quickly, Chloe nodded. "Yeah, sure, why?"
Lex moved his shoulders and then placed his order with the waitress. "You look as if you've spotted a ghost."
Chloe licked her lips and laughed, her laughter sounding forced even to her own ears. "No. No ghosts. Just, you know, dejavu."
Lex thanked the waitress and dismissed her before blowing on the hot contents of his mug.
Chloe picked up her own coffee and did the same, averting her eyes to the brunette walking down the stairs with Jason on her arm. Chloe got lost in her thoughts for a moment, and by the vacant look in her eyes, Lex knew she was hashing something out with herself. Chloe seemed to come out of her trance and smiled over at Lex. "Excuse me for a moment."
Before Lex had the chance to reply Chloe was out of her seat and moving toward Lana. When she was within arms reach, Chloe reached out and placed her hand on Lana's arm. "Hey, can I ask you a favor?"
Lana smiled and nodded, raising her hand to tuck a peice of hair behind her ear. "Sure, Chloe."
Chloe glanced over at Jason and then back to Lana. "It's kind of a private matter."
Lana got the hint and smiled at Jason before stepping away from him and over to where Chloe led her to. "What's wrong?"
Chloe shook her head and tugged on the strap of her bag. "I was wondering if you had a tampon I could have. I just started and I don't have anything with me."
Lana looked blank for a moment before Chloe darted her eyes in the direction of Lana's room above the coffeeshop. "Oh, yeah." Lana dug the key out of her purse and handed it over to Chloe. "Right hand drawer of the vanity in the bathroom. Just leave the key with Martha when you're done."
Chloe grinned her thanks and replied, "I owe you one."
Lana smiled back and returned to Jason, leaving Chloe to make her way to the stairs.
Lex narrowed his eyes as Chloe played up the faux sweetness and the keys exchanged hands. He watched her with his mug raised to his lips, pretending to be drinking as she made her trek up the stairs. Just what exactly was Chloe getting into?
Chloe was getting good at this, she surmised. Her palms weren't even sweating in the tiniest way when she stuck the key in the lock and the knob turned in her hand. She stepped through the threshold and quietly pulled the door shut behind her, turning the lock once again.
Oh, this was going to be too easy.
Now, Chloe thought, if I were Lana, where would I hide an ancient artifact?