Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Smallville nor Superman...I just like to borrow Clark, Chloe, and Lex every now and then.

Chapter 4: Breakdown

Chloe was making her way to her car when she felt a hand on her upper arm. Expecting it to be Clark she turned around and said, "Listen Clark, I'm..."

"Well Miss Sullivan, nice to see you too. I'm not here to make small talk." Lionel said to her, with a smirk adorning his features.

"What do you want, then, Mr. Luthor?" Chloe said keeping a calm exterior.

"I suppose, you already know about my son's plans for you." Lionel said matter-of-factly.

"His plans? I have no idea what you're talking about nor do I have the time. So I'll be on my way now, Mr. Luthor." Chloe said giving him one final glance before turning and leaving Lionel in the deserted hallways of Smallville High. Chloe made it to her car with scrambled thoughts on her mind. 'What if this relationship really is just a set up? What if I'm just some ploy? No, Lex wouldn't do that to me, would he?' Her thoughts were so rattled that she almost drove past the Talon. She got out of her car as and made her way for the doors of the Talon. When she opened the door of the Talon she almost immediately saw Lex. She walked over to his table and sat across from him. The waitress brought them their orders that Lex had previously ordered.

"How was your day?" Lex asked Chloe.

"Fine, well that was until your father decided to make a pit stop at Smallville High." Chloe said with a sigh.

"What happened? Are you alright?" Lex asked with full concern in his voice.

Chloe smiled at him. "I'm fine, Lex, I just, can we not talk about this here?" Chloe said toying with her untouched coffee mug.

"Sure we can go to the mansion." Lex stood offering Chloe his arm and ushered her out of the Talon. Lex walked Chloe to the car, then he wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her head. "Are you sure you're alright? How about we ride in my car..." Lex stopped talking because he noticed Chloe was shaking in his arms. He pulled back searching for her eyes and sure enough they were red and puffy from crying.

"Chloe, honey what's wrong? You can tell me anything." Chloe pressed her face to his chest and cried harder. "It won't change anything between us, I promise." A few minutes later she tried to explain but the tears just kept coming. Lex decided to walk her to his car, he opened the passenger side door for her and helped her into the seat. He made sure she was buckled in before walking around to the driver side to get in.

Once he was in the car he asked. "Sweetheart, where do you want me to take you?"

"It doesn't matter," was Chloe's stiff reply.

"Okay to the mansion it is." That is where they were headed.

A/N: And how does Lex take care of Lionel, before he strikes again? To be honest, I don't have a clue, I guess we'll find out together then.