RELICS OF THE PAST

Chloe rearranged her clothes very subtly while Clark occupied himself with an old book. She pulled the front of her top down until she was sure that she had hidden every curve that needed to be hidden from Clark.

"I didn't know you could take police records out of City Hall," Clark commented.

Chloe grinned, "You could if you caught the clerk and his girlfriend playing cops and robbers while on the job."

Clark appreciated the humor, the way he usually did when he needed answers, and they both laughed. He pored through the book looking for the June 1961 robbery.

"I have a hunch," he later clarified when she looked suspicious.

"Clark, all the details you've given me point to more than a hunch."

"Just go with me on this one," he requested. He flipped through the page he needed and then, vindicated, he instructed Chloe to read the name of the robber.

"Lachlan Luthor," Chloe read aloud. She gasped. "That's--that's Lex's grandpa," she exclaimed before she caught herself. Clark gave her an odd look. "Oh, come on, I had a three megabyte file on Lex. I know his favorite cereal." It repeatedly amazed her how she could say so much in so few words. What amazed her more was Clark's inability to read those signals properly.

"Well, you're gonna have to find out more about this from Lex."

It was sheer discomfort that prompted her to say no at once. "Wait, Clark, I'm gonna have to bail. The last time I researched the Luthors, Lex almost got killed." She still had chills thinking of that, and remembering Lex's words when he stormed into her office. It was completely her fault, and yet Lex had give her the time to go to the office to apologize to her.

"Please, Chloe." Clark would apologize and admit what he needed to when he knew that it could get him to Lana faster. "You do have to face him sooner or later."

And there he was right. Chloe should finally get the chance to speak with Lex when she was not at disadvantage.

The noises coming from Lex's room were unfamiliar and new. Lucas waited outside the door and heard the muttered curses and drawn sighs of his brother.

Finally the door opened and Lucas nodded to his brother who was carrying with him a box. "Moving out?"

Lex gave Lucas a brief smile. "Women's items I found in my bedroom. I figure they're all Helen's so I'm throwing these out."

"Hey." Lucas peeked through the boc and recognized some of the items not by memory but by knowing what Chloe's personality was. "Let me take care of these." He took the box from Lex. "May I?"

"Knock yourself out."

Lucas waited until Lex had closed his room door. He brought the box with him to his own room and rifled through the various things. There were two discs there of Legally Blonde. He also saw a worn copy of Les Mis. Inside, there were various items of pastel-colored underwear as well.

He would need to give them back as soon as possible.

Since school was about to end for the day, Lucas figured that he would pass by the Torch office to pick Chloe up. When he opened his door, he was surprised to see Chloe standing on the upper floor landing.

"Hey!" he called out. "Aren't you early?"

Chloe turned and saw him grinning up at her. She flew down the steps and threw her arms around his neck. "I have to show you something!"

"What is it?"

"A baby picture!" she said happily.

"You've given birth?" Lucas said snidely. "You still look like you're on the heavy side."

"Mean!" she swatted him with the back of her hand. "Anyway," she continued when Lucas seemed serious, "I went to the doctor today--"

"Didn't I ask you to tell me so I can take you?"

She shook her head. "And I have my ultrasound pinup." Chloe looked around and saw no one. Finally, she opened her folder and showed him the baby.

Damn the kid. He took the picture in his hands. Why did the stranger baby bring tears to his eyes? "Chloe, she's got your eyes."

The comment made Chloe break into laughter. "I don't know," she answered. "They look distinctly Luthor."

Lucas loped his arm around her shoulders. "So what did the doc have to say?"

The question made her heart grow heavy. "Pre natal care is expensive," she expressed. "I have a long list of vitamins and energy supplements."

Maybe if the circumstances had been different, and she was still with a Lex who remembered his past, she would not have this difficulty with paying for all of the required pills. She shook her head. What had happened, happened. She was only grateful for the help Lucas had given her.

"You do know that I'll help you out," he reminded her.

Chloe nodded. "You've got to support yourself, Lucas. I can't take money from you."

"Can I keep this?"

"It's your niece or nephew."

"It is," he said in wonder. Lucas slipped the picture into his pocket.

She looked up and took a deep breath. "I'm going to meet Lex."

"Good luck."

She had half expected herself to run when Lex

finally looked at her. The opposite occurred as she stood on the upper level of Lex's study. While Lex flipped through a book, Chloe was rooted to the spot.

He was as beautiful as the sun. She needed him, but she knew there were things she could not do--look at him too long, come too close or stay for more than she has to.

"I always assumed my father's knack for taking people's money was inherited, but... I hardly think petty crime runs in the family." He placed the book down.

"Smallville wasn't exactly teeming with Lachlan Luthors. Your grandfather has to be the one who was arrested." Probably insisting it when he seemed bent on denying it was ot a good idea.

"Chloe," Lex sighed. "No one in my family set foot in this town until my father bought the cream corn factory. Isn't an age-old robbery a little off your usual teen beat?" Good way to get to her lovely side. Insult her when she most likely had all the proof she would ever need. Chloe did not strike him as a girl who would raise an issue for nothing.

From the corner of his eye, Lex saw his brother hanging outside the door. He glanced at he reporter again and couldn't blame his brother. Had he been her boyfriend, he would be waiting on her like a puppy dog as well. "I wish I could help you, Chloe, but I'm afraid you've met a dead end."

Chloe frowned at Lex. He suspected something, but he wouldn't give it up. Why would he? To him, she was just one of his brother's passing flings. Lex's pretense of strength did not even faze Chloe. She knew the smallest sign that he tried to hide something, and she understood why he would.

Outside Lucas encountered Lionel walking towards him. He looked back at Lex's slightly open door and at his father. Seeing where Lionel's gaze was directed made Lucas' heart sink. He was obviously in for a treat, because his father was not here to see Lex.

"Lucas."

"Father."

"I heard your talk with Ms Sullivan."

Lucas forced his face to remain neutral. "Did you?" he replied coolly. "To be honest I've forgotten most of it. I don't remember much of what we talk about."

Lionel smiled. "Please, Lucas. I'm not out to kill her."

"I don't see why you should be anyway," the young man replied. "It would be a waste of resources."

Lionel nodded. "You're telling me you don't care about her." Lucas grinned coldly. "I swear I heard you promise that you won't bail on her."

"Don't you think you're a little too mature for this, dad?" Lucas sighed. "She was asking if I can make it to her party."

Lucas held his breath. His father may be the worst parent in the world but he was damn shrewd.

Lionel cracked a smile. "Here you go, son." He handed Lucas an envelope. "You should go bring your own contribution to that party at Ms Sullivan's." Lucas stiffened when Lionel looked down at his pocket, where the ultrasound picture rested. "You need some budget. Don't spend it all. Keep some for yourself."

Stunned, Lucas reached for the envelope. Lionel never gave him his own money. It was only Lex who bothered with the allowance. Was his father actually giving him this much freedom?

When Lionel had retreated, Lucas looked inside the envelope and let out a whistle. His father had just handed him a few thousand easy. The door opened and Chloe stepped out, smiling at him. At the sight of Lex leading Chloe out, Lucas had to wonder if Lionel had truly heard his conversation with Chloe. Had his father just solved the problem of Chloe's financial need for this pregnancy?

Chloe shook his brother's hand, and Lucas' eyes fell to her four and a half month belly. Lex still hadn't noticed, thankfully. Soon, she was going to grow too big for people not to see. He was going to have to make a decision.

"Waiting for Chloe, Lucas?"

"We've got a party to prepare for."

Chloe looked questioningly at Lucas. "Really?"

"Dad gave us all the money we need," Lucas replied. "Here you go." He placed the envelope in her hand. "You get to decide everything we need."

She gasped in surprise. Lionel had dropped all the hints. This was the proof that he knew. "Are you sure you're going to let me use it?"

"It's your party," Lucas told her.

Lex watched as Chloe peeked into the envelope and threw her arms around Lucas. "Thanks," she whispered.

When Lucas and Chloe pulled away, Lucas glanced at his brother's serious demeanor. "We'd invite you, Lex," Lucas started, "but it's a private party."

Lex didn't crack a smile of his own. "Have fun."

"Congratulations, Lex."

Lex's brows met. "What do you mean?"

Chloe elbowed Lucas on the ribs. "He told me you're presenting tomorrow, and that you'll be sure to knock them dead." She smiled. "So, yeah. Congratulations."

"Thanks," Lex answered. "Are you okay now?"

Chloe nodded. "Thanks for being there, Mr Luthor. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been there."

"Have you had a check up?"

Lucas wrapped his arm around her waist. "She has," he said. "I've seen the results. She just needs some vitamins."

"All right." Lex put his hand on Chloe's shoulder, amking her shiver. "Good to hear. If you ever need any help, don't hesitate to call me. After all," he added, "you're almost a Luthor now."

"What?" she breathed.

"Lucas. He's gotten more responsible and mature. He's serious about you."

"Oh." Chloe smiled and moved away. "Well, I'll see you."

"Goodbye, Chloe."