GONE || CHAPTER THREE
|| Author's notes: Seeing as this is an angst-category story, don't shoot me too much for what I'm about to do. Trust me when I say it's going to get better. Major thanks to everyone who reviewed, and totally boosted my confidence. This is definitely another spin on anything Chlex I've ever done, and yes, it will probably take some time before we get to the thick of it, but the set up is absolutely essential to the plot. Notice how I'm still trying to apologize for what you're about to read. *sighs* I've got to stop.
"If you're gone--maybe it's time to come home."
--If You're Gone, matchbox twenty
* * *
She'd had to fight him to drive her car to school.
Lex was prepared to send her in with a limo, complete with driver, and have him sit there for the six-hour school day. He said that it didn't matter if he spent six hours at the manor, or in the parking lot of Smallville High, just that the driver would still be getting paid.
Chloe refused.
She was *not* going to show up in a limo.
Not only would it be super embarrassing, Pete would never let her live it down. Clark might understand, but even *he* would be hard pressed not to comment on it.
She rolled her eyes as Lex gave out the alternative and decided that she really was going to have to go to bat here. "No, Lex. You are not driving me to school, either."
The man looked like he was fighting very hard to restrain his temple. She wondered idly if his blood pressure was higher these days. "Chloe, I just don't think you should jump into this so quickly. What if something happens?"
He was referring to, of course, if she had a crying breakdown in the middle of rural Kansas, of the off chance that a semi would be coming down full speed and turn her into raspberry jam all over the road. It wasn't out of the realm of possibility. She could happen to think of something that reminded her of her dad, or something they were supposed to go and do; something unexpected that would just jump out and *grab* her by the throat, hurting her so much she couldn't breathe.
That was when she usually retreated to the gray room.
But this was something she had to do on her own.
They had been on their way to the dining room when they'd started the conversation, now she moved inside and sat down in her usual seat, not waiting for him to be settled as she continued, "You're always telling Clark how he needs to take the initiative, to make a move."
His brow rose as he reached for his coffee. "I didn't know you felt that way about Lana."
She was too into getting out her argument to even blush at the implication. "First of all, ew. Secondly," she shook her head. "There is no secondly. How do you expect me to move on with my life if you coddle me all the time?"
Lex stiffened slightly. "I'm not trying to coddle you, and I apologize if I gave you that impression. I just don't want you to get hurt."
Chloe let her eyes close against a sudden wave of tears that threatened to overload her emotional defenses. "Lex, I've been hurt before. Maybe this time, I need stitches instead of a band-aid to make it better, but I have to believe it will get easier to deal with. It *has* to. I can't get any lower."
While he was usually good at cloaking how he felt, the regret was clear in those steel-blue eyes. "Chloe, I--"
She put her hand up, and rose from the table. "Don't. Please." It took a moment to compose herself and fight back the tears, but she did it. "You have no idea how much I appreciate what you're trying to do here, but you've got to let me do some of my own fighting. Okay?"
Lex nodded, keeping his eyes trained on her.
Chloe attempted a smile. "See you after school." She hesitated, then dropped a kiss on his cheek and left the room.
Once the door had closed, Lex sighed loudly and let his head fall against the chair.
He was in way over his head.
* * *
She'd needed five minutes in the parking lot before she could look out her window at Pete, who was standing there quietly. Slowly, like she was out of practice, she grabbed her bag, keys, and coffee, and clambered out of the car.
"Hey," Pete said, causing her to look up at him.
"Hi." Chloe gave him a watery smile. He all but scrutinized her, and she shifted anxiously under his gaze. "Do I pass, Mr. Ross?"
He offered a gentle smile. "C'mere, you."
She gratefully went into his arms and rested her full weight against him for as long as her pride would allow. When she talked about standing on her own two feet this morning, she hadn't been lying. But sometimes it was nice to let someone else share the burden.
"Thanks," she said, pulling away and shouldering her bag. "I needed that."
Chloe turned away from him and started walking.
"Chloe--" He called after her, trying to catch up.
She turned back to Pete and suddenly slammed into something that felt very solid. Almost painfully so. The next thing she knew, she was wrapped up tightly and lifted off the ground. Tentatively, she patted the person on the back and wheezed out, "Hi, Clark. Do you think you would mind letting me breathe sometime this century?"
He set her down so gently she got the impression Clark believed she was made of fine china. "How are you?"
She gave him a funny look. "Clark. You just saw me two days ago. In fact, Lex told me his feelings are hurt because he never sees you when you come to the mansion any more. You feeling okay?"
Clark grinned sheepishly. "Sorry. It's just--it was weird not having you here." As an afterthought, "Did Lex really say that?"
She rolled her eyes and threw her arms around both boys. "Come on, guys. High school drama awaits."
* * *
"Yes. No, you're to remain outside the building, the only time you approach is if she deviates from any of the pre-discussed locations. I don't care if she's with Jonathan Kent--if she leaves town again, that is when--and *only* when--you can follow her." He rolled his eyes and barely restrained himself from slamming the phone down.
"More ignorant people, Lex?"
He looked up from his phone to see his brother biting back a grin. Lex shook his head and his aggravation dissipated. "Lucas. When did you get here?"
The young man gave his brother a gauging look and sat down. "Five minutes ago. Louis wanted to show me in--I told him that I'd only gotten lost once last time and he let me make the trip on my own."
"You got lost?"
He rolled his eyes at his incredulous tone. "No. Photographic memory. And besides--I never get lost."
Lex sat up and pushed his papers aside. "So. What brings you to Smallville? Thought you were being a good Samaritan."
Lucas smirked. "I am. Just thought you like to know how things went the other day, with Blondie."
"Blondie? You're aware that if Chloe heard you just now, she'd rip your head off?"
He shrugged. "Don't I have some sort of immunity when I walk in that door?"
"Not when you call her *that*."
Lucas watched him carefully. "It really bothers you. Wow. I mean, it *really* bothers you."
"Consider me offended on Chloe's behalf." Lex responded dryly, hoping to dispel the glow in Lucas' eyes.
"Okay, Lex. Whatever you say."
He sighed and headed for the pool table. Reaching for a cue, he called over his shoulder, "So have you decided when you're going to come visit?"
"You mean I have to go re-pack my clothes? Damn."
"Your Samaritan stint is over? That was fast."
Lucas waited until the balls were racked before he picked up a cue and took a shot. Lex looked annoyed that he had cut in. He didn't care. "Look. Do I think she's up to company yet? Apparently, or else Clark Kent wouldn't have visited you more times than I can count." Off Lex's look he remarked offhandedly, "Checked the visitor logs. You need a new pen, by the way. Point is," he aimed carefully and smiled as the five and the nine flew into the side pockets, "I've got a few things to take care of and she's still dealing with her stuff, so let's give it another week or so."
He took his shot and missed, glancing at Lex expectantly. Lex leaned his hip against the table, giving Lucas the same measuring look he'd received before. "Do you have feelings for my ward, Lucas?"
"Take the shot." He jutted his chin out at the appropriate ball. "And to answer your question--no. Though you might want to ask yourself that question." When the ball went in, Lucas smirked and threw his hand up carelessly. "Thanks for the game, Lex. See you in two weeks."
It took all his self-control not to look back as he exited the room. If he had, he might have seen the brief open-mouthed stare and felt a little better about his visit.
* * *
Treating her like she was made of hand-blown glass was getting old. So was being subjected to people's condolences. Not that she didn't appreciate it, but really, her father had died. What could you say to something like that?
Chloe sighed. Yes, she was being a little harsh. But it was hard having all these simpering girls come up to her and shower her with fake condolences just to hear about what life was like living with Lex. For once in her life, she wished Lana was there--at least she had worked with him, so maybe these weird vibes she got every now and then were just normal.
Though she had been living with him for just under three months, the first two had been a blur. She had been kind of involved with not falling apart every second of the day during that time, so time when she would have ordinarily observed Lex's behavior were. otherwise occupied. Plus, she'd spent a lot of time in her room--the gray room, actually, she hadn't been in her room for what seemed like forever--and the only other time she saw him was at night before she went to bed. His eyes were the last thing she saw before she closed her eyes and the first thing she saw when she woke up the next morning.
Heh. Wouldn't those girls have a field day if they knew that.
"Why are you grinning like that, Chloe?"
Clark and Pete were staring at her expectantly.
"Like what?"
"You had this totally evil grin just now."
She reached up and felt her mouth, trying to ascertain personally if she had been grinning evilly. "I--sorry guys, I was just thinking about stuff."
"What kind of stuff?" Pete asked suspiciously.
"Silly kind of stuff."
"Uh huh. *Sure*," he replied in a tone that implied he really didn't believe her. "Come on, Clark, back me up here."
Clark continued to give her an unblinking stare. Chloe snapped her fingers in front of him. He flinched and shook out of it. "Pete, I think. sometimes she just thinks funny things."
Pete sent them both annoyed looks. "You guys are weird."
"Maybe you should pin a picture of me on the wall, then." She retorted, gathering her things up. "I'm going to the Torch office--" they scrambled to get to their feet and she hastily added, "--by *myself*."
* * *
When she saw her office door, she nearly lost it. She unseeingly reached for the doorknob and turned.
Locked.
Out of all the possible scenarios. she started to laugh. It was hysterical. The one place she could go for comfort, and the door was locked. Hoping against hope, she dug around into her purse and scrounged around at the bottom of the bag. Just when she was about to give up, her fingers snagged something that felt suspiciously like metal. She pulled it out and was surprised to see a card attached to it.
Quickly unlocking the door before the rest of the student body thought she'd lost her mind, Chloe made her way in and let it close behind her. In the past, it had meant that the Torch was closed. Today? Today, it meant that she didn't want to be disturbed. People would assume she was working hard on a story, or getting readjusted to her reporter-life, and she was okay in letting them think that.
She flipped the lights and exhaled shakily. 'Home,' she thought, even though every fiber of her body protested it. Home was the nice house she'd shared with Lana and her father the past few months, home was the place she'd first learned that she was no Martha Stewart but when push came to shove, she could make a mean grilled cheese; home was where her heart was.
And her heart felt like it was left behind in the shuffle.
Absently, as she powered on her computer, she wondered what had happened to all her things from the house. Lex had probably had them moved and placed discreetly in some sort of storage. He knew she would want them someday; he was very good at anticipating what she would need. It would have unsettled her if it wasn't such an overwhelming relief.
Automatically, she fell back into her old routine, firing up her internet browser, going to the usual sites for more Wall of Weird material, checking message boards she had posted at, pulling email. Things went smoothly until she got to the bottom of the email.
There were two messages from her dad. Both were dated the night he'd died.
Her eyes slammed shut tightly as she willed the image of 'gsullivan@Lexcorp.com' as far away as possible. When she opened them moments later, they hadn't, as she hoped, miraculously disappeared. With a strength she hadn't known she'd possessed, she brought her mouse over to the subject header. It hovered there momentarily, and she gave herself one last chance to back out before clicking on it decisively.
- - - - - - - - -
To: csullivan@smallvilletorch.com From: gsullivan@lexcorp.com
Hey, honey. Just wanted to check and see how you were doing. I don't know if I'll be home in time for dinner--or if you'll even get this email, since it is kind of late--but I just wanted to let you know not to wait up for me. I spoke with Lana over the phone a few minutes ago, and she's going to be home around the usual time.
Lex is really pushing this new project at the plant. I can't really go into it--it's classified--but it really is some interesting stuff. We're both excited about the outcome, and I only hope this brings him some sense of progress. Lately, it seems as though he's been down a bit more. God knows he's got enough on his shoulders. He was telling me about his younger brother, Lucas. Boy sounds like a handful.
But I didn't send this so I could dump my thoughts all over you. I know I don't need a reason, but I wanted to let you know that I love you so very much. And that you will probably have no idea of just how proud I am. Chloe, you are turning out to be a remarkable young woman, and I see so much potential in you, sweetheart. Don't ever give up.
See you tonight.
Love, Dad.
- - - - - - - - -
Chloe hadn't even realized she was crying until something wet hit the keyboard. She printed the letter out so she could reread it later, and moved onto the next one. It was dated 38 minutes after the other one.
- - - - - - - - -
To: csullivan@smallvilletorch.com From: gsullivan@lexcorp.com
Sweetheart, I--
And that was as far as she got, because the computer abruptly went black. She frowned, and hit the space bar. Maybe the computer had decided to go to sleep on her. Nothing happened. She hit it again. Still black. She tried it a third time and that was when she started to worry.
Pushing her feet firmly onto the floor, she used the wheels on her chair to slide over to one of her filing cabinets. She dug through the drawers until she found the computer manuals and went back to her station. Flipping recklessly through the pages to the back, in the troubleshooting section, she didn't even notice as she ripped several on the way.
It took her several failed attempts at restarting her computer and two phone calls to the company provider to realize that it was hopeless.
She wasn't going to get that email.
For the first time all day, Chloe put her head down on the desk and started to sob.
* * *
English saw more of the same: teachers apologizing, students staring at her like she was the plague, Clark and/or Pete (who were--oh goody!--in this class, so she got double dosage) hovering anxiously. Thankfully, though, it was a great excuse if you came late to class; which she had, after leaving the Torch. A quick makeup repair and a few last despairing looks sent to her computer had her approximately ten minutes late.
It wasn't until the teacher was explaining verb tenses--which Chloe, being a writer, was naturally quite good with--that she remembered the card attached to the key.
Found this with your things. Had a feeling you might need it. My cell is on if you need me. .Not that you would. Superwoman.
--L.
She raised her hand and waited for the teacher to acknowledge her. "Can I use the pass?"
She saw Pete and Clark exchange looks from the corner of her eye. The teacher nodded and continued her discussion. Chloe grabbed her pocketbook and sailed out the door. If she was late, one of the boys would pick up her books and drop them by the manor later.
Chloe waited until she was in the school courtyard before using her cell phone. She dialed Lex's office number and was patched through by his secretary.
"Luthor."
"Lex, it's Chloe."
"Chloe, what's wrong?" He sounded instantly alert, ready for the worst.
She chuckled lightly. "Calm down, you don't need to have anyone killed. Yet. Do you know a good computer technician?"
There was a long pause, during which she bet he was questioning her sanity, the validity of her question, and whether or not to yell at her for worrying him and calling in the middle of class. Finally, he answered, "Yes. What do you need?"
For some reason, she didn't feel like telling him that an email from her father had apparently crashed her computer. "I guess over the break--" and they both knew this covered longer than the mid-winter period, "--the computer just sort of locked up. I can't get it to start."
"Did you try hitting to 'on' button?"
"I refuse to answer that." She began tapping her foot impatiently, waiting for him to answer her seriously.
"Hey. It's happened to quite a few people before--myself included."
"O-ho! Did the great Lex Luthor just admit to making a mistake?"
He laughed briefly. "It has been known to happen from time to time." There was a rustle on the other end and she imagined he was moving papers aside. Lex was a good paper mover. It made you think he was doing more than he actually was. "I guess you got my note. But why did you wait until English to use it."
She frowned. "Should I be worried that you know what class I'm in right now? Or that you seem to know what classes I was already in?"
"Let's pretend you gave me a copy of your schedule and that I didn't have to wrangle one out of Terrence Reynolds, instead." He wryly answered, neatly avoiding the question.
"*You* asked Principal *Reynolds* for my schedule? And--more importantly--he *gave* it to you?"
"Would I know that you're about 14 minutes from a free period right now if he hadn't?"
"Yes."
"Well, he did."
"Color me shocked."
"I would, but I'm not exactly sure what color that would be. Purple perhaps?"
She shook her head and sat on a bench. "Obsessed, perhaps?"
"Can I help it if I naturally look good in certain colors?"
"Try blue, Lex. It'll bring out your eyes."
A loaded pause followed. "And you know this because?"
She swallowed audibly. "My dad said he thought you always looked the most reckless when you wore blue. He said everyone should have a reckless color."
Lex was quiet for so long she thought they'd gotten disconnected. "Green's yours." He coughed briefly, and continued, "You should try and get back to class--unless you want to come back to the manor?"
"No. I'll--" she swiped a few tears away, wondering why she was letting his comment get to her, hoping he didn't hear the emotion in her voice, "--be fine. I ought to get back anyway. Pretty soon Clark and Pete will be sending out a search party."
"See you later, then."
"Bye." She had all but replaced the phone when she suddenly snatched it back up. "--Oh, and Lex?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you. For listening." 'And for not hanging up on me,' she mentally added.
"You're welcome."
* * *
He estimated Lucas to be halfway to Metropolis when the number showed up on his phone. "What did you forget?"
"Nothing. She's too skinny, though. Went down like a sack of bricks."
"Picked up on that, huh?"
"Kind of hard not to. You're the one who told me to keep an eye on her."
He adjusted the corner of his paper. "I didn't tell you to take her out, Lucas."
He scoffed. "Your security *sucks*, Lex. What if I was a kidnapper?"
"Then I would hope you'd be getting acquainted with someone named Billy at this point."
Lucas muttered something uncomplimentary under his breath and Lex grinned. "Sure. Love you too, buddy." He hung up the phone and saw Chloe standing in front of him.
"We've really gotta stop meeting like this."
She grinned. "Who was on that phone?"
"Eavesdropping, Chloe? That's really not your style these days, is it?"
She toed the thick carpet. "I was just wondering if you usually spoke to men and professed to loving them." He was about to answer when she added; "he seemed to have put you in a good mood. It was nice to see you back in your element."
"And what is that?"
God, if he would only take his eyes off her for a second. Jeez, it was so unnerving. "Sarcasm. And it was nice to see that extra layer peeled away. You're the one who's walking on eggshells, Lex. You don't need me to tell you that it's not exactly in character."
She had a point.
He cleared his throat and folded his hands on the desk. "How did your day go?"
"It went." She saw his raised brow and continued, "People treated me like you did when I first got here. Like I was a small child. I hate it. But I guess it'll get easier sometime, right?"
Lex stood up and walked over to her. "Chloe. If I'm treating you--like you say I am--it's only because I'm not exactly sure what to do. Neither of us has been in this position before. It's only natural that we have some sort of introductory period."
He was right. Why hadn't she thought of that before? 'Oh, that's right. You were too busy personifying grief to worry about how things would go with him,' her mind chastened.
"Though I guess by sleeping with you, I sort of skipped that period right by, huh?"
"About that--" he started.
"--Hey, you can kick me out any time you want," she cut in.
He treated her to one of his half-smirk, half-smile hybrids. "I know. I was going to ask if you wanted some socks. Your feet are like ice cubes."
She blushed. "Oh. Sorry."
"It's okay."
Louis poked his head in and announced that dinner was ready. Lex said they'd be a few minutes.
Chloe was content to stare at the flames flickering in the fireplace all night but realized they would have to move on sometime.
"Hey, Lex?"
"Yes?"
"Do you think we're weird? I mean, do you think it's weird that we--"
"--Sleep together?" He finished for her, hiding a smile as she colored again. "No. I think it's natural that two people--who have some idea of how to deal when their world's been turned upside-down--would turn to each other for help."
She stared at him. "What could I possibly help you with?"
He gave her one of his more enigmatic smiles. "Maybe one day you'll know."
That night, Chloe slept deeply, her father's note resting safely in a white binder in the Gray Room. She had green socks on her feet.
* * *
The next morning, coffee seized firmly in hand, Chloe breezed by her usual route and headed for the Torch office. She was a bit startled to see the door open but figured that maybe Clark or Pete had needed to use the resources. Nothing, however, could have prepared her for what she saw next.
It had been torn apart.
All her papers were shredded, and strewn haphazardly all over the room and floor. A beam had been knocked out in the center of the room and her bulletin boards had thick, black paint smeared all over them, making it impossible to read whatever had been posted. Out of the four computers, three of the monitors had the glass shattered and the forth was flipped over, on the ground.
She didn't need an expert to tell her the data was unsalvageable.
Archived newsletters and bits of information she'd gathered, everything that had resided in the filing cabinets were gone. Each and every paper was torn apart, some were even covered with the black paint that was on her boards. Her signs had been taken down and stripped of life. Not one thing remained the way it had been yesterday. Her keyboards hung from the broken light bulbs by the cord, looking like some bizarre effigy. Her printer lay smashed at the foot of the desk and the layout table had been chopped in half. This was something that not even Lex's money could fix.
Chloe stared at the chaos before her and a tear made its way down her cheek. A low, keening wail emerged from her throat, drawing the attention of several passing students, not that she noticed.
When Clark found her 10 minutes later, it was too late. The damage had been done.
* * *
Mr. Reynolds,
I regret to inform you that I will be pulling Chloe Sullivan out of your school. In light of recent events, it has come to my attention that keeping her in that environment would be detrimental to her physical, mental, and emotional progress. I had hoped that it would not come to this, but there are some things we just cannot prepare for. I trust that this will not endanger Ms. Sullivan's grades and that everything to make the transition easier--on everyone involved--will be taken care of.
Regards,
Lex Luthor
* * *
End chapter three.
*breathes* My god, that was fast. I literally wrote this chapter in a day. Scary. It's 11 1/2 pages, so you had all better review. And maybe not hate me for what I just did.
|| Author's notes: Seeing as this is an angst-category story, don't shoot me too much for what I'm about to do. Trust me when I say it's going to get better. Major thanks to everyone who reviewed, and totally boosted my confidence. This is definitely another spin on anything Chlex I've ever done, and yes, it will probably take some time before we get to the thick of it, but the set up is absolutely essential to the plot. Notice how I'm still trying to apologize for what you're about to read. *sighs* I've got to stop.
"If you're gone--maybe it's time to come home."
--If You're Gone, matchbox twenty
* * *
She'd had to fight him to drive her car to school.
Lex was prepared to send her in with a limo, complete with driver, and have him sit there for the six-hour school day. He said that it didn't matter if he spent six hours at the manor, or in the parking lot of Smallville High, just that the driver would still be getting paid.
Chloe refused.
She was *not* going to show up in a limo.
Not only would it be super embarrassing, Pete would never let her live it down. Clark might understand, but even *he* would be hard pressed not to comment on it.
She rolled her eyes as Lex gave out the alternative and decided that she really was going to have to go to bat here. "No, Lex. You are not driving me to school, either."
The man looked like he was fighting very hard to restrain his temple. She wondered idly if his blood pressure was higher these days. "Chloe, I just don't think you should jump into this so quickly. What if something happens?"
He was referring to, of course, if she had a crying breakdown in the middle of rural Kansas, of the off chance that a semi would be coming down full speed and turn her into raspberry jam all over the road. It wasn't out of the realm of possibility. She could happen to think of something that reminded her of her dad, or something they were supposed to go and do; something unexpected that would just jump out and *grab* her by the throat, hurting her so much she couldn't breathe.
That was when she usually retreated to the gray room.
But this was something she had to do on her own.
They had been on their way to the dining room when they'd started the conversation, now she moved inside and sat down in her usual seat, not waiting for him to be settled as she continued, "You're always telling Clark how he needs to take the initiative, to make a move."
His brow rose as he reached for his coffee. "I didn't know you felt that way about Lana."
She was too into getting out her argument to even blush at the implication. "First of all, ew. Secondly," she shook her head. "There is no secondly. How do you expect me to move on with my life if you coddle me all the time?"
Lex stiffened slightly. "I'm not trying to coddle you, and I apologize if I gave you that impression. I just don't want you to get hurt."
Chloe let her eyes close against a sudden wave of tears that threatened to overload her emotional defenses. "Lex, I've been hurt before. Maybe this time, I need stitches instead of a band-aid to make it better, but I have to believe it will get easier to deal with. It *has* to. I can't get any lower."
While he was usually good at cloaking how he felt, the regret was clear in those steel-blue eyes. "Chloe, I--"
She put her hand up, and rose from the table. "Don't. Please." It took a moment to compose herself and fight back the tears, but she did it. "You have no idea how much I appreciate what you're trying to do here, but you've got to let me do some of my own fighting. Okay?"
Lex nodded, keeping his eyes trained on her.
Chloe attempted a smile. "See you after school." She hesitated, then dropped a kiss on his cheek and left the room.
Once the door had closed, Lex sighed loudly and let his head fall against the chair.
He was in way over his head.
* * *
She'd needed five minutes in the parking lot before she could look out her window at Pete, who was standing there quietly. Slowly, like she was out of practice, she grabbed her bag, keys, and coffee, and clambered out of the car.
"Hey," Pete said, causing her to look up at him.
"Hi." Chloe gave him a watery smile. He all but scrutinized her, and she shifted anxiously under his gaze. "Do I pass, Mr. Ross?"
He offered a gentle smile. "C'mere, you."
She gratefully went into his arms and rested her full weight against him for as long as her pride would allow. When she talked about standing on her own two feet this morning, she hadn't been lying. But sometimes it was nice to let someone else share the burden.
"Thanks," she said, pulling away and shouldering her bag. "I needed that."
Chloe turned away from him and started walking.
"Chloe--" He called after her, trying to catch up.
She turned back to Pete and suddenly slammed into something that felt very solid. Almost painfully so. The next thing she knew, she was wrapped up tightly and lifted off the ground. Tentatively, she patted the person on the back and wheezed out, "Hi, Clark. Do you think you would mind letting me breathe sometime this century?"
He set her down so gently she got the impression Clark believed she was made of fine china. "How are you?"
She gave him a funny look. "Clark. You just saw me two days ago. In fact, Lex told me his feelings are hurt because he never sees you when you come to the mansion any more. You feeling okay?"
Clark grinned sheepishly. "Sorry. It's just--it was weird not having you here." As an afterthought, "Did Lex really say that?"
She rolled her eyes and threw her arms around both boys. "Come on, guys. High school drama awaits."
* * *
"Yes. No, you're to remain outside the building, the only time you approach is if she deviates from any of the pre-discussed locations. I don't care if she's with Jonathan Kent--if she leaves town again, that is when--and *only* when--you can follow her." He rolled his eyes and barely restrained himself from slamming the phone down.
"More ignorant people, Lex?"
He looked up from his phone to see his brother biting back a grin. Lex shook his head and his aggravation dissipated. "Lucas. When did you get here?"
The young man gave his brother a gauging look and sat down. "Five minutes ago. Louis wanted to show me in--I told him that I'd only gotten lost once last time and he let me make the trip on my own."
"You got lost?"
He rolled his eyes at his incredulous tone. "No. Photographic memory. And besides--I never get lost."
Lex sat up and pushed his papers aside. "So. What brings you to Smallville? Thought you were being a good Samaritan."
Lucas smirked. "I am. Just thought you like to know how things went the other day, with Blondie."
"Blondie? You're aware that if Chloe heard you just now, she'd rip your head off?"
He shrugged. "Don't I have some sort of immunity when I walk in that door?"
"Not when you call her *that*."
Lucas watched him carefully. "It really bothers you. Wow. I mean, it *really* bothers you."
"Consider me offended on Chloe's behalf." Lex responded dryly, hoping to dispel the glow in Lucas' eyes.
"Okay, Lex. Whatever you say."
He sighed and headed for the pool table. Reaching for a cue, he called over his shoulder, "So have you decided when you're going to come visit?"
"You mean I have to go re-pack my clothes? Damn."
"Your Samaritan stint is over? That was fast."
Lucas waited until the balls were racked before he picked up a cue and took a shot. Lex looked annoyed that he had cut in. He didn't care. "Look. Do I think she's up to company yet? Apparently, or else Clark Kent wouldn't have visited you more times than I can count." Off Lex's look he remarked offhandedly, "Checked the visitor logs. You need a new pen, by the way. Point is," he aimed carefully and smiled as the five and the nine flew into the side pockets, "I've got a few things to take care of and she's still dealing with her stuff, so let's give it another week or so."
He took his shot and missed, glancing at Lex expectantly. Lex leaned his hip against the table, giving Lucas the same measuring look he'd received before. "Do you have feelings for my ward, Lucas?"
"Take the shot." He jutted his chin out at the appropriate ball. "And to answer your question--no. Though you might want to ask yourself that question." When the ball went in, Lucas smirked and threw his hand up carelessly. "Thanks for the game, Lex. See you in two weeks."
It took all his self-control not to look back as he exited the room. If he had, he might have seen the brief open-mouthed stare and felt a little better about his visit.
* * *
Treating her like she was made of hand-blown glass was getting old. So was being subjected to people's condolences. Not that she didn't appreciate it, but really, her father had died. What could you say to something like that?
Chloe sighed. Yes, she was being a little harsh. But it was hard having all these simpering girls come up to her and shower her with fake condolences just to hear about what life was like living with Lex. For once in her life, she wished Lana was there--at least she had worked with him, so maybe these weird vibes she got every now and then were just normal.
Though she had been living with him for just under three months, the first two had been a blur. She had been kind of involved with not falling apart every second of the day during that time, so time when she would have ordinarily observed Lex's behavior were. otherwise occupied. Plus, she'd spent a lot of time in her room--the gray room, actually, she hadn't been in her room for what seemed like forever--and the only other time she saw him was at night before she went to bed. His eyes were the last thing she saw before she closed her eyes and the first thing she saw when she woke up the next morning.
Heh. Wouldn't those girls have a field day if they knew that.
"Why are you grinning like that, Chloe?"
Clark and Pete were staring at her expectantly.
"Like what?"
"You had this totally evil grin just now."
She reached up and felt her mouth, trying to ascertain personally if she had been grinning evilly. "I--sorry guys, I was just thinking about stuff."
"What kind of stuff?" Pete asked suspiciously.
"Silly kind of stuff."
"Uh huh. *Sure*," he replied in a tone that implied he really didn't believe her. "Come on, Clark, back me up here."
Clark continued to give her an unblinking stare. Chloe snapped her fingers in front of him. He flinched and shook out of it. "Pete, I think. sometimes she just thinks funny things."
Pete sent them both annoyed looks. "You guys are weird."
"Maybe you should pin a picture of me on the wall, then." She retorted, gathering her things up. "I'm going to the Torch office--" they scrambled to get to their feet and she hastily added, "--by *myself*."
* * *
When she saw her office door, she nearly lost it. She unseeingly reached for the doorknob and turned.
Locked.
Out of all the possible scenarios. she started to laugh. It was hysterical. The one place she could go for comfort, and the door was locked. Hoping against hope, she dug around into her purse and scrounged around at the bottom of the bag. Just when she was about to give up, her fingers snagged something that felt suspiciously like metal. She pulled it out and was surprised to see a card attached to it.
Quickly unlocking the door before the rest of the student body thought she'd lost her mind, Chloe made her way in and let it close behind her. In the past, it had meant that the Torch was closed. Today? Today, it meant that she didn't want to be disturbed. People would assume she was working hard on a story, or getting readjusted to her reporter-life, and she was okay in letting them think that.
She flipped the lights and exhaled shakily. 'Home,' she thought, even though every fiber of her body protested it. Home was the nice house she'd shared with Lana and her father the past few months, home was the place she'd first learned that she was no Martha Stewart but when push came to shove, she could make a mean grilled cheese; home was where her heart was.
And her heart felt like it was left behind in the shuffle.
Absently, as she powered on her computer, she wondered what had happened to all her things from the house. Lex had probably had them moved and placed discreetly in some sort of storage. He knew she would want them someday; he was very good at anticipating what she would need. It would have unsettled her if it wasn't such an overwhelming relief.
Automatically, she fell back into her old routine, firing up her internet browser, going to the usual sites for more Wall of Weird material, checking message boards she had posted at, pulling email. Things went smoothly until she got to the bottom of the email.
There were two messages from her dad. Both were dated the night he'd died.
Her eyes slammed shut tightly as she willed the image of 'gsullivan@Lexcorp.com' as far away as possible. When she opened them moments later, they hadn't, as she hoped, miraculously disappeared. With a strength she hadn't known she'd possessed, she brought her mouse over to the subject header. It hovered there momentarily, and she gave herself one last chance to back out before clicking on it decisively.
- - - - - - - - -
To: csullivan@smallvilletorch.com From: gsullivan@lexcorp.com
Hey, honey. Just wanted to check and see how you were doing. I don't know if I'll be home in time for dinner--or if you'll even get this email, since it is kind of late--but I just wanted to let you know not to wait up for me. I spoke with Lana over the phone a few minutes ago, and she's going to be home around the usual time.
Lex is really pushing this new project at the plant. I can't really go into it--it's classified--but it really is some interesting stuff. We're both excited about the outcome, and I only hope this brings him some sense of progress. Lately, it seems as though he's been down a bit more. God knows he's got enough on his shoulders. He was telling me about his younger brother, Lucas. Boy sounds like a handful.
But I didn't send this so I could dump my thoughts all over you. I know I don't need a reason, but I wanted to let you know that I love you so very much. And that you will probably have no idea of just how proud I am. Chloe, you are turning out to be a remarkable young woman, and I see so much potential in you, sweetheart. Don't ever give up.
See you tonight.
Love, Dad.
- - - - - - - - -
Chloe hadn't even realized she was crying until something wet hit the keyboard. She printed the letter out so she could reread it later, and moved onto the next one. It was dated 38 minutes after the other one.
- - - - - - - - -
To: csullivan@smallvilletorch.com From: gsullivan@lexcorp.com
Sweetheart, I--
And that was as far as she got, because the computer abruptly went black. She frowned, and hit the space bar. Maybe the computer had decided to go to sleep on her. Nothing happened. She hit it again. Still black. She tried it a third time and that was when she started to worry.
Pushing her feet firmly onto the floor, she used the wheels on her chair to slide over to one of her filing cabinets. She dug through the drawers until she found the computer manuals and went back to her station. Flipping recklessly through the pages to the back, in the troubleshooting section, she didn't even notice as she ripped several on the way.
It took her several failed attempts at restarting her computer and two phone calls to the company provider to realize that it was hopeless.
She wasn't going to get that email.
For the first time all day, Chloe put her head down on the desk and started to sob.
* * *
English saw more of the same: teachers apologizing, students staring at her like she was the plague, Clark and/or Pete (who were--oh goody!--in this class, so she got double dosage) hovering anxiously. Thankfully, though, it was a great excuse if you came late to class; which she had, after leaving the Torch. A quick makeup repair and a few last despairing looks sent to her computer had her approximately ten minutes late.
It wasn't until the teacher was explaining verb tenses--which Chloe, being a writer, was naturally quite good with--that she remembered the card attached to the key.
Found this with your things. Had a feeling you might need it. My cell is on if you need me. .Not that you would. Superwoman.
--L.
She raised her hand and waited for the teacher to acknowledge her. "Can I use the pass?"
She saw Pete and Clark exchange looks from the corner of her eye. The teacher nodded and continued her discussion. Chloe grabbed her pocketbook and sailed out the door. If she was late, one of the boys would pick up her books and drop them by the manor later.
Chloe waited until she was in the school courtyard before using her cell phone. She dialed Lex's office number and was patched through by his secretary.
"Luthor."
"Lex, it's Chloe."
"Chloe, what's wrong?" He sounded instantly alert, ready for the worst.
She chuckled lightly. "Calm down, you don't need to have anyone killed. Yet. Do you know a good computer technician?"
There was a long pause, during which she bet he was questioning her sanity, the validity of her question, and whether or not to yell at her for worrying him and calling in the middle of class. Finally, he answered, "Yes. What do you need?"
For some reason, she didn't feel like telling him that an email from her father had apparently crashed her computer. "I guess over the break--" and they both knew this covered longer than the mid-winter period, "--the computer just sort of locked up. I can't get it to start."
"Did you try hitting to 'on' button?"
"I refuse to answer that." She began tapping her foot impatiently, waiting for him to answer her seriously.
"Hey. It's happened to quite a few people before--myself included."
"O-ho! Did the great Lex Luthor just admit to making a mistake?"
He laughed briefly. "It has been known to happen from time to time." There was a rustle on the other end and she imagined he was moving papers aside. Lex was a good paper mover. It made you think he was doing more than he actually was. "I guess you got my note. But why did you wait until English to use it."
She frowned. "Should I be worried that you know what class I'm in right now? Or that you seem to know what classes I was already in?"
"Let's pretend you gave me a copy of your schedule and that I didn't have to wrangle one out of Terrence Reynolds, instead." He wryly answered, neatly avoiding the question.
"*You* asked Principal *Reynolds* for my schedule? And--more importantly--he *gave* it to you?"
"Would I know that you're about 14 minutes from a free period right now if he hadn't?"
"Yes."
"Well, he did."
"Color me shocked."
"I would, but I'm not exactly sure what color that would be. Purple perhaps?"
She shook her head and sat on a bench. "Obsessed, perhaps?"
"Can I help it if I naturally look good in certain colors?"
"Try blue, Lex. It'll bring out your eyes."
A loaded pause followed. "And you know this because?"
She swallowed audibly. "My dad said he thought you always looked the most reckless when you wore blue. He said everyone should have a reckless color."
Lex was quiet for so long she thought they'd gotten disconnected. "Green's yours." He coughed briefly, and continued, "You should try and get back to class--unless you want to come back to the manor?"
"No. I'll--" she swiped a few tears away, wondering why she was letting his comment get to her, hoping he didn't hear the emotion in her voice, "--be fine. I ought to get back anyway. Pretty soon Clark and Pete will be sending out a search party."
"See you later, then."
"Bye." She had all but replaced the phone when she suddenly snatched it back up. "--Oh, and Lex?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you. For listening." 'And for not hanging up on me,' she mentally added.
"You're welcome."
* * *
He estimated Lucas to be halfway to Metropolis when the number showed up on his phone. "What did you forget?"
"Nothing. She's too skinny, though. Went down like a sack of bricks."
"Picked up on that, huh?"
"Kind of hard not to. You're the one who told me to keep an eye on her."
He adjusted the corner of his paper. "I didn't tell you to take her out, Lucas."
He scoffed. "Your security *sucks*, Lex. What if I was a kidnapper?"
"Then I would hope you'd be getting acquainted with someone named Billy at this point."
Lucas muttered something uncomplimentary under his breath and Lex grinned. "Sure. Love you too, buddy." He hung up the phone and saw Chloe standing in front of him.
"We've really gotta stop meeting like this."
She grinned. "Who was on that phone?"
"Eavesdropping, Chloe? That's really not your style these days, is it?"
She toed the thick carpet. "I was just wondering if you usually spoke to men and professed to loving them." He was about to answer when she added; "he seemed to have put you in a good mood. It was nice to see you back in your element."
"And what is that?"
God, if he would only take his eyes off her for a second. Jeez, it was so unnerving. "Sarcasm. And it was nice to see that extra layer peeled away. You're the one who's walking on eggshells, Lex. You don't need me to tell you that it's not exactly in character."
She had a point.
He cleared his throat and folded his hands on the desk. "How did your day go?"
"It went." She saw his raised brow and continued, "People treated me like you did when I first got here. Like I was a small child. I hate it. But I guess it'll get easier sometime, right?"
Lex stood up and walked over to her. "Chloe. If I'm treating you--like you say I am--it's only because I'm not exactly sure what to do. Neither of us has been in this position before. It's only natural that we have some sort of introductory period."
He was right. Why hadn't she thought of that before? 'Oh, that's right. You were too busy personifying grief to worry about how things would go with him,' her mind chastened.
"Though I guess by sleeping with you, I sort of skipped that period right by, huh?"
"About that--" he started.
"--Hey, you can kick me out any time you want," she cut in.
He treated her to one of his half-smirk, half-smile hybrids. "I know. I was going to ask if you wanted some socks. Your feet are like ice cubes."
She blushed. "Oh. Sorry."
"It's okay."
Louis poked his head in and announced that dinner was ready. Lex said they'd be a few minutes.
Chloe was content to stare at the flames flickering in the fireplace all night but realized they would have to move on sometime.
"Hey, Lex?"
"Yes?"
"Do you think we're weird? I mean, do you think it's weird that we--"
"--Sleep together?" He finished for her, hiding a smile as she colored again. "No. I think it's natural that two people--who have some idea of how to deal when their world's been turned upside-down--would turn to each other for help."
She stared at him. "What could I possibly help you with?"
He gave her one of his more enigmatic smiles. "Maybe one day you'll know."
That night, Chloe slept deeply, her father's note resting safely in a white binder in the Gray Room. She had green socks on her feet.
* * *
The next morning, coffee seized firmly in hand, Chloe breezed by her usual route and headed for the Torch office. She was a bit startled to see the door open but figured that maybe Clark or Pete had needed to use the resources. Nothing, however, could have prepared her for what she saw next.
It had been torn apart.
All her papers were shredded, and strewn haphazardly all over the room and floor. A beam had been knocked out in the center of the room and her bulletin boards had thick, black paint smeared all over them, making it impossible to read whatever had been posted. Out of the four computers, three of the monitors had the glass shattered and the forth was flipped over, on the ground.
She didn't need an expert to tell her the data was unsalvageable.
Archived newsletters and bits of information she'd gathered, everything that had resided in the filing cabinets were gone. Each and every paper was torn apart, some were even covered with the black paint that was on her boards. Her signs had been taken down and stripped of life. Not one thing remained the way it had been yesterday. Her keyboards hung from the broken light bulbs by the cord, looking like some bizarre effigy. Her printer lay smashed at the foot of the desk and the layout table had been chopped in half. This was something that not even Lex's money could fix.
Chloe stared at the chaos before her and a tear made its way down her cheek. A low, keening wail emerged from her throat, drawing the attention of several passing students, not that she noticed.
When Clark found her 10 minutes later, it was too late. The damage had been done.
* * *
Mr. Reynolds,
I regret to inform you that I will be pulling Chloe Sullivan out of your school. In light of recent events, it has come to my attention that keeping her in that environment would be detrimental to her physical, mental, and emotional progress. I had hoped that it would not come to this, but there are some things we just cannot prepare for. I trust that this will not endanger Ms. Sullivan's grades and that everything to make the transition easier--on everyone involved--will be taken care of.
Regards,
Lex Luthor
* * *
End chapter three.
*breathes* My god, that was fast. I literally wrote this chapter in a day. Scary. It's 11 1/2 pages, so you had all better review. And maybe not hate me for what I just did.