CHAPTER ONE

Disclaimers in Prologue I

"Thank you, Carmen," Lex Luthor smoothly addressed the brunette cardiologist as they exited her office into the clinic's lobby.  "I would have been in bigger trouble if it weren't for your warning."

The doctor shook her head.  "Don't worry about it, Lex.  If it weren't for you, my family would still be living in debt to your father."

"Then consider us even," he nodded.

"Friends never owe each other for good deeds, Lex," she said as she bade him farewell and nodded to her next patient.  When she closed the door, Lex turned and immediately stopped.

"Miss Sullivan," he called out to the familiar blonde who was concentrating on her laptop.  She looked up to see who was calling her, and when she saw that it was Lex, she immediately turned crimson.

"Mr. Luthor" was the entire greeting she could muster.

"If you don't mind my asking," he inquired as he walked closer to her.  "What are you doing here?"

Chloe collected herself and regained composure.  "I actually do mind," she retorted, gaining more gusto by the second.

"Alright, but I take it that you are a patient," he said confidently.  "And since Clark has not informed me of your ailment, I take it that you haven't told anyone."

"Did it ever occur to you, Lex, that Clark doesn't have to tell you everything?"

"Point taken," Lex agreed.  "But on matters like these, you would be surprised to know that he usually does."

"Perhaps because Pete is too busy womanizing the next cheerleader and because I am too tired of his incessant whining," she grumbled.

 "Stop evading the question at hand, Chloe," he said as he sat next to her.  He looked straight into her eyes when he added "Are you sick?"

As far as Chloe noticed, it seemed like sincere concern from his part, and the fact that she aimed to be enamored with this man tugged at her heart and conscience.

"I am a patient of Dr. Stein," she whispered, hoping that if he can't hear it, it would not be as true.

"But Carmen's a.." Lex stopped at the realization.  Chloe began to tear up, turning her head away from him.  "Please don't tell anyone," she implored.

"Of course," he immediately agreed.  "Your secret is safe with me."

Chloe wiped the few tears that escaped her eyes and turned back to him.  "Thank you," she whispered softly.

"But under one stipulation," Lex smirked.

She rolled her eyes, thinking that she should have known better.  "You agree to go to dinner with me," he added, still grinning.

Her eyes widened, clearly surprised at this twist of events.  "Dinner?" she echoed as if she needed a confirmation.

Lex's smile grew.  "Yes, Chloe, dinner.  With me."

She was speechless.  Certainly, Lex Luthor did not just ask her out.  "Miss Sullivan," the nurse interrupted her thoughts.  "The doctor is ready for you."

She looked at the nurse, almost being snapped back to reality, and she turned to Lex again.  "Okay," she muttered as she stood to follow the nurse.  "Pick me up at seven."

Lex nodded, and she disappeared into the doctor's office, leaving him in the middle of the lobby.

Realizing that he was closer to his goal, he turned to leave with a corner of his mouth twisted up in a barely visible smirk.