"Hope dangles on a string,

Like slow spinning redemption,

Winding in and winding out,

The shine ahead has caught my eye

And roped me in so mesmerizing,

It's so hypnotizing,

I am captivated,

I am

Vindicated,

I am selfish,

I am wrong,

And I am right

I swear I'm right,

Swear I knew it all along,

And I am flawed,

But I am cleaning up so well,

I am seeing in me now,

The thing you swore you saw yourself

So clear,

The diamond in your ring,

Cut to mirror your intention,

Oversized and overwhelmed,

The sight of which has caught my eye,

And rendered me so,

Isolated so,

Motivated I am,

Certain now that I am

Vindicated,

I am selfish,

I am wrong,

And I am right,

I swear I'm right,

Swear I knew it all along,

And I am flawed,

But I am cleaning up so well,

I am seeing in me now,

The things you swore you saw yourself

So tired of the corner of your lips,

Part them and feel my fingertips,

Trace the moment for forever,

Defense is paper thin,

Just one touch and I'd be in,

Too deep now to ever swim,

Against the current,

So let me slip away
So let me slip away
So let me slip away
So let me slip against the current

Vindicated,
I am selfish,
I am wrong,
I am right,
I swear I'm right,
Swear I knew it all along,
And I am flawed,
But I am cleaning up so well,
I am seeing in me now,
The things you swore you saw yourself.

My hope dangles on a string,

Like slow spinning redemption."

"Vindicated"-Dashboard Confessional

Lex had been home for three days and seen his father far too much for his liking. Lionel had been planning a grand charity event for close to a month scheduled for that night and it seemed like all of Metropolis was buzzing with fervor. Lex was the only exception.

Lisa flitted around all day getting ready for her big debut on the arm of the son of the most powerful man in town. Lex prepared himself by starting happy hour at breakfast. They left in limo by seven and arrived by seven thirty to a massive crowd and more paparazzi than a normal charity event would attract. The media went crazy at the sight of Lisa and she ate it up doing an impressive twirl and flashing a dazzling smile. All Lex could think about was how shy Chloe was the first time they stood together in front of the camera and how endearing that was.

Lex practically had to drag Lisa away and that was no easy feet for someone who was so unsteady. Ten glasses of brandy would make some a little off center though.

"Ah! Lex, you made it and you brought a lovely date." Lionel kissed Lisa hand and she smiled in a way which she probably thought was sultry. Lionel smiled back less than enthusiastically and turned toward his son.

"I did tell you just yesterday that I would be here, father. Remember, you called me at four in the morning to check." Lex snarled in drunken annoyance.

"It was closer to seven. I assumed you would be awake for work." Lionel looked innocently at Lex seeming content with his self-explanation. "Well, I have many people to see and money to raise. I'll leave you to it."

Lex scanned the room after Lionel strode away. He froze when he spotted Chloe standing alone in a small corner nursing a drink. Non-alcoholic if he could guess. She looked beautiful in a tight enough midnight blue dress. Her hair was up in a simple twist and her neck was delicately lined with a single row of diamonds with matching studs in her ears. Lex felt his breath catch but the trance was broken by Lisa's incessant tugging at his arm.

"I want to meet people, Lex."

"Then go introduce yourself. I'll be at the bar." Lex was glad he hadn't moved her into his apartment right away when her face twisted in an unattractive manner in she stomped of like a child. Lex had found that while she was more interesting than most other women he interacted with, she was just a spoiled and money hungry. She was daring and ambitious, he would give her that, but she would sell her soul to marry a rich man.

The bar was the same as all the others. A smug bartender who thought he'd get a chance to bond and hash secrets with the infamous Lex Luthor, the dazzling and drunk party goers just getting started on the evening, and the overflow of alcohol from every direction. Lex was used to the noise and the glamour and didn't take notice of his fellow patrons anymore. That was, until she stood next to him and quietly ordered two drinks.

Chloe had that amazing ability to hold her head high and pretend that nothing was wrong. Her posture screamed condescending calm and disinterest. But her eyes were wildly glancing anywhere but in his direction and all Lex wanted to do was look at her eyes. She politely received the drinks and turned to go before he grabbed her upper arm. She swiveled back and met him eye to eye for the first time since they're nonexistent break up.

"Lex." Her voice matched her posture and made her seem taller.

"Chloe." Her name was a whisper on his drunken lips. He let out a deep sigh and released her arm. He straightened up and deeply inhaled once letting the breath out and smiling charmingly at the same time. "I hear you're dating."

Her amazing front drooped for a moment in shock of his direct approach before she recovered, "Yes, I'm living with Maxwell Parker. Perhaps you've heard of him? His new fashion line is very popular in Europe. How is England this time of year?"

Lex grinned, renewed by the glimpse of his Chloe. The bright, beautiful girl he left behind. "England is beautiful all the time, as are many things." He watched the blush creep onto her cheeks with wolfish delight. "However, I'm afraid I've never seen a Maxwell Parker original. Are you wearing one tonight?"

Lex allowed himself the pleasure of raking his eyes down her body. "Are you done checking me out? Maxwell didn't design this dress. His taste is a bit more…not my style."

"Chloe, I…" Lex faltered. What the hell was he supposed to say to the only woman he could ever love. "I think we should talk."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought that's what we were doing." The anger in her eyes made it evident that she knew exactly what he wanted to talk about. The sadness made it clear that she still wasn't over it.

"I meant privately. I was wondering if you were free for lunch or dinner." He knew he was going out on a narrow ledge of hope.

Chloe sighed and Lex never wanted to be able to read minds more than he did at that moment. "All right. Just talk. Meet me at Mario's, tomorrow at seven. You know which table."

Lex smiled at her, "I know exactly where. I'll be there."

The conversation seemed to stagnate after that. They both muttered what could have been the start of more casual conversation but the words died before they could get all the way out. After ten minutes of unease, Maxwell discovered that his new drink had yet to arrive.

"Chloe, darling, is there a reason you're just standing there warming up my drink that is supposed to be served cool." Maxwell's voice was mean and it was evident that something was transpiring between him and Chloe.

Chloe smiled falsely at him and handed over one glass. "I was just catching up with an old," She faltered looked toward Lex and finished awkwardly, "friend."

Maxwell glanced at Lex seemingly sizing him up then smiled, oozing charm, "Maxwell Parker, pleased to meet you."

Lex took the hand that was hastily offered and smirked, "Lex Luthor."

Maxwell blinked then pulled away his hand suddenly. Lex could almost see the dollar signs in his eyes. Maxwell turned to his girlfriend, "Darling, you didn't tell me you intimately knew the Luthors."

Chloe weakly replied, "It's not a very intimate relationship anymore."

"Well," Maxwell turned back to Lex not seeming to catch the subtle undertone of her statement, "perhaps we could have lunch sometime. I'm something of a business myself."

"Really? I thought you were a fashion designer."

"I started my own company. I design everything that it makes." Maxwell smiled smugly, proud of that accomplishment.

"Fascinating," Lex leaned closer and his eyes flooded with humor, "but I thought male fashion designers were gay."

Chloe stifled her laughter, barely, and Maxwell shot up to full height so fast his figure blurred for a moment. "That is a terrible assumption to make, Mr. Luthor."

Lex sipped his drink, "Yes, and I do know what they say about people who assume things." The blank look on his face showed that Maxwell obviously did not know what they said about people who assume things so Lex felt the need to elaborate. "They make and ass out of you and me."

The disgust shined through on Maxwell's face for only a second before it was covered with disinterest, "Yes, well, I believe Chloe and I have friends to catch up with. Perhaps your assistant could call mine?"

"I'll have her get right on that." Lex tossed the rest of his drink back as Tightass and Chloe strode away. It was, however, a large consolation when Chloe looked back at him over her shoulder and smiled that warm smile she always gave him when he did just the right thing. That was all Lex needed to know that she was ready to be with him again and, if Lex had anything to say about it, to make things better than they ever were.