Chapter 34 [Chloe's Room, Smallville General]

[A/N: Here's a little bit of Chlex. You've been advised.]

Medical Center's Halls buzzed with activity. Doctors checked with Patients in each room. Nurses administered Medications, brought Meals and checked in on their charges. Occasional Visitor came to spread cheer.

And in some cases, Cheer took unique twists…

Chloe rubbed her forehead. Medication numbed Concussion's Pain and Pressure. Sleep came and went but for minutes at a time. Thirst held Mouth and Throat in Arid Parch. Appetite shied away from Institutional Cooking. I can't even use my computer! I can't get online! What kind of prison is this anyway? Hrumph!

Remote scrolled through Channels. Shows and Channels seemed akin to Sawdust.

She set the remote down on her bed tray. Pete's visit earlier made her afternoon bearable. She'd savored Talon's Choice Blend. He told her of Rumors running around the school that day. Boredom hung over Classes after Morning's Near Miss. I'd rather be in class or at the Torch than here. I know Dad's not going to be back until Sunday. I can't believe I'm stuck in here all weekend. This would have to be the weekend when Pete's in Wichita! She shook her head. I just hope Clark's okay. Wow. Miranda's stepdad really burnt his back? How'd we get out of that? He wouldn't have left us alive. Medication's Fuzz dulled her wits relatively speaking.

Rapping came from the door.

Please tell me that old hag isn't bringing that junk back that they call food! Chloe made a face. Stomach lurched. "Yes?"

Lex opened the door. "Good Evening, Miss Sullivan. I thought you'd like some room service." He pulled Cart into the room. Two Tin Foil Balloons floated on Helium's boost yet tied with ribbons' knots to Transport below. Covered Dishes graced Cart's Top. "You earned a good dinner."

Gratitude prompted Smirk across her face. "Good dinner? Wow. Lex, not that I don't appreciate it. What's my Dad's boss doing up here with delivery?"

Lex shrugged. Medication couldn't blunt Wit and the Sullivan Tongue it seemed. "Maybe the Boss wants to be a friend? Clark's back at the Farm. Lana drove him back there. Miranda's with her aunt and uncle. I was looking for company too." He centered her bed tray. A White Table Cloth draped over the top. He set a covered plate and a smaller plate on it. "I thought you'd like real food. Courtesy of Merloni's in Granville." He pulled the cover to reveal Chicken Parm resting on Ziti's bed. Salad held Dressing's light dew over its leaves.

Surprise induced Eyes to Stare. Delight watered in her mouth. Relief lightened Mood. Gratitude's Smile broke through Hospital-Induced Overcast.

Lex had struck Smallville's Legendary Tongue dumb. Achievement, however, prompted him to vary his approach nary a bit. Rather, Smile simply spread across his face. "Yeah. I think that's the right dish." He revealed his own Grilled Pork Chop with Linguini.

"You have a violinist or an orchestra in there too, Lex?" Sass returned to her tongue. Fork brought Chicken to her mouth. "That is my favorite Italian place. "How'd you know? Let me guess? My Dad?"

"Hospital Security frowns on the band. Maybe next time." Saucy Shrug offered perfect riposte to her Critique. Chuckle escaped his lips. Slight Nod bobbed his head up and down. "Gabe dropped a few hints. So did Pete and Lana. Everyone's happy to help out. Besides, I wasn't going to let you suffer." He set Paper Cup on Tray. Soda poured into it. "When I'm not in Metropolis, that's one of my favorite places as well." He motioned toward the plate. "How is it?"

"Are you kidding? How do you think?" Ziti, Sauce and Melted Mozzarella blended on her Tongue. "Mmm! I would've never expected this. Everyone's either laid up or out of town. Lex, I really appreciate this." Caution raised an eyebrow.

"That, Miss Sullivan, is what defines a surprise." Triumph's Smirk spread across his face. Pork and Spices eased over his tongue and pleased Palate as well. "I will definitely need to give Pietro my compliments. After the day we've both had, this is worth it." He savored a couple of more bites. "Sauce isn't pasty. Linguini is perfect!"

"Yeah, I know." Her eyes surveyed her dank cell. "No computer, no Internet." She pointed at the TV. "Not even basic cable? Are they kidding?" She stuffed another chunk of chicken into her mouth. Outrage reddened her face. "And no coffee?"

Snicker came from his mouth. "I believe there's an editorial forming in that mind of yours?"

"You better believe it! They say they want to make me comfortable?" Snort nearly caused her food to go down the wrong way. "I even choke on the thought." Her eyes rolled. Soda settled that matter.

"You okay there? I don't want to have to do the Heimlich now." He set Fork and Knife down. He looked her over once again. He started to get up.

"Calm down, Lex. I'm fine. A little sauce went the wrong way." Chivalry evoked (yet another) eye roll. She took another draught of Soda. "See? All better. Can't have you thinking I can't handle things." She took another bite. "How's Clark?"

"Clark's resting. His penance has to wait a week." Lex twirled Pasta around his fork. "He was lucky. So were Pete and you. Miranda's aunt and uncle saved the day."

"Really? I thought they were coming in tonight or tomorrow?" Curiosity raised an eyebrow. Intrigue detected Potential Story in those Details.

"They came last night actually. It was a good thing too. Dr. Dubois treated Clark this morning. She's been checking on him all day. Mr. Dubois got you out of there this morning." He made sure Door was closed.

"He got rid of Miranda's stepfather? Seriously? Wow. How is this guy not like dead or something?" She munched on Salad. Mind generated Question after Question.

"Arighatto should've killed him the last time." He shook his head. "He kidnapped Miranda from her parents. A bomb blew the house and their families to Hell and back." Brooding darkened his face. "My father celebrated. He's always hated Dave. Always."

"A guy makes it this far with Mr. Luthor's hate? Wow. That's impressive." She bit into Ziti once again. "Wonder how that happened?"

"Trauma, Abuse, Hate and Ghosts." He rubbed his forehead.

"Ghosts?" Skepticism raised Chloe's eyebrow. "Really? Come on, Lex. I like a good ghost story as much as anyone but…." She ate the last piece of chicken. "I mean you sound like the guy lived in a haunted house or something."

"He did for seven years. The ghosts never let go. I'll leave it at that. At least, my father and Arighatto are behind bars. There's an ironclad case against them. We'll leave it at that. By the way, that's all off the record. Dave and Angie don't need their secrets exposed either." Lex ate another forkful.

"Nobody would believe it." She folded her arms. "Wait! He was the teenager who called the government in on your Dad! I remember reading the Ledger for a project in Middle School! So he…?" She mulled the next thought over in her head. "Wow."

"He spent a month in the hospital here. Then, my Dad tried to have him committed. That made things worse. His Dad tried to make him move. Dave ended up in the hospital yet again. There's more but I'll leave it there." He broke off Garlic Bread piece and handed her one.

"Are you kidding? This is the stuff of great stories!" Chloe insisted.

"It can never be written down. I don't want trouble. Just do me a favor. Focus on my father. Maybe even deal with Arighatto without the extra magic stuff. That'll give the high school kids and Mr. Gibbons something to read. They don't need to know about my friend's latest flip out. I'm having a hard enough time finding him a place to work." He brought out Garbage Bag. "Toss everything in there."

She threw her now-finished dishes into Bag. Cup and Can went after them. "Well, thanks for dinner. When I get out of here, I'd like to talk some more. Maybe we can focus on foliage or New England? Stuff like that?"

"Definitely. That stuff would be great. I just don't want Dave or Angie having to relive the other stuff. Maybe Lana will be up here tomorrow?" He tied the bag shut and set it on the cart. "Sorry I don't have your laptop. Maybe I can scrounge one up from LexCorp?"

"I'd love that. I've got to do something besides die of boredom." Gripes curled Lip into deeper frown.

"Let's hope the docs let you out sooner. Sorry but I have to check on my guests. Thanks for eating with me. I really appreciate it. Have a great night." Smile spread across his face. Eyes twinkled at her. "Take care."

"You too! If you talk to my Dad, say thanks for me," she expressed.

"You bet! Now rest." Smirk spread across his face.

Pout curled her mouth akin to four year old's just prior to Tantrum's souring. "Fine!" She shook her head.

"More rest, sooner you get out of here. Take care." He rubbed her arm. Then, he wheeled Cart out the door. "Thanks for sharing dinner with me."

"Thank you for the surprise. I appreciate it!" She watched him depart. Who'da thunk that Lex Luthor would spend for a dinner with me. Dad might not like it. It's a friendship. He can deal with it.

Nice Gestures sent Positive Vibes. Who knows where they'd lead?