A/N - Thank you for patience. r/r again to keep me motivated.

The Realization – Chapter 6

It had been almost 6 hours since Lex had come out of surgery when he was finally moved back to the ICU. The press had since had a field day speaking to the barrage of doctors about his condition, of course fictionalizing everything at the whim of his attorneys. Martha and Jonathon had since gone to the house to relax and look over Lex's paperwork. Clark had taken Lana with him to the mansion to pick up some personal items for Lex and to just get away from the hospital for a change.

Since the stunning announcement from Lana, Clark had not spoken directly to her for hours. He felt it wasn't his place to get into romantic problems with Lex in the hospital. He had already blown it with Lana once since the incident.

Chloe walked into the now dark and quiet ICU. She was pleasantly surprised that Lex had finally fought off the ventilator and feeding tubes. A few less IV's graced his arms, and it looked as though he was almost smiling as he slept, his chest rising and falling at a now comfortable and steady pace. She rubbed her fingers across his hand and face. In all the years she had known him, she had never really touched him. She could see finally what Lana saw. He had a soft demeanor that he never let escape. She squinted to block the tears that welled up following her fingers along the new bandages that graced his head. She wondered what kind of scarring would he now have to live with. It wasn't bad enough being bald.

"I remember when you came into the Torch office that first time. I thought you were the so ridiculously cute wearing clothes way too grown up for you. And hanging out with kids way too young for you. You know, I was so grateful when you took care of my father and me – I never told you because at the time I thought you had just led us into more trouble. But I appreciated all those visits in the city, even if it was for a cup of coffee and Smallville gossip once a week. I still can't believe the weekend you stayed with us. I never imagined seeing you with your feet propped up in pajamas arguing with me about Lee's defeat in the Civil War. By the way, I got an A on that essay." Chloe stopped and mused, "I know you had your reasons for keeping us away as long as you had to. Anyway, thanks."

Chloe slipped her hand in his and pulled the chair over to the bedside as she continued watching him sleep. She actually felt lucky that she got to see him once he was off the ventilator. Clark and Lana both said how horrible it was seeing Lex so debilitated. She again traced her fingers up and down his arm, wondering what kind of and how pricey the lotion was that made him so soft. She laced her fingers tighter in his hand and leaned against the rail.

"Just between you and me – I know we haven't had the same intense sessions as you and Lana have had as of late but," Chloe paused and relaced her fingers in his. "I miss our chats. I know we were never completely comfortable with each other and I still don't completely trust you. But I think we had something special, regardless of what Lana thinks of you." Chloe shifted in the chair, feeling warm and flustered, as if she had done this all before and then Clark said Lana's name. Shaking her head, she refocused. "But you'll pick her because everyone always does and she's a brunette so she'll remind you of your mother. The women you choose, good or bad, always do." Chloe smirked at her own comment, knowing it was the truth. "It's just too bad you know – you were my only real challenge in this town. I missed the bustle of the city ever since I moved here and yet you kept the city close to me by just being you. I may not own a company, I'm not even close to your age and yet we were as close as equals here."

Chloe sat and pondered her thoughts. Equals – he would never accept that we were equal – no one is equal to Lex Luthor. Figuring that was the end of her conversation and that she should check to see if the others had returned, she released his hand.

Looking down thinking her hand was stuck; she noticed that Lex had not let go. Looking at the heart monitor, she heard his heart rate begin to race. Chloe turned and sat back in the chair and waited. Oh my God Lex. Did you hear me? Gripping his hand back she focused on his expression and quietly said jokingly, "Lex Luthor, you know I'll win our next verbal judo match." Lex let out a sharp breath as if to say 'yeah right,' back to her. Chloe smiled and slightly bounced for joy in the chair. Sitting back in the chair she watched his eyelids move as if he was already planning his next move, even in his state.

A couple of hours passed when Chloe awoke to a frantic beeping and a hurried nurse turning switches on and off. "What's wrong?"

"His IV is just out. If you could let go of his hand then I change the bag out." Chloe pried her fingers out of his hand, thinking that his grip was firmer even now than it had been hours ago.

"There you go. We'll be in with dinner in a little bit. I'll bring you a tray." Chloe nodded sweetly and watched the nurse leave.

Sitting back in the chair, she started surfing the television for something stimulating. "You want to watch something particular? How about the soccer game? ER? No, that's in bad taste. How about – here we go – E! on Lex Luthor. This should be at least entertaining." Chloe propped her feet up on the side of bed and grimaced at all the laughable comments that they said about Lex. She fell asleep giggling.

"Hey," she heard a whisper and looked out the door. Seeing no one at the door, she turned back and saw a slight gleam in his eyes. He was awake.

"Hey you. How are you feeling?" Chloe took his hand in hers again. She watched as he tried to adjust himself in the bed. She noticed he kept looking around the room, puzzled. "Lex? What is it?"

Still trying to focus, he grabbed her hand tighter and frowned. Chloe could sense something wasn't right; Lex was never looked confused. She waited patiently for him to respond. "You're Gabe Sullivan's daughter, right?" Chloe's mouth dropped open at the question.

"Yes, Chloe Sullivan. Lex, where do you think you are?" He looked puzzled at her question.

"In Metropolis. Where's my father?" Lex adjusted to sit up where he could face her better.

Chloe swallowed at the last question. "You were in a fight and hit your head really hard and they had to do surgery." She paused, hoping the actual question could be avoided.

"And my father, is he coming? I mean I appreciate them sending you but," Chloe sat in shock.

"Lex," she started cautiously, "your father is … dead. He died in prison – where you sent him. You're in a Smallville hospital because the fight happened at the mansion you live in." Chloe trailed off afraid that she had done more damage by talking too much.

Lex turned his head away from Chloe as she could see tears fall down his cheek. "Lex, what year is it?"

Lex wiped his face and looked back at Chloe. "2000. I got in a fight at a club and ended up with my head in a brick wall, wasted out of my mind. I put my father in prison? But why would they send you to take care of me?"

Chloe could barely speak. She wanted so much to go get a doctor and ramble about Lex's condition, but he wouldn't let go of her hand. Smiling sweetly at him, she answered softly, "Because I'm a great nurse." She couldn't come up with anything else. "Hey, let me go get the doctor and then we'll talk."

Chloe rose from the chair and touched his face, trying to dry the still damp tears off his cheek. "No, don't go yet – stay with me a little longer." Lex grabbed her wrist in one hand and returned the gesture by rubbing his fingers along her cheek.