A/N - Well, after several rewrites, I was not able to leave on vacation without finishing this up. So here it, the THE END. Thank you for reading.
Chapter 22 – Requested
"Hey Cuz, what are you up to? I just got shot down on a story and I'm feeling kind of like crap." Lois pulled up a chair and sat down next to Chloe as she quickly closed the picture file.
"Nothing, just some research."
"For what? You write ads no offense. Anyway, you want to go for an early and extremely needed lunch?" Chloe smiled at Lois and picked up her purse. Walking up the stairs, they stopped as the editor grabbed Chloe by the arm and led her into a conference room.
"Chloe Sullivan, just the woman I have been looking for. You know when they told me where you worked in this part of the building, I was kind of amazed considering the article that I need written.Anyway, I have been on the phone all morning trying to get this exclusive interview, and the only way I can get it is if you do it."
"Look, I'm on my way to lunch and I don't exactly do the whole meteor freak interview thing anymore. What about Lois? Isn't she your new leading lady on interviews?"
"Well, to be perfectly honest, I have no control over this except that I fully intend on this running the front page tomorrow and barring the fact that your writing is still a little rough, something we can have Lois clean up, you're going to do this." Chloe stared at the editor and turned up her lip in confusion and disgust. "Ok, I don't like playing this card, but," he pointed at her, "you do this interview or you find another job."
Chloe was stunned - she gulped at thinking she could lose her job at the Planet again. The editor put his hand on her shoulder and smiled grimly, "Look, I don't like ultimatums either, but this one is only going to happen his way, and Mr. Luthor said either he does the interview with you or no one." Chloe gasped as the acknowledgement as the editor continued. "The pay will be the standard for a normal interviewing reporter. We'll see how your writing is and see what happens."
"What do you mean?"
"If you can get the irritating billionaire to say two words worth printing, we might get you out of the basement." Moving in closer, the editor slightly whispered. "Maybe you can turn on the charm that enamored him at that party a week ago."
Chloe threw daggers in the editor's direction and shook her head. "Fine! If it'll get me out of the basement and keep my job." She stomped out of the office and saw Lois waiting for her. "Hey, I have somewhere I have to go and I'll call you later."
"Chloe, you ok?"
"Yeah, some stupid work thing that won't wait," she stated as she rolled her eyes.
Chloe sat at her desk debating to herself the reasons to go and the reasons to stay. We've both already said our peace. He didn't really like Lois. He knows if he asks me back things will be different - strained. Why can't he just tell me the truth? Wh ycan't I just tell him the truth? Why do I care anymore? It's just an interview - a way to get out of the freaking basement and move up.
Exhaling deeply, she picked up her recorder and her pad and heaed for the door.
"Sir, The Daily Planet reporter is here," Pei announced as Chloe has requested. She wanted to know, to see, if Lex would be concerned if it wasn't her. She watched as Lex continued to stare blankly, expressionless at the Palm in his hand. She continued to watch him press buttons and and speak to the people in the room with him.
"Mr. Luthor?" Chloe hated using the formality but it seemed their relationship was back at square one.
Coming around the corner to meet her, Lex stopped and gazed at her. Taking a large breath, he walked up beside her. "Sorry, I was attending to the movers. You never realize all the things you have until you have to haul them somewhere. How are you doing today?"
"Fine." She lied, she wanted so much for him to talk to her, to really talk to her. "The Planet said you would only interview with me?"
"I figured I already knew you, and then I wouldn't have to worry about irritating another reporter. Besides, I have read some of the things that the woman they were going to send over has done. I didn't see that interview ending well."
"Lois?"
"That's right - you know her?"
"She's my cousin, the one from the party."
Lex bit his lip in slight embarrassment. "Sorry, anyway, come on in – this is the new dining room with the new table and chairs for family." Chloe looked around at all the light colors and open windows. He had modified the place to the point of not being able to tell whose it was before. "We'll do it in here," he stated as he pulled a chair out for her.
Chloe mind wandered at the statement, we'll do it. Shame on you Chloe - he's not even interested anymore.
"Mr. Luthor, so when do your first visitors arrive?"
"This coming weekend. The golf course won't be done yet, but they are avid tennis players and the court has been repaved and will be ready." Lex watched as she wrote and wondered if her mind was as far away from the interview as his.
"Are you still the owner or have you sold your interests here?"
"I sold the fertilizer plant back to the workers – for pennies on the dollar. They own the whole plant now. As for this place, I am still in talks with two very prominent hotel chains for the entire grounds to turn into a full fledged resort. The renters coming in before the sale are just test market to see what price seems to be fair, etc."
"And the staff?"
"I'm still paying them until the takeover."
"And what about Luthorcorp? What are your plans once you return to Metropolis on a permanent basis?"
Lex stopped and thought. Chloe watched as he traced his fingers lightly along the grooves on the tabletop. She wondered what kind of answer he was formulating. "I have been reading up on the crooked deal that Representative Blank took and the amount of jail time he's up for. Seeing I can always learn from my mistakes and have been received better by people this second time around, I may try running for office again. And Luthorcorp is now named Lexcorp."
Chloe looked at him quizzically. "So, you will have political aspirations?"
"Probably more than before. I think before it was more for the fame and outdoing the other person, and I am truly glad that Jonathon Kent won. He is a really good man and I have been blessed to work with him recently. But that bug, so to speak, is still there. Now I want to run for the people instead of selfish reasons." Lex watched as Chloe's mouth fell open and her forehead wrinkled up in confusion or amusement.
"Wow, I would have never expected you to put yourself out there again."
"We all surprise people now and then Chloe," he spoke softer as he leaned into the table more.
"True." The two sat and stared at each other. Chloe looked down at the list of questions she had prepared on the drive into Smallville. They didn't seem important. She just wanted to tell him how she felt about him and hoped he would tell her the same. Shaking the thought from her head, she cocked her head to one side and grimly smiled. Lex could see her discomfort when he let the last phrase go. He was surprised at himself. Surprised that he could actually make it through the entire interview without hinting at how badly he wanted her. How much he loved her.
"Mr. Luthor, we're all done." Lex stood up and motioned for Chloe to wait for him. Walking out the door, Chloe walked around the dining room, rubbing her hand along the new chairs and tables.
"Sorry, about that. I just needed to cover some last minute details with the movers. Chloe?" He watched as Chloe continued gently touching all the new pieces that adorned the mansion now. He observed the sadness on her face as she slipped her pad and recorder into her purse. Turning, she tried to smile but knew he could tell it was a fake.
"Yeah, I was just looking." She gazed at him; he had gained it all back. He was back to the shell of a man that everyone had learned to deal with - how she had hoped that this last visit would have brought something otherwise. A glimmer of hope, a sign that the Lex she had learn to love was still in there somewhere and not the man that she hated before. She knew this was it - whatever came from his lips next gave the answer to what they would be from now on.
"Well, my car's loaded, and I have a meeting in Metropolis in a few hours." Crushed, Chloe nodded as she walked over to the doorway. Without thinking, Lex guided her out by touching the small of her back. He felt her shiver and closed his eyes. He walked behind her, glancing in each room as he passed them. Dammit dad, he thought as he watched her walk quietly down the hall in front of him. I just won't let anything happen to her.
He followed Chloe into the library as she marveled at the transformation. "Well, I guess that's everything," he flatly stated as Chloe sniffled and looked around at the newly decorated office of Lex's. The room was now a library slash parlor game room for the B&B.
Lex took a look around and sighed. Everything had come back to him and yet some things he could dismiss even after remembering the truth. He saw Chloe break a halfway smile and returned the gesture. Closing the office door, he stopped.
"What is it?" She asked sadly, inquisitve.
"You know, I almost did forget something." He turned and looked at her. He could see that sweet smirk try to crawl across her sad face.
"And that would be?" He could hear her almost reporter voice sneak out as she raised her eyebrows.
She watched as his bottom lip quivered slightly as he whispered, "You." He paused and watched her expression change. Taking a chance, he walked over and pressed her against the hallway wall. Running his hand down her face, he silently prayed before whispering, "I love you and I want to start over with you in Metropolis."
Backing up slightly, he waited for her response, still slightly shaking. She opened her mouth several times but nothing came out. He watched tears stream down her face as she leapt into his arms and crushed her mouth to his. She was going home…with him.