2nd Down – Chapter 5 (Part 1)

Lex flipped through the latest information from his source at the hospital. Chloe had been moved to a private room and her test results were coming back in a positive direction. The informant let him know that she had no loss of visitors, including the entire football team congratulating her for living through 'Mac Truck's latest flattening.

The informant, conveniently her graveyard nurse, also relayed information not medically related. Lex looked in the plastic bag that would not normally adorn his desk. Pulling out each sheet of paper that she had trashed, evidently trying to write her ordeal up for the Torch, he unfolded each carefully. Pages upon pages were scrapped story starters and other miscellaneous homework assignments gone wrong. He silently laughed to himself at the amount of trees she must have killed for that perfect sentence.

He opened up another sheet and wrinkled up his lip and forehead concentrating on what was obviously a math concept she had missed, really missed, during her hospital visit. Taking his pen, he reworked the problem easily and filed the crumpled sheet away, remembering to ask her if she needed any tutoring assistance. He could play the good friend card as long as she wanted to. Patience wasn't one of his virtues, but he was willing to wait her out – he had waited for a year, she'd waited longer.

Pulling the last piece of paper, he dropped the ugly grocery bag in the garbage and unfolded the final piece. Sitting back in the chair, he stared at the sheet of paper.

Pros – Intelligent Conversation

Good Looking

Refined

Successful (although a little crooked)

Cons – Obsessive

Workaholic

Not personal; not able to let people in

Questionable ability to be happy

Not able to have a stable relationship (w/ either sex, platonic or otherwise)

Lex read the sheet again, not even really concerned with the lines that had been scratched through but still visible through the light. Smart, sensible Chloe has made up her mind that because of my obsessive, brooding nature that I'm not worth it. People can change. God knows I need the push to change. Thank you Ms. Sullivan – you just told me what I have to do to prove myself.

Lex put all the crumpled sheets in a binder and carried them up to the library. Laying them on the chess table, he pulled out the largest book he could find and put it on top of the folder. Ok, so my need for neatness is an obsession I can't part with, but I'll work on the others.

Yesterday the odds were stacked in favor of my expectations

Flying above the rest, never falling from the nest

Tuesday came and went and now I'm in a little situation

Maybe it's for the best, I can live alone I guess

Maybe I can stand alone; maybe I'm strong as stone

Even though the bird has flown; maybe he'll fly on home

Chloe sat and watched the mentally draining and heart wrenching PBS performance and incessantly pressed the remote to no avail. "Clark, my hero. Reach up there and please turn that to anything else or off maybe."

Clark walked across the room halfway snickering at the sad bluegrass music she got the TV stuck on and turned the television off. "I've been sitting through that for half an hour hoping not to have to ring a nurse to change the channel. So, what's up?"

Moving the chair up to the edge of the bed, he smiled and leaned back. I heard some good news from your dad, who's outside. You get to go home this afternoon. You sill have to be out of school for a couple more days, but your bed will be better than this place."

"Yeah, I was hoping that when I went flying out of Lex's window that would be my longest hospital stay. What a surprise to find out that I, the reporter, end up in the hospital for a sports injury." Chloe halfway giggled and braced her forearm against her left side and slowed her breathing. "They said I'll be feeling it for about a month more."

Clark and Chloe both looked up as Gabe walked through the door with anticipation. Reaching over and kissing her forehead, Gabe smiled and squeezed her hand. "How about getting home in time to make dinner?"

"Dad, that's not funny."

"I'm kidding pumpkin. Actually Lana has procured something that did not involve her burning our kitchen down. If I remember, she called it Café Martha. The orderly said he would be here in about thirty minutes to get us going." Gabe smiled and moved about the room packing up Chloe's things as Clark read through her finally finished story on her accident and the subsequent reason for the school board moving all press off the immediate sideline.

Chloe leaned back and sighed. Looking Clark and then here dad, she wished there was one other man in the room. She leaned back and read a magazine, more to hide her disappointment than anything. Impersonal workaholics don't make for get well nurses.

The next morning Chloe carefully drug herself out of bed and walked downstairs. Staying home alone while everyone else was busy with work or school had its advantages. Noticing the coffeepot still had some left in it, she reached for a mug on the first shelf. Grabbing the mug, she wrenched over to her left side in pain and watched the cup go crashing to the ground.

"Perfect. Thanks dad – I'll just drink it straight out of the pot." She leaned over to pick up several pieces of the cup and sighed at the pain every little motion caused her. "I can't do this for a freaking month, not that I'll tell dad or Lana. I'd never get rid of them."

"Need some help?"

Chloe popped her head up as took as deep a breath as her side would let her. "How did you get in here?" She tried to regulate her breathing which was getting heavier with every step he took towards her.

"Door was unlocked. I knocked and then heard something hit the floor. I thought I could help." Lex took her by the arm and gently helped her off the floor. "Go sit down and I'll get you some. What cabinet?"

Leaning against the counter, Chloe pointed above her head. He's in my house – again. She watched as he pulled a large mug out of the cabinet and signaled to her to go in the living room. The man had power – a nod of his head and he could order anyone around. Chloe heeded the obvious order and sat gingerly on the edge of the couch. She watched Lex in the kitchen like he had memorized the place. He moved about and cleaned up the broken cup, careful to get all the small shards. He stood in front of her cup as he reached for more than the coffee. Halfway concerned for what he was trying, she sat nervously and briefly smiled back at him when he grinned her.

Lex could feel her intense gaze while moving about the kitchen. Trying to not look like a fool, he cleaned up the broken cup and though carefully about her drink. Glancing back at her, he smiled softly. Just friends – if you watch me any more intently I'll have places burned into parts of my body that I plan on using with you again. Lex picked up the two cups of coffee and walked into the living room.

"I figured you would have plenty other things to do instead of take care of me. Come to think of it, I haven't seen you since the day in the hospital." Chloe twitched slightly as Lex brushed her left side a little too close. Moving forward, she watched as he set the pillows up in a smooth incline.

"Sit back and put your feet up." He handed her the coffee and waited for her expression. Chloe held the coffee up and blew on it as Lex tried not to make eye contact. Seeing her lips move in such a way made his body tingle, wishing she was instead blowing that lightly in his ear.

Chloe caught Lex's face and slightly smirked at the obvious display of interest. Sipping the coffee, she lowered the cup and stared at the man. Dressed in the most expensive silk business black pinstripe suit she had ever seen, she marveled that he first stopped to see her after virtually forgetting she existed since her trip to the ICU and second the incredible cup of coffee that was not near anything the Talon could ever serve.

"How did you? I mean, how could you let Lana serve what she does in your coffeehouse if you can do this? What is it?" Chloe was absolutely taken aback. Stunned. Lex could make a latte to die for. What else is possible?

Lex took his coat off and carefully draped it over the dining room table. Sitting back down on the other end of the couch, he laughed. "One question at the time. The coffee – is hot apple. The apple juice from the refrigerator, some brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It was very simple and it's a good morning coffee. Sometimes the cold, foamy drinks are a little over the top but black is too strong this late in the morning. About the coffeehouse, if the place turns a profit, I stay out of it. Believe me, if there is a glimpse of red coming through the profit sheets, I will sell to Starbucks for a profit and be done with it."

Leaning back into the couch, he sipped the same creation that his mother had let him make in the summers. At ten she didn't like the idea that Lionel wanted him up at all hours, but she found it sustained her son. To ease the bitter taste, she had naturally sweetened the flavor as much as possible. He watched as Chloe continued to sip her cup in delight, hoping that his little favor to her would be rewarded in some fashion.

"So, what about work?"

"I have a meeting at the plant in a little while, but I thought you might want some company. How are you for this afternoon? I have some time and I can bring the work with me if you need any help." Take the invitation Chloe.

Chloe leaned forward to put her now empty on the table just to have Lex take it from her hands. Slightly rubbing her fingers as he removed the cup, Chloe smiled as her head dipped as she quietly responded, "Thank you." Sitting back in the pillows, she watched as he passed her into the kitchen.

Closing her eyes, she could still smell the lingering cologne in the air from when he passed. She remembered that smell from just the week before, the last four years, and tried to get a grip. He's fine with the friend thing – don't open Pandora's Box again. She breathed heavier and the pain in her side reminded her why she couldn't feel anything for him at the moment anyway.

Picking up his coat, he slipped easily into it and sat down on the edge of the couch. "I have to get going. You need something this afternoon; your dad has a late meeting with his department. Help with school?"

Chloe giggled in amusement – did he just ask to help me with homework? "Actually, depending on the time, I could probably use some lunch or early dinner. And my math grade may require your help, if you really don't mind."

Leaning over her, he brushed her out of her face and smiled. "I'll see what I can do about getting back here as soon as I can." Rubbing his hand down her shoulder, he smiled and walked out the door.

Chloe sat on the couch mesmerized. He had just touched her twice in the span of a minute. Her skin was on fire in both places, and she was having trouble breathing. And he was coming back in a few hours. I take back the thought about get well nurses. He might just be too good. Don't fall – don't fall – oh God. Chloe laid back in the arranged pillows stunned, biting her lip in frustration.