A/N - Some slight changes in the new post; again review on N-S if a member when I post it there. Thanks!

Come for Dinner, Stay for the Weekend – Chapter 12

"Good evening Miss Sullivan," the servant said politely as he opened the door for her. "Mr. Luthor has not arrived back from his trip, but you are welcome to wait in his office." The servant opened the office door and left Chloe in the large room. Lex had called and told her that he was returning from Japan that afternoon and wondered what had sidetracked him. She sat down on the couch and waited.

He had called her last night from Japan, obviously losing track of the time change, although she couldn't picture him having done that. Lana was irritated by the phone call that Chloe said she had to take at 3 AM, so she went out in the hall. He explained that things were finally winding down after more than a month, and he wanted to see her. Actually, he said that Julian wanted to see her, but she would take whatever she could get. Not knowing how long her wait was, she dug through her bag and found her pad to come up with new stories for the Met U. paper next week.

Her thoughts couldn't leave Lex though. She was anxious to see him, like he had be deployed. It had only been 4 weeks, but it felt like forever. She knew he needed the time to get back into work and raising Julian. Still, she sat in class and thought of him, worked on the paper thinking of him, saw Lana and Clark together and thought of him. Thinking back to Catherine's conversation, she hadn't needed to tell Chloe to not leave him, she was already in love with the man. She would just wait it out because, for once, she thought the one she waited for might actually be interested.

She had spoken to him a week after the funeral; he seemed at least at ease even grieving in his own individual way. Maybe his reaction to her death was similar to that of a spouse losing someone during a war. She had interviewed soldiers' spouses from the National Guard in Kansas and noticed that those with children somehow grieved through their children. They would try to make sure their children were their priority and see their lost one in their actions. I have to do a puff piece this week because the war is depressing, she thought as she went back over all her analogies of the last few minutes.

He hadn't even spoken to her about the funeral. She never asked – it wasn't her place. She had asked if he needed her assistance numerous times, but he explained the need for extensive business trips that had to be taken care of. She chastised him for his traveling so much without Julian, but he said at least right now he wouldn't remember. Still, the nights he was there in the mansion alone after Julian went to sleep was what she worried most about. She tried to picture his dealing with his pain, hoping it hadn't involved an alcoholic beverage. Looking behind her from the couch, the bar was gone. "Miss Sullivan, can I get you something?"

"No thank you," she said decently startled at the servant's sneaking up on her. "Umm, where did the bar go – not that I drink," she felt she had to add.

"Mr. Luthor removed it last month. But the cherry cabinet is a converted refrigerator if you are in need of anything later." The servant waited for another request or question and nodded.

So, even without his interest in seeing her, she kept tabs on him. He obliged the careful eye taking her explanation that he had watched over her in her time of need and she needed to return the favor. Small phone calls late in the evening or the dozen or so emails that always included pictures. One in particular was her favorite. The nanny had taken it, and Lex said he had it enlarged for his room. It was the early morning sun streaming through the windows and made of all people, Lex, and Julian look almost angelic sitting in the rocking chair in the nursery. Chloe had heard the almost chuckle escape from the man telling her it was actually the first family photo that had ever been hung in the mansion.

She heard a noise pierce the halls of the mansion and headed to the room next to Lex's. Poking her head in, she had fully expected the nanny to jump at her movement and all but kick her out. Seeing no nanny, she walked over and let the side of the crib down. Taking Julian in her arms, she moved to check the child. She wasn't much for changing diapers but the heat on her arm indicated the reason for his crying.

Turning around, she pulled a diaper out of the changing table. "I got this ok," she replied as the frantic man servant came through the door.

"Thank you. The nanny gets the weekends off, and the master is usually attentive to him. He just called – a storm over the Rockies caused his plane a delay and he just landed in Metropolis." Chloe smiled as the servant excused himself.

"You hear that? Daddy will be home soon." Chloe lifted Julian off the table and marveled at her ability with the diaper. Then she caught herself; she had almost forgotten about Lex being a daddy. Or was he more the father type?

She sat in the rocking chair and looked at the perfect child. He looked like Lex down to the curious glares and the unexplainable eyebrow thing. That's creepy.

Lex stood in the doorway and watched in silence as she prattled off the Little Piggie rhyme and played with Julian. He felt a fire in his chest build along with a smile creep across his face.

"I think he's going to need this soon." Chloe jumped slightly at the sudden voice in the silence and smiled as Lex walked in. He handed her a bottle and propped her arm up higher on a pillow.

"You've really got this down now."

She heard him sigh, "I'm getting there; it's the walking and talking years I worry about. That means I will have to talk back to him and hope I don't …"

Chloe balanced the bottle against her chest like a pro and took Lex's hand. "You won't. Don't think of it." She went back and held the bottle while Lex knelt down next to her and rubbed his hand gently over Julian's arm.

"Chloe, you ever thinking about having kids?" Lex knew it was a loaded question – he was looking for more than the average answer, especially after Catherine's insistence that Chloe was perfect for him.

Chloe looked down at him and then watched how he took Julian's hand and wrapped it around one of his fingers. "I guess. I mean starting a career, just getting out of college, is kind of top priority. Why?"

Lex thought about responding and paused. Chloe watched as he carefully formulated his heartfelt but well composed answer, knowing that it could come back to haunt him when he finally let her write the article. "I always wanted a family, but I watched as my father let business run his life and run my mother into the ground." He looked up at Chloe as she continued to casually observe his words. Looking back down at Julian, he rubbed his fingers down the side of his face as Julian started nodding off to sleep. "It takes a special person to deal with people like me. I'm not exactly the easiest person to get along with, and the last person that should be allowed to have a child. As soon as the press gets a hold of the information, the hate mail will start rolling in complete with requests that Child Protective Services be over here moving him out."

"Lex, don't talk like that. So, you have a reputation but you've also earned some respect. I talked to Martha Kent; she said she was over here earlier in the week dropping off the Talon reports. She said you were sitting in the middle of the nursery with Julian on his back doing baby aerobics with him, in the middle of the day, a work day."

Lex covered his mouth when he felt an ear to ear smile creep across his face and a blush hit his cheeks. Looking up, she continued, "She said you were singing to him and liked that you had taken their advice about the wardrobe change around him."

"He has ruined a couple of shirts," he replied as he stood up and pulled a cloth out of the drawer. Chloe watched as he pulled the bottle from her hands and propped Julian against his chest and shoulder.

"Good Lord," she commented when Julian burped. "You sound like that when you're drunk?" Lex turned and looked at her after she wiped Julian's face.

"I'll have you know Miss Sullivan, I have not had any alcohol since we returned from our trip. I can't exactly be gallivanting around like a playboy when he's here." Chloe got out of the chair and let Lex take the seat.

"Are you telling me that you've given up your…"

"That's about right. For your future article, Miss Sullivan, how's this? Billionaire Luthor – Single Parent" Chloe and Lex both laughed, not sure whether at the child's burp that shook the windows or that Lex was finally able to accept his situation lightheartedly.

Lex placed Julian back in the crib, and Chloe watched as Lex covered him up and kissed his forehead. He rearranged the plush animals in the crib, realizing that FAO Schwartz made their sales quota this past month. He walked toward the door and turned out the light. Chloe stood in the hallway and watched as Lex went the opposite direction of the office.

"Come on," he chided as he looked back in her direction. Lex opened the door to his private bedroom. Chloe stood bemused at the casual offering that she was pretty sure not many women got even in serious relationships with the man. Following him into the room, she marveled at the room. She walked over and ran her hand along the comforter and noticed the slightest spot. Lex wouldn't stand for it. He saw her observation coming out of the bathroom.

"Oh that. I had Julian up there and he got a little excited and ... It wasn't pretty. The maid tried to get it out and was terrified when she told me she couldn't. I figured no harm since I'm pretty sure that wasn't the last time Julian's going to stain something. My place is not exactly made for children."

"No kidding." Chloe watched as Lex disappeared into the closet and came out without the towel that graced his shoulder. Lex walked past her and placed his personals on the night table. She was still speechless that she was in his room; this wasn't for a romp in the sheets – she was just there. Turning around, she looked at Lex's shoulder. "Umm, is that one of the good shirts? You know, expensive?"

"Yes," he commented turning around and facing her. "Why?"

"I know you're not going to want to hear this, but…your back." Chloe turned him around and touched near the place that the towel didn't help.

Lex rolled his eyes and his head back. "Crap." He looked at Chloe as she bit her lips together to keep from laughing. "Good ahead, laugh it up." She opened her mouth and let it go.

"I'm sorry." She watched and continued laughing at him looking in the mirror at his back. She quickly lost her need for laughter when he started undoing his shirt in front of her. She stared as he undid each button and pulled the remainder out of his pants. Gaining her composure, she jerked back to reality. "I'm going to wait for you in your office." Lex was now standing in front of her with his shirt hanging open. He watched her eyes as they hung there staring at him. He felt a heat rise in him he hadn't felt in a long time. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and bury her in his chest. He needed her but didn't know how she felt. Ignoring his thoughts, he nodded.

"Just wait outside the door; I'm not going back to the office tonight." Chloe's eyes grew in shock. He's not working? He disappeared into the closet again. She could hear him moving around and saw the shirt in question fly across the room to the bed. "That's garbage. Hey, did you bring anything with you this weekend?"

Chloe called back to him, "Yeah, I actually left it in the office. I was going to stay at Lois'." She somewhat jumped when he swung the door open and appeared in a gray t-shirt and sweat pants. Pointing at his pants, "I bet even those are more than my college tuition."

"No, maybe the price of one of your textbooks, but they are perfect for the weekend evening." He pulled the door to the room closed and guided her down the hall. He looked over as her eyes fluttered to his touch on her back. He smiled inwardly to himself, hoping that was a good sign. Walking into the kitchen, he looked around and motioned to Chloe to take a seat. "Why don't you stay over here since we both know you're here to see me this weekend, or Julian I should say. Besides, then you won't have to come up with lame excuses to get out of Clark or Lois' grips."

Chloe sat at the kitchen island and contemplated the thought. "Three very square meals and good company. How can I refuse." Chloe shrugged somewhat when Lex turned away from her. You were supposed to decline – I know what I want to happen, but this is kind of sudden. And we're not even on the same playing field as we were on the plane. He still in mourning. She snapped back hearing Lex call the intercom.

"Sir?"

"Could you get Miss Sullivan's belongings out of the office and put them in the green room," he stated over the intercom. He flipped it off and looked back in her direction.

"The green room?"

"Your favorite color. I had the bedrooms redecorated for no reason apparently last year and did them in different colors. So, you like green. It's the opposite direction at the top the stairs from mine, but still in ear shot of Julian."

"Obviously from his earlier calling tonight, he's in earshot of pretty much every room here." Lex cocked his head to one side in agreement as Chloe watched him dig through the cabinets.

"Lex, don't you have a cook?"

"Yes, but that doesn't mean I can't cook." Looking at Chloe leaning against the kitchen island, he gave her a disgruntled look. "And you're going to help." He pointed at her. He's being playful and domestic. Damn Julian, keep it up, whatever you are doing to him.

Chloe watched Lex pull vegetables out of the refrigerator and laid them on the counter. "What can I do?"

"Get a knife out of the drawer you're leaning on and the cutting board from the cabinet under you and get started." She looked for the cutting board and knocked her head against the countertop. Lex looked up at the cuss word she let fly and opened the freezer. Chloe rubbed her head and started on the vegetables. "Here, stop and put that on it for a few minutes." He took the knife from Chloe's hand and gently put the ice pack on her head.

He felt a tingle from touching her hands and smiled at her, hoping she felt it too. "Thank you," she whispered, not able to find her voice all of a sudden. Lex nodded and went back to the counter. Chloe strained to see what he was doing with his back to her. Wow, he has a good butt. The way his pants curve around his…stop that now! Clearing her throat, she asked, "What exactly are we making?"

He looked over his shoulder and smile, "Something I haven't had in a long time." She heard him sigh and then smiled as he turned to lean against the counter. "Something only I was taught to make, and something my father wouldn't allow after my mother died." Chloe was almost sad, and he could tell. Changing the mood quickly, he spun back around. "Enough with the ice pack. Get chopping, small pieces Sullivan."

"You have a food processor on the counter next to you."

"It's not the same. Sucks the juice out of the vegetables." He was still not facing her. "Besides, I want to cook like I remember."

"So, you don't know how to use it?"

"Exactly." He heard Chloe laugh and returned the slight giggle clinking the knife in his hand against the hard metal bowl of the overly priced food processor.

The two continued working through the kitchen. She wondered what in the world he was going to do with just a couple of fresh herbs, spinach, and carrots. She watched Lex pour yogurt and dried mustard in the same bowl and winced at what it might taste like. He added a couple of more items to the bowl and smiled, sitting the bowl in front of her. "Trust me. Now stir." He handed her a spoon and took the vegetables from her. She watched from her seat as the man who she thought never did anything for himself proceeded to intricately lay out plates for each little item. First sautéing the vegetables and then the spices, not mixing yet. She winced watching Lex proceed to pound the chicken into the countertop.

"Anger issues?"

He looked back and smirked. "Be my guest." Chloe jumped off the stool and took over while Lex watched. Leaning against the refrigerator, he crossed his arms. "Having fun yet?"

"This is really good for aggression." She handed him the mallet back and sat up on the counter diagonal to him.

"Now I remember why my mother always made this the nights dad yelled at me." He looked up at her sitting on the counter. "Chloe, go change. There's a bathroom attached to your room."

Chloe looked down at her clothes that she was still wearing from school and slid off the counter. Lex turned and watched as she left the kitchen. If her skirt had hiked up the counter anymore, you could see her…get a grip. Lex continued with dinner, calling for the cook to complete the finishing touches on the dining table in the breakfast nook. The table was reserved for the mansion staff but would do since he knew Chloe wasn't interested in sitting half a football field from him. He nodded at the cook directing her out of sight just before Chloe returned.

"Wow, you would do well in the kitchen. Ever thought about a fall back career. I'm sure you and Chef Ramsey could make for interesting banter." Chloe smiled, recalling the only half interesting reality show on television.

"I'll tell you," Lex stopped for the moment and returned with the rest of dinner before sitting across from her, "he is quite the pleasant man when not dealing with idiots. Kind of like me."

Chloe dropped her mouth, realizing that Lex knew the man. "I just thought…never mind." Lex let the line drop and waited before starting to eat. He watched as Chloe slowly tried the first bite, still thinking of the mustard in yogurt. She chewed and smiled.

"I have to say, I didn't think you knew what you were doing, but this is better than a lot of cook's recipes."

He nodded silently and proceeded to eat. Looking around the kitchen, Chloe noticed Lex's obvious irritation. He picked up the phone and called the servant. Chloe continued to eat silently through the conversation Lex had about a particular bottle of wine. She watched the man servant bring the chilled bottle up and pour for both of them.

"To the weekend," Lex raised his glass to hers.

"May it be…filled with laughter and a lot of screaming apparently." Chloe finished the strange speech and got up from her chair.

"I can go."

"No, stay here and eat. Set up that chair thing and I'll bring him in here." Lex watched her leave and fixed up the baby seat in the other empty seat at the table. He sat in daze wondering what he had invited into his home for the weekend. Closing his eyes, he rubbed his forehead. She and I? There's nothing remotely right about us. She's not my type. Then again, my type leaves me heartbroken or just injured. But she's bullheaded, stubborn, pushy. He watched silently while Chloe strapped Julian into the seat and sat down. She didn't look in his direction but continued eating. She's perfect with him, and he's not even hers. She's going to be a great mother to our children. He imagined Chloe as a mom; she was stern but not harsh, just like her normal tone. His gaze passed between her and Julian when he realized what he had pictured.

"Lex?"

"Sorry, I was just thinking." He reached over and wiped Julian's face. He was getting to that stage of drool way too quickly for Lex's stomach. He imagined important reports for business meetings being chewed on in a few months.

"I can listen you know."

"It's nothing." Chloe watched his face change expressions and wondered where he had been. She hoped somewhere near where she was when walking back with Julian. She wondered how Lex would handle single parenthood and if he minded having a college student around during his most private moments. Looking around the kitchen and then watching him let Julian suck on his finger, I could get used to this, just like this.

"Now look who's in a daze." Lex smiled at her and grabbed Julian out of the seat. Propping him up in one arm, he held his hand out to Chloe. "Come on, we still have work to do." Chloe took his hand and left the kitchen.

"How about the kitchen?"

"Denise will get it; I informed her we would be done around nine." Lex stopped and felt the strange sensation of Chloe's hand loosening when they approached his bedroom again. "Chloe, come on; he needs a bath." Chloe shook her head and followed Lex into the bathroom that same size as her bedroom.

"Holy cow." She looked around and then watched Lex put the baby tub in his and lay Julian in it. "You actually need all this room in a bathroom?"

"Chloe, focus please." She noticed he was pointing at the basket on the floor next to the shower that had the baby supplies in it. Pushing the basket over to him, he proceeded to bathe Julian. Chloe sat on the step of the tub and just observed him. He looked like he had been doing it for years or that other older children should be running about the house. She observed him talking to him about nothing special, stock reports and the day's news, while he bathed him. Lex noticed her passing interest in his useless conversation and spoke, "the nanny said it's good for him to hear distinct voices to familiarize himself with his family and friends."

Lex pulled the plug in the bathtub and Julian out of the tub. Chloe continued to watch as he took care of Julian and followed him into the nursery. She waited in the doorway while Lex put him in bed for the night. Turning out the light, he pulled the door slightly closed. Chloe leaned up against the hallway wall and waited. "Lex, I'm going to head to bed. I know you probably need to work or something." Chloe started off down the hallway, praying every step that Lex would stop her.