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AN: Thanks to those who left me with some great feedback, I'm glad you guys are enjoying this fic. Hope you like this chapter as well...
Divided Devotions
Chapter 7
"Lex is also at the receiving end of Chloe's devotion." Clark blurted out indecorously. He shot Lex a superior look, as if to say ha! That's what you get for throwing me in the line of fire.
Lex raised a brow at Clark's outburst. He mentally decapitated Clark for being a complete ass.
Lois' jaw dropped at Clark's words.
Lex nodded slightly, to confirm Clark's statement. He had hoped that he could break the news as delicately as he could. Obviously the farm boy did not possess any tact. That and Clark was trying to get some form of revenge.
"Wh-…how the…what the…you've got to be kidding me." Lois looked at Lex and then at Clark in disbelief.
Clark nodded gravely, "I have no idea why she would even pick Lex." He really didn't. Chloe choosing him made sense, after all they had…history in that arena, but Lex didn't.
"So are you telling me that all this time Chloe has been acting all weird with you too?" She glared at Lex. "I bet you have done nothing to fight off her advances." She practically snarled at him.
"You said Chloe started acting weird on the day that she was trying to get the interview with Coach Teague. That's the night I had my encounter with jersey Chloe." Clark jumped to another topic entirely. Lex wasn't sure if the information he just revealed was at all relevant or if Clark was actually trying to keep him from suffering from the wrath of one Lois Lane.
"Jersey Chloe?" Lois focused her attention back to Clark.
"Yeah she was just wearing my football jersey. And some purple edible underwear." Clark had a dreamy look on his face, seemingly oblivious of the two of them. "Purple? That was for you?" Clark's eyes widened as he looked at Lex.
Lex remained taciturn. Maybe if Clark kept talking Lois would direct her fury at his friend/rival.
"You saw Chloe in her underwear?" Lois bellowed as she clenched her fists tightly.
Clark smacked his own forehead; he just dug his own grave. He just remembered the night that Chloe took off his jersey and he got an eyeful of Chloe in a pair of violet lingerie, which also happened to be edible. And she told him straight up that it wasn't for him. Purple was Lex' favorite color, he should have known then that Chloe was dividing her devotion. And now he had to blurt out all his revelation in front of Lois, who was already too infuriated with the situation.
"You, you farm boy!" Lois punched his shoulder as hard as she could; only afterwards her fist was really hurting.
Clark tried to keep a straight face at her words; he did not even bother pretending that her punch hurt him. She was obviously too angry to think of a more scathing insult.
Lois whirled around and shot Lex a glare of pure dislike. "And you!" She marched menacingly over where he was standing, "I can't believe you-"
"Let me stop you right there Miss Lane. I will be willing to give you leave to verbally flagellate me, at a later date. For now we should focus on the bigger picture, which is getting Chloe back to normal." Lex said smoothly, he folded his arms across his chest and gave her a measured look.
Lois stopped right in front of him and flicked his forehead with as much spite as she could muster.
Lex touched his forehead and simply looked amused.
"I can't believe all he gets is a flick on the forehead." Clark grumbled loudly.
"Oh there's more where that came from Luthor. But you're right, for now we focus on getting Chloe back to normal. Besides, I'm not about to take the pleasure of inflicting pain on the both of you, away from Chloe." She smiled evilly. "And I'm going to get the satisfaction of watching her do it too."
Clark frowned at her words. She was probably right. When Chloe finds out everything that she'd done during her 'devoted phase', she would probably club him to death and she would keep clubbing him once she realized that he was invincible.
"I suspected as much Ms. Lane. I never thought that Chloe was a simpering female. I knew that the moment she recovers there is a chance that she would either hide in shame or, as you said, inflict pain on both me and Clark. Now that we've got that all cleared up, shall we go back to the topic at hand?" Lex spoke diplomatically.
"You were telling me that while Lois and I do the grunt work, you'll be out and about with Chloe." Clark declared resentfully. First he got a smack on the head, and then he got a punch on the shoulder, now he had to endure working with Lois. Life just wasn't fair.
"I believe it is all for the best if I keep Chloe occupied.-"
Lois cut Lex off, "Keep your hands off Chloe. I mean it Luthor. Keep her occupied with G-rated stuff! And Smallville, you're stuck with me, because people will be suspicious if Luthor keeps hanging around the school. Now suck it up and let's get to work."
Clark nodded impassively. He was not about to throw a tantrum just because Lex was going to 'keep Chloe occupied'. The sooner they could get Chloe back to normal the better. Then he would be able to dominate her time.
"I think Coach Teague is also under the influence of the drink. Maybe we can use him as our guinea pig." Clark looked at the two of his companions for a positive response.
"Is this the coach who tried to slap Chloe?" Lex' jaw hardened as he remembered hearing about the scene between Chloe and Teague. He vowed to get the man fired but he had been too preoccupied with working with Clark, then working against Clark. But after hearing what Clark had to say maybe he would have to rethink the extent of his action. The man would still pay for even thinking of laying a hand on Chloe but he would suffer less if he was not acting on his own volition.
"He what!?" Lois was really getting sick and tired of getting sporadic information.
"How do you know about that?" Clark looked at Lex through narrowed eyes.
"I'm afraid I cannot reveal my sources. However, I would like to know the reason why you suspect that the man is also being manipulated by the meteor drink.
Clark looked at him uneasily. He hadn't decided yet to tell them about Jason attacking him at the loft the night before. But now it would seem that he had no choice. "He was the one who attacked me at the loft last night."
"I thought you said you didn't get a good look at your attacker." Lex eyed him apprehensively.
"You two, explain!" Lois ordered harshly. But her command went ignored.
"I was being attacked. I just remembered today." Clark grunted curtly.
"A miracle that you remember it today isn't it?" Lex commented casually.
"He said something. He told me I should've stayed away from his girlfriend." Clark's brows furrowed as he recalled what the coach said.
"Do you have any idea who he was talking about?" Lex asked him disinterestedly. He wasn't sure what they could do with the information that Clark just brought to light. But he had to admit that Clark had the right idea of using the man to test the cure with. Just to make sure that it would be safe should they administer the treatment to Chloe.
"No." Clark shook his head helplessly.
"So if he drank the love potion then that gives us a clue. Maybe the drink is actually emotion based." Lois felt that she had been ignored long enough. She would get all the answers later and when she got them, well the two better run and hide, because she was not going to wait until Chloe dispensed her own brand of punishment. She would be happy to take the lead on that one. She would have to call in a few favors from dear ole dad, just in case she would need an entire arsenal to make Luthor and Clark suffer.
"Emotion based?" Clark finally paid attention to Lois.
Lex looked interested as well.
"The guy at the hospital, what's-his-face, Dan, he reacted out of jealousy. And if Coach Teague exhibited the same symptoms then the drink enhances the emotions of the drinker. And in Chloe's case…" Lois looked deep in thought. Was it possible that her cousin harbored secret feelings for Luthor? Obviously she still had feelings for Clark. But the thing with Luthor was a complete surprise to her.
"No way! There's just no way…Chloe does not have, there's just no way that Chloe wants him." Clark gestured towards Lex.
Lex simply enjoyed the moment with smug satisfaction. He had his suspicions that Chloe was not just acting randomly.
The Aston Martin came to a screeching halt at the front of the school. Lex, once again, inspired wide-eyed looks from the entire student body. For the second time that day he found himself walking the halls of the high school. But this time he had a mission t o accomplish.
He walked with a destination in mind. Right about now the football team would be starting their practice. And he knew with such certainty that Chloe would be there, to cheer for her favorite quarterback.
As he continued to walk towards the football field he saw a cluster of cheerleaders. He couldn't help but feel an intense abhorrence for the entire group. They must have seen him looking in their direction for there was a sudden burst of giggles from their side of the field.
Lex kept walking and ignored them. After the situation was under control there would be a lot of people who would have to pay for what happened to Chloe. He would make sure of it.
He finally spotted Chloe lugging her sign and standing by the bleachers. She placed her sign on the bench and proceeded to fiddle with her phone. Lex walked over to her purposefully.
"Chloe." He said as he stood just a few feet away from her.
Chloe whirled around and looked completely shocked at his appearance. "What are you doing here Lex?" She smiled slightly.
"I've come to surprise you." Lex smiled at her.
Her brows furrowed, "But I have a surprise for you, it's for later tonight."
"I have a feeling you'll like my surprise." Lex closed the distance between them.
"But I'm still cheering for Clark." She gestured at the sign on the bench.
"I understand." He nodded his head considerately. "But I was really hoping that I could give you my surprise."
Chloe bit her lower lip and gave him an indecisive look. "I don't know."
"I'd truly be grateful if you would accompany me Chloe." He took her hand in his and gave her the most charming smile.
"But what about Clark?" Chloe looked at him beseechingly.
Maybe if she wore that look for another reason he would have been more receptive. As it was she was pleading on behalf of Clark so Lex felt no remorse for not giving in.
"I was really hoping that I could give you this surprise. After all you have been surprising me every day for the last three days. I just want to return the favor." He kept the smile plastered on his face, not entirely sure how much longer he could continue convincing her to ditch Clark.
"You don't have to do that." She looked at him shyly.
"I may not have to but I really, truly want to." His thumb traced circles on the back of her hand.
Chloe looked at him adoringly and nodded slowly. "I guess I can go with you. Just this once. I'll just spend more time with Clark tomorrow." She beamed at him.
'Hopefully you won't have to.' Lex thought to himself as he smiled back at her.
"So where are we going?" She practically bounced in excitement.
Lex shook his head as he smirked at her, "It would hardly constitute as a surprise if I told you."
"Pretty please?" She brought their joined hands to her chest, fluttered her lashes and jutted her lower lip.
For a second he almost considered telling her, her entire demeanor was simply adorable. But he actually wanted to see her reaction to what he had arranged for her that he remained tightlipped.
"Why Miss Sullivan are you using your feminine wiles on me?" Lex pretended to be shocked and appalled. Banter between them would be acceptable. It was not as if Lois was hovering behind them, watching his every move, but it wouldn't hurt to keep everything harmless.
Chloe grinned at him impertinently, "Is it working?"
He shook his head disapprovingly. "I'm afraid not. But if we go right now, you are that much closer to discovering where we're going."
"Tease." She commented sullenly before releasing his hand. She walked to the bench and picked up the sign.
Lex' brow rose at her accusation and proceeded to take the sign from her. It was a five by three board, made out of wood and painted white. Chloe obviously spent a great deal of effort on the construction of her cheering tool.
He spotted Clark walking out of the locker room and was intercepted by Lois. He mentally cursed the two. Chloe was just about to turn in their direction.
Lex raised the board lengthwise and stepped to the left of her, effectively covering her view of Lois and Clark. Chloe simply looked confused at his actions but she then smiled when he put his free arm around her shoulders and started leading her towards the building.
"So where do you put this monstrosity? I'm assuming that you don't take this home with you everyday." Lex began conversationally, while keeping an eye on his two cohorts, who did not seem to know how to be inconspicuous.
"Monstrosity?" Chloe's eyes widened as she wrapped an arm around his waist. "I'll have you know I love this sign."
"Of course you do." He amended soothingly. "It's probably just my ego talking."
"You want me to a make a sign for you Lex?" She drawled out teasingly.
"Yes, preferably one in black, with blue for the words proclaiming me as number one." Lex continued with the distraction. They were almost inside the building.
Chloe put a finger on her lips thoughtfully, "I think that can be arranged. But when would I get the opportunity to wave it around for you? When you're in the middle of a hostile takeover?"
"I can think of other occasions that you can wave a sign around, not just hostile takeovers." His voice lowered suggestively.
"Really? Such as?" Chloe countered easily, a rosy blush on her cheeks.
'G-rated' His mind screamed at him, oddly enough it sounded just like Lois. "I shan't bore you with the details." He smirked at her as he removed his arm from her shoulders to open the door for her.
"I'm pretty sure what you have in mind would be far from boring." She winked at him before stepping into the school.
Chloe showed him where to stash the sign. And he was all set to steer her out of the high school when she placed a hand on his arm to stop him.
"Can I change first?" She asked him appealingly.
He allowed his eyes to rove over her and decided that a change of outfit would be good. Her 'cheerleader Clark' clothing wasn't really doing much for him. He nodded his agreement. Chloe grinned happily at him, hooked her arm through his and led the way out of the school.
Lois pushed Clark towards the direction of the cheerleaders.
"Would you stop that?" Annoyance tainted Clark's entire tone.
"You are being such a baby about this. Just go over there and use that Kent charm of yours to distract that Mandy." Lois pushed at his back to encourage him.
"You won't reach her bag; it's lying right at her feet." Clark grumbled angrily.
"That's why you have to use your…charm and try and distract her enough so she'd go to the locker room with you." She countered furiously. "You have to do this. For Chloe."
"But if you're right and that potion is actually emotion-based then wouldn't she be suspicious if I started hanging all over her?" Clark turned around so he could face her.
"First of all, that would require her to get over herself. And second I don't think they know that it's emotion-based. I'm just surprised that their boyfriends have actual feeling for those cheerleaders." She shuddered at the thought. "So go over to the drinks table, pretend to drink and then head over to where that bottle blonde is and seduce her already!" Lois stamped her foot for the full effect of her order.
Clark took a deep breath and nodded, this was for Chloe, the sooner they find the cure the sooner she would be out of Lex' company. "Just make sure to follow after me when you get the bag okay? I don't want to touch her anymore than necessary." He reminded her sternly as he turned back around and prepared himself for an encounter with the evil cheerleaders.
"Relax Smallville, I got your back." She patted the said body part companionably.
"Oh crap! Stand still!" Clark whispered quietly.
"What?" Lois moved to see what caused his reaction. She immediately hid behind his frame when she saw her cousin just as she was about to look in their direction. "How could you have missed her?" She hissed at her partner in crime.
"You're the one who walked up to me. I thought the coast was clear." Clark responded impatiently.
"Yeah well, seems like Luthor has the situation under control." She commented when she saw Lex step beside Chloe and put up the sign that Chloe had been lugging around for almost a week now.
Clark's expression darkened as he saw Lex put his arm around Chloe's shoulders. Chloe for the most part just leaned against Lex and wrapped her arm around his waist. For the nth time he wished he could switch missions with Lex.
"Oh wipe off that look Kent. Keep your head in the game. The sooner we get the folder the better. You won't have to keep seeing my cousin go gaga over you and Luthor." She slapped his shoulder blade optimistically.
"That and also so you'd stop manhandling me." Clark gritted his teeth. He might be indestructible but it didn't mean that all the smacks and slaps, friendly or otherwise, that he had been receiving from Lois was not getting on his nerves.
"Geez what a baby! You would think a gargantuan like you would have a higher tolerance for pain." She teased him good-naturedly.
Clark took a deep breath and started walking.
Lex pulled to a full stop at the mansion. Chloe did not even wait for him to get out of the car so he could open the door for her. Her excitement was palpable and actually infectious.
"Is my surprise here?" She asked over her shoulder as she started walking towards the front door.
Lex shook his head as he took her hand in his and walked towards the back of the house. And when they finally stopped Chloe's eyes were wide with anticipation.
"A helicopter ride? This is the surprise?" She beamed up at him.
"No, this is merely a means to get to the surprise." Lex answered indulgently.
"Where are we going?" Chloe practically dragged him to the helicopter.
Lex shook his head at her continued inquisitiveness. "All in due time. Shall we enjoy the ride?" He held out his hand to her, which she happily took as she went into the copter.
"You are buying me mouthwash for the rest of my life!" Clark declared loudly as he pushed open the doors.
"Why would I do that?" Lois asked gleefully. In her hands was THE FOLDER, the answer to the entire debacle.
"I had to kiss…her! I need something to cleanse my mouth with." Clark retorted angrily as he made a face.
"Really Smallville, do you whine like this all the time?" She rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"There was no kissing in my job description! I can't believe I had to kiss her so you could grab her bag!" He complained he headed straight for his backpack and took a giant gulp from his water.
"It was for the common good Kent. So suck it up. Let's see what the evil cheerleader had to say about the cure." Lois shushed him as she read through the school report.
"So…what do we have to do to get Chloe back to normal?" Clark looked over Lois shoulder in attempt to catch a glimpse at the cure for his best friend.
"Crap!" Lois snapped the folder shut and looked positively furious.
"What's wrong?" He asked apprehensively, her expression did not exactly spell good news.
"This is just the same as my copy." She was positively infuriated as she tore the folder to pieces.
"What?! Do you mean to tell me that I kissed that…that…that girl for nothing?" Clark almost growled in frustration.
Lois threw the tattered pieces over their head like some confetti. "I really thought she had the treatment for Chloe." She retorted.
"Well you were wrong." Clark snapped sullenly. He took out his phone and dialed what was becoming a familiar number.
"Would you focus here Kent? We just lost our lead and you're back to fiddling with your phone." Lois grabbed the phone from him.
"Give it back Lois." Clark ordered quietly.
"Stop calling them. Luthor's trying to keep Chloe occupied; now we have to try and find out what else we can do." Lois told him as she handed him his phone reluctantly.
"I've only called once. Besides, maybe Lex has a lead. I gave him a sample of the drink so he might know what could reverse everything." He reasoned adamantly.
"Luthor maybe filthy rich but I don't think he can speed up time. You just put the thermos of the drink in his car an hour ago. You can't possibly think that he has a solution already." Lois shook her head in annoyance.
Clark ignored her and just held the phone to his ear and tuned Lois out. "He's not answering." He mumbled to himself.
"Of course he's not answering. That's like the third time you've called him in a span of an hour." She rolled her eyes at him.
"Yeah well you're the one who threatened him with bodily harm. Why aren't you more worried?" Clark inquired icily.
"It wouldn't matter anyway; I'm still going to cause him bodily harm no matter what." Lois informed him coolly.
Clark finally gave up and put his phone away. "So what now?"
"Oh my god! This is just amazing!" Chloe said as she leaned back on her seat. She smiled at Lex serenely.
"I'm glad you approve." Lex responded with amusement.
"I more than approve." She leaned against him comfortably.
"Good." Lex placed his arm around her shoulders and enjoyed the moment. If, by some chance, Lois and Clark actually came up with the cure for her he wouldn't be able to enjoy her company again. Not for a very long time, if Lois was to be believed.
Chloe twisted around so she could face him. "I think I know where we're going." Her eyes twinkled mischievously.
"Do you now?" Lex smirked at her persistent desire to speculate on their destination.
"I do." She grinned at him in return.
"So where are we going?" Lex had a feeling that she already managed to guess where they were headed.
"Metropolis." She answered seriously. But she ruined the effect by bursting into giggles.
"So, am I right?"
Lex smiled warmly at her. "Got it in one."
"So what are we doing in Metropolis?" Chloe asked him coyly.
"I'm afraid I would be ruining the point of a surprise if I told you." Lex shook his head resolutely.
"Aw, party pooper!" She pouted adorably.
"It'll be worth the wait." He murmured as he placed a kiss on her temple.
Chloe positively sparkled at his action. "I'll take your word for it." She leaned her head against his chest and sighed in contentment.
TBC