Disclaimer: I own nothing.
AN: I'm so sorry it took so long before I updated. So much stuff going on. But here's the penultimate chapter of this fic. Thank to everyone who took the time to review, I truly appreciate it. And now on with the story...
Divided Devotions
Chapter 12
Lex played idly with the pen in his hand. He gazed blankly into space.
It was five in the afternoon. He had nothing else to do. The paperwork that he had put off was done. He already conducted the business calls he planned for Monday. He checked on his stocks, made sure that they were still giving him the expected returns. And now he really had nothing else to do.
His sudden productivity was not brought on by an intense desire to conduct business. It was more of an attempt to compartmentalize his…frustrations.
The night before he experienced a myriad of emotions: he was overwhelmed with anger and resentment, and then he felt an extreme loathing: no, not for her…never for her, his hatred was directed at the entire situation. A part of him refused to believe that what happened between him and Chloe the night before was nothing more than an act.
As he played the night in his head, he became more convinced that Chloe did not mastermind the entire seduction scheme. When she first appeared at his door she seemed uncomfortable, as though she wished to be anywhere else but there. No, Chloe was not the one responsible for the heavy feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Lex shook his head. He was in denial. He just couldn't seem to find the heart to blame Chloe. In fact, he was more than willing to hold Lois responsible for the entire thing.
Lex inhaled deeply. He was at his wit's end. On one hand, he could accept the fact that Chloe used seduction as her means of revenge. He was at least relieved that her vengeance occurred behind closed doors. On the other hand, it did not seem fair that she used herself to obtain her goal. Perhaps, she realized that she was fast becoming his weakness. That was a frightening thought. Chloe had become an integral part of his life over the course of the two weeks. Actually if he was honest with himself, she became important to him the moment she asked for his help in her crusade against his father.
He stared at the phone on his desk. He quelled the desire to pick up the phone and call her. Lex had a feeling that Chloe would go back to her avoidance routine. And as much as he wanted to see her he had no idea how he would react when they meet again. He would either engage her in a scathing exchange or it was quite possible that he would haul her like a sack of potatoes and bring her back to the mansion so they could finish what she started.
Lex just tossed the pen onto his desk when Clark strolled into the room.
"Hey!" Clark grinned in greeting.
"Clark." He murmured disinterestedly. He had to give himself a mental shake so he could at least pretend to be welcoming.
Clark's brows furrowed. "Are you okay, Lex?" He asked as he sat across from Lex.
"What can I do for you, Clark?" Lex ignored Clark's inquiry.
Clark rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably. "I just delivered the produce."
Lex looked at him skeptically.
"Okay, so Lois and Chloe wanted to have a movie night. I was wondering if you'd be interested." Clark gave him a hopeful look.
"So you're recruiting me in order to level the playing field?" Lex nodded understandingly.
Clark nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, and it'll be awkward if it's just Chloe, Lois and me."
Lex finally felt a spark of interest at the turn of the conversation. "And why exactly would it be awkward?"
Clark gave a long-suffering sigh. "I think I like Lois."
Lex fought the urge to laugh at Clark's declaration. "That's-"
"Completely insane? I know!" Clark got up from the chair and started pacing. "I have no idea why. She still irritates me more than anyone I know. She grates on my nerves and she has the propensity to just blurt out whatever is in her head. How can I like her?" Clark looked at him as if he actually expected him to know the answer.
Lex leaned back on his chair. "You like Lois." He murmured noncommittally. He had to admit, Clark's statement took him by surprise. Lex was not fully convinced that he was over Lana. And then there was the matter of Chloe. Just a week ago he and Clark were adversaries, competing for Chloe's devotion. "Does this mean that the illustrious Ms. Lang is no longer the keeper of your heart?" He looked at Clark questioningly.
"Lana is no longer a factor in all of this." Clark remarked offhandedly.
Clark's declaration effectively captured his full attention. Lex never thought that he would see the day that Clark Kent would openly declare that Lana Lang no longer held his heart.
"I know what you're thinking, that the world must be ending." Clark sat back down. "Lana and I…I don't think there's any hope there. Besides, I recently got an epiphany."
Lex raised a brow at the words pouring out of Clark's mouth. "First of all, why is there no hope for you and Lana? Second, what exactly brought on this epiphany of yours?"
Clark shifted uncomfortably. "If I tell you, you have to promise me that you won't tell anyone." He gave Lex an intense look.
Lex nodded imperceptibly.
"Okay, I think Lana and Coach Teague are together." Clark blurted out unceremoniously. He looked relieved at finally being able to tell someone about his theory.
"And why do you think that?" Lex' mind was already processing the information that Clark just gave him. He still owed the football coach for how he treated Chloe. He didn't care if Chloe already forgave him. The man had to be taught a lesson.
"Lana was with us when Lois and I figured out that direct contact with heat would cure Chloe. When Coach Teague attacked me, he said that I should stay away from his girlfriend. And I don't think he was talking about Lois." Clark said wryly.
Lex nodded again. "And the epiphany?"
"Actually it came in the form of Lois." Clark blushed at the mention of Lois. "She pretty much summed up all the things about Lana that I never really thought about. Like how she only realized that there was something wrong with Chloe when Chloe ignored her. I think Lana is a little self-involved." It seemed like Clark was unwilling to say the words out loud.
Lex fought the urge to smirk at Clark's statement. Apparently Clark finally saw the light. But he was not completely convinced; there was every chance that Clark would have a Lana relapse. And then there was the Chloe factor. "So Lana's no longer a factor, how about Chloe?" He asked casually.
Clark's blush deepened. He focused his gaze on his shoes and refused to meet Lex' eyes.
Lex frowned slightly. He was a little worried about Clark's reaction.
"See this is why I need you to come to movie night. Chloe…it's been a little awkward." Clark met his eyes hesitantly.
"I thought that you and Chloe managed to overcome the insanity that was her devotion." Lex had no clue as to what could be a source of awkwardness. Chloe, after all, mentioned that she no longer had feelings for Clark. And Clark just said he liked Lois. So the source of the awkwardness was eluding him.
"I…we did. I asked her out and she said no." Clark rubbed a hand over his face.
Lex inhaled deeply. "You asked her out?" He uttered in a controlled voice. He shouldn't be surprised that Clark did what he said he did. The two of them truly enjoyed devoted Chloe. But a part of him really wanted to wring Clark's neck.
Clark looked at him uncertainly. "Chloe and I…I mean we've been best friends for a long time. After everything that happened…I guess I wanted to see what it was like to be with her, I mean really with her." He admitted ruefully. "According to Chloe, the fact that she chose me as an object of her devotion was not a sign that she still liked me. She said that her devotion was simply triggered by audio and visual cues. Basically, I was the first guy she saw so she automatically focused on me."
"So she turned you down." Lex nodded slowly, trying to process what Clark was saying. He did not, for one second, believe the garbage that Chloe fed Clark. Chloe was obviously lying, either to him or to Clark. She would not need two explanations for the phenomena that was her devotion if she was not hiding something.
"Yeah." Clark rubbed the back of his neck. "It's okay I guess. It's not going to be awkward forever. Maybe we're just meant to be friends. I have to be okay with that." Clark looked thoughtful and then directed his gaze at him.
"And then you realized that you suddenly liked Lois?" Lex looked at him skeptically.
Clark blushed again. "Actually Chloe clued me in on that fact. She said that Lois and I arguing seemed a lot like foreplay." He got up from his seat and started pacing. "She told me that I should just ask Lois out already or she'll have to do something about it herself. Do you think Chloe just said that so I won't ask her out again?" Clark's brows furrowed at the thought. "I mean I think I like Lois. But then I like Chloe too, more than Lois. Maybe Chloe just said what she said so she won't hurt my feelings with her rejection." Clark looked slightly horrified at the idea.
"Perhaps." Lex replied noncommittally.
Clark sighed. "So maybe what I'm feeling for Lois isn't real. Maybe I really like Chloe, but since she rejected me I'm transferring my energies on Lois."
"Only you can answer that." Lex responded with as much neutrality as he could. He wouldn't put it past Clark to go through a period of transference. After all he knew very well how addicting Chloe could be.
Clark inhaled deeply. "Not that it would make much difference if I like Chloe." He murmured somewhat mournfully.
"It wouldn't?" Lex eyed Clark keenly.
"I don't think it will. She was pretty forceful when she said she didn't think of me that way anymore. Do you think she likes someone else?" Clark leaned forward and looked at him intently.
Lex shrugged. "Who could she possibly like?" He leaned back and waited for Clark's answer. He wondered if his name would even cross the younger man's mind.
"Well, I'm pretty sure that you and I are not on that list. I mean she told me point blank that she didn't like me and she said that someone just said your name, that's why she ended up being devoted to you too." Clark's brows furrowed in concentration.
Lex swallowed the sarcastic retort that was on the tip of his tongue. Clark clearly needed more lessons in tact.
"Do you think she likes Coach Teague?" Clark looked at him worriedly.
Lex had to concentrate on remaining unaffected by Clark's question. He could feel his blood boil at the very thought of the other man.
"She just forgave him for everything. And now they're acting all buddy-buddy." Clark remarked quietly.
The two of them remained quiet for a long moment.
"This is pointless. Maybe Chloe doesn't like anyone." Clark focused his gaze back on Les. "I don't think that I'm up for a movie night." He sighed loudly. "Mind if I hang out here? I have a feeling that the farm won't be so quiet when I tell Lois."
Lex nodded imperceptibly. He could use the distraction. Maybe a few hours hanging out with Clark would clear his mind and maybe he would be able to figure out how to deal with the Chloe situation.
Chloe looked around the Talon surreptitiously. She couldn't believe that she was back to avoiding Lex.
It had been a week since she ran out of the Luthor Mansion. And once again she fell back to her old routine. Avoidance seemed to be her watchword these days. It was not good that she was running away from her problems. It was not the way she was programmed. But evading Lex was better than a headlong confrontation with the man who was fast becoming her obsession. The worst part was the fact that she did not even have the meteor drink to blame.
She wanted nothing more than to deny the seemingly growing attraction between her and Lex. But what happened three nights ago was irrefutable. She almost forgot to pull away. If it hadn't been for Lois' call, she probably wouldn't have left.
"Hey Chloe! Over here!" Lois waved in her direction.
She looked around one more time and marched over to the table that Lois reserved for them. She had been coffee deprived the past few days, or at least coffee from the Talon; she figured that she shouldn't tempt fate by appearing at business owned by Lex. The only reason that she felt safe to be there at that exact moment was because she heard from a reliable source –Clark- that Lex was going to be in Metropolis.
Chloe gave Lois a small smile and sat right next to her. Clark had a sullen expression on his face, which caused her smile to widen. "What's wrong Clark? You look like you just swallowed a lemon or something."
Clark glared at her. "Ask your cousin." He muttered angrily.
"Relax Smallville. You know you deserve it." Lois replied airily.
Chloe tuned out the ensuing banter between Lois and Clark. She had been a witness to the ever growing animosity between the two, by now she could practically recite their exchange.
Lex managed to track her down only once. And it was completely by accident. He was on his way into the school, probably there to meet Clark and she was on her way home. His expression was completely shuttered. He did not even talk to her. Lex treated her like a complete stranger, which was so confusing, particularly since they were making out like crazy a couple of days ago. Okay, maybe it wasn't so confusing. After all she did run out on him.
She had berated herself continuously since she skedaddled out of the Luthor mansion. She almost turned back four times before she managed to completely talk herself out of it. The damage was already done, she wasn't sure if Lex would have opened the door for her anyway.
She still couldn't believe how rotten she behaved. He did not deserve the treatment she gave him. Not after Lex everything Lex did for her.
When she got back on the night of the 'seduction,' Lois pestered her with so many questions. Lois kept asking how he reacted. And all she could day was that it went okay. In the end Lois sat her down and forced her to confront the very questions that had been plaguing her.
"So?" Lois drawled out as she entered the apartment. Her cousin set aside the magazine that she was reading and focused her attention on her.
"So what?" She replied absentmindedly as she placed all her stuff on the coffee table and plopped down next to Lois.
"What happened? Did he fall for it? How did he react?" Lois shot off question after question.
Chloe just looked at her distractedly. In her head she was still at the manor with Lex. She found that it was difficult to mentally leave him. She just looked at Lois blankly, unable to form any coherent thought.
"Hey Chlo'! Earth to Chloe!" Lois nudged her shoulder none too gently.
Chloe blinked owlishly and finally focused on Lois. "What?" Her brows furrowed questioningly.
"I was asking you how it went with Luthor." Lois asked impatiently.
Chloe shrugged. "It was…okay I guess." She replied hesitantly.
"Okay? Okay?? Details Sullivan!" Lois poked her shoulder mercilessly.
Chloe glared at her as she rubbed the spot that Lois poked. "It went okay, okay?"
Lois shook her head in disapproval. "No, not okay. I want to know what happened."
"Nothing! I went through the motions and he went along with it. When you called I told him I had to go and then I left." She answered curtly.
Lois looked at her skeptically. "Went through the motions? What does that mean?" Her confusion was obvious.
Chloe rolled her eyes. "Look I got my revenge. Can't you just leave it at that?" She frowned at her cousin.
"No. I'm not just going to let it go. We planned this together. This is a family project. I need your final input." Lois said in a no-nonsense tone.
"You want to know? Okay, he had his tongue down my throat and I had mine down his. Is that what you want to hear?" She glared at Lois with resentment. She really did not need to recap everything that happened just half an hour ago. She would rather not dwell on the fact that she almost did not stop. At that moment she wanted nothing more than to blame someone for the entire debacle. And it seemed like Lois was the best candidate. It was irrational and it was unjust but she just couldn't seem to care.
"Relax turbo." Lois raised both her hands in surrender.
Chloe did not drop her glare. "Do you want more details?" She asked her snidely.
"Clearly Luthor is rubbing off on you." Lois eyed her critically. "You certainly got his tone down." Lois looked at her stonily.
Chloe ran a hand through her hair in agitation. "Look Lo, I'm sorry if I'm being a complete bitch. I just don't want to go over everything endlessly." She gave Lois an apologetic look.
Lois stared at her for a full minute. "I knew it." She said quietly.
Chloe looked at her in confusion. "What do you know?"
"You like him." Lois replied confidently.
"What?" Chloe scowled at her.
"You like Luthor. I have a feeling that you've liked him for a while." Lois leaned back on the couch and looked at her expectantly.
"And you know this how?" She gave Lois a leveled look.
"Aw come on! You were making excuses on why you can't have your revenge against him. You only agreed to my plan because I bullied you into it." Lois folded her arms across her chest and waited for her reaction.
Chloe's ire rose exponentially. "Yeah, you bullied me into it! And now he probably hates me." She replied scathingly.
Lois raised a brow at her anger. "I didn't expect you to pick up." She muttered quietly.
"What?!" Chloe got to her feet and gave Lois her fiercest stare.
"I didn't expect you to pick up when I called. I was hoping that you wouldn't pick up." Lois repeated patiently.
"Then why call three times. If you didn't want me to pick up then why did you call me three times?" Chloe stomped her foot in impatience.
"Because I didn't want you to blame me when you ended up giving into your baser needs." Lois concluded with such superiority. "If anything happened between you and Luthor, you would use me as an excuse not to confront any of your feelings for him."
Chloe crossed her arms across her chest and shook her head in disapproval. "I always thought that you knew me better than anyone Lois."
Lois' brows furrowed at her statement. "I do. Why do you think I came up with the entire seduction plan? I knew that given the chance you would deny the fact that you have feelings for Luthor. You're more likely to fall back on old habits and pick Clark as your knight in shining armor, because he would be the safer choice." Lois paused to take a deep breath. Chloe just kept staring at her sternly.
"You already forgave Lex for everything that happened while you were 'devoted' to him. You were so ready to get back at Clark because you're not the least bit confused about him. Luthor is an entirely different matter. If I didn't know any better I would say that you were in love with him." Lois finished bluntly.
Chloe fought the blush that rose from her cheeks. "You pushed me into a situation that I was not ready for. You should have given me the time to try and process what I feel. By throwing Lex and I together…you might as well have thrown away our chance to be together." Chloe finished quietly.
"Aha! You admitted it. You like him." Lois pointed a triumphant finger in her direction.
Chloe brushed away her gesture and looked away from her. "Lex and I could have sorted everything out on our own. But your stubborn insistence may have ruined that. I should never have agreed to the seduction plan." She was mostly talking to herself. "I shouldn't have let you goad me into seeking revenge against him." She finally raised her gaze so her eyes could meet Lois'. "But most of all I should never have left the mansion."
"Oh Chloe. I'm sure it wasn't as bad as you think it is." Lois placed a comforting hand on her arm.
It was as though all the fight was drained out of her. "You weren't there. You didn't see his expression." She said in such a dejected tone. "I don't think we'll ever get past what I did."
"Oh don't be so dramatic Chlo'. I'm sure it's not as bad as you think." Lois patted her arm comfortingly.
"You obviously don't know Lex." She smiled at Lois sadly.
"I may not know him but I know you." Lois gave her a small smile. "And if you're already this invested in him, then you shouldn't let this…you shouldn't let me ruin what you two can have."
"I ruined it. I deliberately played with his emotions. It's not something that you can just bounce back from." Chloe rubbed her eyes in frustration.
"Chloe-" Lois began.
"I'm tired. I'm going to bed." She gave Lois a weak smile and left her cousin staring helplessly after her.
"Don't you think so Chlo'?" Lois said loudly, breaking her out of her reverie.
Chloe nodded absently, not really sure what she was agreeing to.
"See! Chloe agrees with me." Lois grinned at Clark triumphantly.
"Hate to break it to you, Lois; Chloe is obviously not listening to you." Clark retorted derisively.
Chloe rolled her eyes at the exchange and interrupted before the two started a full scale argument. "I'm going to the restroom." She got up from the chair and walked away from the two without waiting for a response.
Lex entered the Talon. His gaze landed directly on the arguing pair. He shook his head in slight exasperation. He could clearly see what Chloe was talking about. Lois and Clark had an obvious chemistry and their squabbling was just cover for their attraction for each other. Perhaps, it would take a long while before the two realized that they would make a good fit. In the meantime, he decided that he would enjoy the show.
He walked towards the two purposefully. As entertaining as the two of them were, he was there on a mission. "Lois. Clark."
Clark smiled at his greeting, while Lois nodded faintly. "Aren't you supposed to be in Metropolis for the weekend?" Clark looked slightly confused.
"Plans fell through." Lex answered dismissively.
Lois whipped out a DVD case and handed it to him. Lex gave her a questioning look.
"You owe me twenty bucks." Lois said glibly.
Lex shook his head at her reply and inspected the DVD case. It had Clark's picture, wearing his football uniform, on the front cover. 'A Quarterback's Valley of Humiliation' was the title. Lex smirked slightly. "You've been busy."
"Don't I know it. I had to make sure that this was ready for Clark's big game tonight." She held up another copy of the DVD.
"Includes student interviews and endorsement from the Kent family." He gave Lois a skeptical look as he read the back cover.
"Oh don't look so doubtful. Mr. and Mrs. Kent gave me their blessing when they found out that everyone… students and teachers alike are willing to pay for a copy of this DVD. I even got orders from Smallville High's rival school. I'm seriously considering the offer." She glared at Clark. "This is for charity; all profits will go to the school, for the clubs that don't have bald billionaires as benefactors." Lois gave him a meaningful look.
Clark had the decency to look ashamed and Lex did not even fight the urge to roll his eyes.
"And I'm sure Chloe would appreciate getting the funds to buy some new software that she's been raving about." Lois added happily.
"I' m sure." Clark muttered bitterly.
"I'd be happy to donate an exorbitant amount of money…for this DVD, after all this is for the school." He gave Clark a disapproving look. Lois had a point. He had donated some money for the uniforms and equipment for the entire football team, the rest of the school deserved a shot at getting new stuff, even if it was at the expense of the star quarterback.
"See, Smallville? Even the mighty bald one agrees with me." Lois clapped Clark on the back good-naturedly.
Clark huffed in indignation and shot Lex a piercing glare. "This is just humiliating! Isn't it punishment enough that I walked around school wearing a shirt that practically worshipped Chloe? And as if football practice wasn't hard enough, I had to wear a 'Chloe's No. 1' sign during practice." Clark murmured mournfully as he stared at his own copy.
"Just grin and bear it Kent. This is for a good cause." Lois rolled her eyes at him.
If looks could kill, Lois Lane would probably be dead by now. Lex thought to himself.
"And what is this 'special behind the scene look on the planning of AQVH'? Clark massaged his temples in frustration. He then picked up his copy and proceeded to glower at it.
While Clark was having a staring contest with the DVD case, Lois jerked her head at the direction of the restrooms and looked at Lex impatiently.
Lex nodded slightly and got the message loud and clear.
Lois paid him a visit, just before she went back to Metropolis after she documented Chloe's final revenge on Clark.
She announced unceremoniously that he should blame her for what happened on that fateful Saturday. Lex simply replied that he did. Lois looked absolutely relieved and told him point-blank to go be with her cousin. Of course he informed her that even if he did blame her for the calculated way that Chloe seduced him, he found it difficult to excuse Chloe's behavior, therefore, there won't any form of 'being' with her cousin.
Lois stared and glared at him. She looked like she wanted to clobber him. Lex had a feeling that it was only because of the events of Saturday night that held her back.
It took her a full hour before she blurted out that Chloe had 'feelings' for him. Very deep feelings. Lex had a suspicion that she desperately wanted to blurt out the word 'love' but her loyalty to her cousin kept her from putting the word out there.
Lex believed her. After all, he also came up with the same conclusion. He analyzed each and every encounter he had with Chloe, during the summer of her 'incarceration', after her 'resurrection', her devotion, and finally what came after.
He also happened to have science to back up his conclusion. His researchers gave him full disclosure of its effects. Apparently, the drink enhanced the emotions of the drinker, even to the point of a complete psychotic obsession, if it was consumed continuously. Fortunately, Chloe only received a small dose. With the drinker's emotions on high levels, visual and auditory cues cemented the subjects of their devotion.
Chloe picked Clark because she used to be in love with him. And his predicament was paved by his very presence as she consumed the drink. She picked him because she had 'feelings' for him. He visited the high school the very same day that she drank the meteor-laced Gatorade; someone probably mentioned his name at the exact moment that she took a drink.
Still, he was less inclined to put himself in a vulnerable position. He actually thought that he and Chloe were on their way to coupledom, a grievous mistake on his part. He was Lex Luthor; he could pretend that she meant nothing to him.
It was only after Lois described how distraught Chloe was, in great detail, after their Saturday night encounter, that he seriously considered giving the two of them another chance. She also foretold that Chloe would revert back to her avoidance game. What finally convinced him was the fact that Chloe almost went back to the manor, four times. Lois informed him of that detail, which he confirmed with the bodyguards that were still tailing Chloe. And the fact that Chloe had been the picture of abject misery since she left him, contributed to his decision. She looked exactly the way he felt. When they accidentally saw each other at the school he saw firsthand how miserable she was. It took all of his willpower not to talk to her then.
It was surprising that he had Lois as a co-conspirator. She told him that he only needed to trap Chloe into talking to him and the rest would be history.
So he told Clark that he would be spending the weekend in Metropolis. Chloe would not be able to resist the temptation, if she heard that he was gone, she would feel safe enough to patronize the Talon. After all, she had gone a week without coffee from the establishment.
And now the moment of truth. The outcome of their conversation could very well determine his future happiness. He ignored the banter between Lois and Clark, Lois was there to distract Clark from noticing Chloe's absence once the two of them got into talking, and headed for the restrooms.
He stopped a foot away from the door to the ladies room and casually leaned a shoulder against the wall. He waited patiently until the door opened and out came Chloe. She was not really looking where she was going and he could not help but think that everything would go as planned. A second later she collided straight into his arms. Before she knew it Lex backed her into a corner, placed his hand up against the wall, effectively hiding her from anyone's view and settled his free hand on her hip.
Her eyes widened upon seeing who manhandled her.
"Chloe." Lex said her name conversationally.
Chloe closed her eyes in frustration. She mentally cursed Clark for the misinformation and took calming breaths, hoping that the person before her was merely a figment of her imagination. She opened her eyes and sighed when she had no such luck. "Lex." She murmured softly.
"How have you been?" Lex asked her politely.
Chloe glared at his question. "Great! I've been great. And you?"
Lex smirked at her reply. "I've been great as well."
"Good. Good." Chloe looked at everywhere but him, a supremely difficult task since he was mere inches away from her.
"So?" He looked at her expectantly.
Her brows furrowed and she finally met his gaze. "So what?"
"I'm waiting for the apology that you owe me." He answered generously.
Chloe bit her lip and lowered her gaze once again. "I'm sorry for callously toying with your emotions." She uttered quietly.
"And?" He prompted patiently.
She looked at him with confusion before a dawn of understanding settled on her expression. "And I would understand if you never forgive me. What I did…it was beyond low."
Lex shook his head impatiently. "You were supposed to say that you regret leaving my house."
"I was?" She stared at him with such bewilderment.
"Yes, unless of course you don't regret it." He conceded grudgingly.
"I did. I do regret it. You don't know how many times I almost turned my car around." She once again could not seem to meet his eyes.
Lex checked the urge to smirk at her answer; he knew very well how many times she almost went back. "And?"
She hesitantly looked at him. "More?"
"Yes more." He replied condescendingly.
"I'm sorry?" She eyed him questioningly.
"No. You're supposed to say that you lied." He muttered as he leaned closer to her.
"I did?" Chloe suddenly found it difficult to breathe, to think. But when his words finally registered in her brain she gently pushed him back so she could think clearer. "I don't think I lied." She looked at him skeptically.
"Yes you did. You lied about the effects of the drink. You told Clark one thing and you told me another." Lex met her gaze unflinchingly.
She smiled tentatively. "It wasn't an actual lie. I just didn't give you the full disclosure on what the drink entailed." She admitted softly.
Lex nodded. "But?" He stared at her unwaveringly.
"But what?" She frowned slightly.
"You did lie about what you feel about me." Lex retorted edgily.
"Oh…that." A look of understanding crossed her face. She bit her lower lip and eyed him shyly.
"Stop that." Lex ordered roughly as he moved his hand from her hip to her lips, running his thumb over the abused flesh.
They positively looked lost in each other for a full minute before Lex loudly clear his throat and Chloe shook her head to clear her thoughts.
"So?" Lex settled his free hand once again on her hip and looked at her expectantly.
"I lied." She murmured quietly.
Lex inhaled deeply. "So how do you feel about me?" He inquired politely.
"I…" She tucked her hair behind her ear and looked at him uncertainly. All her years of unrequited love for Clark were coming back to haunt her. A part of her was afraid to voice her feelings for the man before her, afraid that she was once again in a situation where the feelings were one-sided. It would mean putting herself in the line of fire. He could very well reject her and she had a feeling that she would not be able to recover if he did. But then she owed him this. He deserved an answer, after what she did to him, she owed him the truth.
Lex felt like she was waging an internal battle, he waited with bated breath for her answer.
"I lied about not being in love with you." She finally said, all in one breath. "Because I love you. So much." She closed her eyes, afraid to see his reaction.
He was worried that she would try to deny her feelings. "Good." He nodded approvingly.
At his word her eyes fluttered open and she looked at him in confusion. "Good?"
"I was hoping that you'd say that." He brought his hand, which was braced against the wall, to her cheek and looked at her with such tenderness.
"You were?" She looked at him tearfully, afraid to hope that he meant what he said.
Lex nodded. "Tell me."
"I meant what I said when we were at the rooftop of the Daily Planet." She stated steadfastly.
She understood what he was asking for. He needed an affirmation of her love for him. And she was willing to give it to him, to make up for her actions and because he deserved to know that he was loved.
"You became the one good thing in my life last summer. I was not looking to fall in love and then you happened." She grabbed the lapels of his suit and held on tight. "I wanted you so much that it physically hurt being away from you." She said with such anguish as she leaned her forehead against his chest.
Lex wrapped his arms around her and breathed a sigh of relief.
Chloe pulled back slightly. "What I did to you…it was unforgivable."
"I learned that dismissing someone because of an isolated incident would only be detrimental to my own wellbeing." He looked at her fondly as he echoed the very same words she said.
She gave him a weak smile and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I love you." She murmured repeatedly.
Lex held her comfortingly. He felt an overwhelming sense of relief at the way that the conversation turned out. It went better than he expected.
When they finally parted, Chloe's eyes were bright with unshed tears. Lex smiled at her as he kissed her chastely.
"Where do we go from here?" Chloe asked uncertainly.
Lex took her hand in his and allowed their fingers to intertwine. "We have coffee. I have it on good authority that you haven't had the Talon blend for quite some time. It's time to remedy that." He answered as he kissed the back of her hand.
Chloe nodded and smiled at him. "Coffee sounds great." She began leading the way back to the booths when Lex pulled her back.
"I just have to collect something." Lex smirked at her. He raised his free hand to her exposed neck and pressed a light kiss on her collarbone.
She was dumbstruck by his actions that she did not start walking until Lex started tugging at her hand. She looked at him with such adoration and followed after him.
TBC