Title: Breaking Chloe Sullivan
Summary: Her strength is intriguing him, her fire captivating him, but can she survive his interest? Lex decides it's time to find out, what exactly will it take to break Chloe Sullivan?
Shipping: Chlark Chlex mostly Chlark
Major Characters: Chloe Clark Lex
Author's Note: This chapter was mostly written between the hours of midnight and 4 AM, and it also had parts rewritten and messed with too many times to count. The ending especially drove me nuts trying to get it the way I wanted it. But I really love this chapter, especially the ending, I hope you agree with me.
Reviews:
CYTstagepenguin: Lol yeah Clark is king of awkward moments. And I have to say, if you liked Lex in the last chapter, I'm thinking you'll love him this chapter.
Kit Merlot: Lex just seems very confused doesn't he? Maybe he'll pick a decision this chapter. Lol.
Inspire16: First off, not even I know where I'm going with this fic. Second, I know what you mean about wanting Chlark and Chlex... as you can probably tell by my writing. P.S. This fic is messing with my emotions too.
Blackheart4life: Your review is amazing, just let me say that first. Apparently this fic is kind of getting to you huh? Good, I want it to. You ask all those questions and you know I'm not going to answer outright, but they're good questions. So go read and maybe you'll get some answers.
Ayana45: Yeah, trying to predict Lex can be very futile at times, but yes, the hope for Chlark closeness is something I can relate to. But I'm not sure really how this story is going to go so we'll see.
Lvswtht: Predictions huh? You should go see if you're right, lol. As for the whole Chloe to Lois bit, I've done that before in my Need trilogy, I've thought about it for this story too, but I'm not really sure.
Thank you for the additions to alerts and faves too guys! Enjoy the story!
Previously:
Chloe
So how long am I going to wait? She wiped her tears away, and lifted her chin with a steely determination. As long as it takes... Come on Chloe, pull it together. " Hey Clark, I'm great," she replied. You don't need him to comfort you Chloe. She stood in the doorway and watched as he picked up Ally and Conner, holding them tight in his arms as they laughed and smiled. Yes I do...
Clark
It was her eyes, it had to be... There was something in them, calling to him. Pleading with him... She fit so well into his arms as Clark wrapped them gently around her. What's wrong Chloe? Clark tried to keep up with her change in deflective tactics, and found himself confused. But I don't want to stop Chloe... You're smiling, you're laughing... It's moments like this I live for...
Lex
Everything... He would take everything, and she would no longer be innocent. She would be like him, and then, she would be his. Lex smiled to himself, resigning to be patient, and let his plan take its course. He could wait for her to come to him. Because she would need him eventually, one way or another, he would make sure of it.
Ch. 7 Don't Be Pathetic
Three Months Later
Chloe gritted her teeth and forced a smile, rolling her eyes as she turned away from them. God why do I sit here and take this torture? She stood and walked towards the counter, intent on ordering another coffee. As she leaned on the hard surface and sighed, waiting for Heather to get to her, she felt someone's breath tickle her ear.
"Drinking yourself into oblivion Ms. Sullivan?" Shivers raced down her spine and Chloe smiled as she turned around.
"I don't know Mr. Luthor, does it work?" Laughing, Chloe poked him in the chest with one finger. "Since when can you sneak up on me Lex? Those expensive shoes of yours normally make more noise." Chloe are you flirting with Lex?
"Maybe you're just distracted." His lips held a smirk but his eyes held more. Compassion, understanding, concern... everything she never saw, everything she wasn't sure she wanted to see, wasn't sure she could handle. Staring into his eyes, she leaned forward and opened her mouth to make a sarcastic retort, but a burst of laughter from her previous occupation of space captured her attention.
Chloe watched as Lana leaned her head on Clark's shoulder and laughed. She watched as Clark brushed her hair back and kissed her lightly on the lips, laughing and smiling all the while. Not wanting to watch but unable to turn away, Chloe felt something inside of her twist. They have no idea, they have no clue...
She wanted to be like them, wanted to be so lost in someone else that she could forget all the bad in this world, all the bad in her life. Are you wallowing Chloe? Slowly, Chloe wrenched herself away from that scene and looked back at Lex. He had that damned knowing look in his eyes and it was all Chloe could do not to start crying. Crying leaves you vulnerable, leaves you open, remember Chloe?
Her hands clenched as the fragments of a memory she didn't want to remember flashed in front of her eyes, dug under her skin, stung her eyes. Hot tears running down her face... The warmth of a comforting embrace, the sound of whispered encouragement... And then pain, surprise... screams... her screams, his yelling. His hands... grabbing, pulling, bruising...
"Chloe?" She spun around at the hand on her shoulder, half expecting it to be him.
"What?" she took a breath and then spoke before he could. "I swear to God Lex, if you ask if I'm okay, I'm going to shove your expensive shoes up your ass." Although she kept her tone light, Chloe wasn't in a playful mood, and she was fully prepared to follow through on her threat.
"I was just going to say that I have to go." He held his hands up in mock defense and Chloe couldn't help but smile at that little smirk of his.
"Oh... do you?" she said softly, looking back at Clark and Lana, at what she had to return to.
"Yes... but you can come with me if you'd like?" Her eyes flew to his, and God she wanted to say yes, she wanted to say thank you. Ally and Conner... Chloe looked over at them, playing with Clark and Lana. I can't leave them.
"I would love to Lex, but Ally and Conner..." As he nodded his head, Chloe thought she caught something in his expression, something in his eyes. Disappointment? Did he really want me to go? "Thanks for the offered life raft, but I've become pretty adept at swimming."
"The offer is open ended," he replied, "You know the mansion is always open for you." Chloe smiled her thanks but suppressed a wince as he squeezed her upper arm in that way he often did, to show his support, to comfort her. As he walked away, she turned back to the counter to order her coffee, rubbing her arm gently as she did.
Lex drove back to his mansion in turmoil. You shouldn't have offered that Lex. You know what'll happen if she comes to the mansion alone. Rubbing his hand over his head, Lex turned himself away from that train of thought, instead choosing to focus on what he'd just seen. Chloe probably didn't know, but he'd seen her wince, and he'd turned back to see her rub her arm.
Could it be a bruise? Lex knew Shaun had taken to beating Claudia somewhat regularly, but none of his sources had told him he'd begun to abuse Chloe. If that was true, was it a good thing? Or a bad thing? Lex tried to sort out his mixed feelings, feeling the beginnings of a migraine take hold behind his eyes.
On one hand, he was outraged that Shaun had dared to lay a hand on Chloe. Her body should be his and his alone, not to be bruised by other men. She should be cherished, and protected not struck in a fit of drunken rage. But, for the sake of his plan, this was exactly what he wanted to happen. Your personal feelings are getting in the way Lex! Don't let them interfere with the plan! What am I going to do?
In the end, he had decided before he even got to his driveway. First, he would fire all of his informants for failing to find out this significant detail. Second, he would allow Shaun to continue with his abuse, for the sake of the plan. Things were spiraling out of control for Chloe faster than he'd predicted, faster than he could have hoped. But there were always ways to hurry them along.
That was the third thing he'd decided, it was time for Shaun to get in some more trouble. Blacklisting him had been enough to begin with, but now it was time to amp things up a bit. Lex knew the people Shaun had begun to hang around with, and he would make sure they ended up being the best of friends, and then the worst kind of enemies.
Lex opened the door to his study and went straight for the brandy. That was the other thing he had decided. Chloe had no idea how good drinking yourself into oblivion felt after a long day, someday he planned to show her. I'll show you how good a lot of things feel... Just that one thought and there she was, on his skin, under it. He could feel her, her hands, her lips, her skin... Pouring himself a glass, Lex settled in for a long night.
Chloe stared at the ceiling, and turned up the music on her headphones, trying to drown out her memories. It was always in these quiet moments that they snuck up on her, invaded her mind and tortured her endlessly. She'd found that, sometimes it was easier to just give in and not fight them, because they always won in the end.
Her hand went to her arm, and she winced as she applied pressure to the bruise there. It had shown up yesterday, and when Chloe had seen it in the mirror, she couldn't help but stare. You could easily tell it was a hand, could easily make out the fingers... The color was hellishly dark against her pale skin. And all she could think was that it didn't belong there, that it belonged on some other girl's arm, that it had happened to someone else. But Chloe had never been very good at lying to herself.
Closing her eyes, Chloe could remember the feel of the wall clearly, cool against her forehead as she leaned against it. She could feel the tears, hot and burning as they ran down her face. But more than anything, she could hear Claudia's voice as she'd come up and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Chloe? What's wrong honey?" Chloe turned around, unable to say anything. Because it was everything, everything was wrong, and today it was all just catching up to her. She'd known for a long time that she was barely held together, that she was pulling apart at the seams. All it took was one more tug, one more selfless act of friendship towards oblivious Clark in the aspect of Lana-advice and she'd fallen apart.
Chloe just threw her arms around Claudia and wept, openly sobbing. Claudia wrapped her in a comforting embrace, whispering warm words of encouragement and love. It was just this moment, this act of caring that Chloe appreciated more than anything. Just the comforting touch of another human being was enough to bring more tears to Chloe's eyes.
"Hey! Where's my dinner?" It was all shattered in an instant as Shaun ripped Claudia away from Chloe, screaming in her face. Then he turned to her, his lips twisting into a sneer as he took in the tracks of tears running down her cheeks. "Aww what's the matter? Your boyfriend ignoring you?" Chloe didn't say anything, just stared back at him, refusing to wipe away her tears. "Poor little heartbroken Chloe. So weak. You're pathetic."
"Shaun, I don't think-" Claudia leapt to her defense even as Chloe was still trying to stand straight in the face of the pure disgust in Shaun's tone. It was like she'd been stabbed, and Chloe felt the scar begin to form. Her trance was broken as Shaun slapped Claudia across the face. Chloe screamed as the bright red mark showed up on Claudia's cheek, and she shoved Shaun back.
"Get away from her!" Shaun paused for a second, stunned that she'd even dared to interfere. Before Chloe knew what was happening, he had her arm in a death grip and she was crying out in pain.
"Chloe, this is none of your business. If you know what's good for you, you'll just go upstairs and leave this to the adults." He released her arm and Chloe glanced at Claudia with scared eyes before turning and running up the stairs. She ran to her room and shut the door, trying to breathe as she slid down to lean her head against the door.
Opening her eyes, Chloe took off her headphones and rolled over, hugging her pillow tight. That had been two days ago, and it had been the first time he'd ever physically hurt her. Chloe had almost run away that night, and she'd literally dialed Clark's number before hanging up and telling herself to just get a grip.
Tears stung her eyes as that feeling came back. That hopeless, desperate, lost feeling that she just couldn't shake. Just breathe Chloe, just breathe, it'll be okay. She was almost asleep, just on the edge of that place where calm washed over her, when she heard a muffled scream from downstairs. Fighting through the exhaustion, Chloe struggled back to consciousness and felt her heart pound as she heard the sound again.
Chloe debated for a split second before she threw off her covers and ran down the stairs. No matter what, she could never abandon Claudia, and if she wouldn't stand up for herself, than Chloe would stand up for her. She walked into the kitchen and saw something that did and didn't surprise her. Cocaine.
Or at least that's what she assumed the white powder was that was spread all over the counter and the sink. Claudia held the bag that must have been the container for the stuff, and Shaun had her by the hair, bending her over the sink.
"Look what you did! Do you even understand how much I paid for that! What were you thinking Claudia?" He let her up and she turned to face him, tears in her eyes as she held up the offending bag.
"Drugs Shaun? How could you bring drugs into our house?" Her voice was cracking and Chloe could hear the betrayal in her tone, see the disappointment in the lines etching her forehead. But she could also see what this display of indignation was costing Claudia. Her face looked pale, her mouth drawn and her eyes wide. She was terrified, and standing up to Shaun was something she hadn't been doing recently. You go Claudia!
"Our house? You mean my house! I paid for this house Claudia, which means that everything and everyone in it, is mine!" He punched her in the side suddenly and with a grunt of surprise, Claudia went down heavily on the kitchen floor. Shaun cocked his foot back to kick her and Chloe couldn't stand by and watch any longer.
"Shaun stop it!" She ran up and put herself between the two. Chloe what the hell are you thinking? He's going to kill you! Chloe swallowed and straightened her spine, staring Shaun straight in the eye. I'm not going to let him kill Claudia.
"Chloe? What have I told you about butting in when the adults are having a discussion?" He stepped closer and Chloe could smell the whiskey on his breath. She forced herself to hold his gaze, and tried to stop her hands from shaking.
"I know Shaun, I just-" His fist caught her below the ribs and Chloe staggered back against the counter, almost falling over Claudia.
"Shaun no!" Chloe vaguely heard Claudia's weak protest from the floor before Shaun's hand connected with her head, and then all Chloe could hear was her own heartbeat, her lungs fighting to draw breath. Somehow she was on the floor but she didn't remember falling. She saw Claudia stand up, saw her put her hands on his chest, saw her pull him into the living room.
Staggering up the stairs, Chloe went to her room and shut the door and, sliding down the wall, she put her arms around herself. She held on tight, trying to keep herself from falling apart. If only she could keep a tight grip, everything would be okay, she could contain herself. Don't cry Chloe, don't cry, you can't show weakness. But as the headache made its presence known, as her side began to ache and her breathing began to slow down, Chloe let herself go.
Holding her hands out in front of herself, Chloe watched them shake, watched them tremble. Come on Chloe, let's go Sullivan, you're stronger than this. Standing up, Chloe walked calmly to her bed and pulled the covers over her body. She lay there for a few minutes, and listened to the silence, to the stillness.
As time passed Chloe reassured herself that Shaun wasn't going to come up here and finish the job. It's okay, you can relax. Her breathing slowed and her heartbeat was no longer thundering in her ears. She touched the side of her throbbing head gently, feeling the tenderness, the growing lump. I can't believe he hit me...
Suddenly she was suffocating, everything was collapsing in on her and she couldn't breathe. God what is wrong with me! She wanted to scream, but instead Chloe reached for her MP3 player, put in her headphones and turned it on. The music calmed her down slowly, gave her something else to concentrate on besides the pain. She settled back against her pillows, wishing her arms had something to hold. Wishing she was being held by someone.
She never slows down.
She doesn't know why, but she knows that when she's all alone, feels like its all, coming down
She won't turn around
The shadows are long and she fears if she cries, that first tear, the tears will not stop, raining down
Chloe felt the first tear slip down her cheek, and that was all it took. The first sob shook her and her hand flew to her mouth, muffling the sound. Quiet Chloe, you don't want people to hear you cry. Shaun would be mad, Claudia doesn't need more stress, and Ally and Conner... Ally and Conner can't know about any of this. Silent tears Chloe, silent tears... Don't be pathetic. After a moment, Chloe removed her hand, and she sobbed without a sound.
So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it's all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won't drown
And one day, whats lost can be found
You stand in the rain
But inside her head she was screaming, and she could hear her cries. Fisting the sheets in her hands, Chloe tried to gain control of herself. I can't fall apart now, I can't let him get to me. She took deep breaths and stared at the ceiling, wanting to never get up. If I could just stay here, just stay in this bed, I wouldn't have to face him again. Even as she thought it, Chloe knew it wouldn't happen.
She won't make a sound
Alone in this fight with herself and the fears whispering if she stands she'll fall down
She wants to be found
The only way out is through everything she's running from wants to give up and lie down.
Sitting up, Chloe put her head in her hands, cradling it gently. Come on Chloe, you're a fighter. The tears began to slow down and Chloe tried to focus on anything except the fact that her head was killing her, and her side ached with every breath. She couldn't think about what had just happened, couldn't process. So she thought about something, anything else. The feel of her cotton sheets beneath her skin, the cool breeze coming in from her cracked open window, the music...
So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it's all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won't drown
And one day, whats lost can be found
You stand in the rain
Laying back down, Chloe took a deep breath and relaxed her clenched hands. You can't let Ally and Conner down... and you have to protect Claudia. Glancing at the clock, Chloe groaned when she saw that it was already past three in the morning. Is it even worth going back to sleep? The pros and cons weighed themselves back and forth in Chloe's mind.
Nope, not worth it. Throwing off her covers, Chloe stood, and before she could think about it she went downstairs. Tiptoeing as quietly as she could, Chloe froze at the bottom of the stairs, listening for any sign that Shaun was still awake. As no such noise presented itself, Chloe let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.
She went into the kitchen and saw the mess. The cocaine, it was still all over the counter, in the sink, on the floor. Chloe the kids can't wake up to this. Rubbing a hand over tired eyes, Chloe began the process of cleaning everything up. As she was wiping off the counter, she felt the tears sting her eyes again.
Damn it! Chloe picked up her pace, and before she knew it, it was all she could think about. It was that one spot on the counter that wouldn't seem to get clean. She scrubbed it and scrubbed it and still the stain remained. Focusing in on the counter top, Chloe didn't hear him until his hand was on her shoulder, didn't realize he was there until she whirled to face him.
"Holy shit Shaun!" Immediately Chloe's hands flew up to protect herself, but he just stood there and smiled at her. Taking a closer look at his eyes, Chloe tried to calm her racing pulse as she realized he was high. Just laugh it off Chloe, don't startle the wild animal. "You scared me to death!" Chloe threw in a fake laugh and a huge sigh, letting her arms fall to her sides.
"Chloe have I ever told you that you're beautiful?" Whoa, hello, red flag! Chloe tried to back away from him slowly, but found herself pressed against the counter she had been so vigorously cleaning just a moment before.
"Umm, maybe Shaun, I don't remember." Chloe tried to keep the fear out of her voice, tried to leave out that nervous timbre. It didn't really work. Chloe get out of here! Opening her mouth to make an excuse to leave, Chloe was cut off by Shaun closing his eyes and sighing. He looked tired, he looked... vulnerable. "Shaun are you okay?"
"Huh, oh yeah, it's just..." he broke off and looked away. "Chloe I'm really sorry... about earlier. I didn't mean to hurt you, I just... I don't know, I'm just really stressed out." The silence stretched for a beat as Chloe decided what to do. Chloe don't believe him! She wanted to just walk out of there, she didn't want to feel any sympathy towards this man...but she was feeling it anyways.
"Can I do anything Shaun? Do you want to talk about it?" Hesitantly, Chloe put her hand on his shoulder. His eyes met hers and Chloe wanted to take it back, she wanted to run, she wanted to run and never look back. What did I say? The gleam in his eye was something she'd never actually seen before, and now she never wanted to see it again.
"Actually Chloe, there is something you could do. You see, I owe some people a lot of money that I really don't have. So I think I've come up with another way to pay them back... but I really need your help."
"Does this involve any kind of physical harm to another human being?" She had already agreed to help him, and she really wanted to, but Chloe had her limits. Maybe if you help him get out of debt he'll stop drinking, and then everything can go back to the way it was.
"Oh no, no. I just need you to pose for a few pictures." He put his arm around her shoulder and squeezed her in a hug. Chloe winced, her side still hurt. Pictures? Good God, he must mean porn, I can't do this!
"Uh, Shaun I don't think-" She gritted her teeth as he gripped her arm, right where he'd left his first bruise. He reeked of alcohol, but having his arm around her made Chloe think of those attempts at affection. The hugs, the kisses on the cheek, and finally, the nose tweaking. A lifetime ago...
"Chloe, I don't have a choice, you don't have a choice." His words were backed up by the way he held on tight as he steered her up the stairs to her room. Shit! I can't do anything can I? When they got to her room he let her go, and then he turned around and quietly shut the door. Chloe immediately backed towards the far corner of the room but as Shaun turned around he pulled a camera out of his pocket.
"Just a few pictures Chloe, nothing major, I promise, okay babe?" Chloe swallowed her comeback comment at being called babe and just nodded her head, relieved that he really only was taking pictures. You can do this Chloe, you can do this. It's nothing major. Holy shit what the hell am I thinking? Part of her was still desperate to run out of this room, but another was glad that he was only taking pictures, because she'd been terrified of him doing so much worse. Just try not to think about Chloe, just go be somewhere else.
As Shaun began to direct her on what to take off, where to go and how to pose, Chloe didn't make a sound. It was as if she was somewhere else, as if this was happening to someone else. It was a movie she was watching, something terrible happening to another person. She wanted to cry for this girl who was being forced into this awful act, she wanted to scream at this man for doing it to her. But she didn't.
Then he came up to her, and he touched her, moving her body into a new position, and Chloe snapped out of the haze she'd put herself in. She wanted to take his camera and shove it down his throat. Let's see how hard your punches are after I break every bone in your hands you son of a bitch! But she wouldn't let herself do it. Because she knew she couldn't win a physical fight with a man twice her size. If she got him angry he might go after her, or someone else. Ally and Conner were sleeping in the next room, and Chloe was more worried about waking them up at this point, than she was about what was actually happening.
At least Claudia isn't having to do this. If anything, that was the thought Chloe was hanging on to. Claudia had already been through so much, and she was working so hard. I can deal with this... I don't know if she could. Shaun came up and touched her arm, and Chloe bit her tongue to keep from biting his fingers. This is better for everyone in the long run Chloe, it really is. She glared into the camera, letting her anger show, releasing some of the rage building in her veins. It was just an angry look, but it made her feel just that much better, to show what she was really feeling.
When he finally left, telling her she did a great job, telling her thank you, Chloe wanted to throw her lamp at him. Instead she waited until he left, until she heard his bedroom door shut. Then she went down the hall to the bathroom, and retched in the toilet until it was just dry heaves. What did I just do?
It was always something new, and yet it was always the same. Sometimes Clark felt as if he would never be able to please her. Everything always seemed to be about her. She'd start going on about how he was always lying to her, but it wasn't really about him. Even though it was about his lying, it wasn't about him, it was about her. It was about how his lies affected her.
"Lana, I'm sorry, I just had to leave okay?" He watched as she crossed her arms and looked up at him angrily. She walked across the loft and took a second before turning to face him. It was a routine; the way they argued. Lana accused Clark, who would apologize and make excuses before finally getting mad and accusing her back. Then Lana would morph.
She would become the sweet, caring girlfriend she could be. Suddenly his lies wouldn't matter, she would promise they didn't. Now it was him that mattered, it was their relationship, it was this thing that they had, this perfect thing. And sometimes it made him want to scream. For instance, right now. Can I just press fast forward and skip to the end?
"Clark why do you always have to lie to me? Why can't you just tell me the truth!" Now was the time to go on the offensive.
"Lana I don't always lie to you, why don't you trust me?" Clark wanted to run, just run far away from here. Because the lying did get old, but he never felt that Lana would be able to handle it. God I hate lying! But she would never be with me if she knew... if she knew what I was, if she knew I'd been lying to her this entire time, she would hate me forever.
"I'm sorry Clark, I do trust you, I just... I'm sorry." Lana smiled up at him and he smiled back, pulling her into his arms, telling her it was okay. When he held her close like this, Clark believed things would work out. Because he loved her, with all his heart, he always had.
But later, alone in his loft and looking at the stars, Clark wasn't so certain. If asked, he would profess his undying love for Lana until he was blue in the face. So why does it feel... wrong? Even some of the time? He thought back to earlier in the day, when they'd been talking about something, he couldn't even remember what now.
It was the feeling, the feeling that he remembered. Like he'd just been shown the imperfection in a mirror. A crack that was almost invisible. But still there. And then it was gone, as quickly as it had made its presence known, it was gone. Blown away with the next laugh from her pretty mouth, brushed away with her soft hand on his skin.
Until it came back to him at times like this, and then he felt... stuck. He didn't know what to do, and most of the time, he went to Chloe. With his Lana problems, she was definitely his go-to friend. She could always calm him down. She always understands... Sometimes it was advice about what he should do, little gestures and such.
Other times she was just a listening ear, just someone that would listen without judging. Clark really needed that, someone to talk to without it being his parents. Although Chloe didn't know his secret, she still seemed to actually know him. You could tell her... Could I? This was often something Clark thought about. It was always the same thing though, the same reasons why and the same reasons why not. But it was still something he thought about, and he was thinking about more and more.
It was after school the next day that the thought came up next. After he'd said good-bye to Lana, it was the reason his feet carried him to the Torch office instead of to his truck. Valentine's Day was coming up in a few weeks and he had no idea what to do. It had to be special, it had to make her feel special, feel loved. But what can I do that I haven't already done?
Clark walked into the Torch and opened his mouth to say something, maybe a joke about her always working late, or maybe just a simple hello. But then he saw Chloe, asleep on her desk in front of her computer. This didn't surprise him in the least, she had seemed tired all day. Come to think of it, she seems tired all the time.
It wasn't something he had thought about, but thinking back over the last couple weeks, the last few days especially, Chloe had seemed exceptionally tired. Clark walked closer and crouched down next to her, looking at her face. It wasn't often he looked this close at Chloe's face, and if he hadn't he probably wouldn't have noticed.
There were dark circles under her eyes, partially concealed by make up, but still there. And even in sleep, her forehead was creased with wrinkles and her mouth was pulled down at the corners. Reaching out, Clark brushed some hair away from her face, and saw something, just at the edge of her hairline.
A bruise. It was dark and angry looking, and immediately Clark felt something twist in his gut. How could I not have noticed this? I see Chloe all the time... Clark ran his fingers lightly around the edge of the discoloring. But do you ever really look at her? The question bothered Clark, because he didn't have an answer. Or he did and it wasn't the one he wanted to hear.
What else haven't I seen? Clark straightened and walked away from Chloe's sleeping form, turning to look back at her, his hands on his hips. He wanted to wake her up, he wanted to ask her about that bruise. What would I say? What would she say? Clark paced, back and forth across the tiny Torch office.
It's probably not anything, probably just an accident. So why was it bugging him so much? Why didn't he just wake her up and ask her? Clark walked over and reached out a hand to gently shake her awake. Then he changed his mind, spinning quickly away from her. Clark what's the matter with you?
In his disheveled state, Clark tripped over a chair next to Chloe's desk and the resulting noise was more than enough to wake Chloe up. But it wasn't the fact that she woke up that bothered Clark, it was how she woke up. He watched as Chloe jumped to her feet and her hands flew up as if to protect herself. What the hell Chloe?
"Chloe, it's okay, it's just me." Clark put out a hand, and spoke calmly, as if she was a horse ready to bolt.
"Oh my God Clark! You scared me to death!" Chloe ran a hand through her hair and sat back down heavily. She had a smile on her face but Clark saw the bruise again, and after what she'd just done, he knew he had to ask.
"I'm sorry Chloe, I didn't mean to. So Chloe..." he paused, unsure of how to ask. "You have a..." Clark helplessly gestured to his own forehead and opened his mouth again.
"Damn what time is it?" Chloe interrupted him and jumped to her feet as she looked at the clock. "I'm late to pick up Ally and Conner! Thank God for your farm boy clumsiness Clark! I'll talk to you tomorrow okay?" Before he knew what had happened, she had grabbed her bag and was out the door, leaving him standing alone. What just happened? He stood there for a second before turning out the light, shutting the door and heading to his truck.
The rest of the day, it was all he could think about. That mark, it didn't belong on Chloe. It was too dark for her pale skin and golden hair, too scary to belong there along with her bright smile. But he didn't mention it to Lana when she came over for dinner, and he didn't mention it to his parents either. It just... it felt private, secret. And he knew what it was to have a secret.
It kept him up that night, lying awake and wanting to call Chloe. He wanted her to tell him it was nothing, reassure him everything was okay. If you know what she's going to say then why ask? Besides she's obviously exhausted, you can't wake her up now. If it was just the bruise he probably wouldn't be this worried, but it was more. Her face was haunting him, it was all he could see when he closed his eyes. When he'd woken her up Clark had seen her expression, seen her eyes. And they had been filled with fear, she had looked terrified.
He couldn't tear his eyes away from her. The pictures had been e-mailed to him by his contact within the group. He'd gotten them an hour ago and still he was here, captivated by one photograph in particular. Lex sipped from his glass of brandy and went through them again, one by one, stopping at the last one.
It was there, in every photograph, in every amateur pose, every curve and line of her body, every expression. Innocence. In some there was fear, in others she was so withdrawn inside herself she seemed invisible against the white cotton sheets. But her innocence showed through almost painfully, and Lex couldn't get enough.
Although they were technically porn, the pictures weren't overtly sexy, Chloe wasn't naked. Unfortunately. She was wearing a plain green tank top and black boy short panties. But the color of the tank top brought out the green in her eyes, and the way it was falling off one shoulder made him want to kiss that bare skin it revealed. The way it was riding up made him want to pull it all the way off. It clung to her curves in just the right way to make Lex wish he could see beneath the fabric. The black shorts were outlined with black lace, and the curves of her ass were just calling to him.
Lex wanted to see the rest of her. He wanted to see what those clothes hid, what those sheets hid as they twisted around her. Not only did he want to see but he wanted to touch, he wanted to hold, he wanted to kiss. He wanted to feel. Damn...
It was the last picture though, that made his skin itch, made his insides boil and his imagination take him to places it should never go. Chloe was sitting up on her bed, leaning back against her headboard. One leg was up, her knee bent and the sheet twisted around her ankle. The other was straight out, and he could follow that line of her leg forever. Her arms were just hanging by her sides.
Glance at it, and the picture was just as amateurish, just as innocent as the rest. She was simply sitting there, allowing her picture to be taken. But Lex looked at it closer and he saw the details. He saw the way her hands clutched the sheets in an effort to control herself. He saw her face, he saw her anger, trapped behind those eyes.
Defiant are we Chloe? Lex could see how she wanted to lung at the man wielding the camera, wanted to get revenge for what he had done and what he was putting her through. It was in the wrinkles of the sheets clenched between her small fingers. It was in the angle of her chin, tilted up towards the camera. It was in the tightness of her sweet mouth. It was in the way her beautiful eyes flashed.
And it was barely contained, this rage she had. Lex wanted to see it, he wanted to release it. He wanted to hear those screams held captive just behind those lips, wanted to feel her muscles fighting back against him. He wanted to feel her skin against his, so hot they might catch fire. He wanted to cause those screams, but they would not be angry. He wanted to make those muscles strain and tremble. He wanted to make her weak. He wanted to make her helpless.
He wanted it, he needed it. He needed her. He needed to hold that anger, that passion, in his arms and contain it, control it. He needed to possess her, make sure she knew she belonged to him. He needed to have that defiance within his grasp and crush it. He needed to see that innocence, that one thing that made her untouchable, and he needed to take it from her.
But all those things he wanted, all those things he needed, those weren't what had his headache pounding behind his eyes. Because those were the things he could think about. He could imagine and fantasize and pretend that was all he wanted. Lex could continue doing this to Chloe under the guise of stripping her of her innocence, so he could have her, and he could do this without much, if any, remorse. Until this thought, this one little thought crept up and clung to him.
This thought, this realization, scared him. Now Lex wasn't a person who frightened easily, but Chloe had him feeling fear. It wasn't her that terrified him, it was how much he wanted her, how much he needed her. Lex knew he was capable of a lot, and he was scared of how far he might go. It wasn't something he liked to think about, but he was scared of what he might allow to happen to Chloe, he was scared of what he might do to her himself. Because what had begun as a project, as a casual interest, was consuming him.
Lex was terrified, because he knew that he was no longer trying to break Chloe to test human limits. He no longer needed to break her to see if he was stronger than she was. He needed to break her because he needed her. He needed to break her... so she would need him back.
So? How was this chapter? Please gimme feedback people, especially if you want another update before I'm gone and away from my computer for a few weeks. (kind of mean of me, but hey)