Disclaimer: read chapter 1.
A/N: Thanks to both Chlexers and Lexana fans to give this fic a chance. I'd like to remind you that what matters here isn't the plot itself but what the characters are actually feeling. The idea behind this fic, which I wrote several months ago, was to have fun with ambiguity. You'll be constantly trying to guess who the characters are thinking about.
On with the story! Enjoy this two-part instalment and tell me what you think of the fic so far.
CHAPTER 2: Coffee Talk
Chloe arrived at The Talon and saw the object of her thoughts sitting alone at a table, sipping coffee while absorbed in his writing. At a distance, she spotted the other male in the coffee house working on something and also drinking a cup of java.
"Hi, Lana! " said Chloe, approaching the counter to order an extra large cup of espresso.
"Hi, Chloe! You've come for your usual dose of caffeine, haven't you? "
"You bet. Dad's only got instant coffee in the larder. It beats me how he can survive on that, " she grimaced. " What's up with those two? " she asked, gesturing towards the former best friends.
"You've noticed, haven't you?
"You don't need to be a rocket scientist to realise there isn't a breach but an abyss between them, " she smiled knowingly.
"I feel guilty, " said Lana.
"Guilty? Why on earth would you feel guilty, Lana? "
"This started the day I left for Paris. You should have seen the look on Clark's face when he saw Lex at the airport. "
"At the airport? "
"Yes. Clark arrived late and saw us together. "
"Did Lex kiss you? "
"No. It was just a hug, Chloe. But... well... I had given Clark the opportunity to open up before I left and he chose to turn it down. Then, I met Jason and the rest is history. "
"So that's why Lex and Clark exchanged those glances at court? I've always wondered... "
"What? "
"Nothing. "
"What happened between you and Lex? "
"In what sense? "
"Well, your relationship with him is almost as strained as the one he has with Clark. "
"Why don't you ask him, Lana? Because I don't know. Our break up, if you could call it that way, didn't happen overnight but gradually. And I can't put a finger on what actually occurred yet. "
"Would you rather things were the way they used to be? "
"You must learn it's impossible to turn the clock back, Lana. We're who we are, and there are things that'll never change. Like Clark Kent being in love with Lana Lang. "
"I really don't think... "
"Come on, Lana! " exclaimed Chloe.
"Would you do me a favour, Chloe? "
"Sure... unless you want me to do the dance the seven veils on the counter to attract more customers, " she said, grinning widely.
"No, it's nothing like that, " she cracked a smile. " I'll take another coffee to Clark and see if we can have an amicable chat. Would you refill Lex's cup? His coffee must be cold already. I don't know what he's working on but he hasn't left that table in the last three hours, " she said, looking towards his table.
"This wasn't on my list of favourite things to do on a Saturday afternoon but, seeing you're short of personnel... Give me the coffee pot... I guess he won't bite. "
"Thanks, Chloe, " said Lana, turning round the counter in Clark's direction.
"Miss Sullivan, " Lex greeted her, leaving his Montblanc on the table.
"Mr Luthor, " answered Chloe. " Lana said your coffee must be frozen by now. Would you care for a refill? "
"I'd love a fresh cup, Miss Sullivan, " responded Lex. " I thought you'd be in Metropolis on a Saturday, " he added.
"I don't need to go all the way to Metropolis to get a decent cup of coffee. "
"At least there's something about me you approve of, then. "
"Mm? " she murmured, raising her eyebrows.
"The last time I checked, Miss Sullivan, I had a share in this business. So... you have to concede there's still a business of mine you can't say anything negative about. "
"Well, now that you mention it... The Talon lacks something Metropolis Java has. "
"And what would that be? "
"Ice-cream... I love their chocolate ice-cream with nuts! "
"I think we can arrange that. Ice-cream's a good idea now the summer's approaching. "
"Do you always think of what you can get out of a business arrangement, Mr Luthor? "
"Why is it that I feel we're not talking about ice-cream here, Miss Sullivan?
"You're a smart guy, Lex, " she said, reverting to his first name.
"Seeing we're on a first name basis again, Chloe. Why do you care so much about my affairs? " he asked with a smirk.
"Go to hell, Mr Luthor! "she snapped, walking hurriedly to the counter with the coffee pot.
"Chloe, could you come over here for a minute? " asked Lana from Clark's table.
"Sure. Let me pick up my things, first, " she answered, collecting the pile of books she'd borrowed to do some research.
"Hi, Chloe! Sorry I didn't greet you when you came in. I was working on this paper I have to hand in at the beginning of the new semester. "
"Don't worry, Clark. I know we're still friends, " she responded with a wide smile.
"Hey ! What happened back there? What did he say to upset you? " asked Clark with a frown.
"Nothing, Clark. He said nothing. The fact is I snapped. I saw him there so cool and composed. I just don't know how he does it. "
"It's just a façade, Chloe. If you caught him unawares, you'd see sometimes the weight of the world upon his shoulders, " she said, letting her eyes stray to where Lex was sitting.
"Lana, about Tuesday..., " interrupted Clark, trying to call her attention.
"Yes? " answered Lana.
"Would you like me to give you a lift to Metropolis? I've got to go to the city to get some things for mum. I wouldn't mind. "
"Thanks for the offer, Clark, " she said, smiling sweetly, " you'd save me two bus tickets, " she said, kissing him on the cheek.
"Great! " exclaimed Clark, and Chloe could see her friend was back on cloud nine.
"Well... guys... a research's waiting for me. See you tomorrow, Clark, " said Chloe, leaving her chair and kissing him goodbye.
"Goodbye, Miss Sullivan, " said Lex when Chloe passed his table.
"Goodbye, Mr Luthor, " she answered. " Enjoy your coffee, " she added under her breath.
"Lex? " asked Lana, sitting down at his table. "Am I interrupting? "
"No, it's all right. I'm almost done, " he answered, recapping his pen.
"I've been talking with Clark and... I think I've hit on a new idea for The Talon. "
"Is this idea yours or Clark's? "
"Does it really matter? "
"If it works, I don't see why it'd matter. "
"Well... I was thinking about offering our customers a new service. It'd be perfect for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries or some personal celebration. Instead of buying a bunch of roses, a box of chocolates or any such present, our customers could have breakfast or tea delivered to whoever they wanted to surprise. "
"I've heard of a similar service in Metropolis. "
"Yes, but it isn't offered here yet, and coffee doesn't stay hot or the croissants crispy all the way from Metropolis, " she added with a smile.
"You've got a point there. The idea needs some work, but it could be practicable. "
"Good. I'll call on you as soon as I get the numbers and the budget. I'll have to talk with Mrs Kent about the supplies. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll finish something and go straight up. I've got to start studying for my astronomy exam. "
"Have you asked our own stargazer to lend you a hand? "
"Lex, couldn't you do something about this? "
"I'm done feeling guilty, Lana. Why is it always me the one who has to take the first step? He was as much my friend as I was his. If he wants to patch up things, he knows where to find me, " he said, putting away the papers in his briefcase and making his way to the entrance door. " See you, Lana. "
"Goodbye, Lex. "
Go to chapter 3 and find out what Lex and the two girls were actually thinking while they were at The Talon.