January 5, 2013
The sun shone over the large playground in
“Little guy’s as active as ever, I see,” came a familiar feminine voice behind Lex. It was the last voice Lex expected to hear.
“Chloe,” Lex said as the blond woman sat down beside him, “what a surprise…” He held his mouth open, as if to say something else but couldn’t.
“You’re probably wondering why I’m here,” Chloe predicted. Lex gave her an affirming look. “Listen, Lex, we’re friends. I’m not saying it’s not going to be hard, and part of me thinks that it’s not going to work, but what kind of person would I be if I didn’t?”
“The kind of person that betrays their friends when the going gets tough?”
“Well, tact has never been your strong point.”
Lex smiled. “I get that from my father.” Lex watched Alex for a moment, and pointed him out to Chloe. “It’s amazing, Alex has spent four hours with his grandfather in the last week. It’s the first time he’s ever met him. Now we’ve always known Alex had a Type A personality, but look what a little time with Lionel Luthor had done to him already.”
Chloe watched as a dozen kids listened to Alex giving directions on a new game. The group then proceeded to play a version of Red Light, Green Light involving tag, with Alex as the ringleader.
Lex said ironically, “I think my father is making up for lost time, where he could use his infant brainwashing techniques.”
“Lex, if you’re so afraid of your father’s influence, why are you at LuthorCorp?”
“As strange as this may sound, it feels like home. I’m not going to lie to you and say that I didn’t enjoy the life with Lana, but I felt like I was acting out a part. I loved the part, but when I’m working at LuthorCorp, it’s like something inside of me takes over, and it feels incredible.”
Chloe commented, “I think Napoleon Bonaparte might have described The Battle of Austerlitz in a similar manner.”
“Or Alexander the Great and the
“I get it, Lex. I’m just saying…”
“I know, and I appreciate the concern. You’re a true friend.”
“And, Lex, thanks for just hiring the best writer at my place of work’s rival company to attempt to debase my greatest work and my journalistic integrity in general, instead of, you know, hiring a sniper to assassinate me.”
Chloe suddenly lunged forward, struggling for breath, and holding her the left side of her midsection as the fabric around her hand turned blood red. Taking strength from her depleting life force, she screamed out, “
It was only minutes later when paramedics had Chloe on a stretcher, an oxygen mask on her face, and bandages on the now exposed gunshot wound.
“
One of the paramedics stated to Lex, “You’re obviously not Clark, Mr. Luthor.”
Lex didn’t know what to think of the fact his notoriety had already returned. “Clark
“Is he her next of kin?”
Lex’s mind raced. “No, her father’s still alive. Gabe Sullivan. He used to work for me, but it’s been years.” He thought harder. “I know how to get in touch with
“Mike!” cried the other paramedic. “She ain’t doin’ so good. We gotta get her to the hospital now!”
Across the street from where Lex was standing, there was suddenly a loud scream, a crash, and then a cacophony of honking cars, and Lex turned to see a small crowd gathered around something on the sidewalk.
* * *
Clark appeared on the roof of the three-story building overlooking
“You picked the wrong target,”
Through the pain, the man screamed in a heavy Eastern European accent, “You wouldn’t! You’re supposed to be a superhero!”
“Don’t test me. Just tell me who hired you.”
The man scrambled for something in his pocket with his good hand and pulled out a grey, metal sphere.
The sniper screamed, but
The sniper landed with his back on the curb with an ominous crack. Blood pooled around his head, into the street and onto the sidewalk.
Instantly,
He stooped slightly, turning his head away from the crowd. The entire back of his suit was stained with blood. He suddenly launched himself up into the air, leaving cracks in the sidewalk in a five-foot radius.
The crowd muttered, and one person in the crowd pulled out a small notebook. This brown-haired man was Marshall Heath, star reporter of the Metropolis Star.
* * *
The last place Clark wanted to be at was
“And, your relation to Miss Sullivan?”
In the hallway,
“Chloe was really lucky. Now I’m a factory manager, so don’t expect me to get all this medical jargon right, but the bullet missed her lung. There was some, uh, internal bleeding in her large intestines, but that was quickly taken care of. They say she cried you name a lot during her less lucid moments.”
“Yeah. It’s, um, …”
“Don’t kill yourself, Clark. My daughter’s been enamored with you since the day we set foot in Smallville. I’d almost given up on grandkids.”
Gabe wrapped his arm around Clark’s shoulder, which wasn’t easy given Clark’s height, “You know, I like to think there’s hope for
“Thanks. But, you know, Dad kind of misses the cows.”
The older man laughed heartily. “Yeah, I knew how much he hated to have to sell the farm when he was elected. I’m glad he kept the farmhouse though. The Christmas parties are the best.”
“Funny you mention your loft. It was one of Chloe’s favorite places to go. Scared me to death that she wanted to hang out in a teenage boy’s private space so much…”
Chloe turned her head as
Taking a breath
Chloe cut him off. “Clark Kent, if the next words that come of your mouth are an apology, I will ask the nurse to get me my belongings and I will hit you hard enough with my K-ring to break your jaw.”
Chloe’s eyes widened in shock. “
“It was an accident. Now I was harsher than I should have been throwing him around, but…” He paused before continuing, “He had kryptonite. We both fell off the building.”
“Kryptonite? How?”
“I don’t know how he had it, or even how he knew to pull it out. He must not have know what it would do, ‘cause he pulled it out while I was dangling him off the edge of the building.”
“Wait, are you alright? Did you fall off, too?”
“Yeah, and I landed pretty hard. Probably broke a few bones and gave myself a concussion before the kryptonite fell into the sewers. I’m good now. The shooter’s another story.”
Chloe reached her hand out and held his face. “Hey, then it wasn’t your fault.” She artificially heightened her tone, “So, it looks like I won’t be starting back at the Planet on Monday after all. I bet Perry’s beside himself. Which reminds me, have you talked to him about…?”
“
“Catch him? We didn’t need to. He’s dead. We found him on splattered on the sidewalk across the street from the park. It appears Metropolis’s resident superhuman vigilante threw him off a building.”
Chloe, playing along, said, “I find that hard to believe. I know him personally, and he’s not the type to just throw someone off a building. Weren’t there witnesses?” Perfect reporter question…
“Yes, but these same witnesses claim that they also the man in white fall off the building and start bleeding. Mind telling me how a man who can fly and catch bullets fell off a three story building and hurt himself? These same witnesses then claimed he got up and flew off. They showed me a dent in the sidewalk as ‘proof.’”
“We identified him as Latvian mercenary killer Andrejs Kohut. Do you know anyone who might want to kill Miss Sullivan?”
“Lionel Luthor,” the two said in unison.
“He’s tried it before,” Chloe added.
“We’re investigating both Luthors as we speak. Lex is cooperating. Lionel is giving us the runaround.” The words rang hollow as if it had been said many a time.
Chloe commented, “That isn’t the least bit surprising.”
Chloe added, “And even though he is going back to work for LuthorCorp, it wouldn’t be some show of loyalty. He’s already hired Marshall Heath from the Star to write a rebuttal to my book.”
“We’re investigated Lex because it’s standard procedure to investigate first at the scene. Mr.
“Yeah…” Chloe replied.
“We had a Marshall Heath at the scene as a primary witness. He’s the one who said the man in white threw the man off the building.” Clark and Chloe exchanged bemused glances. “Listen,” Det. Sawyer said, unable to decipher the looks Clark and Chloe were sharing, “I’ve got an investigation to proceed with. I’m sure you two would like a few minutes alone. Oh, by the way,” she said, through the doorway, “I loved the article in The Inquisitor the other day.” And with that, she was gone.
After a brief silence, Chloe started to fumble with her IV tubes, and meekly asked, “
“Not that kind of moving-in thing. People usually wait until there in a certain stage of their relationship before doing that.”
“Damn right. Listen, I know you’re gonna be hovering over me anyway—and not literally, please—you might as well be sleeping in the next room.”
“I don’t have a problem with that. It’s just the mattress on the couch isn’t the best.”
“Haven’t you heard? Lois got it replaced for me. You might as well be sleeping in my bed.” Hearing her own words, Chloe blushed, “Oh, brother, your awkwardness is rubbing off on me. Way to go,
* * *
January 12, 2013
Chloe giggled, “So, bleach didn’t work at all?”
“So, that’s why you’re dragging me to Smallville with you?”
“Dragging you? You begged me to let you to come.”
“I couldn’t stand to be cooped up in my apartment any longer.”
“You moved back in yesterday.”
“Before that, I was cooped up in the hospital for a week! I was about to die of boredom.”
“I brought you in a laptop and snuck your cell into your room. You’ve been working the entire time.”
“With a Cable modem. How ancient is that?”
“We could have plugged you into the phone line. We’re talking 56K there.”
Chloe covered her ears. “Ah! I’m not listening.” Chloe turned back to her notebook. “Plus, aren’t I garnering you a lot of praise from Perry ‘cause I’m helping you out with your S.T.A.R. article?”
“Point taken.”
Chloe brushed her hair out of her face again. “So, again, why Smallville?”
“The man in white has been out of commission for seven days now. Metropolis needs a hero. And I’d like a disguise that can withstand the elements. And for that I need to get some more Kryptonian fabric. And for that, I need to go back to the Fortress of Solitude. And for that…”
“…you need the Kawatche caves.” Chloe finished as she scribbled on a sheet of paper.
“Yep. What’re you drawing?”
“How do you know I’m drawing? I could be working on an article.”
“Because you’ve never used anything but a word processor to write down anything, save grocery lists, in years.” Adopting an even more demeaning tone, he added, “And when people write, they usually move their pencils in minute motions going back and forth across the page. You’re obviously drawing large, smooth lines across the entire area of the paper.” He turned to look at what she was drawing but she held the notebook to her chest.
“No lookies, Mr. Perfect-Peripheral-Vision, and don’t you even think about squinting.”
“Yeah, especially since it’s very difficult to use my x-ray vision to see the back of something. Plus, do you really want me using my vision anywhere near where you’re holding that?”
Chloe emitted a playful scoff. “Sometimes, Clark
“It’s funny you mention red,”
* * *
Kent Farmhouse
Peeling off one of Martha Kent’s winter coats, Chloe joked, “I tell you, that icicle kingdom of yours has enough nooks and crannies.” Martha handled her a cup of hot chocolate. “Thanks, Mrs.
“Chloe, please, call me Martha. You’re practically family.” Lowering her voice, she added, “’Course, before too long…”
In an equally hushed voice, Chloe replied, “Talk about counting your chickens before they hatch!”
Refining her accent, Martha replied, “Was that a farm analogy? I hardly understand those anymore.”
Chloe smirked.
Walking into the kitchen,
Martha picked up the sleek, white blanket of cloth that
Chloe spun towards Martha on the stool she was sitting on. “May I suggest our lovely green rings?”
“Could work,” Martha considered it. She tossed her son the broken scissors, and he used his heat vision to repair the blade. Turning back to Chloe, Martha inquired, “Would you like to help, Chloe?”
“Yeah, I’m not as domestically inclined as you, but I do have a couple of ideas I want to throw at you.” She reached down and pulled her notebook from her backpack.
Chloe was a writer, not an artist, but the figure on the page was at least recognizable as human. To
“It’s a cape.” Chloe pointed toward the cape, penned in red, which flowed behind the body of her figure.
“I think it’s symbolic.”
“It’s a lot of color. Blue… red…”
“
Martha pointed towards the gap near the center of the chest of Chloe’s drawing. “What’s supposed to go here?”
“I haven’t decided.
“One of my shop class projects?”
“Jonathan uses it as a paperweight,” Martha added.
Chloe grabbed a ruler from the drawer, and carrying both objects in her hand, laid them on the table, and then flipped to a new page in her notebook. She started to talk while working energetically. “Know I don’t know if this was intentional…” She laid the ‘S’ sideways on the page and started to draw lines around it with the ruler. “…but, I think if we played with the lines just a tad…” She removed the metal project and finished her design. “I think this would fit fairly well in…” She held up her work, showing the ‘S’ traced inside of a pentagon which had a very similar shape to the House of El Symbol.
Clark and Martha were silent, but exchanged impressed glances.
* * *
January 17, 2013
Winter was the windy season in Metropolis. For
He didn’t expect to collapse to the ground mid-stride in the middle of the room. The momentum carried him to the desk, where he found himself in pain. As he reached his hand up toward the desk, feeling a burning sensation, he realized that the small gift-wrapped box on top of the table carried kryptonite.
Even without his super-hearing, he heard the voices in the hall and the door opening.
“Lex, my boy, I must say you’re doing fine work in Smallville,” Lionel Luthor stated as he strode briskly into the room. “As always, I expect better, but, son, I think you’re really starting to get your life back on track.”
Lex’s insides burned at the implications of the comment, but he was in no mood to start an argument with his father, who had dragged him to Metropolis in the middle of some very important planning time with his plant managers.
“Lex, also, I noticed that you offered a job to Gabe Sullivan. Now, while I’m always glad to have one less competent worker at any of
“Lex, I will not tolerate such insubordination. Let us not forget whose fault that book was.”
Lex just smiled insincerely. “Dad, I think we should thank Chloe Sullivan for her work. LuthorCorp prides itself on such values as safety and honesty. I, for one, am relieved that the completely accidental fire at the publishing house where her book was being printed was quickly put out. It was very lucky that a random pedestrian happened to be walking by at three in the morning.” Lionel chose to ignore the sarcasm in Lex’s voice.
“As am I, Lex.” Lionel noticed the gift on his desk. “Oh, and how is Tessa working out?”
Lex kept his voice even. “Very well, I must say. The kids absolutely adore her. She seems very qualified. Overqualified, I must say.” He let the statement hang, but Lionel busied himself with the items on his desk. “She’s very attractive, Dad.”
A broad smile appeared on Lionel’s face. “I had hoped you would think so.”
“Dad, I know what you’re playing. But I was very much in love with Lana and I still am a grieving widower. I’d hold off on booking a church.”
“Lex, I don’t expect you to woo this woman just yet, but she’s a magnificent young woman. Don’t make the same mistake our friend Clark did all those years ago and obsess about that one certain woman. He’s moved on, I understand.”
Lex in his head quickly counted the years since his mother died: twenty-five. While Lionel could hardly be called celibate, he was still a bachelor.
Lionel noticed the silver box on his desk. “Aw, of course. Lex, this is for you. My VPs were so pleased with your return they had this prepared for you.” Lionel handed his son the four-inch cube wrapped in striped black and silver wrapping paper. Lex removed the top to find a silver watch, the face surrounded by a glowing, jeweled green ring. Lionel smiled and stated, “They had it specially made. That green ring is made from the meteor rock found in Smallville. It turns out that it’s naturally luminescent when a small electrical current is run through it.”
“It’s great, Dad.” Lex moved his own watch to his pocket and tried on the silver one. He looked up at his father. “Is there anything else you need? Because we’re both very busy men.”
“No, Lex, that will be all. Keep up the good work, son.” With a sincere smile, he patted his son’s shoulder.
“Who’s there?” Lionel called, seconds before he felt a passing rush of wind. He then looked thoughtfully at his desk, at the place where Lex’s gift used to be and then to the security cameras hidden above the door.
* * *
Seconds later,
“Hey, I could have taken them!” Lois cried incredulously.
“They have guns. You’re not bulletproof.”
“And you are?” Lois cursed her impetuousness as soon as the words came out of her mouth. She ignored the superhero’s proud smirk.
“Let’s get you out of here.”
It was a short ride back to the Daily Planet’s roof, being almost across the street from LuthorCorp.
“Well, thanks… I guess White Knight doesn’t really suit you anymore.”
“I never really like the name anyway,”
“Anyway, I like the new look. Blue suits you.” Lois smiled flirtatiously. After their third date, the personal trainer had stopped calling.
“Thanks.” He could have sworn Lois was flirting with him.
“So, anyway, Clark and Chloe have really hit it off.”
In reality,
“Well, obviously. But, you’re still a pretty attractive not-human.” Lois replied. She looked him up and down before a look of realization appeared on her face. “Oh, I get it. That could be a problem for me.” Lois coughed. “Listen, we can just forget we ever had this conversation. There’re plenty of fish in the sea. Some of them have all their fins. Catch you later… what should we call you now?”
“I’m just a man trying to help out a city.”
“You’re one super man, handsome.” She winked as
* * *
9:14 PM
Marshall Heath sat at his desk at the Metropolis Star. In front of him was his computer, opened to a black word processor page. To his right was a copy of The Underground Monopoly, open to the end of the first chapter. He drummed his fingers on the desk for a few seconds before he moved his hands to float about the keyboard, typing:
Writing an Underground Libel
A Response to The Underground Monopoly
~
A/N: Back in Chapter 1, I named Lex and Lana’s baby Lillian. I just read the recap of the episode and it turns out they did name her Lily. I’m developing psychic powers.
^_^ - Let me at this Marshall Heath guy. He won’t know what hit ‘im. No one messes with my LongHair!Chloe.
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