December 31, 2012
“You’re not wearing black,” Lois told her cousin, pulling the full length black gown from the blond woman’s hands and throwing it on the bed of her apartment bedroom. “You a reds person and you know it.” She went to closet and started searching through Chloe’s dresses.
“We’re going to skip over this lovely pink thing,” Lois commented next as she threw a dark pink dress onto the bed. “Isn’t that thing that you went to the Spring Formal with
“Yeah…” Chloe said, finally getting a word in.
“Well, it’s nice, but not for tonight… ooh, this one is intriguing,” she commented on an eclectic lavender dress with bright trim, “but you’re not wearing it either.” It joined the other dresses on the bed. “Ooh, I am loving this,” Lois almost squealed, pulling out a full-length, plum-colored dress with a diagonal strap. “What do you think?”
“It looks great, Lois,” Chloe said, trying to hide her annoyance.
Catching this, she snapped, “Hey, squirt, you asked me to help you out.”
Chloe sighed, and apologized, “Sorry. I think that would be excellent for tonight. Really. I’m just… nervous.”
“Well, I for one am very proud for you for finally having to nerve to move things forward with
“Must you assume it’s about
Quick to reply, Lois asked, “Mustn’t I? Plus, Chloe, you’ve put out other books.”
“Nothing near this prestigious.”
“Chloe, face it; it’s about boy. C’mere.” Lois hugged her cousin. “I know how crazy you are about this mild-mannered reporter.” While holding Chloe’s shoulders, she continued, “I don’t understand it, since you’ve got a hunky superhero stalking you.”
“Hey, he’s saved your life a time or two.”
“Well, next time he pulls a knight in shining armor on me, I’ll bat an eye, okay? Enough about me. Now, we’ve got work to do on you. Can’t disappoint your date.”
“He’s more like an escort.”
Tilting her head, Lois replied, “One, liar. Two, I could tell you stories about what I’ve done with some of my ‘escorts.’ Three, ‘escort’ has many meanings.” Lois wiggled her eyebrows.
“Alright, alright, how ‘bout figure out what we’re gonna do with my hair. I have an appointment at three.”
“That’s my girl.”
* * *
Lionel Luthor studied his son for several antagonizing moments. “So, let me get this straight, Lex. You drop the senatorial race against my wishes. Then, you emancipate yourself from the family. You try to live the middle class lifestyle with two kids and a minivan, working for LuthorCorp’s competitors. And, now, you come back here, with your tail between your legs, practically falling to your knees, and begging for a job, as if all could be forgiven? What do you want me to say to you, Lex?”
“I want you to tell me what a coward I am, Dad. I want you to tell me ‘I told you so.’ I want you to tell me I don’t deserve to polish your shoes after what I’ve done. I want you to tell me I’ve betrayed you; insert appropriate literary allusion here. I want you to tell me that I made the biggest mistake of my life seven years ago by not following your training. I want you to tell me that you knew all along that great power and abundant wealth is the only way I’ll survive in this world. I want you to tell me that LuthorCorp needs me back.”
Lionel leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers, “Well, son, I’m afraid you’re wrong on the last count. LuthorCorp is thriving.”
“So that’s why you’ve set up camp in Smallville? C’mon, Dad, you know your true home is the penthouse in Metropolis. Ask any of your neighbors, and they’ll tell you that you have the LuthorCorp helicopter fly in three times a week. My guess is that you can’t stand being in this corn-infested town for more than two days at a time. You’ve probably hired some of the best chefs in the tri-state area to cook foods for you with names that the locals can’t even pronounce.”
“Lex, I’m a very busy man. Do you have a proposition for me, or not?”
Lex strode forward and laid his hands on his father’s desk, saying, “Give me back Smallville, Dad. The only ties that you have here is this castle. I think you’re getting so tired in your old age that you don’t want to go through the trouble of moving the place stone by stone again, even if you do have the money and the gall to do it. Don’t tell me you’d prefer to see the cornfields of rural
“Well, Lex, it seems some things never change. You still have an outrageously overactive imagination. And you still haven’t convinced me why I should put you back in charge of the Smallville fertilizer plants.”
“Because, Dad, you know I’m capable, you just don’t want to admit it. Plus, Chloe Sullivan is releasing a book about LuthorCorp on the first of the year. And you’re gonna want my help.”
“I’m very aware of the publishing of Miss Sullivan’s book, Lex. I’ve purchased several copies of it to give to my top executives. We want to correct any mistakes we’ve made in the past.”
“Or cover them up. Besides, Dad, I think you’ll be surprised when you find out how in-depth Chloe’s book is. Rumor has it she had an inside source.”
Lionel’s composure changed. “Lex, why would even admit that to me if you’re trying to get a job at LuthorCorp?”
“Dad, frankly, I’m terrified of the outcome of any locking of horns between you and Chloe Sullivan. Dad, I want to take responsibility for my actions. Allow me to deal with Chloe Sullivan, and give me the resources to do it. And then stay out of it, Dad. I’m not a fan of your tactics.”
Lionel paused briefly, “Lex, I will allow you to manage the Smallville plants on a trial basis. I expect exceptional results. And you had better impress me with your dealings with Miss Sullivan.”
“Dad, I’d say I won’t disappoint you, but let’s face it; we both know you’re very hard to impress.”
“Lex, a man with that trait could rule the world.”
* * *
December 31, 2012
9:00 PM
The walkway outside the Remy-DeGough Reception Hall in Metropolis looked like a small awards show. A decent-sized group of photographers waited behind ropes along a red carpet. The publicity was no surprise given that the Daily Planet was hosting the awards show, and the guest list included Planet Editor-in-Chief Pauline Kahn, Senator Jonathan Kent, Kansas Supreme Court Judge Abigail Ross, and former billionaire Lex Luthor, whose disappearance from the public eye was sorely missed. His presence was especially exciting given that the book to be released was an in-depth analysis of his father’s multibillion dollar company. Metropolis’s superhero in white might even show up, given his relationship with the woman of the hour.
The first limousine pulled up. From inside, Chloe Sullivan looked out the window, dressed in her purple gown and with her makeup professionally done and hair in an elaborate bun. She turned to her escort and friend, saying, “You think I was a celebrity or something,
Clark was dressed in a ridiculously expensive, custom-tailored tuxedo; it had been a gift from Lex before his hasty departure from LuthorCorp, and
“Don’t even joke about that. Let’s go.” Chloe brushed a stray lock of hair out of her face and exited the car and tried to smile as much as possible as she was bombarded with dozens of cameras flashes.
“Miss Sullivan, is everything in your book true?” a voice called out from the crowd.
“Every word,” she called back, unsure of the exact source of the voice. She briefly started to feel overwhelmed, but it passed as
“Miss Sullivan,” another reporter cried out, “can you tell us anything about this mysterious inside source?”
Chloe gave him a sympathetic smile, “Sorry, I have to protect my sources. But you have my word he’s 100% reliable.”
“Is it true that you have a romantic relationship with the mysterious unnamed superhero in white?”
Chloe and Clark exchanged glances, before Chloe asked him, “What? Who are you?”
“Alex Harris, The Inquisitor.”
Chloe smiled knowingly. The celebrity gossip tabloid. “I’m afraid not. He’s a very private person.”
“And who’s the handsome young man with you tonight, Miss Sullivan?” a disembodied female voice asked.
Chloe replied, showing off Clark a bit, even stooping a tad to emphasize his height, “This is my friend and colleague Clark
Another voice piped up, “
Chloe pulled
* * *
9:34 PM
Chloe turned to
Chloe didn’t have a chance to reply, because the emcee was making an announcement and requesting a speech from her, so she gave
Chloe spoke into the microphone, “They tell me that there’s someone competent working the projector, so hopefully, in a few seconds you’ll see the cover of my book, and it won’t be up-side-down or anything. Or my senior portrait. Or something from my eighteenth birthday party.” She got mild laughter for that (especially from
“Thank you, thank you. The book will be released in…” she looks at her watch, “…seventy-nine minutes, and you’ll be able to judge for yourself. Really, this book has been a huge part of my life for the last year and a half, and I appreciate this magnanimous gesture. Thank you all for attending. But before we get too rowdy, because this is a New Year’s party after all.” She was overpowered by cheering. “Maybe we shouldn’t have opened the champagne so early.” The room roared with laughter. “Please, this is important…” she pleaded. When the crowd quieted down, she continued, “As some of you may have heard, a very dear friend of mine passed away last week.”
With that, the next slide appeared: a beautiful photo of Lana Lang with the words, “Lana Elizabeth Lang-Luthor, Loving Wife, Loving Mother, Loving Friend. 11/12/1986-12/24/2012”
“It’s unfortunate that her husband could not be here tonight, but I think we can all forgive him.” Chloe suddenly covered her face, and found
“I’m not going to lie to you; it hurts to lose a friend. But that being said, Lana was one of the most cheerful people I knew, and it would be a disgrace to her name if we let a little thing like her death ruin our night. I propose, in honor of the life she lived, we fully enjoy ourselves tonight, as she would have most certainly done.” She put on a smile and watched as every person in the room stood up and raised their glasses. She looked for
* * *
10:59 PM
The screen behind the platform showed a live feed of the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball about to drop. Since Metropolis was in Central Time Zone, The Underground Monopoly was being released at 11:00 PM so that cities like
“Ten… nine… eight…” the crowd recited in unison.
Chloe turned to grab her glass, as did
“… five... four… three… two… one! Happy New Year!”
Chloe cheered and turned to
Several seconds later, they both broke the kiss, realizing that both had failed to do so. Oblivious to the outside world, they clinked their glasses together and sipped the champagne. Chloe then happened to notice that the entire table was staring at her and
“Sorry,” he meekly apologized.
Chloe’s face dropped, and she grabbed the lapels of his jacket, and told him quite directly, “
He gave her a small, knowing smile, and nodded, “Okay.” It took every last ounce of his willpower to prevent his heat vision from activating.
* * *
January 1, 2013
1:13 PM
Chloe opened her apartment door to find Lois. “Hey,” Lois greeted Chloe, peeking in, “
Chloe’s eyes widened, “God, no. We don’t all work on the
“Just checking.” Entering, she looked hard at her cousin, both her hand behind her back. “You and Clark are on some timetable, right?”
Chloe was at a loss for words for a moment. “Yeah, I think so. You can’t be subtle with
“Well…” Lois pulled out the Sunday Daily Planet. “I’ve got great news! Look!” She handled Chloe an article detailing the release of her book.
“Lois, thanks, but I’ve already read this. I obviously get the Planet and some of us wake up before noon. I know my book is popular, and yes, happy!” She smiled gleefully as proof.
“Oh,” Lois paused before pulling something else from behind her back, the Inquisitor.
“You’re kidding me, right?”
“Really interesting article on page 4.”
Chloe snatched the paper and flipped to the fourth page, before a look of utter terror. She matched eyes with Lois before reading the headline, “‘Senator’s Son Courts Author of LuthorCorp Exposé.’” In the middle of the paper article was a photo of her and Clark kissing.
Lois looked apologetic, “Oh, whoops, I thought you’d be happy. You know, proof of your dream night come true?”
“Lois, have you read the article? It doesn’t mention that
“Kind of has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?” Lois commented with a smirk, which was returned with an exasperated look.
The phone ringing interrupted the conversation.
“Hello?” Chloe answered before getting over her mood, which she then proceeded to do after listening to the caller’s reply. “Hi,
“Whoo-hoo, what was that about? ‘Me too’? Huh?” Lois shook her hips for effect.
“Not in a million years, Lois.”
Lois perked up, teasing, “That bad, huh?”
Chloe uncomfortably held her arm, her face remaining red as ever. She ran her hands through her long, blond hair, exchanging glances with her cousin, both smiling ear to ear.
* * *
1:49 PM
He then sat himself down, struggling for a moment to find words, then saying, “Congrats on your book. You’re the talk of the Planet.”
“Thanks,
“Yeah, Perry doesn’t think he can wait until next Monday. He wants you on the S.T.A.R. report right now. He’s not impressed by my work.”
“I thought I trained you better. Didn’t you use my source?”
“She doesn’t work there anymore. She’s mysteriously disappeared; should we be surprised? I’ve tried other avenues, and I am making progress, just not as fast as you could of. You’re amazing.”
Chloe’s cheeks reddened again, and it was starting to get on her nerves. “Thanks,
He was rewarded with the most joyous smile he’d seen from Chloe in years and a peck on the lips. The moment didn’t last, because that’s when
“Well, fancy meeting you two here,” Lex stated amicably as he approached their table. “Hey, Chloe, listen, I’m really sorry for missing your premiere last night, but something big came up, and I was actually hoping to run into you today. Mind if I sit for a second? I promise to leave you two lovebirds alone afterwards,” he jested.
It was then Lex’s turn to look perplexed. He turned to Chloe and asked, “Wait a second, did the Inquisitor get a story right for once?”
Chloe lowered her head, a self-conscious smile appearing on her face.
Lex pulled out a copy of the day’s Inquisitor to show
“Well, thank you, Lex. But you didn’t have to come all the way to Metropolis just to apologize for missing my premiere. I understand if…” she cut herself off, not wanting to say the words.
Chloe half-smiled, comforting him, “Oh, I’ll be fine…”
Lex smiled, “And, Clark, your father’s a good man. One article about his son’s love life with a respectable writer isn’t exactly a scandal.” Lex sighed and gravely continued, “Chloe, there was another reason why I missed the premiere. I’ve accepted a job heading the Smallville LuthorCorp plants again.”
“What?”
Lex gritted his teeth, “It was hard decision to make. If I had never emancipated myself from my father, I would have had the resources to save Lana.”
“Lex, if you hadn’t emancipated yourself from your father, what’s to say you would have ever married Lana? Lex, you were able to do so much good after you pulled yourself out of your father’s shadow. For goodness sake, you just won the Kansas Humanitarian Award,”
“I’m friends with the senator.
Chloe suddenly felt herself become uncomfortable. Oblivious,
“Did I,
Chloe was exasperated, “Whoa, you’re letting your father pay for a nanny for your kids? Does he get to pick her out, too?”
“What other choice did I have?”
“Well, what about day care?” Chloe remarked. “And, Lex, have you forgotten that the book I just published is an exposé on some of the questionable business tactics of LuthorCorp? I have no doubt your father is going to read the book. He’s not an idiot, Lex; he’s gonna suspect you’re my inside source.”
“He knows. I admitted it to him. I told him I’d deal with it.”
Lex remained calm, “No, Chloe. I’m not my father. In fact, I’m going to tell you what I have in mind. I’m not going to send out thugs that can’t be traced back to me to harass you. And I’m not going to cause an unexplainable fire at the publishing company. I don’t work like that, Chloe. I’m doing this in a civilized manner. I’ve hired Marshall Heath from the Metropolis Star to write a rebuttal to your book. I know this is inevitably going to drive a wedge between us, and probably between me and a lot of people, but I’ve had to make some hard decisions lately, and people are going to get caught in the crossfire. And I’m sorry it had to work out like this. I don’t like it any more than you do.”
“
“No,
“Sounds wonderful.”
“I won’t be able to get La Fleur Bleu on such short notice…”
Chloe giggled, “Wherever,
* * *
“Mr. Luthor?” a low voice spoke to Lionel Luthor in his office.
“Yes, Billingsley?”
“I believe this is what Lex is trying to do.” He handed the elder Luthor a file.
“Well, that does sound like Lex’s thinking. I should have known he’d go with the soft plan. Proceed with Plan A.”
“Yes, sir.”
~
A/N: Well, eventually some sort of plot will emerge. I’ve gotten most the Chlarkiness out of my system. I know this one followed quickly in the heels of the last, but expect a slightly longer delay until Chapter 3. The idea fragments are still assembling themselves in my brain.
By the way, if this were going to be filmed, I would not have anyone but Erica Durance playing Lois, because this is without a doubt Smallville!Lois.
^_^ - Chlark smoochies! Blushing!Chloe! Trained chimp references! The ominous sounding… Plan A! What more could you ask for?
©2005 Godeerc VanDrey Enterprises, Inc. Created Monday, December 12, 2005. Updated Wednesday, December 14, 2005.
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