Metropolis -- Part One
TITLE: Metropolis -- Part One
AUTHOR:
ficklemuse
SUMMARY: A dinner out turns into an 'outing' in more ways than one.
PAIRING:Lionel Luthor/Chloe Sullivan
RATING: PG
FANDOM: Smallville
WORD COUNT: 4,122
DISCLAIMER: Not mine. Not for profit.
WARNINGS: Everything up to and through Season Five – Everything.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: This story is AU after early Season Four when Lionel gets out of prison. Lots of the same events will happen, just with a bit of a different focus and a few changes to cannon here and there.
Metropolis Grand Hotel:
"Judging by your expression I gather your interview went well?" Lionel lifted his wine glass to his lips and breathed deeply as he took his first drink. He rolled the earthy, oak scented wine on his tongue.
"Not as well as I hoped." Chloe replied. "But not terribly either. I'll get the internship. It just – the editor's already biased against me. It's going to take some finesse." She made a face and Lionel wasn't entirely clear whether the face was a result of her thoughts or a reaction to the merlot. "Finesse isn't really my strong suit. Luckily journalism is."
"Then congratulations are in order." Lionel lifted his glass in salute. "To being on the cusp of greatness."
Chloe's green eyes locked on Lionel's face. "You're looking more than a little self satisfied. How was your day?" She smoothed her napkin over her lap as the waiter brought out their salads. "Remember, if it's really illegal and downright evil – no telling. Catching you in the act is going to be half the fun."
Lionel ignored Chloe's barb. The truth was he enjoyed playing cat and mouse far too much to ruin the game. "Dominic and I met with my attorneys."
"And you're smiling? Last time you went on and on about the ninth circle of hell."
"Can you blame me? They are lawyers after all. I consider myself entitled. But they are spared from the inferno for the moment as they were able to liberate my funds from out under Lex's well-placed thumb. I'm no longer penniless."
"Thank God." Was Chloe's dry response. "You've been leading the life of a pauper lo these many months."
"True. But I have suffered with the grace and dignity you've come to expect from me. On a less personal note it means that Alexander has no choice but to acknowledge me as the rightful majority shareholder in my company."
"I'm guessing the Luthor Foundation is dead in the water." She took another sip of wine as she thought about Lionel's fledgling charity. At first she was convinced that the charity was only about serving Lionel's need to improve his image – but the more he talked about it, the more effort she saw him put into it… the more she'd begun to think of it as a reality.
In spite of her natural skepticism a part of her had been pleased to see Lionel's philanthropic side. Even if it was short lived.
"What would make you think that?" Lionel asked. "I am more committed than ever to my foundation. I have so much, it is only fitting now that I am in the position to do so, I give something back."
"At least that's what your next press release will read."
"I thought you made it a point to never read my press releases?"
"I do. But in the past, before I decided to spare myself the agony of wading through a river of bovine excrement, I read more than enough Luthor Corp. releases to get the general gist of things."
"You really ought to get over this personal bias. I would hate to see it hold you back in your career. While it's true Luthor Corp. has, in the past, engaged in some unconventional dealings, we've also done a great deal of good."
The last thing Chloe wanted to do was engage Lionel in a debate about Luthor Corp.'s business practices. Especially when her dream dinner was on its way. "I don't care what you say. You're not going to ruin my appetite. I came here for the best steak in Metropolis. After the hellish interview I had with Pauline Kahn, a woman I might add is like Stalin in pantyhose, I earned it. Now, suck it up and accept it. Because we're not going back to the suite or anywhere else until I've eaten."
Lionel's mouth quirked in a half smile. "You know, a hotel this excellent is bound to have room service."
Chloe reached for her purse. "Okay. Just chew on this – the next thing I put in my mouth I'm going to bite." She leaned forward until they were eye to eye. "So the question is… are you feeling lucky? Well? Are ya'?" Her lips pursed and the last word slipped out with a giggle. "Punk."
"Dinner it is."
"Good call." She sat back down and tried her best not to look smug. Any time she could get Lionel to make a concession it was a victory. A victory made even sweeter by the fact it was earned. Neither she or Lionel were inclined to give an inch. They had a give and take between them that made things challenging, and if she were honest – even more excting.
By the time their steaks arrived Chloe was starving and the good sized New York strip looked like a medium done piece of heaven on earth. She'd gone through her vegetarian phase in junior high school, but deep down she was a girl raised on Kansas prime and woe to anyone who tried to stand between her and her steak.
"If you keep looking at your plate in that manner I'm going to become jealous." Lionel drawled cutting into his own – so rare it practically moseyed onto his plate itself – steak.
"You should be. If Kansas laws weren't what they were I'd marry this steak."
"I'll be sure to give your compliments to the chef."
It never failed to surprise Chloe how interesting Lionel could be when he stopped trying to rule the world. She didn't doubt that global domination was always on Lionel's mind, but when it became less of a priority he could be extremely engaging. While business theory wasn't exactly Chloe's area of interest, new scientific studies and findings were always interesting to her. Lionel was in many ways one of the smartest people she'd ever met in science and industry so she was never bored.
She'd never met anyone else who read Nature and could discuss virtually every topic from cover to cover. It was one of the fundemental misconceptions about Chloe that she was a writer above all else. The truth was that when it came to reporting the actual writing ranked a distant second to the investigation. In science it was all about looking for the needle in the haystack. But in journalism it was a matter of seeing the needle and asking 'how in the hell did that get there?' Even as a little girl Chloe wanted to know 'why' and 'how' and all the other questions that had probably gotten annoying for her father to answer some time around her third birthday.
But with Lionel she never had to curb her curiosity. He never just tolerated her theories, he encouraged them and their development. He participated. He challenged, he argued and whenever he got to conceited Chloe liked to reach out into left field and toss him something completely outrageous that would make him snort or gesture emphatically.
"Chloe? What are you doing here with Lionel?"
Hearing Martha Kent's shocked voice from beside their table, Chloe had a flash of wishing the ground beneath the hotel would open up and swallow their table whole.
"Mrs. Kent. Mr. Kent."
"Hello Martha." Lionel was as composed as ever. "Jonathan. Out painting the town?"
"Chloe have you gone crazy?" Jonathan demanded. "Don't you remember what this man is?"
"Jonathan you can be so pedantic. Miss Sullivan and I were enjoying a quiet meal together. Surely there's no crime in that."
Chloe sighed. The chances of getting Lionel out of the restaurant now that he'd dug his heels in were slim and none. Same with Clark's father. Which left Martha as her only way out. "You know, if you'll excuse me I'm going to go to the ladies' room." She laid her napkin down at the table and turned to the back of the restaurant knowing that Martha would follow.
Ladies' Room:
Chloe was sitting on a delicate little couch in the lounge area of the opulent ladies' room when the door opened and Martha walked in. A concerned frown caused the fine lines around her eyes and mouth to be more visible. She sat beside Chloe and let out a deep breath.
"Chloe,"
"Martha, I think I have a pretty good idea what you're going to say and I don't want you to think less of me..."
"I don't think you know exactly what I'm going to say honey, because I don't even know what to say myself. I could try and tell you what a dangerous man Lionel is. But, I think you probably know that better than anyone." Martha folded her hands in her lap. "I also know that Lionel can be charming and witty. He's more like a force of nature than anything else and when he gives you his undivided attention he's impossible to ignore."
"So you understand?"
"Of course I understand. But that doesn't mean I see any way for this to end except badly for you. I don't want to see you hurt. Getting caught between Lionel and Lex nearly got you killed last time. And you're not blind surely you have to see that no matter what Lionel might say, he's always going to look after himself and Lex above anyone else. And sometimes not even Lex. Can you really trust him enough to have a relationship with him? Knowing that he could stab you in the back any minute and not even have to think twice about it?"
"You're not wrong about him. Not about any of it." She wasn't and Chloe silently filed Martha Kent's knowledge of Lionel away to be taken out and dissected at a later point in time. "But I'm not some naive person and I'm not thinking of this as something that's going to last forever. I know what he's capable of. And he knows that I'm not about to stop looking for the truth about Luthor Corp. I'm not one of his usual pushovers. We have an -- agreement. I'm not being used or taken advantage of."
Martha's concerned green eyes studied Chloe for a moment. "Then I suppose there's nothing more for me to say about all of this."
"Not even to Clark?" Chloe didn't want to see her trust with Clark tanked once again by Lionel Luthor.
"I don't see how this is really any of Clark's business. I won't say anything and I can try to convince Jonathan not to- but I can't make any promises for him."
Chloe let out the breath she'd been holding. "Thank you." She impulsively hugged Martha. "Thank you for understanding."
"I just want you to know that I'm here for you honey. No matter how things turn out you can always count on the Kent family." Martha brushed Chloe's hair back from her eyes. "You're precious to us Chloe. Don't you forget it."
"I won't." Chloe felt the lump that had been building up in her throat clear. She loved the Kents. The last thing she wanted was to lose that friendship. Now it seemed as though she wouldn't have to.
Martha stood up. "We should really get back. I don't think the hotel would appreciate Lionel and Jonathan brawling in the middle of the restaurant."
Chloe chuckled. "Probably not."
"Well?" Lionel poured himself another glass of wine and looked up at Jonathan with a sneer.
"Well what?"
"Do you plan on taking a seat or would you rather to continue to stand there looking foolish? Sit down."
"I have to hand it to you Lionel." Jonathan slumped in Chloe's abandoned chair. "Just when I think you've hit an all time low you go out and dig yourself a new hole." Jonathan made a face. "Sleeping with little girls now? That's not something I expected even from you."
"My relationship with Miss Sullivan is none of your concern."
"Maybe not." Jonathan conceded. "But I'm betting' her daddy'll be more than a mite concerned. Did you know he was Special Forces? Gabe's hell on wheels. I'd sleep with one eye open if I were you. Plus? I don't think your board of directors would appreciate a statutory rape charge."
"I think you have an over inflated opinion of my board of directors if you think such a ridiculous charge would have any effect on them whatsoever. Also-" Lionel sat back in his chair and studied Jonathan with cool deliberation. "I don't believe you'll make this public."
"Yeah? Why not? You gonna offer me a bribe?"
"I don't think that will be necessary. For all your cock and swagger Jonathan I know you to be a practical man." Lionel's voice took on the oily tone that usually indicated someone was about to be cut off at the balls. "And as a practical man you have to realize that my reputation won't suffer in the least. Miss Sullivan's however..."
"If you hurt that girl, reputations are about the last thing you'll have to worry about. I'll kill you."
"That won't be necessary Mr. Kent." Chloe and Martha approached the table arm in arm and Chloe moved to stand with her hand on Lionel's shoulder in a clear signal that even Jonathan Kent couldn't misread.
Jonathan and Martha excused themselves and Chloe retook her seat.
"That was considerably less unpleasant than it could have been. I must congratulate you on getting Jonathan out of here before he tried to take me out back and force me to cut my own switch for a 'thrashing'"
"Now there's a fun mental image." Chloe eyed the lavish desert tray being presented to the table next to theirs.
Lionel noticed her focus and gestured for the waiter to bring the tray over. "Two espressos and I'll have the pear tart." His eyes lingered for a moment before finding Chloe's weakness. "And a tiramisu for the lady."
He enjoyed watching Chloe eat. Especially anything containing both caffeine and chocolate. She took such a simple event and elevated it to the most refined pleasure. The happily satisfied sigh from her first taste to the way her tongue peaked out to catch a drop of chocolate at the corner of her mouth. It all spoke of a refreshing sensuality Lionel appreciated more than just at the dinner table.
Lionel's days were usually spent surrounded with those who agreed with him either out of fear or a desire to curry favor. His time with Chloe was an enjoyable change. Chloe was anything but tractable. She argued well and often and Lionel found himself baiting her into it on more than one occasion simply for the enjoyment of watching her mind work.
One of the first things he'd appreciated about Chloe was her ability to think completely outside the norm. It was a quality that he recognized in himself, in Lex and something he'd tried to instill in his various scientists and employees at Luthor Corp.
Once they'd finished with dessert Lionel paid the bill and took Chloe's arm as they left the restaurant. Once inside the elevator, Lionel stepped back and allowed her to make her choice for the evening. The lobby and drive back to Smallville or the Presidential Suite.
Without hesitation she pressed the button for the 45th floor and Lionel smiled broadly.
Presidential Suite:
Chloe toed off her heels with a sigh of relief. She was normally a practical shoes type of girl. Fashion was the first victim in the 'chased by mutants and nearly killed' game.
Seeing the Kents was like a dip in Crater Lake mid-December. Shocking. It wasn't so much that she wanted to hide the fact she and Lionel were sleeping together, but she didn't exactly feel like advertising it either. It was private. And sometimes -- even for an intrepid girl reporter -- private meant private. Chloe didn't doubt Martha would keep quiet, it just wasn't in her nature to create unnecessary drama. Mr. Kent however was an entirely different story.
Chloe jumped at the feel of Lionel's arms around her.
"You're thinking again. Unless you're determined to ruin our evening -- stop that." Lionel's mustache tickled the outer shell of Chloe's ear.
"And I suppose that running into the Kents didn't throw you at all?" Chloe's hands rested lightly on Lionel's wrists.
"Why should it? I don't have anything to hide..." When Chloe chuckled, Lionel's arms constricted around her. "Not about us. I don't see that it is any one else's concern. So long as you and I are content with our arrangement the opinions of the rest of the world are of no interest to me." Lionel's whiskered cheek rubbed against Chloe's and his hands broke free of her grip, moving lightly to the buttons of her blouse. Once the buttons were undone, he pushed her shirt back off her shoulders and let it slide to the floor in a soft puddle.
"And are you?" Chloe let her head fall back to rest against Lionel's chest and closed her eyes.
"Am I what? Content?' Lionel hummed lightly as he cupped Chloe's jaw, tracing over the trifecta of freckles on the left side of her jaw. His lips hovered over hers before bushing them lightly with his own. "At the moment I am a very well contented man. You?"
"I suppose I could be persuaded..." Chloe teased.
"Allow me to persuade you." Lionel kept one arm wrapped possessively around Chloe's shoulders from behind while his other hand trailed a finger down her throat and between her breasts before his hand pressed against her tummy -- effectively chaining her to him.
Lionel woke two hours later and carefully pried Chloe off of his chest. He smiled when she made a small moue of displeasure before burrowing deeply into his pillow and falling back to sleep.
He retrieved one of the hotel's famed robes from the bathroom and was knotting it just as a discreet knock came from the main room. Running his fingers through his hair he walked out, closing the bedroom door before greeting Dominic.
"Dominic. Come in." Lionel stepped aside to allow Dominic to pass before shutting the door. "I assume you have something new to report?" He motioned for Dominic to help himself to the bar. He sat on one of the plush sofas and crossed one ankle over the other. In the course of Dominic's employment he'd learned it best not to push him. Dominic might give the appearence of the devoted employee but the truth was that he didn't do anything he didn't basically agree with. So long as his actions fell under the umbrella of 'for the good of Luthor Corp. and the Luthor family' he would do what was necessary.
"Lex has gotten progressively better at covering his tracks." Dominic allowed himself a small glass of cognac. "There are no records of Project 33.1 referenced anywhere in his files or in Luthor Corp. Officially it does not exist."
Lionel nodded. He wouldn't expect anything less from his son. "But...?"
"There is a slight budgetary anomaly. Rent on a warehouse in the Suicide Slums district is being paid twice. I've just been to the warehouse - there is nothing there. The warehouse itself is small and inconveniently located to any of Luthor Corp.'s subsidiaries." Dominic sat down. "The rent being paid is exorbitant and it's paid twice. So roughly in the neighborhood of five hundred thousand dollars annually is being paid for nothing."
Lionel follows Dominic's train of thought to the inevitable conclusion. "And if there is one there's more. Just more carefully hidden." He stroked his beard. "What is my son up to?"
The choices were depressingly many and varied. But Lionel had a feeling that resonated in the pit of his stomach he knew exactly what Lex was doing with the missing money. Any other company president and Lionel would suspect embezzlement and Swiss bank accounts. But Alexander had no reason to steal from Luthor Corp. unless it involved more secret research he couldn't get funding for any other way.
He supposed it was a natural (for Lex at any rate) outgrowth of Lex's being caught in the meteor shower as a child that he would gravitate towards studying the effects of the meteors on the Smallville population. But there was such a fine line between intellectual curiosity and full blown obsession. A line that he himself had crossed more than enough to recognize it in his son.
"I want Project 33.1 found. I want a full accounting of exactly what Lex is experimenting with and who's conducting his research." Lionel didn't need to add 'immediately'.
Dominic finished his drink, but to Lionel's surprise made no move to leave afterwards. Instead he seemed to be gathering his thoughts. When he spoke it was clear he had chosen his next words with extreme care.
"I have worked for you a great many years Lionel." Dominic began. "From a simple intern to your assistant to the present where I would like to consider myself a trusted associate."
"That is a fair assessment." Lionel acknowledged without much reservation. Dominic knew a great many of the Luthor family secrets and had never revealed them or betrayed Lionel's trust in him. Which was fortunate for the both of them.
"That being said, I feel it necessary for me to point out the danger inherent in your current personal arrangement." With a slight incline of his head in the direction of the bedroom, Dominic indicated Chloe. "The young lady in question is under legal age and the resulting publicity would not be welcome."
"Is that so?"
"Given your current efforts to improve on your public image I believe sleeping with a high school reporter could be considered counter productive. Your relationship with Lex is already strained - this could easily be what forces it to the breaking point."
"You are correct." Lionel replied. "And if my relationship with Miss Sullivan were purely a physical one I would sever it rather than risk whatever goodwill I have managed to garner since my release."
Dominic cocked his head and regarded Lionel as though he'd sprouted an extra head. "Then am I to believe this relationship is more than physical?"
"Miss Sullivan is a valuable ally. A quick mind and keen intellect. She's managedto illustrate several flaws in Luthor Corp. security in the past few years. She's also kept Lex somewhat in check."
"I would agree if she were so inclined to accept a position at Luthor Corp. Either in research or perhaps security, public relations?" Dominic rolled the possibilities through his mind, interrupted by Lionel's derisive snort.
"Miss Sullivan is most disdainful of our press releases." Lionel rubbed his hand over his chin. "She has the raw potential to be a great asset to me. To the family." He said softly, mostly to himself. "With proper polish and in a fitting setting - yes. I do believe she would be quite the compliment." He smiled slowly before turning his attention to Dominic. "And in aid of that - it would be better for you to go home. Miss Sullivan has an almost uncanny ability to sense when someone is planning something."
Dominic sighed heavily but stood. "Very well. One last word of caution? Discretion is your friend."
Lionel chuckled and moved to show Dominic out. "Always."
Once Dominic was gone, Lionel returned to the bedroom to find Chloe selfishly sprawled over two thirds of the bed, but her face still burrowed into his pillow. Looking down at her sleeping figure Lionel felt reassured with his decision. Few men ever achieved true greatness both in their work and in their families without a partner. Someone equal in determination and drive. Someone willing and able to earn respect and most importantly someone capable enough to keep it.
He'd married once out of infatuation and lust. At the time he had been convinced that Lillian would be the love of his life. She was everything he'd reached for from the gutters of Suicide Slums: beautiful, accomplished, sophisticated, delicate, elegant. It hadn't been until after Lex's birth that he'd realized just how deeply flawed his vision of perfection had been. Lillian was the Pandora's Box of wives. Beautiful and enticing on the outside but filled with the misery of the world. He'd paid a price for his choice and so had his children - all of them.
But where Lillian was ethereal - Chloe was not. She was a partner rather than an ornament.
Lifting the comforter, Lionel climbed into bed and arranged Chloe so that she was once again draped over him like a living blanket. He fell asleep to the steady rhythm of her breathing.
AUTHOR:
ficklemuseSUMMARY: A dinner out turns into an 'outing' in more ways than one.
PAIRING:Lionel Luthor/Chloe Sullivan
RATING: PG
FANDOM: Smallville
WORD COUNT: 4,122
DISCLAIMER: Not mine. Not for profit.
WARNINGS: Everything up to and through Season Five – Everything.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: This story is AU after early Season Four when Lionel gets out of prison. Lots of the same events will happen, just with a bit of a different focus and a few changes to cannon here and there.
Metropolis Grand Hotel:
"Judging by your expression I gather your interview went well?" Lionel lifted his wine glass to his lips and breathed deeply as he took his first drink. He rolled the earthy, oak scented wine on his tongue.
"Not as well as I hoped." Chloe replied. "But not terribly either. I'll get the internship. It just – the editor's already biased against me. It's going to take some finesse." She made a face and Lionel wasn't entirely clear whether the face was a result of her thoughts or a reaction to the merlot. "Finesse isn't really my strong suit. Luckily journalism is."
"Then congratulations are in order." Lionel lifted his glass in salute. "To being on the cusp of greatness."
Chloe's green eyes locked on Lionel's face. "You're looking more than a little self satisfied. How was your day?" She smoothed her napkin over her lap as the waiter brought out their salads. "Remember, if it's really illegal and downright evil – no telling. Catching you in the act is going to be half the fun."
Lionel ignored Chloe's barb. The truth was he enjoyed playing cat and mouse far too much to ruin the game. "Dominic and I met with my attorneys."
"And you're smiling? Last time you went on and on about the ninth circle of hell."
"Can you blame me? They are lawyers after all. I consider myself entitled. But they are spared from the inferno for the moment as they were able to liberate my funds from out under Lex's well-placed thumb. I'm no longer penniless."
"Thank God." Was Chloe's dry response. "You've been leading the life of a pauper lo these many months."
"True. But I have suffered with the grace and dignity you've come to expect from me. On a less personal note it means that Alexander has no choice but to acknowledge me as the rightful majority shareholder in my company."
"I'm guessing the Luthor Foundation is dead in the water." She took another sip of wine as she thought about Lionel's fledgling charity. At first she was convinced that the charity was only about serving Lionel's need to improve his image – but the more he talked about it, the more effort she saw him put into it… the more she'd begun to think of it as a reality.
In spite of her natural skepticism a part of her had been pleased to see Lionel's philanthropic side. Even if it was short lived.
"What would make you think that?" Lionel asked. "I am more committed than ever to my foundation. I have so much, it is only fitting now that I am in the position to do so, I give something back."
"At least that's what your next press release will read."
"I thought you made it a point to never read my press releases?"
"I do. But in the past, before I decided to spare myself the agony of wading through a river of bovine excrement, I read more than enough Luthor Corp. releases to get the general gist of things."
"You really ought to get over this personal bias. I would hate to see it hold you back in your career. While it's true Luthor Corp. has, in the past, engaged in some unconventional dealings, we've also done a great deal of good."
The last thing Chloe wanted to do was engage Lionel in a debate about Luthor Corp.'s business practices. Especially when her dream dinner was on its way. "I don't care what you say. You're not going to ruin my appetite. I came here for the best steak in Metropolis. After the hellish interview I had with Pauline Kahn, a woman I might add is like Stalin in pantyhose, I earned it. Now, suck it up and accept it. Because we're not going back to the suite or anywhere else until I've eaten."
Lionel's mouth quirked in a half smile. "You know, a hotel this excellent is bound to have room service."
Chloe reached for her purse. "Okay. Just chew on this – the next thing I put in my mouth I'm going to bite." She leaned forward until they were eye to eye. "So the question is… are you feeling lucky? Well? Are ya'?" Her lips pursed and the last word slipped out with a giggle. "Punk."
"Dinner it is."
"Good call." She sat back down and tried her best not to look smug. Any time she could get Lionel to make a concession it was a victory. A victory made even sweeter by the fact it was earned. Neither she or Lionel were inclined to give an inch. They had a give and take between them that made things challenging, and if she were honest – even more excting.
By the time their steaks arrived Chloe was starving and the good sized New York strip looked like a medium done piece of heaven on earth. She'd gone through her vegetarian phase in junior high school, but deep down she was a girl raised on Kansas prime and woe to anyone who tried to stand between her and her steak.
"If you keep looking at your plate in that manner I'm going to become jealous." Lionel drawled cutting into his own – so rare it practically moseyed onto his plate itself – steak.
"You should be. If Kansas laws weren't what they were I'd marry this steak."
"I'll be sure to give your compliments to the chef."
It never failed to surprise Chloe how interesting Lionel could be when he stopped trying to rule the world. She didn't doubt that global domination was always on Lionel's mind, but when it became less of a priority he could be extremely engaging. While business theory wasn't exactly Chloe's area of interest, new scientific studies and findings were always interesting to her. Lionel was in many ways one of the smartest people she'd ever met in science and industry so she was never bored.
She'd never met anyone else who read Nature and could discuss virtually every topic from cover to cover. It was one of the fundemental misconceptions about Chloe that she was a writer above all else. The truth was that when it came to reporting the actual writing ranked a distant second to the investigation. In science it was all about looking for the needle in the haystack. But in journalism it was a matter of seeing the needle and asking 'how in the hell did that get there?' Even as a little girl Chloe wanted to know 'why' and 'how' and all the other questions that had probably gotten annoying for her father to answer some time around her third birthday.
But with Lionel she never had to curb her curiosity. He never just tolerated her theories, he encouraged them and their development. He participated. He challenged, he argued and whenever he got to conceited Chloe liked to reach out into left field and toss him something completely outrageous that would make him snort or gesture emphatically.
"Chloe? What are you doing here with Lionel?"
Hearing Martha Kent's shocked voice from beside their table, Chloe had a flash of wishing the ground beneath the hotel would open up and swallow their table whole.
"Mrs. Kent. Mr. Kent."
"Hello Martha." Lionel was as composed as ever. "Jonathan. Out painting the town?"
"Chloe have you gone crazy?" Jonathan demanded. "Don't you remember what this man is?"
"Jonathan you can be so pedantic. Miss Sullivan and I were enjoying a quiet meal together. Surely there's no crime in that."
Chloe sighed. The chances of getting Lionel out of the restaurant now that he'd dug his heels in were slim and none. Same with Clark's father. Which left Martha as her only way out. "You know, if you'll excuse me I'm going to go to the ladies' room." She laid her napkin down at the table and turned to the back of the restaurant knowing that Martha would follow.
Ladies' Room:
Chloe was sitting on a delicate little couch in the lounge area of the opulent ladies' room when the door opened and Martha walked in. A concerned frown caused the fine lines around her eyes and mouth to be more visible. She sat beside Chloe and let out a deep breath.
"Chloe,"
"Martha, I think I have a pretty good idea what you're going to say and I don't want you to think less of me..."
"I don't think you know exactly what I'm going to say honey, because I don't even know what to say myself. I could try and tell you what a dangerous man Lionel is. But, I think you probably know that better than anyone." Martha folded her hands in her lap. "I also know that Lionel can be charming and witty. He's more like a force of nature than anything else and when he gives you his undivided attention he's impossible to ignore."
"So you understand?"
"Of course I understand. But that doesn't mean I see any way for this to end except badly for you. I don't want to see you hurt. Getting caught between Lionel and Lex nearly got you killed last time. And you're not blind surely you have to see that no matter what Lionel might say, he's always going to look after himself and Lex above anyone else. And sometimes not even Lex. Can you really trust him enough to have a relationship with him? Knowing that he could stab you in the back any minute and not even have to think twice about it?"
"You're not wrong about him. Not about any of it." She wasn't and Chloe silently filed Martha Kent's knowledge of Lionel away to be taken out and dissected at a later point in time. "But I'm not some naive person and I'm not thinking of this as something that's going to last forever. I know what he's capable of. And he knows that I'm not about to stop looking for the truth about Luthor Corp. I'm not one of his usual pushovers. We have an -- agreement. I'm not being used or taken advantage of."
Martha's concerned green eyes studied Chloe for a moment. "Then I suppose there's nothing more for me to say about all of this."
"Not even to Clark?" Chloe didn't want to see her trust with Clark tanked once again by Lionel Luthor.
"I don't see how this is really any of Clark's business. I won't say anything and I can try to convince Jonathan not to- but I can't make any promises for him."
Chloe let out the breath she'd been holding. "Thank you." She impulsively hugged Martha. "Thank you for understanding."
"I just want you to know that I'm here for you honey. No matter how things turn out you can always count on the Kent family." Martha brushed Chloe's hair back from her eyes. "You're precious to us Chloe. Don't you forget it."
"I won't." Chloe felt the lump that had been building up in her throat clear. She loved the Kents. The last thing she wanted was to lose that friendship. Now it seemed as though she wouldn't have to.
Martha stood up. "We should really get back. I don't think the hotel would appreciate Lionel and Jonathan brawling in the middle of the restaurant."
Chloe chuckled. "Probably not."
"Well?" Lionel poured himself another glass of wine and looked up at Jonathan with a sneer.
"Well what?"
"Do you plan on taking a seat or would you rather to continue to stand there looking foolish? Sit down."
"I have to hand it to you Lionel." Jonathan slumped in Chloe's abandoned chair. "Just when I think you've hit an all time low you go out and dig yourself a new hole." Jonathan made a face. "Sleeping with little girls now? That's not something I expected even from you."
"My relationship with Miss Sullivan is none of your concern."
"Maybe not." Jonathan conceded. "But I'm betting' her daddy'll be more than a mite concerned. Did you know he was Special Forces? Gabe's hell on wheels. I'd sleep with one eye open if I were you. Plus? I don't think your board of directors would appreciate a statutory rape charge."
"I think you have an over inflated opinion of my board of directors if you think such a ridiculous charge would have any effect on them whatsoever. Also-" Lionel sat back in his chair and studied Jonathan with cool deliberation. "I don't believe you'll make this public."
"Yeah? Why not? You gonna offer me a bribe?"
"I don't think that will be necessary. For all your cock and swagger Jonathan I know you to be a practical man." Lionel's voice took on the oily tone that usually indicated someone was about to be cut off at the balls. "And as a practical man you have to realize that my reputation won't suffer in the least. Miss Sullivan's however..."
"If you hurt that girl, reputations are about the last thing you'll have to worry about. I'll kill you."
"That won't be necessary Mr. Kent." Chloe and Martha approached the table arm in arm and Chloe moved to stand with her hand on Lionel's shoulder in a clear signal that even Jonathan Kent couldn't misread.
Jonathan and Martha excused themselves and Chloe retook her seat.
"That was considerably less unpleasant than it could have been. I must congratulate you on getting Jonathan out of here before he tried to take me out back and force me to cut my own switch for a 'thrashing'"
"Now there's a fun mental image." Chloe eyed the lavish desert tray being presented to the table next to theirs.
Lionel noticed her focus and gestured for the waiter to bring the tray over. "Two espressos and I'll have the pear tart." His eyes lingered for a moment before finding Chloe's weakness. "And a tiramisu for the lady."
He enjoyed watching Chloe eat. Especially anything containing both caffeine and chocolate. She took such a simple event and elevated it to the most refined pleasure. The happily satisfied sigh from her first taste to the way her tongue peaked out to catch a drop of chocolate at the corner of her mouth. It all spoke of a refreshing sensuality Lionel appreciated more than just at the dinner table.
Lionel's days were usually spent surrounded with those who agreed with him either out of fear or a desire to curry favor. His time with Chloe was an enjoyable change. Chloe was anything but tractable. She argued well and often and Lionel found himself baiting her into it on more than one occasion simply for the enjoyment of watching her mind work.
One of the first things he'd appreciated about Chloe was her ability to think completely outside the norm. It was a quality that he recognized in himself, in Lex and something he'd tried to instill in his various scientists and employees at Luthor Corp.
Once they'd finished with dessert Lionel paid the bill and took Chloe's arm as they left the restaurant. Once inside the elevator, Lionel stepped back and allowed her to make her choice for the evening. The lobby and drive back to Smallville or the Presidential Suite.
Without hesitation she pressed the button for the 45th floor and Lionel smiled broadly.
Presidential Suite:
Chloe toed off her heels with a sigh of relief. She was normally a practical shoes type of girl. Fashion was the first victim in the 'chased by mutants and nearly killed' game.
Seeing the Kents was like a dip in Crater Lake mid-December. Shocking. It wasn't so much that she wanted to hide the fact she and Lionel were sleeping together, but she didn't exactly feel like advertising it either. It was private. And sometimes -- even for an intrepid girl reporter -- private meant private. Chloe didn't doubt Martha would keep quiet, it just wasn't in her nature to create unnecessary drama. Mr. Kent however was an entirely different story.
Chloe jumped at the feel of Lionel's arms around her.
"You're thinking again. Unless you're determined to ruin our evening -- stop that." Lionel's mustache tickled the outer shell of Chloe's ear.
"And I suppose that running into the Kents didn't throw you at all?" Chloe's hands rested lightly on Lionel's wrists.
"Why should it? I don't have anything to hide..." When Chloe chuckled, Lionel's arms constricted around her. "Not about us. I don't see that it is any one else's concern. So long as you and I are content with our arrangement the opinions of the rest of the world are of no interest to me." Lionel's whiskered cheek rubbed against Chloe's and his hands broke free of her grip, moving lightly to the buttons of her blouse. Once the buttons were undone, he pushed her shirt back off her shoulders and let it slide to the floor in a soft puddle.
"And are you?" Chloe let her head fall back to rest against Lionel's chest and closed her eyes.
"Am I what? Content?' Lionel hummed lightly as he cupped Chloe's jaw, tracing over the trifecta of freckles on the left side of her jaw. His lips hovered over hers before bushing them lightly with his own. "At the moment I am a very well contented man. You?"
"I suppose I could be persuaded..." Chloe teased.
"Allow me to persuade you." Lionel kept one arm wrapped possessively around Chloe's shoulders from behind while his other hand trailed a finger down her throat and between her breasts before his hand pressed against her tummy -- effectively chaining her to him.
Lionel woke two hours later and carefully pried Chloe off of his chest. He smiled when she made a small moue of displeasure before burrowing deeply into his pillow and falling back to sleep.
He retrieved one of the hotel's famed robes from the bathroom and was knotting it just as a discreet knock came from the main room. Running his fingers through his hair he walked out, closing the bedroom door before greeting Dominic.
"Dominic. Come in." Lionel stepped aside to allow Dominic to pass before shutting the door. "I assume you have something new to report?" He motioned for Dominic to help himself to the bar. He sat on one of the plush sofas and crossed one ankle over the other. In the course of Dominic's employment he'd learned it best not to push him. Dominic might give the appearence of the devoted employee but the truth was that he didn't do anything he didn't basically agree with. So long as his actions fell under the umbrella of 'for the good of Luthor Corp. and the Luthor family' he would do what was necessary.
"Lex has gotten progressively better at covering his tracks." Dominic allowed himself a small glass of cognac. "There are no records of Project 33.1 referenced anywhere in his files or in Luthor Corp. Officially it does not exist."
Lionel nodded. He wouldn't expect anything less from his son. "But...?"
"There is a slight budgetary anomaly. Rent on a warehouse in the Suicide Slums district is being paid twice. I've just been to the warehouse - there is nothing there. The warehouse itself is small and inconveniently located to any of Luthor Corp.'s subsidiaries." Dominic sat down. "The rent being paid is exorbitant and it's paid twice. So roughly in the neighborhood of five hundred thousand dollars annually is being paid for nothing."
Lionel follows Dominic's train of thought to the inevitable conclusion. "And if there is one there's more. Just more carefully hidden." He stroked his beard. "What is my son up to?"
The choices were depressingly many and varied. But Lionel had a feeling that resonated in the pit of his stomach he knew exactly what Lex was doing with the missing money. Any other company president and Lionel would suspect embezzlement and Swiss bank accounts. But Alexander had no reason to steal from Luthor Corp. unless it involved more secret research he couldn't get funding for any other way.
He supposed it was a natural (for Lex at any rate) outgrowth of Lex's being caught in the meteor shower as a child that he would gravitate towards studying the effects of the meteors on the Smallville population. But there was such a fine line between intellectual curiosity and full blown obsession. A line that he himself had crossed more than enough to recognize it in his son.
"I want Project 33.1 found. I want a full accounting of exactly what Lex is experimenting with and who's conducting his research." Lionel didn't need to add 'immediately'.
Dominic finished his drink, but to Lionel's surprise made no move to leave afterwards. Instead he seemed to be gathering his thoughts. When he spoke it was clear he had chosen his next words with extreme care.
"I have worked for you a great many years Lionel." Dominic began. "From a simple intern to your assistant to the present where I would like to consider myself a trusted associate."
"That is a fair assessment." Lionel acknowledged without much reservation. Dominic knew a great many of the Luthor family secrets and had never revealed them or betrayed Lionel's trust in him. Which was fortunate for the both of them.
"That being said, I feel it necessary for me to point out the danger inherent in your current personal arrangement." With a slight incline of his head in the direction of the bedroom, Dominic indicated Chloe. "The young lady in question is under legal age and the resulting publicity would not be welcome."
"Is that so?"
"Given your current efforts to improve on your public image I believe sleeping with a high school reporter could be considered counter productive. Your relationship with Lex is already strained - this could easily be what forces it to the breaking point."
"You are correct." Lionel replied. "And if my relationship with Miss Sullivan were purely a physical one I would sever it rather than risk whatever goodwill I have managed to garner since my release."
Dominic cocked his head and regarded Lionel as though he'd sprouted an extra head. "Then am I to believe this relationship is more than physical?"
"Miss Sullivan is a valuable ally. A quick mind and keen intellect. She's managedto illustrate several flaws in Luthor Corp. security in the past few years. She's also kept Lex somewhat in check."
"I would agree if she were so inclined to accept a position at Luthor Corp. Either in research or perhaps security, public relations?" Dominic rolled the possibilities through his mind, interrupted by Lionel's derisive snort.
"Miss Sullivan is most disdainful of our press releases." Lionel rubbed his hand over his chin. "She has the raw potential to be a great asset to me. To the family." He said softly, mostly to himself. "With proper polish and in a fitting setting - yes. I do believe she would be quite the compliment." He smiled slowly before turning his attention to Dominic. "And in aid of that - it would be better for you to go home. Miss Sullivan has an almost uncanny ability to sense when someone is planning something."
Dominic sighed heavily but stood. "Very well. One last word of caution? Discretion is your friend."
Lionel chuckled and moved to show Dominic out. "Always."
Once Dominic was gone, Lionel returned to the bedroom to find Chloe selfishly sprawled over two thirds of the bed, but her face still burrowed into his pillow. Looking down at her sleeping figure Lionel felt reassured with his decision. Few men ever achieved true greatness both in their work and in their families without a partner. Someone equal in determination and drive. Someone willing and able to earn respect and most importantly someone capable enough to keep it.
He'd married once out of infatuation and lust. At the time he had been convinced that Lillian would be the love of his life. She was everything he'd reached for from the gutters of Suicide Slums: beautiful, accomplished, sophisticated, delicate, elegant. It hadn't been until after Lex's birth that he'd realized just how deeply flawed his vision of perfection had been. Lillian was the Pandora's Box of wives. Beautiful and enticing on the outside but filled with the misery of the world. He'd paid a price for his choice and so had his children - all of them.
But where Lillian was ethereal - Chloe was not. She was a partner rather than an ornament.
Lifting the comforter, Lionel climbed into bed and arranged Chloe so that she was once again draped over him like a living blanket. He fell asleep to the steady rhythm of her breathing.