Loyalty

Author: tyffi
Beta: cinderella81
Word Count: ~ 9900
Rating: 12+ (for language)
Characters: Lex Luthor, Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent, others
Genre: AU, het
Summary: Lex is throwing a charity party that goes slightly wrong.
Disclaimer: "Smallville" and its characters are copyright of DC Comics, Warner Brothers, Tollin/Robbins and Millar/Gough Ink. All characters engaged in sexual actions are of age.

Loyalty

The Great Hall of the mansion was filled with filthy rich people that seemed to take any opportunity to get their Champagne for free.

Chris felt rather lonely, but most of all confused. She still didn’t understand Lex’s recent urge to throw a charity event. She knew him for quite a while now, and he had never been anything but generous – not just towards her, or his friends, but to humankind in general. However, she had always thought he was the quiet kind of donator that simply gave without expecting the praise – in contrast to his father – but now he seemed to follow his lead.

Truly, this party was a nice gesture, and all attendees willingly made donations, but Chris was still convinced it would’ve been the smarter move to take the money Lex had invested in this party and directly donate it to the children organization he was supporting.

Shaking her head, she signed another check and went to put it into the donation box that was set up near the buffet. One of Lex’s bodyguards was guarding the box, and for a brief moment Chris wondered whether this was smart or not. Then she recognized the bodyguard as one of those former Marines her father had recommend to Lex after the last big incident that had ended with Lex being shot – again.

She winked at the Marine and looked at the check again before she actually gave it away. Five hundred dollars wasn’t exactly much; normally she would have given more, but her donation budget had already been exhausted for the month. She calmed her conscience by telling herself that she already had donated six thousand dollars on behalf of her law firm, and that Lex had told her he would make a donation for both of them. Which was stupid, but very much Lex.

She turned and walked straight to the bar. Likely, being drunk was the only way to survive this evening and all those rich people that barely worked for their living.

She ordered another vodka martini and looked around to find a quiet place.

Unfortunately, the Great Hall didn’t offer any niches she could hide in, and any other place in the mansion wasn’t an option as long as the party was going on, so she snuck out onto one of the many balconies.

Here, it was lonesome and actually nice, though a bit chilly. However, still better than inside.

She sipped at her drink and took a book out of her purse.

“Again, she’s sitting away from the party, reading a book.”

Chris looked up and put her finger between the pages. “And again, he doesn’t have anything better to do then finding my hideouts.”

“Touché!” Bruce Wayne laughed, flashing his pearly white teeth, and bent a little to have a look at the book she was reading. He raised his brows. “First Hemingway, now Lessing... You’ve got an interesting taste.”

“Normally, I only read Stephen King. This is just to make you feel stupid. Or did you read the blurb on Emilia Galotti, too?” Chris replied and watched him amused.

Bruce chuckled and shook his head. “I’ve never been into German poets.”

“At least, he knows Lessing was German.”

“You really think I’m superficial, don’t you?”

“Asks the man that came here with three barely legal models... You really don’t expect an honest answer, do you?” Chris watched him and grinned. Maybe this party wouldn’t be boring at all. The last time she had met Bruce Wayne at a party it had been quite an entertaining night, and he was almost as good as Lex when it came to verbal ping pong. Yet, he kept trying to hide his intelligence.

“Uh, I rather have you sitting here, looking pretty, thank you,” Bruce grinned and let his eyes roam across her body. “Though, at the moment you look more like a human popsicle... You shouldn’t sit here in the cold.”

“Still better – and more healthy – than sitting inside with all those filthy rich idlers,” Chris replied. “No offense. Obviously, you’re no idler; you brought three barely legal models to keep you occupied.”

“None taken,” Bruce said and took of his jacket. He was going to hang it around her shoulders but then he hesitated and tilted his head. A smile flickered across his face.

“I know I should chivalrously give you my jacket, but since your opinion in me isn’t high anyway, I’d like to have some service in return.”

Chris raised her brows and looked at him, skeptically. “Seriously, Mr Wayne; teaching you to read is worth more than just a jacket.”

Bruce laughed out loud and hung the jacket around her shoulders. “You just discovered my biggest secret.”

“I’m pretty good at that.”

“I’ve heard so,” he replied and sat down next to her. “Why don’t you give me the blurb on this novel?”

“Actually, it’s a play. However, I’m sure you’d like it. There’s a prince becoming obsessed with a girl that is already promised to a count. He wants her no matter what, and soon all the intrigues start. It ends with the protagonist committing suicide by forcing her father to stab her.”

“You really think I’d like such a story?” Bruce looked at her once she had finished, his brows raised.

“Well, I thought the ‘wanna have someone else’s girl’ part would sound familiar to you.”

“I’ve never been that obsessed about a girl,” he replied silently and looked her in the eyes. “In fact, I’m over girls.” He lent in and before Chris knew what happened she felt his lips on hers.

Her eyes widened and for a moment she was paralyzed. Her body didn’t react the way she wanted it, and all she could think of was Lex. Then, finally, her limbs began to obey, and she pushed Bruce away.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” She jumped up and glared at him. “Touch me again, and you’ll be the last fucking Wayne walking on this planet!”

For a second she was considering slapping Bruce in the face, but instead she simply grabbed her book, let the jacket slide off her shoulders and hurried back inside to find Lex.

He was standing next to a group of elderly men, talking to them. As soon as he spotted her, he began to smile and wrapped his arm around her waist.

“Gentlemen, may I introduce Chris Harris to you? Kansas’ youngest and most successful lawyer.”

***

The party lasted for hours. There was no private moment for Chris and Lex until the last guest had left, or had gone to bed. A few, Bruce Wayne among those, stayed in the guest bedrooms in the mansion.

But then, after half a lifetime, Lex and Chris were finally alone, standing in Lex’s bedroom. He was kissing her neck and unzipping her dress. She stopped him and slightly pushed him away.

“There’s something I have to tell you, Lex.”

“Uh, save that for the post-coital talk,” he mumbled and tried to pull her back into his arms.

“No, Lex! This is serious! It can’t wait!” She watched him and winced slightly. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him, but she knew she had to tell him what happened on the balcony. She took a deep breath and made Lex sit down on the bed, taking his hands in hers. “You know I love you, right?!”

She saw him frowning before he nodded slowly.

“That’s good, because I really do. I love you, Lex. I really, really love you!”

“Of course you do... Angel, what is it? What’s going on?”

Chris winced again. She felt so bad. Lex deserved someone better than her!

She took a deep breath. “You know, I don’t really like these parties. All those people intimidate me, and --”

“You snuck away,” Lex said, smiling. “It’s okay. You don’t need to apologize for that. I assume you had a good book that couldn’t wait?”

“Yeah, but... Lex, I... Bruce was there with me, too. We... talked about the book I was reading, and... he kissed me, and maybe I kissed him back a little. I don’t know why he did it, and I don’t know why I did it, but it happened, and I don’t want it to happen again. I haven’t encouraged him to kiss me, and I most definitely didn’t want him to kiss me, or to touch me, or to talk to me ever again! I don’t know what’s gotten into him. We were just talking about the book, and I made fun of him all the time. I even called him dyslexic! I haven’t done anything that would justify him kissing me!”

Chris knew she spoke too much and way too fast, but she hoped it would hurt Lex less this way.

“I’m so sorry, Lex. I didn’t want it, and maybe I shouldn’t have told you, but things like this always come to light, and I don’t want you to learn about this from anyone else but me, and I don’t want to hurt you, and --”

Lex rose and pulled her into his arms. “Shh, Angel, shh. It’s okay.” He stroked a few times over her head and slowly, Chris calmed down.

“I didn’t want him to kiss me,” she mumbled and Lex made her look at him.

“I know,” he said. “And, I appreciate your honesty --”

“You do?”

“Well, I’d lie if I said it didn’t hurt me, but... no one has ever been this honest with me before, and I believe you when you say you didn’t encourage Bruce.”

“I didn’t! You’re the only person I want to kiss me.”

Lex smiled and cupped her face in his hands. “That’s incredibly nice to hear.”

“It’s the truth!” Chris whispered and eyed him. On the one hand she was glad that Lex was all zen about this, on the other hand she was surprised. “So, we are good?”

Lex nodded and kissed her. “We are more than good.”

“But, there won’t be any sex tonight?”

“Admittedly, I kinda lost the mood for it, but... don’t you dare consider sleeping in a guest bedroom.” He pulled her a little closer and kissed her again. “I won’t let you. You’ll sleep here and let me caress your back. Period.”

Chris lifted up on her tiptoes and kissed the tip of his nose. “That’s more than I deserve. I love you, Lex.”

Again, he smiled. “I love you, too,” he said, rather quietly and worked on her zipper again.

***

Next morning, when Chris was taking a shower, she couldn’t help but think of the last night.

Lex had kept his word and caressed her back for quite some time, and even though he said he wasn’t in the mood for sex, they had done it anyway, and it had been better than ever.

She didn’t know whether it was because he had tried to show her he was better than Bruce, or whether she had tried to show him she didn’t want anyone but him, but it had been great sex and the aftermath was still lasting.

There was a stupid grin on her face that didn’t seem to go away, and when she walked downstairs to the study, it felt like she was walking clouds. She even caught herself humming cheesy songs from the ‘80s.

Luckily, Lex wasn’t resentful and he trusted her enough to understand she would never kiss anyone else but him. However, she was still mad at Bruce and he would do well not to cross her way right now. Maybe he was already on his way back to Gotham City – or Timbuktu, or anywhere else far away for her liking.

She entered the study but it was empty. Lex was likely seeing off his guests, so she walked upstairs to the gallery and looked for a book. Lex kept the good stuff hidden here, and displayed the Nietzsches and von Clausewitzes and Sun Tzus downstairs. Likely to intimidate his guests.

Chris found a copy of “The Wizard of Oz” and grinning, she sat down in one of the cozy armchairs and began to read.

“You should’ve told me there’s so much strength in her.”

Chris had no idea how much time had passed when suddenly she heard Bruce’s voice. Frowning, she put her finger between the book’s pages and stood up, walking over to the handrail.

“I actually have a bruise on my chest; in the size and shape of her hand.”

“I’m positive you’ll survive it,” Lex replied dryly.

Upstairs, in the gallery, Chris couldn’t help but sneer. She should’ve known Bruce was going to brag about the kiss, and she was glad she had told Lex about it almost immediately after it had happened. Now, Bruce would have to face the icy Luthor-attitude and the even colder wit.

“Have you ever been the receiving end of her temper?” Bruce said and was rubbing his chest. “I’ll never kiss a general’s daughter again.”

“When you’re done with your self-pitying would you mind telling me whether she kissed you back?”

“No, she didn’t. Just like you said. She was shocked in the first moment, but then she got herself together and almost killed me. I guess you kept her occupied last night – otherwise I would’ve woken up dead this morning,” Bruce replied and flashed Lex a smile. “Looks like she passed your test. She’s the first one actually, isn’t she?!”

Chris’ mouth dropped open and she stared down at the two men in disbelief. She must have misunderstood them. They had to be talking about something else. Lex couldn’t possibly trying to test her loyalty to him. He was eccentric but not insane.

Lex didn’t answer but Chris saw him shaking his head a bit. Then he looked at Bruce and smiled.

“She is. She definitely is.”

This couldn’t be true!

“It was a test?”

Both men looked up and when Lex’s eyes met Chris’ she saw him blanching. She clenched her fist and ran downstairs.

“You set up a test? You were testing me? You were testing my feelings for you?” Chris hadn’t been this upset since... She couldn’t even say if she had ever been this upset before. She stared at Lex and just wanted to hurt him, badly. With an old rusty saw.

“You set this up? You asked Mr ’I have a manicure twice a week’ to kiss me?” She turned around to face Bruce who was as pale as Lex. “And you played along? You didn’t even question Mr ’I’m so paranoid, I even suspect my toothbrush to kill me’ and his motives?”

She stared at Lex and Bruce and when she realized she was still holding the book, she threw it away from her. It hit the billiard table’s foot with a thud. She wanted to throw more things.

“Gee, where are those cream cakes when you need one?”

“I take it you want to smash them into our faces?” Bruce said and flashed her a forced smile.

“Yeah... but give me a few moments and I’ll come up with other things I could do to you,” Chris replied, this close to beating the shit out of Bruce. Her father had trained her well, and she knew she was able to kick Bruce’s butt. Besides, he was almost a head smaller than her dad.

“Oh yeah... a spoon. Just wait till I have a spoon --”

“Chris, I’m...” Lex started and caused her to forget about Bruce for a moment. She whirled around and glared at him.

“You’re what?”

“Chris, I’m sorry.”

“For what? For setting up this stupid test, for proving that everyone’s been right about you, or for being caught?” She eyed him but he didn’t answer. “Yeah, that’s exactly what I thought.”

How could she have been this stupid? How could she have thought Lex would actually trust her? He didn’t trust anyone, he didn’t even trusted himself. How could she have been so blind?

“Angel, please let me explain --”

“DON’T you dare angel me!” Chris hissed. “I’m through with you. I don’t need your explanations or your sorries, or anything else. You don’t even understand how I feel right now, why would you think I’m interested in an explanation? You are pathetic, and your stupid attempts to explain this bullshit won’t make it better.”

She turned on her heels and left the study. She felt like crying. How could she have been so mistaken?

***

After Chris had packed her stuff and left the mansion, she had taken the longest way back to Metropolis. She had been sitting in her car, driving around and trying to clear her mind, but she couldn’t stop asking herself why Lex had to set up this fake kiss to test her loyalty. She had never given him a reason to mistrust her, had she?!

Certainly, she kept a few things from him, but for a reason, and those secrets she had weren’t concerning her feelings for him. And, she had always planned to tell him; peu à peu.

Now, she was almost glad she hadn’t. Since he was unable to trust her, he didn’t deserve her trust, either.

Five hours after she had left Smallville, Chris stopped her car in front of her house. She couldn’t say she felt much calmer now, but the car’s tank was almost empty, and she was tired of driving around. All she wanted was wallow, get drunk and stuff her face with junk food.

Instead of entering her own apartment, she walked upstairs to Keith’s. He was her best friend, and she didn’t want to be alone right now.

She rang the bell and when Keith opened, she entered and walked straight towards the fridge.

“Where’s the vodka? You always have vodka in the fridge!”

“Hi Chris. Oh, come in and make yourself at home. Yeah, my day was great, thanks for asking,” he replied dryly and eyed her. She could feel his steel blue eyes piercing her back.

“I’m fine,” she said. “I just need booze.”

“Yeah, right... because that’s what sane people would say on a Sunday at around three p.m.”

“I am sane,” Chris hissed. “I’m saner than Lex could ever be. Just tell me you have any kind of alcohol here.”

She heard Keith sighing and again, she felt his eyes piercing her. “More Lex drama, eh?! It was about time, wasn’t it? You two were too much Cotton Candy Land lately.” He squeezed past her into the kitchen and opened a cupboard to take out a bottle of vodka.

Chris immediately took it from him.

“I take it you’ll skip the glass and the ice,” Keith mumbled as she opened the bottle and took a large sip. “Cheers, Calamity Jane. Oh, and I have a sofa where you can pass out later, but... you know that.”

Chris glared at him. Keith was tall and attractive. He had short, brown hair, the bluest eyes she had ever seen on a human being, and a smile that would make Bruce Wayne jealous. He was kind, and funny and her best friend for more than a decade now. He was the guy she had lost her virginity to, and that was one of the things she had wanted to tell Lex, but now there was no need to do so anymore.

“Okay, kiddo, what happened. What did Lex do?”

“Why do you think I wanna get drunk because of Lex?”

Keith chuckled. “Because you’re saner than Lex. And, it’s Sunday. I doubt one of your clients was mean to you.” He grabbed her by the shoulders and steered her to the sofa. “You may keep your friend the bottle; just tell me when you need a bucket.”

“I’ve drunk vodka with Russian soldiers, I’m trained,” Chris pouted.

“Right... then tell me what happened. Between you and Lex.”

“Lex is turning into his father,” she said, taking another sip. “Actually, he’s making his father sound reasonable, even nice and humanitarian. Reliable... even that.”

Keith raised his brows. “You’re not telling me that you found Lex making out with one of those society bimbos, are you? I wouldn’t believe it, anyway. Lex is really into you. I’m still impressed that he’s able to control his features whenever he looks at you. Other men would start to drool – or play pocket billiard.”

“Other men certainly wouldn’t ask an old school mate to kiss their girlfriend just to test their loyalty,” Chris replied and took another sip. The vodka was so good. He was her only friend right now.

Keith blinked. “He did what?”

“He asked Bruce Wayne to seduce me. Last night, at Lex’s stupid party. I’m even sure that was the reason for the party. So that Lex could have this stupid test. Wayne kissed me, I pushed him away, and later I told Lex about it and I thought we were fine. This morning, however, I heard them talking about the kiss, and listened to Bruce being all whiny about me pushing him away, and that it was some kind of test, Bruce kissing me, and --”

“You must have misunderstood something. Lex loves you. He’s with you; despite all your quirks. And the fast talking...”

“What are you? The devil’s advocate? That’s my job, remember? I’m the lawyer, you’re police. You catch the bad guys, and I make sure they come out of jail soon. This is how it works. Police stands for justice, lawyers for money-grabbing.”

“Oh, the talk, the talk... the speedy talk,” Keith mumbled and grabbed for the bottle, taking a large sip himself. “Just let us take a break here and summarize: Lex’s still not trusting you? After two years? He fears you’re not honest with him, so he asked his old friend to test your loyalty?”

“Now, you’re with me. Give me back my bottle.”

Keith watched her in disbelief, shaking his head. “What... what did he say? Why would he do something like that?”

“I don’t care; he did it, that’s all I need to know,” Chris replied. “Hey, is there more where this one came from?”

“You didn’t even hear him out?”

“No, why should I? He’s not trusting me. He’s asking one of his billionaire friends to seduce me; I don’t need an explanation for that!”

“But you want one,” Keith said and smiled when Chris raised her brows. “I’ve known you for more than fifteen years, kiddo. You always want to know why people do the things they do. You’re like a pit bull when it comes to that! Do I need to remind you about the Nazi incident?” Carefully, he took her chin and made her look at him. “You love Lex, and... it doesn’t look like it at the moment, but Lex loves you too. He didn’t mean to hurt you –”

“Dammit! You are supposed to be my BFF, not his,” Chris said and punched him. “How can you justify his actions?”

“I’m not, but... I’ve been in the middle of this for two years. Lex is screwed up, but he cares for you. And you care for him. You should at least consider hearing him out.”

“Or, I should consider finding a new best friend,” she replied and stood up. “I really thought you’d be on my side here.” Glaring at Keith she walked towards the door and opened it. She almost let the bottle drop when she spotted Lex standing in the hallway. His arm was lifted as though he had been going to knock at the door.

“Chris, I --”

She smashed the door shut and turned to Keith. “Why is he here?”

“That’s what guys do when they know they screwed up. He obviously wants to apologize. – Funny, I never thought a Luthor could do that.”

“I don’t want to talk to him. Ever again.”

Keith nodded and grabbed her by the shoulders. “It’s okay. I’ll take care of it.” He kissed her forehead and waited for Chris to hide in the kitchen before he opened the door.

“Where is she? I need to talk to her,” she heard Lex’s voice and surprisingly it sounded begging.

“Trust me, you don’t want to talk to her right now, Lex.”

“But, I need to. I --”

“I’m still trying to figure out what happened between you and Chris, but I’m serious when saying you don’t want to talk to her right now,” Keith said calmly. “She’s upset, and you know what that means: all her craziness is bubbling to the surface --”

“Chris! Chris, please talk to me.”

“Go and talk to your dad!” Chris yelled and took another sip from the bottle.

“He’s not in hell right now.”

Chris heard Keith chuckling and she felt the corners of her mouth twitching amused. However, she was still way too upset to face Lex.

“Don’t try to be funny!”

“You should go home, Lex,” Keith said. “Give her some time. That’s the only thing you can do right now.”

“I won’t go. I’ll have to explain myself to her. I --”

“I’m trying to restrain myself and not beat you, but you’re making it hard.” Keith’s voice changed and Chris knew he was getting angry. “You screwed up big time with Chris, and even though I’ve always been your cheerleader I find it difficult right now. Just go home and give Chris some time!”

He closed the door and sighed. “I feel like I just abandoned a helpless puppy.”

“He has that affect on people,” Chris said and walked back into the living room. She eyed Keith. “He sounded sad.”

“Wanna talk to him?”

“Hell, no! I’m still mad at him. He doesn’t trust me. He asked one of his billionaire friends to seduce me in order to test my loyalty. He can be lucky if I ever say his name again.”

“Wanna rant about him? Luckily, your bottle has a brother... and some unknown relatives.”

***

Two weeks had passed since Chris had found out about Lex’s little test. And, on every single day of those two weeks, she had found a sunflower lying in front of her door, and a guy holding a cup of coffee and a box with a chocolate muffin waiting in front of her office. It was easier for her to get a cab these days, and her favorite food delivery services worked even faster.

She knew it was all Lex’s doing. It was his way of apologizing and yet, she still was mad at him.

“Is this seat taken?”

Chris looked up and blinked once she realized that Clark Kent was standing right in front of her. In her favorite cafe, in Metropolis.

“What the hell are you doing here? I mean... hello, Clark. Take a seat.”

“Your secretary told me you were here,” he said as he sat down at her table, flashing her a smile.

Chris couldn’t help but return it. There was something special about the Kent smile – it made you feel warm and fuzzy and comfortable. And, obviously, it even worked on Rachel, her secretary; she definitely was one hard nut to crack.

“So, you found me,” Chris said and sipped at her coffee. “I assume you aren’t here because you’re in desperate need of a lawyer?”

“I’m here because of Lex,” Clark replied and silenced for a moment. “I’m... worried about him.”

“Why? What? Is he okay?” Immediately, Chris hands began to shake and she had to set her cup back on the table. She stared at Clark.

“He’s missing you.”

Chris raised her brows, although she was relieved. “He said that? Why, that would be a first.”

“No, he didn’t. After all, he’s Lex, but... I know he’s missing you.” Clark sighed and shrugged helplessly. “I’ve never seen him like this before. He’s totally not himself. I know you’re mad at him, and I’d be mad, too, but... can’t you just talk to him?”

Chris blinked. “You know what happened?”

Clark nodded.

“Lex told you?” Chris was more than surprised. She knew, Clark was what Lex would consider his best friend, but she found it difficult to believe Lex would open up to a teenager. Their friendship wasn’t like hers and Keith’s. But then again, those two certainly hadn’t shared what Keith and she had; hopefully they hadn’t shared that experience.

“He’s Lex. Of course, he hasn’t told me. He just said that he made a huge mistake, and... well, Matthew told me about that test.”

“Oh, these Brits,” Chris mumbled and sipped at her coffee again.

Of course, the butler had known. He obviously knew everything that was going on in the mansion, and he didn’t hesitate to share his knowledge with a farm boy. But when Lex was out of town and Chris tried to get his ETA, Matthew seemed to have taken a vow of silence.

“Lex shouldn’t have done that,” Clark added hastily, “but he’s had bad luck with women before; his first wife tried to kill him, and... He’s really not that bad --”

“Clark, I do know that, and I would’ve understood if he had set up a test like this two weeks after we have met, or two months, but two years? There’s no excuse for this.”

“I know, but... what you’re doing to him right now isn’t better, either. You are ignoring him completely, and... it’s not right! He really wants to apologize, to explain himself, but you don’t let him! He deserves more. If you don’t want to be with him anymore, tell him, but stop playing this silly game!”

Chris stared at him, shocked. She had never seen Clark being anything but nice and sweet. Now, however, he was upset and almost yelling at her. People were actually looking at them, and Clark lowered his voice, however he kept scowling.

“You’re a lawyer, Chris, and you kept telling me that everyone – even the worst criminal – deserves a fair trial, but you won’t give one to Lex. That’s makes you a --”

“Hypocrite,” Chris finished and nodded. “You’re right, I should talk to him.”

“You will?” He raised his brows and seemed to be surprised by his own courage.

“I should hear him out, at least,” she said and finished her coffee. “Just tell me, you didn’t come all the way to Metropolis to scold me but to buy shoes the size of a child’s casket.”

“I didn’t mean to scold you, I’m just... Lex is my friend and --”

“Just tell me you have business in Metropolis,” Chris cut him off, sighing slightly.

She felt stupid getting scolded by someone who was about to graduate from high school and actually listening to him. Of course he was right. She shouldn’t treat Lex like this, but she would have felt better if she had realized this on her own.

She flashed Clark a smile. “You need some pom-poms. You’re a really, really good friend... I’ll talk to Lex. But, you do understand why I’m mad at him.”

“Of course, I do,” Clark nodded. “He shouldn’t have done it, but he’s not a bad person.”

***

Even though Chris had promised Clark to see Lex, she couldn’t bring herself to do so. She was still too disappointed in Lex to hear him out just yet. She needed a bit more time, and Keith and Clark to stop acting like Lex Luthor’s personal cheerleaders.

It was understandable that Clark tried to defend him, but she didn’t get why Keith would jump on the bandwagon. Was that some kind of masculine cohesion? A code of honor? Once a guy screwed up immediately three other guys would come and back him up?

Chris sighed. There definitely was no such thing between girls.

“I know what could ease your mind,” Keith said and looked into his box of fried noodles. He had come to Chris’ office, bearing Chinese take-out.

Chris looked up. “More Moo-Goo Gai Pan?”

“Talk to him!”

“The chicken’s dead,” she mumbled and put her dish aside. Suddenly, she wasn’t quite hungry anymore.

“Chris, you already got the guy’s balls; at least let him out of the doghouse!”

“I can’t...”

“Why not? Forgot how to drive a car? How to speak? I highly doubt the latter. You are --”

“I’m still mad at him, and I can’t hear him out when I’m still angry. I most likely will yell at him, and use stupid references he won’t get because they’re so lame, and... I think Lex’s done now, anyway. Coffee guy wasn’t here this morning.”

She saw Keith blinking before shaking his head.

He was right, though. She should go to Smallville and talk to Lex, but she was scared. Scared that she would give in too early and give Lex a carte blanche to do more of these shenanigans, and scared that she might have waited too long and that he had already moved on.

Chris was confused and those past few weeks thinking of Lex and his test hadn’t quite helped her to get a clear view on all of this. She simply didn’t know what to do.

Keith stood up and moved over to her, smiling slightly.

“I know you’ve always been this Ed Wood-y kind of character and as much as I love you, I hate to see you like this these days. Listen: you have to talk to Lex. For the sake of the little bit of sanity that’s left inside of you.” He petted her head and pulled her into his arms.

“I know, you’re mad at Lex – that’s your prerogative. But, I also know that you still love him, and that you miss him.”

“I...” Chris began but Keith shook his head.

“You have to talk to him. Either, to make a clean cut and end it all for good, or to make a fresh start, but it can’t get going on like this. It’s not healthy. Neither for you, nor for Lex.”

“I hate it when you sound like my dad.”

”I take that as a compliment,” Keith grinned and kissed her forehead. “Just go and see him. You will know what to do then.”

Chris looked up at him. “Why are you on his side?”

“I’m not on his side. Gee, Chris, he tested your loyalty after two years of... being with you. That guy has some severe trust issues, but you love him, and knowing you that means he’s got potential.”

Chris sighed, resting her head at his shoulders and closing her eyes for a moment. In moments like these she wanted Keith to be the one and only man in her life. He definitely was someone to lean on; he was kind and funny, handsome and tall, but he was just Keith. He wasn’t Lex. She didn’t feel for Keith like she felt for Lex.

“You’re right. I have to end this,” she said and stood up, walking over to her desk and calling her secretary via intercom. “Rachel, please cancel all appointments for today. And tomorrow. Just cancel the appointments for the next two days.”

She turned and looked at Keith. He smiled.

“I’ll have a bottle of vodka in the fridge and Sun Li on speed dial. Hangover food will be there if necessary.”

“You’re my own personal guardian angel.”

“Yeah, well... that’s what your dad is paying me for. And with paying I mean, he doesn’t beat the shit out of me,” he replied grinning.

“He would never do anything to you – unless, he finds out what happened between you and me in the night before I left for Harvard,” she grinned. “That would end nasty; for both of us.”

***

Chris was driving down Main Street and her hands were getting more sweaty the nearer she got to the mansion. She was nervous, and didn’t know how it would be to see Lex after almost three weeks of complete silence. She had missed him and parts of her just wanted to throw herself into his arms where she had always felt warm and safe and comfortable, and yet there was still a part of her that wanted to throw a cream cake right into his face. He had betrayed her and the trust she had in him.

When she passed the Talon, she briefly thought about having a stop there, chat to Lana and pretend everything was peachy, but she decided against it. The sooner she would talk to Lex, the better it was.

At about ten minutes later, she stopped her car in front of the mansion and walked up the stony stairs. Matthew, the butler, opened.

“Miss Harris, what a surprise to see you.”

“Didn’t think you would ever see me again, huh?” She smiled. Actually, she had missed him too. “Is Lex in his study? I’d like to talk to him.”

“I’m sorry, Miss Harris, but Master Lex has left for Metropolis this morning.”

“Great... next time pick up a phone; it works in both ways.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Never mind,” Chris mumbled and turned to leave.

“Do you want to leave a message?”

Chris shook her head and said goodbye. Back to Metropolis then. She didn’t know whether this was a good sign or not. After all, she had a bit more time to prepare herself for when she faced Lex again.

She made a quick stop at the Talon and got herself a coffee before she hit the road again. Two hours later she was back in Metropolis, and she was even more nervous than before. Maybe Lex had come to Metropolis to talk to her. Maybe he was sick of waiting for her to make the first step. After all, he had been rather patient during these past weeks, and patience wasn’t exactly his strong suit.

But then again, Coffee guy hadn’t been standing outside her office this morning, so maybe Lex really had moved on.

She sighed and was ready to drive back home when she realized she was already in front of Lex’s apartment building. Since she was already here, she may as well go and see him.

With shaking hands she entered the building and greeted the porter. He knew her and waved back before looking at his monitors again. At least someone didn’t seem to know about Lex’s test and their argument.

She called the lift and entered it. The code hadn’t changed – this was a good sign, right?

Nervously, she picked at her cuticles and shoved her hands in her pockets, playing with the little heart-shaped stone Lex had given her a year ago. He had found it at the Lake Geneva, and ever since he had given it to her, she carried it around with her in her pocket. It meant something, it had to!

“I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t,” Chris mumbled as the lift doors opened and slowly, she entered the penthouse. She stopped dead as she spotted Lex. She stared at him, and he stared back – almost shocked.

“Angel!” He dropped his cell phone and keys, and Chris stooped to help him pick it up. She found a black card with a grey W on it.

“Oh, you were about to go out,” she said, avoiding his eyes. She knew the emblem; it belonged to the Windgate Club, a so-called gentlemen’s club. Chris had worked for the owner several months ago, but she didn’t know Lex was a member. It shouldn’t surprise her, though. Billionaire, fancy strip-club... those things went hand and hand.

“No, I don’t... I just...” Lex stuttered and took the card from her. “I was cleaning my pockets.”

“You can lie better than that,” Chris replied. There was an awkward silence between them, and neither Lex nor Chris dared to look at each other.

“Why are you here?” - “I could do with an explanation now.”

They spoke at the same time and couldn’t help but laugh.

“Is this awkward, or what?” Chris said and eyed Lex. He flashed her half a smile. “Lex, I’m here to... I’d like to hear your explanation. If you still --”

“Of course, I... You’ll get an explanation. C’mon, let’s sit down.” He took her by the elbow but Chris shook him off.

“No. Don’t. Don’t touch me. Not yet. When you touch me I know I’ll forget why I actually came, and I just want you to hold me, and never let me go again, but I need to know why you did this to me.” Breathing in deeply, she forced herself to look him in the eyes. “I want to know what you were thinking. You need to open up this time, Lex, and if you think you can’t do that, don’t even start with a half-hearted, pseudo explanation. I need to know what was going on inside your head when you asked Bruce to seduce me in order to test my loyalty. I need to know what I have done that you can’t trust me.”

Chris felt her voice shaking and she knew she would start to cry soon. She hated this and she had to take another deep breath to calm herself down.

Lex didn’t say anything, but she saw him nodding, very slowly and thoughtfully. With a wave of his hand he asked her to sit down and walked over to a small bar where he grabbed for a decanter of Scotch, but then decided against it, and opened a bottle of Whisky – a Templeton Rye, her favorite. Chris was surprised. She had never seen a bottle of this in Lex’s beverage supply before.

Handing her a glass, he sat down across her. Again, there was silence and both sipped quietly at their drinks.

Chris heard Lex sighing a little and she saw him playing with his glass; the ice cubes clanked against the glass.

“I know I made a huge mistake,” he began without looking at her but staring at his glass as though the answer was lying in the Whisky, “and I know, there’s no excuse for it.” He looked up. “You’ve never done anything that would justify this kind of mistrust I’ve displayed. You’ve always been honest with me; or at least, mostly.”

Chris winced. She knew he was referring to her being adopted. She hadn’t told him about it until his father had discovered it for him. However, she had always planned to tell him about this, but it was a difficult topic you certainly wouldn’t bring up at the first date.

She opened her mouth to say something, but Lex shook his head.

“Shh, don’t. That wasn’t a reproach. I know there are some things in life that are difficult, and that you don’t want to share with someone you just meet. You’ve shown me many times that you trust me, and I --” He broke off, shook his head and emptied his glass.

Again, there was silence and Chris pulled up her leg, hugging her knee. She couldn’t look at Lex. It hurt her to see him struggling himself, but she had to understand why he had done it. Why he had mistrusted her. If she didn’t understand, she would be able to make a clear cut, or a fresh start.

“I’ve never known someone like you. Someone that special --”

“Special as in ’don’t eat the paste’?”

Lex chuckled, but it sounded sad. “As in ’borderline lunatic’. Chris, you’re special because you love someone like me. I... I’ve never felt like this before. It’s been long since I had someone in my life who means so much to me, and who really cared for me.”

Again, he paused and stood up. Chris watched him and for a second she thought about reminding him about Clark – not many people would step into the breach for someone like Clark had done – but she decided against it. It would stop Lex from explaining, and she still needed to understand. She wanted an explanation, in his own words, without having to cross-examine him.

Lex walked over to the windows and looked outside. It was dark by now and the city lights began to dance in front of Chris’ eyes. She should have eaten a bit more today.

“These past two years have been the best in my life. I never thought I could feel this kind of... happiness, or that it would last this long. I honestly don’t know why I asked Bruce to test your loyalty to me. I guess... I couldn’t believe my own luck. I couldn’t believe that I had finally found someone that loves me just like I am, and that believes in me, and --”

Again, he couldn’t finish his sentences. His voice was shaking, and he had to hate himself for this kind of weakness.

Chris felt tears running down her cheeks and she grabbed for her glass again, finishing it in one large swallow to stop the upcoming hiccough. It certainly was the first time Lex spoke open without being hit before.

Slowly, she stood up and followed Lex over to the window.

“So, instead of embracing what life’s offering you, you had to torpedo it?”

“I needed a proof. I couldn’t believe any of what we had was real.”

“Two years weren’t enough? Do you really think I was able to stay with you such a long time if my feelings for you weren’t genuine? Why, I should take that as a compliment – and start a career in Hollywood.”

Lex sighed and finished his drink. He shook his head and Chris saw him struggling himself – again – and she didn’t like to see him in this state. Normally, he was so confident, but now he almost looked lost.

“The worst part about it,” Lex quietly said and breathed in deeply. “The worst part is: I knew you would tell me about the kiss. I knew you wouldn’t let Bruce go any further, and... and yet, I was surprised. When you told me... it was too good to be true.” He turned away and walked back to the bar, refreshing his drink.

“I should’ve known better. I should’ve known you were honest, your feelings were true.”

Chris bit her lip. She had no doubt he was telling the truth. For some reason, she had always been able to tell a lie from a truth, and many a times her mother had called her a little human lie detector.

Lex definitely was telling the truth. Chris had always known he was some messed up personality, but she also knew he had his heart in the right place.

“I always wanted to trust you. I knew you were the only person in my life I could completely trust, but... I’m not meant to live --” Once more, he didn’t finish his sentence but had another sip. “I’m sorry, Chris. I really am.”

She nodded and walked over to him. Gently, she took the glass from his hands and set it onto the bar before she moved in. Lex backed away, and stared at her.

“W-what are you doing?”

She laughed a little and moved closer. “I’m not going to hurt you. This is what most people would call a hug.” She wrapped her arms around his belly and pressed herself against him.

“But you didn’t want me to touch you...” He was standing stiff and Chris had to take his arms and place it on her hips.

“I changed my mind. Now, just hold me.” Chris put her forehead in the curve of his neck and breathed in deeply.

There were voices inside her head, telling her it was wrong to make it so easy for him, but then again she knew it hadn’t been easy for him at all to speak that openly to her, and she knew he was really sorry about what had happened. If possible, he would travel back in time and fixed everything.

“You forgive me?” He seemed to be surprised.

“Not yet, but... I think we can fix this,” she whispered and looked up. “I’m not willing to throw away those last two years just because your paranoia has hit again. We’re not high school anymore, Lex, where you give up after the tiniest little argument. I’ve always known you’re complicated, and admittedly I’m not an easy person, either, but we’ve gone so far, and... there’s more. Mostly, we are a good team, and... just imagine what we both could achieve together; with your looks and my brains,” she added when she feared her little speech became too pathetic.

“Luckily, you aren’t conceited,” he chuckled and carefully brushed his knuckled against her cheek. A little sigh escaped his lips. “I really wish I could fix it, but --”

“We,” Chris corrected. “We can if we want! We just... well, I guess we need some time, work on the trust issue and maybe... change a bit. Make a few compromises.” She shrugged helplessly. It looked so much easier in movies. “I love you, Lex, and I missed you... I can’t give up on us, not yet. And, neither can you... right?!”

All at once, Chris began to feel completely insecure and she looked up at Lex, her eyes wide. She hadn’t thought much about what he wanted. Obviously, he regretted his misdemeanor, and he understood that he jeopardized their relationship, but she hadn’t thought about his feelings. Maybe he didn’t see another chance for them. Maybe he thought it was better to end it now before anyone of them got really hurt. Maybe, he wasn’t even keen to put so much effort into such a risky thing as a relationship.

“I want us to have a chance,” he finally said, grabbing for her hands. “You have no idea how much I want this...”

Chris beamed at him, but then she frowned and eyed him. He didn’t look convinced. “Is there a but on the way?”

Lex sighed and squeezed her hands a little before he turned away to take a fresh glass. He poured himself a Scotch, but he didn’t drink it. He just stared at the amber liquid for a while and occasionally, he shook his head.

Chris felt like she was struck by a déjà vu. She had seen that expression before, way too often. Lex was thinking about breaking up with her – only to save her from being hurt by him again.

Chris shook her head. If there was one thing she had learned about relationships: they were never like fairy tales, and they would never be. Yet, she wanted to be with Lex, going with him through all kinds of ups and downs.

She sighed and turned to get her glass from the coffee table.

“This is gonna be a long night. Would you mind to refresh my drink?”

***

When Chris woke up next morning, she found herself lying in Lex’s bed, wearing nothing but her undies. When she sat up to look round, she felt like her head was bursting into thousand little pieces. She groaned and tried to remember last night.

She and Lex had talked a lot. About them, about their hopes and wishes, and their fears. Lex had opened up and Chris had never felt so close to him – or had it just happened in her imagination that had been painted by gallons of Whisky.

She groaned again and held her head. She might have had drinks with Russian soldiers, but Lex was playing in another league.

“Hungover?” Lex had entered the bed room, only dressed in boxers, carrying a tray. Chris raised her brows.

“We didn’t have sex last night.” Winking, Lex set the tray down on her lap. She looked at it. There was a glass of freshly pressed Orange juice, two mugs of coffee, a glass of water and an Alka-Seltzer, and a delicious looking burrito.

“Hangover breakfast! You watched and learned,” Chris smiled and then spotted the rose. She picked it up and looked at it. “Okay, this is new. Does it make the headache go away?”

Lex chuckled and sat down next to her. Gently, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“No, that would be new to me.” He put the Alka-Seltzer in the water; it slowly turned pink. “This will make the headache go away.”

Chris took the glass from him and watched him surprised. “You got me cherry Alka-Seltzer?”

“I’ve been with you for quite a while now... do you think I know nothing about you?” he replied, smirking, and grabbed for one of the mugs. “And, the rose... well, it’s Valentine’s Day, and since my original --”

Chris blinked and choked at her water. Raising her brows, she studied Lex. “Valentine’s Day? Again? Wasn’t it just, uhm... last year? Why can’t it be like a leap year? And, why are you so awake, and fresh, and hangover-free?”

Glaring at him, she put the glass on the tray and took the burrito. She didn’t know what she hated more: Valentine’s Day, or that headache.

Lex, however, seemed to love V-Day, and Chris couldn’t understand why. He began to enjoy Christmas, he could live with his birthday, but he was still rather indifferent towards Halloween, or Thanksgiving. Valentine’s Day, however, was something he really seemed to like. He and Interflora.

She shook her head, only to realize that this was the worst movement she could make right now.

“I can’t believe I give a Valentine’s Day-loving, paranoid, loyalty-test-set-upping billionaire a second chance... who really knows where to get good burritos,” she mumbled and had another bite.

When she squinted at Lex she could swear she saw him wincing. Of course that was ridiculous because someone like Lex Luthor wouldn’t wince – not even a little. But then she remembered those things they had spoken about last night, and their plan how to make things better in the future. Of course, her little remark had to confuse him.

Chris put the burrito down and turned to face Lex. “I could try to, uh, tolerate V-Day... I’ll never like it like you do, but I’ll try to hate it a little less.” She paused and tilted her head. “See, the first compromise. I’m trying to change, to be more compatible with you.”

Smiling, Lex closed his eyes. “For a moment you had me...” he mumbled and sipped at his coffee.

“I’m hungover; I don’t do things like this on purpose,” she replied and rested her head at his shoulder. “I really want to fix the things between us.”

He nodded and put his arms around her shoulder, kissing the top of her head. “Me too. And, that’s why I postponed my original Valentine’s Day surprise.”

“You had a surprise for me?” Now, Chris was almost a bit disappointed. She loved surprises, and while Lex’s mostly were a tad over the top there always was a truly genuine and honest thought standing behind. “What was it?”

He smiled and sipped at his coffee again. There was a pause and Chris pierced him with her eyes until he spoke again.

“It’s postponed, not cancelled. You’ll get it when things are... better between us. When we are both convinced we can completely trust each other,” he said, set the mug on the nightstand and looked her in the eyes. “I want to change, Chris. I want to trust you, and I want you to trust me again. I don’t know how you did it, but... last night you convinced me that we have a chance, and that a relationship is hard work but I’m willing to work on it, because...” He paused and breathed in deeply. “Because I love you, Chris!”

Chris was grateful she was sitting, otherwise her now wobbly knees would have given in and she’d be kneeling in front of Lex now. He certainly wouldn’t mind – quite the opposite – but it still made her skin prickle and turned her legs into jell-o to hear Lex say he loved her. She had never doubted his feelings; he showed her, and yet, hearing it was... incredible.

There was no doubt they would be able to sort things out, and maybe, they would be stronger than ever.

“Could you please say something,” Lex asked quietly and Chris blinked. She looked up at him and climbed out of bed, looking for her pants. Once she found them, she reached into the pocket and pulled out the little heart-shaped stone before she moved back to bed. Her head was still throbbing, but it was bearable, and when she sat down next to Lex again, she kissed him.

“I love you more,” she whispered and showed him the stone. Lex raised his brows in surprise.

“You still have it?”

“I carry it with me every day. It means something that you’ve found a stone of this shape and gave it to me,” she replied and snuggled up against him. “I’ll make you trust me!”

She knew she sounded a bit too convinced, and a bit too determined, but Lex smiled and pulled her closer. Her faith in them would be enough for both of them.

“I almost believe that,” he said and it sounded cheerful.

Chris sighed relieved and reached for the burrito again, squinting up at Lex. “Your Valentine’s Day surprise... did it involve a giant cream cake I could smash into Bruce’s face? Because that would make this day really enjoyable.”

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