A Heart of Stone

Title: A heart of stone
Author: tyffi
Pairing:Lex/other
Rating: R (for language)
Summary: Lex realizes it's not all cakes and ale in a relationship.
Warning: everything is completely unbeta'd.
Words: 16856
Click for cover

Disclaimer: "Smallville" and its characters are copyright of DC Comics, Warner Brothers, Tollin/Robbins and Millar/Gough Ink. The mistakes are mine.

A heart of stone

"Where do you put all of that?" Lex was sitting next to Chris on the couch, shaking his head in disbelief.

It was Saturday night and since today it was on Chris to arrange the evening, Lex shouldn't have been surprised to spend the night at home, watching DVDs. For some reason Chris preferred to be alone with him, doing trivial things such as a DVD-athon, even though Lex would have rather taken her out to all the fancy places in the world he knew about. There were so many things he wanted her to see, but she always seemed to be the happiest when they were at home – his or hers – and she was allowed to stuff her face with food. Just like at the very moment.
On her lap she was holding a huge bowl that had been filled with Gummy bears the last time Lex had checked. Now it was rather empty.

"What do you mean?" Chris asked and fished for the last handful of green bears. Only yellows and a few reds were left now. She generously handed Lex the bowl before she helped herself for another bowl of popcorn from the coffee table.

"The food," Lex said, putting the Gummy bears aside. "Since you're here I only see you eating. Isn't your belly aching yet? After all the gums and the popcorn and the ice-cream and the Burritos and the chocolate... Did I forget something?"

"Mamfine mub foblab foumbs woob," she munched, causing him to raise his brows.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm fine," she repeated, this time her mouth was emptied. "Do you think I eat too much? Are you afraid you won't get enough popcorn? Hey, I saved you all the yellow bears!" She watched him and narrowed her eyes. "Or do you think I got fat? I didn't! My jeans still fit!"

"Don't put words into my mouth! You're far away from being fat," Lex said slightly annoyed. What was that with women always thinking they were overweight?

He watched Chris for a moment and snarled quietly. Her body was perfect. The curves were at the right places and she looked healthy, though Lex couldn't tell why. She was eating like a horse and her daily meals usually contained a lot of fat and sugar.
Admittedly, he was worried and more than once he had assumed that she might suffer from bulimia – at least that was the only logical explanation he had – but she didn't.

"I just wondered... I've never seen a person eating so many unhealthy things without getting sick."

Grinning, Chris made a face at him and kissed his chin.
"Don't be grumpy. And don't worry about my belly. I can eat everything – my stomach is made from steel!" she laughed. "Besides, I've had a fruit salad for breakfast."

Lex rolled his eyes, though he couldn't actually hide a smile. Chris always made him laugh. She was amazing and obviously, so was her metabolism. But still he wondered if her health insurance knew that they were dealing with a future heart patient.

"You're a freak!" Smiling, he put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer and kissed the top of her head.

"Yeah, I must be... otherwise I couldn't date you. - Oh, that's my favourite scene! Brian's Latin grammar lesson!" She pointed toward the screen where Monty Python's Life of Brian was still playing and they kept watching the movie until its end.

Every now and then they were laughing and commenting on scenes, and Lex had to admit that he enjoyed Chris' evening arrangement. It was indeed nicer to stay at home than worrying about paparazzi that were almost stalking them lately to get a picture of the billionaire and his lawyer-girlfriend.
Besides, Chris hadn't promised too much saying he would love Monty Python. Their humour was very dry and British, but ageless.

"Gosh, I love that song. That should become your credo, you know?! Or is it already?" Chris giggled and Lex noticed his left foot waggling in time to the music. He stopped it immediately.

"Well, the movie was nice," he said but the song was already in his head. Tonight he surely would dream about half-naked men at crosses, singing Always looking on the bright side of life.
"Their accent was horrible, though."

"Great, then let's watch the complete collection," Chris replied in the strongest Britisch accent Lex had ever heard, and jumped to her feet. "I have all movies. And you have to watch them!"

"Only when you speak a human language again."

"Uhm, let me think about it for a moment... No!" Chris laughed, while she was changing the DVDs. She was shaking her ass a little and Lex shook his head, pursing.

Little tease!

"Next one: Monty Python and the Holy Grail," she said and moved back to Lex, cuddling up against him on the sofa again. "After watching that movie bunnies will never be the same to you."

"Bunnies?" Lex raised his brows. "What have bunnies to do with the Holy Grail?"

"Oh, a lot. You'd be surprised!" Chris said and winked at him. "Now, let's watch the movie. Or else you won't understand what's going on on Thursday, and you would sit there, thinking we're idiots – what you probably do anyway, but –
"You're coming on Thursday, aren't you?! I mean... it's nothing big. We'll just have some drinks and good food – Keith had promised to make his tuna salad which is really delicious, by the way. And Kirsten and Fitz will be around. - Remember them? You met them in New York. - And Howard and Rachel and the other guys from the office will be there, too. But it's really nothing big. We'll just fool around and have some fun..."

Chris was speaking so fast that she was almost overtaking herself, but Lex had no idea what she was talking about. Though back in his mind a little bell was ringing. There was something on Thursday – the reason for Chris' nothing big she seemed to be so excited about.
Unfortunately, Lex wouldn't be there but in Geneva. He had to go on a business trip on Monday and hadn't found the right time yet to tell Chris.

Tomorrow was Valentine's Day and Lex wanted to spend a nice weekend with Chris before he had to leave for Switzerland. Without his business trip casting a shadow over their weekend. He could still tell her tomorrow night, or early Monday morning.

However, Lex felt a little sad that he was unable to join her little party. He had met a few of her friends before and all of them seemed to be nice down-to-earth people, even though most of them had studied in Harvard and belonged to wealthy families.
Lex would have loved to be there. Specially since Chris had mentioned Keith.

Keith Morris, a detective at the MPD, was friends with Chris for almost two decades and always seemed to shadow her. They lived in the same building, he owned a key to Chris' apartment – just like Lex – and he used quite a lot of pet names when he was speaking to her.
Generally, he was pretty touchy-feely with Chris and Lex watched their friendship suspicious. He wasn't jealous, but Chris and Keith were so familiar and close that sometimes he doubted they were just friends. No matter how many times Chris had told him that she felt for Keith like a brother.
A man and a woman couldn't be just friends – sooner or later it had to come to sex.

Pondering about that while Chris was still talking about her plans for Thursday, Lex suddenly heard a familiar song that reminded him on his former schoolmate David, a huge Foreigner-fan, and he couldn't help but grin.

"You should answer it," he told Chris who watched him puzzled. "Your cell – it's ringing."

"Oh... right... Well, that can wait. They call back if it's important." She shrugged and grinned. "So, Thursday. You haven't -"

"It sounds urgent," Lex smirked, referring to her ring tone. "So urgent, just wait and see..."

"Hey, are you making fun of me and my cell?"

Shaking his head, Lex reached out for her purse that was lying on an armchair nearby, and handed it Chris.
"I was just wondering if it's also playing when I call."

"Nah, then it's Money, money, money." She put her tongue out at him and took her cell phone, while Lex called himself stupid for having asked. At least it wasn't something like American idiot.

"Hi General," Chris said when she answered the call.

Obviously, it was her father calling. That explained the ring tone since her father was the most important person in her life.

"No, I'm not at home. Genius!" She grinned at Lex and attempted to rise, but he shook his head, putting his hand on her shoulder to keep her sitting.

"Take your time," he quietly said, kissed the top of her head and left the room.

He envied her a little for the close relationship she had to her father, but didn't begrudged her. Specially, since she was always in a very good mood after talking to her dad and Lex certainly would profit of that later.

"That was no one, Dad. Just... someone. - Why are you calling, though?"

Lex heard those last words accidentally but the naughty grin on his face vanished immediately.
He didn't know why but hearing Chris referring to him as nobody hit him. Actually, he was used to it – his own father did it all the time – but when he was with Chris he always had had the feeling he was important to her.
She was defending him if necessary – even though she knew how much Lex hated it – and she had told him more than once how proud she was of him.
Had that been just lies? Why was she referring to him as no one? In front of her dad?

Lex remembered well one of their first dates when Chris had called the General to tell him that she just had had the world's best steak. Did that mean, Lex was less important to her than a piece of meat?
Anger was rising inside him and he began to wonder if General Harris knew at all that his daughter and Lex were an item.
But it wasn't just anger Lex felt - it was also surprise. Never before, he had cared whether the fathers of his girlfriends knew about him or not – until now.
For some reason he desperately wanted to hear Chris telling her father that she was with Lex. He wanted to hear that proud sound of her voice that was always there when she was speaking of him, and for the first time in his life he was deeply interested in meeting his current girlfriend's family. Apparently, Chris didn't share his interest and kept hiding her father.

General Harris seemed to be a phantom. The only thing Lex knew about him was that he was a Marine and that he lived in Pennsylvania.
More than once he had suggested to visit him but Chris had always refused to accept those proposals. Instead, she had gone on her own to see her dad, or she had waited till he had come to visit her in Kansas. Never, she had asked Lex to join her, though. Apparently, there was no space for him.

Annoyed, he walked into his bedroom over to the antique sideboard to pour himself a glass of Scotch. Swallowing a large mouthful, he lent back against the piece of furniture.
Maybe it was wrong to think Chris cared for him, and that he was a part of her life. Maybe he had been blinded by pheromones and endorphines – again.

Sure, he had met a few of her dearest friends she liked to call her family but he barely knew anything about her real family. He only had met her uncle who certainly didn't count since he was a business partner of Lex, and they had met years before Lex actually learned that Chris was existing.

Snarling, Lex ran his hand over his face.
Why was she denying him? And why did it hurt him that much?
The more Lex thought about it, the more upset he got. Should he be so mistaken in Chris? Was she just with him because of his money? Was she just playing him? Could she possibly be that stupid?

He took another sip of Scotch and ground his teeth.

"Sorry, it was a longer call than expected." Out of the blue Chris was standing in front of him, watching him cheery. "I tried to get rid of Dad but he's a real chatterbox... I guess, the apple never falls far from the tree." Laughing, she wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him, but Lex shook her off. At the moment he couldn't stand her proximity at all.

"Hey, don't push me. What's wrong?"

"Interesting question. Indeed!" Lex tried to calm, knowing he would fail.
Apart from Chris, only his father had the power to upset him that much but while he had learned to master his feelings in front of Lionel, he hadn't figured out yet how to do so in front of Chris.

"Lex... what do you mean? What is it? Are you mad at me because I answered the phone? I know I shouldn't have done it – it was our evening, but... you almost forced me to answer it, and I really tried to hurry." She watched him puzzled, causing Lex to clench his fist. Her big, blue-greenish eyes watching him innocently was the last thing Lex could stand at the moment.
"Lex, I don't understand you. Why are you so upset?"

"You don't understand? Well, then let me help you," he pressed, setting his glass on the top of the sideboard. "You are with no one tonight!"

"Oh..." Chris bit her lips and scratched the bridge of her nose – as always when she was nervous. It was a displacement activity she always showed and which was usually amusing Lex but now, it made him even more aggressive.

Chris looked at him contritely, but all of a sudden her features hardened and she narrowed her eyes.

"I can't believe you're eavesdropping. You've been the last person I expected to act so childish! When you've been curious about my dad's call why have you left the room then? It would have been easier to stay. I could have put Dad on the speakers... Oh, sorry, that certainly would have destroyed the fun of secret listening. No fun for little, childish Lex then."

Her voice was pungent and sarcastically. There was nothing soft and lovely in it anymore – Chris had switched to lawyer-mode and even though Lex admired her juridical skills, he hated it when she acted that tough with him.

Usually, he was superior to her but in moments like these she was equal to him and that infuriated him. Specially that condescending attitude of hers made him angry. It was too much like his father's, too Luthor-like.

"I don't eavesdrop," he growled, still trying to calm down. "I accidentally heard it and trust me: it wasn't quite flattering to hear you referring to me as no one. -"

"Well, it wasn't destined for your ears," Chris snapped back. "You don't know my dad. I -"

"Because I've never had the chance to meet him!" Lex shouted. His self-control was gone now. "I'm sure he doesn't even know about us! Are you too ashamed of telling him? Are you too ashamed of me?"

"It has nothing to do with shame, but at the moment I am ashamed by you. Just look at yourself, Lex. You're acting like a five-year-old! A five-year-old that shouldn't drink his father's Scotch." Her voice became spiteful. "I really don't have to account for the things I tell my dad. Not in front of you!"

"Yes, you have to!" he barked. "Referring to me as no one needs an explanation!" He turned around, grabbing his glass and poured it once more. He took a sip and felt much calmer. Then he faced Chris again. "How long do we know each other?"

She frowned. "Dunno... at about two years, maybe?! - Jeez, Lex. What's your frigging problem?"

"My problem is your denial of me! We know each other for exactly twenty months now. We're together for almost a year but you still keep hiding me from your family."
Lex tried to calm. He seriously tried but it was impossible. He knew he was in the right. He knew it was wrong of Chris to deny him but the way she was justifying herself – or rather wasn't – made his blood boil.
"I begin to wonder if you do that on purpose. It must be great to take my money, but giving me -"

"Fuck off, Lex! You know what? Life's not just about money," she yelled. "I talked myself black in the face to convince you that I'm not interested in your damn money but you keep defining yourself about your bank account. You're just like your father. You think money is important, money makes you invulnerable and it teaches people to respect you but guess what?! You're wrong! People feel sorry for you. They think you're pitiful!" She was talking herself into rage, shabby red spots appeared on her cheeks, and for the first time Lex felt hatred for her.

How could she tell him those things? How could she dare?

"I'm not like my father!"

"Not?" Chris sneered. "Then stop acting like him! Stop acting like a spoiled little brat! Stop acting like a fucking boozer! You wanna know why you haven't been allowed to meet my dad yet? Because he's all I have. He's my family but you don't know what that means. You think that filthy piece of shit you call your father is your family, but he isn't. He might be in front of the law. He might be in a biological way, but Lionel Luthor and family have nothing in common! He's pure poison and I try to keep my dad away from that sickness you call family! And as long as you're thinking Lionel is family, I highly doubt that you will ever meet my father!" She turned on her heels, her shoulders shaking.

"Then why are you with me? I must be poison, too, but you're with me? Why? Because you like my money. You just like the money!" He followed her, grabbing her wrist to make her stop. "This is not over yet!"

"Oh yes, it is. I'm leaving!" Shaking him off, she moved into the living room and picked up her purse. "Just take your fucking money and get yourself more Scotch... to kill the little rest of your brain. And when you feel lonely you still have enough money to call a hooker!" She flashed him a venomous look and headed for the front door.

"Yeah, run away. That's all you can do," Lex shouted, the glass of Scotch still in his hand. "Does your daddy know he raised a coward? I bet the great Marine wouldn't be so proud of you anymore if he did."

"Go to hell, Luthor! Your dad surely has saved you a place!" Chris replied angrily and slammed the door behind her in the very same moment Lex threw his glass in her direction.

****

Three weeks had passed since the night before Valentine's Day that had ended in such a horrible fight. Lex had left for Geneva without telling Chris, and hadn't felt guilty about it. She didn't need to know anymore where he stayed.
Lex had been angry and hadn't wasted a single thought on her. Not until February, 18th - that ominous Thursday Chris had been talking about the other night. Her birthday. She had wanted to spend that day with him and even though she had been so nasty, Lex deeply regretted that he hadn't been there.

He was still mad at her – no one treated Lex Luthor like that – but he felt some kind of depressed now.
Until the night before Valentine's Day the time he had with Chris had been indescribable. Lex had felt alive when she was around, he had felt loved, and he had thought it would last forever. Chris had been the best part in his life, and the relationship with her had been different from everything he had ever experienced.

Lex sighed. Now that he was thinking about the other night, he had to admit he had provoked their fight. He had been overreacting and childish, and accusing Chris to be after his money had been uncalled for.
More than once she had told him she didn't care about his credit cards, and she would also date him if he earned his money as a waiter. She had always felt uncomfortable when confronted with his wealth, but still that didn't justify her behaviour.

Chris had been nasty. She knew him well enough to know how to hurt him, and she had used that knowledge in the worst way Lex could think of. But it was even worse to realize that she had the power to hurt him. He had permitted her to become so powerful over him, and that made him even angrier.

Nevertheless, he missed her.
It was almost some kind of physical pain, and Lex was a little surprised by himself. He didn't know he was able to feel that way, and he didn't understand why Chris was so important to him. After all she had said to him. But he still cared for her. Enough to happily accept an apology of hers – might it be ever so lame.

During the last three weeks he had waited for her to call, but she hadn't.
There were so many things Lex wanted to tell her. About his successful trip to Geneva, the highly interesting day he had spent at CERN, his plans for the future, and the feelings he had for her.
Never before he had felt the desire to share his thoughts with someone else but apparently, Chris was really done with him. She hadn't even tried to get in touch with him during the last three weeks.

Sighing, Lex rubbed his hand over his face. It made him angry that he couldn't get over Chris. That he was still thinking of her, still caring for her as if nothing had happened. She had turned him into some kind of lovefool and kept his mind occupied. And he hated it.

"Mr Luthor? I'm sorry but we have to make a detour," his driver suddenly informed him and Lex raised his brows. "The inner city is completely jammed."

"It's rush hour, Daniel," Lex shrugged. "Try your best. I just want to get home as soon as possible."

Nodding, his driver grinned. "Don't worry, the jet lag always takes a later flight."

Lex forced himself into a smile, before turning his head back to the window again. Thoughtfully, he watched the streets of Metropolis passing by, and he wished he would be already back in Smallville. Home - far away from the busyness of the city, and the coffee-addicted lawyer that was controlling his thoughts.

Of course he could tell Daniel to drive directly to Smallville but that would take another three hours and Lex had spent way too much time sitting lately.
He only wanted to get home, taking a hot shower and get some sleep. Maybe that would help him to forget Chris and allowed him to move on.

It was over. She had compared him to his father. She hadn't apologized, she hadn't cared that he was in Geneva, and she wasn't even special enough to be thought of.
Actually, she was too loud and too active. She was annoying, strenuous and a tease. She never took him seriously, and mostly she was making fun of him. But still Chris was the loveliest person he had ever met.
There was still hope living inside of him she would change her mind and call him, once she learned he was back in town.

While looking out of the window, Lex suddenly realized that his driver was making a huge detour. They were at the other side of the city. That crossing right in front of them was visible from the' rooftop of Chris' home.

At about four months ago, Chris had brought him up there, showed him the crossing and had told him something about her mother. But more important, she had given him the keys to her apartment, and ever since that day Lex was carrying them with him. Rarely, he had used the keys but now he had to give them back. Chris certainly didn't want him to have access to her apartment anymore.

Turning his head, Lex was going to tell Daniel to make a stop at Chris' when he noticed out of the corners of his eyes a dark SUV speeding towards them.
There was a loud crash before everything went black.

****

Sitting on a hospital bed, Lex was waiting for the results of the X-ray though he already could tell that at least one of his ribs was broken.

He felt sore. Both his head and thorax was aching and the cut above his right brow that had been stitched, was now itching. Apart from that he was okay – in contrast to his driver Daniel who was still having an emergency operation.
Lex really hoped Daniel would make it. For a couple of years now he was working for him, and he wasn't just a good driver but also a friendly person that humoured Lex every now and then which was quite delightful on long trips.
It would be a huge loss if Daniel died because some idiot had lost control over his vehicle.

Lex groaned a little – his ribs were aching like hell – and tried to recall the accident. Everything had happened really fast but he was sure the crossing had been free when the SUV had raced into Lex's Maybach. They had been in right of way but Daniel hadn't had much of a chance to swerve, though he had tried.
That was the last thing Lex remembered. He still saw his driver tearing around the steering wheel, but then the memory fade away to darkness. Lex had passed out when his head had hit the window.

He sighed. In his life he had been unconscious more often than any other person he knew. In his teens his senseless moments had been caused by too much liquor, but since he lived in Smallville the blackouts have been of more violent nature. It was a little short of a miracle that he hadn't had any serious brain damages yet.

Lex glanced at his watch when suddenly, he heard a familiar voice from the hospital corridor, and his heart began to beat a little faster.

"Jeez, I don't ask you for a DNA sample – I just wanna know in which room he is!"

"Are you family?"

"We've already covered that, haven't we?! - No, I'm not family. I know you aren't allowed to give me information about his state of being, but I'm not asking for his medical record. I only want to know where he is! But if you keep refusing to help me I have to find him on my own!"

"Please excuse her," a second familiar voice said. It was male. "It's her first day out of the mental asylum... - Damn it, girl! You can't check every room. There are patients..."

Just in that moment someone stormed into Lex's room and flew straight into his arms.

"Lex! Oh my God, Lex!!!"

Loudly, Lex groaned but next moment his face was covered with thousands of happy kisses that made him forget his pain, and he could smell the slight sense of peaches he was so addicted to.

"Lex, you okay? I'm so sorry... I'm sooooo sorry! I never meant those words. I'm not ashamed of you! - Oh, Lex, I'm so sorry! Please, believe me. I never meant those words!" Chris was hugging and kissing him and Lex was surprised how delicious salty, teary kisses could be. And that they had a soothing effect. But furthermore he was surprised to see Chris.
"Are you okay? God, you're alive. I'm so glad you're alive!"

"Not for long," Lex groaned, slightly winding under her embrace. It was a little too much for his bruised body, though it was craving for Chris'. He had missed her so much and could barely believe she was here now.

"Sweetie, I hate to interrupt you, but before this all ends up in a live porn... let him breathe!" A tall, dark-haired man in sweatpants and a grey hoodie had entered the room and pulled Chris away from Lex. "He was in a car accident and might be a little tiny bit injured. Calm down, he's fine. See? He's sitting..."

It was Keith Morris, Chris' childhood friend, that now petted her head before letting her go again. Immediately, she ran back to Lex and took his hand. This time more carefully, though.

"I guess, it takes more than an SUV to kill Lex Luthor," Keith grinned and eyed Lex for a moment. "Glad to see you. When we heard about your accident we've expected the worse."

Lex raised his brows but something in Keith's voice told Lex that he was sincere, and the jealousy he had felt an instant before, vanished. He needn't fear Keith; he was no competition. Chris only had eyes for him and ignored Keith, so Lex returned the detective's smile.

"I've certainly seen better days, but... - What you doing here?"

"Lex, what do you expect? You've been in a car accident. You could've died. Of course we're here and nowhere else!" Chris watched him slightly shocked, her eyes filling with tears, and she pressed his hands.

"Don't mind her, Lex. She's still a lawyer. They aren't human, nor do they act reasonable," Keith grinned and tapped Chris on the shoulder. "I said calm down, babe, or the nurse will get you one of those cozy straight jackets. She has an eye on you since you've called her a walrus."

"Haven't you seen her moustache?"

"See what I'm talking about?" Laughing, Keith turned toward Lex who couldn't hide a smile. He was glad to see both of them, even though he still felt somewhat uncomfortable with them being so close. They might feel like brother and sister but they weren't. Nevertheless, he knew Chris well enough. Her attitude wasn't faked. She always got even louder and more active when upset or worried – if possible at all – and even though Lex only wanted to see her happy, he was satisfied now. Chris was here at his side; right where she belonged.

"But she's right when saying we have to be here, Lex. I heard about the accident on the police radio," Keith just explained. "A second later Chris came to pick me up, because we've actually planned to go jogging – as you can see." He pointed on himself and then toward Chris who was also wearing sweatpants and a hoodie, before he continued.
"Well, to make a long speech short: we heard it and we came here... I owe you one, Lex. Your accident prevented me from being shooed through the park by Chris. She's like a drill instructor."

Again, Lex raised his brows. He had always thought Chris and sports would be like him and Lionel – two things that didn't match at all – but Chris had surprised him more than once before; why not now again? It was good to hear she was actually doing sports, though. At least she paid a little attention to her health. But more important, she cared for him.

Smiling, he looked at her. She was really here, apologizing and truly worried about him. Over and over again, she brushed her thumb against the back of his hand.

"You came here straight away," he quietly said, a slight nuance of surprise in his voice.

Chris nodded and pressed his hand even a little tighter. "I wanted to be with you. I... I never meant to fight with you. You're not like your father -"

Exaggeratedly loud, Keith cleared his throat and left the room with a flimsy excuse.
Certainly he knew every detail about their fight – after all he was Chris' best friend and they rarely hold secrets from each other – but Lex appreciated the detective's tact. Nevertheless, he didn't feel much like discussing what had happened the other night. He was way too surprised to see Chris now, and again he realized how much he had missed her. Why did she have so much power over him?

"I was so unfair and -"

"Let's talk about that later," he said, watching her. "I don't want to discuss it in a hospital." He moved a little on the bed to pull her closer when a stabbing pain in his side reminded him on the accident. "Damn it," he pressed, groaning.

There was a low, scared noise coming from Chris, and she carefully touched his shoulder.

"Maybe you should lie down," she suggested, clearly swamped by the situation. "You shouldn't move much... Why are you here alone? Where's the doctor, actually? And where's the nurse? Why is nobody taking care of you? What kind of hospital is that to let their patients all on their own? I'll sue them for failure to render assistance! This is unbelievable! You're in pain; you need medication. I go and get you a nurse -"

"The one with the moustache?" Lex grinned and grabbed her hand, pulling her back. No one had ever cared so much for him before and surprisingly, it didn't jar on his nerves. Admittedly, she was almost out of control and a little too loud, but after all, she was here. "Chris, I'm fine. Really! - It's probably just a broken rib. Trust me: I've gone through worse."

Being separated from her for three without knowing if she still felt for him had been worse, but he couldn't tell her. Not yet; not in a hospital. And looking at her told Lex that it was the right decision. Chris was completely jittery and he doubted that she could handle anything more.

****

After Lex had gotten the results of the X-ray – four of his ribs were broken; not just one – Keith and Chris had given him a ride home, and while Keith had left soon afterwards, Chris stayed with Lex.
She had forced him to get some rest, and even though he was grateful to see her again, her behaviour became a little annoying. As a lawyer she was the most unqualified nurse Lex could think of.
But he hadn't had much time to complain. Once he had been lying in his bed the painkillers took their toll, and he had drifted off to sleep.

When he woke up again a couple hours later, it was dark outside and his penthouse seemed to be abandoned. It took him a moment to realize where he was and what had happened. He felt dizzy and his side was aching; it was bearable though.
Carefully, Lex sat up and looked around. The bedroom was empty and his heart sank. Actually, he had expected to see Chris sitting next to his bed, watching his sleep.
He frowned. Had he only dreamed the hospital scene? Was he missing Chris that much that his mind played tricks on him?

Groaning, he ran his hand over his face and suddenly caught a glimpse on pink threads lying near his feet, on the end of the mattress. It was Chris' hoodie. That one she had worn in hospital earlier today.

Lex couldn't help but smile. Of course Chris hadn't left. Whatever had happened between them, she was too faithful and too responsible to leave him alone at the moment. He should have known. But he had always been somewhat pessimistic and used to expect the worse. Old habits die hard.

Sighing, Lex stood up and slipped into his robe that had been hung over the bedpost, before he left the room to look for Chris. He had to get an answer. Three weeks had passed he didn't know if they still had a relationship, and he doubted that Chris' appearance in the hospital today made everything forgive and forgotten.

Lex still wanted to be with Chris – why, he couldn't tell – but there was also that burning desire to understand. He wanted to understand why they had fought, and why she was hiding him from her father.

Entering the hallway, he already heard Chris' voice. It was coming from the living room; she was speaking to someone and even though it wasn't Lex's intention to eavesdrop that conversation, he got curious. It sounded as if she was talking about him, and quietly Lex moved closer.

"He's so reckless! - No! He didn't want to stay in hospital though the doctor wanted him to stay over night. - He's sleeping at the moment... He got some painkillers and certainly, his inner clock is somewhat confused, so..." Chris was pacing the floor, molding her lower lip between thumb and index finger of her right hand.

"General, I don't know where he's been. Matthew – that's his butler – he only told me he's... he was in Europe, and Europe's big... but is that so important now? - Yeah, I know it's weird he's employing a butler but I can't change it. - DAD!!!"

Lex grinned. Obviously, her father now knew about him – a little late, but after all she had told him. And apparently, she had tried to get in touch with Lex while he had been in Geneva. He was still a part of her life and important enough to inform the General about his accident.

"No, Dad. He should've stayed in hospital. - Well, I wouldn't call four broken ribs, a concussion, bruises and a cut above the eye a nothing!"

Still smiling, Lex turned to let Chris finish her call in peace. He had heard enough. He may not knew General Harris but when Chris was talking to him and getting upset about Lex, it only could mean she still had deep feelings for him, and he was sure if he asked her about the reason for their fight he would get an honest answer. Chris wasn't a liar.

He still heard her reproachful voice but suddenly, it changed. It became weak and trembling, and Lex turned around.

"Daddy, he was in a car accident... And we had that horrible fight before, and I told him... - But it was the same! It was just like with Mom! We had a fight and I said go to hell and... - It was the same crossing, Dad!!! Mom died there, and he could've died there, too!" Hysterically, Chris was almost shouting into the phone.

Standing in the doorframe, Lex watched her horrified. He remembered she had once told him about the accident that had caused her mother's death when Chris had been at the age of 14. She had even shown him the crossing and had mentioned the argument she had had with her mom shortly before the accident had happened.
Chris had never digested her mother's death and rarely, she was speaking of her. From own experience Lex knew how much the loss of the mother hurt, so he was avoiding that topic in front of Chris. But today, she was confronted with it again, and even though Lex knew it wasn't him to blame, he felt guilty.
There she was, kneeling on the floor, and she cried.

"I told him to go to hell. I told Mom to go to hell... I don't want to lose him, too."

Lex moved over to her, squatted down and folded her in his arms.

"Shh, don't cry. Everything's alright... Chris, it's okay. Shh-shhh..." He rocked her like a baby kn his arms, ignoring the stabbing pain in his side. "Shh, it's okay. Don't cry!"

Chris looked up at him and for a moment she was all calm.
Lex smiled, stroking her cheek, when suddenly she flung her arms around his neck and burst into tears.

"You could've died!" she sobbed. "You could've died and if you did the last words you'd have heard from me..." She broke off, howling.

"But I didn't. Chris, look at me! I'm pretty much alive," Lex whispered, still rocking her. "Shh, it's good. Everything is alright." He caressed her back to calm her when he caught a glimpse at her cell phone. The call was still on.
Carefully, he took it from her hand.

"Bumble-bee, stop crying. It wasn't your fault! Your Mom always loved you!"

Lex heard a deep, but friendly male voice when he picked up the phone. Actually, he was going to hang up the call, but it was Chris' father and he seemed to be genuinely worried about his daughter.
For an instant, Lex envied Chris even a little more – his father had never spoken to him in that way – but this was her dad and he deserved an answer.

"General Harris? I'm afraid, but Chris isn't exactly in the right -"

"Who is that? Is you that boyfriend-guy? Aren't you supposed to recover from your accident? - Where's my daughter? She's still crying!? Now, let me talk to her!"

"She is... She calls you back as soon as possible. I take care of her. She'll be fine. I promise, Sir," Lex hastily said and hung up.
The General's voice had changed in the blink of an eye when he had heard Lex, and the young man didn't have the right nerve to deal with a worried father that was also a Marine. Not when Chris was still clinging on to him, sobbing her heart out.

Lex put the cell aside and folded her in his arms again, caressing her back. She had always liked it and hopefully, it would calm her now.

"Shh, calm down. It's okay... Hey, safe some tears for the day I really die!" he grinned weakly but that only made her cry even louder.

"I don't hate you, Lex."

"You never said such a thing."

"But... I d-don't want you to g-go to hell. I don't... I d-don't want to lose you!"

"I know," he whispered, kissing away the tears from her cheek. "Please, stop crying. It's alright. No one died today, and no one will. Shh, Angel, shhh..."

Chris sobbed a few more times, pressing herself against him, before she finally stopped. Rubbing her eyes, she took a deep breath and looked up at him.

"Better?" he asked, brushing his thumb against her cheek. He was relieved she was finally calming down now. There was something about her tears he couldn't handle. They were way too intense, way too honest.

"Yeah..." she mumbled, taking another deep breath. "I was just... and you... and all..." She wrinkled up her nose, scratching her temple and seemed to be very embarrassed.
"I guess, I freaked out a little. I was... and you... and the accident... I acted like an idiot. - Hey, what are you doing here?" All of a sudden her expression changed and she watched him indignantly.
"Why aren't you in bed? You shouldn't run around; you're supposed to rest!"

Chris stood, wiped away the last tears from her face, and took Lex's hand to carefully pull him to his feet.
"The doctor said you have to say in bed for the next days -"

"Chris, I'm fine!"

"You have four broken ribs and a concussion. That's not fine!!!" Gently, but firmly, she pushed him back into the bedroom and made him lie down again.

Lex didn't have the slightest chance to oppose her firmness. That had to be her father's education. From the short talk to him he could already tell that General Harris was resolutely and not a man to meddle with.

Nevertheless, Lex was somewhat annoyed and he rolled his eyes. At least, Chris wasn't crying anymore, though her current behaviour wasn't much better.
He looked at her and when she was covering him with the comforter, he grabbed her wrist.

"Chris, honestly, that's enough! I'm not suffering from a deadly disease," he said, shaking his head.
"Yes, I was in a car accident, and yes, a few of my ribs are broken, but you're not my nanny. So, please, stop acting as if you were. I don't want it! I don't even like it! You feel guilty but mollycoddling me won't change it!"

"I just wanna make up for it..." she mumbled, her gaze dropping down to her feet, causing Lex to roll his eyes again.

For a moment he wondered when he had started to act that way. He couldn't remember that he had ever rolled his eyes before he had met Chris.

"What do you want to make up for? The accident? That wasn't your fault. Unless you paid the other driver to hit me... - Do you want to make up for the fight? You can't; it happened," he said, closing his eyes.

A few moments passed in silence – Chris was still avoiding to meet his eyes - and only when the silence between them became too uncomfortable, Lex reached for Chris' hand and made her look at him.

"You can't make up for it," he quietly said, "but maybe you can explain. Maybe you can explain why you haven't told your dad about me, and why you've screamed at me, and why you haven't tried to call me when I was in Geneva." He gave her an encouraging smile.

Lex knew he had his share in their fight, but it was so much easier to blame Chris for all of it and deny his own part. After all, if she had told her father about Lex earlier they never would have fought.

"You've been in Geneva?" she repeated, her voice sounded croaked and hoarse. "Matthew only told me that you've left for Europe. I didn't know you've been in Switzerland... I couldn't call you."

"I'm in possession of a cell phone."

"No, Lex. I couldn't call you. I..." She broke and frowned. "I was... to scared to call you, and... - As the hard-nosed lawyer I am I was too scared to call you..." A quiet, slightly hysteric giggle escaped her throat. She breathed in as if she was trying to clear up her mind.
"I wrote you a letter instead to explain everything."

"I never got a letter."

Chris flashed him a weak, almost desperately grin, and shrugging, she said she hadn't mailed it.

Lex raised his brows. Where was the sense in writing a letter without sending it? When people called him complicated, they obviously hadn't met Christine Harris yet.
He sighed and saw her shoving her hand into the pocket of her sweatpants, pulling out a crumpled envelope.

Lex was surprised. Was she really carrying that letter with her? For how long now, and why?

Uncertain what to do next, Chris moved the envelope in her hands and glanced at Lex.
"I didn't know where to mail it... Smallville, Metropolis... Europe!? I didn't know you've been in Geneva."

Slowly, Lex nodded. She had mentioned that before, and she would mention it again if he didn't stop her.
"You can give it to me now, and save the postage."

"You can't read it now. You have a concussion and the doctor said -"

"Chris!" Lex hissed menacingly what made her biting her lips. Her gaze dropped down to the floor again and Lex let out another deep breath.

She looked so remorseful and fragile that he just wanted to hold her tight. But the desire to understand, to learn the truth about her decision not to tell her father about them was burning stronger.

"You could wait until tomorrow and read it then," Chris suggested, but Lex shook his head.

"I need to understand now. You... - Why don't you tell me what you've written?"

Now it was Chris who shook her head.
"I can't. If I could I wouldn't have written a letter... Lex, you know I can't hold speeches in front of you, and this one here is a speech!"

Lex smirked. Indeed, she was unable to take a clear thought when she was with him. She could speak in front of strangers without batting an eye but when he was around, she became unfocused and more often, she began to play with the buttons of his shirt, or his fingers.
In the beginning, Lex had been confused by that attitude but he had gotten used to it and was enjoying it. Now, he was even craving for it.
Since they had left the hospital Chris had barely touched him, nor had she attempted to kiss him, though normally she was a quite physical person, and Lex missed that behaviour of hers. He needed to feel her.

"Keith has called while you were sleeping," she suddenly said. It came out of the blue and was completely unrelated to their current conversation. "Your driver is out of surgery. He was in the ICU for a couple of hours, but now he's out of it, too. Keith couldn't tell much, but it seems like your driver will make full recovery."

Lex was relieved. He hadn't thought much about Daniel, but it was good news to hear that he would be okay. Daniel was a good driver; the best one Lex ever had.

"It was nice of Keith to call," he said. "He won't get into trouble, though?! It's sounds a little like he had abused his position at the MPD to get that information!?"

"Well, if you won't tell anyone...," Chris half-grinned, tilting her head. "He won't get trouble. Hospitals are allowed to give out that kind of information to non-family people. Everything more specific is illicit. Even for police officers."

Lex nodded, though actually it was nothing new to him. He had his fair share of hospital experience, but he wanted Chris to feel more comfortable, and obviously, he succeeded. His interest in Keith was feigned, but she seemed to appreciate it; she smiled and Lex returned it.

"Lex... I also called Clark. That was okay, wasn't it?! He's your best friend and I thought he should know what happened... He'd like to give you a visit tomorrow. -"

"Did you also called my dad?"

"I wanted but... I don't have his private number. I called LuthorCorp but he already left, and I didn't care to touch your Filo, or your cell. And I doubt the directory enquiries have his number..."

Smiling, Lex petted her cheek. He knew how much Chris disliked Lionel – she had made it quite obvious the other night – but for some reason he appreciated her thought of him. Not as if Lex wanted his father to know about the accident, but it was another sign how much she still cared for Lex.

"It's okay. I call him tomorrow – that's still soon enough. I doubt he'll care much, but certainly he should know," he said, shrugging. Family meant a lot to Chris, but Lionel never had been a General Harris, or a Jonathan Kent, and he would never be.

"Thanks for calling Clark, though. I hope he wasn't too concerned!? He's probably the closest to what you call family but I don't want him to worry about me."

"You should call him family, too. Of course, he was worried – and relieved when I told him you're... alive." Chris made a face at him. "He said, you shall try to stay out of car crashes."

"Because he can't always be there to safe my sorry ass," Lex laughed. "Yeah, Clark and I had that conversation before. - Uh..." He breathed in sharply. For a moment he had forgotten about his broken ribs, but they were still aching.
He moved a little to get a more comfortable position when he caught a glimpse at Chris' worried face.

"I'm fine, relax!" He flashed her a smile.

Actually, her sympathy wasn't annoying – it was just something he wasn't used to. Not even Clark acted like that; and he had seen Lex way too often in that kind of condition.
Carefully, he pulled Chris toward him on the mattress and pointed on the envelope she was still holding.

"Would you mind to read it to me?"

He hadn't forgotten about their fight, and he was still eager to understand her. She had to have had a good reason.

Chris sighed and knitted her brows. "Wouldn't that be odd?"

"If you tell me, or read it to me – that doesn't make a difference."

Slowly, she nodded and absent-mindedly scratched the bridge of her nose, before hesitantly she opened the envelope and unfolded the letter.
"Don't you want to wait until tomorrow?"

"No!" His voice was cold and demanding what made Chris moving away from him. Lex sighed and gently touched her knee. Least of all he wanted to start another fight.
"I can't wait until tomorrow, and I know you want to to give me an explanation now, don't you?! - Please, read the letter to me; and then we'll see what to do..."

Again, Chris nodded, but she also cleared her throat, smoothened the paper and began to read.

"Lex,
I really don't know where to start. I wish I could just call you and explain everything, but I'm too scared.
It's not as if I haven't tried to call but each time I dialed your number, I feared you would scream at me once you've picked up the phone; and you would have had every right to do so!

The other night has ended awful. I was awful! I was such a horrible person!
All those things I've yelled at you have been mean and unfair, and I'm sure they have also been hurtful. - But I never meant to hurt you!

You may have your father's genes, but you are not like him. Not at all!
I stick to calling him poison, though. He had poisoned you with his sick view of this world, but I know there's still cure for you. You have already distanced yourself from him – that's good.
Contrary to him, you are a good man! I knew it from the first moment we met, and ever since then I hoped I would become more than just your lawyer.

I always knew that you are a wonderful person. Don't ask me why – I just knew it.
Probably, it's because of your mom. She has to have been wonderful as well, and she gave you all her love that protects you from your father. It protects you from becoming like him.
Of course, I don't know your mom but I had the doubtful pleasure to meet your dad, and it's impossible that you inherited your kindness from him.

Lex, you deserve an explanation why I have referred to you as no one, why I haven't old my dad about you, and you will get it.

It's true: I was denying you, but not because I was ashamed.

I'm proud of you! I'm proud to know you and I'm proud to be your girlfriend. I want the whole world to know - if I wouldn't be too scared of the media. After all, you are a public person and half the world is interested in your love life, and I don't know if I want to read in magazines about me being another number on your list. I fear, it could destroy my career, it could make my dad think bad of you, and it could spoil what we have... or had.

But that, of course, doesn't explain why I've denied you. To understand you have to understand Dad and me.

My dad loves me, and I love him. We only have each other since Mom died, but even before he have had that close relationship. It was alway us against the world. He calls me the proud of his life, and for me he's still a superhero.

My dad wants me to be happy and healthy, and successful. He wants my best, but in his eyes I'm still a little girl. His little girl that once hit her head at a stone after falling off a tree. -"

Lex chuckled. "You told me the story after the first time we slept with each other," he said and removed a strand from her forehead.

Gently, he touched the small scar right underneath her hairline. He still remembered that night clearly. How wonderful it had been to sleep with her – at least when it finally had worked; their first attempt had ended with him coming too early. The last time something like that had happened, Lex had been at the age of 13.
Nevertheless, their first night had been something special. They had had fun, and they had talked – a lot. Lex had enjoyed to hold her in his arms and falling asleep with her. And he had gotten used to it.

"I'm sorry. Keep on reading."

"I don't know whether you remember it, but I've told you after our first night," Chris read and flashed him a brief smile.
"You do... I should've known..." She paused for a moment, a dreamy smile on her face, before turning back to the letter.

"Even today Dad is still mad at the doctor that had sewed the cut back then, because a scar has been left.-"

"Hadn't he specially brought you to Erlangen? To the university hospital?!"

"Yeah, and that was also the day when he had decided to go back to the States," Chris grinned. "He lost his trust in Germans... in German doctors. He's still kinda trusting the Bundeswehr... Well, Dad is... just Dad. - Shall I keep reading?"

Lex nodded. "I won't interrupt you anymore."

For a moment Chris looked as if she was begging him to stop her, but then she continued anyway.

"I guess, that's the best anecdote to understand my dad. He may be a high decorated General of the U.S. Marine Corps, but actually, he's the worst soccer mom one can think of!
For him I'm still a little girl he has to protect from the evilness of this world, and he can't see me as a grown up person.

It was difficult for him to see me graduating from high school. He cried during the graduation ceremony at Harvard. And he's still not over me having my first boyfriend.

The reason why I haven't told him about you earlier isn't you, Lex. I'm not ashamed of you – I am proud!
I haven't told him of you because you are a man. It has nothing to do with you being Lex Luthor – though, admittedly, that doesn't give you any advantages.
Nevertheless, I'm know he'll give you a chance. He had never judged anyone for their parents yet, and he's too old to begin with it now.
So, the reason he hadn't known about you is: you are a man. A man in my life I really care about.
You are as important to me as my dad is, and you could eventually become even more important.

I really want you to meet my dad. He's a wonderful man and I'm sure you would like him. But he isn't ready yet.
At the moment, he would likely kill you because you dared to come into my life. He knows about you now, though. I told him about you, and even though I was crying most of the time, he still wants to meet you. In case he still has a reason to meet you...

But before I can allow you to meet each other, I have to convince him that you are more than just a random guy I have a crush on. And that will take some time. After all, in his eyes I'm still a little girl and since when can kids make their own decisions?!" She paused again, took a deep breath and cleared her throat once more.

"Now you know why I haven't told him of you, but you still don't know why I have yelled at you. And to be honest: I don't know it, either.
I was upset you have eavesdropped that call, and I was angry with you because you were angry with me. But more likely I was angry with myself. You caught me and I felt guilty.
My denial of yours must have hurt you - but I never meant to hurt you. I want you to be happy and have a good time as long as that relationship between us will last. Or has last.

I know that's no excuse for yelling at you, calling you things, but -" Chris broke off and lowered the hand that was holding the letter. She looked at Lex, desperately.

"What's wrong?" he asked, puzzled, and noticed that his voice sounded less firm than he was used to. He was touched by the letter. It was the most honest thing he had ever heard, and it revealed how complex Chris' train of thought actually was. Maybe a little childish, but definitely complex.

"I love you!"

It was nothing but a soundless, soft whisper. Enough to make Lex feel a lump in his throat.

Chris had never used those significant three words before. On Christmas, she had tried but failed. For some reason she hadn't been able to vocalize the words, and Lex had kept telling himself that he didn't need to hear it. Chris had shown him in her special, affectionately way how much she loved him, but now that she finally said it, Lex realized how much he had been longing for that moment. Though, admittedly, he had imagined it a little more romantic.

"It took you long to say it."

"If I'd known it's so easy..." Chris whispered and shrugged helplessly. "I never said it before... to anyone. Apart from Mom and Dad, of course, but... It doesn't matter anymore. It's too late. There's no us anymore. I've hurt you too much. I've destroyed everything, because I'm too childish, and too stubborn. It's been my fault. I haven't stood by you, though I should have! I should've explained you earlier..."

"Right, you could have averted that fight," Lex said, watching her. He was somewhat confused. Something about her behaviour was odd.

Lex could feel that she was deeply sorry, but she wasn't apologizing to win him back. Her voice, her body language was clearly saying that she thought it was over, and she just wanted him to know she deeply regretted what had happened, without having any ulterior motives. Indeed, she was thanking him for the great time they had, but she wasn't expecting anything.

Lex shook his head, the corners of his mouth were twitching into a small grin. Chris was definitely different from all the other people he had been with in his entire life.

She had written him a wonderful letter, declaring she wanted to make him happy, and that he was as important to her as her father was, and for the first time Lex realized that Chris was caring more for him than she did for herself.

Certainly, he didn't deserve it, but was it wrong to enjoy it? He only wanted to be happy, and even if Chris' attitude was just calculation, he knew he could have a great time with her.

Lex watched her quietly, trying to read her face. It was blank but still filled with remorse. He had never seen an expression like that before, and it was hard to resist. He simply couldn't let her go. A long time ago, Chris had cast a spell on him. It was almost impossible to stay mad at her – in this respect she was similar to Clark.

"How long will you keep on apologizing?" he smirked after a while. "We just had our first fight. I don't know much about things like that, but... Isn't it time for some reconciliation now?"

Her eyes widened. "But... Does that... you're not mad at me anymore?"

"I actually never was. And even if – you are a skillful puppet master; my dad would be proud of you!"

"I'm no... I don't play you, Lex. As if it were possible!"

Chuckling, he pulled her into his arms, pressing her close to his body. Half-heartedly, Chris was struggling against it.

"Lex, your ribs!"

"I don't give a fuck about them," he mumbled and got himself the kiss he was craving for since he had left for Geneva.
He had missed her and was still surprised by the intensity of his own feelings. Never before he had felt such a strong attachment to anybody, and he was still wondering why it had to be Chris, of all people, that made him feel that way.

Lex sighed a little into Chris' mouth. Probably, it was the way she kissed him, the way she touched his face, his scalp and his neck what made her so irresistible.

"I missed you," she whispered against his lips, her eyes teary but happy, and Lex pulled her a little closer. He hadn't felt her for three incredible long weeks and wanted to catch up on it now.
He wanted to feel her body close to his, and he held her tight until his ribs began to hurt again. He groaned.

"Oh, sorry! Did I hurt you?" Chris whispered frightened and moved away from him. "We need to be more careful... I go and get you your painkillers." Gently, she cupped his cheek, before climbing out off bed.

"Don't! It's not that bad," Lex replied, tugging at her hand. "Besides, having you here is the best medicine!"

Blushing, Chris screwed up her face and tilted her head. "Eww, you're cheesy!"

"Actually, I tried to be romantic," Lex grinned." Now, come back here. I really don't need painkillers."

Slowly, Chris crawled back into his bed and cuddled up against him – against that side where no ribs were broken – and watched him thoughtfully.
"You tell me when you're in pain!? And it's okay when I snuggle up to you, right?!"

Lex nodded and kissed the top of her head. He sighed – half satisfied, half annoyed. Annoyed by himself that he had made it so easy for Chris to establish herself in his life.
He only hoped he would be strong enough to let her go in time; before she could hurt him again. Worse, than she did with her words during their fight.

"Why did you make me think you were still mad at me?" Chris whispered after a while, raising her head.

"You assumed I was still mad at you."

"And you didn't say anything to clear it up... So you were still mad at me!?"

Lex rolled his eyes. She simply couldn't leave it at that. She always had to talk about everything, digging out the truth as if she was a damn psychologist.
Of course he had been upset after their fight but actually, that had changed only a few hours later. Nevertheless, he wanted Chris to feel bad, to feel guilty for what had happened. Only because he was unable to stay mad at her. In fact, he had punished her for his own incompetence, but should he seriously admit that to her?

"Dad was mad at me, too," she quietly continued. "He said the fight was my own fault, and I should call myself lucky if you take me back... He was really angry because I haven't told him of you. He can't stand lies. He was so mad that he even called me 'Christine'!"

Lex couldn't help but smile. If naming the full name was an indication for anger, Lionel hadn't been angry with him at all. He never used Lex's full name 'Alexander'.
Anyhow, it was doubtful that General Harris had been angry with his daughter for long. Lex had heard his worried voice on the phone.
He watched Chris, trying to figure out whether she was just making up that story to force him into telling her his feelings, or if it really had happened.
He sighed once more, realizing that he was totally under her thumb – and he liked it.

"Chris, I was upset but... you apologized," he quietly said. "What else do you want to do? I accepted your apology and ... I was pleased to see you at the hospital today." He paused and looked at her.
She had given him so much since she was with him – maybe it was time to give something back. To make his feelings a littler more obvious. It couldn't be that difficult. Other people could do it as well.

"I, uh, guess, no one ever has been so worried about me before, and no one ever has written me such a wonderful letter. And definitely, there wasn't anybody before that has apologized to me so many times."

"Now you're mocking me," Chris pouted. "I really didn't mean to quarrel, and I was scared when I heard about your accident. And I know the letter was ridiculous, but -"

Lex closed her mouth with a kiss to stop her speaking. He was amused. Chris was still a lawyer and addicted to the sound of her own voice, but now he didn't want to hear more of her apologies and vindications. He had achieved his goal – she felt guilty – though now it was time to see her gorgeous smile again.

"I loved the letter. It was wonderful, honestly!" Smiling, he brushed his knuckles against her cheek, and he looked at her, dreamingly. "Is it true? You always wanted to be more than just my lawyer?"

Blushing, Chris nodded. "When you came into my office, you've been so handsome and present and -"

"And suffering from an asthma attack," Lex finished, slightly embarrassed. He still didn't like to remember their first meeting. "I really must have left a lasting impression on you."

"You did! But not because of your asthma... You've been so self-confident, and so self-aware, and so sophisticated and smart. - If it had been a movie, your entrance would have been underlined with light effects and schmaltzy music, and everything would have happened in slow motion. - Stop looking at me like that! I won't call you handsome again."

Lex laughed out loud; that was the reason why he enjoyed being with her. She was able to make him laugh. Even though her train of thoughts was a little strange.
He kept laughing but soon his laughter changed into coughs and Chris slightly squeaked.

"Does it hurt again?"

"Only when I laugh."

"Well, don't laugh then," she replied dryly, but carefully moved another pillow behind his back.

"It'd be easier if you stop making me laugh," he grinned and playfully pinched the tip of her nose.

She made him forget everything around, even his broken ribs, and he was touched by her attitude. Even now he was thinking about her letter and those things she had told him in it. He began to feel guilty. His conscience began to rouse, though usually it was rather quiet, and not disturbing him.
Lex knew he took his share in their fight and he owed Chris an apology. The sooner the better, and his conscience would sink back into oblivion.

A few moments passed – Chris had carefully cuddled up against him again and moved her fingertips over his forearm – before Lex found his tongue.

"I'm sorry."

Chris raised her brows. "For what?"

"For c- ... for not being there on your birthday."

Lex sighed. It was simply impossible to apologize for the fight. If he did, then he would concede those words she had yelled at him were right, and he would admit in front of her that she was powerful enough to hurt him. She may already knew about that, but he just couldn't admit it.

"Oh... and for a moment I thought you'd like to apologize for your part of the fight," Chris mumbled, slightly knitting her brows. "Wishful thinking, huh?!"

"Why should I apologize?" Lex watched her suspicious and he noticed his fist clenching. Moments like these were the reason why he couldn't get rid of the feeling Chris was reading him like an open book. And that had always been something he couldn't stand at all.
"You've started the fight!"

"Actually, you did but if it makes you feel better than it was me... It doesn't matter anymore," she replied. "Still, you have to admit that characterizing me a 'black widow' was uncalled for. - Well, maybe you haven't said 'black widow' but it was pretty clear what you've been thinking of me."

Lex rolled his eyes and sighing, he sank back into the pillows. "Chris, I seriously don't have the right nerve for another fight now!"

"Me neither, but... - Hell, Lex! It's not beneath your dignity to admit it was unfair to accuse me of being after your money." For a second she looked as if she was going to stand and stamp her foot, but instead she flashed him a frustrated smile.
"Why do you have to be so complicated?"

"It's in my nature," he automatically replied and watched her confused. There were times he didn't understand her at all.

"I don't like your nature. And I don't like the way you make me forgive you everything," she sighed and moved back to him, kissing the tip of his nose. "It'd be so much easier if I was after your money but I'm after you..." Closing her eyes, she nuzzled his cheek and sighed once more.
"I didn't mean to upset you. - My birthday was okay. I got your flowers. Those twelve red roses that looked so incredible expensive."

Lex frowned and let her go. Her sudden change of the subject was surprising, but furthermore he hadn't sent her flowers. And definitely not a dozen of red roses. That was too much of a cliché and besides, Chris preferred sunflowers.

While being in Geneva, he had thought about sending her a bouquet of those, but then he had decided against it. He had even called the jeweller, where he had bought Chris' birthday present, to take it back.

"Chris, I never -"

"I know they weren't from you," she giggled. "Twelve red roses... That would've been pathetic - even for you!"

"You call me pathetic? Obviously, we are back to normal. You don't even care that I was in a car accident today."

"Are you pouting? You said you don't like being mollycoddled, so I try to treat you normal." There was an impish glint in her eyes.

"You always want to have the final say, don't you?!"

"No, not always. - Hey, I know those roses have been send by Matthew, but we can make as if they were from you..." she purred. "And next year there's another birthday. Maybe we're together then. - You needn't pretend you feel sorry."

"I don't pretend anything," Lex hissed, pushing her away, though it wasn't his intention to force another argument. But imputations like that made his blood boil, and Chris should know that.

Why was she assuming he was only pretending his regret? Did he really appear so selfish, and cold-hearted, and thoughtless? He wasn't Lionel who simulated feelings to propitiate people to give himself an edge.

Grinding his teeth, Lex looked at Chris. It was her; her personality, her attitude that always caused their quarrels. It wasn't his fault. It couldn't be his fault. Not at all. He was sure he tried hard to make this relationship work, but her childish attitude ruined everything.

"Lex, I..." she mumbled, biting her lips. "I... what... - Uhm... It's late. I should let you get some rest now. We can talk tomorrow – or whenever." She rose to her feet, took her hoodie from the end of the bed and headed for the door. There she stopped, turned around and looked at him.
"Do you need anything else, or...?"

He didn't answer but closed his eyes and sank back against the headboard.
Now Chris was leaving again because she couldn't face a discussion at all, and Lex still wondered how she managed to work in front of court.
Compared to her he wasn't a complicated character. At least he always clarified his position.

He sighed annoyed, his eyes swept around the room until he spotted the letter Chris had laid onto the bedside table. Lex took it to screw it up when he saw her handwriting.
Astonished, he realized that he had never seen her writing before, and it looked completely different from what he had imagined.

It was neat with curved capital letters and almost angular small letters. The writing was slanting to the right, and it looked very adult. There was nothing flourish about, though Lex had always thought Chris would made small hearts above the 'I' instead of a proper dot.

"I want you to be happy and have a good time as long as that relationship between us will last. Or has last."

Lex looked at the letter and sighed. He felt his anger subsiding and read that certain sentences again.

"What are you doing to me?" he whispered and sighed deeply. It couldn't be true!
All his life he had tried to be happy, to find friends, maybe even love. He had tried to live a normal life, and now it proved that it was Chris who was willing to give him exactly that. Her, of all people! And once more, Lex realized that he needed her

Demonizing himself for having those feelings, he jumped to his feet and hurried out of the bedroom, hoping Chris hadn't left the penthouse yet. But once he reached the door, he felt dizziness overcoming him, and he stumbled against the frame of the door.

There was a rumble when his body hit the wood, and Lex groaned loudly. His broken ribs were still causing a lot of pain, but more bitter his body was forsaken him, refusing obedience.
His sight blurred and Lex tried hard not to lose consciousness.

"Lex!!! What you doing there?"
Suddenly, Chris was kneeling next to him, touching his shoulders.

He focused on her voice which always had had a soothing effect on him and slowly, his sight cleared and he could see her worried face. He forced himself into a smile.
"Testing the door frames," he moaned, relived that she hadn't left yet, and breathed in sharply. "They're solid."

"Leave the joking to me, okay?!" Flashing him a weak smile, her eyes roamed the room until they met his again. "We have to get you back into bed. Can you stand up?"

Nodding, Lex attempted to rise but he still felt dizzy and the stabbing pain in his side made hard work at breathing. He coughed, but shook Chris off when she tried to give him a helping hand.

"It's okay. I'm fine. I can do it on my own," he pressed irritatedly and pulled himself up at the doorframe.
His knees were still wobbly, and he was in danger to fall down again if Chris wouldn't have made a step forward to support him.
An angry sound escaped his lips.

"Lean on me. And no backtalk!" she said sternly, putting one arm around his waist and pulling his arm around her shoulder. "Alternatively, you can crawl back to bed but trust me: that's even more humiliating than accepting the help of a woman."

Lex opened his mouth to contradict but he needed all his concentration to stay on his own feet, so he silenced.
He heard Chris groaning.
"Gosh, why do you have to be so heavy?"

"Thank you. Are you planning to dish out more insults?" he replied coldly.

"No, I didn't mean... I just... You aren't... Well, we're there," Chris stuttered and let him go. They had reached the bed and carefully, Lex sat down.

Once more, he breathed in sharply, and screwed up his face in pain. The painkillers had stopped to take effect, and now his body felt the whole damage the car accident had caused.

Chris helped him to lie down, stuffing some pillows behind his back and rose. Without saying another word, she left the room.

"Chris..."

'I need you,' Lex was going to say but the words got stuck in his throat. He simply couldn't vocalize them.

Chris had called him self-confident, sophisticated and smart earlier this evening, but none of it was true. Deep inside he was nothing but a scared child, unable to speak about his feelings, and suddenly he realized that he was holding her at bay. Every now and then he let her come close, though, only to push her away the very next moment.
Nonetheless, Chris stayed. She didn't give up on him. Until now.

Chris was faithful, honest, mostly clever but above all, she was lovely – exactly what Lex had been looking for all his life. But maybe Lionel was right to call him paranoid and ungrateful, unable to have any kind of interpersonal relations.
It was naive to expect Chris tolerating more of his moodiness, obviously, now she was at the end of her tether.

Sighing, Lex closed his eyes. It simply wasn't his destiny to live a happy life with someone at his side – he kept pushing everyone away.

Some time had passed – Lex didn't know how much – when suddenly he heard a silent clatter. Looking up, he found Chris setting a glass of water onto the bedside table. Their eyes met.

"Oh, I thought you're sleeping..."

"I thought you're gone," Lex replied quietly, and frowning, Chris stopped short.

"I only got you your painkillers. You sure, you're okay?!" Tilting her head, she eyed him and when he nodded, she opened a small, orange plastic tin and let two pills drop into the palm of her hand.
"Here, take those," she said and handed him the pills along with the glass. "And don't tell me you won't need them. It's not the right time to throw your weight about."

She moved around and took something from the end of the bed, while Lex swallowed the pills and emptied his glass in one long draught.
Suppressing the craving to groan again, he hoped the painkillers would take effect soon. He couldn't think clear with that stabbing pain in his side.

"This'll be a little cold now," Chris just said, turning around and without another warning, she pressed something cold against his thorax.

Slightly shocked, Lex raised his head and found her holding a bag of frozen peas against his broken ribs. She flashed him a smile.

"Make sure you get yourself some proper ice packs – as often as you get bruised," she said and watched him thoughtfully. "Is that okay? I'm not pressing to hard, am I? Or do you want me to wrap the bag in a towel?"

"It's good," Lex muttered and sighed with pleasure at the soothing cold. He squinted at Chris.

Something had changed and it took him a moment to realize what. She wasn't keyed up any longer, or acting childish, or remorseful. Now she was calm, almost prudent – as if she was talking to one of her clients, and yet it was different. Lex hadn't seen her like that for months, and surprisingly he had missed her considerateness.

"I never thought you're pretending to feel sorry," she mumbled after a while, fiddling with the bag of frozen peas to make sure the cold hit Lex's skin. "It was more... - Well, I was confused because you apologized for my birthday, but not for your part of the fight. - I'm not planning to rub it in again, but..." She broke and scratched the bridge of her nose.

"I know you don't like to talk about your feelings, and for some reason it seems to be easier for you to apologize for something you couldn't influence at all. And certainly, it's quite annoying that I turn into a whiny little girl after ten minutes with you, but... Well, sometimes it'd be nice to get any reaction of you. One that isn't moody, or irritatedly... I know, I can be a pain in the ass – the D.A. tells me at least twice per week." Shrugging, she moved the frozen peas around, avoiding Lex's eyes.

He knew he had to appear indifferent to her, and he was struggling himself to reveal his feelings, but he couldn't do it. The longer he knew Chris, the more difficult it became.
She was a pain in the ass, but a nice one, and he loved having her around. No matter if she was childish, or prudent - she made him feel good.

"We don't need to talk about that now," Chris suddenly muttered, slightly embarrassed. "You need to get some sleep now."

"But I'm not tired yet."

Raising her brows, Chris stared at him for a moment before she burst out into laughter.

"Obviously, I'm not the only child around," she laughed. "If you told me I would have brought my Lego."
She kept laughing for a moment and then covered her face in her palms, calming herself. Taking a deep breath, she bent over Lex to kiss his forehead.
"Forget everything I said. It was a long day, full of experiences neither of us needed," she whispered. "Get some some sleep. I'll be in the living room when you need something."

She rose and Lex watched her confused. Indeed, it was a long day, and maybe his concussion was a little more serious than he had thought since he didn't understand what was going on.

"Living room?"

"The huge room with the flat screen, the fireplace, the sofa suite, the bookshelves... - I'm gonna sleep on the couch. You shouldn't be alone tonight... testing your door frames," she winked, put the bag of frozen peas back into position and turned to leave.

Lex struggled himself. Now was the time to hold Chris back, and he almost heard voices in his head – Lionel's specifically – mocking his cowardice.
He wanted to have Chris near, and not in any other room.

"Chris, I... the couch is not for sleeping. There are beds in the penthouse."

"I wouldn't hear you when I'm in the guest bedroom," she replied softly. "Don't worry. The couch is good enough for me. Besides, it is made for sleeping. We once tested it."

"I remember, but..." He trailed off.

"But what?" Standing in the frame of the door, Chris watched him curiously, but then she sighed. "Lex, just close your eyes. You can't even say a complete sentence anymore." She moved back to bed and switched off the bedside lamp when Lex jumped at the chance to reach for her hand.

"Don't go! I want you to sleep here," he whispered in the dark. "I sleep so much better when you're lying next to me."

Silence.

Chris didn't answer; she didn't move at all until suddenly, he felt her sitting down next to him on the bed, her hand still lying weakly in his.
One, maybe two minutes passed until the lights got turn on again.

Chris eyed him as if she tried to read his mind and slowly, her features softened, a smile flickered across her face.

"You're serious..." She seemed to be surprised. "I didn't know..."

"Did you think I'd take sleeping next to you as the unpleasant side-effect of having sex with you? - Well, I should've told you earlier how much I like to hold you in my arms, falling asleep with you, and waking up with you again."

The words were bubbling out of his mouth as if they had longed to be said, and to his great surprise he didn't feel uncomfortable any longer. Indeed, he felt relieved. That was at least a start, and it didn't even hurt.

Quietly, Chris took the orange tin she had left on the bedside table and studied its label. She blinked and muttered some German words under her breath Lex didn't understand, though he thought he had heard something like 'truth' and 'elixir'.
He frowned. Normally, Chris wasn't lost for words; she was a chatterbox and knew how to express herself, but her sudden silence now was almost disturbing.

Squeezing her hand, Lex made her look at him again.

"Why do you always have to hit your head first before you can open up?" Cupping his cheek in her hand, she flashed him a sad smile. "In the long run it can't be healthy."

Her eyes were filled with tears but she smiled, and Lex knew what she was speaking of.
When they had been in New York to celebrate their three-month-anniversary, he had been open to her. He had told her about the murder of Roger Nixon and his fear to hurt her. All because he had been knocked down in a club earlier that evening.
And several times in between when he had punched or kidnapped by some lunatics that seemed to have selected Smallville as their capitol, Lex had been able to express himself in front of Chris.

"You have to help me then to find another way," he replied quietly, kissing her palm. "I don't know much about relationships, and how they work."

"You've been married once..." interjected Chris.

"I was blinded by pheromones." Lex shivered slightly, remembering Desirée Atkins, a woman he had married two weeks after they had met. She had turned out to be a black widow – maybe that was why he was so careful now when it came to relationships. Too often he had been with the wrong women; and men.
"I wouldn't call that a relationship."

"From the juridical point of view it was," Chris mumbled, tilting her head, but then she smiled again. "You know more than you think, and so far I've had an awesome time with you. - And at the risk of sounding arrogant; I know you love me... I couldn't upset you that much, if you didn't."

Lex sighed. That wasn't exactly his idea of showing her his feelings. It couldn't be that difficult to tell her that he loved her, and how grateful he was to know her. Other people could say those things, too.

"Hey, don't get moody again," Chris whispered. "I wasn't complaining. Some people can express their feelings, other rather keep them for themselves. Obviously, you belong to the latter. But even if you don't tell me explicit what you're feeling, I do know I mean something to you." She frowned and sighed frustrated. "Why do I always feel like a little girl when I'm with you? Everything I say sounds so childish!"

"Certainly, it's not because I'm such a fatherly person," Lex smirked.

Chris didn't answer but watched him impish, her lips pursed.
"Well... sometimes you are. When you're moaning about my eating behaviour, or when you're worried I'm not dressed warm enough, or when you try to kill Keith with your looks..." Leaning in, she brushed her lips against his mouth. "That's adorable, though I have to admit I prefer you a little more... un-fatherly."

She flashed him such a naughty grin that Lex couldn't help but pulling her closer, tangling his hand in her hair. He kissed her and soon it grew deeper. His tongue pushed past her lips, and he felt all the blood in his body flowing down to his cock.
He groaned softly into her mouth, moving his hands beneath her shirt and caressed the warm skin of her back, when suddenly Chris broke away from the kiss.

"Uh, that's not such a good idea," she whispered hoarsely. "You shouldn't move at all. Remember? You're ribs are still broken..."

"I don't necessarily have to move," he purred while inwardly, he was damning his ribs and that SUV driver. He had missed Chris and since he wasn't able to tell her his feelings, he wanted at least show her.

"Is there ever anything else on your mind?" Chris rolled her eyes but her voice sounded amused.

"Hardly ever," he replied dryly. "Am I at least allowed to hold you?"

"I think so. - When you keep your hands over the sheets." She flashed her tongue at him, before giggling, she climbed over him into bed, snuggling up against his left side.
"Make sure your ribs heal fast; I prefer lying right to you."

Chuckling, Lex put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer.
Holding her was almost as good as having sex with her, and maybe that was enough to show her his affection. After all, she was the first person he had ever shared his bed with – literally. Even during his short marriage Lex had insisted on separated bedrooms since he was used to sleep alone. But next to Chris he was able to sleep. She made him feel good, and her presence helped him to relax.

His trip to Geneva would have been even better with her at his side. Sure, she would have gotten bored when he had been meeting his business partners, but certainly she would have enjoyed to join him at CERN, and taking a walk with him at the shores of Lake Geneva. And of course, she would have loved the Swiss chocolate.

"Chris, would you mind to bring me my coat?" he suddenly whispered and Chris raised her head. From her expression he could tell that she already had been half asleep.

Rubbing her eyes, she watched him bewildered.
"Your coat?" she repeated sheepishly.

"I'd get it myself but I'm still a little wobbly. Please, Angel. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."

Slightly confused, Chris nodded and stood up, leaving the room. Lex could hear her mumble away some words, and when she came back a moment later, his coat hanging over her forearm, she was shaking her head.
"May I know what's so important about it?" She handed him the coat and slipped out of her sweatpants. "Too warm under the blankets," she muttered when Lex raised his brows.

"Oh, I see. So, what's about the shirt then?"

"Nice, Luthor, really nice." she groaned, sliding back into bed.

"It was worth a try," he smirked, kissing her temple before he focused on his coat to check its pockets. When his fingertips touched something solid, the corners of his mouth twitched into a smile, and Lex took a deep breath. He looked at Chris. If he didn't tell her now, he would never be able to do so.

"See, I was angry with you after our fight. I still was when I landed in Geneva," he quietly said, deliberated which words to chose. "You couldn't know I was in Switzerland because I left instructions not to tell you. I hoped you'd feel sorry and come to apologize... - What do you always call me? Spoiled, stubborn and complicated!? You might be right." He paused and flashed her a smile. "You needn't feel ashamed for acting like a child every now and then. I'm not one bit better."

"Yeah... but I do it more often," Chris said sarcastically.

"In a very cute way." Once more, he gave her a smile and brushed her cheek. "Nevertheless, I was angry but after two or three days I began to miss you. I was thinking of you – of us... - It's a little short to a miracle I haven't messed up my presentation in front of my Swiss partners."

Chris eyed him as if she was deciding whether she was ashamed, or touched.
"But you succeed?! I mean... you haven't messed it up?!" she carefully asked.

"Signing a 250 million dollars contract can be declared as a success."

"Two hundred and fifty...???" Chris' eyes widened and she stared at him open-mouthed before laughing, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Gosh, I'm so proud of you!"

Smiling happily, Lex returned her kiss. Admittedly, he was proud of himself, and he had wanted to share that feeling since he had signed the contract.
"You're so cute," he whispered. "Even though you kept my mind occupied..."

"But you're smart enough not to get distracted by that," Chris replied and kissed the tip of his nose. "Did you really think of me?"

"Constantly," Lex nodded and took the solid object out of the pocket of his coat. He reached for her hand, and once more he breathed in deeply.
"This may appear to be a little kitschy, but..." He broke and shook his head, laughing himself. "Admittedly, it's beyond any kind of sentimentality, and for my excuse: I have a concussion and I'm drugged -"

"Obviously... Are you listening to yourself?" Chris grinned, though she eyed him confused.

"I try no to," Lex mumbled and carefully, he placed a little stone in the palm of her hand, closing her fingers above it. "I found it at the shores of Lake Geneva and... I thought you might like it."

Frowning, she opened her hand and stared at the stone. Every now and then her mouth dropped open, but she remained silent. She looked puzzled and several minutes passed until she watched Lex again, slightly confused.
"It looks like a heart..." she muttered.

"I know." His laughter died away and all of a sudden, he felt quite uncomfortable.
A part of him hoped Chris would understand the meaning of that gesture, while another part wished he would have kept the stone in his pockets, or even better: in Geneva!

There was the desire to justify himself, combined with the wish the ground would open and swallow him – he couldn't remember any other situation he had ever felt so embarrassed – but he wasn't able to say something. He was lost for words – another condition he had never experienced before. But at the moment he only remembered the feeling he had had when finding that stone; on her birthday.
Immediately, he had thought of Chris, and if he believed in those things, he would call finding that specific stone a sign. A sign that he and Chris were made for each other. But Lex always had been a rational person, and likely it had only been a lucky coincidence and there was no thing like presage, or destiny.

Chris was still quietly watching the stone what caused Lex to speak again. He couldn't bear that silence any longer.

"I literally tripped over the stone, and I had to think of you." He glanced at her but she still kept her mouth shut. "Not quite flattering that an old, dirty stone made me think of you, but... It has an unique shape and..."

'I love you! I'm grateful for every moment you spend with me, and I hope I'll never lose you.'

Lex sighed. The words were in his head but they refused to leave his lips as if something was holding them back. He knew it was his fear to get hurt but he also knew that he needn't fear Chris – least of all her. If only he could forget everything what ever had happened in his life and began a new start.

"It looks like a heart," Chris mumbled again, astonished. She seemed to have forgotten that she was still sitting next to Lex and only watched the little stone in her hand. "A heart... a stone that looks like a heart... That either means I'm cold and have a heart of stone, or it means..." She trailed off and watched Lex.

There was still that surprised look upon her face, but now it was also mixed with pure happiness, and for a second Lex forgot about his embarrassment. She had never looked more adorable than right now.
He opened his mouth to say something when suddenly Chris flung her arms around his neck. Carefully, she hugged him, considerate not to hurt his bruised body, and kissed him for a very long time.

"You gave me... your heart!?"

"Be careful with it," Lex whispered brokenly, not knowing what to feel. He was confused. He had wanted Chris to understand the meaning of the stone, but he hadn't expected to feel so vulnerable and glad at the same time.

"I'll guard it like gold," she answered, her lips close to his mouth. "It's such a wonderful thing... I love you, Lex!" She kissed him again, and again. And again while in between she glanced at that little heart-shaped stone in her hand. "I love you, too."

With each passing moment Lex began to relax, and his self-confidence returned. Smiling, he took her face between his hands. He didn't say a word since there were no words that came close enough to what he was feeling right now. That feeling was bigger, deeper than anything else he knew.
Nevertheless, he hoped one day he would find a way to open up to Chris without having a car accident, or being attacked first.
Still smiling, he nuzzled her nose and held her tight.

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A Heart of Stone

~fin~