A/N: This may end up being the last chapter. I'm still not completely decided. Thanks to everyone who stuck through the whole story! And thanks to Pamela for all the help!

Chloe looked at her reflection a final time before leaving her room. It was almost time to leave for Lionel Luthor's funeral. She wore a dark blue dress, unwilling to wear black when she felt no real grief at his passing.

Lex smiled at her as she joined him in the main room of the Penthouse. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you, Lex. You look very nice yourself," she complimented him. He wore a black suit and white shirt. While she enjoyed seeing Lex in casual clothes Chloe had to admit he looked handsome when he dressed formally.

15 minutes later they arrived at the private cemetery where Lex's mother, and soon his father, were buried. Chloe was not surprised at the large number of people gathered. Looking at the faces Lex remembered when he'd long ago told Clark that Kings and heads of state would attend his father's funeral. He'd been right. The thought of Clark made it easy for Lex to appear unhappy.

Lex had arranged it so that he would not have to speak. He knew that most would believe he didn't want to show the grief he felt. In truth he was simply tired of lying for his father and about his father. He would leave that to others.

That evening they watched the news coverage of the funeral as they ate dinner. As Lex had hoped the reports of Chloe's sudden reappearance were overshadowed by the reports of the funeral and would not cause any problems for her, or Gabe.

The next night Chloe woke up and realized she was alone in Lex's bed. Looking at the clock she saw that it was 2:30 am. 'Where is Lex?' she wondered. Climbing out of bed she went into the living room. She let out a soft sigh as she saw Lex looking out the huge glass window, staring at the city lights.

Lex was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't even notice Chloe's arrival until she spoke.

"Nice view," she said, looking at him, not out the window.

He turned to face her and noticed where her focus was. He gave her a seductive smile before answering. "Yes, it is," he said, slowly looking her over.

By now she was used to their flirtation and managed not to blush.

"I'm sorry if I woke you," he told her.

"Being alone woke me," she answered. "Come back to bed?"

"I can't seem to sleep tonight," Lex admitted, turning back to the window.

Chloe walked up behind Lex, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head against her back. She felt him tense slightly as her body pressed against his, and was pleased at his reaction.

He placed his hands over hers. They stayed like that for several minutes. "You don't have to stay up just because I can't sleep," he told her in a low voice.

"Why can't you sleep, Lex?" she asked, even though she felt sure it had to do with his father.

"I. . . I keep thinking of my father. I don't want to be like him. But I feel no guilt at his death, no sorrow. What does that say about me when I feel nothing at my father's death?"

Without losing the physical contact Chloe moved to stand in front of Lex and made eye contact. "It says you're still numb, maybe still in denial. Give yourself some time. And trust me. Trust me when I say that you are nothing like Lionel . I hated Lionel, but I love you. I love you because I know you. You're not just your father's son. You're also your mother's son. I've done some research on her life. From that and what you've told me I know that she was a good woman. She'd be proud of you. I'm proud of you."

Even in the dim light he could see in her eyes that she believed what she said, and a weight seemed to lift from him. He took a slow, almost shuddering, breath. "Let's go to bed."

"That the best idea I've heard tonight," she told him with an intimate smile.

Together they walked into his bedroom. Once they were lying down, instead of curling up next to him Chloe slowly ran her hands down his chest. When her hands reached the waistband of his pants Lex stopped her motion by placing his hands over hers. "Chloe, what are you doing?"

Chloe spoke in a mock reproachful tone. "You disappoint me. I thought you were smart enough to figure out what I'm doing."

"Chloe, I don't think this is a good idea." He felt her tense at his words. "Not tonight. I don't want to use you. I don't want our first time to be because you think I need you to help me feel again. You do that just by being near me."

"And what if *I* need to do this? I want us to be together, in every way possible. I have for a long time. Now we can be. And if you're worried about using me then don't use me, love me. Make love with me."

"You're sure this is what you want? Tonight."

"Very sure," she told him.

Lex captured her lips with his, then released his hold on her hands as he ran his hands up her body. Chloe offered her body and balm for the wounds on his soul, and once he realized she was a willing partner in their love making he turned on the intensity she adored about him. She found it a heady rush to be so completely the focus of his attention and emotions. As the joined Lex used all his skill and experience to make sure the experience was as painless as possible for her.

They fell asleep together just as the sky outside began to lighten.

A/N:

Veronica: Hope you liked how I wrote their first time together. Thanks for the wonderful reviews!! Clark isn't going to try to ruin their lives, he's still a good guy. But if I do another chapter it will be them worrying a little that he might.

Katieshaz: Thank you! I think I'm going to leave them having a baby for another story . . . But I do like the idea. THANKS!

Kathy: Thanks! Glad you liked the chapters. Yeah, Lex and Chloe get to be together now. YEA!!!! Thanks for the kind reviews.

Autumngold: I'm blushing, THANKS!!! Glad you like it. It figured it was about time for Lionel to "go away" and let them be happy! LOL