CHAPTER THREE

He'd never expected her to pay the price... And he didn't want to be the one to break the news. His heart clenched in his chest when he heard it, from one of the grim-faced doctors: She was regaining consciousness.

A faint moan split the stale, acrid air of the hosptial room. Lex couldn't breathe for a long moment.

"Oh, Chloe..." he whispered, tears streaming down his face. She was just an innocent girl. The enthusiasm in her beautiful, inquisitive face, the boldness flashing in her bright eyes. He should never have let her do it. He had been so eager to take down his father, he'd never considered the danger that she faced. On some level he'd been aware of it, but he'd never truly expected her to pay the price. Not this terrible, terrible price.

Lex choked on a sob, remembering her trusting smile, the slight plea in her voice even as she offered him his salvation. He was supposed to protect her. He should have protected her

But it had come to this. And he had to tell her.

He came to her bedside and grasped her hand- still warm. He watched the foggy eyes open slowly, the strange, confused expression on her face.

"L- Lex?"

"Oh, Chloe, I'm so glad you're okay," Lex whispered. He bent down to kiss her cold cheek, felt his eyes sting at her trusting, bleary smile.

"What's wrong? Why- why am I in a hospital?"

"You were in an explosion," Lex whispered jaggedly. He closed his eyes, fighting tears of shame. "It was my father."

"I knew the risk when I took on Lionel Luthor," she said in a hoarse voice. "It was worth it, Lex. Don't blame yourself."

"That's not everything." They were the hardest three words he'd ever said.

He watched fear flitter over her face.

"My... father? Is he dead?"

"No."

She stared at him for a long while, uncomprehending. Then, slowly the truth sank in and her brow sank into a frown.

"Why is my head so... so cold, Lex?"

He couldn't speak; his words knotted in his throat.

"Lex?" She said, her voice panicked. "Why is it-"

Her hand flew to her head, felt the bare skin where her hair had once been.

"Oh my God... Oh my God... Lex- Lex, I'm... I'm..."

"I'm so sorry, Chloe," Lex said, voice choked with sorrow.

"NOOOOO!" Chloe screamed, tears bubbling up in her eyes. "No, it can't be! It CAN'T BE! I'M BALD! I'M BAAAALLLLLDDDDD!"

The explosion had burned all her hair off. Lionel had burned all her hair off. It was all Lex's fault... all of it.

"Chloe, I'm so sorry," Lex whispered, cradling her distressed form in his arms.

"I'M BAAAALLLLDDDD! Just kill me, Lex! Kill me, PLEAAASSSEEE! Life is worth nothing without by beautiful blonde locks!"

"Look," Lex said, starting to feel a bit offended now (since he himself was bald), "It's not like anyone notices you when Lana's around anyway! Why you tripping?"

Chloe ripped herself out of the hospital bed, sobbing. "I should never have helped you- I should have let Lionel kill you!

She ran from the hospital, sobbing.

Lex stared after her, a dark feeling inside him. He could apologize until his dying day and never express the emotions roiling in his gut.

"Nice one, Lex," Clark said snidely. He ran after Chloe.

They never spoke again. From that day forth, Clark and Lex were arch enemies.

THE END