Title: A Gift for Lex
By: Amanda
Feedback:
For: Janine, magdalena01
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I own no Smallville characters or anything Smallville related. Not that I don't wish I owned Michael. Teehee.
Spoilers: Set right after 'Spirit'
Pairing: Chloe/Lex Friendship
Summary: It's the thought that counts, and sometimes, maybe, the thought means the most.
Completed: December 17, 2005
Notes: Fourth in my Christmas Gift Fics series, this one for Janine. This came to me when I saw the book Verbal Judo while I was shelf reading at work. And it grew from there.

---

Chloe entered the ominous Luthor mansion, she was back in Smallville to spend the holidays with her father. But from the grey interior of this ancestral home, no one would know there was a holiday upon them. Not even that there were any holidays at all. She shook her head at how sad it really was. All that power, all that money, and still…nothing.

Although, A lot could be said for keeping up appearances. It's a lot more comfortable that way.

She had been in here enough times to know exactly where Lex's office was, no need to sleuth around. She planned on making a quiet escape of it. A quick in and out job. Just leave the gift and go. Hopefully avoiding both Luthor men and, any and all, staff. Knowing their schedules and rounds didn't hurt either. It was important to be prepared. And even more important not to get caught.

Where would the fun in that be?

She knew she shouldn't be there, she knew she should never have bought Lex a Christmas gift in the first place – not with him running against Mr. Kent for a seat in the senate, or his poking around into Clark's secrets, or his crush on Lana. But when did Chloe Sullivan, ace reporter in training, ever do what was safe? Or easy. Or right, for that matter. Besides, when she saw this, it was perfect. Even for the man who has everything. Or at least seemed to.

Even Lex Luthor needs at least one Christmas present a year – one personal gift that didn't come from a corporation or business contact. One that came from a friend. Or the closest thing to a friend anyway. One that reminded him he was a human being, not just another Luthor drone.

At the very least he would be surprised.

She smiled to herself as she placed the gold wrapped package on the large oak desk, a used copy of Verbal Judo (Control the outcome of every dispute…in the home, the classroom, the boardroom) by George J. Thompson, with a hand written tag: 'To my old verbal sparing partner, stay sharp – all my best.' Nothing more, nothing less. Nothing said it was her, nothing said it wasn't either. It was all in the thought.

Nostalgia threatened to take Chloe over then. It had been years, lifetimes ago, when they were all some form of friends. Not opposing sides of some great battle. When she entertained the idea of her with Lex. Of their own verbal judo competitions leading to something else…something more… Lifetimes ago.

She looked back at the rectangular concoction of bright paper and ribbon waiting for it's new home among ancient books and other relics, but she smiled. This one was different. She knew it. This one was a gift for Lex. Not Mr. Luthor.

And maybe he'd remember that.

END.