This is for one of the sweetest people I have ever known in my life;
sallie. You lift us up with your words, deeds and prayers, hon. And
we count ourselves blessed to know you, sweetie. This is also for all
the Barry Manilow lovers on the lists I belong too. Enjoy everybody.
Prolific Peggy.

Title: Challenge From sallie - "Ready To Take A Chance Again"

Author: PMD

e-mail: mary.davidson@s...

Rating: PG-13

Category: Friendship, Chlex, challengefic, songfic, futurefic, Lex's
POV, AU

Spoilers: Anything is fair game in Smallville

Summary: Lex decides to take a chance again, at love.

Disclaimer: To whomever owns Smallville, it's characters, Star Wars -
The Clone Wars, Barry Manilow, the lyrics to the song 'Ready To Take
A Chance Again' found within the story and the title used as the
stories title, Avon, and Peter Pan's Never Never Land, I'm just
borrowing them, will give them back, not making any money with their
use in this story, so don't sue me.

Archive: At BtS, BT2, SPP, WBFF, Sabby and Malu's sites for the time
being. If anybody else wants it, all they have to do is ask.

Feedback: Yes I would love feedback.

Author Notes: This is a challenge from my friend, sallie. The
challenge was simple---although finding the song was hard.
Embarrassment of riches ring a bell? <g> I did find the song. So it
goes like this:

Barry Manilow Song - Ready To Take A Chance Again

Use sallie's name in the piece - she's the housekeeper who is more
of a mother hen to Lex.

This is dedicated first and foremost to sallie. Thanks for the
challenge, hon. This is also dedicated to all my list members who
love Barry Manilow's music as much as I do. And to Barry, for writing
the songs the whole world sings---pardon the pun. : ) And thanks to
David for the quick beta. Enjoy everyone.

Challenge From sallie - "Ready To Take A Chance Again" - by PMD

I walk over to my desk, searching for a file I need. I grumble and
then remember; Gabe needed it and now I'll have to go to his house to
get it, since he went home sick today. Hmmmm---I'll run into Chloe,
maybe? We can banter and then I'll get this bleakness out of my body
and soul. It's been there, every once in a while, since Helen did
what she did to me.

I haven't had a decent date or relationship with a woman since then.
Well, I'm still friends with Lana but that's friendship, nothing
more. And a partnership that came back after I got out of the asylum,
got my company back on track, and gave her back the Talon to take
care of---no longer an employee---now the partner again.

And Chloe's still there, egging me on. A constant reminder that
humor and bantering can help the day go along. I would hazard to say,
she's my best friend---we're even closer than Clark and I are. Okay,
might have given up on romantic love but friendship is still blooming
for Lex Luthor.

I grab my keys and make my way to the Sullivan home that's become a
haven for me.

~

Ding Dong, Avon calling! Yep, just revving up with the humor,
Luthor. I wait patiently and when there is no answer, I knock.

The door opens and Gabe is standing there, slippers and dressing
gown on.

"What the hell are you doing out of bed?" I state, coming in and
closing the door. I stare at him, my hands across my chest.

"My daughter couldn't hear the door bell or knocking over the Barry
Marathon songfest in the living room. So, I decided I better answer
it or it would never get answered," he answers, before coughing.

I let out a sigh. When Chloe is in a sad mood, her answer is to
bring out all the cassettes of Barry Manilows and play them till she
feels better. She even introduced me to a few when I was in my
funkiest mood and it did help.

"Come on---I'll help you back to bed and you can tell me what's got
the happiest girl in Smallville so bummed today."

"Thanks, Lex," he states, turning around and taking my offered hand.

We make our way upstairs and into his bedroom. I'm worried about him
and feel his forehead. "You've got a temperature."

"That's a fringe benefit of being sick, Lex," he says, sarcastically.

"Well, I'll go get you something cool to drink. Now to bed."

"Since when did you become the father and I become the son?" Gabe
asks, getting into bed and giving me a slight smile.

"You think of me as---"

"Yes but maybe more like a possible son-in-law. The other way is too-
--"

"What? Chloe and I are just friends."

"Me thinks---" He doesn't get the rest out because of a coughing fit.

"Gabe, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'll be fine in a day or two. Why did you come, Lex?"

I sit on the bed. "To get some files but I think I'll stay awhile---"

"---to take care of me? You don't have to---but if you could cheer
my daughter up, I would be ever so grateful. And that drink would be
appreciated too."

"Coming right up," I state, getting up and walking out of the bedroom.

Me---possible son-in-law material? I chuckle at that and then---why
is this idea so appealing to me and not appalling?

~

I've gotten the drink to him and now make my way downstairs to check
on Chloe.

She's sitting in the livingroom, oblivious to all that went on
between her father and me. I smile at the concentration---hadn't seen
that look since I promised to protect her. No, that's not true---saw
that look the time she snuck into the asylum and promised to protect
me. God, is that the moment I contemplated something more with her?
Or was that just a few minutes ago, when Gabe contemplated it out
loud.

I watch her eyes, bright with tears. I watch her face, tinged in
red. I watch her sigh and hug herself, listening to the cassette
player, playing a song that is familiar to me---Ready To Take A
Chance Again. She shared it with me once---it was her way of saying,
'Don't give up on love, you'll find it again, Lex'. Have I found it
or the possibility of it, with her now? I let out a deep sigh.

"Lex, when did you get here?"

I'm startled out of my thoughts and notice that the music has
stopped. I give her a chagrined smile. "Sorry to interrupt your Barry
Marathon."

"Hey, you can join me, if you want to."

"Sorry, got work to do. And to answer your question---a few minutes
ago. Your *father* had to answer the door, young lady."

"Ooops---guess I got caught in the lyrics too much. I'll have to go
apologize to him."

"Not now---I left him sleeping. Chloe?"

"Yes?"

"Take care of him---he's a good man."

"Yeah and he's the best father around. Lex?"

"Yes?"

"You can share him with me, if you want to."

God, this woman is so incredible. Maybe it is time to take a chance
once more.

I feel a touch on my arm and look at her standing there, with a
slight smile. "Penny for your thoughts?"

I smile back at her. "Chloe, do you want to come over for a bull
session---say---Saturday night?"

"Sure---I would love to do that. I'll bring the popcorn----and
you'll bring the drinks?"

"As long as it's not scotch."

"I can understand that. Okay---I'll be there Saturday. Not like I'm
going out anymore with Brian."

"He dumped you?"

"No, I dumped him when I caught him kissing his ex. Geez---will I
ever find somebody to love me?"

You might on Saturday, Chloe. "Sure you will. I'll see you Saturday
then."

"It's a date!"

~

Saturday Night

I sit there, staring at her eyes, her mouth, just her. I can mask
this pretty well with most women but:

"Earth to Lex!"

"Huh?"

"Lex, you weren't even listening to me. What gives? And don't say
nothing."

I don't say anything at all then.

"Okay, say nothing and then I can call you on it."

Still, nothing comes from my lips.

"Lex---speak!"

"Okay, what do you want me to say?"

"Tell me what's going on in that head of yours. The last time you
were so spacey---Oh my God---you have a girlfriend!"

"What?" I ask, surprised now.

"The last time you were this way was with Helen---oh, please don't
tell me it's another brunette. Cause you have the worst times with
that color, Lana excluded."

"No brunette," I say, truthfully.

"So, you do have a girlfriend."

"Maybe."

"Lex! Tell me about her. Is she cute? Can she make you laugh, cry,
or want to strangle her at the same time? Is she from around here or
just visiting? What are her favorite things to do? Come on! Spill,
already!" she asks, excitedly.

This reaction just puts a damper on my resolve to tell her that it
might be her, since she's not jealous, just excited. That is until I
stare into her eyes and see a slight glimpse of how she really feels--
-she is jealous. I recognize that look.<

I get up and come from behind the desk. "Come on."

"Where?" she asks, getting up.

"You want to meet her---come on."

"Oh---okay."

I lead her outside and towards the front door. I stop and she
smirks. "Lex---this is a mirror. Where is she--on the other side, in
Never Never Land?"

I just smile at her and stare into the mirror. I see it dawning in
her eyes and watch as the tears fill them. She turns around.

"Really?"

"Really," I state, as I lean down and capture her lips with mine.

I pull her close to me and hear her gasp, taking advantage to deepen
the kiss, our tongues dueling until we just let it all go. It's not
lack of air that stops this---it's a clearing of the throat.

"What's the meaning of this!"

We turn to look at a very unhappy Smallville devil of a father.

"I'm sorry, sir. I tried to keep him in the library but he needed to
see you," I hear my housekeeper, Sallie, state.

"It's okay, Sallie. I'm betting nobody could keep the devil at heel
for too long," I reply, giving her a slight smile.

"Thank you, sir. Do you need anything else?"

"Yes---could you get security to escort my father off the premises.
I'm a little busy at the moment," I reply, looking back at Chloe. She
has this impish grin on her face and I nod at her. She pulls away and
looks at Lionel.

"Let me do it, Lex."

"Let us both do it, sir."

I look at the woman who's just become the world to me and then at
the woman, who's always been there for me, when my mother and Pamela
were no longer there. "No."

"No?" they both ask.

"No---we do it together. Father?"

Lionel lets out an exasperated noise. "Yes?"

"Please leave under your own steam or---"

"Or what?"

"Or we'll be forced to drag you out, kicking and screaming."

"That will never happen!"

"Well---" I make my way to him, Chloe by my side. Sallie makes her
way closer too, a snarl heard from her---hurt my lion cub and you
will pay, it says.

He just stares at the mob coming towards him. Then puts up his
hands. "All right, I'm leaving. But I'm coming back."

"And we'll change the locks to make sure you can't get in," Chloe
quips.

"Lex, I gave Chloe up in exchange for your information on me and
your grandparents---don't think I'll give you up, ever. I'll---"

"Get the Hell out of my life, Lionel, or else!"

"Or else, what, Lex?"

"You think that's the only information we have on you, Mr. Luthor,"
Chloe rages.

"What else could you possibly have on me?"

I look at my housekeeper. "Sallie---could you---"

"Certainly, sir," she replies, giving Lionel the death stare and
then leaving us.

I turn to my father. "Cloning ring a bell?"

He turns paler than I've ever seen. "How'd you---?"

"A master doesn't reveal all his tricks. If you come near me, Chloe,
my friends, anybody I love, the clone wars of Star Wars will look
like a tiny speck of trouble, compared to what will happen to you.
Now Leave!"

He lets out a hummmph and is about to speak but thinks better of it.
You think Sallie has a death stare. We watch him turn and leave the
house, hopefully forever.

"Lex, what's this about obtaining my freedom by not revealing that
Lionel killed his parents?"

I turn to her. "Ah---I didn't tell you about that?" I ask, rubbing
my head.

"No---and I should be mad. But---you got what you wanted in the end
and it proved how much you cared about me---not getting rid of him
sooner. Besides---there's---"

"---no statutory limits in murder? Well, there is that and trying to
keep him on his toes. I meant it, Chlo. That if he comes near anybody-
---hurts anybody; friends, family, the ppeople of Smallville, he will
go to jail."

"I know you do, Alex."

"Alex?" I query, with a slight grin.

"Yes, Alex. Less authoritative than Alexander and a bit more homey
than Lex. Alex?"

"Yes?"

She moves up to me, placing her hands on my waist and leans up. "I
love you, Alex."

"I love you too, Chlo," I state, before I lean down and kiss her.

~

We back away and hear music coming from my study. "Barry Manilow,
Alex? You know what I like," she says with a grin.

"Not my idea---must have been---"

"Sallie," we both say.

We walk towards the study and open the door. A song has just
finished and then I smile recognizing the opening strains. "Care to
dance, Chlo?"

"Thought you would never ask," she answers, walking into arms, as we
start to sway:

"You remind me I live in a shell,
Safe from the past,
And doing' okay,
But not very well.
No jolts, no surprises,
No crisis arises:
My life goes along as it should,
It's all very nice,
But not very good.

And I'm ready to take a chance again,
Ready to put my love on the line with you.
Been living with nothing to show for it;
You get what you get when you go for it,
And I'm ready to take a chance again with you.

When she left me in all my despair,
I just held on,
My hopes were all gone.
Then I found you there.

And I'm ready to take a chance again
Ready to put my love on the line with you.
Been living with nothing to show for it;
You get what you get when you go for it

And I'm ready to take a chance again
Ready to put my love on the line with you.
Been living with nothing to show for it;
You get what you get when you go for it

And I'm ready to take a chance again
Ready to take a chance again with you
With you"

As the song fades, I look to the doorway. Chloe turns to look too
and we see Sallie and staff standing there, all with happy faces. As
she closes the door, Chloe comes back to me.

"I'm glad you're ready to take a chance again, in love, Alex."

"I'm glad it's you I'm taking the chance with, Chlo. But is it
really a chance, when it's a sure thing."

"Semantics, Alex. Semantics," she states, with a grin, just before
we kiss once more.

Yes, I'm ready to take a chance again, and always will be, with you,
my love.

The End.