sinderella81 | Fic: Product

Title: Product
Author:

cinderella81
Pairing: Clex
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Not mine, I just like to play!
Summary: Another edition to what I lovingly call the Braided!Verse ... See how Lana regresses and her and Clark's first babysitting adventure!

“Chloe, wanna try some of this coffee?” Lana asked from the kitchen. She and Chloe had been living together for a couple of months now. It had been hard at first, but now they were into a routine.

“Lana, honey, you know I’m not a coffee person,” Chloe said as she came up behind Lana and kissed her cheek.

“I know, I know, but this company sent me a sample of their coffee, hoping to entice me to buy some for the Talon, and I thought I might get a consumer’s perspective,” Lana said with a cheeky grin. Chloe returned her smile and watched Lana sip her coffee.

“Okay, you enjoy your coffee; I have to email an article to the Planet,” Chloe said, running to the bedroom. When Chloe came back from the bedroom, she found Lana sitting on the stool, swinging her feet and twirling her hair. “Lana?”

“Hi Chloe!” Lana said with a large wave.

“Lana, are you feeling okay?” Chloe said, concerned.

“I feel good; hey, don’t we have school today?” Lana asked, fingers still twirling her hair.

“No, not today.” Pause. “Lana, how old are you?”

“Chloe, you silly bear, I’m seven!” Lana said with a giggle.

“Oh shit,” Chloe exclaimed. Lana gasped and put her hands over her ears.

“Chloe, you said a bad word … I’m telling!!” Lana said.

“Lana, if you promise not to tell, I’ll show you where the cookies are hidden,” Chloe said with a grin. Lana thought for a moment then nodded. Chloe smiled and showed her where the cookies were. While Lana sat at the counter and ate a couple, Chloe made a phone call.

“Lex … yeah, something has happened to Lana … well, she’s acting like a seven year old … yes, it might be a good idea for a doctor to see her … I appreciate your discretion … see you soon.” Chloe hung up and looked at Lana, who was still sitting at the counter. “All right munchkin, what do you want to do?”

“I want you to braid my hair and then I wanna watch a movie!” Lana demanded. Chloe sighed and led Lana into the living room where she braided Lana’s hair into two pigtails and put in ‘The Little Mermaid’ for her to watch. Just as Ariel sold her voice to the sea witch, there was a knock on the door. Chloe ran to check the peep hole and saw Lex standing there with a distinguished looking man. Chloe immediately opened the door and let the men in.

“Chloe, this is Dr. Lansky; he’s here to check our patient. Lana, this is Dr. Lansky; he wants to check you, okay?” Lex said. Lana looked at Lex dubiously.

“Lexie, why d’you want a doctor to look at me?” Lana asked innocently.

“Because we think there is something wrong with you and we want to see what we can do to help you,” Lex said patiently. Lana seemed to consider it for a moment, then nodded. Dr. Lansky approached and took some time to examine her. Chloe and Lex sat on the couch, watching patiently. Finally, Dr. Lansky put away all his instruments and turned to Chloe and Lex.

“Well, she seems to be perfectly healthy, with the exception of having regressed to the age of seven. Chloe, what was the last thing you remember her doing before this started?”

“She was drinking some coffee that a company sent her, a sample of a new blend; they were hoping to get her to buy some for the Talon,” Chloe responded.

“Ah, that’s probably it then. The coffee probably had something in it that she reacted badly too,” Dr. Lansky said. “I’m sure in a couple of weeks she’ll have worked it out of her system and will be back to normal. In the meantime, send a sample of the coffee to be analyzed,” he said to Lex, who nodded solemnly.

“Thank you, for both your time and your discretion,” Lex said, showing Dr. Lansky to the door. “I’ll send your payment by the end of the workday tomorrow,” Lex said as he closed the door and turned back to Chloe and Lana. “So, what do we do now?”

“Well, I think I have the situation in hand for now. Until she comes out of this I’ll have her sleep in the guest room. Oh crap, I have to go on assignment tomorrow; do you think you could?” Chloe asked.

“Sadly I have a very important board meeting tomorrow that I can’t get out of. Clark, however, has the whole day free. I will let him know the situation and that he needs to be here tomorrow,” Lex said.

“Lex, you’re a lifesaver!” Chloe said as she wrapped Lex in a hug. “Tell Clark to be here by 8 so I can get to work on time okay? And thanks again!”

“No problem; glad Clark and I could help,” Lex replied as he walked to the door and let himself out.

* * *

“Okay Clark, you have my cell number in case of emergency. She should be fine; just giver some lunch around twelve and I should be home around five or so,” Chloe said.

“Don’t worry Chloe, everything will be fine,” Clark said, ushering Chloe to the door. “Have fun at work and get a good bi-line,” Clark said with a smirk. Chloe swatted him on the arm and headed off for work. “All right Lana, what would you like to do?”

“Watch ‘The Little Mermaid’!” Lana said with a smile. Clark grinned and put the movie into the DVD player.

Four hours later and they were still watching ‘The Little Mermaid.’ “C’mon Lana, it’s time for some lunch,” Clark called and watched as Lana followed him into the kitchen for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches; which were eaten in relative silence. They returned to the living room where Lana again wanted to watch ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Clark laid down on the couch, his head hanging off the arm. He had spent the night secretly helping rescue people from a burning building and was exhausted. He fell asleep just as Ariel sold her voice to the sea witch.

* * *

“Clark, c’mon Clark, it’s time to wake up.” Clark moaned softly and opened one eye to see Chloe staring at him. He yawned and stretched.

“Damn Chloe, I’m sorry; must’ve fallen asleep,” Clark said sleepily.

“Well, you’re lucky Lana had something to amuse herself with, otherwise she might have left the apartment,” Chloe said with a grin.

“Did the movie keep her that entertained?”

“No,” Chloe said with a laugh. “I think she found you much more fun; you might want to go look in the mirror.” Chloe walked into the kitchen laughing as Clark stood up and made his way to the mirror. He saw himself and just stared. Lana must have raided the bathroom medicine cabinet for every hair styling product there was. His hair was standing every which way in large, clumpy spikes. He immediately turned to Lana.

“Lana Lang, what did you do?” he asked. She looked at him with an innocent look on her face.

“You was just sleeping there, and your head was just hanging with your pretty hair there, and I just wanted to play,” she finished with a pout.

“C’mon Clark, you can just wash it out; don’t be too hard on her,” Chloe said with a grin. Clark sighed.

“You’re right. I’m gonna head home; have a good night,” Clark said as he put on his sweatshirt, with his hood up and sped home.

* * *

“Remind me to never fall asleep when watching a seven year old Lana,” Clark said, walking into the bedroom and stripped off his sweatshirt. Lex took one look at him and burst out laughing.

“Aw honey,” Lex said, walking over to him and kissing him on the cheek. “What did she do to you?” he asked as he led Clark into the bathroom.

“I fell asleep after lunch and Lana raided the bathroom medicine cabinet for every styling product in there. When Chloe woke me up, I looked like this,” Clark said, stripping out of his t-shirt and plopping in the chair in front of the sink. After Clark moved in, Lex had found that he quite enjoyed washing Clark’s hair and Clark loved Lex washing his hair. So, Lex had a salon sink installed in the master bathroom, complete with salon chair.

“That wasn’t a very smart thing to do; you never fall asleep in front of children,” Lex said he leaned Clark back and ran the water. He let the water spray Clark’s hair, and began massaging Clark’s head, working out the product and tension. He reached for the shampoo, poured a general amount on his hands and began working Clark’s hair into a rich lather. Clark moaned as Lex massaged his head, working out all the tension. Lex lovingly and carefully rinsed out the shampoo before applying the conditioner. Lex plopped himself on Clark’s lap and they started making out as Lex rinsed out the conditioner and helped Clark sit up. Their make-out session continued as Lex carefully towel dried Clark’s hair and finger combed it into place.

“There, perfect,” Lex said, still straddling Clark, who nuzzled into Lex’s neck and began to suckle and kiss. Lex helped them stand up and they made their way to the bed. They stopped kissing long enough to strip and crawled into bed together. They continued to make-out and touch until Clark broke out with a large yawn. He looked at Lex sheepishly, while Lex just smiled and stroked Clark’s hair.

“I guess I’m more tired than I thought,” Clark said.

“Well, not only did you rescue people from a burning building last night but you also babysat and 7 year old Lana Lang, who seems to have boundless energy. You deserve as much sleep as possible,” Lex said with a kiss to Clark’s forehead. “Sleep Clark,” he said, and stroked Clark’s hair till he drifted to sleep. He continued to watch his lover sleep for a few moments longer, before wrapping his hands around Clark’s waist and letting Clark’s deep breaths lull him into sleep.