Title: Mind vs. Heart

Author: Malana

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I have no rights to either Angel or Smallville

Spoilers: Around season 2 for Angel and going AU rather quickly.  I'm not doing the Darla storyline.  A few years in the future for Smallville.  Chloe has just graduated college.  But as far as show cannon goes, assume to the beginning of season three.

Pairings: Chloe/Lindsey, Chloe/Angel, Cordelia/Angel

Author's note: Parts of this will be similar to my story "  Upside

Down"This story is an extended, alternate version of that.

 

 

    "What do you mean she's not here?"  Chloe stood in the lobby of Wolfram and Hart, glaring at the man who stood behind the reception desk.  She impatiently brushed a piece of blond hair out of her eyes.

 

    "I'm sorry, Miss.  But Miss Morgan away on business today."

 

    "Well, that's just great!  I have an appointment to interview her. I need this interview. I have a deadline to meet!"

 

    "Maybe I can help," a voice spoke from behind Chloe.  She whirled around, appraising the man who had spoken.  He was taller than her, but it wasn't hard to beat her own 5 feet 5 inches.  He was handsome, with brown hair that fell over bright blue eyes.  He looked familiar, but she couldn't quite place him.  She then noticed his plastic hand, and it clicked into pace.

 

    "You're Lindsey McDonald, right?"

 

    He smiled at the blond, taking in her flippy hair, cute face, and hazel eyes, "Yes, yes I am.  Let me guess, you're Miss Sullivan, the reporter whom Lilah was scheduled to meet with.  I'm truly sorry about that.  Her secretary should have called you to cancel."

 

    Chloe crossed her arms over her chest. "Yes, they should have."

 

    Lindsey's smiled widened at her attitude. "Tell you what.  Lilah and I hold the same position here at the firm.  I'd be glad to give you an interview.  In fact, I just had a meeting get canceled, so I have time to meet with you now."  Lindsey didn't particularly like giving interviews, but it was good for the firm.  Besides, if he be the one to get credit for it rather than Lilah, he would jump at the chance.  He and Lilah were still fighting to permanently get the position of Vice-President of Special Projects. Lindsey wasn't about to let any chance of scoring points get by him.

 

    "Thank you."  Chloe smiled gratefully. "You'd be helping me out a lot."

 

    "Great.  I was just headed back up to my office.  Why don't you join me?"  Lindsey motioned toward the elevator.

 

 

-----------A few hours later------------

 

    Chloe turned off her miniature tape reporter, and flipped her notebook closed.

 

    "Thank you again for doing the interview. It was really helpful. You saved my ass.  My editor would have killed me if I missed my deadline."  Sure, it was just a standard interview.  It wasn't what she wanted to be doing in journalism; she much rather do something that was important and involved a lot of hands-on investigating. But she still had to pay her dues.  And Lindsey had been a very pleasant person to interview.

 

    "You're welcome, Miss Sullivan. I was glad to be of assistance."

 

    Chloe smiled,  "Please, call me Chloe."

 

    "Okay, Chloe." Lindsey stood up from his desk. "I'm afraid I have to get to a meeting now, but I have a question for you."

 

    "Shoot."

 

    "Would it be alright if, after the article is published of course, I asked you out on a date?"

 

    Chloe looked down at the floor, a slight blush warming her face.  "I think that'd be fine," she said after a moment, looking up to meet Lindsey's eyes.

 

-------------------------------

 

 

    Chloe left the Wolfram and Hart building in much higher spirits than when she had arrived.  Not only had the interview been more interesting than she expected, but she had met a great guy as well. She was also happy that he understood that he'd have to wait until after the article was published to ask her out.   Chloe would never let her writing be influenced by her attraction to her subject, but she was happy to met someone who understood that even the appearance of bias wasn't' acceptable.

 

    Lindsey was great.  He was intelligent, charming, funny, and very handsome.  Chloe hadn't been so attracted to a guy in  a long time. Not since Clark, in fact.   She still wondered sometimes what would have happened if she hadn't betrayed him back in high school.  She wondered if they would still be friends, or if they would have drifted apart like often happens as people grow up.  Somehow she felt that she, Clark, and Pete, wouldn't have naturally grown apart.  If she hadn't screwed up so badly they'd probably still be close.  Chloe frowned and tried to push the thoughts of Clark out of her mind.  She had gotten better over the years, but sometimes the guilt still ate at her.

 

    But she didn't want to think about that now.  She had an article to write, and a new guy to think about.  She hoped that Lindsey really would call her.  She was lonely, and could use a friend.  And maybe...maybe Lindsey could be even more than that.  Chloe was ready to fall in love, and Lindsey McDonald might be just the right person to fall in love with.

 

 

 

 

 

TBC