Author's note: Remember, this takes place before Lana died and then was not dead and then Lois almost dies, but doesn't and then Jonathan Kent dies and stays that way but makes cameo appearances in a few episodes.

The lights from a vehicle turning into their driveway woke him up instantly. Jonathan Kent rolled over to read the clock; it was just after one. Clark must be home early, he thought. Before he could fall back asleep, a knock came at the door. He sat up at the same time as Martha. She looked at him with concern and moved to put on her robe. Jonathan pushed back the covers and told Martha, "Let me go first."

Downstairs he flipped on the porch light and peered out the window. "It's Chloe," he announced to his wife. He hurried to open the door and motioned her to come inside. "Is something wrong?" he asked.

Martha rushed forward asking at the same time, "Is Clark alright?"

Chloe swiftly assured them, "I'm sure Clark is fine, there is nothing really that wrong. I mean, no one's hurt, no meteor freaks, it's just," Chloe could feel her face crumpling and tears swam past her vision. Martha with concern put her hand on Chloe's shoulder, but Chloe stepped back. Martha's added sympathy was more than Chloe could take. As it was, she was barely hanging on to any sort of composure.

"Chloe, honey, what's wrong?" Martha gently asked.

Chloe dashed away any impending tears and took a steadying breath. "I'm not really sure, but there was some kind of mix up with my dad being home and I was hoping I could stay here tonight, maybe just crash on your couch. I'm just so tired. Maybe I'm overacting."

"Of course you can stay; I'll just make up Clark's bed."

"No, really; the couch would be great," Chloe, insisted. She didn't need something else to stay up obsessing over.

"Alright," Martha agreed. "I'll get some bedding for the couch."

Jonathan, who had been quietly observing, walked over toward the couch and the fireplace facing it. "I'll just add a log and stoke up the fire." Shelby, disturbed from his slumber in front of the hearth, stretched and padded over to Chloe. The golden retriever nudged her hands to remind her of what she should do with them. "Chloe, do you have anything you need out of the car?" Jonathan inquired.

Absently petting Shelby, Chloe told him, "Yes, I'll go grab my bag." At the door she paused and said, "You have no idea how much I appreciate you letting me stay, I didn't know where else to go."

Jonathan turned to look at her and spoke sincerely, "We've known you for too many years and you've been too good of a friend to Clark to stand on formality; you're always welcome."

Chloe, unable to speak, just turned to go. Martha came down the stairs a moment later. "Where's Chloe?"

"Went out to get her stuff, plus I think I made her cry again." Jonathan finished up with the fire and started to help Martha make up the couch.

"Poor girl, something is really bothering her. Have you heard anything about her father lately?"

"No. Come to think of it, I don't think I have even seen him since right after the meteor shower."

"I wonder why she didn't stay at her dad's apartment." Martha plumped up the pillow and placed it at the head of the couch. "Well, it's late. We won't interrogate her when she's feeling this emotional."

"I'm sure things will make more sense in the morning," Jonathan said as he went to open the door for Chloe. She had her overnight bag and was carrying a box with her name on it. "What's in the box," he asked and then wished he hadn't when a wave of sadness flashed over her face.

"Not sure, but I didn't want to leave it out in the cold just in case." She set the box down by the couch and then knowing she couldn't leave the subject at that, pressed on. "I found out tonight that my father no longer lives in the apartment over on Tower Street. The box was left behind"

Surprised, Martha asked, "Where did he move to?"

That same wave of pain crossed over Chloe's face as she tried to nonchalantly shrug and say, "Don't know."

Martha took in Chloe's drained, almost defeated expression and said, "Get some sleep. We can talk in the morning. I'm glad you came to us." With a quick hug to Chloe she then turned and sheparded her husband to the stairs.

Chloe waved them goodnight, as she once again couldn't speak. She wearily sank on to the couch and put her head down in her hands trying to hold back the tears. Shelby scooted close, put his head down on her lap and leaned into her. A quiet sob escaped her lips and she found herself sliding to the floor and wrapping her arms around Shelby. With her face buried in his furry pelt, she let the hot, stinging tears fall. Shelby wagged his tail and whined in doggy sympathy.

Chloe tried to convince herself that the tears were from being overtired, but she was too savvy a seeker of truth to deceive herself completely. Though she told herself that she was overreacting, reaching conclusions with few real facts; a notion kept returning like the kind of hunch she'd come to trust over the years. Gabe had left the country knowing she was coming. He had moved out of the apartment probably before she'd even made plans to visit. A part of her wondered if he intended to come back. A part of her even knew why he might not.