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Chapter 12: Moving Day

Author's Note: Sorry that this chapter is so long in coming. It's dedicated to all the people who reviewed and emailed to tell me to keep writing. Sometimes, all an author needs is a little encouragement- and a couple obsessed people to ride their ass. Thank you, all.

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Clark Kent sighed. And groaned. The groan was for everyone else's benefit, but the sigh was as authentic as could be. At the sound of his groan, Lana Lang came rushing over.

"Clark! You shouldn't be carrying things that are too heavy for you. If you get hurt and can't do your chores, your dad will kill Lex."

Clark set the large trunk down at the foot of Chloe's new bed. "But it's not Lex's stuff I'm hauling up two flights of stairs."

Lana smiled and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Yes, but your dad likes Chloe. Besides, there is no way Mr. Kent would let an opportunity to pound on Lex pass him by. Next time would you please use the hand truck for the heavy stuff?"

"It wasn't even that heavy," Clark protested.

Lana threw a glance at Chloe's purple trunk. It had gold hinges and was covered with stickers. But more importantly, it was large and full of books. Lana looked back at Clark. "You have got to be kidding me. I know for a fact that thing has to weigh at least 75 pounds."

Clark looked down, as though he suddenly found the carpeting engrossing. "Well, um, I just meant that it wasn't heavy for me- 'cause of the chores."

Lana looked doubtful. "Clark, bales of hay are one thing..." She shook her head. "I just don't want you to get hurt, okay?" Lana reached out and put her hand on Clark's shoulder.

Clark smiled and looked up at her. "I know. I appreciate it. Thank you."

Lana smiled back at Clark, then turned and headed downstairs for another load. Clark looked around Chloe's new bedroom. It was nice. It didn't look like Chloe, at least, not yet. It was difficult to personalize any room in Luthor Manor, but Clark had no doubt that if anyone could do it, Chloe could.

Clark was startled out of his thoughts by a grunt behind him. A genuine one this time. He turned to see a red-faced Lex struggling with two duffel bags and a potted plant. Clark rushed to help him. Clark grabbed the decoratively potted death nettle, before it could be dropped, spilling potting soil all over the floor.

"Thanks, Clark," Lex said as he slung the two bags into the back of Chloe's closet.

"No, problem," said Clark. "If you don't mind me asking, why are you doing this? I mean, instead of hiring twelve very large men."

Lex sat on the edge of the bed to catch his breath. He chuckled at Clark's question. "Chloe and I have has several... discussions about my money. She's worried about how it will appear if I start paying for her things. I told her that it didn't matter what other people thought, but her was adamant. We came to an agreement. I would provide her with food, shelter, clothing and the occasional luxury- within reason, of course. Besides, she said that moving is a 'life experience,' and it doesn't count unless it involves a pick-up truck and everyone you know."

Clark laughed and offered his friend his hand to help him up. Lex took the proffered arm and pulled himself up off the bed. Clark turned to the older man and asked, "How much more is left?"

Lex wiped his brow with the sleeve of his sweatshirt and replied, "Not much, actually. We've got everything out of the trucks and into the house. Now it's just a matter of getting the rest of the boxes from the front hall up here and unpacking all of them."

"That's great." They headed into the hall. When they reached the main stairs they both paused to admire the chaos below. Lana was rushing around making sure that all the boxes were accounted for by checking them against the inventory list she made when they packed up Chloe's bedroom at her dad's house. Chloe fast on Lana's heels accusing her of not really working. Pete, the 'sensible male' of the group was loading up the hand truck for another trip upstairs.

Clark's laughter at the scene drew the attention of the three friends downstairs. Chloe looked up and narrowed her eyes. "I'm glad you find this so amusing, Clark. Why don't you two come down off your mountain and help us little folks."

Clark and Lex started down the staircase. "Okay, what do you need me to do?"

Chloe bit her bottom lip as she surveyed the room around her. "Um, actually I think you guys are done."

"Done?!" exclaimed Lana.

"Well, yeah. I mean, everything is inside. And since Lex bought me so much stuff, and the room was already furnished, I don't need all my things. The essentials are already in my bedroom. All that's left to do is unpack the boxes and sort through everything to decided what stays and what goes into storage. And that's something you can't really help me with."

"So, we can go?" asked Pete hopefully.

Chloe grinned at him. "Yep. You all can go. I release you."

Clark frowned. "Are you sure, Chloe. We don't mind staying if you-"

Pete punched Clark on the shoulder and said, "Come on, Clark man. She said we could go." Pete picked up his backpack and was headed out the door. He threw one last 'goodbye, Chloe' over his should and then he was gone.

Clark still wasn't sure about leaving but then he looked at Lana and saw how tired she was. They had been working steadily for over six hours and none of his friends had his super stamina. Clark acquiesced. "If you're sure you'll be okay." He looked at Lana. "Would you like a ride home?" he asked her. Lana nodded gratefully.

Clark wrapped an arm around Lana's shoulder and escorted towards the door. "Hey, Clark," Chloe called after them. Lana and Clark both turned at the sound of their friend's voice. "Don't worry about me," the blonde said. She gestured at Lex who was currenly trying to tape together a box that had torn apart during the move. "I'm in good hands."

TBC