Chapter One

Lex checked his watch for the tenth time that morning. He was eating breakfast in the dining room (a new development since Chloe had moved in) and couldn't help but wonder what was taking her so long to join him. He used to have the staff bring his breakfast into his study, where he worked through the mountains of paperwork on his desk before going into the Plant. With Chloe living there now, he'd begun to eat his meals in the dining room, so she would have some company.

Actually, if he was honest with himself, he enjoyed having someone else in the place; it gave him a feeling of normalcy. Hence the constant watch checking. Chloe had been an early riser all week, not because she was particularly a morning person, but because she'd been having trouble sleeping. She hadn't told him of course, but the security personnel he had on her had let him know.

Just as he was checking his watch again (number eleven) the clicking of her shoes on the stone floor announced her arrival. "Good morning Chloe," he greeted her, and then took a sip of coffee.

"Morning," she yawned and groped desperately for the coffee decanter in the middle of the table, immediately pouring herself a cup. She gulped it back quickly, seemingly not noticing the temperature, and poured a second cup. He quirked an eyebrow at her, but didn't say anything. "Going back to work today?" she asked him, noting the suit he was wearing. He'd taken the last week off of work, and hung around the mansion, helping her settle in.

Truthfully, he'd spent most of his time hovering over her, driving her crazy. He realized the day before and decided that maybe it was best if he returned to his normal routine, so he was going back to work. "I'd planned on it," Lex sipped his orange juice. "But I could take the day off if you want me to stay here with you."

"That's okay," she replied quickly, almost too quickly. "You should go to work."

Lex tried not to feel too insulted, because he knew that if she'd done it to him, he would be much ruder about letting her know. "Do you have any plans for today?" he asked instead. She averted her eyes and looked into her eggs.

"Actually I do," she poked at the eggs with her fork. Lex was pleased to hear that she was doing something; she'd spent the last week on the mansion grounds. "Mrs. Kent is coming to pick me up," she continued. "Hear and Pete are going to help me go through the stuff at home, start packing it up."

Lex was silent for a moment. "Chloe you should have said something," he told her. "I could just get some movers in to pack everything for you."

"No," she cried, surprising him. "I don't want strangers going through my dad's things... I mean, thanks anyways, but—"

Lex shook his head, cutting her off. "Don't apologize, I understand," he told her kindly. "If you need any help let me know. I'll go over and lend a hand, okay?"

She nodded quietly and proceeded to finish her breakfast in silence. Lex followed her lead, the only sounds filling the large dining room was the clanks of cutlery against the dishes.

Lex finished eating and checked his watch. He frowned slightly, realizing that he had to get going if he was going to get to work for nine. "I'm going to go now," he walked over to her and put a hand down on her shoulder. "Call me at work if you need anything."

Chloe nodded. "Have a good day," she said numbly to his retreating back. Lex paused briefly in the doorway, but then kept walking.

Pete found Chloe amongst a pile of boxes later that day. She'd packed up all of her father's clothes into large boxes with the word "donations" written across them in black marker. Currently, she was sitting at the end of Gabe's bed, staring intently at a picture frame in her hands.

"Chlo?" Pete asked her, making her jump slightly in surprise. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"That's okay," she gave him a weak grin and put the frame into a nearby box. "I was spacing." She got up off of the bed and walked over to the dresser, dropping various objects into yet another box.

"Kitchen's all packed," Pete told her. "Mrs. Kent moved on to the living room. I thought I'd come and see if you needed any help."

Chloe sighed and looked around the room. "It's just furniture left," she ran a hand through her hair exhaustedly. "But Dad's office needs to be packed up, and my stuff does too."

"Do you want me to start on the office?" Pete asked her, not really wanting to have to go through Chloe's things. She didn't answer. "Chlo? Chloe?"

"What?" Chloe snapped to attention and shook her head to clear it. "Oh yeah, sure. You do the office."

Pete frowned. "Maybe we should go outside for a few minutes. Get some air?" He thought she might fight him, but instead she merely nodded dazedly. Pete slung an arm around her shoulder and led her out of Gabe's room, down the stairs, and into the living room. Martha was packing various videos and DVDs into a box.

"Hey you two," she greeted them and climbed to her feet, brushing her hands off on her jeans.

"We were thinking about taking a break," Pete told her. Martha smiled in relief.

"That's a good idea," she nodded. "I could use a drink."

"Talon?" Pete asked them. Chloe almost moaned at the idea of her favorite coffee.

The Talon's new managers had left the coffee shop the same way that it was when Lana ran it. The Egyptian theme remained, and so did most of the old wait staff. Chloe could feel the eyes on her when she walked inside with Pete and Martha. She ignored them and slid into a free booth beside Pete. One of the waitresses, Chrissy, came over to take their order.

"Hi guys," she greeted them and gave Chloe an annoyingly sympathetic smile. "What can I get for you?"

"I'll have a green tea please," Martha ordered politely. Pete asked for a regular coffee.

"Do you want your usual Chloe?" Chrissy asked her.

"Yeah, please," Chloe nodded distractedly. Chrissy seemed a little put off by her lack of enthusiasm, unusual when Chloe was about to get her favorite latte, but managed to quickly hide it with a large smile.

"Coming right up," she chirped and made her way over to the counter to prepare the drinks.

Chloe sighed and slumped down into her seat, closing her eyes. She was exhausted from getting up so early. "Chloe?" Martha asked her. "Are you all right?"

"Tired," Chloe forced her eyes open. "I was up early today."

"Maybe we should call it a day," Martha suggested. "We can finish packing tomorrow." Pete nodded and looked at Chloe expectantly.

"That sounds good," he agreed, voice hopeful.

"Okay," Chloe sighed again, wishing that everyone would stop trying so hard to please her. "Could we stop back there and pick up some of my things though?"

"Is your room at Luthor's pretty bare?" Pete grinned. She shrugged.

"It's nice," she clarified. "But I don't have any of my books or CDs." Chrissy brought the drinks over to them. Chloe watched her when she carried a mug over to a man a few tables away, Quinn. She'd forgotten about him.

"He's good," Martha followed her gaze. "I didn't even notice him following us."

"Trust Lex Luthor to know the best professional stalkers in Metropolis," Pete couldn't resist the jab.

"I like him," Chloe muttered quietly, sipping at her drink. She caught Quinn's gaze briefly before letting her mind drift into space again.

TBC...