Chlark Fanfic: Crisis, Chapter 34

[babydee1]

Another speedy update.  I'm getting good at this! 

Enjoy. :-) 

Title:              Crisis 
Author:          BabyDee
Pairing:          Chlark/Kaloe
Rating:           NC-17, this chapter PG13 
Warnings:     ***Angst*** 
Timeline:      Season 2-3 (Exodus – Exile; Clark’s RedK Summer & beyond) 
Disclaimer:   All characters belong to the CW & DC comics  
Summary:     A violent encounter between Chloe and Clark threatens to destroy their friendship forever. 
Feedback:      …would be appreciated. :)

Read previous chapter here. 
Read story from the beginning here.

Chapter 34

Clark spent the early hours of the morning moving items out of his room and into the loft.  He worked swiftly, rearranging items and erecting panels into makeshift walls until he’d created a decent living space, complete with a functional door and windows.  Once was done, he made his way over to Chloe’s to assist with the heavy lifting and packing.

The news of Gabe Sullivan’s relocation swept quickly through the close-knit Smallville community, and before noon on Saturday the Sullivan home was teeming with eager volunteers, ready to offer a helping hand with the move.  There was a jovial camaraderie amongst the movers, which was sure to make the upheaval considerably easier for Chloe and her dad to bear. 

Clark observed her silently from a short distance.  She stood at her father’s side giving directions to the volunteer neighbours with one hand while wrapping fragile, breakable items in newspaper with the other.  He supposed she was thankful for the distraction; she hadn’t said much or really indicated how the move was affecting her, but it couldn’t be easy to make such a significant change almost overnight, with barely any time for her new situation to even sink in. 

She followed a group of people shifting a heavy bureau and gave them instructions on how to load it into the truck.  While her back was turned he managed to slip away and sped up to her room on the first floor.  He stuck his head in the door and had a quick glance around, then ducked back out and re-joined the group, offering a hand to help shift a sofa onto the waiting truck as well as a lot of other heavy, bulky items.   

Once it was loaded, he hopped behind the wheel and drove to the Farm, heading straight out to the back forty to unload the lot into the hitherto unused barn.  It didn’t take long, and in minutes he’d made the best use of the available space.  Satisfied, he drove back out onto the main road and passed another mover vehicle on his way, tooting his horn in recognition as they drove past.

Before returning to the Sullivan household he made a quick visit to the hardware store, where among other things he picked up a few cans of paint and some dark-stain floor varnish which he took home with him. 

“How’s the moving going?” his mother asked as he walked in the door. 

“Pretty well, Mom,” he replied.  “The largest and heaviest items have already been moved, so I thought I should get a start on Chloe’s room before heading back out there.” 

“Go ahead,” she said with a quick nod, then smiled.  “It’s funny how you’ve already begun to think of it as Chloe’s room.” 

He gave his mother a quick smile and zoomed upstairs with his purchases.  Once in his old room he took one last wistful look around.  His former personal space was now a blank canvas to create a new room for Chloe, and he knew exactly what he wanted to do with it. 

Everything was going to change, he thought.  But as long as it was for the better, he was all for it. 

With that thought, he arranged all his items in a tidy row, cracked open the paint cans, and got to work.

***

The day seemed to go by in a blur. 

Chloe wiped her dusty brow as the last of their furniture was loaded onto a truck, and smiled and waved at Mr Hubbard as he drove down the road.   She shielded her eyes from the setting sun as the vehicle trundled away, and turned slightly as footsteps approached. 

“That’s the last of it,” she said as her father came to stand beside her.  “Mr Kent should be here soon to give us a lift over to the Farm.” 

“Well done Peanut, you’ve worked so hard today,” he said, squeezing her shoulder.  “How are you doing?” 

“I’m fine, thanks Dad.  “We’ve made really good progress—”

“What I mean is, how do you really feel about all this?” he asked gently. 

She gave him a bright smile.  “I said I’m fine.” 

He folded his arms and stared at her intently.  “Chloe, this whole thing is a huge adjustment that you had absolutely no warning about.  You’ve hardly had time to process the fact that in a few hours, I’ll be gone and you’ll be a houseguest at the Kent Farm for the next few months.  And you say you’re fine?  I need the truth.  Please.” 

She took a deep breath and waited a while before replying. 

“So much has changed in the last 24 hours,” she finally admitted.  “I’m trying not to think too much about everything, but…” she sighed.  “Us moving to a whole new State, and me having to stay with the Kents in the interim is a lot to take in.  I’d rather just take each day as it comes and handle it as I go along.” 

“Thank you for being honest with me, kiddo,” he said thickly, squeezing her shoulder again.  “You know that I would never leave your side for a second unless I really had to, right?” 

“Oh, Dad,” she cried, and gave him a fierce hug.  “I know.  Of course I know.  This new job is a wonderful opportunity, and with our circumstances you couldn’t afford to turn it down.  You have my support Dad, one-hundred percent.  Okay?” 

He smiled and stroked her hair.  “Okay.  I’ll stop worrying now.” 

A car horn beeped, and Jonathan Kent’s truck turned into the driveway and stuck his head out the window.  “All set?” 

Gabe nodded.  “Pretty much.  Chloe - you ready?”

“I, um…can I just do one last check before we leave?” she said in a small voice.  “Just to make sure we haven’t forgotten anything…?” 

Jonathan nodded with understanding in his eyes.  “Of course, Chloe.  Take as much time as you need.” 

She ran back into the house and clambered up the stairs to her old bedroom, giving it one last look with suddenly teary eyes.  Of course it was completely empty, all her belongings already on the move; but for one last second she closed her eyes and visualised it as it had been. 

Life had changed.  Change was always difficult, even more so in her own special circumstances.  She would never let her father know, but the thought of living under the same roof as the person who had hurt her so cruelly just a few short months ago was terrifying.  Granted, Clark had been completely repentant and supportive of her ever since, even to the point of allowing her to harm him in equally heinous ways, and she had come to the realisation that with support on both sides, they could come back from the horror of everything that had happened.  Still, that was before she knew that she would have to live in the same house as him; in his bedroom, even. 

At the thought, a chill ran through her and she wrapped her arms around herself, her hands suddenly clammy and numb. 

Yes, she was terrified.  But her father couldn’t ever know either how she was feeling, or what had happened between her and Clark, because it would ruin all their lives for good.  Her selfish ambition and desire for revenge had already caused her father to lose one hard-earned job; she wouldn’t dare do anything that would cost him another.  Her own fears and feelings would just have to take a back seat to what was more important. 

She opened her eyes and stared at her room again, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand.  She took a deep breath and composed herself, and then stepped out of the room and headed downstairs without looking back. 

It was time to leave. 

***

Once her father had checked that all their items had been properly stowed, he and Jonathan secured the storage barn in the Back Forty and drove to the homestead.  Clark’s mom had promised to feed all the hands involved in helping them move, and true to her word she had put on an enviable spread - which disappeared very quickly.  There was lots of chatter and merriment as her father was toasted on his success and wished well for his new job. 

Jonathan drove them to Metropolis after dinner.  They had booked a hotel close to Metropolis Airport so that her father could catch his five-hour flight in good time the following afternoon. 

“All done?” Jonathan asked as Gabe picked up the keys to their rooms from the receptionist. 

“All done,” he confirmed, offering Clark’s father a firm handshake.  “I can’t thank you enough Jonathan.  You and Martha your support these last few months and days has been overwhelming.  I honestly don’t know what we would have done without all your assistance.”

“Think nothing of it, Gabe,” Jonathan replied, waving it away.  “We’re just happy that things have worked out for you.”  He glanced at his watch, and frowned.  “It’s getting late, so I’ll be off now.  Martha will be along tomorrow to drop you off at the airport and pick Chloe up.” 

Chloe thanked him and waited while the two men shared a manly hug goodbye.  Jonathan left, and she and her father went up to the adjoining rooms.  Quickly she showered and crawled into bed, determined to fall asleep before her father came to check on her. 

She was still awake when he tapped lightly on the door and called her name, but she didn’t answer.  Of course he assumed she was asleep and left, and she exhaled slowly.  The less time he had to scrutinise her, the less likely he was to pick up on her latent fears.

***

“Wake up, Peanut, it’s a new day!” she heard her father sing as he yanked open the blackout blinds in her room.  Chloe grumbled in protest and pulled the covers over her head, but her dad was too high on life to slow down. 

“Come on - up you get,” he said, affectionately ruffling the top of her head which was barely visible over the top of the duvet. 

“What time is it?” she mumbled. 

“Almost ten-thirty.  We’ve missed breakfast in the restaurant, but I thought it would be fun to order room service for our last breakfast in Kansas.  What do you fancy?” 

Chloe sat up and stared at her father as she considered his question.  A hazy memory surfaced in her mind and heart; a memory of a young man with a tear-streaked face, smiling as he struggled to work a griddle, doing his utmost to stay positive and maintain a sense of normalcy for his confused five-year old daughter…and she knew without a doubt what she wanted on their last morning together. 

“Waffles,” she said quietly.  “Could I have waffles, please, Dad?”

Gabe’s exuberance faded, and his eyes turned suspiciously bright.  “As many as you can eat.” 

***

Chapter 35…

Comments

[eternal-moonie.livejournal.com]

*SHOWS YOU LURVE*

AMAZING new chapter sweetums!

[babydee1.livejournal.com]

Thankee, Jan dear! :-)

[grlmonday.livejournal.com]

Your icon...wow...

Tom is just *sigh*

[babydee1.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know. *sighs with you* :-)

[madlenita.livejournal.com]

Thanks for new chapter, i hope that this will will works, because my laptop don't like my internet and i have problems . . .
So in next chapter wil be Chloe'Gabe a little talk? And some Jonathan/Chloe interaction? I can't wait for this...
In next two week i don't have go to work (urlop) so i will be waiting for this while paiting my beedrom ;-)

[babydee1.livejournal.com]

" Thanks for new chapter, i hope that this will will works, because my laptop don't like my internet and i have problems . . ."

No worries hun, it posted fine! :-)

Patience"So in next chapter wil be Chloe'Gabe a little talk? And some Jonathan/Chloe interaction? I can't wait for this..."

Patience, Maddie! :-D

"In next two week i don't have go to work (urlop) so i will be waiting for this while paiting my beedrom ;-)"

You and Clark both, eh? ;-) I am actually almost finished with the following chapter, so touch wood I can get that posted later on this week! :-)

[easilyenraged.livejournal.com]

Awesome.

[jlvsclrk.livejournal.com]

*sniffle* It must be so hard for Chloe to face all this change, and then to add her fear of Clark on top of it... My hat is off to her!

I can't wait to see how she settles into the Kent Farm. I'm wondering if Clark did something special for her room?

[silversnikle.livejournal.com]

So proud of Clark helping like this... But really, what else could we expect? And you just know he has his room already transformed into a copy of her old one... It just shows that deep down he's a wonderfully giving guy.

And Gabe is so sweet! I bet he is just dying inside having to leave her behind. I am glad that Chloe actually let him in on her true feelings, even if she didn't go into any kind of detail. It's important to communicate with your parents about your thoughts and feelings on things, especially BIG things.

And yes, that WAS a quick update! lol YAY :-)

Thank you for this chapter, it's just kind of light compared to some of the others and let's us all breathe a little before it all get's real again.

[grlmonday.livejournal.com]

Ahhhh! Another update so soon! Girl, you're on fire!

I can feel Chloe's pain when she looks at her bedroom one final time. I am glad you addressed the anxiety she feels about living with Clark. They're both nervous and that's understandable. Can't wait to see how you deal with her first few nights there! Also, I wonder what Clark was up to with the paint.

[pompeypearly-v2.livejournal.com]

i am really feeling for CHloe here. poor thing is hurting so much!!! if her dad knew, tihngs would be so different, but i totally understand her saying nothing.

you almost had me tearing up with the waffles.

love it hun xxx

[jacques21.livejournal.com]

Great update.

Glad that move out day went so well. Chloe is still trying to be so strong and not show her father how much it sucks that he's leaving when she needs him the most.

I'm really wondering what kind of decorating Clark did to his old room.

This is going to be a humongous change for both Chloe and Clark.