A/N: Okay this is the final chapter--I hope it doesn't disappoint. I would like to thank everyone for the kind reviews--it is much appreciated :)

Hidden Truths

Chapter 13

The letter arrived six weeks to the day that Chloe's article was published at The Daily Planet.

The article featured the arrest of Dr. Dana Baxter, who confessed to being an accessory in the death of her partner, Dr. Charles Flint. Lionel Luthor was the actual killer, but he was already in jail, serving a life sentence in the deaths of his parents. Baxter also admitted to framing an innocent woman, Claire Sullivan, for the crime.

The article went on to state that Baxter would also be indicted for her complicity in the deaths of hundreds of children over a span of fifteen years.

In a related article, the FDA announced that the anti-depressant manufactured by Drs. Flint and Baxter would be recalled, and that the families of the women who had taken the drug were urged to contact the Attorney General so that their names could be added to a lawsuit directed against the doctors and Metropolis University, who funded the research and production of the drug.

Chloe's article ended with a plea for her mother to contact her, and she was going to ask The Daily Planet to forward her the responses, if she received any.

When Lex heard about her plan, he warned Chloe that she would be inundated with letters from women who would claim to be her long lost mother. He then offered her a better solution. He told Chloe to give Luthor Manor as the address to contact her with, and that way, his people could sift through all the letters to find the right one.

Chloe was hesitant at first, but Gabe rallied on Lex's side, claiming this was the surest way to weed out any potential wackos. Finally, Chloe agreed to the plan. She was stunned when Lex showed her the amount of letters she received after the first week. She was convinced that her mom's response was in that batch, but it wasn't.

Four more weeks went by, and still no reply. Chloe knew that Lex had his investigators working on locating her mom, but they had been unable to trace her.

Chloe tried to remain hopeful, but despair had begun to set in. She refused to believe that her mother was dead, but why hadn't she tried to contact her?

The story of Flint's murder and Lionel Luthor's involvement were big news, in the United States and abroad. Her article had appeared in international papers, so if her mother were living in another country, she would still be able to see the news.

Shaking her head in sudden anger at herself, Chloe slammed down the newspaper she had been reading. Gabe, who had been sitting at the kitchen table, jumped in his seat at his daughters' burst of anger.

He took one look at the aggravated expression on her face, and he asked her suddenly, "Sparrow, do you remember what your mom's career was?"

Chloe blinked in surprise, and opened her mouth to answer. She closed it just as quickly because she realized that she didn't know what her mom had done for a living. She shook her head slowly. "Geez, Dad, I don't know. I never thought to ask."

Gabe grinned at her. "Well, prepared to be surprised. Your mom was a theater actress."

Chloe's eyes widened in shock. "Mom was an actress?! Why don't I remember this, and how come it didn't appear in any of the articles about her arrest?"

Gabe looked thoughtful before he replied. "Flint had been a major player in Metropolis. He was the psychiatrist to Lillian Luthor, for God's sake. I think the press focused more on Flint because his name was more high profile then a local actress."

Chloe nodded, bemused. "I guess that makes sense. But Dad, I really want to know what Mom's acting career was like, and I wish I could actually remember."

Gabe paused before he spoke. "Your mom was never the leading actress. She always played more of the character roles . She never got the press she deserved, but she had legions of fans that adored her. She appeared in numerous stage plays, and she was the supporting actress on a local TV show that was filmed right in Metropolis."

Chloe leaned forward in her chair, fascinated at what her father was telling her. Gabe warmed to his story, a proud smile on his face. "The critics and her fans always felt as though she was the star, but the producers and writers felt differently. But Claire was never bitter. She loved acting and she appreciated her loyal fan base. Her fans never wavered in their belief in her innocence."

Gabe paused in his speech, ashamed of his belief in his wife's guilt. "I wish I could say the same."

Chloe reached out, and covered her father's hand with her own. "Don't you dare feel guilty, Dad. You were as much a victim as anyone else. Your first though was to protect me, and that is what you did. Don't waste any more energy on guilt. It's not worth it."

Gabe pulled Chloe into a brief, bone-crushing hug. He was proud of his daughter, and her hoped her mother would soon get to see what an extraordinary young woman they had.

He let go of her, when they both heard the doorbell ring. Chloe stood up to answer the door, but she heard Lex's voice before she saw him. "Chloe, I've got it!"

He appeared in the kitchen doorway, a minute later, an envelope in his hand. "I hope you don't mind, but I left myself in." He was breathless, and Chloe wondered for a brief moment if Lex had run all the way from the Manor to her house.

Gabe offered Lex a chair and a glass of water. Lex accepted both with a grateful smile. Silently, he turned to Chloe and handed her the letter.

She reached out and took it from him, as though she were afraid that it might explode. She looked at the return address, and saw the name Claire Donovan, followed by an address in Pennsylvania. She asked without looking away from the letter, "This is legitimate?"

Lex nodded. "I wouldn't have come over here if it wasn't confirmed. It's your mom, Chloe."

Chloe surprised everyone, including herself, when she burst into tears. Lex crossed the room, and pulled Chloe into his arms. She buried her face in his neck, and cried for all she was worth. Her tears were caused partly in happiness, but also in fear. What if her mom didn't want to see her? And what if her mom did want to meet her, and she was disappointed in how she turned out?

Lex let her cry herself out, until she seemed to be only hiccupping. He pulled back slightly so he could see Chloe's face. Her face and eyes were bright red from her tears, but she appeared to be calmer. She gathered herself together, and stepped away from him, embarrassed that her breakdown happened in front of Lex and her dad.

Chloe still had the letter clutched in her hand, but it was wrinkled from where it had been crushed when Lex embraced her. She knew that she had to read it, but she couldn't do it with both men hovering around her.

Chloe hesitated for a second, not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings. Her dad spoke up first. "Sparrow, go read your mom's letter in my study. No one will bother you in there."

For a moment Lex looked disappointed, but then an understanding smile broke across his face. "Yes, Chloe, go read your letter in peace. We'll be here if you need us."

Chloe quickly walked up to her dad, and hugged him. She then turned to Lex, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Then, without another word, she left the kitchen.

Lex and Gabe exchanged a look, and both sat down at the kitchen table. Neither man spoke for a full minute. Finally Gabe broke the silence. "So, Lex. How about a game of cards?"

Lex grinned. "Gabe, I would love to play some cards. How about 'Go Fish?'"

"My dearest Chloe,

I really don't know how to begin this letter. Introducing myself seems redundant, but I think I should. My name is Claire Donovan Sullivan, and I am your mother. I never thought that I would ever be able to say those words again, but thanks to you, I can.

Words can't express the shock I felt when I saw your article. My local paper usually just carries the news from Philadelphia, but I guess if a Luthor is involved, it's national news.

My anger at what Dr. Baxter did to us will never dissipate. I missed out on your childhood, and all because of other people's crimes, and my own fear.

I am sure your father did a fine job of raising you, but it couldn't have been easy, for either of you. I can't make up for the years I missed, but maybe we can make a fresh start. Perhaps we can build a relationship from here, as friends. Please think about it.

I want to tell you where I've been for the past twelve years, but it is a long and painful story, and I don't know if I can bear to tell you all of it. But you deserve some piece of mind.

After I left you and your dad, I was at a complete loss. I spent my entire life in Metropolis, and I had never really been anywhere else. I was living in Edge City, and the rather large sum Dr. Baxter had given me made things easier, when a thought occurred to me. I was an actress, and I could play any part handed to me.

I began to look for regional theater companies that I could audition for. After several months, I finally landed a role with The Thespians, a theater group connected with Metropolis University.

I couldn't believe my luck. I would be able to keep an eye on you, without Dr. Baxter's knowledge. I had already dyed my blonde hair brown, and I began to wear glasses. I was convinced that no one would recognize me. It seemed like a foolproof plan.

I would go to your school every morning and afternoon, trying to catch a glimpse of you. When I did, I couldn't believe the changes you had both undergone. Your poor father looked pale, and exhausted. And you, you looked like you had forgotten how to laugh. I wanted to run and scoop you up, but I was afraid at what Baxter would do if she found out. So, I just stayed in the shadows, and watched, hoping that things would get better.

I was able to stay in Metropolis for six months, until disaster struck. We were at rehearsals for a play we were doing for Met U. By this time, my fear had all but disappeared, and in its place, was a seething rage. Our lives were destroyed, and it was my entire fault. I decided that I was going to show myself to both of you, that maybe I could help you get back some of the joy that I had taken from you.

That night's performance was strictly for the Met. U. faculty and their families. I can't tell you what exactly happened, but I can only say that I had gotten careless. I didn't wear my glasses, and my character had blonde hair, so I wore a wig.

In short, I looked like myself. I remember that there was a short reception after the play. I went to the party, and took a sip of a drink that was handed to me. The next thing I knew, I was in a straight jacket, back in Baxter's godforsaken warehouse.

Sparrow, I was never so scared in my life. I had no idea how I got there, and if Dr. Baxter had done anything to hurt you or your dad. By the time she came to check on me, I was ready to confess to anything, just so she wouldn't hurt either of you. I don't really know why she chose to let me go again, she could have just killed my outright. But now that I know Lionel Luthor's involvement, I think she was scared to tell him I had come back. So, she covered up, again.

This time, I didn't take any chances. I took all of money and my possessions, and I left Metropolis and I never looked back.

Please tell me that you aren't disappointed in me. Please tell me that you still want to see me. I am enclosing my telephone number, home address, and email address. Contact me anyway you want to, but please contact me.

My love always,

Mom"

Chloe folded up her letter, and wiped at her eyes. She stood up and walked into the kitchen. "Lex, how soon can you have your jet ready? We're going to meet my mom."

THE END