Re: Episode 8 - "Erin" (PG)
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LUTHOR MANSION
Lex was clearly taking his time.
Chloe had been sitting on the small couch by the fireplace for a full five minutes, tapping her right foot and resisting the urge to bite her nails, when Lex finally walked in holding a manila envelope.
“Excuse me for the delay, Chloe.” He gave her a brief smile as he took the seat across from her. “You got here faster than I expected.” The raised eyebrow and the hint of a smirk on his face was enough for her.
“I suppose I could have blamed you and my curiosity if I’d gotten a speeding ticket.” Without time for her mouth to check with her brain, Chloe blurted, “What did you find out?”
The smirk disappeared from his face and he was suddenly all business. Chloe suppressed a sigh. She hadn’t expected it to be good.
Lex took a few sheets from inside the envelope and looked over them before speaking.
“From the information you sent me, I was able to find some documents on that project.” He handed the papers over to Chloe and began to explain.
“Proficio Letum was indeed a research project and experiment to create a bacteria to shut down the internal organs in a slow, methodical process.”
Chloe’s eyes went from the papers to his face and for a second she wasn’t completely sure she wanted to know or was ready for the truth. But before she could dwell on it she had already nodded, prodding him to continue.
She could tell he was studying her reaction as he continued. “Initially, the objective of the bacteria was to help those with cancer suffer a less painful death.”
Her jaw was tight when she spoke. “Wouldn’t a bullet through the head be quicker?” Her tone was harsh but she didn’t care. “It’s murder just the same.” Chloe wasn’t aware she was so angry until she heard the strain in her voice.
Lex shook his head and calmly continued. “Many cancer patients ask to have their lives terminated but if their disease isn’t advanced enough, there is nothing the doctors can do because it’s not a case of unhooking the machines. The objective given to the staff involved was to develop something to help those patients in pain.”
He stood up and walked over to the window of the study, Chloe followed him with her eyes. “That, of course, was not my father’s real objective. As soon as the bacteria was created and ready to be tested in animals, he shortened the process and went straight to human testing.”
Chloe could not see his face but she could see his shoulders stiffen before he turned back to her. “This bacteria was a weapon in the eyes of my father, one to be sold to the highest bidder.” His tone was bitter now and Chloe heard the pain he was trying to conceal. “After the test subject was killed, part of the staff abandoned the project. Including your mother.”
Slowly, things started to fit into place. What Lex was saying made sense to her and looking at him, Chloe did her best not to let sympathy show in her face.
Lionel Luthor was a monster, everyone knew that, but Lex was still his son and Chloe couldn’t help feeling for him. Having to admit your father had done so much damage could not be easy on any child, especially not the son whom everyone compared to the parent. The young man standing before her, battling ingrained instincts NOT to become like the man who’d fathered him.
The few hours she’d thought of Erin as a murderer had not been fun. She could not even imagine what it would be like to feel that way your entire life.
The questions she’d been asking herself, however, had been answered. She could now imagine why Erin would get involved with such project.
With a short nod, Chloe looked up at Lex, who still stood by the window. “It makes sense. Especially the dates everything happened.”
Lex turned, his eyebrow perched high on his forehead, his eyes curious. Chloe took a breath before explaining.
“About a year before my mother left, her sister passed away. I always thought those facts were connected, even back then when my cousin Lois kept telling me my mother had left just like hers had. My aunt Ellen was Erin’s closest friend and the only family she had other than us. She died from lung cancer.”
Chloe browsed the files unconsciously, feeling Lex’s intense gaze on her. “I didn’t understand a lot at the time, but I remember not liking to visit my Aunt as time went by because she kept getting thinner and thinner. And she was in so much pain.”
With a shake of her head to clear her mind, she looked back at Lex. “It still doesn’t explain why Lionel did what he did.”
When Lex spoke, his voice was low and harsh. “Chloe, you should know by now that no one ends a deal with my father.”
She shivered. “But why go through all the trouble of putting Erin into an asylum instead of just killing her?” She wasn’t even aware of what she’d said until the words came out.
“Because the information she had could be useful to him at sometime or another. After Erin left, most of the research vanished. I don’t think anyone has the formulas used and I wasn’t able to find the full logs on any files. I don’t think it’s stored anywhere except for, perhaps, your mother’s brain.”
Lex walked over to the couch and sat beside Chloe, “I’ve contacted a few people and if you want your mother out of the institute, all you have to do is say so. With my father in prison, she should be safe to resume her life.”
Chloe stared blankly at Lex. She could see he wanted to take Erin out of there, to undo the wrongs Lionel had done, to feel like a better man than he thought he could be because of his father. She’d be a fool to admit the possibility that Lex had more than just an interest in helping her and redeeming his father’s deeds had not crossed her mind. But she liked to think she knew him better and that no matter what, he would not use the information if it existed, like his father had planned.
He was still staring at her, waiting for a response and she had only one answer to give to him.
Even though Chloe had spent most of her life forcing herself to be mad at Erin, recent events changed everything. Erin had been caught in Lionel’s web and had paid the price. Just like Chloe. Like mother like daughter.
Maybe history did repeat itself. Lex had been the one to help Chloe deal with Lionel, and he certainly could help Erin do the same.
“I’d like that, Lex.”
He looked at her carefully. “You’re sure you want her back in your life?”
She smiled grimly. “Yes. I know it won’t be easy, but I want my mother back.” She looked directly at him, surprised to see a hint of pain in the dark depths. Suddenly she realized he might be wishing the same for his mother.
They finally broke eye contact and he stood up with a small smile on his lips. “We’ll leave for Metropolis at 8 tomorrow morning.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
METROPOLIS
VPH: Venkon Psychiatric Hospital
By the time the chopper landed on the roof of the LuthorCorp tower, Chloe had no nails left. She was nervous, anxious and to some level, happy about what was about to happen. But most of all she felt relieved that Lex had offered his help.
Chloe was also curious, question after question bombarding her brain. While she and Lex had managed to figure out a good part of what happened, she still couldn’t understand how Erin had survived all these years, imprisoned, drugged and yet still retaining some form of her sanity.
As they entered the limo that would take them to the hospital, Chloe realized for the first time how serious and aloof Lex looked. She decided their silence had lasted long enough. Turning to look at him, she said, “I don’t think I thanked you for doing this.”
Lex glanced at Chloe as she spoke but just as quickly turned away. “It’s the least I could do.” His voice was even but she could tell he was tense.
“Lex,” Chloe paused uncertain of his reaction, but continuing bravely. “I hope you don’t feel like you have to do this because of Lionel. You’re two different people and you shouldn’t—“
“I don’t, Chloe.” He said dryly, still not looking at her.
It was obvious he wasn’t in a chatty mood so Chloe decided to leave him alone. The nervous tension was building as they drew closer to the Asylum. After a few more minutes of silence, the driver announced they had arrived.
Entering the hospital had not been an issue; apparently Lex had already contacted the staff. When they arrived one of the male nurses took them to a room that had four chairs and a simple table. It was very much like the room in which Chloe had met Erin for the first time, only this one had proper lighting and did not seem as cold.
Leaving them in the room, the male nurse announced he would go get ‘Ms. Smith.’ Chloe and Lex remained silent. A few moments later, the door opened and the male nurse entered, followed by Erin and a second nurse.
Lex nodded at the men and they both left after walking Erin to the seat opposite Chloe and Lex.
The first thing Chloe noticed was that Erin seemed much more alive. The second was that she wasn’t wearing a straight jacket, but a plain white shirt with matching pants. The third was that now that she was here, Chloe had no idea what to say.
Erin tried to hide her surprise at seeing Chloe and a young bald man, several years her daughter’s senior, across from her. Something inside her, something she might call hope, leapt up like a flame. But she’d been playing this game too long to let it show. Keeping her expression placid, but managing a wistful smile, she offered, “I’m glad you came back.”
Chloe returned Erin’s smile with a small, nervous one and hesitated before speaking, she wasn’t even sure what name she should call Erin by.
“Jane—“
“This room is secure Chloe, you don’t have to worry.” Lex’s tone was smooth but Chloe heard the dryness in it as he stood. “I have a few things to take care of while you two talk.”
“Lex, you don’t have to, you already know--” Chloe tried to argue, suddenly feeling even more nervous at the thought of being left alone with Erin but Lex cut her off.
“If you need anything, just ask the nurses to find me.” His words were reassuring but his face showed little emotion as he left the room.
Chloe knew she would spend hours later analyzing his reaction, but for the moment, she was on her own. She took a deep breath and turned back to Erin who had been watching the proceedings with increasing hope. Hearing the man Chloe called Lex announce the room was secure, seeing Chloe’s small, nervous smile, she suddenly realized Chloe might have found something to help her. But there was still some uncertainty in her gaze… and Chloe picked up on it.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to worry. He can’t get to you ever again.”
Erin wasn’t sure if she could believe her daughter, not after everything she’d been through and the efforts she’d made herself over the years. But one look at the hope trying to shine through Chloe’s nervous eyes told her she had to take the chance and trust her daughter.
“I guess this means you can call me Erin, Chloe.”
Chloe felt tears building as Erin acknowledged her true identity at last. She was glad the woman had not suggested she call her ‘mom’. It was going to take some getting used to.
“There is no need to be so nervous.” Erin continued in a calm voice.
Chloe couldn’t help the way her heart was pounding at the thought that this was the first time they could really talk after all those years. The nervousness of the first meeting was coming back along with the fears and expectations. “I just have so much to ask.” She was almost whispering.
Erin nodded; apparently she had questions of her own. “I’m sure you do. By the way, who’s your friend?”
The question caught Chloe by surprise, everyone knew Lex Luthor the moment they laid eyes on him. But then she remembered Erin probably did not have a lot of contact with the media from inside.
“Lex.” She paused and watched Erin’s face closely for a reaction. “Lex Luthor.”
Erin’s expression turned hard for a moment. She had a vague recollection of Lionel mentioning his son during their brief period of working together. Still, like father—like son. How could she trust a Luthor? Again?
Chloe would have missed Erin’s disapproval had she not been looking at the woman closely. Not that she blamed her. “I know you don’t like the Luthors, but Lex isn’t like his father. He’s helped me before and once he heard you were here because of Lionel, he offered to help again. I couldn’t have done it without his help.”
Deciding not to ask about the fact that Lionel Luthor’s son seemed willing to help her daughter, numerous times, Erin simply nodded. She did wonder however why Chloe would need a Luthor’s help much less give him her trust. Something told her whatever had happened in the years she’d missed, it wasn’t something she’d be happy about. She wondered, for a moment, if they were involved. She didn’t like the shiver the thought sent through her body, but for the moment, she’d give them the benefit of the doubt. For the moment.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Chloe’s voice. She hadn’t realized the girl had been studying her the whole time. “I thought they kept patients drugged in hospitals like this, to avoid trouble.”
Erin nodded. “They do.”
Chloe raised an eyebrow at Erin’s lucid countenance as the woman smiled, then sighed.
“Two years ago the doctor that was in charge of my wing, Dr. Harlene Quinzelle was transferred to Arkham Asylum in Gotham. She’d been paid by Lionel Luthor to make sure I was unable to communicate properly with anyone. Apparently the new doctor didn’t get the memo to keep me inarticulate and decreased my drug dosage.”
Chloe made a mental note to investigate the doctor.
“Almost a year ago, the drugs they gave me stopped working because I had been taking them for too long. Slowly I became lucid again, only I continued to act as if the drugs were still working. I didn’t want to call attention to myself—or alert Lionel that I was not as ‘secure’ as he thought.”
Chloe gave her first real smile. “You don’t have to worry about Lionel Luthor anymore. He’s in jail and not going anywhere.”
This time Erin didn’t hide her reaction, her eyes widened as she digested the new piece of information. Before she could reply, the door opened and Lex walked in.
“I hope I’m not interrupting,” His voice was relaxed but firm. “All the papers have been taken care of. Mrs. Sullivan you may leave as soon as you are ready.”
Erin’s eyes widened at hearing her own name, her gaze ping-ponging between Chloe and Lex.
“What?”
Hearing the almost desperate hope in Erin’s voice, Chloe began to explain what she and Lex had discovered.
Lex jumped in when she trailed off, informing Erin that he’d arranged for the treatment she would need to completely free her body from the drugs they’d been forcing on her and help her reacclimatize herself to a life outside the prison she’d been in for years. He also told her about the clinic he’d found for her in Granville and that she would soon have back her real name and all the official documentation that went with it.
“I can’t believe it.” Erin wasn’t sure what to say, the information almost an overload. After all this time, was it possible that she was finally free? Seeing the tears in Chloe’s eyes, she finally allowed herself to begin to believe.
“Believe it.” Chloe forced back her tears as Erin’s eyes filled. She watched as her mother slowly rose, hesitantly coming around the table, a question in her eyes.
“Chloe, how’s Gabe?” Erin held her breath, waiting for a response uncertain of how she would take whatever might be said.
Chloe smiled, seeing the hope in Erin’s eyes. “He’s fine, doing well.”
“Does he know you--”
Before Erin could finish her question Chloe shook her head. “No, not yet. I wanted to make sure of things before I told him. I’ll talk to him when I get home.”
Erin nodded, wondering if after all these years, her husband might still find a place for her in his heart. Because she knew he’d never left hers. But she didn’t know if she was ready for that yet. Not until she’d had some time to come to grips with the situation and get the drugs completely out of her system. But the time would come. Soon.
Feeling happier than she had in years, Erin tentatively reached out her arms to her daughter. With only a slight pause, Chloe stepped into Erin’s embrace, hugging her mother tightly. The two women held each other tightly, silently, enjoying a moment that needed no words. Finally pulling back, Chloe reached for a piece of paper and a pen. “This is our address, phone number, my cell phone and email so you can contact us when you want to. When you’re ready.” She swallowed hard as Erin nodded. She knew it would take time, but she was happy she’d taken the first step toward reuniting their family.
Erin held the paper tightly in her hand and kissed Chloe’s forehead. “I’ll be in touch, soon.” Looking at Lex, she smiled and extended her hand. “Thank you for doing this.”
Lex took her hand and shook it, a small smile on his face although his eyes were haunted. “Enrique will help you with your belongings and then accompany you to the clinic to make sure everything is alright. If you need anything, you can contact Chloe or myself.” He leaned over and wrote his number underneath Chloe’s before motioning to the door.
Enrique was waiting and when Lex signaled, he entered. “Help Mrs. Sullivan gather her things, please.” The butler smiled at Chloe, then at Erin before nodding.
“Shall we go, Mrs. Sullivan?”
Erin nodded. “Thank you.” She turned for a moment to look back at Chloe, love shining in her eyes. “We’ll see each other soon.” With a tremulous smile, Erin turned and left the room.
Chloe quickly blinked away the unshed tears, silently congratulating herself for not breaking down in front of Erin and then turned to Lex, who was watching her intently.
“Shall we go? It seems that you’re due a long talk with Gabe when you get home.”
Chloe nodded, following him into the hallway. As they neared the exit, she turned to him and smiled. “Thanks again Lex, for everything.” Before he could speak, she stopped him with a raised hand. “And don’t say it’s the least you could do, you don’t have an obligation to fix all the mistakes of your father. You did this because you’re different than he is. You’re a good man.” Every word she’d spoken was true. She’d wanted to tell him that for a while now. She knew it was something he needed to hear and she intended to tell him as often as possible.
Lex looked at her for a second, his expression neutral, then nodded and ushered her out the door.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
LANA’S APARTMENT
Clark walked into The Talon carrying a basket full of his mother’s pies she’d made earlier that morning but had forgotten in her haste to get to the coffee shop. He caught her eye from where she stood behind the counter and smiled.
“Oh Clark, you’re a lifesaver. Thank you.” Martha smiled, taking the basket from him. “We’ve been so busy today and we’re completely out of everything but raspberry pie.”
“No problem.” Clark glanced around the Talon trying to see if he could spot Lana, but she was nowhere to be found.
“She’s upstairs.”
Clark looked at her and raised an eyebrow. “How do you know I was looking for Lana?”
Martha gave her son a long look and laughed. “I’m not clueless Clark. Besides, who cooked for your first date?” She grinned at his sheepish expression. “Now go and say hello to her like I know you want to”
Clark shrugged his shoulders and made his way up the stairs. The door was slightly open and Clark stuck his head into the room. He spotted Lana standing in front of an easel, a half painted picture resting on it. He watched as she slowly stroked the paintbrush across the rough surface, humming along to the song that was filtering out of the stereo.
He cleared his throat a few times and when that didn’t get her attention, he walked over to where she was, reached around and hit ‘pause’ on the CD player.
Lana jumped, let out a little squeak as she whipped around, and then promptly poked her paintbrush right into his chest.
“Clark!” She dropped the paintbrush onto the floor and turned bright red. Light blue paint was splattered all over her clothing and there were even a few speckles on her face.
Clark looked down at his t-shirt which now had a big blue splotch right in the center of it and then back up at Lana.
“Sorry,” she replied sheepishly. “Knee jerk reaction. Not that poking someone with a paint brush would cause them any harm but...” she trailed off and turned to drop the brush onto the table with the rest of her art supplies.
“You were pretty involved in your painting.”
Lana shrugged. “When I paint it’s like... I get in this zone. Someone could drop a bomb outside and I probably wouldn’t notice.” She turned to him and smiled. “So what brings you into my domain?”
“I dropped some pies off that Mom forgot. She said you were up here and I figured I’d stop in and say hi.” Clark tried not to look too eager.
“Oh... well, hi.” Lana smiled shyly, tucking a strand of hair that had fallen out of her pony tail behind her ears.
“Hi.”
The two stared at each other for a moment before Lana shook her head and moved towards the kitchen. “So... how’s Chloe? The last time I saw her she looked pretty shaken up about something.”
Clark followed Lana and leaned against the counter top, watching as she opened the fridge and pulled out two bottles of water, offering one to him. “Oh... um, she found her Mom, actually.”
Lana choked on the water she had been drinking and stared at Clark with wide eyes. “What?”
“She found her mom.”
“But... I thought... I thought Chloe knew where her mom was and that she wanted nothing to do with Chloe.” Lana was confused and slightly concerned. She knew that although Chloe didn’t talk much about her mother, the issue was a sore one.
Clark sighed. “A few weeks ago Chloe found out from a source she met when she interned at the Daily Planet that the information she had was wrong. Thirteen years ago Erin Sullivan became Jane Smith. Chloe looked for months and finally found her mom... in a mental institution.”
“A mental institution...” Lana quietly gasped. “God.”
“A mental institution right in Metropolis, no less.” Clark sighed and began to explain what he and Chloe had found out about Erin Sullivan, her work with Lionel and subsequent punishment. When he’d finished, Lana looked shocked.
“I think I’m going to be sick.” Lana now looked ill. “Poor Chloe. To find out that Lionel not only had it out for her but for her mom as well. It’s got to be devastating. Is there anything we can do? I mean, how is she?”
Clark shook his head. “I’m not sure. She and Lex went to get Erin out of the asylum this morning.” At her curious look, he explained how Lex had helped Chloe figure things out.
Lana nodded. “I’m sure she’s still pretty shaken up. Maybe we could take her to dinner in Granville or something. Help her get her mind off of everything. I can’t even begin to imagine what she’s feeling right now.”
“Sounds like a good plan.” Clark smiled gently at the brunette’s concern. “Let’s wait a few days, though. Once everything dies down, we’ll do something really special for her.”
The two were interrupted by Martha’s soft voice at the door. “I hate to interrupt but we just got slammed downstairs. Lana, would you mind giving me a hand?”
Lana shook her head. “Not at all. Let me change into something a little less disgusting and I’ll be right down.”
Martha smiled, feeling an added burst of affection for her son as she watched Clark watching Lana, having overheard the end of their conversation. Clark had filled her in on Chloe’s situation and Martha couldn’t even imagine what Chloe, Erin and Gabe were going to go through in the next few months. But she knew she would do everything she could to help.
”Coming, Clark?”
Clark nodded and made his way out of the apartment, closing the door behind him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
SULLIVAN RESIDENCE
As she drove back, Chloe planned out how she was going to tell Gabe everything. By the time she was opening her front door, she still had no idea how to start.
As soon as the door closed, Chloe heard her father’s footsteps on the stairs.
“Chloe!” Gabe’s concern was clear on his face as he descended the stairs. “Where were you? I was worried.”
Chloe was starting to get used to her Dad worrying more about her. She really couldn’t blame him considering the events of the past summer.
“Dad, I’m sorry I didn’t leave you a note.” She moved towards the kitchen, suddenly craving coffee, and a brief distraction from her father’s questioning.
“You left before 9 in the morning. On a Sunday! And coffee is not going to distract me, Chloe. What’s going on?”
She sighed. He knew her too well. Taking a deep breath, she turned to look at him across the table. “You might want to sit down.”
He did, clearly curious, worried and somewhat nervous. Chloe could see the emotions and feelings on his face and her own emotions trembled near the surface.
“I was in Metropolis, with Lex.” At his wide-eyed gaze, she realized this was not the best way to begin things. “We went to Venkon.”
“The Mental Asylum?” Gabe was definitely worried now, “Chloe tell me you didn’t go looking for another meteor freak, you know you always get hurt when you--”
“Not a meteor freak.” She cut him off, settling down on the chair next to his and taking a deep breath before meeting his eyes. “Dad, I went to see Erin.”
Chloe could see shock then confusion appear on his features. “Your mother?” The words were nearly whispered a look in his eyes that Chloe could not define. It made her eyes water and her heart ache –with both pain and hope.
Nodding slowly, Chloe took his hand and began to explain.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
End of Episode 8
Re: Episode 8 - "Erin" (PG)
This was a very emotional episode and I loved the fact that Lex was there for Chloe. I really liked Chloe´s ability to see beyond Lex´s armour and the way she showed her gratitude without letting him belittle his beautiful gesture.
Bring on the next epsiodes!:grin3:
Re: Episode 8 - "Erin" (PG)
I love that Chloe trusted Lex to help her with her mom--their devotion to each other is beautiful to see.
And I like that Chloe told her dad all about meeting her mom--maybe the Sullivans can be together again!