Fic: Hidden Truths: A Sparrow Mends

[kitmerlot_1213]

Chapter 11


"Guys?! You have to see this!"

Clark turned expectantly when he heard Lex and Chloe come up behind him, eager to see what he had discovered. They looked at him for an explanation but Clark simply pointed at the wall.

Chloe turned but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. She moved to take a step closer to the wall, but she was stopped by Lex’s hand on her arm.

She turned a questioning gaze on him, but he started to turn her towards the door. Before she could begin to protest, Clark had grabbed her other arm and she was being hustled out of the warehouse.

When they reached the outside, she shook their hands off of her, and glared in anger at them. "Want to tell me what the manhandling was for?"

Neither man answered her. Instead, Lex pulled out his cell phone, and announced, "I’m calling the FBI."

Clark nodded in agreement, and started a fast walk towards the entrance to the building. "I think I can diffuse it."

Lex started to protest, but Clark interrupted. "There’s a chance all of those records could be lost. Do you really want to take that risk?"

Chloe listened to their conversation and asked incredulously. "There’s a freakin’ bomb in there? Shit, Clark, there’s an even bigger chance that you could be blown up with the records!"

Clark smiled grimly at his friends. "Guys, I can do this. Trust me!"

Lex and Chloe turned to look at each other, and in that split second, Clark was back inside the building.

After what felt like an eternity, but was actually two minutes, Clark came back to the doorway and shouted, "Everything is okay. It’s not going to go off."

Chloe and Lex exchanged another look and started to run towards the warehouse again.

Neither spoke their suspicions aloud, but they weren’t surprised that Clark could diffuse a bomb.

Before they could begin to question him, they heard sirens in the distance. Clark didn’t even try to hide his relieved expression. The Calvary had arrived and not a moment to soon.

**********************************

Chloe, Lex and Clark arrived back in Smallville a little before dawn. They had been questioned repeatedly about the files and particularly, the bomb, and what they knew about both.  Lex and Chloe explained about Flint and Baxter, and what had happened to their mothers.

It was only when Lex threatened to have his attorney call the Attorney General, that the Feds finally let them go.

Apparently, the agents had uncovered over a hundred cases of drugged women either abusing or killing their children, and they swore out an arrest warrant for Dr. Baxter, and took their statements. The agents told Lex, Chloe, and Clark to go back home, and, if needed, they would be called in for further questioning.

Lex pulled up to Chloe’s house, and shook his head, stunned at the swiftness of the events that transpired at the warehouse. He looked over at his two friends, and was amazed at their courage, particularly Chloe’s.

Reading those files had been gut wrenching, but Chloe never flinched, and she never looked away. He knew that her mind would be whirling as to what her mother would have done to her if she hadn’t been stopped.

Chloe chose that moment to look over at him, and tried to smile reassuringly. Instead, her eyes filled up with tears, and she started to cry. She didn’t know if she was crying for herself, of for the eleven year old boy who watched his mother kill his baby brother, or for all of the innocent children killed by their mothers.

Either way, the trauma of the day’s events finally caught up with her, and once she started crying, she couldn’t seem to stop. Lex pulled her into a hug, and started to rub her back while he whispered soothing words to her.

Clark, who had fallen asleep in the backseat, woke up when he heard Chloe’s sobs, but before he could reach out to comfort his friend, Lex had her in his arms.

He was stunned into silence at the sight of his two closest friends holding each other. He smiled slightly when he realized that they looked good together, but it quickly turned into a frown when he thought about what her dad would say.

He didn’t even want to contemplate what his own father would have to say on the subject. His mom, well, he had a feeling she would say that she saw it all along. And Pete’s opinion was a whole other subject.

Clark shook his head and wondered at all the obstacles Chloe and Lex would have to get past in order for them to be together.

But that was in the future, and it was the present that they had to deal with now. Clark knew that sooner or later he would have to talk about the whole diffusing the bomb situation.

He had been able to use his heat vision to sever the wire between the detonator and the switch. Now, how would he explain that to his extremely curious friends?

He was taken out of his thoughts when he heard Chloe whisper ‘Thank you’ to Lex, and kiss his cheek before moving out of his embrace.

Lex whispered back ‘Anytime’ as he ran his fingers gently across her neck and cheek. Clark watched as Chloe blushed and Lex grinned at her response to his flirting. They really were rather sweet together.

He made a mental note that when this whole mess was straightened out, he would pull Lex’s punk card about his obvious affection for their blonde friend.

Clark opened his mouth to speak, when Chloe and Lex turned to look at Clark. Their expressions were deadly serious and Clark tried not to gulp too loudly.

Lex was the first to speak. "Clark, we are both grateful for what you did tonight. We would never have found those records and been able to salvage all of the evidence if it weren’t for you."

He paused, and they shared a look of mutual understanding before Lex continued. "You not only saved our lives tonight, but helped to get justice for many murdered children. You helped to bring peace to those mothers who were also horribly abused. Above all, we have the evidence to put Baxter away, and, hopefully, find Chloe’s mom."

Again, Lex paused and he and Chloe exchanged another look. This time, Chloe spoke. "What Lex is trying to say, is that we won’t question you about all the miraculous things you’ve done. You’ve saved our lives, and when you’re ready to tell us, just know that you can trust us."

Clark didn’t know what to expect, but it certainly wasn’t that. He nodded his head slowly, not trusting himself to speak. One day, he hoped he would be able to tell them his secret, but right now, it just wasn’t the right time.

The three friends sat in silence, until Lex spoke again. "I’m planning on visiting my father this afternoon. I would understand if neither of you wanted to come along.."

Before Lex could finish his statement, Chloe interrupted him. "Hell, yes, I want to go. I want to see Lionel’s expression when you question him about drugging your mom."

And Clark added. "You can’t cut me out now. Besides, you never know when you might need some more back up."

Lex shook his head in amusement, but sobered quickly when he though of his father. "Okay, I recommend trying to get some sleep, and we’ll meet at the Plant at noon. We’ll take the helicopter to Metropolis."

*****************************

Lex was waiting for Chloe and Clark with a grim expression on his face. As soon as they were all seated, and belted in, Lex turned and spoke worriedly. "Dr. Baxter has avoided being captured by the police."

Chloe’s face paled at the words, but Lex hurried to reassure her. "The airports, train stations, and bus station are being watched. The FBI, the police and my own security team are looking for her. She won’t get out of Metropolis."

Chloe tried to take heart at Lex’s words, but she was afraid. They were so close to having all the answers, only to have Baxter escape the authorities. She cheered up slightly at the thought of Lionel Luthor’s expression when they walked in with Lex. She doubted he’d be too happy to see any of them.

When they got to the guard station, they were told that they would have to wait, because Mr. Luthor’s doctor was in with him.

Chloe rolled her eyes, and tried to keep her impatience from showing. Lex, not to be deterred, told the guards that he was well acquainted with the man who was his father’s physician and Dr. Wood wouldn’t mind the interruption.

The guard looked surprised and said, "Wood isn’t the name of Mr. Luthor’s physician. Besides, this is a lady physician and she might mind all of you barging in."

Lex stilled at the words, and looked back at the guard, and tried to keep himself from showing the panic he was feeling. "What is the name of this lady physician?"

The guard looked at the sign in sheet and said, "Baxter, a Dr. Dana Baxter."

Chapter 12


Dr. Dana Baxter stood over Lionel Luthor’s semi-conscious body. The pillow she had used to smother him with lay discarded next to her.

She had a syringe in her hand, filled with a deadly amount of snake venom. Cobra venom to be exact. An injection of this poison could kill someone, but not before it paralyzed the central nervous system. All in all, a very painful way to die.

Baxter smiled grimly to herself, as she looked once more at the clock. She knew that the guard shift change was in ten minutes, so she had to move quickly.

She pressed the syringe into Lionel’s neck and was about to release the poison when she heard the commotion outside the door. There was quite a bit of yelling, and then silence.

She paused, confused as to what was happening at the guard station. She took a step away from the table, when she felt a whoosh of air, and hands were digging into her arm. She found herself staring into the furious face of a teenage boy.

"What the hell?! Where did you come from?" Baxter shouted in amazement. She never even saw the boy run into the room, let alone apprehend her.

The teenager ignored her, and instead shouted, "Lex, Chloe I’ve got her. Get in here quick!"

Baxter turned her head towards the door, and watched as the blonde reporter from the other day walked in, followed by Lex Luthor.

She shook her head, angry at her own stupidity. Granting an interview to the daughter of a former patient had been a bad decision, but she couldn’t refuse what her benefactor wanted.

But then again, that had always been her problem.

The couple wasted no time in coming towards them. Baxter opened her mouth to speak, but Lex Luthor interrupted her. "Dr. Baxter, we’re so glad that we found you. We have some questions for you and my father, so I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t kill him just yet."

Baxter’s jaw dropped, and she was left in stunned silence. She had not been expecting this. She looked cautiously at the couple and asked, "What do I get if I cooperate?"

Again, Lex spook, but in a low voice, with barely controlled anger. Baxter flinched when she heard him practically spit at her. "I am not offering you anything. You are facing multiple counts of murder, attempted murder, attempted kidnapping, and a host of federal charges stemming from the drug you helped to create and distribute to hundreds of innocent victims."

At this point, Lex’s voice had trailed off, and Chloe realized that he was trying to suppress his rage. She took his hand, and squeezed it gently.

He glanced at her briefly, and took a deep breath, comforted by her steady gaze, and even steadier grip on his hand.

He began to speak again, and his voice had regained its strength. "Among those innocent victims were my mother, brother and Chloe’s mother. The only help I’ll ever offer you is the quickest route to hell!"

He hadn’t realized it, but his voice had begun to rise with each word, until he was literally shouting at the psychiatrist, who for her part, looked like she was about to wet herself. She started to speak again, but was once again interrupted by a hoarse voice.

"Well done, son, I’m glad to see you can still threaten with the best of them."

All heads turned to the figure on the table. Lionel Luthor tried to sit up, but he was tied to the table.

The blood from where the syringe had stuck him, had dried on his neck, and had run down to the collar of his prison uniform. His skin was still a bluish shade, from where his air had been cut off. He looked like hell, but he was still alive.

Lionel tried to loosen his binds but to no avail. He tried to catch his son’s eye, and asked. "Lex? A little help here?"

Lex didn’t move from his position, and Lionel suddenly realized that there were other people in the room besides his son and Dr. Baxter. He noticed the Kent boy with a death grip on the psychiatrist. And the third figure in the room was….Chloe Sullivan.

His eyes narrowed as he contemplated the young blonde who had given him so much trouble. He smiled slightly when both Lex and Clark moved to stand in front of Chloe. "Well, well, well. What have we here?"

He was not surprised at Clark’s trying to protect the girl. They were, despite everything that had happened between them, still friends. No, it was Lex’s reaction that was the surprise. He knew from his trial that they had been working closely together, but he had no idea that the relationship had continued, and seemed to be as strong as ever.

Lex’s voice interrupted his father’s thought. "So, Dad, are you planning on telling us why Dr. Baxter tried to kill you? Besides the obvious reasons, of course."

Before Lionel could even formulate a response, Baxter piped in with, "My God, I thought you were a genius. You haven’t figured it out yet?"

This time Chloe spoke. "He has something to do with Dr. Flint’s death."

Baxter turned to Chloe with a sneer in her voice. "Why look what we have here. Blondie blonde is halfway intelligent."

Chloe’s expression darkened in anger, but Baxter cut her off before she could reply. "Lionel actually had quite a bit to do with Flint’s death. Considering the fact that he’s the killer."

Lionel smiled mirthlessly. "Your point?"

Chloe was momentarily stunned then she started to shout. "The point being that my mother was blamed for a crime that YOU committed!"

Lionel gave an impatient snort. "Please Miss Sullivan, don’t be so melodramatic. Your mother didn’t go to jail, did she?"

Chloe’s outraged reply was silenced when Lex stepped closer to the table where his father was tied down. "What exactly happened that night?"

Again, Baxter spoke before Lionel could. She sent Lionel a malevolent smile before she answered for him. "He killed Flint because of what happened to your mother and brother."

"Flint murdered my wife and son," Lionel suddenly snarled. "Lillian was already unstable and those god-forsaken pills pushed her over the edge." He looked sickened, and suddenly much older. "Flint had to pay for what he did to my family."

Lex could barley contain his own contempt when he heard his father’s words. "Dad, you gave Mom and Julian that death sentence when you signed the consent form that made her a guinea pig."

Dr. Baxter snorted with derision. "Your mother was lucky to receive the treatment she did. In fact…" Baxter’s voice trailed off when she saw the hatred gleaming out of both Luthor men’s eyes.

Lex clenched his jaw and barely controlled his anger. "Mention my mother again, and I won’t be responsible for my actions. And exactly how do you know all this?"

"Because Dr. Baxter heard me arguing with Flint, and decided to investigate. She walked into the room right after…" Lionel made a slashing gesture across his throat. "We struck a deal. She would help me cover up Flint’s death, and I would continue funding the research into their anti-depressant."

Lionel paused and turned to look at Chloe. "It had actually worked out rather nicely, but you had to go interfering. That is a nasty habit of yours, Miss Sullivan."

He then turned towards his son. "Lex, you have to believe that I would never put any member of my family purposely in danger. I though this was the most expedient way to cure your mother, so she would be like her old self again."

This time time Lex didn’t even try to control his rage. "The only thing you wanted restored was the image of your perfect family to trot out to the shareholders. You had no interest in what was best for Mom, or Julian. Only for yourself!"

Lionel closed his eyes, pained at hearing the harsh truth. "Think what you want Lex, you always do. But I did kill Flint. I stabbed him to death with his own knife. And I don’t regret it for a minute. The man was a monster and he deserved to die."

Chloe stepped towards Lionel, and spoke furiously. "How is my mom involved and why is Baxter trying to kill you?"

Baxter, spoke up again, clearly enjoying all the misery around her. "She was the last appointment for the day, and we needed a scapegoat. Enter Claire Sullivan."

Baxter tried to look sorrowful but failed miserably. "It was a crime of opportunity I’m afraid. Your mom was in the wrong place, at the wrong time."

"But you want to know how Claire was set-up, don’t you?" Chloe shuddered at how much Baxter seemed to relish telling how she destroyed her mother’s life.

"It was simple really. As your mother walked into the room, I injected her with a stronger dosage of the anti-depressant. I took the knife, smeared her hands and clothes with his blood, and left her to wake up."

Lex looked to his father. "You bribed the judge to get Chloe’s mom released both times, didn’t you?"

Lionel nodded his head, and Baxter gladly filled in the details. "Convincing Claire that she actually did the crime was easy work. However, getting her to leave her husband and daughter proved a lot harder. I finally had to insinuate that she was so out of control, she might accidentally hurt her precious daughter and husband. That did the trick."

Chloe blinked back tears, and stared at the woman in front of her in horrified silence.

Lex stood next to her, unsure of what to say. Indeed, there was not much to say. Both of their families were destroyed on the whim of two mentally deranged psychiatrists.

"And as for why I tried to kill Lionel? There are so many reasons, but among them was the warehouse full of evidence about the instability of the drug Flint and I created. The alarm was rigged to the bomb, when the bomb didn’t go off; I knew the authorities would be coming for me. If I’m going down, I’m taking Lionel Luthor with me"

Chloe shook her head in disbelief, and tried to quell the hysterical laughter that threatened to erupt at any second. "You’re telling me that my family was ruined, because my mother had the last appointment? You have got to be kidding me?!"

Again, Baxter tried to look upset for Chloe, but she just looked like she was trying not to grin. "But think of all the good that has been done from all of the money Lionel has been giving to my research. We’ve made great strides in the field of psychiatry."

The other four occupants in the room looked askance at the doctor. Baxter rolled her eyes, and said, "Yes, I know of all the unfortunate accidents, but there are always casualties in a war. It is just a painful part of medicine."

Clark tightened his grip on Baxter’s arm. "Those unfortunate accidents were innocent children who died from your playing Dr. Frankenstein with their mothers’ lives. And two of my closest friends are hurting because of you. Don’t you dare make light of your monstrous actions!"

Baxter winced more at the pain in her arm, then Clark’s harsh words. Chloe placed a hand on Clark’s arm. "Easy, Clark. We want to deliver her to the guards with all her limbs attached."

Clark immediately loosened his grip, and shot Chloe a half-smile. "Are you okay?"

Chloe started to shake her head, when Baxter interrupted with one last ace to play. "Aren’t you even curious where your mother is?"

Chloe turned to her in surprise, and tried to keep her excitement in check. "You know where she is?"

Lex strode over to Chloe, and placed himself between her and Baxter. He placed both of his hands on her shoulders, and looked into her face.

He saw her fear, but he also saw a glimmer of hope. "Chloe, do not listen to a word this woman has to say. She is clearly insane, and trying to make a deal for herself."

"But Lex, what if she really can tell me where my mom is?" Chloe tried not to sound gullible, but if Baxter gave her a last known location, she could take it from there.

Lex shook his head. "Chloe, I will find your mother for you. Don’t listen to her."

The other three people watched their exchange carefully. Clark was hoping that Chloe would listen to Lex, and realize that Baxter was evil personified.

Lionel watched through narrowed eyes at his son’s obvious devotion to the blonde girl. This was not good at all.

Baxter sighed impatiently, wanting some kind of credit for ratting out Lionel and clearing an innocent woman. "I know where your mother is. If you help me, I’ll tell you everything you need to know, so you’ll be able to find her."

Chloe hated to admit it, but she was torn. She desperately wanted to find her mom, but the thought of Baxter getting any kind of leniency made her sick. Chloe slowly nodded her head, and looked at Lex. "Alright, we’ll play it your way."

Lex’s smiled in relief. "Thank God, Chloe, I was really scared there!"

When Baxter heard Chloe’s reply, she screamed in rage. "You stupid, stupid girl! I have all the answers you need, but you still won’t help me."

Baxter was shaking with rage, as she ranted at Chloe. "God, you are even more naive then your mother was! And all she ever did was cry, and ask me where her little sparrow was."

Baxter paused, and a look of malevolence crossed her face before, she looked directly at Chloe. She began to speak in a mocking tone of voice. "Oh, Sparrow, I miss you and love you! Can you ever forgive me?"

Chloe didn’t even hesitate. She crossed the room, stood in front of Baxter, and punched her across the face. Baxter landed with a thud onto the concrete floor, knocked out cold.

Lionel looked at the unconscious form of Dr. Baxter and smiled relief. "Thank God! I thought that bitch was never going to shut up."

Chapters 13