Chloe knew she needed more than just friendship in the end, but the past had taught her to value the level of closeness they had now. In this moment while she confirmed her fears, she trusted in that friendship to keep her sane. "Would you read it?" She asked softly and pointed to an envelope peeking over the edge of the box at the end of the sofa.

Clark reached for it and then sat down on the couch. Chloe settled lightly next to him, starring deeply into the heart of the flames dancing in the hearth. He tore open the flap and pulled out a single sheet of paper. He scanned the contents.

Dear Chloe,

If you are reading this letter then you already know I've moved out of the apartment. I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough to tell you everything in person, but I think you know by now that I'm not coming back. I've met someone and she and I are going to get lost in the Caribbean. I found a way to make that life possible and finally be happy.

You don't need me. I know you will be fine on your own. You've been taking care of both of us since you were twelve. You are strong in mind, character, and ambition. I know I have blamed you sometimes because of that. As I've said before, I've come to understand some of the decisions you have made that led us to this place. I hope you can understand mine. I need to move on with my life and I don't want to stand in the way of yours. The best way for both of us is to go our separate ways.

I'll always love you.

Gabe Sullivan

P.S. I sent some other things to the General that you might want.

Rage boiled in his stomach. How could Gabe do this to his daughter? He wrote to Chloe as casually as if he was breaking up with his high school girlfriend. Clark glanced over at Chloe. She was hurting already; holding back wasn't going to make it better, but he had to fight back the urge to lie to her, to protect her from this pain.

"What does it say?" She asked more calmly than he expected.

"Not much", he deferred for the moment.

"But it does say he's not coming back, doesn't it" she stated without a hint of doubt.

He nodded and but she wasn't looking at him. "Yes," he said aloud, "I'm sorry." Words were so inadequate right now. Clark couldn't stop watching Chloe. Usually a myriad of emotions played across her face, but now, he no idea what she thought as she solemnly stared into the leaping flames.

Chloe didn't glance away from her study of the changing embers. "What exactly did he say?"

Chloe listened as from a distance while Clark recited the brief note her father penned to sever their lives. His voice sounded hollow and far away as he confirmed the letter's message and quashed her last hopes. Was her father right? Would it be for the best?

She floated unfeeling and insensate to that moment's reality, mesmerized by hypnotic patterns flickering in the grate, holding out for just a little while longer against the wave of regret and sadness that soon would come crashing down. Numbness offered escape and she turned to it, wanting to wrap its protection around her soul. She tried so hard to bring back that close relationship they used to have; but nothing she had done changed how her father felt about her since… How could one mistake have so many repercussions?

Chloe looked down at her hands, her fingers tightly laced together. She deliberately unthreaded her fingers but didn't notice they immediately tightened into fists until she felt the sting of her nails biting into her palms.

Clark reached over and covered her clenched fist resting on her thigh. He rubbed his thumb over her whitened knuckles. With his touch, brought a rush of feelings and she was no longer drifting. Such a slight contact, a wispy bond made of steel threads, anchoring her to the reality of the past, present, and a dimly lit future with no promises.

"He used to hold my hand." Chloe looked at Clark's hand covering her own. "Way after most dads stop holding their kid's hands or way after they let them; he used to still hold my hand." Chloe glanced up at Clark and gave him a chagrined half smile. "Made me feel safe when I was little and then when I was older, I just felt so connected to him. After Mom disappeared, we were a team, us against the world." Chloe paused and then added fiercely, "That was real."

"I know." Clark agreed, hearing her insistent tone.

Clark's quick affirmation was soothing. "Even when I when I hit my teens and I knew it was uncool, I still wanted that connection, wouldn't give it up," She shook her head. "He was my Dad, but we were pals too. The first time we really fought was when he told me he took the job in Smallville and we were leaving Metropolis. I was so mad. Hurt too, because he didn't ask me, just came home and out of the blue we were moving and that was it, no discussion."

"But you made up."

"Yeah, we were back to normal before we left Metropolis. And then he was so great about letting Lana live with us." Chloe ended with a wistful look.

"What happened?" Clark ventured wanting to know, but knowing Chloe needed to get it all out even more. "The letter says you know something about why he chose to leave."

She sighed and looked away. For a few minutes, Chloe stared into scarlet embers seething in the fireplace. Shelby snored quietly on the rug. The wind howled outdoors and the fire crackled companionably. Clark wondered if Chloe would respond, but after a moment she slowly in a world-weary voice told him, "People leave. They have their own life, agenda, and mine butts up against that. I just don't inspire people to stick around."

He pressed, refusing to accept such self-loathing. "I don't believe that. What really happened?"

Too tired to resist his questions, Chloe slipped her hand out from under his and wearily rubbed her face, "My deal with the devil gone wrong, I shouldn't be surprised I'm still paying the price."

"Lionel?" Clark blinked in surprise. "This is somehow linked to you giving him information about me."