Clark and Chloe are in the kitchen back at the Kent house. Chloe is pacing around Clark, obviously upset.

    "I can't believe you've known all along where she was and you didn't tell me" Chloe says, blinking hurt eyes at him.

    "She didn't want to be found, Chloe" Clarks says. "I don't think she wanted to be interviewed, either" he adds, regretting it and meaning it at the same time.

    "And what, you just assume that I am just out to publish people's hidden secrets? That I couldnít genuinely be concerned about her?" Chloe says, the pitch of her voice raising.

    Clark stands there silent, feeling as though doing the right thing for Audrey meant doing the wrong thing to his friend.

    Luckily for Clark the uncomfortable silence is broken by his father coming through the kitchen door.

    "Well, I think I was finally able to convince Lex to go home for the night" Jonathan says, closing the door.

    Jonathan can sense the tension between Chloe and Clark. He gives Clark an a sympathetic look, knowing himself the wrath of a passionate woman.

    "Is your mother in with Audrey?" Jonathan asks, hoping his presence will clear the air.

    "Yeah, I think she's awake now" Clark says, his eyes still on Chloe.

    Chloe walks over to the door to leave, pausing with her hand on the handle.

    "The truth isn't something to hide, Clark. But, I guess I'm just not the kind of friend you can trust with it" Chloe says, walking out the door.
 
 
 

*****
 
 

    Audrey is sitting up in bed, clutching the warm tea Martha brought in to her. Martha, in typical mom fashion, props up the pillows behind Audrey's back before sitting down on the edge of the bed.

    "Iím sorry I scared everyone" Audrey says, embarrassed that once again her vulnerability has landed her in a sick bed.

    "Oh, sweetie, sometimes we all want to run away from Chloe" Martha says with a smile. "But she really does means well."

    Audrey gives Martha a grin that quickly fades away from her pale face.

    Martha, sensing that Audrey wants to talk about what happened, decides to open the door. "I really donít understand why Lex would act that way" Martha says. "I'm sure he really was happy to see you again" Martha adds, hoping to ease Audrey's mind.

    "He had every right to act that way" Audrey says quietly, putting the tea cup on the night stand.

    Martha understood that the Luthor's relationships were very different from those she was accustomed to. But something in her heart refused to believe that Lex could be so cold to someone he had obviously once loved so deeply.

    "I'm sure you already know this, but men can be complicated when it comes to matters of their heart" Martha begins. "They're not always able to..."

    Audrey stops Martha by shaking her head.

    "He doesn't know who I am" Audrey says, feeling the stab as she speaks the words.

    Martha not fully digesting the impact of what Audrey is saying, offers her a smile, thinking she's just assuming the worst. If only she was...

    "Every memory he has of me is gone."

    Martha's hand goes to her mouth, the words sinking in.

    "Every moment we shared. Every time we touched. Every time we said 'I love you' has been erased from his memory. The procedure his father ordered took me away from him forever" Audrey says, tears trickling down her cheeks.

    Martha is weeping herself, unable to fully imagine the tragedy Audrey has endured.