The Kent farm was quiet this evening; nothing stirred save the odd bellow of a heifer disturbed by some night creature. The watcher moved closer, drawing binoculars from a satchel, and honing in on his target. Rage boiled within him at the person living so happily down below, they had a family, a life, and all that had been taken from him. A movement from the barn caught his attention and he smirked, the son was in there, he always spent his nights cooped up in the loft. The watcher thought it strange behaviour, and zoomed in on the teenager through the open flap. The boy lay dozing on a hammock, oblivious that for a change he was being watched, instead of the other way around. After awhile he decided to descend onto the farmland, to get closer to his target, he had waited long enough; tonight would be a night for revenge.

Stealthily he moved like a cat across the courtyard, taking in every item and where it was placed. In the far corner he noted cans of fuel used for the tractor, some were empty, but enough remained for the task he had chosen. He picked one up and loosened the lid; this would do perfectly. Why kill the parent when he could torment them so with the death of a son? He splashed the can’s contents up the barn walls, stifling the urge to laugh as he did so; revenge could be so much fun when planned properly. Eventually he was satisfied he had enough accelerant, and paused, pulling an old fashioned petrol lighter from his pocket, he flicked the button causing the flint to ignite the fuel, then threw it on the gasoline drenched walls.

It exploded in a ball of flames, and as fire engulfed the wooden structure, he finally laughed uncontrollably. The fire spread rapidly across the fuel, gaining a stronger hold with every second, for a moment the watcher gazed into the inferno like some crazed pyromaniac, then finally knowing he must escape detection, he jogged back up to his hiding place and drew out his binoculars once again.



Clark dozed happily, dreaming he was ambling through the freshly harvested cornfields, with both Chloe and Lana at his side. He glanced from each girl, smiling the infamous Kent grin. If only reality could be as wondrous as his dream world fantasies. He rolled over, making the hammock swing, but still keeping perfect balance so as not to overturn, then some sixth sense alerted his over keen mind to danger and he began to stir.

At first he thought his imagination was still playing tricks on him, but then the all too real smell of burning wood filled his nostrils, and he knew the barn was alight. The crackling of the burning timbers seemed attenuated a thousand fold to his perceptive ears, and he realized if the building were to be saved he must escape and act fast to bring aid.

Quickly he stared straight through the beams to the floor below, checking on how far the blaze had spread, the sight made his stomach churn as he noted the whole bottom storey was like a firestorm. Getting out would be no problem to his impervious skin, but saving the barn may not be an option after all. With one fluid movement he jumped from his loft, not bothering to even use the stairs, the intense heat below never making him falter for a second.

Smoke swirled around him, any human would have never been able to see through it, but to Clark’s extra sharp vision it was almost invisible. He reached the door in milliseconds, wanting to warn his parents as soon as possible of the impending peril, but when he tugged at the latch it was fastened tightly shut. Again he used his x-ray vision, searching for the cause, and was surprised to find the door barred from the outside. This could only mean one thing; the fire was no accident. That little matter would have to wait though, for now he must get out as quickly as possible, so with one short sharp burst of energy he smashed through the obstruction, sending a shower of charred and blackened timbers across the yard.

He turned, looking back and realizing he must return into the inferno, because Jonathan had fully refuelled the tractor only a few short hours ago. If the heat became so severe as to ignite the gasoline they would have one huge explosion besides the fire. Without a second thought he raced back into the blaze, grabbing the vehicle with one hand and tossing it through the side of the structure, it smashed into the ground outside, covered in charred, and smouldering splinters of wood

"Clark!"

He swivelled around to see his parents running from the farmhouse, terror showing quite visibly on their faces

"What the hell happened?" Jonathan queried, staring at the dirt-smeared face of his son, "Are you alright?"

Martha asked no questions, she simply grabbed Clark and squeezed, making her feelings quite clear. After a moment he pushed her away slightly

"Mom, Dad, we have to call the police, this was no accident, someone tried to trap me in there, the door was rigged"

Both parents looked to their son and then back to one another, one thought on their minds. Was this another ruse to try and ensnare their son into showing his true abilities? Nixon had done it once before, it could easily happen again.

The observer watched in amazement at the events that unfolded before him, he pulled away the binoculars from his face, rubbing the lens to convince himself that the rain that had fallen so abundantly hadn’t impaired his view. It had not, as well he knew, so now there was even more to add to the equation. Nothing in his mind had changed however, it never would. Remarkable son or not, he still had every intention of killing Martha Kent....



The rain had abated, leaving the Kansas earth damp and uninviting, and as Clark trudged through it to where his parents stood, he wondered what was about to occur next. People didn’t purposefully set fire to buildings with someone inside without a motive, and that motive worried him greatly

"I just don’t get who would want to do such a thing," Clark offered as Jonathan was quizzed by a local deputy, "I mean, what have we ever done?"

The deputy gazed at him for a moment

"You’re sure one of your High School buddies didn’t mean it as a prank, and that it went a little out of hand?"

Clark shook his head, frowning. No one he knew would go that far, they just weren’t that childish. This was the work of someone who meant to hurt, and that took the reasoning behind it to a whole new level

"I’m sure" He finally replied

"Well, I’ll see what the fire crews have to say, and if they concur with your statement Smallville has an arsonist in it’s midst" The deputy tipped his hat and nodded at Jonathan, "I’ll be back in touch"

When the officer had moved to a safe distance Clark peered at his dad

"There’s something wrong isn’t there? Don’t worry dad it will all turn out ok"

He looked searchingly at his father, then towards Martha as she came from the house to meet them. When she arrived Jonathan placed his hand on Clark’s shoulder, bracing him for the revelation that was about to come

"Things aren’t as simple as you might think son" He glanced over at the fire trucks that still filled the yard, "Your mother and I didn’t want to burden you with our problems, but we’ve been low on funds again recently, and well, some of our insurance has lapsed"

Clark nodded, understanding the implication

"There’s no one to pay out for the barn?"

"It gets worse" Martha joined in, "We have to go see the bank manager Clark, and if he wont give us another extension on our current loan, well the farm might have to be sold"

Clark’s face grew pained at their words, he had gifts that could solve all their problems, but they would never agree to him using them that way

"But he refused last time, what chance have we of him agreeing this time?"

Jonathan shrugged. He knew in his heart of hearts that Clark was right. The farm that had been in his family for so long was about to be taken away, and he and Martha were helpless to stop it

"Just hope son, that’s all we can do"

Martha took her husbands arm, then smiled at Clark. He hated to see her so forlorn, then it came to him, he guessed what Jonathan’s answer would be, but it was worth the suggestion

"Can’t we ask Lex to help? He offered before, just this once dad please?"

Jonathan sighed deeply; Clark still had much to learn about pride

"Son, I won’t use your friendship with Lex to get money for the farm, we have to stand on our own feet, and sometimes if that means we have to lose something, well that’s life"

Clark had expected that answer, but as he watched the fire trucks roll from the drive he wished with all his heart and soul that he hadn’t heard it.



Pete walked down the school corridor and glanced over at his friend Clark, who silently walked beside him. The dejected expression said it all, and who could blame him after being almost fried alive?

"I’m sure it was just an accident really" he tried to sound convinced, "You’ll see, you’re too much of a Mr. Nice Guy for anyone to want to hurt...unless..."

Clark paused and faced his friend

"Unless what?"

"Unless Chloe is still angry with you about the Spring Formal"

Clark smirked at his pal

"Very funny Pete, but I doubt Chloe would go that far"

Pete nodded, then noticed Lana in the corner talking to a stranger,

"Hey, looks like Lana is making friends with the new guy already"

"New guy?" Clark’s interested suddenly peaked at the thought of Lana, "Who is he? When did he start?"

Pete looked into his friend’s eyes and grinned, knowing Clark still held feelings for the girl before them

"Just this morning, come on, let’s go introduce ourselves"

The pair walked over and as Lana noticed them she smiled and turned

"Hi guys, this is Steven Miller, he started just this morning"

The young man twisted around to greet them, he fumbled with his hands obviously nervous to be among new company, and he almost stammered when he spoke

"Pl..Pleased to meet you"

Clark nodded

"So how are you finding Smallville High?"

"It’s ok I guess, I have to be going now, I have a class soon"

The teenager backed away, almost scared of Clark’s questions

"Catch you later maybe"

And with that he was gone. Clark watched as he shuffled down the passageway, then turned back to Lana

"He doesn’t strike me as your type"

"And what is my type Clark Kent?" She cocked her head to one side, amused at Clark’s obvious jealousy, "besides, we’re just friend’s, he’s kinda shy and I wanted to help him get to know everyone"

"You’re going to hang around with that guy?"

She thought for a moment, teasing Clark

"As a matter of fact he’s asked me to show him around town, and I’ve agreed, I’m quite looking forward to it! After breaking up with Whitney I’ve felt like I needed a distraction, and this is it, no strings attached"

She turned, collected her bag from the locker she stood at, them wandered off down the corridor leaving Clark in a turmoil. Pete saw his expression and shook his head

"You know you bring this all on yourself? One of these days you’ll stop being so indecisive and pick one or the other!"

Clark raised an eyebrow, pulling the ‘who me’ face, then smiled and followed his pal, all thoughts of barn fires disappearing from his mind at the mention of his age old ‘girl’ dilemma.



Jonathan and Martha sat patiently in the waiting room for their meeting with the bank manager. It had been a few months since their last visit, but they expected the same result. Jonathan rubbed his palms together, noting how sticky they had become at the thought of what was about to happen. Martha sat in silence, feeling almost like someone waiting for the death sentence, but maybe in a way that’s what it was. After ten more anxious minutes they were finally ushered in. A stranger sat before them at the huge oak desk, he smiled as they approached, offering a little reassurance

"Mr. and Mrs. Kent, how very nice to meet you at last" he pushed away from his chair and stood to shake their hands. His small bearded face oozing affability, " I hear you’re having a few problems, let’s hope we can sort you out"

Jonathan returned the smile, not knowing to whom he was even speaking

"Forgive me, but we haven’t met before have we?"

"I’m the new manager as of last week" He paused eyeing Martha for a second, then continued, "Now how can I be of help?"

Martha sighed, now for the crushing blow when they asked for another loan only to be refused. She almost wanted to close off her ears to his voice, but somehow she couldn’t, it was entrancingly familiar

"The farm’s recently been hit by misfortune, what with the twister, and last night we had a barn fire.." Jonathan gulped, he hated asking for money from anyone, "And well, we were wondering if a further advancement on our loan would be possible?"

The man smiled back

"Mr. Kent, I’m fully aware that you’ve had monetary problems in the past" He stopped, flicking through a huge pile of paperwork on his desk, "You’re overstretched as it is, it really wouldn’t be prudent for me to authorise anymore cash"

Jonathan nodded, it was no more than he had expected, but a crushing blow nonetheless. Going home and telling Clark would be the hard part

"Is there nothing you can do?" Martha all but begged, her tone sounding so helpless the man before them paused. He scratched absentmindedly at the beard

I really shouldn’t, but I’d hate for Smallville to think their new manager is harsh...." He glanced at the paperwork again, "Seeing as it’s a relatively small amount you’re asking for, just this once I’ll allow it and bend the rules"

Jonathan and Martha stared at one another is disbelief. For once in their lives something besides the arrival of Clark had been good news. Jonathan grasped the manager’s hand, shaking it heartily

"I can’t thank you enough, you don’t know how much this means to my family!"

The manager nodded, and as the Kent’s left the building he watched them cross the road. How easily pleased some people were he mused, then the sound of the door creaking open behind him caught his attention and he turned

"I wasn’t aware I had another appointment so soon?"

"You don’t, let’s just say your office is closed now for a while" Lex shut the door behind him, and walked over to the desk eyeing the manager, "You were very generous to the Kent’s, what’s in it for you this time?"

The man smirked

"I’m always generous..."

Lex pulled out a seat, knowing full well the man before him was not all he seemed, but then that was why he was here

"I know all about your generosity, that’s why I’m here. I need certain information only you can get through your nefarious connections"

The manager fidgeted, obviously becoming annoyed at the direction the conversation was taking. He peered back through the window and shrugged

"I have no idea what you could be talking about, I’m a simple bank manager, you must have me confused with someone else?"

Lex sat forward, clasping his hands together on the desk. He stared at the man, weighing him up, and then continued

"The people of Smallville might like to know about your past record my friend. I know it makes fascinating reading"

"My past transgressions were never money related, and besides, I paid my debt to society. I’m legally free, there’s nothing you can do!"

Lex stood up throwing a copy of the man’s file onto the desk; it landed on an open page, a page that the manager would rather have forgotten

"I doubt the inhabitants of Smallville would trust their money to you if they knew what was in there. The deal is simple, I get the information I need, and your record stays hidden"

The man paced across the room, glaring at the Luthor before him, no one treated him this way, but for now he must acquiesce or his own objectives would remain unfulfilled

"What is it you want?" He snapped, "I’ll need time, my contacts aren’t easily accessed"

Lex nodded

"My father is interested in a rival chemical company called Thane Industries, I can’t see what is so important about them, but there must be something or the great Lionel Luthor wouldn’t be so keen to buy them out. I want details, and inside information in case I want to buy them out in my own right"

The manager nodded. Appearing servile, at least for the moment

"I’ll do my best"

"You have one week, no more"

With that Lex departed, slamming the door behind him in a show of authority. The manager smirked as he watched the young Luthor climb into his Ferrari from the window

"If only you really knew who you were dealing with my friend, if only..."



Clark walked home, his bag over his shoulder and a smile on his face. The day had started off on a desperate note, but after receiving a call at school from his parents he suddenly felt a great weight had been lifted from his mind. Now he couldn’t help but wear a smile from ear to ear

"Clark, you know I’ve never seen anyone else smile like you do? It’s so spontaneous!"

Pete walked by his side, glad to see that something had improved his mood from earlier

"So, what do you make of that guy Lana was with?" Pete knew he shouldn’t ask, but it would be fun to see his pal’s reaction

"I think he’s a.." Clark paused, " he’s not right for Lana"

Pete nodded, all knowingly

"You really don’t know who you want still do you?"

"Of coarse I do!" Clark was quick to correct his friend, but he knew truly there were still some feelings for Lana lurking beneath the surface, "I asked Chloe to the Homecoming dance, I made my choice"

"Well just make sure you don’t upset her again like you did at the Formal, or I might have to deal with you!"

He winked at Clark and the pair laughed, filling the country lane with mirth. After a moment Clark stopped slapping his friend on the back

"Yeah right, like you could beat me in a fair fight!"

He was about to add that maybe Pete could beat him hands down when it came to girls, but something stopped him. A sound so faint no human auditory system would perceive had caught his ear. He held up his hand, signally Pete to be quiet

"I thought I heard something?"

Pete shook his head, trying to hear the impossible

"There’s nothing"

But Clark heard more, his acute senses had detected the squeal of rubber as it scraped across a hard road surface. Someone, somewhere, was in real trouble

"Pete, I have to go, I’ll catch you later!"

Pete tried in vain to ask where he was going, but Clark jogged off into the nearby tree line and vanished into the thicket

"Hey, where are you going?"

He shouted after his friend, but by now Clark had accelerated into super speed and was long gone in a blur of motion.

The pickup veered across the roadway, wildly careering into the grass verge and back again, its tires hardly coping with the strain asked of them. Clark neared it at high speed and was taken aback by what he saw

"Mom!"

The Kent’s truck was totally out of control, and as Clark scanned it for answers it soon became apparent why. Under the hood the throttle linkage had been tampered with, and once Martha had gotten underway it had jammed into the fully open position, now there was no way to stop it.

He watched as she tried in vain to brake, knowing the vehicle’s momentum would still carry it on. The only thing to stop the truck now was Clark, and he knew it. Swiftly he decided to cut off its fuel supply, searing the pump into a lump of molten steel with his heat-vision, then he raced in front of the fender and grabbed the hood, gradually slowing so as not to cause impact damage to the vehicle.

Eventually the truck ground to a halt, its brake pads worn and overheated with the stresses placed upon them. When he was sure it was safe Clark sprinted to the drivers door, yanking it open and grabbing Martha. She shook in his huge arms, holding on to her adoptive son for dear life

"It’s ok mom, I’ve got you" he looked down as her body quivered, tears streaming from her eyes, "I’ll find whoever did this mom, don’t worry"

He looked up, searching the area for clues, was the perpetrator out there, silently watching? He saw nothing however, only trees, and Pete quickly approaching from down the lane

"Hey Clark" He waved, making his presence known, "What’s wrong?"

His face grew grim as he saw Martha’s tear ravaged face, and noted the skid marks across the road

"Oh man, you weren’t kidding when you said you heard something!"

Clark stared at his friend then nodded, the barn could have been an accident, but now this proved otherwise. He didn’t know why but he sensed this was all just the beginning of something very evil, and that something or someone had a vendetta with the Kent’s.

The watcher had somehow evaded the young Kent’s searching gaze, he didn’t know how, because he already knew the teenager could see far more than any normal human. It didn’t matter though, he was angry once again, angry that Martha had lived, angry that his revenge wasn’t yet over. He had followed them home, had seen the police cars arrive, and now, as they retreated down the driveway back into town, he smiled. Maybe Martha just wasn’t ready to die, but if not the son, who could be next to suffer? He moved once again down to the lower ground, surveying his next piece of sabotage. This little plan was perfect; all the right ingredients for his ‘accident’ were already in place. Swiftly he removed what was necessary for his scheme to work, grinning manically as he did so. Tomorrow would be a day the Kent’s will remember for the rest of their lives, or at least those who survived would....



The morning sunlight broke through the kitchen curtains, bringing a feeling of warmth to the Kent household. Martha watched as its rays cascaded across the table, and she wondered what disaster today would bring to ruin its golden glow. Clark bounded in from his chores and noted her disheartened expression

"Mom, are you ok? You have to let the police handle this" he put an arm around her knowing that worry was all she could feel at the moment, "Chloe and I will have a look around later too, but we have nowhere to start. I just don’t know who would want to do this, maybe it’s because of me?"

"Your father and I already discussed this Clark, and we doubt anyone would try and kill me because of your abilities, it’s just so strange"

Clark nodded, not knowing what to say next to comfort his mother

"I guess I better go give dad a hand with rebuilding the barn" He smiled, "With me on the job it will be done in no time!"

He started out for the door, not really wanting to leave Martha alone, but knowing he must if any work was to get done before school. Then unexpectedly as he turned, something akin to the sound of an explosion resonated from outside

"Dad!"

Both mother and son rushed from the farmhouse, suspecting the worst before even seeing the catastrophe that lay before them. Once outside the full impact of what had occurred hit home with frightening intensity; somehow whilst Jonathan had been working on it, the newly built barn sections had collapsed in on him. Pieces of freshly sawn wood lay strewn across the yard, and somewhere, beneath it all was a human body

"Oh my God no!" Martha screamed, letting the full onrush of her emotions out, " Jonathan!"

Clark felt the same way, but couldn’t let his feelings cloud his judgement. His first thoughts were to find and rescue his stricken parent. Quickly he scanned the debris, trying to locate his father’s prone form, hoping and praying that when he did there were some signs of life. With his x-ray vision it only took mere seconds, then he began digging through the rubble in earnest. Tossing huge fragments of timber as if they were toothpicks, he struggled to save his dad, knowing every second counted. Martha, realizing she was of little help hurried into the house to phone for assistance, and when she returned what she saw made tears once again swell in her eyes

"Clark?" She softly intoned

He swivelled around, cradling his father’s unmoving form in his arms. Blood trickled from Jonathan’s head, but Clark didn’t seem to notice, he simply stared at the immobile body before him and sobbed. In the distance the shrill drone of the Emergency services sirens could be heard, echoing through the countryside like some evil death toll.



The smell of antiseptic filled the passageway, and somehow it scared Clark. He hated hospitals, he didn’t know why, because in his thus far short life he had never needed one, and in fact probably never would. Maybe it was what they stood for that frightened him most, only sick and dying people were brought here, and somehow in Smallville that was one of his friends or family all too often. He paced across the floor, blaming himself as he always did, even though as yet no one knew what had happened

"Clark, any news yet?"

He looked up, surprised to see the face of Lex Luthor here so quickly, then shook his head and sighed

"My mom’s gone to see what she can find out"

Lex nodded, knowing at least a little how Clark felt after his experiences with his own mother

"If there’s ever anything I can do? Doctors, money, just say the word"

"Thanks Lex"

From the bottom of the corridor another friendly face appeared, this time it was Chloe

"Clark I got here as soon as I heard!"

She took hold of his arm, sitting him down on a nearby bench seat

"He’ll be ok, he’s strong like you Clark" She tried to comfort him, but it was in vain, "Lana will be here too once she knows, I’m sure"

He glanced up

"Once she knows?"

"She’s out with that guy Steven again"

Chloe watched waiting for his reaction, and was surprised when a look of envy didn’t cross his face. Instead he nodded, then peered at Chloe with a look of such despair she wanted to cry for him

"I could handle all this if it were an accident," He asserted, "But to know someone is out there, purposefully doing these things..."

Lex shook his head, not knowing at first what the teenager meant

"How can this be deliberate?"

Clark didn’t have the answers, he doubted any sane person did, but something had to be done before things escalated any further. Lex read his thoughts and laid a hand on his shoulder

"I don’t know what’s been going on here, but I’ll pay for a private team of investigators to get on this around the clock"

Chloe nodded

"And I’ll help in any way I can too"

She leaned over, grabbing him and squeezing him tightly in a hug. It wasn’t much, but maybe showing her affections for him would ease his burden ever so slightly. From behind, a door creaked open, the aroma of antiseptic wafting through the air once again. After a moment Martha emerged, her face was still creased in distress. She nodded; acknowledging the arrival of Clark’s two friends, then took a seat beside him

"Your father’s in bad shape, Clark" She paused, seeing his panic-stricken face, "He has a broken leg and some internal injuries, but the doctors think with a little time he’ll make a full recovery"

Chloe’s heart leapt at Martha’s words, as relief washed over all those in the room

"That’s marvellous news Mrs Kent" Lex offered, "Clark’s been telling us this may have been premeditated though, any news on that?"

Martha sighed, there was more, so much more, but where should she begin

"The police have been over to look at the crime scene, and they’ve found a note" she looked at Lex, "This is a little personal"

He licked his lips, intrigued at what could be such a secret to the Kent’s, but smiled anyway and headed for the door

"Of coarse"

He simply stated, then exited the room, pondering how he could discover the confidential facts Martha was about to disclose. He also noted with some displeasure that Chloe had been allowed to stay

"So?" Clark finally queried when Lex was out of earshot, "What’s going on mom?"

Martha cleared her throat, unsure how to tell her son a story she had long left behind her in the past

"They found a note, it says ‘ MY AWAKENING, YOUR FUNERAL’ and a newspaper clipping from when I was in High School, it was before I ever met your father "

She looked at Clark, and then decided it was time to finally tell the tale she had kept hidden from her husband and family for so long

"I used to date a young man named Conrad Walker, at first he seemed the perfect gentleman, nothing was too much trouble for him, but later, as our relationship grew he became possessive, domineering even. It was then I decided we had to break up.."

Martha paused as she remembered the night in question, the look of hatred in Walker’s eyes as she had told him it was over still brought fear to her heart. Chloe saw her expression and prompted her to continue before it all became too much

"Did he get violent?"

Martha nodded, still feeling the touch of his hands on her, beating her

"I reported how he’d treated me, but he was such a nice guy, no one took my accusation seriously, not until it was too late at any rate. You see after a while I discovered he was going out with my best friend Rachel, maybe he thought I would be jealous, maybe he really liked her, but I knew it could only end in disaster"

"And" Clark prompted this time

"One fateful night he took her for a drive in his new car, they must have argued, I guess we’ll never know what about, but the next morning the police found Rachel strangled to death by the highway"

Martha gazed down at her hands, thinking of the old friend she had once held so dear, and who had been killed so viciously, and for no real reason

"The police knew it was Walker, but when it came to court it was my testimony about his past aggression that convinced the jury to convict him. He got life, and he deserved every year of it"

Silence filled the room as Mrs. Kent finished her tale. Chloe frowned, her brow creasing as she comprehended what may well be occurring now

"If the note and clipping are about all this, why aren’t the police checking into it? Maybe this guy got released?"

Martha nodded knowingly

"I already asked them that question, and apparently Walker died in prison six months ago, it can’t be him"

"What about relatives?" Clark queried, his interest suddenly peeked at the thought of a lead, " I mean maybe someone in his family thought he shouldn’t have died in jail, and has come for a little payback"

Martha sighed, all the life and fight had been drained out of her with the last few days events. She sat back wearily, leaning against the wall

"They’re looking into that possibility now, but it might take a few hours to trace all his relations"

"Maybe Chloe and I could check on it too?" He glanced at the girl opposite, raising an eyebrow, "Your contacts found out about Mark Wilson’s autopsy, and my adoption pretty easily, maybe they can find Walker’s family too "

Chloe knew he still hadn’t got over that little transgression in her past, but if somehow it helped now, maybe he would

"We’ll need to go over to The Torch" She nodded, " I can access everything from my PC there"

The pair rose from their seats, and as they exited the door Martha called after them

"Be careful you two, I couldn’t bear anymore bad news"

Clark glanced back and smiled, and in that instant she relaxed. She could never ask for a better son, and that thought comforted her more than he would ever know.



Lex stood outside the hospital fidgeting. The Kent’s had an obvious problem, but then he had inconveniences of his own to deal with. He pulled out his cell phone, harshly hitting the buttons to dial the bank manager. Time was running out if he were to beat his father to Thane Industries, and that wasn’t an option he cared to think about

"Have you gotten the information I require?" He snapped, when at last the call was answered, "I don’t want excuses"

The voice at the other end laughed mockingly

"I have what you want, it’s all very interesting. With the data I have Thane Industries could be yours in a heartbeat, and then there’s the little reason why your father was interested in the first place"

"So why didn’t you contact me?"

More laughter down the line

"I make my moves when I’m ready Luthor. Now to what I really want from you, you didn’t think I would give you this for your silence alone did you?" He paused for effect, "There’s a price now"

Lex had expected this, it was after all only good business practice, his own father had taught him that

"What do you want?" He asked, matter of factly

"I’ve decided I don’t want to stay in Smallville once my dealing is done, therefore I require a light aircraft to be placed in Dobson’s fields just out of town. Lets say I’d prefer a small Cessna, fully fuelled by tomorrow evening at the latest"

"If I concur, I get the documents in exchange for the plane, seven o’clock sharp at Dobson’s fields tomorrow!"

The manager made a noise down the phone, Lex was unsure what it meant, but he didn’t like the sound of it, then the man spoke

"You’d better be there Luthor or you’ll lose more than a few figures, I can promise you that"

With that the line went dead as the elder man slammed down the receiver his end. Lex shuddered, he’d done plenty of under hand deals in his time, but this man was far more dangerous than he had ever anticipated.



Clark and Chloe sat searching through files on her pc, and sending e-mails to every contact she could think of. It was an arduous task, but one both teenagers were committed to

"I’m surprised Lana hasn’t heard about your dad and come over yet" Chloe glanced at Clark as she worked, " I’m sure she’ll be here soon though, and maybe we could do with her sixth sense?"

Clark gave Chloe a bemused look, silently asking what on earth she was talking about. She smiled back

"The Wilson case you mentioned earlier? Lana did pretty good on that one, she sure got to the bottom of things before us, the roving reporters"

Clark nodded. He was happy that the two girls were getting along better, but it made his choices even more difficult. For now though he would stick to the decision he and Chloe had made. In truth he was quite looking forward to taking her to The Homecoming dance, the only fear in his mind was that something would inevitably come along again and spoil it

"She’s out having a good time with the new guy, who can blame her. It must have taken a lot to break up with Whitney"

Chloe tapped away bringing more data up on her screen

"His little transgression helping those jocks probably made it easier for her?"

"I guess so" Clark paused, "Hey, take a look at this! Conrad Walker had a brother, and he recently moved to Smallville!"

Chloe leaned over, scrutinizing the monitor Clark worked at, and enjoying the chance to get just a little closer to his overlarge frame as she did so

"Oh my God Clark! Look at her last name"

She pointed to the screen, her hand shaking at what she had spotted

"Miller?" Clark queried, then it hit home where he’d heard the name before and he almost jumped from his seat in panic, "That’s the new guys name, and he’s off somewhere with Lana!"

Chloe gulped, then tried to calm him

"It doesn’t mean he’s the killer Clark, We have to stay cool. I know where they were going today ok? We’ll just go take my car and check on them"

Clark didn’t like the idea, if only Chloe would tell him the location he could have used his speed to get there in mere seconds, but somehow she knew he would leave her behind, and so insisted they take her car without revealing the place. As they raced to Chloe’s old Ford, he hoped their lack of speed would not be a death warrant for Lana...



The lake water rippled as Lana absentmindedly threw a small pebble, skimming its surface. She turned and smiled at her newly made friend

"I bet you find our creepy little town pretty boring after Metropolis?"

He smiled back shyly

"I’m quite happy here, I like to keep out of the spot light, too many bad memories from the past"

Lana decided not to question him further on the subject, she knew from her own experiences how awful a child’s past could be, preying on a human mind like some parasite

"Well, I’m sure you’ll do fine here, the town has plenty of weird and wonderful things going on to take the locals attention, no one will bother you"

He looked down at his hands, then back up to Lana, he knew in his heart she had befriended him, nothing more, but he found himself attracted to her nonetheless. He looked up, hearing the sound of a cars engine approaching, and noted it was the young reporter from the school

"I think you friend from The Torch is looking for you" He peered at the vehicle, Lana following his gaze

"What on earth could they want?"

As the car screeched to a halt she had a funny feeling she was about to find out. When Clark emerged in an almost frenzied state she began to wonder even more

"Lana, just step away from him"

"Clark what’s gotten into you?"

Chloe jumped from the driver’s seat to stand by his side

"Lana, someone tried to kill Mr. and Mrs. Kent, and somehow it all connects back to Steven here"

The young man shook his head, he had never wanted people to know about his past, he and his mother had moved here because of it, but in the end there was no escape

"I haven’t done anything"

"My mom testified against your Uncle years ago, now someone wants revenge, and only you and your mom are left" Clark stuck to his guns, eyeing the teenager suspiciously, "Why?" He pleaded for answers

"I had an Uncle, and yes I know about what he did and it was wrong, my mom and I have lived in his shadow for years, being persecuted because of his actions, but I haven’t hurt anyone. I just want to hide"

He looked to the floor; defeated once again as yet another town discovered the hidden skeleton in his family’s closet. Lana watched him, and somehow trusted his words

"When did these things happen?" She queried

"Yesterday afternoon and earlier this morning" Clark paused, "And then there was the barn incident the night before that"

"And it never occurred to you that two times out of the three Steven was with me? It can’t be him! I’ve spent almost every hour of the last two days showing him around"

Clark and Chloe peered at one another. Could they be wrong again, like they had been with the Wilson case? Was Lana again ahead of them? Before they could decide Chloe’s phone began to ring and she tugged it from her pocket

"It’s for you" She passed the device over to Clark, "it’s your mom"

"Clark, someone just pushed another note under the door, I was scared, I didn’t want to stay there alone, so I’m over to Nell’s. I don’t want you going back to the farm till this is all over do you understand?" Her voice quivered as she spoke

"Mom, I want you to call the police. I’ll be there shortly" he gazed at his friends as a thought suddenly struck him, then continued, "I have to check on something first ok"

After Martha agreed with him he closed the phone and looked again at Miller

"I believe you" he nodded to the young man, "but I still want you to go to the authorities, take Chloe and Lana too, and just in case send someone over to Nell’s"

Chloe grabbed his arm as he turned to leave

"Clark, where are you going?"

He brushed her gently away

"To find a dead man Chloe, just get the police"

And with that he was gone, taking Chloe’s car till he was out of view, then racing off into the distance at speed, as only he could.



The Metropolis graveyard was dank and cold, just like any other cemetery. The tombstones shadows played tricks on the eyes, making ghostly images in the stark daylight. Clark sped among them, desperately searching for the one that held the key to the latest Smallville mystery. It didn’t take long, the marble headstone still shone like glass with newness, standing out against the others in harsh contrast. The name embellished upon it in gold letters made him shake, here was Walker’s final resting place, or was it?

Swiftly he focused his eyes on the ground before him, turning every molecule of soil transparent, and then in turn he dealt with the freshly buried casket. Within was just as he had expected, there was no body, no nothing. He clenched his fists, then turned, knowing now why his family was in peril, and knowing too he must hasten back to his hometown before the very alive Conrad Walker struck again.



The three teenagers had watched as Chloe’s red Ford sped into the distance, and then Lana had made it quite clear they could go to the police, but she was getting herself home to check on Martha and Nell. Chloe and Steven hadn’t liked the idea, but in the end she had convinced them. Now as she stood on the porch to her home she wondered if it had been the right choice to make, for inside she heard voices, and one definitely belonged to a man. Tentatively she pushed on the door, swinging it open so gently as to gain entry without being detected, then she squeezed herself up to the kitchen door fame and peered through a crack in its side. The man paced with his back to her, and in the far corner Martha and Nell sat, their hands tied to their seats

"You ruined my life Martha, I hope you realize that now, before you die!"

Martha eyed him, finally now she realized who he was

"Conrad, I never recognised you with that beard. How did someone like you get to be a bank manager?"

He laughed the same manic laugh he had to Lex

"My dear, in prison you make many contacts, and enemies. My cellmate trusted me, telling me things I could use against him to the authorities. In the end I was given over to the witness protection program because I turned states evidence on him. Very poetic don’t you think? Our wonderful justice system?"

Nell scowled

"They’d never give you a job at a bank"

"Oh but my dear they have, it’s all quite legal. Coming here was to be my awakening, my rebirth into a new life, imagine my surprise when you walked into the bank and back into my world" He stared at Martha, " I knew then God had sent me here for a purpose"

"Why don’t you just kill me? Tormenting innocent people, trying to burn my son alive, what have you to gain by that? They don’t even know you"

Walker turned, brandishing a large carver from the kitchen he neared Martha, then he forced the blade under her chin

"Oh the son, yes, I want him now Martha, but not for what you think. You see I know about him, he’ll make my fortune, I have it all arranged"

Lana listened intently, not believing she dared to stand here whilst a madman paraded around in her home. She stepped back at his words about Clark, and wondered just what Walker had meant. Something behind her clattered and she whirled around to see she had knocked over Nell’s favourite vase. It wasn’t her aunt’s wrath she feared though, it was Walker’s. Quickly she raced up the stairs, not caring now that he heard her footsteps, and from below she noted the sound as the kitchen door slammed open. Walker was on her tail already

"Well if it isn’t the little lady of the house" He smirked, looking up to the upper storey where Lana now hid, "I think it’s time we were introduced"

Lana careered into the back bedroom, hearing his words and being terror stricken by them. She glanced around, searching for some hiding place, and knowing wherever she chose he would discover her soon enough. In her mind a thought struck her that it was time to fight, not hide, and she hurriedly lifted the duvet a little, hoping Walker presumed she had concealed herself under the bed. Then she dived into the nearby wardrobe and waited, her chest heaving as her heartbeat pounded uncontrollably

"Hiding isn’t the answer you know" Walker chided as he searched each room

He paused outside the door, noting the duvet, and then silently he entered. As he tore it away thinking to find Lana beneath she decided to make her move

"You don’t get me so easily"

She pounced, catching him off guard, and the knife he held clattered to the floor

"Bitch!"

He screamed as Lana jumped on his back, trying desperately to knock him off balance. He half expected the move and rammed himself rearward into the wall, slamming Lana into it at full force, she squealed, but held fast, clawing at his face with her nails

"Why can’t you just leave us alone?"

He laughed once again like someone not in full control of his senses. Then repeated his previous manoeuvre, this time Lana was dislodged and fell to the floor, blood trickling from her lip were it had impacted with the wall. She wasn’t about to give in though and grabbed the knife from where it had fallen

"Don’t you come near me"

"Or what?"

He circled her, eyeing the weapon, and waiting for the right moment to attack. Lana knew full well what he intended and backed away, praying in her mind that the police would soon arrive, but it was a futile hope. Walker leaped without warning and seized her arm, twisting it unmercifully, she screamed in pain, but managed one slash at him before letting go. He recoiled for a moment grasping his injured arm as blood oozed through his fingers, then with the back of his good palm he swiped her hard across the jaw, knocking her back into the mirror behind, and rendering her unconscious

"Bitch!"

He looked down at her prone form, and then picked up the bloodied weapon once again. It would be good to kill her, maybe it would release some of his pent up anger. He kneeled by her side, running his fingers through her hair and wondering how best to make the execution. Then mercifully in the distance he heard the wail of police sirens and knew he must make good his escape. He took one last look at the girl before him, then hastened down the stairs to the kitchen

"You don’t have a prayer now Conrad" Martha smiled, letting him know she was glad

"We’ll see" Swiftly he untied her bonds then began dragging her outside, "Don’t you think I prepared for this eventuality?"

He pulled at her hair, callously forcing her into a nearby Lincoln he had waiting, and then jumped into the driver’s seat beside her

"It’s time we go meet our fates Martha" He grinned, "And of coarse the future I have prepared for your son"

He slammed his foot down on the gas, the car screaming as he sped from the Potter household. Martha glanced back, not caring for her own life, but wondering just what Walker had done with Lana, and what he had in store for Clark.



Clark could here the sirens droning towards Nell’s as he re-entered Smallville, it was just a precaution he told himself, but he increased speed nevertheless. Up ahead he spotted the two patrol cars, and effortlessly diverted himself through the adjoining cornfield to avert being seen as he raced past them. He estimated he had about five minutes before they too arrived as he screeched to a halt outside his friend’s home

"Lana! Nell! Mom!"

"Clark" Lana appeared on the porch, her split lip still bleeding, "Oh Clark"

She grabbed him, throwing her arms around him in relief, then Nell emerged and her face told Clark the whole story. He gently eased Lana away

"Where’s my mom?"

"He took her," Nell pointed off to the nearby farmland to their East, "I don’t know what he’s thinking, there’s nothing out that way"

Clark nodded, it didn’t matter what was there, using his super speed there was still a chance he could find the madman before it was too late v "Are you two ok till the police get here?"

Nell nodded, but Lana guessed his intentions and tried to dissuade him

"Clark No! You can’t go after him, wait please!"

"It’s my mom Lana, you have to understand"

With that he sped off, and as Lana watched him go she understood. She had lost her mother at such a young age, and for all intense purposes so had Clark, in his mind now he had no intention of losing another...



Lex stood in the field as the cool evening breeze blew across his unadorned head. He smiled, thinking soon he would finally have the upper hand on his father, a few more minutes was all he need wait. From the lane that adjoined the field a Lincoln ground to a halt and the person he awaited emerged, looking tired and unkempt, a bloodied arm dangling by his side

"You don’t exactly look your best Conrad"

The manager huffed at his co conspirator

"What do you care as long as you get what you want?"

Lex smirked slyly

"You’re right I don’t," He gestured behind himself to the Cessna he had had flown in, "I kept my end of the bargain as you can see, now where is the merchandise you promised?"

Walker nodded

"Don’t you worry, I have it right here" He swiftly placed his hand in his inner jacket pocket and produced a forty-five, "You really didn’t think I’d give it you, surely? Your father pays so much more"

Lex raised his hands in defence at the man’s sudden move, but it was a wasted gesture. Conrad pulled the trigger without a second thought, the first projectile hitting the Luthor square in the chest, sending him flailing to the ground. Walker walked over to where he had fallen and fired the weapon again twice for good measure

"We don’t want any resurrections now do we?"

When he was satisfied he had removed Lex from the equation he retuned to the car and pulled out Martha’s bound form, dragging her to the light aircraft with relative ease

"Time for a trip I think"

He pushed her in, and then seated himself at the controls. It had been a long time since he had been at the yoke as a teenager, but he feared nothing, it would all come back to him as if it were yesterday. Slowly he began to taxi down the field, increasing the throttle to gain airspeed for lift. Then out of the corner of his eye he spotted a speeding blur at the edge of his vision. It was the young Kent come to rescue his mother, Walker had hoped this would happen, now his revenge would be complete...



Clark reached the perimeter of the field just as Walker had begun his takeoff. To gain lift he knew his target needed to use the aircraft’s ailerons, and now that should be his first objective. He zeroed in on the Cessna, using his heat vision to sear the flaps to the wings in one solid metallic lump, and leaving Walker no control. The plane bounced back to the earth after only gaining a few short feet of lift. It’s pilot screamed in anger, for now, even if he caught the teenager as planned he had no way of escape save the car he had arrived in. He flipped the controls, driving the aircraft like a ground vehicle at Clark in an attempt to slice him with the propeller. Clark saw the move, but instead of running stood firm. The blades hit him with tremendous force, the shaft revolving at incredible speed, but there was no damage to Clark, only to the prop. It shattered in a myriad of pieces, each one floating in graceful slow motion as the teenager watched

"It’s time to give it up Walker" he offered the pilot a way out, a way to live, "Just let my mom go!"

Walker jumped from the aircraft, it’s engine resounding an ear splitting wail as it tried to power the all but defunct propeller

"If you think you can take me, give it a try" He leered v Clark cocked his head to one side, as if saying ‘you want it you’ll get it’, but as he approached the killer, intent on capturing him, he knew something was wrong. Suddenly his body began to spasm in the all too familiar way when he became exposed to meteor rocks. He stared at his hands, knowing he had let Martha down by not being more cautious

"You didn’t think I knew about your little weakness did you?"

He circled Clark as he lay on the floor, watching as he writhed in agony, then he drew the offending green item from his pocket, toying with it with his good hand

"I think it’s time I got you in my car and we were on our way. The Government will pay highly for a specimen like you" He laughed, then peered at the plane, "Maybe we should take your mother along too, make sure we keep you servile?"

He placed the meteor fragment down beside Clark, smirking as he saw the youth squirm once again in pain. Then he dragged Martha from the cabin, tugging at her hair. She lashed out trying in desperation to help her incapacitated son, but Walker was too aggressive. As her first blow caught his injured arm he retaliated sending her full force into the Cessna’s fuselage, her head cracked on impact and she slumped to the floor

"Maybe we wont bother taking her after all"

Clark looked on helplessly, his outstretched hand trying to reach his fallen parent

"Mom!"

Walker laughed and grabbed the teenagers arm, dragging him ruthlessly across the grass to his awaiting vehicle

"My you’re a heavy one" he huffed as he needed to tug harder, "But the payoff will be worth it"

Clark looked up, trying to pull away, then just as he had given up all hope, Lana’s pick up screamed around the corner. Its old engine roaring at the thrashing it was been given. At first he felt relief, then when he saw Lana alone in the driver’s seat it turned to sheer panic. Walker turned too, seeing Clark’s terrified gaze. The sight of the oncoming vehicle unnerved him and he dragged at Clark’s body harder, attempting to get away. Lana sensed his motives and decided on the only coarse of action she could see. With every nerve in her body telling her not to, she steered the truck at the man before her, the look in his eyes as she impacted with his body would remain with her forever, but it was something she would gladly do again to save Clark. Walker’s torn frame flew backwards with the vehicle’s momentum, and then lay still on the ground. Lana sat behind the wheel, engine idling, in a state of shock

"Lana" he cried out once again, trying to stir her from her reverie

Then Martha was at his side removing the green menace from his presence, and helping him to a sitting position

"Clark are you ok?"

He coughed, then nodded, glancing at Lana

"What about you and Lana?"

Martha followed his gaze

"I’m fine, but I think Lana’s in shock. What she did can’t have been easy"

Then Martha spotted another form lying on the floor, unmoving

"Who?"

Quickly the pair raced over, fearing the worst as they realized the expensive suit belonged to Lex. Clark rolled his body over in fear

"Lex?"

After a moment the downed man moaned and stirred

"Clark? What are you doing here?"

"Never mind that. Are you ok?"

Lex winced as he moved, testing himself

"I’ll live" He paused, seeing Walker’s very dead body, "Which is more than I can say for him!"

"I thought I saw him shoot you?" Clark queried

Lex smiled the sly grin he kept for such occasions, then tapped his chest

"If you deal with the devil often enough Clark you learn to play by their rules. I wore a vest"

Martha sighed disapprovingly at Lex’s dealings, then looked back to Lana

"I think I better check on the heroine of the day"

She twisted around, and wasn’t surprised in the least to find Clark at her side ready to help the girl who still filled his dreams.



Chloe smiled at Clark as they sat outside watching the world pass them by. She once again had a chance with him, and this time she didn’t want to blow it with any lets stay friends speech. She knew full well he still had feelings for Lana, but if they could just get one shot at it together it might work

"Is Lana going to be ok?" She asked, truly meaning it

Clark shook his head. In truth he didn’t know, Lana had faced the death of her parents and now she must face taking Walker’s life to save his. She was stronger now though than she had ever been, and in his heart he thought she would deal with it and move on

"I think in time she’ll come to terms with things, at least I hope she will" He clasped Chloe’s hand squeezing it, "I think we need to come to terms with things too"

Chloe’s heart missed a beat, was he about to break them apart?

"I know I’ve been messing you around" He stopped, looking at her sheepishly, "But I want things to work this time"

With that he leaned over and kissed her. It wasn’t romantic, but to Chloe it was as if the heavens had opened up and granted her every wish. She pulled away and gazed into his eyes

"I can’t wait to go to the Homecoming dance with you Clark"



Lex sat at his desk in the Luthor ancestral home and scowled. His father sat before him, grinning like some crazed madman

"You really didn’t think you could outwit me did you Lex? Come now, I’m the strategist of the family"

Lex cupped his hands together and stretched

"If you’ve finished gloating father, I have other business to attend to. Business that doesn’t require your presence"

Lionel rose from his seat and shook his head at his only son

"You should be more accepting of your defeat, I am your father, the master"

He turned leaving the room, and a very annoyed looking son behind. Once he was a safe distance away however Lex smirked and re-seated himself. It didn’t always do to let the great Lionel know everything. Cagily he pulled a manilla folder from his top drawer, his finest operative had retrieved it from Walker’s things before the police had had chance to search

"Oh father, if you only knew"

He opened the folder, pulling out all the files Walker had in his possession, including the one on Thane Industries. In truth Lionel hadn’t gotten the upper hand after all. Lex sifted through the rest, intrigued at what other nefarious dealings the murderer had been up to, and was surprised when he saw Clark’s name

"What’s this?" He murmured amazed at what was inside, "Clark Kent’s adoption records?"

He stared down at the report before him, realizing what its contents meant

"Why would Walker be interested in Clark?" He spoke to himself, theorizing, "And why would the Kent’s fake Clark’s adoption?"

He threw the folder back onto his desktop, rubbing a hand across his head in contemplation. There had always been something different about Clark, something that fascinated him, now after this he knew that he would have to find out....