Two weeks later…..

Clark sat in his loft looking over a few notes he'd made. Chloe was on her way over so they could start working on a research project, but he wasn't really focusing on his notes. He was thinking about his parents. It was their anniversary and after several promises that nothing would happen while they were gone, this time, they had decided to take a mini vacation and go away for the whole weekend. He was glad they were going to be able to have some time to themselves where they wouldn't have to worry about anything back on the farm.

A slight noise brought Clark's attention to the present. It sounded like it came from the bottom part of the barn. "Chloe?"

Clark quickly glanced out the window to make sure he hadn't somehow missed his friend's car drive up. He was about to go back to his studies, when he heard the noise again. Curiosity getting the best of him, Clark slowly walked downstairs to find the source of the noise. Reaching the bottom, he walked out towards the open area of the barn, still unable to find a source for the noise. Something just didn't feel right. All appearances seemed normal, but the hairs on the back of his neck seemed to stiffen getting ready for the unseen adversary.

A man wearing a nice suit stepped into the doorway of the barn. He had broad shoulders and a very serious expression on his face. He didn't say a word, as he stood there rigid.

"Who are you?" Clark's voice boomed. "What are you doing here?"

The newcomer didn't say a word, but a smug smile spread across his face.

"What do you want?" Clark asked again.

Just as the words left his mouth he felt a prick on his arm as an intense burning sensation followed. Clark turned and pulled out a small green dart where a deadly green drop came off on his finger. He sank to his knees as the burning sensation ran down the length of his arm.

The well-dressed man stepped towards Clark now seemingly unable to defend himself, jamming another needle in his other arm. The barn began to spin around and was fading to dark when Clark heard the man say, "Tell Dr. Raines the package is secure. "

Chloe pulled up to the Kent farm a little bit later than she had planned. She had been at the Torch working on a story when it seemed everything began to go haywire on her. Her computer decided to delete the partial story she had worked on all morning and the copier tried to eat everything she put in it. So, after wrangling with them for close to an hour she threw up her hands in disgust and decided to just give up, hoping they would be in a better mood when she got back.

"I hope he hasn't given up on me and decided to do something else." She mused to herself. She noticed the truck was still in the driveway. That was a good sign. At least he should be on the farm somewhere. Chloe walked into the barn calling out "Clark! I'm so sorry that I'm late, but technology just wouldn't cooperate with me today."

Not hearing a response Chloe quickly headed up the stairs to the loft wondering where her friend was. "Clark?" Chloe looked around unsure. He had definitely been there earlier. His books and notes were spread out ready for them to work on their project.

"Hmmm…. Maybe he's inside the house." Chloe thought it was a little odd that if Clark had been inside he wouldn't have come out when she drove up, but maybe he was busy doing something else. Chloe turned the knob finding the door unlocked. "Mrs. Kent, Mr. Kent, Clark?"

Chloe stood in the Kent's kitchen hearing nothing but the sound of her own voice. Okay, now she was beginning to get worried. Where was everybody?

Chloe quickly stepped back outside and dialed Pete on her cell phone. "Hey, Pete. Is Clark with you?" As Chloe listened her sense of worry heightened. "He's not. Well, it's just that I'm over at the Kent's and it a ghost town over here."

"Oh, how could I've forgotten?" Chloe slapped her head. "Yeah, I remember him saying his parents were going away for the weekend and not to mention it to anyone. He didn't want any unexpected guests coming over again. But, that doesn't explain why Clark went AWOL on me. Where could he be right now? I'm staring at his truck right here in his driveway. No, I'm going to look around here a little more and if I don't find anything I'll call you back."

A few hours later…..

Lionel smiled wickedly as he looked through the one-way observation window. Raines had outdone himself this time. Lionel turned as the newcomer entered the room. "I have to say I'm impressed." Lionel turned his focus back to the room's occupant. "So how did you do it? Did you have any trouble?"

"I waited until his support structures were away and then we moved in." Raines inhaled heavily before continuing. "Also, you're suspicions dealing with the green meteor rock proved accurate. The report was he gave them no trouble at all."

Lionel rubbed his chin in thought. He was about to get all the answers he had desperately wanted for so long. "How long before we can begin?"

"He needs to be awake before I can do anything more." Raines answered. "He was given enough tranquilizers to take down an elephant. I don't know when he'll wake up."

"I want to be notified the instant he awakens."

"Of course," Raines sneered.

Both men stepped out of the room, not noticing the pair of eyes peering out from the vent above.