Clark walked into a room and glanced around searchingly and looked worried. He closed a lead box he was holding before narrowing his eyes and switching to x-ray. He saw a figure out on a ledge and his vision returned to normal as he sped across the S.H.I.E.L.D compound. He stopped at the door and reopened the box before opening the door and walking out. Lana turned around and looked scared; "Clark, you shouldn't be near me…" She stopped as he walked up to her without showing any pain. "What? How is this possible?"

He held up the blue rock and she looked saddened, "Never thought of that." She backs away from him as she says evenly, "Put it away."

He looks confused as he closes the box, "What? Why?"

She has tears in her eyes, "I know it's a solution for my problem, but I won't let you throw away what you have with Lois. You are so happy together, and I won't let you jeopardize that."

Clark says softly, "I just wanted to give you a proper good bye before you leave. I probably shouldn't have listened in, but I heard Colonel Fury offer you the job with S.H.I.E.L.D." He looked proud, "I'm proud of you, Lana. You've done so much good since you left and I wanted you to know that."

She nods gratefully, "Well, they have a pretty promising agenda. I'm just worried that I won't be able to meet their expectations."

Clark said worried, "Well, that doesn't sound like the Lana who helped prevent an entire city from being destroyed. I know she would prove herself any day of the week."

She smiles tightly, "I have a long way to go, Clark. I made a selfish decision and now I have to pay for it."

Clark looks at her sincerely, "Well, take it from a guy who's made his share of selfish choices, it is possible to redeem yourself." He reopened the box and picked up the rock before he gave her a hug, "It was good to see you again Lana. I hope you stay in touch with us every now and then. You're always welcome at Watchtower." He asked, "Make sure you stop by and see Chloe before you leave."

She nods, "I will. Goodbye, Clark Kent. I hope you keep your night job." He nods and steps back as he closes the box. Both turn startled when they hear a door close forcefully.

Chloe slowly opened her eyes and blinked to clear her head from the fog she presently felt. She looked forward and looked puzzled to see Lois scribbling on a paper. She licked her lips and said softly, "Hey, cousin."

Lois looked over with apprehension, "You're up!" She sighed troubled, "This is going to make it harder." She finished writing the note and left it there on the dresser. "I'm leaving Smallville, Chloe. I didn't want to, but I don't really have any reason to stay now." She walked over and pulled Chloe into a hug, "I love you, Chlo. And I hope you keep doing this thing. It's what you were meant to do."

Chloe looked alarmed, "Lois, what are you talking about? You have a job here, friends! You can't just drop everything here and leave!"

A few tears fell down her face as she explained, "I'm taking the job Perry offered me in Sydney. I'll drop you a line when I get settled. Goodbye, Chloe."

She turned and left, leaving Chloe stunned and confused. She called hoarsely, "Lois, wait!" She put her feet over the bed and tried to walk over but fell to the floor. She took a few panicked breathes as she tried to stand up.

The door opened and Stark walked in. He moved to help her up as he said worried, "Whoa, kid, you've just been through a shock. You need to rest."

She shook her head, "Lois. You have to find Lois."

Tony gestured, "She passed me in the hall; she asked Fury for a ride on the chopper to the Airport."

Chloe looked panicked, "She's leaving. I can't let her go!"

Tony sighed and moved her to the bed, "Stay here."

Tony went into the hall and hurried down the way he had seen Lois run. He came to a corner and glanced around searchingly. He suddenly stiffened and leaned against the wall unable to move. Lois walked up to him and spoke apologetically as she palmed a small paralyzing device, "I imagine this doesn't feel too good, but if my own cousin can't get me to stay, you and a group of superheroes won't either. I hope you don't take this personally, Mr. Stark. I don't have anything here anymore. Clark got the one he's always dreamed of, and I'm stuck with a job watching him save the world." She pushed a wheelchair forward and eased Tony into it. She added quickly as she put the device in his jacket pocket, "And I'll leave this little toy with you."

Chloe finished getting dressed when Clark and Lana walked in. The two friends looked worried and Lana said, "Chloe, you were in a coma; you should be resting."

"Lois is leaving for Sydney. I sent Tony after her, but I doubt even Ironman could stop her."

Clark looks somewhat nervous, "She must have heard part of our conversation."

Chloe gave them a mild glare, "Good going, you two. Lois is a little insecure when it comes to opening up, and the slightest thing could make her clam up."

Lana looked apologetic, "Well, I can explain that I won't be in her way, if we can get to her in time."

Chloe finished tying her shoes and said, "Let's go." They went down the hall and stopped when they saw Tony struggling to stand from the wheelchair.

The inventor spoke forced as Lana and Chloe helped him to stand, "Remind me to bill Lane for the hospital charges."

Clark asked, "What happened?"

"Your girlfriend used a paralysis device on me and made her way to the company hangar. She's probably boarding the plane now."

Lana saw Clark move to take off and held up her hand, "Clark, let me. I need to clear the air between her and me; otherwise she won't believe you are over me."

He nods after a moment, "You're right." She turns and blurs down the corridor.

Tony blinks amazed, "When she gets back, I want to take a look at that technology."

Lois paused briefly and glanced back. She took a determined breath and got in the helicopter. An attendant closed the door and the pilot lifted off. The chopper moved toward the open hangar doors to depart. Lois took a shaky breath and wiped a tear that fell down her cheek. She jerked forward suddenly and glanced at the pilot annoyed, "Hey, fly smoother, buddy!"

"Sorry, miss. We have an obstacle blocking us."

Lois narrowed her eyes as she craned her neck to see outside. She hung her head dejected and told him. "Set it down. I'll just be a couple minutes."

"Roger."

He landed and Lois opened the door and stepped out. She walked straight away from the plane and turned to keep calm. After a minute, she set her jaw and said calmly, "What could you possibly want now? From what I see, you've got everything you need, Lana." She unclipped her Daily Planet press badge and held it for Lana to take, "Do you want my job at the Planet now too?"

Lana looked at her worried, "Lois, I don't want your job. And I haven't taken anything…" Lana stopped in surprise as the taller woman slapped her.

Lois gasped in pain and squeezed her hand gingerly. "Don't lie to me, Lang! I saw you two on the balcony. You both looked cozy together." She took a sobbing breath, "you and Clark have each other, and I wish you both all the best. I really do." She stalked to the brunette, "But you pretty not hurt him, you hear me? Because I have seen him in agony over you so many times. If you do it again and he comes running back to Smallville, I will hunt you down and make you pay for every tear he cries, you got it?"

Lana looked stunned for a few moments before talking calmly, "Okay. Is your hand okay?"

Lois gave a slight shake, "I'm fine."

"Good. Once you get back inside, you should have it checked out just to be safe."

Lois nods, "I'll get a medic in Sydney to look at it once I land."

Lana eyed her sadly, "They told me you how stubborn you are. Clark says it's what he first loved about you."

She looked confused before glaring, "Lang, I'm warning you…"

Lana interrupted, "Lois, shut up for a minute and let me rant now, okay?" She nodded, "first of all, you aren't going to Sydney. You've got a job here in Metropolis, one that Chloe and Clark both say you excel in. Second, and you have my complete word on this, I am not going to take Clark from you. Things have changed for him and me."

Lois looked skeptical, "But you're both equals. Your strength matches his, and you've both been crazy for each other."

"But I can't be within 15 feet of him thanks to the kryptonite radiation from the suit!" Lana sighed, "Regardless, we thought we had something, but it was impulsive, selfish. We've been stuck on childish impressions of the other and it was amazing while it lasted. But we've never been meant for each other, not the way you two are."

Lois objected, "I'm not his soul mate, Lana. You are."

Lana scoffed, "Clark and I have been on and off for years, Lois. And looking back, it was only rebounding. We would get hurt, and the other would be there to pick the other up." She asked, "Do you know the first time Clark flew?"

Lois shrugged, "Yeah, a few hours ago."

Lana shook her head, "No. It was right after he met you."

Lois looked intrigued, "No, Chloe says that was his alien side. Kal El flew, not Clark."

Lana pressed on, "Lois, I may have known about Clark and his secret longer than you, but I am not the one who gave him wings. You did that, and it's because of you that the world will have him to look as a savior. And it hasn't been me that he's been trusting from the shadows. It's you."

Lois spoke cautiously, "This all sounds good, but how do I know you're not going to go after him?"

Lana smirked, "Clark's not the only person has dating recently. I ran into Pete Ross a few months ago, and we've been dating for a while." She said playfully, "You're not the only normal person who's dating a superhero." Her phone beeped urgently and she glanced at it. She said seriously, "I'm afraid I have to go, Lois."

Lois was surprised to feel some disappointment, "What? Why so soon? You just got back."

Lana shrugged, "You should know better than anyone, Lois. Stories don't wait." She pulled out an ID badge with a star emblem with SHIELD stamped in the center, "And neither does SHIELD, my new employer."

Lois looked amazed, "No way? Lana, I know I was somewhat blunt earlier, but you are my friend. What they do is dangerous."

She smiled sincerely, "You could argue that reporting is too." she looked mockingly at her, "Seriously, how many times has someone tried to kill you? And you're not even bulletproof." She said sincerely, "I meant what I said, Lois. I have no plans to steal Clark from you, and even if I had to remove the suit, I wouldn't try to rekindle our relationship. He is waiting for you to come back. And we both know how he'll take it if you leave."

Lois was silent for a minute. She said softly, "Thank you. And I promise, I will look after him. He won't have any reason to cry today."

Lana nods, "Good to know." She walked a few feet and turned back. "I'll see you around, Lois." she blurred from the hangar as Lois glanced at the chopper.

She went over and said calmly, "On second thought, I'm not leaving. Sorry for the hassle." She walked back to the base as the pilot powered down the chopper.