"Brian!"

"Yes, I'm Brian- Mrs. Kent! Oh my gosh, what did these punks do to you?"

He kneels down immediately, concern upon his face. I wipe my cheeks with one hand and look down at Clark. It feels like he's stopped crying, but still trying to catch his breath. He doesn't look towards Brian but stays safe in my arms.

"They attacked me and my son."

"How did they end up like that?"

"I - I don't know. They started fighting and I just closed my eyes."

He sighs. "Let me help you up." He gently pulls me and Clark to our feet. I feel a little dizzy as I try to stand my own ground. "I'm gonna call an ambulance."

"That would probably be a good idea.." I just won't let them examine Clark.

I start to walk over to my bags dashed on the ground, but Brian hops in front of me.

"Let me get those for you Mrs. Kent."

He picks them up. However, instead of handing them back, he notices something through the transparent plastic, and immediately digs inside.

"Brian?" I ask with incredulity.

"Is Clark sick?"

Is Clark sick? Where did that come from? I try to comprehend what he's saying.

"What?"

"Is Clark sick?"

"N-no. What does that matter?"

I feel Clark's hand reach up to my face as I stare at Brian. Turning towards Clark I can see the worry and concern in his face for me, I must be doing worse than I thought. He seems completely aware of Brian's presence, yet oblivious of him at the same time, is that possible?

"You bought some children's medicine."

"So what does that matter?"

I must be disoriented, what is Brian talking about?

He closes my plastic bag, placing it back on the ground. Slowly, and almost menacingly he walks toward us. Now his voice is restrained, and sharp.

"Nell and her niece are staying with you, aren't they?"

Quickly I respond, "No, they're not."

"Liar! The little girl, she was sick this evening, and that's what the medicine's for - isn't it?!"

His voice gets louder, while I feel mine slides into whisper. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You don't know what kind of person she is! She ripped my heart right out of my chest! She destroyed my life!"

Weekly, I plead with him, "Brian, no."

"I'm gonna- I'm gonna - ."

I can see the anger in his eyes, even in the darkness. His jagged steps to and fro give off a sense of urgency and danger. It's then I realize he's really going to hurt Nell!

"No! No, Brian!"

A groan from one of our assailants stops our argument. Brian takes out his radio and calls for an ambulance. I hear sirens as another police car pulls up besides Brian's. The other officer comes out and Brian talks to him. I can see Brian continually looking back at me. While they talk I pick up my bags. My head still aches, but the pain seems to be subsiding.

When I look back I see Brian walking away and get back into his car. Nell! He's going to my house for her! Quickly I grab Clark's hand and run to the other officer.

"Officer! Officer! We have to stop him!"

"Woah, slow down there Mrs. Kent. Stop who?"

"Brian! He's going to my house, Nell Potter's there!"

"I don't understand."

"He's going to do something to her! He's going to hurt her!"

"Mrs. Kent calm down. You've just been through something horrible, it's alright calm down. Brian's just on his way, responding to another call. Don't worry."

This officer is young, and earnest. I can tell he has my best interest at heart, but that isn't what's important right now. But just as Brian's car gets out of sight, my nerves tighten.

"No. No, I know he's going, and Nell's in danger. Please believe me."

"Mrs. Kent, why don't you just have a seat. Everything's going to be okay."

He smiles and offers his hand, but I just shake my aching head in frustration. I turn and begin running toward my truck. The young officer jogs in front of us.

"Mrs. Kent, wait, what are you doing?"

"I'm going home. Brian's headed there. Call Sherif Ethan, tell him to get there as soon as possible."

I open the driver's door and help Clark climb on up. He scoots aside as I jump in and start the engine. The officer places his hand on my window.

"Mrs. Kent! Mrs. Kent stop!"

We speed away before he can stop us. I begin to drive as speedily as I can back towards the farm.

After a few minutes, I calm down slightly and glance over at Clark. He silently sits beside me looking out the window.

His shirt is ripped. His clothes are muddy.

What have I done? Oh, what have I forced my child to do? An overwhelming feeling of depression suddenly enters my heart. I'm a terrible mother. I should have never never told him to...I can't...Clark, oh Clark, why did I tell you to do that?

I've just ripped apart everything we've ever told Clark about his powers. I could have screamed for him to escape, any sane mother would have done so. And what do I do, I yell for him to jump into danger. But he saved my life.

I feel tears begin to slide down my cheeks again. I can't tell what Clark's feeling right now. He looks blankly ahead. His eyes cloudy, and his skin somehow flushed and pale at the same time. He turns to me. And in his eyes I see worry.

"Was that a bad police man?"

I sniff and speak through a nasal voice. "Brian? Yes, yes I think he is."

Confused, Clark continues his question. "But...he's police?"

"I know, and police are usually very good. But this one may be bad. He's going to our house, and he may hurt Nell and Lana. We have to...we have to try to stop him."

"He's gonna hurt Lana?"

"Maybe, I don't know. We've just got to get there as fast as possible."

We drive in silence until finally I force myself to utter something,

"You saved my life Clark."

He looks down at his small hands. "I used my strength."

"I know, I know...but sometimes, it's important to use it. If someone's life is in danger you should. You just have to make the right decisions."

"The right decisions...if Lana's in danger?"

"If Lana's in danger, yes. But only real danger. Not from a push or from getting teased. You have to make sure you use your strength, and your speed at the right times. Because everytime you do, even to help someone, it's risking your secret. And then someone might...might..."

"Take me away."

Oh, no. I did it again. Martha. I start tearing up again. Clark puts his little hand on mine, gently comforting me, only the way he can.

"You understand that what you did was a good thing, right Clark?" Do I understand that?

Quietly he responds, "I do."

He nods and then looks up to me with a slight smile of love and courage behind his eyes, which surprisingly gives me strength. I sigh, and hope I'll come to realize what I've done was for the better as well.

"Why?"

I glance over at Clark, who's eyes peer up at me begging for a response.

"Why what?"

"Why did those men hurt you? Why is that police man going to hurt Lana?"

I look away and swallow. Choosing my words carefully and slowly I try to respond to his question.

"Sometimes, the problem people have most of all is that...they don't think about consequences. They just let something take over them, and do nothing to stop it. All care and thought for others is abandoned and all they care about is themselves. Then they'll do anything to make themselves feel good, no matter what. Even if others get hurt in the process. And that's very wrong, Clark."

I look at him, wondering if he even understood my words. But he seems to be thinking. I can see the gears of his mind rotate behind his eyes.

"Very wrong." He whispers.

"Life is the most precious gift we've ever been given Clark. Never forget that."

"I won't."

I pull up to our house and see Brian's squad car already there. I swallow. The lights are still off, the rain is sill pouring. This is stupid Martha! Don't even think about going in! But in my mind mental images of Lana, and Nell appear. I can't just wait until the police get here, can I? What if they don't come? If it's in my power to help them, then I should.

I take my seatbelt off but don't move. It's one thing to act when acted upon, another thing entirely to enter the fray willingly. I look over at Clark. I can't take him inside. I just can't. After what I've made him do tonight already. But Clark's powers could be helpful. What if Brian has a gun...I don't want Clark anywhere near him. I have to do this on my own. Oh, Jonathan, I wish you were with me.

"Clark. I want you to stay here." He looks up confused at me, as I continue, "It could be very dangerous, and you've been through enough tonight. Please stay safe, I don't want anything to happen to you. Do you understand?"

He frowned but nodded his head. I take a deep breath and hug him tight.

As silently as I can, I go around the side of the house to our back door. I slide the key in and try to open the door as quietly as possible. All of my candle's must have gone out because it's exceedingly dark inside. I shiver. I stand at the edge of the doorway, feeling every urge to leave.

And then I hear Lana crying.