Faith and Clark were making the walk home. Faith was exhausted and Clark well Clark has no idea what's going on. All he knows is that they just saved the world from the Sisterhood of Jhe. At least that's what Faith told him. Apparently something happened to Clark in the library. He's trying to get Faith to recap the events again.

"So let me get this straight?" Clark asked. "Angel almost died."

"Yup"

"Giles did something incredibly stupid?"

"Incredibly brave if you ask B." Faith added.

"OK and Willow saw the true face of evil."

Faith nodded. "Think Red is going to be in therapy for quite some time."

Clark nodded catching up but still missing everything. "So why don't I remember any of this?"

Faith smiled at this part. "You jumped in the hellmouth said these are pissed off vampires. Then the tunnel which I'm assuming was heat vision glowed red then you jumped out without the last 20 minutes of your life."

Clark was just confused he doesn't think he'll ever understand what happened tonight. He goes to put his hand to his head but he looks at his hand and sees writing on it. "Faith I thought we agreed to keep Xander and Cordy out of this?"

Faith turned around. "We did. Why?"

Clark just put his hand up and there was a note on it saying thank X + C bomb. Faith just shrugged. "That's a new one on me."

Clark and Faith both go up the steps to their house and their greeted by the Kents. Neither of them looks exactly happy. Faith can't believe this. She gets that the Kents are concerned about her and Clark but they haven't even done it yet they were out saving the world. Which for the record is grinding down the last of Faith's resolve she's half tempted to tie down Clark with the blue K she got him for Christmas.

Clark recognizes the face however. They had it in the hospital when Ryan succumbed to the tumors from the experiments at Summerhault. Clark knows it's in bad taste but he's glad Dr. Garner died from experimenting on him from that kryptonite explosion, laser guided karma. Clark can see his parents don't know what to say. "What is it?"

"We've just confirmed that Dr. Virgil Swann passed away this morning. No details are being released. The reclusive billionaire will be remembered as one of the leading Philanthropists of his generation. Along with starting the Virgil Swann Charitable Foundation, he generously funded a wing at the Natural History Museum. Searching for intelligent life in the universe, the world will remember his many contributions. And man will benefit from his gifts for generations to come."

Clark turns off the recording his parents had made off the 11 o clock news after first finding out on the 10 o clock news. "I just talked to him last week."

Jonathon just put his hand on his son's shoulder. "I'm sorry Clark. I truly am."

Martha got up and joined him. "We both are."

Faith didn't know what to do emotional baggage is not really her thing. "I want to say the right thing Clark I just don't know what it is. How am I supposed to make it better?"

Clark just took her by the hand. "You just said it. And you just did."

Faith smiles at doing the right thing. "Ooh I almost forgot." Faith went into the kitchen and came back with a manila envelope. "This came for you today but I forgot about it in all the madness of the end of the world."

Martha just held her breath at the last part. She knows that they had already helped save the world twice before tonight between the two tournaments but she's still not comfortable with her son risking his life to save the planet. But given Clark's natural instinct to protect people she knows she has to get used to it. Clark opens the envelope and shakes the contents out. In it he finds a piece of paper and a red pouch. He opens the pouch and finds the octagonal disc. He thought that it vaporized in the cave wall. He opened the letter and saw that it was from Dr. Swann.

Clark read aloud. "Kal-El, I wish I could continue this journey with you. But now you must seek out your father. If I sheltered you from him for too long, forgive me. Jor-El sent you here on a mission. He's the only one who can help you finish it. I am returning something that is rightfully yours. I know it will lead you to your destiny."

Clark put the note down and collected his thoughts. "I have to see Jor El."

Jonathon nodded but he wasn't happy about it. "I'll wake you up early."

Clark shook his head no. "I need to see him right now."

Jonathon stared at him. "I thought we agreed you wouldn't go near those caves."

"I can't just ignore Swann's message." Clark replied.

Jonathon tried to calm down a bit if it turns into a shouting match Clark is not beyond running out. "I know that you trust him, but, Clark...he doesn't know Jor-El the way we do."

Clark was shocked does his dad have so little faith in him? "Dad, it's not like I've forgotten who we're dealing with here. I'm just afraid what's going to happen if we continue to ignore him like last year."

Jonathon knew Clark had a point last thing they needed was another KarLindsey sent their way. "Fine but be careful."

Clark just nodded and Faith got out of her seat. She wonders what this Jor El is like. Clark sees it and knows he has to stop her. "You're not coming Faith."

Faith just glared at him. "Why the hell not?"

"Because Jor El is very dangerous." Clark pointed out. Sure he's fallen down to number 3 with Shao Kahn and Vamp Kal but he's still dangerous.

"My life is always dangerous." Faith pointed out. "Alien dad is just a new twist on an old classic."

Clark put his hands up and pleaded with her. "Faith last time Jor El was near three people. One was left brain dead for three months, one was brainwashed for three months, and the last one was vaporized because Jor El had no more use for her. Faiths as a favor to me please stay here. If I have to go anywhere else I'll take you with me I promise."

Faith just shrugged. "Yeah sure but you're taking me with you if you go anywhere."

Clark superspeeds back to Smallville. He hopes he knows what he's doing. He goes in the cave and activates the trap door opening it to the alter of the stones. He looks at the two stones as he puts in the key. He quickly finds himself in a dark room surrounded by blue light.

"I knew you would return my son." Jor El said

Clark just looked around. "Why did you send me to find this?"

"Because you are the last survivor of a great civilization." Jor El said like it should be obvious why him.

"A great civilization that destroyed itself." Clark pointed out.

"As will yours, if you continue to refuse your mission." Jor El warned. "The knowledge of our civilization was encoded in three stones brought to earth and hidden at the far reaches of the world. Greed will drive others to hunt the stones. But if the humans should unite them before you, they will not be able to withstand the temptation and will drive the world to famine, war, and the earth's ultimate destruction. You must find the final stone. The fate of the world is in your hands...Kal-El."

Clark got out he didn't realize these stones could end the world though Jor El might be manipulating him he needs to find this last stone. Keep it away from people and maybe even Jor El. Problem is Clark knows it's not anywhere on this continent from his little water trip after his last fight with Isabelle. The only idea Clark has is Lex. When he was Kal El he 'relieved' Lex of the fire stone. So if Lex was looking for the fire stone odds are he's looking for the others too.

Clark runs superspeed over to Luthor Mansion. He heads into Lex's office and covers the camera with his jacket since he gave the night watchman a tap to the head. Seriously Lex's security sucks it's going to get him into trouble one day if Clark can get into his sanctuary with a jacket and disabling one guard. Clark was looking around and found a paper with a drawing of a temple. Clark recognized the text from the book he borrowed off Giles it's the missing page when you X-ray it. Clark folds it up and puts it in his pocket it's 1 copy among 50 so Lex won't notice that it's missing hopefully.

Clark keeps looking around for more clues. He sees a military folder in Lex's desk and pulls it out and just reads the cover. "33.1 Initiative", Clark can tell Lex will know if it's been opened with the broken seal. Clark hears someone coming and puts the folder away before disappearing in a blur for Sunnydale.

The next day Faith is in the library with Clark, Willow, and Giles. Giles is relieved at being able to do something for Clark he still feels guilty for taking his powers from him during Buffy's Cruciamentum. Clark has the Kawatche book and has the piece of paper where it would go. He is currently looking to see if it goes anywhere with the two pages.

"Eureka" Willow cheers in victory.

Clark looks to her. "Did you find something?"

Willow nods. "I found a big something by looking up the temple you told us about in the Honduras. Its part of a trio there's another one in Egypt and one in China." Willow points at the screen. "Look at the one in China."

All three do and recognize it. It's the same temple from the drawing. Clark is in trouble how the heck is he going to get to China? Even at a superspeed swim that is a long distance for him. He could call Lex but that would make for an awkward conversation. Assuming he's not in China already considering what he knows. He'd call Raiden but he already informed him he won't interfere unless absolutely necessary since he wants Clark to stand on his own.

Faith just speaks her mind. "China, China no offense Clark but how the hell are we supposed to get there?"

Clark just jumped up and down a couple times. He sees it's not working and looks at the stares he's getting. "Well I'm not regaining the ability to fly anytime soon what do you guys have?"

Willow stood mouth wide open. "Wait, you can fly?"

Clark looks down realizing only his parents and Faith knew that one. "Only when I'm brainwashed Willow."

Giles was taken back. "Brainwashed"

Faith just shrugged. "His dad's a real bastard. None of this helps us get to China."

Giles just took off his glasses. "I'll see what I can do."

Later that day Buffy was walking back to the library with Clark.

"So you flew and ripped open a jet door. I wonder why slayers don't fly." Buffy was impressed recapping Clark's stories.

Clark just smiled. "It was a one time deal and I don't see myself flying anytime soon I'm afraid of heights."

Buffy stared at him in confusion. "What do you have to be scared of Mr. Impervious?"

Giles broke the two up. "Children you both have a flight to get ready for."

Clark was shocked. "You got us a plane. How did you afford it?"

Giles was cleaning his glasses. "I cashed in a favor from an old friend."

Buffy nodded. "So how many tickets do we have?"

Giles looks at her. "We have a whole plane Buffy."

Buffy's eyes bugged out. "You are so telling me everything about your past."

Giles gives them the time and place to tell the others. Clark and Buffy make the rounds. Faith agrees to go mainly because Clark promised to take her with him if he found anything. Xander agreed to go because it's potentially a whole night away from home. Willow agreed because she wanted to see more of the world. Oz wanted to go but can't because tonight is the last wolf night and Cordelia refused to go into a communist country they're anti rich.

After school they all catch a ride in Oz's van to the meeting place Giles set up. They all get into the plane and it doesn't take long to take off. Jonathon hates seeing them off but Clark kept his word and all of this is happening after school unlike the incident in the Honduras. Buffy can't believe this she never thought she was getting out of Sunnydale even if it is just for a little bit it's nice to get out of Sunnydale and see something new. Faith takes a seat next to Clark and sees that he's actually kind of nervous. He really is afraid of heights.

Fait looks at him and takes his hand for support. "You OK."

Clark nods. "Just a little stressed out from being so high up."

Faith just smirked. "I'd offer you membership in a very popular club to take the stress off but Geeves is right by the bathroom door."

Clark just smiled. "I didn't bring the cross anyway."

Faith just rolled her eyes. "Let's just get this rock and go home."

Clark nodded. "No objections to that." Clark frowns it's not that he doesn't want to dear god he does. It's just he doesn't know what will happen.

The plane landed in a discreet spot and the gang heard Giles and the pilot speaking in a language no one understood. 10 minutes later they're walking to the temple and are hit with culture shock.

Xander was in shock. "Willow"

"Yeah Xander"

"I don't think we're in Sunnydale anymore."

The others look around and are amazed at the crowd of people. Clark has never seen so many people all in one place before in his entire life. He quickly regains his focus and turns to Giles. "So where is the temple?"

Giles turned back to him. "Do you have the map?"

Clark just pats his pocket. "Why would I not bring this with me?"

Giles nodded knowing how dangerous this stone is. "Well keep it hidden until we get to the temple. As long as anyone thinks we might know where the stone is we'll be living targets."

The scoobies make it to the temple and from here it should be easy for them. Get the stone get on the plane and go home. Of course however they never have it easy. Clark sees Lana at the base of a tree pulling up an antique statue and smashing it causing him a piercing headache. A good headache though because now he knows where the stone is. Clark moves at superspeed and takes the stone and stops to make sure it is the last stone. Lana turns to him and sticks her hand out hitting him with pink energy knocking him out and revealing that she is in fact Isabelle. Buffy and Faith run over but are met with a similar attack as are Xander and Giles. Willow is too petrified to move since last time Isabelle was out she took a joyride in Willow's body.

Isabelle walked through the temple until she heard something fast moving towards her and Clark appears in front of her.

Isabelle glared at him. "Nobody has sacrificed as much as I have for these stones.

Clark didn't back down. "They don't belong to you."

"And you think they were meant for you?" Isabelle shouted before smirking. "They were left for nobody. The god of this temple hid them for his return."

Isabelle's eyes glow pink as a sword and sai float into her hands and glow pink when she chants Latin. "You forget Kryptonian I know your powerless against my magic."

Isabelle throws the sai and is surprised when Clark easily catches it. "I'm just vulnerable to it."

Isabelle smirked. "Someone's been practicing."

"You were tougher in Willow." Clark replied.

Isabelle went for quick swings but Clark kept dodging at superspeed. Clark got cut across the face not really surprised that her attack hurt him. Isabelle went to impale Clark on the sword but he just superspeed behind her and lightly tapped her on the side of the head knocking her out. Clark can't believe how much easier this was then last time. He uses X-ray vision strictly X-ray vision and finds the stone in a pocket taking it off of her. The others come in and are shocked last time Isabelle and her friends made Clark her plaything and now Clark knocked her out in under a minute. They got out of the temple and left to explore China for a couple hours after Clark checked and found Lex and someone who looks like the guy from Supernatural in the basement and freed them to find Lana and make sure it was Lana.

The next day Clark has everything set up. The stone was locked away in his trap door in the attic. After being attacked by Isabelle in China yesterday it became apparent that burning the book wasn't enough to stop her for good Clark had to get rid of the transference tattoo. Clark told Giles of a spell in one of the books in the library that should be able to get rid of Isabelle for good. Giles said he would need the arterial blood of a demon which Buffy and Faith collected on patrol. Giles and Willow stood in a circle and started the spell.

Lana was spending the day with Chloe and Lois in her apartment. Lois got up to get a bottle of water and turned back around to see Lana's tattoo floating off her body. "Holy crap! Lana turn around!"

Lana turned around and saw the tattoo fade away into nothing after getting off her back. Lana smiled in relief this was finally over. No more hunting for the stones no more tracking down anything on Isabelle it's over she is free of her. Lana hugged Lois and just as soon hugged Chloe she can't help it. She's so happy she would hug Lionel Luthor's zombie if he showed up at her door. Lana immediately went to call Jason to tell him the good news as there was a knock on the door. Chloe got up and went to answer the door and there they were. Clark, Buffy, Faith, Xander, Willow, Cordy, and Oz.

Chloe smiled an already good day just got even better. "Clark, Faith what are you guys doing here."

Clark just hugged her. "Hi Chloe how have you been?"

"Good." Chloe replied. "But that's not answering my question."

Clark looked at her. "I told you I was bringing my friends to Smallville for the day."

Chloe looked at him. "No you didn't."

Clark shrugged. "Really must have slipped my mind."

Chloe looked at him slip nothing he just came to see them to surprise them and wanted to see her face. "So how did you guys get here?"

"Train" Buffy answered. "We slept on the way here."

Chloe just nodded. This was a great day. Lana's witch free so no more researching that. Clark even paid them a surprise visit. "So let's give these guys the grand tour."

Lois looked at her in confusion. "What tour cuz 80% of this children of the damned town is cornfields."

Chloe shrugged realizing Lois is right Smallville is no Metropolis. It's not even a Sunnydale at least they have a club. "Talon, Torch, Crater Lake"

Lois just smiled she thinks Chloe just ran through the whole town. Dear god she needs to get out of Hicksville damn plastic surgeon. "You just described everything to do in this town Chlo."

Lana just smiled. "Oh come on after everything I've just been through boring is nice though these guys are going to have to get some bathing suits." Lana points at everyone from Sunnydale.

After stopping off for drinks at the talon they made it to the torch. Xander was the first one to speak his mind seeing Smallville High. "OK CK why did it take you so long to open up? Same locker system, same classes, same school colors, and the mascot is only a bit different. Why did it take so long to start talking to people at Sunnydale?"

Clark just glared at him. He knew full well why evil was driving him crazy. "I'm just shy Xander."

Willow was more interested in the wall of weird. "What's this? It looks like conspiracy theory unplugged."

Chloe just smiled seeing there's somewhere else interested in her work. "I call it 'the wall of weird.' It's every strange, bizarre, and unexplained event that's happened in Smallville since the meteor shower. That's when it all began…when the town went skitzo. So what do you think?"

Oz just looked at the pictures and replied. "I think you'd fit right in at Sunnydale."

Willow just smiled. "A full sentence from Oz that speaks highly of you."

Clark just looked at the articles on the wall some were written by Lois. She really has come a way as a writer.

Clark's cut off by Faith at Chloe's desk. "I'd hock this in a second."

Chloe smiled turning to Faith. "And you'll get about $20 for that glowing piece of school spirit."

Faith just looked at it. "What do farmers here believe rubies are evil?"

"No, it's a $20 piece of crap. It's just meteor rock." Chloe replied.

Faith now realizes she's holding the red rock that can alter Clark into his misogynist petty alter ego. It would be so easy to slip it on him and get some fun times. But however she knows how Clark is ashamed of him and eventually it will come off. Clark said he took it off and called the Kents a couple times during that summer. If she uses this she knows there's a chance she'll lose him. Faith thinks it over for another couple seconds and puts it back. She can be patient…for a little longer anyway. "So let's go shopping."

The scoobies brought Bathing suits for the day and got changed in changing rooms. Faith and Buffy stripped down to red and blue two pieces respectively and lay on the shore sunbathing. Everyone else but Clark was enjoying a swim. Clark looked over at the two slayers and pouted. "You guys aren't going for a swim."

Buffy just looked at him. "Tanning do you have any idea how rare it is for slayers to get some sun especially with school."

Clark just shrugged not seeing their point. "You can't tan in the water."

Faith just smiled at him cockily. "Not unless someone can catch me and throw me in."

Clark smirked. "You chose your words not me."

Faith eyes shoot up she challenged someone that can actually do it. Faith gets to her feet and finds herself running and just having fun. She also realized Clark has been manipulating her and slowly but surely she was back against the dock with Clark closing in. Faith just shrugged she chooses the better to dive than be dunked method and runs and jumps off into the water. Clark gets to the edge of the pier and sees everyone enjoying the water but he can't find Faith. He knows how deep this water is and Faith isn't hurt. He looks down and Faith finally comes up and with one hand grabs him by his shirt and flips him over her and into the water.

Chloe sees the two goofing around and just pouts why is it always the damn brunette. Lana sees it and is a little upset herself Clark looks happy and at peace with her like he isn't keeping anything from her. She guesses Clark was just trying to find the right girl and he did. Lana just wonders why it couldn't be her. Lois rolls her eyes at the two just what the heck does Clark do to women. She finds it funny that she was the only one of the three that has seen Clark junior and yet doesn't feel a thing for the guy beyond simple friendship and ticking him off.

Lois just turned to the two girls. "Don't tell me you two are hung up on Smallville...still."

Chloe just laughs emptily and Lana just shrugs. Lois sighed and turned to Chloe. "In a few weeks you are going to ace an interview at the Daily Planet and start off your dream career as star reporter of the Daily Planet stop letting Clark Kent drop anvils on you because he will never catch up to you." Lois turns to Lana. "You have moved on with the coach. Clark has moved on with Faith it's over move on or you'll lose what you have."

Chloe just looked on. "I don't know Lois I think Clark might surprise you."

Lois just rolled her eyes. "I doubt that."

Faith was now looking around the water for Clark. Everywhere she looked there was no sign of him. So he can dish it out but he can't take it? Faith swam forward until she was splashed from behind. Faith turned around and splashed Clark right back before following him further out once he tossed his shirt back on land. Once they got a good distance from everyone else Clark stopped. "Can I ask you something?"

Faith nodded having a good idea knowing what this was about. "I guess."

"Why didn't you take the red kryptonite?" Clark asked.

Faith smiled knowing that would come up. "Because I like you Clark and when you're ready I want to be there for you. If I had used the red K well we definitely would have but eventually you'd get everything off your chest take the ring off and dump me for drugging you."

Clark smiled. Faith has always been so much smarter then everyone gave her credit for. What she lacked in book smarts she made up for in a different kind of smart. "Well you were right…you swim like a fish."

Faith smiled and pulled Clark close. "So you wouldn't kick me to the curve."

Clark thought it over for a couple seconds. "I'd be disappointed and be broody as Chloe calls it but eventually I'd forgive you after a couple days."

Faith was taken back. "You're kind of like a big boyscout you know that."

"So I've been told once or twice."

Faith just pulls him close and kisses him. Clark returns it hoping no one's watching. They have to admit they enjoy seeing each other in bathing suits. And everything else is amplified with touching bare skin. Each time they touched each other there were waves of pleasure coursing to their brains. Faith has to figure out how he's doing this he's like a great white on the hunt figuring out her sensitive spots.

"Kal El"

Clark tunes the voice out of his head. He's lost in the heat of the moment. Clark's hands slide down and grab Faith by her ass causing the slayer to smile underwater since they sank to the bottom when this started.

"Kal El you can come talk to me or I can come to you. If you know anything about basic science you know that will end badly for your friends."

Clark just lets out an angry groan and let go of Faith. He points up indicating to Faith that he needs to go above water.

The two surfaced catching their breath. Faith just started. "Heat vision right too hot down there."

"A little bit." Clark replied honestly though he's getting more control over it. "Mostly guy with lightning and a hat."

Faith nodded. "Go"

Clark went back under and swam at superspeed to the pier.

"Faith"

The slayer turned around and saw Cordelia holding someone under most likely Xander. "On your left"

Faith looked down and shrugged while fixing her top. "Thanks Cor."

Lois looked over and saw Clark running off the pier. "How did Smallville get all the way over there so fast?"

Chloe just turned and saw it. "He was always a really good swimmer in school." Note to self Clark can fly underwater.

Once Clark was out of sight he ran into the forest until he came to an abrupt stop with Raiden.

Clark just looked at the god as he approached him. "OK what's the big idea you said you were going to stay out of my life unless it was absolutely necessary."

Raiden just pointed to the right and Clark followed. Clark set his eyes on the charred bodies of 6 dead spider demons. "Whoa what happened to them?"

Lightning coursed through Raiden's finger giving him the answer. "They entered Earth through a portal. They came to kill you. Any enemies I should know about?"

Clark shrugged. "The British?" Outside of Quentin Clark really can't think of anyone. Kal is master of his own world and Shao Kahn is dead.

Raiden nodded. "I will look into the situation. Keep sharp Kal El there are six billion people on this planet I can not just protect you."

Raiden disappeared which left Clark focusing his heat vision on the spiders to clean up the mess once their ash Clark superspeeds back.

Clark returned and saw the guy from Supernatural with Lana. He assumes this must be Jason. He also sees that the lake has emptied out and everyone's on the towels enjoying food brought by him. Faith saw Clark coming and ran up and greeted him.

"You OK."

Clark just nods.

"So what did Sparky want?"

"Ask me tomorrow." Clark pleaded. "I just want to enjoy today."

"Sure" Faith agreed to it but he won't be keeping secret what's troubling him for long. If something is going after him it will have to go through her first.

The day wrapped up and between The Sisterhood of Jhe, Dr. Swann's death, finding the third stone, fighting Isobel, sending Isabelle wherever she was supposed to go and this new threat that is apparently out for Clark's head. He definitely needed this. Having a day off with all of his friends. Jason seemed like an OK guy from meeting him. Jason took Lana home while Lois and Chloe borrowed Lana's truck and drove the others to the train station and said their goodbyes. From there Clark made superspeed runs to and from dropping each Scooby off until it was just Faith. Clark ran her from Smallville straight to her room in Sunnydale.

"Your stop" He kisses her good might puts the slayer down and goes into his own room. No matter what happens tomorrow if they try again he'll be ready.

Author's notes

Thanks for the reviews

I was thinking of having a Faith/Lana scene but decided against it as the Scoobies would be swimming around the lake looking for Lana's teeth immediately afterwards. Knowing how much I hate SV Lana.

Why Clark didn't make the fortress crystal will be covered in the next chapter.

Up Next: Wesley comes to Sunnydale among other people.