A/N: Newest chapter and getting into the drama a bit. I always thought Lana was a bit of a brat at first so that's how I portray her. Also, the seasons will bounce around a bit since Kelly is mostly away with the Army. Let me know your thoughts!

Kelly shivered against the seat, rubbing her arms as she watched the Metropolis traffic. Lex must've noticed because he shrugged his jacket off and put it around her shoulders, then turned the heat up a bit.

"Thanks," she said, pulling the jacket tighter around herself.

"No problem," he replied, "We've got a long way home. I don't want you to freeze."

"I would be fine. Besides, the way I hear you drive, I'm sure we'd be back in Smallville in no time."

"And how is it that I drive?"

"Fast. Reckless."

Lex nodded and looked ahead, moving the car forward.

"Mr. Kent told me what happened."

"Let me guess. You're going to tell me how stupid and irresponsible it was?"

"No. I'll tell you that you're lucky Clark saved your ass."

Lex gave a wry laugh, "Yeah. Lucky"

"You don't believe in luck?"

"I should've died that day, but I didn't. That wasn't luck. That was...something greater."

Kelly clicked her tongue, "Oh, I get it. You think it was fate."

"I guess. I mean, there had to be a reason, right? Maybe it's because I'm destined to do something great."

Kelly just nodded.

"You think I'm crazy, don't you?"

"If you're crazy, then so am I," she shrugged.

Now Lex was staring at her.

"There were plenty of times I should've died. But I didn't. I gotta figure there's a reason for it."

"It makes you wonder what it is."

"Yeah. Well, I have a feeling it's got something to do with what Cassandra told me."

"Cassandra? The old blind woman?" Lex questioned.

"Yeah. I did my volunteer work with her in school. Everyone said she could tell the future," Kelly nodded, wiggling her fingers.

"Did she tell you yours?"

Kelly took a deep breath, "Yup. She told me that the love of my life was going to ruin my life. That we were going to revolve around each other, and when we weren't together, everything around us would be destruction. But when we were together, everything falls into place, and it's like… gravity or something. We balance each other out, along with the rest of the world. I have to bring the light out of the darkness."

"That's…"

"Weird. And I'm paraphrasing what I can remember."

"Do you believe her?"

"I don't know. But if she's right, that would explain my many failed relationships."

Lex laughed.

"I'm sorry," he choked, trying to stop laughing.

"It's ok." she chuckled.

They laughed for a few minutes before falling silent, the traffic finally clearing up. They drove in silence for a while, Kelly deciding to speak again,

"You know, I wasn't totally honest with you back at the restaurant," she told him.

"About what?" he asked.

"The actual last time we saw each other."

Lex looked at her and raised his brow before looking back at the road.

"The holidays when I was about 15. I think you were about 17. My family, your family, and a few other people all stayed at that lodge," she began.

"Right, I remember. It was one of the few years I didn't hide in a coat closet during a Luthorcorp Christmas party. I didn't know you were there."

"I'm not surprised. But, I remember that was the same year we all had to do a Secret Santa. Nell's idea."

"Who did you get?"

"You."

Lex looked at her again. "Me?"

"Yeah. And I was so happy because I knew exactly what to get you. Limited edition Warrior Angel collector's figure."

"You got me that?"

"Yup. When I'd finally get you to talk to me, you'd go on and on about the comics. You'd get so excited, and your eyes would just light up. It was so cute."

"You know, I still have that."

"You do?"

"Kept with pretty much everything else I own of Warrior Angel."

"Oh, wow! You are such a nerd!" Kelly exclaimed, laughing.

"Why didn't you tell me it was you? I never knew who gave it to me," he asked, changing the subject.

"I was a bit preoccupied," she said sheepishly.

"With?"

Kelly's cheeks turned pink, "I spent half the night trying to catch you under the mistletoe."

"Really?"

"Yes, and I'm changing the subject."

"To?"

"Back where we started. You didn't have to apologize for your father's mistake."

"It's what I tend to do."

"Well, you shouldn't. Your father is a grown man; let him clean up his own messes. Besides, I knew it was coming. Nell tends to sway people her way on the subject of my life choices."

Lex shrugged, "She didn't sway me."

"That's because you're not an asshole," she clapped her hand over her mouth, "I am so sorry. I didn't mean it like that."

"It's ok. I've heard people's opinions of my father my whole life. Most of the time, it ends up reflected on me."

"It shouldn't be. You're not like him."

"You might be the only one to think so."

"Clark might."

"And his father?"

"Mr. Kent's a stubborn man. I've known him pretty much my whole life. He'll come around as long as you don't try so hard."

"What does that mean?"

"Let him know Lex before he knows the Luthor part."

He nodded and hummed.

They spent the rest of the ride chatting aimlessly about random things, getting to know one another.

When he finally pulled up in front of Nell's house, Kelly pulled off his jacket,

"Thanks for bringing me back in one piece."

"Anytime," he said with a smile.

She felt butterflies in her stomach as she turned to exit the car, "Oh, just, uh, one thing before I go."

She turned around and quickly reached around his neck, pulling him in for a kiss. By the time he kissed her back, she had pulled away,

"I've been waiting to do that since I was 15," she joked, quickly exiting the car and rushing into the house.

Lex just stared after her, a little bewildered at what had just happened, but thinking how it was nice and he wished it would've lasted only a second more.

Kelly went straight into her bedroom after getting into the house, taking a shower, and changing into her pajamas before heading to her sister's room. She knocked on the door, waiting for Lana's reply before opening the door and stepping inside.

"Hey," she whispered, closing the door behind her.

"Hey, I didn't hear you come in," Lana replied.

"Yeah, I didn't want Nell to see me."

"Why didn't you tell me about your friend?"

Kelly shrugged and sat across from her sister on the bed, one leg tucked underneath her.

"Kelly." Lana started, "You and I promised not to keep secrets from each other."

"I know. I know," Kelly sighed.

"Then why are you keeping this from me?"

"Because this isn't something I want in my head, ok? So why would I put it in yours?"

"Whatever it is, I can take it."

"No, Lana. You can't," Kelly told her sister, tears forming in her eyes. "You're my little sister. You're the inherent good. And it's my job to protect you, keep you safe. Not put the bad shit in your head."

"I'm not three years old anymore. You don't need to protect me."

Kelly snorted, "I'm always going to protect you. That's what big sisters are for."

Lana rolled her eyes at her sister.

"Thanks for sending Lex after me by the way," Kelly thanked.

"I was worried about you. He seemed pretty upset too, by the way he took off."

"He tried apologizing. I told him he shouldn't, it wasn't his fault. It was nice spending the ride back with him, though. Catching up a little bit, getting to know each other."

Lana noticed her sister's blush, and her eyes widened, "Oh my God. You didn't-"

"Kiss him? I did," Kelly admitted.

"Kelly!"

"I would like to remind you of that Christmas at the lodge that I spent the entire vacation trying to get that boy to kiss me."

"And you decided now was the time to finish it?"

"Totally worth it."

"What did he do?"

"Kiss me back for all of thirty seconds before I took off."

"I can't believe you did that."

Kelly flopped onto her back and sighed, "Me either. My heart's still racing."

"Are you going to try and see him again?" Lana asked, laying on her stomach.

"I don't know. I don't exactly know what me kissing him and him trying to kiss me back means."

"Maybe you should find out."

"I'm surprised you're encouraging this."

"I'm hoping you'll find a good enough reason to keep you in Smallville."

"I have a good enough reason to keep being in Smallville. But we had a plan. I do a few years and make enough money so that once you finish school, we can start over anywhere in the world."

"I still hate you not being here."

"I'm sorry," Kelly whispered. She sat up and turned to look at Lana, "You should go to bed. You have school tomorrow."

"Yeah, where I get to enjoy a tour of the fertilizer plant."

"Beats working."

Kelly said goodnight to her sister and left, making sure to leave the door open a bit. She crashed in her bed, staring at the ceiling and toying with her necklace until she was able to fall asleep.

The next afternoon she found herself back at the Kent farm, lifting bags of feed into the cow pen, dumping the contents into a trough.

"I think that's enough for today," Jonathan panted.

"You think?" Kelly replied.

"Until tomorrow," he shrugged.

Kelly chuckled and wiped the sweat from her brow.

"I don't know what we're going to do when you leave, Kelly," said Martha, "Jonathan's gotten his work done so much faster."

"Pray I come back faster," Kelly suggested, "Like Lex Luthor driving fast."

Martha laughed, but Jonathan grimaced.

"If you guys don't need me, I think I'm going to head into town for a bit," Kelly asked.

"That sounds like a great idea. We'll see you tomorrow," answered Martha.

Kelly waved as she drove off, heading into town and straight for the beanery. She walked right up to the counter and told the barista her order, looking outside while she waited.

"Fancy meeting you here," came Lex's voice from beside her.

"I could say the same for you."

"Small town. One coffee shop."

Kelly's order ended up on the counter, she grabbed it and nodded, "Right."

She walked around him, sipping her coffee, taking a seat in the back corner of the shop. Lex sat down next to her,

"So, about last night," he started.

"I should apologize for that. I no doubt crossed the line," she finished for him.

"I actually found it… interesting. You make a move like that and just leave."

Before Kelly could open her mouth, both of their phones began to ring simultaneously. She flashed him a smile in apology and went to take it,

"Nell?... Nell, slow down. What are you-"

All the air left her lungs, and her knees began to shake. She turned back to Lex,

"I have to go," she said shakily, "Lana, she-"

"I know," he replied, putting his hand on her arm, dropping it to her side, "Come on."

He pulled her out of the shop and to his car, speeding off to the plant.

By the time they pulled into the lot, a large crowd of parents had gathered outside the gate, shouting and demanding answers. Kelly looked over the crowd, spotting the Kents at the entrance.

"Lex," she called, pointing them out.

"Wait here," he told her, going over and having the Kent's brought inside.

Martha ran up to Kelly and hugged her.

"What's going on?" asked Jonathan as they walked.

"A madman has the students hostage. Earl Jenkins," Lex explained.

"We know Earl. He used to work for us," Jonathan replied.

"Then why is he in my plant?" Lex snapped.

"He's sick and scared. He blames your father and some project for making him that way."

Kelly eyed the monitors, spotting her sister. She thanked God Lana was safe and started looking for blind spots and ways someone could get in and take Earl down.

"Well, then we've got a serious problem. The level three he's asking about doesn't exist," Lex stated.

"Wait, where's Clark?" Martha questioned from beside Kelly.

"Maybe he's trying to find a way out," Jonathan suggested.

"There," Kelly exclaimed, pointing to Clark coming back in the camera's view.

He was holding papers, trying to talk Earl down, but only made him angrier, shoving Clark to the ground with the other kids.

A helicopter whirred behind them, Martha looking around.

"What is that?" she asked.

"My father," Lex replied with a sigh.

Lionel Luthor arrived where everyone was waiting, full of blame for his son, showing no concern for the hostages.

"I'm going to let SWAT do their jobs. When he makes a mistake, then they'll move in," he told them.

"If he makes a mistake, somebody could end up dead!" Kelly argued.

"What about the kids?" shouted Martha, "You need to get on the phone and talk to him!"

"Mrs. Kent, I understand how you feel. I want everyone to walk out of there alive too. But I do not negotiate with terrorists."

Something inside of Kelly snapped, "What do you know about negotiating with terrorists?"

"Ms. Lang-"

"He's not a terrorist. He's a scared and desperate man. I know terrorists, Mr. Luthor, and this man isn't that." she stated, "And it's Sergeant Lang to you."

Jonathan pulled Kelly back, patting her shoulder.

Lionel motioned for a phone and dialed the extension for the room the kids were held in. Kelly didn't listen to what Lionel was saying, watching the monitors instead. Earl began to shake, grabbing onto a valve to steady himself, the valve ultimately breaking.

"See what you made me do… See what you made me do!" Earl repeated into the camera.

"Way to go, Dad," Lex said sarcastically, "See you haven't lost your touch."

"Your Methane gas valve just broke. This whole place is going to go up," said Earl, "Luthor, I trusted you. You said you were just trying to help people!"

Kelly sees Whitney trying to sneak up behind Earl, but Earl turns and sees him. He swings the gun and hits Whitney, then hits him again, knocking him to the ground. Earl grabs the gun and aims it at the camera.

"This is all your fault, Luthor!" he says harshly, pulling the trigger and taking out the camera.

"Shots fired, one hostage down! Full alert!" the SWAT agent shouted into his radio.

"What was that boy thinking?" exclaimed Lionel.

"He wasn't," Jonathan barked, "He's a scared teenager waiting for someone to take the initiative out here. Now, look, you have hostages and a potential bomb situation. Someone's got to do something!"

"They are," Kelly announced, "I'm going in."

"No. You'll get yourself killed," Lex told her.

"I'm not going to sit around here and do nothing!" she yelled.

"It's too dangerous for you to go in there," he whispered, getting close.

"I'm not going to watch my sister get killed," she whispered back, her eyes filling with tears, "I'm going. And you can't stop me."

She turned and walked away from the table, going to one of the SWAT agents and telling them to let her in.

"Wait," Lex called, "I'm going in too."

"Don't be foolish," Lionel scolded, "This is no time for mock-heroics."

"You said this is my plant. This is my call. Kelly's a doctor, and those kids need medical attention."

He went to walk over to Kelly, but his father grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks.

"I won't allow this, Lex."

Lex glared at his father, yanking his arm from his grasp, "Never do that again."

He made his way to Kelly, who was packing a small bag full of medical supplies.

"Do you have what you need?" he inquired.

She nodded, "Enough to get them to an ambulance."

He turned to the agent, "Make the call. Tell them that Lex Luthor is coming in with Kelly Lang."

"Sir, I'd have to-" the agent began.

"Just make the call!"

The agent scurried away to make the call down, another agent coming to them,

"I'm afraid we only have one spare vest," he told the pair.

"Give it to him," Kelly ordered.

Lex took the vest and nodded in thanks, sending the agent off. He'd rather this argument be as private as possible.

"I'm not putting this on. You are," he told Kelly.

She shook her head, "No. I'm not."

"You're already in danger just by being in there. I won't let you be at more risk if this lunatic starts shooting."

"It's going to be fine."

"I'm not taking any chances. Not with you."

He tried to hand her the vest, her hands wrapping around his.

"Listen, if we go in there, I'm not going to be the one he starts shooting at. You don't want me to get hurt, and I won't let you."

They stood at a stalemate, their eyes locked onto each other.

"Mr. Luthor, we're ready," the SWAT leader called.

Kelly moved her hands from his, lifting the bag over her shoulder. After she moved her hands, he put the vest on, putting his hand between her shoulder blades. The SWAT team passed them through from person to person until they arrived at the room where the students were being held.