Chapter 14

(It is the next morning.  Clark and Lana lay with a blanket covering them, Clark's arm gently resting across Lana.  Chloe faces towards them, smiling in her sleep.  Resting against the railing stands Lex, silently surveying them.  Clark's eyes flutter open and he sees Lex standing there.  Slowly and carefully, Clark separates himself from Lana.  He covers her with the blanket and walks over to Lex.  They exchange a nod, and with a fleeting glance at the two young women, they exit the barn without a sound.  They walk towards the fields.)

Clark: "Is everything alright Lex?"

Lex: "Clark, I'm going to be completely honest with you..."

(They settle on a fence.  Clark sits atop a post, Lex leans on the fence beside him.  Both looks out into the field, basked in the early morning sun's glow.)

Lex: "I don't know what's happening to me."

(Clark turns, looking at him for several seconds.)

Clark: "I know the feeling."

(Lex stares off into the sunrise.)

Lex: "Clark... my memory has been slowly returning to me."

Clark (Nervously): "Like what?"

Lex: "Like my father, how he drugged me into insanity; like Lana, how I nearly killed her; like you, how you..."

(Lex looks back to Clark.  Their eyes meet.)

Lex: "Only one person has ever risked their life for me, Clark.  In my entire life, only one person."

Clark: "A whole lot of good it did, too.  I was too late, I hesitated too long."

Lex: "On the contrary, I believe you were right on time."

(Lex smiles.  Turning, they see the sun little by little lifting above the trees.)

Lex: "I know you did all you could, which, from my limited memory, is much more than an average human could have done."

(Clark tenses up uneasily at these last words.  Lex sees it, and places his hand on Clark's shoulder.  Their gaze meets again.)

Lex: "'It is not our abilities that show what we truly are.  It is our choices.'"

(Clark hops down from the fence post and takes several steps out into the field.  After looking into the rising sun, he turns to Lex.)

Clark: "You're not going to... you know..."

Lex: "What, Clark?  Freak out?  Ship you off to a lab?  No.  I have... other... things to be concerned with right now..."

(Lex's voice trails off.  He leans back against the fence uneasily.  Clark walks over and leans beside him.)

Clark: "Lex?  What is it?"

(Lex puts his hands in his pockets and looks at the ground.)

Lex (His voice quavering slightly): "I found an order on my desk this morning that a car bomb be attached to Chloe Sullivan's car."

Clark: "What!  Who's trying to kill-?"

Lex: "Clark, my signature was on it."

(Clark's stops, staring at Lex.)

Lex: "I don't know what's happening to me.  Last night, I apparently unloaded an entire clip into the wall of my study.  There's a doll wrapped up in a blanket in the corner of my room.  I have reoccurring visions of my past.  As to why any of this is happening, I don't know."

Clark: "Lex, you're not insane."

Lex: "Maybe, maybe not.  All I know is right now, I am a liability to all those around me.  I'm going to disappear for a while.  I need to sort things out, find out what's wrong with me."

Clark: "You sure?"

Lex: "Entirely.  I wanted you to know so you wouldn't grow concerned, but I would appreciate it if you could keep this quiet.  And feel free to use the mansion while I'm away."

Clark: "How long are you going to be gone?"

Lex: "As long as it takes.  One thing I learned on that island is the value of patience, and solitude."

(Lex stretches his hand out to Clark.  Clark takes it and, for a moment, they shake hands.)

Lex: "Try to refrain from any wild parties.  I want my house in one piece when I return to it."

(Clark smiles as Lex pats him on the shoulder.)

Lex: "I better be on my way, my jet is waiting for me."

Clark: "See you, Lex..."

(Lex walks past him, hopping the fence and making his way towards his car.  He stops, and turns around.)

Lex (Pulling some keys from his pocket): "Clark, give these to Chloe.  I have a feeling she is in need of a car."

(Lex throws the keys to Clark, who catches them and waves to Lex.)

Lex (As he climbs into his car): "See you around, Clark."

(Lex's engine roars and he tears out of the small farm's driveway, stirring the lazy morning air with a fine layer of dust.  It slowly settles as Clark watches him speed off into the distance.)