Standing Up to Evil

In the courtroom the prosecution calls the Chloe Sullivan. The defense attorneys scramble and start digging for paper work. They look at the list and her name appears. She is dead. Lionel sits beside them. He turns to see Chloe walk in with Jack, and three other people. His angry stare meets Chloe. She digs her fingernails into the stress ball. This is for you dad. She walks up to the witness stand and is sworn in to testify.

"Your honor, this is highly irregular. This witness was listed as deceased." The lead defense attorney attempts to get the witness removed.

"She was on the list. She is a valid witness. And I agree highly unorthodox situation. I presume since there are no more witness, you won't have to worry." The judge made his decision. Anymore stunts like this and I will call all of into chambers.

Chloe testifies to the information she has found and to the confession Lionel Luthor gave her at the hospital.

The defense attempts to break down the young woman with some of the stories she has written and the fact she was listed as dead. She takes each question with calmness and strength, she thinks I am alive and my friend is here. I will not fail. The cross examination is finished and she steps down.

She exits the room with Jack and Clair. She walks out the door and Clark is still standing there. He looks so stunned, and she is so happy to see him again. Chloe turns to Clair. Clair mouths 'Go on.' Chloe runs up to Clark and is about to wrap her arms around him. Clark looks up and still can't believe his eyes. They both attempt to hug each, but it ends up with both bumping into each other's arms. They laugh and finally hug.

"Where have you been? Are you okay? I got a million questions to ask, but I don't know where." Clark's voice trails off. I'm just happy to be holding my best friend and she's alive.

"There's a lot to say and I want to tell you. My first question to you is 'Are you okay?' and my next would be 'is your dad okay?' and the thing I want to say to you is 'I missed you and I love you'" Chloe lets down her guard for only one person. Clark continues to hold her.

"I'm really okay, now. My dad is doing a lot better. And I missed you so much. And I do love you, Chloe Sullivan. "Clark says it and waits. Don't want to let go. She'll have to leave again.

"I'm sorry to break the two of apart. We do need to get her out of here and safe." Clair goes up to them.

"Please I just, "Chloe doesn't want to let go.

"I know but with Lionel knowing that both you and Clark are alive. We have to be even more on our toes." Clair is tough.

Clark thinks It's hard to believe she's only 18 like me. "She's right. Chloe you have to be safe, this is just a Grand Jury trial, Lionel has been convicted of anything, yet." Clark tells her. "So don't worry, I am going to be safe and I will feel even better that I know you are too. Okay?"

"Okay." Chloe is trying to recover and stand tall. He said 'I love you' he thinks he's never going to see me again.

"I know what you're thinking. I meant it, and I will see you again." Clark adds stepping back so that Clair and Jack could take Chloe to safety. "Anything happens I will hold it against you, just so you know." Clark looks at Jack and then Clair.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Clair smiles and touches Clark's arm. They walk Chloe out the private entrance. Then a swarm of reporters storm up to the courtroom. The questions start flying out from everywhere.

"Mr. Luthor the Grand Jury has just taken the shortest deliberation and indicted you on murder charges. How is this going to be handled by your attorneys?" the reporter asks.

"I will be vindicated this is just a set back. My attorneys have expected such actions and are ready for the next phase." Lionel answers and then turns to Clark and smirk. I will get you two, count on it.

Clark smiles, stares back at Lionel and thinks. Keep on trying. I'd love to show you what we're made of. I'm ready but the real question is; are you?

The attorneys push through the crowd and the bailiffs take custody of Lionel. Clark's eyes revert back to the courtroom doorway, and Lex is standing there.

"Clark, I would really like to talk to you. Just anywhere you want. I am still your friend." Lex waits for an answer. Janine comes up to him with Terrence.

"I'll think about it." Clark answers. What is it you used to say Lex, 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer'? Yeah that was it. Clark walks away, he has to go though the gauntlet of reporters but he has a renewed strength. Chloe is alive, and I will make sure she stays that way.

Clark drives back to the farm with John, and he comments on the man having the same name as his dad. "John is a pretty common name, I mean is that your real name?" Clark asks.

"Yes, it's the name my mother wanted me to have. It's real common. I work with three other guys and guess what they too are named John. Although we have nicknames, that helps." John answers and is smiling.

"What you nickname?" Clarks asks.

"I go by Johnny. I'm the youngest, so I get to be everyone's little brother." John feels a tug on the car and all four tires blow out. "Hang on kid."

The car is out of control and starts to roll, first end over end then it goes rolling on its side. Clark is thrown out, and hits the ground hard. He shakes his head to clear his senses and runs to catch the car before it takes out a power line pole. He just makes the catch. He sets the car down and looks into the driver's side. John is unconscious, but his is breathing and heart is still beating. Clark rips the door off and gently pulls John out of the wreck. I have to get him help. No choice. Clark picks up the injured agent and speeds to Smallville Medical Center. He'll have trouble explaining this. I will deal with it. Then he remembers the key chain. He puts John on a gurney and hits the electronic pager and leaves.

Clark goes back to the car and sees some of Lionel's henchmen, as Chloe would say. They are furious, no one is there, and they load the car up on a truck and drive off. Covering his tracks like good little minions. Clark heads to the house. Nothing had better have been done to Chloe.

At the house the other two guards have picked up on the pager and are collecting the Kents'. Clark comes up and sneaks past them to change clothes. He sneaks back out and goes to the hospital. That's where they will go next. Once there he finds that John, or Johnny, is in pretty bad shape, but thanks to quick actions by some unknown. He will be okay. Jack is already there and spots Clark, and Jack notices he's in different clothes. That kid is going to give me a heart attack. "Clark are you okay?" Jack asks him quietly and in private. "I know something went down, I got the page and show up here to find Johnny in critical but stable condition."he waits

"It was Lionel, his men removed the evidence, I think they wanted us, alive or dead." Clark answers. Be careful, you don't need another person knowing you secret, not yet at least.

"I can believe it. We are moving your parents to a safe house. I am not taking any more chances and you are going too. Don't argue." Jack said. Jack walks down to two other men. Clark listens to the whole conversation.

"Nothing was attempted with Clair, she is okay. And so it her sister." One says.

"Good, I will talk with Clair later, I have to get Clark safe, his parents are taken care of?" Jack asks.

"Yes, sir. You weren't kidding about this guy and no rules. No wonder Loder was in his pocket and is now missing." The other comments and shakes his head. Jack turns to Clark, but Clark has disappeared.

"Damn it, kid. You are going to get yourself killed." Jack curses under his breath. "Spread out and find him, be careful."

The Metropolis Federal Prison, Lionel Luthor is pacing. He is back in the orange jumpsuit. The door opens, Lionel hope to see Harry for some good news. Which would be that they have Clark Kent. Unfortunate for Lionel it's only Lex coming through the door.

"Dad, I really have to say orange is really your color and I love the new haircut." Lex smirks.

"Glad you like it son." Lionel answers and rubs is newly baldhead.

"So you finally agree to see me after I've asked for almost three weeks. It's funny what an indictment can do these days." Lex smiles and pulls a key out of his pocket. "You sent this to Clark, didn't you?" Lex already knows the answer. Terrence found out while investigating the disappearance of the young Mr. Kent.

"I don't know what you are talking about." Lionel turns his back and grabs the chair to sit down.

"You know I checked. Clark came to visit you the same day, that I found him in the room." Lex answers. "Trying to drive a wedge between us. Divide and conquer. That's where this is all going with you. You attempt to eliminate Clark, Chloe and myself. In which you have only seceded in creating a stronger bond between Clark and Chloe. I pity you dad." Lex finishes. Lionel doesn't blink. Why would I expect him to blink? My misjudgment, but I wasn't the person he was looking for just now. He has someone new in his pocket, I just wonder. "I will see in court, dad." Lex walks out as Harry walks in. Lex waits outside the door. Harry goes up to Lionel and hands him a piece of paper, the other guards don't notice or care. Lionel's face tells Lex he'd better check on some things. He walks out.

Lionel is furious and tries to contain himself. "What happened? Why did it fail?" He whispers.

"The tires blew out too soon, the guys were up the road. Somehow that kid, escaped with out a scratch and the agent is in the care of the FBI." Harry whispers to Lionel and waits. This isn't a good thing. He isn't going to be happy and I am on the receiving end of it.

"That is Clark Kent's knack, he is never hurt." Lionel turns to his laptop he has just gotten an email.

DME: Do you want out? Make it worth it? I can help you. For a chance at CAL.

MB: Who is CAL?

DME: the farm boy

MB: Get him and it's worth you time. Not dead. How?

DME: I know how, my dad found it.

MB: Deal

I think I know a way to change our luck, Harry." Lionel answers.

Outside in the prison, Lex is walking to his car and sees Clark. "You are not doing what I think you are doing here." Lex asks.

"What are you doing here?" Clark is still angry about the attempt. Johnny could have been killed.

"My father finally agreed to see me. Clark we need to talk. I know he gave you the key and I know you came to visit him the day you found the room. Please let's talk before you see him." Lex attempts to pursued his friend.

"The agent protecting me is lying in the ICU because of Lionel." Clark snaps an answer.

"Then we should get you safe. Please come back to mansion with me. I am not a threat Clark. I am your friend." Lex attempts to convince Clark he is better off leaving Lionel alone for now.

"I'm not your friend." Clark answers.

"I know." Lex answers. "And I can deal with that. Please lets get you safe." Clark finally agrees. They both get into Lex's car and head back to Smallville. They arrive at the mansion and the FBI is there waiting. Jack sees Clark and just shakes his head.

"Exactly what were you thinking, or we're you even thinking?" Jack standing next to Clark.

"I don't know." Clark looks like a kid again. "Is Chloe okay? And my parents?"

"Yes, she's safe, your parents are safe, and we are going to make sure you are too." Jack answers.

"He will be safe here." Lex comments. Hoping for a chance to talk. "If he wants to stay."

"I think its best we take care of this." Jack answers.

"I rather stay here." Clark says. I don't know why I'm doing this but I get the feeling I this is where I need to be.

"Clark, I don't think it's a good idea." Jack thinks. I am going to have strong arm this kid.

"Jack we will take good care of him. It's in all of our best interest to keep him safe." Janine speaks up for the first time. She has notice a relief and calmness in Lex with Clark around. Strange what power you have farm boy. I'd definitely like to know you better. "Its not like Terrence has done this type of work before." She finishes as Terrence pours her a drink and takes a bottle of water for himself.

"He's 18, he can make his own decisions Jack. I will keep him safe. Even if you don't trust me." Terrence adds as he sits down.

"Well he's right about that Clark, I can't make you go with me. I could arrest you, but I am going to your decision as final. So what do you want?" Jack relents. I don't need this kid running and I really don't need the aggravation. But man, I do not trust these people.

"I'm staying here." Clark answers.