(This was my first attempt at fan fiction. I have not been entirely happy with it so I have decided to rework it to update the story. The basic premise remains the same. It is set at the end of season three before Lionel went to jail. Hope you enjoy…)

"Your liver is deteriorating much more quickly than we had foreseen Mr. Luthor" Said Dr. Kelly "At this point, you have perhaps another six to seven month of relative good health, after that…" The implication was clear, if Lionel was to save himself he needed to take action now!

"Thank you for your candor." Said Lionel as his mind working furiously to find a way out. He had suspected for months that the answer to his problem lay in Smallville. The time for patience was past. If he was to survive he must take action, and somehow he knew the Kents were the final key to the puzzle.

As he traveled up the driveway of the Kent farm, he saw Jonathan and Clark working on the tractor. He had spent so much time and energy investigating the boy that he was saddened he would never know the truth. The Kents had become a distraction, they had kept him from his goal for far to long. That would end today.

Martha was washing the dishes when she heard a knock at the door. To her surprise it was Lionel Luthor 'What could he want' she thought to herself as she opened the door to invite him in. Jonathan and Clark seeing Lionel pull up finished what they were doing and headed into the house.

"What can we do for you, Mr. Luthor?" said Jonathan as he walked in behind Lionel and his men. He looked around enviously at the four rather large men accompanying Lionel and knew this was not a good thing.

"Jonathan, I have come for my key." Lionel stated coldly

"I have no idea what you are talking about! Now if you don't mind I would appreciate it if you would take your goons and get off my property." Hissed Jonathan.

"I was afraid that was what you would say," responded Lionel as he pulled out a gun and pointed his gun at Martha.

"Where is the key, don't make me search for it after you are dead." Lionel yelled his finger tense on the trigger.

Clark stood in disbelief. If he didn't do something soon his family would be killed, he couldn't let that happen.

"NO!" Clark yelled with such authority that everyone turned to look at him. "This stops now."

Lionel sneered, "In case you have not noticed Mr. Kent. You are surrounded by armed guards and are not really in a place to dictate anything. You break into my office and take my property. If I do not get it back NOW I will kill each of your parent and you."

"We don't have it," Yelled Jonathan "Have you lost your mind!?"

"Wrong answer!" Lionel yelled as he pointed the gun at Jonathan, who was being held by two guards. With that Lionel and his men opened fire on the Kents.

TBC…