"Luthor, what do you need now?" the brash Jason asked as he walked in.

"That's no way to greet me. Why, I just called you to give you details on our new assignment," Lex said.

"What new assignment?" Jason inquired.

"Despite our failure in China, I have discovered the location of the two remaining crystals. We leave first thing tomorrow." Lex answered.

"I don't think I can go. My relationship with Lana is already in rough waters. I don't think I can lie to her again." Jason answered.

"Well, Jason, I guess I was mistaken. I thought you wanted to get the crystals, to find all the answers, to be able to be a real man for Lana. As it turns out, however, you are just another fool. Let me ask you a question. Do you think Lana would give up her life's goal to stay and 'make nice'?" Lex asked.

"Listen, I am not going to be manipulated by your head games. I am staying." Jason asserted.

"That's fine with me. I'll just find the stones, and keep the answers to the universe to myself." Lex continued to manipulate.

I can't let Lex go by himself. If he finds the crystals without me, there is no telling what he'll do with the power they would bring. "Alright Luthor, I'm in. I'll be back here in the morning to leave. Where are we going?" Jason asked.

"And ruin the surprise? I'm not telling you. By the way, I hope we actually get the crystals this time. Have any idea what happened last time?" Lex asked knowing Jason had hidden the crystal from him, but had gotten it stolen.

"No, anyway I'll see you tomorrow at 8," Jason said as he rushed out to avoid having to talk to Lex anymore.

Lex knew that Jason was lying. His father had revealed that Jason had found the first crystal in China, but did not tell Lex about it. He was going to have to keep a closer eye on him from now on.

Jason walked in that night, and found Lana asleep. He looked at her. She had obviously been crying about something. He was going to wake her to talk, but he decided to let her sleep. He just got in bed, and prepared to break the news of his trip to her in the morning.

"What do you mean you're leaving?" Lana asked, obviously very perturbed by what he was saying.

"I have to go with Lex to find the other crystals," Jason said as he continued packing.

"But you said that you would no longer obsess over those things. You said that we could be happy together." Lana cried out.

"Well what do want me to do? Sit home and play house husband. I promise this is the last time. I just need to get some answers," Jason said. At that time a horn could be heard.

"Lana, I have to go. I'm going for us. Once I come back, everything will be different I promise. Lana…I love you," he said as he looked up into her tearing eyes.

"Jason, I… I don't know what to say. I have feelings for you, but is it fair that you say this to me now? Right before you are going to leave? I'm sorry Jason, but I don't feel comfortable saying I love you." Lana said staring back at him.

"This is about Clark isn't it?" Jason asked, clearly upset with her response.

"This has nothing to do with Clark. This is about us. You decide to leave, and to try and reconcile everything you say you love me." Lana stated, also becoming upset.

"Fine, but I see the way he looks at you, and you at him. There is something between you two….I have to go. Goodbye Lana." He said as he kissed her goodbye.

"Goodbye," Lana said as she collapsed on the ground. He had just left her, and with the letter, she had no idea what to do.

Clark's eyes opened slowly. He had spent the night in the loft, sleeping on his couch. He got up to stretch, but realized it was 7:45. He had to be at school in 20 minutes, and he still had chores to do (a task that, with his powers, was easy, but with Lois there he could not risk her seeing him). He decided to skip his chores, until he got back from school, and got ready for school.

Clark was ready in about fifteen minutes, and saw Lois on his way out.

"Hey Smallville, need a ride to school?" Lois asked.

"No, I think I'll walk," Clark replied, knowing he could run faster than she could drive him.

"Suit yourself," Lois replied.

"Thanks anyway," Clark said as he rushed out the door to super-speed to school.

On his way to the Luthor mansion, Jason talked on his cell phone.

"Don't worry, they don't suspect anything….No I'll fix everything with Lana when I get back… You won't lose her…Our plan will work, when we get the crystals and the powers that they contain…I'll talk to you when I get to the location so you can meet me there. Alright. I am arriving… talk to you later Mom."

Thanks for all the reviews. They were all very helpful. Sorry, this chapter was kind of boring, but I needed a chapter to develop the story. Hope you liked it. Thanks again.