A/N: Hi all, I'm truly, deeply, incredibly sorry I haven't posted in… Good Lord… 4 months…I really have no idea where this story is going and I'm struggling to find a direction for the plot to take. It's developing really really slowly and I've had no time to work on it.

For those of you that are still with me (which I hope there are at least a few of you) THANK YOU. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. And I'm sorry again.

But I, once again, won't be updating for awhile. I've got finals coming soon and a job to juggle and prom and stuff like that. But I'm trying, I really am.

Disclaimer: I don't own Smallville. You all know that…

CHAPTER 2

"How could he know Clark's weakness?" Martha asked worriedly.

"Well, he knew how to take my powers away, why wouldn't he know that too?" Clark replied, trying desperately to keep the bitterness out of his voice. Several months in coma tend to make people a bit angry at the ones that put them there.

"This is ridiculous," Martha began. "Who is this man? What does he want from you, Clark?"

"Damned if I know," Clark grumbled. Lana slapped his arm reprimandingly. Lex, who had arrived a few minutes before, bit back a chuckle. It wasn't everyday that you heard Saint Clark use that kind of tone towards his own parents. Pete, also a new arrival, jabbed him in the ribs with his elbow to silence him. Clark winced, not because it had hurt, but he realized the tone he'd used towards his mother. "Sorry…"

"It's alright Clark; we're upset about this too." Jonathan patted his shoulder.

"I just wish I knew who this guy was; and why the hell he's so pissed at me. I mean, at first I thought it was just because we were on his property…but he was ready for me. He knew how to block my powers and he nearly killed me. But now this…In my own home…What the hell does he want from me? To kill me? And if so, why?"

"The why isn't important right now. It's the when." Lex announced. "When and where is he going to make is next move? And what method of attack is he going to use? These are the more pressing questions. Once he's caught, ha can be properly questioned as to why, but for now, our most important goal is to keep you alive, Clark."

"Lex is right," Jonathan agreed, Pete nodding behind him.

"Wait, I'm sorry, what was that?" Lex shot him a cocky grin; Jonathan glared at him and rolled his eyes. The others laughed, realizing the truth in Lex's teasing. "Sorry," he grinned. "Taking advantage of the moment. It's not like you've loaded me with compliments over the years."

Jonathan smiled back, "true. I'm sorry I doubted your motives before. You've been a good friend to my son. I was just afraid that the lure of money in exposing Clark's secret would overpower your sense of loyalty to your friend."

"Completely understandable, Mr. Kent, considering who and what my father is." Lex replied. John nodded in silent agreement.

"Anyways, enough of the touchy-feely reconciliation stuff and back to the matter of Redd Morgan," Chloe interrupted, calling them all back to the reality of their grave situation. "Who is this Redd Morgan-guy, I mean, really? What does he want with Clark? What's his motive?" Clark shook his head in amusement: Chloe, ever the reporter.

The little knot of friends looked at each other. No one had the answers, though all wished that they did.

Lana intertwined her fingers with Clark's and squeezed his hand. Her eyes met his and he smiled at her and for a moment, the world was silent. The voices of their friends and family fell away, leaving just the connection of their eyes and hands and the warmth of their shared smile. For a moment, the trials they faced seemed nonexistent and there was simply them.

A hand on his shoulder broke Clark's momentary reprieve in Lana's eyes and slammed him back into reality. He blinked up at Chloe and Pete, who smiled knowingly and announced that they were headed to the Torch to "dig a little deeper into this thing."

"Perhaps a new addition to the Wall of Weird," Chloe grinned in anticipation. "I mean, when else are we gonna hear about a guy who mixes his own kryptonite power-stealer?" The others chuckled grimly, the comment only mildly amusing in its nearly-deadly truth. The emotional scars from Clark's comatose months had yet to fade entirely.

"Hopefully never again," John replied, even though it was basically a rhetorical question. Chloe and the others nodded in agreement. "You two get going, call us if you find anything of value; we're going to check for any other kryptonite surprises around the farm."

"Good idea," Pete said and he and Chloe left for the Torch.

"Clark, I want you to stay here. I don't want a replay of this morning. Lana, stay with him so he doesn't try to sneak off to track down Morgan."

"Sure," Lana smiled. She had no problem staying with Clark, though she highly doubted that he'd try to escape with her there to keep him…um…distracted…

TO BE CONTINUED...

A/N2: Sorry this is sorta short and not all that exciting, but I'm doing my best and i'll try to make the next chapter better. Review if you're still rading. much love all. Night!