Jonathan Kent froze at the sound of gunfire. Lex sent the men ahead of them to create a clear path. The men were instructed to eliminate any obstacle. They proceeded into the building cautiously with Lex leading the way, holding a small semi-automatic handgun at his side. It all felt surreal. Life on a farm just didn't prepare one for storming into an abandoned waterfront building, trailing behind a small army in the dead of night. Jonathan could only use his common sense and determination to find his son alive to see him through all this. He had refused to carry the gun Lex offered him. He wasn't sure why, since he never shied away from grabbing the rifle hanging in the hallway at home if there was any trouble on their property—but this time he knew it was very likely he would have to take a human life—it wasn't something he was prepared to do..not yet.

They moved quietly up the service stairs until they reached the sixth floor landing. Lex stopped and motioned for Jonathan to do the same. Lex listened carefully outside the door, waiting. A small red light flashed on a device affixed to his belt. He carefully pushed the door open, and motioned for Jonathan to follow. Lex grabbed him in the door way and whispered to him quickly.

"There are three adjoining rooms. Once we get through the first door, there may be guards there. They flashed the signal for the all clear, but I told them to hold at least one guard to open the door to the lab—there's a code. They were instructed to threaten, and let whoever wanted to go, leave, and take out the rest..I just want you to be prepared for what you may see."

Jonathan took a deep breath, but nodded quickly. The room they stepped into was dark, with the only illumination coming from a single window facing the long hallway.

One of the armed men stood waiting by the door. As they approached he told Lex they had taken out two men, clean things up later once we were out of the building. Lex barely nodded as he walked through the next door. The implications of taking lives to save his son's kept entering Jonathan's mind, and there was no doubt, their entire family would pay for all of this mentally in the end. But for now he had to stay focused, they were so close to their goal.

There were indeed two guards laying face down on the ground. They had to step over their bodies. Lex glanced quickly at them, but kept his eyes affixed to the next entrance. Jonathan hesitated, thinking they should atleast see if they were alive. Lex looked at him, sensing his thoughts.

"There's no time Mr. Kent. Clark is just beyond the next room."

The rest of the men stood near the entrance to the lab. One was holding a guard around the neck, while they waited patiently for Lex. Jonathan stopped—the entire room was surrounded by a solid wall of kryptonite. He moved quicker, wanting to get Clark out of there now. Lex told the guard to open the door. The guard reached to push the keypad, but Lex saw his other had reach down to touch a silent alarm. With no hesitation he shot the guard in the hand. The man screamed but Lex pushed his gunman aside and pushed the guard against the wall.

"Push the code, or your knee cap is next." The guard hurriedly did as he was told.

The powerful stench of charred metal and chemicals hit them as the door slid open. Jonathan rushed into the room, looking frantically around for any sign of Clark. He turned to Lex, who still had his gun trained on the guard.

"Where is he! I thought you said they were keeping him in here."
His panic began to rise seeing the state of the lab. The walls were charred in a definite pattern no normal fire could make. He felt like his heart would burst out of his chest. He prayed they weren't too late.
"There's another door Mr. Kent."

Lex pushed the guard towards it, ordering him to open it. He obliged and the door to Clark's small room sprung open.

There was no preparation for this. The entire ride to Metropolis, Jonathan had thought of every horrible scenario, trying to steel himself for when they finally found Clark. But he'd been foolish. Nothing could prepare him for the site of his only child sprawled lifelessly on a cold floor, naked, covered in gashes and caked blood, with a thin blanket surrounding his much thinner body.

"Oh God..Clark.."

Jonathan chocked back a sob and ran to his side. He kept the overwhelming anger he felt at bay, and gently turned him over looking for any sign of breathing. He almost cried with relief when he saw his chest rise slightly. He shook Clark, trying to get him to wake up.

"Come on son…please, Clark."

Clark opened his eyes and looked up at his father. He stared at him blankly, not moving, knowing it was just another hallucination. His head fell back against his father's chest, and he closed his eyes again.

"Lex! Get over here and help me. We have to get him out of here."

Lex was standing at the threshold, feeling sick. He never hated his father more in this moment, though the thought was oddly calming because he'd never been so certain that his father deserved to die. He went to Mr. Kent's side to help him get Clark up. As soon as they had him standing, Clark's eyes flew open and he moaned in pain. Lex looked down his legs, noticing two very thin anklets of meteor rock adorning them. Jonathan followed his gaze.

"We have to get those off of him Lex."

"We will, once we get in the car, I have tools, for now we have to get out of here quickly, before anymore guards show up. I sent the men down to make sure we get out of here safely. One will accompany us."

"Wait…I;m going to try and carry him."

Jonathan wrapped the blanket tightly around Clark, and lifted him with all his strength. He was heavy, but Jonathan felt he could manage it. When Clark opened his eyes again, and they were wide and scared. "Dad..?"

Jonathan pulled Clark tighter to him, and whispered to him.
"We're about to leave the lab..the kryptonite will hurt, but I'll try and get you out of there as fast as I can, ok?"

Clark was too terrified to believe his Dad was real, the disappointment would be too great…but his fathers arms weren't letting him go, and he felt warm and safe.

"You're…real?"

Jonathan's tears fell on Clark's face and he simply nodded.
"Ok Clark, hold on to me tight."

The door opened, exposing the kryptonite, and Clark gripped his father tightly, screaming into his chest. Jonathan knew he had to remain calm, or he'd prolong his son's agony. Though it nearly killed him to hear Clark muttering "no more" between gasps of pain.

Once they were safely beyond the lab, Lex felt it safe and quicker to take the elevator down. He avoided looking at Clark. It was just too much to take in. Someone as strong as Clarks should never be reduced to such a state. They both helped him out to the waiting car. Lex sent the men back in to clean up any mess. He glanced around the dark lot. It had been far too easy, and he hoped they weren't walking into a trap.

Jonathan laid Clark across the back seat, and went to look for tools to remove the kryptonite anklets from Clark.

"Mr Kent we need to get out of here."

"I'm getting those things off of him now, he's in too much pain!"

"Ok…there's a tool kit in the back, there may be something to snap those things off of Clark. Just grab it and get in with him, you can do it while I drive."

Jonathan grabbed the tool kit, and jumped in back with Clark, who passed out again. He snapped the thin anklets off of him with wire cutters and tossed them out the moving car window. The green veins started to slowly fade, and some color was returning to Clark's pale skin.

Lex glanced in the rearview window at them. Jonathan was gently smoothing Clark's hair while Clark slept peacefully in his lap. He picked up his cell phone to call ahead for the helicopter. They'd stop at the penthouse to get Clark cleaned up, but he felt it safer if they didn't stay in Metropolis for the night.

The dispatcher came on the line with some very odd news. "I'm sorry Mr. Luthor, but your helicopter was called away suddenly. I'm not sure what happened, but it left a few minutes ago."

Lex threw his cell phone down, and for the first time noticed a sleek black sedan a couple of car lengths back tailing them. Lex sighed and glanced back and Clark. This wasn't over yet.