1Sorry it took us so long to update again. We didn't get much of a response from our Pete chapter, though I admit, it's not our best one. This one's pretty short, but it's kind of a bridge to the next part of the story. We hope you enjoy it and keep in mind that the best is yet to come. Please R&R.

Chapter 5:

Lex. How could he have forgotten about Lex? They'd been best friends ever since Clark had saved Lex's life. He turned to the stranger, horrified at the thought of what would become of Lex in this 'new life,' and said, "Where is he?"

The stranger looked down a moment and then replied, "You won't believe me, you have to see it with your own eyes."

Suddenly as if they had teleported to Metropolis, they were standing in the courtyard outside the Luthor Corp building.

Clark looked up at the building and said, "Lex is working for his father . . . I suppose there could be worse things. I don't see why I had to see it myself though."

The stranger answered with a sober expression, "It's not that Clark, turn around."

Clark's strong knees almost buckled at the sight before his eyes. There stood the destroyed Porsche, the exact one Lex had driven into the river. If Clark hadn't known Lionel Luthor so well, he would have wondered who would make such a tacky memorial. This seemed just Lionel's style. Below the Porsche was a plaque inscribed with: Alexander "Lex" Luthor, Beloved Son, Soaring to greater heights, even now. Next to the plaque was a picture of Lex, hardly recognizable with a full head of red hair.

Sadness filled Clark as he thought of what life would have been like without Lex- and what life would be like now that he was gone. He felt as if he had lost a sibling again. This feeling was made worse by the thought that it was his fault again. Lex was like his older brother. He was always there to give him advice, especially about Lana, and always seemed to find a way to make Clark's life easier. He had even bought their farm so they wouldn't have to move away.

Clark didn't know what else to do. A sense of hopelessness began to settle in the pit of his stomach. Lana had been taken away from him and Pete and Chloe didn't even know him, which was as bad as losing them. And now Lex. Clark felt his hopelessness suddenly turn to rage. Rage toward this man and all that he had done. Before the stranger even realized what was happening, Clark had him pinned against a wall.

"Stop! Stop this right now! I don't want to live like this! JUST STOP IT!"

The stranger stayed surprisingly calm, "This is what you wanted Clark. The world would be better off without you, remember."

"OKAY! YOU'VE MADE YOUR POINT! GIVE ME MY LIFE BACK!"

The stranger answered again in his annoyingly calm voice, "I'm still not sure you understand." And he vanished from Clark's grasp.

Clark turned with anger and grief almost emanating from his eyes. He'd done it again; he'd hurt those he loved most. He made things worse than they'd ever been before. Who could he turn to when things got hard? Who would embrace him and tell him it would be okay- tell him it wasn't his fault? His parents. Why hadn't he thought of them before? They knew him better than anyone and loved him in spite of everything. He needed them now more than ever. Clark's heart dropped into his shoes as he wondered if he had hurt them again.