Thanks to Comets, cb urk, Super-hero fan, TerraTasha and everyone else who has reviewed. I would like to bring to everyone's attention that Comets asked a very good question in their review – Where do I go from here? I have, in fact, been asking myself the very same question for a while now. I was worried the story was going completely downhill.

Having so much going on makes for difficulty when trying to connect the dots between plotlines, and that has slowed me down a lot. I don't plan to let everyone keep Clark's powers, for anyone who is wondering, but I have a little bit I'd like to write before they are lost. But I want everyone to know that this story is open to suggestion. Anything you could think of to make it better, nothing is too 'out there'. Just no flames, please.

Anyway I have a direction to send this in and have done my 'connect the dots' page, lol, so hopefully my writer's block will have successfully passed. Again thanks for reviewing, and please don't give up. I am going to finish this story. It won't be left hanging. And please, enjoy chapter 22.

Chapter 22

It was nearing ten when Vera walked up to the front desk in a very swanky but secure office building.

"I'm here to see Mr. Luthor." Vera said nervously.

"And you are?"

"Dr. Vera Deter, Head Scientist of Lab number 5." She said, holding out her identification card. The girl at the cash scanned it and acknowledged that the information was correct.

"You look a little flustered. Are you ok?" The secretary asked, handing the card back to Vera.

"Yes, I'm fine, I'll be fine. Thanks. Am I done here?" Vera responded quickly, holding the package tighter to her side.

"Yes, go on up. Mr. Luthor's been expecting you."

"I'll just bet he has." Vera said under her breath, and walked to the elevator.

The trip up was the longest Vera could remember having. But that was because she was having her doubts. She took off her glasses and rubbed at the bridge of her nose. She had been having her doubts since she started performing experiments on two young teens both of which who undoubtedly had their entire lives ahead of them. Oh it had been so easy years ago.

"Yes, it was easy then." Vera said as she replaced her glasses.

Five years ago she had graduated at the top of her class from Metropolis University with a degree in BioChem, and four years of med school specializing in research. She had been ready and eager to get a job to help pay those hefty student loans she had acquired. Of course, Lionel's offer had been most generous and interesting – to work in a lab studying effects of an alien rock on different types of organisms. What a fool she had been. As the years passed Lionel had become more demanding, wanting tests to progress to humans, something she knew was dangerous. He was desperate to cure himself of a rare liver disease and was sure the rock could help him – the rock and the blood he had somehow acquired of a young Kansas boy: Clark Kent. She pitied the poor boy if Lionel ever got his hands on him. Lionel had insisted they experiment on a young army man who was now MIA. She had initially tried to get away from that, but Lionel's hold was too strong. Now her loans had been paid off, and Lionel had threatened her life. She had no choice. She looked reluctantly at the box in her hands. In it was a control device – for the implant in Lana's brain. Well, that's what Lionel understood. She hadn't actually implanted anything in Lana's brain, as she still had some morals and ethics left. But Lionel had wanted something, so instead had put a well hidden device on the back of Lana's head, where it would serve the same function, though not nearly as effective. In fact, it could give out at any time. But that was her last protest for what she believed in. It took all she had to keep from bursting into tears. She could barely believe what she had done to an innocent, young girl.

A ding rang out signifying she was at her designated floor. She let out a dismal sigh at what her life had become and walked into Lionel's office.

"I see you brought my package." Lionel said.

"Yes, I did. And may I warn you of the effects this will have on that poor girl." Vera tried.

"Dr. Vera." Lionel said menacingly. "You may leave now. I will be in contact if I need your services again."

Vera looked sadly at the blue-black carpet in the office and nodded her head. She walked out, and the doors to the elevator closed. It was then Vera made a vow that she would find Clark and Lana and warn them. Then maybe she could die from Lionel's wrath with some self-respect.

Lionel stared at the door. He had noticed Vera getting a little reluctant and doubtful in the past few weeks. Her compliance was wavering, and she constantly questioned his every move. She was beginning to become a liability. Lionel picked up his office phone and punched a number.

"Yeah?" Someone answered.

"Dr. Vera has outlived her usefulness. I want her disposed of."

"Yes sir." A voice replied.

"Good. Do be discreet. I don't wish to have the police or my son meddling in my affairs." Lionel responded, and then hung up.

In the Kent household everyone was doting on Lana; all except Gabe, who had gone to bed. Lana was getting a little annoyed with all of the attention. She hadn't told anyone exactly what happened yet. She hadn't really told them anything except what happened as she was kidnapped. She wasn't ready, yet.

"I'm a little…tired, so I think I'm going to head to bed." Lana told the family and began to walk upstairs.

Clark shrugged to Chloe, and supposed that they should all get some rest.

That night…

Lionel opened the box with the remote, examining it closely to prove to himself its functionality. Everything was clearly labeled. Lionel sat back. He had to admit, as much of a liability as Dr. Vera Deter was she was also very clear and concise and did wonderful work. But that was that. He'd had no choice but to get rid of her. There would always be another looking to pay off their loans, who he could exploit.

Of course, the remote was a very complicated object, although simple looking; it had to be plugged into a secure computer and into a special section of Luthorcorp's intranet. Lionel realized this, and as a precaution, had given most of the staff, with the exception of security, the night off. Lionel logged in and hooked the object into the conveniently located USB port on his office laptop. It began to beep and a red light came on in the remote, quickly shifting to green as the computer verified the user. Lionel rubbed his chin. His plans had gone awry with Whitney, "Thanks to my damn fool of a son." Lionel thought angrily. This time he'd be more careful. Yes, this plan would be much, much better.

Lana felt herself sit up in bed. It was near dawn and she had the urge to get up and do something. What, she didn't know, but the urge to get out of bed and get dressed was overwhelming. Giving in, she dressed and walked into the kitchen, wondering if she was just hungry. A sudden pain coming from her temples overwhelmed her, and she felt her consciousness retreat into the far reaches of her mind. She felt herself zip out of the house, not closing the door, out into the chilly night. Not knowing where she was going, and not in control of her own body, Lana headed into town.

Clark woke up the next day to a shrill ringing in his ears. He wondered if anyone else had heard it now, but it didn't seem so.

He checked around to see if anyone else had stirred, but noticed the house remained quiet. Flabbergasted, he shrugged off the thought, dressing and walking out to the barn where the key was. But when he opened the toolbox he faced the surprise of his life. The key was present, but it wasn't the source.

"Well then, what…" he trailed off.

Listening closer he noticed the shrill noise was coming from the storm cellar.

"But that's impossible!" he thought, although he headed in that direction. With each step the noise increased, and Clark wondered how long his eardrums could last before they burst. Somehow managing to walk inside Clark looked ahead, and his jaw dropped. There stood the ship, in its full glory, floating and shining white. The key floated out of Clark's hand and fit into the recess, and Clark wondered exactly what would happen. He got his answer. The light intensified, creating a small explosion that knocked him clear out of the storm cellar and sending itself in waves throughout the farm while Clark looked on.

Chloe ran through the forest at a normal pace. She continued to try and turn on her newfound speed but it wouldn't work. Someone or something was chasing her, and she'd never felt more scared in her life. Branches cracked and leaves crunched as she ran through bushes and avoided trees. She looked back – the shadow was getting closer. She tried to run faster but her legs were like jelly, so much so that when a root jutted out, she went flying face down into the dirt. Hurt, and scared, Chloe sat up and looked into the face of her attacker, who had finally reached her. A bright white light shone behind the girl and Chloe was almost blinded.

"Who are you?" Chloe mumbled.

The girl smiled an evil smile and took Chloe by the collar. "You are not worthy of Kal-el." She said, and threw Chloe into a tree.

Chloe sat up in bed, turning around frantically. It was a dream. She felt something burning on her arm and turned to look. Her scar shone a brilliant red and then stopped. Chloe stood up and walked over to her mirror. Her hair had grown longer.

"What's happening to me?" she wondered. "And who was that?"

Lana stood in front of the Luthor ancestral mansion. She had looked all over town for Whitney and this seemed like the most logical place to find him, especially since she had last seen him here.

She didn't bother to buzz, and walked on inside, tossing guards as they rushed at her. When she reached Lex's office doors she kicked them in, sending them almost all the way to Lex's desk. A shocked Lex sat, frozen in amazement and fear, although he'd never admit the latter.

"Lana?" He managed.

"Where is Whitney? I know you're keeping him here!" Lana exclaimed.

"Calm down, Lana. He's here, but he's asleep. He came in late last night."

"Oh I know all about it. Get him up now and tell him to get down here!" Lana said aggressively. "Or I'll tear the place apart looking for him."

"Lana…I don't know what happened, but I'm sure we can resolve this in a civil manner." Lex tried.

Lana responded by slamming her fist down and breaking a chunk off of Lex's desk.

"Don't give me your bullshit, Lex. I know you better than that."

Now Lex was really concerned. Lana wasn't herself at all.

Suddenly Whitney appeared in the doorway. "Lana? What's all the noise about? And how did you know I was staying here?"

The Lana Whitney saw when she turned around was completely unfamiliar.

"Is that you? Lana, what happened?"

She walked up and grabbed Whitney by the wrist. "You're coming with me." she ordered.

"I'm…what?"

Lana grabbed his wrist tighter. Whitney noticed a green glare in her eyes.

"I'm stronger than you Mr. Fordman, so I suggest you listen."

"Mister…Fordman…?" Whitney reiterated.

Lex quickly took out the red rock in his pocket.

"Sorry Whitney." He apologized.

Whitney began to wince but Lana stood perfectly erect. Her eyes went red.

Lex looked at the red rock in his hand and then at Lana.

"Bad mistake, Lex. Just like the one you made in the lab." Lana said, as she let go of Whitney, zipped over to Lex, and grabbed him by the neck, choking him. She quickly slammed his head down on the desk.

"This is what you get for crossing me. Now I'll be taking what's mine and leaving."

Lex looked into Lana's eyes for a second before passing out, and realized something – Lana sounded a lot like…his father.

Lionel sat back in his chair. Everything had gone according to plan. Soon Whitney would be his to study again – just like before Lex interfered. The remote for the device in Lana's head had worked beautifully. Lana had done everything he had told her to, and said exactly what he had wanted her to say. Now he would have both of his specimens back in a matter of minutes. Not only that, if Lex picked up on the hint, the other part of his plan could be put into action.

Next: Will Lionel's plans turn to tatters? Will Vera get to Clark and Lana? What's happening to Chloe?