TITLE: Double, Double, Love & Trouble? – Chapter 14

WRITTEN BY: Heather Ferguson (fergus80)

RATING: PG-13 (NC-17 where applicable will be separate)

SUMMARY: Rewrite from the end of the episode 'Unsafe.'

SPOILERS: Everything!

DISCLAIMER: All Smallville character belong to their respective whatever, the WB, etc. etc.

FEEDBACK: Always makes me smile:)

DEDICATION: To all the fellow Nuns, writers, reviewers, and readers at NWP, and of course Jensen!

RANT: Well, for those of you who have seen Smallville, you will have noticed the BIG change with the show has now started. Now while some things will stay the same, because of what is happening with others. Lana's and Jason's story line will be obviously very different. This chapter is short, but I wanted to end where it did. I'll write more soon.

She pulled up to the barn, turned off the lights, and shut off the engine. Her cell phone rang again, and she looked at the incoming number. "He is persistent. I'll give him that." She ignored the sound and got out of her car. Her eyes traveled to the light coming from the loft of the barn, and a smile played on her lips. "Well, if you can't get what you want with vinegar, I guess I'll try honey." A flash of purple flashed through her eyes before she took a step into the barn.

Isobel walked up the stairs, and saw him sitting there at his computer. Her eyes scanned the screen and she wanted to laugh. This boy, with these super powers was writing an essay to get into college. How pathetic. She took a deep breath, and started her acting skills. "It's kind of hard to take college application essays seriously after the last couple of days, isn't it?"

Clark turned around, "I was just trying to figure out if hidden temples and body-snatching witches fits under 'community service' or 'extracurriculars'."

She let him have a smile at his attempted joke, "Did I come at a bad time? You seemed kind of startled when you saw me."

He stood up and moved closer to her. "No. I just, um… I thought maybe you were my parents. I've been avoiding them ever since we got back." He turned and walked towards the window.

She knew he was lying, even if he was the good little farmer boy. "And the real reason would be?"

He swallowed and then admitted, "Seeing you speak Latin and throw those guys around the room like toothpicks is kind of weird. And even when Isobel's gone, sometimes I look at you and there's a part of you I don't recognize anymore." She laughed softly. If he only knew. "What?" he asked slightly hurt.

She quickly tried to play off the memories she had of the girl he thought he was talking too. "I'm sorry, it's just that… Do you know how funny that sounds coming from you?" Yeah, and the fact that you were throwing me around too? He smiled. She knew she had him. Now it was time to get what she wanted. "Somehow, I think that the only way that I'm going to be able to put Isobel and all of… all of this other stuff behind me is if I find all three of those stones." She waited for his answer, but she didn't really like it.

"I'm sure they'll end up in the right hands."

"I hope so because right now I kind of feel like some random piece of a puzzle I'll never understand." Oh, nice. Play the sympathy card.

"Well, maybe we're not supposed to understand it just yet." She gave him a questioning look. "I get the feeling that our lives are a lot less random than we think."

"Maybe," she agreed and realized he would still need more work. "Good night, Clark." With that she left the barn and headed back to her, or Lana's apartment.

She had barely enough time to get there, and make a pot of tea when there was a knock at her door. She rolled her eyes, and went to the door. She gave the knocker a cold stare.

He looked at her angry face and knew it wasn't going to be easy. But hopefully she would listen to him. After they had left the temple she had barely talked to him at all. He did understand why, but he needed to talk to her. To explain things. Hopefully she would listen. "Can I at least come in?"

She looked back at him, and thought about it for a minute. Might as well see what he has to say. It's not like I can really do anything to him… just yet. She opened the door fully and then walked back into the kitchen to pour her cup of tea.

He followed, closing the door behind him. "I guess I don't have to ask why I haven't heard from you since we got back from Shanghai." She didn't say anything. "I'm sorry I lied to you." He meant it.

"I don't even know which lie you're apologizing for, that you said you were in Metropolis when you were really in China or that you've been working with your mom all along." That's right, play the angry girlfriend.

Jason looked at her and sighed. "I wasn't honest about going to China because I didn't want to put you in danger. If you remember a certain torture chair, I'd say that's pretty decent foresight. You have to believe me."

She eyed him, "Give me one good reason."

He nodded, "Okay." With that he pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and put it down on the kitchen counter. Slowly he unfolded it for her. Inside was the stone of power he had taken from the temple.

She looked at it in absolute shock. The stone. He had it. He took it. He's… giving it to me. Well… he thinks he's giving it to Lana.

"Is that good enough?" he asked.

Isobel still couldn't believe her luck as she moved towards it. Finally finding the words, "Jason, how did you…"

"I got there right before Lex. I saw you and Clark knocked out. And there it was right in front of me. I didn't want Lex or Clark to know about it, so I mailed it to myself from China."

She still couldn't take her eyes off it. But now for the real test. "Did you tell your mom?"

"I got it for you. All I care about is protecting you, okay? You're the only one in my life that matters to me."

She couldn't talk. Was he serious? Did he love this Lana person so much he would give her the stones if he found them? Maybe she was too hasty in her decision about him before.

He watched her staring spellbound at the stone. He smiled, "Blink twice if you can understand me."

Oh, and he has a sense of humor. Interesting. She turned towards him, and blinked twice. Giving him a large smile, she returned his deep hug, pulling him close. Hmmmm… I could get used to this. Yes, I think I prefer using honey, much more than vinegar.

To be continued.