Chloe and Martha sat at the Kent kitchen table, stunned. They stared at the crystal, which glowed in opalescent glory. Clark had just told them about the Fortress, and Zod.

Martha spoke first. "It all seems like a bad dream. All this time we thought we were dealing with Jor-El, and he was bad enough, and now you're telling me that this Zod person, whoever he is – will be a thousand times worse? That it was Zod toying with our family all these years?" Her eyes filled with tears. "Your poor father…his heart…"

"I know, Mom." Clark's face was set in stony lines. "Just one more reason for me to stop Zod from completely breaking free. And, if Lara is right, then the real Jor-El needs me too. I couldn't save Dad, but I can try to save him."

"But how do you find a dead Kryptonian scientist?" Chloe asked. "Who is the servant of Zod?" She took Martha's hand, and looked up at Clark. "Did Lara give you any ideas?"

"No." Clark shook his head. "Mom, Lara said this crystal was the first one I was supposed to have. When I hold it, I feel her and I can hear her speaking to me. I found it locked in Grandmother Clark's desk. Why didn't you or Dad tell me about this?"

"Your father locked it away when we first brought you home. He found it under the ship." Martha replied, looking at Clark. "He was afraid it might hurt you, and then, as all other Kryptonian artifacts came to light, we were really unsure what to do. We planned to give it to you, Clark, but then your dad died…"Martha sobbed.

"It's okay, Mrs. Kent." Chloe put her arm around Martha. "Clark, what about your Professor Fine?"

"He did say he was Kryptonian." Clark said thoughtfully. "It's probably as good a place as any to start."

"Lionel is the one that told me to look for Fine in Honduras. Maybe Lionel has figured out how to trail a Kryptonian on the move." Chloe stood, and Martha rose as well. "Let's go talk with Lionel Luthor."

"I'm going with you." Martha wiped her eyes. "If Lionel is party to any of this, I want to know, now."

"Mom, it's probably not safe. I think you should stay." Clark said, and Martha shook her head.

"No, Clark. Lionel has been staying close to me. I thought he was trying to help, but if he's been trying to get information to hurt you, I want to know about it." She smiled. "You are the most important thing in my life. I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

Clark looked at his mother. There was no changing her mind when she had made a decision, so with a nod, he gave in. He took the crystal and put it into his pocket. There was no knowing if he would need it.

Milton Fine stood outside the Luthor Mansion, waiting. Kal-El, Martha Kent and Chloe Sullivan had all gone into the house, looking for Lionel Luthor. The human had been imprinted with crucial codes necessary to open the Phantom Zone once and for all – releasing Zod and his other disciples who had been banished with him. The humans had so clumsily handled the Kryptonian stones, the keys, and the ships – Zod and his bitter enemy, Jor-El were locked in a struggle to be free. Fine was determined that Zod be victorious. But he could wait.

"Lionel!" Clark called out, scanning the house for any sign of Lex's father. A ringing sound, like the one given off by the crystal in his pocket, made Clark turn, and head down the hallway.

"Clark! Where are you going?" Chloe called after him. "We have to find Lionel!"

"I'm heading to Lex's trophy room, Chloe. Keep looking for Lionel." Clark replied. "And stay with Mom." Chloe nodded and darted back in the study with Martha.

The room to Lex's Clark Kent trophy room was open. Clark pushed the door open cautiously and called out, "Lionel?"

Not getting an answer, he walked into the room, looking around. Display cases had been smashed, items torn or destroyed. Glass crunched under foot as Clark looked around the room. The ringing sound got louder, and Clark looked up and into his own face. He tried to look through the wall, and could see nothing but a lead panel.

"He installed that, just recently." Lionel said, appearing from nowhere. "Kal-El, you will not find what you are seeking behind that picture."

"Why are you calling me Kal-El, Lionel?" Clark turned around. "How do you know that name?"

"I have been given incredible knowledge, Kal-El. And I will keep your secret." Lionel nodded. "You need only ask, and I will answer what I can."

"What is in this safe, Lionel?" Clark asked, and Lionel shrugged, his face giving nothing away.

"Who knows? With Lex, and this impossible collection, it could be your bronzed baby shoes. Has your mother ever mentioned that they were missing, Kal-El?" Lionel laughed lightly. What you seek is there, " Lionel pointed to a large suit of armor.

Clark scanned the armor. Another secret room was behind the armor – and in it, impossibly, Clark's small ship.

"The map to finding Jor-El is there, in your ship. He was always with you, Kal-El. But the ship was also a conduit for Zod." Lionel said, and Clark knew this was true.

"You know in your heart that I am right."

"I do." Clark went to the armor and looked for a way into the room. "How do I get in?"

"You hold the key." Lionel replied matter of factly. "Take the key in your hand."

Clark felt the crystal grow warm in his pocket. He put his hand around it and pulled his hand from his pocket. The wall vanished, and the small ship appeared, gliding silently from it's resting place. There was plenty of evidence that Clark had tried to destroy it years ago, scorch marks from the octagonal keyhole across the whole body of the ship. Responding to the crystal, the hatch of the small ship opened.

"My son." The air breathed the words, and Clark could barely hear them. "Kal-El – Clark…" This voice, Clark recognized in the deepest roots of his memory. Jor-El.

"Father!" Clark called out, and he could hear Lara's voice speaking in his head.

"There is no time, Kal-El. Touch the crystal to the ship. The servant of Zod approaches and your father and I need to be unified to help you."

Clark brought the crystal to the prow of the ship, and before he could make contact, he felt himself slammed out of the way. He flew back into one of the broken display cases, and saw Fine, prowling around the ship.

"Where is it, Kal-El? Where is the key?" Fine growled, running his hand over the smooth surface. Clark looked down and quickly shoved the crystal in his pocket. "How did you open this ship without the key?" He turned and scanned Clark quickly. "The octagonal piece of metal. Where is it?"

"I have it." Lionel said, his voice flat. "But it is hidden, far away from here."

"Take me." Fine grabbed Lionel and as fast as light, was gone.

"It is still not too late, my son." Jor-El's voice was weary. "The key. Take the key and touch the ship with it." Clark walked across the room, and brought the crystal to the front of the ship. In a blinding flash of light, Clark was knocked backward again.

"It is done." Jor-El and Lara-El said in unison. "Arise, Kal-El." Clark stood, and the small ship was gone. On the floor, in its place was a silver panel, roughly the same shape as the ship. Clark stooped and picked it up. On one side, Kryptonian symbols were etched into the shape of the symbol Clark recognized as his family letter, EL.

The other side was blank, mirror smooth.

"Where's Lionel?" Clark asked. "And what is this?"

"He is misleading the servant of Zod, to give you the time you need." Jor-El said, and Lara completed the answer "The other is my gift to you, Kal-El. It will defend you against Zod, when he comes."

"Clark!" Martha and Chloe appeared in the doorway, out of breath. "Did you find Lionel?" Their faces were a study in horror as they surveyed the damage around Clark.

"Yes, but he's gone." Clark looked around at the debris. "But Jor-El is safe, for now."

"Are you okay?" Chloe went to Clark, stepping over the shattered wood frames that had held some of the things Lex had collected of Clark's

"I'm fine." Clark put his arm around Chloe. "We have to find Lionel, now."

When Bruce Wayne finally appeared at the Ball, it was close to midnight, and everyone was on the terrace, waiting for the grand fireworks to begin. The news from Clark had not been particularly encouraging, Bruce thought, mentally reviewing Dr. Swann's research again. However, Clark had learned to fly, and Bruce had to admit, that was a pretty good start. As Bruce made his way to the terrace, he spotted Lex standing alone at the bar, brandy in hand.

"Lex. What are you doing in here? The big show is outside." Bruce clasped Lex on the arm in greeting. "Sorry I got held up."

"It's fine." Lex said. "Taking care of business?"

"Something like that – an old college friend called, family trouble. Where's Lana?"

Bruce asked, looking around for her.

"Outside with the Mayor's daughter." Lex gestured. "Just home from Smith, or Bryn Mawr, I forget which." Lex made a bitter face. "She's moving in quite elevated company since we've come to Gotham City. I'm afraid Smallville and Metropolis are just going to be quite provincial after this."

"No." Bruce said. "She'll be glad to get back to your usual routine. Besides, you can't take a girl from a small town and expect her to not be excited by all of this." He gestured around the room. "You move in some exalted company in Metropolis. Isn't it better that Lana has been prepared for it a little? Those opera snobs in Metropolis can be heartless." Bruce sipped his drink, and Lex nodded, smiling a little.

"About Lana." Lex said, after a moment. "What are your intentions toward my girlfriend, Bruce?"

"My intentions? Toward Lana?" Bruce laughed. 'I don't have any, except maybe be her friend. You do know that men and women can be friends without it getting all romantic, right, Lex?"

"Really?" Lex walked over to the pair of crossed swords that hung over the massive fireplace in the ballroom. "Picking out gowns, telling tragic stories of your lonely childhood. If I didn't know better, Bruce, I'd say you were flirting with her."

"Right. How much brandy HAVE you had tonight, Lex?" Bruce sipped his punch. "I like Lana. She's a nice kid, in way over her head in society. I'm just trying to help her fit in – giving her a hand up."

"Bruce Wayne, man of the people." Lex said, reached for one of the swords and took it down. "Bruce Wayne, philanthropist and playboy." The sword cut the air with a hiss. "Bruce Wayne, liar and seducer." The sword swung again, and lightning fast, Bruce was out of the way.

"Lex, you are drunk." Bruce smiled, the smile he reserved for under his Batman mask. "Come on, old boy. Put the sword down. I don't want Lana."

'DON'T." The sword flashed in Lex's hands. "WANT." His grey eyes glinted in the candlelight, as if made of steel. "LANA." His teeth gritted together on the last word. "LIAR!"

"No." Bruce replied, moving toward the fireplace and the other sword. "But, if a duel will settle your mind, then," The other sword was in Bruce's hand, and he faced Lex coldly. "Let's do this."

"Damn you." Lex said, throwing the brandy glass to the floor, where it shattered into a million sparkling pieces. The swords crossed as the orchestra began to play the overture for the fireworks show. "Damn you and your sailboats and your Planetarium, and your mansion on the water." Lex lunged, and Bruce deflected the blow easily. Keep your cool, Bruce told himself. This is fencing practice at Excelsior, not a night with Ra's A Ghul. And, Lex was drunk.

"Lex, you aren't yourself. Why would I want Lana? She's obviously in love with you." Bruce parried, and found himself impressed with Lex's command of fencing, despite the alcohol he had consumed.

"Seducing her, luring her with hotdogs and baseball." Lex snarled, and they stood, swords crossed again. Both men stood there, staring into each others eyes, neither noticing that Lana had come into the ballroom to find them. She stood there, watching in the shadow of the drapes, horrified. They fought viciously and in silence, neither gaining any particular ground, and Lana realized with some relief that Bruce was trying to tire Lex out, not to beat him. Finally, the men stopped, the orchestra winding down. They stood there, a few feet apart, a blade's distance.

"Doing everything you can to lure her away from me." Lex said, weakly.

"Making her feel welcome in a world she's never been exposed to. Lex!" Bruce

dropped his sword, and grabbed Lex by the shoulders. "She loves you. "

"She loved someone else, before me. Loved him her whole life. I came in, like you, overwhelmed her, turned her head. How do I know?" Lex looked at Bruce, "How do I know?" He lowered his sword, breathing hard. "There's too much at stake if I lose her, Bruce."

Bruce dropped his head. He heard a light step on the wooden floor. Lana.

"Look, Lex." Bruce took the sword from Lex's hand, and tossed it aside. "It's been a long day, all that sun this morning, and the vat of brandy you must have had tonight. Why don't you let my driver get you back to the hotel? Tomorrow, we'll have brunch at my place, play some pool, go over the old Exclesior yearbooks." Bruce put his arm around Lex's shoulder. "Come on. I'll get you home." Bruce looked over his shoulder and waved to Lana to follow him. She came up to Lex and took his hand.

"Lana." Lex smiled. "I'm going home, back to the hotel. Not feeling so good – Bruce is right. Too much sun, too much brandy. You stay. Bruce will bring you home." Lex looked at his old schoolmate. "Still good with a sword, Bruce. Still good."

"I'll go with you." Lana said, gathering her wrap and bag. "You shouldn't be alone, Lex."

"I'll go back with both of you." Bruce said, putting Lex over his shoulder. "Not a good idea for either of you to be alone tonight."

Back at the hotel, Bruce got Lex settled in bed, and then came out into the living room area of the suite. Lana had changed out of her gown while Bruce was in the other room, looking very young in a big t-shirt and leggings. Her face was innocent of makeup, and she had undone the elegant french twist she had worn for the ball, letting her hair spill around her shoulders.

"He's out like a light." Bruce said, undoing his tie and sitting down in the armchair furthest from Lana's perch on the couch. "You should sleep, too."

"And what about you?" Lana asked with a small laugh. "Don't you sleep?"

"Not that much." Bruce said, leaning forward. "Look, Lana, about tonight…"

"No, it's okay." Lana smiled. "I heard most of it, I think. The rest I can guess."

"Good." Bruce replied, "I don't want there to be any more mixed signals this weekend."

"I'm glad we met, Bruce." Lana said softly, fiddling with the edge of a throw pillow. "You are a good friend."

Bruce stood. "See you tomorrow, okay? My house, 12:00. Brunch, and guy stuff. You bring a book." He leaned over and kissed the top of Lana's head, like an older brother might. "Get some sleep."

"You too." Lana looked up. "Bruce?"

"Yes, Lana?" He did not turn around. He knew Lex was listening at the door.

"Lex loves me." She said simply, and then sighed.

"Do you love him, Lana? That's really the question. Because if you don't, and you are still getting over the guy before Lex, it's going to cause no end of trouble. Take it from me, there's nothing wrong with being alone, if you need to be. Be with Lex, but be with him for the right reasons, and with your eyes open." Bruce turned, hearing Lana sob.

"I do love him, Bruce." She said, wiping her eyes. "How could I not?"

Bruce sensed Lex's relieved exhalation of breath. "Then you know the answer. Good night, Lana. See you for brunch." He smiled and walked toward the door.

"Good night, Bruce." Lana replied, staring off into the empty, dark fireplace. It would be nearly dawn before Lana fell asleep. There was too much to think about, and an almost overpowering feeling of trouble ahead.

"Master Bruce," Bruce heard Alfred's voice, breaking through his dreams. "Master Bruce, it's Chloe Sullivan. She says it's urgent."

"What time is it, Alfred?" Bruce took the phone from his faithful guardian with a yawn.

"2 a.m, sir. I am so sorry." Alfred shook his head. "You had just fallen asleep, but Miss Sullivan was quite insistent."

Bruce cleared his throat. "Chloe, what's wrong?

"Bruce, things have just gone from bad to worse. Lionel Luthor is missing." Chloe wiped the tears from her eyes and sniffled. Back at the Kent farm, Clark was busily packing a backpack, talking to his mother in hushed tones. "Clark is going to look for him."

"Missing?" Bruce sat up more, and turned off the light. Some things were better talked about in the dark. "When?"

"Tonight. Bruce, it's a long story, but someone named Milton Fine kidnapped him. He's dangerous, Bruce." Chloe rolled her eyes. "You didn't go back to sleep, did you?"

"No.' Bruce replied, dialing Lex's suite on his cell. "I'm calling Lex Luthor. We'll be in Smallville by four. Tell Clark I want him to stay put. Chloe…." Bruce paused. "You call Lana and tell her exactly what I tell you. NOW."

"Okay." After a minute, Chloe hung up. Martha Kent was standing nearby, her eyes wide in her shock-pale face.

"What did he say?" Martha asked, a little in awe. "Is he coming?"

"Yes." Chloe sighed. "He's bringing Lex and Lana home now."

Clark turned. "Bruce is coming?" He and Chloe had a silent conversation with their eyes that Martha only barely understood, but recognized immediately. Most couples in love had them, and Martha smiled, in spite of herself, and the severity of the situation.

"He said he'll be here at 4. With Lex. Oh God. I have to call Lana." Chloe dialed, and waited. When Lana answered, Chloe turned her back and walked away, pacing the kitchen.

"You can't do this alone, Clark." Martha put her hand on his shoulder. "If Bruce Wayne knows your secret, then maybe he can help. Whatever that thing was, you can't handle it alone. And Lex." She shook her head. "Whatever his relationship with his father, he needs to be here."

"I know, Mom." Clark zipped his backpack. "I'm going to the airport. Keep Chloe with you. This is too dangerous for either of you." He felt the crystal grow warm in his pocket. Clark pulled the glowing prism from his pocket, and heard the voice of his mother in his head.

"The Daughter of Earth must remain behind. Leave her the crystal." Lara's voice was soft. "It will not harm her – and she will need to know all I can impart to her before her part in this comes."

"She is in no danger, Kal-El." Jor-El added, "The crystal will keep the servant of Zod from harming her. You must take the shield with you, Kal-El. "

"I'm trusting your advice, Jor-El." Clark muttered. "But how will I hear you if I need you?"

"We are with you." Jor-El and Lara said in unison. "The shield will act as a transmitter. As Zod was able to use Kryptonian objects to speak to you from the Phantom Zone, so is our technology able to communicate with you. It will be limited, Kal-El." Jor-El had continued, and Clark recognized the same tone in Jor-El's voice that he might have heard from Jonathan; fatherly concern. "It is imperative that you follow every direction, exactly as I tell you. The weaknesses in the Phantom Zone portal will not be healed if you do not."

"I understand." Clark watched Chloe as she spoke to Lana, and then hung up. She was too precious to risk, and already so in danger, just by knowing his secret. Clark remembered his pang at the thought of how delicate the human beings around him were. Even Bruce Wayne, who had made himself more than human, was still as fragile as Chloe. Clark could not bear thinking about another life being taken because of a Kryptonian. Zod would have enough to answer for already.

"Do not attempt to stop Zod without your allies." Lara said, snapping Clark from his nearly complete plan to leave alone. "The Son of the Eastern Earth will be invaluable to you. And the son of the missing man, he must be with you. This is not to be changed, Kal-El."

"I can't risk losing any of them. Gotham City needs Bruce Wayne…and Lex…" Clark hesitated.

"Needs to rescue his father." Jor-El finished. "I have dwelled within this Son of Earth from time to time – his only son needs to be the one to free him. The one from the East will deal with the servant of Zod. You must face Zod. You are the last Son of Krypton, scion of the house of El." As if sensing Clark's unspoken protest. "Do not defy us, Kal-El, I ask this, having no way to earn your trust. I ask you to obey me, so that you may preserve your life."

Clark sighed. If he had any doubt about Jor-El, it was gone. There was no denying it, this was really the father who had sent his son to Earth, the father who had chosen Hiram Kents son to raise the last child of Krypton. Clark squared his shoulders, and went to Chloe. She had hung up the phone and had pulled out her laptop, actively searching for something, anything for a lead on Lionel. Clark felt his heart fill with love for her, so full it felt like it would burst.

"Chloe," He touched her shoulder. "I need you to stay, with Mom, with Lana." Taking her hand, Clark led her outside on to the porch.

"Clark, you can't be serious. You can't face this alone…" Chloe shook her head, and then searched his face. "This isn't negotiable, is it? You've made your mind up already."

"I have to go with Bruce and Lex. You need to stay. Keep this." Clark pressed Lara's crystal into Chloe's hand. It pulsed red, blue, yellow and then softly glowed white. "If Fine comes for you, that will keep him away."

"I don't like this." Chloe looked down at the crystal. She held it out to him. "Take it back. You're going to need it. Don't be stupid, Clark."

"I'm not being stupid." Clark pulled her close. "I've got the shield, and I won't be alone. I need you to protect Mom, and Lana. I need you to listen, if Lara or Jor-El try to communicate with you through the crystal." He tipped her face toward his and smiled. "I need you to be here when I get back. Okay, Chloe?"

"Clark." Chloe whispered, tears choking the word in her throat. "I only just got you. Come back to me." She stood on tip toe and kissed him hard, her arms pulling him closer to her. Groaning, Clark wrapped his arms around her tighter. If he could not take all of her with him, he would take her scent, the memory of her lips on his. Vaguely, as if from very far away, Clark could hear his cell phone ringing.

"Clark?" Martha's voice drifted to them from the open window. "It's Bruce Wayne."

Bruce had gone to the hotel immediately, throwing on clothes and taking some essentials. He found Lana dressed and ready, her face pale and resolute. Lex also, was ready, and on the phone with the Smallville Sheriffs Department. The experimental jet was ready at the airstrip. As much as Bruce hated to let Lex Luthor anywhere near the stealth jet, there wasn't much choice. Lex's jet was fueled and on instructions to follow, Bruce made the calls on his way over to the hotel and then called Clark to make sure he was waiting for them.

"Bruce." Lex snapped his phone shut. "Thanks for coming." Lex looked sober, as a judge, Bruce noticed, wondering how much of Lex's drunkenness earlier had been an act.

"Don't mention it. Chloe called me, asked for a favor. I'll have you back in Smallville in an hour." Bruce shook Lex's hand. "You up for a fast flight?"

"I'll have to rough it, if I'm not." Lex replied. "Lana?"

"I'll just be glad to get home." Lana said, roughly braiding her hair to get it out of her face.

"Okay." Bruce looked at his watch. "Let's get this show on the road."

"You have hidden the key here?" Fine asked, as Lionel opened the large safe. "I do not sense its presence."

"I have it in a lead lined box." Lionel replied, intentionally misdialing the combination of the safe. "Your kind has a little problem seeing through lead. I find that extremely interesting." He had come back to himself somewhere between Smallville and Glasgow, remembering that he had taken an ancient longsword to Lex's Clark Kent Museum. He had gone blank when he discovered the lead panel in the wall, and was unable to pry it loose. There was a moment where he had hoped Clark would open it, but the untimely arrival of Professor Fine had dashed Lionel's anticipation of an answer, temporarily. Now, standing in the vault of the Swiss bank where Lionel kept all of his specially prized items, he was hard pressed to recall ever being here before. The need to stall for time had not left him, somehow, it seemed vitally important that Fine not get what he was looking for. And Lionel knew exactly what to give him.

"You find Kryptonians interesting?" Fine's face was emotionless. "How odd."

"No, I do." Lionel said sincerely. "It's not every day a humble Earth man such as myself meets a being from an advanced planet." But you aren't really a being, are you? Lionel thought to himself, remembering the security footage of Fine, rising from a puddle of ooze under the ship. "Is all of your kind like you?"

"I am one." Fine answered. "The only creation of a genius. Given as a gift to the greatest leader our world would have ever known."

Lionel's fingers slipped again, turning the tumbler just slightly too much to the left. "I imagine you were devastated when your leader was killed."

"He did not die." Fine replied, looking around the vault. "There is a great deal of Earth currency here. This place will please Zod."

"It should." Lionel laughed bitterly. "It pleased Hitler when he stored the plunder of his mass murders here. Several tyrants and dictators have left their legacies here." Scrambling the tumbler again, Lionel restarted the combination sequence again. Easy enough to remember, Lillian's age when she died, Lex's age when he betrayed Lionel and sent him to jail, his own age when he was cured from his kidney failure. Just beyond the heavy lead door, lay two choices. One would free this Zod from the prison he languished in, the other, Lionel wasn't entirely sure what it would do, but whatever it did, it would buy Clark Kent and Lex time to find him, to figure out where he was and what was at stake. Lionel turned the tumbler again. It would just be a game of cat and mouse. And he was good at that.

They met Bruce, Lana and Lex at the Smallville airport. It was exactly 4 a.m.

"Bruce," Clark walked up to Bruce and shook his hand. "It's good to see you."

"Same here, kid." Bruce smiled. "Chloe." He took her hand. "You okay?"

"I guess. What a night." She smiled wanly. "This is all very unreal."

"You can say that again." Lana appeared at the open hatch. "A nightmare." She smiled at Chloe. "Thanks for being here, Chloe."

"Mrs. Kent is waiting at the farm for us, Lana." Chloe offered, "So we can play the waiting game."

"No.' Lana set her bag on the tarmac. "I'm going. Lex, if this is about the spaceship…"

Lex gave her a warning glance, but she shook her head. "There's too much at stake to play games, Lex. Professor Fine is after the ship that landed during the second meteor shower. We thought he was with the government, but now…"Lana looked from Bruce to Clark. "Just help us find Lionel. If Fine is desperate enough to kidnap Lionel, I don't know what he'll do."

"We will" Bruce replied, looking at Clark. He was watching Lex, who had not said a word. Clark seemed to be waiting for Lex to say something, anything, and when he did not, Clark put a gentle hand on Lana's shoulder.

"Whatever you and Lex have been working on, Lana, has got to take a back seat. It's important that you and Chloe stay out of danger. Isn't that right, Lex?" Clark looked back over at Lex, and Bruce could see the struggle going on in Lex's mind.

"I'm sorry, Lana, but you heard Clark." Lex answered smoothly. The veneer of politeness had slid across his face, and Bruce wanted to slap him. "It's too dangerous."

She walked to Lex, and looked up at him with silent pleading.

"Lana. I can't risk you. Stay with Chloe. I'll call you as soon as I know something." Lex hugged her tightly. "It's going to be okay."

"I know." Lana said, looking back up at him. Reading his thoughts. "Clark only wants to help, Lex. I want him to help." She turned his face to hers. "It doesn't matter what you suspect of him, Lex. Clark has been your friend for a long time. It's only right that you put aside your differences in a time of crisis."

"Lana." Lex started to argue, but he could see there would be no winning. If forced to choose, Lana would choose for Clark to be there, or she would go herself. "I love you, Lana."

"I love you too." Lana smiled. "Don't forget again."

Clark turned to Chloe. She had been watching Lex and Lana say their goodbyes with an expression of absolute disbelief. " Chloe, take care of Mom." He took her in his arms. "and Lana." He kissed her hair, breathing her in.

"You are coming back, right?" Her voice was small and muffled against his shirt. "I'll come looking for you." Chloe made a brave face. "I'll find you, you know."

Clark laughed softly. "I'll count on that, Chloe. If anyone could do it, I know you could."

He smiled down at her and Chloe felt her heart stop and her breath freeze in her lungs. "I will come back. I promise."

Tears stung her eyes, and she pushed her face into his chest. "You have to. Clark."

They kissed, and Clark could taste her tears, salty and hot. He had to let go of her, had to release her from his embrace. "I love you, Chloe."

"I love you, you big dumb…stupidhead." Chloe sniffled loudly, wiping her nose on her sleeve. She took a step back, out of his arms. "Go. Go, Clark." She pushed him once, and then took Lana's hand. The other girl had been crying too, and Lana waved gently to Lex, who waved back, blowing her a kiss.

"Okay, if the fond farewells are done, let's get this rescue mission underway." Bruce said, as Clark hopped into the stealth jet and pulled the hatch shut. "Lex, take the co-pilot seat. I'm going to need you to navigate. Where would your father keep his most valuable possessions, something he'd want hidden and safe from everyone."

"Dad had a safe at Luthorcorp." Lex said, sliding into the co-pilot seat and putting on the headset. "But he cleaned that out after his release from jail. Beyond that, I don't know where to start looking."

Clark snorted in disbelief, and Bruce looked at them both pointedly. This had to stop now.

"Okay, listen up." Bruce said, fixing Lex with a hard stare. "I'm not interested in whatever little petty girl problems you two have going on. There is more at stake here, and you both know it." He turned to Clark. "If this is going to work, we've got to act as a team."

"With you in charge, Bruce? Typical." Lex sneered, and Clark half-rose, in defense of his friend.

"You can be in charge, Lex, if it means that much to you." Bruce said, shaking his head. "I'm a solo act. I can hold up my end, team or not. It's you two I'm worried about. But, if you NEED a leader, I was thinking Clark would be in charge."

"Clark!" Lex turned and looked at Clark, incredulous.

"Me?" Clark gulped. "But Bruce, I thought you…"

"Fine." Bruce looked at Lex. "Unless you can fly, Luthor, I suggest you apply yourself to

figuring out where your father hides his trophies and remember we all have something at stake here." Bruce pulled his headset on, and flipped switches, readying the jet for take off. "Meantime, I'm heading toward Gotham City. Clark, call Alfred. Ask him to start looking for any bank alarms on the East Coast in the last four hours. He'll know what to do." Clark nodded and moved to the set of computer panels on the right side of the plane to call the British man and get him started on the search.

Chloe and Lana stood on the tarmac, holding hands like little girls, as the silent, black jet sped down the runway and into the even blacker Eastern sky. There was nothing left to do now but wait.

The three men sat at their stations in near silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Lex, ever the observer, had made several mental notes, Bruce's little jet was a gold mine of applications just waiting for the right military bidder. Knowing full well where his father had gone, Lex for reasons that he himself did not want to admit, chose not to divulge it. His pilot had been given instructions and Lex knew they'd be carried out to the letter. Unlike Bruce, Lex thought, I operate best with a large, loyal team.

The Lana question had been a complete red herring. As much as Lex loved her, and did not want to lose her, exploiting her AS his weakness had been a sacrifice he'd been more than willing to make. Lana had been a valuable pawn, and bringing her had paid off brilliantly. It had been easy to see that Bruce was attracted to her, as much as he protested otherwise, and Lex was able to get a few key insights into Bruce Wayne. He smiled, and leaned back in his seat. Bruce had this plane on auto-pilot. There was nothing for Lex to do but wait until they got closer to Gotham, spring the news about where Lionel was. He'd take off for Geneva alone, and Bruce and Clark could take their teamwork and stick it. Lex turned slightly and looked back at Clark. What would Bruce and Clark think if they found out that the Smallville Sheriff's Department had not been notified of Lionel's disappearance? Lex smiled and turned back to his controls. It didn't matter what they thought at the end of it all. As long as they played their parts, the ends most certainly would justify the means. And the ends were that Lex would get Fine and the answers to the riddles of the ships, once and for all.

Bruce Wayne, in the pilot's seat, was not as lost in thought as Lex seemed to think. This stealth jet would have to be de-classified immediately. Bruce held the patents on every innovation onboard, so Lex would find himself unable to steal any of the technology. Bruce slid his eyes in Lex's direction, amazed at the depths to which Lex would sink. The 'drunken' duel was really the crowning achievement, really. But Bruce knew two things. One, Lex Luthor was hiding where his father was. Two, Lex's great 'fear' of losing Lana had nothing whatsoever to do with loving her. She was a trophy, one Lex may have won at too high a price, and one that was swiftly losing value to him. Bruce spared a moment to consider the future of Lana Lang, once Lex was done with her, and then dismissed it from his mind. Her future was her business, and Bruce wished her well. What Lex was not going to expect was the fact Clark and Alfred were well on their way to figuring out where Lionel Luthor had been taken. Several transmissions had been sent from Clark's communication console to Alfred, who had not only checked on East Coast alarms, but has sent out inquiries to every bank in Switzerland, looking for the senior Luthor. When Alfred found the location, the coordinates would be uploaded to the jet's navigational computer, and the original course for Gotham City would be replaced with a new heading. All this had been done completely silently, and there was no way in hell Lex could have figured that the game plan would be changed in mid-flight. If anything, Bruce Wayne was a man who liked to think at least five steps ahead of most other men, but made a point of thinking ten steps ahead of men like Lex Luthor. This Milton Fine, however, was a mystery to Bruce, and mysteries where what Bruce loved best.

Clark studied the transmissions from Alfred, knowing what part he had to play in this drama to keep Lex in the dark. He and Bruce had discussed Lex – the possibility of Lex finding out the secret. The situation was big enough now that Clark no longer worried too much about Lex finding out. He already knew everything – but Lex wasn't connecting the dots correctly yet. Perhaps he never would, Clark didn't even want to think about it. The next communication from Alfred was the one Clark was waiting for, and he routed the commands Alfred was sending to the navigational system, first deactivating Lex's control panel with a neat little trick Chloe had taught him for shutting down alarm systems when doing some investigational hacking.

Finished, Clark pulled off his headset, and stood. "I'm getting some water." Clark announced, "Anyone want anything?"

"I'll take a brandy, Clark" Lex said, with a condescending smile. "Thanks. And some of those airline peanuts."

"Cute, Lex." Bruce said, accepting the navicomputer request to change their destination. "Well, we're going to be in the air awhile." Removing his headset, Bruce rose as well, leaving the cockpit. "Might as well get a sandwich or something."

"It only took us an hour to get to Smallville from Gotham City." Lex said, looking around. "We should be landing soon.'

"Hmmm" Bruce folded his arms. "I suppose you're right. IF we were going to Gotham City, we would have to be landing soon. But we're not going to Gotham City." Bruce shook his head. "We're going to Geneva."

"Geneva?" Lex and Clark asked simultaneously. Lex shot Clark an impatient look and rose from his seat, casting his headset aside. "How did you come to figure my father was in Geneva?"

"A hunch." Bruce smirked. "And confirmation from an informant in the MOURGUE D'ALGUE & CIE in Geneva."

"An informant" Lex repeated. "Amazing."

"Don't go pulling all your marbles out of there just yet, Lex." Bruce seemed to grow bigger, darker, more menacing, and Clark realized that he was seeing the Gotham City Batman at work. "This is about saving your father. I couldn't trust you to play fair, so, I bent a few rules."

"I don't think I need to tell you that the International Banking Federation will be notified of your 'bending a few rules'." Lex said, smugly. "You and your informant are facing a nice long jail sentence."

Bruce thought about this for a minute, and nodded. "Maybe. But, I'll go to country club jail, if at all. I'm on a mission of mercy, don't forget. I was trying to save someone's life. That should really be all it takes to get me off the hook. But, speaking of jail, how about you, for instance? How easy do you think a Midwestern American judge is going to go on a 26 year old man who has a stalker shrine to the football hero son of a very sympathetic State Senator in his house? I'd say, you're looking at about twenty years, hard time. And that's only if your purchase of the Talon and any business dealings with Lana Lang were strictly on the up and up until she was legal." Bruce smiled warmly. "No amount of money will get you out of that, either, Lex. The courts hold a particularly nasty view of obsessive stalkings in today's world, and taking advantage of orphans is still pretty much frowned on."

Lex looked at Clark, who shrugged and put his hands in his pockets.

"What do you want, Bruce?" Lex asked, his eyes not leaving Clark.

"I want full disclosure." Bruce replied simply. "I want to know what the hell is going on, and I want to know now. I want to know why this Fine guy would kidnap your father, leaving no note – making no ransom demand. I want to know why you wouldn't call law enforcement on this." Lex turned and stared at Bruce in shock. Bruce nodded solemnly and then sighed. "I want to know why you've been investigating a 19 year old for the past five years. And then, Lex – I want you to start playing nice with others."

"And you?" Lex turned back to Clark. "Any demands?"

"No." Clark said, swallowing. "Well, one."

"What is it, Clark?" Lex looked around. "Doesn't look like my study, but I'm feeling generous today."

"There's a compartment in your trophy room that is sealed with a lead panel. What's behind it?" Clark asked, and Lex rolled his eyes.

"Of all the demands to make, Clark. Honestly, I expected some threat or warning about Lana." Lex replied with a sarcastic grin. Clark did not rise to the bait, but Bruce did.

"I'll issue the Lana Lang warning, Lex." Bruce's voice was a growl "I meant it when I said Lana was not my type, but I'm warning you now. There will be nowhere on Earth safe for you, nowhere to hide if you hurt that girl. If you do really love her, Lex, stop using her in your games. Now, answer the question."

"Behind that panel are several samples of refined meteor rock – and some varieties of it that have surfaced all over the world." Lex explained. "The applications are endless, and the rock plentiful. Some of it is from failed Luthorcorp experiments, but I know there will be a use for it, I just know it."

Bruce nodded. "Okay, now, what's up with the nutty Professor? "

Lex shook his head. "I don't know. I had received information that he was an operative for a secret government agency that investigates alien activity. He had been working on the latest meteor crash in Smallville, posing as an World History professor at Central Kansas A &M. He had no reason to kidnap my father. I was working with him as closely as I could."

"He could have decided to go rogue – more money in selling information than suppressing it. " Bruce reasoned, "That would be my best guess, but with no ransom note…"

"What if Fine was affected by the meteors during this last shower?" Clark asked, and Bruce and Lex both looked at him. "He might be out for answers."

"I don't know." Lex shook his head. "Why Dad?"

"We'll find out when we get to Geneva." Bruce said. He rubbed his eyes as if he felt a headache coming on. "I'm definitely getting a sandwich." He made his way past Clark, and clapped him on the shoulder. "Keep an eye on the com, Clark."

Lex sat down, shaken. He looked up at Clark, almost forgetting that they had not beein friends for sometime. "You found the room."

"Chloe and I went to your house with Mom. I went looking for Lionel because there seemed to be some signs of a struggle. When I got to the trophy room, it had been trashed. Your dad was there, and before I could figure out what happened, Fine came in and threw me across the room. When I came to, they were gone." Clark told Lex. "I'm not going to ask you why you are still investigating me Lex. Whatever your reasons are, they are your reasons. I'm done worrying about it. I'm over Lana, so if your reasons for being with her have anything to do with me, all I want to say is that I only want Lana to be happy. I couldn't." Clark looked down at his feet. "I hope you can, Lex. She deserves that."

"And Chloe? You can make her happy and not Lana?" Lex asked.

"I hope so." Clark smiled. "I can be myself with Chloe."

"I envy you, Clark." Lex rose, and smiled at Clark with a pale imitation of the friendship they had once shared. "I don't think I'll have that with anyone, ever. Not even Lana."