Clark stepped out from behind a very large pipe right after a worker walked past. He knew that Lex probably was watching every move he made so there was really no reason to try and be sneaky. But, he wanted all of Lex's attention so that hopefully Chloe could enter undetected. He had to fight the urge to try and scan the premises for her. But even if he did he really didn't know how much good it would do considering the number of lead pipes around him.

Clark began to walk along a pathway that led into the inner parts of the plants. Just as a reached a call box its door swung open. Clark was slightly startled but managed not to jump as he looked around to see if anything could have caused the door to fly open as it did. He didn't see anything so he peered inside the box and saw a walkie-talkie sitting inside. It looked to be the same kind that the workers would use at the plant. Clark guessed that Lex must have triggered the box since he couldn't find any other source for its behavior and picked up the device.

"Glad you could join me." Clark listened to the cold voice on the other end.

"What choice did I have in the matter?" Clark shot back and waited for a response.

"None." Lex sat at a control panel carefully watching his prey. He wanted to make sure everything went as he had planned. "Just continue on the way your going. I'll let you know when to stop."

"I thought you wanted to meet me face to face. Sort things out in person. Is this all I'm going to get?"

"Patience Clark, Patience." Lex smiled down at the control smugly as another monitor showed a small blonde form deftly entering the plant.

Clark continued to follow the directions he was given until it seemed like he was in the very bowels of the plant and definitely lost. He finally got the command for him to stop.

Clark looked around for a moment to try and survey his surroundings. He was standing out in what appeared to be a small landing. He was surrounded on all sides with huge pipes. He had noticed on his lengthy trip that the pipes spewed steam out at what seemed to be even intervals. He had also noticed that some of the pipes had release valves; he assumed would be for a manual release. There were two walkways off of the landing. One was right next to where he stood and it veered off to the left underneath the pipe that was close to his head. The other walkway was diagonally across from where he stood.

As Clark looked around he realized just why Lex wanted to meet him here. There was only one way in or out and it felt like he was in a maze. Lex would definitely have the advantage knowing the layout much better. Just as the thoughts were crossing Clark's mind he stomach turned and he knew it was not caused by his nerves. One of the pipes released its steam as a silhouette could be seen emerging through it.

Clark cringed inwardly as he saw Lex appear and the glowing ring that he was still wearing. "What do you want Lex?"

"Oh, I just wanted us to be able to finish our conversation from the other day somewhere… more private." Lex looked around for a moment before turning his attention back to Clark. "We kept getting interrupted the first time."

Chloe was making her way quickly through the maze of passageway in the plant. She knew the general direction that Lex had Clark go in. She had tried to follow him as best she could without being detected but he had made a quick turn and she had managed to lose him. She knew she wasn't that far away though. It hadn't been that long since she had lost him.

She knew that she had to keep a level head and not think about all the possible bad outcomes, but she couldn't help it. What if I don't get to him in time? She then chided herself for such morose thoughts. It's going to all work out. Clark is going to be fine. She couldn't help feeling things weren't going to turned out the way she hoped. Chloe was broken from her thoughts by a sound that made a blood run cold. It had been a gunshot. Clark! She began to run ahead with a blind panic.

Chloe's sprint was soon stopped as a hand reached out and clasped her around her mouth. Chloe's breath caught in her throat as her captor began to speak. "Hello, Chloe. I hear curiosity killed the cat. Let's find out." Lex could feel the fear radiating off of Chloe. He knew her well enough to know that she would quickly try to get that under control and try to figure a way out. "Oh, and don't even think of trying anything.." Lex brought the gun up where Chloe could plainly see it and that his next statement would not be a veiled threat. "I really don't want to mess up my nice plant." He then pointed the gun to her back edging her ahead with it.

Lex walked to another clear landing area that was a little bigger than the previous one with a slight elevation so he could see what was coming. "Come on, Clark. You don't need to hide." Lex yelled out to the air and waited to see what effect it had. "That trick you did back there with pulling the steam handle. That was really observant of you. I'm impressed. But, I've got my ace in the hole."

Lex looked down at Chloe and moved his top fingers away from her mouth enough for her to say something. "Let me know where you are."

Chloe stared up at him letting him know that she was not about to do anything that he said. Lex's anger rose at her defiance and he pressed the gun harder into her back. "Now!"

"Clark, don't do anything stupid. I'm okay." Lex began to cover Chloe's mouth up again while Chloe decided it was time to act and chomp down on Lex's hand.

"Why you little… " Lex snatched his hand away and hit Chloe between the shoulders with the butt of his gun knocking her unconscious. He as tempted to go on through with it but he wanted her alive at least for now. Lex still held Chloe's form up in front of him like a human shield.

Clark had listened to the whole scene from his hidden position a short distance away with a growing sense of dread. I knew I shouldn't have let Chloe come. How could I let her risk herself like this! I should have just insisted she stay at the apartment.Clark shook his head. Beating himself up like this was not going to help himself of Chloe. He had to figure a way out of this fast and hiding was not the answer either.

"Don't hurt her Lex. I'm coming." Clark called out as he rose from his hiding place.

Lex smiled smugly as he watched Clark approach holding both hands in the air. He also saw the pained expression on Clark's face as he did.

Clark stopped across from Lex. He knew he had to think up something and quick, too much longer and he wouldn't be of use to anybody. But, he didn't know what to do. Lex had Chloe and Clark couldn't get anywhere near him as long as Lex had on that ring. But, he wasn't going to stand there and let Lex kill him with his Kryptonite bullets. It was just luck that he got out of it the first time and he didn't think he would be so lucky this time.

Clark saw that Lex was using Chloe as a human shield. As Lex was aiming right for Clark's chest he saw his opportunity. Lex had lowered Chloe just enough that he could probably get off one quick burst of heat vision. That is if it would still work.

Time seemed to slow to almost a crawl as the next moments played out. Clark heard the gun cocking just as he managed to fire off a round of heat vision. He could hit Lex in the shoulder and cause him to drop the gun, then hopefully still have time to dodge the deadly bullet. Two screams could be heard echoing off the pipes as both projectiles hit their target.

Chloe was jarred awake by the violent noise. She had fallen down as Lex fell away from her dropping the gun as he patted at his shirt to put out the heat before it could catch on fire. Chloe scrambled as quickly as she could over to where it lay. Lex was also back and also reaching for the gun.

Chloe reached it first and tried to stand up, but before she could get straightened up Lex had reached her and was struggling for control of it. Chloe turned slightly and brought her knee up as forcefully as she could into Lex's lower abdomen. Chloe heard the air escape from him, but he was not letting go. Chloe decided to let go with one hand and delivery a quick blow to Lex's nose while he was still stunned. That finally worked as Lex went reeling backwards from the blow.

Chloe stood and watched in horror as Lex backed into a high voltage fence that was around one of the power generators for the plant. Chloe saw the overhead lights flicker for a moment before Lex fell to the floor. Chloe just stood there for a moment in shock. She slowly walked over to Lex's prone form and saw that he was still breathing, although a bit shallow. She couldn't believe what she had just seen, but a low moan quickly brought her back to the present.

She looked over at Clark as she rushed to his side. He didn't look good at all. He looked extremely pale and sweaty. Blood was soaking through his shirt. His head was hanging over to one side and he breathing was labored. "L-lex"

"He's still alive for now. But, you're the one that I'm worried about right now." Chloe unbuttoned Clark's shirt a little at the top to try and get a better look at the wound. She gasped at the sight of it. Large green streaks were extending out from it in every direction. "Clark, you are going to have to help me as much as you can. We have got to get you and to a hospital now. I know how you feel about them. But, we have to go."

Clark's head lolled back and forth as he tried to shake his head no. "N-n-n-o-o T-t-i-ime. Y-y-ou."

Chloe's eyes became wide when she realized what he meant. "You want me to get the bullet out?"

Clark nodded his head in a weak yes.

"I don't know if I can do that." Chloe watched as Clark looked at her with a look of pure determination and faith. She had never seen anything quite like it before. "Okay, um let me see if I can find something to get it out with. I'll be right back. I promise."

Chloe was amazed that she saw a small smile cross Clark's face for a moment as she got up to leave. She began looking all around as idea shot through her head. She remembered passing a supply closet not to far back she was sure it would have something in there she could use. Chloe quickly found the closet and thankfully it was not locked. She guessed not that many people came down here so there was no need to lock it. She began quickly brushing things off the shelves trying to find anything that was of use. She wasn't worried about the mess she was making; she just needed to find something fast. She felt a bit of relief as she finally found a multi-tool that had some small pliers in it and a small towel.

"Okay, Clark I've got the pliers. What do I need to do now?"

Clark mustered up his strength to try and talk clearly. "I'm going to try and guide you to get it out."

"Okay, let me know when you are ready." Chloe got the pliers ready as she tried to keep her hands from shaking.

Clark tried to engage his X-ray vision, which was giving him a splitting headache but he managed to be able to see that the bullet had gone in straight and was now lodged near his collarbone. "It's gone in straight, so just follow the hole and you should get it. Don't worry about hurting me, just keep on going."

Chloe gave Clark a pleading look almost begging him not to make her do this. Clark reached out with his good hand and placed his hand on the pliers. "No, I can do this."

Clark moved his hand and closed his eyes as Chloe began to work. Chloe's heart ached and he nerve almost left her as Clark cried in pain. What seemed like an eternity later Chloe managed to remove the bullet. She quickly threw it as far away as she could.

Chloe was then glad that she was not someone that passed out at the sight of blood or she would have fainted then as the wound began to pour more blood. She quickly pressed the towel into the wound as Clark had passed out for a moment.

Chloe sat there for a minute with her hand on Clark's shoulder before gently shaking him to wake him up. Chloe eventually got a very groggy response. "Okay, Clark you are going to have to help me get you out of here. There is no way I can carry you or drag you all the way back."

Clark shook his head as he tried to get up. Chloe took as much of his weight as she could as they slowly made their way to the surface. As soon as they made it outside both Chloe and Clark collapsed from exhaustion. Chloe looked over at Clark sprawled out on his back and watched in amazement as the blood stopped and the wound seemed to heal before her eyes. Chloe looked up and saw the pained look on Clark's face had eased dramatically. "Are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah, I just don't think I'm going to be able to fly us home."

"We'll I guess we're just going to have to walk then."