Old Lois sat in the living room chair with her head leaned back in agony. Clark and Chloe had shared all they had picked up from old Lois with each other and now Clark was on one side and Chloe was on the other.

"We're not going to give up until you tell us," said Clark. "Now what did you mean last night, when you said 'it's either this or we will have to live apart'?"

"I meant this or we will have to live apart."

"Don't you realize we want to help?" asked Chloe.

"It has something to do with young Lois, doesn't it?" Clark demanded. "I'm going to go check on her."

"Wait, before you fly off, or run off, I guess I should say. I can guarantee you; it has nothing to do with young me. She's taking care of a psycho in Metropolis, who's threatening to kill the senator, your mom."

"By herself? I'm definitely going now," declared Clark.

"It has nothing to do with this. What's today? Monday and let's see, I remember I left on a Friday. It took me two days. That means she finished last night and she's going to be gone until Thursday because she brought along some work, in case she got finished early. Check the papers, if you don't believe me."

Chloe read the article, " 'KILLER IN METROPOLIS ARRESTED A young woman, who wished to remain anonymous, played a key role in his arrest last night. It is believed he sent threatening letters to Senator Kent, who was to be his next victim.' She's right."

"So again I ask, what are you up to?" Clark asked.

"Clark, again I tell you, I know what is required of me. Someone will die today no matter what and I'm here to do what I can. 'This' is what I am in the process of doing and 'living apart means in a young death sort of way. I'm going out alone."

She went to the cave and ran her hands across the symbols. She went to the very last one.

"I know what this one means," she said to herself.

She pressed her hand against it and it lit up and she was in the fortress of solitude.

"Jor-El? This is Kal-El's wife, Lois."

"You are right on time to complete destiny."

"I know. I had a machine to help."

"A machine that has served its purpose and should be destroyed."

"It'll be the first thing I do when I get back."

"You have made good and bad choices in your life but ultimately, you have chosen the right path. When I knew Krypton was destined for destruction, I tried to save the entire race, but I was only able to save my son. Remember that we have free will, but some things are just meant to be because a chain reaction has already been set in place."

"That's what I've been trying to tell my family! I'm ready to become a Kryptonian one last time and thankfully, it's not because I'm pregnant."

sss

"She's been gone an awful long time, Clark. I'm worried," said Chloe.

"I tried to leave the house, but it's like some invisible force is holding me back."

"I know what you mean. I can't move either. We couldn't even get to the phone when Lex called and left a message, I wonder what he wants?"

"Who knows? It's a good thing mom left for the office. She'd know something odd was up."

Old Lois came into the house.

"Where have you been? We've been worried sick!" exclaimed Clark.

"You two must think you're my parents!"

"No, but we are your cousin and husband," said Chloe.

"That's only half true. Clark's not my husband yet."

"Don't change the subject! Where have you been?" asked Clark.

"Where I had to be. Clark, are you coming with me to Lex's house after I go upstairs to take care of something?"

"How'd you know about that message?"

"I'm from the future."

"Oh. You aren't going with me."

"I think you'll find that you can't leave the house without me."

After she came back downstairs, she walked over to Chloe and said, "Cuz, you have to stay here, but follow your intuition and you'll know what to do when the time is right. I love you."

"I love you too. Wow, wherever you've been, it's done you wonders. You act younger and healthier."

Clark and old Lois left to see what Lex wanted.

sss

He laughed a terrible, hacking, evil laugh. He had spent his whole life trying to rule the world, but one thing had always stood in his way, Superman, who he also knew to be Clark Kent. However, near the end of his life, he'd gotten a hold of the two things he needed the most: his own way of traveling through time and the ultimate weapon.

This weapon was built to seek a Kryptonian and kill him or her. It could only be used once and it was disguised as an ordinary pen. This was the perfect time to use it because there was only one Kryptonian. He could've chosen to use it when Clark was a baby, but he needed him to save him from the accident and other situations. It was also perfect because young Lex had broken up with Lana and was ready to fully submit to evil. They had been spying on the three friends the past couple of days.

Old Lex hid behind a lead-lined file cabinet. Young Lex had the innocent-looking pen on his desk. Clark and old Lois walked in.

"Clark, I'm glad you could make it. I see you've brought a lovely, young lady with you."

"Cut the crap, Lex, and get down to business," growled Lois.

Old Lex was pleased to hear the elderly reporter's voice. Old Lois could watch her young husband die slowly and painfully and watch her memories slip away.

"If you insist," replied young Lex.

He picked up the 'pen' and shot the pen toward Clark. Before anybody knew what was happening, old Lois jumped in front and took the hit.

Lex and Lex, seeing their plan had failed, made a run for it.

Clark wasn't going to leave Lois to die alone. He got on the floor and held her in his arms. A tiny hole in her chest was growing. He wrapped her up in his flannel shirt.

"Why, Lois?" Clark asked her through tears, "Why couldn't old Clark have done this?"

"The world still needs him. He's not a complete invalid. He can still help and our kids need him for superhero advice. It's also part of the prophecy."

"It's not fair! I need you. Why do people I love have to die?"

"You still have young Lois and it's not the end, Clark. I'm going home."

She drew her last breath with the words 'I love you' on her lips.

Clark held her close and cried so hard, he didn't think he could ever stop.

Chloe came to the doorway and then turned back, her eyes full of tears. She should give him some time alone. The paramedics were on their way up. She had trusted her intuition and called the police not too long after they had left. Young Lex had been caught and old Lex had had a heart attack and passed on to the ultimate Judge. It was unlikely that young Lex was going to be prosecuted by an earthly judge with all his money and a story that couldn't be told even in Smallville. No one had ever said this life was fair.