Smallville Virtual (TC) Season Episode 18 – Decision

"Sweet are the uses of adversity,

Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,

Wears yet a precious jewel in his head;

And this our life, exempt from public haunt,

Finds tongues in trees, books in running brooks,

Sermons in stones, and good in everything.

I would not change it."

William Shakespeare

"Clark –

I am not a man who is used to being without the proper words to express himself. And lately I find myself needing to make certain that my affairs are in order. No man is immortal, Clark, no matter how much we'd like to believe we are. I have always envied the Kents having you, and I often wondered what would have become of everyone if I had looked just a little further into that cornfield the day of the first meteor shower. Of course, it has all been as it should be. I am proud to have played a small part in helping you become the man you are today, even if was not always under the best of circumstances.

Instead of having you put into my care, I have instead been entrusted with certain objects that are rightfully yours. The key is for my vault in the Cayman Islands. The items are there, waiting for you to claim them. Only you will understand what they mean.

Of all the enemies you may have in your lifetime, my son is the most dangerous to you, Clark. A Luthor never gives up, he's learned at least that much from me. Lex knows your secret, and he knows your weaknesses. Whether Lex has tied it all together yet, only he knows. It will only be a matter of time when he does..."

Clark looked up from Lionel's letter. The key to Lionel's secret vault was in Clark's pocket, and Clark was on Oliver's private jet. Oliver and Chloe had come too, eager to take a breather from the harsh reality of Oliver's life in Seattle. Lori had insisted on going as well, suggesting that even five minutes in the ocean might be just what she needed to be as good as new. Looking at her, Clark was afraid that it would take more than five minutes to restore his beautiful girl to full health. She sat across from him, fast asleep, her skin so white that it was nearly translucent. I can't lose her now, Clark thought.

"Hey…" Chloe leaned over, her face full of concern. "How is she doing?"

"Not good, Chloe." Clark shook his head. "I'm afraid for her, Chloe. I feel like we've only just found each other. I love Lori, Chloe. I can't let this happen to her."

Chloe nodded slowly. "What are you going to do? You said Jor-El told you that you'd have to choose."

"She can't survive in our world, Chloe. But I can survive in hers." Clark said and Chloe frowned, sliding into the seat beside Lori, across from Clark.

"You can't be serious, Clark. Live in Atlantis? What about your mother? What about your life? Clark…" Chloe asked urgently, her voice barely a shocked whisper. "You'll be completely out of place there."

"How is it any different than you going to Seattle?" Clark asked, and Chloe bit her lip, concern evident on her face. "You're thinking of giving up everything."

"No, Clark." Chloe shook her head. "I'm moving to a different time zone, a new city. I'm not leaving the known world. And I'm not giving up everything. It's not the same at all."

"All you've ever wanted was the Daily Planet." Clark shot back, and Chloe shook her head, frowning.

"But I can be a reporter for The Seattle Times, Clark. It's no different. What are you going to do in Atlantis?"

"Nothing. He will be nothing in Atlantis." Lori said, her eyes closed. Her voice was soft and Clark and Chloe turned to listen to her, their argument forgotten. "Clark will not come with me when I return to Atlantis."

"Why?" Clark asked, his heart breaking.

"Love, there is too much at risk. And I cannot let you die. What is happening to me now is my choice. You have a destiny, a purpose here. You cannot forsake it." Chloe looked over at Clark wordlessly, and sighed. Lori opened her aquamarine eyes and smiled at Clark. "We've fooled ourselves long enough, don't you think?"

"This is where I make my exit." Chloe said sadly. "I'll be right over there." She got up and walked over to Oliver, hugging him briefly before sitting down in one of the light brown leather seats on that side of the plane and opening her laptop again.

"You can't give up your destiny for me, Clark." Lori said, her voice stronger, more insistent. "I will not allow it."

"Lori, we've been over this so many times." Clark replied, and Lori looked away as if tired of the discussion. "We can find a way to be together that doesn't include one of us dying."

"I read that the clouds are made of water. Is that true?" Lori asked absently, and Clark moved across the seats to sit beside her.

"Yes, water vapor." Clark nodded, gathering her into his arms. "Why?"

"Can a bird love a fish?" Lori turned to look at Clark, her eyes pale glowing blue. "My father asked me that, Clark. He asked me where they would make their home. I couldn't answer, but maybe they could, in the clouds."

"Lori." Clark dropped his face into her red-gold hair. "We'll find a way. I promise." She silently nodded in reply, looking out the window at the huge, overblown white clouds.

Lois looked at the autopsy report and then back at Perry. "No toxins. Nothing in Lionel's bloodstream that was suspicious?" They were in the editor's office at the Smallville Ledger, and Lois studied the report again as Perry sat back down at his desk.

"Just the gallon of booze." Perry shook his head. "Lex says his father was drinking that day. I guess he hit his limit."

"I've been to a lot of social functions with Lionel this past year." Lois said, shaking her head. "He's never had more than one drink, maybe two. Something smells here, and it's not the Luthorcorp plant upwind."

"I'm listening." Perry said, gesturing to the seat opposite him, but Lois ignored him, instead pacing the floor in front of the desk while she thought. "What's the story, Lois?" She paced back and forth, thinking.

"Why would someone kill Lionel?" Lois finally asked, pausing in her tracks. "He'd been on the good guy road for a while."

"Why wouldn't anyone want to kill Lionel? I have reasons of my own." Perry told her matter of factly. "Old enemies aren't impressed with the kind of life choices Lionel was making. It's usually considered a sign of weakness. But, whoever did this managed to make Lionel a martyr. Philanthropist killed on eve of brilliant contribution to society, and then in death, an even bigger hero. And usually, making a martyr of the victim is not what a murderer has in mind. IF it was murder. Smallville Sheriff is still investigating. The Lowell County coroner says alcohol poisoning, and that's our headline."

Lois folded her arms resolutely. "I'm going to talk to Martha about this."

"You're toying with me now." Perry leaned forward in anticipation. "Why would Martha have any insight here?"

"She knew Lionel better than anybody other than his son. Maybe he confided in her. She's here in town on personal business." Lois said, snapping her finger as she swung around toward the door. "By the way, my piece on the School Board elections is ready. I'll drop it off on my way out."

"That's my girl." Perry nodded, grinning. "Tell Martha I said hi."

Lex had found the law office of Whitcomb, Trevor and Dunn in the pretty business district of Granville easily, and slid his car into a spot near the doors. He walked into the office and was immediately impressed by the quiet elegance of the place, from the very refined façade out front to the well heel interior. It was everything a private attorneys office should be. The receptionist, a pretty young blonde, smiled at him in welcome.

"May I help you?" She asked, her eyes sparkling up at him innocently. Lex smiled back at her charitably, resting his hands on the reception desk before him lightly.

"Yes, I'd like to see Mr. Whitcomb, if he's available. My name is Lex Luthor." Lex said, in his most charming voice, and the girl's smile widened for a moment, and then faded.

"Oh. I'm so sorry about your father, Mr. Luthor. He was a favorite around here." The receptionist said. "I'll call Mr. Whitcomb and tell him you're here." She buzzed in and spoke quietly to someone, and then looked up at him again. "Someone will be out for you in a moment, Mr. Luthor."

"Thank you." Lex nodded, and turned to look around the reception area. Photos lined the walls, it didn't take long for Lex to find his father and Mr. Whitcomb in several pictures, some from years and years ago. And the attorney did look familiar, but Lex could not put his finger on why. He had made his way to the next set of framed pictures when Mr. Whitcomb appeared.

"Well, Mr. Luthor, this is a surprise." He said, his voice all business. The older man's appearance was as polished and elegant as his surroundings. "To what do I owe this visit?"

"I had some questions about my father's estate." Lex said, and Mr. Whitcomb nodded, leading Lex back to his office. "First and foremost, how is it again that you came to be my father's private attorney?"

"I've handled your father's personal business since I graduated from law school. Originally, he wanted me to head Luthorcorps legal department, but I'm not a corporate lawyer. I pointed him in the direction of some really great people, though and continued to take care of issues that needed more delicate handling." Mr. Whitcomb began, sitting behind his desk as Lex took a seat in the blue brocade Queen Anne chairs before it. "We've even met, more than once, Mr. Luthor. I arranged for you to remain at Excelsior after some of your more, ehm, colorful incidents."

Lex studied the older man for a moment and realization dawned on him. "Of course. Mitchell Whitcomb, Dad's pet shark. Mother once said that you were one of Dad's slum buddies."

Mr. Whitcomb smiled tolerantly and took off his glasses to polish them with a fresh, crisply pressed white handkerchief. "It's true I grew up in Suicide Slums, Mr. Luthor, but your father and I weren't in the same circles until we were in college. And even then, only under certain circumstances. I had to defend him before the school ethics committee. All scholarship pre law students had to serve time as student defenders and prosecutors – I imagine preparing us for careers with the Metropolis Attorney General's office. I successfully kept your father in school, and he never forgot. When I passed the bar exam, Lionel, who had graduated before me, showed up at my apartment with some sensitive legal matters he needed advice on. And that's it. From that point on, I handled issues that he wanted kept private. I will not tell you anymore than that. Attorney – client privilege, in your father's case, will extend into his death." Mr. Whitcomb looked at Lex over the desk. "Was that all?"

"For a start." Lex sat back in the brocade chair. "If I wanted to hire you in the same capacity…."

"I regret I couldn't take you on. I'm getting ready to retire. But," Mr. Whitcomb replied smoothly. He pressed a button on his phone. "Faith, would you ask Ms. Trevor to come in here, please." He pressed the button again, disengaging the intercom. "Ms. Trevor has just become a partner here, and I think she'll be able to take you on."

Lex nodded, and in a moment, a petite woman entered the room. If nondescript had a picture in the dictionary to illustrate it's definition, it was this woman, Lex thought, taking advantage of her approach to study her calmy. Dishwater blonde, in a sensible grey suit, nothing about her was remarkable at first glance. Then, she pierced Lex with studious eye that belied her unexceptional attire and unassuming air, assessing him just as cooly as he was appraising her. Oddly enough, she seemed very familiar, approximately his age, and Lex wondered idly if she had gone to Excelsiors sister school before college.

"Lauren Trevor." She said, extending a hand to him. "You are Lex Luthor, correct?"

"Correct." Lex rose to shake her hand. Her pottery blue gaze did not falter, and Lex felt very much like he was undergoing a CAT scan. "I was hoping Mr. Whitcomb would handle my personal business, as he has my fathers. He's assured me that you are up for the challenge."

"I might be." Lauren Trevor replied, her demeanor still frosty. "Why don't you come to my office and tell me what exactly you have in mind."

Lex stood, and nodded goodbye to Mr. Whitcomb. "Oh, there was one other thing. The vault key. Dad's vault at Luthorcorp is empty and any other hiding place he had also is in a similar state. The key you gave Clark Kent...?"

"Falls under attorney - client privilege, Mr. Luthor." Mr. Whitcomb templed his fingers under his chin. "I was able to disclose that information to Clark Kent - and only Clark Kent - at your father's request. You;ll find, Mr. Luthor, that our firm values the privacy of our clients very, very highly."

"I'm looking forward to that." Lex said, and with a quick nod, left the office behind Ms. Trevor. If my instincts are right, Lex thought, taking in the figure of the woman before him, mentally tailoring her suit properly, this could be the start of something very important.

Lana held the offer in her hands, and looked up at Martha in shock. "But Mrs. Kent, you can't do this. The farm is just finally free and clear. You'd have to get a whole new mortgage to pay for the Talon. I can't let you do that." Her hands were shaking so hard she could barely read the numbers, but Lana knew that this offer was exactly the one she had been waiting for. It felt right.

"I'm going to need something to fall back on when I retire from political life." Martha smiled, sipping her tea. "Someday the farm will be Clark's, and I'll need a place of my own." Martha looked around. "I've had some very happy memories attached to this place."

"I can't believe it." Lana gasped. "Are you sure?" She set the offer back down on the table reluctantly, almost afraid that it would vanish if her hands lost contact with the paper.

"I'm sure. It's the right thing for me to do." Martha reached across the table and took Lana's hand. "And it will give you a place to come back to."

Lana smiled brightly, throwing her arms around Martha. "I don't know what to say, Mrs. Kent. If you're sure you want to do this, then I'm all for it. I accept your offer."

Martha laughed and hugged the girl back. "You're welcome. I couldn't see the Talon being sold to strangers." The chimes on the door rang as Lois strode in, her eyes scanning the mid afternoon crowd for her former employer. Martha raised her hand. "Lois, here we are!"

Lois nodded, walked to the table and slid into the empty third seat at the small table. 'Hi." Lois said, picking up a lemon square from the plate in front of Lana and Martha. "Can you excuse us a minute, Lana?"

"Sure." Lana rose, taking the bid documents. "I'll go call Henry." She grinned at her friends and walked away quickly, her dark hair flowing like an ebony satin flag behind her.

"This is nice, Lois." Martha said, picking up her tea again. "I've missed having you areound the office. "

"Mrs. Kent, I'm here on official business. " Lois began, her face set in thoughtful lines. "I never wanted to know what your relationship with Lionel really was. I mean, I didn't actually care as long as it didn't affect your reputation in the State Capitol. But with the cause of Lionel's death looking like it's alcohol poisoning, I wanted to talk to you."

"Lois." Martha set her cup down, her eyes wide with shock. "Alcohol poisoning? That does sound odd."

"I know." Lois nodded. "I wanted to ask you if you'd talked to him at all that week before he died. Did he give you any clues at all about anything?"

Martha shook her head. "No. Not a word."

Lois looked down at the lemon square in her hand and put it back on the plate. "Okay. If you think of anything, let me know. I'm going out to Lex's."

Clark stood in the vault and stared. Around him, were books and books of Lionel's scribblings, but more importantly, crystals, much like the ones that had melded together to create the Fortress lie in sparkling majesty on black velvet covered trays. The colors were endless, and they hummed as he walked through the vault, spilling crystalline shivers through the air. He reached out and picked up a deep blue crystal that continued to hum in his hand. It was clear that Lionel had searched the world for these crystals, long after Clark and Lex had both given up, believing there had been only three. Lionel had accumulated hundreds, possibly even thousands of them.

"The Historian was successful in his quest. You mourn him, Kal-El, but he understood that his time was at hand. You must complete the construction of the Archive, my son. The collected knowledge and wisdom from across the galaxy is here, in these crystals." The crystals shifted on their black velvet beds and the hologram of Jor-El appeared. "It is time for you to begin your long neglected education."

"Lori is dying." Clark said, setting the blue crystal down. It hummed and burst into light. "I have to find a way to save her."

"Saving her is possible, my son, but you must be willing to do whatever it takes. The time for the wants and wishes of a little boy are over. To save her, you must accept your destiny, or all is lost." Jor-El said sadly.

"All is lost? What difference does it all make if I have to lose her? One way or another. Either she dies, or I have to live without her." Clark picked up a green crystal and stared into it.

"This is no game, Kal-El. There are no winners. There is duty and destiny. The rewards for such a choice come in time, and they are hard won into the bargain. But you must accept them." Jor-El nodded. "Ignore it, and the effect over time will be the same as if Zod had never been returned to the Phantom Zone. His creature still walks your planet."

"Lex." Clark looked up at the hologram. "What will he do?"

"What will he NOT do, my son, if you are not there to stop him. Lorelai is not meant to walk on your Earth. She is destined to rule over the creatures of the deep given to her care. Lex Luthor will grasp for power until he has taken a stranglehold on your world and choked the life from it forever." Jor-El said, his voice growing urgent as the hologram faded away. "You will never see the twin moons of Krypton glow in the deep green night sky. That was not your destiny. Protecting THIS world is. It is time for you to decide, once and for all..."

"It is time for us all to decide who we are...

Do we fight for the right to a night at the opera now?

Do you ask of yourselves what's the price you must pay?

Or is this simply a game for young boys to play?

The color of the world is changing, day by day..."

"Red and Black", From the musical, Les Miserables

Clark made his way to the hotel where Oliver had made reservations for all of them, deep in thought, the lush surroundings leaving no impression on him at all. There were too many things to consider, too much at stake in either decision to simply choose or flip a coin over. He walked through the lobby of the hotel, and out onto the private beach. Oliver and Chloe were sitting in lounge chairs, deep in conversation, and Lori was asleep in hers, ghostly pale and her breathing ragged. The sun was nearly ready to go down, and Clark felt the vault key in his pocket. Looking up at the sliver of moon that hung in the eastern sky, Clark thought of Jor-El's words, the moons of Krypton he'd never see, and giving his exile here purpose. Sinking to the sand beside Lori's chair, Clark kissed her gently and watched her eyes blink open, rejoicing in the smile that brightened them. He could not be parted from her. It was as simple as that. But it wasn't truly that simple, and Clark knew it. The problem with having to choose was that Clark could never be sure he was choosing the right thing.

"Hi." Lori breathed, placing a long, thin hand along Clark's cheek. "And?"

"You tell me." Clark replied, kissing her again. "Tell me with your mind, what you see."

Lori closed her eyes, and shook her head. "I won't read you, Clark."

"Look at me." Clark said, lowering his voice rather than raising it. "You KNOW what my future is. You've seen it from the beginning, haven't you?."

A tear tracked down Lori's cheek. "Yes, beloved, I have."

"Why didn't you just tell me?" Clark asked sadly, and Lori pushed herself upright, to face him.

"Because if I told you what choice you made, it takes the value of the choice and lays waste to it. Because you already know, in your heart what you must do. You just lack the incentive." Lori stood, and looked out at the waves. "As I know that these last few hours are the last I will spend on land."

Clark rose, and pulled her into his arms. "Tonight? Now?"

"Yes. I can delay no longer." Lori looked up at him. "If I do not go back before sunrise, I will not be able to go back at all, because I will die."

"Then that's what we have to do." Clark nodded. "We go to Atlantis tonight."

Lori sighed, and Clark looked over at Chloe and Oliver. They had both turned to look at Clark, and Chloe shook her head, biting her lip. Clark felt her disapproval, but he had to be sure he was doing the right thing, without announcing his decision to the world first. Clark reached into his pocket, and pulled out the vault key. He looked at it, shining in his hand and held it out to Chloe. She folded her hands in her lap and looked up at Clark as if trying to discourage him.

"Chloe, you and Oliver go back to the bank and clear out this vault. Take everything. Get it someplace safe, and hold on to it." Clark told her, and she nodded, looking over at Oliver sadly.

"You made your mind up, then?" Oliver asked, as he stood.

"I did. But I'll need your help." Clark held out a hand to Oliver. Oliver shook Clark's hand, and studied his friend's face. "Can you take care of the crystals for me?"

"If you mean lock 'em up tight so Lex can't get to them, yeah." Oliver nodded. "For as long as you need me to."

"Okay. I'm taking Lori back to Atlantis tonight." Clark said, and he looked down at Chloe. Chloe shook her head, overcome, looking away from Clark with a turn of her head that broke his heart. Never before had Chloe truly seemed this upset with him that Clark could recall. She stood, snatching the key from his hand.

"I can't tell you how ashamed I am of you right now." Chloe looked over at Lori. "No offense, Lori."

"None taken. I'm feeling the same way myself." Lori replied quickly, her face as full of concern and reproach as Chloe's. "Clark, what can you be thinking?"

"That whatever visions you've had, and no matter what Jor-El expects to happen, I still have control over my destiny.. I have to do what my conscience tells me, and right now, it's telling me to take you home. I'm asking you all to trust me. "

"Of course we will." Oliver interjected, as Lori and Chloe began to argue with Clark again. "Chloe and I will go clear the vault out in the morning. We'll wait as long as we can for you."

Clark nodded gratefully. "Oliver, you've been a good friend. Thank you." Clark looked down at Chloe. "Chloe."

She blinked and shook her head. "Be careful. That's all. Be careful."

"I will." Clark kissed her cheek softly. "Thanks for always being there for me, Chloe. I know it's not always easy."

"It's not." Chloe laughed, as she hugged him fiercely and then turned to Lori. "Goodbye, Lori."

"Goodbye, my friend." Lori smiled, hugging Chloe. "Of all the humans I have met, you and your cousin are the most like my kind. Maybe you are part Atlantean." The girls laughed, and Chloe grinned. Lori turned to Oliver. "It was an auspicious day when I saved you from drowning, Oliver Queen. And your debt to me is paid a thousand times over." She embraced him, kissing his cheek softly. "Thank you."

"Go." Oliver hugged her quickly and then released his hold. "Don't waste any more time." He put an arm around Chloe's shoulder and smiled encouragingly. "We'll see you when you get back."

"Ready?" Clark asked, and Lori smiled, putting her hand in his.

"Yes." Lori sighed. "Ready to go home."

Lois stood outside the gates of the Luthor Mansion and stared up at the vine covered façade. She reached out and clenched the cast iron bars of the gates, shaking them just a little, ignoring the glare of the security guard. Lois could see the gaunt form of Lex's latest girlfriend, the sullen bass player from that band Syren in one of the windows on the upper floor. Lois barely recognized her anymore – Callista had lost that tough, edgy look these last few weeks. Like Lori, Callista also seemed stretched to almost invisibility, and Lois found herself wondering what caused that to happen to someone. She was here about Lex, though, and not seeing the silver car in the driveway, Lois debated with herself for a moment, wondering if somehow she could get in and talk to Lex's girlfriend about Lionel. Looking up at the window again, Lois saw Callista studying her intently. Callista's face was set in stern lines, and Lois felt cold, in spite of the brilliantly sunny Kansas summer afternoon.

:Go away: Lois heard a voice say, and she turned around to look around her. She was alone, just as she had been the whole time. But the voice was clear and Lois knew that she wasn't one to imagine things. :You are not involved in this."

Lois heard a voice say, and she turned around to look around her. She was alone, just as she had been the whole time. But the voice was clear and Lois knew that she wasn't one to imagine things.

Lois looked up at the window again, shock sweeping her normally expressive features blank, and she saw Callista nod, then pull the curtains closed with an air of finality that made Lois spine tingle. As if in a fog, Lois turned away from the gates, walking back to her car, unable to collect her thoughts. Cries of grief assaulted her mind, and Lois regained control of herself, blinking back a wave of nausea. She marched up to the gate and picked up the handset that went right to the security booth on the other side.

"Hey! I want to speak to Lex's girlfriend." Lois said into the phone, and the guard came out of the booth, eyeing Lois in that way that always made her want to scream. It was dismissive and lustful all at the same time, and Lois cursed the genetic code that had given both she and Chloe the all the 'right' curves.

"You don't even know her name, and you think I'm going to let you in?" The guard bawled, and Lois watched his eyes travel over her body. Controlling the urge to reach in the fence and punch his face in, Lois licked her lips and smiled.

"Of course I know her name, it's Callista" Lois looked up at the window again, and Callista was there, nodding. "Look, there she is." The guard turned toward the window and waved. Callista nodded solemnly, and Lois smiled as the gates swung open. In no time, Lois was at the front door of the house, waiting to be allowed in. It opened slowly, and Perry calling the Luthor mansion a 'haunted house' came painfully to mind. Before Lois could cross the threshold, tires crunched the gravel of the driveway behind her. Lex.

"Want to tell me what you're doing here, Lois?" Lex said, walking around the front of his car, his stride strong and purposeful. Lois muttered her favorite curse under her breath.

"I was invited. By your girlfriend. I wanted to talk to her about her music. I was a really big fan of her band." Lois lied, and Lex's grey eyes glinted with amusement.

"Really? Because Callista hasn't played a note of music since she's been here. I'll have her send you an autographed CD or something, but she's not up for visitors."

Lex dismissed Lois and walked past her and into the house.

"How much brandy did you say your father drank the day he died, Lex?" Lois called after him. He looked back at her, and walked back to the door. Lois took a step back, and raised her chin. "The toxicology reports are back."

"And you got your hands on confidential medical files, Lois? I'm shocked." Lex countered smoothly in a tone that was anything but surprised.

"They aren't confidential, they are public record in connection with an investigation into the suspicious death of an infamous figure." Lois snapped back, folding her arms over her chest. Lex never looked at her in that dazed way most men did, but Lois could count on one hand the men, other than her father or Uncle Gabe that didn't. Clark, Jonathan Kent, Perry White, Lionel and Lex Luthor. And honestly, Lois was never sure how to deal with that.

Lex smiled and it barely curved the corner of his mouth. "And how was Callista going to help you get that story?"

"I told you, I was here to talk to her about her music. But since you're here, I figure why not kill two birds with one stone?" Lois said charmingly and Lex nodded.

"I don't know what happened, Lois. I have no reason to block any investigation into my father's death." Lex's words were matter of fact. "I'd like to know what caused his death."

"Oh?" Lois raised an eyebrow. "Then why not give the interview, and let the world know how you feel?"

Lex seemed to ponder this for a moment. "You're right, Lois. Come in."

"Great. Now, see? Was that so hard?" Lois replied, walking past Lex into the house. The door swung shut behind her with a definite and heavy thud in its frame, and with a tiny snap!, the whole house erupted into flames, the explosion sending the glass from the imported windows flying. The security guard, having only gone back to his magazine, turned in horror, his hands shaking as he dialed 911.

Once underwater, Lori seemed reborn, and was surrounded by a phosphorescent glow that brightened as they moved further and further from shore. Clark smiled to see her back to herself, and they sped toward Posidonis together. He had lost all track of time and distance, and was surprised to see a glowing domed city below them in a deep chasm. Lori smiled and pointed, her glow growing brighter as her happiness at being home increased. Suddenly, her eyes widened, and Clark saw her begin to sink, holding her head as if in tremendous pain.

:What is it: Clark asked, swimming to Lori and catching her easily before she collapsed in a heap on the jagged rocks that edged the chasm.

:Goddess preserve us all…Callista….she has killed Lex Luthor to protect Atlantis….: Lori looked up at Clark in horror. :His house is in flames. It cannot be borne! And woe! Lois was there too, Clark:

:I have to go…: Clark turned, looking up toward the surface, trying to calculate how fast he could get to Smallville, and then, over her shoulder, he saw a small group of merfolk coming out to meet them, Ronal, Morgaine and Rowan's brother leading the group. Clark waved to them, and then, with a shiver of alarm, realized that Ronal had brought soldiers with him.

Lori looked up at Clark in horror. :Clark turned, looking up toward the surface, trying to calculate how fast he could get to Smallville, and then, over her shoulder, he saw a small group of merfolk coming out to meet them, Ronal, Morgaine and Rowan's brother leading the group. Clark waved to them, and then, with a shiver of alarm, realized that Ronal had brought soldiers with him.

:HALT, Otherworlder: One of them cried, and Lori looked up at Clark in panic. :You are trespassing on Atlantean territory:

:Wait: Lori straightened and sailed into the space between Clark and Ronal, her arms outstretched. :He is with me, ensuring my safe return to my homeworld.: Ronal paused, and then a smile lit up his handsome face.

"Lorelai! Gift of the Goddess! You've returned! Where is Callista? When she did not return we feared the worst: Ronal exclaimed, reaching for Lori's hands. He looked into Lori's face. :Where is Callista:

:She is dead.: Lori replied quietly. The Sher'Hedeen warriors began to wail, and Ronal silenced them with a wave. :Following the rest of her mission, I suppose.: Lori's voice was bitter, and Ronal shook his head, looking over at Clark. He seemed to be trying to read Clark, and then he turned to Lori again, shaking his head.

One of them cried, and Lori looked up at Clark in panic. Lori straightened and sailed into the space between Clark and Ronal, her arms outstretched. Ronal paused, and then a smile lit up his handsome face Ronal exclaimed, reaching for Lori's hands. He looked into Lori's face. Lori replied quietly. The Sher'Hedeen warriors began to wail, and Ronal silenced them with a wave. : Lori's voice was bitter, and Ronal shook his head, looking over at Clark. He seemed to be trying to read Clark, and then he turned to Lori again, shaking his head.

:Her only command was to retrieve you, Your Grace.: He waved to the Sher'Hedeen. :Go. You will not be needed.: They left, to prepare the mourning ceremony for Callista, speaking amongst themselves in the rough language of their people. Ronal released Lori, and bowed in Clark's direction. :Otherworlder, words cannot express the gratitude of the Atlantean people at your assistance in the safe return of our beloved Princess. Come. Any reward you seek will be given to you.:

He waved to the Sher'Hedeen. They left, to prepare the mourning ceremony for Callista, speaking amongst themselves in the rough language of their people. Ronal released Lori, and bowed in Clark's direction.

:I ask for just a moment alone with Lori before I go.: Clark replied, bowing himself. :To say goodbye.:

"You have them.: Ronal released Lori's hands, and glided away. :I'll return shortly to escort you back, Lorelai.:

:I have to go. It's what I'm supposed to do, my path. I realize that now.: Clark took Lori in his arms and kissed her softly. :But, I love you, Lori. I don't know how I'm going to be without you.:

:I don't know either, Clark. But I'm so proud of you.: Lori wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed Clark back passionatelyShe broke the kiss and pushed him away. :Go and save your friends. And realize that you are already doing what you are destined to do, my love. None could have changed that path for you. It is a part of you that no one can take away.:

Clark replied, bowing himself. Ronal released Lori's hands, and glided away. : Clark took Lori in his arms and kissed her softly. Lori wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed Clark back passionatelyShe broke the kiss and pushed him away. :

Clark kissed her again, and then pushed himself through the water, away from Lori. He gained speed as the pressure diminished, until he exploded through the surface, flying toward Smallville as fast as he could. Lex's mansion appeared before him almost instantly. Clark could hear the wail of the fire department as they sped toward the blaze, and he knew he only had a few minutes to get in there and find Lex, Lois and Callista. Flying in through the window, Clark began to scan with his xray vision, until he found Callista slumped over a chair in her room. He broke through her door, scooped her up and placed her on the ground outside, going back in for the others. Lex and Lois were in the entryway. Lex was trapped under one of the heavy beams from the ceiling, and Lois was several feet away, unconscious and bleeding. Clark went to Lex first, and once he was sure Lex was alive, Clark pulled the beam away and carried Lex to safety. Going back in for Lois, he felt a wave of nausea overtake him, forcing him to his knees. Through the smoke, Clark could see an overturned box that had been knocked over in the blast, glowing sickly green with Kryptonite. Blinking against the pain, Clark struggled to his feet, and limped toward Lois, trying to figure out how to get her to safety and not pass the Kryptonite. He lifted her, and pulling himself together, flew out of the house the way he had come in, feeling stronger the further away from the Kryptonite he got. He set Lois down gently near Lex, as the sirens and flashing lights of the Smallville Fire Department got closer. Clark went back to Callista, scooped her up again, and flew away just as the fire department arrived on the scene.

"You all right, miss?" An EMT knelt beside Lois as she came to, sitting up. "You shouldn't try to get up."

"What the hell happened?" Lois asked, coughing from the smoke she'd inhaled. "One minute I was standing there, and then ka-blam! Where's Lex?"

"Mr. Luthor is over there," The EMT said, pointing to where Lex was being worked on by two other paramedics. "You saved his life, I'd say. You dragged him out of there before you passed out, I'd guess."

Lois shook her head. "No, it was one of you guys, only he flew me out of there." She frowned. "Or pulled me out on a cherry picker or something, because it sure felt like we were flying."

The EMT laughed. "Well, my mom says I'm a hero, but only Warrior Angel can fly." Lois squinted at him, and he laughed harder. "You were here on the ground when we got here. It's you that's the hero, miss. Mr. Luthor owes you a lot."

"I'll settle for the stupid interview." Lois grunted, and then stood, holding her ribs. "I'm Lois."

"I'm Patrick." The EMT replied, smiling. Lois noticed that he wasn't looking at her boobs, and that he had really nice green eyes. "Let's get you over to the hospital to be checked out, Lois. It's good you can get up, but you really shouldn't." He pointed to the stretcher. "Your chariot, my lady."

"Nothing wrong with me that a hot bath won't cure." Lois replied, but she got on to the stretcher anyway and allowed herself to be transported to Smallville Medical Center, her ambulance behind Lex's. It wasn't until much later that she thought of Callista, but the pain killers had kicked in by then and her father was on the way, so Lois drifted off to sleep, thinking to herself how much easier visits with the General could be when unconscious.

Clark landed on the beach at Grand Cayman, and set Callista down on the sand. She was breathing, and opened her eyes to look up at him in wonder.

"You saved me. I was supposed to die in that fire." She said sadly. "Did you save Lex, too?"

"Of course I did." Clark replied. "Why, Callista?"

"I made a mistake when I asked Nuada Silverarm to save him, Clark. Lex is evil. There is no redeeming him anymore. I just wanted to stop him somehow, but he was too strong for me." Callista looked toward the waves. "I have to go home."

"I'll go with you." Clark said, and Callista shook her head.

"It's better I go alone." She smiled up at him, the first smile Clark had ever seen Callista make that didn't look threatening or vicious. "It's not everyday a Sher'Hedeen rises from the dead." Callista grinned, and ran off toward the ocean, diving into the waves and then vanished with a flick of a sharklike tail.

Clark fell to his knees, breathing deeply, and he stared out onto the moonlit ocean, waiting for Lori to come to him. She did not emerge from the waves, but Clark could feel her near him, and once he was sure he was alone, he dropped his head into his hands and wept. It was too much to bear alone, but Clark didn't know where else to go. So he stayed on the sand, as near to Lori as he could be, and before he fell asleep, spent from the exertion of all the flight and his own grief, Clark heard Lori's voice, soft and sad in his mind.

:My love….Goodbye…:

"Well, that's the last of them." Oliver said, looking around the Fortress as he set down the case he was carrying. "Were there any instructions in those drawings?"

Clark smiled. "I don't know. I hope so." He grinned wider. "Want to help me put them together?" It felt good to make the small joke after everything that happened, Clark thought, and he could tell that Oliver was glad he'd done so.

Oliver's laugh rang through the Fortress. "Sure. Because I'm all about alien technology." He looked over at Chloe, who was studying the console, randomly touching the upright tubes with a hesitant finger. "Planning to hack into that, Goldilocks?"

"I'm thinking about it." She winked, and Clark and Oliver both laughed. She grinned at Clark, and then her face fell. "Have you heard from Lori at all?"

"No." Clark replied, wiping his hands on his pants before opening one of the cases. "It's probably better for both of us that I don't, Chloe."

"I guess." Chloe rubbed his arm consolingly. "I'm so sorry, Clark."

Clark nodded, and then turned away from the case. "Let's get out of here. I'm going to be spending enough time here soon. Let's get some pizza or something before you all take off."

"About that." Oliver said, as Chloe grinned up at him. "Goldilocks and I were talking, and since everything seems to be under control in Seattle, and I have Luthorcorp Board of Directors duties to deal with, it looks like we're going to be here for a little longer."

"Really?" Clark asked, and Chloe nodded eagerly. "That's great."

"Dad's busy with his new job, and I have to finish my internship at least. Besides, with Lois working on the Smallville Ledger now, she's going to need a mentor." Chloe said, reaching for Clark's hand. "Mostly Oliver and I didn't want you to be alone right now. You get all broody and mopey."

"I do not." Clark snapped, and then laughed when Oliver and Chloe both shook their heads. "Okay, maybe I do. Are you sure you can do this?"

"I can fly back home if something comes up. It's only for a little while more." Oliver said. "Besides, I don't want to miss my calf growing up."

"Thanks, you guys." Clark squeezed Chloe's hand. "I appreciate you staying."

"That's what friends do." Chloe said, and Oliver nodded. "We're here for you."

Clark looked around the Fortress for the last time as they headed out to the cave entrance. There was one more friend he had to visit.

"Clark." Lex smiled. "Pity visit, or guilt?"

"Neither." Clark replied, setting the plate of cookies down on Lex's beside table. "Mom sent them. She said these are your favorites."

"Your mother is amazing." Lex pulled the plate closer to inspect the offering. "She never fails to remember. I hope you appreciate that, Clark."

"I do." Clark nodded. "I went out to the house. It's going to take forever to restore it."

Lex eyed him curiously, and then shrugged. "The house. I was planning to close it up anyway, move into the Luthorcorp Towers penthouse. Too many memories in the mansion and most of them are bad." He pulled open the plastic around the plate and took a cookie. "Your mother makes the best sugar cookies I've ever tasted."

"I'll tell her you said so." Clark nodded. "I'd better go." He turned to leave.

"Lana dropped by earlier. She told me that your girlfriend went home to, where was that? Wales?" Lex said, and Clark turned around.

"Yes." Clark answered, and Lex pushed the plate of cookies toward him.

"Have one. Everyone who has lost something this week can have one." Lex said, giving Clark a flash of the friend he used to be. Clark smiled sadly, and shook his head.

"Thanks, Lex, but I have to go get Lois and bring her home. General Lane had to fly to Washington D.C. last night. I just wanted to drop these off and see how you were."

Lex nodded. "Thanks, Clark. And thanks for getting me out of the house."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I was saying goodbye to Lori when the explosion happened." Clark said, this time not lying exactly, but it seemed to satisfy Lex.

"Right, right." Lex nodded. "Well, thanks for stopping by, Clark."

"No problem, Lex. And good luck in Metropolis." Clark extended a hand. "It's been something knowing you."

"You too." Lex shook it, and then sighed. "That felt pretty final, didn't it?"

"It did." Clark agreed. "I'd better go."

"Goodbye, Clark." Lex said, as Clark walked out of the hospital room. Clark made his way toward Lois' room, and felt a wave of nostalgia. Lex moving, Lori gone, Chloe and Lana leaving. It was the end of the safe, familiar life he'd known in Smallville. Forever.