"I'll get it," Jacob Olsen said as he got to his feet and headed out of the kitchen. He smiled a little as he turned the knob and opened the door, jokingly hoping it was a Girl Scout selling cookies. His amused smile disappeared when he saw Linda standing in the hallway; her face streaked with tears, and she looked up at him with an expression he had never seen on her face before.

"Linda," he said softly, his voice laced with concern.

"I need to see Jimmy," Linda whispered. "Please, don't ask any questions—I just need to talk to him."

Jacob almost protested, but he knew whatever questions he had would eventually be answered. He nodded and went back inside, carefully shutting the door until it opened a crack. Linda waited in the hall, not bothering to eavesdrop as usual.

After a few minutes, the door opened again, and Jimmy looked concerned as he stepped out into the hallway, shrugging into his jacket. Linda could see he had changed out of his graduation suit—including that hideous bowtie—into jeans and a hunter green shirt. Under other circumstances, Linda would appreciate the outfit much more.

"Linda, what's wrong?" Jimmy asked as he shut the door behind him. He knew Linda had stopped by when his father had asked him to return the 'lost elf someone had dropped in the hall,' (Jimmy was still a little surprised his mother hadn't picked up on that reference), but it was the look in his father's eyes that told Jimmy something wasn't right with this unexpected visit from his girlfriend.

Linda stared at Jimmy, seeing how concerned he was for her, and she suddenly felt horrible for coming to him on his special day. She shouldn't have come to burden him with this—it wasn't his problem. "I shouldn't have come," she said as she turned to leave, but Jimmy gently grabbed her elbow, stopping her as he turned her around.

"Linda, what's going on?" he pressed. Linda shook her head, and Jimmy knew that they couldn't talk there, where his parents—more precisely, his mother—could interrupt with questions they didn't want to have to make excuses for. "Come on." The young photographer put his arm around Linda, gently guiding her down the hall, knowing exactly where they could go.

It was flat. It was boring. It was deserted.

It was perfect.

Jimmy stared out of a broken window in the dilapidated building that had once been a farmhouse, watching the short stalks of wheat move in the gusts of wind. The golden waves provided a contrast of color against the dark sky, boiling with foreboding dark clouds. The young photographer was usually apprehensive about late spring storms and the type of weather they could bring, but the weather was currently the farthest thing from his mind.

Jimmy turned around and looked at Linda as she stood in front of another window, staring out into the flat world. Even in the darkness of the abandoned home (roughly halfway between Smallville and Metropolis), he could see how small she looked as she hugged herself, tears streaking her cheeks; her expression was unreadable, like she was lost. She hadn't said a word since they had left Metropolis on his cycle (now leaning against a nearby wall), driving wordlessly out of the city for over an hour before coming to this abandoned farm; the only thing audible from her had been the small sobs he had heard over the wind as she clung to him, her face buried into his shoulder.

"So, you gonna tell me what's going on?" Jimmy asked cautiously as he slowly made his way over to her. He had been racking his brain for some explanation as to what could have happened to cause Linda to look this way, but he was at a loss. He put a hand on her shoulder, but she flinched at his touch. Jimmy almost blanched, but he collected his feelings; he knew she needed him to be strong. "Babe, what happened?"

"It was all a lie," Linda whispered.

"What?"

"My life!" Linda exclaimed as she whirled around to face him; her expression was a mixture of anger and hurt and disbelief. "Everything was a lie!" What Linda had bottled up inside finally spilled out as paced the length of the room, telling Jimmy everything: from Rok-Var's arrival, to getting her memories back—as well as the content of those memories. When she had finished, she stopped and glanced over at Jimmy. She could see the shock on his face, and Linda knew what she had just told him would be hard for anyone to believe.

"Well?" she asked in a small voice, almost like she was pleading with him to believe her.

Jimmy had many questions he wanted to ask—it came with the territory of earning your living through investigation—but he knew only one that mattered. "Do you believe him?" he asked.

Linda tilted her head, a little confused that that would be his first question, but at the same time she was relieved he wasn't questioning her sanity—even if she was. "Yes," she replied. "His nickname for me was our secret. Even my," she paused for a moment, "my parents never knew it." She squeezed her fists and eyes, fresh tears falling down her cheeks. "Why would he do that to me?" Jimmy approached her to try and hug her, but she backed up from him. "Haven't you been listening, Jimmy? We can't see each other anymore."

"Says who?" Jimmy asked.

"Says reality," Linda replied. "I was born in nineteen seventy-one! You were born in nineteen ninety-six! Do the math, Jimmy! I'm almost twenty-six years older than you! I've seen my parents murdered by some sick, twisted monsters, I've had my memories erased, and I've been reduced to nothing more than an experiment who hasn't aged in almost thirty years! Why would you want to have anything to do with me?"

Jimmy felt his heart wrench at those words. He could only imagine the pain and confusion she was going through, remembering those same feelings he had felt for the longest time after he thought his father had abandoned him…and he remembered the words Linda had spoken to him when he felt that low. "Because I love you," he replied as he took a tentative step toward her; she didn't back away, and Jimmy was grateful as he continued over to her. "Look, I know you're freaking out by all of this—you have every right—but it doesn't mean I feel differently about you." When he finally reached her, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "You're still Linda, and that's all that matters to me."

Alone, those words would have been enough to offer some consolation, but Linda knew Jimmy didn't do anything half-hearted; his words, combined with his embrace, washing over Linda, filled her with the first sense of peace since this whole fiasco started. "So, none of this is freaking you out?" she pressed.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little weirded out," Jimmy replied honestly.

"Knew it," Linda muttered.

Jimmy hid a smile as he heard her pouty voice, relieved that she was already starting to feel better. He took a deep breath as he pulled back and looked down at her, his expression all serious. "What I'd like to know," he said, "is why Rok-Var decided to tell you about all this now. It doesn't make sense."

"It will once we're back at the farm."

Jimmy and Linda looked over and saw Clark enter the room. He still wore the same clothes, minus his glasses, and his hands were stuffed in his jean pockets. He stopped just inside the room, keeping his distance. Linda and Jimmy reluctantly let go of each other.

"You doing okay?" Clark asked his cousin, concerned.

"Not great," Linda replied honestly. "How did you find us?"

"I didn't follow you," Clark reassured her. "Not at first; I knew you'd be going to Jimmy's, and I wanted to find out why Rok-Var decided to come clean with everything now instead of earlier—and why Zachary's involved."

"And?" Linda asked cautiously.

"They refused to talk until you came back to the farm," Clark replied. "I came looking for you. Jimmy's dad said you two left on the motorcycle," he glanced uneasily at Jimmy, "so I followed the coordinates he gave me."

"Oh, yeah, forgot about that," Jimmy said, knowing why Clark was giving him that look.

"You knew your father bugged your cycle?" Clark asked, surprised.

"Your dad bugged your cycle?" Linda asked Jimmy, equally surprised.

"Yeah, he did it shortly after I got out of the hospital," Jimmy replied. "He originally wanted to bug me after the maze incident, but I talked him down to my cycle." He paused, clearing his throat uncomfortably. "And my watch."

Linda raised an eyebrow. "Okay, is there anything else anyone wants to confess today?" she asked, slightly annoyed that Jimmy hadn't told her that before now. "It seems like today is 'Confess Deep Dark Secrets to Linda' Day. Maybe Dad really did train the cows to feed themselves, and he's been keeping it a secret to get us to do the chores!" She looked at Clark. "What about you? You have a pink version of your suit you wear on Valentine's Day or something?" She sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Sorry."

"It's okay," Clark said, trying to get the image of flying around in a pink suit out of his head. He cleared his throat. "So, are you ready to come home?"

"Give me one good reason why I should go home and hear what he has to say," Linda said, frowning.

"He said Earth's future depends on it," Clark answered.

Lightning zigzagged across the sky, thunder boomed, and rain fell in torrents—almost as if a giant bucket was being dumped onto the world. A roaring fire burned in the living room fireplace, filling the room with warmth to counter the damp world outside. Jonathan and Martha stood near the entrance to the kitchen, staring at Rok-Var and Zachary. No one had spoken since Clark had left—Rok-Var and Zachary refused to say anything more until Linda returned—so, the four moved into the living room, waiting for Clark and Linda to return. The Kryptonian sat on the couch while Zachary stood by the bay window, watching the storm outside. The four adults looked over as the kitchen door opened, the sound of the storm filling the house as Clark, Linda, and Jimmy walked in; all three of them were soaked, hair dripping, and shoes squishing with every step.

"Linda, Clark," Martha said as she and Jonathan hurried over to the trio. "Are you two okay?" The cousins nodded, then they noticed their parents' expressions when they saw Jimmy with them.

"He stays," Clark replied before Jonathan or Martha could say anything.

"Of course," Martha said.

"I was wondering when he was going to make an appearance," Ro-Var said as he got to his feet.

"Were you following Jimmy, too?" Linda demanded, frowning.

"Of course," Rok-Var answered. "I wanted to make sure that the people you associated with were not going to be a danger to you."

"Yet you chose to not tell me you were still alive," Linda retorted. "Nice to know your priorities were in order."

Rok-Var's jaw clenched. She had never sassed him before, and he felt himself slipping into his paternal role with her, but he stopped himself. He knew he was no longer her sole guardian—and most likely no longer her friend either.

"So, do I pass muster?" Jimmy asked sarcastically. Rok-Var may have had the ability to pulverize him, but Jimmy wasn't going to be intimidated by someone he barely knew who still had some explaining to do. He turned to Zachary. "And what the hell do you have to do with all of this?"

"Before we go any further," Jonathan spoke up, "you three," he indicated Clark, Jimmy, and Linda, "need to get into some dry clothes." Water had formed a small pond under the three, and the farmer noticed that Jimmy appeared to be shivering a little.

Linda looked at Jimmy. "Hold still." She faced the photographer and concentrated, focusing her heat vision into two large rays, keeping the intensity high enough to dry him but low enough to keep him from frying. In a matter of seconds, Jimmy—and his clothes and hair—were warm and toasty. Linda smiled, satisfied. "There."

"Thanks," Jimmy said gratefully. He glanced over at Rok-Var and saw a small smile on his face, the brief sad expression from a person who was watching a child grow into a more independent person. Jimmy found his resentment for Rok-Var waning—slightly.

"That's all good and fine for Jimmy," Martha said, "but that still leaves you two—and I know it doesn't bother you, but you're still dripping wet." Before anyone could say anything, Linda quickly did the same to Clark, and Clark reciprocated. Soon, both Clark and Linda—and the wood floor—were bone dry. "Thank you."

"Now, since we're all good and dried," Jonathan said as he looked at Rok-Var and Zachary, his jaw set, "I think it's time you two come clean—about everything."

"Yeah, and why does the Earth's future depends on it, too?" Linda added.

Rok-Var took in a deep breath and motioned for everyone to join him and Zachary in the living room. The four glanced at each other spreading out to keep an eye on both the teachers.

"Before we explain everything, Kara," Rok-Var said, "I think it's imperative you tell them about the crystals."

"The crystals?" Linda asked, confused. "Why do they need to know about the crystals?"

"Because they're the reason for this whole mess," Rok-Var responded.

Linda tilted her head, confused. She knew Rok-Var was not one for overdramatizing things, so she took a deep breath. She wondered if she would be able to recall everything she had been taught, but the memories—her true memories—came to her quickly, as if she had just heard the lectures only yesterday.

"In ancient Krypton," the teenager began, almost as if she were reciting a script, "our ancestors warred against each other, vying for power, but when the planet was almost decimated, they realized they would progress better if they worked together. They began shaping Kryptonian culture, which consisted of assigning citizens to different guilds—Science, Military, Artist, Religious, and Labor—based on their potential."

"Sounds like Orwell would be proud," Jimmy remarked wryly.

"Actually, it was a good system," Rok-Var spoke up, "for a time. There was a Ruling Council made of representatives from each guild, elected by their guild to represent them. People were placed gauged on their most potential but were allowed to choose as well."

"Our fathers were both members of the Science Guild," Linda explained to Clark, "as well as your mother."

"My mother was a scientist?" Clark asked, surprised.

"Lara was an astronaut, actually," Rok-Var answered, "before she married your father."

"And my mother was a member of the Artist Guild," Linda continued, "which really makes a lot of sense now."

"What does this have to do with some crystals?" Jonathan asked warily.

"Shortly after uniting the warring factions," Linda continued, "our ancestors believed Krypton's history—its culture, people, ways of life, everything—should be preserved in the event our people's existence ever came under threat again. Erok-El, a brilliant scientist and our direct ancestor, fashioned a crystal to contain that knowledge."

"However," Rok-Var said, "there were still some who wanted that power for themselves. Erok realized the crystal was too dangerous to remain on Krypton, so he searched for a suitable location to hide it. That's when he discovered Earth and its inhabitants. He came to this planet to hide the crystal from those who would misuse it—and that's when he discovered the effects a yellow sun had on Kryptonian physiology."

"At first, the people here revered him like a god," Linda explained. "He tried to convince them he wasn't, but only a handful believed he was from another world. They became his closest allies and fought against those who wanted the crystal and came to Earth to kill Erok for it."

"How did they do that?" Clark asked. "Kryptonite?"

"Kryptonite was created when Krypton exploded," Rok-Var explained.

"Magic," Jimmy replied, remembering a Kryptonian's only other weakness. Rok-Var nodded, and Jimmy glanced at Zachary. "Is that where you come in?"

"Erok's allies were members of Homo magus," Zachary explained. "Magic-wielding humans, what you would call magicians and sorcerers. One of them was my ancestor. Their abilities proved invaluable against Erok's enemies, and they were defeated, stripped of their abilities, and executed." Everyone but Rok-Var appeared troubled by this revelation. "Their survival would have put entire worlds at risk for destruction, and there was no way to access the Phantom Zone at that time."

"What's the Phantom Zone?" Martha asked.

"I'll explain later," Linda said softly.

"Erok knew there would be others who would try to find the crystal," Rok-Var continued, "and he made the decision to split the one crystal in four separate ones. Each represented an element of Kryptonian culture and an Earth element: discipline for the earth crystal, empathy for air, passion for fire, and adaptability for water. They were hidden in various locations in the world."

"Let me guess," Jimmy replied, "China, Mexico, Egypt, and Atlantis."

"Four pyramids were created to house the crystals," Linda said, "each one blending into the local surroundings; sometimes other structures were added to help camouflage."

"So, aliens actually built the pyramids," Jimmy muttered.

Linda gave him a sideways glance, almost amused. "Once completed," she continued, "Erok returned to Krypton. He told his family what happened, and from that point on the El family became the sole guardians of the crystals. Family members would travel to Earth in order to add knowledge to the crystals, using the Kawatche caves as a central terminal to upload information." She looked at Clark. "That's what your father was doing here in nineteen sixty-one," she glanced at Jonathan, "when he met Hiram."

"He wasn't the only one," Rok-Var added. "Zod was also with him."

"Who's Zod?" Clark asked.

"General Zod," Linda replied more seriously, a flicker of fear in her eyes. "He was the leader of the Kryptonian military up until Krypton's demise."

"Something tells me he wasn't a nice guy," Jonathan spoke up, noticing the look in his daughter's eyes.

"Zod was master manipulator," Rok-Var explained. "Cold, calculating, ruthless. He also had an appetite for power and wanted the crystals for himself. That's why he came to Earth: to try and claim them."

"What stopped him?" Clark asked.

"Erok made sure the crystals were well hidden," Rok-Var answered. "Those who helped him fight the rogue Kryptonians became the guardians, guarding the crystals' locations to prevent them from being found. When I came to Earth, I located the descendant of the man who was tasked with monitoring the Kawatche caves—Zachary's uncle, Giovanni. I explained what was going on, what to expect, and what I needed from him."

"However," Zachary spoke up, "my uncle felt both he and my cousin were too high-profile to maintain an inconspicuous position, so he suggested I fill in for him. Rok-Var and I spent the following two years coordinating with the other guardians, working on a plan of action. After Linda arrived, I was tasked with keeping an eye on her until Rok-Var was ready to reveal himself. As luck would have, Linda and I shared a common interest in art, so becoming her art teacher was relatively easy."

"Well, that explains a lot," Linda muttered icily, narrowing her eyes.

"So, why all this trouble over some crystals?" Jonathan asked.

"The crystals must be updated regularly," Linda answered, still giving Zachary an annoyed expression. "Once within fifty-five years, but members of the House of El usually updated it when the next heir was in their mid-twenties. If Krypton hadn't been destroyed, I would have come here in the early to mid-nineties."

"Unfortunately, Zod had other plans," Rok-Var continued. "Since he couldn't get the crystals himself, he manipulated things for his advantage: he programmed himself into the caves, which later infiltrated its way into Clark's ship as well as the Fortress. After he and Faora, his wife, murdered Zor-El and Alura, they had intended for me to experiment on Kara so she could get the crystals for him, but I was able to prevent any serious results and keep him at bay while I repaired her ship." He avoided looking at Linda, even though he could feel her gaze on him.

"I still don't understand what this all has to do with some Kryptonian crystals," Clark said.

"If the crystals are not updated within fifty-five years," Rok-Var said, "they'll self-destruct to prevent their knowledge from falling into the wrong hands."

"Let me guess," Jimmy said. "Boom."

"Big boom," Linda replied, "times six: each crystal, plus the caves and Fortress. Cataclysmic effect."

"Can it be stopped?" Martha asked, paling a little.

"Yes," Rok-Var answered. "The crystals must be retrieved, brought back to the caves, and recombined. That will halt the sequence."

"Okay, that doesn't sound too bad," Clark replied. "I can get the crystals; just show me where they are."

"I don't think you understand, Kal-El," Rok-Var said. "Retrieving the crystals is not your responsibility."

"I'm a member of the House of El," Clark protested. "You said only someone from our family can get the crystals safely."

"Yes, but in Kryptonian culture," Rok-Var continued, "that duty falls to the eldest member of the subsequent generation—which means Kara is the only one who can safely retrieve the crystals."

(End of Chapter 4)