The Kryptonite Showdown : The Showdown

by GeminiAlex

Clark is shot with a whole unfamiliar kind of technology. A dart made from the liquid of all five meteor rocks, green, red, blue, sliver, and black. With the help of his parents, Clark is forced to go through every painful effect of each, if he wants to survive and return to normal.

Kryptonite Showdown By Storymaker8931

Fan-fiction of SmallVille

Clark sped down the road as fast as he could. Even with the wind roaring past his face violently, he didn't seem to notice. There was something much more important he needed to do. Right after school, he'd promised his dad he'd help him with the chores. Mainly using his super strength to put up and take down old, and damaged, wooden planks from the previous night during the storm. Most were still attached with the few screws, others were barely hanging on. This was one job he found the most pleasure in doing, a slight part of why, was because he got to show off how strong he really was, knowing his father was watching nearby.

He knew his dad didn't care when he showed off, but every so offend he could see a slight smile appearing on his face, deep down inside he knew his father cared. But Clark knew when enough was enough showing off, there was a job he needed to do, and because he had abilities, wasn't enough to distract him from a job, not when he knew his father as standing not too far away. Getting himself ready to bring Clark back to the job, if he got stuck thinking about Lana Lang again.

Every road seemed clear, not even a single car in sight, which was good for him. He couldn't allow himself to be found out. As he continued down the road, a spilt image of his friend Ryan popped into his head. He slowed down, as to allow the thought to take full control. He'd been found out and put through painful experiments, stabbed with thousands of needles, and the first of it all. Experiments to see what happens when he's near meteor rock. The image he'd first seen of Ryan, laying there in that hospital bed, still haunted him. They had experimented him on in a lab, experimented on because of his ability. Even though Clark knew he'd tried everything to save him, a bit of emptiness and guilt still stood with him,

Seeming to be to deep in thought, Clark wasn't even aware of himself, when a car came speeding down the road, heading right for him. And once his eyes finally caught the light of the situation, it was too late. The car had gone right into him, tearing apart at the sides, and creating a huge rec, that completely tore through the entire face of the front of the compact car.

Pieces of the car were spread out all around him. Still standing tall, he looked around at every single piece. The pieces of the car still had bits of the original paint job. As he inspected a larger piece that landed right next to him, he noticed something. The color of the car was a light silver. He knew he'd seen it somewhere before.

The car was only missing a few pieces, and the front of it was completely destroyed, but the back, and the tires were still connected to the car, neither had as much damage as the rest. He could recognize the many pieces of what it looked like before the crash. The pieces belonged to a small silver porsche. One that belonged to his best friend, Lex Luthor. And if he hadn't noticed it before, he did now. Lex, unconscious and bleeding, laid in a pit of grass just a few feet from where Clark was, he'd been ejected from his seat, right as the entire front of the car went straight into Clark.

Running over to his friend without a second thought, he quickly wrapped his arms around Lex's back, holding him up as to better get a look at the damage, and once he saw the cause of the large amount of blood, slowly and unsure of himself, he placed his fingertips on the cold piece of metal sticking out of Lex's chest, and held down lightly. Right in the middle the metal stared straight at him, having been plunched into Lex's rib cage, but not too far in causing major damage.

Clark made sure, before doing anything, that the metal piece wasn't infecting Lex's breathing. After pressing his fingertips against his friend's neck for a couple seconds, he shouted.

''Lex?! I'm going to get you to the hospital, just hold on!'' Grabbing onto his friend as hard as he could, with Lex's body in his arms now, Clark knew he'd have to use his super-speed in front of him again. There wasn't any other way. If he waited for an ambulance Lex would surely bleed out before they even got to him. He needed to do this. Even if it meant he'd have a million questions to answer once Lex finally regained consciousness.

But the two questions that lingered in the back of his mind, lingering behind the biggest one, which was if Lex would be alright. These two questions sent chills down his spine and continued rising his heartbeat. How much did Lex see before the car crashed into him? And had he just exposed himself in front of him?

Both questions he wasn't able to answer on his own. He knew what he needed to do, get Lex to the hospital, and wait for him to awaken. As nervous as he was, and with more thought about it, his entire body burned with a sickly feeling, Clark hated.

Holding onto the small piece of metal launched into his friend's chest, lightly with his fingertips pressed down against it, to relive as much of the blood pressure as he could, he hurried the opposite way down the road. Carefully this time to avoid anyone who may have heard all the commotion, he hurried his way to the hospital, in a flash of red.

Clark paced back and forth in the hospital room, Lex had been taken in immediately, and Clark had been told he was still in surgery whenever he could pull one doctor away from their work. The two previous questions and fear was still lingering inside him. This time was deeper the more he thought about it. What would Lex say to him once he woke up? How much did he remember of what happened? What if he gets suspicious again, like that day on the bridge when Lex crashed into him the first time and ended up taking both himself, the car, and Clark down into the water? What if? The what ifs were all Clark could focus on. He didn't even notice when two pair of shoes came into his view.

Bringing his eyes back up from a spot on the title floor, he met the eyes of his parents. Jonathan and Martha Kent, they both shared the same expression, concern and worry. He moved across the floor to meet them, and once he did, he was instantly pulled into a tight hug by his mom.

''Clark?! What happened?! Are you all right?!'' Martha asked slowly breaking away from the hug, as her eyes met her husbands for a moment. ''I'm fine, its Lex, something happened on my way back from school.'' Clark admitted. Once he finished however, he received an ugly glare from his dad, who eyed him with suspicion.

''Does he know?'' Jonathan asked in a deep tone. Clark took a minute to catch his breath before answering. His nerves were running on high, but he knew he had to tell them. The truth was better than a lie. He was already lying to Lana. He couldn't allow himself to tell a lie to his parents, not when his secret was in danger of getting out.

''I was on my way from school, I knew I was late and I had to get home quickly, so I could help you! And while I was running, images and memories of Ryan popped into my mind! I let it distract me, but only for a second!'' Clark shouted nervously.

''What happened?'' Repeated Jonathan as he stared into Clark's eyes, stern and ready to hear the answer.

''I didn't hear Lex's porsche coming down the road, and it crashed right into me. I'm fine, but the car and Lex wasn't so lucky. He's in surgery now, as for the scene, I don't know.'' Clark took in the frightened faces of both his parents, as he left his story where it was. There wasn't anything to tell them. He'd said enough.

''How much does he know! How much was Lex able to see?!'' Jonathan shouted angrily.

''I don't know! I haven't been able to speak to him yet, everyone keeps telling me he's still in surgery.'' Clark replied.

''I'm afraid this will not be so easy to convince him, it didn't happen, that he didn't see you!'' Jonathan barked angrily towards Clark.

''I know, Dad, trust me...but my secret was going to come out eventually?! What's a better time than now? I won't have to lie to him anymore, and he won't need to keep investigating me.'' Clark replied.

''But what happens if by you telling him personally, it makes him want to instigate you more? He might try to talk you into allowing people to run tests on you. This could all end so badly, son.'' Jonathan whispered, his face beating with sweat as his face finally relaxed from all the tense. ''How more people do you have to let, find out about you, Clark, before one of them tells someone!''

''That won't happen, Dad! All the people I've told I trust! Neither one of them could ever think of telling anyone else about me. Why would you even say that? Don't you trust me?! What happened to all that talk about making my own tough choices.''

''This isn't what I mean't, Clark Kent! You know what I mean? And you shouldn't be making these kinds of choices on your own, it doesn't just affect you! Your mother and I wouldn't be able to live with ourselves if they took you away We're trying to protect you, that's all we've ever done!''

''I think people are staring.'' Clark said as he took in his surroundings. It was true, most of the people in the waiting room had their eyes on him and his parents. He was so angry towards his father, he didn't even notice their conversation was being broadcasted to everyone. Jonathon moved along the floor, where he took a seat in one chair, awkwardly smiling at an older couple, who had been a part of the group of people staring.

Martha joined her husband in the next chair next to him. As for Clark, he stood standing, running his hands through his brunette hair as he thought about all the things he wanted to say to Lex once he'd woken up. He had to get his story straight; he would have to come up with a better lie than all the other ones. This wasn't the bridge all over again...Lex's car had crashed straight into him, for the second time! And this time, there wasn't any water to hide his face.

This wasn't one of those times where it almost hit him, this was one time where he wasn't sleepwalking. Fully conscious, seen speeding down the road by his best friend, who'd caught him distracted.

Was it too much for Clark to hope Lex had been drinking a little before getting on the road? Maybe that information could help him create a story. But he didn't have to much faith in that theory. He'd seen him with both his eyes. Both his eyes...

He didn't seen any other choices he could take once a female nurses voice waved throughout the room. He shared the same expression with his parents once the words rang out through his mind.

''Lex Luthor is expecting visitors now.'' Her voice was sweet and soft, and as Clark held his breath, he followed her down the hallway.

Clark held his breath the entire way, the only time he opened his mouth to take another breath, was when he finally reached Lex's room. Once the nurse left sight of him, he threw himself slowly against the edge of the wall, going over thoughts and words so he could put together any kind of explanation he could feed to Lex. But every single sentence he thought about saying sounded phoney and stupid. He wasn't even convincing himself.

''Clark? Are you planning on coming in, sometimes soon?'' He got away from where he leaned and gave himself a few more seconds of thinking. He had to hurry and think of something to say, that or at least some time to make himself look calm. Right now that hot sticky feeling from earlier was making life so much harder. His heart was racing violently, and he could've sworn the roof would cave in on him at any moment.

He pushed himself into the room quickly. As he did, his eyes met Lex's instantly. Lex looked surprised to see him, but as a few seconds passed, the awkwardness seemed to fade, cause he returned to his normal blank face. The one that read he wasn't thinking of something, that he wasn't suspicious.

''Careful there, you look like your going to pass out.'' Lex called out.

''I was just worried about you, I heard what happened.'' Clark replied nervously.

''Really? It just happened, how's that?'' Lex asked. ''I didn't see any police or news reporters in here yet, so couldn't have been on the scene.'' Lex had his eyebrow raised as he watched Clark's movements with both his eyes locked on him, as Clark moved uncomfortably along the floor, pacing back and forth instead of sitting like he'd normally done, with his arms crossed and his face more than a little tense, he drew a breath.

''They called me to come here, Lex. The doctor said he wasn't able to get a hold of your dad, so I got the call.'' Clark mumbled under his breath once the sentence was out. A sentence he knew he'd screwed up and now he was stuck trying to get through.

''All right Clark, I appreciate that. I would've thought you'd be back at the farm, finishing those chores you mentioned. Did you get any done?'' Lex asked.

Clark shook his head slowly. ''Not yet, I haven't been home yet, I was on my way home from school, just when I got the phone call. The nurses called my parents to meet me, my mom thought I was the one in the accident.'' He chuckled, making an awkward attempt at a smile.

''Is something wrong? You seem really freaked out about something? Something happen while you were at school?'' Lex wandered curiously as the sound of the heart rate monitors beeped.

''No, nothing happened. It was honestly boring, I did what I had to do, then got out of there. That's it, that's all.''

''Good.'' Lex nodded. ''Glad to hear that school isn't the problem. How're your parents? Anything going on? Maybe it could explain how tense your being right now. If I didn't know any better, its as if you're trying to cover for something.''

Clark turned around to face Lex as soon as he hear that. With his voice as low as it could go, and his eyes locked on a title on the wall, behind Lex's head, he opened his mouth to speak. ''What? I'm not trying to cover up anything. It's not like I crashed into you. The farm only has one truck, remember? You've seen it in the driveway before? Big red, shinning one? Besides, Dad had it all afternoon, I couldn't have had it, even if I wanted too! It seems almost like you want it to have been me.''

''What do I want to have been you? Come out with it, Clark.'' Lex replied, his tone getting a little higher, as an argument seemed to lurk. ''It seems like you almost want it to have been me, who crashed into you? It's just like the bridge all over again!'' Clark shouted.

''I told you already, Clark! My story hasn't changed! I could've sworn I crashed into you! You were right there, leaning against the bridge when my car came at you, you didn't even try to get out of the way, I went straight into you, as did my car! How do you explain all the damage done to it? The rails aren't capable of making that much of a dent.'' Lex's voice returned to normal, but his serious face only increased. This was Lex's blame face. Or his ''I'm right face.'' Clark knew it all too well, it normally showed itself when Lex had a point to prove, one he'd never give up trying to provoke till he heard the words, he had pictured in his head, come out of the persons mouth.

''You didn't crash into me on the bridge, Lex. I arrived there, and I helped you. That's all that happened. As for the damage to your car, you went straight through those steel bars, I'm surprised that's all the damage that was taken.'' Clark said calmly.

Clark had gone way over his own head, he'd just spent moments before this trying to come up with a story that could please Lex, now he was standing there, having to come up with a story about an accident he thought the two had covered already. His words were definite, not helping matters. Lex moved himself around a little better before continuing.

''You can't keep lying to me, Clark. Eventually everything will come out. And that's up to you, how I hear about it.''

''I'm not anything but human, Lex. As your suppose ''best friend'' I wish you'd stop coming up with stories that make me seem any less than that. I'm just a boy working on a farm, who likes to wear flannel, who gets good grades, and likes to watch football with his dad. Oh, and who also likes to wear comfortable jackets, like this one.'' He said, running his fingertips along one sleeve of his bright red jacket.

Lex sat motionless in the bed. He didn't respond, nor did he have anything further to say. Clark wasn't sure if it was because of all the drugs he'd taken for the pain, or because he was trying to refrain from raising his voice any further. Either way, Clark knew it was time to leave. He'd said enough, and as little tired as he felt, he would not continue the ''she said'' he said'' with Lex all night. He hoped somewhere, their friendship was enough, and Lex would just drop the entire thing.

...

Clark returned home with his parents that night, and once he explained everything to them, he was off to bed. Still, as little tired as he felt, it had been a long day already, him and his dad had agreed tomorrow was the start of the weekand, Saturday, so he'd be able to make up for the chores he'd missed. Everyone was who wasn't Clark was tired, and turned in early, as much as what Lex said bothered him, there wasn't any evidence that Lex could use to provoke anyone into beliving him, at least he hoped there wasn't. Clark laid awake in his bed most of the remaining night.

...

Lex sat in the same bed for much longer than he thought, the time read late on the clock on the wall, but to him it felt like years, he was just getting used to the sound of his own heart rate monitor, as it beeped and beeped each and every second his boredom increased. If it were up to him, he would've been out of the hospital a long time ago, and if it were up to him, Clark wouldn't have walked away with the last word. But he had to thank Clark, for it wasn't for him, he'd never have given Lex exactly what he wanted.

''Was that enough? have we got enough to go ahead with the plan?''

''Excellent, I want it prepared and ready for shipment, I'll have it delivered bright and early in two days.''

Clark awoke the same time as any normal day, and to him weekends were considered the same, a normal day. The sun was shining just as bright as any morning, but this time, he didn't put aside any time to stare at it. Sunsets were his and Lana's thing to do, but when the sun rose in the morning, it was kind of like his greeting to start the day. He'd been giving this little greeting since he was young, or at least he was told. He got out of his bed as normally as he would each and every morning, he never felt the need to greet his bed. The very thought just sounded silly. Besides, he'd just spent a fair amount of hours sleeping in the same position. The bed had seen enough of him. And he'd seen enough of it.

He walked along the floor as normal as ever, as he walked up to his dresser, opening the top drawer and taking one peek, and in under a minute he had exactly what he wanted. White shirt, blue stripped funnel shirt, and he knew he could find either the red jacket, or the dark blue one somewhere downstairs, either would do. There wasn't really anything different from the way he, a teenage boy got ready. Boys are less likely to care about their clothing, and their hair, unlike girls. When Clark thought about it, he'd offend get a headache, the thought was just strange to even waste brain power thinking about.

He left his room, forgetting to close the door again, as he headed down the stairs. Lucky enough for him, the ceiling was higher up this time, so he never thought to worry about his head hitting it. He was very tall for his age. His eyes met those of his parents, and as he remembered to check the living room for either of his jackets, he finally found one. It was the dark blue one. He picked it up and carefully laid it front up on the couch. He wasn't quiet sure if he'd need it, but there were still chores to do, so he was always prepared.

''Morning.'' he said happily as he took a seat across the table from his parents. His dad stared at him for a moment, before reaching for his cap of coffee, sitting in front of him, on the table. His mom had a small plate of breakfast in front of her, and a regular cup size of coffee.

''You always liked your coffee, huh Dad?.'' Clark said as he leaned across the table where he got himself a medium-sized pancake from a white and blue patterned plate.

''Yes I do, son.'' Jonathan replied addressing Clark. ''Still up to help with those chores this morning?''

''Course.'' Clark nodded. ''I said yesterday I would, so I will.''

''Specking about yesterday? You never told us about your conversation with Lex at the hospital? Which concerns me, Clark.'' Clark's smile faded from his face rather quickly as he made eye contact. His fingertips pressed rather hard against the side of the light brown pancake, as he quietly played with the edges, ripping it apart slowly, as he laid the leftover crumbs on the table in front of him. They would've brought the conversation up no matter what. Whether he wanted them to.

As parents, they were just concerned.

''Care to reply?'' Johnathon repeated.

''Nothing happened, I denied being there, and made up some story that no one could get a hold of his dad, and they called me instead...I told him I had nothing to do with the accident, but I don't know how convincing I was.'' Clark admitted. ''It's difficult having to lie to him a second time, about an accident I caused.''

''Clark Kent! You weren't at all responsible for Lex's porsche running into you, on that bridge!'' Johnthan shouted angrily through his teeth. Martha, who sat quietly now, nodded slowly. ''How were you supposed to have time to react? Lex is the one who wasn't paying attention.'' she said.

''But this isn't about what happened on the bridge, this is about me being distracted, and Lex crashing into me. Did I forget to mention, he crashed straight into me. Not a bridge!...'' Clark barked. ''I allowed myself to get distracted, and now Lex might know about me. About all of us! That you two hid away scientific research for sixteen years.'' he finished.

''You aren't scientific research, you are a human being, Clark. You have rights just as everyone else.'' Martha told him.

''They're not going to see me how you two do? The world is going to see me as the alien who crash landed on their planet. I'm going to be shipped off to lab after lab, have my picture in the newspaper, and stabbed with thousands of needles, just to get a sample of my blood.'' Clark sighed before rising from his seat. Both Martha and Jonathon watched with close eyes as he stood up. Either one sharing the same expression. That same worry from before.

''I'm never going to see you again.''

''Clark? If Lex knows something, we'll do anything we have to, to make sure he doesn't tell another soul what he knows. We can fix this.'' Johnathon said in a low down tone. ''They won't be putting your face anywhere, you will still go to school, get good grades, socialize with friends, and return here every night. Where you'll sleep in your bed, and we'll see you, each and every morning. They will not take away you from us, Clark.''

''I hope your right, Dad.'' Clark replied. He moved away from the table as quickly as he could, with the torn up pancake in his hand, he made his way into the living room, where he reached for the jacket he'd laid out on it. Picked it up and carefully put both his arms through the sleeves. Once he had it all adjusted so he was comfortable, he turned to face his parents.

''What's first, Dad?'' he asked. Jonathan smiled as he too rose from his spot at the table. Leaving his coffee behind, he walked up to his son. Smiling at him proudly. ''Everything I said is true, Clark. You have mine, and your mother's word.'' Martha joined the two of them, pulling both her husband and son into a hug. Neither one was expecting, but didn't fight against. Instead, the three embraced each other, just like the family they were. Hugs were never denied at the Kent farm.

Clark made his way to the barn at a normal pace, with the sun shinning down on him, and the many thick layers of his jacket, made it seem hotter than it was to him. He thought about removing his jacket many times, but just when he was about to, he always remembered something he'd forgotten to do. His dad really wasn't lying when he said there was a lot of chores to take care of. A lot of things needed replacing, and others needed tiny fixes here and there. His muscles didn't feel sore at all, so that was a relive. He couldn't imagine feeling sore again, not like that one time he'd volunteered with his parents to help rebuild buildings, when the second meteor hit. So much has happened in Smallville. It was sometimes hard for him to remember every single bit.

Even with all the commotion that happened, when those patients escaped Belle Reve, he still was sore. Sometimes he thought what it could've been like had he still been human, had his powers never returned. He always knew how to end that conversation though, ''I'd be dead.'' was what he always concluded. And each time he tried to doubt himself, he knew the truth. He'd be dead, end of story. No longer could he see his parents, his friends, the farm. No one, nothing. Even if it wasn't the destiny, he wanted. The price he could've lived without was losing Lana all over again, having to lie to her again. He wished he didn't have too, but it was for her own protection. He didn't know how to handle himself, if he repeated things with another one of his mistake. A mistake he made with Pete, a mistake he would not make with Lana.

His closest friend, forced to leave because of danger, he'd been put in, all because of a secret. A huge, major secret. How long till something happened to Chloe again, she'd almost been killed once, he'd be damned if he allowed it to happen a second. He wouldn't allow anyone to die because of him, or his secret. He'd expose himself to the world, if it mean't his loved ones wouldn't be harmed.

Sounds of hay filled the air as his thick boots crashed down on it. He made his way up the short amount of steps and looked around. The loft. His loft. It'd almost been too long since he'd been able to spend anytime up there. It didn't seem like too long, but in another sense it did. His eyes moved from the shinning blue sky. He had passed his window and found that couch. It was covered with blankets, clothing, and two books.

Books he needed in order to pass school. The thought of school made him remember the old days. What it felt like to go to school normally, without waking up to super strength and super speed, or without the fear you'll set something or someone on fire. He could live without the heat vision, if he had a choice.

''Clark Kent daydreamer? Never would've guessed''

''Chloe? What're you doing here?'' Clark turned slowly around, till his eyes met hers. With a smile on her face, Chloe took a scant breath. ''I had to get away from Louis, she's moving in with me at the talon, remember? You turned down helping me, which was a low blow, Clark.'' she said in a low annoyed tone. With her hands on her hips, her smile returned.

''But I didn't forget about the chores you said you had to do with your dad. I know you told him before I asked you. So, I'm not all mad.''

''Honestly Chloe, who could stand being around Lois. she's a nightmare. I much rather be here, doing chores, then moving boxes with her.'' Clark replied.

''Thanks...'' Chloe said pretending to be offended but stopped once she noticed the look on her friend's face. Clark wasn't always the greatest at hiding his emotions. That probably was the reason for his outbursts and altered behavior when he'd been exposed to red kryptonite. The thought sometimes came to Chloe, what it'd be like if Clark knew how to better express his feelings, would he still be as fired up when exposed?

''I see that look in your eyes? Somethings wrong. Spill.'' she encouraged.

''There's a chance Lex knows about my powers. And there's a chance I may have just boosted his suspicions.'' Clark said nervously, try as he may to hide his embarrassment.

''How? You didn't finally decide to tell him, did you?!'' Chloe asked.

''No, of course not. His car crashed right into me the other day, I was at the hospital visiting him last night, I wasn't able to get a clear answer from him about what he saw, but I think my nerves might have just told him something, he didn't need to know.''

''Did you tell him it was you that was there? Did you give him your name?''Chloe asked.

''What? No? I denied having anything to do with it, and I also brought up the bridge again, my answer stayed the same.''

''Good, then you have nothing to be worried about. Lex probably doesn't even have any proof, and without proof, he'd be lucky to end up in Belle Reve again.'' Chloe chuckled.

''Well, I don't want to see him in there again, but if it means my secret doesn't get out. I wouldn't complain.'' Clark said as he joined Chloe's side. The two facing one another, as Clark went to wipe the sweat from his brow.

''What do your parents think about this? Are they worried? I mean of course they got to be worried, your their son?!''

''There just as worried as I am. Honestly, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I haven't thought about visiting Lex again. I don't know how the conversation will play out, I might screw it up again.''

''Well, if you're asking for my advice, I'd say unless Lex shows up here, wanting to talk, I wouldn't even think to go over there. You don't owe Lex anything. He had you investigated, and from what you told me, he was part of the reason for those patients escaping Belle Reve.''

Clark nodded as he rolled his eyes slightly. Chloe had an excellent point. No matter what words come out of Lex's mouth, he knew exactly what kind of person he was. Many times before, he'd seen Lex's evil side. Literally, seen Lex's wicked side. And that side tried to kill him, and Chloe, and shot his father. What could've happened had he not turned that minor piece of green kryptonite into black kryptonite and joined the two Lex's back together? Chaos and madness.

''Clark?! Its time for dinner, come inside please.'' Clark heard his mothers voice before Chloe even reacted, that was just one of the many perks of having super-hearing. No matter how good he was at listening when he needed to, the urge to listen in on others, was always one that made him struggle.

He didn't always listen to his ambitions, sometimes he just needed to have some fun. Break a rule or two. Even if the rules were ones he'd set for himself.

''I'll talk to you tomorrow, Chloe? Should be free from chores tomorrow, if you want to meet me at the talon. I know a little time spent with friends, will be good for all of us, maybe have Lana join us?''

''If your going to buy my first cup of coffee, count me in.'' Chloe said excitedly.

''Sure, sounds like a plan. Meet me there at noon, I'll see you then Chloe, drive careful.''

''I will, thank you for giving me a place to escape to for a little while, I really appericate it, Clark.''

''What are friends for?'' Clark replied waving goodbye to her, before turning to leave the barn. He headed back the way he came, the sight of the front porch right in front of him, as he headed up the driveway, and up the stairs. Before he went into the house, he leaned over the rail a little ways, watching as he saw Chloe's little car driving away. With a smile on his face, he turned and headed inside, where his parents greeted him, with a fresh meal.

The first thing Clark did, once he got inside, was remove his jacket from his back. The sun felt much hotter against his skin, with the jacket on, and as he missed each chance, he had to remove it sooner; he kept missing it. But he didn't seem bothered by it. Something about fresh, dry clothing gave Clark a new apparition. Finally, being able to get comfortable for the night, he chose a fairly normal short blue sleeveless shirt, one he'd worn many times. Once he got dressed, he returned downstairs.

His parents were both sitting at the table, each in the same chair as they had been that morning, Clark's nose smelled something tasty as he casually made his way to the table. There was a lovely plate of meats, vegetables, bread, a little of cheese, and lettuce. Something told him they'd be having sandwiches. Something simple and easy, which Clark was fine with. He enjoyed eating casually.

''I hope sandwiches are all right, I didn't have the time to make anything.'' Martha apologized as she reached for a top and bottom to create her sandwich.

''It's all right, Mom, I like these types of meals. Not too much work goes into them, and they still taste amazing.'' Clark replied reaching for a second piece of meat, laying it down on top of another piece he had already on the bread. He added a few other things. And topped it off with the top. Mushing it carefully down with his palm, he picked it up with both hands and as hungry as he was, waited no longer. Taking a huge bite out of it, he chewed quietly.

''I'm glad I could get your help today, Clark.'' his dad said between bites of his own sandwich.

''I'm glad I could help, Dad. I don't mind doing chores on Saturday, gives me something to do in the afternoon, and time to study after I'm done here.''

''When I was in town earlier, I heard Lex got out of the hospital, I hate to think he'd show up here, after your conversation yesterday, Clark.'' Martha said.

''I'm sure he wasn't too happy to hear you deny everything he threw at you, son.'' Jonathon pointed out, taking a second larger bite from his sandwich than the previous, much smaller bite.

''Well, I'm not sure how he felt about it. When I said I had nothing to do with this, or what happened on the bridge, he kind of-just shut down? He didn't say a word, he didn't even look at me. Nothing...'' Clark replied. ''I don't know what to think of it.''

''You think he gave up?'' Martha asked as she brought her now empty plate to the sink.

''Lex? I doubt it. He's probably waiting for me to show up at a crime scene, so he can throw more actuation's at me.'' Clark said as he joined his mother in the kitchen, carefully placing his plate on top of her plate, as he returned to his spot at the table. ''Think moving's an option?''

''I won't let a Luthor scare me into running away, and neither should you, son!'' Johnathon spoke up, looking Clark straight in the eyes, as Clark broke off eye contact rather quickly, now he just felt stupid.

*Bark* *Bark*

Clark quickly without hesitation rose from his chair, pushing out from behind it, he looked around. Martha and Jonathan looked at him for a moment. Before Jonathan to rose, sharing the same confused and focused expression as Clark.

''Is Shelby in the house?'' he asked.

''I don't know, I'd assume not.'' Martha replied.

''if he was, most likely he'd be right next to the table, begging and pleading for crumbs.'' Jonathon replied, pointing with his finger as to the exact spot Shelby would've been.

''I'm going to go check outside, see if he's out there.'' Clark moved away from the table rather quickly. the sound of his own footsteps, and his shoes echoed off the walls, as he felt both his parents, eyeing him from behind. Opening the front door and stepping out onto the porch, he allowed his eyes to wonder. No sign of Shelby, anywhere.

If he really was stuck outside, he should've been right outside the door, waiting to be let in, but he wasn't. ''Shelby? Where are you, boy?!'' Clark tried shouting his name, hoping the adorable dog just got lost, and would hear him calling him, but nothing. Shelby wasn't coming.

*Bark*

*Bark*

Once again, Clark knew what he was hearing was Shelby. It had to be his barks. But what he couldn't figure out was why the barking sounded so far away. Just far enough to be out in the barn's direction. Clark headed down the stairs and away from the house. Making his way across the driveway, cutting off right through the middle, he headed towards the barn. It was much colder inside than he thought. He wasn't sure what it was the made him suddenly so cold, he'd never had a problem with the cold before.

''Shelby? You in here boy?!'' he tried calling again. This time, Shelby appeared. Walking up to Clark, drooling, with his tongue sticking out the side of his mouth, Shelby came up to him. A smile formed on Clark's face, as he gave Shelby a few pats, and pets before turning to guide him back to the house.

Before he could even turn around to leave the barn, a horrible pain exploded through his veins. His balance was heavily affected, and he was forced to his knees, Shelby who was right at his side, nudged and attempted to lick Clark's face, as Clark held his stomach with both his hands pressed down hard, the pain he felt was unbearable. Kryptonite had to be nearby. It had to be; the pain was way too similar to be anything else.

And Clark was well familiar with it by now.

As he tried to get himself to his feet, he screamed out in horrible pain, as something stabbed in the back. He fought his urge to scream in pain again. The only thing he could do, was feel everything that was happening to him. His back felt all numb as it burned. He wasn't sure at first what it was, but with the energy he had left, he shouted.

''Mom! Dad!'' Never in his life had he shouted so loud for his parents before. A part of him hated the fact that he had to call them, to save him. But the scared part of him made him shut up pretty quickly.

''Clark? What's wrong?'' he heard his mom's voice.

''Clark? Where are you?!''

''Barn...'' he whispered. With all the energy he once had, was now snapped away, he was confined to nothing but a shallow whisper now. His back burned the longer the minutes passed, but to his relief he saw his parents' faces. Both filled with worry and confusion. Their eyes growing wide as his mother shouted his name. her voice breaking as he tried to guide them around him, where the source of his pain was. His dad was the first to do so. Careful not to move him, as he knelt down beside his son, eyeing every part of Clark's back, before he gasped.

''Son. you've been shot.''Jonathan whispered. His voice broke as he finished his sentence. With one last attempt to make eye contact with his mom, Clark's body grew heavy. Before he knew it, his face was pressed down on the ground. His spine shivered as a cold breeze waved past him. He was unconscious before the pain stopped.

Clark's vision was heavy and foggy, it was hard for him to make out anything clearly. Even his own hand, which he held in front of his face a couple times, to see if he could adjust his vision. The entire thing was triggering memories from the time the kryptonite had damaged his eyes, that day in the jewelry shop. His back burned just as horribly, and he couldn't help himself but muster a small gasp of pain every time he tried to move. His mom was right at his side, watching as everything happened. She'd told him to stay on his side, as to not make his back worse by laying on it. His dad had helped him made his way back into the house, now he was stuck uncomfortably on the couch, a small blanket on top of him, and a pillow underneath his head. His body felt sore and with horrible pain, he still felt the kryptonite lurking, nearby. It had to be. His body was certainty yelling at him about it,. He felt weakened by every muscle he moved, so for the last hour he'd been stuck in the same position. On his side with both his arms supporting his head, like a pillow.

Martha, was right by the couch the entire time, doing everything she thought of, to help relive her son's pain, right now she just settled with wiping the sweat away from his face with a wet cloth, Jonathon was in the kitchen. Furious, as he paced back and forth, a small object in his fist, but the tip of it stuck out like a blade, so it was visible.

''Feeling any better?'' Martha asked as she took the cloth once again, washing it over Clark's forehead for the third time. Clark didn't respond. With his eyes closed, and his body still, Martha's eyes found her husbands just as fast as it took her to get over to him.

''He's dying.'' she said.

''I know, sweetheart.'' Jonathan replied. ''It has something to do with this dart, someone must've known what it'd do to him.''

''What is it?'' Martha asked as she reached for her, taking the small dart out of her husbands hands, holding it up towards the kitchen light so she could see the detail better, she waved over the front of the dart with her fingers.

''Why are there so many colors? There as to be at least five unique colors, this one, though, I recognize'' she said stopping her finger right in the middle, where the same shade of kryptonite green was.

''I think I have an idea what this is, its a kryptonite dart. Whoever made this has done their research. At some point or another, we've all seen and had to go through every meteor rock with Clark. Are you seeing what I'm saying, Jonathan. Someone put together this dart, filled it up with a piece from all the different colored meteor rocks, and waited to get Clark alone to strike. They must be in stages, Clark only seems to show signs of the green meteor? But what happens when the others kick in?'' Martha's face changed rather quickly as her thought process made the situation seem much more dangerous.

They didn't just have one meteor rock to worry about; they had five to worry about. And they were all now flowing freely through their son's body, probably doing god knows what, Martha hung her head in her palm, as she tried to focus her thoughts, the situation was just too much.

''What do we do? I don't know, how're we supposed to help him through this, I wouldn't know the first thing to do. Normally one this happens, its normal to let him sweat it out, but I can't imagine all five effecting him at once. How're we supposed to handle him then!'' Martha shouted worriedly. Her breathing returned to normal once she felt her husband's body close against hers. She pressed against him lightly, the two embracing one another, as both there eyes fell onto the couch, Clark's back side just in their views.

''Who could've had enough knowledge to put together this horrible plan.'' Martha whispered.

''My money goes to Lex Luthor, he must've had something to do with all this, who else has the money to fund a project like this?!'' Jonathan shouted, his voice growing deeper as he reached for the dart, holding it in his own hand, eyeing it closely. Each one of the five colors, shimmering under the light, which only enraged him more. Lex was the one responsible for this, he was responsible for everything that has ever happened to them and to Clark.

''We should destroy this, I can't bear to look at it anymore.'' Jonathan threw the dart to the ground without even a second thought, as ready as he was to bring his foot down onto the little object. He stared at his wife one last time. That pain in her eyes. It was awful. He felt so much heartbreak, and Clark...

He didn't have to see his face, to feel his pain. Just seeing him, laying there, helplessly in pain, with no one to help him, only hurt him more. As a father, he should've had all the answers, be able to protect him so matter what. Now Clark's fate was in the meteors hands. Depended on how deadly each one would be, if brought together, or staged one by one, each hour.

The one he feared most was red kryptonite and silver. He'd seen firsthand what happens to Clark when he's been exposed to both. Red, he's unpredictable, rabid and uncontrollable. And silver is close to that, he's awfully paranoid, sees thing that aren't there, and is just as uncontrollable. Jonathon wasn't sure which one he thought he'd have more trouble with.

''We should be there with him, when the stage chances.'' Martha advised, as she held onto her husband's hand the entire way back to the couch. Jonathan found himself in one chair, across from the couch, and Martha knelt down herself down, right next to the couch. She told herself she wouldn't leave for anything. With Clark's head right next to her arms, she felt herself trembling slightly. Worried for their only son, the Kents stayed for what felt like years.

The sun rose again that same morning. To Martha's surprise, had the thought occurred to her, she'd be forced to see the sun without her son. Without Clark. Holding her head up high, from where it once laid, she found her son's face. Clark's face hadn't changed. It was paler and loss of color, sweat forming around his brow, soaking his hair, and the slight whimpers of his ragged breath. Martha looked around slowly, turning to look behind her. She met the face of her husbands. Jonathan had fallen asleep in the same chair. His clothing from last night still on his body, and as his head hung loosely to one side, the sound of his own snoring entering the air, she smiled a slight smile. Try as she could to keep her tears from falling from her eyes, she turned back to Clark. Strolling her fingertips along his chest, moving up towards his bangs, being gental as she pushed them away, revealing his forehead. He was in such a horrible state; it broke her to have to witness it.

''You're going to be fine, Clark. I know you are, you've been through worse, you're so strong, Clark. You can get through this...with me and your father here, holding you up, how could you not?'' she whispered. ''You have to be okay, all right. You have too...I won't lose my only child. Not again...I know that wasn't your fault, and I don't blame you, but I need you. You may not realize this, but me and your father, need you, just as much as you need us.'' Reaching for one of his hands, lightly bringing it close towards her face, Martha felt better.

''Your mother used to tell you that, didn't she?'' Jonathon asked, his eyes opening for the first time since last night. He stared at his wife, waiting for a response.

''Parents need their children, just as much. My mother knew that she understood the relationship between a parent and a child. It's not just about the parent teaching the child to be independent, its also showing them compassion, and that they also share the want for that child.''

''You really think Clark needs us, as much as all that? He's grown up so much, Martha.'' Jonathan asked.

''He may not need us the same way, but no matter how old he gets, he'll always need us.'' Martha replied. ''The same applies to you, Jonathon.'' Turing herself around, so her eyes were meeting his, and a bright smile on her face. She said the words. ''I need you too.''

''I'll always need you, Martha, and Clark. I'm nothing without the both of you.'' Jonathon replied. ''Think I should start making breakfast? At least a pot of coffee?''

''That's be lovely.'' she said turning back around, so she was facing Clark again. ''The stage should've ended by now, the green meter rock shouldn't be effecting Clark anymore.''

''Are we even sure that is how it works? Stages? I'm not sure, I'm afraid they might build up to something much worse.'' Jonathon said worriedly, holding the coffeepot in one hand, and running his fingers under the scorching water. His tired eyes turned away from the direction of the living room.

''Do you think he's still in pain?'' Martha ran her fingers across one of Clark's arms, before running down his chest and stomach. Pressing down with her fingertip, she waited every second for a response. If Clark's muscles were weakened, surely there would be some soreness. She pressed down in another spot on his body and waited just the same. Not even a little movement from Clark. Maybe the pain had stopped? How she hoped it had. Running her fingers along his body one last time, something caught her eyes. Under her chest, something bright, something that resembled the same color as the green meter rock.

Martha took it upon herself to lift his shirt up. What she saw next horrified her. In the middle of Clark's stomach, was a large black bruise, plastered on top the forming black, were light green veins. Was this truly what was supposed to happen? Was this the darts true purpose? Create five black buries along Clark's body, and create veins, that matches each and everyone of them?

''Martha? What's wrong?'' Johnathon rushed over to her side, once he saw her face. And what he saw next, was just as shocking. The bruise, it was forming larger. Moving upwards, along Clark's body, it stopped right in the middle of his chest.

''What's happening?'' Jonathon asked worriedly, he placed one hand on the one large bruise, and almost on command, the veins turned a different color. Fading from that light green, to a deep dark red. Martha and Jonathan looked at each other, with worry. The second stage had started. Clark was being exposed to red kryptonite from the spreading liquid, flowing through his veins, that was the purpose of the dart.

The dart was mean't to cause him absolutely amounts of pain. The dart had been hand made, and was mean't for Clark only. Poisoning his body, and affecting his systems, until his body eventually burned its self out from the amount of stress, tension, and it the liquid kryptonite didn't do the trick inside his blood, the bruises along his body, would act as plan B. Weaken and act as the poison for the outside.

Jonathan sat awake throughout the night, keeping a close eye on Clark while Martha slept. She'd told him she was fine to stay, but he wouldn't allow her too. He had it covered. Keeping his eyes focused on Clark most of that night, gave him more of a chance to think. He wasn't sure what he was thinking about at first, stupid little thoughts, only, then grew more intense the less effort he had at controlling them. Memories of Clark as a child. Harmless enough had turned dark and horrifying. The what ifs came shorter after. What if he and Martha hadn't found Clark? What if someone else did, what could've happened to Smallville? To the world? Would Clark have gotten the same chance, had he ended up with another family? It was all so hard to think about, and as Jonathan sat uncomfortably in that chair, he finally had enough.

He knew the name of the person who'd done this to his son. He even had the stupid face to match. The desire to leave the house, and go have a brief chat with that person, was overwhelming him, he found it hard to sit still, he couldn't help himself from flinching. His son was dying, being put through horrible pain, and there wasn't anything anyone could've done. Nothing had been brought up about the dart in any research he'd been given, and the only person who could've gotten any further information, wasn't able to access anything further.

His coat felt warmer and warmer as it laid gently against his back, the room had been lit up with candles, before Martha had gone to bed, but now, were nothing but half melted, the wax was slowly dripping down the sides of the pit. Even though Jonathon didn't seem to be bothered enough to fix it.

With his eyes still focused on his son, and the sight of that enormous bruise forming around his entire body, to stare at, he wasn't sure how much longer he'd be able to just sit and watch. He wasn't a man to just sit and watch; he was a man of action. And he'd always tried to make sure Clark had both to look up to, while he grew up. And he had. Clark believed in action, just like his father, but he also knew better, and when it was appropriate to resort to action. Which wasn't unless someone needed help?

Jonathan's eyes lit up a little, as he focused a little harder on the sight of Clark. He'd been so busy daydreaming and allowing his thoughts to anger him, he hadn't even noticed when Clark shifted positions. It had to be the first time he'd moved since he had been shot in the barn by the dart. A little more shifting had finally been enough for Jonathon to get up from where he sat and move along to the front of the couch. Standing, he stared down at Clark. The blanket that had been placed on him, wasn't even covering him anymore, and as it laid motionless on the ground next to his feet, Jonathon thought about picking it up, but stopped rather quickly, when Clark's head turned to the other side, facing him. All he needed now was to see his son's eyes open.

Jonathon wasn't sure how long he stood there for, but the clock didn't matter to him, Clark mattered. And right now, he would not miss the first chance in a couple days, to see his son open his eyes.

''Clark? Wake up, son.'' he whispered.

Clark shifted again, and as he did, his arm slightly moved across his chest, Jonathon who remained in the same position, watched with grave enticement.

''What is this? Some kind of tattoo?''

''Clark? You're awake, how do you feel?!'' Jonathon knelt down next to the couch, staring Clark right in the eye. As he did, Clark just stared at him, confusion and a look Jonathon had seen plenty of times before. Smirking, Clark stood up from where he laid, and Jonathon shifted back to a standing position, getting himself back into a normal position, as he didn't need to slouch down any longer.

''Red meter rock? The second stage...''

''Red meter rock? Again? Man, you and Mom suck at keeping me away from this stuff.'' Clark chuckled, a wide smile appearing on his face, as he walked along the floor, away from the couch. Once he realized he was shirtless, Clark turned back to his dad, who was speechless and puzzled. His eyes weren't even looking in Clark's direction anymore. Something else had Jonathon's attention.

''What's wrong with you? You look like you've just seen a ghost.'' Clark teased. Waving his arms back and forth seemed to be enough to get Jonathon's attention back onto him.

''Clark?! You shouldn't be up and walking yet, you're still not well! Just look at yourself?!'' He shouted. Clark took a few looks at himself. He didn't even need a mirror to see the large black bruises forming along his chest and stomach. He thought about inspecting them a little further but decided against it. There was something bigger on his mind.

''Lex...''

''What?'' Jonathon asked, staring at his son with utter concern.

''Lex? I think its time I visit him, haven't seen him since the hospital...he should know who tried to kill him.'' Clark replied.

''Clark Kent, what happened was an accident! Just an accident! You weren't trying to hurt Lex, or anybody else. In all the years, your mother and I have raised you, wouldn't have done that on purpose.''

''How do you know for sure? You and Mom raised me to be good, follow by insistent, but you've both seen what I'm capable of? You've seen what Lex is capable of, how can you be so sure, I wasn't doing the right thing, by killing him?''

''We always trusted you to make the right choices, but killing Lex? You'd never consider doing such a thing! Now enough of this talk! Get back over here and sit down! I'm afraid there's more pain still to come, son.''

''I don't understand. What is all this?'' Clark asked as he ran his fingers along his body. Up and down the bruise he went, before he met his father's eyes, again.

''You've been exposed to red meter rock, your not acting like yourself, its better that you don't know what's happening.'' Jonathon replied, exhaling as he took a seat back in the chair he'd been in previously. Staring at Clark from across the room, he watched his eyes with his own. Closely. Then he noticed the red veins on Clark's upper chest seemed brighter. Martha had been right, the meter rocks were all taking turns. First, had been the green meter rock that affected Clark physically, now was the red meter rock. Jonathon knew better than to let Clark in on any of what he and Martha had learned. The mentioning of Lex had been far enough. Who could predict what would happen if Clark knew who was truly responsible for what was happening to him?

Right now there wasn't any way to stop him, the exposure of too much green meter rock was in-creditably dangerous, with the slight amount still circling around Clark's system, who could be sure how much more he could take, before it'd kill him? Right now Jonathon knew he'd just have to try talking to Clark, first.

Red krytonite always made him so unpredictable, Jonathon wasn't sure whether to be afraid of him or concerned. Either way, he could feel the effects of both.

''It's just like back in the corn filed, why am I not surprised?''

''What do you mean?'' Jonathon asked confused as Clark stared at him.

''That look, that fear in your eyes. You fear me, you think I can't see it?! It's just like the first time it affected me.'' Clark replied. ''You and Mom always were afraid to admit it, even when you claimed you had nothing but love for me? Remember that, dad? You said that.''

''It's still the truth, Clark. No matter what's come between us, our feelings toward you has never changed.'' Jonathon whispered. ''Now please, lay back down on the couch, your not well enough yet to be walking! That bruise will only get larger, as we get closer to the end.''

Clark for once did what he was told. He returned to the couch, sitting on one side of it. With the blanket and pillows from earlier now all on the floor beside him, picking the blanket up slowly, he laid it out along his body. Jonathon with a little of concern, towards Clark still returned to his spot in the chair, and as the sunset outside peered through the window, casting a rather small shade of sunset against his face, he waited for the time to be up, and the third meteor rock to take effect.

Jonathon's eyes lit up as he watched his wife come down the stairs, he was so overjoyed to see her; he rose from the chair without a second thought of hesitation. He didn't care who was around to see him, embracing her quickly, the two shared a warm hug, for the first time since all the commotion.

Martha was the first to break off the hug. Once she did, she faced her husband. Jonathon's eyes looked fresh to her that morning. They didn't seem to be filled with worry or concern anymore. She wondered, had something good finally happened? Jonathon lead her eyes with his finger, and once her eyes followed into the living room, to see a outlined figure sitting up, in the middle, she shared the same expression as Jonathon.

''He's awake?!'' She shouted, running into the living room, before Jonathon could even get the words out. Joining his wife's side, Jonathon stood slowly behind her, watching the entire thing silently.

''Clark?'' Martha whispered. As she got close, she couldn't keep her balance any longer. Kneeling down next to the couch, she saw him. As tried as he felt, Clark attempted to stare up at her, from having his head down, and his vision locked on a spot on the carpet, his hands held her body close towards him, as the two shared a well-deserved hug.

''I was so worried about you? You wouldn't wake up, you weren't waking up.'' Martha's sobs all came crashing into Clark. His face, now filled with heartbreak, couldn't muster any words. As much as he wanted too, he wasn't sure what to say. To say everything would be okay, was far from the truth. He, himself, wasn't even sure if things would be okay. From what he had been filled in on, there were two more stages remaining and once the stages were finished, the effects surely would go.

But what concerned Clark the most were the ones that were left. Silver kryptonite and Black kryptonite Both of which he had little to no knowledge about, he knew. His parents were going to have a harder time managing him when those two kicked in. The only thing he knew about the silver meter rock, was that it made him super paranoid, and cause him to see things that weren't there., As for the black meter rock, the only time he'd ever been exposed to it, was when his mom used it to separate him and that programmed version of Kal-EL. That was it, and besides the minor part he'd been able to witness when Lex and his evil side got separated.

''I'm here, Mom, I'm not going anywhere.'' Clark whispered as he slowly broke himself from the hug. Martha looked down at him, from where she stood, and as the concern and worry returned to her eyes, he couldn't help himself from feeling responsible. Everything that was happening wasn't just happening to him, but everyone around him. His parents had to go through this once, who would have thought to tell them they'd have to experience each one of them at a single time. If it wasn't hard enough managing the first time it had exposed him.

Without saying a word, Clark slowly slid the blanket from his lap, to the side of him, revealing his bare chest, Martha found the sight he wanted her to see. The bruise had moved again, from the middle of his chest, to the small bit climbing up to his left shoulder. The veins surrounding this one was blue, which matched that of blue kryptonite Even though the green and red meter rocks had taken their turns, and the stages were over, the bruise and the veins surrounding them still remained. The only difference was, was that they weren't as bright. The veins seemed to grow brighter the more time goes back, since its been in effect.

''You're not in any pain, are you?'' Martha asked. Clark shook his head slowly, as he reached for the blanket, this time placing it around his shoulders, as he met both pairs of his parents' eyes.

''Blue kryptonite makes me unaffected to green kryptonite, so for the first time in a while, I feel almost normal again.''

''I can't believe any of this is happening. While I was asleep, I almost thought it was all a dream. Then I saw you, and it reminded me. Who could've done such a thing like this, create something so dangerous! It's like it was mean't to kill.''

''That's because it was. I think I have a good idea who's behind this, I've been thinking a lot about this since its happened. Lex Luthor. He's the only one with the money and the company to back up a project such as this.'' Clark whispered.

''You really think so?'' Martha questioned as she got herself comfortable on the seat next to Clark.

''I was just thinking about that, Lex has a motive for wanting to have the dart created. After what happened at the hospital, and that time on the bridge...it wouldn't surprise me now, if he learned your secret, son.'' Jonathon chipped in.

''I should've been honest about everything, right when it happened! That time on the bridge should've been that time! If I had, none of this would be happening! I wouldn't have put you two through so much!''

''Clark, none of this is because of you! Lex could've taken what he found out, in better ways than this! Instead, he creates a poison dart, hoping after everything that it'd kill you!''

''Your dad's right, Lex could've chosen a different way to handle this. You aren't in control of other people's actions.'' Placing on a hand on Clark's shoulder, Clark slowly leaned in towards her, his head now on her shoulder, as he felt the surrounding warmth.

''The bright side of all this, is that there's only two more stages left, and this should all be cleared.''

''But the two remaining will not be easy, I don't know how you didn't have a harder time with the red meter rock. I've heard all the horrible things I do, when I've been around red kryptonite, I'm just glad I didn't hurt you.'' Clark's voice grew raw at this point. Even though he didn't feel the same amount of pain, his body felt like it was burning from the inside out. His arms were coursing with the five liquid kryptonites, and as his body fought hard to eliminate all of it from his system, like a parasite, he kept telling himself nothing would help him. The effects would only stop once each and every meter rock had accomplished its purpose.

And hopefully, in either way, it could drain out of his system. Whether that mean't he had to endure a few hours of puking his guts out, or the simple way. Just like the liquid had leaked out from his nose, that one time at his football practice. That time he drank the liquid the cheerleaders had placed in the water. That made everyone get crazy protective over their loved ones. For the coach it was Lana, for Chloe, it was him. The effects had only enhanced how she already felt towards him.

As Clark got deeper into his thoughts, a part of him shared a little of confusion. He had a basic idea of what was happening thanks to his parents filling in the blanks for him, but there was something else he couldn't quiet understand. The pain and sickness from the green meter still affected him, he could feel it, urging through his body, he felt disgusted and his muscles only cramped the more he thought of the pain.

And those hidden emotions, lurking deep down inside him, kept yelling to the surface. Urging him to let them out. Which was how he felt when the red krytonite had been anywhere near him? Both were still in their own way, effecting him. With how small they were, the dart's purpose wasn't to have them vanish afterwards, but stick with him, till all five had gone through his body.

''Clark? Are you all right? You haven't said anything for a while.'' Martha asked, her vibrant eyes placed on him, as she stroked the side of his head, little bits of his brunette hair falling in front of his eyes, as he leaned to one side.

''I'm just having trouble believing this is all because of Lex. Do you think it has something to do with jealously? Lex never hit me as the type to be jealous? Not unless it involved Lana, I noticed how he stared at her.''

''Why does it matter why he did it, we just know he did it, and something has to be done about it. I won't let you him a second chance, son!'' Jonathon barked. Clark let out a slight chuckle, to both Martha and Jonathon's surprise.

''What's so funny?'' she asked softly.

''Nothing, I-I remember you saying those exact words to me, when I went up against van, and got shot with a kryptonite bullet.''

''And still you didn't listen to me, no! You just went in blindly, like you always do, son.'' Jonathon breathed.

''I remember that day, one of my worst. Watching you in that state almost broke me, Clark. I kept thinking over and over again, as I watched you. Please, Clark, don't give up. And in a few hours, I knew you hadn't.'' Martha whispered, placing a hand around Clark's head, slightly holding him closer towards herself.

The sunset outside reflected through the windows again,, and for the first time in a while, Clark could stare out to see it. He'd seen nothing but darkness for the two days he'd been out cold, and the sunset was just as beautiful as those nights he'd spent watching it with Lana. How he wished he could have one more of those.

Times like that were precious, times like that, were ones he'd spend his entire life holding onto.

Clark was having trouble keeping himself still and comfortable throughout the entire night. With his Mom asleep next to him, and his dad, asleep across from him, in the same chair, hanging his head to one side, peaceful given everything that's happened, Clark felt his skin starting to burn as he felt a bit of stinging coming from the bruise. Along his shoulder, matched the veins of the blue meter rock, and the middle of his chest, held the red meter rock, as for the green, it had spread out all along the bottom half of his stomach, which caused horrible cramps. The feeling of hunger had only lasted a few seconds, before vanishing from the replacement of the cramps. He felt the stinging worsen as he lifted the blanket a little from his shoulders, making sure he could see his entire body. When his eyes finally saw what the problem was, he shifted himself into a more comfortable position, and try as he may, to stand up.

Defeated the first time, he collapsed back down to the couch. Lucky for him, none of the noise had woken up his parents. Just to be sure, his eyes fell upon his mom, who was still fast asleep on the couch next to him. The blanket that had been on him was now safely wrapped around her shoulders. And once he knew she was safe, and his dad, would not hear him, he walked along the floor, as slowly as he could, trying with no attempts to use his super-speed he rushed up the stairs, to his room, searching through his laundry basket for something he could just pick on to cover up the mess covering his body, he slipped on a new pair of pants, and undershirt, and slowly, buttoned up a blue-striped shirt to go over top everything. He wasn't worried about putting on any kind of belt; he was just focused on getting out of the house as quickly and quietly as he could.

He knew where he wanted to go, and how to get there, but he didn't know how to tell his parents, so sneaking out was the best option. He knew from the dimmer the blue veins on his body became, the sooner he'd change into the next stage of the process which was the silver meter rock. He knew the effects would only cause him to hallucinate and act crazy, so there was only so much time. Slipping into his brown boots, he tiptoed as quietly as he could towards the front door.

It opened without even a single ounce of noise, and to his surprise he was out of the house, and standing in the driveway. The red truck was staring directly at him as it stood parked front of him. He'd already had the keys buried in the pocket of his shirt, now all he had to do was get inside, causing no noise, and make it away from the farm. Even if his parents awoke, he'd be too far gone down the street to be followed.

If they arrived at different times, Clark knew he could find a way to get what he wanted, without having to worry about his parents. And what he wanted was the cure that went with the dart. There had to be one. Lex wouldn't have organized such a scheme such as a poisonous kryptonite dart, unless he knew the truth, and wanted something. Clark had a few ideas pop into his head, on his way down the road, further and further he got away from his home, and the entire time, only a little of regret and quilt from sneaking away from his parents, given his poor condition, made him think twice.

But that was never enough of a reason to get his foot off the pedal. He needed to speak with Lex. He was tired of watching his parents suffer, and worry about him, when there was something to be done about it. Lex was the one who organized the shooting, and he was also the one in charge of design, and in making sure the dart carried five of his greatest weakness.

...

His chest worsened as the burning grew horribly worse. The cramps he felt in his lower stomach, from the slight amount of green meter rock, only made things worse for him. The red meter veins remained the same amount of brightness throughout the entire time he'd been driving. The effects of all five meter rocks would affect him all at once as soon as silver and black had their separate turns. As that conclusion had been pointed out to him, with a less groggy mind, Clark felt himself starting to shiver.

His entire body was running on overload and weakening the more he tried to fight. No human or kryptonian's body was built to handle so much pain and trauma at once, and Clark's body was already at its highest level. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to survive the last two stages, without his body failing him. So much damage had already been done.

And without the yellow sun to heal him, Clark had no other options. A part of him had chief hopes for a cure from Lex. But the deepest part of him knew there wasn't one. In the past, when he'd been exposed, it'd always take time in order for things to return to normal. But he'd never been put into a situation that was so hopeless before, he'd run out of time, and patience to wait.

As he stared right at the gate, that lead to the Luthor Mansion he took in one deep breath, before pushing the truck into top speeds. To his surprise, it destroyed the gate. Nothing but sliding pieces, being dragged quickly along, as the tires of the truck came to a screeching halt.

Ambushed by many bright lights, belonging to flashlights, and a lot of security guards, he allowed himself to be pulled from the truck. Thrown down onto his knees by two heavy hands, pressing down against his shoulders, a pair of shiny black boots came into his view. Bringing himself to look up, he saw the unimpressed eyes of the person who he'd once called friend, staring down at him with disgust.

''Why am I not surprised?'' he heard Lex whisper, before he was dragged inside, his feet too weak to even stand, as they dragged loosely on the ground behind him.

Clark sat uncomfortably on a black sofa, the warmth of the fireplace waving past him, followed by a small gust of wind that blew in from a slight crack in one window. With his hands tied violently behind his back, and his pain growing worse the more the night grew thin, he was forced to make eye contact with Lex. Sitting across from him, with a drink in one hand, and that stained unimpressed glared on his face.

''Why am I not surprised to see you? I knew you'd show up here, eventually.'' Lex scolded. ''Just didn't expect it to be so soon. Shouldn't you be more, unwell? My guess from that look on your face, your hiding your pain.'' Lex let out a small chuckle, as he stared to rotate the liquid in his glass cup with his hand, gently moving the glass around quickly, the liquid spun around and around, till Clark felt his eyes become hazy.

''What are you getting out of all this, Lex? Have I never known you, at all. I would've never thought you were capable of this. Hurting your own friend for some selfish goal?!'' Clark shouted.

''Selfish goal? What do you think this is, Clark! I have nothing to gain by doing this! I didn't want to do this to you, believe me! You did this to yourself, when you chose to lie to me over and over again, about who you truly are.''

''What does that mean? I'm not hiding anything from you?! I have always been honest...''Clark's voice turned to a slight whisper, as he tried his best to keep it together. His body was burning, and his hands were growing more sore the more he struggled.

''Save your strength, Clark...you have little time left. You know? I never designed that dart to kill you, I thought you were stronger than a few meter rocks, guess I should've done some more research.'' Lex mocked from under his breath. ''I only wish you hadn't lied to me all those times. Maybe we'd be having an original conversation right about now.''

''Lex, please...tell me, there's a cure for whatever's happening to me. I won't make it to sunrise at this pace! Please! If you and I were ever friends, you won't just sit there and allow me to die.'' Clark pleaded. He hated how weak he sounded compared to Lex, but there wasn't anything else he could do. There wasn't any fixing himself on his own, and time wasn't on his side, this time. He'd be dead before the sun came up at the rate his body was failing.

''Tell me, Clark? What did your parents think when they found you, alone in that cornfield? I bet it surprised them at first, but after a little while, probably realized one day you could be useful to them? Right? Another pair of hands around that farm of there's? And who knows, if the money really was a problem, they had the next best thing...'' Lex slowly rose from his spot on the couch, carefully as to not drop any of his drink, but as he circled around the couch, Clark's eyes following him slowly, the drink still rotated in a circle.

''They'd never do that to me, they love me. I'm there son, remember?'' Clark whispered.

''Right! You are, but you're probably not the one they wanted. Since couldn't get pregnant, they had to settle for you. Who else was there?''

''Why are you doing this? Why do you expect me to suffer?!''

''I don't want you to suffer, Clark. I want you to feel as much pain as I did. Growing up with a father like Lionel Luthor, having to watch as my mother suffocated my baby brother, and then killed herself! I would've killed for what you have, Clark! I would've done anything I had too, to have caring parents and a suitable home, like you do.''

''You had that. Maybe not with Lionel, but with me. As your friend, my parents finally could see the good in you, I was finally starting to see the good in you...''

''We can't always be good like you, Clark. Some of us are just born evil.'' Lex cleared his throat before taking a seat back on the couch. With both his legs crossed over one another, he sat his drink down on the table in front of him. Watching for a second, as the liquid inside stopped rotating.

''Amused, Clark? Are you happy, you finally get to see the real me?'' Lex asked.

''I won't remember you like this, Lex. If I will die here, like this, I don't choose this to be the last of my memories of you. I will remember the man I met on the bridge, the man I rescued when his car went over the bridge. The one I called my friend. Not whoever you are.'' Clark hissed. As his eyes grew heavier, and the pain grew more intense, he found it harder to keep the pain off his face.

''Getting hard to hide it, isn't it? You don't have to hide it from me anymore, Clark. For once be honest.'' Flashing Lex a disgusted look, Clark shifted himself slightly. Leaning into the side of the couch, getting as close as he could to the inside, he used it to keep himself upright. His body had grown much too heavy to keep himself up anymore.

''You lasted a lot longer than I expected you would, I was sure you would've been here three days ago...to my surprise you show up now? Why? Of all the days, its not like your condition magically got better during those days, we didn't talk...so what is it, Clark?''

''The truth is...I couldn't face you...not when you'd seen so much...I didn't know what to say to you, Lex. Honestly, I guess I was just afraid.''

''Afraid? Afraid of what?''

''Afraid you'd betray me, and have me locked up in some lab, having scientists experiment on me.'' Clark replied a smug look on his face, desperately trying to hide how tired he was.

''Guess you didn't care enough to trust me then either? Back at the bridge, when I swore I crashed into you, and you denied it. I felt so stupid, I felt like I was crazy! Losing my mind, my brain playing tricks on me! But I wasn't stupid, was I?!''

Clark didn't reply, he simply kept his eyes locked on Lex. With no reply, Lex rose from the couch again, this time proceeding to leave his drink where it was, and leave the small area. Pacing back and forth, his arms folded behind him, he kept his mind and his thoughts cleared. As much as he fought the outbursts, and the urges he felt, every time he found Clark's tired, defeated eyes.

''I wasn't stupid! I wasn't crazy! Was I?!'' Lex shouted, this time much louder. His face was all tense and crunched up, and his eyes were wide with fury.

''No...'' Clark whispered sadly.

''What? I didn't quiet hear you.'' Lex responded, mocking Clark's struggles to speak, as he walked up to Clark. Leaning against the arm, right next to Clark's head. As exhausted as he was to move away, Clark didn't even bother to move himself from Lex.

''No, Lex...you weren't crazy or stupid. It was me, you crashed into on the bridge, and it was me who ripped the top of your car, in order to save you. Your mind wasn't playing tricks on you.''

''Wish you'd had the guts to admit that, in the hospital room. Would've saved you a couple days.'' Lex teased. ''Now its to late, you don't seem to have anymore time, till your system completely shuts down, and you're forced to leave.''

''Was it worth it?''

''What?'' Lex sneered.

''Was all this worth it? The trouble I mean? Would you do it again, if it mean't you'd be right in the end.'' Clark's head hung loosely now, and as he fought the urge to keep his eyes open, the battle was over. Allowing them to close, he slumped himself back, leaning to one side without fighting to himself straight.

''I mean't everything I said, Clark. I love you like a brother.'' Lex whispered under his breath. Reaching over the table for his cup, he took a seat back on the couch, across from him. His eyes laid upon Clark. His face was pale, and lifeless, and the bruises under his shirt had climbed up from his chest, to his neck, little bits of the edges starting to cover his left cheek, with the black substance, over top of it, was silver veins.

...

Seconds passed, then minutes, then a few more minutes. Lex who breathed in a deep breath, got himself up from the couch again, with a now empty glass in one hand, and nothing in the other, his eyes focused upon three black random books lined up together in the far corner of the room. That was where he kept all his secret, and private things. Locked tightly behind a safe. The only person who knew about it was Clark. Making sure his eyes found Clark's body one last time, Lex cracked open the shelf. There, the safe pass-code stared him right in the face.

With the sound of a ding and the door to the safe open, Lex reached his hands inside. Moving them around till he found what he was looking for. Keeping hold of what had been so valuable, it had to be locked away. He approached the couch. This time, as he got closer, he raised the object.

Touching his friend's shoulder lightly, Lex attempted to roll up one of Clark's sleeves. His eyes found the last remains of the dart which was the red veins that had moved up his skin, and the blue veins that were just climbing sightly up the bottom of his arm. Working its way up to the top of his shoulder.

Without even taking a chance for doubt, Lex jammed the object straight into Clark's skin. Waiting a whole few seconds before pulling it out, Lex stabbed the object into Clark's other arm. Repeating the process, the object was stabbed right into the arm of a lifeless, Clark. Once Lex saw that all the liquid had completely cleared out from the inside, he placed it down gently onto the table.

As the commotion roared and grew louder, the closer it got, Lex found himself prepared. He was ready to take on all the consequences. As his eyes softened, and he saw the faces of Mr. and Mrs. Kent in the doorway, Lex smiled.

''He will be fine.'' he whispered...