This chapter was written by my beta; BlackKryptonite.

-1HUG

It was a cloudy day. Chloe, Clark and Lana had gone horseback riding. Clark and Lana rode with ease, while Chloe tried unsuccessfully to control her horse. Lana and Clark had gotten used to her complaints. As they neared the end of their journey, Clark looked over at Lana.

"So how's Whitney?" he asked.

"With his dad still in the hospital, Whitney's been taking extra shifts at the store," said Lana. "I think he secretly hopes his father will sell it so he doesn't get stuck with it when he graduates."

"I don't blame him. I don't see myself ever being a farmer."

"Then what do you see yourself doing?"

Clark thought for a moment, before smiling. "Something that involves wearing a suit and flying around." Lana looked at him strangely, then Chloe called out from behind them.

"I dropped my camera," she said.

"Why did you even bring that thing out here?" asked Clark .

"These woods are like the Bermuda Triangle. I would tell you all the reasons why, but my camera's out there somewhere with some valuable footage on it."

"I'll go get you your camera," Lana offered.

"Thank you," said Chloe.

She and Clark waited discussing why Chloe believed the woods were like the Bermuda Triangle. Suddenly, they both heard Lana scream.

"Lana," said Clark , climbing off his horse. "You stay with the horses."

Chloe nodded and took his horse's reins. Clark made sure she wasn't watching before zooming off. He found Lana on the ground looking terrified. There was a man holding her by the shoulders.

"Hey!" Clark shouted. "Get away from her!"

The man jumped up and disappeared into the trees. Clark helped Lana up then made sure she was okay. Then he looked down and saw Chloe's camera which was still recording.

After the incident in the woods, Clark showed his parents the tape. Clark remembered that the guy was Kyle Tippet and he lived by himself in the woods. He also remembered that Kyle wasn't the bad guy in this situation, just misunderstood. So Clark out to visit Kyle and his memories of Kyle were confirmed – he wasn't a threat at all and was just making sure Lana was alright. The next night, Clark went to the Talon to meet up with Lex but saw Lana.

"Lana," said Clark , walking over. "How are you feeling?"

"Better. Thanks," Lana said. "Nell said you were going to talk to the police."

"Actually, I went out and spoke to Kyle." Just then, Whitney walked over carrying two coffee mugs.

"You talked to that psycho?" he asked, sitting down beside Lana.

"Yeah," Clark answered, staring him straight in the eyes. "He said he was just trying to make sure Lana was okay."

"Do you believe him?" asked Lana, who was concerned.

"Yeah. I think I do."

"If I were there, I would've done something," said Whitney, glaring at Clark .

Clark just looked at him. They had a cold staring contest. Lana shifted uncomfortably and Clark stood.

"I better go," he said, walking over to Lex.

"That looked uncomfortable," Lex noted.

"Tell me about it," said Clark . "What did you need to talk to me about."

"There's a guy by the name of Bob Rickman who wants to buy the farm."

"You know my dad. He won't sell for anything."

"There's something about Rickman though…he somehow gets past people's defenses."

"Don't worry, Lex. It takes a lot to crack my dad and Rickman won't be able to."

"Let's hope not," said Lex.

A few days passed and still no sign of Bob Rickman. One night, when Clark was leaving the Talon he saw Kyle walking down the street by himself.

"Hey Kyle," he said. "What are you doing out here so late?"

"Filing a complaint with Rickman industries."

Clark was about to say something when Whitney interrupted. He seemed angry and pushed Kyle up against a wall.

"Don't you ever touch Lana Lang again," he warned through gritted teeth.

Then Whitney stalked off. Clark frowned, as Kyle brushed himself off.

"Are you alright?" Clark asked.

Kyle only nodded. Clark watched Whitney walk to his truck. Then a man dressed in a business suit approached Whitney. Clark looked at Kyle.

"You need a ride home?" Clark offered.

"If you don't mind," said Kyle. "I do need to run by the store, though."

"No problem."

Clark took Kyle to the store before dropping him off at his trailer in the woods. He headed home, but saw Whitney's empty truck. Something wasn't right. He remembered Whitney's threat back in town and quickly went back to Kyle's trailer. He got there just as Kyle was about to hit Whitney over the head with a bat. Clark zoomed in front of the bat shattering it to pieces. Then he pushed Kyle back against the trailer knocking him out. Clark called Jonathan who called the authorities. As Whitney and Clark stood by Jonathan's truck, Kyle was taken into custody.

"They're booking Kyle for assault," said Jonathan. "I want to know what you were doing out here."

"I saw him in town," Clark said. "He doesn't have a car, so I offered him a ride."

Jonathan nodded then looked over at Whitney who sighed.

"I also saw Kyle. He blew me off so I came out here to talk. I had a feeling he was going to attack Lana again. Next thing I know he's swinging a bat at me."

"Kyle said Whitney swung at him first," Clark said.

"That's crazy. Why would I do that?!" Whitney said defensively. "First he attacks Lana, then comes after me. You saw it with your own eyes! That freak tried to kill me!"

Jonathan calmed Whitney down and sent him on his way. Clark knew there was more to the story and it was up to him to remember.

The next day, Clark met Chloe and Pete at the Torch to do some digging behind Bob Rickman and anything they could find on Kyle. They were interrupted by an upset Lana who demanded a private conversation with Clark . After Pete and Chloe left, Lana tore into Clark .

"Whitney said that you accused him of attacking Kyle," she said.

"I didn't accuse him," said Clark , a little annoyed. "I just asked why he was there."

"He was just trying to talk to him," said Lana. She was clearly frustrated. "We both know that Whitney may be a little over zealous at times, but his heart was in the right place."

"I just don't think Kyle would do something like that."

"And you can tell this by knowing him for just two days?"

Clark nodded and Lana slowly shook her head.

" Clark , he's lived by himself in the woods for ten years."

"That makes him odd. Not dangerous."

"Whitney wouldn't attack anybody."

"He strung me up in a corn field."

Lana looked at Clark disbelievingly.

"So that's what this is really about?" she said. "You still haven't forgiven him?"

"Lana, I just…think there's something else going on here."

"There is. You're just looking for any excuse to knock Whitney. You know what he's going through with his dad. If you don't like him, just say it. Don't pretend to be his friend."

With that, she stormed out leaving Clark confused. He sat down at a desk and started brainstorming. Slowly, he began to remember. After his conversation with Lana, Bob Rickman had done something to get his father to sell the farm. Clark zoomed home. He got there just in time. Bob had fallen and was reaching out to Jonathan for a hand. A handshake. That was it. Clark took Bob's hand firmly in his and sent him on his merry way confused as ever.

Then Clark explained to a confused Jonathan and Martha about what was going on. He explained how Bob and Kyle were business partners before the meteor shower. It was the meteor shower that gave them both the power of persuasion through a mere handshake. Except Bob used his power for bad.

Clark was ready to help clear Kyle's name, but first needed to get Kyle out of jail. He got there just as Kyle was almost killed by an officer who was no doubt under the influence of Bob. Kyle's left shoulder was wounded, so Clark took him to the Luthor mansion. He left Kyle there for the night and went home to brainstorm some more. He was surprised to find Lana waiting for him.

"Lana," he acknowledged. "You're the last person I expected to find here…"

"I heard Kyle Tippet escaped and was a little freaked out."

"Don't worry. Kyle's not going after anybody."

Lana watched Clark carefully.

"How do you know?" she asked.

Clark ignored her question out of frustration.

"If you were so worried," he said. "Why did you walk all the way over here instead of just calling?"

"I don't know," said Lana, with an equal amount of fire. "I thought you might've changed your opinion."

"If you came over for an apology, you're out of luck."

That did it.

"I came here because I wanted to clear the air and preserve our friendship," said Lana.

"But now I don't know why I even bothered."

Lana left. Clark knew they had many moments like this. What he wasn't sure about, was how they made it through.

The next day, Clark pretended to act surprised when Chloe showed him and Lex an old article. It was about Kyle and Bob as best friends and business partners. It even explained their car accident during the meteor shower, which sparked Chloe's meteor infected freaks persona. Lex agreed to help clear Kyle's name and bring Bob down.

They went to the mansion and Kyle was gone. Chloe and Clark went to his trailer in the woods. They found him there. Chloe demanded a demonstration of the persuasive handshake, so Kyle took Chloe's hand and told her to express her feelings for Clark . She traced her hands up his chest and kissed him deeply. Then she was confused and shocked by what she had done. But she did get answers and Clark's memories were confirmed when Kyle explained the full story.

That night, Clark called Lex despite his gut feeling telling him not to. But he did anyway and told Lex that Kyle was ready to go public with Rickman. Just like Clark remembered, Lex met them at a gas station a few miles out of Smallville. There was a car shop down the road and Clark had a feeling he had been there before. Lex's Mercedes pulled up and Lex got out, looking a little different than usual.

"I called some friends at the planet and the inquisitor," he said. "Would you be willing to talk to them, Kyle?"

"Anything that can stop Rickman."

"Good," Lex smiled. "Get in the car. I've got to fill up if we're going all the way to Metropolis."

Clark watched Lex carefully. Something wasn't right. Clark slowly backed away.

" Clark , what are you doing?" Kyle asked. "This is my chance to bring Rickman down."

"Rickman got to Lex."

Lex smirked and pulled out a gun. Clark took Kyle and zoomed down the road to the car shop. Lex saw it all.

" Clark , you have some explaining to do," he called, as Bob pulled up.

"What the hell was that?!" Bob asked.

"They wouldn't get into the car."

He pat Lex on the back and looked down at the gun. Understanding, Lex cocked the gun then headed inside the car shop. Clark kept Kyle closeby. They heard Lex kicking things over. Finally, Clark stood and Lex started firing bullets. Kyle watched in awe as Clark skillfully dodged several then was hit by several more. But they landed on the floor completely flattened as though they had hit cement.

Then Clark zoomed over, pushing Lex back against some racks of motor oil knocking him out. He looked to where he left Kyle only to find him gone. Then he looked back at Lex and x rayed for broken bones. There was a gunshot from outside. Clark quickly ran outside and saw Kyle standing over Bob's body. A pool of blood was around his head and a gun was in his lifeless hand.

"I always was the better salesman," said Kyle, looking at Clark .

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. You?"

Clark only nodded and Kyle eyed him suspiciously.

"I saw you get shot, Clark ," said Kyle. "But don't worry. Your secret's safe with me.

You have a gift. Don't do what I did and hide in the woods. Make a difference in the world."

Clark nodded in response. Kyle was right in so many ways. He had abilities, some of which he had yet to achieve.

The next day, Rickman's mysterious suicide was plastered all over the news. Clark knew Kyle was creating a new life making a difference in the world. As he stared out the loft opening, he couldn't help but wonder…how much longer would he be here? How much longer until he was sent back to the future…if he ever was. He heard someone coming up the stairs and looked as Lex appeared.

"Lex," said Clark . "How are you feeling?"

"Alright, I guess," Lex said, walking over. "I still don't remember what happened. Are you sure I didn't hurt you?"

Clark shook his head and Lex nodded. He stared out the opening as the sun began to set.

"It's still strange to think that Bob and Kyle were best friends," said Clark . "Do you think we'll ever end up like that?"

Lex chuckled and looked over at Clark ."Trust me," Lex said. "Our friendship is going to be the stuff of legends."

Clark knew those words sealed their fate. He wondered what else was in store… The stairs creaked as someone walked up to the loft. Clark assumed it was one of his parents. He and Lex were both surprised when Lana appeared. Lex cleared his throat.

"I was just on my way out," he said, winking at Clark . He disappeared and Lana walked over.

"I didn't know if we were still talking," said Clark , without looking at her.

Lana looked over at him feeling hurt and guilty.

"Look…I'm still not completely sure about what happened that day in the woods," she said. "But I am sure that our friendship is worth more than one argument."

Clark looked over at her and nodded in agreement.

"And here I was thinking we were through," said Clark .

"I never wanted you to doubt our friendship and I'm sorry that I did."

"It's okay," Clark smiled.

As they stood there, looking at each other more memories were awakened. Everything about Lana…her smile…the ways she looked so beautiful. Her light honey scented skin. The way she felt in his arms and the way she tasted when they kissed. Moments of pure love. Clark wanted those moments back and this time wanted them to last a lifetime.

"You and I are going to be friends for a very long time," he said. "We may have our ups and downs, but that's just the way it is."

"Funny…I was thinking the exact same thing," Lana smiled, looking up at him.

Then they both stared out as the sun disappeared on the horizon and the night came alive.