Chapter 4

"So you're sure it wasn't Clark Luthor?"

Lois took a long sip of her tea. After their run in with Commander Kal-El, Clark had super sped them straight to Watchtower. "Definitely not," she confirmed. "Chloe, Clark Luthor would've stayed and fought. This guy just dished out the blue-k and ran."

"Doesn't matter if he says he's Kal-El, Clark Luthor, or Elvis Presley." Oliver came out in his full Green Arrow gear, his quiver and crossbows full of kryptonite arrows. "This guy's going down," he said "Hard."

"It won't be easy," Clark warned. "We don't know what Kal-El is after," he wrapped his arm around Lois. "Only that it has something to do with you."

"I've tapped into every LexCorp and Queen Industries surveillance system," said Tess. She'd barely spoken since she'd arrived. She just made sure Lois was okay and went straight to the computers. "If he shows up anywhere, we'll find him."

"What I want to know is how he found you so fast?" asked Chloe.

Tess' response was barely a whisper. "I told him."

Clark shot up from his seat. "You what?"

Tess was ashamed. "I'm sorry Clark."

Clark's eyes were full of rage. "You're working with Kal-El?"

Lois rose form her seat. "Clark."

"I'm sorry," Tess repeated. "Clark, I never meant to put Lois in danger."

"You should've thought of that before you betrayed us."

"Smallville!" Lois snapped. "Calm down. Now you know that Tess wouldn't turn us, so let's just hear her out, okay?"

Tess' voice was shaky. "I didn't want to do it, but I had no choice."

One hour ago.

Tess sat alone at her breakfast table. Connor had just left for DC last night. He promised her he'd be back for Christmas in a couple of weeks.

"I expect this place to be decorated when I get back," he said "from head to toe." He'd been less than satisfied with Tess' single wreath. Not everyone was as into the holiday spirit like the Kents were. She had a decorator coming that afternoon. She finished her breakfast, and got ready for work. When she went downstairs, she was surprised by a familiar face.

"I must admit, I never thought I'd be back at the Luthor Mansion after all these years."

His back was to her as he looked out the stained glass window. "Clark, what are you doing here?" Tess asked.

His voice was full of nostalgia. "Clark," he repeated "no one's called me that in a long time."

Tess paled when she saw the mirror box in his hand. "Ultraman." She ran upstairs, heading for the kryptonite loaded gun in her bedroom. She stopped dead in her tracks when he super sped ahead of her into the hall.

"Tess, I am not Clark Luthor," he said sincerely.

"You're not Clark Kent either," she accused.

He winced. "I was, once."

"Is that supposed to reassure me?"

"I don't want you hurt you," he said "I need your help." His voice was sincere, almost pleading.

Tess scoffed. "Not a chance." She dove into her room. If she could just reach the bedside drawer. Her heart stopped when she saw him standing in front of her.

He offered his hand. "I'm not a monster Tess."

She crawled backwards toward the door. "Stay away from me."

Tess struggled as he brought her to her feet. "I wish I could make you understand," he said sadly as he let go of Tess' arm. "But time is of the essence." He reached into his coat and pulled out a pearly white ring. "It's made from a special kryptonite," he explained. "While other forms of kryptonite take something away from us: our powers, our health, our inhibitions, this one gives us something," he slid the ring onto his finger "The power to control the minds of others." Tess made a run for the door, only to find herself back in his grasp. She watched in horror as his baby blue eyes flashed a purplish indigo. "You're going to answer my questions Tess," he said firmly. "You're going to answer them fully and honestly. And when you've told me everything I need to know," he added. "You will not say a word of this to anyone."