AN: So this was the chapter that started out as just a random thing I was writing and then I decided to put it in this story and then had to write the preceedings chapters to fit this chapter - which didn't go over well with my muse. Still, I got there and am now finally posting it. Hoping the rest of the story comes about easier. enjoy!

As the Kent pick-up drove away from Smallville medical, the sound of the tires moving over the pavement and the engine was the only sounds filling the cab of the vehicle for the first part of the trip. Finally, Martha broke the silence.

"I hope they find Lex soon," Martha commented, hoping that speaking the words out loud would give her hope. She wanted it for so many reasons, most of all for her stepdaughter who would be heartbroken if she lost Lex.

"So do I," Jonathan replied. Though his eyes were on the road ahead, he could feel his wife's eyes on him. He glanced over to see his wife looking at him in disbelief. "What! I do. I might not like the kid but nobody deserves what happened to him and Lana. Besides the fact that I hate to see Cecily in as much pain as she is."

"I'm sorry," Martha said feeling bad for doubting her husband. She knew he was a very caring man despite his strong convictions on many things. Jonathan might not like Lex, but he wasn't the type of person who would wish harm on anyone.

She felt the truck slowing down. She looked over at her husband to find him putting the truck in reverse and looking over his shoulder.

"Jonathan, what's going on?" Martha asked confused.

"I thought I saw something along the road back there," Jonathan told her backing the truck up slowly. He got to the point where he had thought he had seen the flash of light off of something and pulled the truck off to the side of the road.

"What did you see?" Martha asked as they both got out of the truck, Jonathan pulling a flashlight out from underneath his front seat.

"I thought I saw the headlights flash off of something around here. I'm not sure what it was," Jonathan told her, as he moved the beam of light from the flashlight across the ground looking for whatever had caused the glare.

Feeling confused but trusting her husband, Martha joined the search despite the darkness limiting the effectiveness of her help. She didn't see anything. She was about to suggest they just get back in the truck and head home when she saw Jonathan kneel down and pick something up.

"What did you find?" she asked, walking over to him.

"A cell phone," Jonathan said flipping it open. He took one look at the screen and Martha saw concern flash across his face. He headed for the truck handing the cell phone to Martha as he walked by.

"Jonathan what . . ." Martha stopped in mid-sentence as she saw the picture on the screen of the device. Cecily and Lex were smiling back at her with city lights twinkling behind them. She looked in her husband's direction to find him heading back toward her.

"Call the police," Jonathan told her, handing her his own cell phone, which he had retrieved from the truck. "Tell them we found Lex's phone and we need some people in this area to search. With any luck this is the area that those guys who had Lana dumped him. I'm going to start looking," Jonathan told her and then disappeared into the woods and down the embankment, his flashlight lighting the area in front of him.

Though the two guys who had been caught had admitted to having taken Lex too, they weren't giving information on what they had done with him. Given the Luthors' status, Jonathan doubted that they would have outright killed him, as that would have only fueled Lionel's need for revenge. The fact that they weren't talking also hinted at Lex having been alive when they had gotten rid of him, as if it was just a matter of recovering a body they probably wouldn't be withholding information. It was clear that they were protecting whoever had been calling the shots.

Finding Lex's cell phone near the road here was the only clue they had to the young billionaire's whereabouts. Jonathan could only hope that they weren't already too late.

"Lex," Jonathan called out moving the flashlight from side to side. He wasn't sure if Lex was in any condition to hear or respond to the call but it made Jonathan Kent feel a though he was doing more than just stumbling around the dark woods. "Lex can you hear me?" Jonathan called again and then listened for a reply. He didn't hear one. "Lex!" he called out again.

"Help me," a soft voice called out in the silence following the last call.

Jonathan couldn't tell what direction it had come from and he still didn't see anything. Perhaps hearing he reply was only wishful thinking on his part, given as faint as it had been. Still, he had nothing to lose by continuing to call out.

"Lex, is that you?" Jonathan said starting to grow more concerned. Lex had already been out here for hours. If he was hurt bad enough he might not have much time left.

"Help," the call came again. This time Jonathan could tell it came from his right. Jonathan headed quickly in that direction.

"Oh my God," Jonathan exclaimed when he saw him.

Lex was further down the embankment partly covered in rocks and dirt that had slid down the hill when he had fallen. The right side of his face was covered in a mixture of dirt and blood. The blood was coming from a wound above his right eye. His arms were behind him and Jonathan figured his hands were bound just like his ankles were. If it hadn't been for the fact that he had just heard his voice, Jonathan wouldn't have been sure if he was even alive.

"Martha I found him! Call for an ambulance, and bring the blanket from the truck and first aid kit down here," Jonathan called back up the embankment, before down the hill the rest of the way. He made sure to stay off to the side to avoid sending more debris down on top of Lex.

Reaching the level that Lex was at, Jonathan cut over to him and knelt down beside the injured young man, setting the flashlight down of the ground nearby.

"You're going to be okay," Jonathan told him, trying to reassure himself as well as Lex, even as he began to shrug out of his coat. The day of the meteor storm flashed into his mind. Shrugging out of his coat to cover up the injured nine year old Lex Luthor. Lionel standing there doing nothing except dwell on the fact that his son no longer had any hair. Disgusted with the elder Luthor, Jonathan had picked the boy up in his arms. Part of him wishing that he could shelter the young boy from the man who stood beside him. The same young man that he had such hate for now simply because of who his father was.

Like he had that day over twelve years ago, he laid his coat over Lex. The night was getting colder and Jonathan knew he had to try and keep Lex warm until the paramedics came.

"Lana?" Lex asked.

"They found her. She's at the hospital," Jonathan told him mildly surprised that Lex had asked about her first thing. He wasn't about to tell him that she had been unconscious at the time and as far as he knew had yet to regain consciousness. In his condition, Lex didn't need to know that much.

"Thank God," Lex replied relieved that Lana had been rescued.

Jonathan brushed some of the dirt and rocks off of Lex's legs. He took his pocket knife out of his pocket and cut the ropes binding Lex's ankles. Next he cut the ropes binding his wrists.

His wrists untied Lex tried to move his right arm, which was numb, out from underneath him. He couldn't keep himself from wincing in pain. His whole body hurt.

"Take it easy," Jonathan warned him not knowing just how bad Lex's injuries were. Still he helped Lex free his arm. "Now lie still until the paramedics get here," Jonathan told him softly.

"Oh, my God," Jonathan heard Martha exclaimed as she joined them. "The paramedics are on the way," she told Jonathan handing him the blanket. She knelt down beside him and started opening the first aid kit.

Jonathan unfolded the blanket and put it over top of Lex as Martha took out a bandage and used it to apply some pressure to the wound that was still bleeding. An involuntary groan escaped as she did so and Martha cringed. She knew Lex had to be hurting as it was. She hadn't wanted to cause him anymore pain.

"Martha, why don't you go back up and wait for the cops and the paramedics," Jonathan whispered to his wife. He could tell that seeing Lex the way he was, was bothering her. Martha nodded.

As she climbed back up the embankment, Jonathan put his hand on top of the bandage Martha had gotten out. He noticed Lex's eyes start to drift close.

"Hey, you've got to stay with me Lex," Jonathan told him willing the paramedics to show up soon. He still couldn't hear any sirens.

"I'm so tired and cold," Lex said his voice just barely above a whisper.

"Come on Lex, don't give up now," Jonathan told him.

"Why not," Lex said. "It isn't like too many people will miss me. Quite a few more would probably be happy about it."

Although he hadn't said it, Jonathan knew there was more to that statement. He knew Lex included him in the second group of people and Jonathan knew he had every right to. He hadn't exactly been the most open minded person when it came to Lex Luthor. He had even been pushing away his daughter because of how he felt about Lex.

Still, as Jonathan looked down at the younger man he didn't see what he normally saw. He didn't see just another Luthor. Instead he saw a scared, hurt and vulnerable young man. Someone who's first concern had been for someone else, who had from all indications been the been the main target of this abduction. It occurred to him that he was probably seeing more clearly the man that his daughter loved and whether he liked it or not, would soon be his son-in-law soon.

Jonathan also realized that Lex was giving up. The only thing that had been forcing him to hold on was probably the thought of Lana in the hands of the kidnappers. Lex was the only one who could have told them anything about the kidnappers. He had probably been holding on in the hopes of someone would find him and then he could help them find Lana but Lana was okay. She was no longer in the hands of the kidnappers. He had to give him another reason to hang on.

"Tell Cecily that I love her," Lex said his voice barely audible despite the quiet of the night.

"You can tell her yourself. I'm not letting you just give up Lex. You've got to hold on. For Cecily. For Clark," Jonathan told him. With his other hand Jonathan reached down and grabbed Lex's hand. He could finally hear the sirens approaching.

"It's so cold," Lex murmured, his eyes drifting shut again.

"Lex, stay with me," Jonathan said starting to choke up.

In his mind he heard Martha's words form just a few weeks ago.

"Don't do to them what my father did to us," Martha told him. "I've seen it in her eyes Jonathan. She looks at Lex the same way I look at you. You can go down there and voice your opinion. Tell Cecily that you refuse to let her marry Lex but in the end she's going to still do what she wants. I did."

Jonathan knew now how right she was. He was acting just like her father. He had always hated Martha's father for the way he had regarded him. Looking down on him just because he was a farmer. He had been doing the same thing to Lex. He had been looking down on Lex because Lex was rich. Because he was a Luthor. He was no better than Martha's father.

Martha and her father hardly ever talked. Though her father had relented and come to the wedding there was a still a rift between the two of them that hadn't quite healed. It was the same rift that was forming between him and his own daughter.

He had seen the same thing Martha had. Had seen how his daughter looked at Lex. How Lex had looked at her. They were in love. Jonathan had just been trying to deny that to himself. Pretend he didn't see it but he had been made aware of it once again last night when Cecily had called him worried about Lex. Losing him would crush her. Jonathan knew that because he would feel that way if anything ever happened to Martha.

Not to mention it would hurt Clark to. He may not like the friendship that had formed between Clark and Lex but he knew it was there. Not only that, Jonathan knew that if Lex were to die, Clark would blame himself for not being able to save him.

Jonathan didn't want to see history repeat itself. He wanted his family to be close not to push each other away. If he wanted that to happen he knew what he had to do.

He heard the emergency vehicles come to a stop on the road above. They were so close.

"Lex, open your eyes," Jonathan commanded.

Lex heard the words and in his mind he heard them echo but it wasn't Jonathan Kent saying them. It was his father. In the helicopter above Smallville, on the day of the meteor storm. His father's words then had been harsh. Scolding him for his fear.

The words didn't seem so harsh coming from Jonathan Kent. In fact, there was something pleading in them.

Like he did that day so many years ago, Lex forced his eyes open. Instead of the dizzying sight of the cornfield below him Lex found himself looking at the concerned face of Jonathan Kent.

"The paramedics are here," Jonathan told him. "Just hang on. I want another chance," he told him holding Lex's gaze. "Another chance to get to know my new son."

"I'll try," Lex told him squeezing the hand that held his not really believing what he had just heard. Maybe he was just imagining them but they were words he had wanted to hear for so long he really didn't care. To finally hear the word son without it being said with a tone of mixed disappointment, mocking and contempt.

Another memory crept into his head. His memories of the day of the meteor shower were sketchy. The doctors had told his parents it was the way the mind dealt with traumatic events. Suppressing them so that they didn't haunt the person. Still he had always had a vague recollection of the time following the meteor impact.

His father calling out his name. His father's presence hovering over him but not touching him. Another presence. Another voice. Unfamiliar. Being picked up but not by his father. Opening his eyes to see a little boy, a woman, and a man, none of whom he knew. The little boy reaching out to touch him before he fell back into unconsciousness. Suddenly he realized who they all were.

"It was you," Lex said and saw confusion creep into Jonathan Kent's face. "The day of the meteor storm. You were the one who helped me when my father was unwilling to. The one who saved me."

Before Jonathan could say anything the paramedics were at their side. They immediately started evaluating Lex's condition. Jonathan stayed at his side. Unwilling to leave him. He felt Lex grip his hand tighter like he was afraid of losing that connection. Jonathan squeezed the hand just a little tighter, giving Lex whatever reassurance that he could, while recalling those final words Lex had said to him and knowing that the connection that Lex had just made were going to change things once again.

"Clark?" Lana said as she opened her eyes and found her friend sitting there. She looked around trying to figure out where she was. It didn't take her long to realize she was in the hospital. "Is Lex okay?"

"I don't know," Clark told her, hating that he didn't have better news for her but knowing he couldn't lie to her. "They're still looking for him."

"This is all my fault."

"Don't say that Lana. Its no one's fault."

"Lex was there helping me close up. I was the one those guys were after, not him."

"Everything is going to work out," Clark told her reassuringly.

They heard the door open. Before Clark could turn around and look to see who it was he heard Nell's voice.

"Oh Lana, I'm so glad you're awake. I was so worried" Nell gushed as she leaned down to hug her niece close.

Clark stood up from his chair and headed for the door to let Lana and her aunt have some time alone.

Clark stepped out into the hallway and pulled the door softly shut behind him. He looked up ready to go to the waiting room for awhile when he saw his Dad walking down the hallway toward him. Clark could see worry on his face.

"I thought you and Mom went home?" Clark asked him as he walked toward his father.

"We were on our way but we never made it."

"Is Mom all right?" Clark asked quickly thinking they might have been in an accident.

"Your mother's fine," Jonathan told him as they turned and walked toward the waiting room. He put his arm around his son's shoulders. "We found Lex."

"Is he okay?" Clark found himself asking instead of waiting for his Dad to continue.

"He was conscious but that's all I can tell you for sure. The doctors are looking him over right now."

"Where's Mom?"

"I came here with the paramedics," Jonathan told him, "and your mother took the truck to go pick up Cecily to bring her here. They should be here shortly," he said as they entered the waiting room. They walked over to an empty corner and sat down.

"How's Lana?" Jonathan asked his son.

"She's awake. Nell's in with her now. I thought it best if I give the two of them some time alone."

Jonathan nodded in agreement.

"Clark I'm sorry," Jonathan said. Clark looked over at his father confused, trying to figure out exactly what he was talking about. "I've been acting like a jerk the last few weeks and you've been stuck in the middle. That wasn't fair to you and I'm sorry for that."

"I think the two you really need to be apologizing to is Lex and Cecily."

"I know," Jonathan said. He thought about what he had said to Lex. He had a feeling things were going to be okay between the two of them. "And I already have apologized to Lex. I just need to apologize to Cecily and your mother."

"So that means you'll be at the wedding Saturday?"

"Yeah, I'll be there," Jonathan said. "If there is a wedding," he added softly.

"Lex is a survivor Dad. He'll pull through this," Clark said with a conviction he wasn't sure he actually felt.

"You're right," Jonathan said letting his hand rest on his son's knee. Jonathan glanced up to see Cecily hurrying around the corner with Martha not far behind her.

Jonathan stood up and held his arms out to her as she rushed to him. She threw her arms around him and Jonathan held his daughter close. He had missed her the past few weeks and he knew he only had himself to blame for the distance that had crept between them.

"Have you heard anything yet?" Cecily asked him through her tears.

"No, nothing yet," Jonathan whispered letting his hand stroke her hair. "He's going to be okay though. Just wait and see," Jonathan told her trying to reassure her.

Jonathan held his daughter close to him, letting her cry. After a few minutes he led her over to a nearby couch and the two of them sat down. His arm still around her holding her close and her head resting on his shoulder. Martha sat down on the other side of Cecily and Clark took a seat in the chair next to her.

"Where's Lionel?" Clark asked directing the question toward his mother.

"In Metropolis. He says there is no way he can get down here and wants me to call him as soon as we know anything," Martha told him. Clark didn't miss the touch of disdain in her voice.

All they could do now was wait.

Jonathan wasn't sure how long they had been sitting there when he looked up to see a doctor walking toward them.

"How is he, Mitch?" Jonathan said recognizing the doctor as he went to high school with him.

Dr. Mitch Evans pulled a chair over so he was in front of the three Kents sitting on the couch.

"He's stable right now. He suffered a mild concussion, hypothermia, and multiple lacerations and bruises from the fall but no broken bones. As long as there are no complications from the head injury, I think he's going to be okay. I want to keep him here for the rest of the night and we'll see about sending him home tomorrow afternoon."

"Can I see him?" Cecily asked.

"Yes, in fact he's been asking for you," Dr. Evans told her. "I'd like for you to keep it to two at a time in the room though and try not to stay too long as he does need the rest. He's in room 105," he said his gaze drifting from Jonathan, to Martha, and finally to Clark as he said the words.

"Thank-you doctor," Martha said shaking his hand as he stood up to leave.

"Don't thank me. If the two of you hadn't found him when you did and hadn't acted as quickly as you did then the outcome could have been much different," Dr. Evans said as he turned and left the waiting room.

Cecily stood up and turned back to her father.

"Dad, will you come in with me?" she asked holding her hand out to him. She wasn't sure she wanted to go in there by herself and the one she wanted with her was her father.

"Sure," Jonathan said standing up and taking his daughter's hand.

Hand in hand, the two of them left the waiting room and head toward room 105.