Talisman Part 1

Recap:

Professor Willowbrook and his student, Jeremiah, have been called to the Kawatche caves by Lionel Luthor to review a recently discovered relic. Jeremiah is very vocal about not trusting Lionel and how that man is harming his people's culture. Lionel shows them the artifact, which Professor Willowbrook and Jeremiah both agree is Palak, but claim its nothing more than ancient cookware. Lionel is about to take it to his lab for further testing, but Jeremiah grabs it. In a blinding light, he gains powers and the stone turned into a dagger.

Opening Theme song…

At the Kent farm…

Clark Kent, alien from the planet Krypton, had never felt more human. He was walking side by side, hand in hand, with Alicia after school. It would have been easy for them to arrive at Clark's loft in a matter of seconds after school, but the two chose a spot to meet at instead to walk the rest of the way. This was what people did; they asked people out and went on dates. They talked about things without worrying about letting something slip that could bring them harm.

It was all so normal.

"I'm excited for our date."

"Yeah, me too." Clark smiled. He still had some feelings of sadness and regret with Lana, but Clark was enjoying his time with Alicia. And it was exciting to think he could have a real relationship with someone.

"What do you want to do? We could go to Paris, or someplace tropical with a beach. Oooh, I know! Let's go to Venice. We could do one of those gondola rides. It'll be so romantic." Alicia leaned in closer, giving Clark's arm a squeeze.

"Venice?" Clark was taken by surprise. "I thought you could only teleport to places you've been before?"

"That's what I thought, too. But then I got us to Jodi's house without being there, so I guess a current image is enough. I can't wait to experiment with this more. And I can start with our date. What?" Alicia noticed Clark's hesitation.

"It's just…" Clark tried to find the right words, "I guess I was thinking something more local. Dinner and a movie; like you first suggested."

"That was before I knew I could get us to Venice."

"Please?"

With Alicia's powers, it would be easy to travel to anyplace in the world for an hour or two, but this feeling of normalcy, was something Clark just wanted a little bit longer of.

"All right, we'll stay local."

"Thanks."

The two of them discussed their restaurant options as they climbed the loft stairs. Once at the top, Clark felt a presence behind him. In the shadows, was a familiar old face.

"Professor Willowbrook?"

"Those are a lot of stairs for an old man to climb."

"Alicia, this is Professor Willowbrook. He's the leader of the Kawatche people. Professor, this is Alicia."

"Nice to meet you." Alicia glanced between the two men, wondering their connection.

"Hello. Clark, I need to speak with you. It is urgent."

"Guess I'll catch up with you later." Alicia kissed Clark's cheek and made her way down the stairs.

"Professor, I'm sorry I haven't come by lately." Clark waited to talk until Alicia was out of sight. "It's just with school and…"

"No need for excuses, Naman."

Naman. The feeling of normalcy disappeared with that name. Alicia knew nothing of his Kryptonian heritage, and that was a side of him Clark was unsure he could ever share. Clark quickly scanned the barn with his Xray vision, but Alicia had truly left.

"Professor, I'm not Naman. It's just an old legend."

"Until last night, I believed that also."

Recap:

Professor Willowbrook explains to Clark the legend of Palak, the Star Blade. The dagger allows the holder the powers to protect the blade for the real Naman. Lex meets Lionel in the hospital. Lionel got away with only a few broken ribs; Lex inquires as to the newly revived interest in the caves, but Lionel brushes it off.

Clark goes to Central Kansas to speak with Jeremiah, but only finds a trashed office and Lex Luthor. They briefly discuss the legend, and Lex shows a symbol Jeremiah painted across the office blinds.

At the Torch Office…

Chloe huffed in frustration. Somehow, even with the newly regained time, there was still so much to do. She had a paper due, three tests to study for, and still no news from Bobby. Her ears picked up yelling from inside the office.

"I told you; I don't want to talk about it!" Pete slammed the phone down.

"Note to self," Chloe entered the room, "forward all telemarketing calls to Pete. Hey, didn't you wear that shirt yesterday?"

"Maybe." Pete shrugged. "I'm a guy."

"Hey, Chloe. Hey, Pete." Clark rushed in, out of breath. "Here are all my articles, but I can't stay for the meeting."

"Clark," Chloe whined. He was the one reporter Chloe could count on to actually do some reporting around the school.

"Look, Chloe, I'm sorry, but I have to do something. Can't you just email me what I should write on? Please?"

If Clark had asked that last year, the editor would have been hesitant to give him any slack. But, as promised, Clark had been putting effort into his Torch responsibilities this year.

"Okay," Chloe conceded.

"Knock, knock." Alicia walked in holding a tray of Styrofoam cups and a paper bag. "I brought treats for your meeting."

Alicia cleared off a corner of the desk to arrange the snacks. A dozen Talon chocolate chip cookies had been inside the paper bag. Chloe kept it to herself that Pete made no attempt to grab a cookie. Normally, he and Clark were the first to dig in.

"That's sweet. But, you didn't have to do that." Clark grabbed a cookie.

"It's what girlfriends do." Alicia stood on her tiptoes to give Clark a small kiss.

Girlfriend? Chloe watched Clark intently. She had a hard time believing Clark walked away from Lana Lang. Even now, Clark looked like he was trying to say something. Instead, he stayed silent and bit into the cookie.

"Hey, I gotta talk to you."

Clark pulled Alicia out of the room. Chloe took this as the perfect time to update the bulletin board that was right next to the door. It was the perfect place to discreetly eavesdrop on the private conversation.

"Alicia, about our date, I need to reschedule."

"Why?"

Clark coughed. "I can't tell you. But it's important and I need to take care of it right now."

"Is this about Lana?"

"No! It's not, I promise. I just…I really have to go. I am so sorry. We'll have our date later. I promise. I'm sorry. So sorry. Gotta go."

Chloe made her way back to her desk as a crestfallen Alicia walked back in. "Clark had to leave. If you don't mind, I'll stay and take notes for Clark. It's what girlfriends do."

"Girlfriend." Chloe repeated. "So, you two are official now?"

"Yes," Alicia spoke with a sound of pride and determination.

"And Clark's okay with that?" Pete asked.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Alicia snapped.

"I think we should have the meeting now."

Alicia remained silent as Chloe and Pete talked about upcoming events and who should cover what. Alicia left without so much as a word as Chloe packed up her bookbag.

"Hey, Chloe," Pete said, "do you mind if I lock up? I need to work on my paper."

"Sure. What are extracurriculars if you can't milk them for office supplies?" Chloe handed over the keys.

Pete remained in his sullen mood as Chloe left.

Clark and Alicia, Chloe mulled over in her mind. That girl did it. She got him away from Lana Lang. I wonder what her secret is.

Recap:

Clark and Professor Willowbrook confront Jeremiah at the slumbering place and ask him to give up the dagger. Clark shows off his powers but is unable to destroy the blade with his heat vision. Jeremiah claims Clark is a "false prophet" and runs off.