Hereafter Part 2

"Once more. Take it from the top," the security guard demanded. His arms were crossed and his face in a permanent scowl. The guard was also wearing sunglasses inside Lex's office, making it impossible to know where he was looking.

Clark sighed. He and Jordan had been drilled with the same questions for the past two hours. Already the rest of the tour group had left after security protocols had been met. Lex assured Clark's teacher he would personally see to it Clark and Jordan were returned safely to Smallville. Calls to their parents had been made and then the interrogation began.

Lex's office was enormous; there was even a private conference room walled off. Jordan was being asked questions there and Clark's interrogation was in Lex's sitting area. Lex himself had been taken to a more secure location in the building, but he made sure meals had been brought up since Clark and Jordan had missed lunch.

"I came to Luthor Corp as part of a field trip. My classmate, Jordan, saw something that made him think Lex was in danger. He went to security; I went to Lex."

"How'd you know it was a shooter?"

"I didn't know. I just had to act."

"I think you'll find Mr. Kent has a six sense regarding danger." Lex breezed into his office. "It wouldn't be the first time. Thanks again."

Lex extended his hand in a handshake. Clark understood that because they were in Lex's office his friend was trying to be more professional.

"Anytime." Clark smiled and shook Lex's hand.

Jordan and the other security guard emerged from the other room. "And thank you, Mr. Cross. Very few people stay aware of their surroundings."

Lex also offered a handshake to Jordan, who accepted his hand without hesitation. The instant he took Lex's hand, his body gave a small shudder.

"Are you all right?"

"Fine. I'm fine. No problem." Jordan looked dazed.

"Darius, I trust you are convinced these two are free from any suspicion."

"Their stories check out, sir."

"If you follow Mr. Simms downstairs, I've arranged a ride for you back to your homes. I'm sure you'll find it more comfortable than a bus."

"Lex," Clark stepped forward. He wanted to ask more questions.

"Go home, Clark. We'll catch up later." As Clark and Jordan began to be escorted towards the private elevator, Lex addressed Darius again. "What have you learned from the security footage?"

Clark slowed his walking as he began to panic. He hadn't had the time to find and destroy the security cameras before he sped to Lex's rescue. The time stamps would show he went from the thirty-ninth floor to the sidewalk in seconds.

He had been taped using his powers.

"Security footage is missing, sir."

The private elevator doors closed on Lex's displeased face. Clark couldn't help but sigh in relief. It didn't solve his problem, but at least it bought him some time.

Jordan and Clark were escorted to a limo fitted with a plasma tv and packed with sodas and candy. Clark was too distracted by his new problem to enjoy the upgrades and Jordan looked wiped out.

"You ok?" Clark asked.

"Huh? Yeah." Jordan closed his eyes and leaned back in the seat. "Just…really tired all of a sudden."

"What did you see?"

"I don't know anymore," was all Jordan said before he fell asleep.

Clark crossed his arms. He didn't want to be trapped in this car, no matter how luxurious it was. If he could have gotten away, he would have sped home and been there within seconds. It was important to find out who had tried to kill Lex.

Whoever it was now had security footage of his powers.

Recap:

Lionel goes to Lex's office and is glad to see his son's all right. He uses this incident to tell Lex that he has to fill out paperwork for corporate life insurance.

Back at Smallville High the next day…

The first step in tracking down Lex's attempted killer was to talk with Jordan to hear about what he had seen. Luckily for him, Jordan was just as eager to talk, and they scheduled to meet in the library during lunch.

Clark had gotten there first. There weren't many people in the library during this time.

"How'd you do it?" Jordan said as he slid into the seat across the table. He placed a thin book on the table in front of him.

"Excuse me?"

"You saved Lex. How?"

"Well, you raised the alarm. That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Can you tell me what you saw that tipped you off? Maybe describe a suspicious character?"

Jordan leaned in; his face serious. "What I'm about to tell you might sound impossible, but it's true. Do you have an open mind?"

"Yeah."

"I saw Lex get shot."

"But…Lex wasn't shot."

"I know! This has never happened before," Jordan was back to being excited.

"Ok, backup. What do you mean you saw Lex get shot?"

"Whenever I touch someone, I see how they die."

"What?"

"I see how people die if they touch me. I can't control it. It's like a curtain lifts and I can see that moment in their future. Over time, I've gotten a sense of when it would happen. Most of the time, it's unavoidable stuff. You know, people old and lying in their beds or on the floor. In the hospital. But there's sometimes when someone only has a few days before they get attacked or overdose. This one guy went bungee jumping after polishing off a bottle of something. Pills or alcohol, I'm not sure. I've tried everything. I've tried warning them; calling cops. Having ambulances show up. Nothing changed; every one of them died. Until you."

Clark began to squirm under Jordan's gaze. Jordan was looking at him with a look that could only be described as admiration. "Jordan, I don't know what you think I did, but…"

"Can you do it again?"

"Huh?"

"Can you do it again?" Jordan opened the book and pushed it forward. It was the Smallville High yearbook, and Jordan was tapping his finger against a girl's photo: Megan Calder, captain of the swim team.

"She's going to die during the swim meet this Saturday. Clark, you need to save her."