Hereafter Part 1

Clark sighed. He remembered a time when field trips had been fun. Field trips to the Metropolis Zoo, Crater Lake, and the Metropolis Museum were apparently things of his academic past. Now, in high school, they toured fertilizer plants and the Luthor Corp headquarters. If Clark was honest, the information was interesting, but it was hard seeing people idolize Lionel Luthor.

Maybe if Clark wasn't a friend of Lex and didn't know how ruthless and heartless the man could be, it would be easy to admire someone who appeared to be self-made. Mr. Simms, the tour guide, seemed well versed in Lionel's biography. The tour was a combination of economics and Lionel's personal history on how he played the odds to amass his fortune. When Lionel walked across the group, Mr. Simms looked like he wanted to bow.

And when Lionel addressed Mr. Simms by name, he appeared ready to faint.

"Ah, advanced economics. Smallville High's best and brightest. Welcome to Luthor Corp." Lionel was all smiles and charm. "Now, you're all here to learn something about business. The most important element in anything to do with economic theory is the individual. Yes…you."

The CEO smiled and pointed a finger at Alicia. The girl didn't smile but held his gaze.

"Traditional rules, supply and demand, they're secondary, but to rise above those rules, to know when to break them, requires absolute personal commitment. I consider it a prerequisite for success."

Mr. Simms led the group into a round of applause for Lionel's speech.

"Thank you, Mr. Luthor for sharing those words of wisdom."

"I always have time to encourage brightening young minds." Mr. Luthor warmly shook Mr. Simms hand.

"Well, he is at work." Lex had quietly sidled up to Clark. His friend's appearance was going unnoticed as the students began to talk amongst themselves.

"How does it feel to be back?" Clark asked.

"Like things are finally getting back to normal." Lex replied. "How are you enjoying the field trip?"

Clark shrugged. "It's ok. I don't really think I'm cut out to be in the business sector."

"Just remember, rules of business often apply to other areas in life. If you'll excuse me, I must get across town for a meeting."

Clark waved 'bye' as his friend walked into a waiting elevator. His tour group was waiting for the next one. Next on the agenda was lunch, at the office's cafeteria, and then the bus ride home.

"Mr. Kent," Lionel said as he blocked Clark's path. "How does Lex seem to you?"

"He seems fine."

"No…erratic behaviors lately?" Lionel raised his eyebrows. "He hasn't mentioned any hallucinations? I'm worried about my son. He went through a traumatic ordeal. You'll keep an eye on him, won't you?"

"Sure."

"Thank you. Enjoy your lunch."

Clark moved around Lionel. The elevator with the main group had already gone down. On the way up, the tour group had split into two even groups. Now, hungry for food, almost everyone had squeezed into the first one. Only Clark and Alicia were alone to take the last elevator.

He sneaked a sideways glance at Alicia. He had seen her in the hallways and in class. Alicia was quiet, though she didn't appear to be shy. If Clark had to guess, she seemed to prefer solitude.

"Elevators," Clark began. She looked at him, her brow furrowed waiting for him to make his point. "Too much demand, not enough supply."

Alicia didn't laugh, but she gave a polite smile that lasted two seconds. Then returned her gaze to the doors.

"You don't understand!" The shout vibrated through the empty space.

Clark turned to see Jordan having some sort of argument with a security guard. "Lex Luthor is in danger! You have to do something NOW!"

Lex? Clark's ears perked up. More guards had shown up, circling Jordan. Clark began to search for Lex. Clark used his Xray vision to see through the building's walls. Lex was about to enter his private car. A security guard was stationed by the door, ready to open it for him. Two others formed a small blockade that made people walk around them on the sidewalk. Nothing seemed out of place. What could Jordan be talking about?

"He's got a gun!" Jordan was shouting now. "Look on the roof! Other buildings! Someplace high!"

Clark turned his eyesight to the building across from the Luthor Corp plaza. There, on the roof, Clark saw the skeletal frame of a man in a kneeling position. His eyes picked up the silhouette of a rifle.

And he seemed ready to fire.

Clark went into superspeed and raced down the stairs. He dodged through the people frozen in time like statues. Clark ran towards Lex, also frozen on the sidewalk.

And heading straight for his head was a bullet.

Clark knew it would do no good to snatch the bullet from midair. Whoever it was could come back and try again. It would be best if the security team found the bullet and use it as evidence to trace it to the attacker. If Lex's head was clear, the bullet was free to hit the sidewalk and not harm anyone.

Slowing down, Clark grabbed Lex by the shoulders and pulled him backwards, his body acting as a pillow for his friends' fall.

"Lex, get down!" Clark shouted as he entered real time.

The bullet hit the sidewalk, giving off a small cloud of dust, and Lex's security team went into action. Lex was pulled off Clark and rushed inside. Guns were pulled on Clark, and he was ordered to stay on the ground.

Not now! Ever since Phelan two years ago, Clark had tried to be extra careful when he used his powers in public places. Clark desperately wanted to race over to the building and intercept the masked man before he could get away. It would be child's play to break free of the guards' grasp, but there would be no way for him to explain how he did it.

"Mr. Kent?" Clark recognized the speaker as Darius, one of the guards from the mansion. "It's all right. Come inside. Quickly."

The sidewalk was empty of people; they had all scattered after watching the frenzy. Clark glanced over his shoulder to the roof.

The masked shooter had disappeared.

Opening theme song