print this pageVORTEX
Airdate: September 24, 2002
Written by: Philip Levens, story by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar
Directed by: Greg Beeman
Transcript by: Xeri, reprinted with permission from The Smallville Torch.
TEASER
Inside the tornado: Debris is swirling around and around, Clark's space ship included, there's a electromagnetic surge which knocks the additional piece found by Lex and added by Nixon in the shelter free from it's place on the ship. Whitney's truck suddenly comes into view with Lana inside, She clinging onto the interior chair for dear life. The door behind her position is suddenly ripped off and Clark moves into view as he tries to get to her.
Clark (shouting over the noise): Lana, Lana!
Lana continues to cling onto the chair looking extremely scared, it doesn't appear the she hears him. He continues to struggle his way into the car, calling her name continuously, eventually she looks at him briefly as he gets into the car and covers her body with his. The outer shell of the car starts ripping away and Lana's screams are drowned out by the noise of the tornado as Clark just keeps her covered with his own body.
Cut to the Luthor mansion where Lionel is still trapped underneath the fallen debris, Lex is looking down at him carefully. Lionel looks up at Lex whose gaze shifts from the piece of debris that could kill him to where his father is looking at him imploringly.
Lionel: Lex, I'm your father!
He holds out his hand to Lex for help.
Lionel: Son!
Lex contines to look at him a while longer before finally moving towards him and trying to lift the piece of debris pinning his father on the ground. The howling wind rages around them from the open window as debris from the study rushes around. Suddenly the debris plus some more from the ceiling falls and Lex moves to try and avoid it before pushing it off him and shouting at his Dad who is lying unmoving now.
Lex: Dad! Dad! Noooooo!
Cut to the woodland area where Nixon is running for his life followed closely by Jonathan who is not willing to let the man get away. Nixon comes across a part of the woods and falls, he removes the film tape from his camcorder whilst struggling to his feet before running off again, Jonathan reaches the area he just left and stops to catch his breath
Jonathan: Nixon!
Jonathan catches up with Nixon and dives at him, knocking him too the ground, they're in the graveyard now. Quickly recovering Nixon returns the attack on Jonathan knocking him back before Jonathan returns with a hard punch of his own sending Nixon to the ground.
Jonathan: Give me that camera!
Nixon: Get the hell away from me!
Nixon throws the camera away from him and Jonathan goes after it before Nixon starts running off again knowing full well that he has the tape hidden in his jacket. As Jonathan approaches the camera a noise from above catches his attention and he looks to see what appears to be a large piece of support structure. He rushes at Nixon trying to knock him clear and as the debris lands it's actually a small shack our large trailer type building. There's an opening with steps going down and Nixon is knocked down them as dust clouds over him.
Cut to Lana lying unconscious on the ground, the tornado appears to have passed and deposited her there. Clark is by her side smoothing her disarrayed hair from her face as he calls to awaken her.
Clark: Lana, Lana!
He sits up slightly to observe the damage around him, the dissipating tornado is seen in moving away in the back ground as the damage left by its wake is apparent.
ACT ONE
Cut too the hospital where the ER ward is filled from rooms into the corridors from injured people.
OS: Clark: I need help!
He walks into view carrying Lana in his arms. She's still unconscious.
Clark: I need a doctor here!
He places Lana down on a trolley that has recently become available and looks around for someone that can help them, as his expression becomes deadly serious it's clear that he's found it.
Clark: I need help! Now!
A female doctor approaches and is stopped by Clark's pleading voice.
Doctor: What have we got?
She starts to check Lana over, shining a torch to check the dilation of her pupils and for other responses to stimulate.
Doctor: Pupils are responsive, respiration is ok, pulse is fine... She's going to be all right.
Clark looks relieved and Lana whose now awake looks over at him and the doctor.
Doctor: Can you tell me your name?
Lana doesn't respond, clearly shocked and confused, the doctor looks up about to talk with Clark but he's gone.
Cut to Clark speeding through fields of debris and down into the storm cellar on his family's farm, where he comes to a stop.
Clark: Mom! Dad!
He looks around and notices a pair of legs nearby, it's Martha lying on the floor and Clark rushes towards her.
Clark: Momma? Mom!
Martha gasps as Clark grabs her as she looks at her son.
Clark: Mom, you ok?
Martha: Clark, Clark... we have to find your father he was outside when the tornado hit
Clark: I'm going to get you to an hospital.
Martha: No! No no Clark listen to me. That reporter was in the cellar
Clark: Nixon?
Martha nods as she tries to catch her breath and talk all at the same time.
Martha: He videotaped the ship, he's going to expose your secret. Your father chased him out into the storm.
Clark: I've got to find him.
Clark lets her go and moves to leave before suddenly looking behind him and stopping.
Clark: Mom, where's the ship?
Martha looks towards the back of the cellar as Clark is and her mouth opens in horror at the sight of the empty space that is now there.
Cut to Lionel Luthor on a medical table, his head and neck totally supported as tubes and wire are attached to his body.
OS: Doctor: The swelling in his vertebra resulted in partial lose of nerve control in his legs. His spleen is ruptured and he's sustained severe trauma to his optic nerves.
Lex: I want him medi-vacced to Metropolis General immediately I want a team of specialists--
Doctor: Your father is still in critical condition, moving him is not an option.
Lex: This isn't just any patient.
Doctor: I know who Lionel Luthor is, but I can not give him any special treatment we're overwhelmed as it is.
Lex: That's not what I meant. He's my father. Do everything that you can for him.
The Doctor gives him a small smile before leaving, a noise in the background causes Lex to look at his father and realise that he's coming around.
Lionel: Lex, Lex...
Lex moves to his father's side.
Lex: Hey, Dad, I'm here. Don't worry, I'll personally fly in specialists to supervise your case.
Lionel: I saw it in your eyes, son, what you were thinking. Life would be so easy if I was out of your way.
Lex: Dad, I'm sorry.
Lionel seems to fall unconscious again and Lex looks forlornly upon him.
Cut to Clark Standing out in the open.
Clark: Dad! Dad!
He runs towards some debris in hopeful search
Clark: Dad!
Martha runs up behind Clark.
Martha: He hasn't been up too the house.
Clark: Did you call the Sheriff and the hospital?
Martha: The phones are down.
Clark: Dad grew up in tornado country, he'd never get caught out in the open. First thing he'd do is take shelter.
Martha: I don't know if he was thinking straight, Clark. I've never seen him that angry. He said that he wasn't going to let Nixon destroy our family.
Clark: Do you think he'd--
Martha: No, he would never do that.
Clark looks at her and around him with an uncertainty expressed across his face.
Cut to the underground part where Jonathan and Nixon ended up, Nixon is trapped under some debris as Jonathan gets to his feet and looks at him. He grabs a piece of metal before walking towards the reporter who panics.
Nixon: Ahh! No! I won't say anything about your son, I swear to God.
Jonathan continues to approach.
Nixon: Please no, God!
Jonathan looks down on him with pity.
Nixon: Please don't kill me!
Jonathan strikes down with the make shift weapon but it isn't to kill or harm Nixon, instead it's to move the fallen debris from pinning him down Nixon quickly moves away.
Nixon: Oh God, I thought that you were going to kill me.
Jonathan: Yeah, you would think that.
He throws the piece of metal away before looking around at his surroundings.
Cut to the hospital where Chloe is walking down one of the corridors looking around frantically, she's no longer in her prom dress as she spots somebody and moves to a room nearby.
Chloe: Hey, Dorothy, you're back from Mars?
Lana: Chloe.
Chloe: Wait, shouldn't you be in bed for like a month?
Lana: Um. I'm ok. Doctors says that it's just a mild concussion. A lot people need this bed more than I do.
Chloe: Well, I'm just glad that you're okay. What happened?
They both start walking out of the room and into and down the corridor.
Lana: Well, ah... I, uh, I was driving back after picking Whitney up when the wind picked up, then a mail box slammed up against my windshield and I went off the road. That's when I saw the twisters, before I knew it I was being sucked up.
Chloe: God, and you walked away with a small bump on your head. That's amazing by even Smallville standards.
Lana: No, it's impossible.
Chloe: What?
Lana: Nothing. I don't know, next thing I know I was waking up here
Chloe: So you clicked your heels and said there's no place like home, and ended up in Smallville medical centre?
Lana: Apparently Clark brought me in.
The two girls have stopped now and turned to regard each other.
Chloe: Clark?
Lana: Yeah, umm... Have you seen him?
Chloe: No, I mean not since he vanished from the dance, and I spend like three hours looking for him.
Lana: I guess the spring formal was kind of a bust, huh?
Chloe: Yeah, well at least now I know where he disappeared too.
Lana: If it's any consolation, you guys looked great together.
Chloe: It's not, but thanks.
They study each other as the words are said, different emotions clear on both of their faces.
Cut to the Kent farm where Clark is in the loft routing through debris furiously, a noise from behind him interrupts and he looks up.
Clark: Dad?
Clark looks up to see Lex walking into the loft.
Lex: Clark. I ran into your mother at the hospital, and she told me about you Dad.
Clark: I've check every inch of this place. I've gotta head for the woods.
Clark looks for something amongst the tools.
Lex: Clark, my father was injured in the twister. He's in pretty bad shape.
Clark gets the flashlight that he's been looking for.
Clark: Oh, Lex I'm sorry, is there anything that I can do?
Lex: Ah no. It's in the Doctor's hands now. During the storm my father was trapped under the column. If I hadn't pulled him out he would have died. Before I did, I hesitated. I was thinking that maybe I'd be better off if I just left him to die.
Clark looks at Lex, unsure of what to say at first.
Clark: You saved him. That's the important part.
Lex: No. My father won't see it that way, forgiveness is not in his emotional lexicon. If anything, he'll probably see my saving as a sign of weakness.
Clark: What are you going to do?
Lex: Help my friend find his Dad. You got another flashlight?
Clark looks down at the one he's holding as Lex's attention is back on him, Clark smiles.
Cut to the woods where both Clark and Lex are busy searching.
Clark: Dad!
Lex: Mr Kent!
They walk some more searching in the dark with their torches.
Lex: Mr Kent!
He looks around for a glimpse, something.
Clark: Dad!
As Lex is stood still scanning the area, a drop of what looks like blood suddenly falls on his head. He lifts the torch upwards along with his gaze to see a damaged car stuck above in one of the trees. Clark moves to join in what Lex is looking at.
Clark: Do you know whose car this is?
Lex: No, but I think we'd cover more ground if we'd split up.
Clark: Yeah, I'll meet you back here in half an hour.
With that Clark walks away and Lex watches him go before shining his torch back up at the wrecked car and then walking away.
Cut to Jonathan holding a three candle stick in his hand as he knocks his fits against a wall nearby underground before sighing slightly defeated.
Jonathan: Great.
He moves away from it as noises filter into the background, he moves to see Nixon trying to dig his way out by removing debris nearby.
Jonathan: What are you doing?
Nixon: Looking for my cell phone, it's our only hope.
He moves away from the mound of debris looking in another area for what he wants.
Nixon: Thee greatest story in history and I'm not going to get a chance to write it.
Jonathan: Clark is not a story, he's my son and I'm not going to let you sabotage his life whilst you make yourself famous.
Nixon: Is that why you chased me? What were you planning on doing Kent? Were you going to blungeon me and trash me--
Jonathan talks over him: You were on my property and you tried to kill my son in that truck.
Nixon: You have thee most amazing being on Earth doing chores on your farm...
Jonathan walks away from the group of other candles that he's lit as Nixon looks after him.
Nixon: Why are you hiding him? Tell the world, let them see for themselves.
Jonathan: I think that I should leave that up to him for when he's older.
Nixon: And when do you suppose that'll be? Draft age? Drinking age?
Jonathan: When he's ready.
Nixon: Why don't you stop playing the protector and admit the truth? You and your wife kept him because you couldn't have children of your own.
Jonathan: We kept him because he is our son and we love him.
Nixon looks from behind Jonathan before he starts to laugh.
Nixon: He's not your son, you deluded hick. He's not even human.
Jonathan tries to reel in his temper before suddenly turning around an grabbing Nixon before punching him too the ground.
Nixon: You can kill me if you want for saying this, but you know I'm right. You're just a small man whose son's destiny is to big for you to comprehend.
Nixon has backed away from the oncoming Jonathan to the set of stairs before stopping and then grunting as Jonathan lifts him onto his feet by his clothes.
Nixon: Clark doesn't belong to you. He belongs to the world
Before Jonathan can say anything a cell phone rings out and Nixon moves from Jonathan's grip to answer it as he picks it off from the floor nearby.
Nixon: Hello? Lex?
Cut to above ground where Lex is in the woods on his cell phone.
Lex: Nixon?
Nixon: I, I , I, I, I--
Lex: Nixon, where are you?
Jonathan grabs the phone before hurtling it across the room and into a wall.
Nixon: You stupid son of a bitch. I thought that you wanted to get the hell out of here.
Jonathan: I did wanna get out of here until I realised that you were in bed with Lex Luthor and I'd rather rot down here then watch the two of you destroy my son's life.
With that Jonathan walks away from Clark and Nixon does nothing but look after him before looking around himself once more.
Cut to outside as Lex is walking along.
Lex: Nixon? Are you still there?
He spots a torch light and turns to see Clark coming towards him.
Lex: Clark, I was just trying to call the fire department to see if we could get a rescue team out here.
Clark moves forward to take the phone from his hand.
Clark: No you weren't. I heard you trying to talk to Roger Nixon. My mom said that he was snooping around the farm today. That's who my father was with when the tornado hit.
He's busy trying to use the phone to get a signal or check if the call is still working.
Lex: Clark, I didn't know Nixon was involved with this.
Clark: Why should I believe you? You already lied about knowing him once.
Clark shines the torch in Lex's face and he looks away without answering.
Clark: That's the second time that you've hesitated today, Lex. I'm starting to wonder if what my Dad said about you is true.
With that Clark turns to walk away from him.
Lex: Clark, wait. You're tired and upset.
Clark: Don't try to turn this around on me! Are you really here to find my Dad or Nixon?
Lex: You even have to ask?
Clark: I don't have time for this. I gotta find my Dad.
With that he turns and rushes away.
Lex: Clark!
Clark doesn't stop as he goes off in search for his father and Lex can only but watch.
Clark's voice in background: Dad!
Cut to the Talon the following day where 'Tornado Relief Center' is written on the marquee outside. Inside someone is pinning pictures on a notice board, it's Martha. The board is obviously for people missing. She turns to face Clark.
Martha: I'm going to talk with the Red Cross people see if they have any new information about your father.
Clark nods and looks at the picture board as his mother walks away from him.
Lana appears in the background and looks over at him where she's sorting some stuff out.
Lana: Clark...
He turns as she moves around to stand with him.
Lana: Any Luck?
Clark: We looked all night. The search and rescue team called in at the farm this morning, but they didn't find anything either. I don't know what to do, he's been missing for over twelve hours--
Lana suddenly takes a hold of his shoulder and turns him back to face her.
Lana: You'll find him, Clark I know it.
Clark tries to force an agreeing smile on his face but doesn't quite manage it.
Clark: Thanks. I thought that you'd be home recuperating.
Lana: I wanted to help. A lot of people helped me out after the meteor shower. It meant a lot.
Clark: I'm just glad you're okay.
Lana: Um, so how did you find me?
Clark: I was lucky I guess. You were in a field next too the road, you must have been thrown free from the truck.
Lana: Is that really what happened?
Clark: Yeah, why?
Lana: I just keep seeing something that doesn't make any sense. The truck was caught up in the tornado and you... you just...
Clark looks at her waiting to see if she knows what she shouldn't when Martha calls to him from nearby.
Martha: Clark... no new word.
She walks into view as Lana looks uncomfortable.
Lana: I'd better get back to work. You'll find him.
She touches Martha's arm before walking away, Martha moves to stand opposite Clark as he watches Lana walk away.
Martha: I'm going to stay and work the phone banks, if anybody's seen or found him they'll call in. They just discovered an old couple trapped in their garage this morning, so there's still hope.
Clark: Dad's missing because of me and I brought this upon us.
Martha: You can't blame yourself. You can't change who you are. As long as you live, people will try to exploit you. Your father and I have tried to shelter you as much as possible, but one day we won't be there for you and you're going to have to carry the burden of your gifts on your own.
Clark: Mom. Son't say that mom.
Martha: And when your day comes, I have no doubt in my heart that you'll make us proud. Now go back out there.
Clark watches her walk away before letting out a small sigh.
Cut to the area above ground where the shack fell before cutting to beneath the surface where Nixon is pacing.
Jonathan: These old foundations... they mixed lead in for stability.
Nixon: What you're afraid that we're going to die of lead poisoning?
Jonathan: Clark can't see through lead.
Nixon suddenly looks at Jonathan who is leaning again a nearby wall.
Nixon: He can see through solid objects? Unbelievable, what else can he do? Do you have any idea what I could do with his abilities? The wealth the power he could amass it's unimaginable.
Jonathan: You are exactly the reason I keep his abilities a secret.
Nixon: If it wasn't me it would have been someone else. It was just a matter of time before the story got out.
Jonathan: Yeah.
Nixon: The people have a right to know.
Jonathan: Without any regard to the consequences to my son.
Nixon: Mr Kent, since the beginning of time people have been looking up at the stars and wondering what's out there? Clark is the answer that they have been waiting for.
Jonathan: I think I know a way out of here.
Nixon: Are you going to tell me what that is?
Jonathan: You give me the tape of the ship and I will.
Nixon: That's not going to happen.
Jonathan: It's your life or your story, you've gotta decided which is more important to you. I have.
They stand looking at each other back and forth as Nixon tries to make a choice and Jonathan waits for it. Eventually Nixon makes a smirks before reaching into his jacket to pull out the tape before throwing it over to Jonathan who destroys it.
Nixon: Are you going to share your plan with me?
Jonathan gently grabs him and pushed him over the wall nearby.
Jonathan: Feel that.
He does and smiles back at Jonathan slightly.
Nixon: The mortar is weaker here.
Jonathan: Yep. If we get through here I'm sure that we can tunnel up too the surface.
With that they both grab something to help remove the bricks much faster than their bare hands could.
Cut to the Kent farm where Clark is walking along looking deeply in thought as he plays with his shirt cuffs and sees Lex on the phone next to his car up ahead.
Lex: Clark.
He closes his phone down ending whatever conversation on it he was having.
Clark: What do you want?
Lex: I should have come out and told you the truth right away. I do know Rodger Nixon. I was just trying to protect you.
Clark keeps on walking towards the farm house as Lex moves after him, he stops to face him.
Clark: Protect me from what?
Lex: Before the tornado Nixon approached me, he offered to sell me information about your family.
Clark: What kind of information?
Lex: It doesn't matter now Clark, the man will do anything for a story. I warned him to stay away from your family. When I saw his car I thought that he might have something to do with your father's disappearance.
Clark: Why didn't you tell me before?
Lex: I didn't want to alarm you unless I knew for sure.
Clark: You know what Lex? I don't know what to believe anymore.
Lex: Believe that I'm your friend...
Clark regard his words and his expression for a moment.
Lex: You know what? I've got something to show you.
With that Lex starts walking away over to his car, Clark stands fast watching him, he pulls a roll of paper from his vehicle.
Clark: What's that?
Lex walks back towards him with what he retrieved from the car before opening it to show him what he's talking about.
Lex: A map, a cellular frequency grid to be exact. I had my people look into it. Only one cell tower survived the storm, meaning that Nixon and possibly your father had to be in a one mile radius of where we were last night. I don't know if it will help, but it's worth a shot.
Clark continues to study the map carefully.
Cut to Pete, Chloe and Clark walking through the woods, Pete is holding something in his hand.
Pete: Mr Kent!
Clark: Dad!
Chloe: Well, this is the edge of the grid.
They all meet up and stop to check their information.
Pete: There are no structures marked on the map. Sorry, Clark.
Chloe: Wait, what's that?
Pete: The twister must have dropped it here.
They all move towards the shack and Clark checks the structure with his X-ray vision.
Clark: There's no one in here.
Chloe: What are you, part bloodhound?
Pete: Yeah, how do you know? Mr Kent!
Pete runs off to continue his look just as Chloe spots the camera on the floor and moves to pick it up.
Pete: Mr Kent!
Cut to underground where both Nixon and Jonathan hear the kids shouting.
Nixon: Did you hear that?
Jonathan: It's the kids! Chloe, Pete we're down here!
Nixon: They can't hear us. We gotta keep digging.
Jonathan: Watch it, take it easy...
The tunnel they were digging starts to collapse and Jonathan rushes to pull Nixon out before he can get buried alive.
Cut to above ground where Chloe isn't stood to far behind Clark.
Chloe: Did you hear something?
Clark turns back towards the shack and uses his X-ray powers once more, again he finds nothing and sighs as Chloe drops the camaera.
Clark: Come on, let's start again.
They both move to another area shouting for Clark's dad as they go.
Cut to underground where the dust is swirling in the air from the cave in, Jonathan is lying still on the ground with Nixon nearby, they are both covered in rocks and dirt. Rocks containing meteor stones surround the both of them.
Cut to the Talon where Lana is watching news of what's left of Whitney's truck after being in the storm. Martha comes up behind her carrying a load of small boxes and things.
News Announcer: Here we see a terrible example of the tornado's fury. This truck was literally ripped apart. Incredibly, the young driver, Lana Lang, survived, reminding us that even in the midst of devastation, miracles can happen.
Martha: It must have been awful for you
Lana: Yeah, I don't think that I've ever been that scared in my entire life.
Martha: I'm glad you're all right.
They hug and Lana leans into her shoulder.
Lana: Thanks for all your help, Mrs Kent, I know it must be hard for you right now.
Martha: I'm a saint.
They both laugh before walking together to another part of the Talon ground area.
Martha: I just can't believe how familiar all this feels.
Lana: The Meteor shower?
Martha: Yeah. God...
Martha takes a seat at the bottom of a flight of spiral stairs nearby where they stop to talk.
Martha: I remember like it was yesterday
Lana: Yeah, me too.
Martha: Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean to trudge up bad memories.
Lana: It's okay, it's been a long time since I was that fairy princess in the picture on the front of that Time Magazine.
Martha: Well, if it makes you feel any better, you made one wish come true that day.
Lana looks at her a little puzzled.
Martha: Jonathan and I were at Nell's that day buying flowers right before the meteor shower, and you were sitting on the counter with your wings and wand and you asked me if I wanted to make a wish so I did. Not long after that Clark came into our lives. I've never even told Clark that story.
Lana: Clark is so lucky to have you and Mr Kent as parents. I've always been so kind of envious. You seem so open.
Martha: I'm glad that you and Clark... have become close.
Lana: Yeah, me too.
Martha places a hand on Lana's shoulder which she covers with one of her own.
Cut to the woods again where the three friends are still looking for Jonathan.
Pete: Mr Kent!
Chloe: Mr Kent?
Pete: Mr Kent!
Chloe passes Clark who is looking down at his map hoping to find an answer, as he sees her he closes it slightly to walk after her.
Clark: Ah, Chloe?
Chloe turns briefly to look at him as he catches her up.
Clark: I've been wanting to apologise for leaving you at the prom.
Chloe: Oh, it doesn't matter, didn't I mention that leaving in the middle of a prom to save a friend from a tornado totally gets you off the hook? Besides, I know that you'd do the same thing for me.
Clark: Oh, in a heartbeat!
Chloe gives a forces chuckle.
Clark: So, how can I make it up to you?
Chloe: Actually I've been thinking how it's funny that a natural disaster puts things right into perspective. But I think that it might be better if we just stayed really good friends. But anything other than that just gets too complicated.
Clark: Uh.... yeah.
He looks unsure and frowns as he takes in her words before trying to make some of his own.
Clark: Yeah, I think that's a good idea
Chloe: You do?
Clark: Yeah, our friendship is so important to me. The last thing that I want to do is screw it up.
Chloe: Good, great, perfect. I'm really glad that we got that straightened out.
Clark: I'm going to go check over here.
Chloe: Okay, I'll catch up in a sec. I'm just gonna rest. My feet are throbbing.
Clark gives her a smile as he walks away, Chloe watches him leave with a fake smile and as soon as he isn't looking she starts fighting back the tears. And moves to lean against a nearby tree that has a red object wedged between it and another branch.
Pete's voice shouting nearby: Mr Kent!
He suddenly walks into view before Chloe and she tries to compose herself.
Chloe: Pete.
Pete: What's up with the fake smile?
Chloe: Nothing, Clark and I just reaffirmed that we're really good friends... and nothing else.
Pete lets out a sigh as Chloe turns her attention away still trying not to cry.
Pete: Pulled the friends card on you, huh?
Chloe: No, I did. Defence mechanism
Pete: Listen Chloe, it's okay to feel bummed out. Last night was supposed to be special and... it got ruined.
Chloe: It was just so close to be being perfect.
The tears are ready to spill and Chloe tries to choke them back with a bittersweet annoyance noise at herself.
Chloe: Listen to me I sound so pathetic. A tornado hit and people are hurt, and I'm upset because Clark didn't fulfil my wish fulfilment fantasy. You must think that I'm an awful person.
Pete: Yeah, you're a real monster.
He gives her a teasing smile before placing his arm around her to lead her away.
Pete: Come on.
Cut to underground where Nixon and Jonathan are, Nixon is the first to cough.
Nixon: I can't breath.
Jonathan: That cave in must have cut off the air supply.
Nixon starts to sit up and the dirt and debris fall off him as he leans over next to Jonathan as he looks around.
Nixon: Dying in a tomb, that's ironic. At least you got a legacy to leave behind... a son to be proud of.
Jonathan: First time that Clark used his abilities, he crawled under a big oak bed that my grandfather had made. And I crawled underneath to try and get him out then all of a sudden the frame just came up in the air. He was a toddler lifting what something like over five hundred pounds over his head. We decided to take him to a doctor or a scientist, somebody more equipped to understand but when we got in front of the office, Martha... She said that if we left him there that they'd wanna keep him and we'd never see him again. So we took him home. And that we may have made a mistake but it's a mistake I'd gladly make again.
Cut to the hospital where someone is being rushed down the corridor on a bed.
Doctor: Now time is of the essence. The spine might heal but the damage to the optic nerve will only get worse if it goes untreated.
Lex and some doctors are following the bed which must have Lionel upon it.
Lex: So surgery is the only option?
2nd
Doctor: No, I recommend against this. I say that we let the patient's condition stabilise before we commit to surgery.
1st
Doctor: Yeah, surgery's risky. But the alternative could be worse.
2nd
Doctor: It's your decision.
Lex: Do it
2nd
Doctor: All right
With that Lex watches them walk away after the bed through some doors.
Cut to Pete and Clark, Martha. Pete has found some book with maps or other information inside of it.
Clark: Pete, where did you get these maps?
Pete: My mom borrowed them from the county planners office. They list every zoning change listed back to 1920.
Clark: Look the plans from 1988 show an old church near Hobson's pond.
Pete: I've never seen a church near there.
Martha: No, that's because it was destroyed in the meteor shower.
Clark: Well according to this, there's a crypt in the basement.
Martha: Your Dad could have known about it.
Clark: I was right there. The motorhome must have been concealing the entrance.
Pete: Clark! You can't dig him out on your own
Pete gets to his feet just as Martha does.
Martha: Um, Clark...Pete and I'll will go into town, we'll get a rescue team and meet you out there.
Clark: Okay.
He leaves as Martha pulls Pete in the opposite direction.
Cut back to the woods as Clark super speeds into view and looks at the debris around him there. He rushed forward and uses his super strength to tip the shack over off the opening before speeding downstairs and shoting to his father in the crypt.
Clark: Dad!
Jonathan: Clark!
Clark looks behind him and sees his father lying on the ground as he moves to help him. The rocks containging the green kyrpontine make Clark's hands swell and he falls away, weak, from the two men.
Nixon: Kent, what's happening to him?
Jonathan: Rodger, you've got to get him away from these meteor rocks, they make him sick. Come on, get him out of here.
Nixon grabs one of the rocks before he moves towards Clark and starts putting them inside of his jacket.
Clark: What are you doing?
Nixon: I don't need the tape, I got all the evidence I need right here.
Nixon starts to pull Clark up and out of the crypt.
Jonathan: What are you doing?
Nixon ignore Jonathan as he pulls him up towards the opening.
Jonathan: Nixon! You don't understand.
Clark: The rocks...
Jonathan: Clark...
Jonathan lies helplessly as he calls to his son once more.
Cut to outside where Nixon is carrying Clark through the woods, along the ground, he places him on the ground and pulls his car keys from the pocket to take off the alarm. It beeps from above him and he looks up to see the tangled mess and sighs.
Nixon: Son of....
Suddenly Jonathan dives at him from behind and a fight ensues as Clark lays helplessly on the ground.
Jonathan: You're not (Punches Nixon) taking (Punches again) my son (Punches once more). Nixon grabs his face and knees him away before punching back again, Jonathan retaliates but Nixon grabs some metal from nearby and strikes him across the face sending him back. Jonathan is on the ground bleeding as Nixon approaches him.
Nixon: Like I said people have a right to know, and unlike you, Mr Kent, I am willing to kill for what I believe in.
He raises the metal pole to strike Jonathan when a bullet being fired is heard and Nixon looks down to see the wound in his chest before falling forward onto Jonathan, revealing Lex stood behind him with a gun. Jonathan pushes Nixon off him before sitting up and trying to catch his breath as Lex moves towards him.
Jonathan: Clark!
Lex: Mr Kent are you ok?
Jonathan: Yeah... son, you gotta help me....
He gets to his feet and rushed towards his son and removes the jacket full of stones before throwing it aside as he pulls him into his arms..
Jonathan: Clark, are you okay?
Clark: I'll survive
Lex stands over the body of Nixon and just stares down at him.
Cut to later where the rescue teams have arrived and Nixon's dead body is zipped up in a yellow body bag. Martha walks over to where Clark is stood watching everything going on around him.
Martha: Your Dad's got a cracked rib, but he'll be all right.
Clark: Well, like you said, he's a survivor.
Martha laughs a little at that.
Clark: And so are you, Mom. I never realised how strong you were until today.
Martha: Huh uh, thanks Clark but I was terrified.
Clark: You didn't show it. You were like Super Mom.
Martha laughs again as they near Jonathan by the ambulance.
Clark: Dad how you feeling?
Jonathan: I feel like a house fell on me, that's how I feel
Clark: Look, Dad, I'm glad that you didn't... you know...
Jonathan: What? Kill Nixon...son I have to admit to you that it was the hardest thing I ever did, it took every fibre of my being. But then I tried to remember what your mom and I have tried to teach you and realised that if I'd done that Nixon would have won.
Clark: It's a good thing that Lex was there.
Jonathan: Clark, Nixon told me that Lex offered to pay him for information on us--
Clark: Lex told me that he warned him to stay away.
Jonathan: One of them is lying, son
Clark: The question you need to ask yourself is that which one tried to kill you and which one saved your lift?
Cut to a Sheriff who has been talking with Lex.
SHerrif: If I have any more questions I'll give you a call, Mr Luthor.
Lex: Thanks. Mr Kent--
Jonathan: Lex.
He looks away and so does Lex before Jonathan looks back at him.
Jonathan: Look, Lex, You saved my life and I wanna say thank you.
Lex: To a fresh start.
He offers his hands out which Jonathan shakes.
Jonathan: Yeah.
Clark and Martha smile in happy surprise at the scene before them.
Cut to the empty corridors of Smallville High, Chloe is in the Torch office looking at a picture taking of her and Clark together at the formal. She fights back the tears as she begins to delete any photos that contain her and Clark together at the dance. When done a message comes up asking whether she wants to delete the files from the trash bin and thus her computer completely... the mouse arrow hangs over "Cancel" before she finally clicks on it.
Cut to the Kent farm where Clark is walking away from the barn, looking deep in thought.
Jonathan: Clark?
He stops and his father who has been working nearby moves to catch him up,
Jonathan: Your mom's told me about what happened with you and Lana and the tornado
Clark: The only person who was there, and I can't even share it with her.
Jonathan: Well, Son, I'm here. You can share it with me, if you want.
Clark: Dad, I've survived a lot. Being inside that twister, I've never been so scared in my life. I couldn't see anything and things were bouncing off of me, and I didn't have any control. I know that it could have been the wind, but all of a sudden I was moving towards the truck and it felt like I was willing myself to do it.
Jonathan takes in what his son is saying but is speechless.
Clark: It felt like I was flying.
Jonathan and Clark stare at each other for a long time, neither saying another word as they take in the weight of Clark's emotions.
Cut to the hospital where Lionel is lying in a bed in a dark room with monitors to one side of him. Lex is sat in a chair near the door just watching over quietly.
Lionel in a whisper: Lex, Lex...
Lex gets out of the chairs and moves to his father's side.
Lex: Dad?
He turns on a light before looking at his father.
Lex: Dad? How are you?
Lionel: Ah.
Lex: The Doctors won't tell me what's going on.
Lionel: I know, I wanted to tell you myself. There's every chance that I'll get back the full use of my legs.
Lex: Well, that's great news. Isn't it?
Lionel: I need to say something to you. If I've acted ruthlessly, it was because I knew my opponents wouldn't hesitate to do the same. I know that you've always seen us as opponents... Lex, when I needed help, you saved my life and I thank you, son. Listen, I know you agreed to go right ahead right away to operate.
Lex holds his father's hand as he reaches out to him and pulls it close to his chest.
Lex: I thought that it was best to take immediate action.
Lionel: I would have done the same... and we both would have been wrong.
Lex: What are you saying?
Lionel: I'm blind. The operation failed and that's not going to change. It would have been better if you'd not helped me. If you'd let me die.
Lex pulls away from his father in surprise and horror and Lionel continues to hold his hand out.
Lionel: Lex? Lex?
Lex moves towards the door not looking at his father.
Lionel: Lex?
Cut to the Kent farm in the loft where Clark is sat just thinking as Lana walks up the stairs towards him.
Lana: What are you doing, Clark?
Clark: Just thinking.
Lana: It looks like you're hiding.
Clark: I just can't wait for things to get back to normal.
Lana: It won't.
Clark: Why do you say that?
She moves to come and sit down next to him.
Lana: Nell used to tell me that after the meteor shower. That these events change you, wipes out your illusions, discover things about yourself.
Clark: What did you discover?
Lana: I've always had this sense that I was going to die, maybe because of my parents because I felt guilty that I'd survived. When the tornado came, I thought this was it. The end finally found me. Then I saw you in the truck, and you put your arms around me and you told me that everything was going to be okay.
Clark goes to say something but Lana stops him.
Lana: I know, sounds crazy. But I started to think about all the other times that you've been there to protect me and I thought that maybe there's more to Clark Kent then meets the eye.
Clark looks at her before suddenly getting to his feet and walking towards the edge of the walkway nearby.
Clark: You're right, it does sound crazy. There's nothing more to me then you see.
Lana: Clark, you know that you can tell me anything right?
Clark: I know Lana. But I wasn't in that truck
Lana: Then how did I survive? It doesn't make any sense.
Clark: Maybe you just weren't meant to die young.
Lana: Just remember, you can't hide out here forever.
With that she walks away and Clark just has to watch her go, she stops at the bottom hoping to listen for something but nothing happens and soon she moves to leave as Clark moves to look down at where she had just been stood.
Cut to a view of the fields of Smallville where there's a parted section... there sits the spaceship.
END CREDITS