chapter 4

Martha Kent returned home. It had been a long night. Harry had been up apparently already and drinking a cup of coffee. He had been talking to a blonde woman which Martha did not know at the table. But, she was certain Harry would explain who she was. She knocked on the door.

The door opened, and Harry led Martha in with a smile.

"Morning Mom. Everything done?"

"Yes," Martha said. "Although it was a busy evening."

"This is my cousin, Kara. From back home. She had been trapped in her ship beneath Reeves Dam until very recently."

Kara bounced up to her feet and threw her arms around Martha. Gently, because she did not want to break the woman who she had been so grateful for.

"Thank you for taking Harry in. And sorry for the recent loss of your husband."

"It's what anyone would have done," Martha said.

Harry just smiled. His mother's optimism had been very endearing to say the least Not too many people would be loving a weird child who had fallen out of the sky. Perhaps that was a cynical after affect of his memories as Potter. Harry moved in and helped set breakfast out on the table for himself, Martha, and Kara.

"I placed Kara's ship in the barn," Harry said. "No need to worry about it. I charmed both my and Kara's ships, so anyone who isn't in on the secret willingly won't get to see the ships. It's magic, kind of hard to explain."

"I trust you know what you're doing," Martha said.

Something about Harry's demeanor put Martha slightly at ease; they had another alien ship on the property, and far more obvious than Harry's given that Kara was a full grown adult.

"I intend to dismantle it and salvage it for parts," Kara said. "To find the piece of Harry's ship that's missing."

"That disc shaped thing?" Martha asked.

"Yes, it's important for my training."

Martha took a sip of coffee. Kara excused herself from the table and obviously had wanted to get to work. Martha sighed and decided to break the conversation.

"I was talking to the lawyers and Jonathan's account manager," Martha said. "There's a few financial difficulties we're going to have to face. Not big ones, but ones which will make things strained. Thankfully, we should be fine this year. Next year, we might have to think about some things."

Martha let out a sigh as Harry put a hand on her shoulder in a comforting manner.

"I don't want to have to sell the farm. But I may have to lease the land. And it's going to be to the right person."

"We'll figure something out," Harry said. "We always have."

"Yes, your father had a good reputation which was able to buy us a lot of time and credit during some tough years, and we always went through, even if finances were rather strained," Martha said.

Harry had a couple of ideas enter his mind.

"So what brings you to the farm this early in the morning, Lena?"

Lena Luthor sat down, drinking a cup of morning coffee with Harry and Martha. She smiled at them and set the coffee down to look thoughtfully.

"As much as I enjoy the company, and oh, I enjoy the company, I'm here on business," Lena said. "Namely, your farm. I've heard through the grapevine you might have problems. And there will be buyers who are going to line up around the block."

Well, Harry was going to ask Lena for her advice anyway, but she had been a couple of steps ahead of it.

"None of us want this farm to fall into bad hands. Morgan Edge. Bob Rickman. Lionel. They're all sniffing around this property and ready to strike. They have their sights set on getting as much land and shutting the common people out. It makes them money, but it's short sighted. If the common people have no resources, then how are we going to get any business?"

"You have a good point," Harry said.

"So, what do you have in mind?" Martha asked.

"I want to invest in the farm," Lena said. "I've had my legal team draw up a very fair agreement. Which will give you a chance to keep the farm, but also the opportunity to expand productions. I will cover the overhead and we will split the profits."

Martha took the document and looked it over. She passed it to Harry. Well, Lena had some kind of plan obviously, although this had a more personal touch.

"This is very generous," Martha said.

"You've been more than generous to me, Mrs. Kent," Lena said. "And I'm also willing to give you the opportunity to finish your studies, the one that you stopped, and also the chance to work with me at Horizon when it starts up."

"Wow, that's…."

"Don't answer right now," Lena said. "Think it over. Talk to your lawyer. Look it over. And if you want a counteroffer, I'm open to negotiate."

Martha had been giving it some thought. Oh, she thought that Jonathan would not approve of her doing business with a Luthor, but Harry trusted Lena. And if Harry trusted Lena, then Martha would trust her. Martha looked over the piece of paper.

"Harry, I've been having some engine problems," Lena said. "I know you have a keen ear, and might be able to tell me exactly what is wrong."

Harry sensed there was something else other than engine problems, but he let Lena lead him outside.

"So, how long are you going to be back?"

"I'll be hanging out in the Mansion for a short time," Lena said. "Just until I get things set up. I've got my eyes on a Penthouse on the outskirts of Metropolis."

They walked over to Lena's car. It was a top of the line model.

"I'll start it up, so you can listen to it."

Lena got in the driver's seat and started up her car. Harry heard a rattling sound inside.

"Spark plug is going on you," Harry said.

"Hopefully it's not sabotaged," Lena said, a bit too casually for Harry's liking. "Lex's car was so totaled from his wreck, that the police really couldn't tell."

"It's an easy enough fix," Harry said. "Just wear and tear. I can replace it right here, if you want me to."

"Saves me a trip to the garage and a couple hundred bucks," Lena said. "I know, the world's cheapest billionaire."

The two laughed, although Lena really didn't have access to those billions until Lionel kicked the bucket. Then, Lena figured more than a few bastard Luthor heirs would be crawling out of the woodwork. It would be a mess, a huge mess indeed. Although, Lena knew Lionel likely left several provisions in his will to handle his money.

"I'm glad you came back," Harry said.

"Me too," Lena said. "And I'll be around Smallville a lot. And Metropolis is only a three hour drive away. A lot faster by air."

Lena leaned in a little bit closer to Harry.

"I missed seeing you all of the time," Lena said.

"I did too," Harry said.

"You're even more handsome," Lena said. "Puberty was kind to you."

The two moved inches away. Oh, Lena's lips were a few inches away from Harry. Harry almost reached out to grab her until the barn door opened up. The moment had been lost right there.

"Harry….oh I'm sorry."

"Kara, what is it?"

Lena pulled away from Harry and looked at the new blonde.

"I wanted your help with something in the barn," Kara said. "And you are…."

"Lena Luthor. I'm a friend of Harry's."

"This is Kara. She's my cousin. She was tracing her family tree, when she found out we were related. She's in town."

"It's nice to meet you, Kara," Lena said. "I'm sure Harry could help you with what you wanted in the barn."

"Let me change Lena's spark plug first," Harry told her.

Lena put her hand on the door. And suddenly remembered that she had an urgent appointment she had to attend.

"Let's do that," Lena said. "I don't mean to rush you, but I just remembered I had a very important investor who wanted to meet me later."

"Okay, shouldn't take more than a few minutes," Harry said.

Kara muttered "sorry" at Harry, when she got a good look at Lena. Harry opened up the hood of Lena's car. It was a simple enough procedure. Even without magic.

"Okay, Lena, you're good to go," Harry said.

"Thank you," Lena said. "I really hope Martha considers my proposal. I meant what I said. And whatever you do, if Bob Rickman comes by, do not shake hands with him! Warn your mother not to either."

Lena started up the car and leaned out the window.

"It was good to meet you, Kara," Lena said. "I'll talk to you later."

Lena drove up the drive and left Kara alone. Harry turned to Kara.

"You should work on your timing," Harry told Kara.

"Sorry," Kara said. "She wants you. Almost as bad as Alex and Chloe did before you claimed them. And me, obviously."

Kara put her arm around Harry and he walked with her into the barn.

"She doesn't know, yet?"

"If things get more serious, I'll tell her."

Fair enough, Kara thought. Although Kara figured things would get very serious if she did not walk out of the barn when she did.

After taking a few days off to deal with Jonathan's death and the fallout, Harry returned to Smallville. He walked up to the locker where Abigail Fine was taking her books out of it. Harry patted her on the shoulder.

"Harry," Abby said. "I'm really sorry to hear about your Dad. It really puts my problems in perspective."

"Oh, everyone has their problems, and they shouldn't be undermined because someone has a worse time," Harry said. "I promised you something, and I'm a man of my word."

Abby just smiled and took the bottle which Harry provided her.

"It's a natural remedy. All you have to do is wash your face with it, and your skin will be clear in no time."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

"Oh, I'll try anything," Abby said, a bit hopefully. "My mother was going on about a new experimental procedure which could help me, but I...well this is a lot easier, isn't it? I mean, safer, if it's all natural."

"Your mother's working on a new experimental procedure?"

Alex and Chloe popped up behind Harry and Abby.

"That wouldn't have anything to do with Doctor Fine's experiments involving Meteor Rocks, would it? She's still got it in her head that they have healing properties?"

"Oh, she's convinced they are," Abby said. "I know your mother and mine got into a heated discussion about it."

"Because, those rocks are dangerous," Alex said.

"I agree, which is why I would rather try the remedy Harry gave me," Abby said.

"You're worth it," Harry said. "The person on the outside deserves to match the person on the outside."

"If only we can do it to everyone," Chloe said. "It would be kind of funny to see Braverman walk around, with donkey ears and a tail."

The entire group laughed as Abby excused herself to the girl's bathroom, to test out the remedy.

"Oh, I really hope that you didn't put the secret ingredient in there that I thought you did," Chloe teased Harry. "Because, there's no way you're getting that FDA approved."

Harry blinked, not quite understanding what Chloe was getting at at first.

"I really have no idea what you're talking about."

Chloe just responded with a "yeah, right" kind of a smile and a wink which matched.

"So about this Nixon guy?" Chloe asked. "And I mean, the reporter, and not our former President. Who is about as shady and about as much of a crook as the other guy is."

"Lex is talking to him about something," Harry said. "Jonathan never trusted Lionel Luthor."

"Yes, but can you buy what Nixon's selling?" Alex asked. "I mean, he seems like the type who would sell his own grandmother for a dollar."

Harry figured as much, although the photo was incriminating. He would have to get his hands on the table.

Emily Dinsmore came in their direction. She looked extremely surly. Harry put his hand on her shoulder to steady her before she tripped and fell into a locker.

"What's got you all hot and bothered, Emily?" Harry asked.

"Lana's stalker."

"Another one?" Alex asked before realizing. "Sorry."

"I know," Emily said. "Sometimes, I think Lana's got a meteor power which attracts the most obsessed people towards her."

"Is Lana in any danger?"

"I don't know, but after bug boy, I feel like I should keep a closer eye on her," Emily said. "Tina Greer, she fawns over Lana to the point where this would be creepy if Tina was a guy. Actually, it's still creepy no matter the gender. Lana claims that Tina's just confused and she's had it rough ever since her father walked out on her. And her mother ran the shot."

"I'M SICK OF YOUR BULLSHIT KENNY! WE'RE THROUGH!"

Harry heard the source of the argument. Kenny Braverman, that asshole, had been in an argument with his on again, off again girlfriend, Amanda Larson. Mandy was one of the cheerleaders of the Smallville team.

"Come on, Mandy. You should be with me. I mean, you're the Queen Bee of the Cheerleaders, I'm the King of the Football team. Don't do this. I can change."

"You are a poor man's Whitney Fordman. At least he's a war hero."

"I can…."

"I gave you too many chances. This is your last chance."

Harry, Alex, Emily, and Chloe watched the scene play out.

"Fine! You want to make this difficult. Fine. I can get any girl in this school."

Lana walked back into the hallway to join them, confused. Kenny stormed over to them.

"This is your fault, Sullivan. Your paper and your lies. Your accusations. You smeared my reputation. And you Lang, you were not helping her."

"I merely just gave Chloe the truth and nothing more," Lana said. "Honestly, you are a meathead. You dropped the ball about as bad with Mandy, just like you did last game against Riverdale."

Even some of Kenny's teammates chuckled at that one. Kenny turned his attention to Harry, who was just looking rather bored.

"You think it's funny to make me look like an idiot, Kent?"

"Oh, you don't need my help for that, big guy" Harry said.

With that the bell rang. Kenny balled up his fist but his teammates held him back. They remembered the last time he tried something with Harry and how it did not help well at all.

Back in the barn, Harry returned from a day of class, to help Kara work on her ship. Kara threw her head back and sighed, when taking a moment to assess the damage.

"Crystals are mostly fried," Kara said. "Stasis fields being accidentally switched on for that long due to a programming fault caused their power to drain."

"And Earth's technology is too far behind to charge them," Harry said.

"Unfortunately," Kara confirmed. "I wish there was another way to do this. Help me remove this. Gently."

The shielding spells prevented any kind of explosion from happening, but Kara still did not want to take any chances.

"So what was Krypton like?"

"Technologically advanced, although we guard our secrets carefully," Kara said. "To the point where many great achievements have been lost forever."

"That's a pity," Harry said. "Isolating yourselves from the world. Afraid of how people would react."

"That was just our way," Kara said. "We ended up putting our trust in the wrong hands. A super computer which was built by Kryptonian hands. Which was a huge mistake. We ended up putting our trust in it. In Brainiac, because we had no other options. Civil war damaged the planet. Civil unrest was at an all time high. Yet the Science Council maintained that Krypton would survive because Brainiac told them that there was nothing wrong."

Kara just bit down her lip as she checked another crystal. This one still had power in it. She would put it to the side.

"Always Krypton," Kara said. "It's the statement which my aunt disagreed with. She felt that we should not open the gates, but we should not close them either."

"Wise," Harry said. "Be open, but be prepared."

Unfortunately, most people gravitated to the extremes. It appeared to be no different among the people of Earth, than it was during the people of Krypton.

"We are what's left," Kara said. "It may take us generations to rebuild."

"Do we want to though?"

That's a good question and Kara had no good answers. Harry and Kara continued the process of shifting through Kara's ship to get workable components ready.

Roger Nixon stumbled out of a seedy nightclub in the middle of the night. When suddenly, a hand grabbed him and yanked him into a back alleyway. The type of place where no one could hear his screams and the type of place where reporters were found dead in a dumpster weeks later.

"Roger Nixon."

"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?"

He could hear the voice, but could not see anyone. And he could not feel anything other than a crippling cold.

"You have information. And you're going to tell it to me. Or else, no one will care to find you."

"Right, right, sure, sure."

"You took a photo of Lionel Luthor and Jonathan Kent. It took place hours before his accident."

"Kent? Why do you want to know about some farmer?"

"Answer the question Nixon."

Nixon felt a cold feeling plunge all over his body. His knees began to knock together.

"Nothing. Nothing! It's a big nothing. I was following Lionel around for some time...you're not working for him are you? Because, whatever he's paying you, I can get you anything you want, double, triple, just name your price."

"You were following around Lionel."

"It was an accident. I got the shot. It wasn't even a good picture. I swear to God, I didn't know Kent was going to end up dead! You have to believe me."

"Lex paid you, didn't he? He wanted information on his father."

Nixon struggled to keep his mouth shut. Some force compelled him to spill. It was almost like witchcraft had forced the words out of his mouth.

"Luthors, both of them have been using me to get information on the other. Lex is interested in the Smallville Savior. The one who pulled him out of that car. And Lionel, he wants to know everything he can about the Kents, I don't know why. But, Lex, he thinks that there was an illegal adoption. With the Kent Boy."

"Was there?"

"Nah, checked into it. Everything's on the level. Not that I would be alive talking to you if it wasn't. Lionel would have wanted it a secret. There's a rumor, that Kent boy, he just showed up one day. And he might be the product of a secret affair of Lionel Luthor and Martha Kent."

"Who told you that?"

"Just what I heard. People gossip. It's a small town. A man like Lionel Luthor showing up a few dozen times at a house like that, people are going to talk. Some people think he was cuckholding Kent. Maybe Kent finally grew a backbone after all these years. Got a little liquid courage. A little too much and ended up crashing his truck."

The figure clutched Nixon's neck and made him shake vigorously.

"Do you think that Lionel Luthor had anything to do with Jonathan Kent's death?"

"I don't know. Fishy business though. Lex might...did Lex send you? Make sure I'm on the level? Because I gave him that tape. That's all I have. I can give you everything. All of my money. I can give you what I have on both of the Luthors. Please don't kill me!"

"You don't have anything. If you did, you would have extorted money out of them a long time ago."

Nixon fell to the ground. He shook like a traumatic wreck and felt like he had been dunked in ice water.

Whoever this scary individual who attacked him, he was gone.

"STAR Labs really has been picking up since you've come on board."

Patricia invited Lena to see to the top of the tower to check out this advanced computer program. Lena invited Harry to tag along and Kara joined Harry as well.

"It really takes you in," Patricia said. "You can build entire new worlds with your mind. At least you can when we work the bugs out."

"That's really impressive," Kara said.

"It could be used as a top of the line training simulator," Patricia said. "Or a really advanced video game."

"Or there are some more unsavory purposes it could be used for," Harry said. "Depending on how twisted a person's mind is."

Yes, which is why Patricia wanted to make sure there were plenty of failsafes.

"My goal is to make the computer learn from the player's behaviors and adapt for training purposes."

"Hmmm, that might not be the best idea," Kara said. "If it becomes too adaptive, it might decide to become ambitious on it's own."

"She does have a point," Lena said. "If for instance, the computer decides that the best course of action to protect it's master is to cause harm to others, that's a slippery slope."

"Which means, you might want to be a bit less ambitious for now," Harry said. "Until you're certain that it won't have any problems."

"Thankfully, I have plenty of time to address those concerns," Patricia said. "The beta-version is looking promising, wouldn't you say?"

Harry and Kara just smiled.

"Promising. But, it's a first step."

"Yes," Patricia agreed. "My father secluded himself for far too long. With the new biometric tracking devices we're created, we are taking a big step to allowing people to be safe."

"Yes, but balancing safety and freedom is an important thing,' Harry said.

Patricia nodded. Her father warned her that any balance was more than delcitate. She had concerns herself. And also something to ask Lena about.

"How is the network coming along?"

Lena had been prompt to answer.

"I've been able to create a good framework. The network in rural Kansas has been patchy to say the least. We can bring enhanced communication and easily accessible Internet to households that can't otherwise afford it."

"It would open up some new doors," Harry said.

"Yes," Kara agreed. "I've got to get going. One more set of exams to take before I'm in Metropolis University."

"You'll get it," Harry said. "You passed the first set with flying colors."

"Yes," Kara said. "Going to school with people, that's different."

"Well, if you need any help, just call me," Lena said. "Although, given you're related to Harry, you're not going to get that much of a leg up."

Kara just smiled and stole a brief kiss from Harry before she slid off. She was exciting about getting all of the qualifications. Even though she had to relearn certain things, due to the advance of science being far different on Earth, than Krypton.

"Horizon on track to open?" Harry asked Lena.

"Ready to go next month," Lena confirmed. "The Penthouse is ready. Once it's built, you'll be the first to get a grand tour. I like being in Smallville, but staying in Luthor Mansion, I don't know, it just seems so macabre."

"Well, living in a large castle, that might lose its charm after a while," Harry sagely replied.

Patricia decided to ask Lena a question.

"So, is it true that Lionel had it importanted from Europe, brick by brick and reassembled here?"

"Yes," Lena confirmed. "Quite painstakingly. Given he barely sets foot in it, it's a wonder why he even bothered."

As with everything else Lionel did, Lena speculated the man had his reasons.

Harry and Lena returned to the Mansion after their trip to STAR Labs.

"Can't stay here long," Harry said. "I've got to head off. I told Lana that I would help her go over her essay before class today."

"No problem," Lena said. "Actually, I'm going to meet your mother right now."

Lena hugged Harry goodbye. Just as he was about to go, Lena's phone lit up. Harry was halfway out the door before he heard something which made him stock dead.

"Is everything alright?"

"It's fine. I'm fine . A little shaken up. But that's not the odd part. This is….you're not going to believe this."

"We're in Smallville. I'm sure you had a good reason to be late, no matter how peculiar."

"Well, it was Lex. He nearly ran me over."

"He wasn't driving, was he?"

"No, he ran out the door into me after robbing a bank."

Harry stopped short and rushed back to the entrance towards Lena's study.

"Lex? You saw Lex robbing a bank?"

Yeah, Lena sounded about as incredulous as Harry would in this situation.

"I know you saw him. But I know he's been in his study all morning."

As if on cue, Lex made his way down the hallway. Lena put down the phone and Harry stepped into the officers to join them. He turned on the television and saw the security footage of himself running out of the bank.

"Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy."

Lex shook his head, almost in agitation.

"First of all, why would I rob a bank?" Lex asked. "Actually, why would I personally rob a bank? And if I did rob a bank, why would I do it in the middle of broad daylight and allow everyone to see my face?"

"It doesn't make any sense," Harry said.

"No, there's something not right about this," Lena said.

"I'll say, I wouldn't commit such a stupid crime."

"You mean other than the time you stole those forty cakes?" Lena asked.

"That was a dare," Lex answered. "And I was a stupid teenager back then. Which I figure this is the work of. The work of a stupid teenager….."

"Mr. Luthor?"

Some of Smallville's finest arrived outside of the doorway to Lena's study.

"We need to speak to you where you were this morning."

"Here in the Mansion the entire time," Lena said.

"He was," Harry agreed.

"And I'm not speaking to anyone without my attorney present," Lex said.

Harry watched the clip of the television screen. It was a very amateur attempt, he would have to say so. Harry wondered if they left fingerprints down. Would be a good idea to check out the bank to see.

"Well, obviously why would Lex Luthor even need to rob a bank?"

Harry leaned outside of the Torch office, with Chloe and Alex hanging out with him.

"Lex has done some stupid things, likely lashing out against his father," Harry said. "But, not a felony, more like misdemeanors. And robbing a bank out in broad daylight with your face flashing all over the security camera is suicidal."

"Someone was desperate," Alex said. "Very desperate."

"And desperate people slip up," Harry said. "So who could it be?"

"Mmm," Chloe said thoughtfully. "Maybe an alternate dimension doppelganger? Or a clone? Or a secret evil twin? Maybe a shapeshifter? Or maybe just all bald people look alike on camera?"

Harry just shrugged. Could be anything. But, something else caught his attention.

Several people stood awestruck, as Abby stepped into the hallway of the school. She had a bit more of a confident look and her face was completely clear. The acne scars fading and the scabs gave her a bit more of a confident air and she tossed her hair back.

Some of the assholes who were bullying her gave her a once over. However, Abby paid them no mind and stepped closer to Harry.

"Told you it would work," Harry said. "How are you feeling?"

"Oh, I feel amazing,' Abby said. "You really do have the magic touch."

Abby leaned in and kissed Harry on the cheek. She could feel a warmth spread through her body as she pushed closer to Harry.

"If you're happy with how you look, that's important."

"Yes," Abby said. "I am."

The warning bell went off. Abby just smiled and turned her back. She flashed Harry a smile over her shoulder.

"Talk to you later, Harry."

Harry and Chloe, who shared the same first period, moved down the hallway. Chloe just smiled.

"It won't take much to get her to join the club," Chloe said. "And girls are going to be shaking you down for your miracle cure now."

"Well, we'll talk," Harry said.

"Oooh, sorry, Harry."

Mandy Larson almost ran headlong into him. Harry caught her and also prevented her books from falling from the ground.

"Mmm, all of that hard farm work, it really shows," Mandy said. "All of the plowing and nailing, and planting seed, you know stuff like that."

Chloe just mouthed "subtle" at Harry and shook her head.

"I actually wanted to ask you something, if you don't mind," Mandy said. "My grades. They're slipping a little bit in class. Do you think you can tutor me? I will pay you quite generously if you do."

"Mandy?" Harry asked.

"Mmm."

"You wouldn't be doing this to get back at Kenny, would you?"

Mandy just offered a pouty face and a "who me?" look. She ran her hands down Harry's arm and moved a little bit closer. The skirt she wore showed her legs off quite nicely and she was a very beautiful young woman.

"If you're serious."

"I'm very serious," Mandy said.

"Talk to me after school."

"Oh, I'll be waiting," Mandy said.

Harry turned around just to see Lana coming down the steps. Behind her, was a rather aloof young woman named Tina Greer. And Emily brought up the rear. She looked a bit agitated.

Suddenly, Harry sensed some rather strong thoughts from Tina. She shifted nervously, as if she was hiding something.

"What's your problem, Kent?"

Okay, kind of rude. Okay, very rude.

"I don't have a problem," Harry said. "You doing okay?"

"Fine," Tina said. "Just fine."

Lana just shook her head and looked at Harry.

"She's not having a good morning."

"I'll say," Emily said. "She's been edgy all morning. She snapped at me for leaning up against her locker. Almost acts like she's committed a crime. Weird, huh?

Harry just let at a mmm and he slipped into class to join the others. Lana offered a seat next to her and Tina sat on Lana's other side. Something about her was off.

No matter what the life, Harry had the tendency of getting involved in things that he should not. He really should respect Tina's privacy, but he couldn't help but think something was wrong. She was acting very weird.

"Harry, I thought your locker was downstairs?"

Emily made her way upstairs and saw that Harry was in front of Tina's locker.

"You're not going to believe this."

"You'd be surprised with how often people lead with that and how often I believe it anyway," Harry said. "Spill."

"Tina's staying over at Lana's," Emily said. "Because her mother's out of town. I….I don't know. You know that chick from Misery? I'm getting that vibe off of Tina right now."

Harry just hummed and looked at the locker.

"I think she likes Lana, and doesn't like Lana has a thing for you," Emily replied. "Are you okay?"

"Just thinking," Harry said. "You better get downstairs and meet Lana for lunch. Tell Chloe and Alex I might be running a little late."

"No, Harry, really, what are you doing?" Emily asked. "Sorry, it's just that, Tina….maybe I'm just jealous? I mean, I've been friends with Lana forever, but it's just that, Tina's trying to push me out. It sure feels like that way."

"You're not jealous, merely concerned," Harry said. "And I'm researching for a story."

Emily had more questions. But she did not want to know. And doubted very much Harry would tell her.

"Okay, I guess I should get to lunch," Emily said. "But, fearless reporters have to eat too, right? I swear, sometimes I wonder when you even find the time to eat."

"You're not the only one."

With Emily gone, Harry could scan the locker.

Harry found what he was looking for. He found a small stash of cash in Tina's locker. Hastily stored away underneath some books.

Enough to give Harry a cause for concern and a cause to dig deeper.

Harry stepped into the Greer Household. A locked door really was no obstacle for Harry, as it just slid open with ease. He noticed, the second he walked inside, that several things were wrong. Namely, someone had tried to get to the house very hastily.

A brief scan of the house revealed more information. Medical reports, detailing the fact that Tina complained of headaches. Then, also, bottles of pills, and Harry had a feeling some of this stuff was not on the market. And did not come cheap.

An overpowering stench hit Harry as he closed on the basement. He walked down the stairs, having a good idea on what to find, but nothing prepared him for what he found.

Tina's mother was dead on the basement floor. Slowly, Harry reached forward and hovered his hand over the body. He managed to get a good idea of what happened. Tina and her mother had an argument, which Tina accidentally killed her. Not intentional, not premeditated, just a heat of the moment crime. And it was over the money Tina had in her bag, and now it was in her locker.

Suddenly, this was all starting to make too much sense. Tina had powers. She could shapeshift. Although those powers were causing her health to degenerate. She posed as Lex Luthor to get some money. The people she got her medicine from, well they were obviously not doctors.

And now, Tina was really obsessed with Lana. Well, Harry made sure to get his story straight about this before he dialed Lana's number.

No answer, he got a bad signal. Which underlined the need for a better network in Smallville.

Harry moved upstairs and found the landline. He dialed up Lana, still no answer. The only thing he could do was dial up the Smallville Police Department and also give them a tip on to search Tina's locker.

With everything, all Harry could do was return to school. He bumped into Chloe just seconds after he returned.

"You missed lunch," Chloe said. "Emily mentioned, you were following a lead on something."

"I'll tell you about it in a minute," Harry said. "But, have you seen Lana?"

"Oh, she mentioned something about heading off with Mandy," Chloe said. "You know, Cheerleader Squad type things."

Harry nodded, and hoped that at least Lana was out of harm's way until he could warn her. The two made their way into the Torch office and closed the door.

"I've uncovered something big. Tina Greer, she was the one who robbed the bank this morning."

"And a teenage girl just happened to make herself look like Lex Luthor?" Chloe asked him before realizing. "Oh, yes, of course, she would have some kind of gift. The meteors must have infected her."

"She needed the money for drugs, she's not well, whatever is happening with her," Harry said. "Although, she's making all kinds of mistakes. She has a lot of the money from the heist just hastily hidden in her locker."

"Well, why would she do that?" Chloe asked.

"She also killed her mother."

Chloe hitched in a tight breath. Harry had been so stone cold serious with his statement, that Chloe had no choice, but to believe him. And oh boy, was this a kick to the ribs in a few ways.

"So, she robbed a bank, and the man who she framed, had a stone cold alibi. And then her mother finds out and she kills her."

"Given the way she hid the body and the hasty way she cleaned up the house, it wasn't murder," Harry said. "We're not dealing with a criminal mastermind here. We're dealing with an impulsive teenager She's already acting like she has something to hide. I called in a tip to the police department."

"The police must have already taken prints and when they got your message, Tina will be nailed," Chloe said. "I haven't seen her since this morning...although she could be anywhere. And anybody."

Someone knocked on the door of the Torch.

"Come in."

Mandy stepped in and opened the door.

"Figured I'd find you here. Look, after this morning, I know you had some doubts about me. But, I'm really serious about the tutoring. Really, I am. I need the grades."

Harry believed her, but he had other things on his mind right now.

"I believe you," Harry said. "Have you seen Lana?"

"Not since the period before lunch," Mandy said. "Why?"

"Lana mentioned she was going off to you, to discuss something about the cheerleader squad," Chloe said. "You weren't with her?"

Mandy shook her head. At this point, a feeling of dread hit Harry. He did not want to have to explain this to Mandy.

"I have to run something off on the printer. I'll see you after school."

Mandy flashed Chloe a curious look, but she looked about as worried as Harry did. Something was going on, although perhaps it was some big news story.

"So, last time Mandy saw Lana was the period before lunch? And Tina….she did all of that?"

Alex and Harry had slipped out of school and began to trace Lana's steps. It was not an exact science what they were doing, but Harry had a hunch they were on the right track.

"What do you think drove her to do that?"

"Desperation," Harry replied. "It drives most of us. She needed the money. I don't think it started as a bank robbery. She just wanted to get some money from the Luthor accounts. But they were protected. She's not well."

"Yeah, she's been a bit off all year," Alex said. "But, her own mother."

"Not premeditated," Harry said. "Involuntary manslaughter. Still shows just how quick her temper can turn on a dime."

Harry closed his eyes and allowed his instincts to guide him. He imagined that Tina, as Mandy, convinced Lana to take a walk. And then, when Lana questioned what they were doing, Tina found a way to subdue Lana. Exactly why and for what purpose, Harry could only guess.

Harry picked up his phone when Chloe called.

"The cops found the money in her locker," Chloe said. "Did you find her?"

"No," Harry said. "But, I'm close."

Harry waved his hand over the ground. Someone had drove from Smallville High to this park in a hurry. And given there was a car in the park, he was getting close.

Alex and Harry stepped into the park. They both had no idea what to expect when they stepped over her.

"Alex? Harry? Oh thank god, you found me!"

Lana rushed out from behind a tree and almost fell into Harry's arms. She looked over her shoulder, darting her eyes from one side to the other.

"Some crazy person attacked me and Tina," Lana said. "I don't know what happened, but they took Tina away. I think….I think her mother might be doing something shady, and Tina was in trouble."

Something had been off from Lana and Harry focused his hearing. He heard the sounds of something in the trunk. He motioned for Alex to stand to one side.

"Looks like there's a lot of shady goings on in the park."

Harry opened the trunk of the car and sure enough, the bound and gagged body of Lana Lang laid in the truck.

The "Lana" behind him swung a pipe and smashed Harry against the back of his head. Which caused the pipe to bend and "Lana" to gasp in surprise.

Alex ripped the pipe out of the imposter's hand. The two tussled with each other, with Lana's face turning back to Tina's as Alex put her in a chokehold. Tina flipped Alex onto her back with a surprising amount of strength, and then jumped to the trunk before she pulled Lana out of the trunk.

"I swear, you just couldn't let this go Kent! I wanted to love her! None of you would understand. None of you! You have all of the girls you could ever want. And I don't blame them, but why did you have to be the one to charm Lana away from me? Why did it have to be you?"

"Tina, you're….."

Tina put a knife to Lana's neck and caused her to squirm.

"You don't want to hurt her, like you hurt your mother."

"My mother should have stayed out of my business, I had no choice," Tina stated. "The medical treatments weren't working. I had to go somewhere. I had to do something. And they worked, they worked, but they wanted more! I had to get more, because the headaches wouldn't stop if I didn't have the pills."

Tina's hand shook and Harry feared she would accidentally stab Lana. He had to slowly remove the knife from Tina's fingers without jostling her.

"You have everything! Let me have this!"

Alex rose up and massaged her ribs. Harry lifted his hand and caused her to pause. He stopped and sure enough, he saw some funny spots radiating from around Tina's brain. Those were indications that her impulse control was not the best right now. And she developed a slight nose bleed.

"I didn't want to have to kill my mother. Oh, she didn't deserve it, but Lana doesn't deserve it. I can treat her like a queen, but if you don't...if you don't step back, I swear I will kill her. So, you and Danvers should back off!"

"You don't want any more blood on your hands, Tina," Harry said. "You're very sick."

"I am, I am, but I can be better!" Tina cried. "Just, let me leave Smallville with Lana, and with the money."

"The money's gone, the cops have it."

"Why did you have to get involved?"

The sirens in the distance caused Tina to slack. Harry disarmed her from the knife, sprinted Lana away, and rendered Tina unconscious with a flick of his finger.

"Sorry, about this Tina," Harry said.

Harry moved his way over, to untie Lana from her bindings. Lana had been looking at Harry with awe and confusion.

"Are you okay?"

"I thought Tina was my friend. Why would she do this?"

"She's not well."

Tina had been taken to the Smallville General Hospital. Emily and Chloe arrived, to be with Alex, Lana, and Harry. Chloe noticed that Lana was looking at Harry in a very funny way. Chloe sat down next to Harry, and she whispered in his ear.

"Does she know?"

Harry figured that he would have to deal with that one later and thus mouthed "later" at Chloe. Chloe settled down on the bench. To be fair, Lana did see Tina hit Harry with a pipe to no effect. And also, Harry had to sprint her away. However, it would be a bridge that he would have to cross.

"I thought she was weird," Emily said. ""But, I never thought she would do this."

"She wasn't in control of a lot of her actions," Harry said. "There's something wrong with her brain."

"Yes, mental illness, it's….awful," Chloe somberly said.

From the other room, walked Eliza and also Lena. Harry rose up to face them, to get the news.

"It's not good," Lena said. "Perhaps, if Doctor Danvers could explain."

"She has a small, irradiated brain tumor, which is affecting her impulse control," Eliza said. "She had a soft bone disease when she was younger. She had to get a bone marrow transplant, but the transplant donor had been affected by the meteor rocks."

Well, that was unfortunate, Harry thought.

"She developed the ability to chain her bone structure, and then her features," Lena said. "She could shapeshift. And apparently, got good at it, if she could pose as an adult male to rob a bank. But, it can at a price. The tumor got worse every time she used her powers. Her mother couldn't afford the medical bills, and Tina decided to turn to alternate sources. Some really bad people."

"How is she now?" Lana asked.

"Stable," Eliza said. "She'll be moved to my facility, and she'll be kept under close observation, with restricted privileges. The evidence is strong that she did not mean to kill her mother. Manslaughter, not murder."

"One more thing,' Lena said. "She wants to talk to Harry."

Alex looked concerned about this. Perhaps it had something to do with Tina bashing Harry over the head with a pipe, as little effect as it had.

"She's in the next room," Eliza said. "If you want to."

"It's fine," Harry said.

Harry stepped into the next room and walked up to Tina.

"Hey, Harry," Tina said. "Oh, I didn't….I didn't mean to do all of this stuff. You must think I'm a monster."

"No, you're very sick," Harry said.

"I am," Tina said. "The headaches, they're very bad. And I had to be on pain medication, but it's never enough, and Mom's insurance, they eventually cut us off. There was this guy, who was on the Football team, who I heard talking about pain pills that helped him deal with his knee. He hooked me up with a special dealer, out of Metropolis. He was well connected, but I needed more money. I stole from people, but that wasn't enough. I had to rob a bank."

Tina closed her eyes.

"Doctor Danvers told me that I can have surgery to remove the tumor," Tina said. "But, am I going to die?"

"The surgery should ease your pain and therapy will help you with the drug addiction," Harry said. "There's always a chance for complications, but between Lena and Eliza, you should have the best care in the world."

Tina just smiled, although it was strained.

"Lena Luthor actually helping me, after I framed her brother. I can't believe it."

"You still could be in some trouble," Harry said. "Your mother's death was only manslaughter, but you robbed a bank and that's a felony. They're going to have to prove it."

Harry could not promise things would be okay, but given the circumstances, he had a feeling Tina might get a lighter sentence.

"Lana's going to be in good hands at least."

Tina stood up, a bit gingerly.

"You are cute, for a boy," Tina said. "Mostly because of your eyes."

She leaned forward and kissed Harry on the lips, ever so briefly.

"I wanted one good memory, before...before it happens," Tina said. "Only one, I swear."

Even if there was life after surgery, everyone would always look at Tina closely, for what she did.

"You'll be a better person," Harry told her.

"But, not as good as you," Tina replied. "Never. Not what she deserves."

Harry wished she would have a happy ending. But the only thing for sure was nothing was for sure.

"I've got some of the best experts in the country looking at Tina's problem. And I've done my own studies on the meteors."

Harry and Lena took a bit of a walk after the fact, after Harry's conversation with Tina.

"I know, I've read your papers," Harry said. "They have empowered some people, killed others upon exposure, gave others cancer, and yet, with others, it's had no visible factor."

"There's some common factor which gives some people powers, while others it just gives cancer," Lena said. "Look, Tina, I feel bad for her, and everything she's been through. I'm going to talk to Patricia, and STAR Labs should make sure her surgery is as safe as it ever would be."

"I know you have the resources," Harry said. "I'm concerned about how the courts are going to react."

"Well, money talks," Lena said to him. "Lex is already in the process of getting the charges dropped. All of the money has been accounted for at the bank. And with Eliza's testimony about Tina's mental state, she should only get some time under house arrest, under heavy observation."

The real prison had been Tina's own guilt. Harry's phone lit up and he picked it up.

"Harry," Mandy said. "I heard about what happened. That's crazy, with Tina I mean."

"The truth is even crazier than any rumors that you might hear," Harry said. "So, about your tutoring…."

"Actually, is tomorrow a good time for you?" Mandy asked. "I understand if you want to put it off, with everything that's happened."

"I'll talk to you tomorrow then," Harry said.

The moment Harry stopped, Lana had been standing outside of the door.

"We need to talk."

"We will."

"I have to get back to the office," Lena told Harry. "Talk to you later."

Harry and Lana returned to the Kent Farmhouse. It had been a long time before Lana broke the silence.

"So, you have your secrets. And I understand that, but it does explain a lot. You were given gifts by the meteors."

Harry responded with a chuckle. Well, Lana was on the right track, she just went about it the wrong way.

"Not quite."

Harry grabbed Lana's hand and teleported her into the basement cellar.

"I came down with the meteor shower."

"What?"

The expression of shock on Lana's face just made Harry respond with a chuckle.

"I'm not of this world. I was sent here to survive and escape my dying planet."

Lana thought about it. All of the strange things which happened around Harry. The fact he seemed to be a bit quicker, a bit stronger, and a whole lot smarter than a lot of people his age, it made perfect sense.

"Did you keep this from me, because I thought I would blame you for what happened to my parents? How could anyone ever do that, if you were a child when it happened? I would have to be a real sociopath if I did."

Now, maybe, that grim voice in the back of Lana's head reminded her, she would have maybe lashed out on Harry a couple of years ago. When she still defined herself by being that girl who had her parents smashed by meteors in front of her.

"This is a heavy secret to bear," Harry said. "I was close to telling you and Emily, but today, it sped things up."

Suddenly, it all hit Lana. She wondered why she did not put it together.

"You saved Emily from drowning!" Lana gasped. "It was you, the Smallville savior. Oh, damn, she's going to flip when she realizes her two heroes are one and the same. Although I wonder, if she figured it out, at least subconsciously."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, she did a portrait of the Smallville savior," Lana said. "It looks like you."

"Well, she did an amazing job on it then," Harry said. "I'll let her know, when the time is right."

"Right, your secret to share," Lana said. "But, you know, heroes should be rewarded."

And with that, Lana threw her arms around Harry and passionately kissed him. Harry tightened the grip around Lana and returned the kiss, with equal fever. Their hands roamed against each other and tested out their bodies.

"Let's go to a location a bit more comfortable than the cellar," Harry breathed in Lana's ear before she had his shirt completely off.