Original Air Date on February 2, 2005

The Talon. Night. Lana, Jason, and dozens of other people fill the Talon and watch Chloe and Lois on a small stage enthusiastically singing karaoke. Both Chloe and Lois dance in place as they sing loudly into their microphones. Everyone is cheering and having fun.

Lois & Chloe: [Singing.] I love rock and roll, so put another dime in the jukebox, baby! I love rock and roll, so come and take your time and dance with me.

Chloe: [Screaming like a rockstar into the microphone.] Whoa!

Lana laughs with delighted disbelief. Lois laughs at Chloe.

Lois & Chloe: [Singing.] He smiled, so I got up and asked for his name.

Lois steps off the stage and points to a good-looking young man seated at the table next to Lana and Jason. His name is TIM.

Lois: [Flirtatious.] You, right there.

Tim smiles a little uncomfortably.

Lois & Chloe: [Singing.] He said it doesn't matter ‘cause it's all the same. I said, can I take you home where we can be alo-woe-wone? And then we were movin' on and he was with me. Yeah, me.

Lana looks in Tim's direction, smiling. He continues to smile, but still seems a little embarrassed.

Lois & Chloe: [Singing.] Next we're movin' on and he was with me, yeah, me singin' I love rock and roll! So put another dime in the jukebox, baby! I love rock and roll, so come and take your time and dance with me!

Clark and Alicia enter the Talon holding hands. Lana turns to the entrance and sees them come in. A look of shock comes over her face. Lois and Chloe notice too, and stop singing, but the karaoke music continues playing in the background. Lois turns to Chloe and speaks, not realizing that she is talking directly into her microphone.

Lois: First he married the girl, now he's dating her?

Lois's microphone squeaks slightly as her comment is heard throughout the Talon. Alicia lowers her eyes uncomfortably.

Chloe: That was subtle, Lois.

Lois: [Embarrassed.] Right.

Chloe: Good.

The music has stopped and everyone in the Talon has gone silent as they stare at Alicia and Clark. Clark glares up at Lois as Alicia looks to Clark imploringly. Lana looks around for a moment, then turns to Jason.

Lana: [Disgusted.] I think I've seen enough for one night.

Lana stands up, leaving Jason at the table and walks towards the stairs to her apartment. Alicia follows her.

Alicia: Lana, wait.

Lana turns to face Alicia.

Alicia: I just want to apologize.

Lana: [Laughing angrily.] For what? Trying to k*ll me or not succeeding?

Alicia: Look, all I want is a chance to prove to you who I really am.

Lana: You already have.

Lana goes up the stairs. Jason and Clark follow and stop when they get to Alicia.

Jason: [To Clark.] I can't believe you brought her here.

Clark: Jason, listen ...

Jason: Listen to what? Another apology?

Alicia turns and walks out of the Talon.

Jason: You think just ‘cause she says she's better that everything's gonna be okay? Come on, man.

Jason goes up the stairs.

Cut to an outside sh*t of the Talon, later the same night.

Lana is upstairs in her apartment, wearing a bathrobe and lighting candles in the bathroom. She blows out the match and goes to the door, locking it as she turns down the lights. The soft glow of the candles is the only light left as she turns on the shower.

Jason is seated at a table in the living room working on his homework.

In the bathroom, Lana stands in the shower behind the translucent plastic curtain, washing her hair. Then, we see into the bathroom through the view of someone who is peeking in through the keyhole in the door. We see Lana's silhouette through the curtain.

What appears to be a swirling swarm of dust particles flies into the bathroom through the keyhole, creating a soft whooshing sound. A wind accompanies the sound and causes the burning candles to flicker slightly, but not go out. Lana notices the sound, but shortly dismisses it.

She leans her face into the stream of water coming from the showerhead and pushes her hair out of her face when suddenly the curtain is pulled from the rod and wrapped tightly around her face, cutting off her air. She tries to scream, but her voice is quickly stifled as she gasps against the curtain. Finally, she passes out and falls down in the tub.

Jason, having heard the crash, is trying to open the locked door from the outside.

Jason: Lana?

When Lana doesn't answer, Jason kicks the door open and walks into the room. He sees Lana lying in the bathtub, wrapped in the shower curtain. The water is still running.

Jason: Lana?

He runs to the bathtub and kneels down next to it, turning off the water. He leans into the bathtub and pulls Lana into a seated position. Her head is now exposed, but she is unconscious.

Jason: [Panicked.] Lana? Hey, can you hear me?

The swarm of dust flies out the bathroom door behind Jason, unnoticed.

Jason: Lana? Lana. Lana, look at me.

Outside sh*t of Smallville Medical Center. Night. Inside, we see Lana dressed in a hospital gown sitting upright on a bed in one of the patient rooms. Jason is at her side and a nurse who has just finished checking Lana's vitals is leaving the room. As the nurse leaves, a doctor who is also in the room walks towards Lana to examine her. Lois and Chloe wait in the hallway. Clark comes around the corner and walks toward them.

Clark: [Breathless and concerned.] How's Lana? Is she okay?

Without waiting for a response, Clark walks past Chloe and Lois and straight to the window to look in at Lana where he sees the doctor shining a small flashlight into Lana's eyes.

Chloe: Hey, Clark. Yeah, she's-she's fine. I mean, lucky for her, Jason pulled a T.J. Hooker and broke the bathroom door down.

Lois: Only to discover Lana's mystery assailant had somehow flown the coop. So, have they arrested your arm ornament yet?

Clark: [Confused.] What?

Chloe: Sheriff Adams was just here, and she spent a lot of time focusing on the "att*cked inside a locked room" scenario.

Lois: And the name Alicia Baker came up more than once in a bunny boiler kind of way.

Clark: Alicia didn't do this.

Lois and Chloe look at Clark doubtfully.

Clark: Ever since she was released from Belle Reve, she's been wearing her lead bracelet. It prevents her from using her abilities.

Lois: [Disbelieving.] And did she also happen to be wearing anything low-cut when she spun you that tale, ‘cause I'm not sure you're thinking with you "big" brain here.

Chloe: Clark, just because Alicia says that the bracelet keeps her from teleporting doesn't mean that it's the truth.

Clark: She was with me when Lana got att*cked. I was saying good night in Grandville.

Chloe: Yeah, but every second? You have to admit that she can transport easier than Captain Kirk.

Lois: And she did try to carve herself a Jack-O-Lana before, cut and dry. Emphasis on the "cut."

Clark: I'm telling you Alicia couldn't have done this. I know her.

Clark walks away from Chloe and Lois and back to the window to look in at Lana. Jason comes out of the room and stands face to face with Clark, looking annoyed.

Jason: Clark. Lana doesn't want to see you.

Clark looks past Jason and into the window where Lana is still talking to the doctor.

Sheriff Adams is writing in her notepad as she talks to Clark, Martha, and Jonathan in the Kent kitchen. Day.

Adams: I'm getting a funny sense of deja vu here, Mr. Kent. Haven't we acted out this particular charade before?

Clark: This is different, Sheriff. Alicia did not att*ck Lana. She was with me.

Adams: [thr*at.] I better not find out you're covering for that girlfriend of yours, Mr. Kent. Having you as an alibi is the only thing keeping me from tossing her tail in jail.

Sheriff Adams nods her head at Clark for emphasis, then glances at Jonathan and Martha as she turns to leave. Jonathan opens the door for her and she exits.

Clark: [Exasperated.] Sheriff Adams already has Alicia tried and convicted.

Jonathan: Sheriff Adams has a point, Clark.

Martha: First Las Vegas and now an as*ault charge. What are you doing with this girl, Clark?

Clark: Alicia didn't do this.

Jonathan: Son, your girlfriend has problems and this relationship is not healthy. Why can't you see that?

Clark: You always told me to look for the good in people, to believe in them. And Alicia deserves a second chance.

Jonathan takes a breath as if to respond, but Martha cuts him off.

Martha: What I don't understand is why do you continue to see her, knowing how we feel?

Clark: [Losing his temper.] She kept my secret. She got sh*t protecting me. What else does she have to do to prove herself?

Martha: What if she did this, Clark? What if she att*cked Lana the way she did before?

Clark is silent, worried.

Chloe and Lois are in the Torch office. Day. The bell rings as Chloe slings her bag over her shoulder.

Lois: Ever thought about getting out more?

Chloe: This coming from the hotshot college student who ran away from college this weekend.

Chloe leaves the office and Lois follows. They walk side by side down the hall.

Lois: It's Greek Week.

Chloe: So?

Lois: So, they're wearing their letters on their shirts, they sing group songs...

Chloe: [With mock sympathy.] Oh.

Lois: The fraternities are having a power puking contest.

Chloe: [Grossed out.] Oh, okay, enough said. I don't understand why you came out to Smallville, though.

Lois: Well, believe it or not, I like spending time with you, little cousin. Although that doesn't mean I'm ready to buy into your "meteors make freaks" theory.

They arrive at Chloe's locker. Chloe opens it.

Chloe: It's not just a theory, Lois. Alicia Baker tried to k*ll my best friend twice, and it was because of her meteor-induced abilities that she was able to do that.

Chloe puts some books in her locker and closes it.

Chloe: Did you know that Lana's bathroom door was locked? Who else could've gotten in? Or out for that matter?

Clark walks up.

Clark: That's what I want to know. Chloe, we need to find out if there's anybody else in Smallville who has abilities similar to Alicia's.

Chloe: Clark, I'm sorry, but even if there was someone else like Alicia, what would they have against Lana?

Tim, the guy from the Talon walks up.

Tim: Hey, I finished that op-ed piece, Chloe.

Chloe: Great.

Tim: Hey, Lois.

Lois: Hey.

Tim: [Suddenly shy.] I had a feeling I'd-I'd bump into you here.

Chloe smiles, realizing what is going on.

Tim: Um, I was wondering if, uh, you'd-you'd like to maybe have a cup of coffee or something with me, maybe.

Lois: [Surprised.] Coffee?

Clark smiles at Lois, delighted with her discomfort.

Chloe: [To Tim.] You know, Lois was just saying she needs to get out more.

Lois: [Trying to resist.] I ... I... Look...

Tim: Excellent. It's a date.

Tim hands a file folder to Chloe. She opens it and reads the headline of his article.

Chloe: "Smallville's Glory Days."

Beneath the main headline, the subheading says "Historical Society Opens Exhibition."

Chloe: Sounds interesting.

Tim: [To Lois.] I think it is, and I'll tell you about it over coffee.

Tim starts to walk away and Lois glares at Chloe angrily. Chloe smiles in return.

Clark: Hey, Tim. [Tim turns back.] Um, you were at the Talon last night. Did you see anything suspicious?

Tim: Um, no, nothing out of the ordinary. But your mother, she was there. She was cleaning up, and the blond girl that you were with was in the alley. Maybe they saw something.

Tim walks away, leaving Clark looking concerned.

Outside sh*t of the Kent farm. Night. Inside Clark's loft, Clark and Alicia are on the upper level. Alicia stands, leaning against the railing as Clark paces anxiously.

Alicia: You look like a big cat in a small cage. [Clark doesn't answer.] You all right?

Clark: No. [He stops pacing.] Someone saw a blond girl in the alley behind the Talon when Lana was att*cked.

Alicia: [Pause.] Then somebody saw another blond girl in the alley, because it wasn't me. There's bound to be suspicion, Clark. People think I did it

Clark: [Trying to convince himself.] Besides, you couldn't have done it because you were with me. And you were wearing your bracelet.

Clark takes Alicia's hand and lifts up her sleeve to look at her bracelet. The bracelet isn't there. Clark takes a step back, shocked.

Alicia: [Defensive.] Clark...

Clark: You lied to me.

Alicia: I didn't ... I didn't lie. I mean... I didn't think that I needed it. [Clark's frightened expression remains.] You don't understand. I couldn't give up my powers again. It was worse than being in prison. What would you do if somebody told you that you couldn't use your abilities?

Clark: I don't know. But I would give them away in a second before I'd use them to hurt someone.

Alicia: Yeah, so would I. I'm better now, Clark, you know that. I just want people to accept me for who I am. I think if you're honest with yourself, you'll realize that deep down inside you want that too. Look, I'm so sorry that I didn't tell you about the bracelet. But I didn't do anything to hurt Lana. I swear. [More quietly.] I swear.

Outside sh*t of the Talon. Night. Lana and Jason stand next to the bar inside talking. Martha is several feet away, within earshot, cleaning up. The Talon is closed. Lana and Jason's conversation is serious, but somewhat playful.

Lana: Jason, don't be ridiculous. I'll be fine for a few hours.

Jason: You do realize that you were att*cked in your own apartment behind a locked door. You want me to just leave you alone and spend an evening digging through the university's microfiche? No.

Lana: Well, I am not going not let you flunk history.

Clark walks in, hearing Lana's last line and picking up on the affection between her and Jason. He pretends not to notice.

Clark: Mom, ready to go?

Martha: [To Jason.] Why don't Clark and I stay with Lana?

Clark and Lana share an awkward look and Jason looks doubtfully at Clark.

Lana: I think that that is a great idea. [Handing Jason his jacket.] Go. I'll be fine.

Jason: All right. I won't be long.

Jason looks at Clark coldly for another moment, then leaves.

Cut to the alley behind the Talon where Jason is walking to his car. He pulls his key ring out of his pocket and disarms the car alarm, then gets inside the car, closing the door. He glances absently at the rearview mirror, then sticks his key into the ignition. When he looks up at the mirror again, it is crooked, and the dice hanging from it are swaying back and forth.

Jason straightens the mirror, confused but not overly concerned. He reaches to turn the key in the ignition when suddenly a green scarf is thrown over his head and wraps tightly around his neck, choking him.

He gasps and reaches for the scarf, but it is pulled around his neck too tightly for him to breath. He pulls at the scarf with one hand and with the other he starts frantically honking the car horn over and over.

Unseen by Jason, Clark super speeds into the alley and tries to open the passenger door but it is locked. Clark punches the window, shattering it, and the scarf immediately goes limp around Jason's neck, allowing him to breath again. Jason looks around but doesn't see anyone else in the car. He holds his neck as he catches his breath. Clark looks closely at the scarf, clearly recognizing it.

From beneath Jason's seat, the same dust we saw in Lana's apartment swirls out of the car. Neither Jason nor Clark see it.

Fade to black.

Outside sh*t of the Smallville Medical Center. Night. Jason is just finishing getting dressed in a patient room as his mother Genevieve rushes into the room breathlessly and holds his face.

Jason: Mom, what are you doing here?

Genevieve: I had to come to make sure my son was all right. [She hugs him.] I phoned Dr. Martin on the way here. He can see you today.

Annoyed, Jason pulls away from her.

Jason: I'm fine. I've been hurt worse in football.

Genevieve: Well, it never hurts to get a second opinion from a real doctor.

Jason: Let it go, Mom.

Jason picks up his watch from the table and puts it on his wrist.

Genevieve: It's just hard to see you suffering here by yourself. You'd at least think your girlfriend would be here.

Jason: You really want to play that game?

Genevieve: This is not a game, Jason. This is your life. And I'm worried about the path you're heading down.

Jason: Oh, you mean the path you sent me down?

Genevieve: What are you talking about?

Jason: Lana. The girl you made sure I met in Paris.

Genevieve: Are you serious? I mean, how could anyone maneuver two people meeting and falling in love in Paris?

Lana enters.

Lana: Mrs. Teague. Um, I didn't know you were here.

Genevieve: Well, come in, Lana. We were just talking about you. Did, uh, Jason share his matchmaking theory with you?

Lana: [Quietly.] Yeah, he did.

Genevieve: And what did you think? That I had somehow used my mysterious powers to coerce you into going to Paris at exactly the same time that my son was there?

Lana lowers her eyes from Genevieve, then looks to Jason for help.

Jason: You don't have to answer that.

Genevieve: I think she already has. [Stepping closer.] Lana, I'm not a perfect mother. I can be overprotective and sometimes overbearing, especially when it comes to the women in my son's life.

Jason: [Trying to stop her.] Mom...

Genevieve: I had nothing to do with getting the two of your together as you can probably realize from my reaction to it. And why my son feels the need to blame me for meeting you is something you should be asking yourself.

There is a pause as Lana looks somewhat fearfully at Genevieve.

Genevieve: [To Jason.] If you change your mind about the doctor, let me know. [She touches Jason's face.] Feel better.

Genevieve leaves the room.

Outside sh*t of the Kent farm. Day. Clark enters the barn with a tackle box which he puts down on the table and opens. The box is full of different types of fishing lures. In one compartment, the lures all look like small silver fish. He takes one of these and pulls the hook out of it, then begins to smash it flat between his hands. He then picks up another one and smashes it into the first, connecting them end to end. Alicia enters behind him.

Alicia: It won't work. The one that they made me at Belle Reve was special. It had to be able to release trace amounts of lead into my blood stream to dampen my abilities, remember? [Clark keeps working.] I guess it's the thought that counts. [She looks at Clark's attempt at a bracelet.] It's a pretty ugly thought.

Clark: Where were you last night?

Alicia: I was wondering if you were ever gonna call me again. Why?

Clark closed the tackle box and puts it away.

Clark: Lana's boyfriend was att*cked. I was the one who saved him, and I found this in his car. [He holds up the green scarf.]

Alicia: [Stunned.] Okay, I didn't do it, Clark. I don't know how that got there, but I... it wasn't me.

Clark: Alicia, you have to turn yourself in.

Alicia: [Hurt.] You don't believe me.

Clark: I want to. I really do. But I need to stop who's doing this.

Alicia: Okay, well, then find out who really did it.

Clark: Everybody thinks it's you.

Alicia: Why, because of my powers? Because I'm a freak? You know what, Clark? Maybe if everybody knew your secret, you'd be a suspect too.

Clark: No, Alicia, this is not about your abilities.

Alicia: That's really easy for you to say, Clark. Everybody thinks that you're normal. How do you think your friends would react if they found out that you were exactly like me?

Clark: We'll just go to the sheriff. We'll tell her what happened. We'll explain everything. She'll understand, and it'll all work out. [Alicia thinks about it.] Just explain it to her.

Alicia: All right, I'll go with you... [Clark sighs with relief.] ...if you tell her about your powers too.

Clark: I can't do that.

Alicia: Why not, Clark? Don't you understand that once people know the truth about us, then they'll have to accept us for who we really are?

Clark: I'm sorry.

Alicia: Yeah, I'm sorry too. Letting people know about us is the only way that we're ever gonna be free, Clark. Don't hate me for wanting that.

She walks a few feet away from him.

Alicia: Goodbye, Clark.

She teleports away.

Clark: Alicia!

Clark reaches for her, but he is too late.

Outside sh*t of the Talon. Day. Clark enters the Talon holding Alicia's green scarf. He walks toward the bar where Sheriff Adams is drinking a cup of coffee.

Adams: Mr. Kent. Didn't see you there. Did you come to help your mother? [Taking a sip of coffee.] Mm. She has almost got that latte machine down.

Clark: [Sullen.] No, Sheriff, I came here to see you. [He shows her the scarf.] I found this in the car when Jason was att*cked. It belongs to Alicia.

Adams: [Taking the scarf.] You flip-flop more than a politician, Mr. Kent. So now you think your girlfriend's guilty, huh?

Clark: Maybe.

Adams: Well, I hate to disappointment you, Mr. Kent, but I've already been down that road. Despite your claim that Miss Baker was with you at the time of the first incident, I yanked her in for a little dog-and-pony. The scarf may have been there, but your girlfriend wasn't. Alicia Baker was locked in an interrogation room with me at the time the second victim was att*cked. There's no way she could've done it.

Adams gives the scarf back to Clark and leaves. Clark looks down at the scarf with surprise.

Chloe is typing in the Torch. Night. Alicia enters the office, noticing several articles about herself posted on Chloe's wall. Chloe doesn't see her.

Alicia: [Reading an article title.] "Can Any Cell Hold Her?"

Chloe stands up and turns to face Alicia, startled.

Alicia: Probably not.

Chloe: [Afraid.] Alicia, what are you doing here?

Alicia: Chloe Sullivan, ace reporter. You write all these articles about the people you call freaks and you don't even realize that someone close to you is one of them. Why are you ignoring what's right in front of your face, Chloe? Don't you want to know the truth about Clark Kent?

Chloe: [Doubtful.] Everyone knows you're crazy. Why should I believe you?

Alicia: You don't have to. I'm gonna prove it. And then you can write the story of a lifetime.

Alicia grabs Chloe by the arm and teleports them both out of the Torch.

Cut to the inside of Alicia's car where they both reappear, Alicia in the driver's seat.

Chloe: Where are we? What are you doing?

Alicia: Giving you your next headline. And making things better for Clark.

Alicia opens her cell phone and dials a number. Then she cradles the phone between her ear and her shoulder as she starts the car and speeds into the night, tires screeching as she goes. Chloe looks around fearfully.

Alicia: [On the phone, feigning terror.] Clark!

We hear Clark's muffled voice through the phone.

Clark: Alicia, what is it?

Alicia: I'm on Old Blossom Road and there's something really wrong with the car! It won't stop!

Clark: Hang on!

Alicia: Hurry! [She hangs up the phone, then speaks to Chloe.] Once you see this, you'll understand and Clark can be who he really is. And you can use that poison pen of yours to enlighten Smallville for a change.

The car continues to pick up speed as they drive down the road, heading straight for a construction site where the road is blocked by cones and barricades. Before they get there, Alicia touches Chloe's shoulder and teleports them both out of the car. Clark super speeds to the site. The construction equipment stands between him and the car that is now coming toward him.

Alicia and Chloe reappear several yards away to the side of the road, watching Clark from behind more barricades. Clark can't see or hear them. Chloe sees Clark standing in the path of the oncoming car.

Chloe: [Quietly, terrified.] Clark, what are you ...

Alicia: Don't worry, Chloe.

Chloe watches with tears of panic in her eyes as the car gets to the construction site and rides up a ramp, flipping sideways into the air and making a nosedive straight for Clark. Clark catches the car by the tip of the hood, holding it easily in the air. Then he slowly turns it upright and lowers it softly to the ground. When he stands up straight again, he notices that the car is empty. Clark seems confused for a moment, and then he super speeds away.

Having seen all of this, Chloe's jaw drops.

Chloe: Oh, my God.

Fade to black.

Outside sh*t of the Smallville Historical Museum. Day. Inside, Tim and Lois look at a miniature model of Smallville set up on a table.

Tim: Voila, Smallville circa 1988 before the meteor shower. After that, everything changed. My father used to say that the meteor shower infected Smallville somehow. It brought an evil to our town.

Lois: [Jokingly.] Sounds like something from the Sci-Fi channel.

Tim: Yeah. I'm sorry, I get a little carried away by the past sometimes. I don't have many memories of my father. You know, he passed away when I was young.

They walk past a few more models of Smallville.

Lois: I know what it's like to lose a parent. My mom died when I was little. I cherish the memories I have of her.

Tim: Yeah. My favorites are when my father used to talk about Smallville and the way things used to be. I mean, look at it now. Nobody ... nobody cares about right or wrong or morality, like that football coach dating a student. It's not right.

Lois: They're both over 18.

Tim looks at Lois seriously for a moment, then laughs.

Tim: Lois, it doesn't make it right. No. I mean, rules... rules are there for a reason. If those two got away with it, then other people would try, you see? It's a good thing that they were punished.

Lois: So you think they were att*cked because someone thought their relationship was immoral?

Tim: Um, I think that they got exactly what they deserved.

Lois raises her eyebrows, realizing that Tim is a little unbalanced. Tim nods at her, seeing absolutely nothing wrong with his statement. She looks at her watch, finding a reason to leave. A male voice is heard over the PA system.

Man: Smallville Historical Museum will be closing in two minutes.

Lois: Wow. Just look at the time. I better get back to the Torch. I have some... studying to do.

Lois exits the museum, leaving Tim alone. He is the only one left in the room. He steps away from the model and his body becomes hazy as he dissolves into a cloud of dust and swirls away.

Chloe is sitting at the bar in the Talon. Night. She is holding a cup of coffee but she isn't drinking it. She is staring into space, lost in thought. Lois enters in a hurry.

Lois: Chloe, have you seen Clark?

Chloe: [Startled.] What? Have I seen Clark do what? [Lois stares at Chloe, confused.] What ... Uh, oh, yeah, I've seen him.

Lois: Where?

Chloe: Why? Did something happen?

Lois: Bad date. I'm starting to think maybe Alicia isn't our resident psycho k*ller. I need to find Clark.

Chloe: [More to herself than Lois.] He's probably zipping around looking for Alicia.

Lois: Are you all right?

Chloe: [Quickly.] Fine. Yeah, fine. Uh... He's probably out at Alicia's house.

Lois: I'll swing by, see if he's there. Can you give me a call if he shows up here?

Chloe: Okay.

Lois: Okay.

Lois leaves.

Tim is in Alicia's barn looking through a chest of clothes. Night. Alicia enters behind him.

Tim: I'm glad you're finally home.

Alicia: What are you doing?

Tim: Oh, I'm just looking for evidence to leave at the next m*rder.

Alicia: It was you. Everyone thinks that I'm guilty because of you.

Tim: You are guilty. I mean, this-this really used to be such a nice little town.

Alicia: [Walking toward him.] You don't understand what you've done. Even Clark thinks that I'm guilty. [She grabs his arm.] You're not gonna ...

Tim pulls his arm out of Alicia's grip and yanks her toward him, holding a handkerchief tightly over her mouth and nose. She screams and tries to break free, but he holds her tightly. A horse neighs with fright in the background.

Tim: I already have.

Alicia loses consciousness and falls to the ground. Tim puts the handkerchief in his jacket pocket.

Outside sh*t of Lex's mansion. Night. Lex pours a drink in his study and takes a sip of it. Genevieve enters behind him and he turns around to face her.

Genevieve: You certainly have grown.

Lex: Forgive me, but you'll have to refresh my memory, Mrs. Teague. I wasn't aware that we'd met before.

Genevieve: No, please, Lex, call me Genevieve. I served on numerous committees with your father and your late mother. I used to see you with them often. [She smiles.] A bored young boy at the opera always getting into trouble.

Lex: Some of my finer moments, I'm sure. Can I get you something, Genevieve? I assure you, my tastes have matured.

He pours another drink and hands it to Genevieve.

Genevieve: I'm sure you've developed a taste for quite a lot of things, Lex. [She sips from her glass.] I understand you have a relationship with Lana Lang.

Lex: Care to tell me where this is going?

Genevieve: My son is young, Lex, young and headstrong like that boy at the opera. He can't always see what's best for him.

Lex: And you can.

Genevieve: With the wisdom of age, yes, I can. And what I see is that he's throwing his future away, as is your friend. Surely you know they're in a relationship that will never work.

Lex: I don't usually involve myself in other people's affairs of the heart, Genevieve.

Genevieve: But you did intervene at the high school.

Lex: That was a civic matter. Look, I'm not a family therapist, but I would suggest that you talk to your son.

Genevieve: Oh, I've tried, Lex. But as is often the way with young men, they don't listen particularly to their mothers. I was hoping I could persuade you to help me.

Lex: As I said, I don't interfere in other ...

Genevieve: In other people's affairs of the heart, I know. Perhaps you should look at the bigger picture, Lex. Helping me could work to your advantage. I recently came across some information about how your father managed to overturn his conviction and get out prison. Information you might find very interesting.

Lex looks at Genevieve for a few seconds, the gives her a small smile.

Clark walks toward Alicia's barn next to her house. Night. Alicia's dog is tied to the fence and barking frantically as Clark passes by.

Clark: Alicia!

There is no answer and Clark keeps walking. His eyes go wide with fright when he looks inside the barn and sees Alicia hanging from a noose. Her eyes are closed and she is limp. Clark runs to her and lifts her up to take the pressure of the rope off of her neck. Then he sh**t his heat vision across the barn to where the rope is tied, causing the rope to break and release Alicia.

Still holding Alicia, he gets to his knees, looking at her face.

Clark: No. Please, no.

Alicia's face is pale and she is unresponsive.

Clark: [Starting to cry.] Please, please. No, no. [Screaming.] NO! No!

Alicia's head leans involuntarily against Clark's chest.

Clark: No!

Lois enters behind him.

Lois: Clark! [She sees Alicia.] Oh, my God. Clark, what happened? [Clark doesn't respond.] I think I know who did this. And where we can find him.

Clark's face becomes a cold mask of fury.

Cut to Clark running into the Smallville Historical Museum after hours where he finds Tim. He throws Tim onto the ground and kneels over him, pushing his hand against Tim's face. Tim dissolves into dust, and Clark's hand falls to the floor. Tim rematerializes behind Clark.

Tim: Even you thought she was guilty, didn't you? Huh?

Clark stands up, preparing to h*t Tim, but Tim punches Clark first, sending him flying across the room.

Tim: Try not to feel too bad. I mean, hey, she did try to k*ll your girlfriend last year.

Clark stands up with tears of rage in his eyes.

Clark: You tried to k*ll Lana. What does that make you?

Tim: No, try to understand, Clark. I did what's right for Smallville. I have to make things right.

Clark: You k*lled Alicia. I loved her, and you took that away from me.

Clark lunges at Tim, but Tim dissolves again and the dust swarms around Clark, choking him. Clark falls to his knees, holding his throat. He finally sh**t his heat vision at the dust until Tim rematerializes on the floor, screaming in pain. Clark grabs him pulls him to his feet, slamming him up against a support beam. Tim's face is red and burnt from the heat vision.

Clark: You k*lled her!

Clark's hands find Tim's throat and cut off his air.

Clark: All she wanted was a chance.

Lois runs into the museum and toward Clark and Tim.

Lois: Clark, stop!

Clark: [Not paying attention.] You k*lled her.

Lois gets to Clark's side.

Lois: Stop, Clark. Clark, you're k*lling him.

Clark continues to choke Tim who is whimpering for air.

Lois: [Pleading.] Stop. Let him go.

Clark finally lets go of Tim's neck, and Tim falls to the floor. Lois takes Clark's arm as Clark stares breathlessly down at Tim. A tear runs down Clark's cheek.

Lois: It's gonna be okay. Clark, it's gonna be okay.

Clark cries as he stares down at Tim furiously.

Fade to black.

Outside sh*t of Lex's mansion. Day. Jason enters the study where Lex is seated at his desk.

Jason: Now, why would Lex Luthor want to see me? Let me take a s*ab at it. ‘Cause you want to lecture me on the evils of a part-time coach dating an 18-year-old high school student.

Jason leans over the desk impatiently.

Lex: I took a hard line about the school rules, Jason, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the individuals involved. I'm sorry I cost you your job, and I'd like to make it up to you.

Lex stands up and walks away from the desk.

Jason: [Skeptical.] Really? I mean, you still haven't rescheduled my meeting with your H.R. guy over at LuthorCorp.

Lex: I have a position you might find more appealing. A position that pays a hundred thousand dollars a year.

Jason: [Sarcastic.] Because I'm obviously qualified for a hundred thousand dollar a year job. My mother put you up to this, didn't she? She is trying her best to get between Lana and me.

Lex: She's trying to do a lot more than that, Jason. That's why I want to work together. To find out what she's really up to.

Jason: [Almost laughing.] You want to team up against my mother?

Lex: The enemy of my enemy.

Jason: And how do I know I can trust you?

Lex: You don't. But what other choice do you have?

Lex pats Jason on the shoulder and walks away from him.

Outside sh*t of Clark's loft. Day. Inside, Clark is sitting on the floor in front of the couch, repeatedly bouncing a ball against the wall and catching it. Martha and Jonathan enter and come up the stairs.

Martha: Clark? [No response.] Honey, you've been up here for two days.

Jonathan sits on the couch next to Clark. Martha sits at the top of the stairs. Clark continues bouncing the ball throughout the conversation.

Jonathan: What happened to Alicia... it wasn't your fault.

Clark: [Flat.] If I had believed her, she wouldn't be d*ad.

Jonathan: Clark, she was framed. There's... there's no way you could've known that.

Clark: I could've trusted her. Do you know that Alicia wanted me to go to the sheriff with her and tell her everything? Alicia thought that if people knew the truth about me and what I can do, they wouldn't be so quick to judge her. But I didn't go. I was too afraid of what people might think, how they would react. What if she was right? Because if people knew what I can do and who I really am... maybe she'd still be alive. And I just can't forgive myself for that.

Martha lowers her eyes sadly. Clark chucks the ball despondently, letting it bounce away.

Outside sh*t of Smallville High. Day. Chloe is seated at her desk in the Torch staring at her Wall of Weird. Lois enters.

Lois: I'm headed back to school. I have an eight o'clock class tomorrow.

Slightly startled, Chloe stands up and starts putting papers in her bag.

Lois: Looking for clues about Tim's ability? Things we should've seen before blaming Alicia?

Chloe: I think maybe I've seen too much already. I've spent the last four years ferreting out meteor freaks, trying to expose them. I never should've started this wall.

Lois: Chloe, you're a reporter. You investigate and expose. That's who you are.

Chloe: Yeah, well, then I guess sometimes it sucks being me. [Pause.] Lois, if you found out something, something someone didn't want you to know about them, would you tell them?

Lois: That depends. Is that person someone you care about?

Chloe: Yeah.

Lois: And does keeping the secret hurt anyone?

Chloe thinks about it.

Chloe: No.

Lois: Then my answer is no. If I really cared about that person, I wouldn't tell them that I knew. But I would go out of my way to be supportive of them so that hopefully, one day, they would be comfortable enough to tell me themselves.

Chloe: No offense, Lois, but that's the last thing I expected to hear from you.

Lois: I've learned the hard way that people keep secrets for a reason, even from the people they're closest to. [Chloe looks thoughtful and sad.] Chloe is there something you want to tell me? Are you the one with the secret?

Chloe: No. No, it's not me.

Lois: Okay. I'll see you in a couple of weeks or so.

Chloe: Yeah.

Lois: I'm sure whoever it is that you're talking about will tell you when they're ready.

Chloe: [Nods.] Thanks.

They hug.

Lois: Bye.

Chloe: Bye. Have a safe drive home.

Lois: Okay.

Lois leaves the Torch. Chloe turns back to the Wall of Weird and focuses on a section that has several articles featuring Clark.

Chloe: Clark. Why didn't you just tell me?

She takes the pins out of the articles and removes the articles from the wall. She looks down at one of the articles now in her hands and it has a picture of Clark and a headline that says "Local Teen Discovers Indian Caves." She stares at Clark's picture sadly.

Clark is kneeling in front of Alicia's grave in the cemetery. Day. The day is overcast and gray and Clark holds a red rose in his hand, its color shocking against the dismal surroundings. Chloe walks up behind him as he puts the rose on Alicia's tombstone. Chloe kneels down next to him.

Chloe: [Quiet, almost reverent.] Hey, Clark. I just wanted to say that I am so sorry for everything.

Clark doesn't answer.

Chloe: It must've been so hard being so different, having everyone judge you before they even know you, knowing that there's some people that might never accept you.

Clark continues to stare at the tombstone.

Chloe: I just... I want you to know that I'm here for you... if you ever need to talk.

Chloe puts a hand on Clark's shoulder.

Clark: Thanks, Chloe. I appreciate that.

Chloe stands up and walks away, leaving Clark alone in front of Alicia's grave.

Fade to black.

End
{"type": "series", "show": "Smallville", "episode": "04x12 - Pariah"}