Original Air Date on March 3rd, 2004

Pete and Clark walk up to the front door of the Smallville Youth Center. Night.

Pete: I didn't think Lana would find someone to cover her shift this late in the game. I guess I should've figured on the Clark factor.

Clark: [Chuckles.] Well, it sounded like she was having her own crisis over Jensen's history exam.

Pete: Thanks for coming. I know this can't compete with the all-you-can-drink Talon cram session.

Clark: Definitely not.

Pete laughs as they enter the building. They enter a room full of young people seated at several tables. Everyone is either studying or answering phones as Pete and Clark walk to their own table.

Clark: Pete, I think it's great that you spend so much time volunteering here.

Pete: Well, someone's always been there for me when I've been in trouble. Seems like a good way to give something back.

An attractive young woman talking on the phone at the table behind Pete covers the receiver with her hand and smiles.

Girl: [Flirtatious.] Hi, Pete.

Pete smiles in response.

Clark: [Sarcastic.] And to hone your sensitive guy skills.

Pete's grin widens. The phone at his table rings and he sits down to answer it.

Pete: Watch and learn. [Answers the phone.] Teen Crisis Hotline. Uh-huh. [Pause.] Well, how long has it been since they've been divorced? Yeah, I know. That can be tough. Well, have you talked to them about it?

The phone next to Pete rings and he motions for Clark to answer it. Clark sits down next to Pete.

Pete: [Still on the phone.] Yeah.

Clark answers the phone and there is a loud buzzing static on the other end.

Clark: Teen Crisis Hotline.

Lana's voice: [Yelling.] Clark!

Clark: [Startled.] Lana.

Cut to Lana running down a hallway of what appears to be a storage facility talking on a cell phone. There are chain link fences on either side of her.

Lana: [Terrified, breathless.] Clark, it's happening! Are you there?

Clark: [Still confused.] Lana?

Lana: He's got a g*n!

Lana runs past a desk where a radio is playing. An announcer is reporting a basketball game. Just as Lana runs past the desk, a b*llet hits the wall, barely missing her.

Announcer: [Stating the score.] 61 to 60, Vipers!

A man chases after Lana. We can't see his face. Lana runs out the door of the building into a heavy rain storm. Outside the door is a metal staircase leading to the ground and Lana grabs onto the railing as she sprints down the stairs.

Lana: Clark! Please help me!

Clark glances at Pete who looks back at him questioningly.

Clark: Lana? Lana, wha ...

Lightning flashes as the man chasing Lana bursts through the door and out onto the landing above the staircase. He is carrying a r*fle, but we still can't see who it is. He runs down the stairs onto another landing.

Clark: Lana? Lana!

The man points the r*fle at Lana's back as she runs away down the alley. He fires the g*n and Clark hears the g*n over the phone. The b*llet hits Lana in the middle of her back. She gasps and then screams as she falls to the ground, face down in a puddle of water. The cell phone falls to the ground next to her.

Clark: Lana! Lana, can you hear me? Lana!

Lana's eyes are closed.

Clark: [Standing up.] Pete, call the police!

Clark super speeds away and Pete gets to his feet.

Pete: [On the phone.] Hey, uh, please hold. Hold.

Pete starts pushing buttons on the phone.

Lana is still lying completely motionless in the alley. There is a b*llet hole in her back and a small dot of blood is quickly growing across her snowflake sweater.

Cut to an outside sh*t of the Talon. Clark super speeds inside. He stops when he gets there, looking shocked.

Sitting on the couch against the wall are Chloe and Lana studying. They are both perfectly fine and untroubled.

Chloe: Hey, Clark. Knock much?

Lana: You're too late. I turned off the cappuccino machine an hour ago.

Clark is at a loss for words.

[Opening credits]

Outside sh*t of the Smallville Youth Center. Day. Inside, Lana, Pete, Clark, and Sheriff Adams listen to a tape recording of Lana's call from the night before. Lana listens to her own voice fearfully.

Lana's voice: Please help me!

Clark's voice: Lana? Lana!

They hear the g*n and the call ends. Pete turns off the tape recorder.

Pete: The call came from a blocked ID.

Adams: [Holding a notepad and pencil.] Sounds like your voice, Miss Lang.

Lana: I know. But it can't be.

Clark: We think it's some sort of a prank, Sheriff.

Adams: You know, usually these situations originate a little closer to home than you'd expect. [To Lana, smiling.] Any reason you might want to goose these boys with a little crank call, Miss Lang?

Clark: Lana didn't have anything to do with this.

Adams: [Annoyed.] You know, unless Miss Lang has grown several inches and developed an affinity for plaid, this would be a good time for you to pipe down.

Clark lowers his eyes. Adams approaches Lana.

Adams: Yeah, I suppose someone could be imitating you.

Lana: Why would anyone do that?

Adams: If I had the answer to half the whys in this town, I'd have a best seller on my hands. [Closes her notepad.] I'll look into this. But you kids need to know that crank calls aren't exactly a top priority, hmm?

Sheriff Adams leaves. Clark walks closer to Lana who still looks upset.

Clark: Are you okay?

Lana: You know, if someone's doing this as a joke, they have a pretty sick sense of humor.

Clark: [Nods.] Don't worry. We'll figure out who did this.

Lana looks at Clark with tears in her eyes.

Outside sh*t of Smallville High School. Day. Chloe, Clark, and Lana are in the Torch office. They have uploaded the recording of Lana's phone call onto Chloe's computer, and Chloe is listening to it through headphones as Lana and Clark stand behind her.

Chloe: This connection's bad. We're missing pieces of the conversation. But the background noise is constant throughout. This recording wasn't piecemealed together.

Chloe unplugs the headphones and sets them down. She adjusts some of the sound levels on her computer.

Chloe: Here, I'll play it again with the static as low as I can get it.

The recording plays and they can hear a soft rapid tapping.

Lana: [Thoughtfully.] That sounds like rain.

Clark: We haven't had a storm in months.

Lana's voice: [On the recording.] Clark, it's happening!

Lana: Why would I say that?

Clark: It's almost like you were expecting something.

Chloe glances at Clark and then back at the computer screen.

Lana's voice: Clark! Please help me!

Lana's recorded screaming continues and Clark focuses with his super hearing. He suddenly hears a man's voice on the recording.

Man's voice: [Screaming.] You lied to me!

Clark: Hey, Chloe, can I...?

Chloe: Yeah.

Chloe gets up from her seat at the desk, and Clark sits down in her place.

Clark: I think I heard something.

Clark highlights one portion of the recording on the computer and types a few buttons, readjusting the sound levels. He plays the portion and they all hear the man's voice.

Man's voice: You lied to me!

Lana: That's Adam. But I haven't spoken to him since he left.

Chloe: Clark, how did you hear that?

Clark: I guess I missed too many Linkin Park concerts. [He types more, adjusting the levels.] Look, there's someone else here.

He plays the recording and they hear the sports announcer that was playing on the radio.

Announcer: That makes the score 61 to 60 Vipers. g*n now needs to miss the second sh*t to keep the Vipers home for an undefeated season ...

Chloe: g*n? He was benched in the preseason. This-this has got to be a recording of an old game.

Clark: No, that can't be. This is the first year the Vipers have been undefeated.

Clark wheels his chair around to the desk behind him where the other computer is online. He pulls up the sports page on the Internet.

Clark: They're not even scheduled to play the Metros until tonight. [He goes to the weather page.] And according to the weather service, a storm's on the way.

Chloe: Well, if none of this has happened yet, maybe the phone call hasn't either.

Clark and Lana both look at Chloe strangely.

Lana: [Skeptical.] You're saying the call came from the future?

Lana exchanges a nervous glance with Clark.

Lex slides a vial of clear liquid across the desk to Lionel in Lionel's office at LuthorCorp. Day.

Lionel: [Picking up the vial.] What is this?

Lex: An experimental medication. Not exactly FDA approved, but I assume you're working on the patent.

Lionel puts down the vial and turns back to his computer, exasperated.

Lionel: Oh, Lex, I don't have time for 20 questions.

Lex: [Leaning over the desk.] I know about the lab at Metron. It gives new meaning to the term, "Human Resources."

Lionel: You know, there are hundreds of projects in development at LuthorCorp. You'll have to forgive me if I'm not current on all the details about, uh, what, Metron?

Lex: You're secretly developing a serum that has a certain Lazarus effect on the dearly departed.

Lionel takes a sip of coffee, then looks up at Lex, startled.

Lionel: Resuscitating the d*ad? [He chuckles and gets up from his desk.] I think your, uh, creative talents are being wasted at LuthorCorp, son.

Lex: Unfortunately, this isn't fiction. [Opens his briefcase and pulls out a file.] So far, the Kafkaesque trials have caused patient's bodies to deteriorate while their minds retain consciousness.

Lex hands the file to Lionel who looks through it.

Lex: It sort of bypasses the code of ethics, but I suppose if you were successful, it could mean business.

Lionel: I applaud your moral outrage, but, um, these papers don't specifically confirm any of your accusations, son.

Lex: Although, they would raise a few eyebrows at the Daily Planet.

Lionel: [Laughs.] You know, you don't have to resort to thr*at, Lex, if you want to shut this project down.

Lex: I must not be making myself clear.

Lionel shakes his head.

Lex: I came back to LuthorCorp to be a partner, not a paper pusher. This new project can make the company billions of dollars. I don't want it shut down. I want to be put in charge of it.

Lionel looks at Lex seriously, finally understanding. Lex smiles faintly.

Several men in suits are going through Dr. Teng's lab at Metron, taking samples of the drug out of the fridge and putting them in a cooler to be transported. Day. Dr. Teng enters.

Teng: What are you doing? This is a restricted area.

Lionel enters.

Lionel: Apparently not. You failed to mention, Dr. Teng, that my son recently paid you a visit.

Lionel picks up a vial from the cooler and looks at it.

Teng: I don't know how he found us. But I didn't tell him anything.

Lionel: That's irrelevant now because as of this moment, this project never existed.

Teng: But we haven't even tested the most recent adjustments.

Lionel: Don't worry, Dr. Teng, your work will continue. Just not here. [He closes the cooler.] I want this lab cleared out by the end of the day, or this time, you will find yourself deported back to your native homeland. And if I'm not mistaken, your government does not have much use for women who have, uh, consorted with the devils of, uh, western capitalism. [To the men.] Come on.

Lionel opens the door for his men who carry the cooler out of the lab.

Lionel: [To Teng.] Am I right?

Dr. Teng watches Lionel fearfully, unable to respond. Lionel leaves. Dr. Teng walks down the back hallway toward Adam's cell. Outside the door, she pulls a tourniquet along with a syringe and a vial of the drug out of her pocket. She unlocks the door and enters the cell.

As she is getting the syringe ready for injection, Adam reaches up from the floor and grabs her arm, pulling himself into a standing position breathing heavily. His skin is a sickly shade of yellow and he is bleeding from his left eye. There are several open sores on his face and neck. He pulls the syringe and the tourniquet out of Dr. Teng's hand and lifts his shirt, revealing more sores on his stomach. He injects himself in the abdomen.

His breathing slows down as the sores on his stomach close up and his skin returns to a normal color. He remains where he is with his eyes closed for a few moments, then glances at Dr. Teng before drinking from a cup next to his bed.

Adam: Where have you been?

Teng: I'm sorry, Adam. I know you're in a lot of pain.

Adam: [Wiping the blood from his face.] Then why'd you do this to me?

Teng: We were trying to give you a second chance.

Adam: I've been hearing a lot of noise out there. What's going on?

Teng: They're shutting down the lab.

Adam: Where are we going?

Dr. Teng shifts her eyes away guiltily.

Adam: You're not taking me with you.

Teng: I can't.

Adam: What about the medicine?

Teng: Mr. Luthor took all of it.

Adam drops the syringe to the floor, holding onto the tourniquet.

Adam: [Starting to panic.] Then get it back! I've only got 12 hours. You know that!

Teng: He won't help you, Adam. He doesn't even know you're alive. I have no idea where he's taking the serum. I'm sorry.

Adam: [Quiet, thr*at.] What am I supposed to do?

Dr. Teng doesn't answer and Adam stares at her viciously, gripping the tourniquet in his hand. Then he lets it hang loose, holding onto one end.

Outside sh*t of Lex's mansion. Day. Inside, Clark and Lex walk into Lex's study as they talk.

Lex: Look, Clark, I'm no expert on quantum tunneling or wormholes, but if minds like Einstein and Thorne believe time anomalies are possible, who am I to rule it out?

Clark: Lex, if that phone call is gonna happen tonight, we need to find Adam.

Lex: [Sitting at his desk.] Clark, what's makes you think I can help?

Clark: [Nervously.] Because you were at the lab. And I know you met with Dr. Teng.

Lex looks up at Clark, surprised.

Lex: Clark, what have you been doing? Following me?

Clark: Don't turn this around on me, Lex. Look, we think Adam died of liver disease three months ago, and I'm guessing he was one of Dr. Teng's subjects. Lana's in trouble, and I know you're holding out on me. [Pause. Lex lowers his eyes.] Where is he, Lex?

Lex remains silent, and Clark leans over the desk, imploring.

Clark: You don't want anything to happen to Lana, I know you don't. Please.

Lex leans forward, giving in.

Lex: Trust me, Clark, there's no way Adam's gonna come after Lana.

Clark: How can you be so sure?

Lex: Because he can't leave the lab. He needs constant injections just to stay alive.

Clark stands up straight, thinking this over.

Clark: I need to see with my own eyes.

Lex: It's a secured lab. You'll never be able to get in there.

Clark: Not without you.

Lex looks away, realizing he has no choice.

Cut to Lex and Clark entering Dr. Teng's lab. The only sound is that of the caged monkeys screeching. The office has clearly been ransacked. The floor is covered with paper and all the equipment has been turned over. Clark walks over to one of the monkey cages and finds one of the lab assistants, a young man, propped against the cage with his eyes closed and blood on his throat. He is d*ad.

Clark and Lex both turn to look down the hallway to Adam's cell and there are d*ad bodies of lab assistants littering the floor. They walk down the hall and turn the corner. At the end of the hall, the door to Adam's cell is wide open, and they both run to it, going inside.

Lex kneels down next to Adam's bed. Dr. Teng is on the ground, leaning against the bed with the tourniquet wrapped tightly around her neck. She has been strangled to death.

Clark: Lex...

Lex: [Shaken.] Adam's gone.

Fade to black.

Outside sh*t of LuthorCorp. Day. Lionel enters his office, closing the doors behind him, obviously upset about something. Lex is waiting for him, seated at the desk.

Lex: Was it worth it? Sacrificing the lives of Dr. Teng and all those technicians just to get back into the pharmaceutical business?

Lionel: I, uh, hope you weren't as emotional as this with the police.

Lex: I just spent the last five hours covering for you.

Lionel: I appreciate the gesture, son, but I told you I had nothing to do with the lab at Metron.

Lex: [Standing up, angry.] And I suppose you didn't have anything to do with those m*rder either.

Lionel: Lex, even if I were the demonic father you've made me out to be, you know I would never do anything so sloppy. But I'm not worried, son.

Lex: How can you be so cavalier?

Lex starts to leave.

Lionel: Because I know I have someone extremely competent in charge.

Lex stops and turns to Lionel.

Lionel: Hmm? You wanted the project. It's yours. I'm trusting you to handle things.

Lex walks toward his father slowly.

Lex: [Long pause.] Nice try, Dad. But I'm not suiting up in the eleventh hour. [Whispered, with venom.] Clean up your own mess.

Lex turns and walks out of the office. Lionel remains where he is, thoughtful, unhappy.

Lana and Clark walk out of Adam's apartment over the Talon and down the stairs. Day.

Clark: I thought I was getting used to seeing some pretty weird things around here, but, Lana, this was a m*ssacre.

Lana: What about Adam?

Clark: It looks like he escaped.

Lana: But you think he k*lled them.

Clark: He obviously escaped from his cell and strangled his doctor. Looks like the other victims were trying stop him.

Clark and Lana stop walking when they get to the bar, and Chloe enters.

Chloe: Hey, guys. So after I promised to switch my long distance service, I finally got my guy at the phone company to track down the blocked number you called from.

Clark: Whose was it?

Chloe: It's from a cell phone belonging to Gwen Burton. Does that ring a bell?

Chloe pulls a piece of paper out of her pocket and shows it to Lana.

Lana: No. I have no idea who that is. Why would I make a call from her phone?

Chloe: I don't know. But it looks like we can rack up another one from our "Can you hear me 24 hours from now?" theory. I looked into Mrs. Burton's phone records, and there were no outgoing calls made from last night. It's like the call you received just came out of thin air.

Clark: Or a really different time zone. Look, at least this gives us an advantage.

Chloe and Lana look at Clark, waiting for him to continue.

Clark: We know what's supposed to happen. All we have to do is keep Adam away from Lana, and make sure you don't get that cell phone.

Lana: But Adam could be anywhere.

Clark: Yeah, maybe it's safer if we get you out to the farm.

Lana: [Quiet, afraid.] Clark, what if we can't stop this from happening?

Clark doesn't respond.

Outside sh*t of Smallville Medical Center. Day. Clark is walking down the hall and finds Gwen Burton. She is an employee of the medical center and is walking down the hall with a stack of files in her arms.

Clark: Mrs. Burton?

Gwen turns and acknowledges Clark, but doesn't stop walking. He walks alongside her.

Clark: I know this is a strange question, but I work at the Teen Crisis Hotline and we got a call from this number last night. Is it yours?

Clark hands her a piece of paper.

Gwen: [Nods and gives the paper back.] But I didn't make any calls last night. I'm sorry, there must be some mistake.

Clark: Would you know an Adam Knight? He used to be a patient here.

Gwen: We don't get too many patients down in accounts receivable.

Clark finally stands in front of Gwen, stopping her.

Clark: Look, Mrs. Burton, I don't know how to explain this, but I think your phone's gonna be used in a crime. Tonight.

Gwen: What did you say your name was?

Clark: Clark Kent.

Gwen: Well, Clark, we have an excellent psychiatric staff here at the hospital. I would be happy to take you down to the admitting desk.

Clark: I know I sound crazy, but is there a chance you lost your phone?

Gwen: Actually, I lent it to my husband today. He had to run some errands in Metropolis.

Clark: Would you call him? Please?

Gwen looks at Clark uneasily.

Cut to the side of a van that says "Speedy Heat and Air" along with a phone number. The van is parked on the side of a deserted road as Len Burton, Gwen's husband, replaces the tire. The cell phone rings in the passenger seat and he answers it.

Len: Hello?

Gwen: Hi, honey. There's some kid here asking about the cell phone.

Len: What, they come in person now? Just, just tell him we're happy with our plan.

Clark: Ask him where he is.

Gwen: Where are you?

Clark listens to Gwen's husband with his super hearing.

Len: Well, I'm stuck outside the city on route 17. I got a flat, but I should be home by ...

Len turns around and Adam is suddenly there. Adam punches him in the face, knocking him unconscious. Len drops the phone.

Gwen: Len? Len?

Adam picks up the cell phone. The skin on his arm is already starting to yellow.

Gwen: Len?

Adam hangs up the phone and looks around.

Gwen: [To Clark.] He's not answering.

Gwen turns around to see that Clark is already gone.

Adam gets into the van and drives away leaving Len on the side of the road. Clark super speeds to Len just as he is regaining consciousness and standing up. Len has a cut across his forehead.

Clark: Are you okay?

Len: Yeah, I'm fine.

Clark: What happened?

Len: Some kid just carjacked me. He looked like a junkie.

Clark: Did you see which way he went?

Len: No. I must've been out for a minute.

Clark nods.

Len: I need to call the police.

Len searches his pockets for his cell phone and can't find it.

Clark: You don't have your cell phone, do you?

Len: [Confused.] No.

Clark walks out into the empty intersection and looks around helplessly.

Outside sh*t of the Kent farm. Day. The sky is full of dark rain clouds and there is a flash of lightning as thunder rumbles softly. Inside, Jonathan comes downstairs into the kitchen where Lana is waiting as Chloe talks on the phone. Jonathan is holding a sweater.

Jonathan: Here you go, Lana. I know this old house can get drafty, and I'm sure Mrs. Kent won't mind.

Lana: Thanks, Mr. Kent. I really appreciate it.

Jonathan helps Lana put on the sweater. We see that it is the same snowflake sweater she was wearing in the teaser when she made the phone call to the crisis center.

Chloe: [On the phone.] Yeah, okay. Yeah. I'll tell them. [She hangs up the phone.]

Lana: What did Clark say?

Chloe: He-he missed Adam by a few minutes, and Adam has the cell phone.

There is a flash of lightning and a startlingly loud thunderclap. Lana turns to the window and sees the rain starting to fall.

Lana: [Afraid.] It's all starting to come true. The storm, the phone.

Jonathan: Don't you worry, Lana. I'm not gonna let anything happen to you.

Jonathan walks to the side of the stairs where his r*fle is hanging on the wall. He takes the r*fle and walks back into the kitchen.

Chloe: You know, I'm not doing any good just standing here. [Chloe puts on her scarf.] The police are looking for the stolen vehicle and for him, so if any leads come through, they're gonna come through the police scanner at the Torch.

Jonathan opens a drawer and pulls out some amm*nit*on for the r*fle and his keys which he hands to Chloe.

Jonathan: Here, Chloe, I want you to take my truck. The last thing we need tonight is you getting stuck crossing the creek in that little car of yours.

Chloe: Thank you. [Turns to Lana.] Lana, it's gonna be okay. We've got lots of time. The game hasn't even started yet.

Lana nods, pulling the zipper up farther on the sweater. Chloe leaves, and Jonathan puts a comforting arm around Lana's shoulder.

Lex is in his study talking on his cell phone. Night. Lightning flashes with loud thunder.

Lex: Keep me posted.

Lex hangs up the phone as Clark enters.

Lex: Still no leads on Adam.

Clark: What about the serum?

Lex: What about it?

Clark: Adam knows it's the only thing keeping him alive. He's got to go after more of it.

Lex: Only problem is, there's no more serum for Adam to find.

Clark: You know your father didn't get rid of all of it. He must have it stashed somewhere.

The study door opens and Detective Cage enters with another detective.

Cage: Detective Cage, Metropolis P.D. [He hands a piece of paper to Lex.] We have a warrant to search the premises.

Lex: On what grounds?

Detective #2: Eight possible counts of negligent homicide.

Cage: Why don't you take a load off? [Sits at Lex's desk.] We'll just make ourselves at home.

Lex: I'm sorry, Clark, but you better go. I don't want you getting involved in this.

Cage: Unfortunately, he already is. Seeing as how Mr. Kent was also at the scene of the crime, we'd like to ask him a few questions too.

Lightning and thunder. Clark looks at Detective Cage nervously.

Chloe walks down the hall at Smallville High and enters the Torch office. Night. The lights are all off. She turns on the computer and then turns on the lamp on the desk. She turns around, and suddenly Adam grabs her and holds a Kn*fe to her throat. Chloe gasps. Adam's face is more yellow than before and the sores have started to reopen. He is frantic.

Adam: [Breathless.] Where's Lana?

Chloe: I don't know. I'm not her keeper.

Adam: [Shaking Chloe by her jacket.] Don't lie to me! I was just at the Talon and they said both you and Lana left together. Where is she?!

Chloe: Why do you care so much?

Adam: [He swallows, obviously weak.] She's got something that belongs to me.

Chloe: Well, it's obviously not here. And if I ... [Adam pushes the Kn*fe closer to Chloe's neck.] If I were you, I wouldn't be either. Everybody's looking for you.

Adam pauses, looking at Chloe, then pulls her over to the window looking out at the parking lot.

Adam: Isn't that Clark's truck?

Chloe: [Hesitating.] No, it's my cousin's.

Adam: [Pushing Chloe back against the wall.] Something tells me that's not what the registration's gonna say. You're covering for her. Where is she? Is she hiding at her old boyfriends?

Adam glances back at the window, and Chloe attempts to run away. Adam catches her.

Adam: No!

Chloe: Aah!

Adam: No!

Adam pulls Chloe back toward him so her back is to his stomach. He wraps his arm tightly around her neck, holding the Kn*fe just below her jaw.

Adam: Don't worry. You'll be able to talk to her soon enough.

Chloe: Ah!

Adam forces Chloe out of the Torch office, never letting go of her.

Cut to Jonathan pouring coffee for Lana in the kitchen.

Jonathan: I'm sure when Mrs. Kent gets home, she'd be happy to whip you up one of her specialties, but until then, I'm afraid it's just black coffee.

Jonathan hands the cup to Lana.

Lana: Thanks.

Jonathan: I have some honey.

Lana: No, I'm good.

Lana sips from the cup. They hear a horn honking repeatedly outside. Jonathan turns to the window.

Jonathan: Sounds like my truck.

He goes to the window and sees Chloe sitting in the truck outside.

Jonathan: Yeah, it's Chloe.

Lana: Why isn't she coming inside?

Jonathan: I don't know. Um, why don't you lock the door behind me?

Jonathan goes out the front door into the pouring rain as the lightning and thunder continue. He has his r*fle with him as he approaches the truck.

Inside the truck, Chloe's hands are tied behind her back and she is screaming.

Chloe: Go back in the house! Mr. Kent!

Jonathan can't hear her with the windows rolled up and the storm. He continues to approach.

Chloe: Please, be careful, Mr. Kent, please!

Jonathan: [Yelling.] Chloe?

Chloe: Mr. Kent!

Adam comes up behind Jonathan and hits him on the back with a pry bar, knocking him to the ground.

Chloe: No!

Lana comes to the kitchen window to see what's happening. Jonathan is unconscious on the ground. Adam takes the r*fle and opens the truck door.

Adam: Come on!

Chloe: Get away from me!

Adam yanks on Chloe's arm, throwing her out of the truck. She lands hard on the ground, and Lana gasps. Adam turns toward the house.

Adam: Lana! I know you're in there! If you don't come out, I'll k*ll your boyfriend's father! Then I'll move on to Chloe!

Lana runs out the front door.

Lana: Adam! Whatever you want, just don't hurt them anymore!

Chloe remains unconscious. Adam walks toward Lana as she comes down the stairs and out through the gate to the driveway. Adam grabs her arm and leads her to the truck.

Lana: Please don't hurt them.

Adam: Come on.

Lana: [As she passes Chloe.] Oh, God.

Adam: [Pushing her to the truck.] Hurry up, let's go. Get in the truck.

Lana climbs into the truck and Adam gets in after her, closing the door.

Fade to black.

Detective Cage has his laptop set up in Lex's study. Several officers are searching the study. Night. On the monitor is a surveillance video of Lex and Dr. Teng at Metron. Detective Cage and Lex watch the video.

Cage: You gonna stand there and tell me you weren't working with Dr. Teng? You can't deny you were behind this.

Lex: I'm the one who called the ambulance. Now, why would I do that if I was involved in those m*rder?

Detective #2 carries a briefcase over to Lex and Cage and places it on the table.

Detective #2: Well, let's see what we got in the goodie bag.

Lex: Nothing that will incriminate me.

Detective #2 pulls out a file and hands it to Cage who looks through it.

Cage: Except some memos signed by you as acting director of the lab. [Hands the file to Lex.]

Lex: [Shaken.] I've never seen these before.

Cage: Amazing how that always happens.

Lex: I'm being set up.

Cage: Then they're doing a pretty damn good job of it. Take a breather. Think about if you want to stick to that story.

Cage walks out into the hallway where Clark is waiting.

Clark: You have to let me go.

Cage: Look, kid, your friend's been running off at the mouth for over an hour 'fessing up. So don't try to play the hero.

Clark: You're bluffing. He didn't admit to anything because he didn't do anything.

Cage: You really think that? Something tells me that you don't know your friend as well as you think you do.

Detective #2 comes into the hallway.

Detective #2: [To Cage.] Hey, Paul. The Vipers just took Roberts off the court. He blew out his knee. And guess who they pulled off the bench with five minutes in the fourth quarter.

Clark: [Fearful.] g*n.

Detective #2: Yeah. That guys throws more bricks than a mason. [Goes back into the study.]

Clark: [Urgently.] I have to go.

Cage: I'm sorry, were we keeping you from something?

Clark: Have you called my parents yet?

Cage: Yeah, no one's answering.

Clark: Well, I think the newspapers would find it interesting that a minor was being held for questioning without his guardian.

Cage pauses, knowing he's been beaten.

Cage: I wouldn't take any long vacations. We may need to bring you in for more questioning.

Clark runs out of the hallway.

A security guard at the storage facility attempts to adjust his television, but the picture is static. Night.

Guard: Damn.

He turns on the radio at his desk and the announcer's voice is reporting the game.

Announcer: Vipers lead 52 to 46, but the momentum ...

Adam strikes the guard in the back of the head with the r*fle, knocking him unconscious. Then he grabs Lana and pushes her ahead of him. She steps over the guard and down the hallway lined on either side with chain link cages. The announcer continues to report the game loudly.

Adam: Which one is it?

Lana: It's over here.

Adam: Hurry up. Come on.

Lana gets to her storage area and starts to unlock the gate.

Adam: Faster.

Lana unlocks the chain, opens the gate, and steps inside. Adam follows her.

Lana: I put everything I found in the apartment in these boxes over here.

There are several boxes stacked on the floor.

Adam: Where are my books?

Lana: I don't know which one I put them in.

Adam: Well, look!

Adam points the r*fle at Lana as she looks through the box at the top of the stack. The books aren't there, and she starts to lift the box out of the way to look at the next one. Adam viciously yanks the box off the top of the stack, and Lana opens the next one.

Adam: Hurry up. I don't have a lot of time, Lana.

Lana pulls several books out of the box. Adam grabs for one of them.

Adam: The white one, the white one, the white one.

He opens the book, and the inside has been hollowed out to store his medication. But it is empty.

Adam: Where is it?

Lana: I don't know what you're talking about.

Adam: The medicine. I had three vials in there! What'd you do with them?

Lana: I didn't touch them.

Lana kneels to the floor and Adam points the g*n at her.

Adam: You liar!

Lana grabs a book and hits Adam across the face with it. He fires the g*n, but misses her.

Adam: Ah!

Lana kicks at the back of Adam's leg and he falls backwards to the ground, dropping the g*n. Lana crawls past him and reaches for it, but he gets to his feet and grabs her legs, dragging her away from the g*n. He grabs her hair and pulls her to her feet, then slams her hard against the chain link fence twice. Lana gasps and sinks to the ground.

Adam leans over to grab the g*n and he doesn't notice the cell phone drop out of his pocket onto the floor. He starts walking back to Lana, but she grabs the gate's chain from the ground and whips his face with it. He falls to the floor again, dropping the g*n a second time.

Lana grabs the cell phone and runs away as Adam struggles to get back to his feet. He grabs the r*fle and runs after her.

Outside sh*t of the Kent home. Night. The storm is even heavier. In the kitchen, Martha is holding an ice pack to Chloe's forehead as they listen to the game on the radio. Clark enters.

Clark: What happened?

Martha: I came home, and I found your father and Chloe outside.

Clark: Are you okay?

Chloe: I'm fine. Adam has Lana, and he has your dad's g*n.

Jonathan enters the kitchen with a first aid kit.

Jonathan: The police are looking for him now.

Clark: [Starting to panic.] Do you know which way they headed?

Chloe: I don't know. Adam keeps saying that Lana has something of his.

Clark: The serum.

Both Jonathan and Martha look at Clark worriedly.

Chloe: I don't know. I mean, he already went to the Talon and the house. I don't know where they were headed next.

Martha touches a piece of cotton to the cut on Chloe's forehead.

Clark: I'm going to the youth center. The only thing we know for sure is that Lana is gonna make that call to the crisis hotline.

Jonathan: Clark, what good is that gonna do? You've already heard the call.

Clark: It was cutting in and out. I could barely hear half of it. If I can figure out why that call was placed to the past, then maybe I can stop that from happening.

Martha: If you get a clear connection, you think Lana will be able to tell you where she is?

Jonathan: Ssh, ssh.

Jonathan turns up the volume on the radio.

Announcer: Porter passes off to Johnson again. Johnson goes for the three-pointer and he sinks it!

Clark: What's the score?

Announcer: Vipers up by 2, 61 to 59. There are 3 seconds left in the game!

Jonathan: 61 to 59. Vipers.

Clark runs out of the house.

Cut to Lana running down the hallway of the storage facility, breathing heavily. Adam screams at her from several meters behind.

Adam: Lana!

Lana turns a corner and finds a staircase going up. She starts to run up the stairs, but sees that the way is blocked at the top.

Adam: Lana!

Lana: Oh, damn it!

Adam: Lana!

Adam continues to run toward her with the r*fle, limping slightly. Lana opens the cell phone and dials a number, standing near the wall next to the staircase, blocking herself from Adam's view. Adam comes running down the hallway, and just as he is passing the staircase, Lana sticks out her leg and trips him. When he falls to the floor, she starts running down the hallway in the direction she just came from.

Cut to Pete pacing back and forth in the Smallville Youth Center. He is alone. The phone rings and he goes to answer it. Clark super speeds into the room and gets to the phone first, picking it up.

Clark: Lana!

Lana: Clark!

Clark: Lana!

Lana: Please help ...

A bolt of lightning strikes the telephone pole outside the youth center, causing the power to go out and cutting off Clark's connection to Lana. The telephone pole falls to the ground, crushing a dumpster in its path. The pole lands in a large puddle of water. There are several kryptonite rocks in the puddle which react to the electricity in the wires, causing green bolts of electricity to spark between the wire and the rocks.

Cut to Lana in the storage facility.

Lana: Clark, it's happening!

In the youth center, Clark looks at the phone. He can't hear Lana.

In the storage facility, Lana runs past the desk where the radio is playing.

Lana: He's got a g*n!

Adam runs up behind Lana and fires the r*fle at her. He misses her, his b*llet hitting the wall as Lana turns the corner. Adam continues to chase her.

In the youth center, Clark looks around frantically, trying to figure out what's going on. He uses his X-ray vision to look through the wall and sees the telephone pole on the ground with the electricity sh**ting through the puddle and into the wires.

Lana: Please help me!

Clark puts the phone to his ear, still unable to hear Lana.

Clark: Lana! Lana!

The lights in the youth center flicker.

Fade to black.

The telephone wire continues to spark and sizzle with green electricity from the kryptonite in the puddle. Night. Clark stands in the rain, backing away from the kryptonite.

Cut to Lana running through the storage facility, still holding the cell phone to her ear.

Lana: Clark!

Clark has the cordless phone from the youth center in his hand, but all that comes from it is static. He jogs around to the bottom of the telephone pole.

Lana: Clark, why aren't you picking up?!

Lana keeps running, and Adam is still chasing her with the g*n.

Clark places his left hand underneath the telephone pole and lifts it up, removing the wire from the puddle and the kryptonite. Lana's voice comes through his phone again briefly as she exits the facility onto the metal staircase.

Lana: Clark, he's trying to k*ll me! Please, help ...

Clark strains against the weight of the pole, and the wire sinks back into the puddle, cutting off Lana's connection again.

Lana: [Getting to the bottom of the stairs.] Clark!

Adam comes out the door onto the staircase.

Lana: Help me!

Lana runs down the alley as Clark pushes the telephone pole higher, once again reestablishing his connection with Lana.

Lana: Please, help me!

Clark: [Finally hearing her.] Lana!

Adam: [On the landing of the stairs.] You lied to me!

Adam points the g*n at Lana's back.

Clark: Lana, where are you?!

Lana: I'm at Walcott Storage! Help me!

Adam fires the r*fle, and Clark hears the sh*t through the phone. Clark drops the telephone pole and super speeds away.

Adam's b*llet flies through the air in slow motion, hitting dozens of raindrops on its way to Lana. The raindrops, as well as Lana, are nearly frozen in time as the b*llet gets closer and closer to striking her in the back. Just as it is about to h*t her, Clark super speeds into the way and the b*llet hits him in the chest.

Time goes back to normal speed, and Lana trips, falling to the ground and dropping the cell phone. Adam finally loses his strength and sinks to the landing, dropping the g*n as he lies down. Lana tries to get up. Clark zips up his jacket, hiding the b*llet hole in his shirt, and runs to Lana's side.

Clark: Lana! [He helps her stand.] Are you okay?

Lana: Where's Adam?

They turn and see Adam lying down on the stair landing. Clark runs to Adam who is barely alive.

Adam: You took that b*llet.

Clark: That's impossible.

Adam: [Weak.] I saw you. Now I know why Lionel sent me to watch you. I guess I found what I was looking for... [He gasps in pain.] ...just a little too late.

Clark: Adam...

Adam: He's not gonna stop, Clark. I couldn't escape him. How long do you think you can?

Clark watches Adam as he blinks a few more times. Then Adam dies. Clark steps away from the stairs and back to Lana, embracing her tightly.

Outside sh*t of the mansion. Day. In the study, Detective Cage handcuffs Lex's hands behind his back.

Cage: Let's go.

An FBI agent enters the room, showing his badge.

Agent: FBI. [To the detectives.] Why don't you boys h*t the showers? This case has been bumped up to varsity.

Cage unlocks Lex's handcuffs angrily.

Cage: That's just like you guys. We do the heavy lifting, and you just show up for the prize.

The detectives leave.

Agent: [To Lex.] This better be important. Your lawyer may have friends in high places, but I'm not a believer in the trickle-down theory.

Lex: I want to make a deal.

Agent: Why should I do that? From what I understand, they're building a strong case against you.

Lex: As flattered as I am to be the object of so much attention, you and I both know I'm only the consolation prize.

Agent: I'm listening.

Lex: Tell the cops to drop the charges and give me immunity, and I'll give you the biggest arrest of your career.

Agent: What are we talking about?

Lex looks at the agent for a long time with bitter tears in his eyes. He steps closer to the agent.

Lex: [Intense whisper.] I'll help you bring down my father.

The FBI agent grins slightly, and Lex holds his gaze.

Lionel walks down the hall of LuthorCorp with a man, Dr. Bergin. Day.

Bergin: I must admit, I'm intrigued by the research. What happened to your last project manager?

Lionel: She, uh, moved on.

They enter Lionel's office.

Lionel: And, uh, please understand me, Dr. Bergin. I will spare no expense on this project. You onboard?

Bergin: With the limited amount of serum you have, there's barely enough for one round of trials.

Lionel: That's why I'm counting on you to get it right the first time.

Lionel smiles and turns to his desk.

Bergin: Well, I suppose I could have a lab outfitted and the trial underway within a year.

Lionel: Dr. Bergin, I want you up and running by the end of the week.

Bergin: A project like this requires time.

Lionel: Time is a luxury I don't have, Doctor. I have been diagnosed with a rather unique . . . liver disease, and, uh, I'm out of options.

Lionel turns to Dr. Bergin.

Lana is sitting in the Talon reading a book called "Theories of Time Travel." Day. Clark enters.

Clark: Any luck?

Lana: [Laughing.] No, I-I got lost at the first wormhole.

Lana stands and walks to the bar.

Clark: You know, half the world's scientists are still debating over Einstein's theories of travel. I don't think we're gonna crack it in one night.

Lana: Clark, there's still something I don't understand. How did you get from the hotline to the storage unit in a split second?

Clark: It took me more than a few seconds. [Lana waits for him to go on.] Maybe it had something to do with the weird time anomaly.

Lana nods. She turns her back to Clark to pour a cup of coffee.

Clark: You know, there's something that I don't understand either. Why did you call the hotline instead of the police?

Lana: [Without turning around.] Because, um, I knew you'd be there. [She turns back to Clark and puts the cup in front of him.] Looks like we cheated fate.

Clark: Barely. [Lana smiles.] I was so afraid I wouldn't get to you in time.

Lana: I know. I spent the last 24 hours terrified of what might happen. But it all turned out okay. [Clark nods.] It made me realize how many decisions I make because I'm scared of how things will end up.

Clark: We both do our share of that.

They look at each other for a moment.

Lana: Maybe it's time to stop being so afraid. I've always thought that my life is so mapped out for me, but, you know, maybe we have more control over the future than we think.

Clark looks at Lana thoughtfully. She smiles and leaves the bar to help some customers. Clark stays where he is, still thoughtful.

Outside sh*t of Metropolis. Day. Lionel is in his office at LuthorCorp listening to opera music. He hits a button on the remote control, turning up the volume. His hair is disheveled and his face is pale. He looks like he hasn't slept.

The tenor in the music sings a lamenting song in Italian as Lionel picks up a medical record from his desk. He looks at it in a daze. He hits another button on his remote and the blinds close, blocking out the daylight, then drops the report and the remote on the desk. At the bottom of the report, it says "UNSPECIFIED HEPATIC DISEASE AFFECTING THE LIVER. PROGNOSIS: TERMINAL"

Lionel takes a small wooden box from his desk and carries it over to the coffee table. He sets it down on the table and sits on the couch. Also on the table is an open bottle of scotch and a glass which he drains in one gulp.

Setting the glass back down on the table, he opens the box and looks inside. He reaches in and pulls out a hand g*n. He cocks the g*n and points it at his own face.

We see the g*n from Lionel's point of view as the barrel comes slowly toward us, finally blocking out everything else.

End
{"type": "series", "show": "Smallville", "episode": "03x16 - Crisis"}