Original Air Date on May 4th, 2005

A man and woman, Tanner and Karen, are driving down the street in Smallville. Night. Tanner is driving very fast, and Karen is yelling into her cell phone. She is pregnant and in labor.

Karen: No, you don't understand, I need help now! Please, you have to help us. No, there isn't enough time. Aah!

She screams with a labor pain and Tanner grabs the phone away from here.

Tanner: What the hell is the matter with you people?! This is an emergency!

Karen: It's too late! It's too late!

Her stomach starts to emit a white glow.

Karen: It's coming!

Tanner sees the glow and drops the phone. Then he swerves the car off the road and into a field where he finally screeches to a stop.

Karen: Oh, my God! What's happening to me?

The glow gets brighter as her stomach starts to convulse. Tanner grabs for the door handle.

Tanner: I'm sorry!

He scrambles out of the car and runs away.

Karen: No! No, don't leave me, please!

The glow becomes so bright that it nearly fills the whole field, and Karen screams in agony. Then there is a blast of energy that spills out over the street as Lana and Clark drive by. Lana slams on her brakes.

Clark: Are you all right?

Lana: Yeah. What was that?

Clark: I don't know. I think it came from Evans Field.

Cut to Clark and Lana running into the field. They stand at the edge of a large dip in the field where the woman's car used to be and look around for a sign of what happened, but all they can see is smoke. Then from beneath the smoke, they hear a baby crying.

Lana: Oh, my God.

Lana takes off her scarf and runs into the crater. Clark follows her.

Clark: Lana, wait. Lana!

Lana picks up the baby and wraps him in her scarf. He stops crying.

The sh*t backs up and we see Clark and Lana standing in the middle of the enormous smoky crater.

[Opening credits]

Outside sh*t of the Smallville Medical Center. Night. Inside, Clark and Jonathan follow Sheriff Adams down the hallway as she questions Clark.

Adams: Last time I checked, babies don't just fall out of the sky, Mr. Kent.

Clark: It left a 30-foot crater, Sheriff. How else would you explain it?

Adams: Well, I can't. That's why we're conducting a little something called an investigation.

Jonathan: What's gonna happen to the baby now, Sheriff?

Adams: Well, he'll be placed with child services until we find a home for him.

She stops walking and turns to Clark.

Adams: You did good for a change, Mr. Kent. The little critter wouldn't be alive if not for you.

She walks away.

Clark: [Quietly.] Dad, this baby's parents, I don't think they're from around here.

Jonathan: What do you mean? You think the baby's... the baby's not from earth?

Clark: We found him in a crater, just like you and mom found me.

Jonathan: Yeah, but when we found you, we also found a spaceship. The truth is we don't know what happened on that field.

Cut to Jonathan and Clark entering a hospital room where Lana is holding the baby. Martha is there, too. The baby is crying loudly.

Jonathan: Hi.

Martha: Hi.

Lana: I've tried everything, but he won't stop.

Clark: Is he okay?

Martha: If you can believe it, all this crying is a good sign. The doctor said he's perfectly healthy.

Lana: I'm gonna go talk to the nurses, find out if we can get some more formula. Here, Clark, you take over.

Lana walks over to Clark to give him the baby.

Clark: [Uneasily.] Me?

Lana: Yeah.

Clark: Well, I... Lana, I don't really...

Lana hands the baby to Clark and the crying stops immediately.

Lana: Wow. Looks like someone has the magic touch.

Clark and Lana smile at each other.

Lana: I'll be right back.

Lana leaves.

Clark: When does child services come and take him?

Martha: They're not. They don't have room for him yet, so he's going to stay in the hospital until they do.

Clark: He can't stay in the hospital. I mean, he... maybe he can come stay with us.

Martha looks at Jonathan.

Clark: Until they find room for him.

Clark looks down at the baby who stares back up at Clark drowsily.

Outside sh*t of Smallville High School. Day. In the Torch office, Chloe pours a cup of coffee as she speaks to Lana.

Chloe: I found an arrowhead in Evans Field once, but never a baby in a crater.

Lana: It's really weird. But what's even weirder is the way Clark is with him.

Chloe: Let me guess, he's completely baby-phobic.

Chloe hands the cup of coffee to Lana.

Lana: Actually, exactly the opposite. You should see the look in his eyes when he's holding that baby. It's like he's completely at ease. Not to mention, he's a natural-born baby burper.

Clark enters.

Clark: I've got the spit-up stains to prove it. Sorry I'm late. I was up all night with the crying machine. Every time I put him down, he starts up again.

Lana: Well, if you need any help I could come over again.

Clark: Well, that would be great. Could you pick up some formula on the way?

Lana: Sure. How are you on diapers?

Clark: The diapers... pretty good.

Chloe, who has been watching this family moment with growing distaste, finally interrupts.

Chloe: Okay. Before you guys start picking out the schools for the little tyke, you might want to hear this.

She sits down at her computer.

Chloe: I had my contact at emergency services run a check of all the 911 calls made around the time that you found the baby. This one kind of stuck out.

Chloe plays the recording on her computer. We hear the baby's father screaming into the phone as Karen whimpers in pain in the background.

Tanner: What the hell's the matter with you people? This is an emergency!

Karen: It's too late! It's too late! It's coming! It's coming! Aaah!

Lana: [Affected.] She sounds so scared.

Karen: No! No, don't leave me, please!

The recording ends.

Lana: Did he just leave her there?

Clark: If he did, he might still be alive.

Chloe: From the sounds of this, the mother wasn't as lucky.

Lana: [Upset.] She didn't even get to see her own baby.

Chloe: But the baby survived. How is that possible?

Clark: Can you trace this call back to the cell phone?

Chloe: I can try.

Clark: If this is the father, he might have some answers for us.

Outside sh*t of Metropolis. Night. In her hotel room, Genevieve is clipping a plant when Lionel enters behind her.

Lionel: Genevieve. You know, I'm not accustomed to being summoned like a lapdog.

Genevieve: Don't be silly, Lionel. I'd never allow you on my lap.

Lionel chuckles.

Lionel: So, why am I here? If not for the pleasure of your company.

Lionel drops his jacket on the coffee table and Genevieve turns around to face him.

Genevieve: It's time to repay old debts, Lionel. Arranging your release from maximum security prison was not an easy task, and I have yet to receive even a hint of gratitude.

Lionel: Well, I've been racking my brain trying to write a thank-you note, but words could never express the way I feel.

Genevieve: Your son just returned from China with a lost element, and I would like you to retrieve it for me.

Lionel: No, no, you have the wrong son in mind. It was Jason who brought the stone back home.

Genevieve: Jason's incapable of such subterfuge. Unfortunately he inherited his intelligence from my husband's side of the family.

Lionel: Yeah, I never thought you married well.

Genevieve: Lex, on the other hand, received his genes from a far more cunning source.

Lionel pours a drink.

Lionel: You know, there were other treasure seekers in China, Genevieve.

Genevieve smiles. Lionel sits down on the couch.

Genevieve: A farm boy, an ex-cheerleader, and Lex Luthor.

Lionel: Mm.

Genevieve: Who do you think ended up with the prize?

Lionel: Well, my son hasn't been listening to me. What do you want me to do, give him a good spanking?

He chuckles and takes a drink as Genevieve stares at him coldly.

Genevieve: You know, Lionel, I don't think either one of us want me to go after Lex myself.

Lionel: [Suddenly serious.] You be careful, Genevieve. I regard a thr*at to any Luthor as a thr*at to me.

Genevieve: Interpret it any way you like. I want that stone, Lionel.

She walks away. Lionel takes another drink, eyeing Genevieve.

Outside sh*t of the Kent house. Night. In the kitchen, Clark is holding the baby wrapped in a blanket. The baby is fussing as Clark tries to feed him from a bottle.

Clark: What's the matter? What's the matter, little guy? Is your milk too cold? Huh?

The baby cries. Clark holds up the bottle and uses his heat vision to warm it up.

Clark: [Gently.] Here, try this, try this, try this. Huh? Yeah?

The baby stops crying and drinks from the bottle.

Clark: There you go. There you go.

Martha enters with a smile on her face.

Martha: Clark, I could easily get Chelsea to cover for me at the Talon. You don't have to stay home.

Clark: That's okay. I want to stay with him.

Martha: Okay.

Clark: It kind of changes your perspective when you have someone who depends on you for everything.

Martha: [She nods.] Yeah.

Clark: And I mean everything.

Clark looks down at the baby with a grimace. He puts down the bottle.

Clark: Could you hand me a diaper?

Martha: Oh, sure. Here you go.

Clark puts the baby down on the counter and Martha hands him a diaper.

Martha: Well, listen, you have my number at the Talon and your dad's out in the barn if you need him.

Clark: Okay.

Martha: All right? Have fun.

Clark: Yeah.

Martha leaves.

Clark removes the baby's diaper and shakes his head.

Clark: Okay.

Lana comes in and smiles.

Lana: Clark Kent, changing diapers like a pro.

Clark: You know, this baby stuff is easier than people say. I think I pretty much got it under control.

Almost before Clark has finished his sentence, a small stream of baby pee sh**t up into the air. Lana laughs. The baby gurgles proudly.

Clark: Nice aim, little guy.

Lana: Clark, we can't keep calling him little guy. They're gonna make fun of him when he gets to high school.

Clark: Well, um, we found him in Evans Field. Why don't we call him Evan?

Clark picks up the baby.

Lana: I think he likes it. [To the baby.] Hello, Evan. This is Clark, and I'm Lana, and we think that you're the most beautiful baby ever.

Clark: You know, Lana, maybe we should take a step back.

Lana: A step back from what?

Clark goes to the living room and Lana follows.

Clark: Well, maybe we shouldn't get so attached.

He puts Evan down in his cradle.

Clark: If his father's still alive-

Lana: Then he never should have left him in that field.

Clark: Lana, we don't know what happened. He could've gone for help. He could be looking for Evan right now.

Lana: Or maybe he isn't. Maybe Evan is an orphan, just like we were.

Clark is silenced by that.

Lana: Clark, things like this don't just happen. There's a reason he survived and that someone like you found him.

Clark: We found him.

They look into each other's eyes emotionally. The lights start to flicker and they look around in confusion. Then a strong wind and a warm golden glow come from Evan's cradle.

Clark: Evan?

The glow becomes so bright it is almost blinding.

Lana: Clark, what's happening?

Before their eyes, Evan seems to change. But the glow is so bright that they have to block their eyes. When it finally fades away, they stare at Evan in wonder. Jonathan runs into the house to see what is going on.

Jonathan: Clark, what- [He sees Evan.] My God...

Sitting before them is Evan, but he is no longer a baby. He is a little boy who looks to be 7 years old. He looks at Clark and Lana fearfully.

Fade to black.

Lex is sitting at his desk in the study. Night. He is studying a couple of pictures when Lionel enters.

Lionel: What are you doing, son? An exciting new venture, something worthy of a captain of industry?

Lex puts the pictures away in a file folder.

Lex: I'm simply continuing where you left off, Dad. I, uh, can't talk now.

Lionel: Well, we better talk. Genevieve Teague thinks you have the missing element.

Lex shrugs, not understanding.

Lionel: The one from China.

Lex: Come on, Dad. You've raised me to be smarter than that. Why use Genevieve Teague as a thr*at? Why not just come out and ask for it yourself?

Lionel: I'm here as a father who's concerned about the safety of his son. She had Bridgette Crosby m*rder because of one of those elements. You think she'd hesitate to do the same to you?

Lex: I don't have it. And even if I did, I'd never trust you.

Lex gets up to leave.

Lionel: Lex. [Lex stops.] We haven't a lot of time left to spend together. You can go on for the rest of your life being mistrustful of me, or you can accept me as your father who loves you.

Lex lowers his eyes doubtfully. Then he glances at Lionel and turns to leave.

Lionel: She's dangerous, Lex. She... Watch your back, son.

Lex: I always do.

Lex exits.

Outside sh*t of the Kent Farm. Day. Martha, Jonathan, and Clark are in the kitchen.

Martha: Where is Evan now?

Clark: In the loft with Lana. And, Mom, I've never seen anything like it. Last night he was just a baby.

Jonathan: His growth spurt was really amazing.

Martha: And frightening. Evan needs to be seen by a doctor. We have to take him back to the hospital.

Clark: What are we gonna tell the doctors, he's some second generation meteor freak? He'll either wind up in Belle Reve or a laboratory for the rest of his life.

Jonathan: I don't know, Clark, but we owe it to him to do something.

Clark: I was thinking we'd take him to someone who has experience in the effects of meteor rock.

Jonathan: [Doubtfully.] Clark, I realize that Lex has helped us in the past, but there's no way that I'm about to put this young man's life in his hands.

Clark: If I were in trouble and Lex was the only one who could help, what would you do?

Jonathan thinks about it, seeing Clark's point.

Lana enters the loft where Evan is sitting on the couch and reading to himself from a story book. Day.

Evan: "You must be very kind to him, to teach him all he needs to know in Rabbit Land, for he is going to live with us forever and ever."

Lana sits next to him and looks at him with a smile of amazement.

Lana: You know how to read?

Evan: I've read all of Clark's books, but this is my favorite. I also like the encyclopedia.

Lana: [Playing along, disbelieving.] The encyclopedia, huh? That's a pretty long book.

Evan: I know. I stopped on "W." Windmills. Did you know they were invented in Persia?

Lana stares at Evan with wide eyes, realizing that he is telling the truth.

Evan: Why are you looking at me like that?

Lana: Um... you are a very, very special boy, Evan. I think that you are the most special little boy that I have ever met.

Evan: Really?

Lana: Yeah. And you're really lucky, because there are so many more books for you to read and so many places for you to see.

Evan: [Excited.] Like what?

Lana: Like a real windmill. And when you stand up on top of it, the whole world stretches out around you.

Evan: [Smiling.] Can we go? Right now?

Clark enters.

Clark: Where are you going?

Evan runs to Clark and jumps into his arms.

Evan: Dad! Mom's taking me to see a real windmill!

Startled, Clark carries Evan back to the couch and puts him down on his feet next to it.

Clark: Um, Evan, listen. We're not your real parents.

Evan: Everyone's supposed to have a mother and father, and they're supposed to love each other very much just like you and Lana.

Lana and Clark exchange an awkward glance.

Lana: Clark and I care about you a lot, Evan. That's what matters.

Evan: [Becoming serious.] If you're not my mom and dad, where are they?

Lana: We don't know. But wherever they are, I'm sure they love you very much.

Clark: You want to go for a ride in the truck?

Evan: [Excited again.] Are we going to the windmill?

Clark: Uh, we will. But first, I want to take you to meet a friend of mine.

Outside sh*t of the LuthorCorp plant. Day. Inside the laboratory, a doctor fills a syringe with fluid and walks over to the table where Evan is lying under a blanket with his shirt off. He has two wires connected to his chest by little suction cups, and he grimaces slightly when the doctor injects his arm. Clark and Lana watch him from the next room through the window. Evan turns to them and Clark waves.

Clark: I hope we've done the right thing.

Evan can't hear what they are saying, and when Lana speaks, she tries to maintain a smile for Evan's sake.

Lana: Clark, he looks really scared.

Clark nods.

Clark: I just hope it'll be over soon. Lex has his top scientists trying to figure out what's happening.

Lex comes down the stairs and into the room where Clark and Lana are standing.

Lex: And they've already come up with some intriguing discoveries.

Lana and Clark go to Lex.

Lana: [Worried.] Lex, is he gonna be all right?

Lex doesn't answer right away.

Clark: Tell us what's happening.

Lex: Well, the results are only preliminary, but the data indicates that Evan's body is storing energy like a battery charging.

Lana: Charging for what?

Lex: The theory we're working on is that once enough energy is stored, it's expended to fuel a burst of rapid cell division.

Clark: That's how he was able to go from a baby to a 7-year-old in one day.

Lana: Is there any way to stop it?

Lex: My team believes a bone marrow transplant might slow the growth and bring his metabolism back to normal.

Lana: Can we use my bone marrow? [She gestures to Clark.] We're willing to do anything to help.

Lex: Well, it's not that simple. His genetic makeup is highly unusual. For this to work, we'll need an exact match with a living donor, which means a biological parent.

Clark: Well, we think his mother died when he was born. We're still trying to find his father.

Lana: What's going to happen to Evan if we can't?

Before Lex can answer, the lights in the lab start flickering. Then there is a huge blast from the laboratory that sends one of the doctors flying through the glass window and he falls the floor in the room with Lana, Clark, and Lex.

Lana: Evan!

Lana and Clark step through the shattered window and go to Evan's bedside where he is sitting up. Lana touches his arm, shocked.

Lana: Evan.

Lex follows them into the lab, staring at Evan.

Lex: Unbelievable.

We finally see Evan from the front and he is now a teenager with a voice that has started to deepen. He stares at his hands fearfully.

Evan: What's wrong with me?

Lex: Prep the level 3 facility. I want him transferred immediately.

Clark: No. You're not taking him anywhere.

Clark takes off his jacket and puts it around Evan's shoulders.

Lex: Clark, we need to isolate him while we run more tests.

Evan: I just want to go home.

Lana: Lex, he's just a boy.

Clark: We understand you're trying to help, and we appreciate it. He's been through enough. We're taking him home.

Clark and Lana help Evan off the bed and walk him out of the lab. Lex watches with quiet frustration.

Fade to black.

Outside sh*t of Clark's loft. Day. Inside, Evan is seated and talking to Clark and Lana. He is wearing a flannel shirt much like the ones that Clark wears, and he has tears in his eyes.

Evan: I'm dying, aren't I?

Lana: Evan, don't say that.

Lana sits near him.

Evan: No, I- I read the average life span of a man is 74 years. I've aged from a newborn to a teenager in 48 hours. [He takes a breath.] Do the math.

Clark: Evan, we're not gonna give up. Lex has got his team working on a cure right now.

Lana: And if we can find your father...

Evan stands up emotionally and turns his back to them.

Evan: Do you really think they're gonna find a cure for me overnight? It's like my life was just some sort of trick that was played on me. All that stuff I read in the books that I thought I was gonna see... I'm not... [He turns around.] Am I?

Clark: Don't talk like that, all right? We just have to keep trying.

Evan: It's not fair. This whole thing... it's just not fair!

Evan runs down the stairs and out of the loft.

Lana: [Distressed.] Clark, we have to do something. We can't just let this happen to him.

Clark: Would you go see if he's okay? I need to find his father.

Lana leaves.

Outside sh*t of Smallville High School. Day. Inside, Chloe and Clark walk down the stairs together between classes.

Chloe: So our friendly phone company just got friendlier. I was able to trace the 911 call back to a cell phone. His mother was Karen Gallagher. She was a senior here.

Chloe hands an old Smallville High yearbook to Clark and he sees a picture of Karen.

Clark: I remember hearing about her. Was she Wall of Weird material?

They enter the Torch office.

Chloe: I got a couple blips on the radar when I heard that she had a knack for shorting monitors whenever she walked into the computer lab, but I had no idea that super-fast pregnancy powers was part of the equation.

Clark: How long was she pregnant for?

Chloe: Well, last weekend, Christina Varrano had a party at her house, and Karen apparently went NC-17 with some guy in the bedroom. Christina has no idea who the guy was.

Clark: [With disbelief.] So she got pregnant and delivered a baby a week later?

Chloe nods.

Clark: We need to find Evan's father.

Chloe: [Seeing the concern on Clark's face.] Okay.

Chloe sits down at her computer and starts typing.

Chloe: Well, Christina used E-vite to send out all her invitations. I guess ours got lost in the electronic mail. Let's just check all the RSVPs and try to track him down.

Chloe pulls up a list of names and Clark looks over them.

Clark enters a car garage holding a piece of paper in his hands. Day. He talks to a man who is working under a car that is suspended on a hydraulic lift.

Clark: Excuse me. Does Tanner Sutherland work here?

Man: Yeah, he's over there.

The man points to the back of the garage with his wrench.

Clark: Thank you.

Clark walks to the back where Tanner is working on another car. Tanner is hidden behind the lifted hood of the car.

Clark: Tanner?

Tanner: [Without looking up.] Leave your car around back, I'll get to it.

Clark walks around the hood to see Tanner.

Clark: Hey, were you at Christina Varrano's party last week?

Tanner: [He hesitates.] Uh, I don't remember. I...

He wipes his hands with a rag, avoiding eye contact.

Tanner: I think I was working.

Clark: So you didn't hook up with Karen Gallagher?

Tanner: [Angry.] What do you want? Who the hell are you?

Clark: I'm the guy who found your son, laying in the middle of a field.

Tanner: Look, dude, I don't have a son, and... and I don't know what you're talking about, all right ? I got work to do.

He tries to walk away and Clark grabs his arm roughly.

Clark: I'm not going to let you walk away from this. You have a responsibility.

Tanner: [Pulling away.] Get off me, man. What's your problem?

Clark: My problem is your son needs your help. Now tell me how he got in that field.

Tanner: [Pause.] I got with this girl at a party. The next day, she calls me up, crying, saying she's... she's pregnant. I go over, and her stomach... it was already... A week later, we were in my car, we're speeding to the hospital and she's screaming, "It's coming!" And she starts glowing! And then the car, it went up like a freakin' a-b*mb! That wasn't a baby. It was some kind of monster.

Clark: He's a human being, Tanner, and he's your son. He's aging rapidly. He needs your help. He needs a bone marrow transplant. You're the only one who can help him.

Tanner: What? No! Look, I can't deal with this. I'm sorry. I can't.

Tanner walks away.

Outside sh*t of Clark's loft. Day. Clark is moving bags of feed in the barn and talking to Jonathan.

Clark: How could someone do that to their own son?

Jonathan: Clark, being a father is an enormous responsibility. The kid is just too young to handle it.

Clark: He's Evan's only hope, and Evan's going to die if we can't convince him to help.

Jonathan: I know that, son, and we're gonna figure it out. But what's more important right now is what are we gonna tell Evan?

Clark: Maybe it's best I don't even tell him I found his father. He's gonna take it pretty hard.

Jonathan: Son, an orphaned child has every right to know about his origins. You should know that better than anybody. I'll tell you what... I'll talk to him, okay? I mean, I do have a little experience in that department.

Clark: Thanks, Dad, but I think I should tell him.

Lana and Evan enter.

Evan: Tell him what? [Becoming excited.] Did you find my father?

Clark doesn't answer.

Lana: Clark, where is he?

Clark: He works downtown... at Massey's Auto Garage. His name's Tanner Sutherland.

Evan: When can I see him?

Jonathan: Look, Evan, um, sometimes, when you meet your biological father, it can be painful.

Evan: Why? I don't understand.

Clark: They don't always live up to your expectations, Evan. Trust me, I know.

Evan: But I want to see him.

Lana: Evan, we're just trying to protect you.

Evan: [Upset.] You can't protect me. No one can.

Clark: Just calm down, okay?

Evan: Stop telling me what to do, Clark! You're not my father.

Evan runs up the stairs to the loft.

Clark: Evan!

Jonathan: Clark. [Stopping Clark from following.]

Outside sh*t of LuthorCorp. Night. Lex is in the lab talking to a doctor.

Lex: Is there any possibility of an error?

Doctor: We've run the projections three times.

Lex walks away from the doctor unhappily. Clark enters.

Clark: Lex, I found Evan's father.

Lex: Where is he?

Clark: He's here in Smallville, but he doesn't want to help.

Lex: I've just been informed that Evan's cell division is increasing exponentially, along with the energy he expels when he ages. We have only a few hours to s*ab Evan. According to the projections, Evan is building towards a massive chronological event.

Clark: You're saying Evan's about to die?

Lex: It's a lot worse than that. The next time Evan ages, he'll release enough energy to k*ll himself and anyone else at hand.

Outside sh*t of Massey's Auto Garage. Night. One of the garage employees is leaving and passes by Tanner.

Tanner: Good night.

The man nods his head and leaves. Evan enters staring at Tanner expectantly.

Tanner: We're closed. Come back tomorrow.

Tanner walks past Evan who turns around to keeping watching him, waiting for some kind of recognition.

Tanner: Are you deaf? What are you staring at?

Evan: My father.

Tanner: Don't call me that. I'm not your dad.

Evan: Yes, you are. Why won't you admit it?

Tanner: [Nervous.] You stay the hell away from me.

Evan: Please, Dad. Just help me. I'm your son.

Evan grabs Tanner's shirt, and they struggle.

Tanner: No, you're not! You're some kind of freak!

Tanner pushes Evan away and backs up into a sharp metal rod pointing at him. Blood drips from his mouth, and he falls down. He is d*ad.

Evan: Dad?

Evan kneels down next to Tanner on the floor.

Evan: Dad? Dad. Oh, my God. What have I done?

Fade to black.

Clark and Lex enter Massey's Auto Garage. Night. Clark is talking on the phone.

Clark: Okay, Dad, call me if you find him. [He hangs up.]

Lex: What happened?

Clark: Evan's gone. He must've snuck out. My parents are looking for him, and Lana's at the farm in case he comes back.

Lex: Well, let's make sure we can help him when he turns up.

Clark: Lex.

Clark points and Lex sees Tanner's body. They kneel by him and Lex's feels his neck for a pulse.

Lex: He's d*ad.

Clark finds a piece of torn fabric from Evan's shirt in Tanner's hand.

Clark: Evan.

Lex: Clark, we needed a living donor to stop Evan from aging again.

Clark: There's gotta be something else we can do to help him.

Lex: There is. We need to track him down and seal him in a containment chamber under LuthorCorp.

Clark: No. Lex...

Lex: It's the only way to contain the blast from his final change.

Clark: Lex, I'm not gonna let him just die.

Lex: Nothing can stop that from happening now, Clark. Look, I'm sorry, but if we don't isolate Evan, a lot of innocent people are going to be k*lled.

Outside sh*t of the Kent home. Early morning. Lana is in the living room talking on the phone.

Lana: He hasn't come back, Mr. Kent. Let me know if you find him. Okay

She hangs up the phone. Then she turns around to go into the kitchen and Evan is standing there, startling her. She gasps.

Lana: [Becoming angry.] Evan, I have been worried sick about you! We've been looking for you all night.

Evan's eyes are lowered and he doesn't respond.

Lana: Are you okay?

Evan: I don't know. I did something bad.

He turns away from her.

Lana: Evan, tell me what happened.

Evan: It was an accident... a mistake.

Lana: We all make mistakes. It's part of what makes us human. What happened?

Evan starts to groan in pain and doubles over. Lana walks around him to see his face.

Lana: Are you all right?

Evan: It's happening again. I can feel it.

Lana: I'm gonna call Clark, and we're gonna get you help, okay?

Lana picks up the phone, but she can't get a signal. Then the lights in the house start to fade in and out.

Evan: It's coming. I can feel it.

Lana: There has to be something that we can do.

Evan: There is. The windmill that you told me about, remember? Where the whole world stretches out around you. I'd like to see it. Just once. [Weakly.] Please, Lana, hurry.

Outside sh*t of Smallville High School. Day. Clark enters the Torch office where Chloe is working.

Clark: Chloe, has Evan been here?

Chloe: No. I mean, at the rate he's aging, I'm not even sure I'd recognize him.

Clark: He must be with Lana. I keep trying to call her, but all I get is static.

Chloe goes to her computer and starts typing.

Chloe: Maybe he's putting off an energy field like his mom was. That would explain the power surges.

Clark: Power surges?

Chloe: Yeah, they've been popping up all over town for the last hour. Looks, they're happening all over.

She pulls up a map on the computer screen.

Clark: What's this?

Chloe: It's the DWP grid. See, these are the affected areas.

Clark: Where's the most recent one?

Chloe: Um... 10 miles west on the outskirts of town in the middle of nowhere. Why would Lana and Evan be way out there?

Clark: The windmill.

Chloe: The one at chandler field?

Chloe takes a closer look at the computer and Clark super speeds away. She realizes he is gone.

Chloe: Go get 'em, speedy.

Evan and Lana are standing at the top of the windmill looking down. Day.

Evan: You were right. The whole world is right there.

They see miles and miles of fields and trees. The Metropolis skyline is barely visible in the distance under a blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds.

Evan: It's beautiful.

Lana: I'm glad you finally got a chance to see it.

Evan starts to emit a bright light and the platform they are standing on sways as he bends over and groans. Out of Lana's sight, Clark super speeds up the ladder and onto the platform. He holds her from behind.

Clark: Lana, you have to go.

Lana: No, Clark, we have to help him.

Clark: There's no time. You have to go now.

Evan: Clark...

Clark: Go.

Clark sends Lana down the shaking ladder and then he helps Evan lie down on the platform. Evan whimpers with pain.

Clark: It's okay. I'm here.

Evan: I'm sorry for what I said.

Clark: It's okay, I know. It's all right.

Evan: I'm glad it was you and Lana that found me.

Clark: I think you found us.

The shaking intensifies and so does Evan's pain.

Evan: What's happening? I can feel it. You better go.

Clark: No. Evan, I'm not leaving you.

Evan: I wish you had been my father, Clark. Aah!

Clark: Evan. Evan.

Evan's face flashes brightly with light and we see him age into young adulthood, then into a man, and then to an elderly man with white hair. Clark covers Evan's body with his own.

Lana runs to her car on the ground and takes shelter behind it as the final blast happens, destroying the windmill. When it is over, she stands up and looks around, unable to see through all the smoke.

Lana: Clark! Clark!

Clark walks toward her out of the smoke. He is covered in black marks and his clothes are burnt.

Lana: Clark, are you all right?

Clark: I got clear just before...

Lana: Where's Evan?

Clark: He's gone.

Lana is on the verge of tears.

Fade to black.

Outside sh*t of the Kent farm. Night. Clark is in the loft looking at a stuffed bear. Lana enters as Clark places the bear in an open trunk. She looks at more of Evan's things that are sitting on the table.

Lana: I can't believe he's gone.

Clark: I know. Me too.

Lana: This whole year, I've felt so disconnected. But when Evan came into my life, it was like I finally knew where I belonged. I had a purpose.

Clark: He only lived for a short time, but it seems like Evan's affected us like we've known him our whole lives.

Lana: Clark, we think we have all the time in the world, that we're going to live forever, but it's not true.

Clark: I guess we should make the most of the time we have before it's too late.

Lana picks up The Velveteen Rabbit and looks at it sadly.

Lana: This was his favorite book.

Clark: Really?

Lana: Yeah.

Clark: It was my favorite book when I was a kid.

Lana looks at Clark, surprised.

Clark: I, um, I used to pretend that I was the rabbit. I was just like him, and my parents had brought me to life with their love.

Lana: My only hope is that Evan felt that way about us.

They come together in a needful hug.

Outside sh*t of Genevieve's hotel in Metropolis. Night. Inside her room, she stands across the table from Lionel who is holding a bottle of wine, looking at the label. Two empty glasses wait on the table.

Lionel: It's a 1961 Bordeaux. I am honored.

Lionel hands the bottle back to Genevieve and she pours two glasses.

Genevieve: Well, I assume your visit means I have... cause to celebrate.

Lionel: Don't all my visits deserve to be celebrated, Genevieve?

Genevieve: Some more than others.

Lionel chuckles and Genevieve hands him his glass. He smells the wine.

Lionel: Mmm...

She walks toward him, staring at him seductively.

Genevieve: Do you have something for me?

Lionel: I most certainly do.

He clinks his glass with hers, making a toast.

Lionel: To the resolution of our problem.

Genevieve: [Happily.] Hmm...

She takes a sip of the wine. Lionel turns away from her, speaking thoughtfully.

Lionel: Parenthood. It's an interesting phenomenon, isn't it?

He turns back to Genevieve who touches her throat, looking uncomfortable.

Lionel: The lengths we go to... to protect our children.

Genevieve gasps and drops her glass. It shatters on the floor.

Lionel: No limits.

Genevieve: [Choking.] What have you done to me?

She falls to the floor, gasping and holding her throat. Lionel calmly puts down his glass and walks toward her.

Lionel: The wine you've just drunk will k*ll you in a matter of minutes. I'm told that the pain will be excruciating.

Genevieve looks up at Lionel with a mixture of anger and fear.

Lionel: How about a trade? You give me the stone that you stole from Bridgette Crosby, and I give you...

Lionel reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a vial of blue liquid.

Lionel: ...the antidote.

Genevieve reaches for it desperately, now unable to speak.

Lionel: One more thing... you go near my son, and anything that happens to him happens to you. Is that understood?

She nods frantically. Lionel waves the vial in front of her.

Lionel: The element, Genevieve. Where is it?

Clark is sitting on his front porch, thinking. Night. Martha and Jonathan come outside and Jonathan pats Clark on the shoulder.

Jonathan: You did everything you could, Clark.

Martha: [Sitting down.] I'm sure Evan knew that.

Clark: All the times that I've run off or disappeared or almost died, how do you guys deal with that?

Jonathan: [Kneeling down.] Well, it isn't easy, Clark, but it does come with the territory. You see, every parent's greatest fear is that one day they will lose their child forever.

Clark: It seems like raising a kid is the toughest job in the world.

Martha: It's also the most rewarding.

Jonathan: There is nothing quite like watching your son grow up into a young man you can be very proud of.

Clark: It's too bad I'll never know what that's like.

Martha: Why not?

Clark: I'm from another planet. I'm not even human. Who knows if I can have kids?

Martha: Clark, your father and I couldn't have children. We were still blessed with a son. You never know what the future will bring you.

Clark thinks about it and Jonathan touches his hands affectionately.

Outside sh*t of Lex's mansion. Night. Clark is led into the study by a servant. Lex is seated near the f*re with his lawyer and stands up when Clark enters.

Lex: Clark.

Clark: Lana told me you straightened things out with child services. I appreciate it.

Lex: Well, I know you grew pretty tight with him. I promise you, Evan's life wasn't in vain.

Clark: What do you mean?

Lex: Well, my team believes studying his unique cellular structure could advance research on cancer and age-related diseases by hundreds of years. I'm releasing our findings to every research facility across the globe. Evan's life may offer hope for generations to come.

Clark smiles proudly.

Clark: He was a special kid, Lex. I can't help wondering what kind of man he would've become.

Lex: A good one... as long as you were in his life. I bet you're gonna be a great dad someday, Clark.

Clark: So will you, Lex.

Lex: I don't know about that. Look, we're all reflections of how we've been raised. Your parents gave you encouragement and support. Mine chose the opposite track. I plan on leaving a different kind of legacy.

Clark looks strangely at Lex, not quite understanding.

Lex: Well, I better get back to work.

Clark: Thanks, Lex.

They shake hands. Clark exits. Lex's lawyer stands up.

Man: Mr. Luthor, are you sure you want to release the findings?

Lex: [Cold.] Eventually.

End
{"type": "series", "show": "Smallville", "episode": "04x20 - Ageless"}