Smallville

Tess.

Yes.

It looks like you've been taking spin classes, and not in the gym.

What are you talking about, Lois?

Censorship.

I write an article against the VRA,

and you turn it into venom for vigilantes.

I didn't approve this article.

I -- I didn't approve any of these articles.

Well, if you didn't green-light this garbage, who did?

You know, I have better things to do than deal with your mess.

Excuse me.

Tess.

Lionel Luthor.

I thought --

Yes, well, rumors of my death...

Have been greatly exaggerated.

What?

You got a hug for your long-lost daddy?

No?

Clark told me about this other earth.

You're from there, aren't you?

It doesn't matter where I'm from, Lutessa.

I am still your father

and, as far as this trusting world believes,

the same man who successfully faked his own death.

Which also makes you the same man who abandoned me.

Interesting, because in my world,

you're the one who turned your back on me.

I'm sure I had my reasons.

Oh, you did.

I neglected you, Lutessa.

But I won't make that mistake again.

Clark opened the door between worlds,

and that's given me a second chance

to put things right between us,

to be the father you always wanted.

What exactly do you want, Lionel?

To provide for my family --

for you and for your brother.

I was a fool.

I turned my back on you for someone who betrayed me.

Well, Clark was never yours in this world.

And Lex is dead.

That is a lie, Tess.

You saved Lex.

And now he's out there alone somewhere

because you discarded him.

And you know the crippling scars

that that can leave on a child, Lutessa.

Where is he?

Tell me now.

I don't know, but I'm gonna find him before you do.

The boy doesn't need you.

He needs his father.

And they say being a wanted man's

supposed to be a bad thing.

Were you peeking at your --

I -- okay.

Mm. I -- just a peek, just a really quick peek.

Right.

The government may have framed me as a terrorist,

but it would truly be criminal

to keep you from checking up on the world, wouldn't it?

And while you do that, I'm going to, uh take a walk.

I'm gonna stretch my legs out a little bit.

Oliver? Hmm?

Your stretching yesterday led to you stopping two muggings

and a very public bank robbery.

That's right.

I wore the hoodie.

And if you get caught,

you're gonna be wearing prison orange,

which is not the best color on you.

Reporter: ...In anticipation of tomorrow's historic vote...

Hey, I just got you back. I don't want to lose you again.

We take you there now, live.

Crowd: Vote down the VRA! Vote down the VRA!

What is this? I don't know.

Man: Tomorrow America votes

on whether or not to overturn the VRA!

Our heroes need our help now more than ever!

"Pro-hero rally"? Okay.

Crowd: Vote down the VRA!

Lois?

Lois?

Lois, I'm home.

Hi, Clark.

Now, I still think newspaper

is the number-one way to spread the word,

but you can't beat door to door for the personal touch.

I just single-handedly swayed 30 more votes in our favor.

I love your enthusiasm,

but I don't have much time for politics.

Do you have time for your mom?

Because a certain Senator has been working overtime

to overturn the VRA.

Her cross-country campaigning

has raised enough hero support to force a national vote.

And I appreciate everything that she's done.

But, Lois, the vote's tomorrow.

Clark, you don't give up on the game

when there are seconds left on the clock.

I'm still out there saving people, Lois,

whether they want me around or not.

You need to see something.

Reporter: A small motorcade has pulled up behind the podium.

It looks like the keynote speaker has arrived.

A major opponent of the VRA...

Clark, you were so focused on flying under the radar

that you lost sight of the skyline.

A lot of people still believe in heroes.

They just need something to give them the courage to come out and fight.

Man: And now it is my great honor to introduce to you --

she's your hero and mine.

Or someone.

Please welcome Senator Martha Kent!

These are difficult times.

With heroes being painted as criminals,

it's easy to lose hope.

Yeah! Yeah!

But if we don't speak up now, then when?

Woman: Yeah!

My father always said,

"life only asks of you what you can handle."

Sometimes we can't do it on our own.

That's why we need to join together in this crusade

like a family...

...So that our united strength

shines through the darkness like a beacon...

Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!

...Inspiring others to find their voices.

Yeah! Whoo!

None of us is born to hate.

We're taught to.

That's why we need heroes -- to remind us

that we are all meant to fight for truth and justice...

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

...To take a stand against fear and hate...

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

...To go to the polls tomorrow and vote down the VRA!

Crowd: Vote down the VRA!

Vote down the VRA!

Vote down the VRA! Vote down the VRA!

See? There's still hope.

Vote down the VRA! Vote down the --

I'm her son.

Yes, Mr. Kent.

Martha: Thank you for your concern, Lois.

Oh, hold on a second.

Hi, sweetheart.

- Mom. - Hi.

I know. Clark does have a way of leaving abruptly.

Um...I'm gonna stop by the farm later.

Bye-bye.

- You okay? - I'm fine.

They convinced me to wear a bulletproof vest,

and the other bullet just grazed my shoulder.

Why didn't you tell me you were in town? I could have protected you.

I had to protect you, Clark.

The whole state is watching.

It's not safe for you or your friends

to be caught in the spotlight.

So you step into the spotlight, and look what happened --

somebody shot you.

They shot a Senator

to frighten people from going to the polls.

I-I have to get back out and encourage people

to stand up for what they believe in.

So more of them can get hurt?

Mom, people are upset. They're getting violent.

Clark, if you don't let me do this,

there will never be a day when you can come out of hiding.

People need someone to believe in.

I'm not gonna let you sacrifice yourself.

Your father and I made a pact many years ago.

We knew protecting you would always be dangerous,

but we vowed to do it, even if it cost us our lives.

I'm willing to sacrifice the same thing your father did.

But I'm not gonna let you go on a suicide mission for me.

And the person who did this to you is still out there,

and I'm gonna find them.

I'm not ready to say goodbye to you, too.

He's just worried about you, Mrs. Kent.

We all are.

Oliver really wanted to come, too,