Life In Smallville {2}

Chapter 17: Rosetta

Liana's at school walking the halls with her friends. Chloe says, "What a lame assignment. Family trees are so 20th century." Pete says, "Just look at it as a mystery, Chloe. You never know what you're gonna uncover." Clark says, "Why are you so excited about this?" Pete says, "Because it's gonna be a piece of cake." Chloe says, "Yeah, because your family's been in Smallville since the Jurassic era." Pete says, "What are you so worked up about?" Chloe says, "There's just so many variables to take into account. Like, what if your mother abandoned you? Is that branch of your family tree technically cut off?" Liana says, "Yeah, and what if you have no idea who your biological father is?" Clark says, "What if you're adopted?" Pete says, "Hey, okay, I get the point. But is my fault that I'm part of a nuclear family? Is it? Later." Chloe says, "Unfortunately, for the rest of us nuclear family was nuked years ago." Liana says, "We should probably get together at the Talon tomorrow and figure out a game plan." Clark then grabs his head and groans and Chloe says, "Clark doesn't like that idea." Clark says, "Do you guys hear that?" Liana says, "Hear what?" Clark grabs his head groans again and says, "That." Chloe says, "Apparently you're part canine because we don't hear anything." Clark then grabs his head and groans again. Liana says, "Clark, what is it?" Clark says, "I have to go." Liana and Chloe both look at each other worried about Clark. Later, Lana walks in the Torch to see Chloe and says, "Hey, uh, my hard drive just crashed for the 50th time. I was wondering if I could borrow your computer. I need to get a head start on my French assignment." Chloe says, "Yeah, sure, I was just turning everything off. Well, knock yourself out. I'll see you at home?" Lana says, "Yeah. Chloe, you're a lifesaver." Chloe smiles and says, "Of course." Lana's on the computer and finds a file that has the initials C.K. Lana's curiosity takes over and she clicks on it to find the spring formal pictures of Chloe and Clark. Chloe walks in and says, "Did you give up on French or is my personal life more interesting?" Lana says, "I-I was just looking--" Chloe says, "So you decided to snoop around. Chloe, I'm sorry." Chloe says, "Don't look at me like that." Lana says, "Like what way?" Chloe says, "Like I'm some lovesick loser who's trying to hang on to something that she's never even had." Lana says, "Well, if you have feelings for Clark maybe you should just tell him." Chloe says, "This isn't about me and Clark, Lana. This is about you violating my privacy. This office and everything in it is now off-limits." As Lana leaves, Chloe continues, "Oh, and by the way I did tell Clark how I felt. I poured my heart out to him when he was sick. And in his delirium, the one name he called out was Liana." Chloe then closes the door.

Liana's on her way to pick up Clark for school. Liana arrives to see that Clark and Mr. Kent are putting out a fire. Liana gets out the car and goes to Mrs. Kent to say, "What happened?" Mrs. Kent says, "We came out and it was... on fire." Liana takes a picture of the what the fire had caused. Then Liana goes to the Torch to publish the photo and write an article about it. Later, Lana's at the Talon and sees Clark. Lana says, "Clark. Earth to Clark. Are you okay? I heard about the fire." Clark says, "It was no big deal. We got it under control. I think Liana's over at the Torch right now writing an exclusive." Lana smiles and says, "Most definitely." Clark says, "I could use some advice." Lana says, "On what?" Clark says, "I've been looking into my roots and it's freaking my parents out. But I think I'm getting close to finding out where I'm from." Lana says, "Then you shouldn't stop. Is that your family tree? Clark, what's wrong?" Clark says, "Nothing. Um, I have to go." Lex then walks over to Lana and says, "Looks like we've been abandoned." Lana says, "I guess so." Lana smiles and walks away. Later at the Torch, Clark walks in and says, "I'd like to thank you for turning our farm into Area 51. We needed a couple of sheriff deputies to keep all the wackos away." Liana says, "Sorry, Smallville. You have to admit, it is really intriguing." Clark says, "It was probably just a KU frat prank. Or it could be the aliens think that crop circles are passé so they've moved on to barn scorching's? Come on, Clark, this is Smallville. I mean, you have to consider the possibility." Clark looks into Liana eyes and sighs, "Okay, I'll let it go." Liana smiles and then goes on her computer and sees something. Liana says, "Hello. What's this?" Clark says, "Someone spammed your e-mail account." Liana says, "Yeah, but they're all for you. From someone called Swann?" Clark says, "Never heard of him." Liana clicks an email and the photo that she took comes up and underneath it says, "Hope." Then another message pops up and says, "I have something for you." Later, Clark goes to see Liana and she says, "Dr. Virgil Swann. You're being stalked by a legend, Clark." Clark says, "I've never heard of him." Liana says, "He was a high-tech Howard Hughes 30 years ago. He graduated from MIT when he was 19. He had his doctorate in math and applied physics. Then he started his own company, Swann Communications which quickly rose to international acclaim in the 1970s as the worlds largest producer of satellites. I mean, this guy has so much hardware in space that "Scientific American" dubbed him the man of tomorrow." Clark quotes, "'Only through communication will people live in peace.' Sounds like a remarkable guy." Liana says, "He was until he pulled a J.D. Salinger. Sold his company and his millions toward charitable foundations. Rumor has it he devoted himself to searching for signs of intelligent life in the universe." Clark says, "And what about the address on the card? How does that fit in?" Liana says, "It's the New York Planetarium. What better place to look for little green men? Why is this guy so interested in you, Clark?" Clark says, "He's not interested in me. He's just, uh, interested in my barn." Liana smiles and says, "Virgil Swann hasn't made a phone call in 13 years. And now all of sudden, he wants to be your best friend? He must think that symbol's pretty important." Clark says, "It's just a hoax." Liana says, "Yeah, well, one of the most brilliant men in the world disagrees. If I were you, I'd find out why." Later, Chloe goes to Lana's room to find her packing. Chloe says, "You know, if you're planning to run away from home you might wanna pack a little lighter." Lana says, "This isn't my home, Chloe. As great as you and your dad have been I don't think this was such a good idea." Chloe says, "You know, Lana, if this is about the whole computer incident I'm sorry. I overreacted, I know, but when it comes to Clark... and my feelings, I, uh... I don't know. I'm-I'm never really rational." Lana says, "It's okay, but you should that Liana can't help the way Clark feels about her." Chloe says, "I know. Before you go, I just wanted to show you something. It's my family tree." Lana looks at the paper and softly smiles when she sees her and Liana in the sister slot. Lana says, "You put me and Liana under sister. Why?" Chloe says, "Because I decided that my family wasn't about the people that didn't love me. It's about the people who do love me, no matter what. My friends." Lana smiles. 

Note: I've made Lana an older sister, not just because of Liana, but also to her friends. For this episode I didn't want Liana invading Chloe's privacy because that's just not her character.