Clark pushes the limits to save his telepathic young friend Ryan from an evil doctor. Nell tells Lana they are moving to Metropolis. Guest-star Ryan Kelly portrays "Ryan." Ryan appeared as the same character in the "Stray" episode of Smallville in season 1.

What's up with Ryan? Ryan has been suffering from intense headaches. He's being tested at Summerholt Neurological Institute in Metropolis, by what seems to be a merciless Dr. Garner. Suffering, he phones Clark from the Institute to come and save him. After Ryan's aunt learned of his telepathy and could not find help for him and his headaches, she left him with Dr. Garner as his legal guardian.

What's up with Clark? After Ryan's pleading phone call, Clark tracks him to the Institute, and takes him away to refuge at Lex's mansion. Clark didn't take Ryan to the Kent farm, since his parents had warned him against a dramatic rescue.

What's up with Lex? Lex knows Clark could be in trouble for kidnapping, but agrees to keep Ryan overnight. Dr. Garner comes to Smallville looking for Ryan, and wants Clark arrested for kidnapping. Lex protects Clark by getting a temporary custody order for Ryan and the Kents. He threatens Dr. Garner with the Metropolis D.A's interest in investigating Summerholt's research on minors against their will.

Guest-star William B. Davis portrays "Mayor William Tate." Davis is best known by TV audiences as "Cigarette-Smoking Man" on the long-running cult hit "The X-Files." In his business, Lex is planning a plant expansion. During a meeting with Smallville's Mayor Tate about the project, the mayor suggests speeding up the project's city paperwork via a "campaign contribution," a regular business practice he's enjoyed with Lionel. Lex is against paying a bribe. Instead, Lex has a political ad produced against Mayor Tate. He tells the mayor he'll support Tate's opponent in the upcoming election, and suggests the dishonest Tate retire from politics.

What's up with Lana? Lana and friends throw a surprise party to welcome Ryan back at the Talon. The whole time, Ryan reads everyone's mind, sharing his insight with Clark. Aunt Nell wants to move to Metropolis. Lana doesn't want to go. Upset, she tells Clark about the move. Clark tells her not to go if it doesn't feel right. Chloe and her dad agree to let Lana stay with them until she graduates from high school.

What's up with Martha? Martha is delighted by Ryan's arrival, even ready to stop working for Lionel Luthor to spend time mothering Ryan at home. Ryan knows Martha enjoys working for Lionel, despite her being low-key about the job to Jonathan. Ryan also knows Martha's "secret," and asks why she doesn't tell Jonathan and Clark. She says she'll tell them when the time is right.

How it ends: Ryan and Lex are both fans of "Warrior Angel" superhero comic books. While at Luthor mansion, looking at comics together, Ryan collapses and is hospitalized. Ryan tells Clark he has a brain tumor and is dying. Despite Ryan's limited chance of survival, Clark will not give up hope. Lex tells him of Dr. Burton, a cancer surgeon with an experimental procedure. Lex also advises Clark that sometimes its better to spend time with a loved one than chase a fruitless hope to save them. Clark runs 425 miles to stop the cancer surgeon from leaving on an international trip. Dr. Burton performs surgery on Ryan. Despite the surgery, Ryan has only a few more days to live. He wants to spend the time with Clark. Ryan and Clark take a balloon ride over the fields of Smallville. Ryan thanks Clark for a perfect moment, asking Clark not to be sad when he's gone or to ever give up.