After Martha (Annette O'Toole) accidentally hits a young boy with her car, the Kents take him in until they can locate his parents, unaware that the boy can read minds and has unlocked the secret thoughts of Lex (Michael Rosenbaum), Lana (Kristin Kreuk), Jonathan (John Schneider) and Martha, which puts Clark's (Tom Welling) secret in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Lex must decide if he wants to take his father (guest star Lionel Luthor) up on his job offer and move back to his old life in Metropolis.
Allison Mack, Sam Jones III and Eric Johnson also star. Paul Shapiro directed the episode written by Philip Levens.

Clark befriends a kindred spirit when his family aids a secretive teen who can read minds. The teen, Ryan, enters the Kents' life in dramatic fashion when Martha accidentally strikes him with her car while he is fleeing from a murderous thief...his stepfather. Clark's parents take Ryan in, but the boy's safety is soon jeopardized by the father's return. The stepfather wants Ryan to continue using his mind-reading powers to help him in his newest scheme - to get hold of Lex's passcode for his finances. Clark manages to rescue Ryan, who promises to keep his secret but warns him about Lex. Meanwhile, Lex has a chance to leave Smallville when his father offers him a job in Metropolis, but their stormy history makes Lex wary of his father's generous impulse.

Jonathan: You always had a soft spot for strays.
Martha: The last one turned out all right.

Ryan: (after being kissed by Lana) I don't know, but I'm definitely in love.
Clark: Welcome to the club.

Lionel Luthor: Lex, your performance of late has been...more than adequate.
Lex: That sounds dangerously like a compliment.

Lionel Luthor: I've been harsh on you, Lex, but greatness is a rarefied air one has to be taught to breathe.

Lionel: We don't need to play games, son.
Lex: Dad, games are all we have.

(giving Clark a present)
Lex: It's a foil, Clark. Every hero should have one.

(talking about Lex)
Ryan: I know you like him, Clark, but there's a lot of darkness he keeps from the world.

Jonathan: You can stay as long as you want. Maybe some of you'll rub off on Clark.

Lex: I thought you were in Monaco.
Lionel: The backbone of surprise is fusing secrecy with speed.

Ryan: Maybe (Chloe) has a romantic side you don't know about?
Clark: And maybe my mom hit you harder then we thought.

Clark: Warrior Angel, why him?
Ryan: Because he protects people who can't protect themselves. I like being around you Clark. It's...peaceful.

Clark: Don't worry, Chloe's the queen of obscure and irrelevant references.

Clark: I didn't know you liked comic books.
Lex: Are you kidding? A strange visitor from another planet who protects the weak? When I was young he was my idol, not to mention that fact he's bald. I have the whole collection.

Lex: The day Julian was born was the only time I felt like I was part of a real family.

Lex: I think he saw Julian as his second chance. A chance for him to have a son he could truly love.
Clark: I'm sorry.
Lex: It's in the past, Clark. We would have ended up hating each other anyway. My father would have seen to that.

Clark: If anyone can choose who they want to be, Lex, it's you.

Clark: You have sources?
Chloe: Yeah. A cute officer in traffic. I talked my way out of a speeding ticket. He told me I was plucky. Maybe I'll ask him to prom.

Lex: You know what those emperors you're always talking about were really afraid of? That there sons would become successful and return to Rome at the head of their own army.
Lionel: You think you can find your future in Smallville? I'm your future. Join me, Lex. Join me in Metropolis. How long have you been waiting to hear me to say those words?
Lex: I've waited to hear other things from you for a lot longer. I'll return to Metropolis when I'm ready.
Lionel: At the head of an army?

Ryan James has the ability to read minds. His stepdad, James Gibson and his stepmom are using his abilities to rob people. He visits a pawnbroker who gives him $60 for an item, and, as he opens the safe, Ryan reads his mind and the safe combination. He goes back out to the car where his stepparents wait for him to give them the combination. They go in and rob the store while Ryan waits outside. Ryan decides to run away, and while his parents chase him, Ryan runs onto the road where he is hit by Martha Kent, who picks him up and drives him to the hospital before his stepparents can make it to the road.

The doctor at the hospital explains to the Kents that Ryan claims to have lost him memory, but she thinks he may be running away from something. Child Services are too busy to pick Ryan up that evening, so Martha and Jonathan Kent offer to take him home for one night. Clark Kent and Ryan smile at each other through the hospital room window.

The next morning, Ryan impresses the family by preparing a huge breakfast, and reads Jonathan and Martha's minds by offering them their favorites. He seems to be unable to read Clark's mind. Clark and Ryan get along immediately, and Martha looks on with great affection.

The stepparents are hot on Ryan's trail, but decide to hold out until they need him next. Ryan meets other Smallville residents, and while he is not very impressed with Lex Luthor, he is immediately taken by Lana Lang. He even warns her about one of her employees who is not completely honest. He also reads Chloe Sullivan's mind, and tells Clark that she wishes he would ask her to the prom, and she has already bought a pink dress.

James Gibson shows up at The Talon, and Ryan runs out to the back alley, where he hides in the trash. His stepdad can't see him, but the trash compactor is about to crush Ryan, but Clark saves him. When Clark appears, Ryan sees him as the superhero of his favorite Angel comics.

Chloe and Clark return the the site where Martha hit Ryan, and they find his backpack with a picture of Ryan with his mother. Chloe confirms to Clark that she did indeed look at a pink dress for the prom. Ryan tells Martha that he knows she can't have children, and that he knows Clark is different. He finds the ship in the shelter, because he read it in Martha's mind. Clark is upset with him, but they bond over being different. Ryan explains how he feels close to Clark and won't betray him.

That evening, Ryan's stepmom arrives and poses as Child Services. Clark was not there to say goodbye. When Clark gets to the farm, he sees Lex's limo pull over, Lex is on his way to Metropolis for a dinner, and on the way, came to give Clark a sword from the mansion, claiming "every hero should have one", in reference to Ryan seeing Clark as a hero. As the limo leaves, Clark notices Lex's limo driver. Later, the limo pulls over on a deserted road, it turns out to be Ryan's stepdad, with Ryan and his stepmom hiding in the front. While the stepmom drives the limo, James Gibson and Ryan get into the back, James forces Lex to give him the password to his trust fund. When Lex refuses, Ryan reads it from his mind. They then throw Lex out of the moving limo.

At the same time, Chloe shows Clark her research on Ryan, and shows him a picture of James Gibson, a career criminal. Clark recognizes the limo driver. The limo pulls over near a bowling alley, but James realizes that Ryan lied about the password. Ryan tells his stepmom that James plans to kill her once they have the money. James agrees and shoots her. Ryan hides in the bowling alley, and just as James is about to shoot him, Clark knocks James out and rescues Ryan.

The following day, Lana thanks Ryan for telling her about the waitress, who was stealing from the till. Ryan leaves the Kents to go live with his aunt in Edge City. When Clark is worried, Ryan reassures him, saying he can tell that she is a good person. He promises the Kents to keep Clark's secret and also warns Clark about Lex's dark side. Clark says he prefers to believe in the good of people.