Fic: Period of Adjustment (15/?)
Title: Period of Adjustment (15/?)
Author: Babette babettew54
Category: Superman Movie-verse
Characters: Lois/Clark/Kal-El, Jason, Richard/Lana, Perry, Martha
Rating: M
Word Count: 3,500
Spoilers: None.
Disclaimer:DC Comics/Warner Brothers owns. No profit is being made from this story. This is strictly for my own amusement.
Beta: hanakt
A/N: This next chapter entitled The Last Son of Krypton, begins Act III: Destiny, the final act. Clark finally accepts the truth and Lois tries to forgive. Angsty Clois ahead. Something a little different for me, guys!! *bites nails* Here’s another one of my favorite chapters! Read on everyone! :D
Banner by hanakt
Act I: Devotion
( Chapter 1) ( Chapter 2) ( Chapter 3) ( Chapter 4) ( Chapter 5)
( Chapter 6) ( Chapter 7) ( Chapter 8)
Act II: Lost
( Chapter 9) ( Chapter 10) ( Chapter 11) ( Chapter 12) ( Chapter 13) ( Chapter 14)
Act III: Destiny
Chapter 15: The Last Son of Krypton
Previously:
Clark followed her to the door trying to make things right. "Lois, I know you're upset, but you know I love you."
"I know that Clark, but we can't do this again. I can't do this again." She went to the door and turned back to face him. "You have some decisions to make. You should stay here for a few days and think about what you really want." And with those words hanging between them, she left him standing there with a shocked expression on his face.
End of Act II: Lost
~o~o~
The Monitoring Center in the Watchtower space station:
Clark tried to put the past few hours out of his mind. He got dressed, went up to the main tower and began piecing together everything that Darkseid had said to him. He remembered everything ... the coordinates of the unnamed planet and how far away it was from Krypton. He felt compelled to do this. He knew it was driving a wedge between him and Lois, but he had to know the truth. He sighed, thinking about her last words to him. I hope she'll understand in time.
Bruce, Diana and J'onn were there watching his every more. They had all witnessed Lois's hasty departure from the station. Bruce wanted to say something to her, but what could he say? He could see how distraught she was and he couldn't help but wonder what had happened between them. He decided to tread lightly knowing Clark was still upset. "Clark, we should talk about what happened," Bruce tried to get a conversation started.
"Later Bruce, I have to put in these coordinates," Clark said distractedly.
"Clark, I really hope those are not what I think they are," Bruce said amazed at him.
"Bruce, you know I have to do this, so just let me do it, please," he pleaded hoping they would all just leave him alone.
Bruce proceeded to do the only thing he could think of to make Clark see reason. He had contacted Clark's father upon their return telling him everything that had happened, and now he hoped Jor-El could put a stop to this nonsense.
"Kal-El?" Jor-El spoke to his son.
Clark groaned to himself. "Yes, Father?"
"There are no survivors, Kal-El. You must accept it," Jor-El told his son.
"But how can you be so sure?" Was there no hope?
"I have the coordinates, Kal-El. There's nothing there but an uninhabitable rock," Jor-El said trying to convince him.
"But ..." Clark began.
"Listen to your father, Clark," Bruce said.
“I agree, Clark. You must put this all behind you,” J’onn said.
Diana went to him then and touched his shoulder. "You should go to your wife, Clark. She needs you and you need her."
Clark sighed, running his hands over his eyes, so weary and so worried about Lois and what she must think of him right now.
"Everything will be alright, Clark," Diana said. "Go on, now," she said.
"She must hate me because of what I said to her," Clark said worried he'd said too much and not enough.
"You know that's not true," Diana said.
"She said she didn't want to see me," Clark mumbled.
"Clark Kent, get out of here. Go home to your wife, now!" Bruce ordered as he pointed to the teleportation chamber.
"Alright, alright, I'm going.” He shook his head but he managed a smile. “Thanks guys, and thank you Father," Clark said.
"Goodbye, my son," Jor-El said.
"Bye Clark, and good luck," Bruce said and smiled.
Clark shook his head and took a deep breath as he tried to prepare himself for what lay ahead. He was thinking of his wife ... I'd rather face down Darkseid again than face Lois and try to explain what a complete fool I was.
~o~o~
Riverside Drive, early that evening:
Lana and Richard had come over for dinner to be there for Lois and Jason. Richard had wanted to talk about the follow-up article on Intergang and what he had found out from Commissioner Gordon in a recent interview, but Lois was not in the mood for work. She had told them what happened to Clark while he was away.
Richard tried to feel for Clark and what he was going through, but he couldn't find it in him. How could he even consider the idea of leaving Lois and Jason again? If I could, and not break my hands, I would thrash him.
Lana, on the other hand, felt pity for Clark. She knew first hand how he had lived his life, always alone, even though he had a family growing up, there just wasn't that connection he'd always wanted from people who were just like him.
"Come on, Lana, you can't possibly think Clark was right in his thinking about this?"
"Of course not, Richard, but I can understand it," Lana said.
"It's alright, guys. Please don't argue over it. Clark and I will work this out. I just don't know how or when that may be," Lois said and sighed, as she went to get some juice.
Jason came down the stairs then. "Mom, I'm finished my homework. When can we call Dad? I want to talk to him," he wanted to know.
The front door opened then. It was Clark. "I'm home," he said hoping he wouldn't get kicked out.
"Dad, you're home," Jason said and ran to his father as Clark picked him up, kissing him and holding him close.
"Yes, I'm home son. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I'm so glad you're back. We missed you," Jason said hugging him again.
"I missed you too, son," Clark said as tears sprang into his eyes.
Lois and Clark stared at each other unable to look anywhere else even if they wanted to.
"Lois, do you want us to stay with you for a while?" Richard asked.
Lois managed to tear her eyes away from her husband. "No, I'll be fine, and thank you both for coming," Lois said hugging each of them.
Richard couldn't help giving Clark the look at the front door. "I'm glad you came to your senses Clark," he whispered.
"Bye, Clark," Lana said.
"Bye," Clark said putting Jason down.
"Jason, honey, your father and I really need to talk," Lois began not taking her eyes off her husband.
"Ok, I'll be in my room," Jason said pouting.
"I'll be up in a little while, son," Clark said stroking his son’s back.
“Ok, Dad,” Jason said smiling at his father as he went up the stairs.
Clark put his hands in his pockets, wanting so much to go to her and beg her forgiveness but the words were stuck in his throat.
“Lois?”
“Clark?” They both spoke at the same time.
“You first,” Clark said coming into the living room.
“Are your powers back?” Lois asked not knowing what else to say.
“No, not yet, but they should return tomorrow.”
She sighed. “Oh, I see.”
“Lois, I … I’m sorry,” Clark said also not knowing what else to say.
Lois closed her eyes and when she opened them, Clark was standing directly in front of her. He tentatively reached out to take her hand. She didn’t stop him. “Clark, I don’t know what to say,” she said not looking at him.
He reached down and lifted her chin. “Don’t say anything. I know I have to make things right between us. I want that more than anything.”
“But how can you? I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the idea that you would actually even consider leaving again. I just can’t … I’m sorry.” She removed her hand from his.
Clark sighed realizing what a terrible mistake he had made. “Do you want me to leave?”
She stared at his face for a moment. She shook her head. “No, this is your home. You can stay in the guest room.”
“Lois?”
“That’s all I can give you for now, Clark. Please don’t push,” Lois said and headed upstairs. “I’m tired. Good night. And please say good night to Jason. He cried himself to sleep last night worrying about you.”
“Alright goodnight Lois, I’ll see you in the morning,” Clark said and sighed. He ran his fingers through his hair wanting to scream and hit something. Sighing heavily, he went upstairs to see Jason. He was in bed waiting for him. “Hello son. Do you want a bedtime story tonight?” Clark asked as he searched for Jason’s favorite story.
Jason nodded as he watched his father. Even though his door had been closed, he had heard his mother and father arguing. He hadn’t understood most of it, but then he had heard something that had worried him. “Dad, are you leaving us again?” He asked lip quivering, eyes tearing up.
Clark turned from the bookcase and Jason’s shoulders were shaking. “No, no, son, I’m not leaving.” He went to him, picked him up and cuddled him under his chin. “Ssssh, don’t cry, please don’t cry,” he soothed him, stroking his back.
Lois was in the hall about to check on Jason when she heard him crying. She peeked in the door and Clark was with him. She knew that he could see her but she didn’t care. She wanted to hear what was being said.
“But Mom said …” Jason started.
“No, son, your Mother and I were just talking about a problem we’re having, but I’m here to stay. Everything is fine now. Please don’t cry. Here, lay down and I’ll get the book and read to you.” He tucked him in, smoothed his hair away from his forehead, went to get the book and started to read his favorite story about training a baby dragon. When he sat back down, he happened to glance up and he saw Lois in the hallway listening. He inwardly smiled, took a deep breath and read his son a bedtime story.
~o~o~
A few hours later, Clark was in bed but he couldn’t sleep. He wasn’t used to the guest bed. It was way too small for him. He sighed throwing the covers back and got up and went down the hall to the stairs. His hearing suddenly picked up moans. It was Lois. He turned and went back to the master bedroom and listened through the door.
“Clark?” Lois spoke his name in a dream.
He opened the door and Lois was tossing and turning in the throes of a dream or a nightmare, he couldn’t tell. Then, she screamed his name, louder this time, and bolted up from the bed. He came into the room then, sat down and took her by the shoulders. “Lois, Lois, wake up.”
Lois was disoriented, but her husband was home. “Oh, Clark, you’re back,” she whispered and threw her arms around his neck. Clark took advantage and held her close savoring this closeness even though he knew it wouldn’t last.
He pulled her arms from around his neck and tried to get her to wake up. “Lois, you were dreaming. Do you remember the dream?”
“Clark? What are you doing in here?” Lois asked pulling away from him and tucking the covers under her chin.
“I heard you moaning and then you screamed my name. Do you remember the dream? It may help to talk about it.”
Lois sighed and lay back down. “It’s the same dream I’ve had since you disappeared.”
“Tell me about it,” he hoped she would open up to him and not kick him out. They needed to confide in each other like they used to.
“I don’t know,” she pulled the covers tighter under her chin.
He reached out, afraid to touch her afraid she might pull away from him again. “Lois?” He said touching her shoulder.
She sighed. “Alright, I’ll tell you. I hope talking about it will make it go away.”
“It probably will. Go on,” he said and scooted closer to her.
“Well, I was in the chopper watching you fight Darkseid and suddenly the chopper crashed and I must have blacked out for a moment, but I saw you, Clark, I saw you disappear right before my eyes. I screamed your name. You screamed my name. Then you were gone. I saw everything. I kept screaming for you to come back, just please come back.” Lois tried to hold it in but she couldn’t. She suddenly burst into tears then. He sat up at the head of the bed and pulled her into his arms. She didn’t push him away.
“Ssshh,” he said, soothing her just as he did Jason. “Don’t cry, honey. I’m home now. I’m home.”
She clutched him closer for a moment. “I promised myself I wouldn’t cry anymore,” she said and wiped at her eyes with the sheet. “I’m alright now,” she said leaving his arms, and laying back down.
“Umm, do you want me to leave?” He asked pushing his luck.
Lois stared at him for a moment considering what to do. “Well, if you promise to stay over there, you can stay,” she said scooting as far away from him as she could without falling out of bed.
Clark smiled as he lay down on his side of the bed watching her. “Good night Lois, sweet dreams,” he couldn’t help saying.
She rolled her eyes. “Good night, Clark.”
~o~o~
Meanwhile back at the Watchtower space station:
Diana was about to leave the station for the evening when she entered the monitoring center, where she could see Bruce busy at the communicator.
“What’s going on, Bruce?”
“Nothing,” he stated, not looking at her, punching in quickly and logging off. “Aren’t you on your way out?”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I was until you sent up warning bells. Why did you log off just then?” Diana asked getting suspicious.
“Just finishing up,” Bruce said sounding guilty to his own ears.
She studied him for a moment. “Bruce, are you going to tell me what you were working on or not? You can trust me, you know.” Diana wanted to believe him and everything they’d shared in the past few days.
Bruce sighed and turned to look at her. “You know I trust you, Diana. It’s just better if I’m the only one who knows.”
“Knows what?” No answer. “Just tell me what it is, Bruce.”
“You’re not going to stop, are you?” Bruce sighed resigned, as he smiled at her.
“You know me well enough to know the answer to that,” Diana said and couldn’t help but smile back.
He logged back on and showed Diana what he was working on. “Clark’s coordinates, I ran them through NASA’s mainframe … twice.”
“You found something, didn’t you?”
“At first I didn’t, but I decided to double check, and there was something there.”
“You mean Darkseid was telling the truth?” Diana was shocked.
“No, he wasn’t. I think Darkseid wanted Clark to go there and not find anything right away. The planet is uninhabitable according to NASA’s readouts, but there is a small portion of the planet that could sustain life.”
“But how is that possible?”
“It is possible, Diana, if this unnamed planet was in Krypton's orbit and the survivors went there.”
Pacing, Diana thought about what this could mean for Clark. She had to admit this news would devastate him ... to have to choose between Earth and Krypton again. “What now?”
“I really don’t know. If we destroy this information …?” Bruce started.
“You can’t destroy it. Clark has a right to know. He has to make a choice again. It will be a difficult one for him, but I think he will choose to stay here. His family, his life, his entire world is here.”
Bruce wasn’t entirely sure that was true. He then stated the facts. "You and I both know that Clark can't make that decision, not right now. You saw Lois when she left. Just the thought of him leaving again would destroy them."
"But Bruce, I think they're strong enough to get through this. We have to give them the benefit of the doubt. He'll make the right choice. We can't keep this from him, Bruce. We have no choice in the matter," Diana said not wanting to think about the consequences of Clark finding out they had hid this from him.
Bruce sighed. "I know you're right, but ..." He rubbed his hands over his eyes, wishing he'd hadn't found out the truth. "We need to think long and hard about this, Diana. They need time to work things out between them. Then, we'll tell him. I hope you’re right about him making the right choice."
Diana thought about that. There really are no right or wrong choices here. The answer is what was right for them and no one else.
~o~o~
The Daily Planet bullpen the next morning:
Lois was at her computer trying to focus on her work, when her mind drifted back to earlier in the morning waking up in bed with her husband. She couldn’t help also remembering how good her night’s rest had been and how it had felt being wrapped up in his arms. Just stop it right there. Clark doesn’t know what he wants. But damn, it was awkward between us this morning.
Riverside Drive, a few hours earlier:
The birds were chirping and the sun was up. Lois slowly awakened in bed with her husband. He’s here. She sighed not fully awake, and pulled him closer feeling content and happy. She hadn’t felt this good since … Clark. Her eyes flew open and then she remembered. “Clark!?” She yelped.
“What, what is it, Lois?” Clark mumbled not fully awake.
Lois didn’t answer him, instead, she gave him a shove and he landed on the floor with a thump, all entangled with the bed clothes.
“Lois! What in the world is going on?” Clark said shocked at his wife’s behavior.
“I told you to stay on your side of the bed, didn’t I?”
“Lois, this is my side of the bed. You were on my side of the bed,” Clark said explaining the situation.
“Oh,” she said realizing it was true. “Well, never mind,” she said and got up. “I’m going to take a shower. Be gone when I get out, please,” she huffed and went into the bathroom.
Clark just rolled his eyes, sighed and went to get his clothes so he could shower and change in the guest room.
Lois slowly opened the bathroom door and watched him leave. Closing the door, she leaned against it and wondered not for the first time … what am I going to do with him?
~o~o~
Clark came into the office, walked up to his desk and watched Lois for a moment. “Lois? Earth to Lois?”
She looked up at the question. “Oh, it’s you. What is it, Clark?”
“How’s the article coming?” I wonder where she was just then.
“It’s good. I should have something for Perry in a few days.”
“Umm, Lois, you haven’t asked for my help,” Clark said feeling left out of her life.
“Richard and I have everything under control,” Lois said distractedly.
“Oh, you and Richard?” Clark asked wondering what was going on.
“Yes, he’s gotten a lot of good information from Gotham. He’s been very helpful.”
“I’m sure he has,” Clark said feeling a twinge of jealousy.
Lois didn’t like his tone. “He’s been a friend, Clark. A good friend,” she said watching him under her lashes. She wrinkled her nose then. “What’s that smell?”
“What smell? Oh, it’s my coffee. I know you can’t have any,” Clark said taking a sip.
Suddenly, Lois was all green around the gills. She covered her mouth and ran to the bathroom.
Clark had a feeling he knew what it was. He followed her into the bathroom. She was throwing up. He gathered some paper towels together, ran some cold water on them, and went to help her. He held her head and pulled her hair away from her face while she emptied her stomach. “There, there, it’s alright. It’ll be over in a minute.”
How could I have forgotten about the morning sickness? Lois sat back on her heels, realizing it was over. She couldn’t help herself. She leaned back onto her husband’s chest. He wiped her forehead and stroked her cheek.
“Oh, Clark,” she whimpered.
He stroked her hair. “Lois, I know where I belong … here with you and with our children,” he said hoping and praying she would believe him.
She closed her eyes and sighed. Can I believe him? Should I believe him?
TBC!
A/N: Lois and Clark have a lot to work out. Clark took her for granted. Can he set things right? You have to read to find out. Thanks for reading. Reviews are love! :D
Author: Babette babettew54
Category: Superman Movie-verse
Characters: Lois/Clark/Kal-El, Jason, Richard/Lana, Perry, Martha
Rating: M
Word Count: 3,500
Spoilers: None.
Disclaimer:DC Comics/Warner Brothers owns. No profit is being made from this story. This is strictly for my own amusement.
Beta: hanakt
A/N: This next chapter entitled The Last Son of Krypton, begins Act III: Destiny, the final act. Clark finally accepts the truth and Lois tries to forgive. Angsty Clois ahead. Something a little different for me, guys!! *bites nails* Here’s another one of my favorite chapters! Read on everyone! :D
Banner by hanakt
Act I: Devotion
( Chapter 1) ( Chapter 2) ( Chapter 3) ( Chapter 4) ( Chapter 5)
( Chapter 6) ( Chapter 7) ( Chapter 8)
Act II: Lost
( Chapter 9) ( Chapter 10) ( Chapter 11) ( Chapter 12) ( Chapter 13) ( Chapter 14)
Act III: Destiny
Chapter 15: The Last Son of Krypton
Previously:
Clark followed her to the door trying to make things right. "Lois, I know you're upset, but you know I love you."
"I know that Clark, but we can't do this again. I can't do this again." She went to the door and turned back to face him. "You have some decisions to make. You should stay here for a few days and think about what you really want." And with those words hanging between them, she left him standing there with a shocked expression on his face.
End of Act II: Lost
~o~o~
The Monitoring Center in the Watchtower space station:
Clark tried to put the past few hours out of his mind. He got dressed, went up to the main tower and began piecing together everything that Darkseid had said to him. He remembered everything ... the coordinates of the unnamed planet and how far away it was from Krypton. He felt compelled to do this. He knew it was driving a wedge between him and Lois, but he had to know the truth. He sighed, thinking about her last words to him. I hope she'll understand in time.
Bruce, Diana and J'onn were there watching his every more. They had all witnessed Lois's hasty departure from the station. Bruce wanted to say something to her, but what could he say? He could see how distraught she was and he couldn't help but wonder what had happened between them. He decided to tread lightly knowing Clark was still upset. "Clark, we should talk about what happened," Bruce tried to get a conversation started.
"Later Bruce, I have to put in these coordinates," Clark said distractedly.
"Clark, I really hope those are not what I think they are," Bruce said amazed at him.
"Bruce, you know I have to do this, so just let me do it, please," he pleaded hoping they would all just leave him alone.
Bruce proceeded to do the only thing he could think of to make Clark see reason. He had contacted Clark's father upon their return telling him everything that had happened, and now he hoped Jor-El could put a stop to this nonsense.
"Kal-El?" Jor-El spoke to his son.
Clark groaned to himself. "Yes, Father?"
"There are no survivors, Kal-El. You must accept it," Jor-El told his son.
"But how can you be so sure?" Was there no hope?
"I have the coordinates, Kal-El. There's nothing there but an uninhabitable rock," Jor-El said trying to convince him.
"But ..." Clark began.
"Listen to your father, Clark," Bruce said.
“I agree, Clark. You must put this all behind you,” J’onn said.
Diana went to him then and touched his shoulder. "You should go to your wife, Clark. She needs you and you need her."
Clark sighed, running his hands over his eyes, so weary and so worried about Lois and what she must think of him right now.
"Everything will be alright, Clark," Diana said. "Go on, now," she said.
"She must hate me because of what I said to her," Clark said worried he'd said too much and not enough.
"You know that's not true," Diana said.
"She said she didn't want to see me," Clark mumbled.
"Clark Kent, get out of here. Go home to your wife, now!" Bruce ordered as he pointed to the teleportation chamber.
"Alright, alright, I'm going.” He shook his head but he managed a smile. “Thanks guys, and thank you Father," Clark said.
"Goodbye, my son," Jor-El said.
"Bye Clark, and good luck," Bruce said and smiled.
Clark shook his head and took a deep breath as he tried to prepare himself for what lay ahead. He was thinking of his wife ... I'd rather face down Darkseid again than face Lois and try to explain what a complete fool I was.
~o~o~
Riverside Drive, early that evening:
Lana and Richard had come over for dinner to be there for Lois and Jason. Richard had wanted to talk about the follow-up article on Intergang and what he had found out from Commissioner Gordon in a recent interview, but Lois was not in the mood for work. She had told them what happened to Clark while he was away.
Richard tried to feel for Clark and what he was going through, but he couldn't find it in him. How could he even consider the idea of leaving Lois and Jason again? If I could, and not break my hands, I would thrash him.
Lana, on the other hand, felt pity for Clark. She knew first hand how he had lived his life, always alone, even though he had a family growing up, there just wasn't that connection he'd always wanted from people who were just like him.
"Come on, Lana, you can't possibly think Clark was right in his thinking about this?"
"Of course not, Richard, but I can understand it," Lana said.
"It's alright, guys. Please don't argue over it. Clark and I will work this out. I just don't know how or when that may be," Lois said and sighed, as she went to get some juice.
Jason came down the stairs then. "Mom, I'm finished my homework. When can we call Dad? I want to talk to him," he wanted to know.
The front door opened then. It was Clark. "I'm home," he said hoping he wouldn't get kicked out.
"Dad, you're home," Jason said and ran to his father as Clark picked him up, kissing him and holding him close.
"Yes, I'm home son. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I'm so glad you're back. We missed you," Jason said hugging him again.
"I missed you too, son," Clark said as tears sprang into his eyes.
Lois and Clark stared at each other unable to look anywhere else even if they wanted to.
"Lois, do you want us to stay with you for a while?" Richard asked.
Lois managed to tear her eyes away from her husband. "No, I'll be fine, and thank you both for coming," Lois said hugging each of them.
Richard couldn't help giving Clark the look at the front door. "I'm glad you came to your senses Clark," he whispered.
"Bye, Clark," Lana said.
"Bye," Clark said putting Jason down.
"Jason, honey, your father and I really need to talk," Lois began not taking her eyes off her husband.
"Ok, I'll be in my room," Jason said pouting.
"I'll be up in a little while, son," Clark said stroking his son’s back.
“Ok, Dad,” Jason said smiling at his father as he went up the stairs.
Clark put his hands in his pockets, wanting so much to go to her and beg her forgiveness but the words were stuck in his throat.
“Lois?”
“Clark?” They both spoke at the same time.
“You first,” Clark said coming into the living room.
“Are your powers back?” Lois asked not knowing what else to say.
“No, not yet, but they should return tomorrow.”
She sighed. “Oh, I see.”
“Lois, I … I’m sorry,” Clark said also not knowing what else to say.
Lois closed her eyes and when she opened them, Clark was standing directly in front of her. He tentatively reached out to take her hand. She didn’t stop him. “Clark, I don’t know what to say,” she said not looking at him.
He reached down and lifted her chin. “Don’t say anything. I know I have to make things right between us. I want that more than anything.”
“But how can you? I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the idea that you would actually even consider leaving again. I just can’t … I’m sorry.” She removed her hand from his.
Clark sighed realizing what a terrible mistake he had made. “Do you want me to leave?”
She stared at his face for a moment. She shook her head. “No, this is your home. You can stay in the guest room.”
“Lois?”
“That’s all I can give you for now, Clark. Please don’t push,” Lois said and headed upstairs. “I’m tired. Good night. And please say good night to Jason. He cried himself to sleep last night worrying about you.”
“Alright goodnight Lois, I’ll see you in the morning,” Clark said and sighed. He ran his fingers through his hair wanting to scream and hit something. Sighing heavily, he went upstairs to see Jason. He was in bed waiting for him. “Hello son. Do you want a bedtime story tonight?” Clark asked as he searched for Jason’s favorite story.
Jason nodded as he watched his father. Even though his door had been closed, he had heard his mother and father arguing. He hadn’t understood most of it, but then he had heard something that had worried him. “Dad, are you leaving us again?” He asked lip quivering, eyes tearing up.
Clark turned from the bookcase and Jason’s shoulders were shaking. “No, no, son, I’m not leaving.” He went to him, picked him up and cuddled him under his chin. “Ssssh, don’t cry, please don’t cry,” he soothed him, stroking his back.
Lois was in the hall about to check on Jason when she heard him crying. She peeked in the door and Clark was with him. She knew that he could see her but she didn’t care. She wanted to hear what was being said.
“But Mom said …” Jason started.
“No, son, your Mother and I were just talking about a problem we’re having, but I’m here to stay. Everything is fine now. Please don’t cry. Here, lay down and I’ll get the book and read to you.” He tucked him in, smoothed his hair away from his forehead, went to get the book and started to read his favorite story about training a baby dragon. When he sat back down, he happened to glance up and he saw Lois in the hallway listening. He inwardly smiled, took a deep breath and read his son a bedtime story.
~o~o~
A few hours later, Clark was in bed but he couldn’t sleep. He wasn’t used to the guest bed. It was way too small for him. He sighed throwing the covers back and got up and went down the hall to the stairs. His hearing suddenly picked up moans. It was Lois. He turned and went back to the master bedroom and listened through the door.
“Clark?” Lois spoke his name in a dream.
He opened the door and Lois was tossing and turning in the throes of a dream or a nightmare, he couldn’t tell. Then, she screamed his name, louder this time, and bolted up from the bed. He came into the room then, sat down and took her by the shoulders. “Lois, Lois, wake up.”
Lois was disoriented, but her husband was home. “Oh, Clark, you’re back,” she whispered and threw her arms around his neck. Clark took advantage and held her close savoring this closeness even though he knew it wouldn’t last.
He pulled her arms from around his neck and tried to get her to wake up. “Lois, you were dreaming. Do you remember the dream?”
“Clark? What are you doing in here?” Lois asked pulling away from him and tucking the covers under her chin.
“I heard you moaning and then you screamed my name. Do you remember the dream? It may help to talk about it.”
Lois sighed and lay back down. “It’s the same dream I’ve had since you disappeared.”
“Tell me about it,” he hoped she would open up to him and not kick him out. They needed to confide in each other like they used to.
“I don’t know,” she pulled the covers tighter under her chin.
He reached out, afraid to touch her afraid she might pull away from him again. “Lois?” He said touching her shoulder.
She sighed. “Alright, I’ll tell you. I hope talking about it will make it go away.”
“It probably will. Go on,” he said and scooted closer to her.
“Well, I was in the chopper watching you fight Darkseid and suddenly the chopper crashed and I must have blacked out for a moment, but I saw you, Clark, I saw you disappear right before my eyes. I screamed your name. You screamed my name. Then you were gone. I saw everything. I kept screaming for you to come back, just please come back.” Lois tried to hold it in but she couldn’t. She suddenly burst into tears then. He sat up at the head of the bed and pulled her into his arms. She didn’t push him away.
“Ssshh,” he said, soothing her just as he did Jason. “Don’t cry, honey. I’m home now. I’m home.”
She clutched him closer for a moment. “I promised myself I wouldn’t cry anymore,” she said and wiped at her eyes with the sheet. “I’m alright now,” she said leaving his arms, and laying back down.
“Umm, do you want me to leave?” He asked pushing his luck.
Lois stared at him for a moment considering what to do. “Well, if you promise to stay over there, you can stay,” she said scooting as far away from him as she could without falling out of bed.
Clark smiled as he lay down on his side of the bed watching her. “Good night Lois, sweet dreams,” he couldn’t help saying.
She rolled her eyes. “Good night, Clark.”
~o~o~
Meanwhile back at the Watchtower space station:
Diana was about to leave the station for the evening when she entered the monitoring center, where she could see Bruce busy at the communicator.
“What’s going on, Bruce?”
“Nothing,” he stated, not looking at her, punching in quickly and logging off. “Aren’t you on your way out?”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I was until you sent up warning bells. Why did you log off just then?” Diana asked getting suspicious.
“Just finishing up,” Bruce said sounding guilty to his own ears.
She studied him for a moment. “Bruce, are you going to tell me what you were working on or not? You can trust me, you know.” Diana wanted to believe him and everything they’d shared in the past few days.
Bruce sighed and turned to look at her. “You know I trust you, Diana. It’s just better if I’m the only one who knows.”
“Knows what?” No answer. “Just tell me what it is, Bruce.”
“You’re not going to stop, are you?” Bruce sighed resigned, as he smiled at her.
“You know me well enough to know the answer to that,” Diana said and couldn’t help but smile back.
He logged back on and showed Diana what he was working on. “Clark’s coordinates, I ran them through NASA’s mainframe … twice.”
“You found something, didn’t you?”
“At first I didn’t, but I decided to double check, and there was something there.”
“You mean Darkseid was telling the truth?” Diana was shocked.
“No, he wasn’t. I think Darkseid wanted Clark to go there and not find anything right away. The planet is uninhabitable according to NASA’s readouts, but there is a small portion of the planet that could sustain life.”
“But how is that possible?”
“It is possible, Diana, if this unnamed planet was in Krypton's orbit and the survivors went there.”
Pacing, Diana thought about what this could mean for Clark. She had to admit this news would devastate him ... to have to choose between Earth and Krypton again. “What now?”
“I really don’t know. If we destroy this information …?” Bruce started.
“You can’t destroy it. Clark has a right to know. He has to make a choice again. It will be a difficult one for him, but I think he will choose to stay here. His family, his life, his entire world is here.”
Bruce wasn’t entirely sure that was true. He then stated the facts. "You and I both know that Clark can't make that decision, not right now. You saw Lois when she left. Just the thought of him leaving again would destroy them."
"But Bruce, I think they're strong enough to get through this. We have to give them the benefit of the doubt. He'll make the right choice. We can't keep this from him, Bruce. We have no choice in the matter," Diana said not wanting to think about the consequences of Clark finding out they had hid this from him.
Bruce sighed. "I know you're right, but ..." He rubbed his hands over his eyes, wishing he'd hadn't found out the truth. "We need to think long and hard about this, Diana. They need time to work things out between them. Then, we'll tell him. I hope you’re right about him making the right choice."
Diana thought about that. There really are no right or wrong choices here. The answer is what was right for them and no one else.
~o~o~
The Daily Planet bullpen the next morning:
Lois was at her computer trying to focus on her work, when her mind drifted back to earlier in the morning waking up in bed with her husband. She couldn’t help also remembering how good her night’s rest had been and how it had felt being wrapped up in his arms. Just stop it right there. Clark doesn’t know what he wants. But damn, it was awkward between us this morning.
Riverside Drive, a few hours earlier:
The birds were chirping and the sun was up. Lois slowly awakened in bed with her husband. He’s here. She sighed not fully awake, and pulled him closer feeling content and happy. She hadn’t felt this good since … Clark. Her eyes flew open and then she remembered. “Clark!?” She yelped.
“What, what is it, Lois?” Clark mumbled not fully awake.
Lois didn’t answer him, instead, she gave him a shove and he landed on the floor with a thump, all entangled with the bed clothes.
“Lois! What in the world is going on?” Clark said shocked at his wife’s behavior.
“I told you to stay on your side of the bed, didn’t I?”
“Lois, this is my side of the bed. You were on my side of the bed,” Clark said explaining the situation.
“Oh,” she said realizing it was true. “Well, never mind,” she said and got up. “I’m going to take a shower. Be gone when I get out, please,” she huffed and went into the bathroom.
Clark just rolled his eyes, sighed and went to get his clothes so he could shower and change in the guest room.
Lois slowly opened the bathroom door and watched him leave. Closing the door, she leaned against it and wondered not for the first time … what am I going to do with him?
~o~o~
Clark came into the office, walked up to his desk and watched Lois for a moment. “Lois? Earth to Lois?”
She looked up at the question. “Oh, it’s you. What is it, Clark?”
“How’s the article coming?” I wonder where she was just then.
“It’s good. I should have something for Perry in a few days.”
“Umm, Lois, you haven’t asked for my help,” Clark said feeling left out of her life.
“Richard and I have everything under control,” Lois said distractedly.
“Oh, you and Richard?” Clark asked wondering what was going on.
“Yes, he’s gotten a lot of good information from Gotham. He’s been very helpful.”
“I’m sure he has,” Clark said feeling a twinge of jealousy.
Lois didn’t like his tone. “He’s been a friend, Clark. A good friend,” she said watching him under her lashes. She wrinkled her nose then. “What’s that smell?”
“What smell? Oh, it’s my coffee. I know you can’t have any,” Clark said taking a sip.
Suddenly, Lois was all green around the gills. She covered her mouth and ran to the bathroom.
Clark had a feeling he knew what it was. He followed her into the bathroom. She was throwing up. He gathered some paper towels together, ran some cold water on them, and went to help her. He held her head and pulled her hair away from her face while she emptied her stomach. “There, there, it’s alright. It’ll be over in a minute.”
How could I have forgotten about the morning sickness? Lois sat back on her heels, realizing it was over. She couldn’t help herself. She leaned back onto her husband’s chest. He wiped her forehead and stroked her cheek.
“Oh, Clark,” she whimpered.
He stroked her hair. “Lois, I know where I belong … here with you and with our children,” he said hoping and praying she would believe him.
She closed her eyes and sighed. Can I believe him? Should I believe him?
TBC!
A/N: Lois and Clark have a lot to work out. Clark took her for granted. Can he set things right? You have to read to find out. Thanks for reading. Reviews are love! :D