Fic: Embracing Destiny (14/?)
Title: Embracing Destiny (14/?)
Author: Babette babettew54
Category: Superman Movie-verse
Characters: Lois/Clark/Kal-El, Conner, Jason, Martha, Perry, Jimmy
Rating: T
Summary: Lois and Clark must fight harder than they’ve ever fought before to keep their family together.
Word Count: 4,700
Disclaimer: DC Comics/Warner Brothers owns these characters, except for Joanne Kent and Samuel Hamilton; they’re mine. No profit is being made from this story. This is strictly for my own amusement.
Author’s Notes: In this next chapter, Kitty, Emil and Sam deal with the consequences of what happened to them, Lois, Kitty and the kids find a bit of time to catch up, and later, Conner’s family is desperate for answers. Please read and review. Thank you! :D
Previously:
( Chapter 1) ( Chapter 2)( Chapter 3)( Chapter 4)( Chapter 5)
( Chapter 6)( Chapter 7) ( Chapter 8)( Chapter 9)( Chapter 10)
( Chapter 11)( Chapter 12)( Chapter 13)
Chapter 14: All I've Ever Wanted
You see right through my pretenses
You look right through my mask
You know just when I need a hug
I never need to ask
You show up when I'm lonely
You stay when I'm depressed
all of my rude comments
You shrug away in jest
You see all my dark
You see all my light
You're always by my side
even when I'm not right … (1)
~o~o~
The Hamilton house, hours after Sammy's ordeal:
From the moment that Sammy had been returned home to her, Kitty hadn't moved an inch from her son's bedroom afraid to leave him alone. He had finally fallen into restless sleep, but she couldn't leave him for fear something bad would happen to him.
Emil sighed as he came up behind her, put his hands on her shoulders and rubbed the stiffness away for a moment then he kissed her hair. "Honey, it's late."
Kitty wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I know," she whispered then turned to face her husband. "How could this have happened? We trusted him. He … he's been to our home on several occasions, and Sammy … he wouldn't have gone with him if he hadn't known him."
She was getting worked up, so Emil took her out into the hall and pulled Sammy's door but didn't close it. He didn't want to wake him; he needed his rest.
But her words also upset him as well. His jaw clenched. They had trusted Paul, invited him into their home, but you just never know about some people. He would not make that mistake again. He shook his head and finally answered his wife's statements. "I don't understand this inherent need for money that seems to change people into evil monsters."
"I don't understand it either," she said as they squeezed each other's hands.
Suddenly, Sammy began to moan in his sleep as if in the throes of a nightmare. They both quickly but quietly came back inside his room but then he appeared to be alright and had gone back to sleep, as if sensing his parents were close by.
Emil and Kitty turned to each other. "He's asleep. Come on, you have to rest Kitty. He needs you to be strong, not worn out from not getting the rest that you need," Emil stressed hoping she would listen to him. He took her hand and they both reluctantly left their son alone, leaving the door open slightly and made their way a few steps into their bedroom.
As Kitty slowly got undressed for bed, she was still worked up about Paul and then she began to think about Lex, what he had planned and how he fit into all of this. "I need to see him."
Emil knew exactly who she was referring to. "No way, Kitty, I can't let you do it. You'd be putting Sammy at risk. You do realize that, don't you?"
She raised her desperate eyes to her husband. "But, maybe …?"
He didn't let her finish, went to her and took her by the shoulders. "You can't think that way, honey. Clark fixed everything. Lex won't find out, but if you go to see him, everything that we've done to protect him would be for naught."
She knew he was right. Kitty was so worried about her son that she wasn't thinking clearly. She pulled her husband close and then she finally released that tightness in her chest and started to cry in earnest, her heart torn about what to do to protect their son.
Emil held her tightly to him for a minute then he helped her into bed. She cried for a little while longer and then all he could hear were sniffles and hick-ups then he realized that she had cried herself to sleep. He himself was finding it hard not to break down in tears but he managed to hold himself together. He had to be strong for his family.
He would never forget the feeling of knowing that his son had been kidnapped by someone he trusted but then the total joy and exhilaration of finally seeing him alive and well. He closed his eyes so very happy to know that his family was now safe. He pulled his wife close and kissed her temple.
A few hours later, he woke up and his son was the first thing that came into his mind. He slowly left the bed, as not to awaken her and went into his son's room. He was resting comfortably. Breathing a sigh of relief, he stood there for a while and just watched him sleep.
Then suddenly his thoughts went to Lex and what he had tried to do to his family and to Clark Kent's family as well. He was angry now. He will never be yours Lex, never!
~o~o~
Present time, a few days after the kidnapping:
Kitty had made the decision to speak to Lois about the kids, about bringing them together to talk and relax and maybe have a bit of fun. It was a warm spring day and they all needed this. Kitty was reluctant at first, but it was time for Sammy to leave the house and maybe have some fun. After keeping him at home for the past few days, he was becoming restless, missing his friends and being at school. Kitty was still very worried about him, not wanting her son to leave her sight, but she knew it was time. He couldn't live his life from his bedroom.
Kitty felt encouraged because last night, Sammy had finally opened up to his parents about the warehouse and what he'd been thinking about before his hope had faded of ever seeing his family again. He finally told them how he'd also been thinking of JoJo and how confusing it had been.
Kitty didn't know what to make of that, but she did tell him not to worry about it or to dwell on those feelings. He liked JoJo and she liked him and there was nothing wrong with that. They also told him again how proud they were of him for saving Conner and for being such a good boy.
Later that morning, Lois and JoJo arrived at the Hamilton house. She couldn't help but grin as she watched JoJo quickly jump out of the car, excited about seeing Sammy again. Lois could tell how much she'd missed him. She'd asked about him all the time. She'd known Sammy as long as she could remember and not seeing him every day or just talking to him had been hard for her.
But JoJo was far too young to understand any of what Sammy was feeling. It was just friendship to her but Sammy was a bit older and he knew exactly what those feelings were. He was mature for his age, almost twelve, and besides he needed to talk to her about what had happened to him. JoJo would understand because she had basically gone through the same thing.
Finally feeling excited about the day ahead, Kitty opened the door to her friends ready to leave the house and enjoy this beautiful day. Kitty and Lois hugged each other close both realizing they now shared a very unique understanding of what they had endured.
Hearing excited voices, Sammy came into the living room from the kitchen with a soda can in his hand. He immediately stopped when he saw JoJo. She smiled at him, a bit shyly but so very happy to see him.
"Hi, Sammy." She paused. "How are you? Are you ok?" JoJo asked as she walked over to him.
Sammy was a bit tongue-tied around her now. Everything was different somehow. He looked at her a bit strangely.
JoJo suddenly felt awkward with his silence and stares. "Sammy?"
Kitty and Lois walked over to them and asked what was happening.
Sammy suddenly snapped out of it. Shaking his head, he replied, "I'm ok … umm … where are we going?"
Kitty frowned at him. "We're going to the fairgrounds; there's a carnival today. I told you about it earlier at breakfast. Weren't you listening?" She asked her distracted son then she realized what was going on.
"Of course, I remember now. Let's go, Mom. I can't wait to ride the Ferris wheel," Sammy rambled and went to get his jacket ignoring his friend who was still staring at him strangely.
"Alright, then, let's go," Kitty said and went to get her jacket as well. Lois and Kitty glanced at each other each with their own thoughts about their children.
Soon they were off to the fairgrounds.
~o~o~
A half hour later, at the carnival:
The carnival day started out good with Sammy and JoJo enjoying the rides, but it was difficult to talk to Sammy because the rides were fast and once they got off the rides, their parents watched them like hawks.
But JoJo couldn't forget what happened earlier at the house. Sammy was still ignoring her and refusing to meet her eyes, like he was afraid to talk to her for some strange reason.
Finally, JoJo and Sammy were alone up high on the Ferris wheel. The wheel was now on the dissent and they would be getting off shortly, and they only had a few minutes to talk.
"Sammy, what's wrong? Aren't you happy to see me?" JoJo asked, still confused by his behavior.
He ignored her questions as he looked out over the amusement park. Up this high he was getting a bit dizzy but it only happened for a moment. Suddenly, he remembered when Conner had rescued him, how afraid he had been to fly with him but he also remembered how exciting it had been. Sammy had been so happy knowing he would see his family again and that he would see her again. Now though, he didn't know why he was acting this way. He had missed her very much these past few days. "I don't know," he finally answered, not looking at her.
"What do you mean, you don't know?" JoJo was confused and hurt by the way he was acting.
He finally turned to her and tried to explain. He was hurting her; he could see that clearly. "I'm sorry, JoJo. It's just …" He hesitated.
"What is it? Is it about the kidnapping?"
"Yes, that's part of it," he replied then he turned and looked out over the fairgrounds again. Then he suddenly felt the need to talk to her about it. "It was horrible. I never felt so alone."
"I know what you mean, Sammy. At least I had Jason with me, but you were all alone." She paused. "I'm so sorry." JoJo suddenly took his hand and held it in her own, surprising him. "But we made it through, thanks to Conner, didn't we?"
He turned to her then, looked at their hands for a moment. "Yeah, we did, thanks to Conner."
He squeezed her hand. They both smiled thinking about him.
A few minutes later, it was time to exit the ride, but they were so intent on the other that they didn't realize the wheel handler was trying to get their attention. "It's time to get off kids."
Lois and Kitty watched their children's faces suddenly shy and not meeting their parent's eyes, then they turned to the other and thought the exact same thing, eyebrows raised and mouths open in shock and amazement, Time for 'the talk'?
~o~o~
Meanwhile, back at the Kent house:
Clark didn't have the heart to tell Lois about Conner, and after she had told him her plans for the day with JoJo and Sammy, he decided to let them all have this time. They all needed this and he couldn't have agreed more.
About an hour after she had left, he entered Conner's room hoping to talk some more, but he was still asleep. Clark was immediately on alert. He went to him, shook his shoulder, no response then he touched his forehead. He was burning up. "Conner, Conner, wake up! Can you hear me?"
Conner was barely able to open his eyes. He tried to focus on his Father's face but it was hard, so very hard to keep his eyes open. "Dad … I … I'm sorry."
"You're going to be alright, son. Just … just hold on," Clark whispered to him, but his heart clenched with worry.
Clark had to act quickly then he twirled into his costume, picked him up and took him to S.T.A.R. Labs, called Emil and waited for the doctors to try and help him. He also called Bruce, Diana and J'onn and asked them to try to find out more information from Westfield about the other Cadmus Labs.
Maybe there was an antidote to Conner's illness inside of the labs. It must have been the K-virus that had infected him. Conner had told him last night that he had used his force field while destroying the Lab in Canada, but apparently it hadn't been protection enough to save him from the virus.
At S.T.A.R. Labs, a half hour later and Conner still hadn't awakened. He was breathing on his own but his doctors were very concerned. Clark was beginning to really worry about him. Then he remembered the Cadmus papers in the den. He ran home to get those and brought them back to Emil hoping there was something there that could help him. He then called Lois, Jason and JoJo so they could be with Conner. He had to get better, he had to.
"Clark, what's wrong?" Lois was always on alert when her husband called her like this and out of the blue. She so wanted everything to return to normal at some point in their lives, but it appeared not to be the case. She had long since resigned herself to the fact that her family was not normal; they were hers and she loved them for it.
"Lois, bring JoJo and Jason to S.T.A.R. Labs right away. Conner is ill."
"What, but, how could he be ill? He's never sick."
Clark sighed. "What happened in Canada, it's affected him somehow and I don't know what to do to help him. Emil is here. Are Kitty and Sammy still with you?"
"Yes, we were just headed home, but I'll bring them there as well." She paused. "Oh, Clark, he has to be alright. He has to," Lois almost whimpered. How much more can we take before we break? She thought.
"Hurry, Lois," Clark whispered to her and then he hung up.
~o~o~
Meanwhile, at the Metropolis jail house:
"We'll make it worth your while just tell us where the other labs are … NOW!" It was Batman. He tried to control his anger at the man. He grabbed Paul by the labels of his orange jumpsuit not caring if anyone was watching.
"Bruce wait," Diana said and help up her lasso. They didn't have the time to negotiate with him. They had no other choice.
Bruce held him steady while Diana wrapped him up tight. "Tell us where the labs are … NOW!" Diana demanded.
Westfield struggled for a moment then he wrote down all the labs and their addresses. There were two more … one here in Metropolis and the other in Smallville.
"Let's go," Bruce said and then they were on their way to possibly save Conner's life.
~o~o~
S.T.A.R. Labs, a little later:
Jason had left his class at Metropolis University after receiving his Mom's text message. He immediately changed into his costume behind a secluded building and streaked over there within minutes to see how he could help his brother. Shortly thereafter, Lois, JoJo, Kitty and Sammy arrived hoping and praying for good news about Conner.
After changing into their street clothes, Clark and Jason worriedly paced back and forth in front of Conner's room and waited for the rest of the family to arrive. Clark looked up and Lois was there, so happy to see her that he immediately hugged her tightly to him.
Lois pulled back after a moment so worried about Conner as she could see how upset Clark was, just by the look on his face. "How is he?"
Kitty could also see how worried he was. She said a silent prayer for the family.
"He's still unconscious," Clark told them feeling sick inside at what that could mean.
"Oh, no, what does Emil say?" Lois asked so afraid for their son.
Both very worried, JoJo and Sammy were still holding hands, unable or unwilling to let go. Sammy wanted to be there for her in any way that he could.
"He's doing all he can, but without an antidote …" He paused. "He needs help breathing now." Clark closed his eyes. Lois held him tightly to her.
"Oh, God, please," Lois desperately whispered, getting upset as to what that could mean.
"Mom, Dad, there must be something we can do to help him?" Jason asked hoping there was something.
Clark took several deep breaths, blinking back tears. "There has to be, but we have to wait to hear from the League."
"The League, but what are they doing?" Jason asked, wondering if he could help them.
"They're headed to the two other Cadmus labs that Westfield told them about. One is in Smallville and the other one is located here in Metropolis."
"I could help them find the answer more quickly. I can see through metal and all kinds of things; I could help," Jason pleaded to him hoping to do something to help.
Clark thought about it for a moment. "Alright, head to this address in Smallville. Go son," Clark said then he handed him a slip of paper.
"Be careful, Jason," JoJo hollered after him.
"I'll be careful, I promise," Jason hollered back, and then he was gone.
Lois sighed. "Can we see him?" She paused as she glanced at JoJo. "He's not contagious right?" Lois asked her husband.
"No, he's not. Come with me."
~o~o~
On the outskirts of Smallville:
Once high in the sky, Jason immediately contacted the League and told them he was on his way to Smallville. Batman and Diana were still in Metropolis. They then decided to send J'onn down to Smallville to help him. That way he could keep an eye on him. Jason was still untrained and very young.
Jason waited a few minutes and then J'onn arrived then they both entered the lab. Of course, it was made of lead but J'onn had no problem sliding inside, disabling the alarm systems and opening the doors for Jason.
Soon, after a frantic and desperate search, they found some documents inside of folders containing Luthor's notes, calculations, and formulas. They were located inside an office locked inside a safe which Jason saw easily. After quickly reading the notes, Jason was shocked to the roots of his dark hair when he read the antidote. Dad will never go along with it.
He turned to J'onn then. "I wish there was another way," he whispered upset by what this could mean.
"I do too. Go ahead; make the call," J'onn told him.
Taking a deep breath, Jason contacted everyone and told them he had found the antidote.
"What is it son?" Clark asked thrilled they could save him.
"Luthor's blood," Jason regretfully replied and waited for his Father's reaction.
A full minute of silence followed. "There must be some other way."
"I'm sorry, Dad, but these files are very specific. Lex planned it this way. He goes on to say here in his notes that Conner would have no choice but to be indebted to him for his existence and if he were to become infected that only he could save him. Conner would always be tied to him in life and in death." Jason felt ill reading those words.
Another minute then, "Bring the papers here, Jason." He paused then, "You did good, son. I'm very proud."
"Thanks Dad, I'm on my way."
"Clark, did Jason find an antidote?" Lois hopefully asked.
Clark didn't answer her as he stared at Conner fighting so valiantly to stay with them.
"Clark?" Lois asked again as she touched his arm.
"We can save him … with Luthor's blood."
Lois gasped and Kitty put her hand over her mouth. Kitty glanced from Conner to Sammy then back again, with an inkling of an idea, as she thought of ways to save him. Lex is the last person they would want to save their son. "Lois?"
"What is Kitty?"
"If Emil agrees with it, then Sammy could help."
"Me? I could save Conner?" Sammy asked thrilled with that news. He turned to JoJo then and he could see tears in her eyes, tears of relief.
"Wait, now, let's not get ahead of ourselves. It may not work," Clark didn't want everyone to get their hopes up.
Emil came back into Conner's room with more bad news. "I'm sorry, but Conner isn't improving and his powers are gone."
"Emil, we just heard from Jason, and there is an antidote." Clark paused. "It's Lex's blood."
Emil thought about that. "It just may work. Now that Conner is no longer invulnerable, it would be a lot easier to administer a transfusion, but Lex?"
"I know, but Kitty had an idea …" Clark began.
Sammy spoke up. "Dad I could save him."
Emil frowned. "You, but …" Emil shook his head and realized where they were going with this.
"I know it's a lot to ask Emil," Clark began.
Emil thought about it some more as he stroked his chin. "Clark, I don't know." But he was considering it. "We wouldn't need a lot of blood from Sammy, but Clark, Conner needs your blood as well."
"Mine, but …"
"Yes, your DNA is crucial to him. Without it, he wouldn't regain his powers," Emil explained the obvious.
Clark was beginning to understand Luthor's plans now. Conner would no longer be a superhero, but a normal guy. Conner would be devastated at that prospect. "I see," he murmured.
"Clark, we have to save him. We have no other choice," Lois also stated the obvious.
"Let's get started," Clark told him, as he glanced at Conner again, determined to save him.
~o~o~
A little while later before Conner was brought down to the operating room and Clark was being prepared for the withdrawal of his blood, a few of Conner's friends showed up at the Lab wanting to see him.
Diana had contacted them a few days ago about the new 'Titan Team' and it was her who had contacted them before their search for the antidote. Conner was very sick and they should go see him right away. It did not look good.
Megan was so upset that he had been sick and they were the last to know. They were his friends and they wanted to be there for him.
So Megan, Robin, Speedy, Artemis, Zatanna and Aqualad were allowed to see him, but only for a few minutes. He was still hooked up to machines and he still needed help to breathe on his own. Megan was shocked at how pale he looked. Tears sprang into her eyes as she leaned down and kissed his forehead and stroked his hair. "I'm here. I won't leave you," she whispered to him hoping he would hear her.
"He'll be ok, Megan," Robin told her but inside he was also worried about him. "Luthor is such a sick bastard." They were also frustrated that Luthor was in jail but that he was still hurting the ones they cared about.
A few minutes later, two orderlies came into his room and told them it was time to take him down to the operating room.
Jason, Diana, J'onn and Bruce were also there in the hallway waiting to hear some news. Lois was so grateful to them. Conner was blessed to have so many good friends. Diana hadn't had the chance to speak to Lois about the article, but at the moment, none of that mattered now. She came over to her hoping to mend fences. "I'm so sorry, Lois."
"Thank you, Diana. We do appreciate everything you've done for us, for my family."
"Anytime, Lois, anytime," Diana told her with a nod, as they began to understand the other.
"Mom, how much longer?" JoJo asked still worried about Conner.
"Well, Dr. Emil says a few more hours yet and then we'll know something," Lois replied as she stroked her daughter's hair away from her face. "That was a very brave thing that Sammy did, wasn't it?" Lois asked and watched her daughter closely.
"Yes, it was, but he's still hurting from the kidnapping and I don't know how to help him."
"Just be his friend, honey," Lois told her daughter as she held her close.
Kitty overheard that comment and she was thinking of ways to help him, but would Lois go along with it. She decided to wait until after Conner was out of the woods before discussing it with her.
TBC!
~o~o~
Note: (1) My Best Friend, Poem by Tori Beals
A/N: This chapter was so hard to write. You know, all during my research into Conner, I found out he was infected by a mysterious virus and he couldn't be saved. I couldn't do that to the family; I just couldn't. Saving Conner with Sammy's blood just popped into my head, but I love that idea. What a twist. Alright, then, come back in a week for an update! Thanks for reading everyone. Now go on, click that review button and tell me what you're thinking! Pleeaassee..! Thank you.
Author: Babette babettew54
Category: Superman Movie-verse
Characters: Lois/Clark/Kal-El, Conner, Jason, Martha, Perry, Jimmy
Rating: T
Summary: Lois and Clark must fight harder than they’ve ever fought before to keep their family together.
Word Count: 4,700
Disclaimer: DC Comics/Warner Brothers owns these characters, except for Joanne Kent and Samuel Hamilton; they’re mine. No profit is being made from this story. This is strictly for my own amusement.
Author’s Notes: In this next chapter, Kitty, Emil and Sam deal with the consequences of what happened to them, Lois, Kitty and the kids find a bit of time to catch up, and later, Conner’s family is desperate for answers. Please read and review. Thank you! :D
Previously:
( Chapter 1) ( Chapter 2)( Chapter 3)( Chapter 4)( Chapter 5)
( Chapter 6)( Chapter 7) ( Chapter 8)( Chapter 9)( Chapter 10)
( Chapter 11)( Chapter 12)( Chapter 13)
Chapter 14: All I've Ever Wanted
You see right through my pretenses
You look right through my mask
You know just when I need a hug
I never need to ask
You show up when I'm lonely
You stay when I'm depressed
all of my rude comments
You shrug away in jest
You see all my dark
You see all my light
You're always by my side
even when I'm not right … (1)
~o~o~
The Hamilton house, hours after Sammy's ordeal:
From the moment that Sammy had been returned home to her, Kitty hadn't moved an inch from her son's bedroom afraid to leave him alone. He had finally fallen into restless sleep, but she couldn't leave him for fear something bad would happen to him.
Emil sighed as he came up behind her, put his hands on her shoulders and rubbed the stiffness away for a moment then he kissed her hair. "Honey, it's late."
Kitty wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I know," she whispered then turned to face her husband. "How could this have happened? We trusted him. He … he's been to our home on several occasions, and Sammy … he wouldn't have gone with him if he hadn't known him."
She was getting worked up, so Emil took her out into the hall and pulled Sammy's door but didn't close it. He didn't want to wake him; he needed his rest.
But her words also upset him as well. His jaw clenched. They had trusted Paul, invited him into their home, but you just never know about some people. He would not make that mistake again. He shook his head and finally answered his wife's statements. "I don't understand this inherent need for money that seems to change people into evil monsters."
"I don't understand it either," she said as they squeezed each other's hands.
Suddenly, Sammy began to moan in his sleep as if in the throes of a nightmare. They both quickly but quietly came back inside his room but then he appeared to be alright and had gone back to sleep, as if sensing his parents were close by.
Emil and Kitty turned to each other. "He's asleep. Come on, you have to rest Kitty. He needs you to be strong, not worn out from not getting the rest that you need," Emil stressed hoping she would listen to him. He took her hand and they both reluctantly left their son alone, leaving the door open slightly and made their way a few steps into their bedroom.
As Kitty slowly got undressed for bed, she was still worked up about Paul and then she began to think about Lex, what he had planned and how he fit into all of this. "I need to see him."
Emil knew exactly who she was referring to. "No way, Kitty, I can't let you do it. You'd be putting Sammy at risk. You do realize that, don't you?"
She raised her desperate eyes to her husband. "But, maybe …?"
He didn't let her finish, went to her and took her by the shoulders. "You can't think that way, honey. Clark fixed everything. Lex won't find out, but if you go to see him, everything that we've done to protect him would be for naught."
She knew he was right. Kitty was so worried about her son that she wasn't thinking clearly. She pulled her husband close and then she finally released that tightness in her chest and started to cry in earnest, her heart torn about what to do to protect their son.
Emil held her tightly to him for a minute then he helped her into bed. She cried for a little while longer and then all he could hear were sniffles and hick-ups then he realized that she had cried herself to sleep. He himself was finding it hard not to break down in tears but he managed to hold himself together. He had to be strong for his family.
He would never forget the feeling of knowing that his son had been kidnapped by someone he trusted but then the total joy and exhilaration of finally seeing him alive and well. He closed his eyes so very happy to know that his family was now safe. He pulled his wife close and kissed her temple.
A few hours later, he woke up and his son was the first thing that came into his mind. He slowly left the bed, as not to awaken her and went into his son's room. He was resting comfortably. Breathing a sigh of relief, he stood there for a while and just watched him sleep.
Then suddenly his thoughts went to Lex and what he had tried to do to his family and to Clark Kent's family as well. He was angry now. He will never be yours Lex, never!
~o~o~
Present time, a few days after the kidnapping:
Kitty had made the decision to speak to Lois about the kids, about bringing them together to talk and relax and maybe have a bit of fun. It was a warm spring day and they all needed this. Kitty was reluctant at first, but it was time for Sammy to leave the house and maybe have some fun. After keeping him at home for the past few days, he was becoming restless, missing his friends and being at school. Kitty was still very worried about him, not wanting her son to leave her sight, but she knew it was time. He couldn't live his life from his bedroom.
Kitty felt encouraged because last night, Sammy had finally opened up to his parents about the warehouse and what he'd been thinking about before his hope had faded of ever seeing his family again. He finally told them how he'd also been thinking of JoJo and how confusing it had been.
Kitty didn't know what to make of that, but she did tell him not to worry about it or to dwell on those feelings. He liked JoJo and she liked him and there was nothing wrong with that. They also told him again how proud they were of him for saving Conner and for being such a good boy.
Later that morning, Lois and JoJo arrived at the Hamilton house. She couldn't help but grin as she watched JoJo quickly jump out of the car, excited about seeing Sammy again. Lois could tell how much she'd missed him. She'd asked about him all the time. She'd known Sammy as long as she could remember and not seeing him every day or just talking to him had been hard for her.
But JoJo was far too young to understand any of what Sammy was feeling. It was just friendship to her but Sammy was a bit older and he knew exactly what those feelings were. He was mature for his age, almost twelve, and besides he needed to talk to her about what had happened to him. JoJo would understand because she had basically gone through the same thing.
Finally feeling excited about the day ahead, Kitty opened the door to her friends ready to leave the house and enjoy this beautiful day. Kitty and Lois hugged each other close both realizing they now shared a very unique understanding of what they had endured.
Hearing excited voices, Sammy came into the living room from the kitchen with a soda can in his hand. He immediately stopped when he saw JoJo. She smiled at him, a bit shyly but so very happy to see him.
"Hi, Sammy." She paused. "How are you? Are you ok?" JoJo asked as she walked over to him.
Sammy was a bit tongue-tied around her now. Everything was different somehow. He looked at her a bit strangely.
JoJo suddenly felt awkward with his silence and stares. "Sammy?"
Kitty and Lois walked over to them and asked what was happening.
Sammy suddenly snapped out of it. Shaking his head, he replied, "I'm ok … umm … where are we going?"
Kitty frowned at him. "We're going to the fairgrounds; there's a carnival today. I told you about it earlier at breakfast. Weren't you listening?" She asked her distracted son then she realized what was going on.
"Of course, I remember now. Let's go, Mom. I can't wait to ride the Ferris wheel," Sammy rambled and went to get his jacket ignoring his friend who was still staring at him strangely.
"Alright, then, let's go," Kitty said and went to get her jacket as well. Lois and Kitty glanced at each other each with their own thoughts about their children.
Soon they were off to the fairgrounds.
~o~o~
A half hour later, at the carnival:
The carnival day started out good with Sammy and JoJo enjoying the rides, but it was difficult to talk to Sammy because the rides were fast and once they got off the rides, their parents watched them like hawks.
But JoJo couldn't forget what happened earlier at the house. Sammy was still ignoring her and refusing to meet her eyes, like he was afraid to talk to her for some strange reason.
Finally, JoJo and Sammy were alone up high on the Ferris wheel. The wheel was now on the dissent and they would be getting off shortly, and they only had a few minutes to talk.
"Sammy, what's wrong? Aren't you happy to see me?" JoJo asked, still confused by his behavior.
He ignored her questions as he looked out over the amusement park. Up this high he was getting a bit dizzy but it only happened for a moment. Suddenly, he remembered when Conner had rescued him, how afraid he had been to fly with him but he also remembered how exciting it had been. Sammy had been so happy knowing he would see his family again and that he would see her again. Now though, he didn't know why he was acting this way. He had missed her very much these past few days. "I don't know," he finally answered, not looking at her.
"What do you mean, you don't know?" JoJo was confused and hurt by the way he was acting.
He finally turned to her and tried to explain. He was hurting her; he could see that clearly. "I'm sorry, JoJo. It's just …" He hesitated.
"What is it? Is it about the kidnapping?"
"Yes, that's part of it," he replied then he turned and looked out over the fairgrounds again. Then he suddenly felt the need to talk to her about it. "It was horrible. I never felt so alone."
"I know what you mean, Sammy. At least I had Jason with me, but you were all alone." She paused. "I'm so sorry." JoJo suddenly took his hand and held it in her own, surprising him. "But we made it through, thanks to Conner, didn't we?"
He turned to her then, looked at their hands for a moment. "Yeah, we did, thanks to Conner."
He squeezed her hand. They both smiled thinking about him.
A few minutes later, it was time to exit the ride, but they were so intent on the other that they didn't realize the wheel handler was trying to get their attention. "It's time to get off kids."
Lois and Kitty watched their children's faces suddenly shy and not meeting their parent's eyes, then they turned to the other and thought the exact same thing, eyebrows raised and mouths open in shock and amazement, Time for 'the talk'?
~o~o~
Meanwhile, back at the Kent house:
Clark didn't have the heart to tell Lois about Conner, and after she had told him her plans for the day with JoJo and Sammy, he decided to let them all have this time. They all needed this and he couldn't have agreed more.
About an hour after she had left, he entered Conner's room hoping to talk some more, but he was still asleep. Clark was immediately on alert. He went to him, shook his shoulder, no response then he touched his forehead. He was burning up. "Conner, Conner, wake up! Can you hear me?"
Conner was barely able to open his eyes. He tried to focus on his Father's face but it was hard, so very hard to keep his eyes open. "Dad … I … I'm sorry."
"You're going to be alright, son. Just … just hold on," Clark whispered to him, but his heart clenched with worry.
Clark had to act quickly then he twirled into his costume, picked him up and took him to S.T.A.R. Labs, called Emil and waited for the doctors to try and help him. He also called Bruce, Diana and J'onn and asked them to try to find out more information from Westfield about the other Cadmus Labs.
Maybe there was an antidote to Conner's illness inside of the labs. It must have been the K-virus that had infected him. Conner had told him last night that he had used his force field while destroying the Lab in Canada, but apparently it hadn't been protection enough to save him from the virus.
At S.T.A.R. Labs, a half hour later and Conner still hadn't awakened. He was breathing on his own but his doctors were very concerned. Clark was beginning to really worry about him. Then he remembered the Cadmus papers in the den. He ran home to get those and brought them back to Emil hoping there was something there that could help him. He then called Lois, Jason and JoJo so they could be with Conner. He had to get better, he had to.
"Clark, what's wrong?" Lois was always on alert when her husband called her like this and out of the blue. She so wanted everything to return to normal at some point in their lives, but it appeared not to be the case. She had long since resigned herself to the fact that her family was not normal; they were hers and she loved them for it.
"Lois, bring JoJo and Jason to S.T.A.R. Labs right away. Conner is ill."
"What, but, how could he be ill? He's never sick."
Clark sighed. "What happened in Canada, it's affected him somehow and I don't know what to do to help him. Emil is here. Are Kitty and Sammy still with you?"
"Yes, we were just headed home, but I'll bring them there as well." She paused. "Oh, Clark, he has to be alright. He has to," Lois almost whimpered. How much more can we take before we break? She thought.
"Hurry, Lois," Clark whispered to her and then he hung up.
~o~o~
Meanwhile, at the Metropolis jail house:
"We'll make it worth your while just tell us where the other labs are … NOW!" It was Batman. He tried to control his anger at the man. He grabbed Paul by the labels of his orange jumpsuit not caring if anyone was watching.
"Bruce wait," Diana said and help up her lasso. They didn't have the time to negotiate with him. They had no other choice.
Bruce held him steady while Diana wrapped him up tight. "Tell us where the labs are … NOW!" Diana demanded.
Westfield struggled for a moment then he wrote down all the labs and their addresses. There were two more … one here in Metropolis and the other in Smallville.
"Let's go," Bruce said and then they were on their way to possibly save Conner's life.
~o~o~
S.T.A.R. Labs, a little later:
Jason had left his class at Metropolis University after receiving his Mom's text message. He immediately changed into his costume behind a secluded building and streaked over there within minutes to see how he could help his brother. Shortly thereafter, Lois, JoJo, Kitty and Sammy arrived hoping and praying for good news about Conner.
After changing into their street clothes, Clark and Jason worriedly paced back and forth in front of Conner's room and waited for the rest of the family to arrive. Clark looked up and Lois was there, so happy to see her that he immediately hugged her tightly to him.
Lois pulled back after a moment so worried about Conner as she could see how upset Clark was, just by the look on his face. "How is he?"
Kitty could also see how worried he was. She said a silent prayer for the family.
"He's still unconscious," Clark told them feeling sick inside at what that could mean.
"Oh, no, what does Emil say?" Lois asked so afraid for their son.
Both very worried, JoJo and Sammy were still holding hands, unable or unwilling to let go. Sammy wanted to be there for her in any way that he could.
"He's doing all he can, but without an antidote …" He paused. "He needs help breathing now." Clark closed his eyes. Lois held him tightly to her.
"Oh, God, please," Lois desperately whispered, getting upset as to what that could mean.
"Mom, Dad, there must be something we can do to help him?" Jason asked hoping there was something.
Clark took several deep breaths, blinking back tears. "There has to be, but we have to wait to hear from the League."
"The League, but what are they doing?" Jason asked, wondering if he could help them.
"They're headed to the two other Cadmus labs that Westfield told them about. One is in Smallville and the other one is located here in Metropolis."
"I could help them find the answer more quickly. I can see through metal and all kinds of things; I could help," Jason pleaded to him hoping to do something to help.
Clark thought about it for a moment. "Alright, head to this address in Smallville. Go son," Clark said then he handed him a slip of paper.
"Be careful, Jason," JoJo hollered after him.
"I'll be careful, I promise," Jason hollered back, and then he was gone.
Lois sighed. "Can we see him?" She paused as she glanced at JoJo. "He's not contagious right?" Lois asked her husband.
"No, he's not. Come with me."
~o~o~
On the outskirts of Smallville:
Once high in the sky, Jason immediately contacted the League and told them he was on his way to Smallville. Batman and Diana were still in Metropolis. They then decided to send J'onn down to Smallville to help him. That way he could keep an eye on him. Jason was still untrained and very young.
Jason waited a few minutes and then J'onn arrived then they both entered the lab. Of course, it was made of lead but J'onn had no problem sliding inside, disabling the alarm systems and opening the doors for Jason.
Soon, after a frantic and desperate search, they found some documents inside of folders containing Luthor's notes, calculations, and formulas. They were located inside an office locked inside a safe which Jason saw easily. After quickly reading the notes, Jason was shocked to the roots of his dark hair when he read the antidote. Dad will never go along with it.
He turned to J'onn then. "I wish there was another way," he whispered upset by what this could mean.
"I do too. Go ahead; make the call," J'onn told him.
Taking a deep breath, Jason contacted everyone and told them he had found the antidote.
"What is it son?" Clark asked thrilled they could save him.
"Luthor's blood," Jason regretfully replied and waited for his Father's reaction.
A full minute of silence followed. "There must be some other way."
"I'm sorry, Dad, but these files are very specific. Lex planned it this way. He goes on to say here in his notes that Conner would have no choice but to be indebted to him for his existence and if he were to become infected that only he could save him. Conner would always be tied to him in life and in death." Jason felt ill reading those words.
Another minute then, "Bring the papers here, Jason." He paused then, "You did good, son. I'm very proud."
"Thanks Dad, I'm on my way."
"Clark, did Jason find an antidote?" Lois hopefully asked.
Clark didn't answer her as he stared at Conner fighting so valiantly to stay with them.
"Clark?" Lois asked again as she touched his arm.
"We can save him … with Luthor's blood."
Lois gasped and Kitty put her hand over her mouth. Kitty glanced from Conner to Sammy then back again, with an inkling of an idea, as she thought of ways to save him. Lex is the last person they would want to save their son. "Lois?"
"What is Kitty?"
"If Emil agrees with it, then Sammy could help."
"Me? I could save Conner?" Sammy asked thrilled with that news. He turned to JoJo then and he could see tears in her eyes, tears of relief.
"Wait, now, let's not get ahead of ourselves. It may not work," Clark didn't want everyone to get their hopes up.
Emil came back into Conner's room with more bad news. "I'm sorry, but Conner isn't improving and his powers are gone."
"Emil, we just heard from Jason, and there is an antidote." Clark paused. "It's Lex's blood."
Emil thought about that. "It just may work. Now that Conner is no longer invulnerable, it would be a lot easier to administer a transfusion, but Lex?"
"I know, but Kitty had an idea …" Clark began.
Sammy spoke up. "Dad I could save him."
Emil frowned. "You, but …" Emil shook his head and realized where they were going with this.
"I know it's a lot to ask Emil," Clark began.
Emil thought about it some more as he stroked his chin. "Clark, I don't know." But he was considering it. "We wouldn't need a lot of blood from Sammy, but Clark, Conner needs your blood as well."
"Mine, but …"
"Yes, your DNA is crucial to him. Without it, he wouldn't regain his powers," Emil explained the obvious.
Clark was beginning to understand Luthor's plans now. Conner would no longer be a superhero, but a normal guy. Conner would be devastated at that prospect. "I see," he murmured.
"Clark, we have to save him. We have no other choice," Lois also stated the obvious.
"Let's get started," Clark told him, as he glanced at Conner again, determined to save him.
~o~o~
A little while later before Conner was brought down to the operating room and Clark was being prepared for the withdrawal of his blood, a few of Conner's friends showed up at the Lab wanting to see him.
Diana had contacted them a few days ago about the new 'Titan Team' and it was her who had contacted them before their search for the antidote. Conner was very sick and they should go see him right away. It did not look good.
Megan was so upset that he had been sick and they were the last to know. They were his friends and they wanted to be there for him.
So Megan, Robin, Speedy, Artemis, Zatanna and Aqualad were allowed to see him, but only for a few minutes. He was still hooked up to machines and he still needed help to breathe on his own. Megan was shocked at how pale he looked. Tears sprang into her eyes as she leaned down and kissed his forehead and stroked his hair. "I'm here. I won't leave you," she whispered to him hoping he would hear her.
"He'll be ok, Megan," Robin told her but inside he was also worried about him. "Luthor is such a sick bastard." They were also frustrated that Luthor was in jail but that he was still hurting the ones they cared about.
A few minutes later, two orderlies came into his room and told them it was time to take him down to the operating room.
Jason, Diana, J'onn and Bruce were also there in the hallway waiting to hear some news. Lois was so grateful to them. Conner was blessed to have so many good friends. Diana hadn't had the chance to speak to Lois about the article, but at the moment, none of that mattered now. She came over to her hoping to mend fences. "I'm so sorry, Lois."
"Thank you, Diana. We do appreciate everything you've done for us, for my family."
"Anytime, Lois, anytime," Diana told her with a nod, as they began to understand the other.
"Mom, how much longer?" JoJo asked still worried about Conner.
"Well, Dr. Emil says a few more hours yet and then we'll know something," Lois replied as she stroked her daughter's hair away from her face. "That was a very brave thing that Sammy did, wasn't it?" Lois asked and watched her daughter closely.
"Yes, it was, but he's still hurting from the kidnapping and I don't know how to help him."
"Just be his friend, honey," Lois told her daughter as she held her close.
Kitty overheard that comment and she was thinking of ways to help him, but would Lois go along with it. She decided to wait until after Conner was out of the woods before discussing it with her.
TBC!
~o~o~
Note: (1) My Best Friend, Poem by Tori Beals
A/N: This chapter was so hard to write. You know, all during my research into Conner, I found out he was infected by a mysterious virus and he couldn't be saved. I couldn't do that to the family; I just couldn't. Saving Conner with Sammy's blood just popped into my head, but I love that idea. What a twist. Alright, then, come back in a week for an update! Thanks for reading everyone. Now go on, click that review button and tell me what you're thinking! Pleeaassee..! Thank you.