Fic: Period of Adjustment (12/?)
Title: Period of Adjustment (12/?)
Author: Babette babettew54
Category: Superman Movie-verse
Characters: Lois/Clark/Kal-El, Jason, Richard/Lana, Perry, Martha
Rating: M
Word Count: 3,200
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 is the one folks, the one chapter I've been building toward, well, since I first drafted my story outline back in October. In this next chapter, Superman and the League face off against Darkseid with disastrous results. Thanks to my amazing beta for fitting me into her busy schedule. I appreciate it. *hugs her beta* Read on, everyone!!
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: The Return
Previously:
He left their bed, went to take a quick shower, and twirled into the suit all in a matter of a few minutes. “Am I forgiven just this once?” He asked smiling.
Lois grinned and shook her head. “Yeah, I suppose, just this once.” She paused. “I love you.”
Clark leaned down and kissed her again. “I love you too. Good night,” he said and smiled. He couldn’t bring himself to say goodbye.
“Good night,” Lois smiled in return.
Then he was gone.
~o~o~
The Daily Planet bullpen, the next morning:
Lois was at her desk reading her and Clark’s published article on Intergang, Morgan Edge, the D.A., and how they were all connected to the recent record-breaking drug busts around the country. If this doesn’t open the eyes of people in this city, I don’t know what will.
But Lois was worried; she couldn’t help it. Clark hadn’t made it home last night. He always made it home by morning, and in her worry, her mind went back to last night and how gentle and sweet he had been, not wanting to leave her. She knew how worried he was as he tried to hide it from her, but she knew her husband too well.
Lois suddenly realized that the noise in the bullpen had gotten louder and everyone was talking at once. The cable news channels were scrambling for information to find out what was happening. Then the monitors went dark and a full minute passed. A civil defense announcement came up on the screen saying … “This is not a test. All citizens should remain indoors, not go outside and take cover inside their homes.”
She knew exactly what was happening. Darkseid had arrived. Lois ran to the window hoping to see something, but all she could see was a clear blue sky. Then she saw and heard jets flying high in the sky, going where, she didn’t know. What she did know was that she had to see what was happening to Clark, no matter what it was, she had to be there. “Jimmy, come with me!” Lois hollered as she gathered her bag and headed to the elevator. Jimmy had to run to keep up with her but he was used to it.
~o~o~
The Watchtower earlier that morning:
After seeing the looks he received from his colleagues while revealing his plans for Darkseid, it was evident why Clark was called the Man of Steel.
“You can’t be serious,” Bruce was the first to find his voice.
“It’s only as a last resort, Bruce,” Clark said as he paced around the table accepting the fact that the League would not agree with his plan.
“So you expect us to just stand by and watch you just leave with him without a fight?” Bruce said not believing he would do such a thing.
While everyone around table was shocked by Clark’s plan, Diana understood.
Bruce caught Diana’s look and he couldn’t believe she would agree with Clark’s plan. “Diana, you don’t agree with this insanity, do you?” He said not believing her.
“No, Bruce, I don’t agree with Clark’s plan, but I do understand it. Look, let’s just make sure it doesn’t come to that.”
“Guys, we have a problem,” Bart announced as he watched the monitor. “There’s a disturbance south of town, and we need to go now.”
~o~o~
As Darkseid of Apokolips made his way toward Earth, beginning his rampage by destroying as much of Metropolis as he could, he had only one objective in mind, the reason why he came back: to get his revenge for his humiliation at Superman’s hands over ten years before and to feed upon Earth's despair and anguish once Superman is gone. As he guided his ship through the portal into Metropolis, his ten warships begin blowing up trees and buildings in their wake. People screamed running from office buildings into the street.
The Justice League arrived shortly after Darkseid, as well as a full battalion from the Army commanded by Colonel Lane. Colonel Lane had no choice but to return fire. “Fire now, with all you’ve got,” Colonel Lane ordered his troops on the ground and in the air. Nothing was held back, as the troops fired their rocket launchers, tanks, and heavy weapons.
Darkseid didn’t have a lot of time to stand and fight. The Army was gaining on his warships. He decided to lead the League to an area where he knew he would have a chance to get Superman and his League alone. The League was right behind him.
“Stand and fight Darkseid,” Superman ordered.
“Superman, you can stop this carnage,” Darkseid said.
“I know what you want,” Superman said knowing it would eventually come down to the two of them. He looked around at his fellow League members and he could see it on their faces. Clark knew he couldn’t let them die. He could hear the Army standing strong against the warships but he knew they couldn’t hold out forever.
~o~o~
Lois and Jimmy made it to the Daily Planet rooftop. They could hear the battle, the bombs and the screams. “Hurry, Jimmy,” Lois ordered, as they climbed aboard the helicopter. She could still see the jet stream, but it was fading quickly.
“Lois, where are we going?” Jimmy was worried as he could still hear the civil defense siren. It kept announcing that people should stay in their homes.
Lois started up the chopper and lifted up into the sky. “I have to see this, Jimmy. Now, buckle up and hang on.”
Lois managed to patch into her father’s signal. “Daddy, daddy, can you hear me?”
“Lois, what you doing on this frequency?” Colonel Lane asked his daughter.
“Daddy, what’s happening? Do you see the League, where’s Superman?”
“Lois, the League followed Darkseid about a mile or so away from the warships. It’s apparent to me he wants to get all of them alone. I have my hands full with these warships. I can’t help them.”
“Daddy, I can see you now. Tell me where to find them.”
“The coordinates are due south L34 by L77. Please be careful, Lois,” her father demanded, knowing it would be useless to ask her to stay out of trouble.
“I’ll be careful, Daddy. I just want to see what’s happening,” Lois said hoping to see her husband. She managed to avoid the warships, the rocket blasts and all manner of explosions, as she maneuvered the helicopter away from the main battle. She then realized that they were all standing in the crater where Superman had fallen to earth six months ago. “Jimmy, are you getting this?”
“Yes, Lois, I got it. I don’t think we should get any closer. There’s no telling what Darkseid may do now that he has the entire League alone down there.”
Lois had no idea what he might do either. It was pretty obvious to her that Darkseid had brought the warships as a diversion to keep the Army busy. As soon as Lois landed, the fighting began.
The League's plan was for them to distract Darkseid giving Superman the advantage and gain the upper hand in hand-to-hand combat. The superhero charged Darkseid hoping to catch him off balance, then the Kryptonian pummeled his face knocking him though some trees, not too far from where Lois’s chopper had landed. Clark saw the DP logo on the side of the chopper and knew it was her. He knew his wife, but he couldn’t help being furious with her for putting herself and the baby in harms way.
Darkseid was getting weaker from Superman’s pummeling, so he began using the Omega Effect. Everyone seemed fast enough to avoid them, as Green Lantern was able to protect everyone from the blasts so they didn’t penetrate his green sphere. Darkseid became enraged as he unleashed the Omega Effect on Superman who avoided them just in the nick of time.
Superman charged him again as they both fly across the park careening through buildings. Darkseid unleashes the Omega Effect again towards Batman but he dodges it. Superman continues to beat Darkseid then slams him down on the ground gaining the upper hand, momentarily stunning him. “Give it up, Darkseid, you’re beaten,” Superman demanded of the exhausted monster.
“Not until I get what I came for,” Darkseid replied regaining his strength. He then begins blasting anything in sight from his eyes and his hands. Superman tries to stop him again by continuing to hit him in the face again and again, but a few blasts hit their mark. I have to stop this before anyone else gets hurt.
“You can’t save all of them Superman,” Darkseid taunted him. Then suddenly, Darkseid used all of his power and blasted the chopper with his eyes. The beams hit the chopper’s tail. Superman screamed, “nooooooo,” and he punched Darkseid in the face as the blast hit the tail of the chopper.
The chopper swirled around and around. Lois had no control over the steering. Green Lantern and the others knew who was in the chopper and tried to help, but it was too late. Superman watched in horror, as the chopper crashed nose first. Batman and the others immediately went to Lois and Jimmy's aid helping them escape the chopper moments before it exploded.
Darkseid knew how much Superman coveted these humans. He could see it on his face. Their spirit would be crushed once he’s gone. Then Darkseid blasted a distracted Superman in the chest and in the face, knocking him down, as he opened the interdimensional wormhole, carried an unconscious Superman inside and then the portal closed.
~o~o~
Batman and the others were stunned at what had just happened. Once Darkseid had disappeared, the remaining warships also revealed portals and they too vanished from sight.
Lois and Jimmy had regained their senses in time to see Superman disappear before their eyes. Lois screamed, “noooooo, Superman, Superman,” as she looked around at the League. “Do something. You have to go after him, please, please,” Lois screamed at them.
“Lois, we will go after him. We have to get you both to a hospital first,” Batman stated to the distraught woman.
“I’m fine,” as she grabbed his arm. "Please go after him,” she pleaded. Then suddenly, Lois began to shake as her eyes rolled back into her head. She fainted.
“She’s in shock,” Bruce said, as he covered her with his cape. “We have to hurry. Jimmy, can you stand?”
“I think so,” Jimmy replied, holding his spinning head.
“Follow me,” Bruce ordered the disoriented young man. “Wonder Woman, I’ll meet you all back at the space station as soon as I make sure Lois and Jimmy are alright. Be ready,” he instructed the League confident they would know what he meant by those words.
~o~o~
Metropolis General Hospital an hour later:
Lois awoke in the emergency room not knowing where she was. Then it all came flooding into her mind. Oh, Clark, Clark. The fates wouldn’t be that cruel. She put her hand over her mouth, trying to hold herself together.
“You’re awake,” Batman said coming to stand beside the bed. “You’re going to be alright, Lois.”
“Oh, god, the baby,” Lois gasped suddenly terrified.
“You’re pregnant?” Bruce asked.
“Yes, we just found out the other day,” Lois said as her eyes suddenly filled with tears. “Is the baby alright?”
“I don’t know, Lois, I haven’t spoken to the doctor. He wanted to wait until you woke up. I’ll go get him for you.”
“Thank you, Batman. It feels silly calling you that in this setting … Bruce.”
He decided not to acknowledge his name. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
The doctor arrived several minutes later. “How are you feeling, Mrs. Kent?”
“My head is pounding, but other than that, I feel alright. Doctor, I’m pregnant.”
“Oh, there wasn’t any bleeding, but we’ll do a sonogram to make sure everything is alright.”
“Thank you, doctor.”
“I’ll go and make the arrangements now. Is there anyone you wish to call?”
“I need to get in touch with my son. I should call Richard and Lana. They could pick him up for me.”
“I’ll take care of that for you, Lois,” Bruce said.
“Thank you … Batman,” Lois said.
“You’re welcome, and once I make that call, I have to go meet up with the League.” He took her hand knowing she could use reassurance. “We’ll bring him back, Lois. I promise.”
Lois tried to say thank you, but her throat closed up and her eyes wouldn’t obey her as they started tearing up again.
He patted her hand. “Goodbye, Lois,” Bruce said.
“Goodbye,” Lois managed to say.
~o~o~
The Watchtower Space Station:
Once the League was assembled at the space station in the monitoring center, Bruce began to make contact with the one person who could help them.
Jor-El’s voice came up onto the speaker. “He’s gone?” Jor-El asked knowing the answer.
“Yes, it’s just as we feared,” Batman replied.
“Are you ready to go,” Jor-El asked.
“In a moment,” Bruce replied as he turned to face the League.
“Was that Clark’s father?” Bart asked.
“Yes, we’re all about to be transported to Apokolips to bring Clark home.”
“Why do I get the feeling we’ve been kept in the dark about a few things?” Diana asked crossing her arms.
Bruce sighed. “Clark, Jor-El and I have been communicating these past few days, setting up this link just in case what happened today happened.
“I thought we were all in this together, Bruce,” Diana said not liking this turn of events.
“We are, Diana. I tried to talk Clark out of this and for him to tell you all what he had in mind, but he saw it as a precaution. He had hoped it wouldn’t be necessary to tell you about any of this.”
“We need to be able to trust each other,” Arthur said, as the other members grumbled in agreement.
“We really don’t have time for this. Once Clark returns, you can chew him out, and he can apologize, but right now, we have to get him back." He paused. "And there’s something else you should now. Jor-El came up with a way for Clark not to be put under Darkseid’s spell.”
“Really? How?” Diana wanted to know.
“Jor-El came up with these crystal eye protectors that would diminish Darkseid’s affect on his mind.”
“Eye protectors? I wonder if they worked,” Diana said.
“Clark wasn’t sure if they would, but he did have them on today,” Bruce replied.
“So once we get to Apokolips, we won’t know for sure if Clark is faking or if he really is under Darkseid’s spell?” J’onn asked.
“I’m sure Clark will give us a sign,” Bruce said hoping the eye protector’s worked.
“It’s time to go,” Jor-El said.
~o~o~
The Daily Planet bullpen:
The doctor released Lois and Jimmy from the hospital not long after they were examined. The sonogram revealed no problems, but she was given instructions to go home and rest. They both left the hospital and headed to the Planet, hoping the League would make contact soon. She called Richard to make sure he would bring Jason there. He told her that he would there as soon as he could. They city was still in chaos.
“Lois Lane-Kent, why are you here?” Perry asked as Lois arrived in the bullpen looking like someone who barely survived a helicopter crash. “I can’t believe you,” Perry admonished her. “I sent Jimmy home. Poor guy needs the rest.”
“I’m fine, Perry, really I am. Has there been any word from the League?”
“No nothing yet,” Perry replied wondering if he should call an ambulance for his star reporter.
Lois sighed, starting to feel the strain on her nerves, as a half hour went by and no word had come down from the League. Perry couldn’t hold it in any longer, but before he could say anything, a television news anchor came up onto the monitor.
“We have just received word that the League will be making an announcement in about five minutes from the newly constructed Watchtower space station.”
Lois couldn’t stand the suspense. She got up and started to pace. When she thought she would go insane if they didn’t hear something in the next minute, a somber-looking group of superheroes came up onto the screen. Batman spoke to the world from the Hall of Justice:
“Ladies and gentlemen, citizens of the world, we are about to embark on the single most important mission we have ever gone on before, either as individuals or as League members. Let me assure you, we will not fail. Failure is not an option. We will bring Superman home. He will return to us, no matter how long it takes. We will try to make contact when and if we can, but we can’t be sure if that is even possible. Batman signing off.”
The announcer came back on. “There you have it ladies and gentlemen. The League will bring Superman home. We all hope they succeed. We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.”
Perry turned off the monitor and watched Lois closely. The truth was all over her face.
Lois turned to face him feeling weary of telling lies. “You know, don’t you?”
“Yes, Lois, I suspected when he showed up the exact same day as Superman, but when I apologized to you both the other day, well, it all came together.”
Lois sighed relieved she didn’t have to lie to Perry anymore about Clark, where he was, or what he was doing. She suddenly had to say the words out loud. “He will come back to us, Perry. He will. I believe that with all my heart,” she said barely getting the words out. She took a deep breath, trying to get some control over her emotions. “Where’s Jason? He should be here by now.” She stood up to leave, but then the door opened and Jason came in. Richard and Lana were right behind him.
“Mom!” Jason cried as he ran into his mother’s arms.
“Jason!” Lois exclaimed as he put his arms around her waist holding her tight, just a little too tight, but she didn’t mind. It reminded her of Clark. She stroked and kissed Jason's hair. Oh, Clark, please come back to us. You have to come back.
TBC!
A/N: This chapter gave me fits as you can imagine. I hope you liked it. Thanks for reading. Please tell me what you think. Reviews are love!
Author: Babette babettew54
Category: Superman Movie-verse
Characters: Lois/Clark/Kal-El, Jason, Richard/Lana, Perry, Martha
Rating: M
Word Count: 3,200
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 is the one folks, the one chapter I've been building toward, well, since I first drafted my story outline back in October. In this next chapter, Superman and the League face off against Darkseid with disastrous results. Thanks to my amazing beta for fitting me into her busy schedule. I appreciate it. *hugs her beta* Read on, everyone!!
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: The Return
Previously:
He left their bed, went to take a quick shower, and twirled into the suit all in a matter of a few minutes. “Am I forgiven just this once?” He asked smiling.
Lois grinned and shook her head. “Yeah, I suppose, just this once.” She paused. “I love you.”
Clark leaned down and kissed her again. “I love you too. Good night,” he said and smiled. He couldn’t bring himself to say goodbye.
“Good night,” Lois smiled in return.
Then he was gone.
~o~o~
The Daily Planet bullpen, the next morning:
Lois was at her desk reading her and Clark’s published article on Intergang, Morgan Edge, the D.A., and how they were all connected to the recent record-breaking drug busts around the country. If this doesn’t open the eyes of people in this city, I don’t know what will.
But Lois was worried; she couldn’t help it. Clark hadn’t made it home last night. He always made it home by morning, and in her worry, her mind went back to last night and how gentle and sweet he had been, not wanting to leave her. She knew how worried he was as he tried to hide it from her, but she knew her husband too well.
Lois suddenly realized that the noise in the bullpen had gotten louder and everyone was talking at once. The cable news channels were scrambling for information to find out what was happening. Then the monitors went dark and a full minute passed. A civil defense announcement came up on the screen saying … “This is not a test. All citizens should remain indoors, not go outside and take cover inside their homes.”
She knew exactly what was happening. Darkseid had arrived. Lois ran to the window hoping to see something, but all she could see was a clear blue sky. Then she saw and heard jets flying high in the sky, going where, she didn’t know. What she did know was that she had to see what was happening to Clark, no matter what it was, she had to be there. “Jimmy, come with me!” Lois hollered as she gathered her bag and headed to the elevator. Jimmy had to run to keep up with her but he was used to it.
~o~o~
The Watchtower earlier that morning:
After seeing the looks he received from his colleagues while revealing his plans for Darkseid, it was evident why Clark was called the Man of Steel.
“You can’t be serious,” Bruce was the first to find his voice.
“It’s only as a last resort, Bruce,” Clark said as he paced around the table accepting the fact that the League would not agree with his plan.
“So you expect us to just stand by and watch you just leave with him without a fight?” Bruce said not believing he would do such a thing.
While everyone around table was shocked by Clark’s plan, Diana understood.
Bruce caught Diana’s look and he couldn’t believe she would agree with Clark’s plan. “Diana, you don’t agree with this insanity, do you?” He said not believing her.
“No, Bruce, I don’t agree with Clark’s plan, but I do understand it. Look, let’s just make sure it doesn’t come to that.”
“Guys, we have a problem,” Bart announced as he watched the monitor. “There’s a disturbance south of town, and we need to go now.”
~o~o~
As Darkseid of Apokolips made his way toward Earth, beginning his rampage by destroying as much of Metropolis as he could, he had only one objective in mind, the reason why he came back: to get his revenge for his humiliation at Superman’s hands over ten years before and to feed upon Earth's despair and anguish once Superman is gone. As he guided his ship through the portal into Metropolis, his ten warships begin blowing up trees and buildings in their wake. People screamed running from office buildings into the street.
The Justice League arrived shortly after Darkseid, as well as a full battalion from the Army commanded by Colonel Lane. Colonel Lane had no choice but to return fire. “Fire now, with all you’ve got,” Colonel Lane ordered his troops on the ground and in the air. Nothing was held back, as the troops fired their rocket launchers, tanks, and heavy weapons.
Darkseid didn’t have a lot of time to stand and fight. The Army was gaining on his warships. He decided to lead the League to an area where he knew he would have a chance to get Superman and his League alone. The League was right behind him.
“Stand and fight Darkseid,” Superman ordered.
“Superman, you can stop this carnage,” Darkseid said.
“I know what you want,” Superman said knowing it would eventually come down to the two of them. He looked around at his fellow League members and he could see it on their faces. Clark knew he couldn’t let them die. He could hear the Army standing strong against the warships but he knew they couldn’t hold out forever.
~o~o~
Lois and Jimmy made it to the Daily Planet rooftop. They could hear the battle, the bombs and the screams. “Hurry, Jimmy,” Lois ordered, as they climbed aboard the helicopter. She could still see the jet stream, but it was fading quickly.
“Lois, where are we going?” Jimmy was worried as he could still hear the civil defense siren. It kept announcing that people should stay in their homes.
Lois started up the chopper and lifted up into the sky. “I have to see this, Jimmy. Now, buckle up and hang on.”
Lois managed to patch into her father’s signal. “Daddy, daddy, can you hear me?”
“Lois, what you doing on this frequency?” Colonel Lane asked his daughter.
“Daddy, what’s happening? Do you see the League, where’s Superman?”
“Lois, the League followed Darkseid about a mile or so away from the warships. It’s apparent to me he wants to get all of them alone. I have my hands full with these warships. I can’t help them.”
“Daddy, I can see you now. Tell me where to find them.”
“The coordinates are due south L34 by L77. Please be careful, Lois,” her father demanded, knowing it would be useless to ask her to stay out of trouble.
“I’ll be careful, Daddy. I just want to see what’s happening,” Lois said hoping to see her husband. She managed to avoid the warships, the rocket blasts and all manner of explosions, as she maneuvered the helicopter away from the main battle. She then realized that they were all standing in the crater where Superman had fallen to earth six months ago. “Jimmy, are you getting this?”
“Yes, Lois, I got it. I don’t think we should get any closer. There’s no telling what Darkseid may do now that he has the entire League alone down there.”
Lois had no idea what he might do either. It was pretty obvious to her that Darkseid had brought the warships as a diversion to keep the Army busy. As soon as Lois landed, the fighting began.
The League's plan was for them to distract Darkseid giving Superman the advantage and gain the upper hand in hand-to-hand combat. The superhero charged Darkseid hoping to catch him off balance, then the Kryptonian pummeled his face knocking him though some trees, not too far from where Lois’s chopper had landed. Clark saw the DP logo on the side of the chopper and knew it was her. He knew his wife, but he couldn’t help being furious with her for putting herself and the baby in harms way.
Darkseid was getting weaker from Superman’s pummeling, so he began using the Omega Effect. Everyone seemed fast enough to avoid them, as Green Lantern was able to protect everyone from the blasts so they didn’t penetrate his green sphere. Darkseid became enraged as he unleashed the Omega Effect on Superman who avoided them just in the nick of time.
Superman charged him again as they both fly across the park careening through buildings. Darkseid unleashes the Omega Effect again towards Batman but he dodges it. Superman continues to beat Darkseid then slams him down on the ground gaining the upper hand, momentarily stunning him. “Give it up, Darkseid, you’re beaten,” Superman demanded of the exhausted monster.
“Not until I get what I came for,” Darkseid replied regaining his strength. He then begins blasting anything in sight from his eyes and his hands. Superman tries to stop him again by continuing to hit him in the face again and again, but a few blasts hit their mark. I have to stop this before anyone else gets hurt.
“You can’t save all of them Superman,” Darkseid taunted him. Then suddenly, Darkseid used all of his power and blasted the chopper with his eyes. The beams hit the chopper’s tail. Superman screamed, “nooooooo,” and he punched Darkseid in the face as the blast hit the tail of the chopper.
The chopper swirled around and around. Lois had no control over the steering. Green Lantern and the others knew who was in the chopper and tried to help, but it was too late. Superman watched in horror, as the chopper crashed nose first. Batman and the others immediately went to Lois and Jimmy's aid helping them escape the chopper moments before it exploded.
Darkseid knew how much Superman coveted these humans. He could see it on his face. Their spirit would be crushed once he’s gone. Then Darkseid blasted a distracted Superman in the chest and in the face, knocking him down, as he opened the interdimensional wormhole, carried an unconscious Superman inside and then the portal closed.
~o~o~
Batman and the others were stunned at what had just happened. Once Darkseid had disappeared, the remaining warships also revealed portals and they too vanished from sight.
Lois and Jimmy had regained their senses in time to see Superman disappear before their eyes. Lois screamed, “noooooo, Superman, Superman,” as she looked around at the League. “Do something. You have to go after him, please, please,” Lois screamed at them.
“Lois, we will go after him. We have to get you both to a hospital first,” Batman stated to the distraught woman.
“I’m fine,” as she grabbed his arm. "Please go after him,” she pleaded. Then suddenly, Lois began to shake as her eyes rolled back into her head. She fainted.
“She’s in shock,” Bruce said, as he covered her with his cape. “We have to hurry. Jimmy, can you stand?”
“I think so,” Jimmy replied, holding his spinning head.
“Follow me,” Bruce ordered the disoriented young man. “Wonder Woman, I’ll meet you all back at the space station as soon as I make sure Lois and Jimmy are alright. Be ready,” he instructed the League confident they would know what he meant by those words.
~o~o~
Metropolis General Hospital an hour later:
Lois awoke in the emergency room not knowing where she was. Then it all came flooding into her mind. Oh, Clark, Clark. The fates wouldn’t be that cruel. She put her hand over her mouth, trying to hold herself together.
“You’re awake,” Batman said coming to stand beside the bed. “You’re going to be alright, Lois.”
“Oh, god, the baby,” Lois gasped suddenly terrified.
“You’re pregnant?” Bruce asked.
“Yes, we just found out the other day,” Lois said as her eyes suddenly filled with tears. “Is the baby alright?”
“I don’t know, Lois, I haven’t spoken to the doctor. He wanted to wait until you woke up. I’ll go get him for you.”
“Thank you, Batman. It feels silly calling you that in this setting … Bruce.”
He decided not to acknowledge his name. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
The doctor arrived several minutes later. “How are you feeling, Mrs. Kent?”
“My head is pounding, but other than that, I feel alright. Doctor, I’m pregnant.”
“Oh, there wasn’t any bleeding, but we’ll do a sonogram to make sure everything is alright.”
“Thank you, doctor.”
“I’ll go and make the arrangements now. Is there anyone you wish to call?”
“I need to get in touch with my son. I should call Richard and Lana. They could pick him up for me.”
“I’ll take care of that for you, Lois,” Bruce said.
“Thank you … Batman,” Lois said.
“You’re welcome, and once I make that call, I have to go meet up with the League.” He took her hand knowing she could use reassurance. “We’ll bring him back, Lois. I promise.”
Lois tried to say thank you, but her throat closed up and her eyes wouldn’t obey her as they started tearing up again.
He patted her hand. “Goodbye, Lois,” Bruce said.
“Goodbye,” Lois managed to say.
~o~o~
The Watchtower Space Station:
Once the League was assembled at the space station in the monitoring center, Bruce began to make contact with the one person who could help them.
Jor-El’s voice came up onto the speaker. “He’s gone?” Jor-El asked knowing the answer.
“Yes, it’s just as we feared,” Batman replied.
“Are you ready to go,” Jor-El asked.
“In a moment,” Bruce replied as he turned to face the League.
“Was that Clark’s father?” Bart asked.
“Yes, we’re all about to be transported to Apokolips to bring Clark home.”
“Why do I get the feeling we’ve been kept in the dark about a few things?” Diana asked crossing her arms.
Bruce sighed. “Clark, Jor-El and I have been communicating these past few days, setting up this link just in case what happened today happened.
“I thought we were all in this together, Bruce,” Diana said not liking this turn of events.
“We are, Diana. I tried to talk Clark out of this and for him to tell you all what he had in mind, but he saw it as a precaution. He had hoped it wouldn’t be necessary to tell you about any of this.”
“We need to be able to trust each other,” Arthur said, as the other members grumbled in agreement.
“We really don’t have time for this. Once Clark returns, you can chew him out, and he can apologize, but right now, we have to get him back." He paused. "And there’s something else you should now. Jor-El came up with a way for Clark not to be put under Darkseid’s spell.”
“Really? How?” Diana wanted to know.
“Jor-El came up with these crystal eye protectors that would diminish Darkseid’s affect on his mind.”
“Eye protectors? I wonder if they worked,” Diana said.
“Clark wasn’t sure if they would, but he did have them on today,” Bruce replied.
“So once we get to Apokolips, we won’t know for sure if Clark is faking or if he really is under Darkseid’s spell?” J’onn asked.
“I’m sure Clark will give us a sign,” Bruce said hoping the eye protector’s worked.
“It’s time to go,” Jor-El said.
~o~o~
The Daily Planet bullpen:
The doctor released Lois and Jimmy from the hospital not long after they were examined. The sonogram revealed no problems, but she was given instructions to go home and rest. They both left the hospital and headed to the Planet, hoping the League would make contact soon. She called Richard to make sure he would bring Jason there. He told her that he would there as soon as he could. They city was still in chaos.
“Lois Lane-Kent, why are you here?” Perry asked as Lois arrived in the bullpen looking like someone who barely survived a helicopter crash. “I can’t believe you,” Perry admonished her. “I sent Jimmy home. Poor guy needs the rest.”
“I’m fine, Perry, really I am. Has there been any word from the League?”
“No nothing yet,” Perry replied wondering if he should call an ambulance for his star reporter.
Lois sighed, starting to feel the strain on her nerves, as a half hour went by and no word had come down from the League. Perry couldn’t hold it in any longer, but before he could say anything, a television news anchor came up onto the monitor.
“We have just received word that the League will be making an announcement in about five minutes from the newly constructed Watchtower space station.”
Lois couldn’t stand the suspense. She got up and started to pace. When she thought she would go insane if they didn’t hear something in the next minute, a somber-looking group of superheroes came up onto the screen. Batman spoke to the world from the Hall of Justice:
“Ladies and gentlemen, citizens of the world, we are about to embark on the single most important mission we have ever gone on before, either as individuals or as League members. Let me assure you, we will not fail. Failure is not an option. We will bring Superman home. He will return to us, no matter how long it takes. We will try to make contact when and if we can, but we can’t be sure if that is even possible. Batman signing off.”
The announcer came back on. “There you have it ladies and gentlemen. The League will bring Superman home. We all hope they succeed. We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.”
Perry turned off the monitor and watched Lois closely. The truth was all over her face.
Lois turned to face him feeling weary of telling lies. “You know, don’t you?”
“Yes, Lois, I suspected when he showed up the exact same day as Superman, but when I apologized to you both the other day, well, it all came together.”
Lois sighed relieved she didn’t have to lie to Perry anymore about Clark, where he was, or what he was doing. She suddenly had to say the words out loud. “He will come back to us, Perry. He will. I believe that with all my heart,” she said barely getting the words out. She took a deep breath, trying to get some control over her emotions. “Where’s Jason? He should be here by now.” She stood up to leave, but then the door opened and Jason came in. Richard and Lana were right behind him.
“Mom!” Jason cried as he ran into his mother’s arms.
“Jason!” Lois exclaimed as he put his arms around her waist holding her tight, just a little too tight, but she didn’t mind. It reminded her of Clark. She stroked and kissed Jason's hair. Oh, Clark, please come back to us. You have to come back.
TBC!
A/N: This chapter gave me fits as you can imagine. I hope you liked it. Thanks for reading. Please tell me what you think. Reviews are love!