The Saviour

Set in Season 4 but may go into Season 5 depending on how the story progress.

Clark is slowly dying with less than a year to live; an unforeseen consequence of the Earth's Sun on his body. The key to save him lies with Lois Lane.

A/U: This story will deviate from the plot in Season 4 and 5. Chloe knows Clark's secret but has not told him yet.

Chapter 1

Lois's stomach dragged herself up to her feet, looking down at the by-product of trying the new Chinese takeaway in Granville. This was the third time she had thrown up the contents of her stomach today. Luckily for her, the Kents were away for a few days and Clark was out in the far paddocks repairing a fence knocked down in the latest storm. The last thing she needed was the plaid obsessed farm boy teasing her about her stomach bug being due to the four pack of beer that she downed whilst eating their Chinese. The issue of alcohol was a sore point with Clark and he had spent the past two weeks lecturing her about the evils of it after the Metropolis Hotel Incident.

Lois thought back to what had happened but some of it was still a complete mystery to her.

" Daddy, you don't have to take me to such an exclusive restaurant. I would much prefer a burger and chips." Lois moaned as she looked up at the Bistro Restaurant sign.

The General smiled as he patted his stomach. "Lo, I am sure you have noticed that I have an expanding waist line. The army doctor listed the consequences of not watching my weight and convinced me that a healthy eating plan would not be the worst thing in the world. This restaurant is known for its healthy cuisine, so here we are."

Lois rolled her eyes. "I think you will find the only reason it's healthy is because the portion sizes are ridiculously small. The main courses look like a starter."

"I will order you dessert if you stop moaning. Anyway you are not paying, so shut up. Listen, I have to catch the midnight flight to Washington DC tonight so I have booked you into the hotel next door. I would have loved to stay longer but the Senate are trying to cut our budget again, and I am not going to let this happen."

Lois smiled as they were shown to their table. "You always fight for your country, don't you, daddy. I am sure you will change their minds."

"I hope so. So, how is Smallville High going?"

"It hasn't exactly been the most exciting six months I have had. Why can't I do the Army Correspondance Course but stay living in Smallville. I love spending time with Chloe although I must admit these good times are balanced out by the times I spend bickering with Clark. He is so annoying."

Sam smirked. "Isn't that how the best ones start?"

"Lana said the same thing. There is no way that Clark and I will ever get together. Hell, we are barely friends most of the time."

"So you tell me everytime we talk on the phone. Don't worry in about 3 months you will be planning your move to Met U, if that's still where you want to go."

"Yes, definitely, but I am still undecided about which course I should take." She admitted.

The rest of the dinner was spent discussing Lucy and the plans for her visit to Washington DC in the Spring Break. Lois was looking forward to seeing her sister again. Her relationship with the General was in a good place; a situation she often joked was due to the distance between them.

At 9.30pm, the General walked her to the adjoining hotel for a quick drink before his car picked him up to take him to the airport. "Daddy, I have trouble sleeping in strange beds. Is there any way that I could have a small glass of wine before bed? You are a valued customer, I am sure they will turn a blind eye."

The General would have normally refused but he could see the pleading look on her face. "Lo, I suppose you do look older in that dress so I will just this once."

He went to the bar and came back with two glasses of red wine.

Lois took her time on it, so much so that she was still drinking it when the driver arrived. The General stood up. "I am sorry I have to leave you mid drink."

Lois smiled as she stood up and hugged her father. "I will go straight to bed after this drink. I love you daddy. Call me."

The General teared up a little. "I love you too, Lo. Be good!" He headed off. Lois sat down, happy that her evening had gone so well. She was finally starting to feel as if he was able to be a real father to her and her sister.

Lois was just about to down her last sip of wine when she noticed a smartly dressed gentleman appearing with a bottle of wine. "I looked over and noticed you sitting alone. I was wondering if you would like to join me for a drink."

Normally, Lois would refuse but something made her want to stay. "Is that the best chat up line you could come up with?"

He extended his hand. "I don't normally do this and for the record I am not trying to chat you up; just thought you might like some company."

She just smiled when she saw his wedding ring on his other hand. "What would your wife say?"

He looked sad suddenly. "She died four years ago."

Lois responded immediately. "I am so sorry to hear that. It must be hard."

"Yes, it was. One moment she was there, the next she gone. She skidded on the ice and ended up down a ravine on her way to picking me up from the hospital."

Lois had not explain her feelings, but she felt an instant connection to this man. He looked so nervous and lost. "Sit down. I am happy to listen."
He took a seat opposite her. "By the way, I am Emil Hamilton."

"I'm Lois Lane. It's nice to meet you." She smiled.

"So, what brings you to this hotel on this particular night? Do you stay here often?"

"No, I am just down here at Metropolis General for a conference." Emil explained.

"Oh, do you work in the medical profession?"

"Yes, I am in my final year of residency at Star City University Hospital."

"Cool, so when is the conference?"

"It was today. I fly back on the lunchtime flight tomorrow." Emil explained. "It wasn't the most exciting day ever. I am just glad that it's over."

"So you are quite late to medicine are you? Not that I am implying you are old." Lois laughed; the wine was starting to make her a little drunk.

"I am 34, so I guess in some ways it is a late move into medicine. I have been an eternal student."

"What did you study?" Lois asked. "I am having trouble deciding what to do at Uni. My cousin says I should go into journalism but I don't think it is my type of thing."

"I have a PhD in Astrophysics and one in Molecular Biology." He replied but not in the bragging way.

She giggled again. "I don't think they are my type of subjects. I think I would not find them enough of a challenge."

Emil smiled back. "You are funny. I wish I could loosen up. My colleagues say I am uptight and should let my hair down more."

"It doesn't look long enough to let down." She replied cheekily.

"So, what are you doing here?" Emil asked.

The alcohol was turning Lois into an open book. "I was having dinner with my father. He is a General in the US Army. He had to fly back to DC so he booked me a room for the night."

"Oh, so you don't live here."

"No I live in a small place in the middle of nowhere called Smallville, but you won't have heard of it."

"On the contrary, I studied the meteor shower for a project during my PHD." He explained.

"That has affected a lot of people in Smallville; people lost loved ones including my friends." Lois replied.

"I know it was devastating. I actually spent some time in Smallville about 6 years ago." He explained.

"So, is there anyone in your life at the moment?" Lois asked him.

"No." Emil gulped nervously. "I am pretty shy when it comes to women and I haven't met the right one."

"I am sure your soul-mate will be just around the corner." Lois smiled, wondering if she was overstepping mark.

Emil suddenly looked sad. "Kate was my soul-mate. She will be a very hard act to follow."

"Why not see how your life plays out, you never know what is coming next." Lois added.

"How about you? Do you have a significant other?" He asked.

"No, I am single. I am glad I am to be honest. Relationships just seem so complex. The son of the family I live with is a case in point. He has loved this girl since he was 5 years old and he finally got together with her a few years ago when they were 15 years old. Now you would think that is romantic and a happy story but it is like a HBO Melodrama. They have split and got to back together so many times I am dizzy and to top it off, my cousin is madly in love with Clark too."

"He must have something." Emil joked.

"Well if he has, it is not instantly obvious to me…." She paused and bit her lip. "well apart from his hot body." She realised what she had said and covered her mouth in embarrassment. "I think I am going to have to go to bed, I am getting drunk and between you and me, I am not even legal to drink."

Emil looked surprised. "You look old enough."

"I am only 18 years old." She announced quietly. "But I won't tell if you don't."

Emil made a zip motion across his mouth. "I am sworn to secrecy. Anyway hitting bed is not such a bad idea. I have really enjoyed chatting to you. I don't mean to be forward but why don't you pop up to Star City if you get a weekend free. I would love to show you around."

Lois smiled. "I might just do that." She got up and offered her hand. He took it and kissed it in an old fashioned sort of way.

She giggled as she stumbled off towards the lift. She finally found her room on the top floor. It was a huge room with lovely views of the City.

Just as she was about to get ready for bed, there was a knock at the door.