Disclaimer: Superman is owned by Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Comics and their associates. The works of this story are entirely fictional and creations of the fan fiction author. The writer is receiving no financial gain with this piece.

Author's note: I quickly wrote up this brief alternate ending after seeing Superman Returns for perhaps the fourth or fifth time and wondering (for the fourth or fifth time) why they couldn't have ended it more along these lines. But that's why we have fan fiction, right? I'm working on a couple more chapters, so let me know if you like this, and I'll post the sequels.

Loose Ends

Clark hovered in the cool night air just outside his sleeping son's window.

My Son. Once again he felt a rush from the thrill and wonder of those words. His recovery had been nearly complete when Lois and Jason had come to his hospital room. He had been dreamily aware of their presence, but still too weak to respond. Time itself had stood still as he'd listened to Lois's whispered confession. As soon as he was able, he had sped away to see his son; to glory in his existence, to whisper words of love and commitment. A small sound from below got his attention. His lips curved in a wry smile; Lois, in the front yard below, igniting a cigarette lighter. With one more glance at Jason's small sleeping form, Superman silently floated down to stand behind her.

"Lois", he murmured, his voice husky with emotion. Lois whipped around to face him, eyes wide with shock, cigarette and lighter falling forgotten to the ground. Even Clark was caught by surprise when she launched herself at him. He caught her in his arms, instinctively pulling her close. As always, his body reacted instantly, aching for her. She raised her face, wet with tears, to his. Her voice choking, she said, "I thought I'd lost you – I thought…", and then, suddenly recollecting herself, she began to take a step back, only to run into arms made of steel. A myriad of emotions chased themselves across her face – confusion, joy, apprehension, and the trademark Lois Lane irritation. Clark almost laughed out loud at that familiar expression. He wasn't going to let her go this time. Not this time.

His eyes met hers as he said, "I need to thank you".

"Thank me?", she said, her breath hitching just a little at the warmth of his body still pressed against hers.

"For saving my life", he said gravely, "for the gift you've given me", and his eyes misted over once more as his gaze went to up the window of their sleeping son. His eyes returned to hers, searching her face longingly, taking in every curve and plane.

"For still loving me – because I never stopped loving you, Lois. I know things have changed. I know it's complicated, and I don't expect-" At this point he stopped, because Lois had flung her arms around his 

neck and pressed her lips to his in a searing, hot kiss. Their bodies intimately intertwined, he angled his head to better plunder her parted lips, as one large hand moved up to tangle in her hair and the other stroked her curves possessively. Their heated breath mingled together and rose into the cool night air, as, for one brief moment, they hungrily satisfied long pent-up emotions. They could have clung to each other forever, but finally, reluctantly, parted.

Words were unnecessary. They didn't quite know where this new road would lead, but they knew things would never be the same between them. It would be better. They just had to take it one day at a time. There were still many things to work through, not the least of which was revealing his alter ego. But that was for another day.

He rose silently in the air, never taking his eyes off of Lois, her face, softly aglow, turned up to his. "Will I see you around?" she said, gently teasing.

Her heart caught at his sudden smile, so reminiscent of their young son, as he responded, "I'm always around, Lois". As he circled the house once and prepared to leave, he noticed Jason at his window, waving at him wildly.

"Good-night!" Jason called out, his flushed face turned up joyfully to his new hero. Briefly, Superman wondered how much he had overheard. He smiled at his son and waved.

"Good-night!" Jason called out again, as Superman flew off, then whispered softly, "Dad".