I'm up to the point in my life where I had been married to Bruce for 2 years. I want to take some time out again and focus on Clark and Lois. It's probably one of the most interesting and important stories of their life, but I ran into the dilemma of not being able to tell it to the public. I'm going to give this chapter to Jason, Lois and Clark's son, to hold on to and pass down until it can't hurt anybody anymore. When this story becomes historical and not about people of the present day, it can be told.

I looked back at chapter 7 and realized I was just as focused about what was going on in the present day. I don't want to do that with this chapter, so I already consulted Lois and Clark, and I'll let them check over it when it's done.

I am not directly involved in this story, but I was confided in along the way. Sometimes people seem to think that the C in my name stands for confidante instead of Chloe, but I'm fine with that. I thought about where to start the story and decided to begin with Lois telling me the news. It was lightening and thundering that night, so it gives it even more of a dramatic effect. Here goes.

Lois stood in the pouring rain, knocking on the front door of Wayne Manor. At last, Alfred opened the door.

"Miss Lane? I did not know you were coming."

Lois stepped in and Alfred helped her out of her raincoat. She wrung her hair out like a wet dishrag.

"It was a last minute thing, Alfie."

"Miss Lane, I do not like that nickname."

"I know. Perhaps you'd prefer Freddie or butler guy?"

"No, madam. Alfie is fine."

"I thought so," she said it with a smile, but Alfred noticed it wasn't her usual jovial smile. It was very forced. "I suppose my cousin is here?"

"Yes, madam. Up the stairs and 2nd library to the right."

"And straight on 'til morning? Got it."

Alfred was concerned for Miss Lane as he watched her go. She couldn't hide that something was very wrong despite all her kidding around. He hoped Chloe could help.

Lois pulled her turtleneck higher up for more warmth. The place was so big and drafty. She'd take her cozy, little apartment any day. Needless to say, Chloe was surprised to see her. She almost dropped her book but hugged her older cousin instead.

"Hey, Lois! What a surprise. How are you?"

Lois didn't say anything. She shoved her hands in her pocket and walked over to the window to look out. After a few seconds of silence, Lois asked in a casual tone, "Where's Bruce?"

"Oh, he's out on business."

"At this time of night? Did you tell him he's not a bat?"

"I've tried, but he won't listen." (Lois didn't know at this time that my husband was Batman. That's another fact that can't make it into my autobiography until after we're all gone.)

"It's raining cats and dogs."

"I know you didn't come all the way to Gotham City to make small talk, so spill it."

Lois was still staring out the window. "It's hard for me to tell you this. We haven't really had the whole sisterly, confide-in-me relationship that we once had. We've gone our separate ways, but you're the only one I have to turn to about this."

"Go ahead, Lois. Whatever it is, I'm ready. I won't judge you."

Lois finally turned around. There were tears rolling down her cheeks. "I suppose you know that I was rather fond of Superman."

Chloe nodded. "We all are and we're all going to miss him, but he needs to find out if that's a piece of Krypton with living Kryptonians or not."

"I know it's important to him to find biological family members, and I guess he deserves it. He's saved this planet countless times. It was stupid to think that a man like that would be happy with a primitive species."

"Lois, that's not true and you know it. Earth is his home. We're equals to him. He just wants to connect with his roots like any adopted child would."

"Scientists are estimating the trip will take at least 5 years. Maybe more."

"I know he's a close friend of yours and you're going to miss him, but—"

"Chloe, he's more than that."

"I know you get all his exclusives. He's important to you professionally."

"I love him, Chloe."

"I completely understand. You have a crush on a superhero. Before I fell in love with Bruce, I had a crush on Batman. It happens to the best of us. Sooner or later though, we have to give up those fantasies and fall in love with a real person."

"I know, and I wish with every ounce of my being that I had, but it's too late for that. I'm pregnant with his baby."

Chloe's expression must have been one of pure and utter shock. 'Superman' often visited her and Bruce but never had he mentioned a relationship with Lois other than at a professional and friendship level. He was always talking about her though. It just didn't seem like Clark's style to get a woman pregnant and then leave.

"I don't know how it happened really," Lois said. "He dropped me off at my apartment. I asked him not to leave and he didn't. I'm ashamed to think I let emotions override common sense, but I did. 6 years we've known each other and not once did we ever do anything but kiss. Then one night and I'm pregnant. I think that slogan 'marriage before the carriage' makes a lot more sense now. You know what hurts is that he didn't even say goodbye. We had an appointment to meet, and he didn't have the guts to show up and tell me he was leaving. I could've told him I was pregnant."

"I don't think you would have."

"No. Then he would've stayed out of obligation to me. I would never use a baby to hold onto a man. You know what really makes me a horrible person?"

Chloe didn't answer.

"I should be missing the father of my child above anybody else, but I miss Clark just as much, if not more. When I found out that Superman had left, I wanted to run to Clark and cry on his shoulder and have him hold me. I know I give him a hard way to go, but Clark is my best friend and partner. He told me he was going to some unreachable foreign place to find himself but that he wouldn't go if I wanted him to stay. I was so distracted about the whole situation that I just blew him off and didn't give it a lot of thought until Superman was gone. It serves me right though because I'm in love with two men. There I said it. I love Superman and I love Clark Kent and I've lost them both."

Lois began to sob uncontrollably. Chloe did her best to comfort her, but there was only so much comfort you could give in a situation like this. Chloe just couldn't believe that Clark felt comfortable enough to have an intimate relationship with Lois but not tell her his identity. It wasn't Chloe's place to tell though, so she didn't. She just let Lois get all the crying out of her system. At last, Lois wiped away the last tear. She stood up, her eyes still red and asked to borrow the computer. She pounded furiously at the keys and brought Chloe back a piece of paper titled "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman" by Lois Lane.

"It's wonderfully written, Lois, but are you sure this is how you want to present Superman's absence?"

"I'm positive. I don't need him and neither does the world. I'm going to fax it to Perry and then it's back to Metropolis."

"You should spend the night."

"I have to work in the morning." She patted her belly. "I'll have to go on maternity leave soon enough. I want to work while I can."

Chloe knew there was no way to persuade her. "Bruce and I will help with the baby in any way we can."

"That's nice of you, but I can handle it. Rest assured though that this baby will know its Aunt Chloe. Maybe I'll visit again in a couple of months."

"You'd better, and I'll visit too."

Lois left into the rainy night almost as suddenly as she had come.