All I Have To Give

A/N: not exactly a sequel to SR, but an alternate (and admittedly MS) view to a future where Lois said 'no way' to Superman coming back into her life.

Copyright: Dec 11, 2006

Country of first publication, United States of America.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Now:

Clark Kent looked at his reflection. At the dark haired man in the mirror wearing the glasses and tuxedo. He was still having a hard time believing it. He was getting married today.

"Nervous?" Bruce Wayne, his best man, asked with a grin.

"Terrified," Clark admitted. "I still can't believe this."

"Neither can I," Bruce admitted. "But, she's just what the doctor ordered after what."

"You promised not to mention her today."

"I just saw her and her husband being seated," Bruce explained. "I didn't know you'd invited them. A little masochistic on your part, isn't it?"

"The invitation was for Perry White, actually," Clark said. "I suspect Esther said it was okay for him to bring a few guests, or maybe Cat did. I know the Whites are in town for that 'Redefining Journalism' conference."

"Well, the usher put them on the groom's side of the cathedral."

"Well, they can't say they know the bride, and Lois certainly wouldn't admit she's crashing my wedding. I'm still amazed at all the fuss over a simple wedding."

"Simple?" Bruce laughed. "Clark, you're the top foreign affairs writer in the freaking country and you're getting married to the daughter of the head of EPRAD. This is the social event of the season. Too bad it's in Chicago otherwise the President would be here himself."

"I didn't vote for him," Clark said.

"Who did?"

Outside the two men could hear the beginning strains of the Wedding March.

"Time to get you hitched, boy scout," Bruce said with a grin, leading Clark out into the cathedral.

Then:

Lois was married. To Richard.

Clark sat through the ceremony, trying to keep at least a non-frown on his face. He knew he'd been gone for six years and she had moved on, but it still hurt to watch her walk down the aisle on the arm of another man, knowing that man was not the father of her child. Knowing that the real father would do anything for her, including watch her marry another. He knew she knew all this, and he knew she didn't care.

"You forfeited your right to my son when you walked away from us," she told Superman. "I've agreed to marry Richard. We've set the date. He's a good man. He's been here for Jason and me. He'll be here. You won't."

She ignored the pain she had to have seen in his eyes. "I don't need you in my life. Jason doesn't need you."

"And when his powers come in?"

"I'll worry about that when it happens. Just leave us alone."

His life went from bad to worse. Not only had she told Superman to get out of her life, she was actively driving Clark away. She didn't want him near Jason, or her. Clark didn't know if she remembered who Superman really was or if she was reacting to the continued sly comments from people in the newsroom who saw how much Jason resembled him and not her husband.

Clark had only been back at the Planet for three months when he tendered his resignation once again. "I can't work here with her hating me, Perry. I don't know what I did to deserve it, but as much as I love it here, I can't stay. Not under these conditions."

Perry didn't look surprised, watching him from beneath grizzled eyebrows. "I understand, son. And I won't make you work out your two weeks if you don't want to."

"Thank you, sir. I appreciate that."

Perry looked around his desktop for a moment, finding and picking up a business card. He handed it to Clark. "I had a hunch it was going to come to this, so I took the liberty of contacting my counterpart over at the Chicago Star. You can start there Monday, if you want it. After all, they are our sister paper, which makes it a transfer. You keep your seniority."

"Three months?" Clark chuckled.

"You won't be starting over again, and O'Hanlon's a good man. You'll like him."

"I don't know how to thank you." Clark meant it. He hadn't expected such generosity from Perry, given that Lois was married to his nephew.

"You can thank me by doing the best job you know how," Perry said gruffly. "You're a good reporter. You have to potential of being a great one. Prove me right. And while you're at it, get yourself a life. Find a woman who isn't in lust with a fantasy, and be happy."

"Thank you, Perry," Clark said earnestly. "I'll do my best."

"I know you will. You deserve it."

Clark walked out of Perry's office, through the newsroom, back to his cubicle. He picked up the one personal item he had on his desk – a framed photo of his parents and himself – and put it in his briefcase. No one noticed, except for Perry, watching from his office and Cat Grant. Cat walked up to him as he started toward the elevator lobby.

"I was wondering how long it was going to take for you to finally give up," she said. "Where are you going?"

"Chicago," he said. "Perry offered me a transfer to the Star. I'm going to take it."

"Take care, farm boy," Cat said, then grabbed his face, giving him a kiss full on the mouth. "That bitch doesn't know what she's thrown away." Cat said as she pulled away. "Remember to write."

"I'm a writer, that's what I do," Clark laughed.

"Try to be happy, Clark," Cat said softly. She walked away as the elevator doors opened and he stepped inside.