I have been an intense Superman fan since I was a little boy. Now, at almost 30, I still absolutely adore everything about him. Although I've been writing stories and novels since I was quite young I've never done, or thought about doing, fan fiction. But I decided to give it a try and I had a great time doing it!! So I think this might become something regular for me and I'm looking forward to it. As my disclaimer, I write this only out of the utmost respect for all those who work on Superman day in and day out. These characters are not mine but iconic to me, and millions of others. I only hope to give them a little bit of justice as I take them on a new adventure. My 'Superman World' is not really based on any particular moment in time. I tried to base it simply on the general consensus and legends of Superman. I am taking mostly from the comics as I believe that is the true world Superman lives in. Enjoy!!

Superman----Night Terrors

Part 1

"Hello husband."

Clark set the magazine in his hand into the rack at the outdoor news stand and pushed his glasses up his nose. He turned and faced the beautiful and confident brunette walking towards him with a folder tucked under her arm.

"Hello wife," Clark said, smiling and leaning in to kiss her cheek which she offered to him.

The couple turned and walked towards the Daily Planet building. Clark slid his muscular arm around her shoulders as they walked. She was wearing a very business like white blouse and dark slacks. She had her long dark hair pulled back into a messy bun at the back of her head. Clark quite liked the look on her, always had. Clark was wearing his favorite dark suit but not his favorite tie, since Lois hadn't taken the dry cleaning in yesterday.

Lois opened the folder she had tucked under her arm and began to read it earnestly. "The company that Lexcorp took over last year is most definitely in trouble. It looks like the city works department has proof that the company was dumping into the river before Lexcorp bought it out…but it still is going to mean Lexcorp is going to be held responsible for the damage because they had the paper work proving it and went out of their way to bury it." Clark looked down at the papers and nodded. Lois had been working on the environment story for almost a month and she seemed like she was finally getting some closure on it. But knowing Lois as well as he did there would be another story right around the corner. The couple turned and walked down a side street that would take them to the side entrance of the Planet. Clark glanced around and noticed the street was empty.

"…even if Lexcorp can prove that they did not have knowledge of the dumping and that the waste was disposed of properly after they took it over, they still have to prove that there was no hard evidence when they took over. And my source at City Works says they can't do that because they have paper work." Lois had walked several steps in front of Clark and he jogged to catch up. Standing behind her he wrapped his arms around her slim waist. Lois stopped and smiled placing her hands on his. "Clark?" she said, questioning what he was doing.

"Alley Oop," Clark replied and pushed off the ground with his left foot. The two of them floated upwards slowly, the ground getting further and further from them.

"Clark!" Lois exclaimed. Clark chuckled and wrapped his arms around her more. The couple floated up the side of the building and Clark turned Lois in his arms and they held each other close. She shook her head with disgust and glared at him.

"You know, this used to impress you," he replied.

"Yah well…cute nuances become annoying habits when you're married," Lois snapped. "Besides we're late for work and you're being careless…there is a key word in secret identity!" She looked into Clark's crystal blue eyes and he smiled at her. She melted, she couldn't help it. "It does still impress me, as much as I try to not let it," she scowled jokingly. Lois put his hands on Clark's powerful jaw and the two kissed passionately. His arms tightened around her as they floated past the 32nd floor. Perry White, editor-in-chief of The Daily Planet was currently fuming over a new reporters poor article on construction being done and was screaming at him as he paced his office. Perry turned to his window and took a deep breath as Lois's back floated up past his window. She was clearly wrapped in a passionate embrace with someone….someone who flies…Perry raised his eyes and grabbed the string on his blinds and pulled them down angrily and returned to his angry rant.

Nearly twenty minutes later Lois was walking into the bustling newsroom straightening her blouse and clearing her throat nervously. Clark was down in the lobby helping Noah, the head of the mail room, picked up the bucket of papers Clark had knocked over in one of his faux clumsy moments.

Lois hurried to her desk and had just set down her papers when Perry's glass door marked "PERRY WHITE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF" flew open. Perry was red-faced, as usual, and his tie and dress shirt was pulled out and wrinkled. "Lane! My office now!"

Lois clenched her fists and sighed. She was late, he would yell, and that would be the end of it. "Coming chief," she said and turned on her heels and walked to his office. She walked in the door and stood in front of his massive, old style metal desk that he refused to get rid of. He said it helped him remember his reporting days.

"Close the door," he growled, sitting into his ancient swivel chair. She did as the Chief requested and stood in front of him with her hand on her hip defiantly. "Lois, I like you," Perry said matter-of-factly. Lois nodded and shifted her weight to the other leg. "We've worked together for…?" Perry raised his eyebrows and looked at his star reporter.

"A very long time Chief…and you don't often beat around the bush so…," Lois said, motioning for him to get on with it. Perry cleared his throat and stood out of his chair.

"The thing is, I like Kent too, and I think the two of you are great together but I've always thought maybe he wasn't…well…exciting enough for you. I mean he's a little…mild mannered, and the thing is I just think if you're involving yourself with…someone else…,"

Lois raised her eyebrow and shook her head. "Perry, what the hell are you talking about?"

"Oh for god sakes Lois I saw you flying right past my window and the only man I know that flies and in particular flies with you is Superman." Lois swallowed hard. "I'm not getting involved as long as it doesn't effect my paper or my two best reporters and that's all I'm going to say." Perry nodded as if to signal he was done. Lois opened her mouth to explain, her mind racing. "Where is Kent anyways?"

No sooner had Perry asked but the door knob rattled to the office door and Clark struggled to open it. He pulled the door open and stumbled in, catching his jacket on the door. He turned and struggled to gain composure again. Finally he tripped into the office and straightened his tie looking from his wife to his boss curiously. "Hey guys," he said nodding and straightening his glasses. Lois looked at him and scowled. She then turned and stormed out of the room. Clark just looked at her questioningly as Perry stepped out from behind the desk. Clark looked back at Perry and he rested his hand on Clark's broad shoulder. "What's going on Chief?"

"You're a good man Kent. A good man. Just remember…there are plenty of fish in the sea." With that pearl of wisdom Perry walked out of the office. Clark adjusted his glasses again and shrugged.

OFFICE OF DR. LEONARD SULLIVAN---PSYCIATRIST

"You're sleeping better Henry?"

Henry was standing staring out the window of the 26th floor of the Doctor's building. He was a small man, 5' 9", sandy blonde hair, with a thin build. He was pale, even more pale than usual. He was a smart man, 37 years old, various degrees, a distinguished and published writer. It was almost insulting for him to be sitting in this office, admitting that he didn't know how to help himself. His deep set brown eyes scanned the Metropolis skyline. "Henry?" Dr. Sullivan said, trying to get his patient's attention.

Henry turned and faced his doctor with sad eyes. He shook his head. "Not really, I sleep a few hours a night and its not good sleep."

"Any more nightmares?"

Henry's demeanour changed almost immediately. He glared at the doctor and his eyes flickered with anger. "You're asking because you think I can't take my own advice. You think I can't utilize my own theories?"

Dr. Sullivan calmly set down his notepad and formed a pyramid under his chin with his fingers. Sullivan was in his late fifties, graying hair, sharp green eyes, thin build, and very contemplative personality. It boded well for his occupation. "That wasn't what I meant at all. Sleep can be broken up by nightmares and you've had your share."

"I dream constantly…her face, her screaming, the look of terror, calling my name…Henry, Henry help me, and I can never help her, NEVER!" he screamed slamming his hand on the desk.

Dr. Sullivan leaned forward in the chair and looked at his client. "Henry we've been over this, there is nothing you could have done. This isn't your fault." Henry turned and faced the doctor and his eyes widened.

"Believe me, with everything going through my mind, all my dreams, my restless nights, my constant thoughts about my dead wife…one thing is for certain…I know it isn't my fault. I know exactly who killed my wife."

"Who?" the doctor asked.

Henry sat down for the first time and stared defiantly at the doctor. "Superman," he growled. "Superman had my wife's life in his hands and he let her die…he killed her. I would have done anything to save her and he had that ability and he let her die."

"Henry with all due respect, I saw the footage of the crash on TV, no one could have known that the bridge would collapse with all those people on it. Superman saved nearly half of everyone on that bridge. He just…couldn't save everyone."

"I don't give a damn about everyone…or anyone…he let my wife die and I won't sleep or be put to rest until I destroy Superman," Henry shouted stomping his feet angrily.

Dr. Sullivan didn't even react to the expression. He had been a therapist for nearly three decades and he could handle emotional outbursts. "Let's think rationally about that statement, Henry. Superman is…well he's invincible for all intensive purposes. An obsession of vengeance against a hero that can't be killed…isn't really healthy for your recovery."

Henry didn't respond angrily. In fact he was staring off to an empty chair beside him. It was several moments before Henry turned his head slowly and looked at the doctor. "I said nothing about killing him…," Henry took a deep breath and stood again. "I said destroy him." Henry leaned across the desk towards the doctor and despite himself Dr. Sullivan leaned away uncomfortably. Henry's hand closed over today's issue of the Daily Planet. "Can I take this?" Henry hissed. Dr. Sullivan nodded. Henry took the paper and turned towards the door. He stopped and looked over his shoulder, "Session is over Doc."

OFFICE OF THE DAILY PLANET----LATER THAT DAY

"…even though his body and Kryptonian way only requires approximately two hours of 'our sleep' a night, Superman enjoys sometimes four to six hours when he's feeling especially lazy. When I asked if Superman dreams the Man of Steel laughed and replied 'I dream about the same things you all do, health, family, loved ones, sometimes strange bizarre things.' A special woman? I asked him and he replied, 'Oh I don't dream and tell.' But the result was the same, The Man of Steel dreams too." Jimmy Olsen smiled and shook his head as he finished reading the front page of today's issue of The Planet. The By-Line on the article was 'Lois Lane.' The headline was bold right underneath THE DAILY PLANET, it read "DOES SUPERMAN SLEEP--A LOIS LANE EXPOSE."

"Just when I thought you had tapped every area of Superman knowledge, you ask him if he sleeps?"

"That's what makes a good reporter Jimmy, I think of the things the common people want to know and then I write about it."

"What are you writing now?" he asked curiously.

Lois leaned back in her chair and looked at her computer screen. "Overpriced produce in Asia-Town." She looked at Jimmy and sighed. "It's been a slow news week." Clark walked towards Jimmy and Lois with his overcoat slung over his arm.

"Hey CK," Jimmy said waving and Lois turned to her husband.

"Hey Jimmy. Ready Lois?"

"Most definitely," she replied.

"Big date tonight kids?" Jimmy asked jokingly.

"Not tonight Jimmy, I am exhausted," Clark replied, helping Lois with her jacket.

"You're too much fun to handle CK," he replied waving as the couple got on the elevator. The door slid close and Lois looked at Clark.

"You're exhausted huh? What's that interpret for Superman? Fire? Bank Robbery? Corporate scandal?"

"Sorry babe, its just I promised the Mayor of Chicago an appearance at a fundraiser for the Police and Firefighters widow foundation. You could come?"

"No that's alright, do your hero thing, I'll curl up with a good book and stay in tonight."

The elevator door opened on the main floor and they walked towards the street.

"A good book? Aren't you still reading that book by that crackpot?"

"Henry Ross, and it's a really fascinating read Clark. Anatomy of our Dream World explores proven abilities on how we can control our own dreams when we sleep." The two of them stepped outside and Clark turned to his wife.

"Lois, when I'm dreaming it might be the only place I don't want to be in control. I love you, don't wait up." Clark leaned in and the two of them kissed for several moments.

"Be good, and be safe," Lois said. Clark winked at her and took a quick look around before launching himself upwards. Lois closed her eyes feeling the wind from Superman's launch wash over her. She waited a few moments before Clark's clothes began to drop around her. Shirt, tie, pants, and belt. She smiled and began to collect it all up. Something was missing. She looked up where her man had just vanished into the sky. Finally two finely crafted leather shoes dropped beside her. He had trouble with his laces again. She laughed to herself and picked them up placing them in her arms. As she stood back up an elderly woman stood on the sidewalk with her cane in hand looking curiously at Lois. Lois smiled nervously and waved. "Its raining mens clothes," she said matter-of-factly.

HOME OF HENRY ROSS

"The Germans discovered it in 1928, and immediately began to use it during intense interrogations. Some believe that they were successful in many of their military campaigns because of it. They called it Schlaf-Kontrollunkraut….the sleep control root. And I have it…right in my hands." Henry stood in his living room, a picture of his young wife in front of him smiling happily. He held a small glass tube in his hand with a curled up root in it that looked like a twisted tree trunk. "In truth, my love, it might be the last of the Schlaf-Kontrollunkraut, in all the world. Every penny of my book royalties were put into getting this. I knew it would come in handy one day. He dreams my love, he dreams. And if he dreams…I can control him. He will see suffering unlike anything he has ever known and it will destroy him. Superman will fall to his knees and I will be in total control. I AM THE NIGHT TERROR!"

PART TWO COMING SOON FEBRUARY 27TH/2008