DISCLAIMER: All the characters and most places belong to DC comics, not me etc...
NOTE: This is the sequel to Azure and Crimson but it would still make sense mostly if you didn't read it. It would be helpful and nice though if you read that one first...;). I know a lot of people are tired of Lex Luthor, but I hope he seems fresh in this story, and he actually won't be around a whole lot till closer to the end. Jason is growing up and gaining new abilities and facing great challenges while Lois and Clark fall in love all over again as they raise him. (Also I hope the idea of how Lex gets off the island isn't too lame :D.) Enjoy everyone!
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Mrs. Kent set a steaming pan of scrambled eggs on the table beside a stack of pancakes. She wiped her hands on her apron and stood at the bottom of the stairs.
"Breakfast is ready!" she called.
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Lois lifted her head from the pillow and sighed. She could smell morning coffee brewing on the stove and breakfast hot off the griddle waiting for them. She stretched beneath the covers and finally got out of bed.
She dressed quickly and ran a brush through her dark waves. When her eyes fell on the small lump still in bed, she smiled.
"Jason, it's time to get up," she whispered as she leant over him. She pulled the blankets back, and he blinked at the intrusion of light. "Come on, kiddo. Let's go!"
She drew back the curtains all the way and looked out the window. She had begun to get used to seeing fields of corn and wheat against a vast expanse of blue sky instead of looming skyscrapers and sunrises on the river each morning for the past week.
They were at Clark's old home in Smallville where his mother still lived. Mrs. Kent was a gracious and thoughtful host who treated her guests with utmost attention. Of course, it did help that Jason was her grandson and Lois her son's soulmate. They had gotten along very well and Lois treasured the few times when she had spoken with Mrs. Kent alone in the evening heart-to-heart. Clark was around as often as he could be, yet he flew to work each morning except days off so that no one would be suspicious of him and Lois taking the same two weeks off. There was also his other 'occupation' that kept him away in most afternoons and nights.
Jason climbed out of the bed they shared rubbing his eyes. They slept in Clark's old room since it was the only other bed besides Martha's. When Clark actually was there at night and slept, he chose to lay on the couch downstairs and not put them out. She found it intriguing to study the room that had been his as a child and stared up at the stars on the ceiling each night before she fell asleep.
Lois brushed Jason's hair out of his face and embraced him. "Breakfast is waiting. You hungry?"
He nodded.
She took his hand and they walked down to the dining room. The place was in a golden haze as the sun rose above the horizon.
Martha Kent smiled and patted Jason's head. "Good morning both of you. I hope you slept well." She busied herself about the kitchen, dishes clinking and the oven sizzling.
"Thanks, Martha," said Lois as she sat at the table. She first was calling her Mrs. Kent until the elderly woman insisted on Martha. There were some things about the woman Lois found eerily similar to herself sometimes. She could also see why Clark had turned out so wonderful.
Martha poured her a cup of coffee.
"Thanks." She sipped the steaming liquid and felt immediately revived.
"Can I have coffee?" asked Jason.
Lois and Martha laughed.
"I don't think you'll like it," said his mother with a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. She offered her own cup to him to taste. He slowly brought it to his lips and drank. As soon as it touched his tongue he made a disgusted face, setting the two women into laughter again.
"Why do you drink it?" he asked, wiping his mouth. "It's gross."
"Someday you'll understand." Lois suddenly grew sober and caught Martha's arm as she passed. "Did Clark leave already?"
"Yes, he was gone pretty early today. I'm sorry, dear."
"It's okay. I think he said goodbye."
Often she was partially awoken in the mornings Clark left before they got up by the gentle caress of his hand on her brow or cheek accompanied by a light kiss. Though he had to be gone, he always let her know he was still with her.
Her eyes rested on her plate of food, and she did not feel very hungry.
"You need to eat, dear," said Mrs. Kent as she sat with them. "You need your strength for the day."
Lois smiled. She was reminded of the mother she had not had in so many years of her life whenever Martha looked after her with such motherly gestures. It brought a stab of pain along with its warmth. So she slowly brought her fork to her lips and tried to eat at least a little bit for the older woman's sake.
Jason finished and took his plate to the sink. He had to stretch up to the tips of his toes to get it on the counter. He turned around and watched his mother.
"Mommy, can I go outside now?"
She looked up and considered his request. "Sure, kiddo. I'll be out in a minute."
He grinned and hurried out, the screen door banging in his wake.
Martha laid a hand over Lois's once Jason was gone. She met her gaze. "Lois, is something wrong? You're awfully quiet this morning."
She shrugged. "I don't know. I really appreciate all you've done and I love being here, but…something is missing."
"Clark."
It was astounding how many different emotions one word could dredge up to the surface. Lois pushed her plate aside and rested her elbows on the table. She already knew Clark was the reason for her distressed mood, but she didn't know exactly why.
"I really never wanted to be the typical hero's wife who nags at him for being gone all the time and I still don't, but I find myself having thoughts like that. I don't know why because I knew full well what I was doing."
"And you're having second thoughts?"
"No!" Lois surprised even herself with the abrupt outburst. "Sorry, I didn't mean to shout. No, I'm not having any second thoughts. I love him too much to ever think of that. I just…I just am being selfish and wanting him all to myself." She laughed softly at herself and roughly wiped away the tear that rolled down her cheek. "I sound pathetic, I know."
"I don't think so, Lois." Martha smiled comfortingly and squeezed her hand in her aged one. "I think you sound perfectly sane and right. I understand how you feel. It wasn't easy for me to let Clark go and to not be able to see him whenever I wanted. That day when he fell from the sky and was in the hospital, I was in so much pain. I even went to the hospital there in Metropolis," tears glistened in her eyes, "but I couldn't go to him. He was my only son and I had to stand outside waiting."
"I'm so sorry. I wish I would have known then and got you in."
"No, you couldn't have. I couldn't let anyone know Superman had a mother and from earth no less. It would have been all over the news."
Lois nodded knowing she was right.
"I saw you there that day," continued Martha. "I saw you go in and come back out with Jason in your arms. It was then I saw him and knew I had a grandson." She took a drink of her coffee. "Mothers know those sorts of things."
"Thanks Martha. It's always good to talk about things with you. I see where Clark got all his wisdom from."
"Much of it came from his father too," Mrs. Kent smiled. Her eyes clouded over. "He would have loved to meet you."
"I could say the same. But life throws us a lot of curveballs and I'm not going to dwell on the could-have-been's. Thanks for breakfast…and everything." She stood and cleaned off her dishes in the sink. Then she joined Jason outside.
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His smile was delightfully wicked as it curled his lips and creased his cheeks. A large boat was heading in their direction after seeing the fire he had made of the downed helicopter. No one could say Lex Luthor was an idle man. Even on a deserted island alone with a ditzy brunette.
Kitty struggled through the sand in her high heels to his side. She still had not taken them off even after over a week.
"This is great, Lex! We're finally getting off this stupid island!" She laughed and waved an arm at the oncoming boat.
He tried to block out her gleeful cries and think of what he would do once they were on board. If they were American, they might recognize him but if not…It made him smile again with plans already in the making with the possibilities.
"Kitty, you don't have to wave anymore. They've seen us."
"Oh. Sorry, Lex." She let her arm fall to her side and gripped her pink umbrella with both hands. She knew better now not to irritate him to a certain point after the incident with the dog she'd been carrying around.
As the boat anchored and sent out a smaller one to the flat island, Lex Luthor pulled on his long white coat and waited. No one could say he was not a patient man either, and he always got what he wanted…
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NOTE: I would really appreciate feedback too :). Thanks!
