Family Ties
a Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - based fan fiction
by: Joycelyn Solo


Author's ode: I miss Lois & Clark. I do. I really really do. The show had so many things to offer and I was greatly saddened by its cancellation. When I tune in now, I'm usually disappointed by my television-viewing options. L&C was a sexy and exciting show with about being vulger or violent. There was a beautiful mix of humor and romance and action and drama. I'm a person who (or at least used to) watches a LOT of TV and I know when something's great and something's not-so-much. L&C was beyond great.
Author's note: I present to you, what I hope to be, a series of stories set after the end of Season 4. This isn't necessarily a "Season 5" type of deal here, there are lots of other sites for that, but I wanted to try my own hand with the world of Lois & Clark and see how far I could get with the introduction of one of my favorite heros.
Disclaimer: Lois & Clark and associated characters are property of December 3rd Productions who, I believe, had them on loan from from DC Comics. Most any other character we'll run into later are property of DC Comics. I mean no copyright infringement, this story is for entertainment purposes only.

Chapter One

"'Mornin', CK. How's Lois?"

Clark Kent looked up from his keyboard to see Jimmy Olsen, Daily Planet errand-boy and budding photographer, leaning against the vacant desk across the aisle from his own.

Despite it's lack of occupancy, the desk still sported a dust-free finish and a bouquet of fresh flowers. Both complements of Lois Lane doting husband.

"She's great, Jimmy." Clark answered, thankful that his friend hadn't asked him something he'd have to lie about.

Making himself more comfortable, Jimmy pushed the flowers back and sat down on top of Lois' desk. "She big as a house yet?"

Okay. That didn't last long. I have to get a little creative with the truth now. "Not quite that big. You know how she likes to workout and watch what she eats."

"Yeah, I wouldn't expect Lois to be the type to let herself go. She'll probably bounce back like Madonna did."

Clark grinned, thinking that only Jimmy could cite Madonna as a maternity example. "She probably won't come back to work until she looks like her old self again."

"So are you all excited or all nervous? I mean, the big day is coming pretty soon and things won't be the same again."

Before Clark could answer, he heard the distinctive hum of a silent bank alarm. "Silent" to the normal range of human hearing, perhaps, but not to Superman. He picked up his coffee mug and made a big show of frowning at the dark liquid. "I'm really in the mood for a carmel espresso. I'm going to run to the shop down the street. Want anything?"

Assuming that Clark didn't want to talk about the imminent changes in his life, Jimmy shrugged at his abrupt subject change. "Nah. You go on ahead. I've got a donut-induced sugar buzz to get me through the morning."

He'd barely finished the sentence before he saw Clark hurry toward the stairway. "As hyper as CK already is, I don't think he really should have that espresso." Jimmy muttered to himself, returning Lois' desktop to its original arrangement before heading to his own workspace.

* * *

"Here you are, Sergeant Danvers."

The Metropolis police officer nodded his head in thanks as he placed a pair of handcuffs on the would-be bankrobber. "Appreciate it, Superman. Good thing you were in the area. This is the third bank he's hit this week."

"Glad I could be of assistance, gentlemen." The Man of Steel watched as Danvers and his partner, Lieutenant Cutter, placed their suspect in the back of the squad car.

Though there was some resentment on the force about Superman's involvement in police matters, there were enough officers like Danvers and Cutter to make him more than happy to continue helping out. It wasn't, as some believed, that he lacked faith in the Metropolis Police Department to handle their job. He only wanted to share his gifts to help others.

Superman was surprised, actually, when Cutter filled him in on the major source of ill-feelings in the Department.

"You catch 'em and we do the paperwork. A lot of the boys don't think that's fair." Then he had grinned widely. "Me, I don't much care for paperwork...but I'd rather do that than half the stuff you do."

After securing their suspect, Danvers turned to thank Superman again...but his attention was drawn skyward.

"What the..."

Cutter and Superman followed his gaze to see a large object steak overhead and out of view.

'What the' is right, thought Superman. The object moved too fast for him to focus on from the ground, but he could see the plume of black smoke left in its wake. Whatever it was, it was in trouble -- meaning danger to whoever happened to be in its path when it crashed.

With a quick goodbye to the two policemen -- danger was no reason not to be polite -- he took to the air in pursuit.

* * *

Superman caught up to the object as it passed out of the city limits...just in time to watch it crash into a dense section of the National Forest preserve. Unsure what he would find, he followed the trail of splintered wood and gouged earth deeper into the woods.

When he found the wreckage, it was difficult to tell just what the object had been before impact. Large chunks of twisted metal were strewn over a quarter mile, much of it blackened with carbon scoring.

Like the burns from entry into the atmosphere, he thought, wondering if the craft had been manned by an unfortunate Space Program astronaut. As he scanned the debris, however, he was surprised to see an "S" shield -- similar to the one he wore -- emblazoned on one of the more intact pieces.

Stepping forward to investigate the symbol, his attention was drawn by the sound of a moan.

How could anyone survive this? Bracing himself for what he would find -- friend or foe -- he tore a section of the craft away and immediately took a step back in shock.

Inside, curled into the fetal position, was a young woman -- girl, actually. She seemed uninjured and, even more surprisingly, the white body suit and skirt she wore were untouched.

Reaching into the craft, Superman lifted the girl into his arms. She moaned again, softly, her face contorting in pain. For a moment he worried that he had hurt her, but was relieved when her lashes fluttered open to reveal large blue eyes.

His relief, however, was short lived.

"Kal-El," she whispered, "I found you."

Just as quickly, she lost consciousness again.

Superman had enough experience with the New Kryptonians and other visitors to know that he should be cautious with anyone who knew him as 'Kal-El', but there was something about this mysterious girl that made him hold her close and feel fiercely protective of her.

Cradling her unconscious form in his arms, he took her to the only place he could think of for some answers.

~~~~~~~~~~