I don't own Superman, Lois or any of the original characters. I do however own Darcy, Jack and anyone else who you don't already recognise. These people are a figment of my own imagination which I am sharing with you, the reader.

Anyone who has read my other (as yet unfinished) story Three Little Words can be reassurred that I am continuing with it but for some reason I couldn't get this story off my mind so decided to just go with it. It's set approx. 23 years after Three Little Words but it stands alone by itself so no need to worry!

Enjoy!

Deep down I'd always considered myself to be a normal girl with normal friends and normal teenage interests. I loved normal pop music, enjoyed going to the cinema and I got average grades at school. I had normal teenage girl hormones which made me angry at my parents for no reason other than they annoyed me and these same hormones left me sobbing on my bed whenever I was upset for something relatively minor at school.

You see I think I was always simply trying a little too hard to be normal because the truth of it was that I was anything but. With hindsight as a 22 year old I realise now that I was overcompensating on the whole normalcy thing and like any teenager I had simply wanted to blend in. I could have improved my grades without any trouble at all because I was secretly quite clever but that wouldn't have fit in with my "normal" teenager persona. The reason I am not normal though isn't because I'm overweight, or have bad hair or wear the wrong kind of clothes. It's because I'm Darcy Kent a.k.a. Sol_El of Krypton!

I had always been aware that my Dad was special, well every little girl thinks that her Daddy is a hero, but in my case that was actually the case. The family secret was something that both my brother, Jason and I had been ingrained to keep since the day we were born, or in Jason's case since he found out when he was 5 but that's another story!

To the best of our knowledge my brother and I are the only alien human hybrids in the world and that is quite difficult to come to terms with sometimes. It's both exhilarating and lonely in equal measures. Having this huge secret is sometimes fun to be honest but the very thought of the world finding out is absolutely terrifying to all of our family and on more than one occasion I've had nightmares about exactly what it would mean to us if we were exposed.

We both take after our father in more ways than one! It appears that Kryptonian genes are kind of dominant and so both Jason and I have super powers. We may not be quite as fast or strong as Dad but we still pack a pretty good punch so to speak. Dad was there for us when our powers began to show and by the time my turn came he was able to help me come to terms with them without me going completely insane or causing too much damage to the house. I'd like to think of Jason as being the guinea pig!

My life up until now has been fairly straight forward. I finished high school, went off to college to study English and landed my dream job but although my life seems perfect there is a problem, a big problem …. I'm in love! Sure I've had boyfriends before but none have made me feel quite like Jack does. He's smart and funny and kind and really really handsome but it's more than that really. He's my best friend and everything I've ever wanted in a husband. I am aware that this shouldn't be a problem but it is. I cannot be fully honest with him and it really hurts that I'm lying to him all the time. Well not exactly lying … I've never said "Hey Jack I'm not Superman's daughter" but a lie by omission is still a lie and let's face it my lie is pretty huge.

Of course I've talked to my parents about it and they have both unanimously decided that I'm "not allowed" to tell him the family secret ...at least not until my father feels that he can trust him 100%! I can see their point of view because Jack simply doesn't have the ingrained experience of keeping such a secret and could easily slip up no matter how much he tried not to. However that leaves the question of how I'm going to have a long term relationship with him without him finding out. I'm good at hiding who I am, Lord knows I've had enough practice, but there are any number of ways that I could mess up. Am I expected to wait until our kids start with their own super powers before I confess?

My brother on the other hand is now married! It isn't that he's spending his marriage in a perpetual state of dishonesty … Oh No … Megan knows exactly who he is! I'm a little bit bitter unless you can't tell! She managed to get herself in quite a predicament and Jason had to use his powers to save her life. It isn't an ideal way for Jack to find out but maybe I could set something up without Mom and Dad getting suspicious! … Well maybe not but it's always an option.

Anyway today is a special day in my life and I'm really nervous. Today Jack is taking me to meet his family and I am pretty sure that they will find me wanting in the potential wife department. I'm not lacking in confidence when I say this you understand. They already think that I'm not good enough for him because my parents are "only reporters". You see Jack's parents are "in politics" and they have high aspirations for their children. I honestly think that if they could have gotten away with it they would have set all three of their kids up with arranged marriages so that they could all make "advantageous matches" like in some kind of Jane Austen novel. To be honest I sometimes think Jack was adopted because he is the least pretentious and most down to earth person I know.

The Granger family live in Gotham, which I find pretty funny to be honest. They are so full of how important they are and yet live in one of the worst cities in the US. If I'm honest with myself I take after my Dad more than my Mom in my personality. I do occasionally show aspect of my Mom's infamous temper and stubbornness but normally I'm fairly shy and I simply hate meeting new people especially when it's important for me to make a good impression.

Jack picked me up at the airport (not that I'd been on an aeroplane of course) and we drove to his families house with him alternately and rubbing the inside of my thigh and teasing me in order to make me feel more relaxed. Needless to say it had the opposite effect and with unadulterated nerves I asked him to pull over. He swiftly drew the car to the side of the road and I got out at a normal human speed.

"I'm sorry … I can't do this Jack" I began pacing up and down the roadside, forcing myself to go slowly "They are going to hate me!"

He dragged me into a hug as I passed him on my second go around and buried his face into my long hair. With a great deal of irritation I realised that he was laughing.

"You are amazing you know that?" I raised my head and looked him in the eyes. I was seriously freaking out here and he thought I was amazing? He continued "You ARE amazing! Don't ever ever think that you aren't good enough for the likes of my parents. I love them but they are total snobs and any man would be honoured to have you as his wife."

There was a pause as we stared at each other in shock at his words. It wasn't so much the words but the way he spoke them, as if he'd given a lot of serious thought to it. Was this a marriage proposal? If so I'm sure he could have picked a much better location. "Erm that is …" he ran his fingers through his hair and his cheeks were flushed slightly. It was my turn to laugh.

"You got yourself in a mess now haven't you? I really hope that wasn't a marriage proposal because it was really lacking in the romance department."

He kissed me then, just to give himself time to think I bet. I always liked they way his lips felt against mine, for some reason he made me feel vulnerable and so very human. When he broke the kiss, he always needed air before I did, he rested his forehead against mine.

"It wasn't a proposal but I want you to know that no matter what I love you and nothing that happens in my parents house can change that. I don't think either of us are ready to get married but I'm positive that when I do ask someone it'll be you Darcy Kent"

It was ironic that I was the one who was supposed to be a writer when he was the one who could come out with things like that! All I could manage was a "Uh hu" before I crashed my lips against his once again.

As his parents house loomed before us I steadfastly refused to use my x-ray vision or to eavesdrop on what was happening inside. Apart from my father's long lectures about respecting other people privacy I'd long ago realised that nothing good ever came from hearing what other people thought about you behind your back. It always ended in tears, normally mine. I tried to pull myself together with the silent little pep talk I was having in my head. I was Darcy Kent for goodness sake! OK so their house was huge and had the sort of feel to it that only comes with generations of money. It's not as if I hadn't mixed with the rich kids before but this was different. I knew of course that they were fairly well off and I had sneakily flown over the property a few times to see just what I was letting myself in for. I may not be good enough in their eyes but deep down I knew that I was just as good if not better than them. I also knew how I felt about Jack and how he felt about me. I was going to go in there and be myself because otherwise I was doing myself no favours in the long term. It didn't stop my hands shaking though!

The initial meeting with his parents went reasonably well considering the fact that his mother actually wiped her hand on her skirt after shaking mine! I pretended not to notice but couldn't help seeing the glare Jack shot his mother. I really didn't want to cause any friction between them but at the same time I had a silly urge to go "Ner ner na ner ner" at her. His father looked like an older version of Jack and had the infamous Granger grin … but it seemed to be a little forced at the moment. Jack's smile always seemed to light up the whole room, it was one of the first things I'd noticed about him, he had an amazing smile. Mr Granger asked me how my flight went and of course I lied and said it was fine but there was a little turbulence just outside Metropolis. The turbulence part wasn't technically a lie but I've not been effected by turbulence whilst flying since I was about 16 and had been new to the whole flying lark.

I was then introduced to the rest of the family. It was a tradition that they all had lunch together at least once a month, which was a plus point in my book, and as a result I'd been invited to one of the "family" meals. This meant that not only had I got to be nice to his parents but to his siblings and their spouses and five nieces and nephews. Jack was the youngest and the only one who wasn't married. I felt like a specimen under a microscope but I plastered, what I privately referred to as my Superman smile, on my face and shook each hand in turn. I could do this … I could!

After the introductions there was an awkward silence which his brother Drew broke by saying "Your parents are newspaper reporters I understand." I could understand his worry because as a politician he must always need to be on his guard, especially if he had something to hide. No scrap that thought, not all politicians were dodgy. That was just my mother talking.

I was relieved that there was something that I could answer honestly. "Yes my Father is an investigative reporter and my Mom is an assistant editor for the Daily Planet"

"Oh … " butted in his mother "Does that mean you Father actually works for your Mother? That's most … unusual!" If she had meant it as a compliment on my Mom's behalf she sadly failed. Jack decided to join in the conversation at this point because he knew I'd have some difficulty defending my parents without saying something I'd regret.

"They work in separate departments Mother but Lois is senior to Clark. I'm sure they'd be no problem if he did work for her. They are both very dedicated to their jobs." He placed his hand on the small of my back and the heat I could feel reassured me that he understood how difficult this was. His many warnings about his family weren't exaggerated it seemed!

The conversation over lunch revolved mainly around family matters with the occasional question sent my way. They asked about my new job as an assistant screenplay writer for an independent film company. I think that at least gained me a little bit of approval, at least in his 14 year old nieces eyes. Jack sat reassuringly beside me and took the pressure off whenever possible but I still felt decidedly uncomfortable. It wasn't that his family were actually being mean or anything it was just that the whole experience was a little overwhelming and I felt a little like an unknown bug under a microscope.

As usually happens the subject of Superman came up in conversation. It appears that no matter where I go in my life or who I talk to, the fact that I'm from Metropolis AND the daughter of Lois Lane make it a given fact that I know Superman. It wasn't that I had any problem with discussing my Dad's alter ego. I was incredibly proud of him after all but sometimes it was so difficult to evade the truth when asked a direct question … it made me feel so guilty!

Kevin, aged 8, was the one who asked me the dreaded question with a glint in his eyes that I'd seen before in the eyes of little boys nationwide. Pure hero worship! "Have you ever met Superman, Darcy? What's he like?"

Well sure kid I saw him just this morning when we had breakfast together … That would have been worth it just to see the expression on their faces. I have been asked this question and many similar on so many occasions that I actually have pre-memorised reply. I know that is pretty strange but the way I think of it is that at least I'll remember what I've told everyone.

"Sure I've met him a few times. My Mom used to be his press agent years and years ago and so he sometimes stops to say hello if he sees her in the street. He once saved my life when I was little. I'd fallen into a lake and couldn't swim and he rescued me. He flew me to the hospital but I didn't really need any treatment. I was OK"

I didn't really feel too guilty about this because it had actually happened. I'd been on a day out with my friend Harry and his parents when I'd gotten a little bit too carried away and fell overboard. Dad had been furious that they hadn't been watching me and I hadn't had a lifejacket on. It was one of the rare times that he snapped at a member of the public when in uniform but under the circumstances it had hardly been surprising.

"Wow you've flown with Superman!" His excitement was inevitable and his sister and cousins joined in with the admiration for the superhero and my new status as an almost celebrity by means of association.

My cell phone chose that moment to make itself known. The adults paused and looked at me as if I'd committed a heinous crime and I felt myself begin to blush. It seemed that being rescued by Superman didn't give me the right to leave my cell phone on. All my family knew where I was today and to be honest if they needed anything my Dad or brother would have just yelled for me. We didn't really use our cell phones unless talking to Mom. To make matters worse my cell was still in my coat pocket and thus it had to be fished out by Jack's 10 year old nephew and subsequently passed along each occupant of the long table until it reached me, all the time playing Britney Spears "Womanizer". I could see that as each person passed the phone along as if it were contaminated in some way, but that didn't stop them from sneakily looking at the callers Id.

As luck would have it I'd only recently changed the caller id from "Darth W" (my Dad's nickname for my godfather) to "Brucie W". I'm really not sure with hindsight though which one was worse in the circumstances I now found myself in.

I had planned to end the call to avoid any more embarrassment but one look at Jack's face as he passed me the phone made me pause. He had his big silly grin on his face and I realised that some good may come of the phone call after all! Who better to impress these people but the Prince of Gotham himself. I excused myself and walked out into the hallway to take the call but I was under no illusions that I had any privacy.

"Hi Stranger … To what do I owe the pleasure?" I said in the flirty voice that I always used when talking to Uncle Bruce.

There was a low chuckle on the other end. "I'm inviting you to the Winter Ball Darcy! A little birdie told me that a phone call made just around this time may help you make a good impression on the in-laws"

OK so someone, probably my sneaky big brother, had asked my godfather to intercede and show Jack's parents that I wasn't only a "reporter's daughter" but also good friends with "Gotham royalty". The conversation was obviously contrived on Bruce's part and I loved him for it. I had confirmed to Alfred two weeks ago that I'd be attending the ball and bringing my significant other.

"Oh Bruce … " I gushed with an inner evil smile "… I'd love to come to your party. Is it OK if I stay the night? We always have such a great time." I knew that it was potentially a terrible idea to pretend to flirt with another man while with my boyfriends family but I really didn't care. Bruce had begun this silly flirty thing we had going on a few years ago after I admitted that I used to have a crush on him when I was about 14! It fitted in nicely with his playboy persona and let's face it … it was fun!

"Only if you bring the boyfriend and I get to interrogate him to see if he's suitable for my favourite god daughter!" Bruce hissed the words with a hint of his deep Batman voice.

My own father hadn't had the pleasure of a fully blown interrogation and so I wasn't about to subject him to Bruce's less than sensitive approach. For some reason I just couldn't help myself, it was as if an inner demon was making me say stupid things just to shock the people in the other room. I knew it was completely innocent and so did Jack and to be honest that's all that really mattered.

"You keep your mitts off, Bruce or I'll break your waterbed again!" It was a standard joke between the two of us … it was true that I had once broken Bruce's waterbed by using it as a trampoline when I was about 6 or 7. It's not like he didn't have other beds to sleep in after all. Uncle Bruce and Uncle Alfie had often been my emergency babysitters when I was growing up. Whenever Mom was working and Dad had to deal with something major he used to drop me of at the manor.

Uncle Bruce laughed again and I promised that I'd be in touch.

When I returned to the other room there was a deathly silence, well apart from Jack who was struggling not to laugh at my antics. His face had gone a funny shade of red and was practically hidden in his potatoes.

"I'm sorry about that. It was just Bruce Wayne inviting me to the Winter Ball." I have to say that I'm terribly proud of the way I casually brought up his name, took my place at the table and began attacking the carrots. Tickets to Uncle Bruce's Winter Ball were very important amongst Gotham's elite. If you had an invite you were SOMEBODY. Needless to say the Grangers had yet to receive their invites!

It was Grace, Drew's wife who broke the silence. I had gathered immediately that she was simply a trophy wife to her much older husband and what she lacked in intelligence she made up for in looks. She was the type of person to be easily impressed by most things.

"You … you know Bruce Wayne? Have you slept with him?" Her face held a false expression of scandalised shock but there was also a great deal of admiration in her eyes. It was obvious that whilst she'd asked the question everyone else was thinking, there was no excuse for her lack of etiquette.

"Eww … No!" I managed to look incredibly insulted "He's my godfather! He used to change my diapers for goodness sake!" I sounded suitably shocked even to my own ears but perhaps mentioning toilet habits at the table wasn't really the best way to make a good impression.

Luckily Jack decided to intervene at that point. It was lucky only because I was about to burst into laughter and spoil my fake outrage!

"For Gods sake Grace. Is that really necessary?" he gestured with his folk for emphasis. "Bruce is one of Clark's oldest friends. I thought I'd mentioned it." Aww bless him … It was almost as if we were a double act! It was one of the things I loved about him, the fact that he always seemed to know just what to say when I was about be embarrassing.

Luckily Grace didn't really have any choice at that point but to apologise. Mrs Granger (I still can't bring myself to call her by her first name) pointed out that no Jack hadn't told them that I was best buds with Bruce Wayne. All the while I could hear her elevated heartbeat rise and almost hear the cogs turning in her mind.

"I'm sorry dear … Grace here often speaks before she has thought about her words. How did your father and Bruce meet? I don't mean to appear to be a snob" Yeah right! "but on the surface they have little in common"

Now this was tricky territory for me. The truth was that when Batman had first come on the scene my Dad had gone to check him out to ensure that he wasn't a total crackpot running round dressed as a giant bat. He'd soon realised that Uncle Bruce was OK but the two of them hadn't really become friends until much later when Uncle Bruce had inadvertently been part of the whole reason my parents got back together.

"They met when they were both travelling and struck up a friendship. I'm not sure where exactly!" I think that was vague enough. My philosophy was to give as little information as possible whenever superhero stuff was involved. That way I didn't accidentally mess up later.

The whole family seemed suitably impressed and once again I was inundated with questions but this time there was less hostility and more excitement that I had actual knowledge of Bruce Wayne's sordid life. It was, not surprisingly, his mother, sister and sister-in-law who were suddenly interested in what I had to say. I have to say that it was a great improvement on the earlier conversation and I silently apologised to Uncle Bruce for all the embellishments I made.

Luckily the subject of politics was brought up. It appeared that the men folk could only take so much of the subject of sexy billionaires. I glanced at Jack and he gave me a sexy wink and began to play footsie under the table. Yeah he knew how to distract me!

The rest of the meal was fairly uneventful. It appeared that they were willing to accept me as Jack's girlfriend and I wasn't quite the "commoner" they'd first thought. It was ironic that it was my relationship with Bruce Wayne that had caused their change of heart when my own father was 100 time more well-known and influential.

After the meal had ended everyone wandered into the lounge leaving Jack to show me around the property and the huge gardens. I have to admit that although I had already had a good look on my secret reconnaissance mission it was pretty impressive and very very tastefully decorated. I loved seeing his old bedroom, mainly because it was almost exactly as he'd left it when he first left home to go to college. I of course just had to tease him unmercifully about the lame hair style he was sporting on some of the photos left on the desk. On our return down the staircase I suddenly stopped mid stride which resulted in Jack almost banging into the back of me.

There are times in my life when I sometimes wonder if my Kryptonian abilities have made me a little physic. Don't get me wrong I have no sense of prediction when it comes to major national catastrophes or anything but sometimes I get a feeling just before something important is about to happen. I guess it's something in the air which alerts me. So when I heard Mrs Grangers exclamation from the kitchen I already knew that something serious had occurred and my life was about to spin on it's axis.

Her exclamation wasn't from pain but from outraged shock! I was, unsurprisingly, first into the kitchen and was more than a little surprised when she sent me a look of disgust before her head sprung back around to the TV in the corner of the room. Now I'm always subconsciously aware of background noises such as a TV in another room but I have long since learnt not to actually listen to it. Therefore it was more than a small shock when I heard my Mom's name mentioned.

It wasn't that my Mom hadn't been on the TV before but she appeared to be the subject of the news report instead of being in her usual reporting role. Something was very very wrong here. I knew that if my Mom had been hurt in any way that I would know about it long before the press did so it couldn't be that. My thought process is faster than a normal humans so all these thoughts happened in a split second and then as the world began to tilt slightly and I found myself leaning back against my boyfriend, his arms were securely around me. As I forced myself to look at the screen I realised I was face to face with my worst nightmare.

The news channel on the TV were playing a video of my Mom and Dad making out. That in itself was … well embarrassing enough to be honest … but Dad's body was clad not in his usual brown suit or his casual shirt and jeans but in the red and blue Superman suit!

The breaking news caption read: Superman in love affair with Lois Lane Kent?

Please R&R!