When Churches Come Crashing Down

Folc4evernaday | Rated: M | Teaser

A/N: This is your Trigger warning. If you read "Winner Takes All" (and I suggest you do before tackling this one) you know this story is going to address child loss. Lois and Clark were left thinking their son had died after the Planet explosion. There are happy parts and there are tear-jerker parts. It will make you cry and laugh and run through every emotion you can think. I did put all my toys away when I was done playing with them though.

I'd like to thank LoveSuper, TooAddicted2TV, Sheila, Annalina, for encouraging me through the writing process of this one. Iolanthealias for being GE on this monster.

"Lois?" Clark called looking through the townhome for his wife. "Honey?" He used his x-ray vision to look for her and sighed when he found her. At super-speed, he was by her side. "Lois?"

Lois looked up at him with a smile. "How'd it go?"

"Your usual." He nodded, taking a seat next to her. "You can't keep doing this to yourself, honey."

"I'm not ready to let go," Lois whispered.

Clark nodded. "I know." He pulled her into his arms. "It'll be okay." He leaned down to kiss her. "Come on, we're going to be late," Clark said, tugging her up from the rocking chair.

"I'm moving. I'm moving." Lois complained. "Any idea what this is all about?"

"Perry said he had some news for us." Clark shrugged.

"I just need to get changed then we can leave," Lois said. Clark watched as she walked out of the room. He looked down at the book she'd been looking at. Her book of clippings from their partnership at the Planet. He missed it just as much as she did. They'd been doing contract work off and on for different newspapers, but nothing was the same as working at the Planet. They'd had plenty of offers, but neither of them had wanted to do take any of them.

Lois looked up at the tall structure that once was the mystical Daily Planet. "I wish they'd just tear this place down. There're too many memories here…"

"Most of them good," Clark said.

"You two need to get rid of those long faces." Perry drawled, approaching them from behind.

"Hi, Perry." Lois moved to hug him.

"How are you doing?" Perry asked cautiously.

"We're good." Lois nodded, looking cautiously at Clark.

"That's good. I got some news for you; I wanted to tell you in person. This seemed like the best place to tell you." He motioned towards the Planet's structure. "So many things started here."

Lois smiled at Clark, bumping his hip lightly. "A lot of memories." She agreed.

"Well, I have several bits of news." Perry pulled out three envelopes. "The Meriwether committee met last week and you two were a shoe-in. The chairman said he hadn't seen that kind of writing in years. The banquet is tomorrow night. Dress to impress."

"We won?" Lois asked mutely. "I'd forgotten all about it…"

"I know…" Perry patted her shoulder. "My other piece of news is this. You two have been getting nominated for award, after award lately. The piece you two did on Roarke and Harrington?" Perry prompted. "It's been nominated for the Kerth. I want you two to seriously think about some of these offers that you have on the table right now. You may not get a second chance…"

Lois shook her head. "Nothing will be the Planet. That was my dream."

Perry sighed. "I know. I know. I hate it that Luthor got his way in this one thing."

A voice behind him bellowed, "He didn't!"

Perry, Lois, and Clark turned to see a large truck and crane carrying the globe of the Daily Planet. Franklin Stern sat in the driver's seat of the truck. "Look!"

"Great shades of Elvis!" Perry shouted, approaching Franklin Stern with a grin on his face.

"We'll start on the building next week, but first I thought we'd announce to the world we're back in business. I reconsidered your proposal. I agree with you, Mr. White. Metropolis needs the Daily Planet. Besides one more nail in Lex Luthor's coffin will suit me just fine." Stern stepped out of the truck and Perry shook his hand eagerly.

"You won't regret this, Mr. Stern." Perry smiled broadly.

"There were some ideas I had about modernization." Mr. Stern added.

"Modernization?" Perry asked wearily.

"Yes, improvements, expansions…Would you like to see the plans?" Mr. Stern pulled out the blueprints from his truck.

"Now, Mr. Stern! Wait, just a doggone minute here…" Perry followed Mr. Stern as he rolled out the plans.

Lois and Clark watched in amusement. Lois wiped a few tears out of her eyes. "All is right in the world." She said looking up at the globe that stood where it once had for so many years.

Clark nodded, looking at Lois, "I've never seen anything more beautiful in my life."

Lois smiled, turning to face Clark, "You are amazing you know that?"

"How so?" He asked.

Lois linked her arms around his neck, leaning in for a kiss, "Well, a little over a year ago I was a stubborn workaholic that never would have thought twice about not having a family…Now here we are." She whispered against his lips.

Clark noticed the sadness in her eyes. "We're going to be okay, sweetheart."

Lois looked up at him with a watery smile. "I know. It's just. I can't let go. I can't let go of Jordan. I keep on having these dreams that he's out there somewhere crying for me…" Clark wrapped his arms securely around her.

"I know." He reassured her. "It's hard, but we'll get through this." He leaned down to capture her lips, cupping her cheek as he deepened the kiss. "We'll get through this together just like we've gotten through everything else."

Perry cleared his throat as he approached. "I almost forgot in all the excitement. Lois, this came for you from the Kerth Committee." Perry handed her an envelope.

"What is it?" Lois asked, taking the envelope curiously.

Perry just smiled. "Read it and find out."

Lois opened the letter and read. "Dear, Ms. Lane, It has come to our attention that a wrong has been done against you. The story that was run under the by-line of Claude Cluny was, in fact, your story. It is with our deepest apology that we offer you a chance to right this wrong and invite you to our Kerth ceremony this next season to claim what is rightfully yours. Good luck and thank you. The Kerth Committee."

Lois looked up from the letter, glancing between the two men that had made this possible. Perry stood in front of her with a broad smile. She gave him a peck on the cheek and a hug, "Thank you." Before Clark even had a chance to react, she wrapped her arms securely around him, pulling him in for a passionate kiss. "Both of you." She whispered.

Nigel puffed his cigar as he watched the news of Lex Luthor's death once more on the television. It seemed to be the only thing anyone wanted to discuss anymore. "Do you think they'd be making such a fuss if they knew Lex Luthor wasn't the Boss?" Nigel asked.

Bill Church laughed. "All this time he never knew…."

"No, he was just a pawn. I made him think he was in control." Nigel laughed. "Now we can discuss merging Intergang with my organization."

"I don't think so..." Bill Church said, coughing slightly.

"Something wrong?" Nigel asked amused.

"I …" Bill Church began coughing, bringing his hand to his throat, "I…I …" He began coughing hysterically, gasping for breath as he wheezed out, "I can't breathe."

"It might have something to do with the drug I slipped into your scotch….Tsk. Tsk Tsk. A man with a heart condition shouldn't drink, Bill." Nigel scolded.

"You…can't…"

"Your throat is swelling up. Your heart is hammering like a stallion. Soon you will have a heart attack and you will die; then I will push your son out of the way and I will run Metropolis the way it's supposed to be run." Nigel smiled. "Have a nice death," Nigel whispered before turning to leave. Bill Church fell to the floor in pain.

On the outskirts of town, a small baby cried. A young woman watched as she rocked the baby to sleep. The baby she'd always wanted was here. "Hush little baby don't say a word. Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird; and if that mockingbird don't sing. Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring; and if that diamond ring turns brass. Mama's gonna buy you a looking glass; and if that looking glass gets broke. Mama's gonna buy you a billy goat; and if that billy goat won't pull. Mama's gonna buy you a cart and bull; and if that cart and bull turn over. Mama's gonna buy you a dog named Rover; and if that dog named Rover won't bark. Mama's gonna buy you a horse and cart; and if that horse and cart fall down. You'll still be the sweetest baby in town."

One Month Later…

Lois stared sadly at the empty space next to her. It had been eight weeks. Eight weeks since the attack on the Planet. Eight weeks since she had lost Jordan. She still refused to accept the fact that her child was gone. Her hand instinctively reached out to touch her abdomen; where she had last felt him growing inside her. Nothing.

The scar left from the incision was all that was left. She squinted back her tears as she gingerly touched the skin beneath her fingertips. How could life be so cruel? The Planet was supposed to be opening up its doors next week. There had been a time when she'd been happy with just her work. That had changed. Clark had changed her. Jordan had changed her. From the moment she'd first heard his heartbeat; felt him move inside her; she'd wanted to be his mother. True, she had been terrified at the prospect, but she trusted Clark. Together they had accomplished so much.

Together?

She scoffed bitterly. Nothing had been the same for quite some time. The doctor had assured her that it would be okay for them to make love after six weeks, but it still hadn't happened. Cry for help after cry for help seemed to be getting in the way; along with his constant pulling back from her. She knew he was hurting, but he still refused to discuss Jordan. He wouldn't even say his name. It hurt. She could put up with other people tiptoeing around her, but not Clark. They had always been very open with one another; until Jordan. Everything had changed.

Another Superman hate group. They seemed to be growing rapidly ever since Luthor's death. They blamed him for Luthor's death and kept bringing up the activities of his clone. Many believed the clone never existed. It amazed him to find so many people that were so easily swayed. He tried not to let the hateful words get to him, but it was hard.

After everything he'd been through with Lois….and Jordan. Everything was harder than it had been before. Holding Lois…. It hurt. The incision where the doctors had cut their son out of her…

He shook his head in disgust.

'Don't go there.' He told himself.

Everything that had come so naturally at one time was now so hard. Making love to Lois; holding her… tore him to the core now. It took everything he had not to break down every time he saw her. He had boxed up all of Jordan's things and put them away the week after Mr. Stern had bought the Planet. He'd caught Lois in there so many times; just staring at the bassinet. Staring at what could have been. She still insisted they investigate what had happened to their son. Maybe one day they would, but right now it was too painful.

"There's going to be a new face on Intergang." Bill Church Jr. instructed his lackeys. "You all are used to the way things were done when my father was in charge-That's too bad. We are redefining the way Metropolis and the world see Intergang. If you don't like it; you know where the door is. Any questions?"

No one moved.

"Let's get to work." Bill Church Jr. smiled, puffing at his cigar.

He couldn't go home. Everything reminded him of Jordan and he just couldn't deal with that right now. He'd never felt so alone. Just being in the same room as Lois was hard. The only thing that seemed to help was staying busy.

A call for help caught his attention. He soared down towards Southside where the old Metro Club was. He looked down and sighed. It was just some teenagers goofing off. He landed in the back alley behind the Metro Club and changed into a T-shirt and jeans as he headed into "Bibbo's Pub". He needed to clear his mind and stay nearby if Superman was needed.

"Long time no see," Bibbo said as he took a seat at the bar.

"Yeah," he sighed.

"What can I get ya?" Bibbo asked, motioning to the beers behind the bar.

"Beer."

"You got it," Bibbo said, handing him a cold beer from the cooler. "I heard the Planet's fixing to open back up. You must be excited."

"Yeah," Clark nodded. It would be good to have something to distract him from his own guilt and memories of what could have been. He took a sip of the beer and turned toward the band on stage, looking for something to focus on other than the memories that filled his mind. How he had let a man die. How he hadn't been able to do anything to save his son.

Oh, dear mother, I love you

I'm sorry, I wasn't good enough

Dear father, forgive me

'Cause in your eyes, I just never added up

In my heart, I know I failed you, but you left me here alone

If I could hold back the rain, would you numb the pain?

'Cause I remember everything.

If I could help you forget, would you take my regrets?

'Cause I remember everything.

"I…I can't…"

"I'm so sorry. We did everything we could, Mr. Kent…"

Oh, dear brother, just don't hate me

For never standing by you or being by your side

Dear sister, please don't blame me

I only did what I thought was truly right

It's a long and lonely road, when you know you walk alone

If I could hold back the rain, would you numb the pain?

'Cause I remember everything.

If I could help you forget, would you take my regrets?

'Cause I remember everything.

"No no no no no….Jordan…My baby….Where's my baby? Clark, where's our baby?"

"He was cremated yesterday afternoon."

I feel like running away

I'm still so far from home

You say that I'll never change

But what the fuck do you know?

I'll burn it all to the ground before I let you in

Please forgive me, I can't forgive you now.

I remember everything.

If I could hold back the rain, would you numb the pain?

'Cause I remember everything.

If I could help you forget, would you take my regrets?

'Cause I remember everything.

"Jordan Lane Kent." Lois mused. "Got a nice ring to it."

"Jordan it is then." Clark agreed.

It all went by so fast

I still can't change the past

I always will remember everything

If we could start again,

Would that have changed the end?

We remember everything, everything.

TBC...