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Bequest:
- The act of giving, leaving by will, or passing on to another.
- Something that is bequeathed; a legacy.
Bequest : Chapter Two - Bad Tidings
The bank of televisions in the bullpen lit up with a news bulletin coming across the airwaves, interrupting the current broadcast. A northern wind had brought a violent storm across the Adriatic Sea, taking local tuna fishermen completely by surprise. The reporting cameras shook with the force of the wind even on the mainland, as the weather correspondent reported the situation which was rapidly growing critical.
"Anne, this day could have warranted much worse news, fortunately the majority of the local fishing vessels have returned shaken and stirred back to the harbor. However, there appears to be one vessel still unaccounted for.
About ten minutes ago, authorities lost radio contact with 'The Lilia Rosa' a ship that prior to the storm had been complaining of a broken rear propeller. Despite the thirty man crew, authorities are hesitant to send a rescue chopper, as the rain is still as you can see pounding and the gale force winds are still punishing the coast at sustained gusts of 80mph."
The anchor pushed his fingers against his ear in an effort to hear the update over the howling winds. "We are now receiving reports that 'The Lilia Rosa' has been picked up on radar just a click south of this very harbor. Reports say it is traveling at a fast and steady rate of speed-"
Behind the reporter, a blurry shadow against the wall of fog on the horizon. The frame shimmied and shook as the camera man began zooming in and out, panning frantically to get a better shot. Suddenly, the fog parted to reveal the Lilia Rosa floating ten feet off of the surface of the water. Her crew stood en masse on the deck, their faces upturned to the various ropes and lines stretching tightly above the sails around the form of Superman, who was bearing the weight of the vessel across his powerful shoulders, holding the ship balanced and steady as he guided her home.
Superman's brow was furrowed in concentration, his raven hair plastered against his forehead. He offered a distracted smile to the onlookers and there was a gasp from the crowd as the Man of Steel gingerly lowered the 'Lila Rosa' back into the water and tied her lines firmly to the dock.
"I can hardly believe what my eyes!" The reporter exclaimed. "Superman has just towed 'The Lilia Rosa' to port with an entrance that no one will ever forget. More on this story as it develops! Back to you Anne."
The Daily Planet newsroom exploded into activity as everyone ran to their posts to find an angle to write about. Perry stood amidst the chaos, barking orders to various staff members passing by.
"Get the family members of that crew on the phone. I don't care if you don't speak Italian! Learn it! Get me that interview! 'Heroics on the High Seas'… Richard! Run with that title for the international section!"
Lois sat motionless at her desk, her heart thundering in her ears. She'd tried Clark's cell a hundred times to no avail, now she knew why there had been no answer. Lois dreaded the moment he would walk through the door, but that didn't dissuade the fervor with which she waited.
Thirty minutes later, when Clark Kent returned to the newsroom after begging off to take his clothes to the dry cleaners, Lois rose to meet him.
Lois was the only one who noticed his slightly dampened hair and the look of quiet joy that lit his features celebrating more lives saved. His eyes were wide as he bent his ear toward Jimmy, who was excitedly imparting the morning's events. This was the latest of a thousand times Lois had watched this scene play out. But now she knew that the breaking news was ancient history to the man who had just lived it. She watched Clark reacting in humble excitement as Jimmy flitted off to proclaim the story of Superman's heroics to another coworker.
Lois' hands shook as she quickly made her way across the room. Clark had just settled into his chair and was jotting down some notes when she reached his desk.
"Clark..." her voice came out strained.
"Yes, Lois?" he answered softly.
His eyes met hers with trepidation and a glimmer of hopefulness. They had hardly spoken in the past few days. In their last conversation, her words had been harsh and hurtful, and from the look on his face, he was bracing for more of the same. And yet she would sooner have another argument than utter the words she was about to speak.
"Clark... Be..Ben Hubbard called while you were...out."
Clark's eyes snapped to attention and his expression grew serious at the tremor in her voice. "Is everything alright?" he asked cautiously.
Lois reflexively put her hand on his, she felt it tighten beneath hers, his eyes pierced hers in expectation.
"Your mother... had a stroke, Clark." Lois swallowed past the lump growing in her throat. "Ben said you should come out right away. The doctor doesn't think..." Lois stopped, unable to say what they both knew.
Clark was already on his feet, draping his coat again over his shoulders. His eyes were guarded as he processed the unthinkable. He cleared his throat. "I have to go. Tell Perry-"
"I told him you would be leaving as soon as we spoke. It's fine." Lois interjected, her heart aching at the worry and pain stretching across his features.
Clark nodded curtly and made his way out into the hall leading to the stairwell. Lois' hiked her purse onto her shoulder and ran after him, her heels clicked loudly as she followed him through the door. He was already loosening his tie when the door slammed behind her.
"Clark." Her voice was heavy with the burden of a thousand unspoken words. "I could come with you…"
Clark stopped and slowly turned to look at her. When his eyes met hers, his expertly placed defenses fell and in that moment he seemed to Lois like a lost little boy.
He regarded her with a mixture of emotions; fear, sorrow, guilt, gratitude, and love. Clark paused a moment and then he extended his hand to her wordlessly. Without hesitation Lois took Clark's hand, and squeezed it reassuringly. He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly against his chest and the world around then was lost in a blur of motion.
