Lois stepped off the elevator and strode toward her desk, oblivious to the diminishing level of noise as people noticed her. She dropped her coat and headed into Richard's office, closing the door behind her. He was packing up his desk but looked up when she entered.
"Hi." He said with a smile.
"Hi. How'd it go with Perry?" She flopped into a chair in front of his desk.
"Well, you know Perry." Richard laughed, "He'll get over it, he knows this is a great chance for me."
"Did he say anything about…you know, us?"
"Lois, don't worry about Perry. He was a little stunned, truth be told I don't think I've ever seen him so at a loss for words." He laughed again "It was actually kind of funny." He continued packing things into a box smiling to himself at the remembered sight of Perry, mouth open.
She stood and began toying with a letter opener before passing it to him and he looked up at her "Are you alright Lois?"
"Richard how can you ask me that? You're leaving tonight of course I'm not all right. You're my best friend!"
He came around the desk to fold her into an embrace. They stood that way awhile each lost in their memories and own heartache.
"I'll only be a phone call away if you need me Lois." He kissed her softly.
"What will I do without you? Who will work their magic on Perry for me? Clark?" they both laughed and she hugged him again.
He released her with a smile "You'll be just fine Lois."
She looked at her hands, her engagement ring still on her finger. "I guess I should give you this back." He followed her gaze to the ring.
"No. I want you to keep it Lois. Maybe…" Maybe one day he thought "I want you to have it." He put his hands in his pockets and smiled at her sadly.
"I guess I should get to work then." She sighed still looking at the ring.
"I guess so."
"Are you picking Jason up today?"
"Yeah, it will give me some time with him before I go." Lois nodded.
"Ok, well…I'll see you at home then." She kissed his cheek without realising what she was doing "Bye."
"Bye Lois." He turned to look out of the windows lest someone see his expression. It was hard work to keep up the pretence but he would not allow her to see how much he was hurting. In control once more he went back to clearing out his desk.
Clark watched her as she walked back to the elevator. He had, of course, heard everything and he knew how hard she was trying not to cry. He could see her swallowing and hear her short ragged breaths. It was all his fault he thought. He should never have come back to Metropolis; he should have left her in peace. But he might has well have told himself to stay away from the sun. And what of Jason? If he hadn't come back he would never have known and now that he did, he could never leave him. He watched her ride up to the roof and decided to follow.
A moment later he pushed open the door "Lois?" he said as walked towards her. She was gazing out over the city, a tear trickled down her cheek and she swiped it away.
"Lois are you alright? You missed the staff meeting." his voice was a murmur into the silence.
"Oh, yeah, so I did. I'm fine. Did I miss anything?"
"Oh, nothing much, you know." Something in his tone made her turn to look at him.
"Were there any announcements Clark?"
"Oh, well, err, just one." He looked down to examine the toe of his shoe.
"I see. Well I guess everybody knows then, about Richard and me?"
He wanted so much to hold her, to comfort her, but she'd probably slug him if he did, Clark Kent did not have that right. He sighed, "Yes, I guess so, um, if there's anything I can do…you know, like babysitting, um, I'd do pretty much anything for you Lois." His voice was a soft caress and Lois looked at him startled.
"Clark, listen…" she didn't need this schoolboy crush right now.
He recovered himself quickly seeing her expression "You're my friend Lois, I care about you. I'd do the same for Jimmy. Well, you know, if he had any kids, which um, of course he doesn't." He let out a breath and gave her is best "I'm just a dumb farm boy from Kansas" expression.
She turned back to the view and sighed, "That's sweet Clark, thank you. Look I'll be OK I just need a few minutes alone."
"Sure, um, right, OK, well I'll head off then, but if you need anything…"
"Clark." She warned.
"Yes, leaving right now Lois."
He reached for the door and wondered if he should go to her as Superman but a cry for help cut off the thought. Glancing quickly behind him to make sure she wasn't looking, he headed to the far side of the roof before removing his clothes and leaping into the sky.
He was kept busy for most the day, a train derailment in Chicago, a capsized yacht off the coast of Spain, a bomb in the Metropolis subway and countless other minor incidents. None had been fatal thankfully, but what was strange was that he heard the call for help at least five minutes before each of the more serious disasters occurred. Was he becoming precognisant now? He didn't think so, so what was going on? He headed back to the Planet; at least he had Superman to write about, that would at least keep Perry from asking where he had been, again.
"Kent!" Perry bellowed almost the instant Clark sat down at his desk. He jumped and span around in his chair.
"Yes Mr White?"
"Where the hell have you been Kent! This is a newsroom not a holiday camp!"
"Um sorry chief, I was covering the subway bombing." Perry glared at him and Clark coughed into his fist.
"On my desk within the hour Kent!" he continued to glare and then moved on to his next target "Olson! Lets see what you've got!"
Jimmy groaned, his pictures were awful, maybe Lois could get the big guy to give him a heads up, he thought. "Coming chief!" and off he dashed.
Ten minutes later Clark handed over his article to Perry "Quick work Kent. Keep it coming." Summarily dismissed Clark went in search of Lois but she was nowhere to be seen.
"Jimmy? Do you know where Lois is?" he towered over the younger man as Jimmy searched in vain for some redeeming feature in the photographs strewn across his desk.
"Oh, hi Mr Kent. I think Miss Lane said she would be working from home for the rest of the day." He looked up at Clark "Anything I can do?"
"Oh, no thanks Jimmy, I was just, err, wondering where she was."
"Mr Kent, do you think Miss Lane would put in a word with Superman for me?"
"I don't know Jimmy, what do you need?"
"Oh nothing, it would just be nice if I could get a picture of him actually at the scene instead of flying away. I'm sure the chief is going to fire me."
He looked so dejected Clark felt sorry for him. He made a mental note to make sure Jimmy got a good shot of him next time. "I'm sure you're exaggerating Jimmy, your pictures look…err, great?"
"Thanks Mr Kent, but I know they're terrible." He sighed and put his head in his hands.
"Come on Jimmy, how about I buy you dinner to cheer you up? I know I always feel better with a full stomach." He patted his belly for good measure and smiled.
"Really? You haven't any other plans?"
"None. Come on, get you coat and let's go, I know this great little Chinese place."
"Thanks Mr Kent. I sure am glad you're back."
Well at least someone is, thought Clark as they headed off for the evening.
Dinner had been a nightmare for Lois, she and Richard hardly spoke a word to each other and Jason kept asking what was wrong. Thankfully it was over. She knew of course that Jason was aware that Superman was his father but should she tell Richard he knew? That would mean telling him Superman had been at the house last night and although it had been an innocent meeting she knew it would look suspect. Also there was Jason to consider, he might think Superman had betrayed his confidence. God what a mess she thought. Although it was not a role she was accustomed to she decided to play dumb. Jason was just setting up the keyboard for his piano practice when she called him over.
"Jason honey, come and sit on the couch with us. Daddy and I have something we need to talk to you about." Richard sat beside her and gave her hand a quick squeeze.
"What is it Mommy?" her beautiful boy, he was so innocent. She took both his hands in hers.
"Do you remember what I told you about your other daddy? How he died before you were born?"
Jason looked from her to Richard "Sure." He said.
"Well Mommy thought he was, but he had just gone on a very long journey and now he's come back."
"Superman." Jason said, a statement rather than a question. He looked at Richard "You'll still be my daddy too won't you?"
Richard picked him and held him close "Of course I will kiddo, I will always be your Dad. Always. Its just you are a very lucky boy who has two dads and they both love you very much. Superman though, will be able to help you with things that I can't."
"Like what? You help me with all my homework and the piano and stuff."
"I know son, but do you remember how you helped mommy on the boat when the bad man was trying to hurt her?" Jason nodded "Well your other… dad, is really strong too, and he can help you with things like that."
"Jason" Lois said, "you must promise me that you won't tell anyone OK? Promise?"
"Sure mommy"
"There are some really bad people who might want to take you away from me if they knew. So you've got to keep it a secret."
"Even from Clark?" Jason asked puzzled
"Yes honey, even from Clark." It seemed like a strange question for him to ask, his school friends or teacher but Clark? They must have really hit it off.
"But Mom, Clark is…"
"No buts Jason, you can't tell anyone, not even Clark. Promise?"
"Well, OK, I promise not to tell. I can tell Superman though can't I?"
"Well yes, of course you can, but he already knows who you are." That seemed to settle something in his mind and he nodded his acceptance.
"There's something else kiddo." Richard said, "I'm going to be gone for a little while. The newspaper has given me a really great job but its far away in London, but Mommy will be here and…. Superman too I guess." Richard thought that if he had to give the care of his son over to any other man Superman would have to be top of the list, but it hurt so much.
"You're moving? But…I don't want you to!" Jason wailed and threw his arms around Richard.
"It won't be forever son and we can talk on the phone every day. I promise. Maybe you could even come and visit me." He looked over at Lois and she nodded. "You'd like that wouldn't you?"
"I guess so." came the teary reply "But I'd like it better if you were staying here."
"I know son, I know."
"Are you going really soon?" he pulled back to look at his father.
"Sure am, I'll be gone before you get up for school, so I want you to listen to your mother OK, and be a good boy." He leaned in close to whisper "Mommy's going to need you kiddo, so look after her for me OK? I love you, don't ever forget that. I'll call you every day."
Jason nodded and hugged him again "I love you too Daddy. I promise I'll be good. "
"Good boy, now you go and practise your piano."
"OK" he slid off Richard's knee and wandered slowly over to the keyboard.
"That went better than I expected." He smiled at her.
"Thank you Richard." Lois hugged him one last time and kissed his cheek "I'm going to miss you."
"I'll miss you too Lois, I hope…I hope you'll be happy." He heaved a sigh and stood "Well…I've already packed my stuff and I'm catching an early flight tomorrow so I think I'll turn in." he turned to head for the stairs.
"Richard…I do love you. For what its worth, I never meant any of this to happen."
He paused and spoke without turning toward her "I know Lois, but its not much consolation right now. I'm trying to do the right thing, but you know what, it hurts like hell." he walked slowly up the stairs, he didn't need for her to see him crying, tattered though it was, he had some pride left.
