A/N: This next chapter finds Clark, hoping to fix the riff between Lois and her Father. The League asks for help from an unexpected source. Perry has a new hire, Martha is given unexpected but no less exciting news, and then later, Clark and Bruce sort out the 'best man' issue. Keep reading. I hope you enjoy it.

~o~o~

Chapter 4: Still Holding On

At the office, that same morning:

In a conference room, after telling Lois all he knew about Lex's disappearance and meeting a new friend, who was more than willing to help them, Clark watched his fiancé walk back and forth, getting more and more upset.

"Lo, please sit down. You're getting worked up. There's nothing we can do until they make a move."

"So we just wait until they converge upon us and destroy the world?"

"Okay, now you're being overly dramatic." He stood up and helped her to sit down.

She narrowed her eyes and watched him take a seat. "And you're being naive as usual."

"Lo, please don't go there," he said not wanting to talk about it.

"And why shouldn't I? You wouldn't listen to me when I told you about the green kryptonite and how Lex is crazy and plotting to kill you. And now, he's out there somewhere with a god plotting against all of us. And what about Bruce, huh? He wanted to kill you too. And now I have to see him at my wedding, being all smug and superior." She wrinkled her nose.

"Lo, please stop. I do listen to you; I do, but," he hesitated.

"But what; what were you going to say?"

He took her hand which seemed to calm her somewhat. "I was going to say that I love you and I do listen to every word you say, but getting worked up about something we have no control over will only make us crazy, and unable to see the bigger picture." He thought of his lame ideas last night; he couldn't blame her for getting upset.

He did make sense. She took several deep breaths to calm down. "Have you spoken to the League? What do they think?"

"Well, I told them about Detective J'onzz, that he's from another planet, and he may have a way to make contact with other worlds."

"That's amazing," she said and thought about it. "You know, Clark, after what you told me about him, that he's an alien like you; maybe he could be an asset to the League or he could be a liaison between the League and the police. It makes perfect sense."

They must think alike; he thought the exact same thing. "You do have a point."

"Of course I do!" He had to smile. "So what did your 'friends' have to say about Lex's disappearance?"

"They're just as baffled as the police, but it appears Darkseid is the only thing that makes any sense."

"So we just wait; is that it? There must be something we can do." Clark was silent. "Please contact your new friend, J'onn, is that his name? Maybe he can truly help us. Please?"

"Of course, I will, now we have to get back to work."

~o~o~

After their meeting, Clark contacted Detective J'onzz to meet with the League later that evening to try and make contact with Darkseid's planet.

Later that morning, Lois and Clark made plans to travel to Topeka, the capital city, to acquire a marriage license, then to head to Smallville to talk to his Mom about the wedding, and other more important things. Under Kansas state law, the marriage could take place three days after acquiring the license, so the wedding was scheduled for one month from today.

Around lunch time, they walked up the front porch in Smallville, then Martha came out to greet them. "There you are! I'm so glad you're here. I've missed you both."

Eyes watering, Lois hugged her first, then Clark received a hug and a kiss as well. "We missed you too, Mom," Clark said.

Once inside, Martha chatted on while she prepared lunch, including sandwiches, a fruit salad, and tea-lemonade.

"I hope you're hungry. I can imagine how long those lines must have been at the courthouse," Martha commented hoping to get a conversation started. They did seem a bit reserved and quiet.

"It wasn't that bad," Lois said and glanced at Clark, chewing her food.

"Yeah, it didn't take long; only a few hours," Clark said, taking a bite of salad.

"Well, you must be starved; it is after two o'clock." Martha watched them eat for a few minutes. Lois appeared ravenous while Clark barely touched his food.

"Alright, tell me why this rush to get married?" After asking that question, Martha knew, she just knew. Her eyes brightened. "Oh my goodness; Lois, are you … with child?"

Lois actually laughed then her eyes filled with tears. She seemed to be doing that a lot late loudly. "Yes; yes, I am."

"Oh sweetie," Martha said gave her a tight hug. After a minute, she pulled away. Placing her palms on either side of her face, she whispered, "I knew there was something. You look radiant."

"Hey, what about me? How do I look?" He struck a pose.

"Oh, you," Martha said and gave her son a hug. "I'm so thrilled for you both. When is the baby due?"

"Let's see, around early spring, I think; it's an estimate for now," Lois replied.

"Oh, this is such a blessing, I mean, after what happened and," Martha hesitated.

"Yes, it is a blessing," Clark agreed.

Lois and Clark stared at each other. Martha then had astonishing thought. "Lois, this means that you were pregnant before … before," she hesitated again.

"Yes, I was, but I had no idea. I've never been pregnant."

"It's alright," she said then she began to worry. "I know you were there on the island."

"How would you know that?" Lois asked and glanced at Clark. "Did you tell her?"

"Yes, I told her how you saved me," Clark replied. He took her hand. "If you hadn't showed up when you did," he couldn't finish.

"Yes, thank you, Lois," Martha said.

"Well, you're here with us and that's all that matters," Lois said, thinking back on that horrible night.

"But Clark is worried and so am I," Martha began. "You can't take those kinds of risks, not anymore. The baby has to come first."

"I know that," Lois said, head down.

"Please don't think that we're ganging up on you. We know that you'll watch what you eat, get plenty of rest, and … stay out of trouble," Martha said and grinned.

Clark squeezed her hand. "I promise to take care of myself and the baby."

Both relieved to hear that, but they also noticed she hadn't committed to staying out of trouble.

Clark shook his head at her; then he glanced at his watch. "We have to leave now."

"But so soon?" Martha asked. They both stood up.

"Before we go, Clark and I have a favor to ask," Lois said.

"Anything, what is it?"

"Well, we checked with the church, and they can't fit us in for at least three months, so we would like to have the wedding here on the ranch, outside on the hilltop. Also, we'd like to have the reception close by in a tent; is that alright?" Clark asked.

"What a lovely idea; of course you can, and I'll fix a feast for your friends? How's that?"

Lois smiled. "I wouldn't expect anything less. Thank you, Martha."

They hugged goodbye and so did Clark; they promised to call in a few days with a 'tentative' guest list.

~o~o~

Once back in Metropolis, they headed to the Planet. Lois then asked about Bruce and his … 'date for the wedding.'

"I haven't talked to him yet," Clark replied.

"Seriously, it's been days," Lois said.

"I'll ask him when I see him tonight," he said.

"Alright, we don't have a lot of time, the next month will fly by," she said. "He is a busy man."

"Speaking of the wedding, we need to tell your Father."

She sighed. "I'm not ready to speak to him; not about you."

"But he doesn't need to know about me, that I'm the 'flying man,'" he whispered and glanced around.

"I suppose," she said, not convinced.

"Look, I'll speak to him, you know, smooth things over." She was silent. "We have to do this. We can't get married without him. I know he cares deeply for you."

"I know he does, but the things he said to me; I haven't forgotten."

"It's Superman he doesn't trust; not you." In the elevator, he turned her to face him. "Maybe he's changed his attitude about him; a lot of people have. Dying and coming back to life, well, it doesn't happen often," he said and tried to smile.

She had to smile at that. "That's definitely true."

"Yeah, it is," he whispered and pulled her into his arms. "We'll work this out; I promise."

"I believe you," she whispered, holding him close.

~o~o~

The next day in General Lane's office:

Clark called Lucy and asked her to be at their meeting. Under no circumstances, would her Father be told that Clark is Superman. She definitely agreed.

"Mr. Kent?" Sam greeted him with a handshake. "I understand you've met my daughter, Lucy?"

"Yes, I have. It's good to see you again, Lucy."

"You too … Umm … Mr. Kent."

"Please, both of you, call me Clark."

"Have a seat," Sam said. "So, Lucy told me of your engagement to my daughter?"

"Yes, Lois and I are engaged."

"And you didn't feel the need to tell me of your plans before you asked my daughter to marry you?" Sam asked.

"Daddy, you can't be serious. That is so old-fashioned. Lo is not a child; she's a grown woman and she knows her own mind."

Before Clark could speak on this, Sam had more to say. "I know that and that is what worries me. Your sister is a grown woman, but sometimes she acts like a child, jumping into things that don't concern her, and putting her life at risk for no reason."

"Saving someone's life is a reason. She saved countless lives since, well since," she hesitated.

"Since she became 'involved' with Superman?" He glanced at Clark. "No offense."

"None taken," Clark said. "Can I say something?" They ignored him.

"Look, Daddy, Lois is engaged and she's getting married and she wants you there with us to celebrate her wedding."

"Why isn't she here to speak to me?" He asked Clark.

"She's worried that you won't come, but she wants you there and she wants you … to give her away," Clark replied. Sam was silent; Clark stood up and walked over to him. "I know you love her and you're worried and so am I. Her job is very, very important to her, but more than that, she wants to help people, and seeking the truth sometimes puts her life in danger, but she's a very smart lady, and I've never been more proud of her."

"You're proud of her?" Sam was skeptical.

"Yes, very proud." He was silent again. "Sir, I know it's been difficult, raising two daughters alone, and if Lois and I ever have children, I want them to know you, to know the man who raised their mother. I know you want to be at our wedding. Please don't let this misunderstanding come between what you really want."

"A misunderstanding? Is that what she called it?"

"No, those are my words," Clark replied then his voice softened. "I know being a Father is hard sometimes, to watch your children grow up and know you can't protect them the way that you want. That's what being a parent means, to teach them right from wrong, and hope that they'll follow your example."

"That's true; I know," Sam agreed.

"He's right Daddy; please say that you'll give Lo away, please?" Lucy was begging now.

Sam was silent. Clark had one more thing to say. "This bravery that's inside of her; it must have come from somewhere."

His eyes were sad. "From somewhere," Sam murmured thinking of his beloved Ella.

Lucy came closer and touched his arm. "Daddy, I know what you're thinking. Mom would want this; you know it's true."

His eyes watered then he pulled his daughter close. "Yes, I know." Sam seemed to be thinking about it. "I'll come."

Clark was very relieved. "Thank you, Sir." They shook hands. He couldn't wait to tell Lo.

"Goodbye, Clark; We'll see you both and soon." That was Lucy.

"Yes, we will," he said and then he was gone.

Once outside, he removed his glasses and wiped at the corner of his eye.

~o~o~

The Daily Planet bullpen:

Standing by her desk, and once he'd given Lois the news, she was quite emotional. "You said that?"

"Yeah, I did," he replied.

"You actually talked about how brave I am?" She shook her head not believing it.

"Why don't you believe me?"

"I don't know, but we've never talked about what I do, how I come to the rescue sometimes; I mean it's really strange."

"Lo, sometimes I wonder where I would be if you weren't there to help me, to help other people." He thought about it. "You're kind of like me without powers."

She chuckled. "Now you're just saying that."

"I mean every word." He paused. "You're a superwoman."

"Superwoman?" She chuckled again. "I like it."

A few minutes later, Perry walked over to them. A man was behind him. "Lois Lane, Clark Kent, meet James Olsen; he's starting with the paper today as a junior photographer."

He held out his hand. "I've read your bylines, Mr. Kent, Ms. Lane. It's an honor to meet you both."

Clark stood up straighter. James Olsen was very tall, almost as tall as him, obviously black, but his eyes were innocent, almost like him when he was younger. "Welcome to the Planet," Clark said.

"Good luck, James," Lois said and shook his hand. "Wait a minute, did you say James Olsen, as in Jimmy Olsen?"

"No one calls me Jimmy, except my Mom," James replied.

"That's interesting," Lois said.

"What are you talking about?" Perry asked.

"Jimmy Olsen supposedly died in the attack in Africa," Lois replied.

"He must have been an imposter, or maybe he had the same name?" Perry asked.

"Well, I just find it odd. You two look nothing alike. Jimmy Olsen in Africa was a blonde but he was a photographer, but he was also a spy." Everyone stared at her. "He was a spy for the CIA, but I had no idea. I'd never met him before."

"That is strange," James said.

"Well, he must have been an imposter," Perry said it again. "Let's move on."

"Nice meeting you, Ms. Lane," James said. "And you too, Mr. Kent." They watched them move down the hall.

"He seems nice," Lois commented.

"Why do we need another photographer?" Clark asked, intrigued, thinking he may be assigned to emergencies when Superman shows up.

"What are you thinking?" Lois asked.

"Well, we need to know exactly why Perry hired him and I have to wonder if it has something to do with … Superman."

Lois thought about that. "You may be right. Perry is determined to get all the scopes about him."

"You will be busier than ever, but rest assured, you are my contact here."

"Don't I know it," Lois said and winked at him.

He looked around. "Remember, we don't do that at the office."

"No one is looking at us," she said and smiled at him.

Someone was watching; James Olsen; and of course, he noticed the ring.

~o~o~

Later that day, and during lunch in the cafeteria, Lois pulled out a magazine of wedding dresses. Jenny walked by a few moments later. "You're getting married?" Of course, she had noticed the ring.

"Yes, Jenny," Lois replied. Holding up her ring hand, she said, "It's not a secret."

"But I thought you weren't getting married for months. Why are you looking at dresses now?" She sat down opposite her not expecting an answer. "You know my sister ordered a dress, then months later, she gained ten pounds. The dress didn't fit, then she had to lose weight and quickly. It wasn't fun for her."

Lois sighed. "I'm not worried about gaining weight; Clark and I are getting married in a month. Sorry, but it's going to be out of town and," she hesitated.

"Oh, I see," Jenny said and pouted. "I understand." She stood up.

"Jenny wait," Lois said. "Would you like to come?"

"Oh, I would love to come. You and Mr. Kent have been so nice to me and in spite of what happened to him, Mr. White gave him another chance, and so did you."

"Yeah, I did." She paused. "Look for an invitation in a few weeks."

"Thank you, Lois. I can't wait. Enjoy your lunch."

"Thanks, Jenny." Lois chuckled and went back to her magazine.

~o~o~

Later that evening, across town at the Hall of Justice:

"I cannot believe Clark met a Martian, an actual Martian?" Barry asked Diana.

"Yes, that's what he said. He introduced himself at the prison when Lex disappeared, and he may have a way of finding Darkseid's planet and how to make contact."

"That's great news," Arthur said. "We need action around here. It's too quiet and I'm starting to worry."

"Me too," Barry said.

"Speaking of Detective J'onzz, he's on his way over here," Bruce said.

"Now, he's coming right now?" Diana asked.

"Yes, apparently he has access to a long-range communication device, meaning other galaxies, and I'm definitely game for him to help us; so is Clark."

"Well, I don't know about this. He's a Martian. Does he have super powers? Can we trust him?" Arthur wasn't convinced about bringing him there.

Before Bruce could answer that, a knock came at the door. It was him. "Let him in," Bruce said.

Barry opened the door and Detective J'onzz walked in. In his human form, everyone stared at him and wondered what he really looked like.

"Hello, I'm J'onn Jones," he said and held out his hand.

Barry looked at his hand then back at his face. "No, you're not," he said. "Show us and do it now." He crossed his arms and watched him closely.

"Now, but I thought," he began, unsure about revealing himself. Clark knows what he really looks like but he wasn't ready to do this now.

Bruce could see he was getting unnerved about that. "It's alright; you don't have to reveal yourself until you're ready."

Relieved, J'onn said, "Thank you." He walked further inside. He placed a huge briefcase on the round table. "Did Clark tell you about me and what I'm prepared to do to help you?"

"Yes, he did," Diana replied, coming forward. "First of all, how do you know of Darkseid?"

After hearing that name, he stiffened. "He's a monster."

"Okay, we do know that much," Diana said. "Why do you think he kidnapped Lex?"

"I can think of only one thing; he knows about you, me, all of us."

"He knows about you? How is that possible?" Victor asked.

"I'm really not sure," J'onn replied.

"You weren't in the database from Lex's secret files," Bruce commented.

"He may have found out through Darkseid himself." J'onn pondered that possibility.

"This isn't good. Darkseid could know about all meta-humans, whether they're out in the open or not." Diana was truly worried now, thinking of her island. Hundreds of years have gone by since last he was there. He wouldn't go back there; would he?

"Just show us what you have," Bruce said.

Everyone gathered around to watch J'onn explain his device, hopefully to make contact with Darkseid's planet, but the device wasn't cooperating.

Frustrated, Bruce asked. "Now what?"

"Do you have any ideas, short of attempting to reach the 'fire planet'' with no plan or even knowing if Lex is actually there? We don't even know if Darkseid actually took him," Arthur asked.

"We need this thing to work. We need to know what's happening, where Lex is and how to reach the planet," Bruce said.

"We know where it is, but getting there will take time," J'onn said.

"How much time?" Diana asked thinking of the wedding.

"There and back; a few weeks."

"That's cutting it close," Bruce said. "Barring any unforeseen problems, we could make it work," he said.

"I truly hope so," Diana said.

~o~o~

Later that same night:

Clark approached the bat cave unsure about getting into this, but the sooner he got it over with, the better things would be because he wanted Bruce to be his best man.

"Hey," he said and entered the cave. Clark had been there several times now. Bruce filled him in on everything, even what happened to Jason, his adopted son. Clark felt horrible for Bruce. The pain he must have suffered. He couldn't imagine it. And now with Lois being pregnant, he still couldn't imagine the pain of losing a son.

"Hey, Clark, you wanted to talk? I just got in," Bruce asked and removed is hood.

"Yes, but first I wanted to ask about Detective J'onzz and how the League reacted to him."

"Well, he seems capable as a detective, but he didn't feel comfortable revealing himself," Bruce said.

"Well, he revealed himself to me; I wonder why," Clark thoughtfully commented.

"I have no idea; maybe it's an 'alien' thing," Bruce said then he walked over to his computers and checked up on a few things, including Detective J'onzz' calculations about contacting Darkseid. He may be able to get around his non-existent satellite.

"But you didn't answer my question about J'onn and how he was received." Clark pushed the issue.

He turned to face him. "Why is this so important to you? We have enough members."

"We can always use the help, alien or not."

"That's your opinion, but I'm not convinced we need him."

Clark sighed. "Alright, we'll let that drop for now, but what about his ability to help us contact Darkseid?"

"That didn't work because of a certain 'satellite' that was destroyed a few years ago?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Not that again; I told you what happened. It wasn't my fault; it was Zod," Clark replied tired of hearing about it.

"I know; I just like seeing you upset about things you have no control over."

"Thanks, Bruce," he deadpanned. "Look, that's not the only reason I stopped by. I talked to Lois about asking you to be my best man and she had one question for you before she would agree to it."

"Agree to it?" That's rich, he thought. "What's the question?"

"It's her wedding and I want her to be happy." He paused. "She asked that you … bring a date."

He chuckled, but Clark wasn't joking. "A date?"

Clark was worried. "Yeah, a date."

"Maybe you should get someone else," Bruce said but he didn't really mean it.

"But I want you there to stand up with me."

"I can be there as a friend, to watch the ceremony, not as your best man."

"Are you sure, I mean, what about … Diana; you could ask her?"

"No, I'm not bringing Diana," he replied firmly.

"If you're sure, I mean, what about … Selina?"

"No, she's not available."

"Oh, you already asked her about it?"

He sighed. "No, I haven't. Look, Clark, I'm sorry, but I can't be your best man. I'm sorry."

His face fell. "Alright, I'll ask someone else, but I have no idea who. I don't know the team that well, and my friends from school; I've lost touch with them, and I don't know."

Bruce sighed then he rolled his eyes. "Alright, alright; I'll ask Diana."

"I'm sure she'll say yes; just ask her."

Bruce narrowed his eyes. "How would you know that?"

Clark cleared his throat. "Well, Lois did witness a 'moment' between you two; at your office," he quickly added.

"It was just a moment; it didn't mean anything."

Clark didn't believe that. He also witnessed a 'moment' that first day at the Hall of Justice. "Just ask her." He smiled at him. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, tomorrow," he said and headed upstairs to his bedroom.

He picked up a bottle, but decided not to drink. He needed a clear head then he picked up his cellphone and called her private line. "Diana, are you busy?"

"No, I'm just getting ready for bed," she replied, without thinking, and tried to steady her breathing after that reply.

Bruce closed his eyes imaging all kinds of scenarios of them together getting ready for bed.

"Bruce, are you there?" She asked concerned.

"Yes, I'm here. Look, you know about the wedding in a month and I was wondering if you wanted to attend with me as my guest?"

"Oh, didn't Clark tell you that I was coming?"

"What; when did this happen?"

"Lois called me the other day. She wants me to come."

"I just wish they would talk to each other," he whispered under his breath.

Diana heard him. "What do you mean; what's wrong?"

"Nothing; I'll see you at the wedding, if hell doesn't break loose before then."

"I hear you; believe me." A moment's pause, then, "Bruce, before you go, I just wanted to say … thank you for inviting me."

Another pause, then, "Honestly, there wasn't anyone I wanted to ask … just you."

Silence followed that admission. "Bruce, I." She didn't know what to say to that.

"How much longer are we going to do this? I care about you, a lot and, I know you care about me too. Can you deny that?"

Diana wasn't ready for this. "I care about the entire team; everyone."

"Everyone?" He asked.

"Yes, everyone."

He rubbed his tired eyes. "Good night, Diana."

"Good night, Bruce."

Both staring at the phone, they hung up. Both falling on the bed each thinking of the other and where they could be, if only.

TBC!

~o~o~

Song Inspiration: Can't Let Go, Mariah Carey.

A/N: Okay guys, we're almost done with plotting. I hope you're still with me, but the next few chapters will have a lot going on. A review/kudo/favorite; all are welcome; now would be a good time! *begs unashamed* Thanks for reading!