The enraged husband retrieved the poisonous rock from the confines of his pocket as he approached the fallen hero.
"Not so tough now are ya, Superman? How does it feel to be brought down to our level? To feel pain? Fear? My wife betrayed me!" he snarled, tossing the rock near Clark's head. Whipping around to face the mother of his child, he pointed a finger at the retreating woman accusingly. "You promised to love me for better or worse, but when things got bad you just left! I was going to therapy but you didn't give me a chance to change…"
Clark closed his eyes, blocking out the rest of the irate man's tirade. Instead, he bowed his head, desperately seeking out the connection that he and Lois have always shared. He smiled slightly as a clear image of Lois flashed to the front of his mind, and he gained strength from the love he saw shining in her hazel eyes.
He could do this… he would do this... to save them. Taking a deep breath, he focused on extending his force field far enough to surround the pregnant woman in a protective cocoon.
He teetered on the edge of consciousness, but he focused on Lois's face to keep him grounded. As the sound of a gunshot rang out, he doubled his efforts. He sighed in relief as he heard the man's shocked gasp and confused utterances accompanied by his running feet. He looked up and saw the woman approaching him on unsteady feet. She picked up the glowing green meteor and whirled around angrily before flinging it as far away as she could. She caught his eye as she sat heavily across from him. He opened his mouth to speak, but she pressed a trembling finger to his lips to silence him.
"Don't try to speak; save your strength. I don't know how you did it, but thank you for saving us," she said, her voice soft from shock and exhaustion. "Do I need to move the rock farther away?" She made to get up, but his hoarse "no" stopped her. She absently rubbed her round belly as she studied his pale face worriedly. "Well, obviously you still feel its effects. Do you need me to call an ambulance?" He shook his head vigorously in response. At that moment, sirens broke through their conversation.
"Someone must have reported the gunshot. You should at least let someone look you over," she admonished.
"I told you, Lois, I don't need a doctor," he whispered, squeezing his eyes shut against the overwhelming dizziness.
"Lois? You mean the reporter Lois Lane? Superman, don't pass out, come on," she pleaded. He blearily opened his eyes at the desperation in her voice.
"Lois, don't be upset. I just need...some sun," he slurred. "I'm so cold; warm me up, honey."
"Okay, so I guess there's a bit of truth in all those tabloid rumors. Maybe she'll know what to do," she whispered. As the squad car pulled up next to her, she retrieved her cell phone from her jacket, immediately dialing directory assistance.
"Metropolis, New Jersey; Daily Planet," she smiled at the officer as he approached her and mouthed, "One second." He held out a hand and helped her clamber to her feet, glancing worriedly at the wounded hero lying a few feet away. He knew he was alive by the way his chest rose and fell rapidly, but he didn't appear to be conscious.
Ignoring the officer's questioning glance, the lady spoke urgently into the phone. "Yes, I need to speak to Lois Lane; it's an emergency. Thanks." She paused, tapping her foot impatiently. "Hello, Miss Lane? Well… how did you know? Yes, he's hurt. It's a long story involving that damn rock." She glanced at the officer and turned away, whispering, "Lois, he doesn't look good. Hurry, please. "