A/N: Welcome, everyone to the "What Sacrifices" AU. This is the latest installment of the Last Great House of Krypton. I have received so many great suggestions. Therefore, I want to thank Afred for hours of stimulating emails which have helped me to focus on plot and character construction. Afred will be written into the fiction as a young photographer working with Jimmy Olsen. Look out for him in a future chapter.
Chapter will be very dark so I'm writing it very carefully. It will carry a rating of "M" for mature readers. You are duly warned.
Disclaimers:
As usual, I'm only borrowing toys from Warner Brothers, DC Comics or any entity holding copyrights to the Superman franchise. I don't receive any money for my writing. I'm just having fun and sharing it with some special friends who choose to read. Now, on with the story.
Chapter 7
Clark Kent's home, one hour after his healing coma ended
Batman helped Clark sit up straight in bed. "Welcome back Boy Scout. You had us worried there for a moment." Clark's skin quickly cooled enough that he could be touched safely. His hospital gown was saturated from Batman's, Martha's and Ceci's attempts to reduce his temperature. They did likewise to the twins who now cried to be fed. He sat on the edge of his bed with his head in his hands. His IV looped around his left arm and his catheter hung discretely from the bed frame. He had a lingering headache indicating that his enhanced hearing had returned. Not only that but his mouth felt like cotton. His mother gave him glass of water and she occupied herself with caring for the babies. "My goodness Clark, when your body got so hot, the twins experienced the same thing. Their little bodies left scorch marks on the sheets.
"How are they Mom? Are they okay? Did they give you any problems while I slept?" Clark asked as he tried to extricate himself from the IV tubing. He tried to stand up but realized he was still attached to the bed by his catheter. His eyes were itchy, a sure sign that his vision powers had returned.
"They look okay to me son. We pumped your milk while you slept. I think we have two bottles left to give them. But, you need to talk to your friends," she said while averting her eyes. Ceci glanced at the two of them while she applied the Fixomull to Jason's hands.
"Oookay, Mom! By the way Ceci, when you're finished working on Jason's hands would you please free me from your catheter and this IV. They're becoming real itchy and I think they're about the fall out."
Ceci looked at her patient and shook her head. "Clark, unless your powers have returned, I don't think it's going to fall out."
"Okay, but see? It's coming out by itself. Clark showed her his forearm and she watched as his healing skin slowly pushed the foreign object out of his vein.
"Good Lord, I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it with my own eyes. Let me get a syringe and remove the catheter before you pop it out." She quickly checked her supplies and located the dry sterile syringe. Attaching it to the restraining balloon's port, she withdrew the 10 ml of sterile water keeping his catheter in place. "Okay now take a deep breath & I'll withdraw it."
"Too late," Clark sighed as the catheter popped out of its own accord. "Sorry, I couldn't help that."
Ceci rolled her eyes. "Yea, I know you have a super bladder too." She gathered her equipment to discard it. Clark quickly jumped out of bed and just as quickly held on to the over-bed table because of sudden dizziness.
"Wow Boy Scout. Do you or don't you have your powers back?" asked the Batman who steadied Clark who was about to fall. Clark took deep breaths to overcome a sudden wave of nausea.
Ceci turned back to Clark and guided him back to the edge of the bed. "That was orthostatic hypotension (1) if I've ever seen it. Do Kryptonians have that problem like humans do?"
"I don't think so Ceci but some of my powers have returned. I feel stronger and my invulnerability is returning but I better take it slow."
Martha turned to Clark with Karala who was wailing loudly. "I'm sorry son; she drank the bottle but she's still hungry. Jordan seems to be satisfied at the moment.
He smiled faintly. "She knows the milk spigot is back on line and she knows how to make her needs known. Hi Little Miss, Daddy's back and you're ready aren't you?" He took his two month old baby girl and she promptly turned her head to root to his breast. Clark looked up and smiled. "She has a ravenous appetite for a two-month old." Jason stood with his grandmother, begging to allow him to hold Jordan. They sat him in Clark's favorite rocking chair with pillows under both elbows and a table in front of him in case his arms got tired. "Jason, how do your hands feel?"
"They feel good now since Miss Ceci put that stuff on them." He grinned the broad smile of a happy little boy caring for a younger brother.
"I hate to intrude on this scene of domestic bliss but we have a lot to talk about NOW. He looked toward Ceci, Martha and Lois.
"I think that's our notice to leave the men to talk alone. Are you coming with us Jason?" Martha asked.
"No Grandma Martha. I want to stay with the men down here."
"Not this time Sport. Batman looks really serious. Please take Jordan with your Mommy, Grandma and Ceci. And don't listen with your super-hearing. I'll know."
"Okay Daddy Clark." Martha returned and took the sleeping baby boy out of his brother's arms. Lois spoke up for the first time. "Guess what munchkin? You're going to work with me today. Ceci says no school until the dressings come off and guess what? Daddy Richard is back from New York City with Jimmy. I'm sure that they'll be glad to see you." Their voices trailed off as they climbed the steps from the basement to the main floor of Clark's home.
"It looks like I'm in real trouble this time," Clark sighed. Karala had fallen asleep at his breast again and was securely latched. He got ready to unlatch her.
"Wait Boy Scout, did you wash your hands since you woke up?
"What?" Clark looked confused at the Batman.
"Did you wash your hands? Ceci almost killed me for using hand cleanser to clean my hands before I unlatched her from you three days ago. That little tyrant told me to wash my hands or don't touch HER babies. I'm telling you the same thing to protect you, my niece and nephew.
"If you say so Darth. Go wash your hands." Batman pushed back his cowl, removed his gauntlets and carefully washed his hands. "She told me to sing Happy Birthday to myself to count off 15 seconds and she replaced all the soap in the house with anti-bacterial soap. Can you see me singing Happy Birthday? S***, that woman is tough and I can't intimidate her. Makes me feel like I'm losing my grip." He returned to Clark and the baby while carefully drying his hands. "Now I'll just use my pinkie to break her suction and voila, she's detached." Karala popped loose and smacked her tiny lips as she snuggled into her father's arms.
"You're a real problem solver but you look like a man with a lot on his mind Bruce. What's happened since I fell asleep?" Bruce sat slowly across from his friend and explained all the events that had occurred over the previous three days. Clark looked incredulously at him; he couldn't believe that the U.N. wanted him to present himself for involuntary custody because of the activities of the Kryptonian renegades.
"They want to know if you have ever fathered children with human women." Clark looked down sheepishly. "They don't know about Jason but those agents suspect that Lois might have had a tryst with you as Superman. They're putting two and two together."
"When am I supposed to present myself to the U.N.?"
"It's 8:30 am now. You're supposed to be there at 12:00 noon." Bruce stated while taking the sleeping Karala into his arms.
"I need to go there and try to exonerate myself." Clark walked to the basement kitchen area to get another glass of water.
The Raohim figured you would want to do that so some of us will accompany you. Wonder Woman, Flash, J'onn J'onzz and I will be the honor guard to you, the Chancellor of Krypton. Maybe you can wear that crown-thing the Lara AI gave you.
Clark laughed. He knew Bruce tried to lift his spirits. "I'm not turning my children over to the U.N. They must never know of their existence. "
"You're right. The children would never have a normal life if anyone knew of their existence. We need to think up an excuse to deflect interest in your pregnancy. Don't forget this is the first time you'll be back as Superman since the incident with the meta-human almost five months ago.
Clark paced across the floor in a bathrobe and slippers. "I almost lost those two and fought to hold on to my own life during that time. I'll tell them that I miscarried. My child was stillborn when I was transported to Watchtower. I've spent my time mourning and recuperating. I can say my child's body was buried in a capsule in space."
"Okay, let's go with that but we still need to get to the Daily Planet and deal with the Agents. You and Lois are to be interviewed today about that Niagara Falls exposé."
"Geez, those people are thorough if nothing else. I'll get ready for work and meet you there in about an hour." Clark climbed the stairs carrying Karala. Bruce followed close behind.
Lois had already left Clark's house with Joanne and Jason. They stopped at home long enough to shower and change clothes before going to the Planet. She dreaded talking to the Agents but she was going to be totally honest with them. It was no one's business who she chose to screw. She thought that she might soften her rhetoric a little bit. She would not be confrontational unless someone got in her face or threatened her children. She hoped Clark would do likewise. At least she knew that Richard and Jimmy were safe and would meet her at the office.
Daily Planet's Conference Room – 10:30 AM
Agent Thornton burst into Perry's office unannounced while Perry spoke to his publisher by telephone. Sucking his teeth he told Bruce Wayne that he would call back after dealing with the agents.
"White, what type of operation do you run here if you can't rely on your people arriving at work on time?" Agent Thornton asked testily.
"I trust my people's judgment which is more than I can say about you and your team Thornton. Now go back to the conference room and don't ever enter this office unannounced again. Get out!" He returned to proofing an article without looking up at Thornton again.
Thornton turned on his heel and marched out the door as Richard arrived to speak to his uncle.
"Did I catch you at a bad time Perry?" He asked barely sticking his head in the door.
Perry looked up and smiled slyly. "I have time for you son. I just can't tolerate those agents. They have the place turned upside down. They plan to interview you, Lois and Clark. Then I hope they'll get the hell out of here."
"Then you'll want to hear about the U.N. connection." He told Perry about the overheard conversation.
"Clark is expected to return to work today. I don't know if he's aware of anything going on over the past three days." Perry tapped the desk with a pencil. "Go and occupy those nuts for a few minutes. I'll look out for him and let him know what's going on."
Richard got up to leave as he saw Lois and Jason enter the bull pen. Clark followed at a discrete distance, tripping over trash cans as he walked between the closely placed desks. Jason took the lead. "Daddy, I'm so glad to see you," as he ran into Richard's open arms.
"I'm glad to see you too, munchkin. Wow, what happened to you?" He examined Jason's bandaged hands.
"It's a long story," said Lois as she gave him a kiss. Clark just averted his eyes.
"Hi Richard, welcome home," said Clark extending his hand with a shy smile. Richard smiled in return and took it firmly.
"It's good to be back. I'm supposed to go talk to those people." He said surreptitiously to Clark. "Don't worry but I need to talk to you after we're finished with them." Clark just nodded affirmatively.
Perry motioned to Clark to come into his office. Lois threw herself into a conference room chair while Jason sat at Clark's desk drawing pictures. Richard pulled himself together to join Lois in the interview.
Mona Horn initiated the discussion. "Thank you for coming to this interview, Mr. and Mrs. White. Lois quickly interrupted. "We're being forced into this interview Agent." Richard touched her arm and she stopped immediately.
"Ms. Horn, what is this about? We both have work responsibilities waiting for us."
"I will be brief then Mr. White. I understand Mrs. White that you and Clark Kent are partners?
"Yes, you state the obvious. The Planet advertises our stories all over town."
"I want to ask you about one of your stories, the Niagara Falls exposé?" Just then, Clark entered the conference room and stumbled to a chair while pushing his glasses up on his nose. "I'm glad that you could join us Mr. Kent. This pertains to you too."
Lois took a deep breath, stiffening her back. "What do you want to know?"
"How did you manage to get from Niagara Falls, New York with Mr. Kent to Anchorage, Alaska alone?" Mona leaned back in her chair and all eyes were on Lois.
"That's none of your goddamn business."
"Mrs. White, we're just trying to figure out if you might have been one of the Kryptonians' unwitting victims. You're aware that Zod and his people raped and murdered hundreds of people. The renegades are now dead but the last Kryptonian, Superman, is still alive and among us. We're asking if you might have been raped by Zod or Superman because your son was born nearly nine months after the battle in the Fortress."
Clark went pale and snapped the point off his pencil. All eyes turned to him. Clearing his throat, he muttered, "sorry."
Lois slowly stood up from the conference room table and looked sadly at Clark. He looked like he wanted to sink through his chair. Richard sat straight up awaiting an answer. She walked slowly around the table with her arms crossed.
"Clark and I went to Niagara Falls disguised as newlyweds to expose how young couples were being ripped off. I fell off an observation deck into the river and Clark jumped in to rescue me. He can't even swim so I wound up rescuing him. We returned to our suite and changed out of our wet clothes next to a roaring fire place in the middle of July. I opened a bottle of champagne to loosen him up. I RAPED him. He was a virgin, a big naive virgin farm boy. So I enjoyed it even more. I taught him everything for three beautiful days and nights. Jason is Clark Kent's son conceived when I raped my partner. Are you satisfied now or do you want all the details?" Lois spun Mona's chair around and slapped her across the face with all of her strength. "Now stay out of my fu***** business."
Clark laid his head on the conference room table in shock. Richard jumped up quickly and hurried Lois out of the room. He hissed sternly at the agents while directing an irate Mad-Dog Lane out the conference room, "this interview is over Agent Thornton. I hope you're satisfied."
Horn, rubbing her face, Von Nast, and Thornton looked at a thoroughly embarrassed and humiliated Clark Kent sitting numbly in the conference room with his hands folded on the table. "You're excused Mr. Kent."
Daily Planet Roof – 11:40 am
Clark and Bruce met on the roof to arrange transport to Watchtower. "Clark you really know how to create a stir," said Bruce smiling at his friend.
"It wasn't me Bruce. It was Lois. You know how impulsive she can be. She, Richard and I planned to recognize my paternity but I never expected it to be like this. I think it's now front page that I'm Jason White's father.
"Well, that's the least of your problems right now." He activated his Watchtower communicator. "Watchtower, two for transport."
Watchtower responded, "Transporting Traveler B and Traveler S in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1." An intense glow formed around the two men and within a few short seconds, they materialized on the Watchtower's teleportation platform.
A strong female voice called out to them as they materialized on the space station. "Gentlemen, we're cutting this short. We have 15 minutes to get to the U.N."
"Hi Diana, we're glad to see you too," said Bruce sarcastically.
"Come on Bruce, you're the stickler on punctuality. Hi Clark, it's good to see you up. Are you okay?" Diana looked from Bruce to Clark and back again.
"He's okay Diana. He was just outted in the middle of the Daily Planet bull pen as being Jason's father. I think he's still in shock."
"Clark, please pull yourself together. You need to defend yourself at the U.N. in less than 15 minutes," Diana pleaded while directing him to the elevator banks.
He shook his head as if he was just awakening. "I'm sorry Diana. I guess I'm still in shock over how quickly everything occurred. Just then the Flash appeared.
"Clark, hurry up! J'onn and I will meet you at the platform." Diana left Clark at his quarters to return to the platform. As she returned, the Batman hurried to the platform while putting on his cowl and gauntlets. He whispered to Diana, "everything is in place" and she nodded once affirmatively.
A few minutes later Clark arrived attired in a new uniform. Based roughly on the armor worn by Batman, the most significant difference was that it looked like a sculpted speedo with a longer cape; and no outer brief. He wore the sparkling golden diadem on his brow. No one said anything but everyone eyed him from head to foot.
"What?" Clark said as he mounted the platform. "Do I have something on my face?"
"Ah, nothing Kal. You look fully recovered." Diana responded softly.
The Flash rubbing his hands together exclaimed gleefully, "Let's get this show on the road." The other four heroes mounted platform and were teleported to the plaza in front of the U.N. building.
United Nations Plaza
The clock read 11:59 am. A large crowd of press and bystanders opened a wide space for the heroes to enter the U.N. building. Wonder Woman walked on his left front while Batman walked on his right front. J'onn J'onzz and the Flash followed Clark on his left and right. Clark in his Kryptonian persona of Kal-El son of Jor-El strode regally in the center of his honor guard.
Entering the General Assembly hall, they walked down the center aisle to scattered whispers of on lookers. The group stopped in front of the central dais where the Secretary General waited.
"Superman you are punctual. Thank you for coming."
"Sir, I have come as requested using my birth name. I am Kal-El, son of Jor-El, the titular Chancellor, and head of the last great house of Krypton. Why am I here today?
"Your presence was requested Kal-El, not the Justice League. Batman stepped forward. "Kal-El is here as a head of state. He is the last living member of his species and he will be accorded the respect of any head of state."
The Secretary General frowned, "what about your pregnancy? The world wanted to know about your pregnancy's outcome."
All eyes riveted on Kal-El. He answered quietly, "My child did not survive and was stillborn. I am the last of my people."
"More reason for you to remain in protective custody. You are precious and should not subject yourself to dangerous situations in the future."
"I am a sentient being capable of choosing my activities; I have done nothing wrong Mr. Secretary and I will not be imprisoned."
The Secretary nodded his head and Kryptonite was unshielded from every corner of the Hall. Kal-El dropped to his knees in severe pain, losing consciousness. The JLA members immediately went into action. J'onn J'onzz morphed into a snarling lion keeping onlookers at a distance. Green Lantern was teleported from the Watchtower and he immediately set up a protective barrier around Kal-El and Batman. The Flash ran in a circular fashion around the group creating a vortex that deflected bullets, both normal and Kryptonite laden. Wonder Woman used her lasso to capture the Secretary General. When Batman saw that everyone was in place, he signaled the Watchtower to teleport them all back to the station. In a second, the Hall emptied of all activity.
Thornton watched the televised events and cursed loudly. His prey slipped through the trap. He would need to go to Plan B.
To be continued … Please, please review
(1) Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure when changing position. The drop can precipitate fainting, nausea and vomiting.