Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism. Confronting your fears and allowing yourself the right to be human can, paradoxically, make you a far happier and more productive person. Dr. David M. Burns

Superman ascended to his perching altitude and closed his eyes as had become his custom when he opened his mind and allowed the reception of the multitude of noises below and around him. Slowing working his way around the mundane, searching for only high pitched or low pitched sounds that usually signaled trouble he became aware of a rumbling noise much closer. He realized it was his cell phone vibrating in his cape pocket. Wondering who it could be since only a handful of people had the number he retrieved the devise and looked at the ID showing in the window before answering. It read Richard White.

"Clark here. Richard, not that I mind, but how did you get this number?"

"I asked Jimmy the same way you did yesterday. It seems he is the only one who has your cell phone number. Why is that anyway?"

"Because he is the only one who asked. Did you get the interview; I sent it about 30 minutes ago? "

"Yes, that's why I'm calling. It's amazing. Perry is running around like the proverbial chicken with his head cut off. He even stopped the presses to get it into the evening edition. How on earth did you finish it so fast…Oh, never mind. Are you coming back into the office today?"

"No, I decided it is way past time I started looking for Luthor." I figured Perry would give me some time to do the first person piece once I got the interview in. The interview was easier than I thought it would be but I'm not looking forward to the first person piece."

"Where are you now? The three of us still have a lot to clear up. Can you stop by for dinner at our house, say 7ish?"

Not wanting to be too precise on the phone Superman answered, "I'm on cloud nine right now. Do you really think dinner is such a good idea, have you asked Lois how she feels about having me there for dinner?"

"Cloud nine?" shaking his head deciding he didn't even want to know what that meant "Clark, it was HER idea, well, really Jason brought it up at breakfast. She came in here just now and asked me if I minded and really, I don't. She...no WE need to talk to you about something very important to all of us and that us includes Jason."

"I'll be there at …7ish. Would you like me to bring anything?"

"No, that won't be necessary. And, just so you know, even Lois was impressed with that interview, but I doubt she'll admit it to you directly. "

Hanging up Richard thought, Wow, I just realized, I have Superman's personal cell phone number. Well, Jimmy does too, but technically that doesn't count since he doesn't know he has it. He decided he should give the number to Lois just in case she needed to contact him by phone rather than just screaming or yelling like she used to.

Before putting his phone away, Superman called his mom and told her he wasn't going to be able to make dinner after all, she started to protest until he told her why.

Superman went back to listening and satisfied with the relative peace decided to see if he could make any headway on his search to find Luthor or at least some trace to go on. He decided to start at the beginning out in the Atlantic where he had last seen the helicopter days before.

Going in wider and wider circles his concentration was suddenly rocked by screams and panicked calls for help. Perplexed as to where they could be coming from since he was several miles from land he finally saw a large ship off in the distance. It was listing to one side and showed signs that it might start sinking at any time.

He felt the call to action grip him and without a second thought dove toward the water and under the ship. He found a good sized hole in the hull just below the water line. Using his fists he battered the metal back into it rightful place and then using heat vision smoothed it out and made sure it was completely sealed and water tight. He knew this was only a temporary repair but should make the ship sea worthy at least till it could reach port.

Reaching the surface Superman surveyed the ship and after satisfying himself there were no other problems he hovered above the deck near the bridge where the captain was standing.

"Permission to come aboard, Sir?"

"Gladly Superman, Boy, I'm sure glad you spotted us. We were starting to fill the lifeboats but the ship was showing signs we might not have been able to do it fast enough."

"What happened, do you know what caused the blast, that was a pretty big hole" Superman said as he landed on the deck near the captain.

"We're not sure why but it was the furnace, it just suddenly blew up."

"Don't worry, I took care of the hole, it's patched for now. I'm sure you know you'll need to have it repaired properly when you get to port. Is there anything else I can help with? Was anyone injured?"

The ship's doctor came running up and answered for the captain, "A man was badly burned, He needs to be taken to a hospital, ASAP but I'm afraid he won't live long enough to make the trip. Maybe if we wrap him in some wet blankets you can get him the help he needs before it's too late."

Moments later Superman was carrying the badly burned victim down the very same hospital corridor he had been rolled down just days before. Although he had no memory of that event the eyes following him now did and they all stood in shocked awe just like they had that other fateful day.

Superman gently laid the man on a gurney and when no one came running over to start treatment he looked up and said sternly, "What are you all waiting for? This man needs your help, NOW!" The room came back to life. Superman watched for a minute until he was satisfied he had done his part; the man's fate was now in other hands.

Almost as soon as he got back into the air he heard shots ring out from a bank only a few miles away. Racing to the scene he flew inside and confronted the lone gunman who immediately began shooting directly at him.

"Don't you guys ever learn those bullets have no affect on me?"

Concerned someone else might get hurt by the bullets bounding off his chest Superman raced to the gunman and grabbed the gun. But the gunman had been expecting him, and had a smaller gun concealed in his sleeve and it was now aimed right at Superman's head.

Superman started to feel a prickling up and down is spine thinking to himself, This didn't feel right, something was wrong with this picture, the thug had wanted him up close and the guy was smiling. This couldn't be good.

As the thug, pulled the trigger, Superman dodged out of the way just in time and then carefully smashed his fist in the guy's stomach just hard enough to effectively knock the wind out of him. Then instantaneously he grabbed the gun and scanned the gunman for any other hidden weapons. Once satisfied there were no other weapons Superman somewhat roughly grabbed the guy's arm while looking intently at the gun with his x-ray vision. He was still unsure weather he should open the gun's chamber or not. He wasn't feeling any of the usual tell tale signs of nearby Kryptonite but to be on the safe side decided to wait till officers arrived to take over the scene. Scanning the room he asked if anyone was hurt. People started coming out from under desks and behind counters.

The bank manager came running over to Superman and held out his hand for a handshake. Superman looked at him as shrugged since neither of his hands were available to shake. The bank manager laughed nervously, "Oh yeah, sorry. "Everyone is ok Superman I think he was wanting your attention specifically."

Finally the police officers started streaming in and Superman relinquished his detainee to their custody.

Opening the gun, he saw five bullets were remaining in the chambers, they were green but Superman knew immediately they were not kryptonite, but they did give the appearance due to a green prosperous coating.

The thug finally had caught his breath enough to say, "I almost had you."

"No you didn't, someone had you" spilling the bullets in his hand not caring he was possibly tainting evidence. "These are fake, where did you get them?"

"What, no way, Damn that Lex Luthor."

Superman grabbed him back from the officers. "Where is Luthor, tell me now or I'll break …" he stopped himself realizing what he had been about to say …break your neck with my bare hands.

The thug was shaking, looking at the police officers for help. They offered none. Superman's eyes were shooting daggers but he softened and controlled his actions, taking another tactic.

"If you have any knowledge whatsoever about Luthor you had better tell me now. I am not the one you need to fear, Luthor is. He set you up and you've been caught which is most likely what he expected. Do you have any idea how many prior associates he has had killed, people just like you? Once they'd served their purpose, just like you."

"Ok, ok, just let me go, I'll tell you everything I know, which isn't much. I met him this morning down by the dock yards. He told me the bullets were made of Kryptonite and if I killed you he would pay me 5 million bucks. How could I turn that down? I got expenses, you know, nothing personal Superman."

"How did you know when and where to meet him and where exactly did you meet him?" Superman said loosening his grip slightly.

"He called me. I have no way to contact him none, nada. That is how he works. We met just outside that old warehouse on the corner of Dock Street and 7th this morning about 4 AM".

"So, you basically accepted a 5 million dollar contract on me and didn't even get a means to collect the payoff, did he give you an advance?" Superman said looking at the thug and shaking his head as if he can't believe the guy could be so dense.

"Well, no, I asked and he laughed and grabbed me and said he was good for it. Heck, I didn't want to push it. He is Lex Luthor." The guy shrugged still in Superman's grip.

"And you really expect me to believe you?"

"I swear it's the truth." The thug said while putting one hand over his heart to make a point.

Superman shoved the guy back to the police and left. He raced over to the warehouse and searched the entire area. Three police cursers showed up before he finished his methodical search of the grounds and warehouse. He made sure the officers were clued into the details of the hunt before leaving the scene. He hadn't expected to find anything but wasn't going to take any chances. Luthor would eventually make a mistake; he just had to make sure to catch it.

Remembering the time, he decided to fly to Belgium on a whim, on the way he pondered the developments. The bad news was Luthor was in town. The good news was Luthor was in town and he knew it, at least he knew it.

Not only was the guy in town, he was playing with him. Then he thought, wait till he reads in that interview, that I'm afraid of him. He wondered for a minute if it had really been a good idea to actually state that he was afraid of Luthor. Then thinking, back at what he had told Clark…he stopped in mid air. Wait a minute…I am Clark. Laughing at himself he continued on his way to Belgium thinking of something far removed from his search for Luthor.

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Thanks again for the kind reviews. I have had a lot of fun writing this story. Hope you enjoy the rest.

Thanks for taking the time to review. I do love reviews. It might make me post the chapters faster since I like to see the response before I post too many new chapters. I am currently writing chapter 23.

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Please note, I re-edited this after maaike-fluffy commented. I am not a professional writer. I am doing the best I can. The story is posted up to chapter 22 at the Planet Fan Fiction site at I am doing additional editing and very minor rewrites as I move it here.