After he saw the ambulance reach the trembling city employees, the need to just keep going possessed him. He did not stop until he found himself by a lonely mountain lake. He jumped in with his clothes still on his back and dove to the bottom of the clear and icy waters. All his senses muffled under water and he swam the length repeatedly free from outside influences. After some time he felt a pressure in his lungs and kicked to the surface.
Twilight came while he was hiding from the rest of the world, but the shadows forming were now welcome again. The sense of euphoria he felt after finally finding those workers faded rapidly when he realized he could not share his experience with the one person he wanted to the most.
Was he seeking praise? Her approval? Or, did he just desire to bask in one of her amazing smiles? She was his biggest fan and at the same time, no one pushed him harder to do more, become more. She also did her best to keep him humble. He could practically hear her teasing comments about ripping off the Green Arrow's dubious disguise. He smiled and then sighed. He wanted to go home.
While he was treading water, he peeled of his borrowed black sweatshirt and let it drift loose in the middle of the lake. It was best not to chance returning with that in his possession. He stroked back to the edge of the hidden lake and bounded to the shore. He executed a rapid spin to wring out most of the water and then relied on his return trip to Metropolis to take care of any excess moisture. He found Lois back at the Planet and she explained why Superman had been in such a hurry to leave earlier.
Lois poured a cup of coffee before sitting down across from him at one of the tables by the vending machines. She stirred her creamer methodically and looked downcast, "There is a volcano in a little chain of islands on the pacific rim. Whole villages, really, whole islands were affected." Lois shook her head and took a sip of her coffee. "It's a tough one because before Superman ever got there, so many already died. There was no warning and the communities are so isolated." She sighed and then looked up at him. "It will help him to know how well everything turned out here." She smiled, covered his hand and gave it a little squeeze. "If you hadn't been here, hundreds more would have died waiting for him."
"I was glad to help."
Lois took another sip of her coffee and grinned at him. "You made something of a splash, too"
"I did?" Clark was surprised, after all, only three men saw him.
"A news crew just happened to be filming some background shots when you broke through the ground. It's a great shot, a silhouette against the setting sun, the whole final stage of the rescue on tape." Lois noticed Clark's growing concern. "Don't worry. Your face is completely in the shadows. Good idea with the..." Lois gestured vaguely to her eyes and head. "I was a little relieved you didn't walk in wearing the sweatshirt, though."
Clark cringed a bit and grinned. "I got rid of it. It's probably at the bottom of the lake by now."
"Oh? Not planning a repeat appearance as the Super Friend?" Lois used air quotes for the name.
"What? The who?"
Lois laughed at his horrified look, and took a moment to wipe at her eyes before filling him in. "Well, people could tell you weren't Superman and the workers were asked who saved them, one said a friend and one said not just a friend, but a super friend."
"Super Friend? Sounds pretty hokey to me."
"Sorry, it's already caught on. I even used it in my article. Still, it's way better than Ultra Women"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXNext MorningXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Lois opened her eyes and blinked at the ceiling while waiting for her sight to adjust to the creeping morning light. It was a decidedly odd sensation to go from deep sleep and detailed dreams to complete wakefulness with nary a yawn in between. She was still swimming with the emotions her dream triggered. Maybe, she considered, maybe she was still dreaming. Looking around her bedroom, everything seemed normal, everything where it belonged, including her husband. She turned her head and saw Clark next to her still peacefully in dreamland. All was calm and gradually she accepted her waking state.
Never before had she experienced a stranger episode of dreaming and now, even ten minutes later, every detail of it remained with her, not fading the instant her eyes finally opened as her dreams normally did. It seemed so familiar, strangely real, almost like a memory. She was in the dream observing two little girls, but she knew she was one of the little girls. The other girl's name was Chloe.
They were playing together as they always played together, starting the game they made up: When I'm Grown Up. Lois loved to play this game. It began new every time they saw each other, which often was every day. Chloe always went first. She might say, "When I'm grown up, I'm going to be a firefighter." Then Lois would take her turn and they would spend the rest of their day pretending to be their grown up selves.
Sometimes Chloe was a firefighter, sometimes a police officer. She also liked being an astronaut, a doctor, a baker, a teacher, a pilot, even the President. But, Lois never chose anything new. She always said, "When I'm grown up, I'm going to be a reporter."
In the dream, Lois noticed at the sides of the two five year olds matching stuffed rabbits. The plush toys were identical except in color. Chloe's bunny was pink like the fluffy candy they got at the circus last week and she named it Chloe. Lois followed her example and named her soft, buttery yellow rabbit Lois.
It was time to start the game. Chloe began as always and chose to be a racecar driver this time. Then it was Lois's turn.
"When I'm grown up I'm going to be a reporter at the Daily Planet."
This was something new for Lois to say. "What's a daisy plan nut?" Chloe asked.
Lois frowned at Chloe and very carefully corrected her pronunciation. "No, you're supposed to say, the Daily Planet," Then she beamed in her excitement and shared her source. "My Great Grampa says that's where all the greatest reporters come from, so that's where I'm going to live."
Chloe accepted that. Lois's Great Grampa knew all about reporters. When he was a little boy, he met Nellie Bly. He told the best stories.
"Ok, you live at the Daily Planet and I'll live at Nasty car 'cause that's where the fastest cars go." Before they could really settle into their game, Lois's mom came and said they had to leave right away. Chloe could tell that Lois's mom was really upset; her face was all red and twisted. Lois's eyes grew big and she clutched her yellow bunny tightly. Suddenly, gaining an insight greater than her five years alive should have allowed, Chloe jumped up and threw her arms around her best friend in the whole world. She didn't want to let go, but Lois's mommy was getting even more upset, tugging at Lois's shoulder. "Goodbye Lois," she whispered while tears ran down her face. She was afraid she would never see her again.
Lois wrapped her arms around Chloe, fiercely hugging her back. Her lower lip quivered as she replied, "Goodbye Chloe." As her mother dragged her away, she kept looking back over her shoulder until the front door slammed shut behind her.
When the door closed, Lois woke up. Like a switch flipped from on to off, she was dreaming and then she was awake and wildly aware of an old, aching, empty spot. Was she remembering something from her childhood or simply making up memories to fit with what new Clark told her about a non-existent cousin? She had to get a hold of her mother and find out.
Unfortunately, that would have to wait until the afternoon. They had an appointment at Star Labs this morning. This could be the break they were waiting for. Lois had a hunch something big was going to happen and her hunches were legendary.
