Chapter 7: Things can only get better from here…Right?

Everything was in chaos. Clark didn't know what to do. Chloe, Conner and himself were sitting and waiting on the Metropolis Hospital's hard plastic chairs. None of the three muttered a word since arriving there. They didn't have to; all their thoughts were on one person. Clark glanced at the door that led into the ER. Nurses and Doctors flew in and out, making the door swing at its hinges. Everything was in chaos, Utter chaos.

Clark's eyes trailed over to Chloe. Her eyes that were blood shot from her silent crying were staring up at the round clock face on the wall opposite them. They had been there for five hours now; Lois had been in surgery for four hours and 45 minutes. Conner was currently sleeping with his head on Clark's left shoulder while his hand was clasped tightly in between Chloe's smaller ones for comfort. He shifted slightly as his mouth started to hang open.

Poor kid Clark thought. Been through a lot today, we all have. Clark sighed as his eyes returned to the ER's door. Every hour he had tried to check what was happening in there, how Lois was and each time he got nothing. With much frustration he declared in his head that the doors had something lead in them or on them.

A slightly plump woman, who Clark recognised from the front desk, walked up to them.
"I'm sorry to disturb you kids, but you asked me to come get you if a General Sam Lane rang back concerning the message you left him earlier."

Chloe carefully put Conner's hand on his thigh, so not to wake him. "I'll take it."
She turned to Clark "If anything happens, any news, you'll-"
"I'll sprint for you as fast as I can, go talk to your uncle."
"Thankyou Clark."

Looking at his friend walk, no…slump, away he suddenly felt like crying. The emotional drain from the day's events had finally made itself known. He was trying to be strong for Chloe and Conner.

But who was going to be strong for him, his mother had made her way to the capital this morning, his father was no longer there to help him through these things (the both of them). The one who was always strong for him when he couldn't be strong for himself was the one hurt. The one he couldn't help. Clark breathed in deeply; he could start to feel the slight warning burn from behind his eyes.

"It's ok to cry."
Clark jumped at the voice. Sniffing quietly he wiped the unshed tears away. "I wasn't crying Conner. And hey, I thought you were resting."
Conner sat up straight to stretch his stiff body. "Nice change of topic Clark."
Clark sighed, while he ran his hands through his thick hair. Conner eyed him carefully.
"You wonna talk about it?"
"Not really, at least not right now."

Conner nodded in understanding. "She's going to be fine, you know that right? She's one though cookie Clark. I don't see her leaving the party called life so early." Conner sunk deeper into his chair. "She's too…important. She still has so much to do in her life. Lois Lane, now that's a name they're gonna talk about for awhile. She's going to be great."

"No she isn't."
Conner was surprised at the response. "She isn't?"
"No" Clark shook his head "She's going to be a legend."

Conner and Clark smiled at each other. The door to the ER opened once more but this time revealed one of the doctors trying to save Lois' life.
"Mr. Kent?"
Clark shot up from his blue seat, Conner not too far behind him. "Yes, what's going on? Is she alright?"

The man was silent for a moment before opening his mouth. "The operation was a success."
The two 'Kent's' breathed a sigh of relief.
"Unfortunately, she has lost a lot of blood and one of the bullets pierced her liver."
Conner stepped up next to the doctor. "So, what does that mean?" He looked over at Clark. " Clark what does that mean?"

The doctor placed a hand on his shoulder. "That means son, Miss Lane needs a liver transplant and a second blood transfusion immediately."
"Ok then…Do it."
"It's not that simple son, we don't have any spare livers that is compatible with Miss Lane at this hospital. The closest option would be Gotham General hospital."

Conner straightened his spine. "We'll go get it then."
The doctor smiled sadly. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, but the fastest way would be by jet."
Conner opened his mouth to tell the man that he was faster then a jet, but Clark cut in.
"Conner go get Chloe, tell her the doctor has some news."
"But Clark I can-"
Clark faced his clone. "Please just go and get her, please Conner."
"But you're even fast-"
"Now Conner!" Clark yelled

"Man, all I want…I just wanted to help, ok." He frowned "Don't go biting my head off for wanting to help. She's like my family Clark. You're not the only one who loves her." Conner turned and walked away.

Clark sighed. "Great" he mumbled to himself.
"Mr Kent, I know this must be difficult for you and your family. But-"
"How much time do we have?"
The doctor scratched his head. "Only about three and a half hours I'm afraid."
Clark nodded his understanding. "It'll be enough. I think I know someone who can help. I only hope I can convince him."


Luthor and Wayne, two of the richest family names in the history of America. Today, both have founded companies that have become successful in their own ways.
LuthorCorp and Wayne Industries.

"I'm glad you could come on such short notice." Lex raised out of his chair to shake the dark haired man's hand. "Brandy?"
"No, no thankyou Mr. Luthor."

The man sat down on one of the fancy looking silver seats facing Lex's desk. "There have been whispers of you wishing to contribute into the W&Q foundation."
"Well yes, I only wish to help the unfortunate."
"How charitable of you Mr Luthor. Of course, it's not possible that it would have anything to do with adding your name to the foundation?"
Lex smiled "Of course not."

The door of Lex's study opened to show one of his security team. "Sorry to interrupt Mr. Luthor, but Clark Kent is here to see you."
Lex placed his fingertips to his temple. "Send him in Johnstone."
The guard left, leaving the door open.

"I hope you don't mind?" He asked his guest.
"Oh no, nothing to worry about. Actually I've heard a lot of good things about Clark Kent from my partner."

Lex caught sight of Clark walking into the room. He smirked at the look of helplessness on his face. His guest also noticed the look on Clark's face; he knew exactly what emotions and feelings came with that face. It had happened to him a long time ago.

"Clark, come in. Why the long face? Who died?"
Clark winced at the question, ignoring Lex's inquiry he strode up to him. "Sorry about interrupting Lex, but I need your-"
Lex held up his hand. "No."
"Pardon?"
"I said no Clark. Whatever it is the answer is no."
Lex's guest watched Clark and Lex's interaction with inertest.
"I'm asking if you can help Lois. She got shot at the mall today; she needs a liver transplant in about three hours. Please Lex, she'll die without it."

Lex folded his hands on his desk, physically acting concerned, but on the inside he seethed. The idiots were not supposed to shoot anyone.
"I can't Clark, my hands are tied."
Clark's large hands became fits; his patience was growing very thin. "You only need to fly one of your jets to Gotham to-"
"I said no, Clark. Now I'm sorry I really am, but I can't help. Send my condolences to her family would you."

Clark slammed his hands on the desk before him. "She's not dead yet!" He growled.
"Tut, tut Clark. Mind that temper or I'll mind it for you. Now get out."
Clark stared at Lex in disgust before turning and leaving. When Clark's heel left eyesight Lex's guest sprang up from his chair. "You're a real piece of work Luthor, I hope you know that." He then ran out to find Clark.

Lex leaned back into his custom made chair. He opened up one of his top draws and pulled out a cigar. He lit it up and took a long drag.
"Well, my mom thought I was cool."


Clark fumed while he walked through the mansion. Just because they were no longer friends themselves, did not mean that Lex couldn't help anyone in need. Lex didn't even consider to say yes, to help Lois. To Clark it was like his ex-friend didn't even have a little piece of goodness in him any more. Not that it mattered; he'd get the organ himself. Conner was right, it was exactly what he should've done in the first place. Now he was just wasting time.

"Mr. Kent, Wait!"
A voice echoed from behind him, glancing around he saw the man from Lex's meeting, jogging to catch up with him.
"Sorry if I ruined your meeting sir, but I have go."
"Wait, Mr Kent, right?" Clark nodded. "I think I can help you out."
"How?" Clark ask suspiciously

"Lex Luthor or rather the Luthor family, doesn't own the fastest jet in America. I do." The man smiled as he held out his hand. "Bruce Wayne. My business partner Oliver Queen has told me a lot about you Clark Kent." Clark took his hand in his own, he shook it gratefully. Bruce walked quickly besides Clark. "Now this Lois…"
"Her name's Lois Lane. She's one of my friends, today down at Metro Mall someone fired a gun, and she got hit. She needs a liver transplant in about three hours."

Bruce nodded. "I think I have the perfect piece of flying equipment to help your situation."


Slamming through the doors, he moved with purpose. The strength and power he held was mirrored in the way he held himself. Back straight, head held high, his stride slow. He had learnt long ago that important people do not hurry to their destination, In fact, their destination could wait for them to get there in their own time.
The people around him parted like a wave letting him through. Their eyes never meeting his, he chuckled at that.

Chloe caught sight of him, her eyes showing recognition. She ran up to him and flung her arms around his broad shoulders.
"Uncle Sam!" With her head safely secure in the crook of his neck, she cried.
They stood there for a while; he let her cry, he knew she needed this.
"It's ok now Baby Chlo, it's ok. Shush now huh, it's going to be ok. Let's sit down over here, shush."

For some reason he could never figure out, Sam Lane always was a lot more fatherly towards Chloe and Lucy. Maybe because they were younger then Lois, maybe because he thought Lois was old enough to look after herself. After all he was only seven himself when his own Father died, and he being the oldest looked after his siblings. He shook his head.

They sat down where Chloe, Conner and Clark were sitting before. "How are you doing?"
Chloe shuddered out a breath. "I'm ok Uncle Sam, I just needed to get that out. Sorry if I got your uniform wet."
The General smiled at her. "Don't worry about it." He looked around the waiting room. "What, you by yourself?"
"No Clark was here, but he went to ask Lex for help. He was going to ask if he could help transport a liver for Lois over from Gotham."
Sam's eyebrows scrunched together. "As in Luthor?"
"Huh?"
"Lex Luthor?"
"Yeah, they might not be friends any more, well…They might not be talking any more. But maybe Lex isn't a Luthor yet…if you get my drift."
Sam just smiled uneasily at his niece. If only you knew Chloe. He thought.

Conner walked up to them, not seeing Sam. "Hey Chloe, I got some snack food if you…" His voice trailed off when he spotted Sam sitting next to his friend.
Chloe saw Conner look at her uncle. "Oh Conner, this is my Uncle Sam, Lois' father. Uncle Sam this is Conner Kent. He's Clark's, um…"
"Cousin." Conner finished for her.
"Charmed, Cousin Kent."

Conner's eyes never once breaking away from General Lane's. Chloe noticed the hostility between the two. "Have you two met before?"
"Chloe, Kiddo, could you go get me a soda?" The General asked.
"What?" Chloe looked at her uncle like he'd suddenly sprouted three more heads on his shoulders. When did he start drinking soda?
"Chloe while you get your uncle a soda, get one for me too please."
"Um…Ok." Chloe got up and walked away from the two, glancing back every so often, before going out to the Can Machine that was in the hallway.

Sam crossed his arms. "So, you're a Conner Kent now huh?"
Conner did the same. "So, you send agents to inject me with, god knows what, and then get them to threaten your niece and shoot your daughter. Wait a minute General, you've won father of the year awards before, huh?"
"How dare you, you pathetic-"
"What, clone?"
"You're a little shit just like Kent!"

Sam through a punch straight at Conner's clef chin. Conner just stood there, expecting the punch to hurt the General more then him. Then suddenly Conner was on the floor with a throbbing pain on his face.
"Well what do you know, I like that new injection, don't you Project 001CK?"
"Maybe you should sit down and shut up!" Conner kicked out his legs in anger.
Sam crashed into a pot plant, a little away from Conner.
"Boy!" Sam picked himself up onto his knees and lunged for Conner's throat.

"Hey! HEY! That's enough!"
Clark put himself between the two fighters, making Sam smack his head on Clark's steel like chest. Bruce picked Sam up from off the floor, an angry red mark already starting to make itself known on the man's forehead.
"Sir please, not in a hospital."

Clark offered a hand to Conner. Chloe ran towards them. "What the heck happened here?"
"Nothing." Conner said, as he rubbed his chin. "Your uncle and I, we kind of…Slipped. You how the floor is."
"Slipped?" Clark asked incredulously.
"Yeah Clark." Conner and the General's eyes met once more. "You ok Uncle Sam?"
"Don't you dare call me that Project 001CK." Sam whispered to Conner.
"How did you know about that name General?" Clark asked, shocked at what he had heard with his super hearing.

Bruce was shaken off the General roughly. He stood next to Chloe, both of them not knowing what the other three were whispering about.
"I'm Bruce Wayne by the way."
Chloe stared at him. "As in multi-billionaire, Bruce Wayne?"
Bruce Chuckled. "That would be me."
"Uh Huh." Chloe breathed to herself
"What?"
"Oh, just Clark surrounding himself with billionaires all the time, that's all."
Bruce laughed at the comment. "Yes, you're Chloe Sullivan right?"
"How-"
"Oliver Queen told me about you."
"Uh huh." Chloe breathed again. "Do you guys like have a 'I know Clark Kent Club' or something?"
Bruce just smiled at her question.

"Listen, maybe we should all just stay clam, sit down and wait and see how everything goes with Lois' transplant." Bruce said to the three males.
The General faced him. In his anger not recognising his face. "And who the hell are you?"
"Just someone who wants to help your daughter, now sit and wait."


Three hours later

Once more the doctor walked out of the ER. He removed his mask wearily. The five people waiting on Lois' condition sprinted towards him.
"Doctor did it work?" Clark asked, breathless with nerves.
"Yes, it did."

They all breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thankyou for saving my daughter sir." Sam said gratefully
"Unfortunately being under the sleeping gas for so long has brought up some complications."
"What?" Conner said

"I'm sorry but, Miss Lane has slipped into a coma."