CHAPTER 9

Clark felt as if he had been hit by green kryptonite as he staggered backwards into the kitchen. He collapsed onto one of the kitchen chairs and stared up at the police officer in shock.

Jason immediately rushes over to stand by his father and rests his hand on his shoulder. "Are you sure that it's my Mom?" he asks the officer.

"I'm afraid so," he replies.

"What happened?" Clark's voice barely above a whisper.

"A witness saw her car swerve in an attempt to avoid another car that had drifted over into your wife's lane. The car overturned and flipped over several times before ending up in a field," the officer responds.

"No, no, no," Clark mumbles over and over as he covers his mouth with his hands and starts rocking back and forth.

"Where is she now?" Jason asks.

"She is being transported to Met Gen," the officer tells him.

"Why not Smallville Medical Center? It's closer," Jason stares at the officer.

"The accident occurred just outside of Metropolis, that's why," the officer replies.

"Is she going to be alright?" Clark interrupts and lifts his head to look up at the officer with tears in his eyes. "She's pregnant," he whispers.

The officer's eyes widen at Clark's revelation. "She was pregnant?"

Clark stares at him through narrowed eyes. "What do you mean was?"

"I didn't mean to imply-"

Clark throws off his son's hand and stands up. "My wife is going to be okay – and so is our baby," glaring at the officer before striding over to the front door and flinging it open.

"Let's go, son," he says to Jason as he exits the house and heads toward the pick-up truck parked in the driveway.

The officer turns to Jason. "I didn't mean to imply anything," he tells him. "In fact, your mother is lucky she even survived the crash."

"I understand," Jason replies as he pulls on his jacket.

"Will you need an escort to the hospital?" the officer asks him as they both exit the house.

"I don't think that will be necessary, but thank you for offering," Jason replies with a small smile as he opens the door to the truck.

"Alright then," the officer nods his head, then turns and walks over to his cruiser. Jason gets behind the wheel and looks in the rearview mirror to watch as the car pulls out of the driveway and disappears down the road.

"I'll meet you at the hospital," Clark says and jumps out of the car; leaving the passenger side door wide open as he starts to super-speed away.

Jason straps in the seatbelt and quickly turns around in the driveway, then takes off down the road. About ten minutes later he's surprised to find his father walking along the side of the road. He pulls over and rolls down the window.

"Dad? Why aren't you at the hospital yet?" he asks.

"My super-speed gave out on me," he says as he climbs into the truck. "Damn super-speed," mumbling under his breath.

"What? How is that possible?" Jason asks with widening eyes.

"I don't know," he says with a sigh as he buckles his seatbelt. "Maybe it's because I haven't gotten enough sun lately. I have been cooped up in that house for the last few weeks after all."

"That makes sense," Jason nods his head as he pulls back onto the main road. "Why didn't you call me?" he asks next.

"I forgot my cell phone at home, but I knew you'd be coming along any minute," Clark answered.

"Okay," Jason replies. By the way, I called Debra and told her what happened. She's on her way."

"Okay," Clark replies while staring absently out the window.

They continue to ride in silence until they arrive at the hospital. Once Jason parks the car, they get out and walk through the emergency entrance. "My wife was just brought in?" Clark tells the nurse at the front desk.

"Your wife's name?" she asks.

"Lois Lane-Kent," he replies.

The nurse makes a quick call, then hangs up. "The doctor is still attending to your wife. I'll let you know when there's an update in her condition. In the meantime, you can have a seat in the waiting room," indicating the room just to the right of the entrance.

"Thank you," says Jason and they walk away.

Debra gets up from her chair when she sees them walk in and immediately runs over to throw her arms around her father. "She's going to be alright," she whispers in his ear.

"I'm sure she will be," he whispers in return before they pull apart. "Let's sit," he says and they all take a seat.

"I called Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Chloe. They're on their way," the words barely out of Debra's mouth as Jimmy and Chloe enter the waiting room. "That was quick," she quips as they all get up from their seats to greet them.

"So exactly what happened?" asks Jimmy as they sit back down again.

"All we know is that another car drifted over into Lois' lane and she swerved to avoid it," says Clark.

"What about the driver?" asks Chloe as she takes a sip out of the coffee cup she brought in with her.

"We don't know," Jason answers with a sigh as he leans back in his chair.

"Mr. Kent?"

They all look up to see a police officer walking towards them. "I'm Clark Kent," he replies as he stands up. "Do you have any more information about the accident?" he asks.

"I do," the officer replied as he pulls out a notepad and flips it open. "The driver of the other car lost control of the car because he had a stroke and fell unconscious behind the wheel."

"Is he going to be okay?" asks Debra.

"The doctor's not sure," replies the officer. "She's talking with the family right now."

"I was afraid it was going to be a drunk driver," Jason remarks thoughtfully.

"Do you have any other information?" Clark asks.

"That's all we have right now. We'll let you know when we do," the offer tells him.

"Thank you," Clark says and briefly shakes his hand before the officer turns and walks away.

"Clark?"

They all look up to see Emil striding towards them. "I hope you're the one taking care of Lois," says Clark in a hopeful tone.

"I was just about to head on home when Lois was brought in," he replies as he stops in front of Clark.

"So how is Lois?" Clark asks.

"It's going to be touch and go for the next twenty-four hours because of her injuries-"

"What about the baby?" Clark interrupts. "Is the baby going to be okay?"

Emil rests his hands on Clark's shoulders. "We have a team of specialists from Dr. Swann's foundation doing their very best to save them both."

"Can I see her?" Clark asks him.

"I'm sorry, Clark, but nobody is allowed in the operating room," Emil replies.

He's about to say something else when his cell phone beeps. "Damn," he mutters under his breath when he reads the text message. "I'm sorry, but I have to take care of something at home," he says reluctantly as he returns the phone to his jacket pocket. "I'll return as soon as I can and I won't leave again until Lois' condition is stable."

He sees the worry in Clark's eyes and adds, "Lois is in very capable hands. Right now, the only thing any of you can do for Lois is pray for her and the baby." He pulls out his car keys. "I'll be right back," he says, then turns and walks out the front door.

Clark stands there for a moment without saying a word, then starts walking in the opposite direction.

"Where are you going?" Jimmy calls out after him.

"I'm going for a walk," he snaps back he turns a corner and disappears from Jimmy's view.

Chloe starts to walk after him, but finds herself being pulled back. "I think we should leave him alone right now," says Jimmy.

"But what if-"

"Honey," Jimmy says softly while placing his hands on her shoulders. "Let him be."

"I guess so," she sighs as he pulls her close and holds her in his arms.

Meanwhile…

Clark starts to walk past the door to the hospital chapel, but changes his mind and turns the doorknob. He opens it and peers inside. Once he sees that nobody was there, he walks into the room and lets the door close behind him.

He slowly walks down the aisle and enters one of the pews and sits down. He sits there in the peaceful silence for a few moments before he folds his hands and quietly begins to pray.

I know it's been over a month since I last talked to you and I'm sorry. I could make up an excuse, but you would see right through it.

He pauses a moment before he continues.

When Lois left me, I felt a pain that I've never felt before. It was the pain of losing the love of my life. I have nobody but myself to blame. I should have been happy about our miracle baby, but instead I only thought about myself and how it was going to affect me. I was a jerk – to put it mildly. Now Lois and our baby are fighting for their lives. I have all these amazing powers, but yet I feel so helpless because there's nothing I can do.

He stops to dab his eyes with a tissue. I know I don't deserve it, but please take care of my wife and child. I want…need to tell them how sorry I am. I love them so much and I'll do whatever it takes to bring them back home where they belong.

He stops again when he feels a warm hand on his shoulder. He reaches up and rests his hand over it before looking up; his eyes widening when he sees the person standing there…

TO BE CONTINUED…