Chapter 9: Arrivals and Departures

When Clark had finally arrived at the apartment carrying Lois, who was still unconscious, something struck him. A cord in his heart which he thought he might never feel. There were so many different feelings were attacking his senses, Hearing the kids in the bedroom playing, enjoying childish antics; his niece, son, and nephew by blood. Blood, something he never thought he'd have in the family department. Then he heard his sister in the kitchen cursing silently under her breath, catching the scent of some smoke drifting from the kitchen entrance. Though the most exhilarating of all the feelings he felt, was holding Lois in his arms, even if she was unconscious.

In the living room, a man, not so old, but passed his prime, sat, Lucius Fox he assumed.

Walking into the living room, he sat Lois down on the sofa, ever so carefully. Lucius looked at Clark; Bruce had often spoken of him. Lucius also knew Clark's secret.

"Hello there Clark, it's nice to finally meet you," outstretching his hand for a friendly handshake with a warm smile.

Clark reached out his hand in return, smiling as well, "Nice to meet you as well."

"And who is the young lady?"

"Oh this is Lois Lane," Clark said in a soft voice as not to wake her. Then gesturing towards the children's room, "The boy, Jason's, mother."

Lucius took an intake a breath, "Ahh…Mara was telling me about Jason," giving Clark a pointed look which showed he knew of Jason paternity, "It seems he is a similar predicament as the Wayne children once were. Though I don't know how such a thing can be solved without his mother uncovering certain facts to the whole procedure."

"Yes that is a bit of problem," Clark nervously replied.

Mara had heard in the kitchen and both men heard her snort, "A bit…that's an understatement."

Clark then turned his attention back to Lois and gently shook her shoulders, "Lois…Lois…its time to wake up. Come on Lois," Clark continued, watching Lois' eyes slowly flutter open.

"Where am I?" Lois groggily asked.

"We are at the apartment."

"What's that awful smell?" Lois asked trying not to gag.

A loud crash was heard in the kitchen, and both Clark and Lucius tried to hide their laughter.

Clark smiled, not his corky smile, but a smile unlike one she had ever seen, one that made his face light up in such away it was indescribably handsome as he said, "That's what Mara calls dinner."

Another crash was heard from the kitchen and Lucius couldn't help but laugh aloud.

"Hello Miss Lane, I am Lucius Fox, earlier Mara informed me of Jason's allergies."

Lois nodded her head, "Do you think there is anything that could be done?"

"Well it's hard to say...," giving a pointed look at Clark where he stood behind Lois, "It all depends on Jason's blood type. Dependent on whether you and he are a match or him and his father."

Lois looked nervously at Lucius, "I think he probably has his father's blood type, but I can't be sure."

Lucius smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry Miss Lane; we'll have this figured out shortly."

Mara gave one last rather loud shout from the kitchen, and then walked out fixing her hair and trying to wipe any leftovers off her clothes and said, "Dinner is ready."

Everyone moved to the table, while Mara brought forward the "food". The faces of those at the table said it all, what kind of food is this? Mara though sat down happily smiling, "Eat up, everyone."

Clark pushed the food around, obviously having no intent to eat. Lois made excuses that she wasn't feeling too well since she fainted and asked about wrapping her's up.

Jordan was also pushing around the food on his plate, making faces when the clumps wouldn't come apart, "When is Alfred coming back?"

Mara looked at her son, How cute he misses Alfred…"Aw honey Alfred will be back soon with Daddy. Why is something wrong?"

"Well Momma he makes good food."

Mara's face turned ten shades of red and everyone at the table looked away, trying not to make eye contact, "What's wrong with my food" Mara couldn't believe it, no one liked the dinner she slaved over. Well they obviously didn't know good cooking.

"Momma, its not you, its me," Jordan said in a very empathetic voice.

Well all the adults at the table nearly choked. Eventually the adults began to eat the "food" trying their best to set a good example for the kids.

Clark glanced at his sister, how she ate that, whatever was that was on her plate, and enjoyed it, he'd never know, but if eating this sludge made her happy then he'd do it. He smiled, he never really envisioned himself eating sludge to make someone he cared about happy. That's when he felt it, like heat vision on his skin, her stare. Lois was staring at him, and she didn't know it. Well this could be a good thing. When he looked her way, she quickly turned away, shaking her head out of whatever daze she had been in.

Lucius took a breath and asked, "Mara are you ready, with the kids?"

Mara nodded grabbing her brood of children, and motioning for Lois and Jason to follow her, she began to lead the way. They walked to the elevator, taking it down to the basement. There they continued across the cold stone expanse, heels clicking on the floor, Mara then walked up to a steel wall. There she opened a circuit breaker box, and flipped a series of switches, which opened a door barely noticeable in the steel. Finally through there was a mini hospital you might say.

"Alright Mara you know the drill…Kids sit over there…Lois you can watch from over here with Clark at the monitors," Lucius barked out orders, prepping Mara for the transfusion.

Lois glanced around, "Clark," she whispered, "Do you think it is a bit much," motioning to the whole place, "I mean …really Clark do you?"

"Gee Lois;" trying to seem unaffected by anything out of the normal, which was like this whole place, "I think it's probably a standard procedure."

He was feeling though a tad insecure, plus there was something in there, something making him feel weak, like a kryptonite effect. He looked at Mara where she lay through the glass window; she looked so frail and sickly. She had just moments before she had seemed so fine, and now. Glancing at Lucius Fox he saw it…there in his hand was needle made of kryptonite.