Chapter 11

I straighten the red wig one last time before stepping out of the limo, Perry guiding me. The blinding flash of cameras momentarily stuns me as we briefly pause on the carpet for the paparazzi and then quickly enter the foyer. I clutch the bag carrying the rest of the items that Lionel gave me for dear life. A clerk quickly hands us VIP badges and then Perry ushers me to a quiet and conspicuously darkened section of the hallway.

"Thanks Perry, I've got it from here." I quietly say to him, trying my hardest not to scratch at the coloured contact lenses in my eyes.

"Are you sure you don't need my help with anything else?" he questions me, fatherly concern shining in his eyes.

"No. It's all going to be extremely risky so when you hear a huge commotion you better hightail it out of here. I know it goes against your reporter's instincts to leave a potential story but it's safer this way."

He smiles at me sadly, "Go get 'em Mad dog and see you after." he takes me into a hug. "I'm proud of you Lois. You and Clark will make it out of all of this. Just you wait and see."

"Thanks." I answer quietly, willing the tears not to fall. he releases me and steps back. I nod to him and sink into the shadows to scope the place out and find something a little more suitable to wear for the showdown.

Wayne-Luthor Plaza:

Lex pulls the black cap down over his face and adjusts his jacket collar yet again. He can't contain his anticipation as he sets about laying out his equipment under the guise of being an employee for one of the companies in attendance.

His smile widens and he begins to whistle as he places the last three devices around the displays. He glances at his watch, only forty minutes to go until he changes the course of history.

Anticipation courses through his veins, he doesn't know how he is going to wait so long. He looks around, slowly nodding to the six burly men he has recruited. Each nodding back, mingling in with the crowd.

Lex pushes his hands into his pockets and wanders around the room aimlessly, fantasising about his victory that is oh so near.

I pull the black tee down, wincing as the stitches in my shoulder pull. I shake my arm out and slide on a security jacket that I found laying about, expertly connecting the ear piece to the radio. Finally I place a black cap on, pulling it down low so no one can see my eyes. I check the clip in my gun and go through the equipment that Lionel gave me.

Assured that I have everything that I need I glance into a mirror, hardly recognising the woman peering back at me. A face that boasted youthful beauty is tight and drawn; eyes that had shown fierce spirit and passion were dull, almost lifeless. I can feel the weight of the world on my shoulders, knowing that if I fail tonight it's not just my world that comes crashing down but literally the whole world. Billions of lives hang in the balance and most importantly the lives of my husband and children.

I glance away, disgusted with myself at such a gross display of selfishness, Superman's wife should not be selfish. But with all that I've had to sacrifice for Clark being Superman do I not deserve such fleeting notions of selfishness?

I shake my head, chastising myself that this is not the time to mull over such thoughts. Later, if there is a later, I'll wade through all of this.

I open the door and enter the service hallway, headed out to the showroom. A couple of women walk towards me, I press against the wall to let them through as they offer a courteous hi in passing. I wave politely and keep going, my heart pounding the closer I get to the showroom. My palms are sweaty and I rub them against my pant legs, trying calm my nerves.

I step out into the show room and instantly start scanning the faces in the crowd, trying to discern whether there's anyone here that I recognise as a threat. Almost every face a recognisable one, just not a threatening one. There are however several burly men wearing security uniforms like am that look rather menacing than protecting. I shrug my shoulders, not seeing how the security guys appear to be my problem. I blindly turn around to head in another direction when I plough into a rather solid form.

An apology tumbles out of my mouth as I bend over to retrieve my cap that was knocked off. The shadow of the man looms over me as he steps closer, lording his size over me.

"It's alright Lois, I know there's a lot on your mind." the hairs on my neck stand up on end as I look up into the man's eyes. Revulsion and hate course through me.

The skies of Metropolis:

"He's your boyfriend big sis, I don't see why I have to be the one hugging him." Jack whines for the thousandth time.

"I'm not exactly thrilled about our current arrangement either dude." Danny retorts.

"I'll drop you both right now if you don't stop acting like children." Lara snaps back as she weaves in the air. She tightens her grip on Jack's shoulders and increases her speed. She feels worn out after an emotional explanation to her Aunt Lucy and flying the rest of her family from Chloe's apartment to Gotham. Not to mention that for the last three hours she has felt an increasing pressure within her, she worries that it's something from her Mom but has no way to get in contact with her. Lara was extremely worried about her Mom, especially since her face is plastered all over the news.

"Where are we going anyway?" Jack calls out, unnerved by the height and the speed they're travelling at.

"Didn't Lionel say something about the science symposium?" Danny yells.

Lara ignores the two of them and speeds through the air, heading towards the Wayne-Luthor Plaza. Suddenly a familiar rhythm beats its way into her ear drums. Vibrating within her whole being, lifting a small portion of the weight from within her. Lara lets a tiny smile tug at the corners of her mouth. She looks down on her brother and boyfriend, suddenly finding the situation funny. She lets a small laugh erupt from within.

"What's so funny?" Jack queries her.

Lara doesn't even get a chance to answer as a blur knocks them off course. Lara loses her grip on Jack. He and Danny plummet towards the ground. Lara's breath hitches as she zooms in on the blur, her father's battered unconscious form being trailed behind a lean man.

Danny's call for help rouses her from her stupor. She shakes her head and starts an immediate descent towards her little brother and her boyfriend. Her arms outstretched in front of her reaching for the two young men. She grasps the two of them firmly, mere feet from hitting the ground. Without as little as a pause she rockets to the roof of the Wayne-Luthor Plaza, dangling her brother and boyfriend behind her. She roughly dumps them on the roof and follows the lean man and her father through the broken rooftop window.

Inside the Wayne-Luthor Plaza:

Lois is momentarily stunned by Lex's appearance in front of her. He grins down at her with the same predatory smirk from just a few hours earlier. The memory of Lex's actions from earlier re-ignite the spirit within Lois. She stands to her full height, squaring off against the bald man who has now removed his cap. Everyone within the show room turns to stare at the two of them. One a man who has been dead for the last eight years and the other a woman who is wanted by the police for murder.

Hushed whispers echo throughout the vast space, Lois clenches her fist and swings at Lex. Her fist connects with Lex's face, she bites back her cry of pain as Lex stands as if untouched. Suited men swarm upon the duo, guns drawn. Lex casually places his hands in his pockets, his smirk growing wider as Lois hugs her injured hand to her chest.

There is an almighty crashing sound from above as glass rains down on the crowd, small shards of glass slicing small cuts over Lois's face. Lois lets out an audible gasp, not from pain but from shock. There is a loud thud as the bloody and broken body of Superman crashes into the polished floor.