Again, a thanks to Danette for proofreading.
And for those of you who review, thank you :D. It really keeps the writing drive going :P

Part 14a - Humanity

Superman turned to the Courthouse, lawyers, police, and all the people around giving him a large girth of space.

Many people were understandably stunned and shaken by his display of authority, and some feared he was angry, despite the fact that his mighty power was slowly ebbing away, as if once again going back deep within him.

Superman stepped forward as the EMTs and paramedics poured onto the scene. He could see four officers were injured in and outside the building, so he immediately searched for the most seriously hurt.

Coming to an officer against a marble column, he kneeled down, two other officers already tending to him.

"Do you need my help?" Superman asked them.

They both looked up from their work, the wound now bandaged.

"Officers?" Superman asked, seeing that they weren't saying anything.
"Oh, sorry. Yeah. We've stopped the bleeding the best we can, but I'm sure you could take McGee to the hospital faster than any ambulance could."
"Alright."

Reaching down, he lifted the wounded man up. The man was vaguely aware what was happening, his uniform already testifying to the reason.

Looking at the man in the eyes, Superman spoke. "Officer McGee, I'm taking you to the hospital now. You'll be fine."

He then turned to leave, but paused when he felt a surprisingly firm hand on his shoulder.
He turned slightly to find Henderson looking straight into his eyes.

He hadn't noticed until just then how stiff he was; he had forced himself into an artificial calm, almost putting himself on autopilot.
But all of that melted away when he felt the human hand on his shoulder and met Henderson's eyes.

Henderson's eyes appeared to be searching for something within his own, his solid gaze imbedded in a concern Clark had only seen his father give him, and one of those times had been after he had somehow smashed a metal toy car in his little four-year-old fist.

Clark was about to ask what was wrong when Henderson finally spoke, actually giving his shoulder a soft shake as he did so.

"Don't bother yourself with what fools say. Your compassion alone speaks volumes. You remember that," he said.

Superman stared back, gratitude filling him up, so much so he couldn't voice it, but could only manage a nod.

Henderson returned the nod, acknowledging Superman's obvious thanks. And then Superman was off, taking Officer McGee to Saint Andrews Hospital.

- - -

Nurse Schmitt ran to the doors, the word of injured officers on the way sounding loud over the speakers. When most of the nurses ran to the entrances for the ambulances, Nurse Schmitt went to the one where she knew she'd be needed: the side entrance.

After having watched the news in the waiting room, seeing Superman lift the most seriously injured officer, she knew he would be on his way to Andrews.

Her heart currently ached for him to be honest. She saw the pain in his eyes when that 'man' had said what he had to him. She saw what she thought was sunlight reflect brightly in his eyes, his jaw clenching for a fraction of a second before relaxing as he hid his feelings once more.

She promised herself to have a private word with him after having seen that…

Exiting the hospital, the doors billowing behind her, she wasn't really surprised when he landed before her soon after, the man in his arms nearly unconscious.

"Superman, follow me," she said, as a nurse behind held the door open for them. She led him to a stretcher, two doctors quickly joining them who were too much in doctor mode to pay Superman too much attention.

"The bullet is right there," Superman told them, pointing to the side of the man's chest. "It's up against an artery, and a piece of the bullet is over here, up against this rib."
"Alright, thank you Superman," the doctor said, before rolling Officer McGee away.

Nurse Schmitt turned to Superman, the other nurses stepping in, somehow knowing Schmitt would catch up later.

Schmitt gracefully took Superman by the arm, and glided him into a currently empty bunk room.

The people around let Schmitt be, knowing all too well that she would do what she thought she should in any situation; and besides, she appeared to be on a mission.

"Nurse Schmitt, I…" he began after the door had shut.
"Don't you dare start by saying what he said didn't bother you and that you're fine. I know better, I saw your face when he said it."

Superman went silent at that.

She was right.
It had hurt.
It had hurt a lot.

She looked at him, his side to her, seeing that his eyes weren't really focused on anything.

"Don't trouble yourself with things you cannot change, especially things that you shouldn't anyways. But I'm sure you already knew that…

"There are two definitions of humanity. One is the condition of being human, and that probably doesn't fit you very well. But the other meaning is benevolence and kindness, and in that respect you're more human than all of us. That's all I wanted to tell you. I needed to make sure you knew that." She turned to the door for them to exit, but she stopped as Superman spoke.

"Wait, Nurse Schmitt…"

She turned to him.

"Thanks…"

She gave him a smile. "There is something else, isn't there, Superman?"

Oh, she's good.

"Well, since I'm here, there was something I wanted to talk to you about."
"Oh?"
"David…some of his treatment was done here, right?"
"Yes, the more intensive treatment which was only offered here. Why?"

"The children that stay here at the hospital, I'd like to visit them, and, uh…"
"Cheer them up?" she asked, smiling knowingly.

"If that could be allowed…"

"I'm sure I could work something out with the hospital administration."
"Well, I'd also like to visit General as well…"
"You really try to do everything don't you?"

He met her eyes.

"Very well, I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you."

- - -

Monday arrived, and as usual, Clark went to his desk and got comfortable only to have Perry shout for everyone to get up and get in his office.

It was the usual.
Get out, write a page one story… That kind of thing, again, also involving Superman.

Finally back at his desk, he tried not to think about what was coming at 7.

Why did I have to do this? What was I thinking? Go to a doctor, have him examine you, help see how you tick… Clark, you must have lost it…

"Something wrong Mr. Kent?"

Clark looked up to find Jimmy looking down at him, his face full of concern.

"No, nothing's wrong, I'm just thinking…"
"Whatever you're thinking about must not be very pleasant, you looked almost sick there for a second. Sure nothing is wrong?"
"Nothing to worry about Jimmy, just things that need to get done."
"Alright, well if you need anything, just tell me…especially if it involves a story…" he added with a smile.
"Will do Jimmy."

He watched Jimmy walk away, only to turn to find Lois coming towards him.

"Alright partner, we have some work to do."

He got up and followed her to her desk, knowing full well that she was in Lane-Hunting-For-Story mode.

She sat down and took a glance around before continuing.

"Have you spoken to him?"
"To who?"

He honestly had no clue what she was asking about.

"Clark, I swear."

Then it clicked.

"Oh! Oh, him… yeah, uh, before I came in for work today..."

Kent, you are bending the truth…
But it's still the truth isn't it?

"Is he angry?" she asked, concern leaking in.

Again with the concern…he noted.

"Angry? Why would he be an- … oh." He paused before continuing. "Lois, I'd say he was more hurt than anything…" he muttered, his eyes now tracing the edge of the desk.
"Is he okay? I mean, is he going to be okay?"
"Yeah… why wouldn't he be?" he asked, now really wondering why she was this concerned.

Sure it had hurt, and it still did a little when he thought about it, but thanks to Henderson and Schmitt, it was better. He wasn't going to let some lunatic get to him like that.

"I guess you didn't see it on the television did you?" she whispered.
"No…I didn't."
"Well, it just looked to me like he was between being furious and deeply hurt an instant before he put on his neutral face."
"'Neutral face'?"
"Yeah, I'm sure you've noticed that look he puts on every once in a while."

Clark just paused, looking dumbfounded.

"I guess not. Well, that doesn't really matter; what does is finding more out about these guys."
"Lois, they've been caught."
"Yeah, sure. But not their leaders. Come on Kent, think. What kind of people have that much fire power? Not your run-of-the-mill criminals."

"Lois, I already know they're part of the Mafia -"

"What?! Where'd you hear that?"

Uh-oh, you've done it now Kent. Think! Think of something quick!

"Uh, Superman told me…"

Next time, just stand there and look stupid.

"Superman? When did he talk to you? And how does he know they're part of the Mafia?"
"I… talked to him this morning remember? Before work… and he said Henderson told him…"

Nice save.

"Oh."

"Yeah, apparently those guys at the bank were completing their initiation into the Mafia."
"I guess they passed…"
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, some other Mafia characters tried to bail them out, didn't they? Just the hard way."

Lois paused, just watching Clark's wheels turning in his head. She concluded it was quite an interesting sight.

"Are you done thinking Smallville?"
"Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about that threat. Do you think Sarkov was serious?"
"I don't know. But I think we should investigate his higher ups, and help put them away before they even get the chance."
"Okay, what's the plan then?"

Clark knew he was in trouble right as she met his eyes.

"Bobby Bigmouth. I'll go and talk to him later."
"Alone?!"
"Yes, he's a shy kind of snoop. Besides, for some reason he's intimidated by you."
"When did he tell you that?"
"He didn't have to. I saw it on his face the first and only time we went to speak to him. But later he told me you have this mysterious thing about you."
"'Thing?'" Clark asked, unable to hide his worry.

"Don't worry Clark, it's probably just because you grew up in the country. You probably brought the feeling of wide open spaces with you. Bobby is used to the streets, things being tight and confined. You're just the opposite. Why do you think I always have to go into shady alleyways to talk to him? He feels comfortable there, and since you represent the opposite, and because you're the only partner I've ever kept for an extended amount of time, he doesn't know what to expect from you."

"Oh."

Clark had never heard Lois' take on him, and the fact that she just mentioned him being the only partner she'd kept made him swell a little bit with pride as well as a hint of elation.

Lois noticed this a little bit.

"Hey Kent, an extended amount of time isn't forever buddy…but I must admit, I guess Bobby's right. There is something different about you."

He decided not to say anything to that, which was good, because Lois immediately moved on, privately a little embarrassed at her admission.
The rest of the day involved deep research into Greg Sarkov's past, as well as his friends', until finally, it was time to go home and get ready for 7.

- - -

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Begging is not beneath me... :P
The 2nd part to this will be up later this week