Previously…
"Kal she looks familiar."
Clark nods. "I know. You've seen photos of her."
"I have? Who is she?"
Clark takes a breath before answering. "She's Lois Lane."
Diana stands there, her mind blank as she tries to take in what Kal just said. The woman lying there on the bed that she and Kal were sharing such a short time ago is the once love of Kal's life Lois Lane. As she watches him tend over Lois so tenderly jealously flares up within her. As he stands up she pushes the jealously down into the pit of her stomach. "Is she really Lois?" Diana asks.
Clark turns to look at her. "Yes it is. She must have come through the mirror"
"She comes from a parallel universe?"
"She must have. There is no other explanation. Now we better get changed before she wakes up"
Diana frowns in confusion at that last part.
"You're in my shirt and I'm in shorts Diana and we don't know what she knows about us in her universe" Clark explains.
Diana nods in understanding. "You are correct of course."
Clark smiles and heads to his wardrobe to dig out a Superman uniform. He had hoped not to have to wear this for a couple of days. Diana does the same as gets back into her Wonder Woman outfit.
"Are you ok Kal?" Diana asks him concerned at this development, remembering how much grief he went through with Lois dying.
"I'm fine Diana. This is not the Lois I knew and besides I grieved for her and put those feelings to bed a year ago." he says trying to assure her. Clark had a feeling he needed to say that for Diana's benefit. Once they are both changed he takes Diana into his arms. "I love you Diana. Nothing will change that but we have to help this Lois get home once we find out her story"
"I know. I understand. I love you so much" she tells him hugging him tightly.
Before either of them can say anything more there is stirring from the bed. Clark reluctantly breaks out of Diana's embrace and walks over and sits down on the bed next to Lois. "Lois?" he queries.
What happens next makes Diana's blood boil. Lois's eyes spring open, then she sits up and kisses Kal. Not just a peck either. It is a kiss of great passion.
After recovering from the shock of Lois kissing him Clark holds Lois in his arms. He can hear her crying. "Lois?" he queries once more.
Lois pulls back and it is then she notices Diana. "Superman. Who is she?" Lois asks with a distinct hint of jealously in her voice while she wipes some of the tears away.
Clark sighs. "Lois. There is something you need to know. Well in fact it'll be easier if I show you. Can you walk?" he asks her.
Lois nods and Clark offers his hand which Lois takes. Clark then helps Lois to her feet. All 3 of them then head to the armoury. As he walks along Clark can't help but notice the look of confusion on Lois' face as she tries to take in what must be unfamiliar surroundings.
Lois is desperately trying to figure out what is going on. This is Superman's Fortress, yet it isn't. She had woken up joyfully when she had seen Superman there sitting next to her. Then she spots this far too good looking woman standing there in a swimsuit essentially that she has never met before. Her head is sore and she has little idea what is going on. She really needs to speak to Superman alone but that doesn't look likely at the minute. After they walk for a while they stop in front of what looks like a mirror.
"Lois. Do you know what this is?" Clark asks her.
Lois shakes her head. "No. You never told me. You just said you found it where a meteor had apparently landed. Well it turned out to an alien ship of some sort and you said it was too dangerous to allow anyone else to have what was inside."
Clark feels that Lois is holding back in telling the whole truth but under the circumstances that is understandable and her story is plausible. "Lois. This is a Quantum Mirror. It is a doorway that allows you to travel between parallel universes"
Lois looks at Superman puzzled. "I don't understand"
Clark takes a breath. "Lois I am not your Superman. This is a parallel universe. You shouldn't be here"
"How can you be so sure of that? How do you know I am not your Lois Lane?"
Clark wishes she hadn't asked that. "Because in this universe Lois you're dead"
Lois just stares at him. "I…what…no. I can't die. You wouldn't let me die" she protests in disbelief at what he just said.
Clark grimaces. "I wasn't here Lois. I had gone away…"
"to Krypton" Lois finishes for him.
"Yes."
Lois takes a moment to absorb this. Ok this was strange even for her. So she is in a parallel universe. A universe in which she is dead. God is that a terrible thought. A universe without her in it. Anyway she's off track. This isn't her Superman. What does she do now? "What happens now?"
Clark looks down on her. "You go home Lois"
Lois' eyes widen at that. "No please you can't. You don't know what my universe is like. They'll kill me"
"What'll kill you?" Diana asks having watched the whole thing so far.
"Who are you?" Lois asks her.
"I am Diana. Princess of the Amazons"
Lois snorts. "Yeah right. Amazons." She looks at Superman. "You buying this rubbish?"
Clark looks at Lois disapprovingly. He had forgotten how cynical she could be. "Yes since it happens to be true. Now why don't you answer her question. What will kill you?"
Lois cannot just believe that Superman told her off. It just goes to prove that this is definitely not her Superman. He never tells her off. Argues with her occasionally, yes, but tells off, never. "I don't know. Some horrid creatures with wings"
"Parademons" Clark growls. He had suspected it after that one had come through the mirror but he just needed Lois to confirm it.
"You know what they are?"
"Unfortunately." Clark says bitterly.
"Well they are everywhere on…well my Earth. They serve some alien dictator"
"Darkseid"
Lois is a bit taken aback by the sheer venom in Superman's voice as he said that.
"What happened to my double? Hasn't he been able to stop it?" Clark asks Lois.
At this tears fill up in Lois' eyes. "He…he was captured. He is this Darkseid's prisoner"
Clark pulls Lois into his embrace. That explains why she kissed him so passionately upon her awakening. She had mistaken him for her Superman. Actually does that really explain it? Hmm he may have to see about finding an opportune moment to ask her about that but not right now obviously.
"What about the Justice League?" Diana asks.
Lois pulls back and looks at her. "What is the Justice League?" she asks puzzled.
Of course this being a parallel universe that this Lois comes from Clark knew there would be differences. "The heroes of this world, we formed a group so we could work together to bring Justice to the world. Combining our resources." Clark explains to Lois.
"Heroes?" she asks confused at the plural.
"They're aren't any others like me or Diana using their gifts to help people?" Clark asks.
Lois looks at Diana. "Gifts? She has powers like you?"
"Some. Diana possesses great strength, speed and the power of flight" Clark explains to Lois.
Lois's eyes widen. "She flies!? Is she like you? You know Kryptonian?"
Clark chuckles. "No. Like Diana said. She is an Amazon." Clark can see from Lois' expression that that isn't clearing it up for her. "Essentially Diana is human. Her body is a bit denser than your average human."
"Like you?" Lois queries interrupting.
"Not that dense. Bullets can penetrate her skin"
"I was gifted by the Gods. They granted me my strength, speed and flight" Diana adds.
"Gods?" Lois asks.
Clark shakes his head at the mention of Diana's Gods. He still doesn't like them very much. "Just think of them as beings who possess great power. That is how I deal with it." he says before turning to Diana. "No offence"
Diana smiles sweetly. "None taken" she tells him. She had come to accept his mistrust of her Gods since he always respected her beliefs and never tried to dissuade her from them and lest face it Diana didn't like all her Gods. Ares and Hades are just a couple of the ones she has issues with.
Lois watches the interaction between Superman and this Diana and for some reason it didn't sit easy with her. "Ok can we get back to this Justice League?"
Clark turns his attention back to Lois. "Of course. Like I said we grouped together so we could achieve more. There is nothing like this in your universe?"
Lois shakes her head. "The only hero in my world is you" she tells Superman.
"That explains it" Clark mutters.
"Sorry?" Lois asks.
"I said that explains how my double was taken prisoner. Even I can't fight the armies of Darkseid by myself. Not to mention he himself is very powerful"
Lois nods her head sadly. "I know. I saw. He used these beams from his eyes on my Superman after he had worn him down with those parademons"
"Omega Beams" Clark calls them by their proper name. He shudders at the memory of the pain of what they felt like when he fought Darkseid. They managed to cause quite severe burns to his skin.
"You speak from personal experience?" Lois asks.
Clark nods. "Yes. Darkseid tried to conquer this Earth a few years back but we beat him with some help"
"Then you can help save my world" Lois suddenly realises.
"Whoa now wait a minute Lois. As I said even I can't fight the combine armies of Darkseid" Clark reminds her recognising the expression on Lois's face as one she gets when she has what she thinks is a great idea. She will then recklessly pursue said idea regardless of how much danger it got her into. Now he thinks about it being Lois' partner all those years ago was a lot of hard work.
"What about this Justice League of yours? Can't they help?" Lois asks not wanting to give up on her idea of getting this Superman to help. After all if he beat this Darkseid once he can do it again.
Clark looks at Diana for help. He knows what Lois wants him to do and he is torn. On one side innocent people are no doubt suffering, yet this is not his universe. Is it any of his business to interfere in another universe?
Diana strolls up to Kal and places her hand on his shoulder in a gesture of support. "Lois. May I call you Lois?"
"It is my name" Lois mutters, unhappy at what she has just witnessed.
"Lois. What you are asking is for us to intervene in the course of destiny of another universe. There may be unforeseen consequences to such an action" Diana tries to gently explain.
"Maybe but why am I here if not to find help. That is what I was doing before I fell through this mirror." Lois gestures at it.
Clark sighs and looks at Diana. "It wouldn't hurt to at least ask the others about this"
Diana nods. "I will contact them and tell them what is going on"
"Good. Thank you. Oh you better tell them to get the controller out of the vault while they are at it. I can't shut the mirror off without it."
Diana nods once more and heads off leaving Lois alone with Kal. From what she observed she isn't as anxious as she thought she would be leaving them alone. Kal loves her. He told her so and she didn't doubt him. She never doubts him and it seems at times he looked at Lois like she is a petulant child which she almost was at times. Whatever did he see in her Diana wonders. Not that she doubts that underneath her bravado Lois is a good person like Kal said she was but from that brief meeting she just can't understand how Kal could put up with it. He needs someone kind and understanding like her. Oh well they can talk about this later. After all their ability to discuss anything was a very important part of their relationship. However for right now Diana needs to inform the League about what is going on.
"I thought she would never leave" Lois mutters after Diana leaves.
Clark frowns. "Lois. I do have superhearing" he reminds her.
"Oh sorry Smallville" she says theatrically and sarcastically.
Clark's eyes widen. "What did you call me?"
"Smallville. I called you Smallville Clark"
"You know who I am?"
Lois snorts. "Of course I do. I just didn't want to say it in front of Swimsuit Girl"
"Her name is Diana and there is no reason you couldn't have said it in front of her. Diana knows everything about me"
"Moved on quick didn't you?" Lois says petulantly.
"Excuse me?"
"Lets see, I die and you hook up with, what turns out to be, an actual Amazon. I am so glad I meant that much to you"
Clark is getting annoyed. God how could he have forgotten how petty Lois could be sometimes. "Lois. Stop. First I mourned you for over 4 years and second insult Diana again and I will throw you back into that mirror and leave you to deal with your problems by yourself"
Lois turns to look at Clark dead on. "You wouldn't dare!"
"Try me" he says in a tone that leaves no room for argument.
For a few moments they stand there glaring at each other before Lois's gaze softens. "You're right. I'm sorry. It is just I have had a really rotten last few weeks and on top of that I'm missing my children"
At that Clark's gaze softens as well. "You have children?" he asks.
Lois nods. "A son and a daughter"
"I'm glad. I always thought you would be a great mother" he says truthfully.
"Thanks. What about yourself?"
Clark shakes his head. "No although I am the godparent to Chloe's children"
"Chloe?" Lois queries.
"Your cousin"
Lois looks at him like he is nuts. "I don't have a cousin called Chloe"
"Well you do in this universe. Did your mother have a sister?"
Lois thinks about that for a moment. "Oh yeah she did. She died of lung cancer. She was a habitual smoker. I think she had a boyfriend at the time."
"Gabe Sullivan by any chance?"
Lois nods. "Yes that was his name"
"Well Chloe is your aunt's daughter with Gabe."
"What is she like?" Lois asks interested.
Clark shrugs. "Like you in some ways"
"I don't understand"
"Well she is a journalist for starters. Works at the Planet. Perry gave her the job after meeting her at your funeral. She is tenacious, headstrong, has this knack for getting into trouble and needing Superman to save her"
Lois giggles at that. "Let me guess…she is your partner"
Clark nods.
Lois bursts out into full blown laughter. "You can certainly pick them can't you"
Clark has to agree with Lois there. First Chloe in school, then Lois, then back to Chloe again. "Well Chloe and I go way back" he says in his own defence.
"I don't understand, again" she says while she gets her laughter back under control.
"Chloe was my childhood friend. We grew up together. We worked on the school paper. It was Chloe that got me interested in journalism"
"Does she know who you are?"
Clark nods. "Since I was 17"
Lois stands there goggled eyed. "You told her!" she says a little outraged considering what she had to go through to learn of Clark's identity.
"No. Well yes. What I mean is that I saved her from a car accident and she saw me do it. I didn't have much choice after that"
Lois nods in understanding. "So what are her children like?"
"Oh they're lovely. The girl looks just like her and her son is a cross between her and Jimmy"
"Why Jimmy?"
"Because Jimmy is her husband"
"Olsen married my cousin!" Lois says in raised voice of pure shock.
"Calm down Lois. She really isn't your cousin exactly"
Lois takes a breath. "I'm calm. I'm calm. So what are their names?"
Clark smirks. "Lois and Clark"
"She named them after us? Is she insane?"
"No. Lois was a tribute to you and well Clark was a tribute to me"
"Huh?" Lois asks completely lost.
"I was sort of dead at the time she gave birth"
"Sort of dead? How can you be sort of dead?"
"Well it's a long story Lois and not one I wish to go into right now"
"Ok so can I ask how did I die?"
"Car accident. A couple of months after I left"
Lois frowns at that. "Hey I remember that. It was just a little fender bender. Some idiot hit me from behind. Oh I gave him a piece of my mind I can assure you"
"I can imagine Lois but in this universe it was a lot more than that. He hit your car at 100 and you didn't survive. That was over 10 years ago now. We just had the anniversary not too long ago. Your whole family was there." Clark then makes a face. "Even Lucy" he adds.
Lois looks at Clark intently after the look he gets and the way he says her sister's name. A smile forms on her face. "Lucy hits on you doesn't she?"
"Shamelessly"
Lois chuckles. "Yeah that is just like my Lucy but to me that bump was only 7 years ago for me. Isn't that odd?"
Clark shrugs. "Not really. Time may move a little slower on your Earth if it has a slightly greater mass since time slows down in the presence of a gravitational field"
Lois arches an eyebrow. "Did you just go all science geek on me there Kent?"
"Yep" Clark says proudly. "And if we're sharing stories can I ask how do you know who I am?"
"Lets just say your Jedi mind tricks aren't as good as you think they are"
"Oh"
Lois looks at him mildly amused. "You too huh? God two universes, two Clarks and you're still a great big dumb alien in both. You're just lucky I am the forgiving type"
Clark snorts loudly at that comment.
"What?"
"Lois I have seen you hold a grudge for years. Before I left you had had one with Lynda King for like 10 years"
"Oh that is so different" Lois argues.
"Oh my God! You still have that grudge with her in your universe don't you?"
"She keeps hitting on my husband. It my right as a wife to hold that against her. Not to mention she stole my story and my boyfriend when we were 18. There is no low to which that woman would not stoop."
Clark laughs. "You know its been 10 years for me and yet you are just like I remember"
"Well good"
"Not entirely. I think I glossed over some of your flaws in my memory because of you being dead"
"Flaws?" Lois asks insulted by his comment. "I don't have any flaws. My husband thinks I'm perfect"
"Well of course he does Lois. He's your husband." Clark explains like it is a very obvious thing. "By the way you never mentioned his name"
"I'm not sure you want to know" Lois says suddenly very uncomfortable.
"Of course I do. I would love to know what man tamed the great Lois Lane"
"Look in a mirror" she mutters.
"What?" he asks not quite sure he heard her correctly even with his hearing.
Lois looks at Clark dead in the eye. "I said look in a mirror Clark because that man is you. You're my husband and my name is Lois Lane-Kent"