Part 24 - Public Knowledge

It had been a few days after that 'incident' in the hospital. Price and Superman had already had their appointment, discovering that Superman's heat vision was similar to his x-ray vision, only that it was much-much more focused.

They had also done extensive tests concerning his aura.

Clark leaned back in his chair, thinking back to one 'experiment' in particular.

"Dr. Price…I don't know about this…" Superman said, taking the knife Price was handing to him.

He was once again shirtless, sitting on the examination table and under the eyes of Dr. Price, but this time Charlie was there as well, operating the Aura Camera.

"Well, how else do you propose we go about this?"
"I don't know…it's just a little…I just…Dr. Price, you're asking me to try to cut myself!" Clark finally got out.
"Well, it's not like you're going to get hurt."

True…he thought, giving a sigh.

The fact was, the idea of purposely 'testing' his invulnerability just felt…well…wrong. Sure, when he had been a kid he was a little less cautious when he was alone, that was how he ended up falling through that roof, but he never actually tried to see if he could make a blade go dull.

"Clark, the chief wants us."

Clark was startled out of his thoughts by Lois, but quickly shook himself and followed her.

The past few days had been interesting, Lois covering for him magnificently whenever he had to leave for a rescue. He could definitely get used to that, not to mention their private glances to one another across the bullpen. They had talked a little bit about what had happened at the hospital, but both of them were just as clueless as Dr. Price and May. They both had then decided to put it in the backs of their minds—there was no use wondering about things that would only distract them from finding those people who had started those turn of events to begin with.

Clark knew this was not a normal meeting with Perry, the editor looking even more alert than usual.

"What's up Chief?" Lois asked, taking a seat.
"Shut the door please," he stated. Clark did so.

"I have two things to tell you, both newsworthy, one lighter than the other. I'll go with the lighter one first. Scientists in Central America are going stir crazy at finding what they are calling, 'an alternate and ultimate power source.' It is being transported to a lab downtown some time next week. I want you two to cover it when it does."

"Alright chief, what's the other news?"

"I just spoke to the Mayor. He called me in concern about what …uh…Superman has been doing lately…or more specifically, the powers he's been displaying…

"Apparently they have been getting, not complaints mind you, just concerns about what the city was planning to do."
"Do about what?" Lois asked, as if someone had just said the most absurd thing she had ever heard.
"It has been suggested for Superman to give a statement, clarifying what he is capable of."

"You're serious?" Lois asked, raising an eyebrow. Clark, however, stayed silent.

"More has been suggested, like for Superman to undergo some tests. For his safety as well as for the public's," Perry continued lamely. It was clear how he felt about it.

"I'm sure," Lois said sarcastically, not looking over to Clark, afraid to find the disappointment and betrayal that must surely be in his eyes.

"Why?" Lois asked, the whole thing was clearly angering her.

"Lois."

Both Perry and Lois turned to Clark.

"They are just afraid, but…it's ok, because they want to understand," Clark said simply. "They have every right to ask what they are asking."

"Clark, you can't be serious."

"I am Lois. Think about it. We demand the same thing from police officers, from doctors and all others who serve the city. We ask to be told of what they are capable of.
"I guess in a way, Superman displaying this new power could be compared to a police man pulling out a new laser weapon. The public would demand to be told why that officer had that weapon, and why the police department had allowed it."

Lois just sat there stunned. Even knowing Clark was Superman, what he had said had surprised her.

"Did the Mayor say anything else?"

"He asked us to somehow contact Superman and get him to go to City Hall. The mayor didn't say specifically, but I'm sure they would like to speak to him as soon as possible. I'm sure they are concerned about a panic."

"Alright. Thanks Chief. Come on Lois."

With that, the two of them left, shutting the door behind them before heading off to the elevator.

"Clark, what are you doing?"

"Lois, I can barely stand the fact that people are afraid of me, I'm not about to let an opportunity pass by where I could resolve at least some of those fears."

She looked into his eyes and found sadness.

"What are you going to do?"
"Hold a press conference." He paused for a moment before going out onto the street. "I want you to be there."
"I wouldn't be anywhere else."

- - -

City Hall 2:00 pm

The officer standing by the door did a double take, shocked to realize that he had not imagined it. Superman had just walked passed him and entered City Hall.

Superman stepped up to the front desk, a little unsure of what to do, but he was calm and collected.

The secretary was typing like mad on her keyboard, clearly really focused on whatever she was working on. She was middle aged, grey just beginning to come through, and there was a ring on her finger.

The people in the large foyer froze and stared at the man in red and blue. Clark tried to ignore it, placing a hand on the counter.

"Hello, Mrs…" he looked at her nametag, leaning to the side for a moment to see it, "Troy, I'd like to speak to the Mayor."
"Do you have an appointment?" she asked, still typing away.
"Uh, he requested for me to come in…so I suppose so."

"Alright." She stopped typing and moved her mouse across the screen, selecting what Clark could only assume to be the Mayor's schedule.

"He doesn't have anything scheduled for today sir, are you sure h—" She turned and faced him, suddenly unable to complete her sentence, now gaping.

Clark decided to overlook this detail and pressed on.

"He contacted Mr. White at the Daily Planet and then they contacted me."
"Oh, I see…well, I'll tell Mayor Donovan that…uh, you're here to see him."
"Thank you."

She quickly picked up the phone and called the Mayor's office, her eyes still showing shock and disbelief.

"Sir, uh, Superman is here to see you…Alright sir, right away." She hung up, still in awe at the one in front of her.
"He's waiting for you, right through there, the last door to your left…" she said, pointing, her eyes following him.
"Thank you Mrs. Troy."

- - -

The door was open and Superman stepped in, the few people in the hall halting to stare as Superman shut the door behind him.

"Mayor Donovan."
"Superman."

Superman went to the mayor who was now standing behind his desk.

"It's great to finally shake your hand."
"Likewise," Superman replied before releasing the mayor's hand.
"Please. Please, take a seat," he said, sitting back down behind his desk and motioning to the chair beside Superman.

Superman sat down, the Mayor collecting his thoughts.

"I take it Mr. White was able to contact you?"
"Yes, and I agree with you and am willing to make a statement."

Mayor Donovan was at a loss for words for a moment. For some reason he had thought this was going to be a lot harder.

"Oh, good…"
"I would like to make it as soon as I can, today if possible."
"We can arrange that."

Superman shifted in his chair, knowing that there was more to be said.

"So, you'll make a statement, okay. Um, how much did Mr. White tell you?"
"Everything you told him."

"Then are you agreeing to being uh, checked out by some physicians? To quell any public concerns that is," he added quickly.
"Mayor Donovan—"
"I'm sorry Superman if this is asking too mu—" He was silenced by Superman's lifted hand, requesting him to be quiet.

"I already have a physician."

"What?" His voice nearly cracked.

"I already have a physician, and we have already started looking into my powers."

The Mayor just sat there in silence.

"I understand that people are curious about me, even afraid. I want to give them some answers. I don't want to risk a possibility of a panic or mass hysteria.
"I'm here to help, not to scare people."

The Mayor cleared his throat, trying to sort what Superman had just told him.

He has a doctor, he actually has a doctor!
And he's going to make it public knowledge…

"Superman, you don't need to divulge that to the public."

"I know, but I am, just an occasional report of certain findings. I'm not going to tell them who my physician is or where I go to have my appointments conducted."

Mayor Donovan nodded. "I think that's reasonable."

- - -

Outside City Hall

The news crews covered the area in front of city hall. Countless reporters stood, a crowd gathering as well, as Mayor Donovan and Superman walked out before them behind the podium.

"Good afternoon. As I am sure all of you are aware by now, City Hall has taken a great interest in one particular, uh, concern, which our citizens have expressed to us. This concern is of course about Superman's abilities and their impact on our city as a whole.

"As you can see, I have just spoken to Superman about this, and he suggested that we hold a press conference, which is why I asked you all here."

He then turned to Superman, stepping aside slightly. "Superman."

"Thank you Mayor Donovan."

He turned to the people before him, mikes and recorders directed up at him, pens at the ready.

"I'm going to make a statement, and then I'll take your questions.

"When I first came to Metropolis I did not know many of the things that I do now. I did not know the extent of my invulnerability or speed, nor did I know about my ice breath or of my heat vision, but now that I do, I will continue to act accordingly.

"I have always stood for Truth and Justice, and my abilities have always been the tools I use to defend those things. That will never change. These new powers will only improve my ability to help humanity."

Superman looked across the silent crowd for a moment, his hands on the podium.

"I know that Metropolis, as well as the world, is curious and even concerned about my abilities. It has been proposed that I be looked at by physicians as to try to understand my abilities and their limits. Mayor Donovan, I am sure, had a list of very capable doctors, but what I had told him I will tell you. I already have a physician."

Everyone around gasped, utterly surprised—well, except Lois, who was standing to the side, being a good reporter and holding out her recorder. Lois and Clark's eyes met for a long second as a million questions came forth.

"Who is it?"
"Why did you get one?"
"When did you?"

Superman lifted a hand and all became silent.

It was a sight to be held, Superman hadn't needed to even speak to make all still.

"I will not disclose who my doctor is or where my appointments are held. I will, however, allow certain findings to become public knowledge.
"I decided to get a personal physician after I discovered my ice breath nearly a month ago. So far I have only had four visits with my doctor."

He paused for a moment, hearing all of their hearts hammering away, but Lois' stood out to him, nice and calm, letting him know he wasn't alone in this.

"You are probably wondering why I am being so open with all of this. Well, there is an easy answer. I feel that you have a right to know—after all, firefighters, police officers, and all others who serve you must also make known their abilities and such. In this respect, I am no different. I help just as they do, and because I do, I am under the same standards. I am not above the law, I am just one of many who uphold it.
"Do you have any other questions?" he asked.

The Press decided then it would be better to raise their hands rather than shout out questions, though they still called his name.

"Superman!"
"Superman!"

Superman motioned to a young lady with a mike.

"NDC, Jane Lee. What powers have you and your doctor looked into so far?"
"We figured out how my ice breath works, and just started looking at my heat vision and invulnerability."

Superman then pointed to a middle aged man.

"LNN, Joe Bay. Superman, many people who were there when your heat vision surfaced have said you appeared angry. Were you?"

They all looked back at Superman expectantly.

Superman's face was solemn as he answered.
"I was angry, I might even say more angry than I have ever been before."

News cameras zoomed in on his face, everyone shocked by his answer, and some even more shocked that he would actually be so honest about it.

"When criminals steal, I think I am more disappointed than anything else; when they lie, I feel sorry for them for they are only making it harder on themselves…but when they target innocents, I get angry. For it then becomes more than just about them or property, it involves that which cannot be replaced or simply rebuilt."

He paused, unknowingly captivating his audience as they waited for him to continue. "Everyone has a right to be angry, just as everyone has the right to be afraid, but it is what you do with that emotion that matters."

He turned to the Mayor after a moment, getting a distant look in his eyes.

"I'm needed. Like I told you earlier, I'll deliver my doctor's findings to you."
"Thank you Superman," the Mayor replied before Superman launched into the air and become a red and blue blur.

- - -

Lois and Clark had turned in their article on Superman's speech; the article concerning the 'ultimate power source' would be tackled later in the week.

Clark had taken Lois home and was now on his way to his apartment.

He couldn't believe how much had happened to him since he had become Superman, and he was even more in disbelief at how much had happened only that week.

He planted himself on the couch and decided to once again to call his parents.

He had called earlier that week, telling them of his confession to Lois as well as discussing his new power. His mom had been thrilled and excited for him, while his dad had taken a little bit to join in with his wife.

Jonathon had at first been concerned, but the more Clark talked about Lois, the more relaxed he became, though he was still a little concerned about his son's new power.

"Clark, are you sure you're alright? We saw it all over the news," he had said.
"I'm fine now dad, I just…was mad."
"Why son?"

"At the hospital…" He paused. The memory of holding yet another child was heavy, even for him…especially for him. "Leah, a little girl with cancer, almost died. Those men were responsible, the organization they're a part of."

"Clark, it's alright to be angry. Just make sure you control it, instead of the other way around."
.
.
Clark dialed his parent's number and waited for them to pick up.

"Hello?"
"Hey Mom."
"Hi honey. Wait a moment Clark, Jonathon's getting the other phone."
"Hi son."

"Hey Dad. I guess you watched the press conference?" Clark asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yeah."

"What did you think?"
"You said exactly what needed to be said Clark," Martha answered.
"Dad?"

"I understand why you did it son, but I still wish that you didn't feel you had to. You're taking an awful risk. What if you and Dr. Price find something dangerous, and someone somehow takes advantage of that?"

"Then I'll have to deal with it when it comes, Dad."
"Jonathon, must you always bring up things we already know?"
"I'm sorry Martha, I just worry about things is all…"
"So do I, but in everything there are risks. There were risks with him not telling the public, and there are risks now that they know. We just have to take things as they come."

There was a pause before Martha spoke again, figuring it was best for them to move onto something else.

"So how is Lois?"
"Amazing as always…She's covering for me now at work. You know, she thinks of a lot better excuses than me…"
"She's a smart girl, thinks on her feet."
"Any girl in my boy's sights is a keeper," Jonathon agreed.

Clark didn't disagree.
Lois was definitely a keeper.
The keeper if he could help it.

- - -

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