Thanks Dandette, for once again proofreading :D
Part 28b - The Brink
Clark felt a hand on his shoulder and someone removing something that seemed to be sticky from his head.
Band-aids? he asked himself.
He was no longer reliving the memory, but his thoughts on the subject were running rampant.
He knew other people were in the room now, more than before, and could still feel the wonderful warmth of the sun on his chest; but that was just a small detail at the moment, for his mind was still trying to digest what he had experienced.
Knowing he had been gone, whether or not he had been truly 'dead', was a hard thing to accept, after all.
Thinking to himself, he muttered aloud.
"What's the key?"
"Superman? Are you alright?"
He opened his eyes to find Henderson and Schmitt on either side of him, Schmitt throwing something away. Lois was on the same side as Henderson, careful not to block any sunlight while Price put the aura camera away.
"Uh…yeah. Just a dream…"
They didn't look like they bought it, but none of them decided to push it.
Dr. Price stopped at the foot of the bed.
"Schmitt, I don't think he needs that oxygen anymore."
She nodded, removing it effortlessly.
"Schmitt, it's going to be night in a few hours, you think you could collect some sunlamps?"
"Certainly doctor," she said, leaving the room and allowing Price to take her place beside the bed on a short stool.
Price took out a flashlight, Lois and Henderson looking on in curiosity, Clark unable but to feel a little apprehensive.
"I'm going to check your eyes…earlier they were, uh…different."
"Different?" Clark asked, wanting an answer before he would let Price shine the light in his eyes.
"When you came in, your eye color was different. It was a little green…" Price said, only able to imagine how this would make Superman feel.
"Green?" he breathed, actually responding a little better than what Price had expected, but it was still obvious Superman was a little shocked.
"We think it's a reaction to that crystal…like an allergic reaction…"
"Oh." He looked confused, so Price turned the flashlight off and put it down for a moment.
"What do you remember?" Henderson asked, causing Clark to turn his head away from Price.
"Um…I was flying back from China when I heard an alarm at STAR Labs. I landed and saw the car with the two guys inside. I ran after them and then…something happened. It felt like I had hit a wall of fire, fire I could feel…" He paused, Henderson looking at him in concern.
"Anything else?"
Clark was quiet for a moment, unable to stop himself from thinking about David and the prairie. Trying to process what he had been told, and what it would mean for the world.
"Superman?"
David's face had been angelic when he had given Clark the message, his eyes so full of wonder and amazement …
"Superman?!" Price said, trying to get his attention.
What had caused such complete and utter awe to appear on David's face? Clark wondered.
"Kal-El!"
Clark jumped.
It was the first time anyone had used that name with force before.
He turned to Dr. Price who looked a little amused.
"Are you still with us? You were zoning out on us for a moment," he continued, turning the flashlight back on.
"Sorry, I'm just trying to remember what happened…" Clark replied, rather lamely Lois thought.
Henderson took over, talking while Price took a look at Clark's eyes, telling him how he and Mathews had found him. Clark listened quietly, but turned to face Henderson when he went silent. Price was privately relieved when he found no green pigment in Superman's eyes.
"When Jim came, you—"
Henderson cleared his throat as Superman met his eyes.
"Were gone," Clark whispered. "I know."
Clark broke eye contact, looking down slightly, clearly contemplating—though on what exactly, Henderson could only guess.
Nurse Schmitt broke the silence as she and Dr. Alder entered carrying two sunlamps each.
The others turned and smiled at the two formidable women proudly carrying that which could help the one in the bed.
"Good grief Schmitt, if this weren't Superman, I'd be worried about giving my patient sunburn!" Price exclaimed, the sun outside now setting.
"Oh, my apologies Superman," Price said, noticing Clark staring uncertainly at the new face in the room. "This is Dr. Alder, she was one of the doctors who assisted me when you arrived."
With that, Superman smiled at Dr. Alder, lifting his hand out to her once she had put the two lamps down and came to him.
Alder took his hand, receiving the thanks of the world's most powerful hero.
"Thanks Dr. Alder."
"It was my pleasure."
"Let's go ahead and get these lamps set up. Henderson, would you?" Price asked, motioning Henderson to take care of the two on his side by Alder.
"Dr. Price," Schmitt began, getting their attention just by the tone in her voice. "The press and now the public are near the point of demanding answers. I think we should talk to them soon."
"I agree," Price said.
"What are we going to tell them?" Lois asked, glancing to Clark and then to Price.
Price turned to Clark for the answer.
"The truth. The fact that I came here can't be held a secret forever."
Schmitt nodded, getting her two cents in as well. "The world has already been wondering where Superman has gone as well."
Superman moved to sit up, but Price, being next to him and knowing he was going to attempt to get out of bed, put a hand on his chest, preventing him from doing so.
"I'll talk to the press Kal-El, you are in no condition to make a public statement. I will tell them what they need to know, alright?"
Clark looked around to the others in the room, relaxing back into the bed when he saw that everyone was siding with Price, even Lois. Defeated, he gave a nod.
"Are you going to tell them about the crystal?" Lois asked nervously. Price looked to Superman again.
"Going to have to, I can't really lie," Clark said.
"Who said you had to lie? You could just fib, not mention it."
Clark raised an eyebrow which almost caused Henderson to giggle.
"We could just say that it is doctor patient confidentiality," Price suggested.
"Yeah and then have every bad guy hunting for you to get that information," Henderson stated rather bluntly.
Clark shook his head. "We're going to tell them, there's no other option. If we don't, and say we don't know what caused this, then the public will be terrified, either thinking I'm horribly sick, or that there is something really bad out there. They'll think that since something could affect me, it can affect everyone, when it's really the opposite."
"I hate to admit it, but he's right," Schmitt said, standing at the foot of the bed.
Lois didn't look happy—if she had it her way she'd find all of that stuff and blast it into the sun—but she knew they were right, no matter how much she despised the fact.
"Alright. Schmitt, go ahead and collect the press for a conference at the front. I'll be there in a few minutes. Just tell them to be patient. All of their questions shall be answered soon," Price said, adjusting the last lamp to the portion of Superman that wasn't already receiving a direct beam of light.
With a nod, Schmitt left to do what she had been told.
"How is that Superman? How do you feel?"
"Good. It's not as strong as the sun, but I can still feel it working."
"Good, we'll be leaving it on all night, and the first sign of day break, we'll open the blinds back up."
"Couldn't I go home?" Superman asked.
Price hid the smile that was trying to surface. Henderson failed, however, and Lois rolled her eyes while holding an amused smile.
Superman sounded like a little kid, and his face definitely was copying one.
"Maybe later tomorrow; honestly, you still look sick, and you still need to be under observation. We don't know what other effects that stuff could have had on you. So you have to bear with me; I am responsible for someone who is potentially the most powerful man on earth, after all…"
That caused Clark to smile a little. Though he'd still rather be in his own bed, he supposed Price had earned a little obedience from him.
"Good night Superman, Schmitt will be checking on you periodically during the night," Price said, moving to the door.
Henderson, Mathews, and Alder left the room after bidding good night, Price now at the doorway.
"Ms. Lane, you need some sleep too you know," Price said, the only light in the room now the four sunlamps whose light was now glistening onto Superman's bare chest and arms.
"I will soon. Thanks Dr. Price."
Price gave a nod and left the room, closing the door behind him, two officers standing protectively by the door.
Clark's eyes turned to Lois as soon as he heard the door shut.
Lois sat down on the edge of the bed and moved her chair away, avoiding one of the cords which stretched from a lamp to the wall.
Clark let out a calming breath as they just sat there in silence for a moment.
Had it only been a few days ago when they had been dealing with the press and trying to decide how much they should be told?
Well that was now history.
The world would now know Superman was not invulnerable. They would know he had a chink in his armor, and they would know who his doctor was.
Had it only been yesterday when Clark thought he would never feel physical pain?
Had it only been yesterday that Clark had believed he would only die from old age? If that was even possible, which he prayed it would be…
How long he had prayed that he would not live forever when he had realized how powerful he was. For a while, sure, but not forever, not forever and alone…
Well, he got what he prayed for.
He could die.
He was not immortal.
All this time there was a substance which could strip his powers away, tearing into his life force, forcing him into unconsciousness…driving him beyond this realm and into the next, to cross into the state where flesh and blood no longer have a part, but where heart, soul, and spirit, is all that one is.
He had been dead.
His life could have ended right there.
A life that had only just begun to include Lois.
.
.
Lois could no longer force herself not to think. Looking at Clark in the quiet room made the truth of what had and could have happened surface, rearing its terrifying head right at her.
She could have lost him.
Before she knew what was happening, she felt his hand on the side of her arm just before he lifted himself from the tilted mattress to pull her into his embrace.
She reacted instantly, wrapping her arms around him, feeling his warmth and the smooth skin of his back beneath her hands, her cheek against the skin of his neck and shoulder.
She couldn't stop the tears from filling her eyes.
She had been told of his condition when he had been found, and even of when they had thought they had lost him inside the ambulance. Price had told her everything.
Oh, how close she had been to losing him.
Clark breathed in the smell of shampoo in her hair, relishing their closeness, a condition they could have lost.
"Clark…you scared me."
"I scared me too…" he muttered apologetically.
"I don't know what I would have done i—" She stopped there, swallowing the rest, not able to even speak it, but instead hugged him tighter.
Clark cleared his throat, closing his eyes, forcing the lump in his throat to fade as Lois pulled back to look at him before looking away after a moment of eye contact.
Why am I suddenly acting like a school girl with a crush? she asked herself before collecting herself.
"Um, I called your parents, and actually, I should call them before Price tells the press."
Clark's eyes widened at the thought of his parents hearing officially about the crystal on TV.
Lois, having seen his reaction, pulled out her phone and dialed the number.
They didn't even know Clark had woken up yet.
"Hello?"
"Lois?" Martha asked, just hiding the panic from her voice.
"He's awake, and is doing fine."
"Oh, thank heavens. Jonathon!" she called, telling him to get on the other phone.
"Price is going to talk to the press soon."
"Yes, we know, we're watching the news. They're saying someone is going to come out momentarily," Jonathon said.
"Where are you? Can we talk to Clark?"
"In his room. Yeah, here he is."
Lois handed the phone to Clark before standing and sitting on the chair she had moved.
It was getting hot under those lamps.
"Mom."
"Oh Clark, you have no idea how worried we have been. When Lois called us this morning…How are you feeling? Are you listening to Dr. Price? Are you staying there for another night?"
"Well, in the order of your questions…Much better, yes, and yes."
"Is Nurse Schmitt there?"
"Here now?" he asked.
Geeze, my boy must be tired…Martha thought. "No, is she there at the hospital?"
"Oh, yeah. She's going to be here for the rest of tonight. Price said she'd be checking on me later or something."
"Good. From what I've heard, I think she'll take care of you like I would."
Clark smiled at that.
"Well son, we should let you get your rest, by the sound of your voice you should sleep in tomorrow."
"I'll try to mom."
"Love you son."
"Love you Clark."
"I love you guys too."
Clark hung up and handed the phone back to Lois.
Lois noticed how he was now having a little trouble keeping his eyes open.
"Well, I think I better let you get to sleep…"
Lois went to stand up, but found Clark's hand on her knee.
"Please don't go yet. I—I don't want to be alone longer than I have to…"
His voice was soft, the Superman persona nonexistent.
"Alright." She relaxed back into the chair as Clark removed his hand, actually appearing a little embarrassed.
There was an awkward silence, Clark fidgeting slightly with his hands. Lois knew there was something on his mind and that he was either building up the courage to tell her or trying to figure out how to tell her. Probably both, the more she thought about it.
"I uh…" he looked up from his hands, giving her a glance before looking back down, "saw David."
Lois stared at him for a moment and blinked. She was at a complete loss of what to say. What could anyone say to that? She didn't know.
"I was in this place…on a kind of prairie, I guess. Lois, he told me a few things, one in particular, but I don't know what it's referring to. It could be anything really."
"Is this that key you mentioned earlier?" she asked quietly, getting up from her chair and once again coming to rest on the edge of his bed.
He appeared to need the closer company.
He nodded.
"Lois, he said that we are on the brink of something. Something huge." He turned directly to her, exposing a part of his back to the light, it felt really nice. He took a moment, feeling the energizing effects glide across his back before talking again.
"He said it would bring about a new age. You should have seen his face. I have never seen such…" He was having trouble describing it to her. "Such pure excitement, awe. He also said May had already found a piece. First thing tomorrow, I'm going to go talk to her."
"After Price gives you the okay, that is," Lois corrected. Clark attempted a glare.
Lois laughed. Laughed!
"What?" Clark asked, trying to sound offended.
"You! You're, you're so…" Now she too was having trouble finding words. She settled with giving a curious, amused and content smile, one of the best smiles Clark had ever seen.
Clark leaned forward slightly, lifting his left hand as he did so. He didn't have time to question himself as his hand touched her cheek and came to rest on the side of her neck.
Their eyes locked.
Clark, what are you doing? Weren't you taught better?
Yeah…
"Can I kiss you?" he whispered, not even a foot away from her now.
She chuckled, shaking her head in amusement before simply closing the distance between them.
It was a simple kiss, and yet it out did all previous kisses either of them had ever received or given.
What only was a few seconds felt like a moment frozen in time.
His hand slid behind her head, his fingers gliding through her smooth hair as she placed her hand on his bare chest.
The brief touch of their lips sent a familiar warmth between them—the same warmth they had experienced when he had kissed her forehead—but this was ten times better.
They broke the kiss but stayed close, their foreheads now touching.
"I know this great Italian place…" Clark whispered.
"Why Mr. Kent, are you asking me out?"
"Well Ms. Lane, how else am I to get more kisses?"
Clark eased himself back, relaxing back into the mattress and into the direct lights of the sunlamps.
"Chocolates would probably work too," Lois answered, her hand giving his chest a slight pat.
"I'll keep that in mind," he muttered, sleepiness clearly evident, his eyes drooping.
Lois got up and planted herself back in the chair after situating his blanket better over his legs and waist.
Clark gave her a confused look as she sat back fully in the chair.
"I'll stay until you fall asleep," she explained.
She didn't have to wait long before his eyes had closed and his breathing had become deep and slow.
She stayed sitting there for a good while after, though, just watching how the light hit his skin and how his chest rose and fell.
Oh, we are on the brink of something great, alright, she thought.
Us…
- - -
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Sorry it took a little longer than I thought to get this part up, Finals are this week -sigh- and life has been getting busy. But should be better this summer :D.
