Chapter 36 Ready, set…get ready to go
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Somewhere on this globe, every ten seconds, there is a women giving birth to a child. She must be found and stopped.
Sam Levenson (1911-1980)
To my embarrassment I was born in bed with a lady.
Wilson Mizner US screenwriter (1876 - 1933)
(sorry I couldn't resist ; ) )
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Richard and Clark were in the back yard watching the kids put the finishing touches on a snowman family the four had just built. "I don't know how you'll ever trust me with the kids again. How could I leave Kala alone like that for Luthor to grab?"
"Richard that was just a dream it didn't really happen. Besides I'm the one who flew into yet another of Luthor's traps, not you. I've been too naïve where Luthor's concerned. No more, Luthor more than deserves to be treated like the maniacal sociopath he is."
Just then both men were hit with snowballs. The kids giggled as they crouched down quickly hiding behind the snowmen gathering even more snow for a second round.
"Wait, wait, this doesn't look like a fair fight! I think I need to change sides to try and even up the odds." Richard ran falling behind the snowmen taking a place with the kids laughing as he slid in place gathering up some snow of his own.
"What! You think I can't take the three of you?" but as soon as he responded Clark stopped in place his attention and gaze suddenly diverted elsewhere. "Darn, I need to go." He was pelted with three snowballs as he spoke.
"Awwww, how convenient, you're just afraid we can beat you in a snow ball fight." Richard called out looking at the disappointed faces on the two kids.
They saw Clark smile just before he disappeared then the next thing they knew they were all three pounded from above with multiple snowballs.
"Hey, no fair that's cheating," Richard yelled after him, he practically busted his gut laughing. He had barely caught his breath when both kids jumped on top of him, then all three rolled in the snow having fits of laughter.
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Lois had been watching from the kitchen window. She was happy and amazed at how fast the kids had bounced back from the traumatic night and morning. No doubt Clark and Richard's suggestion they go out and play in the snow had helped. It gave them a chance to just be kids again. All four of them she observed.
Chloe came up behind Lois smiling when she saw Richard playing roughhouse in the snow with the kids. "He is going to make such a good father, not that he isn't already."
Lois gave Chloe a wide eyed look of partly contained joy at the way Chloe had said that. "Are you …?"
Chloe patted her stomach nodding her head, "I peed on the stick this morning."
Lois enthusiastically wrapped her arms around her friend, "Oh, Chloe that's wonderful. Our babies will be the same age, they can grow up together. You're right Richard is a fantastic father. Does he know yet?"
"No, I wanted to tell him tonight maybe over a romantic dinner. I know he'll be excited we've talked a lot about starting our own family. Don't get me wrong we love the time we spend with Jason and Kala but it's not the same as having them with us 24/7."
"Perry's going to have a fit! Maybe we can finally get a daycare center approved."
"Speaking of Perry, we better get to work on our articles. Do you think Clark will let me interview him when he gets back?"
"Well he said he would this morning when he suggested we all work from here today. Although sometimes he's a little hard to pin down," Lois laughed.
"Gee I wonder why that is?"
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Superman found himself once again helping out at a fire that had been started by someone attempting to stay warm in the intense cold conditions. This time it was a tenement building and someone had been using the stove as a heater. The fire had quickly spread to the entire building. Luckily it was daytime and everyone was able to escape the flames with Superman's help. Two small children and their mother had been badly burned in the apartment where the fire started before he arrived.
Once again the media was there and just as he was about to leave a reporter stopped him.
"Superman, Superman a moment please. Do you have any comments? Do they know what stared the fire?"
Superman turned around answering, "It looked to me like the victims were just trying to stay warm in this freezing weather using a stove for a heat source. Why is the city not making sure people have a safe working means of heat? Apartment owners should never be allowed to let a furnace fall in such ill repair as the one in this building. They should be charged with criminal neglect."
The reporter was visibly surprised at Superman's response. "You seem unusually angry, is there something we're missing?"
Superman looked her intently in the eyes and responded more softly this time. "You didn't see those children. Their lives will never be the same all because some slum lord wanted to save a few dollars. The children of our city deserve to be protected. Their innocence and lives are too valuable to be squandered like this." He looked at the ambulance racing away with the victims. The reporter and camera followed his gaze.
"Good day Miss, there's nothing else I can do to help here. Perhaps you in the media can do what you do best to prevent another occurrence. Spread the word how easily fires start from stoves, heaters and open flames. Tell people to report when their landlords are not fulfilling their responsibilities. Are you willing to pick up the mantle or do you just want to report on it? The choice is yours."
The reporter opened her mouth but before she could respond he had disappeared into the sky becoming nothing more than a red and blue blur.
"Well you heard it here on KMET Superman is challenging us to do something more than just report the news. Brian, Susan back to you at the station. Colleen Snider reporting for KMET 5 News."
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Superman headed home after handling several other emergencies around the country arriving home just as everyone was sitting down for lunch. Richard and the kids had spent most of the time playing in the snow their cheeks were still rosy from the cold. Martha insisted Clark take a seat as she went to get him a bowl of homemade soup.
"Sorry about the snowball fight, maybe we can have a rematch soon," he chuckled picking up a cornbread muffin breaking it apart and spreading butter on each half. "Boy, I didn't realize how hungry I am. So how are the articles coming along? I do remember offering to help out this morning." He smiled at Lois between bites as Martha sat the soup in front of him.
"Actually, I do need your help on something, something only you can help me with as a matter of fact." Chloe ventured.
"Oh yeah, what's that, I would be glad to help you if I can." Lois snickered knowing he was trapped now. Clark eyed her sideways knowing something was up.
"Perry wants her to interview you." Richard chucked "as if that's anything new. You should definitely have seen that one coming Kent," reverting back to the last name out of jest.
"You think?"
Chloe chuckled. "People are saying there should be a way for the authorities to contact you."
"What? You mean like a bat signal? By the way, I like the colors of my current suit and the emblem is not too small."
Everyone laughed and began to discuss the last minute details for the dinner party Saturday evening. It looked like a BBQ was out of the question due to weather.
After lunch the kids went down to the basement to play and the adults gathered in the family room to start making plans on how to take Luthor down.
"We know what he wants it hasn't really changed that much over time. He wants me dead and he has no qualms about taking down everyone close to me. He wants the power the crystals give him and I'm sure if he knows about it he wants the starship."
Richard and Lois both nodded agreement. "But, knowing all that just how do we use it to trap him?" Richard asked.
"Luthor no doubt will find the starship irresistible. There's no way he can know now that he'll be unable to control it. I say we set it up for him to steal. Once he's inside it we'll have complete control and can bring him to the fortress where we can be sure to maintain the upper hand."
"Clark you're forgetting one thing he's sure to have kryptonite in his pocket. He could still kill you."
"I'm the only one who needs to worry about Kryptonite and I don't plan to be waiting alone." Clark thought of Jason remembering that his son had only shown a mild allergic reaction to Kryptonite earlier in the day when the others tested him. Clark had stayed a safe distance away watching. Jason had lost his powers briefly but had not been incapacitated even after touching the deadly crystal.
Ben spoke up, "You can count on me again son and I'm sure your friend Batman would not want to be left out."
"Don't forget me I want to do my part too." Catherine spoke up.
"If you think I'm staying out of it you're mistaken and I'm sure Dad would feel the same way. We both have dead on aims." Lois added.
Clark shook his head in resignation knowing it would be safer to just let Lois be part of the plan otherwise she would attempt to join in on her own. "We'll make him think they're alone at the fortress. Once they get out of the ship Richard can call it back and then join us with a second team from that location. Luthor and his men will be trapped there and that is when we make ourselves known." Clark continued with a satisfied smile on his face. "The best part is we'll be outside of US boundaries. I'll be free to take him anywhere I choose and I will choose a country where he'll never be allowed to escape again." Clark's eyes took on a dark cast as he spoke. "I warned him last time. Now I plan to make good on that promise."
"Sounds good but how do we make sure Luthor takes the bait?" Richard still seemed somewhat dubious.
"We start with what we know from the dream. We set up almost the same scenario as in the dream only Kala and Jason will not be present. They had to have been watching the house. We make them think they can simply fly off with the ship. We'll want to show them the bait again, say …Saturday morning. We need to make it look like we're totally unsuspecting. I'm sure if we do it right Luthor's mouth will be watering and all we'll have to do is spring the trap."
"I never knew the man I married could be so… diabolical." Lois purred.
Clark looked down at the floor almost looking embarrassed. "Sorry, Luthor doesn't exactly bring out my best qualities."
"Quite the contrary, I find it rather sexy." Lois moved closer to him on the couch and pulled the top of his flannel shirt open peaking inside. Clark seemed puzzled. "Just checking honey, I just wondered if the suit had turned a sexy black like Spiderman's."
Clark still seemed puzzled. "You know, like in all those commercials for that new movie coming out this spring." She seemed amused with herself.
Richard couldn't help but laugh but from the look on his face Clark still seemed embarrassed so Richard voiced his opinion. "I think it's a brilliant plan. Luthor is finally going to get exactly what he deserves."
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The next morning Lois and Clark sat waiting in the Doctors office. Lois had scheduled the first appointment for the morning but unfortunately the Doctor had been detained making an unexpected delivery. Lois had been amazed at how patient Clark had been. The weather was finally letting up and so far he had stayed at her side as they talked quietly and worked on the laptop. Before long several other women were waiting along with them.
Clark was quietly working on an article he was writing when he heard something. He looked at Lois sadly but before he could speak she kissed his cheek and whispered. "Just hurry back no telling how long it's going to be anyway. We aren't even in an exam room yet."
Clark moved the laptop to Lois' lap and got up adjusting his tie. Seeing all the women eyeing him he smiled and nodded, "Ladies" then hurriedly left the room.
Lois noticed the other women watching him as he left. He had been the only man in the waiting room. Lois smiled and nodded at the other women.
"Your husband is a doll, so tall and good looking." The woman closest to her said. She looked like she was ready to deliver any day. "He sure seems to dote on you too. You are so lucky. My husband won't even look at me now, he can't wait till I 'pop' our baby as he likes to say. Is this your first?"
Lois smiled, "No we have a son and a daughter."
"Mrs. Kent we're ready for you now." Lois turned hearing her name.
Lois got up and spoke to the nurse. "My husband had to step out for a few minutes he should be back soon."
The nurse smiled. "As soon as he returns we'll show him to your room."
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Clark got back a few minutes later and was ushered into the room where the doctor was going over the patient history with Lois still in her street clothes.
"Doctor Miles, this is my husband, Clark Kent. He's also Jason's father."
Doctor Miles stood up offering his hand looking up into the taller man's eyes. "Ah, now I remember Jason. He has your eyes. I've delivered hundreds of babies but I've never seen such brilliant blue eyes. Nice to meet you Mr. Kent."
"Likewise Doctor Miles." Clark smiled feeling the extra firm handshake not quite reciprocating in kind.
The doctor sat back down. Clark remained standing next to Lois who was setting on the exam table. "I see Doctor Baker prescribed the same vitamins I do so I will just give you a new prescription. Have you had any morning sickness or other symptoms?"
Lois shook her head. "No I've been very healthy. Wait, I did have a few days back about a month ago. I had nausea but I think it was more related to stress." Lois looked at Clark remembering how scared and stressed she'd been not knowing if Clark was dead or alive and then on top of that Jason had disappeared. Clark frowned sadly squeezing her hand.
The doctor looked up noticing the pained look going between the two. "I see you had some difficulties keeping food down during your entire last pregnancy so we will want to keep an eye on that. Also you delivered early and the baby, let's see Jason's lungs were underdeveloped. I also see he presented with severe allergies. How's he doing now?"
"Jason has outgrown all his allergies now. Actually he's starting to take on a lot of his father's traits. We think he just wasn't getting enough sun."
"A-huh" The doctor kept writing tuning out what he considered irrelevant, then looked up nodding at Clark this time noticing just how tall he was. Clark had taken off his glasses and put them in his jacket pocket the doctor though that something about the man looked familiar. "Naw," the doctor shook his head.
"I'll leave the room for a moment while you get into the gown then I'll be back in to do the physical exam." Moments later the doctor was back.
As he placed the stethoscope on Lois's stomach he looked at Clark, "A lot of expectant fathers find it especially thrilling the first time they hear their baby's heartbeat would you like to listen Mr. Kent?"
Lois and Clark both laughed conspiratorially. "Sure", Clark said letting go of Lois's hand taking the stethoscope the doctor offered him. "Wow, this sounds really different than what I'm used to hearing."
The doctor laughed. "yeah, you really can't hear all the nuances listening with your ear on her stomach." He was making a note in her chart.
"You might be surprised to know what I can hear when I want to." Clark made no attempt to alter his baritone voice and stood up straight as the doctor looked up. Clark raised his eyebrows knowing the doctor was finally seeing him.
"Um, no way, wait…Lois Lane….but no you're just …Clark Kent." He looked back and forth between the two trying to reconcile his thoughts.
Clark took the chart out of the doctor's hand closing the folder and setting it on the sink behind them. "This is to be just between us… Lois and I are requesting you make no note of it in the records, understand?" He again raised his eyebrows this time for emphasis.
"Um, you're him?" He wasn't even able to say the name Superman, "and you're the father …but how…," he looked back at Lois at a loss for words. Lois shrugged smiling trying to contain a laugh at her doctor's reaction.
Doctor Miles sat down hard on the stool Clark quickly moved in place behind him. After a minute he recovered. "I'm sorry I don't mean any disrespect. This just took me by surprise that's all. I remember wondering when Jason was born but never once really believed it could be possible. I can't tell you how honored I feel at the moment."
"Thank you doctor, if there's anything you need to know about my physiology or Jason's that will help ensure the baby's health let us know. Lois' father is a doctor well versed in medical research. He's currently studying us, under wraps of course."
"Also, I wasn't kidding about the baby needing more sun. The sun not only gives them strength it heals them. Jason's severe allergies disappeared as soon as he was sufficiently exposed to the sun."
"I Understand…and I will certainly respect your special needs for confidentially. Again I'm honored. So you can really hear the baby's heartbeat anytime you want?"
"Yes as a matter of fact I want you to hear something." Clark handed the stethoscope back to the doctor motioning for him to listen to the baby's heart once again. As the doctor listened he placed his hand on Lois' stomach. The doctor moved surprised cupping his hand over the earpiece in order to hear better. Clark removed his hand after a moment. The doctor remained listening then Clark once again placed his hand on Lois' stomach.
"That's amazing, the heartbeat changes, it's like you have some kind of calming affect. I've never heard anything like it. Although some music is believed to have a similar effect. Do you have the same effect on your wife?"
Lois was listening taken by surprise by all of this. "Usually, but sometimes I have just the opposite effect."
The doctor looked up at him again laughing, "Yes I bet you do. No doubt that's why you two are here now."
"Ahem, doctor! I do believe you have a lot of other patients waiting. Is there anything else?" Lois had wanted to throw her pillow at that last little exchange but wasn't sure who to aim at so she had let it pass.
"All pregnancies are different. This one certainly seems entirely different from your last. You and your baby both seem remarkably healthy. I must say I look forward to seeing you next month to check your progress." He again offered his hand to Clark and the two shook, this time with equal pressure. "I hope to see you at the next appointment as well uh, Mr. Kent."
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Luthor sat in his cramped hideout sure in the knowledge he would soon have the world at his feet. He just had to be patient a little while longer, wait for the moment when they could grab that little brat. He was confident his trap was ready all he needed was the right bait and that little girl would be perfect. Superman would rush in to save her too stupid to consider the consequences.
This time it would be different, he wouldn't let the fool out of his sight till he was long past dead. Green dead just like his favorite color, like the wall leading to this inner room, like money. Then he would take or destroy everything that fool held dear.
Yes, green was definitely his favorite color. Green and clear crystal like in a crystal starship, heck why stop at the world he would be able to rule the universe. Yes, the universe he liked looking at the 'big picture'. Maybe as soon as this weekend, he breathed in slowly relishing the thought.
He opened up his phone hitting autodial. "Double the watch. I want to know everything that goes on there. I know those brats are there sometimes on the weekends. Don't miss anything or I'll have your heads on a platter."
Luthor looked at his chess set. He moved his black bishop placing it in a direct line with a white pawn. The white king was in a direct line close behind. Soon, soon. He nodded his head slowly pursing his lips in anticipation.
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Thanks for the reviews
Coming soon … Chapter 37... Game - Set - Match!