Once again, a thanks to my beta, Dandette, and to those who review :D
Part 35 – The Key
"Clark, Dr. Price told me to make sure you stay in bed," Lois said, entering the room with some ice packs. "Besides, you're lucky they let me take you, they were ready to make you stay there overnight."
Clark sighed, trying not to cringe as she laid the packs on his still tender shoulder.
"Now just stay there while I get that sunlamp."
He gave in and nodded, feeling a little exposed and ridiculous lying on Lois' bed shirtless with black sweat pants, though he was thankful he hadn't left the Lab in his bloody uniform or a drafty hospital gown. He had left his suit with Price, who had asked permission to take a look at his blood.
Lois had taken the remote away from him, not wanting him to worry about what was going on out there at the moment. Dr. Price had suggested it, actually, saying, "Kal should be worrying about getting better, not what the city is currently doing."
Lois came back in and plugged in the lamp.
Dr. Price and the others had put him under some sunlamps before Lois had arrived and taken him, but he still had faint bruises around the now whitish-pink scar, and his shoulder was still looking a little colorful.
When she had gotten the call from Price, she drove to STAR Labs as fast as she could, certain that if the cops had not been busy at the restaurant, she would have had a serious fine. Though, that's assuming of course that she could have been caught…
"How do you feel?" Lois asked, turning on the lamp and watching Clark relax under the light.
"Better, just tired and a little sore," he said, carefully adjusting the icepack on his shoulder over slightly to get some light.
He held in a grimace.
Lois carefully planted herself on the edge of the bed, watching the bruises slowly fade. It was an amazing sight.
She couldn't help herself as she stretched out her arm and carefully touched his skin around the now fading scar.
He couldn't help but flinch, but only for a split second before relishing her touch.
"Just 'a little sore'?" Lois asked, her teasing laced with concern. She was about to take her hand away, but he grabbed it, keeping it where it was.
"It's getting better," he said, giving her a heart-stopping smile.
She smiled back and tried not to think about everything that had happened earlier that day.
She had been called by Dr. Price, and was told to go to STAR Labs because they weren't taking Superman to the hospital, but there.
She had bolted to her car, going where Dr. Price had said, despite having seen and heard the news just moments before.
The cameras and press had been kept a fair distance away, but that didn't stop them from somehow catching glimpses of a shirtless man in a foil blanket being helped into a police car.
It didn't take them but a second to realize who the black haired man was, and after that discovery they put the rest together.
The word of Superman being shot spread like wildfire, and fierce talk about what should be done was already beginning.
Lois thought back to the moment a woman named Marie led her to the room where they were helping him. Entering, she found Henderson, Charlie, Jim, Price, Miguel, and Matthews. Price and Jim were by a bed, while the others stood back, turning to her encouragingly as she entered.
Four lamps were aimed down around the bed, lighting up the man on it.
"Lois, you got here fast," Clark said, exhausted, despite receiving the regenerating rays from the sunlamps.
Lois shook herself, going back to the present, her eyes focusing on Clark who was nearly asleep on her bed. With her free hand, Lois removed the ice pack from his shoulder to find it completely healed, at least from what she could see.
She dropped the pack onto the floor, biting her lip as her eyes traced down his chest to stop at the scar that now barely had bruising around it.
What if Henderson and the others hadn't been able to get the bullet out?
What if it had hit him somewhere else? A lung… a major artery, his heart?
And that elevator…what if those brakes had failed sooner? Or worse, hadn't worked to begin with?
What if Henderson had not been there? Sarkov had a loaded gun, and he probably wouldn't have stopped if Henderson hadn't—
Stop thinking, shut up. Just be thankful it happened the way it did, and stop dwelling on it.
"I still think it's unfair you're not letting me watch TV," Clark said, interrupting her thoughts.
"Price said to not let you. You need to focus on more important things."
"Like you?" he asked, breaking into yet another brilliant smile.
How the heck have you ended up with this man, Lois?"What are you thinking, Lois?"
"How come I'm this lucky? What have I done to deserve you?"
"You know, I was wondering the same thing myself," Clark said, further taking her hand in his.
Lois didn't need to even think of what to do next. She eased herself forward, finding his mouth with hers.
The sunlamp and injuries forgotten, Clark wrapped his arms around her, feeling her fingers slide through his hair as her other just-freed hand glided across his left side.
Wow, how do these kisses always get better? Lois thought to herself just before they broke apart, both a little out of breath."Was that my goodnight kiss?" he asked as she stood up, his hair a little messy now.
"Yes," she said, silently wondering if a goodnight kiss would turn into a tradition from now on, and hoping it would.
- - -
8:49 am, Lois' Home
The next day, with Clark still asleep in her room, Lois decided to turn on the television out in the living room, figuring it wouldn't hurt since he was snoozing away.
She had called Clark's parents late last night to tell them Clark was alright, and was sleeping. Thinking after the call, she felt a little guilty about not having called sooner. But either way, Martha and Jonathon were grateful.
She called in at work and Perry picked up. Though, she was pretty sure Jimmy answered initially, Perry just snatched the phone away.
"Lois? Where are you and Kent?"
"Uh, we are—"
"Nevermind, just let the big guy know we all want him back at 100. And don't let some of the stuff on TV get to him."
"Alright, Chief."
That had been a little after 7 am. And though it had been a slightly weird and short conversation, Lois was happy she didn't have to explain herself or Clark.
Flipping through the channels, she passed by several news channels.
"And now the world wonders about Superman's current condition, and what truly happened in Sunny View Dining—"
She flipped the channel. Henderson and the others had already told what truly had happened.
"Well, I'm not sure about that, Bob. If we do what the Mayor is proposing, we must understand and see the possible outcomes in doing so.
"I'm not saying this will happen, not at all, but people can change. How can we be sure he will always be on our side? What if he lost control?"
"I think you're forgetting something, Joe. This decision will be made through discussion and careful thought. The people will be heard, and all of the possibilities will be kept in mind. But have you thought about this?
"What if we don't do this? And what if this material is stolen again? And what if something like what happened yesterday happens again, only it ends badly. Are we willing to take that chance and lose a being who has already made so much positive change in the world? For goodness sake, we almost lost him twice already in less than a month. The danger to him will only increase if we do nothing."
Lois sighed, flipping the channel, able to discern who and what they were talking about, though the part about what the Mayor was proposing exactly was escaping her.
"With me here is one of the people who was held hostage. Tina, what do you remember?"
The camera panned to a nervous middle-aged woman who had probably been wheedled into doing the interview.
"The man, Sarkov, threatened us with a gun, and a bomb, telling us he wanted to see Superman, and that we should tell the police that. He let us use our cell phones. Soon after, Superman came," she said.
"What happened then?"
"Sarkov said some things, and then aimed the—gun…at the Mayor's daughter…"
"O my gosh!"
"We all heard the bang, but Superman was now standing between her and Sarkov, then Inspector Henderson, I think is his name, opened fire…"
"Yes, it was Inspector Henderson, he made a statement last night. Tina, do you want a break?"
"No—no…I'll continue. Thanks. Uh, after that, we…we all knew something was wrong. Superman sort of stumbled forward while a man ran to him and caught him."
"Miguel Brunacini?"
"Yeah. Everything was happening so fast, the next thing we knew was SWAT storming in as Henderson told them about the bomb, and to get us out."
"What was happening with Superman?"
"I don't know. Mr. Brunacini, Henderson, and some others were with him though. Well, we were taken out…" Her face fell, her eyes even tearing a little.
"What Tina?"
"In the stairwell, we were all looking at each other, we were in shock, obviously, even the officers with us were…I think I sort of still am."
She paused, getting a distant look before actually giving a slight shudder.
"I—" She took a breath. "I will never forget what we heard. We were on the 54th floor, I remember because I looked up at the moment we heard him—he screamed."
"Superman?"
She nodded.
"I have never heard anything like that before in my life. He must have been in some serious pain… But what was even scarier was when his shout suddenly stopped; it just cut off. The officers got on their walkie talkies soon after…I don't remember what was said."
Lois changed the channel, getting a slight tummy ache.
"The Mayor today has made his feelings on the subject quite clear," a news anchor said as they replayed a piece of his statement.
'That man saved my daughter's life, and if there is a way that I can begin to repay that un-repayable debt, I will go to the ends of the earth and back if I must. It is time we do something to thank Superman. I have already begun the steps in doing so.'
Are they talking about doing what I think and hope they are? Lois thought, replaying parts of the things she had just heard. Oh, if they get rid of Kryptonite, Clark won't have to worry about criminals trying to stop him. And he'll come back to me safe.
Clark finally woke up a little after noon. Lois had checked on him occasionally, standing in the doorway and just watching him sleep, a small circle of light skin being the only evidence of the previous day.
Clark found Lois sitting on the couch, watching the news.
"We have been assured by Dr. Price that Superman is alright, just resting in an undisclosed location."
The man shifted a little, going onto the next topic.
"A large group of people have just assembled in front of City Hall, pleading with the leaders of our city and higher realms of government to destroy Kryptonite, and to listen to Mayor Donovan," the reporter said. "After Mayor Donovan's speech earlier this morning, as well as what the 9-1-1 recording is said to have captured, there is now an overwhelming push from the public to get the ball moving on his idea."
The news changed locations, going to City Hall.
"Behind me, as you can see, are easily several hundred people, urging lawmakers and others to back the idea to have all Kryptonite destroyed."
"Lois, what's going on?" Clark asked, entering the room, and hearing most of what she had just seen.
Lois turned to find Clark in a white t-shirt and black sweat pants, staring at the television, his famous curl resting on his forehead.
"Just the news, Clark," she said, trying to be calm; she didn't know how he would take some of the things they were talking about.
The news showed Mayor Donovan and several other important men and women exit City Hall. Among these people were the Governor, a General of the Army, a few members of the Cabinet, and a few Representatives.
The crowd around went silent as Mayor Donovan went up to the podium.
"After intense discussion and a few debates, and countless officials across this nation speaking for you, the people, we have come to a decision. All Kryptonite will be disposed of at a near future date. It is being collected as we speak. The danger it presents to one of our most prized public servants is too great not to—"
Clark just stood there, looking at the screen. The expression on his face was at first unreadable, until a stream of emotions appeared in quick succession.
Surprise, with a mixture of gratification that people cared, went across his face, but then confusion set in. This was closely followed by a look of dawning and startled realization, which was finally replaced by shock.
"The Key…"
Lois couldn't do or ask anything as he just disappeared, shooting out the window at a speed that caused a grand boom to crack across the city…
- - -
All Clark was concerned about was getting to City Hall and to tell them to stop, to not destroy the Kryptonite.
Perhaps it was the shock of what he had just discovered—the Key was within their grasp, and they could lose it, lose the cure for cancer—or that he had just gotten over a serious injury and was currently running on adrenaline, or maybe it was the fact he had just woken up.
Whatever the reason, the near nonexistent thought to go to his apartment to change into his suit almost went by him as fast as he had flown out Lois' living room window. But realizing he was about to arrive at City Hall in nothing but a white t-shirt and black sweats, he shot to his apartment, put on a spare suit, and dashed to his initial destination…
His sonic boom echoed strangely across the city due to his quick change in direction, and those outside, and even some inside, breathed a sigh of relief. Superman was alright.
Clark shot forward, finally coming to City Hall, and simply appeared by the Mayor, his cape settling down behind him.
The silence was deafening.
Clark didn't notice as he instantly began talking to the Mayor.
"Mayor Donovan, ple—"
"S-Superman?!" He was understandably startled, as was everyone else, but his amazing ability to think on the spot took over, well, for the most part…
Before Clark could continue, or those watching could blink, Mayor Donovan pulled Superman into his embrace.
"Thank you so much for saving my daughter, there is nothing I could ever do to truly thank you," he said.
Superman gave a gentle pat on the Mayor's back, understandably at a loss for what else to do before the reason why he had come flew back to the surface. But before he could do anything else, he felt pats on his own back, firm hands landing on his shoulders, giving proud squeezes. The men and women who had stepped out of City Hall with Donovan were happily welcoming Superman back.
Donovan pulled back, now at arms length from the hero, his hands on Superman's arms. Looking into Superman's blue eyes, which were now ebbing with emotion at what had just happened, he gave his arms a gentle shake.
"I, like so many others, am grateful to see you up, Superman," he said. "But, if I may be so bold, why are you here?"
"This is probably going to sound absurd, but I've come to tell you not to destroy the Kryptonite," he said, just now realizing how insane he must be sounding.
"What?! Why?"
Why would a man want to prevent his one and only weakness from being destroyed?"Let me explain," Superman said, suddenly feeling the countless number of eyes upon him. He took a breath, for the first time wondering why he had not come prepared with a reason, at least one he could share.
He looked at the podium as Donovan stepped aside, curious and bewildered.
Clark stepped up. The people watched as he seemed to collect himself, before scanning his eyes over them.
"I have heard a great deal of what has been discussed today and yesterday, and I understand both sides. I don't know what the future holds—obviously, because things would have gone differently yesterday if I did…"
That caused many in the crowd to smile, a few surprised to see him using humor; however, the lightness of his words quickly vanished as he became serious once more.
"Earth is my home. Ever since I came here, it has been so. I would never want to do any harm to Earth, or her people, but if there ever came a time where this was no longer the case, I would want to be stopped. Earth must have a way to protect herself if it ever became needed; besides, I remember the first days I helped. People were unsure and even afraid of me, and so, if Kryptonite helps calm fears about me, knowing I could be stopped if I ever 'lost control', then I want that."
The people before him stared, wide-eyed, at him, the news crews catching everything.
"Kryptonite has also been discovered to be a possible new power source, more energy efficient and longer lasting than anything else known. I am not going to allow the effects it has on me prevent mankind from benefiting from it, and I am certain its power-giving capability is only the first of many things humanity will gain from it."
Reporters with notepads were scribbling like mad as Superman paused, sliding his hand across the side of the podium.
"The last reason… is slightly based on selfish motives, now that I think about it…" he admitted, to everyone's surprise. "As I am sure you all know by now, Kryptonite is a meteorite that originated from my home planet.
"Krypton was an advanced civilization whose existence spanned across several millennia, an empire unmatched throughout all of Krypton's history. However, despite how far my people had come, they couldn't prevent the end of their planet—but they could have saved themselves…
"Pride and obsession of power doomed my people. It prevented them from acting and leaving Krypton before it was too late. If it had not been for my parents, I would have met the same fate. I never want the people of Earth to make that same mistake. I suppose it's sentimental of me, but…Kryptonite is a reminder of where I came from, and why I'm here."
He turned around slightly, facing the Mayor and the others behind him.
"Mayor Donovan, and others who hold this decision, I implore you, do not destroy the Kryptonite, but keep it at secure locations."
For a moment they just stared at him, tongue tied, but then the Governor stepped beside the Mayor, extending his hand for Superman to take. Clark did so.
"Then that is what we will do, if you're sure. Thank you for everything you have done, and are continuing to do," he said, the others nodding in agreement behind him.
Clark smiled.
"It's my pleasure."
- - -
STAR Labs, 9:47 pmThe day had been just as hectic as the previous day had been, though this day was much more pleasant.
May, like most everyone else, had been focused on Superman, but for a different reason.
Dr. Price had called her in to help examine Superman's blood. He had shined the Aura Camera on the samples he had cut from the ruined uniform, and what they saw was unbelievable. Certain areas of blood had an aura, a light golden aura, like what they had seen from him after that first day of testing the camera in the hospital.
May and Price set to work right away, looking under microscopes, and trying to understand Superman's blood.
Looking under a high magnification, May's eyes focused upon red and white blood cells; however, she quickly noticed a difference between human blood and Kal's. Certain red blood cells appeared to be split, broken, and something, a kind of protein it seemed, was coming from them. This substance, she concluded, was what was giving off an aura.
She pulled back, jotting down some notes. After doing that, she turned on the Aura Camera again and aimed it at the suit, expecting to see the aura she and Price had seen earlier, only to find it gone.
This puzzled her, but the other thing that puzzled her was why only certain blood cells had broken…
She went back to work, a theory coming into mind.
- - -
Clark flew back into Lois' apartment and changed into his good old Clark clothes.
"Clark, you need a dictionary," Lois blurted out when he entered the kitchen.
"What?"
"You clearly don't know the meaning of rest."
"Sure I do. 'Rest: to cease, abstain, or be relieved from exertion, action, etc, to be still or asleep, to refresh oneself or recover strength.' "
"Ha ha."
"But I did rest, I slept, half the day I'll have you know, and then, after some easy rescues, I flew to get some sun. And the amount I got was not just a simple 30 minutes—no, if I weren't invulnerable, I would have returned to you as red as a lobster. I'd match my cape."
"I'm sure," Lois said, playfully rolling her eyes.
Clark took that time to look around the kitchen.
His eyes fell upon a few pans and ingredients laid out on the counters.
"Should I be afraid?" Clark asked.
"Why do you think I just got the things together, and haven't turned on the stove?" she asked, breaking a half smile.
He walked over and picked up one of the cans, one reading 'tomato sauce'.
"Spaghetti?" he asked.
"Don't ask me, you're the cook."
"And you're my assistant."
- - -
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