Chapter 53
"Frequency"
Clark rushed back to 'The Planet' as fast as he could using his super speed after saving Lois and another woman. He quickly took his seat at his desk across from Lois'.
"Where have you been?" Chloe asked.
"Saving your cousin and another woman," Clark responded after glancing around the bullpen to make sure no one was within earshot.
"And speaking of my cousin, here she comes now." Clark spun his chair in time to see Lois walking down the stairs and toward his desk, Jimmy in tow behind her. "Lois?" Chloe asked.
"Chlo', you should have seen it," Jimmy started.
"Seen what?"
"Lois almost got hit by a bus," Jimmy started.
"Lois!" Chloe said looking at her cousin.
"Superman saved me at the last second," Lois input.
"He did?" Chloe asked looking to Clark who she knew had purposely left out the details of how he saved Lois. "Isn't that amazing Clark?"
"What is, Chloe?"
"The fact that Superman is always there to save Lois."
"Maybe that's because she's hazard prone," Clark replied.
"Smallville, I can take care of myself," Lois defended.
"Sure," Clark nodded. "That's why you were almost hit by a bus."
"You know what Smallville, if you don't watch yourself you might get hit by something... My fist." Lois threatened.
"Okay you two. The point is, Lois is safe. And isn't it just amazing Clark, that even though Superman has millions of things to do and people to save he always finds time to rescue Lois, " Chloe pressed as she watched Clark for a reaction.
Clark shot Chloe a warning glare hoping she would drop the subject. "Yeah Chloe, it's amazing."
"I wonder if he maybe has feelings for Lois," Chloe shrugged.
"I hope so," Lois smiled causing Clark to give her a worried look.
"The guy must feel something for her, he always gives her interviews while he refuses to let anyone else interview him," Jimmy said.
"Isn't that interesting?" Chloe asked watching Clark.
"Sure," Clark glared at Chloe.
"You think so?" Lois asked with a smile. "Wouldn't that be something? Superman falls for an average... Well above average, reporter like me."
"That would be something," Clark said.
"It's exciting," Chloe teased Clark some more.
"Well, too bad it'll never happen," Clark said looking to Chloe.
"What do you mean, why not?" Lois, Chloe and Jimmy asked in unison.
"He an alien," Clark stated.
"So?" Lois asked. "That doesn't matter to me. All that matters is that he'd care about me."
"What if he can't be with a human or doesn't want to?"
"Clark, if I didn't know better, I'd say you were jealous," Lois stated.
"Jealous?" Clark sneered.
"Yeah, of Superman."
"Right," Clark laughed.
"You are."
"I'm not jealous of a man who wears tights," Clark said.
"Yes you are," Lois stated seeing past Clark's facade. "You don't have to be jealous Smallville. You will always have a special place in my heart. After all, you are my farm boy turned geeky reporter."
"I'm not jealous okay. I'm just saying, maybe he's attracted to other aliens like him."
"Stop calling him an alien."
"Why? Does it bother you that he's alien?"
"No. What bothers me is that you act like he's not a person because he's not from this planet."
"I didn't say that."
"Well that's how it sounds."
"Well, I'm sorry."
"Its fine, Smallville. You don't like him, I get it."
"I do like him. If it wasn't for him I would have lost you today."
"And why would that matter to you?"
"You have to ask? Lois, I love you." Lois looked at Clark in disbelief for a moment before realization hit Clark and he elaborated on what he had said. "Lois, you're my best friend, I can't lose you."
"You won't lose me Smallville. I'll always be here," Lois smiled.
"Do you get the feeling that they want to say something more to each other?" Jimmy asked Chloe.
"Oh yeah."
"There you are," Lex said as he entered the library and saw Lana sitting at his desk. "With... Otis?" Lex questioned as he saw his assistant standing behind the desk reading something to Lana as she typed. "What are you two doing?" Lex asked as he crossed the room and walked behind his fiancé. He placed a hand on her shoulder and kissed the top of her head as he looked at the computer screen.
"I'm working on the guest list," Lana replied.
"The guest list? For what?"
"Your wedding," Otis answered.
"The wedding? How soon do you plan on us getting married?"
"I was thinking within the next three months. You know, the sooner the better. How does October sound? Or maybe September would be better, not as cold. Do you think we should invite Clark and Lois? I've invited Jimmy and Chloe. I know we've drifted apart, but Chloe was one of my best friends... So was Clark, and Lois was a good friend too..."
"Now this all makes sense."
"What does?"
"Why you're marrying me."
"Because I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you."
"Then why rush the wedding?"
"Because I want to be your wife."
"Is that really it, or is it that you think by moving the date up Clark will become jealous and act on his jealousy? Do you think the threat of you marrying me will make him come back to you?"
"Lex, that's not what this is. I want to marry you because I want to be with you. I want to be your wife. I want to be Mrs. Alexander Luthor. I want to start a family with you."
"But why does it have to be in three months time?"
"Because I don't want to wait anymore. I want to be with you forever."
"Alright, then how does this sound, you pick the invitations and what you want them to look like, I'll have them made and sent out tomorrow, we expose Clark's secret on Saturday, and get married in September."
"Really?" Lana smiled at Lex who smiled and nodded his approval. "Oh, Lex! I love you," Lana declared throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him.
"This was actually a really good date," A.C. commented as he and Linda walked down one of the more secluded streets of Metropolis.
"Yeah, it was," Linda smiled. "I'm glad I can actually be honest with you about everything."
"Me too."
"I'm also glad you haven't made any of your sexist comments all day."
"And you haven't been a brat all day."
"Well I can start if you'd like," Linda replied.
"No thanks, I prefer this version of Linda better."
Linda laughed at A.C. "You know what else has been great today, Zor-El hasn't called me for anything and Metropolis has been unusually quiet."
"Yeah," A.C. smiled. "You know there's one thing I can think of that would make this day better."
"What's that?"
"If you'd let me kiss you."
Linda raised an eyebrow a small smile spread on her lips. "I bet you say that to every girl you date."
"Just the pretty ones," A.C. joked.
"You're a pig."
"And you're a brat."
Linda smiled at A.C. "Nice comeback."
"I thought so," A.C. shrugged as he leaned closer to Linda. "Can I kiss you?"
"I won't stop you," Linda whispered as A.C. leaned in even closer. Their lips were just inches apart when Linda suddenly called out in pain. "Ahh!" Linda cried as she covered her ears, squeezed her eyes shut and fell to her knees in pain.
"Linda!" A.C. said concerned as he dropped to a knee beside the tiny blonde. "What is it? What's wrong?" A.C. asked as he touched her shoulder.
"Don't touch me!" Linda shouted as she pulled away from his hand.
"Linda, what's wrong?"
"You don't hear that?" Linda asked as her eyes brimmed with tears.
"Hear what?" A.C. asked in confusion.
"That ringing! That high pitched ringing!"
"I don't hear anything."
"I have to go!"
"Where?"
"I don't know. I need to find that noise."
"Linda, is that wise?"
"I have to. Find Clark, tell him to find me. I may need help."
"Linda," A.C. pleaded as she pulled off her shirt to reveal the blue shirt with the House of El symbol on her chest. "This isn't smart. What if you get hurt?" A.C. argued.
"If I'm not back in two hours, I want you and Clark to come looking for me."
"If you aren't back in one hour I'm calling Oliver and having the whole team come out looking for you," A.C. replied.
"Fine. I have to go," Linda said stumbling to her feet and leaping into the air.
"Be careful," A.C. whispered as he watched Linda fly off.
"Okay, so I think we're fine to go for the night, so," Jimmy clapped his hands together, "let's get out of here," he tipped his head to the stairs.
"Right behind you," Chloe said jumping up and pulling her jacket on. "This has been one long day," she commented as she joined Jimmy at his side. Clark got up from his desk and walked over to join the two but glanced back at Lois when he didn't hear the sound of her chair pulling out from her desk.
"Aren't you coming, Lois?" He asked as he looked at his partner who was still planted behind her computer at her desk, typing away furiously.
"No, I have to finish up here," Lois responded not looking away from her work.
"You aren't coming?" Chloe asked.
"I have to finish this story I'm working on. It's due by midnight and Clark and I are heading to Smallville in the morning so..."
"What exactly are you going to do to get this story?" Jimmy asked.
"I don't know exactly. Metropolis is a big town, I figure if I wait on the roof I'm bound to see a police car or an ambulance heading somewhere so I'll just follow it."
"From the roof?" Chloe asked.
"Well, I'll have to come down and get a cab."
"Won't that just waste time?" Jimmy stated.
"I didn't say my plan was perfect. I just have to wait a little," Lois said and with that Chloe elbowed Clark in the ribs, which hurt her more than him, but she still gave Clark a hinting yet instructing look despite the pain she felt from elbowing 'The Man of Steel'.
"I can wait with you," Clark suggested, picking up on the somewhat subtle hint Chloe had given him.
"I appreciate the offer Smallville, but I've got a lot of ground to cover here and I work best when I'm left alone."
Clark looked to Chloe and Jimmy who both hinted for him to push the matter. "Well, Lois," Clark began looking back at the brunette, "I... I don't know if that's such a good idea. Its dark out and we live three blocks from here. I don't think it's safe for you to walk home alone this late."
"I'm with C.K. on that one," Jimmy put in to help Clark out.
"Smallville, Jimbo, I appreciate the big brother protectiveness, but trust me, I'll be fine. I already have it taken care of," Lois reassured. "Now take your things and get going," Lois pushed tossing Clark his red backpack. "The fast you leave the faster I'll finish up."
"Fine, Lo', we're leaving," Chloe said taking Jimmy by the arm as Lois turned back to her computer and began typing again.
"Be careful," Clark said looking back to Lois as Chloe and Jimmy disappeared up the stairs.
"Aren't I always?"
"Should I answer that?" Clark asked.
"Smallville, I'll be fine. Trust me, please," Lois said as Clark looked at her doubtfully. "You worry way too much about me. Go home, I'll be fine."
"I don't like the idea of leaving you here alone," Clark said with a concerned look.
Lois sighed getting up from her computer, she walked to Clark and looked up at him. "Okay, 'dad'. What's the problem?"
"I know you. You said not to worry, but you'll walk home alone tonight even though you know the streets of Metropolis aren't safe at night. Especially the five blocks between here and the apartment."
"And that's where Superman comes in. He watches over the city remember. He won't let anything happen to me."
"Lois-"
"Clark! I'll be fine."
"You're putting too much faith in one man."
"Clark, nothing will happen to me."
"Lois, promise me something?"
"Will it make you leave faster?"
"Only if you agree and I believe you."
"Alright fine. What is it?"
"When you've finished up here and you're ready to come home, call me. I'll come back to walk home with you."
"Clark..."
"Promise me, Lois."
"This is ridiculous. I'm a grown woman."
"Lois!"
"Alright! I promise. I'll call you. Why does it mean so much anyway?"
"It matters because I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you."
"I'll call."
"You'd better."
"I would never let Clark Kent down."
"I'll be waiting for you then."
"As soon as I'm done, I'll call. Now get going," Lois ushered Clark away. Reluctantly Clark complied and left, leaving Lois to go back to her work.
Linda pressed on as fast as she could, following the high pitched ringing. She felt as if her eardrums were about to burst unless she found the source of the ringing. She flew so fast it seemed as if everything were a blur, everything but the ringing. She felt completely lost. She had no idea where it was coming from or what was causing it.
"Kara," Linda suddenly heard a familiar voice break through but she wasn't sure if it was real or in her head so she kept flying on until she heard it again only this time more clearly. "Kara."
"Mother?" Linda asked confused.
"Do not continue this path. Go to Kal-El, your cousin."
"What? But the noise."
"Go to Kal-El."
"I don't understand," Linda said, her eyes filling with tears from the pain the ringing was causing her.
"Kara, my daughter, I know you don't understand this but you need to find your cousin. You need Kal-El."
"Mother, how?"
"I cannot interfere anymore than I have already my child. You have to rely on your own intelligence, but you need your cousin Kal-El to help you. Go to him," Allura's voice said.
"Where is he?" Linda asked desperately. Nothing; There was no response. Her mother was no longer able to communicate with her or tell her anything. Linda didn't understand how she had heard her mother anyway, she had never heard her outside the 'Fortress' before, but she had no time to figure that out at the moment. All she knew was that she had to find Clark like her mother had said, but how? Then it hit her. If her mother had been able to communicate with her outside the fortress then maybe the ringing was her parents trying to lead her to Kal-El. Maybe he was in trouble and needed her help. That must be it. She had to locate him. "Don't worry Kal-El, I'm coming," Linda whispered hoping that somehow Clark would hear her with his super hearing and with that thought she sped off once again even faster than before in the direction of the high pitched frequency hoping to find her cousin.
Lex walked down the hall with Otis following close behind carrying a laptop and giving Lex updates on everything he asked.
"I want an update on the 42.6 facility," Lex demanded.
"Yes sir," Otis replied typing something quickly.
"Has the initial frequency been started?" Lex asked.
"Yes sir, Mr. Luthor," Otis said as he read the screen.
"And..."
"Nothing," Otis replied.
"Nothing?" Lex questioned. "How can that be? That frequency was set to lure them to that facility. The machine giving off the frequency was specifically built to give off that particular noise. It's the only machine in the world to give off a frequency similar to the two that were emitted during the two meteor showers."
"I know, Mr. Luthor."
"Then do something. Increase the volume of the frequency, maybe they weren't in the radius the frequency reaches."
"Right away," Otis said typing rapidly once again.
"I want an update on what's happening at that facility every fifteen minutes, understood?"
"Absolutely, Mr. Luthor."
"Another thing, find our dear friend Richard White, tell him I want to meet with him bright and early tomorrow morning."
"How early?"
"Tell him to be at my office for 8:00 A.M."
"Yes, Mr. Luthor."
"If everything goes according to plan, Otis, then by this time Sunday I'll know the identities of Superman and Supergirl and I'll finally know exactly what it is that Clark Kent has been hiding from me all these years," Lex stated with a smile.
