Chapter 52 AINW Part III -- Trask Finally
We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world.
Helen Keller
US blind & deaf educator (1880 - 1968
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Lois was awakened by Clark's intense shivering a little over an hour later. The sun was just about to set and was no longer shining in the window. Had he stabilized only due to the bright healing sunshine? Jumping up Lois grabbed a down comforter out of the guest bedroom and added it to the covers. As she felt his forehead and adjusted the oxygen mask he began wheezing again and weakly swatted at the oxygen mast trying to get it off as he once again became delirious.
"Clark, No, you need that." After she put the mask back in place she ran to the bathroom and got a cold washcloth and pressed it to his face moving it around and then to the back of his head. Twice she grabbed his hands as he tried to brush the mask away. It suddenly occurred to her that maybe something was wrong with the mask or the tank. Realization hit her face, the tank was silent…it was empty! Reaching for the mask herself she took it off and threw it aside.
Lois immediately grabbed the phone. "Dad, where are you. He's getting worse again and the oxygen tank is empty. What should I do?"
"Honey, I'm two blocks away. I have something better, that's why I left. Hold on, I'll be there in two minutes."
Lois met her dad at the door and took his doctor's bag out of his overburdened hands. He was carrying a portable oxygen generator that would generate near pure oxygen directly from the air. As they hurried upstairs he explained how the generator worked.
"I also brought a corticosteroid inhaler that should help with the inflammation." Taking the inhaler out of his bag he shook it up and immediately used it on Clark. He then tried to get him to take a few sips of water telling Lois they needed to make sure he stayed hydrated not only due to the fever but to help break up the inflammation in his lungs. In his agitated state they had little success and finally gave up and simply placed the new oxygen mask in place. General Lane tried to start an IV but the needle wouldn't penetrate the skin even in his weakened state.
"I don't know if it will help but I also brought a full spectrum sun lamp." Upon quick examination General Lane noticed that Clark's coloring was worse that earlier. His lips and fingernails were bluish due to poor oxygen levels but his skin and the whites of his eyes were greenish, he could only assume due to the microscopic Kryptonite dust particles still in his lungs.
Just after the sun lamp was set up and put in place directed at Clark's face Richard called to see if he or Chloe were needed and what Lois wanted them to do about the kids. Lois hesitated momentarily, "Give us a couple more hours. Clark had a setback when the sun went down. Dad's back and we're trying to get him stabilized again. We've even got a sun lamp on him now, let's wait and see if that helps before you bring the kids back."
After hanging up with Richard Lois made the call she had been dreading. She called Martha and filled her in on what was happening letting her father explain Clark's condition in more detail. Martha insisted she wanted to come to be by her son's side. General Lane advised her to wait till the morning since there was no way for her to come right now. Lois got back on the phone and insisted if things got any worse she would call and perhaps Richard or Batman could provide transport. Then trying to smile she reminded Martha and herself, that he had survived the aftermath of New Krypton and the fall to earth. He was going to survive this too.
Clark seemed to settle down shortly after the sun lamp was put in place. Noticing his shivering had also stopped Lois lowered the covers and opened the pajama top they had put on him earlier for warmth so as to expose more of his skin to the full spectrum light. A short time later General Lane noted upon re-examination that he appeared to already show a slight improvement in skin coloration and his breathing though still labored was better. Seeing the parched condition of his lips he again tried to get Clark to take a few sips of water, this time with more success. Looking at the sun lamp he shook his head, who would have thought!
About an hour later Lois called and asked Richard to bring the kids home. It was almost their bedtime and she knew she would feel better knowing they were home. Clark was finally sleeping peacefully and his color was getting much better. Yes, she wanted them home.
As soon as they arrived and before they could run upstairs Lois stopped them. "Richard told you your Daddy was sick. We need to be real quiet and let him sleep so he can get better."
"But, Mom, how can he be sick, he's Superman?" Kala asked, pain showing on her own face at the prospect.
"There is a substance that is like poison to him. When he was saving someone else he breathed some of the substance into his lungs. He's much better now but he needs more time to get fully well."
"Is it that green thing, did the bald man hurt Daddy?"
"No Jason, it wasn't the bald man, it was some other people but they were all caught so we don't have to worry about them anymore. There's a special sun lamp on your Daddy that's helping him get well. You both need to stay away from it but make sure it keeps shining on Daddy."
"Can we see him now?
"Yes Kala" Lois took both kids by the hand and proceeded up the stairs. The kids sat on the edge of the bed, Jason on the sun lamp side and Kala on the other side away from the light. Lois's cell phone rang just as the kids leaned in to kiss Clark's cheeks. She turned to look for it and as she turned back saw the kids had crawled onto the bed and were snuggling up to opposite sides of Clark staying clear of the light from the lamp. Smiling at the image she went into the hallway as she answered the phone.
The call had been Bruce wanting to make sure everything was going well. Lois caught him up on Clark's latest condition and asked if he would be able to fly Martha and Ben to the house if they wanted to come the following day. He immediately agreed then suggested that 'Clark' might need a ride home from Area 39 and he was planning on making the trip there in the night to help 'Superman' find him and 'get him home'.
Peeking in seeing the kids still in place she decided to let them stay were they were for a little while before taking them both to their own beds. Going downstairs she realized she had not eaten all day. As she entered the kitchen she saw her Father at the microwave heating two plates of food that Richard and Chloe had brought with them. Richard and Chloe were sitting at the table quietly drinking coffee.
The four talked while Lois and General Lane ate. Richard and Chloe insisted they would stop by in the morning and take the kids to school. It was best for the kids to continue their regular routine. Richard told Lois to forget about work until Clark was back on his feet. They would tell Perry what was going on and cover for her in the office.
Lois went upstairs to get the kids to come down and say goodnight to Richard and Chloe before they got ready for bed. Afterwards the kids went upstairs to their separate rooms. As she and her father went up to tuck them in they found them both in Kala's room looking out the window whispering.
"Jason, we need to close our eyes and pray. Then we need to wish upon a star to make sure Daddy gets better."
"Do you mind if we join you. Four prayers and wishes are better than two." Lois took her Father's hand as they approached the kids at the window.
Jason and Kala turned smiling and soon the four were kneeling in front of the window praying and wishing upon a star.
The coughing started in the middle of the night waking Lois up from a fitful sleep. At first it was mild and intermittent. Once it became more ragged Lois ran to get her father from down the hall.
Clark was somewhat coherent but still in a lot of discomfort. Between the coughs his breathing was still labored. Upon examination General Lane noted his coloring was continuing to improve slightly but still showed slight greenish hues especially in the whites of his eyes.
"Lois, Clark if you can understand me now, the coughing is a good sign. It means the corticosteroid inhalant is helping reduce the inflammation. The coughing will help clear the lungs of congestion and irritants. I think it's time to give another dose of the corticosteroid to make sure it keeps working."
The three of them got little sleep the rest of the night but by early morning Clark was again at last resting peacefully with improved breathing. Lois and the General finally allowed themselves to go back to bed. Lois lay next to Clark dosing off occasionally for moments at a time but mostly she just lay there listening to every sound he made jumping at any movement.
As the sun rose filtering sunlight into Jason's room he woke and jumped up running to his parent's room. He went over to the side of the bed where his Daddy lay and climbed into the bed quietly placing a kiss on his cheek.
Clark turned his head and smiled as Jason cuddled up next to him between his arm and chest. "We'll go flying tomorrow Jason." he said with a breathless quality to his voice partly muffled by the mask.
Lois jumped, suddenly wide awake, "Clark, you're back, you're awake." She was met with no answer but what she had heard had been enough she knew everything was going to be alright. His voice had been raspy and thin, but he had spoken and he was coherent. Feeling the first true peace in almost two days Lois sighed and snuggled up to his other side for the last few minutes before it would be time to get the kids ready to go to school.
Reluctantly getting up at Lois's insistence to get ready for school Jason ran into Kala's room to wake her up and tell her the good news. The two grabbed hands and danced around before running back to peek into their parent's bedroom.
Lois went to the door smiling at them "You can each give your Daddy a quick kiss. Then you need to get dressed and eat breakfast, Daddy Richard and Chloe will be here soon to pick you up for school."
Lois watched as both kids gently climbed upon the bed and kissed Clark's cheeks. She could tell by his response of a slight smile that he knew they were there but he didn't open his eyes. "OK, that's enough, Daddy needs to rest some more to get strong again. Let's let him sleep."
Her father had come up behind her and saw the exchange. "He's better Dad, he told Jason a few minutes ago they would go flying tomorrow then fell back asleep."
As the kids got dressed and her father examined Clark, Lois went down to fix a quick breakfast.
Richard and Chloe arrived just as her father came down the stairs a few moments later with a satisfied look on his face. "You're right he's much better. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I would not have believed it."
"Dad, I knew he would be ok. I don't know what I would have done without you. Thank you!"
"Well, no problem. He is not out of the woods entirely thought he still needs to be monitored for awhile. The congestion is clearing nicely and his coloring is almost back to normal. I gave him another treatment of corticosteroid just now. Frankly I don't know if it helped or if it was the sunlamp. We may never know but all that matters is that something worked. He needs to continue the oxygen treatment and stay under the sunlamp or in direct sunlight for the time being but it appears he will make a complete and quick recovery."
"Good, because his family…the whole world needs him." Richard voiced sincerely looking at Lois thinking of her rebuttal editorial.
After Richard and Chloe left with the kids and her father settled in reading the paper Lois went back upstairs saying she wanted to try and get a little sleep. As she lay down she caressed Clark's face combing his hair with her fingers into place covering most of his forehead. As she looked at him she realized the style made him look so much more approachable and if possible even more handsome.
As she lay there contemplating this, the doorbell rang. She got up quickly as her father answered the door. She could hear mumbling that seemed to get more heated. She opened the bedroom door and listened.
"I don't care what you say. My son-in-law is in no condition to receive visitors. If you lost him on that base that is you concern. He's here now fighting Pneumonia thanks to you."
"Do you mind if we have a look?"
"Like I said Clark is in no condition …"
"Dad, it's alright let them come up, we have nothing to hide."
Special Agent Donald Roberts looked up seeing Lois as he swept past General Lane who had stepped aside after she spoke. Entering the room he headed up to where she was standing and followed her into a bedroom. Clark was lying on the bed asleep with an oxygen mask covering part of his face. His face was pale and somewhat clammy looking. It was evident he'd had a bad night.
"How did he get here? We searched all over for him. This makes no sense!"
"Superman brought him home late last night. He found him in the woods. Evidently your people just let him get lost out there. He could have died in that cold desolate place if Batman and Superman hadn't gone looking for him."
"Superman, you saw him… when?"
"For just a few minutes when he brought Clark home, why do you ask?"
"We found evidence that Superman was at the site where Burt Snow had been held. The back wall had been demolished with a large section found almost intact near the front of the building. There was no way the bomb could have caused that kind of damage. Burt and Batman are not cooperating but it appears Superman was there involved somehow. We fear he may have been hurt, he hasn't been seen or heard of since."
General Lane spoke up not sure he wanted to trust the man speaking. "I was here with Lois, if he was hurt Superman appears to have recovered. I suggest you leave and let Clark do the same."
"You say they found him wondering in the woods? Looking once again at Clark he turned. "Alright, but we may need to talk to him once he recovers."
"I'll see you out." General Lane said brusquely.
Once Agent Roberts had left the house Lois put the sun lamp back in place just as her Father came back into the room. "Dad, thank you for stepping in, I'm not sure we can trust those men?"
"I agree honey. I never thought I would say this, but I think Clark is right. The government doesn't always act in our best interests. I may have closed my eyes to it in the past but no more."
"Dad... you don't know what that means to me."
"Yes, I think I do, finally. I never truly saw before now just what kind of a man Clark…Superman is. I saw an all powerful being who did a few good deeds and went on his way. But he is so much more I can hardly comprehend it all. I do believe he would without hesitation give his life for anyone on this planet. That is the mark of a true hero. Jason is going to have mighty big boots to fill. I finally see what you see and I would be so very proud and happy if I could in some way contribute to his and your legacy."
Lois was speechless as they embraced holding each other for long moments as the two connected more intently than they ever had before. Breaking away Lois said "I really would like to try and get a little sleep now."
Giving her a quick kiss he left the room closing the door behind him.
As she crawled back into bed Clark whispered with a still raspy voice as he pulled the mask aside, "So does this mean your dad finally likes me?"
"So you must be feeling better if you are already up to eavesdropping."
"Eavesdropping, you were standing right next to the bed even in a coma I would have heard it. Can I take this mask off now? It's really hard to talk with it on"
"No, leave it till Dad says you can take it off. You shouldn't be trying to talk yet anyway. Clark, I…I thought I was really losing you this time. Just hold me for a little while."
"I'm sorry…"
"Shsssssssss, no talking, you need to rest now."
Early afternoon Lois got up and brought up a bowl of homemade chicken soup a neighbor had dropped off. The neighbor had wanted to welcome the Kents but was told by General Lane that Clark was ill. Hearing this she immediately went home and prepared her famous chicken soup from a recipe her French mother had given her years before.
Eating a bowl of the soup with Clark Lois smiled between bites, "You know Clark, you still owe me half of a honeymoon. I can certainly see why you love France so much. Perhaps we could go back sometime soon and maybe even take the kids with us. They would love that quaint little town."
"Sounds like a plan to me, that is if your Dad will ever let me take this mask off for more that ten minutes at a time."
"You're sounding a lot better maybe soon Boy Scout!"
"Whoa, has Darth been here?"
"I thought you heard everything, even in a coma?"
'I did hear a lot when I was in that coma going to and while in the hospital. But I wasn't in a coma this time. I remember very little of what happened till earlier this morning. How did I get here? You mentioned Batman to Agent Roberts, was he involved?"
"Yes, Batman and I knew you weren't going to be able to stay out of matters so we devised a plan. Batman arrived just after the bomb exploded. He convinced Burt to stay quiet about your being there so he could get you home without anyone suspecting anything. Clark you almost died. If not for Batman and Dad you surely would have."
"I'm sorry Lois. I really did try and keep the promise…."
"Shssssss, like they say, you can't change a leopard's spots. It's alright. I finally understand it's who you are. After all that is part of what I love about you. Just don't go getting yourself killed. The kids and I love and need you too much!"
After they finished eating the soup Lois left the room as General Lane came in and examined Clark, happily surprised to see him doing so well. Clark asked if he could forgo the oxygen mask saying he had it off for over fifteen minutes and didn't think he needed it any longer.
"You do appear to be breathing much better. You can leave it off, but if you have any shortness of breath you should put it back on. How do you feel?"
"Like a large Mack truck just ran over me…but good at the same time."
"Sounds like you're feeling much better. Glad to have you back in the land of the living son."
"Thanks…Dad. Raising his eyebrow and smiling he continued. "You don't mind me calling you that do you? General Lane seems so…formal and…" sighing, "impersonal."
"You're more than welcome and I couldn't be more proud, son. You need to just rest for now. But I want you to consider letting me run some tests on you for future reference. So if you ever need medical care again I will not be 'flying blind' so to speak."
"I don't need to consider it. You've more than proven you can be trusted. But you won't have to start from scratch. I already know a lot that will help you, as a matter of fact I can take you to my fortress where you'll have access to anything you need to know about me or Jason. I'm acutely aware this is not just about me any longer. Jason's well being is paramount to me and he's still a big unknown right now. He's changing so fast, much faster than I did. I hope, I pray he has the best of both worlds without my weaknesses. But that in itself could be a problem."
"You're saying his not having weakness could be a problem? How?"
"Absolute power, I'm glad to not have it. It keeps me grounded ties me to humanity. If Jason has no weakness, will he continue to feel that connection?"
"So you buy into the idea that absolute power corrupts absolutely?"
"I find it intriguing. We don't really know just yet if it'll even be a concern. I'm just not willing to take the chance with my son. We have to surround him with as much love and belonging as we possibly can. Most importantly we have to make sure he feels firmly connected to humanity."
"I'll be there with you all the way. Being your son I can't imagine anything but good coming from him."
'Ahh, but we all make mistakes. Jason will have to understand just as I have that our mistakes have the potential to impact many many lives. Once a mistake is made it can't be taken back. You have to just go on picking up the pieces doing the best you can from that point on. Sometimes that doesn't feel like it's enough."
"Jason has a perfect example of how to recover from adversity in you. I've no doubt he'll be fine. That said, son, you should try and get some more rest. Both kids will be home shortly and when they see you up they'll be all over you."
Once again alone in the bedroom Clark lay back down for a few minutes but soon found he was drawn to the window where the sun was shining brightly. Smiling, he quickly donned his suit and without hesitation opened the window and floated up and away till he reached a spot in the unfiltered sunlight. Feeling almost completely re-energized and healed he floated there enjoying the warmth for several minutes before opening his senses. Hearing a cry for help he answered without a second thought breaking the sound barrier as he responded. It was good to be back doing what he was meant to do.
As he arrived home flying back into the window hoping to return before being missed he was surprised to find Lois and both kids waiting for him with 'Dad' close behind. "I thought you were supposed to be resting" Lois laughed tapping her foot.
"Uh…I'm feeling a lot better now. I just wanted some fresh air and uh, real sunshine."
As General Lane stood in the doorway laughing Lois, Jason and Kala ran to Superman who allowed himself to be bowled over as the four fell on the carpet laughing filled with relief and joy.
"By the way Superman if Clark or Lois ever does another Superman interview remind them to ask, 'If you were a tree, what kind would you be'?" The General grabbed his sides in laughter at his own joke. It felt so good to laugh again after the last twenty-four hours.
"It's good to be home where I belong. Tree or not, I have the best family and friends a man could ever dream or wish for."
The end or is it just a new beginning?
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I wish to thank my Beta reader SHADOLibrarian once again for her valuable input and editing and for her Trask contribution
Hope you all enjoyed the ride.
(Please return all seats to their upright positions and remember to take all your belongings with you).
Please Review
Also - Please note the story continued for 3 chapters in
All Is Well That Ends Well-Short Xmas Story
And All Is Well - The Kent Family Saga soon to be posted
If you can't wait it's already completed at The Planet Fan Fiction site.
