NOTE: Back when I was writing this, I had written out to Chapter 9, and only published to Chapter 6 then got lost on how to end it. I'm not editing it, but here's the first draft from before. Usual disclaimers.
Chapter 9: Double
1. Paris on the News Friday March 11, 17 weeks pregnant
Lois slipped into the news room, smiling to herself, her recent shopping spree the weekend before to get Linda King out of her nostrils had done wonders for her. She'd found a new suit, that with some tailoring had afforded her the freedom to once more walk about the news room without worry that someone would catch onto her predicament. They'd spent their days going through normal routine that week, with their nights arguing over possible leads into the Lex Luthor case, looking for any crack in Luthor's armor only to be still, no further along a week later.
Making her cup of tea, Lois was startled by Jimmy calling everyone's attention to the LLN news station that continued to run non stop. The news caster gave out the horrific report of a commercial flight struggling to land at the Paris International Airport where both the landing gear and wing flaps were inoperative.
"What's going on?" Clark asked, coming into the crowd beside Lois.
"Serious situation at Orley." Perry explained not taking his eyes off the screen. "Plane's got no landing gear, about to attempt a landing."
"Uh…" Clark said, turning, touching Lois's shoulder briefly as he moved past her towards the back of the crowd. "I just remembered, I left my story notes in my car."
"Clark," Lois asked incredulously, wondering just how paper thin his excuses could be. "You don't have a car."
"In the taxi." Clark said, loosening the knot on his tie as he backed towards the Elevator with Lois's stare on him. "My… taxi, I'll just…" Clark took in Lois's rolling eyes.
"Look!" Jimmy cried, pointed towards the screen.
"I don't believe it…" Perry shook his head, laughing."
"It's Superman!" Lois turned quickly, noticing the expression of shock on Clark's face, but how? "He's there! In Paris."
Lois stood there dumb founded, perhaps she was wrong, perhaps she had made the right decision not to tell Clark she knew his secret. What if she was wrong? She barely heard Perry's cheer that was joined in by everyone else. There truly was more to the secret between her husband and the hero then she thought. Yet what?2. Truth: Friday March 11, 17 weeks pregnant
Clark paced the ceiling after hanging up with his parents. They'd been excited until he'd explained it hadn't been him doing the rescue in Paris. A public statement, the bottom of it, get Lois's help. She was involved in enough things, and what if, Clark thought, what if this was an opportunity for him to just be Clark Kent and let someone else take on the mantel of Superman?
He'd check it out, Clark thought, He'd arrange to view the plane that weekend. Soon as he could get the appointment. He was startled, then by a knock.
"Clark?" he heard Lois ask.
Coming back to the ground, Clark quickly stepped to the door, smiling at her as he let her in. "Evening Lois…"
"So…" Lois asked looking about the room. "What are you cooking us for dinner?"
"Us?"
"Yes us." Lois nodded. Pulling a ring from a chain hanging from her neck, she unclasped the chain and stuck the ring onto her finger. "Honey I'm home… I didn't want take out, and we've got a lot of work on the Luthor investigation. He asked me out again this weekend. Ugh. When will we catch him in the act?"
"I don't see why seeing and encouraging Luthor will improve our chances of bringing him down."
"Getting in?" She shrugged. "I'm doing my best to figure out where the hidden compartments might be." She shrugged. "He's taking me to some luncheon tomorrow and I'll get to pick up the spy pen I left there."
"Lois, that's dangerous."
"Clark, it's all in the line of our work. You know that." She patted his cheek. "Now hurry up and make me some dinner. Your wife is starving."
"Sure." Clark nodded. "Something healthy?"
"Naturally, don't want to gain a pound that isn't necessary." Lois moved towards the table taking a seat, as she grabbed the half eaten apple he'd left on the table during his phone conversation with his folks. Taking a bite, she sighed. "That was an amazing save Superman did in Paris, wasn't it?"
"Yeah." Clark nodded, moving towards the fridge to look over his supplies. "Some save."3. Paris Monday March 14, 1994
Clark spun out of his superman suit, out of sight among luggage carts before jogging to meet his contact at the Paris International Airport, Delacroix.
"It was very lucky that you were here in Paris on assignment. I've read many of your articles on Superman in the international edition of the Daily Planet." The man greeted him.
"Thank you for meeting me." Clark nodded, shaking the man's hand.
"I've arranged for you to examine the plane." Delaxcroix motioned toward the grounded plane.
"Thank you." Clark nodded to the older shorter man. "I just need to verify… something, for my article."
Stepping up a luggage ladder, Clark examined the handprints on the belly of the plane. Slowly placing his own hands into the prints, he found them a perfect fit for his own hands. Climbing quickly down, he thanked Delaxcroix who stood speaking quickly in french with a coworker, and within minutes he was off, yet not before stopping at a small bakery he remembered from a previous visit to Paris.4. Daily Planet
Lois entered the news room early, having not seen anyone the day before. She'd spent all of Sunday by herself, not answering any calls from anyone as she alternated listening through the tape she'd recorded in Lex's office and spoke to her baby wondering just what kind of life they were going to have once they got Lex behind bars? She had sat in her bath, filled with bubbles, speaking to her child trying to discern the truth was Clark really Superman, or not? Could she commit to him, even if he wasn't? Was she willing to give up one man for the other? Yet, she'd smiled at the end of the day as her skin looked like a raisen, that even if not, even if Superman could only be a friend, Clark held the most important place.
So she stood there, dressed in a loose loud floral top with a structured skirt and jacket in bright colors that seemed to soften her face as she leafed through the stack of international papers that were always kept in the foraer of the Daily Planet. She looked up, smiling as Clark joined her. "It's been three days since Superman has even been seen in Metropolis." She turned to face him. "Don't you find that just the tiniest bit odd?"
"Yes, I do but…" Clark's words trailed off as the couple watched Perry White dressed in a baseball cap with the Daily Planet Logo printed on its bill, with darker hair beneath then they had ever seen. They nodded absently as the Editor tipped his hat towards them, before boarding one of the elevators.
Lois picked up one of the papers. "Look at this. In the last thirty-six hours, Superman's saved an airplane in Paris, righted a sinking ship in Rio, rescued a busload of school children in Surinam, what ever that is, and on and on. Never once talking to the press or even sticking around to see how things came out." Finally letting out a breath she dropped the paper, facing him, looking for some answer in his eyes.
"What's the point?" Clark asked, "Croissant?"
Finding no answer in his eyes, Lois opened the bag, ripping of a piece of one of the pastries. "Only a small piece. The point is… Why isn't he here? Why isn't he saving sinking ships or rescuing school children in Metropolis like he's always done?" She took a bite of the croissant. "These are incredible. Where'd you get them?"
"A little French bakery." He said as she continued to stare at him. Was there something on his face, he wondered. "You know, Lois, Metropolis doesn't own Superman. Maybe he's on vacation, maybe he's…" He ran his free hand through his hair as she continued to stare pointedly at him. "The truth is, I don't understand it either."
There, she thought, her proof, he wasn't Superman. If he was, then perhaps, he would know, yet what she'd figured out before. Lois Lane was going to get to the bottom of it.
"Do I have something on my face?" Clark broke her thoughts. "You keep staring."
Thinking quickly, Lois licked her thumb before wiping away at an invisible stain. "Can't have my partner with a smudge now can I?" She wasn't going to embarrass him without proof. She was distracted as she saw Jimmy push past them from the Chief's office mumbling to himself. "A hair piece and white water rafting! What's next?"
"What?" Lois asked distracted.
"The Chief, he's wearing a hair piece and talking about taking a white water rafting trip to live on the edge."
"Stranger things have happened." Lois shrugged before turning back to Clark. "I mean what's going on with Superman? Why is he gallivanting all over the world? I left messages for him to call Lane and Kent at the Planet with every correspondent and news bureau of ours worldwide about just why he's left Metropolis. Nothing."
"Don't worry. I have a real strong feeling he'll be back." Clark took another bite of his crosaunt. "Soon."
Lois rolled her eyes. "Don't tell me, reporter's intuition?"
Clark shrugged. "You don't hold the patent on it, you know."
Lois studied him for a second. Perhaps, he had been busy out of town, she hadn't been the most in touch with Clark that weekend. "No, but intuition is not something you just 'pick up' you're born with it."
"And?" His eyes were daring her something, but she didn't know what.
"I was." Lois left it at that, choosing to contemplate the truth about just who her husband was later. She flipped her hair as she turned back towards her desk.
"Congratulations." Clark brought her back to the present. "Can I get back to my story now?"
Throwing her hands up, Lois nodded. "Go ahead." Slumping back in her chair, she picked off a piece of lint on her blouse before sighing. "Superman, just what are you up to?"
Clark ignored the quiet mumblings of his wife as he examined the photographs provided from the Paris rescue. Tipping down his glasses, he was startled to discern that it was his own face on the flying man who rescued the plane.
"What're you doing?" Lois asked, coming to peer over his shoulders.
"What am I doing? Nothing, really." Clark swallowed, wishing he'd ages ago had told her the truth. "I didn't get to see the whole rescue, so I got some pictures."
Lois smirked. A full on smirk that seemed to irritate Clark. "What?"
"And I thought I was the biggest Superman fan in Metropolis. Maybe you should join his fan club." She studied his face carefully at his shock. "You'll get a button." Just what was, she thought the truth. Up until a few days before she would have sworn that Clark Kent was Superman, now though… "It's crazy, really."
"What?"
Lois began in full babble mode. "That I had the gall to believe that Superman was mine… I mean before, I mean Metropolis'. I thought he was ours, I mean Metropolis'. I guess he should belong to the world, but… I thought this was his home. He's our friend." What ever else he is, a side job for my husband or just a friend, he's our friend.
Clark smiled at her. "It is. He's…" He looked her in the eye. "As much as said so."
"Maybe. But the fact remains: I have no hold on him at all." Lois shook her head, as she absently fingered her necklace. "Its hard to give up a dream. Well, better get to work."
Clark merely stared at her as she walked back to her desk. "Lois…" he said softly, so that only she heard, forcing her to turn back to him. "I think you'd be surprised. You… Metropolis, has a stronger hold on Superman then you may think."
Lois walked closer. Leaning in close. She patted him on the cheek. "Nice try Kent. But then what're partners for? And I'm sure you're right, we are his friends. I just wish… Never mind." Returning to her desk, Lois held up the appearance as she tried to wrap her mind around just what was the conundrum between the hero and her husband and herself?
In the distance, only to Clark's ears were several sonic booms, followed by shouts and startle meant of the people of Metropolis below. Noticing Lois to be distracted, Clark slipped out of his desk, mumbling about meeting a source before rushing to the roof to find the impostor.
5. Double
Flying midair over the city of Metropolis about 1000 ft above the ground, Clark was startled by the mimic of his own voice behind him. "Hey! You!'
"Who are you?" Clark asked, turning to face the impostor.
"I don't want to talk. You're my enemy." The impostor crossed his arms in a pout.
"Why would you say that?" Clark asked, warily.
"I am the most powerful man in the universe. You've outlived your usefulness."
"Who told you all these things?"
"My father." The impostor seemed to rock in the air, reminding Clark of a preschooler who had won a game.
"Who's your father?" Clark asked trying to come closer.
"I promised never to tell."
"I'm not your enemy. I want to be your friend. I want to know more about you, where you come from…" Clark wondered briefly if someone had sent this impostor to train him for fatherhood.
"I was born in the womb. My father took me out." Clark stared at the impostor wondering if for a brief moment someone had taken the full grown child out of Lois's belly, if this was their unborn child, who knew how Kryptonians grew, but with a quick shake of his head, he'd been a child and Lois certainly was still pregnant.
"Okay." Clark said slowly, trying to find reason. "How old are you?"
"As old as you." The impostor laughed before spinning in the air. "Catch me if you can!" Then with a sudden burst of speed, the impostor lead Clark on a high speed chase that by the end of it, having lost the impostor to a sonic boom, Clark was left catching his breath for a second wondering just how was he going to be a father and husband and Superman?
6. Next Day
"Lois!" Perry bellowed causing Lois to turn back towards the chief. "Robbery and hostage situation at Metropolis Merchant's Bank. Shake a leg."
Grabbing the fax with the news out of Perry's hand, Lois was brought back into reality by the sudden kick of the baby noticing for the first time Perry White's new look. He was in a purple armani suit with an expensive tie and a hairpiece on top of it. "New Suit?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
"As a matter of fact, yes."
"Huh." Another kick, harder now, making her wonder if kryptonian genes were in her body. "Special occasion?" She forced her mind back onto her boss.
"Not really, no."
"Huh." Another kick, this one she thought would leave a bruse. "You okay?"
"Lois?"
"Yes?"
"The bank? Or less you need…"
"Oh, right. Bank." She was nearly to the door, when she could have sworn she heard for a second Jimmy speaking to the chief. "Chief, are you sure you're okay?"
Then starting to roar Perry caused the whole news room to freeze listening to him. "Yea! I'm okay! Why is everybody asking if I'm okay? I'm okay, okay? I'd be better if everyone around here minded their own business. Can't a man change his outfit without going through the third degree? The next person that asks so if I'm okay will be fired."
Yep, Lois thought, certainly not okay, but then with the added knowledge of her secret… perhaps it was too much on the old man.7. Bank Robbery
Lois arrived on the scene of the Bank Robbery as the police were wrapping up the aftermath of the foiled bank robbery. Rushing up towards one of the cops standing around writing a report, she held up her tape recorder. "Lois Lane, Daily Planet. What happened?" This the chase, was what she lived for.
"Tense stand-off until Superman got here."
"He's here? In Metropolis!" Lois let a bit of her previous squeel come out before remembering that either he never left and was her husband or wasn't hers anymore.
The cop nodded. "He flew in the top floor window, appreheneded the perp, freed the hostages. He's over there." The cop waved towards the armed police truck where Superman oversaw two police officers leading the offender into the back of the armored truck.
The truth, it was time. Rushing towards Superman she studied him, looking for any trace of Clark on him. "Superman! Superman! You're back!"
Commotion behind them caused both her and the superman to turn towards the offender and police officers of whom the man had escaped the police, running off. Smiling briefly at Lois, the Superman within seconds had grabbed the man, and tossed him into the waiting armed truck like a sack of potatos. The police shook the hero's hands, but Lois noticing the perb groaning in pain against the back wall of the armored truck, no doubt in pain. What was going on, she thought.
Noticing the Superman returning, she forced a smile and behind her long lashes asked. "Superman?"
"Yes?"
"It's me."
He said nothing, merely seemed to smerk as he looked her up and down before flying off. She felt violated for a second, wondering if he'd noticed the baby, if he'd used xray vision to invade her privacy. Just who was this? Perhaps, she thought, it was time for a visit to the one who always seemed to know.
8. Visit to Uncle Wallace
Lois arrived at the home of Uncle Wallace an hour later after calling into the office the story. She'd thought of leaving a message for Clark to meet her at Uncle Wallace's to confront him there about just what was his relationship to Superman and just what was going on with Superman… She shook her head, if she had any chance of getting answers out of Uncle Wallace she'd need to play her cards carefully…
"Lois." He smiled as he opened the door. "Good of you to come by. I mentioned to Mildrid you might today."
"Let me guess, you made certain you had tea for me?"
"Yes, more rasberry tea for you, but for myself, a simply lovely earl gray."
"You, Earl Gray? Isn't that too, I don't know… Normal?" She allowed her uncle to take her coat before following him into the Parlor.
"I am a contisor of all teas. Not simply the exotic to you." He smiled at her as he gestured towards the couch before taking his own seat in his arm chair. "Clark not with you today?"
"No… There's… Some… things… I am trying to figure out."
"Your future?"
"Yes." Lois gulped the tea before continuing. "As you know, when this fiasco first started I was considering between Superman and Lex Luthor. Clark, well, he wasn't even a consideration, just the hack from no wheresville."
"Yet your trusted friend."
"Yeah, that's right, my friend, even my best friend but I'm a Lane, I don't make friends."
"I believe if I remember right per the paperwork you had me ensure was private and not public record, your name was changed to Kent."
"See, he took over my life. Now I'm having his child…"
"Is it really your life's been taken over?"
"Yea. I'm not Lois Lane anymore."
"Who is?"
"Investiagtive reporter, fearless, the best."
"Was the Lois Lane who was at the Family Gathering last Thanksgiving loved?"
"She'd just been drugged, eloped, and knocked up… recovering she was so loopy on love it was redicous."
"Alright, you weren't yourself then. What life would you rather? The life you held a year ago where it was just you and the only company you had was Lucy trying to drag you out so she could take over your closet and the soap opera Ivory Towers? I believe Lucy used to say you had interviews not Dates."
"She swore she'd never…"
"She didn't." Uncle Wallace sighed. "Lois, do you want to choose a future with Clark and your child, fight for that love. Choose to love even when its hard, choose to grow in love? Or are you looking for the easy way out."
"I made a commitment to Clark, I'll follow through." Lois nearly growled. "I'm giving us a chance, I'm just so confused."
"About what?"
"Well, you know no doubt our big investigation?"
"Which is?"
"What you have to know?" Lois took a bite of the scone in front of her. "Clark has convinced me that Lex Luthor is the Boss, only we're hitting dead ends to prove it."
"Yes, I have heard that to be the case that the slippery man in the tower was the head of the underworld. You're working then with the corrorporation of Superman then?"
"That's the rub." Lois leaned back. "Lex, I'm only going out with him now and keeping things undercover so we can dig the dirt on him… you know the saying keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Now having to kiss him… yet I've avoided having to go out with him too often, and soon I'll really need to just give him the cold shoulder or something so he doesn't accidently feel little Laney."
"Laney?"
Lois shrugged. "It's what Clark and I are calling the baby, keeps it more real. He wants to find out the gender but I've said no way. I was supposed to be a boy after all, look how that recked my life."
"Recked? No, you were always valued."
"Yep. Anyways, the problem is Superman. You told me Clark Kent is better then Superman."
"I did." Uncle Wallace nodded.
"Yep, I've got that good memory just like you have." Lois continued. "Anyways, I went to Smallville to spend some time relaxing with Clark's parents. You know try to do the whole in laws thing, and they're great. Much better then my parents. Well, while I was there, I could have sworn Superman flew over me, and as I followed to find out just why Superman was on Valentines day in Smallville, I could have sworn he turned into Clark and was telling his parents about a globe that told him about his kryptonian heriatage."
"A fact your husband has not confirmed with you."
"No. So am I harobring a half kryptonian half lane baby? IF so it's certainly not human…"
"Kryptonian?"
"Lane." Lois laughed for a minute as she fondly rubbed her belly. "I could have sworn until a few days ago that Clark was Superman and I was trying to prove he could trust me to tell me. OF course it didn't help with the whole Linda King fiasco last week. Now though? I saw Superman live on screen in Paris and Clark in the room with me."
"Your point?"
"I can't say something in case I'm wrong. What no you're not superman, oops…" Lois sighed. "Not only that, lately I've been paying more attention to the Hero, what if Clark's right, it's not the heros and villons in the sky that matter, but my own personal body guard?"
"Your own personal?"
"Clark told me a story he made up, that at the time was just rediculous. He said there was this prince from a foreign land who went to a new world were people were ordinary where he met a woman he fell in love with, a singer. She didn't give him the time of the day but he was her quiet steadfast body guard."
"Like the Steadfast Tin Soldier?"
"What? I guess. Anyways, he said that the singer only had eyes for the two up in the skies that were constantly battling for her affection. And then he said that he, the steadfast tin soldier had a secret that he was a dragon and better then the two fighting up in the skies. So I guess he meant Lex and Superman… I concede that he's my future, and it won't necessarily be romantic trips to a tropical island at a whim, but he is who I want next to me for the rest of my life I think…"
"Perhaps it's time that you severed ties with those two in the skies to focus on your future then?"
"But is he Superman, is that what he meant by he turns into a dragon, or is he my own private Superman, like the public hero, but my quiet everyday hero?"
"That, my dear is something I can not tell you."
"You mean you don't want to." Lois pouted. "I know you know, come on and help my marriage out! I need to know. They resemble each other to an extent…"
Uncle Wallace stared at her, tapping his fingers together in thought. "Perhaps a token of your faith in your future? A token of taking things on faith that whether or not your husband is the hero?"
"Come on tell me, I know you know…"
"I do not know everything, my dear. Not everything."
"And as tight lipped as ever. Alright. Thanks for the help what ever good it did. Tell Aunt Mildrid hello for me will you?"
9. Smallville
Clark few briefly to Smallville, only to turn away realizing before he landed the lecture his parents would have given him about not telling Lois the truth about him was half the reason for this mess. Shrugging he turned back towards Metropolis, dropping onto the only other person he could think to talk to. Uncle Wallace could be descrete, but he was unlikely to lecture like his mother would. As he flew over the row of townhouses, he saw Lois leaving the town house and walking towards her Jeep her expression worried that for once she had her hand on her belly. Now even more curious as to what his wife could be up to, Clark lowered quickly spinning into his regular clothes before jogging up the block to call on Uncle Wallace.
"I thought you'd remember also, Clark." Uncle Wallace surprised him, opening the door. "Lois remembered, it has been a month by my clock since our last tea."
"Oh, yes, sorry, we've been… busy."
"Well, come in, serial today is. I'll brew another pot, and we'll catch up."
Leading Clark into the Parlor, Uncle Wallace excused himself to the kitchen to prepare the next batch of tea. His words startled Clark. "Quite an impression the new Superman makes."
"New?"
"Since Paris."
"I saw him." Clark sighed. "He was ten feet away from me. He looks exactly like." Clark leaned in closer towards Uncle Wallace and spoke in a whisper. "He is me. And he has all my power. Doubtless you already knew that."
"Yes. The Douppelganger."
"Is it possible do you think? Maybe I have a twin brother?"
Uncle Wallace only raised an eyebrow.
Clark shook his head. "Will he step in and steal Lois?"
"Is that why he is here? Is that what his motive is?" Uncle Wallace leaned forward, pouring the tea. "This tea is specifically chosen for its fast brewing… it's an art to fast brew as to slow brew to still retrieve the flavors."
"My problem here?"
"That a man who looks like you, talks like you, acts like you, has your gifts is parading around as you stealing your life?"
"Exactly." Clark leaned in. "What is he?"
"What? I haven't the faintest idea. Long Lost Brother, clone, yourself from the future, an alternate reality…" Uncle Wallace shrugged. "I prefer to leave sci fy to the books in the fiction section that the library always puts a little sticker on with a spaceship."
"I tried talking to him, lot of good that did. He said his father took him from the womb. He's not Lois's and my child from the future is he? That would explain why I felt like I was dealing with a child…"
"Full grown body? Did he act like a child of Lois Lane would act?"
Clark shook his head. "No."
"Perhaps," Uncle Wallace tapped his tea cup. "What you need is a distraction. The investiagation that is wearing Lois out, seems to be wearing you out also, now with this on top of it…. Tusk tusk tusk. Perhaps you can humor an old man, let me tell you about the unique ways of brewing tea. It certainly will take your mind off of your problems to rest for a little while."
"Tea? That might just be what I need. Tell me everything you know."10. Daily Planet
Clark was riding the elevator up to the Daily Planet, when his superhearing picked up a conversation between Perry White and Jimmy Olsen. "I'm history, Jimmy." Perry white barked.
"Where you going?"
"Lunch." The Chief's stomach grumbled. "Thought I'd try some of that Japanese delicacy — blowfish sushi."
Clark could hear the startlement in Jimmy's voice as he responded. "The kind that can kill you?"
"Sayonara." The chief said as the elevator doors chimed and Clark walked out to face a chief he didn't recognize, but his boss looked completely off, like he'd changed his looks everything from the way he dressed, to his hair but Clark couldn't pin point it.
Clark shrugged before returning to his desk. He'd just spent his lunch hour listening to the virtues of tea, a highly enjoyable distraction that only would have been better with the accompanyment of Lois Lane, everything was better with his wife, Clark thought, everything but the problem about Superman and now his double.
"Metropolis bridge?" Clark's superhearing picked up again Jimmy's voice coming from inside the chief's office. Shrugging he turned breaking into a broad grin as his wife and child came rushing towards him, or more exactly Lois Lane came rushing with the glint of a story in her eyes.
"Clark, we have to talk. There's something wrong with Superman!" She stared him down, daring him to call her bluff and tell her the truth. He had been off, the Hero when he'd done the robbery of course, she'd forgotten to ask Uncle Wallace but then her anger at his lack of help… "I watched him toss this robbery suspect into a police van from twenty feet away. Knocked the guy out cold. Superman wouldn't do that."
Clark leaned in closer. "Are you saying you saw Superman? He's here?"
Maybe not Superman then, he'd know wouldn't he if he'd been just acting carelessly and tossing perps? "Earth to Clark. Yes. I saw him this morning."
"Where?"
"Merchant's Bank. Hostage situation. Where've you been anyways."
"Uncle Wallace. He said I just missed you."
"Good. Tack one thing off our list. I was going to remind you." She bit her lip briefly in thought. "And another thing… when I looked at him, it was almost as if he didn't recognize me. In fact, he smirked at me. Superman doesn't smirk. It's like…"
"What?" Clark pulled her towards the supply closet. "Come on, lets talk privately. Ralph's still got the conference room occupied with his interviewee…"
"I don't know. He's just…" Lois followed him into the supply room. "Bizarro, that's all. I wish we could talk to him in private. Maybe he figured out I'm knocked up and that's why he was smirking, we really need to tell him together. He can be descrete can't he?"
"I don't know." Clark shrugged. "I wish I did, Lois." He stood behind her masausing her back. "Baby moving around a lot?"
P
"Too much. But throwing that perv, that just isn't like Superman. He did it like he was trying to impress me or something." She shuttered. "It was out of character."
"No, that's not something Superman would do. I wish we could talk to him."
Come on, my back feels better and I don't want anyone to think we were doing anything Cat like."
Clark raised an eyebrow. "You mean like announce a second honeymoon and we're ex,"
She quickly covered his mouth with her hand. "Quite Kent. Now let's solve this thing." Anyways, I've got some stories to finish."
11. Currier
Lois had been typing away at her computer studiously ignoring her husband Clark Kent and the kicking of baby Laney Kent as best as she could. IT wasn't going well, and for the third time she'd written the same sentance twice in a row. Groaning, she eld down the backspace when she was startled. "Lois Lane." A messanger stood over her shoulder.
Glaring briefly at him, she realized he wasnt the cause of her fustration, then forcing a smile. "Yes?"
He handed her an enevelope and had the gall, she thought to continue to stand there. When she shoed him off with her hand, her eyes returning to the story trying to find a way to fix it. "I'm suppoed tow ait for a response." The man said.
Lois nodded, signed for the letter and began to open it curious as to whom it could be from. There was a carefully yet awkwardly handwriting was a note, it caused her to smile as she read. "Dear Lois: Please forgive my behavior today. I have so much to tell you. May I see you tonight? I could be at your place at nine. Please say yes. Yours, Superman."
Glancing briefly over at Clark who was staring at her over his glasses, the frames tipped down dangerously to fall off, she wondered about saying yes. She turned back to the messanger quickly so he wouldn't realize she'd seen Clark. "The answer is a definite yes." She smiled at the messanger. It was time she thought, he'd either come as himself, or she'd ask him there so they could tell Superman the truth. It was time.
Lois Lane said nothing to Clark Kent until five minutes to five when rising from her seat, she grabbed a stack of notes, dropping them unseremouniously in front of him before leaning in close. "I've got a date tonight. Think you can look over my notes and see where we can go with this investigation?"
"Lois?"
She spoke in a whisper. "I've got a guest coming at 9. I'd appreciate it if you were there and came a little earlier. Say, at 8 or so. Actually, come earlier, I won't be home until after 7, I have an appointment with the tailor. Pick up what ever you need to cook our guest dinner. There's something off about Superman, and I want you there with me when he comes by."
"Do I need to pick up chocolate?"
"No, but I'm craving oranges."
"Oranges…"
"Oranges and chocolate now that you mention it."12. Date Night
Lois returned to her apartment with her newly tailored suit to find Clark already in her kitchen chopping vegetables. "Good, we won't actually kill Superman."
Clark turned, raising his eyebrows. "So our guest… Superman?"
"Yes, he asked to see me, tonight at nine. He apologized for his behavior, but Clark, I can't lead him on. No matter what else we tell him, he needs to know I'm not available."
"That's right, Mrs. Kent. I think though, I need to tell you a few things." Clark set down his knife and walked towards Lois who had just returned from the bedroom hanging up her newly altered suit. She looked at him, wondering if he'd tell her just what the truth was between himself and Superman. "There's a superman impostor. He's like Superman, but not."
She raised an eyebrow. "So until we figure out which is coming, and what the impostor wants, we have to be careful?"
"Yeah." He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, bringing her into a close hug. "I can't risk loosing you."
"Well, we'll see. Anyways, which ever Superman comes, we'll be ready. I got some new dresses that hide well my pregnant belly, thankfully with how carefully I've been eating I haven't gained extra weight."
"Just what did Superman say?"
"When he asked to stop by?"
"Yes."
"Let me see, I have his note somewhere in my purse." Lois dug through the purse. "Here we are. 'Dear Lois: Please forgive my behavior today. I have so much to tell you. May I see you tonight? I could be at your place at nine. Please say yes. Yours, Superman.' There's something fishy about the Superman I saw today. He didn't recognize me and he threw the perv over twenty feet injuring him."
"That couldn't have been the real Superman."
"I know. The real one would have recognized me. I mean, I'm Lois Lane."
Clark laughed. "Lois Lane?"
"Yes. I have a history with him, even if it's just history, but I'm still his number one reporter."
"What about me?"
"Okay, we're his best reporting team. When Superman arrives that's what I'll tell him. That's why your here. If he's not the real superman, he might have found out about my crush on the hero, but it'd be totally acceptable that I assume it's an interview and asked my work partner here to help me write it."
"Sounds good."
"So what's for dinner?"
"I've got an appetizer for now, yogurt and fruit. Later though I'm making baked chicken with potatoes and veggies."
"So you believe me that Superman that's coming might not be the real superman?"
"Course I do. You're Lois Lane." Lois rolled her eyes at his words. He continued. "I think, we should be careful what we tell him, until we know really who it is, what his agenda is."
"Alright, as far as he's concerned, I'm still slightly star struck, and asked my partner to come to make sure we got the story… About his international work."
"Sounds good." Clark said as he slid the chicken into the oven. "We have some time before he arrives. Should we work some more on the Luthor case?"
"I guess we should. I don't know how many more weeks I can keep up the cover of dating him without bringing him down. What will we do when I can't keep the cover going anymore?"
"One day at a time?"
"Yes, One day at a time."13. Interruption
They were in the midst of notes, when they heard the trademark whoosh of Superman and the curtains fluttering in the aftermath. "Oh, Hello. You're a little early." Lois said, looking up from her notes.
"Is that okay? Why is he here?" the man in tights pointed to Clark.
"We've been working around the clock, and Sure, everything's about ready. I made Clark cook for us, I'm sure you've heard about my cooking…" Lois rose, brushing herself off, glad to be still wearing her suit rather then some evening gown. They had forgotten the time. "Would you like something to drink?"
"Drink?" The man in tights said bewildered. "I guess so. I mean I don't really need to."
"The Pinot Noir should pair well with the baked chicken." Clark said rising. "It's very good of you to meet with Lois, we've been hoping for an interview with you about your recent work you've done internationally. Lois promised I could have some of the baked chicken if I cooked, so I'll stay in the background and let her lead the interview."
"Of course." Lois smiled, "Come on Superman. We would love your take on the Plane Rescue in Paris for starters…" Lois poured the wine into the wine glasses. "That chicken ready Clark?"
"I want you to go." The Superman glared at Clark.
Clark rose easily. "I was promised dinner for doing the work. Not only that, we've been working so many hours the past week that we have to tag team interviews at the moment to make sure we don't miss and forget questions, especially so late at night." Clark shrugged. "Anyways, it's been a while since we caught up."
"Has it really been a while?" Lois asked. "Then of course, you'll both stay. Come on, now tell me. Superman, how would you compare the experiences of launcing the Spaceshuttle with landing the seven forty seven in Paris?"
"I don't want to talk about rescues." The hero nearly pouted. "I want to sit on the sofa with Lois and I want you." He stared at Clark, not addressing him by name. "To leave."
"Why?" Lois asked, arching an eyebrow as she sipped her wine. "I think it's best if Clark stays. Anyways, I am starving and ready to eat. Come on, lets sit down." She motioned for the hero to take the seat next to her.
"I'm glad you're here." She smiled at him.
"Do you like me?" The hero asked, ignoring Clark in the kitchen.
"Of course. You know I do. I'm your friend, Clark's your friend. Although, I'm a little concerned about your behavior lately."
"I haven't done anything wrong." The man injected. "It's just that…" Lois searched for the right words. "I saw you throw that man and…"
He cut her off. "Might is right. How about a kiss?"
"Huh?" Lois said startled as the hero mauled her grabbing her shoulders. At least with the table, he was unable to reach near the baby. That thought caused her to fight him even more, trying to push him away, only his grip was too tight to.
"Am I interrupting?" Clark asked pushing his way between the two to place the chicken and veggies on the table.
"Thanks Clark!" She smiled at him.
"Go away."
"I think, Lois wants me to stay."
"Yes, I do."
"Go away." The superman rose, staring down Clark Kent. He raised a hand to grab Clark, yet Clark grabbed his wrist, holding his arm still.
Clark spoke calmly. "You don't kiss a woman unless she asks, and you don't force yourself. Might is not right. Strength is being willing to lay down your life for the strength of others."
The man only raised an eyebrow at Clark, something registered, Clark thought, no doubt. "I have to go now. It's almost ten. I'll be seeing you again." The impostor turned towards the open window ignoring the steaming food, and jumped out and flew away.
"Unbelievable." Lois said, sinking back into her chair. "And you! You actually faced him, you challenged him. You must be out of your mind."
"Are you all right? IS the child alright?" Clark asked, kneeling beside her chair, rubbing her lower back, feeling the comfortable movement of the baby. "Did he hurt you?"
Lois smiled at him. There was only one answer. "No." She smiled. "And that wasn't our friend, Superman. Let's forget about him for the rest of tonight. We'll figure out who he is, what his agenda is."
"Might is right. That's what he said."
"Nope, what you said was right, now feed your wife."
Clark grinned. "Gladly."14. It's a Clone
"A clone?" Clark asked, after two hours of listening to Lois babble theories. They'd talked of other things the night before, only to return into the news room and sequester themselves in the conference room with only the words to Perry, lead on a story, hush hush.
"Yes, it's so obvious. There's no technology in the world that could produce a robot like that." She stared at him for a split second before continuing. "And we know Superman doesn't have a twin."
"How do we know that?"
"Because he would have told me. Or you. Anyways, so there's only one possibility." She grinned at him. "Someone has cloned Superman. Made an exact genetic copy."
"How? They can't do that yet. We're not that advanced."
"Maybe we are. I read an article in the Metropolis Science Magazine…" Her eyes began to gleam as she pushed past him, out the conference room and rushed to her desk. As she began to dial, sitting carefully on her desk, she watched him more carefully follow. "Yes." She said as the operator came onto like. "I'd like the number for a Doctor Fabian Leek."
15. Dr. Leek
Lois and Clark arrived at the office of Dr. Leek, a man that made learing a grusome art, Lois thought as he seemed to ogel her, making her greatful for the more conservative suits she'd been wearing as of late. Leading them in, he tried to find oportunites to try to touch her, leading her to stick close to the side of Clark, wo she caught glaringat the man behind her back briefly.
"You see, my dear Ms. Lane, it's child's play to clone individual cells. As simple and natural as the reproductive act itself."
Lois bit her lip trying to maintain her dignity as the man continued to stare at her, no doubt, she thought, undressing her in his mind like a barbie doll. "But," she said slowly. "You wrote a paper in college that said entire human beings could be cloned if the right genetic material were available."
"Yes, but I was young and, unfortunately, overly optimistic. It's taken me thirty years to finally be able to cone a frog. The process is much more difficult than I imagined. We're years away from successfully applying the technique to human beings."
Lois noticed as Clark leaned over next to her to look at a glass enclosed specimen box, the frog, she thought certainly looked dead. Clark spoke. "And I guess the process isn't exactly foolproof."
Dr. Leek shrugged, before reaching into the specimen box to remove the dead frog. "Unfortunately, you're correct, Mr. Kent. I'm sorry I can't be of greater assistance."
Lois smiled for the first time at the man, glad to be leaving as quickly as possible. Following her husband closely, she was startled as Dr. Leek grabbed her hand, forcing her to turn towards him. "I would however," He spoke in a slimy voice. "Be very honored to take you to dinenr, Ms. Lane. We could discuss the miracles of life in more, shall we say, tangible terms."
Yanking her hand from the doctors, Lois gritted through her teeth forcing a false smile, feeling the calming hand of Clark on her lower back. "I have a better idea."
"Yes?" The clueless doctor said.
"Why don't you go home, change into something more comfortable, pack an overnight bag and then come back here…" She rolled her eyes watchign the man visably drool before them. "And take all these poor frogs and release them into the nearest lily pond." With that she turned on her heal, not even waiting for Clark to follow her to the Jeep.
He was a few feet behind her laughing as she glared at him. "That guy is a piece of work. A lying sleazy piece of work. He completely backtracked on all of his recent research."
"He shouldn't have tried that with you."
She laughed, again startled to see the hint on the hero on his face. "Yes… I think I'd have twisted his hand off if you hadn't kept me calm." She uncrossed her arms, stepping up to him to pat him on the cheek. "Thanks honey. Come on, we've got a stakeout." Turning swiftly so her hair bounced, she opened the drivers door, leaving him smiling like the teddy bear he'd won he months ago.
"Honey." He said, startling her as he climbed into the car beside her. "I like that."
"Yeah, trying it on for size. We both know I'm not sugar and spice and everything nice…. And compared to that slime…"
"You are sugar and spice, lots of spice with lots of hot pepper, and everything nice."
She laughed, before turning to him. "Anyways. I'm trying, really am, so partner. He completely backtracked on all his recent research."
"Still, in order to even begin to make a clone, they would have to have used cells from Superman's body. The man's invulnerable so…" He looked her in the eye. "How?"
A dozen questions swelled up, yet she swallowed them down, only wanting for now to deal with the issue before her. "I don't know, Clark. But somebody figured it out. And we're going to figure out who."
"I…" Clark seemed to look up towards the skies. "I'll meet you back at the Planet, I am going to find someone…" She stared at him, as he exited the jeep. "Who might be able, to help."
She shook her head, as she saw him loosen his tie as he hurried in the opposite direction of the Daily Planet. A minute after he was out of sight, she heard the faint sonic boom that signaled the flight of Superman.
What was she going to do about them? She wondered as she absently fingered her ring hanging beneath her suit.
16. Ring
Lois Lane drove absently through the city finding her self pausing at Clinton avenue. Pausing to park there, she wondered briefly if Clark would return, only to shake her head, no, he was no doubt searching the skies for the clone to get information as to what was going on.
That was part of the problem, they were two trying to become one, only in a way they were three trying to become one and until they dealt with the elephant in the room, Superman, they couldn't exactly move forward. She wandered about the place, her hand absently trailing along the walls as she pondered just how they would manage to make it to the day when they could be honest with each other and the world.
She was startled, by a sudden reminder of just who her husband was when she reached the doorway into the bedroom. Her left hand brushed against deep imprints into the wooden door frame. She absently ran her hand up and down the imprints woundering what the story fo them were. They were obviously Clark's handprints. Then it occurred to her, the other week when Linda King had been in town and she'd decided they'd have to move in to his place ocne they reached the point they could actually live their reality. That was it, it was her reality now, the life she lead day to day was a farse until she could step into her real reality. Single Career driven Mad Dog Lane had been replaced by another woman.
Lois Lane wasn't the woman who'd woken up 18 weeks ago in that bed to discover her worst nightmare had come true, then being married to Clark Kent was the worst possible future. Now, now it wasn't just her reality it was her dream. Yet how to convince him that it was their future, because with him not telling her the truth about him being Superman, she wondered if he really was committed to them. How could she show him she was?
Her hand stopped, as her thumb slid into the imprint that should have held the indent of his ring. Only there was no ring. He'd been staring at her, as she half dozed in her slip on the bed. She must have affected him more then she'd previously thought to leave such an indent in the wall. When would he realize she really was his, and he was hers. When would he realize that she wasn't in this for the baby, or because it was the right thing to do. Those were all true, but when would he realize that…
There wasn't a ring. She suddenly realized. She had his family herloom ring but he never had one. Never had that symbol of commitment. Perhaps, perhaps it was time to make the statement, they never had made that cauncious declaration that they were sticking things through. Wasn't there something about making a commitment, not just saying "I'm going to do it…" They never had a proper wedding, engagement and at the rate they were going now with taking down Lex Luthor, she didn't know what decisions they would need to make for the safety of their child.
He was so many things, yet how could she explain to him that she valued all of him? She did really, 4 months ago she thought she was in love with Superman, enjoying the affections of Lex Luthor, and had her first good friend in years in Clark Kent. Now, she had a future with Clark who turned out to be Superman in discize, and Lex turned out to be the criminal mastermine of the city. So what she thought was the worst choice, now she knew to be the best. She stood there wondering just what made Clark Kent who he was… Was it the man she saw every day or the hero under it. She'd never wondered just who was the real identity. It was ClarkKent she'd married after all, it was Clark Kent that she was expecting a child with, and it was Clark Kent she realized that she was finding a greater and greater love for as she worked with him towards their future.
Perhaps, there was one thing she could do, she thought, to tell him of her heart change.17. Confront Clone
"I didn't know where else to go." Clark said, as Uncle Wallace answered the door. "May I come in?"
"Of course, I have a lovely brew that I've just made for myself as I read the afternoon addition, is there any stories of note I should look for by yourself and Lois?" Uncle Wallace smiled as he pointed the way towards the parlor. "I'll simply fetch another cup, I thought I'd be english today and drink tea the English way." He returned a few minutes later, to find the nervous Clark sitting on the edge of the couch. "That double of yours causing you stress, or is it the secrets that you and Lois are keeping that's getting to you?"
Clark sighed. "Both I guess. I wish I could just go to her, but I'm scared to tell her. It seems everyone else knows but her." Clark continued when he glanced at the raised eye brows of Uncle Wallace. "You know, I think you knew before I met you no doubt. And the clone figured it out, but I don't think he'll tell anyone either. Thankfully he didn't figure out about Lois and the baby. I'm worried for them and their safety."
"They say that the truth will set you free."
"Yeah, well, I can't spring it all on Lois right now, I keep meaning to once life calms down, or at least we catch Luthor, I'm scared if she knew she'd be in more danger especially with Luthor loose. I talked to the clone, I told him he was a clone, that the 'father' he talks of built him. That's when he told me it was a lie, that I wasn't really Superman, just Clark Kent." Clark sagged into the couch.
"Is that how you see yourself, as two parts that don't make a whole?"
"I don't know. I begged him not to tell anyone, and told him someone was lieing to him, but it wasn't me. That I want to be his friend. I'd normally go and talk it over with my folks, but I'd just get a lecture that now that I'm married…"
"Lois is the first one you should talk to. Two become one." Uncle Wallace finished for him. "Yes, I agree, but I understand and value that you came for a visit, and came to share what is going on. I will listen, but I do advice considering in your heart just who you really are, and who Lois really sees you as… perhaps you'd be surprised."
"I'm just the friend she settled for because she got knocked up."
"Only she can tell you the truth. And the clone?"
"I should fear him, he knows my secret, but he's just.. So much like me, so much like the brother I never had."
"You want to add him to your family, a good and honorable goal. For you say his understanding of family is warped. And what does he want?"
"He thinks I'm his enemy." Clark sighed. "A confrontation is inevitable."
"Which no doubt, with you equally matched I assume, it could be a stalemate leading to death. Is leaving Lois a widow without you to raise your child worth it? Especially without her knowing the truth?"
"The truth?"
"Even I can see, that your love for her is growing…"
It was nearly six pm when Clark Kent exited the elevators to find Lois rushing towards him, her eyes and face flushed with excitement. "I found it!" She held up an archived paper. "Look! 'Superman donates a lock of hair for charity auction.'"
"Of course, I remember." Clark nodded, taking the paper from her hand, wishing he had the freedom to hug or kiss or show any affection for his wife and child. "Does it say who bought it?"
"I'm way ahead of you." She grinned. "Mrs. Doyle Alexander. I called her and she said that there was a break-in at her house the day after the auction. The lock of hair was stolen. Never found out who took it. Never got it back."
"Good work, now we know the how… all we need now is the who." He sat the paper down. "Come on, it's nearly dinner time, let's get Chinese and go over our notes and try to crack this thing open."Superman, is it really you?
It was ten am the next morning, when Lois turned to hear a woosh behind her, turning she saw Superman standing in front of her. "Superman, is it really you?" She asked, wondering just why Clark was showing up in the uniform, how much easier their lives would be if he'd just tell her.
"In the flesh." The hero said, stately and much in the manner she'd always heard him speak.
"Where've you been?" She asked, curious as to where her husband had been all morning and just what she'd tell him in the suit.
"Trying to get the low-down on this imposter. Lois, I need your help." He was giving her a look at four months would have caused her to go limp at the knees.
"Anything." She said carefully wondering suddenly if it really was Clark, or the imposter? He'd kept his distance from her as the hero lately, that was, Clark had.
"Then come fly with me." He didn't even give her an chance to respond before sweeping her into his arms, thankfully the baby was still, for without giving her a chance to compose herself, she knew something was off… this wasn't the man she married, this wasn't Clark, because she could recognize his heart of gold anywhere.
Lois signed, resigning herself to having to be the lady in distress caught by the villian again. Was this what they were facing once Lex got onto them, her getting kidnapped while Clark had to rescue her. And what if this clone, Clark had mentioned the Clone had spoken of a 'father' what if it was Lex? She gave the man holding her the biggest smile she could force. Perhaps once away, she could not only save the day but get a key towards bringing down Lex Luthor. She laughed for a second when her hearing barely picked up the shocked Cat, "Some girls have all the luck." Being kidnapped by bad guys and being held ransom no doubt… luck wasn't the word Lois would use.
Cat was still staring out the window form where Superman had shown up taking Lois Lane, lucky Lois off flying and to help him save the day. The woman, Cat thought, dressed like a frump, especially the past few months, and still had the three most amazing men chasing after her. Maybe there was something to dressing modestly? She turned, noticing Clark walking into the bull pen, speaking of which, she tried to yank down her micro mini skirt a bit to try the modesty thing, as he walked over. "Cat? Did you see Lois come in yet?"
Here was the only man no matter what Cat wore, who wouldn't look below her face. "Uh huh. She left a few minutes ago… with Superman."
"What!?" Cat took in all of Clark's shock. The man definately was a lost cause.
"Yeah. They flew out that window." She pointed to the large open picture window that brought in a slight breeze. "Is something wrong? I hope?" She shrugged, once again, Lois Lane in Superman's arms, so Clark Kent goes to the supply room to pout. She'd chase after him, but knew it was no use. He was a man, almost to the tipping point where he'd fight to the death for the woman he loved. She'd seen that look before. It certainly would be intersting what would happen when quiet to the wayside Clark Kent started fighting Superman and Lex Luthor for Lois's heart. No doubt, Cat thought, he'd win in a heartbeat. Too bad he didn't have a brother.
Showdown
Clark few above Metropolis, searching for Lois & the baby's heartbeats but in a sea of people, he couldn't find them. Suddenly, he heard her scream, piercing his frantic thoughts, without a second thought he rushed with a sonic boom towards her voice, finding her at the Metropolis Studios on the outskirts of town where the Clone had tied her up in front of an old wild west set.
He half picked up a tour guide speaking into a microphone down the dirt street, and the flash of cameras. "We're driving, we're driving…" The woman was saying, but he turned his thoughts from that quickly searing for the heartbeats of his family.
He saw her, tied to a post under a wooden handwritten sign for "Blacksmith." The clone was standing over her brandishing a red hot iron, as Lois cringed, trying to move away and protect the baby. Yet she was so tightly tied that nothing she did would protect her. Clark heard the clone laugh as Clark struggled to keep the vile from rising to his throat. "Let her go!"
The clone set the hot irons into the blazing fire, turning to face Lois, his face softening. "I never would have hurt you, Lois. But this was the only way I could guarantee Superman would fight me was to make him think your life was in danger."
Clark ignored the clone, rushing towards Lois, ripping off the rope form her hands and feet, carefully checking her with his xray vision. The baby was alright, and somehow the Clone had never thought of checking… He turned around, looking for the clone, only to see him gone, with only the swinging doors of the saloon set giving any indication of his direction.
"Stay here." He said firmly staring Lois in the eyes.
She merely nodded, before he turned rushing towards the saloon to confront the Clone, trying to hold back his anger of his wife and child being placed in such danger.
He looked about the bar, seeing the Clone laughing sitting on the bar at the other end of the room. Grabbing the bar, he yanked it towards him, forcing the clone to face him. The Clone lifted him up and threw him across the length of the bar, smashing bottles and glasses and straight out the window in the line of sight of Lois.
Without turning around he rushed back in, hurling himself at the clone. Both men were startled in their fight as the doors swung, with Lois panting standing at the door. "Stop." She said simply.
The two men stared at her, puzzled. Clark turned to her briefly shaking his head. Turning back towards the Clone he gritted his teeth. "This town isn't big enough for the two of us. Let's takes this fight outside." He turned towards Lois again stating his command. "Stay here."
The two men took their places like a wild west show down, both ignoring Lois. They slowly started walking towards each other. They ignored Lois, they ignored the tour bus of gapping tourists, they ignored the worker painting one of the buildings, who dropped his brush and rushed into a building pulling down the shade to hide cowering behind the door.
They continued walking towards each other, each imitating a wild west their fingers twitching to grab imaginary guns. The clone let out a blast of heat vision that was soon recipitated by Clark, as the laser beams hit each other, they burst into a fireball in the air between them.
Lois stood, slightly dazed in the saloon door's opening watching the fireballs that continued to erupt between the two in their staring contest. One fireball got deflexted by the clone sending the fireball dangerously close to her exploding a post holding up the saloon porch. Jumping back to safety she wondered the best course of action.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Clark, "Don't you understand? This is a fight neither of us can win!"
The clone simply ignored him, causing her to shake her head. She saw the tour bus, still standing there busily taking pictures as the guide obviously realizing this really was dangerous was trying to sheppard them away. She turned her head back towards the two men. She studied each, her husband and his clone. She could recognize the stress getting to Clark. And with the stress, she could see beyong a shadow of a doubt that as the facade of superman was warn away from each man as they fought to their breaking points. The real Superman was simply her Clark, she'd seen that stress so many times, normally after one of her scheems to get them a scoop, or how to move forward with their lives… As the facades of the hero broke down from each, she saw crystal clear Her husband, his heart and simply a carbon copy. Lacking the depth of her own husband, the one she loved. Sure he might have his own merrots, but he wasn't Clark Kent. He might be able to take on Superman, but never Clark Kent.
It was at that moment as if the realization also hit him, that the Clone's heat ray vision broke down and the heat ray from Clark hit him in the chest sending the Clone realing back falling to the ground. Both she and Clark rushed towards him.
"Go ahead. Finish me off. Might is right. Only the strong survive."
"I don't want to hurt you." She heard Clark respond, kneeling beside the Clone, checking his injuries. "You and I… we have so much in common. We're linked. We're… brothers."
Perhaps that was it, freeky she thought, but a twin of sorts, same DNA, but she'd heard that each twin always was unique. The clone spoke. "I don't understand. Why wouldn't you want to rule alone?"
There was a sad haunted look in Clark's eyes, and Lois wondered for a minute if he felt alone all the time, even when they spoke of their future together. Clark spoke. "I don't want to rule. I want to be respected, yes, but you earn that respect by caring for others, not overpowering them." He sighed, watching the clone clutch onto his stomach as though to ease unseen pain. "Are you alright?"
"I'm dying." The clone stated. "Maybe it's for the best. If I'm not real, if I was created just to do my father's bidding… to kill you, then there's nothing left to live for anyway." Lois watched the clone arise slowly. "I have something to do. Will you wait here for me?" Clark nodded as the Clone slowly rose. He wished to go with the clone, to find any evidence the Clone would provide and ensure the Clone survived the flight, for he didn't look well. Yet his wife, though she didn't know it was him, he realized, was approaching. His heart lept wishing to pull her into his arms and not let go, only he could not. She was married to Clark Kent, not Superman, and didn't know…. He sighed. "Come on, he said to Lois. "Let's get you out of here."
Wild West
Lois shook her head, as Clark dropped her off on the roof the Daily Planet. She turned to speak to him. "Please be careful…" She paused for a moment wishing to throw her arms around him, only to hold them stiffly at her sides. It was time to let him return. Now wasn't the time to inform him she knew. "Please be careful Superman," she restated before opening the door to the stairs at climbing down without a second look.
She reached the Bullpen, having walked though she felt a slight cramping from the exercise. She was concerned a minute for the baby's safety only to feel it ethusiasticaly kicking her. "Chief." She said in a voice though not loud, firm and clear to catch the chief's attention as he poured over some pictures Jimmy was showing him. "I have a story for you - Clone of Superman."
"This isn't a tabloid, Lois." Perry said briefly before returning to Jimmys' photos.
"No, we publish the news, and when someone clones Superman to take over Superman's place as Metropolis's hero… I saw them for myself."
"Clones?" Jimmy piped up.
"No a clone." Lois sighed sinking into her chair. "The Clone's goal was to kill Superman, so for his own life, Superman had to duel the Clone, I watched it for myself. Clones can't live, I have the notes on the research, and it was dying. So he was trying to complete his mission, kill Superman."
"Superman… he's not dead?"
"No." Lois said slowly. "I doubt the Clone will survive, but it said it was already dying. It had gotten desparate, and kidnapped me. Clark's getting the final information we need now. Superman is doing what ever Kryptonians do for the dying…"
"Pictures?" Perry asked.
Lois sighed. "I was kidnapped by the clone from the news room… Maybe Cat took a picture out of jelousy?" She sighed. "There was a tour bus, I guess I should hunt them down. I know Chief this is all farfetched, but…"
"Farfetched? Lois if I told you I saw Elvis last night at the LexSave what would you call it?"
"We have research on the doctor we believe created the clone, who he's working for and is funded by we still don't know. Hopefully the clone will tell Superman. Right now I'll start making phone calls to get that picture. IT was a show down in Metropolis Studio Lot on the wild west street…"
"Honey, no one but you have seen this clone but you."
"Chief, a van full of tourists saw them dueling. Clark's getting some more info no doubt."
"He went chasing after you." Cat surprised her, "Soon as he heard Superman had taken off with you…. What's up with you? You've got Superman, a Superman Clone, and Clark Kent head over heals for you and you dress so conservatively, your cheeks swear you've gained wait but you're glowing. What's your secret?"
Lois shrugged. "Be unavailable?"Bad news in the Pit
Lois had hoped for a private dinner to catch up after a late afternoon writing the article about the clone. She'd hoped for a private dinner at his place, which was more and more feeling like their home. A chance to talk about the things that officially they couldn't print and in many ways she couldn't know without him telling her the truth. To talk about the big elephant in the room, the truth about who he was. She'd had an hour before his return in which she'd gone down to the little shop by Uncle Mike's restaraunt and bad been quite pleased with her purchase. She'd been all ready for a quiet evening in which Jimmy ahving obtained the photos finally from an older woman who'd taken quite good shots of the fight visiting from Madison, WI. He'd cheerfully suggested Pizza to celebrate, and some how she couldn't say no, especially not to that cheerful grin.
He'd rushed over towarnds the chief's office on their return, pizza box in hand, to see if the chief was hungry. He rushed out a moment later. "Where's Perry?" He asked.
Lois looked up briefly, nodding towards the wafing aromas of pizza. "Left about fifteen minutes ago."
"No!" The boy cried.
"What's going on?" Clark asked, setting down the pizza box he was carrying.
"I promised I wouldn't tell, but… I found out that the Chief got bad news at his physical last week. I think he's planning on doing away with himself."
Lois reached towards the pizza, grabbing a slice. "Jimmy that's absurd."
"No, I swear!" He cried. "There's an entry in his calender for tonight that says he's going to jump the Metropolis Bridge." His eyes went even wider as his own words sunk in. "I think he's going to jump!"
Lois sighed, shaking her head, not only were they not going to be able to talk, they wouldn't enjoy dinner at all with Jimmy's worry. Grabbing her coat and a slice to much on the way, Lois glanced worridly as Clark lead her and Jimmy back towards the elevators to the street to catch a cab towards the Metropolis
Lois threw money at the cabbie as the three of them spileld out into the middle of the bridge, watching with aprehension as a crowd was gathered around the center of one side of the bride. She could just make out Perry on the ledge, as the three of them rushed towards the chief, he nodded and smiled to them, then turned back towards the dark water below. "Chief!" Jimmy cried, as her own voice was dry with shock as the chief forever more disapeared from viw. He had taken a swan dive towards the depths. They rushed towards the ledge, to see a cord attached to his hankle and the man screeming as he bungee jumped. "Great… Shades… Of… Ellllllivis!"
The three sat waiting for the Chief return, sitting down on the sidewalk. He waved off the crowd that had cheered him on, now cheering on the next and final jumper. "Fifty huh?" Clark said.
"The big Five Oh…" Perry said smiling down at them, his three favorites in the news room. Fitting they'd share in the dramatics of turning fifty he thought.
"Well…." Jimmy sighed. "Congradulations, chief."
"Thank You."
"Uh, Perry." Lois said slowly, "One thing. I'd loose the hair piece." She nodded at his now receeding hairline. It hadn't looked natural with the piece.
"Alice says it turns her on. Says I look like a young Dan Rather. I must say though, the other night when she cried out 'Oh Dan," I began to have second thoughts. So well, I left that sucker down the bottom of the canyon. So much for my mid life crisis."
Perry shugged, as Jimmy stood, leaving the couple alone on the deserted bridge. "I've got pizza to celebrate in the bullpen, little cold now, but come on chief, let's eat. You guys coming?"
"No." Lois said for them. "The sholk took my apitatie clean away."
"Pizza, that's sounds good." Perry said as Clark shook his hand, waiving the two men off. "I hope you learned your lesson, son." They heard Perry chide Jimmy.
"Yeah. Never trust an old guy."Choose to Love
"Well, there's only one Superman again."
"Yeah." Lois sighed, smiling up at the stars. "All's right with the world." Bitting her bottom lip she turned to him. "Er… Metropolis at least."
"Almost."
"Almost?"
"It might have been kind of nice. You know, to have two of them."
"Why?" She tilted her head, studying him.
"Then Superman would have a brother. Someone to talk to, share with. We all need that."
"I'll say." Lois nodded, before snugging up against his arm, taking his hand in hers to wrap around her belly.
"Kind of sad."
"Sad." She sighed, contentedly.
"Lois?" Clark moved, to see her face. "Are we talking about the same thing?"
"Sure, companionship for Superman." She looked him straight in the eyes, daring him to read her thoughts. "Right?"
"Right."
"So, no problem." She grinned. "He's got me. Just as you do."
"Right…" Clark said slowly, wondering just how long his wife would hold up her superman fantasy to see the real man.
Lois grabbed his hand, placing it on her stomach. "The baby's kicking. See, we're in agreement. Clark Kent, you and Superman: you're stuck with us. I'd say for the next fifty or so years. So don't you dare ever say that you're alone."
"I wasn't saying I was, Superman…"
She cut him off. "Ah hem. That's right, I'm married to you not to Superman. But Mr. Farm Boy, I don't think you'll always be alone in the skies."
"Skies? Lois?" He tried to see something in her eyes, yet they only spoke mysteries to him.
"You know exactly what I mean." Lois smiled at his dumbstruck eyes. Reaching up with her free hand, she caressed his face. "My best friend, whom I choose to love, not just falling in love… I've seen too many people fall in love then fall out of it. My best friend whom I choose to love, and chooses to love me: is the man whom the world admires in the skies but only I know they admire him in the skies because of the heart they see- the heart you gave me when we were married. You never took it back, no matter how much I bauked about facing reality. You always though, seemed to be completing against Superman, Clark." Her thumb wiped a stray tear from his eye. "What you're always forgetting is that one part of you can't complete against the other part of you for my affections when it's all of you that I choose to love."
"What?"
She tilted her head back and laughed. "You are dense tonight Clark Jerome Kent." She pulled her hands free, to fish for something in her pocket, pulling out a plain ring that glittered in the moonlight. "Clark Jerome Superman Kent, will your marry your wife for good?"
"Lois, how?"
"I know it's not a traditional ring though it looks to be." She twisted it in her hand, showing him the inside. "Outside solid gold like your heart, but inside, steel."
"Why steel?" His hand right hand not on her belly feeling the movement of their child cupped hers holding the ring.
"Because you've got a heart of gold, but inside you're steel, my superhero, my quiet body guard, the man who loves me when I chase after the stars. My husband who puts up with Mad Dog Lane…"
"Lois."
"No let me continue. My husband for better or for worse, father of my child, maybe children but let's figure out how to do this one first, but…"
He cut her off, his hand covering her mouth. "Babbling Lois. How long have you known? Here I've agonized how to tell you, how to make sure you understood…"
"Valentines day, a month now."
He sighed. "That's how long we've been trying to make us work. So you're just committing to me because I'm him."
Pouting, she thought, the man was seriously pouting. Here she was declaring her heart to him, and he was pouting. "Garr, Clark! You know what I'll have to put up for with him to have you? Groupies after my husband. Empty nights when I'm stuck with Laney and no clue where you are because you're out saving the world. Covering for you at work because you work two jobs, making sure our kid doesn't blab it to the world in some my daddy's better then your daddy when they are… I don't know… five."
"Lois."
"Not done. Dealing with super powered kids. Am I going to have to deal with grounding a misbehaving kid only to have them fly off to the moon? And what about the human- kryptonian in my body. Will my body take the labor." She tried to keep the tears from coming forth. "What if it starts manifesting super powers when it's born? What if…"
"Lois."
"I know full babble mode, but I've been waiting… filled with questions, but really Clark. I've weighed the costs. As hard as it will be married privately to Superman will be. It'll be worth it because I'll be Clark Kent's wife, my best friend's wife."
"Lois." Clark took both his hands, cupping her face. "Why was I so foolish not to tell you earlier?" Tilting his forehead to hers, the two sat there in silence for a minute. Pulling back, Clark took her hands in his. "We've no witness but heaven and our child. I know both of us, our memories have returned from the pheromone. So there's no doubt though. I choose to love you until death do us part. To Love, honor and cherish you, Lois Lane Kent."
"And I choose to Love, honor and respect you Clark Jerome Kent." She smiled at him, and she slipped the ring onto his finger. Her calculations in the indents of the doorframe had been correct. The ring fit. A little tight, but good.
He reached around her neck, undoing the chain holding her ring. "I look forward to growing old with you Lois, to raising our family and to… why was I so foolish to not be honest with you so much earlier?"
"I don't know." She said as he slipped the ring onto her finger. "But you're being foolish to not kiss your wife senseless."
"Our lives have changes so drastically in the last eighteen weeks." Clark said as he cupped her face with his left hand, wiping a stray tear away from her cheek with his thumb. "I wouldn't have it any other way but a life with you and our family."
She grabbed his cheek with her own left hand, savoring the feel of his ring on her cheek and hers on his. He leaned in then for a sweet lover's kiss. Their first real kiss without pretense, without agendas, without influence of chemicals. Simply the kiss of husband and wife with the promise of a sweet future ahead of them.