Chapter 5: Coming Home
It was about 10am when Lois left her OBGYN's office having gotten a clean bill of health at her 20th week. She even had a ultrasound picture to show Clark and Martha. The AI robot was coming to get her and Martha to be with Clark as the AI did his final check up to see if Clark was okay to be released from the rejuvenation pod.
After her checkup she went to the office to file her latest story to the copy editor. She wasn't doing her usual calibration of stories. Perry had assigned her to the city desk following the politicians and had even stooped so low to report on the Regional Dog Show. In the end she thought that it was better that she was sticking to low key safe stories. For one thing, she would never do anything that put her child into danger. For another, with so much of her attention focused on Clark, she didn't have the mental energy for any dangerous stories.
Perry saw her at her desk, and waved her towards his office, "Lane, a word."
She hoped that Perry had some good news. He had set up some backstory to help explain Clark's return after him having a funeral. First he had Martha had explained to the people in Smallville that Clark hadn't died, but had been severely injured and that his life was still in danger, so they had faked his death to protect him. Perry had Lois say the same to the reporters that were closest to them.
People seemed upset that they had been lied to, but told Lois and Martha that they were happy that Clark was recovering.
Lois entered Perry's office, "What's up Chief?"
"Just checking in on you. How was the appointment?"
"Just fine. I'm fine and my daughter is looking heathy at 20 weeks."
Perry smiled, "Good. I know that it hasn't been easy for you, but I am glad that you have been able to slow down and take care of yourself. When is Clark getting out of the hospital?"
Lois smiled, as that was the story that they circulated. "Martha and I are going there today. If the doctor decides that he is sufficiently healed, they will let him go home. It will still be a few weeks at least until he can come into work."
Perry nodded, "Let me know. And if you need any time at all, it's yours."
By 3pm Lois had made it to the Kent Farm and the AI machine had arrived to bring them to Clark in the fortress of solitude. And if the AI decided that Clark was well enough, he would be going back to the farm with them.
Lois and Martha stood next to Clark's rejuvenation tube, waiting as the AI made his final check on Clark's status. "Well?" Lois asked, "Is he okay?"
The AI paused for a moment, "It appears that he has healed well enough to be able to leave the tank, although he needs to take some time before he does anything too strenuous."
Lois turned to Clark, "You hear that, no catching cars or anything for a while, and I promise not to do anything that will put me in danger."
Clark smiled, nodding. Then pointed up, indicated that he was ready to get out. Lois watched with anticipation but also nervousness as the AI had the top of the tank open and Clark was pulled out, dripping the pink goo. His hair and his clothes were soaked and sticking to his body, as he was lowered to the floor. Lois and Martha came up to him, wrapping him in the towels that they brought for this reason. "Lois," Clark said, his voice soft and raspy, "Mom, I'm so glad to be out of there. Can we go home?"