What the El? - #0 - Empty Nest
a Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - based fan fiction
by: Joycelyn Solo

Author's note: I present to you, what I hope to be, a series of stories set after the end of Season 4. This isn't necessarily a "Season 5" type of deal here, there are lots of other sites for that, but I wanted to try my own hand with the world of Lois & Clark and see how far I could get with the introduction of one of my favorite heros. This prequel to my "What the El?" series takes place immediately after the fade-to-black of "The Family Hour."
Disclaimer: Lois & Clark and associated characters are property of December 3rd Productions who, I believe, had them on loan from from DC Comics. Most any other character we'll run into later are property of DC Comics. I mean no copyright infringement, this story is for entertainment purposes only.

Chapter Four
Argo City

--
Stepping into the front entrance of her family's home, Kara felt her mother's mind touch hers.

Come to your father's lab, Kara. We have something to tell you.

Still dressed in the white bodysuit and skirt of the Academy, complete with her House symbol etched in silver over her chest, Kara followed without hesitation to her father's laboratory.

It was a rare treat for her to be allowed into Zor-El's inner sanctum and, in her excitement, she did not notice the hollow look in her mother's eyes when she greeted her.

"Kara," her father indicated a stool for her to sit as he stood with her mother. "You know the history of Argo City, how it survived the destruction of Krypton."

"Yes, Father." She answered, only mildly curious. Perhaps one of the teachers felt she was lacking in her history studies. "When it was discovered that the planet core was unstable and Krypton was in danger, you and the other scientists refashioned the weather dome to encase the entire city in a protective sphere."

Zor-El nodded, his throat constricting as his daughter innocently answered the question. "Yes, Kara, that is correct. But the sphere can only protect us for so long and I am afraid we've neared the end of its usefulness."

At her questioning glance, her mother took over. "The protective sphere is beginning to lose strength, Kara. Soon it will cease to offer any shielding and Argo City will die."

"But Father and the other scientists can fix it." she protested. "They saved the city once."

Her optimistic faith in him nearly choked Zor-El as he swallowed past the lump in his throat. "We have been searching for a solution, but have not found one. There is nothing we can do to save Argo City."

Her blue eyes, so much like her mother's, widened. "There is nothing you can do?" She could not believe that. Zor-El was Science Premiere. Her father could fix anything. Wasn't that true?

Alura, her cheeks wet with tears she did not realize were falling, stepped toward her daughter. "There is no hope for the city, Kara. But there is hope for you."

Even as Kara noticed for the first time the ship in the back of the lab, she could not fully comprehend what they meant. She recognized the vessel, of course, from the diagrams her uncle -- a man she'd never met -- had created and given to her father. Zor-El had told her what her uncle had done with that vessel; how he had used it to save his son when Krypton was destroyed.

There is hope for you, he'd said.

"No, Father, you cannot mean to...What about you and Mother?" She turned to Alura, hoping that he meant for the three of them to use the vessel even if she could see herself it was built for one, small, person.

Alura smiled sadly at her daughter. "You're father and I have lived our lives and we must give you the chance to live yours."

Before Kara could protest, she felt a slight pain in her arm where her mother touched her.

Almost immediately, her eyelids grew heavy and she felt, as though experiencing it from afar, her father pick her up and carry her across the lab.

No, please. Don't make me leave you.

Zor-El's hold on his daughter tightened. You must, Kara. You are the last daughter of Krypton.

He laid her gently in the small compartment of the vessel, his eyes locking with Alura's as she came around the other side. Together, they both touched a hand to the small sphere that lay next to Kara.

If their daughter did not learn to forgive them, at the least she would not forget them.

They knew they would not forget their daughter, the youngest member of the House of El.

~~~~~~~~~~

Author's note: True feedback is always appreciated. I know this is mostly written for my enjoyment, but I do care what others think. I've had suggestions to provide more background for the folks who didn't see "The Family Hour" or to explain better how I planned to handle the mystery baby. I do listen and try to comply with serious suggestions. Thanks for reading.

Oh, and no flames, please. The rabbit and I have fire issues.