What the El #1 - Family Ties
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.
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 Five

Smallville

--
Longing for the snug comfort of her Kryptonian school uniform, Kara followed Lois into the Kent kitchen.

For the last half hour, her cousin wife had explained the function of a dozen different articles of clothing -- not all necessarily worn at the same time -- and accessories. Lois found it difficult to believe residents of Argo City were capable of going for long periods of time in the same garment. With the need to conserve resources, everything in the City was efficient, from the environmental system that regulated the weather patterns to the clothing everyone wore. Though the white skirt and body suit were meant to be worn at the Academy, Kara could conceivably spend several days in the material without a need to launder it.

In addition to being an efficient use of resources, the design of Kryptonian garb was far more simplistic. Where most everything Lois showed her was adorned with a design or bright colors, Kara's clothing was limited to basic black or white and the symbol of her House -- and even that was considered lavish. Despite moving away from the House system to a more even rule system in Argo City, some ties were still difficult to break.

In addition to the need for different clothing daily, Earth clothing didn't seem to offer the same support or protection as Kryptonian garb. In addition to the powder blue tee-(not "tea" as she had thought)shirt and denim "overalls" (the only article she wore that seemed appropriately named), Kara was wearing an array of undergarments that, apparently, every Earth female wore.

"Oh, Kara, don't you look nice." Martha said, getting her first glimpse of the Kryptonian's new clothes as the younger women entered the kitchen. "Lois certainly knows what she's doing."

Lois refilled her coffee cup and took a seat across the table from her husband. "Clark and Kara have their superpowers. I have mine."

Kara sat next to her cousin, grateful for his familiar presence. She supposed to was odd that she should feel such a connection to this strange man, having known Kal-El barely a day, but in a world of near-overwhelming newness she could not discount the comfort she felt as she allowed her mind to lightly touch his.

Sensing the gentle probe, Clark smiled at Kara as he set a plate in front of her.

"I hope you're hungry." He said, piling several items on the plate. At her questioning glance, he pointed to the different substances. "These are chocolate-chip pancakes. Scrambled eggs. Sausage patties. And this," he poured a bright liquid into a glass and placed it next to the plate, "is orange juice."

Kara stared from the lumpy yellow pile to her cousin's expectant face and back again.

Jonathon smiled at her trepidation. "Don't worry, Kara. If you enjoyed Martha's pie yesterday, you're going to like Clark's pancakes."

Remembering the wonderful things the strawberry pie had done for her yesterday, the dubious expression in her blue eyes turned to enthusiasm as she used her fork to cut a piece of pancake -- as Clark had shown her yesterday with the pie -- and took a bite.

Great Krypton, she thought, savoring the feel of the fluffy texture and the way it complimented the semi-soft bits of euphoria.

Grinning widely at the feelings radiating from his cousin, Clark placed two more pancakes on Kara's plate. "I think she likes them."

"And thanks to her Kryptonian metabolism she won't have to worry about calories, either." Lois commented, her tone only slightly disgruntled.

Jonathon gave Clark a pointed look. "Speaking of her 'Kryptonian metabolism' there are probably some things you should discuss with Kara before you go back to Metropolis this morning."

Clark felt the stab of panic even before Kara turned wide eyes on him. "You're leaving?"

Martha didn't need a mental link to tell Kara didn't like that idea and immediately wrapped an arm around her. "Don't worry, honey, you'll stay here with Lois and me while Clark tracks down your ship."

"I'll be back tonight." Clark assured her. "But as far as everyone outside of this kitchen knows, I am already in Metropolis."

"Does this have to do with your having three different names?" Kara asked. Clark had promised to explain that perplexing business to her yesterday, but had become sidetracked after introducing her to his family.

He nodded, thankful the panic seemed to be subsiding as Kara reminded him of how much they really did have to talk about before he left. He had about a half hour before Clark Kent was due in the Daily Planet newsroom. It was less time than he'd hoped for this conversation, but his parents and Lois could hopefully take care of any questions Kara may have after he left.

"You see, Kara," he began, "when I first came to Earth no one knew who I was. My parents took me in and cared for me as their own, not knowing that I was really from another planet. It actually wasn't until a few years ago that I learned where I came from."

Kara frowned. "How could you have not known? You said your father sent your memory globe."

"The memory globe was in my ship when a group of government agents found it. I didn't find the globe again for almost thirty years. Even then it took it some time to recognize me because it didn't tell me anything for several months and hasn't done anything since."

Her frown deepened at that, but she didn't interrupt as Clark continued.

"My whole life I lived as Clark Kent, not knowing how or why I was different from everyone else. Being stronger and faster, I knew I could use my powers to help people, but I wanted to be able to live a normal life. That's why Superman was created. If everyone focuses on the man in the costume, Clark Kent can have a family and a career without the spotlight of being a hero."

Lois cleared her throat. "And before you say it, yes, the costume and a pair of glasses are more than enough to hide his secret."

Martha and Jonathon shared a smile at Lois' comment, but Kara continued to stare at her cousin.

"You said yesterday that we were 'different' on Earth. But I do not understand why. We seem similar in appearance."

"The rays from Sol -- Earth's sun -- gives us our powers. When Zara and the New Kryptonians were here they developed the same abilities." Clark smiled at her. "You're a little older than I was when my powers really started to manifest themselves. I was already pretty fast and strong, but every day I became more so. I also started to see things, through things and to hear sounds that no one else could."

Kara's eyes widened. "I was able to see those footprints yesterday, at the crash site. It was like they were right in front of me it was so clear."

"You have one advantage Clark didn't, Kara." Jonathon said, a chuckle escaping his lips. "With him to teach you, maybe you won't accidentally set the chicken coop on fire. Luckily we were able to get the chickens out...but it wasn't easy explaining the spontaneous combustion to the neighbors."

"You set the chicken coop on fire?" Martha asked, surprised. "When was this?"

Both Clark and Jonathon looked sheepish. "You were visiting Aunt Mable, Mom."

"That's why I came home to find a brand-new -- aluminum -- coop?" She laughed. "That probably also explains the new bull pen when I went to that art exhibit in Kansas City."

If possible, both Kent men looked even more ashamed.

"Actually, Martha. The new pen was my doing." Jonathon confessed. "He was being stubborn about performing his duty. Clark tried warning me, but I was determined to take the bull by the horns and..."

"Dad," Clark interrupted. "I don't think Kara needs to hear the rest of this story. At least not for a couple of years."

"Oh, right." Jonathon agreed, his cheeks flushing a bit in embarrassment before locking eyes with his wife.

"As we were saying, Kara," Lois said, trying to draw everyone back to the original conversation. "There is more for you to learn and get used to on Earth than just what to wear and how to act. You're body is going to be undergoing some changes, too, that you'll have to get used to."

"We'll all be here for you, Kara." Clark joined hands with his cousin and his wife. "Welcome to Earth."

~~~~~~~~~~

Stay tuned for What the El #2 - Baby Boom:
As the Kents await the arrival of baby Jonathon, Kara learns more about her new home and, more imporantly, her emerging powers.