At supper that night Lois and Clark made their big announcement and the elder Kents did their best to look thoroughly shocked. At first it really bothered Clark that his parents knew about Lois' pregnancy before he did. That very fact played into all his fears and insecurities. He had told Lois long ago that he thought all the time he spent away from his family would keep his children from even recognizing him. And now his whole family knew about his child when he was still completely in the dark? It was happening already.
He did his best to hide his hurt and troubled thoughts from the rest of the bunch. Every once in a while he'd catch his mother studying him and he knew that she could see the pain in his face.
It wasn't until he was high in the sky; Lois tucked snuggly in his grip that he remembered that Lois had indeed tried to tell him about the baby once before. Right before Dr. Klein and Nul-Zay knocked on the door. So once again his life was put on hold because of some crisis. As soon as that snide thought entered his mind the form of his father came into his line of thinking. It had been decided that Jor would stay in the guest bedroom of the brownstone until he was comfortable enough to find a place of his own. And there he was: weaving and bobbing in and out of clouds, relaxing in the cool summer air. Clark smiled to himself. His life hadn't been put on hold; it just changed for the better. His biological father was back and now he was going to be a father himself. That was more then he had the right to ask for.
In the next two days Jor proved himself to be a quick study. He dove head first into the American culture. He read book after book about customs and food and geography. And three times a day he'd go out for a long walk and do some "specimen watching". Apparently he understood things better if they were demonstrated to him rather then just explained. And sure enough every time he'd come home he had a new mannerism or greeting or tradition that he wanted to be taught. Clark and sometimes Lois would explain to him what the different between Hello and Hi was and when it was appropriate to hug someone in greeting rather then shake their hand. And each time Jor would practice it for hours. He was determined to blend in and not embarrass his new family.
On the third day Nul-Zay stopped by briefly during lunch. Clark was upstairs on the phone and Jor was much too much of a gentleman to answer his host's door. He paused for a moment and wondered what he should do. Then it hit him,
'I wonder if Kal is aware of his telepathic capabilities' Jor wondered out loud. He shrugged his shoulders and decided the best way to find out was to do a test. 'Kal if you can hear me, there's someone at the door.' He said in his mind. He waited for a minute and got no response. Then slowly a shaky voice in his head replied.
'I have no idea how you did that, but who is it?' Was the answer. Jor used his special vision and saw Nul-Zay standing patiently on the stoop.
'It's Nul. I'll answer it,' He said silently to Clark.
'Fine, but you and I are gonna talk when I get downstairs.' Jor laughed to himself and threw the door open wide for Nul who was quick to offer a hug. Jor readily accepted it. Nul could not stay long however. He had just come over to drop off a package and then he had to go.
A few moments later Clark descended the stairs and found his father surrounded on all sides by piles of papers.
"What are those?" He asked and then sat across from his father.
"They're my papers." Jor stated flatly.
"Well obviously-"
"No, I mean it Kal, they're MY papers. My birth certificate, my Social Security Number, education records."
"Wait a minute, how'd you get a Social Security Number?"
"Nul pulled a few strings for me in Washington." Clark quirked an eyebrow, "What? Do you honestly think you and your wife are the only ones with connections?"
"No. I suppose not."
"Good, then memorize this information with me. From now on my name is Michael. Michael Crowe. I was born December 3, 1943 in Alaska."
"Alaska huh?"
"Yes sir, Alaska." Just then Clark's eyes squinted and Jor immediately knew what was going on.
"Go." Jor stated simply.
"Sorry, bank robbery."
"No problem, don't dawdle now, you wouldn't want to be late." Jor watched his son leave in a burst of red and blue. He did his best to look happy but inside it still hurt a little to watch him leave. That was the eight time Kal had stepped out on him and who knew how many times he'd left that Jor wasn't even aware of? It troubled Jor in a sense. His son seemed to miss out on special moments in his life and for what? So he could try to keep the public safe from criminals who were multiplying daily? It just seemed so... unrewarding.
"It's really hard to get used to at first." Jor broke out of his trance in time to see a very tired Lois approaching him.
"What's that? I was lost in my thoughts."
"Clark's leaving. It's hard to get used to at first." Jor let out an exasperated sigh.
"I don't know, Lois. I guess I just don't understand the whole Superman thing yet." Lois thought for a moment.
"Well the only real way to find out what Superman does and why he does it, is to watch him in action. Why don't you go find him and look on?"
"I'm not too sure that would be a good idea. Wouldn't that make him feel awkward?"
"Oh, heavens no, people watch him all the time, I bet you'd blend right in." Lois watched the emotions play out on his face. She took his hand and squeezed it softly. "I bet you any amount of money that Clark would be thrilled to know that you're there and have taken an interest in what his life is all about."
"Are you sure, Lois?"
"If I'm wrong, which of course I'm not, I'LL take the blame."
"Okay." Jor stood up quickly and paused just long enough to plant a kiss on his daughter-in-laws forehead. "I'll be back." He called just before the front door closed.
"I know." Lois said smiling. "Like son, like father."
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"Excuse me, excuse me, press coming through. OUT OF THE WAY PEOPLE!!" Jimmy Olsen was never very good at being assertive and that was the very hurdle that barred him from a career in investigative journalism. The Town Square was packed; as it always was when Superman intended to speak and he was having a difficult time in trying to find a good position. After a few minutes of wrangling, mild cursing and a few sore toes Superman was set to take his place at the podium and Jimmy had the perfect angle for the perfect picture.
The press conference was nothing special; just another response to another botched bank robbery. Superman spoke of the same things he always spoke of. How sad it was to see citizens turn to the opposite side of the law and he vowed to put a stop to it no matter what. But he also stressed that he had seen great improvements in the community and was encouraged by the growing awareness. Somewhere along the lines Jimmy got bored and began scanning the crowd for a familiar face. Someone he could chat with until it was over and he could get Superman alone.
His eyes fell upon a particular man who was watching from the edge of the crowd. He was a tan colored man with black hair and bright eyes that appeared to be twinkling. Every so often a soft smile would play on the man's lips and Jimmy found himself staring without remorse. It was the man's expression that he found most interesting. It was a look of admiration, a look of pride.
Suddenly he was reminded of days long ago when his father first took the training wheels off his bike. When Jimmy rode down the street for the first time unassisted and narrowly missed hitting Mrs. Mitchell's mailbox; the same expression graced his father's face. Weird.
Jimmy would have mulled it over farther but the conference was ending and man seemed eager to leave without anybody noticing him. And of course, he had a story to write and even he knew that a quote from Superman was a selling high point.
In some hidden pocket of Jimmy's brain he stored the man's face for farther reference. For some reason he knew it would come in handy.
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"Psst, Lois, where's Clark?" Jor asked stepping slightly into the couple's bedroom.
"He's in the shower, why?" Lois replied setting her novel down on the bedside table.
"Good. That means we can chat." Jor came fully into the room and sat at the edge of the bed. "Lois, you were right! I understand totally, now!" Jor's voice was an excited little squeal and Lois couldn't help but giggle.
"I'm so glad."
"You see I was so worried that he spent all this time away from his family for nothing. That the people he was trying to help thought of him as just another convenience, that they didn't care about him. But I was wrong, Lois! Those people love him! You should have seen their faces!"
"I know, there's a certain energy that people get when they see Superman up close." Lois agreed.
"There is! Seriously! I have to admit that I wondered why you were able to put up with him leaving. What reward did you get from the whole experience? But Lois, when I was out there in that crowd, nobody knew who I was but I knew. I couldn't help but feel like I was a part of something larger then life."
"See, I told you."
"I know. Thank you so much for always being right." Lois laughed deeply.
"Can I quote you on that?" She asked.
"Anytime, sweetie, anytime."
