The water was just beginning to bubble for Jason's snap peas when the doorbell rang.

She left the water simmering on the stove, Jason glued to the TV. It was a rare occurrence for him, but Lois had been in a pensive mood all day and had allowed it.

Being back in her house after spending the night with Clark was an odd sensation. She shook her head, wondering why she was feeling that way. It just felt like at any moment Richard might walk through the door, give her a kiss and inquire about Jason's school day. Just like he'd done for the last three years.

She bit her lip as she thought about Richard.

She hoped he would move on and find a woman deserving of him--of his wit and charm and generosity. He was a wonderful person and she hadn't deserved him; had only given him half of her heart.

She had thought she could be happy with Richard, had tried to convince herself she had forgotten about Superman. But then, of course, Clark Kent and his super alter ego came waltzing back in her life and she was lost from Superman's first searching gaze.

Jason seemed to adapt fairly easily to having Clark in his life, which was an interesting turn of events. He was a very loving boy, but to have adapted as he had so quickly… It had surprised even her. Maybe it was the Kryptonian running through both of their veins… Or perhaps Clark was just a likeable guy… Or maybe Jason didn't fully understand…

Questions plagued her mind as she went to answer the door. She glanced out the window slightly apprehensively. It was dark, nearing 10 o' clock. Lois finally reached the door and peered out the window. She didn't see anyone.

Strange.

Her curiosity getting the best of her, she ducked her head back in to make sure Jason was still sitting in front of the TV, and then opened the door.

Perhaps it was an anonymous tip. She sometimes got those and those came at all hours of the day and night. She shut the front door behind her as she gave the yard a quick, preliminary scan. Nothing completely visible, but that wasn't that uncommon if it was indeed some sort of tip.

Lois lifted some of the rocks by the front porch, hoping to see a roll of paper tucked neatly under. Nothing. She walked out a little further and went to go check the mailbox. She disappointedly opened the flap and saw nothing.

Damn.

She could have used any information she could get on her latest assignment, breaking a drug selling ring in the nearby Metropolis High. Shrugging, she stuck her hands in her pockets and started back up the long walkway. The sound of the water lapping in the back of their house was both peaceful and refreshing. Thelast insects of the season were chirping loudly, even drowning out her own thoughts.

Suddenly, through the sounds, a foreign one filtered through her ear.

Was that… a helicopter?

She glanced up and saw the telltale shape outlined black against the navy sky.

Its lights weren't on.

Lois broke out into a run, scrambling for the doorknob. It was locked. Crap. She had forgotten about that stupid safety feature Richard had installed. She could have cheerfully murdered him right now.Their new door locked whenever it was shut automatically. Jason! She desperately fell to her knees and found the spare key under the mat. She had to try three times to get her shaking fingers to connect the lock and key, but finally the door swung open.

She burst into the living room and stifled a scream when she saw the back windows broken. The TV still blared Jason's Disney movie, but her son was gone. Lois broke out into a run and jumped through the broken window. She caught her sleeve somewhat on the jagged glass, but she shoved her shoulders and pitched forward.Lois stumbled as she connected with the ground, but somehow managed to stay upright. The helicopter she had seen earlier was just lifting off the ground. Pushing herself even faster, nearly beyond her limits, she tore through the rocky backyard and launched herself at the helicopter which was now hovering six feet in the air and gaining fast. Her arms connected around the landing gear at the bottom and she pulled herself up. The wind tore at her as she held on for dear life as the helicopter continued to rise, higher and higher. Managing to sit somewhat on the horizontal bar and clutch the vertical one, she closed her eyes and prayed.

Fifteen minutes later, Superman and Richard touched down in front of the lakeside house. Everything looked in order. Both slightly ashamed and terribly relieved, they headed to the front to double check on Lois and Jason.

Richard glanced sideways as his ride and managed a half grin.

"They'll think we're crazy, you know that?"

Clark smiled back. "Of course they will, but you know Lois, she'll find some way to get in trouble soon anyway. After we check in with them, if you'll stay here with them, I'll go search out Moniker."

Richard nodded and the two shared another glance, their previous rivalry slightly forgotten in their common anxiety.

Richard went to get the key under the doormat when he stopped dead in his track.

"Clark! The key's gone! The spare key!"

Clark frowned but tried to keep his head. "Maybe Lois took it for some reason, try the door."

"Our door locks automatically when shut. The key is ALWAYS here."

Richard was panicking, and shouldered the door, shouting curses when it didn't give way.

Superman grabbed Richard and shoved him aside, breaking down the door with his palm.

The kitchen light was on and so was the family room. But was that… fresh air? Why on earth would they have a window open in the middle of the fall? It was cold outside!Clark made his way to the family room and stared in horror at the broken window.

But only for a split second.Without another thought,Superman threw himself out the window, zipping around the backyard for any sign of either Lois or Jason.

"CLARK!" Superman turned and sped back to Richard who was kneeling by the broken glass.

Some fabric was caught in the shattered glass, and some blood on the floor where someone had obviously gone through.

Richard looked up at Superman, his face pale under his tan. "This is part of Lois' favorite sweatshirt."

Superman blanched.

"I'm going to go find them."

"I'm coming with you!"

"No!" Superman nearly growled. "No, it could be dangerous. You'd just slow me up anyway."

Richard stood up to his full 6'2 frame and glared at the man in front of him.

"This is Lois Lane and Jason we're talking about. I'm coming whether I have to hold onto your stupid cape or piggy back again. Go as fast as you'd normally go and don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

Clark, aware that precious seconds were ticking, acquiesced with a barely intelligible grunt.

"Ok, get on."

Richard climbed on Clark's back for the second time that night. This time however,neither of them found any humor in the situation. Superman zipped straight upward at a blinding speed, one arm gripping Richard to him and the other clenched in a fist and pointed to the sky while Richard held on for dear life.

Inside Lois Lane's house, sparks began to fly from the still turned on stovetop, as the water in the pot frothed violently and the stove overheated.

Sorry about the delay and fairly short chapter. I had company for the weekend. Hope you guys are enjoying the story. I'm not the best at these complicated (or not so much in this case) plots, but I'm working as fast and best as I can.

Laura