From This Moment On – Chapter VII
Notes: Here's Chapter 7! Hope y'all enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Superman, though I wish I did.
At the Deli
"You're kidding, right?" Lois laughed, "Yea, yea, you don't lie…but five Big Macs?"
Clark laughed, "Out in the mid-west we actually eat instead of scraping by on tofu."
Lois slapped his arm, "Are you actually making fun of people, Clark?"
Clark grinned and shrugged, "It's true though."
Lois rolled her eyes, "Well, I don't know about mid-west women but some people have to watch their weight."
Clark blushed, "Your weight is perfect, Lois."
Lois smiled back, "Thank you. I rather like your weight myself...among other things."
Clark rubbed his stomach and grinned, "I guess I need to cut back on the Big Macs then."
"Like you need to watch your weight," Lois shook her head, "Please don't insult those of us who do."
"You don't have a weight problem either, Lois." Clark said while taking a bite from his sandwich.
"Ha! After children everyone has to worry with their weight. You should have seen me too! I was like a freaking balloon…" Lois stopped and looked at him.
He had a sad expression on his face, "I should have been here for you."
"It's alright…besides everything turned out fine. God knows my mother was plenty of help."
"Your mother?" Clark asked.
"Yes, you need to meet her…but let's postpone it until the last possible moment. You'll thank me later."
"You don't get along with her?"
"Oh, yea, we are two peas in a pod. But when it comes to anything feminine like parties, babies, and weddings, my mother becomes an absolute terror. Everything has to be done just like she had it done when she was our age…or else."
Clark laughed, "You had me worried for a minute there."
He looked at his watch, "It's almost one o' clock."
"Oh! Right, I guess we need to head back."
Daily Planet Newsroom
Lois was working on the dock workers story when her cell phone rang.
"Lane."
"Ms. Lane, this is Protection One. I'm calling to inform you that your house alarm has been set off. I have already sent Metropolitan Police to investigate."
Lois sighed, "Oh, it's probably just the neighborhood kids."
"Well, its standard procedure. You might want to contact the police department to make sure everything is okay."
"Yes, of course. Thank you very much."
"You are welcome, Ms. Lane."
Click
Lois slid out from her desk and walked towards Richard's office. He was having some sort of meeting with a man and woman. Lois waved at him through the glass and he motioned for her to come in.
Lois poked her head in, "Richard, sorry to bother you, but the house alarm is going off. The alarm company called the police. I'm going to call and see if everything is alright."
He frowned and nodded, "Probably just those kids across the street." He started laughing, Ask them about my plane too...make sure they didn't damage it anymore than it already is."
While talking to the police, she noticed Clark walking back in from a story he had been chasing…literally.
"…and nobody saw anything?"
"No, ma'am…it was probably just kids like you said. If you notice anything missing later, then just give us a ring."
"Sure thing, officer, thank you for your time." Lois hung up the phone.
"Is everything okay?" Clark said while shuffling through papers on his desk.
"My house alarm was going off. No one in the neighborhood saw anyone, but I'm pretty sure it was just kids. I'm surprised Mrs. Nosy next door didn't say anything. She notices everything." Lois laughed. "Did you get a story?"
"Oh yea, I got one alright." He laughed and accidentally knocked over his coffee.
Lois jumped up and started dabbing at his pants, "Good going, Smallville."
She stopped and noticed that several people were staring at them. She silently cursed and handed Clark the towel.
He was a dark shade of red, "Thanks, Lois." He finished wiping his pants off and tried to ignore the embarrassing stain.
"You really need to watch that strength of yours." Lois grinned at him.
"Hey, Lois?"
Lois looked back and saw Richard coming towards them and mellowed slightly.
"Did they figure out what happened to the house?" He asked and the paused, "Did you spill something on yourself, Clark?"
Clark masked his face with his usual lost expression and replied, "Uh, yea...Happens a lot…" Clark managed a goofy laugh.
Lois couldn't help but to smile at Clark. She turned to Richard, "They didn't see or find anyone and the plane is fine."
Richard shrugged and looked at his watch, "Can you go pick up Jason? I have to handle the people in my office. They are photojournalists and want to cover the middle-east crisis with us."
Lois looked at her watch. 2:45.
"Damn it," Lois moaned, "Argh…Call the school and tell them I'll be late."
She hurried over to her desk and started to grab her purse.
"Oh, Lois, I was just heading that way. I can pick him up for you since you have that story to finish. The subway is faster anyway." He gave her a slight nudging look.
"Oh, thanks Clark. If they wont let him go with you then just tell them to call me, ok?"
Clark was gone before Richard could object.
"Lois, are you sure that's a good idea…I mean…"
"Clark is fine, Richard. I've known him for ages. I'm going to go finish up ok?" She hurried back to her desk before he could reply.
"But the subway doesn't go out that far, does it?" Richard asked, but Lois didn't hear him. He shrugged and went back to his meeting.
Jason's Elementary School
Superman got to Jason's school at three o' clock exactly. He quickly changed back into Clark and spotted Jason in a group of children on the curb. A petite woman dressed in one of those shapeless blue jean dresses was directing children to their parent's cars.
"Hi, I'm here to get Jason White."
She looked at him squarely. "Are you on his list?"
Clark coughed, "No, I don't think so. Lois, his mother, wasn't able to come and get him. I'm her co-worker."
The woman raised her eyebrow, "I'm sorry, but we can't let you leave with him without his parent's permission."
Clark sighed inwardly, 'I am his parent!' Smiling, he fumbled for his cell phone. "Lois said this might happen. Will you accept her approval over the phone?"
The woman nodded and accepted the phone. She talked to Lois for a moment and then motioned for Jason to come over.
"Hey, Mr. Clark."
"Hey, Jason, your mom sent me to get you. Are you ready to go?"
"Yeap." He replied.
The teacher waved, "Bye, Jason, see you on Monday."
They started walking down the street. Jason had his book bag swung over one shoulder and kept pulling it up as it slid down. Clark took it for him and put it over his own shoulder.
"Did you have a good day at school?"
"Yes, and there's no homework since its Friday!" Jason said as he skipped.
Clark laughed. "What did you learn today?"
Jason shrugged, "Stuff…Mr. Clark, are we going to walk to mommy's office?"
It occurred to Clark then that walking all the way back downtown would be tough for Jason. He must have gotten so used to walking by himself that he totally forgot. He then remembered that Jason knew he was Superman. He smiled with that thought.
"Would you rather fly?"
Jason's eyes lit up like it was Christmas Day. "YEAH! Can we?"
"Alright, stand right there and don't move. I have to change."
Jason shook his head vigorously.
Clark quickly changed in a nearby phone booth. He came out and instructed Jason how to hold on to him.
"Are you ready?" Superman asked.
Jason nodded with excitement. They took off towards downtown and Jason wasn't the least bit afraid. 'A good thing.' Superman thought.
They took the scenic route and Superman pointed out the different buildings and landmarks that created the Metropolis skyline. They landed on top of the Daily Planet around 3:30.
"Does mommy know you are Superman?" Jason asked upon landing.
"Yes, she does."
"Then why does she not act like you are Superman?
"Because we don't want anyone to know that Clark is my disguise."
They started walking back into the building after Superman changed back into Clark.
"Does my daddy know you are Superman?"
Clark stopped, "No, he doesn't."
Jason frowned, "Can we not tell him?" Clark bent down to where he was level with Jason.
He shook his head, "No, your mother will tell him when she is ready."
"Jimmy said that Mommy loves you and not daddy."
Clark froze not knowing what to tell him. What could he say to a five-year old that would help him understand?
"Sometimes grown-ups think they love someone and then they find out that they don't anymore. It happens to a lot of families."
Jason nodded, "My friend at school says that her parents live in different houses and they always fight if they are around each other."
"Your mother cares for your daddy, Jason. She just doesn't love him anymore." Clark winced. 'She never loved him.' He thought while standing back up.
"Do you love mommy, Mr. Clark?"
"Yes, I do."
That seemed to make Jason feel better for some reason. They began walking again towards the elevator inside. "You know, I think there is some sorbet in the refrigerator. You want some when we get downstairs?"
"Does it have milk in it?" He asked sheepishly.
"Nope, I think your mom brought it just for you."
Jason completely forgot about everything and focused on the delight of having a treat. Children were so easily cheered up.
'Too bad it doesn't work like that for adults.' Clark thought.
An Undisclosed Location
A scruffy, overweight man sat in a chair talking to another man on the phone.
"…We got the whole place bugged. Anything that's said in that house will be heard."
"Did anyone see you?"
"Do you even have to ask?"
"This isn't a normal job, Rick. One little mistake could blow the whole thing to hell. You fuck this up and you won't just be worrying about what I'll do to you."
He pulled out a cigarette from the pack on the desk and lit it.
"I understand, boss."
"Good, call back tomorrow if you learn anything valuable. You're my best man, Rick, remember what I said. I'd hate to loose you." The man took a drag on his cigarette.
Click.
The Daily Planet Newsroom – 8 PM
Just about everyone had left as the clock neared eight o' clock. Lois had stayed late again to finish a story. She also wanted some time to talk with Clark.
She shifted her eyes to find Jimmy just barely in sight. He looked to be fully engrossed in something. Lois had no idea what Jimmy could be so busy with, but she couldn't risk talking with Clark with Jimmy nearby.
"Jimmy? Do you realize what time it is?" Lois asked from across the room.
He picked his head up. "Sure do, Miss. Lane."
"It can't wait till tomorrow? I mean…I know you want to impress Chief, but it's pretty late. You can finish whatever it is tomorrow."
"Oh, I know, I just really want to get it done."
"Jimmy, let me give you a little advice. It would be best to wait to finish tomorrow because then your writing would be much better. You may not feel tired, but you are and it's going to affect your writing."
"Gosh, Miss Lane, I never really thought about that." He shrugged, "I guess I will head home."
He started shuffling and gathering papers. Lois resumed working on her story until Jimmy finally said goodbye.
"Bye Miss Lane…Bye Clark!" Jimmy called out while walking through the doors to the elevator.
They told him goodbye in unison. Once he was gone Lois sighed, "If that's not a dedicated reporter…I don't know what one is."
Clark laughed as he got up from his desk, "So does that advice apply only to junior reporters?"
Lois laughed, "I thought he'd never leave."
Clark became serious. "Jason is asking questions. After I picked him up he let out a flood of things that I had no idea he knew."
Lois took her glasses off, rubbed her eyes, and threw her feet on top of her filing cabinet.
"What did he say?"
"Apparently he overheard Jimmy saying that you love Superman and not Richard."
Lois sighed again, "That's definitely a problem. What else?"
"He asked me if you and Richard knew that I was Superman?"
Lois looked surprised, "How did he—"
"He found out on his own. He's been keeping it a secret for me. Today we went flying."
Lois rolled her eyes, "I must really look stupid now. My own son figured it out before me."
"Children see things differently than adults do, Lois. They don't let things cloud their judgment. It what experience and age take away from us."
Lois nodded. "Does he like flying?
"Yes, and he doesn't have a fear of heights."
Lois smiled.
"Did you tell him that Richard doesn't know?"
"Yes, it confused him and led him to ask why you don't love Richard. I told him that some times adults figure out that they don't love someone as much as they thought they did. I really didn't know what to say…"
"It's what I would have told him." Lois smiled and brushed his hair out of his face.
"We have to talk with him and Richard." Clark said. "The longer we put it off…The worse it's going to be."
Lois laid her head on his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. "I don't want to be accused of tormenting my child on some talk show ten years from now."
Clark rubbed her back, "There's no way you could be accused of being a bad mother."
"Think so?" She asked.
He nodded and kissed her on the forehead. She looked into his bright, blue eyes.
"You have the most beautiful eyes…Jason has them. Did you notice?"
"Yes," Clark replied and kissed her. Lois deepened the kiss further and backed into her desk; pulling Clark with her. Lois wrapped her hands around his neck and pressed her body into his hard one. He responded by sliding his hands around her waist to pick her up and place her on top of her desk. Next thing they knew, Lois was sprawled on top of her desk with her chic mid-thigh length skirt rucked up perilously high and her blouse pulled half way off of her which showed off her ruby red bra. Clark was missing his coat and tie and his shirt was open almost far enough to reveal his S-shield.
That was when they heard the janitor say, "Well, don't mind me! You two just go right ahead and old Sam here will just clean the floors…" He laughed at Lois and Clark intertwined on top of the desk.
Lois let out a small scream and pulled her skirt down and Clark quickly buttoned up his dress shirt to cover up the Superman suit. Lois turned the color of her bra very quickly, "Ahem, uh…We…uh, thought…"
Clark spit it out first, "Sorry, we thought everyone was gone." He was grinning ear to ear.
Lois wanted to smack that grin right off his face. She turned to the janitor after hastily putting her clothes back to rights.
"Uh, sorry, that you had to…uh…witness…that."
The janitor laughed and continued to mop the floor, "Don't worry about old Sam. He won't say anything."
Clark was laughing at Lois who was trying to find her strappy, high heel shoe. "What did you do with my other shoe, Clark?"
"I have no idea."
She turned and playfully smacked him.
"Ouch! What did you do that for?" He asked.
Lois giggled, "You started this, Smallville, now find my other shoe!"
"It's under the desk towards the back." She bent down to get it and showed a good deal of legs."
She finally found it and put it on. "There."
Clark was leaning on the opposite desk watching her gather her missing clothing.
"What?" She asked, and then saw that he was already dressed. "Show off."
He grinned and whispered to her, "That was dangerous, Lois. One more button and my disguise would have been blown."
She bit her lip, "You started it."
"I did no—Yea, maybe I did." He laughed, "I'll have to keep myself in check then."
Lois smiled at him, "Or not."
Ohh la la. Feedback is appreciated! -Kristina Leigh