NOTE: Here's some more good Lois/Clark/Jason stuff. This is a much more pleasant chapter than the last few :) and I don't know why, but I really like this chapter...Thanks to everyone who's reviewed. You are all very encouraging! Enjoy!
Alphie: Lol, thanks. I thought it was funny when I thought about it too.
Angel452: Hm. You would like to know wouldn't you:D Read on!
Mr. Firenze: Yeah, Richard is a good guy but...I mean it's Superman and Lois! They're so destined to be together.I was confused a bit on where I stood for a while too because it's so complicated. Thank you!
Jedi X-man Serena Kenobi: Thank you very much! I totally agree with you! Everyone has such good ideas I try to think up my own so I don't copy anyone, lol:).
cassie: Lol. I updated! Hopefully I'll update soon again too...
AniJap: Thank you :). I hope you enjoy all that comes next.
The Kiss of Death: I'll leave you to found out the answer to your question. I don't want to ruin any surprises :)! Yeah, Jason is young enough I figured he wouldn't have such a drastic or angry reaction as an adult. Maybe later...He kind of knew something was up too with Superman (well that's my opinion).
Yeah: Thanks very much :). This chap. is much happier. I hope you enjoy!
Maddi-B: Thank you again. Hmmm...Lex Luthor may be on the horizon...but I'm not going to say for sure, lol. Keep reading and find out! ;)
Nightcrawler8: Hey, thank you. I'm glad you like the story :). Yes, I was glad to have Lois make up her mind. It was just so painful for everyone, it's nice to be past all that.
Lois prayed Clark would actually be at his apartment when they got there. There was not much of a good chance since he was often out policing the world. Should I have called?
The tall, newer apartment building was in the middle of Metropolis only a few minutes from the Daily Planet. They got out of the taxi and walked up the steps. Young saplings were planted by the street in front and a bit of shrubbery decorated each side of the stairs. Lois's hand brushed over the wrought-iron railing then pushed open the door. The lobby was simple but attractive. They got into the elevator and went up to the tenth floor.
Another tenant nodded to them as they passed in the wide hall. She was a kindly looking older woman with a red hat and burgundy scarf. Jason smiled at her.
Lois knocked on the door of apartment 120. There was a breath of silence and anxious hope before she heard the turning of the doorknob and the opening of the door. Clark seemed caught off guard for a split second. He was dressed in a plain shirt and jeans.
"Lois…Jason. Come in, come in." He swung open the door further and closed it softly behind them.
"I hope we're not intruding," said Lois.
She looked pointedly at his glasses. He shrugged and took them off. It was different to see him in normal clothes with the face of Superman. Somehow it made him even more attractiveto see him in that way. The t-shirt formed over his muscles not too tightly but not all that loosely either, and the striking features of his face stood out more with the lack of the blue, red, and yellow suit to dazzle the eye. Jason was staring too, though in a completely different manner.
"You're never intruding; either of you."
He smiled down at Jason. The boy recovered his hand from his mother's and stepped forward to meet him. He looked up at him for a moment then wrapped his arms around his waist.
Clark was filled with wonder and gladness as he returned the warm embrace. He glanced at Lois, his brow creased with question. She smiled but said nothing.
Jason released his hold and grinned up at Clark. "Mom told me about you."
He knew Jason could only mean one thing.The hint of a smile was on his lips. "Yes, Jason it's true." He placed his hands on Jason's slim shoulders and looked into his eyes. "And I want you to know that I love you for you are my son, and I will always be there for you to protect you, to talk to, or just to come to whenever you need me. It is no coincidence you're here. But I also know it may seem strange at first knowing these things."
The boy nodded. "Thank you. I like you."
"I like you too," Clark laughed. He rose to his full height and beckoned them to sit. "Please sit down if you're going to be here very long."
The apartment was clean and simple as Clark preferred for it was in his blood. On Krypton most everything had been clean-lined and bearing little color even in the crystals forming it. But there was a bit more warmth and humanity to his place, attesting to the influence Man had had on its alien savior.
"Clark," began Lois, "Richard knows…about all this except that you're Superman as well as Clark Kent. Jason and I are the only two who know, but I wondered if Richard should too."
"Would it make things easier for you?" he asked in a somewhat-distant voice.
"Maybe, maybe not." She glanced at Jason. "Jason and I could more easily be with you as Clark without suspicion."
"The less people who know my secret, the better."
She nodded. There was another bit of information she wanted to say, but something was keeping her from mentioning it. He looked at Jason who had gotten up to walk slowly about the room and knew it was a thing she did not want Jason to hear just yet.
"Whenever you need to go," said Lois, "you can. I know you probably have an unpredictable…schedule."
"It's fine for now."
She made an intent study of the carpet under her feet. Clark shifted positions to sit by her on the couch.
"Did you and Richard…?"
She shook her head 'yes' before he said anymore. "Um…things are…stretched. He's out driving right now."
Jason returned and squeezed between them, not to separate them but to just be with both. His legs did not reach the floor and hung against the couch.
"Can I call you dad?" he asked, inclining his head to look up at Clark.
Clark smiled and put a hand on his back. "Of course. Just not in public. Remember this is our little secret."
More like a big secret, thought Lois.
"Okay."
Lois and Clark shared a knowing glance over the boy's head. It was quiet, but they each savored the few moments they had together. They were like a real family in those moments, sitting together in each other's company. Jason did not quite understand everything just yet, but he knew he was loved by the two sitting there with him. Being a child, he sensed things and the strongest thing he sensed from Superman was pure, unconditional love, and it made up for the awkwardness that first overwhelmed him.
"Jason, I heard about how you saved your mother on Lex Luthor's boat, and I wanted to talk to you about that."
"How did I do it?"
"Well, you are my son and will be able to do things, things like I can. I am from the planet Krypton, and Earth's sun affects me differently, so you will have the same effects. You are different…like me."
"Is that good?"
"It depends on how you view it. It can be hard once you're older, but it certainly teaches you more than a regular life could. It makes you stronger and I don't mean physically."
Lois watched Clark as she listened. He definitely appeared grown in heart and mind. He had learned much from all the past five years' events. His slight naivety was completely gone, and his eyes regarded everything with a little more sobriety. It was like what had happened to her when she had Jason. Could that have been what changed him? Realizing he had a son, a child to raise?
Again it heightened her sense of how attracted she was to him. She had forgotten how strong the pull was to be near him, to listen to the richness of his voice and feel the intense gaze of his brilliant eyes. Her soul was entwined with his and she was feeling it again.
"As you grow older, I will be here to guide you. You never have to be afraid. And you will never be alone."
"I know."
As father and son looked at one another, understanding passed between them. They shared something only they could know, and it was like the threads of their bond growing and strengthening into more than a thin thread. Superman was the only one who could truly know Jason's heart once he began to change, and they bothunderstoodthat well.
It was soon time to go. Lois stood and Jason and Clark followed.
Clark escorted them to the door. "I guess it's goodbye for now then," he murmured. He hugged Jason, he and his small blue jacket enveloped in large, welcoming arms.
"I'll see you around," said Lois with a smile.
The door opened and Jason stepped out into the hall, but Lois lingered. She was walking past Clark when she stopped and faced him.
"I made a choice." She laid a hand on his heart and felt the sound rhythm on her palm. "I chose you."
She waited no longer to see his reaction and joined her son in the hallway. Clark quickly replaced his glasses and waved goodbye in a proper Clark Kent manner.
What joy burst within his entire being! Had she really spoke truth? He thought he must have heard wrong. It was what he wanted, but seemed too good to ever be true. He believed she would have been the more practical Lois Lane and decided to stay with Richard like he suggested that night at the Pulitzer.
For so long, he believed he was a hero doomed to solitude and lost love. Could his fate truly hold more than a life alone?
It was a turn in his life he would truly savor and treasure forever. And forever was a very long time.
Richard came back later that evening after Lois and Jason. His face was drawn and his pace was deliberate. Lois felt his pain and anguish, yet she could not help him for she had made her final decision.
"I'll sleep on the couch tonight," he told her.
She opened her mouth to protest, then thought better of it. It was best to start separating as soon as possible to make it less difficult in the end. She merely nodded instead.
She climbed the stairs with heavy feet and heart to see Jason to bed. When she knocked quietly on his door, there was no answer. She opened the door after trying again with the same response. There was no light on, but once her eyes adjusted to the dark, she spotted Jason at the window. It was open. His hair stirred and the curtains drifted like gauzy waves on the breeze. His elbows leaned in the window sill.
Lois called to him softly. "Jason, you need to answer when I knock."
He did not turn his head as he replied. "Sorry, mom. I was watching."
She joined him gazing up at the dark azure of the heavens scattered with stars like bits of shining crystal. "Watching for what?"
"Superman."
He climbed onto her lap, and she wrapped her arms around him. He leaned into her, and she rested her chin on his head. They sat staring into the night waiting for a glimpse of the one man who had changed their lives: to one the love of her very soul and for the other a newfound presence to uphold him in life with a strength no one else could match.
It was deep into the night when they finally closed the window and left the sill to get some sleep.
NOTE: Coming soon...The tension is dissipating for Superman and Lois, and he makes an important visit...
