NOTICE: I must warn you all before you read not to get your hopes up! The 'one last kindness' is not that big of a deal, just a token of their lives together. I realised I made it sound extravagent and it's not :D.

This is our goodbye to Richard...but only for this part of the story :). He'll definitely be in the sequel. I like him and that would be sad to obliterate him completely. Sad and happy chapter! Enjoy!

Mr. Firenze: I soooo know exactly how you feel. It's hard to write this even and I had to make a choice between the 2 at the beginning of this story. I'm interested to see what Bryan Singer will do in the sequel...Thanks for reviewing!

Andrea: Thank you very much for your lovely response. Those comments were kind of you to say :). Yes, I'd rather ask for reviews politely. I'm not fond of when people pretty much blackmail to get reviews by not updating the story, lol. Thanks again and I'm glad you enjoy the story!

Nightcrawler8: Thanks! Yeah, I feel bad for Richard...again. But it'll be good to let Superman, Lois, and Jason be together.

LostSchizophrenic: Don't worry! I like Richard too much to ever kill him off. He'll even make some appearances in my sequel :). He's still Jason's first dad.

malfoysvixen: Well, it's not a big thing :). I hope you're not expecting anything spectacular, lol. Thanks for the review!

Jedi X-man Serena Kenobi: Ah, mush is good isn't it? It's a weakness of mine...lol. Thanks a bunch!

Kala Lane-Kent: Yes, sad and the sadness does continue in this chapter. Ah but I'm glad you're still reading it through the sadness :). Please don't expect anything big from this chapter! The 'last kindness' is simple really. Thanks for the review!

Thanks a lot also to Angel452, Sunny2006, Maddi-B, and katie!

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Richard flipped through the pages of the large photo album Lois had set in his lap. He drew a deep, calming breath to steady the wave of emotions that crashed over him seeing the pictures of Jason, Lois, and him, bringing all the wonderful memories back. They were all their favorite photographs of all their favorite times together; times when the world was perfect and normal for them.

"I want you to have it. I have copies of all of them."

"Thank you, Lois. This means a lot to me." He stood and tentatively gave her a brief hug.

"You're welcome. Well, it's time for us to go." She said it with a hint of sadness. She never thought she would see the day when she would say goodbye to Richard White, the man who had saved her from her grief when Superman was not there to do it. She would never forget all that he had been to her, and she still considered him a close friend who would continue to visit her son.

It was early morning. A golden haze was over the city and on the water, the air crisp and fresh. Their heads were haloed with sunlight.

Lois stood outside with Jason ready to say farewell to Richard. Jason had not said much when they told him what was going to happen, and even now was silent and expressionless. She hoped he would not be angry with her for making this choice or that she would regret it later for his sake.

Richard shut the trunk of the car filled with boxes and items of Lois and Jason's and turned to face them. He smiled at Jason and opened his arms. Jason ran into them and clung to his daddy, revealing more about his feelings than his face did. Lois tried to steady her emotions when tears started streaming down her son's cheeks and made Richard's eyes well up also.

"Bye, daddy."

"Bye, Jason. Don't worry. I'll see you again soon. We'll see each other often enough and you can come stay with me once you guys get situated." He pulled back to look at Jason. "Don't be sad. This is the way it's supposed to be."

He wiped his eyes and rose to his feet. His eyes fell on Lois. Her arms hung at her sides and a few tears had escaped her blue eyes. He approached her and looked at her for a long, hushed moment. Then she crumbled and threw her arms around his neck in a last embrace.

"I'm so sorry, Richard. I'm so sorry."

"It's okay," he said rubbing her back and taking in the sweet, fresh scent of her hair. "You don't have to worry about it." He leaned back. "I don't hate you or have a mind to never see you again or anything like that. All right?"

She nodded and drew a shuddering breath.

Richard pried himself away with a wounded spirit. She gathered Jason in her arms as they stood there until they climbed into the car. Richard watched until the car was out on the road and out of sight.

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Clark came trotting outside to meet Lois and Jason and help carry their things up to their new apartment. He greeted them warmly but solemnly. He saw Lois had been crying. Jason did not look so cheerful either.

"I am really sorry you have to go through this," he said.

"It's all right," she said with a light, concealing laugh to hide her distress. Her arm went around Jason. "We're both strong-willed enough to get through all right."

He pressed his lips together in a firm line. What if that's not enough? He refrained from saying it aloud for they were distraught enough and looked over her shoulder at the car. "I'll help you with that."

She thanked him, and they each took as much as they could carry—Clark of course lifting a larger amount than any normal person. As the elevator took them up to the seventh floor, they were joined by another tenant. It was the same elderly woman with the hat and scarf; this time the matching hat and scarf were dark green.

"Oh, hello," she chimed. "I hope you don't mind."

"No, not at all," Lois and Clark said at the same time. They exchanged a brief glance.

The grey-haired woman smiled and stepped in. The doors slid shut and her mouth opened.

"I thought I'd work these old bones and take the stairs, but I guess I'm just too old for that anymore. I'm growing more thankful for elevators and escalators every day." She chuckled and looked down at Jason. "Oh, didn't I see you and your mother here before?"

"Yes," said Lois. "We were visiting a friend."

Clark frowned in thought at that and shifted the large boxes in his arms. This caught the older woman's attention, and she smiled at him.

"It's nice to have a kind young man so willing to help a young lady. You're the friend?"

"Yeah," he said with a goofy grin.

Her wrinkles bunched around her kindly blue eyes. "You're the new young man on my floor, aren't you?"

He nodded.

"Well, I'll have to remember in case I need those strong arms of yours." She patted his arm before turning back to the doors as they opened.

"This is our floor. Have a good day," said Lois. "Ms…?"

"Charleston. Mrs. Charleston."

As Clark held the doors open, Lois stuck out her hand. "Lois Lane. Maybe we'll talk again."

"I sure hope so. Goodbye."

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Lois put her hands in her back pockets and surveyed the new apartment. It was a lot like Clark's with wood floors, tan walls, and a small kitchen. But this one had two bedrooms. All of their things were set in the living area.

"You like it?"

She smiled to hear Clark's soothing, deep voice. "I guess so. It's just strange to be back in an apartment after living in a real house for a while."

"If it's any consolation, I'm only three floors away." He bent close to her ear. "That's the beauty of having a balcony too."

She laughed and laid a hand on his arm. "Somehow I just can't be unhappy around you. Thanks for helping. I have to take the car back."

"You taking a taxi back here?"

"Yeah, and then Jason and I will start our new life here." She ran a hand over the smooth wall.

"Do you want to go to dinner? All of us, I mean."

Lois pursed her full lips and shrugged. "It might be better to just stay here tonight. Jason looks tired." She was peering through the open archway where Jason was circling his new room. He yawned and rubbed his eyes.

Clark smiled. An idea popped into his head. "Would you let me surprise him with something?"

She arched an eyebrow at him. "It depends."

"Well, his room looks a bit plain right now and I think it needs some work…"

"You know what Clark?" A slow smile crept upon her lips. "You can surprise him all you want. He'll be at school in a couple days. I'll call you or something. Oh, and do you think I could leave him with you till I get back?"

"Do you even have to ask?"

"Right." She grabbed the keys from the kitchen counter. "I'll be right back."

As soon as she was gone, he was at Jason's door. "Hey, bud. I have an idea to surprise your mom. Wanna help?"

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Lois released a heavy sigh, leaned into the seat of the taxi, and closed her eyes. She felt like just sitting down and relaxing. She had not felt rested in so long. Life's last few struggles had really taken their toll. Now she was really moving on and starting fresh…again.

Jason, I hope I can give you all the guidance you need. It's just not going to be easy.

She did not want to immediately forget Richard and her feelings for him. She knew that it would take time for her heart to heal. Would Richard's do the same? Even though she was returning to her first love, she decided to take it a bit slow until the pain from the separation subsided. What touched her was that Clark understood and had kept his distance since they arrived.

The taxi stopped, and she made her way out and up to the apartment. She unlocked the door and was greeted by her son. He leaped into her arms and buried his head in her shoulder.

"Whoa!" she laughed. She would not allow her downcast spirits to taint her son's mood as well.

"Come into the kitchen, mommy."

"Why…? Ah. You're not going to tell me, are you?"

He shook his head. She set him down and followed him towards the kitchen. She gasped.

Clark was standing by the long, open counter with his arms folded over his broad chest in a very Superman-like pose and smiling most brilliantly. On the counter was laid a full dinner: chicken, noodles, peas, and peaches. He glanced towards the sliding door that led to the balcony. She followed his gaze and saw silverware set out on a table with three chairs around it.

"Wow," she said. "Wow. This is certainly a surprise."

Clark came around and kissed her cheek. "I hope it's a good one."

She laughed and pulled him back to her side. "It certainly is."

"Jason helped of course," he said.

Jason agreed and opened the glass door. "I'm hungry. Can we eat now?"

Lois and Clark laughed and dished up their plates.

"You guys really amaze me," said Lois as they sat looking over Metropolis. "This is great. This is exactly what I needed. What better way to start things here than being cooked dinner by none other than…" she saw his wary look, "Clark Kent." She smiled and raised her glass to him. "Only you could do all this in such a short time."

Once they finished, they took their dishes inside and washed them together. Jason was sitting on the counter with a towel in hand and heels bouncing against the cupboards beneath him. He cocked his head at Clark.

"Can't you dry dishes with your heat vision?"

Clark smiled knowingly. "I suppose, but it doesn't speed things up much."

"Like with cooking?"

Lois looked at Clark, and he shrugged. "Yeah, like with cooking."

"So that's how you got everything done so fast," she mused.

Jason and he laughed, and she was startled at how alike they sounded. She looked at both of them and felt things were finally right.

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"I'll see you guys later," said Clark. He had grabbed his coat and key to his apartment.

Lois caught him before he left and drew his mouth down to hers, softly and tenderly. "Thank you for everything. The only reason I've been okay up till now is because I know how great life's going to be with you."

When the amazement faded out of his eyes, he smiled. "It may take a while, but I know you'll get through this all right. You're the strongest woman I know." He stroked her cheek. "Goodnight Lois."

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NOTE: There will only be 2 (maybe 3) more chapters after this one. The first part of the story is coming to an end! But there will certainly be a part 2.

Please feel free to review also!