Clark turned around in his desk chair and jumped. Jason smiled and laughed. "You're funny." Was all he said with that all too level gaze for someone his age.
"Do you always go around trying to scare people?"
"No. Sometimes." Clark looked at him again and frowned.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing. My other dad's office is boring." Jason scratched his nose and pushed a pen from the edge. "I'm bored."
"Don't you have homework?" He asked, wondering what to do.
"No. I did it all already."
"Well that's good." Clark smiled as Jason pushed his chair away from the desk and climbed into his lap. He hesitated briefly before adjusting his position and continuing to work.
"What are you doing?"
"I have to finish this article."
"What is it about?" Jason took the pen out of his hand and clicked it over and over again.
"Son, that really gets on my nerves." Clark whispered, taking the pen back and shaking his head. "You have nothing to do?"
"Why do you ignore me when you're Clark?" Jason became very still, before bending his head backwards so he could look at his father's face upside down.
"…what?"
"Why do you ignore me when you're not Superman? You still love me when you're not Superman right?" Clark closed his eyes and wished he could stop time. This wasn't fair to him or Jason.
"I always love you. I love you when I'm Superman and when I'm Clark… but it's more complicated than that."
"Grown ups always say that."
"Grownups always say what?" He turned around to see Lois staring at the two of them strangely. "Is he bothering you?" Staring down in those blue eyes, he knew that either way he answered could potentially be a misstep.
"No, he's not."
"Good. Time for dinner kiddo. You ready?" She looked back down at her article and held out her hand. Thank goodness for small miracles. Jason jumped down out of Clark's lap.
"See you later…" Clark tried to look stern, but the smile wouldn't leave his face. What was he going to do? His son rightfully wants to be acknowledged by every part of his father… Releasing the breath he didn't know he held, a sound reached his ears. A hostage situation.
Glancing around the room, he typed up his article in three seconds, and was out the door in the next five. Perry stepped out of his office and scanned the room. "Kent! Where's Kent?"
"He's right… he was at his desk Chief. I don't know where he went."
"Tell him when he gets back I want him in my office. I expected a finished article from in ten minutes!"
Abby held up two pieces of paper. "Do you mean this? It was on his desk."
"Bring it in here." Jimmy turned to her with his wide eyed gaze and shrugged, breathing a sigh of relief. You might not be able to find Clark all the time, but his work was almost always done.
> > > > >
> > > > >
Lois hung up the phone and scribbled some notes on the pad in front of her. Richard was in his office putting Jason's jacket on, which meant he would be coming for her next. She'd make his job easier and actually be ready when he came out. The only people left in the office were Abby who was on the phone herself, and Gill, who was finishing up a few articles of his own.
Absently reaching for her coat, she looked up to see Clark walk into the office, eyes unfocused and a worried frown on his face. "What's wrong, something amiss on the farm?" She asked, finally switching off her lamp and resigning herself to the fact that the day was actually over.
He looked at her briefly and gave a wan smile. "My day wasn't as good as yours, from your mood."
"Oh, mine was just brilliant. I have another feature that Perry wants on Superman, and I got to tell him I couldn't, because I'm going on vacation." Clark dropped the book he was holding on his foot, and barely noticed.
"You? Vacation?"
"You act as if the action is foreign to me."
"Relaxation, letting go? Getting out of the city? Yes… that is foreign to you. Golly…" He scratched his head and finally looked at his foot, where his reference book was resting. Reaching down to pick it up, he waved at Gill on his way out the door.
"You kids don't stay up too late." He said over his shoulder towards the elevator.
'Yeah, thanks dad." Lois smiled as Richard kissed her on the cheek and Jason looked at her from across his chest. She noticed his eyes were always darker when he was fighting off sleep. "Come on kiddo… let's get you in bed."
"Okay. Bye Mr. Clark." Jason waved and Clark smiled before turning around.
"Bye!" The wave became overenthusiastic halfway through, and he looked at his hand and put it down. He was tired, more so exhausted. Clark looked across the office to see Abby slowly turning in her chair, the cord to the telephone wrapping around her body.
"All I'm saying is that you told me you had vacation time coming. Are you serious? Do you really want to get into a 'I didn't say that' argument? I always win. Hello… reporter…" He smiled and turned back to his work. "You're an idiot!" The smile faltered and Clark looked over his shoulder. Abby was standing now, struggling to get out of the tangle.
"I am a workaholic because I enjoy my work. You're a workaholic too! We're both damn workaholics. What does that have to do with anything?"She started spinning in the opposite direction, untangling herself and practically tripping over her chair. "Look… you know I don't have much patience, and you're stubborn… so these fights we have are going to be normal. I still want to be Mrs. Derek Mathis. Yes, I'm sorry darling. I know, I said I would stop yelling. I'm trying." Abby laughed. "I am trying… I just miss you. You are? Why didn't you tell me earlier? Whatever, you suck. Talk to you later. Love you too." She hung up the phone and slammed her fist on the desk.
"Something wrong?" Clark asked, putting down his pen and rubbing his eyes behind the glasses he wore.
Abby looked over at him and shook her head. "No, not really. Nothing more than what always goes on." She winced and shook her hand out. "Whatcha doing?"
"Finishing up something. Heading home?"
"No. I'm getting something to eat." She paused. "Do you want to come with?"
Clark crossed his last "t", pushed away from his desk and shrugged. "Sure. I know a place."
> > > > >
> > > > >
Abby laughed and shook her head. "I'm serious though… you can't get good cheesecake here in Metropolis."
"Cherry pie is best." Clark smiled and took another bite of his. "But my mother can make better with her eyes closed."
"Aw, that's sweet. You're mother made cherry pie. I'm almost willing to bet a month's salary that it was always made from scratched and it cooled on the window sill." From the look on his face, she was right. "Aren't you lucky."
"Well, I'm sure I wasn't the only person to have his mother make desserts from scratch. Why are you so cynical?" He asked, amused.
"Oh, you know the saying."
"No, I'm not sure I do."
"Idealists live in Metropolis… realists live in Gotham."
"They're not that bad."
"You're from Metropolis."She smiled and leaned forward so she could put her elbows on the table. "So tell me, how did you end up in this place?"
"I wanted to see the world… and I always dreamed of Metropolis as a child. You never know what you have until you decide to go and find something better. Reporting was always something I could do… I did it in high school… so…" He shrugged and finished his pie, dropping a cherry onto his tie. Groaning he wet his napkin and started wiping. "So what about you?"
"I've wanted to be a reporter since junior high school. I'm nosy, I'm forward, and I can always smell a story. My father was a cop, and wanted me to follow in his footsteps. He gave his life to Gotham, trying to make it a better place. Too bad it's taking a man with a mask to do what he tried to do with his shield." She smiled and stared off into space. "He wanted me to be one too, but my mother wouldn't hear of it. Kind of glad, because she's the one who gave me my love of words and a great story."
"What does she do?"
"She's the Superintendent of the school system."
"Wow, that's interesting."
"Not really, because she's the reason why I have no patience. My father could sit all afternoon and wait for something he's put into motion to come to fruition. Not my mother. She wanted what she wanted right then and there. The two of them really screwed me up."
"How so?" Clark laughed, watching the look on her face.
"Well, I'm patient when it comes to things that don't matter to me. The really important stuff… for some reason I lose my temper. Then when I look back, I think, "I really could have waited for that instead of looking like an idiot." They both laughed.
For someone who doesn't like the cheesecake… you did have two pieces."
"What can I say, I miss home." Clark looked at his watch.
"Wow, it's almost midnight. I don't know when was the last time that I spent most of the night talking. It's been years."He said, blushing slightly.
"You know, I could say the same. It's been nice." Abby smiled and stretched.
"Same here. I'll walk you home." Clark rose and offered his hand.
"Tall and dashing. I'm surprised you're not already taken." She took his hand and yawned.
> > > > >
"It's more interesting than you think!"
"Sure."
"I'll show you a real farm one day, and you'll see. It is interesting."Abby nodded before cracking up.
"Clark, I'm a city girl. Always have been, always will be. If I see a cow it better be on someone's plate. No offense." Before Clark could retort something slammed across his hearing. A train…
'Abby, I'm sorry, but I just remembered that I forgot something. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" He smiled and started walking backwards.
"Um, sure. Get some sleep, okay?"
"Bye Abby."
"See…you…" Abby watched him jog out of sight and she shook her head. Interesting man, but very strange and extremely nervous. Smiling to herself, she went inside.
> > > > >
> > > > >
"Do you have to take it during a weekend?" Perry agonized, and Lois had to admit, it was hilarious to watch. Richard frowned and shook his head.
"Yes, we've been planning this for some time. Don't you think we deserve a little time away?" He glared at his Uncle, who had the grace to look slightly abashed.
"Not really. You're a good reporter because things happen to you. You're able to write sensational stories as if you were there because you were there… what if something happens while you're gone!" He growled, crossing his arms.
"Clark can handle it!" Richard jerked his thumb towards Clark's desk, and they all turned just in time to see him trip over his chair and land on the other side.
"Clark… great reporter… but still, he's no Lois Lane."
"God, let's hope not." She smiled and shrugged. "I don't know what to tell you Chief."
"We're taking the plane Perry, and we really have to go."Richard stood up and held his hand out for Lois. "We'll be back in a week to drop Jason off and then we'll be heading out again."
"You're not taking Jason?"
"No, Abby is going to watch him. She's graciously offered to do it since the service cancelled on us last minute."
"Enjoy your trip." He begrudgingly replied and Lois smiled her teasing grin.
"Do you really mean that?"
"Get out of here Lane, before I change my mind."The two reporters hurried out of the door laughing. Clark watched them out of the corner of his eye and trying to finish his work when his chair was pushed away from the desk and Jason ducked under his arms and smiled.
"Hi."
"Hello Jason. How are you doing today?"Clark smiled and forgot about eavesdropping on Lois and Richard for the moment.
"Fine."
"Did you enjoy school?" Clark smiled as Jason did sort of a half shrug, something his mother told him he always did when he was younger.
"It was alright. I don't like gym."He said as he climbed up into his lap. "We played dodge ball and I got sent to the principal's office because I threw the ball too hard. Danny's nose was bleeding. I said I was sorry, but he didn't want to listen, and he told the teacher on me."
"Do you know why you threw the ball too hard?"
"I was upset. He keeps making fun of me. I didn't mean to hurt him." Jason leaned on his elbow and looked up at Clark. "I'm sorry."
"I know; you just have to be careful." He leaned in closer. "Next time control your anger. We don't get to let go of our tempers."
Jason shrugged again. "I'm staying with Aunt Abby on Sunday. I don't have to go to school for all week!" Clark blinked and translated.
"That's great! You're staying with Aunt Abby all week?"
"Don't you start too." They both turned around at the sound of her voice. "Jason, your parents are looking for you. They've looked for you all over this office, except here…" Abby trailed off as she glanced from Clark's face to Jason's. "Um…"
"Well Jason, you heard your Aunt. Go find your parents." Jason looked at him briefly before climbing down and running off.
"Uh… I just came by to tell you that I enjoyed last night. We'll have to do it again sometime."
"Yeah, we will."
"Clark, Abby, get in here!" Perry barked and the two reporters jumped.
"Be right there Chief!" Clark picked up a pad and pen and followed Abby into the office.
"What's happening?" She asked; tripping over Clark's feet to close the door.
"A source we have in the Police department has a story he wants to run." He said, sitting down behind his desk. "They've hit a brick wall and want to leak to the press."
"To either smoke him out or build public awareness. What's the killer's profile?" Clark was scribbling a mile a minute.
"In fifteen minutes you'll be meeting Detective Andrews in Metro Park, beside the baseball diamond. Don't be late or he'll leave." Perry warned. "I want this story for our front page."
"Got it." Clark rose and held the door open for Abby.
"Why Superman hasn't done anything about this?" She asked absently, picking up her blazer and putting it on.
'He doesn't do everything." Clark said defensively, picking up his digital recorder.
"Interesting. I guess that makes sense. I saw him on a news story."
"What did you think?"
"Cute in a boy scout kind of way." He didn't know what to say to that, so he didn't reply.
"Are you ready?"
"Yep."
> > > > >
> > > > >
"He… we're baffled. No prints are ever left, and all we find are the heads." Abby blinked and looked at Clark.
'Could you be more specific Detective?"
"Mike. Please call me Mike."
"Mike…" She sighed and scratched her head. "Could you be more specific?"
"They were always taken around midnight every Friday. All were reported missing and all were found in their houses or apartments a day later. All live alone; own a dog and all… well all were young women around twenty five to thirty."
Abby's eyebrow rose. "Are you serious? A serial killer that stalks women?" She retorted sarcastically.
'Do you have anything that would suggest the culprit is male?"Clark looked at Abby, who had stopped writing.
"Semen was left in their mouths, but no sperm samples found match anything we have in the system. We've sent the prints out to be checked against other databases, but no results have been found yet, and the day after tomorrow is Friday. It's got to stop." Mike handed over a folder. "This man is insane, and I need help. The whole department needs help, and I don't care if I lose my job for this. My daughter in law lives alone now that she's a widow. I don't want to get the phone call and find out it's her. She's all the family I have now."
"We'll get the word out detective, I promise." Clark's mind raced a million miles a minute.
"I know your paper has a sort of relationship with Superman… maybe you could get word to him? I'm not above hoping he'll catch the man for us."
"We can't promise that, but if it can be done, I'll ask Lois Lane."
"Thanks." He pulled his jacket up further and walked away from the two reporters. Abby frowned and started walking back to the office.
"Well, they certainly were thorough." Abby looked up, a slightly shaken look in her eyes.
"Hopefully the facts we have will get the word out there, like we planned. Maybe it will put too much spotlight on his MO… maybe he'll find his targets are no longer alone."Clark frowned. "Abby, how old are you?"
"Twenty nine, why?" She asked, nose buried in the file.
"You live alone right?"
"Only because my fiancé isn't here yet."
"But you still live alone."
"Your point?"
"Do you have any pets?"
"I have a dog."
"Be careful Abby. Do you have someone you can stay with until this guy is caught?" She stopped and turned to him.
"Are you serious? I'm not changing my living arraignments because some crazy man decided he has a vendetta against women who own dogs or whatever his malfunction happens to be right now. You can't do that in Gotham, because then you're always a potential victim."
"Gee whiz…" He sighed and pushed his glasses further. "Didn't you say that Derek was coming to Metropolis soon?"
Abby stopped and frowned. "What? You heard that?"
"I have good hearing. You were a little louder than you thought." He covered, continuing to walk.
"Oh…" She ran a few steps to catch up with him. "Yes, he's coming for a few days to talk with the Chief of Staff of Metropolis General. So, what do you want to do first?"
"Let's check in with Perry first, and then we can talk strategy."
> > > > >
> > > > >
Superman enjoyed flying. If he flew fast enough, the wind blowing in his ears would dim the sound of everything else. Unfortunately it left him alone with his thoughts… and they always went where they wanted to. Flying in from Australia, he flew along the coast until he found the mouth of the Metropolis River, the city looming in his vision. Taking a deep breath, he let down his guard and took in the sound of everything at once. Nothing was
It wasn't fair. Why does the heart choose whom it chooses to love? He looked directly into the house, and from the looks of things Lois and Richard's first leg of their vacation was complete. They took Jason to see Richard's parents and relaxed for a whole week. The second week Jason would be staying with Abby while Richard would be taking Lois around the world in his plane… Oh joy.
He could do that. Fly her around the world in a day. True, they'd have to stop because someone would be in trouble… and she wouldn't be able to fly with him all the time because she could be burned up in the slipstream when he reached his higher speeds… Landing in the trees behind their house, he watched what should have been his family… Probably could have been his family if he had stuck around instead of taking an intergalactic trip.
"Mommy, you're leaving today?" Jason asked, looking around for a piece of the puzzle he started before leaving a week ago.
"Yes, Daddy and I are leaving. You'll have fun with Aunt Abby. Just make sure you don't bother Mr. Clark too much, okay? Because he'll never tell you he's busy, but he's a reporter just like Mommy and Daddy and Aunt Abby, so he's busy." Lois ran upstairs to his bedroom, emptying out his suitcase and replacing the clothes with clean ones.
"He wouldn't lie to me." Jason whispered, practically ignoring his mother and pushing a few pieces into place. Superman smiled. No, he wouldn't.
"Honey, please put away your toys. Your aunt Abby said she would be picking you up today." The phone rang downstairs and Jason ran to pick it up.
"Hello? Hi Aunt Abby. Hold on." He looked around. "Mom, Dad, phone!" He held it up and Richard took it out of his hand.
"I told you about answering the phone kiddo." He smiled and pushed him playfully. "Hello? Abby… hi, you just caught us. A day? Um… I don't think I have a problem with it… hold on." Richard covered the mouthpiece and looked around. "Lois? Abby wants to know if we could leave tomorrow instead of today. She's supposed to interview some hotshot tonight last minute."
"What?" She stomped down the stairs and sighed. "Your Uncle is really getting on my nerves sometimes. I think he resents we're taking a vacation."
"And a long one at that." He leaned over and kissed her. "So, what do I tell her?"
"There's nothing we can do, unless Clark would watch him. I'm sure he has nothing to do. Tell her we'll call her back." Lois looked around and spotted her cell phone on the coffee table. Superman sighed and flew off. He knew she'd be calling him, and he left his cell phone with the clothes he was wearing on the roof of the Daily Planet. Rocketing in, he picked up his cell phone just as it rang.
"Hello? Lois, hi." He leaned over the side of the roof and jumped down to the supply room window he left open. Slipping inside he checked the office floor with his x-ray vision and stepped out when no one was looking. "I would love to. Sure, I'm at the Planet. Okay. No, it's not a problem." He hung up the phone and sighed. That was close.
"I'm not sure what's more interesting, the fact that you always have the article done, but I can never find you." Perry walked up to him frowning. "What were you doing in there?"
"Uh… I thought I lost my pen." Clark stammered, pushing his glasses back up his nose. The chief looked at him briefly before shrugging.
"Whatever. Abby has your next assignment. I want both of these done before we go to print. Got it?"
"Sure, chief." He nodded awkwardly until the editor moved on to another target. Clark went to his desk and tried to control his excitement. He would be able to spend time with Jason as Clark for a whole day… and he would make sure to spend time with him while he was with Abby. This could turn out to be a good thing…
"Clark, where have you been?" Abby hissed as she walked behind him and sat on his desk. "I thought Perry was going to blow a gasket. We have another assignment."
"Yes, he told me. What is it?"
"Well, there's a fundraising gala going on tonight, and we're press representation for the Daily Planet. Black tie and you need to pick me up at eight."
"I told Lois I would watch Jason for her." He cringed and started thinking.
"Well, I told her I couldn't watch him tonight because of the article we're expected to have completed by tomorrow morning. What are we going to do? Bringing him is not an option."
"I know… Hold on, I need to make a call." She handed him the phone behind her. Clark took it hesitantly, and stared back at her expectantly.
"Oh… you want privacy?"
"Preferably."
"Fine. Just let me know when you'll be ready to go." He watched her meander over to her desk and he dialed the number, hoping she'd pick up.
"Hello?" From just hearing that loving voice he knew everything would be okay.
"Mom?"
"Clark! How are you doing?"
"I'm good. How are you?"
"Great. I'm wonderful."
"And Ben?"
"Wonderful too. He says hello."
"…Tell him I said hello back. Mom, I have a huge favor to ask you."
"Sure, anything sweetheart."
"Could you watch Jason for me?"
"Of course! You know I've been itching to do so for a while…" Martha trailed off excitedly. "When will you be bringing him over?"
"Well, in a few minutes."
"Overnight?"
"If that's not too much trouble."
"He could say in your old room. It will be no trouble."
"Thanks Mom. I really appreciate it."
"Trust me, I do too."