I'm back! After a summer of weddings, a garden that took over half my yard, looking into a new opportunity, as well as the usual summer insanity at work, I've finally found the time to get back to writing.
Thank you all who have reviewed, you bring me smiles when I am struggling with continuing on with this story.
Martha sat at her kitchen table with Ben, enjoying a quiet cup of coffee. She loved doting over her son's family, but it was nice to get back into her usual routine.
"Think that they've started the services yet?" Ben asked looking at the old clock radio that sat in the kitchen window.
"They must have, Clark said that the service was at eleven." Martha picked up her mug, her hand shaking from the weight of the cup. A jolt of electricity shot through her head, causing her to drop the cup, it shattering on the wood floor. She tried to cry out, but her voice would not come. The pain behind her eyes becoming more excruciating as the seconds passed. She tried to cover her eyes against the light, but her arms would not cooperate. Her body went numb and she fell limp.
"Martha!" Ben cried out as he saw her slump to the ground.
Superman descended from the sky alighting near a cloth-covered table. A small metal box sat in the center of the table next to an easel with a portrait of Richard White placed upon it. Reverently Superman lifted the small coffin and slowly ascended back into the clouds, balloons released by the mourners joined him on his journey up; a symbol of their prayers for the fallen. As Superman reached the agreed upon altitude he opened the casket, releasing the remains of the man he wished he could have known better, one that had earned his respect in the short amount of time they spent together.
As the last of the ash poured out of the box, Clark heard the anguished cries of Ben Hubbard. Listening as he flew west he knew that he had very little time to save his mother, her heartbeat becoming more irregular, her breathing shallow.
"Hold on, mom." He thought to himself as he sped off, the boom left in his wake alerting the observers below that he was called away.
Ben leapt to his feet, rushing to Martha's aid, crying out as he realized his companion was dying. He hadn't yet reached the other side of the table as the back door flew open and a red-blue blur swooped into the kitchen. Ben stood stalk still as Superman raced to the stricken woman, sweeping her limp form into his arms, anguish written on his face.
"I'm here, you'll be okay. Everything will be okay." Superman brushed a loose strand of hair from Martha's face, her eyes wide as she struggled to speak.
"C–"
"It's okay, I'm here." Superman looked up at Mr. Hubbard, "What happened?"
Ben Hubbard was seldom speechless. Usually he had the latest gossip and an opinion on everything, but what he had just witnessed left him totally baffled. Superman was here in the Kent's kitchen caring for Martha Kent as if she were the most special person in the world. He had never heard of such a thing. Why would Superman care about an elderly widow in Kansas? Suddenly, Martha, and Superman vanished, and Ben was left to wonder by himself.
Kal El placed the fragile woman on the berth that had housed his sleeping form while he traveled across the expanse hoping to find an anchor. White light scanned her body while he stood helpless, waiting for some sort of miracle.
After what seemed hours a voice spoke from the air, "Kal El, I see Zod's hand in this. That is the only explanation for such a thing to happen to so healthy a human."
Superman checked Martha's pockets, finding a small green crystal key-fob, similar to the one found on Luthor's body. He held the crystal in his open hand.
"That is the weapon that Zod used against Martha Kent. It was banned centuries ago. It allows those with telepathic powers to pinpoint their enemies, and assassinate them."
"I figured as much. I found another one earlier on one of my enemies, who died suddenly as well. Could the molecule chamber heal her?"
"Krypton's knowledge of human physiology is limited, Kal El. The molecule chamber can repair a limited amount of damage. She may be in good health, but she is very fragile."
"Will she recover without it?"
"I do not know. This attack saddens me as much as it does you, my son. To her we owe a great debt of gratitude; One that the house of El could never begin to repay."
Looking at the woman who lay motionless, his heart broke at the thought of losing the only mother he had ever known. He thought of the years of secrets she held, the lonely life she lived after he left. She was only just now allowing herself the freedom to reach out to others, and now this. But he knew that given the choice today, she still would have chosen to take in a little child that was rocketed across the galaxy, and raise him as her own. Her love, her sacrifice had made him the man he was today. She gave him the hope that allowed him to once again don the suit and return as Superman.
"No, Father, we can never repay her. Though I think she would say the same thing to you."
"Kal El, Zod directed this attack towards you, towards those you care for. You are the head of the House of El. Zod is challenging you. You must defend the House of El, and all its members. You cannot allow Zod to continue unchecked.
"I don't understand?"
"Your family needs you to do what is necessary, what is right."
Now Kal El was even more puzzled. Was his father really asking him, telling him to destroy Zod. "What you are asking me to do would be murder. What about the law?"
"General Zod has defied all laws, both human and Kryptonian. There is no world in which the atrocities he has committed would be condoned. The very decrees he is hiding behind to gain access to the fortress are the very laws that condemn him. It is up to you to put an end to this.
"I'm sorry, my son, that we left you with this legacy. We should have dealt with Zod before he became a threat to any other world. Our arrogance in thinking that the Phantom Zone would hold such a one for eternity was wrong."
Superman walked over to the table that held Martha. She lay there motionless, as if she were in state, her chest rising and falling almost imperceptively. Tenderly he lifted her frail frame into his arms, bringing her forehead to his lips; tears fell freely. "I love you, Mom. Thank you. Thank you for all you have done for me, for finding me, for raising me, for loving me. I wouldn't be who I am without you."
Superman landed near the porch, his footsteps not enough to bring Ben out of his current contemplation. Ben, he noted, was sitting on the swing, a large envelope on his lap, unopened. A squeek from a loose board startled the old man, causing him to look up, his eyes reddened from tears.
"I couldn't open it," he said, referring to the envelope in his lap.
"It's okay, Mr. Hubbard." Superman smiled comfortingly. "Let's hope you don't need to. I took her to Metropolis. Her son is there –" Superman paused to reign in his emotions. Standing there on the porch of his childhood home speaking to his mother's companion while she lay in a hospital bed. It just didn't seem right.
Taking in the familiar sights the farm, the smells of suppers, and breakfasts, the crops and animals. The helplessness he felt when Jonathan Kent died returned full force, and it took all his superhuman strength to overcome it.
"I can take you to her now." He said as he walked over and wrapped his arm around Ben. He felt Ben tense at his touch, and smirked at his unease. Carefully they rose from the Earth.
Ben had learned to fly during the Korean War, flying fighters, 'copters, he even had a couple turns at being a test pilot flying the Blackbird. Even now he had occasion to fly a Cessna with his friends in the Civil Air Patrol. But none of that prepared him for the excitement of flying with a being that could defy gravity. If it weren't for the fact that Superman was flying him to Metropolis to wait by Martha's bedside, he would have relished the flight. As it was, it helped him to bring his thoughts into focus. He had so many questions to ask this amazing man, but he doubted that he would get a chance to ask even one.
Superman touched down near the ambulance entrance of Metropolis General. The large complex was bustling with people entering and exiting, ambulances arriving and leaving. It was strange for Ben. A few short weeks ago he stood outside this same building with Martha as she waited for word on her son. Clark had been somewhere inside this building, supposedly unconscious. And so was the man who had just brought him here.
"Lois and Clark will be here shortly. Thank you for being here for her." Superman looked towards the building. Ben wondered what had caught his attention.
"Can I ask you one question, Superman?"
Superman smiled at the older man's boldness, "I think you just did," He replied teased, then turning serious, "What is it you would like to ask?"
Superman's teasing tone reminded Ben of someone very familiar, "What is so special about Martha Kent?"
"I think you already know." Superman said, lifting his arms to the sky he jetted up, disappearing into the clouds.
Lois had spent the last hour being consoled by well-meaning peers, politicians, and friends. As the last of the well-wishers left she was finally left alone on the dock were Richard's plane remained tethered, a reminder that he would never again take her or their son into the clouds. Perry, Jimmy and Lois's father stood by the temporary memorial that had been erected for the occasion, discussing the current status of Lois and Clark's relationship, the threats from Zod towards Superman, and the future.
Kat Grant had taken it upon herself to make sure that Lois would have as little to deal with as possible. Whether Lois wanted to admit it or not, the loss of Richard was a deep blow to her, and Kat knew that she needed as many friends around as possible.
Kat walked down the stone path to the floating dock where Lois stood watching the sky. "He left in a hurry, it must have been important. He's been gone for a while."
"I'm worried about him, Kat," Lois confided in her friend.
"I am too. He doesn't seem to be himself." Kat fidgeted with the strand of black beads hanging from her neck. The vintage black felt suit hat she wore looked like something Kitty Kowalski would wear, though it did give Kat more of an air of respectability than normal.
"What do you mean?" Lois shifted nervously. She'd noticed the same thing, but she hoped that nobody else had.
"He hasn't stopped as many crimes, or helped in many disasters. When he does show up, he doesn't even stop and wave to the crowds anymore."
"He's been a bit distracted lately. There has been a lot on his plate."
"There's more to it than that. He seems tired, like he is running on half a charge."
"Funny you should put it that way." Lois snipped.
Kat glared back at Lois.
"He's been through a lot Kat. He left to see what was left of his home world only to find it rubble. He called it a graveyard. He returns to the only home he's ever known and finds that everything is different: His mother is dating, the love of his life is promised to another man and has a son, and the world is literally tearing itself apart."
"And his nemesis had broken into the only remnant of his original home, and tried to use it to against this world. I'm so sorry I was a part of that Lois.
"That day was horrible. After Lex shot the crystal into the ocean, I wanted to grab you and run, but where could we go, we were on a boat. I can't fly. He said he was going to kill billions. He would have, and there was nothing I could do to stop him."
Lois saw the pain etched in Kat's face. Her eyes had lost their mischievous glint that was replaced by a hardness that could only be from some horrific event. A slight breeze was starting to blow a chill across the bay. Lois shivered as she listened to Kat recite the story of what happened that day that seemed so long ago.
"On the island they beat him, threw him in the air, tried to drown him in a puddle of filthy water. I could only stand by as the most powerful man on earth was beaten to a pulp. Then Lex stabbed him in the back, told him to fly. Superman fell off the cliff and into the ocean. I thought he was dead."
"He was almost dead when we found him. Richard didn't want to go back at first, but I begged him to. I knew he was dying, I could feel it."
Movement behind Kat caught Lois's eye; Clark was walking towards them. Lois ran up to meet him. He looked terrible: his eyes were red as if he were crying, shaken. She had seen him after difficult rescues before, but he had never looked so defeated.
"What is it? Are you okay? Clark?" Lois's voice drew the attention of their son, who had been standing silent sentry near his daddy's plane, tracing the numbers with his fingers. If Lois had not been distracted she would have scolded him for being so close to the edge of the dock.
"Dad?" Jason ran to his father, throwing his arms around his legs to hug him.
Clark looked down at his son, the love and gratitude for such a precious gift there for all to see. Clark placed his hand on Jason's head, and ruffling his wild hair, the feel of its soft downy texture charging his already supercharged emotions. Tears fell freely. He turned his blue eyes to Lois, giving her a bittersweet smile "My mom, she had a stroke."
Lois's face softened with concern, "How – ?"
"Superman heard Ben Hubbard cry out for her. He got there as soon as he could. She's at Metropolis General. He told me to meet them there."
"Will she be okay?" Kat asked.
Clark looked over Lois's head at Kat and the others who had now joined them. He hated being a burden to others, but right now he needed his friends and family.
"I don't know," He answered honestly. "All I know is that it shouldn't have happened. General Zod caused her stroke." Clark's face was hard, the muscles of his jaw twitched as he clenched it. He felt the heat of his anger building behind his eyes.
"There is a time for mercy, and a time for justice. The time for mercy has passed." He said quizzically.
"Clark, what are you saying?" For the first time Lois was afraid of Clark's unrestrained power. She had never seen this gentle being so angered.
"Zod has overstepped his bounds. The people of Krypton showed him mercy, and he retaliated by triggering its destruction. The people of Earth gave him opportunity for redemption. Instead he chooses a path of domination, and will stop at nothing short of murder to accomplish that goal."
"How can you be sure that it was him?" Lois asked.
"It was a warning. Nobody who is close to me is safe," Clark looked over to Perry and Jimmy, "it isn't safe to be a friend to anyone who opposes Zod."
"It's never safe to be in our line of work, Son. It is even less safe when you go up against a despot," Perry shot back.
"Why would Zod send you a warning, Clark?" Jimmy asked nervously, "Why would Zod want to hurt your mother or you?"
"Because Clark helped Superman defeat him, Jimmy," Lois offered, "Now Zod wants to bring down Superman using any means possible. One way was to bring up questions about Jason's paternity." Lois looked at her son, who was now in his father's arms resting his head on his broad shoulders.
"What's patternety?" The child asked in a sleepy voice.
Clark shuffled his son in his arms so he could better see him, "Paternity determines who your father is."
"But you're my father," Jason answered innocently.
Clark pressed his lips to his son's head, "Yes, I am, I most certainly am."
"Clark Kent? Lois Lane?" A voice interrupted. The woman from the bullpen the other day had returned, this time accompanied by two uniformed police officers. "I have a court order that you hand Jason White over to me immediately."
Clark looked angrily at the woman, "On what grounds?" Jason tightened his grip around his father.
"Child neglect and endangerment. We will keep him in state's custody until the court is satisfied that the boy is being properly cared for, and is protected unsafe individuals."
Lois placed a hand on her hip, cocking her head to the side "And who are these unsafe individuals?"
The CSD agent smiled as she handed Lois the court order, "Superman."
Jason looked up at his father, tears forming in his eyes. "Superman isn't a bad person" the boy yelled. "All he wants to do is help!" He jumped from his father's arms faster than Clark expected, and ran up to one of the officers kicking him. He didn't even try to hold back on the force of his kick, the sound of bone breaking sicking those around. The officer grabbed his leg and fell to the ground, stunned that a small child could deliver such a blow.
"Jason, stop!" Clark said firmly, "This isn't going to help. I won't let anything happen to you. Do you understand?" He gave the woman a glare allowing just a glint of fire come to surface. "You don't know what you are doing, or who you are dealing with." He warned. Lois grabbed her son in a tight embrace.
The other officer pulled the child from his mother's arms, "You're lucky we don't add obstruction to the complaint," he smirked. Clark recognized the officer as one that he and Lois had run-ins with on several occasions. The man had a firm dislike of Clark's alter-ego, and had no qualms about letting those with whom he worked with know.
Walking over to his frightened son, Clark placed his hand on the child's back to quiet him. "Don't fight them, Son." Clark said disheartened, then whispered quietly, "I love you, you'll be okay, I promise." Inside Jason's pocket, a small crystal lay emitting a faint comforting pulse and an assurance of protection by an unseen force.
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