Disclaimer: DC Comics and WB Entertainment own everything. No profit is being made from this story. This is strictly for my own amusement.

Author's Notes: In this final chapter, two Clois couples from two different worlds have a lot to discuss and later, in light of what happened during the invasion, Kal was reluctant to see his Father again. I hope you enjoy it. Reviews/kudos would be so great! :D

~o~o~

Chapter 5: Lesson Learned

Seconds later, a city park outside of Metropolis:

Both couples continued to stare at each other unsure of what to say. Clark Kent, a reporter from another world who had not endured a massive Kryptonian attack finally spoke up. He held out his hand and came forward to meet his doppelganger. "Hello, may we call you Kal, and you can call me Clark? Will that work?"

"That will work, thanks," Kal responded. They shook hands.

Lois Lane-Kent, recently married, who also had not endured a massive influx of Kryptonians, held out her hand to her doppelganger. "Hello, please call me Lo, and may I call you Lois? How's that …?"

"I would like that, thanks," Lois responded. They also shook hands. "Oh, we have something that belongs to you." She removed her wedding band and Kal did the same. They handed them back and everything was as it should be, for the time being anyway.

"Thank you so much," Lo said, truly grateful.

"This is downright bizarre. Lois and I were just here in this same park yesterday evening. At least, I think it was yesterday," Kal said, still a bit confused.

"Our Father apparently likes to keep us guessing," Clark said, not in the mood for any more games or lessons from his Father.

They all needed to relax a bit and take it all in. "Maybe we should sit down. There's a picnic table right over there and it's hidden by a few trees," Lois suggested. Luckily, it was a quiet part of town, not a lot of foot traffic or vehicles.

The men walked ahead while Lois and Lo walked side by side. Lois glanced at her doppelganger and realized that they could be twins. She shook her head wondering again why this had happened to them.

"Kal and I have no idea why any of this is happening," Lois commented, hoping to get a clue.

"In the past, Jor-El made it pretty clear that he was very unhappy with Clark and me because we were not completely honest in our relationship."

"I see, well, honesty is important of course, but … we know what happened," Lois reluctantly said.

"You know, but how?" Lo asked, surprised.

Before Lois could respond, they all sat down at the table. A few moments passed. Both couples just kept staring at the other.

"This is weird," Clark said. "But to answer your question, Lois, it is true. We have some idea why Jor-El would do this to us."

"We know everything, and Lois and I wanted to say how sorry we are about … about Jason," Kal said, hoping they could talk about it.

"How did you find out about him? Did Jor-El say something?" Lo asked, trying not to get upset. Clark took her hand underneath the table.

"Well, when we first arrived here, Lois and I were at the Planet offices. We also spent time at your apartment, and we saw the photographs," Kal replied, feeling awkward.

Lo and Clark glanced at each other. "I see," Lo said. She certainly did not want to talk about Jason. "I wondered why you had on my clothes. What else happened there?" She wondered if they had done the deed.

"Well, we … Ummm …." Kal hesitated.

"We had sex in your bed," Lois blurted out. Kal groaned and shook his head.

Clark glanced at Lo, and she hid a grin, then she asked a question. She thought about all of this and what messages Jor-El was trying to convey. "Was it your first time?"

"Lo, that is a personal question. Please excuse my wife. She has a tendency to speak her mind." He paused. "Oh, but you know that already." Both men had to laugh. The women sent death glares to both men.

Then Lois had a feeling. "Oh my goodness, did you become pregnant from your first time, because …?" She paused for a second.

Lo sighed heavily. "Yes I did." She paused as she watched them closely. "Are you expecting, but it's only been one day?"

"She might be, but we won't know that for a while," Kal responded.

"We get it now," Clark thoughtfully said. "Jor-El has always been a control freak. Oh, he is subtle about it, but sooner or later, the message seeps into your head until the choice is taken away." Everyone picked up on Clark's apparent dislike of Jor-El's parenting skills.

Kal saw things differently. "I know what he is trying to do here. We've made mistakes." He was speaking to Clark. "Sometimes, we let emotions rule common sense. I think he was hoping to lead us to what he thought was right for us."

"I understand that, but because of this high ideal that he wanted for me, well, it grated on what I wanted." Clark squeezed his wife's hand. "Lo and I have struggled for years with that ideal, but thinking back, Jor-El was undeniably right up to a point. Being Earth's savior is my destiny, but Lo has always been what I've wanted and needed in my life. It took years, but Jor-El has finally accepted that."

"He did not at first?" Kal asked, needing to know more.

"No, he did not. He felt that having Lois in my life would distract me from what I am and my destiny and so I rebelled. After I had given up my powers, Lois and I had one night together, and she became pregnant. I did not know it at the time, but then when she disappeared and was almost killed, I had to regain my powers to protect her and Earth. I then decided that maybe we were not meant to be, and so I removed her memories. A few weeks later, I left Earth in search of another home." He paused as he stared at his doppelganger. "What would you have done if you had to choose between keeping Lois safe from harm, and being alone? It was not an option for me. She came first."

Kal and Lois glanced at each other. "You gave up your powers." It was a statement. Kal could not think it, not at all, but he did agree with him about Lois. "Of course, she would come first, but I see now what choices you had to make and we're sorry that you had to suffer through that."

Clark and Lo glanced at each other. He squeezed her hand. "We are as one in every way. She forgave me, took me back, we're married, and now we could not be happier."

"And we're happy for you," Lois said.

"Well, we should head up north. We have the Father crystal which will allow us to create a new Fortress, and then you can go home," Kal said.

"Really, that is wonderful news." Lo was so happy to hear it. "Thank you, Kal; thank you too Lois."

"We're happy to help." Lois grinned.

They stood up and headed to an empty area, hidden by a few trees.

"Let's go then." Kal glanced at Clark. "You should change."

They all laughed. Clark changed into the suit, and then they were ready to go.

"Wait a minute; there's something wrong here. Look at me, I'm not dressed for the Arctic," Lo said. She glanced down at her high heels and business suit.

"There's a mall not far from here, only a few blocks." Lois took Lo's hand and started walking. "We'll be right back," Lois said and could not help but giggle like a school girl. She loved shopping.

"You're going shopping now!?" Kal asked, surprised.

"Why don't you two get better acquainted?" Lois suggested with raised eyebrows. "We have to hurry, we only have an hour before they close."

"Thank goodness, it's only an hour," Kal said and shook his head.

Clark chuckled as he watched them leave. "I'll say."

While they waited, they went back to the table, then Clark asked him about the devastated city, then Kal told him about the Kryptonian attack and the death of General Zod.

Clark was totally shocked. "You killed him?"

"Yes, I did not have a choice. He was on a rampage, destroying lives and property. I had no way of stopping him, and he and his followers were murdering lunatics."

"Well, when he kidnapped Lois and threatened her, I made the decision to release him. I managed to eliminate his powers so he would become vulnerable, no longer a threat."

"I see, well, here it was an entirely different story."

"And how have you dealt with that decision? I cannot think it has been easy." He paused as he thought about it. "Does Jor-El know about Zod?" Clark asked.

"Jor-El didn't mention it when I saw him, so I'm not sure. As far as my decision to destroy him, no it hasn't been easy. Everywhere I go I see the destruction and think about the lives that were lost." He shook his head still saddened by that day. Kal was extremely worried now. He had a feeling he may be in for a tongue-lashing from his Father. He may decide to hinder him from having Lois in his life. His mind rejected that idea; even the thought of it, he could not comprehend it. She was his life's blood. He would die without her.

Clark watched him for a moment. "What are you thinking?"

"You probably know the answer to that," Kal replied.

Clark grinned at him. "Lois?"

"Yeah," he replied. Kal stared at him having a different understanding of what he must have gone through. "I cannot judge your choices to keep her safe. Lois and I have not known each other that long, but I cannot imagine my life without her," Kal thoughtfully said.

"My choices were my own to endure. I'd rather her be happy and safe than to be put in harm's way, hurt or worse, and to be responsible for that?" He shook his head. "I did what I had to do to protect her." Clark made his point.

"I see we both had some extremely difficult decisions, but I think we did the right thing in the long run. Jor-El has finally accepted Lois in your life, and he will accept that I had no choice in destroying Zod," Kal said.

"I sincerely hope that is the case. Being on Father's unpleasant side is no fun."

"I'll remember that, thanks."

~o~o~

Meanwhile, at the mall in a huge department store:

Lo was mumbling to herself while searching for winter clothes out of season. She glanced at Lois and had to ask her. "From what I understand, Jor-El was happy about you two?"

"Yeah, it does appear that way." Lois looked over at her. "From what I've learned about your relationship, things were … Ummm … complicated."

"That's an understatement." She sighed, still searching for winter slacks and sweaters. "Clark and I fell pretty hard for each other, but the problem was, I did not know he was Superman. Oh, I know I should have figured it out years before, but I just did not see beyond the glasses. And believe me I know it makes me look like a blind idiot."

"Of course it doesn't. Do not beat yourself up. I understand I do. When Kal and I first met, it was beyond weird. I found him purely by accident. We ran into each other on Jor-El's spaceship, but a security droid attacked me then Kal saved me."

"Wow, and he was not in the suit?"

"No, he was not, but that came later. When I first saw him, I melted like a school girl. Later, when I interviewed him, I was all business-like asking him about the 'S' on his chest and what it stood for, but inside I wanted to reach over that table, grab him and kiss him."

Lo had to smile at that. "I hear you and I completely understand, believe me." She then held up a few articles of clothing. "I think this is it. There is no need to try them on. They should be Ok."

"Ok, let's hurry then." Lois said. They purchased the clothes, Lo changed, and then they headed back.

Once outside, Lo wanted to clear up a few things. "Lois, please understand, it is clear that all of us had extremely different experiences with Clark's future and Jor-El's advice. All in all, I think we went through it to see how much we love each other, and how much we belong together."

Lois took her hand and placed in across her arm. "I agree … sister."

"Sister?" Lo asked. They both smiled.

"Hey guys, let's get this show on the road." That was Lois. Lo was right beside her in her 'Arctic' clothing that included knee-high boots, heavy woolen slacks, a parka, hat and gloves. Her earlier clothing was located inside a backpack that she had purchased.

"Alright, ladies, let's do this," Kal said.

Both couples stood side by side and then they took off.

~o~o~

Minutes, later high over the Arctic Circle:

"You should pick the spot Kal since this will be your second home here on Earth!" Clark said, speaking louder so he could hear him.

"Thanks, Clark!" Kal said. They traveled for a while and then as if he sensed this was the perfect place, they landed in a bunch of heavy snow. Kal took the Father crystal from his pocket and instinctively threw it into the air. It traveled for at least a mile. Picking up the ladies, they flew over to the spot and waited.

"What's happening?" That was Lois.

"Give it a minute," Clark said and sure enough, the ground began to shake and ice spheres began to develop, then they watched in awe as the ice palace formed in a matter of only a few minutes.

"Wow!" Kal and Lois spoke at the same time.

"It is beautiful, isn't it?" Clark said.

"Lois and I have seen it before, but this one is a little different from yours," Kal commented.

Clark frowned as he stared at the ice palace. "It looks the same to me."

"I cannot put my finger on it, but it does look different. Oh, I know what it is. The ice spheres are not as large or high." Kal glanced at Clark. "Do you see it now?"

"Well, now that I look a little closer they do look smaller, but not by much."

"I suppose so, alright, let's head inside." Kal was hopeful, but inside he was worried. Should I mention Zod now or wait to talk to him alone? No, I want Lois with me when I bring that up.

Lo was still in awe of the place. They headed inside being careful of the many ice boulders and heavy snow. "Every time we come here, it still feels different somehow."

"Well, I would think that is because of the weather, maybe," Lois thoughtfully said.

"You could be right. The weather has changed over the course of the last one hundred years or so. All of this could be gone in another hundred years," Kal thoughtfully said.

"Let's move on, shall we?" Lo did not want to think about the future and Clark being all alone without her. She knew in her mind that he would be OK, but she had her doubts. Truthfully, in her mind she could not be separated from him again, but of course death was another matter.

Lois glanced at Lo. She could tell that something was bothering her. "Why don't you guys do what guys do? Lo and I need to talk. We'll be right over there."

Clark and Kal frowned, each with the same expressions on their face.

Both ladies shook their heads at them. "What's wrong, Lo? Is it this place, being here again? How long has it been?"

"No, nothing is wrong. Clark and I haven't been here well, since he restored the crystals. Kal said something about this site being gone because of the weather in a hundred years, but because of that, we will not be available for any of it, and our men, they will be all alone … we will not be there to support them, to hold them, to reassure them, to …" She could not finish.

Lois refused to go there. She gave her a tight hug then she pulled away. "We cannot think that way. Any time that we can spend with them, that is the most important thing, and we're the luckiest women in the world to have that time, no matter how long it lasts."

Lo wiped at her eyes. "Thanks, Lois. You are right, of course." They both turned and watched as Jor-El appeared before the two men.

"Let's go listen," Lois said. They walked over to the console and listened as Jor-El spoke to them.

"Hello Kal," Jor-El said.

Kal and Clark glanced at each other. "Hello, Father," Kal said.

"Hello Kal-El," Jor-El spoke to his other son.

"Hello, Father," Clark said.

"I see the crystal worked, and you are both here." He looked around. "Where's Lois?"

"Here they come," Clark said. The ladies stood before him.

"Hello, ladies," Jor-El said.

"Hello Jor-El." The ladies spoke in return.

"Father, we are here because Clark and Lois need to return to their world as soon as possible," Kal said.

"I understand." A moment then the transporter device appeared on the console.

"Thank you, Father," Clark said.

"Before you leave to return to your world, Kal-El, I wish to say something," Jor-El said.

"What is it?" Clark asked.

"Kal-El, there were reasons why this happened. Are you not going to ask me what those reasons are?" Jor-El asked his son.

"Father, Lois and I understand why this happened. We thought everything was in the past and that we had moved past it. It's over and done."

"No, Kal-El, that was not the reason," Jor-El said. "It was because of Kal and his behavior, which led me to bring you all here."

"Me?" Kal asked surprised. "But I've done everything you asked of me. Lois and I …" Kal said, but Jor-El interrupted him.

"Yes, my son, but your actions in your relationship with Lois, warning bells went off, and now she may be with child."

Lois and Kal glanced at each other. "Yes, she may be with child, and we're prepared for that." Kal said.

"I do not think you are." Jor-El paused for a moment. "I know that happened to Zod."

Kal's back went up. "Then you know I did not have a choice."

"Can you live with that choice, Kal? I do not think you can." Jor-El was firm with him.

Lo put her arm around her Lois' shoulder. Lois was shocked to hear this. I thought Jor-El approved of us having a baby, and now this Zod business. I was not expecting that. It was if he were two different people. I have to say something. She moved forward but Lo stopped her. "Don't do it. This is between them. They will fix it."

Lois fumed but held her tongue.

"But Father, I see things did not turn out the way you had hoped, but Zod was on a rampage. He destroyed property, killed thousands of people, and I felt in that moment that he had to stop. There was no other way. He refused to listen. He was going to kill everyone."

"But Kal, the machines were gone. Except for him, the Kryptonians were all gone. There must have been another way." Jor-El tried to understand why it had to happen.

"There was no other way. His mind was set to kill an innocent family. They stood before him terrified. They were… a family, a mother, a father, and their two children. They stood before him begging him to stop and not to kill them, but he would not stop. I had to do it. Please understand." Kal was getting worried.

Lois could not take it anymore. She walked over him and took his hand. "Jor-El, I was there when it happened. There simply was no other way. Zod's mind was made up. He wanted to make it clear that he was in charge, and there was nothing Kal could do to stop him." She paused for a moment. "To be honest, I think he wanted Kal to kill him. He did not want to stay here with us lowly humans. He realized that he had failed, and he wanted to die. I'm sure of it."

Lo and Clark stood side by side and watched the troubling scene. They glanced at each other with insight into why Jor-El had to do this.

"Is that true Kal?" Jor-El asked, but Zod wanting to die was hard to believe.

He thought about those last few moments with Zod. "Yes, I do believe he wanted me to kill him," Kal responded.

"I see." Jor-El thoughtfully said. "Kal, in the future, there can be no more killing, no matter what the situation, no matter whom they are, no matter what they have done, no more killing."

Kal stood up straighter. "Yes, Father, I understand."

A few moments passed. "Kal-El, it is now time to go. Kal will explain to you how to use the device. Safe trip, my Son, and … please accept my congratulations on your marriage."

Lo and Clark were truly surprised.

"Thank you, Father," Clark said.

"Thank you, Jor-El," Lo said.

"Kal, one more thing?"

"Yes, Father, what is it?"

A moment passed. "I'm sorry if I was too hard on you, but that is only because you and Lois have just begun and I want you to trust each other, believe in each other, and most of all, be there for each other. Please remember that."

Kal was a bit stunned. "We will remember."

"Goodbye Kal. Goodbye Lois."

"Goodbye Father." Kal said and then he disappeared.

Lois and Kal both took several deep breaths. Kal pulled her closer. "Thank you, Lois."

Lois held him tighter. "Talk about tough love." She pulled away. "Are you Ok?"

He nodded. "I'm Ok."

"I guess it is time to go." That was Lo. She smiled at Lois and then she gave her a hug. "Goodbye Sis. It has been fun."

"Yeah, fun times," Lois deadpanned.

Clark held out his hand. Kal shook it. "Good luck and I hope everything turns out Ok, you know, with the baby and all," Clark said.

The ladies turned to each other. "He will be Ok." That was Lo. She squeezed her hand.

"I hope so," Lois whispered. "Thank you, Lo."

Then Kal explained to them about the device. "Just think of a place where you want to be more than anything."

They glanced at each other. "We know the perfect spot," Lo said.

Clark smiled in complete agreement. Then they vanished in an instant.

~o~o~

The Daily Planet building, the following week:

Lois Lane and Clark Kent, back in the devastated but beloved city of Metropolis, were heading up to the bullpen. Earlier that morning, a pregnancy test had revealed that Lois was not expecting. They were alone in the elevator, and Lois gave him a hug and a kiss.

"You didn't say much at the apartment, but I know you're disappointed," Lois whispered.

Clark was silent for a minute. "Do you think we'll make good parents?"

Lois was caught off guard for a moment. "Yeah, I guess so, when the time comes, I mean, you will be for sure, and I'll catch on." She tried to lighten the moment.

He grinned. "I'm sure you will." She touched her cheek. "As far as being disappointed, I am, but only a little." He pulled her closer. "We have our entire lives to make babies. All we need is a little practice." He wiggled his eyebrows.

Lois chuckled for a moment. "Oh, you do not need any practice."

He tried not to blush. "Ok, you're just saying that."

"It's true. You are an amazing lover."

"Well, I ..." He muttered unsure what to say. Clark had never told Lois that he had been a virgin.

"So sweet and affectionate, just the right balance between tenderness and strength."

"Ok, Lois, you can stop now," Clark said and tried not to blush again.

"I know how you can make me stop," she purred, then smiled provocatively at him.

"Ok, you asked for it." Then he kissed her deeply, and she kissed him back. She pulled him closer, her tongue meeting his in a joyful reunion, and her hand was in his hair enjoying the softness. He pulled away after a minute. "How was that?"

After slowly opening her eyes, Lois appeared as if she had to think about it. "Well, you could use a little practice."

"Oh, no, here we go again."

The end!

~o~o~

Song Inspiration: Lesson Learned, Alicia Keys.

A/N: That was a 'long' elevator ride. *giggles* I had such a blast writing this fiction. But within the confines of this story, I decided not to give them a child. I wanted to, but instead, I think they learned a valuable lesson. Anyway, you must have some idea how complicated it was with the four of them together in the same scene, and having them look alike added to the weirdness and fun. I wanted to thank one of my loyal readers, LoisNClark4Ever, for her suggestion about the names and how to keep them all straight in my head. It worked perfectly. Thank you, hon. Well, tell me what you think about all of this. One more comment for this last chapter? Thank you so much for taking this journey with me. I truly appreciate it. Until next time, happy reading! :D