WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES
CHAPTER EIGHT
Lois listened to him and with every passing moment she felt as if she was in some sort of surreal dream. She felt as if her ears were ringing and her breathing seemed to be getting somewhat constricted. She could not believe what he was telling her. Clark, Superman, her hero, her guardian angel. The man who had been so desperately in love with her; who had begged her to marry him and promised always to be around. He was rambling, surely? Or worse, was he going insane? Thor? Asgard? One thousand years? She knew he was under stress and acting strange but maybe their time apart had sent him over the edge. He could not actually be telling her that he spent one thousand years with Wonder Woman and that they had slept together! And then to compound matters, his memories had been wiped and he had been sent back to the exact time he had been taken? It was ludicrous!
He paused and said soberly, "Say something Lois…"
She obliged but said rather drolly, "Smallville, I think you need to see a psychiatrist …I mean I know we're having problems but this is ridiculous."
He sighed. "I know this sounds crazy but it's the truth. I only found out a few hours ago after months on end thinking I was going to have some sort of psychotic breakdown. Come on, Lois, is it any more difficult to believe than an inter-dimensional imp? "
Her voice suddenly grew tight and her color began to fluctuate. "So, what you are telling me is you have been unfaithful to me?"
"No…It was not like that. I thought you and everyone I knew had passed on. It was one thousand years, Lois. I had only Diana and we fought a bitter war and it was only after peace came we …consummated our relationship…"
"Consummated your relationship?" she echoed. "I see." She paused as if having to digest that, and then asked icily, "And after one thousand years what kind of relationship could this be, Smallville? Jesus, you think me a fool or something? You were with Wonder Woman and you what? Acted like a monk for centuries? For me? Not even I swallow that, Smallville. Don't patronize me. Not now."
"Lois, it was war. Long and brutal and bloody. Everyday we faced certain death and I would never have broken my vows if I knew you were alive and waiting for me or if I had a chance to return. But time worked its will. If the situation was reversed, I would not expect you to be sitting at home waiting for me until you turned into an old woman."
She seemed to be looking more and more infuriated. "So, you slept with her…whilst you thought me dead and then you got sent back here…But she, who was so kind and thoughtful, wiped your memory for my benefit? That's rich!"
He replied, "She knew what she did was misguided, Lois. Diana did not do this out of malice or pride."
"Well, hurray for her." She stood up and looked at him squarely in the eye and demanded, "Tell me, Smallville, what is really going on between you and the Amazon? Are you sleeping with her here too?"
His face darkened. "What? No! You know I'm not."
She glared at him but saw that he looked her back in the eye and reluctantly conceded, "No. I guess I knew that. You couldn't be unfaithful to me and I wouldn't know. But tell me this, are you in love her?"
He said truthfully, "I loved her in Asgard."
"Splitting hairs, Smallville," she observed scathingly, but actually stunned he would admit to it. "You either love her or you don't!" She looked at him in disbelief. "Where does this leave you and me?"
He replied, "I honestly don't know and I'm not sure how you will feel when you hear what I have to tell you next."
"Really? What can you say could be worse than this…?"
How to tell her? She was looking so outraged and humiliated. It pained him to hurt her more than he was. But he had to be honest. It was too late to try to wrap anything in cotton wool now. He said quietly, "Diana found out she was pregnant after we came back."
Lois looked aghast. Her face turned ashen. He continued trying to choose his words carefully. "It was the reason she left. She went to Kefalonia and had this child even unknown to her Amazon sisters, for fear of condemnation and concern for the child's safety. Diana has only been recently returned to Themyscira and it was only today I found out she …we…have a daughter."
"You have a daughter? With her?" she gasped in bewilderment.
Clark touched her shoulder. He could hear her heart thudding and see the angry tears sparkling in her eyes. "Lois, it was as much a shock to me as it is to you…Diana never thought she could bear children and I was told I couldn't either…We never expected to have Lara…"
Her eyes flashed in dismay. "Lara?"
He said quietly, "Yes, her name is Lara."
She suddenly flung his hand away and gasped, "Don't touch me!" She leaned against the table and cried, "Oh god…I can't be dealing with this…After all this time…praying and hoping for a child…She gets what I want without even trying! It's not fair!"
He said sadly, "I'm sorry, Lois. I never wanted to hurt you. I bear full responsibility for my part in this and I know it's not an excuse nor will ease your hurt, but Diana and I were pawns of the Gods. I don't even think if she had not done what she did, if it would not have made this any easier. You and I would still have to be facing this."
"And who would you have chosen then?"
Clark began, "Lois, this is not going to get us any…"
She persisted. "Me or her? Answer the question, damn it!"
He looked at her sadly. This anger and anguish was not easy to witness and Lois historically was never very good at keeping her feelings under wraps. She was a woman who was as blunt as she was abrasive. Many used to wonder why he put up with someone like that, who seemed to mow people down to get what she wanted or say what she wanted no matter the cost. In her mind, it was getting to the truth and meat of things. She believed one couldn't be an effective reporter and expect to be nice. "You mean like you, Smallville? Nice is good if you want to report on that new pediatric wing in Metropolis General, not if you want to take down a Luthor. "
He guessed it was the passion and drive that had captured him. You couldn't ignore Lois even if you wanted to. She was a forceful presence and in time he learned she did have a good heart and wanted to right wrongs just like him. Yet when she was angry, she was not the easiest person to want to listen and resolve issues easily. He used to have to handle her with kid gloves and absorb her anger until she calmed down and saw sense. Today he did not have that luxury. He said calmly, "It's not a question of choice. It's doing what's right. It's me facing the truth. The only thing I really know for sure is that I want Lara in my life. Can you accept that?"
She did not know what to say to that. But one thing she knew for certain. She said bitterly, "Well, I have a choice. This marriage is over. It had been from the time you came back from this Asgard. I could see it in your eyes. You heart was never fully mine. You and she have this thing that will never go away. It was there, like a ghost during our marriage and even though I know you loved me, there was always a part of you cut off to me. That I could never reach…." The intercom rang making both turn.
Lois walked over to it and pressed. "Yes."
A male voice asked, "Lois? Are you okay? You need a hand?"
Lois took in a deep breath. "I'm okay, Richard. I'll be down in a minute."
"Oh, okay…I just wondered what was taking you so long. Don't forget we have a meeting after lunch. Perry will kill me if I'm late. He wants me to chair it in his absence."
"I know…I'm coming." She turned and looked at Clark and said huskily, "We can't salvage something that is long past repairing. I could never bear you staying with me out of a sense of guilt or loyalty." She reached for her bag. "You'll be hearing from my lawyer, Clark. Sam Lane was right. I guess I fooled myself into thinking I could ever fully understand you people up in your Satellite and play wife to an alien demi-god. I'll send someone for the rest of my things."
She slammed the door and he stood staring at it. He could not believe it. Lois was gone for good. His marriage was over. He felt a sorrow and an exhaustion overcome him as he looked about the apartment that once held so many happy memories for them.
He walked towards the window and twitched the curtain and saw a car parked outside the building and leaning against it was the man who had taken over as acting Editor-in-Chief: Perry's nephew, Richard White. Clark had met him once and had the impression of a sharp, bright, good natured man who had recently transferred from another successful paper.
He could hear them from where he was.
"You okay, Lois? You look upset…"
"I'm okay. Thanks for bringing me by, Richard. I appreciate it. Can we just get back to the office?"
"Sure."
They got into the car and drove off.
The Clark of two years ago would have gone after her and begged her to stay, but he was not that man. That Clark was still there, beneath the many layers but he had long joined the Clark that used to love Lana and Lori. Just part of a whole. His past. He hoped and prayed Lois would one day forgive him.
The JLA Satellite
Superman stepped down from the teleporter and he could feel the eyes on him as he went looking for the Martian Manhunter. It was pretty much known by most that he and Lois were headed for divorce. It had reached Linda Park via Cat Grant, who told Wally, who leaked it to Plastic Man, who more or less broadcasted it to everyone.
They knew the couple was having a rough time but it still came as a shock to all. No one expected Clark of all people to split from his wife. He was Superman. The Boyscout. The perfect hero. Life was all roses for him. He had it all. He did not have to wear a mask. He had the adulation of the populace. Mostly everyone loved him. He had a great job and an established status as a reporter. He had the respect of all his allies; even Ollie and Bruce for all their cynicism, trusted him. He had what most people wanted: great parents, wife, friends…surely the gods would always smile down upon Superman?
Flash had put it most succinctly. "I guess you expect it of us … It's no surprise if one of us just happens to act, well, like a human. You know, making mistakes. It seems strange to think it of him. But I guess that's life. It keeps throwing those curve balls at you."
He found J'onn sitting alone in the conference room, going over reports
J'onn looked up at him in surprise. "Superman. It is good to see you. But what are you doing here?"
"I want back on the roster, J'onn."
J'onn blinked. "Is that a good idea considering what's happening between you and Lois?"
He said, "It's exactly what I need. I need to keep busy."
"I see…We will be glad to have you back, Clark, but will you be able to…focus on the job?"
Superman sat down. "I promise you, I will. Things have been somewhat easier in the sense I at least know now where I stand with Lois."
J'onn mused, "And Diana?"
"I know everything and I met my daughter."
J'onn began apologetically, "Clark, it was not my intention to keep any of this from you…"
He stopped him. "It's okay, J'onn, I know."
J'onn looked at his face. "You are not angry with me?"
Superman sighed. "I was angry, not anymore. Anger takes a lot of energy and I will just wear myself out if I continue down that path. One thousand years of soldiering has at least taught me a few things. I have to focus on the present, not the past. I have to sort out the place in Metropolis, my job at the Planet…and then there's my daughter to consider."
"What will you do?"
"One thing at a time I guess. I went to see Perry about taking up the position as foreign correspondent in the U.K. It'll be better for Lois and me to not work together under the circumstances. I have also put up the apartment for sale. I was wondering if I could hang here until I get a place in London?"
"You know you can. Your room has not been slept in for two years. Plasticman keeps trying to get me to allow him to swap. He says you got the best view. Strange considering the Satellite rotates…"
Superman smiled the first genuine smile in months. "I think Plas knows I'm just one corridor short of the girls. I think he has this weird idea that I see them prancing around in towels or nightdresses on the corridor or something."
J'onn smiled. "Ah, I see."
"I will go home for weekends when I get Lara."
"So you and Diana have resolved matters?"
"Not so much. We have decided I will take Lara for now on the weekends...that's as far as we have gotten."
"And Diana? Is she ever going to come back to the JLA?"
"I don't think she will, considering half the gossip floating around here is that Lois left me because of her…however misguided that is…it unfortunately has some truth to it and Diana is feeling much of this is her fault."
J'onn asked gravely. "Are you ever going to tell anyone about Lara?"
"My daughter's safety is paramount. Diana and I both agree on that one. The few that know about her for now, the better."
J'onn said, "I think Batman suspects…It seems he went searching and found Diana in Kefalonia last year. It may have prompted her decision to go back home."
Superman's brows creased. He did not know why that bothered him. "She did not mention that…Mind you, we didn't exactly have a heart to heart. It was more a confrontation… Not that she is obliged to telling me that anyway…Her and Bruce…"
J'onn touched his arm. "Clark, whatever there was between Diana and Bruce it was too brief to even call it something. It was simply Diana trying to move on from you. For all her so-called wisdom and strength, she was never very good at fathoming her own heart and she was very lonely. Bruce is no different to any of us here. If we are all truthful…we are all a little in love with her, even I."
Clark gave him an amused look. "Not sure how I feel to hear all the men of the JLA romanticizing about the woman I lo…" He caught himself short and flushed as he realized what he was on the verge of saying and cleared his throat.
The Manhunter pretended not to notice it and continued, "Maybe you should talk to Bruce."
The Man of Steel was glad to change the subject. "Maybe I should."
Batman was atop a rooftop in Gotham waiting to hear from Nightwing on the progress of a robbery in Bludhaven. If he needed him, he promised to call. Meantime he was watching as he always did for signs of trouble in his own city.
He heard the familiar rush of wind and knew, without having to turn, who it was.
In his most hostile voice he asked, "What do you want?"
"I want to talk."
"What? Finish hiding from the world? I'm surprising you have the gall to show your face considering what you've done."
"Bruce, it's not what you think…"
Batman spun around to face him and asked derisively, "And what should I think? That cheating on your wife is okay? That having a child with your mistress is acceptable? You know, you and Diana used to act like two gods…so perfect…so noble…you would do nothing to hurt a soul. Imagine, you used to look down upon me for using my scare tactics to seek justice …and here you both are, the great Superman and Wonder Woman, so hot to bed each other, they don't care who they hurt!"
Superman's expression remained outwardly calm. He said coolly, "Bruce, if you were not my friend I would punch you from here to Gateway City for that. But you only know a fraction of the picture here. Stop judging before you know the full story."
Batman expected him to put on the sad puppy dog look he had come to associate with a guilt ridden Superman. He was startled to hear the steel in the voice and see the unruffled exterior. It was as perplexing as Diana's reaction. Was he truly missing something here? There was a part of Bruce that wanted to believe his two closest allies were the people he thought they were.
His eyes narrowed to slits. "Well?" he asked roughly, "Speak quickly…Dick may be calling for reinforcements anytime soon."
The next fifteen minutes was devoted to the Kryptonian explaining to his friend and ally what had transpired in Asgard and then what followed after that. Batman interrupted occasionally to clarify a point, but listened quietly for the most part. When Superman finished, Batman's voice was less harsh.
"So life is not all a bed of roses for Superman…" he mused pensively.
"No," said Superman. "That it is not."
He did not know why but suddenly he felt as if he could finally relate to this man. This powerful man who used to be almost naïve and happy go lucky, with a life untouched by real tragedy, he was suddenly as vulnerable as he ever saw him. And yet there was a kind of new found dignity to him which Batman could not help but admire. He admitted, "I saw your daughter. She's got your eyes. I thought at the time you and Diana had …I guess I was wrong this time and I'm sorry for what you have been through. Both of you."
Superman folded his arms across his chest and smiled a tiny smile. "Wow, Batman admitting he wasn't right. Can we freeze frame this moment?"
"Funny, Kent." He added wryly, "Diana almost beat you to breaking my jaw in, you know…"
Superman's brows rose. "Now you interest me."
He told him of his suspicions and how he had set out to finding her and came upon her in Kefalonia after a year and a half. He told him of their conversation and the near miss. He added wryly, "Thanks to Julia Kapatelis I did not have to have my jaw wired."
Superman chuckled reluctantly. "The legendary Amazon temper…I have been on the receiving end of it many a time."
"It was defending you this time. I'll know better now to get my facts straight before I accuse you of anything in Diana's presence."
"Well, you didn't know…" he began.
"I don't think that would have mattered. There are not many men in this world that woman would lay down her life or follow into battle without a word of explanation. In fact, I can categorically say there is only one. We both know who that is."
Superman was silent. He felt the sharp sting of jealousy abate.
Batman asked, "So I hear you and Lois are heading for divorce?"
Superman sighed. "So it would seem. Her lawyer called me yesterday. I haven't even time to get a good one…Do you know…?"
"I can set you up with one of the best ones in town…"
"I don't need the best. Just adequate will do. It's not like she'll be fighting me for a billion dollar empire."
"True. Unless she wants half the Fortress of Solitude. Then that would be calling for the best attorneys I know."
Superman suddenly looked worried. "You don't think…?"
"It's a joke, Clark."
"Now is not the time to show me your sense of humor, Bruce."
Batman's lips actually turned up. They stood silently for a moment, each deep in thought. Batman asked, "So what now?"
He said softly, "I focus on Lara. She is what's important in all of this. I'm going to be going through a divorce, leaving my job, resettling in another country…I think coping with that and getting myself on track is vital before I can even consider anything else."
Batman knew by anything else he meant him and Diana. He said "Sounds sensible. I must say, one thousand years in Asgard has done you the world of good."
"That a joke?"
"No, seriously…I…."His communicator vibrated and he broke off to answer it. "Yes, Nightwing?"
Nightwing's voice sounded urgent. "We got some trouble we didn't bargain for, Batman. Get here…as soon as you can!"
Batman said, "On my way." He looked at Superman. "I have to go…"
Superman asked, "Need help?"
Batman smiled. "Thanks but I think we can handle this…" He moved to glide down into the alley where the Batmobile was parked. He paused. "Clark?"
Superman turned. "Yes, Bruce?"
"Good luck."
"Thanks."
Both men parted. One flying off into the night sky, the other vanishing into the darken alleyways.
Smallville
Martha and Jonathan Kent, who were sitting on the couch with Lara between them, looked at their son as he sat in an armchair with the brown envelope that had just been delivered by courier. They saw his face grow somber as he opened it and pulled out divorce papers. A wedding ring tumbled out and rolled onto the floor. Clark picked it up with a heavy expression and put it on the edge of the coffee table. He proceeded to skim through the papers.
Jonathan commented, "She certainly isn't wasting time."
Clark looked up ruefully, "No…She isn't… She had this drawn up in a matter of weeks."
Martha was stroking Lara's glossy curls as she drowsed. "Well, thank god there are no children to complicate matters…"
"Or property …" added Jonathan. "You got a buyer for the apartment, Clark?"
"Yes. Within a day of going on the market I had several offers. It'll get a good price too. She'll be getting half. There's nothing much to fight over for really…what she wants I told her to take. It doesn't matter to me."
"I'm sorry it had to come to this, son…" Martha sighed. "Let's hope she isn't so mad that she would act in haste and let out your secret."
Clark said softly, "Ma, Lois is mad as hell with me and may never forgive me but I think I can trust her on that one. She has her pride and won't stoop to such low levels to get back at me."
"Well, I hope so. You heard anything from the Planet?"
"I leave for London in three weeks…"
"That is soon…"
"He'll still be around, Martha," said Jonathan. "Takes him minutes to come home. We'll still be seeing this little honey bun, right?"
Clark looked at Lara who was fast asleep now, her head on Martha, feet on Jonathan. "Yes, if that's okay by you two."
"You kidding me? We love this little darling…You know she pulled herself upright today?"
"Yes, Pa, you told me five times already…"
"And she made a noise that sounded like Pa…" he added proudly.
Martha gave her husband a humorous look. "It sounded more like spitting, Jonathan. Like ppfftt."
"It was Pa…" he insisted.
Clark smiled despite himself. He had brought his daughter to meet his parents two weeks ago and one look at her and they were both smitten. They had been stunned initially when he broke the news of Lois and what happened between him and Diana, but the Kents were wise and non judgmental people. They only wanted one thing for their son and that was happiness. They had seen him suffer for the last year and a half and now to see him looking more stable and in control was a relief. They just did what any good parents could do. Be there for him.
Jonathan added, "I think she'll walk soon too…"
Clark suddenly looked worried. "Let's hope she doesn't fly soon."
Martha said, "Sweetheart, you didn't until you hit puberty...She may as well…"
"I think Diana flew from the time she hit one…"
Jonathan grinned. "We'll have to get a leash for her then…"
"Oh you laugh, Pa…wait until she starts lifting and smashing stuff…Phillipus mentioned Diana did a lot of damage until she was able to understand what she was capable of…" He declared. "I think the terrible twos and threes may see Lara on Themyscira a lot more."
His parents laughed. It was good to see Clark, despite the circumstances, showing flashes of his old sense of humor. He sighed and got up, "I'm going to go over the papers in my room."
Martha asked, "What about the ring?"
He looked at it, his eyes reflecting the gravity and finality of the situation. "I…don't…You do whatever you want with it." He left them.
They looked at each other. Jonathan gently put Lara's feet down and leaned forward to pick it up. "I'll pawn it."
Martha remarked, "I wish we didn't have to…"
Jonathan said, "This chapter of his life is closed, Martha. It represents the past. It needs to be put to rest."
"I know…It just feels so sad…to know this is the end."
"When one door closes, Martha, another one always opens."