Author's Note:
I don't own any of these characters.
Lois Lane lie in a bed at the Metropolis General Hospital, alive but weak. She had tubes funneling nutrients and medicine into her bloodstream, and a machine monitoring her heart rate and pulse. An arrangement of flowers sent over by Perry and some of her co-workers at the Planet sat on her bedside table, the cheerful colors of the orange and pink tulips lifting her spirits a little bit—but not very much.
Lois had been a bit surprised when doctors had told her that she had been without food or water for nearly two days. "You're dehydrated. Your body needs nourished, and we need to re-regulate your bladder. But in a few days, you'll be fine, Lois."
She nodded. "Where's Superman?" she asked the doctor in a half-panic. She knew she was going to be okay, but she didn't know about Superman. The last thing she remembered before she had passed out from hunger was Superman being loaded into a stretcher. She had never seen him so weak.
"Superman's fine," the doctor assured her, smiling. "He's recuperating just like you are. But unfortunately, you're going to be in the hospital for a lot longer than he is. Your system is more delicate than his." He fluffed her pillow. "Just relax and sleep, Lois. Everything's all right."
"Here you go, honey."
Martha Kent placed a bowl of clear broth in front of her son. Clark was lying on the sofa in his apartment wearing his warmest pajamas, wrapped in several blankets. He had just spent about a day in the hospital where he had regained some of his energy, then asked to be released. "As long as I'm not near any kryptonite, all I need is time," he told his doctor quietly. "And I know some people who are willing to take care of me."
"That's fine," his doctor told him. "When you can support your own weight out of bed, I'll have you released."
Clark had gone home to his apartment, where Jonathan and Martha had put their sick son to bed. "I called Perry, honey, and told him that you've been to the hospital for a second time," Martha soothed Clark, wiping his brow with a cool washcloth. He wasn't running a fever anymore, but he still felt warm to Martha. "He knows you're very sick and you're not fighting a normal bug. He just wants you to take your time, get better, and only go back to work when you're feeling well again."
"Thanks, Mom," Clark said quietly.
"Now, eat your soup. When you've been sick to your stomach, Clark, you need to follow a bland diet for a couple of days. It's better for your system."
Clark nodded. "Okay, Mom."
"Jonathan, I need to run to the store. We're going to need crackers, plain pasta, rice, applesauce…things that are easy for him to keep down."
"Don't forget some ginger ale, Martha. We're almost out."
"Okay. I'll be back in a little while, Clark. You just sip your soup and rest."
Clark took another spoonful of his mother's broth. It was just water flavored with beef bouillon, but it was easy for an upset stomach to keep down. He was feeling a lot better—he hadn't thrown up in a while, so he had no more Kryptonite in his system—but he was exhausted with fatigue. His parents kept telling him that he'd be back to normal before he knew it.
At least, Clark thought as he relaxed on the sofa, I was able to save Lois. Sure, it made me sick again, but it was worth it if I saved Lois. Lex Luthor, meanwhile, was wanted by the police, but he seemed to have disappeared. There had been neither hide nor hair of him spotted in days. Clark didn't understand why someone with Lex's money and power would want to throw it all away by kidnapping Lois, but that was the decision Lex had made, and Clark couldn't question it now. He had always known Luthor would be up to no good.
Lois. Deep down, he felt a funny feeling in his stomach, but this time, he knew it had nothing to do with illness. Deep down, he knew he had feelings for her.
Carefully, Clark picked up the phone and dialed the Metropolis General Hospital.
"Metropolis General. How can I direct your call?"
"Yes, I'd like to speak to Lois Lane. She's a patient in room 617."
"Let me see if Miss Lane is allowed to take phone calls."
As Clark was placed on hold, he got a funny feeling in his stomach; the same funny feeling you got when you were super nervous. I hope she's okay, he gulped to himself.
Lois must have been allowed to take phone calls, because before he knew it, he heard her voice on the other end of the line. "Hello?" she asked quietly.
"Lois?" Clark asked tenderly. "It's Clark Kent. I heard you were in the hospital, so I wanted to call and see how you were doing."
"Clark!" Lois exclaimed quietly. "Clark, how are you feeling? I haven't heard from you in quite sometime!"
Clark sighed. "Have you ever been sick and thought you were feeling better, only to get worse and have to go to the hospital again?"
"Clark, you were in the hospital again?" Lois asked, concerned.
Clark sighed. "Yes. Stomach problems," he said bitterly. "It's a really bad bug. Not a normal kind of flu. I hope you never catch it."
"Well, I hope you're feeling better soon, Clark. I'm okay," she added. "Just a date gone bad," she added, trying to laugh. "Superman stepped in. I just need some quick medical attention."
"Okay. Well, I'm feeling kind of tired, so I need to take a nap," said Clark quietly. "I'll be back to work in a few days."
"Me too. See you then. And Clark?"
"Yeah?"
"When's the last time you've been in contact with Superman?"
"He's recovering back on my parents' farm," Clark fibbed. "He's going to be all right. Just too much Kryptonite, is all."
"Tell him thank you for me." Clark heard her pause. "And thank you for calling," she added.
Even though she couldn't see him back in his apartment, Clark smiled. "You're welcome, Lois."