Title: Unborn (Part 2)
Series: Lois & Clark
Author: Singing Violin
Rating: K+
Summary: After the honeymoon and before the series finale, Clark makes a choice that isn't really his to make.
Disclaimer: They're not mine, but sure have they been used a lot! I'd like to get in on the game, though of course, not for profit, because then it'd be illegal!
Feedback: Please, and yes I understand it's a touchy subject. Otherwise it wouldn't be interesting to write about.
Archiving: Anywhere.

...CONTINUED FROM PART 1

Lois was lying on a bed, tears shimmering in her eyes. The news was grim. A half-Kryptonian baby inside her was interfering with her human systems. There was a chance, if she continued the pregnancy, that it could threaten her very life.

Clark paced at the foot of the bed, dumbfounded as to how to approach the problem.

Lois, anticipating Clark's response, spoke up. "I'm keeping the baby."

Clark stopped abruptly and turned to face his wife. "Lois..." he warned.

"Clark, come here," the brunette commanded.

Dutifully, he came to the side of the bed and sat on it, allowing her to take his hands in hers.

She looked into his eyes. "Clark, I've never wanted anything more than I want this baby now. I would give up my life for this baby, in a second."

Clark looked alarmed. "No...I wouldn't let you." He pulled his hands out from hers and reached towards her, holding her close. "I couldn't lose you."

Gently, she pulled away. "Clark," she said, "this is my choice. Not yours. Not Superman's. I won't terminate this pregnancy. I know I'm meant to have your child...our family will lead the world into utopia, remember? How can we do that if we don't have children? Nothing's going to happen. We're going to survive this."

Clark wanted desperately to believe her. He nodded. But he needed to think about it. He squeezed her hand and made his "I have to go be Superman now" face.

She sighed. "Go."

And go he did. He flew above the city for nearly half an hour, meandering through the clouds, thinking. The wind rushed around him, and he felt the tears pool in his eyes, trying desperately to escape into the stratosphere. However, he was, after all, Superman, and Superman didn't cry. No matter what.

Yes, Superman didn't cry. He didn't mope and didn't dally. He acted, and that is what Clark needed to do now.

Clark Kent had made his decision. He would support Lois, but he would monitor her. The X-ray vision would be his ally. If anything went wrong, Lois came first. She always had, and she always would.

TEN DAYS LATER

The pain was getting worse. Clark could tell. The fetus looked fine in X-ray vision, but its dense structure was causing abrasions all over Lois's uterus, and her other organs were getting bruised. Every time the baby moved, Lois was getting hurt.

Lois tried to minimize her pain. She told Clark it was fine. But at night, when she was asleep, he heard her moan. During the day, he periodically caught her doubling over slightly, her hand on her abdomen. He knew this couldn't persist. Lois was strong, but the stronger her fetus got, the more she was hurting.

Clark was resolute. He was Superman. He had to save lives, especially Lois's. And so, he made up his mind to do the most dishonest thing he'd ever done. Worse even than pretending he was two different people. But it would save Lois's life, and that's what his job as Superman called for. Yes, it was what he had to do.

TO BE CONTINUED...