Title: Unborn
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 3

After what seemed like an eternity, Clark moved as if to rise. "I should go...I shouldn't have come..."

Putting a hand on his shoulder to prevent him from getting up, his mother shook her head. "Honey, you don't just show up here in the middle of the night and then leave without telling us what's wrong."

His father chimed in, "That's right, son. We're here to help."

Clark's head dropped again and he sighed deeply. Then he looked up, "Mom...Dad...I think I've done something terrible."

Martha looked worried. She turned to her husband, "Jonathan, why don't you go put on some coffee?"

Clark's father nodded, and kissed his wife's forehead before heading into the other room.

Meanwhile, Martha sat on her son's left and took his hands in her own, caressing them soothingly for a few moments while her son fought back tears. "Whatever it is, Clark...you can tell us. We love you."

He still couldn't find the words, as he looked pleadingly at his mother.

"Take your time, son," Jonathan said as he reentered the room, patting Clark's shoulder before seating himself on the right.

Finally, all he could say was, "It's Lois. She's in the hospital."

Martha gave her husband the "uh-oh" glance. "Clark, it's not your fault...we know you always do what you can. Even Superman can't be everywhere."

"No, Mom," Clark said. "It's really, really my fault. I couldn't let her die...but I didn't want to hurt her...oh god, what have I done?"

"Slow down, son," his father interjected. "Maybe you'd better start at the beginning."

"O-okay," Clark stammered. "Lois...she's pregnant. Er, she was pregnant."

"I thought you said Dr. Klein told you that you couldn't have children, Clark," argued his father.

"I know, Dad...and I thought so too. And she didn't even tell me for a while. I found out because she almost fainted at work. Afterwards, I took her to Star Labs and they said it was definitely my child, and definitely incompatible with her systems. But she wanted to keep the baby, and she kept rationalizing it..." His voice trailed off in sadness.

"Go on, honey," urged his mother, stroking his hand with her thumb.

"I knew...I just knew, if I let her have that baby, she'd die. I don't know when...in childbirth, maybe. But I just knew. I've never been more certain of anything in my life. I couldn't lose her. And I knew I couldn't convince her."

He paused for a moment, closing his eyes and biting his lip. "I used kryptonite..."

There were tears in his mother's eyes now as she whispered, "Clark, if you felt you had to do it, it was probably the right thing."

Jonathan's voice was full of doubt, "How does Lois feel about it, Clark?"

Martha answered her husband, "She doesn't know, does she?"

"No," Clark admitted. "She doesn't know...yet. But how am I going to tell her that I killed her baby in order to save her life? I don't think she'll ever look at me again."

Martha thought for a second, "Clark, you said she was in the hospital. Are you sure you killed...it?"

"I...I think so. There was so much blood, Mom...I was so scared."

"Oh, Clark," his mother soothed, standing up and wrapping her arms about his shoulders. "You two will get through this. I've never known any two people who loved each other more."

"But son," his father spoke. "You have to tell her. The longer you wait, the harder it'll get."

Pulling away, his mother agreed, "Go, Clark. Go be with your wife. She'll understand. She has to."

Clark stood up and nodded. "Thanks Mom, Dad."

"Keep us posted, son," said his father, opening the door. "Let us know if there's any way we can help."

"I will, Dad," said Clark, and he flew away.

TO BE CONTINUED...