Chapter 9

20 minutes ago

Martha was walking with Connor, enjoying the fullness of Christmas in the nation's capital. A Santa hat lay on the head of the Lincoln memorial. Christmas lights spiraled around the Washington Monument. After a little holiday shopping, they were on their way home, where Martha promised to make her famous gingerbread men.

A soft nervous voice called out to Martha. "Mom."

She grinned. "Clark." Her smile faded when she saw her son's face. He was tired and weary. His eyes looked shattered. He looked terrified "Clark what's-?" She barely got out the last word before she was lost in his embrace. He trembled as he wept. Martha stroked his back, trying her best to soothe his pain. Her son was the type of man that rarely ever cried. "It's okay, sweetheart. It's going to be alright." She looked into his teary blue eyes. "Now, tell me what's wrong, Clark."

"I needed to see you," he managed. "Is there uh," he wiped his eyes as he stammered "is there someplace more private where we could talk?"

They took him back to the apartment, where Martha made them hot chocolate and sat them down by the fire. "Now Clark, tell us what's wrong."

His voice was hollow and scared. "It's Lois."

"Is she alright?" Martha asked.

His voice was thin and shaky. "No," He rose from his seat and stood by the fire. "She's sick, has been for a long time." He leaned against the fireplace. "The doctors… they don't think she'll make it to New Year's."

"My God," said Connor.

"Clark, why didn't you say anything?" Martha asked.

"She didn't want people to know," he said "start treating her like she was made of glass."

Martha wasn't very surprised. That's just how Lois was. "We going to fight this Clark," she said strongly. "I'll make some calls; get the best specialists working on a cure."

"Mom, I've been trying for months," he said. "Human science, Kryptonian, magic, nothing works."

Connor put a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Don't give up hope Clark."

"Connor's right Clark," Martha took his hand that rested on the mantle. "This won't be your last Christmas with Lois."

He squeezed Martha's hand. "You're right. It's not too late. I can still save her. With this," He pulled out a Kryptonian crystal from his trench coat, and set in the mantle.

"What is it?" Martha asked him.

"A way to make Lois healthy again," he said. "Mom, this box is my last chance, my last hope at a Christmas miracle."

Present Day

"He came here to find a cure for his dying wife," Clark was amazed. "Lois was right; Kal-El is not a monster."

"But that still doesn't explain why he's after Chloe."

Connor was right. It didn't make sense. Unless… "Her meteor ability."

"Her what?" said Connor.

"About five years ago when the Smallville dam broke, Chloe found out that she had the ability to heal others," said Clark. "That must be why Kal-El came her. He wants Chloe to use her ability to heal his Lois."

"Would it work?" Martha asked.

"Mom, Chloe used her ability to bring Lois back to life," Clark. "There's no doubt in my mind that she'd be able to save Kal-El's wife."

"So no problem," said Connor.

"Except Chloe doesn't have it anymore," said Clark. "She lost it the next year, after being infected by a Kryptonian super computer called Braniac." Clark locked his fingers together. "Ever since I saw him in that Kryptonian uniform, I've seen Kal-El as a threat. Like he was Zod wearing my face. But I was wrong," he admitted. "We were both raised in Smallville. We both loved the same women and would do anything for them. Just because he chose Krypton over Earth doesn't mean he didn't cherish the time he spent with the humans."

"What are you going to do?" asked Martha.

"I'm going to find Kal-El," said Clark "And I'm going to help him save his wife." Clark felt a buzzing in his pocket and answered his phone. "Hello?"

"Clark."

"Lois," her voice was a whisper. She sounded worried. "What is it?"

"Don't suppose you'd be coming home anytime soon would you?"

"Lois what's wrong?" Clark asked.

"It's Kal-El," said Lois "He's here."