Chapter 3: A Shocking Surprise

There was nothing I could do. I sat frozen in my seat starring in horror at the screen. Oh, my God, I thought dreadfully placing my head in my hands. My eyes felt very moist. The only thing that can save everyone on that plane and shuttle is a miracle. And those are hard to come by.

"Sarah?" Kristen asked with a great amount of compassion. She embraced me in a hug.

"The only thing that can save them is a miracle." I softly answered. Another friend named Luke joined us. Luke sat on my left and Kristen on my right.

"I'm so sorry." Luke took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"This is going to be so hard on Richard and Jason especially." I stared at my feet. Everyone stared at the screen and it was dead silent in the room. Five minutes passed and we were still silent. Suddenly, someone ran into the room.

"Turn on the sports channel that's broadcasting the game here in town." A student was out of breath but his eyes were sparkling. Mr. Johns did so and we were all in for a surprise. Sitting on the field, was the plane. Its wings were ripped off on the sides and the nose was damaged a little, but otherwise, it was in decent shape.

"What the," We stared at the screen. The people in the stadium were on their feet cheering madly. Then we found out why. And that was when jubilee broke out everywhere. Everyone in the room was cheering loudly. In fact, the whole school was. On screen, a blue figure with a red cape floated to the door and pulled it off of the plane. Then, the figure disappeared inside.

I immediately knew who it was and I joined in the cheering crowd. After a minute, my brother stepped out on the edge of the doorway. A baseball stadium camera zoomed in on him. Clark was smiling at the people before him. After a minute, he took off into the sky. Our class began chanting 'Superman' and cheering at the top of their lungs. I could feel the wound in my heart began to heal.

For the rest of the school day, we stayed in homeroom. No one bothered to quiet the students after what they saw on TV. "I can't believe he's back!" ran through the school. Once the bell rang to end school, people were even more excited. Wow, what a way to end the school year.

I didn't see Richard's or Lois' car, so I pulled my phone out and texted them. I'll take a cab to the Planet. I have enough cash on me. I waited for a minute and they replied with an okay. I hailed a cab and climbed in.

"Where to?" The cab driver asked.

"The Daily Planet," I replied. The cab pulled into the traffic that people see every day.

"Aren't you a little young to be working there?" The driver asked.

"No, I don't have a job." I explained, "I know some people who work there."

"Oh." He replied. Ten minutes later, I was at the entrance to the building. I paid the fee and climbed out.

"Thank you, and keep the change." I replied.

"Thank you." He replied. I turned and headed inside the building. I called the elevator and pressed the button that took me up where I needed to go. When I entered the office, I was greeted with many hellos.

"Hi, Sarah," A portly man waved.

"Hey, Gill." I greeted back. Other people like Lloyd, Anna, Josh, Emily, and Sam greeted me. I walked up to Jimmy Olsen's desk where he sat at his computer. "Hey, Jimmy."

He turned around. "Sarah!" He hugged me. "How are you?"

"I'm good, how about you?" I smiled.

"Fine,"

"Get any good pictures lately?" I asked. Jimmy is the paper's photographer. His little boyish features made him eager at anything. Plus, he never shuts up about how great my brother is.

"I've got pretty decent ones." He replied, "Hey, did you know your brother's back?"

"No, I didn't know that." I put on an act, "Does he still work in the same spot?"

"Yeah, he's over there." He pointed.

"Thanks, Jimmy. It was nice to see you again." I headed in that direction.

"You too, Sarah,"

I easily snuck my way to Clark's desk from behind. He sat at his computer reading something off the screen. As quietly as I could, I snuck up behind him and peeked over his shoulder. "What are you working on?" I grinned. He jumped slightly in his seat.

Clark looked up from the screen. His blue eyes sparkled in the reflection of the monitor. "Sarah?" He twisted around in his seat. "Is that really you?" I nodded and set my bag down and he stood up. For a moment, we were still. Then I jumped into his arms where he began chuckling and lifted me off the ground.

"Oh, my God, I can't believe you're really here." I squealed. It felt weird doing that because I hardly ever squeal.

"I missed you so much." He set me down and took a look at me, "You've grown since the last time I saw you. You were what, five-two? "

"I'm five-seven now." I grinned, "And today was the last day of school, so I'm officially a junior."

"Jeeze," He exclaimed, "You'll be taking SATs and plan for college. You're growing up way too fast. So, what have you been up to since I last saw you?"

"Oh, grade school graduation, freshman year marching band, fifteenth birthday, sophomore year of marching band, and I have my driver's license." I listed off of my fingers. "Nothing real big,"

"You're kidding me. You've got your license?"

"Mm hmm," I pulled my wallet out and showed him. He read it.

"You weren't kidding."

"Now, would I kid around you?"

"Yes." He smirked. Just then, I heard Perry call in a loud voice.

"Lois, in my office," Perry then faced the rest of the office, "This goes for everyone. The story isn't the blackout. It's Superman." Clark and I watched as the two of them walked into Perry's office.

I pulled a chair up next to Clark. We listened in on their conversation, although, he was unaware that I have abilities.

"The story is the EMP. Every electronic device on the east coast goes dark." Lois argued, "Cell phones, pagers-" Perry held a hand up to stop her.

"First off, are you okay?" He asked.

"Yes, I'm fine." She insisted and pushed a lock back.

"Lois, there are three things that sell newspapers: tragedy, sex, and Superman, People are sick of tragedy, we know you can't write worth a damn about sex, so that leaves only one topic right? Which is Superman, and you know it. You two have had history together." Perry explained.

"What are they saying?" I quietly asked Clark. He kept his eyes on the two of them.

"He's just really ticked off that Lois is poking around about the blackout and not covering Superman." He explained in a quiet voice. We kept listening on their conversation.

"Lois?" A new worried voice asked. It was Richard. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, Richard, I'm fine." She replied.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Oh, thank God you're okay." He embraced her in a hug.

"Richard, where's Jason?" Lois asked.

"I thought he was with you."

"No, he's not. If he's not here, then where is he?"

"Hi." A little voice jolted the both of us out. Jason stood before us.

"Hello." Clark replied not sure what to do. Jason's breathing suddenly became raspy. I darted next to his side. Jason had already pulled his inhaler out and used it. He let out a long breath. My heart rate slowed down.

"Are you okay, Jason?" I asked examining him. He nodded and turned to Clark.

"Who are you?" He asked.

"I'm Clark Kent." He explained, "I'm an old friend of your mom's before you were born."

"Oh, um…Jason," I introduced, "Clark is my brother. Remember me telling you the stories about what Clark and I did when I was younger? Clark, this is Jason. He's Lois's son."

"You're Sarah's brother? She told me stories about you." Jason asked, "My mommy's never mentioned you a whole bunch."

"Really? Not a whole lot?" Clark asked confused.

"Nope," Jason shook his head. Clark looked at me, but I shrugged and mouthed 'I don't know.'

"Jason, what are you doing?" A frantic Lois found him.

"Daddy's office is boring." Jason told his mom.

"Daddy's office is boring?" Lois asked, "Clark, hey! Welcome back!" She greeted him with a friendly quick kiss on the cheek. I was the only one who noticed that Clark was slightly blushing. "I see you've already met the munchkin."

"Yeah, we were just talking." Clark replied.

"Did you take your vitamins?" Lois asked Jason.

"Yes." Jason answered.

"Eye drops?"

"Yes."

"Albuteral?"

"Yes."

"Poly-biphlore?"

"Yes."

"Good boy." She stroked her son's hair, "Um, he's a little fragile. But he's going to grow up big and strong just like his dad."

"Oh I saw you on the-" Clark began.

"Oh that was nothing." Lois finished as she stood up and faced Clark, "Hey, can I borrow your stapler?"

"Oh, yeah," He replied. They both reached for the stapler on his desk and their hands touched. Clark pulled away quickly looking a little embarrassed, but Lois to no notice. I stifled a small laugh by clearing my throat. He's such a cute brother when he's embarrassed by Lois. "Congratulations on the Pulitzer." Clark added, "That's incredible."

"Yeah, can you believe it?" Lois replied with a smile, "It's…so, um, I want to hear all about your trip. Where'd you go? What did do you see? Meet anyone special?"

"Well, there's so much." Clark began, "Where to begin? Um…"

"Where's the little guy?" I heard Richard's voice ask. "Hey, kiddo," Richard lifted Jason up into his arms. "How are you?"

"Good." Jason replied.

"Can you run some family magic on your uncle to stop giving me such a hard time on this article?" Lois asked innocently at her fiancé. Richard sighed. "Please?"

"Again?" He asked.

"Again," She replied.

"I got it." He replied with a smooch on Lois's lips. I could feel Clark stiffen next to me. If only Lois knew the truth about him, and me. Clark cleared his throat.

"Oh, this is Clark." Lois introduced him to Richard.

"Oh." Richard realized. He stuck a hand out and Clark shook it.

"Clark, Richard. Richard, Clark." Lois finished.

"Richard White." Richard introduced himself.

"Hi." Clark grinned.

"Richard is an assistant editor who's basically saved our international section." Lois informed.

"Well." Richard looked a bit sheepishly.

"He's also a pilot and he loves horror movies." Lois smiled at him, "Clark is…" Clark gave Lois one of those friends-tell-others-what-they-do-looks, "well he's Clark." Lois finished.

"Well, it's great to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you." Richard smiled at him.

"Oh, you have?" Clark was surprised.

"Yeah, Jimmy won't shut up about you. Plus, Sarah's told stories about the stuff you two did before you left for your trip." We all chuckled. Oh, thank the Lord for Jimmy Olsen.

"Gotta run," Lois replied after our little laugh.

"Where to?" Richard asked.

"You heard Perry." Lois gestured towards Perry's direction, "Superman's back. And he thinks I'm the only equipped to…"

"To what?" Richard asked curiously.

"I don't know. You know…" Lois replied.

"So don't listen to him." He replied.

"I'm not." She answered, "I'm going to the power plant to check on the blackout."

"Okay." He kissed her quickly, "Bye, Mom."

"Bye." Lois replied to the two of them and she stroked Jason's hair and kissed him on the cheek. Then Lois turned and went back to work. The four of us stood there and watched her leave.

"Bye, Lois." Clark replied quietly.
Richard sighed. "And she's gone. You know, no matter how close we are, that woman will always remain a mystery to me." Clark stuffed his hands in his pocket and nodded in agreement. "If you need anything, I'm right over there." Richard pointed to his desk. "Nice to finally meet you, Clark," Richard smiled. He turned and headed out.

"I guess I have to go." I replied sadly to Clark as I pulled my bag over my shoulder. He turned and gave me a final hug before I left.

"Once I get a place, you'll be able to move back with me." He replied with a smile and moved a loose strand of my straight brown hair away from my eyes. He kissed me on the head and hugged me once more and let go. "I'll see you later."

"Bye, Clark." I waved to him as I left. Richard was waiting for me by the door.

"You want to go to the park?" Richard asked.

"I'm fine with that."

"Yeah," Jason replied happily. As we headed out the door, Clark had a thought in his head.

God, I hope I can find a place soon.