I'm sorry about the long wait. I've been busy. Thank you to my Beta Reader Squirrel Holding a Bazooka. Yes, we're insane. But the good kind of insane. Not the take-over-the-world-by-drowning-it-in-the-ocean-with-an-alien-crystal insane. Reviews equals a happy author. Let me know what you think about the chapter. Kay?

Chapter 12: Not a Fairytale

When we got home, none of us spoke a word. When the news came on, the uncomfortable silence that hung in the air increased rapidly. Clark managed to carry the giant landmass up to space and send it into orbit. He saved us all. You think we'd be happy- of course we are- but here comes the other part. He slipped into unconsciousness as he fell back to earth. He fell all the way back to Metropolis as he crash landed in a park that was in the heart of the city. Police officers found him and immediately called an ambulance. EMTs didn't hesitate to take him to the hospital. So far, he hasn't woken up.

I shut myself in my room and cried silent tears for a long time. Lois brought me dinner, but I didn't feel like eating. She had tear streaks on her cheeks as well. "He's done so much for us," I said quietly.

"I know, sweetie," She embraced me in a hug. "They're doing everything they can in return." She stayed with me until I fell asleep. It was around one in the morning when I woke up, greatly to my distaste. I snuck outside and sat on the dock with my legs dangling over the edge. I closed my eyes and concentrated hard on Clark's thoughts. I didn't see anything. All I saw was darkness.

He's in a coma, I thought in horror. I opened my eyes and stared across the harbor at the city that Clark has fought so hard to protect. I heard lots of people crying and sobbing their hearts out.

Is he going to be okay? That question was repeatedly asked over and over throughout the inhabitants' minds. I sat in silence for a few more minutes and finally got up. I walked back to the house with thoughts buzzing in my head. I let out an angry yell and thrust my right fist against a stone wall in the front yard. Pain exploded in my arm as my fist met the stone. I heard the crack of bones fracturing in my knuckles that were covered in my blood. I didn't show any sign of pain or dizziness as blood oozed over my hand. I stared at my bashed up hand in a trance-like state.

Ignoring the pain, I went inside to the bathroom sink to clean up. I turned the water on, only letting it to heal the fractured knuckles. I'll deal with the pain. I flexed my fingers after I dried my hand and went upstairs to my room.

"Sarah?" A small voice asked from the darkness. I stopped and turned around to the direction of the voice.

"Hmm,"

"I can't sleep." The speaker stepped out of the shadows. It was Jason. I held my uninjured hand out to him.

"Come with me. I said. He slipped his little hand in mine and we went to my room. We sat on my bed and my little nephew snuggled right next to me. "How come you can't sleep?" It was kind of pointless to ask the question to him even though I could read his mind, but he didn't know that. And I didn't want him to know until he was old enough to understand the truth about me, him, and Clark.

"I'm scared about Superman." He replied softly. I put an arm around him.

"You know what?"

"What?"

"So am I."

"Really?" His eyes went wide. "You didn't look scared on the boat and plane."

"I may have not looked scared, but I was. And right now, I'm scared."

"About Superman,"

"Yes, very much, Jason," I said while staring at the open window in my room.

"Do you think he'll get better?"

"I don't know, sweet pea." I finally said. "I don't know." Before the two of us knew it, we fell asleep in my bed. If Clark doesn't make it, I swear until the day I die that I will help Jason learn the truth.

When I woke up, gray light filled the room. I looked next to me and found Jason still asleep. As I sighed, I felt a painful throb on my right hand and looked down. Memories of last night flooded back immediately. Already, bruises were forming around the knuckles. I heard a soft knock on my door. "Come in," I replied while hiding my injured hand under the covers. The door opened revealing Richard.

"Hey, Sarah, how are you feeling this morning?" He asked.

"I feel okay I guess," I replied uncertain. "How about you?"

"I've had better," Richard replied. "Do you know where Jason is at? I looked in his room, but he's not there."

"He fell asleep in my bed last night because he couldn't sleep."

Richard gave me a small smile. "You know, you're like a big sister to him. You mean a lot to him. I think that you've made a difference in his life." He left my room leaving me thinking.

Have I really? I asked myself mentally staring at Jason. I got up quietly and headed downstairs to the kitchen where I found Lois making coffee. "Morning Lois," I sat down at the table.

"Morning, Sarah," Lois answered, "Did you get any sleep?"

"No," I said with bitterness, "I've been worried. About him."

"Me too," She replied grimly, "He's been stuck on my mind since we got home yesterday." There was an uncomfortable silence that occurred between us. "So, do you want to come to the Planet today? Clark might be there."

My throat felt like there was a shard of ice lodged deep down. When she said my brother's name, my throat froze and it hurt to swallow or speak. The shard of ice pierced my throat painfully. "Yeah, I'll come." I fought very hard to keep myself from losing it.

"Alright, we'll leave at nine," she said. Quickly, I hid my right hand out of sight. When we left for the Planet, my stomach was in huge knots. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go, but we were already leaving. I took a silent breath to keep myself together. It was unusually quiet in the car. Not even Jason or the radio was making their usual commotion. I stuck my earbuds in and turned my iPod Touch on. I strolled down to the Italian composer, Ludovico Einaudi, and played 'Fly'. The piano seemed to calm my nerves down enough for me to get a grip on things. I let out a small sigh as the music flowed through me.

Time passed by quickly as I paid no attention to my surroundings. I got out of the car once we were in a parking lot and followed them to the familiar building that was the Planet. When we reached our floor, the bullpen was somewhat busy with work. I saw Perry standing in his office that was undergoing repairs from yesterday's crisis.

Lois sat down at her desk and put her head in her hands. I don't know if I can do this. She pulled some crayons from her bag and gave them to Jason. Richard stood behind her and gently rubbed her shoulders. I followed Jason to a table where I sat next to him. I couldn't help myself, but I stared at Clark's empty desk. My eyes stung with tears threatening me that they were going to fall, but I brushed them away.

"What are you working on, sweet pea?" I asked my nephew. I still couldn't get over that.

"I'm drawing a picture for Mommy." He replied.

"What's going to be in the picture?"

"Superman's saving us and we're all in the sky with him." I saw little figures transforming into us on the paper. "Do you think Mommy will like it?"

"I think she'll love it." I smiled at him.

"It's kind of morbid, Perry." Richard said to Perry in a corner. In front of them were two newspapers with a picture of Superman on the front page. One read 'Superman Lives' and the other read 'Superman is Dead'.

"Always be prepared." Perry replied. He turned his attention from the papers to Lois. "How is she?"

"She's a little shaken." Richard answered. I had Jason on my lap looking at his pictures as I overheard the conversation.

"Aw, Jason, they look wonderful." I complimented. I found a picture of a person he drew beating up a bad guy sticking out from underneath a few drawings. "What's this one?"

"That's you beating up the bald man's helper when we were on the boat." Jason explained to me.

"Really, how come you drew that?"

"Because you're a superhero like Superman,"

I smiled at the thought. "Well, just because I beat up a bad guy, it doesn't make me a superhero. You have to have superpowers."

"You're a superhero to me even if you don't have superpowers," Jason said. I stared at him with a warm expression. I felt myself go numb. That was very touching. I gave him a hug.

"That's the kindest thing anyone has ever told me," I replied. "Do you want to show Mommy and Daddy your picture?"

"Yeah," He jumped down and ran to Lois. I followed closely behind. "I drew a picture for you, Mommy." Jason handed it to her. She took it and studied it.

"Aw, thank you, baby." Lois kissed him on the forehead.

"Lois?" Richard walked up to us.

"Yeah?" Lois sniffed and wiped her eyes.

"We can leave if you want," Richard answered.

"Where else would I want to be?" Lois said with a tone that sounded like 'I don't mind staying here and mope in guilt'. Our attention was brought to the T.V screen above us.

"Thousands have come together at the Metropolis General Hospital to show support for the Man of Steel. He was admitted late yesterday afternoon and his condition remains unchanged." People were shown on screen with banners and signs. Some held their heads high with tears falling down their face.

"I could drive," Richard offered. Lois looked at Jason.

What do you think, munchkin? Would you like to go see your daddy? Lois asked mentally. "Okay," she replied. "Let's go." We grabbed our things and headed out.

"Where are you going?" Perry asked in a booming voice from his office.

"To the hospital," Lois replied without looking back.

"Uh, I'd be careful, guys," Jimmy warned us. "It's a madhouse down there." Perry gave us a small smile of triumphant.

Even though we were four blocks away, the streets were jammed with people. Richard blew out a breath. "So much for parking."

"Do you think they'll let me in?" Lois asked with a nervous tone.

"You're Lois Lane," Richard replied. "They'll let you in."

"I want to go with Mommy," Jason said. Lois smiled.

"Sarah, do you want to come?"

"Yes," I replied.

"I'll be right here," Richard said. Lois kissed him and got out of the car. I climbed out and headed to Lois' side and waited.

"Watch your head," Lois told Jason as she helped him out. I closed the door for her and together, we headed to the hospital. "Lois Lane," she told a police officer at the door, "I work for the Daily Planet." The man smiled and nodded. He led the way in and he informed a doctor that we were here. Lois let Jason down, but he held my hand. He gently tugged it and I got down next to him.

"What is it?"

"I'm scared."

"Nothing's going to hurt you. I promise you that," I said with a wink. Jason nodded an okay. A doctor then led us to Clark's room which felt like forever to get there. Lois seemed to be walking in a daze and was taken by surprise when we reached the room so soon.

"This way, Ms. Lane," the kind doctor informed us. He held the door open for us and we cautiously walked in. The man turned and left us alone. The sight before us stunned me, making it hard to find words. Clark was lying in the bed with eyes closed. His iconic suit that we all knew so well was replaced by a hospital gown. The heart monitor showed a steady pulse. His suit was draped neatly over a chair in the corner with his boots next to the chair on the floor. It was almost too much for me to bear, but I managed.

"Mommy," Jason broke the silence, "Is he gonna get better?"

"I don't know, sweetie." Lois replied.

"I want him to. I like him."

"Me, too," she smiled sadly down at him. Jason walked over to the suit and gently traced the famous 'S'. The fabric felt alien to his fingers. I stood next to him and my hand automatically flew up to my necklace. I closed my eyes and tried to find Clark's mind. My heart gave a small lurch as I found images from the past that only Clark and I knew existed.

Please, please, please. I need to hear you, I begged. But I got no response. My eyes opened and the images disappeared. Lois walked slowly up to the bed on his right side.

"I don't know if you can hear me," Lois began, "but they say that when people are…that sometimes they can hear. I don't know if you can hear me." She spoke softly. "I wanted to tell you," she bent over and whispered four words only I could hear, "you have a son." Then she kissed him directly on the lips that lasted for a few seconds.

Lois looked at the heart monitor in hope that something had miraculously happened. But nothing changed. No matter how hard people wish, life isn't a fairytale. A simple kiss can't heal someone. She stood up and walked over to us. "Come on." She rubbed Jason's back.

I took my necklace off and walked over to the bed. Without Lois looking, I stuck my necklace in one of his hands. I really miss you. I then hurried to the door where Lois was waiting. As we began to leave, Jason stopped his tracks and ran up to the bed quickly kissing Clark on the cheek. He hurried back and grabbed my hand and we left the room. When we stepped outside of the hospital, reporters, cameramen, and photographers instantly swarmed us. The police was holding them back with some difficulty. "Let them through!" one officer ordered. Lois stopped and picked Jason up to carry him. I stayed close to her as we journeyed back to the car.

Hello, my darling, an old voice reached out to me. I let out a small gasp, knowing who it belonged to. I quickly scanned around trying to find the owner. It belonged to my mom.

"Mom?" I asked quietly with tear-brimming eyes.

It was around five-thirty when we finally got back home. I slumped on the couch not knowing what to do. Then after a few minutes of no progress, I finally had an idea. I went up to my room and pulled my phone out. I hesitated as I stared at my mom's number, but I dialed and waited.

"Hello?" I heard her answer.

"Mom," I replied with a wavering voice. It has been awhile since I last spoke to her.

"Sarah? Oh, it's so good to hear your lovely voice again."

"I miss you."

"I miss you too, honey. How are you holding together?"

"Not very well,"

"You can do it. I know you can. If we got through the tough times when your father died, we can do it again."

I was silent for a few moments. "Are you in town?"

"Yes."

"Can you meet me in Central Park?"

"Of course I can, sweetie. What's bothering you?"

"There's something I want to ask you about when I get there."

"Alright, I'll see you soon. Stay strong."

"Bye." I ended the call. I went back downstairs and found the T.V on the News. The headline read 'Runners Strike New Eden Industries CEO Office'. I found Lois sitting on the couch. "Who are the Runners?" I found myself asking suddenly.

"They're a group of people who stay away from any electronic communications and carry messages across rooftops to people throughout the city. Apparently, the Press believes they're thieves," Lois explained.

"Are they?"

"I'm not sure," Lois replied. "Even though they live here in Metropolis and can do incredible things; please try not to get involved with them. We don't know if they can be trusted or not."

"So says the reporter who finds ways to get herself in danger for a story," I smirked. Lois replied with a chuckle.

"But I'm serious, Sarah. Don't get involved with them." She went back to a serious expression.

"I won't. I'm going out to meet a friend."

"Be back before nine."

"I promise," I replied heading out. "If you need me, I'm a phone call away."