A/N - Policy of Truth by Depeche Mode

Truth Sucks – Chapter 6

Several nights later, Superman was out on patrol at night and passed by Lois' window. He could tell she still left it open but wasn't really sure why. He decided to take his chances.

"Superman?"

"Lois, how are you?"

"I'm fine. Come in, what have you been up to lately?"

"Nothing - just your basic burglaries and things. How about you?" He moved close to her but noticed that she kept moving away.

"I've just been working. And I met someone."

"I knew you would. Is he trustworthy?"

"Yes, I love him."

"Those are big words for so soon after you met him."

"Actually, we've known each other awhile but just realized how much we mean to each other."

"I'm happy for you Lois. Really." Walking toward the window, "Fly with me - for old time's sake." Without answering, Lois walked over and practically jumped into his arms. They flew away and returned shortly after.

"Superman, I never expected this to happen, at least not this fast."

"Lois, I never wanted to push you to be more than friends with me." Lois hugged him and then stood back.

"What's wrong Lois?"

"Nothing. It's just, you remind me of someone."

"What?"

"Ok, this sounds strange but you remind me of the man I'm seeing. Never mind." Lois walked around the corner and into her kitchen.

CRASH

Lois dropped the glass on the floor and stood in the middle of the floor completely frozen. There, in front of her, was Clark with the shirt with the hole in it. But this time he had his hair like someone else and no glasses.

"Superman?"

"Lois, maybe you should sit down."

"Clark?"

"Yes. Lois, come sit." Lois moved to the couch careful to avoid touching him. He knelt by her on the floor and looked up at her.

"But...Clark...Superman...was here...wait." She suddenly remembered something and looked again at his shirt.

"Lois, I'm Superman." She tried to get up but he held her down. "I thought it would be better this way - that you knew as soon as I could trust you." He let go of her hands to see what her reaction would be.

"Clark...Superman...the hole in the shirt...I can't take this...you need to leave." She got up but had to hang onto the couch. He tried to help her.

"Lois, you're hyperventilating. You need to sit down." She pulled away.

"NO, you need to go." She sat down on the floor and pointed to the door, then at the window. "Pick your pleasure traitor."

Clark decided that the best way out was the door. He walked around the corner from Lois' and flew off. He couldn't believe his stupidity in all of this. He had just ruined what short relationship he had with the only woman he had ever loved. He flew back to Smallville, thinking seeing his mother would help but changed his mind. Instead, he decided to go back to his high school - he could hear the Friday dance going on in the gym. He flew down and sat on the bleachers in the dark and looked out at the football field. He had been praised as a hero there at one time too. He listened to the music inside the gym and remembered the few memories he had from attending the dances. Life was simple then. Then he started to think as the music bore into his head.

'You had something to hide, should have hidden it, shouldn't you

Now you're not satisfied with what you've been put through

Its time to pay the price for not listening to advice

And deciding in your youth on the policy of truth

Things will be so different now; they used to be so civilized.

You will always wonder how, it would have been if you only lied.

Its too late to change events; its time to face the consequence

By delivering the proof in the policy of truth

Now you're standing there telling lies; you better learn your lesson well

Hide what you have to hide and tell what you have to tell

You'll see your problems multiply, if you continually decide

To faithfully pursue the policy of truth'

'I have to leave...she knows and she doesn't trust me. She will tell - she has to.' Clark flew off, knowing that his mother couldn't help him now. He went back to Metropolis and to the Planet. He noticed no one around and started cleaning out his desk. It took no time, even at a human speed since he hadn't accumulated all that much. 'Maybe I can go work for Marilyn again.' he thought. He decided to walk home from the Planet where he could look one last time around at a city that he had grown fond of. Later that night, he also flew by Lois'. He could see her bundled up on the couch crying. He wanted to pull his own heart out for hurting her like he had. 'No more...I won't hurt anyone ever again.' Superman was gone.