Chapter 5 - Homecoming
The nurse entered the room and approached the couple still intent on watching every move and smiling at every little peep their new son was making. "Ahem, those smacking noises he's making says, hey, I'm hungry what does a kid have to do to get fed around here?"
Both Lois and Clark laughed nervously, Lois tore her eyes off her newborn and looked up at the nurse. "I was just waiting for you to come back and show me what to do."
"Um…I'll just go out and check on the family." Clark reluctently got up and started to leave.
"Honey, you don't have to leave. You should listen so in case I need help later, you know, remembering what the nurse said. I'm afraid I may be just a little scatter brained right now. Stay, please."
The nurse smiled and proceeded with the lesson. Jason didn't seem to need any lesson at all as he caught on quickly but all too soon he was sound asleep. The nurse left the threesome and went out to tell the family they could enter.
Clark got up from his seat next to the bed and held out his arm motioning for his mother to take the seat by the head of the bed he had just vacated. She very slowly sat down never taking her eyes off of the sleeping newborn bundled up and nestled in his mother's arms. She brought her hand up to her mouth and tried to stifle a gasp of delight. "Oh My! I've never seen such a beautiful newborn. Awwwwwwwww."
Lois smiled over at the older woman. "Would you like to hold him?" Clark stood next to his mother while Ben, Lucy, Richard and Chloe were all huddled around the bed marveling at the baby.
Martha accepted the little blue bundle from Lois as tears threatened to stream down her face. "I never got to hold Clark when he was this tiny." She looked up at her son with special meaning as she spoke the next words. "These are precious moments you can never get back if you miss them."
Xoxo
People came and went all morning and afternoon and soon Lois was completely worn out. Clark suggested he take his mother and Ben home and get them settled which would allow Lois time to take a much needed nap between feedings. Clark returned to the hospital a couple hours later and spent the first night with his new family.
The next morning, Saturday, they headed home to find the apartment decorated for the baby's first homecoming. Martha, Ben, Perry, Jimmy, Richard and Chloe all there waiting to welcome the little family home. Lois and Clark were caught a little off guard. Of course Clark knew what was on the other side of the door before opening it, having heard the whispers as he approached, but he managed to act surprised and Lois was totally surprised. Even thought he was the center of attention with ooohhhs and aaawwws, Jason slept through the whole thing only waking up later just long enough to nurse before promptly going back to sleep.
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Clark was able to take a couple weeks of family leave off work and Martha was there with Ben to help out with the baby and also around the house. Just before dawn Monday morning Clark left to handle an emergency and upon returning started to sneak back into the house to avoid Ben. Stopping for a moment he had second thoughts and instead just entered the apartment from the balcony still in the blue suit. Ben was just pouring himself a cup of coffee in the kitchen area. Looking up in shock at the hero entering the apartment he continued pouring without realizing the cup was overflowing.
"Ben, the coffee!" Martha didn't know whether to laugh or scold, neither did she know who to scold, her son or Ben?
"Uh, Superman, I guess you must be looking for Lois or Clark, Uh I don't think they're up yet. Um… is there something …"
Clark smiled at his mother, "Ben, I am Clark." With that the hero in a blur became the defacto stepson before his eyes.
Ben's jaw dropped open and he almost dropped the pot on the counter catching himself just in time but still spilling more coffee. "But Clark's asleep in the ….how can you ….Clark's Superman…?" Looking intently at the young man in front of him he could finally see the resemblance as reality slowly sunk in.
"I didn't mean to unnerve you like that. Mom has wanted to tell you for a while now. I trust her judgment implicitly, and well, I guess its time that Lois and I trust you too since you are part of the family."
"Oh, man…" He started to sit where there was no stool, Clark invisibly moved to place one under him. Now sitting but not even knowing how, he continued, "Wow, this is just too much! Uhmm… Who else knows?"
"There are only a few who do know including Mom and Lois of course and a couple doctors at S.T.A.R. Labs. Perry White figured it out a couple months ago and there is one other friend who shall remain nameless."
Ben swallowed hard shaking his head in wonder. "Wow, this is heavy. To think all those years Martha and Jonathan kept this to themselves. Wow. Believe me I won't even tell Bessie the cow."
"I know. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I know it's been hard on Mom keeping all of our secrets all these years. I just hope the knowledge doesn't become a burden to you."
"Clark, nothing about you has ever been a burden for me or for your father, bless his soul. You have been the joy of our lives and Jonathan would agree with me if he was still alive to tell you. I'm sure Ben will feel the same way."
Lois came out in her robe still half open yawning, "What's going on here? Everyone seems so serious."
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Both Lois and Clark proved to be doting parents with Martha having to remind them both to let the child cry occasionally otherwise the baby would rule the house in no time. Clark couldn't help but notice she was almost as bad as they were. He realized it was going to be very hard for all of them to not spoil that child. His very existence was just too special.
The next Saturday everybody was meeting at Richard's new riverfront house for a housewarming BBQ and pool party. He had just recently moved into the Riverside Drive home and no one was surprised that Chloe had moved in with him.
As they were getting ready to leave Clark came out in long jeans and a long sleeved shirt. Lois shook her head. "Clark, this is a pool party, you can't go like that. Put on your bathing suit or at least some shorts and a t-shirt."
"But, Lois, what if 'you know who' is needed! Besides, I don't have a bathing suit or any shorts for that matter." He smiled triumphantly.
"Oh yes you do! Your mother and I bought some just the other day after Chloe invited us to this party. Don't tell me you're shy about showing your legs after wearing that little blue skin-tight number of yours." She smirked looking over at Martha who was laughing outright.
"Son, I'm sure if 'you know who' is needed you will be able to manage, you have always been quite resourceful as I recall."
"I knew there was a reason it wasn't such a good idea for you two to be spending so much time together. What else have you two been up to behind my back pray tell?"
Ben spoke up joining the women in laughter, "Believe me you don't want to know."
Xoxo
They arrived at the party with Clark carrying a large bowl of potato salad his mother had made. A short time later after getting his mother, Lois and the baby settled on the patio Clark decided to join Richard and Jimmy in the pool. Chloe did a cat whistle when Clark removed his t-shirt. "Whoa, it looks like somebody's been working out. Clark, just when did you get so …well defined?"
Richard glared at him from the water. "Yeah, who knew! Then frowning he continued, "Just what is your secret, do they bottle it, can I get some?"
"Um, I guess I just like to lift weights occasionally. I was used to bailing hay. It helps me …unwind." He almost said it like an apology then looked over at his mother and Lois noticing that they were both snickering at his discomfort.
Perry turned his back to hide his response and pretended to refill his lemonade ice tea mixture from a pitcher on the table behind him. Once he regained his composure he shouted out. "Hey Richard, don't you have anything stronger than an Arnold Palmer? What does a man need to do to get a beer around here?"
"Look in the cooler Uncle Perry. They're on ice getting cold for later."
Soon the men and Chloe were in the pool playing a game of polo. It was Richard and Chloe against Clark and Jimmy. Clark made sure Richard and Chloe won the match. Ben and Perry had wisely decided to sit it out with Lois and Martha.
Xoxo
Later as he started to prepare the BBQ Richard inquired, "So Clark, are you ever going to find the time to go up in the seaplane with me? I'm beginning to think you're afraid of flying or something. I mean your mom and Ben have already been up and will be again when I take them home next week."
"Sorry, and no I'm not afraid. It's just that I've been so busy what with the baby coming and all."
"How 'bout tomorrow, are you busy then? I've already filed a flight plan and it would be great to have you join me."
"Clark you really should take Richard up on his offer. Jason and I will be just fine with Martha and Ben. Go on, you never take time to just enjoy yourself."
The next morning just as Clark was a few blocks from Richard's house he saw a small commuter plane dive down trying to make an emergency landing on the water bouncing up causing the tail section to break off. Clark immediately pulled over and parked looking around he made sure no one was watching and blurred into the air as Superman.
Xoxo
At the same time Richard looked up hearing the unmistakable sound of a plane diving just as he finished his pre-flight inspection. Seeing the plane bounce off the water he immediately yelled out to Chloe, "Call 911 a computer plane is down in the River. I'm going to go see if I can help." With that he undid the mooring and quickly entered the plane and took off heading to the nearby crash scene.
Superman arrived first and before diving down to the already submerging tail end section he called out to the victims in the front of the plane. "Stay in your seats and try not to move too much, you'll all be fine. I'll be back to help you as soon as I help your fellow passengers who are in more dire need."
"Superman" the pilot called out, "there are four people missing from the tail section."
Nodding he dove into the water checking on the victims as he approached them then carefully brought the tail section back up to the surface. Once on the surface he lifted the section up into the air and flew it to the nearby shoreline where an ambulance would surely meet them. After x-raying the four victims still bucked in their seats he decided three of them needed immediate aid. He looked back at the other part of the wreckage still floating out on the river surface making sure the victims there only had minor injuries and were all relatively safe for the moment. Satisfied he once again turned his attention to the victims in the section he had just retrieved and not wanting to wait for aid to come to them he carefully picked the tail section back up and flew the whole thing to Metropolis General where he set it down gently near the emergency entrance.
Seeing him land emergency techs ran out of the hospital and started assessing the injured. Superman told them what he had seen when he did his x-rays and they nodded their thanks. "We have them now. Go, we heard about the crash. Help is on its way but I'm sure you're still needed there." Superman took one last look at the injured and took flight back to the river crash scene.
Xoxo
Richard saw Superman dive into the water and pull the tail section up and fly it to the nearby shore and then fly away with it. Circling around the front section of the plane Richard landed as close as he could without causing wakes then taxied even closer. He called out to them. "Is everyone alright? We've called for help they should be here soon."
As he got close one man became frantic and jumped up out of his seat and raced to the opening hoping to jump onto the pontoons of the approaching intact plane. His fast movements towards the open tail section caused the plane to list suddenly causing the man to lose his footing. He fell floundering into the water hitting his head then sank out of sight. Richard stopped his plane at a safe distance and without thinking of his own safety opened the door and dove in after the man.
Arriving back at the scene Superman saw Richard's seaplane floating nearby, empty. And the wrecked plane was now starting to sink. The people were screaming and trying to cling to the plane as it dipped slightly into the water. Superman scanned the water as he dove down to the plane and saw Richard about to break the surface next to the wrecked plane with another man in his grip. Superman dove into the water and held the sinking plane up at a more level position with one hand while offering the other hand to Richard. Richard grabbed hold and with Superman's help managed to push the unconscious man back into the wrecked plane and then climbed in after him. Once they were both safely back from the opening Superman shouted out, "Everybody grab hold. I'm going to fly this part of the plane to shore just like I did the tail section a few minutes ago. Is everyone ready?"
He landed the plane on the shore just as an EMT truck and fire engine raced up. An ambulance was not far behind.
Richard and Superman both started helping the sixteen people from the plane just as the emergency personnel came up and took over. Shaking Superman's hand, the fire chief said, "Superman, thanks, we can take it from here. Great work by the way, you make our job so much easier." Seeing Richard soaking wet he asked, "Sir, are you alright?"
"This is Richard White. He flew his sea plane to provide aid to this group while I flew the tail section to the hospital." Superman smiled at his friend.
"Uh, it was nothing, really." Then under his breath, "but how the heck am I going to get back out to my plane?"
The fire chief laughed, well the coast guard is on the way here. I suppose they can take you back out to your plane. Unless you want to just swim since you are already wet." He laughed again then went to work directing his men.
Superman stifled a chuckle as he spoke to Richard, "Well, if you're not afraid of flying with me, I can always just fly you back to your plane."
Richard looked at him funny, something seemed very familiar. Then a broad smile crossed his face. "That would be great, would you?"
"Well I did fly you here, it only seems fair."
Superman sat Richard down on the pontoon of his plane and started to take off but Richard stopped him. "That was so cool, and I thought flying in my plane was something!"
It suddenly occurred to him that Superman had introduced him to the fire chief, how did he know who he was? "Wait, how do you know who I am?"
Superman smiled. "I saw the announcement when you took over the International Section at the Daily Planet a few months back. I like to keep up with such things at the Planet since Lois Lane, um Mrs. Kent is practically my press agent." Then suddenly self conscious he ran his hand through his hair making sure his wet hair was out of his face.
Richard nodded, thinking that seemed reasonable. "Thanks, I guess I had better get back I was suppose to meet her husband, Clark several minutes ago. I was supposed to take him flying."
Superman nodded, "Say hi to Clark for me."
Richard watched in awe as Superman floated into the air and disappeared. He then climbed back into his plane and prepared to take off landing a few minutes later to find Clark waiting for him at the dock telling Chloe about all the emergency equipment blocking his route.
"Uh, Clark, boy you messed out! I 'sorta' helped Superman." Richard proceeded to tell Clark and Chloe everything that happened. Chloe ran and grabbed her laptop and wrote the story up as Richard repeated it then quickly sent it into the pressroom.
"Well Clark, are you ready for that flight lesson?"
"Sounds swell!" Chloe and Richard exchanged humorous glances at their colleague's choice of words. Both thinking at least he didn't write that way.
Xoxo
The rest of the week passed quickly with Martha and Ben going home on Thursday one day before Jason was to be two weeks old. Richard flew them and Clark went along for company. Chloe spend the afternoon with Lois doting on the baby.
"I wonder what Richard would think if I told him I wanted one of these?" Chloe was holding Jason, rocking him while watching all the little faces he made in his sleep.
"Just how serious are you two getting? Serious enough for baby talk?" Lois smiled at her friend as she placed an iced tea down on the table in front of her while sipping on her own.
"Pretty serious, I just don't know if it is baby serious yet. I have seen him look at Jason a few times though, like maybe he's thinking about what it would be like." She thought for a minute and then asked. "What was Clark like when you told him you were expecting?"
Lois smiled remembering that she hadn't told him, he had told her. "He was ecstatic and still is. He's becoming a fantastic father and I am sure given a chance Richard will be too. They're both good men."
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Clark went back to work the following Monday and just after a second morning staff meeting called Lois for the third time. "Is everything alright there? Do you need anything?"
"Clark you've only been gone for three hours. Everything is fine. I just fed Jason and put him down. I was just about to get on the internet and see what's been happening."
"Nothing is happening. I'm bored. Why did we let Perry give us this big office, I forget? It's too big and lonely without you here."
Lois laughed. "You know why he gave us that office. It was to make it easier on you mostly and well for when we have to bring Jason in to work with us."
"Why don't you bring him in now? I'm sure everyone would love to see him again."
"Clark, I just put him down. Don't you have some work you should be doing?"
"No, it's done already. Like I said I'm bored."
"What about …."
"Nada, it's totally quiet this morning. I guess I could go meet Chloe on the roof."
"What do you mean, meet Chloe on the roof?"
"Perry wants her to get an interview with ….you know who. When she asked how to find you know who, Jimmy suggested that he thought perhaps you met him there… sometimes."
"Well, why don't you do that?"
"I can't meet Chloe up on the roof, that's our special place!"
"Clark, I'm sure….oh that's my other line…just a minute."
"It's probably Chloe, Perry said she should call you if she needed help."
"Ahhh!" Checking the caller ID she without hesitation hit the button to end the call with Clark and then picked up the other line, "Hi Chloe."
Clark heard the line go dead then shut his phone looking around his office. "Hmmmm, I know… E-mail."
"Hi, Lois. Um. Perry assigned me to get an interview with Superman early this morning. Can you tell me the best way to get his attention? I've been standing up here on the roof for well over two hours now but he's a no show."
What Lois wanted to say was something like, Go back down to the bullpen and ring Clark's neck and you will no doubt find what you're looking for. What she ended up saying was, "Gee, sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't. I'm afraid getting Superman's attention is not always that easy. I'm sure Perry will understand." Her attention was suddenly averted to her computer as, You've got mail rang out.
"Do you have any other ideas that might help? You do seem to be the expert."
Opening up a window to her mailbox Lois saw the message was from Clark. "Why don't you ask Clark to help you? He likes to keep it to himself but he has a pretty good record of tracking down Superman too."
"I guess I could give it a try. It does beat jumping off the rooftop. By the way, if I did say, fall off, would Superman come to rescue me?"
"Chloe don't even think about that. I sure wouldn't. What if he's off saving someone else? Go talk to Clark, you two are friends, I'm sure he'll help out."
Opening up the email Lois wasn't surprised to see.
Hi honey. I miss you and Jason. Do you think you could go take a picture of the two of you and Email it back to me? Love you both.
Responding, she wrote.
When I hear back that you have met with our mutual friend and helped her take care of what Perry asked her to do, then I will THINK about taking a picture of our son and emailing it to you. Not before.
BTW, I'm in the mood for Chinese for Dinner. Please stop and pick some up on your way home. In the mean time why don't you go out and try and find some news, or even make some of your own! Kiss kiss
Just as he was about to get up and go find Chloe she knocked at his door. "Clark do you have a minute?"
"Sure, what do you need?" he asked all innocent all the while thinking, as if I don't already know.
"You heard what Perry assigned me. Lois said you might know how to contact Superman. Do you have any suggestions?" she asked sighing, as she sat down in the chair on the side of his desk.
"Did you try the roof? That's usually where Lois meets him."
"Yeah, he was a no show."
Making a face he said, "Why don't you give it another try. Maybe he wasn't available."
"Huh, well if that is the best you have I guess I will have to give it another try. If you hear a scream it's just me getting desperate." She got up and left the office leaving Clark feeling bad he had ignored her before.
When she reached the roof she saw Superman looking out over the city.
"Superman, I was hoping to find you. I'm Chloe Sullivan a friend of Lois and Clark's."
"Ms. Sullivan, It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Umm, as you must know Lois Lane is out on maternity leave right now and well, Perry White has assigned me the awesome task of trying to get an interview with you. That is, if you're agreeable to allowing me the opportunity."
Xoxo
A short time later having accomplished her goal she ran back down to the bullpen and poked her head into Clark's office to find him typing away. "Thanks Clark, he was there. I guess I just gave up too fast."
Clark just nodded and went back to writing his email.
Mission accomplished. Said friend has been taken care of.
You're right about the other thing too. Maybe I do need to go find some news or if none is to be found make some of my own. But I do still miss you both so much. I'll be very glad when you're back here at the office with me. But then how are we ever going to leave little Jason alone in a big daycare nursery? That is just too sad to even contemplate. Chinese huh, I'm on it. Kiss kiss back at you.
P.S. Now do I get my picture? PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
After a couple of days Clark got used to the quiet office and settled into work finally once again appreciating the easy departures and entrances.
A Couple weeks later on July 18 a 60 car trail derailed in a tunnel located in downtown Baltimore, Maryland sparking a fire almost immediately. Superman arrived at the scene and finding toxic fumes quickly put the fire out then inhaled the fumes. Flying up high in the sky he released the deadly fumes where they would do no harm then returned to finish clearing up the mess finally pulling the train cars out of the tunnel.
It was later reported that eight tankers in a 60-car CSX train were carrying potentially toxic chemicals, including hydrochloric acid and fluorosilicic (hydrofluoric) acid, which when inhaled can burn the lungs. The train had been manned by a two-man crew that stopped the train in the tunnel when they first detected a problem. After seeing the smoke they followed standard procedures set in place for similar incidents. They uncoupled the three locomotives and drove out of the tunnel.
Haz-Mat equipment and personnel were called but it turned out thanks to Superman they were only needed for final mop up efforts after the incident was contained. A five block area that had quickly been evacuated for safety precautions was allowed to go back to business as usual after only a short time. According to the Haz-Mat director the entire downtown area could very well have been shut down for days if not for Superman's quick and decisive action.
Xoxo
Lois came back to work at the end of August raring to go but at the same time having remorse for leaving Jason at daycare even if it was only for a little over half the normal work day. She had arranged to work from home in the afternoons to make it esier to continue breast feeding.
On the morning of September 11th just after 8:45 AM Lois and Clark were working on a joint article when the monitor in their office grabbed their attention. The picture showed the North Tower of the World Trade Center with flames shooting out. The commentator was saying something about a plane that had just crashed into the tower moments before. Lois felt something at her cheek and then heard the door to their office shut but she didn't see him leave. She stepped out into the bullpen. Perry and Richard were soon both by her side. Everyone was watching the monitors in astonishment at what they were seeing. No one said a word but all were wondering the same thing, how could this have happened?
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Authors note: Thanks again for all the wonderful reviews.
So sorry to end this on such a sour note but you were warned from almost the very beginning exactly where this was heading.
Now if only I can write it and do it justice in a world with Superman. Uhhhh, what did I get myself into anyway?
Please remember to review or I may just let the fear get to me and not write the next part.