A/N: In this next chapter, Clark gets some shocking news, while the League sets out to stop Intergang once and for all. Read on everyone! :D

Chapter 17: Not Alone

Previously:

"But will I be forgiven for what I did, Lois? I wonder," he closed his eyes and sighed.

"You know I'm not a religious person, Clark, but I believe every soul will be forgiven. All we have to do is ask."

His head came up at that. He smiled and touched her cheek. She leaned into his hand. "I believe that too, honey. Are you ready to go home?"

"Yes, let's go home."

"Jason, come here son," Clark silently called to his son and smiled still amazed they could communicate in this way. This was the second time it had happened, but he decided to keep it a secret for now. He picked him up and gave him a hug and a kiss.

After what had happened the past few days, Jason was very happy his family was together again. Clark held up his other arm and Lois came into his arms as they all looked up at the sky.

~o~o~

The Watchtower space station several days later:

Clark arrived at the station in good spirits, ready to get back to work. He and Lois, with Richard's help had completed the Intergang/DA article and were assured by the Police Commissioners both in Gotham and in Metropolis that an investigation would be forthcoming. Once they were told that Edge was behind Darkseid coming back, they couldn't wait to investigate.

"Good morning, everyone," Clark saluted the League members as he entered the Hall of Justice.

"Aren't we in a good mood," Bruce said happy to see him again.

"Yes we are," Clark said not elaborating.

"Does this mean you and Lois?" Bruce had to ask.

"Yes, we've reconciled. Everything is fine," Clark said.

"Did you come to an agreement about … Krypton?" Diana asked hoping Clark would open up.

"We didn't get a chance to discuss it, but we will," Clark said being evasive.

"I hope so, Clark. She was pretty upset when she left here the other day," Diana said remembering Lois's tear-stained face.

"We'll get through this, guys. Please don't worry," Clark said wanting to change the subject.

Bruce and Diana exchanged glances.

Clark noted it but didn't think anything of it. "Who's going to get me up to speed around here?"

Bart stood up and went to the monitor. "Well, Clark, while you were away, we managed to contact our 'friend' who was helping us with Edge and we may have some idea where he may be hiding the 'transmitter,' you know, the one he used to contact Darkseid. If we can get our hands on it, then case closed, it's over for Intergang."

"I agree, but where do we start?" Clark asked.

"We know he was in Gotham the night of double drug busts, and if I were a betting man, I would say it's still there," Bruce said.

Clark smiled thinking about Vegas, betting and his wife.

"Hello, Clark?" Bart said snapping his fingers.

"Oh, sorry, yes, yes, Gotham it is. Bruce, what do you suggest? That's your territory," Clark said trying not to get distracted again.

Diana smiled and Bruce was finding it hard not to roll his eyes. "Well, first I'll contact the Commissioner and let him know what's up and to see if he has any ideas. We'll probably want to get the police involved. We want to be on the up and up with this one, guys. We want to nail Edge once and for all."

"I agree. The last thing we need is Darkseid making a return visit. I'm sure he's pretty furious we snatched you right from under his nose," Diana said.

Clark couldn't help remembering again what Darkseid had said to him. He shook his head trying to forget about it. It was all a trick, a way to kill him. He knew that for a fact.

Bruce could tell what Clark was thinking. It was time. "Everyone, you have your assignments. Diana, Clark and I have a few things to work on here before we put together our plan for Gotham. We'll see you all back here at 10:00 tonight and be ready to put all of this behind us forever," Bruce stated hoping that was true.

As J'onn, Arthur, Hal and Bart left, the rest of the League took their seats at the table.

"That was subtle, Bruce, what's up?" Clark asked wondering what Bruce had on his mind.

Bruce and Diana exchanged looks again.

"I'm waiting, and what's up with the looks? What's going on?" Clark asked getting worried.

"It's a good thing you're sitting down, Clark. Depending on the way you look at it, it could be good news or bad news," Bruce said sounding cryptic.

"Go on," Clark said.

"Diana and I found something on the coordinates you punched in the other day," Bruce said worried about what Clark's reaction was going to be.

"What? But I thought there was nothing there," Clark said finding this unbelievable. He stood up and went to the computers. "Show me what you found."

"We found life forms on a planet not far from Krypton," Diana said feeling awful about this entire mess. "But there's something else we found Clark just this morning. Apparently, the planet is unstable. The kryptonite radiation is slowly killing it. The survivors don't have much time."

Clark stopped what he was doing and slowly turned to face his friends. "And you couldn't tell me about this before? Were you going to keep this from me?"

"No, Clark, we're telling you now," Bruce said.

Clark tried to rein in his feelings. "How long … how long do they have?"

"It's hard to tell. Diana and I have been communicating with NASA for several days now and there's just no way of knowing."

"And there's nothing we can do?" Clark asked desperate for answers.

"Well, maybe …" Bruce wasn't sure he should tell Clark about this.

"What, what is it Bruce? Please, I want to know everything," Clark said desperate for any hope.

"There just may be an answer if we could communicate with them in some way, we could tell them to come here to Earth before it's too late," Bruce said thinking it may just work. "Diana and I have come up with a plan. We could enter the interdimensional wormhole again, and try and communicate with them, we will have to avoid Darkseid, of course, but it may just work."

"You're serious, aren't you?" Clark said amazed at his thinking. Bruce nodded. "And exactly how long would this take?"

"Well, we haven't figured that part out yet, but you can't come Clark, so don't get any ideas. The planet is surrounded by kryptonite radiation. You wouldn't survive it," Diana said.

"But you said there are life forms? How are they surviving?" Clark was finding this all unbelievable.

"I wish we knew, but there are life forms," Bruce said also finding it hard to believe.

"So when do you leave?" Clark wanted to know.

"We'll leave in a few days. We're going to ask J'onn to come along and your father will have to be told. I know he wants to help, Clark," Bruce said.

"Yes, he has been very helpful," Clark said shaking his head. "I'm so grateful to you both. I really don't know what to say," he said at a loss for words.

"We'll be in touch before we leave. Let's get this Edge business taken care of first, then we can help rescue the survivors," Bruce said slapping Clark on the back.

"Thanks, Bruce," Clark said. "Thank you, Diana," Clark said giving her an impulsive hug.

"You're very welcome. We'll be in touch and we'll see you later tonight," Diana said.

"You know I'll be here," Clark said as he turned to go. He didn't think he would ever be able to repay them.

~o~o~

The Daily Planet bullpen an hour later:

Perry was coming out of his office headed to Jimmy's desk, when Clark stepped off the elevator straightening his tie and smoothing his hair. Their gazes locked for a moment. Clark looked away, lowered his eyes and headed to his desk, pretending nothing was amiss.

"Umm, morning Chief," Clark said glancing sideways at his boss hoping he would leave it at that.

"Morning, Kent," Perry said playing along, but couldn't help staring at his star reporter who was also Superman.

Lois looked up and witnessed the exchange, not quite sure what to make of it. She had told her husband that Perry knew the truth.

Perry watched them for a moment, then shaking his head, went to talk to Jimmy.

"Umm, Lois, could I speak with you for a minute in private?" Clark asked his wife.

"Sure, let me finish this email. There, what's up, Clark?"

"Come with me," he said as he took her hand and led her to their private office. As soon as the door was closed and locked, he took her into his arms and kissed her senseless.

Lois was shocked but turned on nonetheless, and she kissed him back with fervor. Soon though she came to her senses and tried to get him to tell her what in the world was going on. "Clark, what is with you, not that I don't like it," she smiled.

"Can't I kiss my wife good morning?" Clark asked nuzzling her neck.

"Well, you already did that and more just a few hours ago," she sighed and leaned her head to the side as he continued to kiss her throat and her ear.

Clark decided he had better stop before things got out of hand. He rested his forehead against hers. "Lois, I have wonderful news," he said hoping she would see it as such. "Here have a seat," he said as they both headed for the sofa.

They both stopped short and glanced at each other. "Let's go up to the roof instead," Clark said quirking an eyebrow at her.

"Yes, let's," Lois said giggling.

Once on the roof, he told her about his meeting with Wonder Woman and Batman.

"Let me get this straight. Batman and Wonder Woman are going to this unnamed planet to rescue survivors of Krypton, but you can't go because it's too dangerous for you? Am I getting this right?" Lois asked stunned by the news.

"I still can't believe it, but it's true. It's really true. There are survivors," Clark said still not quite believing it.

Lois digested that for a moment. She stared at Clark hating to ask this question but she had to know for sure. "But … you would go if you could, wouldn't you?"

He knew what she was asking. He took his wife by the shoulders. "No, Lois, I wouldn't."

"But are you sure? I don't want you to have any regrets Clark," Lois couldn't help asking as she suddenly became emotional.

"I'm very sure. I thought I made that clear in Vegas," he smiled touching her cheek.

Lois smiled remembering their trip. "I guess I needed to read between the lines, huh," she said trying to lighten the mood a little.

"I meant every word. No regrets. I belong here with you and my children," Clark stated again and pulled into his arms holding her close.

Lois pulled him close and sighed. "I'm glad that's settled," she said sighing again.

"Me too," Clark said relieved.

"So, tell me, when are they leaving?" Lois wanted to know.

"In a few days, but we have to take care of Edge first."

"What can I do to help? I have a few ideas about that," Lois asked getting excited.

"Nothing," Clark said giving her a look, hoping she would get the message.

"What do you mean nothing? I've worked on those articles for weeks. I want to know what I can do to help."

"Honey, we'll be in Gotham. There's nothing you can do there. We're looking for the transmitter that Edge used to contact Darkseid. We're concentrating all our efforts to find it. There's really nothing you can do."

"Well, I may have some idea where it could be," she said getting his attention.

"Really and where might that be?" Clark asked curious about her thinking.

She left his arms and walked toward the spinning globe, smiling over her shoulder at him. He returned her smile and followed her. "Well, you know Clark, Lex and Edge were very tight awhile ago," she said getting more of his attention, not to mention his fascination with her legs and backside.

"Yes, I remember," Clark getting even more distracted.

"Well, I think the transmitter is here in town. I think you should search Lex's hideouts and anywhere else he may have stashed his 'belongings,'" Lois said as she turned and smiled at Clark's dawning expression.

Clark had to admit, she had a point. She was amazing. He couldn't resist her. "Come here, you!" He grabbed her and proceeded to kiss her senseless again.

They were just a bit windblown and flushed when they returned to the bullpen.

Jimmy grinned, but Perry just rolled his eyes at his 'star' reporters.

~o~o~

Lex Luthor's hideout, Metropolis underground:

The League had decided to split up. The Flash, Superman, and Wonder Woman went to Metropolis, while Martian Manhunter, Batman, Aquaman and Green Lantern headed to Gotham.

Superman was able to find Lex's hideout pretty quickly, because he'd been there before, but Clark couldn't go inside because there was lead everywhere. Kryptonite could be hidden anywhere, so he had to stay out. He peered through the walls and he could see not much had changed. The swimming pool was there, although stagnant, Lex's office, it was all still there, even the books on the shelves. It was so frustrating for him. We could close this case and put Edge and the D.A. in jail for a long time if we could only find the transmitter. The drugs would keep them locked up for a good while, but unleashing a known murderer and lunatic on the city would put them away for life, he was sure of it.

"How's it going in there … Flash, Wonder Woman, can you hear me?" Clark asked speaking through their communicators.

"There's nothing here, except more kryptonite hidden inside lead crates. Don't come in here, Superman. It's obviously a set-up for you," Bart replied. "We'll take care of it and make sure it's all gone in no time."

Batman, meanwhile, located Edge's meeting place in Gotham. After contacting the Commissioner and getting the police involved, they searched the meeting room, the entire building, heck the entire block and found nothing. Batman knew it was a long shot at best. He then contacted Superman. "No luck, Superman," Bruce said. "Any luck finding anything there?"

"Nothing yet, just a lot of kryptonite," Clark responded.

"Typical Luthor, still a pain in the ass even in jail," Bruce added.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Clark said getting worried. "Edge is taunting me. He must have known I would come down here eventually. Luthor probably told him." Clark's instincts were going crazy now. "They've been in there too long," he said and then his voice became urgent. "Flash! Wonder Woman! Let's go, I don't like this. Get out of there NOW!"

Bruce heard everything. "Superman, what's happening?"

No sooner had Diana and Bart exited Luthor's lair, Clark could hear a ticking sound. "Everybody, get behind me NOW!"

Suddenly, a bomb exploded sending kryptonite and rock everywhere. Clark covered everyone's body with his own protecting his friends, but the kryptonite rocks were scattered up and down the tunnel. Bart was the first to react. Clark wasn't moving. "Clark, Clark, can you hear me? We have to get him out of here. Diana, help me. He weighs a ton," he said.

They managed to get Clark out of the tunnels, where he slowly came out of it. "You're alright," Diana said. "That was too close for comfort."

Clark sat up feeling groggy, but much better. "I wonder what triggered the bomb. Did either of you see anything in there besides lead?" He asked them both.

"There wasn't much to see. There were lead crates everywhere and not much else, just a lot of dust. It was a trap set up for not only you Clark but for us as well," Diana said realizing they were all at risk.

"We're missing something. He wouldn't keep it in the Slums. That's too easy. He wouldn't have it on his person, that would be crazy, so where is it?" Clark said thinking out loud.

The police cars and EMTs arrived then. Superman told them a bomb had detonated. No one was hurt, but that they should send the bomb squad down there first, to be sure there were no more of them. The police took Superman's advice.

"Is everyone alright?" It was Batman's voice fearing the worst.

"We're alright Batman. We should regroup at the station and put our heads together again and pin this down. I know we can find it but it may take longer than we realized," Clark said as he began to worry that the search for the transmitter may delay getting to the survivors on Krypton in time.

~o~o~

On an unnamed planet inside the domed City of Argo:

Zor-El was inside his lab frantically putting together his plans to transport his only child to Earth. After punching in the coordinates for Kara's journey, he realized that their time in Argo City was about to end. Zor-El, father to Kara and husband to Alura, was thinking the worst. Their home for the past five years was doomed to destruction, just as Krypton was years ago. The lead shield that was fashioned to protect them from kryptonite radiation was weakening from meteorite collisions and other outer space debris. People were getting sicker and sicker. He had no choice now but to save as many of his people as he could.

His wife, Alura, came into her husband's lab, along with their daughter Kara, who was now ten years of age. "What did you find, my husband," Alura said fearing the worst.

"It is time, Alura," Zor-El said without preamble.

"No, no, there must be some other way," Alura pleaded hoping the wouldn't have to send their only child into space alone.

"Kal-El will be there for her. We can't wait any longer, Alura," Zor-El said trying to find the courage to do the unthinkable. He stared at his little girl. Once she would arrive on Earth, she would have aged three years, old enough to understand and know about humans and how they interact. He and his wife had been teaching her for several years now.

"Kara, come here my child," Zor-El called to his daughter.

"Father, what is it?" Kara asked suddenly afraid after seeing the looks on her parent's faces.

"How are you feeling today, Kara?"

"I'm tired, but it wasn't as bad as yesterday," Kara said.

Zor-El touched her cheek. "Remember what I told you the other day, how the planet is making us all sick and that we would have to leave here very soon?"

"I remember," Kara said.

"Our time is up, Kara. We're sending you to Earth to be with your cousin, Kal-El. You'll be asleep for your entire journey and when you wake up, Kal-El will be there waiting for you. I'll be using the same calculations as your Uncle Jor-El, when he sent Kal-El to Earth just before Krypton exploded."

"But you and Mother, aren't you coming with me?" Kara asked suddenly terrified.

Alura smoothed Kara's hair away from her face and turned her to face her. "No, Kara, your father and I will be here trying to convince everyone that we can't wait anymore. Your survival is what matters to us, Kara, nothing else."

Kara knew inside that arguing would not do any good. They had been preparing her for this day for a few years now. She was ready to go. "I understand and I'll wait for you to join me on Earth as soon as you can," Kara said determined to show her parents how grown-up she was in spite of the terror she was feeling inside. She tried very hard to be strong but she was just a little girl. Her father sensed her fear and sighed, held up his arms, and Kara went into his arms wondering when she would get to hold him again.

Alura and Zor-El glanced at each other so proud of their daughter, they had no words.

TBC!

##

A/N: The continuity may be a bit off with Kara and Kal-El because of the timeline, but you see where I'm going with this. I hope you liked it. Thanks for reading! Reviews are love!