Chapter 13:

Almost 6 years after the Twin's birth, Metropolis, 8:30am:

Charades… my life has become an endless game of charades. The twins, Lara Martha Lane and Johnathan 'Jack' Samuel Lane, are the main focus of my life, my career as a journalist a distant second.

It was touch and go whether I would survive giving birth, and it was an even more harrowing experience seeing whether Jack would survive. Lara was small but Jack was smaller, his lungs not properly developed. After spending 2 weeks in a coma I awakened to spend another two months keeping vigil by Jack's incubator. Jack eventually came home with me, although he is still very small for his age.

Bruce and I never made any sort of announcement concerning the paternity of the children, many people assuming Bruce to be the father. Not long after Jack came home Bruce bought a penthouse in Metropolis for us to move into so I could be closer to Chloe and my father; who now calls Metropolis home once again.

Chloe got a small promotion at the Planet and met a young up and coming photographer, Jimmy Olsen. He's a decent guy and loves my cuz so I can't complain. Anyway, two years after they met, they got married as Chloe fell pregnant. I now have a gorgeous niece, Hannah.

Bruce and I, many people think we're the cutest couple in the world. Now as much as I love Bruce, I'm not in love with him. I know he shares the same emotions as I do on the topic. We're friends, that's it, no more, behind closed doors anyway. In public there are small pecks on the cheek or brief kisses to impede any further questions from prying eyes. Bruce spends most of his time in Gotham, rarely visiting Metropolis and myself rarely visiting Gotham. A situation which suits us both perfectly.

I've raised the children telling them of their father and the great man he is, every day praying that Clark will come home to me and the kids. Mrs. Kent has been a Godsend, resigning as senator the very night I gave birth. She's been by my side the entire time and I'm sure she's saved my sanity more times than I can count. Both kids love their Grandma unconditionally and Martha dotes upon them like any loving Grandmother would.

While Lara knows that Bruce isn't her father and only calls him Bruce, Jack has bonded with Bruce and even though he knows Bruce isn't his father refuses to call him anything other than dadda. Bruce has objected on many an occasion but Jack refuses to budge. I feel my chest constrict every time that name leaves Jack's lips. When the twins were one Bruce urged me to take courses at Met U. I obliged and chose journalism, finding that I loved chasing a good story after helping Chlo out every now and then. It wasn't long after I graduated that Perry White came across one of my articles (I'm sure Chloe had something to do with it) and offered me a job. Unfortunately, my first day on the job was Chloe's last as she had resigned to be the best mother she possibly could be. Chloe now writes novels and the occasional article for the Planet.

I climbed the ladder at the Planet and am now the best journalist Perry has, I seemingly have a knack for getting into trouble which leads to the big stories. But no matter what I accomplish and how much I love my children, I still yearn for Clark, needing him more than life itself. I haven't stopped looking, my contacts all over the world dreading whenever I call regarding Clark. A year ago, countless sightings of a man fitting Clark's description started popping up all over Third-world Africa and Asia and war torn Europe. Every time I reached a location he had moved on, one step ahead of me, just like Lucy, who is as elusive as ever.

I sigh dejectedly and look out the window of the town car. Alfred giving me a lift into work today while Bruce gives Mrs. Kent a break from the kids. The car slows and Alfred calls out, "We're here Miss Lois."

"Thanks Alfred." I undo my belt and reach for my bag, looking at my watch as I do so.

"You know Perry's gonna have a coronary."

"And now why would that be?"

"I've never been early or on time since my first day."

Alfred chuckles. "Don't get into any trouble today Miss Lois." He winks at me.

"Me. Trouble. Never." I reply in an innocent voice and wink back at him.

"Bye Alfred." I step out of the car and head for the foyer. Bumping into Jimmy as I wait for the elevator.

"Hey Lois."

"Jimmy, how's it going? How's my favorite Cuz and niece?"

Jimmy smiles, "Yeah, you know." I give him a frustrated look. "They're good…sheesh Lo, you know I'm not talkative in the morning. Hey, you're early. Perry's gonna have a coronary."

I smirk. "I know." The elevator dings and the doors slide open. We both enter and make the trip in silence. After several stops we make it to the top floor, the doors part and we enter the bull pen. We reach my desk, "I'll see you in a bit to talk about the photos for the latest Luthor article."

"Sure thing Jimmy. See you in a bit." I smile and start sorting through the memos on my desk.

"Lane, is that you?" The Chief calls from his office.

"Uh, yeah." I yell back.

"Good God, I think I'm gonna have a heart attack." He laughs at his own joke. "Get in here will ya."

"Coming." I take my jacket off and head to Perry. "What is it Chief?"

"Will you call me Perry for crying out loud. Oh, and close the door."

Alarm bells ringing in my head. "What now Perry?"

"Well, we've got a new reporter starting today. Great guy, a fairly decent reporter and he can spell too." He trails off…

"And this has what to do with me… oh, no. No Perry. No partners. I don't do partners and you know it."

"Sorry, who's the boss here?" I glare at him.

"You are." I answer heatedly.

"Damn straight. Now, this kid's real country. I need you to show him the ropes, make sure he doesn't get eaten alive." I want to argue but know it's pointless; Perry's as stubborn as I am once a decision's been made.

"Fine, what do I get out of it though?"

"You get to do your job and corrupt an innocent of their soul." He chuckles again.

"You know that's not what I meant."

"You know that I'm not going to say any more on the matter."

"Are we done here?"

"I guess so, he should be here soon but if he's not I'll get him to meet you at the conference down town. Oh and take Olsen with you."

"Yes Chief." I answer as I leave the office.

"It's Perry! You'll be the death of me Lois." I smile as I get a rise out of the old guy. I sit at my desk, looking over my notes from yesterday on the latest string of robberies that have been plaguing Metropolis. All random but done by the same group of four individuals. I pick up my phone and dial one of my contacts.


Metropolis, West-side:

I'm nervous, knowing that I'm going to be working in the same building as Lois. It's taken me a year to finally work up the nerve to be able to set foot in Metropolis. It's taken me almost a year to overcome my deep guilt for hurting Lois, I'm just glad that I didn't completely ruin her life. With the guilt came anger, anger at myself, anger at my Mom, anger at Chloe and anger at Lois. I was angry at Lois for following me, and even angrier at her for sleeping with Kal. Why did she do it? I still have no answers, but I don't care. I accepted that the person to blame was Kal and with that I locked away all the anger and guilt.

With that admission I was able to focus on my life, on trying to re-integrate myself with the world and with the people I care about. Come hell or high water I am going to visit Lois, Mom and Chloe. I'll let them make the decisions over whether or not they want me in their lives, but I will not run away and be the coward I've been lately. I've been back in Metropolis for two weeks, trying to help out here and there, unnoticed if possible and so far triumphant. I haven't spied on any of the women I care about, and it's not like I haven't tried to get in touch with them, I've had every intention of visiting Lois, Mom and Chloe but every time I go to something comes up. I spent the last year traveling through third-world Africa and Asia and war-torn Europe, doing all I can to help.

I took online journalism classes and wrote human interest stories. Several of which were printed by various papers internationally. While on my sabbatical I did some serious soul searching. Coming back a new man, a man who doesn't just walk away anymore. I made myself a costume from some material that Jor-El supplied in the Fortress. The material is almost invincible, it's comfortable but I'm yet to wear it in public, prolonging it for the perfect time. I push my glasses up with my index finger and start to hum, trying to lighten my mood. I'm about to hail a cab when I hear someone call for help. I sigh and take off to help a small boy trapped in a burning building.


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