Chapter 2

Paul stood on the roof of the Daily Planet building, Supergirl was standing next to him, she was a girl with platinum blonde hair, blue eyes, was wearing a blue shirt, red skirt, red boots, red cape and a red-framed gold diamond shape on her chest with a red 'S' on it. "I have to leave you now," Supergirl said sympathetically, "there are other folks who need me, but I think we will see each other again," she added. With that Supergirl flew off into the sky, Just as a group of reporters filed onto the roof of the building. Paul was flabbergasted, no visible means of propulsion, his scientific mind went to work, how can she do that? he thought.

Paul answered the reporter's questions as best he could, he told them he was from a different dimension, he was surprised they would believe such a story, he didn't see any reporters from the World Weekly News, they were all Daily Planet Reporters, an newspaper he had never heard of in a city he also never heard of, though it did look a bit like Manhattan. Paul had no reason to lie or makeup a story, he was not much into deception, he figured if they tossed him in a loony bin, at least the place had a bed in it on which to sleep. Oddly enough the reporters seemed credulous about his story, they must have seen Supergirl fly away, but no questions about her, he was the story today, seems they had seen plenty of weird stuff before, and Supergirl was old news for them.

A reporter named Clark Kent seemed particularly inquisitive. "What's your name son?" he asked as another photographer, a kid about his age, took his picture. "My name is Paul Luthor," Paul said. "Are you related to Lex Luthor?" Clark asked. "I'm from a parallel universe, I don't see how that's possible." Paul said. Another reporter approached him, this one a beautiful woman with dark hair. "Hello sir, my name is Lois Lane, I see you've met Clark already, and the photographer here is Jimmy Olsen." said Lois. "Nice to meet you Ms Lane, " Paul Luthor said.

Paul, Lois Lane, Clark Kent, and Jimmy Olsen filed down the stairs from the roof. Paul passed a few offices, noticed the flat screen video monitors as various reporters and writers typed their stories.

"Supergirl tells me it is now the year 2013, is that true?" asked Paul.

"That's correct," Clark said, "Why do you ask?"

"Well you see I'm from the year 1984 and I seem to have missed all the years in between," Paul said.

"Tell you what," Clark Kent said, "How about you come over to my place for dinner, you Lois, Jimmy and we can discuss it."

"Sure," Paul agreed.

Later that evening all four of them arrived at Clark's apartment. A dark-haired girl with blue eyes opened the door, "Hello," she said, "I'm Linda, I've cooked some spaghetti and meatballs." Something was familiar about her.

"Hello Linda," Paul said as he shook her hand. Linda had set a fine table

Later when they had all settled down at the dinner table. "You truly are a fine cook, Linda," Paul said remembering her name. "Linda is Clark's Cousin from Midvale, Illinois," Lois explained. "Are you two married?" Paul asked.

"Not yet, but we have set a date," Lois answered.

"And to think, it took the longest time just to get Lois to notice me," Clark added. Lois ribbed him with her elbow.

Some kind of inside joke, Paul assumed silently to himself.

There was something intense about Linda, clearly she was not all what she seemed . "Say Clark," Paul Luthor asked, "What do you know about Lex Luthor?" Clark seemed a bit uncomfortable on the subject. "Lex Luthor had a rough childhood, he had an enormous ego, wanted to dominate Metropolis and by extension the World, and when Superman opposed him in this, Lex became his determined enemy, Lex is a genius, has done some experiments with Kryptonite, as he is very paranoid about superman, who's main weakness is kryptonite, and as a result to his constant exposure to it radiation, that he keeps some on him at all times, he has lost his hair. Another rumor, though not a substantiated one is that he is the actual head of inter-gang." "I have not a clue what this Kryptonite is," said Paul, "I know something about chemistry however and krypton is a noble gas like helium. "No Clark admitted, kryptonite is not made with Krypton, the mineral is named after the planet that exploded named Krypton that was Superman's home. Kryptonite is a product of the nuclear reactions produced by the supernova explosion of Krypton's star Rao. I believe you may be familiar with the Crab Nebula, the star that created that was Rao." Clark Kent seemed very familiar about that subject.

Paul looked at Linda for a bit, "You know," he said, "you look a bit familiar to me, I know this is a parallel Universe, and people in my Universe may have their counterparts here, but you are too young to have come from 1984, so maybe it was your mother I'm thinking of." Linda looked uncomfortable, "Uh, my mother and father are dead, I was living at Midvale orphanage until my Cousin Clark agreed to take me in."

"I'm sorry to hear about the passing of your parents, how did they die?" Paul asked.

"It was an explosion, you see my father was a scientist, he was doing experiments with rocket engines and it blew up!" Linda looked a bit misty-eyed when she said that. "You mother was killed too?" Paul asked. "She served as his assistant." There was something in Linda's expression, like she was there to witness the whole thing, yets something about that story didn't ring true to Paul, he couldn't put his finger on it, but Linda was holding something back. An exploding planet and an exploding rocket lab, Paul thought.

"I'll tell you one thing," Clark brought up, "You are very unlike the Lex Luthor I know, he is a lot more devious.

I would caution you about Supergirl however, she has her own long list of enemies, so if you are going to pursue a relationship with her, her enemies are going to take advantage of that fact should they ever find out." Linda moved next to Paul, "Clark is right," Linda said, "Being around her can be dangerous, and the danger is not from her, but from her enemies, who may use you to get to her."

"I am flattered that you would think that," said Luthor, "but honestly what chance have I got with her, she rescues lots of people I am sure."

"Don't underestimate your importance Paul," Lois Lane said, "Superman has rescued me plenty of times, and his enemies have used me in their various schemes to get at him."

"He has?" Paul asked incredulously. "Being a superhero can be lonely sometimes, Superman, has confided this to me on many an occasion. Then again," Lois confided,, "Supergirl cares about everyone, that is what motivates her to be a superhero." Paul really didn't know what to think about this. Paul looked at Linda, she was looking down at her plate. Paul looked at Lois Lane again, Dare I hope that? Paul thought, he had been let down by so many girls before, he'd been the victim of many a prank in his high school years, that by the time he got into college, he just gave up on the whole notion of his meeting the girl of his dreams, as always he retreated to his scientific work when he got lonely, at least he could satisfy his curiosity, if not his innate loneliness and his forlorn social life at that.

When dinner was over, Paul got up, "thanks for dinner," he said. "Paul wait," Linda said, "where will you go, what will you do?" she looked concerned. Paul stared at her for a moment, Am I imagining something or does this girl really like me? Paul thought, after thinking a little more he said, "I just opened up a dimensional vortex crossing barriers of time and space to get here, that has got to be worth something to some employer." Just then Clark produced a business card and handed it to Paul. "You might try looking them up, they are a science lab that has produced plenty of background material for my stories, I think they could use a kid like you, and they might even be able to get you back home with your help. I can provide a character reference if you like." Clark said, "And so can I," said Linda, "for all that is worth." she added. "I thank you both," said Paul, I am anxious to get back to my own time and Universe, however fascinating this Universe has proven to be." Paul shook hands with all those present.

Paul walked out the door, and headed down the hall to the elevator, when Linda came rushing down to meet him. "Wait Paul!" Linda said, she handed him an envelope, "Clark meant to give this to you. He took a collection around the Daily Planet office to help you with your Hotel expenses while you look for work." " I can't believe it!" Paul was touched, they'd do this for a stranger? Paul really didn't believe it, he took the envelope and Linda gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Take care of yourself, ok?" Paul was speechless, he stepped into the elevator and he just stared at Linda as the double doors closed, who is this girl? He thought. Paul opened up the envelope, in it was $2000 in one hundred dollar bills, "Oh my God!" Paul Luthor exclaimed. Paul walked down the lobby past the doorman who held the door open as he stepped out into the rain.