Chapter 2

"Lois? Lois!" the voice was a high whisper.

She kept her eyes closed, not wanting to move. Her abdomen ached which meant that what she experienced wasn't a dream. A part of her wanted nothing more than to lay there and not do anything. However, even at the worst of times, that just wasn't how she operated. There was a story here and she needed… had to find to out just exactly it was.

"Lois!"

She opened her eyes, adjusting to the light. Instead of a cell like she was expecting, she found herself in a plain room with no windows and two doors. That wasn't her main concern though.

"You!" She shot up, but winced from the pain in her stomach. Lex Luthor put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't touch me!" she exclaimed as she smacked his hand away.

"Lois, I'm here to help you."

"Help me? What's in it for you?"

"I understand your suspicion, but I'm nothing like your Lex Luthor."

"What are you talking about?" She rubbed her eyes. "What the hell did you do?"

"Ah, so you've already found out about Superman." His voice was tinged with sympathy.

"You didn't answer my question." She glared at him.

"What happened to Superman is a long story." He went over to a table and poured a glass of water. Lois continued glaring at him. "Here." He poured another glass and brought it over to her.

Hesitantly, she took it. It most likely was safe since he was drinking from the same pitcher. She took a few sips. "Where am I? The last thing I remember is blacking out."

"I've been working on a device that detects certain frequencies. I found you during a test run and created a distraction in order to bring you to my home. The room we're in now has been fortified to prevent any type of surveillance."

"What, do you have some sort of master plan in store for me?"

"I'm trying to protect you."

She looked at him in confusion. "Protect me from what?"

"If he found out you were here…"

"Where is 'here?'"

Luthor took a deep breath. "Lois. Have you ever heard of the concept of parallel worlds?"

"In science fiction. Are you trying to tell me that's what this is?"

"Before you came here, were you enveloped by a blue energy field?"

"So it was you!"

He held up a hand. "Yes, I'm familiar with the technology, but it wasn't me that brought you here. I was hoping that you'd never have to see this."

She sat back and scrutinized him. She knew Luthor could pull off sincerity with barely concealed condescension. However, the man she was talking to now seemed completely sincere.

She gave a hollow laugh. "A parallel universe would be the only explanation as to why you're so nice."

He smiled, but quickly grew serious. "Aside from a few differences, people and events are the exact same as your world."

"My Superman is nothing like yours."

"At one point he was. And he was also my best friend."

"What happened?"

Luthor solemnly closed his eyes. "Five years ago, the Joker used fear toxin to trick Superman. He thought he was fighting Doomsday but… it was actually you. Or at least this world's 'you'." He ignored her horrified expression. "Joker implanted a device into you that detonated a nuclear bomb when you and the baby's hearts stopped. Metropolis was destroyed in an instant."

To the millions that lost their lives because of a mistake. Never again

"I… She was pregnant?" she whispered. "But… But that wouldn't have caused him to change." Her chest hurt worse than her stomach.

"In his grief, he killed the Joker and took a new policy on how to deal with criminals. I admit that I fully supported his plan, but I didn't think it would come to this."

"You said the two of you were best friends. Why didn't you stop him?" Her tone was harsh.

"I tried." He sounded tired. "Other heroes tried, but he killed whoever stood against him."

"Even Batman?"

"No, Batman is still alive. He leads the Insurgency to bring down Superman's regime."

"And you?"

"I secretly fund the cause while working with Superman."

"So what happens now?"

"For the time being, you'll be staying with me. The soldiers won't realize who you are. It's the rogue heroes we have to worry about, although they have their hands full at the moment."

Something clicked for Lois. "My world's Justice League. Some of them, anyway. Why were they brought here?"

"I think it's best that you rest for the time being. All your questions will be answered." He handed her a small device that looked like a usb stick. "If you need anything, just use this. That door over there leads to a bathroom. There are fresh towels and a change of clothing."

Before he left the room, he glanced back to Lois. His mouth opened, but he quickly closed it. She didn't hear the door shut.

She put her head in her hands, slightly hunching over. The emotions she was feeling drowned out the pain. Anger. Hurt. Confusion. She was on the verge of crying due to frustration. Her body was shaking. A shower seemed like a great idea. Anything was better than just sitting there.

Putting an arm lightly around her stomach, she walked to the bathroom door. Opening it, she was greeted by different hues of white with splashes of gold. "I wonder if there's a world where Luthor doesn't like having the best of everything." she muttered.

Undressing was a slow process. She had been injured before while pursuing a story, but that was just one of the cons of the job. As she dropped her blouse, she gazed into the mirror and winced. In the middle of her stomach was a somewhat oval bruise. It was smaller than she expected.

Turning on the water, she didn't wait long before standing underneath the showerhead. She was careful not to let the stream hit her stomach directly. Her mind started to wander.

Lex Luthor and Superman being best friends. If it wasn't for the… other truths about this world, that fact alone would have been the biggest shock of all. She wondered how her world's Luthor would react. Probably something worth filming or at least taking a picture. She smiled and reached for a towel.

As she put on a fresh set of clothes, she felt refreshed and energized. Well, at least physically. Mentally, she had difficulty stopping all the questions from repeating. The what ifs and sharp changes in emotions.

Picking up the communicator Luthor left for her, she briefly contemplated asking for a meal. She actually wasn't very hungry, but figured it was better that she have something.

Before she pressed the button, his voice came through.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better. I just showered. I was just about to call and ask for something to eat."

"I'll bring it shortly."

She paused but then quickly said, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He ended the call.

Luthor went into his foyer and pressed a button on his wrist watch. Part of the wall slid over, revealing a secret room. Going inside, the door closed behind him. The room was lined with lead. In the center of the room, he stood on a pressure pad that prompted a small computer to rise out of the floor. He hit a few keys to initiate an audio connection. "There's a new development." There was an expectant silence on the other end. "Lois is here."

"Bring her. Now."

The connection was cut off.