Disclaimer: I don't own Smallville. If I did, I'd be at the beach right now.

A/N: This next chapter finds Lois and her Father … well, I'll say no more. Needless to say, they need to settle down and work things out. I hope you like it. Thanks again to my wonderful betas for all their support and kind words. *hugs* Please R&R. Thanks!

**~~**

Chapter 5 – Daddy Dearest

Previously:

"Good evening, Lo." Sam greeted his daughter.

"Daddy, come in," Lois said opening the door for him.

"How are you? How are the kids? When you called, it sounded urgent. Is everything ok?" Sam was worried about them.

"Good evening, Sam," Clark said. He was standing at the top of the stairs in the suit, the kids were standing beside him in their pajamas, and they were holding their father's hands.

"Oh, my god," Sam whispered, stunned.

##

"Grandpa, grandpa!" Lara and Jonny bounded down the stairs and into their grandfather's arms.

"Lara, Jonny, it's so good to see you." Sam hugged his grandchildren. He tried to keep the tears at bay, but it was hard.

When Sam looked to the top of stairs again, Clark was there, but he was in jeans and a tee-shirt with glasses on his face.

"Alright kids, your grandpa will see you another time. It's time for bed. Say goodnight," Lois told the kids.

"Awww, do we have to?" They knew their mother's face when there was no point in arguing or pleading. "Goodnight, grandpa, we love you," Lara said. The kids kissed their grandpa's cheek and went up to bed. "Goodnight, Lara, goodnight Jonny ... I love you too," Sam said, as he watched them go up the stairs until he couldn't see them anymore.

"Goodnight kids," Clark said, once they'd come up the stairs. He came down and stood next to his wife.

Lois crossed her arms. "Well, Daddy, please explain yourself and I don't want to hear any excuses."

"Lois, you're married to Superman and have two kids by him, and you want me to explain? Why didn't you tell me years ago? I'm in shock. I can't believe this. You married an alien and had his babies?"

Clark sighed and went to stand by the fireplace. He had heard the word often enough but hearing it from his own family was quite a blow.

"Daddy, apologize to Clark this minute," Lois said trying to control her temper.

"Lois, he is an alien. He's not human. Oh, my god. My grandchildren are some sort of hybrid, cross-bred species, or I don't know what they are. I'm shocked Lois. How could you?"

"You see, Clark? This is why I never wanted him to know. I knew he would react this way."

"Lois, let me try and talk to him," Clark said.

"No, Clark, not until he apologizes. Now, Daddy," Lois was barely holding her temper in.

Sam sighed. "Alright, I apologize. I'm sorry," he said.

Clark came up to stand in front of Sam. He backed up a step. "Sam, I don't want to intimidate you, but my children and my wife will not be insulted or made to feel less than what they are. They are God's children, beautiful, smart and loving and they deserve your respect. If you can't give them that, then you are not welcome here. Your daughter and grandchildren would miss you, and I know you would miss them. I accept your apology. I hope you meant it."

"I did mean it … I do mean it Clark. This has all been such a shock. Lois, I really am sorry. I would miss the children very much. I love them. I didn't know they were … Superman's children. I would never hurt them. Please believe me." Sam stammered his apology.

"Alright, Daddy, we accept your apology. I know it was a shock. Here, come and sit down. We have something very important to ask you," Lois said, as she led her father to the living room. "Daddy, the kids were exposed to kryptonite at your base. Kryptonite cannot be around my family, not in any way. So, why is it there?"

"Lois, I don't know what you're talking about," Sam said confused by her question.

"I knew it," Lois said. "You see, Clark? The Army means more to him than his own flesh and blood. We are a part of you too, Daddy. You shouldn't have forgotten that, but you have. You can leave now. I don't want you here and I don't want to see you ever again. I mean it, Daddy."

"But Lo …" Sam began.

"Lois, calm down," Clark said. "We need to know more. Sam, please help us."

"Don't plead with him, Clark. It won't do any good," Lois said standing up and going to stand beside her husband. She couldn't stand the sight of her own father. She was on the verge of tears, she was so angry.

Clark put has arm around Lois' shoulder to comfort her. "Sam, the kryptonite has to be destroyed. All of it has to be destroyed. We're counting on you. Your grandchildren are counting on you. Please, Sam," Clark pleaded with his father-in-law.

Sam looked at Lois and Clark. They were his family. It didn't really matter that Clark was different from everyone on the planet. He could see Lois wouldn't believe him now if he told her he had no idea there was kryptonite on his military base. The base is my responsibility, and I should have known about it. Why didn't I and why was it there? Someone will answer for this. I have to find out what is going on. If the Army is stock piling kryptonite when it could destroy my family, then I will put a stop to it no matter what I have to do. It isn't right. I have to get rid of it somehow, someway.

Sam stood up from the sofa and tried to explain. "Alright, I'll do my best to find out what's going on and I will take care of it. I promise. Lois, please. I want to visit my grandchildren. I would miss them … and you, very much. You do believe me, don't you?" Sam was losing control of his emotions.

Lois saw it and was shocked by it. She couldn't remember ever seeing her father cry. "Oh, Daddy, why do you make me so angry? I want to believe you."

"I'll prove to you that you can trust me, Lo. I'll get rid of the kryptonite, Clark. Somehow, someway, I will."

Clark held out his hand. "Thank you, Sam." They shook hands. Lois had her father back. Clark couldn't help it. He pulled Sam into his arms, and slapped him on the back.

Sam was shocked at first, but he couldn't help hugging Clark back. "Thank you, Clark, for believing me." He turned to Lois.

"Lois?" Clark asked, tilting his head toward her Dad.

Sam held out his arms. Lois sighed and went into her father's arms. She couldn't hold the tears in any longer. She started to cry.

"There, there. Don't cry. Daddy will take care of everything. Don't worry. As soon as it's all gone, I'll let you know. Please, don't cry." Sam rocked and hugged his little girl.

Lois pulled back, wiped at her eyes, and then kissed her father's cheek. "I love you, Daddy. Thank you for helping us."

Sam touched her cheek. "I'll take care of it. Now, can I go upstairs and say goodnight to the kids? I won't wake them, I promise."

"Sure, go on up," Lois said.

"Thanks, honey." He headed up the stairs.

Clark held out his arms. She went into them gladly. Lois sighed, filled with relief and hope that everything would be alright now.

##

After leaving his family that evening, Sam Lane took his time returning to the base. His mind immediately went to his son-in-law, Clark Kent …Superman. He shook his head. My son-in-law is the most powerful being on the planet capable of ruling the world if he wanted to, but that is the farthest thing from his mind. Clark wants to help people, right the injustices in the world, and most of all, to be the best husband and father he could be.

He couldn't fault him for that, far from it. He knew he had failed miserably in both departments, but he wanted to shake his hand again and welcome him into the family properly. He couldn't think of a more deserving man for his little girl. He would be proud to lead him into battle against any enemy who would try and hurt his family. They would have to go through both him and Clark.

But now, it was Sam's responsibility to find out who that enemy was. Who was responsible for putting kryptonite on the base? Was it on other bases in other cities? How long had it been there? So many questions were going through his mind, but no answers were forthcoming. It was late, but he had to get on this problem. He couldn't help feeling it was urgent that this be taken care of as soon as possible.

When he finally arrived back at the base, he went to his office and went through his contact list hoping to find someone who could help put the pieces together. He had a lot of contacts in all the armed forces, as well as on Capitol Hill. He decided to call Washington. Yes, Washington was the right place to start. If nothing panned out there, he would work his way down, but if his hunch was right, senators or even the President himself could be involved. He hoped that wasn't the case. The red tape would be endless and could take months or even years to wade through. Sam sighed. It is going to be a long night.

##

Later that evening, after Lois' father had left, Lois and Clark went upstairs to their bedroom. Lois was exhausted, so she got undressed, put on a nightgown and immediately climbed into bed. She sighed. What a week. "Clark, are you coming to bed? I can't keep my eyes open any longer." She watched her husband getting undressed.

"I'll be right back. I'm going to check on the kids." He left her and went to the kids' rooms. He watched them both with his x-ray vision. They were sleeping soundly. Clark sighed. Lois and I are still in shock from all that happened this past week. First, we find out the kids were exposed to kryptonite, which we thought would never happen, then their powers come in way too soon for them to deal with them, and now we find out their grandfather might be responsible for all of it. It was a lot to deal with, but we will get though this as a family.

When he got back to their bedroom, Lois was yawning trying to stay awake. "Are they alright?" She yawned again.

'They're fine. No floating," Clark said as he climbed into bed, pulling Lois into his arms. Clark sighed again.

"What are you thinking, Clark?" Lois asked.

"I was just thinking about what your father said. He really had no idea the kryptonite was there. The question is who put it there and why. We'll find out whose responsible and I believe your father will be there for us, and he'll help us get rid of it, Lois. I believe that."

"I believe him too, Clark, but he may not have the authority to get rid of it. You know the government. Who knows what the pecking order is, why this happened, or what their plan is, whatever that may be? I'm so worried for our family, Clark. Tell me everything will be alright."

Clark pulled her closer. "You know I won't let anything happen to you or the kids, Lois. I'll protect my family no matter who it is. Trust me, Lois."

"I do trust you, Clark." She turned to face him. "And I love you with all heart. I have all the faith in the world in you. Don't ever doubt that." She leaned in to kiss him, thinking he needed her reassurance of her faith and her love.

Clark kissed her back pulling her tighter against him. They both needed reassurance and they were both willing and able to do just that.

##

Several days had passed and Lois was beginning to have her doubts about her father again. She and Clark hadn't heard a word from him. They were at a coffee shop when Lois received a call. It was her father. "Hello, Daddy. Yes, Clark is here with me. What did you find out? Oh, I see. Yes, Daddy," Lois said, sighing into the phone. "Yes, Clark heard you. We'll be in touch when we can talk about this. Yes, goodbye, Daddy. Thank you for your help." Lois hung up the phone.

As soon as she hung up, it rang again. It was one of her sources. Apparently, there were rumors that Lex Luthor had returned to Metropolis and was planning to make a public appearance to the media about his miraculous return.

End of Act I: Awakening.

##

A/N: Oh, dear, Lex is back! I hope you liked it. Act II: Lex Luthor Returns begins shortly. Thanks for reading, everyone. Reviews are love!!