A/N: In this next chapter, the family will do whatever it takes to put Luthor behind bars and to keep the family safe. Thanks to my wonderful beta, Hana, for keeping me on my toes!! Please R&R. Thanks, everyone.

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Chapter 9 – There's Always Hope

Previously:

Everything happened so fast. Oscar attempted to untie Sam's feet, but Buster tried to stop him. Sam saw an opening and jumped on Buster's back trying to grab the gun. It went off, striking Oscar in the leg, but Sam managed to get the gun. He then knocked out Buster and tied him up. You still got it, Sam. That was easy, now to get some answers.

"It's alright, Oscar, I won't hurt you. That's a bad gunshot wound you have there. You know leg wounds are the worst, you could bleed to death. Now, first question, who told you to kidnap me, and second, where the hell are we?"

"Please help me," Oscar pleaded clutching his bleeding leg.

"Time is running out, Oscar, answer me … now!" Sam demanded of the whimpering man on the floor.

##

Jonathan and Lara Kent were not your average little boy and girl attending kindergarten classes. After their last visit to the Fortress with their father, they realized more than ever how different they really are from everyone else. They tried not to let it bother them, but it was hard putting it out of their minds. Their parents told them never to speak to strangers. They also said it was very possible that someone may try and kidnap them, take them away from their home and family, and maybe even try to hurt them. They listened and understood and promised to be careful.

"Come on, Jonny, let's go over there and play on the jungle gym," Lara said. It was recess and they and all the other children were in the school playground trying to enjoy the sun. They tried to put all that bad stuff out of their minds just for a little while. After climbing to the top, Jonny looked around, narrowed his eyes and began to think something was not right. "What's that?" Jonny asked his sister.

"What is it, Jonny? What do you see?" Lara asked.

Jonny narrowed his eyes some more and he could see a man with a camera taking pictures. "Do you hear that, Lara? Do you see him? I won't point to him. Dad said never to point at people, so just look where I'm looking. Do you see him now?" Jonny knew that man should not be taking pictures of them.

"Yes, Jonny, I do. What is he doing? I can't make it out."

"He has a camera and he's taking pictures of us. He's looking right at us."

"What should we do?" Lara asked suddenly afraid.

"Don't look at him anymore. Let's get down slowly and go tell Mrs. Bennett. She'll know what to do."

"Alright," Lara said as she followed her brother inside the school.

After telling Mrs. Bennett everything, she called the police and Mr. and Mrs. Kent, and asked them to come to the school right away.

Superman arrived in about five minutes after the call, searched the area, but didn't see anyone. He did find boot prints by the tree. He froze them, waited for the police to show up, and then gave it to the investigating officer. Hopefully, we'll have some luck in catching this guy. He then discretely changed and went inside to see the kids and speak to their teacher.

"Dad!" The kids chorused, as they ran into their father's waiting arms.

"Are you guys alright?" Clark asked, as he hugged them back. He took several deep breaths trying to calm down. He knew he could track them, but he didn't want his kids to ever feel that kind of terror.

"The children were frightened, Mr. Kent, but they seem to be ok now," Mrs. Bennett said.

Clark looked them over, stroked their hair and smiled at them. Just then, Lois walked into the school's office. "Jonny, Lara?"

"Mom!" The kids were overjoyed to see their Mother. Lois got down on her knees and hugged her children. "Are you alright? Here, let me look at you," she said as she ran her hands over their arms. All the way over to the school, she had managed to calm down, but she was so upset and worried about the children.

"They're fine, Lois," Clark told his wife.

"I'm fine, Mom," Lara said.

"We're alright," Jonny said.

Lois stood up then and faced the teacher. "I can't believe this happened. What can we do to prevent this from happening again in the future?" Lois asked.

Mrs. Bennett took a deep breath and spoke calmly. Overwrought parents were her specialty. "I'm truly sorry this happened, Mr. and Mrs. Kent, but this is a public school. We don't have the resources for security around the perimeter of the school grounds. It is fenced in, but we can't stop unwanted visitors from taking pictures of the children. I'm sorry," she said, genuinely upset about the entire incident.

"We understand, Mrs. Bennett," Clark said as he put his arm around Lois' shoulder.

Mrs. Bennett noticed the time. "Well, it's almost time for their next class," she said as she looked at the children. "I'll understand if you want to take them home now, Mr. and Mrs. Kent."

The children looked to their Mother. "Can we stay, Mom, please?" Lara asked.

Jonny put in his two cents. "Please, Mom?" Jonny asked.

"Lois?" Clark asked his wife expectantly.

"I suppose," Lois reluctantly agreed.

"Good, come along children," Mrs. Bennett said, taking the children back to class.

"Bye, Mom, Dad," Jonny said.

"We'll see you later, bye," Lara said.

Lois and Clark waved goodbye to their children.

Clark pulled Lois into his arms for a moment. Lois sighed, grateful for the comfort. She was so worried about her family. First, her father disappears and now someone was sneaking around taking pictures and watching the children. When will it end?

##

Later that evening, Lois and Clark got a call from Detective John Jones, a family friend. John and Clark went way back and he could be trusted with all their secrets, considering he was a man from Mars.

"Good evening, John. What can you tell me about that foot print I found today?" Clark asked wanting to get right to the point.

"Evening, Clark. Before we get started on that, you do realize that the kids were pretty far away to see the guy behind that tree, right, so what gives?" John suspected he knew the answer but wanted to hear it from Clark.

"Yes, John, the kids have exhibited a few powers lately. They're pretty minimal right now, but they will be like me in about ten years or so. Jonny saw the guy first and then Lara heard the camera shutter taking their picture."

"That's amazing, Clark. How long has it been since you found out?" John asked.

"It's been about two months now. It's been tough, but we're coping."

"Is that John?" Lois asked coming into the living room from the kitchen. She sat down on the sofa next to her husband.

"John, Lois is here. I'm putting you on speaker," Clark said.

"Hi, John. Clark told me about the foot print. Any luck finding anything?" Lois asked.

"Well, it looks like we got ourselves a break. As it turns out, the shoe print was a new shoe, which makes it easier to trace. The shoe came from a store right here in Metropolis. We'll check it out in the morning. If we can catch this guy, it will blow the case wide open."

"You're sure it's Luthor then?" Clark asked.

"Of course, Clark, everything comes back to him and his vendetta against your family. First, the kryptonite shows up on her father's base, then Lois' father is kidnapped, and now someone is watching the kids. It's too much coincidence for it not to be him," John said.

Lois gasped and put her hand over her mouth. "Oh, no, Clark, don't you see? Luthor wants to hurt you through me and our family. It's the only explanation. If he hurts us, then ultimately it will hurt you. His mind is all mixed up Clark, but he still wants to hurt you. That's his plan and it's working. John, we need to put him away for a long time. Please tell me you have something else for us?" Lois begged their friend.

"Actually, I do, and it's the main reason I called. An eyewitness has come forward. She's under police protection right now. She says she was at LuthorCorp the night Lex and his father fought, she witnessed Lex pushing his father out the window, and she has proof," John said.

They stared at each other. Lois put her hand over her mouth as tears sprang into her eyes. Clark stood up taking her into his arms holding her tight against him.

"Guys? Lois, Clark, are you there? Hello?" John shook his head and smiled.

##

Sam Lane left the warehouse where he had been held captive that turned out to be over twenty miles from Metropolis in a rural area unpopulated and pretty much deserted in these economic times. Oscar gave him the keys to the car and they were on their way. The first thing he had to do was to get Oscar to a doctor before he bled to death. Oscar made a lot of promises under duress which Sam intended to see he made good on them no matter what. He locked Buster up inside his make-shift prison and left him there. He didn't have the time or the inclination to carry Buster outside and haul him to the police, and securing him at the scene of the kidnapping would do wonders for their case against Luthor. He used Oscar's cell phone to call Lois and Clark.

Clark took the call from Sam on his cell. "Clark, thank goodness I got you."

"Sam, Sam is that you?"

"Yes, Clark, it's me. I'm alright and I'm on my way back to Metropolis. I have a stop to make, but I should be back in town shortly. I barely managed to escape that hellhole. Is Lois near by?"

"Sam, slow down and tell me what happened. We've been searching everywhere for you. Lois has been so worried about you."

Sam took a deep breath. "It's a long story, but in summary I was kidnapped by Luthor's goons, but I just managed to escape a little while ago. I still have no idea why he kidnapped me and for what purpose. The only thing that comes to mind was that I was getting too close to whatever crazy scheme he had cooked up against Superman. But I need Superman's help right now, Clark. Can you contact him for me?" It was their way of communicating, just in case anyone was listening.

"I can try. What should I tell him?"

"Tell him that there's one more kidnapper located in an abandoned warehouse north of town on Interstate 66, just past a deserted car dealership and a boarded up grocery store. He can't miss it. The room is lead lined and sound proof, but the kidnapper is locked up tight. He shouldn't have any trouble getting him to the police. He said his name is Buster. I would have taken him with me, but with the other kidnapper bleeding to death, I didn't have the time."

"I'll let Superman know. Sam, I'm so glad you're alright. Lois will be very happy when she hears the news." Clark was in the air several moments later on his way to pick up Buster.

"I can't wait to see her. Can I speak to her?"

"She's at the office. I'll call her and give her the news. You take care of what you have to do, and I'll see you later at the house after you've made your statement to the police."

"Thanks, Clark. I have a story to tell, and the police will hear all about it."

"Take care, Sam, and we'll see you at the house later."

"Bye, Clark."

"Bye, Sam." Lois will be so relieved and happy to hear the news. The warehouse is up ahead, I'll call her once I get this kidnapper in custody. It shouldn't take but a few minutes.

Clark focused his attention on the abandoned warehouse up ahead. The entire building must be lead-lined. Well, I'll just have to knock down all these doors to find him. He called to the kidnapper. "Buster, Buster? Are you in here?" There was no answer. He tried the upper floor. There was only one more door left, and he must be in here. He knocked the door down and then it hit him and it was too late to do anything. The room was full of kryptonite. He tried to leave but his legs wouldn't move. He hit the floor gasping for breath. He tried to reach inside his cape where the ice crystal El locator was hidden. Just a little more and I'll have it in my hands.

"I don't think that's such a good idea," Buster said taking the crystal from Clark.

"Neither do I," Luthor said walking into the room. "I'll take that," Luthor said, taking the crystal from Buster. He stared at it for a few moments narrowing his eyes. There was something teasing him at the edges of his memory, something that was just out of his reach. I can't quite grasp it, but it's there.

End of Act II: Lex Luthor Returns

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A/N: Sorry for the evil cliffie! Act III: The Fight of Their Lives begins shortly.

Thanks for reading. Reviews are like little bursts of sunshine. Clark and the kids would be so pleased!!