A/N: This next chapter finds the family struggling with what to do next, and Luthor's discovery hearing does not go well … for Luthor. Thank you, Hana for hanging tough with me on this one. *hugs her beta* Please R&R. Thanks, everyone.

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Chapter 11 – Perseverance

Previously:

"I like the sound of that. What are you going to tell Lois?"

Clark's head began to swim. "Oh, no, I think I'm going to be sick … again."

Oliver chuckled.

Detective John Jones pulled up in his car then as several other patrol cars rolled up behind him a few minutes later.

"Well, well, my two favorite superheroes. Clark, you don't look so good."

Clark and Oliver looked at each other then, and they both shook their heads.

##

Clark refused to go to Star Labs, but instead he wanted to go home to be with his family. He knew his powers would return in a few hours. Oliver was reluctant, but he could understand Clark's need to be with his family right now.

Lois, meanwhile, had just arrived home. Her father was waiting for her on the front porch. She saw him and ran to him, giving him a warm hug. "Oh, Daddy, you're alright. I'm so happy to see you."

"I'm fine, honey. It's good to see you too," Sam said hugging her back.

"I want to hear everything. I just got off the phone with Clark, and he said the kids are alright, that he's alright, and that he needed to talk to me in person about something." She looked around. "Where is everyone? Do you have any idea what's going on?"

"No, Lois, I have no idea. Like I told you earlier, I haven't seen or heard from Clark since I told him where to pick up the other kidnapper. I'm so glad he and the kids alright."

"But where are they? Shouldn't they be here by now?"

Just then, Bart came walking towards Lois coming from the back of the house. The kids were with him. "Hi, Lois," Bart said.

"Bart? What in the world …?" Lois didn't finish her sentence.

She saw her children running towards her and yelling for her, "Mom, Mom!" Lara and Jonny were very happy to see her.

Lois was so happy, as she came down the front steps and ran to them, pulling them into her arms. She immediately noticed their grip, and how tight they were holding her. They're so strong, even stronger than ever. What in the world happened to them? "Lara, Jonny, are you alright? Where were you? What happened to you?" She had a million questions for them.

Instead of answering her, they turned and looked at Bart, who couldn't meet Lois' eyes. The kids were quiet, which wasn't like them at all.

"Will somebody answer me, please?" Lois couldn't believe it. She was getting the silent treatment.

"Lois, we should wait for Clark," Bart said.

Lois sighed. "Ok, then, let's all go inside where we can talk. Come on in Bart, Daddy, kids. I'm sure Clark will be along in a little while. Maybe he'll have some answers for me."

##

Clark didn't know which was worse, being slowly killed by kryptonite or having to tell Lois the truth about what happened in that warehouse. Not only did he walk into Luthor's trap, but the children were also in the middle of it too. Thinking back on it now, he could not have been more proud of them. If it weren't for them, he would not be here.

"Do you know what you're going to say to her?" Oliver asked as he pulled up in front of the house.

"I have to tell her the truth, Oliver. She needs to know what happened."

"Clark, you don't have your powers. She could very well kill you, you know?" Oliver said trying to lighten the mood. It didn't work.

Clark sighed. "This is not the time for jokes, Oliver. This is serious."

"Sorry. Are you going to tell me what happened in there?"

"I will, as soon as I figure out what I need to do. I have a lot of thinking to do first and I'm sure Lois will have a lot to say about everything."

"I understand Clark. Just know the League is there to help."

"Thanks, Oliver for all your help." Clark got out of the car. He'd changed out of the suit and into his work clothes after speaking with John and making a statement to the police. He had stayed until Lex was brought out in handcuffs. Their eyes locked for a moment, neither saying a word. Oliver watched the exchange and couldn't help but wonder what had happened.

Now as he stood in front of house thinking about his family, about how much he loved them and would do anything for them, and about how much he needed them too. The front door opened and Lara and Jonny came running out to greet him. He got down on his knees and gathered them close to his heart.

"Dad, you're home," Lara said hugging her father.

Jonny pulled back and looked into his father's face. "Are you ok now, Dad?"

"I'm good. How are you two doing?" Clark whispered to them then. "You didn't say anything to your mother, did you?" He asked and looked to see if Lois was listening to their conversation.

"No, Dad, we didn't say anything," Lara whispered back.

"Good. So, you're both feeling alright, then?" Clark asked.

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

"Me, too, Dad," Jonny said.

"Alright then, let's go inside," Clark said. This is it. He saw Lois standing at the door with her arms crossed quirking an eyebrow at him.

Lois stood watching them and wondering what they were whispering about. She shook her head at her family. She would find out what was going on or somebody would get hurt around here, verbally of course. As Clark came closer, she couldn't help but think, he looks like he's been in a fight to the death and lost. "Clark?" She was at a loss for words as she stared at him stunned.

Clark saw her expression and wanted to reassure her, so he took her into his arms. "I'm alright," he said. He breathed in her scent, taking in her essence, thanking the gods he could still be here with her and with his family.

Lois didn't know what was going on, but Clark needed her now. She pulled back and looked at him again. She touched his cheek. "Clark?" She asked again.

"Lois, we should talk," Clark began.

"Oh, alright, umm, Daddy, could you take the kids out for a quick bite to eat?" Lois asked her father, hoping he would do this without asking questions.

"Sure, Lo," Sam said understanding. "Come on kids. Your Mom and Dad need some time to talk about grown-up things. Are you hungry?" They both nodded yes. "I am too. I could eat a horse, I'm so hungry."

"People don't eat horses, grandpa," Jonny said.

"They don't?" Sam asked scratching his chin. "You're right, they don't. That's just an old saying. Don't ask me where it came from. It's silly, isn't it? Come on, let's go. Bart, want to join us for a bite to eat?"

"Sure, Sam," Bart said and went over to Lois and Clark then. "I'm glad everyone's alright, amigo."

"Thanks, Bart for being there for us. I appreciate it," Clark said.

"No problem, Clark. Bye, Lois."

"Bye, Bart, and thanks," Lois said.

"We'll be back in an hour or so," Sam said leading the kids to the door. "Say goodbye to your Mom and Dad, kids."

"Bye, Mom, bye Dad," Lara and Jonny chorused.

"Bye, guys!" Lois and Clark both waved goodbye.

##

After the front door had closed and they were alone, Lois and Clark stood in their living room both dreading their next conversation, but knowing there was no way around it.

"I'm not going to like this, am I?" Lois left her husband's arms and went to sit on the sofa. "Well, let's hear it."

"I don't know where to start, Lois," Clark said avoiding looking at her.

"Well, you could start by telling me why you look like crap."

"My powers are gone, but they'll probably return within the next few hours," Clark sadly replied.

"Oh my god, I suspected that might be the case. Tell me what happened. Here, come and sit down," Lois said and patted the sofa next to her.

Clark went and sat down. He felt like the weight of the world was on his shoulders, but he knew Lois would understand eventually.

"Go ahead, I'm listening," Lois said encouraging him to speak. She took his hand in hers.

Clark stared at their joined hands and suddenly felt a little better. He took a deep breath and forged ahead. He told her everything that happened. He told her about Lex's trap, the kryptonite, the kids' rescue of him, and about Lex being arrested. "There's more, Lois," he said dreading what he would say next.

"What is it, Clark?" Lois said bracing herself. What more can happen to my family?

"Just before the kids arrived, Lex was staring at the crystal for several moments, and he remembered me. He called me … Clark."

Lois gasped. "Lex knows who you are? He knows your secret?"

"Yes, Lois, he knows. It was the crystal that triggered his memory."

Lois stood up and started pacing. "What are we going to do, Clark?"

"I don't know. I have to go see him again. That much I do know."

"Why in the world would you go see him again? He's just going to lie and try and intimidate you. He's crazy, Clark. You know you can't reason with him."

"Lois, he has nothing to loose now, while we, on the other hand, have everything to loose." Clark started forming an idea in his head on how to stop him.

"No one will believe anything he says, Clark. He's going to prison for a long, long time," Lois said hoping he wouldn't go to see him.

Clark stood up then, went to her and took her hands in his. "Lois, we can't take the chance that someone will listen and believe him. We can't live our lives with this hanging over our heads. I have to bargain with him somehow, give him something he wants," Clark said hoping his plan would work.

"Clark, he wants to kill you, do you understand that? He wants you dead. Are you going to lie down and die, because that's what he wants more than anything."

Clark sighed. "I know that Lois, believe me I do."

Lois didn't know what else to say to him. They went into each others arms then, holding tight to each other. "We'll think of something. We'll figure this out together," she said as they took comfort from each other.

##

The next day, Luthor's discovery hearing went ahead as planned. It was too late to write a motion to delay the hearing, so his attorney had no choice but to attend knowing he had no defense against his client's actions. The district attorney had been informed first thing that morning of all that had transpired the day before. The hearing was held in the judge's private office.

Both lawyers stood up as Judge Davis entered his chambers. "Be seated, gentlemen."

Judge Davis nodded to the district attorney. "Harrison, let's hear it."

"Your honor, in addition to our indictment and our discovery documents, I've just learned that Mr. Luthor has been arrested and now sits in county jail for kidnapping and attempted murder. He attempted to kill Superman with kryptonite that he had stored at a military base that housed the main office of the kidnapped victim, General Samuel Lane. Mr. Luthor is also suspected of hiring someone to spy and take photographs of the grandchildren of General Lane. Mr. Luthor has a vendetta against one of our most revered and respected families in Metropolis, your Honor.

"And who are they, Harrison?" Judge Davis asked.

"The Kents, your Honor."

"Do you mean the Daily Planet's Lois and Clark Kent?"

"Yes, your Honor."

"Is this all true, Dennison?" Judge Davis asked Luthor's lawyer.

"Well, I umm," Dennison mumbled. "I haven't spoken to my client. I only heard this morning that he had been arrested. There wasn't time to confer with my client, so I, umm, have no comment at this time."

Judge Davis took several notes. "Is there anything else, Harrison?"

"No, there's nothing else, your Honor."

The Judge's clerk entered the chambers and whispered something to him. "Dennison, my clerk has just informed me there is an opening in my calendar. I've just scheduled Mr. Luthor's trial for two weeks from today. Your client will remain behind bars until that time. I suggest you sit down with your client and with Mr. Harrison, and work out a plea bargain, because the evidence against your client is overwhelming. You do have your work cut out for you. This hearing is adjourned."

##

A/N: Luthor just couldn't leave Clark alone!! The family has one more hurdle. Thanks for reading. Reviews are love!