A/N: This next chapter finds the family looking for answers. What will Clark do to protect his family? What options does he have and how far will he go? Read and find out. Please R&R. Thanks, everyone.

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Chapter 12 – The Man of Steel

Previously:

"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 here 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."

##

Lois and Clark were up practically all night going over their options. After what happened at the warehouse, they felt that the news conference at the army base needed to be scheduled as soon as possible. After much discussion, they had come up with a plan and it sounded like the perfect solution. It would take care of Luthor, solve a multitude of problems and their family's future and Clark's secret would be secure.

After the press conference was scheduled days before Luthor's trial, a family meeting was planned so everyone could meet to go over every detail to make sure nothing went wrong. Lois and Clark were confident it would work. Sam, Lucy, Martha, and Chloe were all at the farmhouse to talk about it and to answer any questions.

Martha was worried about the entire plan. "Clark, are you sure this is going to work? You've never done anything like this before, son."

"I know, Mom. I've been to the Fortress several times and Jor-El has assured me that it would work. I just have to be very careful about the timing."

"It's a brilliant idea Clark. You certainly are full of surprises," Chloe said.

"Thanks, Chloe."

"And with the press from all over the area there, Luthor will have no choice but to keep his mouth shut from now on, and we never have to see or hear from him again," Lois said convinced their plan would work.

"Sam, do you have any questions about tomorrow?" Clark asked his father-in-law.

"No, I know what I'm going to say Clark, and I'll say it too, your plan is brilliant. I'm proud of you son."

Clark stared at his father-in-law. He blinked several times trying not to be moved by his words. He cleared his throat. "Thanks ... Dad."

Lois smiled at both of them.

Clark returned her smile. He cleared his throat again. "Now, is everyone sure of what they have to do? Do we need to go over it again?" Clark asked.

"Lucy, Lois and I are so glad you were able to come down from school and help with the kids. It means a lot knowing the kids are safe with family especially tomorrow."

"No problem, Clark. I'm happy to help. I don't see my niece and nephew nearly enough, and school is on spring break, and I don't do those crazy spring break trips anymore."

"Thank goodness for that," Lois said smiling at her sister.

Everyone looked up at the sound of little feet bounding down the stairs. Lara and Jonny rushed to say hello to their favorite aunt and to give her a hug.

"Aunt Lucy, it's so good to see you," Lara said.

"We miss you, Aunt Lucy," Jonny said.

"Awww, I've missed you guys too. Look at how much you've grown. Wow, Jonny, before you know it, you'll be as tall as your father in no time. And Lara, you get more beautiful everyday."

"Thank you, Aunt Lucy," Lara said.

"Can you stay long?" Jonny said.

"I'll be here all week, and your Mom and Dad have asked me to watch after you for a few days. How does that sound?"

"That's great, Aunt Lucy," Lara said.

"That's awesome," Jonny said.

"Alright guys, it's getting late, and we have a big day tomorrow. Lucy, are you staying with us or do you want to stay out here with Martha? It's your choice."

"Actually, Lois, I like it out here. I'll be at your house bright and early tomorrow before the news conference."

"Perfect. Good night everyone. We'll see you all at the news conference."

"Good night, Lois, Clark," Martha said.

Everyone said their goodnights. Martha walked them to the door, gave her son a hug and touched his cheek. "I'm proud of you Clark no matter what happens."

"I know, night Mom," Clark said and kissed her goodnight.

"Good night, son," Martha said closing her eyes as several prayers came into her mind.

##

A week after he was arrested, Lex sat in his jail cell thinking of ways to use the valuable piece of information against his hated enemy. He found himself back at the warehouse remembering what had happened. It was like all the pieces of a puzzle that were drifting inside his mind were now all fitting together perfectly, and he could see everything so clearly. He shook his head. Clark Kent and Superman are one and the same. Luthor laid back and put his feet up on the bed. He was handed a get out of jail free card after Buster handed him that crystal. I'll just have Clark bust me out of jail. There's no way I'll get out of here any other way. I can't beat the charges now. My plans would have worked except for the idiots I hired.

The guard came to his cell then and opened the door. "Luthor, Clark Kent is here to see you."

Well, well, the mountain has come to Muhammad, Luthor thought. He followed the guard to the waiting area and Clark was there sitting at the table. Clark will realize one thing ... how much I hates him and he will pay for all he's done to me. It's all his fault Lana turned against me and I lost the one person who ever really loved me.

Lex's inner thoughts were not visible on his face. He managed to keep his cool in front of Clark. "It's nice of you to come visit me again, Clark. Are you sufficiently recovered?" Luthor asked as he sat at the table.

Clark ignored the question. "Lex, I'm here for one reason and one reason only, to get this ridiculous idea out of your head. Superman told me what happened and you seem to be under the impression that I'm Superman, which is ridiculous. I have a wife and two children. I drive to work everyday. I vacation with my family every summer. My kids go to public school, for goodness sake."

"You seem to be forgetting something, Clark. I remember everything. All our past, all the crazy and unexplained things that happened in Smallville when you were around, I remember. So you just go on and on if you want to, but you won't change my mind. I know who and what you are."

"I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to get through to you, so Superman and I came up with a plan. There's a news conference that will be starting in ten minutes. Superman will be there to greet the press." Clark got up and spoke to the guard. "All the other inmates are in the television viewing room, Lex. The guard said you could watch television for five minutes. You'll see for yourself and you'll be convinced once and for all that I'm telling you the truth. I'll be right here when you get back. Guard, Mr. Luthor is ready now."

After the guard and Luthor left the waiting area, Clark went and stood under the security camera inside the room. He then took out the crystal, stared at it for several moments, put it back inside his pocket and then he slowly faded away, but not completely. If anyone came into the room, they would see him standing there, but he was as still as a statue. I have only 5 minutes to get this right.

##

Meanwhile at the news conference, Superman flew over the crowd and hovered in the sky. He waved at everyone, but didn't speak. Sam, Lois, Chloe, Perry and Jimmy were all there watching his every move.

"Jimmy, get lots of shots, alright?" Lois asked.

"No problem, Lois," Jimmy said as he snapped picture after picture.

General Samuel Lane came up to the podium and welcomed Superman. "Ladies and gentlemen, I see our guest of honor has arrived. Thank you for coming everyone, and thank you for coming Superman." Superman nodded to the crowd again. "Let me start by saying how sad we are that an attempt was made on your life. The kryptonite is no longer on this base or any other base in this country or around the world." He turned to the press then. "As you can see from the press release that was handed to you upon your arrival this morning, the public officials here at this conference have stated that any and all kryptonite will now be illegal to possess."

Superman nodded and waved to the crowd again. They applauded and wanted to ask Superman questions, but he was waving goodbye now. "I'm sorry ladies and gentlemen, Superman can't stay. He let us know beforehand that he has another engagement in London this afternoon, and it is getting late over there. Thank you for coming, Superman."

Superman waved to the crowd again and then flew up and away. Superman was several miles in a secluded area before he faded away.

At that same moment, Clark faded back into himself. He looked around, sat down and waited for Luthor to come back. He walked in just as Clark sat down to wait for him.

Luthor shook his head at Clark and couldn't help but be impressed by what he had just seen.

"Well, Lex, was he there? Did you see him?"

"Yes, I saw him. That was brilliant, Clark. I've seen a lot in my lifetime, but that was incredible," Lex said very impressed with Clark's actions in spite of himself.

"Superman is impressive, isn't he? Every time I see him in person, I'm awestruck by the man." Clark stood up to leave. "I'm just relieved you were able to see for yourself that telling anyone this ridiculous story about me will only make you look like a crazy person Lex. You don't want to spend your days and nights in a prison psych ward, do you? I didn't think so. Guard!" He went to the door, then turned to look at Lex one last time. "Goodbye, Lex." Clark walked out without looking back or saying another word.

Lex watched Clark leave and couldn't believe what had just happened. He put has elbows on the table, put his head in his hands, and thought about his life and how he had come to this point. He had a long, long time to think about that and a lot of other things, too. He had nothing but time now.

##

When Clark exited the jailhouse, he barely managed to make it down the steps without holding onto the railing. Lois drove up just in time to see him stumble and sit down. She went to him and helped him inside the front seat of the car. She sat in the driver's seat and watched him for a moment.

"Clark, are you alright?" Lois asked worried about him. She brushed his hair back from his forehead and rubbed his shoulder and arm.

Clark took her hand in his and squeezed it. "I'm alright, Lois. I just need a few minutes." He let his head fall back on the car headrest. "Remind me if I ever come up with any more bright ideas like this, you'll knock me out with a kryptonite bat. I feel like I'm inside out or something. It's really a strange feeling, and I don't like it at all."

"I'm sorry Clark, but we really had no other choice. Lex had to know that no one would believe him if he started sprouting off about you and Superman being the same person. It worked, didn't it? Tell me what happened after Luthor saw you on television."

He opened his eyes and smiled at her remembering Luthor's reaction. "Well, after he came back to the visitor's room, he was very impressed by what he'd seen, but he couldn't deny that he wouldn't be able to hold my secret over my head or use it against me. It felt good to have the upper hand in a conversation with him. Lex has always had this air about him, like he was so much better than anyone else. I think I knocked him down a peg or two."

"I wish I could have seen his face when he realized he was going to jail for a very long time. I wonder if they'll still be a trial. I wonder if he's going to plea bargain, give the district attorney a few crime bosses names or maybe he won't say a word. It's hard to tell what Luthor will do now."

"I really don't care what he does, as long as he leaves our family alone," Clark said closing his eyes and leaning his head back on the car headrest again.

"Amen to that," Lois said as she squeezed his hand, then started the car and headed home to their family.

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A/N: The final two chapters will be devoted to this amazing family. Thanks for reading. Reviews are love!