"Fallen Deeper"

Featured Characters: Lois and Clark (DUH), Hawkman, and Martin Manhunter

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOOOOOOT own anything that is written: no characters, not the plot--NADA!

SIDENOTES: Thank you ALL for the awesome reviews! There's a LITTLE more to come after this chapter. I wish I could continue on, but I REALLY need to focus on the OTHER three UNFINISHED fics I have. I'm very bad at finishing things off. Sorry!

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CHAPTER 4: "Grounded"

Martian came down as fast as he could, the Book of Rao on his hand. As soon as he had pulled it out of the crystal source--the one Chloe and Clark had mentioned to him earlier that day, the bright golden light had vanished. When Clark had told him over a minute ago that he needed to pull out the Book of Rao, he knew what it meant. And when Clark said "Blue" everything made sense.

Clark had not ascended to the new world with the rest of the Kryptonians because he was now human--because of the blue Kryptonite. Martian didn't know how Clark had gotten a hold of the dagger or who had stabbed him--though it was easy to guess who it bad been--but knew that Clark wasn't pulling it out because he wanted to stay in Earth. To fulfill his destiny.

Martian looked around as he flew closer to the deeply wounded Clark and saw that the few citizens of Metropolis who were still roaming around the streets at night looked pretty confused--no doubt because of the Kandorians. They were moving closer to the building, curious to know what the yellow light had been about. He knew he had to get to Clark for two reasons: one, so Clark could pull out the dagger before it was too late; and two, so that all three heroes could leave the scenery before witnesses knew their secret identities.

When he came down to the ground, he saw Clark's state was worse than about a minute ago, last time he had seen him. Clark and Lois seemed to be pretty oblivious of anyone else around them and too focused on each other. Lois' around were wrapped tight around Clark as Clark caressed her face. Touched ever inch of her with his fingertips.

Martian Manhunter knelt down next to Clark and placed a hand on his shoulder that Clark could focus on him. It seemed to have worked because Clark turned to the Martian.

He held up the Book of Rao for Clark to see. "Now, lets get that dagger out of you. We better do it soon before witnesses come over."

Clark nodded and gave a sigh of relief. He placed his hand around the sheath of the blade and was about to pull it out.

Lois reached over and stopped him from doing so. "Clark!" She looked scared to death, more than likely worried that pulling out the dagger would only make Clark further bleed and cause him further harm.

Clark turned to Lois and caressed her cheek. "It's--alright, Lois."

Martian saw that Clark kept his eyes on Lois and wasn't doing anything further.

After several seconds, with the most wide and fearful eyes, Lois met Clark's. It was a private moment between both of them, and even though no word was being said, Martian knew the young couple was having a conversation. They just stared into each other, as if letting their souls communicate to one another. Clark's determined and confident eyes kept a deep hold of Lois' frightened and hesitant.

It took several seconds, but Martian could see Lois' eyes become less worried and seemed to relax a bit, as if trusting Clark.

Once her tears had stopped and looked a bit more relaxed, Clark turned his attention back to the blade. He quickly yanked it out of him, screaming in pain.

Lois' worry came back to her face and she held onto Clark; her tears came back down. "Clark!"

Clark looked as if he was trying to control his emotions and was pulling out the most straight face he could muster. He turned to Lois but refused to look her in the eye. "I'm alright. I'm alright."

She gave him a stern look. "You shouldn't have taken it out."

He shook his head. He was about to say something, but it seemed as if he got a pain in his torso and gave out sounds of pain. He was still within the radius of the blue Kryptonite; therefore could not heal. He was human and was slowly dying.

Clark's grunts were pretty loud and Martian knew that several people had heard him. He turned towards the end of the street and saw that about five of them were only four blocks away. Thank goodness they were still in the shadows. But the closer these humans got, the worse the outcome would be.

Martian turned back to his bleeding friend. "We have to go."

Clark was shaking uncontrollably. He shoved the blue kryptonite dagger to the Martian. "Take it away."

Martian nodded. He turned to Hawkman and saw that the man was looking down at Clark and Lois and was as still as a statue. Martian would ask what seemed to be the problem, but they had no time. "Hawkman!"

The man with gold wings seemed to snap out of his reverie. "What?"

Martian gave the Egyptian King the blue kryptonite dagger. "Take this to Watchtower. I'm going up to the rooftop to remove--" He stopped himself due to remembering that he was still around Lois. He noticed that the woman didn't seem to be listening in, her and Clark seemed to be having a private moment; however, Martian couldn't risk it. "I need to remove something." He placed a hand on Clark's shoulder again to get his attention.

Clark turned.

"We'll meet up at Watchtower."

Clark nodded along with Hawkman.

Hawkman gave Clark and Lois one final glance before flying quickly out of there.

Once Hawkman was out of sight, Martian began to see some of Clark's true color coming back. He looked down and saw that the wound was beginning to close. Not as quickly because he figured the cut had been pretty severe. Plus, Clark had been exposed to the kryptonite for a very long time. It was bound to slow down his healing process.

Clark gave a nod to the Martian. "Go. I'll be fine. I'll take Lois out of here. I'm healing pretty quickly. I can feel it."

The Martian turned towards the civilians, they were closing it. "They're getting here pretty quickly. You sure you don't want me to take you both? Or…you at the very least?"

He didn't have anything against Lois. But he knew that the people wouldn't be much interested in her if they saw her. They wouldn't give it a second thought. Clark on the other hand…he would be someone of interest.

Clark frowned and seemed to be a bit upset. He sat up and placed his palm against Lois' waist. "I'm not parting from her." The look in his eyes, his anger that Martian would suggest such a thing, almost made the Martian cringe.

He chose not to press the matter. Clark had made up his mind and there was nothing that would change it.

"As you choose," said the Martian. "I will go take care of…other matters." He gave Clark a look that he knew Clark understood.

Clark's face turned softer and gave a small nod. "Thank you, John. What is it? Third? Forth? Fifth time you've saved me?"

Martian shook his head and gave a small smile. "You've saved this world I live in more than I ever have. Plus, it's Hawkman that caught you this time."

Clark gave a low chuckle. He looked to have his strength coming back faster. Martian looked down and saw that the wound was now healed.

He got to his feet. "I'll see you at Watchtower."

Clark nodded and turned to back to Lois. She leaned in to him and wrapped her palm around his neck, bringing him closer. Together, they sighed as if thanking that the worst was over. Again, no words needed to be said.

Martian decided it was time to leave and flew up to the rooftop. He needed to remove that crystal energy source before anyone else found it. And he hoped the two lovers would snap out of their stage quickly or else it was more people would know the true identity of the Blur….

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NOTE: Ok, so now I'm beginning to write the next chapter. Hopefully it'll be done for me to post it up by end of Saturday for you guys...but I make no promises. After that, a small epilogue will be written. Ok...off I go to write and off YOU go to REVIEW! :D