A/N: Yay! I can't believe how many people have been actually reading this story! I love the responses I've been getting, and hope they continue- tell me what you think I should do next! "Clark vs Lex" will be updated soon- hopefully in a day or so! And for those of you who review, Clark's. . . er, I mean, Superman's autographs will be coming through pm's soon (and don't you dare try and tell me they're forged!) And okay, this is a little short, but it's sweet, hopefully. Hope I didnt stray too far from the humor aspect here, but honestly, how can I make this scene really funny, without disrespecting the source? :/
Disclaimer: I own no one and nothing in this chapter. Even the characters of my own creation for this fic don't even make a cameo appearance. =[
They walked back into Perry's office, with a quick glance to make sure Jason was still occupied over at Jimmy's. The first thing Perry noticed was the large grin on Clark's face.
As they seated themselves after Clark closed the door, Perry could no longer restrain himself. "So, it is true, then? Clark is Jason's biological father?"
Slowly, with a quick glance between each other, Lois nodded. "Yes. Clark is Jason's father. I didn't want to say anything really- not yet anyways. I mean, it's so soon after Richard, and especially with you, Perry- you're his Uncle, and I didn't know how you would take all this, and Clark was a little uncomfortable with how it might seem, and-"
Perry held up a hand to silence her. "I just have a couple of questions of my own first of all. Does Richard know?"
Lois nodded again. "Yes, that's why he left."
"He left you?" Perry's voice seemed to convey a tone of surprise.
"Yeah, I know. I know I should have told him before, but to perfectly honest with you Perry, I couldn't be sure Jason was Clark's- I mean, he looks a lot like Clark now, but Jason just was a baby with blue eyes and dark hair- and it's not like Richard looked so entirely different. I mean, if he had come out with red hair and green eyes or something, then yeah, he'd have something to be worried about. But neither of us really thought he was Clark's son."
Perry was used to Lois's babbling rants, and instead turned his attention to the very obviously conflicted man sitting in the chair to her side. He seemed torn between total excitement and ecstacy at the fact that he finally could tell people he had a son- and extreme guilt for not having been there for the first five years of his son's life. For Lois during those years.
Perry cast a dubious glance towards Clark. "And you left for five years without even coming by to see your kid? Just traveling the world, not a care in the world, leaving Lois behind to care for your kid? I hope you know everything she went through with Jason."
Clark looked mollified at this. "N-no! Perry, if I had any idea that Lois was pregnant before I left, I would never have gone. You know that- it wasn't as though I ran out on my pregnant girlfriend or something. I sincerely did not know she was carrying my son. And I regret terribly that I wasn't there for her when she was pregnant or afterwards." He paused, gathering himself for what he was going to say next. This would undeniably make his intentions clear to both Lois and Perry. "But I'm here now. And I will always be around for them."
The emotion was thick in his throat- and Perry could sense both the pride and guilt radiating from the smalltown farmboy. But beyond that, he radiated a sort of firm confidence- kind of like a fierce, protective embrace of Lois. He recognized that for perhaps the first time in his life, Clark Kent was being assertive, standing up for himself- and it impressed Perry White. It was like for a moment, Clark became an entirely different person- like he felt like he could own the world, save it from complete destruction, and take down Lex Luthor all at once. Something about this side of Clark made sense, Perry thought, but the thought was elusive. Brushing it off, he didn't want to press the matter; it was obviously a sensitive topic for the both of them, and honestly, he was happy for them. He was determined to be. No matter what.
"I know that, Clark. And I'm genuinely happy for you two. To be perfectly frank, I think you two are well-suited. And Jason will have the finest parents I know- and the best reporters. I'm mildly surprised at Richard for running out so fast- but I can't say what's right for him. He's his own man. But anyways, I'm proud of you two. Congratualtions."
Lois gave her boss a strong smile, despite her teary eyes. Clark took her hand quite possessively and gave it a slight squeeze. Very slight, Lois thought, considering his strength.
"Thank you, Perry," he finally said. "You have no idea what this means to me- to us."
Perry nodded. "I just had to know. And as far as those vultures out there go, what do you want to say or not say to them?"
"I think," Lois began slowly, collecting her thoughts. "I think we should probably talk to Jason about all this first. We haven't really had time to talk to him about all this and the changes yet. I promise we'll tell them tomorrow if you want."
Perry shook his head. "It has nothing to do with me, Lois. Whatever you two feel comfortable with- and Jason, of course. You don't have to tell them anything, if you don't want."
"No," Clark spoke fiercely once again to Perry, reminding him of something or someone else. Clark kept his eyes transfixed on Lois's. "I think it's best to clear the air, not let any more rumors swirl around. For all our sakes. Goodness only knows what they'd say next- and we have Jason to think about. The matter needs to be cleared so that his feelings aren't damaged on the matter."
Perry nodded, all of it suddenly sinking in. "Well, I can't tell you how happy I am for you two. I guess Jason won't be losing his father, after all." He gave a weak sort of smile as the two of them walked out of his office, smiling and briefly holding hands. But he couldn't help feeling the pang of hurt that clawed at his heart.
Jason had been his nephew. He was Uncle Perry. And he was the boy's number one babysitter. While he doubted any of that would really change, he couldn't help the feeling of loss that surfaced. He would by no means love the boy any less- he would always care for Jason as though he were related to him by blood. Not by wishing. Just cause he wasn't Richard's son didn't mean that he wouldn't care about him.
That was another thing that bothered him. Richard. Richard had acted as Jason's father for the first five years of his life. He knew for a fact that his nephew loved Jason as much as a real father would, and much like Perry, his affections wouldn't change. But he had ran out on Lois after discovering Clark was the father? That was devestating news, sure, but worth giving everything up?
He looked out at his newsroom and stared at Clark, who was having a hard time controlling his facial features. If he kept grinning like that, he was likely to split his face in two. Between his excitement and Lois's serene expression, Perry knew that- despite any personal difficulties- this was ultimately the best choice for them all.
Perry finally allowed himself a grin of his own. Yes, this would work out alright.
A/N: Alright, so it's short, a little bitter, and not very funny at all, but what else could I have done? Leave everything perfectly normal and have Perry just take it all in stride? I mean, yeah, I guess I could have, but . . . meh. . . not much fun in that. Anyways, please reivew! And I swear I will stay on top of Clark and make sure he sends those autographs from Superman (hehe, anyone heard of freud? XD ). And tell me how much longer this should go on!