Disclaimer: DC/WB Entertainment owns these characters. No profit of any kind is being made from this story. This is strictly for my own amusement.
Author's Notes: This next chapter finds our couple fighting for both their lives, and not just in the way you may think. *Warning: Gun Violence; Angst* Take a deep breath everyone! Please read and review. Thank you! :D
~o~o~
Chapter 14: My One and Only
Luthor's just cause and bail hearing:
Because of the judge's full schedule, Luthor's hearing was set for mid-afternoon. After the judgment, James took a deep breath and considered Lex to be one lucky man. It was the last thing he expected. The probation contract was iron-clad, but considering Lex's standing in the community, circumstantial evidence, a statement that could be refuted, and the fact that he did indeed have one million in cash, the judge granted bail then gave him a final warning. A little earlier during the hearing, Judge Anderson spoke sternly and succinctly:
"Mr. Luthor, you stand before this court accused of multiple crimes which could land you in prison for up to twenty years. I have decided to grant bail at a cost of one million dollars in cash. This court has found just cause to hold you over for trial. What is your plea?" Judge Anderson asked.
"Not guilty," Lex replied.
"I see," the Judge said. "Bail has been set. The case will be placed on my schedule for one month from today. Your passport will be revoked and you will be wearing an ankle bracelet until that time." He paused. "This is your final warning, Mr. Luthor. Stay out of trouble, or you will find yourself in jail until the trial. Do you understand?" Judge Anderson made his point.
"Yes your Honor," Lex replied.
"Thank you, your Honor," James said.
"This court is adjourned." He banged his gavel.
Once Lex was released, he stepped outside, closed his eyes and breathed the sweet air into his lungs, but he had to know for sure. "Still no sign of Superman?" He asked his attorney, not looking at him.
"No; no one has seen him for nearly two days," James sadly replied. A few minutes later, Lex's limo pulled up. "Before you go, I cannot stress enough that when Superman comes back, you will leave him alone, and that includes Ms. Lane as well."
Lex raised his eyebrows. "Who said he was coming back?"
James shook his head. "Lex please don't do anything stupid. This is your last chance. Don't throw it away."
Lex knew what he had to do. "See you around James."
Unfortunately, Lex's release and judgment would not become public until it was too late.
~o~o~
Earlier that day, at the Planet:
Lois and Clark were doing a pretty good job of avoiding each other, but Lois thought it best they talk this out. His earlier statement about getting her back remained in her mind.
Clark couldn't take it anymore. Glancing at her, she stood up and Clark did the same. He came over to her; they met halfway.
"We need to talk," Clark was the first to speak.
"Alright," Lois agreed. "Meet me at the elevator." After gathering her things, they entered the elevator. Neither saying a word, but they couldn't resist glancing at each other every now and then. A minute later, they exited the building and started walking.
"Lois, where are we going?"
"Some place quiet where we can talk," Lois replied.
Clark looked up at the sky. It was a beautiful day; the sun was shining bright. He closed his eyes for a moment, still concerned about his powers or non-powers as it were. A few minutes of walking, but then he felt something. Shaking his head, he opened his eyes and he could see through people. He grinned raised his hands and his x-ray vision was definitely back.
He stopped walking and so did she. "Clark, what is it?"
"My eyes; I can see through things, but," he urgently whispered.
"That's good Clark; anything else?"
"No, just the x-ray vision," he whispered, disappointed and still concerned.
"Well, it's a start; come on, let's go in here." She grabbed his arm wanting to get this over with before she changed her mind.
"In here, but isn't this the same restaurant that Lana and my Mom?"
"Yes, Clark, it's the same one. It's fitting, don't you think?"
He frowned and followed her inside. It was still the lunch hour, but just barely. It was definitely quiet. The hostess led them to a quiet area in the back of the restaurant and gave them menus. It was a bit awkward, neither knowing what to say. "Lois?" "Clark?" They spoke at the same time.
"You go first," Clark said.
"Well, it's hard to admit this, but I was thinking about us living together. And I haven't changed my mind. We should wait."
Clark was confused. "Wait for what?"
"We'll know when the time is right. Your Mom is concerned about how much time we're spending together. We neglect our families and friends who are worried about us," she replied and glanced at the menu.
He saw her point, but that wasn't a reason not to see each other. There must be another reason. He knew it wasn't true, but he had to know. "Does this have anything to do with my powers, because they're gone?"
Lois was entirely surprised. She stared at him. "What; you can't be serious."
"I am serious. This is the first time for me and maybe you do feel differently about me."
"That's ridiculous. I told you before how I felt about you with or without your powers." She lowered her voice.
"Then why are you doing this?" He sounded hurt and extremely concerned. He couldn't lose her; he couldn't.
Lois closed her eyes and sighed. But when she opened them, she was distracted when a man walked in. He looked very familiar. He was wearing a baseball hat, hoodie, jeans and a backpack. She remembered him; it was the same man who had kidnapped her, held her captive, and drugged her.
Then everything happened in slow motion. He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a gun. He was aiming for Clark or her; she wasn't sure.
"Lois, what are you staring at?" Clark turned around and before he knew what was happening, shots were fired.
She screamed, "NOOOOOO!" and reacted instinctively to protect him. Jumping up and leaping across the table, she dived into him and tackled him. They fell to the floor jumbled together, arms and legs flying about. One of the bullets found its target, but it was not the right one. The man turned and ran out the door.
"Somebody stop that man!" The waitress screamed. A waiter and several other people ran after him. Officers in the vicinity also took chase.
Back in the restaurant, Clark moved her away. "Lois?" She was bleeding.
"Lois?!" He exclaimed then he screamed. "NOOOO! Call an ambulance!" Lois was unconscious and bleeding from a wound in her shoulder. He quickly pressed his hand against the wound, but then he worried that they might not get there in time. He could hear her heartbeat now, but it was far too faint. "Hold on, just hold on, please!" His eyes watered.
"The ambulance is on its way," a waitress told him.
"She's needs medical attention right away." There was no exit wound. The bullet was still inside of her and there was far too much blood.
Clark suddenly realized that all of his powers were back. She needed a doctor right away, so he picked her up headed for the exit.
The waitress tried to stop him. "Sir, please wait for the ambulance."
He didn't reply, left the restaurant, but turned toward an alley was just around the corner. He couldn't spare the time to change, so he ran inside the alley then leaped into the sky, not caring who saw him.
He took her to STAR Labs, a few minutes away, and received immediate attention from the staff. Of course, they remembered him.
Still unconscious, Clark held her hand. Her eyes opened briefly. "Clark?"
"I'm here," Clark whispered softly. Someone touched his back. It was Alex. He was surprised to see him there. Apparently, he worked there now.
"Alex, please, please, you have to help her. She was shot trying to protect me."
"We'll take care of her." They wheeled her upstairs and Clark was right beside her.
"You can't come inside, Clark, please wait out here," Alex said.
"Please, she has to be alright; she has to be," Clark whispered worriedly. He raised his hands and they were covered in blood. He was going to lose it.
The doors closed then he walked over to the door and watched as Lois was taken to the surgical lounge. They continued to work on her for a few minutes to stabilize her, but he couldn't wait anymore. He had to call her family and his Mom. He needed her there with him. A little while later, a nurse helped him to get cleaned up.
Twenty minutes later, his Mom, General Lane, and Lucy arrived and quickly rushed over to him. "How is she?" General Lane asked.
"She's still in surgery," Clark replied. Martha sat down next to him and put her arm around him.
"Clark, what happened?" Martha asked.
Clark thought it best he introduce everyone. "Sir, Ms. Lane, this is my Mother, Martha Kent. Mom, this is General Lane, Lois's Father, and this is Lucy Lane, her sister."
They all nodded, not sure what to say. "So tell us what happened," General Lane said. Everyone was sitting down now.
Clark took a deep breath and told them everything even the fact that the gunman was aiming for him, and then finally who he really was, meaning Superman. Martha gasped. General Lane couldn't believe it, and Lucy was stunned.
"This is not the time for jokes, Mr. Kent." General Lane was not amused.
He removed his glasses and smoothed his hair back in place. "It's not a joke; I'm Superman." He put his glasses back on.
Sam was too stunned to speak. His talks with his daughter came into his mind. Everything she said; it was all because of her love for this man; he knew that now.
"I can't believe this," Lucy said. "Now it all makes sense." She paused. "She adores you and she tried to save you, didn't she?" She asked.
"Yes, she did." He gathered his composure. "My powers were gone and I wasn't sure if they would come back, and she jumped in front of a bullet to save me." He lost it and began to cry.
"Oh, Clark," Martha pulled him close and let him cry. "She has to be alright, Mom; she has to be." He had to say it. "It's not the first time she risked her life for me. I don't know … I don't know what I would do if anything happened to her." The tears fell freely now.
Agitated and worried, Sam stood up and began to pace. "It's taking too long." He wrung his hands. Lucy came over to him and took his arm. "She's going to be alright, Daddy."
"I know my Lo is brave almost to a fault, but to do something like this." He turned and stared at him. "You're Superman."
"I'm so sorry," Clark finally whispered. No more talking, just a few silent prayers from Martha, Clark, Sam and Lucy for Lois to recover.
Fifteen minutes later, Alex came out to see them. "She's in recovery. We removed the bullet; there were a few fragments that caused a bit of damage, but she's going to be alright."
Clark wiped his eyes with the back of his hand; so relieved and happy. He came over to him and shook his hand. "Thank you, Alex."
"Yes, thank you, Doctor," Lucy said. Sam and Lucy hugged each other, so happy she was going to be alright.
"When can we see her?" Clark asked.
"Immediate family first," he replied. "I'm sorry, Clark; those are the rules."
"It's alright. General Lane, Lucy, you go in; I'll wait." Clark sat back down.
Sam turned to go, but then he glanced at Lucy. She smiled at him. "You go; we'll wait." General Lane knew what his daughter needed.
"Are you sure? I mean." Clark felt they should go first.
"Go ahead; she needs to see that you are Ok." Lucy smiled at him.
Clark went to them truly grateful. He shook Sam's hand and gave Lucy a hug. "Thank you. I'll tell her that you're here Ok?"
"Sure," Sam said and watched him leave.
"Follow me, Clark," Alex said. He wiped his tears away and went to see the love of his life. She's going to be alright, he whispered to himself over and over again.
Everyone sat back down. General Lane had a question. "You found him?"
"Yes, we did." Martha replied then she began her story.
~o~o~
Minutes later, in recovery:
Clark didn't need monitors to tell him that Lois heartbeat was steady. He reached over and smoothed her hair away from her forehead, leaned down and kissed it softly. A tear slid down his cheek. He then pulled up a chair and watched her for a minute or two, content just to hold her hand.
A few minutes later, Lois awakened not knowing where she was. "Clark?"
He stood up and looked into her beautiful eyes. "I'm here."
Her eyes watered. "You're Ok?"
"Yeah, I'm Ok." He kissed her hand. "Your Dad and Lucy are outside."
Her brow wrinkled. "But I saw the bullets and …"
He squeezed her hand. "My powers are back, Lois, all of them." He watched her eyes light up like the sun.
"I'm so happy for you, Clark." She turned her head and closed her eyes to hide her feelings.
He felt something. "What's wrong? Are you in pain? Should I call the doctor?"
"Could you send my family in now?" Clark's face fell; she felt horrible.
"Alright, I'll be right back." He kissed her hand again and left her side. Clark's heart was pounding with dread. He saw something in her eyes. We can't be apart; we can't.
With anxiety and fear swirling inside his mind, he returned to the waiting area. "General Lane, Lois is awake and asking for you."
"Ok, thank you, Clark." General Lane and Lucy went to see her.
Martha sensed something. "How is she?"
"She's tired, but she's alright," he replied.
She watched him closely. "But something is wrong. What is it?"
His eyes watered. "I think she wants to break up with me."
"Why would you think that? She just saved your life, for goodness sakes." Martha didn't believe that.
"I hope you're right." He sat down, head in his hands.
"Clark, please don't think the worse. She was medicated and maybe she wasn't thinking clearly."
"Everything has just been so crazy lately." He was thinking of the gunman. "Lucy was right; the gunman was after me and there's only one person insane enough to send someone to kill me."
"Lex Luthor?" Martha had read up on him.
"It has to be him, but I thought he was in jail." In the visitor area, the news channel was running a breaking story and it was apparently true. Lex had been released from jail a few hours ago. Bail was set for one million in cash. His trial will begin in a month.
"It has to be him. He sent someone to kill you." Martha was sure of it.
"You're right Mom, but when Lex finds out that Lois was hit instead of me, it could send up red flags. He was a professional and he missed at close range. Lex may put it together about who I am."
Another breaking story came on about Superman and Lois Lane. A video was shot of Clark jumping into the sky and rescuing Lois Lane. Unfortunately, the video was of his back, so his face was not revealed, but he was definitely flying. Superman was alive. But now speculation was running wild about Superman wearing a business suit, not his costume, walking among them as one of them. It was on every channel.
"Oh dear," Martha murmured.
"Well, I'm not worried about that Mom. It can't be a secret that I'm human and I look like everyone. I'm not worried." He said it again hoping to calm his Mom's nerves and his as well if he were honest with himself.
"I hope you're right about that. Your secret coming out would not be a good thing."
"You're right, and it won't; don't worry."
A few minutes later, two uniformed officers approached the nurses' station. One of the nurses brought them to see Lois for her statement.
~o~o~
A little while later, still in recovery:
After speaking with the police, Lois was definitely feeling better. She was talking and animated about getting out of the hospital. Sam was concerned about how upbeat she was acting.
"Lo, are you sure about all of this?" Sam asked confused.
"Sure about what?" Lois asked still upbeat.
"Staying at the house; I mean it's not convenient to Metropolis. It's too far for you to commute every day."
"Are you trying to get rid of me?" Lois acted upset.
"No of course not, honey, but …"
"Lo, what are you doing? Clark told us everything." Lucy told her the truth.
Lois was entirely surprised. "Everything?"
"Yes, we know who he is and why this happened to you. So please don't even try to convince us that you're happy about leaving him, because we know it isn't true." Lucy read her like a book.
Lois closed her eyes and sighed. "All of this happened because of me."
"That's crazy, Lo." Lucy paused. "He loves you."
Lois sniffed trying to hold it together. "I know he does; I love him too, but."
"There is no but. You can't throw love away; you can't." Lucy was becoming emotional.
"You're sister is right, Lo. If your Mother were here, she would say the same thing."
"I know she would, Daddy." She paused and tried to explain. "It's just; everything that has happened since we got together is because he was protecting me. Lex Luthor's obsession turned deadly because I rejected him. Lex believes that Superman wants me. He wants him dead. Don't you see, he shouldn't have to look over his shoulder and worry about who wants him dead all because he cares about me. I won't do that to him; not anymore."
"Lo, you're not making any sense. He wants to protect you. I know he does," Lucy said.
"It's what he does, Lucy, and in time, he'll accept that we … that we're friends; will always be friends." Her heart just broke; she could feel it.
Lucy shook her head. "You're fooling yourself, Lo; please don't do this."
Her eyes watered. "I'm tired and my arm hurts."
"It's not your arm that hurts. Come on, Daddy." Lucy was very upset with her sister.
Sam leaned down and kissed her forehead. "We love you sweetie, always."
After they had been gone, she couldn't hold it in any longer. Lois broke down into quiet sobbing. Lucy was right; the pain in her arm did not compare with the pain of her heart breaking severed into pieces as if it would never be whole again.
~o~o~
Out in the visitor area, Clark did not want to listen to their conversation, but he felt compelled and he regretted it. "We have to go, Mom. I was right. Lois wants us to be friends; nothing more."
"Oh, no; she said that?" Martha was so worried.
"Yes, she did; it's over." Clark was in shock. He sadly looked around, confused about where he should be. "I umm … I heard something."
"You should go," Martha said.
"I'll see you later at the apartment." He kissed her cheek and left.
General Lane and Lucy came back. "Where's Clark?" Lucy asked.
She shook her head, eyes watering. "He heard everything," Martha sadly replied.
"Oh, no," Lucy muttered and touched her Father's arm.
Sam was also worried. His daughter was way too stubborn and then he wondered where she got that trait.
~o~o~
High above the skies of Metropolis:
At this very moment, the tears on Clark's face were dry, and now there was only anger. He wasn't mad at Lois; it was Lex; he deserved to die. The feeling was so intense that he wondered if killing him would ease the pain, but it wouldn't. He wouldn't kill again; he wouldn't do that, but he could threaten him, shake him up, and lastly tell him that he knew it was him who tried to kill Clark Kent and Superman as well, but they were alive. He would testify against him in court and he would spend the rest of his life in prison.
He quietly drifted down then he heard him. Lex was on the phone and miraculously, it was the gunman he was talking to.
"What did you say?" Lex listened. He stood up suddenly upset by the man's reply. He was at the police station in custody. Lois Lane was hit, not the intended target. He had perfect aim, but he missed somehow. Lex slammed the phone down.
"Is something wrong?" Clark asked then dropped down onto the balcony and stopped just inside. He crossed his arms afraid that if he came any closer he would lose it altogether.
Lex jumped out of his skin. "Superman!" He put his hand over his heart. "You're alive?!" He blurted out.
"Oh, was I supposed to be dead?" Clark asked and narrowed his eyes then they glowed red.
He backed up and stood behind his chair. "No, no, of course not," he quickly replied. He was shocked to see him alive, and flying around just as if nothing happened.
"You should see the look on your face. You wanted me dead; I know you did. Clark Kent told me everything." He paused and said, "He's fine by the way." Lex didn't say anything.
"Nothing to say?" Clark asked and chuckled. He came closer. "Clark Kent is a friend, but of course, you wouldn't know anything about that. You have no friends; just people you order around, who cower before you afraid to stand up to you, but I'm not one of those people."
"Are you finished?" Lex was bored.
"No, but you are," Clark replied. A knock came at the door.
His assistant knocked then walked in. "Mr. Luthor, Detectives Williams and Burns are here to see you as well as two uniformed officers."
Lex fumed. "Please send them in."
"Lex Luthor, you're under arrest." A patrolman pulled out handcuffs.
"For what?"
"For the attempted murder of Clark Kent."
"What; that's crazy! I've been in my office all afternoon. This is a mistake."
"Are you resisting arrest?" Detective Williams asked.
"No, but you can't possibly have any proof!" He nearly shouted.
"I would suggest you not speak." The patrolman pulled out a slip of paper. "You have the right to remain silent; anything you say can be used against you in a court of law; you have the right to consult with a lawyer and have that lawyer present during the questioning; if you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you; you can invoke your right to be silent before or during interrogation, and if you do so, the interrogation must stop. You can invoke your right to have an attorney present, and until your attorney is present, the questioning must stop."
"I know; I know," Lex said fuming inside.
The Detectives came over to Superman. "We're sorry about Ms. Lane. We have a guy in custody."
Lex felt deflated. He was doomed.
Clark nodded, happy to hear it. "Did he confess?"
"No, but he will."
Clark nodded. "Good."
Detective Burns had more to say. "We're glad you're back. We missed you."
Clark stood up straighter and uncrossed his arms. "Thank you Detectives; it's good to be back." He paused. "Well, I'll let you do your job."
"Thanks, Superman."
Clark turned and flew up into the sky. He carefully listened for any emergencies and there were a few. Crowds gathered whenever he appeared. They were happy to see him back in action and healthy. He waved to them with a heavy heart. He wondered if this is what he wanted to do with the rest of his life; rescuing people all the time, without Lois in his life and just being friends; his heart was not in it. Tears blurred his vision.
~o~o~
A little while later, he had to see her just to check up on her and so he returned to the hospital. Still in costume with flowers in his hand, stunning the nurses and staff, he approached Lois's semi-private room. Her heartbeat was definitely calling to him. She was certainly stronger, shouting at the nurses, upset with everyone within earshot.
He poked his head inside. "It's a good thing I have my powers. You're a scary lady." He held up red roses in his outstretched hand.
The flowers were lovely, but she couldn't look at him. If she did, she would break down in tears. She straightened the bedclothes instead. "I hate hospitals."
"Me too." He paused as he stared at her lovely face. "These are for you. May I come in?"
"I don't know." She glanced at her hands.
"How's your arm?" He came closer then placed the flowers on the side table.
"Better," she replied, head still down. She glanced at the flowers again. Her heart softened just a little.
Clark sensed her feelings. "Lois, please look at me."
She shook her head. "I can't."
"Of course you can." He cocked his head to the side and waited. Her head slowly came up and then the tears came again.
He immediately sat down and pulled her into his strong embrace. "Please don't cry." He stroked her hair and pulled her closer. Lois held him tighter, but she had to be strong. After a minute, she pulled away. He handed her a tissue. She blew her nose and lay back down.
He didn't say anything but helped her get settled. She watched him underneath her lashes; she spoke to him. "Always taking care of me, huh?"
Clark knew what she was getting at. "I thought my Mom was stubborn." He stroked her hair away from her forehead. "I'm going to explain something to you and you're going to listen OK."
She raised an eyebrow stubborn as always. "Do I have a choice?"
"Of course, you do; do you want me to leave?"
She bit her lip. "No, you can stay."
He grinned at her. "Now, what I'm going to say will make you rethink your decision, but it has to be said."
She frowned. "Go on."
"You know I love you more than anything else in this world, don't you." It was a statement.
Tears threatened again. She nodded but didn't reply.
"Now, it is true about rescuing you, saving you; all of that is true, but I wouldn't change a minute of it. I fell deeply in love with you, and I know you felt the same way. Now you may look back at those times and think, what if we hadn't met, but we did and because we did, we're together and we made it." He paused to gather his composure. Taking her hand in his, he kissed it softly. "I know what you're thinking. The threat is gone, Lois. Lex is back in jail and."
"Oh, no, I thought Lex was already in jail; then it was him who did this to us." She was sure of it.
"Yes, it was him. But both Lex and the gunman are behind bars."
Lois was so relieved. "Thank goodness."
"Lois, I know you're worried about us, but we can't live our lives like that worrying about an invisible threat. We can't think about an enemy who may want to hurt me by hurting you, and we have no control over that." He paused for a moment. "My Dad, Jonathan Kent, told me something a long time ago, he said, 'Clark, we can't dwell on things we can't control, but I think the trick is to just live your lives to its fullest. Make sure you spend as much time as you possibly can with the people you love.'"
"He was a wise man, but I don't want you hurt because of me."
He shook his head at her. "I don't want you hurt either, but you were hurt. Don't you see; we belong together because we protect each other and being apart; it's not going to work; not for us. We need each other. You know that; don't you?"
Her eyes watered knowing he spoke the truth. "Yes, I know." She admitted it. "But what if?"
He didn't let her finish, then he kissed her to prove his point. Lois melted; she couldn't help it. Then she raised her good arm and pulled him closer. Running her fingers through his hair, loving him beyond reason, beyond rational thought. It was a heady feeling.
After a minute, he pulled away and stroked her hair. "Lois, when you leave the hospital, I want you to go back home, and reconnect with your family. I'll do the same with my Mom and then we'll talk about moving in together." She started to object, but he touched her lips.
He looked into her eyes, and then he kissed her again. After a minute, Lois slowly opened her eyes, a little dazed by his kisses.
"No more arguments, got it?" He smiled at her.
"Got it!" She smiled in return. Resistance was indeed futile.
TBC!
~o~o~
Song Inspiration: You and I, John Legend.
A/N: Awww, I had to put them back together. They've been through enough. They deserved it, didn't they? *sniffs* This chapter was definitely harder to get through. I hated putting Lois's life in danger, but I believed that drastic measures needed to be taken in order for their parents to realize that their children will not be separated under any circumstances, no matter how much they fight. I hope I proved my point. It's time to wrap this baby up, don't you think? Thank you all for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. An epilogue is coming soon. Reviews/kudos is love.