BETWEEN METROPOLIS AND MIDVALE
"Spell that again." The car swerved again as Lois tried to hold the phone under her chin, write down some notes, and drive at the same time. She dropped the phone in her lap and tapped the 'speaker' icon. "H - a - k – i - m – OK got it. Did you speak to the principal yet, Fred Danvers? No? Why…. The police chief isn't going to know anything…. ugh …. no … listen … find Fred Danvers and …." Lois really disliked working with stringers, but sometimes it was necessary.
The passenger door flew open. Superman dropped into the seat and slammed the door shut. Lois was so startled, the car swerved onto the shoulder and almost careened into a ditch. Superman grabbed the wheel and used that and his powers over gravity to save them. Lois slammed on the breaks and threw the gear into park.
"Was that really necessary!"
Superman grabbed her phone and ended the call. "You shouldn't be talking on the phone when you're driving."
"I was doing fine until you carjacked…."
"And you should keep your doors locked."
"Thanks for the safety lesson…"
"And you shouldn't be going anywhere near Lex Luthor, or his brother!"
Lois rolled her eyes. "Between you, and Richard, and Clark," she grumbled. "If it were up to you guys, I'd never leave the house at all."
"We're trying to be cautious. But you're always hellbent on getting into trouble."
"It's a good thing I have a pretty powerful guardian angel, then."
Superman sighed. "Don't be so cavalier about your recklessness thinking I'll always be there to save you."
Lois reached over and touched his arm. "Are you alright?"
He thought about how he should answer that question. "I will be. I just need some sunlight." He glanced toward the west at the setting sun. He opened the door and started to exit the car. "Go back to Metropolis and stay there."
"Wait!" Lois pulled at his arm. "Who's Linda?"
He paused halfway out the car. "She's just a… a girl…"
"Who you were spotted with before the bombs started going off, that just happens to be Leonard Luthor's ward… and you told the principal…"
Superman leaned back into the seat and turned to face Lois. "This is off the record."
"Fine."
"She's from Krypton. She's my cousin."
Lois was speechless for a few moments as that information sunk in. "What was she doing in Midvale? How could you leave her with Leonard Luthor."
"I didn't leave her there."
"So who did?"
"I don't know."
Lois was confused. "Wait, you didn't… you didn't know she was there…."
"No, of course not. You think I would have left her..."
"… not until I found her. How come you always know what I'm…"
"I can't protect you if I don't know what you're up to," Superman pointed out.
"What are you… spying on me?" Lois finally voiced the suspicion she had had for a long time.
"It's not like that."
"Then what is it like?"
"Lois… I don't have time now. It's not something I can just tell you and fly away."
"Why not?"
"Just trust me."
"Humph! That's what you told me the night Jason was conceived."
Superman grimaced.
Lois patted him on his arm. "It's alright. I'm glad you were wrong… that time." She smiled at him.
That night almost eight years ago, Superman had watched with curiosity as Lois rummaged through an old storage box. She held up a condom and smiled sheepishly at him. "That thing looks really old," he told her. "And even a new one won't stop… super …. sperm," Superman choked down his laughter at what he had just said and at the look of alarm that swept over Lois's face. He surmised she was wondering what 'supersperm' might do to her. He gathered her naked body in his bare arms and caressed her. "Lois, I'll wear it if it makes you feel more comfortable. But we're not the same species. We're not even from the same galaxy. I can't make you pregnant. Trust me…."
"Yeh, me too."
They were both silent for a few moments.
"I really have to go. I have to find Linda." He started out the door again.
That same look of alarm appeared on Lois's face. "What? I thought you had her?"
"I wish. I was going to take her with me, but I wanted to gather some information first. Maybe something that might lead to Luthor. I was keeping an eye on her the whole time, until... I underestimated him again, and now he has Linda." He exited the car, hit the door lock, and slammed the door shut. "Get back to Metropolis!"
