Hi everyone how's it going?
For those who haven't heard the news, General Lane won't appear during the 4th season. He was offered a recurring role but he refused. Maybe because they offered him only 3 episodes but I don't know. And therefore plus with Lex having kidnapped him, I personally suspect he'll die off.
Part of the reason his kidnapping and possible demise transpired is because Jordan provided him with a dating app. As such but I can see Jordan grappling with feelings of guilt since he directed his grandfather to said app. Enabling one of Lex's female operatives to entrap Lane.
This one shot will be used to explore its possible aftermath in regards to Jordan blaming himself while his mother attempts to prevent him from doing so.
Disclaimer: I don't own "Superman and Lois" or its characters.
Setting: Smallville- Three Days After General Lane's Funeral
Location: Kent-Lane Residence
Jordan was currently seated upon his bed. Wallowing in misery.
He'd been this way following his grandfather's funeral 3 days prior and even beforehand. No one succeeding in removing him from his present emotional status.
It wasn't just him however. His mother and brother were also experiencing morose emotions due to Clark being in a severe coma for two weeks. The consequence of his ferocious battle with Doomsday. Except it prolonged further, and was significantly more severe, compared to what Clark had experienced at Ally Allston's hands following the depletion of the majority of his life force during the preceding year.
His entire family and friends were on edge. Uncertain as to when or even if he'd emerge from his current condition.
While his father's health was of significant concern and partly responsible for Jordan's current despondency it wasn't the primary reason however.
Rather but he was submerged in tremendous feelings of guilt and self-recrimination due to his grandfather's tragic demise.
For it had been him who'd directed the latter to that stupid dating app and had persuaded him to utilize it despite Sam's initial reluctance. Then when he'd connected with someone, his grandson had been pleased with himself for providing the former with another chance at happiness. Even greatly impressed upon his first and only meeting with the woman who'd stolen his grandfather's heart.
Shortly afterwards and the day following his father's brutal battle with Doomsday, Jordan, Jon, and Lois had been visited by John Henry. Informing them with the horrifying news of Sam's bloodied and brutally mangled dead body being delivered to the D.O.D. Further info surrounding the circumstances would be unraveled including his new girlfriend being a mole for Lex. Her purpose being to draw him into a trap so that Lex's people could capture him. The final result being his murder by Lex's bare hands.
Upon hearing that particular intel Jordan had felt as though his entire world had shattered. The result being a sickening sensation emanating from the pit of his stomach and threatening to submerge him.
The days following witnessed the 16 year old young man's emotions transition into depression which had endured and worsened over the following two weeks.
Natalie and even Sarah had attempted to reach out to him multiple times yet he'd repeatedly shunned their attempts. After which they'd acquiesced but promised him they'd be there whenever he was ready to open up.
In the meantime Jordan had remained confined within his room. And for indefinite periods of time. Refusing to emerge unless he'd absolutely had to. School and dinner being particular examples. And even in regards to the latter but after serving his own plate he retreated to his room and consumed his food there.
Jon and especially Lois were greatly disappointed he wouldn't join them for dinner but obliged due to the extenuating circumstances and the fact it was an emotionally intolerable period for all of them. Their family having to endure not one but two tragedies in the form of Clark's coma and Sam being taken from them.
Lois herself was also feeling horrible for what she believed was her own role in her father's murder. Repeatedly wondering if he'd still be with them if she had not been overzealous for the truth despite understanding and accepting the knowledge that Lex was equivalent to a monster.
As far as she was concerned, Jordan should not be wallowing in misery since her decision to compose then submit the article proving Lex's innocence set everything in motion.
She'd even conducted her own attempts to reach out to her son. Such as mildly softening his grounding from anything related to powers and Krypton by allowing him to visit the Fortress on weekends. Believing that would significantly cheer him up. To her surprise he'd declined although it wasn't that surprising all things considered.
Finally and a week later, Lois decided that enough was enough and marched to her son's room. Upon her arrival she walked inside and stood over him while he lay upon his bed.
"Alright Jordan this is enough! You can't allow yourself to continue on like this," she declared seriously and firmly insisted before continuing. "I understand why you feel tremendous guilt over your grandpa's death believe me I do. But torturing yourself with guilt and wallowing in misery isn't going to change anything and nor will it bring him back. Furthermore but if he were here I doubt he would want you to do this to yourself."
Jordan stared at his mother in astonishment while she spoke to him. His face streaked with tears.
"But mom. If you understand why then you can clearly see that what happened to him is my fault. I pressed him to use that dating app and insisted upon it even though he was reluctant," he emotionally protested. "And because of it I got him involved with one of Lex's thugs. Then afterwards I became selfish with my powers to the point of disrespecting and being awful towards him along with you and dad while only looking at my needs and wishes instead of what the 3 of you were trying to get me to understand. And now that he's gone I'll never be able to tell him how sorry I am. Nor make it up to him. Don't you see mom? This is completely on me all of it," he bitterly continued then trailed off before beginning to cry hard.
Lois heart broke for her son as she listened to his words. After which she immediately sat on the bed next to him and enfolded him into her arms. Resulting in him crying against his mom's shoulder while she rocked him. Herself beginning to cry as well.
She quickly regained control of herself though and addressed her distraught son once more.
"Listen to me Jordan this is not on you. You have to realize that and the sooner the better," she continued to insist while just as emotional. "You had no way of knowing who that woman was and neither could your grandpa. You did what you did because you loved him and wanted him to have second chance at happiness. What followed was horrible yes but nonetheless an unforeseen circumstance that none of us could've predicted.
"And yes you behaved very poorly towards us when we were trying to show you the correct path and I'm pleased you finally understand that. But I have no doubt that he's continuing to watch over us and knows you're truly sorry. And that he's forgiven you. Same as I already have along with your father. But Jordan, you did not cause your grandpa's death and that is not your burden to bear. In fact the burden is entirely mine.
"I'm the one who published the article exonerating Lex and because of it he was not only released but immediately afterwards moved to turn my life, and by extension our lives, into a nightmare. I was warned how disastrous it would be to permit a psychopath like him to walk and yet I went ahead and published it anyway. All due to my firm conviction that the truth must always be recognized and that we could deal with the fallout later.
"Of course that leads to the debate on whether or not doing the ethical thing always means the same as the right thing. But nevertheless nothing changes the fact that if I had not done what I'd done and because I was so focused on journalistic integrity that Lex would not be free right now. And had he not been freed then he wouldn't have been able to send that woman to use the dating app to entrap your grandfather which in turn led to the tragic circumstances we our now facing.
"The buck's on me Jordan. I did this not you and I'll have to learn to live with myself. But you cannot continue to allow this burden to rest upon your shoulders. It's not what your grandfather would've wanted. Rather but we need to all be there for each other during this difficult time. Comforting, supporting, and continuing to love one another. And I guarantee you that I'm going to do all I can to rectify what I've done. Starting with ensuring that Lex and all of his people, especially that woman, will pay severely for what they've done. Not only to your grandfather but also your father and towards our family overall.
"For now however we need to stay strong and remain united. Just like with all of the previous crises we've weathered. And while this is definitely the worst one we've have to endure we still have to believe that there's light at the end of this tunnel and that someday our family will finally reach that point."
Jordan listened to his mother's words while attempting to withhold the tears continuing to steam from his eyes. And despite how much he still desired to blame himself he found that he didn't really have anything to use to counter her words. Nor could he find a way to counter her points.
All in all, he couldn't even deny the compelling arguments Lois had made to him. Especially the point that once Lex was freed he would've more than likely either sent someone else after Grandpa Lane or utilized a different method to capture the latter. Regardless of whether or not Lane had access to the dating app his grandson had set up for him.
The mother and son duo then heard a soft rap, rap, upon the door and upon looking up they saw it was Jon. His hands within his pockets.
"Is it alright if I join you guys?" he gently requested to his mother and brother to which they acquiesced with warm yet emotional smiles and readily invited him in. After which he entered and seated himself onto the bed alongside them. Positioned next to Jordan.
For a while no one said anything. Only sitting in silence. After which Jon decided to speak.
"I heard most of what you both were discussing a few moments ago. Particularly pertaining to which one of you are actually responsible for grandpa's death. And while I believe you're right mom in that he would not have wanted Jordan to beat himself up about it, and I promise I mean no disrespect when I say this, but do you think he would've wanted you to blame yourself either?" he began slowly, softly, and carefully. Then continued.
"I mean and at the end of the day neither of you were trying to deliberately hurt grandpa. And while you mom could've perhaps exercised a bit of caution with that article about Lex, in the end you were both only doing what you felt was right. And wanting to expose the truth or grant someone you care about another chance at happiness is never a bad thing. In fact it's pretty much the opposite. Usually at least.
"And yes. We should always exercise caution and consider the long term consequences of our actions. Whether or not the end result is positive or negative. Yet continuously drowning in guilt isn't going to solve anything or bring grandpa back. Rather but the only thing we can do is learn from them and use those experiences to figure out a way to move forward. While also using the moments we spend feeling guilty to instead figure out ways to honor the memories of those we've lost.
"Therefore but what if we were to not focus on pointing fingers at anyone or even at each other? Or to even spend our time rehashing what we could've or could've not done? Instead I personally think it would be more prudent to focus on the present. Particularly by spending our energies on ensuring Lex answers for grandpa's death and dad's current condition. And so that he won't hurt or kill anyone else ever again.
"And in addition but we also do as you said mom. Continue to be there for one another and maintain a united front. For as long as we remain united we'll be able to withstand whatever may come our way."
Lois found herself nodding in response to Jon's words. Jordan on his part also providing an albeit reluctant nod. Both of them absorbing their wisdom and Lois especially finding herself admiring Jon's maturity and perspective towards their current situation.
"You're right Jon. You're absolutely right and thank you so much. Despite what happened and regardless of whose to blame or what set things in motion, the most important thing for us to do right now is to keep your grandfather's memory alive in our hearts and remember what he meant to our family. And I promise you that Lex will most assuredly pay for what he's done to us!" she stated emotionally while attempting to wipe the tears from her eyes. Then added the last sentence with conviction.
As for Jordan, he could still feel remnants of his own guilt lingering within him yet he knew his brother had spoken the truth. In addition to accepting the fact that continuously being despondent and isolating himself wasn't going to help either himself or anyone else in the long run.
Instead he finally realized that he needed to properly face and overcome his guilt head on in order to be able to heal. And especially considering the valid arguments his mom had made on why he wasn't responsible.
"Yeah. Thanks Jon," he also said to him with a grateful smile. Deciding at that moment to honor his grandfather by striving to become the man, and someday the hero, the latter wanted him to be.
The 3 family members then pulled each other close and held one another. Softly weeping yet filled with a newfound peace. Trusting that just as Lois had said, they would eventually find light at the end of the tunnel. For themselves and for their family as a whole.
The End
A/N What did you guys think?
Originally I wasn't planning on using Jon but then the idea to bring him here came to me due to perhaps admiring his mature side in canon. And as such but he seemed like the guy who could deliver some much needed words of wisdom to his brother and mother.
Thanks very much for reading and have a blessed day.