Chemistry Chapter 12

Those kids!

They pull up to 13357 SE Ashley Drive; fire, police and social services are on scene. They split up to divide and conquer the story as rapidly a possible.

"You take social services," Lois shouts to Clark as she heads to the fire commander. Clark knows what she is doing; she is avoiding social workers & kids for as long as she can. He'll cover for her as long as he can. He touches the arm of a social worker who is holding a baby – to get her attention. "Excuse me Ma'am, I'm Clark Kent from the Daily Planet. Can you give me some info, please?"

"What would you like to know?" She is frazzled, but is trying to stay calm, for the baby's sake.

"Anything you can tell me."

The baby starts crying just as a colleague rushes up with a 2nd baby, this one whimpering. "Alice, can you take another? I need to attend to 2 2-ywar olds over there."

"Well, no, I've got my hands full as you can see."

Clark rapidly gauges the situation. "Here, let me take her, I'll be careful." The baby has a pink 0blanket.

The ladies have no choice; the baby girl is handed to Clark who starts gently bouncing and cooing to her. She quiets down immediately, Clark keeps bouncing and cooing. He is supposed to be interviewing! Oh well. He will get to that as soon as /he can.

At that moment, Lois looks over at him. Her mouth drops open and she drops her notebook. Can she believe her eyes? Damn straight she can. She could have predicted this. Her heart opens to new possibilities, right then and there. She calls Nancy.

Lois pulls herself together. She knows that Clark will get back to interviewing as soon as he can, but right now his hands are full. And the sight is adorable & reassuring. She knows that the personal property damage reporter will pick up the possibl4e arson angle, so she can get to the fate of those kids; that was, after all, why she and Clark were sent here in the first place.

She walks toward Clark, quickly catching his eye as he looks up. A large smile breaks out on his face as she approaches.

"I see you collected a friend," she says.

"Yes, she was a little fussy, scared I assume."

"I called Nancy," Lois admits.

"What? Why?"

"Well, I saw you . . . and her . . . and something just clicked, you know. I want to do this, Clark. We can do this together."

"Do . . . what, Lois?"

"This . . . help a child who needs . . . us . . . or somebody."

Clark's smile morphs into the biggest grin Lois has ever seen. He holds the baby out to her, "hold her for a moment?"

Lois takes her, holding her gently. Clark leans over, grinning all the while.

Someone snaps a picture.

Lois and Clark gain permission from social services on site to keep the child overnight; they get a 10:00 court date in the morning, to determine at least temporary custody of the baby girl.

The picture of Lois holding the young child with Clark looking down at them lovingly pops into Perry White's inbox. One look and he races up to James Olsen's PH office. "Boss! You must see this!" He turns his laptop so the boss can see.

"My god! Full color, full-size front-page morning edition! Get it done, now!"

"Yes, Boss."

Nancy, Carl & Robert get a good start on readiness for the baby. Lois asked for aa bassinette to be kept in the Master BR for starters. They clear out the spare BR, readying it for a nursery. Then they clean and sanitize the room, then paint it a pale yellow. They lay in a supply of formula, bottles, diapers, and bath supplies. Lois wants herself, Clark and Alex to do the shopping for furniture, bedding and clothing; except for 3 articles of sleep-wear.

This will do for a day or two.

Clark is up at the crack of dawn. It was an interesting night. Lois gave up before it began and brought the child to bed with them. Clark didn't mind, he knew it was temporary & inevitable. 1 feeding & 2 diaper changes later and he was up. He started the coffee maker and collected the morning Daily Planet. He tossed the paper, still in its cellophane sleeve, on the couch, and went to get his 1st cup of the day. He came back to the LR, sat and extracted the paper. The Planet flopped open and he stared at the front page. He was speechless.

STAR REPORTERS RESCUE CHILD

Over the full-page color picture from yesterday. The accompanying article on page 2 was written by Perry White!

Clark took the paper and tip-toed into the MBR. Lois was sleeping peacefully with the baby in her arms. She had never looked so beautiful, so at peace. He reached out and pulled the sheet up to cover her legs and ass. He carefully arranged her camisole to cover her exposed breast, then took 3 pictures. He looked them over to be sure her modesty was protected, then saved the pictures.

He went back to the LR and called his mom; she hadn't heard the news. "Mom, did you hear the news of a fire in Metropolis?"

"Yes, son. Did you or Lois cover that tragedy?"

"We both did, but it turned out to be more than a simple house fire. It was a children's foster care home."

"Oh, my. That is tragic!"

"Yes, but what Lois and I did is what I am calling about."

"What did you do?"

"We took one of the babies home with us. We are applying to be foster care parents!"

"That's wonderful. Wait . . . can you do that; I mean with your jobs and all?"

"Yes, we already have a nanny whom we trust."

"Of course. I'm sure that will help, and I know you will be a great dad. But . . . ah, is Lois on board with this? I don't mean . . ."

"Yes, mom. She actually started the process!"

"Wow, that is great. What can I do to help?"

"Just be supportive, I just wanted you to know."

"Thanks, son. Keep me in-the-loop."

"Will do, bye mom."

"Bye Clark"

FAMILY ROOM – LATER

The family, staff, Martha on speaker phone and baby in Clark's arms are gathered to talk about what's coming next.

"This is exciting, I'll help care for her. You can count on me" Nancy spouts.

"Me too!" Alex is dancing for joy. The thought of being a big sister has her bouncing off the walls.

"Me too! I'll arrange my schedule to be with you as much as I can," Martha chimes in excitedly.

Lois covers her face with her hands to hide the start of tears and dashes from the room. Clark stands to go after her.

Nancy stands and reaches for the baby, "Let me take her," she says.

"No, I'll handle this," Clark shuts her down as he follows Lois from the room.

"What's wrong?" Alex asks, confused.

"Later," Carl comforts her as he gives her a gentle hug.

Clark finds Lois sobbing on their bed.

"Nobody trusts me!"

TBC