It was a surprisingly rainy day in Metropolis. It was spring, but the weather forecast promised nice weather. For Pete Ross the weather was no reason to be in a bad mood…
It was nice to get out of Wichita for once. When his company told him, there is a seminar in Metropolis, he agreed immediately. He used the chance to take his wife Melanie with him and spend the weekend in the city. Coming to Metropolis gave him also a chance to meet with his best friend from High School again: Clark Kent!
Pete and Clark knew each other from young years. Spending a lot of time together. Pete was often a visitor at Clark's house and vice versa. Expect those times, Clark was 'sick'.
There was always something about Clark, that seemed very 'special'. Something mystic! A side of him, he and his parents kept for themselves. Pete didn't ask for it. Everyone has something he always keeps for himself. Pete has some of those, too. Pete decided to don't rush… until that fateful night after the Soul Asylum concert.
He at the wheel, and Clark and Lana on the rear cuddling. Till the moment, he was too tired to keep his eyes open. Why he didn't drink the energy-drink, that was offered to him before he put himself behind the wheel. It was a long drive. And so… just a few miles away from his house, suddenly everything changed.
A blur… screaming… a swosh… and the next thing he knows is that he seems to fly before he lands next to his mother's car before it smashed with a loud crash against a tree and overturned.
Was it a coincidence that Clark left Smallville just shortly after? Or that he didn't see him for years after that? Only hearing sporadic from him? Pete left Smallville shortly after Clark, too to go to college! And just like Clark he never returned. In Smallville there was nothing that was worth to return for. His own parents recommended him to look for a job in another town, knowing that Smallville has no future. No matter how many mortgages Martha Kent takes!
Pete moved to Wichita, got a job, met a nice woman, married her, got two kids with her, and made a life. And now he was here. Visiting his old friend at his place in Metropolis…
Pete parked their Ford Taurus right on the spot, Clark told him over WhatsApp and turned off the motor.
"Here we are! It's the brownstone over there! Nice neighborhood, isn't it?" Pete said. But his wife was frowning.
"Pete, this is ridiculous!"
"Come on, Mel! I told you the story! It's him!"
"Pete, I know! You told me that story countless of times! And yes, I admit he looks a little bit like him! But Clark Kent, the guy who was your best friend in High-School, being Superman? This sounds so totally not plausible!"
Pete moaned…
He always had a suspicion. He had weird dreams ever since their accident. Of a blur, a flying Clark…
"You will see, I am right!" Pete said and grabbed the shopping-bag from the rear seats. "Just do everything according to the script and we will see!"
"Aww… Fine!" Melanie moaned and together they left the car. "But I swear you, if we humiliate ourselves, I will…"
"I know!" Pete moaned, while locking the car and walking with his wife to Clark's house.
Of course, Pete wouldn't face Clark for the first time in years and tell him straight into the face: 'by the way, I know you are Superman'. No! Pete's plan was to convince Clark to tell him on his own…
Pete knew it from the moment he saw the first interview. Another clear indication in his eyes was the fact that he married Lois Lane a.k.a. the woman who always gets saved by Superman and interviewed him almost exclusively. Suddenly it made so much sense that they survived that crash. Or Clark's regular absences from school…
He told his wife about his suspicion. She called it ridiculous! They were married for six months, when Clark made his first appearance as Superman. Not even her husband's plausible stories were able to convince her. She loves Pete, but sometimes she doesn't get smart out of her husband. With a bright smile, Pete rang the doorbell and looked on his wife.
"Trust me, Mel! I know what I do!" Pete said.
The house was not what the people expect where Superman lives. On the internet, people had wild theories about Superman living in a high-tech-cave, a secret space-station, or even a castle made of clouds in heaven. Their daughter loves the last theory. Of course, there was nothing to be seen outside that indicates that Superman lives here. Clark wouldn't be so stupid.
Just a few seconds after they rang, Clark opened the front door with a bright smile. Happy to see his old friend again.
"PETE! HI! It's so great to see you again!"
"Hi, Clark! Thanks for the invitation!" Pete said while they hugged, and Pete could feel Clark's very muscular body below his long-sleeved shirt. Wondering if the Superman-suit is below it right now. Pete purposefully put his hand on Clark's left upper arm and felt his muscles. "OH… Someone goes to the gym?"
"Oh… No! No time for that! That is still from all the farm work!" Clark smiled awkwardly.
Melanie looked on Clark's face when he smiled. Just like Pete told her. Could it be?
"Remember my wife, Mel?" Pete said when he stepped aside.
"Of course! Hello, Melanie! Nice to see you again!" Clark said and offered his hand for a handshake.
Without thinking Melanie, took Clark's hand to feel his strong grip. It felt normal! Not superhuman strong! Even a bit too lax! But she liked how soft Clark's hand and his skin felt.
"Hi, Clark! It's been long!"
"Yeah, five years now! Come in!" Clark said and invited them inside. "Lois! Our guests have arrived!"
The Rosses entered the house, looking around. It was the first time they visited Clark and his family in his house in Metropolis. Usually, they met when they both visited Smallville at the same time. When Pete told Clark that he is coming to Metropolis, Clark invited him to his place without hesitation. And Pete was glad. What he was planning was much easier to be done here instead of a crowded restaurant.
"Nice house!"
"Thank you! It was a compromise! Clark told smiling. "Lois wanted a condo in the city. I wanted a detached house in a suburb."
As if on cue, Lois came out of the kitchen to greet their guests, too.
"Pete and Melanie Ross! How nice to see you again!" Lois cheered and greeted them.
Pete pulled out a bottle of wine as a present out of the shopping bag and handed it to Clark who was very grateful. He led the guests to the living-room where some snacks were already prepared on the coffee-table.
"Mind if I leave that here! That are souvenirs for our kids, and we didn't want to let them in the car." Pete said, leaving the shopping bag in corridor.
"Sure, feel like home!" Clark said when he went to the kitchen to get the coffee.
In the meantime, Lois led their guests to the couch. Pete and Melanie used the chance to take a glimpse on the photos that were hanging all over.
"Your boys?" Melanie asked.
"Yes!" Lois said proudly when she saw the around one year old photo of Jonathan and Jordan from their first day in second grade.
"I like those curls. Where are they now?"
"Oh, they went with their friend Timmy to the video-games-convention! They actually wanted to say hello to you, too. But their friend Timmy from next door is going to move to Germany with his parents in a few weeks. So, they spend as much time as possible together now before he leaves."
"Oh… makes sense! Germany is far away! Would be difficult to visit each other!"
"Yes! Flights are so cheap these days, but still costs!" Lois murmured.
"Not if you are Superman and can commute." Pete throw in.
Melanie looked on Lois face and could indeed see a brief 'twitch' in Lois face. But her poker-face was stronger.
"Yeah, but this is far. Let's take a seat."
They settled down on the couch and Clark came back with the now open wine and filled it into the prepared classes.
"This is your first visit to Metropolis, isn't it?" Clark asked.
"Yes! And I must say, this City is awesome. So impressive and so modern. Nothing compared to Wichita or Smallville." Pete said.
"Yeah. I admit, I felt pretty overwhelmed when I came here." Clark said with a smile.
Clark sat down, too. Not noticing Pete and his wife studying him cautiously. Looking beyond the glasses he was wearing to hide his identity. Both wondering how it could be just the glasses. Pete was convinced. Melanie still needed a prove.
"The Daily-Planet… interesting. How is it to work there?" Pete asked.
"Quite interesting!" Clark said. "You know Lois here, is one of the most successful journalists in the world. She won various awards with her work."
"Oh, I know. I use your work in my classes!" Melanie told. Melanie was a teacher. She teaches English, and History in a Middle School in Wichita. "My students sometimes write essays about your articles."
"Oh… I am flattered!" Lois said and blushed. "I publish a lot of articles. Which one they write Essays about?"
"I spent the night with Superman!" Mel said, causing both Lois and Clark to pale.
This was the moment, Melanie starts to get suspicious, too. Their pale faces, the awkwardness, but was it possible that it was just because of that title…
"Sorry if this is too awkward for you. I mean you must be so tired of hearing stuff like that."
"Aww… No, it's fine! We are both used to the talking and the gossip." Lois said, trying to change the topic. "You know that Interview was briefly before I and Clark got officially together. And at that time, I already knew that I love him."
Lois and Clark looked on each other like newlyweds. Showing their guests how much, they love each other.
"I have to admit, when the Interview got published, I didn't get that picture out of my head for weeks." Clark laughed to sound believable jealous.
"And I yelled the crap out of our chief-editor, for changing the title of the story. Threatening to press charges against him and the Planet if he ever does that again. The whole office could hear it!" Lois blushed.
"That was an understatement. You shattered the glass-door of his office when you stormed out." Clark told.
"That was an accident!" Lois told and laughed.
It was their typical script when someone asked them about the constant rumor that Lois once had something going on with Superman. Mostly to prove that it wasn't true. But at the Planet their colleagues talk about the shattered door till today…
"I like this house! How old is it?" Pete asked.
"Oh… Well, it was built around 1910. That's at least what the previous owner told us." Clark said.
"These old houses have charm! You never know what you can find in these houses." Pete said. "Already found any secret chambers in here? Or hidden rooms?"
For your Superman-lair, Pete thought but didn't speak out loudly. It would make sense. And a secret room would fit into this type of building. He watched enough renovation shows to know that.
"No! But who knows!" Clark said. Knowing how much he would appreciate such a secret room.
Slowly Clark and Lois got suspicious. What are these weird questions? Clark decided to change the topic again and so they start to talk about their kids. Pete and Melanie had two kids, too. A daughter, who was one year older and a son who was one year younger than the Kent-twins. They talked about their hobbies and what the kids do, how good they are in school and so on…
"How is it for you that your son plays football?" Pete asked. "I mean you hate football, Clark!"
"Well… I know I and the football team of our school were far from being friends and I was always convinced that football players are naturally evil. But Jonathan has so much fun of it. And he does not play to have a reason to bully others, but just for fun."
"My parents told me that there is a new Coach hired at Smallville-High. He is said to be a very arrogant guy, who already scared away a player out of the team!" Pete said, remembering what his parents told him about that new Coach. Gaines was his name.
"I can't imagine that!" Clark said.
"It must be very exciting to live in Metropolis! I mean, we are here for only three days, and we saw maybe less than a percent of this place." Pete said, deciding to go for another attempt.
"Oh, yes! Smallville is nothing compared to Metropolis! But I appreciate the cohesion and the peace in Smallville!" Clark said. This caused Pete to raise an eyebrow and look on Clark as if he just offended someone.
"You seemed to miss a lot going on there. My parents tell me every time, we visit them, that we should not move back there. Not because my parents don't want us to be close. No, they would move to Wichita at the first opportunity. But because Smallville is dying!"
"Dying? Smallville? No!" Clark said.
"Well… they closed another company. The unemployment rate is rising, and everyone who gets the chance to work somewhere else to work their takes the opportunity without hesitation. Nearly everyone we once knew is out of Smallville today. Expect Lana!" Pete told, taking a sip of wine. "She is still married to Kyle Cushing?"
"Yes! We're in touch!" Clark said.
"I don't believe that lasts forever! I never liked Kyle!" Pete said, while thinking about that bully Kyle was back in High-School. "I heard he drinks a lot!"
"Lana told me they fight from time to time. But it's getting better." Clark said.
"You have always been a smooth-talker, Clark!" Pete said.
No surprise Clark became Superman with his 'I forgive everything' mentality. Jonathan Kent Sr. and his wife Martha must have been very careful that their superpowered son does not kill any bully and exposes himself to the world in a bad way.
"Our kids wanted to come with us. They so urgently wanted to come to Metropolis and see Superman." Pete told.
"Well…" Clark put on his best poker face. Pete couldn't detect anything. "… the number of tourists coming to Metropolis increased about 200 % since Superman flies around here."
"Any city would have a boost of tourists when they have a Superhero." Clark smiled. "I am sure if Superman would have chosen Moscow as his home base, Moscow would have a boost in tourists."
"Gosh, could you imagine Superman as a Russian?" Pete laughed. "I bet he is American!"
"Superman is cosmopolitan!" Lois interfered. "He can be everything and from everywhere. He can be from Metropolis, or maybe even a small-town like you guys?"
"Yeah… imagine Superman being from Smallville?" Pete said. "Back in our time he could have lived there. Today he would grow up to be a supervillain in that town."
Slowly Clark was getting nervous. Could it be that Pete knows something that he shouldn't know. Or is he just like any other Metropolis tourist who hopes to see Superman for once. His kids were in an age where they probably idolized and adored Superman.
"Our kids wanted to come with us to see Superman. And we had to tell them that we couldn't take them with us, as this is actually a business-trip. And the kids said, take a photo of him when you see him. Ask him for an autograph. And so on… But Superman does not sign photos of him. At least I heard that. What about your kids? Aren't they thrilled that their mom knows Superman in person?" Pete asked, purposely wandering with his eyes to Clark, who didn't notice that as he was looking into his wineglass and wished once again, that he could get drunk.
Luckily Lois had an answer ready: "Oh, they are! And we had countless of discussions about it. You know, everyone thinks that I know absolutely everything about Superman. Even his address and his phone-number. But I don't know more about him than everyone else in the world. But I am flattered that he tells me always about his missions. Probably because I was reporting positively about him when he made his first appearance."
"Makes sense!" Mel said. "But you never, you know, asked for a super-favor? I would do that!"
"Oh… you mean like free flights? Well… would be nice, but I can imagine that there are millions of people who would ask for that. I mean, our sons for example…" a bright smile appeared on Lois face at that thought. "…they were five and they were in the middle of a Superman-worship-phase. Asking me every five minutes when I will Interview Superman again. Or if we can invite him for dinner. And then out of fun we asked them what they would ask Superman."
"And what did they say?" Pete asked curiously. Already seeing in Clark's face that the answer was pretty embarrassing for him.
"They said, they would love to ask Superman if he can teach them to fly!" Lois said, causing their guests to laugh amused.
"Oh… Every kid in the world would love to get flying lessons!" Pete said with a bright smile. "Not every kid in the world has the opportunity!"
"Well… flying lessons sound pretty unrealistic!" Clark said. "For that I can teach the boys to drive in 8 years!"
He wanted to change the topic. The tests in the fortress said, that the boys will never be able to fly. Or get any other powers. Having the normal life, Clark always wanted to have when he was in their age. But Clark had to admit, the thought about flying side by side with his sons and teaching them to fly was wonderful. Clark had no clue that this will be one day one of his greatest mistakes as a father. Or that he never teaches any of his sons to drive!
"But you have to admit, in that case, Superman wouldn't need to play taxi!" Pete said.
"Yeah… But it's still odd!" Clark blushed.
"As soon as Jonathan said it, Clark was so jealous on Superman, he spit out his coffee on me!" Lois laughed. Today she could laugh about that morning. Back then she was just overwhelmed.
"I am sure every child in the world would ask this question to Superman!" Mel said.
"Yes…" Clark blushed again. Not saying out loudly: but you will never be able to!
"Sorry, I am sure you two must be tired of always talking about Superman! With your job and your articles!" Pete said. "Maybe it is because we are in Metropolis! I mean he is so much Superman-stuff. We were in that souvenir-shop today…"
Pete lift from the chair to get the shopping bag from the corridor and to present the presents they bought for their kids.
"Look at this… this you can only find in Metropolis!" Pete said when he pulled out a Metropolis-t-shirt with a cartoon version of Clark's alter-ego flying over the skyline. "What do you say?"
"I think it's cute!" Lois said, knowing that Clark doesn't like toys or other merchandise about him. "Clark?"
"Hm… nice! But it doesn't look like him! Is it just me, or does the Superman on this shirt look more like Henry Cavill?"
"Oh, I hope he gets casted!" Melanie murmured, dreaming of Henry Cavill in the iconic suit.
That was the moment…
Clark was so tired of the discussions about a Superman-movie or about which actor should play him or who looks better in his suit than the original. Clark lowered his head and rubbed the bridge of his nose while letting out a weak moan, hoping that nobody notices that. And that was the moment, Mel could see over his glasses.
This face… this face that always cause her kids to press their own against the TV. This face she sees regularly in TV and in newspapers. This face, one of her students once draw so perfectly, that she won the school's art-contest. This face that so totally not looked like the one from the cartoon-versions on t-shirts, or toys. This was real… Melanie's heart began to beat faster, her fingers trembled… and so the wineglass in her hand start to slip down, spilling the last two sips of wine over her blouse…
"Agghh… OH, NO!"
"Oh, are you okay?" Clark switched back immediately to himself.
The wine glass fell into her lap and big wine stains covered her blouse and her trousers now. Clark placed the now empty wineglass on the table and handed some paper-towels to their guest.
"Oh, how clumsy… I…" Melanie's face turned from pale to blushed when Clark hand her the towel. Suddenly she couldn't see the present glasses anymore. All she could see was Superman. "Sup…er clumsy, of me!"
"Come with me. We have stain remover!" Lois offered and led Pete's wife to the guest toilet in the corridor below the stairs. "Clark, why not making some coffee now?"
"Ehm… yeah…" Clark said and start to tidy up the table.
"Need a hand?" Pete offered and followed Clark to the kitchen.
Now that they were alone, Pete wanted to go a step further…
Lois closed the door after her before Melanie put off her stained blouse to start to wash out the stains with the stain remover, Lois brought from the laundry room next to the kitchen.
"Aghh… this is my favorite blouse! I knew it, being in Metropolis is odd!"
"Hmmm, what do you mean with that?" Lois asked curiously.
"You know… Pete is a huge Superman-fan! Wherever he looks, he sees Superman! This is contagious!" Melanie moaned while washing the stains under the running water. She couldn't believe what she was going to speak out loudly now. But after seeing Clark, his reaction, and considering her husband's stories, she really starts to believe it, too. And so, she continued with their script: "Is it just me, or does your husband looks a little bit like Superman?"
Lois let the bottle with the stain remover drop…
In the kitchen, Clark would have normally heard the conversation between the woman in the guest bath. But he focused on the sound of the running coffee maker. It seemed to have this calming effect. Pete was with him in the kitchen, and they continued talking.
"Is everything alright, Clark?"
"Huh… ehm, yeah! All okay!"
"I am sorry. I should had known that all that talking about Superman must be bothering for you!"
Clark almost let the cups drop when he heard that. So, this is it… Pete knows it! Dammed he saw him using his powers in the car back then? Or maybe earlier?
"Yes!" Clark confessed. "It is true!"
"Yeah… I mean… Your wife is Lois Lane. She interviewed him. Who knows what else?" Pete said. He was sticking straight to his script. Unaware that Clark understood that different.
"Oh… yes, I mean… Who knows what Superman thinks about my wife! Or Lois about him? I mean he looks good!"
Clark saw a chance to get out of it. Pete realized that Clark acted dumb.
In the bathroom, Lois needed a way to get out of this situation…
"Well… Clark and Superman have definitely the same size and the same hair-color!" Lois told. She needed to say something plausible, but also not too suspicious about it to discreetly change the topic and safe their secret. "Maybe I unconsciously never notice? But now that you say it… It could be that they have some kind of similarity."
In all those years, the people only saw what they want to see. Does Melanie Ross is an exemption or does Pete know something? The accident Clark told her about? Lois decided to try it with distraction.
"For that your husband has some similarity with Elon Musk!"
In the kitchen…
"Clark, do you think I look like Elon Musk?"
Clark was grateful about the change of topic and turned to Pete to study his face.
"Well… hmm… Now that you say it… how comes that question?"
"A colleague once described me to someone else as a mediocre, tubby Elon Musk!" Pete told. Unaware to Clark, this was part of Pete's plan. "What do you think?"
"Well… I would say… a bit! Yes!"
"So, you say I am mediocre tubby?"
"Huh… ehm… no no no! All fine…"
"Aww… It's okay! Not everyone can have a broad-shouldered stature like you!" Pete smiled. "I have to think about Superman again now that I say this. I don't know what's wrong with me. Is it the Metropolis-effect?"
"Maybe?" Clark shrugged.
"Remember our accident, Clark?"
Clark became pale. Does Pete play a game with him? Clark put his best poker face on while talking.
"Sure! This is something I will never forget!"
"I dream of it from time to time! And you know, the day Superman made his first appearance, I dreamt of that night again. And in my dream, it was Superman who got us out of the car."
Clark got nervous after hearing it. Sure, a lot of people told rumors about possible Superman-savings before his official debut. All over the country the people had 'Superboy-tales'. Their accident back then would be a great Superboy-tale.
"Sounds interesting!" Clark blushed.
"Yeah… In my dream we were flying over the crash-site. I, Lana, and Superman…" Pete told.
"And where was I?" Clark asked nervously.
"Tell me! I don't know what to think about this dream?" Pete explained. "I don't get smart out of it!"
In truth, that night he woke up with a loud gasp and yelled: 'Oh my god, Clark is Superman!' But of course, Pete didn't speak that out loudly.
"Hmm… Well…" Clark shrugged.
Should he risk it? Pete is his friend! He wanted to tell him his secret ever since they were kids. The only reason for him to not to do that, were his parents worries and the fact that he didn't know where he came from back then and feared to scare him! But today the times were different. They were grown up, mature men and everyone knew Superman and Clark knew where he comes from! And the way Pete is talking tonight? Clark took a deep breath and decided that one or two people in the secret (he couldn't let Mel out) now were acceptable. She was probably already informed by Pete. He decided to risk it…
"You know Pete…" Clark began when suddenly a phone start to ring.
"Now?" Pete moaned and pulled his phone out of this pocket.
As he planned to convince Clark tonight, he told his parents-in-law to don't call them. But seeing his mother-in-law calling, meant that something must have happened. Pete picked up the call…
"Hello! Yes…" Pete said. Clark suddenly saw Pete getting very upset. "WHAT? WHEN… MEL!"
The evening was over!
Pete's mother-in-law called to tell them that their son had an accident during his baseball-training and broke his left forearm. He and Mel had to drive back to Wichita earlier. The original plan was to leave in the evening to arrive home around midnight. Now they had to leave hours earlier.
After drinking one cup of coffee to compensate the half glass of wine he had and after getting some more coffee into his portable mug and some of the cake, they wanted to eat together in a Tupperware-box it was time to say goodbye. Pete didn't care for the secret anymore. Their son was more important…
Lois and Clark both accompanied the Rosses through the heavy rain to their car.
"Sorry to hear what happened! I hope your son recover's soon." Clark said while he and Lois stood under their umbrella next to Pete's car. "But it was so great to see you again! You are always welcome!"
"Same to you!" Pete said and got into the car. His wife already sitting on the passenger seat and talking with their injured son over the phone. "Next time I hope it's longer!"
"We could meet when we visit our parents in Smallville for the next time! Our sons would love to meet you, too!" Clark explained. "Drive carefully! The weather is awful!"
"I will… thank you, Clark!" Pete said and looked one last time to his old friend. Remembering that he had to thank Clark for a lot more. His life to be exactly. "For everything!"
After that, Pete closed the window, turned on the motor and drove away…
Lois and Clark remained standing on the sidewalk for a minute and watched after the leaving car until it vanished behind the next corner. As soon as they were out of sight, both let out a relieved moan…
"Aww… that was so close!" Clark wailed.
"Clark, how long do you want to play this game any further?"
"As long as necessary!" Clark wailed and went inside with Lois. Pete is his friend, but he was not ready to share it with him…
In their car, Pete's wife finished the call with their son and the first shock start to wave off. Their son was in good hands, their parents were with the boy and their daughter was with a friend…
"What a day?" Mel moaned.
"Yes indeed!" Pete said. "I… I can't believe it I was so close! I was so close to convince him to tell me!"
"Pete, if it's a consolation for you… I believe you now!" Mel said, surprising her husband. "From now on I believe you everything you say… Just do me a favor and don't fall asleep while you get us home! I don't need another prove…"