Beside you still

Chapter 7 DINNER DATE FOR 4!

LOIS' APARTMENT

Perry White and her father General Sam Lane were due at 6:00. They are both very punctual, Loos needs to be ready.

5:30 and the doorbell chimes. She picks her smart phone off the counter and sees it is Superman. She chuckles and presses the green button to unlock the door. She presses the blue button and her voice sounds, "come in Superman, the door is open. And welcome."

He chuckles, opens the door and enters. Lois comes from the kitchen; she gives him a brief hug and a light kiss on the cheek.

He steps back, "That was rather chaste, eh?"

"Well, the others are reserved for . . . ah, him. You know?"

"Ah . . . I do. We'll get to those later, I assume?"

"Absolutely! I'm trying to separate . . . ah, you know the suit and the man. Ok?"

"Yes, OK. But don't stress out over it. I may have overreacted, sorry. I don't want you on pins and needles over this. You know I love you; let's just relax and enjoy the relationship."

"Thank you for saying that. I've been overthinking things. But when you are in the suit, how should I address you? God, this is complicated!"

"Well, when we are in public say at an accident scene it's Superman, obviously. When in private-

Lois breaks out into fits of laughter, Clark joins her. They embrace and kiss deeply. He grabs her ass and squeezes just as the doorbell chimes.

"Later," she whispers.

Lois lets her company in and dinner prep speeds up.

As they start dessert, Clark begins with Part 2 of his story. In this part the speakers are indicated by:

C = Clark; LL= Lois; P = Perry; S = Sam Lane.

C: To start, this is a terribly complex subject. Some parts can only be understood when I have permission to show you something. I do not have that permission at this time; so, please bear with me.

P: Permission from whom?

C: That is part of the complexity. Please trust me.

LL: I trust you. Go ahead Clark; she takes a big bite of Martha's apple pie ala mode.

C: Millenia ago, in the ancient past, the human race split. The part of which I am a descendant traveled the universe looking for a new home. They found a suitable planet, and named it Krypton. On this planet, Homo sapiens terrae evolved over time to what we see and know now. On Krypton, Homo sapiens kryptonis evolved at a faster rate. Thus, that civilization became more advanced.

Sam is listening, thoughtfully. He can tell that this will be very complex.

S: Are you human or alien?

C: I am human of another sub species.

P: Ok, we'll need time to digest that. Go ahead.

C: My birth parents were renowned scientists on Krypton. My father discovered that Krypton's planetary core was becoming unstable; the planet would soon implode. The ruling council did not believe him. He advocated planetary evacuation, the only feasible plan to save a large share of Krypton's population. The council refused; they forbade off planet travel. In desperation, my parents built a space pod in secret; they placed their infant son in the pod for a trip to earth. Their hope was to preserve 1 Kryptonian, ME. I arrived in mid-America at about the age of 3 earth years. Questions so far?

LL: Wow! Ah, no.

P & S: Shake their heads, no.

C: I landed in Kansas; found the Kent's and I remain the Kansas farm boy who you have always known.

P: Found the Kent's?

C: During the meteor shower of '89, the Kent's were driving home when a meteor struck just in front of their truck. They rolled over, landing on their top. A naked little boy found them; he grabbed the cab and flipped them upright. So, I met my earthly parents – Jonathon and Martha Kent. Lionel Luthor assisted them with an adoption, and here we are!

LL: Let's take a break, shall we?

They all agree. It is approaching 8 o'clock! Lois' bewitching hour is only 30 minutes away!

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After refreshments and a relieving break, they settle down for a wrap up.

C: One short point then questions. Krypton had a red sun. Earth has a yellow sun; the yellow sun super charges all the cells of my body. Creating my powers. Questions?

P: Had a red sun. What happened?

C: Krypton imploded. My space pod has a video of that; it happened as I was leaving the planet.

LL: Do you remember that?

C: No, I was an infant.

S: How long did your trip take?

C: About 3 earth years.

LL: Your mother must have been-

C: Devastated, yes. She has told me that was the hardest thing she has ever done!

P: She told you? What the hell!

C: Yes. I have access to a holographic representation of my birth parents. We can talk to each other. This will become clearer when we talk again, sorry.

LL: Time to leave, guys. Sorry, NOT!

S: Plans? My little Lo?

LL: Yup, and they do not include YOU! Sorry, daddy.

Sam and Perry make a quick exit. They know what's coming, and they are not going to stand in the way of love!

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SNUGGLING ON THE COUCH

"Do you know your parent's names?"

"Jor-El and Lara Van-El."

"So, you are?"

"Kal-El. Kal of the house of El. Our house has been essentially ruling nobility for centuries. Even so, and with my father's respected status as a highly regarded scientist, the ruling council would not believe him."

"Why didn't they come with you?"

"There was no time. They had to build my little pod in secret. They didn't even have time to test it, before time ran out."

"Your mother-

"She actually cried when she told me about placing me in the pod. They had tried for years to conceive. And there she was, letting me go. Knowing she would never see me again. Not even knowing if I would survive the trip."

They are both crying now.

"Why earth?" Lois asks.

"Kryptonian people have visited earth before. There are caves outside Smallville that contained a portal, for inter-stellar travel. When off planet travel was forbidden, all portals were shut down. Thus, the pod."

"And you are here for what purpose?"

"My pod contained a message to that effect. My parents and I misunderstood it at first."

"How so?"

"We thought it said I was to rule earth. Like a dictator. But it actually meant I was to protect earth. From enemies at home and from across the galaxy*."

"Wow, quite a manifesto! A huge burden to bear!"

"Yes. Now, maybe you can understand my search for someone to love; someone to love me."

Lois doesn't say anything, she can't. She is all choked up. To think that this man, this super man would trust her with his heart – his love, was almost more than she can bear. Can she possibly be worthy? This changes things completely. "I love you, Clark." She chokes out, her voice husky with emotion.

"I love you, Lois. Thank you for being here for me," he lightly kisses the top of her head.

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TBC

As you probably can tell, my Superman will not be confronting any super villains from across the galaxy. Or the universe. There is a ton of that out there; so, happy hunting if that's your thing.