Beside you still
Chapter 14 Fortress visit
They drop Julie off at school; Miss Nelson welcomes her warmly and Jimmy stares at Clark.
'I don't think you and Jimmy should spend so much time together.' LL
'You may be right. Let's go.' CK
They quickly go home, change clothes and are off. Soon they arrive in the arctic. They walk the last 100 yards and enter Clark's Fortress of Solitude.
"Jor-El, can we speak with you, Lois has a question, and maybe a request."
Silence.
'He's Coming on line.' CK
5" later – "Kal-El! Welcome my son. I see that you have brought Miss Lane. Welcome my dear."
"Thank you. I have a request of you." Lois voices.
"I thought you might. What do you wish to ask?"
"I am desiring another ability, sir."
"Ah, I told you that I could grant only 2, did I not?"
"You did. But you said 'at this time'. I am hoping that you can do more now. Can you, sir?" She is hopeful.
Silence.
'He is thinking'. CK
'Ok.' LL
"Kal-El, she is a persistent one. Just like your mother. Miss Lane, what do you desire?"
"The full change. I want to be a Kryptonian, so I can join Kal-El in his work."
Clark is surprised, but not much. Lois has seen quite a lot of Superman's work. And now she knows the dual identity. AND, she fell in love with Smallville, before she knew he was S/M! So, she knows what she's doing.
"Have you thought this over carefully, Miss Lane? As Kal learned, controlling super powers so one can fit in with Terrans is challenging."
"Yes, I have thought that over; and I desire to join him fully in his work. He has promised to help me with the transition. I trust him."
"As you should. Kal-El?"
"I believe she has considered the consequences. We have talked about it, and I believe she is prepared."
'Thank you, love.' LL"
Jor-El adds, "I now can add the ability to change appearance; such as voice range, eye and hair color to the full package. If Clark desires this he will need to step into a separate chamber."
'That would help greatly with disguise!' LL
'Yes, I like that.' CK
"Yes, we'll do that." Clark tells him.
"I see you are using telepathy. I assume it is useful?"
"Yes, very useful," Lois admits.
Silence.
2" later. "Very well, Miss Lane and Kal-El. Step into the chambers. This will take 58" for Miss Lane and 5" for Kal of earth time. Kal will be waiting for you when the process is complete, Lois."
They follow directions and step into the chambers; soon they are enveloped by a soft blue light. They feel a gentle tingle all throughout their body, and soon lose consciousness. When she regains conscious thought, Clark is standing in front of her chamber. The light fades and the door swings open. Her first step is a doozy. Clark steadies her, and they walk back to the main console.
"Do you have any advice on how to develop and control the appearance power?"
"It's like the other powers. The mind is key, to using and controlling the ability. There is no owner's manual, as you well know."
"Thank you, Jor-El," Lois states. Clark nods in assent.
"You two are very welcome. I will look forward to following your progress. Good by."
"Good bye, dad!"
They hear a soft chuckle as they exit.
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They stop for a late lunch at Johnny Rocket's in the Mall of America on their way home. They both order a cheese burger and FF. Lois adds a chocolate shake, Clark a Coke. She steals a sip or two, or three.
"I guess we are back to apartment leases," Clark starts.
"Yes," Lois agrees. "How do we decide? Yours, mine, new?"
"New? Top floor, with ease of egress and ingress?" Clark can see possibilities.
"With both of us coming and going with super-powers, that is attractive, for sure. Shall we begin a search?" Lois ponders.
"I think so. We need the Daily Planet classifieds. Can you get that?" He asks.
"Yes, let's stop by work then pick up Julie."
"Got it!"
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Daily Planet
Lois and Clark stop by the Daily Planet bullpen to pick up a copy of the current edition. Cat Grant spots them. She gets right in Lois' face.
"Lane, I saw you at that accident scene last week. You grabbed Superman by the arm, then started talking to him! What the HELL were you thinking, girlie?" She steps back, hands on hips.
Lois does not back down. "I was thinking that there was a little girl who may have lost her parents, and needed help! AND I WAS CORRECT! Back off Cattie!" Lois duplicates the stance.
'Way to go girl!' CK
Cat turns on her heels and stomps off, muttering "this isn't over!"
'Wow, I heard that, Clark.' LL
'Yeah, I need to show you how to turn that off. It can become very annoying.' CK
'Later, we'll be late for school.' LL
'I'll run; you drive.' CK He's off.
'Show off.' LL He's not listening. She picks up a paper, then leaves.
Clark slows down as he approaches Julie's school; he enters and finds her classroom. Julie runs to him, flashing a colored paper. "See the picture I drew!"
"That's pretty, what is it?"
"It's our family! See, that's you, Lois, and there's me!"
"Duh," Jimmy snorts as he walks by.
"Shut it, Jimmy," Julie huffs.
"Sweetie, careful with your language," Clark admonishes his charge.
"But he disrespected you." She frowns.
"He did, but don't stoop to his level, please."
"Ok, I'll try not too."
Clark gives her a big hug.
Just then Lois walks in.
"See the picture I drew, Lois." Julie proudly shows it to her foster mom-to-be.
"Hey, that's our family," Lois picks up on that right away.
"She's smarter than she looks," Jimmy-smart-mouth spouts as he passes, again.
Lois clenches her fists, but Clark lightly grasps her arm-
'No, no. I've been there with Julie here. Set a good example, babe.' CK
'Ok, but he's a snot nosed kid.' LL
'Yes, but I asked Jules to be a better person. Help me out here.' CK
'Golt it. Thanks, love you.' LL
'Love you too.' CK
"Julie, you ready to go?" Lois asks.
"Yes, let's go. Can we have pizza tonight?"
"You bet," Clark responds.
They're off in a flash. Not quite.
Daily Planet newsroom. Cat accosts Perry White, "PERRY! Lane has an excuse for everything!"
"Now what Grant?"
"She said she grabbed Superman's arm because of some imaginary girl!"
"Cat, how stupid can you be? That little girl was 6 y/o Julie Adams. Name ring a bell?"
"No, should it?" She's a little nervous now.
"Both Julie's parents were beheaded in that accident! The girl doesn't know that last detail. Lois and Clark are applying to be her foster parents. BACK OFF!"
"Ah, so they are a couple!"
"I didn't say that."
"But-
"WHAT PART OF BACK OFF DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND, GRANT?" Perry White Is in her face now.
"Got it, SIR!" She turns and stomps off. 'There's a story there' she thinks.
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TBC
A/N: Maybe Cat & Jimmy should partner up?