Army brat, Farm guy
Chapter 11 Mexico plus
Saturday morning
Lois awakens and looks to her bedside clock.
9:10
The bright blue numbers almost hurt her eyes. She turns to look at Clark, he's gone. She feels the sheets, slightly warm. He's not up very long. Then her sense of smell kicks in. Coffee! Not just any coffee. She is amazed that she can already smell the different aroma of those Columbian coffee beans. Juan Valez should be proud of Lois Lane!
Today they are flying to Mexico. Yesterday Clark showed he-r a leather harness that Jonathan had devised, for the safety and comfort of a 'passenger' of Clark's. Lois had tried it, and felt that it would make flying even more pleasurable. She was really looking forward to this trip.
She put on her mid-thigh length pale green silk robe and padded out to the kitchen. She found him at the stove, with his matching, darker green silk robe on. He was busily working on breakfast. She sidled up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Good morning, lover boy," she uttered in a low voice that sent shivers up his spine.
He leans back into her embrace, "Good morning, beautiful. Last night was-
"Amazing! I've never felt more loved," she purrs.
"Agreed, breakfast in 10. Then we talk about our day." He twists around and plants a kiss on her forehead.
She disappears down the hall, he puts the finishing touch on a frittata and starts the coffee maker.
"Which suit should I wear?"
"Just leisure wear for now."
"Ok." In 5" she comes out in jeans and a tank top. They sit and eat breakfast.
888888888888
MEXICO
PRE-TRIP TALK
"Lois, we've got a few things to talk about."
"Such as?"
"Names."
"Names?"
"Yes. Jose and Maria only know me as Superman, or Kal."
"Kal?"
"Yes; have you forgotten my Kryptonian name, Kal-El?"
"Oh, now I remember. So, I should call you Kal?"
"Yes. And we need a name, or alias, for you. Do you have one you've ever used?"
"Um . . . yes, but I don't want to go back there."
"Bad times?"
"You don't want to know."
"I might."
"Ah, no, really."
"Ok, so, any ideas?"
"Yeah . . . Isobel," she whispers.
"Who is Isobel?" He wonders.
"A young woman I read about from 1600's France. She was a naughty girl."
Clark smirks, "How naughty are we talking about here?"
"She was burned at the stake. For witchcraft."
"Maybe witch blood in your veins?" He is interested.
"Ah, no. That would be interesting though."
"Fascinating. If me with my powers, and YOU-
"Stop! We're not going there, Clark!"
"Ok, so we are Kal and Isobel, right?"
"Right. I'll go change. Have you decided on which suit you prefer?"
"Your choice. Plus, swim wear, a cover up, and 1 leisure outfit. That'll fit in one small case. Correct?"
"You forgot sleepwear."
He smiles.
"Oh, yeah. Catch up Lois." She mutters, and blushes.
He grins.
88888888888
SAN FELIPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA
Late afternoon, they softly land just outside a small town on the Gulf of California. They walk into town and find a little café. As they enter, Kal is engulfed in hugs from an elderly senora & senor. Maria and Jose are overjoyed to see their long-time friend and his lovely companion.
After introductions and seating, Jose scurries off to find them beverages.
"Can I see a menu please," Lois inquires.
Maria laughs, "I know what Kal likes, you will love it. I will bring it out soon." She disappears into the kitchen.
Jose soon reappears with two ice-cold bottles of Corona, topped by a slice of lime. "Enjoy, mi amigos!"
"Will I enjoy what she brings out?" Lois is puzzled.
"I absolutely guarantee it!" Kal grins. (She had the same last evening)
Soon they have before them: soft fish tacos (fresh fish this morning), carne enchiladas, refritos, arroz, warm corn tortillas and three sauces (mild, warm, hot).
"This is the same as what you brought back last evening."
"Why mess with perfection? We can try other things tomorrow, just ask Maria."
Lois groans before she even starts. After a few bites, she is moaning with delight. She asks for a 2nd Corona.
"I don't have room for dessert," Lois groans.
"Oh, but you do. The best flan that will ever tickle your tongue will just slide down and fill all the cracks. Just like last evening. Then you will be full." Kal teases her.
"And do we get a dessert #2, just like last night?" She grins.
"If you ask nicely."
"Please," she purrs.
"Um hm, that'll work." He smiles.
8888888888888
After dinner and an extended chat with their hosts, Lois asks. "Does the Superman express have a weight limit? I think I put on a couple pounds."
"No problem. Are you ready for bed?" He winks.
"After we watch the sunset." She wants things to settle a bit.
They sit in a comfy lounger on the veranda, Lois relaxing back into Kal's chest as sol dips below the horizon. Kal points out the constellations that they can see. The view at San Felipe is a bit different; but still northern hemisphere stars.
After friendly good night embraces for Jose and Maria, they are off to their guest room.
"Now about that sleep wear," Lois teases.
"Oh, just remove the top layer, and we will find our way from there." Kal instructs.
They do, and they do find their way.
88888888888
SUNDAY MORNING
Kal wakes up with the village rooster. Just like the old days on the farm in Smallville. He slips his legs over the side of the bed and sits there for a moment.
"Don't go," a sleepy voice implores him from behind. A hand grasps his shoulder and pulls him back down.
The rooster crows again.
"What was that?" She mutters.
"The village alarm clock." He snickers.
The rooster crows again.
"Sounded awfully much like a rooster. They still have those?" She sounds a little more awake.
"Yup, we had one on the farm. Named Harold. How else can you get little chicks?"
"What? No way!"
"Way!"
"Now you're telling fairy tales, Kal!"
"Nope. Just ask Maria, or Jose." He chuckles.
"You coming back to bed babe?" She sounds like she knows what she wants.
"Will I get a reward?"
"Come and find out."
8888888888
1 HOUR LATER
MARIA CALLS BREAKFAST
That gets Isobel and Kal up. Quickly!
After breakfast they change into swimwear; they have matching royal blue swim suits. His Bermuda shorts type, hers a bikini. They then apply generous portions of sunscreen (low latitude climate), complete with massage. They leisurely stroll to the beach and rent a two-person sea kayak. Lois has never done this – Kal assures her that he won't let anything bad happen.
She screams bloody murder when she spots her 1st sting ray on the bottom of the bay! Kal reassures her that they won't jump into the kayak. She calms down, but continuously looks down into the water; tensing each time she spots one. She doesn't have a very relaxing time.
After a buffet lunch, during which Lois tried several different creations. All great! Lois wondered if she could get some takeout? No, Kal doesn't have a fridge compartment. Too bad.
They pack up and she slips into her harness and they depart. Jose and Maria had extracted a promise of soon return. That would not be a difficult promise to keep!
Kal cruises leisurely northward when he hears a cry for help. He pauses to listen closely.
'What is it?' Lois asks telepathically.
88888888888
FLASHBACK – 3 WEEKS PRIOR
"Where are we going," Lois asks.
"My Fortress of Solitude."
"Oh, like your loft?"
"No, this is a representation of my home planet, Krypton. At least how it used to look."
"I'm sorry. Does it make you sad?" She sometimes wonders how he can take it, remembering all that happened. To his parents and all.
"Yes, and no. I can talk with a holographic representation of my father and mother here."
"Can I?"
"I think so. We'll see."
They reach the arctic and land. They walk the last 100 yards, and there it is!
"OH, my, it's beautiful!" Lois exclaims.
"I brought you here to see if my father is able to give you one or two powers, like mine."
"You're kidding!"
"Nope, come on," he grasps her hand and they enter.
After considerable discussion during which Lois meets Jor-El and Lara van-El, it comes down to Lois can be granted 2 powers. NOT dense molecular structure. That would be part of a total change; available only if she had some Kryptonian blood in her. She does not.
She and Kal talk it over; she chooses 1) Mental telepathy, and 2) Super strength.
He adds mental telepathy also. Now they can communicate surreptitiously; and she can escape incarceration situations. The choices were hard. In the end, both were pleased. And look forward to trying their/her new abilities.
8888888888
TROUBLE
Kal brings a finger to his lips, asking for quiet. He listens then talks.
"A distress call, slightly NW. Maybe Yosemite."
He veers a little NW of their present course. As they approach the park, he zeroes in on El Capitan. He hears it again; someone is calling for the BLUR!
He sees a climber near the top of a route, in a hammock. One end of the hammock looks like it has slipped; endangering the climber. Kal sees no current slippage; so, he sets down and lets Lois out of her harness. She takes their luggage and urges caution. After a kiss he takes off, up to help.
He rises straight up and begins to hover about 10 yards away. As soon as he does, he starts to feel dizzy and nauseous.
He recognizes what is happening. 'Kryptonite, Lois'!
'Get out of there, Kal!'
"I'm dropping, intentionally'.
As he drops, he hears, "This bothering you?" As the person in the hammock throws a green rock his way.
Fortunately, as Kal drops, he gains powers. He sees the arm motion and moves to the side, away from the path of the rock.
'Lois, find a lead-lined pouch in my backpack. Put the Kryptonite in it.'
'On it.'
Kal turns on x-ray vision, and ascends slowly. He sees a cell phone in use. He fries it, keeping the heat on until it's dropped.
"You son-of-a-bitch!" A man's voice.
'Lois, cell dropping'.
'On it'.
Kal switches back to x-ray. He sees a gun, with green bullets. Back to heat; he fries it until the gun is a melted mass and dropped.
"A*hole!"
'Lois, melted gun coming down'.
'You think I'm Waste Management, or something?'
'No, just my indispensable right hand! Thanks!'
'I will collect my reward later.'
'I'll pay up.'
'Be careful up there.'
"Got it.'
Kal rises until he is at the same level, 50 yards out. With x-ray he examines the pitons holding the hammock. They are solid and secure, though one is inserted lower to seem unstable.
"Nice job of asymmetry there," Kal shouts.
A man peeks out, Kal snaps a picture. He will send it to Chloe for facial rec.
"You bastard, now what do I do?"
"Just wait for your buddies to come get you." Kal instructs.
"I ain't got no buddies." Kal can believe that!
"Who are you working for? Where did you get that green rock, those green bullets?"
"Shut up, get me down from here."
"Naw, but I'll make sure you're nice and stable." Using heat vision, Kal welds the pitons to the rock.
"I'll call 911 for you, no extra charge."
Kal calls 911, then descends to Lois.
"Everything secured?"
"Yup, what now?"
"Gotta make a call, then off to Watchtower."
He dials; "Chloe, Kal here."
"Trouble?"
"A little. I'm sending pix for facial rec. Then Isobel and I are flying in."
"Ok, I'll unlock the balcony door."
"Good, be there in 5, or less."
8888888888
TBC