Army brat, Farm guy
Chapter 3d Waiting game
METROPOLIS GENERAL
After bringing Lois to the ER, Clark stays and answers all questions from the medical staff; he is using his mild-mannered reporter persona, complete with his eye glasses.
The police come and corroborate his statement, based on the security tapes they have viewed. He is waiting while Lois is having a head CT when a military man, in an impeccable uniform, enters the waiting room, coming to a stop in front of Clark.
"And you are?" He snorts in a gruff voice.
He knows Lois' father is an army general. She has shared a little of her personal life.
"Clark Kent, Lois' partner at the Daily Planet, sir."
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3 DAYS LATER – ICU BED #4
Clark is seated alongside Lois' bed. She is stable, but has not regained consciousness yet. Her head CT showed some initial swelling, which has receded; but no intracranial bleeding. The doctors are optimistic – it is just a waiting game.
He stops by every evening after work, staying for a couple of hours or so. He leaves only when he needs to go patrol. He stops by again in the AM, before heading to the Daily Planet. He intends to keep watch faithfully until he sees those flashing hazel eyes once more.
He sits at her side, holding her hand carefully. He hears the curtain being pulled back. In steps Sam Lane, Lois' father. The general stops by Clark's side.
"How is our girl?" Sam softly inquires.
"The same, not awake yet. The docs remain hopeful; medically she is stable." Clark's gaze returns to Lois.
"That's good. Listen Clark – I can take watch now, if that's ok. I'm taking a week off, to watch over my little Lo."
"She lets you call her that still?"
"No choice. Father's prerogative."
Clark chuckles. "Ok . . . may I still come by, sir?"
"Let's drop the sir please. It's Sam or general. And yes, I'm not intending to force you from her bedside. You are welcome; we can switch off. Or whatever works. Don't be bashful, son."
Clark is relieved. He gets up, Sam takes his place.
1 HOUR LATER
Her nurse comes in and checks Lois' vitals, and does her charting. She lingers to talk with Sam.
"That young man who was here." Sybil starts.
"You mean Clark Kent?"
"Yes; he has been so faithful and attentive. We nurses wish that every patient had someone to care for them like that. It makes such a difference in recovery!"
Sam ponders that. "Yes, it does. Thank you for taking good care of my daughter."
"You're welcome. But it's our job – and she's your daughter. But Clark . . . he seems to be someone special."
Sam nods, thoughtfully.
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NEXT DAY – 8 PM
Sam is again at Lois' bedside. Clark appears in the doorway. He whispers, "Any change?"
"No, not yet," Sam replies.
Clark turns and grabs a chair. He sits and pulls from his satchel a large sketch pad and his pencil set. He begins go draw. The nurses pause as they pass by, a smile forming on each face. After an hour and a half, he packs up his pencils. He tears the completed sketch off of the pad and walks over to the general.
He gently touches Sam's shoulder, as the older man has dozed off. Sam opens his eyes and sits up straighter.
Clark holds the sketch up for Sam to see. The general's eyes go wide. He sees himself in a spotless, starched dress uniform, sitting by Lois' bedside, holding her hand. He has a gentle, loving look on his face. Lois is quietly resting, as she is now.
"I tried to show a father's love," Clark says softly. "Lois deserves it."
Sam looks up at Clark, a tear forming in the corner of his eye. He swipes it away, "Thank you," is all he can say.
A nurse brings in an easel with white board. She puts the sketch up on the board where Sam and Lois can see it.
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2 DAYS LATER
Sam is at Lois' bedside, at 6 PM. He is dozing, holding her hand when he feels the hand tighten.
"Lois? Are you awake, sweetie?" He is hopeful.
She slowly opens her eyes and turns her head to look at him. "Daddy?" She croaks out. "What happened?"
"What do you remember, Lo?"
She frowns, "I'm not a little girl anymore."
"I know, but you are always my little girl. What do you remember?"
She pauses to think. "Well, he . . . ah-
"Who, Lois?"
She turns her face away from her dad.
"Richard White, correct?" Sam voices.
"Yeah." She really doesn't want her father to know this.
"Lois, you were assaulted. That is a crime." He doesn't know how hard to push this.
She turns away and sees the sketch. The nurses have added a caption: A FATHER'S LOVE.
"Dad, where did that come from?" She welcomes the chance to change the subject.
"Clark did that for me, or you if you want it."
"It's beautiful. Has he been here?"
"Every day, usually twice a day."
"Really," she frowns. "How long was I out?"
"6 days."
"How did I get here, what the hell happened?"
"Lo, you haven't answered my question."
"What question?" She knows, Sam knows that she knows.
Silence.
"Daddy, I can't . . .-
"What do you remember? I'm not giving up, you know that."
Silence, again.
"Daddy, Richard was over. He wanted me to go somewhere, I said no. Answer me, how did I get here?"
"Clark and the super found you. They heard you scream. Clark carried you to the ER."
"But daddy, that's-
"About half a mile. He was really worried about you. That's quite a partner you have there."
"Yeah."
"What about Richard? Areyou going to press charges?"
Silence.
There is a knock on the door jamb. Clark pokes his head in. "I thought I heard my partner's lovely voice." His grin lights up the room.
"Pshaw, the voice is pretty gravelly yet," she croaks out. "Say, tell me this. How did you carry me all the way to the hospital?"
He flexed his biceps and did a couple jumping jacks. "Exercise," he boasts.
"I'll get it out of you, partner." She smiles smugly.
"Someday," he returns.
Lois' doctor arrives; "Great to see you awake, Lois. Can you all give me a few moments to check my patient, please?"
They exit and stand by the nurse's station for a moment.
"Clark, may I buy you a cup of coffee? Cafeteria?"
Clark nods
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TBC