Army brat, Farm guy
Chapter 3e Trust
Metropolis General cafeteria
Sam and Clark have told Lois and the nurses that they are going down for some coffee and maybe a bite to eat. They go through the line, selecting drinks and food. Clark hadn't eaten since breakfast so he grabbed a burger & FF. They sit at a table far away from prying ears.
Shortly Sam opens the talking, "You have special abilities." He looks Clark straight in the eyes.
"Was that a question?" Clark doesn't flinch.
"No, son. It wasn't."
Clark takes a bite of his burger, chews, then a FF. "Yes, I do." Another 2 FF.
"Care to elaborate?" Sam sips his coffee.
"I am being careful, evaluating those close to me. I mean friends and co-workers especially. To see who can be trusted with this knowledge. And who really needs to know." He keeps on eating.
"Is Lois on your list?" Sam thinks she should be.
"Close, very close. It would make my life easier."
"And hers?" The general is boring in.
"Problematic." Clark sighs.
"How so?" The general huffs.
"Well, answer me this; who would you say is the most dangerous, despicable, evil person in Metropolis?"
"Lex Luthor, hands down."
"Ok. So, let's say that I have powers that Lex wants to use for his nefarious purposes."
"You do."
Clark smiles. "I do. And Lex learns that General Sam Lane knows the real-life identity of the red/blue blur."
"Excuse me?" Sam leans back.
"Sam, behind the blur – or whatever super hero persona I use – is a man. A real man."
"Ok." Sam nods.
"So, Lex wants to get that real man on his team, any way he can, right?"
"I'm following."
"How does Lex get to Sam, and force him to reveal the secret? He kidnaps and threatens someone Sam loves dearly. Viola!"
"Oh, god! You mean-
"Your daughters, yes." Clark goes on eating, letting that soak in.
"But work must be terribly complicated for you, Lois, Perry etc."
"It is! Now that I'm close to deciding that Lois and Perry, and maybe you are safe to share with – what do I do? Given the potential danger that knowing will put you in?"
Clark chews his last FF.
Sam puts his head in his hands. "I think you know that being Lois' partner long-term will not work with all this being kept secret, right?"
"I know. What would you advise, sir?"
Sam scowls at the sir.
"Sorry."
"Well, she deserves to know." Sam declares.
"I agree 100%!" Clark nods and leans forward.
"So, you, we, tell her. Yes?"
"Agree, as soon as I can work out the timing. You and Perry will be in on it. I promise." Clark is committed.
"When?"
Clark shrugs.
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4 DAYS LATER
Lois has been discharged. She received a clean bill of health from the doctors. Her dad is staying with her for 1 week. After that she will be back to work at the Daily Planet and on her own.
CHIME
Lois' phone signals an incoming TXT.
RW: Can I come over; I need to apologize? Sorry!
Lois turns to her father. "Richard wants to come and apologize. Can you go someplace-
"NO! I'm not leaving you alone with him. I know what he did, in general terms." Sam scowls.
"Daddy, I'll be ok! I can defend myself if I know what's possibly coming!" Lois places her hands on her hips.
"Lo, why won't you press charges? You know abusers continue to abuse! He needs to face the music!"
"Daddy!"
"Lois, tell me this. Do you intend to continue a relationship with Richard?"
She looks down. "I don't know. It depends on what he says, I suppose."
"WHAT! Lois, you and I know what he will say. I'm sorry, babe. It will never happen again! The script never changes! You know that!"
Sam starts to pace. He stops by the kitchen window, far away from Lois and sends a TXT:
SAM to CK: Please monitor Lo apt, NOW!
CK: coming, in 2.
SAM THX stay OOS!
CK: Copy that
"You texted Clark, right?"
"If I did?"
"Why, daddy?"
"He and I care for you, a great deal."
"You know that how?" She is dubious, but-
"I know the nurses told you about him at the ICU. They told me."
"What do I do daddy?" She's wringing her hands.
"Lo, what do you intend, going forward? Do you think you can trust Richard? Really?"
"I don't know." She puts one hand on her forehead.
"Lois, you are better than this! You are an excellent investigative reporter. You know when you can trust a source. Use your damn head, girl! This isn't time to let your heart lead you into another f-ing beating! God, I thought I raised you better than this!"
Sam grabs his jacket and left the apartment, slamming the door behind him.
Lois flopped down on the couch and cries.
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Sam started walking slowly up the street. Soon the BLUR joined him.
"Scared of flying?" The BLUR asked.
"No."
"Hang on." Clark wrapped his arms around Sam – 2 minutes later they landed on the MPD roof. They headed down to the chief's office. After being announced, they entered and took a seat.
"Chief Ashton, Sam Lane. Lois Lane's father."
The gentlemen shook hands.
Clark asked, "May Sam see Richard White's rap sheet?"
"Trouble? I saw the report on Lois' assault. I thought she should press charges."
"I can't believe it; she's still considering a relationship with that man!" Sam shakes his head.
The chief gets the rap sheet. "Now, upon Clack's recommendation, I can let you see this. But no one else! Promise?"
"Promise."
"And you must not intimate that you've seen it."
Sam nods.
The chief hands over the sheet.
Sam quickly peruses it. He drops his head, "Clark, you better get back there. I don't know if Lois will let him in to apologize or not. I'll catch a cab."
Clark steps out and speeds to Lois' apartment. He lands on the roof and given the circumstances he turns on super hearing. Richard is there.
"Richard, we are done!"
"Lois, baby, I'm sorry. I don't know what got into me."
"No, didn't you hear me? WE. ARE. DONE! Goodbye."
SLAP!
"Bitch, you will never find her now!" RW
Clark moves into the upstairs hall.
"You'll be sorry!" RW
The BLUR pounds on the door, "I heard a commotion," he shouts. "Can I be of assistance?" (His deep, resonant cover voice)
The door opens, Lois looks out.
"May I help you, ma'am?"
"Yes, this gentleman was just leaving. Can you help him find his way?" She smirks.
"Certainly, do you have his address?"
Lois gives the BLUR Richard's address; he puts it in his phone. She smirks at that. Richard scowls.
"I drive pretty fast." Richard boasts.
"I can keep up. Are you ok, ma'am?"
"Yes, thank you so much!"
"My pleasure."
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Daily Planet, 2 days later.
Clark takes his seat. Lois just arrived also.
"I'm sorry Lois, I didn't have time to stop for coffee. Will the Daily Planet special do?"
"No, maybe later. Clark, you will never guess what happened to me!"
He can guess. "What now, Lois?"
"Hmpf . . . well, I met the BLUR!"
He's speechless.
"Yes!" She pauses and looks closely at him, "You know, you two could be brothers."
"Lois, come on. Me?"
"Naw, it must be the lighting."
Clark relaxes.
"He was so nice, I wonder?" She rests her chin on an upraised hand, and smiles wistfully.
Clark cringes.
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TBC
Still another 3x chapter or two.