Chapter 3
Lois had just gotten home with Jason when her cell phone rang.
"Hello," she said slightly out of breath. She'd rushed home with Jason, thinking Superman would probably be by earlier this evening.
"Am I interrupting anything? You sound a little stressed?" asked Richard.
"No, no, I just walked in the door."
"Well, I just wanted to up-date you on that mysterious new corporation, Lexicon that we've been investigating." Richard had been in London the past week trying to find out anything he could about the Lexicon Corporation.
"Great, what have you found out?" Lois headed to the kitchen wondering what she could make for dinner.
"I still can't find out who's running Lexicon, but interestingly a new branch opened today in Metropolis. I'm on my way home right now. My flight gets in late tonight so we can compare notes tomorrow at the Planet."
Lois' mind raced. She didn't like the sound of Lexicon and the fact that the company was not open to the press about what it was doing. All requests for interviews had been granted, but very little information was actually given. All the public knew at the moment was that Lexicon was interested in space research and exploration.
"Did you find out if Lex Luthor is involved?" Lois asked grabbing a can from the cupboard.
"If Luthor's involved, no one's talking," Richard said.
Jason ran into the kitchen, "Mommy, I'm hungry. When's dinner going to be ready?"
"Oh, Richard, I have to go. Jason's hungry, I'll call you back later tonight."
"Don't worry about it, Lois. I won't be home until very late tonight. We'll talk tomorrow at the office. Tell Jason 'Hi' for me and I hope to see him tomorrow."
"I will." Lois hung up. She had a lot to think about or worry about. Lex Luthor was a real threat to Jason. He'd asked about Jason's father on the yacht and had held kryptonite near the boy. Even though the kryptonite hadn't affected Jason it was possible Luthor suspected the truth. But there was no way to be sure.
"Is dinner ready yet?" Jason asked again.
"I'm sorry sweetie, mommy was lost in thought. I'm getting dinner ready right now. Go wash up." Lois busied herself with dinner, pushing all thoughts of Lex Luthor and threats to her son, out of her mind.
After dinner and Jason's bath, Lois sank into a patio chair with a glass of wine and an article she needed to proof. The patio lights covered the deck in a warm glow. Music drifted through the open sliding glass door that led to the living room where Jason played Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star on his piano.
Lois took a sip of the wine, placed the glass on the table, leaned her head back, and rested it on the chair's cushion. The words of the song played in her mind, Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky. Her body was just beginning to relax when the music abruptly stopped.
Jason came running onto the patio yelling, "Superman, Superman!"
Lois sat up as Superman glided slowly to the ground his cape billowing behind him. Superman swept up his son and spun him around gently before pulling him close for a long hug.
"I missed you last night," Jason said. "I fell asleep early! I was tired from my field trip. I saw some really cool things at the museum yesterday. Do you want to hear about it?"
Wanting to give father and son some time alone, Lois stood. "I'm going inside to proof my article. Do you want anything?" The look of pure love and joy on Superman's face took her breath away. He loves his son so much, she thought. It's sad he can't be a traditional father to Jason. For the first time, Lois had put herself in Superman's shoes or boots.
It suddenly dawned on her that Superman may want to be like everyone else, but he put saving the world first. Lois had never really thought about that before. Having all those special powers and using them for the good of mankind, came with enormous responsibilities and sacrifices. That is, if you dedicate yourself to saving the world and doing the right thing and Superman always did. But what about Jason? What would Jason decide to do with his life?
"No, thank you, Lois." Superman's voice brought Lois back to the present.
"Oh . . . okay," Lois stammered. She picked up her glass of wine and article and walked into the house, thinking of Jason's future. She glanced back at father and son. Jason sat on Superman's lap excitedly telling him about his visit to the museum. A smiling Superman asked Jason about things he'd seen in the museum. That smile, Lois hadn't seen Superman smile like that for a long time.
Later that evening, Jason took Superman to his room and showed him the souvenir and book he had bought at the museum gift shop. They talked for a long time before Superman finally tucked Jason in bed and read him a story. When the story was finished, Superman stroked Jason's shaggy brown hair, kissed him on the head, and pulled the covers up to his chin.
A sleepy Jason said, "Good night, Superman."
"Good night, son." Superman gazed down at his son. It was always so hard to leave.
Lois leaned on the patio railing and looked out at the river. Some new feelings and realizations had been stirred in her tonight.
"Lois," Superman said as he walked toward her.
As Superman neared, Lois thought, he's so powerful, so self-assured and confident. I wouldn't want to do battle against him.
He stood next to her and the heat emanating from his body warmed her.
"Yes," she said.
"I wanted to say Good-bye," his voice was soft and hesitant.
Something in his voice caused Lois to panic. "I, I'm not sure I understand. Are you leaving? Again?"
"No," Superman quickly assured her. "I've already told Jason, and I wanted to tell you. I have a mission in space. I'm not sure how long it will take. I could be gone a while."
"Space?" Lois was puzzled. The word space reminded her of Lexicon and Lex Luthor.
"Yes, space." Superman saw the puzzled, worried expression on Lois' face. "Space is dangerous even for me. I wanted you and Jason to know, in case . . ."
He didn't get a chance to finish. "I understand," Lois said suddenly agitated. "Does this have anything to do with Lex Luthor?"
Superman frowned. "Lois, why did you mention Lex Luthor?"
"Richard and I have been investigating a corporation called Lexicon. Have you heard of it?" Lois raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, it claims to be dedicated to space exploration and research. Is Luthor involved?" Superman's face hardened at the mention of Lex Luthor.
"I wish I knew." Lois was clearly exasperated. "No one in the corporation is talking other than to claim space research for the benefit of mankind." Lois glanced at Jason's bedroom window then back at Superman. He followed her glance.
"Does Luthor know the truth about Jason?" Superman's jaw tightened and his blue eyes bore into Lois as panic gripped his heart.
Lois wished she'd told Superman her thoughts sooner. "I'm not sure. On the yacht, Luthor asked who Jason's father was. I told him Richard, but I don't think he believe me. He held a piece of kryptonite next to Jason. It didn't have any effect on him, none whatsoever. Luthor might believe Richard is his father. But there's no way to know for sure." Lois shook her head sadly.
"I understand." Superman's strong arms closed around her.
She laid her head on his chest. "I'm so sorry, I should have told you sooner."
They stood together, neither one wanting to end the embrace. Each needing the support and comfort of the other. It was Lois who finally pulled back and with pleading eyes asked, "How can I keep him safe?"
"Lois," Superman said softly and brushed aside a stray strand of Lois' hair, "remember that Jason has strength, speed, and some invulnerability, even to kryptonite."
"I know, but his powers aren't as strong as yours! He isn't as fast or completely invulnerable." Her face creased with worry.
"But Jason is strong and I'll always be there to protect him and you."
Lois snapped, "You can't always be there - you have the whole world to protect!" Forcefully she pushed herself away from him.
Superman stepped back. Lois' words had pierced his heart like a shard of kryptonite. They wounded him to the very core.
Lois saw his wounded expression and gasped, "I, I . . I didn't . . ." She hadn't meant the words to come out that way. Her fears and worries had gotten the better of her.
"Good-bye, Lois." Superman lifted off the deck and quickly sailed into the starry night sky. Lois watched the outline of his body become smaller and smaller. And then he was gone.
"What have I done?" she moaned. "Superman didn't deserve that. Didn't I once say I didn't need a savior?"