There's Always Something by Xanabee Rated: PG-13 Submitted: September 2003 Author's notes: This story is a continuation of the 'Lois and Clark' Universe as we know it from the TV series - minus the mystery baby at the end of the last episode of the fourth and last season. It has an A-plot and a B-plot with lots of WAFFy moments but also a bit of suspense thrown in for good measure. To complement the familiar cast I've introduced new characters and also brought back some very minor characters from the show and tried to bring them to life. The usual disclaimers and acknowledgements are on the last page. Dear reader, I had fun writing this story and I hope you'll enjoy it too. Feedback is very welcome - I'd really appreciate it if you'd send me your comments. ************************ THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING... ************************* Chapter One "Hmmm... it's a sunny day... a perfect Sunday..." Clark, standing at the bedroom window, turned his head and glanced at Lois, who sat on her side of their bed, putting on socks. She was freshly showered and dressed in a light cotton shirt and casual slacks - and looking absolutely adorable, Clark thought with a smile. "Honey, how about a quick visit to Smallville today? It's been a while since we've seen my parents." Lois looked up, frowning slightly. Now, where were those comfortable loafers? And Clark just said something about... "Go to Smallville? I don't have time to do that, Clark, I'll be too busy. But you can go." Lois grabbed her shoes and headed determinedly for the bedroom door. "What do you mean you'll be busy?" With a 'whoosh' Clark intercepted her. "We don't have any work to do. Honey, we agreed this was going to be a nice, relaxing day for both of us, remember?" "I changed my mind - I'm going to do some cleaning," Lois answered, brushing past him. Clark followed her down the stairs, a bemused expression on his face. "Honey, are you feeling all right? You never do any cleaning, I do the cleaning around here. Lois, look around you, this kitchen is spotless!" Clark waved his arms about. "The whole house is spotless!" Lois dropped her shoes on the floor and stepped into them. "Clark, calm down, I know you do an excellent job around the house. I just feel it's time I pulled my weight too, so to speak. Anyway, take these cupboards," she pointed to the cupboards situated above the counter. "I don't even know what's in there! I'm going to take everything out and see for myself!" Lois stood on tiptoe and reached out one hand to open the cupboard door. "I know there's probably only cereal in there and peanut butter and - " "Lois?" Clark sat down abruptly and stared at his wife, open-mouthed, while Lois babbled on. " - I know you keep everything in tip top shape but I do feel guilty sometimes, Clark, I never ever do any housework, let alone cooking, well, that's best left to you, I'll admit, but it's time I - " "Lois! Shut up!" Clark interrupted her babbling rather forcefully. Lois, surprised, turned around to look at him - no, down at him? Huh?! Ohmigosh!!! She'd have crashed down on the floor if Clark hadn't moved swiftly, catching her and gently lowering her to a chair. He then sank down on another chair, facing her. For what seemed like an eternity they stared at each other, speechless. Lois was the first to speak. "Clark, what was that?" "Lois, you... sort of... floated!" Lois glared at him. "I know! But... how? What did you do? Why did you scare me like that?" "Honey, I didn't do anything, I swear! I'm just as stunned as you are, believe me." Clark jumped up and started to pace around the kitchen. "Lois, this is - this is - " " - UltraWoman all over again." Lois chimed in. "But Clark, I can't remember us being hit by lightning or a red Kryptonite beam or anything like that!" "Neither can I. The weather's been fine, I haven't been called away on many emergencies lately and we haven't chased any criminals either. In fact, work has been pretty dull these last couple of weeks. There must be another explanation!" Clark stopped pacing and sat down again. "My powers haven't been transferred to you, honey, I can still move fast and - " he stared briefly through the wall, " - my vision is perfect. My hearing - " he cocked his head and smiled. " - still very much there. Okay, Lois, stand up, let's see you do it again." "Just give me one more minute," Lois said, taking a deep breath," my legs are still a bit wobbly." "Okay, take your time, honey." But Clark could hardly contain his excitement. He didn't know how it was possible but Lois had levitated. And not only that, she seemed to have developed another personality almost overnight. Clean up the house, indeed! The floating he didn't mind - but a changed personality? "Okay, I'm ready," Lois's voice cut through his musing. "What do we test first - the floating again, or maybe other superpowers?" Clark stared at her. Other? She could have other powers too? He jumped up, pulling Lois with him and positioning her in front of the counter. "Try the floating first," he told her, "Just to make sure." "Okay," Lois tentatively stretched out her right arm and strained to reach the cupboard door. Her feet slowly left the floor as she floated up in the air. She tried to reach the ceiling, but she remained suspended halfway up in the room. "That's odd... Clark, this is as far as I can go!" Lois looked down at her husband, who was watching her like a hawk, ready to catch her if she lost her balance again. But this time Lois - vividly remembering her shortlived career as UltraWoman - instinctively knew how to conduct herself and began to float gracefully around the kitchen, laughing delightedly. Now that she knew that Clark hadn't lost his powers to her, Lois began to enjoy herself. "Wheeee!" she giggled, trying a somersault and almost succeeding in knocking down the lamp hanging above the dining table. "Lois! Come down here!" Clark grabbed her feet and lowered her to the floor. Lois grinned at him. Her cheeks were flushed and her beautiful dark eyes were sparkling. Clark had a hard time not hugging her and kissing her soundly, but first things first. "Honey, you can float all you want later, but let's do the other tests first, okay?" "Okay," Lois sat down again. She cocked her ears, trying to pick up far away sounds. "I'm not sure... I can hear a lawn mower, but if it's Len Petersen, then that's normal hearing. Yeah, it is, it's got that peculiar putt-putt-putt sound and - Oh! I can hear Bertha singing softly in her kitchen!" "Yeah, she always does." Clark confirmed their elderly next-door neighbor's Sunday morning behavior. "Really? Well, that I've never heard before!" Lois said excitedly. "Umm, Lois, that's not so far away, you know." Clark cocked his head, then told her, "There's a very distinct noise on Baker Street, honey. Try concentrating on that one, okay? Tell me what it is." Lois did her best, but all she could hear was Bertha Avery's rather breathless version of 'Amazing Grace' and the familiar putt-putt-putt of the lawn mower across the street. She shook her head. "Nope, I don't hear anything as far as on Baker Street. But I hear noises in the other houses I've never noticed before, so my hearing is definitely better. Okay, I'll try my vision now." Lois stared intently at the wall facing the street. Suddenly she jumped, causing Clark to jump also. "What?" "Clark! I can see through the wall! Not all the way exactly, but I can see the stones - what's in them, I mean, what they're made of!" Lois took a shaky breath and stared at her husband. "I seem to have a little bit of all your superpowers, Clark. What's happening to me? Is it your aura? Is it rubbing off on me? What do you think?" Clark had already been thinking along the same lines himself so he shrugged and said, "Maybe - but I don't get it. I lived much longer with my mom and dad and they have never, ever experienced anything like this. I'm sure they would've told me if they had." "I know. But then - you never exchanged bodily fluids with them, now did you?" Lois said baldly. "Lo-is!" Clark stared at her, open-mouthed. "Oh, come on, Clark! You know what happens when you kiss me - and we do kiss a lot - and when you make love to me - " "Okay, okay, Lois, I know what you mean." Agitated, Clark again started pacing around the room. Lois rolled her eyes. Even after four years of marriage this incredible man - her passionate, uninhibited and very often surprisingly inventive lover - could still blush like an adolescent. "Come here, Farmboy," she said softly. He went into her arms, burying his face against her neck. "This is rather overwhelming," Lois murmured. "I'll say," Clark breathed against her skin. "Lois, I don't know what to think - what to do!" "Well, that goes for me, too, sweetheart. Tell you what - let's have breakfast and then go talk to your mom and dad, okay?" ********** "Hmmm..." Martha Kent looked thoughtfully at her daughter-in-law while Lois stared at her expectantly. She could practically hear Martha's cool, clever brain working overtime. Suddenly Martha put down her teacup with a decisive thud. "Lois, have you considered the possibility that you might be pregnant?" "Whaa??" "Close your mouth, honey, and don't look so shocked. Now, have you two talked about this possibility yet?" "Martha!" Lois's head was reeling. She was glad Clark had left to talk with his dad outside, leaving her to discuss her 'bodily fluids' theory alone with Martha. "Oh, Martha, you know what Dr Klein said. That's not going to happen, ever. And my father sort of confirmed it, remember?" "Well, they could be wrong, Lois, think about it. You've been married for over four years now and since you've stopped using protection your body's been steadily absorbing Kryptonian cells. Maybe that's what was needed to prepare your body to conceive. If you are indeed pregnant, then a part human, part Kryptonian child is growing inside you. That could've caused the developing of these powers. And I expect they will grow as the baby grows. Lois, you have to take a pregnancy test as soon as possible!" Lois looked at Martha with big, suddenly wet eyes. "Oh, Martha, please don't say this to Clark. He's just coming to terms that he'll never have a child of his own. It will break his heart if it's not true!" "Nonsense." Martha said briskly, "He's stronger than you think. You cannot go about this behind his back, Lois. He has to know." "I'll go and get a test tomorrow. I can do it without Clark knowing, and then, if it's negative, I don't have to - " "No, Lois, this is too important. It's very sweet that you want to spare Clark's feelings, but honey, believe me, he'll be very hurt when he finds out afterwards. And he will find out, trust me." "Martha, we have to look for another explanation. I can't be pregnant!" "Well, Lois, the more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that you are." Martha pointed to an empty plate on the table. "Lois, what did you just eat?" "Huh?" Lois frowned. "I had blueberry muffin... apple pie... tea..." "Three muffins, Lois, three! And two rather big helpings of apple pie. And all this just one hour after you ate a huge breakfast, right?" "Yeah..." Lois frowned again. Martha was right; she did have a huge breakfast this morning. She'd prepared eggs a la Katie Banks and Clark had made a whole stack of delicious pancakes. Come to think of it, she had been feeling rather hungry these last couple of days and - Ohmigosh!! Martha was right! She'd been wolfing down food lately and that was so very unlike her usual eating habits! But did this mean that she was pregnant? Shouldn't she be throwing up instead? Feel sick and tired in the morning? Martha watched the various emotions flitting across her daughter-in-law's expressive face. She forced herself to remain calm and collected while inwardly she felt as if she, too, had boarded an emotional roller coaster. She could collapse later, but right now her son and his wife needed her to keep a cool head. The more she thought about it the more Martha became convinced that Lois was pregnant; she had more flesh on her bones these days. In fact, Martha noticed, Lois again looked pretty much the way she looked, years ago, when Martha had first met her - she even kept her shiny cap of hair again at shoulder length, cut in an attractive layered style. And she positively glowed - she looked beautiful. No wonder Clark was still head over heels in love with her. Martha smiled. She had an amazing son and a wonderful daughter-in-law. Even if she was wrong and there would be no baby, she felt incredibly blessed. ********** "Does it bother you?" Jonathan asked. He'd listened silently while Clark filled him in about the miraculous Sunday morning happenings at the brownstone. Clark slowly floated down from the roof of the barn where he'd been busy with repairs. He didn't answer immediately but strode to the door, flinging it open and staring towards the house. He could see his mom and Lois sitting at the kitchen table, talking. He curbed the impulse to listen in on their conversation and turned to look his father in the eye. "Does it bother me? Lois developing superpowers? No, Dad. But I'm worried what it might do to her. You know how fearless she is. I'm afraid she'll become more reckless, take more chances than she already does sometimes. She seems to have a fraction of my powers - what if they don't grow, but stay like this? She won't be invulnerable and they might get her seriously hurt instead of protecting her. And what about Krypronite - will it affect her too? I'm not looking forward to finding that out, Dad!" "Yes, I can see that this might complicate your lives," Jonathan said slowly. "If it turns out to be a permanent thing, that is. Have you thought about what causes this?" "You wouldn't believe the theories we've come up with!" Clark smiled wryly. "Fact is, we don't have a clue. What about you, Dad? What do you think?" "Me?" Jonathan shrugged and looked up at the roof. "You did a fine job, son, thanks. I wasn't looking forward to climbing that ladder today. C'mon, let's join our women. I'm sure your mother's come up with a logical explanation." ********** "Me?" Clark exclaimed. "I'm not going to the drugstore to buy a pregnancy test, Mom! Have you thought about what will happen? Old blabbermouth Mabel at the counter will tell all your friends - faster than I can fly around the world. And before Lois and I are back in Metropolis, teddy bears and baby bottles will be delivered at your door. Is that what you want? What if it's not true? What if - " "Honey, calm down. You don't have to get it in Smallville. You can fly to another town where nobody knows us. That's why I suggested you go, instead of Lois and me." Clark glared at his mother. How could she look and sound so infuriatingly calm? Since he and Jonathan had returned from the barn he felt as if he'd stepped on an ever-faster-moving train. And this had greatly upset Lois too. He could see that she'd been crying. Clark's head was spinning. His mom had done all the talking while Lois sat quietly, looking at him with suspiciously bright eyes. Clark instinctively knew she didn't dare say anything because she was valiantly holding back tears. Suddenly, he too felt like crying. He didn't, for one minute, believe his mother was right. And he just knew he would fall apart if such a test proved to be negative. He didn't want to go through all that pain and grief again. And what would this do to Lois? His father's calm voice pierced through his jumbled thoughts. "Clark, why don't you and Lois go sit on the porch and talk this through? There's no hurry. Take all the time you need to discuss your mother's theory. It's not that far-fetched, you know." Lois turned her glance from her husband to look at Martha. Almost absentmindedly she noticed Martha's firmly clasped hands lying in her lap and with a start Lois realized that Clark's mother was as nervous and feeling as scared as she and Clark were. She moved her head, trying to dislodge the lump in her throat. She got up and walked over to where her husband stood, numbly watching her approach. Through her tears she smiled at him and took him by the hand. ********** Clark sat on the porch with Lois in his arms, staring blindly into the distance, trying to get his emotions under control. He wished he could fly off but he knew he couldn't leave Lois to deal with this alone. As if she could read his mind, Lois stirred and looked up at him. "Clark, let's go fly for a while, okay? We don't have to talk yet, I just want to feel the wind in my face." Clark looked down at her upturned face and nodded silently. He glanced around to make sure no one was unexpectedly approaching the farm, then quickly spun into the Suit. He picked Lois up and wrapped his arms and cape protectively around her slender form. Lois, suddenly feeling very drained, sighed and snuggled close to his chest. Through the kitchen window Jonathan and Martha silently watched their take off. Martha was the first to move. "Oh, God, Jonathan, I hope I'm right! They will be so devastated if this is - " "Now, now, Martha, you know this is a possibility they have to consider. It will be painful if it doesn't pan out, but they won't blame you for that. Sooner or later, Lois would've thought of it herself, I'm sure. Let's get back to work and we'll hear what decision they've made when they return." ********** "Hmmm..." Lois murmured drowsily. She was sitting against the trunk of a huge tree, staring through her eyelashes at the dappled light filtering through the green canopy of young leaves above her head. "Spring smells wonderful..." She looked down at her husband, sprawled on the grass with his head in her lap. Tenderly she stroked back the unruly lock on his forehead. "Clark, I'm ready to talk now. Are you?" Clark opened his eyes and sighed. "Yeah, I guess..." "Okay, great, 'cause I've come up with something and maybe... no, don't get up yet; this is nice. Do you remember, when we were on Spencer Spencer's island? I was lying on your lap and we told each other how we felt about each other... and then we kissed - " " - and next thing we knew we were looking down the barrel of a shotgun," Clark remarked drily. Lois smiled. "Yeah, never a dull moment in the lives of Lois and Clark. And what's happening to us now is the most remarkable thing by far. Clark, I know you can see through things; you've never done it before, but you can see right inside my body, can't you? So, I want you to see for yourself if it's true." Clark sat up with a start. "Are you sure?" Lois nodded and stretched out on the grass. "Do you want me to take off my slacks first?" She started to unbutton her waistband but Clark stilled the movement by grasping her fingers. "No, honey, that's not necessary. You're right, I guess that would be the quickest way to find out. Anyway, I'd probably doubt the outcome of a simple pregnancy test, so... great thinking, Lois. Fortunately my vision is not dangerous to humans; Bernie Klein confirmed this after several tests." Lois took a deep breath. "Okay, then, no point in avoiding this any longer." Clark leaned down and tenderly kissed her on the lips. "I love you, Lois." "And I love you, Clark." Lois smiled up at him, suddenly feeling calm and ready to face whatever Fate had in store for them. ********** "Look, Dad! This is what our baby looks like! This is a picture of a six weeks old embryo. This looks exactly like... exactly like..." Once again overcome by emotion, Clark handed the book to Jonathan, who stared, fascinated, at the indicated photograph in Lennart Nilsson's famous 'Journey through the human body,' one of the many human- interest volumes he and Martha had collected over the years. "Oh, my..." was all Jonathan was able to utter. He looked at his son's dazed face, then at Martha, busy at the stove, and at a glowing Lois, sitting at the kitchen table, enjoying her second helping of tuna salad sandwich. "Oh my..." Lois grinned at her father-in-law, who was looking as tongue-tied and bewildered as his son. A wave of affection for this big, gentle giant of a man, who'd been Clark's role model during his formative years, washed over her. "Hi, Grandaddy!" Lois cheekily waved her hand at Jonathan and was rewarded with a look of such pure joy she thought she would burst with happiness. "What would you like to have first? A grandson or a granddaughter?" Martha laughed delightedly. "Lois, are you saying what I think you're saying? You'd like to have more children?" The delicious smell of freshly baked strawberry pie filled the house. Martha placed the hot dish she'd just taken out of the oven on the counter to cool off, then sat down next to Lois. They were joined by Jonathan, still holding the book, while Clark stared at Lois with an arrested look on his face. "Well," Lois said, "If everything goes as well as I feel right now... we'll see, first we have to figure out how to have this baby without giving away our secret. I mean, I can't go to a regular doctor and I can't have the baby in a regular hospital. They'd want to examine the baby and take all kinds of tests and we can't risk that. For all we know, the baby might inherit Clark's Kryptonian invulnerability. We've already eliminated one hurdle. Clark can do scans himself; thanks to his special vision we can monitor the baby's progress ourselves." Lois now looked directly at Clark. "Honey, I've been thinking - I want to have this baby in our own home, but I'd need a midwife we can trust. My mother's a trained nurse - we have to let her in on the secret. Oh, honey, don't look like that! I think it's time we told my parents. I'm their daughter, this is their first grandchild too, you know, they won't do anything to jeopardize our lives! My father's not only a brilliant surgeon - he's a scientist, too. I really feel that with their help we can pull this off." "I agree," Martha said before Clark could respond, "Honey, Lois's mother has put her life in order for a good number of years now. She's managed to stay sober all this time and she's accepted the fact that she's better off living apart from Sam than living together with him. And though they still fight a lot Ellen's not bitter anymore about their failed marriage. Most of all, she's learnt to accept Sam for who he is." Martha turned to Lois and continued, excitedly, "Jonathan and I will help too, Lois, we'll come and stay in Metropolis when the baby is due - that will be around Christmas, right? And you know what - maybe I could take a midwife course and then Ellen and I both can help you deliver the baby. What do you think?" Lois, chewing on a mouthful of salad, grinned smugly at Martha and bobbed her head enthusiastically. Suddenly, Jonathan laughed, a happy, carefree sound that shook his large frame. "C'mon son," he said, "let's leave these women alone to hatch out their devious plans. Something tells me that when the time comes, we men will be left to chew our nails behind a closed door." ***************************************************** ********************************************** Chapter Two "Lois!" Lois turned her head to look at the familiar figure of her former neighbor Star coming out of the elevator and advancing purposefully towards her desk. "There you are!" Star exclaimed exuberantly, "I haven't seen you for ages! This morning when I woke up, I just knew I had to come and see you.... whoa, Lois! You're pregnant!" "Star!!" But it was too late; Lois noticed several heads in the noisy newsroom being turned her way. Perry White, at that very moment coming out of his office with Jimmy Olsen, abruptly halted and stared at Lois. Oh, great! "Star! How could you blurt this out like that!" Her psychic friend grinned unrepentantly from ear to ear. "Oh, I get it! You haven't told them yet. Where's Clark?" "He's... out, he'll be back in a minute. Star..." She was interrupted by Jimmy's excited voice. "Lois, is it true? You're having a baby? Does Clark know?" Lois glared at him. "Of course he knows, Jimmy!" Perry impatiently brushed Jimmy aside. "Lane! In my office - now!" "Yes, Chief!" Relieved to be able to escape, Lois followed Perry into his office and shut the door behind her. Perry sat down heavily in his chair behind his desk and regarded Lois with a grave expression on his face. "Honey..." "Perry..." "Okay, Lois, you first." "Perry, look, I'm sorry. We just found out two weeks ago that I'm pregnant and we're still a bit thrown by it. You know how Clark is - each morning when he wakes up he still asks me, Lois, is it really true or am I dreaming? We were planning to tell you and Jimmy first and now, thanks to Star, the whole newsroom knows already. How could she do this! Oh, I'm so annoyed with her! And Clark - he'll be so disappointed; he was really looking forward to telling you himself. Clark will - " "Lois, honey, calm down, don't get so excited. That can't be good in your condition," Perry hastily interrupted her tirade. "This is big news! Alice will be thrilled when I tell her. You don't mind me telling her, do you?" "No, 'course not, Perry. You can tell Alice. Heck, you can tell whomever you want. I'm sure now that the cat's out of the bag, Clark will shout it from the rooftops, too." "Well, darlin', that's best left to Superman, don't you think?" Perry roared with laughter while he pointed at the television screen in a corner of his office. Lois turned around to glance uneasily at the screen where Superman could be seen, busily helping out in a huge traffic jam. Perry grinned and commented, "Ahah! You haven't told the super hero either, now have you? Be sure to tell him a.s.a.p., you hear? He'll be hurt if he finds out from another source." Perry got up and came round his desk, taking Lois's hands and drawing her up in a big bear hug. "I'm so happy for you, darlin', and for Clark. I thought you two had given up on havin' kids. So how did this happen? No, don't answer that - just tell me this is what you really want, both of you." Lois smiled mistily up at him. "It is, Perry, we're so happy, although we still have a hard time believing it. I'm eight weeks pregnant now - the baby's due in December, around Christmas." "Hmm..." Perry released her and went back to sit in his own chair. "I'd like to talk about this with both of you. You'll keep on working until your maternity leave, right? Pretty soon you'll be confined to your desk until then - you do realize that, don't you? In a few months you won't be able to do much legwork, honey. Now, go out there and face that mob waiting for you in the newsroom, then come back in here as soon as Clark's back. We have a lot to discuss." "Perry..." "Not without Clark, Lois - now git!" ***************************************************** ********************************************** Chapter Three Lois stood on the lowest of the steps leading up to the front door of the brownstone at Hyperion Avenue. She'd love to be able to just float to the door, but instead she had to restrain herself and take the steps at a normal pace. Ever since she'd discovered she'd been miraculously gifted with a modest form of Clark's superpowers Lois had a hard time concealing them - especially the ability to float. The enhanced vision and hearing didn't get in the way of her normal activities, but the floating - that sure made life much easier. And she was strong, too; she could easily lift the sofa, but Clark had sternly forbidden her to do things like that. Although he now understood that her nesting urges had to be obeyed; she could 'clean up' the house as much as she wanted and afterwards he'd simply clean up after her. Lois grinned; fortunately, she didn't feel the urge to cook. She'd make a mess! She'd gotten the groceries for tonight's dinner though and she lifted the bags effortlessly, while forcing herself to take the steps at a normal pace. "Hello, Lois," Bertha Avery's soft voice penetrated her thoughts and Lois started. Boy! She was glad she hadn't cheated a bit and floated, otherwise she'd have caused poor old Bertha to have a heart attack. "Hi, Bertha," she said cheerfully, "Are you going out?" "No, I was waiting for you to come home, Lois. There's something I'd like to discuss with you and Clark. When it's convenient for you, of course." The elderly lady smiled, as if to indicate that there was nothing serious going on. Lois looked at Bertha Avery curiously. She and Clark had established a solid friendship with their next- door neighbor ever since they'd helped her keep her house after she'd been almost driven away by 'ghosts'. Clark always kept an eye out for her and they both lent her a hand when she needed it. Bertha seldom volunteered to ask, however, so Lois was curious what she wanted to discuss with them this time. "Tonight's fine, Bertha, how about at eight? Will you come over or do you want us to come to you?" "If it's not too much trouble, Lois, I'd like to come over. But what about Clark? Will he - oh, there he is already - hello, Clark." "Hello, Bertha, how are you?" Clark took the steps two at a time, beaming happily at Bertha while relieving Lois of the grocery bags. He'd been the one to tell Bertha their happy news and he'd been delighted when her Sunday morning singing routine had changed from 'Amazing Grace' to 'We're having a baby, my baby and me'. Bertha smiled at 'that personable young man' as her best friend Julia called him. She really liked Clark Kent and the radiant woman at his side who was his wife. She'd be sorry when - but no, that could wait; she'd talk to them in a few hours. "I'm fine, Clark; a few pains and aches... oh, nothing to worry about," she assured when she saw Clark's face take on a worried look. "Just old age." Bertha's eyes suddenly twinkled mischievously. "Old age is the price we pay for living a long life, you know." Lois laughed, "Well worth the price, Bertha!" "I'd say it's more a reward than a price. You wear your age with grace, Bertha." Clark said gallantly. Lois rolled her eyes. Why did he have to mention the word 'grace'! Bertha might just remember her former 'amazing' Sunday morning song and start all over again with that one. Lois much preferred Bertha's current favorite tune. She grabbed Clark by his colorful tie and started tugging him inside. "C'mon Clark, it's getting cold out here. Bertha, we'll see you at eight." "I've just baked a cake," Bertha called after them as she, too, moved inside her house. "I'll bring it with me." "Oh, yummy!" Lois poked her head outside again. "And we'll have your favorite tea ready!" ********** "There she is," Lois got up from the sofa. "I'll let her in, Clark, will you get the tea?" A cold gust of wind accompanied Bertha when she entered their hallway. "Good evening, Lois. Brr... I'll be glad when summer finally arrives. It's been an unusually cold spring this year. Thank you, dear." Bertha handed her coat to Lois, who commented drily, "It would help, Bertha, if you'd still wear a warmer coat. This is a very light jacket, you know!" Lois motioned for their guest to precede her into the living room, rolling her eyes when she noticed Bertha's short-sleeved cotton summer dress. "Bertha, no wonder you're freezing! You should still wear warm clothes. What's happened to your woollies?" "Cleaned and already stored away," Bertha replied primly. "It's June, for heaven's sake!" Clark laughed. He understood Bertha's reluctance to deviate from her age-old routines. Grandma Clark, his mom's mother, had been just as stubborn. Clark especially remembered one visit to that indomitable old lady when he was about ten years old. His mom went to visit his grandma one weekend and she took him with her. It was the end of May and the weather had been unusually cold for that time of the year. It hadn't bothered Clark one bit, not even at that young age, but he remembered his mom complaining to his dad about it. And when they'd arrived at Grandma's house, Mom had been furious with her because the house was 'like a freezer' and Mom made Grandma put on a sweater, threatening her with death and worse if she didn't light a fire that very instant. "Good evening, Clark. My, it sure is nice and warm in here." Their guest eyed the dancing flames in the fireplace with a pleased smile. "Good evening, Bertha. Here, I've put this chair close to the fire, specially for you." "Thank you, Clark." Bertha sat down with a contented sigh and watched as Lois poured tea and Clark cut her cinnamon cake in thick slices. "Mmm, as always, this looks delicious. Bertha, here you go... Lois, this is for you... bon appetit, ladies!" Clark took his own plate and smiled at the two women. He'd promised Lois he'd stick around until Bertha had her say. He felt confident that Superman wouldn't be needed so soon. Not before midnight, anyway. After dinner he'd quickly scouted the city, but apart from a few normal emergencies the police could very well handle themselves, Metropolis had appeared peaceful. After exchanging a few niceties with her hosts Bertha finally decided to take the bull by the horns. "Lois... Clark... I've decided to sell the house and move to 'Shady Pines'. You know my best friend, Julia? She already lives at 'Shady Pines' so - " "Oh, Bertha, if it's repairs and getting groceries and things like that, Clark and I - " "No, Lois, it's not that. You both have been the best neighbors I could've wished for, helping me whenever I needed anything. But it's time I made this move, now that Julia can't come and visit me - she can't climb stairs anymore. It's getting pretty lonely and half of the time I'm visiting Julia at 'Shady Pines', anyway." Bertha paused and took a sip of her tea. "It's a good home; Julia's happy there and I'm sure I'll be too. Anyway, I wanted you to know this before I contact a realtor. I thought, with the kind of jobs you have..." she glanced at Clark, then looked away again. "The danger you sometimes find yourself in... so I thought... maybe you'd want to have first choice, so to speak. To get the kind of neighbor you can trust - who'll respect your privacy, and, well..." Clark looked at Lois in consternation. Had Bertha just implied that she knew... that she'd figured out... but how could that be? Superman was always so careful when leaving and returning to the house! The look on Lois's face told him she was thinking exactly the same thing. He could hear her accelerated heartbeat, even though her voice remained calm when she addressed Bertha again. "Bertha, we'll be sorry to lose you," Lois said sincerely. "When do you plan to move? How much time do we have - " "Oh! Take your time - I'm not giving you a deadline. I just thought... the other day, I talked to your mother; she told me Clark's parents are thinking about moving to Metropolis permanently, with your baby coming and all and that they've already started to look for an apartment. So, maybe this house... I'm perfectly willing to wait until they've sold their farm, so..." Bertha paused and looked expectantly at Lois, then at Clark, who couldn't contain his excitement any more. He jumped up and started pacing the floor. "Bertha... Lois... this is..." Suddenly Clark stopped and slumped back in his chair, a dejected look on his face. "They won't be able to afford it, Bertha. I'm afraid a small Kansas farm won't be worth as much as a brownstone in Metropolis." Bertha nodded. "I've thought about that, too, Clark. But I'm sure we can work something out. Your parents could pay me whatever they get for the farm and settle the rest in installments, like a personal loan." She smiled, trying to inject a lighter tone in the conversation. "And I wouldn't charge them interest, either." ********** While next door Bertha Avery lay snoring softly and peacefully in her bed, Lois and Clark lay wide awake in their darkened bedroom, clasped in each other's arms. They'd exhausted the subject by now, Lois thought ruefully. They'd discussed all pros and cons - she seeing all the pros while Clark kept finding new obstacles. They both agreed on one thing though - this was a once in a lifetime chance. Having Jonathan and Martha living next door was just too good to be true. In her mind Lois was already tearing down the wall between the two houses - well, Clark was, actually. She smiled against his chest. "What's so funny?" a soft voice above her head whispered. "Hmmm..." Lois stretched and turned on her back, staring up at the ceiling. Ah... the ceiling... they hadn't even gone up there tonight... hmmm... She felt a sweet, familiar warmth slowly spreading in her lower body. "You know what's funny, Clark? You and me, worrying ourselves out of our minds instead of sleeping. And me and the baby, we need our regular naps... and lots of cuddles... and lots of kisses..." She began placing tiny kisses on Clark's chest, working her way up to his chin, moving her body provocatively against his. "And I know a surefire way to..." Lois giggled when Clark suddenly flipped her on her back, covering her with his large frame. He caught her lips in a long, satisfying kiss, then left her mouth to nibble on her earlobe. Her bones turning to water, Lois sighed blissfully. Through half closed eyelids she saw the ceiling slowly descend towards her. ***************************************************** ********************************************** Chapter Four "Don't be such an idiot, Clark," Ellen Lane snorted impatiently, "Of course your parents will do it! Now, call them and then call Bertha. These things have to be dealt with immediately." "There's no hurry," Clark spluttered, "Bertha - " " - could drop dead tomorrow, and where would that leave you?" "Mother!" Lois exclaimed while Clark stared, open- mouthed, at Ellen. "C'mon, Clark!" Ellen urged. "Call Bertha. I know your parents won't be able to get a loan from a bank, but you can - if you don't have the required amount in your bank account already." She rolled her eyes when she saw Clark's expression. "Getting a loan or emptying your own savings is not a crime, Superman!" "I know, Ellen, it's just... with the baby coming..." "You need money, I know that, but I'll pitch in - Sam too, if necessary. We're family, Clark, and Sam and I have a lot to make up for. The way we treated Lois and Lucy - we weren't exactly model parents and we're determined that if our daughters need us now, in any way, we'll be there for them. Money is the least we can offer." "Clark, Mother's right, you know. We just cannot let this slip through our fingers. Honey, the more I think about it... here... look at this. Read what I've written." Lois handed Clark a piece of paper. Clark stared at her for a moment then glanced at the paper in his hand. Lois had made two columns in which she'd listed the advantages of having Martha and Jonathan living next door. The heading above the first column read: 'What it will mean to have Mom and Dad living next door while I'm pregnant' and above the second column Lois had written: 'What it will mean to have Mom and Dad living next door when the baby has arrived'. It took Clark less than a minute to super-read Lois's list and he smiled when he saw her P.S.: 'For the next ten years or so I won't expect you to shower me with diamonds and pearls. Just a lot of cuddles and kisses.' Ellen Lane, noticing the softened expression on Clark's face, threw him a militant look and pointed to the telephone. "Now make that call!" ********** Contrary to what they'd expected, Ellen Lane had taken the news that her daughter was in fact married to the alien known as Superman in her stride. She'd immediately gone into efficient 'nurse mode' as soon as she'd learnt that Lois was pregnant; putting her on a strict, sensible diet when she'd noticed the huge amounts of food her daughter was consuming. When Lois had wailed that she was just so hungry all the time and Clark had loyally declared that he didn't care if she got fat - he would love her anyway - in just a few minutes Ellen had managed to drastically change Lois's menus and even had Clark's fervent promise that he'd personally see to it that Lois didn't behave anymore like a female Bobby Bigmouth. "You know, Lois," Ellen had simply stated, "If you carry on like that and you gain too much weight, the baby too will grow way too big. It's important that this child is born in a natural way - if you give birth to a giant Kryptonian, you might need a Caesarean and that can only be done in a hospital. And wasn't that one of the things you wanted to avoid at all costs?" Ellen had also put a stop to Lois's compulsive cleaning sessions. "Stop it!" she'd ordered. "You're driving Clark crazy. Although it must be a Kryptonian thing, because Earth women usually get this urge near the end of their pregnancy. To sort of let us know it's time to spruce up the cradle. Ignore those Kryptonian hormones, Lois, I'm sure they're the cause of all this odd behavior." So Lois valiantly curbed her ravenous appetite and left most of the cleaning to Clark; and she wisely refrained from confessing the other 'Kryptonian compulsion' to Ellen - the fact that she constantly wanted to... well... visit the ceiling. And although they continued to lock horns over several issues, Lois was grateful for her mother's support and medical knowledge. Especially when Ellen told her she was delighted with Lois's floating ability, because that might just come in handy at the time of birth. Ellen also pumped an extremely self-conscious Clark about his powers and special abilities and wanted to see for herself what Lois could or could not do. When she'd learnt about the beneficial and life-saving effect the sun had on Clark, she'd ordered Lois to soak up as much sunlight as she could without getting burned to a toast. While Ellen vigilantly watched over Lois's health, faithfully coming to the house at least twice a week to check her weight, Sam Lane was closely monitoring his daughter's blood cells and hormone level. Both Ellen and Sam were acutely aware of the need for secrecy in helping to guard their daughter's private life. They frequently met with Martha and Jonathan Kent, who often came house hunting in Metropolis. And if Ellen had any say in the matter, the Kents would soon reside in Bertha Avery's house. In fact, just a few days after they'd learnt that Lois was pregnant Clark had received a call from his mom, informing him that she and Jonathan had decided to sell the farm and move to Metropolis. Clark had protested vehemently at first - he just knew his dad would be miserable in the city - but Martha had calmly stated that it was Jonathan's own idea and anyway, they weren't getting any younger. "You know it as well as I do, Clark, the hard work is beginning to - " "Mom, I'll help out - I always do!" "I know, honey, but soon there will be a little person that will demand a lot of your time. And Clark, be honest, with your regular job and your unregular activities, time is not something you have too much of. Our mind is made up, honey, we're moving to Metropolis!" "But, Mom," Clark had tried again, "I was planning to have lots of family vacations on the farm... show the kids where I played when I was their age... all that space and fresh air... and the corn festival! I don't want them to miss out on that!" Lois, hearing Clark use the word 'kids', had rolled her eyes. "You can easily fly them back and forth to the corn festival, honey. Put Lois on now, will you? I have a few things I want to discuss with her." "What things?" Clark had asked suspiciously. "Women things, Clark. Trust me, you don't wanna know." Martha Kent had applied for a midwife course at the nearest hospital in Smallville and had been furious when she'd been denied. Liz Bennett, one of Smallville's local midwifes and one of Martha's lifelong friends, had pointed out the obvious. "Well, Martha, face it. You're a little too old to start a medical career, you know. They don't have crash courses; you can't learn all you need to know in just a few months." But Liz had been sympathetic and had pointed Martha to lots of reading material and useful websites on the internet. Martha frequently discussed her findings with Lois and Ellen over the phone and no, Clark had decided, he definitely didn't want to know. In the end, it was Bertha Avery who'd clinched matters by directly speaking to Jonathan and Martha Kent herself. The Kents had received an offer for their farm from a young relative of Wayne Irig's and Bertha informed them she'd be more than happy to accept the same amount for her brownstone. Of course, Jonathan had protested vehemently; his son would provide the extra money so they could pay Bertha the going market price for her house. But Bertha would have none of that. When she was invited over to their house to receive the check she told Lois and Clark to put the money into a trust fund for their 'special child', once more giving them the impression that she knew their secret. Lois, feeling as uneasy as Clark about this but better able to hide it, looked Bertha straight in the eye while she told her why they wouldn't dream of keeping the money that was rightfully hers. "No Bertha, Clark's parents wouldn't feel right about this - it took Clark and me a lot of time to persuade them to accept the extra money from us, you know. And frankly, Clark and I feel that this is strictly a business deal. We'll pay you in full and if you want to save the money for our baby, that's your decision. But you must have relatives of your own, Bertha; young nephews and nieces maybe?" Lois's voice petered out when she saw the sad expression on Bertha's face. All of a sudden, the childless widow looked almost ten years older. "That's just it, Lois," Bertha sighed. "I don't have any close relatives left. I was an only child and so was my husband. Both my parents died in a boating accident when I was just eighteen. I met Erroll, my husband, a few months later. I don't know what would've happened to me if... anyway, he's been my rock, my anchor, all my life. He knew exactly what I was going through. He'd also lost his parents at a very young age, you see. He was just eight years old when he ended up in an orphanage; he was too old for adoption. And his relatives - they just dropped him there and never looked back." "Oh, Bertha!" Lois exclaimed. "We know you'd lost your husband years already before we moved here - and that you don't have any kids. But you never told us this before!" "Kids..." Bertha smiled sadly, "That was the hardest blow to deal with. Especially for Erroll... he wanted children so badly and I couldn't give him any. I even told him to go ahead and divorce me, so he could marry a woman he could have children with." Stricken, Lois and Clark stared at Bertha as she sat in her favorite chair near their fireplace. She'd come over as soon as Clark had informed her that they'd been able to come up with the remainder of the money needed to pay her a fair price for her house. As usual, Bertha had taken along a freshly baked chocolate cake; a fancy one this time, decorated with marzipan roses, artfully made by her dear friend Julia who was overjoyed that Bertha would soon join her in 'Shady Pines'. Lois, who'd already eaten a big slice of the delicious cake, instantly lost her appetite for the second helping she craved as she listened to Bertha's sad tale. Lois glanced at Clark, sure that her tender-hearted husband must be feeling even worse than she did, but Clark surprised her by saying calmly, "Bertha, I'm so sorry, that must have been a very painful time in your life. But I think I know what your husband had to say about that preposterous proposal. The same I'd say to Lois, if she'd ever told me something like that: 'you're not getting rid of me that easily' - am I right?" "Yes, something like that - after he quit being angry." Bertha smiled, then sat even more upright in her chair. "Clark... Lois... I don't want you to be upset by what I'm telling you; it all happened so long ago. Fact is, we were very happy together, regardless. Erroll and I both worked hard and we made a good living - even traveled a bit. When he died he left me well provided for. Sure, I can leave all my money to charity; we've always contributed to good causes, especially to the orphanage Erroll grew up in. He was determined to make life better and a lot easier for the kids than it had been for him. I've been on the Board of the orphanage for years; I'd just resigned a few months before you two came to live here." Lois listened to Bertha with a growing respect for the elderly lady. She was also beginning to feel a bit ashamed. She and Clark were always so busy; the times they'd actually spent with Bertha few and far apart. She walked over to Bertha, drawing her up, out of the chair, into a tight embrace. "Oh, Bertha, I'm so sorry, I know how you must've felt when you knew you couldn't have kids. Clark and I, we've also gone through all that. We thought we'd never have a child of our own... and then this miracle happened..." Lois released Bertha, asking curiously. "Why didn't you adopt a baby then, if you both wanted kids so badly?" Bertha snorted as she sat down again. "We tried, Lois, believe me - we tried. But they didn't think we'd be suitable and - " "What?" Lois exclaimed. "Your husband had a good job, didn't he? You were both upstanding citizens. How did that happen?" "Back then it was even more difficult than it is nowadays, Lois. First, we were too young and years later, when we tried again, they said we were too old. Actually, the child welfare people didn't come right out and say it, but everything they did and said implied that they thought my Erroll wouldn't be able to be a good father figure. I guess because he hadn't been raised in a traditional family environment himself; apparently they felt that my husband, being an orphan himself, wasn't emotionally well equipped to raise a child. I was crushed and Erroll, well, he was devastated. He had so much love to give, you know." Clark frowned. He didn't want Lois to get too upset talking about something that for them, too, had been a painful experience. But he was too late. Extremely angry, Lois had already jumped up and started to wave her arms about. "Clark! Did you hear that? Somebody should really do something about this! Nothing's changed, Bertha, trust me. At one time we also considered adoption and we were told our application was denied because I, Lois Lane, made it my sole purpose in life to dangle above the jaws of death! Because I'd been in a few dangerous situations as a reporter, you see, and - " Lois's tirade abruptly stopped when Clark caught her by the hands, saying rather forcefully, "Stop it! No use working yourself into a rage, Lois, it's all ancient history. Now, sit down and calm down and I'll go make us another pot of fresh tea. You've been dying to have another slice of that cake, so go ahead - I promise I won't tell your mother." Clark deposited his wife on the couch and marched off into the kitchen, leaving a temporarily speechless Lois looking after his disappearing back. Suddenly, Bertha laughed. "Oh, Lois, you should see your face! Close your mouth, dear, your husband's right; no use in rehashing old misery. I didn't want to upset you with my story, Lois, I just wanted you to understand why I want you and Clark to have this money. You're the only people - next to Julia - I'd care to have as family. You may not realize it, but you two literally saved my life when you rescued me from those ruthless people who tried to scare us out of our homes in order to build a shopping mall." Bertha smiled gratefully at Lois. "I've lived in this house all my married life, Lois. And make no mistake - in spite of what I've just told you - it was a very happy life. I would've died if I'd been forced to leave here. Now I am leaving, but out of my own free will. I've made my peace with the past and I can let go of my worldly goods, so to speak. I owe you and Clark a great debt; you made it possible for me to continue to live here." Lois, still not fully recovered from Clark's forceful and somewhat uncharacteristic performance, exclaimed, "Oh, Bertha, don't tell me that all these years you've felt beholden to us. There's no need for that. We saved this block of houses for a very selfish reason, you know. We wanted to keep on living here too!" Lois put up her hand as Bertha opened her mouth to interrupt her. "And it certainly doesn't justify accepting such an elaborate gift, Bertha. Giving us the opportunity to buy your house has been an incredible gift already." Clark, at that very moment coming out of the kitchen, agreed with Lois. "You don't have to buy our affection, Bertha, you've already got it - no strings attached. You don't have to give money to our child in order to stay in our lives. You didn't think we'd leave you alone once you've moved, now did you? You'll always be welcome in our home and we'll come and visit you at 'Shady Pines' - with the baby of course. How's that?" Clark asked while he poured hot, freshly brewed Oolong tea in their cups. Lois finally gave in to sweet temptation and cut herself another slice of cake while she grinned at Bertha. "We'll take the baby for walks in that park across from the home, Bertha. It has a big pond with lots of cute little ducks swimming in it - the baby will love it. Face it, Bertha, you've now become our baby's third grandmother and that will mean spending Christmas and birthdays and maybe even very noisy vacations with the Kent family. Are you sure you don't wanna back out?" Bertha, secretly overjoyed but hiding it well, smiled and said, "Well, Lois, I'll take you up on your offer for birthday celebrations and maybe even an occasional Christmas dinner, but I'll pass on the vacations. My late husband and I traveled a lot and those are the only vacations I want to remember, dear." Her friendly face took on a determined look as she added, "But I'm afraid you don't have any say in the matter. If I want to set up a trust fund for your children, I can, you know, without your consent. And I will, as soon as this one is born." Bertha took a tentative sip of her hot tea and smiled benignly at Lois. "Oh, and one more thing - whatever you do, please don't feel obliged to name your child 'Bertha' if it's a girl. In fact, I forbid you to name any of your children 'Bertha'. I hate the name, even though I was named after my grandmother whom I loved dearly. I didn't grow up in the country myself, but I know very well it's a cow's name!" ********** Martha laughed when Lois told her about Bertha's stipulation. "She's right, you know, we once had a cow named Bertha. Come to think of it, Lois, if it's a girl, I don't want you to name the baby after me, either. I firmly believe that each child deserves to have a unique name. My whole family was indignant because I didn't name Clark after my father or Jonathan's father." Martha smiled lovingly at her son. "Now, does he look like a Herman or an Owen to you?" Lois laughed. "Not really. But then I'm partial to my Clarkie... why did you pick 'Clark'?" she asked curiously. "I know it's your last name, Martha, but I don't think you've ever told me why you gave him that name?" Martha grinned. "When we were organizing our wedding, people in Smallville referred to it as the 'Clark - Kent' wedding. I liked the sound of that and told Jonathan that I wanted to name our firstborn son 'Clark'. We waited a long time for him to show up, but it was worth the wait." Clark lovingly hugged his mother. "I was a very lucky little baby." He winked at Lois. "Who grew up to be the luckiest man on earth." "I suppose now I have to say that I'm the luckiest woman on earth." Lois smiled at Martha, "I am, you know, thanks to your son." Unexpectedly Jonathan spoke up. "If we'd had a daughter I would have named her." "Oh, really?" Lois teased, "You think Martha would've let you?" Martha nodded. "That was the agreement, Lois. I would name the boys, Jonathan the girls. We wanted a big family." With a surprised start Martha realized that both she and Jonathan were finally able to talk freely about being childless - the sorrow of not having the big, boisterous family they'd visualized in the early years of their marriage had been gradually lessened since Clark's arrival in their lives and had now all but vanished since Lois's pregnancy had been confirmed. "Katharine," Jonathan said, haltingly, as if he'd never before been able to verbalize the name. "Katharine, with double 'a'. I always liked the sound of that: Katharine Kent." "Hmm," Lois said dreamily, smiling softly, "Katharine Kent... I like that. We could call her Katie..." "You'd really do it, Lois? Clark?" Martha said excitedly, "You'd be willing to name the baby Katharine - if it's a girl?" "Now, now, Martha," Jonathan hastily protested, "That's not why I told Lois - the kids have to make up their own mind about this. Like we did, remember?" "Oh," Lois piped in, "I like it, Jonathan, I really do. What do you think, Clark? Katharine - if it's a girl?" "Couldn't have picked a better name myself, Dad." Clark clapped Jonathan on his back. Jonathan didn't answer, he just grinned from ear to ear. ***************************************************** ********************************************** Chapter Five Having returned one night from what had been their last farewell visit to the farm, Lois suddenly had an anxiety attack. "Oh God, Clark, I have a bad feeling about this; everything is working out so beautifully, it won't last, it's gonna end, I just know it!" "Shhhh, baby, shhhh," Clark wrapped his arms around Lois, trying to still the nervous movements of her body. "You're just tired, honey, you'll be your old, cheerful self after a good night's sleep. Let's - " "No!" Lois turned away from him and sat upright in bed. "I've just reversed to my old, cranky self, okay! Clark, it's like a big, dark cloud is suddenly hanging over me; I'm having an awful d‚j… vu here. It's like - it's like that time, just before our wedding - our first wedding - I knew something bad was going to happen and - " "Lois, nothing bad is going to happen, I promise you - " Lois slid out of bed and turned to glare at him. "Clark! That's exactly what you said that time. And look what happened! I received dead roses and a smashed wedding cake and I was abducted by that - that - monster, Lex Luthor! Then you married that - that - clone!" Lois put on her slippers and stomped off towards the bedroom door. Clark jumped out of bed and hastily followed her. "Honey, please, calm down. This can't be good for the - " Impatiently Lois warded off his outstretched hands. "I'm going downstairs, Clark. No, don't follow me - you go ahead and sleep," adding sarcastically, "you need your rest - you never know when the outside world might need you." "No, Lois, I'm not leaving you alone; not when you're as upset as you are right now. Honey, please, talk to me. What's brought this on?" "I don't know, Clark," Lois responded wearily, "I just know what I feel and that's really, really frightening. And you just disregard my feelings. Telling me not to worry isn't going to simply make it go away!" A very confused Clark followed Lois down the stairs and into the kitchen where he silently watched while she poured milk into a pan and put it on the stove. She then placed her hands flat on the counter and took a long, shaky breath. With tears sparkling in her eyes she turned to look at Clark, standing dejectedly behind a chair. They stared at each other for a moment, then spoke almost simultaneously. "Clark..." "Lois..." Clark motioned Lois to go first. "I'm sorry I snapped at you earlier, Clark, but each time I tell you I feel bad you get this condescending tone in your voice... 'honey,'" she mimicked him, "'everything's fine, I promise you, nothing bad is - '" "Okay, Lois," Clark said hastily, "You're absolutely right. You were right about what happened at the time of our wedding - what should've been our real wedding. I'm so sorry, honey. You have great intuition and if you feel something bad is coming, then I should listen to you and try to deal with it. Please, let's sit down and talk about it now, okay?" Lois nodded and wiped the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hands. "Okay... I'll make some cocoa first. Want some too, or d'you want tea?" Subdued, Clark nodded. "Tea's fine, honey, thank you." He didn't dare offer to make it himself, afraid that Lois would again fly off the handle. Clark sighed. He'd been so happy all day long. Elated, even. Soon, his parents would move to Metropolis, just in time to celebrate the fifth month of Lois's pregnancy in their new home. This morning, when they'd left for Smallville, Lois too had been happy and cheerful. Clark had expected he'd be sad when he would have to say his final goodbyes to the house, the barn and all the other familiar places on the farm. He'd petted the cows and lovingly touched the trees, but the only time he'd felt nostalgic was when he went to his well-hidden tree house to retrieve the Globe, the most important inheritance from his Kryptonian birth parents. Sitting cross-legged in his former 'Fortress of Solitude' with the Globe in his hand, Clark had half expected the image of his father Jor-El to appear to talk to him again. It had been years since he'd been up there and he'd felt a bit guilty when he'd looked down at the Globe, lying inactive in his hand. Clark had wondered why he'd left the object in there for so long. His life with Lois was full and exciting and he'd rarely thought about his birth parents for at least a couple of years. It had seemed a good and safe thing to do at the time - to leave the Globe at the farm instead of keeping it in Metropolis. He'd lost it once; he'd been afraid it might be stolen again and that he didn't think he could bear. "There's always something..." Clark had whispered, "That's what Lois says and too frequently, I'm afraid. Father, you remember Lois? She's my wife. I brought her here one day, a few months after our marriage - our real marriage. No, don't ask, it's complicated. And that's the gist of it, really. There's always something..." Clark had smiled down at the uncommunicative Globe. "And right now the 'something' is the nearest thing to heaven - we're having a baby! Lois is now almost five months pregnant. I'm sorry I didn't come over to tell you sooner. That was a bit selfish, I know, but I'm taking you home now, for good. And maybe, someday, you'll talk to me again - to us - to my kids, your grandchildren." Clark had begun to feel better as he'd glanced around the small space. Yes, it was time to take the Globe home with him and say goodbye to this treasured refuge of his youth. Wayne Irig's nephew, the new owner of the farm, had small children - three boys, Clark remembered his mom telling him. They would love this place, he'd thought with a grin. He'd make sure his dad showed it to them before he left, otherwise they'd never find it. It was too well hidden; he'd made sure of that when he'd built it... "Clark? Clark!" "Huh?" With a start Clark was once again in his own kitchen, looking at the steaming mug of tea Lois held in front of his face. "Oh... thanks, honey." "You're welcome." Lois sat down with her mug of hot cocoa and looked curiously at him. She took a small sip, then another, before she commented, "You went to a really faraway place just now. Care to share?" Clark smiled. "Not that far away, actually. I was thinking about the Globe - you know I brought it home with me." "It must've been hard, Clark," Lois said softly, "to say goodbye to the Fortress too." "This whole 'saying goodbye thing' - it wasn't as difficult as I'd expected it to be. Up in the Fortress I realized it was a futile ritual. You can't say goodbye to your childhood - it stays with you, no matter how old you get or where you live. You'll always have the good and the bad memories." Lois nodded. "So... what made you realize that?" "Well," Clark smiled. "I was talking to my birth father - " "Clark!" Lois gasped. "You should've told me!" "Oh, he didn't show up, honey, I did all the talking. My father isn't talking to me - yet. I guess the Globe's a bit miffed because I left it alone for so long." Clark grinned, to let Lois see that it didn't bother him one bit. "So I held a monologue - told my father I've been busy. Getting married and getting used to living together and keeping up with the smartest and most incredibly beautiful woman on earth." Clark's teasing tone had the desired effect on Lois. She too began to relax and she smiled back at him. "You're biased - very! And don't forget, high maintenance too! But seriously, Clark, it's a good thing to have the Globe where it belongs. In your home - our home. But there were more things of yours in the tree house, honey. I remember a compass and a treasure chest. Did you leave those in there?" "Yeah - I told Dad to show Wayne Irig where to find the tree house. Wayne will get a kick out of taking his nephew's boys on a treasure hunt. They'll love the tree house; I left those things for them to find. They're part of the package I guess. Besides..." Clark put his mug on the table and moved his chair closer to Lois's. "There's someone in my life now who's infinitely more important to me than any Kryptonian Globe can ever be. I told my birth father that I was becoming a father too and that I hope, someday, he'd talk to my kids - maybe bring my mother too." Lois giggled. "Let's hope they don't pop out of the closet when we have company in the house. I can just imagine my mother's reaction!" Clark laughed with her. "She'd probably take them severely to task. After which they will surely be gone - forever!" In companionable silence they finished their tea and cocoa. Lois sighed softly when Clark gently touched her belly, stroking her navel where he could feel it through the thin material of her nightgown. "Hello baby," Clark crooned softly, feeling Lois's belly tremble when she suddenly began to giggle. He looked at her with raised eyebrows. "What?" "Oh, Clark, I can read you like a book. It's a girl, isn't it?" "How do you - what do you mean, you can read me like a book?" "Please, it's me you're talking to: Lois Lane, remember? Investigative reporter? I may be pregnant and plagued by hordes of conflicting hormones, but I haven't lost my touch yet, buster!" Clark laughed. "I hear you!" He cocked his head to one side and asked curiously, "Why do you think it's a girl? You've never said anything before." "Oh, well - you see, Mother told me that the sex of an unborn child can only be determined for sure in the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy. So I assumed it was still too early to tell. Guess she's underestimated your special vision, huh?" "Well, yeah, I guess. But that doesn't explain how you - did you use your own enhanced vision, is that it, honey? Is it getting stronger?" Clark asked excitedly. "Pu-leaze!" Lois screwed up her face. "You know I tried that once and I didn't like what I saw at all! All that blood and weird-looking tissue right under my skin - yuck! I tell you, I could never, ever become a surgeon. To think Daddy once wanted me to - no, Clark, I'll leave the scanning to you. But I can tell by the expression on your face that our baby is a girl." "What expression, honey?" Clark asked, "I still don't get it." "Okay, look again at the baby," Lois ordered and Clark obediently focused his vision on her belly. "There it is again!" Lois giggled. "Honey, ever since we discovered I was pregnant, whenever we talk about a boy you get this typical, proud, I'm-going-to- little-league-games-with-my-son look; and when we talk about a girl you get this sugar-and-spice-and- everything's-nice look on your face. And that's what I just saw - twice! I can't believe I didn't see it sooner. But then, you haven't known for long, have you?" "No," Clark admitted, "I just found out this morning. I gave you a quick scan when we arrived in Smallville, just to make sure the flying hadn't disturbed the baby. That's when I knew for sure. I was bursting to tell you, Lois, but I didn't want to do so with Mom and Dad around. We'll tell them, later, but I wanted to tell you when we came back here. I wanted it to be our own special moment, in our bed, where she was conceived." "And then I spoiled it all by throwing a tantrum. I'm sorry, Clark." "No, honey, you were really upset and I don't care if it's hormones or premonition. If you're feeling bad I want us to discuss it rationally and I promise you, from now on, I'll curb my chauvinistic, Neanderthal reaction to simply try and shush it away. Do you want to talk about it now, about what's bothering you?" "No, lunkhead! Let's table that till tomorrow. Right now, this is much more important!" Lois looked down at Clark's hand still lying on her belly. Excitement and awe coursed through her veins. She drew a shaky breath, then looked up at Clark with wonder in her eyes. Her voice trembled when she whispered, "Clark, our baby... is a girl?" Clark, the sugar-and-spice-look now firmly fixed on his face, gave her the verbal confirmation she craved. "Yes, Lois, our baby is a girl." ***************************************************** ********************************************** Chapter Six Lois unsuccessfully tried to hide a huge yawn behind her hand. She was sitting opposite Perry in his office, trying to concentrate on what the Chief was saying. "Lois! This is the second time you've yawned since you've been in here. Honey, didn't you get any sleep last night? Is it the baby? You havin' a hard time?" "No Perry, I'm fine, really, and so's the baby. But you're right - Clark and I didn't get much sleep last night. There's still so much to plan and to think of, before his parents can move into the house next door. Oh-oh, here I go again... sorry Chief, and it doesn't help that I can't drink any coffee either. Oh, what I wouldn't do for a dose of caffeine right now!" "Lois, that won't do at all. Tell you what - " Perry closed the ledger he was holding in his hands and threw it on his desk. "We can do this later. You go home to catch a few hours of sleep and we'll continue this at... lemme see... about three. We'll finish this in time for you to leave again at five. How's that?" "Perry, if we only need two hours to go over these stock lists, then let's do it now, okay? I can go home after that." "I need you to be awake," Perry said drily, "I know you still remember a lot of how this works, from that time you briefly sat in for me as Editor-in-Chief, but honey, a lot has been changed in the work process since then and I need you to stay focused. I still think you'd make a great editor; everybody in that newsroom out there respects you - your name as one of the best investigative reporters in the world is firmly established and - " "Make that the best investigative reporter in the whole universe, Chief," a voice interrupted Perry's speech. Clark walked into the room, pointing apologetically at the half open door behind him. "It wasn't closed so..." "That's okay, Clark, come in and sit down." Perry ordered. Clark avoided Lois's eyes as he sat down in a chair close to hers. He'd been super-hearing, Lois realized, listening in on her conversation with Perry. She nudged his knee with her own to let him know she was on to him. Perry looked sternly at Clark while pointing a finger at Lois. "Son, I'm sending this girl home to get some sleep. Now, I know that havin' a kid for the first time is a major thing - I still remember how it was with Alice and me. I'm counting on you to take good care of Lois and keeping her up all night is not earning you any points here! Get her out of here and put her in a cab. Make sure she actually leaves the building, y'hear? Lois, you come back here at three. Now, what are you two waiting for? Get up and go!" "Chief, I'll personally take Lois home and - " "She's perfectly able to climb in bed all by herself," Perry grinned as Lois again lost the battle against a huge yawn. "'Mr Sandman' will take care of that. I need you here, Clark, I've got a new assignment for you. See you back in my office in - " Perry looked at his watch. " - fifteen minutes. And send Jimmy in here, will you?" "Will do, Chief," Lois responded automatically. "Great shades of Elvis! Not you, girl! Clark will tell Jimmy. Haven't you heard what I just said? Go home! And don't you dare oversleep - be here at three, pronto!" Perry waved them out of his office, chuckling softly as he saw Clark trying to smooth Lois's ruffled feathers while he hastily ushered his wife through the crowded newsroom into the direction of the elevator. ********** "Lady, we're here... Lady!" Lois, slumped in the backseat of the cab, shot upright when the cabdriver's impatient voice reached her ears. Geez! Even this little bit of super-hearing she had was making her head spin. She didn't know how Clark managed to stand it. Poor baby, and he'd have to, all of his life, while she'd probably lose the powers again as soon as the baby was born. The super- hearing could go as far as Lois was concerned, but she'd like to hold on to the floating, though, and being really, really strong was cool, too... "C'mon lady, what's it gonna be? You wanna change directions again? Make up your mind! Haven't got all day, you know!" "Okay, okay! Hold your horses - how much?" Lois paid the man and scrambled out of the cab. 'This daydreaming has got to stop,' she thought ruefully, 'I'm losing my edge and that won't do; that won't do at all.' As she looked up at the building where her former apartment was located in, Lois placed one hand under her belly in the universal, instinctive and protective gesture of expectant mothers. In an impulse she'd told the cabdriver to change directions. She'd suddenly decided she wanted to see Star and talk about this nagging bad feeling she just wasn't able to shake. Star had helped her out a few times in the past - like that time when Lois had thought she'd been abducted by aliens. While in truth it had been the work of a madman - the umpteenth villain with an obsessive desire to rule the world she'd had the misfortune of running into while just doing her job and minding her own business. Well, Clark would dispute that, of course. Clark... Lois sighed. This was not a time in her life she liked to think about. In fact, she wished she could completely block it from her memory. She could still feel the pain she'd gone through when Clark had broken off with her. He'd tried to be a boy scout because he'd felt that being close to him was endangering her. She'd been heartbroken and it had taken her a long time to forgive him. Partly because she'd also been furious with him. As Clark Kent he'd asked her to marry him - twice - and he'd jilted her as Superman - twice. That fateful night he'd donned the Suit to deliver her the most painful blow of her life. Apparently, Clark Kent couldn't say 'no' to her, but Superman could. The first time had been when she'd told the Superhero that she was completely in love with him; that she wouldn't consider marrying Lex Luthor if he, Superman, thought there was a future for the two of them... Lois shivered. Lex Luthor... well, he couldn't be the one casting this feeling of doom over her. He was dead. Clark was sure of that. This time, not a hundred Gretchen Kelly's could piece him together again. He was well and truly gone - crushed to dead when the abandoned subway tunnel, where he'd kept her captive, had collapsed. For months after he'd rescued Lois and she'd finally regained her memory, Clark had had to constantly reassure her that their formidable enemy couldn't ever hurt her again. She'd had nightmares, really bad ones, and Clark had been so remorseful; blaming himself for letting Luthor ride off with her instead of picking her up in his arms and flying her off to safety. Lois had been equally remorseful. She'd finally fully realized how dangerous it had been to let Lex Luthor get so close. She would regret that till the end of her days. She'd ignored Clark's warnings and broken his heart when she'd rejected him in favor of Lex Luthor. They'd both acted so stupid at times and sometimes Lois was still amazed that they'd been able to get past all the hurt and confusion. She was sure that would not have been possible with another man. Oh well, Lois thought as she began to climb the steps; let's see what Star can come up with. One thing was sure, she wasn't going to let Star hypnotise her. She'd done so with Clark one day and he'd promptly told her his name was 'Kal El'! Fortunately, Lois had been present to prevent Star from getting suspicious and to guard Clark against unwittingly giving out any more information of Kryptonian origin. Good-natured, warm, bubbly Star... Lois and Clark both liked her very much, but if there was one person they definitely didn't want in on the secret, then that person was Star! She was a chaotic blabbermouth, but Lois truly believed that Star's psychic powers were real - she'd even known Lois was pregnant the minute she'd seen her when she'd barged into the newsroom at the Planet. Lois hoped Star would be able to tell her more about the uneasy feelings that even now hung above her head like a dark cloud. 1058 Carter Avenue... Lois walked past the door of her former apartment, briefly wondering who was living there now. At times she'd been so lonely and miserable here; but also very happy once Clark had become part of her life. Lois smiled as she remembered Superman entering and leaving through the window. That hadn't changed; at Hyperion Avenue he still did! As she reached Star's front door Lois hesitated, then took her cell phone out of her bag, deliberately turning it off. She felt confident that neither Clark, Perry nor Jimmy would be calling her; she was supposed to be fast asleep by now. But her mother could, or Martha, and she didn't want to be disturbed right now. Lois glanced at her watch. It wasn't even ten yet. Okay, she'd stay half an hour, tops, then she'd need another twenty minutes to get home; she could be in bed and asleep before eleven, catch a few hours of sleep and be back at the Planet by three. Not that she felt sleepy anymore; in fact, she - Lois started, as the door was suddenly flung wide open and a loud voice shouted at her. "Hey, you! What are you doing, lurkin' outside my door? Omigosh! Lois? What are you doing here!" Star stared at her in amazement. "Come on in, you look like you've seen a ghost! Sorry if I scared you - I didn't know it was you. I just knew someone was standing outside the door. We've had a few break-ins here lately, you see, and in broad daylight, too." Star whirled around and called out to a woman who was standing behind a chair, peering apprehensively towards the door. "It's okay, Mrs. Bianco, this isn't your husband and it isn't a hold-up either; this is my former neighbor, Lois Lane. She used to live here, before she married that gorgeous Clark Kent. I'll see you next Monday then - take care and don't forget what I told you. 'Bye!" Star hastily ushered her client out the door, closing it behind Mrs. Bianco's back with a thud before turning to Lois, curls dancing around her face. "This is a nice surprise, Lois! C'mon, sit down and tell me how your dishy husband is doing. I can see for myself that you are okay." "I'm sorry, I didn't think... I should've called first... Star! You just sent away a client!" "Oh, don't worry about it, Lois, I was done with her already. In fact, I've had it with Mrs. Bianco for a long time now, only she keeps coming back. She's married to this bully of a husband who beats the hell out of her and she keeps hoping that I can cast a spell or something and suddenly change him into an upstanding guy. Some women never learn! I keep tellin' her she's got two choices - she can stay with him and take her medicine, or she can get the hell out of there." "Star..." "Well, Lois, are you here on a friendly visit or do you need my help?" ********** "Ah, Clark, there you are! C'mon in, son; Lois on her way home?" Perry motioned for Clark to sit down. "Yes, I put her in a cab, Chief, like you ordered." Clark looked at his watch. "She should be arriving about now." "That girl was sleepwalkin' on her feet! What were you thinking, letting her come in here this morning? You should've let her sleep in and called me, instead of draggin' her in here!" "Dragging her in here? Chief! I tried all morning to make Lois stay in bed! If anyone was dragged in here it was me." Perry's large frame shook as he roared with laughter. "Hahahah! Some things never change! She's a handfull that one and I expect when she's eighty, she'll still be a spitfire!" Clark laughed, "I expect so, Perry. In fact, I'm counting on it. I wouldn't want her any other way." "That's good, Clark, that's good. Otherwise your marriage with Lois wouldn't survive." Perry grinned at Clark, confident that what had happened to Alice and him wouldn't happen to his star reporters. Clark always put Lois first; something he, Perry, had neglected to do when he was married to Alice. Now they were divorced and although they'd managed to get past all the pain and resentment and saw each other on a regular basis, Alice had firmly refused to live with him under the same roof again - not as long as 'The Daily Planet' remained his first priority, anyway. Perry's grin faded and he frowned as he reopened the ledger on his desk. Well, that's why he'd persuaded Lois to give it a shot - being his assistant editor until her maternity leave. She'd assured him she wanted to keep working and she was confident she'd be able to do so fulltime, despite having a baby in the house. The Planet had an excellent daycare center and to top it all, Clark's parents were moving in right next- door! Lois wouldn't have to stay home unexpectedly if the baby got sick - Martha Kent would be thrilled to take care of her grandchild. Perry hoped that this time around, Lois would agree to become his successor as Editor-in-Chief. She already knew the demands of the job from her brief stint some years ago. This time, she'd be better prepared to deal with all the pitfalls and boring details that also came with the job. Perry was seriously thinking about retiring and moving in with Alice again. They weren't getting any younger and he was steadfastly getting more and more annoyed with 'the Suits upstairs'. Those were getting younger and younger and Perry felt he was losing his appetite for locking horns with management. Lois would be perfect for the job - Perry really couldn't think of anybody else in his own newsroom - or working at any other newspaper - who'd be a better choice. Clark - now he was something else; he couldn't consider him. Clark wouldn't be able to take off at a moment's notice. Not in the middle of a meeting, anyway, if he - or someone else for that matter - became Editor-in-Chief. That's why Lois had to take the job; he'd already cleared that with 'the Suits'. And they were all for it, of course - they were losing a cranky old guy and getting a beautiful babe in return. Little did they know! She'd eat those young whippersnappers alive. Perry's only worry was to get Lois to see things his way. And he had to do it without telling her about his plans to retire next year. He didn't want Lois to feel pressured; she'd have to accept the job out of her own free will, otherwise she'd be miserable. Perry frowned. The hardest part would be to convince Lois to take the job without letting her suspect that he knew why Clark was constantly disappearing. When he'd first figured it out for himself it used to irk Perry that they hadn't confided in him, even as years went by and they must have realized that he was one of the good guys - he wasn't going to blab it to the world that Clark Kent was Superman! But in the end he'd come to accept their need for secrecy, especially after some of the hair-raising mishaps they'd had to endure. In the background he'd kept an eye out to ensure that nobody else in the newsroom figured it out. Now, take Jimmy Olsen - a good kid, but Perry wouldn't trust him with a secret like that. He loved Jimmy, but he knew his shortcomings and one of the biggest was his tendency to switch girlfriends every other six months. It was time that young man settled down, but he didn't seem to be able to meet the kind of woman who could hold his interest for longer than a few months. The latest love in Jimmy's life was a gum-chewing, party-lovin' chick called Jessie or Jennie, who laughed too loud and talked too much - and all nonsense, as far as Perry was concerned. Jimmy was a good guy and he'd helped out Lois and Clark, and even Superman, more than once, but with the kind of women he seemed to prefer these days you couldn't trust him with any secret, let alone an awesome one as this one. About three years ago Perry had fired Ralph Simms for exactly the same reason: he wasn't the sort of guy you could trust with a secret either. And Ralph had come too close, latching on to Clark Kent, following him around - not because he suspected anything, but to learn as much as he could from a pro. That, Perry had to admit, had been commendable. But Ralph wasn't in Clark Kent's league and never would be. Even if he'd been partnered with someone with the investigative skills of Lane and Kent, Ralph wouldn't have measured up. He was a mediocre reporter at best and always would be. Perry had fired Ralph after he'd bungled an assignment because he had, for the umpteenth time, been following Clark instead of doing his own job. It had been the last straw. Sometimes, though, Perry wondered if he'd accomplished any good because Ralph was now working at the sleazy tabloid 'The National Whisper' and was still pestering Lois and Clark. But at least he wasn't a permanent fixture in the newsroom anymore; he couldn't jump up and run after Clark when he'd have to leave suddenly. Nowadays, Ralph had to wait until he ran into either Lois or Clark outside the Planet building. Perry looked at the solid, dependable man sitting across him and a surge of pride welled in his chest. He felt immensely proud that this extraordinary man had chosen his beloved newspaper to work for. He vividly remembered the younger, leaner Clark Kent as he'd sat in this same old chair, asking him for a job, looking nervous as hell. Now, Perry thanked his lucky stars that he'd been wise enough to hire him and thankful for Lois's sake too - Clark had been her salvation. And now a slightly older version of that young, inexperienced reporter sat looking at him with an expectant smile on his face. "Okay, Clark, I've got this new assignment for you. I want you to interview that new owner of 'The Sentinel', our biggest competitor. He's a foreigner, comes from Australia, and I'll tell you - since that crook Lesley Luckabee crawled out from underneath a stone down-under and tried to take over this newspaper - and your wife - I'm not keen to see it happen again. 'The Sentinel' is a good, solid newspaper and I'd hate to see it transformed into a sleazy gossip rag like the 'Whisper' - or being used as a decoy for I don't know what other murky dealings." "Consider it done, Perry. What's this new owner's name?" "Gareth Keyes." Perry took a sheet of paper out of a file on his desk and handed it to Clark. "Here you go - everything he wants the outside world to know about him is in there. I want you to find the holes in this perfect picture." Clark laughed, "You really are suspicious of the man, aren't you? Perry, not everyone from Australia is a crook, you know." "I'm just being cautious, Clark. Look how trusting I was with that Luckabee fellow and it almost cost Lois her life! If Superman hadn't found her in time, no telling what that man would've done to her - him and his accomplice - another one of those crazy sons of Lex Luthor's. I'm not letting my guard down until you give me the green light. And run your findings by Lois, will you, she might spot something you might miss." "I always do, Chief, I always do. If anyone can poke through a phony fa‡ade, it's my Lois!" Clark said proudly. "Good. Now stop showing off and get on with it. I've a meeting upstairs in a few minutes and these days I need a lot of time to prepare myself for that!" Clark laughed. "Well, good luck, Chief!" ********** Clark was on his way to interview Gareth Keyes, the new owner and Editor-in-Chief of the only other Metropolis-based newspaper that could be considered being in the same league as 'The Daily Planet'. After he'd left Perry's office he'd super-read the information on Gareth Keyes. Perry was right - there wasn't much in there. He'd then called 'The Sentinel' and been pleasantly surprised when Keyes's secretary told him her boss would be happy to meet with him today, at twelve. 'It's still early,' Clark had thought, 'I can easily check on Lois first and then scan the Sentinel building before the meeting. Like Perry said - you never know what they might be hiding in there.' He'd shut down his computer and left the Planet building by way of the rooftop and a few minutes later Superman softly touched down in the living room at Hyperion Avenue. He didn't spin into his work suit for he wanted to take off again immediately. He just wanted to look in on Lois for a brief moment - he didn't want to disturb her. She needed these few hours of sleep. They hadn't been able to sleep much last night. Lois had been so excited when he'd confirmed that they were expecting a baby girl. She'd alternatively cried and laughed and he'd cried and laughed with her. They'd held each other tight while they'd talked about the future - how different their married life would become once the baby would be part of it. Clark was still a little worried about Lois - she'd been so emotional last night. First, they'd had this brief and intense fight about his unintentional disregard for her feelings of impending doom. That was one mistake he hoped he'd never make again! Granted, she was also being 'plagued by hormones' as Ellen Lane stated whenever she and Lois got into an argument. But Clark knew he shouldn't treat Lois's premonition in a cavalier manner. She wasn't hysterical. Passionate, yes; argumentative, yes; stubborn to a fault, yes. But history had proven that if Lois Lane felt anxious, then yes, unfortunately, she was almost always right. So, at the back of his mind Clark knew he hadn't come home just to see Lois sleep - he couldn't bear to have her out of his sight. He had to know, to see for himself, that she was safe and fast asleep in their own bed. ********** Over her own bowl Star pensively regarded her erstwhile neighbor as she visibly enjoyed a mouthful of chocolate ice cream. Lois sighed blissfully. "Oh, Star! This is heavenly - my mother's forbidden me to eat too much of this stuff and I tell you, that's one of the hardest things to do! As soon as this baby's born I'm gonna wallow in ice cream and everything that's got chocolate in it... mmm... mmm..." "Well, girlfriend, enjoy this while you still can and start talkin'. What's up? You haven't come here just to give me a piece of your mind about my spilling the beans the other day, right? Be honest, Lois, you dreaded having to tell that nosey bunch of reporters in that newsroom that you're pregnant. I did you a favor, admit it!" "A favor? Star! Perry White was really disappointed to hear it like that. And Clark had been looking so forward to telling everybody himself. You spoiled that for him. I didn't come here because of that, but yeah - I am a little angry at you for blurting it out like that." "Yeah, yeah, I know... Lois, I'm sorry. You know me - things like that just pop out of my mouth." Star rapped on her head with the knuckles of her left hand. "It's this crazy head of mine - can't seem to control it. I'd like to make it up to you, though. I can see something's bothering you - can feel it, too. So, talk to me." "You're right, Star, there is something bothering me. I feel as if something really terrible is going to happen. Not necessarily to me, you know, at least, I don't think so. It's hard to explain, but I thought maybe you could tell me how to handle it. You feel a lot of those things yourself, right?" "All my life, Lois, all my life; and it's earning me a living. Not that I recommend it - you wouldn't want to meet some of the people who come through this door. Did you talk to Clark about this?" Lois sighed. "Yes, I did, but right now, Clark just wants to sit on cloud nine with me and anything that spoils that pretty picture..." "Hmm, I know what you mean, Lois, men are just not equipped to deal with life's tougher issues. Like this Leroy guy I met the other night? Wants to party all night and sleep all day. He thought he could do all of that here, but I soon set him straight - I send him packing! That wasn't easy, mind you; he's better looking than Denzel and just as smooth and sweet as this ice cream in my bowl. And he's got - " "Star!" "Huh? Oh, yeah, sorry... Phew! It's getting hot in here." Star pressed the cold bowl against her flushed cheeks. "Anyway... Lois, if that happens to you - bad feelings, I mean, not Leroy - the only thing you can do is ride it out. Keep your eyes open and your back covered." "Star! Is that all you can say? I'd already figured that out, you know." "Well, Lois, I don't see any mean-spirited ghosts floating around your head, you know. I guess you're worried, now that you're pregnant. Ghosts won't bother you, girl, you'd better watch out for those criminals you and Clark are always chasing." Lois sighed. "I suppose... but we aren't right now, Star, the only interesting case we're working on is about fraud. We aren't chasing any criminals." "Hah! You don't think fraud's a crime?" "Yeah, well, I guess you're right. But you see, Clark and I can't afford to let our concentration slip and lately we got a little distracted by this little tyke in there." Lois patted her tummy. "Maybe that's what's bothering me, I don't know. I haven't slept much last night so I'd better go home now and take a nap." Lois put the now empty bowl down on the table. "Thanks, Star, it helped to talk to you. I'll be extra careful. I'd better call a cab; now where's my bag... my cell phone's in there..." ********** Superman hovered above the stairs leading to the master bedroom and took a quick peek through the door. Odd... Lois wasn't in bed... maybe in the bathroom, a place she seemed to frequent more often since she'd become pregnant. Nope - she wasn't in the bathroom and not in the kitchen, either. So where was she? In less than a second Superman had scanned the whole house while trying to pick up Lois's heartbeat with his superhearing. She wasn't home and she wasn't next door either. Where could she be? What had happened to Lois? Suddenly, Clark felt his blood drain from his body. He sank down on the bed, trying to control the panic that rose in his chest and closed up his throat. How could he have let her leave in that cab, all alone by herself? He shouldn't have listened to Perry, he should've insisted... had they abducted her? But who?! Oh God, and there's still Kryptonite out there! Please, not that - not my baby! Clark felt his whole body starting to shake; he grabbed the phone on the nightstand and dialed Lois's cell phone number with fingers that trembled so hard he almost didn't succeed. No answer! Lois, where are you! Her phone was off?! Oh, God! Clark scrambled on to his feet and flew blindly out the bedroom window, smashing the glass, taking a large piece of curtain cloth with him that slowly whirled onto the ground as the Man of Steel shot into space. ********** In a corner of her porch Lois and Clark's elderly neighbor stood, transfixed, staring open-mouthed at the Kents' smashed bedroom window. Suddenly galvanized into action, Bertha Avery moved to the fence, her eyes feverishly scanning the surroundings. No... it didn't look like anybody else had seen or heard what had happened. Most people living in these houses nowadays were young couples with full time jobs who were seldom home during the day. That had been one of the reasons why Bertha had decided it was time for her to move when her friend Julia couldn't come and visit her anymore. It was too quiet, too lonely here. Now, for the first time, she was grateful for that fact. Bertha sank onto a rattan chair and let out a long, shaky breath. What could have caused Superman to throw all caution to the wind and leave the house like that? Something must have happened for Clark to behave like that. He was always so careful when he left and returned. It hadn't been his fault that she'd accidentally seen him slip quietly into the house as Superman - at two in the morning - how many years ago? Two... maybe even three... On that particular hot summer night Bertha hadn't been able to sleep, so she'd wandered out of the dark house and had sat in this very chair, staring up at the stars, thinking of Erroll. That's when she'd seen him. She wasn't unduly surprised at first; she knew Superman was a close friend of Lois and Clark's and that they often worked together on those fascinating cases she read about in 'The Daily Planet'. What had puzzled her, though, was that the Kent house was dark when Superman slipped in and stayed dark. Wide-awake, Bertha had sat on the porch until the sky began to lighten and she began to feel the cold seep into her bones. After that night she'd begun watching Lois and Clark closely and it didn't take her long to figure out the amazing truth - that Clark Kent and Superman were one and the same person. From that moment on, Bertha had kept a watchful eye on the other neighbors and she'd been immensely relieved when, not long after her amazing discovery, nosey old Emilia Jamison had sold her house across the street to a young couple named Petersen and had moved to 'Shady Pines'. Bertha didn't relish the thought of seeing that mean old biddy on a daily basis again when she herself would be living there, but - Bertha thought uncharitably - Emilia was pushing ninety, so... Suddenly, Bertha shot upright in her chair, painfully banging her knee against the heavy wooden table at her left. What was she thinking - why did she let her thoughts stray like that - something awful must've happened for Superman to leave in a panic like that. All that smashed glass... something must've happened to Lois... or the baby... Bertha jumped up, almost crying out loud when a sharp pain shot through her knee. She hobbled inside the house where she sank down onto her couch and grabbed hold of the phone. Her first impulse was to call Clark's parents, but luckily, common sense prevailed on time. They were too far away - she'd frighten them out of their wits. Ellen Lane... what was that number again... oh dear, and in a few hours those people of the removal company would be standing on her doorstep... With trembling fingers Bertha started dialing Ellen Lane's number. ********** Superman landed almost blindly in the familiar spot near the building of Lois's former apartment - in the dark, deserted alley where he used to change when he visited her in their bachelor days. He swiftly spun out of the Suit and bounded up the steps, then headed straight to Star's apartment. When he reached Star's front door he noticed that his hands were still shaking so he stopped and drew a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. He'd been so relieved when he'd finally located Lois's heartbeat that he'd almost dropped out of the sky like a stone. He didn't want her - and Star - to see him like this. He glanced around the hallway, but luckily there was no one else around. He took another deep breath, releasing it slowly, then looked through the door. Yes, there she was, sitting at the table, talking to Star and eating... ice cream?! Clark felt his anxiety slowly change into anger as he watched Lois place her bowl on the table and take out her cell phone. She'd turned it off deliberately?! His eyes turned red as he stared at his wife and her gaily chattering friend. He was going to wring Lois's neck for this, he thought wrathfully. She'd never before pulled such a heartless, malicious stunt. She hadn't been abducted and murdered by some villain! Well, he could do that - he'd personally kill her for this! Clark didn't know why he was still standing there in the hallway - why he didn't simply break down the door and storm inside. No - he'd deal with her in their own home; he didn't need any witnesses. He drew another deep breath, raised his fist and forcefully banged on the door. Lois, startled, dropped her cell phone while Star jumped up, staring wide-eyed at the door. "Star! Who - who's that?" Lois whispered. "How should I know?" Star hissed back. "Maybe it's that woman's husband - the one that was in here earlier - you told her to leave him, remember? Maybe she told him and now he's come to find you!" The person on the other side of the door banged on it again. "Lois, you sit tight, I'll be right back!" Star darted into her kitchen, returning almost immediately with a long, vicious-looking carving knife. "Star! Put that down! What're you doing?" Lois exclaimed. She was beginning to heartily regret her impulsive visit to her psychic friend. Clark, standing at the other side of the door, rolled his eyes as he saw Star purposely advance towards the door. That crazy Whoopi-Goldberg-Wanna-Be might just succeed in hurting herself - or Lois. And that was his privilege! "Lois! Star! This is Clark - open the door!" Relief washed over Lois; she sank down on her chair and stared apprehensively at the door. Good grief! She was busted - big time! Star dropped the knife and dashed over to remove the chains and turn the locks and Clark almost succeeded in knocking her down when he strode impatiently into the room. "Lois! Take your things and come with me - now!" Lois nodded meekly, grabbed her bag and hastily moved towards Clark. Oh-oh, the top buttons of his shirt weren't... his tie hung askew... she could see the Suit... she'd better fix his tie before Star... But Clark impatiently warded off her outstretched hands, turned on his heels and marched out the door, leaving Lois to run after him. Behind her back Lois heard Star's shocked voice, full of admiration, exclaim, "Wow!" ********** Ellen Lane gingerly ducked her head through the window in Lois and Clark's bedroom. There were some shards of glass lodged in the grooves of the cream- colored wood. They looked dangerous and Ellen was careful not to injure herself. She looked in the direction of Bertha Avery's patio and waved at the plump little lady looking anxiously up at her. Bertha was leaning against the fence separating her property from that of Lois and Clark's. Suddenly, Ellen understood how it had been possible for Bertha to have solved the puzzle of seeing Superman 'flying in and out the Kent residence' as she'd explained to Ellen just a short time ago. Ellen felt eternally grateful to Bertha for not being a greedy busy body; she could easily have called 'The National Whisper' after her initial discovery and made some big bucks with an amazing revelation. Ellen vaguely remembered that reporter - what was her name? Oh, yes, Diana Stride; years ago she'd tried to expose Clark Kent as being Superman. At that time Ellen hadn't met Clark yet; he'd just been Lois's partner at work and she hadn't paid much attention to the whole media circus around that incident. Ellen wasn't so sure that Lois and Clark would once again have been able to convince the world that Superman was a separate being from Clark Kent. And now they were having a child; what if someone evil wanted to kidnap that child, to see for himself if the rumors were true? Ellen shuddered. It didn't bear thinking about. It would be a lot easier if they could occasionally enlist the help of the other Clark Kent in the alternate Universe, Ellen thought wistfully, but Lois had assured her that wasn't possible; they couldn't just grab a phone and call him. Ellen had been appalled when Lois had told her how many close calls there had been in the past. She and Sam had been horrified when they'd heard about Tempus's devious plans to get rid of Superman; of Lois's forced trip to the alternate Universe; of the writer and time traveler H.G. Wells popping in and out of their lives on a regular basis. And the most amazing thing had been the realization that each of them had an alternate self! Ellen had been sorry to hear that Lois hadn't met the alternate Ellen Lane in that Universe; she often wondered about how that Ellen's life had been and how it was now. The alternate Martha and Jonathan Kent had died young; no telling how hers and Sam's lives had been over there. And now she and Sam and that little old lady next door were also involved in this great cover up, here, in their own universe. Well, if Ellen had any say in the matter, no one was going to hurt her daughter's family. Ellen stepped back into the room, letting her eyes roam the floor, looking for tiny slivers of glass she might have overlooked. She'd already cleared away the pieces she'd been able to see clearly but it couldn't hurt to look again. She had nothing better to do anyway. She couldn't call someone to simply replace the broken window; she'd have to wait till Clark came home. If something awful had happened to Lois he'd have contacted Sam and her by now, wouldn't he? He couldn't take Lois to a hospital - he knew he'd have to take her to Sam. The very fact that he hadn't done so yet kept Ellen's hope alive that nothing could be wrong with Lois and the baby. Ellen had called Sam as soon as Bertha had told her what she'd seen. She and Sam had agreed they would immediately contact one another as soon as they would hear from Clark. Meanwhile, it was best for Sam to stay in his private laboratory in his apartment in case Lois needed medical attention. Ellen didn't want to think about that - the implications were too awful. She decided to wait at Bertha's in case Clark brought Lois home. If she went over to Sam's she knew that she and her ex-husband would soon be at each other's throats. Even now her anxiety made Ellen want to strike out - at something or someone, but what good would that do? She could just imagine Superman bringing in Lois while she and Sam were in the middle of a fight. Giving the room a last, sweeping glance, Ellen picked up the wastebasket with the pieces of glass she'd picked up from the carpet. First, she'd lined the basket with a few pages of today's 'The Daily Planet' while she'd briefly wondered if Lois and Clark had already read their newspaper. She'd then rolled her eyes - who cared? Ellen carried the wastebasket downstairs and put it in the kitchen then walked onto the patio at the back of the house. Pieces of glass were lying all over the small, neatly kept yard but Ellen decided it was best to leave them just where they were; Clark would have to get rid of those himself. She left the house and carefully locked the front door. Fortunately, Lois had given her an extra key to the house - in case she'd need her mother if Superman was half way around the world, helping out in an emergency in some foreign country and couldn't be reached. Well, there was nothing else to do but wait until hopefully, both Lois and Clark would come home. She didn't dare call Lois on her cell phone. What if she'd been kidnapped, Ellen thought fancifully, Lois might've stowed away her phone in a secret place and the ringing would surely give her away. No, Ellen decided, she'd best wait. ********** Bertha Avery looked around her living room. Fully packed crates were standing neatly at one side. These, and most of the furniture, were being picked up today and delivered to the Salvation Army's warehouse in Hobbs Bay. Bertha gazed at a few boxes and suitcases standing separate from the rest. These held hers and Erroll's most treasured books and long play albums - the only possessions besides her old but still working record player, her photo albums and clothes and a few other mementos she was taking with her to 'Shady Pines'. She'd have to make sure the people of the moving company didn't accidentally take those too... Bertha started at the sound of the doorbell - that would be Ellen Lane, returning from the house next door. She sighed as she limped into the hallway; her knee was still sore. Bertha had called Ellen Lane because she was sure Lois's parents knew about the unique situation in which their daughter had gotten herself into by marrying Superman. Having observed Ellen's frequent visits to her daughter, Bertha had realized that Ellen, as well as her ex-husband, were involved in monitoring Lois's health and that of her unborn baby. She knew Ellen was a trained nurse and that Sam Lane was a surgeon and a renowned, if somewhat controversial, scientist. It was logical that they were the ones helping the young couple out. Well, at least Ellen hadn't been unduly surprised when Bertha had confessed that she knew about Clark's secret identity. She'd assured Bertha she'd done the right thing by calling her; she would go and check the house next door then come back at Bertha's place to wait and see if either Lois or Clark came back. Bertha knew that now she would also have to come clean with Lois and Clark. She couldn't pretend anymore that she didn't know their secret. Would Clark be upset? Scared maybe? If so, she hoped she would be able to allay his fears. She hadn't told anyone in over three years; why would she want to start now? His secret was safe with her; she had to convince him about that. Bertha sighed again then squared her shoulders. She pasted a smile on her face and opened the door wide to let her visitor in. "Come in, Ellen, I was just going to make us some coffee. How do you like yours?" ********** "Oh, great!" Superman muttered. "What?" Lois, clasped against his chest and wrapped tightly in his cape couldn't see a thing. But she didn't dare protest against being flown home trussed up as a Thanksgiving turkey. She didn't want to argue with Clark right now; not while they were flying and he was still so upset. She could feel it in every rigid muscle in his body. Lois just wanted this flight to be over. She deserved everything Clark had in store for her, but she wanted to be standing on her own two feet when he'd confront her. "Oh," Clark said sarcastically, "just your mother, standing on Bertha's doorstep. Oh, look, Bertha's just closed the door behind her back!" "My mother?" Lois squeeked and, forgetting her resolution to be passive until they got home, tried to struggle out of the red folds. But her head was immediately pushed back against a rock-hard chest while a voice just above her over-sensitive ears grated, "Stay where you are! We'll be home in just two seconds." Superman quickly scanned the neighborhood then flew through the living room window, landing near the fireplace. He threw open his cape and unceremoniously deposited Lois on the couch. Lois blinked against the light for a few seconds, then sat upright, peering at the colorful figure looming over her. "Clark..." "Leave it, Lois, I don't have time for this right now - I have an appointment at 'The Sentinel' and I can't be late for that. Now, go to bed! But you'll have to use one of the guest rooms; the window in our bedroom is broken. I'll fix that when I get back." Clark glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece. "Set the alarm at two thirty; that will give you time to freshen up a bit. I'll be here to take you to the Planet on time - and Lois, you better be here when I come back!" Lois stared at him, openmouthed. He was going away, just like that? She jumped up. "Clark! You can't go away now, we need to talk! And what do you mean, the window's broken?" "We'll have plenty of time for all that, Lois, we'll have all night!" Exasperated, Clark turned to look at the front door where someone was ringing the bell. "There's your mother - guess she knows we're here. Send her packing, Lois! I want you in bed and sleeping in a few minutes." With a 'whoosh' Superman was gone, leaving a now bristling Lois to stomp to the front door to let her mother in. ********** "Here," Ellen sat down on one side of the bed and handed Lois a steaming mug. "Milk and honey, guaranteed to get you to sleep." "Thanks, Mother, " Lois obediently sat up and took a sip of the hot drink. She sighed. "I don't think I had anything to drink all morning, except my morning tea. I know, I know! I need to drink a lot of liquid these days; just one of the many mistakes I made in - how many hours? Is this 'Doomsday's finally come', or what? Poor Clark, he must've been - " "Lois," Ellen interrupted her, 'Just drink your milk, then try to sleep. You look really worn out. I know it must've been exciting to find out that this little imp inside you is a girl, but staying awake all night is not something you and Clark should do too often. Not when you have to get up early the next morning to go to work - makes you delusional! No wonder you two went a little crazy... Okay, give me that mug; now, lie down." "Thanks, Mother, I am feeling rather tired..." Yawning luxuriously Lois slid beneath the covers. "Mmmm... this is nice..." and before Ellen had left the darkened room, Lois was fast asleep. Ellen got up and walked to the window to close the curtains, then softly tiptoed out of the room and down the stairs. In the living room she called Sam then looked for and found a pen and paper. She sat down and wrote a short note to Clark, then left it prominently on the dining table for him to find. Ellen smiled. She knew that her son-in-law viewed life with Lois as one of the biggest challenges of his extraordinary life - he'd said so many times. She wondered if he had an inkling of what his life would be like if that little baby girl would turn out just like Lois. Poor man! Ellen grinned, suddenly feeling exhilaratingly alive. Still chuckling, she picked up her bag and walked to the front door. Time to go and set Bertha's mind at ease. She had told Sam she would stay with Bertha and personally take her to her new address as soon as the moving company had left. The little old lady had looked so forlorn in that half-empty house. When Ellen had asked her why she hadn't asked Clark to help her, Bertha had stated firmly that she hadn't wanted to bother anyone for something 'as trivial as a move'. "Trivial!" Ellen had exclaimed, "Bertha, this is a major happening, leaving the home where you've lived for over forty years! Oh no, you're not doing this alone; I'm staying with you until the moving company's left and I'll personally drive you to the home. How are your things going to get there?" "Oh, Ellen, that's very sweet of you, but I'll be fine, really. I'm sure you have more important things to do." "No, as a matter of fact, I don't. So tell me - how will these suitcases and boxes get to 'Shady Pines'? They won't fit in a cab, Bertha." "I've arranged for a mini van to pick these up and I've ordered a cab for myself, so you see, everything is - " "Bertha, the van's okay but cancel the cab; I'll take you to 'Shady Pines' myself and that's final!" ********** Hazily, Lois wondered what that loud noise was that was attacking her sensitive ears. Oh yes - the alarm... She started to raise one arm to shut it off, but before she could touch it the ringing abruptly stopped. Relieved, Lois sank back under the covers but recollection suddenly flooded into her brain and she shot upright in the bed. Clark would be here to pick her up - she shouldn't be late! A slight movement near the window drew her attention. Had her mother stayed with her all this time? Someone was drawing the curtains open and bright sunshine streamed into the room. Lois blinked; no, this wasn't her mother, this was... "Clark?" Slowly he walked towards her and sat down on the bed. He smiled at her and he looked... embarrassed? "Oh, Clark..." She was in his arms then, held tightly against his chest while he rained kisses on the top of her head. "Oh, Clark, I'm so sorry, I..." "No, I'm the one who has to apologize, honey, I'm sorry... I didn't think... I went a little crazy when I didn't know where you were, and I..." "No! Clark, it's..." Lois struggled against his chest; she wanted to sit up and look him in the eye but Clark wouldn't budge yet, so she sighed resignedly and relaxed in his arms, snuggling against him. Apparently he needed to hold her close and who was she to complain? He was being chivalrous, he was being a boy scout again... Lois smiled through her tears and didn't hear half of what he was muttering above her head. He was apologizing, for heaven's sake, when she was the one who'd... One word got through to her, though, and she asked, curiously, "Your mom? Did you talk to your mom?" "I went home before I came back here," Clark confessed. He finally relaxed his hold, allowing Lois just enough space to look up at him. "I had an appointment at 'The Sentinel' - I'll tell you all about that later - then I flew to Smallville to talk to Mom and Dad. When I came back I fixed the window in our bedroom and came up here, just in time to hear the alarm go off." Lois blinked. Oh, yes, the broken window... but that could wait. "Tell me about your talk with your mom and dad." "Well, Mom did most of the talking - talking to." Clark said wryly. "Talking to...? Clark! What did you tell her? It was my stupid fault that you went berserk. I know I'm your mom's most favorite person these days, but to scold you for something I... mmph..." Clark effectively cut off her words by catching her mouth in a long, satisfying kiss. When he released her it was Lois who clung to him, winding her arms tightly around his neck, initiating another sweet and passionate kiss. She sighed against his lips. "Mmmm... I want to make it up to you, Clark. Let me float you up to the ceiling and I'll show you how it feels to die and go to heaven..." Clark laughed softly. "Is that the best you can offer? You always make me feel like that, honey, you'll have to come up with something much, much better!" He stood up and swung Lois up in his arms, walking purposely to the bathroom where he deposited her on her feet. "You've got exactly ten minutes to freshen up and get dressed, Ms Lane; can't keep the Chief waiting!" "Okay, but tonight... we've got to talk... really talk about this, Clark. And this mess... it was all my fault, I see that now, really I do, and don't let anybody, not even your mom tell you otherwise. Mother also told me she understood it was all hormones, but I'm not buying that. Then she told me some of the stunts she did when she was carrying me... and... Clark? Are you listening?" Lois peeped around the bathroom door into the room but it was empty. She cocked her ears, then smiled. She could hear him moving about in the living room. She'd better get dressed or she'd release the wrath of Superman again and that was best left for tonight... Lois giggled and patted her tummy. "Okay, kiddo, let's get dressed - shouldn't keep your daddy waiting!" ********** "Lois! What're you doing?" Perry White stared disapprovingly at his temporary assistant editor, who blithely ignored him as she breezed into his office while taking a big bite out of a fat, juicy-looking hamburger. "Mmmm...." Lois chewed and swallowed, then took a sip out of the paper cup, filled with water and ice cubes, she was holding in her other hand. "Sorry Chief, I missed lunch. I was home asleep, remember?" Lois sat down and parked her cup on Perry's desk. "And I had to be back here at three, so here I am, right on time. But I really have to eat now, Perry, and my sweet husband knows exactly what the baby and I need right now; lots of protein... mmm-mmm..." Lois closed her eyes while she visibly enjoyed her second bite. "Lois, I can see that you have to, but don't do it in here, will you? Great shades of Elvis! Since when have you started eatin' so much raw onion? Get out of here and come back when you've finished that. Go on!" "Okay, I'll be back before you miss me," Lois mumbled as she moved towards the door with her smelly burger and ice water. Perry grinned and rose from his chair, then followed Lois out of his office, leaving the door wide open in an attempt to get rid of the pungent onion smell. While Lois took herself off to the coffee corner, Perry marched up to Clark's desk and sat down in Lois's chair beside him. "Okay Clark, what's the deal on this Gareth Keyes guy - when will you have that piece on him ready?" "Won't be long, Perry. I'm waiting for Jimmy. I asked him to dig up as much information about Keyes as he could find. Ah, here he comes already... thanks, Jimmy." "You're welcome, CK." Jimmy Olsen held up a large brown envelope. "Chief, here are those pictures Bruce sent over from Malta. I blew up the best ones." "I've been expecting those. Put 'em on my desk, Jimmy." "Okay, Chief." Perry looked pensively after Jimmy Olsen's disappearing back and sighed. Clark looked at Perry closely; the Chief was looking worried. 'Oh no, not him too!' Clark thought; aloud he asked, "Perry, is something wrong? Is it Jimmy?" "In a way, Clark, in a way. I'll talk to you about it some other time; in fact, there are quite a few things I'd like to discuss with you and Lois. Let's do that tomorrow, after the morning briefing. You don't have some other appointment, do you?" "Nope, but if it's urgent, Lois and I can stay and talk to you today after five; how's that?" "No, Clark, get that girl home on time, feed her and put her to sleep - early, y'hear? You better be bright-eyed and sharp tomorrow, both of you. So - you met this Gareth Keyes," Perry deftly changed the subject, "What's he like?" "Well, Chief, he seemed genuinely pleased to meet me. He paid me - and the Planet - a few compliments; nothing too elaborate though. He wasn't acting as smooth and jovial as Leslie Luckabee. I got the impression he was being himself and not putting on an act." "That's when you have to watch it," Perry said darkly, "The likable sort. Okay, Clark, I'll wait and see what you've written. I don't have a deadline for this profile today, anyway. And if Jimmy's found anything unusual on this guy, I wanna hear about it." Perry noticed Lois approaching and stood up. "I see you've finished your late lunch, Lois. Good; come with me, we've got a lot to do - Oh, geez! Cut that out, Lois! You'll have all evening to cuddle your husband. Leave the man to do his job in peace!" But Perry couldn't help grinning as he walked quickly back to his office. Lois, still trying to atone for her earlier mishaps, stood behind Clark's chair with her arms around his neck and lovingly kissed the top of his head. She reluctantly released her hold on her husband and quickly kissed his cheek. "There's more where that came from, Farmboy!" she whispered, hearing Clark mutter under his breath, "I'm counting on it!" while she walked towards Perry's office. Lois grinned back at Clark, delighted that she could hear him, even though she was already out of normal hearing range. But she quickly turned off her enhanced hearing, wondering why this bit of super power was suddenly causing her ears to hurt. It wasn't much - not so painful that she wanted to cry out, but her ears were definitely very sensitive. 'I'll tell Daddy about this,' Lois thought, 'My ears didn't hurt when I was UltraWoman, so why now?' Lois knew there was a big difference in the fraction of the super powers she now had and the super powers she'd had as UltraWoman. At that time, she and Clark had been hit simultaneously by a laser beam, powered by red Kryptonite. All of Clark's powers had been transferred to her - including his invulnerability - leaving him just like any other human being with normal strength, vision and hearing. He could bleed, he could be hurt, while she'd become the new, invincible super hero. For a brief period Lois had walked in Clark's shoes and become acutely aware of the enormous responsibilities her fiance had willingly taken upon himself when he'd donned the Suit and became Superman. Lois had experienced, firsthand, the heady exhilaration when a rescue mission had been successfully completed. But also, the overwhelming devastation when, despite doing the best she could, lives were lost. Together they'd been able to beat the conniving Newtrich sisters - who'd been responsible for the switch - at their own game. Lois had gladly relinquished the powers to Clark and