Long Strange Trip 
by L <lkfanfic@gmail.com>
Rated: PG13
Submitted: January 2006


Author's Note:
The text between << >> indicate the thoughts of the characters.
The text after *** refers to telepathic communication.
The text is flashbacks.



He returned wearily from the intense rescue mission, desperately 
in need of someone to talk to.  The hardest part about this 
aspect of his life was that it took so much out of him 
emotionally and he had no place to go find solace. He felt the 
familiar lonely pull of depression suck him into its depths. He 
knew it wasn't a clinical disorder, but rather the stark 
realization that he really was alone in this world.

Knowing what his counterpart had only made it harder. It was one 
thing to be lonely and alone and to have some vague hope of 
meeting that right person someday. There was no such hope for 
him.  The one woman who would make him complete was nowhere to be 
found.  He had searched for her extensively in vain and had 
finally begun to admit that Lois Lane was dead.  For all his 
super-strength and fantastic powers, the knowledge that she was 
*nowhere* made him feel vulnerable and raw.
 
His sense of isolation was exacerbated by the fact that he was 
the last of his kind.  His was an ironic lot.  People adored 
Superman. They admired him deeply and clustered around him 
whenever he appeared.  But for all his admirers, there were 
others who feared and mistrusted him.  Often times he came smack 
up against those feelings and the experiences left him completely 
unnerved.
 
One thing was true.  Nowhere in the conflicting miasma of 
emotional response did he ever find a feeling that he could even 
remotely call "home". He'd only felt that once, but it was a 
skewed reflection of a love that belonged to someone else.

Awash in self-pity, he found himself thinking angrily of the 
events that lead him to this particular point in his life. On the 
one hand, it had been an astounding experience, heady and 
exhilarating in many ways. And on the other hand, it left him 
with a huge blank hole in his life. Knowing that his own 
counterpart had everything that he had ever yearned for made him 
feel empty and angry at times.

Wells! He thought angrily. If only Wells had just stayed out of 
his life. 

As if his very thoughts had summoned the man, a time machine 
suddenly appeared in his living room.  A very flustered and 
winded H.G. Wells stepped out of the machine. 

Clark instantly put his feelings of self pity and anger behind 
him.  Wells would only have come if there were good reasons.

"Is everything okay? Is Lois in danger ... is Clark?  Do you need 
my help?"
 

Herbert looked at him for a long moment as if trying to decide 
what to say next.

"Actually... I... I... I have... something... that is... someone... with me..."

Brimming with agitation, Wells fiddled with the controls on his 
machine and lifted the passenger hood.

Time stood completely still as Clark saw who that someone was.

Lois Lane. She was unconscious and badly bruised, wearing an 
outfit that even under the most generous of descriptions could 
only be called skimpy.  Clark moved in closer.  Was she dead?  
His fine senses detected a heartbeat and he felt a surge of 
relief.  Not dead.  But badly harmed.  His hands curled into 
fists as he struggled to control his growing rage.
 
"Who did this to her?" His voice was deceptively calm. 

<<If Clark did this I'll kill him.>>

"I'll tell you, but you need to know that this isn't the Lois 
Lane that you know," Wells said hastily.

"She's from yet another universe?"

"Well... in a matter of speaking," he said. "This Lois Lane is 
the one from your universe."

"What? But... but that's impossible. I looked everywhere for her. 
Everywhere! There is no possible way that she could have escaped 
my notice... I... where did you find her? What happened to her?"

"You have to promise to stay calm," Wells said nervously.

"Calm? You've just conjured - out of thin air, I might add - the 
one person who can make my life complete! I thought she was dead! 
I scoured the entire planet looking for her. I used every super 
sense at my disposal - even doing some really unpleasant 
graveyard checks ... and nothing!  Then you show up with her, 
unconscious and badly beaten, and you expect me to remain calm?"

"I hesitate to continue until you get yourself under control," 
Wells replied gingerly.  "This situation will require careful 
handling."

"But –"

"Clark. Please.  I'm sorry -- I know this is hard for you.  It's 
hard for me too. Her condition -- her disappearance -- both are 
completely my fault.  I was trying to make sure Utopia happened, 
and in doing so, managed to consign this woman into a living 
hell.  I –"

"Okay. Look. I Promise.  I'll stay calm.  But tell me now. What 
happened to her? Where was she?"

Wells looked away, and with a heavy sigh sat down on the edge of 
the sofa. He motioned for the younger man to sit as well. Clark 
obliged in hopes that his compliance would bring about a quicker 
conclusion to this mystery.

Wells heaved another heavy sigh.  "Tempus took Lois out of this 
universe three years ago and brought her into an alternate one. 
He left her there with absolutely no means to get home. This 
particular alternate universe was... unpleasant... to say the least."

"Unpleasant how?"

"Kryptonians had overtaken the Earth. In that other universe your 
counterpart never came to Earth.  He was sent to a world called 
New Krypton and raised with his own kind.  He has become a cruel 
and heartless tyrant.  He is the ruler of his people, and he 
engineered the takeover of Earth.  He is rumored to have killed 
the Lois Lane in his world -- she was a resistance fighter who 
caught his eye.  I guessing I don't need to tell you how he dealt 
with her before killing her."
    
Clark grew horrified.  How could that even be?  He wasn't capable 
of this kind of brutality.  How could any variant of him be like 
this? What's more -- how could any variant of him kill a variant 
of her? 

"That's... that's... horrifying..."

"Well - it gets worse," continued Wells grimly. "Lois ... this 
Lois... caught his eye. He had been obsessed with the other one 
and regretted his hasty decision to kill her. Perhaps, in some 
sick way, it was the lure of their soul connection. Not all soul 
connections are benevolent, by the way. Her arrival into his 
world gave him a second chance...as it were. It wasn't really all 
that hard for him to capture her... I mean, if you think about it 
- if you put your mind to it - nobody could really stop you from 
doing anything... anything at all." Wells trailed off, eyeing 
Clark with vague uneasiness. After witnessing first-hand the 
doppelganger's actions, he was inclined to deal with Clark with a 
little more caution.

"But - no! That isn't true! What about Kryptonite? Why didn't 
they just -"

"They don't know about it." He interrupted bleakly. He held up a 
pre-emptive hand. "And I'm not allowed to interfere at that grand 
scale. Once I found out about what Tempus had done, of course, I 
immediately went and got her. However, she has been in that 
universe for a long time. Three years in hell is an eternity. 
Three years of being at that madman's mercy. And mercy is not 
exactly what he offered her."

"All those bruises on her face... are his doing?" he asked, his 
heart sinking. The answer was, of course, obvious.

"Yes. He knew how much force to exert to hurt her without ... 
permanently damaging her. He's a very sick and twisted man. He 
enjoys hurting people. Does it for kicks..."  He paused uneasily. 
"I suspect it isn't just her face with the bruises, and perhaps 
if you did an x-ray on her, you would find a ... historical 
report of the abuses she has suffered."

Clark was shaking his head agitatedly. He got up and started 
pacing the apartment. 

"I - I ... *have* to go put an end to this. Take me to his 
world!! Please - I'm begging you - let me ... let me put it right. 
I ... have to put this right!!"

"My boy - there are many Kryptonians in that world and only one 
of you. Even if you could persuade me to do this... you would 
need the other Clark's help."

"Then let's do it! I ... why are you shaking your head?"

"I'm supposed to abide by certain rules. I brought her here 
because she belongs in this world. But this kind of interference 
is forbidden -"

"You've interfered before. What difference can one more time 
make?" 

"Call it a ... well... a prime directive, of sorts." Wells replied 
cautiously. "You see - Tempus and I are not the only time 
travelers in the multi-verse. In fact - there exists a group of 
individuals dedicated to protecting the integrity of the time 
stream. Their ultimate goal is to use time travel for observation 
only. Interference is vastly frowned upon."

"Okay... but as I just said - you have interfered. Why hasn't 
anyone stopped you or Tempus?"

"Tempus is a very crafty fellow. The time ... corps, if you 
will... have actually tried to subdue his efforts, but have only 
managed to make things worse. I think it suits them to have me 
chase around after him and concentrate my efforts on repairing 
his damage. Since his obsession is with you and Miss Lane, and 
since I also have made you two a priority, it makes sense in a 
twisted kind of way. I think the time corps thinks I'm as much a 
nuisance as Tempus."

"Forgive me for saying this...but if that were the case, why 
don't they just incarcerate you?"

"Believe me, my boy, that thought has often crossed my mind. The 
only thing I can think of is that somehow our interference 
efforts are regarded as part of the 'normal flow of things'. I 
don't profess to really understand the paradoxical nature of time 
travel. I just act in a way that feels right. I have to believe 
that by following my instincts, I am somehow causing the correct 
'course of things' to take effect. I realize this is irrational, 
but it feels right to foil Tempus's attempts -and on the same 
token, it doesn't feel right for me to do what you have asked." 
He concluded wearily, knowing full well that his explanation was 
far from satisfying.

"I don't agree with you Herb, and this isn't the last you've 
heard from me on the subject," Clark replied firmly. "However, we 
have more pressing concerns right now. Like... where do we go 
from here?"

"Ah. Well yes. That will require some careful consideration. I... 
uh... drugged her by slipping a strong sedative into her food. 
She will continue to be unconscious for a few hours yet. You see 
- Lois wasn't likely to trust me, nor was she likely to go 
quietly. I don't need to tell you, I think, how formidable an 
opponent she can be. With her fighting skills, I'd probably be 
dead if I had tried to do this with her conscious."

"I'm glad to hear she's still a fighter.  I mean. After all he 
did to her."

"Kal-El did not succeed in breaking her spirit completely. Oh, 
she learned the tricks that enabled her to survive. Kal-El is a 
brutal man, and often struck out at her unpredictably - but there 
were certain predictable events which would made things even 
worse... making eye contact, venomous comments... she learned to 
play a certain role with him, and she learned to internalize much 
of what she felt. Honestly Clark, I have to say that I doubt you 
two will even be able to forge even a casual friendship in this 
lifetime, let alone anything... else."

Clark looked compassionately at the woman lying in the time 
machine.  

"All that matters is that she's back home, safe.  I don't want to 
make her uncomfortable... much as it pains me to even think it... 
I'll just have to keep my distance."

"Well, for now, I agree with you," Wells said briskly.  "In fact... 
she shouldn't be here in your apartment when she regains 
consciousness."


Hours later, Lois woke up.

She bleakly and carefully opened her eyes just enough to let the 
light in. 

<<Quiet as a mouse, and don't even hint that you are awake>>

Her surroundings confused her.  Where was she?  In a flash of 
recollection, she recognized the interior of the Metropolis hotel  
-- having done several work-related stakeouts in rooms just like 
this one.

<<How is this possible?>>
   
"A-hem," Wells coughed nervously as he noticed the telltale 
change of her body as she transitioned from asleep to awake. 

Lois jerked upright. In an instant she was out of the bed, 
wincing as the pain lanced through her body. 

Sitting across the bed was an incongruous older man. His clothing 
made him appear as if he had stepped out of the 19th century. He 
was an anachronism, but ... he didn't appear to be a threat in 
any way. 

She eyed him with growing trepidation and decided that her best 
stance was an offensive one.

"Who are you, and where the hell are we?" Her tone was clipped 
and angry. Unconsciously her body rearranged itself in a self-
defensive stance.

Wells regarded her with an equal amount of trepidation. 

"I'm...well, my name is Herb," he answered hurriedly. "And... I 
assure you, Miss Lane, I mean you absolutely no harm. You are 
most assuredly safe here."

"I'll be the judge of that," she informed him flatly. "Where are 
we? Why am I here? And other than being *Herb*... who are you?"

"I'm... a writer, and an inter-dimensional time traveler. I... 
I've brought you home, Miss Lane. "


Back at his apartment, Clark sat back on his sofa, stunned. 
Conflicting emotions bombarded him from every direction.  He 
didn't know what to think.

He was terrified! While she had lain senseless in the time 
machine, he kept his eyes glued on her. He was terrified that if 
he looked away, she would vanish into thin air. Vanish. Cease to 
exist. Like she had before.  

He was full of self recrimination over his failure to consider 
that she might have been abducted by Tempus.  Seeing how he 
couldn't find a single trace of her, and seeing how Tempus had 
already pulled this very same stunt with the other Lois, he 
suddenly felt as if the answer had been staring him in the face.  
He had just been too stupid to see it.
 
He was elated! He leapt to his feet in frustrated emotion. She 
was *alive*! First and foremost, he felt an intense and boundless 
joy at the realization that she was alive - alive and ... after 
all these years... finally back in his world.   He wanted to 
skywrite love sonnets... he wanted... he wanted to see her again! 
Desperately! Achingly! He felt himself elevate off the ground, as 
he thought of her endless beauty, both inner and outer. He wanted 
to be near her always... to drink in her beauty and spirit, and 
... to offer himself up as her most willing slave. 

Rage and shame returned with a vengeance at this thought. Slave. 
Concubine. That's what she had been. He sobered up a bit as 
returned to the dark and ugly side to this situation. Yes, Lois 
was alive - but she wasn't exactly *well*. In fact, she was 
shattered. The ordeal and victimization she had undergone had 
surely left indelible scars on her psyche. 

It was horrible for him to even think, for even a moment, that 
they could ever have any kind of friendly relationship. Shame 
engulfed him from all sides as he imagined himself approaching 
her romantically. 

Likely she would always loathe and fear him. How could she not? 
His doppelganger, from the sounds of it, had done a thorough job 
of making her despise and fear all Kryptonians. To be faced with 
a man wearing the same name, face and powers as her tormentor 
would be too much for her to overcome. He absolutely owed it to 
her to stay out of her way. 

He felt the ground hit his feet, and he stumbled at the 
unexpectedness of his landing. His dark thoughts had brought 
about his descent unconsciously. The idea of never holding her 
hand, never gazing into those gorgeous brown eyes, never arguing 
about a story, or about her cooking, or even HIS cooking... it 
hurt too much. 

And yet - what right did he have to expect ANY of those things 
from her? He had failed her in every way by not rescuing her from 
that other world.

His thoughts suddenly turned to his dark twin. More than anything 
he wanted to go and liberate that world. He knew he'd be badly 
outnumbered, even if Alt-Lois gave Alt-Clark permission to help, 
but he didn't care! The thought of this world living under the 
ruthless domination of his own doppelganger tore at his 
conscience. He felt that there had to be something he could do.  
The only way he'd ever get the chance would be if Wells changed 
his mind.  He would have to work on that later.

As Clark battered himself with his tortured ruminations, across 
town, Lois gaped H.G. Wells with an expression of hopeful shock 
and angry defensiveness.

She was staggered at what she had just heard. She was home?

The logical reporter part of her brain was screaming at her that 
it was all a trap or sick game... but her body and spirit knew 
the truth. The air felt ... well... it felt right. It smoothed over 
her body like a warm and comforting embrace, rather than 
irritating her with its bumpy edges like it did in that other 
world. 

In short, she felt like she belonged. She hadn't felt this way in 
three very long years. She just knew that somehow this odd little 
man was telling her the truth. She was home, and she was home to 
stay.  No more Kal-El.

The thought of never having to look at that cruel face was almost 
more than she could bear. She felt her body slip out of its 
defensive stance, and she collapsed weakly to sit on the bed - 
her body trembling violently, as she broke down into a cacophony 
of uncontrolled crying. After keeping herself in check for so 
long, she was overcome with the onslaught of feeling.

Wells stood his ground resolutely. There was no hope for him 
offering her comfort, and he knew instinctively that she would 
shy away from any supporting touch. He waited in silence, 
respecting her need to purge herself of some of her more 
immediate emotions... and he had no doubt in his mind that she 
would spend a lot of time over the coming months just like this - 
a helpless captive to the tidal wave of reaction that would 
repeatedly rear up to consume her.

She felt like she would break - her sobs racked her body with 
such an intense force. But eventually, after long moments, she 
finally managed to regain a semblance of control. Her sobs 
receded and she futilely wiped at the tears that had dripped down 
her face. Standing tall once again she faced this quiet man, 
loving him in that instant for the very simple fact that he had 
brought her home. Whoever he was, and whatever his agenda. 
Suddenly her reporter brain kicked in again and asked ... what 
was his agenda? She eyed him, not as suspiciously as before, but 
curiously, and asked the question out loud.

"Why am I here? And what role did you have in my initial 
abduction?" She kept her voice level, trying to treat this as an 
objective interview.

"Ah ... well... it is a long story. You were abducted by a man 
named Tempus and brought to a different universe. Tempus comes 
from the future... we can travel through time and dimension with 
a machine which I invented.   Tempus is a criminally minded 
individual, but he lives in a time where humanity has embraced a 
utopian lifestyle... free of crime and suffering. He believes you 
had a lot to do with the development of that society and wanted 
to prevent you from creating it in this universe. "

"How could anyone be so foolish as to suspect me of creating a 
Utopia? I don't *create* things! I can't cook! I can't even grow 
plants... I... I'm certainly not an idealist... never have 
been... and never will be. Not after all I've been through or 
seen," she trailed off disbelievingly.

"I can't really address that Miss Lane. I can't give away 
knowledge I have of your potential future, or the nature of your 
contributions to this noble end. But what I can tell you is that 
Tempus regards you as a serious threat to his preferred lifestyle 
and decided that this would be a fitting way of dealing with 
things."

"Where is this 'Tempus' person?" Her ire was increasing again. 
"And how do I know he won't bring me back there again? I can't go 
back! I can't! I'd die first. I'd... I can't live like that - not 
ever again!"

"Tempus is currently under control... but that is always a... 
dynamic situation. Uh... and there are as many of him as there are 
alternate Lois Lanes. But we are getting better at detecting and 
detaining him. I assure you, he would find it incredibly 
difficult, bordering on impossible, to take you again. And... well... 
there ... well, there is someone in this world who would prevent 
that from happening. Who would be on the alert for Tempus's 
interference in this time line and universe, and for any signs of 
you being in danger?"

"And this someone is... you?"

"No," he paused uneasily. He had to tell her. It wasn't as if the 
world didn't know about Kal-El or Clark Kent. Hidden identity 
wasn't an option in this universe, and it was better she find out 
now than be confronted by it later. It would be less of a shock 
this way.

"Miss Lane. I don't wish to alarm you in any way. But you need to 
know this. Kal-El exists in this world. He lives on Earth after 
having been sent here as a baby. Loving and gentle humans raised 
him and instilled in him a loving heart and a desire to help 
others. His human name is Clark Kent... and he works as a 
reporter for the Daily Planet."

Time froze. Almost instantly she felt the familiar veil of panic 
and despair settle on her like a very heavy cloak. Her skin was 
suddenly crawling and she felt that unpleasant and familiar wave 
of dread-induced nausea overtake her. Her skin became clammy as a 
fine sheen of sweat covered her body.  Her limbs begin to tremble 
uncontrollably. 

<<My fault! I let my guard down! I shouldn't have done that! I 
know better. I was *taught* to know better. How could I actually 
let myself believe I was free?>>

She felt like she had been dealt a physical blow, a sensation 
with which she was all too familiar.

"Miss Lane," Wells continued urgently, "I assure you - this man 
is nothing like the man you knew. He is as different from the 
other Kal-El as you can imagine. He would never hurt you or 
anyone else. It simply isn't in his nature. He was raised by very 
loving parents, and he is a kind, caring and compassionate man 
who puts the well being of other people over his own needs. In 
fact, he acts as a protector of sorts - he takes care of people, 
he rescues them from danger."

Lies. He's telling me lies! I have to get out of here! I have to 
get away from this man. He works for Kal-El - somehow he works 
for Kal-El.  This Kal-El must have known I was in that other 
world -- and he wanted me brought back her for his own.... 
amusement. As these thoughts trickled through her mind, she 
started to believe them. She knew that the other Kal-El had held 
some twisted and bizarre fascination with her.  She didn't 
understand it, but she knew that it was what had enabled her to 
survive his cruelty. 

"You... you stay back!" Her voice held mounting panic. She was no 
longer able to hold her emotions in check. In blind terror, she 
took several panicked steps backward. 

"Miss Lane ... really - this is all terribly unnecessary. You 
have nothing to fear - especially from me!"

"I ... What did you get out of this, Herb... if that really is 
your name? Are you even human? If so ... you're the worst kind of 
human. You've betrayed your own kind, pandering to that madman. 
It might serve you to be his minion now, but in the end... he'll 
destroy you like he destroys everything and everyone that crosses 
his path!"

Wells stared at her helplessly. For once, he was dumbfounded. He 
had no idea where to go from here.

Her expression showed the depths of her despair and betrayal. 
Unable to hold back her emotions, she started to cry. "I ... I 
trusted you," she whispered, her voice low and ragged. "Is this 
how you get your kicks? Do you know what it meant to me to think 
I was free of him? Do you know how it feels to now know that I 
never will be?"

Lois watched in a confused daze as the strange man named Herb 
turned slowly and regretfully away from her and walked out the 
door.

She sat heavily down on the bed. She waited many tense moments 
waiting for him to reappear, but he never did. She shook 
violently, her teeth chattering. She felt cold and very sick. 

<<I can't stay here! I have to get out of here! This is the first 
place he'll think to look>>

 She tore out of the room unheeding of the picture she presented. 
Her clothing was very outlandish ... she still wore the flimsy 
garment of a concubine... garments he forced her to wear - and her 
face was all banged up.  None of this mattered to her.  She just 
had to get out of that room. If Herb was working for Kal-El, Kal-
El would know where she was. The sooner she got out of there the 
better. Bitterly, she realized that if Kal-El did know where she 
was, he was likely playing a cat and mouse game with her. She was 
no stranger to his twisted tricks. However, her survival instinct 
refused to allow her to sit there waiting for him to show up. 
Galvanized by these thoughts she stood up and took flight. 

<<Hurry! Hurry!! Get out of here! I have to get out of here! I 
have to escape! >>  

The devil was on her heels as she dashed out of the hotel, 
shoving aside people in her blind and frantic haste. 

Once outside she stopped short. She stood still, breathing 
heavily from the exertion and panic. People gazed curiously at 
her but she ignored them completely. Instead she remained 
transfixed - awed by the sight before her.

She took a deep long shuddering breath. Metropolis! Before her 
lay glorious, wondrous Metropolis and all its masses of denizens. 
All human. Going about their lives, rushing, swearing and 
carelessly talking on their cell phones. Not a single sign of 
Kryptonian influence. The buildings were all as she remembered, 
and as she stared, blinded by the suns reflection off the 
surrounding skyscrapers, she broke down into helpless tears.

Still caught up in the euphoric sensation of being home and 
surrounded by her own kind, she dropped into a crouch and ran her 
fingernails across the pavement as if to make sure that this 
wasn't some sick illusion. Her fingernails rasped roughly over 
the concrete and she looked at their jagged edges in bewildered 
joy. The sheer terror of a moment ago had made way for this new 
sensation and she stood for a long moment just soaking it all in.

Slowly she returned to Earth gradually becoming aware of stares 
and the whispers. She looked down and realized that she looked a 
sight. 

<<I can't go out like this>>

 She turned around and eyed the hotel doors uncertainly. It was 
actually pretty unlikely for Kal-El to come looking for her here. 
It was too public and too open. If he was laying low with his 
true intentions, surely an abduction from such a public place 
would be imprudent. Warily, she made her way back into the hotel.

She wandered towards the stairs, preferring to avoid elevators... 
for the rest of her life if possible. Since her incarceration, 
tight enclosed spaces held absolutely no appeal for her.

"Ma'am. Excuse me!"

A uniformed hotel employee approached her and handed her a thick 
envelope. 

"You're friend asked that we give you this envelope."

"My friend?"

"Yes. The... gentleman that ... uh... you came in here with?" The 
attendant smiled nastily. She hated having prostitutes use this 
hotel for their business.

<<Oh great. She thinks I'm a prostitute.>> 

Lois smiled icily at the attendant. "Thanks," she snapped, 
grabbing the envelope out of her hand. She walked slowly up the 
three flights of stairs that she had so recently run down. As 
hoped her door was still open - the way she had left it. Gingerly 
she stepped inside and looked in all the closets and other 
assorted hiding places. She was alone. On the bed was a casual 
change of clothes as well as comfortable footwear.  

<<He thought of everything.>>

She opened the envelope curiously. Inside was her birth 
certificate, passport and an ATM card. She shook her head in 
amazement. She didn't want to know how he had this stuff or how 
he knew her size. She fervently hoped that Kal-El had nothing to 
do with this. She shook her head of that thought - she didn't 
have time for it right now. Now - it was time to take a very long 
and hot shower.

Two hours later she stood once more outside the hotel doors far 
less conspicuously than before. She waited there for a few 
moments feeling lost and bewildered. Where would she go? What 
should she do first? Should she seek out her parents first? Lucy? 
She just wasn't ready to deal with the intensity of their 
response nor was she ready to answer questions about where she 
had been and what she had endured. 

Perry? Yes. Perry! Of all these people, she wanted to see him the 
most. 

Her heart sank. She couldn't go see him! He worked at the Daily 
Planet, along with that monster, Kal-El. She shook her head in 
disbelief. How could anyone believe that he was here for 
benevolent reasons? No doubt his stint as a reporter was part of 
his plan to delude the human race into thinking he wanted to be 
"one of them". She inhaled wearily.  She had a very dangerous and 
difficult task ahead of her. Exposing the alien's true intentions 
could cost her credibility, and even her life. But she knew that 
she couldn't live with herself without at least trying. The world 
had to know. Kal-El was not to be trusted. She only hoped that 
there were other human beings out there who felt as she did... 
humans who had enough influence and power to make a difference. 
If they existed, she would find them. 

"Hey lady! Where too?" The taxi driver sounded impatient and 
irritated.

"Uh... well.... Does... would you happen to know if Perry White 
is still the editor of the Daily Planet? "

"Perry White is Mayor of Metropolis."

Her heart skipped a beat in excitement. Perry was accessible to 
her now! She instructed the cab driver to take her to see the 
mayor, and settled back to compose her racing thoughts. 

Once the cab was underway, Lois ventured to ask the cab driver 
some questions.

"Can I ask you a question? "

"Shoot!" Wayne rarely liked to talk to his fares, but this woman 
was hot. Yea... her face was all banged up, but it was obvious that 
underneath it all she was a babe.

"What do you think of Ka- uh... Clark Kent? You know... the - the 
alien?" She tried to sound casually interested.

"Clark? Oh –you mean Superman? Aw -- man... he's great. He's a real 
good guy. He rode in my cab a few times -- you know... before he 
became famous."

<<Superman? My god! The man is an egomaniac! Superman?? Didn't 
anyone see the inherent and dangerous arrogance in calling 
oneself 'Superman'?>>

"Is that what he calls himself?" She struggled to keep the 
disbelief out of her tone.

"Yah -- everyone knows that. But I guess you're from outta town -- 
not knowing about Mayor White and all that..."

"Yes. That's exactly it. I have been out of the country in fact." 
It wasn't exactly a lie, she reasoned. Out of the universe meant 
being out of the country as well.

"Superman is a really cool guy. He's an ordinary guy -- ya know? 
He doesn't act all high and mighty just because he can fly or 
bend steel ... he's like a normal human being. And he uses his 
powers to help everyone, so that's pretty cool. The crime rate in 
Metropolis is lower than ever. This city is becoming the safest 
place to live! "

"That's... that's really great. Do most people like him? Nobody 
finds him threatening in any way?"

"Why would anyone find him threatening?"

"Well -- he could easily destroy the planet with those powers if 
he wanted to."

 "He'd never do that. He's definitely a friendly alien. You know  
-- like Mr. Spock."

"Well... Mr. Spock was a fictional character. In real life power 
corrupts."

"Not Superman. He's incorruptible. Is that even a word? Non-
corruptible?"

She blew out her breath in exasperation. This wasn't getting her 
very far.

"What about the Mayor -- does he like Superman? Or does he think 
that Superman oversteps his boundaries at times? Does Superman 
try to... make the laws, or change them in any way... you know -- for 
the overall good of humanity?"

"See that's the really cool thing about Superman. He doesn't 
break any laws and he doesn't make any laws. The police and the 
mayor have kind of ... deputized him. When he catches criminals, he 
doesn't put them in jail -- he calls the cops and they take care 
of the rest -- you know –reading them their rights, putting 'em in 
jail -- that sort of thing."

<<He's good. Real good. He really knows what he's doing. Get them 
eating out of his hand... and then crush them. The question, 
though, is -- why bother? With his powers, he doesn't need to lull 
us into complacency. Does he feel outnumbered? Does he somehow 
feel threatened by the lack of fellow Kryptonians? And where do I 
fit into all this... surely he knows that I won't be fooled by his 
act. Does he really know I'm even back -- or did I seriously 
misjudge Herb? And if not, what will he do when he finds out I'm 
back? Wait. Can't panic now. I guess the more people that see me, 
the better. The harder it will be for me to just ... disappear.>>

 She pondered Kal-El's possible motives in silence. Her 
determination to see Perry grew. If she could sway Perry to her 
side, she felt as if she would gain a valuable ally. One that 
could help her to expose this dormant threat.

"Does... does he have a girlfriend?" She didn't know why she was 
asking this. Maybe if she knew that he had a normal girlfriend in 
a normal relationship she would feel less ... threatened. Of course  
-- Kal-El's marriage to Zara didn't stop him from keeping her as 
his concubine. Didn't stop him from brutally and repeatedly 
forcing himself on her! She gasped suddenly as the horrible 
memories threatened to surface. Resolutely she pushed them aside. 

 << I can't ... I can't face that just now. I have to be strong. 
Just a little while longer. I have to be strong. >>

"No. Well... maybe. I don't know. He doesn't talk about his private 
life at all. Even to his friends... coz his friends are all 
reporters, and if he did say something -- it would definitely end 
up in the papers. He was engaged, but that broke up when he ... 
well... came out of the alien closet. Hey -- maybe he's gay. That 
would certainly explain the tights and cape. Ah -- doesn't bother 
me... well -- as long as he doesn't get a crush on me -- if you know 
what I mean!" 

"I... don't think he's gay," she said absently. So Kal-El had been 
engaged. Why had it ended? Had he done something to scare her 
off? Had he revealed his cruelty in the privacy of the bedroom? 
She would have to dig up more on this ex-fiancée and maybe see if 
she would be useful in her cause.

"You interested?"

"No... not interested. Just curious." She shuddered violently at 
the thought.

"Nah -- you're interested. All the chicks are. Maybe that's why he 
broke up his engagement. Why stick with one, when you can have 
them all! He's like a rock star."

"I... wouldn't think I'd like getting involved with someone who can 
leave fingerprints in concrete," she said in a vain attempt at 
humor.

"His fiancée didn't look any worse for the wear. She was pretty 
hot so I'm sure they were doing it." He stopped when he saw her 
flinch. "Sorry, sometimes I forget myself."

"No -- actually... I'm curious about this. I... well... I'm a newspaper 
reporter myself."

"Ah yea? What's your name?"

"Uh... Linda King."

"Oh. Well -- I don't think I've read your stuff."

"I'm new in town," she rebutted hastily, as the cab drove up to 
the curb. "Thanks... how much do I owe you?"

She paid the driver and then exited the car.  She slammed the cab 
door shut. Suddenly a violent wave of panic-induced nausea hit 
her and she reeled under its attack. She hadn't really been aware 
of it, but while inside the vehicle, she had actually felt safe... 
cloistered and anonymous. She let out a mirthless laugh at that 
thought. It had been a false sense of security for sure. She knew 
he was out there... just watching and waiting -- seeing and hearing 
everything he chose to see and hear. It was a sick cat-mouse game 
that she knew all too well. As she pondered this an ugly memory 
surfaced. 

It had been in the very early days of her captivity. Reeling from 
the horror of her new captivity she was determined to escape. She 
optimistically believed that if she could only find the alleged 
resistance fighters she would somehow be able to enlist their 
help in getting back home safely. After an unpleasant and 
horrifying 'visit' from her captor she had been left alone. She 
knew he was likely to leave her alone for at least several hours 
based on previous patterns of behavior. Weak and hurt, she 
summoned her strength and her will to attempt escape.

It had seemed so easy -- although she observed many Kryptonians 
from her various hiding places, none of them stopped her. 
Refusing to think that there was a logical reason for that, she 
preferred instead to think that her movements were furtive enough 
to go undetected. She had gone for hours -- darting between one 
hiding place and the next... just trying to get herself to the 
"shuttle bay" so she could commandeer a shuttle and get back 
earthbound. 
How exactly she was going to do that was still unplanned... but it 
was better than remaining where she was. Anything was better than 
that. As she approached the shuttle bay she heard a low chuckle. 
Her flesh crept as the hair on the back of her neck stood up in 
sickened anticipation. She knew that laugh -- knew it all too 
well. Knew and loathed it.  Dread churned in her stomach.

Kal-El floated down from where he had been hovering and watching 
her. She watched in stunned shock as he landed and slowly 
sauntered towards her. His movements were unhurried and 
deliberate and he had a very unpleasant smile on his face. He 
stood there and arranged his features so that he appeared sadly 
regretful. 

He shook his head as if admonishing a recalcitrant child for 
stealing a cookie. She held her breath, her eyes glued to his 
feet ... she had learned by now not to make eye contact unless he 
demanded it. Failure to abide by his rules always resulted in 
harsh retaliation. As a result, because she wasn't watching him, 
she wasn't able to prepare herself for the blow. He had struck 
her effortlessly -- a mere flick of his hand. Had he had been a 
human it would have felt like a gentle brushing. From him it felt 
like someone had hurled a pile of bricks at her. She staggered 
back under the blow and slammed her head on the wall before 
falling to the ground.

"Look at me, human," he commanded in a deceptively calm voice. 
When she didn't comply right away he followed his command with a 
menacing qualifier. "Now."

Unwillingly and gingerly, she craned her head up to meet his 
gaze- fearful of what would come next.

He shook his head again in mock regret. "Did you really think you 
would succeed? Don't you know that you can never escape? I am 
Lord Kal-El. Ruler of Krypton and Earth. I could rule the whole 
universe if I wanted... and in time, I probably will. Did you think 
I wouldn't notice? I notice everything about you slave and I 
would never let a slave of mine escape. You will be here for my 
amusement until you no longer amuse me...and I kill you.  So, you'd 
better just make sure you continue to please me. I might be 
persuaded to release you once you get too ugly and old for me to 
be interested... but you have quite a few years before getting to 
that point. You will never escape me, slave. I see everything you 
do. I hear everything that you say. You won't even be able to die 
without my permission," he chided her gently.

Lois had remained perfectly still - silently enduring the cruelty 
and truth behind his words. She hated herself for adding to his 
amusement by breaking down and crying. Her sense of despair was 
too great and her hope of ever escaping had dwindled to nothing.  
Her escape attempt had appeared successful only because he had 
wanted her to try to escape. Physical cruelty was only a small 
piece of the pie for him -- psychological cruelty turned him on as 
well. Despairingly, she had turned her eyes away from him, 
seeking instead, the solace of the inanimate floor.

"You may now tell me that you understand completely."

She had hesitated too long and he kicked her effortlessly in the 
ribs. It actually hadn't hurt - only because he had intended for 
it to be a reminder and foreboding of possible pain.

"Tell me," he had commanded her firmly.

"I... understand...completely," she had answered, her voice low and 
defeated.

"Now, that wasn't very respectful... was it? You need to answer in 
an appropriate tone when speaking to your lord and master. I 
won't punish you for it now, but I really do expect you to 
remember these things." His had voice kept its even and calm 
modulation. "Again. Tell me you understand," he had urged her, 
crouching, so his face was close to hers.

"I understand completely ... my lord." Her voice had held a trace 
of venom that she couldn't quite excise, but she was doing her 
best. She would do whatever she had to in order to survive... but... 
no one broke Lois Lane.

Things had gone from bad to worse when he .... 

Lois shook her head violently to banish the memory, unable and 
unwilling to deal with where it would lead.

<< I can't think about this right now! I need to be calm and 
collected when I go up to see Perry. He can't find out what's 
happened. Not yet... I need time... time to figure out my next move. 
>>

She took several long deep breaths and smoothed out her jeans. 
Not exactly the best outfit for going to see the Mayor, but the 
Mayor was, after all, like a father to her. She wasn't here to 
impress him... or at least not yet. She couldn't do or say anything 
that would mar her credibility - she would need it when she later 
tried to awaken him to the dormant Kryptonian threat.

Resolutely she turned towards the building and entered. She 
looked on the map for the location of Perry's office. Third 
floor. She briefly eyed the elevator, and then shook her head 
with a shudder. That would make her a very vulnerable sitting 
duck. Despite his immense power, this particular version of Kal-
El appeared to be trying to appear benevolent. While she remained 
in full sight of others she was likely to be safe...an elevator 
would trap her in isolation and give him ample opportunity to 
take her. 


<<No more traps>>

 She heaved a sigh and entered the stairwell. 

The stairwell was deserted and dread settled on her like a very 
familiar and oppressive cloak. She ran very fast up the stairs - 
terrified that he would materialize at any moment. Her eyes cast 
anxiously in all directions fearing that she would find him 
hovering above somewhere... like before ... taking his amusement in 
her feeble and futile resistance.

She blew her breath out in relief and exertion as she reached the 
top stair. Her fingers were trembling violently and they fumbled 
clumsily on the doorknob as she frantically worked to get out of 
that deserted and creepy stairwell. She opened the door and 
stepped into the nicely manicured hallway.  

Depressed a little by the enormity of the task ahead of her, she 
slowly walked to Perry's office. Now that she was actually here, 
she felt almost shy and sheepish about just walking in and 
announcing herself to be alive. What would she tell him? How 
could she possibly explain her absence? 

She knew that she had to keep her "other universe with the big 
bad Kryptonians" story quiet for now. Although Perry knew her to 
be a very intelligent and credible woman, that story would surely 
be too fantastic for him to swallow at first. Likely he would 
think she had developed some kind of psychosis that not only 
caused her to disappear... but also caused her to spout crazy 
nonsense about a man everyone seemed to idolize. Perhaps she 
could claim amnesia. Even better - she would say that a recent 
accident had blocked her memory of where she had been. Her 
battered and bruised exterior would certainly lend credence to 
that story.

Taking a huge calming breath she turned the door knob and walked 
in.

"I'd like to see Perry White," she informed the secretary in a 
tone that would brook no nonsense. It amazed her that after all 
these years of submissiveness she was still able to fall into her 
old pattern of assertiveness. It gave her hope for her own 
future. 

<< I am never broken.>>

"And you have an appointment?" 

"Just tell him that Lois Lane is here to see him. He will want to 
see me. "

The secretary looked at her scornfully. "You'll have to do better 
than that. Lois Lane is widely known to be dead."

"Rumors of my death have been wildly exaggerated," she snapped 
icily. "Let me assure you that if you turn me away and Perry 
later finds out... you'll be out on your butt so fast you won't 
know what hit you." 

"Whoever you are. The mayor is a very busy man. If you want to 
see him, you will have to make an appointment- hey! I told you! 
I'm going to call security!" The secretary was flustered and 
angry as Lois impatiently stalked past her. As she got up to make 
pursuit, Lois turned and said in a deadly tone, "I'm a black belt 
in Tae Kwon Do. If you try to stop me I can't be sure I won't 
kill you."

Her tone was so intense and her stance so threatening that the 
secretary stepped back. "I'm going to call security."

"Do that." Lois turned the knob to Perry's inner sanctum and 
stepped in.

"Gladys, I told you –," Perry snapped at the interruption. His 
expression changed from mild irritation to complete and total 
shock. He froze, staring at her in disbelief, unable to really 
comprehend that she was actually standing there.

"Well... aren't you going to say anything?" Her tone held false 
bravado and sauciness.

"Lois? Darlin? Is... can it possibly be you? Is it really you this 
time?"

She processed that response, and filed aside her confusion in 
regards to the 'this time' comment. All could be explained later. 
For now... she was finally ...

<< Home. I hear you call my name... and it feels like home. >>

"Oh! Oh! Mayor White! I've called Security... so don't worry! 
They'll remove this... person... from the premises as soon as they 
get here," Gladys said excitedly looking at Lois smugly, relieved 
to see that Perry wasn't in any immediate danger.

"All right, All right Gladys, calm down. I'd like you to meet 
Lois Lane," Perry said with a smile in his voice, enjoying his 
very annoying secretary's discomfiture.

"Lois... Lane? But ... but... she's dead!" Her voice was high and 
shrill. She hated being wrong.

"I don't feel dead," Lois muttered, feeling punchy. There was 
something so empowering about being able to say just about 
anything without fear of a swift and brutal reprisal. For that 
matter, just being referred to as Lois was music to hear ears 
after all those long years of being called 'Slave'.

"Gladys? Don't you think you ought to call Security, and cancel 
your request?" 

"I'll... go wait for them at my desk... and let them know it was a 
false alarm." Grudgingly she turned and walked haughtily out the 
door. 

"Told you so!" Lois's voice sang out playfully as she delivered 
her final salvo.

Gladys stiffly continued to her desk ignoring that last outburst.

"Now, Lois," said Perry affectionately. "Please don't make me 
have to find a new secretary!"

"I'm sorry ... I just couldn't seem to help myself!" She smiled 
mischievously.

"Are... are you really Lois Lane?" He gasped out wonderingly.

"I really am Lois Lane," she said softly, "And I love hearing you 
say my name. Music to my ears."

"Lois, Darlin. I thought you were dead. I honestly thought you 
were dead. We had no reason to keep searching -- there wasn't a 
stone left unturned." His voice was filled with remorse.

"I know. Perry -- I know. You did all you could," she hastily 
reassured him. He would never have been able to find her and she 
had to make him believe that without revealing her full story.

"No -- I need you to hear... you have to know! You... Superman -- you 
know about him? He searched the world over -- many times over. I 
had to...finally ask him to stop searching. I ... couldn't let him 
keep going after the impossible. Lois - what... what is it?" He 
stopped talking as he witnessed the color drain rapidly out of 
her face. Her cheerful façade faded, and she was left standing 
there, pale and trembling. "What did I say?"

"Nothing... Nothing -- I... I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed."

"Lois, please -- what did happen? Where have you been?"

"I... just... <<I can't lie to him>>  I...can't tell you what happened 
to me, not yet. I beg you to help me with a little prevarication. 
I'd like the world to believe that I just don't remember the last 
three years. Please... support me in this. I wouldn't ask if it 
wasn't really important." Her voice was intense and passionate as 
she pleaded her case. She was also desperately trying to draw his 
attention away from her violent reaction at the news that Kal-El 
had actually spent time searching for her. 

<<What the hell is going on here? Why did he search for me?  Is 
he stalking me?>> 

"Lois ... I ... don't know what to say here.  You can't tell me where 
you were?"

"Not...not yet," she answered quietly.

"What about ... why are you all bruised? Were you in an accident?"

"I'm looking rather hideous, aren't I?"

"Hideous nothing! You remain the most beautiful woman I've ever 
seen," he said gallantly.

"Oh go on," she replied, forcing her tone to be teasing and 
light. 

"Oh Lois!" Perry got up out of his chair and rushed at her, 
intending to grab her into a big, welcoming embrace.

In a flash she flinched violently away from him. Before she could 
check herself, she had taken several faltering and jerky steps 
backwards and was cringing with her hands raised protectively 
above her head. Her body language clearly said 'Please don't hurt 
me!'

Perry stepped back, horrified. The Lois Lane he knew never 
flinched or cowered from anyone or anything. In fact, she was the 
most fearless and intrepid person that he had ever known. 
Although not prone to pointless reckless behavior, Lois had 
always been willing to sacrifice her personal safety for the 
greater truth. Silence hung between them for a very long moment. 

"God, Lois," he breathed in horror.

"I... I -- oh -- I'm sorry, Perry. Ugh... I feel so ashamed!!!" It was 
a plaintive cry. 

<<Ashamed. I'm ashamed about so many things. Did you know I was a 
slave? Not much more than a nameless harem girl? Did you know I 
was submissive and cowed? Did you know how I begged for him to 
show me mercy? I ... begged.   I never beg! >>

"I... I... Lois. What happened?"

She stared at him in dismay for another heartbreakingly long 
moment. And then she decided.  Perry needed the truth.  Or some 
variant of the truth.

"Perry. I was ... held prisoner... these three years. Very bad things 
happened." She delivered her statement calmly and without rancor. 
She was trying hard to keep his emotional response under control. 
She felt she could maintain control only as long as he did. If he 
broke down... she would too.  

"You... you're serious?" His voice held amazement.

"Yes."

"Lois -- there is no question of my not believing you. But I just 
need to ask you again: There really was no accident? And you are 
really serious about this?"

She sighed. "Yes."

"Well -- uh... I... I'm sorry for ... scaring you like that. You know -- 
I'm ... you are like a daughter to me... in every sense of that word... 
and my feelings for you are fatherly. I... would never -" he 
trailed off awkwardly. He was never comfortable talking about 
this sort of thing, but he had to make it clear to her that of 
all the men in the world, he was one that she could turn to 
without hesitation.

"Perry. I ... it was an instinctive reaction. Nothing else. I am 
not afraid of you, nor do I ever think you could pose a threat to 
any woman. Let alone me. I have always thought of you as a 
father."

He nodded uncomfortably. "Who did this to you?" His tone was 
firmer and no-nonsense as he moved into his protective mode.

"I can't tell you."

"What? Why not? I'll make sure he never sees the light of day 
again. This guy will be in prison until the day he dies," he 
responded hotly. Anger at what had happened was starting to grow 
at an alarming rate.

She smiled at that while she shook her head. "You couldn't touch 
them with a ten foot pole. Look -- Perry -- I only told you this 
because I ... well... I just can't lie to you. You are far too clever 
and you know me too well. I do intend to lie to my family and 
everyone else, and all I am asking from you, all I need right 
now, is for you to support me in that lie. ...will you do it?"

"I... Ok. I guess you have your reasons. I am sensing some 
serious 'Lane' stubbornness -- and I've come up against that in 
the past. You are like a steel wall," he said with a quick laugh. 
"You really need to meet Superman. Man of steel, meet woman of ..." 
he trailed off again, as once again, the color drained from her 
face. Twice that had happened ... both times just after he 
mentioned Superman.

"What is it?" 

"I'm... well -- I'm sorry. This whole... Superman thing... just makes me 
uncomfortable." She smiled openly, trying to dispel any of his 
fears.

Perry looked at her surprised. Xenophobia. Clark had actually 
mentioned to him that he had occasionally run up against people 
who hated and/or feared him for being an alien. Perry had found 
that difficult to fathom, and yet, the human race certainly had a 
history of trying to kill or cage that which it didn't 
understand. As bizarre as it was, people did fear Superman and he 
knew that it tore Clark apart. 

It did surprise him to hear Lois spout such sentiments. She was 
the most open-minded person in the world when it came to things 
like this. Then he realized that her admission of what had 
happened could very well have changed her somewhat. She had been 
victimized and he supposed that he could see how the idea of a 
super powered and unstoppable man might make her a little leery.

"You... have you met him?"

"No! No... just heard the stories."

"Lois. I know the man very well.  He's ... well... I guess I kind of 
think of him as a son. He's a fine reporter, and a very good man. 
He devotes a great deal of his time to helping the fight against 
crime."

"Great. A super-human vigilante. Just what this city needs," she 
said, masking her fear with sarcasm.

"He's not a vigilante, Lois. He works with the police... he helps 
them apprehend criminals, and he stops crime as it happens.... 
Muggings, murders...ra- ... you know... violent crimes. When others 
just turn a deaf ear, he's always there, making the city a safer 
place to be -- and he never violates anyone's rights. Recently he 
ran into a problem where he tried to stop a man from battering 
his wife, and the wife threatened to press charges against him if 
he ever interfered again. It tore Clark apart to not respond to 
future incidents between the two of them - but he had to respect 
her wishes. To give him credit, he went after it in another 
perfectly legitimate way... he called the department of social 
services and begged them to get involved. Last I heard the 
husband had a restraining order not to go within 500 feet of his 
wife."

"So he really didn't respect her needs –"

"He did exactly what YOU would have done," interrupted Perry 
forcefully as if daring her to deny it.

Not being able to deny it... Lois certainly had been known to force 
her way into situations for the greater good, she picked up 
another bone to chew.

"Well -- what about the name... Superman. That implies a very 
superior attitude. He doesn't consider himself one of his -- he is 
superior. Better. And therefore he could easily convince himself 
that we need his leadership. His rule. Leading to his tyranny." 
Her voice became increasingly bitter as she continued down this 
path. 

<<Damn. I didn't mean to get into this so quickly.>>

"Uh, actually he was given that name by ... a woman we all thought 
was you."

"What?"

"Before the world found out about his alien origins, a woman 
claiming to be you came into our lives. She looked exactly like 
you and had us all convinced. She was somehow involved in Clark 
revealing his alien origins. I don't think he meant for people to 
know that Clark Kent and Superman were one and the same." He held 
up a preemptive hand. "I know. You're thinking that indicates a 
deceptive nature, but you are wrong. Clark's life has never been 
the same since people found out. He can't go anywhere without 
being mobbed by people. He doesn't even have the basic privilege 
of privacy that we all deserve." He paused to catch his breath.
 

<<Privacy?  What the hell does he know about lack of privacy -- he 
with his x-ray vision, telepathy and super-hearing? How dare he 
expect privacy... when did I ever get privacy? My every thought, my 
every movement -- always monitored by his people. By him! Well, 
okay, not him exactly -- but someone very much like him!! He wants 
privacy? Hah! And what the hell is Perry talking about? Another 
Lois Lane? Is he delusional? Is everyone caught up in some mass 
hallucination surrounding this guy? >>


Perry caught the intensity of her expression and only partially 
decoded it. "I'm not crazy, Lois. This really did happen. This 
woman acted like she knew us all. She... well... she became fast 
friends with Clark, and it actually caused him to lose his 
fiancée. Not a big loss, if you ask me. Lana was really shrill 
and hostile. A man should be allowed to be who he is... he 
shouldn't have to hide it just to please a woman."

"No one should have to subvert who they are just to please 
someone else," she agreed hotly.

"No. No -- I agree with you," he trailed off suddenly. Is that how 
it had been for her all these years?

"Well, so what happened to this imposter of mine?" She was 
impatient to hear the rest of this story.

"She... just disappeared. Clark said to me later that she went 
'home'. He said he wasn't at liberty to explain further but he 
said that she wasn't a force for evil, or anything."

"That's convenient," she snapped sarcastically. "For all you 
know, he killed her. Maybe she was a clone or something. Maybe 
his people are creating duplicates of human beings and replacing 
them. Didn't it occur to you that something sinister might be 
going on?" 

<<Is this why I was taken away? Is Herb just full of garbage with 
that whole weird Utopia story? This just doesn't fit! Is the 
problem with the puzzle, or the pieces?>>

 "Why... why did he look for me? You said..."

"He... felt a connection with this other woman. He felt like 
somehow you two were 'supposed' to meet and it didn't happen 
because things had just gone wrong. He felt that ... he ... well... 
wanted to meet you."

"Is that why he works at the Planet? Has he been... stalking me?"

"No! He never even really knew much about you... until your double 
showed up. He was already a reporter at the Planet, and... then he 
found out all about you. He... he felt that if you were alive - he 
owed it to you to find you. He searched many times over -- 
searched the whole world -- and never really was willing to accept 
that you might be dead. But then... then... he finally accepted that 
you were...permanently gone. Your parents and I both approached him 
and asked him to stop. As long as he kept up his search, we 
couldn't let you go. It was just too painful to watch." Perry 
stopped and sat down wearily on one of his office chairs. "Lois -- 
if I hadn't done that... he might have found you. I'm -- I'm SO glad 
you are alive... but the idea that I short-circuited Clark's search 
makes me feel responsible for what you went through."

"Ka-Clark would never have been able to find me," she said 
determinedly. "I ... was very well hidden."

"Lois -- he even checked recent graves in locations you were 
likely to have been. And by recent... well, I mean anything younger 
than three years. A man who was willing to do that would have 
done most anything... with the exception of hurting innocents -- to 
get to you."

<<This doesn't make any sense. Perry -- he's been blinded... taken 
in. There is something very fishy and sinister going on. And more 
than ever, it's obvious that Kal-El is somehow after me. >>

"Perry... I don't ... trust this man. Please... if I disappear... like 
that other Lois... please ... remember what I've said. I... don't think 
someone with this kind of power can be trusted. He's... he's like a 
god, for crying out loud. Like of the Greek gods.  Toying with 
our lives -- like a game.  Surely ... surely you see that trusting 
someone so powerful is a folly which could mean... well...a complete 
loss of our freedom. Of our way of life as we know it."

"Lois... I've heard these allegations before and I'm not buying it. 
There are many folks out there who think that he can't possibly 
be as benevolent as he appears. Many who feel that he is the 
first wave of a much greater invasion. But why bother pretending 
to be our friend? What purpose would a race of supermen have in 
falsely trying to be nice? It doesn't add up! He alone could 
enslave us all –" he stopped short, as she gasped.

"Is... is that it? You were... kept captive... and... just can't trust 
anyone who has the physical strength to ...hold you captive again? 
I assure you -- he ... you would never need to fear unwelcome 
attention from this man."

"You ASSURE me," she said caustically. Her strength lay in her 
anger and although she hated herself for unleashing it on her 
very good friend, she didn't feel she had a choice. Greater 
things were at stake than one man's feelings. 

"So if he did try anything... untoward... you would protect me? 
Stand up to his great strength? His heat-vision? Do you know what 
that would feel like? Being burned alive? Do you know how easily 
he could reduce you to a pile of ashes or broken bones? You know 
how your hand hurts when you punch someone hard? For him... it 
would be a mere hint of a movement, and you would be lying there 
dead. That kind of careless power should terrify you! What 
happened to the Perry White that I knew? You've been completely 
taken in by a charismatic alien. Oh sure -- he's handsome, and 
speaks a good story. 'I come in peace! Let me prove it by saving 
your life a few times.'  Oh please! It's all a ruse -- a ruse to 
draw us all in until he loses interest in his little game. He's 
trifling with us! He's having fun with us! When it's over he'll 
start playing a different and more deadly game! And it will be 
too late to do anything about! Now is the time to build up our 
defenses... to find his weaknesses!" She was fully out of control 
at this point, all but shouting at her former boss.

Perry stared at her in astonishment. Where had all this 
vituperative emotion come from? Why did she channel it all 
towards Clark? A dark and ugly suspicion formed in his mind. 
Before brushing it impatiently away, it burned itself into his 
neurons -- taking root amidst all of Perry's good will towards the 
man. 

<<What if it really is a ruse? Could Superman have set up that 
whole search as a decoy? Was he behind her disappearance? Did he 
do this to her? Kidnap, hold her prisoner, and rape her? Are 
there others like him? Was she kidnapped by aliens??? Was she 
cloned... is that who that other Lois was? And... was that clone 
destroyed when she ceased to be useful? Is THIS Lois a clone?>>

 Perry gasped under the onslaught of dark suspicions. 

<<Pull yourself together! You have always trusted this man and he 
has always been a good friend. >>

"Perry?" she started to ask in a small voice. "I -- I'm sorry. I 
shouldn't have said those things to you. You're ... my best friend 
and I never meant to be hurtful."

"Lois -- I know... I know you never meant to hurt me. I- I just... I 
don't know what to say -- or think. Honestly, it would help if you 
told me the details of where you've been. Was... Clark involved?" 
He held his breath, waiting for her answer. An answer that could 
change the world.

She hesitated a long moment. Here was her chance. She could blame 
Clark for everything. Expose him for the vicious and sadistic 
brute that he surely must be. Say that 'yes', he kidnapped her, 
and raped her, and beat her... and... and no. She couldn't do it. He 
wasn't the man who did these things to her. Although she believed 
him to be just like his counterpart, her conscience wouldn't let 
her falsely accuse him.

"I've never met him," she answered truthfully, "but I've been at 
the mercy of powerful men and I know that power corrupts."

"Lois," he shook his head sadly, "I have to disagree with you 
there. There are good people out there with power. Superman 
happens to be one of those people. I wish -- well...I wish I could 
convince you of that. However, I know you too well -- you will 
have to come to your conclusions independently. I hope that you 
will one day see that this man is without compare -- he is a good 
man, one that we never will need to fear. I'd stake my life on 
that."

"Perry... I'm afraid you just did." Her voice held bitterness and 
resignation. Her support would not come from this camp, but she 
would continue to fight what she considered to be the good fight.

Lois walked past Gladys without even pausing to give her the time 
of day. The woman really irritated her and she saw no reason to 
be civil. 

<<I never have to be nice to people I don't like. Never again.>>

She had parted with Perry on friendly terms despite their heated 
discussion.   Leaving him with a promise to be in touch soon, she 
went to reacquaint herself with her family. 

The reunion was heart-stoppingly wonderful. Her parents had been 
absolutely overwhelmed with joy once she had convinced them that 
she was really their daughter. Lucy had just broken down into 
helpless tears. Lois hedged about her whereabouts, trying out her 
amnesia story on them. Her mother seemed inclined to believe what 
she said, and so did Lucy.  Her father had given her an odd and 
suspicious look- but hadn't really pressed her for a more 
plausible explanation.  Instead he had let her know that she 
could turn to him if she needed to talk with anyone, and of 
course, the whole family suggested therapy to get her memory 
back. She promised she was working with doctors to that end, and 
that all would be well. 

She hadn't tried to plant seeds of suspicion against Superman 
because she knew that would be futile -- they were staunch 
Superman-supporters, especially as he had searched so extensively 
for Lois. In their eyes he could do no wrong. They had even 
wanted to yell out the window for him, but she rapidly nipped 
that in the bud saying that when she met him, she wanted to look 
her best.

She left her family feeling more centered. They would never 
really know how truly happy she was to see them again. For three 
long years, she lived without love or even friendship. The 
outpouring of both had threatened to break through her very tough 
defenses. Her family had misinterpreted her reaction and had just 
assumed her tears were an expression of her relief and joy at 
being reunited. 

She had a place to stay... until she was back on her feet, she 
would live with Lucy. That made a lot of sense. For one thing, 
she was terrified to be alone. Alone, her memories would come and 
entomb her... dragging her back to that living nightmare. Her 
tormentor might be a universe away, but as long as she could 
summon him into her thoughts, he would always be with her. 
Additionally, she was afraid that this universe's version of Kal-
El was just waiting for an opportunity to do something nefarious 
to her. As long as she stayed in a crowd... even a crowd of two... 
she was probably in no immediate danger. She was counting on his 
need to appear benevolent.

Meanwhile, Perry sat back in his office feeling staggered and 
drained. He had no idea what to believe or what to do with the 
information gleaned from Lois about her whereabouts. He sat for a 
long while trying to figure out whether Superman could somehow 
have been involved in all this - and in the end, decided that it 
was impossible. He decided to call Superman over and let him know 
that Lois was back. The man had sacrificed a lot of time and 
energy looking for her, and he deserved to know that she was 
alive.

He picked up the phone and dialed Clark's extension at the Daily 
Planet. Due to Clark's celebrity status his direct line was a 
privately held secret -- but Perry was one of the 'in crowd' who 
were able to contact him without going through a very tough 
receptionist first.

"Kent here," Clark answered in a friendly tone. He just knew it 
was Perry and he figured that Lois had probably reacquainted 
herself with Perry by now. 

"Hi Clark! Perry White. Listen... I hate to do this, but I really 
need to talk to you. Can you come by my office as soon as 
possible? I know you're busy -- I wouldn't ask if it weren't 
really important."

"Yea -- sure," Clark said amiably. He knew what Perry had to tell 
him but he didn't want to say so over the phone. "Uh... door or 
window?" This was his way of asking in what capacity Perry needed 
him. Did he want Clark or Superman?

"Your choice. "

"Window, then. It's quicker. "

Seconds later he was hovering outside Perry's office. Perry had 
just gotten up to open the window.

"You are incredibly fast. I keep getting caught off guard by 
that!" Perry smiled at the younger man.

"Well... you did say that it was really important," he grinned, "I 
could learn to fly a bit slower - if that would make you feel 
better!"

"No, No. I'm not complaining -- not by a long shot. Your speed has 
saved my tail a time or two. Come -- sit down..."

"One sec..." Superman whirled into Clark, using a trick he'd 
learned from his "brother". "I feel more comfortable like this, 
and if Gladys walks in I don't want her to get all tongue tied."

"Well... you know, it's that suit, Clark... women.... well, I don't 
think they can help themselves."

"Very funny. Now what did you want me here for, that was so 
important," he asked, changing the subject from his physical 
attributes. As public a figure as he was, he really hated close 
personal attention. It made him nervous. Old habits were very 
hard to break and after hiding his origins for so long, he was 
still kind of daunted with the reality of everyone knowing about 
him. 

All those eyes on him made him feel very self-conscious and 
uncomfortable. Yes, the suit was revealing, but the whole point 
behind that was to make a dramatic distinction between the Man 
and the Superman. Unfortunately, due to Tempus's interference, 
this distinction had proved unnecessary. Still, it was useful to 
have people perceive him differently when he was in his Clark 
persona. It was hard for people to talk to him in his role as 
'reporter' if they were focusing on his being this larger-than-
life superhero/alien.

"I - have some very astounding news for you. Lois Lane is alive 
and I just saw her."

"I... I know."

"How the hell... oh -- did you... did you see her in here - or hear us 
talking?"

"No! And if I did, I hope you'd tell me off. That would be pretty 
unforgivable. Perry, I -" Clark stated agitatedly, hurt by 
Perry's assumption.

"Clark -- You don't spy... I know. I'm sorry. That was low handed of 
me. So, uh- how did you know?"

Clark sat back quietly. He didn't really want to tell any lies... 
and yet, he didn't really know what else he could do. 

"Well... I saw her after she returned."

"Did she see you?"

"No."

"Oh. Well... she doesn't want to reveal where she's been, but she 
told me in confidence that she had been kidnapped and held 
prisoner for all these years. She said 'bad things' happened, 
which to me points to some pretty ugly conclusions." Perry 
paused. "Look -- this is confidential, right? She'll kill me if 
she knows I told you. I'm only telling you because ... I know you 
can help me get to the bottom of this."

"Of -- of course. Did she say any more than that?" Clark was 
stalling for time. What would he say? He started to feel a mild 
sense of panic -- like he was somehow under a great microscope. 
Perry was a very sharp and observant man. He hadn't been a crack 
reporter all those years for nothing!

"No -- she was very vague about the whole thing. She did seem to 
have an aversion to you, however -- and I didn't really understand 
that." Perry delivered this news apologetically. He felt guilty 
about introducing it this way but Clark's reaction would end up 
revealing a host of important information.

"Oh?"

"Do ... do you know anything about her disappearance or her 
whereabouts? I know you looked hard for her -- but... it seems... you 
just seem unsurprised to hear that she's alive," Perry 
relentlessly stuck to his point.

"You are a little too observant," Clark complained. "It -- I can't 
really talk to you about this because ... it's her... it's not what 
she would want."

"Did you rescue her?"

"No. Until yesterday, I had no idea where she was."

"But now you do."

"Well... yes."

"And..."

"Look -- I'm really sorry. I just -- I can't say anything." Clark 
was beginning to get really uncomfortable. His honesty would be 
the death of him. It was time he cut this meeting short. 

"You know, she ... seems to fear you quite a bit," he said 
apologetically, still digging for information.

Clark sighed. "Yes. I know, and I'm actually -- well ... I'm 
planning on leaving the Daily Planet. It was hers before... and I 
don't want her to feel awkwardly about going back there."

"I'm... really sorry to hear that. But...why would she even have a 
reason to feel that way about you?"

"Perry. I can't talk to you about this."

"You won't even tell me how you knew she was back?"

"I can't."

"Is this related somehow to that other Lois?"

"Loosely."

"Clark... was Lois kidnapped by aliens?"

Since Tempus was human, Clark was able to answer truthfully. 
"No."

"Was she held captive by aliens?"

Clark stared at him in wonder. No wonder this guy was so widely 
respected. He was one of the most intelligent men Clark had ever 
met, despite all the Elvis references and predispositions to 
wearing ugly suits.

"Well..."

"She was held captive by aliens?"

"You know, it's a good thing she isn't interested in talking to 
me, because she would certainly kill me for this," Clark sighed 
in frustration.

"What kind of aliens –"

"Perry -- I have to leave. This line of conversation is going to 
force me to reveal things that Lois clearly doesn't want you to 
know." His tone was very firm and clipped, and he spun back into 
his suit and made for the window. "But for what it's worth, I 
didn't have anything to do with her disappearance. I didn't 
kidnap her or do any of those other terrible things."

"Wait... son! I - I don't doubt you, and I wasn't trying to accuse 
you of anything –"

"I know -- I know," he said hastily, "but you are trying to push 
me into saying more than I can say right now. I understand -- you 
love this woman -- she is very special to you. You want to protect 
her and possibly to avenge what happened. I actually understand 
that more than you know. However, I can't oppose her wishes on 
this matter. I can tell you this: she has been through hell. 
She's been treated like garbage and her wishes have been violated 
non-stop for the last three years. We owe it to her to respect 
her feelings and to let her set the pace."

Perry watched the younger man in admiration and frustration. One 
thing was for sure - he knew Clark was telling the truth. He knew 
that Superman had not hurt Lois in any way, and yet -- he couldn't 
figure out how the pieces all fit together. He didn't like not 
knowing the full story. His every molecule urged him to 
investigate and dig out the truth -- but he knew that Superman was 
correct. Lois needed time and space, and if he truly loved her, 
he would give her what she needed. 

After Superman left, Perry sat down and pondered some more. He 
might not be able to dig out the truth, but he couldn't stop 
thinking about it. 

Superman had all but admitted that Lois had been captured by 
aliens. What exactly had they done to her? He blew out his breath 
out in aggravation. Then another scary thought occurred to him. 

<<What if the aliens were from the same world as Superman? More 
Kryptonians? Kidnapping earthlings? Doing god knows what to them. 
But wouldn't Superman warn the world if this were true. For that 
matter, if any aliens were kidnapping earthlings, wouldn't 
Superman stop them? Is this why he couldn't find her -- she wasn't 
anywhere on earth? How did he find out where she was, or that she 
was back? He said he found out yesterday –what happened 
yesterday? Oh Lois - why can't you just tell me?>>
 
Lois began researching Superman by looking up information about 
him on the Internet.   The sheer volume of websites was daunting, 
but she was relieved to find a reasonably proportional number of 
anti-superman sites in the mix.  

<< He hasn't fooled everyone. >>

She came across pictures of young Clark and his parents -- cute 
shots of a popular farm couple and their nice young son. He 
looked... happy. He was a normal, human-like, happy boy. Guilt 
trickled in and she tamped it back ferociously.  

<<Okay -- so what? So he was seemingly nice little boy.  I know 
that Kryptonians don't get their powers until puberty. He might 
not have even known what his ultimate mission was at that point. 
Probably so -- who would entrust a child with information you 
wanted kept secret?  And didn't his parents die?  He probably 
killed them. >>

As if on cue she clicked on a link which showed her a picture 
taken a few years after the one with the family. It was a funeral 
shot. The boy stood there, forlorn, lost and devastated. The 
camera had caught his face in a tight close-up, and there was 
really no mistaking the anguish and confusion -- that painful 
realization that he was alone in the world.

Against her wishes, her heart went out to this boy of long ago. 
Her parents had had enough rocky roads to give her the memories 
of some deeply lonely and scary times. But at least she had had 
parents. Hard as she willed her heart to be, she found it 
increasingly hard to convince herself that the young Clark had 
murdered his parents.  They had died in a tragic car crash -- he 
wasn't even in the car. He was only 13 at the time, and from what 
she knew of the young Kryptonians born on Earth, 13 would have 
been too young an age for him to have been able to hurt them in 
the car from a distance. No, it was likely that his parents had 
really died accidentally. 

<<Unless, the other Kryptonians killed them! How easy would that 
have been? A little heat vision from above severing a brake 
cable, and presto... instant car accident! >>

Her heart raced at this exciting new line of thought. She could 
be on to something really, really important.  

She sat back and pondered. 

<< Okay.  Assume that Kryptonians did kill the Kents. Why would 
they do that?  Introduce Kal-El into the ranks of humanity so 
that humans grow to trust and like him. He gains the respect and 
love of small town people, which later will be useful to him in 
gaining the trust of others. The boy's powers start manifesting 
and growing. Rather than dealing with the possibility of the 
Kent's revealing his oddity to others, or worse, trying to 
eliminate the boy for being an agent of Satan -- because, let's 
face it... we all know how kooky small town folks are, they kill 
the Kents -- silencing them forever. This is doubly useful, 
because not only are they able to easily reclaim the boy and 
teach him about his heritage and 'duty', they also turn him into 
the one thing the human race seems unable to resist: a pathetic 
orphan.  >>

Fortified by her discovery, Lois decided she needed some air. 
Once outside, she immersed herself happily in the sensory 
experience of the city.  The other world had been so devoid of 
humanity that she absolutely craved this chaos. In that other 
world -- the other humans she encountered had been broken-down 
slaves like herself. 

Additionally it had been impossible to forge relationships 
because she was the only female slave that survived more than a 
few months. She remembered the first time a fellow slave in the 
'harem' had disappeared. It took her days to summon the courage 
to ask what had happened. Another slave had told her in hushed 
tones that Lord Nor had used too much force with her -- killing 
her unwittingly.   

The contrast here was startling. The eyes of her fellow slaves 
had been haunted and desolate, while these people showed such a 
huge variety of emotions -- running the entire gamut. People 
weren't afraid! Although there were haunted and broken people in 
this world, they didn't dominate the landscape.

As she pondered the contrasts, she noticed a sudden change in the 
crowd around her. People had stopped in their tracks and were 
talking excitedly while pointing at the sky.   Dread trickled 
down her spine as she craned her neck skyward.  It was this so-
called Superman -- flying overhead in the sky -- high above the 
humans he would one day control.

She fought back waves of nausea and forced herself to remain 
where she was. She refused to distinguish herself from this oh-so 
safe and anonymous crowd of humanity and draw unwanted attention 
to herself. As she stood there, she pondered the spell he 
appeared to have on the rest of the people around her. 

<<What the hell is wrong with these people?  How is it that 
nobody here sees the inherent superiority in his behavior? Flying 
high in the sky... too good to hang with us mere mortals!  He goes 
by the name Superman -- for crying out loud. >>

 While her familiar thoughts were rolling through her brain, 
another meeker 'voice' joined in. 

<<But... to be fair... why wouldn't he fly?   It makes sense that he 
would use flight to get from one spot to another. And he actually 
does hang around with mere mortals -- he's a reporter... he is 
accountable to a human boss.  Doesn't that say anything in 
support of his being a different kind of man from Kal-El?>>

Lois frowned in disgust at this new little voice. This was just 
what she didn't need. Self-doubt was a dangerous thing -- 
especially in an investigation. You could find yourself running 
around in circles... thrashing... unable to make any progress.   
Suspicion started to grow in her mind.  Kryptonians were 
telepaths... could he be planting these thoughts in her head? Maybe 
that is how he was controlling the rest of these people. 

<<If that were true, why wouldn't he be controlling me 
completely?>>

Above her, Superman furtively watched the object of his long-time 
obsession. His soul-mate. She was breathtaking.  He felt an 
incredible pull towards her -- a strong yearning to meet her face 
to face.  But that could never happen.  She hated him and feared 
him. Likely she would try to discredit and destroy him.  He 
sighed inwardly. 

<<I can't do this. I can't forget myself. She isn't anyone I can 
ever be with -- I should stop hoping. I have to forget her -- she's 
home and safe, and that is all that matters. >>

To her untrained eye he seemed to be slowing down.  Did he know 
that she was down here? Was he watching her? Panicking suddenly, 
it occurred to her that he really could take her away with him, 
right here in broad daylight. Who would even think anything odd 
was going on? They might just think she was a friend and he was 
giving her a lift. There was so much city related noise - would 
anyone hear her screams of protest? 

Weren't people were kidnapped in broad daylight all the time? The 
world started to spin and her panic intensified. She could not 
endure this kind of captivity again. Having tasted freedom she 
knew she could never go back -- it would be the death of her. She 
turned abruptly and blindly pushed forward - hoping somehow to 
get lost in the crowd. Unseeing and unheeding, she headed into 
the oncoming traffic. Horns blared at her -- but she was senseless 
of them - lost once more in her memories of another time when she 
wandered through the streets of Metropolis.

She had been confused and disoriented after Tempus had brought 
her to that world, and she walked the deserted city streets, 
wondering what the hell had happened to her town. The strangest 
thing was that there was an ominous and deadly silence in a city 
that was NEVER quiet and deserted. Where were all the people? She 
felt a hand grab her arm tightly.  She turned angrily to the 
source, and saw a grim looking man in a black bodysuit. He had 
spoken to her in strangely-accented English. 

"My lord and master demands that we take you to him. I... I'm 
sorry."

"What are you talking about?  Who are you? Who the hell is your 
Lord and Master, and what does he want with me?"

"My Lord seeks you as his concubine. I have to comply."

"A what?" Her voice was laced with disbelief. "Is this some kind 
of hoax? Who are you? And LET GO OF MY ARM!"

"My name is Ching," he said. "I ... I am oath-sworn to Lord Kal-El 
and Lady Zara."   His grip on her arm was unbreakable.

"Who or what is Lord Kal-El?" Her voice was icy and contemptuous. 
She was afraid...very afraid, and it was in these times that her 
venomous façade was most useful.

"We are Kryptonians. My lord has... conquered this world. He 
commands your presence."

Her struggles futile against his unbelievable strength.  He 
pushed her into a flyer shuttle and secured the doors.

Ignoring her demands for freedom, Ching resolutely refused to 
even look at her. Instead, he concentrated on manipulating this 
strange machine. Shortly, the shuttle docked in a very large 
spaceship. Lois could not believe she was being kidnapped by 
aliens. As yet, she still did not really understand the true 
dangerous nature of this situation. 

Moments later, she had found herself in the presence of one of 
the most handsome men she had ever seen. Tall and imposing, he 
sat in a chair on a high platform. There was a cruelty in his 
eyes that made her heart sink. She had met some implacable foes 
in her time -- but none had frightened her as much as this man.

"My Lord.  This is the woman."  Ching was humble before this 
strange man. "Does she please you?"

"She does.  Have her taken and made ready for me."

"Who the hell are you?" She was furious, and her voice held 
venom. "If you don't let me go, I promise you, there will be hell 
to pay. I'll rip your throat out. I'll rip your... hey! Let me go!"

As easy as she had been brought to his presence, the man called 
Ching dragged her away.

"I'm sorry. I have no wish to see this happen, but if I disobey, 
I will be tried for treason. I have to protect the Lady Zara, and 
as long as she remains by his side, I have to do the same. It 
will be in your best interests to learn to be humble in his 
presence. He ... he is a cruel master and never brooks 
disobedience. The sooner you learn that, the better off you will 
be."

She had stared at him in shock, unable to even believe that this 
was really happening. 

Later, she was taken to a luxurious room to await her evil 
captor. When he had finally arrived, he had ---

She was shocked out of her dark and unwilling reminisces by the 
sounds of cars honking and tires screeching. She realized in 
shock that she had wandered out into the street in her panic to 
escape his notice. Dimly she saw a truck headed right at her 
honking furiously. The stopping distance was such that she didn't 
stand a chance. Suddenly she felt a rush of wind, and he was 
there. 

Superman had stopped the truck and was standing no more than two 
feet away from her. She kept her eyes glued to the ground, 
terrified to make eye contact. Kal-El had always been brutal with 
her when she looked into his face without his permission. She had 
learned early only to do so when commanded.

Clark looked at her uneasily. His heart had nearly stopped when 
he saw that big truck headed her way. 

<< I'll just ask if she's all right.  That can't hurt. Right?>>
 
"Are... are you okay?"

He was talking to her! She could feel her heartbeat quicken and 
she battled with herself as to whether or not she should look up 
at him.  

"Miss?  Are you okay?"

Supposing that could pass as a command, she gingerly raised her 
head and made eye contact with him. Her expression was anxious 
and fearful and she stared at him for what seemed like an 
eternity. 

<< Oh God.  Him. Kal-El. This is him. No mistaking it -- he has 
the same face -- the same ... body... the body which -- no- I can't 
think of that! Not now -- he'll win if I do! Go away! Please -- 
please go away -- and don't hurt me! >>

Unable to maintain eye contact any longer, she looked down again. 

<<Safer, if I don't see him. Oh -- oh god, but he didn't say I 
could look away -- he - >> 

"Do you require any further assistance?" He was all but begging 
her to reply. 

One reply -- and then he could be off. This unpleasant 
confrontation could be over.  Her panic was infectious and he was 
starting to feel it as if it were his own.  

*** Please answer, he begged mentally. I know you're scared... and 
I understand -- but I can't go away until you look, and tell me 
that you're fine. ***

She was startled to hear his thoughts. He was actually 
communicating with her telepathically -- and it didn't give her 
the searing headache that communicating with Kal-El this way had 
given her.  She shook her head -- this was clearly some weird 
trick of his and she knew better than to fall prey to it.   
Emboldened by the crowd, she raised her eyes once again. It was 
unlikely he would lash out at her here. 

<<I don't feel like he means me any harm.  I can't let that 
influence my actions.  He is dangerous, he just doesn't want me 
to think he is.>>

"I ...I'm fine." Her voice and her gaze were even, but she knew her 
heart was beating too fast for normal -- and that he was well 
aware of it. She noticed vaguely that his eyes were not anything 
like Kal-El's. While he looked and sounded a lot like that other 
man, his eyes were devoid of cruelty and burned into hers a naked 
plea. She felt as if he was trying to open his soul to her with a 
single look.

"Glad to hear it." He nodded formally at her in farewell and took 
off. A huge crowd had gathered around, but they weren't paying 
her much attention -- it was Superman who commanded their 
attention.  She gazed up at the sky, deep in thought.  

<< He's different from Kal-El.  Kal-El used to carry himself with 
a deliberate and cruel... grace.  This man's body language was 
completely non-threatening.  And his voice... it's the same -- but 
so different.  He doesn't sound cruel.   He just doesn't look 
cruel.  But he isn't different.  He can't be.  He's just really 
good at playing this role. >>
 

After saving Lois from her near-death encounter Clark flew home 
in a daze. Foremost, he was reeling from the impact of her very 
palpable terror -- terror that had been directed at him. It 
horrified him to his core to see how afraid she was to even make 
eye contact with him, and when she did, her eyes clearly showed 
that she expected some kind of violent retribution. 

He had seen victims of abuse before, and he knew that after being 
so completely broken down, abuse victims were often unable to do 
the things most people take for granted like initiate a 
conversation, make eye contact or even express an opinion. Three 
years she had been tortured by his exact double.  

<< No wonder she was terrified.  And I made it worse... I pretty 
much forced her to talk to me.   Did I come across as imperious? 
I just -- I just wanted to see if she was okay. I'm such a liar. I 
wanted her to look at me, to talk to me... to really see me. I just 
wanted to be able to look into those beautiful eyes. Because I 
love her.  >>

Somewhere in the core of his soul he felt the truth. He loved her 
and he was finally able to see that what he had felt for that 
other Lois was merely a reflection of this truer feeling. He 
cared deeply for alt-Lois, but his romantic love for her had 
disappeared and transferred to this other woman in an instant. 

<<How can I love her? That doesn't make sense -- I don't know her! 
But... maybe I do. I've met her family, her friends, talked in 
detail with them in hopes of getting clues of her whereabouts. 
Most importantly, I've read her work -- and she poured her very 
soul into her work. >>

He felt a surge of regret.  Regardless of his feelings - she 
would never reciprocate them. It was all too likely she would 
spend the rest of her life hoping never to see him again. How 
could she ever look at him and not see that other Kal-El layered 
on top of him? How could she hear his voice, without hearing the 
other's cruel commands and jeers? How could he ever hope to touch 
her, without her remembering that other brutal and sadistic 
touch? Hell, it was unlikely she wanted to be near ANY man right 
now, other than her father and Perry... but even if she was ever 
able to heal from that dreadful ordeal, she wouldn't be so 
foolish as to choose her tormentor's doppelganger for her lover. 

<<I have to be strong -- strong for us both. I can't ever let her 
know my feelings. I can't ever even hint at them or show any 
signs of jealousy when she ends up involved with someone else. 
Maybe in the next lifetime, but this time around... it just isn't 
meant to be. >>

Those thoughts made him want to break down and cry. He hadn't 
felt so desolate, lonely and empty since his parents died. The 
departure of the other Lois had left him feeling pretty low -- but 
he had still held out hope that he might find the Lois from this 
world.  Now that he had, he felt a deep hopelessness.  

<< She will never love me>> 

Lois headed back to Lucy's apartment as fast as she could.  She 
was very shaken up from her encounter with Superman, and all she 
wanted to do was go home, huddle in a corner, and have a nervous 
breakdown.  

<<Please, oh please, oh please -- let Lucy not be home! I need... I 
need to just have a breakdown right now without having to explain 
why. Please... let her not be home! >>

She opened the door to Lucy and her apartment and her heart sank 
as she saw her sister busily in the kitchen mixing up a salad. 
Lucy looked up brightly and smiled at her in relief. 

"Lois," Lucy breathed out frantically, "I ... I'm so glad to see 
you. For a while -- I thought I had imagined that you had 
returned... I was getting ready to call Mom and Dad to see if maybe 
it was just some wonderful dream. I-I'm so glad to see you!"

"I -- I'm sorry. I guess I should have told you where I was 
going."

"No -- you aren't accountable to anyone," Lucy said lightly. "I 
was just being stupid.  I've missed you so much.  I guess I just 
can't believe you're back."

Her words touched a chord in Lois, who found it difficult to 
maintain her composure. This kind of love, so lightly given and 
expected, was unknown in that other world.  Suddenly she was 
grateful that Lucy was there. She hadn't really wanted to be 
alone after all.

Lucy came around to give her a hug and Lois steeled herself not 
to flinch or withdraw from the personal contact. She hated being 
touched, but reacting in such a way would make Lucy suspicious.  

"Listen, Lois -- did you hear the news?"

"What news?"  Her heart skipped.  Was this about her near 
accident? She hoped dearly that this kind of incident was so 
commonplace that she wouldn't end up plastered on the front 
pages.

 <<I don't want to be the news. I just want to report it! >>

"News about Superman! He ... he's taken a leave of absence from the 
Daily Planet. Isn't that bizarre?"

"Well, I wouldn't know -- I don't know the guy." She hoped her 
voice sounded disinterested.

"Well -- everyone's shocked.  He said that he needed to devote 
more time towards helping the Government with some outer-space 
endeavors.  He's giving up his job so he can help the government  
-- and he doesn't expect things in return.  He's really too good 
to be true."

"I don't know. If someone is too good to be true -- then usually 
they aren't. Doesn't anyone find it suspicious that anyone would 
be that selfless and devoted to public service –without expecting 
any reward?"

"Lots of people do that sort of thing... Doctors, firemen, 
policemen, soldiers -- "

"They do it for the money!"

"Being a police officer isn't exactly the path to riches."

"And it isn't a guarantee of sainthood.  You know as well as I do 
that there are plenty of corrupt police officers out there!"

"There are also a lot of decent ones who put their lives on the 
line in the hopes of making the world a better place to live. 
That's also what Superman does! He's a great guy, Lois -- and I'll 
bet he'd love to meet you... I'm guessing he knows you're alive by 
now.  How about I call him!" Lucy went to the phone, intending to 
make use of the phone number that she had -- one that she had 
never used.
 
The color drained from Lois's face as she rushed over to her 
sister and jerked the phone roughly out of her hand.

"Ow!  What -- what did you do that for?" Lucy cried out in 
annoyance and pain.

"I don't want you calling Superman." 

"You could have just asked nicely. You hurt my hand!" It was the 
plaintive wail of the baby sister. Lois was sure Lucy didn't 
whine this much with other people... there was something about the 
dynamic between these two where Lucy felt like she could slip 
into long-forgotten behavior patterns. In fact, that was what 
made their relationship so endearing. No matter how old they 
were, Lois would always be the protective older sister and Lucy 
would be the sensitive baby sister. However, right now, Lois 
wanted to bash her little sister upside the head.

"I'm sorry I hurt your hand." Her reply was delivered through 
gritted teeth. "I do NOT want that man coming here. Not now -- not 
ever."

Lucy was startled by the vehemence in her sister's tone. "You act 
as if you hate him.  Why?"

"Hate is a strong word -- I don't know the man. But I do know 
power corrupts -- Lucy, I've been doing hard news for years... I 
don't have any naïve illusions about this guy -- I've met others 
like him -- powerful men who turn out rotten to the core. This 
man's power can destroy the Earth in an instant and we can't 
afford to be caught napping."

"You don't know him, you aren't even giving him a chance, and yet 
you are ready to vilify him. He was out there searching for you 
for six months, Lois -- and he did it tirelessly and without a 
single complaint. He didn't even do it at our prompting -- we 
would eventually have built up the nerve to ask him -- but he 
approached us -- asked us for information about you so he could 
better isolate his search area."

"He started stalking me, in other words." She pointed out acidly. 
"Allow me to thank you all for helping him out."

"Where is this anger coming from? We -- we just wanted you back 
... I -- I don't understand your reaction."

"I... forget it.  It's not important.  Just... don't call him. Okay?  
I don't want him coming here."

"You know I can't just let this go, Lois. Why do you hate him? I 
mean -- that other Lois seemed awfully -- what?" Lucy stopped 
talking as she saw her sister's face turn pale once again.

"I'd forgotten about her. What do you know about her?"

"Well -- Superman told us who she was because he didn't want us 
holding out hope that she was really you. But it's... kind of 
supposed to be a secret."

"Can't you tell me?"

"Yea -- I mean... you know about her, and it would be stupid not to. 
But this is totally off the record," Lucy said leaning forward 
eagerly.

"Off the record -- I promise!"

"Okay... now this is a really weird story, and I don't want you 
thinking I'm on drugs or anything... Superman told us this story, 
and this woman vouched for him."

"Okay -- Okay! Get on with it!"

"Apparently this Lois came from... yeah... this is going to sound 
insane... you just aren't going to believe it..."

"Lucy!" Her tone was growing in exasperation and impatience.

"Okay -- I just feel foolish saying this out loud. It sounds so -- 
twilight-zone."

Lois felt a sick sensation in her stomach as she had a sudden 
foreboding of what Lucy was about to say.

"Lois, this woman -- she was from ... another universe. Before you 
say anything -- hear me out -- let me finish!"

"Go right ahead."

Lucy winced.  "Believe it or not... She was you.  She was Lois 
Lane! She was kidnapped out of her world and brought here by some 
nasty time traveler from another dimension."

Lois's world turned upside down.  Is this why she had been 
removed from this world? To balance out the arrival of the other 
Lois?   Did Superman have something to do with her disappearance?  
Did he engineer it with Tempus?  

"Go on," she whispered shakily.

"Well -- okay... this Lois was ... good ... friends... with the Superman 
and Clark in her world and she wanted to get back there... to him -- 
So she asked our Superman for help."

Lois shuddered at the implication behind her sister's words.

"Are...are you okay?" Lucy was concerned by her strange reaction.

"Please, just go on."

"Anyway -- she approached Clark, told him she knew his secret and 
urged him to use his powers to help others in a more public way. 
Apparently in her world, nobody knows Clark and Superman are the 
same guy -- which strikes me as really strange. I mean -- they look 
the same, they sound the same, they are both the same height, and  
-- they are both amazingly good looking. If he was plain, you 
might not really look hard enough to notice... but..."

"Can... can you please stay on track?" 

"Sorry. Anyways -- it all kind of blew up -- this evil guy was here 
in our world, and managed to expose Clark's double identity. It 
all kind of worked out in the end, the evil guy was taken back to 
jail by H.G. Wells -- and -- "

"H.G. Wells? You've lost me here..."

"Yes. Herbert G. Wells... I know that part is hard to believe... but 
he invented the time machine in the first place."

"Herb..." her voice trailed silently away as she realized who her 
rescuer was.

"Lois ended up going back home -- and I think that tore Clark 
apart. It looked like he had some real strong feelings for her, 
but she was in love with a different Clark and needed to be with 
him. I think -- on some level -- that's why he looked for you. 
Nobody outside the family knows all this, and we didn't begrudge 
him his reasons. If you didn't show an interest, he would never 
force himself on you -- what?!"

Her words had caused Lois to start trembling out of control. Her 
teeth were chattering, and she found herself unable to care about 
hiding the truth.

"I -- did it ever occur to you... that I was... also kidnapped by this 
evil dimension traveler?"

"You WERE? You said you didn't remember -- you -- "

"I lied. This is also off the record, Lucy. The man who kidnapped 
me was named Tempus." She stopped and waited for her sister's 
reaction.

"Oh my GOD! That was his name -- he -- he kidnapped you? Did he 
take you to the other Lois's world?"

"No - Not that world. A different one."

"Oh god -- how did you get back?"

"Herb -- H.G.Wells came for me."

"Was Superman with him?"

"No."

"Well... why didn't you tell us the truth?"

"It -- it's too strange a story. Besides... I ... don't want to have 
to talk to Mom and Dad about what happened. I'll tell you 
briefly, but please don't ask me to provide details -- it - it was 
a world enslaved by aliens."

"Aliens? Like -- like Superman? So -- he didn't exist there? If he 
did -- he would have stopped them..."

"He... was the ring leader, Lucy.  I was his slave," Lois answered 
grimly.

Silence hung heavily in the air between then while Lucy processed 
this staggering information.

"I -- I ... are you ... serious?" 

<<Please, please let this be some kind of Joke! Lois always did 
have a quirky sense of humor >>

"No. April Fools!! Yes, of course -- I'm serious... and -- I'm quite 
sane, as well," Lois replied caustically.

"I -- I wasn't doubting your sanity," Lucy said uncertainly.

"But -- you will. Look - I can describe my kidnapper if it would 
lend credence to my story."

"No -- I -- I believe you -- Lois -- after meeting that other Lois -- 
I know other universes exist. I realize that there are lots of 
them out there -- an infinite number. In fact, it doesn't really 
surprise me that there are evil versions of people in the 
different universes. I guess... we're lucky to have a good version 
of Superman... it hadn't even occurred to me that evil versions of 
him might exist."

"An evil one could very well exist here," said Lois carefully. 

<<I have to get her to see the truth -- but I can't come across to 
strongly. I can't afford to have her think I'm delusional. >>

"What do you mean?"

"Well -- have you considered that he might not be the hero he 
makes himself out to be?"

"Uh -- well, I know that at first, we were all kind of intimidated 
by the idea of a super-powered alien living amongst us -- but... 
he's proven his loyalties -- and his good intentions."

"Well -- that may appear to be so -- but appearances can be 
deceiving you know."

"Well -- sure. But what would he have to gain? If he wanted to ... 
take over ... then -- he could. He doesn't need any backup -- or 
allies -- he's invincible -- and could easily destroy the entire 
world if he wanted to." Lucy felt a growing sense of unease. Was 
her sister crazy? Or, worse yet, was she right? 

"Well maybe he isn't exactly like the other one. Maybe he doesn't 
want to preside over a world full of trembling and fearful 
slaves. But that doesn't mean he doesn't want to rule us. I think 
he's biding his time. I don't believe he's the only one of his 
kind -- the planet blew up in that other universe as well and 
there was an entire colony of his people -- they came in one big 
wave. I think in this case, they sent him here as the 'first 
wave' -- or maybe the others are here ... and are just in hiding. In 
time, they will make themselves known -- and they will either 
summarily take over, or they might just start doing it gradually  
-- showing us pathetic humans a better way to live until we wake 
up one day and realize that we are little more than docile 
slaves."

"Do -- do you have any evidence of this?" Lucy was very nervous by 
what her sister had said. She really liked Superman -- but she had 
to admit -- there was a certain element of... sense in what Lois was 
saying. At the same time, if you really listened hard, it seemed 
that maybe Lois was just a bit paranoid. Could that be the result 
of her three years in this horrible alternate world?

"No -- not yet. But I've only been back a short while. In time, 
I'll get all the evidence I need. I'm betting that it's all there 
in black and white, and that someone -- like myself -- needs to 
just sit down and correlate all the available information."

"Well -- if Superman IS deceiving us, wouldn't he want his deceit 
to continue undiscovered? Isn't this dangerous -- to you?"

"After what I've lived through -- I'd prefer death before slavery. 
I will die," Lois said passionately, "before I let this world 
become like that world. Before I ever hear that hateful voice 
call me slave again."

"God, Lois.  What... what did he do to you?" Lucy's voice was 
barely above a whisper.

Lois felt her heart skip in panic. 

<<I can't talk about this! I can't let those memories in. If I 
start to talk about it, I will start to cry -- and scream -- and -- 
I'll never ever stop. They'll have to lock me away.>>

At the sight of her haunted face, Lucy moved forward to comfort 
her -- and Lois lurched back -- unable to deal with any affection 
or emotion that might crack the nice safe shell she was trying to 
construct.

"I -- I'm not ready to talk about that -- I'm -- I don't want your 
pity -- or your ... look -- it's hard for me to talk about this -- I'm 
just not ready."

"I think -- at some point -- you are going to have to talk to 
someone," whispered Lucy. "You can't have been unaffected by all 
this -- Lois -- you've been the victim of repeated violent 
treatment -- that needs to come out!"

"Well -- I will talk to someone... after I ..."

"After you what? I mean -- what is your ultimate goal?"

"I'm not sure. But I'll do whatever it takes to ... help unearth 
any weaknesses he may have. I seem to think that there is one. 
The Kryptonians had some kind of substance they were able to use 
to subdue other Kryptonians... the ones who defected against their 
own sadistic rulers and tried to help humanity. I don't know what 
that substance is -- or how to get a hold of it - but I know it 
existed there, and I'm sure it does here. "

"Lois... what are you saying? Are you saying... you would kill him?" 
Lucy was horrified. "He -- he may not be what you suspect -- I 
don't believe he is here for evil purposes. He's a nice guy -- we 
know him -- he tried to find you -- and –"

"Of course I wouldn't try to kill him –if he is as innocent as 
everyone believes. But even if he does turn out to be one of the 
good guys -- at least... well –if he did go -- crazy -- we'd have a 
way of stopping him before any damage was done."

"I -- I don't like this, Lois -- I think... I think somehow you are 
going to bring about the destruction of a good man."

"Listen. I have had much more exposure to Kryptonians than you 
have had. I know Kal-El better than any other human can know him. 
I would be willing, at this point, to stake my life on the fact 
that there is more to him than meets the eye. I also would be 
willing to stake my life on the fact that what lies hidden is 
sinister and menacing. I feel it every time I hear his name or 
see his face!" Lois was angry now, and barely able to keep 
herself under control.

"Are -- couldn't you be projecting what you felt for the other 
Kal-El onto him?" Lucy's persistence was born from an instinctive 
desire to prevent her sister from doing anything tragic.

"I -- don't know -- no! I do know! I can't start doubting myself -- 
surely you see that Luce! My instincts have never failed me 
before."

"But ...you've been through a horrible ordeal. Isn't it possible 
that you... you aren't exactly the same Lois you were before? Maybe 
you've been surrounded by cruelty so long, that your ability to 
discern between a good man and a bad man is - well - damaged?"


<<She's right, you know. This could be a fool's errand -- a 
dangerous one at that. If my investigation unearths something 
that can kill this man, surely there are unscrupulous people who 
will use it against him. I could be condemning an innocent man to 
death>>  

Lois sighed in irritation. Her repeated attempts at quashing her 
self-doubts were becoming less and less effective.

"Lucy - I ... I just don't know. Look -- I promise I won't do 
anything until I'm sure. Okay? I'll share my information with you 
and you can give me your best judgment -- I won't do anything on 
my own."

"I -- that's something, but ... to be honest, I wish you'd talk with 
Perry White about this. If anyone can offer you an objective –"

"Objective? He thinks of that man as a son! He won't be objective  
-- of course he'll defend him!"

"But... he thinks of you as a daughter."

"He did," she spat out bitterly, her anger roused once again. "He 
thought of me as a daughter, and the best damn reporter to ever 
work with him. And then I disappeared and I was quickly replaced 
by that -- that -- usurper. He stole my life, Lucy. For all I know  
-- even that was part of his plan- maybe he needed me out of the 
way so that I wouldn't discover his true intentions. He couldn't 
have me working by his side, and he needed that job at the Planet 
to array himself in the best position to influence the greatest 
amount of people. A reporter! A sojourner of truth and justice. 
It all seems so perfect, when you think about it!"

"Or crazy," Lucy muttered under her breath.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing -- look... we aren't going to agree on this. But Lois -- I 
trust you to do the right thing. I think Perry loves and respects 
you very much, and that if ever you needed an ally, he would be 
the one. He also knows Superman better than any other human alive  
-- and he could give you a perspective that would help you ... 
figure things out. But -- you know better than I about 
investigating people, and I won't -- get in your way. However, I 
will take you up on your offer -- you promise you won't take any 
damaging steps towards discrediting or ... harming Superman without 
running all your data my way? I know I'm not as bright as you, 
but I can help. I promise to be objective about it."

"Oh Lucy!" Lois reached forward and gave her a quick hug. As much 
as she hated the feeling of skin against her own skin, she 
couldn't resist the urge to comfort her baby sister. In time, she 
hoped that these feelings of aversion would go away. 

<<Yes, Einstein. That's why we need therapy? You think?>>

Lois released her sister, and sprang up from the couch in a quick 
tense movement.  

"I can't talk about this anymore.  Not right now.  I think... a 
shower and then sleep."

"Okay! I can understand that.  But... I'm always here if you want 
to talk -- about anything -- you know? Any time -- wake me up in the 
middle of the night if the need to talk, scream or cry hits you."

"Thanks," she smiled. "I'll be okay."

Lois made good on her promise to herself -- she took a very long 
and hot shower. 

<< If I stand under here long enough -- I'll be clean -- I'll be 
purified. The water will cleanse it all away. Like a baptism -- 
I'll be clean and free of everything that happened. Oh god -- 
please don't let me be wrong here. Please don't let me hurt 
someone innocent. He can't be innocent -- he just can't be. No one 
is that good a person -- he is too good to really be true! But 
what about that other Lois? She trusted him -- and she had 
apparently loved the Kal-El in her world. Could she be evil too? 
Or just taken in -- taken in like everyone here? She didn't have 
my experiences to give her my perspective. That has to be it -- it  
-- it just can't be what everyone says. He has an ulterior motive, 
and I'm not hurting him -- I'm just trying to figure out whether 
or not there's any danger. It - it's the responsible thing for me 
to do! And -- well -- even if he does get hurt, and is innocent -- 
so what? I was innocent -- and I wasn't shown any mercy. Not one 
tiny iota. >>

Feeling less than refreshed, she stepped out of the shower. As 
she exited, she caught a glimpse of her back in the mirror. 
Starkly contrasting with the white of her skin was an ugly burn 
mark that identified her as property. His property. She 
remembered how she got this burn. It was after he had arrived in 
his chambers -- that fateful first day. He had stood there, 
watching her idly for what seemed to be an eternity.

"You know, there's something about you -- that just isn't right," 
he spoke in flawless English. His voice was calm and 
conversational, but she heard the menace just the same. There was 
no mistaking his ultimate intentions. "What can it be?" He took 
several slow steps forward in her direction as he spoke.

She backed away from him hesitantly. Should she answer? What was 
he talking about?

"Hmmm... now let's see... you're wearing the correct garb for a 
slave," he said, reaching forward and running his fingers lightly 
over the filmy outfit that she wore. She jerked back at that hint 
of a touch.

He laughed at her resistance, and then continued his idle 
conversation. "You know, you don't know the proper submissive 
stance for a slave, but you'll learn -- I promise -- I'll be sure 
to teach you everything you need to know. After all -- it's for 
your own good. I'd hate to get really angry -- that didn't really 
work out too well for the other ... the other slave that I kept -- 
and now I know what's wrong!  You don't wear my mark yet."

"I don't know what you're talking about," she snapped angrily. 
Anger was always her best defense. "I honestly don't care. If you 
think I'm just going to –" she was abruptly silenced as he 
effortlessly cuffed her, sending her staggering several feet 
until she collided with the wall. She groaned in pain as her head 
made contact with that unforgiving wall.

"I didn't say you could talk," he said idly, "and I suggest you 
learn your first lesson which is -- you don't get to speak until 
you're spoken too. As I was saying... I mark all my property to 
make sure the other Lords don't take it upon themselves to 
'accidentally' sample what's mine. Believe me, slave, you will be 
better off that way. Some of my cohorts aren't as gentle as I am. 
None of them can keep a slave longer than a few weeks without ... 
unfortunate results."

"Your -- your mark?"

"There you go again," he shook his head in sorrow. "You keep 
violating the rules. But you're new here -- so I'll go easy on you  
-- just this once." He approached her huddled form, ignoring her 
frantic attempt to stand up and stagger away from him. He grabbed 
her arm, and roughly jerked her around so that her back was 
facing him. "Don't struggle -- I want this to be unmistakably my 
mark." His voice was now hard and steely.

"You're mad! What -- what are you –" her words were once again cut 
off, this time, by her own loud cries -- as Kal-El burned his mark 
of ownership into her shoulder. He let her go -- and she staggered 
away from him and fell to the floor -- completely undone by what 
he had just done to her.

He watched her silently for a few moments and then said 
graciously, "You may speak."

"You -- you branded me? How? Why?"

"With this," he said as he shot a beam of heat vision at one of 
the many plants decorating the room. The plant burst into flames. 
"So be careful. Next time, it could be YOU instead of that 
plant."

"This can't be happening," she whispered, "it's -- all a bad dream  
-- it has to be."

"No. Your old life is the dream -- this is your life now. You will 
find that life here will be far less unpleasant if you can just 
accept that from now on, you belong to me."


Lois ran her finger over that hated mark, glad for the first time 
that it was there. Whenever that weak-willed inner voice of hers 
started spewing its unproductive thoughts, she would be able to 
find the anger and strength that she needed just by looking at 
this mark. Once a badge of shame, it would move on to be a symbol 
of the battle ahead. After she had ... ousted... the alien, she would 
see about having surgery to fix this part of her body. 

<< Although -- what difference does it make if I'm ugly or not? No 
one else will EVER see it. Not if I can help it. >>

She toweled dry and changed into some bulky sweats. Sweats made 
her feel safe because they were as far removed from her 'costume' 
in that other world as anything could be. 

She listened to the sound of Lucy moving about in the outer rooms 
with pleasure. She was amazed now by her former aversion to 
finding Lucy at home. She was so glad that her sister had been 
there -- not only was she somewhat safe with her here, she had 
also had a chance to tell her sister the truth. She had known 
that keeping the truth from her while living under the same roof 
would have proven impossible over time. At least this way, Lucy 
wouldn't be angry -- she had told her as soon as she could. Not 
telling their parents made sense to both sisters. She yawned 
suddenly, aware of a deep weariness in her bones. A long nap now, 
and then she could continue her research. 



Lois was trapped -- trapped in a horrible existence, a living 
nightmare that would never end. All hope at ever seeing her 
beloved home again was lost. Somehow she had fallen into the 
twilight zone and reality as she had known it had been horribly 
altered. She couldn't cry out loud -- she had to keep it all 
inside and while she maintained a submissive exterior, her mind 
cried out for freedom. 

<< What does he want from me? Why won't he let me go? Why won't 
he just let me go? What can he possibly gain from keeping me like 
this? Oh god! Why won't anyone help me? All these super-powerful 
people who could stand up to him -- and-nobody will even help me! 
Somebody help! Please -- somebody help! >>

Clark bolted awake from what had been a very fitful sleep. The 
panicked cries of someone in distress echoed in his head. 
Agitated, he stayed still for a moment, hoping to hear it again. 
He wasn't disappointed -- seconds after awakening he once again 
heard the screams. Someone was in very grave danger and instantly 
he shot out of his window -- a streak of red and blue. He paused 
in mid-air trying very hard to determine the source and direction 
of the sound. 

<<Help me! Oh god -- why won't anybody step forward? >>

Increasing in agitation, Clark looked around frantically. He 
couldn't get a fix on this cry for help -- had his brain become so 
jumbled with thoughts of Lois that he was no longer able to 
concentrate on his most important tasks? Why couldn't he 
concentrate -- where was this call coming from? There was an 
urgent need for his help, and he couldn't even find the victim! 

<<There's nobody out there! I'm alone and trapped! I need help! 
Why won't anyone help? >>

Clark froze. With a shock of clarity he realized that he was 
hearing this all in his mind. Had he gone mad? How was this 
possible? Someone was sending him a telepathic message. Lois! She 
was in trouble! Horrified at the seconds wasted trying to find 
the source of the call, he set his course in determination and 
sped there as fast as he could.

As he approached Lucy's apartment, he started to feel a growing 
and clawing sense of panic. His throat had tightened up and his 
stomach felt uneasy and acidic. He felt menaced in a way that he 
hadn't felt since he was a young boy, terrified to go downstairs 
to the basement all by himself -- certain of the presence of 
ghosts and monsters lying in wait. It was a blind and unreasoning 
fear, and he hovered outside her apartment trying desperately to 
get himself under control. 

Fighting back the very palpable urge to flee and hide somewhere, 
he used his enhanced vision to see what kind of danger she was 
in. Lois lay on her bed, drenched in perspiration. She was 
sleeping - if it could be called that -- and she tossed and turned 
fretfully in her bed. She wasn't in danger! It was someone else! 

<<Oh no! I was wrong -- it wasn't her -- there's someone out there 
who needs my help -- and... all I can think of is Lois! What use am 
I to anyone if I just obsess about the one person in the world 
who wishes I wouldn't notice her at all? What am I going to do? I 
can't find the person who needs me- she or he could die! It would 
be my fault! I'm going crazy here! >>

Suddenly a wave of panic hit him again. Unfamiliar thoughts and 
sensations once again erupted along his neural pathways. 

<<Oh god! I'm trapped! Trapped and there's no way out! I can't 
breathe -- there's something pressing me against a wall -- against 
the floor. Something is out to get me -- something is going to 
hurt me -- there's no way out! I'm trapped here -- and I'll be 
trapped here forever. There's no hope! No chance of ever going 
home!>> 

As Clark hovered there, tormented by his conscience and this 
other strange sense of despair and menace, a thread of 
rationality managed to leak through his through his frantic 
thought processes. 

<<She's broadcasting this to me! She's having a nightmare... I 
heard her in my head, but it wasn't genuine danger... just a 
nightmare. She was dreaming about that other place -- that other 
him. She's somehow causing me to experience her own feelings! Is 
this how she always feels? Oh god -- how does she stand it? How 
does she even get out of bed -- how did she live through these 
feelings for three years?  I must radiate nightmares to her -- how 
can she stand to even look at me? I - No! No -- he's coming -- he's 
going to hurt me -- he's angry with me and I can sense it -- he's 
letting me feel his displeasure before he even gets here -- it's a 
warning -- it's a game... it's always a game with him - I thought I 
was home! How could I have let myself think I was home? >>

As her thoughts forced their way into his, he came to a decision. 
This link had to be two-way. From what she was 'telling' him, he 
was pretty sure that Kal-El had used some kind of telepathic 
connection to heighten her fear. She must have learned how to 
communicate this way after all those time that Kal-El invaded her 
mind. Maybe he was even able to read her thoughts -- and if that 
were the case -- she hadn't had even a moment of privacy or ease 
of mind since her abduction. 

<<I can help her! I can send her a feeling of well-being -- I can 
remind her that she's home. No -- I can't do that -- if I go in her 
mind -- I'm no better than the other Kal-El. I'm forcing myself 
where I'm not welcome and I can't do that... it would be a 
violation all over again for her. But -- she needs help! She's 
lost in those nightmares -- lost, panicked and hopeless. She 
thinks this homecoming was all a dream -- that she was never 
rescued, and she's giving up her will to live. Can people die 
from dreams? What if she wills herself to death -- if anyone can 
do it -- it would be Lois. I have to help her -- I can't let her 
feel this way! >>

As he debated with these thoughts, Lucy saw his motionless figure 
hovering near Lois's room window. He used to be such a welcome 
sight, but this time -- she felt a sudden shock of panic run 
through her. 

<<Why is he here? Is -- did he hear our conversation? Oh no -- is 
he here to put a stop to her now? Was she right? Is... is he really 
an enemy in disguise? What am I going to do? I can't call the 
police -- I can't... maybe I could call the Mayor -- he might be able 
to talk some sense into him... but it would be too late -- he can 
kill her in an instant -- and -- but... he's not making a move to get 
in here -- or even do anything. He's just watching her and he 
looks like he's in such pain. What IS he doing?>>

She very carefully sat down where she could continue to observe 
him, and waited nervously for something to happen.

He took a deep fortifying breath. He had to help her -- it was as 
simple as that. He closed his eyes and forced himself to relax -- 
tried to banish the vestigial feelings of fear and despair from 
his mind. 

***Home. Home -- you are home, it's a bad dream, and you really 
are home. He can't hurt you –just tell him to go away!

***I can't! It was an answering wail of anguish. He -- that's what 
he wants- defiance, and he will hurt me all the more for it! I 
can't -- oh god -- he's coming! He's here- can't you see him? He's 
right in front of me -- he's advancing -- he's coming for me! The 
wall -- it's right here -- behind my back and I can't go any 
further! I'm trapped -- I can't get out! 

He felt like he was there with her -- trapped and terrified. All 
at once a horrible image came into his mind -- a man surrounded by 
the deadliest of auras. The man stood there with the poise of a 
leopard -- strong, implacable, deadly and cruel. His mouth was 
curved into a very deliberate smirk -- the bastard was enjoying 
the fear he evoked -- he was savoring it -- getting off on it. 
Clark was torn between the equally warring desires to get the 
hell out of there, and to fly at him with all the fury and 
strength he was capable of mustering. Suddenly he saw himself 
apart from Lois- he could see her too... she was pale, and 
frightened and looked very weak and fragile -- standing against 
the wall, cringing in terror. 

<< This must be how she sees herself. A weak and helpless victim  
-- not the strong face that she shows the rest of the world.>>

** Lois -- Lois- you can fight him. You aren't alone -- we are all 
with you -- people from your own world. Perry, Lucy, your parents  
-- it was all real -- you are home, and we are with you -- ready to 
help you fight this guy off! Tell him to go away! He will, if you 
tell him forcefully enough! 

***I guess it can't make much of a difference.

This answering thought was filled with a sense of despair. Kal-El 
would hurt her no matter what she did -- so she might as well try 
... just try to see if this was a dream. She mustered up all her 
rage, all her fear and all her hope -- and suddenly the image of 
her changed. She was magnificent in her fury -- her eyes were 
flashing and her face was flushed with life and anger. She stood 
up tall -- had she grown a few inches? Her hands, which were 
raised defensively in front of her, suddenly clenched into fists 
and her stance shifted. She was ready for a fight. GO AWAY! Her 
voice rang clear and strong. The image of Kal-El remained and 
continued to advance.

***Again -- again -- you can do it -- I'm here -- I'll help you -- I 
won't let him hurt you! 

***Bastard! You lousy bastard -- go away! I'll kill you if you 
come any closer! You aren't wanted here -- you aren't real! Go 
away! 

He saw the image of Kal-El disintegrate in his mind, and before 
he could really process anything more, his link with her was 
broken. The dream was over -- he could go now. He remained 
watching her a long moment as he tried to get his feelings under 
control. This link with her was the most intense contact he had 
ever shared with anyone. What a powerful and wonderful thing this 
could be between two people -- if it wasn't used with hate or 
cruelty. He imagined that the link would intensify the other 
kinds of intimacy that could be shared, and was once again 
staggered by the beauty and loss of the road that could never be 
taken. 

Regretfully, he turned in the air and flew away before he 
revealed his