Dying By NostalgiaKick Rated: PG Submitted: May 2016 Summary: With Kryptonite coursing through his veins, Clark needs something to give him the strength to go on. Story Size: 299 words (2Kb as text) Disclaimer: All recognisable characters etc. are property of DC Comics, December 3rd Productions and Warner Bros. Author's note: #35 in the At First Sight series, set during Top Copy after Diana Stride poisons Superman but before Lois finds him on the floor in Clark's apartment. This story is part of a series that includes "1. At First Sight," 2. A Matter of Time," 3. Evil Lurks," 4. Invisible," 5. Gratitude," 6. Unprofessional Behaviour," 7. But For the Grace of God," 8. Vulnerable," 9. Decisions," 10. A Terrible Mistake," 11. Facets," 12. Terrified," 13. A Remarkable Woman," 14. The Aftermath of Illusion," 15. Black, White and Shades of Grey," 16. Tainted," 17. Betrayal," "18. Brothers," "19. Saving the Enemy," 20. Aching," 21. Healing," 22. Defending Myself," 23. Euphoria," 24. Family Ties," 25. Two Steps Forward," 26. Vigilante," 27. Friendship," 28. Life Or Death," 29. Ramifications," 30. Christmas Magic," 31. Situational Ethics," 32. Expectations," 33. A Permanent Solution," "34. Success," "35. Dying," "36. ... One Step Back," "37. First Date," and "38. Rights and Responsibilities." *** I'm dying. The pain comes in waves, each more devastatingly painful than the last. I'm not ready to die. Not now. Not like this. *** I would never have guessed Diana Stride was an assassin for Intergang. But there she was, hiding in plain sight. She's a clever assassin; it takes a diabolical mind to think of a Kryptonite kiss. And now the Kryptonite is inside me, burning its way through my body, wracking me with pain, robbing me of my strength. I can't move, can't stand. Can't do anything but writhe with the agony. The phone- and help- is just a few feet away, but it may as well be on Mars; I can't get to it. I don't want to die. I'm so close to everything I've ever wanted. A date with Lois... it's all just beginning. Lois... Suddenly she's here, and in my pain filled haze it feels almost like I summoned her. For a moment, I fear she's an illusion, a hallucination brought on by being near to death. Then she reaches for the phone and I know I can relax. The pain hasn't lessened; it's still there, still excruciating, but it's changed somehow. In a moment of clarity, I know why. Lois has called for help. As she's done so many times before, she's brought me hope. I'm no longer dying. THE END