The Darkness Within
By Lyds <lje@poboxes.com>
Rated PG-13
Submitted October 1998

__________

I would really like to thank each and everyone of the FoLCs that have helped
me with this story. Due to the overwhelming yet completely appreciated
responses to my request for help, I fear I will be unable to list each and
everyone of you.  However, you all know who you are, (which is just about
everyone on #loiscla and the listserv.) Special Super (sorry for the pun)
thanks goes to Boo, Carol, Steve, Claire, Beppo, and KathyB for their help
and guidance as well as the fact that they humored me. <G>

Superman, Lois Lane, Jimmy, Lex and *gulp* Metropolis all belong to W.B.,
DC, December 3rd. yadda, yadda. No copywrite infringement intended. I'm just
here entertaining the other FoLCs and myself. I'm not making a dime on this
thing.

Only the story is mine. This was my first attempt at writing anything, I
started it in the middle of third season, so it's been a loooong time in
coming. Shameless plug I've writen since then "Kidnapped" and "Joined
(NFIC)" I look forward to hearing feed back, good, bad and ugly.
lje@poboxes.com

This story is dedicated to my little sister, who is my trusty sidekick and
partner in crime. (Lizzy to the Batcave!) ;-) ON WITH THE SHOW!!! Er..story.

___________

The Darkness Within
By Lyds < lje@poboxes.com>


PRELUDE

"Doctor Hamilton, I don't understand what this is all about.  Did you say
you found a portal? What kind of a portal?"

Clark was still not sure why the good Doctor had called him and he had a
feeling his answer was long in coming. He would just have to wait it out.
Perry was sure this would make good filler for the Local news column.

Clark thought about how Lois had turned Perry down flat saying she was
working on a lead for a bigger story. She had suggested Perry give it to
Clark, who wouldn't mind looking in on "Mr. Wizard." Clark was now wishing
he hadn't been so noble.  He, too, should have turned Perry down, as well.

"This is a job for Ralph," Clark thought with grimace.  Clark reluctantly
turned his full attention back to the good Doctor, who hadn't stopped a
single sentence for breath since Clark arrived.

"Mr. Kent, I'm amazed with this discovery.  I..I..I.. mean, do you have any
idea what kind of doors this opens?" Doc. Hamilton scratched his head
absent-mindedly as he paced the floor of the laboratory.

"I was so discouraged when my regeneration experiment didn't go as I had
hoped. However, this...this is the fulfillment of all I've ever wanted."
Doctor Hamilton stopped pacing right in front of Clark. Turning to look at
him thoughtfully, a slow grin spread across his face. "Mr. Kent, you would
be the best one for this experiment. May I please implore you to sit?" He
motioned toward the chair. "Please... sit."

Clark hesitated; Doctor Hamilton prodded Clark into the chair.

"Mr. Kent, I assure you, your safety is my top priority.  This device will
allow you to surf into other worlds.  I do believe time travel is also
possible. I'm not too sure
how yet, but it seems to be somehow connected. This experience could be
likened to Virtual Reality. You're a casual observer... if you will."

Clark leaned back in the chair, still not totally satisfied.

"Just sit back and relax, everything will be just fine."

The Doctor went behind the console and proceeded to enter the codes for the
activation sequence. A light flashed and Clark could feel the static
electricity around him. Stars danced in front of his eyes. The hair on his
head stood on end. Then he felt the sensation that he was thrown out of his
chair.

Doctor Hamilton watched in awe at his creation, only to realize that Clark
was no longer in the chair.  Something wasn't right.

"UH-OH!" was all he could say.


SSSSSsssss

Clark hit the ground with a thud.  Dazed at first, he slowly got up.
Strange, he thought as he found himself covered in dirt. Shaking himself
off, he groaned. "Ugh.  Where am I?"

As Clark looked around, he realized he was in the middle of downtown
Metropolis. The rubble of buildings surrounded him. Metropolis was a
desolate waste, the buildings were nothing but hollow shells, smoke and dust
were everywhere. A dimly lit street light flickered in the distance.  Clark
decided to walk to it.

As he got closer, he saw a small figure huddled next to the post, trying to
keep warm with a piece of fabric that might have once been a warm blanket.
The small rag was no match for the chill of the night air.  Feeling
compassion, he walked over to the child. Clark got down on one knee and
spoke in a soft voice.

"Hello."

The little face looked sleepily up at him. Clark saw that the child's eyes
were sunken in and dark with hunger and lack of sleep. Just as he was about
to give the child his coat, the small figure, which seemed incapable of
upright movement, let alone vocalization of any kind, screamed.

"Kal-El!  Kal-El!"

The youngster took off as fast as he could, screaming all the way.  Clark
was completely taken aback. He didn't notice that he was being surrounded.
As he realized that, two darkly clad figures approached him. The tatters of
their cloaks floated slowly in the wind. One dark figure a few inches
shorter than Clark took a lead box from under his garment.  He pulled it
open.  The green rock that glowed within was unmistakable. Clark doubled
over in pain, immediately feeling his energy, his life, drain from his body.
Three of the 'warriors' stepped up to him. Each had a glowing green stone
around his neck. Clark welcomed the blackness as it swept over him.


As Clark slowly came to, he heard voices over him and decided to pretend to
be asleep a little longer.

"Where did you find him?" a woman asked.

"He was walking down the street, as bold as brass, and sauntered right up to
a rag-tag. Nearly scared the kid to death."

"Did he put up a fight?'

Clark's hearing was slowly returning, as well as his other senses.  He knew
the voices. He'd know them anywhere. As he slipped back into unconsciousness
he wondered, "Why did they sound so tired? Why did they sound so sad?"

"No, no fight. It was strange, no fight. It wasn't like him. We pulled out
the Krypton.." Jimmy paused.  "But he didn't even try."

"That's because this isn't Kal-El."

She said it so quietly that Jimmy barely heard her, and he looked at her in
surprise. She was staring intently at the man behind the Kryptonite force
field, looking at him like she was trying to see into his soul, his
thoughts.  Her arms were crossed in front of her as if she was trying to
shield herself from the "cold". Jimmy noticed a tear threatening to fall,
and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. Lois reacted as though she had
been burned.  Snapped back to the present, she quickly turned on her heel
and curtly replied, "Let me know when he's awake."

Lois ran to her quarters in the underground bunker.  He had looked so much
like Kal-El. To be more specific, he looked like Kal-El before the
"betrayal".  She reflected on "those days" so long ago, when things were
simple.  Before Kal changed beyond repair. Even now, he thought her dead.
"Funny," she thought.  "Kal-El thinks I'm dead, that there is no hope.  So
he destroys what he can to try and compensate."

Lost in thought, Lois was startled to hear the knock on the door.

"Come! He's awake."

Clark's head was throbbing.  He felt very weak.  Slowly, he raised himself
to look around.  He found himself surrounded by smooth lead-lined walls, and
the force field in front of him was definitely Kryptonite-based.  He managed
to sit upright, but was caught by a wave of dizziness.  Clark hung his head
and closed his eyes, waiting for it to pass. The door to the cell room
opened, and Lois and Jimmy walked in.  Lois stood in front of the force
field, arms once again folded in a gesture that Clark knew meant she was
trying to keep an emotional distance.

"Kal?"

Clark got up as quickly as he could and rushed over to Lois, but was stopped
by the force field.  Falling to the floor in pain, he laid on the cold
surface trying to recover.  Gasping for air, he looked up at Lois and was
startled by what he saw in front of him. There stood a woman who was too
thin, with the look of someone who hadn't slept well in a long time. Shadows
of sadness enclosed her mouth and dark brown eyes.

"Lois? What happened to you? Are you ill?"

She visibly flinched at the use of her name.  She collected herself before
continuing.

"What's going on? How did you and Jimmy get here?"

"Who are you?" she demanded. "You're not Kal-El."

"Kal-EL?" Clark looked over at Jimmy warily.  "No, Lois, I'm not Kal-EL.
Superman is Kal-EL.  Lois, I don't understand.  What's wrong?  Why are you
and
Jimmy dressed like that?" Clark looked over at Jimmy, who was eyeing him.
"Why did you call me Kal? You know my name is Clark." Clark paused, totally
confused.  "What's going on here?"

"Clark?" She shook her head raising an eyebrow. "Who are you, Clark?" Lois
started to raise her voice.  Jimmy touched her on the shoulder, and she
struggled to regain her composure.

"I don't know what kind of game this is, Lois..."

"Game? This isn't a game. I want to know. Who sent you? Does Kal-El know I'm
here?"

Clark was dumbfounded. Nothing was making any sense. Something was very
wrong here, and he had to find out what that was.  Deep down, he had a very
bad feeling.  Swallowing hard, he dared to ask, "Lois, you really don't know
who I am?"

"No.  Do you think I'm lying to you?"   'How very ironic,'  she thought.

"Of course not." Clark held his head in his hands. "I'm lost, Jimmy," he
pleaded. "You were at the Planet this morning. You heard Perry assign me to
do the Doctor Hamilton story."

"Cl-ar-k" Jimmy pronounced his name as though he was testing it out for
sound quality.  "Perry has been ill and away for years. He had to leave
Metropolis right after the Planet was destroyed. That's been about four
years now. I was nowhere near it this morning." Jimmy searched Clark for
some sign that this was indeed Kal-El.  "I don't understand."

Clark's stomach was sinking.  Then it occurred to him.  Sitting in
Hamilton's laboratory, there had been a bright light and the feeling, of
something pulling him from his chair. What had Hamilton said about a vortex
to another dimension?  That was it! He was in another dimension.  It had to
be the only explanation.  Lois had been pulled into one by Tempus once.
However, from what he could gather, this dimension was far different from
the one she had gone into. Lois had experienced a world where she didn't
exist. This world...well, in this one he would have to find out just what
was going on.  Also, he had to find out how to get back.

"Lois, I'm not from this place. I don't know what's going on."

"Not from this place? Look, I don't know what you're trying to pull here..."

"I'm not trying to 'pull anything.'  I wouldn't lie to you, Lois.  Where I
come from things are a lot different from here.  I really have no idea
what's going on."

She motioned to Jimmy to deactivate the force field.  Jimmy hesitated, but
did as he was asked. Clark slowly walked to where Lois was standing.  He
could almost see the barriers she was putting up around her.

"Jimmy, please may I talk with Lois alone? I promise I won't lay a hand on
her."

Jimmy looked at Lois. She nodded her approval for him to leave.  He
hesitated, hating to leave her alone with this man.  Lois touched his
shoulder, reassuring him it was okay. Jimmy left with a warning glance at
Clark. When they were alone, Lois fixed her gaze at a point just slightly to
the left of Clark so she wouldn't have to look at him directly.

"Where should I start? Kal-El is a very powerful man, and he does as he
pleases. We were together once but that was long ago. "  The light in Lois's
eyes dimmed.

"Lois, in my world Kal-El is part of where I came from, Clark is who I am.
The Kents found me as a baby and they raised me. I go by the name Clark
Kent.
Kal-El is my Kryptonian name and I'm him." Clark ran his fingers through his
hair.
"I know. I know this is all very frustrating. I need to get back home.  I
need to get back to my wife."

"Your wife?"

"Yes, Lois, my wife.  Lois Lane Kent."

Lois's gaze flew to Clark's, searching intently for a lie, for a sign of
something. All she found was truth and concern. Both were like a knife in
her heart. "Well then, 'Clark'.  This Kal-El is different.  If he knew where
I was, if he knew I was alive, he would kill me."

"But why? Lois, if I know anything at all about Kal-El, and I think I do,
you're all that matters to him."

"That might have been true at one time, Clark, but not any more."  Lois
looked down at the floor. "Things change," she whispered.  Her voice sounded
distant to Clark, like she had repeated this small statement over and over.

Clark felt as though he'd been kicked in the stomach.  This woman, so much
like the woman he loved, was suffering terribly, and it was because of
'him'. But why was this happening? What had happened between them?

"I am not that *person* Lois. I'm not even from this world,
this...this...dimension.  I would *never* do anything to *hurt* anyone,
especially *not you*!"  The last was said in a plea for understanding.  He
needed her to understand that he wasn't the true cause of her pain and
sorrow.

"I know."

"Did Kal-El do all the damage I saw?"

She nodded yes.

"Why? I can't fathom the reason for all of this."

Keeping her head slightly tilted and looking somewhere to the side of him so
as not to make full eye contact, she answered,  "Kal-El believes I betrayed
him.  He has destroyed everything the reminds him of me, of our time
together."

Clark waited for her to continue.

"I also kept something from him.  I was afraid. Of what, I'm not sure
anymore."
She still couldn't look Clark in the eye.  Realizing she had revealed a
little more than what she wanted to, she blushed, and in embarrassment
added,  "I don't know why I said that. Guess I'm trying to make up to you
what I kept from him. I was upset and hurt because he believed I had
betrayed him. I foolishly listened to someone who had nothing but hatred in
his heart. I let him manipulate me. I didn't trust that Kal could help me.
I was to afraid for him."  Lois paused for a moment, chewing on her bottom
lip.  "I didn't betray him then, but I have now, and with Kal-El there is no
turning back.  He would kill me now if he knew about what I have done."

She couldn't take his intense scrutiny of her any longer.  She turned and
walked out the door.  Clark had no choice but to follow.

"What could you have done that I--I mean Kal-El--would want to kill you
for?"

Lois turned away from Clark and said, "I know its going to come down to that
one day.  I'm afraid that time is closer than anyone realizes."

Clark didn't like the way that sounded.  "Lois, I'm sorry. I don't know what
else to say.  How could this have happened? Whatever I can do to help,
please let me."

Lois stopped her quick stride and looked back at Clark, who was almost
caught up to her. Clark raked his hand through his hair, letting out an
exasperated sigh. This action was one that Lois knew to be a sign of pure
aggravation at a situation he didn't know how to fix. At least not with his
super powers.  "Clark," she said sympathetically.  "We should talk."

She pointed to the door just down the hall. As Clark stepped in, he noticed
that it was filled with things that reminded him of Lois's old apartment.
Pictures of various works of art, photographs, as well as her Kerth awards.
In the midst of complete chaos, she was trying, as she always had, to have
some form--no matter how small--of normalcy.  The only difference was the
toys.  Clark looked at Lois, a lump in his throat forming. Not knowing how
to voice his question with words, he instead pleaded for an answer with his
eyes.

"Those toys belong to my son." Tears welled up in her soft brown eyes.
Looking at Clark's overwhelmed countenance, she took pity on him. "Please,
Clark, sit down. I'll try to explain everything." Her perched himself on the
edge of a chair. Lois reached over and took a small album out of her desk,
placing it in Clark's hands. Feeling that somehow he was intruding, he
hesitated to open the book.
"Go ahead, Clark. I've wanted to show these to his father ever since they
were taken. It would please me a great deal if you would take a look at
them."  She smiled. "Jimmy's very proud of them."

Clark looked through page after page. The book's first page had the title
"My
Baby Book".  As Clark turned to the next page he found several pictures of
Lois.   A very pregnant Lois. Stopping for a moment, he couldn't help but
think of his
Lois and wondering what it would be like to be a father. The next few pages
held photographs of Lois and her sister as well as Perry. Then finally he
came to a set of pages that held one picture each. The left side showed Lois
and a newly arrived baby all red and pinched. On the right side was clearly
the same baby, only a few days older with big eyes that looked right into
the camera.  The caption read, "Jeremy El, one week".

"Jeremy.  Lois, he is beautiful." Clark couldn't stop looking at those eyes.

"I know. Jeremy is so much like his father. It's sad, really.  He knows
about his father.  He knows way too much for one so young."

 "How old is he now? Where is he?" Clark asked.

"He is four now, and..." Lois paused trying to quickly wipe a tear away.
"Right now he is with Lex."

"WHAT?"

Lois flinched at Clark's exclamation. "Lex has taken my sister and my son.
Everyone has been on alert, trying to find out where the two are and how to
get them back. You see, there are a few people out there who are trying to
get rid of Kal-El and Lex. Rebels, I guess you could call them. They took me
in when I would've died.  They've been there for me."

"Who leads them?"

"Jimmy."

"Jimmy!  He's the leader of a movement to over throw Lex and Kal-El?!"

"Yes.  It is a small band of people. Many of them have been hunted down by
the two."

There was an uneasy silence.  Once again, Lois was the one to break it.
"You're from another dimension? Another planet?  What?"

"Actually, I'm not sure.  I was doing a story on a local scientist. The last
thing I remember, I was sitting in a chair talking to him and then suddenly
I was dropping to the ground in Downtown Metropolis, or rather what was left
of it."

"The place you come from, its not like this one?"

"No, not like this one.  The Kal-El you know does not exist."

"Just you, Clark?"

"Yes."

There was a pause between them. Clark couldn't hold back his questions any
longer.  He had to know. "Lois, how did it happen? I mean what would have
happened that I--that Kal-El--would have done this? I know for a fact that
Clark...Kal-El...whoever he is!" Clark was getting frustrated, the very
thought of what was going on was repugnant to him. He took a deep breath to
steady himself.  "I know for a fact that you are the most important thing in
the world...in...
in the universe to him.  And a baby? Lois, even you have said I'm too much
of a Boy Scout!"

"No, Clark," Lois laughed slightly.  "That's something I have never said."
She sighed. " It's painful, Clark..."

"Lois..." Clark reached out and took her hand in his and continued.  "Lois,
if you can tell me, I need to know. Maybe I could even help."

Lois took a deep breath.  "It's a long story."  She looked down at the hand
that was holding hers.  She rubbed the back of his hand with her thumb and,
biting her bottom lip, she whispered,  "I'll try."


THE BEGINNING

The last son of Krypton was hurtling through the vastness of space.  Faster
and faster it rocketed toward the small blue sphere, a planet called Earth.
The little boy was much too small to know what was going on, or that the
people--whose faces he had just begun to recognize as his mother and
father--were lost to him, save the holographic and audio chips they had so
carefully and lovingly made for him. He had been placed in the capsule, with
the love only a mother's hands could give.  The boy would never remember the
gentle kiss his mother and father had bestowed upon his tiny little forehead
as they said goodbye to their only son.

If he had been able to see and comprehend the readouts of the small
computer, he would have seen that the course his father had charted and
locked in were almost complete. The small, steel blue capsule would touch
down somewhere in the midwestern state of Kansas.  Perhaps, if Jor-El had
known what was to become of his son, he would've chosen a different
course....

It was 1966, a cool, yet pleasant spring night.

Jason Trask wasn't able to enjoy it.  He'd just been summoned to a live
phone conference with the director of Bureau 39. This was a special Task
force that the government had put together to investigate the possibility of
life on other planets, and the probability of attack.

The director, General Nolan Hitex, was furious. Trask could hear it in his
superior's voice.  Instead of being humbled by the expletives the General
was using, Trask felt more justification for his actions. It was obvious
that the General knew nothing of the probable danger that was coming this
way.

"Trask, I will repeat it one more time! Your are NOT! I REPEAT, NOT! To
intercept the approaching meteorite, do you understand? You are not chasing
some space rock with the government's money."

"General, you and I know very well this is no space rock. I am going to
retrieve what I believe is a probe from another planet. It could be a
prelude to a global invasion. All of the probes and radar readings we are
receiving are counter indicative to a meteor."

"I don't care if the radar tells you Ming the Merciless himself is coming
for us. You are not in charge of this mission."

Trask slammed the phone down on the General.  He knew what was coming and he
would be the one to stop the madness. He got in his jeep and, with his team,
headed straight for the impact zone.

SSSSSsssss

In a little town called Smallville, Kansas, Jonathan and Martha Kent were
getting ready to go out. The annual Spring Fair was starting.  Everyone in
Smallville and the nearby towns loved this little fair, and it was often
affectionately referred to as the TGIS (pronounced Tigis), which stood for
Thank Gawd It's Spring.  The ironic part was that, more often than not, this
fair was held amidst the last remaining patches of snow. It gave the chance
for everyone to get together after the winter and shake off the blues that
accumulate when you have spent months trapped by the snow in your house,
with nothing to do but make preserves and knit quilts or make wood carvings
while watching Jeopardy.

"Martha, lets go!  I want to get a good booth.  I think the toy solders I
carved will sell big this year."

"Coming Jonathan."

Both got into the little pickup truck full of the can goods and 
preserves they had made before winter. The annual Spring festival 
started on a Friday night and lasted till Sunday night, the reason for 
the late start on Friday was to give everyone the chance to finish with 
their chores so that they would be good and hungry for all the food. 
Also taking advantage of the nighttime start, the little town displayed 
some of the finest and most fantastic fireworks displays.

The Kents were enjoying the cool late afternoon drive to town, when 
Jonathan had to pull off quickly to the side of the road. They looked on 
in annoyance as a convoy of trucks and cars sped past them. "Wonder what 
the fuss is about?" thought Jonathan. "Well it just goes to show you 
there is never a cop when you need one." Replied Martha.

The caravan passed them by and left the little truck to swallow the dust 
that there high-speed course had stirred up. A few minutes later they 
pulled up to the fair grounds only to find utter chaos, and the cause of 
it.

"Those guys are the morons that passed us on the road" "I wonder what 
they want."

Just as Martha had spoken those words a light became visible in the sky, 
it was reddish and glittery as if it was on fire. It was very apparent 
the object was falling at an alarming pace.

"Jonathan, look a meteor...it seems to be headed this way!" Martha was 
the first to get out of the truck and run toward the open field, 
Jonathan was close in tow.

"Citizens of Smallville, My name is Jason Trask. My team and I are here 
to take care of important government business. We ask that you vacate 
these premises on the double."

Some of the crowd started to move away scared at what their imaginations 
visioned. Others like the Johnathan and Martha stayed stareing at the 
coming ball of fire. Everyone was stunned when the object made impact 
with the ground it knocked some people off of their feet. Quickly 
recovering from the shock Trask and his men converged on the object. The 
locals tried to press as close as they dared, to see what the mysterious 
object was.

Trask walked slowly up to the craft reveling in the fact that he had 
been right and now the moment of truth had come. He put his hand to the 
object; it was cold and hot at the same time. A hissing noise sounded as 
well as an airlock pop. The lid of the object slowly rose, everyone held 
their breath. The fog cleared and Trask looked inside finding a small 
baby. Trask was somewhat deflated but none the less eager to prove there 
would be an invasion. The baby squealed in protest at the bright light 
of Trask's flashlight.

"Jonathan, look it's a baby!"

Martha was appalled at the thought of all these men with guns standing 
over the small child. Just then Sirens sounded in the background and in 
less than a minute the fair grounds were covered with FBI agents. 
General Hitex stepped out of his car to address Trask.

"Trask step away from the capsule" he ordered. "No General this is mine, 
I warned you what would happen. And it has happened. The aliens are now 
on our door step and I'll be damned if them come inside!"

Jonathan called out "It's just a baby, what kind of invasion force is 
that?"

There was a murmur of consensus among the crowed. General Hitex motion 
to an officer to put Trask in handcuffs, then to another to retrieve the 
child. A young Lieutenant picked the crying baby up and carried it to 
the waiting car.

The General called to Trask. "So Trask you were right. Only thing is, we 
want the specimen alive." The General got back in to his car and the 
convoy drove off.

The FBI agents sectioned off the grounds so the fair was canceled. On 
the way home Martha was very quiet, Jonathan tried to cheer her up by 
making light of the situation.

"Jonathan...?" "Yes Martha?" "I wish we had found that baby. That no one 
else had, I would have taken good care of it. I would have been a 
mother, a very good mother." the last was said in a sorrowful whisper.

"Ahh... Martha please don't torture yourself over a what-if, or might-
have-been." He put his arm around her shoulders pulling her close to 
him, Martha laid her head on his shoulder and couldn't help but think of 
what-might-have-been.


Eleven years later

Doctor Boolean walked down the hallway that lead from her offices to the 
research laboratory, it was time for her to visit Kal. She hadn't seen 
the young boy in two weeks. As she looked over the boy's charts assecing 
the data that had been accumulated durring her absence, she reflected on 
the past.

Eleven years ago when a small child was brought to the Cosmos Research 
Center, unknown speculation and paranoia had abounded. To be sure, the 
focus on the Center intensified do to the media circus that had 
followed. A small child had quite literally dropped out of the sky and 
landed in a small town, in the Midwest. At first there had been 
speculation that Russians had sent this unusual probe hoping some poor 
unsuspecting family would take the child in. Then it became clearer 
that, this child was not from Earth. This fact led to Doctor Boolean's 
involvement. In the first few months of testing, the child showed no 
abnormal signs. In fact they were worried the whole thing had been a 
hoax, but progressively as the child grew they realized he was indeed 
not-of-this-world.

The entire test that had been done came back inconclusive, meaning they 
found nothing out of the ordinary. Except a few minor organs that were 
either bigger or smaller than the average baby. This did not really 
concern the Doctor, being that it was commonly known that some humans do 
have abnormalities. After a while other scientist and even the 
Government lost interest in the child due to the 'Race-to-outerspace' 
that had been declared between the US and Russia.

Then as the boy reached his first and second year of life differences 
started to show themselves. At first they had been very subtle in nature 
progressively becoming more noticeable. His IQ was 40% higher than that 
of other children his age. For example at the age of one year most 
children are still trying to gather the strength in their leg muscles 
attempting to walk, they try their best to communicate with one two or 
four word sentences. This boy was already running and talking with the 
experience of a five year old. Also noted was his increasing strength 
and swiftness.

Now at eleven years of age, Kal was converging on brilliance and showed the
potential of and ever stronger level of phenomenal intelligence.

Doctor Boolean, or Doc Boo, as the boy would call her, had been in the
medical field for some time.  She had grown very attached to the boy who,
despite all the testing and probing that was constantly performed, remained
cheerful and kind.  Her involvement with this special project had been based
on her excellent record and knowledge of the 'unknown', and her ability to
analyze and make the 'unknown', known.  Also, NASA respected and valued her
highly.  They had insisted that their best and brightest find the answers to
this 'unknown.'

Even after all this time, the government itself had yet to name the boy.  As
of that very moment, he was still referred to as E.T.M. (Extra Terrestrial
Male); however, a small probe was found in the capsule that brought the boy.
The object was a small sphere that held a map. Doctor Boolean found out
about this, and was able to obtain it for the boy.

One day, when the boy had begun to read, the sphere became active and
revealed that the child's name was Kal-El, a son of Krypton's leading
scientist whose name was Jor-El, and was from a noble Kryptonian heritage.
It was also revealed that the small planet had been destroyed, and Jor-El
had saved his son's life by sending him to Earth.

Doctor Boolean walked to the research and development wing.  Looking at her
watch, she noted it was Doctor Klein who would be on duty. She stepped up to
the glass bubble that contained a small bed, a few books, and some toys.
The child within was small, but had the air of strength far beyond his
years. The big brown eyes looked up to see his visitor. Upon seeing whom it
was, he jumped up and ran to the barrier, his hands pressed on the glass,
and displayed a big smile on the handsome young face.

Looking up from her charts and diagrams, Doctor Boolean smiled.  "Hello,
Kal. How are you this morning?"

The boy looked eagerly at his friend. "Did you have a good time? Did you
bring me anything?"

Doctor Boo laughed. "I'm just fine, Kal, thank you."  Kneeling down to his
eye level, she pulled out a box and handed it to him through the small
porthole in the glass. Kal took the package and eagerly opened it.

Pulling out a puzzle, he smiled in appreciation. It was of one of his
favorite paintings. 'The Sunflowers' by Van Goh.

"I love sunflowers."

"I know you do, Kal."  She smiled.  "Look and see what else is in there."

He reached in and pulled out a book that contained works of art from around
the world.  Doctor Boolean watched with delight as she saw the joy and
fascination dance across Kal's face.

"I finished my last puzzle, this is great.  I was hoping to get another
one."

"This one is the biggest I could find.  In fact, I had it made just for you.
Hopefully, 10,000 pieces will keep you busy for about five minutes.  Do you
really like it?"

"10,000 pieces! Oh, you bet."

"Take it easy with that one, Kal.  The man I get to make your puzzles nearly
passed out when I requested that amount.  Let's see what you did with the
other puzzle."

The doctor looked over to the carpeted floor of the observation bubble.  She
found the puzzle was indeed completed.

"You see, Dr. Boo?  That was an 8,000-piece puzzle.  A five-year-old could
put that together. Could I have one of those video game boxes?  The ones
Doctor
Klein is always talking about."

The Doctor then turned her back to the child, looking up to the second story
balcony and finding Doctor Klein grinning down at her and Kal-El.

"I see you have succeeded in corrupting the young mind, Doctor Klein. With
intelligence such as his, we should have him formulating things Einstein
couldn't do.  Here he is, asking for mindless entertainment."

"Doctor Boo, I think these puzzles are mindless entertainment.  I can put
them together in fifteen seconds."  Kal flashed the good doctor what he knew
was a 'she won't be able to say no' smile.  "But I like them, anyway."

"Kal, I'll see what I can do, but I'm not promising anything. Got it?"

Smiling he went back to his books.

Doctor Klein walked down to where Dr. Boolean sat, entering information into
her computer.

"Kal has been doing well, good to see that.  Have we been able to find out
anything more on his genetics?"

"Well, aside from what we were able to glean from the test we were able to
perform when he was still a baby, we have discovered nothing new."

"He still never ceases to amaze me.  His intelligence is extraordinary,"
said Dr. Boolean.

Klein moved in a little closer to her and confidentially whispered, "He is
also getting stronger."

"Yes, I've noticed that, too. I'm not too sure how or where he gets it from.
>From all that we have been able to tell, his people weren't like that."

Doctor Klein leaned in even closer and, giving Doctor Boolean a guarded
look, he continued.

"The Globe came alive again."

"The Globe? When? Why wasn't I notified?"

"It happened about two weeks ago.  I was here alone with Kal, finishing up
the hair samples. He saw it, too.  Jor-El explained that it's our sun that
gives him his power. Other powers might develop, as well. Right now his
strength has increased vastly. As with all children, he gets a little
excited and breaks things."

"Doctor, how is that extraordinary?  As you say, all kids break things."

"Yes, that's true.  But I bet most kids have never broken off a steel table
leg
with their little finger."

"You're kidding! When did this happen?" she asked in alarm.

"This morning.  I'm surprised you haven't heard about it.  It's all the buzz
in the lab."

"Do we anticipate further growth?"

"It's still unknown what will happen as he matures.  We expect to see an
increase in his abilities.  As to what those increases will be, only time
will tell."

"Yes, those are my thoughts, as well.  Doctor Klein, if the whole lab's
talking about it, you can bet the big wigs in the Pentagon will have their
noses around here very soon."

"That worries me.  They would surely try and use him for some war toy.
There's something about his strength that I, we, did discover. We have
compiled some data that confirms it is the rays from the sun that gives him
his powers."

Dr. Boolean stood up and walked over to Kal as Dr. Klein motioned to an
assistant to close the skylight observatory window. The mechanical squeal of
the motor filled the room as well as the rumbling of the shutters coming
down and covering the window.

Kal looked up at the closing window.  Becoming very nervous at the decrease
in light, he called out, "No!  Don't close the window."  Kal ran to the
glass, shaking his head frantically.

"Okay, Kal, it's just for a minute."  Doctor Klein said reassuringly.
"We're just going to show Dr. Boolean."

The little boy relaxed somewhat, but still wasn't very comfortable.  Without
the sun, he felt small and weak.  He knew he couldn't do the things he did
when the sun was out. The sun was a comforting thing.  It made him feel
strong, alive, and totally in control.

"Kal, please try to bend the pipe."

Dr. Klein handed Kal a pipe through the small porthole inside of the dome.
The boy took the pipe, looking at it for a moment. Then he turned his
disapproving eyes to the doctor.

"Please, Kal.  I promise to get you some raisin scones,"  the doctor
offered.  Kal's countenance changed and he looked hopeful.  Dutifully, he
took the pipe and tried to bend it. The pipe bent, but only slightly. The
doctor motioned to have the window reopened.

As the sun once again bathed Kal in its warm touch, he closed his eyes and
felt his body re-energizing. He lifted his face to the sun and smiled.

"Kal, please bend the bar now."

He did as he was told, and the steel pipe bent as if it were a piece of pipe
cleaner.

"You see?"

"This is remarkable. The possibilities for this child are endless."

"If the word leaks this out, the government will no doubt view him as an
advanced weapon. Kal would be taken away and trained to be the ultimate
soldier, highly valuable to the Military."

Doctor Boolean sighed.  "I don't know how long we'll be able to keep it a
secret."



ONE MONTH LATER

Dr. Boolean had just received word that General Hitex was about to pay them
an unexpected visit, with it being classified as a routine inspection.  Dr.
Boolean wasn't convinced.  Something was wrong.  A terrible feeling was
nagging her. The phone rang, and she was relieved to find Doctor Klein on
the other end.

"Klein, I wish you were here."

"What's the matter, Carol?"

"I've just received word that General Hitex is coming here to inspect
Kal-El."

There was a long pause on Klein's end.  "Do you think they suspect
anything?"

"They must.  The government and Buearu39 have left us alone for the most
part.  Now all of the sudden they have turned their attention to us. It
can't be good.  I have a bad feeling about this."

"Well, I should be back in the States the day after tomorrow.  Hold tight,
and in the meantime, I'll try to find out what I can."

"All right, Bern.  Please hurry."  Doctor Boolean leaned back on her files
and reflected.

Now Doctor Boolean was very worried that the General's visit was one that
wouldn't be in the child's best interest.  "Damit," she thought.  "How did
they find out?"

The pentagon must have gotten wind of this incident and now she was afraid
the
Military would be after him. With the unexpected visit of General Hitex, her
fears seemed to have come true.  She didn't look forward in the least to
meeting this General.  She had heard a lot of things about him, and she was
losing hope that he would be understanding toward a child.

Despite Kal's growing strength, he was still an incredibly sweet and kind
child. One thing that did worry the doctor was that Kal was easily
influenced, and had a tendency to let his temper get the better of him.

She was snapped out of her revere by a knock on the door.

"Doctor, the General is here."

"Thank you.  Show him in."

The General walked to the office.  He was a lot younger than she had
expected. Immediately she came to the conclusion that she didn't like this
man.

"Doctor, how is the child? We've heard some remarkable things,"  the General
asked, without so much as a formal greeting.

Doctor Boolean decided to ignore it and gave a greeting of her own.  "It's a
pleasure to finally meet you, General.  Thank you for coming.  The child is
doing just fine.  He is progressing rapidly, and the level of intelligence
he possesses is quite remarkable."

"I'm not here to gauge that thing's intelligence.  I have orders,"  he threw
down a small stack of forms,  "to take the E.T.M. out of the Center's care
and have him remanded to Bearu39 for additional testing. Your attention to
this matter is no longer needed."

"Testing? What testing?"

"I am here for the sole propose of seeing that the E.T.M. is taken to
Bearu39, where we'll assume care as we see fit. I assure you that the
testing to be conducted by Bureau 39 will be carried out in a timely
manner."

The General walked smugly up to the Doctor. "I hope you're not too attached
to that thing out there."

Doctor Boolean was more than worried now. "I don't think I understand,
General. I would appreciate that, at least in my presence, you would refrain
from using the term 'thing' in regard to Kal-El."

"Well, the government has its own ideas and plans for that thing."  He
ignored her request.

"That thing is a child, sir!"

"Doctor, you would do well to remember who is in charge here. I expect full
cooperation, as well as disclosure from you."

"So you think you can just walk in here and take Kal away? I don't know what
the government thinks it is going to do with an eleven-year-old..."

General Hitex looked at the good doctor and threw her a sadistic grin.
"Dissect him, break him, whatever it takes. We'll stop his 'kind' from
coming and taking over the world.  Now," he said, pulling out a magnum with
a silencer on it. "Take me to him."

Doctor Boolean had no choice but to obey.

"He has acquired great strength, or so I've been told. No telling what he
has planned for us." Picking up his radio, he called one of his men. "Get
the Krypton rock ready. Meet us in the lab.  I'm about to acquire the
subject."

Doctor Boolean was frantic.  She pleaded with the General.  "General, with
all due respect, sir, this child is very gentle. He already comprehends the
fact that he is able to break his constraints if he so chooses to.  He has
not, and I for one am trying to cultivate his good nature.  He cares about
others.  He could be such an asset to helping others."

"Well, unfortunately, Dr. Boolean, the government isn't interested in his
ability to care for others.  As for his abilities to break his constraints,
that's what the rock is for."

"When he was brought here, I was given full control of his welfare till we
finished our observance and tests."

"Doctor, the rules have changed."

Reaching the bubble that contained Kal-El, Doctor Boolean whirled on the
General.  "You can not be from the government.  They would never need the
reinforcements you brought. Who are you? Do you realize the harm you could
do?"

The General called to a man in a white coat. He proceeded to close the
window.
The doctor moved to stop him, and a bullet from the General's gun stopped
her.

The boy jumped up and screamed at the bad man. He raised his small fist to
the glass and smashed a hole in it. The boy ran to the only person that had
ever loved him.

"Doc Boo?" he said, shaking the still form.

The window was shut completely now, and the little boy felt his energy drain
again, and got up to run.

Kal didn't know what he was running from, or where he was running to.  Kal
took off for the far corner of the laboratory, ducking under a table and
pulling over anything he could to block the path. He was a mess with the
dust and debris that had fallen on him. Getting up, he got to the doorway.
Quickly running down the corridor, he knew he couldn't stop, he had to keep
going.

Running into an opened door, he ducked behind some cabinets, trying to get
his bearings. His heart was beating so fast it hurt.  He ran into a room
that he knew to be vacant.  He had to get away from the green rock.

"Got to get away," he thought.

He turned the corner and ran into a guard, knocking them both to the ground.
Quickly, Kal recovered and headed at full speed for the second level of the
laboratory.

Before he realized what was happening, Kal doubled over in pain.

"NO. No, not the green rock!"

It was too late.  The boy fell off the staircase he'd been climbing and
landed on the floor with a thud. The General's men hurried to pick him up
and put him in a big lead container.

"Hurry up!  Let's get him out of here!"

SSSSSsssss

Sometime later, Kal opened his eyes and found himself in a small, dark, cold
room. There were no windows or lights, and the room smelled dank and dirty.
He shivered and started to softly moan to himself as heavy footsteps were
coming closer to his cell. Looking up, he saw the face of the man who had
hurt his friend.

"So, you're finally awake. Good.  I have big plans for you, buddy.  I'm
going to get you nice and humble, so when the others come for the invasion,
you'll be our bargaining chip. You think you can get away with your plan to
invade us, don't you?"

"No!" Kal called out as the man came at him. Kal-El rolled away, trying to
get away from this man.  Then he picked himself up and ran to the corner of
the room, as far as he could to get away.

The man walked menacingly into the cell.



TWO YEARS LATER


Kal-El was treated with contempt and cruelty.  Many times the young man
wished to die. Trask kept an ever-present vigil on Kal-El and did his best
to extract the information necessary to combat the global invasion he was so
sure would come.

Kal-El tried to keep his thoughts together, endlessly going over in his mind
the things that he had learned from his doctors, his friends.  He mentally
pictured himself putting together puzzles in his edicit mind, reviewing all
the things he had been taught.

The cruel treatment he received slowly started to eat away at his heart.
Kal found it necessary to become hard and indifferent in order to deal with
his circumstances. He was in solitary confinement, having little or no
interaction with anyone outside of Trask.

Kal was now fourteen.  His skin was pale, and had a translucent quality, his
hair long from no one caring enough to cut it. He was weak from not being
able to move, and sickly slim from lack of quality care.  Although sane was
a relative term, Kal did his best to focus on the time when he would be able
to get away and give back to Trask all that he deserved. In Kal-El's mind,
this was considerable.  Trask had taken away from him all that he had cared
about and loved.  Kal-El had vowed long ago that he would have his revenge.

Resting on his mat one day, he heard something. His head shot up and he
listened carefully. He heard something.  Was it a crash?  Was it an
explosion?  Voices.  There were voices he had never heard before.  They were
getting louder, and angrier.

"This way, sergeant.  Unlock this door."  There was someone outside of his
cell door.

The lock began to move with a loud bang.  Kal covered his ears in pain. The
door swung open, and three men stepped inside. Kal cowered in the background
as one of the men reached out his hand.

"It's okay.  I'm here to take you away from here."

Kal was apprehensive.  "Out? To the sun?"

"Yes, to the sun."

Kal slowly got up and walked tiny little steps till he reached the man.  The
man reached out and held Kal by the arm. Slowly, the two reached the outside
of the bunker. The sun was shining in its midday sky.  Kal fell to his
knees.  The sun was blinding to him, so he shut his eyes, yet not shielding
them so as to let the light come in through his lids. Finding it was still
too painful, he covered his eyes with his hands. The man knelt down beside
him and spoke softly to him.

"Kal-El, my name is Lex.  Lex Luthor.  I'm here to help you take revenge on
those who put you here.  My friend, you and I are going to rule the world."

Kal-El smiled, then directed his face toward the sky, letting the sun shine
down on it.




TWELVE YEARS LATER


What a time it had been for Kal-El since his release from captivity.  He had
learned so much from Lex.  He was his teacher, his mentor.  He looked to Lex
for guidance on many issues, yet Kal-El became wise to Lex's ways.  More and
more, he relied on his own counsel, becoming more and more powerful among
the world leaders. The way things were arranged was that if a head of state
or Prime Minister wanted to keep his seat, as it were, tribute as well as
total allegiance to Lex and Kal-El were expected.  Both men ruled with an
iron fist, and any resistance wasn't tolerated.

The world in general regarded the two men as mysterious figures.  Very
little information was made public.  Lex basked in the lime light while
Kal-El choose to stay to himself, choosing his company carefully and quickly
dismissing anyone who he wasn't comfortable with.  Everyone in the media
battled against each other trying to get interviews with the two men.  Lex
gave an occasional interview, whereas Kal-El gave none.  As time wore on, it
became necessary for
Kal-El to come out into the 'light'.  It was decided that, in order to make
anymore conquests, Kal-El would have to appease the masses with an in-depth,
if not short look at his life and thoughts.  The question was, whom did
Kal-El trust enough to give this privilege to?

SSSSSsssss

Lois Lane, the Daily Planet's star reporter, walked confidently inside her
Editor in Chief's office.  Perry looked up from the mockup of that day's
afternoon edition, noting the confident smirk Lois displayed. He knew that
smirk anywhere; it was the one he lived for. The one that said Lois had her
hands on an award-winning article. Perry sat back in his chair, waiting to
be dazzled yet again.

"Perry, you can pick out your tux and shine your shoes. I have just landed
the story everyone in the world has been trying to get,"  boasted Lois.
"I'll also have you know," she paused for effect.  "that I scooped the
interview out from under three other of the top TV and newspaper reporters
on Earth,"  she added smugly.

"Well, Lois, I'm on the edge, here.  Was it the Prime Minister of Lancing?"

"No."

"Lex Luthor?"

"Close, but no.  Better than that!"

"Judas Priest, are you going to make me sit here and guess all day? Tell me
who it is or you're fired."

Lois rested the palms of her hands on his desk, looking him dead in the eye.

"Perry, you're looking at the first reporter to ever be granted an interview
with Kal-El."

"Great shades of Elvis! Lois, how'd you manage that?  Oh, wait.  Look who
I'm talking to."

"Perry, Kal-El chose me himself. This is a once in a lifetime story.  Maybe
I'll even be able to get an interview with Lex."

"Whoa, little lady.  There goes that runaway train again. Last time I
looked, that door there said 'Editor in Chief', and your by-line says
'senior reporter'."

Lois crossed her arms, giving him her 'and your point is?' look.

"These are dangerous men.  I want you to do your research.  Can you take
someone with you?"

"Perry, this is Lois Lane, remember?  I've worked out all the arrangements.
As a matter of fact, one of the stipulations was that I had to come alone.
Besides, he assured me I would be perfectly safe."

"And you believe him?"

"Yes, Perry, I do."  She paused with a thoughtful look on her face.  "I
can't explain it, but I do believe him.  I'll be just fine."

Perry let out a long breath.  He knew it was no use arguing with her, not
with that look in her eyes.

"Lois, you'd better be careful, you hear me?  I'm not in any position to
lose you.  If you go and mess up, I'll have to give Ralph your job, and
think what that will mean for the Planet!"

Lois smiled in triumph.  "Nope, wouldn't want that. I'll use my best
reporter's sense and be careful. Promise, Perry."

Lois walked out of the office and got into the elevator, her mind racing
with things she was going to ask and do on this interview.  Looking at her
watch, she realized the interview of her life was just four hours away.

Lois put on her brown suit; it was business-like, yet not threatening.  She
asked herself why she was making such a fuss about what she would wear, then
scolded herself for it. This was a very feared man and she was going to be
the one to interview him. She had to look the part of the tough reporter
everyone thought she was.

Lois arrived on time at the designated spot for the meeting. A man in a
black suit appeared in front of her.  "You're Lois Lane,"  the man said.  It
was a statement, not a question.

"Yes?"

"Please come with me," was all he said, and motioned her into the limo.

"Wait.  I was supposed to meet Kal-El here.  Who are you?"

"Someone that can take you to him.  Now, please get in the car."

Lois felt uneasy, but did as she was told, letting the curiosity that was
always her driving force take over. She looked over at the man as he
motioned for the driver to start. Smiling at her, he took off the hat and
glasses he was wearing.

Lois gasped, "Lex? Lex Luthor? I had an interview with Kal-El.  I...I don't
understand."

"Well, Ms. Lane, the fact of the matter is Kal-El was unable to be here
himself. Since we are associates of sorts and his schedule was running a bit
tight, he asked me to escort you to the interview."

"Escort? Why do I need to be escorted?"

"Because the location of Kal-El--and I mean no disrespect--is none of your
business."

Lex reached over and, before Lois knew what was going on, proceeded to stick
a syringe in her thigh.  Her protest died in mid-air as she slumped over.

SSSSSsssss

Lois was flying.  She could tell by the sound of the engine droning in her
ears.  Her mind was somewhat awake, but her body was like lead.  Feeling
warm and safe, she drifted back into unconsciousness.

SSSSSsssss

Lex Luthor left Lois sleeping on the plane.  As he made his way down off the
gangway, Kal-El approached him.

"I trust your flight went well."

"Oh, indeed, indeed. Ms. Lane is still resting on the plane."

"Have Asabi bring her to the White room. I will be there shortly.  I'm sure
we all want to get this over with."

Kal turned, disappearing into the fortress that stood before them.

Lois felt the cushion beneath her cheek.  It was very soft, and the
temptation to snuggle in and sleep a little more was strong.  Remembering
where she was,
she quickly pushed herself up to a seated position.

Looking around the room, she noticed that it was all white.  Something about
it struck her funny.  Lois was seated on a very comfortable sofa that was
completely white, with huge cushions.  In front of her was a coffee table of
sorts, made of a round sphere at least two feet in circumference with
frosted glass for its top.  On it was a crystal vase, and underneath the
table laid a white carpet rug.  On the opposite side of the table was a
large, cushioned chair with almost the grandeur of a throne.

Everything was white.  Lois remembered a commercial she had seen on TV,
advertising milk that had a room similar to this. It had such an open-air
feeling to it, yet it was so stark in nature. In fact, in her brown suit she
felt oddly out of place.

"I hope we haven't frightened you, Ms. Lane."

Lois jumped at the sound.  Looking around she put her hand to her chest and
swallowed.  "Nnn--no.  Should I be?" she lied.

He smiled in amusement. His arms crossed in the fashion that was known as
the "Kryptonian" stance.

She stared in awe at the man who walked to her. He was tall, with dark hair
and eyes.  He was dressed completely in black:  black slacks, a shirt of
black silk, and a black overcoat that went down to his ankles.  His hair was
pulled back at the nape of his neck in a ponytail fashion.

It wasn't quite what she had expected.  The effect, however, was stunning.
He was handsome. The power and strength flowed from him. The authoritative
way he walked took one's attention from all else, and his very presence
seemed to fill the room.

Lois found the effect heady, yet highly disturbing at the same time.  All of
the sudden the stalwart Lois Lane found herself at a loss for words and
strength to stand.

"Good, I'm glad.  I want this interview to be pleasant for the both of us."
He grinned at Lois, once again taking her by surprise.

"So Mister El..."

He laughed.  He had a soft, yet very rich masculine sound.  Lois looked at
him, puzzled by his reaction.

"Ms. Lane.  Being called Mr. El is not to my liking in the least. Kal-El
will do."

Lois just stared in wonder.  He wasn't at all what she expected.  Kal-El was
charming, soft-spoken.  He had a manner about him that his physical
appearance didn't display. Then she remembered her trip to this place.

"All right then, Kal-El.  Where shall we start?"  Lois reached down for her
notepad and pen.

"We can start anywhere you would like, Ms. Lane. What would you like to
know?"

"Well, for starters I...will have a seat."  She motioned for him to sit down
in the seat across from her.  "Oh, I know.  Why don't we start with the way
I was treated on my voyage over here?  Tell me, Kal-El.  Do you always treat
your guests this way?" She didn't hide the disapproval in her voice.

Kal-El's eyes narrowed slightly.

"I think that, Ms. Lane, we should start with what's on everyone's mind.
That being what I plan on doing with and for this planet."

Okay, fine, he was going to ignore her. She would let it go for now.

"What are you going to do with this planet?"  she asked as she arched a
delicate eyebrow at him.

"What I'm doing for the planet...I would think that would be obvious.  I'm
trying to make it a better place for people.  I view it as my own little
'Utopia'.  Humans tend to be very violent and my goal is to teach people to
stop the violence and live in peaceful coexistence."

Lois rolled her eyes. "That's a tall order from someone who wasn't asked to
put the world's wrongs, right. You say it's obvious, but to whom?  Up to the
present, you're viewed as a tyrant, not a benevolent benefactor."

"Ms. Lane, I can hardly see how that's the case. If a person is accused of a
crime, he or she--as the case is--is punished.  My judicial overseers do
everything in their power to govern according to my mandates, which I feel
are fair for a child-like race, as humans have displayed themselves to be.
I watch the street to make sure theft is not a problem. I have been able to
stop wars before they've started. The good of mankind has been my main goal,
as it continues to be."

"That may be true to some extent, Kal-El, but look at the facts. The
security from the theft you speak of is only for those who serve you, and
guard your property. The justice you mentioned is for those who can pay.  It
is only by sheer coincidence that the same rules you employ work somewhat
for the rest of us. Have you ever tried to use your abilities for good?
Saving a drowning child or a town from an impending volcanic eruption? The
world could benefit so much from having you as a 'guardian.'  You can't deny
that your motives are purely selfish. Motives, I might add, that many feel
are the result of your trying to achieve some kind of twisted revenge on all
of us for the way you were treated by a small, yet admittedly sick and
misguided set of individuals.  You're trying to get back at all of us for
your past."

Lois took a short breath.  She had taken the risk of telling Kal-El what she
thought of him.  What would a little more honesty hurt?  "That isn't noble
by any stretch of the imagination.  That's a pure and simple case of a bully
and a monster trying to play God."  Lois had said what she thought of him.
She waited, holding her breath and fully expecting to receive a punishment
for her boldness.

"That was very brave of you, Ms. Lane.  I don't know any man that would dare
to say what you just did."

Kal-El paused for a moment, looking a bit concerned.  He raised his head
slowly, his stare gliding over Lois from toe to head, only stopping when
their eyes met.

She noted the slight smirk. Lois flushed slightly, wondering if he had just
used the X-ray vision he was noted to have.  She kept her back straight, her
eyes never wavering from his, determined to show no fear.

"I realize that my methods may not be up to everyone's standards. However,
they have suited mine quite well.  As for saving people, that's a hard one
to swallow. To be frank, no one has ever saved me, so how and why should I
return the favor?"

"That's very sad, Kal-El, don't you realize you have to give in order to
receive? You sound as though you want people to respect you, to like you,
yet you do nothing to cultivate those qualities in yourself and in others."
Lois shook her head slowly.  "No wonder you're alone and isolated. I think
you should realize, respect is earned, not automatically granted."

Kal-El watched Lois for a long time. She was so beautiful.  Her lashes were
long, and her eyes rich and brown, and full of spark and daring.  She had
dared to tell him what no one else would dream of ever saying.

His eyes drifted to her mouth.  It was slightly parted.  He let his mind
wander, wondering what it would be like to taste them. Somehow he knew she
would never accept him. The look of disappointment and distrust was evident
in her eyes.  Kal-El felt an odd sense of sorrow at being the source of her
displeasure.
He had become accustomed to taking what he wanted, yet he couldn't bring
himself to do this now.

Lois was different somehow.  This was all very different from anything he'd
ever felt.  Kal-El realized for the first time in his life that he didn't
want to take, he wanted to give something out of free will.

Lois couldn't take the perusal any longer.  She got up and walked around the
room. There was a vase of sunflowers in the far corner of the room. She
hadn't noticed it before and went to inspect them.  Kal-El sat in silence,
just watching her.

"I didn't notice the sunflowers before.  They're lovely."  She bent over the
flower and smelled its sweetness.

"Sunflowers are very special to me.  They're my favorite."

"Really? Mine, too." She flushed slightly.

'Stop it, Lane.  You're acting like a stupid school girl,' she scolded
herself.

"I find it unusual that you have them here in this room."

"Like I said, they're very special to me.  I have them in every room."

"Every room? You mean there is more to this place?"  Lois dropped a hint of
sarcasm in her voice.

Kal-El got up from the seat and slowly walked over to Lois, never taking his
eyes from hers.

"I wonder if this is how the prey of a cobra feels,"  she thought
sarcastically.

He picked a flower from the vase and handed it to Lois.  "Don't sound so
surprised, Ms. Lane.  There is more to this..."  he motioned around the
room. "...place. I would like to show it to you." He leaned closer to her,
totally confident she wouldn't move. "I think perhaps that will be left for
another time." He leaned in even closer still.

Lois felt her heart jump, and her breathing becoming more stressful.
Determined to not show any emotion to this man, she crossed her arms in
front of herself, trying to keep a distance, no matter how small.

"Yes," he said in a low, husky voice as he put his hands on her elbows and
gently drew her closer, their mouths a breath away from meeting.

"I do think there will be a next time."

With that, he closed the distance between them and kissed her with such
softness and tenderness that Lois's first thought was her surprise at his
unexpected gentleness. Before she could recover and put a stop to the
proceedings, she felt a sharp pain on her thigh, and again the world swirled
into nothingness.

SSSSSsssss

Lois awoke sometime later to find herself on her couch.  She slowly raised
herself up. "Darn it," she cursed, hitting the cushion.  "He got away, that
rotten, no good... He got away without the interview."

She made a hissing sound and stormed into the kitchen, grabbing a jug of
cookie dough ice cream. Just then the phone rang.

"Hello? Hi, Perry.  It wasn't the greatest story I've ever done, but I got a
little to go on. Yeah, I'm fine.  Yes, I can have a small piece for you to
run with in the morning.  Somehow I think this story will go into extra
innings.  Okay.  You, too, Perry.  Goodnight."

Later that night, Lois was in bed typing the interview--or what there was of
it-- on her laptop. After e-mailing it to Perry, she settled in for the
night. Tossing and turning, she found it hard to relax enough to go to
sleep, with images of Kal-El walking disturbingly through her mind. The
feeling of his kiss was firmly in implanted on her mind.  She rolled over
again and punched her pillow as hard as
she could.  " So much for Mad-Dog-Lane," she thought.  "You're a mess!"

SSSSSsssss

Lex walked into the room, a glass of wine in his hand and a smug smile on
his face.  "Well, that was interesting."

Kal-El's look matched Lex's own.  "Yes, it was. I think we'll be seeing Ms.
Lane more often."

"Ahh... I know I'll enjoy that."

Kal-El's eyes narrowed slightly.  "Lex, I hope you're not getting any
foolish ideas.  She's off limits.  Understand?"

Lex's eyebrow shot up; he casually took a sip from the glass of wine.  "Of
course I understand."

Kal-El turned away, missing the wicked gleam that entered his eye.

SSSSSsssss

"Morning, Lois.  Man, Perry is impressed...*shah* I can't believe you got to
see Kal-El's lair.  So how was it? Is it cool?" Jimmy bounced over to Lois
with wide-eyed awe.

"Down, Jimmy!" she laughed.  "What I wrote in the article is what happened,
nothing more, nothing less."

"Now, Lois.  Why do I just not believe you?"

Lois stopped and looked puzzled.  "Jimmy what are you talking about?"

Jimmy's smile got bigger and he pointed in the direction of her desk.  Lois
walked over to her desk and was somewhat surprised to see a bouquet of
sunflowers waiting for her.  She glanced about appreciatively.  Her dark
eyes fell on the small white card. Her name was neatly written on it, and
Lois picked the card up, wondering what it contained as she opened it.

"To a small ray of sunshine in a dark world.  I look forward to seeing you
again."

Lois was at a loss.  How was she supposed to react to this? She looked up at
the ceiling, biting her bottom lip.  Her thoughts were in utter turmoil.
For the last few years since Kal-El first appeared and exercised his power,
people had tiptoed around him. She had expected a very vain, egotistical,
man.  Instead, she had seen a side of him that was totally unexpected.  Of
course, he had drugged her...twice...but that was beside the point.  Anger
rose up in her.  What was she thinking?  How could she be contemplating
seeing him again under any condition?

"This isn't going the way I planned," she thought.

Perry came out of his office.  "Lois, that was grade A work you did on
Kal-El.  I can't wait to run the rest."

Okay, she had to tell him, and now was as good a time as any.

"Ahh, Perry, I'm not so sure there will be any more."

"What are you talking about? There has to be more, Lois.  I'm counting on
you to pull this one through. I've never known you to back away.  Kal-El's
people called just now and requested to set up another interview.  Great
Shades of Elvis!  We have got the Metropolis Star green with envy. The
appointment has been set up for Friday at five.  You've got two days to
prepare."

Perry walked up to the elevator, leaving Lois staring at him.  "I'm counting
on you, Lois.  Reel in that Pulitzer like you said you would."

Lois rolled her eyes as she sank down into her chair with a thud.  "Well, so
much for getting out of that.  Oh, just suck it up and make Perry proud.
Besides, you've been dealt worse.  Turn this into a good thing."  She looked
over at the flowers and sighed.  "I have a bad feeling about this."

SSSSSsssss

Once again, Lois met Lex at the designated spot, and even though she
protested heavily, she was put under.  Waking up in the "White room", she
sat up to see Kal-El sitting across from her.

"I'm starting to really hate this," she said, more than a little annoyed.

Kal-El wasn't bothered by this comment and cheerfully greeted her.  "Hello,
Ms. Lane."

"Good afternoon, Kal-El.  You didn't waste any time. Two interviews in one
week.  A girl could get the wrong impression."

"Is that so strange?"

"I think it is, seeing as how you cut the first one short,"  she sighed,
looking at him with supreme annoyance.  "So strange, you ask?  As I recall,
there was really no interview."

"I suppose."

Lois got up and started to pace the room.  "So have you brought me here to
tell me all those untold secrets you forgot about last time?"  She turned
around so quickly that she was startled to see him standing just inches away
from her. It was very unnerving, especially since she hadn't heard him get
up or walk over.

Something in her made her bold enough to blurt out, "Or is this purely
another attempt to make a pass at me?"  Raising her eyebrow, she looked him
square in the eye.  "You wouldn't be the first, you know."  She regretted
the words the second they came out, but she wouldn't let him see that.

Kal-El looked deep into Lois's eyes, daring her to break the contact.  He
looked as though he was trying to reach inside of her and find something to
grab onto so
she would be powerless to get away.

"Ms. Lane."  He said her name so softly that she thought she'd imagined it.
"I must admit, I'm at somewhat of a loss as to how I should continue.  It's
true I
was unfair to you the other day.  Our interview wasn't what you'd hoped for.
It's curious to me that anyone would want to know about me.  My life has
been nothing but an open book since the day I arrived--from the time I
landed in
Smallville, Kansas, to when I was captured and released from the bunker
Trask held me in.  I'll admit that I don't wish to relive those memories for
anyone."

Lois tried to be as unyielding.  She held Kal-El's stare, trying to put mind
over matter.  "Why, then, did you bring me here?"

"I decided to make the exception for you, because I trust 'you' to tell my
side."  He paused for a moment and then walked away.

Lois sighed heavily with relief at the release of his stare.

"This," he motioned around the room, "is not the only part of my house, as
it were.  There is more.  Would you like to see it?"

"Yes, I would."

Kal-El motioned to the side where he turned a knob that Lois hadn't noticed.
Part of the wall opened up to reveal a doorway leading into a long hallway.
On the right side of the hallway stood a display case.  Inside, Lois saw a
blue blanket artfully hung with a diamond-shaped shield. Within the shield
there was the letter 'S'.

"What's that?"

"That's the symbol of the house of El from which I came.  Both it and the
blanket were alongside me in the capsule.  It's the only thing I have that
belonged to my parents."

They walked into a huge room that was like walking into a museum.  There
were artifacts from all over the world on pedestals, and paintings displayed
royally on the walls.

"You collect art? They're wonderful reproductions."

"Reproductions? No, Ms. Lane.  I assure you they're the real thing.  Lex and
I are somewhat connoisseurs of artifacts from some of our most enjoyed
places and artists."

As they passed by one entryway, she noticed the painting of "The Rocky
Mountains, Lander's Peak".  Lois stopped and walked away from Kal-El, who
was explaining some of the surrounding pieces to her.  She looked in awe at
the picture she had seen in books when she was a child.

"I see you like that one."

"Oh, yes.  It's always been one of my favorites.  I enjoy paintings and
pictures of places, more than of people or things.  Traveling is something
I've dreamt of doing."  She looked away from the picture to Kal-El, and,
with a gleam in her eye, continued.  "I've always hoped that one day I would
get to see that peak in real life."

"My favorite has always been nudes."

Both Lois and Kal-El looked up to see Lex stride in again with a glass of
wine in his hand. Lois immediately became uneasy.  Her warning system kicked
in as Lex stared boldly at her.  Before Kal-El could say anything, Lex
continued.

"My inspiration has always been this statue of a lovely young lady.  I think
the title is most intriguing."  Lex motioned to a statue that was located
next to a window overlooking a courtyard.

Lois looked at the girl with her arms tied to a pole.  She read the caption
out loud.  "The White Captive?" Lois rolled her eyes and looked at Lex.

Lex grinned impishly at her and sipped his wine.

"Lex, don't you have something else you should be doing?"

"No, not really."  Lex defied Kal-El with another bold grin at Lois.

Kal-El was not amused.  He headed Lois off to another part of the hall.
"Come, Ms. Lane.  I would love to show you my observatory."

As they climbed the spiral staircase that led to the observatory, Lois
decided to ask about Lex.

"Kal-El, why do you keep Lex around? You obviously aren't pleased with him."

"Ms. Lane, I owe a lot to Lex.  Quite frankly, he serves my purposes.  We
use each other. Normally, he behaves himself very well."

"I don't like him," was all Lois said, and from the lack of response from
Kal-El, either he hadn't heard her or he was ignoring her comment.

They got to the top and looked through the telescope.  "The telescope is
pointed at Saturn.  Here.  Have a look."

Lois leaned forward, closing one eye and peering at the planet.  "It looks
fake," she said in amazement.   "Like someone pasted a sticker at the end of
this thing."

Kal-El smiled in amusement.  "Ms. Lane, you do have a way of saying what's
on your mind, don't you?"

"Perry says it's one of my better reporting traits."

Lois was still looking at the planet when Kal-El thought of an idea.  "Ms.
Lane, would you like to see the stars?"

That made Lois pause for a moment.  "Ahh, Kal-El…I am looking at the stars."

"No, Ms. Lane," Kal-El chuckled.  "I meant, would you like to see them up
close?"

She looked back at Kal-El and stepped down off the telescope platform.  She
followed him to the door that led outside into the cool night air.

Lois was starting to get a little impatient with this Kal-El.  "Ohhh, yes.
I can see how this is so much closer."  She tried not to say it too
sarcastically.

"This isn't close."  Kal-El reached out and took Lois around the shoulders,
scooping her up and carrying her slight weight into the air before she could
protest.

Lois was instantly in awe.  She had always loved flying.  Her biggest
disappointment in life was the day she'd received a bicycle instead of the
twin engine biplane she had so desired.

The ground below was dark except for a few twinkling lights here and there.
Above her was the big wide-open sky with thousands of pinholes in the velvet
black of the sky, gleaming their greetings.  She closed her eyes as the wind
swept through her hair, unaware of the deep perusal Kal-El was engaged in.

He thought her to be the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.  She was full
of tenacity and spirit, and he admired her straightforwardness.  She had
also done something no one else had.  Lois Lane had made the 'Great' Kal-El
ashamed of his actions.  Her words of their last meeting caused him to pause
and reexamine himself.  True, he wouldn't change all of the things he'd
done; however, his methods and primary actions needed some polishing.

Kal-El had been a reader of the Daily Planet for quite awhile.  It had
always intrigued him in the way they reported on Luthor and all of his
dealings.  Sometimes they treated him fairly, and other times they didn't.
Lois Lane's by-line was always colorful, and the most eagerly read.  She
stripped him constantly of his well-intentioned actions and made it seem as
though he were just a big bully.  Now he wondered if her assessment of him
was indeed justified.

What was it about her that made him seek her out in the first place?  Would
it be silly to say that something in her reminded him of the only person in
his life who had ever been kind?  Yes, maybe so.  Something about Lois did
remind him of his old doctor. Yet something even stronger had attracted him
to her.  Perhaps one day he would be able to put it into thought then maybe
words.

Lois started to get a little uneasy at the prolonged silence.  "Where are
you taking me?"

"I thought you'd like to see the world from my vantage point, let you see it
as I do. I hope you'll be able to see that I'm not the monster you would
have me be."

"I've always loved flying," Lois sighed and closed her eyes.  "It must be
wonderful to be able to fly under your own power."

"I fly to get away from Earth, from the things that weigh me down.  I find
flying to be very peaceful."

Lois gave him a thoughtful look.  "Are we losing altitude?"

He smiled.  "Yes.  We are very close to our destination."

"Destination?"

"I thought I would take you somewhere we could talk more privately.  Lex
seems to have eyes and ears everywhere.  Even in my own home."

As they descended, Lois could see in the moonlight the black on black
silhouette of a forest.  They landed in a small, open area.  Kal-El set Lois
down gently and collected a few branches.  Piling them up, he used his heat
vision to start a fire.

Lois smiled appreciatively and sat down, warming her hands. She looked up to
find him studying her closely.  "Why did you bring me here?"

"To talk."

"Really?" Lois asked, not quite believing him.

"Yes, really. You don't trust me?"

"Kal-El, you've not been very forthright or helpful with your interviews.
Did you really want an interview, or was there something else?"

"I admit, Ms. Lane, once again I'm not sure how to respond to that question.
So I guess I'll have to put myself in your capable hands and let you ask
anything you want.  I'll do my best to answer."

Lois lifted her eyebrows and gave Kal-El her best skeptical look.  He just
sat there looking at her.  She decided to take a chance.

They stayed in the clearing, talking about everything and nothing.  Lois
asked the questions, and Kal-El answered what he could.  Little by little,
Lois understood what made Kal-El act the way he did.  Still, it was no
excuse for all of what he did, but understanding was there.  It was
incredible, the things he suffered under Trask's insane rule. The mental and
physical torture he endured had been enormous.  It was a wonder to her that
he was as seemingly sane as he was.

"Trask came in and killed Doctor Boolean, then kept you in darkness."  Lois
looked down at the fire, her eyes misting over.  She felt so very sad for
the little boy Kal-El had been.  "You do realize there is more to life than
just trying to become ruler."

"Somewhere people got the impression I wanted to be ruler.  Nothing could be
further from the truth.  You see, the things I went through were terrible.
There were times I wished to die.  I found it very easy to give myself over
to self-pity.
I kept myself going by focusing in on my old doctor and the things she'd
tried to teach me.  That knowledge had been very limited, yet I did my best
and held onto what I could.   And when I was finally free, I did all I could
to make up the rest of that knowledge. "

"It must've been horrible for you."

"You know, one of the things I often wondered about was, what would have
happened if a simple family had found me."  He smiled self-consciously at
this daydream.  He'd never told anyone about it before.  "Then I would've
been some no-name face in the crowd, and I would've lived a simple life."

"I find that sometimes it's better not to dwell on 'what ifs", and just deal
with what you have.  Try to make the most of it.  You can do so much more
than what you're doing.  Focus on that.  Learn to help and guide others, not
manipulate them around to your way of thinking."

Kal-El smiled at her.  She was so beautiful and honest.  "Tell me, Ms.
Lane,"  he reached for her hand.  "Do you have any 'ifs'?"

Lois was getting self-conscious again and started to tuck a stray hair away
from her face, placing it behind her ear.  Kal took over and tucked it for
her, then traced her jaw line with his finger.  She blushed, hating herself
for it.  Never had she acted the part of the schoolgirl for anyone.

"One.  Just one."  She rested her chin in her hands, with her elbows on her
knees.  "My father had always wanted a boy.  He was very disappointed when I
turned out to be a girl.  I've always wondered what it would have been like
if my father had been happy with me as I was."

Kal-El frowned at her. "You're right.  Living in the world of "if" is not a
good place to be.  If I'd been raised another way, we wouldn't have met.  If
you'd been a boy, then I definitely wouldn't want to do this."

He took her chin in his forefinger and thumb, and gently pulled her chin up,
kissing her ever so gently.  For the first time in both of their lives, they
felt content.  Lois stayed next to Kal-El, and they just enjoyed each
other's company as they watched the sunrise.

Lois had fallen asleep in Kal-El's arms, his warmth surrounding her.  Kal-El
was content to hold her and listen to her soft breathing.  Slowly, the sun
started to show its brilliance.  The eastern sky they faced was streaked
with pink and blue tones.

Groggily, Lois woke up to see the sun come over the land and the fog start
to dissipate.  "I must've dozed.  It's morning.  I'm sorry--you could've
woken me.  We didn't have to stay out here all night."

"Yes, we did," he smiled.  "Look."  Kal-El pointed to the woods surrounding
them.

Small woodland animals started to seek the sun and find their morning meals.
A fawn and its mother slowly came to the edge of the clearing to a blueberry
bush and ate from it.  Lois watched in awe at the sun rising higher and
higher.  Finally, it was dawn, and, looking around, she was stunned.

Without a word, she stood, looking in wide-eyed awe at the canyon expanse in
front of her.  Seeing the mountain beyond, she pointed to it in disbelief.
"This… this is Lander's Peak!"

He walked up to her and took her in his arms, with her back to his chest so
she could see the view.  "Ms. Lane, I have a confession to make."

She looked up at him.

"I love you."

SSSSSsssss

"Lois, what did you say? Oh, that was so romantic."

"Lucy, I hardly know him, really.  I would've thought you would be more
sensible than this.  No, wait.  What am I saying?  You're the one who
thought Brainsmasher was a great love story."

"It was!  So tell me.  What did you do after he said he was in love with
you?"

"I was surprised since we've only known each other for two days, a fact
which I mentioned to him,"

"And?"

"And he said that was all he needed."

"Ooooohhhh!"  Lucy let out in a huge sigh. "I don't know if I can stand
this."

The elevator came to the floor of the city newsroom.  With the sounding of
the bell in the elevator, the doors opened and Lois and Lucy walked out.
Jimmy, seeing Lucy, ran up to them with a huge smile.

"You ladies look lovely today.  Lucy, I was able to score two tickets to the
Dave Matthew's concert.  Would you like to go?"

"Sure,"  she said cheerfully, then added, "Guess what, Jimmy?  Kal-El told
Lois he was in love with her."

Lois smacked Lucy on her shoulder.  "You've got a big mouth."

"What? Oh, man, you're kidding.  What did you say?"

They walked down the incline onto the main floor of the newsroom.  Lois
quickly walked ahead of them so the whole staff room wouldn't hear them.

"What did I say? What do you care what I said?"

Jimmy stopped and gave Lois a condescending look.  "Kal-El specifically asks
for you to interview him, then after the second interview, he tells you he
loves you.  And you can't understand why I want to know what you said?"

"Lois is being stubborn, Jimmy.  All she could do was point out the fact
that they had only known each other for two days."

"That does it! You two get out of my sight.  I have work to do."

Just then Perry walked up to her desk.  "Yes, you do, my dear.  How is the
interview column coming along?"

"Lois has a great interview coming, Chief.  In fact, she and Kal-El are like
this!" Jimmy put his first and middle finger together and held them up for
Perry.

Lois promptly hit Jimmy up the side of his head with the folder she'd been
holding.

Perry's rumbling, all-knowing laughter filled the newsroom.  "Well, Lois, is
Kal-El smitten with you?  You know, Elvis was completely taken in by
Priscilla the first time he..."

Lois couldn't take it anymore.  "Perry, not another Elvis chronicle, please.
Jimmy, Lucy and you, too, Perry…leave me alone so I can write my interview."

SSSSSsssss

Over the next few months, Kal-El patiently cultivated Lois's friendship.
He'd moved too quickly when he told her he was in love.  Although Kal-El had
not voiced it to her again, he showed her with actions of kindness and
careful consideration, freely giving her what she wanted and needed.

Even the press noted the difference in Kal-El, and headlines of a possible
changed man abounded in the papers and on local TV news.  Lois herself did
her best to stay out of the spotlight, but found it increasingly difficult
to maintain her work performance due to the heavy bombardment of her fellow
reporters.  As for herself, Lois was bound and determined to go as far as
she might with this relationship.  Kal-El had scared her at first, more than
she'd wanted to admit to anyone.  Granted, it wasn't every day that a person
met someone who lived in a secret location, who was the mastermind and
muscle behind world domination, as well as having a fondness for collecting
fine works of art.  And also a person who, let's not forget, had the
practice of injecting a knock-out drug into any and all guests of the
'realm.'

Lois reminisced about their first date.  At the time it wasn't a date, but
somehow it had managed to turn itself into one.  She smiled now at the
special gesture Kal-El had made, flying her to Lander's peak.  It really had
been perfect right up to the point he'd expressed his love for her. That had
taken her aback.  Love?  They had only just met!  How could anyone fall in
love that quickly?  It was a ploy, she had thought at the time; he'd wanted
her for something.  Did he really think she would melt at his feet, singing
his praises to any and all who would listen?  Well, 'Mr. High-and-Mighty'
Kal-El had another thing coming.  She was not some servant who was going to
bow to his every whim.

Kal-El hadn't wanted that at all.  In fact, the interview had taken place
simply because Kal-El had wanted to meet her.  He really hadn't wanted to
conduct that interview, or any other.  His view was that people knew too
much already, and if they knew more about him, he would have to deal with
people like Trask all over again.

Slowly, Lois had come to an understanding of Kal-El.  There was a person who
desperately wanted to be a part of something, and was accomplishing this
need through Lex. However, Kal was starting to realize that there was--and
could be-- so much more.  Lois was slowly trying to bring this quality out
in him, hoping to help him become the great man and leader she just knew he
was capable of being.

Tonight would mark their six-month anniversary since that night on Lander's
peak.  Kal-El had vowed to take her to a showing of Les Miserable in London
at the glorious Albert Hall.  She drove her car to the airport where she
always met Lex, who would then take her to Kal-El.  This time, to her
surprise, Kal-El was waiting for her instead of Lex.

Lois glowed with happiness.  "You're here!"

"Yes, I thought tonight was too special.  Leaving you to tolerate Lex's
company would be unmerciful on my part."

"I appreciate that.  Believe me."

Kal-El had waited nervously for Lois.  He'd decided weeks ago that this
would
be the night, the time when he would boldly ask her to marry him.
Hopefully, he could find the need to control himself due to his nerves.
Carefully, he assisted Lois up the stairs and into their seats.

"So, we're not going to 'fly' over?"  Lois made a wave like motion with her
hand to indicate flying.

With an amused grin, Kal-El explained, "No, today I felt the need to just
sit back and relax."  Deepening his smile and taking Lois's hand, he added,
"You know, take in the lovely scenery."

Amused, Lois laughed and went to the small refrigerator, taking out a bottle
of water.  "My Kal, you're just full of surprises.  I don't know what to
expect now."

"Lois, that's the plan,"  Kal said with an all-knowing smile.

Later that night, as they strolled down the streets of London, Kal noticed
Lois was unusually quiet.  Coming to a stop, he turned Lois to face him.
Holding her close, he lifted her chin and tenderly kissed her.  Lois gave an
audible sigh, and Kal whispered into her mouth.

"You've flown away somewhere."  He kissed her again, only to pull away
slowly. "Where've you gone?"

Lois leaned against Kal's strong chest, hugging him and resting her cheek
against his warmth.  She sighed with contentment.

"I'm right here, just were I want to be."

Once again, Kal made Lois look up at him, his eyes full of concern.  He
questioned, "Are you sure? Are you very sure, Lois?"

"Of course I'm sure.  What a strange thing to ask."

"I've come to a realization, Lois.  I need you somehow, and I don't
understand it myself. You've come to mean more to me than anything, anyone
else I have ever known. I don't know if I could...if I would want to
continue,"  he groped for the right thing to say, then took a deep breath
and rushed on.  "Lois, I don't want to continue as we have.  I want there to
be more between us.  You're a part of me.  I don't know how, why or when,
but the fact is, you are.  I want this part of me...I want you.  Lois, will
you marry me?"

Lois was touched at Kal's honesty and trust.  He had just bared his soul to
her, and now was waiting patiently to see if this trust had been well
placed.  Marriage.  What a step.

Lois looked deep into her heart and realized something for the first time.
This man loved her; this man cared about her.  And she did return his
feelings with her whole soul.  This man before her was not like any she had
ever known.   True, their first meeting would have turned anyone off.  Yet
Lois was not anyone.  Sure, she had been on guard and nervous around Kal-El.
Slowly, that fear had melted away.  So many times in her life, men had hurt
her.  Even her own father had hurt her deeply.  Marriage would've been the
last thing she'd ever do.  Until Kal-El.  Knowing just what her response
would be, she realized for the first time in her life that she truly was in
love.

"Kal-El, I thought you would never ask."

SSSSSSsssss

Everyone directly--and even indirectly--involved with this courtship and
subsequent engagement was becoming vastly annoyed at the attention.  The
let-up of interest seemed to have no end.  Lois and Kal-El had decided that
they would have a private ceremony with only close family and friends.  It
was held in September on a small yacht.  Lois was dressed in a simple white
gown, and Kal-El wore a smart looking black tux.  The two had a hard time
keeping their eyes and minds focused on the ceremony.

Everyone enjoyed themselves; however, one person was not in a good mood.  He
was more than a little annoyed.  In fact, he was down right furious with the
entire proceedings.


SSSSSsssss


TWO WEEKS LATER

Lex stormed into his room late one night, picking up the newspaper and
throwing it down on the table.  "That little strumpet is ruining everything
I have been building up!  At first, I thought it was just a passing phase.
After all, Kal-El has had very little interaction with those of the opposite
sex.  Now it's gone too far.  He's turning into a fop!"

Lex grabbed a glass of wine and poured his favorite tonic into it, sipping
slowly the way Asabi taught him to do in order to calm his nerves, as well
as ease his tortured mind.

"It's Kal-El's fault.  He's letting her do this, this... whatever this is to
him.  I should punish him for this outright betrayal!  Kal-El has broken our
agreement."

Asabi, who had been quiet throughout the tirade, now spoke.  "Calm yourself.
It isn't wise to make any decisions when you're dealing with so much
emotion. Meditate for a moment, then continue."

Lex took another sip, then closed his eyes, letting his muscles relax.

"She's ruining him.  She's making an honest man out of him.  All of my work,
all of the plans I've carefully laid out are slowly being dismantled by
little Ms. Lois Lane."   Lex sneered.  "Asabi, help me!  I have to stop
this.  Even as we speak, she's teaching him that he has goodness.  It's more
than I can bear.  I'm going to be sick if this keeps up.  I had tried to
come up with a way to stop this fiasco from ever happening in the first
place.  Oh, what a mess!  And now it is up to me to fix it."

Asabi started to message Lex's temples.  "Are you positive you desire to end
this relationship because it is hurting your 'empire'?  Or because of a
deeper need?"

"Deeper need?"

"Yes, a need that you feel for yourself.  Perhaps you wish Lois for
yourself."

"Don't be ridiculous.  I admit she's very lovely, but my aims in life are
higher than having the pleasure of any woman, let alone one.  If I did
anything to her, it would be for the soul enjoyment of watching her and
Kal-El suffer.  She's merely a pawn in this game."

"Your feelings may not be of a romantic nature for her, Lex, but you do have
a fascination for her.  They're married, and Kal-El seems to have this
attachment to her as she does for him.  If planned correctly, your strike
will cut much deeper.  The wound can be fatal, if this is your aim.  Now is
the time to plan, and plan carefully, deciding when best to strike back.
Wait and see if there will even be a need.  Kal-El might be playing the part
of a changed man for Lois's benefit.  Once the novelty of it is gone, he may
turn back to his old self.  Your business dealings may have to be put on
hold for the present, but think of what will happen when you set them back
on track."

Lex's mind started to work as he listened to Asabi's advice, a most wicked
plan he'd thought of to date formulating in his mind.  He would wait a while
and strike when it was least expected.  He knew just what he would do to get
back at little Ms. Lois Lane.  Oh, yes, it would be grand.  He would make
her pay for this insolence. He would enjoy himself immensely.


SSSSSsssss


"The months passed, and Kal-El and I settled into a comfortable routine.  I
was constantly trying to teach him how to help others.  It was difficult.
Lex was always in the way.  He would drop little hints and innuendoes about
my turning Kal into a "goodie-two-shoes", and that it had to stop sooner or
later.  I ignored him, for the most part.  That was a bad miscalculation on
my part.  One time he actually came up to me and offered me money so that I
would leave Kal-El.  Naturally, I was outraged."

"He offered you money?" Clark asked.

"Yes, you see I was ruining his creation.  He felt that by offering me
money, I would leave the scene.  Lex has this problem.  He thinks he can buy
people."

"That's a problem Lex will always have," Clark lamented.

"Anyway, it didn't matter.  I was hopelessly in love."  Lois smiled shyly at
Clark.

"When he asked me to marry him, I was scared at first.  But after really
thinking about it,"  Lois toyed with a potted plant on her counter, then
looked meaningfully at Clark.  "Well, there was no way I could say no.  I
never once regretted my decision.  Not till Lex, anyway."

"So the marriage was good?"

"It was more than good.  Kal-El was wonderful."  A mournful look came over
Lois. "It was the happiest I've ever been.  Then life came crashing down
around us." Lois got up and started to pace the room.  "Lex had his own
ideas about Kal-El, and I...well, if I had only known."


THE BEGINNING OF THE END


It had been four months since the wedding; four months that Lex had been
patiently lying in wait, hoping for the right opportunity to come along, and
waiting to see just which way he would turn the screw and seal Lois's fate.
Frustrated now beyond what he could tolerate, Lex raked his hands through
his hair.

"There has been another uprising."  Lex sank down on the couch.  Without a
word, Asabi began to administer to his master.  "With Kal-El's lack of
attention to things, the people are becoming more bold.  Another uprising
has been reported and, once again they have taken hold of our finances in
Lexburge.  If Kal-El doesn't get back out there and regain our hold…"  Lex's
face was turning red, the vein at this temple visibly larger.  "That woman
has become nothing but a nuisance.  I want her eliminated.  I don't care
anymore about how I'll do what I have to do!"

"If you get rid of her, Kal-El would know it was you.  He is very much in
love.  Should you dispose of her, Kal-El would turn on you.  What you must
do is find a way to drive them apart."  Asabi started to pace in front of
Lex, then gestured with his hands clasped to emphasis his point. "Now this
may be easier said than done. I would have to be swift...."

Lex was once again struck by inspiration.  He could modify his plan
slightly.  "I could have dear Lois meet up with some tragic accident.  No,
that would not stop Kal-El.  Knowing him, he would go into seclusion, or
perhaps, worse case scenario, he would try to carry on in her memory,
becoming a completely sickening do-gooder."  Lex followed Asabi 's lead and
started to pace the room, rubbing his head and giving the impression of
stressful thinking.

"It's agreed that Lois is the one who has to stop the relationship.  We
can't kill her, so...what if we made her leave?  If she were to leave
Kal-El, he would be devastated.  How would he react?  It would have to
devastating to him.  Leverage is what I need.  Lois is a smart girl.  I need
something to hold her.  This is going to take some time, and a bit of
digging."

Little did Lex realize his *leverage* was close at hand.

SSSSSsssss

Lois walked into Perry's office, thumbing through her notes.  "Perry, I had
some more notes from Senator Malosh's interview.  I can have the whole thing
ready by five."  Lois looked up to check on Perry's reaction to her news.

Perry was sorting out his own paper work.  "That's fine, Lois.  Jimmy should
have the corresponding photos by then."

Lois smiled reassuringly at Jimmy, who was biting on his lower lip.  "Don't
worry, Lois.  I think they'll be just fine. I hope."  He grinned at her.

Getting what she needed, Lois turned to leave.  Just as she opened the door,
she was hit with a dizzy spell.  Holding her stomach, she waited for the air
to clear and the spinning to stop.

Jimmy was at her side instantly.  "Lois, are you okay?"

"Yes, Jimmy, I'm fine.  I've been getting these moments of incredible
dizziness. It'll pass in a second.  I haven't been able to eat well lately.
It's my fault, really.  Taking time to stop and have a good meal has become
a challenge."  Lois straightened up, giving Perry a sheepish smile.

Perry turned a thoughtful glance toward his favorite reporter.  "Now
sweetheart, far be it from me to go and diagnose.  Well, this old hound dog
has been 'round the bend, and well, have you considered the fact that you
just might be pregnant?"

Lois looked at Perry as though he'd spoken to her in Greek.  The reality and
truth of his words hit her.  "That must be it!  What other reason could
there be?"  A worried look changed the plane of her lovely face. "I need to
see Dr. Klein."

Unconsciously, Lois dropped her notes and headed for the door.  Perry
decided not to call this to her attention.

"Doctor Klein? Isn't he the director over at Star Labs?"

"Yes, Perry, he is.  He was also Kal-El's doctor back when NASA had him.  If
I'm pregnant, Klein is the best person to see.  He knows more about
Kryptonian physiology than anyone alive.  I should go see him.  Is that all
right with you, Chief?"

"That's fine, Lois.  Just so long as you can turn the story in for today's
evening edition."

Lois realized her notes were on the floor.  "Oh, my notes."  As she gathered
her notes, her mind raced with possibilities and excitement.

"Hey, kiddo."  Lois stopped at the door and turned back to her editor and
friend. "Congratulations."


SSSSSsssss


Soon Lois was on her way home from Doctor Klein.  It had been very easy to
tell that Lois was indeed pregnant.  She showed all the classic signs of the
fact.  Dr. Klein had confessed his surprise; he'd had doubts as to whether
it was possible for a human to have a 'Kryptonian' baby.  Obviously, it was
indeed possible.

"A mother," she thought.  " I'm going to be a mom!"

Was this a good thing?  Would she be able to handle herself?  Would she be a
good mother?  Then another thought hit her.  Kal-El.  She had to tell
Kal-El.
They had only been together for such a short time.  A child was something
they had yet to discuss.  Lois realized she didn't know Kal-El's view on
children in general.  How would he feel about this?  Now it was time for her
to decide just how she would tell her husband the news.

She found herself pulling into the parking lot of a toy store she'd always
passed by without so much as a second glance.  "I'm just going to look,"
she thought.  As she strolled down the aisles examining a stroller and
taking stock of all the different types of diapers, Lois become intimidated.
What kind of formula would she need?  Should she get the car seat that
turned from a stroller to a car seat, then to a rocker?  No, wait.  She was
jumping the gun just now.  Her first priority was to tell Kal-El.  Then she
remembered Kal was away in Lexburge, trying to settle the people, and hoping
for peace.

"The most important news of our lives and he isn't here."

"Excuse me, Miss.  Are you okay?"

Lois hadn't realized she'd spoken out loud.  Blushing, she addressed the
older woman.

"Yes, I'm fine.  I was just thinking out loud."

"Sounds like you just found out you're expecting."  The lady smiled at the
younger woman.

"How did you know?" Lois asked, taken somewhat aback.

"Oh, dear, it's not that hard to figure out.  I'm a mother of five, a
grandmother of twelve, and I know that look.  Besides, you're standing in
front of the diaper section with a newborn brand in your hand."  The woman
laughed jovially.  "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that."

Lois realized the humor of the situation and began laughing as well.  "May I
ask how you told your husband about your first baby?"

"Ahh.  Well, I went over and over how I was going to tell him. I kept
thinking just how I would say it.  I decided to buy a crib.  I put it
together myself, then left it in our spare bedroom. When he came home from
work that day, I asked him to get me something out of the room.  After about
four minutes, he didn't come back and I was worried.  So when I went to go
see what the matter was, I found the poor man passed out clean on the
floor."

"You're kidding!"  Lois was holding her sides from laughing so hard.

"No, my dear, it's a true story.  Each time another baby was on its way, I
made it a point to do something bigger and better.  I dare say I made that
man pass out all five times."

"Well, thank you.  You've been so kind.  In fact, I think I know just how
I'm going to tell him."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with each other, Lois was on her
way with package in hand.  Kal-El would have a little present waiting for
him.  She would make a candle lit dinner in his room.  Then, with her best
dress on, she would sit him down and have their dinner in the soft light.
Then, after dessert she would hand him a package wrapped lovingly in
gift-wrap. He would open it and see what was inside.

Full of excitement, Lois ran through the house, not realizing she had caught
the attention of a pair of unwanted eyes.  When she reached her room, she
set down the package on the couch, deciding she would take a shower and then
slip into something comfortable before she set all of her plans in motion.

Unbeknownst to Lois, as she showered a figure slipped into her room and
rummaged through her bags.  Upon his discovery of a beautifully hand-crafted
receiving blanket with sunflowers embroidered on the edges, the man smiled
wickedly to himself.  "It's all over now, Lois."  And with that he slipped
out again.

SSSSSsssss

"Asabi, I've found what I was looking for.  Get the plane ready tomorrow.
We
shall be leaving."

Asabi joined Lex is his revelry and began to set the plan into motion.

SSSSSsssss


Lois walked into her bedroom, tired and worn out from her day at work, glad
to be home finally, and able to get in bed and rest.  She turned down the
bed and began to undress.  Taking off her suit, she slipped on an oversized
nightshirt, one of the many she'd taken from Kal.  Walking over to the
window, Lois opened it enough to let in the cool night air.

Smiling to herself, her gaze lingered on the present that was just waiting
to be opened.  She set the glass of milk down on the nightstand that she'd
poured on her way through the kitchen.  Getting into bed, she stretched and
then snuggled
up to her pillow, hugging it close to her.  Kal's scent still lingered on
the shirt and she sighed contentedly.  Lois drifted into a half-wake,
half-asleep state when the bed sagged on the opposite side of where she was
facing.  She sighed as the warmth of another body snuggled against hers,
creating what was called  spooning.  Lois settled back into his body, and
his hand rested on her lower thigh.  Gently, he moved it up the side of her
hip. She smiled and put her hand on his.

"Kal must've gotten back early," she thought sleepily.

She inhaled deeply and then something took hold. This wasn't Kal-El!  The
aftershave was wrong.  Kal didn't use after-shave.  Lois tentatively felt
the smooth and course planes of his hands, traced the length of his fingers.
This was wrong. All wrong.  This wasn't Kal-El!  Kal's fingers were
different.  They were not as slim and bony as these were.


Lois froze as she heard a soft moan from the person next to her.  "NO!
That's definitely not right!"  Her mind screamed.

Lois made a move to get away.  An arm came around her, pinning her like a
vise to where she was.  Struggling, she tried but could not get free.
Finally, her assailant won and she was pinned down and looking straight into
the eyes of Lex Luthor.  He was grinning down at her with one of the most
malevolent smiles she had ever seen.

"Lex, get out of here!  Do you know the trouble you're in?" Lois hissed at
him.

"In time, just be patient.  I wanted to talk to you first."

"There's nothing to talk about, Lex."

 While continuing to hold her down, Lex reached over to her nightstand.
Picking up the glass, he took a seductive little sip and set it down.  He
leaned closer down to Lois, just a hair's breadth from her face.  Lois
smelled the combination of liquor and cigar that was on his breath.

"Oh, but I think there is, love!"

He kissed her, his lips coming down brutally on hers.  Lois reacted the only
way she could think of.  She bit his lip, drawing blood.  The coppery taste
as well as the kiss made her gag.  Lex 's reaction was quick and hard.  He
slammed her to the bed.

"Don't you ever do that again!"

Lois spit in his face.  "If you're going to kill me, Lex, just do it.  Get
it over with!
Kal-El will hunt you down and you know it. When he finds out about this, you
are history."

Lex wiped the spittle from his face with the back of his free hand, his grip
on her wrist tightening. She wouldn't let him see how scared she was.

"My love," he said, pretending that he was hurt by her remark.  "You cut me
to the quick. You know that I very well do not want to kill you.  Never
underestimate yourself.  Right now, you're of great use to me.  I must admit
I was disappointed in you.  I expected more from you.  Sleeping with the
enemy…" he made a tisk-tisk noise.  "Marrying him.... I had higher hopes for
you."

"Lex, I'm not going to tell you again!  Get out!  My room's off limits to
you, and you know that.  I'll have you eliminated from this house for this."

Lex looked at Lois like a parent looks at a child, a child who is just being
stubborn.  He slowly kissed her cheek, chin, and eyelids.  "Such harsh
words, my love.  You know deep down you don't mean that."

Lex leaned in closer and began to kiss Lois more intimately.  She tried to
struggle, kick, move…anything to get free.  His grip was too strong, and he
had her in an awkward position.  His kisses were making her sick to her
stomach.  At any moment she was ready to heave.

"That's a good girl."  He kissed her again on the lips.

Lois kept trying her best to squirm away, but she couldn't break free.  He
was putting all of his weight on her and she was having trouble breathing.

Lex stopped for the space of a second, just enough to cruelly inform her,
"My dear Lois. Your precious husband is still trying to save those peace
talks in Europe.  He will be gone for quite sometime.  I've seen to that, so
I have you all to myself."

"Damn you, Luthor!  You'll pay for this!"

"No, my dear, I don't think so.  You see, you and I will be long gone by the
time
Kal-El gets back."

Lois grounded out threw her teeth, "You and I long gone? Where are you
taking me?  Let me go, Luthor, and I might let you live!"

"Such bravado, Lois. I'm impressed."

"I want you to let me go." Lois spoke slowly, like she was trying to get a
daft child to do as she asked.

"Yes, well, be that as it may Lois…get used to disappointment!"  With that,
Lex roughly pulled Lois off the bed and ordered her to get dressed and pack
some things.  He remained in the room leering at her as she got dressed.

It was the middle of the night when they left, no one was a witness to them
leaving.  No one knew.  Lex ordered Lois into the car.  After locking all
the doors, he then went back inside the house.  Finally, he returned and
ordered the driver on his way.

"Lex, what did you do?"  Lois asked, her voice husky and dry from trying not
to
give way to tears.  One thing that was rotten about being pregnant was that
she was becoming more emotional than she normally would've been.

Lex reached over and smoothed her cheek the way Kal did.  Lois immediately
pulled away to the far side of the limo. Her was jaw set, and disgust raging
in her eyes.

"My dear, I took care of things,"  was all he said.

For the entire car ride, Lex was content to have things quiet, so neither
one said anything on the way to the private plane that Lex had sent for.  As
they boarded, Lois heedless of what might happen, made a mad dash for
nowhere.  Of course, Lex's bodyguard caught her in a few short strides.  Lex
walked up to her and slapped her across the face.  Lois was more surprised
than hurt.

"Don't be stupid, Lois!  Don't ever try that again."  He raised his hand to
her, threatening to hit her again, but pulled it back.  "Understand?"

  ***********************************************************

"I was so upset with Lex, and so sure that Kal-El would come and take me
back."   Lois started to pick up some of the toys that were scattered around
the place.  "It never occurred to me that Lex might have really done
something so evil that it would be irreparable."

Clark had been sitting there listening to everything, reeling with emotions
he couldn't understand.  Yet somehow he felt the worst was yet to come.
Lois seemed to have stopped talking, becoming caught up in picking up the
toys and in her memories.

Carefully, Clark prodded for more.  "What happened?  What did Lex do?"

Lois paused, looking up at Clark as if to see him for the first time.  She
gave herself a mental shake and continued her story.  "I didn't find out
until much later. What Kal-El found on his return...well, it was very bad."

SSSSSsssss


Kal-El walked into Lois's room looking for her.  It was late, and no doubt
she was asleep.  He hadn't seen her in days, and sorely missed her.  This
peace-making idea was still very new to him; however, he'd done it and
everything had been accomplished.  He knew he owed it all to the one person
who meant more than anything to him.

He couldn't help but smile as he thought about her, about all the things
she'd done for him since they met.  Opening a whole new outlook on life was
just the beginning.  Kal-El still had a difficult time holding onto his
newfound benevolence.  Lois had said that it would take time, and he was
still working on it.

Kal-El was still smiling as he walked into her bedroom.  Quickly, the smile
turned into a disbelieving frown.  Staring at the neatly arranged bed, he
was unwilling to believe what his eyes were telling him.  Slowly, he reached
for the large photograph lying on the covers. It was Lex and Lois, together.
Finally, Kal-El snatched up the picture.

No, it wasn't a faked photograph.  His features darkened ominously as he
flung the picture aside.  Furiously pacing the room, Kal-El tried to conjure
up an explanation, a reason that this could've happened.  There was only one
he could think of.  Storming through the halls, he grabbed the first servant
he saw and held the unfortunate man three feet in the air.

"Where is Lois?" Kal-El forced the question through his teeth.

The servant swallowed hard, as if trying to decide how to say it.  "She's
...gone, sir."

"When?"

"I don't know.  She's been gone for a day now."

"And Lex?"

"He's left, as well.  We assumed they went off together.  I'm not sure
where..."

Before the man could finish, Kal-El flung him aside.  He stalked back
through
the house to the nearest window and flew out over the city.


SSSSSsssss


Lex and Lois had been in the air for some time.  Lois was huddled to herself
next to a window, staring blankly into space.  She thought of Kal-El,
wondering where he was and how long it would take him to find her.  How much
longer could she fight Lex off?  Lois knew Lex cared nothing for her.  This
was all just some twisted game for him.  Lex wanted to brake Kal-El, he'd
hinted as much on certain occasions.  In Lex's mind, Kal-El had betrayed
their little agreement.

Slowly, Kal-El had begun to lose his reputation and was now looked upon as a
benevolent benefactor out for truth and justice.  This was putting a cramp
in Lex's ultimate plans; he needed Kal-El with him.  Or if not with him,
then he wanted Kal-El dead so that there was no one to stop him.  This
thought formed itself, and realizing it made her blood run cold.  If Lex
found out about the baby, it would be horrific.

"My dear, you don't seem at all happy.  Prone to air sickness?"  Lex asked
her sarcastically.

"It's not the flight, it's the company."

Lex wasn't bothered by her biting retort.  He simply smiled.  Lex was
content to leave Lois alone, for the time being.  Setting into motion the
next wave of his plan was more important at this moment.  Lex had decided
clear back on Lois's first visit what must be done.  Now that his plan was
in full motion, staying patient was of the utmost importance.  The plan
would work to its fullest potential.  If he played his cards right, he would
get the "goose that laid the golden egg" back into his firm, and all
knowing, control.

"Would you like a drink my dear?"

He handed her a crystal champagne glass.  Lois looked at the glass with
distrust, noticing that the glass was very familiar.  "These are the glasses
Perry gave me for my wedding!" Lois was indignant.  She threw the champagne
in Lex's face and pushed past him as she ran to the bathroom at the back of
the plane.  Locking the door behind her, she pulled up whatever wasn't tied
down to the floor and pounded her fist into the wall.  Furious, she vented
her anger.  When it was finally spent, she wiped her face with a damp rag.
"Kal-El," she whispered.  "Where are you?"

Lex wiped the contents of the glass from his face, then threw the glass to
the floor.  "What a shrew."


SSSSSsssss


Kal-El scanned the countryside for any sign of Lois or Lex, his mind racing
with jumbled thoughts.  He could feel the hope and light vanish from his
heart.  How could she do this? Wait, he still wasn't sure.  He couldn't
believe that Lois would do this to him.  Finding her was the most important
thing, knowing that the truth was what he wanted.  Hearing Lois's side was
all he cared about.  Hanging onto that thought, Kal-El flew on.


SSSSSsssss


Lois was tired.  No, she was exhausted.  She had stayed in the bathroom the
entire flight.  Feeling weak from her venting and lack of sleep, she dared
to only come out when the attendant announced they would be landing soon.
She reclaimed her old seat next to the window, noticing it was early
morning.

As they got closer to the ground, she was able to have a clear view of where
they were headed.  Just in front of them laid a lush, green field, with palm
trees and thick vegetation.  A Spanish hacienda was in the short distance, a
beautifully landscaped house. The tropics.  They must be somewhere in the
tropics.  Had it been another time, another place, and under different
circumstances, she would have fallen in love with its beauty.  The only
thing she could see now was a prison, with Lex as the gatekeeper.

The plane landed and Lex came up behind her, putting his hand on her
shoulder.
Lois shrugged him off.  "Don't touch me!"

Lex just sighed. "It's time we got off."

Lois got up and stormed to the opened door of the plane.  She looked out
into
the morning sun.  It was warm and the smell off the sea air was close.  The
attendant assisted her down the stairs.

Lois was shown to her room by pleasant looking, older woman.  Lois could've
sworn she'd seen this lady before.  She reminded Lois of her grandmother.
The woman wouldn't talk to her, nor would she look Lois in the face.  So
Lois decided she would be the one to try and break the ice.

"Thank you for your help.  My name is Lois."

"I know who you are," the woman said quietly.

"Really? Well, you have the advantage.  You look familiar to me, but I can't
place you.  What's your name?"

"I was a maid for Lex in Kal-El's house.  My name isn't important,"  the
woman said in a kind, but firm way, and that was the only thing the woman
said.  As soon as she helped Lois unpack, she was mysteriously gone.  Lois
looked around the room.  There was a very ornate fireplace that faced the
bed. The bed had sheets of the finest silk, and the room was decorated with
a medieval theme.

She was so tired, and still feeling sick to her stomach, not to mention the
fact that her nerves were frayed.  Lois decided that, despite everything,
she would go to sleep.  Turning down the covers, she crawled into bed, only
taking off her shoes. The minute her head was on the pillow, she fell into a
fitful sleep.

Something had woken Lois up.  Lifting her head slightly off the pillow, she
looked around.  It was dark, and everything was blurry as she stretched,
trying to see something in the darkness.  A flicker of light was coming from
the foot of the bed.  She sat up, and slowly the darkness subsided as she
realized the flicker was a small fire.  Slowly, her eyes adjusted to the
light.

"Well, my dear, so nice of you to join the land of the living.  I'm glad to
see you're all right."

Lois jumped at the sound.  She looked to her left to see Lex sitting in a
big cushioned chair, sipping a glass of wine and just staring at her.

"Do you know how beautiful you look in the firelight?"

Exhaustion clouded her mind.  She asked sleepily, "Where am I?"

"In my castle in the clouds.  Don't you remember?"

"Now I do," her voice sounded hoarse.  "I was hoping it was all a dream."

Lex flashed a slightly amused grin at her.  "I can see you're still not
recovered. So I will go.  For now."

On his way out, he closed the door behind him, but not before he blew an
insolent kiss to her.

The next morning, Lois awoke to Lex sitting next to her on the bed.  He had
breakfast there ready for her.  She peered up at him groggily, annoyance
clearly evident on her face.

"Lex, I really don't need to see your face every time I wake up."  He just
stared at her, as if he was trying to read her thoughts.  "What is it?" Lois
asked, worried now from the look he was giving her.

"I was just pondering the fact that I had expected things to be different."
"I thought your infatuation with Kal-El was a bit of an annoyance.  I had
really hoped things hadn't come to where they are.  It was such a bother to
bring you here.  You have no idea all the trouble I've gone through to set
this whole matter to my liking."  Lex shook his head in disbelief.

"Excuse me?  What did you say?  An infatuation?  Set things to your liking?
What are you talking about?"

"You don't need to know that just yet!"  Lex shook his finger at Lois, his
face inches from hers.  "Just know this: your status as his wife, the role
you so wonderfully played…it's over.  That has changed!"  Lex stepped back
and hissed,  "So the sooner you realize that, the better you will be."

"Now,"  Lex straightened up to his full height,  "to the business at hand."
Lex paced the room.  "I have in my possession, the ability to bring Kal-El
to his knees.  I will accomplish this through his wife."  Lex looked right
into Lois 's eyes.  She could see the greed, the pure evil in them.

Later that afternoon, Lois had been searching the house for some means of
escape.  Finding things were not left to chance, she tried every door and
window she could get near.  All of them where locked.  Lois also noted that,
besides the maid, there was only a minimal of staff on hand.  She went to
the kitchen to find something to eat.  To Lois's great relief, she found it
empty.  She helped herself to what was there.  Unfortunately, Lex came in
shortly thereafter.  Lois had been trying to avoid him thus far.

Without a warning, or even the slightest provocation, Lex lashed out at her.
Lois fell to the floor with a thud.  Picking herself back up, she gave Lex
her most withering stare.  Her voice dripping with sarcasm, she said, "This
is not going to win me over."   She wiped the small trickle of blood from
the side of her mouth.
"I'm just biding my time."

"Oh, so you think you can go back, do you?  I assure you, that won't be
possible.
I've seen to that."  Lex had such a look of triumph in his countenance that
Lois was highly concerned.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, her voice sounding strange even to
her own ears.

"Poor Kal-El would no doubt kill you."  Lex turned his expression to a sad
mock.
"You've betrayed him Lois."

"Betrayed?"

Lex walked over to his desk and pulled out a copy of the photograph he'd
left for Kal-El.  Throwing it down at Lois's feet, she gasped.  She was
furious, her face visibly turning red and then flushing.  "You and I both
know nothing happened.  Except maybe in your twisted mind."

"Your dear husband doesn't know that.  He thinks you've left him."  Lex
snickered.  "He thinks you left him for me, and this picture proves it."
Lex said simply.

"It proves nothing!"

"Come now, Lois.  Anyone who sees this picture will come to the same
conclusion.  It's the way this world runs.  Everyone is ready and willing to
believe the worst in others.  It's the good things we have a hard time with.
The seed of doubt has been planted in his minded.  No doubt, when he sees
this picture he will comb the city looking for us, hoping against hope that
the one person he cares so much for has not gone and done the unthinkable.
He'll be begging that this is all just some kind of trick or
misunderstanding."

Lois was starting to get very tired.  She wasn't feeling well.  The baby
hadn't given her any peace for the last few days.  That and Lex were taking
a toll on her health.  She was worried that she wouldn't be able to
physically continue to fight him off much longer.

"Lex, you're a sorry excuse for a human being.  You think you're so sly, so
clever.  This will come back to haunt you.  You think you're so much better
than Kal.  You're nothing, Lex.  Nothing at all.  'Sorry' isn't going to be
half of what you'll feel."

Lois knew she shouldn't bait him, but something in her snapped and she
didn't care anymore.  "Pathetic, that's what you are. I don't feel anything
for you, and I never will. You can't make me feel anything for you, Lex.
When I look at you, all
I have is emptiness."

Lex grabbed Lois's jaw.  She inhaled sharply from the pain, but didn't
cower.  His face was just centimeters from hers.  With rage flowing from
him, he gritted his teeth and took her by the arms, shoving Lois away from
him.  She looked at him.  It was clear that what he was trying to do was
break her.  She wouldn't let that happen.  All he wanted was to get one up
on Kal-El to see if he could break him.  Lex knew the best way to accomplish
this was through Lois.

"I don't think you fully realize what has happened here. My dear…cleaver?
You have no idea.  You no longer will hold the same light in Kal-El's eyes.
You see, just the picture alone has ruined you.  How are you going to
explain it?"

"I'll tell him the truth!  It was all a fabrication on your part.  He would
never believe I would choose…"  she made a disgusted gesture toward Lex.
"That I would choose to be with an animal like you."

Lex was furious.  She had insulted him more than once, and once was one more
time than anyone had ever dared.  He walked in a quick stride and caught her
by the upper arms.  "Lois, was that a challenge?"

Lois had pushed him too far.  She could see it in his eyes.  They were
glazed over with a strange light in them.  Cold fear like she had never
known seeped into her body.

With a roar of uncensored fury, he grabbed her by the back of her head and
threw her to the floor, sitting on top of her.  She tried to block the
blows, kicking him…whatever it took.  She was able to knock him off her,
scrambling away on her hands and knees.  Reaching for her, he grabbed her
ankle and pulled as hard as he could.  Falling backward as she was dragged,
Lois hit her chin on the floor.  Dazed, she continued to scramble away.  The
grip on her ankle overwhelmed her.  Twisting her body around so that her
back was on the floor, she used her free foot to kick.  Lex was ready for
this.  Taking hold of the other leg, he continued to pull her to him. Again
he was on top of her, his hand gripping her across the check, and his thumb
pressed tightly under her bottom lip.

" Are you sure you're up to the challenge?"  he asked.  Lex wanted her to
beg, plead. He wanted her to whimper and cry.

She lowered her jaw and bit his thumb.  Pulling away, Lex quickly recovered
by slapping her as hard as he could.  Immediately, Lois started to see
lights flash before her eyes, and her vision started to dim.  Lex repeated
this action again.  She couldn't think clearly, and could vaguely make out
what Lex was saying.

"You should not challenge me, Lois.  Now, I'm afraid, I shall have to take
you up on it!"

He regained his hold on her hair and forced her head back, making her mouth
open involuntarily.  She gasped, trying to free herself.  Her concern for
the baby made her frantic to get away.  Lex was only flexing his muscle
because he could.

"No, Lex, don't do this."  It was stated as a command, not a plea.  "You'll
regret this, I swear."  She set her teeth on edge.  "Oh, how you will regret
this."  She ground out a pledge to herself and to him, still trying
violently to fight him off.  "If I have to kill you myself."

Suddenly, Lex got up.  Grinding his teeth, he shook violently at Lois.  "See
what you did?  You made me forget the more important things.  You wanted to
get me mad so I would do something.  Well, it won't work, Lois.  I have to
keep you safe for right now."  Lex pulled her roughly to her feet and shoved
her into her room. "No, Lois, the best is yet to come."

It was some time later when Lois woke up with a start.  She vaguely
remembered
Lex leaving her to herself, battered and bruised.  She had somehow managed
to get herself onto her bed.

There was a noise; someone had entered the room.  Lois stopped breathing for
a second, praying it wasn't Lex.  To her surprise, the maid who had shown
her in came to her side with a warm, damp rag.  Without a word, she started
to administer soothing aid to Lois, cleaning her face, arms and hands.  Then
she gave Lois some hot tea and an extra blanket.

Lois was so grateful as the maid helped her to get under the covers.
Everything about her ached as if she had been dragged threw a valley of
rocks.  When Lois was settled in enough to the older lady's liking, she left
Lois.  Neither of them had said a word. Somehow Lois knew none was needed.

Now awake and alone with her thoughts, Lois began to remember.  She was
ready to break down and cry, but she stopped herself.  She had every reason
to be proud.  She hadn't given in and begged, she hadn't shed a tear.
Putting her hand to her stomach, she thought of the baby.  She had to get
through this, if not for anyone else, then for her child.  She just had to
hold out till Kal-El came.

"No, I'm not going to let him do this," she vowed in her mind.

She hurt too much, so she stayed where she was, and fell back into a deep
slumber.  In her dream, she was scolding herself.  She had betrayed Kal-El.
No...No!  Wait, that wasn't right!  She'd done nothing wrong.  The blame was
with Lex.  He had taken the upper hand.  This wasn't her fault.  Surely
Kal-El would be able to see that. Try as she might to reason with herself,
guilt and regret seeped into her mind, building a wall of despair around
her.  How would she be able to tear it down? Would she ever be able to?
Lois had her head in her hands and was lying in a fetal position, trying to
gain some strength to get up when Lex came in and sat on the bed next to
her.

"I'm sorry it has come to this, Lois.  Truly I am.  Don't you see that,
because of your stubbornness, your inability to cooperate, it has left the
two of us in quite a predicament.  If you had done what I asked, perhaps I
would've made things better between you and Kal-El.  Now…"  he shook his
head.  "Now it's too late.  Kal-El will never take you back."

Lex got up and paced the room.  "I expect him to come anytime now."  He
threw her a sidelong glance over his shoulder.  "We'll have to tell him the
truth."

Lois closed her eyes and steeled herself against the pain.  "It doesn't
matter, Lex. I'll tell him the 'truth'.  You forced me to come here.  I
didn't come with you willingly.  He will believe that."

"You don't ever learn, do you?" he came back to the bed and sat down,
leaning in close to Lois.  "You just don't get it.  You're going to tell him
just what I want you to say, and you're going to sound convincing."

"How can you make me, Lex?  You've already done everything you could
possibly do."

"Ahh, now there's where you're wrong."  He paused for emphasis.  "Lois, have
you ever heard of Kryptonite?"

Lois stiffened. "Yes."

"Well, my dear."  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a green bullet.
"If you don't do as I tell you, this Kryptonite bullet is going to be aimed
at Kal's heart. One of my best marksmen is on standby.  You don't say and do
what I want, and this will go through his heart.  There'll be no more
Kal-El, or anything else.  Got it?"

Lois look