My Own Worst Enemy
Folc4evernaday
Chapter 20
A/N: I know. I know. It was 20, but then it got too long, and you ended up with 21. On the plus side, it's done, and I'm posting both chapters back to back as an early Christmas present to everyone. So yay!
***
Chapter 20
***
Bill Church took a sip of his scotch, staring at his son who seemed preoccupied with his phone at the moment. “Quit messing with that contraption or you’re going to give us away.”
Bill Church Jr. looked back at him with a grunt. “Fine, dad.” He clicked the phone closed and set it on the table in front of him. “You happy?”
The head flight attendant approached, “Pilot is doing one last inspection, and then we’ll be taking off, Mr. Church.”
“Thank you.” Bill Church nodded then turned his attention back to Bill Church Jr. who seemed distracted. “Something wrong, Billy.”
“No of course not. I always dreamed of spending the rest of my life in Cuba.” Bill Jr. snorted in disgust. “How did he get caught?”
“That’s not important now.” Church took a heavy breath, “What’s important now is securing our hold on the organization and ensuring we don’t make the same mistake again.”
“Yeah, don’t hire the Handyman for any jobs anymore.” Bill Jr. said haughtily.
“I’m thinking more along the lines of your assassination attempt on me.” Bill Church said, taking another sip of his scotch.
“What are you talking about, dad?” Bill Jr. lied, flashing a brilliant smile at him. “Assassination attempt?”
“You did instruct Rollie Vale to construct a drug that would make me seem crazy, so you could take over the organization and then planned to ‘put me out of my misery’ did you not?” Church’s tone was calm, but his glare was lethal.
“So what if I did?” Bill Jr. scoffed. “That’s what you wanted, isn’t it? A cutthroat son capable of taking over the business? At least that’s what you’ve been telling me for the last twenty years.”
“A good plan, son, but flawed in many ways I’m afraid.” Church said, folding his hands in front of him. “You forget I built this organization piece by piece from the ground up. There isn’t anything that goes on that I don’t know about.”
“Oh, I think you’d be surprised.” Bill Jr. said, sipping his wine. “There’s a lot that goes on that you don’t know about, dad.”
“Really?” Church challenged. “Did you really think I didn’t know you were working with Luthor?” He chuckled as his son’s eyebrows rose. “Who do you think told him to go to you? I knew given the chance your worst instincts would come out but I never imagined how badly you’d fail. Hiring someone to handle a job without a backup plan? Putting out a blanket hit order with no intended safety net? Including information in your contracts to give away what you’re doing to the Church Network’s system?” Church shook his head in disapproval. “You’ve really disappointed me, son.”
“You knew?!” Bill Jr. gasped in surprise, standing to his feet.
“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to sit down. The plane is about to take off.” the flight attendant ordered.
“I’ll sit down when I’m good and ready.” Bill Jr. growled angrily.
“I believe you should do as he says, Mr. Church.” a voice in a British accent spoke from behind them.
Church smiled a satisfied grin when he saw the recognition in his son’s eyes. “Mr. St. John, so good of you to join us.”
***
Jimmy walked through the newsroom, noting the whispers as he approached his desk.
“How does he even still have a job?”
“I wouldn’t be showing my face after yesterday.”
He frowned, uncertain where the remarks were coming from. He spotted Cat at her desk, typing away and approached with a cup of coffee, “Hey, Cat, how’s it going?”
“What is this a joke?” Cat asked, not looking up from her computer.
“No,” He began carefully. “What’s going on?”
“You’re kidding right?” Cat snorted turning in her chair to face him. “After yesterday I don’t know how you can even step foot in this newsroom. Standing up for yourself is one thing but you took it way too far.”
“Standing up for what?” Jimmy asked, confused.
“Oh, don’t try to play like you don’t know what you did.” Cat snapped angrily. “You know you really hurt Perry. We’re like family here and you don’t hurt your family.”
“Cat that’s enough,” Perry said, approaching from behind.
“But Perry…” Cat began to argue but stopped when she saw the solemn look on his face. “Fine.” She reclaimed her seat and turned back to her computer. “Cat’s Corner will be ready in five.”
“Thanks,” Perry said motioning for Jimmy to follow him. “Jimmy, follow me.”
***
Lucy tapped her hand on the table, watching Perry leave. “Am I the only one that finds all of this bizarre?”
“No,” Lois said shaking her head. “We’re just as confused as you are.”
“Why didn’t the news of this double make in the paper?” Lucy asked. “Aren’t you two supposed to print the news? Seems pretty newsworthy to me.”
“Well, we’re not sure how to explain it yet.” Clark edged cautiously. “We only found out about the double a few days ago. He was a part of Superman, but mostly seemed to have many of his fears.” There was a frown on his face that seemed saddened by his statement.
“So what happened to him?” Lucy asked. Clark looked at her in surprise, and she elaborated, “You keep discussing him as if he’s no longer here. The past tense reference.”
“Superman came to term with his fears, and the two merged back together,” Lois explained.
“Do you think that’s what happened to Jimmy?” Lucy asked.
“It sounds like it,” Clark said with a sigh.
Lucy nodded, letting out a light chuckle, “I don’t know how you guys do it. I mean, you deal with these crazy situations and criminals on a daily basis. I’m a wreck. Someone tried to kill Lois and me. Then Jimmy and I were kidnapped. I still have no idea why…”
“We may have some news on that,” Lois said, pushing a folder to her.
“What is this?” Lucy asked.
“Joey Bermuda, the guy that attacked us said there was a hit put out on you,” Lois explained carefully. “Asabi was following orders from Lex Luthor when Joey Bermuda failed.”
“A hit?” Lucy gasped in surprise. “Why?”
“We’re not sure,” Clark said gently. “But we will find out.”
The door opened, and Jimmy stepped inside with Perry. Lucy did her best not to meet his gaze. The things he’d said yesterday had been hurtful, and right now she wasn’t sure if she was dealing with the real Jimmy or his evil double.
“Jimmy, why don’t you have a seat.” Perry pointed to the chair across from Clark.
“Are you guys going to tell me what’s going on?” Jimmy asked.
“Take a seat.” Clark pointed to the chair.
Jimmy stared at Clark for a moment before plopping down in the chair with his arms folded over his chest. “I’m here. What’s going on?”
“We thought you might be able to tell us,” Lois said carefully.
***
“You can’t be serious!” Bill Jr. looked at Nigel St. John then back at his father. “Him? You’re working with him!”
“I prefer to think of it as consulting,” Nigel said, taking a seat. “I tend to go where the best cash flow is.”
“Hence why Mr. St. John will be heading up the organization in Europe.” Church said with a satisfied smile.
“That’s my territory.” Bill Jr. said flatly.
“Not anymore,” Church said, narrowing his eyes at his son. “Billions of dollars have been lost because you want to throw a tantrum. The tantrum is thrown. Jobs have been lost. Territory is gone. You’re out.” He snapped his fingers, pointing to the flight attendant. “Please escort this young man off the plane. The pilot can take off when he’s been cleared.”
“I’m afraid there’s been a delay.” the flight attendant said nervously.
“Delay?” Church echoed.
The door to the cockpit opened and out of it came the pilot and four uniformed police officers. “Look at that, Bill. He got us a present!” One of the officers pointed to Nigel.
“It’s going to be a good day.” the man spoke, holding his gun on Church and his son. “Tsk tsk tsk, trying to run from your warrant. Not a smart move.”
“How did you…?” Church stammered.
“Should have paid your attorney more. Seems he isn’t willing to let you escape either.” another officer interjected, holding his gun on Nigel. “Mr. St. John, we meet at last.”
“And you are?” Nigel looked at him blankly.
“Detective Ryder. I’m the one that’s been tracking you for the last year.” Ryder spoke with a smug grin as the other two officers slapped handcuffs on him. “You’re under arrest.”
***
Jimmy stared at Clark uncertainty then back at Lois. If someone had told him this story a few weeks ago, he would have laughed in their face. Now, given the activities that had occurred over the last few days, he knew what Clark was saying was true.
Superman had been split in two.
It explained why Superman had attacked the shooter.
It explained the odd behavior of Superman.
It explained a lot.
Could it really be that easy? It explained so much...
Jimmy frowned, looking at Clark. The last few months had been anything but easy. Clark claimed it wasn’t him in that photograph. Lois showed him proof it couldn’t have been Clark. Could the same thing have happened to him?
It would explain him being in two places at once.
“A double?” Jimmy croaked uncertainty.
“Seems to be connected to this black stone,” Lois explained cautiously. “We’re waiting to hear back from STAR Labs on what it is.”
“So this other me is what?”Jimmy asked, looking over at Lucy who was avoiding his gaze. After hearing what had happened last night, he didn’t blame her. “An evil twin?”
“All we know is the double in Superman’s case seemed to come from his fears.” Lois glanced over at Clark, and he reached out to squeeze her hand. A gesture that wasn’t lost on anyone else in the room.
“I never thought Superman could be afraid of anything.” Jimmy mused. “Hard to believe something like this could happen from a rock. How is that possible?”
“STAR Labs is running some tests on the sample that was found in Luthor’s lair,” Clark explained.
“So how do I stop this evil me?” Jimmy asked, looking at Lucy in concern. “Superman’s double made everyone hate him. I don’t want that.”
“We don’t either,” Lucy said, looking up at him for the first time.
“Luce…” Jimmy began, turning to look at her. “I would never…”
“I really don’t want to talk about it right now,” Lucy said quickly. “Let’s just find this double and figure out how to get rid of him. Maybe we could ask Superman for help?”
“I think he’s still recovering,” Lois explained, avoiding Lucy’s gaze. “We can talk to Dr. Klein. See if he’s got any ideas.”
“Well, for Superman it was coming to terms with his fears,” Clark said.
“What are you afraid of?” Lois asked.
“I don’t know.” Jimmy shrugged, not meeting her gaze.
***
Lois watched Jimmy walk with Perry into his office. Jimmy seemed almost docile when it came to dealing with this double that was already making his life hell. At least with Clark’s double it had only been a few weeks the double had been in public as Superman. She frowned, recalling the bruises he’d shown her. Someone had been testing pieces of that meteorite on him. Was that why it had taken so long?
“He’ll be fine,” Clark whispered in her ear, leaning in to kiss her.
“I hope so.” Lois sighed against him. “Henderson called earlier. The Churches and Nigel St. John have been picked up. A sting operation has been setup to catch Rollie Vale.”
“Good.” Clark nodded, watching her carefully.
They still hadn’t talked about what had happened yesterday. She’d been so relieved that he’d been okay. Talking about it hadn’t been a priority with everything else going on. Now that things were starting to settle down they needed to talk. She looked around the empty conference room. Here was as good a place as any she supposed. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m not ready to go face to face with a double of myself again, but most of my powers seemed to have returned.” He said, wrapping an arm around her waist.
“That’s a good sign, right?” Lois reasoned aloud.
“Yeah, it’s a very good sign.” He nodded, nestling his chin in her shoulder blade.
“Are you sure you want to tell people about the meteorite?” Lois asked, not looking up.
“It’s the only way to explain what’s been going on,” Clark said, softly. “Any hope of keeping the meteorite’s existence hidden disappeared when they used it in the satellite.”
“I know.” She reached up, stroking his cheek with her hand. The image of him falling from space flashed through her mind, and she felt a shiver run down her spine.
He tightened his arms around her and whispered. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She flashed him a quick smile, leaning against him. “Everything’s fine.” He seemed to be debating on whether he believed her when she felt it. His body went stiff, and the faraway look crossed his face.
“I’m sorry.” He whispered. “I’ve got to go.”
“Go?” she crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at him. “You just said….”
“It’s the double.” He said before running out the door and heading for the stairwell.
“Of course it is.” Lois sighed, taking a deep breath. She glanced at the clock. She still had to pick Jonathan and Martha up from the airport.
***
“Jimmy,” Perry handed him a card, “I want you to go down to STAR Labs. Find out what you can on what they’ve found out about that rock. Don’t leave until you get some answers. We’ve got to get to the bottom of this and fast.”
“You really think that’s going to help stop this double?” Jimmy asked skeptically. “I’m not sure STAR Labs is going to have the answers you’re looking for Chief.”
“Won’t know until you take your tail over there and find out,” Perry said, wagging his finger at him and pointing at the door. “Now get going.”
“You got it, Chief,” Jimmy said, heading out the door.
***
“Jonathan, Martha,” Lois looped her arms around the couple in a fierce hug.
“Lois, good to see you,” Jonathan cheered happily, looking over her shoulder. “Uh, how’s Clark doing?”
“Good.” Lois nodded, adjusting her purse on her shoulder.
“He’s trying to do too much too fast, isn’t he?” Martha guessed, seeing the expression on Lois’ face.
“That obvious, huh?” Lois gave her mother-in-law a wry look.
“How are you doing?” Martha asked. “I know that had to be terrifying…”
“I’m okay. I mean, I’m nursing a few bruises here and there but other than that…” Lois shrugged. “It just comes with the territory I guess. You expose criminals’ activities they want revenge.”
“I’m just glad they finally got that dirt bag behind bars,” Jonathan muttered. His face was solemn, and Lois could see the concern in his eyes.
“It took them long enough.” Lois sighed.
“How’s Jon adjusting to daycare?” Martha asked as they made their way through the crowd.
“He’s good. He seems to like the teachers okay. Clark and I like having him so close when we’re working. We can just pop in and check on him.” Lois said with a smile. “I think Clark actually prefers when I’m in the office just for that benefit.”
“I’m sure.” Jonathan chuckled as they made their way toward baggage claim.
As they approached a security guard stopped them. “I’m sorry Ma’am this area’s been blocked off.”
“Blocked off?” Lois echoed, looking over his shoulder. He wasn’t kidding. The entire area behind him was closed off. No one was coming in or out. Baggage terminals continued to turn with the baggage on them as police officers continued to direct passengers elsewhere.
“What’s going on?” Martha asked.
“I don’t know.” Lois frowned.
***
“As you can see it’s a very complex procedure.” Dr. Klein pointed to the black stone under a digital laser. A red light shone against the stone, and a black light reflected on the silver stand above it. “We’re still analyzing.”
“Any idea where this came from?” Jimmy asked, taking a picture of the laser.
Dr. Klein shook his head, “Not of earthly origin.”
“What is this test supposed to do?” Jimmy asked, pointing to the laser’s change in direction.
“We’re applying different levels of heat to the meteorite to see if there’s a change in its structure.” Dr. Klein explained, “A common procedure when analyzing any alien substance.”
“What are these?” Jimmy pointed to the line of different colored stones being analyzed under similar laser scanners.
“Metropolis P.D. found them in Lex Luthor’s underground lair.” Dr. Klein explained. “We’re testing them to see if there are any similarities. So far the scans are almost identical minus a few structural differences. We’re testing heat absorption right now.”
“Is it supposed to spark like that?” Jimmy asked, pointing to the green stone that seemed to be emitting its own electricity from the laser.
“I’m not …” Dr. Klein began but was cut off by the crackling of his intercom system.
“Dr. Klein?” the security guard’s voice echoed from the intercom.
“What is it, Larry?” Dr. Klein held down the red button on the box.
“I think you may want to come down here and deal with this.” he responded.
***
Rollie Vale stared at the news coverage of Bill Church and his son being taken into custody along with Nigel St. John. A smile crossed his face as he watched the men fight against the officers. He patted the briefcase in his hand. Keeping one step ahead of both the Churches and Luthor proved to be easier than he had originally anticipated.
Everyone was too busy focusing on the other they left themselves wide open for a takeover from within. He hadn’t been surprised when Dr. Lane had turned on Bill Church. After discovering how invested Bill Church had originally been in Bureau 39, he knew it was only a matter of time before the scientist left the organization. Given that a lot of his technology was the bread and butter for many of Intergang’s overseas contracts he knew it wouldn’t take long for Church’s son to make a mistake. That mistake had opened the door for him to arrange the ultimate revenge. His brother had nearly died from his accident at LexLabs, and the organization continued to hold his brother’s care over his head.
Each man seemed to think he was in control. No one suspected that the lowly scientist doing the bidding of three career criminals could outwit them all and make it, so they all ended up in prison while he reaped the benefits. A cool fifty billion dollars had been siphoned off into an offshore account in total. With everything else going on no one noticed the missing money. Whenever they did it would be too late. He would be long gone.
“You know they say if you stare at that flight board for too long time will freeze.” A voice behind him said.
He looked behind him to see a young blonde staring at him. “Sorry. Just trying to decide where I wanted to go?”
“Personal trip?” she asked, a twinkle in her eyes as she flashed him a smile.
“Much needed vacation. I’m looking to get out of the country and check off some bucket list items.” He said with a deep breath. “You?”
She shrugged, “Not much of a traveler….and I’m afraid you won’t be either, Mr. Vale.”
The hair on the back of his neck stood up, and he looked at her suspiciously. “How did you know my name?”
Before he could ask anything more, three men in dark suits approached him. “You’ll have to come with us, Mr. Vale.” She spoke tightly. “You don’t want to make a scene, do you?”
***
Dr. Klein came to the front desk, uncertain of what to make of Larry, the security guard’s message. He’d been told there was someone here about the stone he was analyzing, but the behavior didn’t sound like anyone he knew.
“Dr. Klein, glad you could make it!” Larry cheered, looking at him in relief.
“Something I can help you with?” Dr. Klein looked warily at the young man at the front desk with a camera. He looked exactly like...
“Name’s James Olsen. I’m one of the best photojournalists this city’s ever seen.” James approached Dr. Klein confidently. “I hear you have a very interesting rock here at STAR Labs.”
“I don’t talk to the press.” Dr. Klein lied, looking warily at the young man.
“Now that I know is a lie,” James said, getting in his face. “I think you’ve worked with a few reporters I know. Lois Lane and Clark Kent?”
“Uh-huh,” Dr. Klein nodded. “Why don’t you come with me, uh, James?”
They made their way down the hallway and turned toward his lab. He entered the code to open the door, and sure enough, the man in his lab looked exactly like the man standing with him.
“You!” Jimmy approached him red-faced with fury. “Who do you think you are?”
The man behind him laughed, “I think I’m a better version of you.”
“Someone want to tell me what’s going on here?” Dr. Klein interjected.
“Sure. I’m finally free of this weak doormat.” James looked at Jimmy with a sneer. “How many times are you going to let yourself be walked all over before you finally stand up for yourself, Jimmy? How many times are you going to sit on the sidelines while everyone else gets a piece of the action? You’re pathetic!”
“At least I don’t go around trying to hurt others.” Jimmy got in his face. “How dare you do that to Lucy?”
“Wake up!” James shot back. “She needed a slap of reality. All this back and forth. Aren’t you tired of being taken advantage of? Aren’t you tired of the games? The only reason she was attacked was because she trusted that psychopath?”
The scene unfolded in slow motion. “No!” Dr. Klein shouted, seeing Jimmy raise his right arm to deck James to the ground. His elbow hit the first stone, and a crackle of green electricity filled the air. A loud crash could be heard from down the hall. “Oh no!”
***
Clark landed in front of STAR Labs, hearing the sirens around him. The white and silver building was engulfed in flames. He flew inside the building at full speed. Smoke filled the hallways, and he took a deep breath, inhaling the smoke to clear the air.
He moved toward the hallway and immediately recognized the lab as Dr. Klein’s. He moved at super-speed through the corridor and found the scientist on the ground beneath a metal beam that had fallen. “Dr. Klein?”
“Su-Superman,” the scientist mumbled. “Th-there’s two of them.”
“Two?” Clark asked, uncertain what he was talking about.
“The pho-photographer.” Dr. Klein coughed as Clark helped him up.
“Photographer?” Clark asked, looking toward the lab that was engulfed in flames. Just inside the doorway was a familiar looking man, struggling beneath another beam, “Jimmy?” He walked toward the open doorway of the lab and groaned when he felt a wave of nausea hit him.
“Superman?”
A loud crack could be heard from above him, and then the sliding door separating him and Dr. Klein from Jimmy came crashing down. “No!” The nauseating feeling was gone. The pain subsided. He stood to his feet and looked to Dr. Klein, “What happened here?”
***
Sam Lane sat in Inspector Henderson’s office with a thick file and several flash drives in his hand. He looked to his attorney who was doing most of the talking at the moment. After the long and uncomfortable conversation with Ellen, he’d come to a decision. Good, bad or ugly he needed to take responsibility for his part in all of this. He needed to make sure his family was safe. The only way to do that was to come forward with what he knew.
“You do understand that there is no guarantee you won’t see the inside of a cell for your part in all of this, Dr. Lane?” Henderson reminded him, looking warily at him then back to his attorney.
“Dr. Lane is bringing you information on every known member of Intergang. He is giving you a slam dunk case. Surely his part in all of this though minimal can be overlooked to see the big picture here?” his attorney prodded. “He had no knowledge of who he was working for when he started.”
“He knew enough to get copies of everything.” Detective Ryder pointed out.
“When he was trying to escape...after he figured out what they were using his technology for.” his attorney pointed out.
“We can work with the DA and see if we can get a deal negotiated.” Henderson interjected, standing to his feet.
“You don’t get anything until we come to an agreement.” His attorney said.
“Understood.” Henderson nodded. “I guess I don’t need to tell you to stay in town?”
“No, sir,” Sam looked warily around the room. So much rode on this decision.
“Let us know when the DA is ready to meet. In the meantime Dr. Lane will be at my office awaiting your call.” the attorney stood to his feet.
“Now, hold on a minute…” Ryder began to argue.
“Save it, Dave,” Henderson interjected. “Dr. Lane hasn’t been charged because we don’t know what his full part was in all of this yet. We’ll use this time to find out what his part was...if any.”
“You do that.” his attorney said, motioning for him to follow. Sam nodded, taking a deep breath as he followed him out of the police station.
***
Jimmy groaned on the floor, holding his head. He looked around the room and saw the doorway in shambles. His double laid on the ground with a large beam on top of him. He struggled to stand, looking around the room. Electrical wires hung down from the ceiling lights that were destroyed. He could feel the weight and pain on his chest. He reached up to push the debris off of him, but nothing was there. His head felt like it weighed a ton as images and memories that didn’t belong to him flashed through his mind.
James’ conversation with Dr. Klein. His fight with Lucy. His confrontation with Perry. It was all there. He felt like his insides were being torn in two as the memories crowded his mind. Then when he thought he couldn’t take anymore, it stopped.
He panted heavily looking around the room back at James. He scowled, recalling the way his double had treated those he cared about.
“Hurts like hell, doesn’t it?” James groaned, trying to lift the beam off of him.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Jimmy staggered to his feet, looking around the smoke-filled room.
“The memories,” James said flatly.
“They’re not my memories,” Jimmy said, narrowing his eyes at James.
“No, they’re both of ours,” James replied with a groan. “You don’t get it. Everything that happens to you happens to me. We’re connected.” As realization crossed his face James shot back a snide, “Sucks, don’t it?”
The smoke in the room was filling it up fast. He could feel his eyes burning from it. He coughed, trying to catch his breath and James repeated the gesture at the same time. Jimmy looked at him in surprise. “You gonna just stand there or help me out so we can get out of here?” James asked.
“Why should I help you?” Jimmy asked. “You’ve done nothing but terrorize everyone I care about.”
“I’ve done everything you’ve thought about doing or saying.” James shot back. “I’m the part of you-you want to deny. I’m the part of you that wants to stand up to your fears of rejection. I’m the part of you that wants to big stories and the respect. I’m the part of you that loathes the way you’re treated like the bottom of the food chain. I’m a part of you.”
***
“Superman, everyone’s been evacuated.” the fire chief said, looking down the smoke-filled hallway. “This is the only part of the building we haven’t been able to get secured. The power has been cut to ensure the safety of everyone, but until we can get in there...”
“This door’s controlled by a computer network. If the power’s been cut, there’s no way to get it open.” Dr. Klein interjected, holding his hand up as he coughed through the smoke.
“There has to be something we can…” Clark stared hard at the metal door in front of him. Try as he might he couldn’t see through it.
“What are you trying to do?” Dr. Klein asked.
“Is this door made of lead?” Clark asked with concern.
“Yes, it’s to keep the radiation out.” Dr. Klein explained. A loud crash could be heard from inside the lab.
“We could try and pry it open, but there’s nothing to grab onto.” the fire chief frowned, feeling the door. “It’s hot.”
“Do you think you’re up to it?” Dr. Klein asked, worry lines were evident on his face as he looked to Clark.
Clark stared at the door and then back at Dr. Klein. Was he up to it? He still wasn’t completely recovered from his encounter with the Annihilator’s meteorite laced laser. That and knowing that once he opened that door, he’d be exposing himself to more meteorites...
“I can’t,” Clark mumbled quietly, looking away.
“You can’t?” Dr. Klein asked, looking over his shoulder to the fire chief. “You flew in here. I just assumed...”
“It’s not that.” Clark cut him off, looking at the door in concern. “I can’t open that door. There are meteorites in there.”
“The meteorites?” Dr. Klein’s brow furrowed. “I don’t understand…”
Clark looked at him, debating internally for a split second on how much he wanted to divulge to him. “They can kill me.” He whispered, noting the fire chief’s attention wasn’t on him and Dr. Klein at the moment.
“Kill you?” Dr. Klein’s face fell. “So that means…”
“If I open that door it could kill me. Jimmy’s on his own.” Clark said solemnly.
***
The room was becoming more and more unbearable. The smoke continued to grow thicker and thicker. Electrical wires hung from the ceiling with a white electrical spark hitting the wall where one of the three windows was.
“One, two, three…” Jimmy helped lift the large beam off of James, holding it up with the help of James pushing it up with his legs so he could roll out from beneath it.
“Not bad,” James said, standing to his feet, patting Jimmy on the shoulder. “Who knew you had it in you?”
“How about you quit with the remarks, and we try and find a way out of here?” Jimmy suggested, looking around the room, ignoring the dig. He held his arm to his face, preparing himself for another coughing fit. James appeared to be having the same problem.
“Looks like the door is sealed off,” James said, looking around the room with him.
“There’s a window if we can get to it.” Jimmy pointed.
“Yeah, right by the live wires...” James pointed out. “Face it. We’re trapped.”
“Jimmy?” Superman’s voice came from the other side of the door.
“Maybe not.” Jimmy smiled.
***
Smoke hung in the hallway. Clark sighed, looking down at the material Dr. Klein had hung over him. It looked more like a black poncho than anything, but given the current circumstances, he was willing to try anything right now. A few feet away a team of firefighters stood ready to charge in to help secure the area.
“The material’s lead-lined.” Dr. Klein explained in a low voice so no one but Clark could hear him. “In theory, that should keep you protected from the radiation from the meteorites in order to get the door open.” He looked at Clark and said, “Once we get the door open…”
“If you can get the meteorites out of the room I can help get the fire contained,” Clark said taking a deep breath, mentally preparing himself.
Dr. Klein patted the large case in his hand. “I’m ready when you are.”
Clark knocked on the door. “Jimmy, can you hear me?”
***
Jimmy and James stopped, setting down the beam in their hands. They looked at the door. “Superman?” They both echoed.
“Get back.” Superman’s voice echoed from the other side of the door.
Jimmy looked behind him, taking a few steps back and James did the same. The sound of metal crushing echoed from the doorway. He watched as the bottom half of the door curled up. A burst of fresh air filled the room, and the smoke that had filled the room began to clear.
Dr. Klein rolled under the door with a case in his hand. Without a word he began gathering up the meteorites, he’d been examining earlier and placed them in the case.
“Dr. Klein!” Jimmy watched in amazement as the older man raced around the room, grabbing the different colored stones that had fallen during the explosion earlier.
After slamming the case closed, Dr. Klein hollered across the room. “Okay, Superman. We’re ready for you.”
A loud bang could be heard as Superman ripped the door out. Before he could react, Superman began to blow a blast of cold air across the room. The flames around the room dissipated and he looked behind him. The same awe he felt watching Superman was reflected on James’ face. “Pretty amazing,” He said, watching as Superman sped around the room, clearing the area of debris and live wires. Firefighters followed him in, helping put out the fire. Jimmy and James were escorted out of the building.
Jimmy stared up at the remains of STAR Labs. He reached for his camera, frowning when he realized it wasn’t there. “Guess this is one story I won’t be having photos for.” He said with a solemn expression.
“I think the Chief will live,” James said, following his gaze to where Superman was helping ventilate the building by inhaling the smoke and releasing it into the air. James rubbed the back of his neck, debating internally for a moment. “You didn’t have to help me back there. Thank you.”
“I didn’t think I had a choice. We’re connected remember?” Jimmy quipped with a sour expression. James looked down, not responding to the remark. “You hurt Lucy.”
“I said things that you’ve been thinking.” James corrected.
“You hurt her,” Jimmy said with a pained expression.
“She hurt us.” James shot back.
“I forgave her,” Jimmy said, not meeting his gaze.
“Did you?” James asked, narrowing his eyebrows. “You told her what you saw, and she got angry. You tried to protect her, and she was flirting with some other guy.”
Jimmy narrowed his eyes at him. “How did you….?”
“We share the same memories. Remember?” James reminded him. “Everything you’ve ever thought or said I experienced too.”
“I was wrong,” Jimmy said, brushing him off. “I was wrong in a bad way.”
“About CK?” James asked, looking at Jimmy with a smirk. “Yeah, I think given our current predicament that’s pretty obvious.”
“She was right.” Jimmy shook his head. “I was the one that wouldn’t let it go.”
“Was she?” James challenged.
“Yeah, she was,” Jimmy said solemnly. “I treated someone that had become a really good friend like dirt for no reason. She told me I was wrong, but I wouldn’t listen.”
“You refused to stand up for yourself with the Chief but continued to fight when it didn’t affect us,” James remarked with a sad smile.
‘Weak’
‘Stand up for yourself.’
‘I don’t want to you to hate me.’“You’re right,” Jimmy said out of the blue.
“What did you say?” James asked his tone in disbelief.
“I said, you’re right,” Jimmy said. “I don’t stand up for myself. There are a lot of things I don’t do that I maybe should. It’s easier to fight for other people.”
James crossed his arms over his chest, “Sometimes you do make the right decision though.” Jimmy offered him a smile.
‘Superman came to terms with his fears.’“Like helping you even when I’m afraid I can’t?” Jimmy asked.
“Something like that.” James smiled.
Superman approached them, “I think that’s everything.”
“Thanks, Superman,” Jimmy said, running a hand through his hair.
“Either of you want to tell me what happened here?” Superman asked, folding his arms over his chest.
Jimmy looked at James then back at Superman. “I guess I let some things get the best of me,” he explained sheepishly.
“We both did.” James offered with a half-smile.
“Jimmy?” Superman’s voice echoed around him.
He looked up and saw James on the ground with a black glow around him. “What’s happening?” He mumbled before falling to the ground.
***
TBC...
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