I, too, am so glad to see this story back!
This chapter is so appropriately named
With A Little Help From My Friends. (Ah, my sweet youth and the Beatles!) But really, I love how Clark's (and Lois's) friends are there for Clark (and Lois). Perry and Jimmy write just the necessary article giving the appropriate explanation of Clark's return. Matt makes an appearance as Jor-el, explaining how he found "his father's friend" Letour in China. Jimmy reassures Lois that she and Clark will be all right. Dan Scardino arrives as the government agent whose job it is to ascertain what Clark learnt during his time in North Korea. (I was really quite moved by Dan Scardino, how he did what he could to help Lois and Clark, apparently out of a deep admiration and probably even love for Lois.) And Bernard Klein and Adrienne and Stephan will do what they can for Clark, of course.
Obviously, though, my favorite scene was one with Lois and Clark. This is my favorite paragraph from this chapter:
Clark stopped eating and placed his hand by the side of Lois' cheek. "Something tells me I didn't marry you for your culinary skills." His finger smoothed over her skin, touching gently the tiny lines by her eyes, which the years of his absence had etched on her face. "I have no complaints, Lois. I don't think I could have asked for a more perfect partner."
I also love how you showed us that while Clark's memory of his past life is almost completely gone, he remains in every way that counts the same wonderful person that he's always been:
"The one thing we did discover is that Clark loves you and the kids and he's over the moon to be home, but he's a dead end for any strategic information we might want.
Clark is back, and he's going to be OK, Lois.”
“You believe that?”
“Yes, I do. Clark might have appeared mild-mannered, but I don't think I ever met a stronger man... and I'm not talking superpowers. That strength will help him get through this, and he has you. I'd say it's guaranteed he'll be fine.”
"I wouldn't say that you and Dan were friends exactly..... Passing acquaintances is about all."
"Well, he seemed an OK guy. Strange dress sense though. Do security agents usually wear Haiwiian shirts?"
"I have no idea who you are," he gasped through clenched teeth, "or if we worked together, but I very much doubt you were ever my... good buddy!" Clark sarcastically repeated the other man's earlier words.
Climbing back into his bed, Clark leaned against the pillows. "I suspected he wasn't on the level... and when he started talking about Lois in that way... well... I guess I lost it. I wanted to knock him out." He shrugged in self-derision and ducked his head. "Not exactly a sterling reaction from someone who was once Superman."
"Don't worry about it. Ralph is enough to make a saint resort to violence. I've felt like punching him myself a few times since he's been working for the Digger... and, take my word for it, Ralph's been thrown out of many places in the past few years. We should just forget about him. A sleazeball like Ralph isn't worth the hassle."
"Probably not." Clark's voice steadied and his gaze came back up, as he recognized a certainty. "But I don't think I would have used force in the end."
"I know you wouldn't." Jimmy smiled in agreement. "That was never your way."
Yes, Clark is the same person that he was, and what is lost is really rather superficial. Clark really, desperately needs to get rid of his terrible headaches, and of course I understand that he wants to get his memories back... but on the whole, he is back already. This chapter made me feel that if Clark can only find a cure for his debilitating headaches, he
will be all right - and he and
Lois will be all right - even if never regains his memory.
Your story is such a lovely tribute to the wonderful man who used to be Superman. The "super" of Superman is gone, but the wonderful man remains.
Ann
