TP&S II - Chapter 18
by Tank

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The superclone touched down on the roof of the Daily Planet. He used his x-ray vision to peer into the bull pen. He saw the bustle of activity and the barely organized chaos that was a big city newsroom. People were running back and forth, calling out to each other, and typing furiously on their computer keyboards. He saw Perry White step out of his office and begin to direct some of the seeming bedlam. He was shouting and pointing. It all looked very confusing to the current Superman.

Slowly shaking his head, he lifted back into the air and headed north. Maybe he wouldn't take Clark Kent's place at the Planet. After all, what did he know about news reporting?

And now that he thought about it, how long would he be able to keep up the mild-mannered act? How long could he take crap from a bunch of people he could crush between two fingers? But most importantly, it didn't look like it would be much fun.

He put on some speed and within minutes he was over the small town of Boynton, and zeroing in on the old mine site facility. As he landed outside the secret door that he always used, a slow smile spread across his lips.

Just because he didn't plan to become Clark Kent the reporter, that didn't mean he couldn't play some at being Clark Kent the fiance. That was something he was definitely going to have to explore.

He walked the halls unerringly until he reached his room. Stepping inside, he was surprised to see Nigel St. John sitting there waiting for him.

"Where have you been?" The older man's voice was quiet, but clipped, showing a bit of displeasure.

The clone stared at the man he once thought of as a mentor. "I was doing a patrol. We have to keep up appearances, don't we?" His smile mocked his words.

St. John frowned. "That's what I'm here to talk to you about - appearances. I got a report that Detective Lane received a visitor last evening." Nigel stood. "That visitor was Clark Kent."

The clone shrugged. "So?"

Nigel shook his head slowly. "You and I both know that Clark Kent is dead. So how can he show up at Lane's doorstep?"

The superclone moved over toward his bathroom, never looking at St. John. "Suppose you tell me," he threw over his shoulder as he entered the small lavatory.

He heard Nigel walk over and make sure the outer door to the room was securely closed. Then the older man turned and waited for the young clone to come out. "How long have you known?" Nigel asked once he returned to the main room.

The clone's brow rose in surprise. "You knew?"

He nodded. "I made the connection when I saw the two of you together up on the mountain top the other day."

The clone nodded. "Me too."

"Obviously Luthor's destruction of the true Superman hadn't been complete. But without his powers, we were able to kill him like any other man. Same result, it just took a little longer than we thought."

The clone turned away, not wanting St. John to see his reaction to the comment about Kent being the 'true Superman'. The man really didn't care about him as a person at all, did he? Well, it didn't matter to him either. He would bide his time for a bit. See how things were done, then he could step up and let Nigel, and Mamba, know who was really in charge.

"So, is that all you wanted to talk to me about?" The clone flopped down onto his bed. "Tell me you knew that Kent was Superman?"

Nigel shook his head. His speech took on the tone of a lecture. The clone hated that. "I want to know why you visited her, and to tell you to not do it again."

"Really?"

St. John frowned. "Nothing will be gained by tormenting the sergeant. I need her as a functioning member of the Metropolis police department. Not being constantly reminded that her lover is dead."

The clone shrugged again. "Maybe I can help her forget."

Nigel snorted in contempt. "Don't flatter yourself, my boy. You may be able to have nearly any woman you want by just flexing those artificial biceps at them, but Lane knows you for what you are. She would never accept you. She is burdened with morals. A concern neither of us have had to be encumbered with."

"Whatever." The clone knew he was sounding sulky, but he resented St. John's constant putdowns. It was funny he hadn't noticed how the man treated him before.

Nigel moved toward the outer door. "Get some rest. I think I'll have a task you'll enjoy tomorrow." Without another word, the Brit left his room, closing the door firmly behind him.

The superclone followed St. John's progress with his enhanced vision for a few moments, then shut it down. He rolled over and shut his eyes, idly wondering if Kent had needed to sleep.

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

Lois woke early and dragged herself out of bed. Yesterday had been a crazy day. She and Clark had gone out to the Star Labs where Hamilton carried out his top secret Superman research. It had been a long trip only to be stonewalled by the fact that Hamilton was missing, and no one could access his lab. Well, no one except the Professor, or Superman.

Coming back to her jeep, she explained the situation to Clark. He confirmed that he did have a key card for the lab, but he'd never used it. He wasn't even sure where it was. So, they'd made the long trip back to Metropolis, taking care to not be seen by St. John's minions. After some searching, Clark was finally able to locate the key card in question, and dust off an old super suit.

Then had been the long trip back to the Star Labs facility. Clyson had been properly awed by Superman coming in alongside Lois. He'd practically fallen all over himself escorting them to Hamilton's lab. Lois almost felt sorry for the administrator when Superman told him that it would probably be better if he didn't accompany them into the lab, just in case there was something there that the doctor shouldn't see.

Clyson had reluctantly left them to their investigation. It seemed that Superman's word carried a lot of weight at that facility even though the only time he remembered being there was to initially establish his security clearance.

The frustrating thing was that they found no clues in the lab as to Hamilton's whereabouts, nor did they find anything they could understand that would give them an idea as to what the Professor had been working on.

Lois had found something. A crystal that had been wrapped in lead foil. When she had unwrapped the small stone, she'd guessed immediately what it was. Kryptonite. She had quickly rewrapped the small piece and had put it in her purse. With that crazy super-clone flying around Metropolis, you never knew when having some kryptonite might come in handy.

Her musings on the day before were interrupted by a slight breeze blowing through her apartment. She glanced over toward the window and found it open. Frowning, she went over and closed it, not remembering having left it open the night before.

"Lois."

She nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of her name coming from behind her. She whirled around.

"Clark! You scared the crap out of me. I ...." Suddenly a strange look came over her. "How did you get in here?" She turned toward the window, which a moment ago had been open. "You didn't." She saw the grin spread across his face. "You can fly again?"

He nodded. "Yep, " he said, his grin getting wider. "I woke up this morning with the sun shining through the bedroom window on me. I felt better than I had in months. I knew I was back."

"Back?"

He stepped closer and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Yeah. I'm back to full strength. All the powers are working."

Lois tried to smile. "That's great." The tone of her voice clearly wasn't convincing.

Clark grabbed her hand. "Lois? What's wrong?"

She turned away, not willing to see the concern in his face. "Nothing, I guess I'm still just tired." How could she tell him what was wrong? She wasn't sure she really knew herself. Lois just couldn't keep her insecurities at bay. She quickly changed the subject. "You went back to your apartment? I knew you told me you had some place you could go, but I just thought you'd wind up at Perry's."

He shrugged. "Yeah, well, I knew you needed to get some rest so it was better that I find someplace else to stay last night. I didn't want to bother Perry, and I was careful. No one saw me go in or out."

Lois chewed on her lower lip. "So, now that the real Superman is back, what do you plan to do about your bogus twin?"

"I'm not sure." Clark paced the room. "I don't think it would be a good idea if people found out that there had been a super-clone running around. The idea might be rather unsettling. We both know what he's capable of, but he hasn't done anything criminal in public yet." Clark frowned. "If we can neutralize him before he does, then the public need never know."

"I can see the advantage to that," she said. "But we still have a more pressing problem. What do we do about Clark Kent? I've been able to avoid reporting his supposed death because we're still supposed to be in Smallville. But St. John thinks you're dead and he'll begin to wonder why there's been no word of your death."

Clark nodded. "Yeah, but with the clone threatening to play at being Clark Kent, how can you officially report my death?"

"Yeah, I'd look pretty foolish if I told anyone you were dead, then have the clone walking around as Clark." She moved away from him and began pacing near the couch. "Actually, it would be best if we didn't have to report it at all. That would make it easier when you reappeared. Since Perry and your folks know the truth, it would be easy enough to tell anyone else who asks that you decided to stay in Smallville for a time." She paced some more. "But that still doesn't address the problem of..."

"St. John." Clark sighed after he spoke the name. "Do you suppose, since the clone knows, that maybe St. John knows also?"

Lois stopped her movement and looked into Clark's eyes. He was worried, as was she. "I don't know. The impression I got from the clone was that he didn't share his discovery with Nigel, but that doesn't mean that St. John doesn't know. I doubt very much that someone like that slimeball would share any information he didn't have to with his super-lackey."

Clark frowned as he nodded in agreement. "No, I don't see him confiding in someone who he sees as an underling." Suddenly Clark's head snapped up, and he tilted his head to one side. Then he seemed to stare intently at the far wall.

"What? What is it?" Lois was instantly able to tell that Clark's attention had been grabbed by something she couldn't hear or see."

Clark's frown became grim. "He's coming up the stairs."

She began to push him toward the window. "Hurry, you have to leave. He can't find you here."

Clark stood his ground. "Lois, I'm not going to leave you alone with... him." He gestured toward the outer hallway.

She kept pushing on him, even though he wasn't moving. "I'll be fine. If he sees you now, it will ruin everything." He cocked a brow at her. "Well, it will complicate things... won't it?" He frowned. "The super goof knows that St. John needs me. I won't be in any real danger from him."

Clark shook his head, but allowed himself to be shoved toward the window. "I'm not so sure."

"Just go," she said in exasperation. "You can keep an eye on things from above, or something, if it makes you feel better."

Clark didn't look convinced, but finally nodded, and turned toward the window. In another moment he was gone. Immediately after that, there was a knock on the door. Lois made her way over and peered out the spyhole. Not that she didn't know who would be there, but because he would expect her to.

She opened the door and stepped aside to let him enter. "What do you want now?" Her voice lacked any warmth of greeting.

His mocking smile, and the way he looked at her, made her feel like she needed a shower. "You look quite fetching in the morning. Though perhaps a bit overdressed."

She looked down at herself and for the first time realized she still had on her pajamas. They were a full flannel pants and shirt set. They were warm and comfortable, but hardly what you'd consider sexy. She rolled her eyes at him.

"Why are you here?" she asked. "I have to get ready for work. I don't have time to talk."

"Talk?" He chuckled. It wasn't a pleasant sound. "I'm not really interested in talk, but I do have something to take care of this morning anyway, so I just dropped by to let you know that I'll be coming by to take you to lunch."

She stepped back a pace. "Are you crazy? You can't be seen in public dressed like that."

"Sure I can. What's more natural than a fiance picking up his intended for a lunch date?"

She sighed, then shook her head for effect. "My fiance is dead. St. John knows that he's dead. Therefore I can't be having lunch with my fiance." Her brow furrowed in confusion. "What about the guys who keep a watch on my place? Won't they report seeing you coming over here?"

His grin was cold. "They've been dealt with. They won't be reporting on anything for a while yet. I figure they won't wake for another couple of hours." He reached out and stroked her cheek. Lois pulled away. He just smirked at her. "I wouldn't worry about what St. John thinks. He knows that Kent used to be Superman."

Lois' eyes went wide. "How do you know that?"

The clone shrugged. "He told me."

Lois' mouth drew into a tight line. "I see. He wants you to keep an eye on me. Doesn't trust me anymore?"

His laughter was full bodied, but completely lacking in mirth. "He doesn't trust anyone. Not even me. But that's not why I'm here. St. John told me to stay away from you, but, you want to know the truth?" He leered at her. "I don't care what St. John says. I no longer do anything he tells me to do unless *I* want to do it. From now on, this super hero is doing what he wants to do. And he wants to take you to lunch."

Lois couldn't find her voice. She stared at the clone, her mouth slightly open. There obviously was trouble in the criminal paradise, but how could she exploit it? It didn't sound like the super-clone was in open revolt against St. John, merely indulging in his feeling of self-importance and flexing his muscles, so to speak.

The clone moved back toward the door. "I will pick you up at the station at noon. I expect you to be waiting for me."

Lois opened her mouth to let him know that she couldn't guarantee that she'd be around the station at noon. She could be anywhere in the city, investigating whatever case she'd be assigned. One glance at the look on his face caused her to swallow her protest. She'd be waiting.

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

Clark only waited a few minutes, to make sure the clone was truly gone, before he flew back down, and entered Lois' apartment. He could tell he startled her by the look on her face when she whirled around upon hearing him come in. Her look of surprise quickly changed to one of relief as she hurried over into his arms.

Clark pressed a quick kiss into her hair. She felt so good in his arms. "It's all right," he murmured. "You don't have to be frightened. I won't let him get near you again."

Lois pulled back and gave Clark a look of puzzlement. "What do you mean? I'm not frightened. Disgusted, revolted, maybe a tad nauseous, but I'm not frightened. Even if his dense molecular structure is mostly between his ears, he's not dumb enough to harm me knowing that Nigel still needs me."

Clark wasn't convinced. "Lois, I heard everything he said. It sounded like he and St. John aren't exactly seeing eye to eye right now."

Lois began to pace, gesturing wildly as she did so. "Exactly! Maybe I can find out a bit more about that, and use it to our advantage. I could possibly find a way to act as a wedge that will force that split even wider."

Clark shook his head. It was just like Lois to not consider the danger that she could be in. "I don't know, Lois. You can't trust that guy. You yourself told me that you're sure he committed several grisly murders."

She nodded as she continued to wander about the room. "Yeah, but those were ordered by St. John, I'm sure of that. The clone wouldn't even have known who Johnny Taylor was." Lois came back and laid her hand on Clark's chest. "What about St. John knowing your secret?"

"Well, I can't say I'm surprised. I guess that's just something we'll have to deal with when the time comes."

Lois nodded. "I guess. You know I've got to have lunch with him. It's a chance to find out some useful information that could lead to Nigel's downfall. And when you think about it, I'd much rather have lunch with him, then have him ticked off at me."

Clark's frown grew deeper, but he could see the logic in what she'd said. "Okay, it might be helpful to have lunch with him, but I'm going to be watching and listening the whole time. If he so much as..."

She placed a finger against his lips, shaking her head as she did so. "No, I've got a better idea. While I'm having lunch with the clone, you can go out to the Boynton facility and look around. Now that you have your powers back, you could fly in and pretend to be the clone. You might be able to find the evidence we need to put St. John away for good."

Clark shook his head. "I don't know, Lois. Won't Nigel, and Mamba, know that I'm not him?"

She patted his chest. "I hate to break the news to you, big guy, but the super dude who just left here looks an awful lot like you. If you're worried about it, just make sure to stay away from them, but I don't think anyone will think you're not him. Especially since you, the real you, is supposed to be dead."

"What?"

"You know what I mean."

"Yeah, unfortunately, I do." Clark had to grin in spite of himself.

"Besides," Lois added. "While you're there a chance to free Bill might present itself."

Clark shook his head in defeat. There was no winning an argument with Lois Lane. Giving in gracefully was generally the only course of action she allowed.

She walked back into her bedroom and began pulling things out of her closet. "You'd best go and do whatever it is you have to do. I need to get ready for work." She pulled out a slinky black skirt and a small looking sweater. "What do you think? Will my lunch date like it?"

"Lo-is."

She giggled. "I'm just kidding. Come here."

Clark, a bit confused, walked into the bedroom and stood next to Lois. He was pleasantly surprised when she stood up on her tiptoes and planted a fierce kiss on his lips.

"Whoa," he said somewhat breathlessly. "I could get used to that."

She grinned. "Now, don't forget. He's meeting me at the station house at noon. I'll try to keep him occupied as long as I can, but I wouldn't count on having more than an hour." She pointed a finger at him. "You definitely don't want to be there when he gets back. You may have your powers back, but he has no compunction against killing, and that gives him an advantage over you."

"I've been super a whole lot longer than the clone has, you know. I've learned more than a few things in my years with powers." Clark knew that Lois had a point but he felt just a bit hurt by her comments.

"And you've only just regained them after... what... six, seven, eight months? Are you really up to full speed already?"

Clark stared at his feet for a few moments before meeting her eyes. "I'm not sure."

She reached up and stroked his cheek with her hand. "Then let's not test it, shall we? I'd much rather take St. John and his bunch down through superior planning and intellect, than by brute force."

Clark sighed. "I guess you're right."

"I'm always right." She gave him a coy smile. "But I thought you already knew that?" Clark rolled his eyes. She pushed on his chest. "Now go, unless you plan to help me get dressed."

It was Clark's turn to flash the coy smile. "Well... if you're asking."

She returned his grin. "As inviting as that sounds, I'm afraid if I let you help, I'd never make it to work."

Clark nodded reluctantly. "Okay, I'll leave. And I'll head out to St. John's hideaway at noon, but I'm going to have an ear tuned to you. If he makes any unwanted move on you just yell. I'll be there in a heartbeat."

He saw a change come over her face. Her lip trembled slightly and her eyes seemed to mist just a bit. She reached out and grasped his hand and gave it a squeeze. "You would too, wouldn't you."

It hadn't been a question but Clark decided to answer anyway. He leaned his head down and captured her lips with a kiss that spoke of his desire. She returned it with a passion that mirrored his own.