Previously, in Chapter 29:
"So what did the two Clarks see when they went to this world? Clark is so close-mouthed about it; he would only talk about the Kryptonite antidote the New Kryptonians were working on."
"What upset both of them was that Lex Luthor is now President of the United States."
Lois' mouth dropped yet another notch towards the floor. "What? Really?"
Hank looked at Lois very seriously. "Ms. Lane, they didn't know that in *this* world, he's a good guy. Always has been. They just figured that because the New Kryptonians had killed Clark and Lois, Lex was able to ply his evil nonstop and take over the United States. Truth be told, it was Lex who helped conquer the New Kryptonians. He became a hero.
"The day that the two Clarks visited, Lex was making a campaign stop in Smallville on his bid to be re-elected for President. They listened to his speech and were completely revolted. The Kent farmhouse was in ruins. They just assumed the entire world had really gone downhill. Ma and Pa never told Clark that the Lex of their world was a good guy, you know. They knew how much he hated the Lex Luthor of his world."
"Wow. That's right. Ma told me they never talked about things on their world much with Clark. He didn't want to know how happy *their* Clark had been with *his* Lois.
"Omigod. The goodness I saw in the face of Lenny Thorul…wow – he actually became President of the United States. On the path he was on, before I meddled in his life, that makes perfect sense. Yikes!"
"And Ms. Lane, *I* didn't know it either. If I had stayed and not just dropped the two Clarks off and left, I might have met my twin's great-great-grandson Hank here sooner, who would have explained it all to me," Herb said. "I'm the guiltiest party in this entire mess. If I *had* done that, you wouldn't have talked me into going back to 1973 to find Lenny Thorul. It's the cat chasing its tail, I'm afraid. I finally decided to come back to this universe and see for myself what was going on. That's when I finally met Hank. We started sharing stories and realized what a mess had been created."
"So where are Clark and Lois? I take it that she had the baby, then?? Ma and Pa are actually grandparents?" Lois babbled excitedly.
"Yes they are. And herein lies our problem, Ms. Lane," Hank said ominously. "*Our* Lois and Clark and their son are trapped in a phantom zone. Lex created it to save them from the New Kryptonians. They had green Kryptonite everywhere, because they had what they thought was an antidote for it, so we had to put them somewhere safe for awhile.
"I now run Lex's Research division, while he is President of the United States, and have access to all of Lex Corp's technology. If I release Lois, Clark and Clark Jr. into this world, it will be hurled into yet another alternate universe, because their son technically shouldn't exist here. He was actually born in this other dimensional world – more of a spirit world than a physical one. The only way they can return to the physical world is without their son. As you can imagine, Lois won't go for that."
Lois thought she was going insane, because all of this geek-talk was starting to make sense to her. "And you don't want to create any more alternate universes, I take it?"
"The space-time continuum is very fragile, Ms. Lane. Our research has led us to believe that if another alternate universe is created, all of these worlds as we know them will cease to exist. The explanation is very complex and scientifically based; suffice to say it's not worth taking the risk."
"So what's the solution?"
"Well, if you and the other Lois never traveled to San Diego, this world would never have been created, and Lenny would have never become fixated on you."
"Right. And then he wouldn't have raped me, Lena would never have been born, I would have never gone to the Congo, and … *this* world would never have been created either! How does *that* solve the problem?"
"The theory is that the Lois in the phantom zone is actually *you* and if you never go to San Diego and meet Lenny, the two worlds will re-merge and things will take their natural course. You might know that the Lois of *this* world lost her parents when she was ten, and the Clark of *your* world lost his when he was ten as well. Didn't you think that was a bit strange?" Hank asked.
"Yes, I did," Lois admitted.
"Well, we theorize that you and Clark will not lose your parents if the two worlds are allowed to re-merge. There is at least one set of parents in each world, after all. We're not sure how many Lex Luthors they'll be, but at least two out of the three are good guys at heart. Hopefully, the odds are good he won't turn to crime."
"So how do we stop the San Diego trip from happening?"
"We have to enlist the help of someone who didn't exist at that time, nor was from that universe. Someone that would be enlightened enough to believe our story enough to help us."
"Tall order, boys. And who might *that* be?"
"The H.G. Wells of *this* world, of course! My *real* great-great-grandfather!" Hank said excitedly. "And since I can't go, and sending Herb here, his twin, would freak him out, we're going to send *you*!"
and now.....
Chapter Thirty
Lois became extremely agitated and began one of her famous rants. "Hell, no! Your guys are crazy! I'm going back to *my* world and *my* husband. Things may be screwed up over there, but I'm not doing any more time traveling. Look *Hank* - I may have made things worse by going back in time, but think about it this way – if I hadn't, *you* wouldn't exist. And which Lois Lane will exist if I help you and things change back? I have a daughter in my world – maybe I want to get to know her! If I help you, she probably won't exist anymore, right?"
Both Wells men looked at each other, and then they nodded in agreement. "Probably not, Ms. Lane," Herb admitted. "But the other Lois has a young son, CJ, who will never have a real life if something isn't done. My theory is that destiny will decide -who is *meant* to exist will remain. We're fairly certain that the world will have a Superman and his wife will be you, Lois Lane. That's pretty clear, using *my* world – the 'Alpha Earth' – as a reference point. However it is over there is usually what's fated to be. The idea is to serve the greatest good here. Your worlds are both floundering now."
"Right now, our world's Superman is trapped in a phantom zone that he won't leave because of his undying love for his wife and son. Your world's Superman is a fraction of his former self – he has very limited powers – unable to serve humanity the way he wants to. Don't you want to make things right again?" Hank argued.
Lois felt her guilty conscience overtaking her. How awful it must be for this world's Clark and Lois and their young son – living in an immaterial world, not being able to actively participate in life. Her own husband – stripped of his abilities – Edge Enterprises owning the Daily Planet. Lucy – married to a gangster. What a disaster, all the way around.
"There is a 90% chance that you will be a reporter and meet Clark at the Daily Planet, the way you were supposed to," Hank continued, sensing she was starting to sway in his direction. "After all, the Lois Lane of this world only became a nurse because her parents were tragically killed in an auto accident and she felt responsible. You will probably never go to the Congo because hopefully the benevolent Lex Luthor will survive, so when Clark is hired by Perry, you'll most likely still be working there, not missing, feared dead, in the Congo."
"But in Herb's world, the so-called 'Alpha – Earth', Lex Luthor was an evil, ruthless businessman – and if what you say is true, the 'kind, benevolent Lex Luthor may not exist on this 'new' earth," Lois argued. "Perhaps it's better not to take a chance on losing a good Lex. God knows, the world is so much better off without the evil twin version!"
"Lois, you dated the Lex Luthor in your world – and so did your doppelganger in my world," Herb noted. "Perhaps if the good Luthor survives, you might actually be attracted to him and marry him, even before you meet Clark. That's the 10% possibility. Just so you're aware!"
"Gentlemen, I hope never to wake up in a world where the man sleeping next to me is anyone but my sweet Clark Superman Kent. I can't imagine being with anyone else or even being attracted to another man, ever again. Ugh!" Lois looked utterly revolved at the thought.
"Yes, but if that happened… you wouldn't know the difference. It would feel right. You might actually love the Lex Luthor of this universe. He's a fine man, and the best friend of your husband's counterpart in this world. After all, America voted him in as the President of the United States. You might be the first lady of our nation when the dust settles. And if that's the case, perhaps your daughter will exist exactly as she does today. After all, Lenny Thorul *is* most likely the father, correct?"
Lois scrunched up her face at Hank's last comment. "Don't remind me! How did the Lois of this world meet Lex Luthor? Through knowing Clark, right? I can't imagine myself ever being remotely attracted to either Lex Luthor or Lenny Thorul – they both give me the creeps!" Lois exclaimed.
"But that's learned behavior," Hank informed Lois. "You react to him that way because of the negative experiences you've had with him. Let me show you a videotape of President Luthor's recent Inaugural address. Perhaps you'll change your mind."
"I doubt it, but it will be worth the entertainment value to see a Lex Luthor that's supposedly not corrupt," Lois snarked.
Several minutes later, a large monitor displayed a red-haired Lex Luthor, looking strikingly similar to Lenny Thorul, shaking hands as he headed to the podium to begin his address to the nation. In the background was a brown-haired, rather mousy-looking woman.
"Who the HELL is that?" Lois asked. "His press secretary? Don't even tell me that's his wife. Can't be."
"That's Bridgette Crosby Luthor, the first lady," Hank explained. "She's a brilliant research scientist."
"Not so brilliant in the looks department, though. Wow. He *must* be different than the Luthor boys of *my* world," Lois commented. "They would only go for eye candy. A smart woman would be demeaning to their egos."
"The two of them fell in love at first sight at Lex's research facility. However, speaking of 'eye candy', Lex always did have a big crush on this world's Lois, but he didn't pursue it because she was already with Clark, his best friend," Hank disclosed.
"Should I take it as a compliment that you consider me 'eye candy', Hank?" Lois sassed. "You really don't seem like the womanizing type," she observed.
"Actually, Lois, I'm gay, so you're absolutely correct," Hank said with a big smile. "You couldn't tell? An investigative reporter of such magnitude thought I was straight? I'm truly shocked!"
Lois blushed in response, then realized that on the TV monitor the applause had subsided and the address was about to begin. She began to focus on President Luthor's words, finding that his tone and mannerisms were calming and believable. A kind, gentle demeanor emanated from him. Again, she was reminded of the 15-year old Lenny Thorul she had met back in 1973.
"OK, stop the tape! I've seen all I need to know. Yes, he seems like he could be all you're saying he is. Now tell me again why I need to try to explain all of this madness to your great-great grandfather. How can he possibly stop Herb, Lois, and I from traveling back into 1973?" Lois asked.
"Using my various devices, which *you* will give him, first he's going to universe-hop to your world. He will then have to time travel to the exact moment that Herb returns from dropping the Clarks off in this world. He will enter the machine and move it several hours into the future so it will reappear just moments before Herb will have to return to the other world - he won't have a time machine to take you back to 1973. Therefore, history will be changed, because you'll never meet Lenny Thorul, he'll never get fixated on you, the third world – *this* earth – will merge back with *your* world – and all will be back to normal," Herb explained.
"But Herb – aren't you going to freak out that your machine is gone? And how is the other H.G. Wells going to get back to his own time zone?"
"It won't matter, Lois. Think about it. Once we have passed the moment in time that we all traveled back to 1973, the universe will instantly change. The two worlds will merge together and the chips will fall where they may. And the H.G. Wells of *your* world *only* wrote science fiction. So when the two worlds merge, you will have the equivalent of 'Alpha-Herb' – writer *and* inventer!"
"This is all very frightening, gentlemen. I need some time to think about this before I decide. I want to go back to my world for a month. I'm a newlywed. I need to see Clark, talk to my daughter – have it out with Lenny Thorul. If things are going to change and I won't remember any of this – I want to make peace with my current life."
"Ms. Lane – I can only give you a week. The time stream is too fragile to wait much longer," Hank insisted. "Remember, when you travel between alternate universes, it's in real time. So we have to wait a week to come back for you – we can't time travel *and* universe-hop at the same time. They are two separate transactions."
"Ok. One week. It's a deal. Now please bring me back to my world. I have a very interesting dinner party planned with my sister."
"Agreed," responded Hank. "We'll leave straight away."
~~~~~
Lois, feeling off-balance as she always did after universe-hopping, staggered out of the alley she had been dropped off in, and took a deep breath as she drank in the sights and sounds of Metropolis. *Her* Metropolis. *Her* world. The world that just a short time ago, had looked bleak and beyond redemption. Now, she was holding on to it for dear life!
Her cell phone rang – looking at caller ID, it was Clark calling her from the Planet. *Her* Clark – her dear, sweet husband! "Hi my sweets," Lois exclaimed, hastily answering the call. "Did you miss me?"
"Where have you been? I was calling and calling, and I just kept getting voice mail. I know you said you were getting your hair and nails done – but it's almost time to meet your sister! I was getting worried!"
<Omigod! I look terrible! How is Clark going to buy that I had my hair done today? Yikes!> Lois thought.
"Long story. I'm heading to the apartment right now. Meet me there."
"OK. Remember, I'm just a regular guy these days. No flying, no super-speed. I'll hail a cab and see you in about ½ hour. Love you, honey."
"Love you too, sweets."
TBC
