Home V: Obsession -- 20/20
by Nan Smith
Previously:
The crowd parted with haste, and Blue Lightning entered, clearing the way for the same thin, sour-looking detective that Mariann had seen at the Christmas party, as well as a uniformed officer. Lieutenant Chow glanced quickly at Lori. "Are you all right, Lyons?"
"I'm fine," Lori said. "Superman and my mother caught her for you, Lieutenant."
"So I see." She glanced at Superman and the corners of her lips twitched in the faintest of smiles. "Thank you, Superman; and you, Ms. Lyons." She glanced at the remaining superheroes as the police officer produced a pair of handcuffs and proceeded to handcuff Marcella. "Quite a family gathering, I see. Well, since you're all here, why don't you make yourselves useful? As soon as Officer Mendez reads Ms. Evans her rights, we could all stand some transportation to the station. We don't want to disrupt the Sky Lounge anymore than we need to tonight."
**********
And now, the finale:
It was nearly two hours later that the small party left the 12th Precinct. It was still snowing lightly, but in places, Mariann could see breaks in the clouds. It looked as if the storm was finally beginning to clear. She glanced at Clark as they went down the steps. He had his arm around Lori and was holding her rather tightly.
"How are we going to get home?" Mariann asked.
"The Jeep is parked right around the corner," Clark said. "I was wondering if you'd like to come to our place for a little while first. I realize it's midnight, but we probably need to talk." He glanced at Rob. "I think Rob knows what it's about."
Rob cast a sideways look at him and the corners of his mouth twitched. "If it's about that disappearing act you pulled, Clark, I think I can guess."
"It is."
"What I'd like to know," Mariann said, "is why all the superheroes showed up like that. It was a little surprising to see all six of them there. It was as if they knew what was happening."
"They did," Lori said. She reached up to finger her earrings. "Marcella has been stalking me for a couple of days. These earrings give out an ultrasonic signal if I say Clark's name loudly. That was why I did it." She smiled oddly. "Even Velma was impressed when I showed them to her," she added. "She said I'd better not use them too often if I didn't want the superheroes to get irritated at me -- calling them every time I get in trouble. I told her I wouldn't."
"I thought you said Clark gave you the earrings," Mariann said.
"He did. A friend of his at STAR Labs made them for me." Lori glanced up at her husband, and Mariann saw his arm tighten around her. Clark had shown up at the police station a short time after their arrival, but hadn't had much to say. He had simply sat next to Lori, holding her hand as she gave her statement, and then waited as the rest of the paperwork was completed.
They arrived, a short time later, at the apartment building where Clark and Lori lived. Clark parked the Jeep in the apartment's garage, and then led the way to the elevator that took them swiftly to the top floor. He opened the door to the apartment with his remote key, and stood back, allowing Mariann and Rob to enter first. After a pause, he and Lori followed.
"Have a seat," Clark said. "Can I get anyone coffee?"
Mariann shook her head. "Not at this hour, or I'll be awake half the night."
Clark smiled briefly. "You may, anyway. Rob saw what happened back there in the restaurant, but you really weren't in a position to see, Mariann. What I'm about to show you is something that not many people know. It's a secret of my family -- now your family, through Lori, and your grandchild -- and it's important that it stay that way. If the wrong people were to find out about this it could make you and Lori, and a great many other people, targets -- not only of criminals but nutcases, every news service on Earth, the tabloid shows, curiosity seekers -- just about anyone you can think of. Your life would be a shambles, and so would mine and the lives of my entire family."
Mariann opened her mouth and then closed it again as Robby squeezed her hand.
"Go on," her husband said.
"You trust and respect the supermen," Clark said, and Mariann thought she could see lines of strain on his face. "Many people do, but everyone seems to think that all they do is to fly around and rescue people, stop crime and try to prevent disasters. No one suspects that the supermen live like everyone else. They have jobs, they pay taxes, they find someone to love, they marry and have families. The fact that no one suspects that is why they and their families can live relatively normal lives."
The light was beginning to dawn. Mariann found herself examining Clark's face more closely, and it was suddenly hard to breathe. Clark glanced once at Lori, and all at once his form blurred and resolved itself into the colorful figure of Superman.
**********
Standing by her husband's side, Lori watched her mother's face. Mariann was looking at Clark as if she had never seen him before, and her eyes had widened slightly. Rob was nodding.
"When we were standing outside the Ladies room," he said, "all of a sudden Clark literally disappeared, and then the other supermen appeared. It took me a minute to figure out what had happened, but once it dawned on me that the person that was stalking Lori was in there, I realized that Clark somehow knew -- and then it was obvious." He shook his head. "I'm not surprised very often these days, but you certainly managed it this time, Clark."
"Lori set off the signal," Clark said. "I almost expected something like what actually did happen, so I wasn't really taken by surprise." He looked directly at Mariann. "You had a lot of courage, going for the stunner like that. Being stunned isn't pleasant."
"So I've always understood. I suppose it was you that --"
"I blocked the beam," Clark said.
"I appreciate that," Mariann said. She looked at Lori with a faint smile on her lips. "You married Superman," she said, and Lori could hear the trace of astonishment in her voice.
"Actually, I married Clark," Lori said. "He just happens to have a really unusual second job."
Rob laughed. "I suppose that's one way to describe it. Actually, it makes me feel a little better knowing that Clark is one of the supermen," he added thoughtfully. "At least I'll know from now on that when you get into trouble you'll have some very effective backup. I hope you keep those earrings."
"I intend to," Lori said.
Mariann was nodding emphatically. "I agree," she said. "I understand the need for secrecy as well. If the public knew who you were you'd never have a moment's peace."
Lori heard Clark give an almost inaudible sigh. "Thank you," he said.
"How about Ryan?" Mariann asked suddenly. "Is he --"
Clark nodded. "You have to understand, though, that not all the members of my family have super powers. Something like half the children born to a super powered parent inherit them. Those that don't are as vulnerable as any normal human being. The only thing that protects them is secrecy."
"I think I understand," Rob said. "How about this baby?" He nodded to Lori. "Is there any way to tell?"
"Yes," Clark said. "At least usually. Super-powered babies take a lot of energy while they're developing. The non-super mother of a superbaby usually has an appetite like there's no tomorrow. Some more, some less, of course. There have even been a few that surprised us all." He put an arm around Lori. "But I think it's safe to say that this child has inherited my super powers. Fortunately, the actual powers don't manifest until puberty, so until then he -- or she -- will be a normal child in just about every way -- except for things like catching colds, and I'm sure that Lori won't mind missing out on that aspect of parenting."
"Definitely not," Lori said.
"Anyway," Clark said, "that was really all I had to say. If you don't have any other questions ..." He gestured down at himself, resplendent in the primary colors of the Suit. "Superman can give you a lift back to the Lexor. Or if you prefer, we can drive back."
Mariann glanced at Rob. "I know it seems silly," she said, looking almost embarrassed, " -- but would you mind, Robby? Typhoon flew me to the police station. I haven't done anything that exciting in quite a while."
Rob grinned. "Actually, I was hoping you wouldn't object," he said.
"All right then." Clark held out an arm. "I'll take you first and then come back for Mariann."
"It's not that I don't have more questions," Mariann said. "It's just that I don't know which ones to ask. Yet, anyway."
"We never discuss it over the phone," Lori said. "At least not directly."
"I realize that," Mariann said. "But the next time we see each other, I'm sure I'll have thought of a few things to ask."
"That sounds fair," Clark said. He put an arm around Rob and began to rise toward the skylight. Within a few seconds, they had disappeared.
Lori and her mother were left alone. Lori sank down on the sofa and kicked off her shoes. "It's been kind of an exciting evening," she said.
"I'd call that an understatement," Mariann said. "Still, Rob and I enjoyed the time at the Sky Lounge. I wondered why so many of the superheroes came by while we were there. I think I understand, now."
Lori nodded. "They knew Marcella was stalking me," she said. "They were covering for Clark, handling the emergencies tonight, but I think they were all a little worried."
"Probably," Mariann said. "They seem to like you, too. I saw you talking to Superwoman before she left."
"I think they do," Lori said, a little uncomfortably, "and, of course, there's the baby."
Mariann was silent for a moment, regarding her with an expression Lori couldn't quite read. Then she smiled. "I would think that being Superman's wife would be worse than being the wife of a doctor," she said. "You never know when he's going to have to leave to save the world."
Lori found herself smiling. "That's true, but I wouldn't have it any other way," she said. "Clark is an amazing man. I feel incredibly lucky to have met him, and even more that he wanted me so much."
Her mother hesitated, almost as if she were embarrassed, Lori thought. "He treats you well? I know it seems as if he does, but does he?"
Lori nodded. "Sometimes I wish he was a little less attentive," she admitted. "He treats me like I'm made of glass. I guess it's natural, though. I mean, nothing can hurt him, so it must seem to him as if we ordinary people are as fragile as china. Still, there are worse things than a husband who is always considerate of your welfare."
"Much worse," Mariann said. "I never told you about my father, did I? -- your grandfather."
"Not really," Lori said.
"He was a terrible man," Mariann said baldly. "I hated him. He used to beat my mother and me whenever he was angry with us, or when things didn't go right. My mother gave in. She wouldn't fight. I did. I wanted more than a life in a reclusive community of zealots where my father was going to select a 'suitable' husband for me, and I had to obey his every whim. One night after he whipped me with his belt I sneaked out and ran away. I never went back." She sighed faintly. "I had so many dreams. Do you know I have a degree in business management? After all I went through, though, I found that what I really wanted was marriage and children. I married your father. He was everything my father wasn't, but I was terrified that you and Marcy would marry someone who would mistreat you. I never wanted you to take the risk. I was determined that you were going to be self-sufficient and never have to depend on a man." She shrugged. "I let it rule my life for so long. Your father told me that I was pushing the two of you away, but I couldn't seem to stop. I hope you can forgive me."
"Of course I can," Lori said. "You succeeded, you know. I don't depend on Clark that way. We depend on each other, the same as most happily married people do."
"I suppose so." They both looked up as the skylight opened and Clark landed lightly on the carpet beside them.
"Rob is waiting for you in the lobby of the Lexor. Are you ready?"
Mariann nodded. "I'm ready."
Clark scooped her up in his arms. "All right, here we go."
Mariann looked at Lori. "I guess we'll see you tomorrow afternoon. Our shuttle leaves at seven in the evening."
"Clark and I will be at the shuttleport to see you off," Lori said. "Good night, Mother."
After Clark and Mariann had vanished out the skylight, Lori padded slowly into the bedroom to get ready for bed. It had been a more tiring evening than she wanted to admit, but at least the tension of knowing that there was a stalker out there with murder on her mind had been removed. Suddenly, she was very tired.
**********
"The arraignment is this afternoon," Clark said. "Lori and I want to be there for it. Apparently the police have collected a lot more evidence than we knew about. They've managed to link Marcella to all of the murders, as well as the attempts on Deirdre, Carla and Jake, and, of course, Lori. Jake is awake and talking, and has already stated that it was Marcella that shoved him out the window. According to Lieutenant Chow, the DA is going to go for a life sentence in the Lunar mines."
"Sounds good to me," John said. "I can't think of a better place for her." He swiveled his chair, dropping his feet to the floor. "So you told Lori's mom and dad about us?"
Clark nodded. "They know the basics. Naturally we left out the part about my particular place on the family tree."
"Naturally. We have to have *some* secrets," John said. "After while, if they look like they can handle the whole story, you can tell them, but I think that was enough for now."
"Yeah," Clark said. "The fewer who know about that part the better, as far as I'm concerned. Any word on Carla?"
"She phoned a while ago," John said. "She said she'd be in about ten o'clock. I told her that was fine."
"The girl's a workaholic," Lori said. She glanced at the screen of John's computer where the story they had turned in the night before was splashed across the front page of the Online Daily Planet. "I'm glad you let us give her credit for a 'special contribution', John. She deserved it."
"She certainly did," John said. "I believe in rewarding employees who go above and beyond the call of duty. I'm going to keep an eye on her. She'll go far if this is any example of her work." He glanced through the one-way glass of his office into the newsroom. "On the other hand, Barry is over at the hospital visiting Ms. Monitor. I figured I'd better give him the day off, since I wasn't getting any work out of him anyway. Apparently they're going to be taking out a six-month contract as soon as she gets out of the hospital this afternoon."
Lori smiled. "I thought that might happen."
"And after *that*," John said, a trifle sourly, "he's taking four days off so they can go to New Orleans for a mini-honeymoon. If he wasn't such a good business editor, I might be annoyed." He glanced at the headline again. "I see you tied up most of the loose ends. That business with the drain was a weird coincidence."
"Yes and no," Lori said. "According to Connor, working at the Metro Fitness Center didn't pay well enough to live on. The employees had to work a second job to make ends meet. Marcella was part of the crew that did the work three years ago."
"Yeah," John said. "I can understand that, I suppose. But how did she know you were going to be at the Sky Lounge? Considering that you were watching for her, I don't see how she found out."
"She followed us," Clark said. "At least we think so. There was an aircar stolen at the MetroPAC that they found parked two blocks from the Tower. They found a tissue in it, and the DNA on it matched hers. One of the employees of the Sky Lounge was found in his underwear, tied hand and foot, in a cleaning closet. He'd been stunned and never saw his assailant. She must have figured that we were out for a celebratory dinner, and that meant the restaurant. Marcella was pretty smart. If she hadn't been so determined to kill Lori, she'd still be running around loose."
"Scary thought," John said.
"Definitely," Clark said. He put a hand over Lori's in a protective gesture. She had the feeling that he was going to be more solicitous than normal for a few days. He always was after something like this. She didn't really mind, though, especially since it seemed to make him feel better.
"Anyway," Clark said, "after Lori's parents leave, this evening, I'm taking Lori someplace where we can relax for a few days. I hope you can do without us until the middle of the week, John. We both have plenty of vacation time saved up. I'm thinking Tahiti, or maybe Hawaii. Lots of sun and sand and no murderers to worry about for a while."
John rolled his eyes. "Sure, why not? Everybody knows I run a vacation service here. Getting out the news is only incidental."
"Hey, from what I heard, Barney is on the verge of bringing in a story that'll crowd Marcella right off the front page," Clark said. "Political corruption with a capital P. You don't need us right now." He got to his feet. "Anyway, we'd better get on the ball and write up those background pieces. Come on, honey."
They left John muttering dire threats under his breath and returned to the newsroom. A short time later they were arguing amicably over how to lead off the background of the Connor/Marcella story so as to grab readers' attention without being melodramatic and at the same time not bore them with a dry recitation.
They had just finished roughing out the article when one of the elevators opened and two people stepped out. Carla looked tinier than usual compared to her muscular escort. Connor stood tall and proud, like a Viking warrior of old, his handlebar mustache newly combed and bristling magnificently. Something was different about him, Lori thought, and almost immediately identified it. He had lost the worried look. He was smiling as he escorted Carla down the steps to the newsroom floor. Carla's eyes held a dazzled look, and Lori could see that it was focused on Connor.
"Lori!" Connor boomed. "I had to come up to thank you and Clark! You did it!"
Clark got to his feet as Connor approached and Lori also stood up, feeling like a midget next to the pair of them. Carla's smile looked like it might crack her face open any second. "I saw the headline!" she bubbled. "You didn't have to give me so much credit. That was awfully nice of you and Mr. Kent!"
"You deserved every bit of it," Lori said. "As a matter of fact, I'm hoping you'll help me perfect my -- um -- computer skills in the not too distant future. That was a slick job."
Carla's eyes widened. "I don't know if I can teach you anything. Everybody knows you're the best."
"'Everybody' is wrong," Lori said. "We'll talk about it a little later, though. I take it you and Connor have gotten acquainted."
Carla nodded vigorously. "He came to see me this morning and we got to talking. It's amazing how much we've got in common. We thought we'd go out to Frankie's Pizza tonight to celebrate."
"Celebrate?" Clark asked.
Connor nodded. "People are signing up for my fitness center like crazy," he said. "I know it wasn't exactly how you intended it to work, but all the publicity really did the trick. Jake and I are going to teach the rest of the maternity fitness class for the next five weeks, after he heals up. You'll be coming, won't you?"
"I think we can manage that," Lori said. It would entail Clark flying them back one evening next week if they did go to Tahiti, but that wouldn't exactly tax Superman's abilities.
"Great," Connor said. He turned to Carla. "I'll pick you up right after work," he said.
Carla nodded. "See you later," she said.
Connor left with a jaunty stride. Andrea Waltham watched him go with raised eyebrows.
"Young," was her verdict, "but definitely tasty-looking."
Lori hid a smile.
The End
