Chapter 3
Lois and Kal entered the banquet hall with minimal fanfare. Although their marriage had been required for the signing of the treaty, now that the treaty was signed it seemed that their nuptials had faded into the background. There was a general feeling of celebration about the room, but it was dampened by the still-present tension between the humans and Kryptonians. While some mingling occurred between the two groups, they mostly remained segregated – likely due to the language barrier and predisposed prejudice. It would be some time before either group felt comfortable with the other.
Lois looked up, questioningly, at Kal as they stood just inside the room. He shrugged and shook his head, indicating that he didn’t know what they were supposed to do now either. They had talked in the bridal chamber for a while longer, sharing simple facts about each other. Lois had told him about her mother and sister and a bit about growing up in Metropolis. Kal had mentioned his brother and sister-in-law and, at her prompting, told her a bit about New Krypton.
They finally decided that they had lingered long enough and that they would have plenty of time to talk later. But now that they were at the reception, Lois wondered if they should have just stayed away – it wasn’t like they were missed.
“I thought we’d be getting a proper wedding reception,” Lois commented. “Seems to me like they’ve forgotten that part.” Once again, she was struck by the fact that her mother and sister weren’t there, that she had no bridesmaids or other friends waiting to congratulate her. She recognized a few of the human dignitaries meandering through the hall, but the only person present who actually knew her was her father and she couldn’t see him anywhere at the moment.
Kal offered her an apologetic smile. “I guess they’re all caught up in celebrating the treaty. The war is finally over – thanks to you.”
Lois started at his words and her gaze met his kind eyes. “And you. We both did our parts for this.”
Kal gently cupped her cheek with his hand. “But you’re giving up more. I don’t think any of them realize what you’ve done for both our worlds. But I do. Thank you.”
Lois felt her cheeks heating up and she stepped away, looking for something to distract her from whatever it was she was feeling after his words and his touch. She spied a passing waiter with a tray of drinks and took the opportunity to grab a drink for herself. She took a sip without looking at it and almost spit it back into her glass.
Forcing herself to swallow, she stared at the glass in her hand. Inside was a dark blue, syrupy liquid but it wasn’t sweet. Rather, it was extremely dry and tasted almost bitter. “What is this?”
Kal looked torn between laughing and wincing but he managed to keep his voice even as he replied, “Squid ink.”
“What!?” Lois felt her eyes grow wide in surprise.
Kal chuckled. “It’s not really. That’s just what I call it. It’s a Kryptonian beverage, called sk’ild, often served at celebrations but it’s something of an acquired taste. I don’t like it either.” He smiled apologetically and then nodded at something across the room. “I think I see some punch over there. Would you like a glass?”
Lois shrugged. “Sure.”
“Be right back.”
Kal walked away, leaving Lois alone for the first time since the wedding ceremony. She took a deep breath and tried to let that sink in as she meandered slowly through the crowded room.
She was a married woman – married to a man she’d only just met. But, so far, everything was okay. Kal was nice and he seemed to genuinely care about her feelings. He seemed to have a solid head on his shoulders. He was dedicated to the cause of peace. He had a sense of humor. And it didn’t hurt that he was really good looking. Her chances of having a semi-decent marriage were looking pretty good. At the very least, she could see them becoming friends. That was something.
“Lois,” a voice called. She turned to see her father approaching and felt something in her chest loosen.
“Daddy.” She met her father in a hug and suddenly all of the tension she’d felt over the last few hours came undone. She shut her eyes against the sting of tears, determined not to cry in front of all these people, but she was unable to suppress the shudder that went through her.
“Are you alright, Princess?” her father whispered. “Did he hurt you?” Even at a whisper, the threat in his tone was evident.
Lois pulled back swiftly and looked him in the eye to reassure him. “No, Daddy. I’m fine. Really. Kal is – He’s been a complete gentleman. I guess I’m just feeling a little overwhelmed.”
“Well, you’ve had a big day,” he replied, leaning back to look at her. “Your entire life is changing and you’ve had no time to prepare.” He tried to give her a smile but it looked more like a grimace. “I am so sorry, Sweetheart. I know you didn’t really want this. You are so brave and I am so proud of you. So is your mother. You know she and Lucy wish they could be here.”
Lois had to blink quickly to keep herself from tearing up again at her father’s words. “I know. We said our goodbyes at home.” She stepped back a bit and smiled as she remembered something she had to tell him. “Oh but, could you let them know that I should be back in about three years – if everything goes well, that is? Kal told me that he is studying to become the next ambassador to Earth. We’ll be able to live here.”
“Oh, yes,” her father nodded. “Jor-El mentioned something about that when I was speaking with him earlier. He said his son is quite the Earth enthusiast.”
“And his English is perfect. I was worried that we were going to have to make up some weird sign language to communicate. But I didn’t have anything to worry about after all. Of course, I’m going to have to learn Kryptonian at some point but foreign languages have never really come easily to me so I am glad that I’ll have at least one person to talk to.
President Lane chuckled at his daughters babbling. “Well, you’ll have more than one. Jor-El speaks English as well and he said that most of his family speaks at least some. I’m sure you’ll get by until you can pick up the language.” His expression sobered. “I only wish you didn’t have to leave.”
“There you are.”
Lois turned to see Kal approaching with two glasses of punch. “Oh, sorry. I wandered a bit.” She took the glass he handed her and thanked him before turning back towards her father to make introductions. “Kal, this is my father. Daddy, this is Kal-El… my husband.”
Kal immediately reached out to shake her father’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, President Lane. I’m only sorry we weren’t able to meet sooner. I feel like I ought to have… asked for permission to marry your daughter.”
Lois scoffed and crossed her arms over her chest. “Seriously?” she asked before her father could reply. “Where would you get an idea like that?”
Kal blinked a few times in surprise. “I just thought… well that’s how things are done on Earth.”
“Maybe fifty years ago or… well I suppose that kind of thing is still done in some hick towns out west,” Lois paused a moment and Kal opened his mouth to say something but she cut him off. “Let’s get one thing straight – nobody tells me what I can or cannot do. I make my rules and I live by them. I call the shots. I don’t need my father’s or anyone else’s permission to get married. I made this choice. You got that?”
Kal gulped and almost seemed to have to pry his jaw up from the floor. “Got it,” he finally replied.
Her father chuckled and patted Kal on the shoulder. “Good choice, son. You’re right though. It’s unfortunate that we were unable to meet before today. You two should have had the chance to get to know each other a bit. Pushing this treaty through has been a bit of a whirlwind.”
“It certainly has.” Kal agreed. “And security has been so tight – I’m not sure we would have been able to arrange a meeting even if we’d had the time.”
“Indeed,” President Lane agreed. He looked up and nodded to someone off to the side and then turned back to Lois. “Speaking of time – I’m afraid I don’t have much even now. I’m sorry, Princess, but I’m needed in another meeting in just a few minutes. No rest for the president.”
“I know, Daddy,” Lois said. Her father’s work – first as a general and then as the president had always left him precious little time for his family. She hugged him again quickly.
“I’ll try to see you again before I leave,” he promised. “And just think – by the time you get back, I’ll be retired. No more politics for this old general. Now, I leave you with this young man and I trust that you’ll keep him in line.”
“Don’t worry, Daddy. I think I can handle this one.”
With another wave, her father departed, weaving through the crowds with his secret service men, and Lois turned back to her new husband.
Kal crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his head slightly to the side with a smirk. “You think you can handle me, huh?”
Lois returned the smirk with one of her own and patted his chest playfully. “Oh yeah, spaceboy . I’ve got you figured out.”
“Kal!” Another voice called from across the room before he could reply. They were soon joined by another couple wearing Kryptonian robes emblazoned with the blue S-like symbol for the House of El. Lois didn’t think the man was Jor-El – he was too young and she’d seen a few pictures and holo-vids of the First Lord – so, she thought, he must be Kal’s brother, Ching. And she thought the woman was, perhaps, his wife.
The man started speaking in Kryptonian, saying something which caused Kal to chuckle and shake his head. “English please, Ching. For Lois’ sake.”
“Ah, yes. Many apologies, my lady,” Ching turned to her and spoke in slow, formal English, with a strong Kryptonian accent. “You will have to forgive me though. I am afraid my English is quite poor compared to my brother’s.”
Lois smiled kindly. Accent or not, he spoke better than many of the boys she’d gone to school with. “Not at all. I think you speak it well.”
“Well, I have a good teacher,” Ching nodded to his brother. “Although I fear his manners are quite lacking as he has failed to introduce us.” Kal sputtered a moment in indignation but Ching did not give him the opportunity to cut in. “Allow me to do the honors – I am Ching-El, brother to this clod you have so unfortunately married.”
Lois grinned at the obvious teasing while Kal glared at his brother beside her.
Ching gestured to the woman by his side as he continued. “And this is my dear wife, Zara.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” Lois replied. “I’m Lois Lane… or I guess it would be El now?” She frowned, unsure how name changes worked for married women on New Krypton. If it were up to her, she would keep her maiden name, but she got the feeling that wouldn’t slide here. She looked to Kal for guidance.
“Well, on New Krypton, a woman’s name is usually followed by the name of her father or her husband.” Kal explained, putting aside his annoyance at his brother. “Formally, you will be known as Lois Kal-El. Informally, you can just go by Lois.”
Lois sighed but nodded. She hadn’t really considered the part about changing her name when she agreed to this. A part of her felt like she was being stripped of her identity. She quickly buried those thoughts away. It didn’t matter. She’d always be Lois Lane in her heart – even if she had to go by a different name on the outside.
“Kal.” Ching spoke up again. “Zara and I have a gift for you.”
Kal’s face showed his surprise and Lois wondered if wedding gifts were unusual of New Krypton or if it was just unexpected given the unusual nature of their wedding. “What?” he asked. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”
“We know. But we think you’ll really appreciate this. Come with us.” Ching and Zara swiftly stepped away, leaving Kal and Lois little choice but to follow. Kal glanced at Lois in question but she didn’t know any more than he did. She shrugged and then they both followed the other couple.
On the other side of the Great Hall, Ching led them through a door, not unlike the one Lois had used when she first entered the room earlier that day, then through another series of hallways which all looked very much the same. They finally stopped in front of a door, which Ching opened and gestured for his brother to enter first.
Lois followed Kal into the room and nearly collided with his broad back. He had stopped short just through the doorway and didn’t seem to even be breathing anymore. “Kal, what-?”
But he didn’t seem to hear her. All at once, he came alive again, shaking his head and slowly stepping forward with a look of disbelief on his face.
Finally managing to peer around her husband, Lois noticed an older, human couple standing in the room. They both wore glasses and what would probably be called their “Sunday best” in some small town down south or out west. They had a kindly look about them and they both smiled brightly. The woman looked like she might cry from happiness.
All of this was strange but what was even stranger was what Kal said next.
“Mom? Dad?”
“Oh, Clark!” the woman exclaimed as she launched herself forward into Kal’s arms. The man soon joined her and Kal embraced them both as the woman rained kisses on his cheeks and forehead.
Lois was very confused.
“Look at how much you’ve grown!” the woman said, stepping back to look at Kal. Kal stood up straight to give her a better look.
“That’s our boy,” the man added proudly.
“I can’t believe you’re here.” Kal said, his hands still on each of their shoulders as though they might vanish if he stopped touching them. “They said civilians wouldn’t be allowed to come.” He eyes darted to Ching. “How did you…?”
Ching smiled warmly. “The guard at the transport center owed me a favor. He ‘took a break’ while I stepped in to bring Mr. and Mrs. Kent here. Unfortunately, this can only be a short visit. My friend will be taking another break in approximately twenty minutes and I will need to see that the Kents are safely home.”
“Thank you, Ching. Thank you so much.” Kal turned back to the couple in front of him. “Twenty minutes… it isn’t much, but after all these years… I’ve missed you both so much.”
Lois had no idea what was going on, but this human man and woman clearly meant a great deal to Kal. His voice was thick with emotion and he kept blinking as though he were holding back tears. It seemed as though he were greeting his parents after a long absence except… these weren’t his parents.
Before she could ponder the matter further, the woman stepped away from Kal and stood in front of her. “And you must be Lois.” She took Lois’ hand in both of hers. “You sure are pretty. It’s okay if I tell her that, isn’t it, Clark?” she added, looking back at Kal.
Kal shrugged. “I don’t know, Mom. Ask Lois.”
“Thanks.” Lois replied slowly, still trying to get a gauge on who these people were.
“Lois,” Kal moved to her side. “This is Johnathan and Martha Kent. They’re my parents.”
Lois shook her head. “I don’t understand. I thought… I mean, you’re Kryptonian. Your father is…”
“Jor-El. Yes.” Kal nodded. “It’s kind of a long story but… I came to Earth as a baby and the Kents adopted me. I promise I’ll tell you the rest later. Right now…” he looked back at the Kents. “We don’t have a lot of time.”
Lois was still confused but she nodded and stepped back, allowing Kal to reconnect with his long, lost adoptive parents. As she watched them together, she found herself wondering about her new husband. Just who was this man she had married?
