Before I post, I'd like to say sorry for being a little later with the second half of chapter 17 than I expected to be.
I've been trying to catch up with real life matters which took a back seat while I was on my travels.
I hope you'll think this part was worth the wait.
*****
Last time on The Forgotten ch 17a....
A glimmer of joy sparked in Clark's soul, yet he had to be certain. “Are you sure, Lois? The new me might disappoint you.”
“I've already met the new you and you certainly don't disappoint me.” Lois dared to bend down and brush her lips over Clark's. It was only a fleeting kiss, gone before it barely had a chance to be registered, yet its after-glow lingered in both their souls. “Clark, I know you're scared, and you have every right to be. I understand you have to be feeling very unsure of the future, but do you think you can place yourself in my hands for a while? I have enough strength for the both of us.”
Clark's eyes were awash with tears, but for the first time in such a long while, they were tears of relief and happiness. “Somehow I feel we've been here before, Lois. But yes, I can do that... with all my heart, Lois. With all my heart.”
In the background, Matt smiled as he slipped past the door and took to the sky in pure elation. His father was coming home!
*****
Now, ch 17b....
A capricious moon had begun to peak shyly from behind the clouds when Lois and Clark had bidden each other goodbye. Though Lois knew they'd only be parted for a short time, her heart had been heavy, and she'd had to fight back more tears when, very briefly, Clark's hand had cupped her cheek. Yet that familiar gesture had given her the strength to leave with her son.
On the journey back to Metropolis, however, her mood mirrored the steely gray of the ocean far beneath them, and she couldn't help but be slightly apprehensive about what was happening at the Centre in Jilin. Was Clark still sure of his choice to return home? She didn't think she could take another disappointment.
And yet, there had been no option. Jor-El couldn't carry two passengers, and one of those still in a fragile state of health. They'd finally settled on the plan that Lois would return first to warn the family of Clark's return, while he packed the few possessions he'd accumulated over the last year or so and said goodbye to the MacDonnells.
She knew that particular farewell wasn't going to be easy for Clark. They'd been his rock, his shelter in the storm of his life, and when she'd left she'd sensed he was experiencing some anxiety and dread at the thought of bidding the Macs goodbye.
Yet for all that, she'd felt he was resolute. He'd made his decision in his little cottage and she doubted he'd change his mind. It was just her paranoia that was making her uneasy... that and the fact that she always shared Clark's pain.
“Don't worry, Mom,” Matt said in her ear as they approached the western seaboard of the USA. “I'll have Dad back home before you know it, and you'll be so busy telling Grandma and Grandpa and getting everyone over to the house, you won't have time to freak out.”
“Matt, I am not freaking out!” Lois announced, with some bravado. “And I'm not sure a big reunion is a good idea. I really don't think your dad is well enough for that.”
“What? Mom, you can't leave Grandma and Grandpa Kent out; that's just not fair. And what about Sara and Vicky?”
“Oh, I don't mean them. I'll phone Martha and get them to come over with your sisters, but I think that until we see how your dad reacts to meeting them we should leave it there. I wouldn't want him to have another attack, and, to be honest, I don't think Vicky should see something like that... or even Sara.”
“Oh, Sara will be fine, but you're probably right about Vicky. She doesn't know anything about this, or even about Dad being Superman.”
“And she doesn't need to know now. In fact, no one ever needs to know that. Your dad isn't Superman anymore, and as I told the MacDonnells before I left, I think it would be best to tell the media... when it gets out, of course, and it's bound to get out, that you found Clark Kent on your trip to China, and they totally agreed with me. To the rest of the world, Superman is still dead.”
“I know, Mom. I heard you and Dad talking to Mr and Mrs MacDonnell.”
“OK, but that reminds me, just where did you go when you left us alone in Dad's house?” Lois leaned back against her son's strong arm to watch his face.
“Mom, I was so excited that he'd agreed to come home, apart from the fact I could see you two wanted to be alone, I just had to go flying.”
“Matt, your Dad isn't ready to accept 'that' sort of thing from me yet.”
“But you did kiss him, and I'll bet you did it again!” Matt's face was a mixture of pleasure and embarrassment. No doubt his Mom and Dad would be back to the touchy, feely stuff before too long. Four years ago it used to make him squirm, but he was sixteen now and understood about that sort of thing, so it wouldn't bother him quite so much. Yet a guy didn't really expect his parents to act like teenagers!
“Well yes, we did. Sort of getting to know you kisses, but it was nice... very nice.”
“Mom, I don't think I want to know that. Look, there's LA. We'll be home soon.”
“So it is, but I'm still waiting for an answer to my question.”
If his mom had been standing, her foot would have been tapping and Matt knew there was no way he was going to get out of this. “Actually, in my excitement I got a little carried away and ended up on the dark side of the moon.”
“Matt! You haven't been outside the atmosphere before. That's out of bounds. How could you have been so thoughtless? That would have been a real show stopper -- find my husband, only to lose my son! What were you thinking about?” Lois demanded, fear for Matt dampening her joy at finding Clark.
“That's just it, Mom. I wasn't thinking. I'd no idea I'd gone so far. I'd been holding by breath and when I found out I was beginning to run out of oxygen, I was pretty shocked.” Matt saw his mother's eyes start with fright. “I turned right round and came back, and as you can see, I'm fine. No damage done. In fact, on the way back, I heard a call for help and found another family clinging to the branches of a tree floating way out on the lake. So you see, I was fit enough to do a successful rescue. I took the four of them back to the field hospital and checked up on how the rescue effort was going. They've actually found a few more survivors, so it's been a very good night.”
“I'm glad you were able to save some more people, but how did you overhear our conversation if you were busy doing all that?”
“Mom, I'm not sure you're ready to hear about that. We're nearly home, so maybe you should wait till you're sitting.” Matt's voice was filled with an expectant awe.
Lois glanced down as the land passed below her. They'd been flying into daylight and as a result were at a fairly high altitude, but she was beginning to recognize the terrain. “Matt, just tell me now!”
“I didn't mean to eavesdrop, Mom, and I didn't, not really, but I could hear everything Dad was saying inside my head.”
“Inside? Telepathy! Kryptonians can speak to each other telepathically,” Lois recited the words she'd heard so long ago during the New Kryptonians' first visit.
At the time, their telepathic connection to Clark had made her feel very jealous and insecure, as if she'd been relegated to the fringes of his re-established Krpytonian citizenship. Of course, she'd been totally wrong. Clark loved her and nothing could change that... not association with his own people... nor the past four years of separation... without his memory. Clearly, there were very hard and painful experiences ahead for Clark, but they'd get through the problems together.
“You mean I'm telepathic too?”
“It would appear so, don't you think?” She kept a close eye on Matt's face, wondering how he would take another manifestation of his differences, but she needn't have worried.
“Cool!” A large grin split Matt's face, but actually he'd been smiling for most of the trip home. Now, however, a doubtful grimace turned down the corners of his mouth. “But why didn't Dad try to talk to me that way before?”
“Matt, you were only twelve when he went missing and you were just beginning to grow into your powers. He was so concerned about teaching you how to control the physical stuff, so you wouldn't hurt anyone or give the secret away, that telepathy probably never occurred to him.”
“I guess. But this is so cool! I could use telepathy instead of Uncle Bernie's transmitter.”
“I'm not sure that's an option,” Lois said dampening Matt's enthusiasm a little. “Telepathy only works with another Krytponian and you haven't exactly had a two-way conversation with Dad. Besides, where were you when you actually tuned into your father?”
Matt thought back over the latter part of the night. “I guess when I was flying the family from the lake to the rescue center. Maybe, a little bit before.”
“So, the connection doesn't appear to be far ranging... but your dad isn't really chatting to you, which might mean the range could be extended if he could concentrate on transmitting. Right now it seems like he's just leaking thoughts....”
“No, Mom. He was speaking, not thinking... and I heard you, though there were gaps in the conversation. How could that happen?”
“Well, I'm no expert on all things Kryptonian, but I'd say that speech is just verbalized thoughts, and as for hearing me, your dad and I always had some sort of telepathic connection. We couldn't exactly hold conversations, but we were 'aware' of each other's feelings, especially in times of trouble. It was losing that connection four years ago that made me believe he had died.” Lois' voice wavered; the nightmare of the past still having the power to send chills down her spine.
“You think those chips and the brainwashing blocked the connection? But that doesn't make sense. Nothing has changed with that and Dad is transmitting again.”
“Only to you, Matt, and you're half Kryptonian, so you have the ability to tune into his wavelength or whatever is used in telepathy. And your dad has changed... some. I'm sure he's still unaware of his telepathic power, but he is acting like some sort of conduit, which enabled you to overhear. Maybe Uncle Bernie might have a more comprehensible explanation. You should ask him.”
“OK, I will. But you think if Dad got well, I could actually talk to him telepathically?”
“It's a possibility,” Lois replied, again looking pensive. “Matt, I don't want to be a killjoy, but we shouldn't pressure your father too much for now. It could take quite some time before he's back to the way you remember him....”
“And maybe he won't ever be exactly the same?” Sometimes Matt's insight surprised his mother. “Don't look so shocked, Mom. I don't care if he never gets his powers back, just having him home is enough... and you have no idea what sort of things he knows. If it hadn't been for Dad, I'd never have saved so many people last night.”
“It wasn't only the superpowers that made your father a hero, but I'm glad you understand, Matt.” Lois smiled and raised her hand to touch her son's face fleetingly. Like most other sixteen year old boys, Matt wasn't keen on too many shows of emotion from his mother. “And, you know, if you want to explore telepathy, you might want to practice with Sara.”
“I never thought of that. I wonder if it would work?”
“There's only one way to find out, but we're back in Metropolis.” Lois pointed a little way ahead to the familiar streets and buildings. “Perhaps you should be checking to see if the area is clear so we can land.”
“Right, Mom.” Matt carefully began searching the ground below. Morning had arrived in the city and there were early commuters heading off to work. The last thing they needed was an audience watching Jor-El returning Mrs Kent to her home, but fortunately he spotted a lull in the traffic. “Hold on. This is going to be quick.”
Seconds later, Lois stood a little shakily in her family room and wondered how it appeared more welcoming than when she'd left. It was still a little untidy, since she been too distracted to tidy up after the kids last night, yet it was home... Lois' and Clark's home.
“I'll leave you to call Grandma Martha,” Matt said, dropping an unexpected kiss on his mother's cheek, “and I'll go get Dad. It won't take too long.”
“Wait, Matt!” The boy halted in his tracks at Lois' instruction. “You've been flying around for twenty four hours. Are you sure you're fit for another round trip to China, especially when you're going to have to fly very carefully bringing Dad home.”
Once more a sparkling grin lit Matt's expression. “Mom, stop being such a worrywart! I'm fine... really.” He levitated off the floor and did a double backward flip, showing off a little in his excitement. “See!”
Lois couldn't help but return Matt's grin. “OK. I guess you're flying on adrenalin, or the Kryptonian equivalent. Get out of here... and Matt, please take care of yourself... and him.”
Again Matt surprised Lois by returning and pulling her in for an extra hug. “I promise.”
Then he was off on what he reckoned was the happiest trip of his life.
*****
Clark laid out his few possessions on his bed, prior to packing them into his worn backpack. He'd acquired more and newer clothes since he'd arrived here with Mac, but it was still a meagre amount, especially since one set was covered in mud and probably beyond repair.
He glanced up and looked around the room. It was small, and even smaller with both Mac and Marje crowded inside, yet it had been his base in his confusing existence and, at the last minute, he was loathe to take his leave.
His eyes rested on the quaich, slivery bright in the moonlight. “Do you think I could take this with me? I'd like a memento of my time with you guys.”
“Of course you must,” Marje answered, pleating a hankie and trying hard not to sniffle. “We gave it to you to keep.”
“And dinn'ae be thinkin' that ye're getting' awa from us completely,” Mac mentioned, sitting down in the chair, his tired body still full of aches and pains. His work in the weeks ahead would be excessively difficult, and he'd be without his trusted assistant, yet, not for one moment, did he think to suggest that Clark should stay. “Ye ken, Marje and I haven'ae had a holiday in years, so we've a fair amount o' time saved up. Whit dae ye say, lass, once we hae this mess cleared up, that ye and I mak up fer lost time and hae a break?” He caught hold of Marje's hand as he spoke, pulling her to his side, recognizing she too was feeling very ambivalent about losing Clark.
“I think that's a fine idea. We've been talking for ages about how we should go home to Scotland to visit our families... and we really should, but now we have an extended family,” Marje said a little hesitantly, “and if you'd allow us, Clark, we could maybe come to see how you're doing in Metropolis.”
Clark stilled and his glance passed between his friends, while a slow smile dawned on his face. “I'd like that more than anything,” he replied, then his lopsided grin slid somewhat as another thought occurred to him. “But you don't think that once these doctors are finished with me I might forget these last few years... might lose you both?” That prospect frightened Clark and he found himself, suddenly, in Marje's arms again.
“Don't you go talking up trouble for yourself, Clark,” she said, rubbing her hand comfortingly up and down his back. “I doubt that's going to happen....”
“Aye, and even if it did, ye'd just hae two weird sounding strangers showing up at yer front door, ready tae remind ye of yer adventures in China,” Mac announced with a broad smile.
“Besides, Lois has promised to keep in touch, just in case you're not up to it yourself for a little while. Surgery isn't something you recover from overnight, you know,” Marje said. “It might take a little while till you're feeling stronger, but it will happen. I know it will.” She gave him a final pat, then stepped back. “Now let's get your bag packed so you're ready for your son's return.”
“Aye, if the lad's on schedule, he should be showin' up any minute now.”
But seeing how shell-shocked Clark still appeared, Marje began folding his things into the bag. “I'll try laundering your last set of clothes and send them on, but I don't hold out much hope for their recovery.” She laughed as she busied herself, her hands eager, yet her feelings reluctant. The centre wouldn't be the same without Letour, and yet Letour was gone forever.... The bureaucrats of this land would say he'd never really existed. Only she hated that thought. It somehow diminished the man Clark had been these past few years, and Letour deserved recognition; a quiet man who'd become a much valued part of their small community, and it seemed that Mac appreciated this fact too.
“Aye, Letour. Ye'll no mind if I call ye that one last time?” Mac rose stiffly and came to shake Clark's hand. “I couldn'ae hae wished fer a better man Friday. Ye've been an asset tae oor wee conservation project, and I've been proud tae call ye my friend.” He pumped Clark's hand a few times, though he kept his head bent, afraid to show his leaky eyes. “Ye'll be missed, lad.”
Before Mac had a chance to embarrass himself by breaking down and sobbing, a gust of wind accompanied Jor's return and a second later, a still joyous Matt was opening the door.
“Hi, Dad. Are you ready to go yet?”
Clark looked up, and though his heart lifted at the sight of the young hero who was his son, for a totally opposite reason, a large lump choked his throat and cut off his voice.
“Yes, Matt,” Marje answered instead, pushing the little drinking cup down amongst the softer clothes to protect it, though baggage was probably treated more carefully when traveling superhero airlines. She zipped up the bag and handed it to the young man, who slipped it over his shoulder. “Now, get away home, Clark. Your family are waiting for you.” Once more she let her hand linger on his back and her voice lowered. “Try not to be afraid. You want to be with Lois and I know she won't let you down. She'll take good care of you, until you can take care of yourself.”
Clark nodded, managing a breathy whisper. “I know, Marje.” He sent her a small smile, full of sincerity.
The little group walked slowly outside, but Clark couldn't resist taking one last look at his Fortress of Solitude. Now where had that strange name come from? It sounded familiar... and was perhaps appropriate.
Yet as he felt Jor-El's arm slide around his waist, he realized that wasn't quite true. Here he had never been alone. So, how did you say goodbye to two people who had befriended, trusted and protected the stray alien they had known absolutely nothing about? Clark had no words, but he stopped his son's hand and crossed the few steps back to the Macs who were standing close together, supporting each other.
Silently, Clark wrapped an arm round each of them in a three-way embrace. For moments they stood close together, huddled against the sharp mountain air. Then Mac broke the spell.
“Laddie... cheil, this isn'ae goodbye forever. Ye'll be seein' us just as soon as maybe. Now that bonnie wife of yers is waiting fer ye at hame.” Mac, took a step back, placing both his hands on Clark's shoulders. “It's time fer ye tae move on, but we winn'ae forget ye, ever. Ye can be sure of that.”
“I know.” Clark felt like he was an echo. “I can never thank both of you enough for what you did for me... and I wish I could say I'll never forget you either... but I just can't know....”
“Oh, there ye gang, haivering again!”
Matt had walked up behind his father. “Dad, there's no way we're going to let you forget the Macs... sorry, Mr and Mrs MacDonnell, I mean.”
“Oh, Matt, the Macs is just fine... or Mac and Marje would do just as well,” Marje said, a grin fighting back her unashamed tears. “After all, I hope we're your friends now too... and if you're ever in this part of the world again, please drop by. You know you'll be welcome, and we're pretty isolated here... at least, we are under normal circumstances.”
“I will, Marje,” Matt spoke brightly, though he couldn't help but be moved by the emotions that were evident between his father and this couple, and watching carefully, he saw Marje start to shiver. “It's getting really cold out here for Marje and Mac and, Dad, we really should get going. I know Mom will be wondering where we are. I can't fly as fast as normal either with a passenger.”
“OK. I guess this is it.” Clark allowed his son to lift him into his arms. It felt a little strange, a grown man in the arms of a boy... yet this was no ordinary boy. “Goodbye for now, Marje and Mac, and take care of each other.”
“We will!”
“Aye, dinn'ae worry about us. We'll be fine.”
The MacDonnells shouted in unison into the shifting shadows of the night.
“Mom says she'll email you when we get home,” Matt replied, rising higher into the sky, but his father was silent.
Below Clark, the only people he was totally accustomed to faded quickly into the gloom, yet strangely, he had no misgivings. Something... no, someone was drawing him home. For the last four years, she'd haunted his dreams and now she was his reality. Lois was his beacon, lighting his way. He'd placed his future in her hands... and he was not afraid.
*****
tbc
