Previously On Specimen S:
Lois and Clark scurried away from Perry's office as Jimmy rushed to grab the paper from the editor. Clark followed Lois as she made her way through the bullpen to her desk. She wheeled on Clark once she arrived, her expression less than thrilled.
"Okay, every time I turn around lately, I seem to find you there. What are you? Some kind of stalker?"
"No," Clark said, color rising in his cheeks. "I swear, I'm not following you. I'm not a stalker."
"Look, I know I said that I appreciate what you did for me that night in the club, but here at the Planet, you're the competition, got it? Just because Perry is assigning us to work together on this story doesn't mean anything. And bear in mind, Kent, that you are working for me, not with me."
"Got it," Clark said. "Except for one thing."
Lois crossed her arms. "And what's that?"
"I don't want to be your competition, Lois. But I would like to be...well...a friend."
Lois' eyes hardened for a moment. Then it seemed that she softened as some kind of recognition flooded her. Clark saw this all in her eyes. He wondered what exactly was going on in her mind. Clark wasn't sure he liked the flicker in her eyes.
"You." she said after a moment. "It was you."
"Me?" Clark pointed to himself in confusion.
"In the Congo. You're the mysterious man who saved my life."
Clark felt a searing bolt of fear flash through his entire body. She recognized him. He wondered how. Then, belatedly, he recalled calling himself 'a friend' in exactly the same tone of voice nearly a year before.
"Yes," he admitted. "I am."
Lois shook her head, looking dazed. "You...you...saved my life," she repeated. "But...how? Why? How did you know?"
Clark shrugged, uncomfortable. "I overheard you talking about the gunrunning story. And I...I don't know...sort of...kept an eye out. I didn't want anything to happen to you. You needed to stay safe...and to write your article. You needed to bring those men down."
"I won an award for that."
Clark nodded. "I know."
"You do?"
He nodded again. "I've always admired your work," he admitted. "And I did keep tabs on the journalism community here at home, even when I was living overseas. Especially your work, Lois. You're the best journalist I've ever had the pleasure of reading."
"Oh, I...thank you. That's quite the compliment," Lois said, brushing her hair back from her face, looking slightly embarrassed. "So...can I ask? What were you doing in the Congo? Since, I mean, you obviously weren't after the gunrunners."
Clark sighed and shrugged, trying not to look depressed as he thought back to those days on the run.
"I was there pretty much completely by accident. I wasn't supposed to be there. I just...got diverted...as I was moving around. It doesn't really matter. I'm just happy that I was there when it counted."
"All this time, I've wondered who that man was in the shadows. I would have been murdered that night. How can I ever repay you?"
Clark smiled. "You already have. You gave me the idea to keep my eyes peeled for a story when you told me not to give up with Mr. White."
Lois gave him a tentative smile. "Come on. We have a story to chase...partner."
Clark chuckled. "We do. Just give me a minute, okay?"
"A minute? Clark, what on Earth can be so important that it can't wait until later?"
Clark flashed her a brilliant smile. "Well, I'm due to start my other job in five minutes. I need to let them know that I probably won't be making it in."
Lois laughed. "Oh."
***
June 22, 1994
"Morning, Lois," Clark said cheerfully as he swept into the newsroom, juggling a couple of cups of coffee and a box of donuts.
"Morning," Lois replied, looking up from her computer screen.
"I come bearing breakfast," Clark announced, setting down his offerings on her desk with a flourish. "My humble tribute to the writing gods."
Lois eyed the spread appreciatively. "Thanks. Your tribute is deemed acceptable."
Clark chuckled. "Don't mention it."
"Oh, hey. I saw that you filed the murder-suicide story last night."
"I did."
"Nice work."
"Thanks," Clark said, sitting on the edge of his partner's desk and happily biting into a powdered donut. "Uh, Lois? Can I, uh, talk to you about something?"
Lois groaned. "I'm not going to like this, am I?"
"Why would you say that?"
"Because, Clark, you have that tone in your voice."
"Tone? What tone?"
She nodded. "The 'I'm going to say something that Lois isn't going to like' tone."
"It's nothing like that," Clark tried to assure her.
"Oh really?"
"Well...at least, I hope."
"Okay, Farm Boy, you've got my interest up. What's going on?"
"Well," Clark said, swallowing down the last bite of his donut. "I was wondering...would you maybe like to...go out with me?"
"Go out? You mean like on a date?"
Clark nodded shyly. "Exactly."
"Clark, I...we're partners."
"And best friends," he put in helpfully.
"That's exactly my point! I'm not sure we should jeopardize what we have. I mean, what if it doesn't work out?"
"Lois, believe me, I've put a lot of thought into this. I'm willing to give this a chance. If you are, that is."
"I don't know...Why now? Can't you just enjoy what we have?"
"Look, Lois, I'm not just pulling this out of nowhere. I've wanted to ask you out ever since you interviewed me after the 1987 Metropolis University/Midwestern State football game. And since I came to live in Metropolis full time, I'm been biding my time. At first, I was ashamed to ask you out. I was dirt poor...I could barely afford my rent every month, even with three jobs. Since starting here, I, well...I think we needed learn how to be friends first. If you don't want to go out, that's fine. I'll understand. But I had to give it a shot. Know what I mean?"
Lois nodded slowly. "I think I do. I'd just hate losing you if things don't work out."
"You'll never lose me, Lois. I care about you too much to let that happen."
"Okay," she finally said, after taking a deep breath. "We're on for tomorrow. I mean, we can do something tomorrow. If you want. That is...oh God, I'm being too forward, aren't I?"
"No, you aren't. And tomorrow sounds perfect," Clark said, smiling broadly. "Actually, I was hoping you'd agree to go out with me tomorrow."
They were both off the next day, so it would be the ideal time for them to spend the day together. Clark could hardly wait. He and Lois had spent some of their days off together before, but never like this. He looked forward to it. It always amazed him to see how relaxed Lois could become outside of work.
"So...what's the plan?"
"Well," Clark said, stuffing his hands into his pockets, "do you like Shakespeare?" He gave her a tentative lopsided smile, trying to judge by her reaction if she did or not.
She nodded almost immediately. "Oddly enough, I do."
"Well, the Metropolis Actors Guild is doing Shakespeare under the stars in Centennial Park. So...maybe we could do that, if you'd like. They're doing Hamlet."
"Sounds good. I haven't done that in years," Lois said, smiling. "Four years ago they did Macbeth and it was pretty impressive. I'd love to go again."
"Great, so...I'll pick you up around noon then?"
"Clark, the show typically kicks off at eight."
Clark grinned widely. "I know. I have a few other ideas in mind though. Dress comfortably." He winked at her.
"You're not going to tell me?"
"Nope."
"You can't do that!"
"Sure I can."
"That's not fair! You know it'll eat me up alive, wondering what you've got up your sleeve!"
Clark only chuckled and slipped from his perch on her desk. He shook his head and crossed the twenty feet that separated their desks. Lois huffed indignantly, but didn't follow him. But she had that look in her eyes - the one Clark knew all too well. She was going to do her best to try and weasel it out of him for the rest of the day.
Clark smiled to himself as he booted up his computer. Let her try. He was perhaps the best person in the world at keeping secrets.
***
July 18, 1994
Clark felt that he was the luckiest man on the face of the Earth. In the few short weeks since he and Lois had gone on their first, tentative date, things had quickly spiraled into a realm of happiness Clark hadn't known was possible. Their first date had gone exceptionally well. He'd taken Lois to the Metropolis Zoo, then for a round of mini golf and go-kart racing. They had eaten at Lois' favorite Chinese restaurant, then had headed to Centennial Park to catch the play.
Once there, Clark had produced a large, thick quilt and a picnic basket from where he'd stowed it in the back of Lois' car when she hadn't been looking. She had enjoyed the rich chocolate desserts and deep red wine he'd offered up. Then they had snuggled together to watch the actors on stage, as fireflies had lazily added their own lights to the show. It had been an exceptional performance, and they had even written up an article about it for the paper together the following day.
When they had kissed goodnight at Lois' apartment late that night, there had been no doubt in Clark's mind that the date had been a success. And he had known, beyond certainty, that Lois Lane was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
Lois had seemed to have had a good time as well. They had been out several times since that night, grabbing late dinners in some of the local restaurants after work, or spending their free days doing fun, informal little trips. But no matter what they did, it always felt right, natural, meant-to-be.
Clark could not have been happier.
When he thought back over his life, it simply amazed him. His life had started off on such a bad note. Raised by Trask and force-fed brainwashing information in hopes of turning him into a killer, Clark had had an awful childhood. Experimented upon and feared by the very people who had held him captive, he had never felt more alone in his life. Those things had scarred him deeply. Even now, it was hard for Clark to be alone, even when it was just a matter of him having a few hours at night by himself in his apartment to catch a good night's sleep. And it cut him to the bone anytime a person looked at him with nervousness or contempt, which sometimes happened during his investigations.
But ever since his escape from Bureau Thirty-Nine, his life had steadily gotten better, though it hadn't been a smooth road. First, he'd found Jonathan and Martha Kent, the parents who had loved him from the first moment they had known him. They had opened up their home and their hearts to him, as well as his future. Together, they had given him a family, a home, an education, a sense of self-worth. And they had helped him to lose some of the habits that Trask had instilled in him. He was no longer a shy child, fearing punishment if he spoke up for himself or asked a question. His parents had taught him to be his own person, and had encouraged his curiosity.
And yet, some habits had never left him. He still made his bed with the tight, neat military corners that Trask had demanded. He still sometimes had to fight the impulse to speak in military time. He still arranged his pencils on his desk in rigid rows, ensuring that they were all properly sharpened and the same length. Files did not get left on his desk overnight - clutter was distinctly prohibited in Clark's world.
Though he kept his hair longer than the crew cut Trask had forced him to keep, he still shaved every day, sometimes two or three times to avoid the appearance of stubble. It had been mandatory for Trask's men to be clean shaven at all times. His shoes were kept to a shine and his appearance was always painstakingly neat in a professional setting, though he loved the freedom to slip into a favorite pair of jeans and sneakers when he was outside of work.
Even with Jonathan and Martha's support and love, Clark had never lost his fear of Trask, or his fear of being discovered. He yearned to help people, but as soon as he did, the old anxieties would arise. Had anyone seen what he'd done? Would they suspect that there was more to Clark Jerome Kent then just a mild-mannered human being? Would someone else try to capture him and experiment on him? Would fear drive people to look for a way to kill him?
For several long years after college, these worries had plagued him, leaving him all but sleepless at night. He'd fled his home, bouncing aimlessly from country to country, looking for a fresh start. He'd lived those days with one eye constantly peering over his shoulder, expecting Trask to emerge from the shadows. Those too, had been lonely days, though they hadn't been as bad as when he'd been Cameron's prisoner. At least, during his travels, he'd always had the opportunity to call his parents, or fly back home for a couple of hours to visit with them. As a young boy in Trask's possession, he'd had no one to talk to.
When Trask had finally died, Clark had lost his fear that the man could harm his loved ones. He had allowed himself to come out of his self-imposed exile. And that was when life had really taken off for him. He had, after some initial difficulties, secured a job at the Daily Planet, one of the most respected newspapers in the entire country, if not the world. That had been a dream come true. And he had gained Lois in the process, first as her partner, then friend, then best friend.
Everything had finally fallen into place for him. All of his hard work had paid off. Life couldn't get much better, unless, of course, he were to marry Lois and raise a family with her. He felt almost ready for that step already. In his heart, he knew he'd never love another. She had become an indelible part of his life.
And yet...
He wasn't ready to take things further than the dating stage. He wasn't even ready to make love to her, though he'd gotten the impression that he could have, if he'd broached the subject. Just the night before, they had gotten pretty hot and heavy with each other, right in Clark's own bed. It had taken a superhuman effort not to take advantage of the situation.
It wasn't that he didn't want to be with Lois in that way. He'd fantasized about it. Dreamt about it. But he had long ago decided that he needed to be completely honest about himself with the woman he would wind up sharing himself with. He couldn't just sleep with Lois without her knowing everything about him - even his super side. It wouldn't be fair to her to keep her in the dark, especially if they did get serious. And it wouldn't be fair to him either. He was tired of having to hide who he really was with everyone. He felt guilty about keeping secrets from Lois. She was the one person in all the world that he was closest to. She held his heart.
But he wasn't quite ready to share with her. He was no longer afraid that she would use the information against him. He was confident that she wouldn't run to Perry with the story of how Clark Kent, investigative journalist and adopted son of two simple farmers, was really an alien being from a planet called Krypton. He trusted that Lois would keep his secret in confidence.
The problem was finding the way to tell her.
It wasn't something he could casually discuss over takeout dinner and a movie. It wasn't a subject that a person brought up while driving to interview a source. It wasn't something he could mention while hitting some baseballs at the Metropolis batting cages with her. And even if the perfect opportunity did arise, what words could he possibly say to her? How could he make her understand just how difficult it would be for him to divulge such sensitive information? Would the revelation disgust her? Would she be revolted that he wasn't exactly the same species as she was? Would she stop loving him? Would she throw their relationship away?
The questions gnawed at Clark like rabid wolverines. They haunted his mind every single time he attempted to find a way to tell her. On a very real level, he was terrified. On the other hand, he didn't want to hide from her forever. He needed to know if she could accept him or not.
Determination settled over him. He would find a way. He had to.
***
July 28, 1994
Clark finished the final preparations, cleaning his already spotless apartment. It had taken him some time and effort, as well as a healthy dose of cheating with his powers, but his new place was finally livable. It had taken months to find a decent place, and although 344 Clinton had been in shambles when Clark had first seen it, it had also held real potential. But, with a little paint and some cleaning products, he'd turned the place into his home in a matter of days.
He had to hand it to himself, he was impressed with what he had managed to accomplish. Everything gleamed. Everything was fresh. Everything was in its proper place, his possessions all placed with military precision. He was content.
A knock at the door pulled his attention from his critical appraisal of his new home. He peered through the door, x-raying right through the thick wood. Beyond, he could see Lois standing there, a plant of some kind in her arms. Clark quickly pulled on his glasses and jogged up the few steps to the landing.
"Coming," he called cheerfully.
He could hardly wait to show Lois his place. He hoped she would like it. At any rate, it was in a much safer section of the city. He wouldn't have to worry so much when she left his place after long nights of working or after dropping him home after one of their dates, which she always insisted on doing. Not that she was ever far from his sight. He usually trailed her home after she left his place, flying high above the skyscrapers and using his telescopic vision to keep a watchful eye over her. He was always careful not to be seen, finding alleyways that were completely devoid of life for his takeoff points. That had been a challenge at his old apartment, since Hobbs Bay had rampant homelessness. A quiet alley was like trying to find a needle in a haystack. But here, in this place, Clark had his own secluded terrace that he could use for takeoffs and landings. It would make things a lot simpler for him.
If only he could find a way to help people though. Day in and day out, he heard the cries for help. And it killed him inside, to have to ignore them. Oh sure, once in a while, if he could help or make a rescue without fear of being seen, he would do so. Those moments lifted his spirits, made him feel like he was serving some kind of instinctual purpose. He loved being able to help people through his reporting skills - exposing the nasty underbelly of society in an effort to correct the problems that needed fixing. But to be able to actually, physically pull an unconscious body from a burning building or a car wreck - that gave Clark a sense of fulfillment unlike anything else.
Clark threw open his door, letting Lois inside.
"Hi," he said, before leaning in to capture her lips in a kiss. "Missed you."
"Hi yourself. And it's only been an hour since we left work."
"I know."
Lois swatted his chest affectionately. "Here, I brought you an apartment-warming gift. It's a mini-rose plant. Orange. Or will be, when these buds open up. I thought it might brighten the place."
"Thanks," Clark said, smiling as he took the proffered plant.
"Wow! This place looks great. I thought you said it looked like a bomb had hit it when you rented it."
"It did," Clark said, nodding, and walking the plant over to the coffee table.
"Didn't you only get this place about a week ago? When did you find the time...?"
"I, uh, had a little help," he said evasively. "Like it?"
"Like it? I love it! It feels...I don't know...so...you."
Clark smiled and chuckled. "Well, thank you."
"Where did you get all of this stuff?" Lois asked, examining the various books and trinkets, paperweights, tribal masks, wooden statues, and other items on his shelves.
"Well, you know I did some traveling before settling in Metropolis. I used to send stuff home to my folks to hold on to for me. I had it shipped out here as soon as I got the keys to the apartment."
It was mostly the truth, he mused. He'd actually dropped off the random assortment of items as he'd collected it, whenever he flew home for a quick visit with his parents. And he hadn't exactly had them shipped out to Metropolis - he'd packed them all in boxes and flown them in during the small hours of the morning over the past several days.
"Well, the place looks great. And it's so much closer to work."
"And to you," Clark added. "Hungry?"
"Starving."
"Good. I picked up a pizza before you came over."
"Sounds great. I've been craving a good slice of pizza. Please, tell me it's good. I've been lost since Tommy's closed for renovations."
"Oh, I think you'll like it," Clark said, trying to hide his pleased smile.
He went into the kitchen, putting his back to Lois. With a couple of darts of his heat vision, he warmed the slowly cooling pizza until steam rose from it. Then he put a couple of slices on plates, grabbed a couple of drinks from the fridge, and brought everything over to the couch.
"Here we are. One cream soda, one piping hot slice of pizza."
"Thanks," Lois said, settling down onto his couch. She bit into the pizza. "Oh wow! This is good! Where did you go for this?"
Clark chewed thoughtfully. He had thought about it and thought about it. He needed to tell Lois the truth. And he needed to do it soon, before things could progress any further with her. Now was as good a time as any, in his mind.
"Just a little place I know," he said, swallowing down the food in his mouth, then sipping from his soda can.
"You've got to tell me where this is," Lois said, her eyes sparkling. "No more secrets about where you manage to produce the most delicious foods from."
"No more secrets," Clark agreed, the words sounding like a solemn vow.
He took another healthy bite from his slice of pizza, in an effort to buy himself some time. Lois didn't seem to notice that he was stalling, or if she did, she wasn't saying anything. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
No more secrets. The words tumbled around in his fear-soaked brain. This was it. This was the moment he'd both prayed for and dreaded. It really was time.
With a start, Clark realized that he'd wolfed down both of his slices. And he'd barely tasted any of it. He chanced a glance at Lois. She was nibbling the crust of her own slice. He waited until she was done before he spoke.
"Another slice?" he offered.
Lois shook her head. "Thanks, but I'm good. I wish I could though."
Clark nodded and fidgeted on the couch, feeling completely uncomfortable in a way he'd never been before. Lois noticed and grabbed one of his shaking hands.
"Clark? Are you all right? What's wrong?"
"Nothing...everything. I just..."
"What's the matter?"
"No more secrets," he repeated, more like a mantra than anything else. He sighed, trying to still his trembling body, though it didn't work. "Lois, there are some...things...that I need to talk to you about. Things that I need to get out into the open. I'm just...so terrified...that once you hear them, you'll..." His voice faltered and faded into nothingness.
"That I'll what, Clark? You know you can tell me anything, right?"
"I know. But I just...I don't want to lose you, Lois. I can't. You mean everything to me. Everything."
"Hey, I'm not going anywhere. You know that." She briefly cupped his cheek with her hand. "No matter what you have to tell me.
Clark nodded feebly. "Yeah."
"So...?"
"I guess...the first thing I need to tell you is...that I love you, Lois. I always have, since the moment you called my name on that football field, all those years ago. And as we've gotten closer over the last months, I've only fallen deeper."
"Clark, I..."
"It's okay. I know it's fast. We've only been dating just over a month now."
"Clark," Lois said, more assertively. It got the job done, and Clark's mouth closed in silence. "That's better. Now then. Clark, I'm in love with you too. I love you."
Clark's breath came out in a shuddering rush, along with a shaky laugh. "Really?"
"Really."
"Oh, Lois. You've just made me the happiest man on the planet. Which...makes this next part all the harder to say."
"Clark?"
"Lois, I haven't been completely honest with you."
"You...what?" Lois' voice was disbelieving, but with a harder edge than she had probably anticipated.
"There are things...about me...that I haven't told you. But it's time I cleared the air. Because I want you to know. I really do. I need you to know. I'm just...really, really scared. These are things that I've been hiding for my entire life, Lois. Because the knowledge...it's dangerous. Not just for me. But for you and my parents, and everyone I've become close with. Even Jimmy and Perry. And I'm so afraid that once you know these things..."
"That...what? I'll use them against you? Clark, you know that's not..." Lois' voice grew a little colder at the perceived accusation. She crossed her arms.
Clark gently cut her off, shaking his head for emphasis. "Of course not. I know you'd never use these secrets to hurt me. The fact that I want to tell you...that should give you an idea of how fully I trust you."
That seemed to mollify Lois a bit. Some of the harshness and defensiveness in her features melted away. She nodded, encouraging him to continue.
Clark cleared his throat. "I'm afraid that once you know these things," he said, quickly backpedaling to his original train of thought, "you won't look at me the same way. That what I have to say will scare you off."
"Clark, you're familiar with the term 'Mad Dog Lane', right?" Lois asked, arching an eyebrow, her voice challenging. "Nothing scares me. Except dodgy food joints."
Clark shook his head again. "It's not that simple," he said.
"Clark, for God's sake, just spit it out."
He nodded. Like ripping off a band-aid, he thought. Swift and with less pain in the long run. I hope.
"I'm not who you think I am. I mean, I am. I mean...I'm Clark Kent. That's who I am, no matter what. And my parents are my parents. They adopted me when I was twelve years old."
"I already knew this..."
"Yes, but, you only know half the story. I wasn't just some orphan kid who happened to wander into their shed one Christmas Eve. I mean, I was and I did, but...I was running away when that happened. I'd spent the first twelve years of my life locked up in a secret military...no, that's not true...fake military compound. A man named Cameron Trask was my jailor. He tried to brainwash me into becoming his own, personal soldier. And he had me experimented on."
Lois' demeanor changed from challenging to horrified. "Oh, Clark, that's awful! Why would anyone do that to you?"
"Trask wanted me to exact his revenge on the people who had gotten him kicked out of the Armed Forces. But the man was insane. I don't think it would have stopped there. I think he planned to use me to topple world governments. In fact, I'm pretty certain that he wanted that."
"You? Don't get me wrong, you're in great shape and all, but just how did he think you were going to accomplish this?"
Clark sighed. He had truly reached the point of no return. He had to forge ahead, despite the cold knots of fear that were tightening in his stomach.
"Because, Lois, I have...for lack of a better word...powers."
"Powers? Clark, get real. This isn't some C-grade sci-fi flick. This is real life."
"It's true, Lois. I know that I look just like any ordinary man. But...I'm not one. I'm not even human. I was sent as a baby to Earth...from a distant, now destroyed, planet called Krypton. My birth parents, Jor-El and Lara, sent me here to save my life. My name is...was...Kal-El."
"Nice try, Kent, but I think maybe you'd be better off spinning your story to George Lucas."
"I can prove it. Watch."
Clark pushed himself off the couch and stood before her. Then he allowed himself to levitate in the air before her, hovering two feet above the floor. His cheeks were scarlet in his embarrassment. He'd never allowed anyone outside of his parents to witness his power of flight.
Lois' mouth gaped open. She worked it a few times, opening and closing her jaw to no avail. No sound would issue forth. Then, after a moment, a scream came from her throat.
Clark immediately dropped from his hover, landing lightly on his feet. He rushed to Lois' side. He wasn't sure if he should touch her shoulder or not in an effort to soothe her. He ultimately decided not to try.
"Lois? Lois, please. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sorry."
After a long few moments, Lois' distress seemed to lessen. Her scream stopped. A dazed look crept over her features. She stared, but it didn't appear that she was actually seeing anything.
"You...that's not...you just can't..."
"It's true, Lois," Clark said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's true. I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" Lois said, still dazed.
"Well...yeah. I obviously freaked you out. I never meant to. So, I'm sorry." There was a knock on his door. Clark x-rayed through the wood. "Mrs. DeLeo." He frowned, then took in Lois' bewildered look. "I, uh...x-ray vision," he said, shrugging.
Lois followed Clark to the door as he pushed the glasses up his nose once more.
"All this time I thought you were just near-sighted," she mumbled as she trailed him.
Clark reached the landing before Lois did. He plastered a smile onto his face and opened the door. Mrs. DeLeo, Clark's neighbor, stood behind the door with a grim expression. She was middle aged, but well built. Clark knew she attended kickboxing lessons several days each week.
"Hi, Mrs. DeLeo. What's up?" Clark asked casually.
"I heard screaming. Everything okay in there?" Her arms tightened across her chest.
"Oh, that was me," Lois said, coming to Clark's aid before he could respond. "We were...watching a movie. A horror movie. I, uh, got a little spooked, that's all."
Mrs. DeLeo peered around Lois and Clark into the apartment. "The TV isn't on." Her frown deepened.
"Well, of course it's not," Lois said. "We turned it off."
"Are you sure you're all right?" the woman asked, eyeing Lois appraisingly.
"Positive. Never been better. I appreciate the concern, but, well, Clark and I have some things to finish discussing. Thanks."
The neighbor nodded, her short crop of blonde hair bouncing. "All right. But if you need me, I'll be next door."
"I won't. But thanks."
Lois and Clark slipped back into the apartment, closing the door behind them. Once the door was shut, Clark leaned into it, his back connecting with the wood and glass. He let out a shaking breath.
"Thanks," he said, his mouth feeling dry. "For...covering for me."
"Well, what else was I going to do?"
Clark shook his head, pushed off from the door, and followed Lois back to the couch. "I don't know." He sank onto the couch heavily, feeling somehow drained.
"Clark..."
"Yeah?"
"I...I'd like to hear more about your powers and your life...if you're willing, that is. I mean, it can't be easy for you to be telling me this stuff."
"It's not. But...well...it feels great to finally get it off my chest too."
"And...I'm sorry."
"For what, Lois?"
"For freaking out on you. It just...caught me off guard, that's all."
Clark finally allowed himself a smile. "Hey, that's okay. You should have seen how badly I freaked out the first time I woke up floating above my bed."
Lois laughed and Clark chuckled, feeling himself relax a little. For the next two hours, Clark related his life's story to her, telling her everything that he knew about how Trask had found him, the experiments that had been done on him, and how he'd eventually gotten free of Bureau Thirty-Nine. He told her all about that fearful flight away from the only shelter he'd ever known, how he'd wound up at the Kents' farm, and how they had taken him in. He recounted how they had adopted him, taught him, helped him to shake off the life that Trask had imposed on him. He told her about his powers, how each one had manifested, and how he'd learned to control them, demonstrating them for her as he did so. He related to her his travels in the years after he'd graduated from college, and how desperately fearful he'd been that Trask would find him. He ended with coming to Metropolis once Trask had died, adding in his burning desire to help people, but his complete loss as to how to do it without exposing himself to the public.
For a long time, Lois didn't speak. She appeared to be digesting the onslaught of information. Her brow was crinkled with a confusion of emotions. Clark thought he saw sadness, anger, concern, and half a dozen others all written into her features.
"That's just awful," she said finally, shaking her head. "Oh, Clark, I never realized..."
His soft voice cut her off, along with a shake of his own head. "No, Lois. That's the point. No one is ever supposed to know."
Lois slowly nodded. "So...can I ask a question?"
"As many as you want."
"When we were in the Congo, and you saved my life...?"
"I picked up on your voice as soon as you entered the bar in that hotel. I couldn't help it. I heard you talking about the gunrunners. I knew how dangerous those guys could be, so I shadowed you from a distance. The night you went out to gather your evidence, I followed you, flying just above your car. I did what I could to delay the men in that cabin, then followed you back to the hotel. Once I was there, I scouted to make sure the coast was clear. I knew what floor you were staying on, and which room was yours, just from keeping an eye on you. When you reached your door, I was already in the shadows. I heard the safety of a gun coming off and I reacted."
"And you saved my life," Lois finished for him.
"Barely," Clark said sheepishly. "I had a bullet or two hit me in the head. That guy, Karl, did a pretty thorough job in spraying the door with bullets, to make sure he hit you."
Lois paled a little. Clark's face blossomed into concern.
"What?" he asked.
"I just never realized exactly how close I came to dying that night. I'm lucky you were there."
"I was just glad that I was there and able to help."
Lois fell silent a moment, then she gave him a mischievous smile.
"What?" Clark repeated, relieved that she didn't seem to be mad or ready to run out the door.
"Well, you still haven't answered my question. My original question, that is."
"What question is that?"
"Where'd you get the pizza?"
Clark laughed, the rest of his tension uncoiling out of his bowels and dissipating. "Italy."
"You mean, Little Italy?"
"No. I mean Italy. There's a place I like that's just outside of Rome."
Lois laughed and Clark couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. He leaned back into his couch further, letting the cushions engulf his body somewhat. Lois moved closer to him, slipping into his arms. Her own arms encircled him as well, and she rested her head against his chest.
"Well, that settles that. You are officially the designated take-out getter from here on out."
Clark chuckled again. "So, I take it...you're not mad?"
"Mad? No. Knowing your whole story...the horrors you suffered through...I don't blame you in the least for keeping this all a secret. If anything, I'm flattered and honored that you chose to entrust me with this information. I just wish I could have helped you shoulder this burden sooner."
"That's such a relief. I've been pretty much agonizing over how to tell you. That's why I didn't tell you before now. I couldn't. I didn't have the words to tell you."
"Just one thing, Clark."
"Yeah?"
"Have you used these powers of yours on the job?"
Clark nodded. "I have. Too many times to recall. Never enough to arouse suspicion, of course, but enough to get us what we needed, or a new lead when ours had dried up."
Lois grinned. "I love it. Lane and Kent are going to be unstoppable now!"
To Be Continued...
