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**Chapter 15**

**Daily Planet**

Jimmy rushed into Perry’s office, a card in hand and out of breath.

- "Chief, I found it!" – he exclaimed, his face beaming with satisfaction. – "There’s a house north of the city that could belong to Intergang. It’s isolated, less than two hours from Metropolis, and it’s registered under Mindy Church’s mother’s name."

Perry furrowed his brows in concentration and abruptly stood up.

- "Good job, Jimmy! Call Henderson right away. We’re going to catch them!"

Jimmy hesitated for a second before suggesting:

- "Don’t you want me to call Clark too? The poor guy must be devastated… especially with those images of Lois and Superman circulating."

Perry turned to Jimmy, his face stern but fair.

- "Jimmy, don’t tell me you believe that nonsense."

- "No, Chief. But Clark… he must be worried anyway…"

- "Clark trusts Lois and Superman. He knows this is just an Intergang ploy to discredit them. Do your job and let us handle the rest."

Jimmy nodded and picked up the phone, calling Inspector Henderson to alert him to the situation.

---

**Isolated House**

Lois straightened with determination and whispered to Clark:

- "We can’t just rush into the bathroom. We’ll have to be clever. I’m going to ask to use the restroom and take the opportunity to see if the guards let their guard down."

Clark nodded weakly, still drained but ready to play along. Lois stood up and walked to the door, knocking lightly to get their captors’ attention.

- "Excuse me!" – she called with urgency in her voice.

A guard appeared after a few seconds, looking suspicious, his eyes narrowing.

- "What do you want?" – he asked sharply.

- "I need to use the restroom. Or would you rather I do it right here?" – she retorted dryly, crossing her arms to show she wasn’t joking.

The guard frowned, then sighed. Lois noted that, despite his annoyance, he didn’t seem overly concerned about leaving her alone for a few minutes.

- "Fine. Follow me, but no tricks, got it?" – he said, giving her a threatening look.

Lois nodded and followed the guard, throwing a quick glance at Clark, who watched her go with a hint of hope in his eyes. Once inside the restroom, she closed the door behind her and quickly inspected the room.

The guard was waiting just outside, but she knew she only had a few minutes to act.

Back in their "room," Clark had to play his part too. He called out weakly to the captors.

- "I need some water…" – he murmured, collapsing onto the bed, hoping to distract the guards for as long as possible.

When Lois returned, she exchanged a brief glance with Clark, who signaled that the guards hadn’t discovered their plan yet.

Lois pretended to sit back down calmly.

- "Not yet…" – she murmured to Clark.

They knew they had to ask to take a shower or find another excuse to return to the restroom and set their escape in motion. Every second counted, but the slightest mistake could doom them.

Lois gave Clark a knowing look. They both knew their best chance lay in the bathroom.

She stood up, approaching the camera with a resigned posture, her shoulders slightly slumped to sell the act.

- "Alright, Mindy," – she said in a calm but determined voice, – "we’ll play by your rules. After all, you want a show for your audience, don’t you?"

She paused before adding:

- "But if that’s what you want, we need to be a bit more… presentable. We can’t appear in front of millions of viewers like this. So, I propose a deal. Let us freshen up. A shower, some clean clothes… and you’ll have your perfect scene."

Clark added, playing his role as the weakened but cooperative superhero:

- "What Lois is saying is true. If you want this to look credible, we need to be at our best."

They waited a few seconds, watching the screen for Mindy’s reaction.

Mindy’s image reappeared, her eyes narrowing with suspicion but also curiosity.

- "You want to be presentable, huh?" – She chuckled softly. – "Alright, that could add a touch of credibility to my little show. You’re right, after all, a spectacle should be polished in every detail."

She paused, assessing the situation. Her smile widened.

- "Alright, you can take your shower, but know that I’m keeping an eye on you. Don’t even think about trying anything stupid. My men will be watching, and the room will be locked from the outside. If you try to escape… let’s just say you wouldn’t want me to be forced to punish you, would you?"

Lois and Clark exchanged a glance. Their chance had just presented itself, but they had to play it carefully.

- "We won’t try anything," – Lois replied, perfectly controlling her tone. – "We know how powerful you are, Mindy."

Mindy nodded, satisfied.

- "Very well. You have 20 minutes. Don’t make me regret this generosity."

The screen went dark, leaving the couple alone with their plan in mind.

Once Mindy’s image disappeared, Lois turned to Clark, her expression resolute.

- "This is our chance," – she whispered. – "We have to take it."

Clark nodded. They knew every minute counted. They waited for a moment before two of Mindy’s henchmen came to fetch them, smug smiles on their faces.

- "You asked for a shower, you’ll get one," – one of the men said, opening the door and escorting them under close watch.

The couple was led into a dimly lit bathroom with a small window above the sink. As Lois had noticed, there were no visible cameras. The men shot them a suspicious look.

- "You’ve got 20 minutes. We’ll lock the door behind you. No funny business, or we’ll pump in another cloud of gas," – one of them said, waving the trigger for the system with a smirk.

They shut the door behind them, the sound of locks clicking into place echoing from the other side. Lois waited a few seconds, listening to the noises outside. Once convinced the guards had stepped away, she turned on the shower to cover any potential sounds and make their request seem legitimate.

The small window led outside, but it was high up, and Lois wasn’t sure she could reach it on her own. She quickly assessed the situation and then turned to Clark.

- "The window is higher than I thought… I’m going to need you."

Clark, still weak, approached cautiously.

- "We’ll manage," – he whispered, gently squeezing her hand. – "Climb onto my shoulders," – he said in a low voice.

Lois, hesitant to put him through more pain, took a deep breath and carefully climbed onto Clark. Her hands gripped the window’s edge as she pulled with all her might. The rusty latch resisted, but she persisted until, finally, the window creaked open slightly.

- "Got it!" – she whispered excitedly.

Lois peeked through the opening to evaluate the situation outside. The window led to a small, abandoned garden. Thick bushes obscured part of the view. No one was in sight. The ground wasn’t too far, but a fall could still be risky.

- "I’ll go first and see if I can help you from the outside," – she said.

Clark nodded. He knew he couldn’t help much in his current state. Lois gripped the window frame, her legs trembling slightly with the effort. She carefully maneuvered through the opening, landing in an awkward but safe roll.

She quickly stood up and hurried back to the window.

- "Now, I need to get you out."

Clark, exhausted, knew the hardest part was yet to come.

Lois took a deep breath and encouraged Clark.

- "You can do this. Pull yourself up onto the sink, and you’ll be able to reach the window. I know you’re hurting, but this is our only chance!"

He placed his hand on the frame and slowly pulled himself up, trying not to collapse.

Lois kept encouraging him:
— Come on, just a little more!

Finally, with one last push from his wife, Clark managed to get his head and shoulders through the window.

At that moment, the door behind him opened. Their captors were coming to check on their prisoners.
— Stop! Don’t move! Bryan! They’re escaping—quick, get out there and catch them!

Fueled by adrenaline, Clark made one final effort, slipping outside, his fall softened by the grassy ground.

Lois helped him up. Their escape was underway, but they knew time was against them.

Clark and Lois ran across the garden, hearing the shouts and footsteps of their pursuers behind them. Suddenly, police sirens blared, and patrol cars appeared in the distance, heading toward the isolated house. Lois felt immense relief wash over her.

— It’s the police! — Clark exclaimed, reassured.

They sprinted toward the vehicles as the first officers emerged from their cars. When they saw Superman in his iconic suit, the officers immediately lowered their weapons. The sergeant in charge quickly approached them.

— Superman! Are you alright? — he asked. — Where is Mindy Church?

Clark shook his head.
— Mindy isn’t here. But her men are still inside, and they’re armed. Be careful.

The sergeant nodded and turned to his team.
— Alright, let’s move in and secure the premises. Stay alert, they’re dangerous.

The officers spread out around the house, preparing to move in. Lois, still by Clark’s side, let out a relieved sigh.

Another officer approached them.
— Ms. Lane, Superman… Are you both alright? We feared the worst. We got a call from the *Daily Planet* saying you had been taken hostage.

Lois nodded, still feeling the rush of adrenaline.
— Yes, we barely escaped. Mindy Church orchestrated everything, but she wasn’t here. She’s trying to spread chaos in Metropolis.

Clark added gravely:
— You have to find Mindy before she puts another plan in motion. She’ll stop at nothing to take control.

The sergeant nodded again.
— We’ll make sure her men are arrested. We’ll get you both somewhere safe.

As the police continued securing the house, Clark and Lois knew that, while this nightmare was over, Mindy Church’s threat still loomed over Metropolis.

Clark had held on as long as he could, but the repeated exposure to Kryptonite and their harrowing escape had finally taken their toll. His legs buckled, and with a faint gasp, he collapsed heavily to the ground.

— Superman! — Lois cried, rushing to his side. — Stay with me!

A nearby officer stepped forward, panic rising as they realized the severity of the situation.

— Call an ambulance! — he shouted into his radio. — We have an injured man, and it’s urgent!

Lois, kneeling beside Clark, desperately tried to rouse him, but despite her efforts, he remained unconscious. Her face betrayed her growing fear. The situation was slipping out of her control, and the thought of seeing Clark in this state terrified her.

Minutes later, an ambulance screeched onto the scene, and the paramedics carefully took charge of Superman, fully aware of the importance of their patient.

— Take him to *Star Labs*, — Lois insisted, her voice authoritative. — That’s where he needs to go.

One of the paramedics nodded, accustomed to such directives in extraordinary situations.

Before getting into the ambulance, Lois turned to a police officer.

— Can someone lend me a phone? — she asked, her voice a mix of urgency and controlled calm. — I need to call my husband. He needs to know I’m alright.

A police officer quickly handed her his phone. Lois swiftly dialed their home number and waited for the answering machine to pick up. Taking a deep breath, she began a fake conversation.

— Clark? — she said, trying to sound casual. — It’s me. Listen, everything’s fine now. The police are here, and I’m going with Superman to *Star Labs*. I just wanted to reassure you… I’ll be home as soon as I can. Don’t worry, everything’s under control.

She slowly hung up, her face hardening as she masked her emotions. The ambulance’s sirens wailed again, and Lois climbed aboard, ready to accompany her husband incognito to *Star Labs*.

### Chapter 14
**Isolated House**

After the tense exchange with Mindy, Clark collapsed onto the bed, exhausted. His body felt heavy, drained of all energy. Lois, worried, sat beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder, her gaze filled with concern.

— Superman, how are you feeling? — she asked softly before adding, more insistently, — Really?

Clark turned his head toward her, his gaze locking onto hers. He was trying to convey everything he felt—emotions he couldn't put into words.

— I feel better, — he murmured. — I’m not at my best, but I’ll be fine.

Lois let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, relieved to hear those words.

— And you? — Clark asked, his voice laced with concern. — You were on the brink of death when I arrived.

Lois offered a faint smile, grateful.

— I’m fine, thanks to you, — she said sincerely, her smile reassuring. — But now, how do we get out of this nightmare? We’re being watched by cameras and microphones, every move and every word scrutinized. And everything will be twisted, taken out of context, amplified... We’re going to be front-page tabloid material.

Clark slowly nodded, understanding the gravity of their situation.

— Let’s just focus on getting out of here alive, — he said in a grave tone. — We’ll deal with the rest later.

The television in the room turned on again, immediately capturing their attention. This time, the screen showed live footage of the Ferris wheel at the fairground by the docks, spinning faster and faster, with panicked screams rising from the crowd below.

Lois jumped to her feet, horrified. She shot a glance at Clark, whose expression darkened at the sight.

— Oh no… they can’t stop it without you, — Lois murmured, despair creeping into her voice.

Clark clenched his fists, powerless. Every fiber of his being wanted to rush out and help, but his body was still too weak.

The newscaster’s voice echoed through the room:
*"Authorities have just announced that the structure will collapse within minutes. Superman has yet to respond to the distress call, and eyewitnesses claim to have spotted him with a woman at a luxury hotel. These images raise questions about the hero’s presence in the city while lives are at stake..."*

Lois felt rage boiling inside her. How dare they? She placed a comforting hand on Clark’s shoulder, knowing these words must be cutting deep.

— Don’t listen to them, — she murmured. — You’re here because Mindy trapped you. This isn’t your fault.

Clark, his jaw clenched, watched the footage on repeat, unable to accept his own helplessness.

The screen suddenly changed, and Mindy Church’s beaming face appeared, her smile stretching dangerously wide.

— Ah, if only you knew how delighted I am, my plan is going perfectly… But all this mental effort has made me hungry! And since I’m so generous, I’ll have some food delivered to you, — she said in a sickly sweet voice before raising a finger in warning. — But in the meantime, I’m afraid I need to keep you both quiet. So, here’s a little gift...

Clark understood her meaning instantly. He had no time to react before the kryptonite gas once again filled the room. He shuddered, clutching his chest as his strength drained away. Lois saw his face contort in pain before his body collapsed heavily to the floor.

— No! Superman! — she cried, rushing to his side.

Lois knelt beside him, her hands trembling as she searched for a pulse, trying to shake him awake. The green mist still floated around them, and she knew there was nothing she could do except wait—helpless—until Mindy decided to stop it.

— Don’t leave me, not yet, hold on, — she murmured, panic seeping into her voice as she watched Clark’s skin slowly turn pale.

At last, the gas stopped, and little by little, the pain faded from Clark’s face. He took a deep breath, slowly coming back to himself, while Lois remained at his side, silent tears streaming down her cheeks. Watching her husband suffer was unbearable, and the thought that kryptonite could kill him at any moment was a torment she couldn't endure.

Before they could recover, the door to their cell abruptly opened. Two guards entered, placing food trays before them. The meal was lavish, as if they were dining in a five-star restaurant. Mindy was clearly trying to create the illusion of a romantic getaway between Superman and Lois while continuing her twisted game.

Clark, still pale, nudged the tray with his fingers, nausea swirling in his stomach after the gas exposure. Lois, too, found herself unable to eat. The gut-wrenching fear of losing her husband had left a knot in her stomach, making it impossible to swallow more than a few bites.

— Do they really think this is how they’ll break us? — Lois muttered, casting a contemptuous glance at the meal.

Clark, his eyes still heavy with exhaustion, weakly nodded.

— As long as we’re together, — he said softly, his voice still hoarse, — they’ll never succeed.

Mindy reappeared on the screen, visibly displeased by what she was observing through her cameras. Her smile turned icy.

— You’re going to have to do better than this, my dears. I can’t show this to your audience. So, to keep the show going, Lois, you will now feed Superman.

Lois felt fury rise within her, her hands clenching into fists. She shot a defiant glare at the screen.

— You’re nothing but a vile little rat. You have not a shred of humanity. You live only to make others suffer, but your twisted little game is pathetic. You know what? You won’t win. Ever. We will get out of here, and you will end up where you belong: in prison, far away, in a place as miserable as your existence.

Mindy’s smile froze for a moment before returning, colder and more menacing.

— Ah, my dear Lois… You have fire in you. It’s admirable, really. But you underestimate just how much I enjoy this game. And remember, here, I make the rules. So, you will obey and feed your lover, or I will press the kryptonite button… and this time, maybe I won’t be able to stop it in time… — Mindy let her words linger, a smug smile on her lips as she gently tapped her fingers on the armrest of her chair.

Lois felt her heart clench at the threat. Kryptonite was the ultimate weapon, and Clark, already weakened, might not survive another exposure. She shot a desperate glance at her husband, but Clark weakly shook his head, refusing to let her submit to Mindy’s demand.

— Don’t do it, — he murmured hoarsely. — Don’t give her that power over you.

Lois remained still, torn between rage and fear.

Mindy fumed but forced herself to regain her composure, knowing anger wouldn’t get her anywhere. With a forced smile, she declared in a falsely calm voice:

— Fine, you’re still in shock. I’ll give you one hour to reconsider my little deal. But in an hour, you’d better be cooperative, or...

She left her sentence hanging, her piercing gaze through the screen serving as a silent threat. The image cut off, plunging the room into heavy silence.

Lois turned to Clark, searching his eyes for answers. They both knew Mindy wouldn’t hesitate to use the kryptonite again. Weak but still determined, Clark murmured:

— We need to find a way out of here before the hour is up.

Lois whispered:

— I went to the bathroom last night. There are no cameras or microphones in there, from what I could tell. And there’s a small window that opens to the outside.

Clark nodded, immediately grasping her meaning. She had found an opportunity. Even weakened, he knew he had to act on it before Mindy returned.

Sorry, for the delay, to make up for it, I'm giving you 3 chapters this evening

### Chapter 13
**Daily Planet**

Jimmy was hunched over his desk, frantically searching through city maps and property records, desperately trying to identify where Lois might be held captive. He cross-referenced the information, pinpointing all the isolated buildings, hoping to find a lead.

Suddenly, a breaking news alert on LNN caught his attention. The anchor’s voice echoed through the newsroom:

- "We have just received reports that the Ferris wheel at the fairground on the docks has lost control. Its speed has suddenly accelerated and won’t stop. About twenty people are trapped aboard. Emergency services are on the scene, but for now, they are unable to halt the ride or secure the passengers. According to authorities, the structure will not withstand this speed for more than a few minutes. They hope Superman will be able to hear this call and come to the victims’ aid."

The anchor paused before adding, visibly unsettled by the new information coming in:

- "However, another report has just reached us. It appears that Superman is unavailable to rescue the passengers. A troubling photo has just surfaced, showing him in a luxury hotel with what seems to be… one of his mistresses."

Jimmy's eyes widened as the image appeared on the screen: a blurry photo of Superman leaning over Lois, seemingly kissing her. Of course, Jimmy knew the situation had been taken out of context, but he instantly realized that Mindy was trying to publicly smear Superman’s reputation.

The entire Daily Planet newsroom froze before the screen, whispers and speculation filling the space.

A stunned voice broke through the murmurs:

- "That’s… Lois… and Superman…"

The shock rippled through the newsroom like a tidal wave, but Perry didn’t waste a second.

- "Turn off that damn TV right now!" *he barked, furious.* "I don’t want to hear another second of this nonsense!"

He turned to Eduardo, his tone still laced with anger.

- "Eduardo, get to the fairground and cover this story!"

Then, shifting his attention to Jimmy, he demanded, more impatient than ever:

- "Jimmy, any progress on Lois’ abduction?"

Jimmy quickly looked up from his documents, his expression focused despite the rising anxiety.

- "I’m getting there, Chief. I only have 250 buildings left to check."

Perry nodded before turning to another reporter, Larry.

- "Larry, help Jimmy out! We need to find Lois, fast!"

A sarcastic snicker echoed from the back of the room:

- "I don’t think she needs rescuing…"

Perry’s blood boiled instantly. His voice rang through the newsroom, furious and commanding:

- "The next time I hear anyone slandering Lois or anyone on this team, they’ll be fired on the spot! We are journalists, not petty gossip mongers! We do not tear down our colleagues here! Is that clear?!"

Silence fell immediately, heavy and absolute. No one dared move, everyone quickly returning to their desks, avoiding their editor-in-chief’s piercing gaze.

Still seething, Perry’s voice rang out strong and clear once more:

- "And now, do your damn jobs properly! Find out who took control of that ride! Find out who might have kidnapped Lois! And above all, find out who’s behind all this mess!"

His gaze swept across the newsroom, locking onto each of his reporters.

- "Be at least as good as Lois and Clark for just one day in your entire journalistic careers! Prove to me that you deserve your place here at the **DAILY PLANET**!"

The journalists immediately sprang into action, the energy in the room transformed by Perry’s speech into unshakable determination.

Welcome to the 2025 Kerth Quiz: Comedy Story

SPIFFY DISCLAIMER THINGY!: All the stories featured in this quiz qualify for the Best Comedy Story, but this quiz is not a stamp of recommendation for nomination. There are more fantastic stories which qualify for this category, but this quiz only covers 7 randomly chosen ones.
(Instructions are blatantly copied/linked from previous Kerth Quizzes.)

RECOMMENDATIONS: Don't forget that recommendations for other favorite eligible stories are *very* welcome and encouraged! So don't forget to add these in a section after your guesses!

QUIZ RULES: One point each for getting the story and author from the quote. Plus, shiny gold stars for those who recognize their own stories. Please don't forget to mention which number you're answering. Rule recap: Open hard drive and open boards (+AO3!), *don't* forget to snip out the excerpts in your replies, and don't forget the spoiler tag when you post in the replies thread.
CATEGORY: These are the stories that made you laugh out loud this year. Whether they’re full of puns or totally absurd or just a series of hilariously unfortunate events, the purpose of these stories is to amuse the reader and make them laugh.

The DEADLINE for entries for this quiz is SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2025, by 11:59 p.m (Eastern Time Zone).

Here’s the full list of Eligible Stories.

Here are the full quiz instructions: Countdown to Kerth Quizzes Extended Instructions and Disclaimers.

Please post your answers HERE!

Good luck!
Evie

__________________________


EXCERPT #1:
GOOD EVENING, MR. KENT.

Somehow, Clark wasn't all that surprised to see a hooded figure standing next to him, finger-bones curled around the handle of a large scythe. “Am I dead?”

THAT WOULD BE A FAIR ASSESSMENT.

“But...how?!” Clark demanded.

The figure's skull tilted.

MOST PEOPLE YOUR AGE DO NOT HAVE THAT QUESTION.

He folded his arms. “Well, I'm not most people; I'm invulnerable!”

A bony hand motioned towards his unoccupied body.

CURRENT EVIDENCE WOULD SEEM TO REFUTE THAT. BUT SINCE YOU ASKED: AT THE LAST SOCIAL FUNCTION YOU ATTENDED, YOU HAD A SERVING FROM A TAINTED SALMON MOUSSE.

Clark's eyes widened. “You're...kidding.” His arms lowered to his sides. “Are you telling me that after all these years of risking my life...after smashing into a giant asteroid, being trapped in a Kryptonite cage, getting shot with lasers and Kryptonite bullets, disappearing into the time stream, and even wrestling a giant mechanical spider...you're telling me that the thing that finally did me in...” He waved towards his body lying still on the bed. “...is bad fish?!”




EXCERPT #2:
“Oh honey, you’ll find your place one day.” She gave his hand a soft squeeze. “However, I’m pretty sure it’s not inside this bar, between bottles of whiskey.”

He laughed. “Probably not.”

“The only problem now is to get you home.”

Clark raised his brows. “I told you, I’m sober, Mom. Alcohol doesn’t seem to affect me.” His lips curled in contempt. “Figures.”

“Ah, no, to Bob you’re certainly not sober,” Martha said. “He gave me a rough estimate of how much you’d had to drink and I tell you, you can’t walk a straight line.”

“I could even fly one,” Clark grumbled, good-naturedly.

She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Clark Jerome Kent, you'll let me drag you out of this bar now. And for your poor father's sake you better make it convincing.”

She stood up and came around to grab Clark's arm. “Bob, could you help me, please?”

Clark groaned. “Geez, Mom, did you have to do that?”

She glared at him. “Shush now. This is what you get for drinking more than you should!”

Clark rolled his eyes at that, but complied as Martha helped him up. “Isn't that supposed to be a hangover? Instead I only get to hang over your shoulder.”

“Trust me, you're not missing out on anything.”

“Uh, yeah, I do. The blackout."



EXCERPT #3:
Clark Kent was back - and walked straight to Perry's office.

OK, the guy has balls to try again after being rejected. This show, she wanted to watch.

She crept quietly to the half-open office door and watched as Kent presented the Chief with two neatly written pages of paper.

Perry seemed reluctant at first, but then the curiosity that characterizes every journalist won out and he began to read.

She couldn't see his face at first, but when he finished, he looked up with something like...interest?

"Well, what can I say? This is damn good. You actually managed to beautifully portray the perspective of these immigrants on what it's like to live in a new, unknown country, to integrate, the challenges one has to face. It almost reads as if you know exactly what you're talking about. And...I appreciate initiative."

What the...? Wait, he couldn't mean that...

"Clark Kent - welcome to the Daily Planet!"

WHAT?!

This - this - hack from Nowheresville got a job by stealing *HER* story?

Oh, that meant war!



EXCERPT #4:
“Krypto, be a good boy. I’m going to bring home food for you and a piping hot sausage and pepperoni pizza for me from Giovanni’s mercato in Rome.”

At the word, ‘pizza’, one ear went up and Krypto’s head cocked to the side. For a moment, Clark suspected his dog knew exactly what a pizza was.
With that thought, Clark walked back up the steps and pulled open the front door, only to see his neighbor, Mrs. Harper, poised to knock and dressed in a flamboyant orange housedress with beer-can sized rollers in her silver hair.

“Oh! Mr. Kent! It’s so good to see you again. Your fiancée, that nice Miss Lane said you were on foreign assignment.”

Momentarily caught off guard, Clark gave her an uneasy grin and said, “Uh, yeah. My foreign … assignment ended. Nice to see you too Mrs. Harper.” That must have been the cover story Lois and Perry had cooked up to hide his disappearance.

Mrs. Harper gave him a friendly smile and replied, “Well, now that your back, I wanted to know if you could look after Pepper occasionally? Besides me, he seems to like you better than anyone else.” She turned and called out, “Here, sweetie! That nice Mr. Kent is back. Remember staying at his apartment while Momma was gone? Here, Pepper!”

“Pepper? Your cat? Uh, that might be a problem. I have a dog now; his name is Krypto.”

At that moment, a cat with black, white and hints of brown padded from Mrs. Harper’s apartment and walked down the hallway as if he owned the place. The cat reached his owner, and the sleek-furred animal rubbed against her legs, purring loudly, looking for an affectionate pet or two.

Krypto, upon hearing his name and thinking Clark might want to take him on another walk, sprang up the stairs with happy abandon.

Suddenly, the two animals stared at each other, and their human staff members were afraid something bad was going to happen.

It did.

Pepper took one look at Krypto and froze, his hackles bunching up, and the cat began to hiss. Undaunted by the other animal’s strange reaction, Krypto stepped into the hallway, advanced on the frightened cat, and proceeded to sniff the feline’s rear enthusiastically. He wanted to be friends.

Clark cautiously said, “Krypto … that’s not a good idea, leave the kitty __”

Before another word escaped Clark’s lips, Pepper reared back and smacked Krypto hard on the tip of his nose!



EXCERPT #5:
"Oh, Jonathon! This has to be a prank of some sort? Maybe something the Lang boys have cooked up to fool Clark and Lana?"

"I don't know, Martha. The thing is… Dumbledore seemed so sincere…" Jonathon shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Anyway, I think it's time we have the talk with Clark."

"The talk?" Martha said in a hushed tone, her eyes flicking with concern.

Jonathon reached for her hand to give it a gentle squeeze. "I know Martha… but I think it's time…we can't let him go on believing he's a wizard."

Martha looked toward the stairs, where they could hear Clark upstairs playing in his room. "Poor darling. He's become so attached to that owl that's been hanging around his window. Calls it his familiar."

Jonathon leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "I'll just sit him down and explain it man to man—you're not a wizard… you're an alien. That's all there is to it."

Martha shook her head. "Oh Jonathon, please! We need to be gentle. He's still a little boy! We can't just burst out with 'Clark, you're an alien!'"

"I'm a what?"



EXCERPT #6:
He felt himself reach the apex of his jump and fought with all he was worth to remain airborne, only to succumb to the pull of gravity once more.

As he fell, Clark closed his eyes, picturing Lois in what was sure to be a lovely dress. She had said it was burgundy. She had always looked gorgeous in burgundy. He longed to see her for real instead of just imagining. He wanted to see that smile light up her face the way it did only for him. He wanted to hold her in his arms. It had been too long.

It had been too long.

He ought to have hit the ground again by now.

Blinking his eyes open, he was both startled and not at all surprised to find himself hovering about two feet off the ground. He grinned. An instant later, he propelled himself back up into the atmosphere and executed a handful of loop-de-loops while shouting out whoops to his own success.

He didn’t linger long in his celebration, however. He had somewhere he needed to be and only a little bit of time to get ready. Just how long did girls take to do their hair and make-up anyway?

Speeding back to the farmhouse, he dashed upstairs and spun into the tux he had rented for his own prom a week before – thankful he hadn’t had to return it just yet. Then he brushed his teeth, combed his hair, and ran a quick bit of heat vision over the stubble which had grown since morning. A touch of aftershave later and he deemed himself presentable.

Hurrying downstairs again, he was just about to head out the door when his mom spoke up. “And where are you off too, looking so handsome? I thought the prom was last weekend?”

Clark smiled at her and barely paused as he continued out the door and into the yard, his mother following in his wake. “It was. But tonight, I’m taking Lois to her prom.”

“Lois?” his mom blinked, clearly confused. “She’s in Metropolis, honey. How are you going to get there?”

He could feel the grin splitting his cheeks as he kicked off the ground and then stopped with his feet dangling at about the level of his mother’s awe-stuck face. “I’ll fly, of course.”



EXCERPT #7:
But what about youse two? Are ye winchin’?”

“I’m going to plead the fifth on that,” Lois responded with a laugh. “Mainly because I don’t know what it means.”
“Dating,” Clark replied and she noticed he looked a little bit embarrassed. “And we have yet to go on an actual date, though not for lack of trying.”

“What’s this then, ye dafty, if no’ a date?” Stewart said, giving Clark a playful punch on the arm.

“This is a work trip gone horribly wrong,” Lois said. She grimaced, though she no longer felt as angry as she had before.

“What happens if ye dinnae get tae Belfast, then?” Gemma wondered curiously. Lois shook her head.

“We have to find something to write about,” Lois replied. “Do either of you know of anything happening here?”

“For the Daily Planet ye mean?” Stewart looked suitably impressed. “No’ that Ah know of, right enough.”

“Ah’m more interested in youse two,” Gemma said, grinning at Lois. “You need tae get this one somewhere romantic an’ just gie him a wee snog! Stewart and I have been waitin’ for ages for Clark tae find someone. He’s no’ exactly hard on the eyes. What are ye waitin’ for?”

Lois laughed and felt her cheeks go pink. She wouldn’t normally feel comfortable discussing her dating life with anyone, much less two perfect strangers, but somehow she felt as if she knew Stewart and Gemma. They were intelligent, funny, and seemed to genuinely love each other. Lois found herself wondering how they got to where they were. Why did it seem so difficult with Clark when her feelings for him now felt so easy? So clear?

“I guess we were trying to find the right moment,” she admitted, realising how silly that sounded when she said it out loud. “We almost went to see Pearl Jam, but work got in the way.”

“Ye bought her tickets tae Pearl Jam?” Stewart shook his head and laughed. “Ye dinnae even like Pearl Jam, ye eejit!”

Clark laughed good naturedly and Lois was relieved to see that he didn’t seem bothered by his first date faux pas.

“I just want things to be perfect,” he said, his eyes meeting hers. She felt her heart skip a beat at the look in his eyes.

“Just take her oot, man!” Stewart exclaimed. “Ye dinnae need anythin’ fancy. Did I no’ tell ye about oor first date?” He looked at Gemma and the two of them laughed slightly.

“That bad?” Lois asked, finding she really wanted to know what happened. She looked over at Clark and he reached over and tentatively took her hand – a gesture that did not go unnoticed by Gemma and Stewart.

“Pure disaster, so it was,” Gemma confirmed with a laugh.



Good luck, everyone!
________________________________________________


Have a question? Ask it here! Or you can PM any of the K-Com members or reach out on Discord too! You can also send an email to us here: Kcom@kerthawards.com

In order to help you find all things Kerth for this year, we’ve created a TOC for all the 🏆TOC for Kerth Awards 2025 Posts🏆.

The Kerth Committee
(KSaraSara, Michael, lovetvfan, and Evie)

New Krypton – The Funeral of Zor-El

A grieving Alura, leaning heavily on her nephew’s arm, was led back into the great house. The shock of her husband’s death, no matter how long she had been preparing for it mentally and emotionally, was already taking its toll.

A planet-wide announcement of his uncle’s death was to be made by Kal-El later that evening. News had spread rapidly among the house servants, gardeners and other inhabitants of Abondar-El that the former First Lord had succumbed to his illness. Several members of the estate’s staff such as old Vaylor, the head butler, who had known Zor-El from childhood had tearfully taken to his quarters, grieving his loss.

Kal-El sat his aunt down on the couch and took the place beside her. His mind recalled to the first time that he had entered the room, anxious and unsure, and remembered how his uncle had put him at ease. In the all too brief time he had known him, Zor-El had become an advisor, confidante that assisted him in navigating the waters of a culture he was only beginning to understand. Now, as his uncle had eased his mind, the task fell to him to comfort Alura during one of the darkest days of her life.

He heard her take a deep breath before her tear soaked voice rose, “I… I cannot give into… grief. Not yet. There is much to do, Kal-El. The people must see our family take the lead during this time of great mourning.”

Kal-El looked at the woman by his side who had in mere moments become old and worn down. Nonetheless, Alura was marshalling her inner fires, banking them up against the days and weeks that lay ahead. She was in an agony that he could not begin to comprehend. He had only known Lois for a few short years, and he hated being separated from her, even knowing that one day they would reunite. In comparison, Alura and Zor-El had been together longer than he had been alive. The permanent absence of her bond mate must have put her in immeasurable pain.

“I will take care of everything. Please rest. Kara will be here in a few moments.”

Brusquely, Alura wiped a tear away. “She is with her betrothed, as it should be. Dar-Ur needs her.”

Alura’s voice, which sounded like a lost child, cut through the air, placing his own thoughts firmly in the background. “A ..after all of this time, knowing Zor-El would die – now that it has… happened… the times ahead will be difficult to navigate. Kal-El, suddenly there is a void in my life, Kara’s and… yours.”

He wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders and said, “You are not alone.”

Alura straightened her back and with no small effort forced herself to refrain shedding more tears. In a moment, she regarded the First Lord with calm eyes that were swollen from crying, but clear. “No. No, I am not alone. We are a family. My… late husband drew his last breath standing against New Krypton’s greatest enemy. Such action cannot be forgotten. I …I wish to grieve, but that must wait until after Zor-El’s image is installed at the Convoca.”

At that moment he heard the sound of familiar footfalls. To his surprise, Zara and Ching Hia entered the family room.

“What are you two doing here? I thought you were back at the capital?”

Zara approached Kal-El and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Is it not my place to be by your side? Vaylor contacted me and told us about Zor-El’s collapse. We…I wanted to be of comfort to you and the lady Alura.”

Kal-El looked from his ‘betrothed’ to Ching, and once again was stuck at how much these two cared for one another – and how trying to conceal that fact was getting more difficult with each passing day.
He considered what Nor had said in the courtyard about his engagement to Zara. It was true that it was a piteous deception.

With each passing moment, Alura’s composure grew more resolved, “As my last official act as the former First Lord’s bond mate, I must be present when his holographic image is placed with that of his predecessors. Nephew, when Kara returns, send her to my chambers. Thank you for being here, my dear Kal-El.” She turned to the others in the room. “Ching. Zara. Life is precious and sadly too short.” With those quietly spoken words, Lady Alura In-Ze* stood and withdrew from the room.

The three also stood, and watching her depart in a respectful silence.

Zara looked at Kal-El with a guilty expression. “The cherished relationship between Alura In-Ze and Zor-El was – is – a shining example for all of us. I wish for such a bond…” She looked down at the floor, rubbing her thumb and forefinger nervously, but not before her dark eyes glanced over Kal-El and landed on Ching.”

“Is that truly what you want most Zara?” Kal-El asked tenderly. No hint of romance were in his words or body language, but over the months, they had worked together a firm connection of friendship had grown.
Not so between herself and Ching.

In the passing months, the dangerous attraction they shared had only matured and deepened. It was becoming more difficult to hid something that was so precious to them. Even now as she answered Kal-El, the words were not directed to him, but towards Ching Hia.

She rubbed her thumb and forefinger together again, saying, “Truly? I most want to peacefully explore our solar system. New Krypton is a world perfectly suited for creating responsibly tilled agricultural holdings, enough to feed twenty times our present population. But as you are aware, its subterrain is poorly lacking in metals that we can use for shelter construction and many other things.”

“Yes, I agree. Most of the metals we have used for the construction of our buildings were from the massive starships that brought us here.” Ching said. As he spoke, he gifted Zara with a rare, tender gaze. The tone he used was not in regard to minerals. He was speaking to the woman he loved.

“Preliminary scans of the system long before Nor’s rebellion revealed that there are rich ore deposits in the asteroid belt between the fifth and sixth planet. This Splinter War insanity is keeping us from additional exploration and someday mining those resources. I and hundreds of others should be part of that discovery; my primary training is in Zeo geology, not piloting fighters.” She said in a whisper.

“Yet, you are one of the best military pilots we have.” Ching responded, gazing at her with no small amount of pride.

“Nonetheless, Kara is far better suited to rule than either Kal-El or I. Her father trained her for the position of First Lady and most of all, she wants it. But outmoded traditions and laws that were created on an extinct planet dictate that only men and first born noblewomen have the right to rule.” She turned to Kal-El and said, “Because of such narrow-minded policies, Kryptonians have been plunged into a civil war which squanders resources. Instead of improving our cities, we use the metal for weapons. Instead of discovering cures for terminal diseases, we lose talented people we can ill afford to lose. People like – like your uncle.”

Kal-El looked first at Ching and then back at Zara. They stood three feet apart and yet again the love they wanted so desperately to share was as clear as crystal. The war had taken him away from Lois and had also demanded that these two fine people because of something as foolish as rank must be kept apart. The whole thing was ludicrous to the extreme. He promised himself that before returning to Earth their situation would change so that no one would deny them the right to be together.

But for now he must try to help them in a small way. With a thoughtful expression he said, “My uncle appreciated every moment he shared with Alura. Exploration in space to find materials for New Krypton’s growth is important, but isn’t there something, or rather someone you want more? As my aunt said, don’t waste any more time.”

As if on signal, Ching and Zara both looked to the floor and then haltingly at each other.

A tiny smile pulled at Kal-El’s lips. First, he took Zara’s hand and then Ching’s joining them together. Confused at first, but then grasping the gift he was bestowing on them, Ching gathered Zara into his arms and held her tightly.
Kal-El, happy for his two friends, briskly stepped out of the room, closing the door firmly behind him. He did not require super-hearing to know that Ching and Zara had finally allowed themselves the joy of providing each other with support and much needed comfort.

***

Night had settled down over Kandor II when Dever stood waiting for the First Lord at the entrance to his chambers. “My Lord Kal-El, I have drawn a refreshing bath. This terrible day has been long and difficult for all of New Krypton.”

“Yes, my friend, but tomorrow, we must plan and then later participate in the funeral for a great man.” He gave Dever a sad smile and then said warmly, “As a long-standing member of the El household, you, Vaylor and many others must be there, standing with the family. Zor-El… and my parents would have wanted that.

With a deep bow, the old man said, “Thank you…Kal-El. There are so few of us from the escape voyage still living.”

“All the more reason to have those who stood beside my father and uncle are honored.” Than Kal-El reached beneath his tunic and touched Lois’ ring. “Yes, that generation was brave to cross the cold darkness of space. We will endeavor to give him a send-off that honors that bravery. And we will win this Splinter War and fulfill the hope and promise that his generation gave us.”

***
Five days later, Zor-El’s funeral was held in Kandor II.

Boom. Boom. Boom. Outside the Palace Royal, the great drums beat heavily as the Sapphire Guardians walked in step down the grand concourse of Kandor II.

Splendor. Elegance. Somber. Regal. Immediate behind the drum players, prominent members of the House of El, followed by the Lords and Elders, walked past shimmering crystal edifices, parks and mercantile centers on their journey to the Convoca. Within that seat of government where Zor-El had served for so long, the ceremony celebrating the life of former First Lord Zor-El would take place.

The leading mourners, clad in black and red, were First Lord Kal-El, his betrothed, Zara at his right side and Zor-El’s widow, Lady Alura to his left who walked alongside, was their only surviving child, Lady Kara. Walking somewhat gingerly, beside Kara, having only been released from the Healing Chamber two days before, was Kara’s intended bond mate, Dar-Ur.

Kal-El may have been the new head of the House of El and the leader of its government, but the family took their behavioral cues from Alura. Despite her small frame, his aunt carried herself with bearing and grace. Though her dark blonde hair was heavily streaked with white, some a sign of stress from the last year, her calm blue eyes held an inner strength and composure that soothed many who gazed at her. She had lost her beloved; their many years together were now at an end. Private memories of their precious love and deep friendship would sustain her in the days and years to come.

Kandor II’s quiet streets were lined with thousands of her citizenry, most wearing the black and red of the House of El. Some bowed their heads in respectful silence while others wiped tears from their faces. Thus the funeral became a public outpouring from a people who were not given to emotional displays.

In previous centuries it was the custom that at the passing of the First Lord, an excessive three day long ceremony: heavy with rituals, and many speeches culminating with a final ceremony of creating the hologram of the late ruler in the Great Hall at the Convoca. Zor-El always thought such grandiose displays overshadowed the seriousness of the occasion. Due to the Splinter War and the former monarch’s wishes for a pared down, dignified funeral, such extravagance were not in evidence this day.

The previous evening Zor-El’s remains had been cremated at Abondar-El. Alura had collected his ashes in a ceramic urn and kept them in the archway leading to the flower garden. When the Kryptonians first arrived on the planet, cultivated land had been too precious to be used for cemeteries. It was felt that cremation and then keeping the ashes in special urns in fields and gardens was a kinder way to treat the remains on this new world. Once the dreaded atmosphere sickness struck the population, this practice increased.

As the El family and nobles approached the steps of the Convoca, high above the crowd in one of the crystal towers one man, his sharp eyes filled with disdain, watched the group coldly.
Arc-Tal.

He wanted to race down to the street, push through the mourning crowds, and put an end to Ching and that vile outworlder, Kal-El. One for daring to have the coveted position as Lady Zara’s personal guardian and the other for thinking that someone whose only claim to the position of First Lord was through his long-dead father. After all, the outworlder had not been there during the early times to earn the respect of the people.

But to be honest, it was Hia he feel the most contempt of the two. Ching was a lowly commoner from the Munde province. His mother was a weaver and his father an engineer. On neither side of their family lineage was there a drop of noble blood.

Arc-Tal rubbed his cheek, remembering the cut given to him by Kal-El after his sword match with Ching. Originally, he had planned on a session in the med-lab to have the scar removed, but he decided against it, thinking the mark added a touch of danger to his face. It also served as a daily reminder that a commoner and an outworlder had once bested him – that would not be the case for long. He was determined to tip the scales in his favor.
If Arc-Tal ended their miserable lives, then his distant cousin could take his rightful place as the ruler of New Krypton. He leaned forward, placed a tightly clenched fist on the glass and pounded it, following the rhythm of the drums.

“Someday…” the word escaped his lips like the rasp of a sword removed from its scabbard.

A familiar voice broke into his musings, “Arc-Tal?”

With eyes narrowed, he turned at his companion, “Problems, Taz-Al? I follow Nor’s orders, observing the funeral and the El Family.”

“Nor has new orders. He wants you back at base immediately.”

“Why?” Arc-Tal asked with an inquiring tone.

The other man shrugged. “The message just came through. I am merely passing it on.”

With a sharp nod, the younger man departed for Nor’s base in the mountains, wondering what his kinsman could want from him. Whatever it was, he would do it without question. Their purposes were the same, to end the off-worlder’s rule. Besides, he thought as he picked up the pace towards the shuttle, the House of Il was important to him.

If Nor won the challenge everything would change in favor their favor. His kinsman was in excellent health, but even he could not stop the hands of time and since he did not have an heir. Someday soon he must name a successor. Why could that not be him? Perhaps Nor himself might fall to some fatal illness. In the days ahead, anything was possible.

***

Upon reaching the Convoca, the procession strode down a wide, brightly lit corridor leading to the massive Convoca meeting room. This was the same one that Kal-El had used on his first entrance to the chamber. Here too, all were silent as the procession passed by holograms of previous First Lords. As a group they stopped directly in front of a hologram pedestal, which is ceremonially draped in fabric drenched in the House of El’s colors.
Now, for the first time in many a moon round, there was to the unveiling of a new representation… installation of the late First Lord Zor-El’s image.

Eight tiny metallic drones with silvery wings darted about overhead, their cameras televising the event across all twelve provinces. Complying with the instructions from their unseen director, the drones placed themselves in strategic locations in the ceilings and walls of the corridors. Thus placed, the devices remained at their posts, silent witnesses to the event about to take place.

Kal-El felt the closeness of the crowd, their voices murmuring in low tones, and the presence of so many made him uneasy. A deep grief welled in his heart. He had not known Zor-El as long as he had known other sage companions like Perry or Bernie, but nonetheless the loss of his uncle was profoundly experienced. The black and red suit he wore, with its scratchy collar and tight sash, was almost unbearable. How he missed his invulnerable skin! He wanted to be here, not as the First Lord, but as Zor-El’s nephew. He wanted to be here as cousin to Kara and a strong arm for Alura. Most of all, Right now all he wanted was Lois’ hand in his, lending him strength as they stood side by side.
His betrothed, Zara, looked miserable. She was missing Ching. Since openly admitting to each other how they felt, they loathed being separated. But here, in this great corridor, it was more appropriate for her personal guardsman, as well as the other guards, to remain outside.

Polara came up to him and said, “Will you say a few words?”

“Yes, Grandmother.”

Trey, Polara and others had pressed him to give a speech. A speech would also give him the opportunity to test a small break with tradition he had been contemplating. With a nod towards Mar-Ur, he approached a section of the wall, also draped in black and red. He stood with his back to the curtain and waited for the members of the Convoca and heads of the noble houses to stand quietly.

Gradually the overhead lights in the corridor was darken, and a soft light shone upon him, the new figurehead of the House of El, draped in and surrounded by his family’s ancestral hues.

First Lord Kal-El stood tall and straight. He wasn’t fully aware of it, but he was the very embodiment of the long line of nobility of his house, men who, like Kal-El stood for truth and justice. Because of those ancestors love of justice, he was fairly certain, understanding the circumstances, they would agree with this tiny fracture from tradition he was about to commit. “People of New Krypton, your presence here today brings honor to the House of El. We have all lost a great leader, and I have lost not just a dear relative, but also a friend and a mentor. Because my knowledge of him is limited, I have asked for the one person who knew him best to speak on behalf of our family. My aunt, Lady Alura In-Ze.”

A murmur rose within the corridor, but the First Lord stood firm and his steely gaze swept the faces of the assembled nobles, keeping them in place. Some had dour expressions. Yet, they dared not speak.
Polara’s normally calm features gave way to a wide, delightful smile. She silently applauded her grandson’s action.

Garbed in a gown of black satin-like material, with a sash of scarlet encircling her waist, Alura gracefully moved past her nephew and approached the draped column. She stood directly in front of the black material, took a scrap of the dark fabric in her hands bowed slightly and then turned to the audience.

Alura took a calming breath, looked into the crowd and said, “People of New Krypton, my words will be short and to the point. I stand before you not as the widow of the former First Lord, but as the citizen of a culture that has witnessed many changes. Some of those have been the result of leaving our dying planet of origin and coming here. Those alterations such as the changing of the traditional roles of women and those of lower stations, my husband deeply believed in. Before contracting the disease which eventually took his life, he wanted to be an active participant in these changes because he felt certain they would enhance our society. We as a people must move forward together, otherwise all the good work that he and countless others have strived for shall be in vain.”

“Now good people of New Krypton, our new First Lord will fight to end this disruptive and wasteful war. We shall hope and pray that he is the winner of this traditional trial by single combat. Allow the First Lord time to prepare. In the meantime, we must return to our shops and fields, to our homes and families and work as one to make New Krypton whole again.”

With those words she bowed to the monitors which projected her words out to the inhabitants of the twelve provinces.

The House of El and members of the Convoca bowed in answer and then stepped back as Alura moved away from the image of her late husband. She walked over to her nephew, Placed her hand on his shoulder and said in a tearful, yet firm voice. “Now that this ceremony honoring my beloved is at an end, your sword training begins in earnest. Make us proud.”

A/N *When the First Lord passes, his bond mate’s last name immediately returns to that of her house.

Welcome to the 2025 Kerth Quiz: Original/Supporting Character

SPIFFY DISCLAIMER THINGY!: All the stories featured in this quiz qualify for the Best Original or Supporting Character in a Story, but this quiz is not a stamp of recommendation for nomination. There are more fantastic stories which qualify for this category, but this quiz only covers 7 randomly chosen ones.
(Instructions are blatantly copied/linked from previous Kerth Quizzes.)

RECOMMENDATIONS: Don't forget that recommendations for other favorite eligible stories are *very* welcome and encouraged! So don't forget to add these in a section after your guesses!

QUIZ RULES: One point each for getting the story and author from the quote. Plus, shiny gold stars for those who recognize their own stories. Please don't forget to mention which number you're answering. Rule recap: Open hard drive and open boards (+AO3!), *don't* forget to snip out the excerpts in your replies, and don't forget the spoiler tag when you post in the replies thread.
CATEGORY: The show may be called Lois and Clark, but sometimes another character really steals the show. This award honors characters other than Lois or Clark whom an author has taken extra care to make shine. This includes any of the original supporting cast – good or evil – as well as new original characters. Characters are eligible whether they are the star of their own story or a supporting character in Lois and Clark’s story who captures the audience’s heart.

The DEADLINE for entries for this quiz is SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2025, by 11:59 p.m (Eastern Time Zone).

Here’s the full list of Eligible Stories.

Here are the full quiz instructions: Countdown to Kerth Quizzes Extended Instructions and Disclaimers.

Please post your answers HERE.

Good luck!
Evie

__________________________


EXCERPT #1:
Before she could reply, the sound of paw steps were heard, Dax, with head held down came quietly into the room. She stopped abruptly, went first to Lois, thumped her tail against her leg and then walked over to Martha and sat down with a contented, soft woof.

Lois laughed, “That dog knows who is the head of the house!”

“Nonsense! She wants to get near the fireplace. In a few minutes her fur will be hot, and she’ll turn on the other side to toast it. What a sweet doodle.”
“Doodle?”

“One of Dax’s many nicknames. When she’s in the snow, that dog will jump into a drift and roll around like a young pup. Very much like when Clark drew doodles on a paper when he was doing his homework.” Martha said.

“That must be fun to watch.”

“Oh it is! Sometimes Jonathan tries to keep up with her. What a hoot!”

Jonathan and Clark walked into the living room, he asked, “What hoot?”

“Chasing that dog of yours… and Clark’s.”

From the floor came a low huff and then Dax rolled over so her other side could get warm.

“Dad, I’m so glad you took her in. It would have been difficult for me, especially with the job…”



EXCERPT #2:
"Excuse me? Clark Kent?"

Clark jumped and turned around. The man opposite him looked somewhat inconspicuous - but there was something about him...Clark couldn't quite place it. Somehow he didn't seem to fit in. (This impression may have been contributed to by the end of a towel sticking out of the leather bag he was carrying. Well, that really wasn't Clark's issue to worry about.)

"Yes, That's me. Can I help you?"

"Oh yeah, sure, I hope so. Um, the name is Prefect. Ford Prefect."

Clark blinked. "...Like the car?"

"Oh congratulations, people tend not to notice that. Um, well, what can I say, so my research on this may have been a little inaccurate. It happens to the best of us."

"...I do not quite understand...?"

Ford shrugged. "It doesn't matter. Where were we? Ah yes, right, I could use your professional opinion. You see, I'm a colleague of yours, Mr. Kent. As in, a fellow reporter. But I'm working in the travel department."

Ah, Clark thought, that might explain the British accent. "Well, I'm happy to help if I can. I assume you've come to me because you've heard that I've made a few trips to more distant places myself in the last few years?"

For some reason the person he was talking to seemed to be amused. "Well, that's certainly one way to put it."



EXCERPT #3:
“No, I’m afraid, you can’t come with me.” Clark scratched Houdini's ear sympathetically, before he focused back on the mirror and straightened his tie. He studied his face and turned to both sides, giving his outward appearance one last thorough check.


Houdini whimpered his protest, lowered his head and trudged out of the bedroom - the entire dog a picture of misery. Clark heaved a sigh. He felt bad for leaving the poor dog all on his own, even if it was just for a few hours. Houdini had been his steadfast companion for years. And yet, Clark was also looking forward to showing Lois his favorite restaurant in Paris. His gaze drifted toward the little box with the engagement ring that was sitting on his nightstand.


To propose or not to propose - that was the question.


Before he had a chance to make up his mind, paws tapped across the floor, accompanied by a strange jangling sound. A moment later Houdini appeared in the doorway, tail wagging and carrying - a leash?


Clark blinked.


Houdini put down the usually offending item before Clark’s feet and looked at him with puppy dog eyes, tail still wagging. He gave a hopeful bark.


Clark knelt beside his dog and ran his hand through his thick fur. “You’re even willing to go on a leash, just so you can come with us? Gosh, this really means a lot to you, huh? I’m so sorry, pal. We both know how much you hate flying. I promise you can come with us next time. But just this once I want to treat her to something really special.”


The dog stopped wagging his tail, his ears drooping. Then Houdini lay down, giving one last, heart-wrenching wail and lowered his head onto his paws.



EXCERPT #4:
Jimmy paused, staring at the page. His hand trembled as he thought about what he’d just written. The truth was heavy, but it was also freeing. He took a deep breath and continued.

***

Both of you give so freely, even when it comes at great risk. I don’t think I’ll ever fully understand how you do it, how you carry the weight of the world and still find time to lift up the people around you. I’m honored to be your friend.

I don’t want you to worry. Your secret is safe with me. I know you’ve both been through so much, and the last thing I want is to add to that burden. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from watching you, it’s that real strength isn’t just about power. It’s about showing up, day after day, for the people who need you.

One day, maybe I’ll tell you that I know. Maybe we’ll laugh about all the times I almost figured it out but didn’t. But for now, I’ll keep this to myself. You deserve that peace.

Thank you for everything, for every rescue, for every piece of advice, for every moment of quiet support. You’ve shown me what it means to be truly heroic, and I’ll never forget it. I’ll always be grateful for both of you. And I’ll always be here, ready to help in any way I can. Even if it’s just making sure you get the first copies of the next front-page story.

Your friend,
Jimmy

***

Jimmy folded the letter carefully and placed it behind a framed photo of him, Lois, and Clark. It was one of his favorite shots, taken during a rare moment of downtime in the newsroom. The three of them, laughing, caught in a candid moment of joy. He smiled, knowing it was the perfect place to hide the letter.




EXCERPT #5:
“Can you hear me?” the voice from the radio asked.

The side of a police car swam into his vision, but now he squeezed his eyes shut. “You're not real.”

“Yes, I am,” said the voice.

He let his eyes open again. A ring of cops and police vehicles had formed around him. A crowd continued shouting outside of it.

A man in a black costume knelt beside him, the only other occupant of the ring as far as he could tell. “Can you get up?”

When he could, the black-clad figure whisked him into the back of the nearest car. The closed door muffled the noise somewhat.

The confusion outside fanned his lingering sense of dread. “Lois… Is Lois okay?

The man…Bruce?...nodded. “She's fine. *I*, however, will be in serious danger if she makes good on her threat to swim over here and tear me limb from limb.” He shifted in his seat and procured a cellphone from one of the many pouches in his belt. “Call her as soon as you're able to.”

He nodded, taking the phone, and let his head fall back against the headrest. Stars still loomed beyond his vision, while something unseen and terrible waited for him. Somehow, he was simultaneously sitting in this car on Earth and also drifting in space, his air gone, his fingers slowly turning blue while he lost the ability to move them… He took a deep breath, trying to dispel the feeling. His words came out in a strangled whisper “Everything went wrong…”

Bruce’s hand came to rest on his shoulder. “You saved lives. As for the aftermath…we'll deal with it together. You're not alone.”



EXCERPT #6:
“You know I never could cook like your mother.”

“Which is why I try to make it home as often as possible. Tell me--are you worried that Maisie will discover your post-harvest obsession with The Ivory Tower? I saw the television listing laying out the last time I was home.”

“I’m disowning you. Tomorrow. I’ll make an appointment with Jordan Fredrichs and write you out of my will. ”

“Look, you know you need the company as much as the food. Please make time to take care of yourself.”

A grimace came across the man’s face. “Maisie’ll have me gossiping like an old hen, but I’ll try.”

“Thank you, Father. By the way, have you seen the news? Superman has been having a very good week. I cannot thank you enough for the idea. It was worth the trouble it took to have the costumes made discretely.”

“I’m sure Martha couldn’t have done better. If you had an aura as strong as Clark’s I guess you wouldn’t need to replace them so often but I guess the fewer people who associate you with Clark these days, the better.

“I think I have some good news for you by the way.”

“Son, good news is welcome anytime.”

“There’s a scientist at STAR Labs that thinks he has found a way to drain away Clark’s powers. We’re not sure if it would be permanent or not but if it works it might be enough time treat him—maybe even to find a cure.”

“You’re a good boy, Lex, but you be careful around the Son of Jor-El. As much as I love him, you and I both know how dangerous he can be. So tell me, what have you found?“


EXCERPT #7:
A shadow appeared in her doorway, and Kyle Griffin sauntered into her apartment as if stepping into a center stage spotlight.

Lois pushed down the fear that had crept up into her lungs. “Aren’t you supposed to be in jail?” she bit out acerbically.

The man in front of her chuckled. He was wearing a red and green argyle sweater, and she decided she hated the festive version of the Prankster more than his typical persona. It would just figure that someone who was out to get her would be a Christmas enthusiast.

“Well, we were in prison. But you know, it’s not the most festive holiday hideaway. So I got to thinking… What would make this Christmas better than any other Christmas?”

He took the hat off the bad Santa sidekick next to him, toying with the fur pom.

“And as I looked around at the grey cement walls, thin sleeping pallets and barred doors, it came to me.”

He settled the Santa hat jauntily on his own head.

“This year… all I want for Christmas is YOU, Lois Lane.”

She had to force herself not to take a step backward. His words had a manically menacing quality to them, and she worried whether the return to jail had played havoc with his already disturbed mind.

Griffin patted his Santa goon on the shoulder — a little too hard, she noticed, as Santa grimaced at the rough contact – and started to circle her as he spoke.

“So Victor and I hitched a ride on Santa’s sleigh, borrowed a suit, and decided to come wish YOU a merry little Christmas.” He stopped near her tiny tree, leaning toward her and affecting a wide grin. “Merry Christmas, Lois.”

His nearness unsettled her and she fought back against it with a sharp retort. “You’ll be back in that cell so fast that even Rudolph won’t be able to light you a way out of —“

“I SAID, ‘MERRY CHRISTMAS,’ LOIS,” he suddenly shouted, sweeping his arm violently into her scrappy little tree and knocking it to the floor.

She flinched as ornaments shattered and glass scattered across her floor. The timber of his voice and the sound of breaking glassware triggered the childhood trauma of Christmasses past. She pushed it down and refocused on Griffin.

He’d definitely gotten more unhinged after this latest jail stint, brief as it was.

And now he was looking at her expectantly.



Good luck, everyone!
________________________________________________


Have a question? Ask it here! Or you can PM any of the K-Com members or reach out on Discord too! You can also send an email to us here: Kcom@kerthawards.com

In order to help you find all things Kerth for this year, we’ve created a TOC for all the 🏆TOC for Kerth Awards 2025 Posts🏆.

The Kerth Committee
(KSaraSara, Michael, lovetvfan, and Evie)

Marriage of State
By AmandaK

Chapter 5

Lois wasn’t sure what time it was when she awoke. She hadn’t bothered to set an alarm when she went to bed and outer space lacked a definable day and night. She felt more well rested than she had in a long time however, so she assumed she’d slept in.

Stretching, she sat up and swung her legs out of bed. Feeling a bit of a chill, she grabbed her robe and slipped it on before walking to the door. She hadn’t heard any noise from the sitting room and she wondered if Clark was awake yet. She reached, blindly, for the doorknob but didn’t find one. It took her a moment to remember that doors worked differently on the ship. Finding the control panel, she pressed her palm against it and the door finally slid open.

The lights were on in the sitting room, but set low so they didn’t blind her coming out. Clark was awake and standing next to the view screen through which Lois could only see black space. “Morning,” she called out softly.

Clark seemed to jump a little, as though startled by her presence. He turned and offered her a small smile. “Oh. Good morning.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t hear me come in,” Lois commented. She made her way over to the table where she’d seen a pot of what she hoped was coffee and a platter of some odd-looking pastries.

Clark shrugged. “Just lost in thought I guess.” He looked back out the window. His shoulders hung low and seemed to carry a great weight of melancholy.

Lois poured herself a cup of coffee and breathed in its familiar aroma, thankful to still have this for however long it lasted. Wrapping both hands around her mug, she wandered over to stand beside her husband. “What are you looking at?” she inquired gently.

“Earth,” he replied.

Sure enough, as Lois changed her angle on the window, she spied the blue and green marble that was her home. It was breathtaking. She’d seen the pictures of Earth from space but to actually see it…

“I used to be fascinated with space,” Clark commented, drawing her attention once more. “I remember, as a kid, I would follow the news on every mission from NASA. I learned everything I could about the solar system, the moon, what might be out there…”

“Did you know where you came from?”

Clark shrugged. “I knew I was found in a spaceship and, with my powers, we figured I was either an alien or a Russian experiment.” Lois chuckled at that and Clark smiled. “But no, I didn’t really know anything for sure until Jor-El showed up. And then, all of a sudden, I was actually going into space. I’d dreamed of becoming an astronaut – I mean, doesn’t every kid? But I never imagined just being able to go. And to travel to whole other worlds when even getting to Mars still seemed like science fiction.”

Clark sighed and turned away from the window. “But now that I’ve been out here for so long… all I really want is to go home. To be this close and still so far away… I guess I had hoped that, coming here, I’d be able to go home at least for a while. But the few times I’ve been allowed to leave the ship were short and highly regulated. There was no time for… visiting.”

He wandered over to the table and refilled his own mug. Lois watched him silently. He looked so lost – so different from the confident young lord she’d met the day before. His vulnerability mirrored what she was feeling inside – what she’d been trying so hard to hide. The more she got to know Kal… Clark… the more she realized that he was really a lot like her. It gave her hope that they might actually be able to make this marriage thing work.

Emboldened by her thoughts, Lois crossed over to his side and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. “You’ll be back,” she said simply. “We’ll both see Earth again. It’s only a few years, right? Just till you finish your studies?”

Clark turned and mustered up a small smile. “Yeah. Thanks… for reminding me. Sometimes it’s easy to get lost in feeling sorry for myself.”

“We all do that sometimes. We’re only human.”

Clark raised an eyebrow at that. “Well… technically…”

Lois scoffed and swatted his arm. “Oh, you know what I mean. Ow! What are you made of? Steel?” she shook out her hand to alleviate the pain.

Clark winced sympathetically and chuckled at the same time. “Sorry. Invulnerable, remember?”

“Right.” Lois walked over to the bookshelves and ran her finger absently along the spines of a few books. “So, Mister Invulnerable, what are the plans for today.”

Clark shrugged. “Not much. We’ll be leaving orbit in about an hour. Did you want to go to the bridge for the official departure ceremony?”

Lois shook her head. “I had enough of Kryptonian ceremonies yesterday. I can’t understand anything they’re saying anyhow.”

“Well, I can always give you a tour of the ship,” Clark suggested.

“That sounds nice. We’ll be here for a few weeks so I should probably know my way around. Oh, that reminds me!” Lois returned to his side and sat down in one of the chairs. “Since I’m going to be living on New Krypton, I need to learn Kryptonian. Can you teach me?”

Clark smiled. “Well, I don’t know if I’m the best teacher, but I can try.”

“That’s alright. I’m not the best student – at least not with languages. I failed French in high school,” she admitted.

“Voulez-vous aussi apprendre le français?” he rattled off in flawless French.

Lois’ eyes flew open wide. “What?! That’s not fair! You know three languages?”

Clark smirked. “More like… seven. I’m good with languages. I started studying several on my own when I was a kid. I’d probably know more if I’d stayed on Earth. Krypton only has the one language.”

“Thank goodness. That’s still not fair. It’s going to take me ages to be able to talk to people,” Lois pouted.

Clark shook his head. “It won’t. Full immersion helps a lot. You’ll pick it up faster because you don’t really have a choice unless you want to use a translator for the next three years. And I’m afraid your options are fairly limited as far as Kryptonians who are fluent in English goes.”

“Maybe I’ll just stick with you. You make a pretty decent translator,” Lois teased. She snatched a pastry off the table and took a bite.

Clark laughed. “Maybe you’d better learn Kryptonian.”

********

Clark eyed the floor of the sitting room as he waited for Lois to finish changing for bed. It had been almost a week since they had left Earth and things were going pretty well. Lois was a lot of fun to hang out with. She was smart and witty and she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind – pretty much a breath of fresh air compared to the young women on New Krypton, most of whom put on airs of being demure and proper at all times.

During their first full day together, he’d shown her around the ship and started teaching her the basics of the Kryptonian language. Despite her claims to the contrary, she was a good student and a quick study. She picked up common phrases quickly and by dinner time was able to properly introduce herself to a few people they met in the dining hall.

The next few days seemed to fly by and Clark found himself growing more and more fond of his wife. They were able to connect on a level he simply couldn’t with anyone on New Krypton.

Perhaps it was the novelty of now having a connection to Earth – someone who understood a typical American childhood, someone who shared his more human mannerisms and values, someone to catch him up on current events and pop culture. He couldn’t believe they’d made two more Star Wars movies. Lois had already, accidently, spoiled the big secret about Luke and Vader.

But he didn’t think it was as simple as a friendship born of common interests and experiences. What he felt… what he was starting to feel for her was something more. There was a connection between them, something almost tangible. He wanted to explore it more but he also didn’t want to push her. They’d been thrown together in such a bizarre way and it all happened so fast. He didn’t want to make her uncomfortable.

But that didn’t stop him from smiling every time she walked into a room or wanting to spend every waking moment by her side.
“All done,” Lois said, opening the door to the bedroom before walking back to the vanity and picking up a hairbrush.

Clark looked up and watched her go, fairly certain that if she turned around right then she’d catch him with a goofy grin on his face.

It didn’t hurt that she was gorgeous. Even her loose-fitting pajamas did little to hide her curves. He longed to find out if those curves would fit against him as well as he imagined, but that would be pushing boundaries he was sure she wasn’t ready for. They’d exchanged a few casual touches over the past few days – all friendly, strictly platonic. He imagined it would be some time, if ever, before he would be able to hold her properly as his wife.

He was fairly certain that she liked him, as a friend at the very least. But he had no idea if she felt anything close to the connection that he was feeling.

But that could be explored another time. There was a more pressing problem he needed to solve. He walked over to the bedroom door and leaned against the frame before clearing his throat in what he hoped was a casual manner.

Lois tossed a glance over her shoulder as she continued brushing her hair. “Need something?”

“Uh, yeah,” Clark replied awkwardly. Then he mentally shook himself. It was a simple request. Why was he acting so foolish? He shoved his nerves aside and asked, “Could I steal a pillow from the bed?”

Lois shot him a confused look and then glanced at the pile of pillows on the bed. “A pillow? Sure. There’s plenty. Far more than I need anyway.”

Clark nodded and moved over to the bed to select one of the larger pillows. When he looked up, Lois was staring him with a bemused smile. “What?” he asked.

“The air isn’t soft enough for you anymore?” she teased.

Clark grimaced. He’d been hoping not to have to explain why he needed the pillow. But then, it was only a matter of time before she realized. “The air is fine. But the floor is hard as a rock.”

The smile fell off of Lois’ face. “I thought you were floating to sleep?”

He shrugged. “I was. But that was before we left Earth’s solar system. It’s been three days since we last saw the yellow sun. I woke up on the floor this morning.”

“Your powers…?”

“Gone. I imagine everyone else on board lost theirs yesterday or today as well.”

“That must be so strange. I can’t imagine…” she trailed off and then a determined look came to her eyes. “Clark, you can’t sleep on the floor. Especially now that you’re not invulnerable. You’ll destroy your back.”

“I’ll be fine. Really.” Clark insisted. “It’s just a few more weeks till we get to New Krypton. We can figure something else out there.”

Lois shook her head and stood up. “No. I won’t let you sleep on the floor for the rest of the trip. It’s not fair to you.”

“Well, we don’t have a lot in the way of options,” Clark crossed his arms over his chest, the pillow still hanging awkwardly from one hand. He had no desire to sleep on the floor but it wouldn’t be right to kick her off the bed and he didn’t want to bring up sharing again. They were getting along so well. He didn’t want to make her uncomfortable.

Lois looked at him and then looked back at the bed. She gnawed on her bottom lip for a moment and her eyebrows drew together in thought. When she finally spoke, the words she said were the last ones Clark expected. “It really is a big bed.”

Clark’s mouth dropped open and his arms fell to his sides. “Wh-what are you saying?”

Lois crossed her own arms in a similar pose to the one he’d adopted before. “I mean we are married, after all. We wouldn’t be doing anything wrong.” Her face suddenly flushed. “We wouldn’t be doing anything. Just sleeping.”

Clark nodded, willing himself not to smirk at her slip. “Sleeping. Right. So, you’re saying you want to share?”

“I’m saying…” she crossed the room to stand just in front of him and placed her hand on his chest. “…that I trust you.”

Clark couldn’t help but smile at her words. He caught her hand in his own. “Thank you, Lois. That means a lot. I trust you too.”

“Good.” Lois stepped back and snatched the pillow from his hand. She threw it towards the head of the bed and motioned him to the other side. “Now, you’ll stay on that side and I’ll stay over here and we’ll both get a good night’s rest.”

He grinned and couldn’t help teasing her a little. “What if I want that side of the bed?”

She turned a mock glare in his direction. “Then I suggest you get used to sleeping on the floor because this is my side.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Clark laughed. He really loved to bring out her bossy side. “You ready for bed?” he asked, climbing into his side of the bed.

“More or less.” She climbed onto her own side and pulled the covers up to her chin, lying on her side with her face towards him.

Clark lay flat on his back his hands behind his head but he eyed her sideways. “You don’t snore, do you?” he teased again.

Lois looked offended. “Of course I don’t snore.”

“Just checking. Lights,” he called out and the room lights dimmed to sleep mode. “Good night, Lois.”

“Good night, Clark.”

“You’re sure you don’t snore?”

“Good night, Clark.”

********
Lois wasn’t surprised when she woke up with Clark’s arm around her waist, his warm chest pressed up against her back. It wasn’t the first time over the past three weeks that one of them had gravitated towards the other in the middle of the night. In fact, the first few times it happened, she was the one snuggled up on his side of the bed.

It had been awkward at first. There were muttered apologies and fumblings to put space between them. But after about the fifth time it happened, they sort of got used to it. Instead of apologizing, they would offer each other quiet smiles and roll to their respective sides before stretching and yawning and beginning their day.

Lois breathed a soft sigh and eased herself back more comfortably against his firm chest. His arm automatically tightened around her waist. She felt herself smile. She never imagined that she could feel so comfortable sleeping next to a man. She had supposed she would eventually feel that way about her husband – and Clark was technically her husband – but that was different. In her previously imagined scenarios, she would know the man for some time before sleeping with him. She’d always felt it was a good idea to be married before giving herself fully to someone.

Now she was married but they’d done everything backwards. They were still in the “getting to know you” phase of their relationship. They certainly weren’t ready to move into anything more physical than this inadvertent early morning snuggling. But why did it feel so good to have his arms wrapped around her? Why did she feel safe, comfortable… loved?

He doesn’t love me, she thought to herself as she stared at the wall in the dark. We’re just friends forced to live together under unusual circumstances. That doesn’t make it love though. I certainly don’t love him.

But even as she thought it, a little voice whispered in her mind that she did. Another voice argued adamantly that it was just infatuation brought on by the fact that he was, quite literally, the only person within a hundred lightyears that she could relate to. It was just transference or the nightingale effect or something like that. A trauma bond. They shared in the trauma of a semi-forced marriage. Clark was her one beacon of normalcy in an otherwise alien world.

He was teaching her the language, the customs; helping her adjust slowly to a very different culture from her own. And he was kind and sweet and funny. He cared for her. Of course she would start to develop feelings for him.

But it’s not real! she told herself firmly. No matter how nice he was, no matter how much fun she had in his company, no matter how wonderful it felt to have him pressed against her in the wee hours of the morning – she couldn’t let herself fall into the delusion of being in love with her husband.

They would arrive on New Krypton in a few days. She would see then. He would go off to his studies and other responsibilities and she would be left alone. Oh, she would find something to do with herself. She wasn’t one to keep idle for long. She was already bored of this endless space voyage and couldn’t wait to figure out how she was going to make her mark on New Krypton.

She certainly wasn’t going to stay at home, pining away for a husband who didn’t love her. They would be friends. That was all. She would not allow herself to become dependent on him – no matter how wonderful he was.

With that determined thought, she decided to begin her day. She needed to get back to her language studies if she was going to make her way on a new planet.

Easing out from under Clark’s arm – slowly so as not to wake him – she grabbed her robe and headed out to the sitting room. She would order some coffee and get started.

Hi FoLCs!

Here is the update of new fic (gathered typically through the end of the month). Links at http://www.lcficdirectory.com/pgindex

New Stories:
Don't Tug on Superman's Cape by CalliopeWayne
Doomed by 90stvfangirl
For the Man Who Has Everything by CalliopeWayne
Good Night, Lois – Back To Neverland by bakasi
Good Night, Lois – Jumping Down The Plank by bakasi
Good Night, Lois - Straight On 'Till Morning by bakasi
I'm Sorry by AmandaK
In Between Moments: Signs by JadedEvie
Mad Dog Lane by Kathryn84
The More Things Change by AmandaK
The Mourning After (Mad Dog Lane Story) by Kathryn84
Perfectly Decent by 90stvfangirl

New Parts:
The Courier by Morgana
Manipulation and Destruction by Aurore
Marriage of State by AmandaK
Open Arms by CalliopeWayne

Completed Stories:
Don't Tug on Superman's Cape by CalliopeWayne
Doomed by 90stvfangirl
For the Man Who Has Everything by CalliopeWayne
Good Night, Lois – Back To Neverland by bakasi
Good Night, Lois – Jumping Down The Plank by bakasi
Good Night, Lois - Straight On 'Till Morning by bakasi
I'm Sorry by AmandaK
In Between Moments: Signs by JadedEvie
The More Things Change by AmandaK
The Mourning After (Mad Dog Lane Story) by Kathryn84
Perfectly Decent by 90stvfangirl

New TOCs:
Don't Tug on Superman's Cape by CalliopeWayne
Doomed by 90stvfangirl
For the Man Who Has Everything by CalliopeWayne
Good Night, Lois – Back To Neverland by bakasi
Good Night, Lois – Jumping Down The Plank by bakasi
Good Night, Lois - Straight On 'Till Morning by bakasi
I'm Sorry by AmandaK
In Between Moments: Signs by JadedEvie
Mad Dog Lane by Kathryn84
The More Things Change by AmandaK
The Mourning After (Mad Dog Lane Story) by Kathryn84
Perfectly Decent by 90stvfangirl

Added to the Archive:
None

Enjoy!
Dawn & the Index Crew

AHA!

A new post So glad to be back on the boards. Now we find out what Lois and her new temporary partner are up to. Once again the female half of the "Hottest Team in Town" is in up to her eyebrows with a misadventure. Hope everyone enjoys the part.

As always, comments are definitely welcome.

Earth

The absolute last place Lois Lane expected to find herself with Paul Talmadge was New Troy University. But the once-inane RoxxTen investigation was handing her innumerable surprises, not the least of which was working with the man by her side. A man she had briefly contemplated spending the rest of her life with. But those thoughts were from an innocent college girl, not Mad Dog Lane.

By the hardened expression on Talmadge’s face, he wasn’t incredibly happy to accompany her to the university either.

They walked across the tree-lined campus with its weather-beaten, gold cobble-stone pathways towards the large, familiar cream and red brick administrative building which housed most of the offices of the University’s professors and administrators. It was also home to the college newspaper, which she could already feel bringing up unpleasant memories.

Nonetheless, they were here to get help uncovering another facet of the RoxxTen story. So despite their renewed unease with each other, Lois pulled on the steel and glass door, and they entered the building determined to find Eugene Laderman.

A fresh-faced young student with red hair, cut in a classic pageboy style smiled at them when they entered the reception area. They asked about where they could find Professor Laderman’s office. The young woman’s swift fingers flew over the keyboard to locate the information.

“Ah, there we are! Professor Laderman’s office is part of the newly expanded Computer Science department. It’s located in the East wing on the third floor in room 378-D. Should I call first to let him know you are coming? Do you need any help finding your way?”

“No thanks,” Lois said. “Mr. Talmadge and I were students here not that long ago. We’ll find his office.”

“Okay.” With a dubious expression on her face, the young girl turned towards another visitor to help them.

Slightly annoyed, Lois muttered, “Who did she think we were, parents here for a conference with our kid’s professor?’

A rare chuckle escaped Talmadge’s throat, “Let’s face it Lois, it’s been a long time since we walked these corridors. We can’t pass for students. Not that I would want to.” This last he muttered under his breath. He was not happy to have been dragged back to the institution that had witnessed his fall from grace and given Lois so much heartache.

Minutes later they were in the small, yet comfortable office of Eugene Laderman, the newly appointed head of the Advanced Computer Sciences department.

“Hello Miss Lane. It’s good to see you again and uh, your new partner, Mr. Talmadge.”

“It’s only temporary.” The reporters said together.

“Ok-ay." He said slowly. "Tell me what you need?”

Lois gave Talmadge a ‘Don’t talk, I’ve got this look’ and said,” Listen Eugene, I need your help.

While Lois spoke, she surreptitiously inspected the office around her. Although the space was tight and distractions from students were surely plentiful, the office suggested that the professor had found ways to make days there more enjoyable and productive. Rather than finding clutter and mismatched furniture as had been exhibited in other offices she had visited while a student, Eugene’s office was a model of organization. Artfully arranged, color-coded files lay to the right of the boxy gray computer monitor. An empty green coffee cup perched on a bright red ceramic coaster was on the left side. On the wall, a large print of Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man hung alongside a photo of Eugene posing in Venice’s famed Piazza San Marco.

Eugene himself sat in a relaxed brown leather chair which seemed to have molded itself to his body. Everything about the room suggested a mind that was well-ordered and adhered to logic and rules. Which is why she was surprised to meet up with so much resistance from him. Lois had explained the situation outlining what information they would need in order to cement another layer of evidence against Intergang.

“Break into RoxxTen’s computer systems? Pardon me, Miss Lane, but that’s crazy!”

Speaking with a sense of patience she did not feel, Lois argued, “Eugene, how many times have I told you… call me Lois! Without your skills, the Ides of March virus would have destroyed our country’s computer systems. That’s why we need access to their coding program! Otherwise we can’t prove whether Elden Kraft is simply a lousy programmer who got greedy or the criminal mastermind behind a massive money laundering scheme!”

His deadpan face held a dour expression, “I learned a thing or two while sitting in a prison cell awaiting trial for Henry Harrison’s ‘murder’. Anything that’s discovered because of my hacking won’t be admissible as evidence.”

“That is true. I tried to get a court order, but the judge said he would need sufficient evidence, in advance, to justify the intrusion. All we really have is supposition. Still, what you discover will point us in the right direction,” Talmadge said.

Running his hands over the bald space in the back of his head, Eugene said wearily, “Please understand. I’m not being stubborn, just cautious. Should the faculty find out that I’m using my talents for anything other than teaching our students advanced computer skills, it could mean my job. The last time, during that whole fiasco with … the Harrisons, Superman spoke on my behalf, but now with him gone …” his voice trailed off.

With a derisive snort, Lois said, “Trust me Eugene, there are some faculty members in this University who will be perfectly happy to turn a blind eye to such activities, especially if they know you are doing this to solve a major crime.”
“Some members?” Eugene asked in a questioning tone.

The expression on Lois’ face was one of revulsion, “Yes, the ones I will speak to if they plan on giving you any problems. But that will only happen if they find out what you are doing. Now, will you help us?”

Eugene studied Lois Lane and her temporary partner, Paul Talmadge, who had remained nearly silent since their arrival. Sensing the tension surrounding the duo, it was obvious that there was something more between these two than just a byline. Considering Miss Lane was still wearing Clark Kent’s engagement ring, he decided it was none of his business. His own love life was just beginning to bear fruit. He was planning on asking Polly Camacho, an art teacher at the university out on another date tonight. But now this strange adventure had come up, threatening to complicate his life.

Their reasons for wanting him to break the law were valid. Innocent people, folks who worked long hard hours to provide for themselves and their families, were being preyed upon. Perhaps it wasn’t exactly, the way the Harrisons had used and hurt him, but the greed and resulting pain were present in both situations, nonetheless. If Lois and Clark had not helped him, he would be slowly aging away in a prison cell while the treacherous Lena and her husband enjoyed themselves in some country without extradition treaties with the U.S.

There was a risk that the faculty might find out what he had done, but then again, a touch of professional vanity at his innovative hacking skills, overtaking him maybe not.

Lois’ insistent voice broke into his thoughts, “So, what’s it going to be Eugene?”

He shrugged, “The way I see it, my assistance might solve this case. Just make certain the police don’t know anything about this. The last thing I want is to tangle with Detective Reed again! When do you need this information?”

“Yesterday,” Talmadge said flatly.

Eugene’s thin lips quirked into a half smile. So Mr. Talmadge could talk! “If I unearth anything, you’ll know by tomorrow afternoon at the latest.”

“Yes!” Lois said, jumping up and punching both fists into the air.

***

As Lois and Talmadge entered the Daily Planet building lobby, Paul said, “If Eugene Laderman discovers Detective Reed is already on the case, he might just turn tail and run. He’s a jumpy character.”

“Considering what Christine Reid put him through the last time, the man has good reason to be jumpy! She’s an excellent detective, but she can be a little, ah, obsessive when it comes to tracking down the bad guys. Clark and I had a rough time during the Ides of March caper. Everyone, including - Perry - walked around us like they were on eggshells because of her tenacity.”

Nodding his head in agreement he said, “After seeing her in action, no one can blame Eugene.”

“Yeah, well, you ain’t seen nothing yet! She’s going to work hard to make certain of two things: Simcoe lives long enough to make it to trial and Intergang is smashed into nothingness. Our job now is to convince Perry to let us continue working on this story.”

“In the meantime, we have to keep our productivity up.” Talmadge said.

“That goes without saying.” Her voice became exceptionally soft, and she sighed, “Clark always had a story file that he referred to just for times like this. I kept it. We can look it over for article ideas if we can’t come up with any of our own.”

“Evidently, he didn’t have to refer to that file very often. I understand he’s got more scoops about Superman than anybody else… except you of course.”

Lois said nothing as they entered the elevator. Talmadge studied the woman beside him. She did not often mention Clark Kent, but when she did, it was always with the greatest respect and tenderness. For what seemed like the hundredth time since Paul reentered her life, he wanted to know more about the man.

Once upon a time Lois had been the quiet, but eager girl he worked with on the Troy State Weekly. But after the rotten trick he and Linda King had pulled on her by stealing her story, a shell of toughness had developed. Early in her career, he heard about the whole Claude Debarre fiasco. It had taken a lot of guts to rise above the embarrassment and pain that creep had caused. He respected the fact that she had fought hard to reclaim her career by taking dangerous gambles with her life to become an award winning journalist. Sadly, along the way, the veneer of toughness had hardened, so much so that her nickname in the newspaper world was, ‘Mad Dog Lane’.

Yet, Clark Kent, a man who seemingly appeared out of nowhere, had won this woman’s fierce heart and undying loyalty. He, Paul, had been an idiot to let her go because of a fleeting desire for someone as shallow as Linda King.
Lois’s voice broke into his thoughts. “To answer your question, Clark got those Superman scoops, because the Man of Steel would either tell him what happened or took him to the genuinely spectacular events. Remember the Volcano explosion on that tiny island off the Greek coast last year? Our international correspondent, Andrea, was in the City of Rhodes covering a festival and not able to get near the place. Superman had to go anyway in order to help evacuate the populace, so Clark went, too, via Superman express. He and Andrea collaborated on the story and they were nominated for a Kerth for that article.”

Paul shrugged, “It seems the Man of Steel has always had a place in his heart for the Daily Planet.”

“They … we were … um, are friends,” Lois said in a small voice.

He thought, Yeah and look what that friendship did. He’s on some alien world, experiencing who knows what and you… you are all alone. Wisely, Talmadge said instead, “He’s a good friend to help Clark. And you.”

A tiny sigh escaped from her lips, and for a moment Lois was lost in thought, before she said, “Yeah, he is.”

Lois was about to speak again when the elevators doors snapped open. She grabbed Talmadge by the lapel of his jacket to pull him along, and said, “We’ll table this conversation for another time. Since your real boss won’t let us write this story, yet, we have to pitch the continuation to Perry and write up something else to fill inches in the first section.”

With those words, they walked down the ramp and headed back to their respective desks. After putting away her briefcase and turning on the monitor, she gazed at the African violet sitting in its round jade-colored pot. She had brought it from her apartment after the courier’s first visit. The petite plant had been purchased at a farmer’s market she and Clark had come across only a week before the New Kryptonians had arrived. It was a quiet reminder of times past and a hope of new ones to come.

Cat looked up from her monitor just as the duo were coming down the ramp. She caught Lois touching Talmadge in a manner that was definitely out of the ordinary to her keen eye. While she was fairly certain Lois wasn’t falling for the handsome newcomer, she would have to warn her friend to be cautious she hated to do it. If she had caught that little touch, others would as well. After all, England’s Princess Margaret’s relationship with Group Captain Peter Townsend had been hotly rumored at for a while because of only a touch. On her sister’s coronation day, all it took was the subtle gesture of the princess removing a piece of lint from his uniform to confirm it.

The rest, sad to say, was history. Since Townsend was a divorced man, Parliament and the Church of England would not allow them to marry, which led to no small amount of heartache for both parties.

Cat Grant knew in her official capacity as a gossip columnist that Lois was watched by those jealous of her success as a reporter. What better way to besmirch her reputation than to have rumors spread that she was seeing another man while still engaged to Clark?

Cat’s intense green eyes scanned the bullpen for any sign of Ralph Lombard. If he had seen them, by the end of the day it would be all over the building that Lois ‘might’ be stepping out on her fiancé with the new guy. Thankfully, the little weasel wasn’t around.

Since his ‘conversation’ with Paul in the conference room, Ralph avoided any contact with him. But Cat knew the sneak would love to do something to make Talmadge look bad in Perry’s eyes and cause conflict in the bullpen.

It was long past time for her and Lois to have lunch at the Java Jive for a serious chat.

Lois did not even have a chance to boot up her computer to look at Clark’s story idea file when she heard a familiar voice.

Perry had come out of his office and said loudly, “Lane! Talmadge! My office now.”

“What’s up Chief?” Lois asked once the door had closed behind her.

Without preamble their boss said, “Great shades of Elvis! Don’t either of you carry your cell phones?”

As he leaned against the wall, Talmadge shrugged, “I forgot to charge mine.”

Lois rolled her eyes in disgust as she sat down in the plaid visitor’s chair. “I hate those things! They always ring in the middle of an important interview.”

“Well, as your ol’ editor, I need to keep in contact with my reporters. Agent Zhao called to tell me to keep a lid on the Simcoe interview, which tells me there is an even bigger story than we all thought. Simcoe also mentioned that Charles Belfield has a weakness for Impressionist art and not the fancy posters you get from a museum gift shop. That kind of habit is expensive, even for the Chief Financial Officer of a Fortune 500 company. Dig around. Find out more about RoxxTen’s CEO. I’m betting some mighty big and mean snakes will slither out of that particular wood pile.”

Talmadge said, “According to Lois’ original article, Belfield was found innocent. Nothing points back to him.”

The older man snorted and laid his large beefy hands firmly on the desk blotter, which was partially covered with stories waiting to be edited. “Son, there are plenty of white-collar prisons filled with former CEOs and CFOs who were originally ‘found innocent’. They all had one thing in common: someone or something pulled one brick that made their house of deception fall apart.”

“Hmmm, Simcoe might be that brick. He’s certainly happy to turn on his former employers.” Lois wondered aloud.

With a perfectly deadpan expression, Perry said, “Yeah, well, he’s got good reason to be talkative. You two hold onto everything learned during that interview, it will be helpful later on. In the meantime, keep investigating.”
“Thanks, Perry,” Lois said. “But what’s all the rush about finding us?”

Simcoe was poisoned this morning. He’s alive, but they must have pumped everything in the medicine cabinet to do it.”

Lois jerked into an upright position and said, “What! Was it someone on the hospital staff? How was it possible with that floor crawling with Feds and the MPD?”

“Zhao says the lab boys aren’t certain if it was in his food or medicine. It could have been anyone.” Perry said with a sigh.

“In a way this is good. It shows that Intergang is getting desperate,” Talmadge muttered.

Lois rubbed her chin and replied, “That’s a neat possibility. We are getting close to nailing Intergang to the wall. They want the case’s star witness quiet. Permanently.” She stood up and walked to the door. “Come on, Talmadge. Time to push those business contacts of yours and find out about Belfield’s interest in Renaissance art. I’m also going to call Crazy Willy. He’s one lazy snitch! We’ll also need in-house computer help. Jimmy!”

***
Later that night, in the quiet of her apartment, Lois finished eating a cobb salad as she was knitting up Clark’s sweater. A steaming cup of oolong tea sat in front of her on the coffee table. She allowed her mind to wander, back to the early days of her investigations with Clark. They would spend hours at Clark’s apartment, brainstorming over a story while drinking cups of either exotic rich coffee or spiced tea and warm cookies, fresh from the oven.

Simcoe. Elden. Church. So many names to her current puzzling investigation, yet she sensed the pieces were falling into place. According to Nolan and Crazy Willy, everything in RoxxTen began to go wrong when Belfield took over. The obvious link to Intergang was his former role as Chief Financial Officer at CostMart. Talmadge’s business contacts said Belfield’s departure from that company was under a cloud. Apparently, he wanted more money and stock options, and he had even tried to chisel a rift between Bill Church and his son in order to get them. It turned out that purchasing priceless art was more than a habit with him. It was an obsession.
Could that be the motivation behind the entire scam? Was Belfield that avaricious?

For that matter, where was Elden Kraft? Was the accountant truly dead? If so, had his work computer been wiped clean of all evidence?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the shrill sound of the phone ringing.

Hello. Miss Lane? It’s Eugene.

Instantly alert, Lois replied, “Eugene, that was fast! What do you have for me?”

Eugene sounded disappointed as he replied, That’s just it. I don’t have anything for you. I gotta say, this is a blow to my professional pride.

“What? Why?” She asked.

I was able to locate their network. They are using Windows 95. It is an easy operating system to crack, but without the IP address, I was unable to locate Kraft’s device.

She closed her eyes and thought about Ken Janney, The Daily Planet’s former head of IT. How she missed his computer expertise! “Do they have it behind a, uh what is it called? Firewall or something?”

Not necessarily. It could be something as simple as the computer itself is turned off. It would require an ‘on hands’ inspection to determine that. So, since we can’t get at it, my job is done. Sorry. The relief in Laderman’s voice could be felt over the phone.

Lois thought for a second and then said, “Paul and I will be by to pick you up at nine o’clock. We will go take a look. RoxxTen isn’t a high-security building so this will be a piece of cake.”

She could hear his voice rise an octave when he said, How do you know it’s not a high-security building?

Not wanting to blow her partner’s cover she said, “Mr. Talmadge has resources which have revealed that. Come on, help us out!”

Eugene grumbled, This is crazy! I should be sitting at Lugano’s with Polly, having a glass of vino, and eating black fettuccine with lobster sauce. Oh, all right! I’ll get what I need together and be ready when you get here. With my luck, we’ll probably find a dead body.

Rolling her eyes, Lois said, “Don’t be so dramatic! We’ll see you in half an hour. Thanks, Eugene.”

Hanging up the phone, she quickly dialed Paul and heard Bad Company’s song Bad Company playing in the background. She winced, thinking his musical tastes had not improved much in five years. Once he answered she said, “Hey, Talmadge, I’ve got good news and bad news.”

“Oh yeah? What’s the bad news?”

“Eugene couldn’t hack RoxxTen’s computer system.”

She heard a quick intake of breath and he asked cautiously, “The good news?”

“Road trip! We are going to hack into Elden Kraft’s computer at the RoxxTen building.”

Talmadge sounded chagrined and said, “That’s what I was afraid you were going to say. Lane, what you’re planning is called breaking and entering, which is illegal! And since I am really FBI, I might have to arrest myself if I participate.”

Lois rolled her eyes while slipping on a pair of black loafers to match her black turtleneck and jeans. “Oh, come on, Paul. We are not breaking the law, just bending it a little. Elden is a person of interest, right? Any information we get that can track him down or put him behind bars is a good thing.”

“No. This escapade of yours is going to lead to more trouble than it’s worth.”

“Seriously? Is this your idea of keeping an eye on me? Be ready when I get there!”

“I ought to have my head examined.”

“Everything will work out… You’ll see.”

She hung up and pulled out a black backpack, filled it with various ‘tools’ for this kind of caper, grabbed her keys, and left the apartment.

A familiar frisson of anticipation ran through her body, almost akin to joy. She hadn’t done anything like this since Clark’s … departure. Now with a couple of reluctant partners, she was going to do a little ‘undercover’ work. With a jaunty smile and the taste of salty tears touching dry lips, Lois, rather than taking the elevator, ran downstairs flung open the door, and felt the caress of cold air on her face. She grinned and ran down the steps and onto the street towards the Silver Jeep, delighted about this latest adventure.  

As you may remember, we added a new category two years ago to the Kerths—Best Fanart! This new category honors the artists among us. Any original piece of fanart – banners, posters, trailers, music videos, Kerth presentation speeches – made and shared publicly in 2024 is eligible.

And did you notice?? We added Kerth presentation speeches to this category description! For anyone who's been to a Kerth ceremony or read the transcript, you know that the presentations are always either entertaining, "awwwww" worthy, or both! We wanted to acknowledge the creativity and willingness it takes to create a speech for the ceremony.

We recognize that each of these types of fanart involves completely different skill sets and that the time and effort spent on a music video is vastly different than that spent on a graphic. In a perfect world, they would definitely be two separate categories. Our hope is that by including a general category like this, we will encourage more submissions in the future, hopefully enough to split it into multiple categories.

As for eligibility, Everything posted on the Lois and Clark Fanfic Message Boards in 2024 is automatically eligible. If you have posted or shared publicly (in 2022) any fanart that is NOT here, you MUST OPT-IN. Because this is new and not all FoLCs may be used to posting their fanart here on the MBs anymore, we are giving everyone until next Friday, February 28th to opt-in for eligibility.


So... please please please let me know what I'm missing!! Does someone do cool edits on TikTok or gif sets on Tumblr?


This is a working list and subject to updates!

Music Video by Aurore: I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston

Music Video by lovetvfan: Dream Worth Keeping by Sheena Easton (from the Fern Gully soundtrack)

Music Video by Krista: Elevator Shenannigans, a compilation to Stricken by No Doubt

TikTok Videos by 90stvfangirl: Several short, themed compilation videos

Graphics by Carrie Rene: 2024 Kerth Nominee Banners

Graphics by Carrie Rene: 2024 Kerth Winner Banners

Kerth Presentation Speeches from the 2024 Kerth Awards Ceremony

• Best Micro-Short Story (1-5kb) by Toomi
• Best Super-Short Story (6-10kb) by Bakasi
• Best Short Story (11-50kb) by Toomi
• Best Mid-Length Story (51-200kb) by Morgana
• Best Long Story (201+kb) by JadedEvie
• Best Comedy Story by Bakasi
• Best Dramatic Story by Morgana
• Best Waffy Story by JadedEvie
• Best Revelation by JadedEvie
• Best Episode Adaptation by AnnaBTGreek
• Best Elseworlds/AU Story by Darth Michael
• Best Kiss by Toomi
• Best Original Character/Supporting Character by Carrie Rene
• Best Challenge Response by JadedEvie
• Best Nfic by Darth Michael
• Best New Author by Toomi
• Best Overall Story by lovetvfan
• Best Original Fanart by AnnaBTGreek
• Best Commenter/Feedback Giver by Morgana

________________________________________________

Have a question? Ask it here! Or you can PM any of the K-Com members or reach out on Discord too! You can also send an email to us here: Kcom@kerthawards.com

In order to help you find all things Kerth for this year, we’ve created a TOC for all the 🏆TOC for Kerth Awards 2025 Posts🏆.

The Kerth Committee
(KSaraSara, Michael, lovetvfan, and Evie)

Welcome to the 2025 Kerth Quiz: Best Kiss

SPIFFY DISCLAIMER THINGY!: All the stories featured in this quiz qualify for the Best Kiss in a Story, but this quiz is not a stamp of recommendation for nomination. There are more fantastic stories which qualify for this category, but this quiz only covers 7 randomly chosen ones.
(Instructions are blatantly copied/linked from previous Kerth Quizzes.)

RECOMMENDATIONS: Don't forget that recommendations for other favorite eligible stories are *very* welcome and encouraged! So don't forget to add these in a section after your guesses!

QUIZ RULES: One point each for getting the story and author from the quote. Plus, shiny gold stars for those who recognize their own stories. Please don't forget to mention which number you're answering. Rule recap: Open hard drive and open boards (+AO3!), *don't* forget to snip out the excerpts in your replies, and don't forget the spoiler tag when you post in the replies thread.
CATEGORY: “Since the invention of the kiss there have been five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind.” Which kiss left them all behind this year?

The DEADLINE for entries for this quiz is SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2025, by 11:59 p.m (Eastern Time Zone).

Here’s the full list of Eligible Stories.

Here are the full quiz instructions: Countdown to Kerth Quizzes Extended Instructions and Disclaimers.

Please post your answers HERE.

Good luck!
Evie

__________________________


EXCERPT #1:
She stood from the bale. “Come on, Farm Boy,” she said offering him her hand. “It’s time we got some sleep.”

Clark went down the ladder first and stood at the bottom in case Lois needed assistance. She came down easily and jumped to the ground, turning towards him.

And almost into his raised arms.

She stopped. He stopped.

She smiled. He smiled.

She… or maybe he… leaned forward.

And suddenly, they were kissing.

Not light. Not quick. Not meaningless.

Full. And rich. And deep.

As the dam broke inside him, Clark’s arms surrounded her and enclosed her against his body.

His mind went to mush, except for the only thought that mattered. Lois was responding to his kisses.

Lois was kissing him! Just as fully. Just as richly. Just as deeply.

And then, she lurched away, turning from him.

He stared at her back for a long moment, trying to catch his flyaway breath, still his thundering heart, and quell the rampant fear that he had ruined everything.

At last, she turned. Slowly. And faced him.

Her expression was unreadable. Her eyes cannoned into his.


EXCERPT #2:
He dipped his head and kissed her.

Lois felt herself falling into the kiss. His mouth was warm and firm against hers. Her adrenaline had been fading since Henderson had shown up. Immediate danger over, she’d pushed herself to uphold the brave facade to contain the kryptonite. But Lex’s memory and Nigel’s threats had shaken her. Superman rarely kissed her in plain view of the world, even as alone as they were now, behind an abandoned warehouse and covered by night, so he must have sensed that they’d both needed the connection.

The kiss was comforting.

And electric.

Her pulse sped up and she leaned into it.

He felt her deepen the kiss and felt his control slip in the same instant. His arms slid fully around her again, drawing her closer to him as proof that she was still sound and alive in his arms. The thought sent a thrill through him, and he slid a hand into her hair, cradling her head with primal possessiveness.

She inhaled on a gasp as he began to trail erratic kisses down the side of her neck, languorously teasing her pulse point. In an automatic response, she rocked her hips against his.

Her movement against his body sent a rush down through his pelvis to his toes. He couldn’t catch his breath and he didn’t care.

His mouth moved down across her neck until it met the line of her shirt collar, and he ran his other hand up her side and over her shoulder to tug it aside. He kissed her skin beneath the fabric, feeling her fingers digging sharply into his back beneath the cape.

A siren pierced the surrounding darkness.

They paused, brought back to a world that held more than just the two of them.


EXCERPT #3:
“I can’t promise you that nothing will happen to me,” Lois told him, drawing a somewhat shaky breath. “But I can promise you that you don’t have to be strong by yourself. That’s the point. I’m scared of losing you too, but I refuse to let fear stand in the way of being happy. And you make me so happy. I’ve never had that before. Not like this. I need you. Don’t you know that by now?”

He hadn’t. Not really. The force of her words slammed into him like a wave. He knew she loved him. She’d told him and shown him, but he’d never really realised that she needed him the same way he needed her. He felt his throat tighten and fought back the emotions that threatened.

“I guess I just needed to hear it,” he admitted. “Everything is so new. Falling in love…planning a wedding…being vulnerable. Somehow you are both my weakness and my strength and I’m having a hard time figuring out how to handle that.”

“I understand,” she told him, and somehow he believed her. “We can figure it out together. I’m right here.”

She leaned close again and kissed him softly. It was a gesture of comfort and one he sorely needed. Yet, even as she began to pull away, he knew he needed more. Reaching out, he pulled her into his lap, deepening the kiss. Every nerve ending in his body came to life as she returned the depth of the kiss, her body flush against him in a way that felt…dangerous.

But she didn’t pull back. Instead, she settled into the kiss, straddling him as their tongues danced against one another and running her fingers through his hair with an urgency that felt contagious. They’d been careful with one another ever since the near miss inside the virtual reality simulation. Both of them were aware that, whenever they touched, things had the possibility of going from a spark to a flame within a matter of seconds, and right now they were playing with fire.


EXCERPT #4:
So, what do you say, Farm-boy? You want to get your first kiss in a few years early with the girl you know you’re going to marry instead of some stuck-up cheerleader?”

Clark leaned back into the couch. “L-Lois…”

She leaned in closer. “Kiss me, Clark.”

He hesitated just a moment longer and then reached up to cup her cheek and draw her in the last few inches. Their lips pressed together for a few short moments. It wasn’t anything like the kisses they had shared before – when they were adults. It was short and simple and… sweet. And, as far as first kisses go, it was absolutely perfect. Because it was Clark.

As he pulled away, Lois smiled and bit her lip, feeling her cheeks warm. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Clark whispered, his hand still lingering on her face and his thumb gently stroking her cheek.

Suddenly, the sound of someone clearing their throat came from behind and the two teenagers sprung apart, Clark’s hand dropping abruptly to his own lap. They both spun to see Martha Kent standing in the doorway between the living room and the kitchen.

“Mom!” Clark exclaimed, his eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights. "How long have you been standing there?"

Martha set her hands on her hips and eyed the teens disapprovingly. "Longer than you'd like"


EXCERPT #5:
My heart starts thudding hard in my chest, as if it’d had stopped and just now remembered it was supposed to be beating. The air catches in my lungs again as his eyes meet mine just briefly, then he takes a halting breath and drops his gaze. I watch him reach down to take my hands in his—they’re warm, and trembling slightly—and he raises them to his lips, brushing a few gentle kisses against my knuckles.

What’s left of the air in my lungs rushes out, and I take a shuddering breath. He still hasn’t spoken, but his head lifts again. And this time when our eyes meet, he nods, just slightly, as though he’s just as scared as I am in this moment.

Clark’s gaze flits down to my mouth and back as he leans in, slowly still, closing the impossibly short distance between us now. And when his lips meet mine, my heart starts to flutter wildly, like a whole kaleidoscope of butterflies soaring into the air. It’s the first time he’s kissed me for real, and god, it feels so real, so true, so…comfortable and reassuring and heartfelt.

I whimper lightly as he pulls away, my body clamoring of its own accord that the kiss ended far too quickly. But I don’t agree, because I’m desperate to look in Clark’s eyes and see the warmth and the truth of my choice staring back at me. I’m tempted to get lost there, in the deep pools that seem to hold only love and tenderness for me, and a healthy edge of desire.

“What now?” I whisper, almost hesitant to break this moment that surrounds us.

His hand comes up to cup my cheek, and his touch is gentle and affectionate, but a little timid too. There’s warmth when he smiles, though, probably because it’s so familiar to the both of us. “You pick a movie?”

I laugh lightly, half from relief at the way the tension so suddenly left the room. I didn’t realize there had been any left. But of course there was. This was new, brand-new and delicate, whatever was next between us.


EXCERPT #6:
“I was suddenly faced with a future that wasn’t so planned and perfect anymore. There would be this big gaping hole in my life where you had been, and I couldn’t figure out where I should go from there.”

He felt his stomach twist. Lois was admitting to him that she cared for him in a way he’d longed for since he’d met her, but he realized the pain and trauma she’d gone through to get to that revelation was now based on a lie, and he felt the need to tell her now before he burst.

“But now you’re here, you’re really here.”

He was desperately tired, his mind full of what Lois had just admitted, along with the weight of what he had to tell her, but the sparks of delight that fired up and down his skin as she lightly plucked at the bits of cake and cement that were stuck to his shirt, just about short circuited his mind. He stared at her, his mouth slightly agape.

She ceased touching him and he could see doubt creeping into her expression as he remained silent and motionless. He reached out and gently captured her hand in one of his, watching as her downcast eyes returned to meet his.

“I am,” he said in response. “I am really here. But there’s something I have to tell you.”

“It doesn’t matter, Clark. I’m just so happy you’re here.”

She leaned towards him and moving on autopilot he reciprocated, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss. Within moments his fingers were threading through her hair, while his other hand reached for her waist, pulling them closer together. He couldn’t believe this was actually happening, right when he thought he had to give all of this up.

After a few more glorious moments of kissing Lois, Clark pulled back, leaving one hand at her waist, while tucking the mussed hair behind her ear with the other.


EXCERPT #7:
Before she could talk herself out of it, Lois took a brush and a small bucket of paint. “Okay, then, let's get started.”

He grinned at her. “So, does this count as doing normal things together? I thought that painting a room would be well past the dating stage.”

It was their usual friendly banter, with an added note of something more. Lois’ heart fluttered. How did he manage to make something as mundane as painting sound romantic? The mere thought of moving in with him one day sent an inexplicable rush of excitement through her. And the warm gleam in his eyes let her believe that he was picturing the same.

As he looked at her, his gaze so full of love, she was painfully aware of his presence. His lips were only inches from hers. She could feel the whiff of his breath. The air seemed to crackle with electricity, sparks flying as they drowned in each other’s eyes. Her whole body ached to close the distance and forget about painting altogether.

Without thinking, she dipped the brush into the paint and colored his nose in cream white.

“Getting cheeky, are we, farmboy?”

He laughed. Then his lips were suddenly on hers, warm and pliant. His tongue darted forward, teasing, caressing…. She moaned into his mouth as he wapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Heat shot through her belly and her desire for him flared. The world around her faded, reduced to the taste of his lips, the sweetness of his kiss and the heat of his body setting her on fire.

The brush threatened to slip from her hand, but he pulled back just in time. As the world swam into focus, Lois felt something sticky on her cheek.

Cream white paint, she realized.

“Turn-about’s fair play.” A wicked smile crossed his lips, then he snatched a paint roll that was lying in a corner of the room.



Good luck, everyone!
________________________________________________


Have a question? Ask it here! Or you can PM any of the K-Com members or reach out on Discord too! You can also send an email to us here: Kcom@kerthawards.com

In order to help you find all things Kerth for this year, we’ve created a TOC for all the 🏆TOC for Kerth Awards 2025 Posts🏆.

The Kerth Committee
(KSaraSara, Michael, lovetvfan, and Evie)

So many stories, so little time! (Is anyone else like way busier and overwhelmed these days?? 🫠🥴) Now is the time to catch up on our reading before Kerth nominations begin.

Authors, this is your chance to pitch the stories you wrote this year to readers who might have missed them when they were originally posted!

Please post ONE reply with a list of your favorite things you wrote in 2024. Then give us 1-3 sentences each to tell us what makes it special. It doesn’t have to just be a summary of the plot – it’s okay to tell us what you like about your story! Are you proud of your shocking revelation twist? Do you think your Perry or Jimmy kicks ass and you had SO much fun writing Martha? Is your story so full of WAFFy goodness that it promises to melt even the iciest of hearts? This is your chance to say so!

Important note: We’d like this thread to serve as a year in review guide written by the authors, so readers please don’t reply to these posts. This will help us keep the thread easy to navigate and keep story pitches from getting buried in conversation. We’ll have a separate thread where readers can chime in and tell us what they loved this year! Any reader feedback posted here, will be moved to the Reader’s Year in Review.

________________________________________________

Have a question? Ask it here! Or you can PM any of the K-Com members or reach out on Discord too! You can also send an email to us here: Kcom@kerthawards.com

In order to help you find all things Kerth for this year, we’ve created a TOC for all the 🏆TOC for Kerth Awards 2025 Posts🏆.

The Kerth Committee
(KSaraSara, Michael, lovetvfan, and Evie)

Hey FoLCs,

Here’s the latest chapter of my story, FDK can go below and as always: thanks to Evie for her amazing help.

Chapter 6

We are in a time where making a bad decision will affect how you live for the rest of your life.

Inside the building, I step into the guarded elevator that leads to Lex’s penthouse. The air is thick - too thick - tainted with the cloying scent of expensive cologne and something sharper, something sterile. The plush velvet walls feel suffocating, closing in like the jaws of a trap. The hum of machinery vibrates beneath my feet and with every passing second, the ascent feels slower, more deliberate, as if the elevator itself is conspiring against me.

The doors slide open and I can hear him approaching.

Lex stands in the center of his lavish study, exuding power, his polished veneer hiding the rot beneath. His eyes lock onto mine, sharp, assessing.

“So,” he says, voice smooth as silk, a serpent’s caress, “how was the retirement dinner?”

“Painful,” I manage, my pulse hammering as his hand ghosts over my back.

A chill races through me. I have to stop this. Stop him.

“I’m sorry! I wish there was something I could do.” His words drip with sympathy, but I know better. I know what he is and I know what he’s planning.

The scent of cedarwood and patchouli coils around me, thick and suffocating. I can almost taste the deception in the air, bitter like betrayal, metallic like blood.

And yet, my past self leans in, oblivious, whispering, “Lex, do you share everything about yourself? Even those things you don’t want anyone else to know?”

I want to scream, to shake some sense into her, to make her listen to me.

His brows lift in feigned surprise, but it lasts only a second before he smiles - calculated, controlled. The game has begun. A game I know now is rigged from the start.

“Yes, dear.” I flinch. The words feel like chains wrapping around my throat. “My life is an open book. Shall I read it to you?”

I have to stop this.

“Tell me how you became the third richest man in the world.” My past self doesn’t know the weight of those words.

And if I can’t warn her - you’re as good as dead.

“Okay.” Lex tilts his head slightly, as if carefully curating his next words. “I started with nothing. Orphaned at thirteen.”

I stiffen inwardly. I wouldn’t put it past him to have orchestrated that tragedy himself, even at such a young age.

“It made me lonely, but strong.” His voice is measured, calculated, each pause deliberate. “I’m no saint, Lois. I’ve done questionable things in pursuing success.”

Questionable? The word is laughable. I know better. I have seen what he’s done, what he’s capable of.

“Unfortunately, that’s the nature of big business.” His gaze drifts, just for a second, his expression softening into something almost wistful. As if reminiscing about the carnage he’s left in his wake.

Oblivious to my struggle, my past self is still in control, still blind to the nightmare unfolding around her. Panic claws at my chest, cold and suffocating. This can’t happen again.

Please, don’t make me say yes, I beg silently. But I don’t think my past self can’t hear me.

Lex rises, crosses the room. He moves with the same calculated grace as always, but I know what’s coming. The ring. The chocolates. The illusion of love wrapped in wealth and deception.

“But as God is my witness,” he swears, his voice rich with feigned conviction, “I will change. I no longer want to hurt anyone.”

Liar.

He strides to his desk, retrieves a small velvet box and a selection of truffles. The contrast is jarring - something so sweet and warm in the hands of a man so cold.

Lex turns back to me, his presence looming, his scent - cedarwood and patchouli - twisting in my lungs like a noose.

“Lois, I’m ready to devote my life to you,” he murmurs, sinking onto one knee. “To commit to you utterly and eternally.”

The sensation washes over me again - that eerie, pricking awareness of being watched. I felt it the first time too, back when I was naïve enough to believe in Lex’s carefully constructed lies. But then I pushed it aside, disappointed and hurt by the memory of Superman rejecting me.

I force a smile, but my mind is a battlefield.

“Will you marry me?”

The words hang in the air, a blade poised to drop.

I watch him, watch the diamond glint beneath the chandelier’s light. This ring isn’t a promise - it’s a shackle. A symbol of everything I lost. Everything I will lose again if…

My eyes flicker to the chocolates, to the memories of Clark. A lifeline. Please, I beg my past self. Feel this. Remember.

She hesitates. A miracle.

“Lex… I appreciate your proposal,” she says, her voice steady but softer than I remember. “And your willingness to wait for me to work through my feelings. After the Daily Planet was destroyed… it’s still so much to process.”

A shift. A deviation. I feel it like a crack in fate itself.

His smile falters - just for a fraction of a second - before slipping back into place, practiced and polished but just a fraction too tight. Lex studies me closely. He wasn’t expecting this. He can sense the hesitation, the waver in my past self’s resolve.

“Lois, my dear,” he says smoothly, adapting, adjusting, controlling. He places the ring in my palm, his fingers curling mine around it. “Take this. Put it under your pillow tonight. I’m sure you’ll see the right answer clearly in the morning.”

He leans in, pressing a kiss to my cheek. My skin crawls.

His voice dips, a whisper laced with unspoken warning. “Lois, I know I’ve made mistakes, but I want to make things right. For us.”

A pause.

“Take your time. I’ll expect your call in the morning.”

His patience is an illusion. A trap. A silken thread binding me tighter to a fate I can’t let repeat. I barely hear him over the sound of my own heart pounding.

I changed something. It’s not enough. Not yet. But it’s something.

It’s hope.

The weight of my past decisions presses down on me, suffocating. Lex’s words are a knife twisting in my gut, sharpened by regret. I have seen too much, endured too much. The future me knows better.

The ring feels heavy like a chain disguised as devotion.

My thoughts drift to you, Clark. With every heartbeat, I whisper a silent apology, praying - desperately - that somewhere, somehow, you can forgive me.

The penthouse, with its towering windows and gleaming perfection, has never felt more like a gilded cage. I have made my choice. The die is cast. Now I must survive the game I’ve entered, a game of power, secrets, and unseen dangers.

And then…

A shift in the air. A presence I know before I even see it.

I sense you nearby. My gaze flickers toward the window, and there - just barely - a sliver of red, the unmistakable edge of a cape against the night.

It’s you, Clark.

You are hovering, watching. Not close enough to be easily seen, but I feel you. This time, I am not distracted by Lex’s performance. I see you.

Then, you throw your head back and streak into the sky.

I don’t know where you’re going. But I know the instant you leave and then something inside me twists, sharp and sudden, like a thread snapping in the dark.

Agony - raw and overwhelming - tears through me. A soundless scream, not heard but felt, cutting through my soul like shattering glass. I have never experienced anything like it. Your pain, your fury, your heartbreak - so vast, so utterly lost.

It is your scream, Clark. And it destroys me.

I want to find you, to wrap my arms around you and swear that I will never marry this man, to beg forgiveness for the torment I’ve put you through.

Mercifully, I leave soon after the proposal, but the weight of my own choices clings to me like a second skin. How could I have been so blind? So shallow? How did I mistake Lex for something he could never be - and fail to see the depth, the quiet strength, the sheer goodness of the man I once thought was only my friend?

The door to Lex’s penthouse closes behind me with a finality that echoes in my bones.

Silence swallows me whole.

Outside, the city sprawls beneath me, its lights blinking like scattered stars, each one a life unfolding in the shadow of my mistakes. I press my forehead to the cool glass, my reflection staring back - a stranger bound by regrets, trapped by choices she can’t unmake.

And still, in the quiet of the night, your scream lingers.

I squeeze my eyes shut and imagine myself in your arms - safe, cherished, home. The memory of your warmth wraps around me, a fleeting balm against the chaos inside. But it is a ghost, slipping through my fingers like sand, dissolving into nothing.

How could I have been so foolish? How did I mistake Lex’s power for the quiet, unshakable strength that you possess?

But it’s not too late.

Because I am still Lois Lane. Tenacious. Fearless. Free.

And when the day comes - when I stand before you, unshackled from Lex’s grasp - I will look into your eyes and tell you what my heart has known all along.

That it is you, Clark Kent.

My best friend.

My home.

My everything.

T. B. C.

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It’s Ficlet Friday again!

Here’s another installment for my Try Not to Change Anything series. This one is in response to 2025 Kerth challenge # 2.

Kerth Challenge #2: You've Got Mail Challenge!

Something happens to the Daily Planet computers when the powers that be attempt to add an instant messaging system to the Daily Planet computers. It works, but with one hiccup -- you can send a message to anyone in the office, but they can't see where it came from.

When Lois starts receiving messages from someone in the office, she is intrigued.

When Clark initially sends his first message, he doesn't intend to remain anonymous, but there is something freeing in being able to express himself to Lois this way.

Take it from there....

Okay, super specific prompt here. I had to think on this one for a bit to make it fit with the series. Ended up writing a fluff-piece song fic. This takes place just after this timeline’s version of GGGOH, obviously with some changes from the original. Song lyrics in this one are not my own. Credit at the end. Enjoy!

I’m Sorry

They’d argued about it all the way back from Smallville – from the rental to the plane to the taxi. They never should have gone, she said. He shouldn’t have been anywhere near there. He knew what was there. It was too risky. He could have been killed. She could have lost him!

Why couldn’t he understand that?!

Lois opened the bottom drawer of her desk and tossed her purse in with a huff. She’d dropped her suitcase off at home and then gone straight to the Planet. They’d had a morning flight and there was still plenty of light left in the day. She could at least keep her mind busy thinking about her next story instead of reliving those terrifying moments back in Smallville.

It was different this time – it always was. They’d known exactly what was going on over at the Irig farm. Clark had even avoided being exposed to Kryptonite the first time. Lois had asked him why he hadn’t found a way to find and get rid of the stuff before then. How could something as serious as kryptonite have actually slipped his mind? Men!

She turned on her computer and waited impatiently for it to load. Just then, she heard the elevator ding and looked up to see the object of her ire step out. She quickly averted her eyes. Of course he would decide to come in today as well.

He’d decided not to go in as Superman – why give Trask what he wanted? He shouldn’t have gone in at all. He should have let her do the snooping. She could have gathered the evidence they needed to involve the sheriff and Trask would have been arrested . Clark could have stayed far away where he was safe.
But he hadn’t.

The Kryptonite weakened him, made him vulnerable. But that didn’t stop him from jumping in front of her when Trask pulled his gun. The sheriff wasn’t there this time to stop him.

When he fired… it was like that other time, at the night club with Bonnie and Clyde. It was so long ago but the memories came back clear as yesterday. She’d thought he was dead then. This time he really might have been.

There was a new icon on the home screen of her computer – Interoffice Messenger. Lois frowned and clicked on the icon, then waited for the program to load.

Trask’s aim was off. But that didn’t stop the bullet from leaving a huge gash across Clark’s upper arm. It didn’t stop the blood from pooling around them. It didn’t stop Lois from realizing how close she’d come to losing the man she’d loved for more than eighteen years. And it didn’t stop her from being mad at him for taking such a stupid risk.

Her computer chimed and a message popped up on her screen.

SYSTEM MESSAGE: You have a new message.

She clicked on the button.

########: Everybody needs a little time away from each other.

Lois blinked at the strange message and the bizarre lack of sender name. She glanced around the room to see who might have sent it and her eyes landed on Clark. He was flipping through his rolodex and didn’t seem to be paying any mind to his computer at all.

Looking back at her screen, Lois wondered how she ought to reply. The message seemed so random, though there was something vaguely familiar about the words. Was it even meant for her?

Before she could come up with a response, her computer chimed again.

########: Even lovers need a holiday far away from each other.

“What?” Lois asked out loud. “What is this?”

“You alright, Lois?” Jimmy asked, pausing by her desk.

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just this new message program. I keep getting messages but it doesn’t say who they are from.”

“Oh yeah. Everyone’s having that problem. It’s a simple fix. I can do it for you if you want,” Jimmy offered.

“That’d be great. Thanks Jimmy.”

Jimmy leaned over to fix the problem, but before he could do anything, Perry barked from his office. “Jimmy! Where are those photos I sent you to get?”

Jimmy stood up quickly. “I’m on it, Chief! Sorry, Lois. I’ll have to get back to you.” Then he dashed off again leaving Lois to continue pondering her mystery messages, just as another one appeared.

########: Couldn't stand to be kept away, just for the day from your body.

Lois’ eyes flew open wide as she read the words. Once again, she looked up at Clark but he was talking on the phone now. But who else would send her something so intimate? And why were the words so familiar?

She decided to find out.

MadDogLane: Who is this?

########: Wouldn't wanna be swept away, far away from the one that I love.

It’s a song! Lois realized suddenly. She was pretty sure this one had played at her senior prom.

########: Hold me now. It's hard for me to say I'm sorry. I just want you to know.

Sorry… he’s sorry. Lois returned her gaze to Clark and, this time, found him staring straight at her, his dark eyes sad and sorrowful. It is him

Her computer chimed again.

########: Hold me now. I really wanna tell you I'm sorry. I could never let you go.

Lois bit her lip. This had to be the strangest apology she’d ever received. It might have worked better if it was actually sung but then… Clark can’t sing.

########: After all that we've been through, I will make it up to you. I promise to.

Lois couldn’t help but smile. They had been through so much together. They’d made it through some crazy obstacles. And they were so close now – so close to that perfect ending they’d begun sixteen years ago.

########: And after all that's been said and done, you're just a part of me, I can't let go.

They were parts of each other – two halves of a whole. He needed her as much as she needed him. That’s why he did stupid things like jumping in front of a bullet for her when he wasn’t invulnerable. As much as she couldn’t bare to lose him – he couldn’t bare to lose her either.

“You’re gonna be the lucky one,” Clark whispered in her ear the final words to the song. Lois spun around to find him standing behind her, a single rose in his hand. Lois took it slowly and held it up to her nose, smelling its fragrance as she contemplated his apology.

“I am sorry, Lois.” Clark continued softly so as to not be overheard. “I never wanted to scare you or to worry you. I can’t promise that I’ll never to anything like that again because I will do everything in my power to keep you safe. I love you.”

Lois couldn’t help but smile at his words. He did love her. And she loved him. She really couldn’t stay angry at him for long.

“I love you, too,” she said. She reached up on tiptoe to give him a quick kiss and then patted his chest. “Come on. We’d best stop playing around with the messenger and get this story written up or Perry will have our hides.”

Song lyrics: Hard to Say I’m Sorry by Chicago

Mad Dog Lane Story 2 of 2

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Mad Dog Lane Story 1 of 2

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

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I’m a day late again, I’m sorry… everything is crazy at the moment. 🫣

Chapter 5

In the garden of memory, in the palace of dreams, that is where you and I will meet.

The chandeliers cast a golden glow over the guests, their laughter a symphony of ignorance to the danger lurking just beyond the present. I navigate through the crowd, while my attention is locked on the entrance, awaiting your arrival with bated breath.

The air crackles with anticipation as I stand at the designated spot, my heart fluttering like a trapped bird. If I could, I’d bounce up and down like a child on Christmas morning. The need to see you and talk to you has become so strong it feels almost like a physical ache.

In my mind, I imagine what it would be like - grabbing you, pulling you somewhere private, feeling you, kissing you and telling you everything from Lex's plans for Superman to my feelings. There are so many things I need to share and waiting any longer feels unbearable.

However, this is Perry’s party and I need to act carefully. It would not do to be rude to him. The recent demise of the Planet has left him vulnerable. Yet, as the room fills with familiar faces, my eyes search for you, Clark Kent, the man who always protects me and captures my heart.

As you step into the room, the universe shrinks down to you and me. The months of longing, the ache of losing you, all compressed into one moment - I feel like a parched desert suddenly drenched by a life-giving rainstorm. I take in every one of your features, memorize them all anew.

Fate has granted me a second chance. You, my dear friend, are both a memory and miracle, standing before me.

And in that heartbeat, I believe in miracles.

I want to rush to you, to collapse into the sanctuary of your arms, but I'm rooted to the spot, unable to seize control. Frustration claws at my insides, I'm screaming internally, willing my body to obey, to move, to act. But it's like shouting into a void - no echo, no response.

The party swirls around us, faces and voices blending into insignificance. It's you and me, Clark, in a bubble of potential and peril.

I’m a paradox of motionless urgency.

If only I already knew when to seize control. Life and death hang in the balance, a secret known only to me.

As I watch you approach, it feels like an eternity of waiting has culminated in this moment.

Our conversation this morning showed me reality isn’t that simple. Those wounds are still raw. I know I need to weigh my words carefully.

The months without you changed me so much. My rejected love no longer stings; instead, anger at my own foolishness consumes me. As you draw nearer, the tension becomes almost unbearable. I can almost taste the moment of revelation on my tongue, the sweet, sharp tang of truth. But the words are trapped, prisoners behind the bars of my own making.

Following an uncharacteristically cold greeting we soon settle in a booth with Perry and Jimmy. I ignore the smalltalk, let my past self handle the situation. Instead my focus is on you.

We’re side by side now and the warmth of you is a torture all its own. I’m haunted by the memory of your touch, the strength and gentleness that define you. My heart yearns for these simple gestures - the warmth of your hand on my back, one of those smiles meant only for me.

I hope I haven’t erased it permanently.

My body remains unresponsive, like a marionette with cut strings. But I won’t surrender to this silent fate. Because, Clark, you’re more than my heart’s choice - you’re the world’s hope.

And in this silent struggle, I wish Wells were here, an ally to unravel this paralysis. But for now, I remain trapped.

I barely register Perry leaving with the belly dancer as I’m solely focused on you, planning what I can say to convince you.

Jimmy, ever the small-talk enthusiast, probes about my new job at LNN. As I hear myself deflecting, praising a TV station I secretly despise, my attention is on you. Clark, you’re still mired in our past exchanges - the park, your… no my apartment - the wounds are still raw.

I ask if we can talk alone. Perhaps this is my chance - to bridge the gap, to reveal what's been locked inside me.

The party’s laughter and chatter fade into a distant hum as I stand there. My gaze is locked on you.

"You’re ruining Perry’s retirement party!" My other self begins, using the same words I did.

This might be my chance, I have to fight!

"Me? I’m not the one gloating over my new job!" Your anger flares. But this time, I can’t let it spiral into familiar territory.

As I lean in I catch a whiff of your aftershave, the same one you wore when we were in the Lexor, its scent building a bridge between then and now. Your cologne reminds me of a forest after rain, clean and pine-scented, with earthy undertones. That scent always gotten to me, even before admitting to myself that you were more than a hack.

I let it envelop me, drawing strength to fight this invisible wall. The memories of your skin, the thrill of Superman’s spandex against my fingertips, the power beneath - remind me of what’s at stake.

“Clark, I need to tell…” My words hang, for a moment I‘m speechless as I didn’t anticipate this to work. “… you need to be careful! Lex is going to…”

“All you can talk about is your new life with Lex Luthor.” Disgust colors your expression, I don’t think you heard anything I said, except for the name Luthor. “You're afraid to face the truth - that Lex may be hiding what really happened at the Planet.”

My heart races. Lex, the shadow lurking over us. But this isn’t about him. It’s about us - about the feelings I’ve buried, the ache that refuses to fade. I want to scream, to shake you until you see beyond the surface. But here, in this fragile moment, I can only hope that my plea reaches you.

“I know,” I say ruefully, while you turn your back to me in frustration. When you can’t contain it anymore you start to pace. I want to stop you, turn you to face me again but my control is rapidly dwindling.

“CLARK!” I interrupt you, my voice cracking with desperation. The opportunity slips through my fingers like quicksand, leaving me grasping at nothing. The old me resurfaces, a shadow I can’t escape and with it, a wave of regret and self-loathing.

“You're talking about a man I trust and admire, someone who's always been truthful with me.” The realization of my blindness hits me like a sledgehammer, yet I’m imprisoned by the situation and my own past. “If you cared about me, you’d let me - help me - find happiness. I’ve landed a good job and someone wants to spend their life with me. What's wrong with that?” My heart pounds in my chest, each beat a painful reminder of the distance growing between us.

“Okay!” Your reply is sharp, anger simmering beneath the surface. “If that’s what you want, then... fine. Get in bed with the devil.” The bitterness in your voice cuts through me, leaving a sting that lingers.

My other self seethes with frustration, a storm brewing inside. “Fine…” The word is a whisper, barely audible, but it carries the weight of my inner turmoil.

“Let's return to the party,” you snap, your words cutting through the air like a knife. The tension between us is palpable, a heavy cloud that hangs over every interaction.

“And have a really good time,” my other self adds, dripping with sarcasm. Inwardly, I sigh in defeat.

Throughout the evening, my attention remains glued to you. Tears threaten to spill, but are they mine or hers? The confusion only adds to my anguish.

I ache for your touch, your presence. Life teases me, granting you back, but keeping you just out of reach. The longing is a constant ache, a reminder of what I can’t have.

As the evening wears on, I become acutely aware of time slipping away. Each second, each heartbeat brings us closer to the moment I dread. The anticipation is a slow torture, each tick of the clock drives

I watch as you laugh with Jimmy, your easy camaraderie a stark contrast to the turmoil churning between us. The sight of your smile, so effortless and genuine, twists the knife deeper.

All too soon, the party ends. Dread settles in my stomach like a lead weight as my mind drifts to the last event of this day. The thought of facing Lex fills me with a sense of impending doom, a cold shiver running down my spine.

By the time the party ends, I’ll need your and Jimmy’s help to get Perry into the waiting limousine. Once again, it’s both torture and heaven being near you - without any control over my actions or words.

Jimmy follows, but you remain adamant in your refusal to ride with us.

As the car door thuds shut, sealing me within Lex’s gilded cage, a wave of irony crashes over me. How could I have been so naïve? How did I not notice the strings attached to every polished surface, every smooth ride? Your warnings, once dismissed as jealousy or paranoia, now echo with a clarity that chills me to the bone.

The coolness of the leather seat is a stark contrast to the heat of my turmoil. The soft hum of the engine is a lullaby of false security, masking the storm within. My mind races, replaying the evening, the missed opportunities, the words left unsaid. The distance between us, once merely physical, now feels like an abyss I fear I cannot cross.

As the limousine glides away, I catch a glimpse of your retreating figure, a lone sentinel against the city’s glow.

I’m left with the echoes of what could have been, the haunting melody of a future slipping further away with each passing second.

As the limousine reaches Lex Tower, my heart flutters wildly, a caged bird desperate for escape. This is the day I promise Lex I’ll marry him. Stepping out of the car, it feels like I’m walking toward my own execution, or perhaps something even worse: yours.

The towering structure looms above me, its cold, glassy exterior reflecting the ominous feeling turmoil within. Each step I take feels heavy, laden with the weight of my choices and the shadows of my doubts. Despite my attempts to fulfill my heart’s wish, I’ve already stumbled more than once on this mission. The path has been fraught with missteps and regrets, yet, I cling to hope, a fragile lifeline in this sea of uncertainty.

Determined, I steel myself against the rising tide of fear. I must find a way to avoid saying ‘yes’ to Lex. The thought of binding myself to him, of sealing my fate with a word, sends a shiver down my spine.

T. B. C.

Feedback can go below, thank you for reading.

Chapter 12

After thirty agonizing minutes, Lois was at her wit's end, continuing to talk to Clark, softly encouraging him, while checking his vital signs regularly. She monitored every heartbeat, hoping for a sign of consciousness.

Finally, she saw his eyelids flutter, and then Clark's eyes opened slightly, blurred and confused. The wave of relief that washed over her was instantaneous, her face lighting up with almost uncontrollable joy.

“Clark…” she murmured, a hopeful tear sliding down her cheek.

But seeing the pain reflected in his gaze, her joy quickly gave way to concern. Clark was trying to speak, his lips moving faintly, but no sound emerged—his throat too dry and weak to form words.

Lois immediately placed a finger gently on his lips, shaking her head with tenderness.
“Shh, Superman... Don’t say anything. It’s going to be okay. I’m here, and you’re safe now.”

She knew he wasn’t fully recovered yet, but just seeing him awake gave her the strength to keep going.

Determined to get water and food, Lois headed for the door and began pounding on it, hoping their captors would eventually respond. After all, it had been over twelve hours since they’d been locked in without any provisions. But no sound came from the other side. Silence reigned.

She banged harder, frustrated, before leaning against the door, disheartened. Then, a faint, raspy voice rose behind her:
“It’s no use…” murmured Clark, his breath short. “I... tied them up before coming to get you.”

Lois spun around abruptly, surprised that he had enough strength to speak, but more so by his words. She dropped her arms, torn between relief that their captors were neutralized and growing anxiety over being trapped in the room without outside help.
“Great…” she muttered, biting her lip, torn between irony and apprehension. “We’re stuck here, and if that door doesn’t open, we’ll starve or die of thirst.”

She returned to Clark, who seemed to be recovering slowly but was still too weak to be of much help. Lois’s mind raced, searching for a plan, an escape—anything to get them out of there before the lack of water or food became a real problem.

Lois knelt beside Clark, evaluating his condition.
“How are you feeling?” she asked softly.

Clark looked at her, visibly still weakened but conscious.
“I’ve been better, but I’m okay. Can you tell me what happened?”

Lois nodded and began recounting the events, explaining her abduction at the Daily Planet and the video call with Mindy Church.

“Mindy’s behind this?” Clark asked, his brows furrowing at the mention of Intergang’s leader.
“Yes, and she’s after you too. She used me as bait and prepared that kryptonite gas for you... but I still don’t fully understand her plan. If she wanted to kill us, she could’ve done it right away. Yet, she stopped the gas and gave us fresh air. And then she mentioned my appearance and something about national television… none of it makes sense.”

Clark was about to reply, but before he could utter a word, the television screen in the room suddenly flickered to life. Mindy Church’s image appeared, her smug smile and mocking tone sending a chill through Lois.

“Ah, Superman! I’m so thrilled you could join us,” Mindy said with exaggerated exuberance. “I was just telling Lois last night how much I looked forward to organizing a little party—with some… smoke effects—to welcome you.”

Clark’s gaze hardened as Lois clenched her fists, trying to keep her anger in check.
“What do you want, Mindy?” Clark asked, his tone firm but measured, despite the exhaustion weighing on him.

Mindy’s smile widened, her voice sweet yet laced with menace.
“Oh, Superman… I just want a show. You see, nothing grabs attention like a heroine and her hero, captured and desperate… and all of it broadcast live, of course. Viewers love that kind of drama. And I thought it’d be fun to show the world the truth. Superman isn’t the moral symbol he pretends to be. Beneath that cape is a bad boy. He’d rather spend time with women of… questionable reputation than save people in distress. And, of course, he’s having an affair with his best friend’s wife.”

Suddenly, the image on the screen changed, showing a photo of Clark leaning over Lois, performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Out of context, it appeared as though they were sharing a passionate kiss.

“Look at this picture,” Mindy continued triumphantly. “You’re so adorable, sneaking kisses in a luxurious hotel room.”

Lois felt fury rising within her as she saw the scene distorted to look like something entirely different, but she kept her composure.

Clark, still weak, frowned as he saw the manipulated image. He understood Mindy’s attempt to tarnish his name but couldn’t allow Lois to be dragged into this sordid ploy.

With difficulty but unwavering determination, he pushed himself upright, standing tall in front of the screen, adopting Superman’s characteristic stance. His gaze was icy, his tone firm:
“You want to ruin my reputation—that doesn’t surprise me. I suppose I’m interfering with your business. But what does Lois have to do with this?”

Mindy chuckled, her face glowing with smug satisfaction.
“Mr. Muscles,” she said mockingly, “you’re smarter than I thought. Don’t you see why I trapped your little girlfriend too?”
“She’s not my—”
“Tsk, tsk… no need to lie,” she interrupted with a sly smile. “We all know she’s special to you. And she’s just as much a nuisance to my business as you are. So I thought, why not kill two birds with one stone? You see, everything is perfectly planned. Isn’t my scheme brilliant?”

Clark’s gaze darkened further, while Lois, despite her calm exterior, seethed inwardly at Mindy’s manipulation.

Mindy continued, still mockingly cheerful:
“Well, I must go now to arrange your provisions. I can’t let you starve—that would be rude; you’re my guests, after all. And it seems I’ll need to find new staff, since you scared off the previous ones. That wasn’t very polite, Superman.”

She giggled again, savoring every word.
“Oh, and one more thing… behave yourselves. I still have plenty of smoke bombs, and I wouldn’t want to use them. Green doesn’t suit your complexion, Superman.”

The screen abruptly went dark, leaving Superman and Lois alone in the room.