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Chapter 6 Picking Up the Pieces

Feeling replenished after lingering for several long minutes in the high stratosphere where the sun’s beams were not blocked by the Earth’s rotation Superman headed back to the alley behind the Daily Planet. Not stopping in his flight he swooped down picking up the iconic globe in one graceful movement and seemingly floated it back up to the roof like a weightless bauble. He placed it back within the framework and proceeded to make the necessary repairs insuring it would never fall away so easily in the future. Floating back he admired the once again brightly lit spinning globe back where it surely belonged, on top of the Daily Planet Building. So fitting his second home should be graced with a symbol representing the planet he so dearly loved.

Next he headed for the ballpark and sought out the head of the crew still investigating the crash. A short time later he was working his way under the fuselage testing the metal to make sure it would not now disintegrate if he lifted it up and attempted to carry it away. The investigators and a few curious sightseers and news reporters gave him room and cheered him on in the brightly lit ballpark. Taking a deep breath he lifted the ravaged airship into the air.

People watching couldn’t help but wonder if he was straining slightly as the ship ascended and disappeared from view. After all, he had been mostly missing since he had lain near death in the hospital just the day before. Times had changed people now were worried about the wellbeing of their savior.

He continued working going where he was most needed until he decided his mother had had time to arrive home and get settled. Smiling he made good time and didn’t slow down until his boots touched down on the old wooden porch. She was anxiously waiting for him and practically knocked the picture album she had been looking at off the table as she jumped up to greet him as soon as he walked in the door.

Embracing him tightly she almost cried. “Don’t you ever do that to me again! What ever made you think you could lift that mountain of Kryptonite?”

Hugging her back feeling the comfort only a mother could provide, even a grown son he responded. “Mom, I’m sorry. I didn’t have any choice. I had to do it. I was as much responsible for that disastrous mess as Luthor. I had to clean it up.”

Martha shook her hand. “Clark, you are not responsible for what a madman does. He stole your property and he misused it. Enough said, I don’t want to talk about that monster anymore tonight? Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Mom, I told you already, I’m fine. Just a little sore, that’s all.”

She gave him one last inquiring look before giving up. “Well, I bet you’re hungry. I can make you some dinner while we talk.”

Clark smiled. “That would be nice. But first, how do you know about Jason?”

“All I had to do was use the two good eyes God gave me. It was like seeing you little all over again. A mother never forgets what her children look like especially the first time they see them.” Seeing the look on his face she pointed to the still open book on the table. “These have always been my favorite pictures of you. Jonathon took them the day after we found you.” She brushed her fingers lovingly over the images of a small boy sweetly smiling at the camera dressed in a blue t-shirt that dragged on the ground it was so big.

“These pictures are all that kept me sane those five long years you were gone. They are burned in my memory.” Clark looked from the pictures back up to her face that seemed to be almost glowing with love. “How could I not have seen you in that sweet little boy Lois carried at the hospital?”

They continued to talk as they prepared the meal together and then ate. Clark filled her in on all that had happened, how Jason had come to be and where things currently stood. Afterwards they cleaned up the kitchen still talking until he finally insisted he needed to go. Just before he left she pulled one of the pictures out of the book and handed it to him. “Give this to Lois. I’m sure she would love to have it.”

Smiling he answered, “I have a picture of Jason for you too. But I don’t have it with me now. I’ll bring it soon, promise.” Then smiling even broader, “If things work out the way I hope they do, maybe I’ll be able to bring him to meet his grandmother.” He kissed her cheek and disappeared.

Martha placed her hand on her heart as she felt rather than saw him leave. “That would make all my dreams, wishes and prayers come true.”



Superman spent most of the night doing what only he could, not stopping till he remembered he had to finish his other job before morning. Arriving at the office he worked alone in the dim bullpen. Quickly finishing what needed to be done and satisfied with the result he emailed a copy to Lois. At least keeping busy helped him keep his mind off her and if she and Richard were really going to allow him to continue to see his son now that they knew just who he was. He had faith that they would and determined to do whatever they asked to make it happen.

Taking his glasses off he wondered why he had even bothered with them in the solitude of the early morning hours. He pushed the keyboard away and settled his head in his arms finally surrendering to his exhaustion from the long day and night. Perhaps if he could just close his eyes for a few minutes he would be ready to start the new day fast approaching. Maybe even find an apartment. It felt so good to just close his eyes and let everything go… if only for a few minutes.



Perry White had always prided himself that even though he was the managing editor of a world renown newspaper he was always the first into the office and often the last to leave. He did not believe in ‘phoning it in’. He pulled up his sleeves and tried to be the kind of manager people could respect and know worked as hard for the things he believed in as they did.

That was why for the second day in a row he was surprised to find he was not the only one in the office when the doors opened onto the bullpen. What did please him though was that he was the only one awake. He walked up behind the sleeping form, head cradled on arms resting on top of a cramped desktop. Smiling, he unceremoniously cleared his throat sure it would startle the poor guy awake.

“Kent, have you been here all night?”

“Ah..wha..Oh, Mr. White… no, uh I came in early to finish and I guess…I umm fell asleep.” He had quickly come to his senses as he jerked his head up but made sure to squint his eyes then began rubbing them until he could retrieve his glasses.

“So what have you got?”

Acting like he was still half asleep he answered. “Well..uh… I need Lois’ final input first but it is almost completely written.”

“Good, I look forward to reading what you have. Now why don’t you go get yourself some coffee. It looks like you could use some.”



Over the next hour and a half reporters and staff workers filed in and soon the office was bustling. Every other person was buzzing about how Superman had been everywhere the night before. He was in one news report after another. Several were excited noting that he had even put the Daily Planet Globe back in place on the roof.

Richard and Lois arrived having dropped off Jason at his school. They both headed straight for Clark’s desk but found it empty. Lois looked around the room. “Jimmy, have you seen Clark?”

Jimmy looked up from his computer where he was cropping a picture he had just taken of the building that was sure to make it to the front page in the next edition. “What, he was just there a minute ago.” He quickly looked around the office and then shrugged.

“That’s alright, if you see him before we do, would you tell him we’re looking for him?”

“Sure, no problem,” he answered her then went back to work.

“By the way Jimmy, nice picture.” Lois said as Richard nodded agreement.

Jimmy looked back at them and smiled acknowledgement.

The two parted, Richard going to his office and Lois her nearby desk. She took off her jacket as her computer booted up then keyed in her password. She hesitated over the change password button then clicked on the email icon instead. Immediately pulling up the email from Clark she couldn’t help but notice it was sent at 3:52 AM. She read it quickly.

Lois,
I believe enough of the bases will be covered by this to keep everyone happy for a few days. Make any changes you want. Just let me check your spelling before you send it on to the Chief.
See attached
CK

Opening up the attachment she was immediately struck with the byline he had listed.

By Lois Lane and Clark Kent

Not only had he shared a byline with her on a story she had not even contributed to other than perhaps idea generation, but he had given her top billing. It took her a minute to get past that fact before she could move on to the article. She was impressed. It was flawless as far as she could tell it even had some of her trademark commentary. She was at a complete loss as to what it could possibly need added or changed.

Jimmy’s voice cut her concentration. “Phssssssss, Lois, Clark just came back.”

She immediately looked over and saw Clark just taking his seat. Their eyes met and she motioned him over. As he approached she leaned back in her chair and frowned appearing concerned. “You look tired.” Motioning to the monitors with a never ending running commentary of Superman’s activities during the last twelve hours she asked. “Were you up all night between that and writing this article? By the way, I never meant for you to rush out and try to ‘fix’ everything.”

He sighed and shook his head smiling ever so slightly. “Lois, I’m fine, I didn’t ‘fix’ everything and you know it. But so you won’t worry about me, I did get a couple hours of sleep this morning." Frowning back at her he added. "You don’t look that rested yourself. Are you alright?”

“Yes, Richard and I were up late…talking.” She let out a deep breath, “I told him everything.”

“Good.” Feeling uncomfortable he changed the subject. “Perry is going to be demanding that article any minute. Do you think you’ll be able to finish making your changes soon?”

“Heh, What changes? Since when did you gain the ability to write just like me?” He just shrugged in answer. “Clark as far as I’m concerned it’s fine just the way you wrote it. But why did you give me top billing. I would never ever have done that for anyone. Heck I would have buried your name in the credits somewhere in the bottom of the article.”

“Lois a byline is just not that important to me but I understand why it is to you. All I care about it getting the important facts out there. Unbiased facts.”

“Well, you shouldn’t have done it. You need to stand up for yourself. I’ll send this on to Perry right now. Then Richard and I need to speak to you privately so let’s meet in the small conference room in five minutes. I’ll get Richard.”



Clark entered the conference room and closed the door behind him just as Lois and Richard were getting seated. He took a seat across from Richard. The two men looked at each other, each waiting for the other to speak first. Clark sighed and looked away dishearteningly when he noticed how closely Richard was scrutinizing him as if they had never met before. He hated the feeling of being different all of a sudden, or at least the idea of being treated different.

Lois cleared her throat knowing it was up to her to break the ice. Ignoring the body language both men were now displaying she went right to the point. “I think we all three agree that we want the best atmosphere for Jason to grow up. The family unit that Richard and I have created is the only thing he has ever known.”

Clark fidgeted, concerned where she was heading and his face showed it. Lois raised her hand in a gesture to reassure him then Richard spoke up. “Clark we’re not here to deny you the opportunity to take your rightful place in Jason’s life. But it’s not going to be easy for any of us.”

“My life has never been particularly easy no matter what a lot of people think. One thing, no one else can know Superman is Jason’s father, it’s too dangerous. If you suddenly start treating me different, everybody is going to figure it out.” He didn’t like the looks Lois and Richard exchanged when he said that. “What, someone else knows?”

“Clark, it’s really bad and that is why we didn’t want to wait any longer to speak to you. I’m almost certain Luthor knows.” She hated having to say it out loud knowing it was her fault for taking her trusting son into a dangerous situation in the first place.

“Luthor knows!” He jumped up knocking his chair over backwards “How?”

Lois’ expression turned dark, “When he had us on that yacht he started gloating about his plans. Then he pulled out a big green cylinder. I’m sure it was kryptonite. Jason seemed to shirk back slightly in my arms. I think it was just from fear, but Luthor noticed and suddenly stopped his tirade and asked me who his father was. I told him Richard of course but he wasn’t convinced. He held that damn thing right in Jason’s face.”

Clark seemed incensed pacing the room as he listened. “Clark, I don’t think the Kryptonite actually hurt Jason but what child wouldn’t be scared of that…that monster in their face. Anyway he seemed satisfied and left us with one of his goons and this is where it gets really bad. I noticed a fax machine next to where I was sitting. I asked Jason to play a grand piano on the other side of the room hoping to create a diversion. It worked but the goon caught me trying to send a fax message for help and I’m certain he was about to kill me. Jason somehow threw that enormous piano at him, he saved me.”

Clark became very still as his face lost all color. Richard had been watching the man’s every movement his own stomach lurching even though he had heard the story the night before. Nothing was said for several seconds then Clark quietly almost diffidently finished the story for her. “Luthor knows about the piano.”

She nodded halfheartedly. “His other thugs saw the aftermath and locked us in the pantry.”

“Luthor said something to me as he was …” He stopped. “He taunted me and began bragging about how he had tricked me. Then he said something about how amazing crystals were. How they inherited the traits of the minerals around them. Sort of like a son inheriting the traits of his father.”

The three looked at each other in silence. Clark newly resolved continued. “I have to find him.”

Richard spoke up. “He could be anywhere by now.”

“It doesn’t matter I’ll turn over every rock on this planet till I find him. There is no place that man can hide that I can’t find him if I set my mind to it.”

“What are you going to do when you find him? I certainly know what I’d do.” Lois narrowed her eyes in hate and distain.

Completely ignoring that Richard was still in the room Clark focused only on Lois who was now standing right in front of him. “That’s why you need to let me find him Lois. You have to let me take care of Luthor. You and Richard need to take care of Jason. He’s not safe as long as Luthor is out there plotting to bring me down.”

Still ignoring Richard he put his hands on her shoulders as if to make a point. “We both know he won’t think twice about hurting a child to get to me. But Lois we can’t let him take us down into his dark world or he will have won no matter the outcome.”

Richard cleared his throat and came to join them. “I think we need to go get Jason from school right now but what then? How can we keep him safe from such a monster?” Clark lowered his arms and stepped back from Lois.

Addressing both of them Clark answered. “If you can both trust me, I know just the place.”

“Where?” They both asked simultaneously.

“The farm where I grew up, Jason’s grandmother would be thrilled and you both would be welcome as well if you want to stay with him.”

“Wait, you mean you really did grow up in Smallville, that picture on your desk is real?” Lois asked surprised.

Opening the door Clark responded. “We don’t have time for this now. I can either give you the information on how to get to the farm or I can take you there.”

He stood in the doorway waiting for an answer. Then suddenly remembering he took the picture out of his jacket pocket and handed it to Lois. “My mother asked me to give this to you when I saw her last night. She was in the crowd at the hospital and saw you with Jason. She knew with just that small glimpse that he was her grandchild.”

Lois and Richard stood silent each staring at the picture that could have been one taken of Jason a couple years earlier then Richard answered. “Give us the directions and phone numbers, yours and your mother’s.”

A few minutes later the three headed for the elevator together. Clark handed them a paper with the information they had requested including a good landing spot on a lake near the farm for Richard’s seaplane. As the elevator doors closed he looked from one to the other, “I’ll meet you there, in the mean time I’ll be watching to make sure you don’t run into any trouble.”

As the two watched he blurred out of sight as they felt a whoosh. Looking up they barely managed to see his boots before the escape hatch closed in the top of the elevator. They looked at each other with disbelieving eyes and wide open mouths.

Richard laughed releasing part of his nervous tension. “Now we know how and where that guy disappears. Man that was really cool!”