Yes, Clark, aka Superman, certainly needed some Super advice from his Super folks before going to speak to Lois as Superman after she crushed Clark's heart under her heal. If only, he had!
You had some really great lines in this story:
Giving Luthor much more time and consideration than she gave Clark, in the process scattering what was left of the pieces of Clark’s heart.
Oooooh. Good point. That must have burned. Ouch! No wonder he was pissed.
So he turned to the two people who’d always accepted and loved him.
Unconditionally.
It does beg the question 'why' he didn't do so in canon, because he asked their advice on every other aspect of his life since moving to Metropolis! After Lois's rebuttal, he really did need some love to build up his self-confidence.
His parents always knew what to say, and what not to say. Their common sense and wisdom helped him to realize that Superman could not be cruel or hurtful to Lois. And he needed to remember she saw him as two different people, that she rejected Clark, not Superman. Mom told him she thought Lois saw herself in love with Superman, and unlike her father she was being monogamous in her love. Mom also thought Lois couldn’t see her love for Clark because she was blinded by the superhero and she saw Clark originally as a competitor, then later a friend. Maybe she’s just not ready for romantic love.
I love Martha. She's so wise. I never thought of Lois rejecting Clark as a suitor was because she saw him as competition to Superman's affections (for her). That if Superman knew Clark was courting her, he would back away. Oh, blind, Lois, so very blind Lois.
He was reminded again of his parents’ advice. Martha’s gentle voice earlier today masked her frustration and anger. He was floored when she suggested that Lois might try to seduce Superman. Until that moment he hadn’t even considered that possibility.
Martha is so very, very wise.
Uncomfortable at violating his own code of ethics by using his senses to see and hear her, nevertheless he recognized its necessity to get a better idea of what she planned—and to at least have an inkling of how to respond.
When going into battle, it is best to know what your enemy's plans are before you go in.
Why could he calmly face down Jason Trask after becoming powerless from kryptonite, an amnesia-causing asteroid and terrorists holding the Daily Planet hostage but the very idea of confronting Lois turned him into a mass of quivering red and blue Jell-O?
Love this!
More than Superman, he was Clark Kent.
He had always been Clark.
And saving Lois was a job only Clark Kent as Superman could do.
Clark knew Lois better than anyone. He could see the nuances in her body language and hear the subtle emotions in her voice—without superpowers.
If things went badly, he could walk or fly away, and Superman could vanish. Clark, however, needed to survive. Superman could disappear as quickly and mysteriously as he had appeared to save the space shuttle, but Clark would be shattered if Lois got herself more closely entangled with Luthor.
And Clark had family and friends who needed him… and he needed them.
Superman on the other hand was alone.
So true!
No matter what happened, he would let her start talking. Listen with both his ears and heart while watching her body language. Don’t make decisions alone for this independent career woman. Good advice from Mom and Dad. Now if only following it were as easy as listening to it.
Yeah, good luck with that, Clark. Too bad it was the only advice he didn't follow.
“Let’s start with this. You say you love me. Yet, you’ve been dating Lex Luthor. And I don’t understand. Just how serious are you about both of us?”
Point to Superman!
He opened his eyes and asked, “Why Lois? Are you holding his proposal in reserve if I say ‘No’?”
Lois blushed again. “I guess so…”
“Is that fair to either of us? No, don’t answer that. You should know this feels very close to blackmail. And I’ve never responded well to threats.”
Ouch! Another point to Superman, but one Lois deserved to hear.
“I didn’t think about that… You must think I’m stupid.”
Don’t Be Cruel.
“No, I don’t think you’re stupid.
![[Linked Image]](http://cosgan.de/images/midi/boese/a045.gif)
Clark, it isn't nice to call Lois stupid in your head, either.
“I’m just surprised. I never pictured you as a producer in TV news. But if it makes you happy, that’s great. There’s something else you need to consider though. Will your job be there if you and I are an item?”
“What do you mean?”
“Lois, you work for Lex Luthor. I don’t know if your job has anything to do with his proposal. I am concerned no matter how you answer him; you may not like the outcome.
First of all, WE all know that Lois only got the job at LNN because of Lex. On the other hand, isn't it a tad bit cruel to imply to Lois the truth of that statement. SHE thinks she got the job on her merits as a reporter, not as the boss's fiancee.
I’ve thought you were closer to Clark than to me, and he’s tried to talk to you. If you didn’t want to hear it from your partner, why would you want to hear it from me?
Yeah, Lois. Why are these concerns about Luthor more viable if Superman tells you about them than if Clark does? You know that they're the same guy! Ooops. You don't? My bad.
My relationship with Clark is… complicated. It’s one of those things you don’t know about... and before you ask, I’m not going to tell you any more about it tonight.
Understatement of the year.
Yeah, tonight's not a good night to discuss THAT relationship.
“I’m saying there’s a lot to consider. Yes, I’d like there to be hope for us. But I don’t know how it would work or if it could work. And the first thing you have to decide is whether or not you are going to accept Lex Luthor’s proposal.
Lois, no one wants to be second choice. Not me and not him. You have to decide what you want. Who do you see spending your life with? Who can you build the life you both want? Is that Lex Luthor, me or… someone else?”
Like Clark? Please?
I vote for CLARK! Yeah! I like Superman letting Lois have it. Playing these three against each other wasn't very fair to any of them. Then, again, dumping Lex for Superman isn't going to make the billionaire super happy either. Hate to see Lex's reaction if she tells him 'no' and then later finds out it's because she's secretly dating Superman. That would be BAD, in such a good way for us readers. You know, intrigue, action, Lex losing it, a terrific rescue scene, and so forth.
Superman cocked his head, staring out the window and listening. “I’m sorry Lois, but someone needs me. Can we continue this talk another time?”
“Sure. Go. I have a lot to think about. Thanks again for coming tonight.”
Saved by the "help!" Wonder what Lois will decide now?
Although it didn't start out that way, it ended up fitting into VirginiaR's Elvis Song Title Challenge.
Yea! Someone took up my challenge! I find the list a good way to find titles when your mind just can't find one that fits.
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Not sure about a posting timetable, as it's still in the outline phase.