Winner Takes All
Folc4evernaday
Part 16
***
Lois lay curled up on Clark’s bed, numbly staring out the window. She had never been so scared in her life. What would possess a man to actually contemplate killing an unborn child? Her hand rested protectively over her abdomen as she struggled to fight the tears. Clark was Superman….an alien…but he was still a person. Would her child suffer from the same hatred? What if someone found out about the connection between Clark and Superman? Had Trask told anyone?
She let out a shuddered breath. Was this what it was going to be like? Worrying about Clark when he left to go rescue someone? Could she live like this? She looked down at the blood stains on her dress from where Clark had bled on her after his fight with Trask. She sat up and moved toward the bathroom. Maybe a shower would help clear her head….make her feel more alive.
***
“How’s Lois?” Martha asked, handing Clark a glass of water.
“She’s resting,” Clark said. “I think that exposure to that meteorite took more out of her than she’s willing to admit. I guess with the pregnancy…it affects her too.”
“I still can’t believe she was able to knock those men unconscious like that…I mean, they had GUNS.” Jonathan said, shaking his head in amusement.
Clark gave a light smile. “That’s just Lois for you.” His tone grew solemn, “Are you sure you guys are all right?”
“We’re fine, son. I’m just glad you’re okay.” Jonathan said. He noticed a far off look in Clark’s eyes, “Do you want to talk about it?”
“When I threw that meteorite out of the barn and it exploded like that….Trask said something that kinda unnerved me.”
<<”Do you really think that’s all I have?”>>
“He indicated that there was more of that meteorite somewhere,” Clark said.
“Did he say where?” Martha asked concerned.
“No.” He shook his head. “He wanted to kill Lois because she was carrying my child.” He said hoarsely. “All I ever wanted was a normal life. Is that too much to ask for?”
“I’m afraid your life will never be normal, but you can make the most of what you do have,” Martha said, patting his shoulder.
Clark smiled weakly at his parents, “I guess. How’s Rachael? I know she was a bit shaken earlier.”
“She’s showing Jimmy around Smallville. I think she needs the distraction.” Jonathan said. “Jimmy wanted to get some shots of the festival. Something about a before and after shots.”
“I think I’m gonna try and get some rest too. It’s been a long day.” Clark said, heading towards the stairs.
Martha and Jonathan watched him in concern. “He’ll be okay,” Jonathan reassured her. “Maybe we can catch the final show at the festival. Give these two some time alone.” Martha nodded and headed out with Jonathan.
***
Lois stepped out of the shower, wrapped in a white towel. She wiped the steam away from the mirror with her hand. She felt a little better physically, but emotionally she still felt numb. Pregnant. She was going to be a mother. She had never pictured herself as a mother. Watching her parents’ relationship deteriorate over the years had made her vow never to get married. She had been grateful that Clark hadn’t tried to propose for the baby’s sake. It wouldn’t have been fair.
<<”Alien..”>>
Trask’s words from earlier still stung. She was carrying an alien’s baby. But to look at Clark you never would believe it. He seemed more human than many of the men she had encountered over the years. She lightly placed her hand over her abdomen, feeling for some kind of sign from the life inside her that everything was okay. The tears she had been suppressing overtook her. She slowly lowered herself to the floor as she gave into the tears. The pain and fear she had during their encounter with Trask had not buried itself as well as she had hoped. She silently rocked herself as she fought to remain as quiet as possible. She didn’t want Clark to see her like this.
Before she knew it, two strong arms came up behind her, enveloping her in their embrace, “Shhh, it’s over.” Clark whispered in her ear. She turned to face him, burying her face against his chest.
“Clark…” She cried against his chest.
“I know…” He held her close, allowing her to release whatever emotions she needed to. Her hands roamed up and down his chest as she slowly got control over her emotions. He lowered his head to rest his forehead against hers.
She let out a shuddered breath, “Every time I close my eyes I keep seeing Trask there with that rock…”
“Shhh, “ He moved his hand to cup her cheek, “It’s over.” He whispered.
She moved her hand up his chest and took a hold of his collar, fisting it in her palm. He moved his hand to cover hers. She looked up at him; a shuddered breath escaped her lips. She lifted her head to meet his gaze. He lowered his mouth to meet hers. She moved her hands up to pull him closer, deepening the kiss. “Clar…” She moaned against his lips.
She allowed her hands to roam up and down his chest. “Lois…” He held her close as she pulled away, resting her head against his chest. “It’s over,” he said, holding her close. “It’s over,”
***
Later that evening Clark went to go check on Jimmy. He found him sitting on the porch swing watching the fireworks. “Hey, Jimmy.”
“Hey, CK, how you doing?” Jimmy asked, “I still can’t believe the way you creamed that Trask guy. “
Clark gave a weak smile as he sat down. “The key is to keep swinging until the other guy stops.”
“Hey, CK, can I ask you a personal question?”
“Sure.” He sighed.
“When do you find the time to work out? I mean, between the long hours at the Planet and…ahem ….. dating…Lois…How do you keep up?”
“Huh?” Clark looked down at his lightly bruised figure back up to the expectant eyes of his friend. The bruises that had been more prominent a few hours earlier were now a mere shadow of their former selves. “I don’t know, Jimmy. I guess following Lois around Metropolis is enough work out for me.” Clark said.
“Yeah. She can be a handful I guess.” Jimmy said. “I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea of you and Lois together…I mean, take a look at her track record.…”
Clark narrowed his eyes at Jimmy, “What are you talking about?”
“Well, you know what happened with Claude, don’t you? The entire staff is always talking about it.” Jimmy sighed.
“I really don’t think Lois appreciated people talking about her private life, Jimmy…especially her friends….” Clark said hinting at the dangerous territory Jimmy was treading on.
“I know I know. I never believed the garbage he spread around. What really sucked was no one could do anything about it because he was spreading it around the Press Club; not at the Planet.”
“The Press Club?” Clark winced, “So…”
“Every reporter in Metropolis heard the story. Some chose to believe it; some spread it around.”
“Why???” Clark asked furiously. “Why the hell would anyone do something like that to Lois?”
Jimmy shrugged. “I don’t know. Claude was a stud and a slime ball. If you disagreed with him or tried to challenge him he made your life hell. You know how Lois is…” Jimmy smiled, “I got a taste firsthand what it feels like to be on his bad side.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was a little drunk at the Press club and overheard Claude and his buddies talking. They were being really, really cruel and disgusting…like I said I was drunk…anyway, I went over there and got in Claude’s face….called him a yellow bellied chicken and a cheater…I got kicked out.”
“That’s not good.” Clark sympathized.
“It gets better. I got to walk home with an escort…getting my ass kicked all the way home…Ever since then I haven’t had the nerve to stand up to anyone else.”
“You mean Perry?” Clark asked.
“Yeah…but I think he’s finally starting to see me as a real journalist. I mean he trusted me enough with this assignment.”
Clark patted him on the shoulder. “You’ll get there, Jimmy. Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being a good friend to Lois even when she didn’t know it,” Clark said.
“You really care about her, don’t you?” Jimmy asked.
“Yeah. I love her, Jimmy.” Clark said. “And I won’t tolerate anyone mistreating her no matter what.”
Jimmy smiled at Clark. “That’s good to hear. Because I don’t think I could take you. If you hurt her; I’d be forced to try and kick your ass.”
Clark let out a low laugh.
***
Lois stood by the front door in shock. She had overheard Clark and Jimmy’s entire conversation. The Press Club? That was where he had been spreading rumors about her? No wonder she’d had such a hard time containing the gossip mill. Poor Jimmy. He’d tried to stop the gossip…
Anger pulsed through her as she recalled the pain and torment she had been forced to suffer as a result of Claude’s slander. She had challenged him when he had stolen her story and slander had been her punishment. No one had believed her when she had told them he had stolen it. It had been years since the incident. Why was she still crying about it? She turned to head upstairs. It was time she quit acting like a victim to Claude. She was going to be a mother. She had a man that loved her and a great career. What more did she need?
‘How about a sign of commitment?’ her conscience chided. She squashed the doubts down as she climbed up the stairs. This was enough. It had to be.
***
Lois hovered above the toilet as the nausea she had thought was gone had come back with a vengeance. “Oh, God…” She moaned, leaning her head back against the wall behind her.
“Sick again?” Clark asked, hovering by the doorway.
Lois nodded, “I was fine…” She whimpered. “Why am I sick again?”
Clark sighed, “I don’t know. Morning sickness? You could actually have the flu too. You need to get in to see the doctor.”
“Don’t remind me.” She groaned, resting her head against her knees as she let out a shaky breath.
Clark kneeled down next to her and pulled her to him. “You okay to move?” He asked hesitantly.
Lois just nodded, resting her head against his shoulder. Clark slipped his arms behind her neck and knees then lifted her up and carried her over to the bed and laid her down. He lay down behind her, wrapping a protective arm around her. “Do you think it could be a side effect of that meteorite?”
“I dunno.” She sighed. “I’m too tired to think and….Oh, God, we still have to write the story before we head back home tomorrow.”
“Lois, calm down. We’ve got all day to write the story. I’m sure if you’re still not up to it Perry will be a little lenient considering everything we had to deal with this weekend.” He gave her a peck on the head. “Worst case scenario we wait a bit before trying to head back to Metropolis and just email the story. Try and get some rest.” He whispered.
“Mmmm hmmm.” She murmured, starting to give in to the much-needed sleep she had been evading the last few days.
***
One Week Later…
The next week, Lois, Clark, and Jimmy sat on Lois’ desk as Perry read the piece they had written on Trask’s raid on Smallville. “’And in the end, Jason Trask’s obsession caused him to search for a mystical rock he alone imbued with destructive powers, and to confuse one reporter with the target of his fixation, Superman. He came to see this strange visitor from another planet where he was not, and to see enemies where there were none. It was an obsession that for Jason Trask would prove fatal.’” Perry put the paper down and shook his head, “You know I’ve been in the newspaper business thirty-five years, and this is the damnedest story I ever heard.”
“Chief, you should have been there.” Jimmy said proudly, “He was beating all up on CK and they ended up in the pond duking it out…”
“Trask was so out of his mind he started beating on Clark to get to Superman,” Lois said grimly, tightening her grasp on Clark’s hand.
Perry nodded, “Now, Kent, I usually tell my reporters to stay out of their stories, don’t get involved. But since you got into a fight with this nutcase, Trask…Well, I’m just glad you came out on top.”
“Thanks, Chief,” Clark said.
“He did more than come out on top, Chief. He creamed him!” Jimmy announced excitedly.
Perry shook his head, “Jimmy, you did a good job with those photos. That was good stuff.”
“Really?” Jimmy beamed. “You really liked ‘em?”
“Oh, yeah. Now, I need you to do something for me.” Perry drawled.
“Anything,” Jimmy said.
“Go down to Mazik’s. Pick up my watch. They said they’d have it fixed by three.” Perry handed him the company credit card, “Don’t get any ideas.” Jimmy nodded, his mood slightly deflated; but he did as he was asked. Perry then turned his attention back to Lois and Clark. “Now, Clark, are you sure you don’t want to share the by-line on this one?”
Clark shook his head, “No, I’m too close to it. I want Lois to tell it the way she sees it.”
“Well, then, Lois, I just got one note for you. This rock that Trask convinced himself was gonna hurt Superman. What’s it called?”
Lois grimaced, “You want a name? Nobody can even find it. Even the sample Irig sent to the labs disappeared. I’m not sure it existed anywhere except in Trask’s mind.”
“Even so, this copy’d sing a whole lot sweeter if you gave it a name,” Perry said.
“Trask thought it was from the planet, Krypton…Maybe Kryptonium?” Lois suggested.
Perry shrugged, “Okay by me.”
“Well, wait a minute, it’s a meteorite. What about …Kryptonite?” Clark suggested.
“You two fight it out,” Perry instructed. Sensing the tension between them rising, Perry headed for his office.
Lois turned around to glare at Clark, “Do you have to edit EVERYTHING?”
“Okay, fine. I’ll tell you what. Next time, you can fight the bad guy and I’ll write the story.” Clark shot back playfully.
Lois groaned, rolling her eyes, “Fine, Kryptonite.”
“You still feeling nauseas?” He asked cautiously.
“No. It seems to have subsided, but I have an appointment next week with the doctor.”
“That’s good.” Clark nodded. “You feel up to dinner tonight?”
“Why? Are you asking me out?” She teased, seductively running her hand down his tie.
“Yes.” He grinned back at her. “So, you want to have dinner with me?”
Lois smiled back at him. “Sure. It’s not like I have any huge plans tonight.”
“I’ll pick you up at seven.” He whispered, leaning in for a kiss.
Brian, one of the Planet’s researchers approached them, “Ahem..” He cleared his throat, trying to get their attention.
Reluctantly, they pulled away from one another. “Yes?” Lois turned to face her intruder impatiently.
“Perry said you guys were supposed to cover the opening of that new supermarket on Third.” He handed her a file. “Have fun.”
Lois took the file grudgingly, “A supermarket opening?” Brain left, leaving Lois and Clark to go over the file in peace.
“They can’t all be big stories,” Clark said reassuringly.
“Cost Mart?” Lois read the file. “Why does that name sound familiar?”
“I think it was…” Clark grabbed a paper from his desk. “Here. It’s on the list of department stores we were researching in possible connection with Intergang.”
Lois smiled, “This is more like it. I knew Perry wouldn’t assign us to something unworthy of our time….” The sound of the silent alarm at a nearby bank reached Clark’s ears and he got a far off look in his eyes. “Clark?” She waved her hand in front of his face, “Hello? Earth to Clark!”
“Sorry.” He whispered. “I gotta go, Lois. Bank alarm.” He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and left.
“But…” She sighed, watching him leave. She turned to the folder on her desk, “Well, I guess it’s just you and me.”
“What’s wrong? Your boyfriend getting bored with you already?” Ralph teased, sauntering up to her desk.
“What do you want, Ralph? I’m busy.” She said gesturing to the stack of papers in front of her.
“Yeah yeah. All work and no play, right? Listen, I was wondering if you wanted to go out for drinks at the Metropolis Press Club?” Ralph asked.
“I have plans,” Lois replied coolly.
“Plans? Oh, you mean a romp with your partner?” Lois’ head shot up and she glared at Ralph. Ralph had been one of Claude’s friends during his time at the Planet. He had made no attempt to have conversations with her unless he was trying to ask her out. He was one of the many men she had shot down over the years after the fiasco with Claude. Why was he trying to ask her out again if he knew she was with Clark? She could feel her blood boiling. Maybe he just needed a good punch in the gut to shut up. “Did you really think nobody had noticed? I mean, I figured it was only a matter of time. I mean, how long had it been since you got laid anyhow? I mean, from what Cluny said it wasn’t much… Did Kent have to teach you to…”He ignored the look of death Lois was shooting him and continued, “I mean, come on, everyone knows Cluny got you in the sack pretty easily and how long did it take you to jump Kent? OW!!”
“Oh, whoops! Sorry, Ralph..” Clark accidentally spilled the cup of hot tea in his hand on Ralph. “Didn’t see you there.”
“Man, don’t sneak up on a guy like that, Kent!” Ralph snapped, brushing the coffee off his jacket.
“That looks pretty bad. You should get that looked at.” Lois said, eyeing the redness on Ralph’s hand.
“Yeah,” Ralph muttered, stalking off.
“So, Cost Mart is owned by Bill Church. That’s one of Perry’s golfing buddies. He could probably set up an interview for us.” Lois said, turning to the assignment on hand as she tried to brush off Ralphs’ lewd comments towards her.
“Lois…” Clark placed a hand on her shoulder.
“I don’t know how much good it’ll do. I mean, it’s hard to read criminals in an interview…Sometimes they’re too good at hiding …others…they hide their guilt really well…”
“Honey…” Clark pulled up the chair next to her desk, taking a seat next to her.
Lois looked back at him, “What did you just say?”
Clark grinned back at her, “Lois,” he repeated slyly.
Lois smirked at him, “After that,”
“Honey,” he whispered softly, cupping her cheek.
She smirked back at him, forgetting her tirade temporarily, “That’s the first time you’ve ever called me that.” She placed a finger on the knot of his tie, tracing the length of it to his belt. “Say it again,” she grinned impishly up at him.
Clark looked at her with a huge grin on his face, “Honey,” he repeated.
She grinned, tracing the outline of his tie, “That’s amazing. I like it.” She leaned up to kiss him, forgetting temporarily they were in the middle of the newsroom. After hearing the whistling from the onlooking co-workers she pulled away slightly.
“Ooops,” Clark said.
She grinned, unphased by the stares as she toyed with the left lapel of his jacket, “I never thought of myself as a ‘honey.’ What is happening to me?” She pulled him closer, “So, you got any other names in mind?”
Lois seemed unphased by the audience that was watching them, but Clark wasn’t. He whispered back, cupping her cheek as he traced her jaw with his thumb, “Sweetheart….Darlin….My little…tornado…” he whispered huskily. She’d definitely forgotten about Ralph and his tirade, but having so many people watch him and Lois…
She leaned up to kiss him again, slipping her tongue inside the inner confines of his mouth, “That’s original…” she whispered.
“So are you…” he whispered against her lips. “Lois…” he pulled away slightly, “Everyone’s watching…”
She smiled impishly up at him, “Yeah, who cares…” she recaptured his lips once more. If this last week had taught her anything it was to live life to the fullest. She wasn’t going to let Ralph or the Daily Planet gossip grapevine keep her from kissing Clark when she wanted or touching him when she wanted. She loved him and he loved her. The past week had been spent trying to come to grip with the fact that Clark Kent was the same superhero that had saved her so many times, but after the incident with Trask, none of that seemed important anymore. She’d almost lost him.
“Are you okay?” He asked concerned as they slowly broke off the kiss.
Realizing he was referring to Ralph and his tirade earlier she pulled away slightly and shrugged, “I’m fine.” She laughed lightly to prove her point.
“Are you sure?” He asked.
“I’m fine, really, Clark. I quit letting people like Ralph get to me a long time ago.” Lois said.
“But the things he was saying…”
“It comes with the territory I’m afraid,” Lois said. “I told you before. Claude ruined my reputation…”
“I’m sorry.” He whispered.
“You didn’t do anything.” She reassured him. “But thank you for shutting him up for me.”
“My pleasure.” He replied grimly.
“Everything go okay at the…” She gave a flying symbol with her hand. “you know..”
“Yeah. A couple of petty thieves.” He replied. “So, let’s get started on this piece.” He indicated at the folder in front of them. Lois nodded, grateful to be turning back to a safe topic.
***
Clark stared at his screen grimly. Claude Cluny was becoming a menacing shadow in his and Lois’ lives. He pulled up the story he had stolen from Lois so many years ago. It was a piece on gun-runners in the Congo. The entire style of writing just screamed Lois. He looked over Cluny’s other work and found no sign of extraordinary pieces by the man. Lois would probably kill him for meddling in her life like this, but after listening to Ralph speak to Lois like that…He couldn’t sit back and do nothing. Claude Cluny was going down.
He scanned the newsroom for Lois. She still hadn’t gotten back from lunch with Lucy. He spotted Perry in his office. He made his way over to Perry’s office, knocking lightly on the door, “Chief? You got a minute?”
“Sure, son, come on in.” Perry waved him in. Clark nodded, closing the door behind him. “What’s on your mind, son?”
“An article that was written a few years back…” Clark said grimly.
“An article?” Perry’s face scrunched up in confusion. “What article?”
“This one.” Clark laid the copy of Claude’s article on Perry’s desk. “I’ve been working with Lois for months, Chief. I’d know her writing style anywhere.”
Perry picked up the paper and began to scan it. “Yeah, I remember this. It was when Lois first got promoted to the city beat.”
“Chief, he stole her story and then won an award for it,” Clark muttered grimly.
Perry’s expression grew sour, “It definitely would appear so…This was during the time Alice and I had taken a trip up to Graceland. Phil Roland was filling in for me at the time….Why didn’t Lois ever say anything to me?”
Clark’s eyes narrowed, “Because she didn’t want to make things worse than what he’d already done to her.”
“What are you talking about?” Perry asked, confused.
“Chief, I just walked in on Ralph making jabs at Lois…talking about how Cluny had ….” He closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose as he tried to suppress his anger.
“You talking about all that garbage being spread around the Press Club?” Perry asked.
“Yeah.” Clark nodded.
“He STOLE her story?” Perry shook her head. “I’m ashamed I didn’t pick up on it before now. What do you want me to do?”
“I want Lois to be given the credit for that story and Cluny to be exposed for the lying bastard he really is,” Clark said.
Perry smiled, “You know she’s going to kill us both when she finds out we’re meddling in her business.”
“I know,” Clark said.
“You really love her, don’t you, son?”
“Yeah.” Clark smiled. “I do.”
“I’ll make some calls…try to be discreet about it,” Perry said.
“Thanks, Chief.”
***
“You’re pregnant?” Lucy echoed her sister’s revelation.
“Yeah.” Lois let out a shuddered breath.
“Does Clark know?” Lucy asked.
“Yeah.” Lois nodded with a slow smile.
“How’s he taking it?” Lucy asked hesitantly.
“Fine. We’re fine. We haven’t really talked that much about it…after that fiasco with Trask and all…”
Lucy nodded. “So….How far along are you?”
“I don’t know yet. I have an appointment next week.”
“Well, I have to say it was only a matter of time. I mean, the way you guys were going at it…”
“Lucy!” Lois hissed.
“Sorry.” Lucy shrugged. “You guys are loud… Anyway, so, when are you going to tell Mom and Dad?”
“Why should I tell Daddy?” Lois asked coolly. “He was never around as a father. I don’t want him scarring my child too.”
“Ouch.” Lucy winced. “Someone’s got a bit of ice on that bite. You know mom’s gonna tell him whenever you tell her.”
“I know, but I’m not ready to tell her and listen to her lecture about how Clark is going to leave me,” Lois said.
Lucy laughed, “That’s funny. I don’t think he even sees any of the other women in the room when you’re around.”
Lois gave a light smiled, “Really?”
“He’s got it bad…you both do…” Lucy said. Her cell phone rang. “Just a minute…Hello? Oh, hi, Lex….Yes, dinner sounds great…Okay, I’ll see you then….Bye..” She hung up her phone. Lois simply stared coolly back at her. “Don’t start. He’s been really supportive ever since that whole fiasco at the Metro Club. Did you know he’s paying to rebuild that whole area in Southside?”
“I didn’t say anything, Lucy. You never listen when I do say what I think so why should I bother.” Lois snapped.
“Don’t get snippy with me, Lois. You have your life; I have mine.” Lucy shot back.
“Yeah,” Lois said flatly. “I need to get going. I’ll see you later.”
***
“So, Mr. Luthor thinks he can just push us around Metropolis?” Bill Church asked, looking over his reports. “Martin, I want you to make sure Mr. Luthor is sent the proper message. Let him know Intergang doesn’t back down to anyone.”
“Of course, Mr. Church. Should this be discreet or are we letting someone go?” Martin Snell asked.
“Have one of the local gangs handle it. I don’t like too much publicity on such…sensitive matters. There’s no need to be vain.” Bill smiled.
***
Lois stormed back into the newsroom in a huff. “Hi, Lois...Whoa! Who’d you run over?” Jimmy joked when he saw the expression on her face.
“Leave me alone, Jimmy.” She muttered, pushing past him. She took a seat at her desk, throwing her purse down.
Clark, who had been watching her from the time she entered the newsroom approached her hesitantly, “Let me guess, Luthor?”
“How’d you guess?” She asked, dabbing at the corners of her eyes with a tissue. “I hate being so emotional.”
“I’m sorry.” He apologized kissing her lightly.
“Hey, check it out!” one of the Daily Planet staffers pointed to the screen on the television.
“At this time it appears the entire block nicknamed, ‘Southside’ has been set to flames by one of the local gangs. Police have reprimanded those responsible, but fire departments are still struggling to keep the fire at bay..”
Lois looked back at Clark but found he had already left. “I want my exclusive.” She muttered dryly, turning back to the story she and Clark had been working on earlier.
***
TBC...
