Hate Myself For Loving YouFolc4evernaday
Chapter 22: One Step Too Far
________________________________________
The morning rays peeked through the sheer white curtains of Lois’ bedroom, gradually coaxing Clark out of the blissful sleep he had fallen into in the late hours of the evening. He turned to his side, smiling to himself as he gazed upon the petite brunette curled up next to him. Though it certainly hadn’t been planned – he couldn’t imagine anything more perfect than waking up to the woman he loved.
He could have done without the looming threats that hung over them both and the close call from last night, but every second he had spent in Lois’ arms last night…It was incredible.
He’d never experienced anything like it in his life. He had scoured the Earth, traveling from place to place in search of where he would fit in and find where he would fit in. For so long, he thought he would forever be destined to live in isolation – a curse to bear as his cross – unable to find anyone who would ever understand or accept him for who he truly was. It wasn’t until he had come to Metropolis and met Lois Lane that he finally saw hope.
Not only had he discovered a way to use his gifts to help the world and not put those close to him at risk, but he had found the one person he could share everything with. The one person that truly understood and could see past the flashy superhero and see the man behind the ‘S’ and pair of glasses.
Each microsecond he had spent over the evening cradling Lois Lane in his arms and making love to her made him forget everything. Every close call he’d ever had. Every rescue that shook him to the core. Every life he held in his hands and struggled with the choices that had been made. Obsessing over what to do when he wasn’t enough. More recently, forgetting the darkness that loomed over him, reminding him again and again that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t be everywhere at once, and he couldn’t save everyone. Even those he loved with every fiber of his being.
Every caress.
Every touch.
Each moment was seared into his mind, forever reminding him of the moment his journey of isolation became a distant memory. He knew from the moment he had met her that he never wanted to part from her. He knew she was the one for him. This was it. There was never going to be anyone else. He loved her. Every curve, moan, smile, frown, and scent that was wrapped into Lois Lane. He loved everything about her and would continue to love every last atom that made her the woman he loved until the day he died.
He rolled on his side, brushing a stray hair out of her face as he did so. “I love you so much, Lois Lane. You are my ultimate weakness…”
A lazy yawn escaped her throat as her eyelashes fluttered, giving him a peek into her dark brown eyes. “Hey.” She reached her hand out for him, resting her hand on his chest. “You stayed the night.”
“Mmm hmm,” he murmured against her lips. “Someone fell asleep with an alarmingly tight grip on me.”
She grinned, stretching her arms up over her head as she stretched her legs out to straighten them out. “I didn’t hear you complaining.”
“Never,” he murmured as he brushed his lips against hers.
________________________________________
Dr. Klyburn stared at the report in front of her, unsure how to comprehend the messages she had decoded from the micro-chip. Some of them were broken up into fragments – damaged from the blast most likely. Others had a very clear message in place.
Whoever was receiving these messages was very much in danger – along with everyone around them. She reached her hand out to dial the contact number on the requested report, glancing at the time with a sigh. It was still early, but hopefully, someone would be in.
The phone rang two times, and then a gruff response came over the phone line. “Detective Ryder.”
“Detective Ryder, this is Jenet Klyburn at S.T.A.R. Labs. I’d like to review this report you requested….”
________________________________________
Sean McCarthy took in a deep breath from the morning air as he looked out on the Metropolis pier, staring at the sun that had risen over the horizon a few hours ago and took a long puff from his cigarette. He looked down at the remote in his hand and checked the time.
‘Almost time.’________________________________________
Police Chief Carter tapped his hand on the desk in front of him. He looked to Bill Henderson, who was seated across from him with Detective Riley in the chair next to him. He looked to the Lieutenant seated behind them, pondering just what to do with the situation on his hands.
“Henderson, you’ve been a loyal officer for many years…” Carter began, drawing an invisible line across his beard with his thumb and index finger. “Those many years of service are why we’re not having this conversation with IAB.”
“I understand that, sir,” Henderson responded, stealing a glance in Riley’s direction. “This isn’t an ordinary situation, though. I did what I thought was best given the circumstances…”
“An impulsive arrest of the District Attorney’s officer of the court?” Carter raised an eyebrow as he stared the two detectives down.
“She’s not herself, Captain.”
“She’s not a danger to society either according to this report.” Carter waved the evaluation that had been completed by the department’s psychiatrist.
“She just told them what they wanted to hear,” Riley argued. “I was there, Captain! She’s over there shouting out threats and babbling crazy talk…”
“And the DA will argue that it was a clumsy move made by a hotshot detective looking to make a name for himself…” he glared at Riley and then turned to Henderson, “or even worse an act of a seasoned detective looking to cover for his friend whom the ADA is insisting is behind her break-in.”
“No prints and no witnesses,” Henderson responded.
“Nothing putting her at Kent’s place either,” Carter advised solemnly.
“What about that pillow?” Riley argued.
“It could have been planted there by anyone.” Carter waved him off. “Look, I’m with both of you. I agree there is something amiss here, but legally we can’t do anything. There is nothing that physically ties Mayson Drake to the break-in at Kent’s place, and there is nothing that suggests Mayson Drake is a danger to herself or anyone else. Until then, she needs to be released. Am I clear?”
Riley frowned, shaking his head. “How badly does she need to be crying out for help before someone does something?”
“I don’t make the laws, Riley. I just enforce them.” Carter reminded him. “And so do you.”
________________________________________
Sean McCarthy watched with anticipation as the drawbridge lifted up, and the barge with the red-trimmed letters ‘Cost Mart’ made its way through the opening. He let out a giddy grin as his finger teased the red button on the small remote control in his hand, waiting for just the right position before sending the large load of goods flying into oblivion with the illegal immigrants huddled beneath the illegally obtained goods from Cuba.
“Sayonara.”
His thumb pressed the button, and a blast of fire and smoke escaped the sides of the drawbridge and spread into the barge that sat helpless below it.
________________________________________
Lois stared up at the ceiling in a daze, feeling her mind slowly come back into focus after their recent lovemaking. She glanced over at Clark, who had a sloppy grin on his face as he stared back at her. The euphoric haze that had transformed her into this person she didn’t recognize had yet to disappear.
Never.
She’d never experienced anything like this in her life.
She’d had dates.
She’d had relationships.
Each and every one of them had been disappointing in some form or another. Each experience had taught her to never trust her heart to make the decisions in her relationships. She had closed herself off for years and opted to a life of personal isolation rather than risk heartbreak.
Then, of course, everything had changed.
As she lay in Clark’s arms, reeling from the euphoric haze that had washed over her during their lovemaking, she recalled the emotional rollercoaster her ever-evolving relationship with Clark had been over the last two years. Last night was no exception. The barriers that had been up for the better part of two years were gone. In each barrier’s place was the most fulfilling connection she had ever felt.
For once, she hadn’t obsessed about the consequences.
For once, she hadn’t questioned herself.
Even in the morning light, when many mistakes made on an intoxicating high of emotions, she found herself salivating over the unique closeness she now shared with Clark. Her lips curled into a half-smile as she shifted against Clark, feeling the heavyweight of her limbs tingle as she tried to move. The tingle sent a thrill through her at the reminder of just how her limbs had gotten that way.
She had never felt this way before. Feeling this deep insatiable desire for the closeness that being one with Clark brought her to a new high she’d never felt before. True, she wasn’t exactly inexperienced with relationships, but each time a relationship became physical, she woke up the next morning to disappointment and betrayal. With Clark, everything had been different.
A welcome change she could take on.
Clark’s arm roped its way across her as he leaned in to kiss her. His forehead pressed against hers as his hand moved to cup her cheek, “Unless we want Perry sending a search party, we might want to call in.” He pointed to the clock.
Her gaze moved to follow the direction he was pointing in, and she saw the lateness of the hour and groaned. “We might as well just call in today. Nothing productive is going to happen at the Planet anyway.”
“We did just bring in the story of Amir Munour’s death…” Clark agreed, letting out a long yawn. “Though somehow I think we’ll still be getting a lecture about only being as good as our next story from Perry.”
“Dog shows and obituaries here we come.” She grinned as his arms tightened around her.
“Uh-huh, misery loves company, huh?” He held her close as he rolled over on his side, so he was facing her. “
You are…incredible.” He whispered, reaching over to cup her cheek. “I love you, Lois Lane.”
She shyly looked up at him, feeling a twinge of her usual insecurities peeking their way to the surface, “So, no regrets about rushing things last night?”
“Never,” he whispered, leaning in to kiss her.
Her face broke out into a full grin, reaching up to stroke his cheek. “I know we probably should talk about…certain things, but talking seems to do nothing but cause more problems lately.” He let out a low rumble as he chuckled against her. “I mean, there are probably some questions we should probably exchange. The whole birth control thing and …”
“Isn’t this a part of the whole talking thing that got us into trouble to begin with?” Clark asked, wrapping his arms around her.
“Not that it really matters.” She looked up, suddenly unsure. “Does birth control even work?”
He opened his mouth to respond, then closed it and then quietly whispered, “I don’t know. I guess I can find out.”
“You don’t…” Realization dawned on her, and she smiled to herself, taking in what he was saying. He didn’t know. He wouldn’t know if he hadn’t ever… Her hand reached out to stroke his cheek and she smiled back at him, “You’re full of surprises, Clark Kent.” She felt a rush of emotion flood through her nerve endings as she gazed into his eyes. “So, no regrets?”
“No regrets,” he repeated, stroking her cheek. “You…I love you more than anything, Lois. You mean everything to me.” He leaned into her and recaptured her lips, holding her close. “I don’t know what I’d do if I ever lost you, Lois.”
“Well, lucky for you, you don’t ever have to find out.” Lois traced the frame of his face. “As much as I’d love to continue to lay in bed all day, I think we both could use a change of scenery. Maybe even some breakfast…”
“I could pick something up,” Clark offered, sitting up in bed.
“And some sunshine.” Lois grinned back at him.
“We could go together.” He grinned back at her.
She was about to respond when she saw his face fall with an anguished scowl as he looked off into the distance, hearing a call for help only he could hear.
“What is it?” Lois asked when he turned back to her.
“I’m sorry.” He frowned, “I’m going to have to take a raincheck on breakfast.” Before he could explain further, he disappeared into a blur of red and blue pigments.
She looked toward the window above her bed where he had just flown out of and whispered, “Be careful.”
________________________________________
Detective Ryder paced back and forth inside the visitor’s room, waiting for the guards to escort Mayson out of her jail cell. He ran a hand through his dark hair, looking toward the steel door leading to the cell blocks where the inmates were in custody. Never in his wildest dreams had he thought he would ever find himself visiting one of his fellow officers in here. Let alone escorting them out of the police station.
His mind drifted back to his conversation this morning with Dr. Klyburn and the recent discovery she had made in S.T.A.R. Labs’ analysis of the microchip that had been recovered from the City Hall bombing site. He still had to prove the phone he had extracted the microchip did indeed come from Mayson Drake’s office but the breakthrough in Dr. Klyburn’s discovery was that every bizarre manic episode and every unexplainable behavior finally had an explanation. It wasn’t an unexplainable phenomenon but rather a carefully calculated attempt to manipulate the system by targeting the ADA that was deemed a threat to the invisible puppeteer from behind the scenes.
<<“Each message planted behind the circuitry appears to be coming from within a fifteen-mile radius and has a series of planted subliminal messages meant to take advantage of the subject’s vulnerable state of mind and control them through fear.”>>The door opened, and he stopped mid-pace, seeing Mayson Drake dressed in the clothes she had been taken into custody wearing the night before. He nodded in her direction, “Mayson, uh, Chief Carter wanted to be sure you had a proper escort home.”
Mayson rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her face, “I think I can manage. Apparently, if I ask for help from you guys, that’s grounds for false imprisonment.”
“Mayson…”
Mayson narrowed her eyes at him, “Weren’t you supposed to be taking me out of here, Detective?”
“I will.” She shot him a cold glare and he quickly amended, “I am.”
“But?”
“But I wanted to talk first.” Ryder pleaded with her, gesturing to the chair that had been provided.
“I’ll stand.”
“I think the reason you’ve been acting so crazy lately…”
“I am not
crazy!” Mayson practically screamed at him as her eyes widened and her eyebrows lifted up to her hairline.
“Okay, okay,” Ryder held up his hands, trying to motion for Mayson to calm down as he stammered out. “You’re right, Mayson. You’re
not crazy. There’s just been a lot of confusing events…”
“I keep telling you all to look at that little witch and you won’t listen!” Mayson growled at him, shaking her head.
“Mayson, this has
nothing to do with Lois Lane.” Ryder snapped irritably.
“That’s what
she wants you to think. You have no idea what she’s capable of…”
“Look, would you just quit it?” Ryder slammed his fist on the table in front of him. “This. Right here!” He pointed at her. “This is how you ended up in here to begin with. Now, look, I know you think there’s something going on with some conspiracy with Lois Lane and the police but I’m telling you it’s not real. None of this is real, Mayson. Someone is trying to manipulate you and if you would just come with me to S.T.A.R. Labs I think I can help…”
“Get the hell away from me!” Mayson sneered, narrowing her gaze at him as her eyes darkened.
Searching for anything to hold onto Ryder called out, “Look, there’s this microchip we found in your phone. I think it might be in other places too if I can just…”
“Get me out of here!” Mayson shouted, kicking the table over. Her gaze remained steely as she spat out, “You open this door or I will be calling an attorney and suing you and this department for every last red cent. Do I make myself clear?”
“Perfectly,” Ryder grumbled as he entered his code into the door to open it.
<<“Whoever is being subjected to this sophisticated form of mind control needs to be brought to S.T.A.R. Labs so we can begin the process of undoing this programming before it is too late.”>>________________________________________
Chaos.
It was the only way to describe the scene as Clark flew toward the burning flames. He could hear the blaring horn coming from the barge below and the shrieks from the passengers below.
Passengers.
How in the world were there passengers on a cargo ship?
He didn’t allow his mind to go there as he flew through the fiery flames, doing his best to snuff out what flames he could as he found his way to the hidden passage inside the ship that was taking on water and filling his arms with as many people as he could before flying out. The sirens were getting closer. He moved through the air again and again flying the unsuspecting passengers out of the deadly ship that could possibly sink them to the bottom of the bay with just the right balance of water and weight on the ship as he flew back and forth. Again and again he flew through the sky and back to the barge to rescue the remaining passengers.
The sound of helicopters up above and the bullhorn from the fire and rescue team that had finally arrived reached his ears. He felt a huge wave of relief wash over him as more and more helicopters arrived on the scene, focusing on putting the stubborn fire out as Clark continued rescuing the passengers.
“Superman!”
He looked up to where one of the firefighters was attempting to get his attention.
“The pier is clear. Move the wreckage there, and we’ll assist there.”
Clark nodded his understanding, soaring below the wreckage where the large barge had been struck by the flames from the explosion. He glanced over to the pier that had been cornered off by the police and traffic pushed back. He questioned momentarily if the barge would fit but thought it best to at least attempt to get the wrecked ship out of the water and on land where the emergency crew could board and assist.
He felt his insides churn in disgust as he spotted a clear ‘M’ burned into the side of the drawbridge as the smoke clear. The ‘M’ was very distinct with the curve at the end, reminding him of the photos from the bombings Sean McCarthy had been arrested for in the drug bust several years ago.
“I’m coming for you,” Clark muttered under his breath as he soared through the sky and carried the barge to the pier just before the police and emergency crew approached, trying to help the remaining victims.
________________________________________
Two Weeks Later…
Valhalla Exposed!
By Lois Lane and Clark Kent
Terror Ends: Amir Munour Dead!
By Lois Lane and Clark Kent
Assassin Not For Hire!
By James Olsen
Special Contribution: Perry WhiteJimmy hummed a tune to himself as he stepped off the elevator and walked toward his desk. An overwhelming sense of pride filled him as he toyed with the front page of the morning edition to the Daily Planet in his hands. He looked over to where Lois was seated at her desk, rummaging through the scattered files, searching for some missing piece of information. He took a detour enroute to his desk and propped his elbow up over her cubicle wall to stop in.
“Hey, Lois, morning,” Jimmy grinned at her.
“Morning, Jimmy,” Lois said, reading through the files in front of her.
“You looking for Jimmy Hoffa’s body in there?” Jimmy asked, noting the seriousness on her face.
Lois smiled weakly, setting the file in front of her down. “I’m trying to see if there are any other matches to the missing person list and the victims from the Metropolis Bridge bombing.” Lois shook her head, looking at the disarray her desk was in. “Nearly seven hundred people.”
“Well, you guys found what, fifty?” Jimmy pointed out. “You can’t expect miracles. Even Superman has to slow down.” His voice cracked, recalling the chaos over the last few weeks.
After his episode with the Valhalla drug and attempt on Lois’ life, he had buried himself in anything and everything he could. Errands for the Chief. Investigation research. Even a small piece with Perry’s help to write up an editorial on his experience. Despite his numerous apologies, he still couldn’t quite move past how dangerously close he’d come to losing one of his best friends at his own hands. Despite her reassurances, he still couldn’t forgive himself.
“Jimmy, this is the second bombing in the last month.” Lois reminded him with a solemn expression. “And they still can’t find him.”
“There haven’t been any more weird packages.” Jimmy pointed out, trying to provide her with a positive spin.
“No, just my apartment having the locks tampered with and someone rearranging the contents of my refrigerator and cabinets….” Lois shuddered involuntarily.
“But, you’ve still got that security detail from Henderson.” Jimmy reminded her. “Are they helping any?”
“I don’t know.” Lois shrugged. “I guess.”
“Just let me know if you need any help,” Jimmy said with a wink before moving off to head back to his desk.
“I will,” Lois promised. “Thanks, Jimmy.”
________________________________________
Bill Church slid his arm across his desk, wiping the contents to the floor as he let out a heavy breath, panting as he glared at the screens of his lieutenants’ faces staring back at him. He had painstakingly poured over everything he could in the last few weeks, trying to find out how someone had been privy to enough information to not only know when his shipment was set to come in but to know the shipment carried his quarterly supply of both drugs and labor yet to be sold into his factories and prostitution rings. Now that he had a name for the traitor lurking in the shadows he wanted his head on a platter.
“Dead or alive. I want McCarthy served up on a silver platter and I want him brought to me! Are we clear?”
________________________________________
Clark ran a hand through his dark hair, fingering the locks as he waited for Bill Henderson to appear in the hospital lobby. He had been surprised to get Bill Henderson’s call and even more surprised to receive the message to meet him here of all places – without Lois. Whatever news Henderson had he was sure had something to do with the threats Lois had been receiving over the last month.
Bill Henderson appeared in the lobby, motioning for him to follow him. “Kent, glad you could make it on such short notice.”
“Yeah, you said it was important,” Clark commented, following him down the hallway. “What’s going on?”
“Official story on Valhalla was good,” Henderson commented as they walked. “Seeing the dirty deeds of the government come to light is never easy to stomach but I feel like you and Lois portrayed it well. Thank you for that.”
“We just reported the facts, Henderson. You know that’s all we ever do.” Clark commented as he picked up his pace to stay with Henderson as he turned the corner.
Henderson stopped just outside a small elevator, pointing to the guard outside it. “Normally, I would be telling this information to our DA’s office and a select inner circle but right now I don’t have an inner circle. There is no DA. There is no trusted ADA. There is just me and my fellow detectives trying to figure out who we can trust as we take on the King Pin of Intergang.”
“I’m sorry, what?” Clark shook his head, trying to make sure he’d heard him right.
“We have one witness willing to name the leader of Intergang and right now I need someone – anyone I can trust to help choose an ADA to prosecute this case.”
“What’s wrong with Mayson?”
Henderson shook his head and let out a heavy sigh, “That brings me to my other news.” He pulled out a manilla folder from his coat pocket and handed it to him. “S.T.A.R .Labs got the labs back on the handwriting analysis and the results were negative. Whoever wrote those notes on that newspaper clipping is not the same person sending the threatening notes to Lois.”
“Why do I hear a ‘but’ in your tone?” Clark asked, shooting a glare in Henderson’s direction.
“Mayson didn’t write those notes but her fingerprints were a match on the newspaper clipping which means though she may not be sending Lois any actual threats the content on that clipping is alarming.”
“Among some of her other behavior.” Clark agreed, shaking his head. “I don’t get it. I have a hard time rationalizing this behavior with the same person that took on Intergang a few months ago.”
“You and the entire department, Kent.” Henderson let out a long sigh. “I went out on a limb a few weeks ago to try and get her the help she needs by taking her into custody but all that did was aggravate the situation. No one’s heard anything from her in weeks…”
Clark’s brow furrowed in concern, “Weeks?”
“Every officer is keeping an eye out for her but I’m growing more and more concerned by the day. The police chief of course wants to keep this under wraps because God forbid it gets out that he might have made a decision that could impact the mental health and safety of a young officer of the court.” Henderson muttered with disdain in his voice. “I’m not bitter. I swear.”
“What can I do to help?” Clark asked.
“I hear you and Superman are close. You can get a hold of him and get his help when needed?”
“He’s accessible if there’s a need,” Clark responded carefully.
“Any chance he might help in the search for Mayson?” Henderson asked. “I wouldn’t normally ask, but right now I’m desperate. Mayson isn’t just a colleague she’s a friend. I really feel like she might be in danger.”
“Even if he was able to find her what could he possibly even do?” Clark asked. “If she doesn’t want to come in willingly there isn’t a whole lot, he or anyone can do.”
“Just let me worry about that,” Henderson assured.
________________________________________
Dr. Elias Stone poured over the data in front of him, looking up momentarily to lock eyes with Dr. Klyburn who was nervously watching him as she tapped her fingers on the desk in front of her. He turned back to the screen in front of him, verifying and checking the data to be sure what he was seeing was indeed what was occurring.
“Dr. Klyburn, if this is right…”
“We can trace where the microchips are planted and where they’re being controlled from.” Jenet Klyburn responded with a slow nod. “I know, but I had to be sure before informing the detectives I’ve been working with on this.”
“This microchip is exquisite.” Stone commented, looking over the analysis she’d completed. “If only we could have minds like this focus on helping society instead of hurting it…”
________________________________________
Sean McCarthy held up the blueprints to the underground subway station, reviewing his targets with pride. He had selected each and every location with care. Choosing areas that would cause maximum damage and each with an emotional tie to each lieutenant and officer in Intergang to drive home the very clear message of never crossing Sean McCarthy.
The Daily Planet, of course, would fall as it represented the plans Bill Church’s son had in acquiring and controlling the media outlet to snuff out the bad press.
The former Luthor Towers would come next as they represented a pride that Nigel felt when looking on the cityscape.
Metropolis Square would crumble to its knees as it was crucial to Bill Church’s plans to expand Intergang and infiltrate the city. No city. No Intergang.
________________________________________
Dan Scardino looked through the reports he’d received on the last two bombings, searching for clues. Something that could lead him to a reason for the attacks McCarthy had made on the two large infrastructures. He had gone over and over it in his head and kept coming up blank. Now armed with some information he had gotten from the reporters at the Daily Planet he was attempting to comb through the files again and begin the process of searching for the commonalities between the bombings – besides McCarthy.
On the floor by his bed, he had a copy of the subway tunnel blueprints along with each major infrastructure in the city. If McCarthy was going to take on a war with Metropolis he would find the next target before McCarthy struck again – hopefully.
________________________________________
“Ms. Lane, it’s standard procedure,” the officer standing guard reminded her as he took the keys from her. “It’s for your safety.”
“I’m not even staying that long.” Lois insisted. “I just need to grab a change of clothes.”
“Please?” he insisted, turning around and unlocking the door for her.
“After you,” she gestured to the door in front of him, waiting for him to do his usual patrol of her apartment before he would let her enter. She watched him disappear inside and waited for the usual two minutes he took to check inside.
“Hey, Tom?” Lois called out, reaching her hand over the door to push it open and peek inside. She let out a sharp gasp when she saw him on the floor in front of her couch.
“Tom is a bit preoccupied right now, Lois.”
Lois gasped in surprise when she saw a dark-haired woman sitting on the couch with a gun in her hand. Her eyes widened as she realized who the woman in front of her was.
“Mayson?”
TBC...
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