Chapter 6
Once Lois overheard Superman insisting to his parents that Madame Moresca was somehow involved in this mess, she took off to find the woman. She’d left abruptly, not telling Clark’s parents or even Superman where she was going. She had no idea what was happening but Superman kept insisting that this woman was the key to solving their problems. At least Lois felt like she was doing something by going after her.
As she drove, her mind struggled to reconcile what she’d seen. Clark and Superman - side by side. So similar yet not brothers.
It’s not that simple.
She narrowly avoided sideswiping a parked car, she was so distracted. Heart pounding, she pulled over, trying to re-orient herself. Superman had called Martha ‘Mom’. She’d clearly heard it. Yet he and Clark weren’t related? What else could explain the uncanny resemblance? And why hadn’t she ever noticed it before?
And Madame Moresca?
What could a second rate psychic have to do with all this? If that vile woman possessed kryptonite, it would certainly weaken Superman and affect his powers. Had she been using it to blackmail him?
But how would that impact Clark? How would any of this help her boyfriend? Should she have stayed by his side in the hospital?
She rubbed her temples. Fatigue was clouding her senses. Nothing was making sense. She felt as if she was overlooking some vital clue – that the truth was starring her right in the face. She finally concluded that she needed more information before she’d be able to put the pieces together.
Superman had indicated that the psychic could help. She willed herself to focus on that. Get Clark and Superman better and then she’d deal with the rest. She put the car in gear and continued to drive.
Soon she pulled into a space in front of the darkened store front and heaved a disappointed sigh. It was four am, the store was closed. So much for helping out Clark. After he’d had been shot, she’d been so frantic that she’d completely lost track of time. The absence of people and traffic of any kind should’ve tipped her off. As Lois peered into the darkened windows, she considered breaking the lock to look about. Maybe the old woman was lurking in that backroom. Then she heard a loud crash.
Superman had misjudged his landing and ran into a lamp post which was now lying mangled on the ground.
“Lois.” His hair was a mess. He quickly brushed aside some leaves and twigs that had stuck to his cape. “I’m…having a little trouble.” Chagrined, he admitted, “Controlling my super powers.”
“It’s getting worse, isn’t it?” Lois stated, with a lump in her throat. Complex emotions tangled within her chest, making it hard to breathe.
He nodded, avoiding her gaze.
What did you do?
She’d never seen Martha so upset. Suddenly, she was starting to make sense of what she seen. In Clark’s hospital room, Superman had been behaving as if he were guilty of something- like a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar. All along he’d been making excuses about his problems. Clark had been doing so as well.
“You knew! You knew what was affecting you. You and Clark – both! And you didn’t tell me!” Lois angrily snapped.
“I don’t blame you for being mad.”
“Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been?” she shouted.
“I know. We don’t have time for this. Clark’s getting weaker.”
Then she realized why Superman kept insisting that Madame Moresca could fix this. He must’ve asked her to do this.
“You did this on purpose? How could you be so stupid? How could you trust that nut job? How could you make yourself this vulnerable when so many people depend upon you? How could you do something this insane!”
“Insane? Clark could’ve called me. He didn’t even have to say it out loud. I would’ve heard him over hundreds of miles. He knew that! I would’ve protected you and he wouldn’t have been hurt in the first place. He didn’t have to risk his life.”
Unfortunately Lois understood that with Clark’s high principles, he did.
Superman insisted, “Look, I know we need to talk, but I don’t feel comfortable having this discussion without Clark. We’re running out of time. We need to find Madame Moresca. She took us to a cave the other night. Let’s see if we can find her there.”
He motioned to her as if asking her to join him flying.
Lois shook her head, gesturing towards the damaged lamp post. “I don’t think so. We’re driving.”
XXXXX
“Are you sure about this?” Lois said, stumbling again on the muddy trail.
The tiny flashlight from her glove compartment along with the faint sliver of new moon barely illuminated their path. The two continued to hike through dense underbrush in near darkness.
“Yes,” Superman replied, slightly irritated. “It’s just past those trees.”
Lois was so exhausted she no longer even noticed the brambles cutting into her ankles. She was filled with questions but far too tired to talk. And she was deathly afraid of losing control if she were to open her mouth.
Finally an opening appeared. Ducking, they entered the cave. The glow of a distant light beckoned them.
“It’s her,” Superman whispered. They picked up their pace.
It resembled a scene from a bad horror movie. The old woman, clad in the same dark purple tunic, was seated cross-legged on a mat in front of a rock formation that resembled a caldron. The natural bowl was filled with a glowing green liquid that bubbled. The crystal pendant about her neck glowed in the same fashion. Lois prayed that it wasn’t some form of kryptonite. If she hadn’t been so concerned, she’d have been tempted to make several wisecracks about the ridiculousness of the psychic’s lair.
“Madame Moresca,” Superman called out.
“What do you want?” the woman stood.
“I want to go back,” Superman said. “I want to be who I was before.”
Her laugh sounded more like a cackle. “You fool. It’s not that simple.”
Panicking, Superman yelled, “You promised!”
The woman eyed him critically. “You seemed like a strong candidate. You had such a powerful aura. I thought you could handle it. Obviously you can’t.”
“He’s falling apart!” Lois cried.
“What did you expect? He’s only half of a man.” The psychic said with disdain.
Lois felt violently ill. The final piece of the puzzle had clicked into place. It had been staring her in the face but she couldn’t accept it because it didn’t make sense to her. Clark was Superman. Yet there was even more to it. The full impact of what Clark had done finally hit her. Those aggravating mysterious disappearances. The instant they’d stopped, neither Clark nor Superman had been himself. Each had been getting worse by the day. And this woman had been the catalyst.
Lois started to plead. “You can’t leave him like this.” When she realized her cries were falling on deaf ears, her fear turned to rage. “Listen you decrepit old crone. You’re gonna fix him. Or I’ll let Superman take you on a little ride. His control of his powers isn’t that predictable these days, if you know what I mean. We had to drive rather than fly here. It would be a shame if he were to drop you from, say…ten thousand feet. Don’t think your psychic powers could do much there. “
“I was merely the venue. I didn’t think it would go this poorly. He lets his emotions rule him. He is weak.”
Barely reigning in her temper, Lois retorted, “I don’t care. Fix it!”
“There may be one way.” Madame Moresca studied Superman. “If too much damage hasn’t already been done. I need them both - here.”
“That’s impossible. Clark’s in intensive care. He’s fighting for his life. He’d never survive the trip.”
“Not my problem. They must be together to rejoin.”
Lois bit her lip, willing herself to keep it together.
“Superman.” Lois beckoned.
He stepped towards the psychic.
“Even in this condition, he could crush you like a bug. What are you going to do to fix this?” Lois shouted, barely controlling herself.
The woman understood that Lois meant business. “I suppose we could attempt the transfer in his hospital room. The atmosphere wouldn’t be right, but it might do. Though we’d need the proper supplies. Moonlight is essential so we’ll have to wait until nightfall.”
Lois shivered.
Was it morning already?
Would Clark survive that long?
Given Superman’s steadily weakening condition, she wondered if either man could handle an additional twelve hours of separation.
XXXXX
“I don’t feel right about this Lois,” Superman’s voice came from the bathroom in Clark’s apartment.
Lois sighed impatiently and explained, yet again. “It’s not good for Superman to appear vulnerable in public. We can’t let people see you like this. It could cause a panic.”
“But...”
“Just put on the clothes!”
Lois was dead tired. If she heard one more protest from Superman about dishonesty she was going to throttle him.
Her breath caught in her throat when he emerged. She’d avoided selecting Clark’s work clothes, sticking to more casual jeans and a t-shirt which might help Superman blend in better with a crowd. But it was Clark standing before her. Blinking back tears, she fought the urge to throw her arms around him, feeling it would somehow be disloyal.
“What are we going to do?” Superman asked.
“Jimmy is helping Jonathan get the supplies Madame Moresca requires.”
“Jimmy and Dad?”
“I know. Your mother refuses to leave Clark. I don’t envy them. I don’t even know what half those things are. ” Noting Superman’s concerned expression, she rapidly added, “I’m sure they’ll be fine. Jimmy can be very resourceful.”
“Is Clark improving?”
“He’s stable, which- I guess- is good, given the circumstances. The doctors keep talking about scheduling the surgery to repair the damaged artery. If they try that today, I don’t know how that’s going to affect our plans.”
“Has he regained consciousness?”
“No,” Lois murmured softly.
She started when he touched her shoulder.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Backing away, she said, “I’m trying to track down a highly qualified RN that can man the nurse’s station while the transfer is occurring tonight. With Clark’s unstable condition, we’ll need a medical professional there who won’t ask questions.”
She’d briefly considered asking her father, but she had enough turmoil in her life at the moment.
“Won’t the staff suspect something when Clark’s superpowers start returning?” Superman asked.
“That’s why we’ll need to get him out of there as soon as the transfer takes place.”
The psychic had been vague on the details. Lois had no idea how long or involved the process was. She wondered if one of Clark’s bodies would remain behind - lifeless, or if it would simply disappear? Either option made her slightly ill. And in any case, which one would remain?
“Would it be easier to fake Clark’s death?”
Lois’ eyes widened with horror.
“Easier to get him out of the hospital – that is,” Superman rapidly explained.
“That’s true. But do you really want to lose Clark Kent?”
“No! I’m not thinking. That’s not a good idea.” Getting more flustered, he asked, “How are we going to do this?”
“Clark, I’m doing everything that I can think of!” Then she sobbed and hid her face in her hands.
Superman came over and put his arms about her.
Rather than fighting him, she pressed her face against his chest. She was so tired. “I’m so confused. You’re Clark but you’re not Clark?”
“Up to a few days ago, Clark and I were the same person.”
Her mind had refused to make the connection until it was forced to in the cave. At least that explained why she was attracted to both men. Because they were the same man. The thought provided meager comfort.
“So he got me and you got the super powers?” she asked.
“It’s not that simple. We’re both in love with you.”
“Oh.” That would account for the growing tension between the men. She tried to ignore the warnings echoing in her head and just rest in his arms.
“Let’s lie down a few minutes. We’re tired.” Superman motioned to Clark’s bed.
“I can’t. We have to figure out the rest of the plan. There are too many details I haven’t worked out. And I need to be with Clark.”
“Mom’s with Clark and knows how to reach us.”
“But…”
“I can’t go on like this. We both need to rest. Please, don’t leave me alone,” he pleaded.
Superman sounding that scared chilled her to the bone.
She curled up beside him on the bed. After the events of the last twenty-four hours, maybe some rest would help her see things more clearly.
Yet every passing minute only seemed to intensify Clark and Superman’s dilemma.
XXXXXX
Later that afternoon, Lois returned to the hospital with Superman by her side. Wearing Clark’s jeans and t-shirt, he no longer resembled Superman. He wore a baseball cap and a fake beard to detract from his resemblance to Clark.
Clark’s appearance hadn’t changed. While a nurse fussed with his IV, Lois said, “Martha, you must be exhausted. Why don’t you let Sup…er…Bob take you back to Clark’s place?”
Propped up on a chair beside Clark’s bed, Martha was clearly weary. “Bob?”
Lois nodded towards Superman.
“Oh – Bob!”
“You need some rest.”
Martha asked, “Um…Bob, could Lois and I have a moment alone?”
“Sure.” He stepped into the hallway and the nurse also left the room.
Lois put her arms around Martha who didn’t resist her hug.
“How are you holding up?” Lois asked.
“Barely. I just…I just can’t believe he’d do something this asinine.”
“I know.”
“I can’t lose him,” Martha sniffed.
“Don’t even think like that.”
“I’ve been talking with his doctors – they’re tentatively planning the surgery for 6am tomorrow.”
With the rejoining ritual scheduled at midnight, hopefully it would be completed in sufficient time. Or would the rejoining have worked better if Clark’s artery had been already repaired? Lois had no idea.
“Lois, how are we going to get Clark out of here? If he doesn’t recover immediately, most likely he won’t be able to leave on his own accord.”
“I’ve thought about that. I’m…looking into it.”
Given the highly secretive nature of this business, hiring any random stranger would entail risks. Yet there would also be risks with people she trusted. Her thoughts reluctantly kept returning to her father, a qualified medical professional with experience in experimental medical research.
“Thank you. I can’t tell you how much all your support means. Clark is very lucky to have you.”
Lois decided to test out her idea. “Martha, to get help…I might have to reveal Clark’s secret.”
“We can’t do this alone. We trust you, Lois. Clark does too. Do what you need to do.”
Something about that statement didn’t ring true to Lois. But she didn’t dwell on it.
“Mom,” Superman called from the doorway.
“I’m coming.”
Lois whispered to Martha. “Don’t be too hard on him. He’s a bit…unstable.”
“I won’t, dear.”
XXXXX
It was almost time. Lois set out the candles and exotic herbs as Madame Moresca had requested. She threw open the blinds to allow traces of moonlight into the room. Hopefully Jonathan and Superman were escorting that crazed psychic woman from the parking lot to the hospital. She prayed they hadn’t run into any trouble.
Standing in the doorway to Clark’s room, she checked her watch again. Jimmy Olsen, clad in scrubs and blending in nicely with the hospital setting, nodded to her from the hallway and sauntered over to the nurses’ station with a box of donuts.
When the next member of the team arrived, they stepped into the room, closing the door behind them.
“Lois.”
“Dad.”
Rather than hugging him, they stiffly shook hands. She’d pulled out all the stops. If you love me, I need you to do this. She hadn’t even been able to ask him in person. There just hadn’t been enough time.
“You look awful,” Sam said.
“You don’t even want to know. Were you able to do what I asked?” Lois asked.
“With Mr. Olsen’s help. He’s pretty creative.”
An ambulance was waiting downstairs for them to transfer Clark to his apartment. Sam Lane had filed papers for a transfer order to cover their trail - some experimental surgery that had to be done at his labs. Lois had briefly considered transporting Clark to another location to perform the rejoining, but decided it was too risky due to his condition. Once the rejoining occurred, Clark would regain his superpowers which would vastly facilitate the healing process.
“He’ll be pleased you think so,” Lois replied.
She had given her father and Jimmy minimal information, only dire warnings regarding the need for secrecy and the importance of what they were doing. She’d deal with the rest as it came.
Lois and her father hovered by Clark. She anxiously scanned his face for any motion. Only the steady beep of the heart monitor filled the room.
Moments later, Jonathan and Superman, dressed as Bob, entered with Madame Moresca.
“Too many people,” the psychic complained.
“Not much we can do about that. Get to work,” Lois instructed.
The psychic lit the candles and arranged some crystals and herbs about the room. Some she mixed together, others she sprinkled about. Then she had Superman lie on a bed close to Clark’s. She set out a glass ball with swirling colors inside of it, and placed it on a stand. In some ways, it resembled a kaleidoscope. She turned off the lights.
“We need stillness now.” She hissed at Lois then began to chant. Twenty minutes later, nothing had changed.
Lois’ father gave her a questioning glance.
“Look who’s talking. You’ve never been one for traditional science,” Lois scoffed.
Madame Moresca glared at Lois then returned to her chanting.
Jonathan stood guard by the door as Martha and Jimmy distracted anyone who approached Clark’s room from the hall.
“How long does this take?” Jonathan whispered as the woman droned in a monosyllabic tone.
“Look!” Lois pointed out to the ball.
The ribbons of color in the ball became more intense. The colors grew more vibrant and the strands thickened. They started to vibrate. Then similar swirls of vibrant colors started to rise from Clark and Superman’s bodies. As the woman continued to chant, the ribbons grew longer and began to swirl more violently. As the pitch of her voice finally rose, the colored ribbons from each man began to collide, like waves crashing into one another.
“Fascinating,” Sam Lane commented.
A motion by the door startled them, but Jonathan placed his entire weight against it.
“Oh my God!” Lois cried.
The molecules in Superman’s hand had dissolved into tiny particles. Then his legs followed suit. It was happening to Clark too.
“Daddy!” Lois sobbed, her heart breaking, seeing both of the men she loved disintegrating before her eyes.
“Look!” Jonathan pointed out.
The tiny dust-like particles were recombining on the floor between the two men as the vibrating colored energy ribbons hovered above. Within minutes, a single body had been assembled. Once the colored ribbons rushed into Clark’s body via his nose and mouth, he started wildly convulsing. Jonathan continued to block the door as Sam rushed over to stabilize Clark.
“He’s in cardiac arrest. Hand me the crash cart.”
He administered a jolt of electricity and waited for a response.
“Daddy!” Lois cried.
He used the paddles again.
“Keep going Daddy! You’ve gotta bring him back!”
After his third attempt, Clark’s chest began to move, indicting he was breathing.
Lois demanded, “We need to move him. Now.”
“That’s not a good idea,” Sam objected.
“I know. But we have to. Let’s go!” Lois ordered.
XXXXXXX
“How is he?” Martha asked Sam Lane as he came out of Clark’s bedroom.
Clark’s superpowers had already started reappearing. While being transferred in the ambulance, his body had rejected the IV needles and heart monitor which had been inserted in the hospital room. Sam Lane had stared, bewildered by the sight.
“His life signs are like nothing I’ve ever seen before. I’m afraid I don’t know what normal is for him.”
They weren’t sure what to expect. On the surface, Clark’s breathing was steady, along with his heartbeat. His color had been improving. Yet most of the problems the two men had experienced upon separation were more of a mental/emotional nature.
Had too much damage been done before the rejoining took place?
Would Clark’s damaged artery be repaired by his superpowers or had the damage interfered with the rejoining process?
Would Clark be the same as he’d been before?
TBC
