A/N: This chapter reflects no personal beliefs about fruit flavored sodas. I loathe all fruit flavored sodas and recommend none.
Clark's eyes widened, seeing the aged metal and turquoise wrapped around her wrist. "Where did you..."
"I found it when I was getting your clothes and I just... Well, I grabbed it with them just because... Well, I just did and it was stupid, really. I don't even like turquoise and I don't even know what possessed me to even try it on and..." She was babbling, pulling at the opening, turning her hand over. "It just slipped right on and now it just sits there and it just..." She held her wrist out ot him, her voice slightly whiny. "It won't come off."
It was strange, seeing it on her. Actually on her. "For the true one in your life." That's what Joseph had said when he'd given him Khyla's bracelet. He'd kept it all this time. He'd even brought it to Met Vista. But he never really thought why. He knew the bracelet meant something to Khyla, to the Kawatche. He knew the idea of it belonging to his soulmate was pretty. Still, it was no more than a bauble, but... He thought of what Jor-El had started to say in the fortress, only heard in patches and fragments with the loss of the crystal affecting the balance within. At the time, he was too distracted by the need to get out, get Lois safe, get to work.
He dropped his clothes on the chair and took her wrist, trying to pull at the opening in the back. He pulled lightly, trying to use what he judged to be human strength. It didn't budge. He started to pull harder, but it still didn't budge. He supposed he could pull it even harder, bend it outward and take it from her, but... He didn't want to. Luckily, she stopped him, pulling her wrist away.
"No. Don't break it. I... I'm sorry, Clark. I had no idea this was some kind of artifact."
"It's okay. You can have it. I really don't..."
"Clark, don't be ridiculous. This should probably be in a museum. I saw a drawing in the cave. It was exactly like..."
"This?" He forced a laugh. "No. I just got it at a... souvenir shop. There were about twenty others there," he lied quickly.
She blinked up at him. "Granted, I don't know the Kawatche well, but... they're not exactly the type to open a roadside stand and sell dreamcatchers and replica bracelets."
He shrugged. "I don't think it was an attempt at commercialism, Lois. Just a common design."
She squinted down at the bracelet. "What does it mean, though? The way the stone and the lines..."
"I'm not sure," he cut in. It was nearly true. "It's just something I... picked up for Mom, but she's not into turquoise, so..."
"Well, I'm not either. I mean, I..." Lois turned her wrist over, running a finger over the large stone. "I don't mind it too much. It kind of grows on you, but..." She shook her head. "Well, I can't keep this on for the rest of my life."
I wish you would, he thought, but didn't say. "We can figure it out later."
She dropped her wrist and looked up at him strangely. "So... There will be a later."
It sounded like a question. "I... I'm nearly sure." God, he wanted to lie right now.
That spot between her eyebrows crinkled. "Okay. Nearly sure." She seemed to stiffen as she moved back to the chair she'd been perching on. "You know, this whole thing would have been easier if..." She shut her mouth and shook her head. "Never mind. Just..." She trailed off again, then stood, a determined look in her eyes. She strode to him and placed a hand on the back of his neck, pulled him down, meeting his lips.
He closed his eyes and let his hands slide to her back, deepening the kiss. Suddenly they were in The Planet's basement, surrounded by debris and sirens that blared outside. The world had been ending that day... Sometimes the end of the world had its perks.
She pulled away, touching his cheek. "I will see you later," she said before pulling back. "You should get dressed."
He nodded, picking his clothes up as she moved away, perching on the arm of the chair again. "I'll just get dressed," he said dully.
"You do that," she answered, not meeting his eyes.
Clark walked toward the small washroom off the living room and closed the door, leaning back against it. Whatever happened tonight, he had to see her later. He had to have faith he would. He had to do everything in his power to ensure he did. They could not have come this far for nothing. She was on the verge of... everything. Not just knowing who she was, but who she was to him. What they were to each other.
The bracelet.
He had pulled pretty hard. It didn't even bend in the slightest. He wondered why. A part of him suspected why. He'd been on the verge of giving it to Lana many times. He'd come across it sometimes in a box or in a drawer and think of going to her so many times, always thinking she was his true one. He wondered if it would have bonded to her as it did to Chloe. Or if his mother had slipped it on... Well, that was a creepy road to go down. He put his clothes down and tried to focus on dressing. He'd always thought the bracelet was just something fashioned from a symbol in a cave. The symbol meant Naman's "true one," but the bracelet was just a representation. He'd thought it almost sweet and sentimental and he'd kept it, thinking of giving it to Lana. He never had. Something had always stopped him. Maybe the bracelet itself... He'd never thought the bracelet was more than a bracelet. Now he wondered if it was more than that. If there was something in it that knew what he knew: That he'd chosen her.
In the caves... It was all so sudden. All she did was touch him lightly and their need for each other was so immediate and nearly scary.
He pulled his darks on quickly, nearly resenting them, resenting that he had more to do than just be with her, help her, focus on getting her well. As it was, he could just be glad she'd be safe with Victor for now. It was one of the first things he'd made sure of when he'd come into the apartment. He wanted Victor here with her, with his mother... and with Linda, of course, until he could get these couples out. Get back to her.
And he wanted to get back to her. Hoped desperately that he could. They had to talk. He'd held off for so long, knowing it was her choice, but the presence of the chemicals in her apartment, the fact that these headaches seemed to only affect her. He felt more and more that this wasn't her choice. He wondered, with Grady in hiding, if it was even truly his choice. He wondered if Grady would agree to help, should he find him with the resources he now had and... and he was fucking pissed that he couldn't focus on any of it now with so much more to do.
No. Not pissed. Resigned. He had a job to do. It wasn't just a story anymore. It was... Well, it was a job for Superman, not Clark Kent. He started to pull his shirt down over his head when the door flew open.
"Jeez, Clark. Ever heard of a lock?"
He hastily pulled it down the rest of the way, seeing a weary Linda in the doorway. "Sorry," he mumbled. "I was just changing."
She sighed, her eyes slightly puffy. "Just lock it next time so a body knows. I've seen enough of your flesh in the last few days." She started to close the door, but he stopped it.
"You okay?"
She glanced away. "I'm fine. Perfectly normal and human and fine." She sniffled slightly. "Guess I have to be."
"Listen, Linda. It's not like you're being shut out of the whole thing. Victor is staying behind, too. You can..."
"What?" She glared at him. "Watch him avidly? Because he never lets me play with his gadgets and... Oh, that's not even the point." She shook her head. "I'm just frustrated. I'm about to go looking for a nuclear plant and take a bath in something glowy just to feel like I'm on the inside, here. There's this club and I'm just not in and I don't know how many more chances I'll have before... Oh, just ignore me. I hate sulking. I told myself I would stop this. I just... I hate being left behind, alone, wondering if this is the time he'll come back with more than a few scrapes or... not at all."
He hesitantly placed a hand on her shoulder. He and Linda had never been very touchy, but she didn't pull away. "You're not alone. Lois is in the same boat."
Linda rolled her eyes. "Her? She was always on the front lines. She even got a cool nickname."
"And what now? You heard her out there. She has no idea who she was to... all of us." He pulled her in and closed the door. "And that's exactly what I want to talk to you about. There are a few things I haven't told you..."
*************************
Lois paced the length of the living room, nearly ready to spring. She'd just wait until Bart and Clark left and everyone went to the control room and then she could get away. She knew one thing for sure. Whoever was behind Met Vista had their hands full. Between the infection and the addition of Mitzi... Someone in that complex was not home..
Clark and Bart were doing some reconnaissance on the site, but she had work of her own to do. While the baddies were busy with the illness and the heroes, she'd be busy, too. There was something they were missing and she refused to be afraid of going back to a community where the greatest crime was garish lawn ornaments. With this toxin spreading, she knew that Bryce as well as whoever else was involved would have their hands full.
Now was the time to go digging.
The whoever else was what interested her at this point. She'd seen Bryce skulking about only once, but she was sure to have been around more than that. There was someone else, someone who gave her access to the community. Lois had a strong suspicion of who that someone was. That someone had been in her house that day her license was taken, the day her brake fluid was drained, though she doubted this particular person had done that particular thing. It was someone whose behavior had gotten progressively stranger since the "Camerons" had moved in to the awful Jetson house...
She jumped slightly as AC and Bart moved in from the kitchen, arguing.
"I tell you, grape."
Bart snorted. "I wouldn't use grape soda to scrub a toilet. Black cherry is the only fruit soda worth..." He trailed off, staring at Lois. "Hey, you okay?"
"Me? Just ducky." She tried a smile.
AC stared hard at her. "You sure? Because you look a little antsy."
"Oh, well it's a big night and there's been a lot going on, so..."
Bart sighed. "Hell, yeah. You deserve a big, fat shot when this is over. I'll buy... Better yet, Queen will. He better get me, too, especially after wearing this." He held out his hand, a pair of goggles dangling from it. They flashed and beeped. "God, I hate these."
"Oh, stop whining," AC groaned. "If they hurt so much, wear the nose guard Victor gave you."
"No way. Makes me look like a dork."
"No one's going to see, which is practically the point..." They moved off, arguing still as they moved to the control room.
Lois patted her coat pocket again. Her keys, Linda's cell. She just had to be sure they were there. She'd had to be sure about every ten seconds. She tried to sit again, but she just couldn't. She stood, patting the pocket again, just to be...
"You can take your coat off."
She whirled, seeing Ollie at the stairwell.
"No, thanks." She forced a smile. "Still a bit chilly from the whole... Arctic thing." There was no way she was taking this coat off. It was about the only thing keeping her sane right now. She patted the pocket again.
"Lois, are you..."
"I'm fine," she snapped, so sick of everyone constantly asking her if she was okay.
Ollie smiled. "I was actually going to ask if you were planning on staying the night here."
"Well... I hadn't thought of it," she said, slightly embarrassed.
"I think you should or at least let me get you a hotel room. It's obviously not safe at that house and I'm not sure your apartment's the best bet, either."
"Got it," she said. "Let me just think about that while I wash up and..." She moved to the washroom, but the door was locked. Linda was in there. Or was it Clark? She just wanted to be away from Oliver. She didn't want to lie to him. She had the crazy feeling he'd know. That the worst thing about him, all of them. They all seemed to know things, know her. She, on the other hand, was constantly in the dark. She gestured to the master bedroom. "I'll just use that one," she said quickly, shutting herself in. It was dark. She heard a slight shuffling, then deep, even breaths. She'd nearly forgot Martha was lying down in here.
She turned, looking at her in the scant light from the window. She was nearly jealous. She'd sleep, too, if her mind would just stop screaming at her for two seconds. She moved closer to the bed and pulled the covers up over Martha's shoulder. She liked Martha. She'd liked her from the first moment, almost as if it wasn't the first moment, as if they'd known each other in another life.
She didn't necessarily believe in reincarnation, but something had spoke to her about this woman. There was something in her that was good and wise.
She'd heard what Martha said to Linda about the all-too-human part of the team. She even agreed, at least a little. But she wouldn't be waiting. She may not be faster than a speeding bullet or have the ability to shoot arrows with deadly precision. But she had her own strengths. They involved truth and how to find it. If they'd been more aggressive at Met Vista from the get go, they might have stopped Mitzi's abduction. She wasn't about to make the same mistakes twice. She was through playing house and pussyfooting around. It was time to go into Met Vista as Lois Lane, not Lanie Cameron, and get some answers while she could.
************************
"So you think Lois was... forced?"
"Not forced," Clark hissed. "Convinced, but with the aid of the chemicals. Linda, do you honestly think someone who lived their life searching for truth would choose to live a lie?"
"I... that fax. The letters. Clark, that was her. I know the tone of her writing. I know she wrote..."
"I'm not saying she didn't. I'm just saying that she might not have been herself. At least think of this, Linda." He grasped her shoulders. "What she's done is hurting her now. Do you want that to go on?"
Linda stared at him, then shook her head, her eyes slightly frightened. "No, but... You're kind of freaking me out." She pulled away. "Listen, there'll be time to figure this out later, when..."
"Linda, I just want you to promise me one thing. If I don't make it back tonight..."
She stepped further away. "Jesus, Clark. Don't talk like that. You are seriously..."
"I need to know that she'll be okay," he insisted. "We have to... at least consider the possibility that I'll be hurt again. And it might be for keeps."
She was silent for a moment, staring in horror. He knew what she was thinking. If he could be hurt, Oliver could be hurt. He hoped it wouldn't come to that. "I'm considering," she said, her voice shaky. "But what are you saying I should do exac..."
"I want her to know."
"What? Clark, we agreed. It could damage her just to..."
"Not everything, not all at once. Just... I want her to know what she needs to. I don't want her wandering like some babe in the woods, talking to Luthor and..."
"Well, I agree on that," Linda snorted.
"But at some point, she should know who she was, who she still is somewhere in there. I mean... It's up to you -- if it comes to that. That's why I told you about the chemicals. So you'd have all the pieces. So you could decide." He took her by the shoulders again. "Linda, she didn't want this. Even if she thought she did, this couldn't be what she signed up for."
Linda looked away, nodding. "I... I think I've always thought that. I guess I was too busy blaming you to think what this meant for her." Linda met his eyes. "Clark, I don't... I don't all the way blame you. Well... not anymore. Lately, I was even... blaming her, resenting her for cutting herself away and... cutting me out," she finished, blinking back tears. "But I really would like to just stop placing blame. I mean, my therapist and I have been talking about this very issue and..."
"Linda," he cut in. He really didn't want a long discussion. "There's not much time. I just... I want you to promise that you'll watch over her."
Her eyes narrowed. "I was watching over her since before you even met her. Of course I..." She trailed off, nodding her head firmly. "Anger is no way to deal with fear," she recited to herself. "Yes," she said through clenched teeth. "I will watch over her. And could I add that..."
"Could you not?" Clark asked quickly. "I really have to get wired, Linda."
She pursed her lips. "You just better get through this. Because I really want to give you a kryptonite knuckle sandwich."
**************************
Clark let Victor adjust his headset as Bart crunched on something next to him. "Come on. Let's go, already. I haven't had a good reconnaissance mission since Rub..." Bart stopped and turned around. There was no one in the room except the three of them. "Oh, she's not in here." He sighed loudly. "I hate this, you know. I'm not one for censorship."
"Well, we need to be careful," Clark said. "At least until..." He stopped himself. "Just for now," he finished as Victor stared hard at him.
"Are you saying that there might be a point where we don't have to be careful?" Bart poured what was left of the chips into his mouth from the bag. "Because I'm all for that," he said, spraying bits on Victor.
Victor grimaced and wiped the side of his face. "Yeah. You're not the poster boy for careful. And that's exactly what I want to warn you about." He turned away from Clark and faced Bart. "I don't want you rushing in there without my say-so. Do we agree on that?"
"Hey, if I see an opportunity, I'm..."
"You'll talk to me first. Both of you. We want you hidden until there's enough back-up. We're going into this blind as it is and we know this woman possesses a dangerous toxin. You saw what it did to Clark. You're not immune, either."
Bart rolled his eyes, but nodded. "Yeah, yeah. You and your gloom and doom. You make me nervous. I need a sandwich," he muttered before moving out. Clark started to follow, but Victor stopped him.
"Until what?" he asked.
"Huh?"
"You said we needed to be careful until..." Victor crossed his arms. "And I want to know the end of that sentence."
Clark didn't play dumb. It was hard to do with someone like Victor. He sometimes wondered if there was a polygraph somewhere inside him. "I've been tracking Grady," he finally answered.
Victor's eyes widened. "And?"
Clark shook his head. "Nothing. I can't find him."
"I thought you said he didn't know how to reverse the wipe."
"Well, I have reason to believe he wasn't altogether honest." He didn't want to go into it now. There wasn't time. He'd told Linda to fill the gang in in the event of... Well, if it was needed.
Victor narrowed his eyes. "There's something else."
Clark nearly laughed. "There's a million something elses, but we don't have time..."
"No. I mean what's in your pocket."
Clark shook his head. "How would you... You don't have X-ray..."
"Heat sensors," Victor put in. "I can also pick up radiation. How do you think Ollie and I have been tracking kryptonite?" He shifted his gaze down. "That thing's giving off some mad radiation."
Clark sighed and pulled the crystal from his pocket. "It's getting stronger as it rests.
Victor took the crystal and stared at it for a long time. "I don't understand your technology. I never did. What do you think this will do?"
He glanced at Victor. "Save them. It saved me, but it was drained of most of its strength. I'm hoping it will drain less of it to save a human life."
"But that's not all," Victor said, handing it back. "You're nervous."
"My father said I shouldn't take it away. When I took it, the fortress was weakened."
"And that's not all," Victor said slowly, holding Clark's gaze.
Clark sighed. Victor would stare him down all night if he didn't give in. "Fine. There's a possibility that using this could drain me of some strength." Victor still stared. "Maybe more."
Victor pursed his lips. "Don't suppose you were going to tell any of us about it."
"Why?" Clark snapped. "So we can sit and discuss it when I know there's only one thing to do?" He shoved it back into his pocket. "I made a promise to myself when I trained. I would protect any way I could. This is a way I can and I'll use it if I have to."
"That's not what I'm arguing. Do you think we'd hold you back or something?" Victor put a hand on his shoulder. "You've been tracking Grady alone. You've been conducting a dangerous investigation alone. You might have never told us you were sick. Why do you think Ollie and I have been tracking kryptonite?" Victor asked, his voice raised, not something that he did often. "We have been trying to help you. That's what your team does. That's what friends do." He lowered his voice. "If you get through this, remind me to slap you upside the head."
"Victor, I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to say you were all..."
"And remind me to get on Grady. You obviously know absolute shit about tracking the kryptonite infected or you would have found him by now. You and that dumb-ass lone wolf shit." Victor turned back to his monitors. "Probably take me a day at the most," he muttered.
Clark smiled slightly as he turned. He had a team. He was an idiot. "Victor, I just never thought..."
"Just do me one favor," Victor cut in. "Just tell me if it's obvious you... have to. Okay? At least I can figure out what the rest of us need to do."
"Okay," Clark said quietly.
Victor turned back. "Well, go on. Get out of here."
Clark nodded and left the room. In the living room, everyone was loud, laughing and arguing.
Murray was standing with Bart. ".... absolutely extraordinary," he caught. "But with such a metabolism, you must be aging rapidly."
"Oh, I got fixed up. You see, there was this..."
AC and Linda were playing gin. "This isn't poker," Linda said wearily. "Nothing's wild. That two doesn't count unless it has a buddy, Fish Head."
Diana was stroking her lasso, sitting next to Lois. "It actually comes back on command."
"Yes, but the truth thing. How does that..."
"How should I know? I just work with the thing. We don't talk or..."
Ollie was standing off against the wall, just watching like some kind of babysitter. Clark wondered if he sometimes felt that was exactly what he was.
Clark closed the door and everything stopped. He was nearly sad to see it. He didn't realize how nice all that cacophony was to be around. How he should have appreciated all of them. Every eye turned to him.
Bart strode toward him. "Hey, Boyscout. You all done up?"
"Yeah. Ready to go."
Ollie pushed away from the wall. "The two of you know not to make a move unless..."
"Victor says so," Bart finished, groaning. "Got it for a the millionth time. And it's way dark, so we should just go."
Ollie turned to Clark. "How do you feel? Full strength? Because we never..."
Clark nodded. "I'm good." He didn't know for how long, but for now... "I just want to get this done." The sooner it was over, the sooner he could deal with the matter pressing most on his mind. His eyes went to Lois.
She was looking at him, but didn't stand. Didn't say anything. He supposed she'd said what she had to. And he really wanted to heed her. He wanted to come back.
He moved through the room, nodding at AC, who just gave him a thumbs up. AC tried to trip Bart, but Bart sidestepped at lightening speed.
"Hey, you big trout lover. What's the..."
"Just keeping you on your toes, Dude."
Murray came forward hesitantly. "Clark, I've been working and I think I have the dosage right for humans. I hope you'll tell me if there's any immediate need to..."
"I'll be on the wire the whole time," he cut in. But he wouldn't be using Murray's cure. He had something of his own, should it be needed. "I hope there won't be an immediate need."
Murray shivered slightly. "Me, too. I really am not cut out for all this..."
"Enough chatter," Bart broke in. "I haven't had a real challenge in weeks. This guy wants some action." He was at the stairwell in a blink. "Let's go, Big Man."
Clark moved to the stairwell, glancing back at Lois one more time. "I'll see you," he said, hoping he would.
Bart sped ahead and Clark followed, stopping outside in the alleyway. "So... if you want, I can fly you."
Bart snorted. "Like you flying me would help." He pulled the goggles down over his eyes. "I can run faster than you can even blink, Superdork."
"Oh, like that's really..." He was gone. Clark smiled slightly and pulled his own goggles down, lifting off. It felt good, actually, working with the team again. The wind felt good, too. Crisp and clean. He sped up, enjoying the thrill of the chase as he saw Bart in a blur below him. He picked up speed, smiling wider.
"We'll see who gets there first."
*********************************
She hated seeing him go, yet she knew he had to be gone, otherwise she couldn't go. He would never let her. It was strange how she knew and accepted this and just danced around it. She should be angry that he or anyone dared tell her what she could and couldn't do. But there it was. She lied and she snuck and she waited. She didn't have to wait long. Everyone piled into the control room in seconds, waiting for word. Tribune wouldn't take either of them long. She crept toward the stairwell as Diana's long, curly mane disappeared into the room.
"Marcy Proud," she whispered to herself as she crept down the stairs. She adjusted her purse on her shoulder.
Marcy was trusted. Pammie herself had said she'd been there since the first house was built. She was the unofficial confidante of the neighborhood. She'd seen the woman's behavior lately, walking around in a ratty nightgown, ignoring her yapping dog. It was guilt. It had to be. She was ready to burst with it. All Lois had to do was show her the picture of Helen, confront her with it. She'd spill it all. She felt some measure of fear, but she pushed it away. This was a woman pushing eighty. Surely, she couldn't be all that dangerous. All the same... She felt in her purse. She'd taken a little something else from Linda's overnight bag. It was a taser. She didn't want to use it. But she would if she had to.
She ran the last few steps to the car, hastily pushing the button on her key, afraid Clark would suddenly come back, try to stop her, not realizing that she was about to crack this wide open. She'd call them then, tell them what she knew and everyone could be that much more prepared. There could be blueprints, plans, maybe even...
"Hah!"
Lois jumped, dropping her keys as Linda appeared in front of her.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Lois didn't waste time arguing. She bent down, scooped up her keys, and got in, jamming the key in the ignition. She wasn't fast enough, however. Linda appeared at the other side, pulling the door open. "Lois! You can't just..." Lois pulled forward, but that didn't work, Linda just piled right in, closing her door. "Okay, turn around this second. If you think..."
"Linda, either get out or get on board," she grunted, speeding out of the underground lot. "I am a grown woman and will go where I please. I can't just sit here. I may not be able to do what Clark does, but I have my own strengths."
"Lois, I am not going to just let you..."
"I get it. I really do. You think you know what's best for me. All of you. You treat me like some kid who can't even hear what the grown-ups are talking about and I'm..."
"What? We have all done our best to..."
"To what? Hide things from me? Each and every one of you has been dancing around me. I'm not stupid, you know."
"Lois, just turn around. We'll talk, okay? We'll have a nice long talk. Just go back. We have to be..."
"What? Observers?" She stopped at a red light. "This is my story. I refuse to sit by and let the damned grown-ups handle things."
"Everyone is probably already wondering..."
"Not if you call them." She dug in her purse and pulled out Linda's cell.
"Hey! That's my phone. First my keys, then you..."
"Aren't you sick of it, too?" She thrust the phone at Linda. It was a dirty trick and she knew it. But she had no other choice. "Don't you hate being asked to sit on the sidelines while the heroes take the field?" She softened her voice. "Linda, I can't just let them go in with nothing. I have information... or I will. I need the other pieces," she said, her voice sounding desperate even to her own ears. "I feel like they're in my reach. But I can't find them sitting in an apartment twiddling my thumbs. Now is the time to act." The light was green. Had been for a while if the horns blaring behind her were any indication.
Linda grasped the phone as she sped forward. She punched in some numbers. "Ollie... Lois and I are..." She glanced at Lois, who tried to keep her eyes on the road, but failed. Hoping so badly that Linda would play ball, here. She wasn't too worried. None of them could catch them, not without Clark and Bart. And especially when they. even Linda, didn't know where they were going. "We're going to the bar," Linda finally said. Lois let out a shaky breath and moved to the freeway. "Well, because we have nothing else to do, obviously... Me? I'm not whining, just stating the facts... I don't know... When we feel like it... Fine. I'll just come back. I mean, if you want me on the jet, just say the... Oh, Ollie. We're just going to pass the time in a more productive way. I mean, watching Victor fiddle is big fun, but... Yes... I will." She laughed nervously. "Loud and clear... I love you, too... Bye." Linda closed her cell. "I hope you're happy. I'm a liar now."
"Thought you were used to that."
Linda was silent for a moment. "One of these days, you are going to..."
"What?" Lois asked when she didn't finish.
"I'll tell you later." Linda put the phone back in Lois' purse. "So where exactly are we going?"
"Back to the complex."
Linda sat back. "Okay, then."
Lois turned to her slightly. "What? No dire warnings? Because I've thought this through and..."
"It's not the craziest thing I've done with you." Linda chuckled slightly. "I mean, this is nothing, actually. Remind me to tell you about a time when you pulled out a switchblade right in front of me and... Well, we'll save that."
"What the hell are you..."
"Watch the road," Linda said sharply. Lois obeyed, trying to do just that. Not easy when your cousin was dangling enigmatic statements over your head. "God, I just can't wait."
"For what?"
"All that grovelling you'll do when... Oh, never mind. We'll talk."
Lois shook her head and moved to the exit, putting Linda on the list with Clark. There were talks coming. That was for sure.
*******************************
Clark touched down between two tall buildings, waiting for Bart. They were supposed to meet here before going to the exact location. He smiled slightly. He was first, after... Something hit the back of his neck, something wet. He turned sharply, almost fearful for a moment before he heard the giggles.
"Bullseye," Bart hissed loudly above him.
Clark looked up, seeing Bart perched on a fire escape. "What the hell, Bart?" He looked down. An old sock. Disgusting.
Bart snorted. "Well, I would have done it while you were flying, but I don't know if you're all there."
"I'll show you all there," he muttered before rising up. Bart was, of course, too fast, already giggling from below when he reached the fire escape.
"Will you two stop screwing around?" It was Victor's voice in his ear. "Are you at the rendezvous point?"
"Yes," Clark answered, touching ground again.
"Yeah," Bart chimed in. "Except fly boy here has really lost his edge. I was here a full..."
"Stop wasting time, Flash." Ollie now, sounding slightly on-edge. "Do you know where you're going?"
Clark pulled out the GPS victor had given him. "Looks to be only a half-mile east." He looked around. It wasn't a great part of town. He sort of hoped the people were being held somewhere nicer than this. The alley stank of garbage and stale urine.
"I don't want the two of you to speed through this, just jumping into God knows what," Victor warned. "I want periodic stops. You take a look around so I can see what you do. Hear me?"
"Yeah, loud and clear," Bart sighed. "What am I? In training? It's not like I haven't done this before."
"And it's not like you haven't rushed into things and put yourself at risk every time," Ollie pointed out. "Clark is invulnerable, but you aren't. You two stay close."
"We will." Clark felt the crystal in his pocket again. If he had to use it, he might not be invulnerable. It could drain his strength and, he feared, more. He hoped he wouldn't have to, not immediately. Murray's concoction wasn't exactly a cure, but it could stave off the worst of the infection until a cure could be had.
And he had cure in his hands... or his pocket.
And maybe, just maybe, the crystal would have time to recharge, gain strength before he used it. Of course, he didn't know. He couldn't be sure of anything at the moment. He was just glad Lois was safe. "Hey, Ollie, is she... how is she?"
"I don't know. I think she's in the living room with the wife. I'll go..." There was a loud ringing in the background. Victor growled something. "I'm sorry," Ollie hissed. "I'll take it out of the room."
"What's going on back there?" Bart asked, stepping to the edge of the alleyway and looking around. Clark followed. It was only eight. There were people in the street still. "Sounds very unprofessional, Cyborg. I don't know if I can work under these..."
"Oh, shut up," Victor growled. "Greenie's supposed to keep his damn cell off around me and he always forgets."
Clark turned to Bart as they waited in the shadows for a surly group of kids to pass. "Why's he supposed to do that?"
"Cyborg's our very own walking cell tower. He also slices, dices, and makes julienne..."
"Get moving, you two."
"Still too many people," Clark said quickly. "We have to wait for things to clear a bit."
"Yeah, two guys appearing out of nowhere might get funny looks," Bart hissed. "Especially since we look like we're about to go snorkeling with all this crap on our..."
"Can we save the talking for when it's absolutely necessary?" Victor cut in.
Clark glanced through the buildings. "Clearing up. Should we take a little run?"
Bart shrugged. "I'm always up for it."
***********************************
"So... Let me get this straight. You say that you know who's behind this and you just never mentioned it before?"
"I don't know," Lois sighed. "Not for sure. I only got an inkling a few days ago. Marcy Proud is connected to this."
"But you said she was, like, eighty."
"Yeah. Clark laughed, too. But he didn't see." Lois nodded to herself, more sure than ever. "I trust my instincts. Something about her was off."
"If you ask me, that entire place is off." Linda was silent for a moment as they moved to the exit. "But... I mean, you have a point. What's the point to our being there? What could we do from the apartment? I mean, there is absolutely no reason to feel guilty."
Lois sighed. "Linda, if you're feeling guilty, just call him again and see how they're doing."
"Oh, I can't. I have about no charge on the damned phone. It died when I was trying to text Ollie."
Lois clenched her teeth. "Text him what exactly?"
"Well, it's eight o'clock on a Wednesday and he proposed to me at eight o'clock on a Wednesday and, whenever I remember, I like to kind of..."
Lois let out a pent up breath.
"Oh, shut up. There are cornier..."
"No. It's not that corny." Well, it was, but she was just glad Linda wasn't trying to slip a text to Ollie under her nose about what they were really doing. "Listen, if whoever's in charge is tied up with our superhuman pals, then someone won't be home. This is the perfect time to get in and find out what's there." Lois ground her teeth slightly. "Of course, we can't tell them what we find with your dead phone. So there's a kink in the plan." Her own phone had been dead for days, sitting in that box she'd dropped it in.
"Well, if it makes you feel better, Clark and Bart are probably already there. We'd never get the info to them soon enough anyhow. Still, we could use a land line. But still, I mean their speed and our speed... Yeah. Might not be that useful to them."
Lois tapped a tiny remote on her key ring and the gates to Metropolis Vista swung inward. She squinted at the growing opening. "Maybe not. But this is still a story. And I'll be damned if I don't get every scrap on it."
**********************************
Clark stopped next to Bart in a darkened alley... again. It was the only way to speed through and keep some kind of cover. The funny thing was, they were closer and there was still nothing but rows of apartments over dingy storefronts. The thought of all those people crushed together in some rotting tenement was sickening. Worse yet, was the idea that they weren't all there. And that nothing he did could bring them back.
But he couldn't think of that now.
"Picture's a bit dark, Boyscout."
"We're in another stinking alley," Bart hissed. "What do you expect?"
"Well, turn on the night vision. I can't see..."
"Okay. Doing it." Clark flipped a switch on the side of his goggles. It didn't make a difference to him, really. He could always see in the dark. But the rest...
"Boo!"
There was a collective gasp in his ears as the others reacted to Bart suddenly shoving his face in front of Clark's.
"Flash, seriously," Diana groaned. "We're edgy enough."
Bart stepped back and shrugged, flipping a switch on his own goggles. "Thought we could use a tension breaker."
"Think?" Victor snapped. "That's not even a word in your vocabu..."
Clark stopped listening. This might go on all night. He focused on the wall instead, looking through. Past the people making dinner or watching TV, even one man sitting on the toilet, grunting. He tried to see through the building, see if what's beyond was any... "There's something," he breathed.
"What?" Victor asked, stopping his tirade.
"A high wall."
"Well, duh," Bart snorted. "We're right in front of... Oh. Yeah. Well. Where?"
"Beyond this building and the next." He wondered if he should fly up, see what was beyond. But he didn't want to leave Bart alone. They had to stick together. He could protect him if things got out of their control.
"How far?" Victor was asking.
"About two city blocks." He tried to look further, look inside, but he had his limits. Far sight and X-ray weren't always at their best when combined.
"It matches up," Victor said, his voice nearly giddy. You get on the other side of that wall and we could find... What's the matter with you?"
Clark lost his concentration. "What?"
"No. Not you."
"Linda's at some bar," Clark heard faintly. It was Ollie. "I think she's still mad at me. Her and Lois went..."
"Lois?" Clark stood straighter. "You let her go?"
"Pipe down, Boyscout," Ollie sighed, his voice growing louder as he must have picked up a headset. "Linda called me. Said the two of them were going to the bar. Probably couldn't stand sitting around."
"A bar? Who the hell would go to a bar at a time like..."
"Oh, that's my bad," Bart cut in. "I told her she deserved a big shot when this was over. Must have talked her into it." He shrugged. "Little early, though, as this is not exactly..."
"Ollie, how could you..."
"Dudes," he heard AC hiss. "Code names. I mean, you never know."
"Fine," Clark said tightly. "Arrow, you know Watchtower. Do you honestly think she'd want to go to a bar right now?"
"No. But I don't think Wifey would lie to me. You know how protective she is. She probably talked Watchtower into it to keep her out of trouble."
Bart shook his head and leaned against the wall. "Or Watchtower talked her into it and we should start searching bars for an unconscious red-head."
Clark squeezed his eyes shut. He didn't need this right now. He had enough on his mind without worrying over a woman who just wouldn't stay put. "We might have to... when this is over," he finished, opening his eyes. "We're rushing to the wall, Cyborg. I can't see through without getting closer. Any objections?"
"None," Victor said sharply. "But you stop and tell me what you see."
Clark didn't want to. He wanted to bust through and get this over with, then find one Lois Lane and lock her in a cage. But he was on the job. He'd decided a long time ago that he had to separate his personal life and work for the greater good... damn it!
********************************
Lois parked a bit down the block, turning her lights and engine off and glancing up and down the street. Breaking and entering wasn't something she wanted to do with too many witnesses. Luckily, it was past eight now. This was about the time Met Vista turned quiet as its denizens tucked in their dogs and their kids... in that order.
"So... is this your street?"
Lois shook her head. "We're two streets over."
"Oh." Linda sounded disappointed.
Lois sighed. "Yes. We can get your car before we leave. But can we please focus on what we're doing now?"
"You mean busting into a sweet little old lady's house? That thing?"
Lois gave her a withering look. "Fine. Laugh at me just like he did, but I know something's up with her."
Linda stared at her a moment. "No. I actually trust you. I mean, I've followed you into worse." She shrugged one shoulder. "Vice versa, really. I just wanted to be clear that was what we're doing."
Lois blinked at her, a sudden... movie playing in her mind.
"It's rated R. My dad won't let me," someone said. It must have been her. She appeared to be the one speaking.
Linda opened the window, smaller, younger, maybe about twelve. Her sandy hair... Sandy? It was red, bright red. Why was the color off, here? "Your dad will never know." She put one leg out the window. "We go to the ten o'clock showing and we're home by midnight. Trust me. He'll never even notice we're gone." She shrugged a skinny shoulder. "Mine never does."
She felt this indescribable wave of sadness. Linda's dad never... No. Not Linda's... Lo...
"Lois?" She felt hands on her face. "Come on, where are you?"
Lois opened her eyes. Linda was squeezing her face... and hard. "What are you..."
"Oh, thank God!" Linda pulled her to her. "What the hell was that? It was like you just blacked out."
Lois pulled away, shaking a little. "It happens." Not to sane people, really. Just to her. "What happened?"
Linda shuddered slightly. "It was the most horrifying ten seconds of my life. You just kind of... slumped in your seat."
Lois shook her head, trying to clear the cobwebs. "That's shorter than last time."
"Last time?" Linda hissed. "What the hell do you mean last..."
"Linda, just focus," Lois snapped. She wanted to get this over with, not talk. Linda didn't need to know about the car and the creek and the moment where she heard the gunshots and... "We have to go in there," she said, nodding to a dark house across the street. And it was dark. Good. That meant someone wasn't home just as she thought. She shook her head harder, trying to fight off the ache and the slight dizziness. It had been increasing in the last few days. She wasn't doing all those stupid breathing exercises her doctor had taught her. That was all. She scratched lightly at her wrist, hampered by the stupid bracelet again.
"In there?" Linda repeated, following her gaze. "Well, it's just one floor. Can't be too hard. Of course, we'll have to disable the security system." She shrugged. "No biggie. We just move around the side yard and cut the power." Lois stared at her as she turned back, nodding to herself. She noticed Lois' stare. "What?"
"How do you..."
She smiled, only a little smugly. "I've picked up a few things."
**********************************
Jennifer Kern dabbed the handkerchief closer to her husband's lips, trying to catch the dribble. "There we go, Allen. All cleaned up." She smiled, wondering if he'd see, wondering if he'd be comforted. She hoped so. She turned slightly at a slight creak behind her.
It was the Doc, eyes smiling and warm as always. "How's the patient?"
She smiled and touched his arm. "He swallowed almost all of his food today." She turned back to the Doc. "But I'm afraid we'll still need the IV. He could stand to gain a few."
The Doc chuckled slightly. "Well, aren't you the first wife to say that." She moved forward, taking the chair across from Jennifer's. "We really are doing everything in our power to help him, Jenn. I hope you know that."
Jennifer smiled. "I do. I really appreciate all the help." She patted her stomach slightly. "And the break, of course. As you know, I just couldn't... Not with Allen in this state."
The Doc smiled. "Well, the offer is still open. They say the third time's the charm."
Jennifer laughed. "So they say." She sat forward. "I've been meaning to ask, how's Morgan doing?"
The Doc was silent for a minute before she smiled. "She's doing very well. We have high hopes for this one."
Jennifer nodded. "We all do. And I heard Sue's still underweight."
"Well, we're working on it."
"Good to know." She turned back to her husband. "I really should get back to Allen." She gestured to a book on the table. "We were in the middle of P.G. Wodehouse." She smoothed the hair from his forehead. "I swear, he almost laughs sometimes."
"Of course. You..." A beep broke off her speech.
"Copy! Doc! Are you there?"
The Doc smiled. "Excuse me a moment." She pulled a small radio from her pocket and pressed a button. "Copy?"
"We need you at the med quarters. We have a situation."
The Doc's smile fell away. "I'll be there." She smiled again, as if she'd never stopped. "Well, I've just got to go." he glanced fondly at Allen. "But it's lovely that he's making such progress."
Jennifer smiled brightly as she left.
It was only after the door closed that she let it fall away. She leaned against Allen's arm, wondering how long she could go on like this. She smiled. She laughed. She didn't breath a word of recrimination to anyone. But inside...
It had started with Allen. He wanted to leave. He didn't care if they ever had a child. He just wanted to get out of this "damned evil laboratory." That's what he'd called it. She didn't want to hear it at the time. She wanted to stay. She wanted a child. Even more, she wanted a special child.
She'd talked to the Doc, then. Asked her if she could have a talk with Allen, maybe help him see the possibilities that Jennifer saw. How was she to know?
How was she ever to know?
When he came back, he could hardly move, hardly feed himself. He was a shadow of what he'd once been. She remembered when Allen had been the highest-paid attorney in his firm. So dynamic, so entrancing. He'd talked her into sleeping together the night before their wedding, even though she was positive it would be bad luck.
Well, she was right on that. Look where they were. Trapped in this supposed Eden with no way out. She'd trusted the Doc. Right up until the Doc had said Allen had some kind of breakdown. She knew deep down that wasn't true. He'd made too much noise. She just had to make sure she didn't. Because what would happen to her? She glanced at her husband, dabbing at his moist lips again. And what would happen to Allen without her to take care of him?
"I'm only playing along for now, Allen, I swear," she whispered, close to his ear. "We'll get out of here." She stroked a slightly shaky finger down his cheek. "I swear, Allen."
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