By Rainmaker (jenrae@islandnet.com)
Summary: While Lois is away on a story, Jimmy and Clark get together to watch a football game — and then Jimmy starts pumping Clark for information on his hero, Superman.
Author's note: This is really my third fanfic, but only the first I've ever let anyone read. It could happen in any time frame after Lois knows that CK=S. Just a silly story, but I hope at least somebody likes it. Thanks to my friends, who put up with my constant babbling about the show. Comments are welcome, even bad ones.
***
"Wow, what a game!" Jimmy said as he and Clark rose from the couch. They were at Clark's apartment, after watching a football game. "Yeah, it was so close." Jimmy and Clark had been spending more time together lately, usually watching sports together. Lois was out of town on a story, and Jimmy's girlfriend was busy, so they decided to watch the game together. As the two men talked about the game, a entertainment news program came on the TV. "Look, there's something about Superman!" Jimmy leaned forward, eager to hear something about his hero. Clark rolled his eyes at him, but resigned to watching it, interested to hear what people were saying about him today.
The attractive reporter in the television said, "Now, we all know that Superman is one of the most eligible bachelors in the world, but could the bachelor part be changing? Throughout the last four days, Superman has been seen lounging around Hawaii, lying on beaches, swimming, and wind surfing… with Cindy Crawford! Witnesses say that they have been walking and flying around town together. Could Superman and Cindy be the next big thing? Hear more of this story tomorrow on Entertainment Journal."
Jimmy looked like he was in awe. He said, "Wow, what a lucky guy! Cindy Crawford."
He didn't notice at first that Clark was hysterical with laughter.
"CK! What's so funny?"
Clark kept laughing for a minute or two longer, then said with a grin on his face, "I have a pretty good feeling that Superman is _not_ in Hawaii, especially not with Cindy Crawford."
"Why not CK? Can't Superman have a life too?"
"Jimmy, I… know Superman pretty well. I happen to know that wind surfing with super-models is not in his curriculum."
"Well, I guess you would know. I mean Superman is your best friend and all." Clark thought about this. This conversation was becoming a bit uncomfortable.
"I suppose you could say that he's one of my best friends. I am definitely his best friend, but he doesn't really get close to people that easily. But believe me, he's not in Hawaii."
"Well, I guess you know lots of stuff about him that nobody else does. You are the only one who can contact him all the time. I mean, I have the sonic watch, and Lois can hurl herself out of a window, but you can do it without those things."
"True." Clark was going to try to answer his questions truthfully, but without giving out much information.
"So what does he do, you know, when he's not flying around saving people. Do you two hang out?"
"Well, he's not really the hanging out type of person…" This was making Clark very uncomfortable. He knew he would probably give off some sort of hint that he was Superman.
"But what does he do?"
"Jimmy, he just does regular stuff. Like me and you."
"Like what?"
"Like.. I don't know! He does anything he wants to!"
"So.. does he have a secret identity?"
"Jimmy… I didn't say that."
"He does, and you know who he really is! This is wild! Does Lois know?"
"Jimmy, I never said any of that."
"I can see it in your eyes! Fess up!"
"Jimmy, you know I couldn't tell you, if I did know."
"Oh, come on CK! I know you can't tell me who he is! I didn't expect that! I just want you to tell me if he actually has one, and if you know."
"Jimmy… IF he has another identity, Superman is the secret identity." Clark mentally hit himself. *Why did you say that, stupid? He'll guess for sure now.*
"What do you mean? How could Superman be a secret identity. He's Superman!"
"Never mind. Can we talk about something else? I don't want to betray Superman."
"No. Wait a minute. You're saying.. that Superman is just a cover. Like, there's this guy, who finds out he's from some other planet, and can do all these crazy things. But, he knows that if people find out that he's different, people will want to find out everything about him, and I don't know, dissect him like a frog or something." Clark covered a grin at that familiar phrase. Jimmy was understanding.
"Maybe he was raised like a regular child, with regular parents. He wants a regular life, but also wants to help people with his powers since it is so easy for him. So he invents this guy, Superman, and puts on a costume, becoming a completely different guy. People are scared of this guy, and enthralled in him, but no one really knows that much about him. No one knows where he lives, or knows where he goes, or knows his phone number. So he can be himself, whoever he is normally, and then when someone needs help, he can become Superman." Jimmy stopped, taking this all in. His hero was just an illusion.
"CK? Am I right?" Clark looked up and smiled at the young man.
"Almost exactly right. So, you know why his alter ego, who he really is, can't get out. He wants a regular life, just like everyone else. That would be ruined if the world found out who Superman is."
"I understand. I won't tell anybody. So, since I understand, do you think that Superman will tell me who he is?"
Clark thought about this. It would be great to have a male friend to confide in. And Jimmy understood everything about him. He had figured it out himself. He knew that Jimmy wouldn't tell. Jimmy's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Well, it doesn't matter, because I think I already know." Clark looked up, startled.
"You.. you do? Uh…"
"Is that all you can say, Superman? Huh, to think I was watching football with you all night and I didn't even know it. Kind of ironic, isn't it. Well, aren't you going to say something? CK?"
Clark looked dumbstruck. Then his face broke out in a grin. "You always were a smart one, Jimmy. Come on, we have a lot to talk about."
Epilogue:
They stayed up all night talking. They were both really happy about each other knowing. Jimmy had wanted to tell he knew right away, but Clark, always wanting to tease her, had an evil plan.
"Lois!" Clark walked over to where Lois was standing, and gave her a hug.
"Hey Clark! I got back early, the story was a bust. I missed you."
"I missed you too. Oh, just a second, I'll be right back. I've got to get some paper for my printer."
"Okay. Oh, hi Jimmy!" The young photographer had just come up to her.
"Hey Lois. You'll never guess what happened to me when you were away."
"What Jim?" Lois waited for him to tell her.
"Me and Superman went to Hawaii, with Cindy Crawford…"
"CLARK!"
THE END
(jimfig.txt)