By Jennifer Allen (TMALLEN@IOLINC.NET)
Summary: Lois and Clark celebrate their good news — the results from Dr. Klein's study of Superman's "compatibility" — but soon after that Clark lapses into unconsciousness, a delayed effect from exposure to kryptonite.
THIS STORY IS SOMETHING THAT AS BEEN BUILDING UP INSIDE OF ME FOR A LONG TIME. IT IS REALLY JUST A VERY WAFFY STORY, WITH NO REAL VILLAIN OR CRISIS. I HOPE YOU ENJOY. PLEASE EMAIL ME YOUR COMMENTS. TMALLEN@IOLINC.NET.
***
Lois and Clark were both in the kitchen. Clark had just finished making dinner, so Lois was setting the table. "Clark, when do you get those results back from Dr. Klein?" Lois asked with a concerned look on her face.
"I made an appointment with him for tomorrow evening. He said that he would have the results by then." Clark replied as he walked closer to Lois. He put his arms around her waist and pulled her into his embrace. "Remember, honey, no matter what the results are, we are gonna be all right." Clark said as he pulled Lois' face up to meet his gaze.
"I know that, Clark. I just wish I could go with you tomorrow. What if he has bad news. I want to be there when you hear it. I don't want you to have to tell me." Lois said.
"Lois, I know you are concerned, but how strange would it be if you were there? Don't you think that it would be weird if Clark Kent's wife was there when Superman got the results back from his tests? If it was anything else, I would definitely let you come." Clark said with a slight smile on his face.
"I guess you're right." Lois said returning the smile. "But I have to be the first one to know."
"Absolutely! Who else would I tell anyway?" Clark asked. Lois smiled and reached up and pulled Clark in for a kiss.
"Let's eat, I'm starving!" Lois said.
"Nothing will ever change." Clark said with a laugh as he pulled Lois' chair out for her.
***
THE NEXT EVENING
"Clark where are you?" Lois was talking to the air as she paced around their bedroom. It was 11:00pm and Clark still hadn't returned home. Superman's appointment with Dr. Klein was at 6:00pm. Lois was really worried. She didn't know what to think. Many crazy ideas were flying through her head. Finally, at 12:00am, she decided to go to bed and try to get some sleep. This was impossible though.
At around 1:30am, she heard the bedroom door open. She saw Clark stagger into the room dressed as Superman. "Clark, oh my God, what is wrong with you?" she practically screamed as she ran toward him. Slowly, with Lois' help, he got undressed from the suit and climbed into bed.
"I'll be fine, honey. It's nothing a little rest won't fix." he said with a small grin on his face. "Don't worry."
"Oh, yeah right, Clark. The man I love, who has never really been sick a day in his life comes in with a burning temperature and bruises all over his body and he tells me not to worry! Clark, just tell me what happened." Lois was starting to ramble and she knew it, so she tried to control herself.
"Lois, really, there is nothing to worry about. It has happened before. I was going to Star Labs to see Dr. Klein when these two guys pulled out some Kryptonite and the other guys jumped me from behind. I finally got it away from them and got rid of them and the Kryptonite. Then there was a earthquake, a prison riot, a woman jumping from a building, and a shooting." he said. "See, nothing out of the ordinary."
"I just want you to be all right, Clark. I love you so much." Lois said, as she curled up next to Clark and rested her head on his strong chest. "So did you get the results from Dr. Klein?" she asked. "Clark?" "Clark?" She looked up at Clark to see that he had already fallen asleep. Her questions would have to wait until the morning.
***
THE NEXT MORNING
Clark rolled over and saw his beautiful sleeping wife. He knew that he had worried her last night and was sorry for not letting her worry about him. He also was sorry for falling asleep without telling her his news. He kissed her forehead and traced kisses from her forehead down the side of her face, behind her ear, down her neck and back up to her lips. When his mouth captured hers, Lois giggled without opening her eyes. She wrapped her arms around him and returned the kiss.
"Good morning, handsome, I'm glad to see that you are feeling better. You look better, too." Lois said as she broke from his embrace. She propped herself up on he elbow and faced Clark who was now lying on his back.
"Well thanks, gorgeous. You always look good, no matter what." Clark said with a smile on his face. "Honey, I'm sorry for not letting you worry about me last night, I should have been more sensitive."
"That's okay, Clark. I know I overreact sometimes, and I ramble. I realize that you just wanted to rest."
"Well, I have something else to tell you. I did see Dr. Klein last night." Clark said as he saw Lois' face light up. "He told me that there was absolutely no reason why we would not be able to have children together."
"Oh, Clark, that's wonderful!" Lois cheered as she breathed a sigh of relief. She climbed on top of Clark and began to kiss him seductively. The intensity of the kiss increased and their hands roamed.
Clark pulled away and said breathlessly, "I take it that you would like to start our little experiment right now."
"Are you 'up' to the task?" Lois asked with a wicked grin on her face.
"Honey, I am definitely 'up' to the task!" Clark said as he resumed their kiss.
***
TWO HOURS LATER
"Clark, that was … that was … absolutely wonderful," Lois giggled as she kissed Clark on the cheek.
"Well, I think that it was definitely an excellent start to our experiment." Clark laughed as he returned Lois' kiss.
"Clark, I love you, I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you." Lois said as her mood turned serious.
"Well, I'm never gonna give you a chance to find out." Clark said as he pulled Lois closer to him.
"How do you always know the right things to say?" Lois asked as she rubbed her finger across his strong pectoral muscles.
"Oh, I don't know. It just comes naturally. Like right now, I would say that you are probably starving, like usual. So, I am going to ask you what you want me to fix you for breakfast. Well, on second thought, considering what time it is, what you want for lunch." Clark said laughing.
"You are so good to me. What did I ever do to deserve you?" Lois asked as she got up to put her robe on. Clark did the same, and they walked down the hall to the stairs.
When they reached the stairs, Clark stepped down onto the first step, and the went tumbling to the bottom. Lois ran down the stair to see what had happened to him. "Clark? Clark?" When she received no answer, she was frantic. She rolled him over onto his back. When she did this, she saw that his head was cut, and that he was bleeding profusely. "Oh, God! Come on, Clark, wake up! Talk to me, Clark! Come on!" Lois said frantically. All she heard was a grown. She needed to get him to Star Labs, but how? She couldn't get him into the Jeep, and even if she did, he needed to be Superman not Clark. Finally, she calmed down and started to think. She decided to call Star Labs and get Dr. Klein there as soon as she could. She then tried to get Clark up to put on the suit. There was no use. He was too heavy.
When Dr. Klein arrived, Clark was lying on the floor in front of the stairs. Lois had wiped the blood from his head. "Uh … Miss Lane, I thought you said that Superman had fallen down your stairs. I only see Clark." Dr. Klein said confused.
"Well, Dr. Klein, I guess it is time you found out. You have to promise not to tell anyone what I am about to tell you." Lois said, eager for Dr. Klein to help Clark.
"Well, tell me." Dr. Klein was still confused.
Lois was amazed by how this doctor who was so intelligent, could be so dumb. "CLARK IS SUPERMAN." Lois practically shouted.
"No … you have got to be kidding." Dr. Klein was stunned.
"I'm serious. Could you just hurry up and help him. He has been lying there like that for about a half hour now." Lois said.
"Oh, yeah, right." Dr. Klein said, as the realization finally settled into his brain. "Can you help me get him to the couch?" he asked.
"I can try, but he is so heavy." Lois replied as she and Dr. Klein attempted to lift, pull, and push Clark.
Finally they managed to get him to the couch, and Dr. Klein began his work on him. Lois slipped away only for a short time to put some clothes on. She sat in a chair next to Clark while Dr. Klein did his work. To her, it seemed like he was taking forever, and Clark hadn't once made a sound or opened his eyes. The longer it took, the more worried Lois got.
Lois was in the kitchen getting a cup of coffee when Dr. Klein entered. "Well, Lois, Supe … I mean, Clark, this is really weird." Dr. Klein still couldn't believe that Superman and Clark Kent were one in the same.
"Please, Dr. Klein, just tell me what is wrong with him. Oh, would you like a cup of coffee?" Lois asked.
"Oh … no, no coffee. Well, this is how it is. Last night after his run-in with the Kryptonite, he overexerted himself by saving the people from the earthquake, the prison riot, and the shooting. His body wasn't exposed to the sun long enough for his powers to be restored. Right now, he is just sleeping. He will need plenty of rest and sunlight for all of his powers to fully return. Oh, I forgot to ask. How was Clark feeling this morning?
"He seemed perfectly fine to me." Lois said.
"Well, that's funny. Did he do anything that might have exerted any more of his strength?" Dr. Klein asked with a puzzled look on his face.
"Well, we … we … we uh, you know." Lois was a little embarrassed to tell Dr. Klein what they had just finished doing when Clark fell down the stairs. "Well, you know those test results that you told Clark about yesterday. Um, well, we were working on that."
"Oh … oh, I understand now. You were the lucky lady that Superman was talking about when he asked me to run the tests. This is all so very strange." Dr. Klein shook his head in amazement.
Lois blushed. "So, Dr. Klein, what do I have to do for Clark?" Lois asked quickly, trying to change the subject.
"Oh, just let him rest. Keep those curtains open so that his body can absorb plenty of sunlight. Don't try to wake him up." Dr. Klein responded.
"How long do you think that he will sleep?" Lois asked.
"I couldn't really tell you. His body will know when it is ready to wake up." Dr. Klein said as he put on his coat and grabbed his bag. Lois saw him out the door and reminded them not to tell their secret to anyone. When he was gone, she sat down in the chair beside Clark and fell asleep.
She woke up at about 9:00pm and decided to call Perry at the Planet.
"Hello, Perry. This is Lois." Lois said.
"What are you doing calling in on your day off?" Perry asked a little perturbed.
"Well, I'm glad you mentioned those words 'day off'!" Lois said.
"Oh, Judas Priest. I don't think I'm gonna like the sound of this." Perry replied.
"Clark has come down with some kind of bug or something. I was just wondering if we could take our vacation a little early this year?" Lois said as she ran her hand over Clark's forehead.
"How many days are we talking here?" Perry asked.
"I don't really know, Chief. As long as it takes Clark to get better. He is really sick." Lois said.
"Has he seen a doctor, yet?" Perry really hated giving days off.
"Yeah, he saw one today. He said that the best thing for him would be just to stay home and rest." Lois knew that Perry was going to cave in any minute.
"Well, okay, I guess we have to follow the doctor's orders. Take as long as you need. The first day he is better, though, I want you both in here." Perry said. He knew that he had a soft spot in his heart for both Lois and Clark.
"Thanks a lot, Perry. We'll see you soon. Bye." Lois said as she hung up the phone.
Now Lois decided that she really needed to call Martha and Jonathan. She hadn't thought about it before, but she felt bad for not calling them sooner.
"Hello, Martha. How are you doing?" Lois asked.
"Lois, it's great to hear from you. Everything is fine here. Is there something wrong? Did you and Clark have an argument?" Martha asked.
"Oh, no. It's nothing like that. Clark is sick though. Some guys had some Kryptonite, and he overexerted himself. Dr. Klein said that he just needs some rest and sunlight. He should be just fine." Lois said.
"Do you need any help? Jonathan and I can be on the next flight to Metropolis." Martha was worried about Clark, but she had faith that Lois could take care of him herself.
"No, there is no need for that. All Clark is doing is sleeping. So, I think that I can handle it. Oh, I have some good news too. Clark got the test results back from Dr. Klein, and he said that Clark and I can have children together." Lois said. The thought of having children with Clark brightened the mood a little.
"Oh, Lois that is wonderful. I am so excited. Grandchildren. You know, I've always wanted grandchildren." Martha said laughing.
Lois also laughed and the said, "Oh, and something else. I had to tell Dr. Klein that Clark is Superman. There was no way out." Lois said.
"Oh, Lois, that is okay. I think that Dr. Klein knows how important that secret is to the two of you. Don't worry about it." Martha said, trying to reassure Lois.
"Yeah, you're right. Well, I have to go. I'll call you when Clark wakes up. Bye." Lois replied.
Lois just stared at Clark's sleeping face. She had never felt this way about anyone in her entire life. She felt that if she lost him she would be losing herself. All she wanted to think about was the future with Clark. She let her mind drift to good memories with Clark, and soon she fell asleep.
***
THE NEXT MORNING
When Lois woke up the next morning, she saw Clark lying on the couch in the same way he had been when she had fallen asleep. Tears began to well up in her eyes, but she kept them from falling. She got up from the chair and went into the kitchen to get something to eat. She just got a cup of coffee and a doughnut and went to resume her position in the chair beside Clark. She stared at his face, praying that he would wake up soon, but the time just seemed to go slower. Finally she decided to dive into some much needed housework and laundry. Usually, this wasn't her thing, but she would do anything to keep her mind off of Clark.
Four hours later, she had finished her work and jumped into the shower. She felt so lonely. She hadn't talked to anyone all day, and she wondered if she could take it any longer. She told herself that she had to be strong. It had only been one day. She told herself that he would wake up soon.
***
THREE DAYS LATER
Lois was about to go crazy. She could see Clark lying there, but couldn't talk to him, couldn't tell him how much she loved him, and couldn't hold him in her arms.
It was about 4:00am when she heard him. She jumped from the chair and knelt down beside him. She ran her hand across his forehead and ran her fingers through his hair. "Lois?" Lois?" his voice was weak, but Lois was just happy to hear it.
"It's okay, Clark. I'm right here." Lois said as she began to cry. She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest. "Clark, I love you."
"Oh, Lois. I love you." Clark managed to get out.
"Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?" Lois asked.
"I'd love something to eat. You aren't gonna make it, are you?" Clark said with s slight grin on his face.
"Oh, okay, Mr. Sarcastic. I guess we can have something delivered." Lois wasn't upset by Clark's remark, but was glad that her Clark was back. She began to giggle.
"What's so funny?" Clark asked.
"Oh, I'm just so glad that you are back." Lois said as she kissed him on the lips. Their kiss would have turned into more, but Lois knew that Clark still wasn't completely better. She pulled away and got up to order some Chinese.
While they ate, neither talked very much. Lois could see the strength returning into Clark every minute.
"Clark, I had to tell Dr. Klein." Lois said.
"Tell him what?" Clark asked with a confused look on his face.
"I had to tell him that you are Superman." Lois said. She thought that Clark might be mad about her telling his secret, but she was just glad that he was better.
"Don't worry about it, Lois. If you hadn't, who know what would have happened. I'm sure that our secret is safe with him." Clark said motioning for Lois to come sit next to him.
She got up from her chair and sat on his lap on the couch. "I missed you so much." Lois replied.
"Well, I'm here now." Clark said as he began trailing kisses from her forehead down to her lips.
"Obviously, by the way you are acting, you have regained most of your energy." Lois said giggling as he tickled her neck with his kisses.
"I always have energy for you, Lois." Clark said as he pinned Lois under him.
"Oh, yeah, well then, show me!"
***
TWO MONTHS LATER
"Lois, where have you been? You had me worried sick.?" Clark said as he saw Lois walk through the front door.
"I told you that I had an appointment. I wasn't gone that long." Lois said. She got a kick out of how she could make Clark worry, but she also appreciated it.
"You have been gone for 3 hours, 47 minutes, and 7 seconds. Where have you been?" Clark asked as he sat down on the couch next to Lois.
"Wow, you know if your daddy gets this worked up about where your mommy is, he's never going to let you out of the house." Lois said looking down at her stomach. She looked up at Clark and saw a stunned look on his face.
"Lois … are you … um … are we … going to have a baby?" Clark asked as he placed his hand over Lois' on her stomach.
"Yes, Clark. Isn't is great? I'm exactly two months and four days pregnant." Lois said.
"Wow. I'm speechless, I'm absolutely stunned." he managed to say.
"I know, I could tell." Lois said, allowing a little giggle to escape.
"Are you laughing at me?" Clark asked.
"No, I'm just so happy. I love you, Clark." Lois said as she planted a light kiss on Clark's lips.
"And I love you, Lois. Both of you." Clark said, looking down at Lois' stomach.
"So what took you so long? Did your appointment last that long?" Clark asked.
"Oh, no. I thought that I should get some shopping done." Lois said as she picked up three bags from the floor. Clark peered inside and then at Lois and started to laugh as he pulled out baby bottles, diapers, rattles, baby clothes, and even wallpaper.
"Don't we have a lot of time to shop for these kinds of things?" Clark asked.
"Yes, But I guess I was just in the mood. I don't know, something just told me that I needed to go shopping." Lois said.
"Hey, the next time you go, count me in." Clark said, as he again placed his hand on Lois' stomach.
"You better believe it." Lois said as she kissed Clark.
***
SIX MONTHS LATER
"Come on, Lois. Let me do that. You just sit there and look beautiful." Clark said, as he took the screwdriver from Lois' hand. She was sitting on the floor trying to put the baby's crib together, but was failing miserably.
"Oh, yeah right. Clark, how could I possibly look beautiful?" Lois said crankily. Lois looked like your everyday woman who was about 8 months pregnant, but she swore that she had never seen anyone look as bad as she thought she did.
"Lois, you always look beautiful to me. No matter what." Clark said as he ran around the crib, putting it together at super speed.
"I love you, Clark. You always make me feel better when I'm feeling down. I know that you are lying to me when you say I look beautiful, but thanks for trying." Lois said as she tried to stand up.
Clark ran over to her and helped her up. "Well, for starters, I'm not lying. And as for making you feel better, that's just part of my job of being your husband." Clark said as he kissed Lois.
"You're the best, Clark." Lois said as she returned the kiss.
"Oh, I know." said Clark as he deepened their kiss.
***
ONE MONTH LATER
"Clark!" Lois yelled across the newsroom with urgency in her voice. "Come here … please!"
Clark went running toward Lois. "What, honey! What's wrong?" Clark asked with a concerned look on his face.
"Clark … it's time!" Lois said as she squeezed the arms of her chair.
"Okay … okay, Lois … calm down!" Clark said as he helped her out of her chair. He picked up her bag that was sitting under her desk. By now, everyone else who was in the newsroom had gathered around Lois and Clark.
Perry came storming out of his office. "Judas Priest!" he yelled. "What the hell is going on out here?"
Clark was holding Lois' hand and looked up at Perry. "Uh … chief! Uh … Lois is in labor!" he said smiling.
"Oh … well. Get out of here. Get her to a hospital." Perry said.
"On our way, Chief!" Lois said, breathing heavily, as she and Clark walked to the elevator.
Then Perry yelled. "Hey! Wait … I'm coming with you!"
Lois and Clark looked at each other. They had been planning on making a speedy flight to the hospital, but now they would have to drive. They finally made it outside. Perry got into the back seat of the Jeep. Lois got into the passenger's side with the assistance of Clark. He pulled the seat belt over her belly. "Thank you, Mr. Kent." She said smiling.
"No problem, Mrs. Kent." Clark said as he kissed her cheek. Clark ran around to the driver's side of the Jeep and jumped into the seat. He started the car, and they were off.
Outside the hospital, Clark got a wheelchair and then wheeled Lois in. Perry was carrying Lois' bag. A nurse then took over by wheeling Lois into a room in the hospital. The nurse told Clark that she would come back to get him. While he waited, Clark called his parents and Lois' parents, who were staying at the Metropolis Inn until the baby was born. They were now on their way.
When they got there, they saw Clark running towards them wearing scrubs. He kissed Ellen and Martha and told them to wait in the waiting room with Sam, Jonathan, Perry, and Jimmy. He then ran back to Lois.
Lois was lying on a bed, and Clark bent down and held her hand. About to have another contraction, Lois said, "Clark … "
"Yes sweetheart?" he replied.
"Uh, you know I don't take this pain thing very well!" Lois barely said before she had another contraction. When the contraction was over, she finished, "Since you are Superman," she whispered, "is there any way that you can help me out?" she said with a half smile.
Clark smiled back. "Uh … no. Sorry. The only thing I can do is be here with you and let you squeeze my hand as hard as you can." Clark said.
"Thanks," Lois said smiling. Clark looked at his watch. It was 1:30pm.
***
12 HOURS LATER
Lois woke up. Still groggy, she looked around the room. Her back hurt and she was very tired. She looked to her side and saw Clark asleep in a chair beside her bed. He still was wearing his scrubs. She stared at him and smiled.
"Clark," she whispered with a groggy voice. "Clark, wake up."
Clark woke up and pulled his chair closer to Lois. "How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Fine." She replied as she kissed Clark's hand. Clark leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips.
"Where is he?" Lois asked. "I want to see him."
"Okay." Clark said. "I'll be right back." Clark went to the nursery and asked the nurses if he could take the baby. They told him yes. Clark picked up the sleeping baby and carried him into Lois' room where she was waiting impatiently.
As Clark gently placed the baby in Lois' arms, a tear rolled down her cheek. "Oh, Clark … he is so precious!" Lois said. Clark sat back down in the chair and gently wiped the tear from Lois' cheek.
"So, what are we going to name him?" Clark asked as he stared down at the baby's face.
"Well, we could always name him after his daddy. I like that name." Lois said with a smile on her face.
"No, I think that he needs his own unique name. Let's name him after his grandfathers." Clark said as his gaze ran from the baby to Lois.
Oh, I like that. So that would be Jonathan Samuel Kent. I like the sound of that." Lois said.
"Lois," Clark paused. " I … I have never felt this kind of feeling before." Clark paused again. "I just feel so … so … "
"Complete?" Lois interrupted.
A tear rolled down his cheek as he realized that Lois was having the same feeling.
"It feels great, doesn't it?" Lois said smiling at her two favorite men in the world. Now their lives were complete. They were finally a true family.
THE END
(nowwe.txt)