By Anne Spear <njspear@aiov.com>
Rated G
Submitted November 1998
Summary: Lois and Clark have a surprise for Dr. Klein. Or do they?
This is the first story I've written since college and the only one I've ever submitted to anything. Comments are always welcome, but please be gentle.
***
"Mm, Clark, that was the best dinner. I'm glad you suggested this new place for our anniversary." Lois put her fork down on the empty plate. "And that cake …"
"Well, I'm glad you liked it," Clark answered, "but I've got another present for you." He pulled a small box out of his jacket pocket and reached across the table to hand it to Lois.
Meanwhile, she was reaching for her purse. "I have a present for you, too," she replied and exchanged a long thin box for his small one.
"You first," Clark said with a smile.
Lois opened the box and her face lit up. "Oh, honey, it's beautiful," she exclaimed while lifting a delicate gold chain with a small heart pendant. On the pendant were engraved the initials "L" and "C". "I love it and you," she said, taking his hand across the table. "Now open yours."
Clark wondered about the mischievous look in her eyes as he opened the box she'd given him.
"What is it?" he asked her.
"What does it look like?" she asked, grinning.
"It looks like one of those home pregnancy tests, but what's this pink … line …" He looked up at his wife, who was still grinning. "Lois, does this mean what I think it means?"
"Happy Anniversary, 'Daddy,'" Lois answered. Her smile faded as she watched Clark's reaction. "You don't seem as happy as I thought you'd be," she commented.
"Can we go home and talk … in private?" he asked her.
"Sure," she answered, getting up from her chair.
Back at home, Lois hung her coat and looked at her husband expectantly. They hadn't spoken much in the car and now she needed to know why he wasn't thrilled about this baby. Clark sat on the sofa and patted the cushion next to him, inviting Lois to sit also. She complied and waited for him to start.
"I'm sorry that my reaction disappointed you …" Clark started.
"Well, I was expecting more enthusiasm," Lois answered.
"I know. I keep thinking about those tests that Star Labs ran … the ones that showed I was incompatible with an earth woman," he said.
"The tests were obviously wrong," Lois pointed out.
"No. Maybe it was just the wording that was wrong. What if, instead of 'can't conceive,' Dr. Klein meant 'shouldn't conceive?'"
"What do you mean?" Lois asked, confused.
"We have no idea how your body will react to giving birth to a Kryptonian baby. What if having this child puts you in danger? I couldn't bear to lose you, not after all we've been through."
Lois was shocked. "What are you suggesting, that we terminate the pregnancy?"
"No, Sweetie, I'd never even considered that as an option. I know you could never do that, nor could I." Clark explained, taking both her hands in his. "I just think we should have an expert in Krypton physiology keeping an eye on you until the baby is born."
"As far as I know, there's only one Kryptonian medical expert," Lois commented.
"Uh huh," Clark nodded. "I think it's time we let Dr. Klein in on our secret."
About a week later, Lois and Clark were home, waiting anxiously for Dr. Klein to arrive. They'd asked him over because they were afraid of being overheard if they told him at Star Labs or the Daily Planet. "Besides," Clark pointed out, "I may need to change in order to convince him."
Finally, the doorbell rang. Clark opened the door as Lois came from the kitchen.
"Dr. Klein, come in." Clark greeted him with a handshake.
"We're really glad you could make it. Would you like some coffee?" Lois asked.
"Yes, please," Dr. Klein answered. "And, after all these years, I think you two should call me 'Bernard.'"
"Okay. I'll be right back." Lois headed back into the kitchen.
"Please have a seat." Clark gestured toward the living room. Dr. Klein sat in a chair and Clark headed for the sofa. The kitchen door opened again and Lois backed out, carrying a tray containing a coffee carafe, two mugs, sugar bowl & creamer, spoons and a glass of ice water. Clark hurried over to take the tray from her and set it on the coffee table.
Once everyone was settled with their drinks, Dr. Klein asked, "You said you had something important to discuss?"
"Yes," Lois started. "First, our good news. We think I may be pregnant. Actually, I haven't been to a doctor yet, just the home kit, but it did show the pink line, and those things are so accurate these days and …" she suddenly realized she was babbling and got back to the point, "we were hoping you could be my doctor until the baby is born."
"Well, I'm flattered," Dr. Klein answered hesitantly, "but it's not really my specialty."
"No," Clark said, "but Kryptonian physiology is. You see, I'm 'Superman.'"
"I know," Dr. Klein answered calmly.
"What?!" Lois and Clark exclaimed simultaneously.
"I figured you'd tell me when you wanted me to know."
Clark was stunned. "Wasn't I able to keep this secret from anybody?!? Do Jimmy and Perry know, too?"
Lois placed her hand on Clark's arm to try and calm him down. "Dr. Klein … Bernard, how did you know?" she asked.
"I'm sorry if I upset you, Clark, but I am your doctor, and a scientist. I'm trained to be observant." Clark didn't say anything, so Dr. Klein continued. "There were just too many coincidences. Whenever Superman was sick or needed elsewhere, Lois would work on the story alone. No one ever saw you two together, well, except for that press conference after the Top Copy story, but Superman never landed, so I always thought it was suspicious."
"Superman was a hologram which my parents controlled from across the street," Clark supplied.
"I figured it was something like that," Dr. Klein nodded. "Same height, same color hair, eyes were hard to tell because the glasses hide Clark's pretty well. But the real clincher was the National Inquisitor scandal. I knew Lois loved you far too much to ever cheat on you, even with Superman, so you must be him."
"But we proved that was a fake," Lois pointed out.
"True," Dr. Klein agreed, "but it took a while. It was like you thought the picture _could_ be real and didn't want to deny the accusation because _that_ would be a lie."
"Incredible," Clark said. "That's exactly what happened. We just got lucky that the photographer fell and broke her camera."
"And that Jimmy found the proof before you told the world your secret," Lois added.
"You would have told everyone?" Dr. Klein asked.
"It seemed the only way to prove that Lois was innocent," Clark answered.
"Well, you can trust me to keep it a secret. I've even kept it out of my computer files so that no other hackers could ever stumble onto it," Dr. Klein assured them. "So, Lois, when can you come in for a _real_ pregnancy test?"
THE END