Lois & Clark PG Fanfic Archive

On the Run

Author: Plan9LIVES

Email: Plan9LIVES@aol.com

Rated: PG-13

PART 1

The Greyhound bus stopped in the center of town on a slightly chilly October morning. Most people on the bus were still asleep, but the noise from the festivities outside had woken up many of the slumbering passengers. Almost a third of the passengers disembarked in this small town, some tourists, others neighboring townsfolk.

A woman, around sixty years old with graying hair who drove the bus got up and walked to the back, where she found the passenger she was looking for sleeping soundly.

Bus Driver: “Miss, miss,” she said while shaking the young woman slightly. “You asked me to wake you when we arrived at your destination. Well you’re here!” she exclaimed with a big grin on her face.

The young woman, who thought the driver was much too cheery for this early in the morning, smiled.

Young Woman: “Thank you,” she yawned as she willed herself to wake up.

BD: “Is your suitcase under the bus miss?”

YW: “No, no it isn’t,” she replied as she pulled a small leather backpack from an overhead rack. “I’m afraid this is all I brought.”

BD: “Well there are plenty of clothing booths open today at the festival,” she grinned. “Not to mention all the nice shops on Main Street. The biggest concentration of shops is only four blocks from here. There’s even a Benetton! I’m from this town and I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time. Everyone’s very friendly here. My name’s Karen Irig, by the way.”

The young woman winced slightly at the name and then thanked her for her advice and turned to step off the bus.

KI: “You look very familiar, have you ever been here before?”

The young woman quickly changed the subject.

YW: “Thanks for waking me up. If you hadn’t, I’m sure I would’ve slept all the way to Wichita!” she said smiling.

The driver smiled warmly, and didn’t mention her previous question again.

KI: “You’re very welcome miss, I’m sure you’ll be hearing this phrase a lot during your stay, but let me be the first to say, WELCOME TO SMALLVILLE!”

PART 2

As the bus drove out of sight, the woman stepped into the Town Square and under the large banner tied between two street lamps. The banner read,

‘WELCOME TO THE SMALLVILLE CORN FESTIVAL ~ America’s hometown!’

Upon seeing a newspaper box on the corner, she promptly put in a quarter and pulled out the early edition of The Smallville Press, sat on an empty park bench, and pretended to be engrossed with its contents.

Although there were quite a few people milling about, it was too early and not quite crowded enough to walk around inconspicuously. Large crowds were her safety net that helped her to survive this long. She’d spent most of her time moving from city to city, where she could more easily blend in. Small towns made her nervous. Especially towns so small that everybody knew everybody. And Smallville, Kansas was just such a town.

There was also the disadvantage of transportation. There weren’t many busses going into and out of town, and the train station was nearly ten miles away. But she had every access into and out of town committed to memory. In fact, she had practically memorized the street maps of not only Smallville, but also the neighboring towns as well.

This was her life. Before she’d leave the town or city she was living in, she’d buy city and town maps, as well as train, plane, and bus schedules for her next possible destination. She’d memorize as much as she could in whatever room or apartment she was living in at the time.

She went to extreme measures to make sure the people who had been chasing her for over a year would never find out where she was going. She’d never throw the maps away in the garbage when she was through, like she had done the first time. That proved to be an almost fatal mistake. No, now she always sat in her room and tore the maps and schedules into tiny pieces, flushing them bit by bit down the toilet and into oblivion. If she ever did leave a map when she felt they were getting too close, she’d always made sure they were to another destination, and those areas marked off prominently on the map. She’d hoped they were in Timbuktu on another side of the country chasing a phantom she’d created just to throw them off track.

She always had to stay one step ahead, but she was tired, so tired. And she needed help desperately. She’d been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. Not only were there enough strangers for her to blend in, well as much as a woman with her striking good looks possibly could, but she knew ‘he’ would be here. And she missed him so much it hurt.

Unfortunately her looks betrayed her on more than one occasion. People tended to remember her, especially men. Her would-be assassins carried pictures of her and a few times people who had gotten to know her in one place or another had unwittingly pointed her out to them, blowing her cover and sending her back on the run at a moments notice.

PART 3

She was now a woman who lived in disguise, changing her appearance and identity again and again. About a couple of months into her new life, she shaved most of her hair off and dyed it white with little flecks of black, and became a roadie for a punk band named Slade. And still people were attracted to her.

But now her hair was back to its natural chesnut brown. Her once trademark shoulder-length mane had grown more than halfway down her back and was pulled under a tan colored baseball cap.

Her backpack carried almost everything she had left in the world. In it were three small changes of clothes, a wig, sunglasses, non-prescription reading glasses, running shoes, a pair of flat dress shoes, a small notebook and pen, toothbrush, hairbrush, comb, liquid soap, a bottle of water, six double fudge crunch bars, along with quite a few discarded wrappers, and a few other necessities.

Her most valuable possessions were always attached to a hidden waist-belt concealed under her clothing, which is why she usually wore loose shirts. It was almost always attached to her and NEVER out of arms reach. Most of the time she slept with it on. Practically the only time she took it off was when she showered or bathed, and even then it was always in the bathroom with her. Inside this belt was nearly two thousand dollars in bills from tens to hundreds. She kept a wallet in her jacket for her immediate needs so that no one would see or suspect her real stash. It proved to be a wise move, because she had been mugged twice at gunpoint for her wallet over the past year. The wallet rarely had more than a hundred dollars in it. Little did the thieves suspect a mother-load in cash was just inches away.

Luckily, she had a rich grandmother who’d left her quite a bit of money. In quick fashion she’d closed out her trust fund, which her grandmother had set up years before, went to another bank across town before anyone was the wiser, and with some fake identification opened up another account with a new identity. It was a move that was very risky, but necessary. Moving from place to place like this cost money, and quite a bit of it. She had created quite a few identities for herself over the last year. But this one had most of the money attached to it. In her waist-belt she also had her ATM and Credit cards with this assumed name. The ones in her real name were useless. In the first few days of her flight she’d used them, but they’d given away her location and she was sent fleeing into the night. Also concealed in her waistband were two fake passports. It helped knowing some shady and resourceful people in her old line of work.

In the beginning she had money stashed in bus station lockers and long term bag check rooms all over the country, but she’d almost abandoned that practice because many of these places would only let you keep your things like this for thirty days or so at a time. And it wasn’t enough time for her to always get back to these places and collect them. Quite a few of her old possessions had been confiscated.

No, now she was in the practice of joining health clubs and YWCA’s and paying for a year in advance and leaving valuables in lockers all over the USA. Always paying in cash. She’d have a year or so to get them or renew her membership. She’d also used a few of her secret identities to open up a safety deposit box and leave some cash and other essentials in there too. She was quite a smart lady indeed. She needed to be.

Today she was wearing a faded pair of blue jeans, a fully lined dark brown lambs leather jacket, a loose white cotton blouse, and Timberland leather and rubber running sandals. She’d abandoned her favored high heels with her new life, and now almost exclusively wore flat shoes and sneakers that she could take off and sprint in if she had to.

She looked up from her paper and into the trees that surrounded her. They were turning, which gave the town a beautiful picture postcard feel to it. She thought about putting on her sneakers but she liked the feel of fallen leaves and dewy grass between her toes. ‘What a beautiful day,’ she thought to herself with a slight smile.

PART 4

As she watched the leaves sway from side to side, her mind started to drift and her eyes began to droop. She was tired and her body needed rest. Months earlier she had reserved a room at one of Smallville’s two local Inns with one of her disposable names. She decided that rather than wait for the crowds to gather, she’d check in and take a nap. A few hours sleep was just what she needed to recharge her battery. As she walked the short distance to the Inn she took mental notes of all the fine details that weren’t on the maps she’d studied.

A few minutes later she arrived at the Smallville Country Inn. She’d chosen the Country Inn because it was not only in the middle of almost everything, it also had more exit routes, a view of the main road, and was closest to the bus stop. The Country Inn was a three story early American styled house with blue walls and white trim, and the wood moldings gave a homey charming feel to it. It was lovely.

As she walked into the lobby a middle-aged woman at the front desk greeted her. She was a frumpy looking woman wearing a dowdy fifties style dress and her soup-bowl haircut made her look a lot older than she really was. Her look screamed, ‘buy me a makeover.’

Desk Clerk: “Welcome to Smallville miss! Can I help you?”

Young Woman: “Yes, I have a reservation. The name is Nicole Carter.”

DC: Looking at the registry book, “Carter, Carter…yes here it is. I’m afraid your room isn’t ready yet Miss Carter, check-in isn’t until 1 p.m.”

YW: “Well is anyone in the room right now?”

DC: “Actually no, they checked out about an hour ago.”

YW: “Please, I’m absolutely spent. I just need to lie down for a few hours. I really don’t care if a gang of chain-smoking Hells Angels were in that room last. I just need to get some rest.”

Teenage Boy: “Mom, cut her some slack. I’ll get Jo to clean the room next. She doesn’t have to do the rooms in order!”

The young man’s enthusiasm to help her was appreciated, but by the instantly enamored look on his face, it wasn’t difficult to surmise his intentions.

DC: “I’m sorry Miss Carter, my son is right, all intentions aside,” she said as she shot him a sly look. A look that made the seventeen-year-old slightly blush. “I’ll see to your room immediately. Kevin, go and ask Jo to clean Room 305 next please. You did request a room with a northeast view, didn’t you?”

YW: “Yes, yes I did, and thank you so much for doing this for me,” she said softly.

DC: “You’re welcome dear. My name is Susan Baker, by the way. And this well-intentioned young man is my son Kevin. Oh, where’s your luggage? Can we get it out of your car for you?”

YW: “No, no thank you. This is all I need for now,” she replied, hoping they wouldn’t press further. “And thank you so much for doing this for me Mrs. Baker.”

She hated calling this much attention to herself, but her body was fighting her and it was winning. She hadn’t been in town for half an hour, and she already had an admirer. She’d have to make sure to spend as little time as possible with the Bakers, especially Kevin. She did not want to appear unfriendly, but getting too close to her could be hazardous to ones health. Over the past year, she’d rubbed quite a few people the wrong way because she couldn’t afford to get close to anyone.

Susan Baker: “You’re very welcome Miss Carter.”

YW: “Can I please get a wake-up call at one p.m.? I don’t want to miss too much of the celebration.”

SB: “Of course Miss Carter. I’ll see to it you do. Here’s a guidebook for the festival with a schedule of all the activities. The corn husking competition is at 2 o’clock, and there’s a potato sack race at around 2:30. And all the rides should be set up by the time you wake up!”

YW: “Taking the guide book with a huge grin. “Thank you again.”

SB: “Enjoy your nap, Miss.”

PART 5

Fifteen minutes later Kevin Baker escorted her to her room. He was a very attractive kid. He stood at five feet ten inches with sandy blonde hair and crystal clear blue eyes. He was wearing blue jeans and a gray tee shirt. She thought he looked a little bit like an even younger Brad Pitt. ‘Boy, this kid must have to beat the girls in this town off with a stick!’ she thought irreverently.

KB: “Well here we are, Room 305 Miss Car.. Nicole. Can I call you Nicole?” he asked a little too anxiously.

YW: “Sure,” she replied with an uneasy smile.

The room not only had a beautiful view of the town square from its large main window, but also had a side window, which was only a foot away from a secure looking trellis and had a partial view of the main road. The side window also was partially obstructed by a rather large tree. With the lights off, she could watch people outside without anyone being the wiser. It did help to do your homework.

KB: A little nervous, “Nicole? If you’re not doing anything later, I’ll be happy to show you around,” he asked with excitement and hope in his voice.

YW: “Thanks, but right now I’m really tired, and I prefer to walk around by myself for awhile.”

KB: Slightly dejected, “Well if you need ANYTHING, don’t hesitate to give me a call! My family lives on most of the first floor, but my room is on the second floor just underneath yours, room 205. That’s also my extension too!”

YW: “Thank you Kevin. I’ll remember that,” she smiled.

KB: “Breakfast in the dining room is from seven am to eleven a.m. Lunch is from noon to three, and dinner is from five to eleven p.m. Everything is open late during the festival.”

YW: Smiling, “Thank you Kevin, I’ll see you later.”

KB: “See you later then,” and with that he closed the door behind him leaving our mysterious visitor alone with her thoughts.

She looked out both windows, pulled down the shades, and taking most of her clothing off, with the exception of her bra, panties and waist-belt, she crawled under the covers and drifted off into a mercifully restful sleep.

PART 6

She had just gotten comfortable living in Philadelphia. She had no indication that they even knew she was on the East Coast. On a chilly Saturday evening, she had just walked out of Wannamakers Department Store when one of them had spotted her. In a blind panic she took off through the crowds. She ran for what seemed like miles with him hot on her heels for most of the pursuit. Somehow she managed to put some distance between them and ran into a warehouse where the side door had been cracked, throwing it shut behind her.

Frantically she looked for the back door. It was dead-bolted. The windows were more than ten feet off the ground. Suddenly she realized… there was no way out except for the way she came in! She hid behind a large crate and waited. He had found her. In the distance she could hear him struggling with the doorknob and banging on the door.

BANG BANG BANG

*****************************************************

BANG BANG BANG

Voice: “Nicole? Nicole! Are you OK?”

Suddenly her eyes popped open and she sat up and looked around the room. NOTHING was familiar!

YW: ‘Where am I?’ she thought in a panic. ‘WHERE AM I?!?’

Voice of Kevin Baker: “NICOLE! PLEASE ANSWER ME!”

With a sigh she realized, ‘I’m in Smallville! Gracious, what a dream! What a memory… Calm down, they’re long behind you! You haven’t been spotted for over two months!’ She had composed herself just enough to get the next words out of her mouth.

YW: Trying to sound calm, “I’m OK! I’m sorry! I guess I just overslept!”

VoKB: “Wow, you must be one sound sleeper. My mom’s been calling you for half an hour. We were getting worried! Are you sure you’re OK?” he asked with concern and relief in his voice.

YW: Still shaking, “I’m fine, thanks!”

VoKB: “Well, it’s 1.30 in the afternoon.”

YW: Barely above a whisper, “Thank you.”

VoKB: “I’ll leave you alone now… see ya.”

She sat in her bed, shaking and crying, with her arms wrapped around her knees. ‘What have these people done to me?!? I can’t go on like this! I have to find him and try to get my life back.’ With that thought she crawled out of bed and got dressed.

PART 7

By two pm, the Smallville Corn festival was thriving at full force with record-breaking crowds. Even the locals couldn’t get over how popular their small festival had become. Our young visitor was quite enjoying walking around in complete anonymity. She felt comfortable enough to buy a few things and place them in the little room she had left in her small backpack. Every few minutes though, she would stop and look around for signs of familiar faces. She could find no one she recognized.

She noticed that a large concentration of people were at the far west of the town square, gathering in a circle and cheering. She decided to join them. It was the final round of the Husk-Off. Young men and women worked in teams, frantically peeling the husks from cobs of corn and throwing them into a bucket.

If you didn’t know corn was a big crop in Kansas, you certainly had a hundred reminders that it was at least Smallville’s staple crop by the time you left. It was everywhere! There were people dressed as giant corncobs, there was a temporary mural on one of the walls of Smallville’s Elementary School, and there was even a booth serving corn-flavored ice cream. She was amused to discover that Smallville’s obsession with ‘ritual crop worship’ was still thriving.

So many things that turned her off of small town life years ago enchanted her now. The peaceful nature settings, friendly people, and fresh country air that surrounded her was a sharp contrast to the cities she’d been living in. A large part of her yearned for some peace and quiet with her loved ones.

YW: ‘I’d just love to call them!’ she thought, but realized that if their phones were bugged, and she suspected they might be, even after all this time, contacting them might get them killed. She would wait.

She desperately wanted to watch the potato sack race, but her stomach had other ideas. Her stomach demanded to be fed, and it wasn’t about to accept a helping of corn ice cream. Although there were plenty of booths with food, she decided to eat indoors, and from Maisy’s restaurant window one could see a lot of events.

She doubted Maisy would recognize her, after all, it had been years since they’d seen each other. Luckily, Maisy was serving her customers outside. Happily, total strangers were waiting the tables indoors. As she walked into Maisy’s she couldn’t help but admire the wonderful 50’s style decor. There were chrome fixtures and vintage memorabilia everywhere. If it were a restaurant in Metropolis or New York City, it would definitely be considered a trendy and popular hangout. For music, there was even an old fashioned jukebox playing music from the same period. The selection playing at her time of arrival was called, ‘The Wanderer.’ She couldn’t help but crack a sarcastic smile.

Her arrival didn’t go unnoticed. Two young men whistled as she walked by to her table. As luck would have it, she managed to find a small corner booth for two a stone’s throw from the emergency exit. She sat with her back to the entrance, keeping the menu as a possible camouflage even after she’d ordered, and watched the people who walked by and came into the restaurant.

She ordered a chocolate shake, a double cheeseburger, and large fries. She was simply enjoying the world around her. As minute by minute went by, she grew more excited. It was just a matter of time before she’d find him, and they would have the reunion she’d dreamed of for so long. The coast looked clear and beautiful. The loudspeaker interrupted her reverie.

Voice over Loudspeaker: “In just a moment in the elementary school field, we’ll be having the potato sack race! So grab a partner and hop on over! He, He!”

YW: Sarcastically, “Hop on over! Gimme a break!” She had to chuckle. Even hokey humor was making her giddy.

More than half the town moved over to the field to watch the race. A few moments later the voice from the loudspeaker was back.

VoL: “Ladies and Gentlemen, TAKE YOUR PLACES!…… ON YOUR MARK……. GET SET……!”

BANG

As the starter pistol rang through the air, amplified by its close proximity to the microphone, our young visitor jumped and let out a small shriek drowned out by the roar of the crowd outside. A little embarrassed by her display, she quickly sat down and began to eat her lunch.

VoL: “And they’re off! The Schaeffer’s, followed by and Jenny and Tom Harper take the early….”

The over-enthused fans cheering their friends and loved ones on overwhelmed the announcer’s voice. Once in awhile, you could make out a name, but not often. She did hear Kevin Baker’s name along with some girl named Annie Harris.

YW: She smirked, ‘My guess is, whoever this Annie is, she must be on cloud nine, and the envy of all her little friends!’

She could tell whenever anyone fell because the crowd would either ‘OOH’ or start laughing hysterically. Finally someone crossed the finish line. The screaming was earsplitting and infectious.

VoL: “I want to thank everyone who participated! Will our first, second, and third place winners please come to the podium for the awards ceremony!”

Moment’s later music spilled through the speakers to announce the beginning the awards ceremony. The entire crowd broke into hysterical screams. Much to everyone’s amusement the Olympic Theme had been chosen to herald the winners of a potato sack race, as well as a huge round of applause.

The crowd of cheering onlookers parted for the winners of the potato sack race. They were congratulated and patted on the back.

YW: Putting her hand over her mouth she whispered, “Oh my God.”

Clark Kent: Smiling, “OK you guys, that’s enough, please.”

Martha Kent: With her best Wild West accent, “Come on pardner, let’s find your father and get some grub. Where is he anyway?”

CK: Laughing at how bad her accent was, “I think he’s still at the barbecue pit.”

MK: Chuckling, “I’m sure he is, and sneaking those high cholesterol burgers his doctor told him not to eat!”

CK: Laughing, “Sounds like dad to me!” Putting on HIS best Wild West accent, “Well ma’am, Lets help him eat ’em!”

Martha stops and smiles.

CK: “What!?”

MK: “This is the first time I’ve seen you laughing in months.” With that remark, Clark Kent grabbed his mother and gave her a big bear hug, hiding his fading smile and now tearing eyes from her view. “Its OK, sweetie.”

He just smiled softly and led his mother by the hand to find his dad. But his temporary happiness was once again marred by thoughts of his long lost love.

Voice: “Lois?”

PART 8

Because she was so entranced by the two figures walking away from view, she almost missed it. Her vision seemed like a dream, a dream where she was floating like an angel to him. But the sound she heard pulled her back from her trance and into her body. That sound was her name. Her real name. A name she hadn’t heard or used in a long time. Slowly Lois Lane looked back from the window and into the eyes of a familiar face.

It was Maisy; one of Martha Kent’s oldest and dearest friends. And for a second, Lois thought she resembled Clark just a little bit. <g>

Lois Lane: Putting her fingers to her lips, motioned for Maisy to sit down, “Shhhh!”

Maisy: Smiling, “You’re alive! That’s wonderful!”

LL: Barely above a whisper, “Please Maisy, lower your voice!”

M: Taking the cue to sit down, “Are you OK? You look awfully pale and thin. Have you seen Clark or Martha or Jonathan? They’ve been worried sick about you. The whole world thinks you’re dead! Except for Clark that is! Martha tells me he’s been like a relentless pit bull looking for you. Well, up until when they found that body that everyone assumed to be you. Who was she anyway?”

Lois looked around the booths that surrounded her. Happily, they were temporarily empty, but not for long.

LL: “Maisy, no, you’re the only person I know who’s recognized me. And I really cannot go into anything else with you.”

M: “Are you safe here?” ‘Of course you’re safe here, this is Smallville for goodness sake!’ she thought to herself. “Martha told me part of what happened, and the rest I saw on the news.”

LL: Lois smiled painfully. ‘You don’t know the half of it girlfriend!’ she thought sarcastically. “I don’t know if I’m safe or not. I’ve only been in town for a few hours. And I can’t go to them until I’m sure it’s safe.”

M: Maisy was staring into space as if she were a character in some spy novel. She replied excitedly, “You mean the killers might be here?!? IN SMALLVILLE???”

It was clear to Lois that Maisy didn’t have a clue as to how much danger she was putting herself in by just talking to her. Lois Lane was determined not to get anyone else killed.

LL: “Maisy, this isn’t a James Bond movie! This is reality! Maisy… there are too many innocent people that are dead you know nothing about. Some of them were ordinary people who were guilty of nothing other than being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The people who are after me are dangerous and ruthless!”

Maisy was slowly coming back to reality. “Lois, I….”

LL: “Nicole! My name is Nicole Carter, please call me that here.”

M: “OK Nicole, what are you gonna do?”

LL: “Well first thing I’m gonna do is keep an eye peeled for unfriendly faces, and…”

M: “Can I…”

LL: “NO! Please! No Maisy, you can’t help! I must insist you tell no one who I am or that you saw me. This piece of ‘gossip’ could get you killed! I want to make sure you understand this before I leave.”

For some reason Maisy felt like a surrogate mother towards Lois. Perhaps it was because Martha used to speak about her so worriedly and often in the beginning. Perhaps it was because Lois’ story was the most exciting thing to happen in Smallville, since… ever! Or perhaps it was because Lois Lane looked so lonely and afraid, she just took pity on her, like any mother would look at a child, even if she wasn’t her child.

M: “Where are you staying?”

LL: “Maisy, do you understand?”

M: “Yes, I understand. Where are you staying?”

LL: “Maisy, the less you see of me, the better. Please go.”

M: Getting up, “OK, I won’t say an….”

Kevin Baker: “Nicole? Heeey, well you look rested. Hey Maisy. I wanted to ask you to be my partner for the potato sack race, but I didn’t see you leave the Inn.”

The two young men who whistled at her as she entered the restaurant were now standing behind Kevin.

Young Man #1: Laughing, “Hey Kev, I hear you got trounced by Clark…”

Young Man #2: Laughing even louder, “AND HIS MOM!”

KB: A little red in the face, but still laughing, “hey, it wasn’t my fault! Annie made me lose my balance.”

YM1: Jokingly, “I hear that’s not all she helped you lose! Haaaa!”

KB: “Hey, watch your mouth Stu!”

Stu: “Sorry Kev.”

Both boys looked into the booth and back at Kevin, indicating their real reason for making the journey from their delicious lunches getting cold at the counter. They wanted to meet the pretty girl sitting in the booth.

Stu: “Aren’t you gonna introduce us to your friend?”

KB: “No.”

Stu: Grinning, “Hey man, what’re ya jealous I’m gonna steal her from ya?” he said while outstretching his hand toward Lois. “I’m Stuart!”

YM2: Waving slightly and smiling from behind, “and I’m Steve!”

KB: “They’re the infamous Smith brothers of Smallville High. This is Nicole….”

M: “My cousin!”

They all smiled, except for Lois, who could barely compose herself after this exchange… especially Maisy’s last statement. Her jaw was hanging open. She was speechless.

KB: Smiling, “Cousin? You didn’t tell me you were Maisy’s cousin? Why aren’t you staying with…”

LL: “I didn’t want to impose.”

M: “I told you sweetie, it’s no imposition.”

LL: “I insist! Now if you’ll all excuse me. I think I need some air.” With that she pulled a ten-dollar bill out her pocket and left it on the table. Smiling, “It was nice meeting you, Stu and Steve. I’ll see you later Kevin. And Cous’? Can I have a word with you?”

M: “Sure honey.”

Lois grabbed her backpack and walked outside and around to the back of the restaurant and away from public view with Maisy right behind her.

LL: “ARE YOU NUTS!?! COUSIN?! You just don’t get it do you?!? The people who are after me are dangerous. So dangerous I haven’t gone to Superman for protection!!! If any of them spot me here, and see you talking to me, they’ll start asking questions about you. They’ll find out you claim to be my cousin. If they even suspect that I’ve told you ANYTHING, and believe me, they will! They’ll kill you! DEAD! Do you understand me? ! ?

M: Maisy still didn’t comprehend the danger she had just unnecessarily put herself into. “I understand what you’re telling me dear. But I’m sure you’re safe here! I mean, THIS IS SMALLVILLE!”

LL: “MAISY! KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT! For your own safety as well as the Kent’s and the people around you! YOU HEAR ME? PLEEEEASE!!!”

M: Excitedly, pulling an invisible zipper across her lips, “I won’t say a word!”

LL: “Good, I’m going for a walk. ALONE! Just pretend you didn’t see me here! I’m begging you!”

M: “Can I get you anything child?”

LL: “No.” A little more relaxed, “No thank you. I’ll be fine. Bye Maisy.”

M: “Bye dear, contact me if you need anything!”

With that Lois pulled her tan cap down, put on her sunglasses and walked away from the restaurant, taking the long route down Grove Street and into the side entrance of Chester’s Food Emporium. The store directly opposite the Barbecue Pit. Lois took a shopping cart, indiscriminately threw a few items into her wagon, and stared outside the large plate glass window at the loving family enjoying their lunch. The Kents.

PART 9

Jonathan had just told a joke that was so funny that Lois could hear them laughing from more than one hundred feet away. It must have been hilarious, because everyone who overheard it was doubling over laughing.

Martha Kent was holding her sides while laughing and coughing. “Oh, Jonathan, you’re terrible!”

Clark Kent: Laughing, “Dad!”

Jonathan Kent: Chuckling, “Hey, don’t blame me. Harry told me that joke!”

MK: “I might’ve known! I swear, when the two of you get together!”

JK: Smiling and holding out his hand, “Hey Martha….”

MK: “No Jonathan, I won’t pull your finger! Honestly!”

JK: “Well at least it got our boy to smile again. You look a lot better than you did this afternoon!”

MK: “Another nightmare, huh?”

CK: “Yeah mom.”

MK: “Your father told me this was a bad one. Lois again?”

Clark simply nodded yes.

JK: “You wanna talk about it son?”

CK: “It won’t help.”

MK: “Sure it will Clark, get it off your chest, talking about these things can be therapeutic. I read all about these things in my psychology class.”

CK: “Well, I was having a wonderful dream about Lois and me. We were curled up on my couch watching movies. All of a sudden, I’m watching Lois walk out of some department store, and some guy starts chasing her through the streets and into some warehouse.”

MK: “Oh honey, that’s awful.”

CK: His eyes misting up, “Yeah. I can see her hunkered down behind a crate and she’s shaking, and I know she’s thinking about me!”

MK: Sympathetically, “It was only a dream honey.”

CK: “Mom, it just felt so….. real. And it’s so eerie. It’s like I can feel her near me!” Adamantly shaking his head, “I know she’s alive!”

JK: “Now son, that’s just wishful thinking. They found Lois’ body months ago, you’re the one who identified her. Remember?”

CK: “No, Dad, that wasn’t Lois! I know all evidence points to the contrary, but if Lois were dead, I would know it! I would FEEL IT!”

JK: Skeptically, “Clark, if she were still alive, why hasn’t she contacted you? She knows who you are. It’s not like she has to fear for your life.”

CK: Slowly moving his head back and forth, “I don’t know Dad.” Smiling painfully, “I’ll ask her when I find her.”

MK: “You will dear. You’ll find her… Alive!”

JK: “Martha.”

MK: Defensively, “Well, he’s never been wrong before about this kind of thing Jonathan.”

Jonathan and Martha Kent have had several minor arguments over this point in the past year. Jonathan thought Martha and Clark were deluding themselves into believing that Lois Lane was still alive. Like almost all the rest of the world, as well as the Metropolis Police Department, Jonathan was certain that the young woman’s body found in a burned out warehouse on the docks in Hobbs Bay, was none other than the star reporter for the Daily Planet, Lois Lane.

Although the body was burned beyond recognition, the unfortunate victim could not be identified from dental records. A match could not be made because before the woman was burned, her body had been shot repeatedly. In fact, the body had more than eighty gunshot wounds. A large rifle had been fired at close range into the victim’s mouth. Even her clothing had been burned into nothing more than a pile of ashes.

Why did everyone believe this woman to be Lois Lane? Well, she was Lois’ height and approximate build. Most importantly, the only thing that could be identified on the body was a sterling silver compact with the inscription, ‘To Lois, the reflection of perfection. Forever yours, Clark.’ It was a birthday gift that Lois didn’t like to show off in public, because the inscription was so sentimental and mushy. She was still coming to terms with being head over heels in love and partially shedding the rough exterior it had taken her years to build.

It was Clark who was called in the middle of the night to come down to Hobbs Bay Hospital morgue and identify the compact. The instant the detective pulled it from a plastic evidence containment bag, Clark broke down in sobs. He thought his frantic search was over. He vowed with his life to find her and protect her. That silver compact was like a kryptonite dagger plunging into his chest. The compact had been under such intense heat that the opening had been permanently fused together.

He held the bag in his hand and slid to the floor weeping and calling Lois’ name over and over.

Although he’d already identified Lois compact, Clark Kent was determined to see her remains. Inspector Peterson insisted that it wasn’t necessary. There was nothing recognizable. But Clark was adamant!

CK: Hysterically sobbing, “I have to see her! She needs me. I have to beg her forgiveness for not protecting her.”

Inspector Peterson: Pitifully, “Kent.”

CK: “Please!?! She’s my life!”

IP: “Trust me kid, you don’t want to see her like this. You don’t want to remember her like this.”

CK: “Peterson, If you don’t let me see her, I won’t identify the compact officially. I won’t sign the papers.”

Peterson, against all better judgment, allowed Clark into the autopsy room to see the body.

Clark Kent stood about five feet away as the coroner unzipped the body bag. Clark Kent closed his eyes and looked away in pain. This was too much, even for a superman. A few seconds later, his eyes popped open and he looked at the victims burned face. His soul and his heart overwhelmed his rational mind. His mind had immediately accepted the evidence of Lois’ death almost without question. But the voice within his soul was screaming at him. ‘It’s not her! IT’S NOT HER!’

CK: “My God, this isn’t Lois!”

IP: “Kent. I know you’re in a lot of pain but…”

CK: Sobbing, “Thank God. It’s not Lois!”

IP: “How do you know this Kent?”

CK: “I just know. If this were Lois…. I would know.” Minutes later, Clark Kent staggered out of the morgue in a daze, repeating over and over, “It’s not her. Thank you God. It’s not Lois! It’s not my Lois!”

The next morning, the young woman’s remains had been cremated without the permission of the Lane family, making further investigation of her identity and question of the autopsy findings impossible. In fact, no one could give an answer as to who authorized the cremation. Even Inspector Peterson had no idea. The Lane’s were furious and suing for damages, and the Metropolis Police Department officially dismissed it as a clerical error.

PART 10

Lois Lane watched from the Food Emporium window as Jonathan and Martha Kent consoled their only child. Clark was so clearly their entire world. Who could blame them. He’d grown from ‘the perfect son’ to a wonderful and caring man. Clark Kent was the kind of man women fantasized about spending their lives with…… And he belonged to her.

Although she couldn’t hear the conversation, Lois knew they were talking about her. There were times she swore she could sense what he was feeling, no matter where she was. Her mind told her she was being too sappy and sentimental when she felt this way. But deep down, she knew their souls were joined. Clark was the only reason Lois was still in the United States. She could have used one of her fake passports to flee the US and start a completely new life as someone else. Although these people had International connections and could chase her all over the world, she knew she could more easily disappear and start over in a distant land.

But Clark was here, and her soul simply would not allow that. So here she stood in Smallville, Kansas staring at her love from a hundred feet away. Praying that they were safe, and realizing that she could not live without him.

Lois Lane also wanted to bring the people responsible to justice. They thought they were untouchable. In fact, they almost were!

Lois was so mesmerized by the trio having their lunch outside, she failed to notice there was someone standing behind her. She felt a tap on her shoulder and yelped as she turned around quickly.

LL: “Maisy!”

Maisy: “I thought I might find you here. Got the best view of the barbecue pit.”

LL: Lowering her voice, “Maisy, get out of here.”

M: Looking like an excited child, “I wanna help!”

LL: “You can’t help. Just stay away from me. Please!?!”

M: “Face it. You need me. I’m sure there’s some way I can help you sweetie…”

Maisy chattered on and on, but Lois only heard the beginning. Maisy’s voice was relegated to background noise as Lois watched one of her worst nightmares become a reality.

Jonathan Kent smiled broadly and waved, “HARRY!”

A man with white hair, wearing pale green overalls and walked with a slightly lopsided gait walked towards the Kents. Although he was around Martha and Jonathan’s age, he was quite obviously in excellent physical shape. Although he was dressed for the part of small town farmer, he looked somewhat out of place. Perhaps it was because the muscular physique didn’t quite match the slight limp. She immediately knew the limp was an act. Lois was unfortunately well acquainted with his agility. Lois looked on wide eyed and horrified as one of her would-be assassins hugged Jonathan, gave Martha a kiss on the cheek, and shook Clark’s hand and patted him on the back. Although she didn’t know the real names of most of the people assigned to find her and kill her, Lois gave most of them names based on their physical appearance.

LL: ‘Whitey!’

Immediately she knew. Smallville was being watched constantly for any signs of her arrival.

She wasn’t safe. None of them were. But she was certain she hadn’t been spotted. If he’d spotted her first, he would have killed her on sight.

Quickly Lois grabbed Maisy by the arm and pulled her away from view behind the red brick wall next to the large storefront window.

M: “What’s the matter sweetie? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

LL: “Maisy just glance out the window quickly and tell me who that man is.”

M: Confused, “What man?”

LL: Speaking nervously and quickly, “The man out there talking to Clark and his parents. Quickly, don’t let them see you!”

M: Chuckling lightly, “Oh, he’s no one to worry about darling. That’s just Harry Mortimer. He moved into the Parker farm after poor old Adam Parker killed himself.”

LL: “Suicide?”

M: “Yes, poor man, about seven months ago. Shot himself in the head. He didn’t even leave a note. He seemed so happy too. None of us can figure out why he would do such a terrible thing. Adam’s kids said Harry Mortimer came out of nowhere and offered them a ridiculous amount of money for the farm, so they sold it to him. Harry said he wanted to start a new life after his poor wife died.”

Lois knew better. Smallville had suffered its first victim, and hopefully its last.

Maisy: Smiling, “Harry and Jonathan have been as thick as thieves since Harry first moved to Smallville. Harry’s spent so much time at the Kents, we all wonder when he finds the time to farm his own land. Hehe. His daughter Alice just moved to Smallville about six weeks ago to take care of her father and help out on the farm.

LL: “Daughter?!?”

M: “Yeah, Alice! She just a lovely girl, I think she misses not having a mother because of the way she’s taken to Martha. She’s even taking ALL the same classes at the college, and has joined our bridge club.” Laughing slightly, “You’d think she was Martha’s shadow.”

As if on cue, a young woman with honey blonde hair in her mid twenties walked shyly towards the Kent’s table. All the men stood up to greet her. She hugged her ‘father,’ gave Martha a kiss, and shook hands with Jonathan and Clark. They all sat down again. ‘Alice’ sat next to Clark and looked almost lovingly at him.

Lois spoke in a whisper, “Blondie!” Lois would recognize her anywhere. This was the first assassin Lois could remember spotting. Hers was the face that trumpeted the beginning of Lois Lane’s flight from her old life. This woman, sitting with the Kents and holding onto the arm of the man she loved, was directly responsible for the deaths of some of her closest friends. And on at least one occasion had pointed a gun in Lois’ face, intending to do deadly harm to her. This was ‘Alice Mortimer’ or whatever her name was. She and her ‘father’ probably had dozens of names.

M: “I think Alice has a little crush on your Clark dear. Usually she spends her time with Martha, but since Clark got here two days ago, she always finds an excuse to be around Clark. I don’t think you should worry dear. Clark doesn’t seem the least bit interested in her.”

Clark simply smiled politely at her and looked away, apparently she made Clark feel uncomfortable. This was very clear to Lois. Another thing that struck Lois was that Martha did not like ‘Alice’ at all. It was the subtle expressions that Martha made, and you’d miss it if you didn’t know her well. Martha Kent was always very perceptive.

LL: “Maisy, I have to tell you something. Those people are not who they appear to be! They’re hired hit-men.”

Maisy: “Oh sweetie, you’re being silly.”

LL: “No Maisy, listen to me this time. I’ve seen these people before. They’re dangerous! They’re here to find me and kill me, as well as anyone who gets in their way! Please trust me when I say this, they’ll kill ANYONE who they even THINK knows anything! This isn’t a joke or a game. Look at me Maisy, I’ve been running for over a year. You’ve seen the news, these people are serious. Deadly serious!”

Maisy looked out the window and back at Lois. She thought about everything Lois had just said. She thought about the news reports when Lois had first disappeared. She may not have known the details, but she did know the gruesome way some of these people had died. And now they were here, in Smallville… In her town where nothing interesting ever happened. There was no longer the distance and safety of watching these things on television, it was real. Very real. For the first time, Maisy finally understood the dangerous situation Lois was in, and now her too. Maisy panicked. ‘Mr. Parker, Oh Lord, what if he didn’t…’

M: “Oh my Lord! OH MY LORD!” she repeated a little too loudly as she backed away and was starting to draw attention around the store.

LL: “Shhhhh! It’ll be okay!”

M: Whispering, Oh Lois, I’m so scared! What have I done? I’m sorry.”

LL: “It’s okay, they haven’t seen me. Just get out of here, and pretend you don’t know me. Go! And don’t tell anyone, not Jonathan or Martha. And especially not Clark! No one must suspect anything. Go!”

M: With her voice trembling, “But what’re you gonna…”

LL: “Don’t worry about me, I’m still alive. Act like everything’s normal and they won’t suspect a thing. Go on!”

M: “OK, God be with you dear!” Maisy smiled with tears in her eyes and walked five steps towards the side exit. With a pensive expression, she stopped and turned back to Lois. Maisy pulled all the bills from the large pockets on her apron and placed them in Lois’ hands. “Here, today’s tips. You’ll need this dear.”

Before Lois could say anything, Maisy kissed her cheek and walked out of the emporium leaving Lois softly crying in the corner. It had been so long since someone had selflessly shown such an act of kindness. She put her sunglasses back on to hide her tears.

PART 11

For a few more minutes Lois watched the Kents and the ‘Mortimers’ enjoy their lunch and each other’s company. Until she could figure a way to get Clark alone, she would have to lay low. Since she was already at the market, she quickly sped through with her back to the front window, picking mostly non-perishable items that she could eat in her room. Living like this wasn’t very palatable, but she was by now very used to it.

With her knapsack on her back and small bag of groceries in hand, Lois once again took the long route, this time back to the Smallville Country Inn. She shut the door to her room and broke down in tears. She had prayed her pursuers were no where near Smallville. After all, it had been almost a year and a half. Lois lifted herself off the bed, grabbed the bag of groceries and crouched on the floor, filling the mini-refrigerator with mostly non-nutritious snacks. Sarcastically, “Great, now it’s me who eats like an eight year old.”

After finishing filling the fridge, Lois sat back on the bed and stared blankly at the floor. She looked up and into the mirror, directly across from the large bed. She reached up and pulled the tan baseball cap from her head and released her hair from the large barrette, which was holding it in place, bringing it down her back like a waterfall. The breeze from the open window kept her hair in almost constant motion. Staring back at her tired reflection, she thought out loud “Who is this woman sitting in front of me? Can this be Lois Lane, fearless reporter? Fearless, Ha! That’s a laugh!”

Fearless, well that’s a relative term. If she truly were fearless in this case she’d be a fool. And a dead fool to boot! Lois Lane was fearless in her determination to survive, and to protect the people she loved and cared about.

“Oh Clark.” Lois turned her head to her right and looked out the window. In the distance she could see him. They were just finishing their lunch. “I’m so very sorry I had to leave you.” Her eyes were welling up with tears. “It’s my fault I almost got you killed. I should have listened to Perry. For crying out loud, it wasn’t even my story, but nooo. Pigheaded, ambitious Lois Lane just wouldn’t take no for an answer….!”

15 MONTHS EARLIER – MAY 1995

Perry White: “No! Sorry honey, but the answer is no.”

LL: “Give me one good reason!”

PW: “I’ll give you three good reasons. One, I’ve already got a reporter on this, and three other’s doing background work.”

LL: Indignantly, “Myerson?!? That no talent hack?!”

PW: “Two, this happened in DC, way out of your jurisdiction.”

Lois Lane, not to be outdone, had a retort for everything. “But Congressman Carlton was from Metropolis!”

PW: “And three, you already have an assignment!”

LL: Sarcastically, “Please Perry, A bank robbery? Small potatoes. This story is huge! It’s the biggest story since, since…. ”

PW: “I know, since Superman came on the scene.”

LL: “Yes, and you need your best reporter on this. Have I ever let you down?”

PW: “Well no honey, but I’m still not giving you this story. Myerson is our permanent lead Washington correspondent. He knows the town, he’s got connections there, and…”

LL: “I have connections in DC. I know quite a few people down there.”

PW: “I’m sure you do Lois, but he has more. Now I gave you and Kent this robbery to cover, and by the way, where is Kent?”

LL: Thinking fast, “He’s looking at a hall for the reception.”

PW: “Of course, it’s always something. And don’t you two have a wedding to plan anyway?”

LL: Smiling, “Yeah chief. But there’s no huge rush, I mean, I can cover the assassination and plan a wedding at the same time.”

PW: “I’m sorry Lois, but that’s a no this time.”

Jimmy Olson popped his head in the office door. “Chief, you’ve got a call on line two. Hey Lois, you look upset, what’s up?”

LL: Lois shot him an angry look with the express warning, ‘Back off Jimmy, not today!’

JO: Stepping back, “Whoa boy, Chief not letting you go to Washington, huh?” Ducking the ‘death rays’, “I’m leaving, I’m leaving!”

Lois left Perry’s office and sat back in her chair with a big huff. Mumbling to herself, “the biggest story of the decade and I’m stuck here in Metropolis.”

Voice: “Yeah, stuck here covering a boring old bank robbery with boring old me.”

Lois looked directly up into the eyes of her handsome partner and fiancé, Clark Kent, who sat at the edge of her desk, smiling sympathetically. He leaned over and tenderly kissed her.

Clark Kent: “Morning gorgeous. I’m sorry I missed breakfast this morning.”

LL: “That’s OK. I saw the news this morning. You’ve had a busy night.” Speaking lovingly, “My poor baby. Everything all right now?”

CK: Looking at her from head to toe, “It is now.”

LL: “I meant the flood.”

CK: “Oh yeah, ‘Superman’ built a dam just before it reached the town. No fatalities.”

LL: “That’s good. Did you get a chance to look at the hall?”

CK: “No, I had to reschedule. Maybe we can BOTH go next time.” He noticed she was happily shaking her head from side to side, grinning from ear to ear. “What?”

Lois grabbed Clark’s arm and led him into the supply closet. An action which didn’t escape the notice of the Daily Planet’s more observant staff. The act was received with raised eyebrows and restrained giggles. A small betting pool, led by Jimmy Olson had begun on just how long the engaged couple would be ‘getting supplies.’

CK: “What is it?”

Lois locked the door, and practically tackled Clark Kent to the floor. Placing kisses all over his face.

LL: “I missed you. I’ve barely seen you in the last couple of days.” By now Lois had successfully untucked his shirt and her hands were now roaming his… (groaning) “Oh, darn that uniform.” She decided to torture him with her body language while rolling on top of him, “I love you,” she whispered with her face buried in his neck.

Right about now, Clark Kent was having trouble remembering his name. Though they both wanted to wait until their wedding night, Lois was steadily increasing her passionate assaults on Clark over the last couple of weeks, making it harder and harder for Clark to keep their word, if you’ll pardon the expression.

CK: “Honey, I know I’ve sounded like a broken record for the past two weeks, but…”

LL: Groaning while sitting up, “I know, you’re right. Mr. always right! We agreed to wait.” Mumbling, “Another person telling me what I can’t do.”

CK: “Huh?”

LL: “Nothing.”

CK: “Oh, Perry huh? Won’t let you cover the news in Washington?”

LL: “Yeah, how did you…”

CK: “Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this one out.”

LL: “Of course.”

CK: “Well look at the bright side. Since you’ll be here, we can get a lot of wedding planning done. I mean the wedding is a little more than a month away and we don’t even have a church or a hall yet and….”

LL: “I know. Mom already read the riot act on me last night. We’ve both been so busy lately. Let me take some time off so I can devote more time to throwing us a memorable wedding. Not unless you want the reception at the Fudge Castle.”

CK: Wide-eyed. “You?!? Lois Lane, taking a vacation without being ordered to???” Looking behind her and smiling.

LL: “What are you looking for?”

CK: “Pods! Who are you and what have you done with my fiancée?”

Lois laughed and started to tickle him in that spot she knew he was always vulnerable. And she was the only person who had easy access to that spot on his anatomy. Smiling, “You’re gonna pay for that remark mister!”

CK: “Pay? I already am paying. Didn’t I already agree to marry you.”

Lois gasped and screamed with laughter, increasing her attack, “I can’t believe you just said that! I should be looking for pods behind YOU! Now you’re really in trouble buddy!”

>From outside the supply closet door, everyone could hear the hysterical screams. Clark was laughing so loudly and begging Lois to stop, that everyone stopped what they were doing and made some kind of remark.

A little over twenty minutes after locking themselves in the supply closet, the disheveled couple re-emerged into the newsroom and was greeted by wolf whistles and catcalls.

Female Coworker: “Were you two taking inventory!?!”

Gil Freis (fellow reporter): Clapping his hands and yelling at Clark, “Way to go sex machine!”

The room erupted with laughter and the young couple blushed accordingly, especially Clark, who was now looked up to as kind of a stud. An honor he didn’t particularly want. But he was the only man who had successfully melted ‘the ice cube in heels.’ Almost every man in the office had a crush on Lois Lane at one point or another. But she was always so cold and unattainable. The men envied Clark, and the women all envied Lois, who’d reeled in, seemingly effortlessly, the biggest fish in the office.

Jimmy had won the betting pool. “I told you everybody. Twenty-two minutes. Pay up!”

LL: “Pay up what?”

JO: Observing the dust on the back of Clark’s white dress shirt. “Well you using CK as a mop for the supply closet floor just made me enough money to pay half my rent for the month.” Laughing heartily, “thanks guys.”

LL: “You mean to tell me that you guys were betting on…”

JO: “You betcha mop and glo!”

PW: “What’s going on out here. I don’t pay you people to stand around and act like you’re at some frat party! Get back to work!” Perry slammed the door and the commotion all but vanished.

Though Clark couldn’t help but laugh, Lois was clearly not amused. Lois once again grabbed Clark’s arm, this time escorting him into the conference room. She purposely left the blinds on the glass windows open.

CK: Clearly noticing her displeasure , “What’s wrong?”

LL: “I’m sorry Clark. What we did was so unprofessional. I didn’t realize everyone was watching us.”

CK: “Honey, it’s no big deal.”

LL: “Yes it is. Clark, it’s taken years to get everyone to respect and fear me. I don’t want to throw all that away. It’s not funny. Look at the way Jimmy just spoke to me. Mop and Glo? Will you stop laughing?!? Normally he’d never dare make that type of remark to me. Well, at least not to my face.”

Looking down, “Maybe I’m just overreacting.”

CK: Chuckling lightly, “No honey, I think you’re right.”

LL: With a devilish smirk, “So, you agree, no more waxing the floor in the supply closet?”

CK: “Agreed.” They both shook hands and smiled.

LL: Laughing, “Guess that includes the Xerox room and darkroom.”

CK: Matching her reminiscent expression, “Guess so.”

A moment later they both exited the conference room and sat at their desks, resuming an air of professionalism. Lois shot ‘death rays’ looks at anyone who dared to joke about the ‘supply closet.’

Lois glanced over at the morning edition of the Daily Planet. For a change, it was not her byline that graced the cover. Today the headlines came from the Daily Planet’s Washington DC correspondent, Jim Myerson. The headline that graced the front page of virtually every newspaper in the US, if not the entire world.

SLAIN! WASHINGTON ON ALERT 7 BODIES FOUND DEAD AT LINCOLN MEMORIAL 2 MORE UNITED STATES SENATORS AND 1 US CONGRESSMAN AMONG THE VICTIMS President calls for day of mourning By Jim Myerson.

PART 12

Lois Lane was true to her word. Effective immediately she had taken off five vacation days to plan her wedding properly. The fact that Lois rarely ever took a vacation or sick day off, especially before she met Clark meant she had accumulated nearly four months of rollover vacation time and sick leave.

Ellen Lane, much to Lois and Clark’s chagrin, had agreed to help them with their wedding plans. She was so enthusiastic, neither one of them had the heart to tell her no. And since Lois was so swamped with work lately, she secretly appreciated all the help she could get. Upon pain of death, Lois and Clark were threatened by Ellen to be on time at the Four Season’s outdoor café by twelve noon. Ellen had a surprise for the happy couple.

Lois Lane: “Clark? Clark?”

Clark Kent: “Yeah honey?”

LL: “How do I look?”

CK: “You look fine.”

LL: “What?!?” Running to look at her reflection in a storefront window. “Oh no, mom told me to look my best. She’s gonna torture me all afternoon about this.”

CK: Smiling, “What are you worried about? You look fine.”

LL: “There’s that word again. Clark for your information ‘you look fine’ is just a male code for ‘nothing special’!”

CK: “Did I say fine? I meant you look FANTASTIC!”

LL: “Nice try.”

They entered the restaurant precisely on time to find Ellen already holding a table with another guest sitting beside her.

CK: “Lois? Who’s that?”

LL: “I have no idea, my guess is she has something to do with mother’s surprise.”

CK: “Uh-oh.”

LL: “What?”

CK: I have a very bad feeling about this. On the count of three, I say we both do a 180 degree turn and bolt out of here at the speed of light.”

Lois laughed and grabbed Clark’s arm. Letting out a breath, “Come on Clark, take it like a man. AND BEHAVE YOURSELF!”

CK: “I promise.”

Ellen’s guest, a woman in her mid fifties, with a society air about her, stood up to reveal an authentic white Chanel suit with Navy blue trim. In quite a dramatic fashion, she threw her arms wide open and rushed into the arms of the bride, and about to ‘flee the area to *feed the parking meter* at any moment’ groom to be.

Ellen’s guest: “THERE THEY ARE! The looovely bride and handsome groom. Daahlings, I’m going to be your nearest and dearest friend for next month.”

Lois and Clark simply stood with their mouths gaping at this total stranger. They composed themselves just long enough to look at Ellen for an answer to the obvious question on both of their faces.

LL: “Mother?!?”

Ellen Lane: ” Children, may I present Sidney Vanderhoff. We were friends at Bennington together, and well, she’s a wedding coordinator now. Wonderful news! Sidney’s agreed to do OUR WEDDING!”

LL: “Pardon?” CK: “Excuse me?”

EL: Laughing, “Well, I mean YOUR wedding of course.”

SV: “It’s a pleasure Lois and Clyde.”

Lois, Clark : “That’s Clark.”

SV: “Charmed.”

Sidney gave Lois the once-over, looking her up and down with a polite smile, grabbed her by the arm, and twirled her in a circle. “Aren’t you a simply delightful child. That’s a nice look for you. Sit down dears.” Looking at Ellen and whispering in a conspiratorial tone, “You were absolutely right dear, completely clueless. I’ll see what I can do about whipping up a proper trousseau at once.”

Lois shot Clark an ‘I told you so’ look about her outfit. Clark simply smiled and squeezed her hand under the table to calm her down.

SV: Looking at Lois, “Well, Ellie’s told me all about you dear. So I’ve taken the liberty to pen a few ideas for your big day. Your mother’s drawn up a preliminary guest list, so well need a rather large hall.” With that remark, Sidney pulled out Ellen’s computer printout of the guest list. The paper pulled out like an accordion and the bottom promptly hit the floor.

Lois, Clark: “Guest List?!?”

Clark immediately started to play with his tie and look away.

LL: “Mother, we never discussed a guest list with you. Gracious, it certainly is long. How many people are on the list?”

EL: Looking up towards the sky and looking rather matter-of-factly, “Well, so far there are only three hundred and eighty-four.”

LL, CK: “WHAT?!?”

LL: “Mom, I don’t believe you! This is insane, Clark and I want a very simple wedding.”

SV: “It will be simple daarling. It will be simply faaabulous!”

LL: Grabbing the list out of Sidney’s hand, “Exactly who’s on this list?” Reading it up and down and shaking her head from side to side. “Oh Lord help me. Mom, YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING! I haven’t seen half these people in years. And what about Clark’s relatives?!?”

EL: “Oh they’re on the list of course.”

LL: “Where?” Lois scrolled the list again, and sure enough, Ellen was telling the truth. She did leave room on the list for Clark’s family. At the very bottom of the list read Jonathan and Martha Kent.

Clark glanced at the paper at super speed. Lois had to seize his knee to keep him from yelling. He was furious and Lois was acutely embarrassed.

LL: “Mother, this list is completely unacceptable. I’ll discuss this with you later.”

EL: “Whatever you say sweetie.”

SV: “Now since were no longer sure how many people we expect for the wedding right now, let’s discuss the menu darlings. I was thinking of poached salmon with artichokes in a ….”

Sidney stopped to address Clark’s unhappy frown. “Clint darling, we didn’t mean to leave you out of this dear. Would you like something special at the wedding?”

CK: “Actually yes, and by the way, my name’s Clark, not Clint! I really like those nice little wieners, rolled in Pillsbury…..”

SV: Simply horrified, “Wieners! Dahling, I’m sure that would be acceptable cuisine if you were marrying some Corn Queen in Mayberry, but you can’t expect…”

LL: “Okay! That’s it!” Sarcastically, “Dahlings, this little meeting is over! Clark, we’re outta here!”

CK: Smiling politely and bowing slightly, “Very nice meeting you Miss Vanderhoff…..Ellen.”

Lois was far less cordial. She was so angry she said absolutely nothing to either woman. She knew if she opened her mouth, she’d say something she’d regret. As she and Clark walked away, she could hear her mother yelling.

EL: “I’ll see you at dinner dear.”

CK: “Dinner!?!”

LL: “Shoot! I forgot I agreed to have dinner with her too.” Walking a few more paces her with her eyes distant, “Clark if I gave you fifty dollars would you fly me to the top of the Daily Planet building and toss me off !?”

CK: Chuckling, “No honey. It’s gonna be all right,” he replied as they quietly strolled arm in arm out of sight from the restaurant.”

SV: “Oh Ellie dahling, you were absolutely right. Next time we’ll leave OPEY discreetly out of the picture!”

An hour later, Clark was back at the Daily Planet and Lois was back at home sitting in front of her television in the same position she had been in most of the night before. Watching the continuous coverage of the Washington assassinations. Within 24 hours, it would be known as ‘The Capitol Murders.’ The first bodies had been found a week earlier. Senator Thomas Williams of California, his wife Barbara, and two of their bodyguards had been found shot in the head in the Williams’ country estate in a suburb of Richmond, Virginia. The Senator’s body also was covered with multiple stab wounds.

The next day the President had ordered an emergency alert around the entire city of Washington DC. Security had been increased around the remaining members of Congress triple fold.

A week later a recently graduated high school senior, 18-year-old Caroline Graham, made a gruesome discovery at the Lincoln Memorial. Caroline was going to meet her boyfriend Cameron at 1am at the Lincoln memorial. They were meeting, according to Caroline, “To party the night away to celebrate Cam getting taken off the wait list for Georgetown.” Now both were slated to attend in the fall. She’d arrived late because she stopped to pick up beer with some fake ID. As she approached , she could see a dark colored van in the distance. She saw five or six men or women, dressed completely in black, including black hoods over their heads and faces. They quickly jumped into the van and speed away. She could see they had left something on the ground nearby where they had just been, but couldn’t distinguish it until she got a lot closer. Caroline had discovered the mutilated bodies of some of Washington’s elite.

The victims were Senator’s Henry Arnold of New York, John Steven’s of Texas, and Congressman Andrew Carlton of Metropolis. Also among the dead were the President’s Deputy Chief of Staff Bill Miller, Chief Judge of Federal Circuit US Court of Appeals Jonathan Hearth, and Hannah Greenberg, at age 26, one of Senator William’s most prominent young staffers and trusted advisers. She was considered one of Washington’s rising stars. And finally there was Alan Schmidt, who was a mid-level accountant for Stealth Electric Corporation.

Cameron’s body was found hours later in some shrubbery near the large reflecting pool. He was shot once in the back of the head. Apparently, he was running away when he was shot; his wounds totally different from the rest of the victims. He died instantly at the scene.

However, from the lack of blood at the scene, the other victims appear to have been killed somewhere else and placed directly in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Like Senator Williams, they had suffered multiple stab wounds and had rope burns around their wrists. Also unlike Cameron, they did not die quickly, they were tortured before they were killed. Their throats were eventually slashed execution style and their bodies were mutilated. When the DCPD and FBI showed up, their bodies were found formed in a large ‘T ‘ formation. A helicopter photo of the victims was sold to LNN and the picture appeared in nearly every newspaper around the world.

Within 24 hours, more than thirty organizations and well over a hundred attention seekers and crackpots had already claimed responsibility for the crimes. All the usual suspects from ultra left wing factions in the Middle East to ultra right wing militia groups here in the United States. All the groups were familiar, except for three. The Bravo Force, The Freedom Fighters and The Seekers. No press, government, or police officials had ever heard of them or seemed to even know where any of these groups were even located. Well at least no one was publicly admitting knowing anything about them. In the beginning they were dismissed along with most of the crackpots.

It was now thirty-six hours later and all the television stations and newspapers, Daily Planet included, were doing reports on all the lead suspects. Hiring experts to expose the most violent organizations and talk about their leaders and present locations. All in a frantic effort to find out the key information first.

LNN was now showing the President’s speech from the night before along with the still shot taken from the helicopter at the scene of the crime.

President of the United States: “My fellow Americans. Our great nation won’t rest until the terrorists responsible for this heinous crime are brought to justice. Let me reiterate our commitment to……”

Lois watched the goings on in Washington, feeling like a caged animal in a zoo watching the other animals on Safari running free in the distance. The role of witness or bystander didn’t suit Lois Lane well at all. She had been awake for nearly twenty-four hours, and something was bothering her about this case, and it wasn’t the obvious reasons a mass murder would bother a person. It was something she couldn’t quite place her finger on. But she was confident it would come to her. It always did.

PART 13

TUESDAY, MAY 9TH 1995

A week had passed since the Capitol Murders and neither the Washington Police, who were holding its own investigation apart from the FBI, nor the international press was able to make much headway uncovering a definitive prime suspect. The FBI would only say that they had several strong leads they were pursuing.

Lois Lane, exiled by geographical location from the main action, was now busying herself with her other assignments. However, the murders in DC had now become an extracurricular hobby-slash-minor obsession. From Metropolis, she did almost everything she could. She attempted to get an interview with Congressman Carlton’s widow, who would grant no one an interview. She also made a few phone calls to officials in DC, all to no avail.

Now on the wedding front, Lois and Clark conceded defeat to Ellen Lane and her new bored socialite friend, Sidney Vanderhoff. Since the happy couple was so overwhelmed with work, Ellen and Sidney were now taking care of almost everything. With their wedding a little more than a month away, with no church or reception hall rented, they were in desperate need for a miracle. And with Ellen’s overbearing determination and Sidney Vanderhoff’s connections, some order was beginning to take form from chaos.

Sidney Vanderhoff had used her wiles and influences to secure the grand hotel, Metropolis’ Ritz Carlton’s grand ballroom for the reception, WITHOUT asking the bride and groom how they felt about it. Clark was bordering on losing his temper yet again when they went to view the hall. It certainly wasn’t the simple and quiet wedding he had envisioned.

His anger all but dissolved when he saw the absolutely enchanted look on his fiancée’s face. A look she was desperately trying to hide. But she couldn’t fool Clark, who observed not only the dreamy look in her eyes but also her erratic heartbeat and excited breathing pattern.

If this was what Lois really wanted, then he would happily go along for the ride. She was all that really mattered to him. Before he met Lois, he always felt isolated and alone. When he was with Lois, he no longer felt like an alien who didn’t belong. He belonged to her. He’d marry her at the city dump if that’s what made her happy. And he had to admit it; the ballroom was absolutely beautiful.

Lois would never admit it to anyone, but she had always wanted a big deal wedding with the sweeping dress and train, in a large church walking towards a handsome prince. And of course, the reception had to be a gala affair.

Ellen knew this about her daughter all too well. Along with the newsmagazines Lois used to read as a teenager, she also found a few bridal magazines her daughter had discreetly tucked away. Ellen and Sam Lane had spent a lifetime disappointing and failing their children in so many ways. They were both eager to use this occasion to make up for at least some of the hurt they’d caused. Sam was a philandering husband and absentee father. And Ellen, although physically present to raise her girls, more often lost her continuous battle with alcohol. This forced Lois to grow up too soon and assume a surrogate mother role to her baby sister Lucy.

LATER THAT NIGHT LOIS LANE’S APARTMENT

Clark had escorted Lois home from an exhaustive day at the Daily Planet. Lois was fishing for her keys.

LL: “Clark, do you mind if we don’t go out for dinner tonight? Lets just stay home and watch a movie.”

Clark Kent: “Sounds wonderful to me.”

Lois found her keys and opened the door to her apartment and flicked on the lights to the living room.

Crowd: “SURPRISE!”

The happy couple took a moment to recover, but broke into huge smiles upon seeing their closest friends and relatives. Including Clark’s parents and some of his college friends who lived within driving distance of Metropolis.

LL: “Mom, the wedding isn’t for another month yet. Why the party now?”

EL: “Well sweetheart, because your father and I are so happy for you, we figured why wait.”

LL: “Mom, are you feeling Okay?”

EL: Laughing, “Yes sweetheart. Now give your mother a kiss and go mingle.”

Lucy Lane: “Hey big sister. Nervous about your big day?”

LL: “A little, but every day the fear disappears a little bit more.”

Lucy: “Well, even if he turns out to be a dud, you could do a lot worse in the looks department. You’ve got yourself a real babe there!”

LL: “Thanks Lucy, I guess the glass is always half full with you, isn’t it?”

Lucy: “That’s right sister.”

LL: “Where’s your boyfriend, what’s his name? Uh, Slash is it?”

Lucy: Looking away, “Oh, he couldn’t make it.”

LL: “Why Lucy, what’s he doing?”

Lucy: “Five to Ten.”

LL: “You’re kidding me right?”

Lucy: “Of course I’m kidding. Actually we broke up about a month ago.”

LL: Smiling broadly, “Jimmy!”

Jimmy Olson: “Hey Lois, great party. Lucy! You look beautiful. Can I have this dance?”

Lucy: “Sure, excuse us Sis.”

LL: “Please.”

Sidney Vanderhoff: “Attention everyone! ATTENTION! I would like to propose a toast. To the adooorable bride Lois, daughter of Sam and Ellen Lane. And her chaaaarming and handsome fiancé from the great state of Kentucky, Cletus! Son of Millie and Judd Kemp!”

Most of the crowd was trying unsuccessfully to keep straight faces through Sidney’s toast.

Martha Kent: “Miss, Vanderhoff, the name is Kent, my name is Martha, this is my husband Jonathan, and the my son’s name is CLARK! And we’re from Kansas, not Kentucky.”

SV: “Charmed to meet you darling.”

MK: With a polite smile that was quickly fading, “Well it’s nice to meet you too Miss Vanderhoff. I wanted to talk to you and Ellen about the wedding plans.”

SV: “Well that’s very kind of you dear, but that won’t be necessary, everything’s under control.”

MK: “Well since my son is the groom, I think I should have some say in where and how my boy gets marri…”

LL: Looking at her mother very sternly, “Sidney, Mother! I know you two are just dying to get Martha’s input on our wedding.”

EL: Getting the message very quickly, “Of course.”

Martha smiled appreciatively at Lois. “Well I was thinking in the church, we could…”

Lois felt a pair of warm strong arms circle her waist.

CK: “Hey gorgeous. I was missing you over there.”

LL: Laughing, “Yeah right. You looked like you were having a pretty good time over there with your college drinking buddies, or whatever it is you guys did in school.”

CK: Grinning mischievously, “Well I was day dreaming about you the whole time.”

LL: “Really?”

CK: “Uh-huh.”

LL: Lowering her voice so only Clark could hear her, “Well what was I wearing in this little dream of yours?”

CK: “Well, lets just say I’ll never look at saran wrap the same way again.”

Lois buried her head in Clark’s chest to muffle her screams of laughter. “Well, now I know what to serve you for dessert on our wedding night.”

Perry White: Smiling, “Okay you two, break it up, this is a family party. You two sure took long enough to get home, we thought you two would never arrive. What in the Sam Hill were you two doing?”

LL, CK: “Working!”

LL: “So this is why you cut out early?”

PW: “Of course. I wouldn’t miss your little surprise shindig for the world. Now you two go back to your guests, and smile……”

JUST OUTSIDE WASHINGTON, DC. SAME NIGHT SAME TIME.

Voice: “…It’s a party!”

A small estate in Alexandria, just outside of Washington DC. A small group of young men and women are celebrating the Capitol Murders. Except for one young man, Marcus Hamilton, who sat nervously in a corner, watching the merriment with an uneasy apprehension. He approached a much older man in his forties dressed in military style attire and white gloves.

Mark: “Mr. Brock sir. I wanted to talk to you about something.”

Mr. Brock: “Yes Marcus?”

Mark: Nervously, “Well sir, I was watching TV about the assassinations. They mentioned us as a possible suspect in the killings. I know we all talked about killing them, but none of us did anything. Who sent the letter from us claiming we did it? We didn’t do nothin’ sir.”

MB: “Now Marcus, don’t worry about any of that. I’m sure whomever is responsible will be caught soon enough. Nobody is going to implicate any of us in this. It will all be over soon.”

Mark: Anxiously, “But sir.”

MB: Slightly angrily, “Son, I told you, you’re not in any kind of trouble. Now you don’t want to worry any of your ‘brothers and sisters’ about this, do you?”

Mark: Looking down, “No sir. I’m sorry sir.”

MB: “Good. Now go and have some punch like everyone else. That’s an order! You’ll love it, I hear it’s to die for. Lighten up and smile son, it’s a party.”

Mark: Walking away. “Yes sir.”

MB: “And Marcus, don’t worry. It will be all over soon.”

PART 14

May 10th, 1995 7am LOIS LANE’S APARTMENT

Since Clark’s parents were staying at his apartment and sleeping in his bedroom, Clark decided to spend the night on Lois’ sofa. Well, floating at least a foot ABOVE Lois’ sofa. What Lois’ furniture lacked in comfort, it made up for in style.

Clark, wearing nothing but his boxer shorts and an undershirt, was now finishing fixing a huge, fattening country breakfast. From her position on the couch, Lois was definitely enjoying the view. Clark dropped the spatula on the floor and was now bending over to pick it up.

Lois Lane: Looking on dreamily, “Mmmmm, delicious.”

Clark Kent: “Delicious? You haven’t even tasted anything yet?”

LL: ” Huh? Oooh, you’re talking about the food?”

CK: “Of course I’m talking about the food, what are you….” Slightly embarrassed, but enjoying every second of her ogling, “LOIS!”

LL: “Oh, come on Clark, I know you stare at me. Even when we first met, when you THOUGHT I didn’t notice. Isn’t that why you moved your desk out of formation with everyone else’s? I couldn’t help notice it granted you better access to stare at me.

CK: “Oh, come on Lois that is not…”

LL: “Tell me I’m wrong, mister ALWAYS tells the truth?!?”

CK: Smiling and looking away, “Okay, right on all counts.”

LL: “HA!”

CK: “But if you knew I was doing all that stuff, why didn’t you confront me in the beginning and tell me to stop?”

LL: Smiling coyly, “I never said I didn’t like it.”

CK: “So I guess, what goes around comes around?”

LL: Feeling very playful, “That’s right. So come on baby, strut your stuff!”

CK: “Lois, how much drinking did you do at the party last night?”

LL: “I’m not drunk on alcohol, I’m drunk on yooooooooou!”

CK: Laughing heartily, “Fair enough.” Clark walked over to the stereo, pulled a CD from Lois’ collection, and quickly raised his eyebrows twice at her.

LL: Straining to see what was in his hand, “What are you going to play?”

CK: Mischievously smiling back at her, “You’ll see.”

In a flash of motion he was gone, and before Lois could react, he was back wearing the suit he wore the night before.

LL: “Clark, what on earth…” That was all Lois could get out of her mouth. For when the music started to play, Clark began to his private performance to the song, I’m Too Sexy, slowly stripping in beat to the music for his now wide eyed, gaping mouthed fiancée. Lois had never seen this side of Clark’s personality and she hoped this was not a one-time performance. She quickly recovered and just began screaming as he threw one article of clothing after another in her direction. Lois was now laughing so hard, her sides were in pain, and she doubled over the couch to catch her breath. “SHAKE IT BABY, SHAKE THAT MONEY MAKER!”

The music and laughter were so loud that neither one of them heard the knocking nor the subsequent turning of keys opening the front door. A few seconds later, Clark, standing in his boxer shorts and absolutely nothing else, froze at the sight of the two people standing in the doorway.

LL: Reaching for her wallet, “What’s the matter? Mama’s got a crisp new dollar for the naughty boy.”

In another breeze of motion, Clark was hiding in Lois’ bedroom.

Lois turned around to see Jonathan and Martha Kent standing in her doorway looking even more shocked than her. Lois put her hand over her mouth and just collapsed backwards into the couch with laughter. Jonathan and Martha looked at each other and quickly followed suit.

Martha Kent: “We’re sorry, honey. We did knock.”

Jonathan Kent: His body shaking from laughter, “But you two were uuuh,… OCCUPIED.”

LL: “How did you get ….”

MK: “Clark left the keys to your apartment on his dining room table. And since the key-chain has your name on it, it wasn’t hard to figure out. Maybe we should go.”

LL: “No, don’t go. Clark made a huge breakfast that we couldn’t possibly finish. Stay, I’ll go get him, that is if I can convince him to come out.”

MK: Whispering to her husband, “Jonathan, do you think…”

JK: “…We’ve scarred the boy for life?” Jonathan simply nodded his head yes.

MK: Laughing lightly and shaking her head from side to side, “Poor baby. He must be mortified.”

Lois knocked on her bedroom door and walked in to find Clark sitting on the edge of her bed with his head in his hands. He looked up to reveal a face as red as a beet. Still unsuccessfully trying to contain her laughter, “Clark, are you okay?”

CK: “Lois, it’s not funny! How would you like it if it were YOUR parents who showed up with you doing a… STRIPTEASE?!?”

LL: “I’m sure I would be the one sitting in here with my face in my hands.”

CK: “How can I ever even face them again?”

LL: “Well you’ll find out in a minute because they’re staying for breakfast.”

CK: “You mean they’re STILL here?!?”

LL: “Of course they’re STILL here! What did you want me to do throw them out?”

CK: “Well, no. But, I just CAN’T face them. WHAT do I say?”

LL: “I’m not sure you need to mention it. You can make a brief apology if you want, and then just forget it.”

CK: Looking down, “Well…”

LL: Teasing, “Come on honey, mama’s got a crisp new dollar for her naughty boy if he comes out and plays nice.”

CK: Looking up and grabbing her by the waist, Clark pulled his breathless fiancée down into a passionate embrace on top of his lap. “Well, they’ll have to wait until I get my morning kiss from my very naughty girl.”

Martha and Jonathan were in the kitchen, getting the dishes from the cupboard to set the table.

MK: “Jonathan, do you think he’s okay? Do you think I should go in there and talk to him? Tell him that he shouldn’t be embarra….”

At precisely that moment, Martha and Jonathan froze at the muffled giggles coming from the happy couple in the bedroom.

JK: Chuckling lightly, “The boy recovers quickly.”

MK: “Oh, Jonathan, remember when we were engaged and my parents caught us…”

CK: “Caught you what Mom?”

MK: “Nothing dear. Are you all right?”

CK: “I’m fine Mom. Lets eat, and please try to forget what you saw here today.”

Martha and Jonathan: “Saw what?”

CK: “Thank you.”

ABOUT 40 MINUTES LATER

LL: “Clark that was delicious. I’m really gonna enjoy being married. I’ll finally get some decent food ’cause I know I can’t boil water.”

CK: “Thank you.”

Martha and Jonathan got up to clear the table and Clark walked towards the couch to sit down.

LL: “Clark, would you turn on the TV. I wanna watch the morning news.”

CK: “OK.” Mumbling to himself, “You can take the reporter out of the news room, but you cant take the…”

LL: “I heard that!”

The pictures on the news revealed yet another army of reporters, police and FBI agents as they swarm around a house in a wealthy suburb of Washington DC.

Reporter: “…….more death here in the Washington area. Here in this quiet suburb of Alexandria, Virginia, an apparent mass suicide of the militia/terrorist group at The Freedom Fighters Compound. Very little information has been released except for unconfirmed reports that evidence exists here that the Freedom Fighters were responsible for all the deaths in the Capitol Murder case. Again this is unconfirmed that not only the murder weapons were found on the premises, but also detailed written plans on executing these crimes. The Chief of the Alexandria Police Department is about to make a statement.”

Alexandria Police Chief: “Good morning everyone, at approximately 3am last night, we received an anonymous phone call reporting a disturbance at this address. The front door was open and my officers entered the building to find approximately 29 men and women, all apparently under thirty years of age, deceased from an apparent suicide. The cause of death cannot be determined at this time. But the suspects apparently died from poison of an unknown origin. There is evidence on the property that suggests that makes them the prime suspects in the Capitol Murders.”

Reporter2: “Can you tell us what that evidence is?”

APC: “I have no comment on that at this time.”

Reporter 3: “Is this the group that calls themselves the Freedom Fighters?”

APC: “Yes, I can confirm that.”

Special Agent Kenneth Turner for the FBI had emerged from the house, and looked over into the direction of the press. Quickly moving into action, he instructed two agents to break up the press conference as quickly and quietly as possible.

KT: “I don’t believe this, who authorized him to give a press conference.”

FBI agent: “Well sir, technically I’m not sure we have the right to…”

KT: “I’m sure, under the circumstances, as a matter of national security we can convince the good police chief to keep his mouth shut until I get confirmation on how we’re going to approach the press. Get a line to headquarters.”

FA: “Yes sir.”

Little more was revealed before the conference was abruptly cut short, except for the fact that an officer on the scene had said he could smell the faint odor of garlic over the bodies.

CK: “What do you think Lois? You think garlic was used in some kind of ritual ki…?”

LL: “No, I think it was arsenic, probably mixed with some other kind poison to speed things up a bit. Victims of arsenic have been known smell like garlic.”

CK: “Lois Lane, you never fail to impress me.”

LL: “Why, thank you Mr. Kent.”

CK: “You’re very welcome Miss Lane.”

LL: “Come on Clark, go home, get dressed and meet me back here in twenty minutes. We’ve got work to do.”

CK: “Lo-issss. That’s all the way in DC. You know what Perry said, and anyway, it looks like this is over. If they’re responsible, then there’s not much more to do than wrap this up.”

LL: “I know, just get dressed, we have still have to be at work on time to handle whatever BORING events are going on here in Metropolis.”

JK: “Boring?”

CK: “Mom, Dad. You’ll have to excuse Lois. These past few weeks, she’s been dying to get to Washington to covers these assassinations. And Perry saying NO has been just a little too much for her.”

MK: “Well, that’s understandable.”

LL: “Thank you Martha!”

CK: “Mom!”

MK: Sympathetically, “Well, if I was a reporter and the biggest news story since, well, (looking at Clark) YOU arrived in Metropolis, had emerged, and I wasn’t allowed to cover it, I would be just a little upset.”

LL: Smiling, “Thank you Martha!”

MK: Looking at Clark, “You heard the lady, go home, get dressed and meet her back here in twenty minutes. Go on.”

CK: “Yes, ma’am!” Clark spun into his Superman outfit and just before he flew out the window he turned around to see Lois give Martha an appreciative kiss on the cheek and run into her bedroom. In a whirl of motion he was gone.

PART 15

WEDNESDAY MAY 10TH, 1995 9AM DAILY PLANET NEWSROOM

The elevator doors opened and Lois and Clark entered the newsroom of the Daily Planet. Lois walked directly to her desk. Clark detoured and retrieved two cups of coffee and a pair of donuts. There was a little more than the usual manic energy found around the newsroom. Everyone seemed just a little bit on edge. Lois scanned the newsroom and quickly discovered the reason everyone was walking on his or her toes.

Lois spotted Perry White yelling into the receiver of his phone. Or more accurately HEARD him yelling into his receiver! His voice was raising decibel by decibel as the minutes ticked by. When the mood of The Daily Planet’s veteran editor was on edge, he made sure his displeasure was known to all. Just about everyone who so much as walked by his office got an earful of the wrath of Perry White. But he was just taking his frustration and anger out on his poor staff until he could make contact with the object of his anger, Jim Myerson.

Jim Myerson was the unfortunate victim getting his butt chewed out for his lack of progress covering the Capitol Murder case. But Myerson was in plenty of good company. Most reporters covering this case around the country, were getting lambasted in similar fashion.

Perry’s end of the conversation carried throughout the newsroom, and most felt sorry for poor Jim.

Perry White: “Look, I just came from a meeting with ‘the suits’ upstairs REAMING me out about our LACK of paper selling exclusives from you! And frankly, I’m not sure I don’t agree with them! You’ve been doin’ a pretty sorry job lately!….. I don’t want to hear it! THIS IS THE GREATEST NEWSPAPER IN THE WORLD! EVERYONE is expecting an exclusive from us about this case!….. I DON’T CARE if nobody else has the skinny on this…..! WELL YOUR BEST JUST ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH! You had better get the scoop on this militia group I’m watching on the news right now! WHAT?!?…. Now you listen here Jim. If YOU can’t get a handle on this story, YOU CAN JUST START TYPIN’ UP YOUR RESUME! YOU HEAR ME?!? I DON’T WANT ANY MORE EXCUSES! I’ve got reporters who would kill to be in your shoes!……”

By this point in the conversation, nearly everyone in the newsroom had stopped what they were doing and was listening intently. As much as Lois wanted this story, even she wouldn’t wish THIS on Myerson. No one could remember EVER seeing Perry this angry. Clark placed a cup of coffee and a cinnamon donut on Lois’ desk, exchanging a sad glance in her direction before he sat down at his own desk.

LL: Grabbing her donut and cup of coffee, “We’d better get going Clark, we’ve got a meeting with the shop steward at the freight company.”

CK: “Yeah. Okay lets go.”

LL: “Jimmy, if Perry asks where we’ve gone to, tell him, we’ll be at the Metropolis Freight Company talking to the shop steward and possibly the President of the company about the possible strike. Okay?”

Jimmy Olson: “Sure Lois. But you couldn’t pay me a million dollars to barge in there and tell him now!”

LL: Lois gave Jimmy a weak smile “I don’t blame you.” She picked up her briefcase, and walked towards the elevators. “Come on Clark. We don’t want to be late.” Lowering her voice, “And Jimmy, fill me in on the details later.”

JO: “Can do. See you later you guys.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LATER THAT MORNING HOBBS BAY DOCKS

Lois and Clark had spent the majority of their morning interviewing freight union workers ready to walk off their jobs and start picketing within the week. It was mostly routine work for them, they talked to the owner of the Metropolis Freight Company, his spokesman, the union shop steward, and a handful of other’s that would be effected by a strike if one were to occur, nothing special. In fact, a new contract favorable to both sides was in the works, and more than likely, there would be no strike at all.

Lois Lane would’ve been completely bored except for her preoccupation with another story. Clark had to tap leg her twice during the days interviews for her obvious mental drifting.

CK: “Lois are you here?”

LL: “Yes, I’m here. I’m not sure why. But I’m here.”

CK: “Lo-is.”

LL: Defensively, “Well, there’s nothing going on here Clark.” Sarcastically, “Won’t Perry will be thrilled! ‘Sorry Chief, nothing new to report here!’ Not even a disgruntled worker to give us a decent quote! This is pathetic.”

CK: “It’s not that bad. Anyway, let’s get back to the Planet and type up everything we’ve got so far.”

LL: Exasperated, “Hoookay .” Lois and Clark walked back towards the parking lot where Lois’ silver jeep was parked. They hadn’t gotten more than ten feet when Clark heard a distant SOS. “Oh, boy, I know that look.! What is it? What do you hear?”

CK: “A mugging. Just a few blocks from here. The alley between Ocean and Tsunami streets!”

LL: Sarcastically, “Big surprise. This is Hobbs Bay! I’m surprised I don’t hear machine gun fire.” Sighing, “Well at least we can cover a simple mugging, I’ll meet you there in a few minutes.”

CK: “Okay.” They exchanged a quick kiss as Clark started to loosen his tie. She watched him duck behind a brick wall and faster than her eyes could register, he was gone. All she could hear was a familiar whoosh sound.

On her way back to her jeep, Lois passed a rather large warehouse about forty feet away from an outer fence with barbed wire at the top. It was directly adjacent to the Metropolis Freighting Company. A large limousine was parked directly outside the building and three very expensively dressed individuals stepped from the building and into the waiting car. A sign on the gate read, ‘Hobbs Bay International Warehouse,’ a name which left few clues as to the nature of the business.

LL: ‘Hmmm, maybe somebody who works here has seen something interesting. Couldn’t hurt to ask.’ As she walked towards the security guard in the booth by the front entrance, her mind started to drift again. She kept thinking about the events of the last two weeks. That picture of the victims at the Lincoln Memorial was still bothering her, and her instincts were usually right on target. Then of course, there was the latest batch of bodies from this morning. She had to stop and mentally chastise herself for drifting again. ‘Focus Lane, focus! You’ve still got a job to do here.’

Security Guard: “Can I help you miss?”

LL: “Yes, I’m Lois Lane with the Daily Planet. I’d like to talk to some employees and find out if anyone has some information about the possible strike next door.”

SG: Physically standing in Lois’ path as a barrier between her and the inside of the gate, “I’m sorry miss. But that’s not possible. No one is allowed on the premises without an appointment.”

LL: “Well, it couldn’t hurt to let me ask a few people….”

SG: Holding his hand directly in her face, “I’m sorry lady, but you have to have an appointment to speak to anyone here.”

LL: “Well, all right then, who owns this business?”

SG: “I don’t know miss.”

LL: Slightly angrily with her arms folded, “What do you mean you don’t know!?!”

SG: “Miss Lane, I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave. This area is restricted!”

Lois just stood there staring at the security guard with a blank stare. He was still talking, but she had obviously stopped listening. The wheels were turning in her head a mile a minute.

LL: “THAT’S IT!”

SG: “Excuse me?”

Without another word to the security guard, Lois turned on her four-inch heels and nearly sprinted towards her car. She was so excited she could hardly contain herself. Something had just clicked and Lois could hardly wait to pick up Clark and confirm her suspicions when she got back to the Planet! Lois Lane had just unlocked the first door in solving one of the biggest stories of the Century.

PART 16

WEDNESDAY MAY 10TH, 1995 12 NOON

By the time Lois had arrived in the alleyway between Ocean and Tsunami streets, not only was the suspect apprehended by Superman and turned over to the police, but Superman was already on his way to New York City to help with rescue efforts in the collapse of a large office building. To her credit, Lois wasn’t the least bit upset about Clark’s flying off at a moment’s notice. Well, at least she wasn’t upset today. She was far too busy.

Instead of heading back to the Planet, Lois went home, she had to make some sensitive phone calls and she didn’t want any of the other reporters to hear her. It was unusual for a reporter’s story to be stolen by a colleague. But this was different. With a story this big, all bets were off!

It took every ounce of her self-control, but Lois did manage to type up her notes and e-mail them to the Planet for publication. Along with a side note for Perry saying she wouldn’t be in for the rest of the day because she was working on a big lead.

Lois, wearing a cream colored suit, took off her shoes and curled up on her sofa with her legs tucked under her. A sea of notes, her laptop computer, an old fashioned paper Rolodex, a cup of coffee, an economy-sized box of double fudge crunch bars, and a telephone surrounded her. Her television, almost exclusively tuned into CNN or LNN for the last few weeks was muted so she could concentrate on the business at hand.

Something had always bothered her about the initial photo taken of the victims outside the Lincoln Memorial. And that security guard in Hobbs Bay had said the key words that had begun to unlock a mystery.

Her first call was to Sandra Ellis, now a programming director for LNN, Luthor News Network. Lois had met Sandra when she was engaged to Lex Luthor and was doing what is now Sandra’s job. Sandra was the senior anchor at the time. And she owed Lois a favor or two. A favor Lois was about to cash in.

LL: “Hello. Yes, Lois Lane calling for Sandra Ellis………… Just tell her it’s me……Thank you……….. Sandra, how are you?”

Sandra Ellis: “I’m doing great Lois. How’ve you been? Still working for that great big dinosaur known as print journalism? Hehehe.”

LL: Managing a polite fake laugh, “Yup. And loving every minute of it.”

SE: “What’s up? Haven’t spoken to you in nearly a year. Women in Journalism Luncheon right?”

LL: Sounding friendly but a little anxious, “That’s right. Congratulations on your promotion. You deserve it.”

SE: “Thanks Lois. Now what can I do for you?”

LL: “I need some information.”

SE: “Shoot.”

LL: “About the picture.”

SE: “What picture?”

LL: “Come on Sandra, you know what picture. ‘THE PICTURE!’ The only picture the worlds been studying and talking about for the last week! Lincoln Memorial? Ring a bell?”

SE: “Aaaah. What do you want to know?”

LL: “Where did it come from?”

SE: “Come on Lois, you know that’s confidential!”

LL: “YOU come on Sandra, this is ME! Need I remind you…”

SE: “No, you needn’t. But if anyone finds out I said a word. I could get fired.”

LL: “You know you can trust me. Where did that picture come from?”

SE: “Well… I guess I can. It won’t do you any good anyway.”

LL: Eyebrows raised, “Oooh, why?!?”

SE: “Because when we checked out our gracious ‘benefactors’ story, it just led to a big dead end!”

LL: “I’m listening.”

SE: “Well, it was the night after the murders and our camera crew was packing up to leave the Memorial and head back to the studio, when a man came up and offered us this picture for a ridiculously low sum of money. He said he didn’t want to be seen on the news and he didn’t want any press attention. The name he gave us was Edward Sharp. He told our crew that he was taking a late night helicopter sightseeing ride from some company named DC Chopper over the city, and he and the pilot had discovered the bodies. He says he started to take a few pictures…..”

LL: Hardly containing her excitement, “AND…”

SE: “He just handed our field reporter the picture in a manila envelope and asked for a hundred bucks.”

LL: In disbelief, “Are you kidding me?”

SE: “Swear to God Lois.”

LL: “And then what?!?”

SE: “Well, Pete Harman who was covering the Memorial that night had pulled out a clipboard with paperwork for him to sign giving us permission to use his picture. But when Pete was getting the paperwork ready, THE GUY RAN!”

LL: “You’re not kidding me are you? It’s just too weird to make up.”

SE: Sarcastically, “Tell me about it.”

LL: “Of course you checked out his story. DC Chopper?”

SE: “Doesn’t exist!”

LL: “What about the other….”

SE: “None of the other helicopter services in the area had any late night tourist flights that night. Frankly Lois, I don’t know what to think. But I thank my lucky stars he handed that photo to US!”

LL: “Congratulations, that must be quite a coup. CNN must be green with envy.”

SE: “Thanks. And they are! But like I told you. Dead end!”

LL: “Gee, thanks anyway Sandra. I owe you a big lunch with all the trimmings.”

SE: “You don’t owe me anything Lois. If I’m keeping score correctly, I still owe YOU a favor or two. But if you’re in the mood, the next time you stop by here, I’ll take you to Mendy’s for lunch.”

LL: “Deal. Thanks again and take care.”

SE: “Bye Lois. Talk to you soon.”

Lois Lane hung up the phone and started typing notes furiously into her notebook computer. ‘DEAD END INDEED!’

Sandra was unwittingly confirming Lois’ suspicions. And she didn’t even know it! Lois reached for her Rolodex and over the next hour, made nearly a dozen phone calls; one to the FAA, and the rest to various government agencies, the Air Force, and finally, The White House. After getting transferred from one extension to another and getting a general run-around, Lois was finally able to confirm what she had suspected ever since that rude security guard had denied her access to that warehouse in Hobbs Bay.

Since Senator Thomas William’s murder a week before the bodies were found by the Memorial, the airspace around much of Washington DC, especially government buildings and national landmarks, was severely restricted! Restricted to military personnel only! Anyone else wishing to fly in that particular airspace would require the permission of the United States Government.

Lois was so excited she couldn’t eat! This was news, big news! But she’d decided on discretion. To print what she knew now would open the floodgates for a free for all. With everyone knowing what she did. She decided to keep this information secret from everyone except for Clark, and perhaps Perry. Perry would agree. Solving the entire puzzle was a thousand times better than just solving a piece of it.

LL: Lois wanted to dance around her living room. “What an exclusive! Hello Kerth Awards! Haa! Forget about the Kerth Award! Exclaiming with joy, “HELLOOOO PULITZER PRIZE!” What ’til I tell Clark!”

After Lois had calmed down, she began her now daily ritual in front of her television set. She grabbed her notepad, turned up the volume and began to take notes on all the facts and hearsay presented about this case. Today’s big news was the apparent mass suicide in Alexandria.

The day was coming when Lois Lane would pay a terrible price for the information she had now begun to acquire. The phone calls Lois made that afternoon would not escape the attention of certain individuals. Certain individuals who had secrets they would do ANYTHING to keep.

PART 17

WEDNESDAY MAY 10TH, 1995 5PM THE WHITE HOUSE

Judy Wade sat at her desk in the main room just outside the oval office, along with the presidents three other private secretaries and various assistants. She was a small woman, only five feet three inches in height. Her straight pale blonde hair, which fell an inch below her shoulders, was pulled back into a ponytail. Today she wore a fitted tan suit that washed out her complexion. She was staring at a piece of paper beneath her. Not really reading the words. She was thinking.

Not only was sadness overwhelming her, but she’d also been feeling uneasy since Bill’s death a week ago. Thoughts of the man she loved lying outside the Lincoln Memorial had been haunting her. And there was no getting away from the reminder. That picture was literally everywhere. But she may have been the only person not directly involved who knew WHY they were killed.

Bill Miller, age 40, the President’s Deputy Chief of Staff and Judith Wade, age 33, the Presidents Chief Private Secretary, were secretly having an affair. One they’d tried to keep from literally everyone. They went to great lengths to keep their love a secret, partly because they were married to other people.

Each of them had so much to lose if either one of their spouses sued for divorce. Each of them had kids. And Judy knew that if her husband ever found out, he’d make sure she NEVER got custody of their two small children.

Bill also wanted to keep Judy safe from his colleagues.

Judy excused herself, telling her co-workers that she wasn’t feeling very well and was taking a small break. It wasn’t a lie. She headed for the bathroom, and bending over a toilet, lost the contents of her late lunch. She thought all about their private conversations in all the hidden romantic places he used to take her to.

Judy was not only Bill Miller’s lover, but also his confidante. He told her nearly everything about him, and more importantly, many of the secret dealings he was a party to, he and others, A LOT of others. And very few of these dealings were legal. But the scope of these crimes would astound even the most cynical and jaded individual.

If any of them found out she knew, they would kill her without a second thought. But she needed help. And she didn’t know whom she could trust. So many people had dirty hands. Even Bill didn’t know EVERYONE who was involved.

Bill wanted out! And so did the other victims. She was supposed to meet him that night after the meeting, but he never showed. He couldn’t! Judy didn’t find out about the murders until the next morning. But she knew who was responsible. This is what happened when you tried to leave. But these people weren’t just planning on leaving. They were planning on going public and suffering the consequences of their actions.

When she found out, she felt overwhelming relief that they’d kept their love a secret. But now she had a feeling some people suspected their relationship. Some members of the White House staff gave her funny looks in the hall when they passed her. Sometimes she could hear them whispering. But she wasn’t sure. One thing Judith Wade was certain of…. She was terrified!

Judy plopped down on a comfortable lounge chair in the elegant restroom and buried her head in her hands. Knowing Bill’s secrets weighed heavily on Judy’s heart. She had to finish what Bill had started. She simply couldn’t live with this kind of secret. She thought about going to Senator Grant for help. Bill had been a former press secretary to the New York veteran Senator, and also his one time protégé. Senator Grant was also supposed to be at that ill-fated meeting. But he wasn’t there. And the possible reasons why he didn’t show made her suspicious.

JW: “What am I going to do? Bill help me! Who am I going to ask for help?”

She wiped the tears from her eyes and splashed cold water in them to try and wash away all evidence of anxiety and pain. She was about to leave and head back to her desk when she heard two male voices coming from outside. Familiar voices. Judy removed her hand from the handle and listened to the conversation. They were talking about the murder investigation and it’s progress.

Voice #1: “…what about the press?”

Voice #2: “Well we’ve got a nosy reporter asking questions. Lois Lane from the Daily Planet in Metropolis just called about that picture awhile ago.”

V1: “Does she know…”

V2: “No, I think it was just a general fishing expedition.”

V1: “Has ‘Uncle Sam’ been briefed on the situation?”

V2: “Of course.”

V1: “So, what are we gonna do about her?”

V2: “Nothing. She’s obviously got squat! And ‘Uncle Sam’ thinks taking her out now might bring some unwanted attention from ‘Peter Pan’.”

V1: “What about the President?”

V2: “I don’t think he needs to know anything about this.”

V1: “Business as usual eh?”

These were the only words Judy could make out before they had walked out of earshot.

JW: ‘Lois Lane. She knows Superman! Just maybe…”

PART 18

WEDNESDAY MAY 10TH, 1995 7pm LOIS LANE’S APARTMENT

Superman drifted into the living room window of Lois’ apartment to find his fiancée fast asleep on her sofa, surrounded by mountains of paperwork.

He couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight. ‘I bet she’s working in her sleep!’ At that moment Lois’ mouth upturned slightly to reveal a small smile. For the next ten seconds, she laughed. For a moment Clark thought she knew he was there, but he could tell by her breathing patterns that she was sound asleep.

Superman spun into some casual clothing, turned off her television set, sat on her sofa, and just stared at her sleeping peacefully, admiring the view. He shook his head.

Although he sat in silence, his mind was speaking volumes.

CK: ‘Sometimes I can’t believe this is real. We’re getting married! How can I tell you how much you’ve done for me? What my life was like before we met. Every time I try, I can never seem to get the words out. Do you have ANY idea what you do to me? I promise I’ll do anything to keep you safe and happy.’

LL: She began to mumble, “And I’ll do anything to keep you safe and happy. I love you.”

Clark’s eyes widened as he realized that Lois was STILL fast asleep. Somehow she’d heard everything he was thinking. He was shaking. Their love had always managed to transcend the ordinary. He put his hand on her ankle, “Lois?”

LL: “Clark?” Her eyes opened slowly and she smiled lazily. “What time is it?”

CK: “It’s seven in the evening.”

LL: “SEVEN!” Her eyes popped open and she stood up quickly. Too quickly. She got slightly dizzy and fell into the waiting arms of her fiancé. “Yow.”

CK: “Are you OK?”

LL: “Yeah, just got up too fast. We’re LATE for dinner with our parents, remember?!? Mother’s going to kill us. She hates it when I’m late! Look at me… I’m a mess.”

CK: With a reverent expression on his face, “No you’re not. You’re beautiful.”

LL: Sarcastically, “Yeah right, can I buy a couple of your pencils?”

Clark laughed as he watched her stumble towards a mirror and fix her now disheveled hair.

CK: Smiling triumphantly, “Lois, it’s OK. I called our parents and canceled our dinner plans. We’ve got the ENTIRE evening ALL to ourselves!”

LL: Matching his excited grin. “I knew there was some reason I fell in love with you. Thank you. I really did want to spend tonight alone with you. Are your parents upset?”

CK: “No, they think it’s a great idea.” With a conspiratorial tone, “I get the feeling they want to be alone tonight too. Your mother seemed a little mad though.”

LL: “Big surprise.” Shrugging her shoulders, “Oh well, she’ll get over it.”

CK: “Well, what do you want to do tonight? I’m up for anything.”

LL: “How ’bout we just stay home and watch TV and order Chinese.”

CK: “Sounds great. Anything but LNN!”

LL: Smiling slyly, “how about…”

CK: “Not CNN either!” Playfully grabbing her by the waist, ” Think your slick, huh?”

LL: “As the Exxon Valdeez!”

CK: “Haaa.” Whispering, “I love you.”

LL: Whispering even lower, “Love you too.”

Clark bent down and captured Lois’ lips and she groaned as she felt him caress her lower back. He knew all her sensitive spots and she reciprocated in kind, lightly running a finger down his spine. His body shook slightly as he gasped in her mouth and whispered her name. His hands started to wander over her frame.

LL: Speaking sexily, “Clark? We keep doing this and we’re not going to be able to wait ’til our wedding night.”

CK: Groaning as he slowly let her go. “Remind me why we’re not eloping again?”

LL: Very matter of factly, “Because we’ll never hear the end of it.”

CK: “My parents would understand if we…”

LL: “I know, but mine would have KITTENS if we eloped. Even Daddy would be upset. I get the feeling he’s just as excited as mom is about this wedding.” Laughing, “Your mom told me he showed up unexpectedly at lunch today and made a whole bunch of suggestions to Sidney.”

CK: “Uh-oh.”

LL: Holding her sides, “Ooooh yeah! Martha says at times the arguing got so loud the manager threatened to throw them out of the restaurant.”

CK: “Oh boy. Aren’t you glad we weren’t there for that.”

LL: “You can say that again.” Grinning, “Can you imagine? The sight of our parents getting tossed out of a fancy restaurant like some drunken brawlers???”

CK: “Let’s just hope that NEVER becomes a reality!”

LL: “I know. Well anyway, we have to wait. Besides they’re doing most of the work. Thankfully YOUR mother is there to make sure the SPECTACLE is kept to a tasteful minimum.”

CK: “Yeah, mom’s told me some of the suggestions she’s shot down.”

LL: “I’ve heard thanks to your mom, 1,000 doves WON’T be released at the ceremony. And the Vienna Boys Choir can STAY in Vienna!”

CK: “NOOOO! She didn’t mention those to me?!?”

LL: “That’s because she knew how you’d react!”

CK: “Very true. Hooookay! We wait. But remember, all you have to do is say the word and…..”

LL: Smirking as she shook her head, “I know, I know. You’d have us at the tackiest chapel in Vegas before I could change my mind!”

CK: “Not necessarily Vegas, I was thinking maybe someplace like Rio, Milan …. or Paris.”

LL: “Ooooh! That sounds so wonderful. And tempting!”

CK: With eyebrows raised, “Lois?”

LL: “Nope, too bad it’s not gonna happen. We wait.”

CK: “Okay. But the offer stands.”

LL: “I’ll keep that in mind.”

CK: Looking around the apartment. “What is all this stuff?” Glancing quickly at a few notes. “Looooois.”

LL: “Well, it’s no harm in doing research. And anyway, I think I’ve got a lead. Wanna hear it?”

CK: “Not tonight. I don’t want to think about work tonight.”

LL: “Let me clear this stuff outta here and we can relax.”

CK: “No honey, let me.” In a blur of motion he neatly stacked all of her papers by her desktop computer. Lois smiled appreciatively.

LL: “You are gonna come in veeery handy once we’re married. Especially when the dishes need washing.”

CK: Grabbing her and pulling her in for an all encompassing hug. “Hmmmmmm. I hope that’s not the only reason you’re marrying me.”

LL: Throwing him a mischievous look. “No, I don’t like to vacuum or mop either.”

CK: “You sure about that Mop and Glo?”

LL: Pinching his rear end and tickling his only sensitive spot, “Oh, you thought that was funny, did you?”

CK: Becoming unglued as the attack continued mercilessly and unabated, “Lois honey please. Pretty please. I’m sorry. I’ll NEVER mention it again!”

LL: “Too late buddy.”

For some reason that Clark could never figure out, his powers seemed to fail him when Lois tickled him. Maybe there was some scientific reason, or maybe it was just some psychological reason attached to his feelings for Lois. Whatever the reason, he was nearly helpless.

CK: “Please honey, I’M BEGGING YOU!”

LL: “I will stop tickling you under one condition.”

CK: “ANYTHING!!!!”

LL: “No more complaints about me working on the Capitol Murders!”

CK: “What?!? Lois that’s not fair, you….. AARRRRHHH!!”

LL: “Well?!?”

CK: “Lois, that’s not fair! Getting me to promise you something under duress!!!”

LL: “What’s the big deal Kent, it’s just another story?!?”

CK: “Heeeeeee. Oooookaaaayyy! I promise, no more complaints!”

Reluctantly, Lois let go, with a smug expression on her face.

CK: Matching her expression as he shook his head. “You’re unbearable, you know that don’t you! But I’ll keep my word, no more complaints.” Losing his jovial expression, “Boy, I hope I don’t regret this!”

LL: “Of course you won’t. We’ll have the biggest story of the year. Heck the decade, next to ‘Superman,’ of course.”

CK: “Oh no. This is YOUR baby! Leave me out of this.”

LL: “What? You don’t want to work on this with me?”

CK: “Nope. We’ve already got an assignment and two on the back burner. The Capitol Murders is a full time investigation! Good luck convincing Perry to let you go!”

LL: “You don’t think he’ll send me to Washington?”

CK: “Nope.”

LL: Sarcastically, “Oh really?”

CK: “Yup.”

LL: “Care to put your money where your mouth is farmboy?”

CK: “How much money are you ready to cough up?”

LL: “Ten bucks.”

CK: “Haaaa! Not very sure of yourself, are you?”

LL: “OOOH Kent! FIFTY!!!!”

CK: Raising his eyebrows, “I can do better than that! How about ‘SLAVE FOR A DAY!’ The loser, ‘insert your name here’, must do EVERYTHING the winner, ‘insert my name here’, COMMANDS for a FULL TWENTY-FOUR HOUR PERIOD!”

LL: With gaping mouth, “OOOH, A CHALLENGE!” Looking at him from head to toe, “I’M IMPRESSED KENT! That sounds like something I’D think up!!!!! DEAL! You’re going down buddy!”

CK: Extending his hand, “Well see about that!”

LL: Taking his hand and shaking it firmly. “We sure will!” With an excited grin on her face, “Ooooh, I wonder what I’ll make you do for me first! OH, I AM GONNA LOVE THIS!”

PART 19

WEDNESDAY MAY 10th 1995 9PM WASHINGTON DC AREA

A young man stood at the front of a small crowd outside an electronics store window in Washington DC. He was transfixed with the images on the television screens of the window display. He watched in agonized silence as one by one, his friends and comrades, or ‘brothers and sisters’ as they referred to each other, were carried out in body bags. They were all so young. His mind began to drift as memories of the last few days came to the forefront.

Although his instincts told him something had been wrong for a few days, he was still in shock. And the party was a confirmation of those fears. Questions still plagued his mind. Why did the police think they were suspects in the murders? The elders had been acting funny too. A few days earlier he’d seen part of a computer message one of the elders was typing into the computer about the murders. And he could’ve sworn he’d seen his groups’ name in that message.

Then there was the party last night. Although he knew something was being planned, he didn’t know what it was until the punch arrived and everyone was encouraged to drink it. Including him! In fact, he was ORDERED to drink it. He excused himself, telling the elders he had to go to the bathroom. And to avoid suspicions, he took a glass of punch with him, pretending to swill the mixture on his way out of the room. He walked into the bathroom and poured it down the sink and sat on the toilet. Thinking.

Young Man: He looked into the empty cup as he reflected on the behavior of the elders, especially their founder. ‘Why aren’t they drinking the punch?…….. Why are they all wearing gloves??…. They’ve been wearing gloves since yesterday! Ever since we went to hand out more flyers at the supermarket Tuesday afternoon they’ve been wearin’ ’em! Why do the elders always stay behind?!? They never been in public with us. Never!’

>From the living room down the hall, he could hear groaning and choking. His ‘brothers and sisters’ were in agony and he could hear them! Crying!….. Dying! He started to pant and panic.

Young Man: “Oh my god! They’re gonna kill us! They’re gonna kill me!” At that moment he heard footsteps. ‘They’re coming for me! Oh God, help me! THEY’RE COMING FOR ME!…… What am I gonna do?!?’

Voice of Elder #1: “Check on the kid.”

Voice of Elder #2: “Yes, sir!”

The bathroom door swung open and the elder saw the young man lying on the floor just inches from the toilet with the empty cup in his hand. The elder failed to notice the red punch stains lining the outside of the sink.

Elder #1: “Well?”

Elder #2: “SIR! Mission accomplished Mr. Brock sir!”

Mr. Brock: “Excellent! Is that all of them?”

Elder #2: “SIR, YES SIR, ALL THIRTY PRESENT AND ACCOUNTED FOR SIR!”

Mr. Brock: “At ease. A fine job son. Fine job! Bring your men in here and execute Operation Oswald.”

Elder #2: “Yes sir!”

The bathroom door closed and nineteen year old Marcus Hamilton opened his eyes. He was surprised and thankful that the elders couldn’t hear his heart racing a mile a minute. He stood up quickly and quietly. He walked over to the window and opened it as softly as he possibly could, trying desperately not to make any noise. He crawled through the ground floor window and climbed the tree closest to the back fence of the compound. Seeing no other way down, he jumped over the fifteen-foot fence and landed on the soft ground beneath him. Marcus Hamilton stood up and ran for his life. Looking back only once at his now former home.

He spent that entire night running, using all the money he had left in the world to get into DC from Alexandria. At least there he could rely on the safety of a crowded city until he could figure out what his game plan was.

PART 20

THURSDAY MAY 11TH, 1995 LOIS LANE’S APARTMENT

Clark, wearing nothing more than a pair of blue boxer shorts, was floating five feet in the air sitting in an upright position with his fiancée firmly straddling his lap. Between their bodies lay a big red bowl of fresh fruit. Lois giggled and Clark groaned appreciatively as they took turns feeding each other and exchanging small kisses. With each kiss, the couple rose a few more inches.

Holding a bunch of grapes in one hand, Lois dangled it over his head as Clark reached up to capture the closest grape to his mouth. But Lois pulled it back at the last second.

LL: Shaking her head from side to side, “Uh-uh-uuuuuuh. What do we say?” Grinning, “Come on, you know the drill.”

CK: Smirking, “Pleeeeeeease.”

LL: “That’s better,” she cooed as she lowered the grapes into his mouth. “And what’s next?”

Clark answered her question with a long passionate kiss.

LL: “Mmmmm. I wish we could stay like this all day.”

CK: “Why don’t we?”

LL: “Because, you’ve got a bet to lose.”

CK: Chuckling, “We’ll see about that Miss Lane.” He lowered them to the table and reached for their plate. Placing a small piece of pancake on her fork, he slowly inched it towards her mouth as he threw her an evil grin. “What do we say?”

LL: Rolling her eyes with a little sarcasm in her voice, “Pleeeeeease!”

CK: Suspiciously, “I’m not sure how you meant that… Come on hon’, say it like you mean it.”

LL: Cutting Clark the most seductive look she could possibly muster, “Pleeeeeeeease, darling, I want to… eat…. EVERYTHING you give me.”

Lois couldn’t help but laugh hysterically when she heard the fork hit the floor and saw a tiny bit of drool trickle out of the side of his mouth. “MEN! You are ALL sooooooo easy! I guess that’s just a constant in the universe.”

CK: Clark blushed as he realized he was looking at her like a love-struck little boy. A drooling love-struck boy. “I’m sorry.”

LL: “Don’t be. You make me feel like the most beautiful woman on earth.”

CK: Smiling, “You’re not.” Before Lois’ face could register any hurt or anger he finished, “You’re the most beautiful woman in the universe.”

LL: With her eyes misting up, “Oh Clark. You’re so w….”

CK: Smirking mischievously, “WOMEN! You’re soooo easy!”

LL: Screaming and slapping his bare chest playfully, “Touché Mr. Kent!” She was about to reach down and start her tickle assault, but he grabbed her hands brought them to his lips and kissed them.

CK: “I thought you’d appreciate that remark. But I meant every word though…. About your beauty. You take my breath away Lois Lane.”

LL: She began to cry, “Oh Clark, I…..”

CK: Shaking his head from side to side, and answering with a low voice, “Uh-unh… no tears.” He captured her lips again and held her face tenderly. When their lips parted he placed a tiny kiss on the tip of her nose. “Come on gorgeous, let’s get dressed.”

Slowly they descended to the ground and he led her by the hand to the couch where his overnight bag was resting. He’d brought over it the night before because he knew his parents didn’t want to be disturbed. Even though they’d NEVER say so. And Clark had no intention of walking in on them in a very private moment.

So he spent the night floating above Lois’ couch again. Well at least part of the night floating above Lois’ couch. Around 2am, he heard Lois screaming his name. In an instant he was by her side trying to shake her out of a very traumatic nightmare.

LL: “CLARK…… CLAAARK! Please don’t leave me! PLEASE! BREATHE! I need you!”

CK: Shaking her gently, “Lois? I’m here. Lois wake up! Honey? Honey?” A moment later Lois’ eyes opened to find her very worried fiancé stroking her cheek gently. She broke down in sobs. Clark whispered, “Shhhh, it’s OK. It was just a dream. I’m right here. I’m right here.”

LL: Still sobbing, she spoke as her voice cracked, “Oh, Clark. It was so awful. You were lying on the ground in some old building with ugly green walls and you were bleeding and you weren’t breathing …and….. and I saw you… dying!”

CK: “Shhhh. It’s okay. I’m fine. Everything is fine. It was only a dream.”

LL: “I know, but….”

CK: “There IS no but Lois, it was just a dream. Now go back to sleep.”

LL: A little desperately, “Clark, please don’t go. Will you stay with me tonight? I’ll feel better if you’re right next to me.”

CK: Smiling softly, “OK sweetheart. Close your eyes. I promise I won’t go anywhere.”

He lay underneath Lois in her small pale pink teddy, watching her sleep peacefully, smiling blissfully. A few moments later, he drifted into a restful sleep. The world would have to wait. Superman would take the night off. Luckily, the night was relatively quiet and he wouldn’t have to test his resolution. For the second night in a row, Clark Kent spent the night floating above Lois’ furniture. But this time, he had company. Lois lay firmly and safely on top of her ‘new mattress’, contented smiles gracing both of their faces.

PART 21

THURSDAY MAY 11TH, 1995 9am DAILY PLANET NEWSROOM

Lois and Clark, coincidentally wearing matching black silk suits, were alone in the elevator heading up to the Daily Planet’s newsroom. Clark was teasing Lois about the rather large the stack of mail in her hand.

Clark Kent: “I don’t believe this. Don’t you ever check your mailbox at home?”

Lois Lane: Sarcastically, “Well, not all of us are lucky enough to belong to the ‘cheese of the month club.'”

CK: “You are never going to let me live that down… are you?”

LL: Grabbing his bright red tie and pulling him to her lips, “Nope.”

They both moaned softly as the kiss deepened, reluctantly parting only when the doors slid open, revealing yet another busy morning in the Daily Planet’s newsroom.

LL: They walked towards the coffee table, “Mmmmm….. you were right. We should’ve stayed home today.” Lowering her voice as she looked directly into his eyes, “And to think, I could be floating in your arms at this very moment. Thanks for being my mattress last night…. Never slept better.”

CK: “My pleasure Miss Lane.”

LL: “You’re incredible, you know that?!? In the middle of the night, I woke up to find us floating two feet over the bed. YOU were sound asleep, of course. But every time I repositioned myself on top of you, your body would automatically compensate to make sure I didn’t fall… How do you do that?!?”

CK: Looking dreamily into her eyes. “I don’t know honey. This… ‘mattress’ is brand new. Never been slept on. I guess I just … knew.”

LL: “I felt so safe.”

CK: Whispering, “You were. And you are.”

Voice: “Ahem. Hey guys, you’re blocking the donuts.”

LL: “Jimmy! How long’ve you been standing there?”

Jimmy Olson: Smiling and looking into the air, “Oh, let me see, oh yeah…. ‘this mattress is brand new’.” Laughing and poking Clark in the ribs as he reached for a glazed donut, “Way to go CK!”

Clark blushed as Lois’ famous temper began to flare.

LL: “Jimmy, you better tuck tail and run by the time I count to three or that donut is going to be your last meal.”

JO: Defensively, “Okay, okay, I’m leaving.” Grabbing Clark by the arm, “I’m expecting details later CK.” Reacting to Lois’ glare, “Okay!”

That was the only word Jimmy could get out of his mouth as a rolled up paper napkin bounced harmlessly off the side of his head.

Clark busied himself rounding up coffee for both of them to camouflage his growing smile.

LL: With her hands on her hips, “Who do you think you’re fooling buddy? I KNOW you thought that was funny.”

CK: With his back to her, “I don’t know what you’re taking about.”

LL: Arms crossed, “Oh yeah? Look me in the eye… Ckaaaay!”

Clark turned around slowly and gave Lois the best serious glance he could muster.

Lois looked unimpressed. She began mentally counting, ‘One, two, three….’

Clark’s serious glance lasted about eight seconds before he burst out laughing, nearly spilling their coffee.

LL: ‘Eight. He’s improving.’

CK: “I’m sorry honey. What he must think we did last night was…

LL: Grabbing her cup and walking towards her desk. “… Was none of his business.”

CK: “It’s not his fault he…”

LL: “I know, I know, it’s mine. I brought it up in the first place.” After unloading her things on her desk, Lois reached up and began removing her lipstick from his mouth. “Can I help it you’re so handsome you make me forget we’re in public sometimes?”

CK: “No more than I can, it seems,” kissing her forehead lightly. Come on lets get to work before Perry fires the both of us.” He pulled out her chair and she smiled appreciatively as she sat down.

He then turned to walk to his own desk.

LL: “By the way, you’ve got a lousy poker face. No wonder you always lose.”

CK: “I know, and you’ve got a great one.”

LL: “Thank you.”

CK: “You’re welcome.”

Clark secretly admired Lois’ ability to not only stare down, but also to intimidate her opponents in almost every aspect of her life. And to compliment those character traits, she could cut through lies and b.s. (With one or two notable exceptions <g>) more skillfully than a butcher with a set of extra sharp cleavers. These traits were part of what made her a great reporter.

Clark, on the other hand could be astoundingly naïve. But he had a unique ability put people at ease. Without even trying, through his boyish good looks, innocent eyes, and easygoing manner, Clark Kent could make most people open up to him. Lois always admired and secretly envied that about him. Cynically she thought he would make a great con man, bilking the masses out of their life savings.

Lois had the opposite effect on people. The mere mention of her name could send a corrupt businessman’s paper shredder into overload.

Perry White was the first to realize that they were a perfect combination and compliment of personality and style, pairing them almost immediately.

LL: Grabbing the huge stack of mail with one hand and sipping her hot coffee with the other. “Uuuuh, lets see, bills, bills, bills, ‘You may have already won’, bills from last month, people trying to sell me crap…”

CK: Looking at the postmark on one of the envelopes with his mouth gaping wide, “Lois, when was the last time you paid your bills?!?”

LL: “Huh? Oooh, these. I pay my bills by computer. Most of them are automatically debited form my checking account. It’s a lot easier for me. Time-wise that is. These are just payment statements. I hardly have the time to sit down and do this. Heey, push those rims back up on your nose mister! I just realized what you were doing!”

CK: “Sorry, hon’. Just curious.”

LL: “That’s okay. Just….”

JO: “Geez Lois, Santa gets less mail than this!”

LL: Looking towards the ceiling in mock confusion, “Did I hear something?… Nope… it must be the wind.”

JO: Admitting defeat, “I’m sorry I eavesdropped Lois.” Extending his hand, “Peace?”

LL: Shaking it firmly, “Okay, peace.”

JO: “Oooh, CK, I got two tickets to the Metropolitans/ New York Mets game for this Saturday. Wanna go?” Tilting his head in Lois’ general direction, “Or do you have plans?”

CK: Looking at Lois, knowing very well what the answer to that question was, “Do I have plans?”

LL: Sensing the hopefulness in his voice, but knowing full well that they did indeed have dinner plans with their parents and Sidney, “No. You’re free. Go have fun.”

CK: Sounding like a kid who’d been released from having to do his chores to ‘play with his little friend’, “You heard the lady.”

JO: “Great! Meet you at your place around two.”

CK: “Thanks honey.”

LL: “Temporary insanity. Now I’m gonna have to brave dinner without a buffer.”

CK: “Listen, its okay, I don’t have to go to the baseball…”

LL: “No Clark, go. Enjoy the game.” Trying to make him feel better, “Just bring me back a ball-cap.”

CK: “I promise.”

LL: “Let’s see. Bills, bills, hmm. What’s this? Looks like an invitation.”

CK: “Well?”

LL: “It is an invitation.” Placing her hand over her mouth. “Oh my… Oh Doris,” she said affectionately.

CK: “Doris?”

LL: Wiping a tear from her eye. “Doris Garvey. Well, it’s Greer now. She was my best friend when I was a veery little girl. She lived next door. We did EVERYTHING together. Her little sister Andrea was Lucy’s best friend. Still is as a matter of fact. Her family moved away when I was twelve. I didn’t see her again until we went to college. We couldn’t believe we picked the same one. Anyway she’s having a baby shower on May 20th. That’s next Saturday.”

CK: “Sounds like you’re going.”

LL: “I have to. I’m dead meat if I don’t. I was a bridesmaid at her wedding. Wow, that was just about last time I saw her. Last I heard she was living in New York. Her husband Ted worked at the UN as an assistant to somebody or other. But that was around seven years ago.”

CK: “Where does she live now?”

LL: Looking at the address on the invitation, “He he he, the fates are definitely with me. LOOK!” She waved the invitation in his face and his mouth dropped as he pushed his glasses back up on the bridge of his nose.

CK: “I don’t believe it.”

LL: “Believe it! The Lane luck strikes again. Alexandria, Virginia, here I come!”

CK: Studying the zip code, “And just a stone’s throw from the Freedom Fighters compound.”

LL: “Really?”

CK: “Yup.”

LL: “Woo-Hoo!”

CK: “Hey, this cannot effect our bet! Perry has to send you without knowing about the invitation.”

LL: “Fair enough.”

CK: Smirking, “Well? What are you waiting for? I can’t win this bet with you sitting out here and him in his office.”

LL: “I’m going, I’m going!” Walking towards Perry’s office with her back to Clark. “And you can wipe that smug look off your face.”

CK: “Yes ma’am.”

LL: Barging in, “Chief, I need to talk to…”

Perry White: “Lois, don’t you ever knock? I’m real busy here. This better be good.”

LL: “It is Perry. I want you to reconsider putting me on the Capitol Murder case….”

PW: “Now Lois…. I already told you that I have another reporter on this case.”

LL: “So I heard. Myerson?!” Sarcastically, “And you sounded all too pleased with his work on the phone yesterday..”

PW: “I already gave you an answer, and when I make up my mind. I don’t change it.”

LL: “Okay, okay. I’m leaving.” Opening the door and turning back before walking out. “But before I leave, I just wanted you to know this. I’ve been looking into this story on my own time. And I HAVE A LEAD!” she finished, dragging the words out slowly, “Buh-bye Perry!”

To Perry White, those four words from Lois Lane were like an early Christmas present. ‘I HAVE A LEAD!’ He swore he could hear a chorus singing ‘Hallelujah’ in the distance,

PW: “Uuh, Lois. Come back here. Now my rules aren’t exactly written in stone. What’s this lead of yours?”

LL: “Uh-unh Perry. This is MY lead… NOT Myerson’s or anybody else’s. Am I on this story?”

PW: “Lois, is this a rock-solid lead, or just a hunch of yours?”

LL: “Well of course it’s a r……”

At that moment the phone rang.

PW: “WHITE!… Well speak of the devil. Well Myerson, this had better be good, or you can just…! What?…… THAT’S WONDERFUL! DON’T LET HIM OUT OF YOUR SIGHT! Okay,… FANTASTIC. Nope, you get this story and…… yes, this is still your baby!” Perry looked happier than a pig in slop.

Lois looked more than a little dismayed and angry with his last words.

PW: “Well uh, I’m sorry honey, but that’s a no. Myerson has a big lead and I’ve already got half the DC bureau on this story. We need you here.”

LL: “Perry just hear me out….”

PW: “I’ve given you my final word on this honey, it’s a no. There are plenty of stories here in Metropolis….”

LL: Looking very hurt and angry. “Perry,… I’m going to DC! Consider me on vacation until further notice. If you need an official reason, one of my old friends is having a baby shower in Alexandria next Saturday and I plan to be there. Not to mention that the final vote for The House and Senate is on the 17th. I have some questions that need answering from some of our ‘faithful public servants’ before they go on Memorial Recess. I won’t get another chance like this until the beginning of June at the earliest. And I have NO intention of missing my wedding for this. I’ve got to leave by this weekend.”

PW: “Now Lois, there’s no reason to get mad….”

LL: Dryly, “I’ll be seeing you Perry.”

Clark listened to the entire conversation and was saddened by the exchange. He knew Lois had lost her bet, but was much too concerned by the pain in her face to even think about gloating.

LL: “You won Clark. You were right. He shot me down.”

CK: “I know sweetheart. I heard the whole thing.”

LL: “Well? Aren’t you going to rub my nose in it?”

CK: “Lois.”

LL: “Come on. I deserve it. To the victor go the spoils.”

CK: “I’m sorry he’s not sending you. I wish I’d lost.”

LL: “Are you feeling sorry for me? I don’t want your pity Kent…”

CK: “I don’t think anyone would make that mistake. Least of all me.”

LL: Softening her tone, “Well, this isn’t over yet. I’m going anyway!”

CK: “I know.”

LL: “And I’m going to solve this case.”

CK: “I know that too. Heaven help whom ever’s responsible.”

LL: Resting her head on his chest, “Thanks Clark.”

CK: “You want me to go with you?”

LL: “No, that’s OK. Please understand, I want to do this myself. I’m on a mission. I have something to prove now. I don’t know why but I feel like my honor’s at stake. Perry’s never benched me on a story like this before.”

CK: “Are you OK?”

LL: “I’m fine.” Lois lied. She felt like just been rejected by her father. And she was way too familiar with that feeling, but not from Perry. “I’m going home. I’ve got a lot of work to do. Maybe I could stay with Doris for a few days until the party. Then of course there’s our wedding.”

“What am I thinking, I don’t have time for this. Our wedding should take precedence over some….”

CK: “No honey. Our parents are handling that just fine. You need to work on this story. And I know how you get when someone tells you no. And besides, you’ve got that look now. Reporting is just in your blood and your obsession with this story isn’t going to change just because you’ve decided not to go. In fact, it’ll only get worse.”

LL: “You’re being very understanding about this.”

CK: “Temporary insanity.”

LL: “Clark, I love you. I’ll see you later. Okay?”

CK: “Yes ma’am.”

Lois grabbed her bags and started to walk back towards the elevators.

JO: “Hey Lois. Leaving already? You just got here.”

LL: “Yeah Jimmy. I’m gonna be working from home for awhile.”

JO: “Why?”

PW: Standing in the doorway of his office, “Olson! In my office now!”

JO: “Sure Chief. See ya later Lois.”

Lois exchanged one last glance with her boss. They both looked so sad. Both too full of pride to apologize and make up for hurting the other. The anger and bitterness Lois felt she would later regret for the rest of her life. It was the last time that she would see Perry or the inside of the Daily Planet for a long time. A very long time.

PART 22

THURSDAY MORNING, MAY 11TH, 1995

After Lois left the Daily Planet, she went home to make plans for her trip and do some more research. She spent nearly three hours on the phone walking down memory lane with her childhood friend Doris, who generously offered Lois one of her guestrooms. Lois made plans to shuttle back and forth from Doris’ house and the Bellevue Hotel in DC. During the week she needed to be in the thick of things and Alexandria was a little too much of a haul.

With those details out of the way, she went to work on finding a common tread between all the victims, separating those she suspected were innocent bystanders, such as Cameron Shore, the 18 year old who was also found near the memorial, Barbara Williams, the wife of Senator Thomas Williams, and his two bodyguards. All of them suffered gunshot wounds to the head. They all seemed to fit a possible innocent bystander role. All of the other victims had been tortured and stabbed, including Senator Williams, who was murdered a week earlier than the others at the memorial, suggesting that their murders were of a more personal and vindictive nature.

Lois immediately put their names on a separate list. Since she suspected that the photo at the Lincoln Memorial had originated from some person or group within the US military, she tried to find some kind of military connection.

Senator Henry Arnold and Congressman Carlton were both West Point graduates, Senator Williams graduated from Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, and Federal Judge Jonathan Hearth graduated from Annapolis.

All left the military with very high ranks that ranged from Captain to Colonel. That left Senator Stevens of Texas, staffer Hannah Greenberg, Bill Miller, the Presidents Deputy Chief of Staff, and Alan Schmidt, an accountant with the Stealth Electric Corporation.

Hannah, as one of Senator Williams’ senior staffers and advisors, could be indirectly linked to the military through her boss. With a little more digging on the Internet and a few phone calls, it didn’t take long to find military links on Stevens and Miller. Senator Stevens, like Hannah, had once been a staffer for Williams.

Before becoming the Deputy CoS, Bill Miller had been the press secretary and one time protégé of NY Senator Mitchell Grant, an internationally famous and highly decorated former Four Star General. Grant had made the eulogies at the funerals of both Williams and Miller.

Williams and Grant had been boyhood friends, graduating from Kings Point’s class of ’48, and serving the same tour of duty in Korea together. Lois made a list of questions she had for the good general. Getting some information from him would be one of her first priorities.

That left only the accountant. And the details of his life wouldn’t be as easy to trace with the click of a mouse.

Lois Lane: “Who WAS this guy?! Okay Mr. Schmidt, what’s your angle?” Sarcastically, ” I know you’ve got one somewhere. You certainly kept some very distinguished company for an accountant with seemingly NO connection to politics!”

There was very little information about Alan Schmidt, except that he had an ex-wife who lived in Metropolis, a son who died from a mysterious illness five months before, and attracted little attention from his coworkers in Stealth’s relatively modest Electrical Appliance division. That was one of its only modestly sized subsidiaries.

In the corporate world, Stealth was known as a silent monolith, which went about its business with very little fanfare. Stealth had at least five major subsidiaries, Shop-Mart, the third largest department store chain behind Wal-Mart and Lex-Mart, Comfy furniture showroom chain, Worldwide Medical Research, one of the largest and most highly regarded companies in the world, Victory Pharmaceutical Company, and last the Stealth Electrical Appliance division, by far the smallest of the five.

Stealth had offices in New York, Los Angeles, Metropolis, DC, and Houston.

Lois sat at her computer, about to move on to another section as the words on her desktop computer screen caught her watchful eye. “Wait a minute. Back up Lane. Offices in…? New York, Los A…. These are the locations all the victims are from.” With her mouth gaping open, “This can’t be a coincidence.”

Lois sat tapping her feet underneath her desk, staring at her desktop computer, which was clicked onto Stealth’s user-friendly home page. “Well, well, well Mr. Schmidt. You just shot to the TOP of my list. Let’s go see if we can find the former Mrs. Schmidt and ask her a few pointed questions, shall we?”

Lois had a distinct advantage over the rest of her colleagues. Other than a few minor details and his vital stats., he was almost virtually ignored by the media in favor of the more esteemed ‘company’ found at the memorial that night. What turned off her peers from Alan Schmidt is exactly the kind of thing that would attract Lois to his story. To Lois, his modest position made him stick out like a sore thumb among the other victims.

There were hundreds of different reasons people would threaten and go after politicians. There were the attention seekers, moral and religious extremists, and a myriad of others.

And looking on the surface, who could blame the world’s press? He was a ‘nobody.’ And the other victims were from some of Washington’s elite circles. But how many motives and suspects could there be for some accountant.

Lois grabbed the Metropolis White Pages, and after finding what she was looking for, prepared to leave.

RING RING RING

Halfway out of her front door, she quickly made a U-turn and ran for her phone.

“Lois Lane. Hello? Hellooo. Who is this?!… HELLOOOOO!”

PART 23

Lois Lane: “Hello!! Look, I’m getting real tired of this! This is the FIFTH call from you in TWO days. Whomever you are, I hope this got you off because I’m hanging up now!” Sarcastically, “Have a nice daaaaay.”

CLICK

Lois shook her head as she marched out her front door.

AMY SCHMIDT’S HOUSE 2.15PM

DING DONG

NO ANSWER

DING DONG

SILENCE

Lois: Raising her voice, “Helloo? Hello is anyone home?”

DING DONG

Talking to the front door. “My name is Lois Lane with the Daily Planet. I’d like to talk to you Mrs. Schmi….”

The door swung open to reveal a woman in her mid to late thirties, wearing a fitted black silk suit. Physically, she looked very similar to Lois; same dark hair, though Mrs. Schmidt’s hair was pulled back, same height, and practically the same outfit. At first glance one could mistake them for sisters. Her face was red, and for a second Lois couldn’t decide if that was because of grief or anger.

Lois Lane: “Mrs. Schmidt? I’m Lo…”

Amy Schmidt: “I know who you are. Can’t you people leave me alone! DON’T YOU HAVE ANY RESPECT?! You want a nice little quote from the grieving little widow to take back to work with you?!?”

With contempt and grief in her voice, Amy Schmidt moved closer to Lois’ face, standing a mere few inches from a very wide reporter. “Well here it is!” Doing a mock impression of a ‘typical reporter’, ” ‘Mrs. Schmidt, how do you feel right now?'” “HOW DO I FEEL?!? How do I feel every day turning on my television and seeing my husband lying on the ground with his throat cut open?!? How do I feel about some lowlife creep from ‘Top Copy’ breaking in my back door and stealing my momentos, papers and pictures of my family!!! How do I feel about losing my husband and baby boy in less than 6 months?!?

And how did I feel this morning when some @SSHOLE named Nunck from the National Whisper rooted through my garbage this morning?! HOW DO YOU THINK I FEEL?!!” With tears streaming down her face, “My insides are being torn apart. I’VE LOST EVERYTHING! I’ve had enough… LEAVE! I have nothing else to say to any of you vultures! Haven’t you people done enough! GO AWAY!”

Lois was shaking, completely unprepared for this reception. Lois had always tried not to get personally involved with her stories, but this woman had sliced a hole straight through her armor with a verbal sword.

LL: With a tear forming on her eyelid, “Mrs. Schm…”

AS: “DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH? I SAID LEAVE!!” Muttering under her breath, “Unbelievable.”

Amy backed through her threshold and slammed the door in the face of a very shaken reporter, who was quickly losing her veneer of cool and professionalism.”

LL: Speaking to the door. I’m very sorry about your loss Mrs. Schmidt, and the way you’ve been treated.” The tears were now flowing freely. “I….. I just got engaged and if I ever lost Clark, I just don’t know what I’d do.”

Lois was becoming lost in thoughts of losing Clark, fears she’d been realizing in her dreams for more than a week. But Lois felt an instant connection with this woman’s loss. And she couldn’t understand why. Fears she’d kept from her fiancé.

LL: Her voice was starting to break just a little. “He’s so…”

AS: Looking up at her ceiling, with tears streaming down her cheeks, whispering, “Wonderful.”

LL: “He’d do…”

AS: “… anything for me.”

LL: “Losing him would feel like… ”

AS: “… the world ending.”

LL: Blinking out of her trance, “Aaa… aaand you can’t even grieve in peace now. For either of them.”

Lois was right about one thing. The worlds press had pretty much left Amy Schmidt alone. And the life story of her ex-husband Alan, whatever that story was, was left untold due to a lack of interest. But Lois had no idea that the tabloid press had not. And from the day that picture at the memorial had surfaced, Amy had become a grieving-mother-slash-widow sob story. A human interest commodity. They weren’t looking for the truth or facts; they just wanted something sensational to sell their dishrags and trash TV shows.

When Amy first opened her door to confront Lois, she was not emotionally capable of discerning an award-winning journalist from a tabloid muckraker. As Lois was finishing apologizing profusely, Amy stood with her back against her front door and her eyes tightly shut. Lois’ words, filled with heartfelt sympathy, had begun to sink in. Amy’s anger and fury abated little by little.

Until now, Lois hadn’t really thought about how much she’d changed since meeting Clark. The old Lois would never have broken down in front of some woman’s house. And if she ever did lose her cool, she’d make sure she was COMPLETELY alone. Sharing her vulnerabilities with no one. The old Lois would have steamrolled over the situation until she got what she wanted. And ninety-nine times out of a hundred, it worked.

But Clark had softened her edges. And she had discovered, much to her surprise, that she liked herself better this way.

She didn’t know when it started. Maybe it was not long after she’d first met him, when one day, in desperation, she had stolen one of his stories. His reaction had thrown her completely off guard… He got even! Sending her a note pretending to be a source for her Superman exposé, Clark sent Lois on a wild goose chase through the Metropolis Sewage Reclamation Facility to look for clues and information about Metropolis’ new and mysterious hero.

She spent hours sifting through filthy, smelly garbage, with mosquitoes fighting for territory on her increasingly reddening skin. She found the only thing she was meant to. A Godzilla figure dressed as Superman. At that moment she knew. She’d been had, big time.

LL: ‘KENT!’

As she stood in the middle of that dreadful muck, she knew Clark Kent wasn’t the lapdog she thought he was. He was an equal. And professionally Lois Lane thought she had very few equals. And although she’d never let him see it, she was impressed. Very impressed. She had severely underestimated Clark Kent. He’d been one of the few people in life who’d knocked her off her high horse. ‘The Great Lois Lane’ had been humbled by ‘the hack from Nowheresville!’

Coming back to the present, a small smile had crept underneath her tear stained face. ‘Yes, I think that’s when it started,’ she thought to herself.

LL: “I’m sorry Mrs. Schmidt. I’ll go now. Reaching into her purse, “If you want to talk to me, on or off the record, here’s my business card.” Slipping it into the small mail slot near the bottom of the door, the card fell between Amy Schmidt’s legs and landed at her feet. This one has my home and cell-phone number on it. I promise that if you ever want to go on record, I’ll always treat you fairly.” Pausing briefly, “Well, take care of yourself… Goodbye.”

Lois turned and began descending the front stairs when she heard the door swing open behind her.

AS: “Miss Lane? Wait!”

PART 24

Amy Schmidt: “More coffee?”

Lois Lane: “Yes, please.”

As Mrs. Schmidt got up and walked back towards the kitchen, Lois couldn’t help but take mental notes about her very well appointed surroundings.

LL: ‘My, my, my. He certainly did very well for a mid-level accountant. Is that a Renoir?! And this furniture… WOW. Maybe they were wealthy to begin with.’

AS: “Here we are.”

LL: “Thank you Mrs. Sch…”

AS: “Amy.”

LL: “Amy.”

AS: I’m sorry about the way I treated you a while ago Miss Lane.”

LL: “No, don’t apologize. You have nothing to be sorry about. And please call me Lois.”

AS: “Okay, Lois.”

LL: “You have a beautiful home Mrs… Amy… Is that a Renoir?”

AS: Smiling, “Thank you, and yes it is. It was an anniversary present from Alan three years ago. Looking down, pensively, “That’s when everything changed for us.”

LL: “Changed?”

AS: “Yes, that’s when Alan got promoted.”

LL: Lois tried not to sound excited, but she was just burning with curiosity. “Promoted?” Lois didn’t know much about Alan Schmidt, but she did know, at least from the company documents that she did see, he didn’t move an inch in ten years from his position in the appliance division. This promotion was definitely news to her.

AS: “Yes.”

LL: “To another division?”

AS: “Well, yes and no.”

LL: “Excuse me?”

AS: “Off the record?”

LL: “If you like.”

AS: “Yes, I insist, at least for now.”

LL: “All right.”

AS: “Well, Alan had been ‘unofficially’ moved to corporate headquarters in DC to oversee some problems Stealth was having in their other divisions. It was only supposed to be for a few months, but apparently he did such a good job, they kept him there, and gave him more duties.”

LL: “Which division?”

AS: “Well, he never told me specifically, I found out some information by snooping around a little. He didn’t keep many papers at the house. And most of the work he did at home both here and in Washington was on computer.”

LL: “What did you find out?”

AS: “Well, apparently Stealth has its fingers in more pies than the public thinks it does.”

LL: Her voice raising just a little, “Oh?”

AS: “Apparently they’ve been doing some work for the government. Some research I believe, among other things. I wasn’t able to find out much. Stealth was having trouble making the books come out right a few years ago, and Alan was the main person sent to make things look on the up and up.”

LL: “So everything was NOT on the up and up?”

AS: “No.”

LL: “Do you have any specific information?”

AS: “No, not really. Mostly Alan’s behavior.”

LL: “Did that change dramatically over the years?”

AS: “Gracious yes. Before he moved us to DC, everything was fine. It was just the three of us; Me, Alan, and our little boy Adam. We were so happy. We didn’t have a lot of money, but that didn’t matter. It never mattered. He’s the kind of man… WAS the kind of man, who’d do anything for the people he loved. And anything to protect them. You know the type?”

LL: Smiling sympathetically, “Yes, I think I do.”

AS: “Once we moved to DC, everything was different. He bought us a big fancy house I KNOW we shouldn’t have been able to afford. The Ethan Allan furniture we had for years had been replaced with some genuine antiques, as well as some of the very impressive artwork you see here. When I questioned him about it, he’d just tell me that his promotion paid a lot more money. But he wouldn’t tell me anything too specific. He was always too protective.”

“But he was unhappy. A little more every day. I could see his love of life draining away bit by bit. But he would never tell me what was wrong exactly.” With her eyes brimming with tears, “I told him, just quit. If the job is taking this much away from you, just leave. We don’t need the money. All we need is each other.”

“All he would say was, ‘I can’t leave. They won’t let me out.'”

“I asked him to explain what that meant, but all he would say was, ‘they won’t let me out. Nobody gets out.'”

“About a year ago, he came to a decision. He said he couldn’t take it there anymore and that he was quitting Stealth.”

“And then out of the blue he asked me for a divorce. I couldn’t believe it. He told me that at least for a while, it would be safer for Adam and me if we weren’t married. And then he asked me to move back to Metropolis. He told me to file for divorce myself and sue for sole custody. He said he wouldn’t contest it. He was begging me on his knees to do this. Finally, I gave in and did exactly what he asked.”

“So we moved back here. A couple of months after moving back, Adam got sick, very sick. He’d been moved from one hospital to another during his final months. Not one doctor could come up with a diagnosis. He was dying and no one knew why.”

“Alan came back to Metropolis to see Adam. He looked into my baby’s face and just muttered, ‘I’m so sorry Adam. Daddy will make this right. Daddy will make this right.'”

“Later I asked him what he meant by that, and he broke down in my arms. He just kept saying over and over, ‘It’s all my fault! It’s all my fault! Forgive me Amy. It’s all my fault! They wouldn’t let me go. This is all my fault.'”

*Amy: ‘Alan, are you saying…’*

*Alan: ‘Yes, but it’s not too late. I’ll fix everything. They’ll make him better again.’*

“And then he left the hospital. The next time I saw him was at Adam’s funeral three months later.”

LL: “Are you saying that Stealth had something to do with your son’s illness and subsequent death?”

AS: “Yes. They did something to Adam.”

LL: “When did Adam begin to get sick.”

AS: “September of last year, right before his sixth birthday. I remember he collapsed the day after he was at the doctor’s office. Dr. Johnson said he was in perfect health.”

LL: “Why was Adam at the doctor then?”

AS: “He went for his immunization shots for school. Every child has to have them before they can enroll in classes. He was so looking forward to starting school.”

LL: “Where did Adam get his shots?”

AS: “The same place my family’s been going for years, Worldwide Medical.”

LL: “Amy, Stealth OWNS Worldwide Medical!”

AS: “I know. I didn’t really take Alan’s worries seriously enough, until it was too late. I think that they put something in Adam’s vaccination shots. I didn’t realize until Alan came into the hospital and started apologizing. Then I started putting pieces together.”

AS: Breaking down, “Adam held on until December, then his poor little body just couldn’t take anymore.”

“After the funeral, Alan went back to DC and I stayed here. He said he had to go back to make sure I’d be safe. He wouldn’t tell me anymore no matter how much I begged. That was the last time I saw him alive. He was standing right here, just after Adam’s funeral.”

LL: “Do you know how Alan was connected to the other victims?”

AS: “No. I have no idea. But I think it has something to do with Stealth’s other interests. Whatever it was, Alan wanted out, and both he and my baby paid the price.”

LL: “Do you have any of your husbands papers?”

AS: “Just a few.”

LL: “May I see them?”

AS: “Come with me.”

PART 25

Lois and Amy really did hit it off once Amy let her guard down. She really needed a friendly shoulder to cry on, and Lois was a very understanding listener. Amy was now putting all her cards on the table. Lois got the extended tour of the house. Amy revealed that Adam’s room remained virtually untouched and intact, his toys and pictures everywhere.

Little Adam’s presence was felt in nearly every room of the house. There were happy pictures of family events everywhere. His artwork was proudly displayed and framed under magnets on the refrigerator door. His favorite teddy bear, Bonkers, which Amy tearfully recalled he would never go anywhere without, now resided in the middle of her bed.

When Lois first stepped into Amy’s room, she abruptly stopped at the sight of the teddy bear on the bed.

LL: “Oh my God.”

The bear was small and black, its paws, ears and nose was white. And the finishing touch, a red ribbon tied around its neck. It looked almost exactly like the bear Clark had won for her at the Smallville Corn Festival nearly two years earlier. With the exception of the wear and tear the child had put on his precious toy, the two bears were identical.

Adam was holding the bear in the last picture taken of him. It was his sixth birthday. He looked into the camera with a small but painful smile, both his arms wrapped tightly around the bear.

Amy Schmidt: “Alan won it for the baby at Great Adventure three years ago…. Are you all right?”

Lois quickly excused herself to Amy’s bathroom, breaking down almost as soon as the door closed behind her.

LL: “What is wrong with me? Stop it Lois! You’re better than this! Lois Lane does not fall apart!”

But it was no use. The fears and tears was once again her unwelcome guest. The stress was catching up to her. Those nightmares, which she was experiencing every night in increasingly vivid detail, were getting worse. And every morning when she woke up, she tried her best to push the dark images further and further away from conscious thought. Diving her deeper and deeper into her work.

God how she wished Clark was with her. Just his presence would make at least some of her uneasiness go away.

In the beginning, she offered to share her story with him, but he declined the invitation, saying he was too busy with other stories. She was secretly shocked and disappointed that he turned her down. That certainly wasn’t the response she was expecting.

LL: “Why did…”

*********************************************

Clark Kent: “…I turn her down to work on this story in the first place?!?”

Clark was pacing up and down the Daily Planet’s conference room. His parents had shown up to surprise him and Lois and take them out to lunch. They arrived to find only a secretly distraught son.

Jonathan Kent: “Well, why did you son?”

CK: “Because, Lois gets upset when I’m too overprotective. I want to prove to her that we can be partners, and when she wants to, she can still have her space and I won’t always be hovering over her. But…”

Martha Kent: “You’re worried about her.”

CK: “Yeah mom.”

MK: “Honey, talk to her. You said yourself SHE ASKED YOU if you wanted to work with her. Maybe she WANTS you to work with her on this.”

CK: “No mom, right before she left this morning, I asked her if she wanted me to go with her and she…”

**********************************************

LL: “… Turned him down! What was I thinking?!? I’m an idiot! God Clark, I really need you.”

Sarcastically mumbling to herself, “Oh yeah Lane, he’d REALLY love to see you like this, having a mini-nervous breakdown in the bathroom of a total stranger. Don’t you dare let him see you like this! He’s got enough to worry about, being a full time reporter, putting up with my crazy parents, and this wedding I can’t even get my act together and do myself. And to top it all off, he’s Superman! The last thing he needs is my paranoid woman’s intuition upsetting him.”

LL: Looking up at the ceiling, “And I’m talking to myself… Oh well, maybe I’ll learn to like it.”

“NO!… I won’t…”

**********************************************

CK: “…Bother her with my overprotective worries. She’s been doing this longer than me.” Trying to convince himself, “She’ll be okay…. Really.”

JK: “It’s up to you son. But I think you should…”

MK: “Talk to her anyway.”

CK: “Mom, I….”

MK: “Won’t say anymore. Just a little friendly advice.”

CK: “Thanks Mom, Dad, but everything’s okay. I just worry too much, as usual.”

MK: Opening her arms for a hug, “We wouldn’t have you any other way.”

CK: Embracing his mother as his father got up to pat him on the back, “Thanks for listening guys.”

MK: “Anytime sweetie.”

CK: “Let me go make a quick call. I’ll grab my briefcase and we can go out to lunch. Be back in a flash.”

JK: “Take your time.”

As the door closed, Martha and Jonathan exchanged wry glances and pointed accusing fingers at each other.

Martha Kent/ Jonathan Kent: “THAT’S YOUR SON!”

They both chuckled and shook their heads from side to side.

Jonathan Kent: “Not a clue.” Martha Kent: “Just like his father.”

JK: “Heeey!”

PART 26

Once Lois had composed herself, she rejoined Amy in Alan’s office. At Amy’s invitation, Lois sat at Alan’s desk. Amy then excused herself for a few moments and returned with a cardboard box, about twice the size of a shoebox.

Lois Lane: “What’s that?”

Amy Schmidt: “My mail. I’ve been too depressed to go through it for weeks now. I’m afraid it’s piled up to this sorry state.”

LL: “Reminds me of how full I let my mailbox get.”

AS: “I’m surprised my utilities haven’t been shut off yet.”

LL: “You should try paying by computer. Most of my bills are automatically debited from my account.”

AS: “Really?”

LL: “Yup. It’s a huge time saver.”

AS: “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind. Anyway, I thought I’d read some of it while you go through Alan’s notes. It might be a little easier with company here. Do you mind?”

LL: “No, not at all. I understand.”

Picking out a large wing chair in the corner closest to Alan’s desk, Amy curled her bare feet up underneath her and began separating the junk mail from the bills and personal letters.

Lois began sifting through Alan’s papers. There weren’t a whole lot to go through, but most were obviously written in some kind of code. There was a note about a meeting at Mardi Gras back in January of ’94, but Amy insisted that as far as she knew, Alan had never been to the festival, or even the state of Louisiana.

Alan’s notes only raised more questions, and seemed to answer none. Lois hoped to find some sort of smoking gun, perhaps a secret diary that would explain everything. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

All she found was one cryptic message after another, and she figured she would have to work overtime to figure out what they meant. Amy had no idea what the messages meant either.

AS: Putting her hand over her mouth. “Oh my Lord.”

Lois looked up to find Amy shaking and crying. She quickly ran over and kneeled in front of the young widow.

LL: “What is it? Amy? What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

AS: Holding up a letter, whispering, “Alan.”

LL: “What about Alan?”

AS: Her voice quivering, “This letter. It’s from Alan.”

LL: Lois glanced down at the envelope. There was no return address. “How can you tell?”

AS: “This is his handwriting.”

LL: Lois looked at the postmark. “Washington DC April 29th, that’s three days before he was killed.”

AS: Agitated, “Please open it. I don’t think I can…”

LL: “Okay. Calm down, okay? I’ll read it to you.” Carefully opening the envelope.

My dearest Amy, If I don’t see you again, Helen’s key is in a crazy place. Use it! Lord keep you until we meet again. Love always and forever, ~Alan

They both exchanged puzzling glances.

Lois Lane, Amy Schmidt: “Helen? Who’s Helen?!?”

LL: Sarcastically thinking to herself, ‘Goodness, didn’t this guy ever just say what he meant?’

AS: Grabbing the note out of Lois’ hand, and reading it herself as if the answer to her question were hidden on the small note. “WHO THE HELL IS HELEN?!” Sarcastically, “Good Lord, I’ve spent the last three years married to The Riddler!”

LL: “You have no idea who…”

AS: “No. I don’t know anybody named Helen.”

LL: “Are you….”

AS: “Positive!”

LL: “Then what could he have…”

AS: Defensively, “What’re you asking me for? I’m just the overprotected little woman.” Looking at one of his pictures on the wall. “Damn it Alan, what the hell are you trying to tell me?!”

LL: “Another code. He must’ve been scared that someone would intercept this letter. But it was important enough for him to risk sending it. He was also obviously afraid something was going to happen to him.”

AS: “He was right. Maybe what he’s trying to tell me will answer…”

LL: “All your questions.”

AS: Shaking her head, “Yours too.”

LL: Smiling, “Yup, mine too.”

AS: “Well. I say, lets both of us tear this office apart until we find a clue as to who the heck this mystery lady is.”

LL: Smiling proudly. “Amy, you must’ve been a reporter in a former life.”

AS: “Bite your tongue…. No offense.”

LL: Laughing out loud, “Believe me, none taken.”

AS: “At least if I were a reporter, I would’ve known what Alan was up to years ago. Let’s get to work.”

PART 27

The two women searched Alan’s office, as well as a good chunk of the rest of the house, all to no avail. They could find nothing pertaining to the mysterious Helen.

LOIS LANE’S APARTMENT

Although Amy Schmidt didn’t allow Lois to take her husband’s documents and notes with her, she did permit Lois to copy them with her hand-held scanner.

It was now 5:15pm and Lois was back at home. She now stood in the kitchen, blowing on the fresh cup of coffee in her mug. Turning slowly so she wouldn’t spill any of the hot liquid in her mug, she glanced over at her monitor. Her screensaver had just popped on. She smiled and watched little animated Supermen fly across her screen. She bought the program not long after meeting him and was still happily obsessed with the Man of Steel. Back then she would buy almost anything Superman related that she could get her hands on, even down to the pajamas she wore at night. Clark first saw the program when they were working at her apartment late one evening and just about to order dinner. He didn’t say anything; he just rolled his eyes and looked back at her takeout menus.

Most of the memorabilia she now kept in her closet, but she thought the little animated Superman was simply too adorable to replace. She still got a big kick out of it.

She took a small sip of coffee as she walked back to her desk, touching her mouse as she sat down. The flying super-hero disappeared was temporarily replaced by Alan Schmidt’s notes.

The screen revealed a small piece of paper on Stealth letterhead. It read;

‘S. Classified.’ Beneath the title were a web address and a series of ten digit numbers.

She logged on to her online service and connected to the web address on the note.

A friendly man’s voice came through loud and clear over her computer speaker. “WELCOME TO MacDADDY’S BURGER JOINT HOMEPAGE! I’m sorry, our website is currently under construction. If you’re a MacDaddy employee, please click on the giant burger and enter your employee ID number.”

Lois Lane: “Is this a joke?! No, let me go out on a limb here and say, this is definitely NOT a joke!”

Lois clicked on the burger and a cartoon of a fast food clerk entered the screen with a small box underneath him.

Voice of Fast Food Cartoon Man: “Welcome to MacDaddy’s! Please enter your personal password now.”

LL: “What the?…. Now let me see. What password would Alan use?… How about….

A M Y (enter)

VOFFCM: “Please wait…………….. I’m sorry, your password is invalid.”

LL: “Okay, how about…. A D A M (enter).”

VOFFCM: “Please wait…………….. I’m sorry, your password is invalid.”

LL: “Hmm, let me see. Lets try… A A A (enter)”

VOFFCM: “Please wait…………….. I’m sorry, your password is invalid. You have entered too many invalid passwords. You now have sixty seconds to enter your correct password or an unauthorized access warning will be reported to internal security immediately. 59, 58,….”

LL: “Jesus! Burger Joint my @SS! Let me guess. They’re hiding the Colonel’s original recipe?! Or is it the special sauce for the Big Mac. What the hell….. B I G M A C (enter).

VOFFCM: “Please wait…………….. I’m sorry, your password is invalid. 43, 42, 41…..”

Lois began typing in any names she could think of as fast as she could. She wasn’t exactly sure whose website she was trying to infiltrate, but she did know that she didn’t want to call any attention to herself on this website. She was treading in dangerous waters and she knew it.

LL: “Think Lane think. What was Alan’s password.” In a panic she tried everything from Helen to Renoir.

VOFFCM: “Please wait…………….. I’m sorry, your password is invalid. 12, 11, 10 seconds…”

*****************************************

Lois looked from side to side. It was hopeless. She looked over from her screen and into her bedroom. Her mouth dropped as she turned her attention back to the screen and typed one more word into her computer.

VOFFCM: “6, 5, 4,..”

LL: “Please….” B O N K E R S (enter)

VOFFCM: “Please wait… ”

The screen disappeared and a loud musical chime blasted through her speakers. The fast food cartoon man icon was replaced with a cartoon of the same man, only now he was wearing a military uniform. His artificial voice filled her apartment.

Military Cartoon Man: “Welcome to Stealth Sensitive Document Retrieval. Please enter the ten digit identification of the document your wish to retrieve.”

Lois was scared and excited at the same time.

LL: “I’m in. Oh my Lord… I’m in!”

************ Lois typed in the first set of numbers from Alan’s notes. Over the next ninety minutes Lois pulled up documents from Stealth’s classified files, revealing Stealth’s secret holdings.

The first of what was to become MANY shocking discoveries was that three of the most well known and respected corporations were all operations owned and controlled by Stealth.

The first of the three was BMA Publications. A name Lois instantly recognized as one of the largest media conglomerates in the world. They owned a number of newspapers, including The Metropolis Star, magazines, local TV stations and network affiliates. And on at least one occasion, tried to buy one of the four major networks, but pulled out suddenly when press attention became too hot.

LL: Sarcastically, “What’s the matter boys? Afraid the world would find out about who your ‘Mommy’ is?!”

BMA also owned a number of newspaper and magazine publications abroad, including at least one major newspaper in nearly every major city around the world wherever the law allowed foreign ownership.

What Lois DIDN’T know was that BMA owned the biggest cattle ranch in Texas. It had a chain of restaurants and serviced supermarkets all over the country. Lois also didn’t know that BMA stood for Big Mac Attack.

LL: Snickering, “No wonder nobody knows what BMA stands for. Afraid of a little copyright infringement lawsuit guys? What else are you up to?”

The next two companies answered three very big questions Lois had been wondering about.

The first was HBIW, Hobbs Bay International Warehouse, an import export business for Comfy Furniture Showroom’s International Furniture Division, importing furniture from Europe, Mexico, and South America. HBIW had warehouses located in Houston, New York City and of course, Metropolis.

LL: “Well I’ll be d@mned! It’s a small world after all. What was that ‘nice’ security guard at your front gate trying to keep me from seeing yesterday?”

The documents she pulled up one by one were just as cryptic as the man who left the clues behind in his wake was. Although there were no specific person’s names listed in ANY of the documents she found, there was a small row listed as Agent # with a series of six digit numbers. Next to each agent number was a dollar amount and quite a few dates listed by each agent. The most recent date was May 12th, 1995 at ten a.m.

LL: “That’s tomorrow. Hmm.”

Without thinking Lois picked up her phone and called information to find the number listed for HBIW.

*******************

Woman’s Voice: “Hobbs Bay International Warehouse.”

LL: “Hello, this is Lois Lane with the Daily Planet. I’d need to speak to whom ever’s in charge.”

WV: “One moment please.”

LL: By the time Lois had opened her mouth to say thank you, Gladys Knight was already singing the chorus to the James Bond movie License to Kill on the other end.

Very friendly male voice: “Helloooo, Ms Lane. This is Mr. Walters. I’m the manager here at Hobbs Bay International Warehouse. How are you doing tonight?…. What can I do for you this evening?”

LL: “Hello, Mr. Walters. I’m fine, thank you. I’m doing an article about Metropolis’ import/export business and the revitalization of the waterfront area. You do handle the furniture for Comfy Furniture Showroom, don’t you?”

PAUSE

LL: “Hello, Mr. Walters?”

Mr. Walters: “Uuh, yes.”

LL: “Uh-huh, well, I’ll be talking to a number of businesses in the area and I’d love to come by and see your operation and have a few words with you.”

MW: “Wonderful! Let me see, I can pencil you in next week around…”

LL: “Please, if you don’t mind, I would really appreciate it if you could make it tomorrow. I’m leaving town on Saturday and tomorrow is all I can squeeze in for awhile.”

MW: “Tomorrow? Hmmm, Let me take a look. I’m afraid I’m all…”

LL: A little anxiously, “Please Mr. Walters. I promise it won’t take long. It’s a very upbeat story so far, and a little good PR never hurt anyone.” Lois had to consciously stop herself from thinking out loud. ‘Please say yes. I’m really too tired to climb over your fence tonight and sneak into your little operation.’

MW: “Very true. How’s tomorrow at one sound?”

LL: “Oooh. That’s not too good for me. How does the morning look around nine am? I think that’s the only time I can make it.”

MW: “Nine? Let me see.” She could hear him exhaling heavily into the phone. “Could you hold on for just a minute? I have to check on something.”

LL: “Sure,” she answered, this time immediately greeted by the vocal styling’s of Barry Manilow. Groaning, “I hate this song.”

Voice of Barry Manilow: “…. There was blood and a single gunshot, but just who shot who. At the…”

THREE LOOONG MINUTES LATER.

MW: “Nine a.m. is just fine, Miss Lane.”

LL: “Excellent. And thank you.”

MW: “See you then.”

LL: “See you tomorrow. Good night.”

CLICK

*************************************************

Mr. Walters: “Charlie!”

Charlie: “Yeah boss?”

MW: “See that everything’s ready by eight a.m. tomorrow. We’ve got a ‘guest’ coming in at nine.”

Charlie: “Consider it done boss.”

*************************************************

Lois went back to her computer and began entering numbers for a few more documents, which answered two more of her biggest questions. Mardi Gras, Alan’s appointment which Lois and Amy had assumed referred to the festival in New Orleans, actually referred to another one of Stealth’s ‘anonymous’ holdings. Mardi Gras referred to The Mardi Gras Corporation, the largest military contractor in the United States.

LL: “Oh my Lord. Stealth owns Mardi Gras?!” HOLY S%IT! I think I’ve hit the motherload!”

The third huge question answered was Alan Schmidt’s connection to the military. Alan Schmidt was the final link she COULDN’T tie to the military. Until now.

Mardi Gras made everything from eight hundred-dollar toilet seats for the Pentagon to fifteen million-dollar F-15 fighter planes and one hundred million-dollar Stealth bombers.

The fact that ALL of these were well-respected companies in the international business world was no secret. The fact that ALL of these companies were owned and controlled by Stealth, WAS! All of these holdings combined made Stealth the largest and possibly the most powerful corporate entity in the world. Truly a force to be reckoned with.

Lois had decided to put a lot of her future efforts into trying to link the other victims to Stealth.

These documents, although revealing a wealth of information, was unfortunately lacking in something key to tying everything together. NAMES! Instead of names, she found more codes and more series of numbers. One particular document caught her attention because the numbers were color-coded. In it, each set of numbers had a letter that preceded it; others had letters that bracketed both sides. Most were in black but some had other colors. There were thousands of them, in three columns scrolling up and down her screen, at first glance in seemingly random order. But a closer look revealed the numbers were anything but random.

Up and down the list Lois found some numbers highlighted in red. Each with a letter in front of its apparent identification number. Some with letters listed after the numbers. Virtually all the red numbers had either one or two dates next to it.

The most recent dates were at the top of her screen and, scrolling down, the oldest reaching all the way back to the 1950’s.

Moving her attention back to the top, Lois studied the most recent red number entries and her mouth dropped open and her eyes widened as she realized what she was looking at.

LL: “Oh my God.”

PART 28

Every set of numbers represented a person. She was almost certain of it. And most shocking of all, every red set of numbers represented someone who was dead, probably at Stealth’s hands. In some areas there was only a smattering of red numbers, but in others, there were huge blocks.

Lois came to this conclusion when she looked up the dates of the Capitol Murders. Each of the red numbers was an exact match to the numbers of victims. On May the second, there were eight sets of numbers, seven surrounded by the letters I&T, the eighth number was preceded by the letter B. And on April the 25th, the night Senator Williams lost his life along with his wife and two detectives assigned to protect him, one number was bracketed with the letters I&T, another set was preceded by a S and the final two the letter B.

But these weren’t the most recent entries. The most recent entries were dated May 9th 1995. As Lois counted thirty sets of numbers, she realized that they must be the Freedom Fighters. Twenty-nine numbers were red, and one was green.

Lois Lane: “Did they put the hit on these politicians for Stealth?” Sarcastically answering her own question, “Ha, I seriously doubt it.”

The more details the media revealed about the backgrounds of the young members within the militia/cult group, the less likely suspects they became. This became evident as their parents, friends, and other relatives either came forward voluntarily to make statements, or were hunted down by the world’s press.

The Capitol Murders was seemingly the crime of the century. Yet all the personal information revealed about this cult/militia group’s members, accused of perpetrating such an event, were that of underachieving, disillusioned, but not terribly bright young adults, with little or no distinguishing achievements to separate them from their peers. It was becoming increasingly obvious that whomever had the cunning and expertise to successfully kidnap and execute some of the highest profile and well protected politicians in America, leaving very few clues, could not have been pulled off by any of these seemingly rather dimwitted kids.

Whoever committed the Capitol Murders was sharp, well organized, and effective. The thirty members that comprised Freedom Fighters had the collective sharpness of a butter-knife. At best they might be foot soldiers following their leader, whomever he, she, or they were.

There was something fishy about the case and evidence against the Freedom Fighters, and by the end of the approaching weekend, everyone knew it.

Among the materials found on the premises were the alleged murder weapons, detailed plans for the executing these crimes, and of course, a suicide note.

The ‘mass suicide’ note was by itself regarded as suspicious. It was not handwritten, but left as the last entry in the computer at the compound. Nothing incriminating was signed personally by anyone. The ‘suicide note’ was an electronic confession to the murders followed by the names of all thirty known members.

On May the 10th, the day after the ‘suicide’, without clearing jurisdiction or authorization with the FBI special agents in charge of the case, Alexandria’s Police Chief, still smarting from having his press conference cut short by FBI agents earlier in the day, released a printed copy of the suicide note to the media, thereby creating a permanent rift between the police and federal agents assigned to cover the case. This document revealed to the public at large that although there were thirty names on the e-suicide note, there were only twenty-nine bodies present and accounted for.

The federal agents assigned to the case were under strict and confidential orders to keep a lid on the existence of a missing and presumed very much alive thirtieth member. But with the release of the thirty names, all that went out the proverbial window. The search for the Freedom Fighters missing and now most infamous member sparked one of the largest manhunts in American History. By Saturday there were pictures of him everywhere, and many details of his ‘up to this point in time’ unremarkable life was exposed.

His family and closest friends were kept under constant surveillance by the unblinking eyes of the media and several government agencies. Everyone from the FBI to the man on the street was looking for the Freedom Fighters youngest member, nineteen year old Marcus Hamilton.

Lois leaned back in her chair, staring at the document’s most recent entry. The letters PO preceded all the red numbers.

Lois Lane: “Twenty nine red and one green. That must be you Marcus. Hopefully the fact that your number isn’t red yet means you’re still alive.” Shaking her head from side to side. I’d sure hate to be in your shoes Marcus.”

“Well Mr. PO87519369OTR Hamilton, I hope you’re safe wherever you are.”

She saved the document and moved onto the next one, but not before noticing that there was a red entry the day six-year-old Adam Schmidt died. She also noted that a second date listed just underneath it was an exact match to the day his mother Amy mentioned he had a doctors exam at Worldwide Medical.

The next few sets of documents were so encrypted even she couldn’t make heads or tails of them. Entering the last file number from Alan’s notes the military cartoon man marched back onto the screen. The electronic voice was once again an unwelcome guest in her living room.

Voice of Military Cartoon Man: “I’m sorry. You do not have clearance to view this document. If you have a clearance code, please press the grenade icon and you will have twenty seconds to enter the proper clearance code. If you wish to leave this document, click on the exit sign icon.

Knowing she had no clearance code, and with the memory of the last ‘give me the correct password or else’ experience with this site fresh in her mind, Lois clicked the exit sign that reconnected her to MacDaddy’s Burger Joint Homepage. She disconnected from her online service and began studying the notes she had retrieved.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

PART 29

Clark Kent sat at his desk, thinking about the only subject that dominated his thoughts of late, Lois.

He always worried about Lois taking risks, but this was different. Washington DC was hundreds of miles away and just a little out of earshot. He desperately wanted to keep an eye on her. He decided he’d have to ask Perry for vacation time. Looking determined, he began to fidget with his tie as he stood up and took two paces, stopping short as the conversation between Perry and one of the staff reporters filled the newsroom.

Perry White: “VACATION?! Do you have ANY idea how understaffed we are right now in Metropolis alone?!” I’ve got nearly thirty percent of my staff on sick leave or on vacation, and half my best reporting team has jumped ship on me!” Perry stood up, brushed by the stunned reporter and opened his office door.

“All right, listen up folks! Until further notice, no one gets a vacation that’s not already on the schedule! You hear me?! And if anyone even THINKS of taking some sick leave, you’d better be hooked up to life support, if you catch my meaning. If you don’t, you can get some R&R waiting for your next paycheck on the unemployment line! YOU GOT THAT?!” Turning back towards his office as he motioned to slam his door, “I’ll take that silent response as a yes!” Looking at the poor man who asked for time off in the first place, “WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE?!”

Clark turned back to his desk and sat down. The tide of fate had once again turned against the young couple.

CK: Looking up at the ceiling, “Why is it never easy for us?” ‘Well, I certainly can’t ask him now.’ Determined to be with Lois in Washington, he decided to wait until Perry had calmed down before broaching the delicate subject. After all, it wasn’t exactly a vacation. Clark didn’t notice the man standing in front of his desk with his arms crossed.

Voice: “Clark.” Clearing his throat, “Ahem.”

********************************************************

Maybe it was the material she’d just been reading, but Lois jumped slightly as she heard the knocking on her front door. A little spooked, she froze, saying nothing. After a moment the knocking stopped and she heard a bag rustling and keys being inserted one by one, unlocking her front door. Lois grabbed an empty vase; tiptoed behind the door, positioning it over her head to bring it down on whomever was breaking into her apartment.

Luckily for Lucy Lane, Lois had the chain lock attached that kept the door from swinging open more than a few inches.

Lucy Lane: “Lois?”

Lois Lane: “Lucy!”

Lucy: Stepping inside as her sister opened the door the rest of the way, “What’s the matter with you? Why didn’t you answer the knock on the door?!”

Lois: “I…. I…”

Lucy: “Why are you still here anyway? We’ve been waiting for you for almost two hours. Mom’s given me orders to drag you and Clark kicking and screaming, if necessary. Helloooo! Lois? Remember? The dr…..”

Lois: “The dress fitting! Oh my God, I completely forgot.”

Lucy: “Sorry I startled you. I did try to call, but the line was busy and I didn’t know your cell phone number.”

Lois: “I was online. I just got off a few minutes ago. I’ll be ready in five minutes. Just let me put this stuff away.” As Lois grabbed her coffee mug and put it into the kitchen sink, Lucy casually glanced over at Lois’ work.

Lucy: Pointing at the monitor, “What’s all this stuff?”

Lois: “Oh, that’s just the latest story I’m working on.”

Not comprehending any of the cryptic messages on the screen, Lucy shrugged her shoulders and plopped down on the couch to wait for her sister to finish whatever it was she was doing.

Picking up and stacking a mountain of notes into a neat pile at the edge of her desk, she stopped a moment.

Lois: “Wait a minute. You said ‘drag me AND Clark kicking and screaming. Where’s…. ?”

**********************************************************

Voice: “Clark?”

Clark looked up to find his father standing in front of his desk with a slightly worried look on his face.

Jonathan Kent: “Are you okay son?”

CK: “Yeah dad. What’re you doing here?”

JK: “I could ask you the same question. Remember the….”

CK: “The fitting! Is Lois mad?”

JK: “Everyone’s been waiting for you and Lois to show up.”

CK: “Lois. Is she alri….”

JK: “I’m sure she’s fine. Lucy went to get her. They should be swinging by here to pick us up in front of the building.”

CK: “I’m sorry dad. I completely forgot. I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

JK: “Take your time son. They won’t be here for at least twenty minutes.”

**********************************************************

IN LOIS’ JEEP

Lois: “Lucy, slow down!”

Lucy: “No way, we’ve got to meet Clark and his dad in five minutes.”

Lois: “Slow down anyway. They’re not going anywhere.”

Lucy: “You’re lucky it’s Thursday. Kleinfeld’s is open ’til nine p.m. tonight, and the eight o’clock fitting canceled. Everyone else had their fitting this afternoon, so that just leaves the bride and groom. They’re ALL waiting for you two.” Smiling, “Excited?”

Lois: “Very. Hey wait a minute. They had their fitting? I didn’t pick out any bridesmaid’s dresses. How could you have…”

Lucy: “Mom and Sidney did that.”

Lois: “What?!”

Lucy: “Now Lois, you can hardly blame mom. We’re moving down to the wire and you’re just about to skip town!”

Lois: “I am NOT skipping town. I’ll be back in plenty….”

Lucy: “No Lois, you ARE skipping town. You may be back in plenty of time to ATTEND your wedding, but not nearly enough time to PLAN one.” Noticing Lois’ guilty expression, “But don’t feel bad. Mom’s in seventh heaven. Planning this is a dream come true for her. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen daddy this excited either.”

Lois: “That’s good. Are the bridesmaid’s dresses…”

Lucy: “They’re gorgeous. Wait ’til you see them! You’ll flip! Our mother may be overbearing, but she’s always had wonderful taste.”

Lois: “That’s true.”

Lucy: Turning the corner and pulling up in front of the Daily Planet entrance, “There they are. Heeey!” Laughing and pointing an accusing finger at Clark through the passenger window, “LATE! You two better not pull this stunt on your wedding day! Mom will hunt the two of you down like dogs!” At the very image, Lois and Lucy began to double over with laughter.”

Lucy, Lois: “MOMTHRA!”

CK: “Excuse me?”

Lois: Turning her head to the back seat so she could exchange a quick kiss with her fiancé and wave hello to Jonathan, “Oh, when we were kids, it’s what we used to call mom when she got really mad. You know Mothra, Godzilla’s…. Never mind.”

CK: Laughing, “Oh, I get it.”

Lois: Looking back at her sister, “Can you imagine? The sight of giant MOMTHRA stomping through the streets of Metropolis, searching for Clark and me?…. And don’t worry Luce, we’ll be there…. So what’s your excuse for being tardy?”

Clark: “Work and an absent memory. How ’bout you?”

Lois: Smiling, “Same here. Oh, I talked to Doris. She said I could stay in one of her guest rooms, and the rest of the time, I’ll be at the Bellevue.”

CK: “Is everything okay?”

Lois: Acknowledging his worried expression, “Yeah, everything’s great.”

JK: “Well it won’t be great for long if we don’t get you two to that salon soon. You’ve got two angry mothers over there.”

Lucy: “You don’t have to say it twice. Fasten you seat belts, they don’t call me ‘The Fast Lane’ for nothin’. Remember Lois?”

Lois: “Yes, I remember all those speeding tickets. Seeing my life pass before my eyes, your suspended license.” Suspiciously, “You did get it back, didn’t you?”

Lucy: “Of course I did. Hold on folks!” The car screeched forward and Lois, Clark, and Jonathan were holding on for dear life as Lucy Lane got to their destination in under fifteen minutes of what should have been a thirty minute drive.”

Lucy: Proudly, “We’re here!”

Lois: “Clark?”

CK: “Yeah honey?”

Lois: “Is my hair white?”

Lucy: “Come on Lois, it wasn’t that bad.”

Lois: “Not that bad?! Are you kidding….”

Lucy: Jumping out of the car and walking towards the bridal shops front door, “Come on ole lady, time’s a wastin’!”

Clark opened Lois passenger side door and helped his bride out of the car, quickly kissing her lips to silence whatever biting comment she had in reserve for her little sister.

CK: Smiling mischievously and pulling her towards the front door. “Come on.” Jokingly, “Save your strength for MOMTHRA and MARTHRA!”

PART 30

As the four entered the bridal salon, they were greeted by amused grins from the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Ellen Lane had her hands on her hips and was tapping her feet against the floor. And Martha Kent had her arms crossed in front of her.

CK: “Uh-oh. I think we’re in trouble.”

MK: “You most certainly are Clark Jerome Kent!” Walking over to her son, she nabbed him by the ear and marched him towards the men’s department.

CK: “Mom!”

MK: “Jonathan! Escort this tardy young man to Mr. Blass over there and I don’t want to see him again unless he’s in a morning suit. Is that clear?”

Clark, Jonathan: “Yes ma’am!”

Clark turned around just in time to catch the amused look on his bride’s face as she and Lucy turned to each other at the same time.

Lois, Lucy: “JEROME?!?”

Ellen Lane: “Well, nice of you to show up. Do I have to do everything for you?!” Grabbing Lois by the arm, she was dragged past her bridesmaids. With the exception of Lucy, they were all cousins Lois hadn’t seen or spoken to in years.

The groomsmen, all followed Clark back into the men’s department. The seven groomsmen, including Jimmy, who was best man, were comprised of Clark’s closest high school and college buddies, Felix, Pete, Jack and Tom. The final two were his cousins, the ring bearer six year old Jared was a Clark on his mother’s side, and the other, 13 year old Trevor, a Kent on his father’s.

CK: “Jimmy, why didn’t you remind me before you left for the fitting?”

JO: “I did. I had a feeling you were preoccupied. I guess I shoulda made sure you heard me. Sorry CK.”

CK: “That’s okay. It was my fault.”

********************************************************

LL: Mother, SEVEN bridesmaids?! Why didn’t you ask…”

EL: “Ask!? When? And don’t blame me. Blame your fiancé. Clark has seven groomsmen, so of course you needed seven bridesmaids. You didn’t give me a list of friends you wanted to be bridesmaids, so what else could I….”

LL: “Okay! Okay, I’m sorry. You’re right, that was my fault. This wedding thing is just coming up so fast…. And work is just so…” Looking away and back at her mother. “I just need to catch up, that’s all.”

EL: Smiling to put her daughter at ease, “Don’t worry about it dear. I was just a little worried when you didn’t show up. Come on, let’s get you fitted for your dress.”

LL: Raising her right hand and slapping her forehead, “Dress! I haven’t even picked one yet. Boy, am I a sorry excuse for a….”

EL: Smiling slyly, “Oh, yes you did.” Pointing towards the fitting room. “It’s in there.”

LL: “WHAT?!? YOU PICKED OUT MY OWN WEDDING DRESS?! Mother, this time you’ve gone waaay too far! Of all the…”

EL: “Calm down dear, calm down. I didn’t pick out this dress. YOU DID.”

LL: Confusion registering on her face, “What?”

EL: Pulling back the curtain, “Just take a look.”

LL: At her mother’s invitation, Lois walked through the curtain and into the fitting room to the see the dress she figured she must’ve chosen in her mother’s over active imagination. Her eyes widened as recognition set in the minute she caught sight of ‘the dress’. Her mother wasn’t lying or imagining it, but she did have to pinch herself once to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.

Surrounding the mannequin in the center of the room, which Ellen had created to exactly match Lois’ size six top and size four waist proportions, lay a dress. Not just any dress, but an exact replica of the dress Lois had secretly picked out as a teenager as the only one she wanted to get married in. The only thing Ellen had really worried about was whether her daughter’s taste in clothes had changed dramatically over the years.

LL: Lois’ mouth dropped and she turned to her mother, whispering, “How did you know?”

EL: “I’ve known you all your life sweetheart. And besides, I found the bridal magazines in your room and this particular dress seemed to have a place of honor in your scrapbook. I gave it to one of Sidney’s friends who’s a dressmaker and he made it exactly to your measurements, give an inch or two. Which is why you need to try it on this instant… Lois? Are you all right dear?”

Lois buried her face in her hands and sat down on the bench next to her gown.

Martha, Ellen: Both concerned mothers rushed to the young woman’s side, “Lois?”

MK: “What’s wrong honey?”

EL: “Oh dear. I was afraid you wouldn’t want…” Ellen was abruptly cut short as Lois tearfully threw her arms around her mother’s neck.

LL: “Thank you. I’ve always wanted a dress JUST like this one. In all this rush, it never even occurred to me to even look for the picture.” Breaking the embrace and looking into her mother’s eyes, “I never thought I’d say this, but… Thank you for being such a nosy, overbearing mother… this time.”

EL: On the verge of tears herself, “Oh Lois, that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me. You’re welcome honey.”

Martha Kent looked on confused, bewildered, and very amused at this mother/daughter exchange.

********************************************************

Clark Kent stood in front of a full-length mirror straightening his tie. He turned around to look at his very proud and misty-eyed father.

CK: “Well?”

JK: “You look wonderful son.”

JO: “Pretty sharp CK. Lois won’t be able to take her eyes off you when she sees you.”

CK: “Thanks. I’d just love to see her right now.” Pulling down his glasses and looking at the wall facing the bridal section.

JK: “Uh-uh-unh. You can’t see her in her dress until the wedding day. Besides, the bridesmaids are standing GUARD over there to make sure you don’t get within fifty feet of her.”

Clark noted the ‘don’t you dare’ expression on his father’s face and pushed the rim of his glasses back up on the bridge of his nose.

********************************************************

NINE P.M. PALM COURT TEA ROOM (across the street from the bridal salon.)

A long table, actually five small tables pushed together to accommodate the entire Lane/Kent bridal party, which included the bride, groom, their parents, Lucy, all the bridesmaids, Jimmy and all the groomsmen, including all the parents of the flower girl and ring bearer, and of course, Sidney Vanderhoff. Twenty-five in all.

Lois got reacquainted with her cousins and heard a lot of interesting ‘Clark stories’ from his childhood and college friends.

Lois: Holding her sides as the entire table erupted with laughter, “He did what?!”

Tom (one of Clark’s college roommates) : Drunk with laughter, and a little alcohol, answered, “There was Clark hoisting the other team’s mascot costume, wearing OUR University’s Sweatshirt by the way, up to the top of the flagpole in the stadium. Right in the middle of HALF-TIME OF THE HOMECOMING GAME!” Exaggerating with his hands, how on earth he was able to carry that heavy costume all by himself up all those stairs is still a mystery to me! ‘Member Jack?”

Clark laughed but secretly wanted to crawl under the table. His friends seemed to have excellent memories regarding all the pranks he committed in his youth.

Jack: “Remember? How could any of us forget? We were all lucky we didn’t get expelled for that prank.”

CK: “You can say that again. We got off easy.”

Jack/ Tom: “EASY!”

Tom: “You call cleaning out every toilet in the University easy?!”

CK: Defensively, “Considering we all could’ve gotten expelled for that. Yeah!”

Tom: “Oh come on. It’s not like we burned down the stadium!”

Jack: “You’ve got a point there.”

Tom: “Hey remember the time we DID manage to…..”

Clark: “TOM!” Jack: “Let’s not go there Tom!”

Lois: Now burning with curiosity, “What?”

Clark, Jack, Tom : “Nothing!”

Lois: “What did you do? Ooh, this sounds good. Tell me.”

CK: “Lo-is.”

LL: “Tell me. Ooooooh, Mr. Perfect did something so bad he won’t even tell ME? I have GOT to hear this!”

CK: “Lo-is, drop it.” His pleading look was acknowledged.

Lois did ‘drop it.’ At least until she could get him alone and interrogate him privately.

The rest of the party, including his parents, grilled the three for an next ten minutes, all to no avail. After awhile everyone gave up and moved on to another embarrassing Clark story, this time from Clark’s childhood friends from Smallville. Lois was grateful that HER childhood friends were nowhere in the vicinity or she would’ve been in the hot-seat right next to her fiancé.

As dinner was winding down, Clark, practically sitting at the other end of the very very long table, desperately wanted a chance to be alone with Lois. Lois couldn’t help but notice the longing glances he had been throwing her way all evening, and she couldn’t help but return his passionate gazes.

Lois: “I’m going to feed the parking meter. I’ll be back in a minute.”

Lois’ cousin Cindy looked confused.

Cindy: “Feed the meter? It’s past ten. The meters went off at….”

Lucy: Sounding very annoyed, whispered, “Cindy, don’t make me smack you.”

Lois: With a straight face, “Clark, can you help me? I forgot how to put money in the meter.”

At that remark, everybody broke down laughing once again. The guys patting Clark on the back and making suggestive jokes about teaching her a lesson.

CK: “We’ll be right back.”

Lucy: “Don’t be long because you’re not finished here yet.”

********************************************************

Within seconds of exiting the restaurant, the young couple was pressed against the restaurants glass window. Neither realized that although the view from the side was partially blocked by the pale pink curtain along the inside of the plate glass, the light from the street lamp created a silhouette of their romantic clinch through the curtain’s fabric.

As their lips parted and he placed wet kisses down her neck, he panted into her ear, “I’ve been wanting to do this all night.”

LL: “Mmmm, me too. I missed you today.”

CK: “Mmmmm. You taste soooo good.” Placing two more kisses on her neck and breathing in her scent, “You smell so good.” And finally moving his hands down her back and lowering his voice, “You feeeel soooo goooood.”

Lois gasped; clutching the back of his hair as he caressed the small of her back, exactly where he knew it drove her insane.

LL: “Clark,” was all she could get out before he seized her lips again.

********************************************************

FIVE MINUTES LATER

Lucy: Looking at her watch, “How much longer do you think they can go at it? Do you think we should call them back in here?”

Groomsmen and bridesmaids: “NO!”

Tom: “Are you kidding?”

Jimmy: “I’ve got TEN bucks riding on them taking AT LEAST five more minutes.”

Jack: “I bet they take eight more.”

Cindy: “I’ve got three more.”

Martha, Ellen: “YOU’RE TAKING BETS?!”

MK: “Honestly!”

EL: “Sam, say something!”

Sam Lane: “What do you want me to say?!”

EL: “Well, you can begin with…”

********************************************************

SIX MORE MINUTES LATER

Lois: Between kisses, “Clark? I think we should be getting back inside.”

CK: “Just one more minute? Please?”

Lois: “Just” KISS “one” KISS “more” KISS “min…” KISS

********************************************************

SIX MINUTES AFTER THAT! <veg>

The happy, disheveled couple was greeted with a round of applause.

Lucy: “You two could win a contest. You barely came up for air!”

Lois: Slightly embarrassed, “You could see us?”

Cindy: “Yeah, well we could see you through the drapes.”

JO: Approvingly giving Clark a thumbs up gesture, “All right CK my man!”

Tom: “Okay, who won the pool?” Grabbing a napkin in front of him, “Let’s see. Seventeen minutes…. Eh…” Smiling. “It’s a tie. The winners are… Jonathan Kent and Sam Lane. Congratulations!”

MK: “JONATHAN?!?” EL: “SAM!”

JK: “Oh boy, I think I’m gonna be sleepin’ on the couch tonight.”

EL: “Samuel Lane, of all the…”

SL: “Oh, lighten up ladies. Just a little harmless fun. Anyway, the kids aren’t upset, are you?”

Lois: Snuggling closer to Clark, “No daddy. Enjoy your winnings.”

SL: “See! Thanks princess.”

EL: “You leave them out of this!”

MK: Softening just a little, “I’ll let you live Jonathan…. For now.”

JK: Smiling, “Thanks honey.”

Lois: Stifling a yawn, “It’s getting late. I’ve got an early meeting tomorrow, so…”

Lucy: “Well you two aren’t going home… Not yet.” Motioning across the table. “Cindy, Tom.”

Each stood up waving blindfolds in the faces of their unsuspecting victims.

CK: “What’s this?” Lois: “What’s going on?”

Lucy: “You’ll see. You two say bye-bye cause you’re both heading in different directions.

Lois: “Mother, what’s…”

EL: “Don’t ask me, I had NOTHING to do with this. There’s a NO PARENTS ALLOWED rule for both your final destinations tonight.”

Lucy: “Of course there is. You wouldn’t want your PARENTS at your bachelor and bachelorette parties! Now would you?”

Lois: “Lucy, no. I can’t….”

Lucy: Grabbing the blindfold and tying it quickly over her big sister’s head. “Hush. You’ll thank me in the morning, or should I say, ‘Thank Gunther!'”

Lois, Clark: “GUNTHER?!”

Lois: Sarcastically, “Lucy, I may strangle you before morning.”

Tom: Turning Clark around and tying the long blindfold securely over his eyes. Exchanging an evil glance with Jack and Jimmy, “We promise you buddy, the ladies won’t be having all the fun tonight.”

PART 31

TRAMPS NIGHT CLUB

Lois: Still blindfolded, “Where are we?”

Lucy: “Patience big sister, patience.” Lucy untied the knot and Lois’ mouth dropped at the sight of the other ladies in attendance. The room was filled with relatives and female Daily Planet co-workers, as well as some of Lucy’s friends, including Doris’ baby sister Andrea.

Lois barely had a moment to greet her family and friends before the floorshow began. Lucy climbed up to the stage and grabbed a microphone.

Lucy: “I’d like to thank all you ladies for coming to the bachelorette party for my big EMBARRASSED sister Lois!”

APPLAUSE

Now we all know what a babe she’s got in her Kansas farmboy Clark, but we thought you’d like to sample a little foreign flair from the mountains of Austria and performing just for you, “CLIMB EVERY GUNTHER!”

Wolf-whistles and cheering ensued as a blonde haired, blue-eyed ‘Adonis’ appeared as the curtains parted.

Lois: Wide-eyed, “Oh my….”

****************************************************

GENTLEMAN PREFER BABES NIGHTCLUB

WOLF WHISTLES CHEERS

Clark: “…… God! What is this?!”

Tom: “Relax Clark!”

Jimmy: “Yeah, just relax CK.”

The screen lowered from the top of the stage as the room went dark and the men were treated to a series of X-rated short films.

Clark felt like he was back in college hell all over again. He never could get into parties like these no matter how much he tried. And since alcohol had no effect on him, he couldn’t even rely on the libations provided to rouse him into the party spirit. He had to call upon his old acting techniques and pretend he was just as turned-on as the other men at the party, and the only way he could successfully pull that off now was to momentarily close his eyes and think of…

****************************************************

Chanting Women: “LOIS! DEEPER! LOIS DEEPER!”

Lois Lane, egged on by her sister Lucy and the other women at the party, was kneeling on the stage as Gunther gyrated in front of her. Lois was busy stuffing money down the front of Gunther’s very tight shorts, to the tune of the eighties classic “Rock the Casbah.”

By now it was Gunther’s fourth number and Lois theatrically passed her wad of bills to some of her other guests, including Alice White, who happily took her place on stage and began to grind with Gunther, stopping every minute to stuff bills down Gunther’s pants.

Lois moved to the side, relieved that at least for now, the spotlight was off her. Watching Gunther made her think of Clark’s private performance just yesterday, a wicked smile danced across her lips.

Lucy: “Lois? Is everything okay?”

Lois: “Yeah Luce, and thank you for this.”

Lucy: “My pleasure. But you seem a million miles away.”

Lois: “I guess I was… with Clark. I’d give my right arm to know what was going on over there.”

Lucy: Raising her eyebrows twice and returning her sister’s evil smile, “I was hoping you’d say that.”

Lois: “Lucy, what….”

Lucy: Grabbing Lois’ arm, “Come with me.”

**************************************************** AN HOUR LATER

Lois: “I can’t believe we’re doing this.”

Lucy: “Believe it!”

Lois: “How do I look?”

Lucy: Impressed, “Very butch.”

Lois: “Butch masculine, or who do these chicks think they’re foolin’, butch feminine?”

Lucy: “Lois, no one will figure out we’re a couple-a chicks on the town. Let’s go have some fun.”

Lois: Recognizing the sign outside the building, “Good Lord Luce, is this where it is?”

Lucy: “Yup.”

Lois: “I’ve heard of this place. It’s a…. a…”

Lucy: “I know, it’s one step above a brothel!”

Lois: “Yeah, a very small step. Whose idea was this?”

Lucy: “Tom’s.”

Lois: “Good, I’m glad it wasn’t Jimmy’s idea. Do any of our parents know where these parties are tonight?”

Lucy: “ARE YOU NUTS?!”

Lois: “That’s a relief.”

Lucy: “Let’s go rescue Clark before he does something you’ll have to kill him for.”

Lois: “No he won’t.”

Lucy: Sarcastically, “Yeah, right! He’s a maaaan, isn’t he?”

Lois: “Yeah, he’s a man.” Adding proudly, “But he’s also my Clark.”

Lucy: “You’re kidding me right?”

Lois: “I kid you not.”

Lucy: “You wanna put your money where your misguided faith is? I happen to know that the main stripper hired to show the men a good time tonight also moonlights as a, ‘pardon my French’, ‘LADY of the evening’.”

Lois: “WHAT?!?”

Lucy: “Oh come on Lois, it’s a bachelor party! This kind of stuff happens all the time. He can’t possibly be too good to be true.”

Lois: “Oh, yes he is.”

Lucy: “Twenty bucks…. and you can’t interrupt the floor show.” Holding out her hand, “Deal?”

Lois: Grasping Lucy’s hand and shaking it firmly, “Deal!”

Lucy: “Let’s go.” Stopping abruptly, “OOOH, we need names.”

Lois: “Ooh, that’s right.”

Lucy: “I’ll be Lou.”

Lois: Amused, “Lou? That’s so cute.”

Lucy: “Lois?”

Lois: “Yeah?”

Lucy: “A little friendly advice. When we get inside, do us both a favor and DON’T use that sentence…. ‘That’s so cute.’ Dead giveaway, okay?”

Lois: “Very funny.”

Lucy: “You pick a name yet?”

Lois: “Uuuuh, let’s see. How about JOCK!”

Lucy: “JOCK?! Are you kidding me?”

Lois: “No I’m not kidding. You know, like Jock Ewing on Dallas. What’s wrong with Jock?!”

Lucy: “Lois, you may look butch tonight, but there’s no chance in hell that you can pull off the name Jock! They’ll laugh in your face. Try again.”

Lois: “Okay… Ooh, how about…. Jerome. I KNOW I can pull that name off. Besides it’s….”

Lucy: “Clark’s middle name. Haaaa! I love it! Okay Jerome, after you. And remember, WE’RE MEN!”

Lois: Trying to get into the part, “FU#^IN A! WE SURE ARE!”

They both high fived each other and let out one last giggle before they walked towards the club.

Lucy: “Sis?”

Lois: “Yeah, Luce.”

Lucy: “How do you really feel?”

Lois: “Like Wilma and Betty sneakin’ into Fred and Barney’s Water Buffalo Initiation Ceremony.” They both managed perfect Betty Rubble giggles before entering the club.

Lucy opened the door, lowering her voice an octave, “Ready?”

Lois: Matching her sister’s masculine tone and slapping her on the back, “Ready… thanks buddy.”

Lucy: “No problem man.”

As ‘Lou and Jerome’ entered the Gentlemen Prefer Babes nightclub, the last of the stag films was drawing to its conclusion. They did arrive in time to watch and listen to the film’s ‘rousing climax.’

The party was just starting.

The women nearly choked on the cigar smoke as they inched towards a small empty table for two near the back. They rolled their eyes as the men in the club hollered at the screen for more.

The cheering grew louder as Clark’s college roommate Tom took the stage to make an announcement.

Tom: “Thank you, thank you. Now we all know why we’re here tonight. We’re here to help Clark bid a fond adieu to…”

Voice from audience #1: “HAPPINESS!”

Voice from audience #2: “FREEDOM!”

LAUGHTER

Tom: “BACHELORHOOD! But we’ve got to give the OLE boy credit where credit is due, he held out longer than most men do.”

MORE LAUGHTER

A spotlight switched on and revealed Jack, dressed as Clark in a three-piece suit, sitting at a prop desk, typing.

Tom: “But the day he met Lois Lane…” In came, with a very exaggerated walk, Jimmy Olson in a red coat dress and matching high heels, with a clipboard in his hand.

LAUGHTER AND CHEERING ERUPTS

Tom: “…it was all over!”

Jack /’Clark’ pulled a dozen roses from his desk and ran in front of Jimmy/ ‘Lois’, falling to one knee and holding them up to Jimmy’s face.

Tom: Continuing to narrate the scenario unfolding, “Clark professes his love to Lois. But…..” Jimmy tossed back his head with laughter, took the flowers and tossed them over his shoulder, wiggling his hips as he exited stage right.

Tom: “…Lois, a typical woman plays hard to get, driving our victim insane.” Jack then pulled his hair and clutched at his heart.

Tom: “Eventually, Lois comes back into the picture.” At this point, Jimmy sauntered back in stage right, “Sees what a prime studly catch Clark is….” Jack stood up and assumed a body builders Mr. Universe pose. “And decides, ‘I HAVE GOT TO HAVE ME SOME OF THAT!’ So she sets her trap….!”

WOLF WHISTLES

Jimmy then walked over to a box in the corner and pulled out a giant plastic faux bear trap that read in big white letters ‘ACME MAN TRAP.’

Jack is walking through the ‘office’ and while obviously looking somewhere else steps into the trap and theatrically falls to the ground, clutching his leg.

Tom: “…AND GOT HER MAN!”

Tom: “Clark desperately thrashed upon the ground trying to break free, but it was no use. The trap was too strong! In defeat, he asked her price.”

Jimmy jumped up and down twice, ran off stage and came back less than a moment later, wearing a veil, holding a small wedding bouquet, and clutching Gil Fries, a fellow reporter, dressed as a minister.

The men were laughing so hard they nearly fell out of their chairs. Lois craned her neck to watch Clark’s reaction, but there were too many people blocking her view.

Lois had to admit the parody, although a complete work of fiction, was not totally lacking in humor. Lucy was doubled over her chair laughing.

Lois: Angrily turning to her sister, “Oh come on ‘Lou’, it’s not that funny!”

Lucy: “Lighten up ‘Jerome’, this is a rip!”

Tom: “But Clark was granted one last request….” Yelling for emphasis, “A BACHELOR PARTY!!!”

Crowd: “WOO HOOO! YEAH!”

CLAPPING AND CHEERING.

Tom: “AND ONE LAST FLING!”

Lois looked up from the beer now sitting on her table and slowly stood up as Tom finished his speech.

Tom: “GENTLEMEN…… AND MAN OF THE HOUR, CLARK KENT! HERE TO SHOW YOU ONE HOT NIGHT AND THE WILDEST RIDE OF YOUR LIFE….!”

Clark: “Oh my….

Lois: “… GOD!”

Tom: “BIG BUBBLES BAZOOKA!!!”

PART 32

The curtains parted, revealing a very shapely woman with a mass of blonde curls and almond shaped blue eyes, standing underneath strategically attached pink balloons covering a breakaway bikini. Handing Clark a very large red needle with a handle studded with pink rhinestones, Big Bubbles seductively danced as she pointed to different places on her very generous proportions she wanted exposed by him popping her balloons, while the cliché hit, ‘The Stripper’, blared from the speakers on each side of the stage.

In between each balloon bursting, she treated the guest of honor to a very erotic lap dance. Most of the men surrounding the stage reached out to grab any piece of exposed flesh they could find. Clark didn’t have to reach, not that he made any attempt to. Bubbles was making plenty of close encounters without any assistance.

Lois gasped and lunged forward as Lucy grabbed her arm to stop her.

Lucy: “Eh-eh-eh, remember our bet Jerome?”

Lois: “The HELL with our bet!!!”

Lucy: Laughing, “You little hypocrite. If I’m not mistaken, I seem to recall someone sitting at this table stuffing bills down a certain young Austrian’s VERY well endowed pants less than two hours ago!”

Lois: “Yes, but…”

Lucy: “Yeeees?”

Lois: “I didn’t enjoy it!”

Lucy: “Pleeease! Sit down Jerome and enjoy the rest of the floorshow! Besides, if you break up the party you’ll never know if you can trust him. This is a golden opportunity for you.”

Lois: “I trust Clark. I just don’t trust HER!”

Lucy: Yeah, ri….”

They both stopped arguing and tilted their heads to the right as Bubbles did a very difficult and revealing dance move.

Lois/Lucy: “WHOOOOOA!”

Lois: “She MUST be a contortionist!”

Lucy: “Yup, DEFINITELY double jointed!”

As the musical number ended, the last of the balloons exploded, revealing a skimpy rhinestone bikini. Miss Bazooka ripped open her bikini top, showing off her ample 48ee bosom.

Half the men were akin to awe and a collective moan underscored the cheers that rose up from the other half.

Clark Kent, trying desperately yet successfully to hide his embarrassment played his part to perfection….almost.

By now Lois knew almost every nervous habit that man possessed and tonight he was a nervous wreck.

Lois: “Oh, Clark.”

Lucy: In disbelief, “Oh, Clark?! Are you looking at what’s going on up there?!”

Lois: Enchanted, “Yes… I’m so happy Lucy. He’s absolutely miserable.”

Lucy: “You must be blind!”

The song ended, and a slower, more erotic one began. Bubbles began to lead Clark backstage.

Lucy: “Here it comes.”

Lois: “Oh God.”

The crowd began to cheer and chant for the couple to go further.

Voice from crowd: “TAKE HER NOW MAN, SHE WANTS IT!”

Bubbles slowly lowered to her knees in front of Clark and reached for his belt. Clark quickly grabbed her hand to stop her progress.

CK: “Umm, Miss Bazooka, I’m very sorry, but, I…” Clark quickly assessed the situation and decided that trying to be reasonable and gentlemanly wasn’t going to work. Bubbles, as well as many of the now drunken revelers egging them on, were not only wanting, but EXPECTING him to do something he was not prepared, or willing to do. He had to think of a way out of this situation… fast!

Not to be daunted by the reluctant bachelor, Bubbles persisted, grabbing an area Lois considered to be her sole domain. It took every ounce of strength she possessed not to run on stage and knock this woman ‘into next week’. She was so upset that she was certain, even with Clark’s strength and lightning speed that he would not be able to stop her.

She simply sat there and watched as anger and now overwhelming pain fought to dominate her spirit. But neither of these emotions could hold their grip very long, as Clark Kent proved once more that not only was he Superman, he was HER Superman.

Clark clutched his stomach, put his hand over his mouth and ran into the men’s room, past a dozen of his laughing guests.

Voice from crowd: “WHAT’S THE MATTER MAN? CAN’T HOLD YOUR LIQUOR?!”

Leaning up against the door, Clark breathed a sigh of relief.

CK: ‘Whew, that was close! I’m just ashamed I didn’t think of this an hour ago. I gotta get outta here.’ Clark decided that to make his ‘drunken stupor’ more believable, he’d have to put in at least five minutes in the bathroom.

Lucy: Wide-eyed, “I don’t believe it!”

Lois: “WOO-HOO!”

Lucy: “Lower your voice at least an octave or we’re busted.”

Lois: “Who the hell cares! He’s in the bathroom.” Lois began to sing the fictional song, ‘My Man Is In The Bathroom,’ making up lyrics as she went along. On cloud nine, and with absolutely NO intention of floating back to earth any time soon, she glanced towards the back room. “Oooh, a pool table. Let’s go play.”

Lucy: Shrugging her shoulders. “Okay. Oh…” Reaching into her pockets, “Here’s your twenty bucks.”

Lois: Smiling victoriously, “Keep it. I feel like a MILLION BUCKS right now! Except this mustache itches. How can guys stand this?”

Lucy: “I know, mine too.”

Lucy: “Eight ball?”

Lois: “Sure, you break.”

Clark Kent emerged from the men’s room five minutes later trying to be as inconspicuous as the groom at his own bachelor party possibly could. It wasn’t difficult considering there was practically an orgy developing on the stage as the other ‘ladies’, who were hired to provide a lot more than innocuous entertainment, arrived to ‘ENTERTAIN’ the revelers.

The bouncer, who was busy arguing with two gatecrashers who desperately wanted to be part of the fun, blocked the front entrance. He looked around and found his only other option, other than retreating back to the men’s room, was the poolroom in the back.

The two women, who had been giggling as the glass door swung open, froze and quickly looked down at the table as Clark Kent entered the room.

CK: “Hi, uh… do you mind if I join you two gentlemen? Uh, I wasn’t feeling too well a minute ago and I could use a break from the party.”

Lucy/ Lou: Huskily, “Sure, Uh, I’m Lou and this is Jerome.”

Clark raised his eyebrows as both women declined his handshake, not realizing they were both trying to hide their small, delicate, and very feminine, manicured hands.

CK: “Hi, pleased to meet you. I’m Clark Kent.”

Lois/ ‘Jerome’: “Hi, glad to know ya. And uuh, congratulations.”

CK: “Thanks.” Clark was definitely confused. “I’m sorry Jerome, there’s something familiar about you. Do I know you from somewhere?”

Lois/ ‘Jerome’: “Uh, I don’t think so. Ever do time in Joliet?”

CK: “No, I don’t think so.” Clark gave ‘Lou’ a strange look when he swore he heard a snicker covered by a cough.

Lois/ ‘Jerome’: “Then no. Uh, why don’t you break Kent.”

CK: “Sure…. Thanks.” Clark leaned over the table and froze as he listened intently. The fact that the poolroom was enclosed in glass filtered out most of the noises from outside. There was something very familiar Clark was hearing that he couldn’t quite place yet. He shook his head in an attempt to clear it and took his first shot.

Lucy/ ‘Lou’: “Nice break.”

CK: “Thanks.”

TEN MINUTES LATER

Clark thought he was going insane. Although he hadn’t consciously used his superpowers all night long, he realized he’d need them to solve this mystery. Focusing on his hearing he tuned out the background noises and honed in on every sound emanating within the room, from a fly buzzing around the light fixture to ‘Jerome’s’ pool cue hitting the nine ball into the side pocket. His eyes widened as he unmistakably singled out the heartbeat of his fiancée. Studying ‘Jerome’s’ face for a mere second, he confirmed his suspicions and had to make a concerted effort not to laugh.

But rather than let the cat out of the proverbial bag right away, Clark decided to have a little fun.

CK: Trying to act as nonchalant as possible, “So… you two fellas married?”

Lucy/ ‘Lou’: “Nope, not us… So what’s your intended like?”

Lois/ ‘Jerome’: Jabbing Clark in the ribs, “Yeah, she must be somethin’!”

CK: Not being able to resist getting even, “Oh, Lois? Eh, she’s okay. I mean, you know what they say… If you can’t have the one you love, then love the one you’re with!”

‘Jerome’ was practically holding the cue up to Clark’s face like a menacing weapon.

Lois/ ‘Jerome’: “Oh? You got another honey on the side?”

CK: “I did. It didn’t last long though. But, you know how it is.”

Lois/ ‘Jerome’: “She broke up with you?” Lois’ grip on the cue was so tight her knuckles were turning white.

CK: “Yeah, she got sent up the river. She’s doin’ time in Metropolis State Penn. I plan to dump Lois and marry her when she gets out.”

‘Lou’ and ‘Jerome’ exchanged shocked then angry glances with each other before Clark continued.

CK: “I’ve got EVERYONE totally snowed with this ‘farmboy routine’. Lois loves it.” Clark turned towards the window to hide the tears that were now streaming down his cheeks.

Lucy had to wrestle the pool cue out of Lois’ hands.

Lois/ ‘Jerome’: Trying to sound composed, “Does this bit… I mean, uh babe have a name?”

CK: “Toni Taylor.”

That was all Clark could get out of his mouth before his body began wracking with laughter.

CK: Still facing the window, “Lois Lane, did you really think you could pull one over on me?”

Lois exhaled heavily and collapsed over the table. “Thank God! You totally had us both SNOWED for a minute.” Standing up and pulling off her mustache, “Touché Kent, you got me.”

CK: Grabbing her by the waist and pulling her in for a deep passionate kiss, “Forever and ever?”

Lois: “Forever and ever.”

As he leaned forward to capture her lips, the glass door Lucy had been standing next to swung open.

Jimmy Olson: “CK, can I borrow forty bu…” Stopping mid sentence at the sight of Clark in a passionate embrace with another man. “Oh, I’m so sorry. Excuse me.” Turning to leave, he found the exit blocked by ‘Lou’.

Lucy/ ‘Lou’: Clutching his shoulders and once again lowering the pitch of her voice, “Well, you look like a nice young stud.”

JO: “Look buddy. I’m flattered, but really… I don’t swing in that dir…”

‘Lou’ pressed her lips against Jimmy’s and giggled as she felt his futile attempt to squirm out from her grasp. The kiss dislodged the right edge of the mustache and Jimmy’s eyes widened in shock as Lucy pulled it off the rest of the way.

JO: “Lucy?!?” Looking to his left, “Is that you Lois? Oh boy!”

Lois: Smiling and pointing a finger at herself and then Lucy, “No Jimmy, its Jerome and Lou.”

Lucy: Accusingly poking her finger into Jimmy’s ribs, “James Olson! What do you need forty bucks for? Is that what those BIMBOS are charging?!”

JO: Defensively, “No! I need the forty bucks for the poker game going on in the corner, see!”

Lucy: Looking over in the direction Jimmy was pointing, “My apologies Jimmy.”

Lois: Looking at her watch, “Lord, it’s after two, I’ve got an early morning meeting…. Care to escort us home, Mr. Kent?”

CK: Extending his arm, “It would be an honor.”

Lucy: “Come on, there’s a whole FLEET of car service limos outside to take us home… Jimmy, would you like to grab a bite to eat with me? There’s an all night coffee shop less than a block away from my mom’s house.”

JO: “Only under one condition.”

Lucy: “Oh?”

JO: Smiling, “Lose the wig.”

Lucy: “Gladly! Boy those things are hot.”

CK: “Come on guys. Let’s get out of here before the police RAID this place.”

Lois: “I agree.”

Lucy: “Oh Lois, your jeep should be parked outside your house and your keys on your kitchen counter. Mom grabbed the keys while you two were ‘feeding the meter’ in front of the restaurant. Daddy took her home later.”

Lois: “Thanks Luce, I’m glad I don’t have to worry about picking it up tonight.”

Lucy: Running up and giving her big sister a hug. “If I don’t see you before Saturday, have a great trip. I might come to Doris’ shower. Andie invited me.

Lois: “Okay. Thanks for an ‘interesting’ evening. Love you.”

Lucy: “Love you too.” Looking up at Clark with her sister still in her arms, “Take care of her.”

CK: Smiling down at his future sister in law, “That’s a promise.”

Lucy: “You better. The LAST thing you wanna do is make a LANE woman angry.”

CK: Nodding in agreement and chuckling, “Oh, I’m way too familiar with that.” Taking a more serious tone, “Don’t worry, I’ll protect her with my life.”

PART 33

FRIDAY MAY 12TH, 1995 9:55am HOBBS BAY INTERNATIONAL WAREHOUSE

Mr. Walters: “If you’ll excuse me for a moment Miss Lane, my ten a.m. appointment is here. I’ll just be a minute.”

LL: “Certainly, Mr. Walters.” Lois had been a little disappointed that she hadn’t see anything suspicious all morning. But then again, they knew she was coming. A part of her chastised herself for not staking out the warehouse last night. But she had other priorities, and was at least temporarily, flying solo.

But there was something else that was seriously bothering her. Something about Lois’ surroundings spooked her. She had the oddest feeling she’d been there before. Everything from the furniture in Mr. Walter’s office to the seafoam green walls looked oddly familiar. Now matter how hard she tried to shake the feeling, fear and dread crept into her mind and body.

Secretary: “Miss Lane?”

LL: “Yes?”

Secretary: “Mr. Walters has asked me to show you out. I’m afraid he’s busy with his next appointment.”

LL: ‘Darn it. I need to see who it is.’ “Can you please tell me where the ladies room is?”

Secretary: Hesitating slightly, “Sure, right through that door.”

LL: “Thank you,” she muttered, walking into the one toilet unisex bathroom. ‘Okay Lane, think. You can’t leave without finding who that ten a.m. appointment is with.’

Lois glanced out the window and into the parking lot, taking note of the red Chevy Corsica with the US Government license plate.

LL: “Bingo.” Taking down the license number and flushing the toilet, Lois exited the bathroom to luckily find Mr. Walters and his ‘ten a.m.’ passing through.

LL: Raising her hand to get his attention, “Mr. Walters, I didn’t get the chance to thank you for the lovely tour you gave me this morning.”

Mr. Walters: A little uneasy, ” Why you’re very welcome Miss Lane. It was a pleasure.”

LL: Noticing that no introduction was forthcoming, she outstretched her hand and grabbed the other mans hand. “I’m Lois Lane, and you are…”

10 A.M. Appointment: Accepting her handshake while smiling politely, “Jack Templeton, US Custom’s Inspector.”

LL: ‘BINGO!’ Smiling broadly, “This must be my lucky day. You see I’m doing an article on the import/export business here in Metropolis and I’d love to have a few words with you if you don’t mind.”

Jack Templeton: “Well, I uh, I’m sorry Miss Lane, but I have a very pressing schedule today. If you make an appointment with U.S. Customs, I’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have.”

LL: “Of course, I’m sorry to bother you.”

JT: “Oh, it’s no bother Miss Lane.” Reaching into his pocket, “Here’s my card.”

LL: “Thank you Mr. Templeton. And you too Mr. Walters.” Trying to conceal her glee, “You’ve helped me more than you know.”

Secretary: Looking apologetically at her boss who cut her an icy glare that could freeze the Great Lakes. Lois couldn’t help but notice the exchange. “I’ll show you out now Miss Lane.”

******************************************* Sitting in her jeep and activating her cell phone as she drove back to home base.

LL: “Jimmy? I need you to check someone out for me…. I’m not yelling… Oh, hangover huh? Sorry, but I need this as soon as possible. Okay, the name is Jack Templeton from Customs. And also run this license plate for me, US Govt. G10- 23547, okay? Also pull up whatever info. you can on the Hobbs Bay International Warehouse… Got that? When you get the info., fax it to me okay? Thanks…. Is Clark there?… Oh the staff meeting going on now? … No, don’t bother him. I’ll see him later tonight. I’ve got some shopping to do. Tell him I’ll call him later when I’m done…. Okay?… Yeah, feel better, bye.”

With little to do until Jimmy contacted her again, and knowing she needed to buy gifts for Doris and her family. Lois went shopping.

It had been one of the most interesting, although relatively eventless, staff meetings in recent memory. There were so many dark sunglasses in attendance that if the subjects wearing them hadn’t looked so ill, one would have thought it was a meeting of the secret service. The tinted spectacles were used to hide the intruding sunlight from sensitive eyes caused by massive hangovers from last night’s revelries.

Participation in this meeting was minimal. Well, with the exception of Perry White, yelling his displeasure at his employees now cringing in pain from the loud unpleasant noise blaring into their eardrums. Clark was secretly thankful that he was not vulnerable to the effects of alcohol.

When the meeting ended, everyone quietly filed back to his or her desks.

JO: “Hey CK, Lois called while you were in the meeting.”

CK: Worriedly, “What’s wrong? Is she okay?”

JO: “Nothing’s wrong. She wanted me to tell you that she was going shopping and that she’d see you later.” Not wanting to upset Clark, Jimmy purposely neglected to mention the research Lois had asked him to do.

CK: Sounding very relieved as he exhaled, “Shopping? That’s great.” ‘Shopping means she’s staying out of trouble and I don’t have to worry about her right now.’ For the first time all morning, Clark relaxed a little.

Perry White: “Kent! In my office now.”

CK: “Sure Chief.” With nervousness creeping back into his mind, ‘Okay Kent, here’s your chance. Now don’t blow this.’ He stood up and walked into Perry’s office, secretly wishing he had Lois’ confidence when asking for something like this.

PW: “Uh son, I wanna apologize for not being at your little sendoff last night. The night editor called in sick, so I had to pull a double… Well, I guess now it’s a triple”

CK: With concern in his voice, “Chief, you haven’t been home to bed yet? You should go home. You look more exhausted than everyone who was at the party last night.” As immortal and unflappable as Perry White appeared to those around him, stress from the last few days, combined with working three consecutive shifts, seemed to be catching up to him.

PW: Perry rubbed his drooping eyelids, considering Clark’s last statement. “Maybe you’re right son. I really could use a little rest. Listen, can you hold down the fort here today? I know it’s a lot to a…”

CK: “Sure Chief, I can handle it for just one day. You go home and get some sleep.”

PW: “Thanks Clark. Again, I’m sorry about missing…”

CK: “It’s okay Chief. To be honest, I kinda wish that I’D missed it. It was just a little too wild for my tastes.”

PW: “Yeah, I got wind of what happened last night. I tried to warn Jimmy not to let anyone else handle the party. But I guess that’s my fault. I kept him so busy…”

CK: “Chief, it’s alright. At least no one got hurt last night. Thankfully, Tom and Lucy made sure no one drove to either party. They ordered car services to pick everyone up at home and drive them back later, so nobody was out on the road driving drunk last night.”

PW: “I know, I took a cab here yesterday when I thought I’d be able to make the party. It works out just great because I don’t have to worry about driving home today. I’ll just hitch a taxi out front. What time did it the shindigs end anyway?”

CK: “I have no idea. I left early.” Smiling, “Lois and Lucy crashed the party in drag last night and rescued me and Jimmy.”

PW: “Yeah, I heard that too. Jimmy can’t stop talking about it. I think he’s got more than a little crush on Lucy.” Slyly, “You two could be related one day.”

CK: Smiling back, “That thought has crossed my mind too.”

PW: “Let me just grab my jacket and I’ll get going.”

Clark didn’t have the heart to ask Perry for time off to be with Lois now. Fate and bad timing were once again their enemy.

Perry, almost sensing his apprehension, “And don’t worry about Lois being in Washington alone. She won’t be. I’ve instructed the DC bureau to give her a call and assist her whenever she needs it. And if it’s a slow news week, and I can get some more of my staff back… well…” Softening considerably, “Maybe I’ll let you join her after next week. MAYBE.”

Clark could feel the rest of the tension leave his body. He was so happy he wanted to hug Perry and float to the ceiling. Resisting the impulse he grabbed Perry’s hand and shook his head as he fought back tears of relief.

CK: “Thank you Perry. You have no idea how much better I feel now.”

PW: Taking stock of the relief registering on Clark’s face, “I think I have an idea. That girl has a habit of getting herself into trouble. But you must remember, she was getting herself into and OUT OF trouble long before Superman came on the scene and started rescuing her.” Smiling with a father’s pride, “Ah, you two mean as much to me as my own kids.” Shaking his head to reassure Clark, “Well, I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

Trying to avoid getting emotional and misty eyed, “Now if you run into any trouble, just call upstairs to…”

CK: “Chief, everything’s under control. I know the drill. You go home and rest.”

PW: “Okay Clark, tell Lois… well, actually, don’t say anything. I’ll talk to her the next time I see her… Anyway, I’ve already called the night editor, he’ll be in a little early tonight so you shouldn’t be here any later than nine.”

CK: “Thanks Chief. I’ll hold down the fort ’til he gets here.”

****************************************************

LOIS LANE’S APARTMENT 2 P.M.

After struggling with her locks for nearly three minutes, Lois had to kick her front door open because both her arms were saddled with large boxes and shopping bags. Dropping the keys on the small table near the door and dumping her packages on the couch, Lois kicked her shoes off and stumbled towards her bedroom and collapsed onto her welcoming mattress. She was so exhausted from lack of sleep that she didn’t even bother to change into her nightclothes.

RING RING RING RING

LL: “Aaargh! Not now!

RIIIING

LL: Tiredly, “Helloo…. Clark?”

CK: “Hi honey, you okay?”

LL: “Yeah, I’m fine. I just got home from a busy morning of power shopping for my trip. Everything okay?”

CK: “Yeah, well, I wanted to tell you that I’m gonna be home late tonight. The night editor called in sick last night so Perry filled in for him. He was still here this morning. You know that man was actually going to try to put in a triple shift?”

LL: Tiredly laughing, “Sounds like Perry to me. Where is he now?”

CK: “I sent him home. I’m filling in until the night editor gets here. He’s coming in early to relieve me. Listen, don’t make any plans tonight. I want you all to myself tonight. Promise?”

LL: Yawning, “Promise.”

CK: “So what’re you up to now?”

LL: “I was just about to take a nice long nap.”

CK: Mentally turning cartwheels of joy that Lois was off the streets and not getting herself into trouble, “I won’t keep you then. Get some sleep.”

LL: “Okay, I love you.”

CK: “I love you too hon. I’ll be by later.”

LL: “Kay.”

CLICK

Lois was so exhausted, she didn’t notice the fax that was waiting for her until she woke up hours later. She fell asleep almost immediately.

PART 34

LOIS LANE’S APARTMENT 9.45PM

Superman hovered outside Lois’ window debating whether or not to go in and wake her up for their dinner date. But this was their last night in Metropolis together before her trip and he wanted to spend as much time with her as he possibly could.

He drifted in through the bedroom window he knew she’d always left unlocked, just in case he came over. Not wanting to wake her just yet, he quietly flew into her living room, spun into the casual outfit he stopped home to retrieve on the way over to her apartment, and came back, lowering himself on the other side of her bed.

Tilting his head to the side, he quietly brushed a lock of hair away from her face and gently traced the outline of her cheekbone with the back of his right hand.

He sat next to her, looking at her with such admiration and reverence that he shivered at the depth of his emotions. Emotions no one else had ever stirred within his soul in his young life. Until the day he met Lois Lane, he was beginning to think he was incapable of loving someone at such a level. He had met and dated smart and or beautiful women most of his adult life, searching for a companion he could share EVERYTHING with, and build a loving family. More than anything, this was his dream.

But that dream had always eluded him. His feelings for the others were like a pile of damp matches in comparison with the burning forest fire he experienced at the mere mention of her name. In many ways, finding her saved him from a life of loneliness and despair, never fitting in anywhere or belonging to anyone. He was always secretly terrified that one day when his parents were no longer there; he’d spend the rest of his life all alone.

But everything changed the day he met Lois Lane. He knew his search was finally over, and vowed to spend every effort within his nearly indestructible being to convince her that he loved her and they were meant to be together.

CK: ‘Perfect, you’re absolutely perfect,’ he thought to himself.

LL: Smiling slightly Lois answered, “No I’m not. But you are.”

Clark’s eyes widened as he listened to her heart beating, revealing once again that She was fast asleep. And once again, he wasn’t speaking… and still, she could hear him. Clark was once again startled by the link they shared as Lois answered his mental comment in her sleep.

CK: “Lois?”

LL: “Hmmm?”

CK: “You’re sleeping.”

LL: Drowsily murmuring, “Uh-huh.”

CK: “What’re you dreaming about?”

LL: “Shhh. I’m talking to your mother.”

CK: Laughing quietly, “Oookay.”

LL: “Uh-huh,” she whispered and smiled softly, reaching her hands in the air.

Clark was experiencing the strangest most familiar feeling he couldn’t quite place. For only a moment he could have sworn he felt warm and comforting arms surrounding him.

LL: “Your mom says the orb wants to talk to you.”

CK: “What?”

LL: “Shhhh…. I will.” Her lips began to move, but she made no sound. Clark tried to interpret the language but it made no sense to him, thinking it some form of gibberish.

Whatever she was dreaming was quickly becoming too intense for her. Lois began to repeat the word ‘no’ over and over as tears streamed down her face.

Alarmed, Clark decided to shake her gently awake.

CK: “Lois? Wake up.”

LL: “NOOO!” She screamed as she kicked her legs forward.

CK: More sternly, “Honey, you’re dreaming. Wake up!”

LL: “Clark?”

CK: “Yes, I’m right here.”

Lois opened her eyes and smiled, apparently oblivious to her nightmare. “Hi Clark.”

CK: Letting out the breath he was holding and sounding very concerned, “Hi, are you all right?”

LL: Sitting upright and rubbing her eyes. “Yeah, I’m fine. What time is it?”

CK: “Around ten to ten.”

LL: “PM?! Oooh, I’m so sorry, I overslept. I forgot to set my alarm clock. I’ll get dressed.” Looking down at her attire and laughing, “Whoops, I guess I am dressed.”

CK: “What were you dreaming about?”

LL: “Dream?” She replied as she stood up and stumbled towards the bathroom.

CK: “Yeah, I was talking to you while you were sleeping, and ….”

LL: “And I answered you? Wow, that’s strange.”

CK: “Yeah, you shushed me and told me you were talking to my mom.”

LL: “Really?”

CK: “Really.”

LL: “Did I say anything else?”

CK: “Yeah, you said that mom said that the orb wanted to talk to me. Then you began talking gibberish and started kicking and screaming until I woke you up.”

LL: “Really? Wow! I wish I could remember this.”

CK: “You mean you don’t remember anything?”

LL: “No, but it sounds interesting.”

CK: “It certainly was.”

LL: “Next time I think you’re gonna have to question me while I’m still under.” Pensively looking up at the ceiling, “Actually, I shouldn’t be surprised, mom and Lucy used to tell me I did that when I was a kid.”

CK: “What, have conversations with them in your sleep?”

LL: “No, with people who weren’t actually there. Talking to someone else in the room who was awake is a first for me. But I used to have conversations with people who weren’t there. Mom said sometimes I got quite animated. Lucy thought it was cool, but I think I freaked mom out a few times. I guess I’m lucky she didn’t call an exorcist. Mother told me I would alternate between English and ‘gobbledygook’.” Shrugging her shoulders, “Strange huh?”

CK: “Strange yeah, but I agree with Lucy. It is kinda cool. And STRANGE is a relative term. What’s strange for most of the world is…”

LL: Laughing in agreement, “A typical day for us. I know. I guess this won’t tip the really weird meter very far on OUR scale.” Smiling and changing the subject, “So, what do you want to do tonight? Stay in and watch a movie?”

CK: “Nope. May I suggest we leave town before our friends and relatives jump out of the shadows and ambush us again? Grab a sweater and a bathing suit and let’s get outta here while the gettin’s good.”

LL: “Mr. Kent. An inspired idea. But… Ooh, I need to ask a favor.”

CK: “Anything.”

LL: “Can you fly down to the waterfront and check out Hobbs Bay International Warehouse? You know the warehouse right next to the Metropolis Freight Company that we were at the other day, and tell me if you see anything suspicious.

CK: “Sure, what’s this about?”

LL: “Please, just look now.”

CK: As he drifted from her bedroom window, he turned toward her and bowed slightly. “Your wish is my command.”

FIVE MINUTES LATER

Just before Superman flew back in through her open window, Lois finished reading the fax containing research Jimmy had sent her about Hobbs Bay International Warehouse and the customs inspector, Jack Templeton. The information provided about HBIW and its owners was nothing worth noting.

But Jimmy had traced the car to US Customs, and was able to find out Jack Templeton’s badge number. And it was to Lois’ joy, an exact match to the agent number in one of Stealth’s documents. Jimmy had also tracked down his address, a neighborhood Lois immediately recognized as one way too ritzy for a customs inspector. When she returned from her trip, she decided she would find the time to look into their dealings more closely, unless Clark found some kind of smoking gun tonight, that is.

Satisfied that the agent was ‘on the take’ for something going on in that warehouse, she placed the fax in her pile of notes and waited for Superman to return, hopefully with more damning evidence. He arrived less than a moment later.

LL: “Well?”

CK: “I didn’t see anything unusual. I searched the area around it too.”

LL: “Inside, you didn’t see anything suspicious in the warehouse full of furniture?”

CK: “What furniture? The warehouse was empty.”

LL: “It’s gone already? Darn, I was just there this morning. That warehouse was full of furniture.”

CK: “Well, it’s gone now.”

LL: Thinking out loud, “I guess that’s not in itself unusual. Darn it! I wish I’d asked you to check this morning. I don’t know what’s the matter with me… You didn’t see anything unusual?”

CK: “No, not really, other than a dog barking like crazy and scratching the pavement just outside the front gate.”

LL: “Oh?”

CK: “Though I didn’t see anything suspicious going on inside. In fact, I didn’t see anything AT ALL going on inside.” Looking very worried, “I know I sound like a broken record here, but…. Is everything okay?”

LL: Not wanting to worry her overprotective fiancé, “Yeah, everything’s okay. Look, I’m fine…. Really.” Shaking her head and staring blankly in front of her. “I must really need a vacation.”

CK: “You must be a mind reader.”

LL: “Ha ha, very funny.”

He walked over to a chair, picked up an oversized tan sweater and held it open for her to step into. She smiled appreciatively as she put her arms in the sleeves and he pulled the garment up around her shoulders, kissing her neck gently from behind.

CK: Reaching for her hand, “Well my lady, your chariot awaits.”

LL: “Aren’t you going to tell me where we’re going?”

CK: Lifting her into the sky on the warm and clear spring night. “Uh-uh. Just relax. We’re taking the night off.”

PART 35

They arrived in Kauai just after 6pm Hawaii Time. Although he could have made the trip in just a few minutes, flying with a human in tow made that impossible. However, with Lois held close to his aura, and shielded underneath his cape, he could still beat the Concorde to his destination.

He set her down on a private beach called Kaihale, named by its owner.

LL: “Where are we?”

S: “Welcome to Hawaii Miss Lane. What do you think?”

LL: Admiring her surroundings with rapturous awe, “It’s BREATHTAKING!” she replied, taking in the view from all sides. Before her, there was nothing but a crystalline ocean. From side to side, a seemingly untouched beach. And behind her, a large luxurious mansion. What Lois could not find other people anywhere. “….And empty. Where is everybody? Is this a resort?”

S: Smiling proudly, “Nope. Actually, this is the private estate of Mr. Isu Fujimira. I was looking for a resort we could stay at on our honeymoon, hoping to find someplace private we could afford, and unfortunately, not having much luck. We really are putting this together sort of at the last minute.”

“Well, I flew over this estate and Mr. Fujimira waved me down. Apparently, I saved his family in the last earthquake in Japan and he wanted to thank me personally. He asked me what I was doing, and I told him I was canvassing the area, looking for a honeymoon spot for some friends and…”

LL: Her eyes widening in recognition, “….And, he offered you THIS?!?”

S: “Yup.”

LL: “WOW!”

S: “I know. Isn’t it something? Normally I don’t accept ANY repayment for ‘super’ deeds, but I know how much you wanted to come to Hawaii… and I was getting a little desperate… So… you like it?”

LL: “LIKE IT?! Are you kidding? What’s not to like?! I LOVE IT! I think I saw this place on ‘The World of the Rich and Famous’ once.”

S: Laughing, “I wouldn’t be surprised. The closest neighbor is a fifteen-minute drive from here. Miss Lane, we are indeed… alone.”

LL: “Mmmmm. I like the sound of that.”

S: “Me too. I’m glad I could bring you here tonight. I had planned on taking you to Paris for a midnight supper. But, well… getting held up late at work… that proved impossible. It’s 5am there now, that’s a little late for supper don’t you think?

Luckily I got a hold of Mr. Fujimira earlier this afternoon and he invited us to stay as long as we want.”

LL: Shaking her head from side to side, “Too bad I’ve got to go to Washington in the morning. A girl could really get used to this.”

Superman quickly scanned the area and noted that the security cameras directly around the main house had all been deactivated as he requested. He took three steps back from Lois and spun into a more casual outfit, unwittingly blowing sand all over his fiancée.

CK: “Whoa, sorry hon.”

LL: “Clark Kent! You had better….” The admonishment remained unfinished, silenced with a kiss. When the kiss ended, he gently blew the sand off most of her body. Lois’ eyes rolled back and she sighed loudly at the sensations his actions were creating. When she finally opened her eyes, she found Clark on his knees, blowing the sand from her ankles. She looked down and giggled, reaching for the top of his head.

He stopped and looked back up into her eyes and smiled mischievously, grabbing her leg with his right hand and caressing it lightly. The look on both their faces speaking volumes.

LL: Sighing, “Oh boy. I hope that ocean water is particularly COLD tonight. I have a feeling we’re BOTH going to need it. Come on Loverboy, I haven’t had my tour yet.”

CK: Standing up slowly, he took her outstretched hand and bowed slightly. “Yes ma’am. Let me show…”

*****************************************

WASHINGTON DC UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION

Voice: “Show him in,” replied the man sitting in the more luxurious of the two chairs in the small room.

Only a few people in the world knew the real name of the aging man, who looked to be in his late sixties to mid seventies, sitting comfortably in the recliner with his legs crossed. Virtually none of his underlings knew who he really was. He was known to them by his most pronounced vice… he was a chain smoker, almost never seen without a lit cigarette in his hand, no matter what the situation. Always looking as cool as a cucumber.

His wardrobe was deceptively modest. It was obvious that power, and not the trappings of money, was a large part of his drive. To his face, most called him sir, out of respect, mostly brought on through thinly veiled threats and a general fear. Although one agent in the bureau, who showed little fear of him or his power, would occasionally call him Cancer Man to his face when angered.

Very few were brave enough to purposely try to push this man’s buttons, and for good reason. It was known throughout certain agencies of the government and the underworld, that this man had the power to lock you in a room… AND THROW AWAY THE ROOM! A visit from him was infrequent, unexpected… and definitely UNWELCOME.

The man who was being brought before him tonight was also a man who wielded considerable power. But tonight, the special agent most commonly known as Peter Brock, was terrified.

PART 36

Cigarette Smoking Man: Cordially pointing towards room’s only unoccupied chair, “Have a seat, Mister Brock.”

Mr. Brock: “Yes, sir,” he replied as he sat down, unsuccessfully trying to look as calm as his companion, considering the trouble he knew he was in. He didn’t expect to leave that building alive.

CSM: “I am right in assuming you know why you’re here.” Smiling slightly as he blew smoke in the face of his guest as he stated rather matter-of-factly, “You’ve embarrassed me quite a bit Peter. If you recall, I was the one who recommended you for this mission over a year ago. And you’ve botched it more than even I can comprehend.”

MB: “I’m sorry sir.”

CSM: “Your mission was to put together a group of individuals we could pass off as a militia-slash-terrorist group, and use as a scapegoat when and if that was necessary. However, when I turn on my television and see the profiles of your recruits, I don’t see plausible terrorists, I see a pack of societal rejects.” Exhaling in disgust, “You weren’t even competent enough to choose a leader the public and the media would believe could organize these buffoons.”

“And to top it all off, one of these loose cannons is roaming the streets free. Escaped literally from right under your nose, and is still at large. Am I correct in that assumption?”

MB: “Well, you see sir, I’ve got my men out….”

CSM: “YES OR NO!”

MB: “Yes sir.”

CSM: “In order to pull this mission off successfully, you had the best specialists the world could offer at your disposal. You had your pick of some of the brightest subjects in America, and at your fingertips would have been the best medical doctors, with a wide range of psychotropic drugs and techniques to make our guinea pigs believe whatever dangerous nonsense we chose to fill their heads with.”

“But you rejected all of these opportunities in favor of the course of action you eventually took. Care to explain yourself Mr. Brock?”

MB: “I made a mistake sir.”

CSM: “A mistake. No Peter, A MISTAKE suggests only ONE error in judgment.” He reached for a manila folder sitting on the floor next to his chair and pulled out an eight-by-ten black and white photograph and handed it to his ‘guest.’ “Look at this picture and tell me what you see.”

MB: “It’s a picture of the crime scene.”

CSM: “Go on.”

MB: “The Capitol Murder crime scene at the Lincoln Memorial.”

CSM: “Who took this picture?”

MB: “One of my men.”

CSM: “Who leaked this picture?”

MB: “I had one of my men do it, sir….” Stammering defensively, “I was ordered to take pictures and leak it to the media. That’s what I did, sir.”

CSM: “That’s what you did, all right. But you were also ordered not to have any trail lead back to us.”

MB: “And there isn’t one.”

CSM: “No?! Tell me Peter, how was this picture taken?”

MB: “From one of our choppers sir.”

CSM: “Uh-huh. From one of OUR choppers. Tell me now Peter, where else could this picture have originated, besides us?”

MB: Explaining quickly while trying to figure where his line of questioning was leading, “Well, we leaked a story with the picture that one of the local helicopter tour companies had a late night flight. And some tourist snapped the shot and sold the picture.”

CSM: “Brock. Did you do ANY research into the air space that helicopter tours in DC are allowed to fly through, especially since the deaths of Senator Williams and his wife?” Leaning forward to make emphasize his point, “The airspace surrounding the Capitol is now RESTRICTED. No one is allowed to fly through that airspace without the government’s permission. And that more or less points the finger back at us… doesn’t it?!”

SILENCE

MB: “Sir, I’m sure, no one will…”

CSM: “We’ve ALREADY got a phone call from a reporter asking questions about the airspace around the area. Apparently the press are starting to put two and two together. And we have YOU to thank for that, don’t we?”

MB: “I’m sorry sir.”

CSM: “You’ve made me look very bad Brock. But you’re being given another chance to redeem yourself. Find Marcus Hamilton and anyone he’s spoken to. You have exactly one week to eliminate this problem. Understood?”

MB: “Yes sir. Thank you sir.” Brock stood up and walked quickly out of the building, almost in disbelief, thankful he’d taken the time over the years to make friends in the right places. ‘Thank God, someone must be watching over me.’

He was right about that, someone was watching over him now. But he was definitely wrong about that ‘SOMEONE’S’ intentions.

As ‘he’ snuffed out his nth cigarette of the day, he raised his hand to get the attention of the agent standing in the doorway.

Agent: “Sir?”

CSM: “Get me Commander Brock’s file and a manifest of EVERYTHING Brock’s men confiscated from ‘The House’ during Operation Oswald.”

Agent: “Yes, sir.”

CSM: “I want that list in my hand by tomorrow evening.”

Agent: “Yes sir.” Looking puzzled, “But sir, how do I…”

CSM: Correctly gauging the agents next question, “Don’t worry, I’LL find YOU.”

Agent: “Yes, sir, right away sir.” The young agent, anxious to leave what he had heard over the years was this man’s ‘frightening and sometimes deadly presence’, walked briskly away to complete his task.

PART 37

The last night they spent together before Lois’ trip would be one of the most pleasant memories each would desperately hold onto in the long and lonely months that lay ahead of them. They walked along the beach, swam in the ocean, and when the water got too cold, they moved their small party to the large outdoor and heated swimming pool behind the main house.

They talked about their future, families, and the world around them, holding and kissing each other throughout much of the evening. And when Lois became too tired to talk, they adjourned to the bedroom, falling asleep in each others arms. They slept peacefully until another nightmare woke Lois up around midnight. It was the only dark shadow that marred an almost perfect evening.

Although they both agreed the night was going to be business free, Clark did mention his conversation with Perry about joining her once Perry got more of his staff back. And the fact that Perry mentioned that the DC bureau would indeed be at her disposal. Something she had been a little worried about, since she kind of took this assignment on her own.

The fact that Clark might be joining her after next week was a relief that registered all over her face. She was swimming in more dangerous waters than she wanted Clark to know about, and she knew he’d hit the roof once he found out all the details. But that could wait until Perry sent him to DC to join her. Having Superman around would be a huge relief. Maybe the nightmares would even stop.

Surely it would take longer than a week for her to dig up most of the details and crack this case. She would have more evidence by the time he arrived and they could both solve this story together and return to Metropolis in a cloud of glory. Everything was going to be fine.

SATURDAY MAY 13TH, 1995 9:30am LOIS LANE’S APARTMENT

No sooner did they arrive back home, than Lois had to start packing and Clark heard the familiar cries for help, taking away some precious last moments with Lois. Although he did promise to be back within the hour. A promise she knew she could not possibly hold him to. But she vowed to wait. And since she was taking her jeep on the five hour drive and not flying, she figured she could afford to wait.

In the meantime, she organized the clothing and gifts she was taking to Doris’ house. As well as packing her cell phone, changing the message on her answering machine, taking with her ALL her notes written on paper, and packing her laptop computer. She made two copies of all the information she had acquired on the Capitol Murders from her desktop and deleted the information from her hard drive. One copy she took with her to use with her laptop, and the other, she placed in a box of tampons she hid with the rest of the toiletries that she was leaving at home. Figuring that if anyone searched her apartment, it might be overlooked. She even took the time to reseal the box with a little rubber cement so it would look unopened. Part of her felt really silly being so overcautious, but another part of her felt for some reason, it was necessary.

90 MINUTES LATER

Superman flew into her window just before eleven a.m., apologizing profusely, just before spinning into the clothes he had been wearing the night before.

CK: “I’m sorry Lois, there was a plastics factory on fire in…”

LL: “It’s okay Clark, I understand. I’m not mad or anything. I just wish you were coming with me today.”

CK: “I know, me too. But I’ll be there in a week.” Trying to sound cheerful, “Hey, maybe even less.”

LL: “I hope so.”

CK: “You got everything packed?”

LL: “I think so.”

CK: “Clothes, baby shower gifts, laptop, notes, cell phone…”

LL: “Check, check, check, check, and check, on all counts.”

CK: “Did you have your mail held yet?”

LL: “Nope, Mrs. Truzuski, the super’s wife is going to collect it and hold it for me. I told her to give it to you if you asked for it.”

CK: “Okay, I’ll collect it every few days and send the most important stuff to you…. if you want.”

LL: “I want, thanks.” Pausing, “Well, I guess I should load the car.”

CK: Reaching for her largest suitcases, “Here, let me help.”

Lois noticed he was walking particularly slow. He was stalling, trying to postpone the inevitable as long a possible. Grabbing the rest of her bags, she walked toward her front door, turning once to take a last look over her apartment to see if she’d missed anything.

Lois’ usually reliable sixth sense was once again moving into overdrive and fear and dread were starting to take over. She put her hand over her mouth to fight back tears. Her rational mind told her that she was just being silly. But in her heart of hearts, she knew that something was terribly wrong. It was a blessing and a curse to Lois Lane that she always knew when something terrible was about to happen. Her sixth sense rarely warned her about the life threatening situations she’d thrown herself into on an almost weekly basis. No, either her ingenuity and skill, or a ‘super’ rescue would save her from that. No, this was different.

This sixth sense only kicked in when something major and life altering was about to happen, and the sirens were screaming in her head.

There was a part of her that wanted to drop this story like a hot potato and go on with her life with Clark. But deep down she knew even if she did, it would make little difference now. With the research she had done and the phone calls she’d made during the week, she had already set the wheels in motion. She figured her best course of action was to get to Washington and solve this mystery as discreetly and quickly as possible.

But she was right. The wheels were already in motion, and were about to pick up speed rapidly. Her life would change irrevocably whether she went to Washington or stayed in Metropolis. From the phone calls she’d made, they already knew that Lois was aware of the restricted airspace around the capitol. And it would be just a matter of time before they found out about her visit to the Hobbs Bay International Warehouse, and her infiltration of their sensitive document website. All of these acts had already sealed her fate. There could be no going back.

Her rational mind told her she was still being silly. ‘You’re the best reporter around Lois. It’s just another case. Nothing’s going to happen to you. They can’t hurt you. YOU’RE LOIS LANE!,’ she’d tell herself. However deep down on a level she barely acknowledged, she knew this was a race. A race to find out as much information as possible before they would catch on.

Taking one last look at her apartment, she made sure everything was turned off. She then glanced at the bear Clark had won her at the Smallville corn festival, sitting in the middle of her bed next to her pillow. It was one of her most prized possessions that always made her think of Clark. She walked into the bedroom and picked it up to take with her. She sat down for a moment and lost herself in the memory of the day he’d won it for her. ‘I can’t leave you behind, now can I?’

But memories of the happy day Clark won her the prized bear were temporarily being replaced with thoughts of Adam Schmidt and his almost identical teddy bear, Bonkers.

The people she was going after had murdered a six year old in cold blood. And who knows how many other victims there had been over the years. She knew she didn’t have enough information and evidence to take to the police yet. There was still very little she could prove. And they would most assuredly cover their tracks. She decided she’d need at least SOME of the names of those responsible before she printed anything. But the risks she was taking were definitely taking its toll.

LL: Looking down at the bear, ‘Adam, I promise. They won’t get away with this.’ “I promise.” Wiping a tear from her eye, she reminded herself to call Amy that week and see how she was holding up. Perhaps she even knew some of her late husbands contacts in DC. But she was more worried about her new friend than anything else. She couldn’t even begin to imagine the pain of losing your husband AND child.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Clark had tapped three times on her bedroom door to get her attention.

CK: “Ready?… Lois?” It didn’t take Clark long to notice his fiancée’s tear stained face. Rushing over to the bed and kneeling in front of her, “Lois, what’s the matter honey?!”

LL: Quickly wiping the tears away from her eyes, which unfortunately, were being replaced with new ones. “Oh, nothing. I just…. miss you already.”

CK: “I miss you too.”

LL: “I don’t know what I’ll…. I’D… do without you.”

CK: “You won’t ever have to do without me. I’m not going anywhere. You’ll always have me.”

She just smiled down at him through her pain, touching his cheek and leaning over to give him a very light salty kiss. It was a promise she knew he might not be able to keep, but she also knew he’d willingly die trying for her sake.

Quickly changing the subject, “I should get going and try to beat some late afternoon traffic in Washington.”

CK: “Okay. Let me take the rest down for you….. you okay?”

LL: “Yeah, I’m fine… really. You lead the way and I’ll lock up.”

CK: “Okay.”

Lois put on a brave smile as they walked outside to the jeep parked directly in front of the brownstone apartment building. She sat on her front stoop and watched as Clark slowly finished loading her car.

CK: “Well… I guess that’s it.”

LL: “Done?”

CK: “Yeah, I think so. Unless, there’s something you forgot? Maybe we should go back and look at…..”

LL: Gently but firmly, “Clark!…… Everything’s loaded.”

CK: Looking down at the ground and back up into her eyes, “Yeah, OK.”

LL: “I should get going…. Have fun at the game today. Say hi to Jimmy for me.”

CK: “Thanks, I will.” He was beginning choke on his words. And once Clark lost his resolve to rein in his emotions, it was all Lois could do to keep herself from breaking down and rushing into his arms.

LL: Unsuccessfully fighting back a fresh new set of tears, “Well…..”

CK: “Well……. Call me as soon as you get to your friend’s house.”

LL: “I will.”

CK: “Lois?”

LL: “Yes?”

He reached out and grabbed her right arm, pulling her in for a large bear hug, followed by one of the most passionate kisses Lois could ever remember. It was a kiss she felt was almost begging her to reconsider leaving and just stay there with him.

In the end, it was Lois who ended that kiss. But undaunted, Clark pulled her even closer to his body and began rocking her back and forth, whispering ‘I love you’, over and over again into her ear as they both broke down.

For a moment, she wondered if his sixth sense was telling him the same things hers was. But she later decided, he was just being the Clark who always worried about her. The Clark she loved.

But Lois Lane was not the type of woman who reveled in tearful good-byes. Her level-headed mind was telling her increasingly sentimental heart to ‘get sappy on your own time!’

LL: “Look at us. You’d think we were never going to see each other again.” Trying to convince herself. “You’ll see me next week, right?”

CK: Finally loosening his hold on her waist just enough to lean back and look directly into her eyes. “Right.”

LL: “Then what’re we crying for?!”

CK: Quickly seeing the bright side, “It’s not like it would take long for me to come out and see you this week! Right?”

LL: Smiling brightly with her voice sounding elated, “That’s right. I’m ashamed I didn’t think of that myself……. Okay,… this is good. I feel a lot better.”

CK: “Me too.”

LL: “I’m gonna go now.”

CK: “Yeah, okay.”

LL: “Clark?”

CK: “Yeah?”

LL: “You have to let go now.”

CK: Reluctantly releasing her, “Oh… sorry.” Clark opened the driver side door and gave Lois one last quick kiss and they both exchanged one last ‘I love you’ before he watched her car drive out of sight and head for the interstate.

SAME TIME LOIS LANE’S APARTMENT

Lois’ new answering machine message clicked on. The new recording would last only one day, before Clark, alarmed, but not surprised at how revealing the message was, would call her in Alexandria the next day and strongly suggest she change the message. It was a message created so that she wouldn’t miss any leads while she was away, but at the same time, it told whomever was calling that she was OUT of town.

JO: Jimmy would call later that afternoon trying to find Clark before the ball game. In his own words to Clark, he described her answering machine message as. “Hey, Mr. Thief, I’m outta town, so why don’t you come over and rob my house.”

As Clark watched Lois drive away from view, Lois’ phone began to ring and her machine clicked on after the fourth ring.

Voice of Lois Lane: “Hello, this is Lois Lane. I’m in Washington right now. If it can wait, leave a message at the beep. But if it’s REALLY important, call my cell phone area code 217-555- 2266. Or call me at the Bellevue during the week. Thanks.”

WASHINGTON DC PAY-PHONE AT A COFFEE SHOP

Judith Wade, the Chief Private Secretary to the President of the United States, quickly jotted down Lois’ cell phone number and went back to a table where she sat alone.

She had called Lois more than half a dozen times over the past three days to ask her for help, always losing her nerve and hanging up. Sometimes listening to Lois get exasperated or angry on the other end. But those emotions ran both ways. Judy was getting desperate and her fear was quite real and well founded. She couldn’t hold out much longer. The overwhelming burden of truth was weighing heavily on her heart and conscience.

Judy took the news of Lois coming to Washington as a much needed blessing. If she could convince Lois Lane of her story, then maybe Miss Lane would contact Superman and he could protect her. She smiled for the first time in weeks, pouring more coffee into her sleep deprived small body. “They won’t get away with this Bill, I promise,” she whispered to her dead lover.

She looked down at her watch, paid her check, and rushed home to see her two children. The only people left on earth that kept her going.

PART 38

DORIS AND TED GREER’S HOME ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA. 5:40PM.

Doris Garvey Greer, a woman in her late twenties and nearly 7 1/2 months pregnant, was sitting on her front porch. She would alternate between keeping an eye out for approaching cars and watching her six year old daughter jump rope, while bouncing her four year old son on her lap, his thumb firmly entrenched within his mouth.

Doris: Excitedly looking at the jeep coming up her street, “As I live and breathe, I think I see her now!”

Little girl: “Is that her Mommy?”

Doris: “Yes, Peaches, I think so.”

Although Doris recognized Lois almost instantly, Lois did a double take before she recognized her old friend. Doris looked extremely different 2.8 kids later. Doris’ generous frame had expanded with each additional child. And to be frank, she had never been thin to begin with. Even as a child. But the warm smile and the large round face were the same.

When they were kids and Lois’ parents had a fight, she would flee next door to the Garvey household for sanctuary. Doris would always have a double fudge crunch bar waiting for her. Lois remembered with a smile how her old friend ALWAYS had candy stashed all over her house.

In the beginning of their friendship as children, Lois had desperately needed a place to hide from the bickering, screaming, and sometimes maddening silence that was at times commonplace in the Lane household. When it became unbearable, she would run into Lucy’s room, take her by the hand, and lead her next door, where they would play with Doris and her baby sister, Andrea, only a year younger than Lucy, until the waters were still again.

Many times their mother Mrs. Garvey would take everyone out for lunch or dinner when the shouting matches next door got too loud. Sometimes the girls would even spend the night, on what Lois used to refer to as ‘bad days’, when she wouldn’t see her father for days at a time.

Her mother would spend many afternoons and evenings curled up around a bottle of scotch or gin, sometimes listening to the radio or watching television until she passed out on the sofa or lounge chair. When she and Lucy spent the night at the Garvey house, Lois would sneak back home late in the evening to check on her mother. Once in a while, Mrs. Garvey would come with her. Lois would make sure her mother was safe, cleaning up the mess Ellen would sometimes make. And if her mom was too incapacitated to get to her room, Lois would bring a blanket and a pillow downstairs to keep her warm.

She then would go around the house and check to make sure the appliances had been shut off. From time to time, Lois would find the oven or stove left on. This ritual of checking over and over again to make sure the appliances were off, caused an obsessive compulsive disorder in Lois that took years for her to overcome. It was a habit she didn’t break until she went off to college.

Those painful childhood years also caused a general fear of having a family of her own. Something she would run away from for many years. Mr. Right, marriage and commitment were dirty words for most of her young adult life. In so many ways, Clark Kent was her savior. More ways then he would probably ever know.

On the bright side, Lois used to LOVE school as a child. She was bright, beautiful, popular, and she knew every minute she spent there would be one she didn’t have to be at home.

Doris’ life, on the other hand, was somewhat opposite to Lois’. She came from a loving, healthy family life where she and her little sister could express themselves freely and be themselves. School, on the other hand, was a different matter.

Doris was the ‘fat kid’ most of the other children made fun of. From her unhip wardrobe, to her long and stringy dark brown hair, nothing she did or wore seemed to please the other children at their elementary school. If not for the fiercely loyal friendship of Lois Lane, she would have eaten and played alone too.

Doris befriended Lois because she was just as desperate for companionship as Lois was. At the very beginning, the double fudge crunch bars were almost offered as a bribe. ‘If I give you my candy, will you be my friend?’ Doris was also a very bright child, and quickly realized that the hand of friendship Lois extended was genuine. No bribe was necessary. And the candy originally offered as bribes, became gifts of friendship given with love.

Doris Garvey needed Lois Lane just as much as Lois needed Doris. And they were both devastated when Doris’ father got a job in Philadelphia and relocated his family there. But they both knew no matter what, that they’d be friends forever. Lois Lane would not know a truer friend until years later when she met Clark Kent. The man who would change her life.

They greeted each other with screams, hugs and kisses. Lois cooed appropriately over Doris two children, Amanda Lois Greer, age six, nicknamed Peaches, and her little brother Thomas, age four. And she duly acted ashamed that she’d missed the baby showers of both these children. But that was before Lois had met Clark, and was therefore far too busy to have a real life outside of work.

LL: “How’s Ted?”

DG: “He’s fine. He’s still in New York. There’s some summit going on at the UN right now.”

LL: “I know.”

DG: “He’ll be here before the party though.”

LL: “That’s good. How’s your mom? I really miss her. Boy I’ve been thinking about her a lot lately, especially since she reminds me a lot of my fiancé’s mother.”

DG: “Mom is just great. I’m almost afraid to ask how yours is?”

LL: “Mother? Well, she’s back on the wagon, and that’s made quite a huge difference, I can tell you. She’s putting together my wedding… You are coming aren’t you?”

DG: “Oh, I plan on being there.” Pointing at her belly, “Of course that depends on when the little lady arrives.”

LL: “You know it’s a girl? Congratulations!”

DG: “Thanks. I’ll try to coax her into waiting ’til AFTER your wedding. But you’re cutting it close, I can tell you. Well, lets get your stuff inside the house and get you settled.”

LL: “Thanks Doris.”

They spent the next hour getting Lois settled and catching up on old times and the events of the past week, including all the unwanted media attention the Freedom Fighters have brought to their quiet little neighborhood as Doris and Lois prepared dinner.

LL: “Where is ‘The House’ anyway?”

DG: “Well, it’s either a twenty minute walk, or a one to two minute drive. Take your pick. When you go out the front door, make a right, walk three blocks and make a left. Go down the winding road till you see a cul-de-sac.” Sarcastically, “It won’t be hard to find, just follow the popping flashbulbs and news-vans with huge satellite dishes on top.”

“Tommy’s little friend Jordan lives nearby. His mother says it’s a NIGHTMARE there day and night! Anyway, Jordan is having a birthday party tomorrow. You can help us with the little ones if you like, and it’s on the SAME block as that dreadful house.”

LL: Jumping at the opportunity, “Yes, thanks, I’d love to.”

DG: “It’s a small world isn’t it? But then my mother would never agree. She always insisted that some things were meant to be and that there were NO such things as coincidences. Everything is fate!”

LL: “Yeah, I know. I remember that about your mom. Is she still into…”

DG: “Yup, still heavily into psychology and art. They’re both her passions. Come on, help me get dinner on the table.”

FREEDOM FIGHTERS COMPOUND

An hour later Lois arrived at the Freedom Fighter’s Compound. She walked, which was a good thing, because someone was discreetly taking down license plate numbers. Her presence would go unnoticed for at least a little longer.

Immediately after arriving, Lois recognized some of her peers from print and television. The area was still a madhouse and had every indication of staying hot; at least until the missing member Marcus Hamilton was found and questioned.

The press was being kept at a considerable distance from the entire estate. That was not unusual. But everything else, was. It only took Lois a few minutes for the warning flags to go up about the way this case was being handled. After asking a few Alexandria officers who were handling crowd control, she confirmed that there was no one from the JTTF, Joint Terrorist Task Force, more commonly referred to as Task Force Two, assigned to this case.

Task Force 2, who Lois worked with on a case a few years back, was a cooperation of FBI and various local police department detectives sworn in as US Marshall’s, allowed to cross state lines and investigate suspected terrorist group activities anywhere in the country. It was a natural assumption to Lois that they would be involved with this case more than any other entity. But the fact that they were nowhere in attendance was one of the many things that made this case positively REEK!

Alexandria’s Police Force jurisdiction began and ENDED in Alexandria, regardless of where this case took them. And that made Lois even more suspicious of the Government’s involvement. Only someone very high up on the totem pole could re- arrange an investigation like this.

And Lois couldn’t help but notice the palpable friction between the FBI agents and Alexandria Police Officers. She decided right away she could use that fact to her advantage.

Looking around, she couldn’t help but feel an adrenaline rush. She was once again back in her milieu. She had been itching to get to Washington since the night those bodies were discovered at the memorial. And finally, a week and a half later, she had arrived, with knowledge that gave her a distinct advantage over her peers.

She spotted Jim Myerson in the crowd of reporters. By the questions she overheard him asking the federal agents, she could tell he ALSO knew something.

LL: ‘He’s got inside info. too.’ She was certain of it. But she noticed the federal agents were figuring this out quickly too. Making a ’tisk tisk’ sound, ‘You’re getting into the WRONG bed Jimbo.’

Within moments, it was the agents asking Myerson the questions, friendly, of course, but firmly. They were fishing for what he knew.

LL: Thinking to herself, ‘They’re using you stupid! At least use them back!’

Shaking her head and turning back to what she considered her best bet, she turned her attention back to Alexandria’s finest, recognizing one of the officers, Inspector Henderson, formerly of the Metropolis’ Police Department.

LL: Lois looked up towards the sky. “Thank you God.” ‘Maybe Doris’ mom IS right. Some things are just meant to be!’ She walked away from the main pack of reporters and towards the Inspector. “Hey Henderson, I heard you got transferred to Baltimore!”

Inspector Henderson: “Good Lord. Lane, what the h#ll are you doing here?” Sarcastically, “Did Superman move to the DC area and I didn’t hear about it?”

LL: “Ha ha, very funny, and nice to see YOU again too. No really, I heard you were in Baltimore.”

IH: “No, that’s my cousin Johnny. There’s a PASSING family resemblance.”

LL: “Aaah. So you got sent HERE? Congratulations!” she said, without a hint of sarcasm in her voice. Knowing exactly what buttons to push, “So, how’s it feel to have one of the biggest stories of the century fall into your lap! Well… almost. Or am I wrong in assuming the feds are tying your shoelaces together.”

IH: “No, you assume correctly Lois. Those rat bas..”

Officer: “Henderson, the Chief wants to talk to you in five.”

IH: “I’ll be there in a few. Anyway, those PRIMA DONNAS seem to just be USING US for crowd control. To be honest, I don’t know why the h#ll else we’re here. They’re treating us like a bunch of…”

Officer: “Henderson…”

IH: “I said I’ll be right there.”

LL: “Yeah, I noticed this ISN’T exactly the two way street it’s supposed to be.”

IH: “You can say that again!”

LL: “Henderson, ever want to DO something about it?”

IH: “Such as?”

LL: “Maybe we can work something out.”

IH: “I’m listening.”

TWO MINUTES LATER

IH: “Are you crazy?! That could land us BOTH in jail!”

LL: “Or with big promotions. Either way, it will piss the h#ll out of those FEDERALES over there! I see that as a WIN/ WIN situation.”

IH: “You’ve got a point there Lane.”

LL: “Come on Henderson. I promise to share whatever conclusions I come to based on what I see inside. Just 10 minutes in the compound, that’s all I ask. You’re certainly not going to get ANY help from those agents over there. Besides, you still owe me for….”

IH: “I know. Don’t remind me. But if I let you in. After this… WE’RE EVEN!”

LL: “ABSOLUTELY!”

IH: I must be losing my mind… Okay, get out of here NOW and come back between three-thirty and four am. Most of the press is out of here by 1am. And the changing of the guard, so to speak, is at three. Wait at the corner three blocks up from here and I’ll have a squad car pick you up. I’ll be here to let you in, or I’ll instruct one of my men to. The federal agents working the night shift are idiots. They’ll either be asleep, leaving all the work to US, or playing cards. If not, I’ll get a couple of my men to distract them.”

LL: “Sounds like a plan.”

IH: “Just get out of here now. I don’t want any of the agents to know your face too well. And don’t come back here dressed like a reporter.”

LL: “I’m going… And Henderson… thanks.”

IH: “Remember, we’re…”

LL: “I know, I know, we’re EVEN after this.” As she walked back up the hill towards Doris’ house, she felt a tap on her shoulder. “Hello Myerson.”

Jim Myerson: “How’d you know it was me?”

LL: “Just a feeling.”

JM: “You come down here just to watch the master in action?”

LL: “Myerson, you didn’t travel ALL the way up this block to deliver that line, did you? If so then save your breath, and head back to the rest of the pack and gather what little pellets of information the government throws at you.”

JM: Smugly, “Oh, I’VE got a lot MORE than that!”

LL: Sarcastically, “Really?”

JM: “You better believe it baby.”

LL: “Myerson, it would be conducive to your general health NOT to call me ‘baby.’ Comprende?”

JM: “Okay Lane, but I’m afraid you’ve made this trip for nothing. You can read my exclusive in the Daily Planet next week.”

LL: “I’ll try to smooth down the Goosebumps. If you’ve got nothing else to say to me Myerson, I’ve got plans.”

Lois walked away as blasé as she possibly could, but secretly burning with curiosity as to what Myerson actually knew. She would have to wait to find out what Myerson knew when the rest of the world did a few days later.

PART 39

SUNDAY MAY 14TH, 1995 3.40AM. ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA THREE BLOCKS NORTH OF FREEDOM FIGHTERS COMPOUND

Dressed as an early morning jogger, and using the route Henderson had pointed out to her, Lois arrived three blocks from the Freedom Fighters Compound within the appointed time. She had to wait less than five minutes for the squad car that picked her up just as Henderson had promised, and drove her through the back gate, down the long and winding driveway of the compound.

There was a small, largely untraveled private road leading up to the back gate that the press could get no where near to even visually get a look at. No one seemed to be going in or out down the road leading to the entrance, so at least for now, it was ‘watchfully ignored.’ There was quite a bit of tree lined land back there, which afforded its occupants a great deal of privacy. It was also the last house in the cul-de-sac and the next neighbors behind them weren’t even within sight distance. The compound also had a very high wall, which surrounded most of the property.

Just outside the gate she did indeed spot two federal agents deeply ensconced in a card game.

Inspector Henderson: “What did I tell you?”

Lois Lane: “You were right. They’re playing cards.”

IH: “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”

LL: “Sounds good to me.”

IH: “I must be crazy.”

LL: “No you’re not! You know about my experience with the story in…”

IH: “I know. That’s the only reason I agreed to let you in here. Favor or no favor!”

He walked her into the back kitchen entrance of the house, and handed her a pair of rubber gloves.

IH: “Put this on. And try not to touch anything.”

Obligingly she put on the gloves and pulled out a notepad and pen, immediately taking notes about her surroundings. The house instantly gave her the creeps. But she supposed any house that played host to a mass murder would give you the creeps. Henderson had a policeman escort her from room to room, under strict orders to keep an eye on her and not let her touch or abscond with anything in the house.

Finally they were down to the last two rooms, the living room where all of the victims were found, and the classroom, where most of their ‘alleged terrorist activities’ were centered.

After exiting the living room, the policeman flicked on the light for the classroom. Lois’ mouth dropped slightly and she began scribbling on her notepad.

Alexandria Police Officer: “You’re wastin’ your time lady.”

LL: “Excuse me?”

APO: “I said, you’re wasting your time.”

LL: “Really? Why?”

APO: “The Feds took all the REAL evidence. The computers, ‘punch’, most of the furniture has been cleared away as evidence,” he answered as he pointed to the ground.

Lois could see the marks on the floor for a very large desk, which must have been in the front of the classroom. She figured it belonged to the group’s leader, whomever that was.

Lois took a great interest in the wooden desks that had been left, at least temporarily, in the classroom. On top of the soft wooden desks, she could see layers of overlapping impressions made by people who had taken notes there. They were the kind of desks you might see in almost any school around the country. She wished Clark were with her, he could read everything on them at super-speed. As it was, there wasn’t much she could make out, and so little time to analyze them.

Lowering herself to the floor, she crawled underneath one of the desks and took more notes.

APO: “What the heck are you doing Miss?… And don’t tou…”

LL: “I’m not touching ANYTHING!”

Lois and the officer froze as they heard the front door open and close, and voices coming from the front hall entrance. The officer momentarily left her alone in the room. She quickly crawled out from underneath the table and stood up. Lois Lane, understandably a curious reporter, leaped on the momentary opportunity and opened one of the desks. All of the papers that may have once been housed there had long since been cleared away. All that remained was a stack of ballpoint pens. She grabbed the closest one and closed the desk quickly.

Voice: “HEY!”

Her heart was racing a mile a minute. If this was a federal agent, she could fully expect to go to jail.

Voice: “Who the H#LL are you?!”

IH: “Chief, this is Lois Lane from the Metropolis Daily Planet. Lois Lane, this is the Chief of the Alexandria Police Department…Chief Mar…”

Alexandria Police Chief: “YOU LET A REPORTER IN HERE?! You better explain this fast Henderson, or I’ll have you writing parking tickets for the rest of your natural life!”

IH: “Well, Chief….”

LL: “I offered my assistance to Inspector Henderson.”

APC: Sarcastically, “OH you did, did you? What kind of assistance could YOU possibly offer the Alexandria Police Department?”

LL: “I offered to share whatever information I could glean from within the house if he let me look around a bit. I’m even wearing gloves so I don’t contaminate the evidence. You see I worked on a similar story a few years ago, Inspector Henderson was on that case, so he knows I have some knowledge of. …”

APC: Cutting her off sharply, “Give me ONE good reason I shouldn’t take the BOTH of you downtown and book you right now!”

LL: “Well, for one thing, you’re not getting ANY help in this investigation from your federal counterparts. My guess is, they’re not sharing much of anything with you. And if you take me downtown, that’ll be the excuse they need to cut you off from this investigation altogether. AND ON YOUR OWN TURF TO BOOT!”

Lois knew immediately that she’d struck a nerve in the Chief, a thirty year veteran of Alexandria’s police force, who was definitely not used to being purposely left out in the cold on his own cases and on his watch. He knew everything Lois had told him about this case was true. He COULDN’T arrest her, even though he knew he probably should. But that wouldn’t serve him at all. But who the H#LL was SHE to tell him anything?! What could this ‘WOMAN’ possibly know anything HE and HIS MEN couldn’t figure out! He was definitely getting angry again.

Lois looked on, trying to gauge the emotions that quickly ran through the man standing ten paces in front of her. She was pushing his buttons and she knew it, but she didn’t know how else to get her and Henderson out of the predicament she’d talked them both into.

Angrily marching over and standing within inches of her face, he grabbed the pen she’d stolen from the desk, along with her reporter’s notepad, and began to read the notes she’d written.

APC: “What the hell is this?!”

LL: “My notes.”

APC: Laughing hysterically, “I wanna thank you. It’s been a while since anyone made me laugh this hard.” Quickly dismissing her notes, “Lady if this is all you got. You got nothin’!”

On the contrary, there was a mountain of evidence left in that room if you knew what to look for and Lois knew it.

APC: As he turned to walk out of the house, “Henderson, you’ve got two minutes to get her out of this house or you’ll be moving down from my number two man to the traffic beat. You got that?”

IH: “Yeah Chief.”

LL: “HEY!” Startled, everyone stopped dead in their tracks. The Chief turned slowly back towards Lois. “I’ll thank you for my WORTHLESS notes ‘and pen’ back, thank you.”

Not knowing whether or not the Police Chief had seen her take the pen, she decided to take a chance and ask for it back. She guessed she might have been quick enough. Walking slowly back to her, he grabbed her hand and placed the book and pen back in her hands.

APC: Looking directly into Lois’ eyes to intimidate her, “You’ve got less than a minute left to get this ‘LADY’ out of here Henderson!”

IH: “Come on Lane. Let’s go.”

APC: “And I wanna see you back in this room IN TEN MINUTES! Is that clear?!”

IH: “Yeah Chief.”

Henderson grabbed Lois by the arm, and on the way out, Lois looked out the classroom’s large picture window and saw a very partial view of an upstairs bedroom of the house next door. The view was for the most part, blocked by a couple of very large trees. At first glance, it looked like a small child’s room. The house was a good distance away, but you could see a little detail. Lois made a mental note of that as she was being led back to the squad car.

FIVE MINUTES LATER IN THE SQUAD CAR

LL: “Sorry you got into trouble Henderson.”

IH: Trying not to sound nervous, “Don’t worry about it. I’ve gotta be getting back now to get my butt chewed out. I’m just sorry it was all for nothing.”

LL: Smiling, “Who says it was all for nothing?”

IH: Sarcastically, “You found something?”

LL: Returning his unenthusiastic sarcasm, “I thought you had to go get your butt chewed out. And anyway, your boss doesn’t seem to think so.”

IH: “Come on Lane, what did you find?”

LL: “I’ve got three words for you Henderson…. Ball Point Pens.”

IH: “What? You call that evidence?!”

LL: “It’s one HECK of a piece of evidence!” Smiling at the very puzzled Inspector in front of her, “Good night Henderson. See you later… and thanks.” And with those words, she practically skipped back triumphantly towards Doris’ house.

PART 40

THE GREER HOUSEHOLD SUNDAY MAY 14TH 1995 9:30 AM

In the distance, she could hear the ringing of a telephone, dragging her kicking and screaming out from a deep and comforting sleep. A moment later she heard tiny footsteps getting closer, just before her bedroom door creaked slowly open and little hands grabbed at her right shoulder shaking her awake.

Voice: A child’s strained whisper, “Auntie Lois. Auntie Lois, tellafun fo you.”

Lois: Trying to wake herself up, she drowsily opened her eyes to find the smiling six year old with a cordless phone in her hand. “Peaches? Morning sweetie. Who is it?” she muttered.

Peaches: “He says he’s Clark somethin’.”

Lois: Sitting up and rubbing her eyes, “Just a minute dear.”

Peaches: Speaking into the receiver, “She says juss a minut, wanna hear me sing?”

Lois: Thinking to herself as she practically raced to the bathroom, ‘Lord Clark, please say no.’ But she knew better. Although she couldn’t hear him on the other end, she already knew her fiancé had little or no resistance to children. ‘Lord help us when we have kids,’ she thought as she shook her head and smiled. ‘I know whenever they ask for ANYTHING, he’ll fold faster than…’ she began to laugh at a Simpson’s episode she once saw while sitting next to Clark, and finished her thought with one of Bart’s quips…. ‘He’ll fold faster than SUPERMAN on laundry day!’

And she was right. As she closed the door to the bathroom, she could hear Peaches’ melodic voice fill her bedroom.

Peaches: Singing, “I Love You… You love me….”

Lois: Groaning at Peaches selection, ‘ANYTHING but THAT song! Maybe that show will be canceled by the time we have kids,’ she hoped optimistically.

By the time Lois emerged from the bathroom looking more refreshed, Peaches had moved on to ‘The Rubber Ducky’ song from Sesame Street.

Peaches: “Rubber Ducky, you’re the one….”

Lois: “Okay Peaches.”

Peaches: “I think Auntie Lois wants to talk to yooou now…. Okay, thank yooou.” Handing Lois the phone and walking out of the bedroom towards her mother’s room across the hall, “Byyyye.”

Lois: Laughing, “Bye Peaches…. Morning honey,” she yawned as she closed her bedroom door for a little privacy.

Clark Kent: “Sorry honey, did I wake you?”

LL: “Kinda. But I needed to get up anyway.” Stifling a yawn, “What’s up?”

CK: “Nothing, I just miss you.”

LL: “Aww, I miss you too. What do you have planned for today?”

CK: “Lunch with our folks… and Sidney. And just hanging out with Jack and Tom before they head back home before the wedding.”

LL: “Sounds like fun… Hey wait a minute! Aren’t these the same guys who ordered HOOKERS for your bachelor party?!”

CK: “One and the same. But don’t worry, I already had a nice long talk with them about that. They apologized, but I don’t believe they think they did anything wrong. But I promise, we’ll all stay out of trouble.”

LL: Groaning into the phone, “I’ll take your word for it.”

CK: “Thanks honey.”

LL: “When are your parents heading back to Smallville?”

CK: “Tonight. Everyone’s leaving me here all by my lonesome,” he sighed.

LL: “Now Clark….”

CK: “That’s not a reproach hon., I just wish you were here… or I was there.”

LL: “Why don’t you fly down here a few evenings when I head for DC this week? My reservation at the Bellevue starts on Monday. You could meet me somewhere in the city. How does that sound?”

CK: “That sounds like heaven. How was your drive?”

LL: “Not bad, there wasn’t a whole lot of traffic, it only took around five and a half hours.”

CK: “That’s not too bad… Actually there IS something I want to talk to you about…”

LL: “Yeees.”

CK: “Jimmy called your apartment yesterday looking for me because he didn’t know what time you were leaving. He mentioned your new answering machine message… Lois, I STRONGLY SUGGEST you change it. I know you don’t want to miss out on any important stories, but telling EVERYONE who calls that you’re NOT in town is just asking for trouble. Can you change it from…?”

LL: “Ookay, okay. I can change the message from any push button phone. I’ll change it back to the old message. Does that make you feel better?”

CK: “Much better, thank you. So… what’s on your agenda today?”

LL: “Oh, catching up some more with Doris. And her little boy Tommy’s friend is having a birthday party, and I’ve been invited to help out with the kids.” She purposely left out the MINOR detail of the party being held on the same block as the Freedom Fighter’s Compound.

CK: “You?!”

LL: “Yeah, me. Does that sound so extraordinary?”

CK: Laughing, “Absolutely, I’m sorry I’m going to miss this.”

LL: “I’ll ask Doris to take pictures.”

CK: “Please do. How old are the kids?” he asked, sounding much too amused to Lois.

LL: “Four and Five…… Clark stop laughing! It’s not that funny!”

CK: Laughing out loud, “Oh, yes it is. YOU at a party full of four and five year olds?! I need to fly over there, sit on a cloud, and watch!”

LL: Her face was getting hot. “If you don’t stop laughing right now Clark Kent, I’m going to hang up!”

CK: “Oh honey, don’t do that. I’m sorry hon..”

Lois made a small ‘humph’ sound from the back of her throat to make her feelings clear.

CK: “Please forgive me. Don’t hang up….” Desperately, “I miss the sound of your voice.”

LL: “Really?”

CK: “Really… Listen, is your bedroom door closed?”

LL: “Yes, why?”

CK: “Open your window wide right now.”

LL: “Okay…. what for?”

CK: “Hold on a minute?”

LL: “Clark?… Hello?”

THREE MINUTES LATER

LL: Into her phone, “Clark…. Are you there?”

S: “Yeeeeeeees.”

Clark gently grabbed her mouth to muffle her startled scream.

LL: Lois moved his hand away from her mouth and pulled the bedroom drapes closed to allow them more privacy, “Clark Kent! What on earth….?” Her sentence was cut short as he pulled her waist towards his and pressed his lips firmly to hers, proving how much he’d missed her.

LL: “What took you so long?” she asked in a teasing tone.

Superman: Kissing her neck, “Hmmm?”

LL: “It took you almost THREE whole minutes to get here,” she teased.

S: “I don’t get to Alexandria too often Miss. I had to look for the address. In the end, when I couldn’t find it, I just listened for your heartbeat and found you that way.”

LL: “You can do that?” she asked in awe.

S: “With you I can.”

LL: ‘Wow,’ she thought. She meant to say that out loud, but Clark was keeping her lips occupied.

S: “Mmmmm…. It’s all your fault, Miss Lane,” he whispered.

LL: “What’s my fault?” she managed to ask between kisses.

S: “You made me fall so deeply in love with you that I can’t survive more than twenty four hours without seeing you.”

LL: “Oh really?!”

S: “Uh-huh. It’s a medical fact.”

LL: “Well Mr. Kent. I’m pretty sure this medical condition is contagious. I’ve been going through symptoms of ‘love withdrawal’ too.

S: Amused, ” ‘Love withdrawal’?”

LL: “Of course, you’ve heard the medical term before, haven’t you?”

S: “Actually I didn’t know the name of our condition.”

LL: “No?… Well, if the symptoms of withdrawal aren’t treated, the condition is invariably fatal.”

S: “Really?”

LL: “Really.”

S: He seductively rubbed his hands lightly along the outside of her arms as she shivered and leaned into this embrace. “What are some of the recommended treatments?”

LL: Lois pulled her head back to look directly into his eyes. She gave him a seductive lopsided grin that he’d come to know and love. “Well first, the subject has to feel relaxed.” She began to nibble on his ear and tug lightly in a way she knew drove him crazy.

S: “Lois?” he exhaled heavily, stifling a moan.

LL: “Mmmmm?”

S: “I thought you said the subject was supposed to be relaxed.”

LL: Giggling, “Oh, would you like me to stop?”

S: Whispering urgently, “Nooo! Don’t stop. This is relaxing,” he said, sounding very unconvincing. “Then what?”

LL: Placing tiny kisses from his jaw down his neck, “Well, then I….”

S: “Looois!” he panted into her neck.

The two were startled back into reality by a small voice on the other side of Lois’ bedroom door. Both of their faces turned bright red.

Voice of Peaches: “Auntie Lois. Mommy says brekfuss is readee.”

LL: Raising her voice, “I’ll be right there Peaches, thank you.” Turning her attention back to her fiancé, “I have to go.”

S: “I know,” he answered, trying to regain his composure as he backed towards the bedroom window. “I’ll call you later.”

LL: “Wait.” Rushing back into his arms, “You forgot something.”

S: “Huh?”

LL: Lois grasped the back of Clark’s head and captured his lips; holding him there for well over two minutes. When their lips parted she smirked, “Another dose to tie you over until the next time we see each other.”

S: “Thank you. It’s just what I needed.”

LL: “I’ll see you later.”

S: “I love you.”

LL: “I love you too. Come back any time.”

S: “I’ll hold you to that promise.”

LL: “I hope so.”

In an instant he was gone, Lois’ rustling bedroom curtains and a lovely memory were the only evidence of his presence.

PART 41

SUNDAY MAY 14TH, 1995 10:15am THE GREER’S KITCHEN

Lois, Doris, and her two children sat in the kitchen having breakfast. The children were eating while watching cartoons on the small TV on the kitchen counter, as Doris listened to Lois retell the events of the previous night while she flipped through the local phone book.

Doris was hanging on Lois’ every word. “I can’t believe you ACTUALLY got into that house! NOBODY can get into ‘that house’!”

Lois: “Hey you know me…. I’m the best.”

Doris: “Yeah, and you ALSO knew one of the detectives on the case. Doesn’t hurt either,” she said smirking. “Mom would have a FIELD DAY with that.”

Lois: “I know. I was thinking about that last night. No such things as coincidences, huh. Maybe she’s right. I had that feeling last night. Perhaps there’s a ‘force’ out there somewhere helping me.” Shaking her head, “That sounds silly, doesn’t it.”

Doris: “No it doesn’t.”

Lois: “Yeah it does.” Laughing, “I sound like YODA!”

Doris: “Now, now….Yoda, was a very wise and learned……”

Lois: “…MUPPET!”

With that they both broke into hysterical laughter.

Doris: Grinning, “Okay, maybe YODA is a bad example. But believing a higher power is out there looking out for you ISN’T silly. In your line of work Lois, it might be in your best interest to believe in a higher power.”

Lois: “You’ve got a point there.”

Doris: “Of course I do.” Raising her glass of milk for a toast, “TO YODA!”

Lois: Laughing as she clinked her mug of coffee with Doris’ glass, “TO YODA!”

“Anyway. Getting back to ‘the house’… he didn’t let me in JUST because he knew me. He let me in that house because I agreed to help him with his investigation.”

Doris: “What difference could you make that any other reporter couldn’t?” she asked confused.

Lois: “Well, Henderson was assigned to on one of the first stories I worked on for the planet. It was a terrorist gun running story in the Congo, and, well… I got pretty involved with that one. Back in the eighties a terrorist group in Metropolis was exchanging guns and some other more sophisticated weaponry for drugs, nearly half a billion dollars worth, to sell on the streets in America.”

“Like I said, it was one of my first REALLY BIG stories, and I was sooo green! I had to know EVERYTHING about the subject matter. Instead of having some kid at the planet do some basic research on the case, I did everything myself. Everything! And did I go overboard.” Shaking her head, “Whoa, did I go overboard! I read books on terrorism from cover to cover, some of them not exactly ‘legal’ to own.”

“And to top it all off, I managed to use my looks to flirt my way into sitting in with SOAR for a week or so.”

Doris: “SOAR? What’s that?”

Lois: “Oh, SOAR stands for Special Operations and Research. They’re a special unit that works for the NIA in Washington DC. But the threat of terrorist attacks became so great during the eighties that they opened units in New York and Metropolis. Though I think they’re just in DC now. SOAR is specially trained in psychology and criminology. They amass and examine evidence on terrorist incidents and then circulate at least SOME of that information to other bureaus and local police departments.”

“I learned A LOT working on that story. I may not be an expert on the subject, but I know a lot more than the average person does. In the end, I wrote a great series of articles, and got nominated for my first Kerth Award. And THAT’S why Henderson let me in that house!”

“His boss thought I was a big joke though.”

Doris: “I guess you’ll show him.”

Lois: “You better believe I will! It’s funny though, that case was never completely solved.”

Doris: “What do you mean?”

Lois: “Well, the terrorist group was killed during a raid by the NIA in New York back in ’88. But whoever their source was for the more sophisticated weapons was never found.” Looking away as her mind reached back into the past, “Hmmm… I wish I had more experience when I was working on that story. I bet I could’ve found out who that supplier was if I’d had a little more experience under my belt.” Upon reflection, Lois thought that case was almost as fishy as the story she was now working on. “Anyway…..”

Doris: “Did you find anything interesting?”

Lois: “Huh?”

Doris: “In ‘the house’ last night. Did you find anything interesting?”

Lois: “Oh yeah,” she grinned.

Doris: “Well, what did you find out?”

Lois: “Plenty… By the way, from the classroom window, I saw a tiny view into a child’s bedroom of the house next door. Do you know who lives there?”

Doris: “I have no idea. But maybe you can find out at the party today. Penny probably knows who lives there.”

Lois: “Penny?”

Doris: “Yeah, Penny Taylor, Jordan’s mom…. You know Jordan, Tommy’s little friend who’s birthday is today?”

Lois: “Aaah. I wanna thank you again for inviting me.”

Doris: “No problem. But I’m NOT just inviting you so you can ‘interview’ Jordan’s mom… You’d better hold up your end by helping to take care of all those screaming kids!”

Lois: “I will.”

Doris: “You better,” she said smiling. “Besides, it’ll be great practice for you. You and Clark want kids someday, don’t you?”

Lois: “Someday… I know Clark hasn’t said anything, but I think he’s dying to have a house full of kids.”

Doris: “And you?”

Lois: “Nervous. You know how I am with kids. I almost never know what to say, or….”

Doris: “Don’t be so hard on yourself…. You did a great job with Lucy. And don’t even THINK of telling me you didn’t have a big hand in raising your little sister! I know better. I was there, remember?”

Lois: “I remember. You really think I’d make a good mother? Even with the parents I HAD?”

Doris: “I think you’ll make a great mom! And speaking of your parents, you know exactly what kind of behavior to AVOID! That’s gotta be a plus. And you’re a wonderful person. So don’t be so hard on yourself. You’ll see,” she said smiling.

Lois: Patting Doris on the hand as she fought back tears, “Thanks, I REALLY needed to hear that.”

Doris: “Anytime. Why are you looking through the phone book?”

Lois: “When I was in the Freedom Fighters Compound last night, I crawled under one of the desks and found what I THINK is the manufacturers name.” Looking down at her notepad, “It’s called… let me see, uuuuh….”

Doris: “Dellaccio Co.?”

Lois: “Yeah, how did you know?”

Doris: “Lois, the Dellaccio family have been making furniture in Alexandria for generations. They’re not incredibly big, but almost every school, institution, and office building in the area buys their desks from the Dellaccio’s. They’re practically an Alexandria institution… and they’ve got the cutest little commercials you’ve ever seen that run in the middle of the night, around the same time as all those infomercials.”

Lois: “Great! So they’re local. That saves me a phone call to the Planet to find out where in the country they are.”

Doris: “They’re located on the other side of town though, and I’m pretty sure they’re closed on Sundays. Most of places around here are. I think you’re gonna have to wait until tomorrow to talk to anyone.”

Lois grabbed the white pages just underneath the yellow ones. “Well, maybe I can talk to the owner or a manager at home.”

Doris: “On a Sunday?!”

Lois: “Yeah, on a Sunday. It can’t be THAT big a deal.”

Doris: “Well, I guess it would be okay. I don’t know them personally, but I hear they’re very nice people.”

Lois: “Let’s see Dellaccio, Dellaccio, here it is. Do you know the owners first name?”

Doris: “Nope, I’m sorry I don’t.”

Lois: “Well, I’m lucky. There are only three in the phone book.”

Doris: “I’m sure they’re all related. You’re lucky their name’s not Smith or Jones,” she said as she watched Lois pick up the receiver.

Doris: “Lois, put down the phone. You CAN’T call them now!”

Lois: “Why not?”

Doris: It’s too EARLY on a Sunday morning. Some people sleep late. That would be too rude. Call a little later.”

Lois: “But…”

Doris: “I insist. I’ll give you a ride over there later after the party… Okay?”

Lois: “All right. I just don’t want to miss them.”

Doris: “If worse comes to worse, you can always wait ’til tomorrow morning…” Noticing the agitated look on her friends face, “But I’m sure it won’t come to that calamity…!” she teased. “Come on, get dressed. The party is at eleven-thirty. I have to get the kids ready and YOU have to change. You can tell me the rest of what happened at ‘the house’ on the way to the party.”

Peaches: “Mommy?”

Doris: “Yes Peaches?”

Peaches: “Why can’t I go to the party today?”

Doris: “I’m sorry honey, but today’s party is for Tommy and his little friends. You don’t want to hang out with them, do you?”

Peaches: “Ewwww. No, they have cooties. Tommy’s a doggie face,” she stated as she scrunched up her little face.

Tommy: “I am NOT a doggie face! YOU’RE a FARTFACE!”

Doris: “TOMMY! I don’t want to hear you call your sister that name again. Say you’re sorry. And Peaches, apologize to Tommy for calling him a bad name too!” she demanded.

Both children muttered half-hearted apologies while looking in opposite directions, while the two adults were barely successful at suppressing an overwhelming urge to laugh.

Doris: “Don’t worry Lois, they’re not always like this. I promise. There ARE bright moments to motherhood.”

Lois just smiled. Actually, the entire scene was very charming. Since around the time they became engaged, Lois had been starting to imagine scenarios with Clark and their future children. And when she wasn’t stressing and being nervous about the prospect, she was actually enjoying her daydreams.

Sometimes she would see a little boy or girl, sitting in a high chair. Most of the time the baby had dark straight hair with big brown eyes, and ALWAYS had Clark’s infectious smile. She could see Clark feeding him with a little spoon, and they would both …

Peaches: “Auntie Lois? Hellooooo?…”

Lois: Peaches small voice brought her back to the present. “I’m sorry Peaches, what did you say?”

Peaches: “Can I have your lasst panncayke?”

Doris: “That’s MAY I have your last pancake sweetheart.”

Peaches: “May I?”

Lois: “Sure you can dear. Help yourself.” Lois smiled as Peaches grabbed her large plate and scraped its contents onto hers.

Doris: “What do we say?”

Peaches: “Thank you.”

Doris: “That’s better…. Lois, are you gonna take a shower?”

Lois: “Ummm, yeah.”

Doris: “Then I think you should do it now. Tommy needs a bath before the party and you won’t have time if you wait for these two poky children to finish first.”

Lois: “Sure, okay… I’ll go now.”

Doris: “And Lois.” Trying to broach the subject delicately, “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but….. Please don’t dress like ‘a reporter’ for the party. In fact, why don’t you wear one of my ‘skinny dresses’.”

“Sorry you missed it, but I was actually THIN for about a year. What size do you wear?”

Lois: “A four waist and a six top.”

Doris: “Good Lord girl! What on earth do you eat?! I don’t think I have anything THAT SMALL! But some of Andie’s clothes might fit you. You’re in her bedroom anyway. Look in the closet and help yourself.”

Lois: “Thanks. I promise, I’ll look like ‘June Cleaver’ if that’s what you want!” she teased.

Doris: “Well, I don’t think it’s quite necessary to go THAT FAR.”

Lois: “But I will,” she laughed. “I’ll look like butter wouldn’t melt in my mouth.”

Doris: “Thanks.”

Lois: “You should,” she said, grinning at her old friend, “I wouldn’t dress like that for just ANYBODY.”

Doris: “I’m honored,” she replied sarcastically. “Lo-Lo?”

Lois: “Huh?” she asked as she turned to leave the kitchen, while smiling at her old and almost forgotten nickname.

Doris: “I’m so happy you’re here. I really missed you kiddo.”

Lois: Walking up and giving her dear friend a hug. “I missed you too.”

Doris: “Promise me we won’t lose touch like this again.”

Lois: “I promise.”

Doris: “I promise too… Now get ready.” Smirking, “I KNOW how you get!”

Lois: Walking towards the back staircase, “I heard that!”

Doris: “GOOD!”

PART 42

JORDAN TAYLOR’S BIRTHDAY PARTY 11:30AM

Doris, Tommy, and Lois would arrive precisely on time for Jordan Taylor’s birthday party. Everyone who was expected to help out with the kids was asked to show up a little early. The party wasn’t actually scheduled to begin until noon. Before driving to the party, Doris dropped Peaches off at her next door neighbors, where her daughter’s best friend lived.

Lois kept her promise and wore one of Doris’ sister Andrea’s very spring-like dresses. It was a frilly pale yellow chiffon outfit that had a large wide brimmed straw hat, with matching fabric at the crown. A very un-Lois-like creation. When Lois assessed her appearance in the mirror, she commented dryly, “I look like a Stepford Wife!” She didn’t even think Clark would recognize her, much less the other reporters who would be there. Maybe this getup wouldn’t be so bad after all.

As Penny Taylor stood at the top of her front steps to look for her first guests to arrive, she made a defiant pose to intimidate ‘the intruders’, as she called them. ‘The intruders’ were literally everyone who swarmed around the Freedom Fighters Compound; that included the police, the curious onlookers who wanted to gawk and take pictures, and last and absolutely lowest, at least in Penny’s book…. was the press!

She stood at five feet nine inches in her stocking feet and wore high-heeled shoes that day just to look more imposing to those people disturbing her peaceful existence. They were unwelcome guests in the quiet and very upscale community, and she and most of her other neighbors were reaching the end of their rapidly fraying ropes. She was determined that no one was going to ruin this party for her youngest of four children. Her older children had wisely made a break for it and were hanging out at a local mall.

Penelope Virginia Taylor, a very attractive green-eyed brunette, born into an old Richmond family, was now thirty-eight years old. She had grown up a spoiled only child, who was used to getting things her way. In high school, her nickname was ‘Scarlett’, named after Margaret Mitchell’s famed ‘Gone With The Wind’ heroine. And the nickname definitely suited her, although she was beginning to mellow a bit with age.

When the three arrived at the party, no one recognized Lois or even gave her a second glance; not her peers, the police officers, or the government agents that filled the streets around the compound. They assumed that Lois was just another one of the parents. Jim Myerson looked Lois directly in the face on her way into the house, and even he couldn’t see past the facade her outfit put forward. Lois was very amused.

Penny Taylor: “Doris! How are you Sugar? I haven’t seen you in a while.” Pointing at her belly, “How’s our next little Junior Miss comin’ along?”

DG: “I’m doin’ great. And the baby is just fine. Where’s the birthday boy?”

PT: “Oh, he’s upstairs, he’s playing with some new game or other. Who can keep up with all those kids games,” she laughed. “Tommy sugar, why don’t you run upstairs and bring Jordan down. Tell him his guests are starting to arrive.”

Tommy Greer: “Okay.”

PT: Gesturing inside the house, “Well, come on in you two. I don’t want to talk out here around ‘them,'” she said as she tilted her head towards the people lining the streets.

The three entered the house and Doris began the introductions.

Doris: “Penny, I’d like you to meet my oldest and dearest friend, Lois Lane. Lois Lane, this is Penny Taylor.”

PT: Extending her hand, “How do you do… It’s so nice to meet you Miss Lane…. Hmmm, that name certainly sounds familiar. Where have I heard that before?”

LL: “I write for the….”

PT: “Daily Planet? I’ve heard of that paper… In Metropolis right?”

LL: “Yes.”

PT: “Sorry if I’m not too excited about that Miss Lane, but I’m afraid people around here have sort of had their fill of the press, if you know what I mean.”

LL: “I’m not offended. I understand how you feel. And please, call me Lois.”

PT: “All right… Lois. Well, you certainly don’t look like a reporter,” she smiled in approval as she sized-up Lois from head to toe. It was definitely an outfit that Penny approved of wholeheartedly.

Doris knew Penny’s reaction to the type of outfit she purposely asked Lois to wear would be a positive and disarming one. And she was right. Doris Garvey Greer was a very savvy lady. She secretly gave herself a high five. Doris smiled and tactfully ignored Lois’ questioning, ‘why didn’t you TELL me THIS is why you wanted me to wear this silly get-up?’ look.

Telling Lois her intentions just wasn’t her style. Doris was much too subtle for that. As children that trait was definitely a compliment to her best friends sometimes overconfident and abrasive manner. Like Clark, Doris was more the diplomat.

LL: “Not today, I don’t,” she answered Penny’s comment smiling. “But I’m here to help out with the children today.”

PT: “Thanks for offering to help out with the little ones. I really appreciate it.”

LL: “My pleasure. I need the practice.”

PT: “Excuse me?”

LL: “Practice. Doris says I need the practice, you see…”

DG: “Lois is engaged.”

PT: “Congratulations Lois. When’s the big day?”

LL: “Thanks. It’s next month.”

PT: “Well, if it’s practice you want, then practice you’ll most certainly get.”

LL: Trying to gently redirect the conversation, “So, Doris tells me it’s been pretty rough since all this broke loose.”

PT: Directing her guests towards the couch in her living room, “You can say that again. Those awful people are here all hours making too much noise and disrupting all our lives. The children have to play in the back yard now. From the press, police, FBI people, and a whole bunch of ‘lookey-loos’ who show up in giant tour busses, life hasn’t been the same here. It’s just plain awful!” she complained bitterly.

LL: “I’m sure things will eventually get back to normal once that missing member is found. Or whomever else is responsible.”

Doris sensed Lois’ apprehension about the question she could see just burning in her eyes. But knowing Penny for a long time, she knew she’d better stop Lois and do something fast, because Penny wouldn’t appreciate a reporter being invited into her home to interview her. Not on her son’s birthday, and probably, not ever. Doris quickly beat Lois to the punch. “Penny?”

PT: “Hmmm?”

DG: “On your side of the block, do you know who lives in the house next door to ‘The House’?”

Lois’ eyes widened at Doris’ question, but said nothing. They made eye contact only for a second or two, but Lois got the message clearly, correctly interpreting her old friend’s ‘Let ME handle this look.’ Penny hadn’t noticed the exchange.

PT: “Umm, its the Bartholomew’s.” Seeing the opportunity, Penny immediately shifted to ‘gossip mode.’ “They haven’t been living here very long. That house was empty for the longest time. Anne Bartholomew lives there with her little boy Carter. He’s in the class just above Jordan’s. They’re a little strange, if you ask me. They don’t socialize much.” Conspiratorially lowering her voice, “And I’ve never even seen the woman’s husband. He never seems to be around. You know, I don’t even think I know his name.”

DG: “Penny, can I talk to you alone for a moment?”

PT: “Sure Doris, what’s this about?”

DG: “Lois, we’ll be right back.”

Lois was noticeably more than a little surprised. “Sure. I’ll be right here.”

Lois spent the next eight minutes waiting for Doris and Penny to stop talking privately and come back into the living room to join her. She was just burning with curiosity, but she refused to eavesdrop on her old friend.

In the meantime Lois read her hostesses’ magazines and elegant coffee table books, and answered the door, directing Penny’s guests through the kitchen to the backyard, that she couldn’t help notice had been decorated for the small child’s birthday party.

Doris: “Sorry about that Lois. Let’s go out back and help Penny finish setting up before the rest of the kids arrive.”

Lois: “What was that all about?”

Penny overheard the two women talking in her living room and was a little surprised at Lois’ questioning tone of voice.

Doris: “Oh, just neighborhood chit chat.”

Lois: “Doris, what are you up to?” she asked suspiciously.

Doris: Flashing an innocent smile, “Nothing, come on. We have to get everything ready out back.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The party was in full swing a little over an hour later. Lois was in charge of the pin the tail on the donkey game and openly got a kick out of blindfolding the little children and spinning them around to watch them play, afterwards handing out a little prize to all the children who were successful. Once in a while she stopped to kick herself for avoiding this sort of thing most of her adult life. This was fun.

She was enjoying herself so much; she took Doris’ advice and taught all the little children ‘The Alley Cat’ dance.

She did glance upwards once or twice during the day to see if Clark was indeed sitting on a cloud and enjoying the view. Well, if he expected her participation to be a disaster, he would have been pleasantly surprised to find that Lois was the life of the party. But no one was more shocked than Lois Lane herself.

The children, although admittedly a handful, were for the most part delightful to be around.

When the dancing lesson was over, Lois took a small break and sat down at the kitchen counter.

PT: “Having fun?”

LL: “Actually, yes. I’m having a ball.”

PT: “I’m more than a little surprised you haven’t asked me to call Anne Bartholomew.”

LL: “Well, actually, the thought DID occur to me,” she confessed. “That’s one of the reasons I agreed to come here this afternoon. But, I know how much you’ve been put out by all this. And it just didn’t seem appropriate to ask you. Especially since you barely know the lady… And also, I just didn’t want to use one of Doris’ good friends like that… If you want, I’ll go.”

PT: “No, don’t go. You’re welcome to stay. Wow, I was beginning to think that journalists like you didn’t exist anymore.”

LL: “Well, I’ve changed a lot over the years. I think my fiancé’s to blame a little for that. There was a time not too long ago when I didn’t care who I ran over to get the story I wanted. Well, I cared, but not enough.” Smiling thoughtfully, she continued with confidence, “I’ll still get my story. I’ll just have to get it in a different way, that’s all.”

PT: “That’s refreshing to hear. Thank you for that. I bet you’re wondering what Doris wanted to talk to me about? Aren’t you?”

LL: “Well…. yes, actually, I was.”

PT: “She asked me to call Anne Bartholomew because she suspected you wouldn’t.”

LL: “She didn’t!” Doris never failed to amaze her.

PT: “Yes she did. At first I thought you put her up to it… I’m glad to know that you didn’t. I called her for Doris’ sake. It’s hard to stay mad at a woman who’s almost eight months pregnant, you know?”

LL: Laughing, “Yeah, but I think Doris excels at getting her way whether she’s pregnant or not.”

DING DONG DING DONG

PT: “That must be them.”

LL: “Them?”

PT: “Anne and her son Carter silly. I asked her to bring Carter, who Anne confessed hasn’t made too many friends yet in school. I think they’re both really lonely over there. And it’s also hard to socialize with your neighbors when you live next door to THAT place.”

“I also explained about you being here and wanting to ask her some questions. I hope you don’t mind, but I didn’t think it would be fair to lie to her.”

LL: “No, I don’t mind,” she answered excitedly. She couldn’t believe the honest approach had gotten her this far. She was getting the interview she wanted, and she didn’t have to resort to some sort of trickery to achieve it. She couldn’t help but think how proud Clark would be.

PT: “Well, she was kind enough to agree. Let me answer the door. Wait here.”

LL: “Penny? Thank you… really.”

PT: “No, thank you. You’ve helped restore at least SOME of my faith in the press.”

FOUR PM

By late afternoon, the party was over, and their parents had picked up most of the children. The remaining children were still playing outback while Doris supervised. Lois, Penny, and Anne were sitting in the living room, getting acquainted while Lois delicately asked Anne some questions about her next door neighbors.

Unfortunately, Anne really didn’t know anything that hadn’t been reported on heavily in the press. Basically, like many of the other neighbors, she’d seen the members all come and go from the house together. She’d also seen them handing out their hate mongering flyers in and around town. She hadn’t noticed anyone over the age of thirty come and go from the house either. Nothing new.

She had never really looked into the house from her son’s room. At least ninety percent of the view from his room looked onto the woods next to and behind the house. The thick of trees lining the high walls surrounding the compound were so dense in most spots, there wasn’t much to see.

She and her son had been questioned by police and federal agents after the bodies had been found, but both had nothing of interest to tell them. Perhaps Lois would have better luck. Anne was kind enough to allow Lois to question Carter while she was present.

Lois: “Hi Carter.”

Carter Bartholomew: “Hi,” he replied with his small voice.

Lois thought the six-year-old boy was one of the most adorable children she’d ever seen. He had very large brown eyes and a round cherub face. Carter was obviously very shy and wary of strangers.

LL: “Can you see into the house next door from your bedroom?”

Carter just shrugged his shoulders in reply.

LL: “Can you tell me anything about the house? Did you know anybody who lived there?”

CB: He shrugged again. “I don’t know.”

LL: “You don’t know? Well, that’s okay Carter. If you didn’t see anything, that’s okay,” she said; trying not to sound disappointed. “I want to thank you for talking to me today Carter.”

CB: “Kay.”

LL: “Would you like to go outside and play with the other kids some more?”

CB: Carter shrugged his shoulders again and looked to his mother for guidance. She smiled and nodded her head. “Yes please.”

LL: “Why don’t you go ahead then.”

CB: “Kay. Bye.”

LL: “Buh-bye Carter.”

Anne Bartholomew: “Sorry about that,” his mother apologized. “I had a feeling it was going to turn out this way.”

LL: “That’s okay… Is he always this shy?”

AB: “Just about, I’m afraid.”

Doris Greer: “Give him some time, he’ll open up.”

A half-hour later, the party was over, Anne, Carter, Doris, Tommy and Lois all walked out of the house together. Each of the children were still wearing their party hats and proudly carrying little grab bags and helium filled balloons.

AB: “It was so nice meeting all of you… Listen, I haven’t had company at the house for a long time. Would you all like to come to my house for some coffee?”

DG: “I think we’d love to.”

AB: “Let me invite Penny and her son to join us.”

A few moments later, the seven of them walked the short distance towards the Bartholomew house. Nobody from the press corps or the police force looked twice at the small party, not even at Lois. She walked right by Henderson and he didn’t bat an eyelash. She knew she looked different, but wow.

ANNE BARTHOLOMEW’S HOME

After arriving at Anne’s home, she put on a pot of coffee and gave everyone the grand tour of her new home.

Lois, of course, looked from Carter’s bedroom window into the classroom next door, and even that was a major strain. You’d really have to go out of your way to spy on the house next door. Most adults wouldn’t bother to even try; Lois had to admit that only a veeery curious child would even take the time to bother. It was apparent that it wasn’t worth the effort to Carter though.

Lois also took the time to peek through every window on that side of Anne’s home for a decent view of the Freedom Fighters backyard, but everything was just as Anne described. They were blocked by walls, bushes, or trees.

The tour finished just as the teakettle blew. And everyone settled in the living room. The ladies sat on the couch, enjoying their coffee while talking and getting acquainted.

AB: “More coffee ladies?”

PT: “None for me thanks.”

LL: “Well, maybe just a little.”

AB: “Decaffeinated Doris?”

DG: “Just a little bit, thank you.”

Jordan and Tommy played in the corner by the living room window. Carter sat by the window and stared at the bustling activity outside, while his mother glanced at her son worriedly.

AB: “I wish Carter were more outgoing. He’s more shy like me I’m afraid. Poor little thing.”

PT: “Jordan, Tommy, ask Carter to play with you!” she demanded.

JT: “Sure mom.” Jordan, an extrovert just like his mother, grabbed Carter’s hand and roughly pulled him to the floor and handed him a piece of the board game they were playing with. Carter had little choice but to join in, at least for the moment.

AB: “Thank you for that.”

PT: “Eh, it was nothing. There’s one thing that my Jordan is certainly NOT, and that’s SHY,” she laughed.

A few moments later, a distracted Carter went back to one of his favorite hobbies, staring out the window watching the world go by. But since the tragedy had happened next door, the world seems to have come to him.

The women were chatting amiably when Carter began to yell and scream.

CB: “BAD, BAD, BAD!” he cried.

All four women rushed to Carter’s side to make sure he was alright and see what had upset him so greatly. His face was puffy and his eyes were beginning to fill with tears.

AB: “What is it pumpkin? Are you okay sweetheart?”

CB: “BAD BAND!” he yelled out the window.

AB: “Bad band?!” his mother asked confused. “What on earth?”

Carter pointed out the large window and looked into his mother’s eyes as if that would explain everything.

PT: “What’s the child pointing at? Band? What does that mean?”

Lois, Penny, and Anne couldn’t detect anything different than when they first arrived at the house.

LL: “Everything looks the same to me.”

AB: “I don’t see anything different either.”

DG: “What about that van over there. That wasn’t there before.”

LL: “Oh, good eye Doris, you’re right.”

AB: “Is that what you’re looking at Carter sweetie? The van?”

CB: Shaking his head yes, “Bad band!”

AB: “Band? You mean that really big car over there?”

Carter was still shaking his head yes.

AB: “Sweetie, that’s not a band, that’s a Van… V…A…N,” she slowly spelled the word out for her son.

CB: “VAN, BAD VAN! People go away!” he yelled. Carter turned away and buried his head in his mother’s comforting shoulder.

LL: “Carter, have you seen a van like that before?”

CB: The boy lifted his head and faced Lois. “Yes.”

Lois recognized the make and model immediately from previous investigations involving various government agencies. It was a dark colored, late model Ford Club Wagon, standard federal issue. It was the type of van you always saw in the movies…. In those movies you’d see a van slow down, men with black suits and dark glasses would quickly get out and throw an unsuspecting victim in the back, and that poor person was never seen or heard from again.

LL: “Where did it go?”

Carter pointed towards the house next door and to the right.

LL: “Who got out of the van?”

CB: “The Ninja People!”

LL, DG, PT, AB: “Ninja people?!”

PT: “Ninja People!” Penny repeated in disbelief, thinking the boy was telling tales. So did the other women, except for Lois.

Lois thought for a minute and a plausible explanation came to her.

LL: “Carter, you mean they were wearing BLACK costumes?”

CB: “Uh-huh.”

LL: “Then what?” she asked excitedly.

CB: “They go in…. went in,” he corrected himself.

LL: “You saw them go in the house?”

Carter shook his head no. He couldn’t have seen them enter the house from any vantagepoint in his house. The wall was just too high from any level in front. The most he could have seen was them disappear through the front gate.

AB: “What room were you in honey?”

CB: “Here.” Pointing next door, “I heard yelling. They was cryin’.”

LL,DG,PT,AB: “Yelling and crying?”

CB: “Uh-huh.”

DG: “And then…”

CB: The child was obviously upset about what he was remembering, but he bravely continued. “I went upstairs and hid under my bed.”

AB: “When was this Carter?” his mother asked, surprised and frightened at what she was hearing for the first time.

CB: “I don’t know,” he answered as he shrugged his shoulders.

AB: “Was it this week… last week?”

CB: “I don’t know.”

LL: “Carter, the next morning… were all those people outside that house taking pictures? And were the big police cars there too?” Lois carefully asked.

CB: “Yes,” he answered, glancing out the window at the reporters and police.

LL: Lois turned back to the other ladies and lowered her voice. “He saw someone go in that night.”

AB: “He didn’t see anyone in particular. Just a van with people dressed in black!” Anne was beginning to sound more frightened and defensive.

LL: “Well, by now EVERYONE suspects it WASN’T a suicide. This just confirms it!”

AB: “Wait a minute,” she snapped, protectively wrapping her arms around her son. “He’s just a six year old boy! I’m not letting those people…”

PT: “You HAVE to tell the authorities Anne.”

AB: “The HELL… HECK I DO!” Looking down at her son in apology for her language, “Sorry sweetie.”

She then turned her attention back to the other women; “This is MY BABY we’re talking about!”

DG: “Anne, you have to do the right thing,” Doris pleaded. “Lois tell her.”

Lois sat crouched in front of the little boy for a moment. And there was only one thing that crossed her mind. Another little boy who’d just turned six and would never see his seventh birthday…. Adam Schmidt.

Lois next words would shock her old friend.

LL: “Anne, you do WHATEVER you have to do to keep your son safe.”

DG: “Lois?” AB: “Thank you,” she replied tearfully.

LL: “I’m sorry. But this story is DIFFERENT! The people who did all this are ruthless! And telling ANYONE might put Carter in a danger. He’s a witness… And ladies don’t tell me you would do ANY LESS for YOUR children. The people who are responsible for this WILL be brought to justice…! It just won’t be through Carter!….. Agreed?”

DG: “I agree.”

PT: “I agree too.”

AB: “Thanks… all of you.”

PT: Penny took the opportunity to use her forceful personality to influence the children. “Jordan, Tommy. All you did was come over here and play today…. THAT’S IT! Okay? Keep your mouths SHUT!” That was clearly not a pleading request. It was an order.

Jordan: “Sure mom.”

Tommy: “Sure.”

None of the other women would say so that day, but they were all extremely impressed by Lois’ gesture and concern. She was willing to sacrifice a major story for their safety. From that moment on, Lois’ stature had risen from just ‘Doris’ friend, the reporter’, to THEIR trusted friend and ally. Certainly not an easy accomplishment for a single afternoon, but Lois Lane was always capable of pulling off miracles.

However, the revelation understandably put a wet blanket on their small gathering. Within ten minutes, the second party had broken up and everyone went their separate ways. But they all came to an agreement to protect Carter and his mother.

A few moments later, the three drove back to Doris’ home.

PART 43

THE GREER HOME 5:20pm

DG: “Lois, I’m gonna run next door and get Peaches, will you watch Tommy for just a few minutes?”

LL: “Sure.”

A moment later, Doris had disappeared out her front door and Lois was left to her own devices with a four year old. Lois could ‘feel’ the silence.

LL: “So.”

Tommy just stared.

LL: “Sooo.” ‘Say something else Lane. You’re boring the poor kid…. What’s the use? You have no idea what you’re doing!… Come on Lois, you just spent the afternoon entertaining a bunch of four and five year olds…. successfully!’ she thought in amazement. ‘You can handle ONE little boy.’

“So, did you enjoy yourself at the party today?”

TG: “Uh-huh.”

LL: “Uh-huh. That’s great,” she said, trying to sound enthusiastic, but in the end sounding like an adult that felt uncomfortable around children. ‘There has to be something interesting I can say to this kid.’ “So, do you like school?”

TG: “No, not reeeally.”

LL: ‘Strike one Lane.’ “Well…. what do you like to do?”

TG: “I like to go to the playground.”

LL: “It’s been a while, but I used to like that too…. when I was your age.”

TG: “Back in the olden days with Mommy?” he giggled in reply.

LL: “Yeah Tommy, back in the ‘olden days’ with Mommy.”

Tommy looked away and began fidgeting and Lois quickly followed suit.

TG: Suddenly he jumped up and down and smiled. “Mommy says you know Superman! Is that true?”

LL: Smiling proudly, “Yeah, I sure do.” ‘Finally, something that impresses this kid. But then Superman seems to impress almost EVERY child.’

TG: “WOW! Super cool!”

LL: “Yeah, it is ‘super cool’.”

TG: “Did yooou ever FLY with Soopermann?”

LL: “Yeah…… I have.”

TG: Tommy’s eyes were wide with awe. “WOOOW! What’s dat… that like?”

LL: “It’s wonderful. There’s nothing else like it…. Nothing in the world,” she reflected.

TG: “Do you think I can MEET him one day?”

LL: Smiling, “I’ll see what I can do.”

TG: “Whoa, thanks Aunt Lois!”

Much to Lois’ amusement, Tommy started to do what Lois could only describe as some sort of four year olds victory dance while screaming, or was that singing, one long ‘YEEEAAAH’. He flapped his arms up and down and his feet were doing some sort of jig, completely out of beat with his arm movements, to a tune only he could hear.

Lois couldn’t contain her laughter.

LL: “You’re welcome.”

Just then the front door swung open.

DG: “We’re back.”

TG: “Mommy, Mommy…! Aunt Lois says she can to bring SUPERMAN to meet me!” His speech was so quick and furious; it took a minute for his mother to correctly interpret the over excited little boy’s words.

Lois looked up and nodded to confirm Tommy’s statement to Doris’ questioning look. Doris looked almost as excited as her two children, who were both now jumping up and down.

DG: Trying not to sound as impressed and ecstatic as her children, “Wow! I mean…. that’s great Tommy.”

Pulling her aside and whispering, “I know you know Superman…. but are you SURE you can deliver him to meet the kids?”

LL: “Yeah, I’m pretty positive. All I have to do is ask. I DON’T know his schedule, but I can ask him to drop by and say hello when he gets the chance.”

DG: “Lois if you can do that, I would be grateful for the rest of my life. Those kids, ESPECIALLY Tommy, eat, drink and sleep Superman. You saw Tommy’s room. I think he has every Superman related toy ever created.”

LL: “I know. I thought I had seen EVERYTHING, but he’s got Superman stuff I never even knew existed. I didn’t even know they made TOY KRYPTONITE! Though I suggest you NOT let Superman see that when he arrives.”

DG: “Oh, the toy kryptonite came from Lex Mart.”

LL: Looking up in the air, “I should’ve known!” She chuckled sarcastically when she realized she should be looking in the opposite direction to focus her anger at Lex’s soul.

DG: “Well, everyone who knows us knows how crazy he is about Superman, so whenever someone I know sees something that has to do with Superman, they buy it for Tommy.”

LL: “I’ll keep that in mind.”

DG: “So, are you ready to leave?”

LL: Pulling a notepad from her pocket, “Yeah. Let’s see. There are three names on the list, and I think surprise is my best bet. I don’t want risk calling and have them hang up on me, so could you give me directions to….”

DG: “When I ran and got Peaches I asked my neighbors if they knew which Dellaccio’s owned the store… They weren’t sure, but they think the husbands name is Charles or Craig.”

LL: Looking at her notepad, “Thanks. Let’s see….. yup, there IS a C. Dellaccio listed here. That’s the last one on my list on… 3401 Orchard Street.”

DG: “Orchard? That’s on the other side of town… ready?”

LL: “Yeah. Do you think I should change?”

DG: “No, just grab a sweater, It’ll probably be getting cooler a little later.”

LL: “Okay.”

DG: “We’ll take my car, okay? I’ll load the kids in the car and we’ll go.”

LL: “Go? You don’t have to do that. I can manage. I have my car.”

DG: “Lois, I don’t want you getting lost around here. And besides, you’re much less likely to get the door slammed in your face with a pregnant woman and two small children in tow.”

LL: “Doris, that’s not necessary…”

DG: “Oh come on Lois. Let me tag along. I think it’ll be exciting… And the most EXCITING thing I have planned is RENTING a movie tonight and COOKING dinner. Let me get a glimpse and see how the other half lives for a change,” she was almost begging.

LL: “Well, since you put it that way.”

DG: “Great! Thanks Lois. Come on kids, go grab a sweater, and we’re gonna go for a drive with your Aunt Lois.”

THE DELLACCIO’S HOME 3401 ORCHARD STREET 5:50PM

DING DONG

Woman’s Voice: “Coming!…. Just a minute.” A few seconds later the front door opened, revealing a woman who Lois estimated to be in her mid to late seventies. Her eyes were brown, and her dark hair had turned gray, although not completely. She was approximately Lois’ height, and wore a powder blue dress. And her once soft voice had become a little shrill over the years. “Hello, can I help you people?”

LL: “Good evening… my name is Lois Lane. This is my friend Doris Greer and her two children Amanda and Tommy. Doris was kind enough to give me a ride over here to ask you some questions…” Lois knew she was babbling, but having her old friend and two small children along for the ride was rattling her concentration a bit. “I’m sorry, I’m babbling…… You do own The Dellaccio Office and Schoolhouse Furniture Company, don’t you?”

Woman: “Yes, I do… Well, my husband and I do.” Smiling brightly, “Won’t you come in?”

LL: ‘Wow, this really ISN’T Metropolis!’ Lois thought. ‘This woman was inviting TOTAL STRANGERS into her house? Then again, maybe Doris was right, who would slam their door in the faces of a pregnant woman and two small kids?’ At least she could be grateful for that. “Thank you.”

DG: Shaking the woman’s hand, “Pleased to meet you. I’m Doris.”

Woman: “How do you do. I’m Louise Dellaccio.” She then turned and shook Lois’ hand before yelling up the stairs, “Charlie, come down now, we’ve got company!”

Man’s Voice: “Coming. Be there in just a second,” her husband replied just before he reached the top of the stairway. The older man looked to be around six feet tall, with broad shoulders and a warm smile. His full head of hair was almost the same colors as his wife of forty-five years. Although good looks often fade with time, that was definitely not true in his case. Lois thought he looked like a cross between Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum. And Gregory Peck ALWAYS reminded her of Clark because To Kill a Mockingbird was his all-time favorite movie.

Louise Dellaccio: “Honey, this is Lois, Doris, Tommy, and Amanda.”

PG: “Peaches!” she corrected the older woman.

LD: “Sweetie?”

PG: “My name is Amanda, but everybody calls me Peaches.”

LD: Smiling as she apologized, “I’m sorry honey… that’s Peaches.”

Charlie Dellaccio: Nodding his head, “It’s a pleasure.” Motioning towards the living room that was almost totally furnished with pieces from the 1940’s and 50’s, but in remarkably great shape, “Won’t you have a seat and tell us what this is all about? We don’t get too many visitors up to the house. And we were both just about to go to our daughters for Sunday dinner.”

Lois: “Well, I’m afraid I dragged my friends all this way so I could ask you a few questions about one of your clients. I’m Lois Lane, I’m with the Daily…”

Louise: “…The Daily Planet. We know that paper well. Your stories make the national news ALL the time. Especially your SUPERMAN stories….. Well, anyone who’s a friend of Superman is DEFINITELY a friend of ours! What can we do for you dear?”

Before Lois could answer Louise continued.

LD: “Where are my manners, can I get you all some apple juice?”

Tommy, Peaches: “Yes, please.”

DG: “Actually that sounds wonderful, and thank you.”

LL: Lois was a bit anxious to get this over with, but she didn’t want to be rude. She’d make as much chitchat as she needed to. “I’d love a glass too.”

LD: Standing up and heading out towards the kitchen. “I’ll just be a minute… Charlie?”

CD: Nodding his head, “Thanks dear.”

LD: “Be back in a jiffy.” The kitchen was just a few yards away, so Louise could overhear everything through the kitchen door.

CD: “So, what ‘s this about?”

LL: “I happen to know that the furniture in the classroom of the Freedom Fighters home was bought from your store.”

LD: “Well, most schools and institutions in the area buy from us.” Proudly, but trying to sound modest, “It’s… sort of a tradition. We may not be the biggest operation, but we like to think we’re the best at what we do. Folks around here seem to appreciate it.”

LL: Smiling back, “So I’ve heard. I was just wondering if you could remember the people who placed the order. It was probably placed within’ the last year or so. But I’m not sure.”

LD: Louise arrived carrying a large tray with a pitcher of apple juice, empty glasses filled with ice, and a tray of chocolate chip cookies. “I’m sorry. I don’t remember them. But I’m sure we have a record of the transaction on file. The ACTUAL records at the store. That’s just down the road a bit. But we’ve got computer records logged here on our home PC. I’ll go take a look….”

Lowering the tray to the coffee table in front of the sofa, she picked up the glasses and handed them to her guests and then her husband. “Here you go.”

DG, LL: “Thanks.”

LD: “I’ll go check the computer and see if I can find that order for you.”

LL: “Thank you very much Mrs. Dellaccio.”

LD: “Louise.”

LL: “Louise.”

LD: Walking upstairs, “That’s better.”

CD: “Hmmm. I remember them. Ya see, most of the time, a school or business will place an order over the phone and I’ll have my sons deliver it. Not these people. That’s one of the reasons I remember them so vividly… They were strange.”

LL: “Strange? Can you elaborate ‘strange’?”

CD: “Well, none of ’em were barefoot or bangin’ tambourines or anything like that, but…. They were just a little…. edgy, if you ask me.”

LL: “Do you remember anyone in particular?”

CD: “I remember the man who placed the order…. a lot older than the rest. In his forties or fifties, I reckon. He wore a military uniform, but I didn’t recognize the division. Came in with a bunch of kids around college age, some a little older. Seemed a little paranoid if you asked me. Always lookin’ from left to right as if he was bein’ watched.”

Thinking back, “Lets see, he ordered around thirty to thirty-five small desks or so, a couple of medium sized ones, and one ‘executive line’ large desk. I remember the kids called him ‘Elder something’ or other……. The name was…. uh… Rock, Brock, Jock or something like that. Well, he signed the purchase order and paid for his merchandise in cash. That’s ANOTHER reason I remember them so well. I’ve NEVER known ANYONE with an order THAT big who paid in cash. It just doesn’t happen! Not nowadays anyway.”

LL: “You have his signature on file?” Lois could feel the adrenaline pumping throughout her system.

CD: “We must. Everyone who shows up in person and pays HAS to sign a purchase order……. That took some persuading, I can tell you. But it’s store policy. No signature, no furniture!”

“Anyway, he WOULDN’T let us deliver the furniture, which struck me as a bit odd, since there was so much of it. But that was his choice, so I didn’t say anything about it. When the furniture was ready, a group of them came by and picked it up themselves in a large a dark van.”

LL: “A dark van?”

CD: “Yup, I’m positive. They drove it back and forth until they got every piece of furniture. Took four or five trips, if I remember right.”

LL: “Do you remember if it was foreign or domestic?”

CD: Shaking his head no, “Not quite sure. I’m not that good with makes and models of cars and such.”

LL: She knew it was a long shot but asked anyway, “Do you remember the license plate?”

CD: “No, I never caught the number.”

LL: “Did you notice what state the plate was issued from?”

CD: “Umm. It was Maryland, I think…. Yup, I’m positive… Maryland.”

LL: Lois was impressed, wishing all her witnesses memories were this good. This interview was a walk in the park compared to most. “Do you remember specifically what any of them looked like, especially the older man?”

CD: “Miss. I’ve got a memory….”

LD: Louise returned just in time to catch the tail end of the conversation, “Oh dear, DON’T get him started on his memory!” She let out an exasperated breath as he opened his mouth to continue. “Oh boy, here we go….”

CD: Exclaiming excitedly, “…Ask me anything?! What I was wearing the March 9th, 1972?…..”

LD: “Sweetheart, NOBODY wants to know what you were wearing! Stop boring the children…..”

CD: “…I was wearing my first bellbottom blue jeans with a snazzy Hawaiian…”

LD: “Charles!… You’ll have to excuse him. He PRIDES himself on his excellent memory… Listen dear, the ONLY thing we want to hear is if you remember what the people looked like who came in to buy the furniture.”

CD: “I was just gettin’ to that, but you keep interrupting m….”

LD: “Oh you were, were you? Then what’s all this talk about BELLBOTTOM PANTS and HAWAIIAN SHIRTS?!”

While Charlie tried to think of a witty comeback to his wife’s remark, Louise took her husbands moment of silence as an opportunity to turn back to Lois and give her the information she’d found on her PC. Waving a printout and handing it to Lois, “I found a record of the purchase order on the computer. The name of the man who placed the order was P. Brock, on April 1st, 1994.”

CD: “See, I was right. It was Brock!”

Lois carefully studied the printout. The address was an exact match to the Freedom Fighters compound. Lois wanted to jump up and turn a cartwheel. Or at least get Tommy to teach her the little victory dance he showed her earlier that evening when she said she might introduce him to Superman. This was big and she knew it.

Giving her husband an ‘I told you so look’, “You see! I told you having a computer would come in handy.” Turning her attention back to Lois and Doris, “He HATES those machines.”

CD: “They’re completely unnecessary! A waste of time and money!”

LD: “You’ll have to excuse my husband, he just moved here from BEDROCK!” she teased.

CD: “Those machines are a threat to society! Pretty soon we’ll live in a world where no one has to interact with anyone else anymore!”

LD: Shaking her head, “Pay no attention to him children, he’s being melodramatic as usual.”

CD: “I am NOT being melodramatic! People sit in front of those INFERNAL machines and spend HOURS a day typing to strangers they’ll never actually meet…. And the little ones….. the little ones get NO fresh air and exercise. I’m telling you it’s the end of….”

Charlie Dellaccio abruptly stopped talking when he noticed Lois and Doris stifling laughter as they glanced towards Louise. He quickly turned to his wife and caught her pretending to play an imaginary violin.

CD: “Oh, you think you’re CUTE, don’t you?!”

LD: “I’m VERY cute!”

CD: “Oh you are, are you?!” he chuckled.

Lois and Doris looked at each other and smiled. The older couple was just adorable. Peaches and Tommy were loading up on cookies, so they didn’t care if a shouting match broke out. Snacks before dinner was a rarity in the Greer household, and they were going to take full advantage of the opportunity.

LD: “Yes I am!…. And why don’t we stop boring the children and get back to the subject at hand. It’s getting late and the kids will be waiting.”

CD: “You’re right, hon..”

LD: Looking at Lois, “You have any other questions dear?”

LL: “Yes, do you remember what this Brock looked like?”

CD: “I remember what he looks like perfectly!” he replied proudly. “He had rugged features and a BIG jagged scar on the left side of his face. Ugly scar it was too!”

LL: Jotting the description on her notepad, “Do you think you could describe him in detail if I got a police sketch artist to come over and draw him for you?”

CD: “Sure could.” Proudly tapping the side of his skull, “I may be eighty years old, but my mind is STILL young!…..” Looking at his wife, “Better than the memory on a supercomputer!”

LD: Rolling her eyes, “All right Brainiac, why don’t you drive Lois down to the store to get the purchase order, and then meet us back here when you’re done.”

CD: “All right…. And don’t call me Brainiac!”

LD: “Fat Head?”

CD: “Lou-ise!”

LD: “All right, all right, I’m finished joking.”

CD: “Thank you… How does that sound to you Lois?…. Heading downtown to get the purchase order.”

LL: Standing up and grabbing her purse, “That sounds wonderful, thank you.”

LD: “Doris, would you like me to fix something for you and the kids to eat while you wait?”

CD: Laughing and jabbing Doris in the arm, “Say no kids, it’s a trap!” Charlie warned, “The woman can’t boil wa…”

LD: “Charlie!” Louise gave her husband a warning glance and a smirk.

CD: “Sorry, honey…. Actually she’s improved over the years.” Winking at Doris, “I’m sure a light snack’ll be a safe venture for ya.”

LD: “Go on mister… GET!” she said, snapping a cloth napkin she’d picked up from the tray in front of her onto her husbands rear end.

CD: Reaching for his jacket on the hook behind the front door, “We’re goin’, we’re goin’. Turning to Lois as they stepped into the warm spring evening, “So, what’s SUPERMAN like?” he asked excitedly as they walked out the front door.

DELLACCIO OFFICE & SCHOOLHOUSE FURNITURE CO. STORE 6:15PM

Mr. Dellaccio was standing by a stack of large, old file cabinets that seemed to have decades of records in them.

LL: “Don’t you ever throw your records out?” Lois asked in amazement.

Charlie Dellaccio: “Nope. Keep ’em forever. Even my father’s records are here!” He stated proudly. “Some are in the back because we ran out of room up here. The dates go all the way back to the turn of the century. I hate throwing things away.”

LL: “Aaah, that’s very impressive,” she nodded. ‘And I thought Clark was bad.’

CD: Leafing through the file cabinet marked 1993 to present, “Let me see…. March, April……. A’s…..Aaronson….. Adams… Anderson….. Barker….Billingsly….. Brittle, Brock! HERE IT IS! April First, Nineteen-Ninety-Four.” Handing Lois the purchase order, “P. Brock. Here’s his signature,” he said, pointing his finger to the bottom of the slip. “I’ve got a Xerox in the back room. Would you like me to make a copy for you?”

LL: “If you wouldn’t mind.”

CD: “No trouble dear, no trouble at all. Just let me warm up the machine.”

LL: Remembering her promise to Henderson, “Do you mind if I call a friend in the Alexandria police force to come over so you can give him a description of this Brock fellow?”

CD: “No, of course not. Go right ahead… I’ll just call my daughter and tell her we’ll be a little late. Do you need to use the phone?”

LL: “No, thanks. I have my cell phone with me.” She dialed the number from the card Henderson given her. I’d like to speak to Inspector Henderson….. Tell him it’s an emergency…… Tell him it’s Lois, and I need to speak to him right now…….. I’ll wait.”

It only took about three minutes for Henderson to answer on the other line.

Voice of Inspector Henderson: “This better be good.”

LL: “It’s better than good. How would you like to get back into the good graces of your boss?…. Guaranteed!”

VoIH: “I’m listening.”

LL: “I’ve got documented proof that these kids weren’t the only members of the Freedom Fighters.” Drawing out her next words slowly to savor the moment, “How does that sound to you?”

VoIH: “That sounds like you just saved my @SS!!”

LL: “How soon can you get a police sketch artist over to South Union Street.”

VoIH: Excitedly, “Within 45 minutes.”

LL: “Well come on down… and Henderson… please… be… discreet! Remember, The Planet gets the exclusive on this one…”

VoIH: “I understand, and I agree. You have my word.”

LL: “Then here’s the address, 2216 South Union Street.”

VoIH: “I’ll be there. I want to ask YOU a few questions too.”

LL: “We’ll be waiting.”

PART 44

7:10PM

Sketch Artist: “The eyes are a little smaller?”

Charlie Dellaccio: “Yes, just a little bit. And the scar was a little more jagged at the top.”

SA: “Like this?”

CD: “Mmmm, that’s right. And the hair was a little shorter. It wasn’t a crew cut, but it wasn’t long either.”

SA: “Was it like this?”

CD: “Yes, and he had a long gray streak that reached from the top of his head to about the middle of his forehead …. Yeah, like that.”

SA: “Is that about it?”

CD: “Yes, that’s EXACTLY what he looked like.”

Inspector Henderson: “Perfect… And the purchase order is…”

CD: Handing the paper in his hand to Henderson, “Right here, Inspector.”

IH: “Thanks. This is the biggest break we’ve gotten since this story broke.”

LL: “I want a copy of that picture for tomorrow’s edition of the planet.”

IH: Shaking his head, “I don’t know about that Lane.”

LL: “What?!”

IH: “You heard me.”

LL: Her eyes widening, “You CAN’T be serious.” Raising her voice, “I’M the one who found out where the desks came from in the first place! If it wasn’t for ME, you wouldn’t even be here!”

Although Lois was feeling hurt and betrayed at that moment, she refused to let her emotions get the best of her. She didn’t want to vent her anger, what she wanted and needed was a copy of that sketch. Reining in her emotions, she rethought her strategy and quickly shifted gears, then the answer came to her, just as the answer always did eventually. Lois Lane wasn’t considered a great reporter for nothing.

“Come on Henderson, if that picture DOESN’T go in tomorrow’s paper, the FEDS will find some excuse to take it from you and it’ll NEVER come out!”

Lois’ excellent poker face didn’t reveal the satisfaction she was feeling knowing she’d pushed the right buttons. The federal agents involved with this case left a big gaping wound in the pride of Alexandria’s Police force, treating them as nothing more than glorified traffic cops. And that wound was not going to heal any time soon.

But she was right. What she said was manipulative, but it was also the honest truth, and no one could deny that, especially not Henderson. And the moment her words reached his ears, it registered all over his face.

IH: Henderson looked away to the far wall, obviously considering Lois’ plea. A moment later, he let out a breath and came to his decision. “Okay, you get a copy of the sketch.”

LL: “And you won’t release it to the press until the morning edition of The Planet comes out….. right?”

IH: Holding up his hand, “Scouts honor.”

LL: “Well, that’s good enough for me.”

CD: “I’ll make a copy of that for you. I’ve got my Xerox in the back.”

SA: “Here you go.”

IH: “Make a few copies…. please…. Is this the only purchase order you have? Or do you have a copy of that too Lane?”

Lois Lane tried not to look nervous. She had a feeling he would try to take her copy of the purchase order if he knew she had it. She never got a chance to answer the good Inspector’s question.

CD: Smiling, “The only copy is in your hand, Inspector Henderson.”

IH: Henderson shook his head, “Okay.” He wasn’t sure he believed that. But Lois had done him too big a favor to contradict her, well, not today anyway.

Lois smiled appreciatively at the old man for covering for her, and mouthed the words ‘thank you’, when no one else was looking.

IH: “Okay, as agreed, we’ll sit on this story until early tomorrow morning.”

CD: “I won’t say anything either, until tomorrow. Won’t even tell the kids. Boy this is just about the most exciting that’s happened in years!”

LL: “Thank you Mr. Dellaccio. You too Henderson.”

IH: Waving the picture of Brock, “No, thank you!.. Boy oh boy,” he shook his head with wicked glee, “will those feds be TICKED OFF when they find out we beat them to this! Serves ’em right.”

A few moments later, they all exited the building and watched Mister Dellaccio lock up his store. Lois turned around to take in her charming surroundings. Her smile quickly faded when one of the signs of a store across the street had caught her eye. It was a collectible store prophetically named the ‘Rocky Road to Kansas’. Among other things, it had a wooden sculpture of Superman in its window. Lois would later remember that as one of the bad omens of things to come.

IH: Grabbing Lois by the arm, Henderson began walking her towards the corner and away from Dellaccio and the police sketch artist. “We’ll be back in a couple of minutes.”

CD: “Sure, I’ll just wait here.”

LL: “What’s this all about?”

IH: “I want to talk to you for a minute. What did you mean last night about ‘Ball Point Pens’?”

LL: “Excuse me?”

IH: “You know what I mean. After we left the house last night, I asked you what evidence you’d found and you said, and I quote… ‘I’ve got three words for you Henderson… BALL POINT PENS!’… So I’ll ask you again, what did you mean by ‘ball point pens’ being evidence?!?”

LL: “Remember the terrorist case we worked on years ago…”

IH: “Of course I remember. You were getting information from SOAR. That’s the only reason I let you in that house in the first place.”

LL: “Yeah, I figured.”

IH: “Sooo….”

LL: “So…., when I did my research with SOAR, I found out most of the tactics these types of groups subscribe to.”

IH: “By these kinds of groups you mean…”

LL: “Militias, terrorists, white supremacist hate groups, anarchists… organizations like that…”

IH: “Okay, go on…”

LL: “Well, for groups like these, above ALL else, their code is ‘SECRETS and SECURITY’. And you can’t achieve either, if you leave evidence behind. That’s why they’d almost never use writing instruments like pencils, ‘BALL POINT PENS’,… answering machines…,” gesturing up the hill towards the furniture store, “or SOFT WOODEN DESKS…! ALL things you’d found in ‘that house’! They… leave…. evidence!”

“I know that the feds took the tape from the answering machine, but the fact that they even HAD one in the first place is EXTREMELY TELLING!”

“They would have sent their messages in code, and when they DID actually write something down, more times than not, they would use a soft felt tip pen. But you didn’t find any of that here, did you? No codes, nothing.”

To illustrate her point, Lois pulled out her reporters notepad and a ball point pen from the pocket of her sweater. She flipped to a blank piece of paper and wrote the word ‘EVIDENCE’ in large capital letters. She then flipped to the next page, revealing the distinct imprint of the word she’d written on the previous one. Henderson’s eyebrows raised in understanding. “A ball point pen will leave an impression. And so will just about anything written on those soft wooden desks that nice Mr. Dellaccio over there makes.” Lowering her voice, “If this were a GENUINE militia or terrorist group, I’m telling you Henderson, you’d NEVER see this…. Never!”

“Those kids were set up. And I’ll tell you why. And it’s not because they weren’t very bright either… These types of groups do ALMOST EVERYTHING in secret. I know that house and the land behind it afforded them some privacy, but I’m telling you, it wasn’t nearly enough! The neighbors saw those kids around town because they were MEANT to be seen. Whomever this Brock is, or who ever he’s working for, set them up to take the fall for these murders. A REAL militia group would be in a far more secluded location than these kids were. They’re nothing but Patsy’s.”

“And if Brock is not responsible for the Capitol Murders, then he knows who is. I’ll guarantee it!”

Lois Lane: “Henderson….. I want what I’m about to say to be between the two of us and no one else.”

Inspector Henderson: “You know something else, don’t you?”

LL: “Yes. Watch your back!…. Be CAREFUL Henderson. Someone from the government, I’m not sure yet which entity, may very well be involved in this case, or at least helping to cover it up for someone.”

IH: “What makes you say that?”

LL: “Hasn’t it occurred to you as odd that there haven’t been any US Marshalls assigned to this case? This is ‘textbook’ jurisdiction of theirs… No offense, but their jurisdiction reaches throughout the US, while the Alexandria PD, is just here. Only someone REALLY high up could arrange an investigation like this and freeze Task Force 2 out completely!…. This case REEKS to high heaven!”

IH: “You’ve got a point there Lois.” ‘It WOULD be a lot harder for the feds to freeze out US Marshalls than some local police department.’

LL: “Henderson, just be careful how far you push the feds… be careful about WHO in their camp you trust. Whomever did this KILLED a few United States Senators, a Congressman, AND The Presidents Deputy Chief Of Staff!!….. That’s one reason I think we should go public with the picture and the purchase order. I think we’ll all be SAFER with that out in the open. The SOONER the better. And that’s why I think we should keep it quiet until it hits the paper tomorrow.”

IH: He tried not to let it show, but what she’d said had started to frighten him a little. “I hate to say it, but I agree with you…. I’ll have a talk with the sketch artist and Mr. Dellaccio. I’ll make sure they understand how important it is to keep this quiet until tomorrow morning.”

LL: Walking back towards the store, “Thanks Henderson. And remember what I said… watch your back!”

IH: “I’ll give you the same advice, watch yours too.” Pointing at the sky, ” ‘You know who’s’ not here to protect you. You’re a long way from Kansas Dorothy.”

LL: Smiling, “Don’t worry, I can take care of myself. I did it BEFORE Superman came to Metropolis, remember?”

IH: “Yeah, I remember… I also remember the police getting you out of a few scrapes before Superman arrived in Metropolis too.”

LL: “I’ll be careful.”

THE DELLACCIO HOME 15 MINUTES LATER.

Louise Dellaccio: “There you are. I know you called me and said you had to talk to the police, but I didn’t realize it would take THIS long.”

Charlie Dellaccio: “I’m sorry honey. Are you ready to go?”

LD: “Yes, I’m positively starving. How did it go?”

CD: “Splendidly. It was so exciting. I helped a police sketch artist make a composite of that Brock fellow and….”

LL: “Mr. Dellaccio, remember what Inspector….”

CD: Covering his mouth, “Oh that’s right. We’re supposed to keep the whole thing a secret until tomorrow morning. We can’t even tell the kids.”

LD: “Well you can tell me what happened on the way to Isabella’s house. Everyone else can wait ’til morning.”

LL: “Where are Doris and the….”

LD: “Oh, when Charlie called a while ago to say you were going to be late, Doris took the kids out food shopping for tonight’s dinner. She left a while ago, she should be back any minute. I think she went to the small grocery store about ten blocks from here. All the supermarkets close around three p.m., except for Foodtown, but that’s on the other side of town.”

Why don’t you sit down and have some more juice while you wait….”

DING DONG

CD: “That must be them.”

LD: Opening the door, “Hello again.”

Doris Greer: “Sorry we took so long, but I had to stop at two different stores to get everything I needed.”

LL: “That’s okay Doris, I just got here a few minutes ago myself.”

DG: “Ready to go?”

LL: “Yeah, let me just grab my purse. I want to thank the both of you for being so friendly and helpful.”

LD: “You’re very welcome dear. It was a pleasure. You all come back ANY time. It’s so nice having company over.”

LL: “Thanks, we may just take you up on that.”

DG: “Thank you for inviting us in to your lovely home.”

LD: “Why you’re very welcome. Come back anytime and bring the little ones with you. Maybe you can bring them on a day my great grandkids are here.”

DG: “I’d love to.”

LD: “Please pardon us for being so rude, but we’ve got to run. We’re late enough to our daughter’s house as it is.”

LL: “I’m sorry I kept you for so long. Have a good dinner, and thanks again.”

CD: Smiling, “No, thank YOU….. Most excitement we’ve had in years!”

PART 45

THE GREER’S HOUSE 8:40pm

Doris Greer: “I can’t believe how late it is. Usually the kids NEVER eat after 6:30. Their bedtime’s at 8!”

Lois Lane: In a teasing tone, “Well, here’s their big chance to walk on the wild side. Dinner at nine!” she replied while typing on her laptop.

DG: “Okay, I know that’s a little early, but these kids put in a full day. And I usually can’t relax ’til they’re in bed.”

LL: “Hey, it was YOUR idea to come along, remember?!”

DG: “I remember.”

LL: Looking up from her work to acknowledge the pleasing aroma, “Mmmm, what’s that baking in the oven?”

DG: “Something I whipped up especially for you… Chocolate Fudge Cake with Double Fudge Bars crushed into the frosting.”

LL: “Oh my God. I love you. You HAVE to give me the recipe.”

DG: “YOU’RE gonna make it at home?!?”

LL: “Not exactly.” Mischievously, “I’m gonna make Clark make it for me.”

DG: “Same old Lois. Still can’t boil water.”

LL: “Nope.”

DG: “Neither can that sweet old lady we met tonight.”

LL: “Mrs. Dellaccio?”

DG: “Oh yeah. Her husband WASN’T kidding.”

LL: “But those cookies were delic…”

DG: “HE must’ve made the cookies.”

LL: Smirking, “What ‘light snack’ did she whip up for you while I was gone?”

Doris stopped fixing dinner and looked up at the ceiling, obviously confused. “You know… I have no idea.”

LL: Laughing at her friends expression, “It couldn’t have been THAT bad.”

DG: “Oooh, yes it could’ve… and it was! I was praying for you to get back quickly. In the end, I had to grab the kids and head out to the grocery store before the little ones said something rude and hurt her feelings… We’re talkin’ one bad snack!”

LL: “Oh come on Doris, you mean to tell me it was SO BAD, you have absolutely NO idea what it even was?”

DG: “That’s what I’m telling you.”

LL: “Well, was there meat in it?”

DG: Laughing, “I’m telling you Lois, honest to Betsy, I don’t know WHAT the heck that was. And I was too embarrassed to ask.”

LL: “I guess he must do all the cooking in that house. Or they must eat out a lot.”

DG: “That explains Sunday dinners at the daughter’s house…. Hopefully, YOU’LL have learned to cook by the time you and Clark are married that long.”

LL: “I’m sure HE hopes so,” she replied still laughing.

DG: Handing Lois some napkins and utensils, “Here, set the table, you pathetic creature you.”

LL: “Gladly. Where are the kids?”

DG: “Playing in the den or watching TV. I think they’re celebrating being up this late. I’ll call them to dinner in a few minutes.”

LL: “I can’t believe I forgot my laptop here at the house. I could’ve written the story on the way back and sent it to The Planet nearly an hour ago.”

DG: “With a couple of screaming kids in the back seat? I doubt it.”

LL: “How long do I have before dinner’s ready?

DG: “About fifteen minutes.”

LL: “Okay, let me finish writing the story and I’ll call the Planet office here in DC.”

DG: “Lo-is, NO computer at the dinner table.”

LL: “Okay, I’ll be finished before dinner’s ready. I’m almost done.” Looking over her work, “Boy oh boy, Perry’s gonna LOVE me for this. I can’t wait to hear his praise and apologies.” In her best imitation of Perry’s voice, ” ‘I’m sorry I ever doubted you Lois! Myerson is a no talent hack Lois… you’re the greatest!’ ”

DG: Laughing, “Oh Lo-is!”

LL: “Sorry, sometimes I can’t help myself. I had to defy Perry White… He’s my boss, by the way, to come here. But I wouldn’t have missed coming here to see you for the world.”

DG: Sarcastically, “Yeah right.”

LL: “It’s true.”

DG: “OH come on Lois. I haven’t seen you in around eight years!”

LL: “Well that was before.”

DG: “Before what?”

LL: “Before I met Clark. Since I fell for him, I’ve been stopping a little more to smell the roses. I forgot they even existed.”

DG: “Sounds like this Clark of yours is a miracle worker.”

LL: Looking down and smiling, “He is, believe me. He is.”

DG: “I can’t wait to meet him.”

LL: “Well, if all goes according to plan, he’ll be joining me after next week. Perry says when he gets some more coverage at the Planet, he’ll send Clark out to join me.”

DG: “You’ll have to bring him over here for inspection!”

LL: “I will. I promise. I’m gonna finish this in the living room and call the Daily Planet from there.”

DG: “Okay.”

A few moments later, Lois had finished her story and scanned both the purchase order and the composite sketch of Brock into her laptop. She then picked up her phone and began to dial.

RING RING RING RING

Voice: “Daily Planet, Washington office, this is Rachel speaking.”

LL: “Hello, this is Lois Lane.”

Rachel: “Hello Miss Lane. Mr. White told us to expect your call. We’ve been instructed to lend you any assistance. I’m Rachel Bell, Mr. Smith’s assistant, he’s the Washington Bureau Chief. I’m just about the only person here in the office right now. There’s not much going on here on Sunday night’s. How can I help you?”

LL: “Rachel, I’m calling in a story for tomorrow’s edition.”

RB: “Hmm. You can send it over here and we can forward it to Metropolis for review and publication, or else you can just send it there yourself.”

LL: “Hmm, I’ve got my laptop with me. I’ll send it over to Metropolis myself. Thanks.”

RB: “You’re welcome. Oh and Miss Lane, if you need any assistance like research or anything like that, the Washington Bureau is completely at your disposal. Welcome to DC Miss Lane.”

LL: “Thank you Rachel. I’ll take you up on that offer.”

RB: “Do you know where we’re located?”

LL: “Yes I do. I may stop by sometime this week.”

RB: “Well look forward to seeing you. Have a good night Miss Lane.”

LL: “Thanks Rachel, you too. Good night.”

CLICK

Lois picked up the phone and called the City Room at The Planet in Metropolis. Lois knew it was Perry’s day off.

Voice: “Daily Planet, Gil Freis speaking.”

LL: “Gil! It’s Lois.”

GF: “Hey Lois. How’s DC? Have you scooped Myerson yet?”

LL: “Yup!”

Gil Fries: “Whatcha got?”

LL: “You’ll find out in a minute. Put the weekend editor on, will ya.”

GF: “Sure, hang on a second.”

Voice: “Sunday Editor….. Hey Lois…….. No kidding?! Send it through now…. Gil, do me a favor and grab the fax Lois is sending now, thanks.”

The Sunday Editor put his cigar out in the ashtray in front of him. There was a no smoking rule in the Daily Planet building, but being a man in his position, people tended to turn a blind eye. He was a short five feet two inches tall, was balding and had a pot belly. Everyone thought he looked and sounded a lot like Fred Mertz from ‘I Love Lucy’.

One day Lois and Clark had a story they had to finish early on a Sunday Evening. Clark was going over some material with the old man and they both looked up to question Lois about her giggling fit. She told them it was nothing really, just a silly joke she thought of. In reality, she found the sight of the two of them together hysterical. They looked like Ricky and Fred. And then she thought, I guess that makes me Lucy. At that thought, Lois laughed even harder. At times, Lucy Ricardo wasn’t that far off base.

Sunday Editor: “That’s wonderful! I’m assuming you’ve got documentation. Are you sending that too?”

LL: “Yes, but you HAVE to sit on the documentation… No, I’m not kidding!!! I promised the police…. But I’ve got ART!”

SE: “Excellent!….” He nodded his head to Gil in thanks for the fax that had gone through. “I’m holding it right now. The art’s excellent… Can we run it?”

LL: “Yeah, run the sketch, but NOT the purchase order.”

SE: “Why not?!”

LL: “Because the cops don’t know I have a copy. It’s easier if they don’t know this. At least for now. Anyway, the police now have the original, it’s all in there. Just the sketch okay?”

“The police have agreed to sit on this ’til the morning edition of the planet, but no longer.”

SE: Asking hopefully, “We’re the ONLY one’s who’ve got this?!!”

LL: “If we can keep a lid on this until the issue hits the streets! This is OUR EXCLUSIVE!” she stated proudly.

Lois jerked the phone away from her ear. The Sunday editor was screaming.

SE: “WOO HOOO! YESSSS!…. Lois, I’m gonna send you a bottle of champagne, and…..!”

LL: Chuckling, “Just run the picture, okay?”

SE: “Can do, Lane. And great work. Perry will turn cartwheels when he sees this.”

LL: Feeling vindicated, “He should.”

SE: “This is wonderful! Now maybe ‘the suits’ upstairs will stop breathing down our @SSES! Really Lois, I’m gonna send you a big bottle of champagne!”

LL: “Save it for when I get back to Metropolis. I’ve gotta go now. Don’t edit my copy too death.”

SE: “Well, I’ve glanced at it, and for the most part, it looks just fine. I’ll make sure we hold the front page. I’ve gotta say Lane, that was fast! I wasn’t expecting a headline from you till at least later in the week…. You’re the best kid.”

LL: “Thanks, you can relay that message to Perry.”

SE: “He already knows that Lois.”

LL: “Does he?”

SE: “Yes he does!”

LL: I’ve gotta run. If there’s any trouble, you have my cell phone number.”

SE: “Yes, I have it right here.”

LL: “Good….. Night Fred.”

SE: “What? Who’s…. ”

LL: “Uuuh, nothing. Just good night.”

SE: “Night Lane.”

CLICK

DG: “Dinner’s ready!”

LL: “Be right there.”

WASHINGTON DC UNDISCLOSED LOCATION

The Cigarette Smoking Man was sitting at his desk, looking over all the confiscated files from the Freedom Fighters Compound as the last cigarette in a pack he started only four hours ago, burned in an ashtray on his desk. There was a ton of paperwork, but he didn’t trust any of the men under him to help him tackle the documents. They might miss something.

Also on his desk were the personal files of all of Brock’s recruits; The Freedom Fighters, and his personal brigade that he used to execute his missions. He would go through them all by himself, one by one. He knew it might take him all night, but it was necessary.

Brock was sloppy and careless. And HE was the man responsible for choosing Brock to handle this mission. He was deeply embarrassed by Brock’s blundering. He vowed there would be no more mistakes where this case was concerned.

Brock’s personal file sat untouched at the corner of his desk. He would need that as soon as he finished looking through the others. Commander Peter Brock was a creature of habit, and his resistance to more tried and true methods was the reason they were in this mess in the first place. His stubbornness would cost him dearly in the near future.

Near the bottom of the files lay the purchase order from Dellaccio Furniture in Alexandria. It would not be seen until morning. By then it would be too late. Too late to break into the Dellaccio’s furniture store and warehouse, burn everything they owned to the ground, and kill the owners to make it look like a botched robbery.

It would be too late because Lois’ front page scoop in The Daily Planet would already be on newsstands for the world to see.

Lois Lane didn’t know it, but she saved Charlie and Louise Dellaccio’s lives by getting those records first, and publishing that sketch in the Daily Planet. But it would also bring her to ‘his’ attention. And her time was quickly running out.

PART 46

It all played out in slow motion. Lois Lane was running into the middle of the street, screaming as the flames consumed them. Where a moment before, there was precious life, there now were charred remains in its place. In agony Lois turned away, and there she was. She had no face, just like the victims that were in the car. All she could see was this faceless woman with a mass of blonde hair, and the barrel of a shotgun pointed at her head. ‘Clark, I love you!’ The gun went off and she hit the ground, and the darkness enveloped her.

Voice: “Lois?”

Lois Lane: “NOOOOOO!”

Voice: “Lois, wake up!” Gently shaking her by the shoulders, “You’re dreaming…. Lois!”

Lois’ eyes popped open as if she hadn’t been sleeping at all. The nightmare was that horrifying for her. She was panting and covered in sweat. She looked up to find a distraught Doris sitting on her bed, her hands were still on her shoulders.

LL: “Doris?! What…?”

Doris Greer: Letting out a sigh of relief, “Gracious girl, you nearly scared me to death. I thought someone was killing you in here! You were screaming bloody murder!”

LL: Embarrassed and shaking, “I guess I had a nightmare.”

DG: “That must’ve been SOME nightmare!”

LL: “I’m sorry.” The tears were still streaming down her face.

DG: “Don’t apologize. Are you okay?”

LL: Still shaking but managing a brave smile, “Sure, I’m fine… really.”

DG: “Lois, it’s ME you’re talking to. You don’t look fine. Wanna talk about it?”

LL: “No, not yet. I don’t want to talk about them yet.”

DG: “How long have you been having these nightmares?”

LL: “Doris, I don’t want to talk about it.”

DG: “Lo-is.”

LL: “Doris, please…”

DG: “Okay. I’ll drop it.”

LL: “Thank you.”

DG: Trying to lighten her mood, “Well, it’s time to get up and get dressed. It’s a day to celebrate!”

LL: Yawning, “What’s the occasion?”

DG: “WHAT’S the occasion?!?…. YOU’RE the lady of the hour! The whole world’s talking about you!!! Well, not just you exactly, your story.”

It only took Lois a moment to comprehend what Doris was telling her.

LL: “You mean, my story…”

DG: “Is EVERYWHERE! On the local news, national news, CNN, LNN, the Today Show, Good Morning America, you name it. Everybody’s talking about it!” Taking Lois by the hand and pulling her out of bed, “Come on. The TV’s on in my room.”

Less than a minute later Lois and Doris were sitting on her bed in front of a 26″ television on the large oak dresser. Lois had the remote and was flipping channels. Doris was right. Her story was everywhere. The world was a-buzz with news of the new suspect in the Freedom Fighter case. She had stopped at LNN, they were showing the front page of The Planet. It had a large sketch of Brock and the headline that read-

EXCLUSIVE ‘AMERICA’S MOST WANTED!’ By Lois Lane

Lois couldn’t say she was genuinely surprised at the reaction. Her stories almost always made headlines in Metropolis, and more than a few of her stories went national and international. Especially her ‘Super’ stories. But this, this was big. And it was all hers. And it felt, good…. too good. Lois felt a pang of guilt at feeling so happy that this scoop was all hers.

Conflicting feelings were always a problem that popped up in Lois’ life from time to time. But she resolved that once Perry assigned Clark to join her in a week, her selfish feelings would disappear.

Lois then flipped the channel and saw Mr. and Mrs. Dellaccio on the Today Show being interviewed by Bryant Gumbel.

DG: Doris laughed, “Will you look at that!”

LL: Smiling, “I see. Boy, they look so excited, don’t they?!”

DG: “I’ll say they do.”

LL: “Give ’em time. They’ll get sick of the attention pretty quick. At least they’re lucky, they’re the flavor of the month. The attention won’t last too long and they can get back on with their lives. Aren’t they sweet?!”

DG: “They sure are. Lord help them, I hope they’ll be okay with all this attention.”

LL: “They seem to be doing all right…. I’ve got to take a shower and get dressed.”

DG: “Would you like a cup of coffee….?”

WASHINGTON DC UNDISCLOSED LOCATION SAME TIME

His coffee remained untouched on his desk. He was still too busy to look up from his work, except to take another drag on his cigarette. The room was saturated with smoke. He was going through the papers at a rather steady clip, when a yellow slip of paper caught his eye. He pulled it directly in front of him for closer inspection.

Cigarette Smoking Man: “DAMN!”

An agent came running into the room to check on him. “Sir?”

CSM: “QUIET!” he yelled. The agent was startled. That man rarely got upset enough to yell. He could give orders to burn down an orphanage, and he’d barely raise his voice above a normal conversational level. Things like that didn’t effect or threaten him. But this was different. That slip of paper represented a direct threat to his existence. He had just found the customer copy of the purchase order from the Dellaccio’s furniture store. And he was furious.

Regaining his composure, he looked up at the agent in front of him, “Why was ANY of the furniture in the Freedom Fighters Compound left behind?!”

Agent: “Commander Brock decided that it would look too suspicious if they removed everything from the house. It might look like the government was trying to cover up key evidence.”

CSM: “We ARE covering up key evidence!!!”

Agent: “Yes sir.”

CSM: “That blithering idiot!…” he mumbled in disgust. He grabbed a blank piece of paper from his desk and started copying information from the purchase order. Handing the agent the piece of paper, “Take this.”

The agent stepped over and took the paper and began to read the address of the Dellaccio’s furniture store.

CSM: His voice once again resumed its icy monotone calm as he gave the agent his orders. “Tonight, take some of your men and go to this address, just before the store closes. Get the original purchase order for Brock, dated April 1st, 1994. Make it look like a botched robbery. Take all the money they have in the cash register. Kill everyone inside. Then burn everything to the ground. Nothing should be left standing. Do you under….?”

RING RI..

CSM: Answering the phone, “Yes!……. No I haven’t. I’ve been up all night…… WHAT?!” he finished in disbelief. He quickly turned on a television set about two feet from where he was sitting. The picture from the set illuminated a room that was usually shrouded in darkness. And there for all the world to see was the sketch of Peter Brock and the headline screaming from the front page of The Daily Planet.

He turned his attention back to the person waiting for a reply on the phone. “I see it!…… Yes sir.”

The young agent was shocked. ‘Sir??’ Had he heard right? The man had many underlings, and he supposed, a few peers, but he’d never heard that man call ANYONE ‘sir’.

CSM: “I’ll handle it personally.”

CLICK

CSM: “Where is Brock now?”

Agent: “He’s out in the field looking for Hamilton, sir.”

CSM: Bring him in! Get him OFF the streets! NOW! Where the hell are the others?!”

Agent: “Others sir…?”

CSM: “The other ‘ELDERS’!!” he managed to spit out in disgust.

Agent: “Brock’s men are searching with him.”

CSM: “Bring them all in. Tell them it’s for safekeeping. Tell them we may need to get them out of the country until this all blows over.”

Agent: “Yes sir.”

CSM: “Also bring me the files on all Brock’s men. I need to know just how loyal they are to him!”

Agent: “Sir, I think I should inform you that Commander Brock has been calling in favors from….”

CSM: “I’m already aware of that. I wouldn’t be a man in my position if I wasn’t.”

Agent: “Yes sir….. Sir? The owners of the furniture store. Should I still….?”

CSM: “NO! We can’t touch the place now! Anyway, it doesn’t matter. It’s OUT now! BROCK is now the world’s LINK to US. I’ll deal with him later. Just get him off the streets! Is that understood?!”

Agent: “Yes sir.”

CSM: He turned back to the television screen and zeroed his attention back to the paper the headline originated from. Find out who the leak to the press is. Find out if it’s one of our men or local PD.”

Agent: “Yes sir. Will that be all sir?”

CSM: “No. Bring me the file on……..”

DAILY PLANET NEWSROOM LATER THAT MORNING

Perry White: “………. LOIS LANE!!!! THE GREATEST DARNED REPORTER THIS TOWN HAS EVER SEEN!!!”

PART 46C

Perry had a bottle of champagne in his hand, ‘the reign of terror’, due to the lack of exclusive headlines on the Capitol Murders, had ended, at least for now. The Daily Planet had scooped all of the world’s press. The suits upstairs were celebrating, and the entire news-room was breathing a sigh of relief.

Clark walked in to the newsroom to find a boisterous party going on. He’d seen the news report that morning and was exceedingly proud of his fiancée. He was a little upset that this was the first time he was learning about this, but that was his Lois. He was just grateful that he would be able to join her within a week and stay with her until the story was finished.

JO: “Hey CK. Wanna piece of cake?”

CK: Putting his briefcase down on his desk, “No thanks Jimmy.”

PW: “Kent! There you are. Did you talk to Lois this morning?”

CK: “No, I was going to call her in just a little while.”

PW: “I’ve got to hand it to that girl. She’s one in a million!”

CK: “You can say that again!”

PW: “I can’t believe she’s scooped everyone this FAST!” he exclaimed in admiration.

CK: “Neither can I. I talked to her yesterday and she was on her way to some little kids birthday party. She didn’t say anything about…,” pointing to the paper, “this.”

PW: Let out a guffaw, “Well, that’s Lois for ya!… Well, I just can’t get over it. She phoned in that story after being there just over 24 hours! I’ve got HALF the Washington Bureau on that story, not to mention all the best of the world’s press, and she just waltzes in there and pulls the rug right out from under everyone! That’s incredible by anyone’s standards, and I’ve been in this business for over 40 years!”

CK: “She told you….”

PW: “I know, I know. I owe her a big apology when I see her.”

CK: “That’s okay Chief, I think she understands, even though she probably won’t admit it.”

PW: Laughing in agreement, “No, she probably wont. Listen, give her my best when you talk to her and tell her we’re ALL… tell her I’M proud of ‘er!”

CK: “I will Chief..”

PW: Patting Clark on the back. “Good man.” Perry turned his attention back to his surroundings and barked his orders, “ALL RIGHT EVERYONE. WE’VE STILL GOT A PAPER TO GET OUT! I WANT ALL THIS PARAPHERNALIA CLEARED OUT IN THE NEXT 15 MINUTES. WE NEED TO GET……!”

*****************************************

Lois Lane: “…… back to work.”

Doris Greer: “Can’t you stay a little longer?”

Lois Lane: “No, I’m sorry, I can’t.” Lois felt bad leaving her friend all alone. The children had long since left for school. “But look, I won’t be busy all the time. Maybe you can meet me in the city and we can go shopping and have lunch together.

DG: “That sounds wonderful.”

LL: “I’ll give you a call tonight. I’ll be at the…”

DG: “I know, the Bellevue.”

They gave each other a nice long hug before Lois got in her car and drove away towards Washington.

PART 47

Lois arrived at the Bellevue on E Street just after one in the afternoon. The lobby, with its coach lamps, lacy white iron balcony, English hunting prints, and adjoining library, seemed like a place frozen in time from its opening day back in 1928.

Her room was decidedly art deco, with ebony furniture, gray walls and blush pink and grape colored bedding. She settled in and began making phone calls to politicians, including representatives at The White House. She then called the FBI agents in charge of the Freedom Fighters ‘suicide’ case as a follow up to the mornings headlines. The reactions she got ranged from ‘we’re pursuing several leads’ to a polite, ‘no comment’. She wasn’t expecting much more than that, but nevertheless, the calls had to be made anyway.

Lois then called the office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest ranking military officer in the country, asking if anyone there could confirm or deny whether or not the sketch of Brock matched any current of former members of the military. She was shocked when he answered her call personally, and not just assign it to one of his many assistants, but she supposed that was because she had broken the story.

The General of course, replied that it was too early to make that determination, but his office was conducting a thorough investigation and anything significant would of course, be released to the press. She doubted that he was being straight with her about releasing that information to the media. Truth be told, she thought it would be more exciting for her to find it all on her own.

He also answered a few more questions, not revealing much of anything, but since he had answered them personally, she could use the paper selling ‘exclusive interview’ with the headline. It wasn’t much, but she did have enough in her notes for a decent follow-up.

Lois then called Henderson, and his boss, who both thanked her profusely, and shared a good laugh at the FBI agents who were thoroughly embarrassed by their exclusion in this huge break in the case. Unfortunately, they had little news to tell her, other than the usual flood of phone calls coming in when a sketch of a wanted criminal hits the headlines in a high profile case.

Over the next couple of days, Brock would be spotted across the country more than Elvis.

By 3.30, Lois was compiling her most recent notes and leads when the phone rang.

LL: Lois Lane.

Voice: “Hey gorgeous.”

LL: “Clark! You have no idea how happy I am to her your voice. I’ve missed you.”

CK: “I missed you too… Congratulations on scooping the world.”

LL: “Thanks honey.”

CK: “Everyone at the Planet asked me to thank you. There was a celebration this morning in your honor. Everyone’s relieved the pressures off and they have YOU to thank for it.”

LL: “I’m sorry I missed that.”

CK: “Perry wanted me to tell you that he’s proud of you.”

LL: “Really?”

CK: “Really.”

LL: Sounding a little miffed, “Good, he should be!”

CK: “Lo-is. You know he’s just doing his….”

LL: “I know, I know. Just DON’T tell him that!…. I’ll talk to him when I get back.” Changing the subject, “Listen, what are you doing tonight?”

CK: “Oh, just sitting at home and pining away for my fiancée.”

LL: “Feel like flying out here and keeping me company? My room’s got a balcony facing the back of the hotel and there’s a view of a beautiful little courtyard… very romantic.”

CK: “Just tell me what time to be there. I’ve got a surprise for you.”

LL: “How does tonight at nine sound?”

CK: “Sounds like a date.”

LL: “Great, I’ll see you then.” His words were just now registering in her mind, “A surprise? Tell me…”

CK: “NO… If I told you now it would no longer be a surprise, now would it?”

LL: “But Cl..”

CK: “Nooo,” he grinned.

LL: Letting out a breath, “All right, I’ll wait. And STOP smirking!”

CK: “How did you know I….”

LL: “I can hear it in your voice.”

CK: “Is there anything you CAN’T do, Miss Lane?!”

LL: Sarcastically, “Apparently, I CAN’T get my fiancé to tell me what his secret surprise is.”

CK: “That’s riiight. Now, do you want me to bring anything special from home?”

LL: “Just yourself.”

CK: “I think I can manage that.”

LL: “I’ll be waiting. I love you.”

CK: “Love you too. Bye.”

CLICK

Lois sighed and settled back in to work mode. She decided that rather than hear the standard ‘no comment’ from representatives at Stealth, she would risk getting the door slammed in her face and show up in person. She called Amy Schmidt first to ask her advice and see how her newest friend was holding up.

Although Amy didn’t have much to tell her about Alan’s co-workers, or what to look for, the two had ended up talking for more than an hour. Lois trusted Amy’s discretion, and as a return for Amy’s openness, shared a few things she’d learned since the two had last spoken. They only ended the conversation when Amy’s mother showed up to take her out to a late lunch.

Deciding that it was too late in the afternoon to catch anyone at Stealth before the workday was over; she postponed her trip until morning. She rounded up a few notes and headed down to the DC bureau of the Daily Planet to make a few contacts and get some research done. She was also hoping to run into Jim.

ROADWAY MOTEL OFF I-395 OUTSKIRTS OF WASHINGTON ~~~SAME TIME

Jim Myerson was sitting in his red Mazda Miata, the latest edition of the Planet sat shredded on the seat next to him. He was furious. That was supposed to be ‘HIS’ exclusive. He had known of Brocks existence for days now, but because of his sources panic stricken pleas, he held back, not realizing that any of his peers were as close to that information as he was.

For Myerson, this was the last straw. He would get his page one exclusive and prove once and for all who the best reporter was. Myerson would get what he wanted and to hell with his sources fears. ‘No more Mr. Niceguy!’ he thought.

He got out of his car and walked toward the back of the motel. Arriving at room 186, he gave the secret knock. A moment later he was greeted by a tiny voice.

“Yes?”

Jim Myerson: “I forgot my key.”

The young man opened the door and walked over to the single bed and sat down at the edge, looking down at the floor. He knew what was coming; he had been watching the news most of the day. The television was on but had been muted.

This tiny room had been his exiled home for the last few days. But he wasn’t complaining, he was just thankful to still be breathing. Jim Myerson had kept his prized source secluded in that motel room since the day after the ‘suicides’, and for good reason. Until that morning, the young and frightened nineteen-year-old member of the Freedom Fighters, Marcus Hamilton, was the most wanted man in America.

****************************************************

JM: “I suppose you’ve seen the news today.”

Marcus Hamilton: “Yes… I’m sorry.”

JM: “You’re sorry!… you’re sorry. Well I’m afraid that just doesn’t cut it Mark. How long did you think you could hold out on MY nickel!” he spat out angrily.

MH: “I’m sorry sir. I’m just scared. If they find me…”

JM: “You’re just afraid of being arrested, isn’t that it?!”

MH: “No, I won’t be arrested… They’ll kill me. Just like they killed the others. Please sir, don’t….”

JM: “I don’t have a choice Mark. I’ve got to print your story in tomorrows edition.”

MH: “No sir, PLEASE! DON’T do that! You DON’T understand who you’re dealing with.”

JM: “Then why don’t you tell me who I’m dealing with.”

MH: Looking down, “I’m not sure exactly.”

JM: “Oh, you’re not sure,” he answered, his voice light and mocking.

MH: “I know what I saw. I told you everything I know. We were set up by Mr. Brock and our elders.”

JM: “Set up, by WHO…. WHY?!?”

MH: “I don’t know sir.”

JM: “NOT the answer I wanted to hear kid. I’m printing your story in tomorrow’s edition…”

MH: “But sir…”

JM: “And that’s final! Are you planning to fly the coo…”

MH: “And go where? I have nothing left.”

JM: “That’s right, you don’t. I’m your lifeline kid.”

MH: “Won’t you give me some money to get a little further out of the city to…”

JM: “NO! I want you close-by.”

MH: “I may not be the brightest guy in the world, but I do know that once you publish that story, THEY’LL know YOU know where I am! And they’ll follow you to me. If you don’t give me any money, I won’t be able to run very far.”

JM: “You’re not running anywhere! You’re staying right here.”

MH: “But…”

JM: “But nothing. Don’t worry kid. Nobody’s going to find you here.”

Marcus quickly realized he had made a terrible mistake asking this reporter for help. But it was too late to do anything else now. Even if he went to the police, he suspected they could get to him in jail. He let out a breath and hoped for the best.

DAILY PLANET 7PM

Clark had just finished his latest article and he was definitely having a little difficulty concentrating on anything other than getting to back to his future wife. It had been a while since he had worked solo, and what used to be more fulfilling now seemed a little emptier without his partner. He was tempted to type at super speed and get out of work a little early, but decided the risk was unnecessary.

Clark Kent: “Chief, I have that update on the strike story for you.”

Perry White: “That’s fine Kent. You’ve been putting in a lot of overtime lately, why don’t you take off?”

CK: “Thanks Chief, I’d really like that.” Clark was anxious to get to the music store and buy the surprise he wanted to get Lois. He also needed to get home and change into that suit that always made Lois’ heart beat just a little faster. It was one of her favorites.

He had only seen her for a few minutes the morning before, but it had done wonders to relieve the loneliness spending any length of time away from her wrought. But he was anxious to get back to her. Seeing her every day or two did help to ease the worries of having her so far away and all alone, without the watchful eye of ‘Superman’. Left to her own devices, Lois Lane tended to find trouble, or it tended to find her.

‘Just another week,’ he’d tell himself. It would be just another week before he would be able to join her until this Capitol Murder story was finished. He made a conscious effort NOT to think about how much trouble Lois could get herself into in a week’s time.

He grabbed his brown silk jacket off the back of his chair and left in a hurry to get ready to meet his fiancée.

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION SAME TIME

The young agent staggered under the weight of the papers he was carrying. He exhaled heavily as he dropped the files on the large desk in front of him.

Cigarette Smoking Man: “What is this?!”

Agent: “Sir, this is the file you requested.”

CSM: “I requested a file on Lois Lane, not the entire population of Metropolis.”

Agent: “Yes sir. This is Ms. Lane’s file.”

CSM: “ALL of this…. is LOIS LANE’S FILE?!?”

Agent: “I’m afraid so sir.”

CSM: “This isn’t a file, it’s an encyclopedia!…. HOOVER’S file on JFK wasn’t this big!” His expression showed little emotion, but on the inside, he was definitely taken aback at the sight of the huge stack of papers on his desk which represented only one individual who had never held public office.

Once again, he would not trust anyone else to go through the massive amounts of documents, so once more he would stay up and sift through it himself. But he was exhausted from searching Brocks file the night before. Bleary eyed, he left the papers on his desk until morning and went home to rest. This fact would buy Lois a little more time.

BELLEVUE HOTEL WASHINGTON DC 9PM

Lois had showered and changed into one of Clark’s favorite burgundy dresses. She stood on her balcony, looking up for any sign of her fiancé. She didn’t have to wait long, he landed next to her holding a large package, and a beautiful smile. He had whisked her inside, placed the package on the dresser opposite her bed, closed the drapes, changed into his charcoal suit, and planted a long passionate kiss on her lips before she could even react.

CK: “Hey gorgeous.”

LL: “Hey yourself,” she panted, still a little winded from being swept off her feet. “You’re TWO minutes late,” she said grinning into his mouth.

CK: “Sorry hon. The traffic was murder,” he teased.

LL: Not to be outdone, “Yeah, right. Don’t tell me, there was a PIGEON blocking your lane!”

CK: Grabbing her by the waist and pulling her in closer, “Actually, it was a flock of seagulls.”

LL: “I see.” Her voice was getting deeper as Clark began to nibble a trail down her neck.

CK: “Uh-huh,” he murmured.

Lois tilted her head to the side, and unfortunately for Clark’s rising temperature, caught sight of the package sitting on her dresser.

LL: “Is that my surprise?” she asked, pulling out his embrace and walking towards the dresser.

CK: “Yes, it is.” He had to move at super speed to get to the table before her and stop her from ripping into the package. Shaking his head, “Uh-uh-uuuh. Not so fast Lois. I want to talk to you first.”

LL: “What?! Oh come on Clark, gimme my surprise.”

CK: “Later.”

LL: “Now!”

CK: “Nope.”

LL: With her hands on her hips, “Clark!”

CK: With amusement in his voice, “Miss Lane, if you’re not gonna let me give you my surprise in my OWN way, I’m just gonna take my bag of marbles and go home.”

LL: “All right, you big spoil-sport…. Just….,” frowning at the thought, “It’s not a bag of marbles, is it?”

CK: Chuckling as he sat on the edge of her bed and reached for her hand, “No, it isn’t…. Come on, let’s sit down and relax.”

LL: Taking his suggestion, “Okay. I’m relaxed.”

CK: “Good. Do you want to go out to dinner tonight?”

LL: “No, I don’t feel like facing a crowded restaurant. I figured we could order room service and stay in tonight.”

CK: Lifting her hand up to his lips, “Sounds like heaven honey.”

LL: Grabbing a menu off the bedside table, “Here, why don’t you take a look and order something for the both of us.”

CK: “Okay.” Clark took the offered menu from her hand and began to read. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught the figure of his fiancée, trying to sneak a look at the inside of the package. “Looois…. You’ll never make it!”

LL: Wide-eyed and innocent, “What?”

CK: “What? YOU know what I’m talking about. You’ll NEVER beat me to that package.”

LL: “So why don’t you just let me get there first.”

CK: “No way hon.”

LL: “All right…” Muttering as she walked towards the balcony, “ya big bum.”

CK: “I heard that!”

LL: “Good!”

CK: “Lois.”

LL: “I’m sorry. I won’t pester you anymore.”

CK: “Good!” Looking back down at the menu, “So, what do you think of Veal Parmigiana?”

LL: “No, I don’t want to spill any red sauce on this outfit.”

CK: “But you’re wearing red.”

LL: “Burgundy.”

CK: “I know,” he said admiringly. “I love that dress.”

LL: “I know you do… And I love that suit.”

CK: “I know you do,” he grinned wickedly. Looking back down at the menu, “So what about Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo.”

LL: “Too fattening.”

CK: “We’re definitely going about this the wrong way. Why don’t we let YOU choose dinner.”

LL: “Oh, it doesn’t matter, anything you want.”

CK: “You shoot down all my suggestions.”

LL: “Just order us some grilled chicken with any green vegetables.”

CK: “Okay, grilled chicken it is.”

Dinner arrived 45 minutes later and they ate in relative silence. Clark couldn’t help but smirk when he noticed Lois glance over at the package several times when she ‘thought’ he wasn’t looking.

Dabbing his mouth with his napkin he decided she’d been through enough.

CK: “So…. how was the children’s birthday party yesterday?”

LL: “It went pretty well, actually.”

CK: “Really?” he replied, his tone just a little too sarcastic.

LL: A little hurt, “Yeah, really!”

CK: “Oh, come on Lois…” he laughed, “I’ve SEEN you around kids…”

LL: “And!?…” her voice raising just a little.

CK: “And… it’s just a little hard to believe, that’s all.”

LL: Her voice raising in volume, “A LITTLE HARD TO BELIEVE…?!”

Clark could tell how angry Lois was getting, but she didn’t realize that he was goading her on purpose.

CK: Unexpectedly shifting gears and changing the subject, “Okay. Let’s get you your surprise.”

LL: “What?!”

CK: “Your surprise… You know, the surprise you’ve been begging to see all night.”

LL: “Don’t change the subject Clark, you just INSULTED me! In case you HAVEN’T noticed, WE’RE HAVING AN ARGUMENT!”

CK: “Then I apologize.”

LL: “Not good enough!”

CK: “Lois.”

LL: “Look Clark, I…”

CK: “How about if we resume arguing AFTER you see your surprise.”

LL: Crossing her arms in front of her, “FINE! This better be good.”

CK: “Close your eyes.”

LL: Reluctantly complying, “They’re closed.”

Pulling a CD boombox out of the package, “Now open them…. TADAA!”

LL: “You got me… a boom box?…. How romantic!” she answered sarcastically.

CK: “This ISN’T your present, Lois.”

LL: “Oh.”

CK: “This is.” He pulled a CD out of the box and placed it in the machine, blocking her view of the CD’s jewel case. “Uh-uh, no peeking.” He pushed play and waited for her reaction.

Her mouth dropped and her face turned bright red as she recognized the tune and the dance her fiancé was performing to accompany it.

LL: “YOU… WERE… THERE?!” she nearly screamed with laughter.

CK: “Yup! And I must say Miss Lane…. NOBODY can ‘Alley Cat’ like you!” He was smirking at her shocked expression as he clapped his hand to the music, meowed, and did a ninety degree jump to the left.

LL: Laughing, “I was right, you ARE a bum! How long were you at the party yesterday?”

He reached out for her hand, which she accepted, shaking her head from side to side in amazement. He was definitely full of surprises. He wrapped his arms around her waist and began to rock her slowly back and forth.

CK: “Not long, ten minutes maybe. You HAVE to get a camcorder copy of that party for me. You were adorable… and WONDERFUL with all those kids. I was so proud of you.”

LL: “Oh, Clark, I’m …”

CK: “Shhh, I’M sorry I upset you a few minutes ago. But I couldn’t resist setting up that joke.”

LL: “You’re forgiven,” she whispered, her voice light and happy.

CK: “You know you’re going to make a wonderful mother someday.”

LL: A little doubtful, “I hope so.”

CK: “I KNOW so!”

LL: “Well, I’m glad ONE of us knows.”

CK: “Don’t worry about it, Lois. You’ll be as wonderful at motherhood as you are with EVERYTHING you do!”

LL: “What about my cooking?”

CK: Grinning as he kissed her forehead, “Well…. nobody’s perfect.”

He left her side for less than a minute to insert another CD and returned to her before the music began to play.

CK: “Dance with me Lois.” The music began to play the familiar tune sung by Dinah Washington, ‘Fly Me To The Moon.’ He lifted her off the ground and they slowly drifted around the room. He would stay until one in the morning, leaving only because they both had a lot of work to do the next morning.

Although he would see Lois again in the coming week, it would be their last romantic evening for a long time… a very long time.

PART 48

TUESDAY MAY 16TH, 1995

BELLEVUE HOTEL ~~~~~~~~ WASHINGTON DC

Lois awoke at nine a.m., as the sun of a beautiful spring morning streamed in through the pink curtains. She smiled, remembering Clark’s warm strong arms surrounding her as they danced into the night just hours before. But she quickly lost that smile when she realized how much work she had ahead of her.

She had to go to Stealth and ruffle some feathers as well as find some way to get Senator Grant to see her without an appointment. She had already tried to set up a meeting over the phone and was turned down flat. But she wasn’t one to take no for an answer. Tomorrow would be the final session before Memorial Recess and many politicians would be leaving town for vacation. The next session in congress wouldn’t be until the middle of June, and waiting that long was out of the question.

After Lois had taken her morning shower, she turned on the television opposite the bed to keep her mind occupied as she dressed. She flipped to LNN, and began to get ready for work. Only minutes later, she could hear the anchor mention The Daily Planet in Metropolis. She had naturally assumed the woman was talking about her scoop from the day before, but dropped her blouse on the gray carpet beneath her when she heard Jim Myerson’s name mentioned instead.

Anchor: “…. in Washington, and indeed the world is abuzz yet again with another exclusive from The Daily Planet. Freedom Fighter Marcus Hamilton has surfaced to give reporter James Myerson HIS side of the story.”

LL: “I don’t believe it, ” she muttered as she bent down to retrieve her blouse and put it on as she watched the screen in shock. She picked up the phone and dialed Clark at the Planet.

CK: “Clark Kent.”

LL: “Hi honey, it’s me.”

CK: “Heeey sweetheart. You call to tell me how much you miss me?”

LL: “Not exactly. I haven’t looked for a newsstand with out of town papers here yet, so….. would you be a dear and just rush me the latest edition of The Planet right now?”

CK: “I should’ve known.”

LL: “Clark, DON’T be mad.”

CK: Unconvincingly, “I’m not mad, Lois.”

LL: “You sound mad. And I have NO idea why! Just because I DIDN’T call JUST to say ‘I love you’ this once…”

CK: “Lois, I’m not mad. Stop overreacting.”

LL: “I DO NOT OVERREACT!”

CK: “Oh?! What do you call THIS?!”

LL: “Look Clark, just forget I asked you for anything.”

CK: “I’ll be right there.”

LL: “No, don’t come! I don’t want you to bring me anything!”

CK: “Lois.”

LL: “Don’t come!…. Look, I’ve got to get dressed. I’ll find my OWN paper!…. Clark? Clark?!” It took a moment to realize that he was no longer on the other end. “FINE!” she yelled as she hung up in disgust.

She looked up as she heard a gust of wind and feet landing on her balcony, followed by a timid knock.

Superman: “Lois?”

LL: Lois crossed her arms in imitation of his ‘Superman’ pose, letting him know that he was in trouble. “Come in.”

He was holding the morning edition of the Daily Planet, and a fist full of daisies and heather.

S: “I’m sorry honey. I’M the one who overreacted.”

To accompany his heartfelt apology, he pulled out his secret weapon. The puppy dog eyed look. He watched her anger melt away, but she did give him a look and a smirk that let him know that she was onto him and ‘that look’ WOULDN’T work whenever he wanted it to.

LL: “That’s okay, I forgive you… again.”

He walked over to the bed and planted a kiss on her lips.

LL: Taking the flowers and placing them on the dresser next to the TV, “Where’d you get the flowers?”

S: “An open field I found between here and Metropolis.”

LL: “They’re beautiful, thank you.”

S: “My pleasure.”

LL: “You wanna stay for breakfast, I haven’t had any yet.”

S: “I can’t. I’ve got to get back to work before anybody realizes I’m gone. The Chief sent me down to research to get some files…”

LL: “Where’s…?”

S: “Jimmy has the day off,” he answered amused.

LL: “Lucky him.”

S: “Yeah… So, what’s on your agenda today?”

LL: Lois began walking around the room getting ready to leave as she explained her plans for the day. “Oh, just visiting Alan Schmidt’s former employers….”

S: “He was the accountant, right?”

LL: “Right. Then I’m going to see if I can get Senator Grant to see me without an appointment.”

S: “Senator Grant?”

LL: “Uh-huh.”

S: “Good luck. Every reporter in Washington’s been trying to land an interview with him since the murders. He’s not talking to anyone.”

LL: Smiling as she walked by him towards the dresser to mute the TV, “Well, every reporter in town ISN’T me.”

S: “Very true. He was close to a couple of the victims, wasn’t he?”

LL: “Yeah, he and the first victim Senator Williams graduated from the same class at the Merchant Marine Academy in ’48, and among other things, they served the same tour of duty together in Korea. They were practically best friends… And Bill Miller, our late Deputy Chief of Staff, was once his protégé and Press Secretary.”

S: “You think he may know something about who murdered them?”

LL: “If he does, I’ll find out…. one way or another.”

S: “Be careful.”

LL: “Aren’t I always?” she grinned innocently.

S: “Lois.”

LL: “Stop being such a worry-wart. I’ll be fine.”

S: “Lois. I’m serious…. If you feel you’re getting in over your head…”

LL: “Excuse me?!”

S: “Lois, please..”

LL: Raising her voice, “There’s no such thing as over my head, Superman! I can handle myself just fine….”

S: “Don’t be mad honey… I’m just worried about you.” Trying to make his point WITHOUT starting a fight, “This ISN’T your average run of the mill story, you know! I mean, a couple of United States Senators, a Congressman, and a SENIOR White House official have been brutally murdered, quite publicly! That sort of thing doesn’t happen every day. And no one’s been arrested yet! Whoever did this, is covering their tracks… Very well, I might add.”

LL: Shrugging off his concern as she fished through the top drawer of her dresser for her earrings. “I’ll be fine, Clark. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself, you know.”

S: “I know but…”

LL: “No buts!” she warned. “I can take care of myself and that’s the end of it!”

S: “I’m sorry hon.. I just worry about you.”

LL: In an understanding and loving tone, “I know you do, and I LOVE you for it, but please Clark… don’t smother me.” Reaching out and stroking a stray lock away from his face, “I’ve been a reporter for a long time… longer than YOU even. Give me a little credit, okay?”

S: “Okay. Just promise me that if you feel you’ve gotten in over your …”

Lois let out an exasperated breath and fell backwards onto the bed. Pulling a pillow over her face to muffle a scream. She removed the pillow and was once again greeted by his ‘secret weapon’.

LL: “You’re infuriating, you know that?!”

S: Smiling as he lowered himself down to the bed and grabbed the pillow from her hands. “The feeling’s mutual, Miss Lane.”

He slowly lowered himself so his mouth lay within inches of hers. He kissed her lightly on the tip of her nose, and then lowered his lips to hers for a slow soft kiss that made them both sigh and laugh lightly when it was over a moment later. But Clark wasn’t about to lose his focus. This was too important.

S: “Promise me Lois.”

LL: Screaming as she laughed and began to playfully choke him, “Aaaarrrggh! All right! I promise, if I think I’m getting in over my head, I’ll call you…. I’ll bring my cell phone EVERYWHERE I go!….” Lowering her voice and sounding more serious, “And I’ll be careful. Okay?!”

Superman removed her hands that were now wrapped around his throat and kissed each of her palms tenderly. “That’s all I ask.”

STEALTH – WASHINGTON DC HEADQUARTERS

Lois arrived at Stealth’s Washington Headquarters at ten a.m., wearing a grey suit and looking ready for battle. The building was a large twenty-story office building on Massachusetts Ave., not far from the Capitol Building and even closer to her hotel. She noticed nothing unusual as she walked in. There was your run of the mill artistically questionable public art sculpture adorning the lobby, and lots of people in business attire heading for work.

Blocking the various sections of the elevators were some rather large unfriendly looking security guards. People would show their identification to the receptionist and the security guards on the way in, nothing unusual in a major city. The receptionist, a statuesque redhead who looked to be just out of college sitting at the front desk, greeted her.

Receptionist: “May I help you miss?”

Lois Lane: “Yes, I’m Lois Lane with the Daily Planet in Metropolis. I’m writing a story on the Capitol Murders and I wanted to speak with Alan Schmidt’s boss.

Receptionist: “Do you know your parties extension?”

LL: “No, I’m sorry, I don’t. But I do know that he worked on the fourteenth floor.”

R: “One moment please.” She picked up the phone in front of her and dialed an extension upstairs. “Hello, I have a reporter here, a Lois Lane from the Daily Planet, whose here to see a… what did you say that man’s name was again?”

LL: “Alan Schmidt’s b…..”

R: “Alan Schmidt…. Yes…. OH, okay!” Turning her attention back to Lois. “The receptionist upstairs says Alan Schmidt has passed away.”

LL: “I know. I’m not here to see him, I’m here to talk to his employer.”

R: “I see. She’s not here to see him, Jen; she’s here to see his boss… aah, that’s Mr. Terelli? Jen, could you see if he’s in today, and ask him if he can see Miss Lane?…. Thanks, call me back when you find him. Okay.. Bye Jen.” Turning her attention back to Lois, “The receptionist upstairs is trying to locate him. Why don’t you have a seat. It’s a pretty large building, he could be in a lot of places.”

LL: “Thanks, I prefer to wait right here.”

R: “As you wish.” She smiled and resumed her work, checking the various badges of people entering the building.

Lois took in more of her surroundings, still not noticing anything unusual. The visitor’s sign-in guest book was a little bit light on signatures, but it was still early in the morning. There were also a few of your typical messengers, bringing packages to various floors.

Lois turned around and noticed a messenger attach his racing bike to the large bicycle stand outside the building. He was dressed in spandex shorts, a Nike jacket, dark sunglasses, an Orioles baseball cap, and had a large messenger bag strapped around his back like a sling. He entered the building and walked straight to the front desk where Lois was standing and began speaking to receptionist.

Messenger: “I have a package for Mr. Billings at extension 1322.”

R: “One moment please.” She dialed the extension. “Hi, I have a package for a Mr. Billings. Yes… Yes. Can I see some ID?”

Without a word he pulled out his employee ID and the receptionist looked over it carefully.

R: Speaking into the phone while reading the badge, “Yes, I have it…. Yes, that’s what it says… All right, thank you.”

Lois glanced nonchalantly at the package the messenger was holding; it was in a blue and white tyveck envelope. She couldn’t make out the name of the company that sent it, but she did see the name of a Mr. Billings in room 1322, and she was a little shocked when the receptionist sent the messenger to a different floor.

R: “All right, here’s a building pass. Take this up to the fourteenth floor.”

The pass had fourteenth floor written in large red letters. She assumed that if he deviated from his course, he’d be shown the door immediately, or worse.

He took the pass and headed past the security guards who checked it and sent him upstairs.

As Lois looked to the various elevators, the security guards eyed her suspiciously. She smiled politely and tried not to look as uncomfortable as they were making her feel. But she’d been treated worse over the years as an investigative reporter, much worse.

Lois walked over to the large menu listing the offices in the building. Different divisions of Stealth were assigned to various floors. Shop Mart had floors three through five, Comfy Furniture division had six through eight, Worldwide Medical had floors nine through eleven, Stealth’s Electrical division had twelve through fifteen, Victory Pharmaceutical had sixteen through eighteen, and the executive offices occupied the top two floors, nineteen and twenty.

Five minutes later the phone rang.

Receptionist: “Stealth front desk. Yes, yes, she’s still here.” Waving to get Lois’ attention. “Miss Lane. Do you have any identification?”

Lois pulled out her Daily Planet ID badge and handed it to the receptionist.

R: “Yes, I have it here. Yes…. All right. I’ll tell her.” The receptionist handed Lois back her ID. She then pulled out a visitors pass and wrote with a large felt tip red marker, the number fourteen. Here is your pass, please attach it to your person and wear it the entire time you’re in the building…. Please sign-in our visitors guest book.”

LL: “Thank you.”

Lois signed in and took her pass to the security guard, who checked the floor and sent her to the proper elevator. She noticed as she entered the elevator, that he pulled out his walkie-talkie and began to speak, assumedly about her.

Security Guard: “She’s on her way.”

Lois wasn’t alone on the elevator. People got off and on on various floors. She looked over to the side at the panel and pressed fourteen. She immediately noticed that just like many office buildings in America, there was no thirteenth floor, skipping from twelve to fourteen to presumably appease the overly superstitious. That was nothing unusual, but the fact that the package the messenger was delivering was on the thirteenth floor, was… a floor that apparently didn’t exist.

***************************************

Fifteen minutes later Lois was sitting in Mr. Frank Terelli’s office, the plaque on his door read, ‘F. Terelli. Eastern Division Manager, Stealth Electric.’ In his early fifties, Frank Terelli was a short stocky man of five feet-three inches, had small chubby hands with sausage like fingers, brown and gray hair (what little there was left of it), and every minute of questioning from this seasoned reporter left his already pale complexion a little whiter.

Now corrupt businessmen and politicians have described the experience from the comfort of their jail cells as ‘Being Lois Lane’d!’ They all looked back on it as a terrifying experience. The federal prison just outside Metropolis had a therapy group comprised of people sent to prison following one of Lois Lane’s investigations. The only therapy group in that prison that rivaled hers in size was Mike Wallace’s.

When Lois was on a roll like this, Clark knew better than to get in the middle of the fray. The last thing they needed was ‘good cop’ stepping in and ruining everything. He would wisely just sit back and watch when Lois smelled blood in the water.

He had discarded his jacket behind his chair only five minutes into the interview, when the heat became too intense. After fifteen minutes of being grilled by Lois Lane, Frank Terelli was drenched in sweat. Every time he tried to volley one of her skillful questions back in her direction, she’d lob an even more devastating one into his face, catching him in one lie after another. He’d nearly fainted when she pulled out a tape recorder at the beginning of the interview and placed it on his desk. She knew this man was waaay out of his league when he allowed it. She almost felt sorry for him… almost.

Lois Lane: “You mean to tell me that Alan Schmidt had been transferred from Metropolis to DC three years ago to the EXACT same position???”

“For HOW much money?!?!? …. ”

“I saw his house on Top Copy last week… can you tell me HOW he was able to AFFORD a house like THAT?!….. AND on top of all that KEEP the first house in Metropolis?!?”

“You mean NONE of the employees who worked with him on his projects are in today?!….. ”

“You have NO idea HOW a man who worked SIXTY hours a week here knew ANY of these high profile politicians???!!!”

Yes, the man was definitely out of his league. When asked to see Alan Schmidt’s office, he breathed a sigh of relief. He definitely needed some air and nearly sprinted for his door. He ushered her out into the hallway past rows of small gray cubicles, people were busy at work, paying little or no attention to their presence. About three-quarters of the way to the back wall, he stopped.

Frank Terelli: Smiling, “Here we are!”

Lois Lane: “Here we are what?”

FT: Nervously, “This was Alan Schmidt’s desk, Miss Lane.”

LL: “This? After ten years of employment? A man who graduated near the TOP of his class at MIT?!”

FT: “I’m afraid so Miss Lane.”

LL: Giving him a look of absolute disbelief, she sat down at his desk and looked up, “Are you okay?”

He was wiping off his forehead with an already soaked handkerchief.

FT: “I’m fine, Miss Lane. I… I just need a glass of water.”

LL: “Go right ahead, I’ll wait.”

He excused himself and Lois took the golden opportunity to get some snooping done. She opened each of the drawers to his desk and couldn’t help but snicker to find them empty. They definitely weren’t prepared for this visit.

Terelli arrived back two minutes later to Lois’ questioning look at the empty drawers.

LL: “Where are his things?” Lois almost took pity on him. ‘Boy, he’s sweating more than Mike Tyson taking a calculus exam!’ “Hello?”

FT: “Ummmm…. The federal agents investigating the murders cleared most of his things away.” He looked a little too pleased with himself at his answer. But his over confident smug look didn’t last long.

LL: Holding her pad and pen in hand, “What was the name of the detective in charge of the investigation?”

That did it. The deer in the headlight expression had returned.

FT: Stammering, “You know, I’m not sure Miss Lane… Jus… Just give me a few minutes and I’ll get that information for you.”

LL: “Sure, take you time,” she said to his back as he scuttled down the hall.

For the entire interview Lois had been preoccupied with solving the mystery of the thirteenth floor. The elevator she’d taken up was an express, common in large office buildings. It only stopped at floors nine through fifteen. She looked up at the panel above the elevator doors as each number it passed lit up, making a mental note of the time it took to get from one floor to the next. She smiled at the extra amount of time it took to get from twelve to fourteen. Oh yes, there was DEFINITELY a thirteenth floor!

At the end of the hall, she spotted the door to a stairwell. Looking from side to side to make sure the coast was clear, Lois strolled briskly through the door and down one flight. There was just a wall, where Lois was certain she’d find a door.

LL: ‘DAMN!’ She knew whatever went on on that floor was sure to be illegal, or at least good for a story. Knowing she’d be missed any moment, she hurried back to the fourteenth floor and arrived a little out of breath just before Terelli.

LL: “There you are. Did you find out the name of…?”

FT: “Yes, the name was Special Agent Kenneth Turner of the FBI.”

LL: Lois recognized the name from the time she spent outside the Freedom Fighter’s Compound over the weekend. “Thank you.”

FT: Smiling while looking relieved, “You’re welcome Miss Lane.”

Lois’ next question had stopped the entire fourteenth floor dead in its tracks. The reaction reminded her of those old E.F. Hutton commercials. ‘Well, my broker is E.F. Hutton, and E.F. Hutton says….’

LL: “How do I get to the thirteenth floor?”

People stopped typing. Everyone who was sitting down craned his or her necks up to get a look at the person asking the question. Everyone walking in one direction or another stopped in their tracks and turned to look in her direction.

‘WELL!… THAT was worth the WHOOOLE TRIP!!’ resonated through Lois’ mind.

Lois looked around the room and very innocently looked back at the now white as a sheet form of Terelli, anxiously awaiting her answer.

FT: “Thirteenth floor?” His voice evoked pity.

The shark was circling. Lois could hear the theme from Jaws echoing through her mind.

LL: “Uh-huh.”

FT: Letting out a breath, “I’m afraid there is no thirteenth floor,” he stammered.

LL: “Yes there is.”

FT: “Excuse me?” his voice cracked.

LL: “When I was down in the lobby, there was a messenger who had a package that was addressed to someone on the thirteenth floor… How do I get there?”

FT: A little more forcefully, “There must be some mistake Miss… I’ve been working here for five years, and I can assure you… There is NO thirteenth floor!”

LL: “Then WHO… is Mr. Billings?!”

Lois Lane had never seen so many terrified faces in her life. The looks of curiosity had been replaced with genuine fear. These people, who were a moment before watching her and Terelli with curious interest, quietly went back to work, pretending they’d heard nothing. From that moment on, they acted like she was no longer in the room. No one looked in his or her direction.

FT: “There is NO Billings here at Stealth Electric and there is most definitely… NO THIRTEENTH FLOOR!”

His eyes were almost pleading with her to let it drop. She looked down at the desk at the only evidence that Alan Schmidt had any relation to it. There was a family picture that sat in the corner. It was a portrait studio picture of Alan, Amy and Adam in happier times. They were all dressed to the nines, smiling at the camera.

Lois could cut the tension in the room with a knife. Whatever he was hiding would remain hidden… for now. She gave him the immeasurable honor of letting the question drop. She let out a breath and asked her next question.

LL: “I’m not feeling very well. Can you direct me to the ladies room?”

Frank Terelli couldn’t have looked more grateful if Lois had handed him a million dollars… or more accurately, handed him his life back. She nodded her head in recognition of the gift they BOTH knew she’d given him.

FT: Smiling enthusiastically while fighting back tears, “Right this way.”

A few moments later, Lois let out a breath as she looked at herself in the bathroom mirror.

LL: ‘Okay Lane, think.’ How’re you going to PROVE there’s a thirteenth floor!’ Getting an idea, she quickly looked down under the four stalls to look for shoes. One stall was occupied. She waited a moment until the woman left and quickly pulled a container of lipstick from her purse. Getting a better idea, she put the lipstick back.

FIVE MINUTES LATER FRANK TERELLI’S OFFICE

LL: “I want to thank you again Mr. Terelli for your time.”

FT: “You’re very welcome Miss Lane…. I’ll see you to the elevator.”

LL: “Thank you.” Just before reaching his door, Lois shook his hand and pulled a business card from her pocket. “If there’s anything you want to talk about, on or OFF the record…. Here’s my cell phone number. And I’m at the Bellevue.”

He definitely wasn’t cut out for cloak and dagger stuff, but he caught her meaning quickly.

FT: Taking the card from her hand and quickly putting it in his pocket, “Thank you Miss Lane. I’ll keep you in mind.”

*****************************

After leaving Stealth around 10:45am, Lois hopped the short cab ride back to the parking lot near her hotel to get her jeep, and more specifically, some important surveillance articles she’d left inside. She returned thirty-five minutes later and parked her car across the street from Stealth Headquarters in a no parking zone. A moment later, she got out of the car with the materials she’d taken from her glove compartment, praying she wasn’t too late.

She had with her a small but rather powerful pair of binoculars, and a new camera with a zoom lens, not quite powerful enough for the task, but she might get something her fiancé could get more details from later.

She left the car unattended, walked around the corner, and scanned up the side of the building.

Lois Lane: “HA! GOTHCHA!” She spotted it. The bathroom she’d occupied less than an hour before. She originally decided to leave lipstick sprawled across the bathroom window. But that plan had a serious flaw. Lipstick could easily be removed. Then she remembered she had a bottle of nail polish in her purse. Moving quickly, she emptied the entire bottle onto the window behind the last stall, making it harder for an employee to spot, and even if they did, dry nail polish would be a lot harder to get rid of than lipstick.

Quickly, she began counting from the ground floor to the window she left marked.

LL: “Eleven, twelve, …. Thirteeeeeeen…. YES! FOURTEEN!” There IS a thirteenth floor! Lois trained her binoculars on the floor below. There wasn’t much to see at first. It really didn’t look any different from the other floors. Mostly people in business attire busy at work. From her distance and vantage point, she couldn’t see very deep into the offices, and getting any details on whatever paperwork they had out in the open was out of the question.

She really wished Clark was with her. Not only did she miss him a lot, but she had to admit, his ‘vision gizmo’, along with his other powers, had really come in extremely handy while investigating. She’d certainly gotten spoiled.

More important than his ‘super’ abilities, she missed his steady and trusted company, as well as his input. He really was a talented reporter, and their styles complimented each other, almost perfectly. Most of his ideas and plans were just as sound as hers, although usually a lot more cautious. As exciting as working solo could be at times, (without anyone there to tell you to check to see if there was water in the pool), she’d forgotten how lonely working alone could be, especially now. She realized that she’d taken his half of the partnership for granted.

LL: ‘Boy, this story would go a lot faster if Clark were here… Oh well, Lane, he’s not here! So DO your job and stop whining!’ She quit being reflective and started clicking a few pictures. Maybe she’d catch the infamous Mr. Billings, whoever he was, in a picture or two.

In the distance, almost within camera range, she saw a man wearing a military uniform. She wasn’t sure if the uniform was from the Navy or the Marines.

LL: ‘I’ve really got to learn to distinguish one uniform and rank from another,’ she mentally chastised herself.

She began clicking away what would turn out to be very fuzzy pictures. After snapping a few shots, she used the strap to hold the camera around her neck, and switched to the more powerful binoculars to get a better look at the man, hoping he was Peter Brock… He wasn’t.

He was carrying a clipboard and talking to three men, the first was an African-American man in a well tailored, very expensive grey suit, the second had light blonde hair, almost white, and was wearing all black, with silver cufflinks (although Lois couldn’t make out the latter detail from that distance). The final man appeared to be in his sixties, perhaps a little older, and was also dressed in a grey suit, although not nearly as well tailored. And in spite of his more humble apparel, he didn’t appear to be anyone’s flunky. He took a long drag on the cigarette in his hand just before he began speaking. The others were nodding their heads in agreement.

A moment later, the conversation appeared to be over and the man in the military uniform had walked out of range and into a room with no windows.

LL: “Darn! I wish you were …”

*********************************************

Man in Military Uniform: “Commander Brock!… Attention!”

All the other men in the room quickly stood at attention, saluting the superior officer.

Peter Brock: “Sir! Commander …”

Man in Military Uniform: Waving his hand in a calming motion, “At ease everyone, at ease. You know how I detest ceremony.”

Peter Brock: Now smiling, “Yes sir. I remember that Captain.”

Peter Brock and his men had called the thirteenth floor of Stealth Headquarters home since the previous morning, the day Lois Lane’s article and sketch of the Freedom Fighters ‘alleged leader’ hit the streets.

Before he’d been plucked off the streets by his superiors, he’d made some phone calls to friends he’d made over the years, trying to secure his life and the lives of the men underneath him. He screwed up big time and he knew it. The Captain who stood before him, was there, or so he thought, as an old friend, and was one of the first people he called.

Peter Brock: “Captain Schaeffer…”

The two men stood face to face, the Captain only reaching Brocks chin. In the beginning of his Naval career, the 5’6″ Captain was a little self conscious about his height and almost slight and pale appearance. But he’d gotten over those insecurities years ago. He had nothing to prove to anyone anymore, and it showed in the way he carried himself.

Captain Schaeffer: “Oh come on Peter, the big brass isn’t here. You know you can call me Will.”

PB: He shook his head in understanding. “Be straight with me Will, for old times sake. How much trouble am I in?”

CS: “I won’t pull any punches Peter, you’re in a bit of hot water, but not nearly as much as you COULD be in. There are those who want your heads for this. But none of them can touch you, not without Grant on board. And he WON’T turn you over.”

Brock and his men were visibly relieved as they listened to Schaeffer.

PB: “I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear that.”

CS: “You should be. Anyway, I’ve only got a few minutes. I just came to brief you on your situation and give you a message from Grant along with your new orders.”

PB: “New orders?”

CS: “Of course, you didn’t expect to be held up here FOREVER did you?”

PB: “Well, no…”

CS: “Early tomorrow morning you’ll be reassigned to the naval base at Gitmo. Nobody will be looking for any of you in Cuba. The plane leaves at 0600 hours. I have your transfer papers here. Don’t worry, you’ll all be brought back as soon as we have the situation contained.”

PB: “That’s wonderful! I can’t thank you en…”

CS: “Not necessary.” Looking down at his watch, “Look, I’ve only got a couple of minutes. I have a pressing appointment, you each have to sign your transfer before I go.”

PB: Suspiciously, “Sign? I don’t remember ever having to…”

CS: “Peter, I can assure you, you’ve never been in this position before. And anyway, everyone who gets transferred to Gitmo has to go through this.” The men all signed quickly. “Sign all five copies men. One of them’s for you. Don’t worry. You can read it after I leave.” Pulling a packet from a yellow envelope, “here are your new passports and new names.”

“Grant wants to have dinner with you and your men tonight. He wants to see you all in full dress with your heads held high. Our favorite chain smoker will also be there. He’s right outside by the way, and I gotta tell you,” Looking from side to side and chuckling, “boy is he seething! He was REALLY looking forward to taking you out.”

PB: Laughing, “I can imagine.”

CS: “Just don’t push his buttons when I’m gone. He’s a man who knows how to hold a grudge. And although he can’t get to you this time, he’s a very patient man. He’ll bide his time.”

PB: “I hear that!” he remarked with a knowing nod of his head.

CS: “Take care of yourself. I’ll see you tonight.”

PB: “I’ll look forward to it, and Will…”

The forty-five year old Captain turned around to acknowledge Brocks appreciation.

Captain Schaeffer: “I know Peter, but don’t worry about it. It will all be over soon.”

Peter Brock quickly lost his smile at the Captain’s choice of words. He watched his old friend leave and shrugged off the feeling of déjà vu that was descending upon his heart. After feeling satisfied about his safety and situation… (after all, if they wanted him dead, they would’ve done it yesterday,) he and his men began discussing what the next few weeks or months would be like in Cuba.

**************************************************

Captain William Schaeffer walked back out into the main office area and spotted his three ‘colleagues’ talking in the glass lined conference room. He secretly detested all three of them. All three had their priorities, and none of them had anything to do with what Schaeffer valued; duty, honor, God, and country. Of course, he was forced to do things that were ‘unpleasant’, but they were all the means to a ‘noble’ end. Anyway, that attitude helped him sleep at night.

Schaeffer was doing his best to hold his internal sneer; sizing up all three. Terence Billings, a handsome black man, only in his early thirties and often mistaken for a model, was the most understandable, falling victim to the vices so many succumb to. He loved the trappings of money; the houses, the clothes (today he wore a grey Armani suit that showed off his handsome physique), the muscle cars, and the women. Oh, did he love women. And they loved him. Schaeffer knew that, he’d seen the surveillance videos.

Cigarette Smoking Man was the most difficult to get a handle on. He made more money than all three of them. But you’d never tell by looking at him. He was a man with a lot of secrets, but Schaeffer knew very few of them. He didn’t even know his name. Grant knew his name and almost all of his secrets. He once told Schaeffer never to ask him what they were.

‘Even if I told you everything about him, Will, you’d NEVER believe me,’ Grant would tell his old friend and laugh.

Grant also knew everything about the man who always wore the silver cufflinks. The name he used was Baughman. He was a pseudo doctor just like his father. His father was a famous Nazi War Criminal who fled to South America after World War II. He spent his childhood moving from country to country with his family, dodging organizations hunting his father for war crimes. When times grew quiet, his father would teach him his trade and practice, as well as a general hatred of most of the people in the world around him. There were rumors within various circles that he was the son of Josef Mengele, Hitler’s infamous Chief Physician in charge of ‘research’ at the concentration camps of Birkenau and Auschwitz. But nobody with his level of clearance could ever confirm that. And as usual, Grant was mum on the subject.

Baughman was considered a psychotic butcher, who if left unchecked, would kill just for the thrill of taking life. His specialty was getting information from uncooperative sources. And at times he was given permission to use any means necessary to procure such information. The rumor mill at headquarters suggested that Baughman had executed the Capitol Murders. The evidence of torture and mutilation were both consistent with Baughman’s style… Along with the silver cufflinks, they were part of his signature.

Although he despised the lot of them, he had to admit one thing of all three. They all made problems go away. All three did work for Stealth from time to time. Billings mainly did Stealth’s corporate dirty work, but he would do work for one of the government’s intelligence agencies from time to time. Cigarette Smoking Man handled some of the more unpleasant work for the FBI, but he wasn’t relegated to that agency. And of course Baughman worked with government agencies all over the world. Although officially, he was on no one’s payroll. Neither was Billings. Baughman executed hits for the NIA, CIA, FBI, NSA, and of course, Stealth. He wasn’t well liked in his circle, but no one could deny he got the job done.

Captain Schaeffer entered the conference room.

Billings: “What about the Lane woman?”

Cigarette Smoking Man: “She left about an hour ago. I spotted her getting into a cab.”

Billings: “Good. What about Terelli?”

CSM: “I was just about to send for him. He’s a minnow, information will not be a problem.

Baughman: “Let ME question him,” he pleaded to Billings.

Billings: “No offense Baughman, but letting you interrogate Terelli would be bad for the morale of the employees in the rest of the building.”

Baughman: “What difference do they matter?!”

Billings: “People hear stories about the thirteenth floor… We can’t afford to have anyone leak information to the press because our faithful and loyal employees fear for their lives.”

CSM: “That’s right. We’re all one big happy family,” he snickered as he took a long drag on his cigarette.

************************************************

In the street below Lois was getting exasperated.

LL: ‘I really need to know what’s going on up there.’ “Okay Kent. You asked for it. You got it.” She pulled her cell phone from her briefcase and dialed the Daily Planet in Metropolis.

Voice: “City Desk.”

LL: “This is Lois, who’s this?”

Voice: “Oh, hi Lois, it’s Gil.”

LL: “Hi, Gil. Listen, put Clark on the phone. I need to talk to him fast.”

Gil: “Sorry, Kent’s out working on the strike story down in Hobbs Bay. It’s getting pretty hot down there. He should be back in a while.”

LL: “When he gets back, tell him to call me. It’s an emergency. Well, don’t tell him that, he’ll just panic. Tell him…. just tell him I need to talk to him.”

Gil: “Can do Lois.” In a teasing tone, “Say does Superman follow you around everywhere you go?”

LL: “What do you mean?”

Gil: “I mean it just seems a ‘teeny coincidence’ that Superman is in Washington the same time that you are.”

LL: “Gil, what are you talking about?”

Gil: “OH come on Lois, it’s been all over the news this morning.”

Lois figured that Clark had gotten sidetracked on his way back to Metropolis.

LL: “I’ve been busy all morning, what happened?”

Gil: “There was a big pileup in Dupont Circle this morning. Fifteen cars I think. Surprised you haven’t heard about it…. You mean flyboy didn’t come there to see YOU?!”

LL: Unsuccessfully trying not to sound defensive. “No! He didn’t. I haven’t seen Superman since I left Metropolis!”

Gil: “Okay okay, Lois, you don’t have to get all huffy with me. I was just jokin’ with ya. Anyway, I’ll tell Kent you called.”

LL: “Don’t…”

Gil: “Relax, I won’t worry him!”

LL: “Thanks Gil, I gotta go.”

CLICK

Lois quickly realized that once Clark started working with her in DC next week, they’d have the problem of Superman’s absence in Metropolis and sudden presence in DC. She knew Clark, and he would have a hard time turning a blind eye to trouble no matter where he was. But they couldn’t risk people making the connection to Clark Kent’s and Superman’s simultaneous presence in another city. They’d have to figure something out, and soon.

By the time she’d finished her phone call, there wasn’t anything to see in the thirteenth floor window. Everyone of interest had moved away. Anyway, once she got in touch with Clark, he could come back later and get a better look at what was going on up there.

Remembering where she left her car, she hurried back to it, hoping it was still there.

LL: “DAMN!”

The car was still there, but the windshield wiper was now adorned with a parking ticket. After a moment of reflection, she supposed she was lucky it hadn’t been towed or booted.

She pulled the ticket out from the windshield and got into her car, throwing the offending article in the glove compartment.

Again, she pulled out her cell phone and called the Daily Planet, but this time she called the DC office.

Voice: “Daily Planet, DC Office, Rachel Bell speaking.”

LL: “Rachel, hi it’s Lois Lane.”

Rachel Bell: “Hi Lois, how’d your early morning meeting go?”

LL: “Better than expected actually. Listen Rachel, did you ….?”

RB: “Everything’s been taken care of. Senator Grant is not granting any interviews, but I can get you in the building. But you’ll have to hurry. The Senate convened about forty minutes ago. He’s got committee meetings for Foreign Relations and Indian Affairs going on simultaneously, but he’ll probably be attending the Native American hearing because he’s the chairman of that one. It’s an open hearing.

LL: “I need to get in the building…”

RB: “I’m getting to that, but let me finish.”

LL: “Okay, sorry. I’m just anxious.”

RB: “That’s okay, I understand. The Indian Affairs Committee meeting is going on now and is in the Hart Senate Office Building, Conference Room 216, but his office is in the Russell Building, Room 317. I’ve arranged for you to attend that meeting, but the chances are slim that you’ll be able to corner him there.”

“I have a plan B, but it’s trickier.”

LL: “Plan B? Let’s hear it.”

RB: “Well, since you can’t get an appointment with Senator Grant, I got you on a tour of the Capitol today. A group of tourists from Metropolis has arranged a meeting with OUR State’s Senator, who just happens to be in….”

LL: “The Russell Senate Office Building.”

RB: “Precisely! They’re even on the same floor. The tricky part is scooting across the hall to Grants office and talking him into seeing you. But it should be timed just right. As long as he doesn’t have to rush to The Floor, he should be there. Everyone in the tour group gets a pass to the Capitol Dome across the street. But if you accept Plan B, for goodness sakes, don’t use your press badge for ID at the Russell, use your driver’s license.

LL: “Rachel, you’re brilliant! And totally wasted as Smith’s assistant.”

RB: “Don’t I know it!”

LL: “Does our famous Washington Bureau Chief have any idea what a gem he has in you?”

RB: “Not a clue!”

LL: “When I get done with this story, I’ll give Smith a call and put in a thousand good words about you!”

RB: “Thanks but, it wouldn’t do any good. When you’re as low on the totem pole as I am, people tend to look through you. He’ll never recognize my abilities.”

LL: “Then I’ll talk to Perry White.”

RB: Excitedly, “Would you?”

LL: “Of course.”

RB: “If you would do that for me Lois, I’d be indebted to you for the rest of my life!”

LL: “I don’t know if that’s necessary, but…”

RB: “Anything you want Lois, you got it!”

LL: “Thanks Rachel, but you don’t have to go to any trouble.”

RB: “Oh, I nearly forgot to ask you. How far are you from your hotel?”

LL: “Not far, why?”

RB: “I messengered your new press credentials for the Committee Meetings, and a voucher for the tour group to the front desk of your hotel. The new credentials will also get you into the Press and Staff Entrance to the Capitol Building.”

“If all else fails and he rushes to The Floor, maybe you can corner him there. But it’s one or the other. The Indian Affairs Committee Meeting is going on now, and if you go there, you’ll miss the tour group. But if you choose the tour group, you’ll have to hurry. They’re leaving their hotels in less than an hour. I forgot where they’re staying, but it’s all in the pack I sent you. I suggest you take the subway. Traffic is murder this time of day.”

LL: “I think I’ll choose the tour group!”

RB: “Smart move…. If you change your mind and want to go to the meetings, you can get there really easy. Your hotel is on the Senate side of the Capitol Building. Just a few blocks away actually.”

LL: “The Senate side?”

RB: “Yeah, you see DC is divided into four sections, with the Capitol building as ground zero. Your hotel is Northwest, and the three Senate Office buildings, the Hart, Russell and Dirksen, are on the North side as well, just across from the Supreme Court. Are you getting all this?”

LL: With pad and pen in hand, “North… yeah, I’m writing this down.”

The House of Representatives occupy the Rayburn, Cannon and Longworth House Office Buildings on the South side of the Capitol Building.

“Most of the Senate and House Committees have offices located in one of the six buildings. Just a couple are housed in the Capitol Building. I think I put all that information in the packet I sent you, but I’m not sure.”

LL: “Ray… South… got it. Thanks. It’s been a while since I’ve visited.”

RB: “No problem. Oh, I almost forgot to ask. What kind of tape recorder do you have?”

LL: “A microcasette recorder, why?”

RB: “Oooh, not good. It’ll set off the metal detectors. And a microcasette recorder will look suspicious. If you have the time, find an electronics store and buy a Walkman that records with the microphone attached. Also wear your camera around your neck, if you’ve got one…. a camera that is.” She laughed at her own lame joke. “Sorry, it’s been a long morning… anyway, the point to all this is that it’ll make you look more like a tourist. If they smell a reporter, you might not get anywhere near the Senators office.”

LL: “Wow! I’m impressed Rachel. You’re amazing!”

RB: “I know. And thank you for saying that. But to be honest, I didn’t arrange for the new credentials. Perry White called a few days ago to make sure you got them by the time your arrived.”

LL: “I’ll talk to Perry when I get the chance, I promise.”

RB: “Thanks, so much…. But you’ve got to hurry!”

LL: “I know. I’ll be by later to get some work done, and maybe we can talk.”

RB: “I’ll look forward to it.”

LL: “Me too.”

CLICK

PART 49

In less than an hour Lois managed to get back to her hotel and retrieve the packet Rachel had sent her. On the way there she found a small electronics store and bought a recording Walkman, a set of headphones and a few tapes, as Rachel suggested.

She knew she scarcely had the time, but she went up to her room and changed. The grey suit was far too businesslike and she needed something professional, yet casual enough for her to pass for a tourist in the Senate Office Buildings. She plowed through all the clothes she’d brought with her from home in the space of three minutes and picked a peach colored silk skirt with a white cotton blouse. Together with a brown leather belt, it looked professional and casual at the same time. It was a nice warm day so she figured she might get away with it.

By ten after twelve, she rushed out the door and took a taxi to Union Station to get the train to the hotel where the group of Metropolis tourists was staying near the White House. She arrived only five minutes late, finding her tour group leaving their hotel at 12:35, and the tour was on. The Russell Senate Office Building and the Capitol Dome would be their third and fourth stops, so Lois sat on the bus, listening to the tour guide drone on and on, pointing out points of interest the bus passed.

Along the way they passed the Lincoln Memorial. Unfortunately for Lois, they would not be stopping there until later that evening. Lois wanted a better look at the scene of the crime, but that could wait ’til later.

The bus arrived at precisely 1:40. Lois looked only a little out of place within the tour group, but not enough to draw any serious attention. She and the rest or her group made it through the metal detectors without incident. Rachel was right. No one batted an eyelash at her new Walkman. Lois hid it in plain sight, listening to the radio as she entered. Security ordered her to put it away and she obliged. It was not confiscated and no one looked at her suspiciously.

Although she had her press credentials with her, she used her driver’s license as identification. No one recognized her name.

Everyone in the group was given a pass to their Senator’s office. She had passed Grant’s along the way and promptly got a ‘stomach ache’, excusing herself to the ladies room just before they reached her Senators office. It worked. The group of tourists, practically oblivious to her existence all morning, had quickly forgotten her in favor of taking in their intimidating surroundings.

A few moments later, Lois eased out of the ladies room and dashed across the hall and into the very well appointed and very large offices of New York Senator Mitchell Grant. Lois let out the breath she’d been holding for the last few minutes and took in her surroundings. For the offices of a public servant, Lois considered them a little over the top. They weren’t tacky. On the contrary, they were elegant. Too elegant. Too much mahogany, too much gold leaf, too much Chippendale. Granted, he was a senior member of the Senate, first elected to his current position in 1974, but it was still just a little too grand.

For the first few moments Lois had been ignored. Perhaps it was because her appearance was somewhat similar to a few in the Senators staff. The room was bursting with activity. Staffers, assistants, secretaries all went about their work. Grant’s secretary was the first to notice her presence. She was a small woman of five foot three, with eyes that seemed to match her silver haircolor. She looked as old as the Queen Anne Chair her small frame occupied. The nameplate on her desk read Ruth Erlich.

Ruth Erlich: “Hello, may I help you Miss?”

Lois Lane: “Hello, my name is Lois Lane with the Daily Planet in Metropolis. I would like to see the Senator, if that’s possible.”

Ruth Erlich: “Do you have an appointment?”

LL: “No, I’m afraid I don’t. But I just need to ask a few….”

Ruth Erlich: “I’m sorry Miss…?”

LL: “Lane.”

RE: “Lane… But the Senator isn’t granting any interviews to the press at this time.”

LL: “Please Miss Erlich. If you could just tell him I’m here.”

RE: “I’m very sorry. But even if I did inform him of your presence, it wouldn’t make a difference. The Senator is booked solid all day today and for the rest of the week. I’m afraid you’ll have to leave. Would you like to speak to his AA?”

LL: “His Administrative Assistant? Can you point him or her out to me?”

RE: Turning her head to the left through the double mahogany sliding doors, into a second set of offices. “You see that young man?”

LL: “Which one, there are five?”

RE: Whispering and smiling, “The one who looks like he was born and raised to be President someday….” Lowering her voice, “Acts like it too!”

Lois spotted him immediately after that description.

LL: “I see him. Is he as mean as he looks?”

RE: Gesturing for Lois to move closer so no one would overhear. “You don’t know the half of it sister. Little piss ant!”

They both began to laugh. Lois liked Ruth almost immediately. And the feeling was mutual.

LL: “Can you do me the biggest of favors?” Lois asked while pulling back and standing up straight again.

RE: Gauging Lois’ question, “I’m afraid not. Under normal circumstances I might have made an exception dear, but since the deaths of Senator Grant’s friends and colleagues, I’m afraid matters have been a little strained lately.”

Lois was getting desperate. If she missed him in the Capitol Dome today, that would be it. She knew that as one of the scheduled speakers, he’d be far too busy on the Senate Floor the next day. So desperate times called for desperate measures. And she had one card left to play before security hauled her out of his offices, possibly in handcuffs if this didn’t work. Lois pulled out her card and laid it on the table.

LL: She asked loud enough so the majority of people in the offices could hear her. “Could you ask the Senator if he enjoys the Burgers at MacDaddy’s?”

There. She’d said it. But she hadn’t gotten the reaction she was hoping for. The look on Ruth’s face was one of puzzled amusement. Either this old lady was as cool as a cucumber and an incredible actress, or she knew absolutely nothing about Grant’s possible extracurricular activities.

RE: “I beg your pardon?”

For a moment Lois felt like an idiot. A few even chuckled at Lois’ rather odd request. The rest seemed too busy to react to her at all. Lois hadn’t noticed the terrified look on Henry Stanton, Senator Grant’s AA and right hand man’s face, as he brushed past a group of assistants and staffers, through the large mahogany doors and into Grant’s private office.

Less than a minute later, the doors swung open with a burst of energy and the man of the hour appeared with a nervous smile on his face.

Senator Grant: “Miss Lane?”

Lois simply nodded as her eyes widened and her mouth dropped slightly. Like most people, she was immediately awestruck by his appearance. Even at the age of sixty-eight, his Gregory Peck good looks shone through. But there wasn’t anything humble or quiet about this man’s demeanor. Mitchell Theodore Grant, the six foot-two great-grandson of former US President and General Ulysses S. Grant was an extrovert, destined for greatness from the day he was born.

His very presence drew attention from everyone around him. The former Four Star General had a gift of making people feel like they were old friends and that he was on their side. No matter what their station in life. Even the janitor in the building would sometimes approach him at the odd hour when it wasn’t too busy and tell him about his day. He had the unique ability to become ‘everybody’s best friend’. The perfect attribute for politics.

After graduating from the Merchant Marine Academy in ’48, he served in Korea as a Lt. Colonel and within five years was promoted to Brigadier General and was awarded a Medal of Honor. The men underneath him nicknamed him Mitchell The Great, after his initials. He was a national hero during the fifties, one of the most popular men of the day, third at the time only to Ike and MacArthur, two of his closest personal friends and peers. The secret alliances made during those times would forever change history. And the world would never be the same.

After the war, Grant became the National Security Adviser to Eisenhower. And from 1957 to 60, he was appointed the Staff Director for the NIA. But when the Vietnam conflict escalated, one of Eisenhowers last duties was to re-instate his old friend to active duty as a Brigadier General in 1960. He left the military as a Four Star General in ’69 to become the United States Representative to the United Nations for the next three years.

After his tenure at the UN had ended, Grant ran for public office and was elected to the Senate in 1974, where he’s been ever since. The media often speculated on why he never ran for the big chair. He’d make some witty comment on what a thankless job it was and that he wouldn’t wish that position on his worse enemy. But the real reasons he never ran for President, he kept to himself.

He was smiling now. Grant always liked the pretty ones. But he wasn’t one to fool around. But he did like to look. And Lois Lane was giving him an eyeful of her beauty.

Senator Grant: “Miss Lane?” His voice was deep and booming and the nervousness he revealed for just a second had quickly faded.

Lois blinked twice and shook her head quickly to snap out of it. He really was larger than life. Almost a caricature of what a John Wayne type General was supposed to look like. The only thing missing was the battle fatigues, helmet, and cigar. She suspected he might smoke the latter.

LL: “I’m sorry Senator.” She smiled and extended her hand. “Yes, I’m Lois Lane with the…”

SG: “Yes, the Daily Planet. I’m familiar with your work.”

LL: “You are? Well, I’m very flattered, Senator, thank you.”

SG: “Why don’t you step into my office and we can have a little chat.”

She followed him towards the front door of his office. He turned before he entered to address his secretary of over twenty-five years.

SG: “Ruth! Hold my calls and reschedule my two o’clock! But leave in my 2:15 appointment.”

RE: “Senator?” This was almost unheard of. She was genuinely confused. He’d done this before over the years, but never for a member of the press.

Henry Stanton: “You heard the Senator!” Grant’s AA snapped at her.

She was right, Lois thought. He was a piss ant. That woman was old enough to be his grandmother and he treated her like some lapdog. Lois disliked him immediately.

Henry Stanton, who couldn’t have been a day older than Lois, was a handsome man of five-ten with blonde features and cold, calculating blue eyes. Ambition burned from this man like a heat. Lois Lane was familiar with ambition, but she could tell from the fearful reactions of the Senator’s staff that young Mr. Stanton had burned each and every one of them on at least one occasion.

Grant whipped his head around at that remark. No one talked to Ruth like that. No one!

SG: “Henry! Do we need to have another talk?!”

HS: Nervously remembering his earlier reprimand, “No Senator, we don’t.” He grudingly turned to Ruth in front of the entire office. “I’m sorry Ruth. It won’t happen again.”

Ruth smiled politely and said nothing. The rest of the staff looked rather pleased. Too pleased for Stanton’s tastes. He made mental notes of the people he spotted chuckling or smirking and vowed to have them on the streets looking for work by the end of the month, one way or another.

He’d been covertly trying to get rid of Ruth and replace her with an ally since he was hired four years ago. But with absolutely no success. Ruth had been Mitchell Grant’s secretary since little Henry was in diapers. Not that that made any difference to him. It didn’t. He’d call her ‘the fossil’ behind her back.

Henry lost interest in the old woman as he heard Grant’s office door click shut. He would have given a year’s salary to hear that conversation. He walked over to his small office, shut the door, picked up his own cellular phone and dialed a local number.

HS: “He’s talking to Lane now!…… And guess what? She KNOWS about MacDaddy’s!……. How should I know?!?!…… He didn’t even look that surprised when I mentioned….! …. I know! What are my instructions?…… DONE!”

CLICK

************************************************

Lois sat in the luxurious lounge chair opposite Grant.

Lois Lane: “Your office is… quite impressive.”

Senator Grant: “You think so?” One of his gifts was instantly being able to read most people. He knew she wasn’t impressed. “You think it’s too much, don’t you?”

LL: “Not at all!”

SG: “Young lady. I know when somebody’s tryin’ to pull the wool over my eyes.”

Lois just smiled.

SG: “Personally, I don’t much care for it either. My last AA had some ‘decorator’ come in here six years ago and whip this up…. Not really my style.”

LL: “No, I don’t think so either.”

SG: Amused, “And just what do you imagine my style to be?”

LL: Looking up in the air, “Well, I picture a big gun rack on the wall with a couple of elephant guns on display and….”

SG: “HAAAA!” He threw his head back with amusement. “The gun control lobbyists would just looove that!”

Lois chuckled and continued.

LL: “And a bunch of hunting prints on the wall. A huge American flag next to your window, and the head of a deer or a moose over the mantle over there…. Like you were expecting Ernest Hemmingway to burst through the door at any moment!”

Grant was laughing heartily.

SG: “You should see my den at home! But Hemmingway…”

LL: “Did you know him?”

SG: “Unfortunately.”

LL: “You didn’t like him?” Raising her eyebrows in surprise, “I would’ve thought the two of you would get on famously.”

SG: “He had a big mouth and liked to gossip! Never did trust that man!” Grant spit out in disgust.

LL: “Aaah. Okay forget Hemmingway. How ’bout Teddy Roosevelt, bursting through the door.”

SG: “Much better! Now there’s a man after my own heart. That’s where I got my middle name. Teddy Roosevelt was one of my Pop’s best friends. He was a member of his cabinet and a Rough Rider.”

LL: “Really? I didn’t know that.”

SG: “Yup, Pop always said he was sorry I never got to meet him…. Now what can I do for you this afternoon?”

LL: “I wanted to talk to you about the Capitol Murders.”

Grant was no longer smiling.

LL: “You were a friend of Senator Thomas….”

SG: “Tom Williams… was my best friend. We served in Korea together, Hell, we even ran for office together!” He had a sad smile on his face, losing himself in the past. “And Bill… well, Bill Miller was like a son to me. May they rest in peace.”

LL: “I’m sorry about your loss Senator. Did Senator Williams or The Deputy Chief of Staff ever say anything to you about who might want to kill them and why?”

SG: “Oh come now Miss Lane? Exactly why did you come here this afternoon? For real answers or just your run of the mill exclusive full of empty quotes to run in tomorrows paper. If you want the latter, I’ll be happy to oblige.”

LL: “Excuse me?”

SG: “I’m a very busy man Miss Lane. I’ve got an appointment with the Staff Director of the NIA arriving for a meeting in nearly fifteen minutes. When you asked if I liked ‘MacDaddy burgers’ in front of my staff, we segued past the obligatory bullsh#t hellos and moved onto more pertinent matters!”

“So, I’ll ask you just one more time… Why did you come here this afternoon?”

Lois fished into her briefcase and pulled out her tape recorder. Grant was laughing. He shook his head and made a tisk, tisk sound. Lois, a little red in the face, attempted to put the recorder back into her bag.

SG: “Leave it where I can see it! And leave it off!… Thank you.” He was polite, but sounded a lot like a father chastising his daughter.

LL: “Alright. You want me to be to the point? Fair enough…. Did you have anything to do with the deaths of the Capitol Murder victims?”

SG: “Didn’t I just mention that I lost my best friend and….”

LL: “Yes you did Senator. But I’ll ask again…”

SG: “No!”

LL: “Did you know Alan Schmidt?”

Grant smiled bitterly. Lois had definitely struck a nerve.

LL: “Is anyone from The Stealth Corporation involved in the murders!?”

SG: The Senator shook his head at her last remark. “Is this off the record?”

LL: “You tell me Senator.”

SG: “It is! Even to your colleagues.”

LL: “Alright. But I can’t promise I won’t tell my partner anything about this.”

SG: “Then I’m afraid this conversation is over.”

Lois thought hard. Keep this from Clark? She wanted to fit the pieces of this puzzle together so badly. And she really was at a dead end without some answers. And apparently, if she was willing to keep her mouth shut for awhile, he was about to spill the beans. She decided she would tell Clark that she had her interview with Grant and that they’d agreed it be off the record from everyone, including him. He would understand. He’d have to.

LL: “Off the record then. Unless you tell me otherwise.”

SG: “Then we have a deal.”

LL: “We do.”

SG: “Miss Lane, when you mention ‘that’ name… ‘Stealth’, always make sure no one else is present!…. Do I make myself clear?!”

LL: “I think so.”

SG: “Good… How’s Amy?”

LL: “How do you know Mrs….”

SG: “I’ve never met the lady, but Alan had mentioned her from time to time.”

LL: “How did you know I…”

SG: “I’ve been keeping an eye out for her for a couple of weeks.”

LL: “You what?!”

SG: “Lower your voice, Miss Lane.” This was a man used to spouting out orders, rather than making requests.

LL: “You had her followed?!”

SG: “I never said that. I’ve just been keeping an eye on her from time to time. At her late husbands request. As long as she keeps her mouth shut, she should be all right. Just don’t go to her house again. You never know who else may be watching.”

LL: “You haven’t been talking to the press lately. Why are you telling me all this?”

SG: “I’m impressed. And anyone who knows me well can tell you… I’m not easily impressed by anyone.”

Lois was flattered.

LL: “Oh? How so?”

SG: He paused for a minute before answering the question, then braced himself for impact. “I’ve been keeping an eye on you too lately.”

LL: “YOU WHAT?!?” Lois was fit to be tied.

SG: “Miss Lane. I won’t warn you again. Tone it down, NOW, or this conversation is over!”

LL: Lois followed his orders, but the anger in her voice remained. “Okay, I’m calm! You had me followed?” Lois’ face was red with anger.

SG: “I didn’t have to.”

LL: “What do you mean?”

SG: “You’ve been a busy little bee lately, haven’t you Miss Lane?”

LL: “I’m not sure I follow.”

SG: “You’re not….?” He shook his head. “You’re a unique individual Miss Lane. You’ve been privy to some ‘sensitive documents’ of late. If I’m not mistaken. Unless, you went to a certain website to find out the recipe for the ‘Burger Joint’s special sauce’!”

Lois’ eyes were wide with fear.

LL: “You know about that?”

SG: “Yes. I know you infiltrated the system and I also know you found Alan’s password.”

LL: “If I may be so bold to ask, how did you find out?”

SG: “I know of everyone who accesses that system at that level.”

LL: “Did Alan have that level of….”

SG: “No, he didn’t. He only had a Level 7 clearance. Less than ten people in the world have the Level 9 clearance needed to access those documents.”

LL: “Then how did he….”

SG: “Miss, may I remind you that this is still ‘off the record’…. Even to your partner and colleagues, and to Superman, is that clear?”

LL: “I already agreed…. Yes!”

SG: “After a lengthy background check, Alan was promoted to fix some errors in bookkeeping.”

Lois already got that information from Amy. She simply nodded her head.

SG: “Alan was a very curious individual… as well as being a whiz with a calculator, he was a computer genius. It was one of the reasons he was hired for the job. But his curiosity got the best of him. He broke into the system and created his own back door password for Level 9. It’s unlikely that anyone else from Stealth knows you were there. If they did, we would not be having this conversation because you’d no longer be breathing.”

LL: “How are you affiliated with Stealth, if I may ask?”

SG: “That is a very long story. Unfortunately, it will take a lot longer than the time allotted us this afternoon. But I’ll give you one piece of advice, and I sincerely hope you take it”

LL: “What’s that?”

SG: “Watch your back from now on! You publicly mentioned MacDaddy in front of my staff. And there are a few people I no longer trust. You can expect to be followed from now on. Is that clear?”

Lois had seen and remembered those documents. All those red numbers representing dead victims. All those years, decades. She was scared, but tried not to let on.

LL: “Crystal clear.”

SG: “Don’t write down any of what I’ve told you. Is that understood?”

LL: “Then how am I…”

SG: “Is that understood?!” His voice raised a little and anger flared in his eyes.

LL: “I understand.” She wasn’t happy about it. But she understood. ‘What the hell have I gotten myself into?!’

The intercom buzzed.

Voice of Ruth Erlich: “Senator, I know you said you didn’t want to be disturbed but your 2:15 is out here waiting.”

McGovern was early.

Senator Grant: Pushing the button for the intercom down, “Thank you Ruth. I’ll be out in a minute… I’m afraid we’ll have to continue this conversation some other time…” He picked up a notepad and scribbled furiously, not looking at his guest.

Lois Lane: “When would you…”

SG: “We’ll be in touch. I assure you. As long as you keep up your end of this bargain.”

LL: “I will.”

SG: “Then we have a lot more to discuss.” He smiled as he ripped the piece of paper and folded it in his hand and placed it in a folder he pulled out of his bottom right hand drawer. Just then the door opened.

Ruth Erlich: “I’m sorry Senator, but The Director says he’s in a hurry.”

SG: “That’s quite alright Ruth.”

The three exited Grant’s private office and were now back in the front set of offices. Ruth walked over to her desk and sat down to resume her work. A man in his mid fifties walked over to the Senator and shook his hand.

SG: “Matt. Great to see you! How are Karen and the kids?”

Matt: “Everyone’s great, thanks. How’s Faye?”

SG: “Oh, don’t get me started,” the Senator chuckled. “Doing her own thing as usual, now she’s got me eating that God awful health food when I’m at home. Just like…”

Matt: “I remember.” The two men lauged at their own private joke.

SG: Still laughing, the Senator turned to Lois. “Matt, allow me to introduce Lois Lane from the Daily Planet. Came here to talk about the Murders. Lois Lane, this is Matthew McGovern, Director of the NIA.”

Director of NIA Matthew McGovern: “A pleasure to meet you Miss Lane, in spite of the exposé’s you and your partner Mr. Kent have done on us over the years.” He extended his hand to shake hers. He looked around the office. “Where is Mr. Kent, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Lois smiled nervously. The last exposé she and Clark had done on the NIA was less than three months ago. But even so, that wouldn’t stop her from trying to get a decent comment or quote from this rare opportunity.

LL: “How do you do. It’s a pleasure to meet you Director… Um, my partner is still in Metropolis. But I wanted to ask….”

Director McGovern: Cutting her off, “What? Not joining you for all the ‘fun’ here in DC?” his smile seemed to almost mock her.

LL: “Nope, he’s swamped with too much work in Metropolis at the moment.”

DM: “Does he have any idea of what you’re up to here in our nations capitol?” McGovern teased.

LL: She laughed lightly. “I doubt it, or he’d never let me out of his sight if he did.” Little did she know at the time that her answer had just saved her fiancé a lot of trouble.

Grant and McGovern laughed.

DM: Keeping his jovial tone, “Miss Lane, the trouble you manage to get yourself into is nothing short of legendary… Be careful Lois, this is DC and the water here is filled with sharks. Someone going for a swim in the ocean can get eaten alive.”

Lois smiled and tried not to look nervous. She wasn’t sure how he meant that last remark. Was that a threat?

LL: “Oh, don’t worry about me Director McGovern, I wear shark repellent.” Lois smiled politely, but the tone in her voice had turned more serious.

DM: “I thought your ‘shark repellent’ kept most of his exploits in Metropolis. Although I did hear about his little rescue in Dupont Circle this morning.”

LL: “News travels fast here in DC.”

DM: “It can. Did you see Superman this morning?”

LL: “No, I’m afraid not. Just heard about it on the radio. He certainly gets around.”

DM: “He seems to get around to the same places YOU do Miss Lane… Or maybe that’s just a coincidence.”

LL: “What else would it be?”

McGovern just smiled.

LL: “Getting back to business, if you wouldn’t mind Director McGovern, I’d like a few minutes to talk to y…..”

Director McGovern: “I hate to be rude Miss Lane. But the Senator and I have a lot to discuss and I’m in a big hurry.” He smiled politely.

Grant laughed at Lois’ moxy as he liked to call it. But he was not oblivious to the exchange that had just taken place. He just chose to ignore it.

SG: “Nice try Miss Lane. Always the reporter, huh?”

LL: “Yup, always the reporter.” Lois nodded at the Director with no trace of humor in her face or voice.

The tension in the room had suddenly grown very thick. Grant had seen and heard enough of this and took charge of the situation.

Senator Grant: “Matt, why don’t you wait in my office and I’ll be with you in just a sec….” As if remembering himself, “Oh yes, in answer to your last question before we left my office Miss Lane, the ladies room is out the front door and three doors to your left.”

Lois tried not to look puzzled. She never asked about the ladies room. But she was a smart woman who caught on fast. The ladies room would be her next stop, but it would have nothing to do with a call of nature.

LL: “Thank you for your time Senator. Have a good day gentleman.”

SG: “It was my pleasure…. Ruth, The Smith Report is on my desk. File it for me please.”

Ruth Erlich did not hear of the Smith Report often. It was their secret code known only by the two of them. And it meant that there was a message he wanted her to deliver. She was the only person in that office he trusted completely. And he knew she would never betray him. She didn’t know many details about his secret dealings. He was a man who always looked after his friends. The less she knew the better. But she did deliver his messages from time to time. Although she never read them herself, unless he told her to.

RE: “Yes Senator, right away sir.” She walked past The Director, who was now sitting where Lois had been just a few moments before. She picked up a file filled with papers and turned to leave. “Can I get you anything Mr. Director? Coffee, a pastry…..”

DM: “Coffee.”

RE: “Black as usual sir?”

DM: “As usual, thanks Ruth.”

RE: “Right away, sir.” She smiled and turned to leave. She put the papers on her desk. Ruth could feel Henry Stanton’s eyes burning into her back. But she’d been around the block a few times, and she swore he’d never get the best of her. She casually got up and poured a cup of coffee and delivered it to McGovern.

She then poured herself a cup and sat back down at her desk, apparently getting back to work.

Senator Grant, who was blind to no one, noticed Stanton’s attention and thought to relieve the situation. Time was running short.

SG: “Henry! Pull the Intelligence reports for the last Committee meeting and put them on my desk.” Henry Stanton, Grant’s AA, was supposedly the only other person in the office besides Grant who knew the combination to the lock on the safe where those classified documents were kept.

Henry Stanton: “Right away Senator.” Reluctantly, he left to complete his task.

The minute she knew the nosy Administrative Assistant was out of sight, Ruth opened the folder and pulled out the note wadded up on page seven. The notes were always on page seven. She placed it in her jacket pocket and placed the file in the cabinet. This was the fifth time this year she had to do this. It was beyond unusual.

Ruth rerouted all the Senator’s calls to one of his staffers.

Ruth Erlich: “Peter, I’m sending my calls over to your desk. I’ll be back in a few….” She smiled at the young man; “Nature calls.”

Peter nodded his head and returned the smile. “Take your time.”

RE: “I will.”

Ruth’s heart was pounding rapidly as she walked down the hallway towards the ladies room. Something a lot bigger than she realized was definitely up. ‘I’m really getting too old for this,’ she thought as she approached the women’s rest room. Normally she could go for a couple of years without having to deliver a note like this. But this was not a normal year. And everyone she had delivered these notes to this year was dead. She had to keep a cool head.

*******************************************

Lois Lane found herself again staring at her reflection in the mirror of a public restroom for the second time in the last few hours, wondering what the hell was going on. She looked around the rest room a little nervously. She wasn’t alone. The bathroom had eight stalls and three of them were occupied. Another woman was standing two sinks away from her, applying lipstick.

Lois pretended to look busy, she pulled a small brush from her briefcase and began to fix her hair.

A moment later the door opened and Ruth Erlich entered. She nodded politely to two people she recognized, ignoring Lois completely. She walked directly past Lois and into the second to last stall, locking it behind her and clearing her throat rather loudly.

Assuming correctly that this was her cue, Lois put the brush back in her bag and waited for the lipstick lady to leave. She then walked to the last stall and locked the door behind her. She sat on the bowl and waited, not knowing what to do next. ‘Should I say something? Should I…’

She didn’t have to muse long. Ruth’s aged hand bearing a folded piece of notebook paper emerged under Lois’ stall. Without a word, Lois quickly grabbed it and placed it in her briefcase.

Ruth was quietly praying that Lois was savvy enough to keep her mouth shut and not say ‘thank you’, or ‘what’s this’? Ruth had experienced all types of reactions from people she’d delivered these notes to. She was convinced the world, at least the political world, was full of indiscreet and impolitic idiots. But to Ruth’s delight and relief, Lois was as silent as a mouse. She didn’t even hear the paper rattle.

Lois heard the toilet next to hers flush and the door creak open. She simply sat there staring at the door in front of her. Lois was burning with curiosity, but didn’t feel safe opening the note anywhere in the building. She waited for Ruth to leave before flushing the toilet herself and leaving the building.

She was outside within minutes and walking across the street through the small park towards the Capitol Dome.

She thought about taking the shuttle train and use the Press and Staff entrance to see whom she might be able to talk to. All the House and Senate buildings have a shuttle train underneath so Members and staff can get to the Floor of the House and Senate in a hurry, especially when they are about to vote. The public was also allowed to take the shuttle, but only in separate cars from Members and staff.

Lois wanted to sit on a bench and read the note, but Grant had spooked her more than a little. Even if she was just being paranoid, she felt someone might be watching her. The Capitol Dome could wait. She spotted her tour group exiting the Russell Building and wished them a good time when they passed her on the way to the Dome.

A few excitedly tried to tell her about meeting their Senator, and Lois tried to look interested. They asked her if she was coming with them. ‘No I have an appointment so I can’t come with. But have a great time!’ she said cheerfully. ************************************************

Lois got up and walked towards her hotel, which was fortunately less than ten blocks away. Lois was so excited, it seemed like ten miles. When she got to her room, she slammed it shut behind her and tore into her brown leather briefcase, found the note, and began to read.

Miss Lane.

When you read this note, memorize it, and destroy it! You are not to share this information with anyone. Not even your partner without my say so. If this is not agreed upon, then we cannot do business. Indiscretion will not be tolerated. Is that understood?

Leave your hotel at 5:00pm this Friday evening. Don’t drive, take the Metro to West Falls Church and from there take the shuttle to the Tysons Corner Center Shopping Mall. Do some window shopping. Act like a tourist and buy a few things, buy only what you can carry easily in one hand.

Go to Bloomingdales at 7:30. Once you enter the store, do some browsing in various departments. Then go to the Women’s Department. Pick out a few outfits in the Calvin Klein section. Take the outfits into the fitting room and try them on. There will be further instructions at that time waiting for you.

Buy two outfits that are picked out for you. Bring an ample supply of cash. Don’t pay with plastic. Cash only.

Be very careful from now on. Act as if you’re always being followed. You probably weren’t followed today, but all that will change. By now your little faux pas of mentioning MacDaddy’s in front of my staff has reached the wrong ears. You’ll be watched from now on. If you feel someone is following you on Friday, don’t worry. There’ll be someone close by to help you. Until then, watch your back, and be discreet.

Indiscretion will not be tolerated. Eyes are upon you Miss Lane. Look about!

~~~~~~~

Lois’ hand was shaking as she read the note. The instructions he’d given her were very specific. And the thought occurred to her that part of the note must’ve been written ‘before’ she arrived. Which meant that he was expecting to see her at some point. ‘Am I really that predictable?’ she thought. Or maybe he was watching her more closely than he admitted. Maybe her room was bugged. ‘Oh God, what if he heard my conversation with Clark?’ This was not good. She and Clark would have to be extremely careful.

No matter where this story went, Clark’s secret had to be protected. She didn’t feel secure picking up the phone and calling him anymore, even though she desperately wanted to see him or at least hear his voice. Suddenly she wanted to get out of there. She decided to go to The Planet.

Lois jumped when she heard a scream coming from the hallway. She let out a huge sigh of relief when the scream was immediately followed by laughter. She walked to the door and opened it. A bunch of kids around fifteen years old were in the hallway, moving from room to room, laughing, playing music, having fun… seemingly not a care in the world. She envied them. One of their overworked chaperones was apparently having a hard time getting the kids to quiet down.

Lois grabbed her briefcase and headed towards the elevator, smiling as she passed the kids in the hall. Two of the boys whistled at her as she passed by. She laughed as she noticed a super-soaker water gun fight breaking out just as the elevator doors closed. The boy with the largest gun proclaimed himself as ‘Ah-nold, The Terrrr-min-a-torrrr’, just before opening fire on his unarmed classmates. She could hear the screams for the next three floors down.

When she reached the lobby, she asked about the kids at the front desk. They were a bunch of 10th Graders from Boston. They offered to change her room, but she declined. The noise the kids made would be a nice distraction. She hoped they’d throw a party tonight so she could listen. When she was in high school, there was always a party on the first and last nights of a class trip. The adrenaline rush of being far away from school, home and parents, but with the familiarity of having your friends nearby was always palpable. ‘Those poor chaperones,’ Lois thought with a smile. ‘I hope nobody gets suspeneded this week.’

Lois exited the hotel and walked over to the parking garage nearby to get her car. She looked around nervously as she walked. No one paid her any attention and she shook her head at her behavior. ‘Stop it Lane. That guy has you totally spooked. Whatever happens, you can handle it.’ She climbed in her jeep and headed towards The Daily Planet’s DC Office.

STEALTH HEADQUARTERS ROOM 1322 SAME TIME

Terence Billings was in his office. He had a remote control in his hand and was looking at two of the ten monitors in front of him. One one, he watched the surveillance video from outside Stealth from earlier that morning. He watched Lois taking pictures and worried that he and his colleagues might be the subject of some of those pictures.

On another monitor, he was watching CNN’s coverage of Superman’s rare appearance in DC this morning. Billings watched as Superman moved injured victims in the pileup in Dupont Circle.

Billings then picked up his phone and dialed a number.

“We may have a problem… I’m looking at this mornings exterior surveillance video. Lois Lane may have us on film…. No, stills…. Yes, yes, I’m aware of that!” Billings raised his voice in response.

“What did you find out from Terelli?… Really?!….. No, I hope you scared the life out of him….. Good….. I know that… Listen, the 13th floor is MY PROBLEM!”

“You just get that film from Lane!… Do you know where she’d take it?… Of course. Can you…?”

Cigarette Smoking man was on the other line…. “I’ll assign someone to take care of it. Trust me… Those pictures will never see print!”

PART 50

DAILY PLANET 3:30PM

The Washington Bureau Chiefs Assistant Rachel Bell was finishing giving Lois the grand tour of the Daily Planet’s DC Offices.

Rachel Bell: “And this is the City Room. Much smaller than the one in Metropolis, I’m sure, but I suppose with a staff this small, we don’t need a lot of space. Though I guess it’s pretty big considering the paper’s based in Metropolis and not DC.”

Lois Lane: “Well, I for one am impressed. I didn’t expect it to be this big. It’s a lot larger than the New York Offices.”

RB: “I know. Anyway, Mr. Smith has assigned you this desk while you’re here. Just a few feet from his office. He’s at a lunch meeting now, but he should be back soon.”

LL: “Thanks Rachel.”

RB: “Can I get you anything?”

LL: “Yeah.” Lois reached into her pocket. “I shot this roll this morning. I need to get it developed.”

RB: “Sure… Billy!”

A young man around seventeen with dark hair, blue jeans and a green t-shirt arrived less than a moment later with a walkman attached to his waist and a pair of headphones around is neck.

Billy: “Wassup ladies? My, my, two of the ‘finest’ ladies at The Planet.”

RB: “All right Casanova, that’s quite enough. This is Lois Lane… Lois Lane, this is Billy ‘Casanova’ Cassavettes, our summer relief assistant-slash-intern.”

Billy: “Assistant, you people don’t pay me enough to call me an assistant. Indentured Servant, more like.” He turned to Lois and lifted her hand to kiss it. “Billy Casanova, at your service, and the pleasure is all mine.”

Lois laughed.

LL: “How old are you, Mr. Casanova?”

Billy ‘Casanova’: “How old do you want me to be?”

RB: “All right, all right. That’s enough Billy. Sorry Lois, Billy is working his way up from the mailroom to being fired for sexual harassment, all before his 18th birthday. We’re going to have to work a little harder on our people skills Billy.”

BC: “Sounds great, how ’bout tonight at my place?”

Rachel groaned and rolled her eyes at the remark.

RB: “Billy, that’s enough.” Rachel handed Billy Lois’ film. “Take this down to developing… now!”

BC: “All right gorgeous, you don’t have to raise your voice… redheads!” he muttered as he walked away with the film in one hand.

RB: “That kid! Sorry about that Lois. Young Mr. Cassavettes needs to grow up a little.”

LL: “That’s alright. Hopefully he’ll learn before he gets himself into trouble.”

RB: “Can I get you anything else?”

LL: “No, I’m fine for now. I’ve got a lot of research to get done.”

RB: “All right. I’ll leave you to it. But if you need anything from me, my desk is just a few feet away.”

LL: “Thanks Rachel.”

RB: “You’re welcome. Oh, and I’m glad my little plan to get you into the Russell worked.”

LL: “So am I. And thanks again.”

RB: “Anytime.”

***************************************

An hour later, Lois arrived back at her new desk with a stack of papers from research that she’d picked up herself, not allowing anyone from that department to see what she had gathered. She was almost there when she bumped into a colleague, and her papers were sent flying in all directions.

LL: “Shoot! Can’t you watch wh… Great, it’s you! Don’t you watch where you’re going Myerson?!”

Jim Myerson: “Glad to see you too Lane. Why so crabby? Jealous I scooped you this morning?”

Lois looked confused for a brief moment before she realized what Myerson was talking about.

LL: “Huh? Oh, your story on the kid from the Freedom Fighters this morning.” She bent over to pick up her papers as Myerson enjoyed the view and laughed, not offering her any assistance.

JM: “Oh come on Lane. You’re not much of an actress. I know you’re jealous.”

LL: “Sorry to disappoint you Myserson, I’m not. But I am surprised you didn’t deliver the paper to my hotel this morning just to try and upset me.”

JM: “If I knew what hotel you were staying at Lane, I might’ve.”

LL: “Cute Myerson, very cute. I just hope your little stunt doesn’t get that poor kid killed.”

JM: “Oh come on Lane. You would’ve done the same thing in my position.”

LL: “I’m sorry you think so. But I wouldn’t do anything to expose a source like that. I hope you’ve got some kind of help lined up for that kid.”

JM: “Wouldn’t you like to know!”

LL: “Actually, I would like to know that he’s okay. Just don’t be stupid enough to get in touch with him any time soon. If the bad guys don’t follow you, the Feds will!”

JM: “What makes you think you’re so smart?”

LL: “Common sense, Myerson. But listen, seriously, if you want… or the kid wants, I’ll ask Superman to help out. That poor kid’s gonna need all the protection he can get. I’m sure whatever Marcus Hamilton knows, A LOT of people will go to great lengths to make sure he doesn’t live long enough to let the world know!”

JM: “Yeah, right,” the sarcasm was dripping from his voice. “Like Superman is going to help me. Help YOU steal my story more like!”

LL: “Excuse me?! What did you just say to me?” Lois’ eyes narrowed.

JM: “You heard me! EVERYONE knows how CLOSE you two are!”

LL: Lois had her hands on her hips and moved within inches of his face. “Spit out exactly what you’re implying!”

JM: Myerson backed away. “Nothing.”

LL: Lois grabbed his arm to stop him. “No, come on. Spit it out Jim!”

JM: “I gotta get to work.” Myerson slinked away to another part of the offices.

The anger had burned into Lois’ face as she watched him leave. A moment later, she went back to work as she tried to shake off her anger.

SENATOR GRANT’S OFFICE 6PM RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING

Henry Stanton walked into Senator Grant’s private office as his boss finished up a conversation on the telephone.

Senator Grant: “Not to worry, I’ll take care of her… Yes, I’m on my way there now.”

CLICK

Henry Stanton: “All done for the evening Senator?”

SG: “Just about.”

HS: “May I speak freely sir?”

SG: “What is it Henry?”

HS: “That reporter, Lois Lane. She mentioned MacD…”

SG: “I know Henry. I was there, remember?”

HS: “I’m sorry sir, I didn’t mean to…”

SG: “It’s all right. What’s your question?”

HS: “What you have in mind…?”

SG: “Concerning Lois Lane?”

HS: “Yes Senator. What do you plan to do about her? We need to know how much she knows.”

SG: “Don’t worry about Lois Lane, Henry. I’m taking care of her personally.”

HS: “I noticed on your schedule you sent your regrets to the Reception for the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation that’s scheduled for tonight. May I ask why?”

SG: “I’ve got some business to attend to. Some of my men have bumbled their assignment and I’ve got to make a few ‘corrections’.”

HS: “But Senator, you’re ON that Committee, not to mention the fact that the President’s supposed to make a speech tonight? Won’t you be missed?”

SG: “Probably. But first things first.”

Stanton raised his eyebrows at that remark.

HS: “Mind if I tag along sir?”

Grant thought a moment and came to a decision.

SG: “Get your coat.”

THE DAILY PLANET – WASHINGTON DC OFFICES —– 6:30PM

Lois had moved back into the research department when she caught Myerson snooping around her desk as she came back from the ladies room. For the last two hours, she’d researched everything she could find on Stealth and their holdings, above and below board.

She also did more research on the Capitol Murder victims and Senator Mitchell Theodore Grant. If he knew so much about her, the least she could do was return the favor and know him like the back of her hand.

Around 6:45, she plugged in her laptop and logged on to MacDaddy’s website. Knowing what she did made her even more nervous than the first time. She scrolled down to the early dates back in the 50’s and 60’s. Some looked familiar. She wrote a few down on a piece of paper and kept scrolling through the seventies all the way through the late 80’s. One date in particular caught her attention, a date that had been burned into her memory years ago.

LL: “Holy… ! Good Lord, what have these people been up to?”

The knock on the door made her nearly jump out of her skin. It was the woman in charge of the research department. She was a tiny, stocky, woman of 4’9″ around Lois’ age.

DP Researcher: “Sorry I startled you Lois, but I’m about to knock off for the evening and I just wanted to get my things.”

LL: “That’s okay.”

DP Researcher: “You gonna be okay down here by yourself? I could stay a little late if you…”

LL: “No, I’m fine… really.”

DP Researcher: “Oookay. Lock up when you’re done and give Rachel the keys.”

LL: “No problem.”

DPR: “Night.”

LL: “Good night.”

The door closed and Lois looked back at the screen and shook her head.

THE WHITE HOUSE —– SAME TIME

Uncle Sam had called earlier to spread the word on his impending arrival. Whenever there was a personal ‘unofficial’ visit from Uncle Sam, preparations had to be made in advance. The head of the President’s security called it the SSS, the ‘Secret Service Shuffle’. Agents who were ‘in on it’ were rotated with part of the Presidents normal security team. The rotation never took very long, usually between ten minutes and half an hour.

All the surveillance cameras along Uncle Sam’s usual route were discreetly turned off. The President’s Staff, from his secretarial and housekeeping staff, to some Cabinet Members, were given the rest of the evening off. He arrived via the secret tunnels that ran underneath the White House and out to various areas outside the White House grounds.

Uncle Sam walked briskly down the hall towards the Oval Office without a word to anyone. The White House Chief of Staff came to greet him.

White House Chief of Staff: “Sir, what a rare honor it…”

Uncle Sam: “Not tonight Hal!” he dismissed the Chief with the wave of his hand, stopping the man dead in his tracks.

White House Chief of Staff: “Yes sir.” The man walked away and into his own office without another word.

Uncle Sam strode into the Oval Office with absolutely no fanfare, just the way he liked it, with not even an announcement of his arrival to the Head of State. The President was sitting at his desk reading over some documents.

Uncle Sam: “Get your coat. You’re coming with me.” It was not a request.

President of the United States: “Nice to see you too.” The President took off his reading glasses and sat back in his chair.

Uncle Sam: “Did you hear me?”

President of the United States: “Why don’t you have a seat and…”

Uncle Sam: “Don’t push me Fred! I said… get your coat!”

President: “May I ask where we’re going?”

Uncle Sam: “We have a meeting to attend in Anacostia tonight.”

President: “A poor joke.”

Uncle Sam: “Am I laughing?”

President; “I can’t go THERE! What if someone sees me?”

Uncle Sam: “Show some backbone Fred! All the arrangements have been made. And I’m JUST as recognizable as you are. Well, almost.”

President: “I’m not going! I’ve got a Reception to attend tonight.”

Uncle Sam: “Your regrets have already been sent. And if this goes smoothly, you might be able to make it to the reception before the party breaks up so you can make your little speech.”

President: He was furious that he hadn’t been conferred with about any of these plans. For crying out loud, he was the leader of the most powerful nation on earth! If this man wanted to see backbone, then that’s what he’d show him! “I’m NOT going with you…!”

Uncle Sam’s orders were rarely defied. Not even by a sitting President. He leaned over the President’s chair, grabbing the armrests for support. It was an intimidation tactic that often worked for him.

Uncle Sam: “Oh, the HELL you’re not! I put you into that seat, Godd@mmit! Comfy isn’t it!?”

President: “The HELL you did! ‘The Eight’ put me here! What’s left of them!”

Uncle Sam: “There are only three left as of this week.”

President: “Thanks to you!”

Uncle Sam: “That’s right! And don’t you ever forget it! I put you into that seat, and I can just as easily knock you out!”

President: “Is that a threat?”

Uncle Sam: “Isn’t that obvious?”

President: “I’m not going down alone!” the President retorted.

Uncle Sam: “Don’t threaten me Fred! You’re waaaay out of your league! Get your coat and I’ll try to forget you raised your voice to me. We have urgent business to attend to. We have to put forward a united front tonight, so play your part well and try not to look shocked at the events you’re about to witness!”

It worked. Uncle Sam stood up straight as he saw The President of the United States backing off, physically as well as mentally. The confrontation was over… for now.

Uncle Sam hated Frederick Washington Randolph, 42nd President of the United States. He hated him not only because the remaining ‘Eight’ had chosen Randolph over him to run for the big chair… More than anything, he felt Randolph completely unworthy of his position because he’d never served in any branch of the military. In fact, Frederick Randolph had gone out of his way to avoid military service in Vietnam, an unforgivable sin in the eyes of Uncle Sam and some of his most devout followers. He would enjoy watching the President squirm tonight.

Uncle Sam: “Tonight’s festivities promise to be very entertaining. Besides, how often does the President of the United States get to forgo his limo and escort to drive to the roughest section of town in a bulletproof ’78 Dodge Dart?!” he said with a smirk.

The President looked unhappy, but he stood slowly, buttoned his jacket and went to retrieve his coat.

~~~~~~

PART 51

‘ABANDONED’ SERVICE STATION — 7:30PM ANACOSTIA SECTION OF WASHINGTON DC

Grant had arrived close to an hour early to make sure everything was in place. There could be no mistakes.

The ‘abandoned’ service station in the heart of Anacostia looked like a filthy dump from the outside. But the inside was quite different. There was some high tech equipment, a barrage of weaponry, and furniture fit for a king. There was even a fully stocked kitchen in the back.

Henry Stanton: “If you don’t mind me asking Senator, what is this place?”

Senator Grant: “It’s an NIA safehouse. Well it was until yesterday… Now it’s private property.”

Henry Stanton: “I don’t follow sir.”

Senator Grant: “You will by the end of the evening.”

Terence Billings arrived and approached Grant.

SG: “Aah, Billings. Is the paperwork in order?”

Terence Billings: “Yes, sir. Everything is in place according to your precise specifications. This place now belongs to Peter Brock. His name and signature are on the deed.”

SG: “And the records have been filed?”

TB: “Yes, Senator. The records have been filed with the city and dated back more than a year. It’s all ‘LEGAL’.” He grinned with pride.

SG: “Excellent.”

Agents from various government agencies were dressed as formal waiters and were finishing the preparations. Baughman was overseeing their work. Two large tables had been pushed together and had been decorated with the finest Wedgewood China. Placecards were now being set on the tables. Brock and his men would be seated at one table, and everyone else at the other.

Cigarette Smoking Man arrived next. He greeted Grant, Stanton, Baughman, and Billings with a nod of his head. He hated this. He had no idea what was planned for tonight. As far as he knew, this was a sendoff party for Brock and his men, who were about to ‘live-it-up’ in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for the next few months. He felt responsible for part of this mess, and was puzzled and humiliated at Grant’s denial in letting him handle the situation his way. He was not a happy man.

He approached Billings.

Cigarette Smoking Man: “Has that little matter I spoke to you about earlier been rectified?”

TB: “If by little matter you mean our problem with the thirteenth floor… yes. Everything’s under control. What about the matter of those pictures Lane took this morning?”

CSM: “It’s being handled as we speak.”

TB: “Smooth sailing then.”

CSM: “We shall see.”

DAILY PLANET WASHINGTON DC

SAME TIME

Lois was still sitting alone in research when she heard the familiar whoosh from the window. It was Clark, and he looked positively frantic.

Superman: “Lois? Are you okay?” He rushed over and took her into his arms, hugging her as if she was his lifeline.

Lois: “Clark. Yeah, I’m fine.” Holding her a little too tight, “Clark, honey… I… caaan’t… breathe!”

He let go of her quickly in a panic.

Superman: “I’m sorry! Did I hurt you?” He was still panting with anxiety.

Lois: “No, I’m okay.”

Satisfied with her answer, he let out a huge sigh of relief and let his shoulders relax.

Superman: “Thank God! I just got your message from Gil a few minutes ago.”

Lois: “I left that this morning.”

Superman: “I know. I haven’t been back to the office all day. And that strike at the docks is heating up. ‘Superman’ had a busy day today.”

Lois: “So I’ve heard.” Lois tried to keep the sarcasm and exasperation out of her voice. It didn’t work.

Superman: “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Lois: “Clark, let’s go some place to talk where we won’t be disturbed.”

Superman: “Okay.” He walked her over to the window and flew them to the roof. “How’s this?”

LL: “Perfect.”

Superman: “What was the big emergency this morning? Gil made it sound like you were in trouble.”

LL: “I told him not to worry you.”

S: “Never mind him, what happened?”

LL: “I wasn’t in danger. I just wanted you to check on something for me.”

S: “That was the big emergency, just to check on something for you?” Clark was relieved. Although that feeling would be very shortlived. Lois mistook his signals for exasperation at being scared when there was no real emergency.

LL: “Yeah, THAT was the big emergeny! And for the record, I told Gil NOT to call it an emergency when I left the message! Look Clark, if you don’t like me calling you with requests like this I could just as ‘easily’ break into Stealth’s Corporate offices tonight and see what I can find on my own!” She put her hands on her hips. Clark knew that defensive pose well. “YOU’RE the one who asked me to give you a call if I needed you! Or have you forgotten our conversation from this morning?”

S: Trying to reassure her that she’d done the right thing and that he wasn’t mad at her, “I’m sorry that came out wrong. I’m not mad at you. I’m just glad you’re alright. And please, call me if you need… anything!”

LL: She smiled, “So will you look for me?”

S: He nodded his head. “What am I looking for?”

LL: “Just fly over to Stealth’s office building and look through the thirteenth floor.”

S: He asked his previous question again. “Okay. Anything in particular I should be looking for?”

LL: “Just anything unusual.”

S: “That’s pretty vague, Lois.”

LL: “I don’t know what you should be looking for. Anything suspicious or illegal, okay?”

S: “Be right back.”

~~~~~

ANACOSTIA SAME TIME

Brock and his men arrived with Captain Schaeffer. Wearing their formal military whites, they all saluted the Senator.

Commander Peter Brock: “General!”

Grant smiled warmly.

Senator Grant: “At ease men, at ease. Peter, I’m not a general anymore.”

Peter Brock: “You’ll always be a general to us sir.”

Grant walked up to Brock and gave him a reassuring hug.

SG: “Thank you Peter. It’s comforting to hear.” He gave each of Brock’s men a handshake and a pat on the back, making small talk as he went down the line.

Peter Brock: “What’s all this sir?”

SG: “This is your sendoff party.”

PB: “This is impressive, thank you General.”

SG: “You’re welcome.”

CPB: Brock looked nervously at the other guests, namely Cigarette Smoking Man and Baughman. “What are they doing here?”

SG: “Not to worry, Peter. The men who wanted you dead are here to see exactly who’s in charge. I want them to understand how I handle these situations.”

PB: Brock smiled at Grant’s answer. “I’m sure they’re not too happy about this General.”

SG: “Commander, that would be an understatement.”

Brock, his men and Senator Grant all laughed.

PB: “How are Faye and the kids?”

SG: “Oh, she’s doing great. And the kids, well they’re not exactly kids anymore. ‘Little’ Teddy’s a professor at NYU and Susie, well, been travelling a lot lately…”

For the next five minutes Grant and Brock laughed like old friends catching up.

PB: “Give Faye and the kids my best. Tell them we may have to postpone this years Fourth of July fishing trip ’til next year.”

SG: “I’ll pass that on.”

PB: “Is everything ready yet? We haven’t eaten since this morning.”

SG: “Not everyone’s here yet.”

As if on cue, the door opened and in walked Uncle Sam and the President of the United States.

Senator Grant walked over to greet them.

SG: “Gentlemen. Good to see you Mr. President.” He nodded his head to Uncle Sam. “You too Sam.”

Uncle Sam smiled and extended his hand to Grant.

Uncle Sam: “Nice to see you tonight, Mitch.”

President: The President looked unamused. He spoke low enough so only Grant and Uncle Sam could hear him. “I can’t be here! Brock and his men are here!”

Uncle Sam: “Relax Fred. No one will ever know you were here. Have a drink. Enjoy yourself.”

SG: Grant looked unamused as well. “Can I have a word with you ‘Sam’… alone!”

The two walked to an unoccupied corner.

SG: “You didn’t tell me you were bringing the President with you.”

US: “Last minute addition. I wanted to ‘educate’ him.”

SG: “He’s a possible loose cannon. He doesn’t seem to have the stomach for this sort of thing.”

US: “Exactly! And witnessing this will keep his mouth shut.” Uncle Sam looked around the room. “I’m impressed Mitch. Your men do this?”

SG: “Of course.”

US: “You haven’t briefed me on the details of how it’s all going down tonight.”

SG: “You wouldn’t enjoy it as much if you did. I know how much you like theater, Sam. I can assure you, the final act will be something you’ll never forget.”

US: “I can’t wait.”

SG: “Just don’t serve yourself any of the main dishes. Let my people do it.”

US: “Why?”

SG: “We can’t spoil all the surprises, now can we.”

US: “I’m not a big fan of surprises Mitch. What’s going on?” The humor had left his voice.

SG: “Wait and see.”

Uncle Sam grabbed his arm.

US: “Don’t confuse me with one of your adoring sycophants Mitch! I’m not kidding here!”

SG: “Neither am I. Let go of my arm!”

Schaeffer and Brock watched from a distance in alarm. Both of them would volunteer to put a bullet between Uncle Sam’s eyes to protect their hero. And so would all of the agents who served under Grant at one time or another. But it wouldn’t come to that… not tonight. Grant could always hold his own.

US: “That’s pretty brave talk Mitch. You know I’m…”

SG: “I know! And don’t you ever forget that I’M one of ‘The Eight’. And we’re untouchable. Even to you!”

US: “So was Williams.”

SG: “Williams… You had no right to take him out without consulting with The remaining Eight and the rest of the board!”

US: “There was no time. It had to be done quickly.”

SG: “We’ll discuss Tom Williams later. You’re not the first Uncle Sam, and I’m sure you won’t be the last.”

US: “It won’t happen again Mitch… Senator Grant… Sir.” Grant was just about the only man left on earth with the power to intimidate him.

SG: “That’s better.”

Grant turned back to see his guests milling about. The last guests were arriving; they were the remaining survivors of The Eight. The greetings between the two men and the other guests who knew them were warm and friendly. The rest kept a reverent distance. Uncle Sam looked visibly shaken and uneasy.

On the other hand, the President looked almost relieved to see them for some reason. Perhaps it was because one of them once held his position as President of the United States.

The two were summoned to show their solidarity with Grant. None of the three were pleased that Senator Williams had been assassinated along with the others without their permission. In fact, Uncle Sam had withheld too much information from them lately. Before the Capitol Murders, killing one of The Eight was unthinkable. Tonight’s display was, at least in part, their effort to make sure such an act of defiance would never be repeated. It would be Uncle Sam who would be kept in the dark tonight.

The three nodded to each other silently.

Everything looked to be in order to Grant. Baughman nodded his head that everything was ready.

The Senator raised his voice.

SG: “Everything’s in place gentlemen. Let’s sit down before our delicious dinner gets cold.”

~~~~~

DAILY PLANET DC OFFICES ROOF SAME TIME

Superman arrived in front of Lois.

Lois Lane: “Well?”

S: “Lois, are you sure it’s the thirteenth floor you wanted me to check?”

LL: “Positive. What papers did you find?”

S: “None.”

LL: “What? What do you mean, none?!”

S: “I mean, there’s no papers at all there. The only thing there is an empty cafeteria.”

LL: “WHAT?! Are you sure you got the right building?”

S: “Positive.”

LL: “The right floor?”

S: “The thirteenth… yes.”

LL: “That’s impossible!”

S: “Lois…”

LL: “Clark, there were offices with desks… computers, file cabinets!… up there less than nine hours ago!”

S: “Well they’re gone now.”

LL: Lois shook her head in disbelief. “I can’t believe this. I KNOW I got the right floor!” It was like Hobbs Bay International Warehouse all over again. She waited too long and now all the possible evidence was gone. “Well it’s obvious they’re hiding something.”

S: “Lois, what’s going on?”

LL: “Well, I was there this morning to see what I could find out about Alan Schmidt’s employers. And… well it’s a long story, but NO ONE would talk about the 13th floor. Everyone denied it even existed! I sneaked down to the thirteenth floor when no one was looking, but it was blocked by a wall, with no access visible to me.”

S: “That was the one thing I couldn’t figure out.”

LL: “What?”

S: “The only way in I could find was a private elevator to the parking garage underneath the building.”

LL: “Really?”

S: “Yeah, why would a company’s cafeteria or just plain old offices ONLY have access from a parking garage?”

LL: “Unless…”

S: “Something fishy was going on?”

LL: “Oh, this is interesting. Thank God I got pictures.”

S: “Pictures?”

LL: “Yeah, I took some pictures of the thirteenth floor from the street this morning. That’s when I called you. It’s in developing now. I should get down there and take a look. I want to see if you can make out any details.”

S: “Let’s go take a look.”

LL: “Take me back down to research. You stay there while I check. And keep the door locked so no one sees you.”

~~~~~

FIVE MINUTES LATER

Lois was back in the City Room. The place was more than two thirds empty and Lois was on the phone with developing.

LL: “What do you mean, it’s gone?!! I sent that downstairs more than FOUR hours ago! FIND IT! I NEED THOSE PICTURES!

Benjamin Smith, the DC Bureau Chief opened his office door.

Smith: “What’s all the ruckus out here?!”

LL: “Developing lost those pictures I told you about.”

Smith: “Let me call downstairs. I’LL put a fire under their butts until those pictures are found!”

LL: “I’m going down there.”

Smith: “I’ll go with you.”

~~~~~

DEVELOPING DEPARTMENT

DP Photographer: “I’d developed the pictures before I took my dinner break. They were in here when I left, but when I came back they were gone.”

LL: “Why didn’t you tell me when it happened?”

DPP: “I thought they’d turn up. I’ve been looking for them ever since.”

Smith: “I want a list of everyone who’s been in and out of this room since this afternoon.”

DPP: “Right away Chief.”

Smith: “And keep looking!”

DPP: “Sure Chief.”

Smith: “Don’t worry Lois. They’ll turn up.”

Lois nodded her head. But she suspected those pictures were long gone.

Lois walked back over to research where Clark was waiting. He unlocked the door and let her in.

LL: “Clark… I…”

Superman: “I saw and heard everything. I’m worried Lois… You think…”

LL: “Yeah, I think, someone broke into Developing and stole it. They certainly work fast!”

S: “Lois, I’m worried about…”

LL: “Hold that thought Clark, I need you to check on one more thing.”

S: “Anything!”

LL: “My hotel room. Can you check it for bugs?”

S: “Lois, I hope your talking about the creepy crawly things and not about what I think you’re talking about.”

LL: “The latter I’m afraid.”

S: Clark’s temperature was rising. “Hold on, I’ll be right back.”

A few moments later he returned.

LL: “Well?”

S: “Nothing.”

LL: “No bugs?”

S: “None, I checked the phone and the entire room. No one’s watching or listening in. Just a bunch of noisy kids throwing a party in the hallway.”

LL: Lois let out the breath she’d been holding since he left. “That’s a relief.”

Clark looked worried.

S: “Care to fill me in on the details Lois? What happened at Stealth today? Did you get Senator Grant to talk to you?”

LL: “Clark, not here, let’s go back up to the roof.”

~~~~~

A MOMENT LATER ON THE ROOF

Superman: “So, what happened at Stealth?”

Lois Lane: “I already told you about the 13th floor. There’s not much else to talk about yet.” Lois began to fidget.

S: “What do you think’s going on over there?”

LL: “I’m not exactly sure… yet.”

S: “What about Grant?”

LL: Nodding her head, “I talked to Grant this afternoon.”

Clark was genuinely proud of her.

S: He smiled. “Congratulations! Another exclusive. How’d you get him to see you?”

LL: “That’s a long story. To make a long story short, I snuck into the Russell Senate Office Building with a tour group and scooted across the hall to Grant’s offices.”

S: “Why am I not surprised,” he chuckled. “I’m proud of you honey. What happened? Did he have anything interesting to say?”

LL: “Um…”

Clark had begun to notice her strange reactions to his questions.

S: “Lois, what’s the matter? What happened? What did Grant say to you?”

LL: “I… um. Well this is going to be hard to explain, but… I can’t… tell you.”

S: “Excuse me?” Clark looked confused.

LL: “Well, it was hard enough getting in to see him. The Senator said he would only talk to me if I kept quiet… from everyone.”

S: “Did you tell him you have a partner?!”

Lois could hear the anger in his voice.

LL: “Of course I did, but… he wouldn’t budge.”

S: “Lois…”

LL: “Clark, please understand. It was the only way I could get him to talk to me. I gave him my word I wouldn’t say anything to anyone… including you.”

S: “And what about me? About US?! Lois we’re partners!”

LL: “I know that, b…”

S: Clark’s emotions were swaying back and forth between anger and hurt. Before he thought better of it, he verbally lashed out at Lois. “So, is THIS the way you’re going to approach our marriage?! I thought we’d gone beyond secrets!”

LL: “Clark, this has nothing to do with us as a couple. This is business. I’m sure you have a confidential source or two that I know nothing about. He’s a source. A confidential source. That’s all!”

S: “So what are you going to tell all these ‘sources’ when your partner arrives on Monday?”

There was a momentary lapse in the conversation when Lois had no answer for him.

S: “Lois?”

LL: Lois was trying to think of a gentle way to broach this next subject. “Clark, we have to talk about that too.”

S: “I’m listening.”

Lois mentally flinched at the controlled anger in his voice.

S: “But I have a feeling I’m not going to like this.” His hands were on his hips.

LL: “It’s about you joining me here next week.”

~~~~~

TEN MINUTES LATER

Clark was almost screaming.

Superman: “So what are you saying, that you DON’T want me here?!”

Lois Lane: “I NEVER SAID THAT! But we have to be very careful Clark. Very careful! ESPECIALLY after that little stunt you pulled in Dupont Circle this morning.”

S: “STUNT! There were injured people there!”

LL: “People have already started to make the connection between my arrival here and Superman’s RESCUE in Dupont Circle. I’ve been confronted THREE TIMES today alone!! And you haven’t even moved here yet!”

S: “What was I supposed to do? IGNORE IT!?”

LL: “That’s just it Clark. That’s the problem! If you come here, then how are we going to explain Superman’s absence from Metropolis and presence in DC? Because there’ll be NO AVOIDING IT! You won’t be able to resist helping people in distress here. You could lose everything!… WE could lose everything!”

S: “So you don’t want me here!”

LL: “I didn’t say I don’t want you here! I DO!… But we can’t have everything we want!” Her last sentence came out almost as a whisper.

S: He answered bitterly, “No… I guess we can’t.”

LL: “Clark, please try to understand.” Lois’ eyes were brimming with tears. This was as much for his protection as anyones. “Clark… please.” She desperately wanted to throw her arms around him. But she didn’t.

Clark didn’t budge. He turned away and looked up into the early evening sky. The sun had set only a few moments before and the sky still had an orange tinge to it.

LL: “Clark, look at me. Clark I want you here more than you’ll probably ever know, but it’s just too risky. Try to understand.”

S: “I understand.” It was a lie. He didn’t understand, and right now he refused to even try.

LL: “No, I don’t think you do.”

S: “Sure I understand Lois. It’s fine.”

LL: “Clark, please.”

She put her hand on his shoulder and he pulled away from her. His actions took her off guard and her tears began to flow. She was scared of what was going on around her. The notes, all the information she’d found out. Her secret meeting with Grant on Friday. She wanted to share everything with him so badly.

Before that day she kept information from him because she knew he’d be mad once he found out. So she procrastinated, telling herself that once he arrived next week, she’d spill her guts then and tell him everything she knew… EVERYTHING. He’d be furious, but that would blow over and they could get to work and solve this case like they always did.

But todays events were like a bucket of cold water upsetting all her plans. Three people had already made the connection to her and Superman’s simultaneous presence in just one day. It would be impossible for Clark to come to DC for any serious length of time. If anyone were to find out he was Superman, it would be the end of everything; life for him, her, his parents. She would keep the truth from him for his own good now. Even at the risk of her own life.

LL: “Clark, I love you. Please try to understand. Clark… Look at me… honey?”

Clark kept his back to her. He knew he’d give in if he turned around and looked into her eyes. He answered her quietly.

S: “Lois, we agreed a long time ago. No more secrets, no more lies between us. If you can’t share what’s going on… then we really have nothing else to talk about.”

LL: “Clark… I can’t.”

S: His head tilted to the right just as he was about to turn and face her. He heard a cry for help in the distance. “I have to go.” Lois could hear the bitterness in his voice. “I have to go pull another ‘stunt’!”

He flew off leaving Lois alone on the roof, fighting back tears, wondering if what she was doing was for the best.

~~~~~

ABANDONED SERVICE GARAGE

~~~~~ANACOSTIA~~~~~

Dinner was well underway. Most were chatting amiably. Brock and his men were asking Schaeffer about what their daily lives would be like in Guantanamo Bay. And Schaeffer answered their questions. Brock enteretained the guests with old war stories and missions he and his men had executed during his tenure.

Baughman looked on with a smirk. At around 8:45 he looked over at Grant and tapped his watch.

Grant nodded his head. It was showtime.

~~~~~

PART 52A

~~~~~~~

Senator Grant: “Attention, everyone. Attention.” Grant stood as he tapped his spoon to the champagne glass in front of him. I guess I don’t have to tell everyone what tonight’s about. It’s the last home cooked ‘American’ meal… Peter Brock and his men are going to get for a while. After everything they’ve been through, it’s the least we can do.”

Commander Peter Brock: “Sir, I don’t know how to thank…”

SG: Grant didn’t want to hear any praise tonight. “Don’t thank me… no thanks are necessary.”

Grant looked at the table around him. There sat some of his closest friends, peers, allies, enemies, and almost total strangers. Shakespeare could have a field day with this, he thought. He really wasn’t looking forward to this. But it was a necessary evil.

Grant looked over to Brock and his men. And then he turned around to Uncle Sam, Billings, Cigarette Smoking Man, and his assistant, Harry Stanton, and addressed them.

SG: “I know you’re wondering what’s going on.”

Grant began to walk around the room, his physical presence and booming voice intimidating most around him.

SG: “You’re thinking there’s GOT to be more here than meets the eye. This can’t be just a simple… ‘going away party’ for men who failed in their mission… Or maybe it is just that!”

Grant thought a moment. The room was completely silent.

SG: “But, you’re right. There is more here than meets the eye. Someone has to PAY for this blunder! The public is demanding justice. The public is demanding a suspect! The public… is DEMANDING someone’s head on a plate! And we must bow to their demands…”

“But why should it be Brock and his men? Are they more to blame than the man who assigned them this mission?”

Everyone looked directly at Cigarette Smoking Man.

Brock looked visibly pleased to see someone else in the hotseat.

SG: “Perhaps he should have been more specific when he handed out the assignment. Perhaps he should have overseen it personally, knowing just how IMPORTANT this mission was!”

A bead of sweat trickled down Cigarette Smoking Man’s brow, afraid one of the ‘waiters’ was about to put a bullet into the back of his head. And there was absolutely nothing he could do except wait it out. He looked up at Grant through a haze of smoke, standing on the other side of the dining room table.

SG: “Or maybe not.” Grant turned and continued to stalk around the table. “Perhaps it should be the men who actually ‘executed’ the hit.” A few men looked away uncomfortably. “No. I think not. They were just following orders.”

Grant continued to walk around the table and stopped just a few feet away from Uncle Sam.

“Or perhaps it should be the man who authorized these executions in the first place WITHOUT consulting ‘The Eight’! He even bypassed the ENTIRE board! I know, I know what you’re thinking… He’s Uncle Sam, OUR LEADER!” His voice was dripping with anger and sarcasm.

“But Uncle Sam, our ‘leader’ broke the cardinal rule.” The sarcasm had left his voice, and was replaced by a controlled rage. ‘The MacDaddy Eight’ are untouchable! EVEN to Uncle Sam! And NO ONE can take the life of one of ‘The Eight’ WITHOUT permission from the other surviving members… NO exceptions!

Uncle Sam was an ambitious power hungry butcher. But at the moment, he was terrified for his life.

Uncle Sam: “There was no time…”

Senator Grant: “That was NOT your decision to make.”

US: “He was about to go public!”

SG: “You should have taken him alive!… And what about Barbara?!”

US: “She got in the way.”

SG: “You killed his wife to get EVEN didn’t you?! It was a message to the other… DISSENTERS, wasn’t it?!”

US: “No, it…”

Former President and 2nd Surviving member of The Eight: “Everything is a MESSAGE with you, isn’t it Sam?! KILLING the others and dumping them at the memorial… the SECOND time you bypassed the board and The Eight. A second time Sam?! How bold! How RECKLESS!” He stood up in anger and banged his fist on the table. “We’ve been running this business since you were a boy! Who the HELL do you think you are?! Tom Williams…. wasn’t yours to deal with on your own!”

Surviving Member of the Eight #3: ” Uncle Sam has been the most powerful individual in the world for decades! We hand picked you to be Uncle Sam… Not to KILL US OFF one by one!” he spit out in disgust.

He stood and joined Grant and the Former President. The three presented a united front. The old guard was about to teach a powerful lesson to the young upstarts.

Uncle Sam: “No, it WASN’T like that!!!”

Surviving Member #3: “NO? So what was it like?! By dumping our rebellious employees at The Memorial, you sent a message to the other dissenters, you sent them scurrying back into hiding… BACK in their little cubbyholes! They were surfacing!” He spoke quickly and angrily. “We could’ve taken them alive and questioned them…!”

Surviving Member #2, Former President: “We could’ve found out who they were and eliminated the lot of them! Once and for all!”

SG: “But now you may have made that all but impossible. We don’t even know how many there are. There could be dozens, hundreds, maybe more! We may never know because they may never surface again. And now we must start over again. Because of you! And I have news for you. Thomas Williams was not a traitor. We sent him underground to find out who the dissenters were.”

US: His eyes widened and his mouth dropped in shock. “You never informed me….”

SM#3: “Since when do ‘The MacDaddy Eight’ answer to YOU!”

US: “I’m sorry.” He looked down in a very uncharacteristically humble manner.

SM#2: “You’re sorry! You were obliged to report to us. And if you had, you’d have known that Williams was still on our side.”

SG: “Someone has to pay for this Sam! Don’t you think it should be you?”

SM#3: “Perhaps it should be your wife and children who pay for your presumption!”

US: “NO!”

SG: “Then who, you arrogant son of a b***h?!”

SILENCE

Baughman tapped his watch again and cleared his throat. Grant looked at him and Baughman held five fingers up to him. Grant nodded in understanding.

SG: “The media is demanding their pound of flesh, and we have to deliver it to them soon.”

Grant and his two colleagues turned away from Uncle Sam and back towards Brock and his men.

SG: “I’m so sorry you had to go through this men.”

Brock and the other men had begun to literally sweat. Their breathing became slightly more rapid. They assumed it was just nerves. They were about to find out otherwise.

~~~~~

PART 52B

~~~~~

Brock looked anxious and flustered.

SG: He looked directly at Brock and gave his orders clearly. “Name… rank!”

Brock: “Sir?”

SG: “State your name and every rank you’ve possessed in your career!”

Brock: Although baffled as to the purpose of this exercise, like the good soldier he prided himself on being, Brock followed the former general’s orders without question. Standing with some difficulty, “Commander Peter Brock, graduated….”

Brock listed every commission by date; from a midshipman in the Naval Academy at Annapolis through Commander in the Navy, all the way to his current job of mercenary Commander in charge of Stealth’s 4th Division, a career spanning the last twenty-nine years.

When Brock was finished, he made Brock’s men do the same.

And when they were finished. He ordered them to sit down.

For a moment Grant just stood and shook his head. He would derive no pleasure from what he was about to do or say.

SG: “Men, would you believe me if I told you that everything you just told me was all a lie.”

That statement was greeted mostly with confusion from those around him.

SG: “What if I told you… you were no more than patsy’s like those poor kids you recruited.”

“What if I told you… that NONE of you were ‘EVER’ in the military.”

Brock: “That’s impossible General! I left the Navy as a Commander of the 23rd…”

SG: “No, Peter. You never served in any of the United States Armed forces.”

Brock: His tone was pleading as he stood up again, “Sir, I’ve known you for more than twenty years… I’ve been at your house for holidays, birthdays… Your wife Faye… your kids Teddy and…”

SG: Shaking his head, “You’ve never been to my home. You’ve never met my wife, or my children. You were recruited by my men fourteen years ago.” Grant nodded to Schaeffer. Captain Schaeffer handed Brock an envelope.

Brock: “What’s this?”

SG: “Open it.”

Brock opened the envelope. Inside were old 8×10 photographs of a much younger Peter Brock, a young woman and a two year old boy. The pictures were taken almost fifteen years earlier.

Brock: A hundred unanswered questions registered all over his face. “I don’t understand, sir.”

SG: “Do you know who the two people are standing with you in that picture?”

Brock: “No, sir. Who are they?”

SG: “You have no memory of this picture?”

Brock: “No.”

SG: Grant thought a moment. “That is your wife… and son, Sheila and Richie.”

Brock: “I beg your pardon, sir, but I was NEVER married!”

SG: “No, Peter Brock was never married. But Paul Burton was. Do you recognize your name?”

Brock: “What kind of joke is this sir?” Fear, anxiety, and confusion were all registered on his face.

He nodded to Schaeffer, who then handed out the rest of the envelopes to Brock’s men.

SG: “In these envelopes are your real names… your real families.”

Brock and his men looked bewildered as they went through their own respective envelopes containing pictures of their loved ones, now total strangers.

Baughman was trying his best not to laugh. ‘The remaining Eight’ nodded their heads knowingly. Schaeffer was studying Grant’s face, which revealed little of the turmoil going on within him. And the rest were too shocked by the evening’s events to speak.

Grant turned to Brock.

SG: “I’m sorry Paul. But all the work you did for us was done in absolute secrecy. Your picture is all over the news now. Your cover is blown. Someone from your past is bound to recognize you. Your wife Sheila will recognize your face sooner or later. This game is over. I’m sorry. It has to be you.”

“I thought you deserved to know the truth before the end. That’s the least we owe you.”

“Most of our brainwash victims are only temporary. Like your Freedom Fighter recruits. But a few of you are what we call ‘perms’…. Permanent recruits. You work for us, day after day, not knowing what we’ve stolen from you. You think your will is your own, but it’s not.”

A few men in the room looked pensive… wondering.

Brock, unable to accept the truth, finally lost control.

Brock: “No General, I’ve known you since 1971. We’re old friends! This is a lie! I’ve never seen this woman!!! I was a Commander in the Navy! You’re lying to me! WHY ARE YOU LYING TO ME?!?” Brock was gasping; he sat down in his chair in a heap, unable to stand any longer.

SG: “I’m sorry.” And he truly was.

Grant turned to the other men at the party.

SG: “Baughman.”

Baughman stood up and nodded to two of the agents who were serving as waiters. They each pulled out bottles of champagne and poured glasses for everyone but Brock and his men.

Brock: “What’s going on?!” He was patting the sweat beading on his head with his cloth napkin.

When the agents had finished pouring, Grant signaled for the other men at the table to stand up.

SG: Grant raised his champagne flute. “To your sacrifice!” He nodded his head and drank every ounce of champagne in his flute.

The other men who’d been given glasses began to drink. The former President turned to Uncle Sam and The President.

Surviving Member#2 Former President: “I suggest you drink what’s in that glass gentlemen. Or you’ll share the same fate as Brock and his men!”

They looked wide-eyed in understanding.

President: “You mean… this food is poisoned?!”

Baughman: “Of course it is. But you’ll live. Though I can’t say the same for everyone at this party.” Baughman laughed out loud. He loved it! If there was anyone who thought Grant had gone soft over the years, he’d just proven otherwise. Which was part of the point. ‘And they call ME a psychopath!’ Baughman thought of Grant.

The MacDaddy Eight members stood up and addressed the party.

SM#3: “Thank you for your time gentlemen. You may go now. Uncle Sam, you will remain here.”

President: Anxiously, “Wait a minute! What about the poison?!”

SM#3: “The champagne was obviously the antidote, you idiot! Now get out!”

Most of the men left with the exception of The Eight, Baughman, Uncle Sam, Grant’s agents, and of course, Brock and his men.

SG: He turned to Baughman. “How much time?”

Baughman: “No more than five minutes by my calculations. They should be too weak to stand by now.”

Grant had arranged it so that everything was timed perfectly. A single miscalculation and Brock and his men would have enough strength to pose some type of threat. Wait too long, and everyone in the room would die.

But tonight’s display had served two purposes. To punish Brock and his men for their blunder. And the other to put the fear of The Eight back into Uncle Sam and anyone who dared to challenge them. Grant seriously considered withholding the antidote from Uncle Sam and a few of the others. He had a feeling he would one day regret the decision to spare their lives. But Uncle Sam was too high profile. But his day was coming, he thought.

The poison had begun to take effect on its intended victims. The agony and torment that signaled the beginning of the end had begun.

SM#2: “Look at them ‘Sam’! Look closely, and NEVER forget! This is what happens to those who cross us! And consider yourself lucky we’ve spared you this fate!”

Uncle Sam looked down at the table. The breathing of Brock and his men had become labored.

SG: He looked on with pity. “Horrible, isn’t it! Even worse than the poison the kids at the compound were given. It’s a derivative of cyanide poison we call cyanelle.”

Baughman: “I like to call it ‘sayonara’.” He laughed at his own joke until he saw the sobering glare from Grant.

SG: “Developed by our best scientists… But unlike pure cyanide… cyanelle can work agonizingly slow in claiming it’s victims.” He held up his champagne glass to illustrate, “There is an antidote, of course, but if you don’t take it quickly enough, there’s nothing in the world that can save you!”

SM#3: “Look at them, ‘Sam’!”

Brock and his men were all gasping and wheezing. Some were screaming and sobbing as their bodies thrashed in their chairs, desperately inhaling, searching for that lifesaving breath of oxygen, which could offer no salvation.

SM#2: “Do you know what cyanide poisoning does to the body?”

Uncle Sam looked on terrified, saying nothing and shaking his head no.

SG: “No? Well, I’ll tell you… As you can see they can still ‘technically’ breathe, but the cyanelle poisoning has made it impossible for their bodies to process oxygen any longer. To be blunt, they’re internally asphyxiating to death.”

Uncle Sam turned away in horror, but Grant grabbed his neck and turned him back.

SG: “LOOK AT THEM, YOU COWARD! You can order hundreds of innocent people to be killed, and still get a good nights sleep, but you don’t like to WATCH do you! Well, you’re going to witness this! LOOK AT THEM!… AND NEVER FORGET WHAT YOU SEE TONIGHT!!!”

SM#3: “I guess what they’re going through might be considered some sort of vigilante justice. They get to experience death in almost the exact same way those kids at the compound did. You know what they say…he who lives by the sword…”

SM#2: “You should breathe a sigh of relief you were given a dose of the antidote, or you’d be sitting there writhing in agony along with them! And I’ll add that the vote to spare you was NOT unanimous, Sam!”

SM#3: “But if you EVER cross us again. We’ll make sure you and yours never forget it! Is that understood?”

US: “Yes, sir. I understand perfectly.” He shook his head. At that moment, he would’ve done or said anything to get out of there.

SG: “Good. Then you’re dismissed.”

Grant turned to his two colleagues.

SG: “Well, gentlemen. Let’s leave my men to complete their tasks. They’ve got a lot of evidence to clear away.”

Grant was the last of his colleagues to leave the garage. The agents were busy working, preparing the crime scene for the police, who would soon be called to make the grizzly discovery. The agents moved quickly, trying not to listen to the men in agony only a few feet away. Grant turned one last time to look at Brock and his men. Death was a slow and agonizing process. Two had mercifully already lost consciousness. And the rest were gasping for breath as their bodies convulsed violently. Grant shook his head and walked towards the car and driver waiting to take him home. He needed a brandy, he thought while loosening his tie as the car pulled away.

~~~~~

PART 52C

~~~~~

DAILY PLANET 9PM

Lois was back at her desk. The offices were almost completely empty. Lois and Rachel were the only people working. Well, Rachel was working. Lois sat numbly staring at her desk. She spent the last half-hour crying in research. The work stopped when Clark flew away. She was at a loss for what to do. She didn’t know how to make things right between them. But she was trying to convince herself that she was right when a sudden noise interrupted her train of thought.

Rachel had just slammed the phone down and made an exasperated sound.

Rachel Bell: “Lois, if you’re not doing anything productive, can you at least help me answer these crank phone calls your story has sparked. Every kook and his brother has called claiming to know who the subject of that sketch is.”

LL: “What?”

RB: “We’ve been answering these cranks all day long… Don’t look so surprised,” she said as she shook her head. “This kind of thing always happens with stories like this. There are always people in this world who just want some attention. We get calls claiming this guy is everyone from Elvis after reconstructive surgery to Lex Luthor’s long lost twin brother.”

RING

RB: “Another one. Great!”

RING

LL: “I’m responsible for this. I’ll get it.”

RI…

LL: Answering the phone, “Daily Planet… Yes… Really, the man in the sketch is who? From where? Really…” Lois shook her head and pointed at the phone. Her tone was light and sarcastic. “One of the Emperors Assassins from the Forest Moon of Endor! Really… well we’re already pursuing that lead. But thank you for calling. Buh-bye…”

CLICK

Lois chuckled lightly and smiled at Rachel, who was laughing out loud.

RB: “That’s the best one yet.”

LL: “You’ve been talking to crackpots like that….?”

RB: “All day long!” she laughed in reply.

LL: “Sorry about that.”

RB: “Eh, just goes with the territory.”

RING RING

RB: “Not again!”

LL: “I’ll get it… Oh, wait. It’s my cell phone.” Lois pulled the phone from her briefcase. “Lois Lane… Hello?”

CLICK

LL: “Not again!”

RB: “What is it?”

LL: “Oh, I think it’s the same obscene phone caller from home. He’s been calling and hanging up for almost a week!”

RING RING

LL: “Lois Lane… hello?”

SILENCE

LL: “HELLO! Look I’m really getting tired of this. Is this getting you off? Is this…”

Woman’s Voice: “Hello?” The voice was low and timid. “I… um…”

LL: “Who is this?” Lois was momentarily taken aback at the sound of a ‘woman’s’ voice on the other end.

Woman’s Voice: “Is this Lois Lane?”

LL: “Yes, it is. Who is this?”

Woman’s Voice: “The Lois Lane who’s working on The Capitol Murder Case?”

LL: “Yes, that’s me. Who’s this?”

Woman’s Voice: “I need to talk to you Miss Lane.”

LL: “May I ask your name?”

SILENCE

LL: Afraid the woman would hang up. “Hello? Listen, if you don’t want to tell me your name, it’s alright.” It was probably another crank, but hey, you never know, she thought.

RB: “Lois, hang up, its another nutcase.” Rachel advised with her voice low so the person on the other end couldn’t hear her.

Lois put her hand over the receiver.

LL: “No, this is my cell phone. Most people don’t have this number.”

Rachel raised her eyebrows in interest.

LL: “Do you have information about the Capitol Murders?”

Woman’s Voice: “I… yes.”

LL: Lois was beginning to take the woman seriously. Excitedly, she took control of the conversation. “Let’s meet somewhere and talk about it.”

Woman’s Voice: “I… don’t know. I wasn’t going to call you, but I got off work early this evening.”

LL: “Where are you?”

Woman’s Voice: “I’m at a payphone. At a candy store near you.”

LL: “You know where I am?” Lois grew suspicious. Grant had spooked her too much this afternoon.

Woman’s Voice: “I think you’re probably at the Planet Offices, although I’m not sure. I already called your hotel, but no one answered.”

LL: “How do you know which hotel I’m staying at?” Lois looked a little nervous.

Woman’s Voice: “I called your apartment a few days ago, and you left that message on your answering machine saying you were staying at the Bellevue. That’s how I got this number too.”

LL: “Are you the one’s who’s been calling me for almost a week and hanging up?!”

WV: “I’m afraid so. I’m sorry, it’s taken every ounce of courage not to hang up this time.”

LL: “I understand, if I had inside info, I guess I’d be a little wary too… All the more reason to share the burden.” Lois cringed at the obvious desperation of her last statement, but pressed on unabashedly. “Listen, I’m pretty much free right now. I can be at that candy store in a few minutes… hello? You still there?”

SILENCE

LL: “Hello?”

WV: “I’m still here.” Her voice was hesitant. “I’d like to see you… I need to talk.” Lois could hear the woman’s voice quiver. “I just can’t live like this anymore.”

LL: “Would you like to come upstairs? We can talk up here in privacy. I’ll leave instructions with security downstairs to let you up. Give me a name to give them.”

WV: She paused a moment. “Beth.”

LL: “Okay, Beth. I’ll leave instructions. Just tell them you’re Beth and they’ll send you right on up to me. Okay?”

WV: “I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

LL: “I’ll look forward to meeting you Beth.”

CLICK

LL: Looking at Rachel, who was shaking her head with amused disapproval and making a tisk, tisk sound, “What?”

RB: “You’re wasting your time. My fruitcake radar is jumping off the charts!”

LL: “Maybe, but I don’t think so. She might be for real. And she’s been calling me for the last six days without leaving a message…” Defensively, “If she were some attention seeker, would she keep hanging up on me?”

RB: “She could be an attention seeker with low self esteem.”

LL: “Well, I’m not taking any chances.”

RB: “You really think you’ve got something here?”

LL: “Yeah, I do.”

~~~~~

PART 52D

~~~~~

TEN MINUTES LATER

Lois and Rachel were watching the elevators.

RB: “You think she’ll actually show up?”

LL: “I hope so. She sounded like she was looking for a reason not to chicken out…”

DING

The elevator doors opened. In walked a young woman in her early thirties with pale blonde hair tied back into a ponytail. She was small, only 5’3″, and she wore a thin black wool suit with a skirt that reached her ankles. The shirt underneath was white silk.

‘Beth’: “Miss Lane?”

LL: “That would be me. Beth?”

Beth: Stretching out her hand to greet Lois. “Yes, it’s Beth.” The woman then looked past Lois nervously.

LL: “It’s okay. This is Rachel Bell. She’s assistant to the Washington Bureau Chief.”

RB: Sensing the young woman’s apprehension, “If I make you uncomfortable, I’ll leave.”

Beth: “No, it’s okay… I guess.” Her voice lost its strength as she spoke. She let out a breath. “This is really hard for me.”

LL: “It’s okay, take your time,” Lois said as she gestured for Beth to take a seat by her desk. Lois and Rachel both sat around her.

Beth shook her head.

B: “May I have something to drink? I’m a little parched.”

RB: “Sure, water, coke, orange soda?”

B: “A can of coke would be great.”

RB: “Lois?”

LL: “Diet coke for me if you don’t mind.”

RB: “Be back in a jiffy.”

LL: “Thanks Rachel.”

B: “Thank you for seeing me at this late hour, Miss Lane.”

LL: “This job is twenty-four hours Beth. I’m used to it… And it’s not Miss Lane, it’s Lois.”

B: “Okay, Lois.”

LL: “Now, you said you had some information about the Capitol Murders?”

B: “Yes. I knew some of the victims. I…” Thinking for a moment, “Please promise me that no matter what, you’ll never reveal who I am to anyone.”

LL: ‘You haven’t even told me who you are yet,’ she thought. But those words never left her mouth. Lois eagerly reassured her. “I promise. I’d go to jail before revealing one of my sources. Everyone knows that.”

B: “Thank you. You may have figured out by now that my name’s not really Beth.”

LL: “That thought had occurred to me.”

B: “I just don’t think my real name is relevant.”

LL: “It’s okay. Just take your time and tell me what’s on your mind.”

B: “I don’t have time to take my time. I need to be getting home soon. My family’s home waiting for me. But I need to tell you what I know.”

LL: “Do you know who’s responsible for the murders?”

B: “Not everyone. Even Bill didn’t know everyone.”

LL: “Bill?”

B: “Yes, Bill Miller.”

LL: “The late Deputy Chief of Staff?” Lois eyes and ears perked up at that name.

They young woman simply nodded.

LL: “How did you know Bill Miller?”

B: “We were… friends.”

Lois wondered at her connotation of ‘friends’ before asking her next question.

LL: “Did you work with Bill Miller?”

B: “In a way.”

LL: Lois’ heart started to race with all that ‘in a way’ implied. That could place her directly in the White House. Lois didn’t permit her voice to betray her excitement. “Okay… What did Bill tell you?”

B: “That he and the others wanted out.”

LL: “The others… You mean the other victims?”

B: “Yeah.” Her voice was barely more than a whisper.

LL: ‘Well, that corroborates what Amy Schmidt told me Alan had said to her before he died. ‘I can’t get out, nobody gets out,’ echoed through her mind.

LL: “Out of what?”

B: “Out of the organization. But nobody who knows as much as they did can just quit. You’d have to take the entire organization down to get out. No easy task, I can assure you.”

LL: Lois had a feeling she knew the answer to her next question. “What organization?”

B: “Bill and the others all worked for Stealth… it’s a large conglomerate.”

LL: “I’m familiar with the company.”

B: “I had a feeling you might.”

LL: “Can I ask you a question Beth?”

B: “Okay.”

LL: “Why did you pick me to talk to?”

B: “I chose you about a week ago. Some of my bosses were talking about you.”

LL: “Do you work at Stealth?”

B: “No.”

LL: “Then…”

B: Cutting off her line of questioning, “If I’m not mistaken, you made some phone calls asking about that picture at The Lincoln Memorial. That’s what they were talking about.”

Lois thought back to the phone calls she’d made last Wednesday. At that moment she knew. This woman wasn’t a joke or a lunatic seeking attention. Lois had never told anyone, not even Clark about what she’d found out about that picture. Even though she excitedly tried to tell him the night she found out. He didn’t want to talk about work, so she decided to let it drop. A decision she had already begun to regret.

LL: “You know what I found out about the picture?”

B: “No, they didn’t mention anything specific about the picture. Just that you might know too much.”

LL: “They discussed this with you?”

B: “No. I overheard them talking. They didn’t know I was there.”

LL: Lois looked frightened. “Please Beth. Where do you work? I need to know.”

B: “I can’t…”

LL: “Please.”

Beth looked down and thought for a moment.

Beth: “If I tell you, then you have to promise me you won’t try to verify my identity. If this gets back to my superiors, and it will if you start asking questions and making phone calls, then I’m as good as dead.”

Dead, she’d never said that out loud before tonight. Saying it was strangely altogether different than just thinking and fearing it. Saying it was far worse.

LL: “I promise. No phone calls.” Lois looked anxious.

Beth: “I work in The White House. My name is Judith Wade and I’m the President’s Chief Private Secretary.” She reached into her purse and pulled out the picture ID badge she wore to work. “Here, this should be enough verification.”

Lois looked at the ID badge with wide eyes. They were talking about her at the White House? ‘Oh my…. How far up does this lead???”

LL: Extending her hand, “It’s a pleasure to meet you Judith.”

Judith Wade: Taking the hand offered, “It’s Judy.” She let out a breath and began to cry. “I’m sorry, but as scared as I am, it feels really good to be talking to someone. Somehow I don’t feel quite as alone now.”

LL: “You’re not… you’re not alone anymore Judy. We’ll get to the bottom of this. I promise.”

JW: “Thank you,” she replied, a look of relief had permeated through her tears.

~~~~~

PART 52E

~~~~~

Rachel entered with three cans of soda. She’d caught the end of the conversation.

RB: “I’m back.” She tried to sound cheerful, but just overhearing that part of the conversation made her excited and nervous at the same time. “I brought us all a little something to drink.”

LL: “Thanks Rachel.”

JW: “Thank you. I guess I should tell you name is really…”

RB: “I heard the tail end on the way over… Judy?”

JW: Nodding her head, “Then you might as well have a seat. It’s nice to finally have someone to talk to. But you have to promise…”

RB: Sensing her next statement, she eased her mind. “Don’t worry, if anyone asks, I’ll deny I was even here tonight.”

‘Oh, yeah, I’m definitely going to have to recommend her to Perry the next time I see him,’ Lois thought about Rachel.

Judith just smiled appreciatively.

JW: “Bill… Well you see, Bill and I… were very close.”

LL: “How… Oh.”

JW: “Yeah, THAT close… We were VERY discreet. Both of us were married, you see. We had a lot to lose if anyone found out about us. But Bill loved pillow talk, and the burden of everything he was involved in weighed heavily on him.”

LL: “How long were you seeing each other?

JW: “About a year. We’ve known each other since just before the President got elected in ninety-two.”

Lois weeded through the million questions that sprang to mind.

LL: “How many people did Bill think was involved with Stealth’s illegal activities?”

JW: “He wasn’t sure. He just knew there were a lot.”

LL: “Can you give me a rough estimate?”

JW: “He couldn’t prove it, but he suspected there were at least hundreds, maybe thousands who were KNOWINGLY part of Stealth’s illegal operations. A lot of them were politicians.”

Lois’ heart was racing. ‘Hello Pulitzer Prize!’ she thought, a little ashamed of herself as those self-indulgent thoughts came to mind.

LL: “How many?”

JW: “Bill told me about at least a dozen. But he knew there were more. It’s not just the elected officials, it’s some of the people who work for them too.”

LL: “Which elected officials?” ‘NAMES! Just gimme some names!’ the voice in her head pleaded.

JW: Judy looked down and thought a moment. “Miss Lane, there really isn’t anything I can prove.”

LL: “It’s okay Judy. I want to know anyway…” ‘I’ll prove it the rest by myself if I have to!’ “At least tell me who Bill took orders from.”

JW: “Tom Williams, Mitchell Grant… Mostly he reported to Phil Keller.”

LL: “Philip Keller, the White House Chief of Staff?”

Judy shook her head.

LL: “How many people in the White House work for Stealth?”

JW: “Bill was never sure. They’re secretive, even with each other. He was always very paranoid about who he was talking to.”

LL: “The President, is he part of Stealth?”

JW: “I don’t know… Sometimes I think he is, but other times… I just don’t know.”

LL: “Why do you think he might be involved?” Lois eyes were wide and she was almost salivating.

JW: “There were secret meetings in the White House from time to time. The President wasn’t always there. Sometimes he wasn’t even in the country when these meetings took place. Whenever there was a secret meeting of Stealth members, many of the staff were either sent home early or moved to other parts of the White House. Like tonight.”

LL: “There was a meeting tonight? Who was there?!”

JW: “I don’t know. We were all sent home early today.”

LL: “Was the President ever at any Stealth meetings that Bill Miller was?”

JW: “No, if he was he never mentioned it. And I’m sure he would’ve told me if he was.”

LL: “If the President ISN’T involved with Stealth, then why did Bill never go to the President for help?”

JW: “Bill didn’t know who to trust. You never know who you’re talking to, that’s what he used to tell me.”

LL: “Did he ever tell you who was in charge?”

JW: “No. But I know he told me most everything about what he did for Stealth. But if he knew who the leader of Stealth was, he never told me. He was very protective of me.”

“One night about four months ago, he fell asleep and had a nightmare. He mumbled something about Uncle Sam. I woke him up and told him what he said, and he went crazy on me. I’d never seen him react that way about anything. He told me never to mention that name again!”

LL: “What do you think Uncle Sam means? Is it a code word for a file or a person, or….”

JW: “It’s DEFINITELY a person.”

LL: “How do you know?”

JW: “I overheard Phil Keller and Arthur Browning talking about the Murders and your name came up.”

LL: “Me?! Arthur Browning is….”

JW: “Arthur Browning is The Deputy Chief of Staff for White House Operations. Yeah, they’re the two I mentioned were talking about you calling about that picture. They mentioned the name Uncle Sam. Browning asked Keller if the President had been briefed on your situation.”

LL: “And was he?”

JW: “No, Phil Keller said that the President knew nothing about your phone call. And that there was no reason to tell him. But they did mention that Uncle Sam had been briefed about you and that he’d ordered you left alone.”

LL: “You have absolutely no idea who this Uncle Sam person is?”

JW: “No. Just that the mention of that name scared the hell out of Bill. And now that Bill and the others are dead, that name scares the hell out of me too.”

LL: “What do…?”

JW: Looking down at her watch, “I’m really sorry, but I have to go. I have to get home, and I’m late already. I can’t talk anymore.” She reached for her purse and draped it over her shoulder.

LL: “Judy wait, there so much more I need to…”

JW: “I’m sorry. But I’ve got to get home.” She stood up to leave.

LL: Lois grabbed her arm as she stood to face her. “Can we continue this tomorrow morning?”

JW: “No, I have to go to work in the morning.”

LL: “Can you call in sick?”

JW: “I can’t afford to make anyone any more suspicious of me than they already are!”

LL: “People are suspicious of you?”

JW: “Everything’s so tense there now. I think they suspect I know something. I’ve been getting funny looks in the hallway since the murders?”

LL: “Who looks at you funny, Judy? Phil Keller?”

JW: “Yeah, him, Browning, some secret service, a few cabinet members… I don’t know if you can help me.” Her face was looking agitated. “If they find out I’m here…!”

LL: “Then don’t go home! We can finish talking, and there are a few people I can call who can help you. I know a few honest federal agents who…”

JW: “NO! Absolutely not! I took Bill VERY seriously! You never know who you’re talking to. ESPECIALLY in the government!”

LL: “Okay, no feds. But Judy, we need to talk some more. Is there a lot more you haven’t…?”

JW: Shaking her head. “A lot more!”

LL: “What about tomorrow after you get off work?!” Lois wasn’t about to take no for an answer. Not after she’d come this far.

JW: “I usually don’t get out until seven-thirty to eight-thirty at night, and then I’ve got to rush right home. I’m very sorry.”

Lois thought a moment.

LL: “What about your lunch hour?”

Judy was aghast at the suggestion.

JW: “I can’t afford to be seen in public with you! What if they’re following me? If they suspect I know something, seeing us together will be the confirmation they’re looking for. I’m risking my neck by coming here as it is!!!”

Rachel cleared her throat. Lois and Judy had become so engrossed in conversation that they’d forgotten Rachel was even there.

Rachel Bell: “Excuse me, but I have an idea… This paper owns a suite at the old Lafayette Hotel on H Street. It’s kept for when the owners are in town or they have some big-whigs they want to wine and dine. It’s only two blocks from the White House. You wouldn’t have to check-in so there’s no name to trace, and you can continue your interview during your lunch hour.”

LL: “I didn’t know the Planet kept a suite here?” Her eyes shot up with curiosity.

RB: “Well, mostly ‘the suits’ upstairs know about it. Sometimes it’s actually used for business. But between you and me, the board of directors use it quite frequently to entertain their ‘lady friends’,” she finished suggestively. “It wouldn’t surprise me if you found the numbers of a few escort services sitting by the master bedroom suite.”

Lois shook her head.

RB: “You may be this paper’s top reporter Lois, but never forget, this is STILL a man’s world you’re living in. And at least for now, the newspaper business is still a MAN’S business!”

LL: “Oh, don’t I know it! It’s not as bad as when I first started working at the Planet, but it’ll be a while before everything is even-steven!”

RB: “A long while! The good-ole-boy network is alive and well, I do assure you.”

Lois looked at Judy.

LL: “How ’bout it? Just two blocks away.”

JW: “I don’t…”

LL: “Judy, you can’t do this alone. You need help! If you’re right, and they suspect that you know anything, then you could be in serious danger. The sooner we can prove what’s going on, the sooner you’ll be safe. The sooner we’ll all be safe!”

JW: “You don’t know what you’re saying Miss Lane. If you knew everything that I knew, you’d be just as scared as me. I know you’re thinking that this will make a great story. But it’s a lot more than that. If Stealth unravels, then…” Judy stopped talking as she finished that statement silently in her head. Maybe asking for help was a mistake.

LL: “What?!” Lois eyes were pleading. “If Stealth unravels then…”

Judy looked sadly at Lois and Rachel.

JW: “I need to get home.”

LL: “Will you see me tomorrow at the Lafayette? Room…?”

RB: “Suite 601,” Rachel finished.

Judy looked out the window at the monuments that illuminated the Washington skyline.

JW: “My lunch hour is at one. I’ll be there at 1:15.”

LL: “I’ll be waiting,” Lois smiled gratefully and gave her arm a reassuring squeeze. “You’re doing the right thing Judy. The truth needs to come out.”

JW: “I know.”

LL: “See you tomorrow?”

JW: “Tomorrow.”

~~~~~

PART 52F

~~~~~

STREET CORNER TEN BLOCKS FROM DAILY PLANET ~~~~ WASHINGTON DC ~~~~ 9:30PM

He lurked in the shadows, standing in the doorway of a store that closed two hours ago. From his vantagepoint, Cigarette Smoking Man observed the goings on in the street that surrounded him unnoticed. He lit a cigarette and waited.

The streets were more or less empty. Most businesses in this district closed early. Passersby were infrequent this time of night. He waited only five minutes before the man he was scheduled to meet arrived.

He stood in the doorway for another ten minutes, watching the behavior of one of his ‘unofficial’ underlings. He was not a government or Stealth employee, but a businessman on the take, one of many individuals in the private sector ‘owned’ by Stealth.

The man fidgeted under the streetlamp on the corner, a manila envelope tucked under his arm. He had been glancing nervously from side to side since he arrived ten minutes ago. He was definitely not cut out for this game.

Although he was paid handsomely by Stealth for his cooperation and loyalty, the real reason for his actions were almost entirely personal. Stealth had help quench his thirst for revenge.

This type of meeting was heretofore unheard of for him. Most of his instructions were delivered with either a cryptic phone call, or a visit from an anonymous messenger. His payoffs usually found its way into the bottom drawer of his desk within 48 hours. Whoever delivered these payoffs, or how they got into the building after hours was a mystery to him.

He didn’t like this. He didn’t like delivering this package. He’d rather have one of those anonymous messengers pick it up during the day or early evening. But he suspected these pictures were extremely important. He would try and use that information to his advantage tonight.

After ten minutes of sizing up the man on the corner, Cigarette Smoking Man decided that he’d seen enough. He threw his second cigarette in the last fifteen minutes to the ground as he cleared his throat.

The businessman heard him and turned around looking agitated. The man left the light from the streetlamp behind and joined the other in the darkness.

He opened his mouth to speak, trying not to flub the line he’d been rehearsing in his head. The line he was instructed to give as a password just under four hours ago.

Businessman: “Nice night for a walk.”

Cigarette Smoking Man: “Yes, it is, a very nice night.”

With that artificial opening out of the way, he revealed his annoyance at being kept waiting.

Businessman: “You’re late.”

Although Cigarette Smoking Man was unaccustomed to chastisement from a subordinate, he let it drop. He had much bigger fish to fry. “You have the envelope I see. Is it all there?”

Businessman: “Yes.”

He held out his hand and pulled out a stack of mostly fuzzy and barely focused 8×10 black and white pictures, taken that morning by Lois Lane. He was the subject of some of those pictures. And he was relieved to get his hands on them so quickly. The board would be pleased, so would Billings, Schaeffer, and Baughman.

CSM: “Who else has seen these pictures?”

Businessman: “Just one of our photographers, he’s also our night developer.”

CSM: “And who might that be?”

Businessman: “Josh Plummer.”

Cigarette Smoking Man nodded his head as he studied the pictures. He looked back into the envelope, searching, his eyes narrowed with displeasure.

CSM: “Where are the negatives?”

Businessman: “In a safe place.”

CSM: “Cunning of this level is nothing less than stupidity.”

Businessman: “I’ll make a deal with you, you make me…”

CSM: His eyes flashed with anger. “Apparently you underestimate the people you now work for, and the man you are presently conversing with. I don’t do DEALS!”

Businessman: “I want more than what you’re giving me! These streetside meetings were never in my job description when I agreed to ‘cooperate’.”

CSM: “And what is it that you seek… money?”

Businessman: “Not money… I want the position I’ve been denied by my superiors. I want the recognition I deserve! I WANT…”

CSM: “You think that having those negatives gives you a bargaining chip? I DON’T DO DEALS! Do you understand?!”

Businessman: Looking unfazed, “Yeah, I understand.”

CSM: His voice was low and serious. “No, I don’t think you do. But I assure you; you won’t enjoy it if I have to ‘educate’ you as to how this whole arrangement works! I know you have a few ideas of what we’re capable of, but by tomorrow morning, you’ll have a better idea of how we deal with insubordination and incompetence!”

Businessman: “What’s that supposed…”

CSM: Losing his temper, he grabbed the man’s lapel. “THE NEGATIVES! I won’t ask again!”

He knew that like Brock, his life depended in part on his anonymity. Exposed, he was useless, and therefore a liability.

The businessman’s temporary confidence had abandoned him. He pulled the negatives from his pocket and handed them over.

Businessman: “I’m sorry.”

CSM: Regaining his icy composure. “Apparently ambition and intelligence have no relation to one another. I’ll excuse you this time because you clearly have no idea who you’re dealing with. Your silent employers possess much more than deep pockets!” He would elaborate no further on that point. “You’d be wise to always remember that.” He started to walk away.

Businessman: “What about…”

CSM: “Your financial compensation will be forwarded in the usual manner.”

He stopped and turned back, pondering the deal the businessman had risked his life to make. Although his tactic of blackmail was completely unacceptable, he had to admit the prospect did have its advantages.

CSM: “And as for your request for a new position, I’ll take it under consideration.”

Benjamin Smith, the Daily Planet’s Washington Bureau Chief, smiled.

Benjamin Smith: “That’s all I ask.” He walked away towards his car, parked a few blocks away, mentally plotting Perry White’s ‘early retirement’.

~~~~~

PART 53A

~~~~~

WASHINGTON DC ~~~ BELLEVUE HOTEL 2:30a.m.

Lois lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling as the tears fell from her eyes, slid down her cheeks and into the pillow beneath her. She would have a big day ahead of her; getting the rest of Judith Wade’s story and doing more research on Stealth and the players involved were just the beginning.

But she didn’t care about the work right now. As she lay in bed, all she could think about that night, was the hurt on Clark’s face before he flew off, and the finality in his voice. She wasn’t sure where they stood anymore. She wasn’t even sure if they were still engaged. And that was unacceptable. The price she was already paying was too high. She needed Clark, her partner, her best friend, the man she loved. And to hell with everything else! She decided that tomorrow she would tell him everything she knew, and they would decide TOGETHER what was best for THEM!

Lois got back to her hotel Tuesday night just after 11pm. As she’d hoped earlier that day, the kids from Boston were indeed throwing a party. She smiled, wondering if their chaperones were tied up and gagged somewhere. Waiting for her was a message from Amy Schmidt, wondering how her day went and did she find out anything new. Lois made a mental note to call her sometime during the day tomorrow.

The last message on the hotel’s voice mail was from her old friend Doris in Alexandria, reminding her that she promised to have lunch with her sometime this week, and would she be free tomorrow. Doris confessed that the kids were driving her up the wall all week, and begged Lois to rescue her for a day. A ‘girls day out’ she called it. Lois smiled as she listened to the message on the machine in her room. She needed to forget her problems for a while. At least until she could get a hold of her apparently estranged fiancé and apologize. Doris’ retelling of her ‘ordinary’ everyday life’s problems pulled Lois out of her depression, if only for a few minutes.

It took her three hours to finally drift off to sleep.

Superman had more difficulty.

Clark roamed the earth looking for people to rescue, something to do. ANYTHING to do! And when the earth beneath him was quiet, he simply flew. He didn’t need sleep, at least not tonight. Not that he could sleep if he tried. So he flew, alone in that big empty sky with only his thoughts to keep him company.

By morning he was still hurt and angry. Relationships were so new to him. He had no clue how to handle a situation like this, to make things right.

At eight a.m., he flew back to Metropolis to get ready for work. He decided not to use his superpowers for the task, hoping the answers to all his problems would miraculously spring to mind while he got ready for work.

~~~~~

Lois woke up to the sound of a telephone ringing. She threw the covers over her head to mute the offending noise. Two rings later, she realized it might be Clark, so she answered it.

It was Doris. She’d just put her kids on a school bus and had almost the entire morning free. And since Ted was flying in on the noon shuttle from New York, she would have most of the afternoon and the entire evening free as well. She said her husband had granted her a 24-hour furlough.

The next few minutes consisted of Doris begging Lois to drop her plans for the day. Doris received a very polite, but firm, ‘Absolutely NOT!’ But Doris’ stubborn streak ran almost as deep as her old friend’s did. Lois finally relented the latter half of her evening when Doris began hitting below the emotional belt. The comment, ‘this is our LAST chance to have some fun and time all to ourselves before the baby arrives,’ as well as a not so subtle guilt trip over missing the baby showers for her children Amanda LOIS and Thomas, was the last straw. Wednesday evening would belong to Doris Garvey Greer.

Most of her schedule would be reshuffled, but her meeting with Judy would remain untouched. That point was non-negotiable.

With that out of the way, Doris felt free for some small talk.

Doris Greer: “So, I hear your paper got the scoop on today’s big exclusive. Was it you this time or someone else?”

Lois Lane: “Doris, what on earth are you talking about? What big exclusive?”

DG: “What big exclusive?! Turn on your TV!”

LL: “What channel?”

DG: “EVERY channel!”

Lois walked over and opened the console opposite her bed, grabbed the remote and flicked the television set on. On it was LNN’s coverage of the latest eruption in DC, an event that had become almost commonplace in the last few weeks.

The place was a madhouse. A seeming overflow of police, local DCPD AND federal, along with of course, the media, swarming around a seedy looking service garage in an area in the southeast corner of the city called Anacostia. Lois turned up the volume as she moved back to her bed to sit down.

LNN Reporter: “… yet another apparent mass suicide. The man identified by the FBI as Paul Burton alias Peter Brock, the alleged leader of the Freedom Fighters was found dead along with members of his cult in a reported hi-tech lair where he allegedly masterminded the Capitol Murders. Detailed plans for the murders as well as a large arsenal of weapons and hi-tech surveillance equipment were also reported to be on the premises.”

Dumfounded, Lois shook her head as she listened to the report. It was Doris’ voice that broke the spell.

DG: “…Lois? Lois you still there?”

LL: “Ye- Yeah… I’m still here. Just watching…”

DG: “Isn’t that incredible? That Brock guy. The guy from the sketch, right? The one Mr. Dellaccio described?”

LL: “Apparently.”

DG: “Wow. I gotta hang out with your more often! Definitely more exciting than MY boring life!”

Lois absently murmured ‘uh-huh’ as she watched the bodies being carried form the garage to wagons waiting to transport them to the morgue.

LL: “Doris, I have to go to work.”

DG: “OK, what time shall we…?”

LL: “I’ll call you later Doris. But you have to be a little flexible for me. It’s a big news day.”

DG: “All right, but not too late. I want to get some shopping done.”

LL: “Okay, call you later.”

CLICK

PART 53B

WASHINGTON DC FBI BUILDING WEDNESDAY MAY 17TH, 1995 9A.M.

Cigarette Smoking Man sat at a desk in one of many temporary offices that had been designated to him during his tenure with the FBI. The agent he had left in charge of bugging Lois Lane’s hotel room had just entered. He looked up from his papers and spoke.

Cigarette Smoking Man: “Well?”

Agent: The agent looked a little nervous. “Unsuccessful sir.”

CSM: “Explain… unsuccessful!” To say he was a little miffed would’ve been an understatement.

A: “Sir, all attempts at installing equipment were thwarted by the unforeseen arrival of…” he let out a breath and continued, “a class of high school sophomores from Boston, Massachusetts.”

CSM: “Children? You were stopped by a bunch of children?!” He was not amused.

A: “Yes sir. They roamed the halls the entire afternoon and evening. Every time our operative attempted to reach Miss Lane’s room… well…”

CSM: “They were there.”

A: “Yes sir.”

CSM: “Where’s your operative now?”

A: “She’s outside the hotel now sir.”

CSM: He shook his head, “Tell her to wait until Lane and the children have vacated the premises.”

A: “Yes sir. I understand sir. Shall we search her belongings?”

CSM: “No, if she knows someone’s been in the room, she’ll look for listening devices. She can’t be completely stupid. You’re dismissed. I want to know who she’s talking to. And I want to know by TONIGHT! If you can’t get an empty hallway then… improvise!”

A: “We will sir.”

CSM: “You’d better!”

~~~~~~~~

DAILY PLANET DC HEADQUARTERS

Lois arrived at the Daily Planet at 9:30a.m. The office was celebrating yet another page one exclusive while the competition ate their dust. Another story worthy of international attention was theirs.

Benjamin Smith: “Hey Lois. Didn’t expect to see you here so early.”

Lois Lane: “Good morning, Mr. Smith. Yeah, I was a little groggy until I turned on my TV this morning.”

She pointed up at the screen. “More effective than a pot of black coffee.”

Benjamin Smith was beaming.

BS: “And it’s ALL mi…ours!”

Smith had gotten the ‘anonymous’ tip at his home in Georgetown at one a.m. He scrambled out of bed, called a skeleton crew back to the Planet, had the presses stopped in Metropolis and had the cover of the new morning edition on the streets by five.

Every other news organization was scrambling just to keep up with the paper Perry White had dubbed ‘the worlds greatest newspaper!’

Lois picked up the copy on her desk and began to read. The cover story was by one of DC’s staff reporters she hadn’t met. Smith hadn’t called her last night, and frankly she was glad. This new ‘mass suicide’ was screaming set-up to Lois, but only because she had information none of her colleagues possessed. Writing up this turn of events would have been too tempting to reveal too much of the truths that were quickly being covered up in the most deadly fashion.

Frankly she needed the break. And she knew these men found this morning were little more than pawns, set-up to take the fall for the important pieces in this chess game. Lois absently wondered what chess piece she would play in this very deadly game.

She blinked back to the present as Benjamin Smith’s hand waved in front of her face.

BS: “Lois? Earth to Lois, hello!”

LL: “I’m sorry what?”

BS: “Oh nothing, I’m just telling you how we got the ‘scoop of the century’ today!”

LL: “Scoop of the CENTURY?” Lois dropped the paper down on her desk.

Lois’ tone was incredulous and that annoyed Smith a great deal. ‘Perry White’s PRIMA DONNA looks down on the exclusives that AREN’T hers!’ he thought with contempt.

BS: “Well, what would YOU call breaking the story about the mass suicide of the men who ‘allegedly’ masterminded the Capitol Murders?”

LL: “Emphasis on ALLEGEDLY’! You REALLY think THEY’RE the guilty party in all this?”

BS: “The evidence is all there Lois! The guns! Enough ammo to blow us back to…”

LL: “Where’d they get the money to PAY for all that hi-tech equipment?”

BS: “This Burton, or Brock guy is a professional mercenary!”

LL: “That would suggest the Capitol Murders was a hired hit.”

BS: Smith was getting angrier by the minute at her questioning his judgement. “That WOULDN’T explain the cult! Maybe he used the money from is mercenary endeavors to pay for his little right wing cult. Perhaps he thought killing these politicians was his destiny!”

LL: “Right wing?!” Lois shook her head and crossed her arms, “Come on Benjamin, that doesn’t make any sense!” Smith’s face was turning red. “MOST of the victims were CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS! The political range of the victims is too broad for that. Which leads us back to hired hit.”

Lois’ face looked puzzled for a moment.

LL: “By the way, how’d you know this guy was a mercenary? I didn’t see that on the news.”

BS: “I still have my sources.”

Lois eyes perked up.

LL: “Care to share any of them?”

BS: “Care to share any of YOURS?”

LL: “Touché Mr. Smith.” Lois laughed as she picked up the paper again, seemingly oblivious to Smith’s seething anger. “Well, once again that makes the world’s most wanted man Marcus…”

~~~~~

ROADWAY MOTEL OFF I-395 OUTSKIRTS OF WASHINGTON

~~~SAME TIME~~~

“… HAMILTON!”

KNOCK KNOCK

~~~~~

PART 53C

Jim Myerson: “Hey kid open up!”

Marcus Hamilton: Opening the door to the small roadside motel room, “Why don’t you just scream my name into a bullhorn!”

JM: “Relax kid. Your ole boss is dead… confessed to the killings and everything before he offed himself! Time to meet the world kid!” he exclaimed confidently as he slapped a very frightened and angry Marcus Hamilton on the back.

MH: “You think this changes anything?!”

JM: “That changes EVERYTHING! Don’t worry kid, I’ve got everything taken care of.”

MH: “What do you mean?” he asked suspiciously.

JM: “You gimme another exclusive and then you surface at a press conference at the Daily Planet!”

MH: “No deal! No surfacing! No press conference!”

JM: “Why kid? It’s over!”

MH: “NO, IT’S NOT! Look, I don’t know who else is involved. And I’m not sticking around to find out!”

JM: “Wait a minute kid, you’re…”

MH: “If you’re right, then you’ve got nothing to blackmail me with.”

JM: “You got no money. And excuse me, but the feds are still looking for ya. They’ll want to hold SOMEONE accountable for offin’ those politicians. Your best bet is to tell the world what you know. Where you gonna go with the feds on your tail?”

MH: “I’ll manage. Maybe I’ll sell my story to someone who won’t blackmail and double cross me!”

Myerson was getting nervous, trying to think of anything to keep his golden goose from flying the coop.

JM: “Okay kid, whatever you say. I’ll do it. Just don’t walk out that door. I need ya kid.”

MH: “Well..”

JM: “I’m beggin’ here kid! Whatever you want. I’ll get it for ya.”

MH: “How ’bout a decent breakfast to start and…”

JM: “You betcha!”

MH: “Heey…!”

Before Mark could get to his important demands, Myerson was out the door and in his car. Marcus sat back down on his bed and placed his head in his hands.

~~~~~

10:15A.M. ANACOSTIA

Lois spent an hour in the garage in Anacostia looking over the outside of the crime scene and talking to neighborhood residents, but didn’t find anything new that hadn’t been reported on heavily that morning.

At 10:50a.m., she left and drove her jeep to Stealth headquarters. She drove around the side of the building and scanned up the 14th floor. As expected, the nail polish had been long since removed. The 13th floor bore little resemblance to its appearance 24 hours ago. Only the walls were the same white color. It was now a working cafeteria, filled with employees enjoying an early lunch.

She approached a few employees leaving the building and tried to question them about their new cafeteria, but no one would comment. After taking a few pictures of the thirteenth floor, Lois had seen enough. She drove back towards the Lafayette Hotel, just two blocks from the White House, where Judy would join her on her lunch hour.

~~~~~

LAFAYETTE HOTEL ~~~ H STREET

Parking her car in a garage only three blocks away, Lois arrived at the Lafayette Hotel just after noon. Designed by 3rd President Thomas Jefferson in 1810, the Lafayette was once one of the grandest hotels in the land, playing host to the biggest movers and shakers in the country. The Lafayette was never run down, it simply was no longer the ‘in-spot’ the rich, powerful, and famous, chose to do business and be seen. But it did have a history. And the lobby was filled with portraits and paintings of the hotel’s illustrious guests. The architecture of the limestone building, with large marble columns adorning the front entryway, was neoclassical, a rabidly popular style during the age of revolutions in America and Europe.

Because Washington DC is sandwiched between the north and the south, the city was filled with sympathizers from both sides in the early 1860’s. During the Civil War, the hotel blew out its back wall and created a separate entrance to accommodate its guests. The Yankee sympathizers left through the north entrance, and the southerners left the opposite way. But the owner insisted that the hotel be designated neutral territory for the duration of the war.

The gesture made the hotel a legend in its time. It had become fashionable to be seen leaving or entering through the side of your allegiance. And the tradition has remained intact ever since. Tourists by the busload come to take pictures outside the north and south entrances.

As Lois entered the building, she fished through her purse for a moment to find the room key, a white piece of plastic the size of a credit card. Since the paper kept the suite permanently, there was no check-in and nothing to sign. She looked around. No one seemed to notice her. Feeling more comfortable, she headed to the elevator and was up in suite 601 within a few minutes.

She entered the suite, a very large one, she thought as she walked around and inspected the rooms. The walls in the living area were pale blue, with lithographs of early DC adorning the walls. There were not one or two, but three large bedrooms as well.

In the living room, there was a rather large round table, but she decided the couch would be more informal, and might make Judy feel more at ease. While Lois waited, she set up her laptop computer, reporter’s notepad, and tape recorder on the little coffee table in front of the couch.

With nothing to do until Judy arrived, she decided that she would get them something to eat. She did not wish to alert the hotel or anyone at the planet that she was there. And she didn’t feel comfortable leaving the hotel and risking being seen, unless it was important. So she headed for the sixth floor vending machines, filled the ice bucket, and bought a handful of snacks and sodas.

With arguably the biggest story in her career falling into place, Lois could not sit still. She turned on the large screen television set and flipped back and forth between CNN and LNN for continued coverage of the day’s breaking story.

~~~~~~~~~~

PART 53D

BELLEVUE HOTEL ROOM 712 ~ 12P.M.

KNOCK KNOCK

Voice: “Housekeeping.”

With no answer sounds coming from the room, the young operative was inside within mere seconds. She wasn’t in much of a rush as she took a moment to look in the mirror across from the bed and adjust the large scarf covering her long honey-blonde locks. Members of her team had been stationed in the lobby, looking out for the unexpected arrival of their mark. They’d lost her after she left the Planet that morning and just missed catching her outside Stealth by less than two minutes. Their superiors would not be pleased.

Her orders were clear, implant the bugs and leave. Don’t risk detection by ransacking the room. Bugs are useless if the person on the line suspects someone’s listening. The young agent didn’t agree with her orders. She knew she could go through a number of Lois’ things without arousing suspicion. But she did as she was told.

It took less than three minutes to complete her task. By the time she left at 12:04, there were devices in her phone, by the dresser close to her bed, and under the lampshade on the desk in the far corner of the room.

DAILY PLANET WASHINGTON DC

Lois arrived back at the City Room at 1:30 p.m. She placed her briefcase on her desk and sighed as she sat down.

Rachel Bell: “Well? How did it go?”

Lois Lane: Sounding exasperated, “Well… she didn’t show.”

RB: “What?”

LL: “She didn’t show.”

RB: “Did she contact you?”

LL: “Yeah, she called around 12: 30, crying.”

RB: “What happened? Is she okay?”

LL: Shrugging her shoulders, “She’s scared. I tried to tell her that she needed help, but she’d rather take her chances on her own. She’s afraid that if she gets help, her husband will find out about her and her affair with ‘you know who’ and leave her. She’s afraid of losing her kids.”

RB: “Did you tell her that if she doesn’t get help, she could lose her LIFE?”

LL: “Of course, I did! I begged, I pleaded. But she won’t budge. I even told her I’d ask Superman to help her! But she’s still afraid of her husband finding out… so…”

RB: Shaking her head, “She’s gonna take her chances.”

LL: Letting out a breath, “Yup.”

RB: “Wow… Well, I don’t know if this will make you feel better or worse, but I got that list you asked for. Everyone who works in the White House, down to the janitorial staff.”

LL: “Aaand?”

RB: “Page nine.”

LL: Lois picked up the stack of papers and leafed to page nine. “Secretarial staff…. Currie… there she is…. Judith Wade, Chief Private Secretary to the President. She’s a little young for that position, don’t you think?”

RB: With her arms crossed in front her, “I hear our ‘Commander in Chief’ likes ’em that way.”

Lois let out a short snorty laugh.

LL: “Men.”

RB: “Men.”

LL: “So, she DOES work there. I was almost hoping after she bailed on me that she was a crank. Well, maybe she’ll change her mind. The worse thing is I can’t even contact her! I don’t want to get her killed.”

Lois picked up the White House documents and placed them in her top right hand drawer.

Rachel shook her head.

RB: “Well, I got work to do. I’ll catch you later.”

LL: “Bye Rach.”

Benjamin Smith exited his office the minute he saw her.

Benjamin Smith: “You got anything for me Lois?”

LL: “Nope, this morning’s a wash.”

BS: “Care for an assignment?”

LL: “Is it related to the Capitol Murders?”

BS: “No.”

LL: “Then no. I’m officially on vacation, anyway. And I think I’ll take the afternoon off.”

BS: “Okay. Have a good day.”

LL: “Thanks.”

Lois was about to stand up when she noticed the television monitors were all on C-SPAN’s coverage of the final budget vote on the Senate floor. She watched a few minutes as they almost unanimously decided to postpone their final vote until after Memorial Recess.

Lois turned to Rachel.

LL: “Does that happen often?”

Rachel looked up from her work.

RB: “Does what happen often?”

LL: “Do they usually postpone their voting until after recess.”

RB: “Usually not. Most of the time they duke it out for a couple of days before they adjourn.”

Lois looked off to the side, shrugged her shoulders, and went into the conference room and locked the door behind her.

She picked up her cell phone and called Amy Schmidt. They talked for just over ten minutes, with Lois’ warning her to be extremely careful that someone may be watching her. She told Amy that if she got too scared, just to yell for Superman.

Lois then called Doris and made plans for the entire afternoon and evening. They’d meet at the hotel and do window shopping in Georgetown. Doris already had an overnight bag packed. Lois was happily looking forward to seeing her friend. She hung up twenty minutes later with a smile on her face.

The smile faded when she thought of Clark. She resisted the urge to pick up the phone and call him. At this hour, she knew he’d be busy. It would wait ’til tonight, she thought as she got up to leave.

LL: Mumbling to herself, “Tonight… tonight, I’ll just pick up the phone and say…”

DAILY PLANET ~~ METROPOLIS

~~ CONFERENCE ROOM ~~

CK: “…. I’m sorry.”

Clark Kent sat alone in the Daily Planet conference room, staring at the phone in front of him. He’d spent his lunch hour in Kansas, pouring his broken heart out to his very understanding parents.

A little of the anger was still there, but mostly, he just wanted to make things right between him and Lois again.

His parents, whom he was convinced were both infinitely wiser than he, had sat him down and convinced him to see the situation from Lois’ point of view. She had a point. A very good point that couldn’t be ignored or dismissed just because he wanted to be with her.

Frankly he didn’t know what to do about going to DC. But it’s a decision that they should make together, his father pointed out. All he wanted to do was sit her down and tell her that.

He picked up the phone and called the Planet in DC.

Benjamin Smith took his call. After Smith had questioned him for a few minutes and found out he might not be coming to DC after all; he told Clark that Lois said she was taking the rest of the day off, so she wasn’t expected back.

He hung up the phone and stood up to leave the conference room a minute later.

CK: “Tonight, I’ll go see her tonight. I just hope I can say I’m sorry before she throws me out of her room.”

PART 53E

Lois arrived at the Bellevue at 2: 20pm.

She didn’t notice the eyes watching her move around the lobby. She was halfway to the elevator before she stopped and headed for the front desk.

Lois: “Excuse me, I’m in room 712, and I’m afraid I’m going to have to change my room.”

Front Desk Clerk: Looking annoyed, “I knew it! It’s those rowdy children from …”

LL: “No, it’s not that at all! I have a friend coming in tonight, so I’ll need a bigger room. Do you have a double room, or a two bedroom suite perhaps?”

The man smiled and called up the account for her room at the computer terminal in front of him.

Front Desk Clerk: “Of course Miss… Lane. There’s a double room available on that very same floor, if you like.”

LL: “I like very much, thank you.”

FDC: “It’s on the other side of the courtyard, I’ll have your bags moved immediately.”

LL: “Oh, no. That won’t be necessary. I’ll move them myself.”

FDC: “As you wish, Miss Lane.”

LL: “Are there any messages?”

FDC: “Let me take a look… Ah, yes. One message.” He handed a small envelope to Lois.

Lois looked a little crestfallen. The outside of the envelope simply said Lois Lane, but it wasn’t Clark’s handwriting.

LL: “Thank you. Can you give me the new room key, and I’ll turn this one in, in just a few minutes?”

FDC: “One moment, please.” He turned around and walked over to an electronic machine that activated the credit card type room keys. “Here you are, Miss Lane, two keys to room 733. Just turn in your old key sometime tonight. I’m afraid I can’t switch the room charges until you turn the key to room 712 in.”

LL: “I won’t be long. As soon as I pack my duds and move, I’ll be sending this one down.”

FDC: “Very good, miss.”

Lois smiled and walked towards the elevator, her new room key completely obscured by her note.

The clerk turned to another hotel worker, informing her that he was going to lunch.

~~~~~~~~~~

Lois threw the note onto the bed with her purse landing on top, as she walked to the bathroom and changed into a less businesslike and more casual outfit. She put on a white dress with navy trim, and began to pack her bags. It wasn’t difficult. Most of her things were still in her suitcases. She turned on the television and her progress slowed as she became engrossed in an episode of Mary Tyler Moore.

>>Ted Baxter: “… After this commercial message.”

>>{country style violin music}<<

>> Farmer Ted Commercial: “This is Farmer Ted coming to you with Ma and Pa’s country pork sausage.<<

>> Murray: “Farmer Ted?”<<

>> Mary: “Oh no not on our show!”<<

>> Farmer Ted: “Mmm…mmmmmm, whoooowooowooweee!… Remember, Ma and Pa’s Country Pork Sausage, the sausage that lets you make a pig of yourself! Yessireebob!”<<

KNOCK KNOCK

Lois Lane: “Who is it?”

Familiar Voice: Mumbling, “Candygram.”

Lois looked puzzled for a minute and then she remembered the joke Doris loved to play as a child. Her favorite show was Saturday Night Live, and her favorite skit was the Jaws spoof with actor Chevy Chase on the other side of the door in a shark suit. When he convinced his unsuspecting victim to open the door, the theme from Jaws would play, and the shark would open its mouth and start to chomp. Lois laughed and decided to play along.

LL: Her voice light and mischievous, “Candygram. I didn’t order any candygram!”

Voice of Doris Greer: Mumbling, “Unicef.”

LL: “Hey, aren’t you that landshark they’ve been warning the public about on the radio.”

Voice of Doris Greer: Mumbling even lower, “Mrs. Fahrquarsharmar.”

Lois laughed and unlocked the door. Doris was laughing with her arms open as Lois stepped into them.

Lois Lane: “All right that’s enough. You’re terrible. Come on in.”

Doris stepped in and looked at the TV.

DG: “I love this episode.”

LL: “I know, me too.”

DG: “You ready to go?”

LL: “Yup.” Lois picked up a suitcase and began to walk towards the door. “Ready?”

DG: “What’s this?” she said, pointing at Lois suitcases.

LL: Pointing to the single bed. “You wanna scrunch up here?”

DG: Nodding her head in understanding. “No thanks. Can I help you with that?”

LL: “Please.” Lois pointed to one of her suitcases.

DG: “Where are we headed.”

LL: “Out.”

DG: “Very funny, Lane, very funny.”

Before leaving, Lois grabbed her purse and closed the door behind her.

LL: “Let me see. We’re down the hall and around the courtyard in room… 733.”

Lois put down her bags and unlocked the door to her new room.

DG: “Aaah, much better… much better.”

LL: “I’m glad you approve. Let’s drop this stuff and get out of here.”

DG: “Can do. Which car do you want to take? I drove in.”

LL: “I’ll drive.”

DG: “Deal. It’s not easy driving when you’re as big as me.”

LL: “Okay, but if I have any alcohol, you’re the designated driver.”

DG: “No problem. That’s all I seem to do lately.”

LL: “What?”

DG: “Since I got pregnant, every time I go out with friends, I’M the designated driver!”

LL: Laughing, “Let’s go.”

DG: “Okay, but I can’t wait till you get pregnant, then I’ll make you cart ME around!”

Lois smiled, but said nothing. Having children was still a relatively new concept to her and she didn’t feel like exploring her feelings just now.

Lois let Doris out in front of her and she slammed the door shut behind her.

LL: “Lead the way.”

They’d gotten to the elevator when Lois had decided she wanted her briefcase.

Doris: “Lois, no work tonight. Let’s just go have some fun!”

Lois: “I just want my cell phone with me.”

Doris: Her tone was almost pleading, “No business Lois.”

Lois: Arguing, “Clark could call.”

Doris: “You’ll talk to him later.”

Lois let out a breath.

LL: “All right, I’ll call him later tonight. I’ve got some groveling to do later. I guess it should be in the privacy of our room, and not from some restaurant or boutique.”

DG: “You two have a fight?”

Lois shook her head.

DG: “And YOU’RE apologizing?!”

LL: She shook her head again. “DON’T say a word!”

DG: “I don’t believe it!”

LL: “I told you not to say a word. That’s FOUR words!”

Doris made the motion of a zipper closing her mouth.

LL: “Good.”

Six minutes later Lois jeep exited the garage and Lois enjoyed an afternoon free of work and problems. She didn’t notice her uninvited escort, following three cars behind her.

Fate had smiled upon her that afternoon, although she wouldn’t find out about the bugging devices left in her old room until later.

Lois and Doris had lunch at an outdoor café, did some last minute shopping for the baby and spent most of the afternoon and early evening strolling and window shopping up and down M Street and Wisconsin Avenue.

LL: “Oh dear, I forgot to hand in my room key for the single.”

DG: “It’s no big deal, just hand it in when we get back.”

LL: “I don’t want to pay for two rooms.”

DG: “If they stick you with the bill, I’ll pay for the second one.”

LL: “Thanks, but I’m sure it’ll be all right.”

~~~~~

PART 53F

LINCOLN MEMORIAL 7:15 PM

Doris Greer: “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.”

Lois Lane: “We won’t be long. I just want to…”

DG: “Sightsee?”

LL: “Yeah, this monument is historic… it’s…”

DG: “Oh, come on Lois, this is ME you’re talking to. You just want to see the ‘scene of the crime’!”

LL: “Well… yes,” she finished apologetically.

DG: “Okay, we’re here.” With her hands on her hips, “Exactly what evidence did you expect to find AFTER the cops, the FBI, AND your peers in the press, not to mention the tourist crowds, have already trampled through a dozen times over?”

LL: Defensively, “I don’t know. I’ll know when I see it, okay?”

DG: “Okay. I’m just gonna walk inside and look around. We locals don’t do much sightseeing.”

LL: “Sure.”

Lois looked up and down the stairs and past the marble columns. She walked up and stood at the top of the stairs where the bodies were found, and looked out towards the reflecting pool where young Cameron was killed running for his life. Unfortunately, his speed wasn’t fast enough to dodge the bullet that hit him in the back of the head with deadly accuracy.

Lois looked at the armed security guards patrolling the grounds and her brow furrowed.

Lois went to find Doris.

LL: “Doris, those guards, they’re not DCPD.”

DG: “No, they’re U.S. Park Police.”

LL: “Excuse me?”

DG: “Federal land dear, this is their jurisdiction.”

LL: Shaking her head, “Of course it is. What was I thinking.”

Lois thought for a long moment as she looked from side to side.

LL: “Are they on duty twenty-four hours?”

DG: “I guess.”

LL: Lowering her voice, “Well, if they’re here twenty-four hours, then where were they when all this went down? Somebody must’ve seen SOMETHING! I’D notice an unauthorized van, NOT to mention more than a half dozen people being dragged up all these stairs!”

DG: “You would think, wouldn’t you.”

Lois’ eyes shot up.

DG: “Oh, no. Not tonight! Lois, you are NOT going to pursue this tonight! Look, nothing is going to change by tomorrow. You can nail them TOMORROW!”

LL: “All right, all right. This is your night. I suppose, the info’ll keep ’til tomorrow.”

DG: “It will. Not lets go get some dinner, I’m starving.”

LL: “We just had lunch 3 hours ago.”

DG: “Well, I’m hungry again.”

LL: “All right, let’s go.”

BELLEVUE HOTEL 10PM 7TH FLOOR

Lois, we should’ve taken the other set of elevators in back of the hotel. Our new room is clear on the other side of the building.

LL: “Oh please, it’s not that far a walk. Here’s the key, just crash for a few minutes; I want to check one last time to see if I forgot anything in the other room.

DG: “See you in a few then.”

Lois opened the door to room 712 a minute later. It was exactly as she’d left it. She was glad she checked. She was so distracted with packing and Doris’ arrival that she’d forgotten the note on the bed. She picked it up and turned to leave. The message light was flashing on the telephone. She was about to check and see if it was a message from Clark when the phone rang.

LL: “Hello.”

Voice: “Hello, this is the front desk…”

LL: Thinking they were calling about the delinquent room key she neglected to turn in, “I’m sorry, I’ll be downstairs in a few minutes. Is there a problem?”

Voice: “It’s no problem, Miss Lane.”

LL: “All right.”

CLICK

MEDIA GENERAL CABLE VAN

PARKED OUTSIDE BELLEVUE

Agent: “Well, she’s still there.”

Agent #2: With headphones on, “You asked for…”

Agent: “I asked for room 712. She’s still there.”

Agent #2: “I can hear her now. She’s listening to her partner Kent’s message.”

Voice of Clark Kent: “….so sorry. I was hoping you’d be there so we could talk… You were right. I shouldn’t come to DC right now… You don’t have to tell me EVERYTHING about your sources. This story is all yours if that’s the way you want it. And I know now, it would get kind of … complicated if I showed up right now.” He sighed, “But, you know me, I worry too much. We’ll talk about it later, and work this ‘Superman thing’ out. I just don’t want us to fight any more. I miss you. I’ve got to get back to work, I’ll talk to you later, okay? I love you. Bye.”

Agent #2: “The boss will want to hear this. Apparently Kent doesn’t know what she’s up to…”

Agent: Smiling back, “And he’s NOT coming to help her out.”

Agent #2: “What’s this ‘Superman thing’?”

Agent: “Where have you been living, under a rock?! It’s obvious HE’S what they must’ve been fighting over.”

Agent #2: Crossing his arms, “Well, please enlighten me so I can head back and inform the rest of the rock dwellers.”

Agent: “Superman and Lois Lane obviously have a ‘thing’ for each other. EVERYBODY knows that! Been rumors about it for years.”

Agent #2: “Aaaand….”

Agent: His tone became conspiratorial, “And, she’s engaged to Kent now. I bet you HE’S wondering what the heck SUPERMAN’S doing in DC the same time SHE is.”

Agent #2: “Well, if they’re makin’ the sheets sing, I’m sure we’ll hear it tonight!” he smiled in anticipation.

Agent: “Front row seats. Too bad we’re not doing VISUALS for this one.”

ROOM 712

Lois sat back down on the bed, wiping the tears from her eyes. The apology from Clark was unexpected. She’d have to plan something special for the next time they were together.

Lois: “Oh, Clark,” she whispered. She decided she’d call him as soon as she got to her new room. Maybe she could excuse herself from Doris long enough to meet him for a few minutes.

She got up to leave with the note clutched in her hand. She opened it and began to read as one hand grasped the doorknob. She let her hand drop as she carefully read the note. Stifling a gasp, Lois backed away from the door and sat back on the bed.

LL: ‘Oh my God.’

PART 54A

‘Lois,

You’re being watched. Listening devices were installed in your room this morning. Don’t let on.’

The note was unsigned, but she suspected it was from Grant.

‘Destroy this note once you’ve read it.’

She sat on the bed for a few minutes, shaking.

LL: ‘Oh my God, Clark’s message. They heard that!’ Lois played Clark’s message again in her mind, searching for something he said that would be too revealing. He mentioned Superman, but ‘no’, he didn’t say HE was Superman. She breathed a sigh of relief.

She was also relieved there were no messages from anyone else.

She jumped at the laughter in the hallway. The kids from Boston were back for the evening. She’d miss the noise on the other side of the hotel. She thought for a moment about changing hotels, but shot that idea down immediately. Maybe they didn’t know she’d changed rooms yet. She grew suspicious of the call she’d assumed was from the front desk a few minutes ago.

She needed a plan… fast.

Lois left room 712 for the last time. It was late; housekeeping wouldn’t be back in the room until morning, so nobody would check if she left the TV on all night. And if they’re listening to everything that goes on in this room, then maybe they’ll think I’ve been watching TV all night.

She got up and turned the TV on and closed the curtains. The television was a little loud, but she’d need that. She knocked on her own door and opened it. Pretending it was Doris; Lois put on a little play for any ears that were listening. Then she tiptoed out the door and closed it quietly behind her.

Lois walked down the hall towards room 733, looking suspiciously from side to side.

LL: “How do I get myself into these jams?!”

She knocked and a moment later Doris let her in.

Doris: “I hope you don’t mind, I took the bed closest to the bathroom, but with this baby pressing up against my bladder… what’s wrong?”

Lois: “Doris, I need you to do me a big favor.”

Doris: “Sure, anything.”

Lois: “I need you to come downstairs with me. I’ve got to hand this key back.”

Doris: Confused, “You need me to come with you… just to hand a key back?”

Lois: “No, you need to go home now!”

Doris: “Whaa?”

Lois: “The other room I just left… I just found it’s bugged.”

Doris: Putting her hand over her mouth, “Lois.”

Lois: “So get your stuff, you’re going home.”

Doris: Shaking her head no, “I don’t want to leave you here like this.”

Lois: “I’ll be fine, but you need to go.”

Doris: “Is this room bugged?”

Lois: “No, I don’t think so. I don’t think they know I’m here.”

Doris: “Then I’ll stay.”

Lois: “No, Doris. Go home!”

Doris: Crossing her arms, “I’m not going!”

Lois: “Please.”

Doris: “Look Lois, I’m not leaving you here all alone and that’s that!”

Lois: “I’ll be fine.”

Doris: Sitting on her bed. “No.”

Lois: “Please, Doris, I’m begging you here, go home.”

Doris: “I’m not leaving.”

Lois let out an exasperated breath and sat down on her bed in a heap.

Lois: “I forgot how stubborn and pig-headed you were!”

Doris: “And yet, still not NEARLY as stubborn and pig-headed as YOU!”

Lois chuckled slightly.

Instead of being as nervous as she should have been, Doris seemed excited by Lois news. Detective novels were a passion of hers, and from Doris’ point of view, Lois seemed to live one almost every day. Her false sense of security also figured that if Lois were ever in serious danger, then Superman would be there in a flash. Why else would he be here in DC? It must be Lois, she thought.

Doris: “Nobody knows we’re in this room Lois.”

Lois let out a breath. She was too tired to do battle with Doris. She’d just send her on her way early the next morning.

Lois: “All right. You can stay. But tomorrow morning, you go home. But you have to do it MY way!”

Doris: “Okay. This is exciting, Lo-Lo. You go through this stuff all the time, don’t you?”

LL: “More than I care to recount.”

Doris: “You certainly do lead an interesting life. Let’s have some fun.”

Lois shook her head. Doris obviously didn’t have a clue. And when Lois later looked back on that night, she realized that she didn’t have much of a clue either.

LL: “All right, just let me call Clark.”

Doris: “Aren’t you going to hand in the key?”

LL: Lois looked down at the key and thought a moment, “No, too risky. But I need to go to the lobby for a minute.”

A few minutes later, she returned.

DG: “What happened?”

LL: Letting out the breath she’d been holding for seemingly the last five minutes, “Something I suspected. When I went to 712, I got a call from someone saying he was from the front desk…”

DG: “And?”

LL: “I’m not sure he really was.”

DG: “So…”

LL: “So… I went back to room 712, put on another academy award performance, and took the phone off the hook. I left the TV on and came back here.”

DG: “You put on Academy Award performances all the time too?”

LL: “No, that’s definitely a rare occurrence for me.”

DG: “Have you ever had your phone bugged?”

LL: “Just a couple of times.”

DG: “But it’s not the first.”

LL: “No.”

Somehow that made Doris feel better. The last of the butterflies left her stomach and she smiled.

DG: “What do you want to do? There’s a Blackadder marathon on A&E.”

Lois smiled. “Okay, just let me call Clark.”

Doris turned on the television set while Lois used her cell phone to call Clark. She wanted a little privacy, so she went into the bathroom. She sighed with disappointment when she got his machine.

Lois: “Hi, Clark, sorry I missed you tonight. I got your message. I should be the one apologizing, not you! Anyway, I don’t have a lot of time to talk. I had to change rooms. Doris is here for the night, so I’m in room 733 now on the other side of the courtyard. If you call the hotel, don’t ask for me by name; ask for my room number. I’ll explain later. I love you… We’ll work something out. I’m so glad you’re not mad at me anymore. I wish you could come over, but….”

BEEP

Lois sighed when the machine ran out of time and cut her off. She was determined to finish her message. She called back and continued.

LL: “I hate these machines. As I was saying, I wish you could come over but I have company. And as much as I need to hold you…. and Doris would like to meet you, I don’t think ‘Superman’ should just be dropping by my room in the middle of the night, if you know what I mean… I miss you. I love you. I’ll call you at the Planet in the morning, okay? Buh-bye.”

CLICK

She walked back into the bedroom, resting the cell phone on her dresser and plugging it in to recharge overnight.

Lois changed into her nightgown as she watched TV and laughed.

LL: “Turn the volume up. I love this episode.”

>>Baldrick: “Then I’ll go to hell forever for stealing.”<<

>>Blackadder: “Baldrick… life with Beelzebub and all his hellish instruments of death… will be a PICNIC, compared to five minutes with me…. and THIS pencil!”<<

>>LAUGHTER<<

~~~~~~~ PART 54B

J EDGAR HOOVER FBI BUILDING ~~~WASHINGTON DC

Cigarette Smoking Man was in yet another of his temporary offices in the J. Edgar Hoover Federal Building. He was going through the last of Lois Lane’s personal files, and he was exhausted. Her most recent phone bill lay in front of him, the phone numbers had all been traced and had corresponding names and billing addresses attached to a separate sheet.

He swore under his breath as he read the name of Amy Schmidt.

~~~~~

2 HOURS LATER

CSM: He sat with a lit cigarette in his hand. “Your ticket is enclosed. You leave tonight.”

Baughman: “I’ll need some equipment. I don’t have a shop setup in Metropolis. It’ll take a while.”

CSM: “How long?”

Baughman: “We’ll have her by tomorrow night… that is if you want me to take the subject alive.”

CSM: “I need to know everything she knows.”

Baughman: “And once that is accomplished?”

CSM: “You’ll receive your instructions then. And Baughman, no marks of stress, is that understood?”

Baughman smiled.

Baughman: “As you wish.” He bowed slightly and left the room leaving Cigarette Smoking Man alone with four agents. They were not invited to sit down.

Three of the agents were all ordinary looking men of average height between the ages of twenty-five and thirty-five. The one woman however, was striking. She looked to be in her early to mid twenties and her blonde locks were pulled under a black baseball cap. She was the same agent who implanted the bugs in Lois’ room earlier that day.

CSM: “Do you understand your instructions?”

They all nodded. He handed each of them an envelope with false identification.

Agent #1: “What about Superman?”

CSM: “He is not your concern. He will not pose a problem to you.”

The four agents looked more than a little puzzled.

CSM: “Your helicopter is on the roof. Good luck.”

A moment after the four agents left the room; Cigarette Smoking Man stood up and entered the room adjacent to his temporary office. It was full of men in business attire who had no doubt heard the entire conversation between Cigarette Smoking Man, Baughman, and the agents. The well-appointed room smelled of cigar smoke and whisky.

CSM: “I take it tonight’s proceedings are meeting with your approval.”

An older Englishman with a refined look, answered.

Well Manicured Man: His tone annoyed, “You’ve had Lanes records for two days now! Why is this being taken care of now?”

CSM: “After Brock’s blundering, I wanted no mistakes. I examined Lane’s files personally.”

Grant sat in a corner and shook his head at the former President on the other side of the room. The former President nodded quickly in understanding.

Terence Billings was new to these ‘board meetings’.

Terence Billings: “What’s this you were talking about Superman NOT being a problem?” he asked in disbelief.

Well Manicured Man: “We’ve arranged for Superman to be, well… occupied for the time being.”

Terence Billings: “Occupied?”

Cigarette Smoking Man: “Sufficed to say, he won’t be coming up for air until this situation is resolved.”

TB: “That would take at least one big disaster, probably more than one.”

WMM: “That solution… is being manufactured on the other side of the world as we speak.”

PACIFIC OCEAN ~~~ 23 MILES OFF THE COAST OF JAPAN

~~~~~

An American Stealth bomber flew undetected by radar off the coast of Japan. The hatch at the bottom opened, and a large cylindrical object fell into the ocean, it would not explode for another few moments, until it impacted with its target on the ocean floor.

Crewmembers aboard a Japanese freighter had witnessed the event, but the Stealth pilot was unfazed. Anyone close enough to see the bomb drop, who was not already in the air, would not live long enough to tell the tale.

Two more stealth planes were hitting simultaneous targets exactly three miles apart with deadly accuracy along the underwater fault line. The impact created an 8.1 earthquake at ground zero, and quickly devastated Tokyo and its surrounding areas of Yokohama and Chiba. Although Japan is constantly prepared for earthquakes due to the frequency of seismic activity, a quake this size is nonetheless deadly and mercifully rare. Large buildings swayed, and many smaller ones crumbled, killing and trapping tens of thousands beneath the rubble.

When the tremors stopped, the first in a series of large Tsunami’s crashed into the coastline a few moments later. The first tidal wave, cresting at over one hundred feet, killed more than 8,000 people in just a few moments. And the waves to follow promised more death and destruction.

By the time the news hit the wires only a few moments later, much of the damage had been done, and the bombers that created this catastrophic event were well on their way to one of Stealth’s secret naval bases on an uninhabited island in the pacific.

This was the beginning of what Superman would later call a period of pure hell.

~~~~~

PART 54C

~~~~~

METROPOLIS

Clark Kent arrived at his apartment not long after midnight. The day had been long for Clark, and the evening even longer for Superman. But in the back of his mind was the thought of flying off to DC to see Lois. It was just about the only thing that was keeping him sane tonight. But it was late, and he didn’t know if she would still be awake. Rather than fly to her hotel, he picked up his phone and dialed the Bellevue Hotel. The line for room 712 was busy, so he called her cell phone a few minutes later.

He could hear Lois laughing and the television on in the background.

Lois: “Hello?”

Clark: “Hi.”

Lois: “Clark!” Her eyes lit up and she sat up from her bed and rushed across the bedroom and into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. She lowered the back of the toilet seat and sat down. “Hi yourself, did you get my message?”

Clark: His eyes showed the excitement and relief that her voice revealed no signs of anger. “No, did you call?”

Lois: “Yeah, a couple of hours ago. Doris is here, so I switched rooms, but…” Lois began to break down as memories of their last meeting filled her mind, “Oh Clark, I’m so sorry…”

Clark: “No, you have nothing to be sorry for, it was my fault. I overreacted.”

Lois: “This is all my fault. I should’ve insisted on telling you everything from the beginning.”

Clark: “No you don’t have to… Well, not about work…”

Lois: “But we’re partners.”

They both sighed.

Lois: “You think we can just start this past week all over again?”

Clark: Laughing lightly, “Sure.”

Lois: “Oh Clark, there’s so much I need to say to you. First of all…”

Clark’s hearing tuned in on the bulletin coming through the TV in Lois’ room. News of the earthquake was filtering in, although Lois could barely hear it through the door.

Clark: “Lois, I gotta go, there’s an earthquake in Japan.”

Lois: “Oh, is it bad?”

Clark listened for a moment. “Yeah, it’s very bad, an 8.1.”

Lois thought back to the last large earthquake she could remember with a number even close to that high. She and Clark were on a date back in January when the news hit the airwaves about the 7.2 earthquake in Kobe, Japan. Clark immediately flew off to the rescue and didn’t return to Metropolis for nearly three days, and that quake was much smaller than this one.

Superman spent much of the time putting out fires, looking for survivors in piles of rubble and dealing with all the other tragedies that accompany a major earthquake. The aftershocks in Kobe lasted for days, and the death toll inevitably rose to over five thousand.

But this quake was massive, and Tokyo was a much bigger city than Kobe. The casualties would no doubt be much higher.

Clark always came back from catastrophes like this physically exhausted and emotionally devastated. He would go to her apartment and collapse in her arms, torturing himself over all the people he couldn’t save. Witnessing that much death and destruction could destroy the hearts of many of the strongest souls. One night Clark confessed to her that he probably could not continue as Superman without her support. It would drive him insane without her comfort and understanding to come home to.

Lois knew he would be gone in a moment, so she spoke quickly. “Clark, be careful. I’ll cover at The Planet for you. Check with me or your parents before you go back to work.”

Clark took one last long breath before tackling a task he knew would drain him to the breaking point.

Clark; “I will. I love you honey.”

Lois: “I love you.”

And then he was gone. She held the phone in her hand for a moment and sent a prayer to whomever was listening to take care of the man she loved.

~~~~~

~~~ J EDGAR HOOVER FBI BUILDING ~~~ STEALTH BOARD MEETING

Terence Billings stood in shock at the details that were filtering in from the members of the board.

Terence Billings: “All this destruction… JUST to keep Superman from ONE woman?” he asked in disbelief.

Well Manicured Man: “No. All this destruction is for OUR protection! To eliminate Miss Lane now would be a mistake.”

Senator Grant: “People have been talking to her.”

Cigarette Smoking Man: “Alan Schmidt’s widow for one.”

TB: “Why wasn’t Schmidt’s wife eliminated?”

Well Manicured Man: “She’s a civilian. There was no indication that she knew anything of her husbands business. All our surveillance of Alan Schmidt prior to his demise revealed an estranged relationship between him and his wife. They were divorced.”

Senator Grant: “We do not eliminate civilians unless it is absolutely necessary.”

Member: “Well, it’s now obvious that she knows something important enough to call Lois Lane a number of times in the past week. We must know what she knows and what she’s told the Lane woman.”

CSM: “Baughman will extract that information from her.”

Member #2: “And Lois Lane?”

Uncle Sam: “Once we find out who else has contacted her she’ll of course be eliminated.”

Member #2: “We must be careful. She’s a member of the press, and therefore her extermination will not be quietly ignored.”

Member: “And the board members in Tokyo…?”

Cigarette Smoking Man: “They’ve been informed of our intentions and were evacuated over an hour ago. We promised to financially compensate them for this… inconvenience.”

Uncle Sam: “So be it. Getting back to the Lane woman, we must protect ourselves. Handled correctly, she may help us dissipate the threat from the Dissenters by leading us to them. Then we will crush them quickly and utterly. And Superman will not be hitting the shores of the East Coast until the danger has passed. No one must escape! NO ONE!”

Well Manicured Man: “This earthquake has bought us a few days to settle our affairs.”

Terence Billings: “And if he’s got the situation in Japan resolved before everything is settled?”

Cigarette Smoking Man: “Then another calamity is waiting in the wings.”

Terence Billings: “Well, I hope you’ve got a failsafe plan to deal with Superman. Because if you’re planning to take out Lois Lane, then you’ll most definitely have Superman to contend with. And from what I’ve seen, when you’ve got Superman on your @ss, you’ve TRULY got someone ON YOUR @SS!

~~~~~ PART 54D

~~~~~

TOKYO, JAPAN

Superman soared through the skies like a meteor, picking up speed as he approached the shoreline. He was five miles away and he could already see the massive level of destruction. The dead, thousands of them lying in the street and buried under rubble. He slowed as he began his descent and temporarily buried his emotions deep down to deal with the pain and grief he was about to experience.

Three tidal waves had already devastated the coastline in the almost twenty minutes that had passed before his arrival, and a fourth was racing him to shore at over four hundred miles an hour. He plunged into the water headfirst, dissipating the large wave as he spun counter to the waves direction, slowing its momentum. But his victory over nature would be short-lived. Common to Tsunamis created by earthquakes, the massive waves can come at anywhere from five to ninety minutes apart and last for hours. There would be more to come. So instead of helping the people in distress, he would first have to calm the ocean’s raging waters. The desperate cries for help nearly broke his heart, but he was forced to ignore them for almost two hours as he waited for the last of the quake induced tsunami waves to lessen.

By the time he was finished in the ocean, the parts of Tokyo and surrounding areas that weren’t under water were on fire due to a series of ruptured gas mains. And on top of that, almost every building erected before the stringent building standards of the late 1960’s had been enforced, crumbled from the massive stress it endured during the quake.

~~~~~

METROPOLIS ~~~ LOIS LANE’S APARTMENT ~~~ 3:30AM

The door to Lois Lane’s apartment quickly clicked open within 30 seconds of their arrival. The female agent clicked the light on and three agents began their search. The fourth sat in a car outside and watched.

One man took the bedroom and bathroom, while the other, the living room and kitchen. The blond agent sat and studied the files on Lois’ desktop computer. Lois’ password took her less than two minutes to break. She had been studying Lois for days now, preparing for the challenge of breaking into Lois files. Her assignment was to know Lois Lane’s next move before even Lois knew it herself. This joke of a password was a disappointment.

Blond Agent: Laughing sarcastically as she called up Lois’ files, “‘Superman’, is she kidding? A five year old could break this code!”

On the desktop she found old stories, an unfinished novel, a few games, nothing that caught her watchful eye. She then checked the recycle bin, it was empty.

~~~~~

FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER

Agent 1: From the bedroom, “I got a big fat NOTHING here!”

Agent 2: “I’m comin’ up dry here too.”

Blond Agent: “There’s nothing here,” she finished with obvious frustration in her voice.

Agent 2: “She’s got a laptop, and there’s her desktop at The Daily Planet.”

Blond Agent: “Yeah, the laptop’s a possibility, but we’ve already had an operative go through her things at The Planet. It’s dry.”

The agent then signed on to Lois’ online service, clicking on to the favorite places Lois had stored.

The first agent had been searching through Lois’ bathroom when he came across her seemingly unopened box of tampons. He shook the box, scrunched his face and pushed it aside as he searched through Lois toiletries and hamper. Had the female agent searched the bathroom in his place, she would have almost assuredly opened it and discovered the backup floppy disk containing information about Stealth’s secret files. As luck would have it, his search was fruitless.

Blond Agent: “Bingo!”

Agent 1: Walking out from the bathroom, “You got something out there?”

BA: “It seems our Miss Lane has paid a visit to MacDaddy’s website.”

She opened up a briefcase and pulled out a flashlight and a screwdriver, and went to work.

Blond Agent: “I want this hard drive. I’ll bet a years pay she deleted ‘something’! We can retrieve that information back at headquarters, let’s get this and get out of here.”

Five minutes later Lois’ front door shut behind them.

~~~~~

THURSDAY MAY 18TH, 1995 ~~~~ BELLEVUE HOTEL

The next morning, Lois awoke at seven a.m. She made Doris leave bright and early through the back entrance to the hotel. Doris thought Lois was overreacting, but Lois said she wanted to take no chances.

Doris: “Are you sure you don’t want me to spend part of the day with you?”

Lois: “Positive. Please go Doris. I’ll feel a lot better if you do.”

Doris shook her head.

Doris: You are coming to stay with us on Friday?”

Lois knew it was not a question, but a demand.

Lois looked off to the side.

Doris: “Lois.”

Lois: “I’m sorry Doris, I…”

Doris: “Lois, you’re fine. You’ve just been watching too many James Bond movies. I’m sure everything’s fine. Goodness knows things always turn out all right for you. Come on Lois. Give ’em the slip and show up. They’ll never find you at my place. Lucy will be there, and so will some of our old friends.”

Lois: “Well….”

Doris: “Lois Lane, I’ll never speak to you again if you don’t show up to this baby shower!”

Lois: “I’ll find a way to show up for the party on Saturday, but I’ll have to stay at a hotel.”

Doris: “No, you’re staying with ME at my house!”

Lois: “No Doris.”

Doris: “Yes, you will! You know better than to argue with a pregnant woman.”

Lois let out an exasperated breath. “All right, you win. I’ll stay with you. I’ll just KEEP this room. Maybe they won’t know I’m gone if I leave some of my stuff here.”

Doris: “If you want to waste your money.”

Lois: “I do.”

Doris: “Fine.”

Lois: “I’ll see you Friday night.”

Doris: “You’d better.”

The two hugged and Doris left the room alone.

Lois sat on her bed and unplugged her now recharged cell phone from the wall. She called the Daily Planet and left a message with Perry’s secretary. Perry hadn’t arrived yet and Lois left the excuse that Clark had been called home for a family emergency in Smallville. She then called the Kents, who were unfortunately both out in the fields working when the call came in. Lois left a short message on their machine about the earthquake and the excuse she’d given at the Planet in Clark’s absence.

This routine was becoming old hat to everyone involved. Lois had a feeling that he’d already told his parents about their fight, so she quickly informed them that they’d made up over the phone last night before he was called away. She then gave them both her love and hung up.

The day dragged on agonizingly slow for Lois as she worried about her fiancé and the meeting she would face with Senator Grant the next night. She passed the time by checking on the whereabouts of the US Park Police during the Capitol Murders. All she got for her efforts was the cliché, ‘NO COMMENT!’ Under normal circumstances she would never accept that as an answer, but she had much bigger fish to fry. She decided to deal with the evasive US Parks Police later.

~~~~~ ON THE RUN By Plan9LIVES@aol.com

PART 54E

~~~~~

METROPOLIS ~~~ THE SCHMIDT HOME FRIDAY MAY 19TH, 1998

Baughman sat in a van three doors away from Amy Schmidt’s home. He was greatly annoyed as he looked down at his watch. He hated delays. He had work to do and limited time to complete his task. Amy Schmidt hadn’t been home that night or the day before, and so his plans had to be rewritten. They would have to grab her in broad daylight, a much riskier proposition.

It was just before two in the afternoon when Amy finally arrived home. Baughman had her picture in his hand as he identified his mark. Unfortunately for Baughman, she wasn’t alone. Her mother and sister were with her. His orders were clear; Amy would be the one and ONLY intended victim. His plans would have to wait.

At two-thirty the three women left Amy’s home. They drove two cars to a small strip mall only a few miles away, parking on the edge of the mall in front of a large supermarket.

Her mother and sister would do the food shopping for dinner, while Amy ran to Citibank to make a quick deposit before it closed. Amy had other errands to run, so she made plans to meet them at her house in a little over an hour.

They said goodbye and parted.

Fifteen minutes later Amy Schmidt exited the bank. She never saw the two men exit the van as they stalked behind her. It was all over in less than a minute. There was no scream, and she barely had a few seconds to struggle before the rag placed over her mouth zapped all the strength from her body. By the time she was placed in the back of the black Ford Club Wagon van, her body was almost completely limp.

Within another moment her car keys had been extracted from her purse and by the time Amy’s mother and sister exited the supermarket, Amy and her car were long gone.

WASHINGTON DC

~~~~~

Lois dressed comfortably and casually that evening. She wore casual khaki slacks and a black sweater under a black leather jacket. Instead of her usual high heels, she put on a pair of comfortable sneakers. Lois followed Grant’s instructions to the letter. She left her hotel at precisely five p.m., leaving her jeep in a parking lot nearby. She then walked to the Metro and rode it to West Falls Church. She instinctually knew she was being followed. There was a man who’d been sitting in the lobby of the Bellevue when she left whom she’d caught staring at her more than once. Lois was more than a little frightened, but was trying not to show it.

The man followed her off the Metro and onto the packed shuttle to the Tyson’s Corner Center Shopping Mall in Virginia. For a moment she seriously considered getting the hell off that shuttle and heading somewhere else. Anywhere else. But at least the mall would be crowded tonight. That made her feel a little more secure. Maybe she could lose him. She’d done it before during her career.

She decided not to look at him again until she was safely in the mall. He sat in the back.

The agent assigned to follow Lois Lane was upset that he’d been spotted. His backup hadn’t arrived at the hotel by the time she’d left. He had no choice but to follow her alone. The agents assigned to her had no other orders than to follow her wherever she went and report back with news of anyone she’d spoken to. And above all he was to avoid detection. If anyone found out she spotted him, he could be in a lot of trouble.

When they arrived at the mall, the crowd got up to enter the mall. Lois’ stalker was about to stand when he felt a pricking sensation at the base of his neck. His eyes widened just before they drooped and shut for the last time. The man behind him quickly removed the needle and placed it inside a padded pocket.

He was an African-American man in his early fifties. He had a dark complexion, a short slightly graying afro, a mustache and a short, stubbly gray and black beard. His build was average, his height was average, and his looks were average. He leaned the now deceased agent’s head off to the side so he would resemble a sleeping passenger.

After the bus had been emptied the driver walked to the back and tried to stir his slumbering passenger.

Bus Driver: “Hey mister. Last stop! You’re at the mall. Mister?”

The driver shook the man until he keeled over. The driver then radioed for help. Paramedics called to the scene would find no identification, and his death would be ruled a heart attack, until the autopsy report confirmed that it was indeed a homicide.

Lois looked behind her as she entered the mall. Nothing. She walked around for ten minutes. Still nothing. The man was gone. She thought that maybe she was mistaken. Maybe he was just some guy staying at the hotel who wanted to do some shopping and she was being silly and paranoid.

That thought made her feel a little safer, but she still kept her guard up as she pretended to window shop.

The man from the shuttle walked by Lois and into the food court. He ordered a coke from one of the food vendors and sat down. A young woman entered a moment later. She was in her early thirties, wore an elegantly tailored pantsuit with a Bloomindales employee nametag on the lapel that read Rebecca Shapiro. Her hair was dark brown, and was cropped as a short feathered haircut. She sat down at the table directly behind him with a plate of Chinese food and a diet coke on her tray. She purposely sat in the opposite direction, tilting her head to the side as she spoke.

‘Rebecca Shapiro’: “Well?”

Man: “She’s alone now.”

‘Rebecca Shapiro’: “Was she followed?”

Man: “Of course. It’s been taken care of. She’s safe for now.”

The woman sighed and began to eat. The man stood up and disappeared into the crowds.

A half-hour later, the woman finished her dinner and went back to work.

PART 54F

~~~~~ Lois was beginning to fidget as she pretended to shop.

She knew that Grant might be mad, but she brought her cell phone and briefcase along for this trip. She had no idea what she was walking into and having that phone with her made her feel a lot more secure. Her laptop she entrusted to Doris, although as a precaution she made Doris carry the case out of the back of the hotel in a shopping bag that morning.

Because Grant had instructed her to buy something small she could carry in one hand, Lois bought a pair of earrings. All this waiting was making her anxious. Eventually seven-thirty rolled around and Lois entered Bloomingdales. She strolled, seemingly aimlessly to anyone she thought might be watching. Finally she entered the Women’s Department and found the Calvin Klein section.

A young saleswoman accosted her.

Saleswoman: “Hello, Miss. Welcome to Bloomingdales. What are we shopping for this evening?”

Lois: “Oh, I was just …”

Another saleswoman approached. The same woman from the food court.

Woman: “Susan, thanks, but this is my customer.”

Lois looked puzzled for a moment.

Woman “Good evening Miss Drake. The items you requested are on hold for you behind the register. Why don’t you meet me in the fitting room and I’ll help you try them on.

Susan smiled and walked off to greet another customer.

Lois nodded and followed the saleswoman into the fitting room. She handed Lois three outfits.

Woman: “Here you go Miss. I think you’ll especially like the red outfit. The pockets are large and very deep, yet unobtrusive to the exterior of the garment.

Lois: Taking the obvious hint, “Yes, its lovely. Thank you…” Looking at the nametag, “Miss Shapiro.”

The woman smiled and closed the door behind Lois. Lois fished through the pockets on the red wool suit. There was a single note.

Congratulations Miss Drake,

‘You made it this far. Don’t worry, you’re safe now. Buy the brown suit and carry it to the parking lot level 2. A car will be by to pick you up. Remember our agreement!’

The card was of course unsigned.

Lois didn’t like this business of getting into a car and heading off to an unknown destination. Was all this risk worth it? Just for a story, albeit a very big one? She wasn’t sure if she cared what Grant had to say anymore. Okay she did. But she felt extremely vulnerable and not the least bit in control. But this situation was like reading a mystery novel. She just HAD to know how everything would play out. She would not slink away like a frightened animal. Not after coming this far. Besides, she vowed to find little Adam Schmidt’s killers and bring them to justice before she was through. And she had every intention of keeping that promise.

As instructed, she paid cash for the suit and walked out towards the parking lot.

Lois was only standing for two minutes when a black Lincoln Town Car pulled up. The driver was the same man who’d killed the agent following her less than three hours ago.

Man: “Miss Drake?

Lois shook her head.

Man: “It’s alright. Get in.”

Lois never wanted to run more in her life.

Man: “Get in.”

‘Get in and what? This feels like a trap!’ the voice in the back of her mind screamed at her. Here at the mall she was safe. There were people here. Lots of people. ‘Don’t get in that car!’ her inner voice warned. But she was practically at a dead end in this story. And maybe it wasn’t a trap. The only way she would ever find out was if she was willing to take a chance. In the end, it was Lois Lane, ‘investigative reporter’, who as usual, won out over Lois Lane, sane and rational woman who just wanted to live to a ripe old age. Lois Lane got into the car.

~~~~~

PART 54G

The building was abandoned and on the outskirts of town. There was no record of an owner, and unless you went out of your way to drive by it, you wouldn’t know it was there. The nearest neighbors were over five miles away in almost every direction. The only way to the old rundown shack was on a small dirt road, which had the traffic pattern of about a car a week. They would not be disturbed.

She had been out for a long time. The drugs should’ve worn off hours ago, but her body’s reaction was deleterious. She awoke just before nine p.m. Her head was spinning for the first few moments. She had no idea where she was, but fear set in as her eyes came into focus and her last memories before everything went black came careening to the forefront.

Out the window she could see the surrounding areas were dark and heavily wooded. The room had white walls that were chipped and dirty. It was almost completely bare of furniture, except a few folding chairs and the chair she was bound to. She looked down and studied it beneath her. It looked like the chair she sat on in the dentist’s office. She wondered why they even bothered to bind her. The drugs made her body feel weighted. She doubted if she could walk three feet without assistance.

There was a table less than five feet from her with a tray of metal instruments; some were sharp and pointy. And there was a doctor’s lamp sitting over it. She was in trouble.

The door creaked open and in walked a man in his mid to late forties wearing a white lab coat. The suit underneath was entirely black, and through the sleeves of his lab coat, she could make out a very ornate pair of silver cufflinks.

Baughman’s voice was deceptively friendly and cordial, like he had just invited her over for tea. “Good evening Mrs. Schmidt. Please pardon your accommodations. It was the best I could do on such short notice.”

Immediately she detected a slight accent. To her ear it sounded a little Spanish, but mixed with something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

Amy Schmidt: “Who are you?”

Baughman: He was reaching for a folding chair when the question stopped him in his tracks. He looked back at her. “How interesting. My first question would’ve been, ‘where am I?'”

AS: “That was my next question.”

Baughman: “Well, I’ll be frank with you Mrs. Schmidt. The answers to both of those questions should be of little importance to you.”

AS: Her voice still groggy from the drugs, “Really. Exactly what IS important to you?”

B: “Information.”

AS: Her voice was low and angry. “You work for Stealth, don’t you? Are you responsible for killing my husband and my baby?”

Baughman thought a moment before answering while looking squarely in her eyes. His voice lost its cordial tone.

B: “I hope you don’t scream as much as your husband did. Such histrionics give me a headache.”

Amy fought back tears.

AS: “What about Adam? Did you kill him too?”

B: “Not directly… You miss them… don’t you? Want to see them, huh?”

AS: With bitterness and rage in her voice, “You’ll get NOTHING from me!”

Baughman turned on the lamp and directed the spotlight down to the table containing the metal instruments. The light illuminating his face gave it a dark and ominous look. He lifted a long sharp knife and inspected it a moment. Then he put it down and picked up a hypodermic needle containing a clear liquid.

B: “Mrs. Schmidt… You can be certain of only two things in this life… ONE… you will die tonight!…. And TWO, you WILL give me the information I need!”

“Now, we can do it the easy way. You tell me what I need to know and your death will be relatively quick and painless. Or we do it the hard way. And you will suffer, I promise you.”

AS: “GO TO HELL!”

Baughman grabbed her arm and smiled as he reached for one of the instruments on the table next to him.

B: “I was HOPING that would be your answer! Let’s get to work, shall we?!”

~~~~~

PART 55A

~~~~~

They drove for nearly an hour. He watched her from time to time through the rearview mirror. He was sizing her up. If she was incapable of keeping a cool head, she could get them all killed.

Voice: “It’s alright Miss Lane.”

Lois: “Where’s Senator Grant?”

Man: “The Senator will meet you at your next destination.”

Lois: “I see you know who I am. Do you have a name?”

The man looked out towards the road and thought a moment. He looked back at her through the mirror and smiled briefly.

Man: “Just call me X.”

Lois raised an eyebrow.

Lois: “All right… X. Between you and me, am I walking into the lions den?”

X: Hiding his astonishment at the question, he answered, “Miss Lane…. you’re ALREADY deep within the Lions den!” ‘After all this, how could she still not comprehend the danger she was in? Perhaps she’s in a state of denial,’ he thought. Sometimes it happens to the best of them.

Lois: “Any chance of getting out unscathed?”

Her question would remain unanswered. The car pulled over abruptly and she was instructed to exit the vehicle.

X: “Walk towards the water!”

Lois looked out the tinted window. She could see a park to her right and a large body of water in the distance.

Lois: “Where am I?”

X: “West Potomac Park.”

Lois: “But what…”

X: “Don’t ask questions. Just walk towards the water.”

She stepped from the car as instructed and walked towards the water. Lois could see the Potomac about seventy yards in the distance. She could see the figure of a large man standing by the water. His back was turned towards her. She approached silently.

Lois: “Is all this cloak and dagger stuff necessary?” she said as she approached the Senator.

Senator Grant: “It’s ALWAYS necessary!” he answered as he turned to face her. I understand you looked nervous on the Metro this evening. Those who can’t keep a cool head don’t live long. Which is no great tragedy, but they usually managed to get OTHERS killed!”

Lois wasn’t in the mood for chastisement.

Lois: “That man who followed me from the hotel. Was he one of yours?”

Senator Grant: “Not exactly. But not to worry, he won’t be following you again.”

Lois: Crossing her arms, “Why is that?”

The Senator remained silent.

Lois: Her voice raised as her patience ebbed. “Look, you said you’d tell me what was going on if I came here. Well, I’m here! I’ve done EVERYTHING you’ve asked! And at great expense to my personal life!”

SG: “I know. If you hadn’t, I wouldn’t be here, trust me on that.”

LL: “TRUST YOU?!”

SG: “Miss Lane, I’d love to stand here all night, chit chat and prove my merits to you. But I’m out of time! WE’RE ALL running out of time! And let me make this perfectly clear before we go on. You must agree to keep what I’ve told you off the record unless I say otherwise. Do you agree to my terms?”

LL: Lois bit her lip and looked away before answering. She wasn’t happy about any of this. Her patience was wearing thin. She shook her head, “I agree.”

SG: “Good, now time to cut to the chase. What do you think is going on here with MacDaddy’s and Stealth?”

LL: “I don’t have to answer that. I’M the reporter here, REMEMBER?!”

SG: “But I’m not the one looking for answers. I have them already. So if you want the pieces to this puzzle, I’m afraid you’ll have to do this MY way and answer MY questions! So I’ll ask again, what do you think is going on here with MacDaddy’s and Stealth?”

LL: “Stealth is the parent company of a number of extremely successful enterprises. Legal and not so legal. Am I correct?”

SG: “You are.”

LL: “MacDaddy’s is a subsidiary of Stealth.”

SG: “No. MacDaddy’s is the parent. We make all of Stealth’s major decisions.

LL: “MacDaddy’s came first?”

SG: “Yes, but it’s not a corporate entity. MacDaddy’s board is a consortium of sorts. It started out with only eight of us. And now… You can’t even fathom what we are now.”

LL: “Try me.”

Grant turned towards the water and thought a moment.

SG: “Stealth is the most powerful entity in the world today.”

LL: “You mean it has the most money…?”

SG: “Money, ideals, people. That’s what makes Stealth powerful. Too powerful.”

LL: “Let me put this into perspective. How much ‘power’ are we talking here? I mean, Intergang is powerful and a global….”

Lois stopped in the middle of her sentence as she noticed that Grant was laughing.

LL: “Did I say something funny?”

SG: “Lois, the young UPSTART Intergang as they call themselves are nothing more than a bunch of thugs with a very large checkbook. They are no match for the power of Stealth! And like other similar organizations over the years, we could flick them aside with less effort than it takes for you to clear your throat. I assure you, Intergang only still exists because we PERMIT them to exist!”

LL: “Intergang is a multi-BILLION dollar criminal organization! They’re ENORMOUS! No one even knows exactly how much they’re…”

SG: “Twenty-three point eight billion dollar criminal organization the last time I checked.”

Lois’ eyes widened. That was a piece of information that both she and Clark had been investigating for quite some time. And the answer slipped casually out of Grants lips as if he were talking about the latest sports scores. “How did you…?”

SG: “Miss Lane. We can find out anything on anyone!”

LL: “Is Intergang affiliated with Stealth in any way?”

SG: “No.”

LL: “Then how…”

SG: “You’ve been a reporter for a long time. I’ve read your work. I consider you a somewhat jaded individual. There will always be people like you investigating the powerful and corrupt. You’ve been investigating Intergang for quite some time. It was the Daily Planet that exposed Lex Luthor for the corrupt individual he really was. If they or others like them were out of the picture…”

LL: Nodding her head in understanding, “Then it becomes more likely that someone would stumble on to Stealth.”

Grant nodded and smiled at her catching on so quickly.

SG: “People will always look for corruption. Someone always has to be the heavy. Lex Luthor and Intergang are necessary evils to Stealth’s prosperity and longevity. And Stealth’s immense wealth is part of what protects it. No one wants to believe that ‘big brother’ actually exists. That there’s one government or organization that knows almost everything about everyone. Who could sleep at night knowing the truth?”

“But all this didn’t happen overnight. It’s taken more than forty years to get to this point. And over that period of time, we’ve done things so despicable and inhuman that even the most jaded individual would shrink in horror. This has to end. I was a part of how it began, and I’ll be a part of how it ends.”

~~~~~

ON THE RUN By Plan9LIVES@aol.com

PART 55B

LL: “You plan to bring MacDaddy’s and Stealth down.”

SG: “Yes.”

LL: “The victims at the memorial, Senator Williams and the others. They were trying to do what you’re attempting.”

Grant shook his head and turned away, walking a few steps towards the Potomac, attempting to push the mangled images of his friends and colleagues to the back of his mind.

SG: “Tom… my oldest friend in the world, and the others ‘discarded’ in front of the Memorial! They tried… but someone betrayed us. I was supposed to be there at that last meeting with them. I was warned only a few minutes before I was due to arrive.” He shook his head in despair; “It was too late to warn the others.”

“The board knows there are more of us. That’s why the bodies were left in such a public place. The T formation the bodies were discarded in was to convey the message that they were traitors! And that the same fate awaited the Dissenters who did not fall back in line. The Lincoln Memorial was specifically chosen to convey the same message.

LL: “How many ‘dissenters’ are there? You said only a handful of people know how powerful Stealth is.”

SG: “Yes, that’s been true for the last forty years. Until Alan Schmidt broke into MacDaddy’s mainframe computer over a year ago and saw much more than the financial documents he was supposed to have access to. He confided in a few trustworthy friends about what he’d found and it quietly grew from there. Luckily for Alan and his movement, I was the first to find out about the breach in internal security. And I began to cover his tracks.”

“Until Tom Williams was murdered, there were only four of us left of the original MacDaddy 8. I discussed this ‘fledgling’ dissention movement with them. Most of us started out young and somewhat idealistic about what we could accomplish forty years ago, but none of us are happy with the way things have turned out. Control is slipping away from us.”

“And we’ve made the unfortunate mistake of putting a closet psychopath in charge of our board. Removing him is a dangerous and risky proposition. Uncle Sam, this Frankenstein monster WE created, is now bent on destroying his ‘superiors’.

Lois immediately recognized the name Judy Wade had mentioned with such trepidation.

Senator Grant’s eyebrows shot up.

SG: “I see you recognize the name.”

LL: “Yes, I do. But I never found out exactly who Uncle Sam is.”

SG: “Uncle Sam is merely a title given to the head of MacDaddy’s board. Various men have held the title over the years. Only the surviving members of the Eight can select Uncle Sam. But removing one so firmly seated in power is another matter. He’s paranoid, and has hired a lot of men to protect him. He has no morals and no scruples. And the idealistic principles that many of our members cling to mean little to him. Power and money seem to be his only goals in life. I suspect he’d like to see what’s left of the original Eight die quietly one by one. We’re the ONLY check left to his power. Once we’re dead and buried, there’s not much he can’t get away with.”

Grant reacted to the curiosity on Lois’ face. “Don’t bother asking who he is. I’ll keep that little tidbit of information to myself right now. One doesn’t knock on his door without a lot of backup.”

LL: “Well I’ve got…”

SG: “Superman?” He smiled ruefully. “Uncle Sam isn’t the least bit afraid of Superman.”

LL: “The only reason someone would have no fear of Superman is if they have…”

SG: “Kryptonite.” Grant nodded, “And quite a bit of it!”

~~~~~

PART 55C

~~~~~

Lois Lane: Her voice raising, “Where?!”

Senator Grant: “One of Stealth’s ‘unofficial’ and heavily guarded research facilities. But if he thinks someone’s got wind of it, he’ll move it in a heartbeat.”

LL: “Research. What kind of research?!”

SG: “Well, he shares some of Bureau 39’s concerns about Superman as well as all alien life and…”

LL: “Superman has shown nothing but loyalty to…”

SG: Waving his hand, “Save it Miss Lane. I personally don’t think Superman is a threat, but what if there are more Kryptonians out there? What if…”

LL: Cutting him off, “Superman is the LAST of his kind!”

SG: “I wish I could be as certain.”

LL: “So what kind of kryptonite research are they conducting?”

SG: “They’re attempting to reproduce the substance solely from earthly materials.”

Lois wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the answer to her next question.

LL: “How close are they?”

SG: “Close.”

LL: “Define close?”

SG: “A year, maybe two.”

LL: “Do you think they’ll use it to try and kill Superman?

SG: “Eventually.”

Grant continued although Lois only half heard his next statement.

SG: “Right now you’re relatively safe because they think you’ll lead them directly to the dissenters they’re desperately trying to destroy. They won’t touch you until they’ve accomplished that objective.”

Lois was unfazed. All she could think about was an inexhaustible supply of kryptonite that could easily be manufactured. She zeroed back in on Grant’s voice as she heard Superman’s name mentioned again.

Senator Grant: “… I know there’s been talk recently about using what they’ve got as a fail-safe if he dares come to your rescue while you’re investigating Stealth. They’re becoming desperate. And desperate times call for desperate measures. Even relieving the earth of their favorite hero. You being anywhere near him might be hazardous to his health. You’d do well to keep your distance until this is through.”

Lois’ eyes shot up at the warning. Clark had always worried that being around her might someday put her life in danger. Her presence being a danger to HIM was a completely new concept to her.

LL: “Where is it, SPECIFICALLY!” she demanded.

SG: “Lois, you’d never make it.”

LL: “I could with your help!”

SG: “This is your agenda, not mine. And IF you help me bring down Stealth, it’s irrelevant. That information will eventually come out, and I’ll make sure you’re the first to know. It’s MY WAY or NO WAY Miss Lane!”

Lois looked away and nodded. There was little else she could do. She would do anything to protect Clark. Anything!

LL: “How is Stealth connected with Bureau 39?”

SG: “Stealth took over back in the sixties when the government ‘officially’ dropped the program. It was decided that the program would flourish without the prying eyes of those not sympathetic to its agenda.”

LL: Crossing her arms, “And exactly what agenda is that?”

SG: “To protect this planet from any potential threat of a species of unearthly origin.”

LL: “Please!” she rolled her eyes.

SG: “Why on earth are you surprised? YOU were in that warehouse two years ago! You saw all those vessels. DOZENS of them! Not domestic projects, that’s for damned sure! All confiscated over the last fifty odd years. Lord knows how many ships were here before that.”

LL: “And the public?”

SG: “Kept oblivious of the truth for its own protection.”

LL: “What else is new…. ” Letting out a breath, “So, is ANY of what you’ve just shared with me ON the record?”

SG: “No.”

LL: “So where do I come in in all this?”

SG: “You will be our messenger.”

LL: “Messenger?… So far I’m a messenger with nothing on the record to report! But I have to ask… why me? If Stealth is anywhere near as powerful as you say it is, what do you anticipate that one reporter can accomplish? There must be SOMEONE in the FBI or the …”

Grant’s voice raised as his patience with her incredulity waned. “We ARE the FBI! Don’t you understand YET?!!! We have operatives in the CIA, the NIA, NSA and a handful of government agencies you’ve probably never heard of! We’ve got men and women in your local police department! We OWN congressmen, senators, city councilmen, judges! We control some of the world’s largest corporations. There’s not a continent on the globe without some kind of representative in power protecting our interests.”

Lois was almost laughing, “That’s impossible! If Stealth or MacDaddy or whatever you call yourselves were some Orwellian organization that was really THAT powerful, it could NEVER be kept quiet!”

SG: “You’re right. Only a handful of people have any idea how powerful Stealth is. Most of the people involved in Stealth’s corruption haven’t a clue how big the whole actually is. They are involved with their own little piece of Stealth’s pie. And nothing more!”

LL: “So Stealth’s agenda is…”

SG: “To control and protect its interests. In a way we’ve been the worlds greatest friend and worst enemy. For most of us, it was never just about money. It was about controlling our destiny and protecting the world from whatever WE saw as dangerous. But in the process, we lost the humanity we’ve worked to preserve.”

LL: “Whatever YOU saw as dangerous? On WHO’s authority?”

SG: “Our own, of course.”

LL: Shaking her head, “How did all this start? Besides you and Senator Williams, who are the MacDaddy 8?”

Grant looked back out towards the Potomac. The water looked so still that night. He smiled as his mind traveled into the past.

SG: “Not tonight, Miss Lane. Tonight, I will only deal with the here and now.”

LL: “Is any of this ‘here and now’ business ON the record?”

SG: “Oooh yes,” he nodded. “Shall we begin?”

ON THE RUN By Plan9LIVES@aol.com

PART 55D

~~~~~

WASHINGTON DC BELLEVUE HOTEL 10:30PM

~~~~~

A TV repair van sat across the street from the Bellevue hotel. The agents inside were getting frustrated. Not only had they lost the whereabouts of Lois Lane, but one of their agents was unaccounted for. But their labors would not go unrewarded that night, for the phone rang in Lois’ old room and the hotel’s voice mail system activated. Judith Wade was calling for help.

SAME TIME WEST POTOMAC PARK

~~~~~

It had been well over an hour since she arrived at the park. And the contents in her hand had Lois Lane at a loss for words, a very rare event indeed. Her face was buried in the documents she currently possessed.

X had parked the Town Car on the grass, and one of DC’s finest was keeping guard in a squad car a few yards away. He walked towards the pair in the distance, and begged a few private moments with the Senator. Lois was so preoccupied with what she was reading, that she merely nodded her head in acknowledgment as the two men walked towards the edge of the water and well out of her earshot.

SG: “I thought I told you we were not to be disturbed!”

X: “I’m sorry Senator, but I must strenuously suggest that we not permit Miss Lane to leave our side until this sees print.”

SG: “I don’t want her thinking too much about how much danger she’s really in.”

X: “But sir, she’s SAFE now! She’s with us. But as soon as we deposit her back at her hotel, they’ll have her marked again. I’ve already had to take care of one of their agents tonight. They could get jittery. Snatch her off the streets or kill her outright. We may NEVER have this opportunity again!”

SG: “It’ll take a while to find out that one of their men is dead. We have a little time to play with. Lois Lane must believe that WE’RE the one’s in danger, not her.”

X: “Which documents did you give her?”

SG: “Senate and Congressional Appropriations Defense Subcommittee reports over the last fifteen or so years, the ones that were released to the public, and the real ones. As well as some of the affidavits from some of our men and women involved attesting to the veracity of both documents.”

X: “What about the other government documents?”

SG: “They’re not in the city. And I can’t leave DC right now. Everyone’s watching everyone. Paranoia is running rampant!”

X: “You could send an agent to retrieve them for you.”

SG: “Unfortunately, I’M the only one who has access. No one else can get them but me.”

X: Nodding his head in Lois’ direction, “Will this be enough?”

SG: “It has to be. It’ll start the ball rolling. And once it sees print, no one will be able to stop it. Not even Uncle Sam. If this works out the way I’ve planned, we can avoid the power struggle bloodbath we encountered thirty-three years ago. I’ll do ANYTHING to keep that from happening again!… We MUST keep her alive until this hits the news.”

X: “She won’t be able to make the morning edition.”

SG: “No. She’ll have to verify. But I’ve given her some contacts who’ve agreed to cooperate and give her what she needs. It must see print no later than tomorrow’s evening edition. Because once they get wind of what she has, they’ll NUKE The Daily Planet with her in it to keep this quiet.”

X: “Are we named in any of the documents?”

SG: “I was. But I’ve removed that information. I need to get everything out on the table before I go public. And I can’t go public until I get the MOST damning documents out in the open! But other names are mentioned in what I just gave her. Some of the dissenters still alive have agreed to be the first to sacrifice themselves. But there are other members who have no idea they’re about to be exposed. It’s all gonna hit the fan when they find out. A lot of people are going to jail, including me. That is if I live long enough to see the inside of a jail cell. This has to work!”

X: “Why didn’t you involve her partner?”

SG: “Kent failed the pre-screening. He’s a boy scout. Too much danger of him doing his ‘civic duty’, printing too soon and getting us all killed, or turning the lot of us over to the ‘authorities’. Kent’s also a globetrotter with too much of his life unaccounted for. Even to us, and that disturbs me. Over the last few months I had screened a handful of reporters around the country, but when Lois Lane broke into MacDaddy’s Sensitive Document Retrieval site, well…lets just say she shot to the top of the list.”

X shook his head in understanding.

X: “What about AFTER the paper hits the streets? What happens to her then?”

SG: Shaking his head in remorse, “They’ll kill her quickly. And her death will give more credence to the documents she’s releasing. But it might be more advantageous to keep her alive. I’d hate to have to go through all this with yet ANOTHER reporter. A crooked lot they are. But, I trust her. We’ll see how it plays out.”

X: “Lane’s much too hot now. Another reporter still anonymous to the members might be a wiser course of action….”

SG: Shaking his head, “There’s no time for that! They’re desperate! Need I remind you that they’ve destroyed most of Tokyo just to keep Superman occupied until the matter is settled? Our boats are burned! It has to be her and it has to be NOW! I’m convinced we have less than twenty-four hours to get this on the news. It’s us or them!”

X: “We still have the matter of keeping her alive. What if they get jittery?”

SG: “We cannot hold her against her will. If she thinks we’re keeping her hostage, the psyche report I ran up on her has convinced me she won’t cooperate. But we must keep her safe!”

X: “Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?”

SG: “Once they get wind of it, it’ll be a race to get it in the papers before they attempt to kill her. I think we should strike before they do. It’ll be easier. And if we do it correctly they won’t know its us until it’s too late.”

X: “Lane knows she’s being followed by them.”

SG: “So we have to make her feel safe, we can’t have our little chicken fly the coop until she does what she has to. Make her safe!”

X: “I’ll see to it.”

The both stopped and turned around to spot Lois fifty yards away, still avidly reading the documents in her hands.

FBI HEADQUARTERS J EDGAR HOOVER BUILDING

~~~~~

Cigarette Smoking Man sat in a darkened office, staring out the window. He was smiling. The sound of a tape recording of Lois’ voice mail message from the Bellevue filled the room.

Voice of Judy Wade: “Miss Lane, I really need your help. I’m really scared. I was thinking about your offer to tell Superman. I think that’s a really good idea. I’ll do whatever you say. I’ll call you back early in the morning. Please help me.”

~~~~~

ON THE RUN By Plan9LIVES@aol.com

PART 56A

She and X had argued as he drove her back in the direction of her hotel. He told her he’d drop her five blocks away and she could walk from there. He pulled over at a red light next to a Metro stop. She told him she wasn’t completely stupid. The people following her had no idea where she was. All that would change the minute she was spotted. X told her that she’d be all right, but Lois knew better. Not with THIS in her hands.

“Let me off here!” she demanded.

He was considering taking off so she couldn’t jump out, but too many cars were driving by the intersection. And the car he was driving was not equipped with automatic locks and partitions that would prevent her from leaving. A detail that he’d suggested to Grant, but was quickly shot down because Grant insisted on having Lois’ trust. She jumped out and was down the subway stairs before he could respond. He swore loudly as he watched her disappear from view.

Less than an hour later she sat at a booth in the back of a 24-hour coffee shop. One of the reports was spread across the table in front of her. A bowl of lukewarm chicken soup and a diet coke sat untouched on the opposite corner of her table.

Lois was absolutely terrified with what she possessed. It was a piece of dynamite. A Pulitzer Prize in her hands. Less than two hours ago, she laughed in Grant’s face at the megalomaniacal organization he described. Looking at the evidence in front of her, it wasn’t quite so funny as she realized everything he’d told her was probably true.

He was right about his casual dismissal of Intergang’s (of what she thought was immense up until a little over an hour ago) power. Compared with Stealth, as Grant described them, they were ‘nothing but a bunch of thugs with a large checkbook’. Even at the height of his power, the MacDaddy Eight made Lex Luthor look like a two-bit dime store hood.

As she began to read the documents in the park, Grant quickly explained that in the late fifties, the MacDaddy Eight decided to expand Stealth’s portfolio to military contracting. And with a few non-political allies to act as fronts, (a practice they’d used for all of their companies, legal or otherwise) a new subsidiary named MarDi Gras was born. MarDi Gras was the nickname of the 1st Marine Division during the Korean War, where Grant and Williams served their first tour of duty together.

And years before he ever ran for the US Senate, Tom Williams was being groomed by the group to one-day head the Senate Appropriations Committee as well as the Defense Subcommittee. As years passed and their dominance and control increased, men were screened and hand picked, sometimes more than a decade in advance, for the positions they would one day fill by hook or by crook. And as the money streamed in hand over fist, led by the MacDaddy Eight, Stealth’s power increased exponentially.

By the time the 1980 elections rolled around, and in some states long before that, they had the power, and used it, to get their hands on the opposing candidate’s speech for the Presidential debates, buy off members of the electoral college, electronically tamper with voting booths, as well as dozens of other illegal practices, all accomplished with relative ease.

If their power and influence was impressive before 1980, it grew beyond the stratosphere in the decade of the ‘ME Generation’. Stealth finally had enough members of the Senate and Congress in place to effectively govern the country as they saw fit, and more importantly, allocate money to whomever they wished. After decades of careful planning, infiltrating key areas of the Legislative branch bit by bit, they had enough elected officials to control the whole.

And now sitting in Lois Lane’s hot little hands were two sets of Senate and Congressional Appropriations Defense Subcommittee reports over the last fifteen years; the copy for public consumption, and the one stating where the money really went. The author of the main affidavit was none other than the late Senator Thomas Williams, the Capitol Murders first victim. This hand-signed confession from the grave enumerated how Stealth, over the last few decades, had bilked the public out of a substantial sum of money.

And that amount of money was what Lois was having trouble coming to grips with. With the sharp rise in Defense spending in the 1980’s, averaging 370 billion dollars a year, the Senate Appropriations Committee had handed contract after contract to MarDi Gras, some deals made completely under the table, sighting the jurisdiction of national security as their blanket of protection to explain their ‘need’ for secrecy.

Competition for these contracts was a work of fiction. They strong-armed their competitors who dared to raise an objection of unfair practices, with personal threats and sometimes-outright hits on their families. Eventually it was well known, but NEVER openly discussed that messing with MarDi Gras could get you and your loved ones killed.

‘Lex would have been in awe’, Lois thought.

Over the last fifteen years, with more than four and a half trillion dollars spent on defense, over a third had been spent on MarDi Gras contracts. There were weapons and planes the government paid for where only half were actually made, sometimes even less than that. When dozens of ‘new and improved’ 2.2 billion dollar Stealth jets were ordered, the order was filled, but only a little more than half were actually sent to military bases. The rest, as with many other weapons of destruction, were hoarded in Stealth’s personal arsenal, stashed in secret bases around the globe.

And when MarDi Gras actually did match the number of planes, weapons, pentagon toilet seats, or what have you, to the amount a contract specified, the order was padded more than a hockey goalie. A few brilliant accountants like Alan Schmidt, on a monthly basis to account for the discrepancies, doctored books. Stealth’s wealth was unfathomable, all funded by the American taxpayer and its allies who lent the U.S. Government money.

Without a doubt, this was the crime of the century. And once the world found out, it could send the financial markets around the globe into economic turmoil. Not to mention the United States government would be in serious danger of some level of collapse once the names of all the compromised elected officials, judges, federal agents, etc… would be released. And more surprising than what she possessed, was that Grant admitted that this was nothing but the tip of the iceberg.

And if this was merely the ‘tip of the iceberg’ as he claimed, she wondered how many heads would roll when all was said and done. If Lois Lane thought she was over her head before that night, this was more than the confirmation she was dreading as she pondered her next move.

She couldn’t go back to her hotel, and the Daily Planet’s offices were also out of the question. She knew they’d be there waiting for her. She was regretting giving Rachel back the key to The Planet’s suite at the Lafayette. Lois was running out of options.

She was certain Grant was telling the truth about Stealth keeping her alive until they knew whom her source was. She could see no other reason to keep her alive if they suspected she might be onto them. She just hoped that Grant could successfully keep this quiet until this went to press. And once it did, Grant had better keep his promise about the kryptonite.

With all that was going on, she completely forgot about her own promise to be at Doris’ house until she realized that she needed her laptop. It was late, and if Doris was still awake, she was probably furious that her negligent friend was an apparent no-show. But heading out to her house now made perfect sense. She thought it unlikely that they knew who Doris was. She would spend the night writing up her story, the morning verifying the details, and if all went well, it would be in the Saturday evening edition of The Daily Planet. And once that hurdle had been cleared, the danger to her would lessen considerably.

She wished she had her jeep, or even a change of clothes. Oh well, she’d take a cab to Doris’ and buy some outfits tomorrow morning. This had to work.

She really wished Clark was there with her. Lois looked out the window, thinking about him. After the last big earthquake in Kobe only four months before, he had come straight to her apartment the night he returned, collapsing in her arms. He held it all in for days, but the moment he saw her face, he lost his composure completely. They lay in bed all night. She could still feel him curled up in her lap, sobbing.

Clark Kent: “I can still hear them screaming, I’d pick up… one… piece of… and … and… another… would …fall’, he stammered as the tears fell down his cheeks and onto her leg covered by her long white silk nightgown.

She stroked his hair with her right hand, and held her left tightly around his waist as she kissed his shoulder, cried for him, while whispering comforting words of love and understanding into his ear. It was happening all over again, and this quake was much worse. He would be back in a matter of days, perhaps a week, or more if the aftershocks were bad. She wondered if he could go more than a week with no rest whatsoever. She vowed to have this story on the streets and done with, at least for her, by the time Clark returned. Even if she had to pass some of the follow-ups off to someone else. So be it! So be it no matter how much Perry yelled.

Lois Lane: “God Clark, please be okay.”

~~~~~ ON THE RUN

PART 56B

SAME TIME ~~~~~ TOKYO, JAPAN

It had been nearly twenty-four hours since Superman had arrived and the miasma of death and decay from unburied bodies hung like a haze over the city. It had taken almost four hours for the Tsunami’s to subside, and once that hurdle had been cleared, over thirty thousand people lay dead, and tens of thousands were either trapped under rubble, or injured.

Superman scanned the surrounding areas, conducting a blanket triage of the districts hardest hit, the sections without sufficient rescue crews, and other areas not seriously damaged enough to require immediate attention. He was immediately overwhelmed by the amount of devastation he saw. But there was no time to fall apart. Not today!

He flew over an office building that had collapsed with nearly two hundred people trapped inside. And like a number of buildings, he found that rescue crews were having trouble getting past the large amounts of rubble, such as fallen light poles, traffic signals, and concrete that had collapsed in the streets.

Superman would spend the next two hours clearing debris, making sure the areas with the heaviest damage had clear roads to and from mildly damaged hospitals, or emergency field hospitals set up by FEMA, The Red Cross, or the Japanese Government. As fast and powerful as he was, Clark Kent knew he was only one man, working with felled buildings, even for Superman, was slow and meticulous work. Lifting up a fallen girder was easy, but if not done correctly, it could dislodge another piece of a wall, or a ceiling and five things could come crashing down at once, killing the people he was trying to save. When just one building collapsed, he would usually spend hours helping rescue workers pull out survivors.

Before he settled to the task of helping rescuers with one specific building, he flew over the entire earthquake ravaged area, quickly marking spots in Japanese kanji with his heat vision of where the dead were buried, and where people were still alive for rescue crews to help. Along the way he would save a person here or there that was trapped but had no internal injuries that would require careful and delicate handling.

Physically Superman was still all right, his mental condition, however, was another matter entirely. The screams from all over the city were affecting him deeply. He knew that wherever he chose to land and help someone, there was someone else screaming his name who might die waiting for a hero that would not arrive. He hated this; it was like playing God however unintentionally. It was at times like this when he’d willingly trade his superpowers in for a normal life with Lois in a heartbeat. This choosing one life over another would never get any easier for him.

~~~~~

WASHINGTON DC

The last three surviving members of the MacDaddy Eight sat in a small but elegant private library with nothing but a small reading lamp illuminating their surroundings. They spent the past hour reliving old times, for they knew it might be their last opportunity to do so. Grant’s private phone rang twice before he answered it. He excused himself from the presence of his two old and trusted friends and took the call privately in the hallway. He returned to his large cushioned chair in the library less than five minutes later with a poker face that effectively hid his growing worry.

MacDaddy Member #1: “Trouble Mitch?”

Senator Grant: “It appears that our Miss Lane has flown the coop.”

Former President of the United States: Horrified, “Good God!”

Senator Grant: Trying to calm his old friend, “We’ll find her before they do. We’ve got to keep her alive for at LEAST another day. After it hits the streets though, WE’LL be the one’s hunted! That is if we’re still in agreement to proceed as planned.”

Former President: Shaking his head, “We are.”

The other member wordlessly nodded in agreement.

MM#1: “Are the arrangements complete?”

SG: “Yes, relax a bit. We’ve been planning this for over a year. Everything’s in place.” He shook his head in disbelief and sadness, “The organization that’s taken us 40 years to build will be in ruins by the end of the month.”

FP: “Big Mac and the others are probably rolling in their graves at what we’re about to do. Are you sure this is going to work, Mitch?”

SG: “Once the public gets wind of this, not even our most powerful underlings will be able to stop this. Our ‘Uncle Sam’ will be dodging an indictment by the end of next week and in a jail cell on a ‘suicide watch’ within two!”

MM#1: “And if we fail?! If WE have to RUN, God forbid! Then…”

SG: “None of the other Dissenters know about your involvement. They only know about Tom and me. And your names aren’t in any of the paperwork I gave to Lane. If this backfires before it goes to press, then none of the board will know you had anything to do with this. I take the fall! I’m the ONLY MacDaddy member who’ll have to run!”

MM#1: “What about Satellite tracking?”

SG: “I started the slowdown months ago. They still think it’s some random occurrence. Uncle Sam has no idea the computers are acting sluggishly intentionally, and he won’t know the truth until its too late. But even if he figures out the mainframe computers have been tampered with, it will make no difference. I can render every spy satellite we’ve ever put up as useless as a stack of 50-ton paperweights within minutes. They’re gonna have to track me down the old fashioned way!”

FP: Raising his glass of scotch, “Then God speed to all of us!”

The three glasses met and clinked.

SG: The Senator, bringing the glass to his lips, whispered, “Indeed.”

~~~~

PART 56C

~~~ DORIS AND TED GREERS HOME ~~~ ~~ ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA ~~

~~~~~

Lois arrived at Doris’ house after one a.m.. Doris didn’t seem particularly mad at how late her oldest friend had arrived. On the contrary, she seemed relieved. Due to the house full of sleeping family and guests, their entire conversation was just barely above a whisper.

Doris Greer: “I thought you might not show.”

LL: Entering the front door, and talking as she gave Doris a hug and a kiss, “Considering all the work I have to do tonight, I almost passed. I’ve got a story to put together…”

DG: “No Lois, not tonight,” she pleaded.

LL: Gently but firmly, “I’m afraid there is no other time. This is big Doris. It has to be tonight! I’ve got to be out of here early in the morning to get to work, but I PROMISE to do my best to get back here for your party. I PROMISE! I have to get this story out as soon as possible.” Lois paused as she saw a look that was meant to make her feel guilty. “I know that look Doris, and it won’t work. Not this time!”

DG: “I won’t say a word.” She was angry, but she recognized the tone in her old friend’s voice. And when Lois got that tone in her voice, then there was no stopping her.

LL: “Thank you.”

DG: “Let’s get you settled in. I’m afraid it’s a little crowded here tonight. Since I invited a few people to spend the night over before the party, Peaches and Tommy are bunking with Ted and me tonight. I was going to put you in the kids room, but after midnight, I figured you weren’t coming, so Cathy and Chandra are in there.”

LL: “That’s okay.”

DG: “I have an old friend from high school on the couch, so I’ve only got the loveseat in the den…”

LL: “That’s perfect. I’ll be up most of the night working anyway.”

Doris was relieved she wasn’t upset, but concerned at how tired Lois looked.

DG: “Don’t work all night Lois. You look exhausted. Please get some rest.”

LL: “I’ll try.”

DG: “Hey where’s your stuff?”

LL: “At the hotel. I won’t be able to get to it for a while. I’m gonna have to live on a few borrowed outfits if you don’t mind.”

DG: “You can ask Andie for an outfit or two in the morning. She’s picking up Lucy at the airport early tomorrow afternoon. Your little sister’s staying for the weekend. Come on, let’s get you settled.”

WASHINGTON DC ~~~ ‘UNCLE SAM’S’ HOME ~~~ 4:30AM

The man who currently held Stealth’s exalted title of ‘Uncle Sam’, sat alone in his den, catching up on some reading while he awaited Baughman’s call. He wouldn’t receive word until early Saturday morning. By the end of their conversation he knew everything Amy knew, which was too much to keep her alive. But unfortunately for Uncle Sam, Amy had no idea who the other Dissenters were.

Everything was falling into place, he thought. By having Jim Myerson followed, he’d known the whereabouts of the Freedom Fighters lone survivor Marcus Hamilton for almost a week. And now there was also Judith Wade, the President’s private secretary who called Lois’ hotel room in a panic a few hours ago, comfirming his suspicions that she knew something potentially damaging. Unfortunately for Judy, the message would not reach Lois’ ears. He’d have her questioned tomorrow and finally take care of these traitors once and for all. With that settled, he stood up turned off the reading lamp and went upstairs to join his wife in bed.

SATURDAY MAY 20TH, 1995 ~~~ 7AM

~~~~~

Lois spent most of the night digging through her old notes, and the new documents Grant had given her. She wrote up a rough draft of her article. After sleeping their large reclining chair (the loveseat was too short), for less than three hours, Lois woke up with a slightly stiff neck. She dressed in a yellow silk suit she’d borrowed from Doris’ sister Andrea, and left before most of the house had begun to stir. She had a big day ahead of her, and although she should have been falling over due to over-exhaustion, she was pumped up on pure adrenaline and A LOT of coffee. Big stories always had that effect on her.

She called a car service from Doris’ house, first stopping at a copy shop, where she made a copy of the Defense Committee reports, and then she stopped at the John Adams Apartment Complex in the city, where a lot of government employees lived. Either by coincidence, or because Grant had arranged it that way, four of the ten people who signed the affidavits along with the documents he’d given her, lived within that same complex. They were mostly aides to Senator Williams and a few of the other Capitol Murder victims.

The meeting with each was brief, none of them seemed pleased that she had shown up unannounced. But they’d given her the verification she was looking for. But as a safeguard, she had each of them sign a piece of piece of paper with their signature. Her third stop was an antiquarian bookstore where she purchased an autographed copy of a book Senator Williams had written a few years back.

She then spent the next two hours looking for a court sanctioned handwriting analysis expert, whom she wanted to verify whether or not the signatures on the affidavits matched the ones she’d gotten that morning. And to her excitement, they were all perfect matches.

With that out of the way, she headed for The Daily Planet’s DC offices.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Wearing no make-up, her hair in a pony tail locked together with one of her daughters electric yellow barrettes, and a green cotton suit that barely passed for appropriate business attire, Judith Wade was more than a little jittery about being called in for work this morning. She’d gotten a call at nine am, ordering her to come in on a day she rarely worked. She wasn’t given a reason, but in no uncertain terms she was ordered to be there by ten.

‘It might be nothing,’ she thought. She’d been called to work on Saturday’s during one White House crisis or another. Maybe she was just being over-anxious over nothing. She arrived at just before 10:30, and by the time she she’d been cleared at the gate by security and moved into the parking lot, she knew something was wrong. The lot was almost empty. None of the cars of the other secretarial staff was there. Judy was friendly with a few people on the cleaning staff at the White House, and none of their cars were there either. She looked around the lot and was struck with a wave of terror as just one revelation resonated through her mind… ‘They know!’

“They know,” she whispered to herself. She wanted to get out of there… fast! The guard at the gate probably wouldn’t stop her if she left abruptly. But where could she go? Where could she run? She wasn’t inherently a strong or brave individual. She wasn’t about to leave her kids, and if she went home, she’d be putting them in danger. She looked at her steering wheel and broke down, regretting not waking them up and kissing them goodbye that morning.

“Oh God, why hadn’t I kissed them goodbye?!”

It took her a few minutes to compose herself enough to get out of the car as she resigned herself to accept her fate, whatever that was.

She walked the corridor towards the reception area outside the oval office. As expected, the area was empty. She put her things down at her desk. No sooner had she sat down than three secret service agents entered and surrounded her.

‘Oh God,’ she thought. ‘This is it!’

They ordered her to stand and follow them. She complied without question, but her already pale complexion had lost the rest of its color.

‘I’m going to die! I’m going to die and there’s not a damned thing I can do about it! Why didn’t I kiss them goodbye?’

They escorted her to the elevators and sent her to a room in the basement. A room with no windows. It was empty except for a long table with five chairs. There was a single chair that sat alone a few feet from the table.

Assuming this lone chair was for her, she sat down.

She’d only been there for a few minutes when the only door to the room opened. Five men entered. She knew three of them. They were all men Bill had told her worked for Stealth. The other two were strangers. But one was wearing a white lab coat.

Judith Wade silently began to pray as the five men took their seats.

~~~~~

ON THE RUN By Plan9LIVES@aol.com

PART 56D

X sat in a car a block away from the Daily Planet’s DC offices. As Grant had ordered, ‘the fleet’ was called out to protect Lois Lane at all costs.

Unlike Uncle Sam’s men, who hadn’t located her since the night before, Grant’s had her spotted from the minute she arrived at the John Adams Apartment complex early that morning. And from the moment they surmised her current destination, they went into immediate action.

They never had a chance! Mitchell Grant’s operatives had Uncle Sam’s Stealth agents watching for Lois Lane outnumbered almost five to one! And Grant’s agents, handpicked by the former general himself, were masters at subterfuge. Uncle Sam smugly thought he had the upper hand, but in the intelligence game, it was Mitchell Theodore Grant who held the trump cards. During the fifties, he’d learned a lot as the National Security Adviser under Eisenhower, and even more when he held the position of Staff Director for the National Intelligence Agency from 1957 to 60. That experience would prove an invaluable asset.

This was a game where timing could mean the difference between success and failure. With less than ten minutes until her impending arrival, X had Grant’s teams spring into action. It was a simultaneous strike, both at the Bellevue hotel and at the Daily Planet’s offices. More than a dozen of Uncle Sam’s agents were taken-out in broad daylight within a matter of minutes without the public batting an eyelash. Less than five minutes before her arrival, Grant’s agents had both areas secure, and what was a few minutes before Uncle Sam’s equipment, was now under the sole control of Grant’s team.

By the time she arrived in a taxi, the streets seemed clear to Lois’ now ever watchful eyes.

X was speaking to Grant on a cellular phone with a scrambled signal.

X: “We have her! She hasn’t detected any of us yet… Yes sir! She won’t know we’re here. Yes, the Bellevue too. Both areas are secure, as ordered! Yes sir!”

CLICK

Lois arrived in the Daily Planet’s DC offices just after 11 a.m. She expected it to be almost completely empty except for a skeleton staff on duty during the weekends. She arrived to find the offices full of employees dressed in black.

Lois, her eyes alarmed, spotted her new friend, Rachel Bell.

Lois Lane: “Rach, what’s going on?”

Rachel Bell: Her eyes widening at Lois’ bright yellow attire, “You weren’t called?”

LL: “No, what happened?”

RB: “Josh Plummer died the other night.”

LL: “Who’s Josh Plummer?”

RB: “I’m not sure you met him, he was one of our photographers. He hadn’t been around much lately, so maybe you missed meeting him.”

LL: Lois thought she’d heard the name before, but she wasn’t sure. She’d met a lot of new people over the last week. “I guess that’s it. What happened to him?”

RB: “He slipped and broke his neck in the shower.”

LL: “Oh God, that’s awful! I’m so sorry.”

RB: “His funeral is this morning. We all decided to meet here first. There’s a bus coming to pick us up at noon.” Looking across the room, “Excuse me… there’s someone over there I need to talk to.”

LL: “I’ll see you later.”

Lois found Benjamin Smith in his office. He was on the phone and looked very agitated. Lois knocked twice before entering. He hung up the phone almost immediately.

Benjamin Smith: “Lois. I take it by that outfit that you’re not here for Josh’s funeral.”

LL: “No, I didn’t know that he died.”

Smith nodded and turned to look out the window.

BS: “What brings you here this morning?”

LL: “I got a scoop on the Capitol Murders.”

Smith’s head snapped around at that remark.

BS: “You mean you have a suspect?”

LL: Her eyes widened as she shook her head and took a seat, “Oh, I’ve got suspects, motives, a HUGE political conspiracy and cover-up! The whole nine yards! And documentation to back it up!”

BS: “Jesus! Is your article finished?”

LL: “No, I’m about to write up the final draft right now. I was hoping to make tonight’s evening edition in Metropolis.”

BS: “Well this I gotta hear!” Crossing his arms as he sat on the edge of his desk facing her, “Who dunnit, Miss Lane?”

~~~~~

TEN MINUTES LATER

Lois revealed most of her story to Smith, with the exception of the names of the key people who’d given her the information, including Senator Grant, Amy Schmidt, and Judith Wade. She would keep her word and protect her sources.

BS: Smith looked frightened at what he’d just heard. “That’s unbelievable!”

LL: “I know!”

BS: “I want your final draft on my desk in an hour.”

LL: “I’m sorry I’m keeping you from the funeral.”

BS: “Don’t worry about it. Where’s that documentation you were talking about? I want someone from legal to take a look at it.”

LL: “I’ve already had a court approved handwriting analysis expert verify some of the signatures.”

BS: “Well, someone from OUR legal department has to check it out anyway.”

Lois was wary of letting the original documents out of her sight, even with the backup copy in her possession! But after a moment’s hesitation, she relented, reaching into her briefcase and handing the documents over to the Washington Bureau Chief.

BS: “Is this the only copy?”

LL: She lied. “Yes.”

BS: “Then I’ll have legal make at least one copy.”

LL: “It’s a little crowded out there. I could use a little privacy.”

BS: “Use the conference room.”

LL: “Okay, I’ll use my laptop.”

Smith sat down and began to pore over the documents, and what he was reading didn’t make him happy. These were his new ’employers’, and they were much more powerful than he had ever imagined them to be. Smith was a businessman who knew he was waaaay over his head. He needed time to think about what his next move was going to be.

On the way to the conference room Rachel stopped Lois.

Rachel Bell: “Sorry, I was a little abrupt with you a while ago, but I saw Josh’s sister and I wanted to give her my condolences.”

LL: “That’s all right, I understand.”

RB: “Why are you here this afternoon?”

LL: “The Capitol Murder story.”

RB: “You need more research done?”

LL: “Nope, my article’s finished.”

RB: Her eyes widened, “You got the story?”

LL: Smiling, “Yup, but do me a favor… don’t let tell colleagues just yet, I don’t want that to interfere with the funeral.”

RB: “Of course… Is it going in the Sunday Edition?”

LL: “Well, I’m trying to make tonight’s evening edition.”

RB: “Then I’ll let you get to work, and congratulations!” she finished with a grin.

LL: “Thanks Rachel. I’ll talk to you Monday, okay.”

RB: “I can’t wait to hear the scoop on this. Save a juicy tidbit for me, huh?”

Lois chuckled as she walked towards the conference room, “Can do.”

~~~~~

Lois had finished the final draft of her story just before 12:30.

LL: “It’s finally finished. Thank God!”

By the time she’d printed up her article and walked into Smith’s office, the Newsroom was practically empty and very quiet.

LL: “Here it is. All finished,” she said as she sat down.

BS: “Lois, give me a few minutes to go over this. Wait outside please. I won’t take long, I promise.”

LL: “I’d like to make the deadline for tonight’s evening edition, not the Sunday ….”

BS: Smiling, “I thought you would. Don’t worry, I’ve already called Metropolis. They’re holding the presses just for you.”

Lois let out the breath she’d been holding and smiled with relief.

LL: “Thank God! The sooner this sees print the safer I’ll feel. I think I was followed last night.”

BS: Looking concerned, “I didn’t know that. Listen, if you need an escort out of here …”

Lois laughed nervously. “I’m sure that won’t be necessary. Just get THAT in tonight’s edition and that’ll be BETTER than an escort!”

BS: “All right. But skiddaddle, I’ve got a lot of reading to do and Legal is still going over the details.”

LL: “Okay.”

BS: “And Lois, great work! I see great things in your future!”

LL: “Thanks Mr. Smith!”

She shut the door behind her and Smith began to read her article from the beginning. Once he’d finished he picked up the phone and dialed a number he was ordered never to use unless it was an emergency. When he hung up, he picked up his jacket, the committee reports, as well as the final draft of her story, stuffing it in his briefcase. He then stood up and headed for the door.

LL: “Well?”

BS: “It looks great Lois! I’ve talked to the weekend editor in Metropolis and he agrees. Perry will be jumping handsprings when he sees this! It’ll be out in TONIGHT’s edition AND they’re considering repeating it in the Sunday morning edition!”

Lois was smiling broadly.

LL: “That’s wonderful! I… I…”

BS: “Sit here for a while. I’ve got an appointment that I can’t miss.”

LL: “All right, I’ll see you later. Where are the Defense Committee Reports I handed you?”

BS: “They’re up in Legal.” Speaking rather forcefully, “Where they’ll STAY for the time being, so don’t ask for them back anytime soon! You know the drill with a story like this Lane.”

LL: “You’re right. I’m just a little anxious.”

BS: “Considering what getting this story must’ve put you through, I can’t say I blame you. But those documents are much safer here! I’ll be back in less than half an hour. Can you wait ’til then?”

LL: “I’ll try. But I have a lot to do today. If I don’t see you before you get back, I’ll see you Monday then.”

BS: “Excellent. Have a good weekend Lois.”

LL: “Thanks, I plan to.”

~~~~~

ON THE RUN

PART 56E

THE WHITE HOUSE ~~~ SAME TIME

Uncle Sam sat at the President’s desk in the Oval Office. The President was at a UN Summit in New York. In front of him was a printout of the information retrieved from the hard drive on Lois Lane’s desktop computer. He was watching a video taken earlier that afternoon of his men questioning Judith Wade. He finally had the information he’d been searching for, Lois Lane’s contact.

Uncle Sam: Muttering under his breath, “GRANT!”

As angry as he was, the information was the best news he’d had all year. He was one step closer to eliminating one of the last checks to his power.

He called in five of his most trusted agents and instructed them not only to bring Senator Grant in for interrogation, but also to abduct his wife and children as insurance.

~~~~~~

With eyes and ears everywhere, Grant had been alerted to the questioning of Judith Wade long before his name had been revealed. But he knew it would only be a matter of a few minutes or a few hours. The jig was up!

On his person, he kept a small device contained within his watch. He kept it with him at all times for an emergency he prayed would never arise. But being a man who’d always planned ahead, he was thankful he’d taken these precautions years ago.

He looked at his wristwatch and pushed the red button. This was not a drill!

SAME TIME ~~~ SENATOR GRANT’S HOME ~~~ GEORGETOWN

Faye Grant sat in their home watching TV while eating her lunch. It took less than a moment for the sound to register. It was coming from her watch. And she knew what it meant. She packed nothing. On the way out, she grabbed her purse and coat, and ran towards her car in a panic. Twenty minutes later she was at the first rendezvous point, waiting for her husband and praying for her children.

SAME TIME ~~~ NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

Professor Mitchell Theodore Grant Junior, nicknamed Teddy, was thirty-five years old, and the baby of the family. Standing at six feet two inches, he was the spitting image of his father, but had the easygoing manner of his mother Faye. Today he wore jeans and a polo shirt as he taught an adult education class at NYU in the Village.

Professor Grant: “I’m so proud to have been…”

He stopped mid-sentence as his beeper went off. He read the message, his eyes wide with horror. He’d been conditioned since childhood for a scenario like this. His father had trained both his wife and his children in a rudimentary lesson in counterintelligence. Fears of scenarios like this had given him nightmares during his youth.

Professor Grant: He smiled at his students. “I’m afraid we’ll have to end class a little early this afternoon. I’ll see you all next week. I’ve gotta run to an appointment I’m late for.” He walked briskly past some students who wanted to have a word with him. He never looked back.

~~~ SAME TIME ~~~ CAMPSITE BETWEEN ALGONQUIN AND GIANT ~~~ ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS ~~~ LAKE PLACID, NEW YORK

Susan Grant, at age thirty-nine, was the older of Grant’s two children. She sat with a group of friends on a campsite in the Adirondack Mountains. Her beeper went off at the same time her brother’s did.

Susan Grant: She couldn’t believe her eyes. “Holy S%IT! This CAN’T be for real!”

Like her brother, the training she received from her father had spooked her at an early age. But the training had effected her differently. Susan grew to be a woman who barely used credit cards or set itineraries, so she’d be harder to track than other members of her family. No one knew exactly where she was, not even her dad. And she liked it that way.

She separated herself from her friends, and along with her backpack, headed down the mountain towards her car. The hike took more than an hour, but she’d made it back in good time and headed towards her family whom she hoped were all still alive and safe.

~~~~~~

1:30PM

Benjamin Smith waited nervously in the emergency exit stairwell of a movie theater, wondering for the first time if he was doing the right thing. He could hear the sound from two of the movies playing in the large multiplex theater. Smith spotted a man walking up from the bottom of the stairs to meet him.

Cigarette Smoking Man: “You have the documents?”

Benjamin Smith: “Yes, I have them.” Reaching into his briefcase, Smith pulled out a stack of papers.

Cigarette Smoking Man began to read the Defense Subcommittee Reports as well as the affidavits that went with them. “Have you read this?”

BS: “Of course!” Hesitating a moment before asking a question he wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer to, “Are you responsible?”

CSM: Leafing through the papers, “Responsible for what?”

BS: “Tuesday night, when I handed over those pictures Lois Lane took outside of Stealth. You asked me who developed them, and I said Josh Plummer… Today my entire staff is at his funeral! Tell me Josh REALLY slipped and broke his neck in his bathtub!… Look I’m just a businessman, I never bargained for anything like this… ”

CSM: Speaking angrily into his face, “You work for us! You do what we say, WHEN WE SAY! Is that clear?”

BS: “Crystal!”

CSM: Looking back over the documents, “Who else has seen this?”

BS: “No one… Just me and Lane.” He just wanted to get out of there and go home. He needed to think how to get himself the hell out of this mess.

CSM: “Are there any copies floating around?”

BS: “No. Lois said that was her only copy. She was very hesitant to hand it over. There’s a copy of Lois’ article on her laptop, but other than that, I believe that’s it.”

CSM: “What about your secretary?”

BS: “No, no one, they’re all at the funeral!” His voice had started to betray his nervousness.

CSM: “Where’s Lane now?”

BS: “She’s probably at the Planet now waiting for me to get back.”

CSM: “Excellent! You’ve been a great help Smith. A great help indeed.” He walked up to the top of the stairs and opened the door. Another man entered.

BS: “Who the H …”

CSM: “I’m sorry Ben, I’m afraid I have no choice!”

BS: “Wha…”

The bullet landed between his eyes before he could finish his sentence and Smith tumbled backwards down the stairs. Hearing the gun shot, the audience members in the theater were annoyed that the sound from the screening of the action picture next door had leaked into theirs.

~~~~~~

PART 56F

~~~~~

BELLEVUE HOTEL ~~~ 2:15PM

Lois Lane exited the taxi, which had shuttled her from the Planet offices to her hotel. It was amazing. For the first time in days, she couldn’t feel eyes boring into her back. She’d scanned both areas carefully, looking for signs that she’d been followed. At the Planet and the hotel, she could sense nothing. No one was there watching.

LL: ‘They know!’ she thought. ‘They must know that it’s going to press tonight. There’s no reason to chase me anymore!’ she thought foolishly and naïvely. ‘They must know Smith sent the article to the Planet in Metropolis and they’re running scared. And in just a few hours it’ll be public knowledge. Either that or Grant’s made good his promise to keep them away from me.’

Lois sighed with relief as she headed for her room to pack and change.

X had moved the van to a much less conspicuous position than Uncle Sam’s men had left it in. The van was full of Grant’s live agents who were working around the bodies of some of Uncle Sam’s dead operatives. X was nervous. Things were getting riskier by the hour.

Grant was now a man on the run, and it would only be a matter of time before Uncle Sam realized that two of his surveillance teams had been eliminated. All hell was about to break loose and with Grant all but missing in action, however temporary, X felt like a chicken with his head cut off.

But there was still Lane’s article that was due to reach press any hour now. It wouldn’t be until later that night when they realized those plans had also been derailed.

Lois took the elevators to the parking garage where her jeep was parked; she put her things in the back seat and was spotted by Grant’s men just after three p.m.

The sky had been overcast since that morning, but as she exited the underground garage, Lois noticed that some thick, dark and angry looking clouds had blanketed the entire city. Within the hour since she arrived at her hotel, the sky turned almost as dark as night. Lois hoped she’d get to Doris’ house before the storm hit full force.

A van and two cars followed her. The rest of Grant’s team was ordered to cover the tracks they’d left that afternoon.

They were good. Lois never spotted the agents following her onto the highway, heading towards Alexandria. But they had problems tracking her from the beginning. Their equipment was malfunctioning badly. X was the only member of Grant’s team present who knew it was intentional. Grant needed getaway time so Stealth wouldn’t be able to tail him or his family. But that also meant that X couldn’t trail Lois as easily either.

The only way they could track her at that moment was direct line of sight. And as the skies darkened and opened up to a heavy rainstorm, that task had become increasingly difficult. Visibility was low and Lois could barely see more than ten feet in front of her. And unfortunately for the agents assigned to follow and protect her, neither could they. Within another half-hour, in that mass of unevenly flowing traffic, they’d lost her.

X was afraid of this. Lois Lane was gone, and he couldn’t contact Grant to find out her most probable destination. He had no immediate access to her most recent cell phone records in order to make some sort of determination. He could get them, but it would take time. And time was a luxury they were all running out of!

~~~~~

STEALTH OFFICE BUILDING

Uncle Sam had called the board in for an emergency meeting. The Defense Committee Reports were in his hands.

Well Manicured Man: “What’s this all about?”

He threw the documents on the coffee table in the middle of the room.”

Uncle Sam: “I have the identity of the lead Dissenter!”

Former President of the United States: “Then perhaps you’ll be good enough to reveal his identity.”

US: “We have been betrayed by one of our own. A man, who threatened my life just days ago, has deceived us all! Mitchell Grant is our mole!”

He had to hide a smile as the commotion in the room increased.

Member #1: Standing up, “Impossible!”

Member #2: “I don’t believe it! Mitch Grant is a patriot! He’d never…!”

US: “He’s a traitor! He handed over the Defense Committee Reports to Lois Lane, that reporter from the Daily Planet in Metropolis! THE REAL REPORTS! He’s one of only a handful of people who had access to that information, other than Williams himself, and he’s DEAD!”

Former President: “At your hands!”

US: “That’s right. At my hands!” he shot back angrily. He turned to the former President and the other surviving MacDaddy Eight surviving member. “The three of you insisted that Williams went underground to reveal the identities of the Dissenters.”

MacDaddy Member: Angry and defensively, “That’s right!”

US: “You never mentioned Grant was also working undercover.”

MacDaddy Member: “It wasn’t necessary! We do NOT answer to you!”

US: “Did Grant ever tell you specifically what he and Williams were up to?”

It was a moment Grant had prepared his old friends for almost from the time they decided to bring Stealth down. And now his two old friends were thankful for Grant’s extreme foresightedness and cautiousness.

MM: “No, we never got any updates. We trusted him.”

Uncle Sam studied their faces for a moment, unsure of whether to believe them. But he decided it didn’t matter, he’d eventually destroy them both one way or another. And they were both still too powerful to confront or accuse of anything. But their time was coming, he’d see to it.

US: Trying to sound emotional, but not very convincingly, “So, he betrayed you as well, his closest friends on this earth.”

FP: “Wait a minute, how can you be so sure it’s Mitch who betrayed us. He’s not the only person who could get his hands on those documents!”

US: “That’s true.” Lifting a set of papers from the bottom of the pile. “But he’s the only person who could get his hands on this.”

WMM: “Get his hands on what? What is that?”

US: “An affidavit signed by Williams and nearly a dozen others, confessing his sins AND OURS about our activities for the last few decades… You’d have to be an idiot to suspect that Tom Williams would trust it to anyone else but his best friend.”

WMM: “That’s not good enough. You’re accusing one of, no TWO of the MacDaddy Eight of conspiring to destroy us. This makes no sense! They’re our founders! They…”

US: “There’s more… I had Randolph’s private secretary interrogated this afternoon. She and Bill Miller were lovers. And he told her Grant was supposed to be at that last meeting on the second.”

There was an uncomfortable silence for a moment before Uncle Sam continued.

US: “The hard drive we recovered from Lois Lane’s home computer has some information from our Sensitive Document Retrieval Site. I’ve also had Internal Security look into Grant’s previous activity of that site over the last year. Alan Schmidt had unauthorized access. Grant had been covering his tracks!” He turned to the other two surviving MacDaddy Members. “Did he ever mention this to either of you?”

Former President: He lied as he shot back defensively. “No, of course not!”

The other MacDaddy Member shook his head.

US: “Gentlemen, drastic measures are called for! We must eliminate any and ALL threats to us! And we must do it NOW!”

Well Manicured Man: “Just what ‘drastic measures’ do you have planned?”

US: “Under the circumstances, it would be safer for all of us if that information remained confidential until ALL the Dissenters have been uncovered and dealt with accordingly!”

The room remained silent; no one dared speak in protest, not even the surviving MacDaddy Members.

US: “I’m glad we’re all in agreement!”

~~~~~

PART 57A (COMPLETE)

STEALTH HEADQUARTERS

Uncle Sam sat in his office. With the exception of him and a few of his trusted advisors, the entire floor was empty. He was currently viewing an interrogation tape of two of the ten people who signed the Defense Report affidavits along with the late Senator Tom Williams.

Grant was no fool. The people he had sign those affidavits had no idea how large or small the dissention movement was. The Dissenters were kept in small groups, so if one group were exposed, it would not compromise the safety and anonymity of the whole. As far as they knew, only Grant, and perhaps a few others, knew EVERYONE who belonged to their group.

Uncle Sam grew increasingly frustrated as he realized that the only person who could give him what he wanted was Grant himself. By now the report had filtered back to him of the loss of two of his teams, as well as the missing member of one of those teams who’d been found in the city morgue. Grant was making a fool of him and now it was time for payback.

But he felt compelled to make a statement. And his closest advisors weren’t happy about this, but most were too afraid of his power to share their concerns with their leader. Only one made his displeasure known, and his suggestions were made with extreme caution. Uncle Sam would hear none of it. And his decision was final. The Dissenters, no matter how few or many there were, would get a message tonight. If the Capitol Murders were insufficient in getting his point across, then he would use methods on a grander scale. He would hit them closer to home. He vowed that none of the Dissenters still underground and in hiding would ever forget what he was about to do tonight.

‘No one gets away,’ he promised.

**********

ROADWAY MOTEL OFF I-395 ~~~~~ OUTSKIRTS OF WASHINGTON

‘He’s late. He was supposed to be here an hour ago.’

Marcus Hamilton waited patiently in his room for the one person who had become his lifeline for the last nine days, Jim Myerson. It was Myerson who’d kept Mark on a very short leash. And since Mark had no cash or access to it, he was effectively grounded. How far could he get without money?

He wanted to go home. He missed his mother. The Freedom Fighters had a rule of cutting off all ties to their past so he hadn’t seen or spoken to his family in well over a year.

‘Just as well,’ he thought. ‘I don’t need them in hot water too.’

A knock came. It wasn’t the secret knock, but by now Hamilton thought Myerson was a mean idiot and son of a b***h!

MH: Opening the door, “You’re late and that’s not the knock we agreed o…”

Before he could finish his sentence there were half a dozen hands holding him against the wall. He looked out the door and caught sight of a man watching him struggle with amusement. The reflection from a nearby street lamp caught on one of his silver cufflinks.

~~~~~~~~~~

JOHN ADAMS APARTMENT COMPLEX ~~~ GEORGETOWN

Forty-two year old Vincent Rosato, a security guard at the John Adams Apartment Complex, wasn’t having a good night. He forgot his coat at home so his uniform got soaked in the rainstorm and he couldn’t change into his spare until his relief arrived; and that wouldn’t be for at least another hour. It was a high security building, which housed a number of mid to upper level federal government employees. So whenever workmen showed up, security was informed well in advance. He was cold, wet and not in the mood to argue when a van bearing the name Tri-State Heating pulled up and two men in some type of maintenance uniforms stepped out and said they’d come to replace the building’s boiler.

Security Guard: “No one informed me about a problem with the boiler.”

A repairman with white hair, who looked to be somewhere in his fifties, the older of the two, did all of the talking.

Repair Man: “Look buddy, I got my orders…”

Security Guard: “You got a work order?”

Repair Man: Pulling out a clipboard, “Right here.”

Security Guard: “Look I gotta verify this.”

Repair Man: “I understand that, but I’ve got five calls tonight, and this is only my second stop. I’ve got a S**T load of work tonight, so if you think we’re a bunch of good Samaritan boiler repair guys who just break in and replace faulty boilers, then go ahead and WASTE my time AND your time! But hey, feel free… we’re gettin’ paid every minute we stand here. Can I tell your boss YOU’RE the one who ran us into overtime?”

The security guard felt stupid. And he wasn’t about to get the overtime taken out of HIS paycheck because of their stupid rules. ‘They don’t pay me enough to stand here and freeze my @ss off while I call over the d@m**d place to verify an order they were too lazy to call me about.’

Besides they looked okay. Their uniforms looked okay. And he’d recognized the logo on their van. It was a reputable company.

Security Guard: “Okay, let me see some ID, then sign in the book. I’m sorry I was so rude a minute ago, but someone shoulda called me in advance about this.”

Repair Man: Smiling and shaking his hand, while acting like they were old friends who had a slight misunderstanding. “I understand. Happens more than ya think. You look kinda cold, Joey, get that spare blanket out from the truck.”

Security Guard: “Hey thanks, I appreciate it.”

Repair Man: “It’s nothin’.”

Security Guard: “You gotta take your stuff in through the back entrance. I’ll see you through the security cameras and buzz you in when you get there.”

Repair Man: “Thanks. Don’t worry, we won’t be too long. And before you know it, this place’ll be as hot as Bermuda.”

The security guard smiled as the two men drove the van towards the back entrance. He walked back to his rolling chair behind the security desk; he watched their progress. A few minutes later, they had a brand new boiler loaded onto a large dolly and rolled it through the back entrance.

Security Guard: “Aaah, Bermuda.”

~~~~~~~~~~

PART 57B

**************

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA

It was now seven thirty and Doris’ shower was moving full swing. It wasn’t your typical baby shower; men were also invited, probably by Ted, Lois suspected. If Doris was about to invite a bunch of her old friends from school, then they might as well make it a full-fledged reunion. And so they did. But not long into the festivities, the men, and a couple of women, had adjourned to watch the Orioles- Mariners game in the den. An arrangement which seemed to make everyone happy.

Lois was happy to see her sister Lucy again so soon. Twice in one year. What was the world coming to? And of course Lucy’s best friend and Doris’ little sister Andrea was there. The two seemed to be joined to each other at the hip.

A few of Doris’ neighbors were there, including Penny Taylor and Anne Bartholomew, whom she’d met at Penny’s son Jordan’s birthday party nearly a week ago.

Among the guests were college friends she hadn’t seen in years and hoped this time she wouldn’t lose touch with. Also at the party was at least one person she hoped she’d never see again; namely Linda King. Their first meeting in over a year had not been a friendly one. And more than once Doris had to separate them to opposite ends of the living room.

Just a few hours earlier, when Lois first arrived breathless and rain-soaked, three very old friends, Cathy Nguyen, Chandra King, and Molly Flynn nearly sprinted for Lois’ open arms, and Ted Greer moved to cover his ears as the familiar female I-haven’t-seen-you-in-years squeal echoed throughout the house.

The conversation was so fast and furious that Ted could barely make out a word.

Cathy, who came from Vietnam with her family during the mid-seventies, was now a multimedia artist in San Francisco. Chandra (at six-one, towered over both five-six Lois and Cathy), now worked as an attorney at some high-powered law firm in Chicago.

And Molly Flynn, whom Lois had just recently reconciled with a few months before, was in the process of rebuilding her life without the man she loved. To Lois she was just as flaky as ever, but that was part of her charm. Her gift would be astrology readings for Doris and her entire family.

Linda was in her usual catty form that night. Especially when one of Doris’ aunts complimented the movie about her former employer and media mogul, Preston Carpenter.

For a short time Linda worked at the Daily Planet’s rival newspaper, the Metropolis Star. Her boss Preston Carpenter was a criminal who was literally inventing the news to scoop the world. It was Lois, Clark, and Linda who were responsible for exposing him. Linda sold the rights to her story to ‘Hollywood,’ and made a bundle.

Lois was about to find out just how far Linda had stretched her side of the story.

Aunt: Sitting on the couch next to Linda, “… well, I really enjoyed it. And Gwyneth Paltrow did a wonderful job portraying you.”

Lois, who was standing by the fireplace behind the sofa, raised her eyebrows and tried to fake disinterest.

Linda King: “Why thank you. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.”

Aunt: “Is it true that you’re dating Brad Pitt?”

LL: Mumbling, “Ha, she wishes.”

LK: Ignoring Lois’ last remark, “No, he’s dating Gwyn.”

LL: Lois snorted sarcastically at her familiarity, “Gwyn.” Lois went back to the small plate sitting on the mantle. Maybe if she kept her mouth occupied with chewing, she wouldn’t give Linda the satisfaction of knowing just how irritated she was.

Aunt: “It must’ve been terrifying for you, moving to expose that Preston Carpenter almost single-handedly.”

Lois, who refused to see (or let anyone even tell her about) what she was sure was a complete work of fiction, nearly choked on the mini-crabcake in her mouth at the time.

LL: Swallowing hard before speaking, “Excuse me, I couldn’t help but overhear…”

LK: Muttering under her breath, “Of course you couldn’t. I could pick up radio transmissions in Ontario if I had those two satellite dishes you call your ears.”

LL: “What?!”

LK: “Nothing.”

LL: “Good. I was beginning to think your Miss Clairol 102 had seeped into your brain.” She gave Linda a dirty look, daring her to challenge that remark. When none was forthcoming, she returned her attention to Doris’ aunt. “Did you say ‘single-handedly’?”

Aunt: “Why yes. It was positively riveting.”

Lois bit her bottom lip as Doris gave her a pleading look not to start a shouting match. She wisely retreated to the other side of the room and stared out the window.

Aunt: “Oh Miss King, may I have your autograph?”

LK: Smiling and feeling like the belle-of-the-ball, “Of course you can have my autograph. ‘To one of my biggest fans…'”

Aunt: “Delia.”

LK: “Delia, that’s a lovely name.”

Aunt Delia: “Thank you. I must say, you’re very talented. I just loved your portrayal of that young rookie reporter that was riding on your coattails during your investigation.”

LL: That did it. Storming back over so she stood just ten feet from the sofa, “ROOKIE?! COATTAILS!… Linda, can I have a minu….”

Doris grabbed her arm to block her path.

DG: Whispering fiercely, “Lois, please! I’ll owe you big for this, but I’m begging you. Let it drop. Pleeeeease don’t ruin my baby shower.”

Lois dropped her head to Doris’ shoulder and let out a breath releasing a mountain of tension.

LL: Muttering, “You’ll owe me HUGE for this!”

DG: Sighing with relief, “Thank you.”

Aunt: The old woman, oblivious to the building tension in the room, addressed Lois. “Didn’t you see Citizen Carpenter?”

LL: “I’m afraid not,” she smiled tightly. “I was busy the week it opened.” Her voice held a light, teasing sarcasm, “By the next weekend, I couldn’t find it anywhere.”

LK: “Oh come on Lois, Citizen Carpenter was out for months!”

LL: “Ha! Linda THAT movie was in and out of theaters so fast, it should have had its premiere at Blockbuster Video!”

LK: “Now look…”

DG: “Linda, could you help me with the next platter of hors d’oeuvres in the kitchen?”

LK: “Gladly. It’s suddenly a little crowded in here.”

LL: Muttering as she walked in the opposite direction, “Then I suggest you try Slim Fast.”

Molly, Chandra and Cathy shook their heads and laughed.

Chandra: “The song never changes.”

Cathy: “Tell me about it.”

After that confrontation, Lois needed a few minutes to collect herself away from prying eyes. She headed upstairs to Doris’ bedroom and decided to check the news reports. The evening edition for the Planet would be on the streets by now, and she was anxious to see the reaction of her peers. She was more than a little miffed to find nothing on the news.

‘Smith probably recommended the Sunday morning edition to the weekend editor after all… No, to Perry, I’ll bet! They’d call him in for this story. This is too big not to. No… I’ll bet it’s that LEGAL department that held it up!’ A bit disgusted, “They’re covering their @sses so they don’t get sued!”

Realizing there was nothing she could do, Lois decided to sit back and enjoy the calm before the storm while she could. This was a career and legend-making story and she knew it. Woodward and Bernstein move over! There’s a new gal in town. Lois was smiling now. She knew she’d ‘have it all’ after tomorrow morning; book and movie deals, a Pulitzer in that awards case of hers. There was no doubt in her mind. But she’d be part of the story. News organizations would be in a feeding frenzy to interview her. She’d have her pick; Good Morning America, Today… you name it, they’d want her. But tonight… tonight was a night to relax and celebrate with some of her dearest friends. And frankly, she’d earned the rest.

~~~~~

PART 57C

I-395

Jim Myerson drove his red Miata at a leisurely pace towards the Roadway Motel. He was extremely late. But he didn’t give a damn. There was no hurry. This kid was now a pain in his @ss. He needed another exclusive badly and he was certain Hamilton was holding out on him. But Myerson knew as long as he continued to hold the purse strings, the kid would eventually spill.

He was becoming more distracted the angrier he got. It took him a moment to notice the highway patrol car flashing its lights behind him.

Jim Myerson: “S**T! What now!”

He looked down at the speedometer. He was speeding but only four miles above the limit. This would be his second ticket this month. He pulled over to the shoulder, rolled down his window, and waited.

Officer: “License and registration.”

Jim Myerson: “What’s this about officer?”

Officer: “License and registration.”

JM: Reaching for his wallet and then the glove compartment, “Okay.”

The officer read the name on the license for a moment and then matched it to the photo.

JM: “Officer, what’s this…”

Officer: “Are you aware of the speed limit posted?”

JM: “Yes, officer, I’m aware. I may have been going a little fast, but there are cars out here goin’ 80! You picked ME to pull over?!” His voice was starting to betray his anger.

Without a word, the officer took his identification and walked back to his car. Myerson watched him out of his rearview mirror. He could see the officer get back in the car and start talking on the police radio.

JM: “This is BULLS**T! FOUR F**KIN MILES… and this @SSH**E pulls ME over!

A few moments later a truck arrived and pulled over in front of the Miata. The officer was heading back towards him.

Officer: “Step out of the vehicle sir.”

JM: “What?”

Officer: “Step out of the vehicle sir.”

JM: “What’s going on?”

Officer: “Step out of the vehicle!”

Myerson was getting nervous. Was this clown about to arrest him? What the h#ll was this truck doing here?

JM: “Who the h#ll are they?”

Officer: “Step OUT OF…”

JM: Opening his car door, “I’m stepping, I’m stepping!”

Officer: “Face the opposite direction and put your hands on the hood of the car.”

JM: “What?! Am I under arrest?” He turned around, breathing heavily. “I don’t believe this!”

Officer: His hand was on his gun. “You have the right to remain silent.”

JM: “What the h#ll are you charging me with?!!! I know my rights! I’m a REPORTER! You know how much trouble you’ll be in when my paper gets…”

The blow to the back of his head rendered him unconscious and the men in the truck went to work.

Officer: “No, Mr. Myerson. I’d say you’re the one in all the trouble.”

~~~~~~

PART 57D

**************************

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA

The baby shower wound down not long after the ball game ended around nine. Most of the guests had gone their separate ways with the exception those who were staying for the weekend. No one was tired, not even Lois, who should have been falling over from exhaustion. But tonight Lois Lane was running on pure adrenaline. They all had so much catching up to do.

At around 9:20 the ladies still present decided that they needed to get out and see a little of the city at night, and maybe grab a bite to eat. The rain had stopped almost ninety minutes ago, and there didn’t seem to be any serious flooding.

After a minor argument over how many cars to take, it was decided the less the better. If two people drove, that meant two people would have to stay sober enough to drive back. It was agreed upon for obvious reasons that Doris would be stuck behind the wheel on the way home. But Lois offered to pile everyone in her jeep and do the driving on the ride out. Lois wanted to share her success with her friends and celebrate like she’d never celebrated before.

It took them a few minutes to free Lois’ vehicle from the garage, which had been blocked by a few other cars. It was a cramped ride for everyone, including Lois, who was afforded a little extra room because she was behind the wheel. But eight adults in one vehicle, even a vehicle as big as a jeep, seemed more like a circus act. It was very reminiscent of their college days, when they’d fold themselves one way or another into someone’s car, Chandra pointed out.

After driving around for an hour, they ended up in Georgetown. They drove through the shopping district, stopping a few times to look at one window display or another. But pretty soon, one or two people complained that not only were they hungry, but getting too old to travel like a pack of teenagers with their dad’s borrowed Chevy.

And by a minor miracle, especially on a Saturday night, and Lois winning a heated argument with a very burly man over who saw the space first, parked in a prime spot just off Wisconsin Avenue and less than a block from a restaurant Doris insisted had good food, but was always loud.

The restaurant was named Claudine’s and the décor was full of vintage Americana memorabilia; old coke signs, license plates and anything else the owner had found at garage sales over the years. The cuisine was primarily American and Mexican. That night Claudine’s was packed full of loud and rowdy college students and tourists.

They were told the wait for a table would be at least half an hour. But it was late. And most restaurants were either closing soon or just as crowded. Chandra, Cathy and Linda were refusing to squeeze back into that jeep on an empty stomach. So they drank at the bar while they waited, and caught up a bit on each other’s lives.

Eventually they sat at a large circular booth near the back of the restaurant, and it soon became a boisterous party. When the Capitol Murders came up, Lois proudly admitted to scooping the story of the century, giving her curious friends very few details. They begged to know whodunit, but Lois informed them that they’d have to wait until morning.

The group toasted Lois on her story, then toasted Doris’ new baby girl, then they all (with maybe one exception) toasted Linda’s movie, next came Cathy’s latest art exhibit, Molly’s freedom… They even toasted toast.

Between the eight of them, actually seven, since Doris was drinking ginger ale, they managed to consume nearly five bottles of champagne that night.

Lois sat between Doris and Molly. She looked on with amusement as Molly gave tarot card readings to anyone at the table who wanted one. She gave three that night, first Andie, then Lucy and finally Doris’ unborn daughter.

Everyone laughed at her tarot cards predictions for the wild and raucous Andie and Lucy. But the reading for Doris’ child would go unfinished. There was a look of horror on Molly’s face as she was about to lay down the last card. Thankfully the look only lasted for a second and almost everyone looked away when their waiter arrived with a large tray of sizzling fajitas along with an assortment of finger foods, and the cards had to be cleared quickly from the table to make room. Only Lois was able to steal a glance at the last card before Molly put the deck down to scoop up the rest from the table.

Molly: “I’ll finish your reading later Doris.”

Doris: “It’s no rush. We’ll do it in the morning.”

Molly: “Excuse me, I need a minute to freshen up.”

A moment later Lois followed.

Lois: “I think a little of this champagne is catching up with me.” She was right. Her retreat to the ladies room was slightly wobbly.

Lois found her sitting on a small loveseat in the dimly lit sitting room just outside the ladies room. A long vanity table with a mirror surrounded by lights sat across from them. One woman had just finished adjusting her makeup as Lois entered. “Molly?”

Molly: “I’m okay Lois.”

Lois was beginning to strain to speak clearly. “Your cards predicting bad news?”

Molly shook her head as she realized Lois had seen the last card, “I think a miscarriage.”

Lois had always been a skeptic about most things, including psychics, and anything occult or ‘new age’. But she knew Molly wasn’t. And Lois struggled to find the words to cheer her up without insulting her beliefs.

Lois: “Molly, it’s just a pack of cards. Forget about it. Come on, it’s a party! Haven’t those silly cards been wrong before?”

Molly’s head swayed back and forth as she thought a moment.

Molly: “From time to time.”

Lois: Teasing, “See! And your reading can’t be trusted for crap tonight. You’re drunk!”

Molly laughed. “Look whose talking. How many glasses of champagne did you drink tonight? Not including those two Midori Sours you drank at the bar while we were waiting for a table?”

It was Lois’ turn to laugh.

Lois: “Jeez, just one… and a half,” she confessed. “This is so NOT me! I can’t believe I’m doing this.”

Molly: “It’s good to see you letting your hair down. And I like your outfit, fire engine red becomes you.” She seemed to notice the red scarf around Lois’ neck for the first time. “Is that the scarf I think it is?”

Lois: “Finally! I was waiting for one of you guys to notice.”

Molly: “Your lucky scarf, matches the suit perfectly.”

Lois: “Thanks, I think so too.”

Molly: Shaking her head as she pulled it from Lois’ neck to inspect it more closely. “Boy, you wore that thing to EVERY exam I ever saw you take… But you don’t need luck tonight. We all love you, even Linda.”

Lois laughed with disbelief.

Molly: Chuckling, “Well maybe in Linda’s case, love is too strong a word. But if she saw you walking down the street, she would swerve her car to miss you.”

The door opened. It was Doris.

Doris: “I was getting worried about you two. I expected to see both of your heads down the toilet. Neither one of you can hold your liquor, at least from what I can remember.”

Lois: “Neither one of us is inebriated yet, but then again the night is young.”

Doris put her hand on her abdomen. “This kid has been pressing up against my bladder all night, so I can’t hold more than a thimble of liquid in it.”

Lois: “How is little junior, in there? How’d your last doctor’s appointment go?”

Doris: “Excellent, she’s perfect and’ll be here to greet the world by the end of next month. Probably not in time to throw rice at your wedding though.”

Molly: “Wedding! That reminds me, where are OUR invites?!”

Lois: Looking apologetic, “In my briefcase in the car. Sorry, I’ve been so busy with work that my mother’s been handling all that and SHE made up the list. She never asked me what friends I wanted to invite. I’ll make sure you all get one tonight.”

Molly: “Good, I was starting to feel slighted.”

Lois: “Oh no…”

Molly: “Lois, I’m kidding.”

A few moments later, the three approached the table in time to overhear Linda talking. Her speech, along with some of the other women at the table, was beginning to sound a bit slurred.

Linda: “I’m telling you. So firm you could bounce quarters off it. He has the finest @ss I’ve ever seen in my life! What the h#ll he sees in …”

The women at the table burst into giggles when they caught sight of Lois.

Molly: “What’s so funny?”

Lois: “Come on… Cath?”

Cathy looked around the table for guidance.

Lois rolled her eyes and continued. “Chandra?”

Chandra: “Okay. Linda was just complimenting you on your choice of men. Namely your fiancé.”

Lois tried to keep her voice in check. “An @ss so firm you could bounce quarters on?”

Cathy: “Oh commn Lois, don’t be mad. Iz jus us girls.”

Maybe it was the alcohol, and the playful nudge Molly gave her with her hip, and the sly look her sister Lucy was giving her, but Lois began to laugh.

Chandra: “Is my girlfrien’ Linda over hear telling tales outta school?”

Lois: Sliding into her seat, with Doris right behind her. “Oh no, on a scale of one to ten, Clark’s rear end is off the charts!”

The table erupted in fits of giggles as the topic turned to the men in their lives, past and present. And, as when most women are talking privately about men, the conversation was brutally frank.

Cathy: “… so you gotta picher of this fine hunkava man in that pursa yours?”

Lois pulled out a wallet-sized photo of Clark hugging his parents and passed it around the table. For a moment there were a few wolf whistles from Chandra, Cathy and Andie.

Chandra: “Mmmmm… mmm! Cometa mamma!”

Lois laughed, thinking of Clark’s reaction if he could see her old friends ogling his picture. ‘His face would be as red as my suit,’ she thought with a smile.

Chandra: “When’s the wedding?”

Lois: “June 17th, four weeks from tonight.”

Cathy: “Come to think of it. Where’s my invitation?” Her voice was indignant.

Chandra: “Mine too!” she chimed in with her hands on her hips.

Lois: “They’re in my briefcase. Sorry. Mom put together my guest list. She didn’t even ask me who I wanted there.” Lucy shook her head in agreement.

Lucy: “Don’t get us started on our mom and this wedding.”

They ate, drank and were merry for more than an hour. But at the prospect of getting back in that car, Lucy and Andie passed. They were the youngest in the group and had too much energy to burn.

Andie: “Well, we’re outta here! There’s a nightclub I want to show Luce and you ole ladies are dragging us down with wedding talk. Anyone care to join us, we’re cabbin’ it?”

Doris: “I pass.”

Chandra: “Hmm, I could gofera a little dancing. But we’ve schtill gottsum catchin’ up to do. Iz earlee. Maybe we’ll catch you up later. Wen I’m nottseeinduble!”

Lois, whose speech was almost as bad as Chandra’s by now, agreed. “Channnra’s riight. Mayberry latrr!” She reached into her pocket. “Tayke my cellfun! I dunt wan you withoutwun.”

Doris: “Can I use that for a minute? I just want to tell Ted we’re okay and going dancing later tonight.”

Lois: Smiling at everyone, including Linda, while slapping her hand on the table for emphasis. “Izseddled! Dancin’ for everywun!”

Linda: “Lois, yur beyon’ piss drunk!”

Lois laughed and slapped her thigh. “I know! I’mgunnahaf a hooge… huge headache in the mornin’, huh?”

Chandra: “Ooohyeah!”

Doris: “Of course we’ll be careful, we’re not a bunch of kids. Who do you think? I’M doing the driving! Of course… Don’t wait up, we’re gonna be a while… We will… I love you too, kiss the kids for me.”

There was a collective “AAAWWW! Isn’t that sweet,” around the table.

Doris: “That’s enough out of you lushes!”

LAUGHTER

Doris: Passing the phone to Lois. “Thanks Lois.”

Lois: “Noproblum.” She then handed the phone to Lucy. “Be careful. Yur thee onlee baybeesitter I got!”

Lucy: “I will.” Holding up her hand. “How many fingers am I holding up?”

Lois: “Wishhand?”

Lucy was laughing. “Which hand?” She laughed, “You are so totally plastered. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this before.”

Lois: “I’m juskiddin’. You’re holdin’ up three fingurs.”

Lucy: “That’s right.” She leaned over to hug her big sister.

Lois: “Take care. I love you.” Her voice was surprisingly clear and steady.

Lucy: “I love you too. You guys still joining us at the club?”

Doris: “We’ll be there with bells on.”

Andie: “A pregnant woman at a nightclub. This’ll be a sight. Luce, remind me to stop at an all night drugstore. I need to buy a disposable camera.” She then leaned over to give Doris a hug and a kiss. “Take care Preggers!”

Doris: “You too, you nitwit!”

Chandra: Waving her hand in protest of this silly sentimentality. “Wouldjutwo get the h#ll outtaheer! We’ll seeya inanhour orso!”

Andie: “We’re goin’, we’re goin’!”

Lois looked out the front window for a moment as the two youngest members of their party waited less than five minutes for a cab to carry them away.

Linda: “Weee, more room in the caar fer us!”

Cathy: “Thasright!”

They party began to wind down a little, and fifteen minutes after Lucy and Andie drove off in a taxi, it was time for the check.

Lois was in a happy and generous mood that night and offered to pick up the check. They all thanked her as she pulled out her black leather purse.

Chandra: “Thaza funky purse Lois.”

Lois: “Thanks.” Lois began to practically upend her bag to get her credit cards from the bottom compartment.

Doris: “Gracious Lois, what do you have buried in that thing?”

Lois: “I usethiz under…undercuf… undercover sometimesss. Ithaza secret comparrrmenfer smuggling. Wunuf my snicches gafit… gave it to me for Chrizmas. Iputtmy credit cards, drivers license, annsumma my cashin there.”

Chandra: “How specshelliz that!”

Doris smiled. “You get gifts from your… snitches?”

Lois: “Juz oneertwo. Not everyyear.”

Doris: “Oh, Lois can I borrow that compact for just a minute?”

Lois: “Sure.”

Doris: “Thanks, it’s beautiful, by the way.”

Lois: Smiling, “Thansss, iz frum Clarrk.”

Lois pulled up the secret compartment and pulled out one of her credit cards. She signed the check, leaving a handsome tip and handed it to their waiter.

Before the receipt came back, Lois had to rush back to the ladies room. The champagne had caught up with her again. She had to fight a serious dizzy spell as she stood up too quickly. She regained a little of her composure, but still had to stumble her way there.

When she returned, everyone was standing, waiting for her so they could leave.

Doris handed her back her purse.

Lois: “Wait, my credditcard.”

Linda: “I putitbak fur you. I couldn’t manoo… manoov… maneuver that secret comparmeniv yurs so I jusleftit near the top.”

Lois smiled. The alcohol really was getting to her, because she threw her arms around her old rival and gave her a hug.

Lois: “Thazsosweeet!”

Linda, who was also a little overemotional, hugged Lois back. Or perhaps she was just trying to stand erect.

Linda: “Dunmenshunit!”

They stumbled out of the restaurant, with the exception of their designated driver.

Doris commented to the waiter, who looked a little worried.

Doris: “Don’t worry, kid. I’M driving!”

They nearly tumbled into the street, singing Prince’s 1999 along the way to Lois’ car at the corner. Although it had stopped raining hours ago, the streets were still wet and the light from the street-lamps above made them glisten.

The streets were quite busy that Saturday night. There was an overflow of people from the restaurants and bars that had spilled into the street. There was eighties rock music coming from some bar across the street. Lois had one arm around Doris and the other still around Linda. Cathy and Chandra were hanging onto each other directly to their right.

The cool air was good for them and Lois’ head began to clear a little. Lois thought she saw a familiar face as she headed to her car. A face she knew from Metropolis, maybe.

Lois: “I thinkkiknow that gurl.”

Doris: “What girl?”

Lois: “Did we go to schooll withhur?”

Doris: “Who?”

Lois turned around. “Sheeemustif headed into that bar.”

Doris: “Well, whoever she is, we’ll catch her at the next reunion.”

They all laughed. And Lois changed the subject.

Lois: “You guys still wanna go dancin’?”

Doris: “Very good Lois. That sentence sounded almost coherent.”

Lois: “I try.”

Doris: “Think you can walk without assistance?”

Lois: Shrugging her shoulders, “I’ll try.”

Lois seemed to be sobering up, but Doris had to run around and catch Linda before she fell over. Linda fell to the street and Lois laughed. Everyone laughed.

Lois looked at Doris, “And you said I couldn’t hold my liquor.”

Linda, who was also laughing, held up both her hands for Lois and Doris to pull her up.

Lois: “No Linda, don’t strainyurself. I got it.” Taking both of Linda’s hands. “Okay, on the countta three. One…. Twoooo… three… ” They both grunted, but not much progress was made. Lois tried to stop laughing for her second attempt. “Okaaay, ssserious now. One more time. One… two… three!” That did it. Linda came at Lois with such force that the two of them were propelled into the parked car behind Lois.

Lois: “OWWW!”

Linda: “Youkay?”

Lois: Smiling, “I’mmfine.”

Lois was now helping Linda back to her jeep.

She stopped for a minute.

Lois: “You need to throw up?”

Linda thought a moment.

Linda: “No… you?”

Lois: Smiling, “Maybe later…. Anybodyoverhere need to throw up? If so, we’re notgoing anywhere until you do!” Her speech was still a little slurred, but it was getting better.

“NOOOO!” came back the answer in chorus.

Lois: “Good. I jus don’t wan you lushes throwin’ up in my car.”

Linda: “Whoyoo callin’ lush you lush!” she giggled.

There was no conviction behind the ‘argument,’ they were just playing around and everyone knew it.

Lois: “I’m callin’ YOU a lush!”

Linda: “Tramp.”

Lois: “Slut.”

Linda: “Floozy.”

Lois: “Bimbo.”

Doris: “All right, that’s enough out of you two.”

Lois: “Nobody answermy queshun. You still wanna go dancin’?”

Chandra: “Actually, I kindawanna getsome sleep.”

Molly: “Me too. I’m tired.”

Lois: “Andie and Luce’re right. We’re a bunchuf ole ladies!”

Cathy: “And prouduvit!”

Doris: “Well old ladies… a nice warm bed awaits you. Lois give me your keys.”

After a moment of Lois digging through her purse, the door was open and the circus act part deux had begun. Doris took the drivers seat, and because of Chandra’s six-foot one-inch frame, sat next to her up front.

Lois lost the coin toss and was destined to be sprawled in the very back of the car. Lois stopped when she heard a cracking noise.

Lois: “Shhh, what was that?”

Chandra: “What wuzwhat? I didnhear anything?”

Lois’ laptop case had slipped from under the seat and was now under Linda’s foot.

Lois: “LINDA, get your big FAT foot off my laptop!”

Doris smiled. That was Lois for you.

Doris: “Yup, she’s definitely sobering up.”

Lois: “Moveyerr legs over!”

Linda: “Where?!”

Lois: “Move it over to the hump in the middle.”

Linda: “Oy. Therezz no roooom!”

Lois’ upper torso disappeared as she went in search of her precious laptop computer.

Lois: “Chandra, could you hannme my briefcase?”

Chandra: “Where?”

Lois: “Under yurseat…. Thanks. I’ll jus exile myself to my trunkspace.”

Linda: “Hey, YOU losssthe coin toss!”

Lois: “I know.”

Linda’s passenger door was still open. Lois had her laptop in one hand and her briefcase in the other. Still under the influence of a lot of alcohol, Lois lost her battle to steady herself and both bags came crashing to the wet pavement, sending her papers flying into the street. If it weren’t for the streets being so wet, the papers would have blown down the street in every direction.

Lois: “SHOOT!” The congressional documents and affidavits were getting soaked. “Grant’s papers, this is my only copy!” she muttered disgusted with herself.

Lois picked up the papers and stuffed them back into her briefcase. She then picked up her laptop. Nothing had fallen out. But she had to investigate that cracking noise she heard.

Lois: Her voice was clear and strong. “Linda, if you broke my laptop, I’m gonna kick your …”

Linda: “Yeah, yeah, yeah! Gettinthe car Lane, I’m tiredanndI wanna go to sleep.”

Lois stumbled back to the door, holding both cases tightly to her body.

Lois: “Doris, do me a favor. Pop the trunk for me.”

Doris pulled the lever.

Doris: “Nothing’s happening.”

Lois: “The engine has to be running.”

Doris: “Oh, gimme a minute.”

The engine kicked over and Doris popped the trunk.

Lois: “Thanks sweetie.”

Doris: Sarcastically, “It’s what I live for. Now get in the car.”

Lois walked to the back of the jeep and somehow pulled back the hatch with her knee. “Not so fast. I have to check my laptop.” Upon close inspection, the machine looked fine. After a minute of searching, she uncovered the mystery. Linda’s foot had cracked her floppy disk case.

Lois: “You’re outtof hot water, Linda. My computer’s fine.”

Linda: “I’m thrilled. Lesgo!”

Lois: “Hold your water.” Leaning over into the jeep to steady a small bout of dizziness, Lois pulled the floppys from the case and put them in her purse.” She climbed into the jeep and was about to close the hatch when she realized she was missing something important.

Lois: “My scarf… I’ll be back in a minute.”

There was a collective groan as Lois climbed out the back and shut it behind her.

Chandra: “I dunthink I can take this. I wannta stretchhmy legs.”

Lois: “I’ll be back in a minute. Whatta bunchuf old ladies!”

Cathy: “Very funny.”

Linda: “Hurry up!”

Lois yelled behind her. “I will!” Lois walked at a brisk pace back towards the restaurant, stumbling only slightly, pulling her purse over her shoulder. She slowed as a feeling of déjà vu overwhelmed her. She was just a few feet from the restaurant when she stopped.

Lois: “What the…?” She turned around. It was all too familiar. Doris was backing the car out and rolled the window down to yell at her to hurry up. Lois’ intoxicated mind was straining to fit together the pieces of a disjointed puzzle. In a panic Lois began to run back towards the car.

Lois: “WAIT! DORIS….”

Lois covered her head as the blast blinded her for a moment. There was burning debris everywhere. And people were lying in the streets. Most had hit the deck to avoid the flying debris, but those closest to the blast were injured and at least one passerby had been killed instantly. Both her front and back bumpers had flung loose, the front through a boutique window and the back underneath a parked car across the street, setting both on fire.

Lois ran into the middle of the street, screaming as the flames consumed them. The heat was so intense she had to stop. Where a moment before, there was precious life, there now were charred remains in its place.

It only took a moment to remember the rest of her nightmare. It always ended the same way. And somehow Lois knew she’d be there. She was always there. Slowly Lois Lane turned around to give features to the faceless woman who had been haunting her for weeks.

She was there. Just as Lois knew she would be. Lois’ face burned with rage. The blond woman seemed to hesitate a moment. She reached for her gun and aimed it at Lois’ head. Lois looked away, refusing to let that woman’s face be the last one she looked upon in this life. She looked up into the clearing night sky and sent out one last thought before the end… ‘Clark, I love you.’

The second blast muffled the gunshot and both women were knocked to the pavement. More debris went flying in all directions, some embedding themselves in Lois’ small frame. The pain was intense and Lois could barely move.

The wind shifted, blowing a cloud of heat and smoke in her direction. She was gasping for air and her breathing was becoming more and more shallow. She felt the heat on all her exposed skin and was grateful for the reprieve when the wind shifted in the opposite direction and she could open her eyes again. In the distance she could see two people trying to get to her, but the advancing flames were stopping them.

“Clark, I love you,” were the last words from Lois’ dying breath as her heart stopped.

~~~~~

PART 58A

The intense pain was gone. Before Lois could even begin to wonder where she was a myriad of images from her past whirled by; birthdays, her first kiss, leaving home, spending time with Clark, and dozens more memories all flashed by in a montage of disjointed moving pictures.

And then the images shifted to people she’d never met and places she’d never been but were somehow familiar. It was puzzling to her. She was certain they existed in another time. A time before she was even born. She saw a couple in medieval clothing talking about breaking some curse, then another couple from a century ago, and another couple who’s time and dress she couldn’t place at all. They were hiding and very frightened. Where had she seen all this before? It would come to her if she jogged her memory long enough, she thought. But those images were being replaced by new ones in rapid succession.

And finally, there was peace, and Lois felt herself suspended in the clear night sky. There were stars all around her and no sight of the earth below. And there it was. That ‘white light’ so many people who’d come back from near death experiences would speak about on talk shows she’d usually dismiss as a waste of time. She’d never given it much thought. Considering the lifestyle she had led most of her adult life, she supposed she should have.

She was drifting towards it, and the closer she got, the better she felt. The light was intense, but it didn’t hurt to look directly into it. Beyond it, she could see a field full of lush trees and colorful flowers in full bloom. It was beautiful. People were there; friends and relatives she hadn’t seen in a long time. They smiled in greeting.

She was so close when she caught sight of ‘him’. He was floating just outside the light. Lois knew him on sight and could feel herself smiling. He always made her smile. The moment he held up his hand she stopped. She wondered how he did that, because she felt she wasn’t in control of where she was going.

Lois wanted to go in and see what was beyond that light. That light that seemed to be calling her. But he would not let her pass. She called him by name and asked him when. Always a thousand questions with you, was his answer. You’re not finished here, Lois.

They spoke for a few moments longer, or what Lois assumed were a few moments, she wasn’t sure how much time had passed, and then he waved her away. Suddenly she could feel herself being ripped away from the light and hurtling back towards earth. But she wasn’t afraid; she could see the ocean, then cities, and mountains. It was exhilarating. She could see the sun on the horizon. And suddenly it was daylight. She descended beneath the cloud line and saw a city in the distance. And suddenly she realized where she was heading.

~~~~~

TOKYO, JAPAN

Superman had been in Tokyo working nonstop for nearly three days in overcast weather and his strength had been somewhat drained. He was still Superman, just Superman without an exclamation point. He needed rest, or at least a period of time in direct sunlight. He could feel his exertions taking its toll more and more as time passed. He’d never worked until his powers were totally depleted, and for a moment wondered just what his breaking point was.

At that moment he was holding up a bearing wall while rescue workers pulled a classroom full of children and their teacher, who’d been trapped for the last three days without food or water, to safety. They were lucky. He’d arrived just in time as an aftershock threatened to tumble the wall that was temporarily sheltering them.

It nearly broke his heart. Two of the children hadn’t survived the initial quake. Clark had scanned the survivors and yelled out to the rescue workers the extent of each child’s injuries. Some would need to be carefully stabilized before being moved. He wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

His work there however was starting to wind down. The majority of the survivors in the city who’d been trapped under the rubble had already been rescued by a massive effort on the part of thousands of government workers and volunteers. Most of the people still buried were already gone.

Superman had been watching carefully as a rescue team secured a very seriously injured little girl by putting a brace on her neck and moving her onto a wooden board. He had been relaying instructions in Japanese as they moved her and he was tracking her injuries every step of the way, making sure they weren’t harming her in the process.

At first he thought he’d imagined it. Superman stopped speaking mid sentence, looked up and tilted his head to the side as Lois’ voice echoed through his mind. ‘Clark, I love you.’

A feeling of dread began to overwhelm him and for a split second he could feel intense pain wrack through his body. He faltered for a moment and bits of the building crumbled down onto very frightened and screaming children.

The rescue crews called out to him, begging Superman to hold still until they were all out safely. Clark only half-heard their pleas. His mind and heart were suddenly somewhere else.

“No!” he whispered. ‘Please, God NO!’

Lois was injured. He was certain of it. He needed to get out of there. He needed to get to Lois.

He was in a panic. He was losing her. He could feel her slipping away as her voice came back to him once more.

‘Clark, I love you.’

And suddenly he knew that his greatest fear had been realized. She was gone. The second her heart stopped he knew. Tears began to stream down his face. It was agony. He was half a world away and Lois had left this life without him there to protect her. And the knowledge of that loss had his knees buckling. He was losing his grip on that wall, and he felt helpless to stop it. He would fail these children too.

~~~~~~

PART 58B

And suddenly she was there. He could feel her presence all around him and through him. ‘It’s okay.’ Her unmistakable voice echoed through his entire being. ‘It’s alright.’ He could feel her comforting him, telling him to stay with the children. And in the expanse of a few seconds, he could hear her telling him over and over how much she loved him and always would. And somehow she gave him strength. He cried as he begged her to stay with him. ‘I’m right here, Clark… I love you… always!’

For a moment another voice entered his head.

Voice: “… I lost it! Charging at 200!”

And she was gone again. He couldn’t feel her presence at all. He called her name out loud, and people stopped momentarily to look at him before continuing the evacuation. He shook his head in obedience, as the memory of her voice telling him to stay with the children filled his head. Lois was gone and all he could do was honor her last wish.

Lois had heard the voice too. Suddenly she was being ripped back into space again…away from Clark… away from sunlight, over oceans and mountains and back to an all too familiar scene. A scene she did not wish to see again.

There were injured people everywhere. From overhead she could see fire trucks, police cars and ambulances. Her car was still burning out of control so she knew she couldn’t have been gone too long, even though she felt she’d been away for a lot longer. There were now two other cars on fire, and the boutique her bumper had flown into was quickly being consumed in a wall of flames.

The press was there too, standing behind a barrier the police we’re just beginning to set up. But they had quite a show; the body bags were being unloaded.

An instant later she was looking down from the roof of a moving ambulance. A paramedic was working franticly to revive her. There was a lot of blood on her suit.

She could see him prepping a pair of paddles next to her lifeless body. It all seemed so surreal.

EMT#1: “Again at 200!” The paddles were over her chest and 200 joules of electricity pumped through her body.

And suddenly she was groaning. The pain was back, and the clarity she felt a moment before was gone. She opened her eyes and she could see the face of the man working on her. He seemed to be speaking directly to her, but for a moment she couldn’t understand a word he was saying. Her name. He was asking if she knew her name. She mumbled something back to him, but she couldn’t tell if understood a word she was saying. At that moment she really didn’t care if he understood her or not. Everything hurt! The pain was excruciating and she could feel her tears burning on her face where it dripped into her open wounds. She cried out when the ambulance hit a deep pothole.

The driver was on the dispatch talking to someone from reception.

EMT #2: “Lincoln we got a code 3 coming in…. Hang on a minute.” Yelling to his partner in the back. “How’s she doing back there, Pete?”

EMT #1 (Pete): “I got a rhythm! I’m starting a saline now.”

And suddenly the entire street was shaking and Lois was crying in protest. The explosion could be heard and felt for miles.

EMT #2: “WHAT THE F**K WAS THAT?!!!”

The driver looked out his window and what he saw terrified him. Just a few blocks in the distance he saw the majority of a large apartment building crumble to the ground.

Driver: “Holy s**t!” he whispered as he made the sign of the cross with his free hand. “Pete, did you see that man?!!! That building over there collapsed! DIOS MIO, It just f**king collapsed in front of my face!!!”

For Lois, the pain was intense and the jolt from the explosion only made it worse. She thought that if it got any worse she’d pass out. ‘Please God let me pass out!’

Pete was just about to strap an ambu-bag over Lois’ mouth to help her breathe when he looked up and his eyes widened. He thought he’d seen everything, but this was the kind of disaster he’d only witnessed on television. They had to drive past all that carnage to get to the hospital. The lights surrounding the complex were still working and illuminated the macabre scene for anyone close enough to watch. And most of what lay in front of them were rubble, and people, whole and in parts.

By some miracle, there were survivors who were well enough to walk. Although to Pete they looked like they were acting out a scene from ‘Night of The Living Dead’.

They passed slowly without stopping. Lincoln was only fifteen blocks away. The driver was again on the dispatch, screaming into the radio about what he’d just witnessed. A few minutes later he spotted a sea of emergency vehicles, fire trucks, police cars, and ambulances with lights and sirens blaring, heading in the opposite direction. In fact there were so many of them, that the driver had to slow down considerably to avoid a collision.

EMT #1 (Pete): “Manuel, I got a feeling we’ll be joining them once we drop her off!”

EMT #2 (Manuel): “Yeah, no S^IT Sherlock!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LINCOLN COUNTY GENERAL HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM

The Emergency Room at Lincoln Hospital was operating at about seventy percent of capacity, which was usual for a warm Saturday night. It was busy, but now overly so. All that was about to change. It was a county hospital, which meant they had to take anyone who walked through their doors, regardless of financial situation, which meant their ER was guaranteed an overflow almost any night. If you weren’t seriously injured, you could fully expect to wait more than ten hours to finally be treated.

Every television in the ER was tuned into the same scene. And any hospital employee who wasn’t swamped with work had his or her attention trained on the nearest TV. The media got to the building first. The reporters who were at Lois’ car explosion got a big head start, so live footage was being fed to the world live less than ten minutes later.

Everyone in Emergency shook his or her head in disbelief. Memories from the bombing in Oklahoma City, just one month and one day earlier was still fresh in everyone’s minds. This can’t be happening again was the consensus in the ER.

A nurse squinted her eyes at the sight of the building.

Woman: “I can’t believe this is happening in America!”

Nurse: “Where the hell is that?”

Nurse 2: “I don’t know, but we heard it, so it’s close!”

Med. Student: “It’s John Adams. S^it, I know someone who lives there. Maybe a mile away. I pass it every night going home.”

Man: “I don’t believe it! I live five blocks from there!”

Nurse: “So we know where they’re heading!”

The hospital workers all shook their heads in understanding. If anyone wanted to take a moment to rest or go to the bathroom or something, do it now! Because there wouldn’t be another break for awhile.

A nurse spoke to the attending physician who was watching the melee taking place just a few blocks down the road with everyone else.

Nurse: “Dr. Levine. There’s a fresh trauma coming in.”

Attending Physician: “”Thanks,” he replied as he kept his eye on the TV screen while walking towards the ambulance bay. The doctor narrowly avoided getting knocked down as the doors swung open and the paramedics pushing a gurney rushed by with Lois Lane in tow.

~~~~~

Part 58C

Lois looked up at the flurry of activity around her. Now running along side her was a team of the attending physician, a resident, two nurses, a med. student, and the EMT. She squinted at the bright fluorescent lights on the ceiling. She tried to speak, but for the moment, she couldn’t get out much more than a whisper. The light hurt and she closed her eyes.

Attending Physician: “What’ve we got?”

EMT (Pete): “Car explosion. Secondary blast injuries… she’s hypovolemic, SI, probable concussion, GCS 4-3-4! Blood Alcohol 190, last BP 90 over 70, pulse-ox 85, arrest at the scene!”

AP: “Down time?”

EMT: “Two to five minutes! Started a saline, 500cc’s in so far.”

AP: “She gotta name?”

EMT: “Not unless it’s Mike the Angel!” At the puzzled look he got from the doctor, “Hey that’s the name she gave me when I asked her.” He handed a purse to a nurse. “This purse was lying about two feet in front of her… Didn’t have time to look, guess it’s hers. There was a police car with us, but I think he veered off at the blast site.”

His beeper went off.

EMT: “That’s me, I have a feeling I know my next stop!” Looking down at Lois, “Good luck lady!”

Nurse: “See ya Pete.” As she ran alongside the gurney, she handed Lois’ purse off to another nurse who was patient-free for the moment. “Frieda, see if you can find some ID for this lady.”

Nurse (Frieda): Letting out an exasperated breath. She opened it and halfheartedly began pawing through it. Someone called her name. Another emergency. She handed off the purse to someone in admitting who momentarily left it with a number of effects for patients who hadn’t been formally admitted yet.

AP: “Get her into Trauma 2!” Lois’ gurney was now being moved adjacent to an examining table and hands on both sides secured the board under her back. “On my count…. ONE… TWO… THREE!”

Lois opened her eyes and groaned at the painful sensation of being moved from one table to the next. She murmured Clark’s name, but with the ambu-bag still strapped over her mouth, no one could understand her. She looked down at a nurse who was now working her way up from the foot of the bed and cutting off the remainder of her clothing with a large pair of scissors.

AP: “Hang two units of 0 neg. and get me a type and crossmatch!”

Resident: “Multiple SW- it looks local, possible blunt abdominal trauma…”

Another nurse was attaching a cardiac monitor to Lois’ chest and an IV line to her arm. With that done, she began to check her vitals.

Nurse: “Pulse 92… BP’s 95 over 75… Pulse ox 85… Resps. 24!

Nurse: Looking at Lois from head to toe, she pointed to Lois’ left arm and leg. “Small first and second degree burns, no more than five percent.” She then noted the scrapes on her right temple. “Minor road rash.”

A resident was monitoring Lois’ breathing.

Resident: “Signs of SI.”

AP: “Somebody call X-ray and Respiratory!” He was examining a nasty bump on the right side of her skull as well as the bits of debris that were now lodged in her skin. “Run 2 mics (pronounced mikes) of fentanyl, 1 milligram atropine, 100 cc’s crystalloid, and .5 milligrams of epi. and albuterol IV push!”

As the medication flowed into her body, the pain was now subsiding quickly and Lois’ body finally relaxed. She lost consciousness a moment later.

AP: “All right, let’s tube ‘er.”

The ambu-bag had been removed from Lois’ face a moment earlier and was replaced with an intubation tube, pumping warm humidified oxygen into her lungs.

Nurse: “BP’s rising… 100 over 80. Pulse ox 92.”

A nurse came in from reception. “Dr. Levine. There’s a call for you…It’s Doctor…” She looked off to the side. “Never mind, he’s already here.”

Dr. Levine looked up in surprise. The Chief of the ER department, the eminent Dr. Bertram Wittenauer was standing in the doorway. A visit by the chief to the department was indeed a rare occasion. But then again, this explosion so close to their hospital was a big deal, and therefore warranted the almost unprecedented.

‘It must be photo-op time,’ Levine thought sarcastically, knowing he wasn’t far off base.

Attending Physician (Dr. Levine): “I’ll be out in a minute Bert.” The chief raised his hand and walked out of sight. “All right, I want a full CT scan, Chest X, a CBC, Chem 7, toxic screen, PT/PTT, urinalysis, ECG, urinalysis and a pregnancy test!” He looked over to the resident in front of to him. “Take over, I’m going to see what’s going on outside.”

He walked outside. The chief was on the phone and an administrator was opening boxes, handing out kits in clear plastic bags to doctors and nurses. Levine recognized them as standard kits for disasters, meant to protect them from the blood that would soon be spattering everywhere, including their faces.

A number of hospital staff had begun to gather for the latest news that pertained to them.

Attending Physician: “What’s the bad news?”

Chief of ER: “Mass casualty alert!”

AP: “We gathered that much.”

CoER: “How full is the house tonight, Josh?”

AP: “Seventy of capacity, I think. The waiting room’s packed.”

CoER: “Clear it! Anyone who doesn’t need admitting, treat and street now or just plain street ’em. We’re getting overloaded tonight, mostly critical. Not to mention the ones that’ll be walking in off the streets. I want ER and OR as empty as we can get it. We’re about to get hit hard.”

AP: “How many?”

CoER: “So far seventy-three, twenty-three critical… and that’s just the first wave!” There was a huge outcry of disbelief at the number. He held up his hands in defense. “Hey, we’re the closest Level 1 trauma in the area. That apartment complex is less than fifteen blocks away. Josh, make sure everyone gets called in tonight, I don’t care whose day off it is!”

AP: “We are NOT equipped to handle that kind of load all at once!”

CoER: “We might be able to turf some to GW, but right now these are the cards we’ve been dealt. Official Disaster Protocol begins NOW! Walkie-talkies will be down here within the next five minutes. Josh; make sure every doctor in the department gets one and at least one for Admitting and the charge nurse. The phone lines will be jammed and that may be the only way we can reach one another.”

He reached into the box and pulled out a kit containing gloves and a large pair of goggles. “Everyone working on a patient gets a pair of these. Anyone who isn’t serious to critical gets moved somewhere else.”

He looked to the Chief Resident who nodded her head and got to work.

AP: “Bert, there’s no place to triage that many patients at once.”

CoER: “I know. Anyone who’s not brought in tagged red or black gets triaged outside in the courtyard. It’s warm enough, just as long as we don’t keep them out there too long. I’ve got blankets on their way down now.”

The two men began walking down the hall.

CoER: “I want the clinic cleared out as a media center for the press, the executive conference room as a base of operations for the FBI, the second floor cafeteria for DCPD, and put the social workers and clergy with the families in the waiting room.”

“It’s late… a lot of these people were home and asleep, which means they won’t be carrying any ID.” Lowering his voice, “Identification’s going to be a bitch. How many John and Janes you got right now?”

AP: “Just two Janes and one John.”

CoER: “Well start lettering, and when you use up the alphabet, double it up.”

AP: He slowed down as they passed Trauma 2. “Hang on a minute.” He turned his attention to the resident working on Lois. “Move her to the front of the line, tag her red and get her tests done STAT! Until we get an ID, mark her Jane B. Doe!” He looked over to the nurse Lois’ purse was originally handed off to. “You find an ID in that purse?”

Nurse: “I didn’t have time. I handed it to Frieda… Walking towards the front desk, “I’ll go see if she fou… HEY!”

The nurse recognized the man standing behind the desk in admitting immediately. He dropped Lois’ purse and ran. “SH#T! Somebody call security!”

CoER: “Who…”

Nurse: Letting out an exasperated breath as she picked up Lois purse from the floor, “That’s Marty, he’s a frequent flyer here! A junkie, always coming in looking for a free fix. I guess we can kiss Jane B. Doe’s ID goodbye, and anyone else’s cash or credit cards he managed to slip off with in the last few minutes. I’ll see if he left anything we can identify.”

The John Adams Apartment complex was twelve stories, and very little of it was left standing. There were FBI, police and press everywhere. As well as a number of people who just wanted to take a look at the one of the largest terrorist attacks on American soil.

Disaster protocol at John Adams was standard. A makeshift morgue was set up on the edge of the complex. And a few feet away initial triage was done. The victims were tagged in a similar fashion to the way they would be at the hospital, all with colored tags evaluating their injuries.

Minor injuries were tagged green, yellow tagged victims had moderate injuries, such as broken arms, etc. Those tagged red had severe injuries with a greater chance of survival and were therefore given first priority.

The final color was black, given to those severely injured who were not expected to survive. Many times, they are attended to much later to give those with a better chance of survival a greater chance to live.

Lois was lucky. If she had suffered the same injuries at the John Adams apartment complex, she would either have been lying in that makeshift morgue or tagged black and left to possibly die from her injuries until the other victims were attended to.

For the moment her pain was gone, and so was all coherent memory. For now she was Jane B. Doe, safe in Lincoln County General Hospital. But people would eventually come looking for her, with or without her real name.

ON THE RUN By Plan9LIVES@aol.com

PART 59A

His constant and massive exertions over the last three days had taken its toll; even he could feel his body protesting at his increased speed on his flight back to Washington. Back to Lois.

Clark always knew that Superman existed not only because he wanted, as he explained to Lois when he first met her… ‘to help.’ Superman also existed because he of hope and optimism, two emotions that had gradually been drained from him over the years. And that hope and optimism was reborn the moment he’d clapped eyes on Lois Lane. From that moment on everything within him changed. And now the prospect of losing her had forced him to look back into his past.

He was once a traveler, a wanderer. He told his parents he wanted to see the world, and being the unique individual he was, he’d never needed money for a plane ticket. But he’d never shared with anyone the real reasons for his once nomadic existence. He was searching for some place to fit-in. As much as he loved his parents, Jonathan and Martha Kent, he knew his love for them was not enough to fill the immense void in his life. Throughout his life, in so many ways, he always felt isolated and alone, incomplete.

So he moved from city to city, country to country, hoping to find somewhere to belong or someone to belong to. ‘I’ll know it when I find it,’ he always told himself in the beginning, but as the years passed, he grew fearful of spending his life in, if not physical, at least emotional, exile.

He didn’t want money. He didn’t want acclaim. He only wanted what so many people take for granted, marriage, children, a good job, living an everyday ‘normal’ life. He didn’t think it was a lot to ask. He tried so hard to make that dream a reality. But the harder he tried, the more alien he felt in the world around him.

As a child, Clark was so outgoing. But as he grew older and more of his powers began to surface, his parents, so terrified of losing their baby, had instilled a fear in him. A fear of being found out. A fear of strangers taking him away from the only home and family he could remember. And his outgoing personality was quickly buried beneath that fear. He was always careful, never to reveal too much of himself, even to his friends. That side of his personality hadn’t truly begun to resurface until he and Lois became engaged.

That mummy’s cloth he had carefully wrapped around his true nature began slowly to unravel. He wasn’t sure who was more shocked by his impromptu striptease, him or Lois. He was thoroughly enjoying finding out exactly who Clark Kent was in the company of the woman he loved.

Through the years, the more places he’d gone and women he’d dated, the more isolated he’d felt. There simply was nothing there, no spark, no fire. Sometimes there was an attraction between him and a woman he’d met, but the feelings were always mild and fleeting on his part. He’d begun to accept the possibility that this was just a part of his makeup.

By the time he reached Metropolis in ’93, he’d almost reached the point of throwing in the towel… almost. Why does it always happen when you’re not looking? For Clark it was love at first sight. A condition in which he never truly believed existed, at least for him. It was a new experience; exciting, thrilling, frightening, and the moment he saw her, he had to mentally concentrate to keep from floating to the ceiling of Perry White’s office with relief.

‘I’ll know it when I find it,’ he used to tell himself. And he was right. He had found it, or more accurately… found her.

Lois Lane barely acknowledged his existence at first, but then some fairy tales take a lot of work to make a reality. And Clark had the strength, resilience, and patience to wear down Lois Lane’s resistance and convince her of what he’d known all along, that they were meant to be together. It took nearly two years, but Clark Kent wouldn’t have changed any of their experiences, good or bad, that brought them closer together as a couple, and just as important, as the best of friends.

It was funny, as much as he wanted to help people in need as his powers emerged, it never occurred to him to create another persona to accomplish that end.

Indeed the greatest catalyst for the creation of Superman had to be Lois Lane. Yes, he wanted to help the world, but Lois was a woman who threw herself in almost constant danger. How on earth did she survive this long without a Superman to rescue her? Perhaps the most important reason for Superman’s existence was the hope and optimism that meeting the woman he was convinced from the start was his destiny had instilled in him. For the first time in his life, he felt he was exactly where he belonged.

In his heart, he began to feel more like a citizen than a visitor. He was home. And these feelings were all wrapped up in his attachment to Lois. Sure he had friends in high school and college, but there was never any strong emotional bond he’d felt with any of his old friends. Never one person he felt he couldn’t live without. Until now.

‘Was it too much to ask?’ The world could have its Superman if he could just have the one person in the universe that brought him true happiness. And now this world, with its ‘smart bombs,’ guns, drug dealers, killers, corrupt politicians and businessmen, had taken away the only thing he’d wanted in return.

As he approached the city, he found the building explosion first, and he froze. Part of him really wanted to go down and help with the rescue efforts, but emotionally he just wasn’t capable. He might torture himself for the rest of his life over this decision, but he was going to find Lois first now matter what!

He scanned the area, looking for her. It had been nearly two hours since he felt life leave her body. The moments to follow that loss were filled with confusion. He thought the spark he felt only moments later was him mad with wanting it not to be true… that he hadn’t lost her forever. And if there were any chance that Lois was alive, he’d sacrifice anything and everything to find her.

He hadn’t been detected in the sky. He moved on silently, away from the grief below him. Just before he found the explosion outside the restaurant, he heard a woman’s voice screaming Lois’ name. In a few seconds he was hovering over the scene. There were two news crews there; they were getting shots of a hysterically screaming Lucy Lane being held down by two police officers.

Lucy had Lois’ cell phone. Ted had called to make sure his wife Doris was okay. Lucy and Andie immediately hailed a cab from the nightclub and headed back to the restaurant to find Lois’ burned out jeep and six body bags lined up twenty feet away.

‘It all happened so fast,’ was the response from many of the witnesses.

Two of the doors had slung free during the initial explosion. The pedestrian walking across the street had been less than five feet away when the blast hit her, she was consumed by flames and flying debris, killing her instantly. It had been assumed that she was an occupant thrown from the car.

Lucy was too distraught to do anything but scream her sister’s name over and over. And her voice would forever echo through the mind of the man hovering a mile above her head.

It was Doris’ younger sister Andrea who confirmed that there were six people in their party. Six passengers, six bodies, everyone present and accounted for. It would take more than 48 hours to realize that a mistake had been made.

Clark looked at the body bags lying on the ground. He stopped listening for her heartbeat. His search was over. He didn’t have the strength to look and see which body was hers. This was all too much for him.

For a moment, he held his breath and closed his eyes. He could feel Lois with him, calling his name. He could hear her in his mind. ‘But it’s not real,’ he thought. “She’s gone,” he whispered. “It’s not real.”

He looked down at the scene beneath him and one question resonated through his mind.

Can Superman exist without its creator, his balance, his life? And the answer came back to him fairly quickly… no.

~~~~~

To Be Continued…