From: "L-Soft list server at Indiana University (1.8d)" To: "ARTF@MemoryAlpha.nil" File: "LOISCLA-GENERAL-L LOG9711B" ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 8 Nov 1997 06:52:32 -0700 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Debby Stark Subject: Swap-Meet: Burbank part 6 of 20 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Swap-Meet: Burbank part 6 of 20 by Debby Stark, Debby@swcp.com [note: originally "finished" on 2/20/97; reread on 11/05/97 and a few words changed here and there + minor punctuation changes, making this the *most* up-to-date version - Debby, who reminds you that some things are spelled "wrong" on purpose :)] She tried to ignore that question and when she couldn't she faced it and herself: nothing, she had done nothing, these things just happen sometimes... She rinsed the soap off her face and patted it dry using a soft towel from those lying folded on the top of the toilet tank. Then she saw a bottle of moisturizer right there on the little shelf over the sink. She opened and sniffed it, decided the scent was okay and applied it. She rubbed the last of it into her hands when she was finished. The lotion soaked right in; it must have been expensive. She ran her hands through her hair to fluff it. She liked that about this cut, it was easy to shape. She also liked what she saw in the mirror now, herself. Yes, this would do until she and Clark fixed things and got home again. She returned to the main little room. "Do you mind if I change clothes right here?" "Not at all, unless you'd like to do it outside..." Lois laughed. "No...!" K smiled and turned away discretely. Lois quickly stripped off the red dress and pantyhose, tossing them over the back of a spare chair. "Do I have to wash these now? Does she do that?" "No, Wardrobe will do it. Teri has an assistant who usually takes care of all that, but I heard she won't be on the set until this afternoon." "We'll be out of here--out of this *world,* wherever this is, *long* before that." Lois pulled on the blouse and pants. They fit and were subdued and wouldn't attract attention. Then she sat down on the chair she'd thrown the dress over to put on the socks and shoes. "I guess all this must be as odd for you, too. Do those two really look like us?" K turned back. "Yes, they do. It looks like you've already fooled everyone on the set and you probably would have fooled me if you and De... I mean, Clark, hadn't given us the proof." "That's good, we can go undercover here as long as we need to. This will work out just fine." "Wait now, Dean and Teri's faces are well known. The paparazzi are always chasing them, poor kids..." "Paparazzi? Those failures? They don't have anything on *me*. You should see some of the disguises I've made up on the spur of the moment to fool *real* villains." "Well, Teri's disguised herself as a lounge singer, a copier repair person *and* a giant chicken, among other things." "Wha...? *She's* done that, too? And they still recognized her even though she had a whole Hollywood studio to help her disguise herself?" "No, that was for some of the episodes. She was playing you." "Oh. I just had me, *and* I defended myself with karate while in that chicken suit, too, did she do that? I don't *think* so. She's just an actress. *I* have..." She looked around quickly. "These sunglasses." She plucked them up from the back of the desk. They had been lying on a folded scarf. "And that hat," a baseball cap hanging from a hook on the back of the door. "It's really sunny out here, isn't it?" "Usually, though you have a nice tan like Teri does." "I worked hard to get it, we don't get as much sun in Metropolis sometimes. I can use all of these things to make a great disguise. Even Clark won't recognize me--well, that's not true, but nobody else will." Maybe Hatcher tried to do something like this. "Does *she* go out in a disguise?" Hollywood people did that; they put on funny hats and heavy coats and then stood on street corners praying that agents and photographers would see them and make them famous. "Sometimes she does." "Then I'll do it even better." She put the things down and returned to tieing the shoes firmly; they fit, too. Hatcher must have bought them in a larger size than she needed to wear with heavy, protective socks, not the anklets Lois had found in the closet. She put both feet down flat on the floor... and found a sigh welling up from deep inside. Now what? She realized that she hadn't yet taken a moment to simply think and here she was, both feet firmly on the ground (well, the floor of this trailer), with that moment at hand. What had happened to her and Clark, just *what* had happened? If a villain like Tempus or some new version of Bureau 39 using a weapon against Superman were responsible, why were they taking their time getting around to rubbing it in? Clark's secret was out--if it had ever been a secret--if somehow a whole TV show was based on him and her (with her name first). Wasn't all this enough to throw Clark and her off guard? What were the perpetrators waiting for? Unless... there were no perpetrators and Clark was right, they were in the middle of a very strange accident. That was hard to believe but... if that were the case it did free up a lot of their time. They wouldn't have to be watching their backs or those of their new friends and could concentrate on solving this. If their disguises were effective so that no one bothered them. If they could find their way around this town. If they could figure out how to get out of this studio so they could find some S.T.A.R Labs-type company and force a scientist to help them or... "What am I saying...?" "Nothing, dear." "Well, no, I know that, I'm just thinking... about this, about... all this," she tried to indicate it but hand gestures were inadequate, "and what Clark and I are going to do to fix everything and... oh..." Usually plans just sprang nearly full grown right into her mind, but not now. Now everything just looked daunting and now she understood how Clark (yes, he was easily bewildered sometimes) had felt earlier. "K, I've never been to Southern California except to land at the Los Angeles Airport once or twice. I don't have my driver's license! I don't have any money--I don't even have my *purse*! We don't know anyone here but you and Ji... Justin... and somebody who looked like Perry but it wasn't... I... Oh..." She sat down, closed her eyes and ordered herself to stop complaining because it wasn't helping at all and she bet *Clark* wasn't acting like this, he was probably being quiet and reserved and trying hard to understand this and using the Kentium computer part of his brain to think up solutions... "Lois? Lois, dear, it's okay to panic. I'm surprised you haven't already, even as much as I think I know about you..." Lois felt the woman's strong hand on her shoulder and she tried to explain. "I can't panic, I have to be calm," she explained. "For Clark. He doesn't need to worry about me. You know... no, you don't... He needs me to be... not *this* way... *I* don't need me to be this way..." "To me it sounds like you're gathering facts and facing them, and this is frightening, isn't it?" She blinked her eyes open and nodded. "Uh-huh..." "The way he looked at you when we decided to split up ten minutes ago, that told me all *I* need to know about your relationship. Listen: I'd be pleased to help you both, and I could tell Justin wants to. You may not be here long enough to need us anyhow, things will probably work out quickly, they always do on the show. Until then, you don't have to drive, we can take care of that, and we can loan you money if you need any. Teri and Dean can pay us back on your behalf," she winked. The expression was comforting. "They'll sure be upset that they didn't get to meet you! And, you know, you can both stay at my place if you want to, the paparazzi *never* bother me. They think I'm old and uninteresting." "Ha!" "Ha is right, and they'll never know how wrong they are. I don't even think you'll have to try hard to pass yourself off as Teri if you want to for a while. She enjoys a quiet home life when she's not out promoting something and when John's not home." Her eyes widened. "Oh, my! John..." "John? Her..." please... "brother?" "No... her husband." Lois sat back, not easy since she was sitting sideways in the chair. "Oh..." another one to explain all this to... "But he's in Venezuela, shooting a movie, so..." "Venezuela? Is that down in South America, too?" "Oh, yes." "Good--Movie? Is *he* an actor, too? Good grief, how could she marry an *actor*?" "The same way *you* could marry a mild-mannered reporter." "No, that's entirely different." "Only your jobs are different. Actors hang out with actors, reporters hang out with reporters. Teri and John, it was one of those fairy tale things." She pointed. "That's his picture, there." On the back of the desk was a small, framed picture of a handsome man. *I wish I were there with you--Jon.* "They're very much in love, but they don't see each other as often as they'd like. Maybe that keeps it going, the expectation." "Oh..." Now she felt sorry for the woman. Lois had an absent husband to, but not *that* absent... "At least since he's in Venezuela, I won't have to explain what's happened to his wife-- you won't have to explain, either, she'll be back here in *no* time," she nodded firmly, smiling. "I promise you." This was the attitude to take. Sure she didn't know how she and Clark were going to pull it off, but she once again had no doubt that they could do it. She stood up and wiggled her toes in the shoes, glad they had comfortable arches. "Okay, that takes care of my disguise. What does Dean Cain usually do that I can help Clark work around?" K thought about this question a moment. Lois rethought it. It must have sounded confusing. "I mean..." "I know what you meant, I was just thinking how to describe Dean. He's a friendly, handsome--like Clark--30-year-old single man with no girl friend at the moment." "No girl friend?" Oh, good. "Poor guy, I'm sorry to hear that..." K gave her a knowing look. "No, you're not..." "Okay, I don't want girl friends chasing after Clark. I could take care of Jon if he were here, but Clark has a hard time putting his foot down sometimes." "Our show's version has the same problem. Well, Dean does all the things an active young man brought up in California does, except he also works all day long on the set and then spends time in the gym to keep up his Superman physique--and by the looks of the real thing he's done well... and he likes to write scripts and stories, have some fun on the town when he can, and sleep." "Are he and Teri having a torrid love affair on the side by any chance?" "No, not after spending as many hours as they do together already. We'll have to be careful about that. When we're all out in public," she smiled, "Justin and I will chaperon you." "Okay, we can do that, if you're ready for heavy-duty undercover work. And what does this Teri Hatcher like to do?" "I suspect she planned to enjoy the peace and quiet of home. I know she was going to participate in some charity thing..." "An aideswalk. On Saturday. Justin told us without realizing he was telling us. She'll be back in time to do that." "I hope so. Until then, I think you can help Clark safely avoid the beach and surfing, and the nightclub scene, too, if you both have to stay through tonight." "Well, I certainly want to stay long enough to try your soup." She raised her eyebrows, amused. "You are hungry, aren't you? That's good. On the way to my house we can show you around a little. It will be fun. I just..." Her face took on a troubled look, "I just hope Teri and Dean are okay. If Metropolis is *anything* like we've portrayed it--big and dangerous and full of villains that Superman has to keep under control... they could be in trouble." "Well, things have been quiet in Metropolis lately," Lois said, not that there was anything anyone could do about it anyhow, she thought, other than try to cheer the kind woman. "They can act, can't they? As long as she doesn't play me as 'ditzy'..." "Oh, I'm sorry about that..." "It's how Hollywood sees things, I understand. If Dean doesn't try to pass himself off as anyone *other* than Clark, like you know who, and if they lay low, maybe find our home and stay there, they should be okay." She picked up the scarf and fit it around her head, tieing it in back. "Clark has tons of videos they can watch, and he and I have a little vacation time coming, too, so they can use that. We were in the office. If they completely switched places with us somehow, they may have wound up there. If they sweet-talk Perry--which is *incredibly* easy to do..." unless, like now, the Chief was on an everyone-who-gets- paid-around-here-has-to-work kick, in which case when they got back, she and Clark could find themselves out on the street looking for new jobs... which was something K didn't need to know. "I bet he'll tell them to go home because they're acting strangely. Clark and I rarely do, so Perry will know they need some rest. Then they play it safe while can figure this out and switch us back. Simple, huh?" "Well, they are intelligent and resourceful, that should help them keep out of trouble. They know everything the show has done and something about what the comics are doing, so if your real life is anything like that, except for maybe the monsters that eat buildings and all the supervillains..." "Comics? As in... the funny pages?" "No, as in comic books. There is 50 years of history behind the show." Lois tried to fathom this. It refused to make any kind of sense. It didn't even want to be thought about at the moment. She didn't try to argue with her own mind. "Okay, that's fine, don't say any more. I don't think I want to know about it right now." "Justin probably knows more about the comics than I do anyway." "I won't ask him, either, if you don't mind." "Not at all. Let's go talk to the boys. I think everyone will like my soup." *** Clark hung up Cain's business clothing, took a full, fast shower, and then in the little cubicle of a bathroom changed into the clothing he had picked out. Afterwards, he wondered why he'd confined himself to this almost telephone booth-sized space when he was alone in the trailer. Fear of exposure maybe. Whatever. He found a comb and ran it through his hair. He considered himself in the mirror and nodded. He now felt like himself through and through. And Lois? He sensed nothing amiss with her, so she hadn't found any trouble yet, that was good. If--*when* she got into trouble, he had to be there, there was no choice. They knew so little about this world that they couldn't afford to rely solely on each other's instincts or his powers to pull themselves out of any problems. Clark heard Justin returning just as he was about to step back into the main room of the trailer. The young man, attired in different, equally comfortable clothing, had an excited look on his face and bouncy quality even when he was trying to stand still. "Wow," his new friend said. "Your hair *is* black!" "No, it's still wet. It's brownish when it dries." "It's not blue tinted?" That made no sense. Clark briefly imagined himself among a bevy of little old ladies. "Pardon?" "Oh, nothing, that's just the comics." "Comics?" Don't go there, a little voice warned him. "Yeah, Superman's been in the comics for*ever*. He's an American *legend,* an *icon*." "Oh," then the "forever" could explain the blue-tinted hair. "Okay... We can talk about that later." "Does it slick back when you change into Superman?" The hair. "It does a little." "It doesn't do that in the comics, just on our show. Where do you keep the cape and the boots? *Everyone* wants to know!" There were questions and there were questions, and he'd hardly even taken two steps. "I just... keep them, okay?" This nonanswer didn't phase the young man. "Do you have the suit on under those clothes, even under the T-shirt?" "No, I don't have the suit at all. I suspect Mr. Cain is wearing it at the moment and he's probably finding it warm." Clark hoped his double didn't try anything unwise while wearing it. Indeed, it would probably be best if Cain got out of it as soon as possible. Here and now, though, Clark had to find out more about the man. "Does his hair slick back or does he wear it like this?" "It slicks back hard, like it's spray-painted on when he's... Superman, but loose like yours is now for Clark, except I think his is a little shorter than yours." "If I go out like this, do you think I can pass for him?" "Oh, yeah, no problem," he said quickly, trying to please. "Your face is a little smoother and you don't smile as much--not that you have very much to smile about I guess... but you still fooled *me* and he and I are buds." "I see..." He saw that he was saying "I see" a lot even when he didn't see, when he knew that Justin's "no problem" didn't describe the situation at all. But he also saw that his assessment of the reality of the situation, as well as his reactions to it (the failure to smile) might be making him sound blunt and even harsh. He never liked encountering that attitude in others, so if indeed *he* was using it, it could be spooking Justin into useless passivity or, worse, hero worship. It was time for honesty. He tried to smile. It didn't want to happen. He didn't force it. "I realize you must be almost as overwhelmed about this as I am." "You?" The young man's eyes widened. "*You're* overwhelmed?" "Yes, because this is..." He looked down and then around the room, trying to find something familiar and comforting, but even looking through the walls didn't help. It was the same as it had been almost fifteen minutes earlier, busy and foreign. "This is incredible." He sat down in a nearby chair and tried to distract himself a bit by putting on the clean, heavy socks and designer athletic shoes he and Justin had found earlier. "I think Lois and I are in some kind of... parallel universe. Your world is similar to ours, but *actors* are playing us and everyone we know, playing the story of our lives, and you know all about us, or at least a version of us. That's why it's incredible." "When you put it that way... So there's a real Jimmy Olsen, huh? Do I look like him?" These questions came out naturally, the young man was concerned. "Yes, you do, and if you play him with that exuberant attitude, you probably do a good job of it." "I try to, I want to do him well, it's important. I don't get much on-screen time, so I have to put everything I can into it. I know Kay does, too..." He sighed thoughtfully, then brightened again. "Hey, I have all the shows on tape, even the first season, which I wasn't in, another actor played Jimmy, but he was okay. Maybe you'd like to see some of them--and I have scripts, too, and Kay has some, so you could look at them--real fast!" There was an angle that hadn't occurred to Clark. It would be like doing research on a truly unusual subject. He remembered the shoes and pulled on the second one. "I want see them, yes, if we have time. The solution to our current problem may pop up at any moment, though, so we all have to be alert for it." "Oh, yeah, *we* have to be..." he nodded, obviously pleased to have been included as one of the solution seekers. Perhaps he didn't know the value of his knowledge. He said, "Well, Kay and I will help you, you can *bet* on that. I called my mom while and told her I'd be hanging around with you today, all day long. This morning I thought I would anyway because Dean's girl friend dumped him for some stupid reason, so I was going to keep him company, you know, to help him keep his mind off all that, but now I'll help you, if you don't mind." The shoes fit snugly, like shoes should, and Justin's offer fit, too. Clark smiled, feeling it at last. "I don't mind at all, because we will need help. Even if we can pass ourselves off as your friends we don't know anything else about this world." "Well, Dean does look like you, except you're..." He tried to indicate breadth and depth with inadequate hand gestures. "...bigger, I guess, somehow, and smoother, like, for example, he has a little mole up here," Justin indicated his own upper right lip. "But other than that... I'm not sure what it is, unless... unless it's because you're really... him." Clark, who simply saw himself as someone who had just taken a shower and put on clean, nondescript clothing, had never been subject to such clear adulation (other than by his wife). If he had been wearing the suit, he could have understood it. Unless... "So there are no... 'him's in this world?" "No, none, and we could use some, use a Superman or someone like him sometimes..." He looked soberly introspective... but this didn't last. He perked up again. "I think we do a good job on our show. It's lots of fun, and we have millions of fans-- we've even been renewed for a fifth season and we're only half way through the fourth one!" "Is that good?" "It's terrific! It was sort of a political thing, but I still think it's really great." "I see... And so millions of fans would recognize Mr. Cain and Ms. Hatcher..." (continued) ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 8 Nov 1997 11:30:28 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Margaret Brignell Subject: SwapMeet: Metropolis -- Intermission Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" As you know SwapMeet: Metropolis and SwapMeet: Burbank are "mirrorfic". In order to maintain the parallelism in the stories, there will now be an intermission in the SwapMeet: Metropolis half of the story to allow SwapMeet: Burbank to catch up The Metropolis story will resume Tuesday, November 11, 1997. Margaret ****************************** Margaret Brignell brignell@capitalnet.com Ottawa, Canada %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% My fanfic now available at: http://www.capitalnet.com/~brignell/ ****************************** ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 8 Nov 1997 10:31:54 -0700 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Debby Stark Subject: Re: .Debby's fanfic plot... Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 07:18 AM 11/7/97 +1100, Jenny S wrote: >...(For those of you who don't know, Ballarat was the >site of the Eureka Stockade, the closest thing Australia ever had to a war >of independence from England.) Lois: Australia? Does this mean I'll have to pack an overnight bag? Clark: That or I can loan you my cape... Debby Debby@swcp.com fan of Yahoo Serious :) ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 8 Nov 1997 22:01:57 +0000 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Genine E Murray Subject: Re: .Debby's fanfic plot... On Sat, 8 Nov 1997 10:31:54 -0700 Debby Stark writes: >At 07:18 AM 11/7/97 +1100, Jenny S wrote: > >>...(For those of you who don't know, Ballarat was the >>site of the Eureka Stockade, the closest thing Australia ever had to >a war >>of independence from England.) > > Lois: Australia? Does this mean I'll have to pack an overnight bag? >Clark: That or I can loan you my cape... > >Debby >Debby@swcp.com >fan of Yahoo Serious :) > LOL Debby!!!!!!!!!! ;) Sorry, I just had to pipe up and say that. Hey, I'm bored when LOISCLA is down, okay?!? TTYAL! Genine ~ GemFoLC51@juno.com - SuperGeM on IRC Clark : "I have loved you from the beginning." Lois : "And I'll love you 'till the end." Lois & Clark : The New Adventures of Superman on TNT Watch TNT - Boycott ABC and Disney! :-) ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 8 Nov 1997 22:04:31 +0000 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Genine E Murray Subject: Re: SwapMeet: Metropolis -- Intermission Margaret ~ Well, so far all I've gotten of *both* stories is part 6, so I'm not sure I understand why Burbank has to catch up, since (as far as I know) they are both still in sync. Oh well. :) Genine ~ GemFoLC51@juno.com - SuperGeM on IRC Clark : "I have loved you from the beginning." Lois : "And I'll love you 'till the end." Lois & Clark : The New Adventures of Superman on TNT Watch TNT - Boycott ABC and Disney! :-) On Sat, 8 Nov 1997 11:30:28 -0500 Margaret Brignell writes: >As you know SwapMeet: Metropolis and SwapMeet: Burbank are >"mirrorfic". > >In order to maintain the parallelism in the stories, there will now be >an >intermission in the SwapMeet: Metropolis half of the story to allow >SwapMeet: Burbank to catch up > >The Metropolis story will resume Tuesday, November 11, 1997. > >Margaret > > >****************************** >Margaret Brignell >brignell@capitalnet.com >Ottawa, Canada >%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% >My fanfic now available at: >http://www.capitalnet.com/~brignell/ >****************************** > ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 8 Nov 1997 23:37:49 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Margaret Brignell Subject: Re: SwapMeet: Metropolis -- Intermission Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Genine At 10:04 PM 08/11/97 +0000, you wrote: >Well, so far all I've gotten of *both* stories is part 6, so I'm not sure >I >understand why Burbank has to catch up, since (as far as I know) they >are both still in sync. Oh well. :) Well, it's like this... I didn't want to spoil Debby's next four posts by posting my #7 now. Debby wrote way more detail than I did, so although the stories do sync, there's often more detail in Debby's half between plot points. As a result the number of segments between them doesn't coincide. We get back in sync at Debby's #11 and my #7. Did that help? Or, are you even more confused than ever? Margaret ****************************** Margaret Brignell brignell@capitalnet.com Ottawa, Canada %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% My fanfic now available at: http://www.capitalnet.com/~brignell/ ****************************** ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 9 Nov 1997 09:13:17 +0000 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Genine E Murray Subject: Re: SwapMeet: Metropolis -- Intermission Margaret ~~ Nope, I think that cleared it up for me! :) Thanks! Genine ~~ On Sat, 8 Nov 1997 23:37:49 -0500 Margaret Brignell writes: >Genine > >At 10:04 PM 08/11/97 +0000, you wrote: >>Well, so far all I've gotten of *both* stories is part 6, so I'm not >sure >>I >>understand why Burbank has to catch up, since (as far as I know) they >>are both still in sync. Oh well. :) > >Well, it's like this... > >I didn't want to spoil Debby's next four posts by posting my #7 now. >Debby >wrote way more detail than I did, so although the stories do sync, >there's >often more detail in Debby's half between plot points. As a result >the >number of segments between them doesn't coincide. We get back in sync >at >Debby's #11 and my #7. > >Did that help? Or, are you even more confused than ever? > >Margaret > >****************************** >Margaret Brignell >brignell@capitalnet.com >Ottawa, Canada >%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% >My fanfic now available at: >http://www.capitalnet.com/~brignell/ >****************************** > ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 9 Nov 1997 08:41:27 -0700 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Debby Stark Subject: Swap-Meet: Burbank part 7 of 20 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Swap-Meet: Burbank part 7 of 20 by Debby Stark, Debby@swcp.com [previous editing comments apply] "Sure! *All* the time. He's in a campaign now with George, George Clooney--he's playing Batman--they want to stop the paparazzi from hounding everyone and it's sort of working, big stars are joining up, and some of the TV tabloid shows are scared. But the fans, they're great. When he doesn't want to be noticed, though, Dean likes to wear sunglasses and a baseball cap--he keeps them in the desk there," he pointed to a drawer to left of where Clark sat, "and usually nobody notices him. There are lots of good-looking guys in LA, he just sort of blends in, I guess. I don't worry too much about it myself because I'm not as popular, but that's okay," he laughed, "*I* don't have to get in a harness and pretend to fly." Clark nodded to avoid saying "I see" again. Harness, fly?-- Ah, something would have to be rigged up to make it appear that the actor could fly. Hollywood magic. And Batman... "So, other than the fans and the paparazzi who could recognize him if he's not careful... You said something about Mr. Cain's family, didn't you?" "Yeah, his folks and his brother and sister are in New Hampshire making a movie. His dad is a good movie director. They're a real close family, so Dean wasn't too happy about having to be here on his own. He was hoping they could maybe meet in Aspen and spend the holiday there, but that didn't work out because his folks couldn't get away after all." "And he wasn't going to be in this aideswalk thing on Saturday." "Right. He does charity work all the time, as much as he can fit in, but he wasn't invited on that, I don't know why--or maybe he was but he didn't accept because of the Aspen thing." Sorted out, this was adding up nicely. "So his schedule is free for now and I won't be likely to ruin his life if I'm careful. You said he has no girlfriend at the moment." "Yeah, the last one dumped... well, it didn't work out. Too many schedule conflicts. It happens all the time really--for all busy people, not just for him." "Is he simply friends with Ms. Hatcher?" "Yeah, good friends, but they practically have to be. They spend hours and hours together on the set acting like married people, like you and Lois, I guess, I hope," he smiled as though he knew what all that entailed, "probably *less* like you and Lois... but they don't hang around together off the set. Paparazzi watch for that kind of thing since she's married and he's not. You know," he waved his hand to paint a headline, "'While her husband's away, Teri plays with costar.'" Clark nodded. "She's married. To John." "Right, but he's out of town, too, in *Venezuela*, and he's not due back until next weekend. Since *he* can't fly, and he's not going to take a plane up here for the weekend since there's no Thanksgiving in Venezuela, we don't have to worry about him." Another complication resolved. "Good." Some things were going to be easy, others tough. "So Ms. Hatcher and Mr. Cain don't do anything together off the set?" "Well, not often. They promote the show and do things for charity, but he'd rather hang out at the beach or work at home writing. She likes to putter around her house and make movies and do fashion shoots where it somehow turns out that she doesn't wear many clothes. You know, that kind of thing." "That kind of thing...?" "I think she's a little afraid of being stereotyped as Lois Lane." "But Lois wears nice clothes, so Ms. Hatcher..." didn't? Did she do... oh, my, nude layouts or worse? "I see." No, he didn't. He advised himself to toss that one on the far side of the pile of imponderables, too. Fortunately, what Hatcher did in her spare time did not matter to him or Lois. Unless... "She wasn't planning to do another... fashion shoot soon, was she?" Justin shrugged. "Not that I know of. She usually mentions it, like when she went to Mexico to do that beach thing. " Beach thing... maybe just swim suits. "But I think she was just going to relax for the holiday except for the Walk she and I are doing." Clark smiled. Hatcher would no doubt dress appropriately for that. Good for her. However, in the unlikely event that Lois found herself totally mistaken for Hatcher and asked do an on-the-spot nude fashion layout, there was no way that he'd condone it. Not that she'd dream for a moment of asking for his permission, but if she showed *any* interest, he'd step in and put his foot down. There were times such a reaction couldn't be avoided. But that probably wouldn't be necessary. "I'm sure we'll have your friends back in time to participate in whatever they planned to do." ...though how he and Lois would engineer that he had no idea. Dressed and ready to go, Clark realized that despite his confidence, he didn't know what exactly to do next. Here he had been worried about protecting the lives of those who they were replacing temporarily, and now it meant that he couldn't be seen in public with Lois, who was likely at any moment to be asked to drop her clothing and smile for a camera. What if Ms. Hatcher, unable to be the investigative reporter she played on TV, felt inclined to fall back on using her other skills while in Metropolis? They heard a knock on the door. Clark stood up. Kay's voice sang out, "Hey, in there! Are you decent?" As Justin stretched over to open the door, Clark rushed to dawn the baseball cap and sunglasses as a test. Lois was carrying a small purse (not the big one full of notebooks, camera and minitape recorder she usually used) and a computer bag with that laptop computer he'd spied earlier. She was also wearing sunglasses and, over a scarf, a baseball cap. She looked relaxed, happy to see him, ready to go. Justin smiled at her and Kay nodded at Clark. The two actors said almost simultaneously "Wow, you look just like him/her!" Lois and Clark looked heavenward, assuming that in this universe Heaven was accepted as being up. "No, really!" Justin said quickly. "But it's okay!" "We know what Teri and Dean look like when they dress this way, but most fans won't recognize you unless they're primed to look for you." "It's amazing how it works, really..." Clark took off the disguise and tossed the glasses and cap on the desk. "Come in, come in..." He motioned and made way for Kay to sit if she wanted to. "We have to make some plans." Justin popped up and offered Lois his chair but, too antsy, she politely ignored him. Had she taken it, that would have made her a member of the audience when she wanted to direct. "You're right," she nodded at Clark. She took off her sunglasses, too, and perched them securely on the bill of the cap, which she didn't take off. Aside she told him, "This Kay spells her name with the letter K only..." "Oh? That's unique." "But otherwise she's a lot like your mother, so watch out." "'Watch out'?" K echoed, smiling. "I'll take that as a compliment!" "I hope you do," Clark smiled, too, finding the woman's expression contagious. He realized that was what he'd been missing, the chance to genuinely smile about something pleasant. "My mom's terrific." "That's right," Lois said. "But we're terrific, too, and we can figure out what happened, reverse it and get everything straightened out again." "Wow..." Justin sighed. She stopped and looked at him. "'Wow' what?" "Wow, Lois and Clark in action!" They all looked at him. He took a small step back, put his hands in his pockets and shrugged helplessly. "Sorry..." "Well, to be honest with you, I'm in a wow mood, too," K admitted. "So I might say something like that, especially seeing you..." she motioned at Clark, "so... big as life. Bigger even, so please forgive me ahead of time." That was easy. "You haven't done anything wrong, neither of you have. But we're not in action, we don't have much to tackle this problem with." "We can make an outline and flesh it out," Lois suggested. "First we have to figure out who did this, and that will help us figure out how it was done." "Or we figure out how it was done and that may tell us who did it, if that's important. In either case, knowing how it was done can tell us how to reverse it." "We'll each work on our own angles." Justin and K sat in rapt attention. "But the more I think about it," Clark said, "the more I doubt this was done on purpose." Lois considered this. "Well, I've been wondering why no one's jumped out and shouted 'Boo! Caught you!'..." "Wow, they're not arguing," Justin whispered to K. "They're *thinking alike.*" K nodded. "Interesting..." Lois frowned "We *don't* think alike," "Though we do tend to agree more than we used to." "Wow...!" "Justin..." K warned, then she turned to Lois and Clark. "For the-who-is-responsible part, as far as I know, there haven't been any... villains plotting against Dean and Teri or you two, on the set or off. The worst that happens is that paparazzi will get pictures they shouldn't and the pictures wind up in the tabloids if the paparazzi don't get caught first." "Yeah, like for Batman. Security *creamed* those clowns." Clark whispered aside to Lois: "Someone named George Clooney, who is a friend of Mr. Cain's, is portraying Batman." Justin's eyes practically popped out of his head. "Wow, yeah! Is there a Batman where you come from, too? A *real* one?" "Ah, well, there is someone in Gotham City..." "There's a Gotham City!" "We don't have time for this..." Lois said quietly, "We can talk about it later," K agreed, "though Dean is good friends with George and there's the chance they might have been planning to get together today, so we'll have to try to avoid him. I don't think we have to worry about paparazzi villains though. They usually only give us trouble when we go on location and can't control what they see." "Yeah, like for your first wedding. They took all kinds of pictures outside the church and leaked the frog-thing news." "Frog-thing..." Lois said faintly. Clark touched her arm supportively and to warn her against saying anything she'd regret. "You know, the clone thing," Justin explained, "and Clark married the frog and nearly slept with her and--" "What?!" Nearly slept with...! Lois touched his arm. "Careful... K, it happened that way here? Your *pretend* Clark slept with the clone?" "Well, it was a close thing..." "*I* didn't sleep with the clone! How could I? I *knew* she was an imposter practically as soon as I saw her. My big problem was that I didn't know where Lex Luthor had taken Lois and the clone was all over me and then it wanted to kill Lois." "And Lex drugged me, too, but I escaped. Then I hit my head and got amnesia, and things got really weird, almost as weird as now..." She looked at Clark. "Lex? He vowed revenge..." "He always vows revenge." "Always?" K whispered to Justin. "That means..." Justin nodded, "He didn't get killed off in their world, wow..." Clark tried to ignore this. Lois did, too. "Besides, he'd keep me and send you." They nodded in agreement. "It can't be Luthor." "Clark rescued me," Lois continued for their friends, "and the hospital had me see an amnesia expert, but he drugged me, too, *and* hypnotized me into thinking I was in love with him, but that *never* felt right. I couldn't even *force* myself to kiss him." "I got her away from him, but not before a deadly machine nearly killed everyone in Metropolis by warping their thinking processes." "The Vibro Whammy," Justin nodded. "It made everyone want to dance." He took a few fancy steps and chanted something that sounded faintly African. Habba-heeba-huuba. "That was fun!" "It made everyone but Superman very suggestible," K explained. "It also made a lot of people very sick," Clark said grimly, "and several senior citizens had heart attacks." "S.T.A.R. Labs dug up that machine and they're rehabilitating," Lois told him. "Great, huh? I saw it this morning. I wish they'd junked it--I wish *you'd* destroyed it, it's a horrible thing." "It was evidence, I couldn't destroy it." Justin had stopped dancing since no one was commenting on it. He looked a little embarrassed. "We didn't get into all that on the show, the effects of the machine, how it probably hurt people, there's only so much time. Superman just pulled the plug. It helped Lois to, ah... well, you regained your... her memory and she--the one on our show, I mean--she remembered she loved Clark." He looked at Clark. "You... well, *our* Clark, Dean. She thought she nearly lost him, but it was okay because they didn't lose each other, we only lost some of the audience, and then they, Lois and Superman, flew away and floated in front of the moon and kissed and everything was all right and the fans who saw that part loved it." "Well, mostly they liked that it was all over," K added. Lois blinked and homed in on one detail. "After he nearly slept with a frog 'everything was all right'?" "He'd been blinded by love and the circumstances. After all, it was his honeymoon night and he was vulnerable and human, so it was..." K searched for a word. "Understandable." "*And* he was *really* eager to lose his..." Justin hesitated, "ah, well, his..." he searched for a word, too. "Patience." Clark blinked now. This made no sense, and how could they just talk about... No, he reminded himself, it wasn't real. "I think we're getting off track again..." Lois must have sensed his discomfort, but rather than insist he help her argue about it, she nodded. "We can talk about this later, too, when we talk about... Batman," which Clark knew she would not do voluntarily. She focused on K. "So you don't have any villains here--except whoever made all that up about our first wedding attempt." "No, no villains, and certainly not like the ones you're used to," K confirmed. "But let me assure you that your second wedding went off... okay, mostly, and most of the viewers, those we pulled in for it, they did love it." "What was there not to love? Sure we had a little trouble getting to Smallville..." She glanced at Clark; he shrugged in agreement. Being trapped in a hijacked 747 had been "interesting," as she'd put it later, he recalled. It had helped her get over some of her new round of pre-nuptial jitters. "But the ceremony there in the farm yard, surrounded by our friends and all the farm animals, the little chickens and the horses and the hay and that angelic pastor, it was really..." she softened; the animals had honestly made her squeamish, but in retrospect... "beautiful." K looked at Jimmy. Lois caught this and frowned, "What? Now what?" K looked uncomfortable and not Mom-like. "You can see it on tape if you want..." Clark decided it was time to take over. "Right, we'll do that. For now, no villains, but that makes sense because I doubt Ms. Hatcher and Mr. Cain draw that kind of attention." "True," K nodded. "Has anything odd *not* connected to them happened around here lately?" "We had another thunderstorm overnight," Justin offered. "That's a little unusual. It's cooler and we get rain this time of year, but not like that." "Yes, it was another violent storm. I'm glad we weren't shooting outside today, everything's still soggy. They've been having some wiring problems with some of the lights in the sound stage housing the Daily Planet set," K said, "but nothing to worry about. Those things do happen now and then in a business as complex and technical as this one." "Okay." Clark looked at Lois. "There may be a connection with electricity, but that alone wouldn't be the cause or even the trigger, just maybe a side effect." Lois nodded, frowning, not liking this, muttering, "There's something about the weather though... what was it..." She shook her head; Clark hoped she wasn't experiencing another headache. "I can't remember... It will come back to me, but you're right. We need to find a trigger here, if there is one, so we can backtrack and fix what caused it. Unless it was in Metropolis..." Clark nodded now. "We could be..." "Trapped here," Lois concluded, "forever," and she pursed her lips. K dashed in with, "Don't give up so quickly! What were you two doing back in your world just before you realized something had gone wrong?" That was a good question. "Lois and I were in a private conference room at the Planet--" "Going over notes, getting ready to talk to Perry about an assignment." "No, we have to be accurate. We were sharing a kiss." "Oh, you want accuracy? It was a *passionate* kiss, and we were about to forget Perry's deadline and head home as fast as you could fly." "We were?" "You bet your sweet chumpy we were!" "Wow...!" Justin's grin and K's gentle, knowing smile kept Clark from escalating this in turn. She'd wanted to rush home, too? Lois frowned at the two. "We're *married!* We can do that now!" "I didn't plan on us going *that* far, Lois..." Clark informed her quietly. "Next time I want a memo to that effect, please." "*But,*" he continued, louder for their friends' benefit, "I can't see how that in particular caused our problem. That's what we were... concentrating on, though, and the next thing we know, we're in a television production studio. We were still kissing, but our positions had changed completely and we were wearing your friends' clothing and makeup. I remember there was a... an *electric* feeling about the whole thing, but it passed quickly." Lois nodded. "I remember that, I thought it was static electricity." "That must have been some kiss!" Justin exclaimed. "The fans love that kind of thing!" "I don't think that's what they mean," K whispered. "No, it's not," Clark agreed. "We do make sparks, but not that way." "Well, *I* didn't feel anything, even though a bulb went out a few minutes before we started the final shoot," Justin said, "Of course, I wasn't kissing anyone. Before Dean kissed Teri, I was sitting on the Lois Lane Desk. We were supposed to talk about something, but as usual when Clark came up--not you, our Clark-- and they were obviously going to kiss, I, Jimmy split the scene." He looked at K. "That was wrap-up--hey, that's lucky! They don't have to do any more scenes. You two... or Dean and Teri don't start shooting again until Tuesday. But, anyway, I was close enough for most of that scene that I would have felt an *electrical charge* building up." Lois smiled, a solution at hand. "It was the wrap up of the story? The episode? Maybe there's a clue in the story line! Lots of times stories Clark and I work on have repercussions we never expect." "I don't think it's the same thing, Lois. It had to be all written down, there are scripts--" "Well, maybe they didn't follow the script, maybe they ad- libbed!--You do that, don't you?" K said, "Sometimes..." "Fine, there, see? Besides, it may be all we have." She faced the two actors, the excitement of a clue within reach prompting her to smile expectantly. "What was the episode all about?" K and Justin explained that it was a two-part story about a Pasta Pirate and a Praline Princess vying to rule Metropolis's snack industry by drugging consumers into eating like pigs. Superman, Lois and Clark had each been nearly killed in separate attacks. Jimmy had fallen briefly for a beautiful character named Jellie Beane despite his soul-mate attraction to a pretty blonde in a previous episode. The Pirate tried to woo Martha Kent, while the Princess had been attracted to a flattered Jonathan Kent. In the end, Perry had saved the day somehow, but neither Justin nor K knew many details of that; Justin said that Lane had been pleased with his part though. Lois drew back, unimpressed. She and Clark looked at each other and shook their heads. "No triggering mechanism there," she said. "I'm beginning to suspect our main problem may not be on this side." "And *I'm* beginning to worry about their show's viewers." "So it must be something you two did," K said. "After all, here in Burbank, we just don't have the... the super science or the truly villainous people. It's all special effects and politics." "Yeah, so what else were you two doing today besides kissing?" "Well, I wasn't starving like I am now." Lois picked up the purse and the laptop, resettling the straps of both on her shoulders. "I know I'll be able to think more clearly over a nice bowl of soup." She gave Clark a little shove. "Tell them." "Feed her and she's a regular little chatter box." "And, believe me, Clark can eat anything, even my cooking, though I'm sure he'll settle for something a lot better than that. So," she looked at K, "how about it?" *** (continued) ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 9 Nov 1997 15:00:12 -0800 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Leanne Shawler Subject: S5: Episode 6 (part 1 of 7) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" >From The Ashes by Leanne Shawler (edited by Donna Hafner) PROLOGUE: The ghostly trunks of trees flared and disappeared as the limousine's headlights sped by them. The occasional low branch would brush its burden of leaves over the top of the car. The driver slowed, seeing red signal lights ahead. The man in the rear, dressed in an elegant evening suit, leaned forward. "What's the matter, Frederick?" he asked. "Warning lights up ahead, sir." They drew closer and they could see a Mustang convertible pulled off on the side of the road. "Looks like a breakdown." A figure appeared from under the hood. It was a man, extremely tall and thin. However, this was no figure in shirt and jeans. He wore a claret velvet jacket, tight brown breeches, thigh-high boots and a tri-cornered hat on his head. "Poor fellow must be late for a party," Frederick's boss commented. "Let's give him a hand." "Yes sir." The chauffeur parked the limousine in front of the broken-down vehicle. Fred got out and approached the costumed man. "Need a hand, sir?" The man whipped out a space-age-looking gun from within his long coat. "In the air. Both of them," came the gruff order. The accent was from Yorkshire, although the chauffeur was incapable of telling a Canadian accent from an American one. The chauffeur obeyed instantly. "Open the door, my good fellow." Quivering, the chauffeur opened the rear passenger door. "I -- I'm sorry, sir," he whimpered to his employer who looked out, puzzled, at his chauffeur. He paled as he saw the gun. "You and the pretty little miss, get out," he ordered. The rich man did as he was told, not bothering to help his female companion who had to awkwardly slide out of the backseat in her tight white silk gown. "Who are you?" "They call me the Highwayman," he patted the top of his gun, "and this is Broad Bess." He glared at them and jerked a leather bag free of his belt. "Now if you would kindly place all cash, credit cards, jewelry and other valuables into this bag, nobody will get hurt." The rich man tore off his platinium Rolex watch and threw it and two jewelled, heavy gold rings into the bag. At the Highwayman's cough, he threw in his wallet. The Highwayman coughed again. His cufflinks went into bag as well. The chauffeur dropped his gold cufflinks, which were part of his uniform, into the bag and threw in a couple of dollars. The girl was struggling to get off the string of pearls from around her neck. She succeeded, dropping it and the matching pearl drop earrings into the bag. A slender gold watch followed. She pulled at her wedding ring. "You can keep that, ma'am," said the Highwayman stopping her. "I don't take items of sentimental value." The girl looked at him, startled. "Thank you," she gasped. "I hate to cause folks such hardship, especially the pretty ones." The girl dimpled. "Do you like my gun?" the Highwayman asked. "It's ... unusual," said the rich man. The Highwayman beamed with pride. "Ain't it just? Go on, take a good look at it. You too, ma'am." Obediently, they looked and the Highwayman fired. The three victims were bathed in a blue light and they jerked backwards in surprise. The Highwayman slammed down the hood of his car and drove off. The blue light eventually faded. The rich man shook himself, as if he'd just dozed off. He recited: "The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees, The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas, The road was a ribbon of moonlight, over the purple moor, And the highwayman came riding- Riding-riding- The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door." **** At the Daily Planet, both Lois and Clark were hard at work writing up their stories. The occasional glance revealed Perry White pacing in his office impatiently. Simultaneously, they tapped the "SEND" key to Perry's desk and grinned at each other. "Hey!" Jimmy's shocked exclamation had all the eyes of the newsroom upon him. He pointed to the television monitors suspended from the ceiling. Lois turned pale, jaw dropped. Clark couldn't believe it either. Perry came barrelling out of his office. "Jimmy, turn that up right now!" Jimmy scrambled for the remote. All eyes were on the screen. Standing behind a podium, in front of many microphones, stood the District Attorney and Lex Luthor. On their left stood the Chief of Police; on their right, a doctor still dressed in his white coat. Just over Lex's left shoulder, the face of a dark-haired woman could be seen. "Lex!" gasped Lois, disbelieving. She and Clark gazed at each other, fearful, before turning back to the screens. Jimmy finally found the remote control. The District Attorney had control of the microphone. "... turned himself in. His claim that a clone had stolen his identity was proven when we compared his fingerprints with those we took from the body that leapt from the top of Luthor's building in 1994. Further evidence revealed that it was the clone who committed the fraud involving the Daily Planet at that time and the evidence surrounding the case supports that. Mr. Luthor will now speak of his ordeal." The District Attorney stepped back to stand beside the Chief of Police, who looked sour. As Lex paused, Perry exclaimed: "Frank Jersey, you better be in that crowd, or your name is mud." "It is with great sorrow," began Lex, "that I have heard of the tragedies exacted by my clone. I will do everything in my power to recompense the city for its villainy. For three years, I have been incarcerated by a being I created in a foolish, vain attempt to allow myself, a man without children,--" Lois and Clark gave each other an incredulous look, "--to live on in perpetuity. I raised him as my second-in-command, teaching by example, virtually nothing was hidden from him." Lex's voice broke. "I was repaid by treachery. "I have lived in darkness, fed occasionally by my captor and his minions, who never knew my true identity. I--" Lex stood straighter and continued with anguished nobility, "I was forced to eat rats and slake my thirst on water that fell from a hidden grate above. I lived like this for over three years, until my clone's death enabled me to escape." Lex looked down upon the conglomeration of reporters and cameramen. "I found myself afraid of the light, shunning humanity, trying to bring back together the shreds of my own self. For the last six months I have been under secret and intensive psychotherapy with Doctor Young here from the Happy Hollow Rest Home until at last it was decided I was well enough to resume my place in the world." Lois and Clark looked at each other, chills running up their spine. RUN OPENING CREDITS A reporter shouted "What evidence is there that it was really a clone?" Lex smiled, unperturbed. "The fingerprints themselves are incontrovertible evidence. The current owners of Lexcorp have released certain documents to the police, which will now be made available to you, the press. These documents are from their research division and they show, in detail, human cloning experiments that occurred while I was in charge and that were stopped once the clone took over." "What about Jaxxon Xavier and Lex Luthor, Jr.?" yelled another. "They're both your sons!" "Atta boy, Frank!" Perry declared proudly. Lex sighed, frowning. "I have heard of what those men have done to this city. Their mothers, unfortunately, were promiscuous, and despite the fact that the paternity tests turned out negative, were very insistent. I was the richest man of their acquaintance after all. I fear that the little financial help I gave them counted against me in that respect. They are not my sons." "Will you resume your courtship of Lois Lane?" shouted another. Some of the reporters nearby cringed. Lex became like stone. "Ms. Lane is a married woman, and I am a married man." He was barraged by shouted questions. Lois and Clark turned to each other. "Married?" They were shushed by the other Daily Planet staff. On the screen, Lex turned and gestured to the woman behind him. She shook her head, her straight black hair brushing her plain face, but eventually allowed herself to be cajoled forward. Lex still had his charm. "This is Beth, my wife," Lex announced, "and my saviour." More questions were verbally pelted towards the couple. Beth shook her head and backed away from the podium. "To answer your questions, we were married yesterday and yes, we are very much in love." Clark gave Lois a "yeah right" look. She frowned back at him. Lex waved off further questions. "You will all receive printed statements and copies of the relevant documents, such as the LexCorp ones, within the hour. Any further questions can be directed to my office, LuthorCorp, or of course, to the District Attorney's office. All I want to do now is once more become a solid citizen of Metropolis and repay the debts incurred by my clone." He stepped back from the podium and looked directly into the camera, his face sad. Something sinister in his eyes made Lois shiver. "Well, that's it, folks," shouted Perry, startling his employees. "Show's over! Now let's get to work!" Perry started giving orders. "Jimmy! I want you to see if we had any photographers down there. If not, head over to LNN and see if we can borrow some video footage -- I want colour pictures for the morning edition!" He yelled a few more orders to his reporters, getting them on the various angles thrown up by this breaking story. Lois and Clark stood at a loss until Perry subsided. "You two," he said, gruffly, "in my office now." **** Perry sat behind his desk. The office was familiar to the reporting duo. They'd been hauled into his office many a time. "I have some things to say to the two of you," Perry began, "I don't want either of you working on any story that has a possible connection to Luthor, d'ya hear?" Clark nodded, but Lois argued: "Perry, we're the best reporters you have and you're not going to put us on Metropolis' biggest story of the year?" "Lois, you're both too close to the story. The things Lex -- Lex's clone," Perry corrected himself, "has done to you two doesn't bear repeating. If I put you on the story, all you'd do would attempt an expose--" Clark interrupted, "Isn't that what you want? Do you believe for a moment that he's telling the truth?" Clark's face was stony hard. "I mean, this would be the D.A.'s career making case. To arrest Lex Luthor and put him away once and for all. It just doesn't make sense!" "Now, Clark," Perry reasoned, "you can't arrest someone if you don't have proof. That's false imprisonment. That's how the last D.A. got elected out of office." Perry added soothingly, "You have every reason to be angry, but at the moment, we don't have anything to go on. Stay away from Lex." Clark replied, "This whole thing stinks if you ask me." "Perry," Lois begged, "Clark and I both need to find out the truth. We won't rest until we do, we won't be at peace." "I'll never be at peace until Lex Luthor is back behind bars where he belongs," growled Clark angrily. Perry shook his head. "Listen to yourself, Clark. You don't have an open mind on the subject. I expect and get objective reporting. Until y'all calm down, you'll be writing the obituaries." "Sorry, Chief," Clark looked down at his hands, but he was still tense with anger. "If the two of you are done with that story of yours, why don't you go home and take the rest of the afternoon off?" "Perry, won't you at least consider our working on the story?" Lois begged. Their editor softened slightly. "Aw, Lois honey, you know I want the best for the two of you. Right now, your emotions are raw and you both need time out to take the edge off them. Why after Elvis left Priscilla, that's exactly what he did. Took some time out, and then came back as hot as ever. So go home, talk it over, take it easy, by which time we'll see whether we have a story here or not." "But Perry--" persisted Lois. "No more arguing, go home!" It was an order, not a suggestion. Lois and Clark collected their coats and went home. *** Mindy Church, head of Intergang, used a slim black remote to turn off the television. "Well!" she said. Her frown implied that things were anything but well, as did the tapping of her lacquered fingernails upon her desk. She pressed another button and the television disappeared upwards into a previously hidden recess. "So Lex is back," she drawled thoughtfully. "What do we do?" The minion who had brought her news of the press conference cowered somewhere halfway between her desk and the door. "Do?" Mindy asked as if anything needed to be done. "Why, we make him an offer he can't possibly refuse." The underling shook his head. "He's an honest citizen!" Mindy chuckled deeply. "Lex Luthor has never been an honest citizen. He's as honest as I am." "But--" "Freddy, I don't like it when people disagree with me." Mindy's baby blue eyes hardened. "I--I'm just advising caution?" Fred said hopefully. Mindy's eyes narrowed as she thought. "You could be right," she said. "Even if he's innocent, Lex would be under close watch by the police. We don't need to tip them off about what I'm up to." She gave Fred a smile that was almost a caress. "Good work, Joe. I shall have to reward you." Fred sagged with relief and then paled again as Mindy rose from behind her desk and sashayed towards him, her lips pursed for a kiss. "Rewards aren't necessary!" he gasped. **** Lois watched Clark change channels using the remote with short, angry jerks. Finally, she asked: "Clark? Do you want to talk about it?" She sat beside him and rested a hand on his thigh. Clark continued to channel-surf. "It's about Lex, isn't it," Lois prompted. Clark turned off the television and tossed the remote onto the coffee table before them. "Yes, it's about Lex. I don't believe his story for a moment, do you?" "Well, we know clones exist and the fingerprints ..." began Lois. "You believe him?" Clark asked, stunned. He stood and began to pace. "After everything that has happened, and still you believe him?" Hurt, Lois stood and snapped back: "Clark, remember that clone of me? She had the same intelligence as I but her emotions and motivations were extreme. Why not Lex's clone?" "Lois, it's simply too convenient." "Explain how he survived the underground collapse then?" "The same way he leapt off the tallest building in Metropolis and survived." "The police have proof it wasn't him who jumped. Besides, that woman, Dr. Kelly, is dead." "The technology isn't," Clark snapped back. The phone rang. Clark pounced on it. "What?" He winced as he recognised the voice and spoke more calmly. "Oh, hi Mom." He listened briefly. "Yes, we saw it on the news too. Lois--" "--must be incredibly upset that that man is back," Martha finished for him. "If I were her, I'd be wishing that what he said was true." Martha's reasoning hit home. "While Lex is around, I don't think Lois will ever feel safe." "Don't worry, Mom, I'll look after her." "You better, son," chimed in Jonathon, "she's our favourite daughter-in-law!" "Let us know if you need anything, won't you, Clark?" Martha added. "Sure." "Maybe you could come out for a few days," Jonathon suggested. "Maybe. I'll have to talk to Lois about it, Dad." Clark turned around and found that Lois wasn't standing there. "I'll call you later, ok?" He hung up and called out, "Lois?" Clark searched through the house at super-speed and finally found her curled up on their bed. "Lois, honey?" Lois curled up even tighter, tensing. "Lois, I'm sorry." Clark took a moment to pull his thoughts together. "It's just that I'm just as scared as you are." He soothingly stroked her back. "No more fighting until we find out the truth for sure, ok?" "Oh Clark!" Lois uncurled herself just enough to throw herself into his arms. They held each other tight. When she had calmed down enough to speak, Lois began, "Clark, I'm just so afraid for the two of us because of what he knows about you. If it was the clone who knew, then the clone is dead and we're safe and I really want to believe that," Lois laid her hand on Clark's chest to accentuate her point, "but if this is the real Lex *and* the Lex who made a clone of me, then he knows who you are and we're all in danger. You, me, your parents, everyone!" "I know, Lois, I know." Clark smoothed her hair soothingly. "That's why I'm scared too." His hand tightened around a lock of her hair. "I just want to get rid of him, send him to the Arctic, send him somewhere where he can never harm us." "I want that too," Lois said, "but if he doesn't know, then it would be an unfair punishment. We -- Superman -- can't act without knowing for sure. That's scary too." "Lois, we can't let Perry derail us on this. We have to find out; we have to know." She looked up at Clark, smirking slightly. "It's not like we haven't gone behind Perry's back before!" Clark smiled and kissed her smirk. "Speak for yourself!" ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 9 Nov 1997 15:00:31 -0800 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Leanne Shawler Subject: S5: Episode 6 (part 2 of 7) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" The Highwayman normally ignored the modern gadgetry which surrounded him in Metropolis, but he couldn't help but look at the television screens on display in the electronics store window, their flickering light attracting him in that dark hour of night. What he saw stopped him in his tracks. He moved right up to the window and stared in disbelief. The late night news was running and the story of the day was the return of Lex Luthor. The Highwayman didn't care about that. "Bess!" he gasped, his eyes riveted to the dark-haired woman that stood at Lex's side behind the podium. His fingertips lightly brushed the window. "Don't worry, my sweet," he whispered. "I will rescue you." **** The next morning, Clark went out and bought every newspaper and news magazine on the subject, even international ones. Together, he and Lois sat down at their dining table and went through them all. Many of the papers carried only the official story as released by Luthor. Others had comments from LexCorp scientists. Each article carried a variation on the same photo: Lex's face showing not only his sorrow but the hard lines of imprisoned life. No matter how they looked at it, for good or evil, Lex was back. Clark blurted: "I don't believe it!" Lois looked up. "What?" Clark was reading BusinessWeek. "Luthor actually declared money he held in a Swiss bank account, so he wouldn't lose it to the IRS!" "He did?" "Yeah, it says here that he transferred it to another account and kept it secret from everyone, including his clone." "Sounds a little ... convenient." Lois and Clark shared a wry smile. "The really amazing thing is that IRS is letting him keep most of it!" "Wow," Lois breathed. "How did he manage that?" Clark shrugged. Lois looked at her watch. "We better get going." "Are you sure you want to go into work today?" "Clark, I am not going to run scared from Lex Luthor. I wouldn't give him the pleasure!" Lois' eyes flashed with frightened, but determined, fire. Clark smiled. "I guess we better see what obituaries Perry has lined up for us." Lois winked back. "And see what else we can dig up. Pun intended." Clark groaned. *** "Hey Jimmy!" Clark called out as soon as he realized Perry wasn't on the newsfloor. Jimmy rushed up, his arms loaded with manila folders, binders and miscellaneous pieces of paper. "Look guys, I'm kinda busy right now. Perry's given me a lot of work to do." Lois sidled up to Clark's desk. "Jimmy, we were just wondering if you had a copy of those LexCorp documents." "On my desk." Jimmy replied, his voice short. Lois and Clark looked over at his desk and saw its usual messy state and then looked at each other. Jimmy caught the look. "Come on, I'll give it to you. I'm on my way there now." They walked over with Jimmy. He dumped the material he'd been carrying on his desk and handed them the LexCorp documents. "What're you working on?" Clark asked. "Perry's asked me to trace the LexCorp scientist who worked on the clone project. He wants a background story on clones. It's drudge work, but it's a start." "What about Doctor Mamba?" Lois interjected. "I'm working on that too. These records should give me some keys into some very interesting places on the network." Jimmy was itching to get started and they left him to it. "Hey, hey, hey," Ralph breezed up with a grin on his face. "If it isn't our newest obit reporters." Lois glared at him. "Can it, Ralph." Ralph shrugged. He'd scored his point. "I'm off to get me an interview with the lovely Mrs. Luthor. Did I say lovely?" Ralph gagged. "That's a joke!" "She looks a whole lot better than you," Lois snapped at Ralph's back. She turned to Clark. "Oooh, he makes me so mad! It's so unfair! How does Perry expect to get an objective report from Ralph?" Clark shrugged. "Well, you gotta say one thing for Ralph. He certainly can sniff out the dirt!" Lois humphed. **** Lex Luthor opened the door of The House of Astrology, a neon-lit "hole in the wall" in a seedy part of Metropolis. The doorbell tinkled. Asabi bustled out into the main room from behind a beaded curtain. "I am sorry, but we're clo--" Asabi stopped in astonishment. "Luthor!" he gasped. "I saw you on TV. Who are you really?" "Asabi, have you become cynical? I am who I said I am." Lex raised an amused eyebrow. "You have powers, Asabi. See for yourself." Asabi nodded. He closed his eyes and focused inward for a moment. He raised his arms, eyes still closed, his hands hovering above Lex Luthor's head. He brought his hands slowly down until they were hovering just above Lex's hair. Asabi moved his hands slowly, feeling Luthor's aura. He paused, frowning for a moment, before dropping his hands away and opening his eyes. "It's very strange." Lex was immediately on guard. "Strange?" "Barely a year ago, your soul was badly damaged. Very dark," Asabi explained. "I see your soul now -- and it is almost like it once was." He smiled. "Welcome back, Mr. Luthor." Lex relaxed slightly. "Thank you, Asabi. Now let's get down to business." "Business?" Asabi looked perplexed. "Business," repeated Lex. "You do want to work for me again, don't you." Lex didn't phrase it as a question. "Yes, of course." Asabi gave him an Indian bow of respect and continued, "I have been waiting for you to return, as I knew you would." "You worked for my clone," Lex remarked, his eyes cold. Asabi shivered. "Yes, but I thought it was you. Souls can change so much sometimes ..." Lex cut him off with a wave of his hand. "I have a couple of problems that require your assistance." "Anything." "I need to start to rebuild, Asabi," Lex ticked off one finger. "See who is interested in coming back to work for me: scientists, businessmen -- you know who used to work for me. Be very careful, I don't want any squealers." "Yes, sir, I remember them." "We'll have the outwardly respectable ones openly join LuthorCorp. As for the more shady characters," Lex smiled. "Be sure that I have a strong hold over them. Which brings me to the second item." Lex ticked off another finger. "I simply cannot have any shady connections to my person. Therefore, I need a place separate from my new corporate headquarters where I can do business with them." Lex levelled his eyes upon Asabi. "Find one -- where I can't be followed or traced." "A difficult task and one that may take some time in completing," complained Asabi. "Done well, Asabi, and it should take you quite some time. We can meet at random places until then." Asabi nodded and bowed. "Your will, sir." Lex smiled for the first time. "Now, Asabi, do you have a pretty crystal that I can present to my wife?" "I have many crystals..." Asabi eagerly beckoned him over to his display case. **** Clark rubbed his face tiredly. It was in the small hours of the morning. He and Lois had read the LexCorp clone documents. "I may be Kryptonian, but this goes beyond my scientific knowledge," complained Clark. "A job for Doctor Klein?" "Looks like it." **** Superman quietly entered S.T.A.R. labs and found Dr. Klein hunched over a computer, typing. "Dr. Klein?" "Ah, Superman!" Dr. Klein looked up from the screen, glad for the break. Superman held out the folder containing the LexCorp documents. Dr. Klein took one look at the distinctive logo. "Ah yes." "Could you look at them and see if they're legit?" Superman asked. "Already have," Dr. Klein replied. He saw the surprised look on Superman's face and explained. "The D.A. handed it to S.T.A.R. Labs to decipher and seeing as I was leading the investigation into understanding what made Lois Lane's clone tick, I got landed with it. I haven't had a chance to sleep yet." "So you told the D.A. they were legitimate?" Clark knew this would be a dead end. Lex wouldn't let out something that wasn't to his advantage. "The technique was different to what I had observed in Lois' clone. This experiment had some unnatural apoptosis, or cell death, which caused weakness and eventually the clone's death. The experiments which dealt with improving that are incomplete." "Incomplete?" "Yes, it has the modifications to the experimental design and some initial excellent results, but there it ends abruptly." "Do you think that Luthor removed some pertinent information?" Superman folded his arms as he listened to Dr. Klein. "If he did, then it was a superior job. There is a memo from Lex to close down the entire clone project. It's dated May 2nd, 1994." "What?" Superman interrupted him. "That's the day Luthor took over the Planet." "Luthor's clone," Klein reminded him. "When an experiment ends, you pull it apart or let it die a natural death. In both cases, a good scientist will detail the process. There's none of that. When I reported that to the D.A., he replied that they'd already established that the documents had not been tampered with in any way. They concluded that Lex's clone must have closed down the project." "That's pretty sketchy." Dr. Klein shrugged. "With the fingerprint evidence, whoever jumped off that building may have looked like Lex, but it wasn't him." "But how? The fingerprints should be identical." "Clones are just like twins," Klein explained. "They have the same genetic makeup. However, just like twins, they also have different fingerprints. Their genes ensure that the pattern is very similar, but as the clone embryo develops, the fingerprints change slightly." **** Lois was waiting for him back at the Planet. "Well?" she asked. Clark bent over, head close to hers. "Dr. Klein says the LexCorp files are kosher. He said the D.A. had had them examined already and found them untampered. They just couldn't figure out what they meant. So they asked Dr. Klein to look at them. He says they're real." "Well of course they're real! Lex wouldn't give out something if they weren't!" "Lois! Clark!" The two of them jumped guiltily. Perry was directly behind them. "Hellfire, I knew obituaries wouldn't keep you away for very long. I have a story for you." "Perry," Lois said, "we've already started on the Luthor story, so why not keep us on it?" "Because I don't want you getting hurt." Perry wagged his finger at them. "And I'm talking more than journalistic credibility here." Clark gave up first. "What do you have for us, Chief?" "There was a report on the wire just now. A series of strange robberies. The victims are found reciting poetry." "Poetry?" they chorused in disbelief. "That's what I said. See what you can find out." Perry left them. Lois sighed. "I guess we better file a story." She began to dial. "Who're you calling?" "Henderson. If he isn't on the case, he knows someone who is. Besides, he might have something to tell us about Lex." **** Inspector Henderson met them by the precinct headquarters. "What're you doing on this case?" he asked. "I thought you'd be working away on the Luthor one." "Not us," Lois declaimed. "Perry thought we were too close to the situation." "Luthor should be in jail, not walking free," declared Clark. "Clark, I like it about as much as you do. There's not much I can do about it, except keep my eye on him. With computers wiped, books missing and employees still refusing to talk, we can't pin anything on him beyond the Daily Planet takeover anyway. I was there when he was fingerprinted. And it's impossible to change the prints we already had in the computer from the corpse." "Impossible?" Clark asked. Henderson nodded. "So what do you want to know about this robber poet case?" "That's what you call it?" Clark asked. "As good a name as any, until we get some sort of description of this guy." "No description?" Lois echoed. "None. All of the victims have lost about five minutes of their memory. It's been replaced with a verse of a poem that changes each time." Henderson rifled through his pockets. "Here, I brought you a copy of what we have of the poem so far." Clark took it and read it through. "It sounds vaguely familiar." He passed it to Lois, who began reading it. Clark snapped his fingers. "It's called The Highwayman, by Alfred Noyes. I remember reading it in high school." Henderson grunted. "That's right, Clark. It's more than likely he or she read it then too." Lois looked disgusted at Clark. "Is there anything you don't know?" Clark shrugged. Lois rolled her eyes at him. Henderson was thinking. "No doubt our robber thinks he's the hero." "Weird," said Lois. "You said it!" Henderson replied, "and what's more, he appears to be a gentleman robber. Two of his victims have been women and both times he's apparently let them keep an object of sentimental value to them. Twenty carat gold wedding ring in one case, and a locket in silver and gold in another." "Apparently?" Clark picked up on that. "Like I said, the victims have no memory of the robbery. They come to and find all their money and valuables gone -- but any time they attempt to think of what happened, out comes that verse. We have a hypnotist working on them, but to no avail." "You think they've been hypnotized?" Lois asked. "According to our hypnotist, yes, it's very much like a hypnotic suggestion. Usually, you can break through it. No luck so far." "Can we meet these people?" Lois asked. Henderson gave them another sheet of paper. "I knew you'd ask. However, you won't get much from them." "If we get anything new, we'll let you know, Inspector," Clark promised. **** Leanne Shawler volterra@sd.znet.com http://www.znet.com/~volterra/leanne.html ************************************************************** Lois & Clark: Season 5 http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/season5.htm text only version at: http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/s5text.htm ************************************************************** Midnight Dreaming: The Original Anthony Warlow Home Page http://www.zweb.com/volterra/anthony.html ************************************************************** Leanne Shawler aka Volterra on IRC volterra@sd.znet.com http://www.znet.com/~volterra/leanne.html *********************************************************************** Lois and Clark Season 5 Fanfic: http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/season5.htm *********************************************************************** Midnight Dreaming: The Original Anthony Warlow Home Page: http://www.zweb.com/volterra/anthony.html *********************************************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 9 Nov 1997 15:00:45 -0800 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Leanne Shawler Subject: S5: Episode 6 (part 3 of 7) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Back in their jeep, Lois punched a number into her mobile phone. "What are you doing?" Clark asked. "Calling Jimmy." Lois hushed Clark as Jimmy answered. "Jimmy, could you get into the Police Records Database? The fingerprint records?" She listened. "Let me know, ok?" Lois hung up and turned the radio on. "Done. Let's go visit the Fitzroys." Clark gazed at her in admiration. "The second victims?" "Right." "This just in," the announcer's voice crackled over the car speakers. "Police crews have finished exhuming the assumed graves of Lex Luthor's clone and three others. These bodies had been retrieved from the debris of a collapsed underground cavern two years ago. Results of further tests on these bodies are still pending." Lois checked the rear view mirror before pulling out into traffic. "Another piece of the puzzle," remarked Lois, her eyes on the road. "I'll wager it'll fall just where Luthor wants it to," Clark growled. "He'll either have planted some evidence or he'll bribe the coroner." "Like he did with Jack and the Daily Planet?" "Yeah." "They saw through that one eventually," Lois reassured. "They'll see through this one as well." ****** Lois took a look at a street number. "We're here." Lois parked their Jeep Cherokee outside an opulent mansion. Tall Ionian columns rose three stories to support the roof of the Southern-style building. "Wow," Lois said. "That's rich." "That's more than rich," Clark replied, as they got out of the car. "That's *old* rich." They walked up the drive and knocked on the front door. A butler opened it and looked down at them. "Service entrance, please," he stated coldly. Lois ignored him. "We're Lois Lane and Clark Kent of the Daily Planet. May we see Mr. and Mrs. Fitzroy?" "Do you have an appointment?" "I would appreciate you telling them we're here. We're doing a story on Metropolis' old families." The butler looked as if he didn't believe it. He closed the door on them. "Lois," Clark whispered, "we are *not* doing a story on Metropolis' old families." "Do you think they'd see us otherwise?" Lois whispered back. "Besides, we can write up a piece. Perry would be pleased." "Do you think they'd answer our questions about the--" Clark broke off as the front door reopened. "Mrs. Fitzroy declines the honour of speaking with you about her family, which she regards as very private, but if you would like to talk about the robbery, you may come in." Clark did his best to hold back a snicker. "Thank you," Lois said primly, hiding her wounded pride as she went in. They found Mrs. Fitzroy in a gigantic formal living room. Rich tapestries hung from the walls. A small fire roared in a huge marble fireplace. The furniture was all from the Queen Anne Revival era, elegantly shaped and curved. Mrs. Fitzroy was perched on the edge of one of the sofas. The butler announced them. "So have you come about old families or the robbery, Ms. Lane?" "The robbery," Clark replied for her. "My wife didn't think you'd see us." "Quite so," Mrs. Fitzroy replied. "The Metropolis Star did a story on our family history last week. So I knew you were lying. However, I did decide to see you. You see, this wretched person must be stopped." "You don't remember anything about the incident?" As if a puppet-master had pulled her to attention, Mrs. Fitzroy stood stiffly and recited: "Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in the dark inn-yard, And he tapped with his whip on the shutters, but all was locked and barred; He whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there But the landlord's black-eyed daughter, Bess, the landlord's daughter, Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair." She came to her senses the moment the last word was out of her mouth. Mrs. Fitzroy put a quivering hand to her lips. "I did it again, didn't I?" she half-whispered. "It's all right, Mrs. Fitzroy," Lois guided her back to her seat and sat beside her. "We understand that this happened on the way home?" "Yes, not a mile from the entrance to our driveway. It's so bizarre. There's no damage to the car, no indication we were forced over. We must have stopped willingly for some reason." "Where is your husband, Mrs. Fitzroy?" Clark asked. "Poor Tony hasn't stood up to the strain of this very well. You see, he keeps forcing himself to try and remember what happened. I'm afraid he cracked under the strain. His doctor sent him off to a rest home." "Which rest home?" asked Clark. "The Happy Hollow Rest Home," she replied. "I went to visit him this morning. I'm afraid you won't find him very coherent." At the name of the rest home, Lois and Clark exchanged surprised glances. This place was more of a mental institution than a rest home! It was also where Lex apparently had been treated. Lois smiled. "We'll try there anyway, thanks." **** The Highwayman stood before Mindy Church's desk. On the desk between them was a small pile of cash, watches and jewelry. Mindy pulled out a wallet and extracted three credit cards. "These," she said, "are useless to us unless we can run them up before they are cancelled." The Highwayman shrugged, not caring. Mindy beamed at him. Her latest recruit was very tall, and rather thin, but quite handsome -- and those tight pants! "But good work, very good work. The poor will be deeply grateful to you." The Highwayman waved a hand dismissively. "I do not do this for the recognition, madam. My reward is knowing that the poor and needy will be helped." A flicker of sadness crossed his features. "And knowing that my Bess would be proud of me." "Bess?" Mindy's forehead crinkled in sweet confusion. "Isn't that your gun?" "This?" The Highwayman retrieved the modified gun from somewhere within his greatcoat. "I named this in honour of my Bess. She was the grandest lass that ever was." Mindy rose and walked around the desk to him. "She died? I'm sorry." She softly caressed his arm. Her touch made no dint in his expression or stance. "I had to leave her." His fingers touched his gun like it was a woman. Mindy ran her hand down his arm to rest just above his wrist. "Maybe you'll find her again one day," Mindy suggested. The Highwayman nodded, giving her a crooked smile. "I have seen her. I will be with her again soon." With his index finger, he caressed Mindy's cheek. "Your kindness and generosity make you worthy of her." Mindy managed to blush and flutter her eyelashes at him coyly. "Nobody could be worthy of your Bess." He was unaware of her insincerity. "Doctor Sliverstein was. He gave me Broad Bess." He patted the gun. "Showed me how to use it." The Highwayman frowned. "Alas, he disappeared soon after. I never got the chance to thank him properly." Mindy became immediately aware that she was with a highly dangerous man, but that just excited her more. "Don't you worry," she purred. "I won't leave you, and perhaps I can help you find your Bess." She smiled up at him. "We'll make a great team together." The Highwayman looked down at her. Invisible sparks flew between them as he bent down to kiss her. **** Lois and Clark walked through the rose garden of the Happy Hollow Rest Home towards the shallow pond at the foot of the hill, where Tony Fitzroy was awaiting them. Quickly, they reached the pond. Tony Fitzroy was sitting on a bench with a blanket over his legs. His shoulders were hunched and when they got close enough, they could see he was balding and had watery blue eyes. Clark pulled up a wrought iron garden chair for Lois and sat on the bench next to Fitzroy. "Strong," Tony Fitzroy commented. "I'm Clark Kent from the Daily Planet and this is Lois Lane." "The famous reporters!" Tony drawled. "We'd like to talk to you about the robber poet," Lois began, speaking gently. Tony began to shake. "No ..." "Please, Mr. Fitzroy," interjected Clark, "we don't want to talk about the actual robbery. Just the effects it has had on you. We're writing a human interest piece on the case." "The effect? The effect?!" Tony's voice rose in agitation. "This mind thing he's done to me has put me in the loony bin! That's what he's done to me! Not only has he robbed me blind but he's destroyed my life and career!" Tony rose, the blanket falling to the grass. "Stick that in your story." He stormed off towards the main building. Clark looked at Lois wryly. "That went well." She smiled back. "Didn't it?" She stood. "Let's see if we can find Dr Young, while we're here." "By accident?" Clark asked, smiling. "Is there any other way?" ***** "Doctor Young?" Lois stuck her head around the doctor's door. Dr. Young looked up and smiled at her pretty face. "Yes. Can I help you?" "I sure hope so, Doctor Young." Lois opened the door wider and walked in, followed by Clark Kent. "We'd like to ask you some questions about your treatment of Lex Luthor." Dr. Young's eyes widened in recognition. "Ah, I know who you are now. I'm sorry but I don't do interviews." Lois sat down in a chair opposite Dr. Young. "Let's just suppose I'm a concerned citizen with a personal interest in Luthor's case. You *are* aware of his obsession with me?" Clark rested a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Ms. Lane," Dr. Young shook his head. "I must respect my patient's confidentiality." Lois used her best "little girl lost" look. "So I'm safe?" she asked. "Ms. Lane, he wouldn't be outside of this facility if he were dangerous." Clark added, "Was he delusional? Did he say crazy things?" Dr. Young sighed. "I'm sorry, but I've already told you I cannot tell you anything. Now, I'm a busy man, if you'll excuse me." Lois and Clark looked at each other. It was a clear dismissal. Lois sighed and stood. "Thank you for your time, Dr. Young." Outside his office, walking down the hallway, Clark said, "That was fruitful, wasn't it?" Lois grimaced. "We could always break in later." "Lo-is," Clark said warningly. A high-pitched woman's voice whispered, "Superman!" Lois and Clark stopped in their tracks. **** COMMERCIAL BREAK? Leanne Shawler volterra@sd.znet.com http://www.znet.com/~volterra/leanne.html ************************************************************** Lois & Clark: Season 5 http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/season5.htm text only version at: http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/s5text.htm ************************************************************** Midnight Dreaming: The Original Anthony Warlow Home Page http://www.zweb.com/volterra/anthony.html ************************************************************** Leanne Shawler aka Volterra on IRC volterra@sd.znet.com http://www.znet.com/~volterra/leanne.html *********************************************************************** Lois and Clark Season 5 Fanfic: http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/season5.htm *********************************************************************** Midnight Dreaming: The Original Anthony Warlow Home Page: http://www.zweb.com/volterra/anthony.html *********************************************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 9 Nov 1997 15:01:22 -0800 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Leanne Shawler Subject: S5: Episode 6 (part 5 of 7) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Beth watched her husband from the shadowed doorway. He stood staring upwards at the sky. "Lex?" She stepped into the room. Lex turned slowly, his face thoughtful. "Yes, my dear?" "You have to be careful, Lex." Beth walked towards him. "Superman is a very powerful enemy." Lex moved to caress her shoulder. "Beth, there's no need to worry. Superman will get bored watching me, I promise you. There's no chance that I'll do anything to keep his attention." Beth smiled into her husband's eyes. She poked him in the arm, causing Lex's eyes to fly wide open with surprise. "You better not!" she said with a grin. Lex got the same look of mischief about his eyes and gave her a poke back. "And who would stop me, if perhaps I did?" he challenged, smiling. Beth held his hands at his side, stepping even closer, nose to nose. "I would, Lex," she whispered, serious now. "You know it." Lex shook himself out of her grip, frowning. "Yes, I believe you would." He turned away from her and went back to his desk, his back to her. "Lex," Beth came up behind him, her soft voice begging, and lightly caressed his stiff shoulders. She got no response. **** Lois and Clark stepped out of the taxi and entered the grounds of the Burnhild Mansion Hotel. The historic building was set back from the road and the drive arced elegantly across the green lawn. "Coming through!" The Kents were startled by a bunch of young boys and girls dashing across the driveway, screaming and laughing their lungs out. Lois managed to note that they were dressed in little suits and frilly dresses before they vanished into the trees. A young woman in a severe grey uniform came puffing up. "Which way?" she gasped. Clark pointed helpfully. "Children?" Lois asked before the woman could dash off. "Luthor's idea. 'Why should the fundraisers get all the fun?' he said." The woman rolled her eyes and attempted to put her hair back in some order. "I don't see him out here trying to keep up with the wretches! Excuse me." She ran off into the bushes. Lois and Clark exchanged puzzled looks and walked on. **** The ballroom was jam-packed with people. Women in silks, satins and other exotic materials, mingled and chatted with men looking dashing in tuxedos. Three large chandeliers glittered above the dance floor and a carved wood balcony ran around a mezzanine level of the room. Heavy blooms of orchids, carnations and roses overflowed from strategically placed vases, adding to the air's perfume. Perry steamrolled towards them, Alice in tow. "Lois, Clark, just so you know, there's no sign of him yet." "Thanks Perry," Clark replied as Lois murmured hello to Alice. "Unfortunately, I think he'll show up." As Clark began relating to Perry the conversation they'd had with the nursemaid, Jimmy and his girlfriend Penny walked up. Jimmy, like all men, looked sweetly handsome in his rented tuxedo. Penny wore a spaghetti-strap black dress that came to mid-thigh. "Jimmy!" greeted Perry. "Hey, thanks for the tickets!" Jimmy said, grinning. "Wow, this is great!" "Thank you, Mr. White," added Penny politely, her eyes also dazzled by the evening's glamour. The lights dimmed and then brightened. The noise level dropped low. "Ladies and gentleman," announced a middle-aged woman in a loose-fitting blue gown. She stood almost at the top of the staircase that ran to the mezzanine level. "I introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Luthor!" She turned and began applauding as the couple came into view above her. Most of the crowd joined in the applause. Beth wore a simple white satin gown. She clung nervously to her husband as they walked past the woman and down the stairs. The middle-aged woman raised her hand for silence and spoke up again. "Lex Luthor has donated much to the Orphans of Metropolis in the past, and tonight, he has just donated the considerable sum of $100,000!" "Where did he get that?" Lois hissed at Clark, who stood there glaring angrily at the Luthors. "Coming at a time when he has barely an iota of the wealth he once had," the woman continued. Lois noticed Lex hurriedly conceal a wince, "his dedication to a cause that once thrived under his patronage is to be commended! On behalf of the Orphans of Metropolis, I thank Lex Luthor for his generosity." She began clapping again. The crowd applauded enthusiastically, including some whistles. Perry, who managed to clap politely for appearance's sake, grumbled under his breath, "The scent of money ..." They watched the Luthors descend the staircase, Lex nodding in recognition to certain people in the crowd, until they disappeared into the crush of people themselves. The orchestra started up again and couples began to dance. Lois turned to Clark. "Come on, Clark, let's dance." Clark's frown disappeared and he made the effort to smile. "Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight, Mrs. Kent?" Lois was wearing a sleeveless floor-length red satin gown. She looked stunning. Lois drew him out on the dance floor, with a flirtatious smirk. "Why don't you tell me again?" She winked at their companions. "See you guys later." The couple slowly danced on the dance-floor, moving only slightly. They had eyes only for each other. Clark bent down to kiss Lois and their lips lingered. Watching them from the sidelines, Alice murmured to Perry, "I think they're going to be just fine." Perry turned his worried gaze from the young couple to Alice. He caught her concerned look and his face softened. "I'm sorry, sweetheart, I'm just worried about those two." He smiled. "May I have the honour of this dance?" Alice beamed. "You may." Meanwhile, the Kents had resumed dancing a little more respectably. Clark stiffened. "What is it, Clark?" Lois asked, giving him a reassuring squeeze. "Luthor," Clark whispered, not looking at Lois, his eyes on the Luthors. Lois turned her head to look. The Luthors were dancing nearby. Lois turned back quickly to look up at her husband's stern features. She'd caught Lex's eye. "We're OK, he can't do anything to us here," she said, trying to sound reassuring. Clark frowned. "They're dancing very closely together." He did a half-turn so Lois could see without appearing obvious. She was already craning her neck to look. "So are we." Lois pointed out. "You don't think he actually *loves* her, do you?" Clark asked. Lois shook her head. "But she may love him and they *do* have to keep up appearances here in public." **** The Luthors were indeed dancing very close to each other, sending out a signal that they did not wish to be disturbed. Although half the room seemed intent on ignoring them, a good number surrounded the Luthors, waiting for a moment to ingratiate themselves with the prodigal son of Metropolis. Lex leant forward to brush kisses along Beth's neck. "Enjoying yourself?" he whispered. Beth grimaced back at him. "My shoes are too tight, it's too hot in here and if those people step any closer to us, I may reward them by fainting." She gave him a quicksilver grin. "I'm fine, really. I'm here with you." Lex took her in a few quick spins that sent some of the watchers scattering. "Better?" he asked, amused. "Much." Beth kissed his cheek. "Should I leave you to yourself for a little while?" Lex asked. His finger lightly traced an escaped strand of hair against her neck. "You can trust me, Lex. Need to work the room a little more?" Lex nodded. "Re-establish some old contacts. I'd love to dance with you all night, but -" "Duty calls." Beth nodded. "I understand. I might escape and see how the children are doing. I wouldn't mind some of that ice cream cake we ordered for them either." She grinned impishly. "Save some for me." Lex smiled back. He kissed her lightly and she left him. **** Lois peeped over Clark's shoulder. "She's gone." Clark followed her gaze. Lex was surrounded by a small group of men and women, smiling and pumping hands. "Looks like Lex is getting down to business." They watched as he led Mindy Church out of the group and began to dance. "Now what on earth would he have to say to her?" Lois wondered. "She was married to the head of Intergang," Clark reminded her, watching as well. "Maybe she was more than just married," Lois speculated. She saw Lex's face darken with anger. "Look!" she whispered urgently. "I am," replied Clark. Amazed, they watched a furious Luthor stride away from Mindy Church, leaving her stranded in the middle of the ballroom. "Interesting," Lois drawled. "Indeed," Clark remarked, looking down at Lois. Her eyes were bright with scheming. He knew that look. "Why don't you go find out?" Lois asked. "What?" "Dance with her," Lois prompted. "It could give us a clue." "I don't want to leave you alone." "Don't worry about me, I'll go find Perry or Jimmy." "But Luthor-" "Clark, I have a good set of lungs, you'll hear me if I get into trouble." Clark bent to kiss her. "Just be careful." "I will." Lois watched Clark move through the crowd towards Mindy Church, who was nonchalantly walking towards the staircase. Lois looked around for Perry. A hand touched her elbow. "Mrs. Kent?" Lois jumped and turned, startled. "Lex!" "I'm sorry if I startled you," Lex Luthor said. "You were alone. I thought you would like to dance with an old friend?" "An old friend?!" Lois hissed, outraged but not willing to make a scene. "After what you've done!?" Lex's face fell. "Lois, that wasn't me. I would never treat you or your friends so shabbily. Believe me. We need to talk about that." He gestured towards a nearby room that opened from the ballroom. Lois shook her head. "I'd rather stay here in public." "Afraid?" Lex challenged. "Careful," was Lois' sharp response. Lex looked amused. "Dance with me." "I'm not sure that comes under my definition of careful," Lois replied, bristling. Nevertheless, she allowed Lex to dance with her, being sure to keep some distance between them. He wouldn't dare do anything to her in such a public place, and this could be her chance to find out the truth. "Lois." Every time he used her name in that soft, smooth voice of his, it made her shiver. "You know the last time I saw you I had just proposed to you. In the plane, you remember?" Lois nodded. "It hurt me to know that he had proposed to you again and you accepted. He visited my prison and told me all about it. He gloated that he was going to take everything that was mine. Including you." They danced in silence for a moment, Lois digesting this news, both watching each other with wary eyes. "Are you happy, Lois?" he asked abruptly, his eyes penetrating. "Very," Lois replied, her body stiff. "And you and your wife?" "In love." Lex's face softened. "You were the first woman I ever completely fell for --" Lois attempted to escape his grasp, but Lex tightened it. "Beth is the second. I should like you to meet her some time. I think you'll like her." Lex relaxed his grip and Lois took the opportunity to step away. Her voice trembled. "Lex, we can never be friends or acquaintances. There's too much history, too much hurt. Every time I or Clark look at you all we can think of is what you --" Lois puffed in exasperation "-- your clone -- did to us." "But you came through." Lex didn't attempt to recapture her. He gazed at her seriously. "Yes, Lex. We survived and are more deeply in love than ever." Lois raised her chin proudly. Lex's snake-like gaze bore into Lois. "Be sure that Clark is careful too." Lois' eyes opened wide in horror. 'Did he know?' In her state of shock, Lex took her into his arms again, and resumed dancing. "What do you mean?" she gasped. Lex turned on the charm and smiled lazily. "A beautiful woman like you, Lois. If I wasn't a married man ..." Lois narrowed her eyes. "You wouldn't get anywhere. I intend to spend the rest of my life with Clark, nobody else." It was a clear warning. She added accusingly, "And what about your new bride? You shouldn't even be thinking like that!" Lex raised an amused eyebrow, pursing his lips before he replied. "Beauty alone is hollow, unsatisfying." Lex's voice gentled. "Beth is brilliant, intelligent, passionate. It makes her beautiful to me." Lois stared at him. One moment, Lex was making a pass, and the next he was extolling his wife's virtues as if he really meant it! Lex gazed deep into her eyes; a gaze that seemed to penetrate the darkest depths of her soul. Finally, he said, in a mocking tone, "Perhaps I better let you go back to your husband." He released her and Lois turned and fled in search of Clark, suddenly fearful that something had happened to him. She was unaware of the satisfied smile on Luthor's face. **** Leanne Shawler volterra@sd.znet.com http://www.znet.com/~volterra/leanne.html ************************************************************** Lois & Clark: Season 5 http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/season5.htm text only version at: http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/s5text.htm ************************************************************** Midnight Dreaming: The Original Anthony Warlow Home Page http://www.zweb.com/volterra/anthony.html ************************************************************** Leanne Shawler aka Volterra on IRC volterra@sd.znet.com http://www.znet.com/~volterra/leanne.html *********************************************************************** Lois and Clark Season 5 Fanfic: http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/season5.htm *********************************************************************** Midnight Dreaming: The Original Anthony Warlow Home Page: http://www.zweb.com/volterra/anthony.html *********************************************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 9 Nov 1997 15:01:50 -0800 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Leanne Shawler Subject: S5: Episode 6 (part 7 of 7) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hours and hours after their abduction, their kidnapper nudged his tired victims through a ramshackle barn doorway with prods of his gun. Lex held Beth protectively to him. She stumbled, her head buried against his shoulder. They were pushed all the way to one wall of the barn, piled high with musty old bales of hay. They turned to face him. "Who are you?" Lex demanded arrogantly, in spite of his dirty and rumpled suit. Beth had not fared much better. "I am called the Highwayman and this here is my Broad Bess, my trusty weapon." He slapped the barrel of his gun, which was much more than a mere gun. "What do you want?" Lex challenged, as Beth peeked, frowning curiously. "If it's money I can give it to you. A job? A vacation? Your own highway? Just ask." Their kidnapper laughed and pulled down the black kerchief that had concealed his face. "I only want one thing," he snarled derisively. "Your wife." Beth raised her head, her face red and wet from weeping. "Joe?" she hiccoughed. "Bess!" Joe, the Highwayman, exclaimed. "Come to me and be free of that wretch!" "Bess?" echoed Lex, looking at his wife. "A nickname," she whispered back. To Joe, Beth said, "I don't want to, Joe." He rubbed one-handed at his face, surprise that Beth refused his bidding. "Why not? What ... what are you doing with him?" "What happened to you?" Beth asked, still clinging to Luthor. "The boy I knew did not tote guns. Let alone name them after a former girlfriend!" Lex shook his head. "Girlfriend?" he murmured in weary amusement to Beth. She caught the gleam in his eyes. The Highwayman had not heard Lex. "You were lost to me. I honoured your memory by naming my most treasured possession after you. But I see now that that honour was misplaced. My new lady is far more honourable than you. How could you marry that ... that evil creature beside you?!" Broad Bess trembled in The Highwayman's hands, his face contorted with disgust and anger. Beth trembled too. Lex tensed, communicating his wariness to his wife. Beth exclaimed, her voice rising, "Your gun is more honourable? Are you *nuts*?" "Beth, darling," warned Lex, barely moving his lips, his eyes fixed on the gun. The Highwayman's laugh drowned him out. "No! My new patroness! So beautiful, so fair! Together she and I have been taking from the rich and giving to the poor." He gazed earnestly at Beth. "But I can save you, Beth. Just one taste of Broad Bess' fire and you'll be mine again, cleansed of any taint from this man." "And then what?" Beth's folded her arms, trying to appear unimpressed, but the quiver in her voice gave her away. "Then I will cleanse Metropolis of that scourge who stands beside you." The Highwayman flicked a switch and the gun hummed into life. "With this I take a person's memory of the event, so that I may never be caught -- and they do not need to be harmed. But if I turn it all the way up --" He did so, the gun pulsing louder. "Memories are a person's life. Without them there is no life." "But amnesiacs --" Lex began. "Usually retain some memory, even subconsciously," the Highwayman continued, ignoring Beth's growing look of horror. "I take all of them, even your memory of being born. Thus, you have no reason to exist." Superman swooped down and landed between the Highwayman and the Luthors. "Don't move!" Superman ordered. The Highwayman paused, stricken. Superman turned and called over to another haystack. "All right, Mrs. Church, you can come out now." Mindy appeared from behind some bales of hay. "You!" accused Lex, pointing at her. "You're his new lady!" Mindy looked at him with wide, blank eyes. "Back, he spurred like a madman, shrieking a curse to the sky, with the white road smoking behind him and his rapier brandished high! Blood-red were his spurs i' the golden noon; wine-red was his velvet coat, when they shot him down on the highway, down like a dog on the highway, and he lay in his blood on the highway, with a bunch of lace at his throat." The Highwayman looked at her, anguished. Superman turned on him angrily. "How many more people were you going to kidnap and take their memories?" He moved slowly towards The Highwayman. The Highwayman shook his head. He looked beyond Superman to Beth, who watched with her hands clutched to her chest. He looked over at Mindy, who recognized him not at all. "No!" he cried, agonised. "I am betrayed!" He held the gun out at arms' length as if to drop it. He spun it and fired it at himself. "NO!" Beth and Superman cried, leaping forward. Lex held Beth back. Superman knelt down by the prone form of the Highwayman and checked for a heartbeat. He looked back over his shoulder. "He's alive." The Highwayman came around and slowly sat up, aided by Superman. "Are you all right?" Beth called from where Lex held her, his arms hugging her protectively. The Highwayman raised his eyes to Superman. "The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees," he began and continued to the last line of the ballad, whereupon he started over again. Beth turned and hid her face against Lex's chest. Lex looked beyond the aghast Superman to Mindy, who smirked at him and winked. Lex's eyes narrowed and he nodded in acknowledgement. **** Waiting on their upstairs patio, Lois turned to see Superman land. She caught the closed look on his face. "You found them?" Superman nodded and spun out of his suit and into casual clothes. "Just in the nick of time too." Clark grimaced. "It just eats at my guts to have to rescue Lex when he's such a danger to us." Lois laid a soothing hand on his arm, guiding him to the patio chair. They sat, Lois putting an arm around him. Clark rested his head on top of hers. "You know," Lois said softly, "it shows great strength of character that you would save a life -" "Three lives actually, Clark interrupted. "Lex, his wife and Mindy Church." "Mindy?!" Lois slipped out of their embrace to look at him, startled. "What was she doing there?" "Another victim of the robber poet," Clark told her. "He's alive but he turned his gun on himself and wiped out all his memories before I could stop him." Lois could hear the anguish in his voice. "Oh, Clark." He shifted so that he lay down on the lounge chair and Lois snuggled up with him, resting mostly on Clark. "I talked briefly to the doctors at the Happy Hollow Rest Home, where I left the robber poet and Mrs. Church," Clark continued. "They said Mindy and the victims might not get their whole memory back, but they will at least be able to function as normal citizens." "And the Highwayman?" Lois asked. "Too early to say," Clark replied. "He certainly did greater damage to himself than he did to his victims." They lay in silence for a moment before Clark kissed her hair and she looked up. "How are you feeling?" Lois asked. "Better." He smiled down at her. "Thank you for listening." Lois squirmed up his body and kissed his cheek. "That's what I'm here for, among other things. That poor man though. I hope someone can help him." Clark sighed. "The doctors will do what they can." He hugged Lois tight. "I just wish I could've done more." "You did all you could, Clark." Lois rubbed her hand over his chest, soothingly, and changed the subject. "If only we knew what had happened to those fingerprints!" she sighed. "Well, at least we know *something* is up with Lex's story even if we have no proof." "We won't rest until we figure that one out. For everyone's sakes." Clark bent his head and kissed her softly on the lips. "So ..." Lois fingers tiptoed down his shirt. Their lips met and the kiss deepened as Clark floated them inside. THE END Leanne Shawler volterra@sd.znet.com http://www.znet.com/~volterra/leanne.html ************************************************************** Lois & Clark: Season 5 http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/season5.htm text only version at: http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/s5text.htm ************************************************************** Midnight Dreaming: The Original Anthony Warlow Home Page http://www.zweb.com/volterra/anthony.html ************************************************************** Leanne Shawler aka Volterra on IRC volterra@sd.znet.com http://www.znet.com/~volterra/leanne.html *********************************************************************** Lois and Clark Season 5 Fanfic: http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/season5.htm *********************************************************************** Midnight Dreaming: The Original Anthony Warlow Home Page: http://www.zweb.com/volterra/anthony.html *********************************************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 9 Nov 1997 15:03:55 -0800 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Leanne Shawler Subject: S5: Episode 6 (part 4 of 7) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" A short, plump woman stepped into the corridor. She was dressed in a long black dress with lace frills. A bonnet held down her piled up hair, except for a few ringlets. "Wanda Mae!" exclaimed Clark. "Mrs. Lincoln to you, General Grant," Wanda Mae reproved. Gently, Clark Kent steered her into a room. Lois followed him, her eyes round with surprise. "How are you doing, Mrs. Lincoln?" Clark asked. "I'm very well, thank you," Wanda Mae replied, nodding her head. "So kind of you to ask." "Mrs. Lincoln, why did you call out 'Superman'?" Lois asked, her brow furrowed. "I knew it would get your attention." Wanda Mae smiled brightly. Lois smiled, frantic. "Well, yes, Superman is a good friend of ours, so of course it would attract attention." Wanda Mae beamed and winked at Clark. "He's more than just a friend, honey." She looked up at Clark. "You married her but didn't tell her?" "She knows," reassured Clark, although worried himself. "Lois doesn't like other people knowing." "Ah, I'm not the only one who knows," Wanda Mae suddenly frowned and pursed her lips. "You be careful. I like you." Lois and Clark exchanged worried glances. "Thank you, Mrs. Lincoln." **** Lex Luthor looked around the deserted warehouse. It was so quiet, you could hear the waves lapping against the piers underneath the building. "This is the best you could do?" he asked Asabi, who hovered expectantly behind him. "Given the small amount of time you left me to prepare for this meeting, Mr. Luthor, it is a most excellent choice, if I do say so myself." Asabi smiled. "I have trusted men on lookout." "If they screw up, it's your life not theirs," Lex said coldly. He knew he was taking a big risk moving into the underworld so early. But that's what Lex lived for: the risk and the challenge of beating the odds. Asabi bit his lip and went outside to await Luthor's guests. Shortly thereafter, three men returned with Asabi and he introduced each of them in turn. Enrico O'Reilly was the best and worst of both his heritages. No taller than 5'5" tall and whip-slender, he had a temper that burst into flame and smouldered afterwards. Enrico also possessed a keen intelligence, burnished by years on the streets. He smoothed back his black hair and slouched in a chair, looking comfortable in close-fitting jeans and leather jacket. He was the leader of a group of young toughs, an up-and-coming underworld figure, one whom Lex could groom as an able second-in-command. Dressed in a grey business suit, Liu Ping was a member of one of Metropolis' Triads. Not in command, but ready to break away and establish a group of his own. In his late thirties, his dark eyes showed the glint of ambition. The third man was dressed in tattered clothes and didn't offer a name. Everyone called him "The Old Man" and it was common knowledge in the underworld that he ran Metropolis' biggest begging ring -- and that you stay upwind of him. Lex clasped his hands in front of him, only to release them and hold his arms out. "Welcome, gentlemen. Thank you for agreeing to meet me this evening." Enrico sat up straighter. He alertly looked around him. "What's the deal, Luthor? Is this for real or you working some scam with the cops?" He leant back. "I hear you're pretty tight with them now." Lex raised an eyebrow at him and didn't deign to answer. "I've invited you all here for a reason, something we all have in common," Lex began. "We've all had an offer from Intergang to join them -- and we've all refused." Liu Ping cleared his throat. "That may be, Mr. Luthor," he said respectfully, "but we're not about to sign up with you." Lex smiled. "But I'm not suggesting that, my friend. What I propose is that we form a co-operative. We protect each other's back and form a front against Intergang. I don't want a single percentage of your profits." Lex paused. "I may, from time to time, pay you to do a job for me, and there may be something I can do for you in turn." "Let me get this right," said The Old Man hoarsely, accepting a china cup from Asabi with surprising dexterity. He sipped the hot liquid. "When one of us starts getting squeezed by Intergang, the others come running?" "We hit back. Intergang won't be expecting organized resistance. We'll set the example and then others will leave Intergang to join us in our co-operative. We'll be stronger and safer as a result." "What's the catch?" Enrico demanded. "There is no catch," Lex assured him, his voice and demeanour calm. "It's all a matter of survival." **** The following morning at the Planet, Lois and Clark ran into Jimmy. "Jimmy, how's the hunt for the clone scientists going?" asked Clark. "One dead, one in prison." Jimmy counted them off on his fingers. "Doctor Mamba?" asked Lois. "In prison," replied Jimmy. "Perry's trying to get an interview set up with him." He lightly slapped his forehead. "Which reminds me, Perry wants to see you." Lois nodded. "Sure. In a moment. That other thing I asked of you?" "Cracking the database?" Jimmy yawned. "No dice. I was up all night with it. I called one of the sysadmins this a.m. It's actually a number of databases all cross-referenced and copied. To get in and manipulate the data requires a lot of inside knowledge." Jimmy grimaced. "Which, understandably, they refused to give me." "An inside job?" Clark thought aloud. "It's time we paid a visit to the coroner's office." "Er, guys?" Jimmy prompted, seeing the couple's minds click into action. "The Chief?" They headed over to Perry's office. "How's the story going, you two?" Perry asked, looking up from a stack of copy. Lois refrained from asking 'which one?'. Instead she said, "It's going fine, Chief. The police have no details of the robber, the victims can't remember anything. It's really falling into place nicely." Perry ignored the sarcasm. "Keep at it," he said. "I heard that another wealthy man was robbed by him today." "We'll check it out, Chief," Clark promised. "Now that's not the reason I wanted to see you. I know the two of you can do your job without any coaching from me. It's about the Metropolis Orphanage Charity Ball." "What about it, Chief?" Lois asked. "Clark and I go every year. Superman is an orphan, you know." Perry frowned and looked uncomfortable. "Would you consider *not* going this year?" Clark looked at Lois and answered for them. "Out of the question, Chief. We *always* go." "Lex will be there, won't he, Perry." Lois added intuitively. Perry nodded. "Perry, you can't protect us from Lex for the rest of our lives," Lois protested. "Or him from you, I imagine," remarked Perry wryly. "What's Lex doing at this charity ball anyway?" Clark asked. "It's supposed to be a respectable gathering." Perry rolled his eyes. "This is exactly what I mean, Clark. No objectivity. Can't you see that for all intents and purposes Luthor *is* respectable?" Both Lois and Clark looked like they were ready to throw up. Lois leapt to her feet. "Perry! How can you say that?" "Honey," replied Perry calmly, "in this country, people are innocent until proven guilty. And Lex has been proven innocent. The man has been through a lot: years of privation, the loss of his reputation as a sterling citizen. People are falling over themselves to make it up to him." Lois subsided back into her seat. "Now Alice and I would be more than happy to buy the tickets from you ..." Clark cut him off. "We're going, Perry." Lois smiled. "Alice, Chief?" she asked, hoping to put him off the track. "You guys got another hot date?" Perry actually blushed. Even Clark smiled, despite his sour mood. "Alice wants to take things slowly and well, that's what I'm doing. It's no use trying to derail this conversation either, Lois. " He sighed and leant back in his comfortable leather chair. "Just don't go doing anything crazy at this ball, ok? I need my best reporters." "Sure thing, Perry," Lois said. Perry knew this wasn't so reassuring coming from Lois. The couple left Perry's office. "Lois," broached Clark tentatively, "are you sure you want to go to this ball?" "It's an opportunity we can't miss. We have to know, Clark." Clark agreed. Lois sent him a grateful grin before heading off to her desk to phone Henderson about the latest attack by the robber poet. **** The Assistant Coroner, a dark-haired, brown-eyed woman, was very helpful. They sat in her small office. "Normally we do autopsies the moment the body is brought in. However, it was a very busy day the day Luthor jumped. With Superman not turning up at rescue scenes, quite a few people didn't make it." Both Lois and Clark winced. Lois laid a reassuring hand on Clark's arm. The Assistant Coroner, not noticing, consulted her notes. "The pileup on Interstate 8 didn't help that's for sure." "So how come the police have fingerprints for Lex Luthor's body?" Lois asked. "The clone's body was examined in two stages. We were doing that with all the bodies that were coming in that day. We work in pairs, to cross-check each other. One team does an external examination, which includes taking fingerprints. This is followed up by a full autopsy conducted by myself or one of the other doctors. Unfortunately, we hadn't done this when the clone's body was stolen." "Do you keep copies of the fingerprints?" Lois asked. "I know they are scanned into the computer but there must be originals or copies somewhere." "They're filed downtown at our Investigative Unit Headquarters and I should have a copy here." "Do you?" Clark prompted. "May we see them?" The Assistant Coroner frowned. "I assure you they are the same." She rose. "I'll be back in a minute." She returned a few minutes later. "Can I call you?" she asked. "It seems Janice has misfiled them." "Janice?" Lois asked. "She did the fingerprinting on the corpse. She was in charge of the fingerprinting and filing." "May we see her?" Lois leaned forward eagerly. The Assistant Coroner shook her head sadly. "Janice died in a car crash three months ago." "She was a reliable worker?" Clark asked. "All my workers are!" exclaimed the Assistant Coroner in indignation. "Janice could be a little skittish at times but she did her work well." Clark rose. "Give us a call and let us know if you find anything." ***** Outside, Clark asked, "What do you think?" "I think Lex paid Janice to switch fingerprints. She's on the inside and she knew what to do," was Lois' impassioned statement. "Aside from the missing fingerprints, we don't have proof." Clark frowned. "Why don't we do some investigating into Janice's background?" **** Later that evening, Lois and Clark were curled up on the sofa together watching the news. They were really only half-watching as they had heard most of the news already during the day. Clark was speed reading through printouts, occasionally slowing down to read something more carefully and set it aside. Lois was typing at her notebook computer. Perry would need an article about the robber poet soon. "Now live from the Metropolis Justice Building, we have Kate Green." Lois and Clark looked up and saw the news anchor turn to a virtual monitor. "Kate, what's happening down there?" Kate Green, a petite blonde with green eyes, smiled into the camera. "Well, Sue, any moment now, the District Attorney is going to make a statement regarding the Lex Luthor case." A hubbub of noise distracted her. "Something's happening now." Kate beckoned to the cameraman and they pushed towards the front of the crowd, joining the rest of the press contingent. The cameraman focused on a podium outside the Justice Building. Behind it, the District Attorney was waving for silence. Lois and Clark looked at each other and reached out to grip hands. At last, the noise subsided. "I have a statement to make regarding the Luthor case," began the D.A. "As you all know, we've dropped the charges against him. Earlier, we exhumed four bodies from their graves. These four bodies had been retrieved from the underground cavern where the man we thought was Luthor had held Lois Lane hostage two years ago. "We found four bodies: two as yet unidentified. The other two matched the DNA of Lois Lane and Lex Luthor." The D.A. took a deep breath. "We can therefore only assume, in the light of this evidence and all other evidence that the Lex Luthor among us today is innocent. With the DNA match and with the two different fingerprints, there can be no other conclusion that the one who is dead is the one who committed the crimes. We can draw only two conclusions: that Luthor is telling the truth and the clone has died; or Luthor is lying and the original Lex Luthor is dead and it is his clone living in Metropolis now, also innocent." "No!" exclaimed Clark as he and Lois stared at the television set, aghast. **** "Yes!" Lex and Beth threw their arms around each other in the privacy of their penthouse suite. Lex smiled. "Thanks to you." Their embrace tightened and they kissed passionately. **** A reporter called out. "What about the crimes of fraud committed while Lex ran the Daily Planet?" "Again, these crimes were committed by either the real Lex or his clone, one of which is dead. LexCorp documents before Luthor's takeover of the Daily Planet show that repeated cloning experiments had already occurred, along with a succession of Luthor clones. We have data on all the failure of all the clones except the last. There is proof that the clone itself halted all funding to the project when it took over LexCorp." Lois' hair ruffled in an impossible, but familiar, breeze. "Clark?" She turned to her husband. He was no longer there. **** Superman, arms folded, hovered outside Luthor's penthouse window, watching his nemesis read over some files behind his desk. Luthor looked up, suddenly aware of being watched. His smile was catlike as he went over and opened the French doors. "Why, Superman, how nice of you to drop by." Superman floated right up to the window, but did not cross the threshold. "Remember a conversation we had a long time ago, Luthor?" "Was this with me or my clone?" Lex replied with a soft laugh. "I warned you then that I would be watching you. I'm warning you again. All you have to do is look up." Superman floated above the balcony. " And stay away from the Kents." Gazing all the while upon his enemy, Clark flew upwards, gradually increasing speed until he shot out of sight. **** "You did what?" Lois couldn't believe it. "You went and threatened him? Clark, are you crazy?" Clark, still in his suit, folded his arms tightly. "He couldn't be allowed to think he's gotten away with this, Lois." "So you challenged him? Threw down the gauntlet?" Lois covered her face with her hands and tried to calm down. Finally, her hands dropped and she said, "You do realize that if this is the Lex that kidnapped me, he knows your secret and could hurt all of us?" Clark looked down at his hands. "I'm sorry, Lois. I was angry, I didn't think this thing through. I should call my parents, warn them ..." "Superman shouldn't be getting so involved, Clark," Lois pointed out, taking his hand in hers. "We can't act until we get more evidence on him." "And now that'll be even harder to get. He'll be covering his tracks more carefully." Clark's shoulders slumped. Lois put her arms around him and gave him a hug. "It's all right, Clark. We'll get through this together as we have done everything else. I was just so scared ..." Clark exhaled a huge sigh. "Besides," Lois added rationally, making her husband look into her face. "If it is all a hoax, we both know Lex will be after us anyway." She kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Let's go call your folks." **** Leanne Shawler volterra@sd.znet.com http://www.znet.com/~volterra/leanne.html ************************************************************** Lois & Clark: Season 5 http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/season5.htm text only version at: http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/s5text.htm ************************************************************** Midnight Dreaming: The Original Anthony Warlow Home Page http://www.zweb.com/volterra/anthony.html ************************************************************** Leanne Shawler aka Volterra on IRC volterra@sd.znet.com http://www.znet.com/~volterra/leanne.html *********************************************************************** Lois and Clark Season 5 Fanfic: http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/season5.htm *********************************************************************** Midnight Dreaming: The Original Anthony Warlow Home Page: http://www.zweb.com/volterra/anthony.html *********************************************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 9 Nov 1997 15:04:03 -0800 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Leanne Shawler Subject: S5: Episode 6 (part 6 of 7) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Clark was in trouble all right. He was still dancing with Mindy Church, trying to get some sense out of her. "Mrs. Church," he said, interrupting her chatter about the importance of this evening's charity, "you haven't told me yet." "But Mr. Kent," Mindy batted her eyelashes at him. "I *am* telling you. I was telling Luthor exactly the same things as I'm telling you now and he dropped me like a hot potato. You would think that his little donation was more important than mine. Why I give to the Metropolis Orphans Foundation all the time and he thinks his little donation is so much better than mine." "Every little bit helps," Clark managed to get in. "So true, Mr. Kent." Mindy's hand slowly caressed the front of his tuxedo jacket until Clark coughed nervously. She allowed it to rest there on his chest. "But I had to give him a little dose of reality, didn't I?" Clark nodded, his eyes desperately searching the room for Lois. He needed to be rescued. He saw her and their eyes met across the room. He frowned in concern. Lois was biting on one lip and her eyes were wet. Lois hurried over to them. "Excuse me, Mrs. Church, but I believe this dance is mine." Lois rudely cut in and allowed Clark to whirl her away from the stranded Mindy. "Thanks, honey, I needed that," Clark murmured. Lois gave him a watery smile. "So did I. Lex just gave us a warning." Clark was startled and gazed down at his wife in concern. "Are you sure?" "No," Lois sighed. "He was too ambiguous. Lex is good at that." Clark frowned. "Ready to go home?" Lois nodded, looking very much like a scared little girl. **** Asabi knocked on Lex's study door. "You have a call on line one, sir." Lex looked up from his papers. "Thank you, Asabi. Be sure that the scrambler is on." "It is, Mr. Luthor." Asabi bowed and left, closing the door behind him. Lex picked up the receiver. "This is Luthor speaking." Mindy Church was at the other end of the line. She sat in her underground, concrete-walled office. She spoke to Luthor through the speaker phone system. Sitting opposite her was the Highwayman, who was languidly cleaning his weapon. "Lex, I'm offering you one last opportunity." Luthor sighed impatiently. "I wasn't interested in any of your previous offers." "Luthor, you won't survive alone in Metropolis." Mindy grew angry. "Not any more. This city's a whole different place since you were put away. It's time you realised that there's a new boss in town." Lex snarled silently. "You're new at this Mrs. Church, and your enthusiasm is to be applauded, even rewarded. How about you join me? I could use talent like yours." "You must be out of your sad, sorry little mind." Mindy hung up on him. Lex replaced the receiver and leant back in his chair. "Well, that went very well," he said to nobody in particular. "You find the sticking point in a person and you stick it, repeatedly," he jabbed the air with an imaginary dagger, "until you force their hand and they reveal themselves for who they truly are." He chuckled. **** "He has gone too far," Mindy pouted. She paced, twirling a blonde curl around and around one finger until it was pulled tight. The Highwayman sensed her agitation and raised himself up from his languid position. "He has impugned your honour, my lady?" he asked. Mindy freed her curl and turned to face the Highwayman. "Yes!" she exclaimed, her green eyes flashing. "He refused me!" The Highwayman rose, his face darkening. "Then my lady will be revenged. I know of Luthor. Tell me where to find him and all will be avenged." **** "Got it!" Clark exclaimed. He brought a printout over to Lois' desk. They'd called the coroner's office to get Janice's surname. "Her credit statement shows that for the last year she was in debt, almost bankrupt. Then three months ago, she got her debt cleared." "And then she died?" "Right." Clark nodded, grim. "What about the payment that cleared the bad credit?" "There was no one payment. Suddenly, she was paying back her debts, plus a little more." "This is still not enough proof, Clark." Lois thought for a moment. "Maybe the lost fingerprints will have her fingerprints on them." "They should anyway, Lois. She was the one who filed them." Lois nodded, and added, "I just got a call. The ones in the downtown files do match the computer printout." Clark looked like he really wanted to swear. "Lois! Clark!" Perry greeted them with a shout from across the busy Daily Planet's news floor. "You got us an exclusive! My office, pronto!" They followed Perry into his office. Perry was excited but he was not forgetful of the situation. "Now, Lois, you don't have to do this if you don't want to ..." "What is it?" asked Clark, just before Lois said, "It's to do with Lex, isn't it." "Luthor's bride wants you to interview her." Lois and Clark exchanged a puzzled look. "We've been doing some reading, Chief," said Clark, "she hasn't spoken to the press at all." Perry rubbed the back of his neck, reluctant to continue. "Now, Mrs. Luthor has requested that only Lois interview her." Clark interrupted. "Didn't you tell her that we're a team?" "Yes, Clark, I did." Perry sighed. "She wants to talk woman to woman." Lois caressed Clark's arm from where she sat. "Don't worry, Clark, I'll be fine." Clark frowned and folded his arms. Perry handed her a manila folder. "I've already had Ralph check out Beth's background. This is all he could come up with." It was a thin manila folder. "She's as clean as a whistle. The worst he could find was that she nearly failed physics in high school. A couple of boyfriends, who refused to comment, a late-bloomer. No criminal records, not even a traffic violation. But then," Perry added with a grin, "she was a historian." "Lex married a historian?" It was impossible to conceive. "An innocent duped, or she's not what she seems. It's up to you to find out." "From experience, mild-mannered folk usually have a big secret," Lois smiled nostalgically over at her husband, who smiled back briefly before resuming his frown. "If anyone can find it out, you can, Lois." **** Lois Lane nervously straightened her jacket as she waited to be shown into Lex Luthor's office. It felt strange that he was back, and stranger that he was restored into society's good graces. This Lex was *so* much like the Lex she had almost married, not the Lex that had pursued her obsessively to the extent he was willing to take Wanda over Lois and had almost destroyed all that she held dear. Lex began with a number of charitable donations as well as setting up his business activities again. LexCorp was still out of his reach but as he'd said in an interview in Time magazine: "That was only a matter of time and continued success." The intercom buzzed at the receptionist's desk. The woman, who looked to be around sixty, picked up the phone, nodded and said to Lois: "You can go in now." Lois rose and entered the office. It was well-decorated to Lex's tastes, if subdued. The black leather, plush executive chair turned around. It was Lex. "I came to interview your wife," Lois said sharply, taking a step back, fearing a trap. "You don't mind if he sits in, do you, Ms. Lane?" Mrs. Luthor stepped in from another door. Spatters of freckles stood out from her pale, plain face. "Well, I had thought this would just be 'woman to woman'..." Lois, still disturbed, accented the quoted words. "I'm sorry, Ms. Lane. I'll be just as frank with you with or without him and he's promised not to say a word." She directed her gaze at Lex. "Right?" Lois was astonished at the deeply loving looks they shared. Had Lex looked at her like that? "I'm sorry I wasn't here when you entered," Mrs. Luthor continued, "but I had a sudden urge to -- ah, powder my nose. I'm not used to being interviewed, you see." She smiled, blushing a little. "That's fine," Lois said reassuringly. "If having Lex here makes you more comfortable, then that's fine too." "I'm glad you said that, Ms. Lane--" "Call me Lois." "-- Lois." "Why are you glad?" "Oh, has the interview started?" asked Mrs. Luthor, directing Lois to a couch where they could sit together and could both keep an eye on Lex. Lois noticed that. "Please sit down." They sat and Lois waited. "Mrs. Luthor? You didn't answer my question." Mrs. Luthor flushed, embarrassed. "I'm sorry. Call me Beth, please." "All right, Beth." Lois pulled out her tape recorder, set it in front of her and turned it on. She looked up at the shy woman. "So why are you glad Lex stays here?" Beth appeared astonished by the question. "Because he is my husband. Being near him makes me glad." Lois concealed the desire to throw up. "How did you meet Lex?" Beth smiled over at her husband. "Well, it wasn't precisely romantic. I found him just after he'd been beaten up by some thugs." "I had just escaped from my clone's prison," Lex supplied. "Long straggly hair, unkempt beard, torn clothes. The works!" added Beth. "And you knew it was Lex?" asked Lois. "Oh no," replied Beth, "not immediately. He wasn't quite himself, he wasn't even like his clone's self like I read in the papers. Lex was very subdued. I kept him talking until help arrived and that's when I realised who he was: it was a sense of charismatic power that tipped me off." "If you knew then, why didn't you turn him over to the police?" Beth looked down at her lap and back up at Lois. "He told me his story, and I believed him." She looked up. "After what happened to you and Clark, Lois, it wasn't any less incredible." "And then you married?" "Yes, but that wasn't until just before Lex's press conference." She smiled a little sadly. "It was the last private thing I did." "What made you marry him?" "Well, he asked me," Beth said with a grin. Her smile vanished and she replied seriously. "When I first met Lex and helped him, I had absolutely no intention of marrying him. Why would he be interested in someone like me? But I visited him frequently at the clinic ... There were good days and bad days and he let me see them. " Beth shrugged. "I got to know him intimately and fell in love." "I love her for who she is," Lex interrupted. "She keeps me honest." Beth and Lex shared loving, knowing looks. There was a lot more to their story than either of them were saying, Lois was certain. "Honest how?" Lex narrowed his eyes. "Is that a question for me, or for Beth?" "Either. Both." Lois looked at both of them. Beth answered. "Lex means that now he's married, his eyes don't wander. His hands don't either." She spoke with perfect confidence. Lois could have responded that Lex's eyes had wandered all over her the previous night at the ball but it would ruin the rapport she was trying to establish with Beth. Her aim was to get Beth's story and if possible, a contact, a friend. Who knows? One day Beth may need it. "I understand you gave up your position as historian at the Metropolis Museum," Lois began. "Yes," Beth replied, happy to be on safer ground. "I still do some personal research as time allows, but now I work at building up our own personal library. We both love to read. Lex's was most extensive but unfortunately the city and LexCorp have ownership of that now." "It's more Beth's library than mine," Lex said, looking up from some papers he was reading. "Our reading tastes are a little different." Beth threw him a carefree grin and rolled her eyes. "Lex has excellent, challenging tastes. I'm a little less discriminating. I also help out with Lex's charities," Beth continued. "All that behind the scenes stuff. You certainly get to meet some interesting people!" Lois nodded. "If you like, I can get you a list. You can talk to my supervisors. It might help your story." "Do you have you their names and numbers?" Lois asked. Beth turned to Lex. "We have a list somewhere, don't we?" "They're all in your address book, my dear." "Ah." Beth turned back to Lois. "Well, I can't give you my address book but I can type and fax them to you after this interview." "Margaret could do it," Lex suggested. Beth looked back over at him. "It's no problem, Lex. I'll do it." Lois sensed a rising tension and couldn't understand why. Unexpectedly, Beth explained. "Lex thinks that now I'm married, I should let others do things for me. Delegate them to his secretary and so on." She shrugged. "I like to do things for myself, small though they may be." "Lex hasn't changed that much then," Lois blurted. "He's an old-fashioned gentleman in that regard. Being married to Lex is a full time job; everything else is a hobby. Like working at LNN." The last statement indicating that Beth understood perfectly. "Do you regret losing your independence?" "I haven't lost my independence, Lois," Beth gently reprimanded. "I've become part of a team. Sometimes he's the dominant partner. Sometimes I am. Sometimes we just don't know!" She smiled. Lex broke in. "Do you have any more questions, Lois?" He found himself the recipient of two mildly annoyed glares. "Lois," said Beth with a smile, turning back to her and ignoring Lex, "have you found that since you married you can't say 'Men!' like you used to?" Lois grinned back, suddenly enjoying herself. "Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em." Lex groaned. Lois looked across at him and found he was smiling also, although he quickly concealed it. "I think I have just one more question," Lois said, knowing she had plenty of background material. It wasn't going to be the hot story she scented, that she'd hoped for, but she'd write a puff piece now if it meant a hotter story later. Mrs. Lex Luthor could turn out to be a fine contact. She asked, "Do you love Lex?" Beth's raised eyebrows and her brief hesitation were the only indication of a tart answer. Instead she replied, "Heaven help me, yes I do." Lois wondered at Beth's choice of words. However the interview was at an end and she wouldn't get anything more concrete out of Beth unless she were Dr. Friskin. She thanked them both for their time and left. **** Night in Metropolis: the streets were slick and black from a recent fall of rain, the city lights reflecting in the puddles and oily sheen of the road's surface. Lex and Beth, dressed for dinner, stepped into the limousine. "Drive on," Lex said to the driver. The limousine moved off. Lex leant back next to Beth, his hand resting on her arm. Beth rested her head on his shoulder. Suddenly, Lex leant forwards and tapped on the window that divided them from the driver. He opened the little glass door. "Where are you going? The turn off to the mayor's house was--" Lex stopped. He was staring down the barrel of a very unusual but big gun. "Sit back. You'll be where you're going soon enough," a gruff male voice advised them. Lex obeyed and the glass door slid shut. Beth clutched her husband's arm. "Lex?" He turned to her, his eyes unable to hide the shock. "Don't fear, my dearest. We'll get out of this." Beth wished he would sound more certain of that. **** "Disappeared?" chorused Lois and Clark. Perry skimmed through the police report in front of him. "They were expected at dinner with the mayor and never showed up. Police found their limo on a deserted wood road. No sign of them, not even a footprint." Perry looked up. "Of course with the rain last night, that's hardly surprising." "Perhaps someone discovered that Lex's story was a phony and they skipped town," Clark suggested coldly. Lois was less sure. "Beth -- Mrs. Luthor -- didn't seem like that. If Lex has skipped town, you can bet Beth didn't go with him -- which would mean she's hurt somewhere, or dead." Her face was sad. "Or they really are in trouble," Perry added sternly. "Stop thinking up desirable fates for them and get out there and get me their story." "Isn't that a job for the police?" Clark asked, dragging his feet. "Now, Clark," Perry began angrily. "I assign the stories, not the Chief of Police. You go out there and find out what's happened to Luthor. Get Superman to help, if necessary. Now get going!" Clark's face was like stone as he left Perry's office, followed by Lois. "Clark, we have to talk," Lois said, tugging on his sleeve. She led them to the conference room. Closing the door behind them, she leant against it. "Clark, what does Superman stand for?" "Truth and justice," Clark replied, sitting on the edge of the conference table. "Helping those in need?" Lois prompted. "Yes," Clark replied, beginning to see where she was going. "With no regard to colour, sex or creed?" Lois continued. "Or crime record?" She didn't wait for a reply this time. "And it's up to the Metropolis Courts to be judge, jury and executioner, not Superman?" "Of course." Clark sighed. "Lois, I get your point. But if Lex isn't in any danger ..." "We won't know that until we find it out. The circumstances are pretty damning." Clark stood. "I'll look." He crossed the floor and kissed her forehead. "For you, I'll look. We'll feel much safer knowing where Luthor is anyway." He left, loosening his tie. Lois watched him leave. "Do it for the ideal of Superman," she whispered, hoping he could hear her. She saw him turn and give a little nod. **** Leanne Shawler volterra@sd.znet.com http://www.znet.com/~volterra/leanne.html ************************************************************** Lois & Clark: Season 5 http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/season5.htm text only version at: http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/s5text.htm ************************************************************** Midnight Dreaming: The Original Anthony Warlow Home Page http://www.zweb.com/volterra/anthony.html ************************************************************** Leanne Shawler aka Volterra on IRC volterra@sd.znet.com http://www.znet.com/~volterra/leanne.html *********************************************************************** Lois and Clark Season 5 Fanfic: http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/season5.htm *********************************************************************** Midnight Dreaming: The Original Anthony Warlow Home Page: http://www.zweb.com/volterra/anthony.html *********************************************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 9 Nov 1997 17:11:02 -0600 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Alyssa Mondelli Organization: Brought to you by the legal firm of Deceive, Inveigle, & Obfuscate Subject: Episode 6 now airing at the Season 5 website Comments: To: loiscla@vm.ege.edu.tr MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Yes, it's true - Episode 6 actually is up at its regular date and time! The webpage gods have smiled upon us. They must have heard me threatening to relocate. :-> To view Leanne Shawler's "From the Ashes", point your browser to http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/season5.htm or, for the no-frills version http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/s5text.htm Episode reviews received through this Friday will be posted with Episode 7. Be in with the in crowd! See your name in lights! Send us feedback! ==Alyssa in St. Paul== (agmondelli@stthomas.edu)(AlyssaM on the IRC) http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/index.htm Web-hostess, Lois & Clark Season 5 - now airing on a monitor near you ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 04:43:02 -0700 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Debby Stark Subject: Swap-Meet: Burbank part 8 of 20 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Swap-Meet: Burbank part 8 of 20 by Debby Stark, Debby@swcp.com [note: originally "finished" on 2/20/97; reread on 11/06/97 and a few words changed here and there + minor punctuation changes, making this the *most* up-to-date version - Debby, who reminds you that some things are spelled "wrong" on purpose :)] An Alternate Burbank Warner Brothers Studio Day One, Morning Approximately 9:45 They made plans. Dean and K had both driven in. He lived in the area, while Teri lived further out. She had requested a company car and driver so she could work on a script she was "slaving over." That was why Lois was carrying the laptop computer: the device could also inadvertently contain clues, perhaps notes the actress had made that very morning. While Justin had a car, his mom had dropped him off so that he would have a good excuse to hang around with Dean and keep him company. "I suggest Lois come with me," K said, "and, Clark, you can drive Dean's Bronco. I'll follow you." "Or *I* can drive," Justin offered swiftly. "LA traffic is scary sometimes. I have my license with me, too." He pulled it out quickly and waved it in front of Clark, who caught the particulars with ease. Not that it mattered, Clark had Cain's license and no qualms about borrowing it. "No, I can drive. I've driven in Cairo *and* southern Florida. LA traffic can't be as bad as that." "Wow..." "I suggest that you leave the Bronco at Dean's place," K continued. "You can check on his dogs, and then we'll head for my home in my car." "Teri has lots of pets, too." "We can check on her home and her pets this afternoon if this... adventure isn't over by then." "But she's a famous actress, isn't she?" Lois asked. "Doesn't she have maids and housekeepers? Wait--does my voice sound like hers? I can call and tell them she won't--I won't be in for a while and they should take care of everything. Simple!" "No, even if she had help, she would have let them off for Thanksgiving because she likes taking care of her home by herself. We can do that, don't worry. Besides, you'll want a change of clothing if you're here for very long. You, too, De..." He put on the sunglasses and hat in a blur. "Clark." "Right, and I'll want more clothes, too." "And more other things," Lois frowned. "You can't go out like that. Clark looked down at himself. "He looks like Dean," Justin said, "except I can already see some differences. The fans won't know, though, that's what's important." "There's more to it than that," Lois informed him. "Teri carries a purse. Does Dean carry a wallet? Was there one in the pocket of his other pants?" "No, only the keys, but you're right..." Out of habit Clark lifted the sunglasses and looked around the room quickly. "Wow!" Justin said, "And no blue rays!" Blue hair, blue rays. Clark filed this away, too. There was a wallet locked in the top drawer of the desk, but a small steel key on the key ring got him in. He retrieved the wallet and looked through it. It contained $54 and some change (all of which looked on quick inspection like money used in the world of Metropolis), credit cards, pictures of what Clark assumed were Cain's relatives, bits and pieces of paper with notes on them, a half-punched buy-10-get-one-free card from a fast-food franchise, and a driver's license with Dean George Cain's picture. The man did look like him in a bland, Motor-Vehicle-Department sort of way. There was the small mole on his upper right lip and a few freckles, none of which Clark could claim, though he wondered if such minor blemishes might have made him feel more human sometimes. Lois held out her hand and he passed the wallet over in trade for the one she pulled from Hatcher's purse. Her double looked more like her than his did. Hatcher was 31 years old and soon to have another birthday. The wallet had a free pass to an amusement park in the name of Mrs. Jon Tenney; several pictures of the same handsome, smiling man, presumably Tenney; credit cards; and $36 and change rounded out the information. "I think we know enough now," Lois announced. "I'm ready." Naturally they met their first test almost immediately. Both K and Dean had parked nearby, about a half studio building away from their trailers, and they nearly made it there unchallenged. K saw them first: two long, open, blue and white, motorized vehicles with four two-person seats and a fifth seat facing backwards. Each cart had a driver and each was packed with a variety of colorfully dressed people, many in shorts despite the lingering coolness of the air. "Oh, my," K said as she pulled up. "Is it that time already?" Justin checked his watch. "It's just past ten" K turned to Lois and Clark. "The studio gives tours all day long. The public gets to see how a famous movie studio really works. The Lois and Clark sets... that sounds odd to say now... our sets are the most open on the whole lot unless we're shooting. Personally, I think at least half the tourists come hoping to see anything to do with our show." "Well, they've spotted us," Clark said. The drivers of the vehicles, who were probably also the tour guides, had put on the brakes and were whispering into microphones, informing their charges about not molesting anyone in the studio they might be fortunate to see, that as visitors they were also guests and that any stars they might see were also working employees, doing a job. The warning reminded Clark of what one might hear on a photographic safari into the wilds of Africa. Lois read his mind: "Don't bother the animals, this is their territory where they feed and play..." K's statistics held true: more than half of the tour group members were staring in their direction. Many jaws were slack; others were mobile as observers whispered to companions or barely withheld squeals of delight. The more level-headed observers were elbowing the uninitiated and cluing them in. "None of them are taking pictures of us," Clark noted. "No cameras are allowed beyond a certain point, which they probably passed 30 seconds ago," K said. "That always seems to happen." "Who cares about cameras?" Lois muttered. "Our disguises are *history*." "No, they'll still work out on the street, but the public comes in here hoping to see famous people." "Now that they have," Clark said, "what do we do?" "Anything from ignore them totally, to wave from this distance, to even walk up and talk to them. It's our call." "I'm inclined to wave," Lois said. Clark knew that was because she disliked being thrust into the center of attention; trying to get her to sing before an audience, her friends said, was worse than the trials of a root canal. But, not having to worry about his teeth and having heard her sing in the shower, Clark overlooked all that and wondered if waving would be enough. "What would your friends do?" "It depends on how busy they are. Dean's usually talkative, but I've seen Teri bounce out between scenes to talk to small groups." "We're not very busy," Justin pointed out. "*I* try to talk to them if I can, and K does, too." "Yes. Fans are what we're in the business for." Lois sighed at Clark. "It looks like we should talk to them then." He nodded. "I agree, if it will up hold our doubles' reputations." "But what should we say? And for how long do we have to say it?" "We don't have to say much at all and it should only take a few minutes. The guides are trained to keep everything under control. Just smile and ask questions, the visitors will be thrilled that you--or who they think you are--are curious about them." "They'll tell all their friends back home," Justin added, "and maybe they'll get more people to watch the show." "It sounds like an interview situation," Lois said as they strolled in a line, shoulder to shoulder, toward the waiting vehicles. "I can do that." The closer they got, the more palpable the excitement from the two loaded vehicles. Tourists started calling, "Hi, Dean! Hi, Teri! We love your show!" K's recommendations worked like a charm. Over the seven minutes of the encounter, Clark said a total of 62 words, not including um!s and ah!s. He said things like "Thanks!" "Yes, it is!" "I'm not sure" and "Where are you from?" as well as "What do you do when you're not here?" When he wasn't paying attention to these interesting people, all of whom politely kept their seats, he was shaking hands and smiling. He was glad no one asked him to sign any autographs because he realized he had neglected to look at Cain's credit cards to see the man's signature and average it with the tiny one on the driver's license. Lois, concentrating on the second of the two vehicles, kept her distance from the tourists and shook fewer hand, but she smiled and asked questions, making the fans happy. K and Justin, the real stars, had fun with all this, too. Soon the guides got K's attention and made hand motions; one, the little Black woman, pointed to her watch. Time was up. In a moment K announced, "Well, we have to go home and get ready for our Thanksgiving dinners! You all have a nice vacation now!" The tourists made disappointed sounds that quickly turned to well wishes and waves as they rolled away. Many began squealing at each other again; some sighed as though they might faint; still others proposed to hijack the vehicles and turn back. "I saw him, I really saw him...!" Justin was certainly popular, Clark smiled. The young man had pegged it: these people were going to take home fond memories. "Well," Lois said, "they never recognized *us*..." "It's a good thing they didn't though," Clark told her. "They'd be disappointed." "Ha!" Justin laughed. "But they would be." "Ha-ha!" "They expect TV stars and they only got two real ones." "Ha-ha-ha!" "Cut it out," K warned Justin with a smile. "Let's get going before one of these hungry nonTV stars," she glanced subtly at Lois, "starts chewing the scenery." K's car was a nondescript, well-cared-for sedan. She opened the passenger door for Lois, who reached across to unlock the driver's side. Before she got in, K pointed at Justin, "We'll see you at Dean's place." "Gotcha!" Cain owned a big black Ford Bronco that was securely locked and armed, but Justin circumvented all that and unlocked both doors. Clark got in behind the wheel and discovered how to adjust the seat but decided he didn't need to change anything. He belted himself in and then watched as Justin point out all the controls. Nothing unusual. The vehicle roared to life at his command. He backed out slowly, followed Justin's instructions and wound up driving in the direction opposite the one K and Lois had taken. "Mr. Whalin..." "Heh, call me Justin! It's okay if I call you Clark, isn't it?" "Yes. Why are we heading this way instead of following them?" "Well, this way's almost as fast," the smiling young man claimed, "*and* you get to see more of studio. This place is historic. They've been making movies and TV shows here for years and years!" "None of which I have seen. There's a Warner Brothers on my world, but it's a small, struggling business." "Oh. Well..." his shoulders slumped. "I guess you're not really interested then. I'm sorry, I should have asked..." Clark had no desire to put a wide distance between himself and Lois in a world where Superman couldn't just pop up and save her--though by gosh he'd pop if there was no choice. But still he didn't feel that she was in any danger, and he was a little curious about this place, so maybe it was okay for him to take a brief look. "I am interested, I just didn't expect it" Clark told the young man as calmly as possible. "This may be good idea, we may find some clues." Justin perked up again. "Yeah, you never know! A lot of strange things happen here if you don't know how to look behind the scenes. It takes more than x-ray vision sometimes." They drove carefully through the busy, narrow streets between the sound stages and finally reached what looked like a real street. They were still on the lot, Justin explained, but this was an immense place and more than half a century old. He pointed out that they were driving through "the midwestern town" and "over there" were several streets worth of typical houses, some of which had real insides. "We shoot Smallville right here, does it look familiar? The windows still have signs for the spring sale that was happening when the New Kryptonians took over. The fans point out things like that on the list. That house there is sometimes used as the Kents' farm house--see? They decorate it with bales of hay so it looks real. It does, doesn't it?" No. Clark's parents kept their bales of hay under cover, out of the elements. He decided not to ask what "New Kryptonians" and "the list" were, fearing for a millisecond what he'd find out. They drove through the twisting streets, avoiding more tourists (though Clark heard someone squeal about spying Justin). They saw a big-city brownstone neighborhood set and, through an opening they didn't take, a western set. "Clark, our Clark, nearly got hung in there," Justin said. "The gallows are still up. The fans love seeing that... and this building here is used for S.T.A.R. Labs and any other modern building, and they use it for ER, too, but it's really full of offices, and that building there's a parking structure..." Then he hit himself lightly on the forehead, "Of course! I forgot what the really fans like to see!" He had Clark make a U-turn at the first chance. The reason for this was... wait for it now... Metropolis. The city had a population of between 15 and 20 million, depending on what demographer one consulted, but little of it was represented here. There were basically of four streets, five sides of which were lined with buildings while three sides delineated a patch of land standing in for Centennial Park. At the meeting point of two street was the outside of the Daily Planet and its dominating world globe. At that intersection, Clark stopped the Bronco, put it in park, rested his arm on the window sill, took off the sunglasses, and simply looked out at the Planet, at the tailor shop across the way, the Daily Java to his left of the Planet's main entrance. Across from the Planet mock-up there was a theatre and the sign for a pizza parlor. Only the DJ was in "right" place. Bits and pieces of this set did looked faintly like the streets he knew so well. Maybe it was all scrunched together due to lack of room and to make filming easier. With the right camera angles, Clark guessed, it could look like any place in the city probably... as long as one didn't look too closely, for none of the shop doors had door knobs. It was somehow sad, impermanent, abandoned--no, never lived in when the real thing was teaming day and night with interesting people doing fascinating things. The real Daily Planet building took up the entire block, and it held court in the heart of downtown Metropolis, impervious to the taller, more modern buildings surrounding it. These facades were no more than three or four stories high, topped with lights and other movie-making equipment, and all supported behind the scenes by wooden beams reminiscent of telephone poles. Justin said that the building style lent flexibility to the structures in the occasional earthquake. There wasn't much room, so those behind-the-scenes areas were also used to store landscaping and building materials. Beyond all this, looking down the streets, which the cameras probably never did, one could see dry hills with typical low- desert, southern California plants and stubby trees. The sight of people at work here--electricians, set dressers, laborers and the like--and the glimpse of the dry natural world beyond the confines of the lot told Clark more about the reality of this world than anything he'd seen yet. I'm not in Metropolis anymore, he thought grimly. "This is really something, huh?" Justin smiled, proud. Clark pulled back in. "Yeah, something..." "Sort of like home, huh?" "Sort of." Clark considered putting the Bronco back in gear. "But not enough..." Clark looked at him. "No, not nearly enough." Justin's shoulder's slumped. "Sorry..." Clark realized he must have been sounding discouraged. Maybe he *was* discouraged... but even if there was reason to be, he knew that due to lack of practice he wasn't good at concealing it and could be inflicting the attitude on his new friend. He tried again to lighten up. "Don't feel sorry. I'm sure our problem isn't due to anything you or K did. I appreciate your showing me all this, I've always been interested in how they make television shows." Under other circumstances he would have enjoyed getting out and exploring. "You work in a fascinating place." Justin seemed to sense the truth of this. He smiled again, but less broadly, more understanding. Clark looked ahead, realized he should put the vehicle in gear and *go* somewhere... but there were no familiar roads and only the feeling of Lois out there somewhere waiting for him. He looked at Justin again. "Would you still like to drive?" *** Justin took over and didn't dally, getting them off of studio grounds in short order. They headed out what he explained was a lesser-used exit, waving at the guard, and they found themselves in a tree-filled neighborhood. The calm streets quickly lead to busy Olive Avenue, along which were some impressive modern buildings. Justin pointed, "The BBC has offices in that building... That's NBC over there, our show's on ABC..." Clark was reminded of his own world's southern California, though this Burbank, north and west of Los Angeles proper and away from the cluster of modern buildings, impressed as having a small-town air. Even the major industry here, entertainment, was for the most part nonpolluting and confined, protected behind high walls so the public would be continually surprised by what was produced. The normal world was represented by shops and strip malls, gasoline stations and fast-food restaurants, and, down side streets, ordinary, peaceful-looking neighborhoods, schools and churches. None of this was garishly colorful, which Clark decided was what Justin meant when the young man asked, "Does this look like the comics?" Clark replied, "I have no idea." His favorite cartoon strips, most of which the Planet ran, were two dimensional. This place frankly appeared to be a little boring and dry despite the puddles left from the rain. People lived here, doing things that people everywhere did and getting along with each other. There was nothing two dimensional about that. After being inside the one studio, the two cramped trailers, and touring the lot, all this was by contrast substantial and honest. Clark knew that any part of it he chose to touch would feel solid and be no less than what it represented. "Look, it's them," Justin pointed. Half a block ahead K had pulled over to the side and parked in the shade. "I wondered if she'd wait for us to catch up." Clark bet Lois had asked the woman to stop, concerned that he and Justin had been waylaid. It wouldn't be the first time for either he or Lois, but did such things happen in this world? Clark bet not. As congested as the traffic was around the studio, it didn't seem dangerous. As they passed, Clark gave the women a smile and a thumbs up, both of which he realized that he actually did feel. The depression was lifting; maybe that was in part because they were enjoying in fresher air and the unabashed, strengthening sun was burning off the fog. Seeing Lois helped, too. Cain's bungalow was hidden away on a quiet street on enough land, Justin reported, to give the man's dogs space to run and provide a hidden storage spot for the Bronco and Dean's Harley. "He and I watch big games together sometimes, so I know my way around here. At this time of morning though people won't be watching who's coming and going...." He pulled up into the drive, got out, unlocked the gate (he had a key for this, too), turned to see that Clark had slipped into the driver's seat, and so motioned him to ease the Bronco forward. Clark looked back to see that K had pulled up across the street and parked there. He took off the sunglasses and saw that Lois had ducked down on the floor before the front passenger seat, hiding. Good idea. He turned his attention to Justin and followed him in. They put the vehicle away and Justin led him to Cain's back door. "He keeps the dogs inside when he's not home. They'll probably bark at you, they're pretty good guard dogs, but they know me, so just, you know, just play it cool and..." "Don't provoke them?" He looked Clark up and down. "I was going to say don't let them bite you, they might hurt themselves." "Animals and I generally get along okay." "Yeah, I bet," Justin said, a touch of awe creeping back into his voice. "Even elephants and bears, huh?" "Sometimes," Clark smiled, remembering for a moment how at the tender age of 23 he had traveled with that Russian circus for a month. The three mixed-breed dogs came in three different sizes and they all came at once there in the kitchen. They all stopped a good six feet away, too, and none of them were fooled for a moment. They knew, as Clark had expected, that he was in no way their personal human being-type dad. That they were mongrels told him a lot about Cain; the man cared for the unwanted. They were happy to see Justin, though, and proceeded to bounce all over him and make him laugh, but while they didn't bounce on Clark, they didn't bark at him, either. "That's odd," Justin said as they calmed down, "they usually don't like strangers and they'll at least growl at them until Dean introduces everyone." Clark said, "I understand," and he knelt and held out his hand, palm down, to the dog who impressed him as being the eldest and probably the leader despite his smaller stature. The animal looked at him warily, then seemed to soften a bit, and walked up carefully to sniff the offered hand, doing no more. Clark withdrew his hand and didn't press the animal, nodding at him instead. "I know how you feel, I'm confused, too..." The dog sat down, sighed and looked dolefully at the truly strange stranger. The other two dogs shared the expression. They knew. Justin said. "I didn't expect this..." (continued) ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 15:42:01 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Pam Jernigan Subject: Fanfic: MILLION MILES AWAY (2/3) Comments: To: Blind.Copy.Receiver@compuserve.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 MILLION MILES AWAY (2/3) by Pam Jernigan (jernigan@compuserve.com) The next morning (Rhambosian time), he was in Africa. The government had spared no expense; he was booked into the penthouse suite of the city's largest hotel. Rather than wait there for his appointment, though, he started the day with a walk around Rham City in casual clothes. It was nice to be able to walk around unremarked, although his Western/Asian features did draw a bit of attention. = The city was a study in contrasts. This soon after dawn, it was almost chilly, but he was informed that it would be a steamy hot day. Tall, gleaming buildings thrust towards the sky downtown, and young men and women in Western suits and dresses were already beginning to stream into them to begin the workday. A British accent permeated the air, unexpected and charming. As he got further away from the business district, however, the architecture became more varied, more African, and gradually, the construction became poorer. There was a curious sullenness in the air, as well; he wondered if it had anything to do with the rumored approach of the rebel forces. The people seemed malnourished, which surprised him. Rhambosia was enduring a drought, he knew, but many U.S. charities were sending food--things shouldn't be this bad. Not in the capital. Well, he'd ask about that at his meeting with the Rhambosian president. = A meeting for which, incidentally, he'd be late if he wasn't careful. ~~~~~~~~~~~ In the hills overlooking the city, a small rebel group waited. = This was a raiding party, not an attacking force; the main army was elsewhere. Their target was a warehouse, and the plan was simple: Break in and carry off as many crates as possible before the government troops arrived. "Mulika!" The leader's head snapped around at the hoarse whisper. "Yes, Batu, what is it?" She spoke the trade language that was the only way for all the local tribes to understand one another. It was the only language she'd spoken for three years. Only her dreams were in English. "We have the signal." She nodded, ignoring the tension in the pit of her stomach. This should be a routine mission; she'd faced worse in her involvement with the rebel forces. She glanced around at her troops. They were young, and eager for action, but they were all much too thin. As always, her rage at this injustice gave her energy and courage. "Get in the trucks, it is time to go," she commanded softly. = When they were all in position, she climbed into the passenger seat of the lead truck, and gave the signal to proceed downhill. ~~~~~~~~~~~ As the meeting with the Rhambosian President was official business, Clark wore the Suit. It was actually one of many Superman suits he had; a small tailor's shop had been found to replicate the priceless original. The tailor had come up with a few ideas to improve on the design, as well, but Clark hadn't yet let him implement them. That suit was one of the few concrete reminders he had of the woman who'd transformed his life. His tailor's opinion notwithstanding, the Suit certainly commanded attention, and fit in well with the full-dress military uniforms worn by the President and his aides. "Thank you for coming, Mr. Superman." The President was a large man, with layers of fat covering layers of muscle. His uniform was similarly covered with medals and ribbons. "It was no problem, Mr. President. I try to help wherever I can." The President smiled broadly at that. "I am sure that you do, and when people then owe you favors, that is no bad thing, eh?" Clark smiled awkwardly. "Well, that's not exactly--" "Yes, yes, we understand. After you have helped us, we will help you, if we can." Clark paused at that, remembering his secondary goal in coming to the Congo. He would need their help. "I may take you up on that, Mr. President, even though--" "Whatever you want, it will be yours," the President nodded, gesturing expansively, and interrupting his guest a second time. = Clark began to dislike the man, and reminded himself that he couldn't let irrational dislikes get in the way of his duty. "We will be yours to command, Mr. Superman, if only you will rid us of these rebels! They agitate, they steal, they disrupt services--it has been going on for years, and getting worse in the last year. My troops, they can only do so much; we have only so many supplies." "What do you expect me to do?" Clark was beginning to wonder if he wasn't in over his head. He had warned the Ambassador that he refused to kill, and that seemed to limit the options here. "Ah!" The President motioned to one of his aides, who scooted forward and unrolled a map onto the table. "We know that they have a base somewhere in this area -" the aide circled a dismayingly large section of the map, "so if you could find it for us, Mr. Superman, that would enable us to take them by surprise." He held out his arms, and then brought them together, cupping his hands. "Then they would be our prisoners, and could no longer disrupt the government." Taking them prisoner was certainly a better option that killing them, but he was suddenly unsure that he could trust the President's word. The contrast between the malnourished crowds and this plump collection of rulers bothered him; the leaders of starving people shouldn't be fat. He resolved to investigate this situation more fully before doing anything. Refusing to help them might cost him his chance to investigate Lois' disappearance, but he couldn't put his personal obsession before the welfare of millions. As the aide elaborated on what they knew of the rebel's base, a young woman entered, bringing a note to the President. He read it and frowned angrily. "A raid! Will these misbegotten sons of hyenas give me no peace? They attack our main warehouse, to the north of the city." He sighed heavily. "Tell General Ashke to send in his forces." "Actually, I'd like to go as well," Clark volunteered, intensely curious to see events for himself. The President looked surprised, and then pleased. "Good, good, get straight to work. This warehouse is on the north edge of the city, near the airport--it is the biggest building around, and should be easy to locate." "Fine, thank you." Clark nodded, and left. ~~~~~~~~~~~ "Mulika, Mulika, we've been spotted!" "We knew we would be," she reassured the young boy. "We have time, still, before the troops arrive. Keep on loading those boxes; we might gain one more truckload before it is time to go." Despite her outwardly calm appearance, she kept her eyes on the main road, straining to see the first advancing government forces. So intent was she on the road, in fact, that she nearly missed the approach of a man in the sky. "Oh my God," she murmured, shocked enough to lapse into English. = What the hell was that? Probably not anything good. "Batu! = Take the truck, it is time to leave now." At that signal, the raiding party dumped all the crates they were carrying, and sped toward the trucks. The men would take the partially-loaded one into the jungle, while she would take the empty truck a different route, as a decoy. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Clark approached the warehouse slowly, trying to decipher the events unfolding before him. The raiders were few, and could hardly expect to stand up against the army division that was headed their way. They had only two trucks that he could see. = Curious, he scanned the warehouse. He expected to find guns and ammunition, but instead he saw crates of food. There were sacks of grain, powdered milk, and bottles of what he presumed were vitamins. They were stealing food that had been sent by foreign charities. He scanned the rebels again. There only seemed to be five of them, and one of them appeared to be a white woman. He felt his heart skip a beat. No, it can't be, it's impossible. As he continued to look, not daring to hope, the woman looked up and saw him, and in that instant, he knew. Her hair was longer, her clothes were ragged, and her cheeks were pinched, but it was indisputably Lois Lane. The shock of recognition was so intense that he nearly fell out of the sky, and he paused his flight to recover control, wondering what he should do. Meanwhile, he could see and hear that she was directing the small rebel force; they were preparing to leave. The men raced to the front of the loaded truck and set it in motion, heading behind the warehouse and back to the hills. = Lois took the other truck and set out along the main road. In his dazed state it took him a moment to comprehend that she was driving directly toward the unseen approaching army. ~~~~~~~~ Lois held tight to the steering wheel as the truck careened headlong down the road. This was the most dangerous part of the job, but for now she was conscious only of the exhilaration of the moment, the challenge of outwitting her opponents. The fear would come later, if she were lucky enough to survive. She scanned the road ahead intently. She had to get to the turnoff before the army did in order to lay the false trail and coordinate with the second team. This was a more complicated plot than they'd used before, and she could only hope that all would go well--the villagers needed the stolen supplies. The brutally honest portion of her brain acknowledged that even her capture would serve a purpose, distracting the army. And if she were to be captured, there was still some faint hope--though she'd been out of contact for several years, she remained an American citizen, and that just might keep the government from executing her. Might. She'd much prefer not to put that theory to the test. At last, she crested a hill, revealing the turnoff ahead. . . and the distant signs of an army regiment on the move. On these unpaved roads, even her single truck was raising a plume of dust. = She gunned the truck to its limits and headed resolutely forward. = She made the turn in a flashy screech of brakes, throwing up an even more dramatic shower of dirt, and headed north, toward the hills. Once over that first rise, the truck would be sent over a cliff, and its place on the road taken by a wholly legitimate convoy, carrying tin for export. If the army were performing to its usual low standard, this would cause more than sufficient confusion--allowing the rebels to escape with their supplies. She didn't have time to make it to the rise, however, before a new obstacle presented itself in the form of a man wearing a garish blue and red suit. He was standing in the middle of the road, facing her, with fists set on hips and legs spread aggressively. She swerved the truck to avoid him, but he deliberately moved in front of her, and held his arms out to grab the hood of the vehicle. She slammed on the brakes, but knew even as she did so that the truck could not possibly stop fast enough. Her eyes widened in horror, expecting his imminent demise, but instead he seemed to remain standing in front of the truck, even as it moved forward, his face contorted by a grimace. = She became aware that she was slowing a great deal faster than the brakes could do the job, and reluctantly assimilated the fact that this creature must be causing it. Disgusted, she cut the engine and jumped out onto the road. Pumped far too full of adrenaline to be cautious, she stormed to the front of the truck. "What kind of lunatic are you?" she demanded hotly, capturing his attention fully. "What *exactly* do you think you're doing? Who the hell are you--*what* the hell are you?" He seemed taken aback by her anger for a moment, then his brows came down in frustration. "What am *I* doing? I'm saving your life, Lois! There's an army regiment on its way here, you know!" "Of course there is, you idiot! That's the whole point! See, I'm supposed to distract them so that the others can--" She stopped short, inspecting him closely. "Whose side are you on here, anyway?" He shrugged. "I don't know anymore--other than that I am going to keep *you* safe if it kills me." He took a deep breath, surveying the horizon and the approaching dust cloud. "We need to talk." She paused before replying, trying to analyze this puzzle. He certainly didn't appear to be African. His features were European with a faint exotic air, but his accent was as American as hers. He seemed unaffiliated with the Rhambosian army, and certainly she'd heard no rumors that the government had control of anyone who could fly. That's assuming he was the same one she'd seen in the sky earlier, but it seemed reasonable. A long-dormant part of her noted that he was really very attractive, too, but she ignored that as inconsequential. Well, her options here were not good, so she decided to take a risk on the unknown. "All right, we'll talk. But first, I need your help." "What sort of help?" He crossed his arms in front of his chest, looking disapproving. = She ignored his body language. "My friends in the other truck need to be able to get their supplies to a village not too far from here, without the army knowing where they've gone. Can you handle that?" He considered for a moment, then nodded. "Fine." ~~~~~ Without waiting for her to reply, Clark scooped Lois up and took off, gaining some altitude before heading back towards the warehouse. This was not going as he'd expected, to say the least, but it was hard to be aggravated when he was conscious of such a great joy. She was alive! She was alive and in his arms = at the moment, and to keep her there he'd have done a great deal more than deliver food to some villagers. And hopefully she'd soon be in a better mood. "I think I forgot to introduce myself back there," he ventured, flying slowly enough that they could talk without shouting. "My name's Clark Kent, and I'm a reporter for the Daily Planet." She tore her gaze from the scenery scrolling beneath them and glanced his way, taking in his cape and boots. "The dress code has sure changed. I'm--" "Lois Lane, I know," he interrupted her. "I came to find you. = That's one of the things I wanted to talk about. . ." "Not now. . . there's the warehouse. The truck should be back that way." = He turned in the direction she pointed, and together they searched until they found their target. At her suggestion, he landed on the track ahead of it, and Lois flagged it down, explaining the situation in a language he didn't understand. = With her translating, they soon had the truck to its destination, leaving no traces for the army to follow. "Well, that's done," Lois pronounced smugly, watching as the villagers began unloading the precious cargo. "Thanks; they needed this." "So. . . what was that we just did?" he asked, coming out of his joy-filled haze long enough to be curious. He'd gone along with this plan to stay on Lois' good side, trusting her not to be doing anything he would find abhorrent, but clearly there were things going on here that he didn't understand. "Those," she pointed towards large sacks, "are bags of flour and corn meal. Over there are cans of juice, vitamins, and vegetables. This is the food that gets shipped here from kind-hearted foreign charities. They hear about the droughts, see some heart-wrenching footage on the evening news, and contribute generously. What they don't know," her voice hardened, "is that the government either keeps it for themselves, or sells it on a black market, at a very high price, and uses the money to keep the military well-armed. Not to mention the fact that the people wouldn't *be* starving if the government hadn't driven them to it in the first place, stealing their land, stealing their seed, their equipment. . ." she ran out of words, but her anger was obvious. "I see. . . obviously there's a lot I need to learn. Can we talk now?" Startled, she faced him again, and her anger drained away, leaving her more open, vulnerable. For a brief moment, she looked almost shy. Then she pulled herself together once again, tucking her emotions back inside to some secret place. "Right. = Talk. Okay, I guess that would be fine. Do you. . . want to take a walk or something?" He considered the question for a moment, glancing around the bustling village. "No, I think I know a better place, somewhere quieter. . ." ~~~~~~~~ Once again, Lois found herself scooped into strong arms and flown across the landscape, a sensation she found both exhilarating and deeply unsettling. Now that the morning's raid was successfully completed, she could feel herself unwinding, and that was a period she preferred to deal with on her own. She knew from experience that her defenses would be at their weakest point, so what was she doing heading into another confrontation? Every instinct she had was telling her that this might be the most important conversation in her life, and she felt woefully unprepared. Her unease grew as she realized they were headed straight into the capital city. She'd learned, in the past four years, how to survive in the wilderness, but cities held a class of hazards all their own; especially this city, controlled as it was by the very government she was working to overthrow. His course, however, took them not to any government buildings, but instead to a downtown hotel. Not that she could take that as any sort of guarantee of her safety. Demonstrably, he could carry her anywhere he wished. However, for the moment, it was enough that she wasn't in government custody. She'd face the future when it arrived. He landed them carefully on a small balcony on the top floor of the building, and opened the door into the room for her. = Muttering a "thank you", she stepped inside, looking around curiously. The room was furnished elaborately, but without any clear theme; the hotel's designer had apparently had more money than taste. "It's a bit garish, I know--actually, they tell me it's the honeymoon suite," Clark commented from behind her. = "The honeymoon suite?" She swung around to face him with an accusatory look in her eye, evidently startling him. "Listen, buster..."= "What?" She watched as realization set in, and he rushed into an explanation. "Hey, I didn't make the reservation. Apparently it was the best room they had; I didn't figure I'd be here much anyway, so what difference would it make?" She nodded grudging acceptance, and turned slowly to peruse the room, paying attention to all the details, putting off further conversation for a few more precious seconds. The bed dominated one side of the room, but the other side held a couch, coffee table, and two chairs--in mismatched fabrics. When she'd turned far enough to see her companion again, she jumped involuntarily. He'd changed! Somehow, the blue and red suit had vanished, and instead he was wearing a loose-cut black sports jacket with a muted shirt and slacks. He noticed her startle, and reflexively glanced down at himself. = "Oh, sorry," he offered. "I just wanted to be a little more casual, and maybe make you more comfortable, and I can move really fast when I want to, and. . ." His explanation trailed off. She smiled, involuntarily. "No, it's okay, you look good in black, actually, it's just that you looked different, and I wasn't expecting it, and for a second I didn't know *who* was standing there. . ." she searched for a joke to defuse the atmosphere. "If you'd put on glasses, I probably wouldn't have recognized you at all." (continued) = !^NavFont02F3E190007MGHH3Ea769B ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 15:41:55 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Pam Jernigan Subject: Fanfic: MILLION MILES AWAY (1/3) Comments: To: Blind.Copy.Receiver@compuserve.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 I was intrigued by the episode "Tempus, Anyone?". It's one of my favorite episodes of the third season, for many reasons. While I = adore its poignancy, I felt a strong need to create an eventual = happy ending for the alternate Clark, and to answer two = basic questions: What is Alt-Clark's life like now, and what can = Alt-Lois possibly have been doing all this time? Remember, this is an *alternate* universe, in which both Elvis and Charlton Heston were elected President, so I do have a little creative freedom = Thanks to Chris Mulder, who helped all along the way, and Sarah Wood, = who had good intentions , and Kathy Brown, whose good advice = I largely ignored (sorry, Kathy, I haven't got time to add all that = A-plot stuff). "If you go a million miles away, I'll track you down, girl" ("I Am Superman", as heard in "Tempus, Anyone") MILLION MILES AWAY (1/3) by Pam Jernigan (jernigan@compuserve.com) Clark Kent looked around the garden/patio of his penthouse level apartment and sighed in contentment. Not bad, not bad at all. = It seemed like his life was finally settling into a routine of sorts again, following his very public unmasking the year before. = He'd had to give up his reporting job, but one of Mayor White's first actions had been to put Superman on a very generous retainer, which the citizens of Metropolis had been only too glad to pay. He was a sort of city employee now, although he punched no time clock and had no set hours--so far, they'd been grateful for any of his super assistance they could get. His sense of duty was too strong to allow him to abuse his privileges. = Those perks hadn't, at first, included this apartment, but when a souvenir-hunting burglar had ransacked his old apartment, the Mayor had declared that the "hero of the city" needed better accommodations, and the City Council had fallen all over themselves to acquiesce--much to Clark's private amusement. Just because he'd been working on a story about city corruption back before the election. . . When he'd started being Superman, he'd thrown himself into the job with a passion--it had seemed to be the only thing he had left, and he had applied himself to it with single-minded determination. He hadn't realized how little rest he allowed himself, how tired he was becoming, until one memorable night when, almost in a stupor, he'd nearly disarmed the cop instead of the criminal. The policeman, luckily, had been a fatherly man who'd been able to get through to him, and had later gone to talk to the Mayor. That had earned him a visit from the Mayor's wife, and from that point on, Alice had appointed herself his foster-mother, insisting that he take breaks and not burn himself out. He'd since settled into a routine of two four-hour shifts a day, checking the city; patrols that he flew at irregular hours. = He'd started working closely with the police, as well, getting to know them and learning what they knew about the criminal element, how to defuse bombs, and various other useful tidbits. He had no desire to supplant the police--he simply wanted to help. Yes, he was pretty well adjusted. Sometimes he could even go for ten minutes at a time without thinking of Lois. It would be difficult to overstate the effect that Lois Lane had had on his life. That "strange visitor from another world," as Mr. Wells had described her, had upset him from the first moment he'd seen her. A complete stranger, she'd walked straight up and = kissed him, smiling intimately. And if that hadn't been bad enough, = she'd followed that up by knowing all about his alien origins. She'd known, and yet still she'd smiled at him, showing none of the fear or disgust he'd always expected to face. Her beauty, her acceptance of him, and her loving concern over his parents' death had been a potent brew, and he'd been helpless before it. He was ready to do anything she wanted him to, even if it involved wearing a silly costume. And the feeling of finally using his unique abilities openly, fully, and in a good cause had made him euphoric, and eternally grateful to the woman who'd made it possible. His later visit to her universe had aroused painfully mixed feelings--he was glad he'd had the chance to help, and he wouldn't have missed the chance to meet and spend time with the alternate Jonathan and Martha. . . and yet he'd been fiercely jealous of his alternate's life, and leaving Lois again had been the most difficult thing he'd done since. . . watching her leave, the first time. = Still, some part of him knew that she was not for him; *his* Lois would be different, somehow, subtly. That is, if she could be found. = On the return trip, Mr. Wells had muttered something about it not being impossible, which had filled him with new hope. However, as the subsequent days had dragged past with no change, no sign of her, he'd sunk into a deep depression that he winced to remember. He had pulled himself out of despair with the help of his friends, and he reminded himself now of all the good things in his life. He was fine, and someday, he'd find a woman that he could love. Someday. His musings were interrupted by a muted buzzing on the intercom that was connected to the guard station downstairs--no one was allowed onto the top floor without being cleared. He sighed theatrically, but hit the button cheerfully enough. He did need the private space that this apartment and the rotation of guards downstairs provided, but he still enjoyed company--maybe Alice had brought another of her "young friends" that she kept trying to fix him up with. "Hi Tompkins, what is it?" "It's Ambassador Kumatu, from Rhambosia, Mr. Kent." Clark's eyebrows shot up at that. He didn't have many ambassadors visiting. . . he tried to remember where Rhambosia was. = "That's fine, Tompkins, please ask him to come up." He turned his head toward the floor and peered downward to get a good look at his guest. The Ambassador was a tall, light-complected African, who looked as if he'd once been athletic, but had let good food get the best of him. He was currently staring suspiciously at the young guard. "-came here to see Superman, you understand?" His accent was faintly British. Tompkins held out a placating hand. "Mr. Kent *is* Superman, I assure you. Think of Superman as his stage name; he doesn't like to use it in his home." The Ambassador hummed skeptically. "We will see about that. May I go up now?" As an answer, the guard pressed the button that unlocked the lobby to the private elevator. This hadn't been part of the original building plan, but it had seemed like a sensible security measure when Clark had moved in, and all the elevator companies had competed to donate their services. Mr. Olsen had gotten him a business manager shortly after his debut, and it had amazed him how these things were worked out. Clark glanced down at his outfit and grinned. A Hawaiian shirt and black shorts--perfect for soaking up the sunshine, but not good for impressing ambassadors. He buzzed through his dressing room and emerged a few seconds later in a designer suit, with an abstractly-patterned red, yellow and blue tie. He did actually have a tie with the famous S logo on it, but he preferred to be a little more subtle in his neckwear. He heard the elevator's ping announce its arrival on his floor, and walked over to open the door before the Ambassador had a chance to knock. "Mr. Ambassador, I'm Clark Kent, pleased to meet you." He held out his hand. The Ambassador took it, and squeezed hard. Clark sighed. Another one who refused to believe he was super unless he was in the suit. That glasses disguise was sounding more plausible every month. He politely retrieved his hand, and motioned for Kumatu to enter. "What can I do for you, Mr. Ambassador?" "My government has a problem, Mr. Kent." The Ambassador moved forward and, at Clark's gesture, sat himself at a round table. = Clark sat across from him and tried to look interested. "Rhambosia is plagued with rebels; ruthless and brutal men who wish to seize power for themselves. We have been holding them off for a few years, now, but they have had undeserved luck, and are even now advancing toward our capital, Rham City." The Ambassador paused, looking down. "We may not be able to hold them off any longer; we fear that they are being financed by our enemies. And so I have come to you, to ask for your aid." Clark listened with half an ear. He'd remembered where Rhambosia was. On the edge of the Congo, the area in which Lois Lane had disappeared, four years ago. He'd always felt the temptation to examine the area, but a combination of uncertainty and fear had held him back. He really had no idea how he'd pursue a search, especially after Mr. White had poured trained men into the area with no results. And if he did go, he might find only the proof of her death, and the death of his hopes. He didn't know if he could face that. On the other hand, as time had gone by, he'd begun to want certainty, and closure. . . no matter which way things went, it would be better to know. And a mission of mercy, at the bequest of a local government. . . that was different. They were local, and would be able to help him. He could resist no longer. "Mr. Kent?" the Ambassador asked, rather testily, and Clark realized he'd been lost in his thoughts. "I'm sorry, Mr. Ambassador, I was just thinking. I normally make it a policy not to involve myself in government policy, but I believe I might make an exception in your case." Kumatu broke into a large, relieved smile. "If, that is, the City of Metropolis can spare me for a few days." ~~~~~~~~~~~ After seeing his guest out, Clark changed into the famous Suit for a leisurely fly over to city hall. His Honor the Mayor would be in a meeting for the next half hour; there was time for a short patrol. He missed his old life, from time to time, although he could now clearly see how badly he and Lana had been mis-matched. He missed his old job, as well, but had eventually come up with the idea of contributing editorials. Under the Clark Kent byline, he published his opinion on various issues, mostly crime-related. = There had initially been some concern that he would try to impose his will on the city, but his constant iteration of the notion that he considered himself a civil servant, not a policy-maker (avoiding even the hint of the word dictator) seemed to have reassured most people. His ongoing helpfulness had finished the job. The city was a lot safer now, and the citizens of Metropolis were starting to regard him with more affection than awe--their local hero. It was more public than he'd ever wanted, but not intolerably so. His social life was a lot more active than it had ever been. . . but no more satisfying. Alice White tried to introduce him to nice young ladies, and of course there were lots of volunteers, but. . . there was just no spark. And they tended to regard him with an awe which had quickly become tiresome. Not to mention the fact that his notoriety complicated even simple dinner dates, and any woman he was seen with became fodder for the tabloids. = He wasn't convinced it was worth it, but he kept trying, if only to please his friends. He was sometimes still surprised by the number and variety of his friends. He'd always feared exposure of his secret. One of his clearest memories of his foster father was of Jonathan warning him to be careful, lest unspecified "bad men" take him away, and "dissect him like a frog". The Kents' death had only made him more paranoid, more secretive. After his unmasking, however, most of his old friends had adapted quite well. He wasn't universally adored, of course. . . but as long as it was mostly the bad guys who hated and feared him, well, he could live with that. To his considerable surprise, James Olsen had become one of those friends. Clark had never realized it before, but "the wiz-kid of the computing world" was lonely. Very few people near his age had achieved his level of success. Jim had been very protective of Clark right from the beginning of his Superman career, giving him advice and helping him adjust to his new publicity. In a strange way, they were peers, and it had forged a strong bond between them. It was quiet in the city today. Things *had* improved, since he'd begun this second career, and Clark was proud of that. No matter what the state of his personal life, he knew why he was here, and how he could help; that was a very satisfying feeling. = He caught sight of a bank clock, and realized he'd better hurry if he didn't want to miss his meeting with the Mayor. ~~~~~~~~~~~ As this visit was official city business, Clark wore his Superman suit, but since it wasn't urgent, he walked in the front door with all other citizens who had business downtown. He was stopped once, by a blushing teenage girl asking for his autograph, but most of the crowd just smiled at him and moved on their way. "Clark! There you are. . ." Perry's familiar growl greeted him as he approached the Mayor's office. His Honor frowned slightly as he took in the significance of the costume, and waved his visitor inside his office. "Come on in, boy, tell me what's on your mind." Clark nodded a greeting to Perry's secretary, and followed the Mayor into the official office of city government. It was a room designed to be solemn, important, and impressive, and the effect was only enhanced by the photos of the Mayor with former President Presley. He carefully closed the door behind him as he entered, causing Perry's brows to raise. "What is it, son?" Perry settled into his chair, and Clark picked one of the visitors' seats across the large desk from the man who was the closest thing to a boss he had. "Well, I was just wondering if the city could spare me for a few days, Chief. I've been asked to help restore the peace in Rhambosia." "Rhambosia?" Perry thumped the desk in disgust. "Judas Priest, Clark--I know I had you on the city beat, but didn't you ever read the world news? They've been fighting that civil war for fifteen years now--what makes you think you could fix it in a few days?" Clark shifted position slightly. "Well, I could see what's going on, and maybe there'd be a way to help. . ." "Uh-huh." Perry's eyes narrowed suddenly. "Oh, I know what this is about." His voice gentled. "Clark, she's gone, son. You have to accept that." Clark smiled in resignation. He should have known he couldn't fool Perry. "Chief, I have to *know*. Even if it's bad news," = he continued, his mind shying from the possibility, "I have to = *know*, so I can get on with my life. I mean, I believe that = we're put here on this planet, or whatever planet we're put on, = to be the best that we can be, so now that I know how, I'm = going to continue to be, well, Superman. . . but I have to know, = for sure, about her." "Clark. . . why does she still affect you so much? You only knew her for a few days. Granted, they were momentous days, but. . . it took you eight years to propose to Lana, and another two years to get close to a wedding. Heck, I only knew Alice eight months before I married her, and I thought we were moving too fast. . ." The world's strongest man slumped back in the chair, at a loss for words, uncertain to trust his memories. "I don't know what it was, Chief. There was just a connection, a direct line from her eyes to my heart. And maybe I was imagining it, but it seemed like this little piece of my brain "switched on", and from that point on, I was just aware of her." He looked up to see Perry looking skeptical. "You know that tape Tempus showed at your debate, Chief? Well, he'd put Lois on a high ledge and just watched her until she fell. . . and I didn't recognize it at the time, but all that night, I was a little edgy, myself, you know? And when she did fall, she screamed my name. . . I've never understood how I could have heard her in time, but I did. Anyway, I didn't really realize how aware I was of her presence until she left." He fell silent, not having the words to describe it. While she had been there, it had felt as though an electrical current was stimulating his brain, pleasant and a bit uncomfortable at the same time. When she'd left, the current had ceased, leaving a void he'd never noticed before. Except that, gradually, as he'd thought about it, it had seemed like the current wasn't entirely gone, just muted, and slowed, until it was almost undetectable. = That, more than anything, gave him hope. "Anyway, I think I can still pick something up on that channel, Perry--something I was never tuned into before she came." Perry watched, concerned, choosing his words carefully. He'd always been a bit fond of Clark, protective even, when the boy had come to Metropolis from Smallville all on his own. Now that he knew what had kept Clark apart from everyone, he was even more sympathetic to the lonely young man. "Clark. . . are you sure you're not still picking up on her, in the other universe?" Clark shook his head. "I'm sure." He'd had the opportunity to test it, after all. "This feels just a little bit different. I can't describe it." Seeing how determined he was, Perry gave in. "Alright, you can have a few days to pursue it. I won't tell anyone you're gone, though, they can just think you're being sneakier--hopefully by the time the crooks catch on you'll be back." "Thank you, Perry." Perry waved away the younger man's gratitude. "It's the least I can do--and the most I can do is to give you what few records I have of her plans, and the results I got back from my efforts, four years ago. I, uh, well, I wish you luck." Both men stood, and shook hands, and then Clark left, heading back to his apartment to prepare for what was potentially the most important trip of his life. ~~~~~~~~~~~ (continued) = !^NavFont02F38DD0008MGHH38DE5169 ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 15:42:09 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Pam Jernigan Subject: Fanfic: MILLION MILES AWAY (3/3) Comments: To: Blind.Copy.Receiver@compuserve.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 MILLION MILES AWAY (3/3) by Pam Jernigan (jernigan@compuserve.com) His face split into a broad grin. "So I've heard," he replied cryptically, but his tension did seem to have been reduced, and she could feel herself relaxing as well. Dangerous. She glanced around the room again, searching for another delaying tactic. "So," she commented, almost at random, "nice hotel?" A distraction presented itself. "Ooh, look, room service. Boy am I hungry. Are you hungry?" She glanced at him in sudden doubt. = "Um, do you get hungry?" He smiled self-consciously. "Well, I don't really *need* to = eat. . . but I like to." He moved towards the room's phone, = picking up the menu card. "I'll just order one of everything, = okay? That way we should get something good, anyway." "Yeah, that sounds fine. . . and if there's anything on there that's chocolate, get two of it." The food arrived promptly, and they ate in silence. Lois enjoyed = the food; it had been a long time since she'd eaten so well, and = she wanted to savor every bite. All too soon, however, dinner = was over, and she was back where she'd started--a conversation = which was likely to be unpleasant, with a man (being?) who was = unfathomable. She did have to admit that he was cute. More than cute, really, with that thick head of hair and deep chocolate brown eyes. = And it wasn't just a sexual attraction; it almost felt like she *knew* = him, somehow, that she recognized him. There was just = something about him that was lulling her into comfort, something = that she fought against. He had a smile that was so open. . . = but sadness lurked in the depths of his eyes. This was a man = who'd been hurt by life, and his vulnerability stirred unexpected = feelings in her. She told herself sternly that she was letting her = imagination run wild. She didn't know a thing about him, after all. = Although there was a look in his eyes, when he looked at her. . . it = almost made her feel. . . cherished. And that was the silliest thing = of all; they'd only just met. "So, if you're done eating. . ." he gently prompted her. "You'd probably like to know why I've been hiding in the jungle for four years, wouldn't you?" She sighed, and shifted nervously in her chair. "I never meant to spend so much time here, believe me. It just sort of happened. . . "Four years ago, more or less, I was working for the Daily Planet, as I guess you know, and came over here to track down a gun-running operation. Well, I found the gun-runners, but," she = smiled ruefully, "they also found me, and they shot me. I'd have = died out in the jungle if I hadn't been found and taken me into one = of the local villages. It was a close thing, they tell me, apparently = I got a high fever and just took forever to heal. I wasn't really = conscious for weeks. Even after I woke up, I was still really weak-- I think I took another few weeks to get my energy back. It's hard to = keep track of time, sometimes." "But Perry said he sent search teams after you, poured men into the jungle looking for you. . ." She smiled. "Good for Perry. But I can guess why they didn't find anything. Well, first off, if anyone had come to the village asking about me, the people would have assumed they were connected with the gun-runners, who'd already tried to kill me. = They were protective of me. And then, too, with the political situation the way it's been--no one would have wanted to speak up. All the villages, practically, support the rebellion; they don't talk to anyone who might be working for the government." He considered that for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, I can see that. But that doesn't really answer my question. What about you? When you were fixed up and rested, why didn't you just hike over to the American Embassy and arrange to go home?" His tone was almost pleading, and she looked at him searchingly. = "Why is this so important to you, Clark?" "Ah. . . I'm sorry. I'll tell you in a little bit, okay?" He forced a = smile, and she could see him making an effort to be more detached, more like the reporter he'd claimed to be. "I'm just wondering why you--apparently--chose to stay here." She sighed again, and stood, walking restlessly over to the window. "It's hard to explain, even to myself. All I know is, as I was getting better, I was overwhelmingly aware of two things. First, I owed these people my life. And second, they needed help. The government here grinds them to powder, the army terrorizes them. There was a rebellion, but it wasn't very effective. I saw ways that I could help, that I could repay them. I thought about writing about conditions here, but, for = this time, that didn't seem like enough. "And, you know, I'd already been out of contact for over a month, so I figured that just a little bit longer wouldn't hurt anyone. . . until all of a sudden it seemed like I'd been out of touch for *too* long, that it would be impossible to go back. = And I was getting more involved with the rebels, they really needed me." She paused for a moment, choosing her words. "Not just for what I could do, either, because I couldn't win the whole war for them, obviously. They valued me as a symbol." She shifted in her seat, somewhat embarrassed. "I was 'the American' who was on their side, the proof that this corrupt government wasn't loved by all the world. I think I gave them hope that they could be accepted internationally if they did succeed." She shrugged helplessly. "It was a cause I believed in, and I was making a difference; I just couldn't walk away." She turned back to face him. His gaze was warm, and he had a trace of a smile on his lips. "I can understand that, Lois," he stated quietly. The intimacy of the moment overwhelmed her; she turned away, blushing. After a moment, she pulled herself together enough to say "I didn't totally abandon journalism, though. I kept a journal, and I sent a few articles to some British papers; they keep better track of what's going on in Africa than most of the American press. Those went under an assumed name; I couldn't have the gun runners finding out that they hadn't killed me after all." Under control once more, she turned back to him, with a challenging air. "So, that's my story--what's yours?" ~~~~~~~~ It took a surprisingly short time for Clark to tell her about his experience with her alternate. She had listened carefully, asking only a few pointed questions when the tale got too complicated, and now she seemed to be mulling it all over. He watched, anxious to see what her reaction would be. "So," she finally commented, looking him straight in the eye. = "You fell in love with this other Lois Lane, and when she left, you decided to come searching for me as a substitute?" Her tone was even, and faintly encouraging, but his years of experience with Lana told him how fatal it would be to answer yes. "No, that's not it. I mean, I guess I did kind of fall for her, but. . . do you believe in destiny?" He saw in her eyes that she was listening, so he went ahead. "I think I was destined to fall in love with *you*, only I missed my chance to meet you four years ago. . . I think I fell for her only because she was connected to you." "We're supposed to be some kind of soul mates, is that it, Kent? = I don't buy it," she scoffed, but he thought he could see a hint of wistfulness in her eyes. The look changed to alarm as she glanced around the room, so obviously set up for lovers. "This had better not be any sort of setup; did you think I'd just fall into your arms immediately?" "No, no, not at all!" = "Because you'd just better rethink things, buster," she continued, ignoring his denial. "I don't know what kind of floozy that other Lois was, but I for one have certain standards!" Briefly, Clark wondered if the other Clark had ever had this kind of problem with the other Lois. Probably not; no doubt he'd had this relationship, like everything else in his life, handed to him on a silver platter. . . His half-bitter, half-amused thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. ~~~ The sound startled Lois, already on the defensive; she jumped to her feet and backed away from both Clark and the door. This was not the sort of knock delivered by a maid coming in with extra towels; it was the determined pounding of angry men. Men who'd no doubt come to arrest her. Just when she'd managed to alienate Clark, too. . . "Calm down, Lois, it's okay," he soothed. Unhurried, he rose and crossed the room to the door. He opened it halfway and stood blocking the opening, his hand resting on the door. "Yes, can I help you?" Lois could see an angry soldier standing in the hallway, and glimpsed two or three others behind him. "You are Mr. Superman, is this correct?" demanded the soldier. "Why, yes, I am. And you are?" = Lois wondered how he could stay that calm and polite; her adrenaline was pumping furiously. "I am Colonel Mbutu, and I am here to find out why you did not prevent this morning's raid, as you told the President you would do." Lois raised her eyebrows in surprise at that. "Are you here to help us, or are you not?" At this point, he caught sight of her standing by the table. His eyes lit up, and he shoved Clark out of the way. Or at least, he tried. Clark remained at the door, smiling politely, refusing to be pushed. Deprived of direct action, the Colonel tried a new tactic. = "That woman," he snarled, pointing, "is a traitor to the state and must be arrested. I demand that you turn her over to me immediately." Clark put a finger on the man's chest and gently, effortlessly propelled him backwards, until the man was once more standing outside the hotel room. "That woman," he replied, with slightly more heat than before, "is a colleague of mine, and, incidentally, a citizen of the United States. Against which, she has not committed treason. However, that's really beside the point, because I've no intention of giving her to you." The Colonel glowered at him helplessly for a moment, then his expression turned cunning. Looking around the room's interior, he began to smirk. "Ah, I see, you want her for yourself, eh? = This I can understand. Take her, with my compliments. . . but when you are done, then she is to stand trial, yes? Is it agreed?" "You," Clark declared, "have a filthy mind." He closed the door firmly and checked to make sure it was locked before turning to face his guest again. He read the expression on her face and sighed. "And so do you, Lois. Relax, all right?" ~~~~ Lois smiled shakily, trying to pull herself together. At the = Colonel's insinuation, she'd felt a brief heart-stopping moment of = terror, but it had almost immediately been replaced by a bone-deep = certainty that she could trust Clark Kent. She couldn't explain it, = but as a reporter she'd learned to go with her instincts, and the = relief she felt at this confirmation of her intuition made her just a = little light-headed. He had seen that flicker doubt on her face, though,= = and she was ashamed of herself. "I'm not used to trusting people," = she explained as a way of apologizing, "and most of the men I've = known have not been worth it." "Well, trust me, I am not your typical guy." He smiled a particularly = adorable smile, and she had little choice but to respond. "Yeah, I noticed." She relaxed slowly, and reseated herself. = "So. . . what's going to happen now?" "I honestly don't know--it's up to you. I mean, first we're going to get out of here and get back to Metropolis. At least. . ." = He paused, suddenly uncertain. "Is there anything you need to finish up here?" She considered things for a minute, then shook her head sadly. = "The rebels don't really need me anymore. They've gotten themselves pretty well together over the past few years. I'd even been wondering, lately, if I couldn't help them more by writing about the conditions here. I won't mind leaving." = What she carefully didn't say was that the rebels had planned a coup for that night; if successful, the current government would be out of power by daylight. She didn't think Clark would act to suppress the attempt, but he had come to the country at the request of the President, apparently, and she saw no need to stretch her luck. "I've got a few things I want to take with me, as souvenirs, mostly--a wood carving, a necklace, stuff like that. And my journal. It's got all my notes on the war. = They're all in my home village--we could get there in half an hour, I'd bet." And it would keep him out of the capital while the coup was underway. "So," she summed up, "we wrap up here and get back to Metropolis. = Then what?" He took a deep breath, looking unsure but determined. "Well, I want to get to know you; I want to date you, frankly. I don't know where this is headed, but I want you to know--I am very strongly attracted to you. I think I could very easily fall in love with you, if I haven't already. From everything I know about you. . . well, I think you just might be the woman I want to spend my life with." Her skittish reaction must have shown in her eyes, for he rushed to reassure her. "I don't want to scare you off; I won't push you, I promise." His eyes were clear with sincerity. = "I am a little overwhelmed," she admitted. "I mean, I just met you today, but--" "And that's not all of it, either," he blurted, with an attitude of getting the worst out in the open. "I'm kind of a celebrity. = I don't exactly have a normal life, and if you got involved with me, you wouldn't, either. I mean, it's not that bad, really, at least I don't think it is, but it's not exactly routine, and--" She reached out to touch his hand, smiling softly. His nervousness, ironically, served to calm her. "Clark. Look around you. Do I seem like someone who aspires to be normal?" He looked around and grinned reluctantly. "Now that you mention it. . . no." "I can't promise you anything, Clark." His openness compelled her own. "I hardly know you. I'll have my hands full getting my life back in order in Metropolis, but--" "I understand all that. And we can take our time. I'll wait for you. I'll wait for you as long as you need." He hesitated before = continuing, but loneliness had taught him not to waste his = opportunities. "I just want to know--do you think. . . you could = ever. . . learn to care for me?" She looked him over, taking her time to reply. He really was unfairly good looking, with powers suitable to a minor god. And, clearly, he was head over heels in love with her. It was a heady combination. Underneath it all, however, she thought she could see that he was a good man--strong, compassionate, intelligent--pure-hearted in a way she had never expected to see in real life. Time would tell. . . but she suspected he'd be impossible to resist. "I. . . think that it is not inconceivable that, at some point, I might find you somewhat attractive." She smiled to show she was teasing, and he smiled back, but his uncertain look remained. = She sobered. "Clark, one more thing, about this other Lois. . . I refuse to live in anyone's shadow. So if you think--" "Lois. . . you have absolutely nothing to worry about." He searched for the right words to convey his feelings. "You are so vibrant, you put out so much light of your own, mere shadows don't stand a chance." She couldn't stop a smile. "You do have a way with words, Clark Kent. How can I resist? And I do want to find out if this can go anywhere. I can't describe it, but I've got this feeling--something = about you just feels right to me, somehow." She chose her = words carefully. "Nothing in life is guaranteed, I've sure learned = that, but you know, after these past few years, I'm more willing = to take chances." = She leaned towards him, squeezing his hand for emphasis. "I think = you are a risk worth taking." "Good." Satisfied, he stood again, and extended a hand to help her up. "Then let's get your things and get out of here." "Great. I can't wait to get back to Metropolis. I've been on vacation long enough." = He scooped her up carefully, reverently, and they began their flight, their conversation fading into the distance as they flew. "You call this a vacation?" "This? Oh, this is nowhere near as dangerous as my old job. . ." "Oh, boy. . ." ~~Epilogue, one week later~~ After completing his first patrol for the day, Clark headed for where he knew he'd find Lois: the Daily Planet. He flew into the newsroom, looking around for her, but she wasn't in view. "Hi Clark!" James Olsen was standing in the doorway to the editor's office. The paper's owner enjoyed spending time in the center of things--the new editor, Curt Swan, had even tried to talk him into writing a column, but so far he'd refused, claiming a different destiny. He smiled. "Looking for our newest employee?" Clark smiled in return, landing next to his friend. "You caught me. Know where she is?" "Well, generally I pay people to know things for me," he joked, "but in this case, yeah--she's down in the newspaper morgue. She finished that piece about the new Rhambosian government, and said something about needing to catch up with Metropolis news." "Thanks!" Not even taking the half-second to change clothes, he set off for the morgue--walking, so as not to ruffle too many papers in his passage--he'd been warned about that before. He found her downstairs, sitting in a darkened room, peering at the microfiche viewer. "Lois?" She glanced up quickly, then returned her interest to the screen. = "Hi, Clark, how are you?" She waved a vague invitation. "Pull up a chair." He complied, sitting down next to her. "I'm fine--how are you? = What are you doing down here anyway?" "Just have to catch up," she replied, still focused on the screen. "It's been a long four years. I don't want to miss something, or misinterpret something, just because I've been away for so long. And this guy bugs me." = She tapped the screen, and for the first time, he gave it more than a cursory glance. It was a picture taken during the famous mayoral debate between Perry and Tempus, showing Clark on the floor with the other Lois and H.G. Wells bending over him in concern. Clark winced. "Lois, you're not still worried about that other woman, are you?" "No, no," she waved away his concern irritably. "That's fine, but *this* guy. . ." she pointed at Mr. Wells. "I've seen him somewhere." "You have?" His eyebrows raised in surprise. "It's not that good a picture. . ." "Yeah, but I've got great vision." She pointed out, grinning impishly at him. "Superman does not see like I do." Clark glanced down at his Super costume and smiled, glad that she could joke about it. "So, you've seen him. . . I guess you could have, he is a time traveller." She frowned at the picture for another moment before enlightenment dawned. "Aha! I've got it. It was four years ago, but that's the guy. It was right after I'd been shot by the gun runners." Her account slowed as she remembered. "I saw him twice, actually--I think. I was kinda out of it at the time, but I think I saw him soon after I was shot. He was acting very worried, and I wanted to tell him to relax, but I couldn't really talk, and I blacked out. Then later, after I was in M'lia's hut and they were taking care of me, he was there again. I remember he smiled. . . and said I was going to be all right. . ." = Her eyes widened, and she looked at Clark in shock. "He said to me, 'When you meet your super man, tell him I said hello.' I never understood that; I thought I dreamed it, but--He meant you! = How did he know that?" "It's. . .a long story. . ." Clark drew her in close for a hug, = and said a silent word of thanks, grateful to have found his = soul mate at long last. THE END (well, more of a promising beginning, but you get the idea :) = !^NavFont02F3E880008MGHH3E89DB31 ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 05:11:16 -0700 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Debby Stark Subject: Swap-Meet: Burbank part 9 of 20 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Swap-Meet: Burbank part 9 of 20 by Debby Stark, Debby@swcp.com [originally finished on Feb 20, 1997; slightly edited on Nov 5, 1997] "Neither did they." Clark stood up. "Let's put out some more food for them and check their water, and maybe let them out for a little run before we go, hmm?" "That's a good idea. I'll take care of it." "And I'll look around quickly and get some extra clothing." Cain's home reminded Clark of his old bachelor pad, except the furnishings were more expensive. It was decorated with odds and ends of furniture; quality stereo and other electronic and computer equipment; knickknacks, sports paraphernalia and trophies, framed certificates and diplomas; shelves full of books, magazines, scripts, and writing materials. There were pictures of relatives. Among them: Cain hugging someone who was probably a brother; them both hugging a small blond woman (their mother?); the brother hugging a young blond woman (their sister?) who looked like the older blond woman; a man, maybe a stepfather for he didn't look like either brother, hugging both women. Perhaps Justin knew enough about these people to help smooth any interaction Clark might have them. Finally on the walls were posters from "Lois and Clark, the New Adventures of...". Clark looked away for a moment; he wasn't sure he could get used to seeing that title, it was so... immense. He understood Cain's pride in displaying the proof of his show business success. To be starring in a popular television show was quite an accomplishment, though given the topic, Clark smiled ruefully, it was a natural for success. The decision to give Lois top billing insured triumph if nothing else did. Despite the home being comfortable, though, it didn't feel quite lived in. This could be easily explained if the actor was as busy as the reporter was. He'd be even busier now in Metropolis, if that's where the poor fellow and his companion were. I'll help you as soon as I know what to do, Clark silently promised the stranger whose life he was expropriating for the moment. Cain had a nice variety of clothing. Clark went through it at speed, tried out and borrowed spare underwear, a quiet shirt, jacket, slacks and shoes. Something made him pause, look over the contents of the closet and dresser again, and add a black turtle- neck sweater and black socks that matched the slacks and shoes. He even found a black bandanna that the Cain might wear while riding his motorcycle. Justin returned with the relieved but, upon encountering Clark again, still reserved dogs. Justin shrugged apologetically. "At least they don't *dis*like you..." He took over locking up the house and resetting the alarms, showing Clark how it was done, "Just in case." Outside, Clark glanced around but did no one, paparazzi or villain, was watching them. He put the baseball cap and sunglasses back on anyway (Justin said they looked cool), and they went out to the street and K's car. He got in the back, behind Lois, leaned forward, and looked over the front seat at her way down there. He smiled. "I don't think you have to hide any more..." She didn't retake the seat she had abandoned when they had pulled up until K put the car in gear again and they were in motion. As she buckled up, Lois asked, "I thought we'd lost you back there. Did you see anything? Any clues?" Clark leaned forward again to be better heard. "Justin took me on a tour and showed me where they shoot outdoor scenes for movies, but I didn't see anything that I can honestly say was a clue. Nothing looked quite..." he glanced at Justin, "...real." "It looks real on TV though," Justin explained. "You'll see. K, they can watch your tapes of the show, can't they?" "Certainly, if they wish to." "If we have time," Lois said. "Soup first." K smiled and angled them expertly through traffic, on to a freeway and into the mid-morning rush. Clark sat back and tried not to watch, afraid he'd see a situation he would have to ignore, like an accident or even a stranded motorist. He couldn't as much as lift a finger to help unless it was clear that the world was about to come to a screeching halt and someone doing superfeats would go unnoticed in the panic. Lois looked back at him and considered his countenance until he realized she was doing so. The woman could read him like a large-print book. She winked. "This is the vacation we haven't had time to enjoy," she whispered. K wasn't watching and Justin couldn't read lips for he said, "What?" but Lois just gave him an indulgent smile and turned to face forward again. Vacation? What about Tahiti? The jaunt on the freeway was a short one. K pulled off and as the noise around them quieted to a reasonable level, she began to explain that she had lived in her neighborhood for quite a few years but was always in the process of, well, rebuilding her house. She had fun figuring out and using new tools and thought of herself almost a carpenter. She even knew something about welding, which she had learned for her role in the show's pilot, but that hadn't been filmed after all. Interesting, Clark thought, and K grinned when he said, "My mom *can* weld!" They pulled into the carport of a home that boasted an eclectic landscape style, private back yard, and several house cats that would probably stay just out of sight. Clark glanced through the walls, just in case, and saw both calm, regular- looking rooms and rooms in the process of being repainted, wallpapered, fitted with shelving or any of a number of other improvements. The kitchen, the first room they entered, was spacious and filled with appliances that were in good repair and looked lovingly used. "Wow..." Lois said. "I wish our kitchen looked like this." She glanced at Clark. "I might even *like* to cook if it did." Clark nodded. "It does feel like mom's." K winked at Justin. "These two certainly know the right things to say!" Justin looked surprised. "Well, you *do* have a nice kitchen!" "Then you'd like some soup, too, hmmm?" "Sure!" Lois offered to help set the table, which gave her the opportunity to snoop around but more to hurried the process along. K said something about Teri loving to cook but Lois probably not having any time to do so. Lois said that was the truth; besides, Clark liked to cook so why not indulge him? "Our Clark likes to... taste Lois's cooking," K smiled as she opened the refrigerator and pulled out a big container which she placed into her microwave oven. "I made this just last night..." Within ten minutes she was serving the soup and thick slices of heavy, wholewheat bread she said she had purchased at a local bakery. Lois dug in, her appetite healthy. Clark, on her right, was pleased to see that she was over her headache and maybe here, in this world, she wouldn't get another one. It certainly wasn't a good reason to stay, even for a vacation, but it would make solving the mystery a lot easier. Since she was busy and it was time to get to work, Clark decided to go first. "I think we can conclude that there doesn't seem to be anything here in this world that's responsible for what happened to us. Ms. Hatcher and Mr. Cain were just unfortunate victims. It could have been anyone, but maybe something about them was enough like us, physically probably, that they became the targets of this... this switch, which I hope is all this is. I hope they're in our world and not somewhere else." "Eww," Justin grimaced. "What if they went to somewhere with *dinosaurs* or *giant bugs* or..." Lois stopped mid spoonful and stared at him. "Or an island paradise with endless beaches and delicious natural food, or a giant mall world where people don't need money?" K speculated quickly. "They may not *want* to come back." "I could use being on a nice little island in the South Pacific myself at the moment," Lois sighed... then added, "though it would be nice if you both were there, too, and everyone else we know who's played by someone TV..." If they're on the *other* side of the island, Clark thought. "Agreed. For now, we need to get them back but we don't know enough to pinpoint any triggering event here, if there was one. That lighting problem on your set may be important, but I don't know how. K, I like your idea that Lois and I go over what we've been doing lately. Something in our world is probably the cause of what happened, maybe in tandem with some trigger here, and one of us may have gotten in its way." Lois nodded as she took another spoonful of the thick soup. "I travel around a lot," Clark continued, "so chances are it was me." "Except for the travel part--but I don't need to travel, trouble comes looking for me, so it could have been me, too." Clark refused to argue this: Lois might win by relentless force even without any facts at her command. "Let's just examine what we've been doing first," he advised her, then he looked at the other two. "Lois and I had a meeting with Perry scheduled for 10:30 this morning, and we... conferenced about it until almost 10:26." Lois nodded again and reached for the bread, the tub of sweet butter and a butter knife. She paused. "Want some?" "Yes, please. I suggest we go back as far as 24 hours before that. Whatever I encountered that caused this couldn't be any older than that. From 10 until about 10:15 yesterday morning, I had a chat with Bobby Bigmouth." "Wow, we have one of him, too!" "On the show," K clarified, touching Justin's arm to calm him. "I don't think either of us really know anyone who's a... criminal of the calibre you two meet daily." "I'm glad about that. I was looking for leads on what the Mayor is up to. Some of her actions have been a little... unusual lately, so I wanted some background before I attended her news conference this morning. I didn't get anything, and this morning her conference was about the new school district rezoning in west Metropolis. I think she's feeling out the press before she challenges the city council about some bond issues." "So she's not a criminal," K observed. "No, probably not. I hope she isn't, anyway; I voted for her." "Me-doo," Lois added around a bite of bread. "Sounds boring though," Justin said. "It *was* boring. A lot of a reporter's job is tedious, but the people have a right to know everything we can find." Lois slipped in, "The prison riots weren't boring." "True. We heard about them at almost 11 a.m. and covered them until the authorities--" "And Superman." "Yes, until we all got them disarmed and under control, and you traipsed away from your interview with the ring leaders like a cat with canary feathers on her lips." "Their story had to be told, too, and they needed a good mediator." "They also had legitimate complaints and they were outgunned 20 to one." "And no one was hurt." "Least of all, you." "'Least?' I was in *no* danger!" "You were probably the only woman those men had seen in..." Clark paused when he noticed that K and Justin were watching them back and forth. The two realized they had been caught and they smiled. "*I* knew I'd be okay," Lois said, ignoring--or very well aware--of her audience, "and you did, too, because you weren't hovering over me all the time except that once." "And then you asked me to get you a bagel and black coffee." "But you didn't." "You bet I didn't, I had better things, especially after I noticed that most of the rioters were holding each others hands... But after all that, you stayed late last night working on the story and were going to wrap it up this morning." "Which I did, using your notes, which you couldn't work from because of the dam thing." K blinked. "Hoover Dam," Clark clarified. "Bomb threat. More than a threat, a bomb did go off and I had to rush there and keep things from collapsing. That took some time but turned out okay. It was a regular bomb made of C4 apparently, which is suspicious but the authorities can work that out, they just couldn't shore up the dam as quickly as I could." "And there was nothing bad, no gas, no chemicals, no strange devices at the prison. Nothing to contaminate me--or you since you were in more places around that area than I was." "True. On the way home from the dam, I detoured to help an ocean liner get back to port. It had been crippled by a fire and lost most of its power." Lois pointed. "You carried it back." "A whole *ocean liner*?" Justin asked. Clark shrugged. "It was faster that towing it and it was only about fifty miles." "Wait--Do they know what caused the fire? I didn't get to read your copy on that." "Most likely faulty maintenance due to cost cutting." "But was there anything about any of those things--the mayor, the riot, the dam, the ocean liner, any of that," K asked, "which could cause what happened to you two?" Clark looked back over it all and was forced to admit, "Ah... no, not that I can think of. None of it was aimed at me-- sometimes things are, I know that--but the bomb was intended to incriminate an environmental rights group, for example, even the authorities saw that, and the boat's problem was owners looking for short-term profit at the expense of safety. Nothing else big happened yesterday, and nothing small that I can think of that required me to do anything in my..." what would the two understand best? "Superman suit. We went out to dinner after I got back and then caught a late movie." "Which you slept through most of." "Yes, because it was boring" "No, sometimes you don't understand *avant garde* films." "I understand that sometimes 'avant garde' is French for Snore City." "No, it isn't." "We had free tickets anyway, I didn't *have* to stay awake." "Well..." "Okay, you two." K pointed at Clark. "You were *very* busy within the 24 hours before whatever happened happened, and it probably wore you out--listening to it almost wore *me* out." Justin said, "You did a lot of hero things but no evil villain attacked you like happens on the show every week." Huh? "Yeah. We meet the villain right off and they usually get the A plot going by attacking Superman or Lois or sometimes me, Jimmy, and the rest of the show is spent repairing the damage and catching the villain with Lois and Clark kissing on the side, though the fans wish there were more of that and less villains." "I agree," Lois chirped. "It often does take around 24 hours for our Lois and Clark to solve problems," K said. "Maybe you're right to pick that time frame." "So since nothing out of the ordinary happened to you then, Clark," Lois summed, "and even though it was real life for us, villains and accidents usually do happen quickly to you, you usually know right away, it means that it probably happened to *me.*" "No, not necessarily..." "Yes necessarily, but it's okay, I can face it, I have a full stomach now." She patted her stomach with one hand and his hand with the other. "Don't worry." "But I *do* worry." "And you'd be right to--*if* we were under attack, but villains have been leaving us alone for ages, for *weeks* now, two or three at least! It's unusual but I like it. So to me that means it probably was an accident after all, and I can live with that if I was the one who caused it." She pointed at him as he opened his mouth. "Don't argue." She used her pointing finger to push his untouched plate of buttered bread toward him. "Eat." K and Justin covered smiles. Clark gave up and sampled the bread. It was good. "Okay." Lois continued. "At least half of *my* 24 hours was spent helping the rioters negotiate better living conditions. They aren't perfect people, but they *are* paying their debt to society and they shouldn't have to eat gruel and watch sitcoms, right?" She looked around the table and got unanimous nods. "I got back to the Planet by five and I worked on the story with Jimmy..." She glanced at Justin and smiled, "you do look like him... except he almost always has a camera around his neck these days. Aum... We worked on it for over two hours. You," she motioned at Clark but didn't look at him as not to distract him from his meal, "got back about then and filed the stories about the dam and the ocean liner, then you and I went out to eat and you took a little nap in the theater and a longer one at home overnight. I kicked you out of bed at about... seven, I think, we got ready for work, you drove us in, left the car with me and went on to cover the mayor while I finished the prison story--" "Wait a minute, wait, you're skipping over important things-- like your headache." "Well, it was so brief..." "But as intense as always, right? And the doctors can't explain it?" "That's the medical profession for..." Her eyes widened and she sat back suddenly. "Ohmigosh!" "What?" "Oh my gosh..." He covered her nearer hand after taking the butter knife out of it. "Lois?" "My headaches!" "It does? Ah..." Clark looked pleadingly at K. "Do you have any... aspirin or something stronger maybe?" Lois blinked and looked at him. "No, Clark, I mean *the* headaches, you're right, they *are* important." She looked at their friends. "I've been having these brief but intense headaches for a week now at the same time, about 7:30 every morning, and I think I finally figured out what's causing them! I just didn't get the chance to follow up on it because we're here now, darn..." K asked, "Headaches for a whole week?" "Yech!" Justin said. "Every morning for the past week--*except* on Saturday and Sunday!" "But we were trapped in that wine cellar overnight into Saturday morning, and you decided you wanted samples, so..." "Being underground and doing a little wine tasting doesn't matter! Distance doesn't matter, either! On Friday morning, the day before, at the same time we were clear over on the west side of town breaking into that warehouse when S.T.A.R. Labs is on the *southeast* side of town, you see?" "Ah..." He looked back over it. Five times. "No." "But it's obvious! I had the headache and nearly set off the warehouse's alarm, remember?" "Do I? And then you wouldn't go back to the car and rest." "And leave you all alone?" "Yes, I wound up finding the evidence myself anyway. And what does the distance from S.T.A.R. Labs..." It hit him. "You were there this morning." "Yes! And every morning for the past week--*except* on the weekends--Clive Tisdell, one of Dr. Klein's junior assistants, has been testing the Vibro Whammy!" Clark sat back. "Ohmigosh..." "Exactly! Except they claim they've 'rehabilitated' it--ha! --and they're calling it the 'Storm Tamer' now but of course it's a miserable failure. Our tax dollars at work, let's mess with the weather at drive time..." "But it hasn't been raining at drive time in the morning *or* the evening. Our normal summer storms have been gentle and refreshing. It's not improbable, the machine might not have anything to do with it, but it's nice not to have any flooding or lightning-caused fires or tornadoes in the county..." "Well, *we've* had storms," Justin peeped. Clark looked at him. "And storms aren't normal for here at this time of year?" "Rain is, sometimes hard rain, but these storms are *scary*..." K leaned forward, resting on her arms on the table. "They started about a week ago. The clouds became turbulent and that evening I had to drive home from the studio through rain. It did the same thing on Thursday but it was little worse and meaner looking. It calmed down Friday and was nice on Saturday, but Sunday afternoon it got bad again. We had more rain and more thunder and lightning. I stayed in rather than going out to a movie like I'd planned to. Every evening since then it's gotten worse, and the weather forecasters are stumped, but that's not unusual. The storms seem to start out of nowhere to the west, off the coast. With all the lightning, I'd worry about bad fires, except the rains have helped put out any that get started." "There's got to be a connection!" Justin exclaimed. "The weather gets better in Metropolis but worse here!" "It may be more than a coincidence," Clark agreed, "but I don't see any real connection for Lois and me. If she and I weren't here we'd certainly never know, and you wouldn't make any connection, you'd just keep suffering with the unusual weather until the machine breaks down, if it ever does." "But there has to be a connection. I'm sure the Storm Tamer is causing my headaches--Dr. Klein confirmed they recalibrated the machine and started the latest series of tests just last Thursday--*a week ago*--and that's when my headaches started..." She paused, then frowned, "but your storms started on...? Wednesday night? Oh... then maybe there's a... a backward time lapse or something here..." "Not necessarily," Clark said. "Today, here and now, if Mr. Cain's watch is right," he indicated his wrist, "it's Wednesday, November 27th, 1996. In Metropolis it's Thursday, August 15th, of the same year. Obviously our two time lines aren't running parallel anyway, so that doesn't rule out the machine somehow affecting weather here on different days." "Wow," Justin sighed. "Like it's dumping your summer storms on us?" Clark nodded. "Maybe. We just lack the connection that brings us into it." "No, we don't, it's me, it really is me, *I'm* the connection." "Lois, no." (continued) ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 10:07:37 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Margaret Brignell Subject: SwapMeet: Metropolis Part 7 of 16 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Metropolis, New Troy 12:10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Thursday 348 Hyperion Ave., West Metropolis Dean felt awful. He'd *really* have to get out of this outfit soon, it was so tight he could barely breathe. He wished he hadn't let himself get distracted time and again, most recently by the arrival of the real Martha Kent. As Martha, striving to maintain the appearance of normality, made them lunch, they had filled her in as best they could about what had happened. It was amazing how much she and K, as Martha, looked alike. They even had some of the same mannerisms. They both had an air of real affection when they were talking to you. After listening to their story, she was just as puzzled as they were and agreed they'd have to try communicating with K, her alternate actor self, when she came on IRC, *if* she came on IRC. Dean wiped his forehead. "I--need--to..." He tried to stand and found that the room swirled and swooped around him. "...get--out--of..." "Dean! What's wrong?" Teri asked. "Is it your asthma?" Martha, who'd just placed a plate of sandwiches on the table, grasped him by the upper arms and forced him to sit back down at the table. "Here, let me loosen your collar." She discovered though that his collar didn't need loosening because he'd done that earlier. "Uh oh! You have the Suit on! Dean, can you hear me? We need to get you out of the costume. Can you help me?" Well, of course he could! He knew how to undress himself, he'd been doing it since he couldn't remember when. "Sure--I--" He started to take off his shirt. But his hands didn't seem to want to cooperate and he only got the shirt part way off before the kitchen's tile floor swirled up towards him again. "Teri, hold him upright the best you can. We *have* to get the costume off him. How long has he been in it?" "About two hours. Why? " Teri helped Martha pull the shirt off and then they pulled the upper part of the costume over his head. " Omigod! What's happened to his skin?" "It's only a rash, I hope. The costume is air-tight. I used a kind of industrial plastic elasticized material to withstand what Clark can put a suit through, but I didn't design any ventilation because Clark doesn't need it. I think it's suffocating Dean, so we *have* to get the costume off him. Now!" "Yes--have--to--get--out..." Dean found it *very* difficult to breathe. This was much worse than that first asthma attack in Boston. With a small amount of help from himself, the two women were able to get the upper part of the costume off of him but he still felt ghastly. "Don't try to talk." Martha stroked him on the back. "Teri, help me support him so he can walk up to the bathroom. He needs to let his pores breathe, and taking a shower should help." Dean knew that he was shaking like a leaf, but he was upright. He staggered slightly at the first step as they reached the staircase, but grabbed Martha and Teri's shoulders to maintain his balance. He took each step, one by one, clutching the handrail for support and being assisted by the two women, one on each side, whenever he faltered. With Martha and Teri's help he got into the shower. Martha sent Teri to the linen closet for dry towels and then started to strip the pants and tights from his legs. "No..." He didn't want some total stranger stripping him naked. "I can..." Then he had to grab the towel rack to stay upright. "Dean, I'm Clark's *mother*. You don't have anything that he doesn't have and, believe me, he looks perfectly human. I've seen him buck naked hundreds of times." Martha's tone softened. "If it will make you feel more comfortable, I'll just pretend you're Clark and you just pretend I'm your Mom, okay?" "Okay," he croaked, surrendering. He leaned against the wall at the back of the shower, his forehead on his folded arms, while his "Mom" stripped the rest of the clothes from him. He felt much better as soon as the water hit him. It was amazing, like his skin had found fresh mountain air. His "Mom" soaped his back and the back of his legs, then handed him the soap so he could finish the job on his front side. He felt stronger already and quite able to do this. "How do you feel?" "Better. I feel better. Thanks." "No problem. You sit down in that water and let it run over you. I'll get you a change of clothes." Teri knocked and, with the door itself shielding a view of the bathroom, handed Martha some towels. Martha's parting words were, "There's towels on the counter, and I'll hang the clothes on the door for you. Just take your time." "Okay. Thanks." Dean relaxed in the tub and let the warm spray of water run over him. Some twenty minutes later, once he was dressed, he returned downstairs. He took a long deep breath. He was so relieved to have *that* over. He'd never complain about having to wear Spandex again! Teri stopped flipping through the TV channels as he entered the den. "How you feeling, Dean?" she asked, genuinely concerned. "Fine, I feel fine." Dean walked over to the sofa and sat down beside her. "But I wouldn't want to go through *that* again." Teri patted him on the arm and made reassuring noises. "Okay, since you're back in shape, let's--" Teri's surfing had stopped on a cartoon they didn't get in Burbank, a news flash broke in to the channel announcing that a plane was in trouble over Metropolis. If the pilot couldn't land this next time around, he'd be crash landing in a suburban neighbourhood. Dean was really concerned. Here was a job for Superman, only Superman wasn't here. "I wish I could help. If Clark were here he'd help. I wish there was something we could do." Teri turned to Martha, "What do you...." Martha just shook her head. "Even Clark can't be everywhere at once. He understands that. There's nothing we *can* do..." Suddenly they heard the signal from the laptop. K must be on IRC. They all raced into the office. K was "Danny" this session, and the list was so active that the words were scrolling up the screen almost too fast to read. Teri tried to DCC her, but couldn't get acceptance. "Okay, what do we say to her to let her know it's really us? So she'll accept our private chat?" They all studied the screen. Most people seemed to be asking questions, saying hi or gushing about Dean or Teri. A typical IRC session if ever he'd seen one.... Seeing someone make a comment about thwapping another nick on the list, Dean had an idea. "What about a /me saying 'wonders if Lois and Clark like Burbank.' It'll mean nothing to the rest of the list, but what if our luck is holding? We have K online, maybe Lois and Clark are with her? If they are, and she's not talking to someone privately with this screen minimized, *they'll* know it's us." "That's a lot of ifs--but I like it. You really *are* more than just a pretty face," Teri grinned as she typed the message and almost instantly the coded words appeared on the screen "MetroDuo wonder if Lois and Clark like Burbank?" "What are we going to do if she doesn't see the message?" Teri tried another DCC connection. "Try repeating it, if you don't get a response soon." However, this time the DCC request got: Session Start: Thurs Aug 15 12:39:59 1996 Chat with Danny Waiting for acknowledgment... DCC Chat connection established - Hi! Interesting question, who wants to know? Hi K:) Teri and Dean. Teri and Dean who? "This is going to be harder than I thought. She was in the lab this morning with Vincent." Dean recalled. "She was complaining about him yesterday. Maybe referring to that would convince her." He watched as Teri typed. The refugees from the Pasta Pirate. Did you escape Vincent's clutches again, in the lab this morning? Yes, but anyone could know that. "Sheesh, she types fast. We have such a great connection we must be on the same server." Reading the last message, Teri frowned. "I was afraid she'd say that. What else can we tell her?" Dean smiled grimly. "I've run out of ideas. I mean if she doesn't believe what we say about the show, what else can we say to prove who we are?" Teri patted his arm comfortingly. "Dean, you're losing the sugar. Think positive...remember!" He rolled his eyes at having his own philosophy thrown back at him at a time like this. Martha coughed quietly. "If Clark is there he'll know what I mean when I ask if Lois is getting her a.m. headaches still." Give me something else. Martha wants to know if Lois is still getting her early morning headaches. Not now she isn't:) Is it really you? "All right! Now we're cooking." Dean was ecstatic as Teri responded. Yes:) I guess we're not in Kansas any more:p Neither are we Are Lois and Clark there? Martha's anxious. We're right here, and we're fine:) This si Clark. "Hey, Clark Kent can't spell." Dean grinned and it was Teri's turn to roll her eyes. "Okay, now what? We're here and they're there. How do we get back?" Teri typed the question to Burbank. The response came, apparently from Lois, asking if they had her notes. After some back and forth they established that the probable cause was the "upgraded" VibroWhammy. Dean and Teri agreed to visit S.T.A.R. Labs that afternoon and try to reverse the process. Lois gave Teri some hints on what to do to activate the machine. They agreed on a time period to try to meet online again if the trek to S.T.A.R. Labs failed. Teri found Clive Tisdell's phone number in Lois' notebook and called to confirm Lois' 3:30 p.m. appointment. The secretary put her through to the scientist himself, who said he usually went home at 4:00 p.m. so if they could keep the meeting short, 3:30 was fine with him. Dean picked some business clothes out of Clark's closet and changed again. The slacks were a little tight in the hips and the jacket a little broad in the shoulders, but he looked fine in the mirror. Something didn't seem quite right until he remembered to put on the pair of glasses he'd left lying on the hall table. It seemed like he'd had more costume changes this afternoon than he did in a typical day on the set. As they left, Martha gave them both hugs and wished them well. She would stay by the laptop and try to maintain contact with Burbank. They found S.T.A.R. Labs on the map and this time Teri drove. She insisted that Dean must still be feeling the aftereffects of his encounter with the Suit. He'd tried to deny it but she wasn't buying it. Once he'd directed them on to the right street to get to S.T.A.R. Labs, Dean asked, "So what do we tell Clive is the reason for our visit? I mean we *can't* tell him the truth." "Well, Lois said she's been having those headaches and she thinks they're caused by the VibroWhammy. We could use that. I'll just have to pretend they happen to me that's all." Teri smiled disarmingly. "Clever, huh? I think I'm going to like being a real investigative reporter for awhile. Maybe I'll even get to see the schematics for that thing. That'd be neat, maybe I could figure out what's causing the problem from them. I try to keep up on my math, and this would be good practice." Dean was glad to see she was getting with the program and said, "Okay. I'll just try to follow your lead." They continued on to S.T.A.R. Labs through very life-like streets. There was no comic-book or movie set look to them at all. In fact, if they hadn't known that they were in Metropolis, they could have sworn they were driving through some of the suburban neighbourhoods of Chicago. The actual S.T.A.R. Labs building looked nothing like the one used in the show. It was part of a research park, with sprawling lawns and manicured flower beds. Although obviously built in the last ten years, the building itself had a vaguely Art Deco look to it. They pulled into the parking lot just before 3:30 p.m. Lois and Clark's press credentials got them into the building. Clive Tisdell, a tall, thin, quiet man, met them at the security desk and led them, through a maze of corridors, to the closet he called his office. Here he felt free to discuss his project with them. ****************************** Margaret Brignell brignell@capitalnet.com Ottawa, Canada %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% My fanfic now available at: http://www.capitalnet.com/~brignell/ ****************************** ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 18:16:10 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: "Eileen F. Ray" Subject: STORY ANNOUNCEMENT: EXTRA-Ordinary People Hi-ya Folcs Submitted for your approval is the story "EXTRA-Ordinary People" another of our Lois and Clark fanfiction stories written in *roundrobin* style online on the IRC As before the various writers had to think up material on the spot. Typos have been edited out . There were five participants in this particular story: Doris a/k/a Dor or Fdor (cschmill@zedat.fu-berlin.de); Fystydub (Fystydub@aol.com); Georgia a/k/a ga (gwalde14@mindspring.com); Zoomway (zoomway@aol.com); and myself. Comments can be sent to any of the participants or posted here to the list. This a fairly short story so I will be posting it in one part. We hope you enjoy it. Cheers, Eileen Eraygun@aol.com - ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 18:16:38 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: "Eileen F. Ray" Subject: FANFIC: EXTRA-Ordinary People EXTRA-ORDINARY PEOPLE (or We *Really* Have a Lot to Talk About) An IRC Round Robin "So, do you want to wait for the boat?" Clark asked apprehensively.They'd been through so much together during the last 24 hours he was afraid of Lois's answer. He knew she wanted just a regular guy, but how many regular guys get taken prisoner by a deranged maniac who wants to decapitate them?. That was out of the ordinary even for Metropolis. Clark held his breath as he waited for her answer. "No," Lois said teasingly as she traced an S shield pattern on his chest. "I want to fly first class." Clark's face lit up and he scooped Lois up in his arms and sped off into the night sky. NEXT As they approached Metropolis and most of their flight had not strayed far from 'safe' topics, Lois reached up and traced a finger down Clark's jawline. "You doing okay?" "Hm? Yeah, I'm fine, Lois," he smiled. "Lost in thought, I guess." Lois sighed, "Me too." Clark dropped their altitude as they neared Lois's apartment. "What about, and for both our sakes, don't say 'you first' this time." "Okay," she laughed. "I was thinking about a lot of things. Want to hear about them chronologically or alphabetically?" Clark glided through the window and set her down. "How about in order of importance? To you, I mean." "Okay," she sighed and pointed to the sofa. "I'm going to assume despite the invitation, necking is not the thought preying on your mind." "That is an underlying thought most of the time, but right now--" Her voice was serious, so Clark just nodded and seated himself. "I told Perry about you wanting to marry me, and that.." "'There was one thing that could wreck it all'," Clark finished her sentence. "Ah, yes, I forgot, you have that optional Spies R Us ear arrangement." "Sorry," Clark said and adjusted his glasses. "I wanted you to be clear on what I thought that one 'thing' was." Clark sighed, "That I'm Superman." "No," Lois shook her head. "That you're not Clark." NEXT "Huh Lois?! What are you talking about?! I'm Clark Kent. Clark is who I am, Superman is what I do." "Gee, that sounds vaguely familiar somehow." "No you're *not* Clark." "But Lois -- " "And you're *not* Superman either. You're really someone else... someone inbetween... Oh this is just so hard to explain! Would you mind if I had a Fudge Crunch bar while we talked?" NEXT Clark looked at her, then reached out and, putting his arm around her, pulled her close. "It's still me, Lois. I haven't changed nor my feelings for you." When Lois didn't melt into his embrace as he had hoped she would, he added wryly. "Sorry, go and get your fudge bar." While she marched off to the kitchen, Clark leaned back with a sigh. He certainly hoped that her fix of chocolate would calm her nerves enough to recognize that *he* hadn't changed. He hated himself for not having been able to find a better and easier to break the news of his double identity to her. He didn't need superhearing to pick up a chocolate bar wrapper being undone in the kitchen,and then his finer senses kicked in to hear her munch on it. Then the door to refrigerator screeched open, and presently Lois returned from the kitchen, her arms loaded with an assortment of various candy bars, a large gallon jug of chocolate milk, and two glasses. Setting them down onto the coffee table in front of them, Lois sat down on the sofa next to Clark, leaning ever so slightly against him. *It's already taking effect,* Clark thought with a smirk. Out loud he said, "You're not planning on having all that candy together with chocolate milk, are you? It'll make you sick." "No, I won't. Not by myself anyways." Taking a candy bar, she undid the wrapper and before he had chance to protest, popped it into his half-open mouth. "You're gonna help me." While she poured both of them a glass of chocolate milk, she added, "We got to talk." "Agreed." Clark obediently munched on his fudge bar, watching Lois as she busied herself sorting and rearranging the candy bars on the coffee table. He could easily tell that she was nervous still. So if it took a chocolate orgy to see them through it, he willingly resigned himself to his fate. It took several minutes and at least as many candy bars until Lois seemed satisfied with her work and sat back on the sofa. Picking up her glass of chocolate milk and pulling her legs up to her chin on the sofa, she looked at Clark expectantly. "OK, I told you what was on my mind. Now it's your turn." NEXT Lois took Clark's hand and gently squeezed it. "We've got to talk, that's for sure! One way or the other, we have to sort some.. a lot of stuff out" "I know Lois, it's just hard. I'm never sure how you're goin' to react to things I tell you.. and this is as BIG a thing you'll ever hear me *try* to explain." Clark held onto Lois' hand a little tighter and tried to give her as loving a look as possible. "Lois... tonight on the island.. well, it's like under normal circumstances it's difficult to be with you, near you, knowing I've got to be honest.. but I guess I think I'd rather be vague around you and have you angry at me.. than not having you talk with me and laugh with me... at all." Lois looked at Clark. She felt tears well in her eyes... why the hell was she so soppy these days... "Clark.. we've gotten over the biggest hurdle.. you say you're 'Superman'.. I say.. you're not 'Clark'.. maybe that was rash.. I'm just confused... I know I want us to go further.. *be* together.. but I've got to try to understand. I don't know whether it's the chocolate or not.. but I'm really trying to be understanding and C-A-L-M!" She spelled this out, making her eyes comically wide.. and it broke the ice for a moment. Both of them laughed..... As their giggles died down, he just looked at her. "See, Lois.. it's *this*.. this is what I love.. us being like this. Tell me how to make you okay with what I've just told you.. anything.. whatever.. and I'll do it." "Well......, who are you really? Clark or Superman.. which came first.. I mean.. chicken or.." Clark interrupted her..laughing.. that babbling...."Ehh, Lois." She looked at him again.. seriously. "Clark.. you know what I mean." ".. I know.. well, I'm Clark..I've always been Clark really... even if I hadn't grown up .." he looked up into the sky and took in the vast expanse of everywhere... "..here.. I think I'd always be the person that works with you every day.. who annoys you and *thinks* they have you pegged" ... he laughed again... NEXT Lois looked at him for a moment, and his laughter faded. "Really, Clark, are you the person I've been working beside for two years? You've been *pretending* Clark, and creating this image for all of us to see, just as much as the image of Superman was created." Clark broke in, a look of distress on his face. "No, Lois, not pretending - every time I've written a story with you, or eaten pizza with you, or listened to you or watched your face, it's been completely real." Lois smiled slightly at that, he was so irresistible when he was being sincere. "Maybe so, Clark, but you can't tell me that your life since you were a teenager has been like an ordinary guy. And that's made you different." Clark looked even more distressed at her words, and she hurried to reassure him. "I don't mean that being different is a bad thing. But you've got to admit that Clark Kent isn't just a farmboy come to the big city, and that's the person I need to know." NEXT "But I'm just being *me*, Lois, or I thought I was." Lois looked at him a moment. "Okay, if the light burned out, what would you do?" Clark frowned, "Is this a trick question?" "Clark--" "Okay, okay, I see what you're getting at, I'd float up and change the light bulb, but Lois, if you want me to use a step ladder--" "No, that's just it, I *don't*. I want you to be *you*." Clark sighed in exasperation. "I'm kind of lost here, Lois. You wanted me to be a 'regular guy' and now...?" She put her hand atop his, "I was wrong. I was being...Darin Stevens. I didn't have the right to make you be something you weren't." Clark smiled, "I finally get it. You fell in love with 'step ladder' Clark, but since he didn't exist, you tried to...make him exist." She put her forehead against his, "Thank you!" He pulled her close. "And so now?" "Now let me live with the real you...well not 'live with', but you know what I mean." "Okay," he said and then began to float. "I watch TV like this." Lois, who floated upward with him, suddenly had her mind race to other events made possible by zero gravity, but restrained her thoughts. She smiled. "Fair enough. What else?" NEXT "Hmmm, let's see... I don't shave - the razors break. I singe my beard off.... I don't have to eat, but I like to... oh, and..." He blushed. Lois raised an eyebrow at him. "What? You have my undivided attention." "When I sleep..." Clark smiled self-consciously. "I don't like people to know..." "You snore...?" She laughed. "Now that's nothing strange at all. And don't worry, it won't bother me. My sister snored, and we shared a room almost halfway through high school." "No." Clark shook his head. "It's nothing like that. More like this," he indicated their position several feet above the floor. "I sometimes float when I sleep... when I'm really tired." "Oh." Lois was silent for a moment, processing the information, then smiled, "Well, that doesn't disturb anyone, provided you float silently, of course. Or do you take the sheets floating... that would get cold. But we could use separate sets of sheets, of course..." She was babbling again, Clark noted. Floating them gently back onto the sofa, he reached out, and cupping her chin, turned her head to face him. "There is something else on your mind, isn't there?" he asked quietly. NEXT "Yes, there is Clark." "I'm not going to like it am I?" "What do you mean by that?" "I can tell by that look on your face," Clark replied. "And what kind of look do I have on my face?" "The *Clark you've done something to really tick me off* look," Clark grimaced. "Okay let me have it. I can take it whatever it is." Lois giggled. "Clark, it's not that bad, really. But tell me, do you always listen in on my personal conversations?" NEXT "Ah," Clark smiled. "Not always, in fact until you fell in love with me, I tried hard *not* to hear what you said." Lois rubbed his knee. "Oh, I guess I did say some things that weren't exactly...complimentary." "I quote 'Kent? Chief, you can't be serious! He's a hack from Smallville, I couldn't make that up.'" "I'm sorry, Clark." He tugged her head to his shoulder, "Eavesdroppers get what they deserve. Besides," he said and kissed the top of her head, "it wasn't all bad." "Like?" "Hmm, well, like when you said 'I guess there isn't anything I wouldn't do for him'." Lois shook her head, "Right. You eavesdropped right in front of me as Superman." "But I never prompted you to say that!" Clark added hastily. "True, but you *did* seem to put in a good word here and there for Clark!" Clark rolled his eyes. "Now we're both talking about me in the third person." Lois put her hand on his chest. "That's because neither of those men are here. Take your glasses off, Clark." Clark tossed his glasses on the table, "So?" Lois leaned forward and kissed him. Clark's eyes rolled back. She deepened the kiss and he moaned. Lois broke away from the kiss slowly. Clark swallowed. His eyes were a bit glazed. "Lois," he finally managed to whisper. "I'll keep the glasses off if it has that effect on you." Lois placed a hand on his face. "I just wanted to kiss the real you, Clark. The Clark who doesn't fly around in tights, or the Clark that everyone thinks is just a 'regular guy'." Clark laughed softly, "How much of the *real* me would you like to know?" Lois felt the alarm bell go off. She loved Clark. She even desired Clark. But something inside always made her put on the brakes when Clark's hands got a bit too...motivated. Clark caught the slight flash of...skittishness in Lois's eyes. It was frustrating. No matter how many barriers fell between them, that fear on Lois's part always remained. Clark decided to take a more forward approach. "Is there anything else, Lois, anything at all, no matter how personal, you'd like to know about me?" "Yes..no! I mean, I'm not sure." "Relax, Lois," he soothed, "This isn't an essay question. If things were reversed, and you were the one who was..well..different, I'd ask." Lois chewed her bottom lip, "Okay, then...how different are you, Clark?" "In what way?" Lois wasn't sure if Clark was being cute, trying to force her to say what she was afraid to ask, or if he really was that dense. "I'll put it this way. I saw you in a towel once. You looked like a man...a really really great man." Clark blushed, "Thanks." "But now I wonder, I mean...the towel covered some important...I think you'd better go home!" "Lois.." "Clark really, I think you'd just better..go home." He wrapped his arms around her. "Calm down, Lois. It's okay. "I'm a man *everywhere*. A really really great man." Lois laughed against his chest, "I'm sorry, I didn't want you to think I had bizarre ideas, well, not that I didn't have a couple." Clark frowned "Like what?" NEXT "Well, you know... How do Kryptonians reproduce... I thought about cabbage patches..." "No, Lois... well, at least I don't think so. I think my father would have left me a message about that if I was that different. We seem to be fully compatible as far as I can tell..." "Can you...? How do you know... I mean, you could..." "Lois, there are books available... and believe me, I was a very normal little boy with very normal curiosity." Clark leaned in and kissed her lips gently. "You are super, too. It hasn't been a problem till now. Nothing has changed really." "But we never... what happens if...?" "Are you suggesting a test drive?" he teased. Then noticing that she was trembling slightly, he reached out and stroked her cheek gently. "Hey, you are frightened. I'm sorry. What is it...?" He gathered her in his arms and tucked her under his chin. "You know I would never do anything to hurt you." NEXT. "I know that Clark. That's the one thing I'm sure of. But even though I love you this is all pretty new to me." "It's new to me too Lois." "So can we just take it a little slower for now, just until I'm ...er we're more settled?" Clark kissed the top of Lois's head again and began rocking her gently back and forth. "I..er.. we can do that," he replied. NEXT "Thanks," she whispered. "I have to get on that story for Perry and then tomorrow we can make a day of it...of..getting to know each other, slowly, and all." "It's a date." He kissed her softly and left via the door rather than window. Lois worked steadily transcribing the events, then took a break and got dressed for bed. She headed back to the laptop and the phone rang. It was Perry practically drooling over the details of her ordeal, but trying judiciously to sound concerned at the same time. Perry broached the sensitive subject. He asked about their conversation from the office. "Remember that side to Clark I mentioned?" Clark approached the window, a bouquet of flowers in his hand, and risked the dangers of eavesdropping. Lois continued, "I decided it was something I could put up with." Clark smiled and tapped at the window. NEXT Finishing the conversation with Perry, Lois got up and walked over to the window. Her "flyboy" was there, all dressed in tights. She wasn't quite sure what to make of his late night visit when he produced the flowers from behind his back. Looking at them, she wondered for a moment if she wanted to know where they came from. But, as it turned out, he had just been "flying by" and even offered to let her see the receipt, proof that he had been "good" and just bought them like any ordinary guy at the little shop at the corner of the street. She smiled and stood gazing up after him as he left. He was such an extraordinary ordinary guy even if you discounted the flying and superpowers part. She bent to smell the flowers' sweet scent. Sweet was another word that reminded her of him, but not ordinarily sweet. She smiled again. There was nothing ordinary about this guy... everything was super... but that again was very normal that she should be feeling this way. Lois felt a very warm feeling rise within her... they weren't so different after all. She wondered briefly if he was feeling the same excitement and the same butterflies that she was experiencing, but thinking back on their conversation earlier that evening, she was sure he did. They were in this together, and they were just beginning on a new journey of exploration together. With a last look up at the silvery stars in the dark clear night sky, NEXT she smiled, and turned back to go into her apartment. THE END Sun Nov 02 02:01:41 1997 ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 20:45:08 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Pam Jernigan Subject: Classic Fanfic: GOING TO THE CHAPEL Comments: To: Blind.Copy.Receiver@compuserve.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 In honor of the reruns of the ARRGH this week on TNT, I offer up an alternate view of the wedding... Sarah Wood and I wrote this story during= the '95 summer break, which explains our villains... and please note that= at the time we wrote this, we'd only seen Lois's mother once, during "Hou= se of Luthor", so this was all guesswork on our part. We think we did prett= y good... but you be the judge And... if no one objects... next week I'll post our adaptation of "Going to the Chapel" to script form... never before seen in fanfic PJ !^NavFont02F01B50007MGHHHB72B14 E-mail from: Pam Jernigan, 11-Nov-1997 jernigan@compuserve.com / ChiefPam on the IRC ~~~~~ Unreformed, unrepentent, sometimes unproductive but never uninteresting fanfic writer = Visit Sarah & Pam's Shrine o'Fanfic at: http://www.geocities.com/hollywood/2501 ~~~~~ Lois and Clark Season 5 Fanfic: http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/season5.htm ~~~~~ "The first thing she said to me was 'Herbie, get me to the Planet.' Naturally, I wondered which planet..." "Ah, Constable, you've returned. Upon reflection, I imagine this pleases= me." <-- Due South is back! :-) ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 20:45:14 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Pam Jernigan Subject: Classic Fanfic:GOING TO THE CHAPEL (1/7) Comments: To: Blind.Copy.Receiver@compuserve.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 GOING TO THE CHAPEL... (1/7) by Pam Jernigan (75540.2554@compuserve.com) and Sarah Wood (102116.3615@compuserve.com) [Note: The authors wish to thank Laura, Donna, Amy, Leigh, Cesar, Chris, Cindy, Kelly, Elaine, Evelyn, Kelley, and Pam's mom] Part One "It looks great," Lucy assured her sister. Lois looked at her reflection in each of the three mirrors facing her and sighed. She had been standing on a little step stool for a half an hour while poor Mrs. Tyrell, the bridal shop owner, fussed around her, taking measurements and adjusting the hemline and clucking to herself. Before that she'd spent two hours looking at, trying on, and rejecting an assortment of wedding dresses, and her enthusiasm for the whole procedure was starting to dim. "It looks nice," Lois agreed cautiously, fingering the lace overlay on the skirt. Her mother had been pushing for the glamorous Cinderella gowns with the puffy skirts, long trains, flounced shoulders, and beads and sequins everywhere. Lucy had been trying to get her to wear one of the more modern mermaid-style dresses that hugged the body down to the knees and then suddenly flared out in a ridiculous frill. Lois had balked at both those extremes; she didn't think of herself as the type to wear frills and ruffles, but this one might just do. "Well, it's.. elegant," Mrs. Lane conceded. She moved around Lois, inspecting her from all angles. The gown was designed simply, with a fitted bodice trimmed in seed pearls, moderate off-the-shoulder puffed sleeves, and a gently flaring skirt overlaid with a web of lace, also trimmed in seed pearls. There was barely a train to it at all. The more Lois studied her reflection, the more she liked it. Her mother was insisting on a big ceremony, so she might as well dress the part, she rationalized. And she just knew that Clark would love it. And, she admitted to herself with an internal grin, if she bought this one she could be done with shopping for a dress. "I like it," she announced. Lucy smiled at her encouragingly. "You're sure?" her mother asked, with a barely suppressed sigh. Ellen Lane had hoped for something less... plain, but she supposed she was lucky her independent daughter would be wearing a gown at all. = Lois smiled brightly, her decision made. "Yes, this is it. Thanks, Mrs. Tyrell, I'll take it." Now maybe she could get out of here and back to her real life. "All right, now for the veil," her mother said, seemingly willing to stay in the bridal boutique all day. Mrs. Tyrell started toward that section of her little dress shop. = "Oh no!" Lois said quickly. "I'm not going to wear a veil, silly things, completely outdated." The seamstress stopped short and turned, awaiting the outcome of the latest discussion. = Ellen Lane looked doubtful. "Lois, darling, every bride wears a veil..." "Yes, but the symbolism is terrible. Being given away like a gift-wrapped package. Besides, I want to be able to *see* Clark!" Mrs. Tyrell smiled to herself. Another one of those. She quickly selected just the thing. "Miss Lane? How about this?" She held out a froth of lace for inspection. Lois saw that this veil would only drape down the back of her head, not cover her face. The headpiece had room for some silk flowers, too, the seamstress pointed out. Lois tried it on, and they considered it. "Lois, it's just not the same..." Mrs. Lane protested weakly. "Well, I could just go without." Lois teased, turning a little to see the side views. It did look good against her glossy dark hair, and Lois found that she didn't mind looking just a little like a fairy princess. "No, this is fine, dear," Ellen backed down hastily. She'd take whatever concessions to tradition she could get. A thought struck her, belatedly. "Lois, you're not, well, avoiding things, dresses and things, you know, because of your last experience with a wedding, are you?" As soon as she spoke, she wished she hadn't, but Lois just looked at her in disbelief. "C'mon, Mom, that was two years ago! Besides, this is *Clark*, not Lex. It's not the same at all. Anyway, I'll take this veil." She handed it back to Mrs. Tyrell and started her escape from the gown, assisted by Lucy. "I don't want to rush out on you, but I just got word about something Clark and I have to investigate. This could be big, Mom, I mean *really* big!" Her eyes shone as she spoke of her work. As the Daily Planet's top investigative reporter, she had excellent contacts throughout the city, and one of them had come through for her with what looked to be a major scoop. And here she was, trying on dresses, when she should be out there tracking down leads. = Lucy laughed. "Uh-oh, there she goes again! Lois, how can you think of anything but your wedding? It's only two weeks away!" = Lois waved impatiently as she began putting her own clothes back on. "I know, believe me, but I never realized how much work was involved in planning a wedding. It's nothing but decisions! Which hall for the reception, which church, what date, what kind of script should the invitations be written in, who do we invite, what kind of flowers do we have on the tables, what color should the bridesmaids wear..." "All right, I get the idea!" Lucy laughed. = "Well, I have to make all these decisions and they're just not things I'm interested in, really, or very good at, and now I've got this really important story to uncover and I'm wasting time trying on a dozen dresses..." = "Wasting time?" her mother cried. "Lois! It's not a waste at all! You want everything to be just right for your big day." = "No, Mom," Lois corrected firmly. "*You* want everything to be just right, I would've been quite happy having a quiet little ceremony with just some of our friends and family present, and so would Clark. You wanted to get the church and the great hall and invite everyone you know. Well, that's fine, I can live with that, but right now I've got to get back to the Daily Planet and fill Clark in on this story." She finished getting dressed. "Well, Lois, it's just that I want you to have a wonderful wedding, you know, after what happened..." Mrs. Lane's argument trailed off at the sound of her daughter's exasperated groan. "All I want is for Clark to be there at the altar." Lucy grinned broadly. "Of course he'll be there, Lois! He's madly in love with you!" Lois harumphed but said nothing. What could she say, that he might have to fly off to rescue someone or foil a crime in progress? In the year since their engagement, since Lois had finally pieced together the puzzle about Clark's sudden disappearances, there had been plenty of dates abruptly cut short and dinners at her apartment that grew cold while she waited for him. Clark had sworn to her that nothing would keep him from being there on time. "You're more important to me than anything or anyone in the world, Lois, and I promise you I won't let you down," he had declared, and he meant it, she knew. Yet how could he ignore someone needing help? How could *she* ignore someone needing him? As a joke, she'd bought him earplugs to wear the morning of their wedding, to block out some of his super hearing, but inside she was more than a bit worried that something would go wrong, *something* would happen, and that she'd be left standing alone in the church, with no possible explanation. A quick ceremony at the courthouse probably would have been a lot safer, but Lois hadn't been able to disappoint her mother, so she'd agreed to a church wedding. Which seemed to get bigger and more complicated every time she turned around. "Everything will go just perfectly, don't worry," her mother said soothingly, mistaking Lois's feelings for the more usual sort of pre-wedding anxieties. "Now, the dress is taken care of, I'm meeting on Thursday with the video crew, and..." = "Video crew?" Lois let out a groan of dismay. "Mom, I don't need a video crew!" = "It'll be wonderful to be able to watch it over the years," her mother insisted, and Lois, once again, gave in. "Where was I? Oh, yes, the photographer's booked, she'll be at the church for the first set of pictures." Lois did her best to simulate an appreciative smile. "Tomorrow we have an appointment with the caterers at three to select the menu, and then..." = "Hold on," Lois interrupted, wide-eyed. "You didn't tell me about making any appointments! Mom, I can't make it at three tomorrow, I've arranged to meet a source then. I can't change that," she added quickly, forestalling the objection. "I can't get in touch with him." = "Well we can't delay the appointment with the caterers either," Mrs. Lane said just as determinedly as they all left the store together. "There's only two weeks left before your wedding, we have to make the final arrangements." = "Can you go alone, Mom?" Lois asked, her eyes pleading. "You have great taste, I trust your judgment completely! Whatever you choose, I'm sure it'll be delicious." = Mrs. Lane sighed heavily, but inside she didn't mind at all, it would in fact be easier without Lois there fidgeting and looking at her watch and arguing with the caterers. "I'll handle it," she agreed. = "Thanks, Mom, really, for all you've done," Lois said as she started backing away from them to head towards her Jeep. "I've got to run now, I'll talk to you later!" = "I'll call you tomorrow evening," her mother called after her. Lois gave a little wave and hurried off. Mrs. Lane looked darkly at her other daughter and said, "Lucy, when you get married..." = "Don't worry," Lucy laughed. "I'll elope!" = "Don't you dare!" her mother said, suddenly smiling. She looked again at Lois's retreating form. "She's just so..." = "Headstrong?" Lucy suggested = "She seems to be more interested in this new story than in her own wedding!" = "Well, that's Lois for you," Lucy said cheerfully. = * * * * * Lois tapped the steering wheel impatiently. Trying on dresses had taken much longer than she'd anticipated, and she was anxious to tell Clark about this new lead, and make some phone calls to her contacts, see if she could find out anything more. Anything about Intergang was news and a potentially big scoop, but if her source could be believed, this would be a great opportunity to do real damage to the criminal organization. = The timing, of course, was terrible. Two weeks before her wedding was no time to get involved in something that required a lot of snooping around. Thank goodness her mother loved handling the wedding plans, she thought with a wry smile. Mrs. Lane had been very disappointed to be left out of the plans for her aborted wedding to Lex Luthor. Now she could run the whole show. = And what a show it was turning out to be! She and Clark had envisioned a sweet and simple wedding with just a few guests present, some pretty flowers, and Elvis music for Perry afterwards. How had it become a major event? A video crew? The live band, the huge vases of flowers, the three bridesmaids, and a guest list that made Lois gasp. She hardly recognized some of the names there! It seemed that the only person in the world who couldn't make it would be her father, who claimed that his research could not be disturbed even for a day. It was a disappointment in a way, but in his absence, she'd asked Perry to escort her down the aisle, and the Chief had been walking on air ever since. = Clark was being very patient and supportive about the whole thing, she reflected thankfully as she waited for traffic to move again. He calmed her down, reminded her that her mother loved her and wanted her to be happy, and assured her that as long as they were together exchanging their vows it didn't matter what kind of hoopla accompanied it. = Still, just thinking about the nauseating shade of pink her bridesmaids would be decked out in made Lois cringe a little. She worried about the expense, too, although her mother was only too happy to take care of most of it. Lois shrugged. "If she wants to spend even more money on flowers and a video crew, I guess I can live with it," she said aloud. = Then, not surprisingly, her thoughts turned forward to the sources she could call on for more information. Her eyes narrowed as she plotted a strategy for getting the scoop of the year, maybe even the scoop of the decade! = * * * * * When Lois arrived back at the Planet, Clark wasn't at his desk, so she got right to work. She'd gotten a tentative meeting set up when she was surprised by hands on her shoulders. She smiled and tilted her head up. Clark leaned down to give her an upside-down peck on the lips. Then he settled on the corner of her desk to wait until her phone call was finished, idly stroking her arm while she took some cursory notes. = "So, how did the search for the perfect dress go?" he asked as soon as she hung up the phone, brown eyes twinkling. He knew about her limited love for shopping. = Lois laughed a little, and entwined her fingers with his. Everything seemed better when she could share it with Clark. "It went just fine. I'm all set, and you're going to love it." She looked at him quizzically. "So where've you been this morning? I thought you'd be here writing up that vandalism story." = "I was meeting with a source," he replied easily, glancing around the room in a manner that appeared casual. She recognized his usual cover story; he'd been needed in the Suit. He didn't elaborate, so apparently it was nothing unusual. With a brief nod Lois eagerly jumped in with her big news. = "Clark, listen to this - " She looked around the busy newsroom, then dragged her partner into an empty conference room and closed the door. "I was contacted by Bobby Bigmouth this morning, he had a message for me from Marvin Gates!" she burst out, too excited to bother sitting down. = "Marvin Gates?" Clark looked puzzled. "Who's... wait, isn't he one of the lawyers working for the Parrish Casino?" She nodded. The partners had tried investigating the casino earlier that year, suspecting it was a front for Intergang, but hadn't been able to get any proof. "Gates wants to meet with me, he said he has something I might be interested in. Clark, I just know he's working for Intergang! I checked him out right after speaking to Bobby, he earns far too much and works far too little, it's fishy. I mean, who pays someone who hardly works?" "No one I've ever worked for, that's for sure," Clark responded cheerfully. "Now, what's going on in here?" Perry White opened the door of the conference room and stood in the doorway. "You know, I don't pay you two to stand around all day!" The partners looked at each other and grinned. "Are you talking about your wedding again?" Despite his grouchy words, there was an indulgent smile on the Chief's face. Lois smiled at him fondly, and motioned for him to come all the way in the room. "Now why would we discuss that?" she teased. "My mother has it well in hand." "Lois has got something big, Chief," Clark said seriously, making sure the door shut behind Perry. The two of them quickly repeated the news to the Chief. Perry's attention was caught. "But kids, this could get dangerous, you're going to have to be real careful." Clark agreed, shooting a meaningful look at his more impulsive partner. She nodded impatiently. "I don't think Intergang has any sneaks working here, but I'm not going to take any chances. I'll try to set up a meeting with Gates, but I can't contact him directly, so it's going to take some time." "Well, alright," Perry growled. "Work on that; I'll reassign the mismanagement investigation. But Lois, I'm still waiting on that piece I assigned you last week." Lois nodded meekly. "And Clark, what in tarnation's happening with that vandalism story you're writing?" Clark took his cue from Lois and just nodded. The Chief Editor glared at the pair, but he was bluffing and they knew it. He knew that when they were on the trail of something this big they would be too distracted for any other work, and he secretly hoped they would have enough time to handle all the wedding details. Alice said that planning a wedding was a lot of work, and while he didn't see what could be so hard about it, he'd learned not to question Alice. After Perry left, they sat down to discuss details. Clark began the brainstorming. "We should prepare a list of things to ask Gates about." "He could give us details on some local Metropolis operations." Lois chewed on a pencil. = "We should dig up every rumor we've got on Intergang," Clark decided. "And since we can't let this secret get out, we'll have to do it all ourselves. He's probably involved in that money-laundering scheme we think they're running through the Parrish Casino." = "With a name like that, it's got to be connected to Bill Church." Clark frowned into the distance. "Yeah... we should look into that again. Maybe some undercover work? We need to get a closer look at their books." Lois slanted an inquiring glance his way. "Is that something Superman could help us with?" She spoke obliquely out of habit. He shook his head. "I understand that lead-lined paneling is very popular these days, in certain circles. This is going to take a lot of work, but it should be worth it." Lois shrugged. "For this story, I'd walk to China - Gates could crack Intergang right open." She flashed a smile at him. "Lucky for him we're good at keeping secrets." "You are, anyway..." He smiled tenderly. "Sometimes I don't know how I managed without you." She laughed. "Badly. Some of the clues you dropped..." She'd long since overcome her embarrassment at not seeing the obvious. "Anyway, we've got a lot of work to do, and I don't think any of it is a job for Superman. Not yet, at least. I've got some sources I can talk to. Can you get started searching through our files? That'll give us our first list of questions for Mr. Gates." = Clark nodded, and escorted her out of the conference room. "I'll get Jimmy to help me with that, I just won't tell him exactly why we're looking." Lois waved a hand in vague affirmation, her attention already focused on who to call next. "Jimmy?" Clark looked around the newsroom. Jimmy emerged from the supply room, looking distracted. = "What's up, CK?" = "We've got to dig up everything we've got on Intergang, Jimmy. Confirmed, unconfirmed, even wild goose chases, everything." = "No problem." He hesitated a moment, then continued. "I just want to thank you again, CK, for asking me to be your best man - this is like the coolest thing I've ever done! I'm really honored that you picked me." = Clark waved this aside, embarrassed. "I'm glad to have you, Jimmy. You've been a good friend." He looked more closely at Jimmy's expression. "Is something wrong?" = "Not exactly," Jimmy hedged. Clark waited expectantly. "It's just, well, I have to make a speech for you, you know, at the reception, the best man always makes a toast to the happy couple. I've never given a speech before, I don't know what to say! I've been trying all week to get something written down but I..." He ran out of steam and just sighed. "I guess I'm just nervous. I don't want to ruin your wedding with a lousy speech." Clark laughed, resting a hand on Jimmy's shoulder. "Jimmy, you couldn't possibly ruin our wedding! Don't worry so much about it, you don't have to make a long speech, just a quick toast. You'll do fine," he said reassuringly. Jimmy didn't feel very reassured, but he smiled weakly nonetheless. "Now, let's get to work! If Perry catches us standing around talking about the wedding again, he'll have both our hides!" To be continued... = (chapel1.txt) = !^NavFont02F3E8F0008MGHH3E909C14 ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 20:45:20 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Pam Jernigan Subject: Classic Fanfic:GOING TO THE CHAPEL (2/7) Comments: To: Blind.Copy.Receiver@compuserve.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 GOING TO THE CHAPEL... (2/7) by Pam Jernigan (75540.2554@compuserve.com) and Sarah Wood (102116.3615@compuserve.com) Part Two "So, one week left before the Big Day," Martha Kent said cheerfully to her son and future daughter-in-law over a nearly-empty dinner table. The Kents had arrived in Metropolis that morning to stay until the wedding, and the young couple had been updating them on the ongoing plans for the wedding. "Are you getting nervous yet?" Clark and Lois exchanged a wry smile. Lois had a sip of her wine and let Clark do the talking for them. "Well, Mom, perhaps 'nervous' isn't the right word. You know we wanted just a simple ceremony, but Mrs. Lane wanted Lois to have a big beautiful wedding, and things have sort of snowballed." Jonathan Kent leaned back in his seat, his plate empty and his stomach full. "Well, you may appreciate all those special things later, son. I know I would've liked a video of our wedding." He smiled at his wife, and she reached out and slipped her hand into his, returning the smile lovingly. "We know that," Clark said, checking with Lois for silent confirmation. "It just seems like this whole thing has gotten out of hand. We just wanted to be together." Mirroring his mother's actions, Clark reached over and clasped Lois's hand. The Kents saw the glow on her face, and smiled. Their love had grown over the years, and it was exciting for them to see their son just embarking on that same journey. They had always liked Lois, but in the year of their engagement they had spent more time with her and their fondness had become love. Martha, especially, felt a kinship with the feisty young reporter, and saw echoes of her own youth in those sparkling eyes. "When you're promising to love one another, you won't really notice what's going on around you," Martha suggested gently. "I know on my wedding day, I only had eyes for your father." A warm and comfortable silence drifted over the foursome. "That was a great dinner, Mom," Clark said at last, his eyes still on his beautiful bride. "Are you giving Lois some pointers?" he added teasingly. "Come on, Clark, I've gotten a lot better!" Lois protested, trying not to smile. Her cooking had become a long-running joke between them. "Well..." he said slowly, grinning broadly. "Yes, you have," he conceded. "It's not as though you're marrying me for my cooking," she added with a sly grin. "You've got that right!" Clark laughed, dodging in his seat to avoid the playful swat she aimed at his shoulder. Martha smiled indulgently at their horseplay as she began to clear the table. Clark jumped up to help her, or to evade Lois, no one was quite sure. "So, Lois, tell me more about this investigation you two are working so hard on," Jonathan suggested, as he got up to get a deck of cards for their regular after-dinner game of poker, a pastime they had all come to enjoy. Lois sighed. "Marvin Gates, the lawyer who wants out, has given us some scraps of information through a third party, and they've checked out okay, so we know he's legit - but we haven't been able to set up a meeting with him yet." Having done the dishes at superspeed, Clark sat down again beside Lois. "It's very frustrating," he said with feeling. He wanted so much to be able to nail the Churches without the Suit. "We can't publish what we have yet because it would implicate him, or so he thinks. He would be such a gold mine if we could just get him to produce some evidence!" He sighed, and Lois rested her hand on his arm comfortingly. "He wants Superman get him out of the country after he tells us everything he knows, and we agreed to that. I guess we just have to wait until he gets in touch with us." Martha returned to her seat wearing her green visor and carrying the penny jar. As she began to hand out the "poker chips", Clark shuffled the deck at superspeed, and Lois gave him a little shove. "Show off!" she said softly, smiling at him. His poker skills had certainly improved in the last year, since she'd insisted on teaching him the game. "Oh, I see, it's showing off when I'm shuffling, but it's completely different when I do the dishes," Clark said, nodding, his lips twitching as he tried to keep a straight face. "I thought you didn't like double standards, honey." "Well," Lois said, uncomfortably aware that he had caught her that time. "Oh, all right, you win!" she finally concluded, laughing along with the others. "Just keep doing the dishes, partner, and I'll forgive all the showing off!" "I think I just got suckered," Clark groaned, winking at his mom as he finished dealing the deck. = Jonathan tossed in his one penny ante, and then asked, "So, son, when's the bachelor party?" Martha and Lois simultaneously rolled their eyes. "Don't tell me you're going to have that ridiculously old-fashioned thing," Lois groaned. "I don't understand why men feel a need to have a wild night before getting married, it's as if they think marriage is awful! Clark, you'd better not be planning on going to a topless bar!" Clark shot his dad a dirty look before turning to his future wife with a sheepish, innocent shrug. "I don't get to make the plans, Lois, the best man arranges everything. I won't let them get too wild, though." "Well I agree with Lois," Martha said firmly. "Why does the groom get a night on the town, and the bride gets household gifts, and maybe some lingerie if she's lucky," she added with a wink at Lois. "It's a very old-fashioned way of looking at marriage." "It sure is!" Lois said vehemently. "I think the bride and groom should both be given a party wishing them luck and giving them both things they'll need as they make a life together." "Sounds much more sensible," Martha nodded as she upped the ante. "Sure does!" Clark put in quickly. "Topless bars, it's ridiculous, right Dad?" All eyes turned to Jonathan, who was frowning over his cards and fiddling with two pennies thoughtfully. He looked up, wide-eyed. "What? Why is everyone looking at me?" he asked, a bit bewildered. "Oh, honey," his wife laughed. "Just say you agree with me and you'll be fine." "I agree with my wife, absolutely," Jonathan said obediently. "See, Clark? Listen and learn," Lois advised, a twinkle in her eye. "Your dad's a real pro at marriage!" * * * * * Clark was busily tapping away at his keyboard when Lois entered the newsroom Monday morning. She made a beeline for the coffee pot and searched for her mug. "Now who's gone and taken my coffee mug!" she asked loudly. Clark grinned and waved her over. "Your coffee's ready and waiting, honey," he informed her, standing up to give her a gentle good morning kiss. Lois slipped her arms around his waist and smiled up at him. He was so thoughtful in so many little ways. She slipped out of the embrace and sipped at her coffee. Grimacing, she said, "You must've gotten here quite a while ago, it's cold!" "Here," Clark said, standing close to her with the coffee mug between them. He lowered his glasses after a quick study of the newsroom to be sure no one could see, and used his heat vision to warm the drink up again. "I've been here for almost an hour, I wanted to finish that piece on vandalism." She took another sip of her coffee. "Mm, much better, thanks. So," she glanced around the newsroom to be sure no one was near, "do we have an in at the casino?" Clark smiled. "Charlie the bartender lives! I start tonight, and I've got you an interview for a waitress position this afternoon - I told them you were my girlfriend." "Hmm, that could work. And if they know we're together, I may get fewer propositions." She grinned. "I know you can handle a few propositions." Clark had learned the hard way not to be over-protective of his independent lady; and he had absolute faith in her fidelity. "I was just tired of those cover stories where we have to pretend to not love each other." They shared a bittersweet smile. "Well, starting tonight is good," Lois said briskly, getting back to business. "We only have a week to wrap this up, one way or another." Gates had given them the name of the man in charge of the money-laundering at the casino, a seemingly minor flunky named Sam Reynolds who they hadn't bothered to look into before. A few minutes in his office should be all they'd need. "Let's get to work." "That's my Lois!" he responded with a broad grin. "I'm almost finished with this, then I'll be all ready for our meeting with Bobby Bigmouth. Chinese food again?" "Yes, but not from China," she said with a giggle. "We can just stop in at Peking Palace. I sure hope Bobby's got some good news, this is very frustrating! I can feel it, Clark, this is going to be really big! If we can ever get the story!" "Um, sorry to interrupt," Jimmy said uncertainly from near Clark's desk. "CK, I think these are the last of the Intergang rumors." He handed a very slim file over, but hung on tightly to a clipboard. "Thanks, Jimmy, you've been a great help," Clark said appreciatively. When Jimmy shifted his weight from one leg to another and back again, showing no signs of leaving, the two reporters shared an inquisitive glance. "Something on your mind?" "It's my speech," Jimmy burst out. "Can I try it out on you? You can tell me what's good and what's lousy and help me rewrite it." The partners broke into laughter simultaneously. "Jimmy!" Clark protested. "I can't proofread your speech!" "Don't look at me," Lois added with a grin. "You're going to have to find somebody else!" Jimmy sighed as he looked down at his clipboard. "I guess you're right. Thanks anyway." He looked around the room for a moment and then his face lit up. "Oh Paula! Can you spare a minute?" he called, hurrying off. Lois and Clark looked at each other and laughed again before settling down to get some work done. * * * * * "What've you got for me?" Bobby Bigmouth asked as he slid into the back seat of Lois's Jeep, startling Lois. Clark, of course, had heard him coming. "That depends," she said cagily. "What've you got for *us*?" Bobby inhaled the delicious aroma of Chinese food coming from the bag Lois was determinedly hanging on to. "Egg rolls..." He closed his eyes and sniffed again. "Sesame chicken?" He debated for a moment. "Okay, Lane, here's the deal. Gates is definitely willing to talk, but he doesn't trust you two to protect him. Gimme an egg roll." "None of that's news to us," Lois scowled. "No news, no egg rolls." Bobby turned to Clark and opened his mouth to speak, but Clark looked stern. With a sigh, after licking his lips, Bobby grumbled, "Okay, okay. I told him you agreed to get Superman to fly him to the country of his choice, but he's worried. Seems like Intergang suspects something, they're keeping a close eye on him, that's why it's so hard to get in touch with him now." "Did you pass along our latest questions?" Lois demanded. "Yeah, but don't blame me cause he didn't answer them!" Bobby complained. "He won't tell me anything! All I know is, Gates is looking over his shoulder all the time." "It took a week for you to come up with this?" she asked disdainfully. "Did he set a time and place to meet?" "Not yet, he's trying to plan a cover first, he said he'll be in touch with me soon." Lois looked thoroughly displeased. "This is ridiculous! It's been over a week and we're no closer to getting something we can print!" "That's not my fault," Bobby protested. "This Gates, he's a cautious fellow, and with good reason. If word gets out he's been talking, his life ain't gonna be worth much." Clark, seeing the dark flash in his partner's eyes, stepped in. "Bobby, we need to know what Intergang suspects, what they know, and what they're doing about it. If Gates is in danger we need to move fast on this. Bill Church isn't the kind of man to wait for absolute proof. If he has reasonable doubts about his man he'll get rid of the problem. Permanently. Lawyers for Intergang have a habit of ending up dead," he said, remembering Martin Snell's untimely demise. "We've got to meet with him as soon as possible. Once he tells us what he knows, we'll get Superman to fly him somewhere safe." "You sure Superman agreed to this? Isn't it like aiding a criminal?" "It's saving the man's life after the little weasel rats on the other criminals," Lois said hotly. "Superman understands that Gates could help destroy Intergang and end their criminal activities for good." The snitch backed away from Lois's tirade. "Okay, okay! You oughta know, you're so close with him." "Now what's that supposed to mean?" Lois asked testily. It was a sore subject for her. News of her engagement to Clark was no secret, so every time she was seen in the company of Superman the rumors flew faster than he could. "Nothing!" Bobby cried, holding his hands up as though to fend her off. He shot a look at Clark, who grinned back cheerfully. "Listen, Lane," he said more firmly. "I told you all I know, I passed along your messages, I've gotten messages back to you... I ain't doing this for fun, ya know. So gimme my egg rolls!" Lois peered at him through narrowed eyes, as though hoping to read his mind. Then with a resigned expression she dug into the bag and brought out a container. "Here, enjoy." "Mmm, Peking Palace, I always do!" He accepted the container greedily, snatching it from Lois's hands, and then looked expectantly at the bag. "What about the rest of it?" "Are you kidding! For what you came up with? All you told us is, Gates is going to try to get in touch with you soon. For that, you get egg rolls." Bobby argued from the back seat, and Clark gave her a reproving look. She gazed at her partner's gentle brown eyes, and her heart softened. "Oh, here!" she reluctantly agreed, handing the entire bag over. Clark's lips turned up in a warm smile. "But you can consider that payment for telling me when we can meet Gates!" she added in a tone that allowed for no arguments. Clark held back a laugh; she was so determined to get her own way, somehow! That determination, that drive to accomplish what she set her mind to, was one of the things he loved about her, even when it exasperated him. Stuffing an egg roll in his mouth, Bobby mumbled an assent and slid out of the Jeep just as quickly as he had come. "Well, that could've been better," Clark said. Lois merely sighed. He held her face in his palm, turning her head towards him. "Oh honey, I know it's frustrating, but we're getting there. Bobby will probably call tonight, just after you've gone to sleep no doubt, with a meeting set up for tomorrow night or something." "I hope so!" Lois responded. "Do you realize we're getting married in a few days? How're we going to wrap this up and write it before the wedding?" "Hmm, you're right, that is tight timing. Maybe we should just postpone the wedding." Lois looked up, outraged and a little hurt, until she realized he was joking. "Oh, no, you're not getting out of it that easily, Kent." She grinned, and he returned it, pleased that he'd managed to lighten her mood. "I did want to see something in print before we left, though. And I refuse to let someone else write it up while we're gone. These are our contacts, our sources, we did the legwork, we investigated things. I know you don't want to see it under anyone else's byline any more than I do, Clark Kent!" "You're right," he conceded, "I don't. But I'm not going to pass up on a honeymoon with you for *any* story." "Well," she said slyly, "I'm not asking you to pass up on our wedding night!" Clark let out a laugh at that one. "If you had your way, we would've had our wedding night months ago!" Lois pouted playfully. "Getting you drunk didn't work, and neither did my attempt to overpower you and pin you down!" She started giggling at the memory. "I just want our wedding night to be special." "It would've been special anyway. Every minute with you is special." Clark traced his bride's jaw with one finger and smiled. "Watch out, honey, you're getting romantic on me!" he teased, and his kiss cut off her protest. For a moment she tried to push him back so she could speak her mind, but only for a moment. Kissing him was simply too sweet a pleasure to deny herself. Of course, they hadn't done much more than kiss in the entire year they'd been engaged, and it was driving her crazy! But she knew that, to Clark, it was important that they wait. She respected him and would respect his wishes, even though she didn't share them. She had even enjoyed the game they played sometimes, when she would tease him and he would resist temptation. It was just as well, though, that their wedding was less than a week away. Lois wasn't sure she could keep her hands off him much longer. To be continued... = (chapel2.txt) = !^NavFont02F356C0007MGHH|6D4DB7 ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 20:45:25 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Pam Jernigan Subject: Classic Fanfic:GOING TO THE CHAPEL (3/7) Comments: To: Blind.Copy.Receiver@compuserve.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 GOING TO THE CHAPEL... (3/7) by Pam Jernigan (75540.2554@compuserve.com) and Sarah Wood (102116.3615@compuserve.com) Part Three Late afternoon on the Thursday before the wedding, Lois contemplated the stack of files on her desk. It was definitely smaller than it had been yesterday, but it wasn't yet small enough. She sighed. She hated to give away her stories, but these simply couldn't wait until she and Clark returned from their honeymoon, and Perry would never countenance losing them altogether. There were other good reporters available, and she'd just have to force herself to distribute these last leads. She was doubly frustrated; if she hadn't been working so hard on this Intergang thing, she could have wrapped some of these up. So she'd sacrificed several good stories, and Bobby hadn't yet called back to set up the promised meeting with Gates. It was too late now, though, with only one day remaining before the wedding. She looked around for some prospects, hoping she didn't see any. It was late in the day, and the staff in the newsroom had thinned out. Paula, one of the paper's newer feature writers, was still at her desk, talking to Jimmy. Lois thought that her friend might not make a total hash out of one of the stories that needed to be delegated. She gathered up the folder and rose from her desk, stretching. As she walked up behind Jimmy, she could tell that he was practicing his speech on Paula. Again. Paula's eyes met Lois's in a plea for help. Lois grinned, and tapped Jimmy on the shoulder with her file folder. "Jimmy, I need to talk to Paula, okay?" "Yeah, sure, no problem, Lois..." Jimmy flushed, embarrassed at having been caught rehearsing, and stumbled off. Paula smiled gratefully for the interruption. Lois explained briefly what she needed and what she'd already done. Paula nodded calmly. "I'll cover it, Lois, don't worry." Paula looked Lois over shrewdly. "So how are you holding up?" "I'm fine, really." She sat down heavily in the chair next to Paula's desk. "Getting married is hard work, you know?" "But you got some fun stuff at the bridal shower," Paula teased lightly. The bridal shower given by Mrs. Lane (and attended by all of Ellen's friends) had been a model of decorum and tradition, and Lois had hated every minute of it; even the lingerie she received from her future mother-in-law had embarrassed her. Lois made a face. "Yeah, right. Half a set of china, the pattern of which my mother picked for me - I didn't realize I'd let her do so much, but..." She tapped her fingers on Paula's desk. "There are so many more interesting things to do in the world than shop for dishes." "You mean like go on stakeouts?" Paula asked dryly, having just returned from one too many of those herself. Lois smiled dreamily, remembering the stakeout which had been her 'almost-first date' with Clark. "Oh, they're not all that bad. And undercover work can be pretty fun, too." Their recent work at the Parrish Casino had proved that, even though it had taken three nights to get access to the right office. It had also proved that Intergang was definitely laundering money, but Perry was holding off on printing that story until they could get more information from Gates. The other reporter laughed. "Sure, when your partner looks like Clark." Lois flushed slightly, but laughed as well. "Hey, there's nothing wrong with your partner, you know." Paula shrugged. "Scott's not bad; we're good friends. But never mind about me." She leaned forward. "The question on everyone's mind is - will Superman be at your wedding?" Paula was a keen observer, and she was perpetually intrigued by Lois's relationship - or, recently, lack of one - with Superman. It would be fascinating to watch him watch her get married. Lois winced. She and Clark had done all they could to cool down those rumors, but the public apparently loved for their superhero to have a girlfriend, and maybe they weren't always as good at hiding their emotions as they should be. "Why does everyone ask me those questions?" = "Because you always have answers," Paula pointed out promptly. "So?" "Alright." Lois gave in to the inevitable. In the last year she'd gotten a lot of practice at prevarication and obfustication on this subject. "I don't know for certain, but I don't believe you'll see him there." At least with any luck, he wouldn't be wearing the Suit. "But now, I have work to take care of." She distributed the remaining files and returned to her newly-clear desk. She wouldn't have too much work to do tomorrow unless something broke on the Gates case, so she started looking around for Clark. * * * * * She found Clark in Perry's office, with Perry and Jimmy. They all stopped talking suddenly when she entered the office, awakening suspicions. "What are you guys doing in here?" She walked over to behind Clark, letting one hand rest on the high back of the chair while the other dropped to his chest. He reached up and clasped her hand warmly. Jimmy blushed, and Perry looked away, but not before she saw the guilty look on his face. Lois had one of the leaps of intuition and logic that had made her career. "You're talking about a bachelor party! Clark, I thought you didn't want one?" She looked down at his upturned face; he looked uncomfortable with the subject. He would have been just as happy without one, but... "Well, Jimmy and the Chief went to a lot of trouble planning it..." "It's an archaic and outdated ritual that should be abolished," Lois said, rolling her eyes as she walked out of the office, returning to her desk. Clark caught up to her a minute later. "Lois, I really don't know what they're planning, it could be pretty tame." Lois, however, was no longer thinking about that. "Clark, look at this!" She waved a pink message form in his face, too fast for him to read. "Bobby finally came through for us! Our 'source' wants to meet me tonight!" "That's great! Where and when does he want to meet?" "In the old Metropolis quarry, outside of the city, just over an hour from now. I think I can make it..." She looked at her watch, all business now, the bachelor party forgotten. "We can make it, no problem." Clark corrected her. She looked up at him, startled by his firm tone. "I'm not letting you get the big break in this case all by yourself - I've worked too hard on this. Besides, it could be dangerous. Wait right here." He strode back to Perry's office, and Lois didn't need superhearing to be able to tell that he was excusing himself from his bachelor party. A smile played on her lips. It was reassuring to see where his priorities lay. = Lois dropped her car off at her apartment, then Clark changed into the Suit and flew her to the quarry. They hadn't had much time for flying lately, so Lois took advantage of the opportunity to shower kisses on his face and neck while he laughingly tried to evade her. "We're almost there, Lois, and he might be there first, so stop that." She made a face at him, but settled back in his arms. The last thing she wanted was a revival of the rumors. He landed them near the entrance of the quarry, which was deserted. Clark, still in the Suit, found a convenient rock to sit on. Lois paced, watching the entry road in the gathering darkness. She glanced at her watch. "I guess we're early." Clark leaned against the rock face, looking completely at ease. "By maybe half an hour. Well, it won't hurt us to relax for a little while. We haven't had many chances for that lately. What with this story, and all our relatives in town..." His voice trailed off and Lois re-focused on him. She stopped pacing, and sat down next to him on the rock. Lois tucked herself under one of his arms, enjoying the warm solidity of his body. For once, Clark wasn't worried about them being seen in this position; after all, they'd be able to see car headlights approaching long before anyone arrived. = "You're right," she commented, after a short interval. "This is good." She ran a hand over his "S", enjoying the relative novelty of it. She'd come to understand that these were his working clothes; he preferred to be out of them whenever possible. Lois grinned a little to herself. She preferred him out of his clothes, too, if only he'd give her the chance. Clark smiled as he felt her relax. Lois in full-throttle mode was exciting and enthralling, but she needed some coaxing to pull back at times, to avoid burning out. He didn't expect she'd ever cease being an overachiever, but it was his goal to help her relax from time to time, to get a little more balance in her life. When she could be persuaded to let her guard down, she was sweeter and more loving than Clark had ever dreamed when he'd first fallen for her. She soon started to fidget, playing with her engagement ring. He waited patiently to see if she wanted to open up. Presently, she asked, with determined cheer, "So, are you planning to wear the Suit under your tux on Saturday?" = He heard the worry under the cheer, but tried to distract her, grinning down at her. "Don't you think I should? After all, if I'm not wearing the Suit, you won't be married to Superman, only to me." She laughed in spite of her worry, and gently slapped his chest. "You goof! I don't want to be married to Superman." She paused a beat, then continued. "I wouldn't mind a life-long affair with him, though." It was his turn to laugh then. "Planning to cheat on me already... you think you know a person, then they pull this sort of thing on you." Clark, forgetting that he was in the Suit at the moment, threw the straight line out, anticipating an energetic response. She only sighed. He tipped her chin up so he could see her face. "What is it, hon? You're not playing up to par tonight." She smiled a denial. "It's nothing, really." He held her gaze, gentle disbelief all over his face, so she continued, her smile fading. "Well, I know you promised, but I don't see how you could help it, and I couldn't really even blame you, but how would we explain it? Oh, Clark, it's just that I'm still worried that you'll have to, you know, 'go meet a source' sometime during the wedding. I don't want to be left standing at the altar - and then no one would understand why I wasn't mad at you, or why we'd still get married..." Clark lost all trace of amusement, seeing the depth of her fear. He turned a little to face her more squarely. "Lois, I promise to you that I will *not* leave you stranded at the altar, no matter what the reason." Lois searched his face, and drew strength and reassurance from his conviction. She smiled shakily. "You know I love you, Clark Kent." He pulled her close for a long hug. "And I love you, Lois. Nothing will ever change that." He rubbed her back, willing her to relax again. At length she did, and shifted in his arms to a more comfortable position. Then he felt her stiffen, and she said, "Oh, that reminds me, I've got a present for you." She sat up and started patting her pockets, finally pulling out a small box, which she presented to him with a flourish. = He looked at her speculatively, then opened the unsealed box. Inside lay a pair of earplugs, and he began laughing helplessly. She joined in his mirth, releasing the last of her tension. He re-closed the box and slipped it back in her pocket, hugging her once more. = "Oh, Lois..." he said when he could stop laughing. "You're wonderful. How did I ever get so lucky?" She gave him a little extra squeeze, and gently corrected him. "This wasn't luck, sweetheart, we worked hard to get here." * * * * * They waited like that another hour before Lois insisted that Clark see what was keeping Gates. While she waited at the quarry, he flew back to Metropolis. In their research, they'd found out where Gates spent most of his time; Clark soon spotted the man. He flew back to the quarry. "We've been stood up, Lois - he's in the Metropolis Men's Club, playing billiards." Clark's voice clearly showed his disgust with the lawyer, and Lois rolled her eyes. "What a jerk! I can't believe we've spent all this time on him, and then he sets up a meeting and doesn't even show!" Clark groped for an explanation. "Maybe he was interrupted, or we misunderstood somehow?" "Whose side are you on, anyway?" Before he could say anything, she answered for him. "I know, I know, you're just trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. And I love that quality in you - when it's not driving me crazy!" She threw up her hands, but let her anger dissipate. Clark just smiled at her display. Sometimes she positively sparkled... and even though he was sometimes scorched by her flame, she was definitely worth the burns. "So, what do we do now?" She tilted her head and considered. "Well, either of our apartments is out, since your parents are staying with you, and I just don't want to hear my phone ring..." "And I don't really want to go to that bachelor party," he assured her. Lois swept a glance at him from under lowered eyelashes and smiled mischievously. "We could rent a motel room, you know..." She closed in on him and started running her hands over the costume. Clark grabbed her hands and stood firm. "Lois, I want our first time to be perfect and special... some cheap tacky motel room will not do. And the way we've been spending lately, cheap and tacky is all we could afford." She pouted, but gave up cheerfully enough. "Alright, alright. Can't blame a girl for trying." * * * * * After picking up some casual clothing from Lois's empty apartment, they headed south for a quiet dinner along the North Carolina coast. They didn't want to be recognized at dinner, either as reporters or as a cheating fiancee on a last-fling date with a superhero, so they both wore baseball hats, and Clark went without his glasses. They'd eaten at the Crab Hut before; it was the sort of place where baseball hats were practically required. Their food was delivered quickly. "So," Lois said, cracking a crab leg, "What do we have to do tomorrow?" "Not much," Clark answered cheerfully. "I want to go over the Parrish Casino story one more time; I've thought of another angle to add to it. And then there's the wedding stuff. I've got to pick up my tux from the rental place. The rehearsal starts at 5, with the big dinner after that, so there goes the evening. If we don't get any more from Gates, the Chief'll probably find us some chores to do during the day." Lois made a face. "Sure he will. I hate re-writing other people's copy, especially when I don't get any credit for it." "It's called helping out the younger writers, Lois," Clark lectured amiably. "Everybody needs help getting started, even you did, I bet." "I hated being on the other end of it, too," Lois grumbled around a mouthful of crab. "It's okay for you, you're actually good at helping them. Hey, there's an idea, you could teach!" Clark's lips twitched. "And be stuck inside all day? I don't think so." She shrugged, grinning. "So write a book. It'd bring in a little extra money, and being published is always a good thing for a journalist." Clark shook his head, but didn't reply, concentrating on his seafood pasta instead. Lois still made a slightly larger salary than he did, due to her seniority among other things, but Clark didn't mind. She still showed flashes of insecurity at times, comparing herself to Superman, and having a larger paycheck seemed to help. After dinner, they walked outside to the darkened beach, moving away from other people until they reached the deserted area they'd landed in earlier. The night air had a touch of chill, so as they watched the ocean, Clark stood behind Lois, holding her in a warm embrace. She leaned her head back against his shoulder. "You know what, Clark? I haven't even thought about what we should do on our honeymoon..." They'd arranged to spend two weeks at a remote hunting cabin owned by the Kents' neighbor, Wayne Irig. He chuckled. "Yes you have, you've been bugging me about it for months." She gave him a playful swat. "Besides that! What does one do at a hunting cabin?" "Well, it's not hunting season. There's a lake, so we could fish a little. Or hike the mountains. Or swim. And when we get tired of that, we can always fly somewhere - I hear Gotham City has some wild nightlife." "That all sounds good." She hesitated, knowing that she'd have to share him, even on their honeymoon. "I'll bring some books along, for when you're... busy." Clark winced a little at the thought of being busy in the Suit on their honeymoon. "You're right, Superman ought to be seen while we're out of town; I'll have to fly some patrols over Metropolis while we're gone. And probably get pestered by reporters wanting to know how I feel about you getting married. Your friend Paula can be a real pain on that subject." "Go with that emotion, Clark, it'll convince her you're upset," Lois teased. "She's convinced Superman will be suffering agonies of jealousy." "Pretty hard to look agonized these days, honey." He leaned down to nibble her ear. "I'm very satisfied with life." She turned in his arms and reached up to kiss him. He returned the kiss with interest, but pulled back before it could go too far. She held back a groan of frustration, reminding herself that soon there would be no reason to halt. Clark breathed deeply to clear his head. "Well, time to get back to Metropolis..." He stepped back, took a final look around, and changed back to the Suit. Lois nodded. They would have a busy day tomorrow, but the wedding was the day after that, and then finally they'd have their long-awaited wedding-night in the Honeymoon Suite of the Lexor Hotel. When they'd made the reservations they'd laughed with memories of their previous stay there, and made jokes about packing a few board games to take along. Afterwards they would have two whole weeks alone together as husband and wife. Lois smiled dreamily at the thought as Clark scooped her up into his arms and they flew home. To be continued... (chapel3.txt) = !^NavFont02F39950008MGHH3996C113 ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 20:45:31 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Pam Jernigan Subject: Classic Fanfic:GOING TO THE CHAPEL (4/7) Comments: To: Blind.Copy.Receiver@compuserve.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 GOING TO THE CHAPEL... (4/7) by Pam Jernigan (75540.2554@compuserve.com) and Sarah Wood (102116.3615@compuserve.com) Part Four Lois's eyes flew open. "I'm marrying Clark today!" she said aloud in wonderment. She leapt out of bed, a most unusual way for her to wake up. In her haste she knocked her teddy bear to the floor, and scooped it up immediately. She held it before her and told it, "I'm getting married!" In an exuberant outpouring of joy she planted a kiss on the bear's nose. As she held the bear close for a moment, Lois remembered the fair in Smallville when Clark had won the bear for her. She had felt so relaxed and comfortable with him that day, they had had so much fun together. That trip to Kansas had changed a lot of her city-girl notions of farm life, and of Clark. It was very early, and the morning air was still and calm. The sounds of traffic were muted and distant. Lois felt a peaceful hush all around her. "This is the last time I'll wake up alone in my room," she murmured, looking around slowly. "From this day on, Clark and I will be together, and we'll sleep in *our* bedroom." It seemed unreal, somehow. Everything did. The morning was too quiet, the hour was too early, and Lois had the strange sensation that she was dreaming all of this. "Ow!" A quick pinch reassured her that she was, indeed, awake; this was, indeed, the morning of her wedding to Clark Kent. Lucy would be asleep on the sofa. Martha would be coming over soon, along with her mom and the two cousins who Ellen insisted just *had* to be bridesmaids. Lois rolled her eyes at the very idea, for she barely knew either of them and saw them only at infrequent family reunions. Soon her apartment would be overflowing with excitement and chatter and taffeta gowns in a garish pink, so Lois made the most of her time alone. She was sure it would be the last quiet time of the day. She moved slowly around her room, touching some of her belongings, letting her eyes fall on everything, wondering which items she would pack away and which she would have in her new bedroom with Clark. She would be moving into his apartment when they returned from their honeymoon. She would never again be woken by the nasal tones of Mrs. Harrigan from upstairs, who perpetually left a window open and sang loudly, off-key, while making breakfast. She would never again bump into the foot of her bed and stub her toes. She would never have to bang on the radiator pipes to coax them to life. "I'm going to miss this place," she admitted to herself, feeling nostalgic already. She'd lived there for more than ten years, and it was her home. "Oh stop it," she told herself, wiping at her eyes. "You'll be with Clark, you'll have a home together, filled with love and warmth and happiness." She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and a tiny laugh escaped her. "What is it with me and weddings? I have no reason to cry! Clark is the sweetest, most wonderful man on Earth! I'm thrilled to be marrying him, it doesn't matter what I leave behind because it's nothing compared to what lies ahead." She nodded to herself, sniffing once more as she got her emotions under control. "That's better, Lane," she said to the mirror. "Lois Lane Kent... This time it'll come true," she said, smiling. Just then her alarm went off; the wedding day had begun. * * * * * Clark was already awake when his alarm went off. He was lying on the sofa, thinking about the wedding, and married life in general, and feeling very strange. He'd dreamed of this day for so long that it was hard to believe it had finally arrived. He wondered if Lois was suffering from bridal jitters, but he wasn't worried about her changing her mind; once she made a decision she stuck to it. He also worried about getting through the ceremony without incident. Things should go smoothly, but fate had been unkind to them before. = Clark stood up when his parents came out of his bedroom. "Good morning, honey," his mom said, giving him a kiss and looking up into his eyes. "Did you sleep well?" As usual there was a light teasing note in her voice. "Not really," he grimaced. "Nerves, I guess." Martha smiled knowingly. "That's perfectly normal, Clark, this will be a huge change in your life! Change can be stressful, but marrying Lois will be the best thing to ever happen to you." Jonathan chuckled. "After all they've gone through together, Martha, they should hardly notice a little thing like a wedding." That elicited a grin on his son's face, but it faded quickly, and Martha inspected him more closely. "Something's still bothering you, Clark, what is it?" Clark ran a hand through his hair, agitated. "What if someone needs me during the wedding? What if, in order to be there for Lois, I have to let someone die? Someone I could save, but choose not to." He looked to each of them, searching, but found no answers, merely sympathy. "You can't be everywhere, you can't save everyone," Jonathan said gruffly. "You have a right to a life of your own, Clark, you have a right to happiness. For today, son, you're not Superman, you're just Clark Kent, and you're marrying the most wonderful girl on the planet." He paused, looking over at his wife. "Well, the second most wonderful girl." Martha beamed at her husband. "Don't let anything spoil it for you." Clark gave his dad a grateful smile and nodded. "Well if that's settled, how about you whip up some breakfast while we get showered and dressed," Martha suggested. "I have to go to your bride's apartment soon." She winked at him. "We've got a busy day ahead of us!" * * * * * Lois waved away the breakfast offering her mother held out. "I couldn't possibly eat," she moaned, feeling her stomach tighten into knots. "Nervous?" Lucy asked with a cheeky grin. Lois contemplated throwing something at her sister. "Just wait until you get married," she muttered darkly, but Lucy only giggled. Ellen Lane shook her head at the all-too-common interplay between her daughters. Remembering her own pre-wedding butterflies she wisely took the plate back to the kitchen, weaving around her nieces Carolyn and Diana, who were helping each other with their dresses. There was a cheery knock on the door, and Lucy jumped up and opened it to Martha Kent. The hubbub that had been going on for an hour grew even louder with the new arrival, and Lois felt herself beginning to feel overwhelmed again. Suddenly there was a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Good morning, honey," Martha said softly, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Things are a bit crazy, aren't they. Why don't we put on some nice music. I hear you like "Fly Me To The Moon." Lois looked up, startled, and Martha wiggled her eyebrows conspiratorially, brandishing a tape in one hand. "You look beautiful, Lois, and everything's going to be just fine." "How's Clark?" Lois asked immediately, envisioning him in a tuxedo. "Well, I think he's about as anxious as you are," her mother-in-law-to-be called cheerfully from the stereo as she put the tape in. "Would you believe he couldn't eat a bite of his breakfast? Said he would throw up if he did!" She laughed, pleased to see Lois smiling also. "I don't think I was able to eat on my wedding morning either." As the familiar strains of Lois and Clark's special song together began quietly, Martha came back to Lois's side. "Did you sleep well?" Such a normal conversation was a relief to Lois after an hour of bombardments about hair stylists and make-up and urgings that she get dressed already. She felt the knot of tension in her shoulders ease somewhat. "I had a hard time falling asleep," she confessed. "So did Clark," Martha said with a laugh. "We could hear him pacing around practicing his vows!" Lois felt pleased and reassured that she wasn't the only one feeling nervous and excited. Clark had maintained such an aura of unflappable calm and certainty throughout the wedding preparations that there had been times she had felt so exasperated she wanted to shake him. Now she realized that he had been performing the duty of a rock for her to lean on, keeping his own anxieties to himself for her sake. She sighed softly, her love for him welling up in her heart again. Martha smiled approvingly. "Now, honey, I'm going to make you a cup of chamomile tea and then I think it'll be time to start getting ready." "I don't drink tea," Lois said quickly as Martha went to the kitchen. "Coffee isn't going to calm you down, this will. You just sit back and let us do all the fussing," Martha told her. "That's right," Ellen Lane agreed. "Darling, the beautician's just arrived, so when you're ready with your tea she'll start doing your make-up." She momentarily rested a hand on her daughter's shoulder and squeezed lightly. "It's going to be a wonderful day," she promised. * * * * * "Jimmy!" Perry boomed cheerfully, clapping the young man's shoulder heartily and making him stagger slightly. "Glad you made it on time! Come on in!" Jimmy Olsen came down the steps, looking curiously around Clark's apartment and waving to Jonathan. "Where's the groom?" "Getting dressed," Jonathan Kent answered as he finished with his bow tie. "I hate these things, Martha's so much better with them." "It looks fine, and so do you, son," Perry added to Jimmy, somewhat surprised at the transformation in his young photographer. "Got the rings?" he added slyly. Jimmy patted his pocket with a faint smile. "I'm not going to lose them," he said, as if to assure himself of that. "Hey, CK, you almost ready?" he hollered. "Be with you in a minute," came the reply. Jimmy grinned at the two men. "So is he nervous?" "Is Elvis the King?" Perry drawled. "I've never seen him so uptight!" Clark was, indeed, feeling very tense. He stood before the mirror, trying to perfect the fit of his cummerbund. He felt somehow naked without the Suit on underneath. He was determined, as a gesture to Lois, to leave it behind for the ceremony, but he still felt uneasy. Lois was very important to him, but he felt he had a responsibility to the planet that had nurtured him, as well, and it was sometimes hard to find a balance between the two. Helping people was second nature to him, and the disguise his mother had created to enable him to do just that had been a part of his wardrobe for three years now. = He heard his father call to him, telling him they had to leave for the church soon, and his insides twisted again. He took a deep breath, staring at his reflection. "I do," he said firmly. He thought of Lois, pictured her in his mind: those expressive eyes, those soft lips, those shapely legs. "I do," he repeated softly. "Son, I was beginning to think you weren't going to come out!" Perry chuckled, knowing that Clark would never change his mind about marrying Lois Lane. He'd seen Clark falling for the sharp-tongued reporter right at the start and couldn't be happier about their marriage. Sure, he'd gotten a bit worried during their courtship, for if things hadn't worked out between them it could've broken up the working relationship that had led to so many fine articles and amazing scoops for his paper. Now, however, with the wedding less than two hours away, he was confident and filled with good cheer. "He was probably practicing those two words again," Jonathan said with a special smile for his son. Clark and Jimmy gave each other a quick greeting, Jimmy produced the rings to allay any doubts and safely pocketed them again, and the men stood there looking at each other for a moment in silence, a little male-bonding moment that would have had Lois rolling her eyes, Clark reflected with a smile. "Well then, son, let's get you to the church," Jonathan said, resting an arm on his boy's shoulder, swelling with pride and happiness for Clark. The Kents had worried for years that Clark might never find someone to share his life with, that he might never be able to enjoy the warmth and love and family that his parents had together. Now Jonathan looked at his son and all those fears were put to rest. = * * * * * "Oh honey, you look beautiful," Martha said warmly as Lois emerged from her room, fully dressed and made up, the veil floating down her back, surrounded by her bridesmaids. Against their bright gowns she stood out starkly, wearing such a simple elegant gown and looking more poised and assured than anyone had expected her to look. "You look wonderful, dear," Ellen added, coming over to kiss her smooth cheek. She was filled with maternal loving at the sight of her daughter getting ready to get married. "Are the limos ready?" Lucy asked, checking her hair again quickly. "Downstairs and waiting," her mother answered. "You three girls will go in the first one, we'll follow you." Just then the phone rang. "Oh heavens, I'll get it," Mrs. Lane said. "Hello?... No, this is her mother... I'm afraid not, we're just about to leave... I'm sorry, sir, but my daughter is on her way to... I can take a message," she said firmly. Her tone carried to Lois over the excited chatter of her cousins, and her reporter's instinct made her come to her mother's side. Ellen frowned at her, waving her away. "I don't care who you are, Lois cannot talk to you right now." "Oh yes I can!" Lois said determinedly, grabbing the phone. "Hello, Lois Lane here." A furtive whispery voice said, "Thank God! Lane, it's Gates, I'm in trouble!" "What's happened?" Lois asked, glaring at her mother to leave her alone. "They're on to me! I had just enough time to grab my disks and get out of my office, and now they're coming after me. If you want your story, you'd better meet me in an hour." He shot off an address that Lois automatically filed in her head. "Are you positive you'll be there?" she demanded, feeling a sickening sensation spreading from the pit of her stomach throughout her body at this terrible twist in plans. She was still angry about the no-show at the quarry and wasn't sure if she could trust Gates this time. "If I don't show it's because I'm dead," the man hissed. "I'll wait for ten minutes, if you're not there I'm leaving, I've got to get away. They're following me, I tell you! Make sure Superman's there as well. One hour," the rough voice warned again, and then there was a click. Lois stood there holding the phone, her mind racing. "Uh-oh," Lucy said slowly, recognizing that look. "Lois, darling, come on, the limos are waiting, it's time to go." Lois blurted out, "Hold on!" to her mother and began dialing Clark's number. "We don't have time for this," Ellen Lane said, getting a bit agitated. "Who are you calling?" "Clark," Lois said shortly, listening to the phone ring and willing him to pick it up. "He's probably already at the church, which is where we need to be." Lois hardly even heard her. There was a click on the other end of the line. "Hi, this is Clark," came a cheerful voice. "I can't answer your call because I'm getting married! I'll call you when we get back from our honeymoon. Leave a message." "Damn!" she said softly, putting the phone down with a bit more force than necessary. One hour... in one hour's time she'd be Mrs. Lois Lane Kent, and she'd have missed the chance to bust Intergang. She couldn't leave Clark at the church, she *wouldn't*, but Lois Lane did not pass up on a major scoop. "Damn that man for not showing up at the quarry," she said fiercely. "What was that? Look, dear, I don't know what that was all about, but we really need to get to the church now," Mrs. Lane said determinedly, grasping Lois's arm and steering her towards the door. "They won't start without you, but they will be waiting," Martha said with a worried smile. Whatever that phone call had been about, it had transformed Lois and shattered her peace of mind. "I know Clark will get worried if you're late," she added, hoping to make the bride smile, but Lois instead jumped into action. "You're right, Clark's there waiting, I have to see him," she said, galvanized. "Come on, hurry, let's go!" She grabbed her sister's hand and practically ran for the door. Martha and Ellen shared a look of astonishment that turned into a chuckle. It was so hard to keep up with Lois! First she dug her heels in, insisting on taking a phone call, and then she was hurrying everyone else out the door in a rush to get married! Well, she certainly would keep life interesting for her husband! * * * * * The bridal party crowded into the church, whispering and bustling in excitement, but the bride herself was looking rather pale and anxious. Perry was waiting for them, and a beaming smile lit his face. "Lois, honey, you look beautiful," he said in a hushed voice, kissing her. He nodded greetings to the mothers of the happy couple. "Chief, something's come up," Lois said urgently, sure that he, of all people, would understand and help her. "I've got to speak to Clark." "Well, you know, he's waiting just in there for you," Perry said with a big grin as he gestured to the closed doors flanked by church ushers. "I need to speak to him, in private," she insisted. "There'll be time for that later," he assured her, thinking she was just jittery about the wedding. "Is everybody ready? Come on now, folks, let's shake a tail feather." He helped the ushers to arrange the procession and got everyone calmed and silenced in time for the doors to open. Mrs. Lane and Mrs. Kent entered the church side by side, both feeling more than a little bit disturbed by the bride's behavior. "Perry!" Lois hissed. The two young bridesmaids began their parade down the aisle, their faces excited and their stiff skirts rustling with every step. "This can't wait!" Lois cried softly. Lucy Lane began her solo walk as maid of honor. The doors closed, and Perry escorted Lois into position in front of them. "Calm down, Lois, I know you're excited," he said comfortingly. "You don't understand," she groaned helplessly. "Sure I do!" He took Lois's hand and placed it on his outstretched arm, patting it reassuringly, standing as tall and proud as any father. The Wedding March began, its triumphant notes ringing out in the church. Lois felt a despairing lurch in the pit of her stomach as the doors were flung open. The congregation rose as one, turning their many faces towards her. Clark stood before the altar, looking gorgeous in his tuxedo, and she could see his face light up with love and joy, and relief, when he caught sight of her at last. Perry tugged slightly on her arm, and so Lois began her walk down the aisle, feeling utterly torn. He was waiting for her, as she knew he would be, and the love she felt for him made her ache inside. It had been a long and arduous journey to this moment in time, and there had been many obstacles to overcome, but they had done it! They were finally getting married! Naturally, for Lois and Clark, it was not that simple. "Oh sweetheart," she whispered unhappily, her eyes never leaving his face. "I hope you can hear me over this music. We've got a problem." To be continued... (chapel4.txt) = !^NavFont02F3CD30008MGHH3CD481D5 ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 20:45:37 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Pam Jernigan Subject: Classic Fanfic:GOING TO THE CHAPEL (5/7) Comments: To: Blind.Copy.Receiver@compuserve.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 GOING TO THE CHAPEL... (5/7) by Pam Jernigan (75540.2554@compuserve.com) and Sarah Wood (102116.3615@compuserve.com) Part Five In the last few minutes before the ceremony began, Clark watched his mother walking down the aisle towards him, grateful for a familiar face. He had no idea who most of the guests filling the church were, and was too nervous to scan the sea of faces in search of people he knew. Jimmy kept nervously checking the pocket with the rings, and Clark himself had to fight the urge to adjust his glasses, his tie, his cummerbund. Martha reached her seat and smiled at her son, thinking with pride that he looked very handsome in his tuxedo, although perhaps a little pale. She saw how restless he was, waiting for his bride to come to him. When at last the Wedding March began his eyes lit up, and Martha turned with the rest of the guests to watch Lois enter the church. Clark watched Lois start down the aisle with tears in his eyes and a lump in his throat. He'd waited years for this moment; both it and she were so beautiful that he didn't realize at first that she was saying something. He hastily tuned in to her. "- problem. Gates called me this morning, he's on the run. It's now or never - what do we do?" It took Clark a moment to take in what she was saying, but when he did, the lump in his throat plummeted to his gut. If all eyes hadn't been on the bride, the groom's dismayed expression would have been cause for consternation. As it was, people were starting to wonder about the bride's worried look and the way she seemed to be talking to herself. Lois saw her partner's expression change and knew he had heard her. Thank goodness he hadn't worn those silly earplugs. She belatedly realized that people were looking at her strangely, and pasted on a smile. She tried to discreetly speed up their progress down the aisle, but Perry would not be hurried. This was his moment of glory, and he was basking in it. For the rest of the impossibly long walk, Lois kept her eyes glued on Clark. She had envisioned many variations on this day in the past year, ranging from a few words said by a judge all the way up to the fairy-tale wedding of her mother's dreams (including one nightmare in which Clark had interrupted during the vows, claiming an urgent need to put more money in the meter, and had run out, leaving her to face the mocking laughter of the guests). But nothing had come close to this agony of nerves. To steady herself, she focused on the man she loved and would spend the rest of her life with. He looked more handsome than she had imagined, but the troubled look on his face wasn't very reassuring. At last they reached the altar, and Perry tenderly removed her hand from his arm and extended it to Clark, who took it solemnly. During the rehearsal Lois had thought this bit of ceremony very silly, but she was glad of it now; her mind was so full of turmoil that she didn't feel connected to her body. Perry gracefully stepped back and sat next to Alice in the second row, and the wedding party turned to face the preacher as he started his sermon. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here..." Clark didn't hear what the preacher was saying. Now or never, she had said. Two weeks of investigating, of trying to meet with Gates and get the evidence they needed to expose the Churches and bring an end to Intergang, and it had to be now, during their wedding. Fate apparently had something against them. "What did Gates say?" he whispered to her. The preacher paused, looking at him sternly, and he gave an apologetic smile. As the preacher resumed his monotonous reading, Lois whispered almost soundlessly, knowing he could hear her. "He said to meet him in half an hour; after that he'll be gone." She chewed her lip restlessly, wishing they could leave, but reluctant to suggest it. Clark noticed her agitation, and came to a decision. "I hate to say it, but... we'll have to postpone our wedding," he said regretfully. Lucy noticed the whispering and looked at him with a puzzled frown. Lois nodded as disappointment clashed with the familiar thrill of finishing an investigation. "Intergang is more urgent than getting married." He gave her hand a light squeeze, feeling an ache in his chest. She returned the squeeze, her mind racing as she searched for a better solution. "Is there enough time to say the vows, sign on the dotted line, and then go?" she asked hopefully, although even as she said it she doubted that they would be able to find a private place for her to change in time for Superman to fly her to meet Gates. Superman carrying a bride in his arms would create a major scandal. Clark shook his head a bit. "We're going to have to drive." He turned to face her, his face full of regret. "I'm so sorry, honey..." Jimmy discreetly elbowed him in the back, wondering what was happening. Lois gave him a very faint smile. "So am I, sweetheart, but there's nothing else we can do. I guess this'll just have to be our almost-wedding day," she said with determined cheer, assuring him with her eyes that she was behind him completely. = She abruptly leaned forward to tap on the preacher's black book, interrupting his droning voice. "Excuse me, we're going to have to do this some other time." His jaw dropped as he looked up, astonished by the brazen interruption. = Together, Lois and Clark turned to face the gathering. A ripple spread through the sanctuary as the guests stared forward in fascination. Ellen Lane put her hand over her eyes in resignation, shaking her head slowly. Martha and Jonathan looked at Clark with raised eyebrows, only slightly surprised by the turn of events clearly taking place. Lois had opened her mouth to make their excuses to the guests, but then she caught sight of her mother. "Sorry, Mom," was all she managed to say. Clark squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Ladies and gentlemen," he said loudly, "we're terribly sorry, but there's been a major break in our investigation. We're going to have to postpone our wedding." There was a collective gasp. "Why don't you all go ahead to the reception and we'll be there when we can." Relieved, Lois started tugging him down the aisle, making a beeline for the front entrance. She hiked her skirt up to be able to run, hearing the buzz of startled conversation rising as they fled down the aisle, her veil streaming out behind her. As she neared the exit she realized that she still had her bouquet in hand, and she tossed it over her shoulder. It landed in Cat Grant's lap. Cat stared down at it with wide, horrified eyes. Lois and Clark flung the double doors open and ran down the wide stairs together, presenting a most unusual sight to the passers-by on the street. Clark saw the limo waiting at the curb and gestured to it. "We might as well get some use out of it." The driver was stunned by the unorthodox arrival of the bride and groom as they ran towards the car. Lois dove into the back seat, struggling to pull her skirt in with her, the veil catching and being pulled askew. Clark hurriedly scrambled in behind her as she quickly moved over and gave him room to sit down. Lois gave the driver the address Gates had provided, a warehouse near the docks. "And hurry!" she added urgently. The driver shrugged, obligingly pulling away from the curb with a squeal of tires. Lois found herself thrown into Clark's lap. Clark put his arms around her to keep her there, and she brushed her fingers over his face lightly. "Well, we did it, we canceled our own wedding," she said softly. "If there had been some other way..." She put a finger over his lips. "No regrets. We can get married any day, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime shot." "I was afraid you wouldn't see it that way," Clark confessed. "You were so worried about Superman interfering with the wedding." "This is different," she said. "This is our story, not you running out on me." She gave him a tender smile. "I was afraid you wouldn't let me cancel the wedding, after I gave you those earplugs and everything." She sighed. "I hope Mom isn't too upset. I don't think she understands how huge this story is." "She will when it hits the headlines tomorrow," Clark said comfortingly. "Oh, Gates wants Superman to be there," Lois suddenly remembered. He kissed her lightly on the nose. "Well, almost-Mrs. Kent, Superman started his vacation this morning, so you'll have to take me instead. We can contact him later, after Gates has given us the evidence." Lois arched her brows in surprise, and pretended to peek under his tuxedo shirt. "You mean you're all alone in there?" she whispered. "I wanted it to be just us," he whispered back, and she gave him a beautiful smile, touched by his gesture. "Of course, we ended up having to go meet a source after all," he added with a grin. "I think it gave the wedding a unique, Lois-and-Clark feel to it," she returned teasingly. "I gave that preacher a shock, though." She giggled as she remembered the look on the dour man's face. "Next time perhaps we should get married in the middle of nowhere, where there won't be anything to interrupt the ceremony." "Is Kansas nowhere enough for you?" Clark asked, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "Perfect!" she returned, winking at him mischievously before giving him a happy kiss. The car slowed down, and they were startled to see that they had arrived at the docks already. "Here it is," the driver said, coming to a halt after cruising past several abandoned buildings. "Are you sure this is the right address? Place looks ready to fall down." "This is it," Lois said determinedly as she took Clark's hand, gathered her skirts in her free hand, and awkwardly climbed out. "Don't bother waiting, a friend is going to meet us and give us a ride back later." The man shrugged again, thinking they were the most unusual bride and groom he'd ever seen, and drove off, leaving them standing before a thoroughly dilapidated warehouse. They glanced at each other. "See any sign of him?" Lois asked quietly as Clark scanned the building over the top of his glasses. "The paint is lead-based, it's hard to see much," he said. "Let's go on in, but watch where you step in those heels, honey." Lois picked her way carefully over a pile of planks and other debris, holding her partner's hand for balance and trying to keep her hem from catching on things. "I hope he makes it this time, I'll kill him myself if he doesn't show up after we put off our wedding," she muttered. "I hope he managed to get enough evidence to put both the Churches in jail forever," Clark said fervently, pulling a couple of boards away from the door and helping Lois through. She smiled a thanks at him, brushed some dust off his tuxedo, and tried to straighten her veil. "He said he had just enough time to grab his disks and run, so at least he's got something," she said reassuringly, for she knew how important this was to Clark. "See anything?" He scanned around them and pointed, leading the way towards what might have been an office. A creature, probably a rat, scuttled away in the darkness and Lois shivered, keeping close to Clark's side. A few holes in the ceiling let in a bit of light, but that mostly served to emphasize the shadowy reaches of the immense building. "Gates?" Lois hissed. "Lane?" came a cautious response. The reporters entered the room and saw him standing there, in his expensive Armani suit, amid the filth and cobwebs. He was obviously nervous, but immediately began pulling himself together. "Thank God you're here," he snapped, regaining his composure. "Who's he? And what's with the get-up?" Lois folded her arms across her chest. "My partner, Clark Kent. Obviously we were on our way to get married." She couldn't help but glare at him. "So, we finally meet. The quarry was too much trouble for you? Couldn't bear to leave your billiards game?" she inquired icily. "I got collared by some of the other attorneys, they took me to the Metropolis Men's Club, I couldn't get away without arousing their suspicions," he explained irritably. "But that's not important." "Not important?" Lois spat. "We had plans, mister, that we canceled for that meeting, and you never showed." Clark put a steadying hand on her arm, reminding her to cool off. Gates glared at her as he mopped his brow with a silk handkerchief. "In my briefcase is enough evidence to convict both the Churches of a number of crimes and cripple Intergang. I'm sorry for the inconvenience in getting it to you," he added sarcastically. "In case you forgot, I'm the one whose life is on the line here." "It's not my fault you're a criminal," Lois mumbled in disgust. Clark shot her a warning look. "Why did you decide to get out now?" he asked Gates, wanting more than just hard evidence for their story. "Pete Langley and I were siphoning Intergang funds into a private account," Gates explained, looking almost proud of himself. "We embezzled almost a million dollars in the last two years, but Church finally got suspicious. Pete wasn't careful enough. He had an 'unfortunate accident' driving home one night. I was afraid it might happen to me one day, so I got in touch with you," he said to Lois. "I know you're friends with Superman, and he's the safest way for me to get out of the country." "So this isn't prompted by any moral scruples," Clark said, not surprised in the slightest. "Hey, I'm a tax attorney, I never hurt anyone," Gates scoffed, his hard eyes showing no remorse. "I'm giving you the evidence you need to put the Churches in jail, you're supposed to have your pal Superman to get me to safety, so why don't I see a cape around here?" "He'll be here soon," Lois said quickly. "He promised he'd help you, so come on, open up the briefcase, show us what you've got." The arrogant man considered that for a moment, brow furrowed. "Well, I guess Superman wouldn't go back on a promise. I'll show you how to find what you're looking for. I've got computer records of different companies that Intergang set up in the Caribbean, such as Island Realty and Bishop Industries, and the transactions to them. The system for laundering is complicated." "We'll try to keep up," Lois said sarcastically. Gates hefted his briefcase onto a filthy table, stirring up a thick cloud of choking dust. The three of them coughed, waving the air in front of their faces, which only stirred up more dust. "Nice spot you picked," she couldn't help but say. "You know, Lane, I'm beginning to wish I'd approached Kent, here, instead," Gates growled as he turned the combination latches. Clark, wondering if Lois could hold her temper for the few minutes it would take him to fly home for the Suit and come back to rescue the sleazeball, used his X-ray vision to look into the briefcase, curious to find out how full it was. With his mind thus occupied, it took him a moment to realize what he was seeing. Thin wires ran from the latches to a flat package hidden in a compartment along the bottom of the attache case. At that moment Gates flipped the latches open. "No!" Clark screamed, grabbing Lois and swinging her away from the briefcase, trying to shield her with his body. Her protest at being so roughly pulled away was never heard as the trigger set off the bomb and it exploded with a thunderous boom. The windows were blown out an instant before Clark was propelled through them by a powerful shock wave. A blast of heat engulfed them, a roaring filled their ears, and pieces of debris rained down on them. Clark prayed he had been able to protect Lois from harm. He looked down at her and let out a horrified cry. Tongues of fire were licking at her wedding gown and eating their way rapidly through her veil. Now a safe distance away from the inferno, he set them down, snatching the veil from her head and flinging it away as he turned his superbreath on her dress, putting the flames out immediately. "Lois? Are you alright?" He examined her closely, terrified that her legs had been burned, for the entire bottom half of her skirt had gone up in flames, and the new hemline around her knees was scorched. Fortunately he had reacted so quickly that only the material had burned. "I think I'm okay," Lois said shakily. It had happened so quickly she wasn't quite sure what was going on. "Clark!" she suddenly squealed, slapping at him wildly. "Your jacket's on fire!" He quickly took it off and together they stamped out the little flames. Then, inevitably, their eyes turned to what remained of the warehouse. Flames hungrily devoured the plentiful wood, and pieces of debris littered the water alongside. Parts of the building still stood, but they could hear occasional crashes as more of the roof fell down. "Stay here," Clark told her firmly. "It doesn't look safe for you. I'll be right back." He went to the office first, although he knew in his heart that nothing could have survived that explosion. The outer wall remained, blackened. He used his superbreath to put out the fires and blow away some of the smoke before climbing in through the window. The furniture was gone, the inner walls had been blown away. He searched without much hope and found a barely recognizable piece of the briefcase and the bomb. He didn't touch them, knowing that the experts would want to examine what remained for any clues. He didn't see any computer disks, and didn't expect to. Nor did he find any remains of Gates himself. "Clark!" Lois called from by the window. "Did you find anything?" she asked hopefully. Then she saw the wreckage he stood in and her face dropped. "Nothing," he said, just as dejected. He climbed back outside to join her. "I saw the bomb just as Gates was unlocking the case, it was rigged to blow when the latches were sprung open. I didn't have time to do anything but grab you and try to shield you from the blast. I'm sorry, honey." Lois stepped closer to him and held his face in her hands. "You have nothing to be sorry for! You saved my life." "I wish I could've saved the briefcase too," he said heavily. "Well you couldn't," she said firmly. "Don't be so hard on yourself, sweetheart. We're alive, that's the important thing, and it was a very close call. I think we're pretty lucky." Looking down into the eyes of the woman he cherished, Clark felt warmed. "Very lucky," he agreed, pulling her into his arms and hugging her tightly. "Your dress and veil were on fire," he said with a shudder. She glanced down, for the first time noticing her damaged gown and reflexively putting a hand to her head. Looking around she spotted a tiny scrap of satin and lace and picked it up. There were several scorched burn marks and holes on what little remained of it, and with a gulp she realized that it had, indeed, been a very close call. She examined Clark to assure herself that he was fine. "I don't think the tuxedo shop is going to be very happy with me," Clark said ruefully, as Lois fingered a long tear in his shirt. "It's a good thing you don't have the Suit on under this," she pointed out as the first wailing clarion of the fire department trucks reached her ears. "What's our story going to be?" They quickly agreed upon an explanation for the officials just before the first truck came screaming towards the still smoking warehouse. To be continued... (chapel5.txt) = !^NavFont02F3DCA0008MGHH3DCB60D8 ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 20:45:47 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Pam Jernigan Subject: Classic Fanfic:GOING TO THE CHAPEL (7/7) Comments: To: Blind.Copy.Receiver@compuserve.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 = GOING TO THE CHAPEL... (7/7) by Pam Jernigan (75540.2554@compuserve.com) and Sarah Wood (102116.3615@compuserve.com) Part Seven Lois frowned as she woke, because Mrs. Harrigan from upstairs was singing like a rooster. She opened her eyes, looked around at the unfamiliar room, and sat bolt upright, instantly awake for the second time in her life. She realized that she was hearing a real rooster, not her old upstairs neighbor. This was Clark's childhood bedroom, she was in the bed he had slept in almost all his life. His high school pennant hung on the wall above the desk where he had done his homework, a row of athletic trophies lined a shelf, some academic certificates were framed and on display. = Sitting there in his bed, Lois pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around her legs. This past week had been incredibly busy, a time to follow up on all the clues they had, and triumphantly print the story of the Parrish Casino being shut down by the authorities... but it had seemed like the longest week of her life. She'd been glad to finish everything and escape to the quiet, peaceful countryside. The rooster crowed again, and Lois scowled. She had been under the city-girl impression that roosters did that only at dawn, but she had hazy memories of that sound disturbing her several times during the night as well. The sun had come up, though barely, and she could hear Jonathan Kent outside, tending to some farm chores. Definitely not the life for her, she thought. She sniffed the air and smiled as she realized that Martha was baking something. Her own attempts at baking had led to a kitchen covered in fine white powder that had proved remarkably difficult to clean up, but she loved Clark's mother's cooking and fresh baking. Clark obviously accepted the fact that Lois was not much of a cook and didn't expect her to take his mother's place, and during the year of their engagement they had frequently flown to Smallville for home-cooked dinners and a competitively friendly game of poker. "I should try to get some more sleep," she told herself, feeling anything but sleepy. "I don't need to be up for another hour at least." She climbed out of the bed even as she said the words, wandering around the room, trailing a finger over the certificate Clark had received for journalism in high school. The first time she had been in this room she had been critical of his awards, coming as they did from such a small town, and she had looked around as though investigating Clark's background. Now, however, she let her eyes fall on each treasured momento of his childhood, wishing she had been there to share it with him. Going over to the open window, Lois pulled the curtains back and rested her elbows on the sill, her head propped in her hands as she surveyed the fields. She felt so relaxed and peaceful out here. Clark was right, it was a wonderful break from the fast pace of the city. The air was fresh and sweet, since it wasn't blowing from the directions of any animals, the smell of baking wafted up from the kitchen window, and she could hear birds trilling. Leaning forward a little she could just see the red roof of Wayne Irig's house in the distance, where Clark and Jimmy had spent the night, the Kents' farmhouse having barely enough room for Lois and her family. Lois smiled, feeling a familiar warmth glow inside her, as though a ray of sunshine had been let into her heart. "I wonder if you can hear me," she said aloud. "Well, just in case you can, I love you." Her smile turned into a big grin. Talking softly and knowing Clark could hear her had been endless fun in the past year, a wonderful game she played with him. It was a shame, she often thought, that she couldn't hear him in return. Or perhaps it was just as well, she suddenly decided, thinking of all the times she had mischievously distracted him with whispered sweet nothings while Perry was trying to talk to him. Clark would certainly have paid her back for that! She took a deep breath of the country air, feeling hungry for one of Martha's fresh rolls, and gazed up at the sky. Yesterday's weather forecast had called for increasing cloudiness and chances of showers during the day. She had exchanged a secretive smile with Clark over her mother's head, and Clark had excused himself for a few minutes. He had probably blown the clouds further east; at any rate, the sky above was a soft, pastel blue, with only a few wisps of white. "What a beautiful day to get married," she murmured, gazing dreamily at the Kansas morning while she pictured Clark in his tuxedo. * * * * * = "No chance of showers on *our* wedding day," Clark murmured in satisfaction as he gazed up at the sky. He was standing on Wayne Irig's back porch in his boxers, enjoying the fresh farm air. Being back in Kansas was like a balm to his spirit, for as much as he loved his life in Metropolis, he needed at times to get away from the noise and the rush and return to this peaceful place. He stretched, wishing he could go for a flight over the wheat fields. They were so beautiful from the air, dancing and rippling in the breeze and stretching out endlessly below him like a golden sea. With Wayne whistling nearby, however, he knew that was impossible. He concentrated momentarily and picked up the sound of Jimmy mumbling slightly in his sleep inside the farmhouse. Just then he caught Lois's sweet voice, and his head lifted immediately as his eyes sought his bedroom window and zoomed in on it. = There she was, chin in her hands, looking his direction although he knew she couldn't see him from so far away. "I love you," he heard her say in a tender voice, and he felt a warmth course through his veins. She looked comfortable and relaxed as she always did when in the country. It took her a few hours to shed the vigor that city life required and settle down to the slower pace of the small town, but it had proven a wonderful respite that had softened some of her edges over time. Of course, Clark knew that Lois's relationship with his mother had a lot to do with that. The two of them were like kindred spirits in many ways, although Lois was far more driven. Martha had been both a confidante for Lois and a motherly figure, and watching the two of them side by side as they prepared dinner, or looked through the Kent family photo albums, or read the Smallville Press, had given Clark a great deal of joy. Ever since discovering his super powers he had felt a despairing sense of loss, of not belonging. He had been set apart from everyone in the world, and only his parents could know and understand him. He had been so afraid that his desire for a woman to share life with, his longing for a family of his own, would remain unfulfilled. He cherished Lois all the more for making his life complete, for accepting him as he was, for loving him without reservation and becoming a part of his family. He saw her gaze up at the sky with a dreamy expression and felt a humble gratitude that she was a part of his life. He could remember the loneliness of previous years, the pain of not knowing who he was and where he had come from. Those days were now distant memories, however. Today he would truly embark on a new life, an exciting life with Lois forever at his side, partners in every sense of the word. In a few short hours he would pledge, before friends and family, to love Lois for the rest of his life, however long that might be. In his heart he had long since made that vow, even before they had gone on their very first date. There would never be another woman for him, he had known that with complete assurance for a long time. This past year had been magical for Clark, the fulfillment of dreams he had nearly abandoned. Their love had grown stronger and fuller with the passing months, as they had learned more about one another and opened their hearts and bared their souls to each other. Clark had learned to be comfortable using his super powers in front of Lois, a major adjustment after spending so many years hiding them from everyone but his parents, and Lois had reconciled the two separate identities of Clark Kent and Superman into what she sometimes jokingly referred to as her "Super Clark". The road they had traveled to reach this day in time hadn't been an easy one, it had been fraught with peril and liberally scattered with potholes and speed bumps - Clark grimaced slightly as the name Scardino flashed into his consciousness - but perhaps that made this moment all the sweeter and more precious. An excitement began to blossom in his heart as he realized that soon he would be married to Lois, for he knew that here and now there would be no dramatic interruptions. * * * * * = Sweet strains of Mozart drifted softly over the garden. Jimmy patted his pocket yet again, assuring himself that the precious rings he had been entrusted with were still there. Jonathan turned once again to the back door of the house, wondering if the bride was ready yet. Wayne Irig adjusted his Sunday suit uncomfortably for the fifth time. Father Thomas, who had known Clark for most of his life, smiled at the young man in a reassuring manner, not realizing that the groom felt no sense of uneasiness or anxiety at the delay. Clark stood serenely in the summer sunshine, feeling its warmth on his head and shoulders, his soul tranquil and suffused with a sense of rightness about everything; the morning was beautiful, the breeze carried with it the scent of the flowers his mother had gathered and arranged on the small table in front of Father Thomas, and he basked in the love of these people who were so dear to him and in the love of the feisty and impetuous woman who meant the world to him. The passing minutes merely gave him a little more time to appreciate the wonder and joy in his heart. The back door opened and all eyes turned towards it immediately in excitement. Martha and Ellen came out of the house, both wearing simple but festive dresses and both smiling happily. They propped the door open and came down the porch steps, which they had decorated with clinging vines and interspersed daisies running along the banisters. They approached the small knot of men slowly, side by side, looking proud of their children and joyful at the occasion. Lucy Lane appeared in the doorway, the flowers artfully tucked into her hair and a flowing blue dress combining to give her an air of prettiness and simplicity. She paused there a moment, enjoying the attention, before sedately making her way to her place in the small circle. = Everyone's attention was riveted on the doorway, awaiting the first glimpse of the bride. Ellen felt a momentary flash of worry that, once again, something would occur to disrupt her daughter's wedding. Martha gazed at her son, bursting with pride in him and happiness for him. Jonathan, who had been similarly bursting for several minutes now, waited with excitement for his daughter-in-law to come into their family's open arms. Jimmy held his breath, one hand firmly held over the slight ridges in his suit that were the rings he had been guarding for some time now. Wayne, having panned his camcorder over the assembled group and garnered plenty of footage of the groom, was ready to at last capture the bride on tape. Before the pause could lengthen into a discomfiting delay, she was there. Perry White, obviously aware of the honor bestowed upon him, had a hand clasped over Lois's on the crook of his arm, perhaps to assure himself that she wasn't going to pull away. Clark, however, had eyes only for Lois. Framed by the ivy-bedecked doorway she stood out starkly in a white dress that seemed to float around her calves and lend a surreal quality to her beauty. The sweetheart neckline bared an expanse of creamy skin unadorned with any jewelry, her hair shone with auburn highlights in the sunshine, and her face was aglow with an inner light that sprang from her love for Clark. Clark knew he would never be able to say with any certainty what the dress was made of or in what style, he would only remember that Lois had never seemed more beautiful to him, and their eyes connected across the garden and never wavered. She came down the stairs as though floating over them, without looking down at her feet, trusting Perry to guide her to her fiance. Watching her approach him, Clark felt an almost painful surge of loving and tenderness. Lois was in no hurry this time, she allowed Perry to escort her with dignified paces. Every deliberate step brought her closer to the man she loved, and she felt the glory of the moment wash over her, filling her with light and love until she felt as though she were gliding on air. There had never been a sky as blue, air as pure, or a moment as beautiful as this. She had never experienced such a profound sense of destiny. At last Perry was lifting her hand and placing it in Clark's strong one, and their fingers entwined and squeezed gently as they gazed at each other in awe and wonder. Father Thomas began to speak in a gentle, lilting voice. He spoke of togetherness, of love that could overcome anything, of trust and sharing. Neither of them heard the words but the feelings touched them and brought them closer together. Standing facing one another, holding their hands between them, surrounded by a circle of people who loved them and shared in their joy, Lois and Clark smiled at each other, blissfully savoring and treasuring the moment. "Do you, Clark, take Lois for your wife? Do you promise to love and cherish her every day of your life, and respect and honor her above all else?" Clark found himself so engulfed with emotion that he had to swallow before he could answer. Lois's trusting eyes were so clearly filled with love that he wanted to take her in his arms and hold her close against him. He accepted the small, simple ring from Jimmy and slid it reverently onto Lois's trembling finger, then lifted her hand to his mouth and brushed his lips softly against it. "We do," he said, speaking the first word softly for her alone and letting the second one sound out clearly for all to witness. A delighted smile added even more brilliance to her face and made his heart well up with pleasure. Ellen sniffled softly, seeing the adoration plain on the handsome young man's face, the love he so clearly felt for her daughter giving her a wonderful contentment even as she swallowed the sadness of her little girl leaving her family to start a new one. The sweet man she would be proud to call her son-in-law was so completely in love that he had gotten the vows wrong, she thought with tenderness. Lois barely heard the preacher's voice as he asked if she was prepared to do the same. Her entire world was narrowed to this one man, this honest and gentle soul, who had always been there for her since the day they met, whether she had known it or not, looking out for her, keeping her safe, loving her without hesitation or reservation. He had never turned his back on her, never treated her selfishly or cruelly, and she knew he never would. She was overcome by a sense of awe that she could be so lucky as to be loved so passionately and so deeply by him. With a start she realized that the preacher's question hung in the air and everyone was waiting expectantly for her answer. Seeing that the bride had been utterly lost in Clark's loving gaze, there was a ripple of soft laughter that she shared in. She flashed a smile at Jimmy as she took the remaining ring and placed it on Clark's finger. "I do," she said, her voice clear and sweet and certain as she slid it into place. Father Thomas spoke some more, but once again the couple hardly heard the words. Overwhelmed by their feelings, they breathlessly waited for the moment that they could erase the slight space between them and be forever united. At last they heard the magic words pronounced, husband and wife, and with a small cry of happiness Lois took a half step forward and slipped her arms around Clark's neck. He held her close, one hand cupping her face as he bent his head to kiss her full lips, and Lois felt his tears land on her cheek. Their lips met with all the sweetness of a first kiss, and each was aware that it was made all the more special for being the first kiss of their life together as a family. "You may kiss the bride," Father Thomas said wryly as the couple's closest ones laughed and clapped in a display of love and joy. Lois let her head fall back, looking up into her husband's eyes. Clark gently brushed his own tears from her face. "I love you, Lois," he told her, his voice husky with emotion. "And I, you, Clark, with all my heart," she vowed, pushing back the lock of hair falling into his eyes. "Forever." "Forever," he echoed as he swept her into his arms again and buried his face in her soft hair, letting the smell and feel and sense of her envelop him completely. "I think you'd better put us back on the ground," Lois whispered into his ear in merriment as she felt herself floating. "We are on the ground," he responded, and flashed a beautiful smile at his wife's startled expression. "Then kiss me again," she demanded softly, her eyes dancing. So he did. THE END (chapel7.txt) = !^NavFont02F37070006MGHH~O4CA7 ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 20:45:42 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Pam Jernigan Subject: Classic Fanfic:GOING TO THE CHAPEL (6/7) Comments: To: Blind.Copy.Receiver@compuserve.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 GOING TO THE CHAPEL... (6/7) by Pam Jernigan (75540.2554@compuserve.com) and Sarah Wood (102116.3615@compuserve.com) Part Six The police agreed to take down their statement at the scene as long as they promised to come to the station the following day and answer any more questions. Lois and Clark nodded, both feeling tired and let down now that the crisis had passed. They were supposed to meet Marvin Gates in the building, just as they approached it exploded, they didn't see him but they presumed he had been inside at the time. Yes, they were lucky to be alive, no, they didn't need medical attention, they just wanted to go now. The police officers finally finished asking them questions and they began walking towards a street where they might find a phone. Lois slipped her arm around Clark's waist. "We canceled our wedding for nothing," she said in a small voice, feeling unbearably disappointed. "Not for nothing," he disagreed gently, rubbing her back soothingly. "The chance to get that evidence was too important to pass up on, we had to try." "But it's all gone." "The evidence Gates had, yes, but it isn't a total loss. All our work investigating the Parrish Casino has given us a lot to go on; we can look into the accident that Gates's friend Langley was in, see if we can find any evidence there; and now we know about two Intergang-owned companies, we can look into them. And we've got the inside story on the explosion," he added teasingly, but Lois wasn't in the mood to banter. "The Churches aren't likely to be spending any time in prison." "We'll get them, someday," Clark promised fiercely. "And if we can close down their primary money-laundering operation it'll take them a while to get back up to speed." Finding a phone, he placed a call for a cab. They stood close together next to the phone booth while they waited, trying to ignore the stares they were getting for their filthy and haggard appearance. "We'll write up the explosion straight away," Lois said, beginning to plan her next moves, and Clark smiled fondly at her. Somehow she always managed to bounce back. "You can write about Gates himself, the human interest thing, while I do the hard news." "Of course," he said with a grin. "Well, anything I would have to say about that slime wouldn't be very complimentary," she pointed out persuasively. "Anyway, we can write this up pretty quickly and then go to the reception." "Maybe we should go there first," Clark suggested. "No, then we'd never get away in time to have the story ready for the Sunday headlines." He recognized the glint of determination in her eyes and simply nodded. "I suppose it won't take long, and we can leave them in Perry's box for someone else to go over." Seeing Lois open her mouth to object, he gave her a firm look. "Everyone is waiting for us." "Okay," she gave in, contenting herself with the knowledge that at least the story would be under their byline. Even though it wasn't the Scoop of the Decade, it was still a Lane & Kent piece. * * * * * The reception faltered along. The food was excellent, the live band was superior, the bar was open, and the guests certainly had a lot to talk about, but as the hours passed without sight or sound of the bride and groom, the guests gradually began to drift away, making polite thank yous to Ellen Lane as they left. Perry White got up on the small stage and appropriated the lead singer's microphone. "Now, I know that things didn't go as planned here today," he said to the thinning crowd. "Y'all came to see a wedding, and the bride and groom had to answer the call of duty. Even Elvis served his country, you know. He came back, and so will they." With a wicked grin, Perry asked the band to play "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Are You Lonesome Tonight". "Come on, people, this here's a party! Let's not waste it!" He and Alice opened the dancing and were soon joined by the Kents and a few other couples. Jimmy, both relieved and disappointed that his speech wouldn't be needed, consoled himself by convincing the bridesmaids that ceremony demanded that they dance with the best man. Lois's cousin Carolyn, an 18-year-old blonde, held his attention in particular. The Daily Planet reporters took over two tables and managed to have a wonderful time. They debated the issue of whether Lois and Clark would reschedule the wedding or just slip off and elope, and none of them were in the least surprised that the intrepid reporters had put an investigation ahead of their own wedding ceremony. Cat Grant breezed in, eye-catchingly attired in a glittery green body suit. She danced with all the men, laughing as Perry dipped her, spinning a breathless Jimmy around the floor, and even had a whirl with Jonathan Kent, much to his consternation and Martha's amusement. "Enjoy your dance, dear?" Martha asked with a sly grin as her husband returned to their table, out of breath. "Well yes... I mean no..." Jonathan was flustered by the unexpected attention. "Oh, let's just play cards, I don't want to dance anymore." He withdrew a pack of cards from his inside jacket pocket. Martha's eyes widened. "What on earth did you bring those for?" He looked up, surprised at the question. "For our after-dinner poker game, of course." Martha laughed. "Oh Jonathan! Well, Ellen, what do you say? Are you in?" Mrs. Lane had been feeling rather withdrawn, embarrassed by her daughter's behavior, knowing that all her friends would be gossiping about this little scandal for some time to come. Everyone had been very polite, of course, assuring her that the wedding would no doubt be rescheduled, that it was a magnificent party, that the investigation was obviously very important, and that weddings were called off all the time. For a while she had felt angry that all her work arranging the wedding had gone to waste, and then she had been disappointed that she still hadn't seen her daughter actually get married. Watching the guests dancing and chatting finally relaxed her; everyone was enjoying the party despite the lack of a happy couple to toast, so her work hadn't been for nothing. The invitation to play poker brightened her up. "Certainly," she accepted warmly. "It will give us something to do while we wait for the bride and groom to arrive," she added dryly. Shaking her head, she laughed softly. "I suppose I should have known that something like this would happen when the phone rang this morning. Lois has been so busy on this story for a couple of weeks now." "I understand it's a very important investigation," Jonathan said carefully. "They're trying to get enough evidence to put two of Metropolis's most dangerous criminals in jail." Ellen's eyes widened slightly, for she had been too busy with wedding preparations to pay much attention to the story Lois was so distracted by. "Well, I hope they're successful, then. It's just a shame that they couldn't wait another hour or two." "You must be very disappointed," Martha commiserated. "I know you went to a lot of work to put all this together." Ellen made an elegant motion of dismissal with one hand. "I loved doing it, but I should have paid more attention to what Lois really wanted. They weren't comfortable with all this," she admitted, gesturing to the band. "I suppose this is what *I* wanted for Lois. At least it's a day we'll all remember, and at least they left the church together." Wanting to help his son's relationship with his future mother-in-law, Jonathan spoke up. "Clark loves your daughter, Ellen. They will get married." "Somehow," she agreed more cheerfully. "I'll let them arrange it themselves next time, though. After all, I have another daughter," she added with a smile as Lucy wandered over. "Lucy, darling, would you like to join us for some five card draw?" Lucy sat down agreeably as Jonathan began to deal the cards. "Great party, Mom! The band... the food... When I get married, are you going to throw a big splash like this for me?" Ellen and Martha shared a quick smile. "If you want it, dear, absolutely." "Cool!" Lucy exclaimed, bringing some consolation to her mother's heart. * * * * * When the would-be bride and groom finally arrived at the reception, still wearing their ruined outfits, only the closest friends and relatives remained at the reception hall. The poker game was in full swing, with Ellen as the surprise lead, proving to be as competitive as her daughter. At another table a few reporters lingered over their drinks. After all, it was an open bar. Perry and Alice were swaying to a soulful Elvis tune, as were Jimmy and Carolyn. "Lois!" Ellen cried, spotting her daughter at the door. Alarmed by the charred remains of her wedding gown, she ran over to hug her daughter tightly before pulling back and examining her. "What on earth happened? Are you two alright?" "We're okay, Mom," Lois reassured her, glancing around as everyone crowded in to greet them and hear the news. She explained about the explosion and looked down mournfully at her once-beautiful gown. "It's ruined," she said a little sadly, looking at her mother apologetically. "I'm sorry, Mom." Ellen hugged her again. "Oh Lois, I don't care about the silly gown! I'm just relieved you're alright." "But we canceled the wedding, and you worked so hard to try to make everything perfect for me," Lois sniffled, not wanting to start crying in front of everyone. Her mother smiled at her gently. "There's no need to apologize, darling. I understand that you had an important break in your story that just couldn't wait." Then, with a twinkle in her eye, she added, "But next time, dear, just send me an invitation!" Lois hugged her in relief and gratitude, drying her eyes. "Thanks, Mom," she whispered. Perry White hugged Lois too. "Are you kids sure you're okay?" he asked, concerned by their tattered clothes. "We're fine, Chief," Clark said. "Unfortunately, the evidence was destroyed in the explosion, but we wrote up what we could for the morning's headlines and we'll set to work on Monday following up some other clues we've got. Our pieces are in your in-box, perhaps Paula could go over them." "We're too tired to do any more work tonight," Lois added. "I'm sorry we were so late getting here, but we just had to get our story in tomorrow's edition." Perry, proud of his star reporters, asked a few more questions about their meeting with their source, and others chimed in with questions about the explosion, until Clark held up his hands to quiet everyone down. "You can read all about it in tomorrow's paper. We're in need of a shower and some clean clothes, I think." He wiped a smudge of grime from Lois's chin with a smile. "Lois and I would like very much to have a very small wedding at my parents' house - next weekend?" He looked inquiringly at his parents. Jonathan looked pleased, and Martha rapidly calculated a few things in her head. "That would be wonderful, Clark, but it will be a very small ceremony..." Lois and Clark shared a smile. "That sounds great, Martha," Lois replied. The couple thanked everyone again before going outside. They strolled hand in hand down the path to the waiting limousine. "So, where to?" she asked. "Well, we have reservations at the Lexor Hotel for the honeymoon suite," Clark said a bit uncertainly. Lois stopped abruptly and looked up at him, searching his eyes. "It'd be a shame to let it go to waste." "Are you implying what I think you're implying?" she demanded, suddenly feeling butterflies flittering crazily inside her. Clark smiled at her, and the impact sizzled up her spine. He gestured to the car, where the driver was holding the door open for them expectantly. They entered it quietly, sitting beside each other without actually touching, suddenly less at ease with each other than they've been for over a year. Lois's heart was racing. After waiting so long, could he possibly mean what he'd said? "Is this okay with you?" he asked quietly. "You know I've wanted this for a long time," she said with an unsteady laugh. "Are you sure it's what you want? We're not actually married yet." As much as she had teased him about waiting, she didn't want him to do anything he'd regret later. Clark looked at her, his eyes as intense as she'd ever seen them. "That's just a technicality. Today is our wedding day. I love you, Lois, and I will marry you. I came so close to losing you today, so tonight I want to hold you close to me. I need you," he said fervently, clasping her hand between his. "Oh Clark," she murmured, moving closer to cuddle against him, feeling a thrill course through her body at the contact between them. "Tonight will be perfect." Clark held her close to him, and their lips met in a passionate kiss as the limousine glided through the night. * * * * * With a sigh of satisfaction, Lois grabbed the printout of her copy and perched on the edge of her partner's desk. "How's it coming along, sweetheart?" she asked, leaning over to plant a moist kiss on his cheek. Clark paused in his typing long enough to give her an intimate smile. "Almost done." "I'm going to drop mine into Perry's box," Lois told him. Clark nodded as he turned his attention back to his writing. Trailing her fingers over his shoulder in a light caress as she rose, Lois enjoyed a little shiver of delight. They had had a magical night at the Lexor, it had been everything she had fantasized about and more, and she couldn't wait until the weekend. The partners had agreed, after that one night together, to stay at their respective homes during the work week and wait until their true wedding, but Lois was already regretting that romantic promise. Every glance at Clark reminded her of that evening and made her heart race. Concentrating on work had proved to be a very difficult task. Perry looked up with a special smile he reserved just for Lois. "Hi honey, finished the follow-up piece on the Parrish Casino?" "At last! Mine's about the Intergang connection, Clark's writing the financial angle of it." "How's the police investigation coming along?" the chief asked as he picked up Lois's article to skim through it. "I spoke to Detective Marley earlier. The Feds closed the casino down and raided it for evidence. Sam Reynolds, who was in charge of the money-laundering, has been taken into custody. There's no telling right now how much Intergang managed to delete or remove first, but it looks like the investigation will have some major results," she said, with deep satisfaction. "And in the meantime, with the casino shut down, Intergang can't funnel their money through it, which means they can't finance any legal operations until they've set up a new laundering operation. That should take them a while." "You two did a great job," Perry said seriously, extending his words to Clark, who was entering the office with papers in hand. "Unfortunately, neither of the Churches are being implicated, there's nothing to link them to the casino," Clark said, still upset on that score. "We'll get them, partner," Lois told him determinedly. "Perhaps when we look into Island Realty and Bishop Industries, those two Intergang fronts that Gates told us about, then we might find something implicating the Churches. We'll start on that first thing tomorrow morning." "Okay, partner," Clark said, feeling better knowing that Lois would work hard with him to expose the Churches as the heads of Intergang. They gazed into each others' eyes, forgetting where they were, forgetting about their boss sitting at his desk. Perry looked fondly at his ace team. "Why don't you two lovebirds call it a day, go on outta here." Clark held out his hand to Lois, and she slipped hers into his. "See you tomorrow, Chief." "Well now, hang on a second," Perry said, a bit disgruntled. "You two were supposed to be enjoying your honeymoon this week and next, you're not supposed to be in here working, you should be off together, alone." "We're going to have our honeymoon next week," Clark told him, giving Lois a look that showed her how difficult the waiting was for him as well. "We'll be working this week, tracking down the other leads we have. After postponing our wedding over this story, we want to cover every angle we can think of!" "Well, if you're sure," Perry said uncertainly. It was clear to him, from the way the partners were lost in one another, that they ought to be alone together, but he certainly wasn't going to kick them out of the newsroom and assign the Intergang pieces to another reporter. "We're sure," Lois answered. "This is *our* story, Chief, and we're going to see it through." Somehow, Perry was not surprised. To be continued... (chapel6.txt) = !^NavFont02F35A40007MGHH|A59530 ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 04:40:38 -0700 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Debby Stark Subject: Swap-Meet: Burbank part 10 of 20 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Swap-Meet: Burbank part 10 of 20 by Debby Stark, Debby@swcp.com "But *I'm* the one having the headaches, and I'm the only one, other than you, who the machine didn't affect like Herkimer Johnson thought it would. It keeps attacking me, I'm marked..." She seemed to shrink a little into her chair. "It hates me..." "Lois..." He reached for her hand. "Oh, what am I saying?" She frowned at herself and straightened up. "That's silly." She took his hand instead and squeezed it confidently. She looked at K. "Can I have some more soup, please?" "Certainly, dear," and the woman rose immediately to get it, keeping half an eye on her reanimated young guest. "Make it a *big* bowlful, please..." Clark asked. Lois gave him an exasperated look but didn't contradict the request. "Oh, Clark, I know the machine can't hate me. Of course, I hate *it*... but it's just a *machine,* for gosh sakes! And I'm, well, I'm flesh and blood *and* I'm special, what can I say?" "You *are* special, honey, but..." He paused to watch K set the steaming bowl of soup before Lois. "Thanks, K. I'm sorry I got crazy there for a moment." "Maybe you were right to get crazy, maybe in your world, machines can hate people..." "No, no, they don't, not unless they're cars or standard kitchen appliances. Sometimes those things go ber*serk*..." But she smiled. "It is a little hard to really hate that machine, it *did* help me get my memory back. I was on the edge and it tipped me back over." "You and I could have done it more gently," Clark said firmly. "Now they've changed it and they've tested it five times, at times that coincide with your headaches. I don't like the sound of that. Did you tell Dr. Klein about it?" "I thought about it, but Tisdell knows more about the experiment, he's in charge of it. He wasn't in, so I made an appointment with him this afternoon. I figured he could fix things before the next test and I wouldn't have to worry about another headache, but now here I am, so..." "Okay. Did you get a chance to check out the machine itself?" "Check it out? Not quite, but I saw it, that's how I recognized it. I couldn't believe it was the same machine, but Dr. Klein confirmed it. I did... touch it, I..." Her eyes widened and she sat back again. "Ohmigosh..." "What happened?" "Nothing! I mean, well, nothing *much*..." "Lois..." "Well, it was strange, except... it wasn't, now that I know more..." She sat forward again and tested the bowl of soup's heat by daring herself to hold it, keeping her hands busy. "I touched one of the levers--*very* innocently, I didn't move it or *anything,* I just *touched* it, and suddenly I was in the newsroom! Except it *wasn't* the newsroom and I wasn't really there, I don't think I was, anyway, it was like an illusion. I was sitting at my desk, though it didn't look like my desk, and I was typing, except it looked like a fake keyboard. The screen had a cartoon pasted on it. We *don't* do that in the newsroom," she assured Justin and K. "We're in a *serious business.* Then I remember... there was something happening behind me and someone said 'Pssst!' and I turned around. *You*," she pointed at Clark, "were coming out of the elevator until voices from everywhere shouted 'deegum' or 'ghumdee' or something like that and you fell back into the elevator like you'd been hit by a sock full of cold spaghetti." "That wasn't *me*." "I know!" "*I* was there," Justin burst out. "It was 'Gum, Dean!'" Lois stared him. "Huh?" "It was a joke on Dean. It was Teri's idea. He chews gum. It's a nervous habit. He likes to chew it right up to the last moment, sometimes he sort of ignores the time and cuts it close. Teri and the director arranged this joke on him today and sprung it on him and boy was he surprised! But I know he thought it was really funny, too, because he smiling after it." Lois looked thoughtful. "Well, you were, no, he was wearing the clothes we... you... arrived here in, and I was only 'there' for a few seconds but *now* I know that it looked like the studio." "The machine is the connection then, the mechanism," Clark frowned. "It must still have the hots for you," Justin nodded then sat back and pretended someone else had suggested that. "You touched it--like *I* would have done--and it transported you here briefly." "And pulling my hand away brought me back--or I never left in the first place but my... mind did. Our whole bodies are here now somehow." "And we both switched as we kissed." "Wow..." K said. She glanced at Justin. "That 'wow' was for both of us." "So maybe something contaminated me, built up in me, waiting for me to kiss someone..." She grimaced. "Think of who I *could* have wound up here with...!" "No, it probably had to be me, and maybe just touching you would have been enough. The machine didn't affected me when Johnson used it, but it could have contaminated me, and I've been holding the charge. Maybe not a lot of it but enough. You get... contaminated by the machine by touching it, then the first time we get in close contact," he snapped his fingers, "the machine switches us by remote control somehow. We go to the same place that it's sending Metropolis's bad weather and maybe taking the good weather from. It has to balance things out somehow, so it takes your Mr. Cain and Ms. Hatcher." "It 'has' to?" "Well, no, but it has." "But wait," K said. "Metropolis is standing in for New York, not Los Angeles, at least I think..." "New York and Los Angeles are big cities, that might be enough, or..." Clark considered this quickly, using all he knew of meteorology, quantum physics, time warps, science fiction classics, and the fact that nothing ever "goes away," from trash to the weather. "...perhaps time doesn't matter to the machine. It just looked for a matching alternate universe to take some weather from and dump Metropolis's poor weather. It's been doing that for a week and along we come, contaminated, and we... match some profile it has. It trades us for our closest doubles here, Mr. Cain and Ms. Hatcher. Maybe we inadvertently opened a reverberating time door and the weather has... preceded us. Maybe the machine was forced to pick Los Angeles's weather and not New York's or any other place's to trade for Metropolis's weather..." Both K and Justin blinked a collective "Huh?" "Don't worry," Lois advised them with a smile. "A lot of what we get into doesn't always make sense until we've thought about for a while afterward." "Sometimes it doesn't make any sense even then," Clark admitted. "Okay, I think we can say for now that the machine caused what happened. There are probably other factors, but..." "But they don't matter," Lois sighed. She pushed her empty bowl forward, put her elbows on the table, rested her head in her hands, and looked glum. "The Vibro Whammy is in Metropolis and we're here in an entirely different world, in southern California of all places. If those actors *are* in Metropolis, it doesn't matter if they're brain surgeons, they have no clue about what happened. We're *all* stuck..." She folded her arms down on the table and put her forehead on her upper wrist. "I'm *not* an *actress* and I *refuse* to wear tight little clothes and too high heels any more!" Clark had sudden visions of Lois choosing to do nude layouts rather than be stuffed into TV star clothing... He rolled mental eyes at himself, did an about face, and patted her on the back. "There, there, have some more soup." She rose enough to give him a dirty look. "Clark..." "We'll figure this out," he assured her, despite the nervous little worry that whispered a suggestion that *he* might be reduced to doing nude layouts if they were stuck here, for he couldn't act... No, he told himself, he'd find and put to good use another supersuit before he tried acting. In the meantime, "Think of this as the vacation we haven't had time until now to enjoy." *** Lois sighed, appeared to regain her composure, and she had some more buttered bread, claiming that she wasn't depressed about their prospects but thinking up a totally unexpected solution. K and Justin clearly didn't know what to do to help, and Clark had a hard time watching Lois secretly mope, trying to it keep even from him. Help, Superman! Finally he said, "We can't just sit here, we're used to solving our problems. Maybe there *is* a solution somewhere in this city. Let's visit Ms. Hatcher's home and get Lois some more clothing and then take a drive around. We can sightsee." He looked at K, "If you don't mind..." "Not at all. I enjoy showing out-of-towners around, and you're from *way* out of town..." Donning their disguises again, they headed for Teri Hatcher's home, Lois and Clark in the back seat this time. Just as Justin knew how to enter Cain's home, K knew about Hatcher's, and Clark and Justin entered along with them to help. Hatcher's clean, tidy home was larger than Cain's. She had more pets and a beautiful garden as well. Lois marveled politely at how the busy woman kept everything going and had, according to K, single-handedly refinished the bathroom while at the same time working on a movie. Justin and Clark helped take care of the friendly pets, then headed for the living room, where Clark looked over Hatcher's library. No clues here. He did find several scrap books and in them came across some of the fashion layouts the actress had done. Justin told him that the pictures had appeared in famous magazines and he marveled at outtake shots that hadn't been published but given to the actress anyhow. To Clark's great relief, while some of the pictures left little to the imagination, in none of them did the woman appear in the all-together. Justin disrupted this thought by pointing out that in the her video move collection was a copy of "Heaven's Prisoners," in which she had a nude scene, but apparently it was integral to the character and not gratuitous. She wasn't the star of the film but her name was recognized and she had done lot of promotion. She worked hard, he said, and her efforts had paid off. Clark closed the scrap book, told himself to smile and commented favorably about Hatcher being so industrious. He also declined Justin's offer to cue up the scene. K and Lois picked out clothing that Lois could use, most of it for relaxing but one nice outfit in case for any reason they decided to go out on the town. Clark couldn't imagine them doing that, but it was good to be prepared. If Lois insisted that they do so in the pursuit of a clue, he could fly at near invisible speed to Cain's home and choose something appropriate. When the women joined them in the living room, K pointed out the scrap books and Lois sat down immediately to flip through them. She was shocked at some of the pictures... "Did you see these?" She demanded of her husband. "She better hope I don't have to play her for very long--*I'm* not going to do this!... But she does seem to be famous... and these ones with Dean... he does look like you, except when he combs his hair that way and wears that kind of clothing... He's not bad looking... And there's her husband..." K sat down beside her and they went through the scrap book, K explaining things differently than Justin had. Relieved by what he was hearing her say and somewhat embarrassed about what he had been thinking, Clark realized that Lois might catch his expression and read it as other than he intended. To avoid this, he excused himself and went out to visit the garden. At just past three, the quartet assured themselves that the animals were happy and the garden was in good shape, they closed up the home again and headed away to see some of the highlights of the Los Angeles area. The traffic was deemed "light," and K and Justin speculated this due to the impending holiday. Lois and Clark were nonetheless reminded of typical heavy traffic in Metropolis. They struggled down three blocks of Hollywood Boulevard, rolled through Beverly Hills, angled past the La Brea Tar Pits (the scent of oil heavy in the still, humid air), headed east through neighborhoods perched on hillsides, and twisted around to the top of a mountain in Griffith Park, finding the Observatory. There were few tourists here because clouds were moving in and a storm threatened. They took time to get out of the car, stretch their legs and glimpse the immensity of the city from this viewpoint. They even caught sight of the big, white "Hollywood" sign. This wilderness in the midst of the city amazed Lois, but Clark noted that the only wild animals were a few common birds and one squirrel industriously stuffing squares of paper towel into its hole. Half way back down the mountain they saw a bird sanctuary, but its non-native plants were artificially watered. Pretty but at the same time straining credulity. The rain arrived with a sprinkle as they passed a covered merry-go-round in the process of being restored. Lois said that if they stayed here much longer, she wanted to ride it. They made it back to K's home by 5, just as the storm broke. Justin braved the lightning to call home and inform his mother where he was and that he was safe. K watched the storm from one of her picture windows, worried. She explained that she had a session scheduled on "America Online" to talk about the progress of her latest book and about the show. It was supposed to start at six but she wouldn't even turn on her computer if the weather didn't calm down. She'd call and talk to someone named Amy by phone if the storm kept up that long. Watching it didn't help anything, she declared. She turned away and proceeded to give Lois and Clark a tour of her house. They had seen part of it already (the kitchen and the nearer bathroom mostly), but now they saw everything, ending up in the guest bedroom. K said she usually used it for a den and an entertainment room. There were a TV and VCR here, and half a wall of video tapes and a shelf full of scripts that included those for Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of... It also had a queen-size bed, which Lois sat down on to try out. She bounced a little. "This is comfortable! This is so nice of you, K!" "I'm sure you'd do the same for me." "Consider yourself invited!" She looked at Clark though. "We *must* get that other bathroom installed!" Hey, he'd been bugging her about it, hadn't he? It was hard to give parties when they had to ask everyone use the one upstairs. K smiled, but didn't offer her carpentry skills. "Now, is it my imagination or haven't we had any lightning in the last five minutes?" "Almost ten," Clark said, "And I think the pressure's rising, too." Naturally, they heard thunder at that moment, but he shook his head, "No, that distant. The storm is either moving inland or blowing itself out." "It's certainly shorter than the last few then. I wonder if it says anything about the tests of the machine..." "Maybe this storm was due to this morning's test... or tomorrow's if it bounces back..." Lois looked at Clark but he could only shrug. "*Maybe* it blew a fuse," Justin said. "And couldn't dump as much as it wanted to on us." "No, it can't," Lois told him. "It has work just right until we get back. *Then* I will personally take a sledge hammer to it." "You'll need your strength for that," K said. "I'll fix some snacks. I don't feel like making a heavy dinner since that's what I'll be doing tomorrow. If you're here, you can join me, but maybe you'd like to watch some tapes now?" "Oh, yeah!" Justin smiled. "I think you should watch the pilot. *Every*one liked it, even me, even though I wasn't in it. You can see if it's like what really happened." Lois and Clark agreed to this and K let Justin figure out how to set things up. She then made sandwiches, brought them in and stayed to watch for the first half hour as the rain slowly eased. She gave them some background information about what went into making the pilot and how the actors had been chosen. At about 5:50, she quietly informed them that she had decided it was safe to go on line after all and she crept away. Lois and Clark watched the rest of the pilot of the show based on their lives and were pleasantly surprised at how close to the truth it was. There were a lot of things missing, of course, but that was an inherent limitation of the media. The story hit the high points, from one of "Lois"'s hobbies being curling up with ice cream to "Clark" saving her and that version of "Jimmy" from the burning hanger. It was spooky watching all this... but somehow satisfying, too. The production team had done a good job, while the actors were... credible. Clark thought Cain was a little wooden, but Lois said that worked in a "Clark" searching for a place to settle down and begin a life-long adult job. The poor man was uncertain and the isolated feelings Cain projected into the character worked for her. "Besides, you were *such* a neophyte...!" "Compared to you, the know-it-all veteran..." "Rank amateur..." "Almost burned out..." "Couldn't tie his shoes..." "Couldn't get a date..." "Are you two really friends?" She bored a finger into one of Clark's more ticklish spots. He grabbed her and tossed her up into the air. She shrieked. He caught her like the rose he swore she was and indulged in the kiss she granted him. K rushed in, came to a screeching halt and frowned, hands on hips. "Children!" "Hmm?" Lois and Clark said together. Justin explained: "They were just showing me what good friends they've become since the pilot." "Well, calm down, I'm on the IRC now and it requires more of my attention since it's not moderated." "IRC?" Lois blinked. She pushed away from and looked at Clark, questions--no, suspicions--no, *hope* in her brown eyes. "I've got a wild thought, maybe too wild..." She gripped his shirt. "Don't look at me like that, Clark, not all of my thoughts are wild!" "No, they're not, but..." "I'm not getting my hopes up or being unrealistic. Humor me. I humored you about telling them." "You did? Was I present for that?" "Yes! Listen, there *might* be a connection--and don't you want to look, too?" *** K Callan's Home In Some Suburb of Some Alternative Los Angeles Day One, Evening Approximately 7:15 K explained that she usually kept her desktop machine in the den, but had recently moved it to the sunroom which, despite its name, wasn't getting much sun this time of year but it did give her an inspirational view of garden and she enjoyed listening to the birds. Now Lois and Clark watched a typical IRC session scrolling by on her 15-inch screen. She said she had signed off AOL and was using her more reliable local provider. Lois said that she and Clark used one, too, and their software looked similar. Their two worlds even shared the idea of nicknames, nicknames like... "Look!" she pointed at the screen, "It's 'Zoomway'! *That's* a name you can't forget!" Clark nodded. "And Teragram and Uni were on this morning, too." K frowned at the screen and turned a confused look at Lois. "People use these nicks in Metropolis, too?" Justin shook his head. "Nah, there can only be *one* Zoomway." "Well..." Lois frowned in thought. "It's the strangest thing. Jimmy gave me a program he found called 'lois.exe,' which is an odd name to say the least. He thought it was a communications program, but he hadn't tried it. It was clean because I checked it; I don't put just anything on my system. But my curiosity got the better of me this morning, sometimes it does." She shot a warning glace at Clark, who wisely immediately looked at some far corner of the room. "The program self extracted, found my internal modem and turned it on and dialed a local number--it didn't say what one." "555-4321," Clark said. "It played some jazzy music to cover the dial tone, I think, but I caught it anyhow." "They didn't figure on you listening in. It got right through and suddenly we were in the middle of a Windows IRC session--" "You have Windows in Metropolis?" Jimmy asked. "Certainly!" She looked at Clark. He knew just a little bit more about some programs than she did. "Her system has Win2000, or WinMet, or Windows Metropolis 2000," Clark explained. "We looked into it for a story just before it was announced last year, and it turns out that the Metropolis Chamber of Commerce paid a lot of money to put Metropolis's name on an operating system that just has more bells and whistles than Win3.5, which I personally prefer because it doesn't crash as much and it recognizes all my peripherals and doesn't sulk if it doesn't find what it likes as opposed to what I want." That tired old argument again? "Well, my system came with it already installed and *I* like it." But before she could think of a more stinging retort, Lois noticed that K and Justin were watching them back and forth again, as though she were playing pingpong with Clark. They were wide eyed and paying close attention. Why did the two *do* that? It was distracting. "*Anyway,*" she decided to continue because she really had no desire to humiliate Clark in front of their new friends even if she could have thought of a way to do so, "it was a Windows session and it had a status bar on the top that said we were in the... what was it... Locally Accessed..." She glanced just at touch at Clark. "'Locally Originating InterStellar Communications Link Access.'" "Yeah, that, it was right on the tip of my tongue." Justin worked it out. "L-O-I-C-L-E...." "Not 'excess,' 'Access,' A, and InterStellar was two linked words." "Oh, I knew that." "L-O-I-S-C-L-A..." K raised her eyebrows. "That's interesting... Oh." She had to pause and answer a question that was addressed to her in the group she had joined. Lois spotted her nick. "You don't look like a Danny." "I do when I'm knee deep in wood chips or putting up wallpaper..." "Let me get this straight," Justin said, "Are you saying that the program named after you could log into the Lois and Clark channel on *our* IRC? On the Undernet yet?" Clark straightened up. "It's beginning to look like that. It is strange..." "But surely not in your..." K paused. "I mean, stranger things seem to happen where you come from than they do here. Strange things are just *dreamed up* here..." Her computer beeped. The window she was in minimized slightly and below it flickered an icon. Lois asked, "What's that mean? Who's ILuvCK--wait, don't tell me..." "I don't know who it is, but they want to private chat." "Oh, I don't do that." "You lurk too much," Clark reminded her. "I use a genderfree nickname and hide my real name. It's also how I find out things." Besides, if she wanted to talk to just anybody she'd use a nick like Lola or Desperate. "Well, I'm not taking that one." K clicked once on the box and told the resulting pop-up menu to close. Someone else, MetroDuo, tried a different method to achieve a chat session, and she simply clicked on the "refuse" button. "But they recognize your name?" "Yes, some do. I get on IRC every now and then. Generally everyone's quite nice. Teri and Dean get on, too, but they're mobbed unless they hide their names. If fans got used to them, saw them as real people, I don't think they'd have so much trouble". "I've been on a few times, too," Justin smiled. "I hide out *really* well, though, so *no* one's ever suspected." "Oh, there's a clever one, Talk2meK." Lois shook her head. "Who do you usually talk to?" "Zoomway, Demi, a couple of others." Another DCC request interrupted her. "Hmm, the kids are a little restless, but I don't blame them. They get three new episodes in a row, then nothing this weekend. I understand that they're antsy, but they should really identify themselves better, in the main channel, if they expect me to talk privately to them." She clicked on the refuse option for this one, too. "They mean well and they love the show and I love saying hi, but I simply can't talk to everyone. I'd rather stay on the channel and talk in the whole group, it's more fun." I suppose we should give equal time for MATHs that guy in MAY was somthn else LOL, Zoom. Did you notice that Clark didn't ask Lois what she did while he was away. ??? "They're talking about your show, obviously, except what's a MATH?" (continued) ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 23:12:40 NFT Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: "Enrico.Horn" Subject: A Question please read Hi Kate Halpern has asked me to ask the people on this list whether anybody still has her fanfic "Baby,Baby" that she lost some time ago. If you still have please send it to me so i can forward it to her. If you think you of know someone who could still have that piece of fanfic I would like to know too. Thank you very much Enrico Horn enhorn@wirtschaft.tu-ilmenau.de Farmboy on #loiscla ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 22:45:48 -0200 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Tereza Cain Subject: Re: A Question please read Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hi Farm! I do not have this fanfic. In fact, I didn't get it in. So, if you find it, could you please send to me also? Thanks, Tereza Cain Don't worry, be happy! ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 20:46:15 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Margaret Brignell Subject: SwapMeet: Metropolis - Intermission Part Deux Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Okay, it's like this Would you believe? The time in Metropolis moves at a much faster pace than Burbank. I like to get to the point;) Debby writes *way* more text than I do As a result, rumour has it that Debby and I don't coincide on story lines again until Sunday the 16th. So stay tuned to find out: Does Teri get back to Jon? -drat, I guess the news from Monday spoils *that* one Does Dean find the love of his life and true happiness? - shoot, I guess that engagement thing ruins *that*;p Do... Oh, forget the hype...just stay tuned until Sunday Margaret ****************************** Margaret Brignell brignell@capitalnet.com Ottawa, Canada %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% My fanfic now available at: http://www.capitalnet.com/~brignell/ ****************************** ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 21:18:56 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: "Amanda K." Subject: Re: Classic Fanfic: GOING TO THE CHAPEL In a message dated 97-11-11 21:29:43 EST, you write: << In honor of the reruns of the ARRGH this week on TNT, I offer up an alternate view of the wedding... Sarah Wood and I wrote this story during the '95 summer break, which explains our villains... and please note that at the time we wrote this, we'd only seen Lois's mother once, during "House of Luthor", so this was all guesswork on our part. We think we did pretty good... but you be the judge >> Hi! I really enjoy reading you fanfic! Is there a site where all of it is posted? You see, I get so much mail, that it would be much easier for me to read it at a site where ALL the fanfics are located, because this is the first one I have seen. If there is a site, please let me know how to access it. Thanks! Amanda Z Lois Ken@aol.com ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 21:21:47 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: "Amanda K." Subject: Re: Classic Fanfic: GOING TO THE CHAPEL Is "swap-meet, part 10 of 20" Written by Debbie Stark from you list too? If so is it listed at a website too? Thanks! Amanda ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 21:56:01 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Kathy Brown Subject: Fanfic Archive [was Re: Classic Fanfic: GTTC] In-Reply-To: <971112211756_1804601577@mrin85.mail.aol.com> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 9:18 PM -0500 11/12/97, Amanda K. wrote: >Hi! I really enjoy reading you fanfic! Is there a site where all of it is >posted? You see, I get so much mail, that it would be much easier for me to >read it at a site where ALL the fanfics are located, because this is the >first one I have seen. If there is a site, please let me know how to access >it. Thanks! >Amanda >Z Lois Ken@aol.com Pam and Sarah do have a webpage for just their fanfic, but I'll let them post the URL since I don't have it off the top of my head. If you were talking about all fanfic, however, not just Pam's, then yes, there is a website where fanfic is posted. There are currently nearly 700 stories there now, with more being posted all the time. The main Fanfic Archive gateway is now located at: You can go directly to "What's New", or search by author, title, or theme. If you are brand new to fanfic, I recommend searching by theme and checking out the "What's New" category every few weeks. I'd also ask your friends for their recommendations on favorite fanfic and authors, then search by title and author. >Is "swap-meet, part 10 of 20" Written by Debbie Stark from you list too? If >so is it listed at a website too? Thanks! Debby and Margaret's Swap Meet is not currently on the Archive, but it is on Debby's ftp site, as are all of Debby's stories and several others by various other authors. Kathy _________________________________ Kathy Brown Editor-In-Chief Lois and Clark Fanfic Archive kbrown@toolcity.net KathyB on IRC _________________________________ ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 14:08:36 +1100 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Leanne Genn Subject: Re: S5: Episode 6... Serendipity (er, possible S5 spoilers) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit It was probably just one of those universal alignment things I'm on leave this week, and on Monday morning--after completing a quick grocery shop--picked up a copy of Loreena McKennitt's new CD "Book of Secrets" as a holiday gift to myself. I hurried home around 11 am, thinking that the season five episode would be "airing" by the time I got home; and I could stick the CD on and happily read (er, "watch') the episode before the test match broadcast started... I had just reached the first mention of Alfred Noyes' "hero" in "From the Ashes" when Loreena's lovely voice lifted in her adaptation of this brilliant poem. That'll teach me to read the song list on the cover before playing the next CD I purchase ... I nearly jumped out of my skin in startlement. This is my roundabout way of getting to the fact that I'm really enjoying the seasons five, very much indeed. "I think there are few who would not approve." I've not much constructive to say, that would necessitate thinking--and heaven forbid that eventuality! So thank you all, so very much, Leanne. ========================== Leanne Genn [lgenn@powerup.com.au] "High above the hushed crowd, Rex tried to remain focused. Still, he couldn't shake the one nagging thought: He was an old dog and this was a new trick." ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 23:28:24 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Pam Jernigan Subject: Re: Classic Fanfic: GOING TO THE CHAPEL Comments: To: Blind.Copy.Receiver@compuserve.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 >> Hi! I really enjoy reading you fanfic! Is there a site where all of it= is posted? << Amanda, I see Kathy's already pointed you to the official Archive, which is a treasure trove and a wonderful resource, and we all bow down and worship those resourceful and dedicated people who staff it... But since she mentioned that I have a page dedicated to my stories, I'll mention that as well... It's Sarah & Pam's Shrine o'Fanfic at: = http://www.geocities.com/hollywood/2501 In fact the Shrine does have one or two small stories that aren't on the Archive... so if you've got some time to kill... PJ (who's just waiting til Friday to send out some post-FMN revenge fics = ) !^NavFont02F02390018MGJHG44MG46E6H89MH8AHI3AA914 E-mail from: Pam Jernigan, 12-Nov-1997 jernigan@compuserve.com / ChiefPam on the IRC ~~~~~ Unreformed, unrepentent, sometimes unproductive but never uninteresting fanfic writer = Visit Sarah & Pam's Shrine o'Fanfic at: http://www.geocities.com/hollywood/2501 ~~~~~ Lois and Clark Season 5 Fanfic: http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/season5.htm ~~~~~ "The first thing she said to me was 'Herbie, get me to the Planet.' Naturally, I wondered which planet..." "Ah, Constable, you've returned. Upon reflection, I imagine this pleases= me." <-- Due South is back! :-) ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 04:40:30 -0700 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Debby Stark Subject: Swap-Meet: Burbank part 11 of 20 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Swap-Meet: Burbank part 11 of 20 by Debby Stark, Debby@swcp.com "Men Admiring Teri Hatcher," Justin smiled. "I've used that myself a few times." "Oh, great..." "Well, it is..." What am I worried about? Lois wondered. She winked at Justin, hoping that told him she was just kidding. He smiled, accepting that. Heh. Kena: my thoughts exactly :P Cat, ;) Hi, K! but despite that they won't have a new episode until after Thanksgiving :P~~~~ LCWS allert! "Lois and Clark Withdrawal Symptoms." "Syndrome, wasn't it?" "Well, it could be, depending on how many weeks and reruns..." K smiled and keyed in quickly: > you all ae strong > ae = are > You'll survive. Chocolate sustains all. *MetroDuo wonder if Lois and Clark like Burbank? eeewww... Dan kissed me?!?!?!?! Where's the rabies shots! * Jei-El hands karl a coottie shot ;) hi uni, I'm lagged :( "Reruns?" Lois asked. "We only film 22 episodes," Justin explained, "but there are 52 weeks, so there are reruns and specials, and no new shows at all in the summer." "The special effects must take some time," Clark guessed. "Yeah, they do, and we have good ones, too." K had frowned and leaned closer to the screen. "What was *that*?" Lois saw that the screen was scrolling madly, apparently in reaction to what "Danny" had said. Concentrating on the channel again, K moused over to grab the edge of the screen and scroll the conversation back. When she reached her destination, she used her mouse to point out the line. "There, that." Clark read it aloud this time, though Lois was sure he'd memorized everything he had seen. "'MetroDuo wonder if Lois and Clark like Burbank'... Ohmigosh..." Lois was struck at last by what this could mean. She grabbed his arm and squeezed, hard, which she knew he could take. "They *did* find our house!--And my computer!--*And* that program! They even figured out how it works! They *are* smart!" Justin raised his eyebrows. "Of course they are! You left your computer on?" "And this *can't* be a trap," she exclaimed, aiming this at Clark because he looked shocked, even doubtful and here *she* was usually the suspicious one. "There's no noxious gas coming out of the... the A drive there, no strange unearthly noises, no men dressed in military fatigues attacking this house..." "I certainly *hope* not!" But K smiled. "Let me whois them," She slightly minimized her active window and clicked on the edge of her status window. "It's faster going this way." She keyed in /whois MetroDuo After a few long moments came the reply: MetroDuo ~test@LocOrISComLinAcc.Metropolis.nt.us * MetroDuo MetroDuo #loiscla MetroDuo Metropolis.nt.us.universalnet.edu [101.010.101.01] Universal Online Services/"Over The Rainbow" MetroDuo End of /WHOIS list. "I've never seen anything quite like that," K admitted. None of them had. "Can *we* message *them*?" Lois asked. "Sure--no, they've beat us to it," she nodded at the second DCC request from the mysterious nick, clicked on "accept" this time, and was informed that a chat was being initiated. Time passed. Session Start: Wed Nov 27 19:29:46 1996 DCC Chat session - Client: MetroDuo (000.0.00.00) - Acknowledging chat request... DCC Chat connection established - K thought a moment and, taking the first shot, typed: > Hi! Interesting question, who wants to know? In a moment, the reply: Hi K:) Teri and Dean. Lois caught her breath and gripped Clark's arm again. "See? See?" "I see, I just think we should be a little cautious." "But this *can't* be a coincidence," Justin claimed. "That looks *just* like how Teri types, I think..." "I agree," K nodded, "about the coincidence, anyhow, but still..." she typed: > Teri and Dean who? There was a painfully long pause that Lois thought Clark probably would have clocked at a matter of seconds. "More than 60 seconds," he muttered... Then, maybe 5 seconds later, they read. The refugees from the Pasta Pirate. Did you escape Vincent's clutches again, in the lab this morning? "Well, I guess paparazzi *could* know that," Justin pointed out. "Even somebody on the list could know that, darn it..." K said, "You're right, though list members are more careful, but I've had a few jokers try to fool me this way in the past, so..." She typed, > Yes, but anyone could know that. "Still, they might be just innocent kids..." so she added: > Give me something else. Another pause. "Either we're dealing with hunt-and-peck typists," Lois growled, "or the universe is *really* lagged..." "It's only been twenty... 8 seconds," Clark told her calmly. She punched his shoulder. Justin raised his eyebrows. Clark didn't notice either thing, naturally, but kept his eyes on the screen. Some time later: Martha wants to know if Lois is still getting her early morning headaches. Clark's eyes widened a little. "*Mom*'s there!" he whispered, his voice coming *this* close to cracking with delighted surprise. Lois didn't wonder about this. His hesitation, his belief that this could be a good thing, must have unconsciously hinged on his mother's presence "over there." It *was* startling, except, "Well, she was due in--and they didn't know they had to pick her up. I bet she took a cab, waltzed right into the house, realized right away they weren't us, and she slapped them around." "Lois..." This was working, distracting him out of his cautionary mood. "It probably wouldn't take much to force the truth out of them." "Mom is sneaky but never violent." He couldn't really think she believed otherwise, could he? "I'm just joking." "I know." She smiled; yes, he probably did know that now. K said, "Well, how do you want me to answer this? Do you think it's them?" Clark nodded and said calmly. "It's them. I thought so all along." Lois punched him again. This time he grinned. > Not now she isnt:) > Is it really you? Yes:) I guess we're not in Kansas any more:p K looked back at Lois and Clark. "I think one of you should take over from here." "Me!" Lois said, and she took the back of the chair to help K out of it. But Clark took Lois gently in turn, by her shoulders, and eased her away from the chair. "You can't type, you have to rest your knuckles. You've already punched me twice in the last five minutes." "Wait a minute..." "And I'm bigger than you." "That's not fair..." "Too bad, eat and exercise more, and get plenty of sleep." He made himself at home and continued with a straight face, "It made me the man I am today." He typed: > Neither are we Time marched on. Are Lois and Clark there? Martha's anxious. "I wonder who's typing for them? Can't they type any faster?" "They're writers," Justin informed him. "Of course they can type, and fast, too." > We're right here, and we're fine :) This si Clark Lois clapped her hands and said triumphantly, "Ah-ha! I *told* you!" > is Clark. Worn out after taking a tour of the set and LA. Fascinating :| . After a long pause: Did they offer you a job? Don't tell them you cn fly or you won't get hazrdus duty pay. "Huh?" "That's gotta be Dean." > Dont worry, you can keep your job. > We have a biggr problem than that There was another long pause, then a reply. Other than Supermn cant type? Another pause; Lois could imagine someone who looked like Clark laughing his head off. He must have fallen right off the chair. Our problem is, how do we get back? "Now that's gotta be Teri," Justin said. "She gets right to the point." "*I* should tell them how," Lois said, gripping Clark's log- like shoulder. "We don't know how, just what, and I can type faster. But I won't send anything unless you agree with it." That was the best argument he could have made. She dictated and he typed up a summary of what they had worked out at the lunch table. On a hunch Clark asked them what time it was and they were astounded to see that it was only 2:43 in the afternoon in Metropolis. This seemed to confirm a time warp between universal planes. Clark speculated a two hours local time to one hour Metropolis time distortion, but there was no telling if that would hold constant. There was, Lois thought, no telling what that meant, either. But she didn't care. "That gives them time to keep my appointment with Tisdell!" "I don't know. What I mean is, for every minute of time here--" "I *know* what you mean and it doesn't matter--it can't, we *have* to try!" Clark acquiesced without further comment and keyed in what Lois said, correcting her English and turning commands into requests, but making up for that by not committing a single typo. She ordered them to call Dr. Tisdell, S.T.A.R. Labs' number was in the Rolodex on the right side of her desk (they could surely see it right there; he agreed but didn't type that). They should reconfirm appointment; dress nicely but not provocatively; take a cab to S.T.A.R. Labs, that was probably best; listen to Tisdell, scientists love that; then distract him, get the man out of the room. Touch the closer of the two red levers on the left of the Storm Tamer, aka Vibro Whammy, and see what happens. "That could be the key. If they're *ready,* it will probably work smoothly. She better be wearing proper clothes." "I'm sure she will be wearing... nice clothes," Clark muttered, then he smiled (at something secret by the looks of it) and added on the screen > you may have to be kissing each other while you touch that lever A long pause. The lag was terrible... and terrifying as well. What if the instructions weren't getting through? Hahahaha. We'll see. Martha will stay here and keep in touch. If it doesn't work, we'll think of somthing else A pause. Clark started to type "Sounds good" but MetroDuo continued: *You* two kiss and keep it up. "That's Dean again," Justin grinned. > Sounds good. Thanks for advice. Now, go! Clark sat back and pursed his lips at the screen. Lois saw that he still wasn't sure about all this. He must have been tired to be this pessimistic, even with his mother on the other side cheering things on. She squeezed his shoulder. "It will be okay." "I don't know. We just sent them into what could be a dangerous situation. They have to travel through Metropolis, get past S.T.A.R. Labs security and then deal with an unstable piece of equipment..." "But they're adventurous," K said gently. "One doesn't survive in this business if without a little bit of courage." A long pause: Martha here, I'll stay on line if you can, too. "I don't see why not," K smiled. "I'm not expecting any calls, and I have an unlimited-time account." Clark typed, > Okay, Mom, we'll be here waiting for them to succeed. After a minute and then two without a reply from his mother, Clark relinquished his seat so K could sit down and figure out what had happened. Finally she sighed. "I'm not getting anything. I think I've been kicked off somehow. That usually only happens on AOL, and that's because they're so busy." Clark frowned. "But I didn't touch anything." "I know. This is usually due to the system being so complicated." "You could have been netsplit," Justin suggested. "Undernet itself has been lagging lately." "And since it looks like we're dealing with an unusual piece of software on the Metropolis side and, oh, strange forces beyond our understanding in between... I'll get us back on, don't worry..." As K closed old windows and opened new ones, Lois slipped her arms around Clark from the back and whispered up into his ear, "We're almost home..." She had, she realized, thought *she* would miss Metropolis, but here she was, estranged from her entire life and her wacky family and hardly thinking of them. Her lover, on the other hand, had just got a glimpse of his beloved mother's typing and was no doubt reminiscing about his wonderful childhood. "We'll see her again soon." "Yeah, they'll be okay. It's not rush-hour time in Metropolis yet, and S.T.A.R. Labs isn't *that* dangerous." Lois hugged him again. "That's the spirit!" "It's too bad you only got to see the pilot," Justin sighed. "If you'd had time, I'd like you to see one of the episodes Dean wrote. VD would be the best one because its plot is sort of like what's happening now, with alternate worlds, and I, well, Jimmy gets to be a computer nerd and all that..." "'VD'?" "Virtually Destroyed. We use a lot of acronyms." "I think they still have time," K said as she waited for her program to do get her back in. "It will take time for Dean and Teri to get to that machine and arrange to be alone with it, so unless you want to stand here watching me not making much headway, you might as well watch that episode. Justin, maybe you should call your mother and make some arrangement to get home." Justin agreed, first setting Lois and Clark up with the episode. As he did this, he gave them a quick rundown of how the relationship of the show's version of them had evolved up to this point, some two-and-a-half years later. "They had some rough times, but now it's great!" As the Lois and Clark settled down to watch, sitting back against on pillows on the bed again, Justin slipped away to the living room to use K's cellular phone to call home and assure his mother he'd probably be in before midnight. "I'd like to be here to see you go, you know?" he explained to his friends when he returned. "In case you go before then, however you go, if you just switch bodies again or something." Lois smiled at him, said "That would be nice," and motioned for him to take the comfortable chair he'd enjoyed while they had all watched the pilot. Then, using the remote, she signaled the VCR to do its thing. Dean Cain's episode was startlingly different from the pilot. The pacing was faster, but there were only some 45 minutes to work with. The actors looked different; both wore shorter hair styles, but also both acted more at ease with each other, reflecting a more compassion-filled relationship. Justin's Jimmy was a confident, competent actor. But there the similarities ended. The story did not reflect anything that either Lois or Clark had actually experienced. There was nothing inherently wrong with this; it could make things more interesting. Both were intrigued by the villain with the unusual name. They were surprised that the show's Clark was, like the real one, a virgin before marriage. Lois saw Justin sneak a glance at Clark at this point. He saw Clark take her hand and squeezed it. She grinned; she'd certainly fixed *that* little roadblock. Next, Lois felt warm and cuddly when the on-screen duo fell into mad passion on the bed in an attempt to distract the villain if not also test Clark's "patience" to the limit... but Lois was admittedly disappointed when the passion went nowhere. K chose this point to signal to Lois to pause the tape. "I was able to get back in and I got in touch with Martha again. Dean and Teri haven't left yet. It didn't seem to notice I was gone when it took almost half an hour for me to get back in and find her. Since I can't understand the... time distortion, I warned her that our connection might not be very stable. I'll keep chatting with her--she's very interesting--and I'll let you know if anything happens." "That's all you can do," Clark agreed. "And we appreciate it. Don't be surprised if her answers get even slower though. I have the funny feeling that we're running faster than they are." "I'm used to lags--I'm an actress, we have to wait a lot, and, frankly, I'm not surprised by very much at the moment, considering..." she indicated her guests and the miracle of their being here. She turned away but turned back. "You know, I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact... if you can call it that, that we here in this world think of that one as imaginary. We... portray the highlights of what happens there, while here we live with a tremendous amount of detail." "Yeah," Justin said. "And for the show, the writers try to tie up all the loose ends by the end of the episode. What could happen in days in the story actually only happens in 45 minutes, unless it's a two-parter." K nodded. "Maybe that compresses time for them." Lois felt her eyes glazing. Time felt just fine to her, in Metropolis and here. "*I've* never noticed any compressed time," she said, "not that it matters. If we get to meet them, we can ask if they notice anything. Let's keep watching this." Maybe the two actors would fall into bed again! The villain was eventually trounced through clever thinking by Jimmy as a computer expert ("I didn't used to be," Justin told them, "but everyone decided it would be a good idea since Jimmy doesn't seem to take many pictures anymore"). Superman, who, despite being powerless, did the physical work in tackling the virtual world and turning its terms into ones he could control. He rescued Lois from X, and she rescuing them with some fast thinking, and all turned out well in the end. Lois decided it was no use to point out that *she* was rarely victimized like that, and a faked Clark even in a virtual world would never have fooled her for a second. No, she approached danger with care and consideration; she planned things. Most times. She had a plan now, one based on knowing the real Clark Kent so well. She stretched and yawned. "Oh, I'm more tired than I thought..." "Maybe you'd like to rest. After this morning..." "Yeah..." She closed her eyes for a moment, resting against him, but then sat up slowly. "No, there're things to do. Let's go see how K's doing first. I'd rather sleep in my own bed if we can." K was exasperated. "It's been almost 15 minutes since I typed that," she pointed. It was a sentence describing one of her daughter's activities. "I'm still on line, I'm sure of it. I've changed my nick and I'm lurking here and there so I don't get kicked off for inactivity. I don't know if she's still on, though, but look up there..." earlier in the sequence of messages on the DCC screen. "They *still* hadn't left. They were picking out appropriate reporter-style clothing and trying to decide how to approach that scientist." "Well, that's good," Lois said. "They're making a plan, they're not just rushing into it." "With the time warping," Clark frowned, "even if they're right on time, their time, we could still be here tomorrow morning." Justin blinked. "Tomorrow?" K looked up at him. "You can stretch out on the couch if you want." The young man turned, looked through the entry way and saw the living room couch. "Maybe, except I told my mom I'd take a cab home and try to be in by midnight. If it hasn't happened by then... Maybe you could videotape it...?" "If it happens suddenly, I wouldn't be able to catch it." "Whatever happens," Clark continued, "maybe your friends will alert my mother, and she can warn us... except the time lag would make that impossible..." "I should have told them to..." Lois yawned again, "...take my cell phone... Well, I'm so sleepy, I'll probably sleep through the whole thing anyhow." "Maybe you should take a nap, honey." "I can let you two know as soon as I get any news from Martha or anywhere else. Go on now, *both* of you..." She shooed them away, back into the guest bedroom. Clark walked ahead and began to turn down the bed, doing a typical good job of it. "I'm glad you agreed to nap. This morning and that headache... I'll admit it, it frightened me to see you in pain and I couldn't do a thing to help. Then all that you went through there at the lab, and *then* this mess we're in now-- which certainly isn't *your* fault. No wonder you're tired. *I'm* tired, too..." For a few moments Lois watched him make the bed into a comfortable nest, then realized she couldn't put him through all that work under false pretenses. She walked up behind him. "Clark..." The world could turn upside down and the little mother hen in him would shine through regardless. "Just lie down here and I'll turn off the lights and stay with you." She began to massage his broad back. "I'm not that sleepy." "Lois, really." He turned and gave her a knowing look. "It's all right, you can be sleepy, you've already admitted you are." Knowing looks didn't mean a thing when the person employing them didn't know what he thought he knew. "But I'm not..." She ran her hands over his chest now, and, as hoped, he slipped his arms around her protectively. "I *am* on edge." She took a firm grip on his T-shirt. "I'm tense. Look at our situation. Our entire future rests on the slim shoulders of those two..." She let him go and turned away from him so she could wave her right arm toward the infinite universe "*actors* who just manage to look enough like us to fool everybody--*maybe*--until they're put to the real test, and tackling S.T.A.R. Labs is probably the greatest test they'll ever face in their Hollywood lives. They've been us for, what, a couple of hours?" She called on her other arm to help emphasize this. She had Clark's entire attention, no doubt because he had no idea what was on her mind. She wasn't sure herself, but it felt right, more than anything in the last 18 hours had. "They managed to get out of the newsroom but who knows what they did to our reputations? Maybe Perry fired us!" "I think they would have mentioned that--" "Unless they're afraid, and they can't afford to be afraid. If they take one, just *one* wrong step in S.T.A.R. Labs, security will be on them in a moment. We like to think the labs is our playground, but we're brilliant, we can deal with scientists *easily*! Those two..." she twirled away again, as though in a wild search of the right words, "*TV stars* will go to *jail,* the police will question them, they'll break down and sob out their stories and ruin their lives *and* ours and..." (continued) ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 07:53:03 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Peace Everett Subject: Re: A Question please read In a message dated 97-11-12 17:57:56 EST, Enrico.Horn writes: > Kate Halpern has asked me to ask the people on this list whether anybody > still has her fanfic "Baby,Baby" that she lost some time ago. Hmmm.... I would have said I had all the L&C stories out there -- I keep everything -- but I don't seem to have this one. Did she perhaps write it under another name? There was someone name Kate something (I think) who wrote under the name CloudyEyes -- was that her? I sort stories by author, and apparently having figured out CloudyEyes real name, filed the stories under that, and now I can't remember it... some organization, huh? :( Also do you know about when she wrote it, did she distribute it through this list or through the old archive, or by some other means? any information you can give might help to jog someone's memory of getting it and thereby help them to find it. Peace ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 21:49:03 NFT Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: "Enrico.Horn" Subject: Re: A Question please read In-Reply-To: <971113075303_220325135@mrin38>; from "Peace Everett" at Nov 13, 97 7:53 am Hi Peace > > In a message dated 97-11-12 17:57:56 EST, Enrico.Horn writes: > > Kate Halpern has asked me to ask the people on this list whether anybody > > still has her fanfic "Baby,Baby" that she lost some time ago. > > Hmmm.... I would have said I had all the L&C stories out there -- I keep > everything -- but I don't seem to have this one. Did she perhaps write it > under another name? There was someone name Kate something (I think) who > wrote under the name CloudyEyes -- was that her? I sort stories by author, > and apparently having figured out CloudyEyes real name, filed the stories > under that, and now I can't remember it... some organization, huh? :( > > Also do you know about when she wrote it, did she distribute it through this > list or through the old archive, or by some other means? any information you > can give might help to jog someone's memory of getting it and thereby help > them to find it. > As much as I know the name of the file is babyfic.txt she never send it out through the list but gave it to some people to read it. But she doesnt remember whom she gave it. I hope this helps because its all i know. Enrico Horn enhorn@wirtschaft.tu-ilmenau.de Farmboy on #loiscla ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 18:47:06 -0700 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Debby Stark Subject: Re: Fanfic Archive [was Re: Classic Fanfic: GTTC] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 09:56 PM 11/12/97 -0500, you wrote: >>Is "swap-meet, part 10 of 20" Written by Debbie Stark from you list too? If >>so is it listed at a website too? Thanks! >Debby and Margaret's Swap Meet is not currently on the Archive, but it is >on Debby's ftp site, as are all of Debby's stories and several others by >various other authors. >Kathy Brown Actually, Margaret's Swapmeet-Metropolis (or fondly known as SwapOlois as compared to my SwapBank) is not on my site at the moment but on Margaret's site at: http://www.capitalnet.com/~brignell/ Debby :) Debby@swcp.com ftp://ftp.swcp.com/pub/users/dstark needs a snowy, snowed-in weekend to work on more fanfic... :) and maybe this weekend will be it! :D ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 18:47:10 -0700 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Debby Stark Subject: Re: Classic Fanfic: GOING TO THE CHAPEL Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 09:21 PM 11/12/97 -0500, you wrote: >Is "swap-meet, part 10 of 20" Written by Debbie Debby >Stark from you list too? If >so is it listed at a website too? Thanks! >Amanda The entirety of The Swapmeets (mine and Margaret's) are on my site at ftp://ftp.swcp.com/pub/users/dstark Stories With hers in .txt and mine in .zip and txt I looked over mine and made some typo and grammar corrections and the like and a Debby version is now up there :) For those who can't or don't wish to ftp, I'll keep sending it segment by segment, till it's all done... Debby Debby@swcp.com rather glad we don't get paid... because then we can upgrade our older versions without giving some publisher the screeming mee-mees :) ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 14 Nov 1997 05:03:14 -0700 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Debby Stark Subject: Swap-Meet: Burbank part 12 of 20 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Swap-Meet: Burbank part 12 of 20 by Debby Stark, Debby@swcp.com [previous editing notes apply; some nearly R-rated stuff below, right in the beginning... - November 8, 1997] "Lois..." She felt him ease near her again but before he could work on reassuring her, she continued: "We'll *never* get home, and I'll have to pretend to be an actress and I *hate* actresses and *you'll* have to run around in a, a *cotton* supersuit you can't really use and be a *playboy* when you're not pretending to be you and you won't be able to get near me, and I'll have to deal with some poor *schnook* who I *don't* love and... Argh!" He carefully cupped her shoulders with his warm hands. "Lois..." "I *can't*--I don't *want* to--I *won't* do it!" "Lois..." She seethed. She felt like screaming but kept her voice quiet. "I'm a reporter! A journalist! You're a reporter, too! *And* a hero! You can't be that here! Journalism is my life-- *you're* my life!" "I know..." She took him by the shirt again, roughly, stretching the tight piece of cloth even further. "And do you know how being *trapped* like this makes me feel?" "Yes..." She looked up at him, her eyes full of barely restrained passion. "I feel like our future is on the razor's edge!" His breathing was beginning to match hers. She knew he was drowning in her eyes. "Oh, yes..." "And do you know what I want when I feel like that? What I want to do with our last moments of sanity?" He certainly did know. He turned his face just right as she slipped her arms up around his neck and pulled him down to her. They began to devour each other. He plucked her up and took her to bed, precisely as she had hoped. They tangled together, tearing off each other's clothing (with some small modicum of care on his part) and made crazy, quiet, passionate love on almost every surface of the dimly lighted room. It was timeless. *** K Callan's Home In Some Suburb of Some Alternative Los Angeles Day Two Sometime past midnight Lois sat up in bed, very pleased with herself. She felt warm and lazy and totally fulfilled. Her lover and husband was curled up next to her, sleeping, his face buried in her side. Somehow he could breathe this way; she saw his chest rise and fall, slowly, steadily. He was spent but happily so, she was accustomed to this. He had admitted after their first time of experiencing such all-out physical love that if he *had* to wear himself out, this was *the* way to do it. Even then, if duty called, he could be wide awake in a second. His right arm was under her and he had draped his left arm low over her belly, protecting her and his numerous attempts over the last hour or so to make a genetic investment in the future (though he probably wouldn't have thought of it this way). She smiled at herself. She had encouraged every attempt and hoped one would at last be successful. She wanted this even though she still wasn't sure she was cut out to be a mother. However, she had almost convinced herself that she wouldn't know for sure unless she tried. There were a lot of people out there who thought they were perfect parents, just ask them, and their kids were holy terrors. She massaged the upper part of his left ear. She had read somewhere that body workers who massaged animals used this to calm their clients. She had no idea if it worked, but he liked her to touch him anywhere and his ear was convenient. The most powerful man in any universe snuggled closer. She ran her hand comfortingly through his hair and rested it on his cheek for a moment. She looked at the TV. The remote was on the bedside table and controlled the TV and the VCR... but there was no tape in the machine and she didn't want to make any more noise anyhow. She considered the shelves of books... and scripts. "I have to get up for a moment..." she whispered to him. "Umm..." She eased out from between his arms and temporarily substituted a pillow for herself. He snuggled into that, a not exactly pleased expression on his face, but she was sure he'd be patient for a few minutes. She slipped over to the bookcase with the scripts and began to go through them quickly, pulling out one and then another to check the titles. They meant nothing to her. She reconsidered her strategy. The Pilot was on the left end so she moved right and about four fifths of the way down found Virtually Destroyed. Assuming that between the two episodes was a steady build up of the relationship, did she really need to know about that? Probably not, not at the moment. She counted two to the right, two because... she didn't want any more than two kids, how about that? "The Dad Who Came In from the Cold." Who's dad? Not Clark's, nor hers... in from the cold... spies? Jimmy's dad? A story about that? A good idea but not bedtime reading. She tried the next tome, which definitely did not reflect the number of kids she wanted. "Tempus, Anyone?" How did they know about Tempus? She decided she didn't want to know. The next script was entitled "I Now Pronounce You". She blinked. Oh! The *wedding* episode! Of course! After all these episodes and the problems the TV version had no doubt gone through, it was time to get them married! The next script was "Double Jeopardy." That could be the honeymoon story--or a false start at one. Lois and Clark, double now. Justin had said that the writers emphasized adventure and so danger, thus Jeopardy. "Seconds," the next script, was probably a continuation of the honeymoon, as in "second chances" to get it right. It would probably have an adventure, too, but with lots love and fun. She straightened with these three scripts, tiptoed back to bed, put the scripts on the bedside table, lifted Clark's arm (he helped), and removed the pillow, propping it back up again. She slipped into her place and he resnuggled happily. "..gosleep?" "In a little bit. I want to read first. You catch up." "Knowwhat?" "No, what?" "You're more powerful than a locomotive..." "Oh? And do I leap tall buildings?" "Looks like." "And I know how tall." "But speedin' bullets..." "Go back to sleep, Mr. Slow Silly Sleepy Head..." "Ummm." He sighed, content. She pulled up her knees, opened the first script, propped it up on his arm, and settled down for a pleasant read. It didn't take long for her to realize that this was *not* the story she had assumed it would be. Frogs were everywhere, not bucolic farm scenes or Clark's hometown friends or their Metropolis friends who had taken earlier flights, awaiting their arrival, and waiting and waiting because the plane had been hijacked, no... And, in the end of this episode, as she had been warned, this world's playful, libido-driven Clark, anxious to toss away his patience, had every intention of sleeping with--frog woman! He couldn't tell the difference? What was wrong with these people? She looked down at her version. Pure innocence. He also knew her very well, very basically, very tenderly. He still stumbled on the small things and probably would the rest of his life, however long that was, but that was good because it helped her keep one up. She stroked his shoulder lightly to keep from waking him. "You're not fooled by superficial beauty, *you* would have known it wasn't *me*..." He readjusted his hold slightly, getting even more comfortable. The story got worse in the next script. It was probably good for the beautiful star, though: Hatcher she got to play two and then three roles. Poor Cain was stuck playing someone who didn't seem to realize who his enemy was, or enemies were: himself and this erratic, diabolical version of Lex Luthor. The superduo's world came crashing down in "Seconds" because it looked like "Clark" missed a lot of second chances, probably because "Lois" was totally out of it and unable to assist him. K's "Martha" had gone through a horrible time, but the script didn't detail how she had survived Lex Luthor's predatory actions. Not surprisingly, "Luthor" met a different fate in the end of this story than he had in reality. Here he'd deserved the crushing he'd gotten-- to kidnap *Martha*...! But even in death it seemed he had won since "Clark" had to beg him to release "Lois" and "Lois" apparently couldn't have cared less, having been turned into something only "Lex" had the power to release. Lois shook her head. Clark frowned a touch, stirring. She pulled the sheet up over him a little more and then covered his ear with her hand. Don't listen to what they've written here, you don't want to know... There was no more clone in the end, and the lounge singer was gone, too. It looked like Hatcher had only one more role to play in this strange story, that of amnesia victim who understandably didn't recognize her lover. She'd gone through the wringer and he hadn't been very helpful, taking days to realize the clone wasn't his lover. The show's Lois sure seemed to be a victim a lot of the time. Snap *out* of it, you! Lois wished she could take the two- dimensional woman by her shoulders and shake her, hard. Clark doesn't need a victim. Then again, *your* Clark... He needs a shaking, too. In the Pilot she had fought bravely, like in reality she, Lois, the genuine article, had done so *plenty* of times. That Pilot Clark had shown initiative and courage. Maybe the real one got side-tracked occasionally because he didn't add up the clues correctly and other times he had to act in a split second, but he'd never been *this* wrong. The television's wimpy version... Was this what the people of this world wanted to see? How would they react if they ever learned about the real people? I don't think they'd appreciate you, Clark, so don't go out there unless you can sneak around... Lois didn't think she wanted to read or watch the following episodes to find out how things were resolved. Odds were, as psychic as the writers had somehow been--and that in itself was startling, how close they had gotten on some points... Maybe Clark had some ideas on that like he did on the time distortion effect. But odds were they had thought up Dr. Hindur or someone like him to prolong the agony (what did they call it? dramatic tension?) until Clark managed to save Lois. She bet they first had her not only fall madly, physically in love with Hindur without drugs or a second thought but run away with him for a few episodes, too. But, according to Justin, there was a Vibro Whammy involved and it had helped save the day. Hatcher had probably enjoyed acting in all this, too; maybe she would win an award. Cain probably got to look anguished, as ineffective as his character had been in the previous three episodes. How could even an *actor,* even a *good* one, stoop to doing that, to playing such a useless character? Well, it probably wasn't his fault, there were probably extenuating circumstances, like... like directors who wanted it done this way. Maybe Cain had even argued with the writers because he was a writer himself and his episode had been fine. Yet here he had appeared in these episodes. He couldn't have written part of this mess--could he? Was there the chance he thought it was good writing and even enjoyed it? If I could just have one word with him, she thought, just ask him... After she smacked him silly, that was, for not recognizing the woman he'd pledged his undying love to was *not* the woman he'd married, then letting her run away with Lex Luthor, and not foreseeing that Luthor might attack the rest of his family... No, wait, that's the character, not the actor... The actor just agreed to portray the character. She yawned, and the room wanted to blur a bit. She blinked it clear again briefly and thought, I *am* sleepy now. This is all TV and not real at *all* and I shouldn't let it bother me because it's already done, they're stuck with it, it's not my problem, I'm leaving here soon... She put the script on the table, reached over and turned off the light, and slipped down into the full security of the one and only Clark Kent's arms. "Welcome back," he murmured. "I'm glad to be back." "You were getting tense there, I wondered about rescuing you..." "I was just reading something foolish and made up for TV land. It can't get any worse than that. I'll tell you about it sometime when we need a laugh." "Okay. They haven't done so badly..." Yeah, and he'd only seen two samples. "But we've done better. Just hold me now," she whispered. In reply he pulled her gently to him and kissed her softly until, feeling like--*knowing*--they were each other's greatest treasures and that was the best thing in any world, she fell asleep. *** K Callan's Home In Some Suburb of Some Alternative Los Angeles Day Two, Thanksgiving Day Sometime after Dawn Clark couldn't sleep any more. He was bursting with energy (a night full of passion tended to lead to a bright-eyed morning). He was also curious about why it was daylight and K hadn't so much as coughed, let alone shouted "Eureka!" since Lois had closed the bedroom door the night before. However, he was also perfectly willing to lie here with the love of his life, holding her safe against all threats... except those that involved things like the Vibro Whammy, which had sneaked up on both of them. He didn't know what to do about it now other than what they were doing, waiting and cuddling. Well, I try, he thought. Fortunately, Lois seemed to be well aware of that and forgiving of his failures. I'm getting better... And if Hatcher and Cain had failed...? He didn't want to think about that because there was nothing he could do to help them. However, it wasn't so bad here. The bed was big and comfortable. Their unexpected hostess was a fine woman in her own right... Maybe Mom had found out what had happened to the two but hadn't wanted to report it... No, no, no, it's the time stretching thing, that's all. If they were taking Lois's Jeep, they might not even have pulled out of the driveway yet. Maybe they couldn't find her keys! Maybe that's another reason Lois had advised them to take a cab, that and not to encourage them to search through her purse. The cool, sweet-smelling air left after the storm the evening before was breezing lightly in from the garden through the open window behind him. It felt good against his bare skin. Cain and Hatcher had probably taken the Jeep so they'd have some control of their situation (Lois would have done that if flying wasn't an option). Maybe they couldn't get it started. It had been having battery problems for a week, but Lois had refused to acknowledge them since it had a guarantee. That meant it should *work*, she claimed, shouldn't it? He had been undecided about suggesting that her headaches might be causing her to fail to see the whole picture. You know, he told himself, it really could be okay to consider this interlude a little bit of forced vacation. They certainly had been forced into far worse situations. Life threatening. Even life *taking* sometimes... Maybe a villain had ambushed Hatcher and Cain and they hadn't even made it as far as S.T.A.R. Labs... Stop thinking like that! He sighed. "Oh, that's a sad one..." Lois murmured. "You're awake?" "Yeah, for a while." "How do you do that? I thought you were asleep." She inched up so her head was on the pillow, too, and they were lying face to face. "I can't tell you, it's a secret." She looked him right in the eye, putting him under her spell. "You're rested, but you don't look happy." "Me? I'm deliriously happy." "If I said that, you'd say 'Lois...'" "Okay, I'm a little worried about them." "Yes, I know that, but there's more to it..." He raised his eyebrows. "There is?" "Um-hmm, and I think I've got you figured out." "You said that once before." "I was right then, too, really, so don't argue with me." "I won't if you'll tell me what you've figured out." "It doesn't work that way." She pushed him flat. "Is K up? Look out there in the garden for her, I bet she's there. I think she's one of those people who likes to get up with the chickens and pick fresh peas and that kind of thing." He turned and looked through light drapes on the window and then, a little further on, through the wall. "You're right. It looks like she's gathering herbs." "Umm, for breakfast, I bet! I'm starving again!" "It's Thanksgiving day. Maybe it's fresh sage for turkey dressing." "Oh, good idea! Let's go find out." Lois showered and changed into a pink sleeveless top, navy- blue slacks and the same running shoes she'd borrowed the day before. "Hey, I look like I'm taking a vacation! You, on the other hand..." He had to put on the same clothing he'd found in Cain's trailer. "Yes?" "You could use some shorts, some raggedy cut-offs, I think." "I'm lucky *these* clothes aren't raggedy, the way you attacked me last night." "And...?" "I loved every second of it," particularly how bouncy she got, too, after a night full of passion. "That's better. Come on," she took his hand, "let's go help her." They met K as she entered the kitchen from her garden. She was wearing a sun hat, dressed in light clothing and a sweater, and carrying a basket with cut herbs in it. "Good morning! I was going to let you sleep! It's still early." She glanced at a sunflower- shaped clock on one wall of the kitchen. 7:40. She smiled at Lois. "Don't tell me: you're hungry. We snacked too much last night." "Yes, I *am* hungry, *and* I want to help." "Lois Lane, cooking?" "Well, I'm not very good at it, true, but..." "Sometimes I help," Clark whispered "Yes, sometimes I have a helper." K smiled at that but waved her hand at Clark. "No, go check the computer. The last time I heard from Martha was more than half an hour ago and that was just a smiley face. I'm sure she's still there. I seem to feel her somehow, but the lag is incredible." Clark nodded and did as she asked. The screen was being occupied by a screen saver that resembled an aquarium full of exotic fish. He moved the mouse and the IRC program popped back into place. He saw: > That's funny! Clark scrolled back up the screen to catch the thread of the conversation. Dean and Teri had left more than six hours previously, California time but maybe only 15 minutes Metropolis time. K and Mom were comparing humorous anecdotes about their respective childrens' weddings. Mom's most recent comments were about Lois explaining to Wayne Irig that it was easy for a team of three people to hijack an entire 757. All Wayne could think of to do was give her a live chicken to take back to Metropolis. Clark remembered Wayne advising solemnly, "If you get a hijacker on your flight back to Metropolis, throw this hen at him. Then hit him with that big purse of yours before he gets his bearings. Clark can take care of any other hijackers, he's a big fellow. That's what *I'd* do." Clark, upon hearing his name, had strolled by to the rescue, reminding Lois that while the hen was obviously a prize winner, few landlords in Metropolis allowed livestock on the premises no matter how much she wanted to take the chicken home. K had been jotting down the time and the first few words of each message on a lined pad of paper. He couldn't discern any consistency in the times, but not only was there the waxing and waning universal lag to consider, but Mom wouldn't have replied to each of K's messages immediately. She would have thought about them and composed something appropriate, anything from a winking ";)" to several sentences. K's notes told him something she hadn't intended. When the woman stopped in to check on how he was doing, he looked at her. "Did you get any sleep last night, ma'am?" "Yes, between messages. They beep at me. Things moved quickly, well, relatively quickly at first, then they slowed way down." "Twenty-five to thirty minutes between each message, yes, but that's not enough time for you to sleep! Next time, if there *is* a next time, feel free to ask me--" The computer beeped. And you should have heard what Jonathan said! Clark plucked up the pen and wrote this and the time down as K had been doing. "What did he say?" "Pardon?" "Your father? What did he say when Mr. Irig gave Lois the chicken?" "He took me aside," Lois said from the doorway, "and said he was sorry, but his wedding present for us would be late. He'd bought me a portable chicken coop. He assured me that *every* farm girl had one as part of their hope chest, whatever that was. I'd never heard of that before, hope chests, I mean." She waved away the self distraction. "Anyhow, he thought I'd like one, too, but now since we couldn't have livestock in Metropolis, he'd have to send it back to Omaha and get us something else. Clark would be devastated, he said. He kept a perfectly straight face. The coop had indoor plumbing, all the windows had gingham curtains, and the whole thing was cable ready. It was obvious he'd really put some thought into it, he almost broke my heart!" K started to laugh. Clark, looking at the screen, trying to think of what to say to his mother that would somehow magically speed up communications, realized that at this rate he had time to join in the conversation behind him, so he added as K's laughter eased, "That wasn't the end of it. Lois started feeling guilty and she tried to convince Dad that if he'd reconsider, she'd find a place for the coop in our spare bedroom--she was sure we'd have one though we hadn't done much house hunting yet--and she'd sneak that chicken home and love it as though it were her own child." K started laughing again. "No..." "Well, it *was* a cute chicken, I guess, as chickens go, and for all I know it was destined to be *soup* if I didn't help it, and... you know," she said, failing to keep a serious tone, "that's *not* funny..." K gave her a hug. "That's all right, dear, I don't know anything about chickens, either." Clark turned back to the computer and typed: > Hi, Mom, any news? We got some sleep here, it's 7:21am and the morning looks nice. This time lag is amazing. He hit the return button and his message appeared on the screen. He looked at Lois, who was smiling again. What a woman. She had quickly gotten over his dad's joke and then, when it looked like the rest of town had heard about it and was joining in to tease her, she had easily turned the tables and gotten people to laugh with and not at her. Old friends and neighbors had made it a point to tell him how lucky he was and of course he agreed. "I was right," he told her in reference to this morning's events, "they've just now left for S.T.A.R. Labs. If they map their way straight there and the traffic is good, it will still take them at least ten minutes..." She said "Ummm..." "Okay, 20, plus another, oh, two to find a parking space-- five? Then another ten to get through security to see Dr. Tisdell." "But I bet he'll be late. Scientists who aren't used to dealing with the media just shuffle along, so make it 15. He tells them about the machine in nauseating detail, and they pretend to understand. Then they set him at ease somehow--" "Teri's good at that," K assured them. "I'm sure she is. Okay, so that takes... 30 minutes. They think of some way to distract him and when he's gone, they do what I told them to do. They'd better, anyway." "Don't worry," K said. "I have faith in them." "Well, I *want* to, this is so important..." (continued) ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 14 Nov 1997 17:49:46 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Pam Jernigan Subject: FANFIC: Tommy Crooner, RIP Comments: To: Blind.Copy.Receiver@compuserve.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 In honor of the rerun of Forget Me Not... When this episode first aired, I didn't feel up to watching it alone, I had to go to Chris's house for moral support. As soon as the show ended, we began writing, and this is the result. It was never sent out on the fanfic list or sent to the archives, it was only distributed among friends, but we think you might enjoy it... R.I.P. Tommy Crooner (a fanfic) ~~~This is just a little something Chris Mulder and I (Pam Jernigan) work= ed up in the hour following Forget Me Not... it's a pleasant little revenge fantasy that had us giggling instead of crying over that ending... Don't read this if you're mentally unstable but feel free to distribu= te to all your friends, since we don't think it would make any sense to = send this out through the fanfic list.~~~ Tommy Crooner was dead. It was unfortunate - not that he was dead - = but that his death interfered with Lois & Clark's date. They'd been = trying for weeks to get together - unsuccessfully. In fact, so = unsuccessfully that they felt almost like strangers. They learned pretty quickly that the dead man had been a TV producer = of a fantasy/romance/comedy/adventure show, which had recently seen a = dramatic increase in the ratings. A core group of fans, however, = was not happy with his latest script choices, no matter how popular = the show had become. "Well, Lois, we've spent the whole morning talking to fans and = viewing videos and I have to admit that they have a point." "No kidding - what he was doing to the characters' relationship was = criminal. Keeping them apart like that. Just when they were about = to get married, too." Lois & Clark exchanged an ironic smile. Clark said, "That certainly sounds familiar. Now he's keeping *us* = apart." "Yeah," she said sadly. "What do you say we find some clues, catch = the bad guys, blah, blah, blah, then we can get out of here and... = talk." She smiled suggestively. Clark's heart thumped a little harder - making it difficult to hear = the person coming up behind them. It was Bobby Bigmouth with the = case-breaking clue. Two Danishes and a cheesecake later, they were in possession of all = the important facts. Bobby Bigmouth wove off in a food-drunken stupor and Lois turned to = Clark. There was a gleam in her eye that he had come to appreciate, = but hadn't had a chance to take advantage of lately. "You know, Clark, I was just thinking - this misguided fan is = probably not a threat to society as a whole, so there's really no = rush to get this information to the police." She leaned forward = seductively, grabbing his lapel and offering him a tempting view of = her... assets. "Is there?" Clark swallowed hard and tried to think of a reason, but failed. = After all, the victim had *only* been a television producer... The End Authors' Disclaimer: No TV producers were harmed in the writing of = this story. We don't think any producers *should* be harmed, either! = But this was amazingly therapeutic for us, so we hope it was for you, = too. !^NavFont02F09920007MGHHP931322 E-mail from: Pam Jernigan, 14-Nov-1997 jernigan@compuserve.com / ChiefPam on the IRC ~~~~~ Unreformed, unrepentent, sometimes unproductive but never uninteresting fanfic writer = Visit Sarah & Pam's Shrine o'Fanfic at: http://www.geocities.com/hollywood/2501 ~~~~~ Lois and Clark Season 5 Fanfic: http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/mothership/60/season5.htm ~~~~~ "The first thing she said to me was 'Herbie, get me to the Planet.' Naturally, I wondered which planet..." "Ah, Constable, you've returned. Upon reflection, I imagine this pleases= me." <-- Due South is back! :-) ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 14 Nov 1997 20:32:26 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Alicia Kelly Subject: Question or two In-Reply-To: <199711141916_MC2-283C-2009@compuserve.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Whatever happened to the Lois and Clark soundtrack, that was supposed to be out in September? I wanted to by it, but never found it in the store, if anyone knows waht happened, tell me Also if anyone has all of Lois and Clark, all four seasons on tape. I'd be willing to send money to pay for the tapes, and for shipping and haneling if you will record it and send it back to me. If your willing, tell me at ask@michianatoday.com. Alicia Kelly