Here it is, the true ending of "The Day After," and you guys don't know what I went through to get this thing written! I wrote the very first version in Microsoft Word when my computer literally fried, so I started from scratch in Notepad on another computer (with Windows 98!), then moved it to WordPerfect, then to OpenOffice, and finally to Microsoft Word again when I got my computer fixed. I've never gone through this many programs! But I did it for all my wonderful readers.

Well, here's the epilogue, at last. I like to call it, "A New Day," and sometimes, "The Day After Next." I've also taken a liking to calling it "Epilogue: Mark II" because of what happened to the first version. Whatever you want to call it, here it is at last!

Enjoy!

Superman Returns
"The Day After"

Epilogue

Clark Kent happily made his way into the newsroom, ready for another day at work. As usual, nobody paid attention to him as he cheerfully walked to his desk. He bumped into several people along the way and he apologized each time, like he always did. People seemed to look right through him, but he didn't care. He'd been out of his coma for two days and while he had yet to regain his full strength, he was alive and healthy and that was all that mattered. He'd had a good night's sleep, he'd finally flown to the sun, and he was ready to face the future with renewed spirits as a new man.

He walked to his desk, sat down, and fired up his computer. As he waited for it to finish loading, he wondered if he'd be able to write that article Perry asked for before the boss noticed him. Just as he started wondering if anyone would notice that he would be typing his article at super-speed, and if the keyboard would catch on fire from doing that, somebody sneaked up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

He spun around in his chair and saw Jimmy Olsen, smiling at him. "Jimmy!" he said cheerfully. Jimmy was one of the few people in the newsroom who seemed to know or care that Clark Kent existed. He was glad that Jimmy liked him, but he hoped that the photographer wasn't going to offer him drinks at nine in the morning again.

"Mr. Kent! Good to see you! Feeling better?"

He remembered how ill he'd looked the day before. "I feel much better, thank you."

"Good to hear. Oh, the Chief was yelling for you earlier." He pointed at the Editor in Chief's office. "Lois is already with him. You'd better get in there before he blows a fuse!"

Well, so much for typing that article at super-speed. "Thanks..." he said half-heartedly as he put his computer on stand-by and made his way to Perry White's office, feeling like he was walking the last mile of his career as a reporter of a great metropolitan newspaper.

He was so worried about how to keep his job that he wasn't looking where he was going and ran face-first into the glass doors of the editor's office. Both Perry and Lois looked up at him, but they didn't seem surprised. They were probably used to him doing this on a regular basis. Finally, he got the door open after a few failed attempts, brushed himself off, straightened his tie, and stepped inside. "You called, Mr. White?" Don't show fear... He can smell fear.

"Yeah, Kent, come on in, sit down. Let's hear it."

He took a seat in front of the editor's desk. Lois was sitting next to him and he gave her a goofy smile and a wave. She waved back and he could tell she was trying to hide a smile. Then he remembered where he was and what was coming next. He could feel himself shrinking under the editor's gaze and he struggled not to let it show. "Uh, hear what?"

Perry glared at him, and Clark just looked down at his clasped hands and twiddled his thumbs. "Don't 'hear what' me! Yesterday morning, I asked you to write me an article about who was responsible for New Krypton. Well, let's hear your progress."

This is it, he thought miserably, the end of my career. "I, uh..." He looked to Lois for help, but she looked just as helpless as he did. "Well, I..." He waved a hand in the air, trying to come up with an answer, but he came up empty and dropped it. He mumbled under his breath, "I didn't start it." He cringed, bracing himself for the coming storm.

"Well, what the hell were you doing all day that was so important?!"

"I-I was... I was..." He'd spent the entire day teetering on the brink of death, that's what he was doing. He gave up on trying to defend himself and just accepted his fate. "N-Nothing."

"Oh, I see. Nothing. Well, while you were out there doing 'nothing', Lois tracked down Superman and got us an interview and the best damned article this newspaper has had in years." He held up the article, 'Justice for Superman', for Clark to see. "And you couldn't even go down to the coast and ask around? Get the word on the street? Anything?!"

"A-Apparently not, Mr. White," he said in a low voice. He could feel his entire career crumbling around him and he was helpless to defend himself. He was so tempted to just tell him that he was Superman and that the only reason he didn't write the article was because he was too busy suffering from kryptonite poisoning, but he knew it would be an incredibly stupid move.

Perry sighed deeply, shaking his head, looking so disappointed. "I've given you two chances to get out of writing the obits, and this is how you repay me? By doing nothing?!"

"I... I'm so sorry." There goes my reputation, my job...

"Where's that story about the blackouts I asked for?"

Clark knew how it looked, but he couldn't defend his honor without telling the truth. He couldn't tell Perry that he didn't start the story about the blackouts because he was in a coma due to massive kryptonite poisoning. So, not only did the kryptonite threaten to take his life on several occasions, but it was threatening to take his job, too. "I didn't start it either..."

"I'll tell you where the story about the blackouts is." He leaned forward menacingly, looking intimidating. "Lois got that story by risking her neck on Friday. Speaking of which, where were you on Friday?"

"I... I was..." I was in the hospital, Chief!

Perry didn't let him finish. "And yesterday, Lois got the story about who was responsible for New Krypton! It's right here." He held up Lois' article and smacked it with the back of his hand just for emphasis. "So, we have one reporter who has done 'nothing' ever since I gave him his job back, and another reporter who's writing the articles assigned to the aforementioned reporter! So, why did I hire you, Kent?"

"I-I don't know, Mr. White..."

"Did something happen to you during the earthquakes?"

He wanted to lie, to tell him that yes, he had been injured during the earthquakes. Perry White would've understood and given him another chance, but it just wasn't true. He wasn't anywhere near the site of the earthquakes when he was injured, and he wouldn't dream of taking advantage of the tragedy that hit Metropolis just to save his job. "N-Not really..."

"I see. Well, Kent... I can't tell you when I've been more disappointed."

Lois looked between the two men, feeling so sorry for Clark. It wasn't his fault that he hadn't been able to write those articles, and he was facing the editor's terrible wrath for it. Well, she'd already saved Superman; it was time to save Clark, too. "He was working with me!" The two men stared at her in confusion. "Yeah, he was working with me."

Perry looked from the article to Clark. "He helped you write those articles?" He couldn't believe it. "Even 'Justice for Superman'?"

"Yeah." Well, it wasn't really a lie. He did help her write the article by giving her the interview and the inspiration to write. "He helped me with the story about the blackouts." Yeah, by saving me from drowning... "And I found out from Superman that Lex Luthor was responsible for growing New Krypton and for what happened to him, so we decided to work together since our assignments complimented each other." Clark just stared at her in shock. "If it weren't for Clark, those articles wouldn't have been possible."

Perry White looked over the article again, disbelieving. He loved that article. It really was the best damned article he'd read in a long time. Heck, it brought tears to his eyes, although he'd never admit it and he'd vehemently deny it if anyone even suspected that Perry 'Skeletor' White almost cried. "Well, why didn't you just say so, Kent?" Clark just shrugged helplessly. "It looks like those five years you spent abroad didn't make you lose your touch after all!"

"Uh... Th-Thank you, Mr. White."

"I'll just add you to the byline, then," he said, whipping out a red pen.

Clark noticed how uncomfortable Lois looked, and he knew he'd never hear the end of it if he didn't let her have the byline. "Uh, i-it's okay." He pushed his glasses back up with his index finger. "She worked really hard for that byline. She deserves all the credit."

"Fine, then." He started putting away the red pen, but stopped and tapped his chin with it, lost in thought. "Hmm, Lane and Kent. It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?"

"What are you getting at...?" asked Lois carefully.

He looked at the article again and grinned broadly, the wheels in his head spinning. "You two make a great team. From now on, I want you to work together on any follow-up stories!" They just stared at him, jaws dropped, stunned into silence. "And after that, who knows? Keep this up and I may just make you full-time partners!"

"P-Partners?" Clark didn't know what to think. He was thrilled that Perry White liked the article so much and that he got to keep his job, but partners? He was partnering Mr. Mild-Mannered Reporter with Lois 'Mad Dog' Lane?!

"Partners?! Now wait just a minute, Perry! You can't..."

Perry would have none of that. He was on a roll, and nobody stopped him when he was on a roll. "Lane and Kent! The finest news team this paper has ever seen! Now get out of my office and go write me some articles!" They didn't move. They just sat there, glued to their chairs, as they processed this newest development. "OUT!"

They quickly left the office, not wanting to risk Perry White's wrath, especially when he was supposed to be in a good mood. Clark could tell Lois was furious, and he knew why. He'd worked with her long enough to know that she hated partners. The next few days were going to be interesting. "Uh, Lois?" He cleared his throat to get her attention. "I-I... I wanted to thank you for what you did for me. I just wanted you to know that I'll never forget it."

"Neither will I, since I'm stuck with you." She whirled around to face him and folded her arms, looking up at him. "Look, no offense, Clark. I know you're a good reporter... but I don't need a partner, and I don't want a partner."

He knew that too well. He was dealing with 'Mad Dog' Lane now, the intrepid reporter who never shared a byline, and not with the sweet Lois Lane who had taken care of him for one whole day. After all, this was business. "Well, just remember who you're working with." He gave her a knowing grin and a wink. "I think we'll make a 'super' team."

She actually laughed despite herself. What was it about his farm boy looks and innocence that turned her heart to mush? "A 'super' team, right." She was actually looking forward to working with him on a daily basis... not that she'd ever admit it to anyone, of course. However, they still had to set some ground rules. "Let's just get one thing straight here... If we're going to work together, you gotta keep up with me. I'm no tour guide and I don't hold hands. Understood?"

He smiled. "Understood."

"Come on, let's go get food, and then we'll figure out what to do about this partnership." She went back to her desk, picked up her purse, and headed for the elevators.

Clark followed her. "What would you like? I'm buying. It's the least I can do to repay you for... you know, for everything." He could afford to buy her food. That trip to Lois' house the day before set him back a few bucks, but he could buy food... for one day... either breakfast, lunch or dinner. He was on a budget. "And I won't take 'no' for an answer."

She thought it was about time that he started to be more assertive, so she let him have this one. "All right, then. I'm in the mood for pizza. How about it?"

"Pizza?" He glanced at his watch. "At 9 A.M.?"

"Yeah, with everything on it. Come on, let's go." They headed to the elevators. A few people gave her dirty looks along the way but she ignored them. She pressed the 'down' button and waited for the elevator to arrive at their floor.

"Uh, Lois? Why are people looking at you like that?"

She scoffed and folded her arms. "They didn't like that I called them at four in the morning. You wouldn't believe how angry people get about that. I mean, what's the big deal? Just answer the phone and then go back to bed."

"Well, from their point of view, you were looking to get a tan at four in the morning. I think it's understandable that they'd be a little angry."

"I did what I had to do and I have no regrets. They need to get over themselves."

Clark didn't know what to say to that. What could he say to the woman who had done so much to save his life? So, they just stood there in silence until the elevator doors opened and they made their way inside. The doors closed behind them and Lois pushed the button for the lobby, then they just watched the numbers at the top.

"So..." Clark broke the silence. "How is everyone?"

"Well, Richard collapsed in bed as soon as he got back from taking you flying." She remembered that quite vividly. Richard just stumbled back into the house, dragging a red blanket behind him, mumbling something about Superman jumping out of the plane, before going upstairs and promptly collapsing in bed. The man deserved a good, long sleep.

"I'm not surprised. He didn't sleep a wink all night." He wondered what made Richard stay up all night. What could've spooked him like that? "He's great company, even at three in the morning and wired on caffeine." It surprised him how nice Richard was to him and he wondered if that would change after Richard found out the whole truth.

"Yeah, he's a great guy." She leaned against the wall, wondering when she would find the right opportunity to tell Clark that Richard knew the whole truth about Jason. "And, well... Jason's in school. He asked for you." She smiled at the memory. "You're his hero."

He felt his spirit soar at those words. "I'm so happy to hear that." Everything he went through the day before was worth it just to know that Jason liked him. All he had to do was earn that love by watching over him and protecting him. He had to be a father and not simply a 'super-hero', and that scared him to death. You'll get the hang of it, Clark.

"Jason wanted to know if you'll be staying with us for a while."

"Of course..." He looked at Lois sheepishly. "If you'll have me."

She gave him a sweet smile. "Of course we'll have you."

"Thank you." He was so happy that she was letting him stay at her house. He could be close to Jason and he could get to know Richard. He wasn't ready to tell him the big secret yet, but he would soon. After all, the man saved his life and deserved to know the truth. Still, it wasn't going to be easy seeing Lois with another man, but he made his choice when he left the planet, and Lois, for five years.

"You'll have to stay as Superman, though. Did you get your suit?"

"I did." He stepped back, grinning. "I always wanted to do this in front of you."

Lois watched him in wonder and then, to her utter surprise, he took off his glasses and ripped open his shirt, revealing the "S" shield underneath. "No way!" she exclaimed in utter delight. "You wear the suit under your clothes?" And where does he keep the cape?

"Of course, I have to be ready for an emergency at all times."

She took the glasses from him and held them to her eyes, noticing that they weren't prescription glasses. "How did a simple pair of glasses fool me all these years?"

He buttoned up his shirt and redid his tie. "Are you still upset about that...?" he asked carefully. He wouldn't blame her if she was still upset. But at least she wasn't crying like the last time, which broke his heart every time he thought about it. It had hurt to see her like that, so much so that he had erased her memories just to take the pain away. Soon... I'll tell her soon.

"It seems kind of silly to be upset about that after everything we've gone through lately." She slipped his glasses back on his face, then stepped back and got a good look. "Well, your acting really sells the look, so I don't feel so galactically stupid now."

"You're not 'galactically stupid', Lois."

"I'm more upset about you eavesdropping outside my window anyway," she muttered. Then she remembered the next part of his confession that he never got to tell her. "What were you going to tell me this morning that was so important anyway?"

"Ah... uh..." He felt the elevator come to a stop. "We're here!"

The elevator doors opened and she watched as he stepped out of the elevator in a hurry. "Are you stalling?" she asked, following him out the doors and rushing to catch up with him. They went past the big blue globe at the center of the lobby and headed for the revolving doors.

Clark was definitely stalling, and with good reason, but he knew he had to stop doing it. He had to tell Lois the truth, even if she hated him for it. Maybe he would tell her the day after next, or... no, he had to tell her sooner than that. "I'll tell you everything soon, I promise."

She saw how anxious he looked and she just didn't understand it. She was convinced that whatever it was he had to tell her couldn't possibly be as bad as him eavesdropping outside their window. So, she wasn't too worried. "All right. Soon. I'll remember."

He followed Lois out the revolving doors, but he got stuck again. He pushed against the revolving doors, but they wouldn't budge. "Why does this keep happening to me?"

"Clark!!" She pushed against the doors and finally, they were out of the Daily Planet and standing outside under the sun's rays. She noticed the fruit cart and the guy yelling about fresh fruit. "Oh, look who's back. Remember him? I haven't seen him for a while."

He had been enjoying standing under the sun when he noticed the fruit cart. He worried that the sight of it would trigger her memories. She'd jumped out the window and landed in the fruit cart after he'd cushioned her fall. He felt his heart racing, but to his relief, she didn't seem to remember anything. "Uh, yes." He made sure there was nobody around listening in. "Do you want pizza from New York or Italy?" I might as well spoil her while I still can...

She wanted to smack him in the arm playfully for trying to spoil her rotten, but remembered that he was probably back to full power. She remembered how much her hand stung the last time she hit him. "Tempting, but I'm not going to take advantage of you." At least not until tonight, when I send you on a food run to China... "We'll go to the little pizzeria about two blocks from here, Manny's Pizza."

He followed her down the street, and he briefly looked over his shoulder at the alley where that man had tried to mug them all those years ago. "No driving?"

"I feel like walking." She heard him whisper 'oh thank god'. "I heard that! And for your information, Smallville, there's nothing wrong with my driving." Clark didn't say anything, but she could tell he didn't believe her for a second. Annoyed, but still slightly amused, she picked up the pace. "Oh, let's just go..."

He enjoyed walking by her side, even if she was arguing with him. It had been so long since he'd spent time with her as Clark. "Isn't this nice, Lois? Just like old times."

"Yeah... just like old times." They used to do this all the time after work all those years ago, but she had all but forgotten about him after he left the planet. It was time to make up for it. "Well, I think it's about time I started spending more time with Clark Kent anyway."

He smiled. "I'm all yours..." Then he couldn't resist adding, "Partner."

She held up a threatening index finger in his direction. "Don't push it." He just chuckled under his breath. "Well..." She couldn't help but smile, "Look who's feeling better."

"I feel great!" he said, grinning, "It feels so good to be alive."

"I'm happy to hear that." She had been so worried about him for an entire day, and the early hours of the morning had been so excruciating, that she couldn't put into words how happy she was that he was alive and healthy. "I think yesterday was difficult for all of us, but I can't imagine how difficult it was for you."

"Difficult, yes... but worth every minute," he said, suddenly growing serious, and Lois looked at him curiously, "I have a family now. I'm not alone anymore."

"You were never alone, Clark," she said, softly.

"Never alone..." he repeated, taken aback by the feeling of belonging that those words filled him with. Maybe the search for sunlight the day before had helped him see light of a different kind. He had been in darkness, feeling utterly alone because Lois had left him for another man and the world had seemed to move on without him. The events of that day had changed all that and shown him the light, and this one burned brighter than the sun. He had a family; a legacy. He wasn't alone in the universe.

"Thank you, Lois... for showing me the light."

She smiled at the double meaning. "Anytime, Clark... Anytime."

-Fin-

I have a confession to make. I removed like three pages from the epilogue. It was mostly about Richard and Jason, but the epilogue was dragging and I was really struggling with the scene, which usually means that it needs to go. I couldn't risk ruining those ideas by rushing them or severely cutting them for length. So, I saved them for the sequel, where they will get the proper treatment. And speaking of which...

You guys are getting a sequel! Really, after that kind of response, how could I say no? It's called "The Kryptonite Infection" so far. I've yet to decide the format, but I know what it will be about. I'm pretty excited about it. I think you guys will like it! "But DT," you may ask, "don't we get a hint?" Yes, stay tuned for Superman's Nightmare, which will be the teaser. So... I hope you guys enjoyed the happy ending because something's going to hit the fan in the sequel! Bwahahaha!

Well, I really hope you enjoyed "The Day After"! Many thanks to all my wonderful readers who made this story possible. Sorry for all the delays and I promise I'll try to do better for the sequel. You guys deserve to have the stories out on time! You're the best. Thanks for making this so much fun.

Please review!

-DT

P.S. I'll be posting updates on my profile page every now and then, just to keep myself on track and to let you guys know my progress on the stories. Check it out if you want!