Can You Go Home Again?

Author's note: Before I start. I would like to clarify a few points. First of all, this is my first fan fiction…ever. I have come up with many, many stories of a fanfictionesk nature over the years, but I never wrote them down. However, I am quite confident in my ability. If there are two things I know for sure in this world, they are that I can write very well, and I know Superman trivia better than most, though not as good as some. Luckily, my father, who grew up with the comic books is usually willing to explain something I am not familiar with.

Second. I would like to explain my history in relation to Superman. This may not seem relevant to my story, but I think it is, however, you may skip it if you like. After all, I have no way of tracking you down and forcing you to read it. When I was younger, probably six or seven, my father brought the Christopher Reeve version of Superman home for the first time. For some reason or other, I did not want to see it. I was certain I would hate it, so I hid upstairs while he and my sister watched it. However, it is a long movie, and I got bored. I came down to see if they were done, and I saw the scene near the end where Lois Lane is in her car being suffocated by debris. If you have seen the movie, you know what scene I mean. If you have not, I suggest you do…Right Now! My interest was peeked, and I asked to see it again, from the beginning. After that, I was hooked. I saw the movies, became utterly obsessed with Smallville, the recent origin story, and started working backwards. I watched Lois and Clark, The New Adventures of Superman, as well as a DVD of original cartoons from the 1940's that would air instead of trailers before a movie. I intend to watch every interpretation out there, even the campy ones that stink, because it is my opinion that if you are obsessed with something, it is your duty to become familiar with everything related to it until you can consider yourself the foremost expert on everything relating to that subject.

In Season Three of Lois and Clark, The New Adventures of Superman, Lois Lane is sent to an alternate universe where she never met Clark and he is still with his high school sweetheart, Lana Lang. This episode is called, Tempus Anyone? Feel free to look it up. I took major issue with this episode, because it is the only time in the entire series that Lana Lang appears, or is even mentioned, and she is portrayed as a bossy, controlling, shrill, selfish, blonde bitch. First of all, Blonde? Lana Lang of the comics, introduced in Superboy #10 in 1950 has always, always, always been a redhead. In the television show Smallville, an exception was made because Kristin Kreuk, who was actually the first person cast for the show, fit the role so perfectly, that they could not imagine casting anybody else. Lana is a major character in the show Smallville, so the actress had to be perfect. Kristin Kreuk is of half Dutch, half Asian dissent, so having her dye her hair or wear a wig would have looked just plain weird. Sacrificing this small thing for the perfect actress to play this series regular made sense in that case. However, not only was Lana in Lois and Clark, The New Adventures of Superman a one episode guest star, so insignificant that another actress could do the role justice, but even if the actress they chose, Emily Procter, was the only one who could fit the bill, nothing in her appearance made it unthinkable for her to do the episode as a redhead. Hair dye, or a wig, if she did not want to go that far, are time honored traditions in television. If there was no way, that would be one thing, but here are two completely reasonable options, but I digress. While the hair thing bothered me, what I really hated was how horrible a person they made Lana. I have great love and respect for all interpretations of Lana Lang that I have seen, such as her brief appearance in the first Superman Movie, as a major character in Superman III, and Lana of Smallville who is maybe one of the best characters ever invented. However, even if I had nothing but animosity for Miss Lang, you still have to believe that this girl is the sort of girl The Man of Steel would fall for. In Lois and Clark, The New Adventures of Superman's interpretation, Lana does not do or say a single thing that does not make you hate her more. She wants to control Clark's life; she is pushy, bossy, and completely selfish. Raise your hand if you can see America's greatest All-American hero falling for somebody like that in high school? I know I could not. I get that the episode is supposed to say that Clark only ever loved Lois, but come on, that was just ridiculous. Clark is not dating guy. He would never get involved with a girl unless he truly cared for her and saw a future with her. In season two of Lois and Clark, The New Adventures of Superman there was a character named Mayson Drake, an assistant D.A. who was completely smitten with Clark although she did not like Superman at all. Clark found this a refreshing change from Lois who worshipped Superman but ignored him. While she was a little forward, she was strong and independent, as well as sweet, and Clark was actually temporarily torn, not knowing whom he wanted. Despite the fact that she is blonde, the character of Mayson Drake fits the bill of Lana Lang far better than the show's actual interpretation. Yes, Clark ends up with Lois, must end up with Lois, we all know this, but why does that mean he cannot have a past love, a girl whom in his younger years he would picture a future with. In the comics, Lana is something of competition for Lois, much like Gwen Stacey was to Mary Jane in Spiderman. She has some Lois like qualities, but the appeal of Lana was always that she knew Clark before Superman ever existed, and even though she respects Superman and what he stands for, the person she truly wants to be with is Clark Kent. This is the opposite of Lois, who was completely smitten with Superman before she ever looked twice at Clark. Lana is supposed to be the sweet girl from back home who made Clark's heart go pitter-patter way back when. While her role in the comics has changed over the years, she has never been the bitch that Emily Procter portrayed her as. (This is not a slam to Emily Procter, she did not write the script, she just followed it, and did pretty well with what she was given). Basically, I felt that Lois and Clark, The New Adventures of Superman's interpretation of Lana Lang could use a re-write. That is what this story is supposed to be, the episode that never happened, with the real Lana Lang.

This episode take place after The Source, which is the third episode of season two. I wanted it to be early season two because I wanted it after the season one finale where Lois sort of admits feelings for Clark, becoming somewhat aware that there may be more to her relationship with him than friendship. Even though she basically fell into denial about this realization and is still in love with Superman, a seed has been planted in her mind, which is sometimes all it takes. I wanted it before she and Clark really start to explore the boundaries of their friendship, and I it wanted before he meets Mayson, because I wanted him to be technically single, and Lois to be the only girl he is thinking about when the story starts. While I considered using one interpretation or another of Lana, I decided to simple use what I knew of the comic version and a few pieces from each interpretation, as well as my own imagination and character development skills to create my own version who is interesting and original, but still does justice to the actual character and will fit into the world of Lois and Clark, The New Adventures of Superman. I would also like to clarify, for those of you who are not writers, that I do not know exactly how this story will end, because as characters develop, they begin to tell the story themselves, and all you are doing is writing it down. I refuse to make something out of character happen just because I want a couple to get together or an event to happen. Because this is a Lois and Clark, The New Adventures of Superman fan-fiction, odds are, they will be together in the end, but you never know. If you do not understand what I mean, try renting Alex and Emma, a movie about a writer and his stenographer, it may help explain some things about the process. Basically, if you only want to read a story where you are certain that it will end the way you want it, stop reading. I do not control what happens, I simply set up the scenario and the characters act as they naturally would. Sorry for the long windedness, but I felt the explanation was necessary. Anyway, you have no idea how long that rant has been in my brain and it feels so good to finally put it on paper and free up the space in my troubled mind. Without further ado, please sit back, relax, and read the hopefully exciting, Can You Go Home Again?

Prologue.

Clark woke up on the floor next to his bed. He had fallen out again. That happened sometimes. Even superheroes can be restless sleepers. He was just glad he had not destroyed the bed. He could not afford to get it replaced again.

He got up and started to stretch. The sun was shining into his apartment. It was a beautiful day, and he felt refreshed as he let the warm sunshine caress his face. He went into hyper speed then. He did his morning exercises, not that he needed to exercises, but he found it relaxing. He also thought it was a little unfair that everybody else had to work at being in shape and he just…was, but, he enjoyed sports and exercise. It was really a great way to start the day. Then, he got some eggs from the refrigerator and turned the stove on. After eating breakfast, he grabbed his clothes and put them on over his costume. Other than the eggs, which would only cook as fast as the stove would allow, his whole morning routine had taken about two minutes. He smiled to himself. Not a personal best, but still respectable. He checked the clock. He still had a half an hour before he had to get to work. However, the Daily Planet was not his only job. He perked his ears up, and sure enough, there was a burglar alarm going off on the south side of town. He spun around, changing into his costume. This looks like a job for, Superman.

"Hold on, coming through, excuse me." Lois said, making her way to her desk with a stack of research in her arms and a coffee cup between her teeth. When she finally made it to her desk, half of the coffee had spilt onto the floor, leaving very little for her to drink.

"Slow down Lois." Jimmy said, coming up behind her.

"You slow down they catch up with you. My little bit of advice from me to you. I don't have time to slow down, and if you want Perry to give you more responsibility around here, then neither do you. Where's Clark?" she basically said it all in one breath. Jimmy knew what that meant, she had a lead, she was on a rampage, and it was not a day to mess with her.

"I, uh-" he started, but Lois did not let him finish.

"Don't tell me he's not here yet. That's just great, I have a lead that could make me a Pulitzer winner, and my so called 'partner' cannot even drag himself out of bed in time to…" she scowled. Then she picked up her phone and tried Clark's apartment.

"Look, Lois, I'm sure he's just running a little late. Anyway, you know C.K., he's almost anally punctual, he's got a good excuse for being late, and he'll be here any second."

"Jimmy, I can hear that condescending, talk=Lois-off-another-ledge tone in your voice, and I have to say, I really don't care for it."

"Just trying to be a pal."

"You want to be pal, look up these names for me," she said, handing him a few sheets off the stacks of paper she had been carrying.

"Sure thing, Lois." He said, glad for an excuse to get out of the line of fire. Heading off to do Lois's bidding, he ran into Clark, who was coming out of the elevator.

"Good luck, C.K. You're going to need it." Jimmy said with an ironic smile as he passed him.

Clark looked at Jimmy confused, then headed for his desk.

Lois was waiting for him. He could tell from her face she was upset. She spotted him and gave him that adorable, annoyed look of hers where her eyebrows got high and her lips tightened. He knew he was in trouble, but it was to late to turn the other way.

"Where have you been?" she asked, her voice high-pitched and agitated.

"Good morning to you to, Lois." He said, giving her a charming smile as he tried to smooth the waters by lightening the mood. His comment did not have the desired affect.

"Good morning? Good morning? Clark, I've been trying to get a hold of you during good morning, but it is almost good afternoon."

Clark looked at his watch. He had not realized how late it had gotten. It seemed every time he thought he was done, there was another emergency. And that mud slid…what a mess. And then he had had to shower off, of course, because he could not exactly come to work covered in mud. Lois was right, it was almost noon. He searched his mind for an excuse, which sounded believable that he had not used this week already. Wow, he had used a lot of excuses this week. He was beginning to think something was going on. He was having to prevent more in a day, than he normally did weekly. There was a huge crime rise, and that could connect to something, but nobody could be controlling those constant natural disasters too…could they?

Clark realized he still had not answered Lois. She was looked at him, her face still annoyed, tapping her foot in expectation.

"There was just a lot of traffic getting to the office this morning." He tried.

"For three hours?" she challenged.

"Well, I took a taxi, and it broke down, so the driver had to get out and fix it before we could go, and by then, it was rush hour, and traffic was crazy."

Lois shook her head. She was not in the mood right now. They had too much work right now to dwell on Clark's flimsy excuse.

"Look. It doesn't matter. I have been working on the recent rise of criminal activity in metropolis. You know Superman made seventeen arrests just in the past two hours?" he smiled at her. It was like she was reading his mind. She was truly amazing. Unfortunately, she thought Superman was truly amazing. Just once, he would like her to look at Clark Kent the way she looked at Superman. Just once. But he knew she never would.

"Really, seventeen, wow?" Clark said, like he was getting this information for the first time.

"I checked, and over the past year, Superman normally stops twelve to twenty criminals a day. So how is it that he is getting more done in two hours than he used to in twenty-four?"

"Maybe he's getting better."

"Clark, please, Superman has always been able to stop whoever or whatever was a threat in Metropolis. He always caught all the criminals. There just never were this many. Something is happening. Something big. Jimmy, good, did you finish looking up those names for me?"

Clark turned to see Jimmy standing behind him.

"No, uh, not yet, but, C.K., here, this letter came for you. They delivered it to me by accident. I plain forgot about it until just now, which is good, cause, you know, it might be time sensitive or something."

Jimmy handed Clark the letter and he opened it. "It's an invitation. My high school reunion."

"Really, when is it?" Lois said. Her voice sounded rather disinterested, but she was trying to be good friend. Clark appreciated that she was making the effort.

"Next week." Clark looked at Lois and took a deep breath, trying to get up the courage to say what was on his mind, "Um, you know, I'll probably go. And, if you want, I mean, if you don't have any plans next Tuesday…do you maybe want to tag along?"

"Sure, C.K., I'll keep you company." Jimmy said.

Clark exhaled. "Actually, Jimmy, I -"

Lois interrupted him, "Yeah, if we get Perry to let us ditch the exciting world of solving this raise in crime rate just to go down to the town of corn and cows so we can meet up with The Beave and hear stories about the time Clark was late for class because his tractor broke down during rush-hour, it would be the perfect way to waste a Tuesday." There was venom in her voice.

"Well, I'll be there C.K., I like the idea of…rural Kansas. And, you know, Perry would be more likely to let us go if you invite him. He and Alice could probably use a country vacation. We could make a thing of it, do it up right, the whole country shebang."

"Well, you to can go through that hell, if you like, but there is no way your talking me into it."

"You had fun last time."

"Last time we were there on a story, and I got to hang out with you and your parents, I didn't have to make small talk with all your high school buddies who probably don't know a Pulitzer from politzerization."

"Lois-"

"Clark, I'm not going, that's it, you guys have fun, if that's possible at a Smallville High School reunion, but this is one thing there is absolutely no chance of you talking me into. I would rather be poked in the eyes with a million tiny, tiny needles than go to a your hometown reunion, okay." Lois said with stubborn finality as she used a letter opener to break the seal on her mail.

"I still cannot believe you talked me into this." Lois said, leaning her head back, watching the rainfall outside the car window. Jimmy was in the back seat, reading something about how to meet and keep a woman, and Lois was sitting shotgun, hating herself and her companions for the mere fact that she was in this car. Clark smiled at Lois's negativity, and turned the car, passing a sign, which said, "Welcome to Smallville."