Stronger Than Steel Chapter 1

By Cadet Deming

I don't own the rights to Superman, DC Comics and Warner Brothers do so please don't sue. Takes place in the Man of Steel rebooted universe after the events of the movie. Rated T. Please read and review, it's much appreciated.

If he saved enough people, maybe one day they would finally accept him. That was the mantra that Clark Kent told himself, his motivation to keep going. He had never felt completely accepted by humanity, but always was the outsider looking in.

Being "outed" as the Kryptonian-born alien originally named Kal-El still didn't make him feel accepted so much as exalted, or at least feared from afar. It wasn't the same thing as true acceptance. He would have to find that as Clark Kent.

The path to acceptance was honesty, and there were only two people alive he trusted with his secret identity: his mother Martha and Lois Lane.

Lois had helped him get a job at the Daily Planet newspaper, and instructed him on the art of blending in.

She said, "You're posture is too perfect. It brings attention to yourself. You need to slump a little."

Clark said, "So basically, you're giving me lessons in how to have no charisma. Is this the opposite of self-help?"

She smiled. He loved her smile. "Investigators don't want to be charismatic. We want to convince our subjects that they're the charismatic ones, so they'll get on a roll talking about themselves and we get more information."

"I could see that. Do you have any egotistical interviews scheduled?"

She shrugged. "That billionaire industrialist Lex Luthor. I'm sure he's full of more hot air than anything interesting."

"The guy who owns LutherCorp? I think I destroyed a building of his."

"As long as he doesn't know you and Superman are the same person, I doubt he'll come after you for the bill."

Guilt gnawed at Clark. For every life he saved, there seemed to be another fallen skyscraper or disaster zone left in its wake. He could never rescue enough people.

Clark said, "No one can know Lois."

"You know you can trust me."

"I trust you. It's the rest of the world I worry about."

Lois exited her cab and approached the Midtown restaurant. Dozens of people rushed past her in that hyperactive Metropolis way. She wondered what secrets they all hid.

It wasn't natural for Lois to keep secrets. As a reporter, exposing secrets and bringing the truth to light were part of her lifeblood. Protecting Clark's secret identity was something the "Old" Lois would never have done.

Meeting Clark changed her, which was why she kept her lips clenched, her jaw tight, and her words discreet.

Alexander Joseph "Lex" Luthor shook her hand. His grip was firm, but uncomfortably moist. He was so oily she wouldn't have to moisturize for a week.

He said, "Thank you for finally meeting with me Ms. Lane. "

"Sorry I couldn't see you sooner."

He filled the chair across from her.

Everything about him was shiny: the purple and green neon Roberto Cavalli tie, the flashy diamonds on his oversized Rolex watch, and even the skin on his completely bald head.

He leaned his shoulders forward. She suspected they were padded with foam and exaggerated masculinity. Luthor gave off the air of a man trying hard to look powerful. He tried too hard for her personal tastes.

It contrasted with her memories of Clark with all his alien yet reassuringly human glory. His arms were pure and solid.

Clark didn't appear to be trying to project power over others. There was a thin line between confidence and arrogance, and he didn't cross it. Luthor seemed like he'd crossed the line at age 5.

Lois turned on her recorder and asked, "So are you going to give the Daily Planet an exclusive on your official announcement of running for governor?"

She braced herself for a barrage of self-promotion.

Luthor took a sip of coffee before answering.

"I'm not here about me. Although I'm sure you'd love to hear about my upcoming campaign."

Lois was sure she wouldn't love it.

He cracked his knuckles. "I'm actually here about…the alien."

She frowned. "His name is Kal-El."

"Sounds like the name of a terrorist. But it's better than…what are they calling him? Superman."

"He's not a terrorist. He saved our planet."

"He destroyed a five hundred million dollar building of mine. That makes him a terrorist in my book."

"Any damage he caused was in defense against the real terrorists: General Zod and the renegade Kryptonians."

"Would the other Kryptonians even have come to our world looking for him if he wasn't hiding out here?"

Lois kept her composure. "Kal-El didn't do anything wrong. What do you want from me?"

"I want to meet him."

"Why? So you can sue him for property damage? He doesn't exactly have deep pockets."

"I want him to at least apologize to me."

Lois was incredulous at Luthor's attitude.

"I don't think so."

"I'd rather hear that from him."

"Not gonna happen."

"I strongly suggest if you value your career, you'll arrange a meeting between the two of us."

Lois leapt to her feet and pointed her finger at him. "Listen buddy. I don't know who you think you are, but I didn't cave to my boss, the U.S. Military or an alien invader to give up his identity. I'm sure as hell not going to give in to you."

"I'm not a man you want for an enemy. You or…the alien."

Lois turned her back on him. "I'm leaving. If you want to pay for your damn building, file an insurance claim like everyone else."

"I'm not like everyone else, as you'll find out soon enough. Don't cross me, Miss Lane."

Lois speed-walked away. She hoped he was just another self-important blowhard. But what if he actually was dangerous?

To be continued, if people want me to.