Jimmy X

By Bob Dickerson

"Come on Lois, the film starts in an hour," Clark said with a
smile. He knew that getting Lois away from this story was not
going to be easy.

"I'll be with you in a minute," replied Lois without even looking
up, "I've nearly finished."

"Lois, you said that almost half an hour ago," pleaded Clark,
"Can we *please* just go now?"

Lois reluctantly stopped typing on her computer. "OK, but I'm
coming in early in the morning to finish this."

"That's fine, Lois, but please try and remember to keep next
weekend free. We're going to Smallville to see my folks,
remember?" Clark reminded her. Ever since their wedding they had
made a point of seeing Martha and Jonathan at least once a
fortnight.

"Forget? I'm looking forward to the break!" joked Lois, "Now come
on or we'll never make this movie." This made Clark smile -
hadn't their roles been reversed in the last minute?!

Lois and Clark stepped out of the Daily Planet building. A
building that had led to their first meeting. A building which
had seen their relationship move from nothing to friendship, then
to trust and marriage. Lois and Clark both liked working at the
Planet, and not only because it meant that they could see each
other. They liked the work, the stories were interesting (even if
Lois had a nasty habit of nearly getting killed while writing
them). Perry was as good a boss as you could wish for, and Jimmy
was a good friend also. Clark reminded himself to phone Jimmy
after the movie, to arrange times for the soccer game on Sunday.
They made their way across to the cinema and paid for two tickets
to 'Daylight', the new Stallone movie. 

***

As Lois and Clark left the cinema, they were in good spirits. The
movie had been quite good, and they had felt good snuggling up to
each other. They had bought tickets for the back row. Clark had
objected at first, feeling that they would look like teens
wanting to neck in the back row. "And what's wrong with that?"
Lois had laughed. They were going back to their own apartment.
Neither could really believe that they were married and living
together after all that had happened. But they were, and neither
could be happier.

It was as they entered their street that the rain started. Within
a minute, it was pouring down, and there was thunder and
lightning in the sky. Clark looked around and saw no- one. A
quick burst of super-hearing made doubly sure. He picked Lois up
and moved to the door at super-speed. Lois fumbled for her keys
and let them in. As they stood dripping in the doorway, Clark
used his heat-vision to dry Lois off first and then himself.

"Thanks, Clark, looks like I have a use for you after all!" joked
Lois.

"Why thank you, Lois. You know I could always take you back to
where we started," These jokes were always how Clark and Lois
communicated with each other. Lois moved closer to Clark.

"So, why don't you?"

"I don't know." The couple moved closer still to each other,
until their lips met in the middle. Clark lifted Lois up and
moved to the sofa, where he gently placed her down and sat on the
floor beside her. They continued to kiss for what seemed like an
eternity. Clark was about to suggest an early night, when they
were interrupted by the phone.

"Clark, ignore it, it's probably Perry or someone," complained
Lois.

"Oh no, Jimmy," the thought hit Clark. "Lois, I was meant to
phone Jimmy, that's probably him." Before Lois could argue Clark
had the receiver to his ear.

"Hello... Oh hi, Jimmy... Yes I know... Yes I'm sorry... We were,
er, we went to the cinema and we waited to see if the rain would
ease before we left... Yes, we only just got home." Lois giggled.
They had been home for about 45 minutes! 

***

Outside, while Clark was on the phone to Jimmy, the lightning was
forking through the sky with alarming regularity. Margaret
Peacock, a neighbour of the Kents looked out of her window, and
saw a bolt. "Henry, Henry," she called to her husband, "turn the
TV off, and don't use the phone. Those bolts are a bit close for
my liking."

At about the same time that Mrs. Peacock made that observation, a
lightning bolt struck a telephone pylon just outside their
apartment block. "Henry, are you alright?"

"Yes, love, I'm fine, what's the problem?" 

***

Clark dropped the smouldering phone to the floor. "What on earth
was that?" he asked aloud.

"What?" Lois came rushing over.

"I was talking to Jimmy and the phone got very hot, and a loud
noise came out. It didn't hurt, but I dropped the phone more
through shock." Lois picked up the handset.

"Dead."

Clark went over to the window, and looked out. "Well Lois, I
would say that the handset is terminally injured. It seems that
lightning has hit the telephone lines. Luckily, it won't affect
me."

"Well, I hope that no-one else was on the phone when.... Oh god,
Clark!"

"What?" inquired Clark worriedly.

"Jimmy." 

***

Clark carried Lois to Jimmy's apartment as quickly as he dared
without wanting to make Jimmy or anyone else suspicious. If Jimmy
was conscious and Clark arrived too soon, he might suspect
something. As it turned out, that was something they needn't have
worried about.

When Lois and Clark arrived at Jimmy's apartment, they found the
door locked, but the window was open. Clark floated up to the
window and entered. He let Lois in through the door.

"Lois, he's not here."

"He must be. If he got a burst like you did, then he would be
unconscious or at least dazed. And why would he go out the
window? Oh, Clark, you don't think that someone's taken him, do
you?"

"Why would someone take Jimmy? He's got no money, and if they
wanted to get to Superman, then they'd have taken one of us."
Clark comforted her.

"Don't I know it!" Lois was worried. After all, Jimmy's dad was a
spy and people may be using that Jimmy get to him. She suggested
this to Clark.

"I still don't think so. Jack has only seen Jimmy twice in the
last ten years or so. It's hardly what you'd call a close
family."

Clark searched the apartment at super-speed for any signs of a
break-in or anything else that might help them. He found nothing,
and eventually he decided to check the only option he could think
of. He picked up the receiver. It was working.

"Clark, it's past midnight," remarked Lois.

"Uh huh." 

***

"What?" boomed the voice on the other end of the line.

"Hi, Boss, it's Clark," the timid voice of the man of steel
replied, "sorry to wake you."

"Clark, why are you phoning me at 12:15 at home? This better be
good." said Perry in a somewhat calmer voice.

Clark explained the Jimmy problem. Had Perry called and sent him
on a job? Did he know where he was? No. Clark assured Perry that
he thought everything would be OK, and told him not to come over
just yet, he'd phone if anything happened. Perry reluctantly
agreed and hung up.

"Hey, wouldn't Jimmy's phone be broken like mine if lightning got
here?" asked Lois after Clark had hung up to Perry.

"I never thought of that. I guess it would."

"Superheroes, huh, never think do you?!" Clark kissed Lois
lightly, and then moved toward the window. In a quick spin, Clark
Kent was gone, and Superman stood in the spot he had occupied.

"That is *still* spooky!" said Lois.

"I'm going to fly over the city, and see if I can see Jimmy."

"No need," the voice came from behind them, where the door was
now open, "I'm here."

"Jimmy, where have you been?" asked Lois motherly.

"To see my aunt." replied Jimmy casually.

"Jimmy, don't be stupid, your aunt lives in England. You were
speaking to Clark just an hour ago." Lois was confused.

"That's right." Jimmy had a strange look on his face. "I'm going
back tomorrow to see the sights."

"Jimmy," Superman was speaking and Jimmy listened intently.
Superman was a hero to him. "Are you feeling OK?"

"Superman, you're not going to believe this." 

***

After Jimmy had finished his story, Superman made an excuse to
leave. Five minutes later, Clark knocked on the door, and Lois
let him in.

"So, Jimmy. Let me get this straight in my head." said Lois, "you
were speaking to Clark on the phone, and a bolt came out of the
receiver and hit you in the head."

"Yeah, I know it sounds...."

"Hang on, let me sort this, cause I'm kind of confused here. So
then, you fell over and the lamp fell onto you. And this, solid
steel, lamp hit you and broke. I mean, the actual metal, not just
the glass."

"Yep, that's right." said Jimmy.

"And then you got up, and realized the phone was dead. So you
decided to walk to our apartment when you couldn't reach our
phone. And on the way, you fell down your stairs. And then you
were flying. And you could control this flying? So in effect, you
are just like Superman."

A succession of yes's from Jimmy accompanied this monologue from
Lois.

"Wow!" that was Clark.

"I remember that story that you guys wrote a couple of years
back. Some guy got struck by lightning while Superman was
touching him and he got his powers. But what I can't figure is
how I got them. OK, so the lightning's there, but how can I have
Superman's powers? I was on the phone to Clark." Jimmy's last
question sent a worried glance between Lois and Clark. Clark
didn't know what to say.

"Maybe the bolt hit Superman on the way down?" added Lois.

"Wouldn't he have mentioned that just now?"

"Oh yeah, he probably would." spoke Lois. "Damn" she added under
her breath.

"Why, damn?" asked Jimmy.

"Oh superhearing. I hate that." 

***

Lois sat on the sofa with Clark. It was 4:15 now, and they had
arrived home from Jimmy's about an hour ago. Clark was
considering telling Jimmy the truth, but Lois thought that it
might be a mistake. Jimmy was acting as though he was already
some sort of Superman's assistant. Unfortunately, Jimmy had
always quietly worshipped Superman, and now he had a good excuse
to be up there with him. Clark had convinced Jimmy to keep it
quiet for now. He had a test in mind, before Jimmy went anywhere.
Tomorrow, Lois and Jimmy would go to S.T.A.R. Labs and expose
Jimmy to some kryptonite. As he was not from Krypton, but his
powers were, Clark was unsure whether it would affect him.

"Lois, I think it would be best if I told Jimmy. Now that he has
these powers, he could catch me changing at any time. He could
pop round and see through the window when I'm ironing my cape, or
in my secret closet, or even just reading without my glasses
on."

"I see your point, but surely we can keep this secret from
Jimmy?"

"Lois, Jimmy's phone calls always come at the worst time. Can you
imagine it, now he can get here in about a second?"

"Oh dear." Even in the circumstances, Lois and Clark found
themselves laughing out loud.

"I'll tell him tomorrow." Clark floated up to the ceiling, he
kissed Lois from there.

"Clark Kent, that is the weirdest thing!"

Outside, Jimmy looked through Clarks window in amazement. Clark
is standing on the ceiling! How can that be. Unless... Oh, it's
all falling into place now. On the phone to Clark. Lightning.
Superman's powers. Clark on the ceiling. Jimmy flew back to his
apartment.

"C.K. is Superman. Wow! I work with Superman. C.K. is an alien.
Weird!" Jimmy went to sleep with a broad grin across his face. 

***

The next morning, the Daily Planet was busy. Lois went in early
and finished her article, and Clark went and got their usual
weekly update from Bobby Bigmouth. It took him three
cheeseburgers and four bags of fries to finish, but Clark was
pleased that he'd heard nothing about Jimmy. At least, nothing
that he'd mentioned. Clark left and returned to work, and met
with Lois and Jimmy.

"Hey, Lois, Jimmy, I need to speak to you." Jimmy smiled at this.
"What's funny, Jimmy?" Clark was worried.

"Hey, Clark," said Jimmy casually, "calm down, you're getting
*super*-stressed there."

Another look shot between Lois and Clark. The three of them
headed into the store-room.

"Jimmy, listen," Clark started, "I know how you got your
powers..."

"From you."

"Eh, what, how?" Lois stammered.

"OK, C.K., so how did you keep this from me?" asked Jimmy, "I
mean, you, Superman, my best friend is an alien!"

"Jimmy, keep your voice down."

Clark arranged to meet Jimmy that evening to tell him all about
his powers, his origin and how he arrived here, why he was
Superman, and everything Jimmy asked. 

***

The high-pitched voice belonging to the voluptuous blonde was
hard to mistake. A gorgeous woman, who sounded like she had the
IQ of a small child sat over a *large* desk on the phone. "So is
it ready?.... No, I need it now... Jonny, you don't want to annoy
me... That's better... Yes, as small as you can make it... Thank
you." She hung up the phone. A small dog was on her lap, "Well,
Pookie, we can get to him through that annoying reporter friend
of his now. We won't even be near him when he goes!" 

***

Jimmy slept at Clark and Lois's apartment that night. Lois woke
needing a drink in the middle of the night, and was surprised to
see Clark floating above the bed. This always happened when
things were on his mind. She walked out to the kitchen to get a
glass of water. As she turned, something was approaching her
slowly. She screamed.

In a flash, Clark was there. "What..."

"Jimmy!" Lois whimpered.

Jimmy looked shocked. He had been floating in his sleep too, and
had moved away from the bed and towards the kitchen. Lois' scream
had awakened him and he had crashed to the floor with a loud
bang.

"What happened there?" Jimmy asked sleepily.

"It's a long story!" replied Clark. 

***

Upon arrival in Smallville, Clark and Lois led Jimmy to his
parents house. Martha and Jonathan sat in the living room
watching the news on the TV.

"Hi Mom. Hi Dad," called Clark.

"Hi Clark!" his parents chimed in unison.

"Jimmy!" noticed Jonathan, "how did you get here? Did you take
the plane?"

"Well Dad," Clark added, "we did all fly..." 

***

Martha had the sewing machine out again. She thought that she had
finished designing costumes for superheroes a few years ago!

"Hey mom, you could start a living out of that!" said Lois, as if
reading her mind.

Martha had agreed that Jimmy should have a disguise as well, if
he was to have these powers. And at the moment, there was no
option as to him not having them! Jimmy had hovered above the
floor all the while that they had talked. It was quite unnerving
really. He seemed really pleased. The strange thing was, he was
more pleased that Clark was Superman than he was about his own
powers.

"So Jimmy," spoke Martha, "what are you going to be called?"

"Oh, I, err, hadn't really thought about it yet," answered Jimmy
truthfully.

"Superboy?" suggested Lois.

"Boy? Lois, I am *not* a boy. How about SuperJim?"

"Jimmy! The whole idea of a disguise is that people don't know
who you are. That's why I'm not called 'Clark Kent Man'!"

"Oh yeah!" They all laughed along.

Lois spoke up, "How about calling yourself just a letter? It
would be mysterious."

"Yeah, that would really get the girls interested."

"Oh, oh." laughed Lois. "I'm off now, 'cause Clark's about to
give the "superheroes-don't-use-their-powers-to-get- women"
speech!"

And sure enough, he did. 

***

Later that night, after everyone was asleep, Clark lay awake. A
worried look spread across his face. He gently pulled himself out
from under the covers and crept to the door. He gave Lois a
tender kiss on the way out and she grunted appreciatively. This
made Clark shiver. Amazing. He could stand in the Arctic naked if
he wanted to, which he didn't, but a small noise from this one
woman could turn him to jelly.

Clark entered his parents' room quietly, and shook his mom. Both
of his parents awoke. Clark marvelled that, after this many years
of marriage, they were so perfectly in tune with each other. He
lifted a finger to his mouth in a gesture which said, 'keep
quiet'. On a small pad, Clark wrote them a note: 'I need to speak
to you about Jimmy. Can't speak here. Superhearing. Come with
me.' Martha and Jonathan got up slowly, so as to make as little
noise as possible. Clark went and got them the biggest coats in
the house. He floated them to the door, and then picked up his
father. "Back in a minute," he mouthed to Martha. And true to his
word, Clark was back within a minute, and he lifted his mother. 

***

Lois was woken by a noise in her room. She opened one eye
slightly.

"How does this guy get from Metropolis to Smallville so fast?" a
large man whispered. There were two of them surrounding their
wardrobe.

"Probably gets his mate, *Superman* to fly him here!" said the
other. They both laughed. Suddenly, in a blur of red, the two men
were bound and caught at the end of the bed.

"Oh, hi, Lois, sorry to wake you."

'That's not Clark', Lois thought. She was still very sleepy. As
she moved her head up, she saw a small man in a red suit at the
end of the bed. 'It's not Christmas, is it?' He had a yellow
cape, and a black mask across his eyes. "Ji... Oh, er, thank you,
whoever you are."

"What the hell are you?" asked one of the men.

"I am..." Jimmy spoke aloofly, "justice. I am X."

Lois laughed and laid back on her bed. Jimmy lifted the two men
and flew out of the window. About five minutes later, he
returned.

"So, Lois, what did you think?" Jimmy was jubilant.

"Jimmy, you were great," Lois said admiringly. "Superman would be
proud".

This was enough for Jimmy. The gopher at the Planet who spent all
of his time at work running other people's errands and all of his
time at home chasing girls and worshipping Superman. Well,
hanging out with Superman now he came to think about it! "Really?
Wow, thanks, Lois!"

"What did they want, Jimmy?"

"Well, one of them said 'Did you do it?' and the answer was yes.
Apparently, they didn't do *it*, whatever it is, as well as they
wanted to though. And they hadn't stolen anything."

"That's strange. Oh well, I'll tell Cl... Where is Clark?" Lois
was struck by worry.

"Hang on." Jimmy shot out the door. "Er, Lois....."

"Yes."

"Mr. and Mrs. Kent are gone as well."

Lois and Jimmy stood silently wondering whether it was all
connected. Break-in, everyone missing. But how could they have
taken Clark? Unless they had.... No, not possible. But where was
he? And where were his parents? 

***

It was early morning in London. Clark and his parents sat in
Trafalgar Square talking.

"So Mom, I don't think that I like Jimmy having these powers. I
mean, I've grown up with them, I know how to handle them. Jimmy
is a responsible guy, but I mean, wouldn't you freak if this
happened? He could use the vision powers for things that he
shouldn't, if you get my meaning."

"And you don't?" Jonathan said with a grin.

"NO, Dad, I don't!"

"So, Clark, you think that Jimmy will abuse the powers?" Martha's
voice of reason spoke up.

"Well, no. Not intentionally anyway."

"Because, you know, a helping hand in Metropolis would be a big
help for you, son, and you'd get to spend a lot more time with
Lois."

Clark couldn't deny the prospect of more time with Lois was
*very* attractive, but he still wasn't sure. "Mom, I can't put
Jimmy into that position. I mean, he might hurt someone, or worse
still, get hurt himself."

"Clark, why don't you discuss this with Jimmy?"

"Well, I wanted to see what you thought first. I suppose we
should get back now? Lois will be awake soon, and I don't want
her to think I left her out of this." 

***

"You left me out," yelled Lois, "I was worried sick about you.
First we find these strange men in the house, and then you're
gone..."

"Whoa, Lois. Strange men?"

"Oh yeah, there were two men in our room looking through our
wardrobe and Jimmy caught them and took them to the police."

"Jimmy?" Clark was shocked. Jimmy was being a superhero already!

Just as Clark mentioned his name, Jimmy, now dressed in his
normal clothes, entered the room. "Thought I heard my name. Did
Lois tell you what happened?"

"Yes Jimmy. Thank you for what you did. It was very brave."

"It was nothing. What were they going to do to me? Shoot me?"

"Jimmy, don't get cocky. We don't know that you're invulnerable
yet. We need to take you, in your costume, to STAR labs and
soon." Clark was reminded that Jimmy may not necessarily have
*all* of his powers. After all, they were 4-5 miles away when the
transfer happened.

"Well, I'm going to get some sleep, even if you're not. And this
is not over Clark Kent." With that Lois stormed off to the
bedroom. Jimmy smiled at Clark. 'That's the Jimmy I know,' he
thought, as he sheepishly followed Lois. 

***

Lois opened her eyes to see Clark sitting on the end of the bed
holding his head. He was wearing his jeans and a plain white
t-shirt. He was rubbing his temples madly.

"What's the matter with you? Trying to think of how to explain to
me about last night? Well, answer me, Kent."

"Lois, I, I don't feel too great. I think I've got a headache."
Clark sounded as though he had some unheard of disease, Lois
thought. Well, I suppose that a headache is unheard of for
Clark.

"Clark, you don't get headaches."

"I know. This is strange, I'm going outside to fly around for a
while. That always clears my head when I'm confused."

"Clark, this better not be an excuse to avoid talking to me,
because it won't work." Lois was suspicious. Why would Clark say
he had a headache though? He knew that it would worry Lois, and
that isn't Clark's style. He would move heaven and earth to keep
her happy, and she knew it. What could be the matter?

Clark slowly stood up. He grabbed for the end of the bed, as a
black mist threatened to overcome him. If he didn't know better,
he would have thought that this was kryptonite. But he didn't
hurt as much as normal. Kryptonite usually made every muscle in
his body hurt. It felt as though he were being torn apart. But
this was *just* a headache. His body was fine, but his head
wasn't. He managed to stand, and made his way to the door. He
took off and flew around a circle a couple of times. Lois was
pleased that he could still manage that. She went to the kitchen,
where Martha was serving breakfast.

"Hi, Lois, where's C.K.?" asked Jimmy jovially.

"He's flying outside. He's got a headache."

Martha and Jonathan immediately stopped what they were doing.
"Pardon?"

"He's got a headache."

"But, Lois, Clark doesn't get headaches." Martha was visibly
worried.

"That's what I said, but he seems to be OK other than that."

As Lois said that there was a terrible crash from outside. "What
the hell was that?" Lois said in a loud voice. Before anyone
could do anything else, Jimmy had flown out of the door and was
moving at super-speed towards the source of the noise - the old
barn. As he arrived there, he saw Clark laying at the bottom of
the barn. A quick x-ray revealed that he had cracked two ribs and
broken his left arm.

"Mrs. Kent! Mr. Kent! Lois!" Jimmy was frantic.

The three of them arrived. "Oh Clark," Lois cried.

Jimmy informed them of the injuries, and after the initial shock,
they agreed to let Jimmy take Clark to the hospital. Jimmy flew
Clark there, making the quick change into his suit first, and
deposited him in the emergency ward, where he was seen to
quickly. Jimmy was stunned when the nurse put a needle straight
into Clark's arm. This shouldn't be happening! What was going on?
Jimmy said that he had to leave, and wished Clark well. Clark
merely grunted. He had two reasons to leave. The first was that
people were kind of suspicious of a man who could fly and wasn't
Superman. The second was that he had to ferry Lois and Clark's
parents to the hospital. 

***

"So, Mrs. Kent, I have a theory. I think that when Clark's powers
came to me, that they might have been drained from him, but
slowly. I feel like I'm getting stronger, and Clark is obviously
getting weaker."

Martha looked through the window into Clark's room. Lois was
holding his hand, but Clark was unconscious. He had been in and
out of consciousness since they brought him in. His left arm was
in plaster from shoulder to fingers, and Lois was carefully
avoiding his ribs, where they were trying to heal. There was a
drip in his arm, and this was what made Martha and Jonathan
really realise that there was something *terribly* wrong with
Clark. He had been changed into a hospital gown, and lay still as
can be.

"Mrs. Kent?"

"Well, Jimmy, I suppose that is possible, although why would it
happen slowly? When his powers were transferred to Lois, he lost
them all at once." Martha was not sure.

"Transferred to Lois?" Jimmy didn't know about this. "Oh, so Lois
was Ultra Woman?"

"Oh yes, sorry, Jimmy, I thought you knew."

"Oh my god. Oh no. What an idiot. And I kept on at Lois about how
great she was. I told Lois that she was my dream woman. Oh no,
C.K. I'm sorry...."

"Jimmy, Jimmy," Jonathan was grinning despite himself, "don't
worry yourself. They both understand. But what I do think is that
Clark needs his powers back." 

***

Mindy Church was pleased with herself. Superman had not been seen
in Metropolis for over a week, and she had the final test all
lined up. Mark Lawrence, a former Intergang agent, had tried to
double cross her. Well, she thought, that will be the last time.
This presented her with a great opportunity. "Well now, Mark,
let's see if Superman is about, shall we?" They were on the top
of the LexLabs building, which was 33 stories high.

"Wait, Mindy, no! We can sort this out." Mark pleaded.

"What do you think, Pookie?" Mindy asked. The small dog didn't
flinch. "No." She pushed. 

***

Clark had sent Jimmy back to Metropolis while he recovered. He
had been in hospital for two days, and he seemed to be recovering
quickly.

"Watch over the place for me." were his instructions. Jimmy was
sitting in his apartment wondering how he could help his friend
when he heard the cry. In a flash, he was changed and out the
window. *****

Mark Lawrence was about to hit the floor, and Mindy was happy.
"No Superman, No Superman," she repeated over and over. That was
until she saw what happened then.

A flash of red, and Mark was floating. What was this? "Thank you
Superman," he exclaimed as he breathed heavily.

"Sorry, not Superman today."

"What the... Who are you?" asked Mark.

"I'm a stand-in. You can call me X. Superman's on holiday, but
he'll be back." Jimmy wished he was as confident as his assurance
to Mark. "Now, let's get you to the police station where you can
tell them exactly what happened.

Mindy Church sat in her office amazed. She had not spoken since
she saw what happened from the roof. That all changed now. She
picked up a paperweight from the desk and threw it at the mirror
on the wall. It smashed to tiny pieces. "That's not fair. It's
just not fair. I get rid of Superman, and his cousin or something
turns up. It's just not fair." The guards on Mindy Church's door
knew not to argue or speak when she was in this sort of mood.
They stood quietly. 

***

CLICK.

"That's it," said Jimmy, "I'm going to have a front page here."
Jimmy returned to the camera with which he had taken a picture of
his superhero self. "If Clark can have an interview with
Superman, and Lois with Ultra Woman, then I can interview
myself."

After Jimmy had developed the picture, he laid it on his table,
next to a printed sheet. The large letters at the top said: A NEW
SUPERHERO IN TOWN Superman will return says mysterious X by James
Olsen 

***

"How in Graceland did you land this, Olsen?" said Perry
excitedly.

"Well you know, what with Clark and Lois out of town, he asked
for me."

"He *asked* for you? You're a photographer, Olsen."

"Oh well, if you don't want it, then I'm sure the Star will pay
me a fortune." Jimmy went to snatch the page back.

"Jimmy, loyalty." Perry wanted this interview. "I reckon that we
could put this, oh, on the, say, front page."

Jimmy broke out into a massive smile, and grabbed Perry's hand.
He shook it hard.

"Ow, ow, Olsen, get off me now." Jimmy smiled as he left. Perry
looked at his hand. There was an imprint of Jimmy's hand there.
'This reminds me of Kent's first interview,' he thought absently.


***

Clark sat up. He felt different. Lois looked at him. "What is
it?"

"Lois, I feel better, I feel.... whoa!" The needle that had been
in Clark's arm popped out and just missed Lois. "Lois, are you
OK?"

"Yes, fine, it missed."

"Could you pass me that please?" Lois passed the needle back to
Clark. He tried to put it into his arm. It bent. "Lois," said
Clark happily, "say hello to Superman." They laughed.

"Mr. Kent, you really shouldn't leave until we check those ribs."
said the concerned doctor. "And your arm surely can't have fixed
itself this quickly."

"I'm fine. Can I have my clothes please?"

"Well I can't stop you, but I must say that this is against my
wishes."

Clark entered the changing room where he was given his clothes.
Lois and Martha waited outside the room, Jonathan had gone to get
the car.

"It's good to have him back," said Lois. "I was worried that he
might have lost the powers for good this time."

"That's OK, Lois, so had we. It was like at the corn festival a
couple of years back, when he was exposed to kryptonite for the
first time. He lost them for a couple of days then too."

"You don't think.... No, it can't be." Lois thought aloud.

"Kryptonite?" Martha inquired, "That's what I thought, but
where?"

"I don't know. He's taking a long time in there," Lois knew that
Clark was a *quick* dresser. "Doctor, could you please see what
my husband's doing in there?"

The doctor poked his head around the door. He entered the room.
Lois and Martha waited for Clark to come out.

"NURSE, QUICK," came the shout from the doctor. Martha and Lois
ran into the changing room. 

***

"I can't believe what I'm seeing," said Jimmy.

"What?" said Clark's parents together. "What can you see?"

"I x-rayed Clark's room and found nothing. But then I thought
about those two men the other night." Jimmy explained.

"The burglars," Lois added.

"Apparently not, Lois." Jimmy sounded worried. "I looked in that
wardrobe and all of Clark's clothes have been covered in a green
dust."

"Kryptonite," everyone said at once.

"But no-one knows that Clark is Superman. Outside of this room
that is." Jonathan said.

"No, but everyone knows that they are friends." said Jimmy. "So
what if the idea was for Clark to wear these clothes and meet
with Superman. He would affect Superman without knowing it, and
by the time that he realised, it might be too late."

"Who would do that?" Lois asked.

"Well, I checked up, and those two guys...."

"Yes?"

"They used to work at Cost-Mart, directly under Bill Church
Snr."

"Intergang."

"That's it." 

***

Clark came around. Lois had just entered his room. "Oh, Clark,
we've been so worried about you."

"What happened? I was meant to be going home."

"Clark, you've been asleep for four days now." Lois explained how
the kryptonite had been put on his clothes and that it had made
him weak. When he had slipped in the changing room, he had cut
himself and the kryptonite had entered the cut. Once Jimmy
realised that was what it was, it had been removed and the
recovery had begun.

"Here, I bought you some *new* clothes."

"Thanks, I love you."

"I love you too, farmboy. Now let's bust some bad guys!"

'That is *definitely* the Lois I love,' thought Clark. 

***

When Clark arrived at Jimmy's apartment, the place was trashed.

"Jimmy, JIMMY" Clark yelled.

"Yeah, C.K." Jimmy was huddled in the corner, with his eyes
shut.

"Jimmy, who did this?"

"Me"

"You?"

"Yep. How the hell do you control that heat-vision. I tried to
cook my dinner with it and nearly destroyed my kitchen! Then I
tried to change into my new jeans, and started a hurricane in the
lounge." Clark laughed.

"I'm sorry, Jimmy, but you really shouldn't have these powers."

"I agree, C.K. I can see what you have to go through all the time
now, and it makes you all the more brave to me."

"Thanks, but I've grown up with this, and this all happened to me
when I first got the powers. I think that I know a way that we
can get your powers back to me as well. Last time this happened,
Resplendent Man, remember him? Well, STAR labs took Gretchen
Kelly's transfer machine to work on. We should be able to use
that."

"OK, but, C.K?"

"Yes?"

"Can I help you bust Intergang first?"

"Why of course, James!" They both laughed. 

***

Mindy Church was planning the heist of a truckload of jewellry
when Superman paid her a visit. As she studied the map, she heard
a gunshot and then her guard yelling. The double doors at the end
of her office burst open and there stood Superman. He strode
purposely toward her. She slowly moved around to face him.

"Superman, thank god you're alright." she joked.

"Thanks for your concern, Mrs. Church, but I think that we both
know it was you. Don't we?" Superman was not in a mood for
messing and Mindy detected that straight away. But, hey, why not
have a laugh when you can?

"Why, Supe, why don't we go private, so to speak. I'm sure we
would have a great time together?"

"Mrs. Church. You run Intergang and I know it. You tried to make
my friend, Clark Kent, kill me and I know it. Now I'm going to
have to take you to the police."

"You'll never make it stick, Superman. You have no evidence that
I am, in fact, in charge of the largest crime organisation ever
seen in Metropolis. And because I am a weak-minded feeble female,
who will believe you?"

"This office is evidence, and I know a few people inside
Intergang who, when *pushed*, if you know what I mean, will
testify."

"And that, Superman, is why I always plan for things like these."
Mindy drew a gun.

"Don't people ever learn?!" Superman smiled, "That, Mrs. Church,
is a gun. I, Mrs. Church, am invulnerable, remember?"

"And this, Superman, is a bullet. And this bullet, Superman, is
made of a certain rock that you know of. It worked for Lex's
wife, remember, and today it will work for me. Except that this
time there is no Lois here to save you. And you will die here, in
a huddled ball, painfully. Bye-bye, Superman." Mindy aimed the
gun.

"NO!"

The trigger was pulled. A red blur again, and Jimmy caught the
bullet.

"Oh dear, Mrs. Church, you seem to have missed." Jimmy threw the
bullet through the roof and into space. Mindy fired five more
shots, all of which went the same way as the first.

"Now, if you would be so kind as to escort us to the station, we
would be most grateful!" Jimmy and Clark took an arm each, as
they led Mindy away.

***

Two weeks later

Jimmy entered the Planet.  There was a new paper framed on the
wall.  Along with the others, which read:

SUPERMAN SAVES THE DAY
A Daily Planet Exclusive by Clark Kent

and

ULTRA WOMAN SAVES METROPOLIS
Exclusive by Lois Lane

There was now a new headline.  It read simply:

SUPERMAN SAVED!
Masked 'X' hailed by Superman
by James Olsen & Clark Kent.

Jimmy admired the paper and smiled at Clark.  As Jimmy picked up
a wad of paper, he cut his finger.

"Damn, this superhero lark had some perks then!"

Clark, Lois and Jimmy all laughed, as Perry looked on
wondrously.

THE END