The Not Quite Justice League in... The Bee's Pleas!!!

[stands_for_hope]

[continued from here]

Finishing his article, clearing everything with Keith, those things took time. That was why it took a few hours before Clark was ready to make his usual call to Lois that night. He had worried that he might not make the time window that she cleared every day to talk to him and the others, but he was proud to say that he'd left himself an even half an hour as long as everything was to schedule.

After the fifth time she didn't pick up (didn't so much as text or ping him), it became clear that things were very much off schedule.

Clark made his way back to the main floor where everyone seemed to congregate and headed straight for Tony, holding up the phone to him.

"I know we're all tired and we've certainly had a long day, but... can you find out where Lois's phone is from the number here?"

In all the madness of the day, all the fighting and the close calls and the weakness brought on by the proximity of kryptonite, he'd lost track of her heartbeat. Usually, it was simple enough to pick up over the phone once again, a steady pulse that he could find his way back to once the phonecall had ended.

He couldn't hear her. He couldn't tell where she was. And she wasn't answering her phone. She always answered her phone. He didn't want to think anything was wrong, but he wasn't naive enough to discount something like this. Not after today. Not after they'd pulled out kryptonite weapons.

Comments

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"Sounds like an excellent plan."

He leaned over to give Bucky another kiss before pulling back a little.

"I'm gonna get us all packed up, see if I can settle Clark a little more, and talk to her doctor, make sure we have everything we need to take care of her."

[kolodnoykovki]

Jim nodded. "Thanks, sweetheart. Love you."

And, really, he was looking forward to going home. To the place that was theirs.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve leaned in again to plant a kiss gently against his lips.

"Love you too."

Then he was standing again, moving with surprising quiet out of the room, closing the door behind him.

[kolodnoykovki]

When Steve left, Motya leaned her head on the bed and Jim threaded his fingers into her fur. Comfort in dog form.

[stands_for_hope]

A few minutes later, Lois's eyes fluttered open again.

"Okay, that... was not what I was going for. I wanted to wake up and go home."

[kolodnoykovki]

"Morning, sleepyhead," Jim greeted gently. "Somebody came to say hi."

A soft murmur, and Motya hopped up onto the bed, her weight on Jim for all she sniffed at Lois gently. Service dog training at work.

[stands_for_hope]

"...I swear, she grows more poof when you don't look at her for a second," Lois said fondly before reaching over and using the three fingers on her hand that were working properly to scritch the top of the dog's head.

[kolodnoykovki]

Motya didn't push up against her hand, but she did get that perfect 'big happy dog' grin.

"She missed you, too. But as for getting you home, we're working on that," he promised. "Mostly we didn't want you to wake up and be somewhere you didn't expect."

[stands_for_hope]

"Much appreciated," she said with a huff out and a shiver she couldn't quite suppress. "Fully conscious movement is definitely the superior mode of travel."

She gave the dog a grin in return.

"You got prettier too, didn't you? Didn't you, flufferface? Mmm."

That was accompanied by Lois leaning in to put her face in the dog's fur just a little.

[kolodnoykovki]

Jim smiled and Motya nuzzled gently against Lois, avoiding places with bandages. Getting that dog had done him a world of good. Now he was thinking she'd done all of them a lot of good. He reached up to scratch her ears.

"When you think you're ready, we'll head to the apartment. Then you can get cleaned up, get some fresh clothes on so you feel like yourself, and I'll make whatever you want for dinner."

[stands_for_hope]

"I don't care what you make," she said, "but I want one of your desserts. Whichever one you want. Something with chocolate, though."

She gave the dog another nuzzle back before breathing in deep and pulling back.

"All right, let's get me out of bed. The only thing broken is my arm, so I can walk."

And she started shifting and nudging herself up to get her feet on the ground.

[kolodnoykovki]

Motya hopped down and Jim carefully stood. Yes, Lois' legs were fine, but she still probably had some of the painkiller in her system - which meant he moved to catch her just in case it was making her dizzy. "You're going to have some weird jet lag," he offered as he settled his arm around her.

[stands_for_hope]

"Jetlag is for people who actually stop moving," Lois said airily though she let Bucky hold onto her and didn't pull away. She seemed to be mostly on her feet, though it was clear from the way her eyes were reacting that it was just an admirable tolerance for such things.

[kolodnoykovki]

"And you have had a nap," he agreed. "So that'll help."

He was careful as they went out the door, Motya following behind.

[stands_for_hope]

"Oh yeah," she said with a laugh, "I've conquered hostile military takeovers on less sleep."

But she didn't let go of him.

[kolodnoykovki]

And he wasn't letting go of her, either, guiding her out to the main room where Tony greeted her with a grin.

"Hey, there she is. Pepper, I think we're losing our guest."

"You might be, but I'm going to invite her to a girls' massage day as soon as she feels up to it," said the tall strawberry blonde. "If I'm going to be spending much time in Metropolis, I'm going to make friends."

[stands_for_hope]

"Oh, I'm RSVPing right now, Miss-- oh hell, my future mother-in-law knits you hats-- Pepper, we're doing the spa thing. As soon as I have working fingernails for them to paint."

Steve was out there, Diana with him as they picked up their bags. Clark appeared a moment later with a soft breeze.

"The apartment's all ready for you, Lois. And the truck's downstairs. We should be able to get you home without too much trouble."

[kolodnoykovki]

"And of course," Pepper said, "Diana, you're invited too - Nat-- Natasha. Excuse me, I knew her as Natalie for a long time. But she'll be coming along." She was smiling. "It should be an adventure."

"The world's gonna explode," Jim murmured. "All those beautiful women in one place. But right now, let's get my niece back to our place."

[stands_for_hope]

"Seriously?" Lois visibly brightened. "Well that's something to look forward to. I've been wanting to meet Nat forever."

Diana nodded in agreement before heading to the elevator to press the button.

"It will be good to meet her," Diana agreed. "And what I have wanted since I came to these shores. To be among sisters and women of great courage. I look forward to it."

[kolodnoykovki]

"We all do," Pepper said. "If you need anything, give a call! If you don't reach me, then my assistant should be able to get word to me within ten minutes."

"I used to be the one who said that," Tony muttered, but he was still smiling good-naturedly as he waved.

[stands_for_hope]

Steve looked over at Tony with a good-natured smile.

"Make you a bet they can save the world in half the time it took us."

Lois just headed for the elevator as Diana gave Pepper a warm, winning smile. She liked Pepper.

[kolodnoykovki]

"I'm a genius," Tony answered. "I know better than to bet against that." But he waved as well as they all boarded the elevator and left.

Jim kept his arm around Lois and his hand on Motya's leash. They were ready to go.

[stands_for_hope]

Steve was the last one onto the elevator.

"Thanks for everything, Tony."

Clark waved from behind him.

"Take care. We'll see you at Thanksgiving." He leaned a little to see Keith.

"You two, if you'd like."

[kolodnoykovki]

"We'll see," Keith answered, lifting a hand in farewell. "Take care, you guys."

Jim looked at him for a few moments, though, before the door obscured him from view. He had a feeling that Keith wouldn't be at Thanksgiving - and he was pretty sure why.

But when the doors closed and the elevator started down, he found himself losing a little tension that he hadn't even realised he'd held. Maybe, he thought, he could finally believe it was over.

For now.

[stands_for_hope]

Clark turned to Jim and gave him a hopeful little smile as Lois leaned up against the two of them in the elevator. Diana was reasonably certain that Keith wouldn't join them either, but she wasn't about to hamper Clark's natural kindness and open spirit.

Steve just put his hand gently against the base of Jim's back and rubbed it gently in support and affection, something subtle, just for him. They were going home and it was all over, even if there were still some wounds that needed healing.