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

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

[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.

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

But she didn't let go of him.

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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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.

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.

"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.

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."

"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.

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.

And that feeling helped. That hand on his back. It was another bit of relaxation that he was finding he needed. "We'll be home in about fifteen minutes, where we can all relax."

Lois grinned a little up at Jim.

"That's after I find a comfy spot on the couch."

Diana chuckled.

"I have no doubt we will find you a comfy spot on one of the couches. Though I think your most comfortable spot may be within Clark's arms."

Clark blushed.

"Can't say much. I've got two sets of arms I like pretty well," Jim mused with faux innocence.

"And those arms are planning on scooping you up once we're home too."

Diana nodded firmly.

"They certainly are."

"I'm better now, you two," he murmured, but he wasn't protesting - and he certainly wasn't saying no.

Steve and Diana shared a look. Then they both looked at Jim, saying without words (but also in no uncertain terms) that Jim feeling better worked quite nicely into their plans.

Lois may or may not have giggled a little at the three of them even as Clark pulled her carefully close.

Jim rolled his eyes - and maybe even had a hint of colour in his cheeks.

Maybe.

If someone looked closely.

"C'mon, let's get out to the truck."

The doors opened and Clark helped Lois out of the elevator as Diana trotted out to get the door and Steve slipped into the driver's seat.

"Load up," Steve said through the open door.

Clark couldn't help it. He lifted her up to put her in the car before sliding in on the other side.

Jim followed suit as soon as everyone was in - he still had a dog to get in there, after all, and he pulled her up into his lap before closing the door behind him.

On the way home at last.

The ride was over quickly enough and, with the aid of the elevator, it was only a few more moments before they were actually opening the door of the apartment. Thanks to Clark's earlier visit, there was not just fresh air, but a variety of balloons and a very nicely decorated cake waiting on the front table with 'Welcome Home Lois' written in neat, familiar handwriting.

"...you guys!"

"How were we supposed to resist?" Jim teased, for all he knelt down and took Motya's harness off of her. They were home. She was free to head wherever she wanted.

"I told you. We missed you."

She leaned back against him with a little smile before heading for the kitchen chair nearest to the cake.

"It is so damn good to be home," Lois said with a smile before clearly letting go as she carefully leaned over to scritch at Motya.

"And we're just glad to have you back." He kissed the top of her head on the way to get drinks out of the fridge. It was time to settle in for a small, but well-deserved, celebration.

"You know, I was already really glad to be coming home. But now? Let's just say you could see my relief from space."

Clark carefully walked around her to start cutting her a piece of the cake.

"So what wildness have you all gotten into while I was gone? Other than the bit where Steve was bitty, which I am so sorry I missed."

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