Justice League Unlimited

Superman flew her to safety and as he bandaged her injured leg, Lois explained that she was from another dimension.

"Ever since you ... she died," he corrected, "I wondered if there were other dimensions out there. Other versions of me and you."

"Hold it," Lois said. "I may be a lot like your Lois, but you're nothing like the Superman I know. He's no tyrant."

"I had to take control. There was no other way," he said, justifying his actions. "For too long I fooled myself into believing I was doing a simple cleanup job. That if I did enough good, people would follow my example. I didn't realize it was a war. You were a casualty of that war and I had to stop it by whatever means possible."

Lois was shocked. "You did this because of me?"

"You never knew how I felt about you. I never knew until you were gone."

Instead of a tender response, Lois slapped his face. "You could have said something! We could have talked about it. Figured it out," she said and turned away from him. "Now look at you. Married to Luthor."

Superman countered that he needed someone with the organizational skills and technology and insisted if Luthor tried anything, he'd crush him.

"I hate to disillusion you, but he just tried something. He tried to kill me."

To prove her allegations against Lex were true, Lois showed Superman the imprisoned rebels. However, when Superman tried to confront Lex with the evidence, Lex was waiting for him with kryptonite. Fortunately the rebels, who had been freed by Lois, invaded the building. Lex tried to escape, but crashed and burned.

After Lex's death, Lois accompanied Superman to STAR Labs where the adventure began in the other universe.

"STAR Labs used to be a place of ideals and hope," Superman said, his tone filled with regret.

Lois smiled. "It can be again."

"But will the people ever trust me again?"

"It'll take time."

Superman pulled Lois to him. "I've got the time. For them .. and for you."

At that moment the portal activated. "Lois!" Superman called through from the other side. "Hamilton sent me to bring you back. Hurry! There's not much time," he said and extended his hand through the portal.

"I never thought I'd lose you twice."

Lois looked at the alternate Superman. "Will it change anything?"

"For me, but not for Metropolis. Not this time."

"Lois!"

Lois looked towards the Superman from her world and then back to the other. She kissed him good-bye.

Superman began to fly Lois home. "So that was me?"

"Yes ... and no. It's complicated," she said and turned her face to his. "I could explain it over dinner."

"Dinner? Aren't we getting a little personal?"

Lois smiled. "Better now than never."

This natural introduction into a relationship never really went anywhere in the animated series, but it did employ several popular Superman themes like the benevolent tyrant Superman, alternate dimensions and the idea that Lois Lane is who keeps Superman honest. She's the "better angel" who tweaks his conscience.

Even though no romance came of this episode, the Superman animated series ended with Legacy, which not only had a similar theme, but also ended with a Superman/Lois romantic alliance.

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