Lois leaned back in her chair, rubbing her eyes before stifling a yawn. Her gaze drifted over the now very quiet and empty bullpen. Well, nearly empty bull pen. She glanced over at the only other occupant still there at the late hour. Clark was staring off into space, which Lois had to admit was not unusual for him. It was the look on his face that concerned her. It was like a little boy that had just lost his puppy.

Now, that she thought about it, Clark had seemed to be distracted all day. He hadn't say anything to her after she nearly ran into him while eating her bear claw this morning or when she knocked over her container of pencils on her desk or even when she told him that she saw a little more than she wanted to when she went into the supply to get paper earlier. Something was definitely bothering the farm boy and she was going to find out what it was. She was not an investigative journalist for nothing after all. She pushed her chair back, marching over to his desk.

Lois sat down directly in front, but he continued to stare off in the distance at the ceiling. After a moment of him still not noticing her, she glanced at the ceiling herself wondering if there was something fascinating up there that she was missing. The ceiling looked the same as always. Lois cleared her throat, "So, Smallville.."

Clark shook his head finally noticing Lois sitting in front of him. "Oh, hi Lois. Did you need something?"

"Yes, as I matter a fact I do. " Lois started. "I want to know what the sad, puppy dog farm boy routine is all about. You have been completely distracted all that. I can tell that something is bothering you. So, spill."

Clark sighed. "Sorry, Lois. I didn't realize I had been that obvious. It's just…"

"Yes?"

Clark took another deep breath. "It's my dad's birthday today and I really miss him. It just hit me this morning that this was another year without him."

Lois's heart immediately broke for Clark. She mentally kicked herself for not realizing that this was Mr. Kent's birthday.

"I'm so sorry, Clark." Lois said, reaching her hand out and putting it on top of his. "Did you call your mom? What about the special family dinner?"

Clark looked down at his desk rolling a pencil back and forth. "I called her office, but her secretary said she was going to be in meetings all day today so I didn't leave my name."

"Well, in that case I will have to cook you something." Lois said triumphantly.

Clark looked up at her with one eyebrow raised incredulously. "I thought you wanted to make me feel better, not poison me." A shadow of a smile crossed his face.

"Well, when I say I am going to cook you something, I mean I am going to get something from a restaurant and act like I cooked it myself."

" Come on. " Lois got up from her seat, turning to get her things. "If you're good I might even let you choose the restaurant. "

Lois turned around seeing Clark beside and very grateful to see a smile cross his face. "But, don't get used to this. I don't want you getting a big head or anything and think you run things around here."

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it." Clark said as the elevator doors opened.

Lois smiled as the elevator doors shut.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed reading it as I enjoyed writing it. As always, reviews make me happy.