A/N: Don't own anything except what I've obviously created. Money? Ha! I wish!

Summary: Slightly AU. Takes place during "Superman Returns." Clark tries to re-adjust his life among "uncomfortable" changes around him. Will he succeed or will he need help? Clark/OC.

Chapter 1

Exhausted.

At the moment, that was the only word that Clark Kent could pull from his tired brain to describe his first week back after a five year absence. He'd forgotten how bad situations constantly popped up, which in turn, meant several "costume changes" for him. If he hadn't been Kryptonian, he was sure the constant flying, the constant physical aspects of his responsibilities would have killed him by now.

"It still could," Clark muttered to himself as he lugged his two suitcases and two smaller boxes with him down the hall of his new apartment building. He'd have to remember to thank Jimmy for the heads up on an apartment becoming available in his building. It was a perfect location, not too far from The Daily Planet and had several balconies and exits "hidden" from view. Perfect for whenever Superman needed to make an appearance.

Returning to his life after five very long years was becoming easier and easier to adjust to as the days went by, but that didn't mean there wasn't some kind of adjustment. As clichéd as it sounded, the world had changed in his absence, something he knew was inevitable, but still leaving him with the sense of displacement. Conceitedness might have inclined him to believe that a changed world without Superman was impossible, but that was never an option for his feelings. No, this changed world just made him feel incredibly…lost.

Take, for example, the hustle and bustle at The Daily Planet. Despite his seniority when he, as Clark Kent, had left, his return had brought some displeasure among his co-workers, most of them new faces. The fact that he, after such a long absence, was unofficially reinstated as one of Perry White's senior reporters (despite the self-obvious talent of some of the newbie reporters) was not exactly endearing him to said co-workers.

Technology had advanced by leaps and bounds, as well as society's priorities and responsibilities towards themselves, others and the world as a whole. While some of those changes had been welcomed and appreciated, others were simply…baffling.

The change in Lois Lane's life had been just as baffling to Clark, although if he did think long and hard about it, he supposed it was inevitable. The fact that Lois Lane- stubborn, work-driven, rabid reporter, Lois Lane- was a mother still continued to baffle Clark. It wasn't that he thought Lois incapable of being a mother and experiencing all of the emotions and responsibilities that went with it; no, it was just an entirely different picture from the Lois he had left five years ago.

She had a son. And a fiancée. Who, by the appearance to all and sundry, was a very loving, caring and wonderful man, whom both Lois and Jason adored and needed. Richard White was the one Lois went to for comfort, the one to share her smiles with, the one who lay next to her during the cool nights. He was the one Lois was with and loved.

It was the truth, but it hurt Clark deeper and more painful than any amount of Kryptonite could.

Sighing, Clark broke from his thoughts and shifted his attention to the matter now at hand. He was moving into a new apartment; thoughts of Lois Lane and her unrequited love would just have to wait.

With a suitcase under one arm and the other being clutched in the same hand, while precariously balancing the two boxes in the other arm, Clark made his way to the very end of the hall. He stopped at the last door on his right, then dropped the suitcases to the floor. Keeping his boxes balanced, he fished around his pockets for the newly received keys to his apartment.

"Can I help you with that?" a soft voice asked from behind him.

Having been so preoccupied in finding his keys and the thought that he was alone, Clark was immediately startled. The boxes unceremoniously fell to the ground with a loud crash, even as their owner spun around.

A young woman stood there, nervously biting her bottom lip as her eyes slightly scrunched in guilt. She was a good foot or so shorter than he was, but her fidgeting made her seem smaller. "I'm sorry," she quickly apologized, "I didn't mean to scare you."

Clark immediately felt embarrassed; he didn't know if it was because he'd been startled or that he'd been caught off-guard. "I thought I was alone," he bumbled by way of explanation.

The young woman slightly grinned. "I'll have to slam my door louder next time," she joked, then blushed slightly when Clark grinned in return. She self-conciously tucked a strand of her long, dark hair behind her ear, then held out her hand. "I'm Vanessa Bryant," she introduced, "But, most people call me Van. I live right across the hall." She slightly nodded her head behind her.

Clark took her slender hand and gave it a firm squeeze. "Clark Kent," he replied, "Just moved in today."

"Nice to meet you, Clark," Van said, somewhat shyly. Her eyes locked with his, startled at the blueness of their color. Her head tilted slightly to one side, as if in deep thought.

Clark regarded her with interest. Not many people had stopped and met his gaze, but then again, he'd never really given them the chance. As part of his Clark Kent persona, it was essential that no one stop and notice him. He knew that someday the simplicity of his disguise behind a pair of glasses and a messy side comb would outgrow its usefulness, but at the moment, it was what worked for him. Yet here, Van had paused and looked at him, with such speed that he'd never seen it coming.

After what seemed like a very long moment of the two silently staring at one another –Clark with interest , Van with curiosity- Clark finally cleared his throat. He watched in amusement as Van started at the sound, then blushed a deep red. "Sorry," she mumbled embarrassedly, "I don't normally stare at complete strangers."

Clark smiled kindly at her. "Well, we're really not strangers anymore," he told her, "We've introduced ourselves and we live right across the hall from one another. You could call us…oh, I don't know….neighbors, perhaps?"

Van blushed deeper. "You're teasing me," she said, slightly grinning.

"Me? Never!" Clark replied, shaking his head, "Lois wouldn't-" He abruptly stopped. Would he ever stop thinking about Lois Lane?

Sensing the awkwardness of his unfinished sentence, Van swooped down upon his scattered belongings. "Here, let me help you," she offered, turning one of the boxes right side up. She quickly scooped up some wayward books and placed them inside.

Clark watched as she worked fast. "You don't have to do that," he said, bending down and began to pick things up.

She stopped for a moment and looked at him. "It's the least I can do," she replied, shrugging slightly. She reached for what looked like a bookend, but found her hand suddenly warmly enveloped by Clark's.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you about the dangers of strangers?" he asked, jokingly. He'd lived in Metropolis for many years before leaving for his outer space "road trip home" but in all that time he'd never encounter such friendliness as he did now.

"We're neighbors, not strangers, remember?" she shot back, grinning.

Clark chuckled. "Touché," he murmured. The next few moments were worked in silence as they piled his things back into the boxes. When all was done, Clark stood first, then helped his new neighbor to her feet. "I thank you, Miss Bryant," he said, holding her hand a beat longer, then released it with a slight bow.

"It was my pleasure, Mr. Kent," she replied, giggling at his antics, "I'm sure I'll see you around."

Clark grinned as she turned and walked down the hall to the elevators. "I'm always around," he called after her with a wave, which she returned. His eyes followed her until she disappeared into the waiting elevator, then quickly looked away as the doors closed.

"What was that all about?" he murmured to himself, somewhat confused. Had he actually been…flirting with his new neighbor? Having to lead a double life had always inclined his bumbling idiot farce to surface by default. Yet, just now, the confidence he felt as Superman had blazed right through his encounter with Van. He couldn't recall that ever happening before.

Clark inserted his key into the lock and turned it, smiling slightly at the soft click of the door being unlocked. His brain was definitely tired; he was imagining flirting with his neighbor as a result!