Sorry peeps. Still haven't seen Season Four. So if Lois seems off in this ficlet, it's because I don't "know" her yet. Not the Lois from Smallville anyway. I have seen the Superman movies though, and I kind of based her on a mix of Lois in the movies and the general idea I've gotten of how Lois is on Smallville.

DISCLAIMER: Aww, yuppie lawyers are so cute when they're stupid.

Truce

Clark stared out the window nearest his cubicle at the Daily Planet. He could feel another breakdown coming on.

Three hundred people had died in a bombing the previous night, not to mention the other deaths he hadn't been able to prevent over the last eight or ten months. Myriads, and it seemed that every year it seemed that crime was harder to keep up with. Maybe it was mounting stress from the constant battles. Either way, it was time for a trip to Smallville.

"Where are you going, Smallville?" Lois demanded as Clark started Perry's office.

"I need to ask Perry about a vacation."

Lois snorted. "Good. The way you've been moping around lately, you could use one."

Clark ducked into Perry's office and quietly asked for a respite. The editor of the Planet was quick to give an affirmative. He knew who Superman was, had never forgotten Clark's acts of inhuman abilities and inherent kindness so many years ago in Smallville. And he knew sometimes being everyone's hero was too much.

As soon as Clark left the office, Perry made one of many calls to a certain business firm that had nothing to do with business or news. As soon as the phone was picked up, he said, "He's leaving again."

Lex paused near his secretary's desk. "If anyone needs to contact me, refer them to a department head or Mr. Ross. Don't disturb me. My cell phone number is off limits as of now until I return, unless it's an Apocalyptic emergency. I'll be gone at least a week. If it's going to be longer than that, I'll let you know."

And with that, he left Lexcorp.

Lex found Clark right where he knew he would. The same place he had found a heartbroken young hero the first time since the rift in their friendship, after Clark had become Superman. That first saving emotional support session had happened... God. Was it really seventeen years ago?

Flashback

Right next to the entry to Smallville Cemetary was where Lex had found him, standing against a monument and crying. Clark had heard him coming and asked quietly, "Who is it?"

"Me," Lex had replied just as quietly, knowing his voice would identify him.

"How many more people are going to die, no matter what I do?"

End Flashback

Lex snapped out of the reverie, and walked up behind his best friend. A hand on Clark's shoulder and the man turned around. The business tycoon found himself enveloped in a grateful hug. "Thanks for coming, Lex."

"Always. You know that."

There was an unspoken truce between them that had formed during that first breakdown of Clark's. Both set aside the mantles of hero and villain, the balance of good and evil, until they were ready to resume the roles Fate had given them. Until they were ready to go back to their lives, they were just two old friends.