Chapter One - The Kiss

[Author's Note: See "Interludes" by Eowynn77 for a plausible background on where Clark was before he joined the Daily Planet. For canon-related concerns, see my profile.]

Perry White, editor-in-chief of the Daily Planet newspaper, has just introduced Clark Kent, the Daily Planet's mild-mannered new hire, to Lois Lane and some other reporters in the bullpen. Lois and Clark pretend to have just met.

As soon as she can do so without being observed, Lois pulls Clark into a supply closet and closes the door. After an enthusiastic hug, she draws back and looks up into his eyes.

"I was worried. Where have you been? Are you ok?" Mindful of their surroundings, she is whispering.

"The Arctic, with Jor-El." He, too, keeps his voice soft.

"Your father? But Zod deleted him."

"Not the copy installed in the scout ship, the Fortress of Solitude. The ship's hard drive also contains all the wisdom and knowledge of Krypton. There's a lot to learn. Jor-El has been training me, making up for lost time."

"Aren't you worried that someone will find the ship again?"

"It's hidden deep in an ice cave, safe from surveillance satellites, completely isolated. They'll never find it this time."

"You must get awfully lonely up there."

He is silent for a moment, then nods. He hadn't admitted it even to himself. But yes, he had missed real human companionship. He had missed Lois.

* * * * * In the Bullpen * * * * *

Clark's new desk is very close to hers. As he's about to sit down, a dark-haired young woman comes up to Lois and smiles hesitantly towards Clark.

"Lois, introduce me?"

"Oh sure! Clark Kent, this is Jenny Jurwich. She's an intern. I'm sure you'll get on famously."

Jenny tells Clark, "Whatever you need, call me."

She looks back and forth between the two for a moment, then ventures, "You know she's taken, right?" At the awkward silence, she blurts out, "I saw her kiss that alien." She blushes and turns to go. "Ok, then. Nice meeting you."

"Nice meeting you too, Jenny." Clark and Lois share a look. This time they're not grinning.

* * * * * At the Fortress of Solitude * * * * *

Back at the Fortress, Clark calls out, "Jor-El!"

A hologram of a man appears before him whose graying hair and dark flowing garment - half armor, half gown - and purple cape indicate that he is middle aged and of an otherworldly origin. He addresses Clark by his Kryptonian name. "Kal-El, my son."

"Lois Lane could be targeted because of her association with an alien. And the way she looks at me at the Daily Planet... I don't blame her, but people could make the connection."

The hologram nods sagely. "I have just what you need." Images appear around them as he speaks, illustrating his words. "When Kryptonians first started colonizing other worlds, they realized the necessity of protecting their Kryptonian identity. So a team of our scientists developed a special formula that erases memory in only a particular part of the brain. It doesn't work on Kryptonians. It enters the system through lip membranes. It can be applied with a kiss, or via a single-use applicator. It works instantly; the moment you use it on Lois, she will entirely forget that you are Kal-El."

"It won't have any other ill effect on her?"

"None whatsoever. Kryptonians have used this formula for centuries. Come; I will show you where it is stored."

In the ship's supply room, Jor-El indicates a box full of single-use lip balm applicators. They look just like a product humans commonly use for chapped lips.

Clark takes one. On second thought, he takes a few. Thinking again, he takes the whole box, applies some balm generously to his own lips, then departs for Lois's balcony for some mouth-to-mouth administration.

* * * * * *At Lois's Balcony * * * * *

Lois flings open the sliding glass door, rushing out onto her balcony and into Kal-El's arms.

He just stands there, holding her in silence. After a few moments, she looks up at him. His troubled eyes mirror her own. "Is something wrong?"

"I... Lois, being close to you makes you a target. Anyone looking for me will go after you. And who knows what could happen to you if they figure out that you know my identity. You could be interrogated, or worse."

"You know I don't care this," she snaps her fingers for emphasis, "about danger."

"Maybe not, but I do. I cannot bear the thought of anything happening to you. I need to erase my identity from your memory."

"You can do that?"

"Just one kiss. We'll still be there for each other, but you'll know me only as Clark Kent, not Kal-El."

Lois is resistant at first, but her faith in him wins out in the end. They share one last passionate KISS…

And off he flies to deliver free samples of lip balm to everyone who might be able to connect Kal-El, super-powered alien from Krypton, to Clark Kent. If Lois ever goes on the hunt for his identity again, she'll get a run for her money.

Unfortunately, the kiss Lois received has had an unforeseen consequence.