Title: Fireflake: A Cloismas suspense story (SS Fic '09: nocturnal_sun)
Author: Leslie
Rating: R
Prompt: Post-Season 9, R, Chloe's father
Summary: It's Christmastime in Metropolis, but soon Lois and Clark find themselves involved in a dangerous situation, thanks to the reappearance of someone from their past.
Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me.
A/N: This story is for the 2009 holiday ficstravaganza over at Divine Intervention forums. I hope you all enjoy and leave me feedback if you feel inclined to do so.
Two weeks before Christmas…
Everything Not so Rosy at Isis
Pharmaceutical CEO tries to dispel rumors.
"What do you think, Smallville?"
Clark quickly scanned the article.
"When did you interview Alrik Lenhart? He wasn't giving any information to the press after that fiasco with the stolen confidential records and missing drugs." He furrowed his brow in concentration.
"I never give away my trade secrets." Lois smirked, sitting down on the edge of his desk. "I have my ways. Let's just say that it took a lot of networking to score the Lenhart interview."
"Lois."
The way he said her name, with a hint of annoyance and impatience always amused her. And the worry in his blue eyes made him look sexily concerned which just...
"Lois!"
"What?" She gave him an amused grin. "Relax. I'm here, safe and sound. Besides, what's so dangerous about sitting across from a suit with an annoying German accent?"
"Lois, that man is rumored to have links with the mafia. He's dangerous by association."
"Over reacting, like always." Lois rolled her eyes. "I'm a big girl, Smallville. I can take care of myself just fine. Us Lanes are made of stern stuff. We're not easily taken down."
"Lois, this is serious. These people mean business..." Clark's blue eyes darkened with unease.
"You think I don't know that? The guy is a complete douche, fed me all this fluff, but I know otherwise. I did a little investigative work after I was done with him. I believe nothing the man says." She sat down on the corner of his desk, crossing her legs.
"You snuck around!?" His voice rose an octave. Several people in the busy bullpen looked to stare at them.
"You're insane!" Clark hissed through an angry whisper. "Lois..."
"Clark." She responded in the same accusatory tone. "I am not seven years old. Lois Lane is capable of dealing with anything."
"I don't doubt that. But what if they'd found you snooping, God forbid? What would you have done then?"
"Cover and then run like hell."
"I'm serious."
"Does it look like I'm joking?" A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Clark, don't worry about me. I know you and your Boy Scout sensibilities are important, but really, you have to trust me. This is why I didn't tell you I had the interview in the first place. You worry too much."
"I do worry, okay. Lois, if something happened to you..." He trailed off, his voice broken with raw feeling.
Her face softened. In a gesture of love, she reached across to touch his face, grazing her thumb across his lips.
"I'm not sorry for what I did, but I am sorry for causing you this worry. Clark, I love that you care so much, but you know me; the reporter who will do anything for her story. This is who I am, and I can't change that, not for anything. Going into this relationship, you knew..."
"Pit bull on a pant leg, Lane." He sighed. "It's just – I know how you go after stories, determined to un-earth the truth, but I can't stop worrying about you either. I'll worry no matter what, even if it annoys you. Just like you I accept you for what you are, you do the same for me, fussing and all."
"Smallville, you're—"
"I forgive you." He said, standing up and lacing their hands together.
"What?" She laughed. "I didn't ask for forgiveness."
"I'm giving it to you anyways. So, in order for you to make it up to me, and with Christmas only two weeks away, spend the holidays with me at the farm. It'll just be you and I. We can start early on those Christmas traditions, Lois and Clark style." He kissed her cheek.
"Does that mean opening Christmas gifts early, spiked eggnog and only leaving the bedroom on a national emergency? I am so in, farm boy!"
"That was easy." Clark smiled, squeezing her fingers.
She playfully smacked his arm. "Not so fast. You'll cook all our meals, plus a Martha Kent style dinner, and Christmas breakfast. In bed." She whispered to his ear.
"Done."
"You're the easy one." Lois quipped teasingly.
"Yeah. Right." He grinned, placing a brief but sweet kiss on her lips.
Atlanta, Georgia, same day
He'd known from the minute he woke up that morning that today would be anything but ordinary.
It had all started with that damned six am call. The calls had been coming in more frequently over the past few weeks.
It had begun that fateful day, when he'd accidentally overheard a private conversation between Lenhart and one of his associates. All he'd been able to make out was that confidential records were breached, drugs stolen and people silenced. It couldn't be good.
He'd been about to leave, when Lenhart's secretary had sneaked up on him, and made him out. Since then the phone calls and cryptic messages had been occurring relentlessly. Not only that, once he'd found his tires slashed, his windows shattered and his car a complete mess.
Gabe gave a heavy sigh, leaning back in the chair. No use in mulling over what had already happened. He needed to move forward and do his job. With another sigh, he turned on his computer, ready to get the day's work underway. Opening up the web browser, he checked his e-mail. No new messages.
On a whim, he navigated to the Daily Planet website. He'd gotten an online subscription earlier that year, and occasionally read its articles, just to keep up with the news.
What caught his eye drained him of all strength.
Everything Not so Rosy at Isis
Pharmaceutical CEO tries to dispel rumors.
It wasn't so much the headline, but who it was by. Lois Lane.
With a trembling hand, he immediately shut down the computer and began to pace around the room. When the hell had Lenhart gone to Metropolis, and to give an interview no less?! This wasn't good. Something was up. A sinking sensation began to form in his gut…
Suddenly the phone rang, snapping him out of this trance.
"Hello?"
"Sullivan, I need to see you in my office now," the voice said on the other side.
Lenhart.
"And don't delay." Silence ensued as the other man hung up the phone.
"Right. This day couldn't get any worse." He muttered under his breath. Grabbing his briefcase, he headed to Alrik Lenhart's office, locking the door behind him.
"You wanted to see me, Mr. Lenhart?" Gabe asked, entering the spacious office.
"Sullivan, have a seat," the older man indicated to the plush chairs in front of his desk.
"I'm fine standing."
"As you wish." Alrik sat down, facing Gabe. "You've worked for me, what now? Two years? This organization prides itself in giving its members ample opportunity for growth and improvement. You're a good man, Gabe. You serve me well, and never ask too many questions."
Gabe was silent for a moment. "Thank you."
"You've earned my trust." His steely blue eyes were unreadable, scanning Gabe's face. "I'm going to be blunt. I need you to be somewhere else. You'll be more useful to me that way."
"Whatever you need, Mr. Lenhart, I will do it."
"Good." He drummed his fingers over the mahogany desk. "You're to leave for Metropolis tomorrow evening."
"Metropolis?" That sinking sensation was back.
"Yes, Metropolis. I have business there, and one of my biggest expansion plans for this company. I need you to go, keep an eye on it, make sure things are running smoothly. You know what I mean."
"I understand."
"Great. Medici will get you all the information you need today. He'll stop by your place later."
Gabe tightened his grip on the briefcase. "I'll be expecting him."
"Now go and get your things in order."
Gabe nodded and turned to leave. As he opened the door, Alrik called to him. The brown-haired man turned to face him.
"You are fully on our team now. Your mistakes are ours. Loyalty is very important to this company and expected from all of our employees." Alrik, smiled. It was a smile which held a hidden threat.
Gabe Sullivan knew exactly what that meant. He simply gave an acquiescing head nod and walked away.
He pulled into the driveway, exhausted, although he'd done nothing productive today, other than drive around aimlessly for hours. The prospect of seeing Medici did not appeal to him. Lenhart's right hand man was not one of his favorite people. In fact, he was one of the nastiest men he had ever met, and being near him always made him feel highly apprehensive.
Gabe leaned his head against the back of the seat. How had he gotten himself into this mess? He'd never imagined that applying for a simple manager's job would result in this.
After he'd left Lenhart's office, he'd gone back to his, only to find a new name plate gracing the door.
Gabe Sullivan
Director of Special Research
It was a fancy title he had never wanted thrust upon him. But there was no going back now. He had responsibilities and things to do, and he would do them.
With another heavy sigh, Gabe finally made his way to the small porch of his modest home. A bundled up newspaper sat on the front step. Frowning he leaned down and picked it up. A copy of today's Daily Planet.
The frown disappeared only to be replaced by a worried look. There it was again. Lois Lane's article; the article that so unabashedly placed blame on his current employer for the current shady business operations being performed.
And with it came another message.
WATCH YOUR BACK
The letters were written in bright red, bold ink, underlined. What made him catch his breath wasn't the ominous note but the fact that Lois Lane's name was circled and crossed out with a cryptic X.
With trembling hands, he stuffed the defaced Daily Planet into his briefcase. "Out of sight, out of mind," he laughed cynically. Not by a long shot.
to be continued...