Her thoughts were anywhere but the top floor of the Daily Planet as Laila Lyons opened the storage room closet and stumbled into the semi darkness, what was it that Lois had said she needed? Oh right extra paper. But as the door slammed closed she heard someone emit a strained yelp, followed by an "O-oh, Wait!" It took a second for her eyes to adjust and realize who shared this dark cramped space with her. It was Clark Kent, probably the last person she expected to see in the storage closet. "Clark? Is that you?" she asked. "Ha yeah, uh hey Laila!" he replied in a nervous tone, "Sorry, lemme just-"he muttered, trying to hide the clutter that was strewn across the room. Laila noticed various dress shirts, a belt, a pair of trousers and even a sock. For a quick second she worried that she might have stumbled into his 'guy time' but then remembered that Clark was too much of a good farm boy for that. Then she took in his appearance, the first two buttons of his shirt were undone exposing a triangle of tanned muscled skin, and his tie hung lose around his neck. "Well here let me help you" she strode forward and knocked right into his suitcase, causing her to trip and practically fall into his arms. His hands reached out to catch her in a surprisingly sturdy grip, but before she could even think of how he managed to steady her she felt a heel slip off and clatter to the floor. She swore softly as Clark kept murmuring, apologies tumbling from his full lips. She just laughed and replied, "Don't worry about it Clark".
She had always found him endearing. They both looked at each other and made eye contact. She remembered the first time she had met Clark, she was here to see Lois, whom she was friends with, and they had practically run into each other, much like today. They had become fast friends; however he had been quite MIA lately. She had been charmed by his boyish smile and the fact that he never really knew what to do with his hands. She also didn't fail to notice his infatuation with Lois. She wondered how he felt now that Lois was married, and had a son no doubt!
She snapped back to the present and realized she still needed to find her shoe. "Hey ah Clark this is kind of embarrassing, but could you help me find my shoe?" she asked. "Oh of course! And don't worry about being embarrassed around me, I've had my fair share of clumsy accidents" He explained as he began to feel around for shoe. Within seconds he found it and she began to reach for it but he insisted "No, let me". With that he took her foot by the ankle and slid on the glossy black high heel onto her small dainty foot.
He rose and she realized how close they were standing. Geez he was taller than she remembered, she guessed probably 6'3 or 6'4. She liked tall guys. He smelled fresh and clean, like a sea breeze, as if he had just traveled across an ocean rather than across an office carpet. There was a short silence as she took in her surroundings. "Hey, um if you don't mind me asking, you get a pretty decent pay check, so what are you doing living out of the Daily Planet storage closet? As much as I'd like to room with an ancient stock of supplies and a cardboard cutout of Perry I'd imagine you'd have a lot of other residential options." She added with a teasing smile. He sent her back a shy uneasy grin and replied "It's my mom, she's getting on in years and it's hard for her to manage the farm all by herself. Especially when she's having financial trouble, so right now I'm sending her most of my paychecks, so she can pay for repairs and things like that." His blue eyes flicked away to the floor in a nervous glance, like he was ashamed. "Hey, Clark don't worry about it. I think it's sweet that you take care of your mom like that. If my folks where still around then I'd help them in a heartbeat, any way I could. I admire that trait." She smiled as she noticed the corners of his mouth turn up. He raked a hand nervously through his jet black hair as her bend to pick up a photo of a graceful elderly woman with flowing gray hair standing in front of a stretch of beautiful farmland. "Is that her?" Laila asks. "Yeah" Clark replies, "She's all I have left. I'd do anything for her". Laila glanced up and noticed how much emotion was etched out on his face, it made her stop and take it in. His bright blue eyes gleaming, 5 o'clock shadow roughing up his cheek, sharp line of his eyebrow and gleaming black hair. She noticed the strong line of his jaw as he focused away from her on the ground below. Suddenly she realizes she's been in the closet with Clark for an inexplicably long time, and grins at what Lois will most likely assume. "Don't worry about your mom Clark, I'm sure your home is safe and sound." She walked to the door but as she reached for the door she heard Clark say "W-wait, Laila would you like to, um, go out for ah steaks or something?" That made her smile. "Hmm I don't really like steak...but I love pizza" she replied with a smile. Clark smiled back, wide and bright. Then I'll pick you up around 7 tonight?" Clark questioned. "Yeah, Lois has my info. You'll have to tell me all about your trip!"
And so it was set. She had a date, with Clark Kent.