"Well I'm impressed you save someone from a burning building, stop an armed robbery and still manage not to get your outfit ruined." Clark said from behind Tess; they had decided to alternate morning patrols so that she could grow accustomed to her new powers although neither one of them could fly yet. Kara had said she would help them with that when time permitted but they hadn't had time with both of them being on patrol in addition to their jobs at the Planet.

"It just takes practice." She replied giving him a chaste kiss in greeting. He had spent the night with Alicia so she hadn't seen him since the previous afternoon.

"Speaking of which, your friend Lois could use some work on dealing with disappointment." Alicia muttered somewhat angrily as she appeared in Tess's office a grimace on her face.

"What did Lane do now?" Tess asked, thoroughly irritated with the brash reporter; the only reason she hadn't fired her yet was due to the fact that Chloe was her cousin and that she had never once wavered in her support of Clark's alter ego; although now she supposed it was actually both her and Clark's identity now since she had the same powers Clark did.

"Well should I start with the part where she cursed you both for hiring me and making me Clark's partner or the part where she called me a filthy bitch who should've stayed dead and away from her man?"

The last part caused both Clark and Tess to burst out laughing at Lois's stupidity but the laughter soon died away to be replaced by a look of rage and disappointment on Clark's face. He marched towards the door but Tess beat him there, blocking his way.

"Don't do this Clark."

"Give me one good reason not to." He replied irritation and anger ringing through his words.

"Because you owe her Clark; she stopped you from killing Tim and if you had you wouldn't have been able to live with his death on your hands." Alicia told her boyfriend and lover who continued to glare at the wall but acknowledged the truth in her statement.

"Besides Clark while I would quite enjoy seeing you put Lane in her place" Tess said with a smirk "I think it will be much more appropriate if I do it myself."

"What are you going to do Tess?" Alicia asked and the glint in Tess's eyes had both Alicia and Clark feeling extremely grateful that they weren't in Lois Lane's shoes.

"You'll see."

Lois Lane was not in a very good mood this morning. Not only had she discovered that Alicia Baker, the bitch who had tried to kill Lana Lang twice and also ensnared Clark was alive she was also working at the Planet, and as of seven thirty this morning was taking Lois's place as Clark's partner. If things weren't bad enough Alicia had apparently complained to Tess Mercer which is what resulted in her heading towards the editor's office. She wasn't surprised to see Alicia in the office but she was surprised to find Clark Kent present and judging by the way his arms were folded across his chest he was none too pleased.

"Smallville what the-"

"Miss Lane come in and shut the door." Tess told her, her voice stern and uncompromising.

"Don't bother sitting down this won't take long. Who I choose to hire and who I choose to partner them with is my business. Be grateful you weren't demoted considering you're one of the most inconsistent reporter's I've ever come across. The only reason you are still here is because of who your cousin is and if you so much as glare at Miss Baker or say one thing out of line you're fired and we both know that if that happens not even the Inquisitor will hire you. Now get to work I want your article on my desk by noon today."

Lois just stood there dumbstruck for a minute before turning on her heel and marching out of the office, looking thoroughly embarrassed.

"Careful Clark, your eyes are burning." Alicia said with a chuckle and Clark blinked as his eyes returned to their normal blue.

"Sorry, you're just really attractive when you take charge like that." He muttered giving his redheaded girlfriend a kiss before repeating the process with Alicia who was sending him a mock glare.

"Damn, there's a bank heist in progress downtown."

"Go to work." Tess told him and he kissed her again before taking off while Alicia disappeared in a green haze; Tess could've handled the situation herself but it wouldn't do well for the CEO of Luthorcorp and editor of the Daily Planet to be seen near a crime scene so she let Clark handle it.

However by the time Clark got there all he found were unconscious guards and a crowd surrounding a costumed man. Alicia walked up beside him and they headed over to the costumed man.

"I'm Clark Kent, this is Alicia Baker we're from the Daily Planet. Metropolis would like to know just who you are."

"The name's Gold, Booster Gold hero of the 23rd century!"

A/N: At long last the sequel to Unexpected! Please review and the chapter will be up hopefully no later than a week!