Author's Note: I wasn't sure how much interest was out there for a Lionel/Martha/Perry White triangle, so if there is, let me know and I'll be more motivated to continue this!
1.
"Sullivan."
Chloe looked up from her computer, where she was performing some slightly inane research for Clark as per usual, and was surprised to find her new colleague Perry White standing in front of her desk at The Daily Planet.
"Give me all your materials on Senator Kent. Your interview's been passed over to me." Chloe frowned, this development having been news to her. Perry sighed and reluctantly elaborated. "The decision comes from upstairs, what do you want from me?"
It was true. The decision had come from the editor himself, although Perry neglected to mention that he had gone up to grovel and beg for the interview after catching the Senator on C-SPAN and finding himself inexplicably drawn to her.
Chloe shrugged. It was of fairly little consequence to her, as she already knew the Senator better than any other reporter at the famed newspaper. She opened her desk drawer and pulled out a manila folder with Martha's name on it, offering it to the older man. "Here, this is everything I've got. Professionally speaking."
Perry took the folder, eyeing Chloe skeptically. "You're not going to put up a fight?"
She shook her head. "Perry, I've known Martha Kent since I was a kid, I have her cell phone number on my speed dial. If I want to interview her, all I have to do is show up at her back door."
Perry was surprised when he felt a twinge of jealousy at this. Figures, that wily Sullivan girl would have easy access to the Senator. "Fair enough."
"Speaking of fair," Chloe added. "I should mention, the Senator isn't exactly big on interviews. She's never been very…comfortable with journalists, so go at your own risk and watch your words carefully."
Perry glared at her dubiously and rolled his eyes. "Kid, I've been at this a lot longer than you have. I think I know how to handle myself around a junior Senator."
"Okay." Chloe leaned back, holding her hands up in defeat. "It was just a friendly little piece of advice."
Perry shrugged. "Just give me the time and place you set up for the interview."
"Well, I was supposed to do it in her kitchen at ten a.m. tomorrow, but chances are she's not going to be all that comfortable with you in her kitchen, so I would suggest giving Lois Lane a call and setting up an appointment yourself," Chloe offered. "She acts as the Senator's in-state Chief of Staff when she's on recess."
"Lois Lane." Perry nodded, committing the name to memory. "Got it. Thanks, Sullivan."
Chloe merely smiled back as Perry turned on his heel to head upstairs. "Hey, Perry?" He paused, glancing back around. "Any idea what brought about this little change from…upstairs?"
"Beats the hell out of me," Perry replied nonchalantly, hoping Chloe wouldn't notice his inability to make eye contact with her.
"Don't kill me," Chloe said, as a preface. "But…would it be possible that perhaps a newly reinstated Daily Planet reporter named Perry White has developed a little…crush on the Senator?"
Perry frowned, folding his arms across his chest and fixating Chloe with his stare. "Oh, please, Sullivan. I don't harbor adolescent crushes. I'm an adult. This is purely professional."
"Okay," Chloe answered, a devilish smile playing on her lips.
"Don't you look at me like that," he demanded, turning around again and continuing on his way upstairs. "Damn kids."
Chloe chuckled to herself, then picked up her cell phone and immediately sent out a mass text to Lois Lane, Lana Lang, Jimmy Olsen, and Clark Kent, which read: "Get this – Perry White's got the hots for a certain Senator Kent. More later."
--
Struggling to keep her feet from slipping off her unusually high heels while maintaining a swift movement, Lois Lane rummaged through her purse to find her vibrating cell phone. Martha Kent glanced over and suppressed a chuckle as the two walked down the halls of the State House in Topeka. Once she found it, she hit the talk button and placed it to her ear, out of breath. "Lois Lane."
Lois began to walk slower as her facial expressions changed, which Martha presumed was a result of the conversation. Martha slowed down to match her pace. "Yes," Lois said, holding the phone between her chin and her shoulder. "I understand, okay. Right." At this, Lois pulled the phone away slightly and turned to Martha, silently mouthing the words, "It's Perry White."
Martha furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, but shrugged it off.
"Well, the Senator's pretty well booked for the rest of the day, but if you want to catch her tonight at the Governor's mansion for the party fundraiser…"
Martha's eyes widened and she lightly whacked Lois's shoulder, wordlessly pressing her for an explanation. Lois shook her head, gesturing for her to wait a minute. "Okay. I'll contact the Governor's security detail. You'll be expected. Great. Thank you, Mr. White. We'll see you tonight. Bye."
Lois avoided eye contact with Martha as she closed her cell phone and dropped it back into her purse. When she turned, Martha was glaring at her. "Well?"
"Well…that was Perry White."
"So I gathered," Martha replied. "And?"
"And…" Lois cringed, anticipating her boss's unfavorable reaction. "You remember that interview Chloe was planning for tomorrow?" Martha nodded. "Apparently that got thwarted. I don't know the details, but seems like Chloe's out and Perry's in." Martha opened her mouth to protest, but Lois continued before she had the chance. "Yes, I know all about the whole Perry White catastrophe of '03, but we need this interview, Mrs. Kent. The more press we can get during a recess the better."
"I understand that, Lois, but Perry White…" Martha trailed off, as she noticed Lois digging through her purse to retrieve her cell phone yet again. She picked it up, glancing at the text message on the screen, from Chloe, one that more than explained Perry White's interview. Her jaw dropped a little and she could not suppress the subsequent giggle. Martha frowned. "What is it?"
Lois quickly closed her cell phone and dropped it back into her purse. "Nothing."
Martha sighed and began walking faster, more determined to reach her destination. Her thoughts began to scatter and her eyes glazed over a bit as she wondered exactly what she was getting herself into.
TBC.