Author's Note: You don't know what you have till it is gone. Lois is figuring this out as the world is in a panic over a falling meteoroid. Clark Kent turns up with no memory of who he is or what has happened to him, and Superman has gone missing. Lois's heart shows it's true colors.
Doom looms overhead blocking out the warm rays of the sun. The radio glares with fright and speculation, this could be the end of society as we know and love it. In the sky is a five mile wide meteoroid that is falling straight for Metropolis, there was no question as to the damage it would cause. The only thing that citizens could do now is try to go underground or sit and wait for the devastating impact.
I sit in the window of my office watching the hunk of rock closely. The Daily Planet is my only real home, the only place I feel truly safe and the one place I can be with those that love me. I feel a chill as I notice the rock starting to burn with an unnatural light. Jimmy stands next to me peering at it with a child-like fascination, not really understanding that catastrophe waiting to happen. I pull my arms closer to my body wondering where Superman could be, and subconsciously wishing that Clark's arms were wrapped protectively around me.
"Do you want to look, Miss Lane," Jimmy offered his binoculars.
"No thanks, Jimmy. I can see it just fine." I heard the door open behind us, a small piece of me wished for Clark to enter but Chief filled the doorway instead.
"Have you seen Kent," Chief half whispered. His eyes told me that he was afraid, but he would never admit it out loud.
"No, and knowing Clark he's probably hiding out in some deep cellar somewhere." Both Chief and Jimmy looked at me with a sadness in his eyes. I tried not to show my disappointment, but my words came out a little more biting than I intended." Oh I am sorry, boys I didn't mean to sound so bitter." I just wish he were here. Jimmy tries to make me feel better by speculating that it will innocently pass by us. The wire is coming in at an alarming rate, announcing that Asteroid has changed course and is now heading towards us.
I bite my lip in fear, but in the backdrop of the unnatural light I saw the silhouette of Superman racing towards it. I utter a hushed prayer for guidance and safety. I watch in apprehension as Superman literally collides with the rock, but there was no telling where he landed. Superman saved us and that is all that matters. When he comes back I plan to show my gratitude with a sweet kiss on the cheek. But where on earth could Clark be?
"I think I am going to hold up at Mr. Kent's place and wait till he comes home," Jimmy announced. "I'll let you know if he comes home in one piece."
"I just hope he comes home," I uttered. Something about today has me worrying that Clark is maybe in more danger than we imagine.
Jimmy's been in and out of the office a couple of times in the last twenty-four hours and there is still no sign of Clark Kent. I've never been so scared for Clark before. Usually he's appeared by this time with some fantastic but reasonable explanation for his disappearance. I even miss that smug smile of his when he scoops me on a Superman story. Clark is the most stable man I've ever met and I don't know what'd I do if I ever lost him.
I walked into Chief's office with a fake smile on my face with the latest headline in hand. "I could've told them Superman would come through," I chirped. Chief continued the chatter on the phone. I just allowed him to keep going as I just started dispensing information about recent progress.
"Boy, what excitement. The mayor's planning a big reception for Superman already," Chief exclaims. I try to interrupt him as he keeps prattling on about how the world's receiving Superman's latest feat. But my worry stems from a possible fear of losing both Clark and Superman in the same day.
"What did Professor Roberts say?"
"Our own people are going crazy on the streets! Oh that astronomer... He's a Gloomy Gus that's all. Wondering about the effect of that thing-"
"But does he know what happened to Superman?" I insist.
White solemnly shakes his head, "No. They couldn't see what happen to him."
A legitimate fear knots in my stomach, but I keep pressing, "After that terrific collision... Do you think he could be dead?"
White finally seems to have grasped the despair that I'm seeing. "Mable, is Clark Kent out there yet? I want him to get on the ball and find out what happened to Super-"
Slapping my hand to the intercom, "Chief, he isn't back yet. Clark's still missing too." I'm trying to be brace, but I can't stop the heartache I feel. Oh Clark, please be okay.
There's still been no word from Jimmy about Clark, and I could feel my heart growing heavier. I work furiously hoping that the farther I push myself into my work, the less I'll notice Clark's absence. I'm just lying to myself, I'm so caught up in Clark's disappearance that I didn't even make it my office, I'm sitting at Clark's desk. I'm not sure why but I figure simply being in his office would make up for his absence. I never thought I'd ever miss him this much.
The phone rings, "This is Mr. Kent's office."
"Hey, Miss Lane," it's Jimmy, "What are you doing in Mr. Kent's office?"
"Waiting for Mr. Kent. I'd hoped that if you hadn't seen him he'd come here." I sigh to myself. I can't let him know that I'm pining after Clark.
"Well he's here, Miss. Lane. He's awfully confused, and just fell in the shower."
"He what?!"
"I've got him in bed, it took me a while to get him there. Could you and the Chief get over here. I'm not sure what to do." My heart beats rapidly knowing that Clark is now accounted for.
"We'll be there in twenty minutes, Jimmy." Clark! Finally.
Jimmy quickly ushers us into his room, he looks exhausted and almost helpless lying there against the gray pillow. Something in the bathroom that catches my eye, the floor is covered in shattered glass. "Jimmy, all that glass?"
"I know. He must be the luckiest guy in the world! Not a scratch." If it isn't for Jimmy and Chief watching I would've rushed to Clark's side. I long reach out and touch his hair or stroke his cheek. I've never had the opportunity to protect him and now I have to hold back in fear of letting the world know that I care. I wish to push Chief out while he is bawling out Jimmy for not calling a doctor. Don't they realize that they could wake Clark?
I knew they would wake him; slowly the sleeping reporter shakes off the effects of pain-induced slumber. He clears his throat and lifts himself on to his elbow. Looking directly at me he holds contact long enough for me to notice something different in his eyes. He breaks contact to address Chief directly and the words that come out of his mouth chill the blood in my veins.
"Please don't worry about me. I'm alright," he claims. "What happened to me?"
"Don't you know," I question.
He sighs in disappointment, "Well no. Not since I opened my eyes, I'm sorry." Sorry? What on earth did he have to be sorry about... except for disappearing for about 24 hours?
Jimmy asks him if he is all right and he acts as if it is the first time he ever heard his name.
"... Don't any of you know me? Please answer me. Who am I?" He begs with gushing sincerity. He looks at each one of us with wonder and worry. Tears are burning my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall just yet. Oh Clark! What really happened? My Clark would never forget his arrogant but mild mannered ways, he must have amnesia there couldn't be another explanation. He doesn't even know who he is and Chief refuses to allow him any liberties or even considers the possibility of something so severe. If I were a bolder woman I might smack Chief for his insensitivity to such a serious condition but Clark catches me off guard with a simple question; three little words that nearly stop my heart.
"Who are you?" His eyes are soft with hope that I knew something, but more than that I find a genuine interest in the sparkle that he flashes my way. I've always longed to see that look in his eyes, but not like this. I want Clark; I want him for all his teasing and smug comments. I want MY Clark back! I can't think of anything clever to say in hopes to snap him out of it, so I just give him my name.
"Well I'm Lois Lane, reporter of the Planet." Clark, please recognize me. PLEASE! Chief blows up again unloading a large amount of information, overloading his thoughts with fear and anxiety. I watch Clark try to take it all in at once, hoping that some piece of information would jog something in him. The mention of Superman seems to wrinkle his brow, but it's because he'd heard the name before. Chief is un-amused, and I feel my heart truly break for the first time.
Chief ushers Jimmy out of the room to give him a specific set of instructions, leaving me just a small amount of time to have Clark to myself. He stares at the door with curious look as if he is trying to look through the door or overhear what they are saying. I slowly made my way to Clark's side. He closes his eyes in utter exhaustion. I sit by his side as he slowly shifts to make room for me.
"How do I know you," He gently asks. I don't answer right away, but instead I reach my hand to his hair and smooth it out. "Are we... close?" Everything in me screams to tell him that we are very close, but I can't lie to him. Not in his current situation at least.
"Oh Clark," I softly whine. He reaches his hand up to grab on to mine.
"I really hope that's my name," an easy smile graces his face, "because I like the way you say it."
I nervously giggle, "Oh, trust me I don't say it like that very often. Usually you and I are in the middle of some argument or another."
"You didn't answer my question, are we close?" He holds my hand as if it is a precious stone.
"I don't know how to answer that, Clark. See you and I are...well business partners."
I feel his body give up with a sigh, "Oh. So we're just partners."
"Oh Clark, we are a little more than that. You're my best friend and a stable source in my crazy life. You're something very special to me."
He tries to chuckle, "Even without my memory, I have a feeling you're pretty special to me too."
I can't hold myself back. I kissed him on the cheek and breathe him in. He closes his eyes. I can feel him relax and just breathe. It feels just right to be here in his arms, feel his chest raising and falling with ease, and knowing that I can't do anything more than enjoy it. I whisper my last plea, "Please come back, Clark. Please."
He hums, "I'll try, Miss Lane. I promise." I feel a lone tear burn a path in my cheek. "You better get up. I think those two are coming back." I heed his warning and standup as if I'd been there the whole time just watching.
"Lois," Chief barked. "You and Jimmy are going to stay here till Kent is back on his feet. Then you are to bring him to the Planet. Putting him to work should jog his memory." I silently nodded. Clark utters his agreement too.
"Well Jimmy," I turn to the Cub reporter. "I guess we should get this place cleaned up while Mr. Kent gets ready for work." I look longingly at Kent, hoping to see some signal that he's alright. He doesn't let me down.
"I'll be alright," Kent assures us. Jimmy and I get to work.
"You say this is where I work? Are you sure?" Clark marvels at the metal wording of the Daily Planet sign. Jimmy reassures him that it is true, and I reassure myself by reminding him that once he's inside and sitting at his typewriter everything will come back. It has too, I want my best friend back. He turns to look at the skyline, "It's a big city, isn't it? With lots of big buildings."
We start walking towards the entrance and I took his arm. The muscles are well defined even under the top coat. Even with amnesia I feel safe just to be around him, almost like my own personal Superman. Jimmy tries to jog his memory with recent stories and exploits but nothing seems to work. Not even when Chief bellows his name.
"Kent. KENT! I want to see you."
"Oh that's me," Clark turns to address Chief. Why can't Chief see that he is not well?
"No wait! Chief, please, it is no use all we can do right now is get him a good doctor," I plead with all my heart. It is grating enough when Chief is always barking, but barking at Clark for something he honestly can't control is just downright sadistic.
"I don't have time for that," he gripes. He drags Clark by the arm and leads him to his office. "See there? Home again." I'll admit it's nice to see Clark back in his office but it still doesn't seem quite right. "You'll be alright. Nothing to worry about, well accept this Kent. I want you to find Superman for me."
How could Chief just demand that? Clark spoke up, "Do you know what he looks like, Sir?"
"Now see here, Kent?" I could feel a loud and rude lecture coming and I try to detour it.
"I told you, Chief, it's useless." Jimmy tries to step in too, but Chief wasn't going to let this one go. Against everything in my I stand back and watch as Chief steam up like a teapot ready to explode. "... You can cover the Flower show with Jimmy while the world is coming to an end!" Chief storms out of the office while I follow at his heels.
"Chief, what did you mean by the world coming to an end?'" I finally see some remorse in his eyes but not for the reason I wanted..
"Read this," he hands me the latest wire information. "Tidal wave down in Brazil."
"Oh that's terrible. I'll get right on the story." I am stopped by a man. Professor Roberts, he looks tired and worried.
"Just a minute Miss Lane. This tidal wave, I'm afraid, is just the beginning."
"I don't understand. Does it have something to do with the asteroid that Superman stopped?"
"Well Superman just sidetracked it. That's the trouble it should've been destroyed. It's upsetting the Earth's rotation."
Chief chimes in. "I just got a call from our bureau in Cairo, North Africa is having the worst wind and sandstorm it's ever had." There is some hype about scientific mambo that I don't quite understand.
"Are you saying that all these disturbances are caused by the asteroid?"
Again Professor Roberts mutters something I can't understand, but I do catch, "Just find Superman. Do you understand? Find him." Find him? I need to find Clark first.
A couples hours later Chief calls me and Clark into his office, and isn't happy to see I've come alone. "Where's Kent?"
"He went home," I admit meekly. "I'm pretty worried about him, Chief."
"You're worried about him? I'm worried about Superman!"
"I guess we're all pretty worried about Superman," I readily agree, but my thoughts stick to Clark. Superman, wherever he is, can take care of himself.
"Well we better be. If he doesn't turn up, we're finished that's all," Chief growls. I bite my tongue and allow him his rant. I wanted to smack him for his blatant disregard for Clark, but I bow out.
"You're right," I comply. I head towards the door, but I have to get the last word in. "Oh, I sent Jimmy up to Clark's apartment to make sure that HE'S all right."
Back in my office Jimmy paces the floor, worry in his brow upsets me. "What is it, Jimmy?"
"It's Mr. Kent. He's got me really worried."
"You and me both," I scoff. Jimmy looks at me with a different look of fear in his eyes.
"He asked me if Superman's costume gives him his powers. I tried to explain that it is just a mere costume, but he didn't seem entirely convinced."
"What are you getting at Jim?"
"Well he got real fired up and said something about someone needing to try to save this planet of ours," Jim reiterated. Well at least he's trying to do something. But I wish in this one case he would just rest. My intercom blares with the irritating voice of Perry White.
"Lane, Olsen, get your coats we're going to the Observatory."
The more Professor Roberts talks the more I fear for the future of Metropolis. Jimmy and Perry listen with fascination in their eyes, and I watch the sky fearing the worst. They mention a need for Superman, something about needed to plant a bomb on the surface of the asteroid.
"Even if Superman is the only one, we still can't find- Look!" In the distance is the silhouette of a speeding bird. We all know that whistle and for a brief second hope fills my heart. He lands with grace and a determination. He doesn't really pay attention to the rest of us, just his instructions. Finally he turns to us to say goodbye.
"You sound as if you aren't expecting to come back," I whined.
"I might not," He replied bravely. He leaves with a whoosh and we watch in apprehension. I don't want to imagine a world without both Clark and Superman. But right at this moment I want to be with Clark, but he should be sleeping. I know that it is selfish to wish that he was here protecting me.
The asteroid is blown to smithereens and we are safe once again. Well I've got a story to write I guess. Once we get back to the Planet I slowly pass Kent's office. I can hear the taps of keys coming from inside. I crack the door and see Clark in his element.
"Come on in, Ms. Lane."
"It's good to see you working, Clark." I smile and make myself a seat on his desk.
Watching Clark type is the most wonderfully dull sight to see. He seems completely at home again. I read an excerpt of the copy he's working on. It mentions something about the injuries that Superman sustained during the first collision and how the second blast may have worked to set him right again.
"Wait a minute... how do you know all that?"
He adjusts his glasses in his usual smug way, "Oh didn't I tell you? I got my memory back." He says this in a manner that only he has mastered, but I want to kiss him anyway. He's back. My Clark is back!
"Really, Clark," I decide to play it cool. "Just because you got hit on the head, that's no sign that's what happened to Superman."
"Why not? I think we have something in common. As a matter of fact I know we do. See I know who he is now too." Yeah, Sure Clark.
"Oh you do," I play along. "Well come on, who is he?"
"Oh just knock me on the head sometime, you'll find out." He smiles down at his typewriter, waiting for my reply.
He is so exasperating, but he is still my best friend. In this moment I want to kiss him silly and smack him for his arrogance. "Mr. Kent I am really very glad you're well again, but I'm not so sure that it's much of an improvement!" I bite back. I go to make my way out the door in a huff, but a thought stops me. He is smiling as if he won, but he looks up and notices that I didn't actually leave. His smile is still pasted on his face as I walk back to him with determination glimmering in my eyes.
"Are you okay, Lois?"
"Yes, Clark." I'm on his side of the desk before he quite realizes it. I put my hand under his chin and pull his face up to meet mine. With a cheeky smile I press my lips to his in a sweetly tender kiss. I've been longing to do this for awhile. It felt so good to finally pull of a stunt like this, his lip are warm and firm but they give slightly. I feel him sigh into the kiss, but I pull away before we both lose ourselves.
"What was that for, Lois?" His voice is hoarse, almost breathless. I can't believe I can get that reaction out of him.
"I'm really very glad you're well again," I whisper just as breathlessly. I plant a quick one on his lips again and shuffle out of the office with a smile. "See you around, Clark."
