Title: Through His Eyes
Author: KatherineKent (Victoria)
Pairing: Clois
Rating: Suitable for all
Spoilers: Hex
Short summary: What if Lois had got a wish in Hex
Chapter 1: Wish
Lois moved around the Ace of Clubs, champagne glass in hand. The smile on her face was genuine ... mostly. Her happiness was complete ... sometimes.
That 'except' happened whenever she glanced over at her cousin. She felt a stab of pain in her heart and her smile would drop. Chloe was attempting to enjoy her birthday party but as the evening wore on Chloe's ability to act weakened and Lois saw the truth breaking through. She could tell there was something missing.
Lois had spoken to Chloe, to Oliver, to all the guests joining in the festivities and everyone mentioned the conspicuous absence of her new husband; even Chloe herself, though Lois would have expected her to avoid that subject. But as time ticked away Lois began to suspect that the 'thing' missing wasn't Jimmy. Chloe was desperately alone, surrounded by her friends, family and acquaintances, and even though she missed her husband greatly, the person missing from her birthday party, the one who would draw her out of this melancholy, was her bestfriend.
Chloe's best friend: Clark.
Who also happened to be Lois's best friend.
And he was absent from his best friend's birthday party.
How can he abandon her like this? He knows what she's going through. He knows she's devastated by the shattering of her marriage. Where is he?
She sipped on some champagne and glanced around the room.
Smallville's not the type to ditch a friend in need. So what the heck has kept him away?
Lois wasn't sure at what point she noticed the fishnet tights. Her eyes narrowed. If she was honest it was in disapproval. Who dresses like that?She turned back to Ollie and took another sip, laughing at some witty comment. But she didn't really pay attention, just flicked her eyes off towards Chloe again.
"So where's farm boy then?" she asked, digging for information.
"Oh, somewhere," came Ollie's vague reply. Lois whipped her gaze back to him, eyes wide. What? For Smallville to be missing it must be a major crisis somewhere, but then why would nobody know what it was? What are they trying to avoid telling me?
When Oliver immediately ended the conversation and moved off to talk to someone else Lois narrowed her eyes, suspicion growing.
Unless there is no crisis, and he's just not here. Oh, you are so dead Smallville, when I get back from Mexico.
The fishnets stood and uncrossed revealing long, slender legs, bare from the top of the thighs down to the top of the knees ... apart from the fishnets, of course. Below the knees were black, shiny, high-heeled boots.
Lois frowned in disapproval. I know this is a nightclub lady, but it's a classy place. And that belongs in a strip club. Lois tried to turn away but morbid curiosity had her eyes following the lady around the room. She found herself detailing more of the outfit.
Black shorts, black waistcoat, white shirt and bow tie.
Lois let out a surprised laugh. Not what I expected.
The long, wavy black tresses had Lois feeling a momentary jealousy. Such a fabulous black shine.But then she finally registered the top hat.
Ok, I get it. You're the entertainment.She turned to fully face the direction of the lady magician as she worked the room, finally replacing her distain with appreciation.
Suddenly Lois felt a vibration in her pocket. Phone alarm. Damn, time to go.She looked up hoping to find Chloe so that she could say goodbye and zeroed in on her stood at the far side of the room chatting with Ollie.
She set off striding purposefully, only to be stopped by the fishnets.
Whoah!Lois stumbled backwards to avoid bumping into the tray of magical goodies being carried. "Zatanna!" she read out slowly, tilting her head to see the writing on the side of the tray. "Mistress of magic."
"You look like someone in need of a little magic in her life." The fishets spoke brightly.
"Pppft," Lois expelled a breath. "You could say that. Lady you have no idea the schedule I'm trying to juggle, the people I'm trying to cheer up, the ones I'm trying to avoid." Clark Kent I am so going to kick your butt if I ever manage to catch you.
"Well then," came the performing voice. "How about a little wish and I'll magic away all your problems." Lois looked sideways at the dark haired lady.
"Sure, I'm game," she said a little warily but then brightened. "This is a birthday party after all." She nodded off to the side. "Although you might actually want to visit the birthday girl next, it's only fair." Lois craned her neck to look past Zatanna, wrinkling her brow a little when she noticed Chloe alone again. Ollie must have wandered off somewhere.
"And your wish would be?" Lois glanced back into the innocent eyes looking back at her.
"Oh, um. I wish Clark was here for Chloe." She looked away again. I really wish I knew where Clark was; understood why the heck he couldn't be here for his best friend. Looking back once more she saw a knowing smile on the lady's face and it made the hairs on the back her neck stand up. She stepped back a pace and blinked a few times trying to dispel the shiver waiting at the bottom of her spine, ready to travel all the way up.
Fishnets didn't speak again just continued to smile. Lois returned it half-heartedly as a way of saying goodbye and then she headed for Chloe. She found herself stumbling a little as she walked down a few steps to her cousin. Too much bubbly, Lois. Not good when you're off to Mexico in just a few hours. You could have been so much more sensible, responsible.
What, you mean like Smallville?she answered herself.
Oh, shut up. That's one person I don't want to think about, for sooo many reasons.
She put on a happy face as she approached Chloe and snatched up one of the many, mini birthday cakes dotted around the room.
"One year closer to the sweet release of death," she said a cheerily as she could, mixing morbidity with light-heartedness. Chloe lent forwards and blew out the candle. "Sorry Chloe, there's been a factory workers revolt down in Mexico City and the Planet is flying me down 'El Primero Classo'." Gosh that sounds good. "Wheels up in 30." Looking up through her lashes she remembered the tiara on her head and plucked it out of her hair, placing it on Chloe's head. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do. Love you."
Lois headed for the elevator feeling the confusion from behind. Chloe didn't know whether to try and latch onto Lois's bright and bubbly attitude or continue to wallow in – probably justifiable – self-pity.
As the elevator doors closed behind her Lois put out her hand and rested against the side. Gosh that bubbly has gone straight to my head. She closed her eyes to try and stop the spinning feeling, but it just increased.
Colours and shapes blurred across her eyelids and she felt herself toppling. Thankfully there was a rail around the elevator and she grabbed on. The elevator jerked to a stop and a 'ding' announced the opening of the doors. Lois opened her eyes at the same moment and the dizziness lessened.
Hmmm, must have been the movement of the elevator, she reasoned.
Lois arrived at the airport less than an hour later and joined the queue to check-in.
Changing into simple jeans and t-shirt had been awkward in the cab, but necessary. She spent an inordinate amount of time cursing herself for drinking too much champagne. The cab driver must have thought her crazy ... or drunk.
The thing was Lois was sure she'd only had one glass. So why was she constantly dizzy? Resting in the cab, once changed, hadn't helped. She'd lent her head back and closed her eyes, fingers pressed against her temple, but her head had continued to swim, just as before. This time she'd blamed it on the cab driver.
"Maybe I'm getting an inner-ear imbalance," she muttered to herself. She pulled out her phone and tapped her foot continuing to wait. She shuffled forwards a few steps and then the call was answered.
"What is it Lois?" came the voice she really didn't want to hear, but something compelled her to call him.
"Smallville, I'm so mad at you right now, but let's not get into that. Just letting you know I'm on my way to Mexico City. Worker's revolt. Back in a few days."
"Huh?"
"Oh, don't play dumb with me. Anyway, gotta go. Finally made it to the desk."
Lois flipped her phone closed and smiled at the perfect blonde check-in lady, handing over all her papers. After a back and forth between the two of them, with stamps and tear-off slips and who-knows what else, the attendant finally handed over Lois's seat allocation tickets.
Lois turned to stride off when the cheery lady called out. "Sorry miss. You'll need to check that bag."
"But this is my hand luggage," challenged Lois, menacingly. Unfortunately the sickly sweet attitude of the desk clerk was all an act and she was no pushover.
"I'm sorry. I'll weigh it but I'm pretty sure it's over the limit." Lois glared at her then placed her bag on the scales. The betraying number flashed up on the screen and Little Miss Perfect Blonde looked back up at Lois. "If you have anything in there you will want on the flight you can take it out now before I send it through."
"Fine," spat out Lois, then began rifling through for her notebook and pen. Stuffing them into her handbag she wandered off as the luggage slid behind the desk and headed its own way to the plane. Feeling the need for another rant she pulled out her phone again and flipped it open.
"Smallville. Remind me to write an article on ridiculous check-in procedures and rules when I get back."
"Lois, what did you mean earlier about being mad at me?"
"No time now, I'm at customs. Have to take off all my metal jewellery and figure out how to hide my hypothetical gun." She hung up and waited in line with a grimace on her face. Why does he do this to me? I want to avoid him, yet I can't help but be drawn to him. I don't want to talk to him as I'm disappointed in his treatment of Chloe, yet I need to make him painfully aware of my annoyance.
She closed her eyes and pressed her fingers to her temple. A blur of colour across her eyelids knocked her off balance again and she swayed dramatically. Strong arms caught her and she opened her eyes to see the security guard holding her up.
"Are you alright miss?" he asked in a genuine voice.
"Fine, thanks." She smiled as best she could and placed her handbag on the table. Giving another extra flirtatious smile in thanks once she was done she then twirled away.
"Oh, thank God," she groaned. "Coffee." Lois ran over to the airport cafe her eyes had just fixed on and pushed her way past as many people as she dared to get straight to the drinks.
Tossing her bag onto the table, after completing the transaction, she lowered herself down into a chair and took a sip. A contented sigh escaped her lips and she blinked lazily. Again the dizziness hit and she shook her head to dispel it.
After placing down her cappuccino she flipped open her phone for the third time. Before she could speak this time he jumped in.
"Is this because of Jimmy and Chloe?" he asked.
"Clark, let's not get into that tonight. I just needed to tell you that I think I had too much to drink at Chloe's party." She emphasised Chloe's party trying to make a point. "Either that or it was really cheap champagne, cause I'm feeling a little woozy. In fact I'm pretty sure that was it."
"Lois, are you alright." His tone immediately turned concerned and she nibbled her lip. Lois Lane, remember you are mad at him. Her heart softened. Don't you dare, she shouted at herself.
"Just ... Um ... I thought someone should know. In case, you know. Something happened to me on the plane and I um ..."
"Lois, are you drunk?"
"No!" she protested. "I'm positive I only had one glass." She closed her eyes and the blurring returned, but as she was sat down there was no risk to her balance. As she kept her eyes closed the colours and shapes began to sharpen. "It must be a bad batch, because I am having the strangest vision problem right now."
"Lois..."
"Whoa! Is that a bridge? God, I'm going insane here. My eyes are closed but I could swear I'm looking at this gigantic suspension bridge. And is that ..." she shook her head and blinked her eyes open. "Ok, more coffee needed, then I need to find my departure gate. Speak to you later Smallville."
Lois ended the call and took a gulp of her cappuccino not caring that it blistered her throat on the way down. I hope he's stewing in his confusion at the moment, she thought cruelly. Cause I sure am, she sighed.
Lois called Clark twice after that. Once while searching for her departure gate and again while sat waiting. But he didn't answer. She left obscure messages on his answer phone. Her eyes closed she'd gone back to experiencing the coloured swirls and blurs; no discernable shapes.
"I swear I am never having champagne again," she mumbled as she stood up.
"Pardon," asked the flight attendant.
"Oh, nothing. Just talking to myself," Lois explained as she handed over her tickets and was let onto the plane.
She struggled with her bag, forcing it into the overhead storage with great difficulty, her head still buzzing and swimming. She eventually collapsed into her seat and buckled herself in.
Pulling out her phone she dialled Clark again. This time he answered.
"Where have you been? I had to leave two completely rambling messages on your answer service. I'm on the plane now and the flight attendant is walking towards me frowning so I guess now is not the best time to talk. Bye."
Lois realised she'd never given Clark chance to say even one word that time. Closing her phone just as the lady made it to her seat she held it up and waved it to show that it was now off.
"Miss, we will be taxiing to the runway soon and you need to keep that turned off."
"I know, I'm sorry." Lois slid the phone into her pocket then reached up to the reading light above her and flicked it off. She lent backwards and her eyes closed immediately. She was finally able to relax.
In the relative darkness she began to notice it again. Blurry images, vague colours and lights. Still going huh! Well hopefully it's just some little inner ear infection that will clear up in a day or so.Suddenly the dizzy feeling stopped. The blurs sharpened as before and Lois readied herself to see the imaginary bridge once more but instead the image cleared into a much more recognisable landmark.
The Daily Planet.
Lois frowned and her forehead crinkled. Hmmm, maybe I'm already asleep. Dreaming of the Planet is sort of understandable.
The image faded and the coloured swirls retuned. An overwhelming dizzy sensation hit her and she moaned. Then the picture cleared once more and she found herself looking at a swaying wooden sign.
Kent Farm.
Huh! She sat bolt upright and opened her eyes. What was that?
So. Comments. Please?