First time venturing into the Superman 'verse. I didn't really know much about it before, but having seen Man of Steel and starting to watch Smallville, I just can't get these characters out of my head. Especially Lois.
Anyway, this is meant to be a one-shot, but there is a possibility that it could continue. You never know. I don't doubt Lois will be back.
Enjoy!
It starts out like any other day at the office. She's barely been at her desk five minutes before Lombard is there, waving what looks suspiciously like tickets in front of her face and saying something about courtside seats. It's not the first time he's come up with some slick lines to try and entice her on a date. She has yet to say yes.
Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Lois turns her attention to the stack of paperwork on her desk. Lombard waves the tickets enticingly at Jenny. "Courtside?"
She doesn't refrain from rolling her eyes. Lois shakes her head, corners of her mouth twitching. You have to hand it to him, the guy knows how to be persistent. "Don't even try," she tells him. Lombard isn't Jenny's type.
Lombard opens his mouth, looking as though he might protest.
"Lombard, Lane." Perry's booming voice effectively silences whatever objection Lombard was about to make. "I want you to meet our new stringer and I want you to show him the ropes. This is Clark Kent. Good luck kid."
She notices the man beside Perry while he talks. He's tall, dark-haired and very handsome, though not the most sharply dressed. The plaid shirt—flannel no less—looks better suited for a farmer than a big city journalist; Lois is willing to admit, however, that if there's anyone who can make a farm shirt look sexy, it's this guy. He's glancing around the office like it's the most amazing thing he's ever seen, but at an angle so that she can't see his face. It's not until Perry says his name that he turns, looking slightly startled, like he's forgotten everyone exists.
It's all Lois can do to reign in a gasp when she catches sight of his face. He has glasses on, with wide lenses and thick black frames that scream "Nerdy Journalist", but there's no mistaking him. She'd have known him in an instant, even if Perry hadn't introduced him.
She's shocked the others don't recognise him. Is it not so obvious that Superman is right here, in regular clothes, taking the long-empty post at the City desk? Or are the glasses really that good of a disguise?
Even though it's only been a matter of seconds since they've been "introduced" and both Jenny and Lombard are still staring—for very different reasons—she feels the need to react. As if standing there for another second is going to give her away—which it might. Perry is very observant. Taking a deep breath and hoping she doesn't look as completely blindsided as she feels, Lois steps forward, arranging her features into what she hopes is a welcoming smile.
"Hi, Lois Lane." She reaches out to shake his hand as if he's just some guy she's meeting for the first time and not the alien saviour of the world she might very well be in love with. "Welcome to the Planet."
It's only after the words are out of her mouth that she realises the implications of what she's said, and can feel the heat spreading across her cheeks. She meant to welcome him to the paper, but it's clear now her comment could easily have been interpreted as "Welcome to our planet. Since, you know, you're not from it." Clark has obviously interpreted it like that because he cocks his head slightly to the side, confused. Lois can feel the heat creeping across her cheeks and wants more than anything to explain herself, even though she knows doing so will only make it worse. After a moment, however, Clark seems to understand what she means, because his confusion is replaced by a beatific, boyish grin that makes Lois' heart stutter, and takes her hand. His grip is warm and firm; the contact between their skin is like touching a live wire: a jolt of heat travels the length of her arm, stirring something deep inside of her that is unlike anything she's ever felt before.
"Glad to be here, Lois," he says, brilliant, blue eyes twinkling with mirth like her comment is a private joke only he understands. The way her name rolls so fluidly off his tongue sends chills running down her spine.
No I'm glad you're here, she wants to say, but doesn't. The last thing everyone at the office needs to know is the intensity of her feelings for Clark. Especially when she's pretty sure Lombard, Jenny, and Perry saw her kissing Superman. He'll never forgive her for blowing his cover. And she doesn't want to. He deserves a life.
The tour doesn't last long. Or at least not for Lois. By some stroke of luck, her phone goes off within the first ten minutes, and she has to dash back to her desk to conduct the interview, leaving Clark at the mercy of Lombard. Not that she particularly minds; she's been finding it entirely too difficult to think clearly when he's around.
Her article is supposed to be on Perry's desk tomorrow, but for the life of her she can't seem to put words on the page. The interview— which only lasted ten minutes or so—has given her some information to work with, but it could be in Chinese for all the good it's doing her. She's never fallen victim to writer's block. Her problems usually revolve around having too much to say, not too little.
She abandons her work after an hour of fruitless attempts, escaping to the break room. Maybe some coffee will help clear her head. She doesn't think it will, but it at least gives her a break from the endless circle of typing and deleting she's caught in.
Mercifully, the room is empty. Lois beelines to the coffee pot, trying not to think about Clark—whose desk happens to be right across the aisle from hers. He hasn't been there for the last couple hours—Lombard is still showing him around, though, really, there isn't that much to see—but that hasn't stopped her from staring at the empty space and seeing his face, nor has it stopped Jenny from commenting on how hot he is. Yet another reason Lois needs an escape: her possessiveness is getting harder and harder to squash. She had to leave before yelling at Jenny that Clark was already taken.
She's so engrossed in thought she doesn't here the door opening, doesn't notice that he's come in until she turns around, reaching for a coffee cup. The sight of Clark standing in the doorway, watching her, is enough to stop her heart for what feels like a full minute. As usual, her mind has gone completely blank and she can do nothing but stand there and stare, hand still reaching for the paper cup.
The silence is stifling and painfully awkward. They stand there, staring at each other for what feels like eternity—though in reality it's only a few seconds—before Clark reaches out and grabs two cups, passing one to her.
"Thanks," she mumbles, hastily snatching it and turning back to the coffee pot.
"No problem." His voice is calm. Steady. It reminds her of the ocean.
Lois pours herself some coffee, painfully aware all the while of his proximity. It's like there's an electric current running between them. She wonders if he can feel it too. She sneaks a few surreptitious glances as she adds milk and sugar, but all she can tell is that he takes his coffee black and looks really sexy in glasses.
"I didn't know you were working here," she says finally, feeling a need to say something to break the silence.
Clark sighs, raking a hand through those thick, ebony locks. Lois' fingers itch to reach out and touch it, but she keeps them firmly wrapped around her cup. "I'm sorry I didn't call," he says quietly. There's genuine regret in his voice and something else—guilt? "I meant to, I just..."
"It's all right. I've been busy with work." And thinking about you all the time.
"It's not all right. I shouldn't have just left you hanging like that. Not after everything that happened..." The fact that he can't finish the sentence cements her suspicions that he blames himself for what happened with General Zod. Which is ridiculous.
"It's not because I forgot about you," he continues, pace becoming more harried. She's never seen Clark nervous or unsure before. The contrast from his quiet, steadfast self is strangely cute. "Not a day went by where I didn't...I just didn't know what to say. And I didn't want to pressure you. After everything that happened, I would understand if-"
Lois steps forward, depositing her coffee cup on the counter before taking his mouth with her own. She doesn't want to hear the whole 'I get it if you don't want me' speech. She just wants Clark to kiss her. In fact, that's all she's been thinking about for the few weeks, ever since he went back to Smallville.
"Don't ever think for a minute that I'm here out of obligation," she whispers fiercely. "If I didn't want to be here, you can be sure as hell I wouldn't be hanging around. I've got better things to do with my life."
Clark grins insolently. "Yes ma'am."
A chastising comment is on the tip of her tongue but Clark swoops in and claims her mouth once more before she can say anything else. This kiss isn't anything like the first; it's passionate, the kind of kiss that stirs a fire deep in Lois' stomach. Clark's hands roam across her torso, caressing her sides, her stomach, her breasts. Her fingers rake through his hair, loving the way the thick curls glide through her fingers.
After a moment, she pulls away, breathless. She wants nothing more than to keep kissing Clark, but she's all too aware of the fact that they're still at the office; anyone can walk in at any moment and catch them. The last thing she needs is more gossip following her around the office. Clark, doesn't let her get very far however, looping his arms around her waist to keep her close, their foreheads still touching.
"We have to stop," Lois says, trying unsuccessfully to escape Clark's grip. "Someone could see us!"
"And?"
"And I'm not supposed to know you, remember? We just met."
Clark grins. "Maybe we just have chemistry."
Lois rolls her eyes. Men. "Seriously, Clark. It would be nice not to give the office gossips another reason to be talking about me."
He sighs, reluctantly letting go. "So what do we do?"
Now it's Lois' turn to grin. "We do what any other couple does," she replies casually, picking up her discarded coffee and taking a sip. "We flirt for a couple of weeks, you ask me out for a cup of coffee, we progress to dinner, the movies, and voila! We're just another couple."
Clark looks slightly wistful. "Just like any other couple," he says quietly and she knows how much he wishes that were true.
She nods. "Clark and Lois are just like every other couple."
He contemplates his coffee for a while before flashing a small smile. "Clark and Lois. It has a nice ring to it."
Lois pauses, twisting her mug between both hands. "How do they not know?" she asks eventually.
Clark blinks, confused. "Pardon?"
"The others," Lois elaborates. The question has been on the tip of her tongue ever since he walked in this morning. To her, his identity was always obvious. "How do they not know you're Superman? I mean no offence or anything, but those glasses really don't offer up much of a disguise."
Clark looks up at her, grinning. "I guess it's the lack of suit. The cape makes me stand out, you know."
"You don't really need them, do you? The glasses, I mean." She feels like an idiot as soon as the words are out of her mouth. Of course he doesn't need glasses. He has X-Ray vision.
Clark chuckles. "No, I don't need them," he says, reaching up to adjust them. "But I figured they'd be appropriate."
"They are. Very academic." She winks deviously. Two can play this game.
Clark frowns slightly. "Where I come from, academic was never really a compliment."
It takes her a moment to remember that he means Kansas and not Krypton. "Well, around here, it's a big one. Everyone in this business wants to be smart. Means you're taken seriously.
"Well, that's good to know, seeing as I don't actually know anything about being a journalist."
Lois chuckles, beginning to feel a little more at ease. "As far as jobs go, it's really not that complicated. Besides, Perry wouldn't hire you if he didn't think you were qualified."
"Well, in any case, I don't know enough to compete with Pulitzer prize-winners." He flashes that boyish grin and Lois' insides turn to putty.
"I'm sure you'll catch on."
"I'm sure I will." His grin widens. "After all, I have an excellent teacher."
"What?"
Clark takes a step closer and it's like all the air has been sucked out of the room. There's about an inch between his chest and hers, and it's all she can do not to stare at those beautiful lips. "You'll help me, won't you, Lois?"
His proximity makes it very hard for her to think straight. "What makes you think I want to help?" she whispers breathlessly. He's getting closer and closer and all she can think about is that mouth and what she wants it to do to her. Or, more specifically, how she wants it to resume what it was doing to her five minutes ago.
"Because you're going to take pity on the poor, bumbling country boy who's terribly clumsy and show him how things are done here. Because even though he's royally uncoordinated, he's smart, and you think he deserves a chance," Clark murmurs. His lips brush against hers, setting her skin ablaze. It's all she can do not to jump him right now.
"Well, when you put it like that..."Lois grins before pulling him in for another kiss. "How can I refuse?"