Let It Be Me
A/N – This fic is AU in that the meeting of Lois and Clark is completely different than the show. This story starts out in between S4 and S5 and Lois is a few years older than Clark. I have tried to change some things in it to reflect Smallville but it was written originally when L&C was on. So, you have to picture no aliens, no ship, no Luthors in Smallville. But a few twists on the same characters.
Chapter 1 - The Meeting
"Good morning class. This is the journalism seminar. You should all understand that you will receive optional credit for this class. The syllabus is coming around as well as a sign in sheet. Now, you will ... excuse me sir... have you found a seat?"
Pushing through several people in the back rows, he looked up as he sat down, "I'm fine. Sorry."
"Well then, if you would look at the syllabus. The seminar will consist of three major writing efforts and daily writing assignments. These daily assignments may encompass any facet of the university or city life. As future journalists, I expect you to fully jump into your work and not accept no for an answer. Also, there will be a midterm and final, which both include a mock event to be covered within minutes. Now, for today, I would like an obituary - your obituary, and please die with honor. This is the first time and last time this next thing will ever happen. Dismissed early." The professor picked up his bag and walked out. The students all sat in amazement of the amount of work ahead, much less the coolness of the professor. They began leaving, seeing he wasn't joking.
"Excuse me..." A handsome yet slightly nerdy looking man tried to squeeze between two women sitting still. He looked around and saw several other women looking in his direction and giggling. Trying not to blush, he tucked his head into his chest and continued out the door.
"What did you think of that introduction?" A woman raced up to the man and was panting she had run so hard. She was wearing jean shorts and a sleeveless shirt. She was naturally pretty, but had a little too much make-up on for it being 90 degrees. The handsome man, in shorts, looked over at her.
"You talking to me?" He kept walking toward the dorms.
"Yeah, what did you think?" She almost had to run to keep up with his regular stride.
"I don't know...sounds interesting, but more challenging than what I'm used to. Why?"
"Well, I thought it was...unconscious. I have never had a professor at this school so cold in reaction."
"I really never had a class here...I actually go to school in Kansas but I..."
"There's my bus...nice meeting you." The woman ran off as the man stopped and watched.
"Nice meeting you too." He continued off to the dorm that he had rented for the session. It was one room, but he had no roommate. The bathroom had a shower and very dirty water. The bed was really not a bed, but more like a wooden block. He threw his books down and decided it was a good time for a nap.
"Lucy? It's Lois. I hate my journalism class. I wish these professors would let us write on what we want. Now they want us to write our own obituary."
"Lois, what else happened? Anything good? Are you going to the summer dance there?" Lois by this time had thrown her shoes off and crawled into her lounge clothes.
"I met a few people in class. There was this girl that actually wrote an article for the New York Times already. See the competition I have."
"Lois, you wanted this."
"I know, but on the other hand, there's this guy from Kansas...at least I won't have the lowest grade in the class." Lois proceeded to shove a spoonful of ice cream in her mouth.
"Lois, ask him to the dance. From what you say, that has got to the longest conversation with a man you've had in months." Lucy could just picture the look that Lois was giving the phone in response to that comment.
"Look Lucy. This is college. I am not some giddy school girl anymore. Yes, I am. You're right. Maybe if I ever see him again. There are two hundred people in this class. Oh, I have to go." Lois shoved the ice cream back in the fridge, changed and headed out the door.
The archeology class went better than the journalism class did. At least, he got there on time. He was rarely late to anything but then again he couldn't speed into a room of hundreds of people. He got back to the dorm again and looked around his room. It didn't leave much room for movement. But, it was a basement room, so if he wanted, he could sneak out. Being the first day, he thought he should check in at home.
"Mom, it's me. No, I'm fine. Classes sound interesting. No, I haven't done 'anything.' Just playing the good college student. But I need a favor. I'm a little short of cash and would really like to have a good dinner."
"Then come home tonight...bring you work, you can return a little before classes start tomorrow."
"Thanks, I'll see you soon." Clark arrived in Smallville a little while later, knowing that was going to be exactly what he liked most.
"So, have you met anyone yet? Your father and I were hoping that something better would happen at college." His parents looked at him intently.
Jonathon and Martha both hoped that Clark would fare better at a school away from Lana Lang and away from the distractions that had come with living in Smallville.
"Actually, this woman started babbling to me today and then ran off for the bus. I really have still no idea what was going through her mind but whatever it was, she was sure trying to get an answer out of me." He and his parents laughed.
"Did you get her name?" Martha was always trying to fix her son up, feeling somewhat sorry for his being different.
"Nah. Just that she doesn't like the prof or something like that. But don't say anything mom, I have already decided to talk to her again." Martha smiled and patted her son on the back. "You know I have a good feeling about this summer. I think something good is coming and that I'm fitting in." His parents smiled as they started clearing the dishes. The rest of the night was quiet where their son could finish the work that he had for the next day.