Chapter 1

Lois Lane was typing at her desk at the Daily Planet, working on her latest story about Intergang's newest leader Thomas Edge, Morgan Edge's son, taking over the family business.

"Lois, honey", Perry White said, "It's Christmas Eve, don't you have people to be with tonight? What about your cousin and her husband…"

"Come on Chief", Lois laughed, "Don't act like you don't know my cousin in law is your favorite photographer for the Planet."

Perry White joined the Daily Planet staff as Editor-in-Chief almost five years ago, after the mysterious disappearance of Tess Mercer. After she disappeared, Oliver Queen bought out the Daily Planet from Luthor Corp. since none of its CEO's had been currently overlooking the company, and hired Perry White on the spot. Lois Lane looked up to him as she would a father, and he loved her like a daughter, even though he'd never publicly admit it. She was his favorite reporter, but he had to show the office that he didn't play favorites. Perry White was no push over, and a fiery reporter was not going to change that.

"Speaking of Olsen", Perry sighed, "He said he and his wife invited you for dinner and you turned them down…"

"So if you knew", she turned around smiling, "Why ask…"

"Lois", he said sitting on her desk, "I can see something is bugging you. I don't know why, but it seems like every year around this time you get upset."

"It's nothing, Chief", Lois leaned in, "Christmas wasn't a big deal at my house growing up."

"Well, it doesn't mean we can't make a new tradition", he smiled, "Why don't you come over and have dinner with Alice and me. Richard would love to see you."

Lois smiled and stood up. "As much as I love when you try and play cupid, I'll pass, but tell Alice I said thank you anyway."

"Hey it was my idea to invite you", Perry said to her retreating figure causing her to turn around.

"Sure it was", Lois laughed, "That's why you had a reminder to invite me on your desk all day."

"I'll tell her", he said standing up, "I'll see you in two days, Lane."

"That's if I decide to come back to work", she laughed.

"Yeah right", Perry muttered walking back into his office.

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Lois walked into her apartment building trying to be stealth and bumped into a wall, causing her to curse quietly.

"Lois", an old lady's voice came through the halls, "Is that you dear?"

"Yes Mrs. Calhoun", Lois gritted her teeth, "It's me."

"What are you doing home alone on Christmas Eve, dear", Mrs. Calhoun, her neighbor asked.

Lois peeked into the older lady's apartment and saw bustling that she assumed was the family. She shrugged.

"Not really big on Christmas", she said.

"None sense", Mrs. Calhoun said shaking her hands, "You should come on in and have dinner with us."

"I'll pass, but thank you", Lois smiled, "I just have a lot of work to do."

"No one should be working on Christmas Eve."

"Criminals don't take days off, Mrs. Calhoun", she smiled, "And neither do I."

"Well, if you change your mind", the older lady smiled, "There's someone I'd love for you to meet. My grandson, he's a fan of your work."

"Um", Lois smiled, "We'll see."

"Very well", Mrs. Calhoun said retreating back to her apartment, "Merry Christmas, Lois."

"Merry Christmas", Lois said and opened her door shutting it behind her.

She sighed.

"Why is everyone trying to hook me up with a son or grandson", Lois muttered, "Do I really look that desperate."

"Never."

Lois jumped at the voice.

"Sorry", Bruce said walking closer to her, "Didn't mean to scare you."

"Well, when you hide in darkness", Lois said walking past him to her kitchen, "It's a natural reflex."

Bruce smirked. She'd never change.

"You want anything to drink", she asked peering into her fridge.

"I already got something", he said holding up his glass.

"Of course you did", she said pulling out a coke.

"So", Bruce said, "Christmas alone…"

"It's not as bad as it looks", she said letting her head fall to the side, "Who sent you? Was it Chloe…"

"Well-"

"I knew it", Lois groaned, "Can't she leave well enough alone… it's not like I'm hiding out from the world…"

"Actually", Bruce said walking closer, "It was Chloe, and Jimmy, and Oliver, and Dinah, and Bart, and Victor and AC wanted to come…"

"I'm sure he did", Lois grinned, "What about you? No big event on Christmas Eve… that's a first."

"I switched my schedule", Bruce shrugged, "When I hear that one of my best friends is spending the holidays alone, I come running."

"Right", Lois nodded, "Sure you do."

"So how have you been", he asked nonchalant.

"Pretty good", she said sitting on her couch and cocked an eyebrow, "Why?"

"Well", he started.

"Why are you really here?"

Bruce rolled his eyes. "I hate that you know me like that."

Lois laughed. "I knew it. Bruce Wayne has a motive for everything."

"Not a motive", he corrected, "A purpose."

She glared at him, and he knew that was his cue to continue.

"Alright", he said, "We know you're working on that Thomas Edge story… The guys and I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I'm fine, Bruce", she smiled, "The story hasn't been released. Edge doesn't even know I'm investigating."

"Says the intrepid reporter", Bruce muttered.

"Besides", she smiled leaning back on her couch, "I've got a league of superheroes who always have my back."

"Yeah but we're not super human, Lois, we can't be everywhere at the same time."

She stiffened at his words.

"I didn't expect you to", she stood up.

"Lois, he's been gone for five years", Bruce said, "This act you've had going is not going to somehow lure him back."

"You think that's what I'm doing", she turned around glaring at him, "Who else thinks that?"

Bruce lowered his gaze.

"They all do", she confirmed and shook her head.

Lois walked to her front door and opened it, "Well Mr. Wayne, you can tell you cronies that you've filled the quota they gave you, and that I'm fine."

"Now we're down to formalities."

"I only call my friends by their first name."

"Lois-"

"I'm doing my job", she stopped him, "It's my life and I refuse to let you all control it. Now get out of my apartment."

Bruce nodded.

"Merry Christmas, Lois."

"Merry Christmas, Mr. Wayne."

She shut the door in his face.

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Lois shut the light off in her bedroom and fell asleep. She looked to her left and saw the Elmer Fudd night light she used every night for the last five years. It always made her feel safe, and kept her nightmares at bay. It was like her very own Dream Catcher.

Only this night light reminded her of him. Of the man he used to be. And the man that she fell in love with a long time ago.

Mrs. Kent had let her keep it when they'd packed up his things and put them in storage. She sighed.

"No one's waiting for you anymore, Clark", she whispered into the night, "No one except me and your mom, maybe. Good night, Clark, where ever you are."

She lay down to sleep, not noticing the figure floating outside her window.