Author's note: Thank you all for the reviews, likes, etc on this story. Hope you enjoy the next chapter! Would love to know what you think!
p.s. For those of you familiar with Dukes of Hazzard - yes, I stole the officer's name. ;)
Hugs to all!
Chapter 2
"Name?" After stretching the one syllable word into two and wrapping it in a heavy Southern drawl, the barely-out-of-training officer behind the police desk stared down at the station's opened booking log.
"Lois Lane."
The rookie's head instantly snapped up and his green eyes narrowed under a shock of auburn hair. A knowing smirk formed. "Relation?"
"I'm her husband."
"So, you're Mr. Lane." He leaned back in the chair and openly scrutinized Clark for a brief moment before shaking his head in what could only be described as a mixture of disbelief, admiration and not a little humor.
"Actually, my name is…"
Officer Coltrane, as his name badge announced, blew out an exasperated breath before lunging head first into very muddy waters. "Gotta say, Mr. Lane, I've been growing mightly curiouser and curiouser the more she talked 'bout you. 'My husband this' and 'my husband that'. Why I was 'xpectin' Superman hisself to come walkin' through that do'."
He shook his head disapprovingly. "Don't see how you do it, myself. I mean, she can turn a head and all, but that wife of yours sure is as headstrong as an allegory on the banks of the Nile."
"An allegory on the…" Clark's brows knit in confusion. "What?"
"Why, back home in Georgia, a woman like that requires a lot of rope. Gotta put her in her place real early like and tie her up if need be." He leaned across the desk, lowered his voice and cocked an eyebrow. "See, these city gals they've been given a little too much freedom if'n ya ask me. Might do you some good to bend her over a knee once in a while. Show her who's boss…" He sent Clark a wink. "…if'n ya get my drift."
"Uh…"
Face beaming with a brand new thought, the young man slapped his hand on the desk. "Say! Have you ever been to a hog tying festival…"
"Rosco!" A booming voice behind him stopped whatever misguided rambles the young man was about to embark on. "How many times have I told you to keep your personal opinions…personal?" All three of his chubby chins jutted out in exasperation. "It's time for you to do the rounds." The sergeant in charge nodded his head toward Clark. "I'll handle this one."
Face blushing blood red, Rosco cast one glance in Clark's direction before making a clumsy exit past a chagrined Sergeant Fred Wilson.
"Hey, Clark."
"Fred."
The overweight, uniformed officer moved clumsily from behind the counter and waddled out to meet Clark. "Sorry 'bout that. He's brand new in town." He stuck out his doughnut grabbing, sugar-covered hand in greeting. "I think the aggressiveness of our Metropolis women has been a bit of a culture shock to him."
"Can't say that I blame him." Clark mumbled, his tone distracted, but forgiving.
"And, I'm sorry about all of this." Fred continued as he swept a hand in the air.
"Don't be. I have no doubt you were just doing your job." Dismissing Fred's apology with a wave of his hand, Clark shifted an overly curious, trying-to-climb-over-daddy's-shoulder Lily from one arm to the other. "So. What was it this time?" He started with the lesser infractions. "Unpaid parking fines? Public disturbance? Assaulting an officer?"
"Trespassing."
"Of course." Clark sighed resignedly and pulled out his billfold. "How much?"
"Three hundred."
Clark counted out the money and handed it to the officer he'd developed a friendship with over the past few months. "Do me a favor. Don't let her know I've paid this."
"Ok, but that's gonna be kinda hard when we release her."
"Oh, you won't be. At least not yet." Clark informed the officer cryptically. "Another thing." He handed Lily over to an unprepared Fred. "Wait two minutes and bring her back."
"Hey. Are you sure you want to take munchkin back there?" Fred was already regretting his previously empty arms as Lily Kent decided his badge looked like dessert. He could already feel slobber soaking through his uniform. "Lois was adamant that the kid not be involved."
"Why do you think I brought her?" Clark called over his shoulder as he passed through the swinging half-door un-escorted. "Now where is she?"
"Private cell. Second one in the back." His directions were muffled as Lily had decided to abandon his badge for his ever intriguing, untrimmed moustache. He winced when Lily reached up and yanked on a fistful of whiskers. She giggled. "Clark. Beware. She's in a mood."
Clark simply nodded his thanks and steeled himself to confront the love of his life.
tbc...
