....Keystone University Graduation Ceremonies for Video Journalism....
.....Four Years Later Friday just after Lunch....


Lana Lang sat as calmly as she could while the various speakers and other guests rambled on. Unlike her High School graduation back in Smallville she didn't know any of these people and she suspected that if she paid too much attention their speeches would put her to sleep. She allowed her mind to drift back over the past several years, the good and the bad.
Moving to Keystone City after living all her life in Smallville had been something of a culture shock. Keystone wasn't the biggest city on the map but it was still a city, complete with traffic, crime, pollution, huge shopping malls, and more than one movie theatre. The campus itself was fairly compact and not split like some Universities, Lana had lived on campus for her entire tenure here, because her scholarship had required it.
The school's population was the standard variety you find at any University, and quite large. Over 35,000 students claimed this school as their own, and Lana had felt virtually overwhelmed by the numbers of people that thronged both the campus and the city, when she ventured out into it. Lana had wondered, in the beginning, whether moving this far from home had really been such a good idea.
Lana's eyes caught the movement of a door opening in the back of the small auditorium that had been designated for her class's graduation today, and when she focused on the figure sneaking quietly into the half room she smiled. Steve had been there for her the moment she arrived, just as he was now. He had moved in from Central city about a week after her first semester of classes had begun. His private school had delayed releasing his records past the college due dates, forcing him to wait a semester before he started school; luckily he had already been researching a job to help pay his way through school and they were more than willing to let him start early.
He'd been her rock from the beginning. He was new to Keystone but not big cities, and had made exploring the city quite a bit less intimidating. It had amazed her how much easier it was to face unknowns and even meet new people when you had some company. They had spent much of that first semester redefining their relationship. The long distance friendship that they had maintained for years had begun to bloom into something they both agreed was something more. Time had only reinforced that belief and they were now working steadily toward a permanent future together. Lana's mind was rocked back to the present as the Dean of her College called the first of the graduates with her degree.
Rather than pick his way through annoyed friends and parents Steve decided to just lean back against the wall and watch from his vantage point by the door. The auditorium was small so his view was good and he lost no time in spotting Lana. Steve hoped she'd seen him enter; he didn't want her to think he'd missed any of this.
Lana had worked hard to get her degree. With the majority of her money coming from her absurdly strict scholarship, Lana had been forced to miss out on a lot of the activities that made college so much fun for a lot people their age. She'd gotten a good degree with a 4.0 GPA, but he hoped she didn't regret the sacrifices she'd been forced to make to get it. Steve had done his best to help her get out and have some fun, typing papers with his unique words per minute speed, and paying for small weekend trips that she wouldn't have been able to make with friends otherwise, whether he was going or not. He'd stretched his budget to the breaking point once or twice, but she was worth it.
"Lana Lang," the Dean announced into the microphone, adding her degree and achievements afterward.
It took all of Steve's self control to keep his mouth shut, but she'd asked him not to yell at her graduation, even though some of her friends were, so he took a deep breath and locked his eyes on her as she walked across the stage to shake the Dean's hand. She took the folder from him and looked out over the crowd, her eyes searching. He smiled as their eyes met for the briefest of seconds before she headed back to her seat, her smile brightening just enough for him to know she'd seen him.
Steve settled back to wait for the rest of the graduates to receive their diplomas. His college career still had one more semester to go, and he was more than ready to get it over with. Computers had been his passion from an early age, and while the math required getting his degree still made him shudder, he still loved the work. Steve's path to his diploma had not been without complication. His second calculus class had utterly defeated him, but Lana had been his rock. She'd patiently put up with his frustrated yelling and ranting, even going so far as to calling off dates so that he would or could study. He gotten through that and several other classes with her support, and was now looking forward to plowing his way through the last of his project classes next semester. Classes he enjoyed and was good at, and according to the phone calls he had received just before leaving, it had paid off for both of them.
Steve was brought up short by applause as the last graduate received their diploma. The Dean then made a short closing speech and the graduates got up to walk off the stage and find their loved ones. Steve made his way slowly through the milling families. He saw Lana surrounded by the friends and classmates she'd made over the past few years; the girls were all smiling and swapping hugs. She spotted him and finished her last hug before working her way through the group to where he stood watching.
When she broke out of the group she increased her speed for the last few steps and flung herself into his arms. He hugged her back, wondering what on earth he would do without this woman.
"Well you survived it," Steve said when they separated.
"College or the ceremony?" she asked.
"Both," he laughed. "You tell me which was tougher."
"It's a toss-up, I think," said Lana, taking his hand. "Come on; let's get out of this madhouse." Steve nodded and the two made their way out of the building.
Ten minutes later they were walking across the sunlit campus toward her dorm.
"Sorry I missed the beginning," said Steve, draping his jacket over Lana's shoulders, it was December in Keystone and the weather was fairly chilly despite the sunshine.
Lana snuggled into the coat but maintained her hold on his hand. "You didn't miss more than five minutes of nothing. I saw you come in," said Lana. "They didn't make you come in this morning or anything?"
"Nope," said Steve his voice betraying his excitement. "I did have couple of calls come in as I walked out the door though."
"Oh?" Lana said; she'd heard that tone before. The look on his face said it all. "You got it?"
"They said I have an internship/interview," said Steve. "The job will of course depend on the openings they have after I graduate. But it's a step in the right direction."
"That's great Steve," Lana said ecstatic, hugging him. The internship was with a big Wayne Industries computer-researching firm. Lana knew that internships at this particular site usually translated into jobs, or at the very least references that would lead to jobs. "So who else called?" as they started walking again, his answer stopped her in her tracks.
"That news station," he said, trying to keep his voice non-chalet.
"And?" Lana said, her voice suddenly hard to find. Lana had interviewed with a local news station the week before, they were looking for someone to bring in as a college co-correspondent, who would eventually replace the one they had now, as she was retiring at the end of the year. Steve's phone was her secondary contact number and she had asked that they call that rather than leave a message because her roommate was unreliable with messages. The secretary at the station, a woman with a daughter in college herself had nodded in understanding.
"And they said you needed to call them back," Steve said, his voice casual but his eyes sparkling. "Something about needing to setup a time on Monday for you to get a badge or something."
"You're serious," Lana said, her voice starting to sound excited.
"Yupp," replied Steve, putting his hand on her shoulders and squeezing. "Congrats hon, you're employed."
"YES!" said Lana, hugging Steve for all she was worth, nearly knocking him over in her excitement. "Oh umm, sorry," she said once they had recovered their collective balance.
Steve laughed, taking her hand. "You're forgiven, this time. Now what say we get back to your dorm so that you can make that phone call?"
Lana took his arm. "A very good idea."
"Then you can change," said Steve. "And tonight we celebrate!"
"Agreed," Lana said and suddenly grinned at him. "Race you!" she yelled without waiting for answer she dashed off.
Steve grinned and took off after her.


.....Metropolis University College of Journalism Graduation.....
.....Same Time as above.....


Clark Kent was nervous. Well maybe nervous was the wrong word, excited perhaps? Clark wasn't sure that was the best word either, but he knew he was feeling something as he sat in a cap and gown for the second time in his life and tried his best to look interested in the speeches being given. After four years, college was finally over it was time, as Chloe put it for the "real life to start."
Clark supposed she was right. College had been an interesting time but he'd also come to the realization that training to be a journalist and actually being one were going to be two very different things. Clark resisted the urge to turn and look for Chloe. Her road through the college life had been a bit bumpier than his, but that was no surprise. Chloe had always wanted to be a journalist, and though her desire had not decreased a whit, her frustration with college requirements had nearly driven her boyfriend crazy. Clark smiled to himself as he remembered the countless rants he'd had to endure on the subject of state requirements, or college bureaucracy. Fortunately for her, the rants had been more stress relief than anything else and she had cut a pretty much straight A swath through her classes.
Chloe repressed the urge to squirm in her chair. She hated ceremonies, even special ones like this. Her eyes found the back of Clark's head, and from the angle of it and the set of his shoulders she figured he was just as bored. She just wanted to get out of here so she could get started with the real world. She had a job waiting for her at the Daily Planet and she could barely contain her excitement about it. Three years as a college intern there had made applying unnecessary. Clark had applied there as well, among other places, but had yet to hear back from them.
Chloe had been a little surprised by that. Clark's grades were just as good as hers, if a little more diversified. Clark simply didn't have her single mindedness when it came to Journalism, so his elective classes had branched out into some other fields he found interesting, science and math. Perry White, the Planet's editor, apparently wasn't impressed. Those other classes had also meant some time apart, which, to Chloe's surprise, had been something of good thing. The couple had learned the hard way that being joined at the hip was no way to maintain a relationship. The time apart meeting new people while studying and taking different classes had made them realize that they could still be in love without constant contact. Chloe was just glad they worked it all out before the accident.
Tears threatened Chloe's eyes as the accident from a year ago suddenly bubbled up to the surface. She suppressed them, but the memory refused to go away. Gabriel Sullivan, Chloe's father, had been killed last year in an explosion in Smallville's chemical/fertilizer plant. The loss had cut the supports out from under her. Though her father and she had never known how to relate to each other, their love was something that neither had questioned. Chloe knew that without Clark's rock-solid presence, not to mention the Kents, her Junior year at Metropolis U could very well have been her last. They'd absorbed her into their family, and refused to let her quit.
The incident had also destroyed the last vestiges of trust that remained between Clark and Lex. While there was no direct evidence that the police could accept, Clark had dug up enough to be certain that Lex had not only allowed the accident, but also probably worked to bring it about in an effort to collect the insurance money for use against his father. That Clark had been digging for the information in an effort to help her find some closure for her father's death still gave her some degree of guilt. Lex's slide down his father's path was already well on its way however, and Clark was better off out of the way.
"Clark Kent," said the Dean, jerking Chloe out of her memories. She'd been so lost in her own thoughts she'd missed a fair chunk of the graduates receiving their diplomas.
Clark stood and straightened his glasses before walking to center of the stage where the dean stood waiting. As he crossed the stage he felt his mother's camera flashes coming from somewhere in the middle of the auditorium. As he resumed his seat he once again Chloe flashed him a smile from her seat, which he returned, his eyes sparkling behind classical rims.
Chloe fought the urge to laugh at the thought of Clark wearing glasses. The glasses were not prescription of course. Clark's eyesight was better than perfect, but in the last few years he had developed some kind of heat vision. He had inadvertently burned holes in various things; desks, chairs, and one computer screen. Clark had found that the glasses kept him from focusing hard enough on anything to burn through it. By the time he'd gotten full control of the ability he was so used to the glasses that he'd decided to just keep on wearing them.
"Chloe Sullivan," announced the Dean.
Chloe stood and strode rapidly to the center of the stage.
Martha Kent raised the camera again as Chloe's name was called, a fresh roll of film already loaded. Johnathon smiled and shook his head as his wife began snapping pictures the moment Chloe stood up. She didn't stop until Chloe had regained her seat. A half hour later the ceremonies were done and the couple was waiting outside for the graduates to find their way out. Martha saw them first and made a beeline for her son. Johnathon joined his wife and put his hand on Clark's shoulder. Chloe stood off to the side and watched the Kents embrace their son. Martha's hug took her completely by surprise. Chloe reacted after a moment, hugging the older woman back gratefully.
"We're so proud of both of you," Martha, stepping away from Chloe as Clark put his arm around her.
"Thanks Mrs. Kent," said Chloe, smiling.
"And I'm sure your father would be too," said Johnathon, as he stood beside his wife. Chloe nodded, her eyes a little sadder, but the pain was brief because she was certain he was right.
"So when does your job at the Planet start?" asked Mrs. Kent.
"In a week," Chloe replied. "I still have stuff that you guys stored for me in Smallville."
"I'm sure Clark and I can help you out with that," offered Johnathon looking at his son with a raised eyebrow and a crooked smile, Clark nodded.
"Come on Martha," said Johnathon, putting an arm around his wife to guide her back toward the Kent's pickup. "We have gifts waiting in the car. You guys meet us there all right?"
"We'll be right behind you, Dad," said Clark, although he made no move to follow his parents.
"Gifts?" said Chloe. "You I can understand, but they bought me gifts?"
Clark shrugged. "Little stuff, I think my mom put like every recipe she's ever had in a book for you. Mine's already packed." He grinned at her.
"For all the good it will do you," laughed Chloe. "You got a lot of good things from your folks Clark, but you're Mom's cooking talent wasn't one of them."
Clark looked slightly miffed. "I'm not that bad," he protested,
Chloe looked at him.
"Okay I am that bad," Clark conceded. He flashed her his best puppy dog expression. "You think maybe I could beg some help?"
Chloe sometimes wondered if he knew just how helpless those eyes of his made her, knowing Clark, probably not.
"I might be persuaded," she grinned at him, but her voice was firm and unrelenting. "But it won't be cheap."
"Anything for a decent meal," groveled Clark, and then kissed her cheek. "There," he said triumphantly. "How's that?"
"That," muttered Chloe. "Might get you a recipe for hot water." She glared at him.
Clark seemed to consider that for a few seconds before bending over and kissing quite a bit more thoroughly. When he pulled away he raised an eyebrow at her, for once not blushing that he had kissed her in public like that.
"Now that, farm boy," Chloe grinned at him. "Will get you a meal or two."



....Keystone City....
.....A Friday Evening Some 18 Months Later.....

It was a quiet evening in Keystone, as quiet as any city gets on a Friday night. The sun had set several hours ago, but there was still a fair amount of traffic on the roads. The evening was quiet, broken only by the occasional police siren. On the seventh floor of Wayne Tech's main office a light was still on in one of the computer labs. Music could be heard coming from it, techno music with few words, but a rhythmic steady beat. Stephen Conrad paused momentarily in his typing as the music on his MP3 player changed tracks. There were four computer screens in front of him, and a fairly heavy stack of papers to the left of the young man's keyboard.
"Lana wasn't kidding," said a voice from the doorway behind Steve.
"Clark?" exclaimed Steve, swiveling his chair away from the terminal.
"The same," replied Clark Kent as he moved his six-foot frame off the door he'd been leaning on. "Lana warned me that when you concentrate you really concentrate."
"She's probably right," laughed Steve as he stood and walked over to shake Clark's hand.
"I assure you she is," Clark said. "I've been standing here for ten minutes."
"You should have said something," said Steve. "When did you get in? It's all right Jerry." Steve nodded to the security guard who had brought Clark up. Steve had known he would be working late tonight and had given the security desk downstairs Clark's photo and set him up with temporary building access. The guard nodded to Steve and walked back to the elevators.
"Our flight landed about an hour ago," replied Clark with a grin. "Lana said you were working late."
"We?" said Steve. "Chloe's with you then, I guess?"
"Yeah," answered Clark. "She and Lana were whipping up a late dinner. So they assigned me the task of dragging you back before it gets cold."
"In other words they banished you from the kitchen."
"More or less," Clark shrugged. "Probably a good idea, my mom's cooking never rubbed off on me. Are we going to make it?" Clark asked indicating the stack of papers on the desk.
"Actually we might," said Steve. "I just finished double checking my logic. I was getting ready to start inputting the code."
"How long?"
"Normally a few hours," said Steve. "If you'll watch the door I can probably get it done in a few minutes." Steve raised an eyebrow.
Clark nodded and resumed his place at the door. Steve sat back down at his console and began typing. His hands became blurred and impossible to see as he began using his gifts. Clark stared in fascination. He, of course, could do the same thing, but watching someone else do it was a different experience. Fifteen minutes later Steve entered one last keystroke and stood stretching.
"Done," he announced, logging off the terminal. "Even checked it twice, let's get out of here."
"You do that often?" asked Clark as the two young men left the lab and headed towards the exits.
"Nope," said Steve, as they entered the elevator. "I almost got caught by the security guys once and decided I'd be better off working at normal speed." Clark nodded as the two young men exited the elevator and signed out at the security desk. "So are you following me back home?"
"Actually I took a taxi," replied Clark. "Just in case the girls needed a car or something, think I can bum a ride?"
Steve laughed as he and Clark took the escalator down to the parking garage. "Guess I can't just leave you here." Ten minutes later they were out on the freeway, heading toward Steve's home. The boys were quiet as Steve weaved his way through what there was of the 8:00 pm Friday evening traffic.
"So how's the Planet treating you?" inquired Steve once they hit the edge of downtown and the streets cleared.
"Pretty well," said Clark. "Chloe's partner has been with the Planet for a few years, so she's keeping Chloe on her toes."
"Her name was Lois Lane right?"
"That's right," replied Clark, he smiled. "They're both..." he trailed off.
"Overeager?" suggested Steve, remembering Clark's description of the Daily Planet's top reporter.
"There must be a better word," laughed Clark. "The challenge is good for Chloe, she's always been at her best in a crisis."
"Are they getting along?" asked Steve.
"Actually, they are," replied Clark. "They were pretty cool at first but it passed. Chloe still laughs about her name and her hair though.'
"What does that mean?"
"To quote Chloe 'Great another Brunette with the initials L.L.," said Clark grinning.
"She used to say that about Lana didn't she?" remembered Steve, his voice tightening at the mention of Lana.
Clark caught it, however. "So how have you guys been?" asked Clark, finally, his tone suggestive.
"Uh oh," Steve sighed. "I should have known that you guys didn't just fly up here on a whim. What did Lana say?"
"Nothing specific," Clark said. "But she is worried. She told me you'd been distracted and distant of late."
"I didn't think it was that noticeable," muttered Steve. "I guess I should have known better. She knows me too well."
"She's afraid," said Clark, looking at his friend. "She didn't say it but I think she's afraid you're losing interest."
Steve was silent as he exited the freeway and drove into the sub-division where he had recently bought a town-home. "Losing interest," Steve repeated as he suddenly pulled into the parking lot of a small shopping center. "She really thinks that?"
"Like I said," Clark answered. "She didn't say it, but I've known her most of my life. So I can tell when she's depressed. Her job seems to be going all right, so the next big thing in her life is you." Clark hesitated. "Are you?"
"What losing interest?" said Steve. "Clark, open the glove compartment."
Clark looked at Steve for a few moments before complying. He stared at the contents for several minutes before slowly removing the small velvet case and opening it. "Well that would explain it."



......Steve's Town-Home.....
.....A few minutes later.....


"Another woman?" exclaimed Chloe as she stared at Lana in shock. "You must be imagining things."
Lana sighed. "I don't know what to think. Normally I would agree the idea is ludicrous. But lately when we're together he's so uncomfortable. It's like he wants to tell me something and he's afraid of it. It's so unlike him Chloe. He tells me everything."
"You did say he just finished that huge project," said Chloe. The two women were in the kitchen of Steve's two-story town-home. They had been making dinner ever since Clark left to go see what was keeping Steve. Clark had mentioned before this trip that Lana's emails and phone calls made him think she was worried about something, and Chloe had noticed it almost as soon as they arrived. Chloe had to admit this wasn't what she was expecting. "He was also up for some promotion if the project went through. Maybe it went south, and he's depressed about it or something."
"No he got the promotion," sighed Lana. "That's where he got the money for this place," she added indicating the spacious home. "There was a substantial bonus included. He was really excited about it, but then...." Lana trailed off.
"That was what three weeks ago?" Chloe asked and Lana nodded. "Lana I can't believe he's losing interest I just can't. There must be some other explanation."
"Maybe he's just tired of me," said Lana as she walked out of the kitchen and sat down on the sofa, Chloe sitting next to her. "Ever since I started working on my own a few months ago, I've been reading all the local news reports that come across. Mainly to see if anything ties in with the University's news. I see a lot of unedited stuff about the crime rates, it's depressing." Lana sighed. "And then there is the rise in rapes and other violent crimes across the campus. I've been dumping all that, and my frustration about it on him. Maybe he's just tired of listening."
Chloe put her hand on the other woman's shoulder. "Lana I can't believe..." she was interrupted by the front door opening. The first thing through the door was Clark.
"We're home," said Clark.
"Where's Steve?" asked Chloe, her eyes narrowed.
"Getting something out of the car," replied Clark, eyeing Chloe's 'I'm gonna get to the bottom of this' look. Steve was going through enough without that. "Lana can I borrow Chloe for a minute?" asked Clark, taking firm hold of Chloe's arm.
"Sure dinner should be ready in a few minutes," said Lana, plastering a smile on as she headed back to the kitchen.
"We'll be back in time," said Clark. "Come on Chlo," he added, practically dragging Chloe up the stairs. He got halfway up the stairs and turned to Chloe.
"Clark, what are you doing?" she demanded.
"Keeping you from making this any harder for Steve than it already is," said Clark in a low voice.
Chloe felt an ugly knot in her stomach. "What's he going to do?" she asked.
Clark shook his head and turned her so that they could both peek down the stairs. "Just watch."
As the two turned Steve walked quietly in the door and shut it behind him.
"Steve?" said Lana from the kitchen.
Steve took a deep breath as he shifted the bundle in his arms and hoped his courage wouldn't fail him. "Yeah, could you come here for a second?"
"What is...." Lana stopped and stared as she walked out of the kitchen. There was Steve standing in the doorway with a dozen roses in his arms and a very nervous look on his face. "Steve?"
"I'm sorry," he said. "I haven't been myself the past few weeks. I've had quite a bit on my mind of late, and I haven't treated you very well." He met her in the middle of the den and handed her the flowers.
"Steve they're beautiful," said Lana, her fears beginning to evaporate in the scent of the long-stemmed roses. "Let me put them in some water," she said, turning to find a vase.
"In a second," Steve said, putting a hand out to keep her from walking away. He gently took the flowers and laid them on the couch. "So I don't suppose you'll forgive me for being such an idiot."
"I might," said Lana she could tell that something was still wrong. "I need you to be able tell me what's wrong."
"I am," said Steve, he faltered and she waited patiently for him to find his voice. "Lana, we've been together a long time."
"Yes, we have," agreed Lana quietly.
"And I was wondering, actually I was hoping you'd maybe like to make this something a little more permanent."
Lana suddenly found it very hard to breathe. "Permanent?" she whispered. He isn't... she thought. But he was; he took a small step back and dropped to one knee, his hand reaching into his pocket.
"Lana Lang, will you marry me?" he asked as he opened the velvet box to her disbelieving eyes. Nestled in the cushion was a simple, delicate diamond engagement ring.
She couldn't answer, she didn't know how. She wanted him to take that ring and slip it on her finger. She wanted him to hold her and never let go. But she couldn't find the words. The silence stretched into several seconds before Steve's trembling hands holding the ring began to retreat, snapping her into action.
She reached out and cupped his hands with hers, trying to still the trembling. "Yes," said Lana, her voice soft as their eyes met. "Stephen Conrad I will marry you." Steve stood and looked at her; she nodded, her eyes sparkling and her smile bright. Steve took the ring off the cushion, his hands still trembling slightly.
"I love you," he said as he stood and slipped the ring on her finger.
"And I you," Lana replied, whatever she might have added lost in lips as he pulled her, unresisting, into his embrace. A kiss that they both wished would last forever.
Clark felt a single tear touch his fingers where he had put his hand over Chloe's mouth to keep her from crying out in surprise. He removed his hand to put both his arms around her, and then laid his cheek on the top of her head. Chloe leaned her head back into his chest and put her hands up on his arms, holding on tight.
Lana and Steve eventually separated, smiling at each other and resting their foreheads together. Then Steve's nose crinkled
"Umm Hon," he said, as the smell from the kitchen caught more of his attention.
"Dinner," Lana said suddenly and turned to race to the kitchen, grabbing an oven-mitt from the counter and tossing it to him as she opened the oven. Steve grabbed the tray with the roast on it and lifted it out of the oven.
"How's it look?" Steve asked, trying not to grin as he set the pan down on the counter.
"Quit laughing," Lana said, her own smile hidden behind a frown as she examined it. "It doesn't look too burned."
"I'm surprised," commented Chloe from the entrance to the kitchen her grin from ear to ear. "You guys were setting the plants on fire with that kiss."
"Chloe!" said Clark, and then he grinned. "Congratulations, guys."
"Thanks," said Steve as he put his arm out and his new fiancé snuggled into it.
"Yes," agreed Lana. "Thank you."





........Metropolis......
....Mid Afternoon a Year Later.....


"Sorry Ms. Lane," said the police officer as the reporter tried to get by the police barricades. "You can't go in there."
"But I'm..." Lois started.
"Staying right where you are Lane," interrupted a police Lieutenant who had spotted her coming toward the ropes. "You are NOT giving those lunatics another hostage. I'm sure you'll grab everyone of them that comes out after this is over."
Lois started to object but saw the steel in the Officer's face and decided against it. She sighed and made her way along the police line toward her two companions.
"Told you we should have tried to sneak in," said Chloe when Lois walked up. "Now they're watching us." She added indicating a uniformed officer who had positioned himself between the reporters and the warehouse. Two hours ago a group of gunmen had attempted to rob an armored car. They had hijacked a large sum of money, but had been spotted by a news chopper making their getaway. In the car chase that had followed the gunmen had crashed into a bus outside an old warehouse. The fifteen passengers that had survived were now the gunmen's hostages.
The Police had formed a wide barricade around the building and the car wreck that still burned right outside the main entrance to the warehouse.
"Next time we will," agreed Lois shortly. "We'll just have to make sure we grab whoever comes out for some questions. However long this takes now."
"Not long I'd guess," said Jimmy Olsen from in front of the two women. He lowered his camera from taking shots of the demolished bus to point at an incoming figure in blue.
"Superman," exclaimed Lois as the caped figure landed next to the police Lieutenant.
"Always there when you need him," said Chloe with a grin. "Come on Jimmy get some pictures of him before.....Never mind." Chloe said. Superman had stopped conferring with the police and rocketed into the building so fast he practically vanished.
"I'll get him when he comes out," said Jimmy confidently, shaking his brown hair out of his eyes and raising his camera. Gunmen were no problem for Superman, and with hostages in the middle he would work twice as fast. The police had looked a little more relaxed since the man of steel had arrived, and no one was prepared for what happened next.
With no warning a blue-suited figure came crashing back first through the front wall of the warehouse, just above the door. Superman's body slammed into the department store across the street, shattering windows as he landed heavily on the floor inside the building. As Superman was rising to his feet, a seven-foot tall metal monstrosity came crashing through the doors of the warehouse. It was humanoid, and made of a white alloy that gleamed in the sunlight as the police's bullets bounced harmlessly off of it. Its head contained a single eye that swiveled back and forth in a black strip as if looking for something.
"Great," shouted Lois over the noise as she Chloe and Jimmy dived to the ground. "Another one of those things."
"Yeah but where did bank robbers get one?" said Chloe as they found cover behind a police car. People who had been watching the hostage scene were screaming and running in all directions, as TV crews trained their cameras on the robot that was ignoring the police and still swiveling its single eye back and forth.
All of a sudden the machine seemed to notice the police that were still pouring ineffective gunfire against it. As the mono-eye fixed on a group the robot raised it's right arm and fired a burst from the built in high-powered machinegun located there. The rounds were met by a blue and red blur as Superman suddenly appeared between the cops and their opponent.
"The civilians, Lieutenant!" shouted Superman, as he moved rapidly to grapple with the machine that towered over him by at least a foot. "Clear the people out!" Getting a grip on the robot's arm he heaved and spun. Twirling around once to gain momentum he flung his mechanical opponent off its feet and into what as left of the front of the warehouse.
The robot crashed through the rubble and Superman hovered in the middle of the street, making sure he could put himself in between the people still trying to get clear and any other weapons the robot might be armed with. Moments later the robot came lumbering through the concrete and dust, its weapon already firing.
The rounds bounced off the prominent red S on Superman's chest, but as he held his ground against the impacts, he noticed that it took effort to do so. Not much, had his feet been on the ground he probably wouldn't have noticed. Concentrating on the arm with weapon Superman sent a pulse of heat from his eyes at the area where the weapon we imbedded in the arm. The war machine seemed to take no notice, and after several seconds of sustained contact Superman realized that whatever the robot was covered with was extremely heat resistant. A second later he got another shock. He couldn't see through the robot either, it had some kind of lead compound integrated into its armor.
Superman was so stunned the robot took him by surprise. The seven-foot machine moved with surprising speed and body blocked him. The two crashed to the ground and as they hit the concrete Superman punched his way through the chest armor of his opponent. Ripping the chest plate free Superman was confronted with what could only be the machine's explosive self-destruct device, a very large explosive device.
From experience Superman knew that ripping the bomb free would cause it to go off, and his x-ray vision told him it was already armed and ticking. As he realized this he felt the arms of the robot pounding into street to anchor the two of them to the ground. Superman heaved; gripping the machine with all his strength he launched the two of them off the ground, before the machine could get enough of a grip to anchor them. He maintained his hold and increased his speed, knowing he had to get the two of them clear before the explosion.
Chloe and Lois watched as Superman and the machine launched into the air. They were barely above the skyscrapers when they blew up. The two women gasped and shielded their eyes from the bright explosion in the afternoon sky. The sound and concussion reached them a second later, shattering some upper windows and starting car alarms in nearby high-rise parking garages.
Clark, Chloe thought, her hand still shielding her eyes. Intellectually she knew he was probably fine, but watching the man she loved explode was not something she enjoyed watching. A loud thud and a violent ripple of the ground under her feet made her look up to see a crater in the middle of the street, a hole in the ground from which a figure was slowly rising, and shaking dust from his shoulders.
Lois and Chloe reached Superman just as the EMS tech did.
"I appreciate the offer," he said, waving off the medical professional. "But there may be others who need the attention. I'm fine." The EMS tech nodded, and stepped back.
"Superman," said Chloe as she and her partner charged up. "Are you all right?"
"Fine, Ms. Sullivan," replied Superman, nodding to the two women, his eyes resting for an instant on Chloe's. "The danger should be over but you and Ms. Lane should still stay back."
"But what about the hostages Superman?" demanded Lois pointing to the destroyed front of the warehouse.
"There weren't any," said Superman shortly as he walked past the two women back towards the warehouse. "The only thing in that building when I entered was that robot." Superman's eyes narrowed as he stood in the middle of the street and scanned the four story building one floor at a time. Then he took a deep relieved breath and disappeared into the building.
An hour later all fifteen of the hostages had been brought out of the cellar where they had been left bound and gagged. Superman was talking to the police while Chloe and Lois questioned the hostages. Jimmy continued to take snapshots of the scene.
"Well?" asked Lois as the two reporters met to compare notes of their separate interviews.
"Same story every time," replied Chloe. "The gunmen tied them up and then took off down that tunnel Superman and the cops found. No telling where they ended up. You?"
"Ditto," Lois said closing her notebook. "I wonder...." She was interrupted as Jimmy rushed over.
"Hey, Superman's answering questions," exclaimed Jimmy.
"Come on then, let's go," said Lois. Chloe nodded and the three made their way through the rubble to the impromptu press conference.
"Superman!" one reporter shouted. "Seeing as how this is the fourth attack in as many weeks by the same type of robot do you have any leads on who is behind them?"
"Not at the moment," replied Superman gravely. "I've been helping the FBI sort through the wreckage in an effort to try and identify the manufacturer of these machines. Unfortunately, as you saw, they have all been equipped with an extremely effective explosive self-destruct. What's left has been mostly melted junk."
"Do you have any comments on the recent announcement that the robotics divisions of both Wayne Enterprises and LutherCorp have been targeted in investigations concerning the incidents?" asked Lois speaking loudly to be heard.
"Nothing more than opinion, Ms. Lane," replied Superman. "I am not a member of the law enforcement agencies that would be involved in something of that nature. I will say, however, that given the financial and technological resources of both companies, such an investigation has a certain amount of logic to it."
Chloe listened and took notes as Superman fielded questions concerning the previous three machines Superman had faced when a question from one of the TV reporters made her head come up.
"Superman, since we have you here," said the newsman. "There have been rumors over the past few months about the appearance of another superhuman in Keystone City."
"I assume, Mr. Whitaker, " replied Superman with a ghost of a smile. "That you are referring to the man the Keystone Press has named 'The Flash?'"
"I was," agreed Whitaker. "He is reported to have speed similar, or even possibly, if you'll forgive me, in excess of yours. And there have been some who have suggested some kind of relationship between the two of you. Any comment?"
"Having never met Flash," began Superman. "I cannot say that he is or is not faster than me. As to our relationship, I hardly think that I'm old enough to be his father." Superman smiled as laughter rippled through the assembled press. "I believe he and I work toward the same goals of justice. I will not speculate on his origins, that secret is his to tell if he wishes. If he is the man that he appears to be then the citizens of Keystone are lucky to have him." Superman paused; his head cocked to one side as if listening. "Now if you ladies and gentleman will excuse me." Without another word he lifted off the ground and rapidly disappeared from view.
The press rapidly cleared and Chloe and Lois made their way back toward the block where they had left their car; Jimmy had left his car in the other direction. So saying his goodbyes, he rapidly left to dump his digital pictures from the scene into the Planet's computer system.
"Well, I worked up an appetite," said Lois. "And we missed lunch for this. It's my turn to buy; any suggestions?"
"Just as long as they have good coffee," said Chloe, and Lois chuckled as the two strapped in and drove off.





..........Later that Evening......
....A moderate Two Story House in the Suburbs of Metropolis....


Clark touched down quietly on the second story balcony of his home and entered through the unlocked sliding glass door. The bedroom was dark and empty, he placed the package he carried on the dresser and rapidly shed his suit, changing into shorts and a t-shirt before heading downstairs. He heard typing from the downstairs office and walked quietly through the house until he was standing in the doorway watching Chloe type.
Her back was too him and she was typing rapidly. She would pause every so often and her head would cock to one side in thought. Causing her short blonde hair to shift and shimmer in the light from the reading lamp. She was dressed in sweats and there was a steaming cup of coffee beside the keyboard.
"Hey, hon," he said, putting his hands on her shoulders and squeezing gently.
"Clark," she exclaimed, turning rapidly in her chair to look at him. "You scared me. When did you get home?
"Just now," Clark replied, leaning over to kiss her forehead, instead of letting him pull completely away she stood into his arms as he pulled back and kissed him soundly. "There's still some dinner left," Chloe said, smiling at him as they broke away. "If you're hungry?"
"Starved," Clark replied, keeping his arms around her. "I couldn't say for certain it's for food though."
Chloe laughed and kissed him again lingeringly, before sitting down again. "Go eat something Clark. I'll finish this and be right out. Oh and your folks called, twice."
Clark grabbed the phone on the way to the kitchen and called his folks to assure them that his was fine. He also made certain that his other preparations for this evening were still ready; his parents assured their nervous son that they were. After hanging up, he wandered into the kitchen and found the remains of meatloaf and mashed potatoes that Chloe had been forced to eat alone. Clark felt a familiar pang of guilt at that, his decisions of the past year eating at him. He knew he was doing the right thing, but sometimes he wondered if he was doing the fair thing. Chloe meant so much to him, and he wondered if she deserved someone with a more normal life. She'd supported him from the first moment he'd mentioned the whole superhero idea. She'd seemed surprised he hadn't suggested it sooner. "After all," she'd said. "If Batman can do it, you certainly could." His most recent decision, however, seemed a bit selfish. He wanted it though, he needed it. He could only hope she did too.
"Clark that food won't cook itself," laughed Chloe from the entrance to the kitchen.
"Oh, umm, right," Clark said. He hadn't realized he'd been standing there staring at the plate he'd prepared like he was going to x-ray it or something. He popped it into the microwave and walked over to Chloe. "Chloe, I'm sorry I missed dinner."
Chloe snorted. "Clark, its meatloaf," she said as he stood in front of her. "It's not like I slaved over it for hours or anything."
"I guess not," he said, shaking off his guilt.
"I did have to get most of the ingredients though," Chloe said with touch of exasperation. "You never have any food in this place."
"Hey," said Clark. "It's not my fault I can't cook."
"Maybe not," laughed Chloe. "But at least the refrigerator in my place looks like it's been used."
Clark grinned somewhat shamefacedly.
"Where'd you go anyways?" she asked sitting down at the table. "I figured you'd beat me home today, considering I was late at the Planet."
"I had to help the FBI," replied Clark as the microwave buzzed. That wasn't all he'd done, but she didn't need to know the other yet. "They wanted to see if we could find any debris from that thing from this afternoon."
"Find anything?"
"Nothing," replied Clark as he sat down with his plate. "I think the bomb in this one was bigger than the others."
Chloe mulled over that while Clark rapidly consumed his late dinner. Once he was done and had put away his dishes she grabbed her coffee from the office and joined him on the couch by the window.
"So how are you feeling?" Chloe asked as she sipped her coffee on one end of the couch and Clark leaned back on the other.
Clark shrugged. "No lasting effects," he said. "This one was tougher though. The skin resisted my heat vision and it had some kind of lead shielding in the armor."
Chloe raised an eyebrow at that. "Someone's trying to counter all your powers. That can't be good."
"I agree," Clark said as he frowned. "They still can't really hurt me, but they are making it tougher for me to hurt them. I just wish we knew why."
"We'll figure it out," said Chloe as she put her coffee down and crossed the couch to snuggle into his arms. "We always do."
"True enough," he said. "Actually you do all the figuring it seems like. I just get hit a lot."
"Well that's what you get for wearing spandex," Chloe laughed as he poked her in the ribs.
"So why were you working late at the planet?" Clark asked, as he ceased his tickling and relaxed back against the arm of couch, Chloe lying with her back against his chest. They were both looking out at the stars they could see through the city's haze of light.
"Lois is going to Gotham for the next couple of weeks, remember?" said Chloe. "Bruce Wayne invited her."
"That's right," Clark said smiling. Bruce Wayne had come to a Metropolis on a business trip some months ago. Clark, Chloe, and Lois had been invited to one of the dinner's he had thrown. Clark had never seen a woman so knocked off her feet before. Since then Lois had made several trips to Gotham and Bruce had been seen making more appearances in Gotham than was normal. "Good for her."
"Yeah she seemed excited," Chloe agreed. "Well as excited as she gets about anything that isn't news. Speaking of news that speech about the Flash sounded suspiciously like an endorsement."
"Steve deserves it," said Clark. "The press in Keystone seems to be fighting over him. The papers can't stand him, and TV people support him."
"True," said Chloe. "The newspapers don't like him because he won't stand still long enough for a picture."
Clark laughed. "You're probably right," he said as Chloe yawned. "Hey you can't go to sleep yet," said Clark, his mind beginning to race a little bit. Did he want to do this tonight? Yes, came the answer in his head.
"Why not?" she demanded sleepily, snuggling in closer to him. "It's nice and comfortable here, and I have to take on Metropolis alone tomorrow."
"Because I have a surprise for you," said Clark.
"Is it worth getting up for?" she asked, shifting around so she could look at him. The eyes staring back at her were earnest.
"Yes," he answered At least I hope it is, he thought
"It had better be," Chloe said as she rose from the couch. "Well?"
"Meet me outside," said Clark and sped off to the bedroom without another word.
Chloe sighed with a certain amount of exasperation. She grabbed her house keys and walked outside. She felt the wind almost as soon as she stepped outside, seconds later she was airborne in the arms of a superhero.
"Clark, where are we going?" demanded Chloe.
"You'll see," he said, increasing speed and saying no more.




..........The Fortress of Solitude in Smallville.......
......A Half Hour Later.....


The loft itself was a familiar place, a study, second bedroom that the Kent's had made for their son in their barn. It was furnished with a old couch, a desk, and an inn table. Even now that Clark was grown and on his own they'd left it alone, it was a place he came for solitude when he needed it. It was not the same tonight, for despite the lateness of the hour there was light coming from the window where Clark's telescope had once stood.
"What's going on, Clark?" asked Chloe as the two landed outside the barn. "Who's upstairs at this hour?"
"Why don't you go upstairs and see?" suggested Clark. "I'm going to go change." Not waiting for a response, he zipped off to the Kent home.
Chloe stared after him, perplexed. Clark was a lot of things; mysterious was rarely one of them. Shaking her head, Chloe walked up the familiar steps into the barn's loft and gasped.
It seemed as though a forest of flowers had bloomed in the loft. There were flowers from all over the world, hundreds of varieties, in dozens of colors. The couch was still there, covered with roses. In fact the only place in the room without flowers was the table. Sitting in the center of the table was an envelope that was leaning against something. Chloe walked forward, inhaling the scents of the different blooms as she walked. She bent over and picked up the simple white envelope that had her name on it.
Chloe opened the letter and inside was a hand written card. To the woman of my dreams, I Love You. Chloe read the note a second time and smiled. Then as she lowered the card she noticed the object on the table it had been leaning against.
Clark watched nervously from the top of the stairs as Chloe read the note. When she lowered the card he saw her body stiffen when she saw the velvet box he had leaned the card against. The card fluttered to the ground as Chloe's fingers lost their grip on it. She took a slow step forward and picked up the open box. Clark's heart was pumping so loud he could swear she should be able to hear it. Chloe held the box in her hand and Clark could see that it was shaking.
"Chloe," he said softly so he wouldn't startle her. "Will you marry me?" Chloe turned slowly to face him; he could see tears brimming behind her eyes. He strode quickly to her. She met him halfway, flinging herself into his arms, and holding on as tight as she could. Clark hugged her back for a moment before pushing her away to look into her eyes. "Please tell me that's a yes."
"Yes," she said, holding out the ring box too him. He took it and kneeled down to place the ring on her finger when she stopped him. "Just promise me one thing." She locked eyes with him, kneeling he was still only slightly shorter than he was. "Never stop being what and who you are."
Clark held her gaze, knowing what she meant, and seeing in her eyes the determination that at last made him recognize for the first time that she truly understood and accepted the sacrifices they made for the double life he had chosen to lead.
"I won't," he said softly, slipping the ring on her finger. "I love you."
Her only response was to reach down and kiss him fiercely. After a minute of this he stood up and swung her around in a complete three-sixty. He set her down again and was about to kiss her when they both heard a small sob from the stairs. The newly engaged couple turned to see a beaming Johnathon Kent next to a sniffling Martha.
"Welcome to the family, Chloe," said Mr. Kent, kissing her on the cheek while she blushed, and Martha hugged her son.
"Clark," said Chloe after everyone had regained his or her composure. She was looking around at the loft, a strange smile on her face. "What are we going to do with all these flowers?"




....Keystone City.....
....Around Noon A Week Later....


"This is Lana Lang," the raven-haired reporter said into her microphone. Her face was covered in dust and there was smoke and rubble behind her. She normally covered college events for the local news station but the explosion was less than a block from the campus and she and her crew were the first news team on the scene. "Reporting live from Marion Street where, ten minutes ago, an explosion has nearly collapsed a small office building. We have no word yet on whether or not anyone is still inside..." Lana trailed off as a loud hum split the air and a red blur could be seen moving in and out of the entrance to the building.
Where the red blur ended a dust covered figure would appear. On the last trip the blur stopped in front of an ambulance. The blur had resolved itself into the figure of the Flash. In his arms he carried a young boy who was covered in dust and wood splinters.
"Here," said Flash. "He was trapped under some kind of support beam, and I think he has a broken arm."
"Thank.." the paramedic blinked at the empty space where the red suited figure had been standing a split second before. The tech shrugged and got busy with his patient
"The upper floors are all clear chief," said Flash from behind the fire chief, who was pouring over structural plans for the building.
"How the he..." the fireman and turned and found himself facing the Flash, a man of average height wearing a cowled red suit with yellow boots. His wrists and waist had yellow lightening bolts like a belt and wristbands, while a single bolt stood circled in the same color on his chest. "Oh its you." He said nodding in gratitude as he turned to see the medics checking on the people the Flash had rescued. "That all you could find?"
"Everyone on the top five floors," Flash nodded. "But half the ground floor is completely blocked off. What happened?"
"Some kind of explosion," explained the chief. "The shock and fires have weakened the whole structure so the place is collapsing one level at a time." His words were proven true as a loud crash and shattering windows caused the two men to turn and watch the roof collapse inwards.
"Do we know how many people are in there?" asked Flash.
"No," the Fire Chief, then he noticed Lana's TV crew moving in to get a better shot of the collapsing building. "Hey you guys get back!" he shouted at them, pointing his radio. Several uniformed police officers rushed forward and forced the crew to keep their distance.
"There's still people in there," said Lana rushing up to the chief.
"What?" Flash exclaimed.
"We heard them," explained Lana. "Before the cops pushed us back. They're in the corner there." She added pointing at the corner of the building facing the side street. "There's debris in front of the window but we could hear someone screaming in there."
"They're behind the blocked section," noted Flash grimly after studying the Chief's plans. "The only way in there is through the wall."
"We'd never be able to blast in there," muttered the Chief. "The whole building would collapse!"
"Maybe I can be of assistance," said voice from above them.
"Superman," exclaimed Lana as the man of steel landed next to the Flash.
"What's happened chief?" Superman asked gravely as he stared at the building intently.
"The building is going to collapse and there are an unknown number of people still trapped inside," explained the Fireman.
"Seven," said Superman turning from the building. "They're all alive but that section of the building isn't going to last much longer."
A second later it almost seemed too late. The whole building seemed to shudder and one end of the second floor ceiling came crashing down as the ground floor pillars in the main lobby of the building gave way. The corner where Superman had seen the building looked collapsed and there was a large section of the second floor hanging at an angle over where the people were trapped.
"My god," said Lana, noticing that her crew had stopped filming long enough to back away to a safe distance. "Those people." Taking one last look at the two superheroes she moved back to her crew.
"Superman?" said Flash to the man of Steel who was x-raying the building. The Fire chief was yelling at his people to get back away from the building.
"Still alive," said Superman grimly. "But two of them are injured, one is a child."
"Are they buried under anything?" Flash asked looking at the rubble intensely.
"No," Superman replied after a moment "What are you thinking?"
"Leverage," said Flash, indicating the chuck of ceiling separating them from the people.
"I could lift it," Superman nodded. "But it wouldn't stay up very long."
"Then I'd better be quick hadn't I?" The Flash said.
"You'll never get them all out," said the chief. "That whole section will start collapsing the minute you move anything."
"We have to try something," said Flash grimly. "Or they're dead."
"Agreed," said Superman. "Chief, we'll need that area clear and some paramedics to deal with the injured." Without waiting for a response Superman lifted off, surveying the ground with his vision, looking for secure footing to grab the ceiling. The flash was right behind him, waiting patiently for Superman to find what he needed.
"Ready?" said Flash as Superman landed and got a firm hold of the collapsed ceiling.
"Ready," said Superman, setting his feet firmly, he noticed that the fire chief had gathered several paramedics and a small group of police officers and firefighters were pushing the gathering crowd back, Lana's still filming news crew among them. Lana was talking into her mike. "This isn't going to stay up long. A few seconds at most."
"Give me as much time as you can," said Flash; setting himself. "Whenever you're ready."
"On three..." said Superman. "One.....Two.....Three!" Superman lifted on three. Straining to lift the piece of ceiling with out dislodging it on the other end or breaking it in half. There was a sudden hum and blur and Flash dashed past him, barely visible. Superman couldn't count the passes; he was too busy concentrating on keeping his precarious leverage on the ceiling, it didn't last long.
Some five seconds into the lift the ceiling broke in two, there was a loud a roar and a large cloud of gray dust billowed out from the building as the majority of it collapsed inward. Superman sucked in a deep breath and blew. Blowing the cloud up into the sky, out of everyone's way.
As the dust cleared you could see six dust covered people laying on the ground near the paramedics, and the Flash standing amongst them, holding an injured child in his arms. The crowd cheered and Superman smiled to himself in relief as Flash handed the child to a paramedic.
Superman walked up and put his hand on the shorter man's shoulder. "Good job."
"Couldn't have done it without you," said Flash as he turned and the two shook hands just as several dozen flashbulbs went off. "Not that I'm ungrateful but what are you doing in this part of the country?"
"I was in the neighborhood," replied Superman, repressing the urge to grin.
"Well you're welcome back anytime," said the fire chief. "The paramedics say they're all going to be fine."
"Good," nodded Superman. "Anything else I can do?"
"It think we have it," replied the Chief. "All that's left is to clean up the mess and figure out what caused it." He shrugged with a tired smile. "Our jobs in other words."
Superman nodded to both men and lifted off. Seconds later a sonic boom could be heard as he flew away.
"Thanks," said the Chief, turning to the Flash and extending a hand. The two shook hands. "That could have been a disaster if you guys hadn't shown up."
"Like you said Chief," Flash said, giving the other a characteristic grin. "Just doing our jobs." Without another word he was gone, a red and gold blur disappearing down the street.



.....Keystone City Steve's Home......
.......Later That Evening.....


"This was the scene early this afternoon," the male anchor for the six o'clock news said from the TV screen. "When the Flash, aided by Metropolis's Superman rescued several people from the ruins of a collapsed building. Here we can see The Man of Steel shaking hands with the Flash after the narrow escape. While neither superhero was available for comment, it seems clear from the footage that the two have mutual respect for each other. And in other news.."
"Bahh," said Steve flipping it off. "They didn't even mention you."
"Well part most of it went out live while I was there," said Lana, kissing him on the cheek before heading for the kitchen to check on dinner. "An the producers know I was there. That's what counts."
"If you say so," Steve said following her. "You sure you don't need any help in here."
"Stephen," Lana said laughing. "It's my night to cook remember."
"Yes ma'am," Steve grinned at her. "Can I at least kiss the cook?"
Lana looked up from the stew she was stirring and looked at him. "The last time you did that we ended up skipping dinner completely," she smiled at him, and he looked somewhat sheepish.
"Oh yeah," Steve said. "That wasn't so bad though was it?"
"Not hardly," Lana laughed. "But tonight I'm hungry. You get the door." She said as the doorbell rang.
"Got it," Steve said as he walked to the front door. "Coming!" he yelled. He reached the door and opened it. "Clark," he said, not totally surprised.
"Steve," Clark said smiling a greeting.
"Come on in," invited Steve. "I had the feeling you might show up this evening. Lana we have...."
"Clark!" said Lana rushing over to hug him.
"Company," finished Steve grinning as he shut the door.
"Good to see you too Lana," said Clark when she released him.
"How have you been?" she asked. "We haven't seen you since the night we got engaged."
"It's been a little hectic," said Clark smiling. "It seems we share that common thread in our lives."
"You could say that," agreed Lana, her eyes turning serious. She backed up and looking at the two young men side by side. "You guys were great today."
"Thanks," said Clark, looking slightly embarrassed, Steve just smiled and nodded.
"Oh now that I think about it Clark you just saved me a stamp," she said before hustling off and rushing up the stairs.
"You're rubbing off on her," Clark commented, noting Lana's energy.
"Hardly," laughed Steve. "She's excited about this afternoon. She was giving a live feed during that whole deal. The producers were in the studio when it came through. Apparently she got some very nice emails from them."
"Never hurts to impress the boss," said Clark. "How did I save you a stamp?"
"Read this and find out," said Lana coming back down the stairs and handing him an envelope before putting her arm around Steve.
"Hey this is a wedding invitation," said Clark. "Have you guys finally picked a date??"
"So it would appear," laughed Steve. "We've finally gotten the kinks worked out of our somewhat altered lifestyle."
"Second jobs like ours can do that to you," said Clark sagely. "Chloe'll be thrilled, and on that subject I have some news of my own to announce."
"Oh?" said Lana raising an eyebrow.
"Yes," said Clark. "It would seem that Chloe and I will be having this same argument over the next few months."
"You and Chloe," exclaimed Lana laughing and hugging him again. "Clark that's wonderful. Congratulations!"
"Thanks," said Clark with a wide grin.
"I'm going to check on dinner while I call Chloe," said Lana. "Will she be home?"
"Try the Planet number first," suggested Clark. "She's been working late this week because Lois is out of town." Lana nodded as she made her way to the kitchen.
"Really that's outstanding Clark," said Steve as the two moved out the foyer and into the den to sit down.
"Thanks," said Clark. "I don't think I have ever been that nervous in my life."
"I know the feeling," said Steve. "Speaking of weddings I have been meaning to ask you if you'd be my best man."
"Of course," said Clark. "I'd be honored." Steve nodded his thanks.
"So I assume your folks know?"
"Oh yes," said Clark. "I did it this past Monday."
"Clark?" said Lana walking into the den with the phone in her hand. "Chloe says that she Jimmy and Perry are going to be working late tonight and that they ordered in. So you're on your own for dinner. Would you care to join us?"
"I don't want to impose," said Clark.
"Nonsense," said Steve. "Join us. Don't worry she cooked tonight."
Clark laughed. "Then I'd love to."
"Great," said Lana, putting the phone back to her ear. "Don't worry Chloe we'll feed him. All right bye." Lana hung up the phone. "All right boys, dinner's in five minutes. Go wash your hands." She grinned as she said boys.
"Yes ma'am," they said in unison.