Chapter Two- "Partners"
Lois pushed up her black wired framed glasses and silently tapped her foot while Perry Whitey, editor-in-chief of the Daily Planet went over her resume and many articles from Tokyo to Nigeria.
Perry looked up at Lois saying "This is all nice stuff but you see Ms. Lane, this is the Daily Planet, were the greatest newspaper in the whole world. Our people are dedicated servants to the fourth estate who routinely handle matters of international significance not articles that were printed in…" he looks down at an article saying "the Borneo Gazette?"
Lois immediately rose to her feet saying "Mr. White, ever since I was kid all I've ever heard about was this great metropolitan newspaper that exceeded every paper that rivaled against it. All I ever wanted to be was a writer and if you give me this chance then I will give you the best damn stories that the world has ever read."
Perry smirked, "You've got charisma and I like that in a reporter. But I want you to answer me this one question"
"What is that Mr. White?"
"This is the fork in your road, Lane. In a dozen years, you'll either be Lois Lane, star reporter whose name is synonymous with the Daily Planet, or Lois Fill-in-the-Blank, married to an insurance adjuster in the sticks with four kids and forty extra pounds. You won't be able to look at a newspaper because it will always remind you of what could've been. Which road sounds better to you?" Perry said with a straight face while Lois adjusted her glasses and thought it over.
"I want to be Lois Lane, star reporter for the Daily Planet" She said with confidence that Perry hadn't seen since Clark stormed into his office wearing a half burnt suit and fully written story about the Suicide Slum fires which was started by a local street gang called 'The Toasters'
Perry smiled and rose to his feet extending his hand to her saying "Lois Lane, Welcome to the Daily Planet"
Lois smiled "I wont let you down sir"
"You wont, because I'll be partnering you with my best reporter" Perry said opening the door and yelling out "Kent! Get your ass in my office before I stick you back in the basement with the interns"
Lois turned around and immediately locked eyes with a beautiful of baby blues which stared back at her then moved back to Perry who looked at her saying "Lois Lane, I'd like you to meet your new partner…Clark Kent"
Lois smiled extending her hand to him saying "Pleasure to meet you"
Clark just looked at Perry saying "You know I work alone, Perry. I cant afford to send another partner to Belle Reeve or worse Metropolis Morgue"
Perry patted Clark on the back and whispered to him "The big wigs upstairs say if you don't get a knew partner along with a new attitude they will fire you and make sure you end up selling newspapers rather then writing them"
Clark looked at Perry saying "You can tell Luthor he can kiss my ass cause I'm not working with her"
Lois popped in between them saying "I'm standing right here and I can hear what your saying cause your not really whispering"
Clark just turned and headed towards his desk while Perry turned to Lois saying "I think that went well don't you?"
Lois looked at Perry confused before heading out towards her new partner who she seemed to find strangely attractive in a James Dean type way.
Clark had almost made his way to his desk when the TV monitors lit up…
'I'm Vick Vale with Metropolis News and with a breaking story has just reached us, it appears that the new LuthorCorp military jets have failed at take off killing two soldiers and injuring 10 boat hands who were preparing the planes for routine flight paths along the Pacific. When questioned about the accident Alexander Luthor refused to comment and his publicist. has issued this statement 'Mr. Luthor would like to send his heart to the families of those killed and injured in this unfortunate accident and there fore has dedicated his annual LuthorCorp ball not only in the memory of his father but to those who have passed on from war and those who were killed in this tragedy' I'm Vicki Vale Metropolis News, back to you Dale"
Perry walked out of his office saying "Lane! Kent!"
They turned to face him only to see his smirk, "Looks like you two just got your first story"
Clark grabbed his coat and began to walk off with Lois not far behind, "Let's get something straight. I did not work my ass off to become an investigative reporter for the Daily Planet just to baby-sit some newbie reporter like you. I have strict rules that will be followed; You're not working with me, you're working for me. Which means I call the shots and I'm the one to ask the questions. Comprende?"
Lois and Clark stepped into the empty elevator while the doors closed behind them, he pushed the button for the garage and began to wait.
She grew impatient and hit the stop button turning to face him saying "If you think this partnership will work with you being a complete jackass then you've got a serious control problem because if there's one thing I learned from the General its that you don't take orders from anyone you work with especially those on the same playing field as you, so I suggest you suck it up and be a man about this partnership before something unfortunate happens"
Clark just smirked hitting the stop button again causing the elevator to start moving again, "If you show this much passion telling me off then we'll get along just fine"
Lois grew more confused, 'Who is this guy?'
LuthorCorp Plaza:
Mercy Graves walked into Lex's office saying "Clark Kent's here again this time with a new partner"
Lex turned with wicked smile on his face, "Girl or Boy?"
"Girl, says her names Lois Lane"
Lex's smile grew wider, "Send them in but do it with some manners Mercy, we don't want to scare poor Clark and Ms. Lane away now do we?"
She just nodded, "I cant guarantee anything, sir"
Seconds later, Clark and Lois walked into Lex's office watching as he looked out over Metropolis saying "Do you know the story of Prometheus?" he didn't even bother waiting for an answer while he continued "No, of course, you don't. Prometheus was a titan who stole the power of fire from the other gods and gave control of it to mortals, in essence, he gave us technology, he gave us power."
Clark stepped forward saying "We didn't come here for mythology lecture, we came to get the truth about what happened to those jets and why two people had to die"
Lex chuckled turning around with a reply "A life, some would argue, is a series of problems. There's no denying the truth in that – but why get lost in it? Why not rise above the truth and lead a good life? Shouldn't we all look at problems as a chance for us to find… solutions? You know that better then anyone Clark"
He was about to retort when Lois cut in saying "Listen Mr. Luthor, I don't know what type of grudge you two have against each other but we just want to the truth about what happened"
Lex looked at her and replied "The truth…Miss?"
Lois extended her hand to him saying "Lois, Lois Lane"
He kissed her hand saying "Pleasure to meet the only girl brave enough to team up with the man of steel."
Lois looks at him confused then turns to Clark who's fists were clinched tightly as was his jaw, rage was in his eyes and she didn't know why.
Lex decided to get back to the issue on hand saying "The accident was unfortunate but my team is going to investigate the crash and we'll release our findings in a month or perhaps year, you never really know with these things"
Lois just nodded before grabbing Clark saying "Thank You, Mr. Luthor. We'll call if we have anymore questions"
Lex just smiled and waited until Mercy came back in saying "She was certainly something don't you think, Lex?"
He turned to her saying "That she is but I have bigger things to do then to steal another girl from Clark Kent, where do we stand with those idiots?"
"We captured them and turned them over to the FBI with the 'evidence' in there pockets" Mercy said causing Lex to smile and pull out two wine glasses saying "LuthorCorp stock has risen since this tragedy and the more I act sympathetic and caring the more I'm liking to become the Saint of this town"
Mercy took the wine glass from him and clinked it together with his as they drank to their success
Outside of LuthorCorp Plaza:
Lois spun Clark to face her saying "What the hell was that? You looked like you wanted to rip Lex's head off and turn it into a candy dish"
He looked around and said "Lex and I don't exactly see eye to eye, we use to be friends until…"
"Until what?" Lois asked watching Clark run his fingers through his neatly combed hair, "We were in an accident that took the life of my fiancé, Alicia Baker"
Lois placed a hand on Clark's arm saying "I'm so sorry"
He brushed her off and immediately put his walls back up saying "Your not to tell anyone I told you, I have a reputation at the Daily Planet to protect and I don't need you destroying it"
She watched him walk away and just smirked thinking 'He's kind of aggressive yet he's sensitive as well…'
Kent Farm:
Clark sat down to the table eating some of his mom's famous pot roast like he did every night since Lori left him, the feeling of being at the Daily Planet was one thing but being home was a place that put him at peace with not only his mind but his soul.
"Perry called to tell me about your new partner" Martha said taking the finished plates and putting them in the sink while Clark was still on his third helping.
"I don't see why he has to tell you everything about my job, it unethical" Clark says grabbing his plate and heading towards the kitchen as well.
Martha turns to face her son saying "I know that you have to be a emotionless guy at work but could you at least give your mother a smile"
Clark smiled and kissed her on the cheek before saying "I guess I'll see you next time I have the money to come down or at least the car to come down in"
"Why don't you take your father's truck, I don't really use it that much" Martha says grabbing the keys and handing them over to Clark.
He shook his head and handed them back saying "It wouldn't be right, he'd want you to have the truck not me"
She places comforting hand on her son's cheek saying "You need to learn to let go of the past, I know its been hard on you since Lori left and you still carry those memories from when Alicia and your father died but they would want you to move on and be a better man instead of sitting at home eating left over Chinese food"
Clark just smirks saying "You always know what to say mom and I never thanked you for it"
Martha hugged her son saying "A mother always knows when her child needs to be kicked in the right direction"
Clark kisses her cheek and grabs the keys for the truck saying "I'll make sure to return it when my car gets out of the shop"
Martha shook her head while Clark walked towards the truck and headed back to the big city, she turns around and walks towards the old picture of Jonathan Kent saying to herself "Sometimes I wonder why he had to be just as stubborn as you, Jonathan."
She could picture her husband smiling and placing a hand on her shoulder, replying to her comment with a sarcastic reply 'Because he's a Kent and the Kent Charm is always a get out of jail free card with the ones that love us'
Martha wipes a lone tear and headed back to the kitchen to make sure everything was clean.
Fortress of Solitude:
Lois stood at the main console searching through every crystal until she found the right one, it was a bright blue crystal which her father had sent with her for save keeping.
She placed it into the activation console and watched as the fortress began to glow a blue hue followed by a stream of bright light which shot through her and went towards the nearest crystalline structure.
'Hello My daughter' said a soft motherly voice.
Lois turned around to see holographic projects of both Lara-El and Jor-El, she walked towards them saying "My sister Lucy has constructed a suit that I can wear when I'm saving people, I was wondering if we could run tests on it to see if we can enhance it to fit Kryptonian powers."
Jor-El stepped forward watching as Lois took out the suit and placed it on a nearby flat surface, he looked over it saying "The material can be altered to fit the needs of a Kryptonian but it will take several minutes until it is fully converted."
Lois nodded while Lara stepped forward saying "Something isn't right, your aurora is off"
She turns to face her mother saying "I've just started working as a reporter and all ready I can hear people crying out for help, Metropolis needs a savior and it isn't Lex Luthor"
Lara smiles saying "You'll find a way my child, you always do."
Jor-El's hologram steps forward saying "The suit has been converted to form with Kryptonian DNA. Bullets will bounce from it and not tear it, fire's will not burn it and it will not rip if you fly"
Lois grabs the suit and quickly speeds into it, she stands there in front of her parents with a smile "How do I look?"
Lara and Jor-El smile, he steps towards her saying "You look like a true Kryptonian, one worthy of the House of El. Your mother and I are proud and always will be"
Lois smiles and walks towards the console removing the crystal, "Goodbye" she whispers one last time before jetting off in hopes that her new persona would be trusted.
Daily Planet Rooftop:
Clark watched the entire night sky light up as it did in Smallville, he was unaware of the shadow that lurked behind him.
A blade was pressed against his throat, "You've been sticking your nose in our business for too long, Kent"
Clark just smirks saying "This is the best your bosses could send? I've been shot and stabbed by better assassins then you"
He elbows the would-be killer in the face causing him to drop the knife and grab his nose in pain, Clark grabbed the guy by the collar saying "Tell Luthor that he'll have to do better then this to stop me"
"I..I don't work for Lex Luthor" the man says scared of the look on Clark's face.
He leans in saying "Then who?"
"That would be me" a deep voice sounded from the darkness causing Clark to turn and face Kyle Abbot, who was a heavy enforcer for Intergang.
"Very clever of you to use a decoy before you try to kill me, it's a nice touch"
Abbot smirked cracking his neck and grabbed Clark by the collar and forced him against the brick wall saying "Edge wasn't too happy to hear that you've been trading Intergang secrets to get front page"
Clark struggled causing Abbot to throw Clark into another wall which caused him to gasp for air thanks to a newly broken rib.
Kyle smirked while his skin began to grow hairy and his body began to shape shift into a wolf like form, Clark sat there wide eyed.
The wolf like beast stared him in the face and advanced, Clark scrambled to his feet and began walking back cautiously hoping that what ever plan he had up his sleeve wouldn't come out with him as wolf food.
Teeth shined in the moonlight while Abbot took one last leap at Clark only to have his foot touch Abbot's stomach and flip him over the rooftop.
He was wheezing for air while looking over the edge only to be flipped onto his back and dragged over the roof.
The air fell around him and Abbot as the two still battled, Clark received more scraps and cuts.
A strong gust of wind caused Clark to look around only to see a red blur streak across the sky, a pair of hands quickly grabbed both Clark and Abbot.
He looked up only to lock eyes with a beautiful pair of hazel, the girl's auburn hair flowed in the wind just like her cape did while she flashed a pearly smile saying "Don't worry sir, I've got you"
Clark looked back down at the ground then back up her saying "You've got me but who's got you?"
They landed safely on the rooftop, the mysterious girl placed Clark softly on the ground and knocked Abbot out with a flick of her wrist.
She speed over to rip off a nearby wire and quickly wrapped it around Abbot, Clark just watched in awe until she stuck out her hand to him saying "I hope this experience hasn't put you off flying. You know, statistically speaking it's still the safest way to travel."
Clark grabbed her hand as she helped him up, he stared at her and asked "Who are you?"
She just smiled saying "A friend"
He just stared at her oblivious to the fact that several officers rushed up to the roof along with half of the Daily Planet staff, she quickly handed Clark to the officers saying "This man needs medical assistance, he has several scraps and broken rib."
They just nodded and watched her fly up straight into the sky and fly off into the night…
Small house by Centennial Park:
A little girl was climbing a tree to retrieve her cat only to be floated back down to the sidewalk, she gazed up at the women in the red cape.
She smiled down at the girl with pigtails saying "Why don't I get your cat for you, don't want your parents to worry about your safety."
The girl just nodded and watched the red caped women fly up, who grabbed her cat and quickly floated down to her saying "Here you go, be careful next time"
The cat meowed when the caped crusader petted her on the head then quickly flew off, the little girl ran inside saying "Mommy! Mommy! Frisky was stuck in a tree! And this women came swooping out of the sky and gave him to me!"
The little girls mother turned to her saying "What have I told you about your imaginary friends? People don't fly"
The cat just meowed in response…
Lois & Lucy Lane's Apartment:
Lois landed on the balcony and super speed out of her costume through a short shower and into her pajamas.
"I always knew you'd warm up to the dual identity phase" a deep voice sounds from the balcony.
She turns to see a bat like figure jump down and take off his mask revealing an all too familiar face.
"Bruce?"
He just smiled saying "Hello Lois"
Three Year Ago…
Lois was packing up getting ready to leave as she normally did when it was time to move on.
"You know Alfred could help you with that" Bruce said leaning against the doorway.
She turned to face him saying "I don't have that much to take with me, I've got to carry light if I'm to speed to another country"
Bruce stepped forward saying "Why don't you stay? You have to stop running sometime."
"You know why I cant stay, Batman and I don't work. We'd just get distracted from our jobs and one of us would end up dead"
Bruce walked towards her saying "We can make it work"
She shook her head negatively, "Bullets may bounce off my skin and I may run faster than a locomotive but I don't want to wonder where you are every night. I don't think I'd be good at the whole dual identity thing, especially with you"
Bruce is surprised by this and questions "What do you mean?"
"I mean that when your destined to save mankind, your destined to be alone. I've been taught to hide who I am since the day my parents found me in that field and I've grown accustomed to being isolated from the world, I just couldn't stand the idea of you being used to get to my secret." Lois says grabbing her bag and kissing Bruce on the cheek whispering "There's someone better out there for you"
He looks at her and asks "Like who?"
She just smirks saying "Maybe a cat or a warrior princess, you never know what type of girl could fall for the Prince of Gotham."
He just smiles and watches her walk out his life, a small voice tell him 'You'll see her again'
Bruce walks towards her saying "I saw the red and blue blur in the sky, I take it your sister told you that she called me"
Lois crossed her arms over her chest saying "She may have mentioned it"
Bruce steps closer to her saying "You look beautiful, Lois"
She turns her head to hide the tears that threatened to fall as past heartache came into mind, she whispered "Bruce"
He leaned in saying "I just came to give you my best wishes with protecting Metropolis and to give you this" he reaches into his utility belt and pulls out a flash drive saying "Everything about the jet crash, I had Oracle hack into the system and download the right evidence"
Lois smiled and looked at him saying "How are Barbara and Dick?"
He just shrug saying "They've been bumping heads but then again I always see them staring at each other and brushing their hands against each other when they have the chance."
Lois takes the flash drive from him saying "Thanks"
He watches her walk away and immediately slips back on his mask saying "I guess I'll see you later, the league will be glad to see that you've taken a persona finally. Oliver was getting tired of calling you Mad Dog"
Lois just smirked and turned to face Bruce saying "It was nice seeing you again Bruce"
He just smiled a quick smile before aiming stepping onto the ledge saying "I'll see you later…" and with that Batman jumped activating his batwings and flying down to the bat-jet which was located across on a nearby rooftop.
Lois took and deep breath locking her balcony door thinking 'He always has to show off even when there's no audience.'
TBC…
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