CHAPTER 3

LOIS AND CLARK

Clark Kent stood at his desk in the newsroom of the Daily Planet and stared blankly at the television on the wall. There were pictures of the Embassy of the Amazons of Themyscira being closed down. He listened to the reporter listlessly.

"and the Princess of the Amazons, has formally through her assistant Angela Scott, sent a message of regret and apology to the people of America. It appears personal business has halted the plans to establish the first Embassy in the U.S.A. .Princess Diana,better known as Wonder Woman, cannot foresee when she will return to resume her mantle of diplomat and superhero but she thanks the public for accepting her during her tenure with the Justice League. It is not clear whether the bombing of the Embassy six weeks ago during its inception had anything to do with the closure but several people were injured..."

A voice startled him."My guess is that the higher ups in the government must have been appalled at the bombing and there may have been some pressure put on her."

He turned to see Lois sitting at her desk and flipping open her laptop. He said,"No one knows that for sure."

"Well,what can it be?"

"Personal."

Lois yawned."Oh,Smallville,you are so naive. Miss Olympus is gone. She'll be old news tomorrow. I have got my eye on a meatier story with Luthor. Seems he has his finger in a new pie. He may be out of government but he is the financier for the new presidential candidacy...Clark?Are you listening?"

Clark was clearly not. He said slowly,"I've got to go do some photocopying."

He left her,and walked towards the copier in the next room. Diana had briefly communicated with him via a note through Donna Troy. It was just to say she was well but tensions on the island were increasing. He had tried to get more details but the Teen Titan had nothing to add as she herself was sworn to keep the business of the island secret. Clark knew Diana would not have approved but he had tried to locate Themyscira himself but could not find it. Despite his superpowers,the magic that surrounded the isle made it impossible for him to locate.

As parents to a superhero,the Kents kept their disappointment tactfully to themselves. They knew that Diana's abrupt departure had affected their son,and that he could not afford the luxury of allowing himself to regret her action. He knew more than anyone else the meaning of sacrifice. He spoke of her little;just letting them know that she was doing her duty.

"I wish he would talk to us,"complained Ma.

Pa shook his head."What will the boy say?That he misses her?Goes with the territory. Let's hope she comes back soon. Darn it all,I liked that gal!"

Ma sighed."What a pity. I knew liking a princess was going to be trouble!"

Pa said wryly,"The whole female race is trouble!"

She elbowed him in the ribs."What!"

He winced."Ow!I didn't mean you,honey. You're the exception to the rule."

She wagged her finger playfully at him."And don't you forget it!"

Weeks turned into months and neither Superman nor the League heard anything from Wonder Woman. Donna Troy left the Titans one day with the news that all out civil war had broken out between Themyscira and Bana-Mighdall. She returned a fortnight later to inform the League that the Hippolyta had been injured in battle and was near death. Diana was acting in her stead. As the heir to the throne, this was a responsibility she had to take seriously. It took priority over all else. Princess Diana would not be returning to the Patriarch's world in a hurry.

Superman met Batman on the roof of Wayne Tower. The Dark Knight held out a disk containing files on campaign financing.

"This should help you in your latest battle with Luthor..."

"Thanks,Bruce. I won't ask how you got it."

Batman smiled."Better left unsaid."

Unusually Superman turned to leave."Right. See you."

Normally the swift exit was Batman's. He hardly stuck around for smalltalk;historically Superman was the one who'd get him to linger. The Man of Steel was amongst the few Batman trusted to let down his guard. And truth be told Batman wanted to speak to him about something.

"Clark!"

He paused."Yes?"

"When are you coming back?"

"Where?"

"You know where."

Superman said brusquely,"The League is doing fine."

"It'd do better if you came back."

"I don't know...I need to think..."

Batman said bluntly,"You won't have to...She's not there..."

The blue eyes seemed to flash."Who isn't?"

"You know who. And from what J'onn says she's not likely to be back for a while."Batman looked him squarely in the eyes."We are down two of our best. Sooner or later that will tell."

Superman folded his arms. He mused dryly,"It's my feeling that you are not solely basing this request on team strength and weakness."

Batman shot back."Maybe not but at least I never left the job."

"No,no one can accuse you of that,"he replied ironically.

Batman said coolly,"Whatever the circumstance,I think we both know where I'm coming from and that the less distraction makes our job easier. At least think about it."

Superman looked at him expressionlessly. He turned away."I'll try."

He was gone in seconds.

Lois Lane was the Planet's star reporter. She was intrepid to the point of being brazen and at times foolhardy. Perry White was happy with her work on the whole but her knack of putting people's back up against a wall was getting a bit risky. Luthor was not a happy cookie and were it not for the fact that Bruce Wayne had the major shareholding in the Planet,the employees would have been seriously compromised by either having to dance to Luthor's tune or losing their jobs. Perry had deliberately foisted Clark Kent unto Lois because he was able to temper any damage her rashness caused and in recent times Kent's work had improved immensely. From sloppy,hurried work,he had begun to turn in insightful pieces,displaying a wit and conscience about the social ills of society and addressing how to achieve balance in an unjust world.

"Lane may have the investigative flare but Kent has the human touch!"Perry declared. And to Lois' disbelief her partner edged her out in an assignment overseas. Clark Kent spent six months in the Africa reporting on the human tragedies resulting from the ongoing civil wars on that continent. He returned and, to everyone but Perry's surprise, won a Pulitzer.

Lois watched him from where she sat behind her own desk. He had come back from the Sudan a month ago; he had won his first prestigious prize and she had to grudgingly admit it was deserved. He had also returned looking different.

There was a quiet confidence in his steps and a knowing look in his eyes. She looked at him with a frown.

Where had the bumbling nerd gone? Who irritated her with his simplistic take on life? Could half a year have altered someone so swiftly?

She had been busy herself. Chasing leads and occasionally colliding into Superman or the League whenever there was some threat to Metropolis. Superman wasn't the same. He was personable as ever but that special something she had with him was gone. Lois had felt the change. She had something of a crush on him after all. Who wouldn't?He was tall,and handsome and powerful and a hero. She consoled herself with the fact that Wonder Woman was nowhere in sight...the Amazon had been gone for over a year...so any suspicions she had about them were laid to rest.

"Lois...I have a story for you and Kent."

She looked up to see Perry before her;he was beckoning to Clark."Come here,Kent."

Clark rose from his desk and came over."What is it?"

"There's been the disappearance of six homeless people this past week. The manager of a soup kitchen has reported it but no major news network is running with it because they are viewed as drunks and junkies...however one of them was found yesterday,dead in a sewer,with all the blood drained out of his body."

Lois looked pensive."You want us to find out if there is a link?"

"Yes..."

"What do the cops have to say?",asked Clark.

"A coincidence. It isn't unusual for homeless people to turn on each other..."

"The fact that they are drained of blood makes no difference to them?"

"Right now the police are tied up with clearing up after the chaos left by Metallo and the Parasite..."

Lois picked up her bag and coat."Let's go,Clark."

The pair visited the morgue first and being a star reporter,Lois had contacts and she was able to wrangle a viewing of the body and chat with the mortician. An autopsy had not been completed but it was clear that all the blood had been drained of the body. Clark only had to use his x-ray vision and he saw that there were puncture marks on the neck.

They left to go explore the sewer where the body was discovered. It was in the oldest quarter;the most depressed part of Metropolis. Clark lifted up the manhole cover and peered down.

"It's black as night in there."

Lois produced a torchlight from her bag."I always come prepared."

Clark commented,"You're a regular Nancy Drew, aren't you?"

"Save the smart remarks, Clark,let's go..."She turned on the torch and peered in. She coughed."Jeeze,it stinks...!And there's no ladder..."

Clark said,"Here,I'll go first..."He jumped down nimbly and reached up to help her. Lois felt the strength in his

arms as they held her by the waist and swung her down. She looked at him queerly."You been working out,Smallville?"

He shrugged."Maybe."

She beckoned,"Let's go...We haven't all day to dawdle."

The sewer stretched for miles;there was the smell of rotting waste and the canals of dank,filthy water. Clark could see easily in the darkness and on many an occasion stopped her from going knees deep in water or in the path of rats. He was also taking the lead in suggesting which turn they take. This was getting Lois irritated unused as she was to being told what to do by anyone,least of all Clark Kent. She began to rail at him after an hour of aimless walking.

Clark looked over her shoulder and interrupted her tirade."Lois..."

"What?"

"I think we have found something."

She turned and saw that they had stumbled unto a vast chamber. It was the old part of the city where there had been the first subway and in its bowels was what appeared to be a nest of hybrid like creatures with fangs guarding what appeared to be a sarcophagus.

Clark stiffened."Crucifer.''

Lois looked at him sharply,"Who?"

"Nothing!Just run!",he cried as the hybrids snarled and stepped out from behind the slumbering body of the vampire.

Lois turned and ran. She could hear the growls and patter of feet behind them. Clark was behind her ,shouting her along. She gasped and panted. She turned to see that the creatures were catching up. She screamed as one leaped onto Clark.

She stopped to help,but he bellowed,"Keep going!"

Almost sobbing for breath she ran,she could hear the snarls and roars. She did not see the pipe jutting out from the concrete wall. Her toe got caught and she fell and hit her head. All went dark.

When she opened her eyes,she felt cool air upon her face. She had a feeling of not being earthbound. She began to struggle. A familiar voice soothed her.

"It's okay. You're okay."

She looked up to see Superman flying with her over Metropolis .He looked at her solicitously."Are you okay?"

"I...think so...Those things...Oh god!Clark!"

Superman explained,"He is fine. I got to him first. He was just a bit shaken up and has a few injuries. I flew him home."

"Those things...what happened...how did you even...?"

"Super sight and hearing remember?"

Lois smiled and held onto his neck a bit tighter. It had been a while since she had been held like this and she was determined to enjoy it."I know that but what was it?"

"A vampire and his minions. Batman has been hunting him for some time. Flash finally traced him from Gotham to Metropolis and informed the League. The next thing I knew I was saving Clark from being mauled and rescuing you. The hybrids have been destroyed and as for the vampire...well, let us say that he has been dealt with by a rather peeved Batman ."

Soon he was putting her down gently upon the roof of the Daily Planet. She cocked her head at him. "You know, your heroism may have cost me a story,Superman."

Superman's reply took her by surprise."I could let you interview me;would that make up for it?"

She looked eager. It had been a long time since she had an exclusive on the Man of Steel. Perry would love it!She was about to pull out her dictaphone when she paused. She looked a bit guilty."I really shouldn't,you know..."

"Oh?"

"Yeah...I shouldn't take this story...Perry sent me with Clark and to be honest,he was braver than I ever expected him to be. If we are alive it isn't only because of you...but Clark's quick thinking and I ought to respect that we went as partners to cover this story. It would be unprofessional of me beating him to a headline."

He seemed to look at her with pleasant surprise. He assented warmly,"I understand. Will you be okay?"

She nodded."I'll be fine. I'll tell Perry that you dealt with it...He'll understand."

"Well take care,Lois."

"Take care,Superman."

He watched her go in with an impressed smile. Lois Lane had forfeited an interview with Superman because of Clark Kent!That was a first! As he flew away,he mused,maybe she wasn't as insensitive to Clark as she used to be.

FOUR YEARS LATER

"How is this,ma'am?"

Lois Lane looked at the silken tie against the blue shirt and replied satisfied,"That looks perfect. Yes. Will you gift wrap it for me?"

The store attendant bowed his head."Certainly. You have made a very good choice. Is it for your husband,ma'am?"

"No,it's for my boyfriend. It's a birthday present ...I never quite know what to get him...he has...everything you could possibly imagine."

"Well a man can't have too many shirts and ties,especially ones as fine as these. If you give me five minutes,I'll wrap it..."

As promised, Lois' package was ready and stowed in a beautiful gift bag. She paid for it and strolled out of the exclusive men's wear department store. Today was Clark's thirty-fifth birthday. She had come on her lunch break to get his present. It was last minute but if one had to surprise a man who could see through walls,one had to buy his gifts at the last moment. As she hailed a cab,she recalled the chaos of his last birthday. This year she was determined to have him to herself and have a romantic dinner for two.

If anyone had told her two years ago,she'd be dating Clark Kent she'd have laughed. Back then she had no idea who he really was. Her nose and instincts had never misled her and as time went on,her suspicions regarding Clark began to grow. She had decided to take drastic action one day and outed him by putting herself deliberately in harm's way. She found out what she suspected - after throwing herself out the window of a ten story building- Clark Kent was Superman. He had not been amused but she had no doubts he would have saved her,as she had airily told him after the event.

But there it was:Clark was Superman,the hero she had always dreamed of. It was incredible but true and after a what appeared to be an initial reluctance,he seemed to give the relationship a chance. She suspected a lot of his reservations came from their differences in origin, and the dangers she could face if any of his enemies found out about her. But those things never fazed someone like her. She was Lois Lane after all,intrepid reporter and independent career woman. And many people had dubbed her as Superman's girlfriend in the early days. So it seemed it was meant to be.

The relationship was not perfect by any means. Having to share him with the world was the worst of it. When he flew off on deep space missions or did long hauls with the League (he had rejoined the League three years ago) those were the most trying for someone who hated to have to sit and wait in anxiety in case he did not return alive .Clark's temperament suited her as well .He was easy going and never fought nor upbraided her. In fact she was the one to rail at him. There were times when he would get quiet and pensive;when she could not reach him nor get him to confide in her;when she could feel a bridge between them. It was not often but it was there and perhaps it was the reason why they resisted moving in together.

It took the cab ten minutes to the Planet. She left the gift bag with reception and took the lift up.

Jimmy Olsen,bright and eager,greeted her as she appeared."Hey Lois,Perry's looking for you."

She rolled her eyes."What now?I dropped off that piece on his desk before I left."

"Relax. He just wants to know if you're doing anything for CK's birthday."

"I'm afraid not. Last year was a disaster. Clark had to run out on his own birthday party to go help the League stop the Inter-Gang. We want to do something quiet this year."

Jimmy actually knew Clark's secret because of the Intergang last year,taking him hostage.

"Okay. Cool.I'll let him know. He might even let you guys go early."

Lois walked to her desk. Clark was at his intent on a story he was writing. She bent over him and ruffled his hair."Hey, birthday boy, did you have lunch?"

He looked up with a rueful smile."Er,no...I know,I know...I ought to take a break!But I spent all of last night in the Balkans...I've got to make up for it now...Besides,Jimmy has been filling my coffee mug."

"Well,alright. I've got to go to City Hall to follow that anti-war protest. Make sure l see you later,okay?Remind Batman or that alien that you are not to be called out this year..."she warned."I want my boyfriend for more than fifteen minutes."

"Yes,I'll remind them." She kissed him briefly on the lips and left. Clark sighed and and stared her as she took the lift.

Sometimes he felt Lois deserved better;someone who could be there for her;he wondered whether he had made the right decision to begin dating again. And not wooing her via the Superman ego as he had done in the past;but sharing his secret and letting her into his intimate world. His parents had met her last Christmas and seemed inclined to like her.

"CK?"

Clark looked up from his reverie."Yes Jimmy?"

"There is a woman to see you."

"Who?"

"I don't know. She didn't give the reception her name but said she needed to see you. She's in the foyer downstairs."

He fiddled with his laptop."Maybe someone with a lead on a story. Tell them to send her up."

The tall, slim woman in a plain eggshell blouse and frumpy brown skirt was directed to sit down in the waiting area. She pushed the over large framed glasses up her nose and patted the fine blow-away hairs of her tight bun with an almost anxious gesture. She sank upon a chair and looked about her almost curiously.

She heard the musical ping of the elevator as it reached the lobby and looked up to see who was coming out. She saw Lois Lane who walked straight past her and waved at the receptionist and security.

"See you Miss Lane!" they called.

Lois went through the revolving doors. The security called out to the woman in glasses."Ma'am you can go up to see Mr Kent now. It's the 10th floor."

The woman got up."Thank you."

She took the elevator and bit her lower lip. She took in a deep breath,as if to calm herself.

When the elevator opened onto the 10th floor,she stepped out and surveyed the busy newsroom. A young man in his twenties came up to her."Can I help you,Ma'am?"

"I'm here to see Clark Kent."

"Oh. You're the lady from downstairs!Sure,he's over there."

She craned her neck."Which one?"

"The desk nearest the window."

"Thank you."She smiled and left him. She walked over to the desk of Clark Kent and stood before him."Mr Kent?"

Clark's face was focused on his monitor. He was in the middle of rewording a sentence."Yes,I know you're here to see me...but give me a minute before I lose my train of thought...Sit down..."He waved to to a chair opposite him.

She obliged and waited patiently.

He typed out his reworded sentence,let out a satisfied sniff and glanced up."What can I do for you...Miss...?"

"Miss Prince. Diana Prince."

Clark Kent stiffened. He closed the laptop with a snap. His eyes narrowed. Before him sat a prim,plainly dressed bespectacled woman. He knew magic when it confronted him. It shielded her beauty. Even with his super sight he couldn't see it was her. But what gave her away was the voice...the heart beat...the fragrance...He'd know her even if he were blind!

"Diana...?"

"Hello,Clark."

He walked her to the elevator on the pretext of escorting her out;but instead of going down,they went up to the roof.

He looked at her in amazement,not so much at her appearance,but that she was actually before him.

He instantly asked,"When did you come back?"

"Two months ago."

"What's this getup?",he asked pointing to her clothes.

"I have taken your advice. I have created an identity for myself and have been settling into Boston for the last few weeks. I have gotten a teaching post in an all girls' private school. I am teaching languages and Literature."

Clark asked,"Did you run away again or did Hippolyta give her blessings this time?"

"A peace was finally made a year ago but much rebuilding and reconciliation was required. I have deemed my duty complete and have decided to return to fulfill my mission..."

"Does anyone else know you are here?"

"Only J'onn."

"I see."

"He told me you are back with the League..."

He shrugged."Bruce persuaded me to rejoin."

"I'm glad...How is he?"

"Didn't you ask J'onn?"

Diana flushed."You're angry. I'm sorry."

He walked to the edge and looked down."Bruce is fine. He's currently mentoring Tim Drake."

She asked,"What happened with Selina Kyle?''

He shrugged."Who knows. Bruce does not talk much about his love life."

She was silent. He turned and looked her."So,you are not going to establish an Embassy anymore?"

"Yes,but it won't be with me. My mother will get both tribes to select representatives to share the responsibility."

"Are you going to rejoin the League?"

She replied,"I don't know. I have much to do right now before committing to the League but I told J'onn that I would consider the reserves roster."

Clark mused,"Nearly five years. It's a long time. You never came back once."

She looked a bit conscience stricken."I know...it was not possible...Mother was badly injured at one point and I had to step in her shoes...and then as the unrest continued,Bana-Midghall allied itself with unsavory elements,making leaving even more impossible...I wanted to see you but..."

"I know,you had to do your duty to your people," he concluded."You are the heir to a throne after all."

"Yes,I am."She looked resigned,almost tired. What she did not tell him was that if she had come back,she might have not been able to leave. She had made a conscious decision to sacrifice her own personal aspirations for the well being of her people. Looking at him,she could see she had paid a price for it. There was a distance to him now.

"Well,I have kept you a while from your work. I just wanted to see how you were...I glad to see you well...I should go..."

They took the lift together. She turned to him with a sudden start."Wait,if I recall,today is your birthday."

"You have a good memory. Yes,it is my birthday today."

She said,"I hope you don't spend all of it working. I mean, surely the world can do without Superman for a few hours."

He said wryly,"If Lois has her way,the world will not see him from the time I leave the Planet."

Diana looked puzzled. "Lois?"

He looked a bit awkward. "Um,yeah. She and I...we've been dating."

Diana's face was blank. "Oh. I see."

They arrived at the tenth floor. Clark said in a brisk but amicable tone, "Well,it's good to have you back,Diana. You were missed. Take care. Maybe I'll see you around"

She forced a smile. "Take care, Clark. "The doors closed on her and the elevator went down. Clark slowly walked through the newsroom. He barely heard Jimmy at his side.

"Clark! Perry is bellowing for your piece."

He turned. "What?"

"He wants to see which story to headline and you are ''keeping up production'',"quoted Jimmy

Clark nodded. "Sure...I'll be there in a minute."

He reached his desk and instead of printing off his story, found himself going to the window and looking down upon the street. His vision enabled him to see her leave the Planet and walk slowly towards City Park. He could not see her face; her back was to him but he followed her figure until she came to stop before the large memorial statue of Superman. She was looking up at it.

The phone rang and he moved to answer it. It was Perry. "KENT! Where is my front page?"

"One minute, Perry...Yes, yes...I know...I'll be there in a minute. "He printed the piece and before he went to his editor's office, glanced outside. She was gone.