Dear Journal

Authored by dark-halo-princess

:A Smallville fanfic:

Pairing: Clark Kent and Lois Lane
Genre: Romance, Drama and Humour
Rating: M (Content not suitable for younger ages)
Date last revised on: 15/06/09

Disclaimer: I do not own Smallville or any of its characters. This fanfic is created from my ramblings with the use of the characters from the show.

Chapter Three:

One Thought Too Many

The Daily Planet bull pen sang with the bustling of the reporters and their assistants, each with their phone attached to one ear and a pen moving in their hand. Chatter and interrogation, both over the phone and between each other, rang around the room, creating that electrifying buzz of people hard at work. The high top windows were open to let in the breeze and the cold air, much needed for every occupant in the large room. Not a desk sat unattended at every reporter used all the nook and crannies, spreading their notes out in their haphazard disorganisation.

One lone man by the corner desk in the far back, chatted furiously over the phone, desperate to set an appointment with one of Metropolis' leading surgeons, do discuss the rising epidemic of the cold virus.

Far from the bull pen and from across the top of the double set of stairs, the double doors burst open, letting in a huge gust of wind as Lois Lane entered – her coat cinched at the waist and big sized folders occupying her hands and arms.

She balanced the folders precariously before descending the stairs – her heels click-it and clack-ting as she walked. Somehow, without dropping a single folder, she made it into the bullpen and to her desk where she deposited them and turned to the unoccupied desk in front of her. She shook her head at his absence and unbelted her coat, leaving it on the back of her chair to go get herself a hot cup of morning coffee.

If she was honest with herself, the hot cup of coffee, would be her third of the morning – having had two cups back at the apartment already.

But she didn't need to tell anyone that.

So saying, she poured herself a cup and made it back to her desk when she felt a sudden gust of air whoosh past her. She looked to find Clark sitting across from her, on his side of the desk, fingers already tapping away at his keyboard.

Astounding, really, she thought. One minute he wasn't there and the next minute, there he was, all calm and unruffled, as if he'd been there for hours, simply working.

Lois shook her head as she approached him, coming to perch at the edge of his desk, sipping her coffee when he looked up with a smile.

"Hi there Lois. I see you've made it in on time today."

"Someone has to," she smiled sweetly at him and continued, "we have a big story to chase. It wouldn't do to sit at home all day, would it?"

"And what case is this?" Clark frowned, "You're not still on about the magician's suicide are you? Because I have to tell you Lois that I don't think we should cover that."

"Yeah, you've already said that." Lois dismissed his argument with a toss of her head, "I say we start on it right now. I have to tell you, I don't have much on it yet but there are quite a few leads still open. We'll latch onto one and chase it from there. A lot of digging to do, Smallville." When Lois saw him about to open his mouth she said, "not on this one Smallville. I'm having my way."

"When don't you have your way?" He grumbled to himself but she heard and raised an eyebrow in mock question, "I still go with a feeling that this is a really bad idea, but I'll tag along. Someone has to keep a tag on you or who knows what you'll get up to."

"That's right Smallville. Good thinking. I'm with you all the way," and with that declared, she gifted him with a wide grin.

Clark sat silent for a while just following her antics.

"Oh, and by the way, thanks for that necklace," she hesitated, "you know for my birthday, yesterday? Well, I like it."

Clark paused in his reply, stunned by her thanks because to Lois, this was something huge. So in the end he only said, "Great. I'm glad you like it."

Lois wavered and then smiled, watching him smile back.

Lois went back to her desk and the next couple of hours passed by with the couple exchanging short sentences to get their search started. They needed to find out who first reported the suicide, or rather how it was discovered and who was called in for it. They would need an interview with the officers and with the witness if there was any. All Lois knew so far, was that it hadn't been suicide but murder and Clark was willing to go with that as he held similar suspicions.

Sometime near midday they both went for their lunch together at a nearby cafe – wanting to get out of the stuffy and crowed bull pen.

When they came back and got back to work, tapping away at the computer, Lois had been momentarily distracted by Clark's rhythmic tapping on the desk with one of his hands. She'd watched from the corner of her eye for a period and then shook herself before getting back to task.

Unbeknownst to Lois, Clark had known her gaze had been trained on him – he had superpowers to detect that kind of thing. And she hadn't seen the smile curving his lips before he'd immediately wiped it away.

There was a break of ten minutes when he'd heard a small voice calling for his help and he'd told Lois he was going to the men's. She'd not even raised her head, so consumed she was on her recent findings. So he'd rescued the boy from a deep hole in the ground and super-sped back to the Planet without anything going amiss.

"Smallville, I've found something we overlooked earlier," Lois called him over. "Look over here," she pointed when he came up behind her, "this man says he saw the magician leaving early the day before he died, and it appears that when he came back late at night, some other person came back with him."

"Yeah, I can see that," Clark breathed, his breath rustling Lois' hair, "It also states that the magician and this person had an argument."

"Hmm, we could check that out, but don't you find this all a little coincidental?"

"It could be that, but then people argue all that time. What's to say this has anything to do with the case?" Clark asked, turning his head to study her face.

Lois wrinkled her brow, "that's why we're investigating this story Smallville. We'll find out whether this argument is significant or not."

Clark altered his questioning, "and how do you intend to do that?" At Lois' perplexed expression, he added by pointing to another part on the computer screen, "look here, it says that the person who found the dead body was later found dead in his apartment, only a day later. Who are you going to interrogate now?"

Clark saw Lois gulp, "okay, so I missed that but there's always a way. And isn't this more of an evidence that something big is going down?"

Clark really wished he didn't have to answer this because of course he'd known this case was big, he'd found clues all over the searches he'd made. But to tell Lois would get her into more trouble and she was already danger prone – but then she was a reporter and that's what they did.

Why couldn't she have chosen a safer profession?

"Okay, so we need to contact the officers and interview them, right? Would they give us an interview?"

"We'll have to find out," Lois said as she got up, pulled on her coat, trusting Clark to follow her.

Once on the busy streets, Clark guided her over to his truck and when she raised her eyebrows as if saying, what, we're travelling in this rust bucket when we're trying to come across as professional? Clark said, "we can't go in yours, it's parked on the other side."

"Fine," Lois grumbled and buckled herself in.

Once in the car, Lois's cell began vibrating with the ringing tone extra shrilling in the truck.

"Hello?"

"Lois, it's me," Chloe's voice drifted down the phone.

"Hey Chloe, how's your hangover?" Lois grinned and Clark shook his head.

"You could sound a little sympathetic Lois. It's not easy suffering from a hangover when I have to go into work soon," Chloe voiced.

"Hey! This is my way of showing sympathy. You shouldn't have drunk so much, although it was hilarious watching you dance after," Lois laughed.

A side comment of, "sympathy? Hah!" From Clark had her slapping him on his thigh.

"Is Clark there?" Chloe asked at the sound of Clark's voice.

"Yes, unfortunately he is. We've got a lead on the case I was telling you about last week. I thought we'd check it out and guess what? I believe this story is going to be a great one," Lois chirped. "The guy who found the dead body is dead so somebody had to have killed him and so Smallville and I are going to seek them out."

"He's dead?"

"Yep," Lois affirmed down the phone, "died a day after he reported it in. Poor guy didn't have chance. Whoever's done this is pretty adamant about keeping it tight lipped. So obviously it must be something huge!"

"Yeah Lois, I'm guessing it is. Please be careful. You know how you get yourself so caught up in these," Chloe entreated.

Clark gestured to Lois that they'd arrived at the Metropolis police station, "we're here Lois."

Lois nodded to him to show she'd heard, "Listen Chloe, I have to go, we're at the police station. So I'll call you later."

Lois placed her phone in her back pocket, wrapping her coat tightly around her before she joined Clark at the other side of the truck, ready to enter the police station. Clark glanced down at Lois and smiled before he placed his hand at the back of her nape, gently squeezing once and then letting go. They walked up the steps together, entering through the double doors into the busy commotion of police activity. Lois saw officers walking around from one place to other, some going up in elevators and others making themselves a cup of coffee – even police officers needed a boost.

Clark walked with Lois towards the big wall to wall counter at one side of the room, making eye contact with the receptionist there.

"Hello, how may I help you" the receptionist greeted them.

Lois, like in most situations, decided to take charge by placing herself in front of Clark, placing her hands firmly on the counter, leaning forward and beginning with, "You can help us by giving us the names of the officers who investigated the Sloan magician murder. She smiled a warm smile at the male receptionist – a little smile could get her a long way.

Clark remained bemused at Lois's actions, frowning at the back of her head, his eyes scrunched in thought, but the receptionist's answer to Lois's subtle demand interrupted his runaway his thought about how to strangle Lois Lane.

"Sorry ma'am, but that case was closed a month ago. No further interviews are allowed."

Lois furrowed her brows, refusing to back down, "well, you see, I'm wanting to know a little about this case-"

Her words were cut off as Clark came closer behind her, placing his large hand to one side of her on the desk near hers, saying, "Miss Lane and I are from the Daily Planet. We're looking to revisit the case. Can you please tell us if the officers are in and ask them if they can make time for us?"

The reception, clearly perplexed at the sight of these two reporters, hesitated before picked up the phone and dialling up to the offices. Lois watched him make the call and listened avidly to his conversation to make sure he really told them like it was, while Clark measured the activity which surrounded them.

It was like a zoo in here, for a better word. Officers and people moving about, having to squeeze past each other at some points because of the lack of space and the cramped quarters – the situation was better back at the Planet. One of the suspects brought in for questioning, caught his eye and gave him the evil glare – his eyes bloodshot and a huge silver earring decorated one of his cut up ears. Likely been in a fight, Clark assumed.

Lois' unconscious movements brought her closer to him; her back now pressed lightly against his front, leading him to glance down at her head. She wasn't even aware.

When one of the officers had to drag the suspect into an interview room, Clark wondered why the crime rates were so high. But he knew the answer – it was a rhetorical question his mind asked several times a day.

"Miss Lane and Mr..."

"Kent," Clark switched his attention back to the receptionist, "it's Clark Kent."

"Mr Kent," the receptionist finished, "you'll be seen now. Officer McGregor and Detective Malone will see you now. If you'd like to go up?" He gestured towards one of the elevators, "the sixth floor and second room on the right."

"Thanks," Lois gave him a big smile before twisting her head to look up at Clark.

"Come on," he said, grasping her arm to pull her along through the crowd.

"Since when have you taken the lead?"

"Since today," Clark's deep baritone leapt straight down her back at the close proximity, "this place is heaving with people. Not to mention that half of these people have been brought in for one thing or another."

"When have you turned the cynical one? Weren't you the one who said innocent until proven guilty?" Lois quirked her mouth at him.

Clark grinned down at her, his hand tightening on her arm which did not go unnoticed by her. "I did say that, and I stick by it but no one said that you couldn't be careful."

"I'd say your beliefs are changing," she chuckled.

Just before they reached the elevator, one of the suspects who'd been brought in, bumped into Lois, causing her to stumble and forcing Clark to grasp her around the waist. After she righted herself, she looked up at Clark and he at her – their silent communication lasting several seconds until the elevator door blinked open and Clark pushed her in.

"Hey, watch it Smallville! These shoes," she glanced down at her black court shoes, "do not show mercy. And I've broken a pair yesterday."

Clark stared at her as if she'd uttered the Ten Commandments, he was that confused by her reasoning. She was jostled around and she wanted to save her shoes? Clark shook his head incredulously, waiting for the elevator car to reach the sixth floor.

"Some could liken you to a Neanderthal at that move, Smallville," Lois stated, her voice steeped with great sincerity.

Again Clark was silenced into bemusement. The stuff she came up with was priceless and to look at her, he would have never guessed her to be so feisty if he hadn't known her. "Really Lois, I'm sure that's stepping a step too far," he drawled, his eyes daring her to oppose him.

"Oh I wouldn't exactly say that. I mean, you're not pretty far off," Lois rattled on, eyes lit with glee, "just strip and stand buck naked like you did the first time I met you and you could pull off the whole Neanderthal act."

She couldn't believe she'd just said that. Lois removed her eyes from his widened gaze, suddenly finding great importance with her shoes. Her face burned with mortification at what she'd just spoken aloud – Smallville naked? And just before she thought she was going to faint from embarrassment, the elevator door pinged open and she rushed out like there was no tomorrow.

Clark couldn't speak – that was happening a lot lately. Had Lois just said what he thought she had?

Maybe the world had spun upside down.

"Right here, this is the room. Second room on the right, yeah?" Lois asked and without waiting for an answer or looking his way, she pushed the door, rushing in.

Man, she couldn't believe she'd said the words naked related to Smallville, out loud – how was she ever going to get over this?

When Clark strode into the room, he noticed things which Lois had missed, for one thing; the row of desks on the left side. She'd continued walking until she was standing against a wall where there were no people. He waited for her to become conscious of her mistake and grinned when he saw her puzzled face. She looked around, assessing if anyone had seen her commit such an act and then walked over to the desks.

"Hello? Is there a Detective Malone anywhere around here?"

Clark joined Lois' side when a tall man with dark hair and a strong gait stepped toward them.

"I am Detective Malone," he said, "and you must be Miss Lane and Mr Kent. This here," he indicated to a younger man, "is officer McGregor."

They introduced themselves to each other, catching glances from others working in the room then and again. It wasn't everyday that a couple of reporters were actually welcomed into their home abode.

"Shall we take a seat elsewhere? There seem to be too many people in here," Detective Malone smiled, but that smile didn't reach his eyes. So, obviously he wasn't very happy about them being here.

The younger officer didn't seem overly concerned, apparently filling in for his part. Someone as lowly as him in the police department wasn't considered an asset by the higher ranked members. He was just obeying the orders which had been given to him – to meet with the two reporters who were here to question about a month old (closed) case, which he'd been the officer to report in.

Seeing that they had been into their discussion for a half hour and gotten through the gritty-nitty part of the case, the younger officer took himself out of the room to collect snacks for them.

Lois was amazed at the information which was unloaded. There were so many options she could take to get herself deeper into the story – not only had it been a supposed suicide but there had been a note left by the magician, asking that his magician's studio go to one of his students. At the piece of information, Lois's mind had started working faster because she was sure that there was more to this case than met the eye.

Detective Malone informed them that the case had been closed as they were unable to follow any leads and because to all intents and purposes, at the end of it all, it had looked like a suicide. The post-mortem had been unable to impart them any great discoveries.

Lois had acted the willing female to hear his reasons for allowing her and Clark to have an interview with him. In his mind, he wasn't all that bothered what happened now since the case was very unlikely to be re-opened, oh so he'd said, and he hadn't been all that concerned since the magician had been one of those odd ones. All in his own words – exactly the phrase he'd used – one of the odd ones.

When Lois and Clark left the building, they were accosted with busy traffic and people rushing past. It was one busy day.

"So what do you think?" Lois asked Clark, desperate to get away from the subject of her earlier naked comment, as she'd been able to achieve through the interview with the Detective.

"Lois, watch where you're going," was his answer. She'd stepped into the road when a car had zoomed straight past, punching the horn.

Lois didn't tell him that her mind had been preoccupied with sorting out her new worries.

Clark frowned down at her, pulling his suit forward in his grasp after he'd taken it off. It was pretty hot under the Metropolis sun.

"Okay, I got it," she said as they eventually crossed the road and got into the truck. "So tell me, what did you think?"

Her question held a note full of satisfaction as she'd known that this story was huge.

Clark gave her a wry glance, his eyes momentarily caught on a stray strand of her hair. "I admit it. You were right and I was wrong – not that I didn't already know that this was big. I just didn't want you to get involved."

"Smallville," she popped her eyes at him mock dramatically, "My hero." Then she added seriously, "Clark, I'm a reporter. We get into the thick of things, even if that is danger. It goes with the territory. You know that. Just think of it this way – I get into trouble and you help me get out of it, although I don't always need your help."

Clark grinned at her solemnity and thought how cute she looked sitting there all ruffled and defensive, with that touch of unwavering resolve. Then he shook his head as he rolled the truck down the busy road – he couldn't be thinking Lois Lane as cute. That was like saying a bull had a sweet nature.

Clark smiled to himself.

Lois turned her head in time to catch that smile, and contemplated on whether to call him out on it – but then it could be about her earlier comment she'd made in the elevator car. Better not to risk it, she finalised.

On the other hand...no!

While Clark drove the truck back to the Planet, they sat in silence, Lois's mind filled with thoughts on this very intriguing case. She knew that they were opening up a whole can of worms – dangerous ones at that – but then, those stories mostly turned out the best.

At the end, she'd have a front page by-line – sharing said by-line with Clark – only a minute detail. She could afford to be generous since he was helping her out and all. Oh and what about her resolution? – The one that if he chose to partner her on this, then she'd drag him everywhere? It had already begun.

Inwardly, Lois Lane grinned a very wicked smile.

Back at the Planet, the pair chased up old leads, looking for contact details for people who lived or still live around the area where magician Malone was found dead.

Through the rest of the day Clark brought over mugs of coffee, always refilling hers before it ran out. This gesture was so kind that Lois smiled a gentle smile at his behaviour. She would admit that he looked after more than she looked after him and it was a gentle thought.

She'd been brought up a tough General's daughter with no mother and a younger sister she'd practically raised. But sitting here now at this desk, at the Planet, in the middle of Metropolis; she was a happy woman. She had friends all around her and that was what she was most thankful for.

"Do you want to catch a meal before we head home?" Clark's deep voice brought Lois back from her daydreams.

Lois thought about what he'd asked and thought why not? It couldn't hurt. "Yeah, that's great. I've got the time and it's not like I have any big plans to eat at the Talon."

Clark grinned a huge grin – one that almost split his face in half.

"So what you're really saying Lois," he held out her coat for her, "is that you prefer my company to no company?"

Lois balked at the idea, fastening her coat on; she didn't see his laughing eyes when she replied, "Please! Do not get ahead of yourself here, farm boy. I am merely accepting a free meal from a friend who offered." Lois said, so pleased with herself at the warming conclusion.

Clark raised an eyebrow so high, Lois believed that it might have gone under his hair line, were it not there. "Who said anything about it being a free meal?"

Lois raised her chin in the air, perfecting someone with a haughty attitude down to a t, "why, you of course. A free meal for me – I deserve one after all the hard work I've put in today."

At that statement and look from Lois, Clark's deep laughter bubbled out, uncontainable. His laugh was rich and warm, and Lois almost lost herself in it until they stepped out into the dark, cold of outside. The air rushed her and she breathed in the fresh air after remaining cooped up so long in the building.

"Come here," Clark called over to her, as he gathered her to him to fight off the cold air and walked the few blocks to the restaurant, deciding to come back for their cars later.

Lois shivered from the cold and from something else too but she stubbornly chose not to acknowledge that.

"So, what will you buy for me?" Lois began; her warm breath visible in the cold air. "Let's see...you could get me a tomato soup with bread for the starter so that I warm up and then a salad or something. Ooh and then you could get me some steak – all juicy and full so that I have a full stomach to face the day tomorrow." Lois's voice drifted down the street as they walked. "And...wait for it...a big piece of double chocolate truffle cake which will leave me all happy, meaning you won't have to face a grumpy me tomorrow," she concluded.

Clark smiled indulgently down at her head as she blathered on about random stuff and they carried on walking down the blocks. Clearly she'd forgotten about the comment she'd made in the elevator or she wouldn't have been this comfortable with him and would have refused to take shelter under his arm.

"You know what I think Smallville? I think you should hire me a private cook so that when I want food, he can make it..."

End Note: Expect the next chapter up sometime in the next two weeks as I'm focused on finishing I Want You. Thanks to those who've reviewed, even if only a few and to all reading this fic. If I don't get as many reviews, I may put this story on hold for a while so that I can focus on my others - there's no point rushing to get this one done if not many people are enjoying it. Sorry to those who are, but I will continue it - I enjoy this fic myself so I won't stop.

Please read and review!

Bye!