A/N: Please leave a review, feedback is welcome.
It had been three days since Amber had been dropped into Lois's life and she found she quite liked the busy reporter. Lois had stayed out or stayed up late working on a story the last two nights so Amber had taken it upon herself to cook dinner. She wanted to thank Lois for letting her stay and also help out in any way she could. Lois had been very appreciative that Amber had cooked; Amber got the impression Lois didn't cook much.
On the third evening the two women were sitting in front of the television set painting their nails and watching the news. Lois would add in snippets of information about the stories which the news reporter didn't mention. Amber was surprised at how much the small pieces of information changed the story. They were giggling over a story Lois was telling when her telephone rang. The loud chimes cut through their giggles and Lois got up to answer it.
Amber watched the commercials as Lois spoke on the phone; she tried to focus on the television but still picked up snippets of the conversation. "I can't go to Rome, I have…yes chief I understand, are you sure no one else can do it?" Amber's head twitched at Lois's words but she managed to keep herself from turning and eyeing Lois. "When would I be heading over?...Tomorrow at 8am! Okay, okay, yes I understand. See you tomorrow morning." Lois hung up the telephone and walked back over to Amber. Lois sat down on the sofa that Amber was in front of. She turned and looked up at Lois, "Everything okay?"
"Not really Amber. That was my boss, Perry White. Apparently there's a huge drug scandal going on in Rome which he wants me to cover. He wants me to fly over there tomorrow morning to start getting leads for the story." Lois said troubled. Amber could see Lois's dilemma, while there was a story she needed to pursue in Rome there was guest in her apartment she had agreed to take care of.
"You'd be more comfortable with me staying somewhere else while you're over there." Amber stated. Lois smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry Amber I can't get out of this story. Mr White has already booked the plane tickets."
"Lois its fine, I completely understand. I wouldn't expect you to put your career on hold because I was staying in your apartment. I'll just book a hotel; do you know how long you'll be over there for?" Amber said blowing on her freshly painted nails.
"Honestly I can't even give you an estimate. Because it's so early in this scandal there's almost no information about it. I have to start from just about nothing for this story." Lois replied reaching for her packet of cigarettes. Amber hummed in thought; staying long term in a hotel would be very costly.
Lois shook her lighter trying to get it to light, "Damn thing. I should quit smoking; you know they say it can cause lung cancer." Lois said with a cigarette pressed between her lips. Suddenly she looked up with a cry, "Oh! I know someone who might help us." Amber, who was chewing the inside of her cheek, raised an eyebrow in question.
"I work with this guy; he's really dull but super nice." Lois said putting the cigarette back in the packet.
"Guy?" Amber questioned.
"I work with a man called Clark Kent, he's such a sweet guy. You'll really like him. Anyway, he might be able to help us out with this situation."
"Are you suggesting I stay with a total stranger while you're overseas?" Amber asked disbelievingly. "If you're comfortable with it, I'll call him right now." Lois said not looking up. Amber was speechless, her mouth hung open for a few moments until she snapped it shut. She was far from comfortable with the idea of staying at a stranger's house, no matter how well Lois knew him.
Amber didn't get another chance to say anything as Lois was already punching in a number into her telephone. Lois tapped her foot on the floor waiting for an answer. Finally she spoke, "Clark! Hi, it's Lois. Could you come over tonight? I need to ask you a favour. Thanks, bye!" It sounded to Amber like Lois barely let the man speak before she hung the phone up and walked back over to Amber smiling.
"Right, while we're waiting for Clark, would you like to help me pack for Rome?" Lois asked tucking her hair behind her ears. "Oh, um, I'll help in a minute, I just need some air" Amber said heading for the balcony door before Lois could answer. The door shut with a snap and Amber let out a growl. How dare Lois think she was okay with staying at a stranger's house. Not in a million years! She thought to herself.
"You said you'd be around if I ever needed you. I need someone to talk to, does that count?" Amber whispered out into the cold night air. She didn't expect Superman to appear in front of her, she didn't expect anything. She just kept talking out loud. "How do I know I can trust this Clark friend of Lois's? Well I can't. He's a total stranger! Even if I do meet him tonight that doesn't change a thing. I don't know what to do; I don't think I have any other options. What would you do if you were me? I wish I wasn't in this situation." Amber scuffed her feet on the ground and rested her chin on her palm, and her elbow on the balcony ledge.
"Do you think my opinion would help?" his strong voice cut through Amber's thoughts and she spun around startled. Superman was flying downwards, his feet touching the ground after a few moments. Superman walked towards Amber and moved some hair out of her face. "You look much better than when last I saw you."
His comment didn't register with Amber; she just stared at him wide eyed "did- did you hear me?" Superman shrugged, "I was passing by and I recognised your voice." He moved away and strolled around the balcony. "So what would you do if you were in my situation?" Amber asked Superman. He turned and smiled, "Well I happen to know Clark Kent, he's a good friend of mine. I trust him as much as I trust Lois."
"So you're saying that because you know and trust Clark Kent I should too?" Amber asked defensively. Superman laughed which confused Amber, "absolutely not Amber, I just hope my opinion eases your worries. Weather you decide to trust Clark is entirely up to you." Superman was back in front of Amber now and she sighed.
"I don't see a point in trusting people, you get hurt no matter what" Amber said looking down at her feet. Superman lifted her chin so she was looking into his bold, blue eyes, "trusting in people is everything Amber." He said earnestly before stepping away and disappearing into the night just as Lois opened the balcony door.
"Is everything okay Amber? You've been out here for a while now" Lois asked looking worried. Amber walked towards her, "Yeah I'm fine, just worried Clark won't like me I guess." She slipped passed Lois and into the apartment not seeing Lois's lips purse together.
Amber was packing clothes into Lois's suitcase when they heard knocking from the front door. "That's him." Lois said throwing the dresses she held up by the hangers on the bed. Amber followed her out to the front door. "Just wait on the sofa sweetie" Lois said to Amber as she checked her hair and teeth in the wall sized mirror.
"Sure." Amber said simply as she quickly stepped over to the sofa. She tensely sat on the edge of the cushion and listened to the door open.
"Hi Clark, come on in."
"Hi Lois, it was nice to get a phone call from you, even if it was this late. How are you?"
Amber stood up when Lois walked over with a tall man wearing glasses following closely behind her.
"I'm great thanks Clark. Listen, I want you to meet somebody. This is Amber." Lois said motioning to Amber. She smiled blasé, and Clark stared at her for a moment then smiled, "oh, hello Amber, I'm Clark Kent."
"Hi Clark, it's nice to meet you." Amber noticed he had very blue eyes hidden behind the glasses he wore. "Clark would you like a drink?" Lois said drawing his attention back to her. "Oh yes thanks Lois, just a glass of water would be great." He said looking at her almost captivated, though Lois didn't notice.
"Amber would you like something?" She asked tucking hair behind her ear. Amber nodded, "water for me as well, thank you."
"Okay, well make yourselves' comfortable and I'll be right back." Lois disappeared into the kitchen and Amber sat down on the sofa while Clark sat opposite to her on a recliner. She studied him properly. He was tall but hunched over a little, he had a strong jawline, his hair was very neat and he wore a plain suit. Lois had mentioned something about him being very dull and Amber had to admit his dress sense was a little flat, but he didn't look dull to her. In fact something about him was very familiar. Amber couldn't figure out what it was but it was there, like an itch she couldn't scratch.
"So" he cleared his throat and pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. "How do you know Lois?" He asked. "I've been living with her the past few days, Superman introduced me to her" Amber said as Lois returned with three glasses of water. "Superman asked me to lend my spare room to her as a favour, she needed somewhere to stay until she found herself a job and place to live" Lois said putting the glasses on the coffee table.
"Oh I see, that was awfully kind of you Lois." Clark said taking one of the glasses. "I was happy to do it," Lois said smiling at Amber who returned the smile, "But we've got a bit of a problem. The chief called me earlier tonight. He needs me to fly to Rome tomorrow morning to cover a story there and Amber needs somewhere to stay while I'm gone."
Amber watched Clark's face; he nodded as Lois spoke, looked back at Amber and was silent for a few moments. "When do you leave Lois?"
"Tomorrow morning at eight" Lois said not at all surprised with how surprised Clark looked. "Ah. Well doesn't really give us any time to get to know each other Amber." Clark said looking back at Amber who hummed her agreement. "Well…I suppose I can help you out Amber, if you're comfortable with staying with me." Clark said to Amber who studied him again. She thought about what Superman had said but deep down she knew she didn't really have a choice.
"That is very generous of you Clark, I'm very grateful." Amber's words made Clark smile, "well it's settled then." Lois cried out happily, "oh thank you Clark!" Clark grinned and Amber noticed the captivated twinkle in his eyes again. She could see Clark liked Lois. More than just work colleagues.
"Thank you Clark, I promise I'll stay out of your way while I'm there." Amber said squeezing her finger to stop the grin she felt coming on at Clark's love filled gaze on Lois. "Oh I doubt you'd get underfoot Amber," Clark said politely. "So what are the arrangements?"
"Well I need to go to the Planet to pick up my plane tickets tomorrow morning so I was thinking I could drop Amber off there and she could go home with you at the end of the day?" Lois asked both Clark and Amber. Amber just nodded her agreement with a shrug while Clark verbally agreed that that plan would work just fine.
"So, do you need a ride to the airport?" Clark asked hopefully. "Oh no that's okay Clark I'll take a cab." Lois said finishing her water; Amber couldn't help but feel bad for Clark. It was a sweet thing to offer but she could see it wasn't the way to get Lois's attention.
"Anyway I should get back to packing. Please excuse me." Lois got up and left Amber alone with Clark. She took a sip of water and looked down at her hands not knowing what to say. When she finally looked up Clark was studying her, he smiled when their eyes met. "I suppose you need to go pack some things too." Clark said putting his empty glass down.
"Yes, I suppose I do." Amber replied distantly, thinking about the clothes she'd like to pack. She snapped out of the thought and focused back on Clark. "Thank you for this Clark, it's incredibly nice of you. I'm very grateful" Amber was going to continue but Clark waved his hand dismissively,
"My parents raised me to be kind. I'm sure if the roles were reversed you'd do the same thing. You seem like a very nice young lady Amber." Clark's words made Amber laugh, "That's sweet of you to say." Clark smiled then straightened up,
"Amber that I understand the idea of staying with a total stranger is uncomfortable and normally you wouldn't do it but I can see that this is your only option so I want you to know that you can ask me anything and that I don't want to be a stranger to you. I want you to be comfortable staying in my home."
Amber was quite taken aback by Clark's upfront honesty, "thank you Clark." She murmured.
"Anyway, it's getting late I better get going. It was lovely meeting you Amber." Clark stood up and there was as awkward pause where neither of them knew weather to hug or shake hands. Amber giggled and they settled for shaking hands and Clark smiled before adjusting his glasses.
"I'll just say goodbye to Lois. Goodnight Amber."
"Goodnight Clark." Amber said. She picked up the empty glasses and took them to the kitchen. Clark knocked of Lois's bedroom door and she opened it within seconds.
"Oh are you heading off?" Lois said coming out of the bedroom and closing the door behind her. "Yes I just wanted to say good luck with the story."
"Thank you Clark, and thank you for helping me out with Amber. I owe you one" Lois said reaching up and giving him a quick hug which caught Clark off guard, he brought one arm up around her before Lois pulled away still smiling. "Goodnight Clark" Lois said stepping away from him. "Goodnight Lois, have a safe trip." Clark said as Lois walked back into her bedroom. Not for the first time, Clark saw himself out.
Amber looked at the tattered backpack; it was far too small to fit everything she needed into it. Luckily Lois had a spare suitcase in her wardrobe. She pulled it out, shook off the dust bunnies and gave it to Amber. It was huge, coming up to Amber's hip. She managed to fit everything she needed, including toiletries which made Amber very happy. One bag, little fuss. The zipper closed the lid of the suitcase smoothly and Amber put it by the front door before snuggling into bed to get as much sleep as possible before being woken up early to next morning by Lois. Though she wasn't comfortable with staying at Clark's she knew it was her only option so Amber decided to go with it and keep herself out of the way until Lois got back.