I almost married Superman/Clark Kent... it was too real to be a dream.
I've read thousands of lonely hearts letters, written "don't lose hope" a hundred different ways and licked just as many stamps. My eyes started to glaze over when a knock came. I un-enthusiastically called for the intruder to come in without taking my eyes of my current letter.
"Is this the lonely hearts department?" The voice was wonderfully low and familiar.
"Yes it is. If you were a true friend you'd help me go through some of these letters." I smirked.
"That's what you said yesterday. I've come to be a true friend," he replied with a grin. He sat in front of me, picking up a few letters of curiosity. I watched Clark glance over them seeming invested in what he was reading. I took the quiet moment to observe Mr. Kent. His trademark glasses sat squarely on his nose, his hat on the back of his head. Ever since my remarkably vivid dream last night I've watched Clark Kent more closely and searched my own feelings more thoroughly. There is an odd but amazing sense of safety whenever I'm around him. After the episode in Dry Gulch with Gunner Flinch I've realized that Clark is very important to me, and now I may even love him.
"What do you want Clark? I have a feeling you didn't come in here to read unrequited love letters." His molten brown eyes locked on mine. I felt my heart beat a little faster as he smiled.
"Well that depends, Lois. How much needs to be done before you're available for the afternoon?" The question took me by surprise more because of the earnestness in his voice.
"Um... I need to choose at least three more letters and write replies for the evening edition." I thought about it, "Why Clark?"
"Well, Chief's allowing me a break, since we solved the current crime situation, and having me take a crack at covering the Heroes baseball game."
"What does that have to do with me?" I sat back and smiled at him.
"I was wondering if you'd like to go with me? I'd treat you to dinner afterwards." He leaned forward as I processed the request.
"What about the columns?"
He flashed the letters in his hands, "That's what I'm here for."
"You really want this..."I marveled.
He lit up in a coy smile, "You gave away my flowers with my initial invitation this morning. So I figured I'd better not beat around the bush this time."
I felt my eyes bulge in fear. "Oh no! Clark, those were from you? Why didn't you say anything?"
He chuckled, "You were in such a state of delusion that it didn't seem right to confuse you more. You even confused me with Superman!"
I shot him a stern look, "I'm still not so sure I'm confused about that." I'm on to you Mr. Kent.
"Well shall we get started?" I looked at him questionably, but ended up heading him a stack anyway. I watched him scanning letters at an interesting speed. Superman speed... Clark? He looked up to catch me staring. "Lois," he adjusted to question me. "What happened last night to make you hysterical this morning?"
"Oh these letters just got to me," I shrugged off. I went back to the letter in my hand, this was another young lady that couldn't understand why her man got nervous when she casually mentioned marriage.
"Seriously, Lois, I want to know what happened."
"I had a dream, Clark. A very vivid dream. Can we drop it now?"
"Alright, Alright Lois. I will leave you alone about it." He went back to my letters, another two or three flying through his fingers. We read in silence until Clark landed on what he believed was a gold mine. "Listen to this, 'Dear Lovelorn, is it too much to ask for Superman to settle down? Women aren't paying any attention to us 'normal' guys when he is in the air.' It is signed 'Not Quite Superman'." Clark chuckled, but I just raised an eyebrow at him. "Well Lois looks like men can be a little lovelorn too."
"You're the one that knows Superman so well. Is he looking into settling down anytime soon?"
Clark smirked as he glanced at me over his glasses, "He's talked about it, but it would have to be a truly wonderful girl."
"Oh?" I knew that came off a little more interested then I wanted to seem. "Well I have a few ideas about why he doesn't settle."
"Oh?" He hummed.
"Well for one, she would have to be very brave, she would be in constant danger and so she would have to know a thing or two about taking care of herself."
"And the second?
"Well she would have to be okay with sharing him," I sighed, "He'd be around often enough and completely loyal, but she would need to understand that his first priority is Metropolis."
"Not many ladies out there that could do those things," Clark sighed himself.
"Not really. But he deserves someone that he can be himself with," I tried to hint.
Clark got defensive, "What am I, a two day old newspaper?" I growled and threw another stack of letters at him. We fell silent once again I was hoping to catch him doing something Superman-like. I need to know I am right!
"Lois, you are staring at me again," Clark cooed without looking up. I threw up my hands in surrender and turned back to my letters.
