Chloe froze and turned around slowly, working feverishly to try and place the voice that was addressing her. Behind her stood a middle aged man in a rumpled suit, running his hand through his equally rumpled salt and pepper hair, and she immediately felt her stomach drop. It was Perry White.
"You look like someone I met once along time ago Miss Lane."
The intern whipped his head back and forth. "I knew I recognized you! I just saw you on the news!"
Chloe shot Clark an anxious glance over her shoulder as Perry brushed past the boy, slapping him congenially on the back. "Could you excuse us for a moment?" He asked and the boy nodded, stumbling as he backed away. "I just wanted to congratulate you on your performance out there." Perry walked over to Chloe, spying the name plate in her hand. "Chloe Sullivan. That name rings a bell as well." His eyes twinkled mischievously. "Friend of yours?"
"Mr. White." Chloe stalled; even though she had doubted he would actually remember her after so many years and after such a brief meeting, she still couldn't believe she had forgotten that one of the top reporters at The Planet knew her and that it could be a problem. Jimmy and Kahn were nothing, but she had no idea how Perry would react. "I can explain." She blurted out, knowing she was caught.
Perry waved his hand dismissively. "Don't get all riled up Sullivan." He whispered. "I just wanted to see your reaction is all, have a little fun." Chloe felt her nerves begin to calm. "Kahn already filled me in on this little charade this afternoon."
"Wait, she did? Why?"
Perry perched himself on the corner of the desk and shrugged his shoulders. "Honestly? No clue. All she said is that I needed to know this kind of stuff for the future." He loosened his tie and shook his head. "She doesn't even know I had already met you years ago..."
"Kahn told me no one would even notice if I suddenly had a different name. I didn't forget that we met but, but I really didn't think you would even remember me." Chloe interrupted.
"... and that I had been following your career in The Planet all this time."
"I can't believe you remembered me. I'm flattered." Chloe stopped abruptly. "Wait, you follow my work?" She asked cautiously, trying not to get overwhelmed by the compliment.
"Well not the obits and stuff." Perry laughed. "But seeing as how you were one of the best damn cub reporters I've ever met—and that tends to make an impression on me—it seemed reasonable to keep an eye on you, especially when I heard you were working here." He stood up and outstretched his hand towards hers. "And I must say that the bylines you garnered were good, but nothing compared to your Luthor Corp expose. Congrats, you've just made it to the big leagues." Chloe shoved the name plate into her coat pocket and shook his hand eagerly. "Besides, I have a soft spot for those who aren't afraid to take on the Luthors. That's the first mark of a good reporter in my eyes."
Chloe beamed silently and Perry glanced upwards, seemingly becoming aware of Clark's presence for the first time. He looked him up and down before he stepped forward, wagging his finger. "I know you. You're that Kent boy. Kid from flying tractor town. How the hell are you doing?" He stuck out his hand towards him and Clark reached out to meet it, shaking it vigorously. "Still burying the lead?"
"Actually, I haven't had much time for journalism right now."
"That's a shame." Perry replied, placing his hands on his hips and staring at him disapprovingly. "You have promise and I hate to see that go to waste."
"Well, I mean I have been considering re-enrolling in college, maybe transferring to Met U and taking a few journalism classes." Clark said hurriedly.
"You have?" Chloe said, surprised. "Since when? Why haven't you told me?"
Clark shrugged his shoulders and gave her a knowing smile. "I don't know. I've been thinking about it for a while. Besides, we can call it payback for you keeping me in the dark about all of this."
Chloe laughed and Perry cut in. "Well if you do ever get around to that, I want you to know my offer still stands, to put in a good word for you around here." He looked at Clark awaiting a response, to which Clark simply smiled, before speaking to Chloe again. "Anyways, the other reason I came down here was to tell you I intercepted your stuff, so if you'll follow me this way." He beckoned towards the door and the three of them filed out into the hallway and stepped into an open elevator. "Come on kiddies—going up." He hit a button and the doors slid shut, leaving them riding in silence. When it finally re-opened they all stepped out onto a floor full of large, well appointed mahogany desks flanked by wide windows and topped off by ornate, colorful crystal lighting fixtures hanging from the ceiling. They both followed as Perry led the way down the aisle coming to a halt in front of an empty desk with a cardboard box atop it. "There's your stuff."
Chloe shot him a bemused look, knowing full well that her mouth was hanging wide open. He head was spinning, her heart thumping loudly, as something shiny glinted in the sun, catching her eye. Slowly approaching the desk she saw the name Lois Lane inscribed on a name plate for all to see. "Is this my desk?" She asked breathlessly, almost afraid of the answer.
"Yep, it's yours." Perry smiled proudly. "I told you that you had made it to the big time."
Chloe shook her head in disbelief, placing the name plate down and lurching forward in one swift movement to throw herself up against Perry, her hands clamping tightly around his neck. "I, I don't know what to say." She murmured, holding back tears of joy. "Thank you. Tell Kahn I said thank you."
Perry stiffened up, his arms hanging at his sides, looking to Clark for help. Clark looked the other way to hide his amusement and Perry tentatively raised a hand to her back. "Um, you're welcome." He said, patting her uncomfortably. "And just so you know, second mark of a good reporter—no hugging."
"Oh, of course." Chloe winced and pulled away. "I guess I let my emotions get the best of me. It won't happen again."
"Yeah, see that it doesn't." He agreed a little too quickly, obviously flustered. "Uh, well," He began, running his hand through his hair once more, searching for something to say. "I promised I'd let Kahn know how the big surprise went and everything." He began to walk back towards the exit when he turned and called over his shoulder to Clark. " Kent, don't forget about my offer." He jumped into an empty elevator and grinned wildly. "Just think, if you work hard enough, one day you could be working alongside the great reporter Lois Lane!"
"I bet you never thought you would ever hear the words great reporter and Lois Lane in the same sentence." Chloe whispered as the doors started to close after him.
"Well as long as it's referring to you." Clark whispered back, giving her a wink.
"Lois and Clark." Perry called out, holding the door open. "Think about it kiddo."
As soon as Perry disappeared from sight Chloe lost all her regained composure and cried out gleefully. "Look Clark, Tiffany lamps! Oh, and I have a view!" She squealed as she leapt over to the window like a child. Chloe placed her hands up against the glass and looked downwards, the busy city moving like tiny dots below them. "Come look!"
Clark ventured over and took a quick step back. "Woah, we're pretty high."
Chloe ignored him and continued gazing out, leaving a hot, steamy trail of breath of the glass. "I can't believe this. In one day my whole life has changed. I've finally achieved something I've been working so hard for, and in the weirdest way imaginable. Like some sort of bizarre dream."
Clark stared at Chloe's back and pulled out her chair, taking a seat. "Yeah, it's like I go away for a few days and everything has changed."
Chloe turned around. "Well, not everything. No one is more freaked out by today than me, but just because Lois did something incredibly stupid and now I have to go by a new name professionally doesn't change who I am."
"I know that." Clark looked hurt and slightly embarrassed. "I guess I didn't fully realize what all of this meant. You've made it to the big time. Perry said so. And you're famous now."
"Are you worried that I am going to get some big ego now or something?"
"Bigger than it is now? No."
Chloe crossed her arms and laughed. "Thanks."
"What I mean is now that you're up here running with the big dogs you'll be busier than ever and won't have time..." Clark trailed off and Chloe came over to him, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I'll always have time for you." She said firmly, anticipating his worries. "Besides, next week another huge story will break and I'll be old news."
"You're probably right."
"Thanks again." Chloe feigned insult and removed her hand after a swift whap to his chest. "You were supposed to say oh no, you are the greatest thing since sliced bread and the Pulitzer is so yours!"
Clark smiled and looked up into her eyes. "Well, it probably will be—someday. After all you are the great Lois Lane."
"And don't you forget it." She laughed, puffing out her chest and holding her head up high. "Someday you could be working alongside me!"
"Perhaps."
Chloe sat down on the edge of her desk, picking at the items stuffed into the box. "Oh really? You seemed rather indifferent to the idea actually."
"Well maybe the idea is growing on me."
Chloe reached deep down into the box and pulled out a bronze paper weight in the shape of The Daily Planet's globe and placed it on the desk. "And may I ask what is the reason for your sudden change of heart?"
"Don't think I'm crazy or anything." Clark insisted, leaning forward. "I like the way Lois and Clark sounds. Silly reason maybe, but it makes sense somehow. It just feels right."
Chloe smiled wistfully, thinking the exact same thing.
