Chapter 10: In the Open
Hannah lay on the floor of Lois's living room, smiling up as her dad and DJ played peek-a-boo with her using one of her clean burp rags. The game was something Martha did with Hannah many times during her visit, and DJ had picked up on it the night they went over to Clark's apartment for supper. And once Clark noticed how much fun both DJ and Hannah were having, he knew he had to join in and enjoy the smiles and giggles the game incited in his daughter.
"Peek…a-boo," DJ exclaimed as he removed the rag from over Hannah's face. She made a small noise and smiled, and her hands reached up for the rag. She gave up quickly, and DJ again placed the rag over her face and repeated the action.
Clark was content to sit back and watch DJ play with Hannah. Though he didn't know for sure, Clark suspected that DJ was beginning to see Hannah as a younger sister. He remembered being DJ's age and wanting desperately to have a younger brother or sister to play with, someone to shower with affection and love. Such an event never happened for Clark, but he was glad he could give that to DJ, even if Hannah wasn't really his sister.
"Clark, it's your turn." DJ had practically climbed into Clark's lap where they sat on the floor and handed him the rag. Clark took it, but instead put it over DJ's head before pulling it away quickly. "Clark," DJ whined jokingly, "with Hannah, not me."
"Why not you?"
"Because, silly. I'm not the baby."
Clark hugged DJ close and whispered in his ear, acting like he didn't want Lois to hear him in the kitchen. "Don't let your mom hear that, Buddy. Moms have this thing where they always call their kids their babies, even after they're grown."
"Does your mom still do that?"
"She does. It's annoying sometimes, but I know it's because she loves me."
DJ said nothing but just smiled, took back the rag, and continued to play peek-a-boo with Hannah. Clark looked toward the kitchen and saw Lois, who was in the middle of wiping down the counter, staring in at them with a mystified look on her face. The small smile that adorned her face was more than enough confirmation for him that he handled the situation appropriately. Without a word, she went back to wiping down the counter and he went back to playing with Hannah and DJ.
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For some reason, Lois couldn't get enough of watching Clark with DJ. Their conversations were always so easy, so truthful, and the more she saw, the more she found it hard to believe that Clark had only been a father for a couple months. He was a natural and DJ gravitated to him because of it. She loved how, from the very beginning, Clark never showed a bit of fear when it came to her son. Even from that first meeting, Clark jumped right in and simply accepted DJ as an unavoidable part of her life.
She couldn't remember why she had been so worried about letting Clark into this part of her life, simply because he fit so naturally into it. For as many logistical problems they were still feeling their way through, the original concerns she had when they cautiously started their relationship were constantly fading away as if they had never been a concern at all.
In the two weeks since he admitted his love to her though, this was the first time they had the chance to spend the evening together. She could tell that DJ was going through "Clark withdrawals," as she had called them. Lois was suffering from them as well, but she had to keep in mind that she got to see him at work every day. DJ had only talked to him on the phone twice, and both times were only for a couple minutes each time. The boy missed Clark, and she couldn't really fault him for it. So when DJ begged Clark not to leave until he went to bed, Lois could tell that Clark was suffering from DJ withdrawals as well.
Then, DJ insisted that Clark be the one to tuck him in for bed. Lois's heart skipped a beat, and then she put on a show of being hurt. But as DJ pulled Clark back toward his bedroom, Clark turned back toward her and smiled while shrugging his shoulders as if to say, how can I deny him?
Feeling out of place, Lois went back into the living room and wandered aimlessly, not knowing what to do now that she wasn't responsible for making sure DJ was in bed. She checked on Hannah, hoping that maybe the baby was awake and cranky so she could feel needed, even if just for a minute while Clark was occupied. Hannah was sound asleep though, so she sat on the couch and tried to wait for Clark to return from the back of the apartment.
When he didn't return immediately, Lois got curious. What could they possibly be doing back there that was taking so long? Were they sharing embarrassing stories about her again and having laughs at her expense? She wouldn't put it past them. She crept down the hall, careful not to make a sound, and listened behind the partially-closed door.
"Will you be here when I wake up?"
"I…probably not."
She could hear the nervousness in Clark's voice, his careful answers, and she suspected that his body language was saying the same thing. She moved to the other side of the door, making sure she wasn't seen or heard, and grinned slightly when Clark came into view.
"But you're Mommy's boyfriend, right? You should be here more. We miss you when you're not here."
Clark looked down toward the bed, in a way that told Lois that he was caught off guard by DJ's assumption. Frankly, she was, too. And as much as she wanted to jump in there and deny her son's claims, she was more curious as to how Clark would respond. She looked on as he took a deep breath and looked back at DJ, all signs of nervousness gone.
"What make you think I'm her boyfriend?"
"You make Mommy smile, and Mommy never used to smile. Not even when Daddy still lived with us."
Lois's heart wrenched, knowing just how much DJ was aware of her feelings over the last couple years. It hurt to know that DJ could tell that she was sad and lonely, but there was nothing she could do about that now. And, it seemed, DJ was already making a play to make sure she wasn't like that any more.
"Well, how would you feel? If I was your mom's boyfriend, I mean?"
"Would you be here more?"
"Maybe."
"Would you be here when I woke up tomorrow?"
"Let's not push it, Buddy."
Lois stifled a laugh, knowing that Clark's face had to be turning red at DJ's hopefulness. She watched as Clark stood from the bed and started to tuck in DJ.
"Don't worry about tomorrow, DJ. I'll see what I can do about being around more…if it means that much to you."
"And Mommy. Don't forget about Mommy."
"Right. Mommy, too."
Despite it being dark in the room, Lois was sure she saw a big smile come over Clark's face at his last remark. He walked around the bed to the near side of the door and turned off the small bedside lamp next to DJ's bed.
"Goodnight, DJ."
"'Night, Clark. Love you," DJ replied sleepily.
Lois had been starting to walk back down the hallway when she heard her son's declaration. She stopped in her tracks, anxious to hear how Clark would handle this latest bombshell.
"Love you, too, Buddy." His voice was soft and a pitch higher than usual.
Lois walked about halfway down the hallway and rested her back against the wall, waiting for Clark to exit the bedroom. She nervously put her hands in her pockets and smiled in adoration as he came out of the room and turned back to quietly latch the door without even noticing her presence.
Seeing her standing there when he turned around surprised him, and he looked down to the floor and exhaled deeply before meeting her knowing glare. "You heard all that, didn't you?"
"What was your first clue?"
"The same mischievous look you get on your face whenever you know something I don't."
Lois simply nodded, knowing that he had a point. And really, she wasn't all that upset that Clark could tell that about her. In fact, the idea made her smile even wider.
"I guess the question now is if we go ahead and tell him or continue to keep it to ourselves. He already has it figured out."
"You didn't exactly admit to it, though," Lois replied.
"It wasn't my place. He's your son, so you decide when it's appropriate to tell him we're a couple." Clark was standing in front of her now, having walked to her as they were talking. He took her hands in his and gently leaned into her.
"He loves you," Lois confirmed quietly.
"I love him, too."
"Why?"
"How can I love his amazing mother and not love him? Package deal, Lois."
Lois looked him in the eye as she felt a single tear fall down her cheek. Her eyes closed as Clark kissed it away and then leaned his head against hers. And in that moment, she knew.
"I love you, too," she whispered.
"I know."
They remained silent for a time, just cherishing the closeness and emotion of the moment. Lois was the one to finally break the silence. "We'll tell him together the next chance we get. At this point I could really care less if David finds out."
Clark nodded and walked them down the hallway into the living room. "It makes sense. If DJ already thinks we're together anyway, there's nothing to keep him from saying something to David. We might as well remove all doubt and make sure he knows the truth." He went over to the crib and gently picked up his sleeping daughter. "In the meantime, I should get this one home and into bed."
Lois helped him gather up Hannah's things as they shared glances with each other. She walked him to the door and handed him Hannah's diaper bag and kissed him on the lips briefly. "I'll see you tomorrow, then."
He contemplated giving the perfunctory "I love you" but decided against it, not wanting the sentiment to lose its meaning. He instead smiled and kissed her one more time. "Tomorrow," he repeated, before turning and hearing Lois close the door behind him.
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"Lois, I'm off to interview Irons," Clark said from across his desk as he gathered up his pen, reporter's notebook, and audio recorder. "Any last words of encouragement?"
"Eye on the prize, Smallville," she said distractedly from behind her computer, finishing up her sentence before finally looking up and smiling. "Oh, and a few good words about me to our golden ticket wouldn't hurt, either."
"I'm sure he doesn't hate you, Lois. It's quite possible that he's just a little uneasy talking about his past. We have to convince him that this is a past that is best left unburied."
"Which is why you're going and not me," she said as she stood, walking around to his desk so she could give him her full attention for a couple minutes. It was still difficult, even after two months of dating, to not give even the slightest touch when they were at work. As far as their co-workers were concerned, they were partners and friends and nothing else. To touch him and kiss him the way she wanted to right now would start the office talking in a way neither one of them wanted.
"Come by later so I can bring you up to speed?"
"Sure, but not for too long. It's a school night and DJ is going to David's this weekend so we have to pack his things."
Clark nodded as he grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair and headed for the elevator. Lois kept her eyes on his retreating form as he pushed the button, not quite wanting to go about her day just yet. She was rewarded when Clark turned around just before the elevator opened and smiled back at her as if they were the only two people in the room. Too soon, the doors closed and he was off to attempt the impossible.
A ringing phone brought her out of her daydream, and soon enough Lois realized it was her own. "Daily Planet, this is Lois Lane."
"Miss Lane, my name is Elizabeth Brays. I work in Senator Vega's office."
Lois immediately went on the defensive. "Listen, I don't know what the Senator thinks he can accomplish my harassing me at work, but he knows not to contact me here."
"I'm sorry, Miss Lane. I didn't mean to startle you." There was a moment of silence. "Let me try this again. I know you're investigating my boss, and I have some information for you. Can we meet at Delano's Deli in 30 minutes?"
"Sorry," Lois apologized. "I tend to jump to conclusions when I get calls from his office. Delano's in thirty. I can do that."
"And as suspicious as this is going to sound, can we keep this between just the two of us for now? I know you have a partner, but…"
"The fewer who know you're squealing on your boss, the better, right?"
"That's one way to put it, but yes."
"Then that's the way it'll be. See you in thirty."
Lois hung up the phone and replayed the conversation over in her head. How did this woman know to contact her? Worse yet, if this Elizabeth gal knew that Lois was investigating Michael, then how many other people knew? She'd asked questions, but they were always directed more toward Bruno Mannheim. Michael only became involved, at least where her investigation was concerned, in the last few months. All these questions and possible situations prevented her from completing her current article before she had to leave to meet Elizabeth at the deli.
As she walked out to her car, she fumbled with her cell phone. She certainly intended on keeping her promise to Elizabeth, but she felt it was necessary to tell Clark at least something about where she was going. In the end she decided that being evasive but clear was her best bet.
From: Lois to Clark 12:15 p.m. Going to check out a lead. Will be in public, no skulking. Tell you more later.
From: Clark to Lois 12: 18 p.m. You better. Gotta go. Irons just got here. Love you.
From: Lois to Clark 12:20 p.m Good luck. Love you, too.
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"What made you want to start the IronWorks?"
Clark walked down the expansive hallway of what had to be the most technologically advanced building in Metropolis. His tour guide was John Henry Irons, a muscular black man who would look menacing if not for the glasses on his face.
"It's not so much 'why the IronWorks' as it is 'Why Metropolis?' This city is the most advanced city on the eastern seaboard, Clark." They walked in silence for a few yards before John continued. "I'm a researcher first and foremost. I felt like it was time to take control of my future and ensure that my research is only used to help people. So there's the answer to your original question."
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"He's in league with Bruno Mannheim, and I have proof."
Lois tried not to laugh. Tell me something I don't know, lady. But as much as she wanted to, she suppressed her laughter and resolved to let the girl talk. "What kind of proof?"
"Shipment receipts, check stubs, and a handful of visits from Mannheim himself."
"And how did you find out about this?"
"I'm nosy. And I have exceptionally good hearing."
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"Is this on or off the record?"
"Preferably on, but I'll take whatever I can get at this point."
"I designed the BG-60 as a military weapon. Every design I came up with was rejected by the government. They wanted more. The BG-20 and the BG-40 were both sent back as being inadequate for their purposes. I submitted my designs for the BG-60, a weapon strong enough to literally fry its victim, and the military once again asked me to double its output. I balked and quit AmerTek. No one else could duplicate or even decipher the plans, so the military canceled the contract."
"So how do we now have BG-80s littering the streets?"
"That, Mr. Kent, is the million dollar question."
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"How did you know to contact me?"
"Like I said," Elizabeth explained, pointing to her ear. "Good hearing. I overheard your name a few times at the office when the Senator was talking to his son. I recognized your name and planned on contacting you. Before I even got the chance, word got back to Mannheim that you were seen down at the Ace O' Clubs with your partner talking to Bibbo Bibbowski. And since that place is known as a hangout for—"
"Now, wait a second," Lois interrupted, holding her hand out across the table. "Do you expect me to believe that you know all this just from overhearing conversations?"
"Whether or not you believe me is totally up to you, Miss Lane."
"Can't you give me just one piece of hard evidence instead of just things you've heard?"
"Well, there is this..." she said, reaching into her bag and revealing a piece of metal with the word Toastmaster written in bold letters.
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John walked Clark to the door in silence as Clark contemplated everything he'd been told. He never dreamed that he would be walking out of the IronWorks with all this information, even if most of it was off the record for the time being.
"Thanks for taking the time to talk to me, John. I'll do my best to keep this under wraps. If we get to the point where feel we have to use your name, I'll be sure to give you a heads up."
"I appreciate it, Clark. Let me know if I can be of any more help."
Clark simply nodded and walked toward the door, glancing at his watch and seeing that he had roughly 40 minutes before he had to be at the daycare to pick up Hannah.
"Oh, and Clark?"
"Yeah?"
"Tell your partner 'no hard feelings' for me, will you? I was acting on a tip from a business associate to stay away from her."
Clark laughed, understanding why John would take such a suggestion so seriously. "Your associate exaggerates, John. Her bark is worse than her bite."
"Then bring her along next time you stop by. I'll apologize to her in person."
Clark nodded his agreement and stepped out the door, taking in the fact that John Henry Irons had invited him back to tack at more length about his past with AmerTek Industries.
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"I don't know, Lois. It's all a little too convenient for me."
Clark sat at the dining room table feeding Hannah while Lois relayed her conversation with Senator Vega's aide earlier in the afternoon. He wasn't bothered at first that she went to go see this woman without him, but as he listened to Lois he was getting increasingly suspicious.
"I know," she replied, desperate for him to believe they had something solid, "but I think we still need to follow up on it. This could lead to proof that Michael is working with Mannheim."
"She could have found that nameplate on the ground on her way to the deli. It doesn't prove anything."
Lois took a seat at the table across from him, not sure what to say or do. As much as she tried, she found it difficult to catch his eye. He was paying attention to Hannah, watching intently as the baby finished her bottle. It was only when Hannah finished her bottle and Clark put her over his shoulder to burp her that their eyes met. Lois was still reeling, wondering why something exciting like a new source was leading to such a disagreement. She searched his eyes, hoping that hers conveyed her utter dismay at why they were at odds over this issue.
"It proves that she knows something. Clark, this woman knew that I was investigating Michael. David knows that I'm looking at Mannheim but he has no reason to believe that I've connected him to Michael. Even if he did, I don't see Michael bragging about it when he's at the office. He would want to keep it as quiet as possible."
Clark stood and put Hannah in her crib, then returned to the table and his seat. "I don't like it. The whole situation sounds like a set-up of some kind."
Lois came around and table and leaned on it, getting in his face as she tried not to raise her voice. "Maybe. Either way, we can't discount it because it doesn't come in the form we prefer."
Clark paused, not liking the fact that they were on the verge of having a full-fledged argument. They hadn't disagreed on a subject this much since the first week of their partnership, and doing so now was disheartening. He took a deep breath and attempted to compromise. "Fine, but I want to go with you from now on."
"What good is that going to accomplish? She replied, her voice now more emphatic.
"If you don't know why, then I'm not so sure I should tell you," he lashed out in a huff, standing and walking over to the sink and leaning against it.
Lois backed away and stood up, following his retreat to the other side of the kitchen. Her anger was in full force now. "Really, Clark? Are we going to play that game?
"It's not a game," Clark shot back, not looking at her. His grip tightened on the sink, his knuckles turning almost as white as the sink.
"Don't you think I know that? But I don't see how you chaperoning me to meet a source in a public place is going to change anything."
"Damn it, Lois," Clark yelled, turning toward her as he punched the sink. "Didn't you hear a word I told you earlier about what Irons was developing? If it gets any stronger it's practically a hand-held nuclear weapon. It's not about whether or not I trust you, because I do." His voice softened a little when he noticed DJ watching them from the other room. "It's them I don't trust. And I can't lose you."
Lois was ready to fire back at him until she heard the last sentence. And when she followed Clark's eyes and surmised that they had an audience, her voice softened considerably. "I can take care of myself, Clark."
"They can take care of you, too. And that's what I'm afraid of."
The doorbell rang, cutting off any response Lois might have had. Taking a deep breath, her thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of DJ barreling into the kitchen.
"Pizza!"
Clark came back into the dining room with the trace of a smile. "Good call," he said under his breath to Lois.
"The boy loves pizza."
"A trait I'm sure you had nothing to do with."
"Eh," she said, shrugging her shoulders. "I might have helped."
Clark sat the pizza down on the counter and looked across the room where DJ was waiting impatiently for his dinner and leaned in to Lois. "I hate arguing with you," he told her in a quiet voice.
"You can't protect me every minute of every day, Clark."
"But is it so bad that I want to? I know it comes with the job and that sometimes you're—we're—going to find ourselves in precarious situations, but can you really hold it against me that I want to keep you safe?"
"When you go all Neanderthal on me like that? Yes. Been there. Done that. Don't want to do it again."
Clark turned away slightly. "I'm sorry, I—"
"Hey," she said, taking hold of his arm and turning him back to face her. "I do understand, you know. Remember that I have loved ones to look out for, as well. I understand what it means to protect someone." She paused, searching for the right words. "But you have to trust my instincts. As much as I hate to throw it in your face, I've been at this longer than you. I know how to spot a fake when I see one. And my gut tells me this girl is for real."
"Come on, guys. I'm hungry," came the young voice from the dining room. Lois and Clark looked at each other and smiled, recognizing that parenthood was calling.
"Are we going to tell him?" Clark asked.
"We might as well. He seems to have it all figured out anyway." Lois sighed deeply and looked in at her son, who was totally oblivious to his mother's nerves.
"He wasn't upset, you know. I'd even venture to say he was in love with the idea."
"I know, but this makes it real, you know?"
"True," he said, reaching down and taking Lois's hand in support and leaning in closer to her. "But look at it this way: we can be ourselves around him." And to emphasize his statement, he dropped a quick kiss to her temple before taking the pizza to the dining room table.
The three of them got settled and started eating. Clark and Lois watched DJ curiously, looking for just the right opening to drop their not-so-big bombshell. When Clark noticed that Lois had balked no more than three times in less than a minute, he decided to take the lead and do it himself.
"DJ, do you remember the other night when you asked if I was Mommy's boyfriend?"
DJ looked up and nodded with a mouthful of pizza. "Mmmhmm."
"Is that something you would be okay with?" Lois asked, taking the lead from Clark once he got the conversation started.
"Of course. That's why I asked. I don't want you to be sad anymore, Mommy. Clark makes you happy."
And once again, her son had done it. Her five-year-old, who wasn't supposed to be even partially this mature at his age, had gone and said something that brought tears to her eyes. He had no concerns over how this would change his world, simply because he already held Clark in such high regard. He was, instead, happy for his mom. He was able to see that her life had been missing something and that Clark filled that void. And since his mom was happy, he was happy.
And then, just as quickly, he was a child again. "Can I have another piece of pizza?"