Chloe drummed her fingernails on the counter, watching as the young boy behind it slipped her cash into the register and turned around to fill her order. Another man behind the counter handed Lois a giant, disc shaped Danish and she hungrily bit into it. In the last few months the two had begun the rocky road to starting over after Chloe realized she would be able to move past her betrayal, deciding not to let past events that were out of her control hold her back from having a relationship with her cousin, given that Lois was completely open and honest with her in the future. Since Chloe was busier than usual they had to squeeze in time to see each other and had decided to meet for a quick breakfast before Chloe headed off to work. "So, you said you had some big news?" Chloe asked as she grabbed her latte from the man and made her way through the busy coffee shop to find an empty table.

"Well, sort of, I guess." Lois smiled awkwardly and pulled out a chair from behind a table tucked in a quiet corner. "First though, what's up with the hair?"

"Thanks." Chloe rolled her eyes, dismissing Lois' critical stare. "Let's talk about your big news first."

"Well it's not really big news per say. Well it is news, but it's not that exciting. Actually, I really wanted to get a little feedback on something."

"Lois you're giving me a headache, spill it already."

"I got a job."

"That's great. Doing what?"

"Well you know the past few months haven't exactly been easy, what with almost losing you and then losing my job."

"Uh huh."

"Well, it gave me a lot of time to do some soul searching and I reached a conclusion." Lois paused and began to pick at her raspberry Danish, dissecting tiny pieces as she sat, thinking.

"Which was?" Chloe prompted, taking a sip of her latte.

"When I started my long, strange trip into journalism..."

"Long?"

"Okay, when I hopped on the express train to journalism-ville. Better?" Lois rambled off, sticking her tongue out.

"Much."

"I thought I only enjoyed it because of seeing my name in print and feeling important." Lois looked out the window into the street, frowning. "I'll admit that hardnosed, investigative reportage is definitely not my thing." She continued and Chloe held back a giggle. "But writing, and the general atmosphere of the newsroom was really great and I realized how much I missed it when it was gone." Lois turned back towards Chloe, a shining look of triumph in her eyes. "So I got it back."

"Uh oh, what did you do?"

"I got a job at The Ledger." Lois said proudly, popping a piece of pastry into her mouth. "It's nothing great or anything, and the pay stinks, but it's something I'm much better suited for."

"What do you mean? Are you a secretary or something?"

"I'm the new gossip columnist!"

Chloe blinked in surprise. "Gossip columnist?"

"Yep, celebrity canoodling, who's getting fat and who's getting skinny, stuff like that. Right up my alley." Lois beamed. "The old columnist quit, and since the only requirements were to be able to read, write and be up on all the latest gossip, my boss thought I was perfect for it.

Chloe shook her head. "Gossip columnist, eh? Um, you do know that gossip rags get sued all the time for printing false, damaging stories. You can't just make stuff up."

"I know that. Trust me I've learned my lesson about ethics."

Chloe lifted her cup to her lips. "Well congratulations then. Hopefully this time around you will be ethical—as ethical as a gossip monger can be." Chloe teased. "Just think, two Lois Lanes writing for papers in one family." She winked and took a long sip.

"Yeah about that." Lois fidgeted in her seat. "See, part of the deal I made with Kahn, which I never told you about, was that she insisted if I ever took up journalism again I wouldn't use my real name, so as not to cause any confusion."

"Confusion? Surely people can tell the difference between two different writers that share the same name?"

"That's true. But by confusion what she really meant was—I am a lousy excuse for a journalist and unless I want to wear my ass for a hat I will never use the name Lois Lane professionally again because my unethical and questionable actions would sully the reputation of another, respectable, Lois Lane." Lois paused and took a breath. "Or something like that, I obviously edited out all the numerous profanities."

"Obviously."

"And since I have no doubt that Kahn would track me down and make me wear my—well, you know—for a hat..."

Chloe laughed. "I wouldn't put it past her."

Lois smiled warily. "I decided to use a pen name too. I came up with one and I just wanted to run it by you—Grant."

"That's it?"

"No, I'm not trying to be Cher or anything." Lois laughed. "It would be my last name. I figure since neither your or my mom had a boy to pass on their family name it would be a way to have it live on."

"That's actually kind of sweet." Chloe smiled, standing up and gathering her things. "Come on, let's talk while we walk or I'll be late for work." The pair headed towards the door and entered out onto the sidewalk, moving in the direction of The Planet. "So have you thought of a first name yet?"

"I was thinking something flashy and glamorous. Like Brittany, Brandi, Tiffany, Mandy or CoCo" She purred, waving her hands through the air.

Chloe snorted. "Ok are you listing possible pseudonyms here or members of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders?"

"What's wrong with those names?" Lois asked defensively. "How about something exotic and original like Diamonique?"

Chloe burst out laughing as they crossed the street. "Someone's been watching too much Home Shopping Network!" Lois shot her another look and Chloe shrugged her shoulders. "Why don't you just use your middle name?"

"Catherine?"

"Yeah, it's simple."

"It's not flashy enough."

Chloe shook her head and the two walked in silence for the rest of the way downtown. Lois was deep in thought when they reached The Daily Planet building and Chloe stopped to get a paper from the box on the corner.

"I got it!" Lois yelled out. "How about I shorten Catherine to Cat!"

Chloe slipped her fifty cents in the slot and pulled out a thick copy. "Cat Grant?" She asked, mulling it over for a moment. "You know, that could actually work. You look like more of a Cat Grant that a Lois Lane anyways." She winked.

"Oh I really like it." She grinned, pulling out her cell phone. "I'm going to call my editor and tell him right now!" Lois continued down the street, waving. "I'll call you later!"

Chloe waved goodbye and entered the lobby of The Daily Planet, looking down to see the front page story announcing that the long awaited Lex Luthor trial was scheduled to begin in mere weeks. "It's about damn time." She smirked, studying the accompanying photo of Lex leaving the courthouse, barely hiding his contempt for the hordes of reporters and paparazzi. As she made her way towards the elevators she could feel an odd buzz about the room and looked up to see the heads of those she passed snap towards her. "Maybe I have something on my shoe?" She mused, looking down covertly. Glancing around she noticed people staring at, or directing a few stray winks or odd smiles at her. In the past five months since the Luthor Corp story broke she had experienced a sudden celebrity, one that comes with taking on one of the richest, most influential and powerful men in the country; a celebrity that continued to grow and mature due to a follow up series of articles concerning Lex and Level 33.1, thus making her a household name in Metropolis. But for all the spotlight she received, she was never shown any excessive attention by any of her colleagues at The Daily Planet. In the beginning, when the story was new, she had a few admirers, mostly one or two newbie interns, but the seasoned professionals who had seen it all didn't look at her twice, and she was now unnerved by the sudden interest she was sparking as she strolled through the lobby.

"Maybe I have a kick me sign on my back?" Chloe thought, smiling politely as she passed the receptionist at the front desk who was whispering to another lady and eyeing Chloe. Suddenly she felt a strong burst of air hit her back and turned around to see Clark looming behind her, his brow furrowed in resignation.

"He hates me. I swear he does."

"And good morning to you too." Chloe laughed, taking a sip from her cup and hitting the elevator button. "Are you still afraid of the big, bad professor?" Chloe quipped. Clark had started classes at Met U a month before and his constant paranoia that his journalism professor was out to get him had become a newfound source of amusement for her.

"Cute. No, seriously this guy has it in for me. Maybe this whole journalism thing was a bad idea."

" Clark relax, he's not out to get you." Chloe sighed as the elevator door dinged open and she stepped into the empty car, Clark following suit. "You think Professor Miles is bad, at least you didn't get stuck with Professor Gough like I did. He was the worst. Besides, they're only hard on the ones they think have the most potential. Trust me, I speak from experience."

"Ah, ever the humble one you are."

'No, I'm just being honest." Chloe replied. "And hey, I'm giving you a compliment here." The two smiled at each other as the elevator door slid open to reveal a group of people waiting, chatting animatedly. As the group caught sight of Chloe a hush fell over them and they exchanged sly looks as they filed into the car. The ride upwards was eerily silent and Chloe could hear whispers behind her, her anxiety over the situation growing. As the car stopped and a few passengers got off a man tapped her on the shoulder and winked, followed by a woman who mouthed the words congratulations as she brushed past her.

'Ok, what the hell is going on?" Chloe whined as the doors opened on her floor and they exited out into the hallway. "Am I going crazy or something?"

"What do you mean?"

'The way everyone is looking at me, it's been like this since I walked in the building." She gestured with her hand, sending droplets of coffee to the floor. "People have been giving me odd looks, stopping to smile and point and..."

"Well you are famous."

"Oh come on Clark. No one here gives two hoots about the famous Lois Lane. So why do they care now?" Chloe asked pleadingly, hoping Clark would make some sense out of it all. They turned the corner from the small entrance way into the office. Walking down through the aisle past rows of desks everyone seemed to stop what they were doing, craning their necks to get a good look at her.

"Okay, this has got to stop." She whined, flopping into her chair.

Clark shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe they are just appalled by your hair situation you've got going on there." He grinned wickedly and reached out to twirl a strand of blonde hair around his finger.

" Clark Kent hair police?" Chloe laughed, breaking free by shaking her head, her hair swooshing back and forth. "Ok, I know it looks bad. I've been so busy I haven't had time to breathe let alone get to the hair salon." She ran her fingers self consciously up to her scalp, tracing along the thick strip of dark brown growth at her roots. "But I seriously doubt that's what's eliciting this strong of a reaction."

"There just shocked you're not a true blonde." He continued unabated.

"I guess my dark secret is out now—literally."

Clark smiled and a man rushed past them, thrusting a stack of papers into his hands. "Hey Chicago needs this faxed over asap!" He barked and hurried off. Clark looked dumbstruck and Chloe laughed.

"Ok, it's official. You've spent so much time at The Planet that people actually think you work here!"

They both began to laugh as Clark threw the papers down on Chloe's desk and a voice rang out suddenly. "Hey CK!" The pair looked over to see Jimmy Olsen approaching, grinning wildly and clutching a stack of photos. "Hey Lois." He added a wink and Chloe felt herself groan inwardly; Jimmy always added a little nod or look after he called her Lois, and no mater how much she asked him to stop he persisted. "So have you talked to Perry yet?"

Chloe eyed him suspiciously. "No, why would you ask that?"

"Um," Jimmy's face froze, his eyes darted about the room and his free hand began fiddling with the strap of his camera that hung from his neck. "Uh, well, I don't know. I would just have to say that maybe you should check your email, or something."

"Jimmy, what are you not telling me?"

"Um, well..." Jimmy hemmed and hawed.

"Forget it." Chloe sighed, booted up her computer and logged in, scrolling down through her crowded inbox, past message after message until she saw one from Perry White marked urgent. "Well I'll be damned, a message here from Mr. White." She said in mock surprise, shooting Jimmy a look out of the corner of her eye. She opened the email and read the words "you—my office—now."

"That's a rather cryptic message." Clark said, reading over her shoulder. "I wonder what that's all about?"

"Well, there's only one way she can find out CK, and that's to go talk to him right away!" Jimmy chirped, pulling on her sleeve. Chloe brushed his hand away brusquely and stood up.

"You know what this is all about don't you?" She asked pointedly. Jimmy averted his eyes and suppressed a smile. "Does this have to do with the way everyone is acting today?"

"No comment. See Perry." Clark raised his eyebrows and Jimmy beamed, obviously enjoying holding the information over her head.

"Fine, you boys play nice and I'll be right back." Chloe began to walk away. "Oh and believe me Jimmy, you are so gonna pay for this later!" She cried over her shoulder. Chloe walked swiftly to the elevator, riding it up another few floors and hopping off, headed towards Perry's office. His assistant was nowhere in sight so she walked up to the closed office door and knocked. "Mr. White?" She called, twisting the knob slowly and stepping into the empty room. It had been quite some time since she had been in that office; the décor was decidedly different, the sour smell of smoke was gone, and on the wall hung one simple gold frame containing a front page clipping of The Daily Planet. The big, bold headline proclaimed Kahn to retire; names Perry White Editor in Chief, with a picture below of Perry shaking Kahn's hand flanked by several older men and the owner of The Planet, Mr. Siegel.

About three months after Chloe had settled into her new name, and her new role as the hottest reporter in Metropolis, The Planet experienced a shake-up of its own. After many instances of Kahn joking that she was "getting too old for this" she finally acted on her own words and called a sudden press conference, announcing her plan to retire. It was an idea she had been thinking over for a few months, and that after heavy consideration involving the owner and several chairman of The Planet, they had decided that Perry White was best qualified to take over. It had been quite a shock to Perry, whom only a few years prior had been a ex-respected journalist working the tabloid beat and struggling to get back on track, to advance to the highest of rank in the paper, but Kahn said she saw herself in him and knew he had the spirit and the tenacity to tackle the job.

"Mr. White?" Chloe called again, turning around and poking her head out the door. There she saw Perry charging towards her, running a hand through his ruffled hair and waving a piece of paper in the air.

"Lois, I see you got my message. I hope I haven't kept you waiting. I had to go retrieve this fax; I've been running in circles since my assistant called in sick."

"Oh, no that's okay." Perry brushed past her and Chloe followed. "So, you're message was pretty vague. What's up?"

Perry plopped down in his chair, crossing his arms behind his head, leaning back and flashing her a smile. "I think you better sit down."

Chloe pulled up a chair from behind. "This doesn't by chance have anything to do with the way people have been acting around me this morning, does it?"

Perry simply smiled and nodded towards the door; a janitor had appeared, swiping the floor with a dust mop and pretending not to be eaves dropping. "Why don't you close the door and I'll tell you."

Fifteen minutes later Chloe emerged from the office, her face drained of all color, and Perry stood in the doorway, watching her go. "Are you sure you're going to be alright? Do you need help walking?" He called out, laughing heartily.

Chloe shook her head, unable to process any coherent thoughts, let alone any words. Her insides were twisting, a sensation like being on a rollercoaster, and she couldn't feel her feet touch the ground. When she returned to her office, still in a daze, she saw Jimmy looking over Clark's shoulder as he sat on the edge of her desk, flipping through a stack of photos.

"I was finally able to use my new high tech lens on those last shots there." Jimmy said proudly.

"Yeah, they're good." Clark nodded and glanced up, spying Chloe. "So, whats the big news?"

Chloe pulled out her chair and sat down, staring unblinkingly out the window. Clark reached over and shook her arm gently. "Are you okay? You're trembling."

"Yeah, you're white as a ghost!" Jimmy chirped.

Chloe rubbed her eyes hard, expecting to wake up and find that the last fifteen minutes had been a dream, but instead saw two concerned faces staring back at her. "I..." She began, her voice barely above a whisper, afraid that if she dared say the words out loud it would somehow make them untrue. "I..." She took a deep breath and felt a warm sensation creep over her, enveloping her body as reality finally set in. "I've been nominated for a Pulitzer prize for investigative reporting." Waiting a beat she looked up to see Clark's eyes bug out and a goofy grin spread across Jimmy's face.

"Wow." Clark sputtered. "Th—that's amazing! Congratulations!" He bent down and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a bear hug. "I knew it would happen someday!"

"Yeah, way to go." Jimmy chirped, seeming less than surprised.

"You knew this all along didn't you? And you didn't tell me!" Chloe said, as she pulled back from Clark and threw a pencil at Jimmy. He ducked the flying object and looked downwards.

"Guilty as charged."

"So is this why everyone is acting odd?" Clark interjected. "Why that woman on the elevator congratulated you?"

"I guess so. " Chloe replied, resting her chin in her hand and gazing about the room dreamily. "Perry said he found out the other day and couldn't wait to let me be the first to know."

"Well, if that's the case then how did everyone else know before you?"

"Hmm, good point."

Jimmy coughed and tugged at his collar. "Well, I kinda saw this fax on Perry's desk last night while I was, um..."

Chloe raised her head and her mouth fell open. "Jimmy Olsen, were you snooping?"

"No! No. I went to go see Perry about an assignment, but he must have gone home for the night or something, and I saw a fax to him from the Pulitzer nomination committee and I saw your name and..."

"And?"

"Well maybe I got too excited and I told this intern friend of mine—cause I was dying to tell someone, and I couldn't tell you because you were out doing your investigative stuff, and I wanted to see the look on your face when you found out." Jimmy paused and pointed at Chloe. "Yeah just like that. And well you know what they say about telling friends? They tell two friends, and so on." Jimmy smiled sheepishly. "Before I know it, it was all over the building this morning and Perry went around telling anyone that if they spilled the beans they might as well pack up their desks. Please don't be mad cause I didn't tell you sooner."

"Don't worry Jimmy, I'm not mad." Chloe grinned as a scarlet flush crept over his cheeks. "I don't even care if I win, I just can't believe I'm even nominated for a Pulitzer!" She squealed with abandon, probably a bit too loud as the whole room came to a sudden halt, all eyes focused on her. Everyone's heads began spinning around, looking to each other to reassure themselves that they indeed had heard right. The next thing Chloe knew, her hardened, seen-it-all co-workers were giving her a round of applause, some letting out a few whoops and in the distance someone called out "Youngest nominee in The Planet's history!" and "Take that Lex Luthor!".

Chloe's eyes welled up with emotion and she felt a strong pair of hands on her shoulder as Clark whispered into her ear. "Congratulations—I guess some people do give a hoot about the famous Lois Lane."

THE END! Thanks for reading ya'll!! Loves...