Clark was just going down the stairs to the bullpen, returning from helping clean up an accident on the highway, when his phone beeped, telling him he had a text. He pulled it out and looked at the screen. 911. Meet me at Gino's. ASAP.
Frowning, he put the phone away and swiftly changed direction. He sped out before anyone could see him and found the small Italian café. Lois was sitting by the window, watching the door. She spotted him and beckoned him over to her table.
"What is it?" he asked as he sat down.
"I just got some news from Perry," she said. "Lex terminated your contract."
He stared at her, at once startled and completely devastated by the news. He shouldn't be surprised, he told himself. Knowing Lex the way he did, especially with the way he thought of Lois as his, something like this was bound to happen.
"What?"
She quickly raised her hands. "Now before you start panicking, I've been thinking things over. I know you don't want to move into my apartment with my dad coming to stay, but there is no way I'm letting you give up your studies either. Until we can prove what a snake Lex is …" She was talking a mile a minute.
"Lois, slow down."
"No, Smallville. Listen. I've had some time to think about this. Okay, maybe I've only had like thirty minutes or so, but we both know Lex is only doing this out of spite. He knows about us, Clark. I mean, he doesn't know everything, but he knows we're, you know, together. So, I'm saying we refuse to play his game."
He frowned at her. "I don't see how else we can play it."
"He thinks he can beat you down, force you to give up everything, just so he can tell himself he won."
He shook his head, more amused than worried about Lois' frenetic energy. When she got emotional about something she tended to talk at twice her normal speed, which was usually fast enough. If it wasn't for the fact that his brain also had an ability to see and hear things at super-human speed, he would never be able to keep up with her.
"So, what are you suggesting?"
"Well, first, we dig up every piece of dirt we can find on Lex. Then we take it to someone else."
"Like who?" he asked, not quite understanding her thinking.
"Like someone who might be interested in owning a newspaper. Someone who wouldn't use their own power to censor any articles."
It sounded like she already had someone in mind.
"Do you mean Oliver?" he asked.
She shook her head. "Don't get me wrong. I love Oliver. But it would look kind of odd when Queen Industries has a history of being involved in the development of weapons."
"So does Luthorcorp."
"Well, no, it was initially an agricultural company. You know, fertiliser, crops, that sort of thing. Then when part of it was broken off to become LexCorp, that's when it got into weapons and other research and development. I don't remember exactly what Lex said when he announced his takeover of the Daily Planet but he said something about diversifying. I do remember there was also something about a partnership between what he intended to become LuthorMedia and Luthorcorp."
"Which sounds to me like he was trying to be subtle."
"Exactly. It was his way of controlling the message. Anyway, there's this other company over the bay. It's a long-established family-owned corporation."
"When you say long-established …"
"Like about four hundred years." She leaned down to get something from her bag and took out a small tablet. "I found some stuff online."
Clark stared at her in surprise. When Lois was onto something, she approached it like a runaway train.
"You did all this in half an hour?"
"Well, no. After you left last night I began thinking. About a lot of things. I mean, I knew the crap would hit the fan once Lex found out about us, I just didn't know it would be this soon. Anyway, they list a couple of entertainment companies in their prospectus. One is a television station and the other …"
She turned the tablet around to show him. Clark saw a website for the Gotham Tribune.
"Bruce Wayne?" he asked. He knew of the multi-billionaire but had never met the man. "How exactly are you suggesting we even …"
"We set up a meeting with him. You and me. We both know Lex has a hidden agenda. Who better to fight him than the Prince of Gotham?"
Clark knew what she was trying to do but he wasn't so sure it would work. Bruce Wayne might not even be interested in the Daily Planet. Even if Lex or Luthorcorp was his own company's biggest rival.
Just as they began talking about heading back to the newspaper to face the music, Lex walked in to the shop.
"Is he stalking me now?" Lois muttered.
The bald billionaire walked up to them. Lois quickly rose from her seat, grabbing her bag.
"We were just on our way back to the Planet."
"I'll save you the trip," Lex said, turning to glare at Clark. "Kent, I'm sorry to do this to you …"
Clark waved his hand. "No, you're not," he replied. "Lois just told me. I knew the internship wasn't going to last forever but to suddenly make an arbitrary decision based on … what? Jealousy?"
"It's a business …"
"Don't give me that," Lois began, practically shooting fire from her eyes. Clark glanced at her and minutely shook his head. Lex reached out, almost as if he was about to hit her, his face like thunder. Clark wrapped his arm protectively around her.
"We both know the real reason you did this. You can't stand the fact that Lois and I are a couple now. I'm sorry that you're put out, Mr Luthor, but let me make something very clear to you. She was never yours to begin with. A woman like Lois Lane deserves to be treated with respect, something I am afraid you have yet to learn. Goodbye, Mr Luthor." With that, Clark shoved the man aside and walked with Lois out of the shop.
It was clear from the way the rest of the customers were staring open-mouthed that they had not only witnessed the exchange but were just as angry at Lex for the way he had treated them.
Clark was quiet until they reached the corner. "Okay, call Mr Wayne and see if you can set up an appointment," he said. "As for the rest, we'll work something out."
Lois was staring at him in admiration. Part of him felt he shouldn't have confronted Lex like that but another part of him was glad he had put the man in his place. It was probably long overdue.
He only had a few things he'd left at the newspaper and he made his way downstairs to the bullpen to grab them. As expected, Perry was waiting for him.
"I'm sorry, Kent. I think you have the potential to be a great reporter."
"Thank you, sir."
"Perry," the older man said, holding out a hand. Clark shook it. The editor leaned forward. "Look, I can't promise anything, but if you sent in some stories occasionally I could pay you freelance rates. It's not full-time, but you could keep up your studies … Luthor doesn't have to know."
Clark knew Luthor would have a way of finding out, but if Lois was right about the way he'd bought the newspaper in the first place, it would be irrelevant.
"Thanks Perry."
The worst was yet to come. When Clark got home to his apartment he found the locks had been changed and all his stuff was being dumped in the hallway. Floyd stood supervising as two men carried his belongings out of the apartment. Several items had already been broken, including a precious framed photograph of him with his parents.
"Floyd, what the hell?" he asked.
"Sorry Kent, you're being evicted."
"You can't just …" This had to be illegal. He paid his rent on time and had done a few minor repairs in the apartment himself.
The rotund man shrugged. "Nothing I can do about it. The new owner wants the apartment."
Lex. He'd embarrassed the man and showed him up for the bastard he was and now the other man was getting a petty kind of revenge.
The man really had it coming, he thought. There had to be some way to make sure he got his comeuppance.
He took his phone out and pressed a few buttons. "It's me," he said when the person on the other end answered. "I could really use some help."
He didn't have to wait long. Within twenty minutes, they were there. The men had already left, having dumped every piece of his belongings in the hallway, breaking several items. The items weren't valuable, except to Clark.
"Clark, what the hell?"
He looked up at Oliver's voice. "I'm sorry to have called you."
The blond man waved his hand. "Forget about it. This is what friends are for. Are you telling me they just evicted you without cause?"
"Oh, there's cause. I pissed Lex off so he did this."
"Are you sure it's Lex?"
"The landlord said the new owner wanted the apartment."
Victor, Bart and Oliver helped him pick up his belongings, packing them in the boxes Oliver had supplied. Bart gingerly picked up the broken photo, careful of the shards of glass still in the brass frame.
"Is this you?"
"Yeah. With my folks."
Oliver looked at the photo. "Nice."
Clark felt a lump in his throat. He hadn't cried since Lana's funeral but now, seeing the ruined photograph of his parents, it was just a bittersweet reminder of how much he'd lost. He felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, Clark, don't worry. We'll fix this. We'll get him."
They managed to pack everything and took everything down to Victor's truck.
"Take the stuff to my place," Oliver said. "You can stay with me tonight. We'll figure something out in the morning."
Clark nodded, too angry, too emotional to decide anything else right now. He let his friend lead him to the yellow Lamborghini and sat back, closing his eyes. He'd thought about calling Lois and updating her on the situation but as they pulled up at the apartment building he realised he didn't have to. She was pacing in front of the main entrance, looking as mad as hell.
It was a fairly good guess Chloe had called her and told her what had happened.
As soon as she saw him get out of the car, she ran to him and hugged him.
"Are you okay, sweetie? Ooh, that Luthor! When I get my hands on him he's going to be sorry. I'll show him. That man needs a good swift kick in the heinie, and then some!"
"Lois," he said as she began ranting and talking about ripping Luthor apart. "Lois, honey. It's okay."
Well, it wasn't, but what could he do?
Victor pulled up behind the car and they took the boxes from the truck upstairs. Lois, clearly wanting to work off some of her energy, tried to take the heaviest box, but Clark gently took it away from her.
Chloe had ordered food and it was waiting for them as they got upstairs. They discussed the situation as they ate. Bart, of course, inhaled his food like it was going out of style.
"I've known Lex to be petty, but this is way beyond petty," Oliver observed.
"He's definitely a sore loser," Chloe added. "What are you going to do?"
Clark shrugged. "In terms of living, I can't ask Nell. She only has a small apartment."
Lois nudged him. "You could still come and live with me. If Dad gets this job next week, he'll probably look for his own place. He told me on the phone that he doesn't want to cramp my style."
"You could stay here for the time being," Oliver said.
"I don't want to invade your privacy," Clark told him. "Thanks, though."
"You wouldn't. I have four bedrooms and the master bed is like way down the hallway."
As much as Clark appreciated the offer, he still thought it would be a problem. Especially when Chloe came to stay the night. He could usually tune things out at will but sometimes his super hearing kicked in spontaneously. It could be potentially embarrassing.
Oliver stared at him for a moment when he relayed that little tidbit, then got up.
"I should get some drinks. Clark, you wanna give me a hand?"
"Uh, sure."
He followed the other man out into the kitchen. Oliver looked at him as he poured juice for everyone.
"Lois knows?"
"Everything. Well, almost. I didn't want to overwhelm her with too much all at once."
"How did she take it?" his friend asked, his expression showing keen interest.
"Well, she's Lois," he said. "She doesn't care. Well, she does but … you know what I mean."
"Yeah. It was sort of the same with Chloe when I told her everything. Look I know you don't want to embarrass Chloe but it's really not a problem if you want to stay here for the time being. At least until the General gets himself settled."
"Thanks Oliver." He wanted to refuse but his friend was insistent. "I will, but it's only temporary."
They returned to the living room where Chloe and Lois were discussing Lex's pettiness.
"Please. This from a man who risked getting me killed in an accident so he could test the Guardian," Lois was saying.
"We don't have any real proof it was Lex," Chloe replied, looking up and smiling at her boyfriend as she took the glass of juice.
"Who else could it be? We both know it wasn't Mannheim."
Chloe looked at her cousin.
"I actually have some news about that. My contact in the police department said they arrested the guy in the car. Well, actually, the man was left tied up on the doorstep of the local precinct."
Lois immediately looked at Clark. He shook his head and stared at Chloe. That was news to him. His best friend smirked.
"Yeah, I know. Turns out it was Batman."
"What? What was Batman doing here?" Lois asked.
"Beats me. But the guy's from Gotham, so maybe that has something to do with it."
"Which precinct?" Lois asked.
"14th. Turpin works out of that one."
"He was the detective who investigated the accident," Lois said. "Remember Clark?"
He nodded. "We should probably go talk to Turpin tomorrow," he said. "See what we can find out." His girlfriend beamed at him. Chloe just smirked.
XXXXX
Next morning, Lois spent a little time in her office writing up a couple of articles before sending them off to Perry. Clark was in class for an hour or so but would meet her at Gino's after class got out.
As she prepared to go to meet him, Lex barged into her office, his face like thunder. He waved some pages at her.
"You really think I'm going to print this?" he raged at her.
"Hmm, let's see, hundreds of people kicked out of their homes, a tenant evicted unlawfully? Sounds newsworthy to me."
"It's unprintable," he said.
She glared back at him. "Sounds to me like you've got something to hide," she said. "It's not like I'm accusing anyone specific. Yet!"
He stared at her. "Are you accusing me of something, Ms Lane?"
So it was 'Ms Lane' now and not 'Lois'? She really had him on the ropes if he was this pissed at her.
"Sounding awfully defensive there, Mr Luthor. You can't not print a story that isn't news. Especially when I have the evidence to back up every word in that article."
He continued to stare at her, clearly struggling for something to say without incriminating himself. She had taken special care not to name names in the story but Chloe and Oliver had helped her gather enough information that it could lead to an investigation by the city's Housing Commission. A year or so ago the mayor had decided to crack down on developers buying up properties in Suicide Slum and forcing people out of their homes. It wasn't entirely successful but what had happened in Clark's building would be enough to get the mayor interested.
Oliver had already sent all the evidence to the mayor's office and told them that if nothing was done he would use all his voting power as a major property owner to force a vote of no-confidence against the mayor and the city council.
"Don't test me, Lois."
"We both know who is really behind that so-called development in Suicide Slum. I might not have the proof yet, but I will get it, Lex. And if you think you can fire me for this, then think again. I've already talked to a rep from the Press Association about your bullying tactics. You might have got away with firing Clark but we both know why you did it."
She picked up her bag and shoved past him, then turned and aimed the full force of her glare at him.
"I'm glad I fell for Clark because he is a far more decent man than you will ever be!" She took a step toward the lift and looked at him once again. "You know what? I feel sorry for you, Lex, because you will end up a sad, lonely, pathetic man who has to resort to buying companionship!"
She left him staring at her open-mouthed. As she walked away, she felt a sense of satisfaction at having put him in his place. She spied Perry watching from the doorway of another office. He winked at her and gave her the thumbs up.
She walked outside, loving the warmth of the early summer sun. She put on her sunglasses and walked with her head held high, paying no attention to the admiring glances of the men who passed by. There was only one man worthy of her notice and she was about to meet him.
While Gino's was at least four blocks from the Daily Planet, the walk didn't seem to take very long at all. It was funny, she thought. Being in love just made her see the world in a different way. As if time itself shifted somehow and she never even noticed it passing.
Clark was standing outside Gino's waiting for her. He broke out in a huge smile when he spotted her and she ran to him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Hi," she said dreamily.
"Hi."
Holding hands, they walked into the shop, their eyes only for each other. Lois was sure people were staring but she didn't care.
"Did you want to order a coffee?" he asked.
"Mm, yes." She turned to look at their pastry case. They had a black forest cake which looked divine. "I think I'll have a slice of the black forest cake too."
"That looks good," Clark said, giving their order to the girl at the register. Lois was pleased to note he didn't even ask what her favourite coffee was but ordered it exactly how she liked it.
She remembered something she had seen, on YouTube or Facebook. It was one of those videos where someone was giving advice on how to please their significant other. It boiled down to basically knowing everything about their partner and acting accordingly. Like knowing how they liked their coffee, or being there for them when they weren't feeling well. Doing things without asking.
Clark's parents had done that for each other. Rubbing her partner's feet at the end of a long day didn't sound romantic but to her it was.
She realised Clark had led her to a table while she'd been day-dreaming.
"What were you thinking about just now?" he asked.
"About romance," she said. She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Funny, isn't it? I used to be really cynical about stuff like that but since I met you …"
He smiled. "Yeah, I know what you mean. It's like I was saying the other day. When Lana and I were together she used to complain that I never wanted to do anything special on Valentine's Day but I always thought you shouldn't need a holiday to remind you to do something good for your partner. It's the way my mom and dad were and it's how I feel."
She smiled into his beautiful green eyes. Oh lord, she thought, am I turning into a sap?
"Mr Kent, you say the nicest things."
A server put down a tray and gave them each their coffees and cake. "Enjoy," she said.
They fell into a comfortable silence as they ate. Lois caught other customers watching them and realised she had her hand still in Clark's. It just seemed so natural.
God, she wanted to grow old with this man. She wanted to have a family with him. Would it be possible, considering his heritage?
Wow, a voice in the back of her mind said. You really are gone, aren't you? He hasn't even proposed and you're already thinking marriage and children.
She finished her cake and sipped her coffee, telling Clark about the story she had written and Lex had vetoed.
"It's not like I even named names."
"I guess it pretty much confirms what we already knew. That Lex is behind the development. Why else would he be trying to keep it quiet?"
"I think we've got him worried about how much else we do know," she said.
"Lois, I don't want to get all over-protective but you need to be careful. I mean, not just because you could lose your job but what if Lex tried to hurt you?"
As much as knowing Clark was the Guardian gave her confidence to go full-steam ahead, she also worried about what Lex would do, now that he was on the ropes, so to speak.
"I know. I've thought about that. The thing is, we can't just back off."
"I'm not asking you to back off, honey, I'm just asking you to be careful," he repeated. "I know you can take care of yourself and that's one of the things I love about you, but this is Lex we're talking about."
He was right. Lex reminded her of a wild Mustang she had encountered when she was about ten. Her father had been seconded for half a year to a base in Australia. Lois had been out on a school trip to a small town in the Outback and a group of men from a local station had gone out to round up some wild horses which were tearing up local farmland. One of the horses had managed to break away only to be cornered. It had reared up and kicked out, doing its best to defend itself. Her teacher had told the class that when wild animals were fighting for their survival they were at their most dangerous to humans. Lois remembered the look in the animal's eyes. As scared as she was, the horse was even more frightened.
Finished with their coffees, they left the shop and walked together to the police station. The sergeant on the desk looked at Lois' press badge.
"Can't help you," he said.
"This isn't just about a story, sir," Clark said. "Lois was involved in an accident a few nights ago when someone tried to run her off the road. We just want to talk to Detective Turpin."
He studied them for a few moments, then nodded. "All right. Wait here. I'll see if he's free."
A few minutes later the blond detective came out through a doorway.
"Miss Lane?"
"I heard you arrested someone after that accident the other night," she said.
"You have impeccable sources, Miss Lane. We weren't releasing that to the press."
"Why not?" Clark asked.
"Because I'm afraid the case is going nowhere. Two hours ago the man we arrested was found dead in his cell. Preliminary scene examination suggests he died of a drug overdose. If you'll excuse me, I have a report to write."
"But …"
"I'm sorry, Miss Lane. I know we should have told you, given you were the victim in this case, but I'm afraid we've reached a dead end."
Lois huffed in frustration as the detective left through the same door. She looked at Clark.
"So much for that," she said. They walked out together.
"I can't believe them," she continued. "The guy's dead and they're just gonna drop it?" Clark had stopped walking beside her and she turned to look at him. He had an odd look on his face. "Clark?"
He didn't respond, turning his head so one side was facing the police station. She again tried to attract his attention but he put a hand up. She realised what he was doing. He was listening to something.
After about a minute he turned away and spoke in a low voice, eyeing the two uniformed officers standing in the street smoking.
"Turpin thinks the overdose was deliberate. He didn't want to tell you anything because he's not sure and he didn't want to jump the gun."
"So who would …" she replied. "Do you think maybe … Lex?"
"He could have done. I think the detective's worried that if they've gone to such lengths to cover up who was behind the accident then they could come after you again."
So the detective was trying to protect her, she thought. That made sense. The question was, where did they go from here?
She still wanted to talk to Clark about him moving in with her. She was sure they could work around her father's presence and Clark's duties as the Guardian. The last thing she wanted to do was push him into something he wasn't ready for but he couldn't stay at Oliver's place either. Not if what she had seen the night before meant what she thought it did.
She hadn't meant to pry but she had been helping take some of the boxes upstairs to the guest room and had spied Oliver in the master bedroom. He had a small box in his hand. As she'd watched, he'd opened it and was looking at the contents. The box was about the size of a ring box and had Tiffany's written in gold on the lid. She'd known for a while things were getting serious between Chloe and her boyfriend and if it really was a ring … Oliver had caught her watching and hastily put the box away. He hadn't mentioned what she'd seen and she had stayed silent.
Clark nudged her and took her hand as they crossed the street. Lois frowned, realising where they were. The bell jangled as they entered the small shop. Nell had her head bent as she wrote something in a book but she looked up.
"Hey sweetie. What are you two doing here?"
"We were just at the police station," Lois told her. Nell nodded.
"Clark told me about your accident the other night. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. Clark's been taking good care of me," she replied with a smile. Nell looked fondly at her foster son.
"He does that." She looked pointedly at their joined hands. "So, does that mean what I think it means?"
Clark nodded. "Yeah."
Nell came around the counter and wrapped her arms around Clark, hugging him, before doing the same to Lois.
"I'm so happy for you both." From her expression, Lois could tell she was thinking it was past time. "How are things at the Planet?"
Lois glanced at Clark, who sighed. "I'm not there anymore. They ended my internship."
"Oh sweetheart, I'm so sorry."
"It's okay. We'll figure something out," Lois assured her. The older woman beamed at her.
"I'm sure you will."
Lois' phone rang and she left Clark and his foster mother to talk, answering the call.
"Perry?"
"Got a message for you," he said. He gave her an address. "He can meet you at five. No later."
"Got it," she said, grabbing a piece of paper from the counter and noting it down. It was a high-rise downtown, in the financial district. "Thanks Chief."
Clark paused in his conversation to look at her.
"What was that?" he asked.
"Perry," she said. "We have an appointment at five. It's for a story," she added for Nell's benefit.
They stayed for a few more minutes chatting to Nell before Lois reluctantly went back to work. Clark promised to meet her outside the building in time to get to their appointment.
There was no sign of Lex for the rest of the day, which she found a relief. She didn't want any more dramas from the man. She updated Perry on the accident, making sure he knew the news of the man's death was off-the-record. She kept the information Clark had overheard to herself, knowing her editor would just press her for more on her mysterious 'source'.
Clark had changed clothes when she met him outside. He'd been wearing jeans earlier but had changed into a pair of black trousers and a blue shirt that brought out the colour in his eyes. While his eye colour was mostly green, it depended on what he was wearing.
The financial district was far enough that they had to catch a taxi. Lois had thought ahead and called for one to meet them and the driver was right on time. She gave him the address as they got in the back.
"So, who is this appointment with?" Clark asked.
"You'll see," she said.
She saw the building as they came to within a block of it. It was at least fifty storeys, a steel and glass construction that looked imposing next to the other, less modern buildings. Lois stared up at it as they got out of the taxi, glancing at the stylised W on the nameplate at the entrance.
A security guard stopped them as they entered.
"Offices are closing in five minutes," the guard replied.
"Yes, I know, but I have an appointment at five. Lois Lane. Daily Planet. This is my writing partner, Clark Kent."
The man tapped a few keys on the computer, then nodded. "You're expected, Miss Lane." He handed them two visitors' passes then indicated a bank of elevators. "Take the middle car. 51st floor. I'll call up and have an assistant meet you."
"Thank you," Clark said politely.
They didn't talk as the elevator made its way upwards. The ceiling showed photographs of the Metropolis cityscape, from a hundred years earlier to present day. Clark appeared fascinated with them.
The ding announced their arrival on the floor and the doors opened to reveal an attractive woman with cocoa-coloured skin and black hair pulled into a French knot.
"Miss Lane, Mr Kent, if you'll follow me."
They were led down a corridor through a pair of glass doors which opened automatically. The assistant announced their names to the man sitting behind the desk. He was well-built, although not quite as big as Clark, with dark brown hair and a toothy smile.
He stood up and held out a hand. Lois shook it, then stepped aside to allow Clark to do the same. The man smiled.
"Firm handshake. Sign of character." He sat down in his high-backed leather chair and looked at them. Lois realised the ball was now firmly in her court. She sat down in the chair facing the desk while Clark sat beside her.
"Thank you for taking the time to see us, Mr Wayne."