CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE.

Docklands Area - Metropolis:

A crowd of bystanders gathered to watch firefighters try to contain the blaze in an abandoned warehouse, a newscaster giving her viewers a play-by-play:

"Yet another case of arson has drawn firefighters to the Riverview area. That makes six in the last twenty-four hours and still Metropolis Fire Department officials have no leads," She lifted a hand to her earpiece, "I'm getting word now that there is a custodian trapped inside the building on the top floor. The engine ladders aren't tall enough to reach him and the building's stairwells are engulfed in flames. There doesn't appear to be any way to get him out."

Behind her people in the crowd started to look up and point, the whispers starting low and building like a breaking wave of sound until someone close by said it loud; "Superman! It's Superman! He's got him!"

The newscaster twisted round, trying to spot the action, but there were too many things happening at once - so she improvised, "It seems that Superman has been able to reach the man in question and - over here..."

She walked to where emergency services workers had gathered along the sidewalk, everyone cheering and clapping as Superman came out of the burning building with an aged man in his arms. Face and familiar suit blackened from fire and smoke, he handed him over to a waiting Paramedic – patting the man on the shoulder with one large hand;

"You'll be okay now."

The newscaster saw her opportunity, "Superman! Over here!"

Clark turned to face the woman and her camera, more crews running up. He forced himself to stay calm, to make sure no-one could read his expression. Because he might have adjusted pretty well to many aspects of his new life but the media attention? Not so much. In fact, his alter ego had started quite the debate in the media of late.

A microphone was thrust in his face, "You've been helping the fire department all day. Any idea yet who could be behind the fires?"

"No, not yet - we've been too busy fighting them."

She kept pushing, the microphone handed back and forth like a tennis ball over a net, "We're hearing rumors the arsons might be gang related. Any comment?"

Clark lifted his chin, the sound of sirens and Fire Engines rolling out in the background drawing his attention. He pursed his mouth into a thin line; was there no end to the fires? If they hadn't been assigned to the story he'd have had a heck of a time explaining his absences to Lois. It was bad enough not knowing where she was when she'd announced she might have a new angle to it. He knew her idea of a new angle.

A yell came from behind him; "Fire at Hobs and 8th!"

"I'm sure the proper authorities are trying everything they can to find out," He stepped back, "You'll have to excuse me…"

Before she knew it the newscaster was left with a view of firemen dousing spreading flames with water, creating high clouds of steam in the air. Momentarily distracted by the sight of a receding flash of red and blue, she suddenly remembered her role and cleared her throat; turning back to camera,

"So there you have it..."

The Daily Planet – Several hours later:

Clark absentmindedly reached for his coffee cup, a slight frown forming on his face when he caught the scent of smoke lingering on his clothes, "You know it's dangerous, right?"

Lois smiled brightly from her side of the desks, "Not for me it's not." She shook her head, "Try and keep up would you. I have a guardian angel these days."

When she bit down on her smile, his frown wavered. She'd gotten good at that of late – their 'not-a-date' nights making real inroads towards rebuilding the friendship they'd had before he left. And he was glad about that.

But it didn't mean he was letting her get away with anything, "Those guys aren't just club owners - they're gangsters. Can't we go just one day without you getting in trouble?"

"Now where's the fun in that?" She chuckled at his expression, her eyes lit up with enthusiasm, "Look, its simple. Intergang controls Riverview. Riverview's on fire. I'm going to find out why my way and you're going to chase it up your way – whatever that may be. I can look it up for you but I'm pretty sure coming at it from different angles is still called teamwork…"

Perry walked by as Clark took a sip of coffee; grimacing with disgust when he found it stone cold. Swallowing, he glanced up and looked for support, "Chief, talk some sense into her, would you? I'm hoarse trying."

Stopping mid-stride, Perry looked at Lois, who batted her lashes innocently, "What's the problem today?"

Without missing a beat Lois answered; "Clark is. He'd rather give up the chance of a scoop on the Riverview fires than let me take a few teensy ikkle chances. I'm working on his sense of adventure but there's a ways to go yet."

Clark shook his head, surreptitiously lowering his glasses and heating his coffee before pushing them back into place again. She was plenty enough adventure for him thanks anyway. Between learning to live with Lois and juggling his life as Clark Kent/Superman he had more than enough to keep him occupied.

"A scoop, huh?"

Lois nodded firmly, "A sure thing. Have I ever let you down?"

Perry's face said she didn't really want an answer to that, but he turned his attention to Clark instead, "Well, Kent, you know it's always been my policy to stand behind my reporters and their methods one thousand percent. Hell - if you opened a window, said you could fly and were gonna show me - I'd back you up. The paper would send a nice wreath too…"

"Thanks, Chief." Lois lifted her chin and grinned in victory.

"Doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful, Lois."

She controlled the grin before looking back at Perry, "Always am."

"Hmm," He frowned at Clark, "Don't you have a press conference with the Fire Department to get to?"

Clark lifted his arm and shrugged his sleeve back from his wrist to check the time, "Fifteen minutes."

Perry headed for his office while Clark continued their conversation from where they'd left off, "You should've discussed this with me before you took it on if we're officially a team now…"

"Ah, but sometimes players have to wait on the bench while other players carry the ball," Lois swung her chair from side to side, light still dancing in her eyes, "You tossed a ball around in High School – good analogy for you."

"I'm flattered you remember so much about me," And it was nice she remembered. Back then he'd been pretty sure she only noticed anything when he got in her way or did something she considered lame. But even so,

"Just do us both a favor and don't get in over your head - again." He pushed his chair back, throwing down another mouthful of coffee as he reached for his notepad, "First sign of trouble and-"

"I know, if I can't stand the heat, yada, yada, yada," She made an attempt at looking disgruntled; the effort somewhat diminished by the continued sparkling in her eyes, "I am first and foremost a professional, Smallville. I certainly wouldn't do anything to compromise my personal safety or the integrity of my work."

Clark stilled, his mouth twitching, "You've been rehearsing that, haven't you?"

A smile broke free, her nose crinkling, "Lil bit…convincing though, huh?"

"Needs some work on the delivery."

He shook his head again as he lifted a spare pen. Thing was – secretly - and very very quietly – he kinda loved when she got so enthusiastic. Not that he wanted to encourage her recklessness. But the bigger the chance of doing some good the happier she was and the happier she was the more he benefited. It had a knock on effect. She also had a tendency to get flirty when happy. Granted, he was the only single guy within hitting distance to end up the recipient of that flirtation - but he kinda liked that too.

Would sleep in a kryptonite lined box before he ever said it out loud…

Jimmy arrived with a small bag, "Here it is Lois. Gotta say, I argued with the dry cleaner. Don't see how this can be an entire outfit for your undercover gig – barely enough room for a bikini in there."

Lois snatched it off him, her gaze sliding upwards to crash into Clark's confusion. She quirked her brows; "Don't you have a press conference to go to?"

"Already gone," He eyed the bag with open curiosity as she placed it on her lap and slid her chair closer to her desk, "What exactly was it you said you were doing undercover at the club?"

"I didn't," She waved her fingers at him and smiled brightly, "Now play nice with the other reporters. Feel free to threaten them with me if they misbehave…"

Clark's eyes narrowed, the temptation to x-ray her desk top lifting his hand towards his glasses. But when his acute hearing picked up sirens in the distance, he dropped it and turned away. It would have to wait. He had a better idea anyway.

Little did she know it, but that club she'd chosen to go undercover in? Well, there was a time it had been a stomping ground of his. He might just have to see if there were any familiar faces left there after so long…

Metro Club – Late afternoon:

A fire engine roared by outside the club on its way to another emergency while inside Lois was learning the ropes from Holly, who filled in as a waitress the same way she would if the club got too busy.

"… and if you hold your tray like this, you'll always have one hand free for protection."

Lois blinked at her, "Protection from what?"

"Oh honey, eyes ain't the only things that wander in this place…"

Any hands did any wandering a tray would be the least of the owner's worries. But Lois' attention was already drawn to the door of the back room, where a group of well-dressed men were gathering.

Holly continued regardless, "So, when you're not on stage, you're out here takin' orders and making sure the customers spend money, got it? It's all about the tips," Her gaze shifted to the same doorway, "I better get in there with drinks or I'll be back slingin' hash at the nearest truck stop."

She tried to take the tray away from Lois, who smiled and held on, "Let me. I could use the practice."

Holly tugged again, "They tip big."

Lois held on harder, "There's a twenty in it for you. I want the boss to notice me."

She almost lost her balance when Holly let go of the tray.

In the back room she smiled her way slap bang into the middle of an Intergang meeting; big men with bigger egos around an even bigger table. The man at the top she recognized as Johnny Taylor, his sister Toni a new arrival in Metropolis - and the one unknown quantity to Lois – sitting by his side.

Johnny naively seemed to think all the staff at the club were smart enough not to eavesdrop, "Rocko, you tell the Robertson boys they got one week to pay up, then you take care of it. Next, Lou, numbers, what's the take this week?"

"Down, Johnny. Less street traffic on account of the fires, which I think it's time we start talkin' about."

Johnny glared at him, "So, you want to run the meeting now, Lou?"

"Johnny, I didn't say –"

Lois took her time laying coasters down before setting the glasses in place, smiling at anyone who looked at her while Johnny continued;

"Then shut up and worry about your own problems - like getting revenue up before I give Briggs your territory."

It was like walking into a nineteen thirties gangster movie.

"Okay, Johnny, no problem."

"Anybody else?" He slid an arm around Lois' waist when she stopped at his side, "Hey there sweet thing. Settling in?"

She felt rather than saw all gazes turning towards her; her skin crawling and every pore in her body gearing up to removing Johnny's arm. Instead she smiled, forcing herself to lean into his side and play the bimbo, "Yes. Holly's been showing me the ropes. She's a doll."

When she'd set his glass in front of him she gently extricated herself, clenching her jaw when he gave her a pat on the rear for thanks. Son-of-a-

But he'd already gone back to work, "Where were we?"

Toni spoke up, "Johnny, Lou's right, I think we should discuss these fires."

There was a rumbling of agreement around the table, although no-one came out to say anything one way or the other Lois noted. And Johnny was quick to dismiss it, "You got something to say, save it for later."

"If I've got something to say, why shouldn't I say it now?"

"Because you don't talk at meetings, that's why."

Moron. Lois smiled at him again when the word sounded silently in her head.

But Toni wasn't so easily fobbed off, her arms folding on the table top as she stared at her brother, "Maybe I should start."

He smiled at the occupants of the table, the kind of smile that didn't make it all the way up into his eyes, "You hear that?" His attention swung to Toni, any pretence at humor gone, "Let me tell you something, Miss M.B.A. All that piece of paper means around here is; do the books and stay out of business."

"Stay out and watch it go down the drain you mean."

All not so bright and sunny in Intergang town then Lois assumed. Shame. But more importantly she only had four more glasses left to go…

Toni looked around at the men; an uncomfortable silence sitting thick in the room when no-one wanted to look her in the eye. Even though she may have been right, it was obvious no-one challenged Johnny willingly. Instead they were tense; some of them hiding behind the glasses Lois had given them while they waited for him to respond.

And when he did he tried to be light about it, but Lois could tell he was seething, "Okay. Go on then - tell us how stupid we all are."

Toni rose slowly to her feet, resting her palms on the table and leaning forwards to get in her brothers face: literally. And Lois couldn't help but smile a little more genuinely – the woman had just gone up a notch in her estimation. Pity she came from such a bad gene pool really.

Toni's voice was icy, "Ever since Dad died I've sat back and watched my brothers run this organization. First Tommy, who didn't stay alive long enough to do much damage, then Gus, who we won't see for another two hundred and forty years, even with good behavior - and now you, Johnny…"

She looked around the table having confirmed Lois' thoughts on the gene pool, "We're inefficient, we're misdirected, we're a fraction of what we could be if only we concentrated on real business instead of this nickel and dime gangster stuff. Look at us. We're more interested in the new stage show here than preserving the family legacy. What would Dad say?"

Johnny smiled his fake smile again, "Not much without a medium."

There was nervous laughter around the table as he continued, "Good old Dad would tell you to find a nice husband, start havin' some babies and leave the real work to the men. And you know he would. He didn't send you to that fancy schmancy school so you could end up getting your hands dirty the way the rest of us do."

Toni looked at him disgustedly, "Except he didn't realize that you would all destroy what he'd spent his life building, did he?"

He calmly pulled out a gun and pointed it at her as she stood tall, "I'm still the head of this organization. You'd do well to remember that little sister."

And then, with a barely perceptible tilt of the gun, he emptied three bullets into the wall above Toni's head – everyone - including Lois – ducking for cover. But when Lois looked up she found Toni still standing there – she hadn't even flinched. Impressive.

"Just what we need; a cool head in charge…"

And with that she walked out, leaving Johnny fuming as his gaze fell on Lois. His eyes narrowed, he studied her with lazy blinds of hooded eyelids – and Lois felt her mouth go dry before she damped her lips and pinned the kind of smile in place that suggested she was impressed by what he'd just done.

It took a minute. But he winked at her. Leaving Lois wondering whether Clark was right about how much danger she'd placed herself in - again.

God, she hated when he was right. And it was getting to be a regular occurrence, wasn't it? Damn it. There were times when she missed the dorky farm boy. But time and time again the new Clark kept gaining ground. It was disconcerting as hell.

Metro Club – Main room – Night:

The place was heaving with bodies, the heavy beat of the music reverberating from all sides and vibrating the floor beneath Clark's feet as he made his way to the bar. They moved with the music – a giant wave of entwined limbs. And despite a bit of a make-over and the additions of a stage and podiums with metal gangways linking them together high above the crowds' heads, it really hadn't changed that much from what he remembered.

Dressed in black from head to toe, minus his glasses and with his hair mussed up some outside the front doors, Clark reckoned he was pretty similar to back then too - from the outside anyway. The biggest difference was inside, because inside he was a man in control instead of an angry teenager.

When he got to the bar he threw a wide smile at a random blonde before indicating to the barman he wanted a beer. Not that it would have any effect on him, but it added to the illusion. And when he had the bottle in his hand, his thumb smoothing over the beads of moisture on the surface of the glass, he turned, leaning back nonchalantly to survey the crowd as the music changed to a beat he could tap his toe to.

It didn't take long to single out the private booth near the stage. It took a second longer than that to see a familiar face. So he lifted the bottle to his mouth and took a long draw of the amber liquid while he watched. But any sense of control he felt, and any plans he had regarding reacquainting himself with an old friend left the room at speed when white spotlights swung down from the ceiling to light up points on the stage and the podiums.

And that's when he saw her…

Lois made sure to make eye contact with Johnny as she walked along the gangway lifting her knees higher than usual and planting the ridiculously high heels of her boots down firmly with each step. Arms swinging loosely at her sides she made sure to stop halfway down to the podium as rehearsed; hands gripping hold of the railing as she arched her back, moving her hips in a beat that matched the music while lifting her chin high and sliding her head from side to side across her shoulder blades so that her hair swung wildly. Last time she'd pulled a similar stunt it hadn't been on purpose - she'd been in a dumb sailor-girl outfit and somehow ended up attached to a pole while undressing in front of Clark – all thanks to her cousin; who'd found it hilarious. But she was a fully grown, confident woman now. She could pull this off with a little more verve she felt. Theoretically…

Letting go of the railing she continued walking to the beat, lifting her arms high above her head and running the palm of one down from wrist to elbow as she stopped for a few beats to gyrate her hips while bending at the knees, the chorus of the music sounding in her ears;

'Like Jessica Rabbit she collects bad habits, gets her drinks for free,
Animated vixen stole Cupid's arrow and came to rescue me…"

Two more Jessica Rabbit's and she was done - barring the big finale. She could do this, she could allow herself to get lost in a role for one night. So she smiled as she reached the podium, taking her time about licking her lips before she let go of her remaining inhibitions. To hell with theoretically. And it wasn't like Clark or anyone else who knew her could see her this time round. Why not have fun with it?

The beer bottle shattered in Clark's hand.

Unaware he'd been gripping it so hard he made a quick check for witnesses before removing the last shards of glass from his undamaged palm – his gaze shifting sharply upwards to Lois. Undercover his ass! She couldn't be any less covered if she tried! When he got his hands on her he was going to throttle her.

If moving the way she was in front of an enraptured crowd wasn't enough – a good number of them salivating males – then the way she was 'dressed', for want of a better word, was more than enough to bring her to everyone's attention. And Clark had never doubted that Lois was…well… he'd have to be blind not to have noticed…

No wonder it had taken such a damn small bag!

'Like Jessica Rabbit she collects bad habits gets her drinks for free
Animated vixen stole Cupid's arrow and came to rescue me
In the blink of an eyelid my lid opened up and I could see
That she'd come to rescue me'

He was vaguely aware of the fact she wasn't the only woman in thigh high white boots, excruciatingly short white shorts and a square of silver sequined material ending in a point above her flat midriff; barely held together by what amounted to shoestrings forming a cross on her naked back… Clark swallowed hard. But she was the only one dancing under the spotlights he couldn't take his eyes off. The world could have fallen apart around him and he still wouldn't have been able to move.

And now his heart was thundering loud enough in his chest to compete with the throbbing bass of the music…

His eyes widened. Out of nowhere she'd thrown one leg over the railing circling the podium, hooking her knee and arching so far backwards that the tips of her hair touched the floor. And as if that exhibition of flexibility wasn't enough, she then threw her arms up and threaded her fingers into her hair to shake it looser. Clark growled under his breath; Lois curling upright slowly enough to make him take a distinct step forwards. Much more and he was gonna have to leave the room before he flew up there to remove her from public view.

And the thing that got him most as she unhooked her leg and held her arms out to her sides to prowl a shimmying circuit of the podium, was that she was enjoying what she was doing! The minute the light hit her face he could see it, he didn't even need to look into her eyes. Because she was smiling one of those secretive smiles of hers that always made him wonder just what it was that had put it there.

When she had her naked back to him and bent at her ridiculously narrow waist to grasp hold of her ankles and circle her hips downwards again Clark closed his eyes and groaned. There were millions – hell, probably billions – of women he could have ended up partnered with. And he had to end up with the one woman who would probably be the death of him.

Jessica Rabbit. She even had damn bunny ears on!

Lois felt laughter bubbling up inside her as she came upright and purposefully high stepped the rest of her circle, crossing her legs at the ankles and pumping her abdomen with each step. She lifted her arms, let them swing alternately, rolled her shoulders; the laughter threatening to break free. It was because she knew what was coming. And it was the most outrageously insane, completely out-of-character exhibitionism she'd ever participated in. It was… the freest she'd felt in six years…

Facing the bar, she stopped, stepping her legs wide apart. She bit down on her lower lip, shook her hair back, lifting her arms out to shoulder height in surrender. Then she leaned her head back, closed her eyes… and while waiting for the sound of electric guitars to peak in a crescendo she took a deep breath, her heart beating erratically in anticipation…

Now what was she doing? Clark gritted his teeth so hard his jaw ached. And when the lights suddenly went out his heart stopped - what the-

Then the spotlights blinked on, the crowd yelling in approval as water showered down over the dancers like rain – soaking them to the skin in seconds. It obviously wasn't the first time the show had been put on, not judging by how the crowd began to bounce up and down. And as if it was a cue – Lois dropped her chin and looked straight at him.

It felt like he was having a heart attack.

Which was ridiculous. Could she even see him past the spotlights and the water raining down on her? Before he could decide she closed her eyes again, her hips began to circle oh-so-slowly, she even grabbed the railing and tossed her head sharply from side to side so that droplets of water sprayed out like diamonds off the ends of her wet hair. The lyrics of the song somehow making it into his brain;

'She was running toward me wearing almost nothing,
And my heart beat skipped when she bent down at the hip,
And her lips pressed against mine…'

Lois bent down at the hip, opened her eyes; lips pouting into a kiss as she lifted her palm and turned in a circle to blow it into the crowd in time to the words. The music sped up. The house lights came back up in multi-colored arcs that twisted and turned over the now insane dancing crowd. And in a split second she did it again – she looked at him – this time from the corner of her eye. And there wasn't a single doubt in his mind she saw him this time. She even laughed – damn it – then shook her head wildly…

…and let loose…

'Like Jessica rabbit she collects bad habits…'

It was like being caught up in a hurricane. He had to practically man-handle his way through the jumping, gyrating mass of bodies to get to her – his gaze locked solidly on her even when he literally lifted people out of the way; fighting the need to toss them to the four winds. And he couldn't remember the last time he'd been so angry. When he got his hands on her he was going to –

His brain answered with a list of uninvited options.

'In the blink of an eyelid my lid opened up and I could see…'

Almost there - and a quick glance confirmed there were steps at the bottom of the podium. If he had to walk up them and toss her over his shoulder to take her somewhere he could yell at her properly then so be it. Her idea of covert investigation was to flaunt herself under the nose of Intergang's boss, was it? The plan was to seduce him into giving her information? The woman would never learn! Well if she thought he was going to stand idly by while she sold herself for the story she could just think again. He wasn't going to watch while another man -

The music came to a final crescendo and Clark felt a hand on his shoulder as a less frenzied beat sounded. He whirled round, dark frown still in place. And found Johnny grinning at him, yelling above the noise,

"Thought it was you!" He set another hand on Clark's other shoulder and leaned his face closer, "Enjoy the show?"

Forcing a smile onto his face, Clark accepted a brief, back slapping hug before slipping into the role he knew was expected of him, "Still working in this place Johnny boy? Some things never change."

Johnny laughed, "Nah – moved up some since you knew me. C'mon over and have a drink!" He stepped back and waved an arm towards the private booth, "The boys will be glad to see you again."

When he used the same arm to beckon him, Clark caught sight of a familiar figure from his peripheral vision. So he held up a finger to indicate he'd be a minute, his other arm snapping out to grasp Lois' elbow tightly when she looked like she might try to disappear into the crowd,

"Be right there!" He yelled at Johnnie, hauling Lois closer and lowering his head to shout in her ear, "Oh no you don't."

Sliding his hand down her wet skin to grab hold of her wrist he then dragged her through the throng to a doorway at one side of the stage, where she attempted to get loose, frowning up at him,

"What are you doing here?"

Clark glared sideways at her, "Came to see the show."

Safely out of sight in what looked like a side corridor between the stage and the dressing room, he allowed Lois to tug free, her gaze moving from side to side before she lowered her voice and hissed up at him, "You'll blow my cover!"

With extreme control he managed not to look down, jerking his chin instead, "And that's your idea of cover is it?"

"I'm blending in!"

It was almost laughable, "If that's blending in I hate to think what you do when you want attention!" Taking a step forwards, he used his enhanced hearing to check they weren't being overheard before raising his voice, "Which part of staying out of trouble is it you have so much difficulty with?"

Her eyes widened, emerald green flashing, "Which part of yelling at me suddenly seemed like a good idea to you? For your information I spent the entire afternoon with the leader of Intergang in his inner sanctum and nothing happened!"

"Wearing that? I doubt that somehow!"

Something that looked distinctly like understanding crossed her expressive eyes and Clark stepped back, swearing underneath his breath as he ran a hand through his hair, "Go get dressed would you?"

Her voice was filled with disbelief, "Did you just swear at me? You never swear."

"Anyone who spends any amount of time with you ends up swearing at some point. You have an unerring knack for invoking intense reactions."

A voice yelled from down the hall, "Five minutes!"

Before Lois could ask him exactly what he'd meant by that Clark frowned at her again, "You better not be going out there for a repeat performance."

"Go away and let me do my job!"

"Just how close are you planning on getting to Johnny Taylor?"

With the addition of her ridiculously high heels her eyes were almost even with his when she leaned in, "He's a man. I'm a woman. You want me to draw you a diagram?"

She'd said something similar when she'd been heading off to see a notorious womanizer hadn't she? And he hadn't liked it then either.

"You have no idea who you're dealing with."

By leaning in to make his point, there were mere inches separating the tip of her nose from his. And he could hear her heart rate speeding up again, could feel her warm breath on his skin as she spoke, "And you do?"

"There you are."

Lois jumped when Johnny appeared through the doorway, her eyes filled with accusation when she looked back at Clark. Clark in turn smiled a deliberately slow smile and rested the palm of one hand on the wall beside her head, leaning his upper body in against hers and angling his head so his gaze could drop to her parted lips, "Yep, here I am."

Johnny laughed as he got closer, "Same old Kal. Never let a sweet thing pass you by."

Clark lifted his gaze in time to see the questions forming in her eyes, "And this one's real sweet Johnny. I'd have come back sooner if I'd known the scenery'd improved so much."

Stopping beside them, Johnny hummed his agreement, "This one's special alright."

Clark leaned his head a little closer, his mouth hovering over hers eliciting a soft gasp of surprise from her before he smiled again, "Got moves too – don't you, sweet thing?"

Lois' eyes narrowed dangerously.

But Clark lifted his free hand and leaned back enough to run the pad of his thumb over her bottom lip, chuckling at her expression, "Hold that thought. I've some catching up to do with an old friend. Oh and by the way - nice bunny ears…"

She smirked, "I'm Jessica Rabbit - didn't you notice? I must be losing my touch."

Pushing off the wall he lifted his arm out and patted Johnny on the back, winking at him, "I'm sure Johnny won't mind if I come find you later."

Johnny shook his head, "Still got it, don't you Kal?"

Clark slid his arm around the man's shoulders and turned them in the direction of the doorway, "Never lost it Johnny."

They were two steps away when a sultry voice sounded behind him, the impact of it inside his highly sensitized ears causing a visceral reaction in the rest of his body, "See you later… Kal…"

His night was just getting better and better by the minute, wasn't it?