"Special Agent Kent, Director Kelly is ready to see you now."

Clark picked up his hat and stood before he surreptitiously stretched. The trip from Smallville took longer than he'd anticipated because there were several times that the train he was traveling on was delayed to make way for troop trains headed to California and New York.

It startled him to see all of the young faces in those passenger cars, but then he remembered what Lois' father had said about so many of those kids being just out of high school.

A lot of them looked like they were barely out of middle school.

"Agent Kent?"

"Thank you." He gave himself a mental shake as he walked to the director's office with his hat gripped in his hand and turned the doorknob.

As he entered, the field director of the Kansas City office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation came from behind his desk with his hand extended and he took Clark's in a firm grasp. "Special Agent Kent, thank you for getting here so quickly; I'm Thomas Kelly. Have a seat please."

He sat down and perched his hat on his knee while he waited for the director to take his seat.

"I know you're probably wondering why you've been called back here and on a Saturday, no less. But this was something that couldn't be explained in a telegram or a telephone call. And with security concerns being what they are because of the war, I felt this would be a much more secure way of explaining some things to you about the last couple of months.

"I called you here because of some information I recently received from Washington concerning your investigation. Information that for some reason you nor I was privy to until now."

"Sir?" They couldn't know about Lois, could they?

"Agent Kent, the case you were sent out here to investigate has been officially closed." He was succinct in his brief explanation and left Clark completely baffled.

"How can it be closed when I'm still trying to gather information?"

"Which you've been stonewalled about, have you not?" He asked pointedly.

"Yes, sir. And I'm guessing that you're going to be able to explain to me why?"

"Kent, you and I have been played for a couple of chumps." The director leveled a look at him and was deadly serious. "But you didn't hear that from me."

"Sir?"

"Do you know what this is?" He picked up a thick file folder from his desk for just a moment before he slapped it back down and answered his own question. "This is a file on an operation the Bureau initiated from Washington and it indicates that you were sent out here on a strictly need to know basis."

"Excuse me?" That was news to him.

"Why do you think you were sent out here?"

Clark frowned in confusion. "I was sent out here to conduct an investigation about a meeting between Lex Luthor and Senator Conrad Burke. I was told there were strong suspicions that the senator was connected to the leaks coming from the War Department."

"And part of your investigation was to interview a girl that works at the Falcon and who overheard one of their conversations."

"Yes." What exactly was he getting at?

"That whole thing was a set up, a sting operation to be exact."

"What?" He couldn't be serious.

"You and I and that singer were led to believe something that wasn't what it seemed."

"A sting operation?" Clark sat across the desk from his superior, in disbelief.

"You heard me correctly." Director Kelly sat back in his chair and sighed. "Kent, you were given a case that you were never meant to solve."

"Then why in the hell was I sent out here?"

"Let me start from the beginning of this whole charade and hopefully it will make more sense." He was told and Clark nodded as the director opened the file folder.

"Our esteemed senator from Kansas, Conrad Burke likes to frequent the Falcon when he's in Smallville. The fact is he likes to frequent any nightclub in this state that has cheap liquor and pretty girls. But what he doesn't seem to realize is, that cheap liquor loosens his tongue and he starts to talk. And a few months ago during some of his evenings there, he began to talk quite openly about his less than honorable activities.

"The fellow who runs the Falcon." And he looked at the file. "Lionel Luthor, contacted Washington with the information. He volunteered the services of his son Alexander with the stipulation that the Bureau drop a criminal investigation that was pending against him. The idea being that cooperation in bringing down a treasonous senator should count in his son's favor."

"There was scuttlebutt when I got here that we had him for racketeering and prostitution."

The director frowned. "And that was the deal the old man cut for the kid because we were investigating him for racketeering and building a solid case against him."

The whole thing didn't make any sense.

"So on the promise of a bartender, we're going to let a guy who's made his money illegally and sells women for sexual purposes get off scot-free? That goes against everything we were trained for."

"We have to look at the bigger picture here, Kent. With his cooperation, we bag a senator who could do real damage to the war effort if he isn't caught." And he sat back again. "Think about it. If we don't catch this bastard, not only could he keep leaking information to the Germans, but to the Japs as well. Information that's vital to our fighting a two front war could and will be compromised if we don't take Burke out."

"So how is it that a small town bartender has so much influence?"

"You don't know who Lionel Luthor is, do you?"

"Should I?"

The director sat up again. "He was only one of the biggest bootleggers in the mid-west not so long ago. The Falcon was a speakeasy until Prohibition was repealed in 1933 and when his wife died four years ago he went straight. Said it was because of a promise he made to her.

"He wanted to get rid of all his illegal holdings outright but with some veiled threats from his son, they were turned over to him a few months after Mrs. Luthor's death. The only thing Mr. Luthor insisted on keeping for himself to run was the Falcon because that was the one business that had gone legit. It turns a nice profit and gives the younger Luthor an air of honesty."

Clark nodded. "That would explain Miss Lane's comment about how the Falcon was such a popular place to work." It felt so odd to call her that now. "Mr. Luthor said that he didn't run the type of place that provided extra benefits. That must mean that his son does with the places he runs."

"Unfortunately, that's all still hearsay and until we get solid evidence, we can't touch him."

"So we get a senator and in exchange, what does Luthor get?"

"He gets to not go to Federal prison." He frowned again. "It's too bad really. I would have loved to see him rotting away next to Burke in Leavenworth. But on the bright side, while we can't get him on the racketeering we can still go after him on the prostitution in his clubs. That was old man's concession to us."

"Sir, with all due respect you still haven't told me why Mr. Luthor has the influence he does."

"It's not influence, Kent. Part of his journey back to the straight and narrow was becoming an informant for us. It's all very unofficial and under the table because we don't want there to be a paper trail to lead back to him and have that avenue of information dry up.

"He's been invaluable to us since he went straight because of contacts he's maintained. And the deeper his son gets into trouble; the more he's trying to help him find his way out. He thought that by helping us trap Senator Burke, the younger Luthor would see the good he can do and maybe begin to see the light."

"Do you think he will?" Clark didn't know why he was asking.

"The hell if I know." He shrugged.

"So what exactly is Lex doing in this sting on the senator?"

The director turned a page in the file and appeared to be looking for the information. "Here it is. He has a certain spot at the bar he frequents when he's doing business at the Falcon and sound equipment was set up in such a way as to pick up and record their conversations. It's been his job to ply the senator with drinks and bring him around to talking about his activities. He needed to get the senator to speak as specifically as possible so that he couldn't weasel his way out when this thing goes to court."

"Do you think it'll get that far?"

"With the information we've gathered, I don't see how the senator can explain his way out of it. And if he tries to grease some palms and gets caught, he's only going to make it worse on himself."

Clark nodded in bewilderment at the volume of information that he was hearing. "So in all of this information we're being given, what was the purpose of my interviewing Miss Lane?"

"Your purpose never was to interview her, but to protect her." The director revealed and Clark remembered the shots that were fired the night they met. "Mr. Luthor called Washington after the sting was underway with a serious concern about his singer. He said that she'd gotten a little too curious about what was going on and he overheard his son talking to someone about taking care of her.

"The younger Luthor said that she was going to mess up his deal with the Feds if she kept nosing around and arranged to have her eliminated."

"So what was the point of my coming back five weeks before our interview and setting up a cover in Metropolis, if my assignment all along was to protect her?"

"The Bureau felt the fewer people who knew about the operation lessened the chance of it being compromised. So as far as you and I knew, you were back here to investigate the conversations between Luthor and the senator while undercover as a reporter."

"They didn't trust me." He shook his head with a sigh.

"Negative." The director was emphatic. "Your superiors in Washington told me that you're one of the best agents they have, but it goes back to keeping that circle of information small. What you don't seem to realize is that having you protect that girl was something you were hand picked for.

"According to your service record, you've never had a witness injured or killed that you were assigned to protect. And knowing that, they gave you this."

"It still doesn't answer my question." Lois's life had been in danger and he wasn't there.

"To put it simply, they took a gamble."

"With someone's life!" It was just starting to dawn on him that he might have lost her before he ever got the chance to know her.

"Yes." Mr. Kelly didn't disagree. "And it was only after several mishaps, as they called them, started to occur in the close proximity of Miss Lane that you were needed at the Falcon."

"She never mentioned it."

"That's because she probably didn't realize it." He theorized. "Mr. Luthor was keeping his eye on her and was able to keep her out of harms way. But it seemed the more he tried to look after her, the attempts became more bold."

"She did say that he was overprotective." Clark was going to have to shake Lionel Luthor's hand when it was all over. "But the boldness of the attempts would explain why the shots that were taken at her. I figured at the time that they were just to scare her."

The director shook his head. "According to what Mr. Luthor overheard after it happened, the shooter was wide on his first try because it was so dark and because of your quick action, the second shot missed her."

He slumped back in his chair as the gravity of the situation finally sunk in. "Oh my god."

"Agent Kent?"

Come on Clark, pull yourself together.

"There was a silencer on the gun." He'd forgotten about that. "If all the shooter had meant to do was scare her, he wouldn't have bothered."

The director seemed to consider that piece of information. "Well, if we can find the fellow who pulled the trigger, maybe we can get him to sell Luthor out and add conspiracy to commit murder to the growing list of his transgressions."

"Just tell me what you want me to do." Clark sat up and began to fidget nervously with his hat.

"I want you to go back to your hotel and get some sleep; you look like hell." The director cracked a smile and stood up. "Berths on sleeping cars aren't the most comfortable accommodations."

His parent's sofa wasn't much better. Clark couldn't help but think and had to make a concerted effort not to smile. He picked his hat up from his knee and stood up as well. "It beats sitting up, which I've also had to do."

"We all have at one time or another." He commented as he came from around the desk and walked to his office door, effectively ending their meeting. "You did a fine job with your part in this operation, Kent because you kept a girl safe who did the right thing. So the next time you speak with her, tell her how much I appreciate her bravery in what she did."

It was then that Clark allowed himself to smile. "I don't know if she would look at it that way, but I'll be sure to relay your thanks."

"It was brave, because I don't think she really understood what she was getting herself into."

"So what happens now, with her?"

"She stays put on your parents farm." He directed. "And you go back to being a reporter for the time being because we have to maintain the charade as it stands to keep Miss Lane safe. Luthor is still a threat to her until the operation is complete and we've arrested Burke."

"Even without a case to investigate?"

"Well according to Perry White, if you didn't already have a job with the FBI he'd hire you as one of his reporters without hesitation."

He'd spoken with Mr. White?

"Are you saying that I should be a real reporter for awhile?"

"As opposed to what you've already been doing?"

"That was a cover."

"And it was a cover you took seriously." The director smiled at him. "Think of this as honing a skill that might come in handy again."

"I'll be happy to be able to go back to what I was doing before all of this started." It was then that Clark saw the opportunity to talk about a transfer because he might not get another chance. "But if it's all the same to you, I'd like to be able to do that job here."

"You've enjoyed seeing your folks again, haven't you?"

If he only knew the half of it.

Clark nodded. "Seeing my parents and being back in Kansas; I didn't realize how much I'd missed it until I was out here."

The director walked back to his desk and picked up a pen. He scribbled something down and after he put his pen back down on the desk, rejoined Clark at the door. "I'll draw up the paperwork to request a permanent transfer before you leave for Smallville. When were you planning on returning?"

"I hadn't set a firm day because I didn't know exactly what was going to happen when I got here."

"That was good thinking. You will more than likely have to return to Washington for awhile when your current transfer expires at the end of this case. But I could use a good agent like you here, and I'll do everything I can to expedite the matter."

"I appreciate that, sir. And I know my parents will too." And Lois, he hoped.

"If anything changes about the operation before you leave, I'll contact you and relay any instructions from Washington." He opened the door and put out his hand.

"Thank you for telling me all of this." Clark took it and they shook. "I guess the Bureau felt we finally needed to know this?"

"They knew how frustrated you'd gotten with the lack of cooperation and felt it was time you were given the true nature of your assignment."

"Is this something I can discuss with my parents and Miss Lane? Because I won't be able to keep this from them for long."

He nodded. "Go ahead and tell them. They have just as much a right to know."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now get out of here and go get some rest." Mr. Kelly clapped him on the shoulder for a moment before Clark walked out of the office and the door was closed behind him.

oooooo

He could feel her softness pressed against him and the warmth of her hands roaming his back as her lips answered his heated kiss. Her fingers skimmed over his skin with a feather light touch that was making him think of things he shouldn't. And when her hands suddenly left him, he broke their kiss to protest only to smile as those hands grabbed the edge of his tee shirt and pulled on it.

He assisted her as quickly as he could by pulling it off and was rewarded with a deep flush as she slowly appraised him. He could see that she appreciated what she saw and wasted no time reaching for her so he could feel her hands on him again.

But as he kissed her, he was distracted from her gentle touch because there was an annoying ringing in his ears that wouldn't go away.

Clark's eyes snapped open when he realized that the telephone next to his bed was ringing. He didn't appreciate being wakened from such a pleasant dream and grabbed the receiver. "This had better be good." He barked.

"You weren't sleeping, were you?" It was just the voice he wanted to hear and he smiled sleepily.

"So what if I was?"

"Do you have any idea what time it is?" Lois asked him and it sounded as though she were trying not to laugh.

Clark glanced at his wristwatch and realized he'd been asleep for the better part of three hours. "It's three in the afternoon."

"Clark, I didn't decide to waste two minutes to ask you what time it was." She gently scolded and it made him smile all the more.

"Then why did you decide to waste two minutes?"

"Because I couldn't wait for you to get home and wanted to see how your meeting went."

He liked the way it sounded when she said home.

"It's a little too complicated to go into over the telephone and Mom and Dad need to hear this too. So as soon as I talk to Mr. Kelly, I'll be on the next train back to Smallville."

"Mr. Kelly?"

"He's the field director here in Kansas City and the fellow I had the meeting with this morning." He told her.

"Are you going to have to go back to Washington like you thought?"

"Only until my transfer comes through." He smiled again at the receiver when he didn't hear anything.

"Transfer?" She finally said

"That's what I said."

"Really?" She didn't sound as though she quite believed it.

"Really." Clark tried to reassure her.

"Why?" Was she kidding?

"Because you asked me to and because I wanted to."

"You did that for me?" He could hear the breathlessness in her voice and the familiar feel of goose bumps skimmed up his arms in response to it.

"Yes. And I did it for me and for my parents." He said honestly. "I've never liked being so far away from them and I probably wouldn't have had the nerve to ask if it hadn't been for you."

"You're welcome." Clark could almost see her smile on the other end of the long distance line.

"I miss you." His felt his face warm.

"You've only been gone a couple of days." And then she did laugh. "I miss you too and I wish you'd come home."

"As soon as I get things wrapped up here, I'll be on my way back." He promised her. "Would you let my parents know that I've got news for all of you?"

"Sure thing."

There was a knock at his door and Clark sighed in frustration. "I'm sorry Lois, but I have to go. There's someone at the door."

"Let us know when you're on your way."

"I will. I'll see you soon."

"Goodbye." He heard the line disconnect and put the receiver back in the cradle.

He got up off the bed and padded to the door. When he opened it, the desk clerk was standing in the hallway, with a folded piece of paper in his hand. "Mr. Kent, this message came in for you a few minutes ago."

"Thank you." He took the note and the clerk was gone. He closed his door before opening the note and it said simply 'Call your office'.

So he walked back to the bed and sat down to call the field office. He was put through to the director immediately and without preamble all Clark heard was, "We got the bastard."

"Sir?"

"I just got a call about twenty minutes ago and was informed that Burke was arrested in his senate office late this morning. Apparently, the last conversation he had with Luthor a few days ago sealed the deal and the boys in Washington moved in and nabbed him. What I wouldn't have given to see that treasonous son of a bitch walked out in handcuffs."

There was someone else Clark would have liked to have seen that happen to. Especially since he was responsible for putting Lois's life in danger.

"Don't worry Kent, we'll get him too. It's just a matter of time." The director seemed to understand his silence. "If the old man can't get him to go straight, then nothing will. Personally, I think he's gone too far down the road to perdition for his father to save him."

"I can't say that I disagree with you." Clark rubbed the bridge of his nose in exhaustion and more than ever just wanted to go home.

"I also thought you'd like to know that your transfer papers are all drawn up. I had to promise to give my secretary a fat bonus for coming in on a Saturday to work, so if you want to hotfoot it over here we can get the damn things signed and she can go home. And so can I."

"Does that mean that I can leave today?"

"Well there isn't any other reason for you to stay, so the soonest train you want to grab for home after we take care of this, I say take it."

"Thank you for everything Mr. Kelly; this will be good news for Miss Lane." He couldn't help but wonder if it would be good news for them.

"It's good news all the way around my boy, that's for certain."

"Give me twenty minutes and I'll be there." Clark had someone to call first.

"I'll have a pen ready and waiting for you." He heard the director chuckle just before he hung up.

Without a moments hesitation, he got the long distance operator on the line. "Operator, would you connect me to Smallville5-0225, please?"

He was coming home.