Ever since the events that led to Zod's death, Lois was having rough nights. She often dreamt that he came back, or that Clark couldn't kill him and save them all. She would wake up in the middle of the night, sometimes sweating or crying, depending on the intensity of the nightmare.

It had only been a week so she thought it was normal to have PTSD. But she was tough, it'll pass. She'll get over it, and she was reassured by the fact Clark was here. She was confident he could protect her. But she somehow dreaded something would happen to him. If Zod had taken him in his ship without the air composition shifting thanks to Jor-El, he wouldn't have been strong enough to fight and they would have hurt him. Or even killed him.

Picturing Clark's body laying still made her shiver and she decided to get up. She'll arrive earlier than usual at work. It was no big deal for her, she loved her job and her coworkers. She knew Perry was looking for someone new and that he apparently found this person, maybe he or she will start today.

Lois showered, got dressed and attached her hair in a high ponytail. She grabbed her things and walked out of her apartment. She would have breakfast outside, on her way to work. With luck, their offices hadn't been destroyed by Zod and Clark's fight.

She was the first at work as she thought she would be and took advantage of that to peacefully watch the sun rise through the window. There used to be a building blocking the view but it had collapsed. She wondered how many human casualties there were. The firemen hadn't stopped counting for a week. She wondered how Clark felt about that. Certainly, he was not at ease with this thought.

After the sun rose, she opened Word and started typing an article about the recent events. Perry had asked each of them - she, Jenny and Steve - to write about it. He thought it would be interesting to publish their feelings and the different points of view. Of course, Lois wouldn't say everything she felt. She couldn't write about falling in love fast with Superman, people wouldn't understand and that wasn't what they needed to hear. But she certainly could write about finding him, without disclosing his identity of course. But maybe she should ask him if he agreed. If she saw him again of course. She hadn't seen or heard from him in a week and was wondering if he was like every other men in the end. But she couldn't believe that in her gut. He certainly needed time alone after killing one of his own - the last one by the way. And he had to help his mother rebuild the house. She thought about calling him but she figured it was too early. She would give him some air.

Around 8.50, Jenny arrived and sat at her usual seat behind Lois.

"Hi Lois, how are you?"

"Good, thanks. What about you?"

Jenny grabbed a sheet of paper she got out of her backpack and showed it to Lois.

"I won't be an intern anymore, starting next week!"

"Oh that's great, I'm happy you're staying with us! You deserve it, Perry really likes you by the way"

"He stayed with me you know. I was stuck in between collapsed walls and he was holding my hand, he wasn't gonna let me die alone. Lombard was there too, well you saw us all together."

"Yes. Behind his bear-like attitude, he's thoughtful towards us."

"Yes, so I'm happy to stay!"

Lois smiled at her and they were silent again. It was calm until Lombard arrived ten minutes later and began talking to Lois about a game.

After two refusals from she and Jenny, he was about to insist but Perry saved them. In spite of her eyes on the screen, Lois saw that the man with Perry seemed huge. Square shoulders and quite tall. Perry introduced him and Lois' heart jumped when she heard his name. For a second, she couldn't believe it. She took a breath and looked up to meet his eyes. She felt surprise as he really looked different than what she was used to - even in casual clothes.

His eyes were hesitant, as if he was unsure of her reaction. But she smiled at him and his features relaxed. She took another breath, to make sure her voice will be normal and got up to greet him.

"Lois Lane, welcome to the planet"

She felt stupid as soon as this private joke escaped her mouth but he actually contained a laughter. He composed himself for a moment and replied: "Glad to be here Lois"

She smiled again. Perry told her to be his tutor for his first month. She had already done that with Jenny so she knew what to do.

"There's a desk here if you want", she said gesturing behind his back.

He turned around and put his bag on the floor. And took off his jacket to put it on his chair. Lois couldn't help but look at his chest. She wondered what he looked like bare chest. Good thing he couldn't read minds. But maybe he could see neurotransmitters and identify them.

She came back to reality and looked around before sitting on the edge of his desk while he sat and put some papers and pens from his bag to his desk.

"So, the glasses?" She asked him smiling.

He smiled back. "Well, it seems to be working"

Lois scoffed lightly. Of course, it didn't work on her. Even without the mention of her name, she would've recognized him.

"Why here?"

He thought for a second before telling her the truth. "I need to be able to ask questions and investigate without being noticed. This is the easiest way."

Lois was a bit disappointed and just nodded.

"Of course, you working here is actually one more good reason to have applied."

She couldn't help but laugh.

"Lane!" Perry shouted through the office. "Meeting now, instead of hitting on the new guy!"

She had jumped when he'd shouted her name. She was still nervous from the events. One of Clark's pen fell on the floor at her feet and he reached down to grab it.

Lois got up, bothered by the view of him down near her legs.

"I forgot there was a meeting. Um, read our articles on the drive to get our style and then, Perry asked us to write an article about 300 words on our feelings about Superman and what happened. Sorry, you'll have to lie!" She had whispered these last words.

He smiled. She grabbed her laptop and ran to the meeting room.

The meeting didn't last long, almost thirty minutes. Lois went back to her desk and sat on her chair and made it roll to Clark.

"How's it going?"

"Good, I think. Can you read it?"

She wasn't surprised he was already done but she didn't say anything. She read his article. He wrote about how he was afraid for his mother, how he missed his father and how he found hope in Superman. It was touching.

'It's good. Captivating and we can feel your emotions while reading.'

'I couldn't write that but I'm also grateful for you, for your support.'

Lois couldn't help but put her hand on his arm and smiled. She could feel his muscles through his dark blue shirt. Clark quickly looked at her arm and up at her. His eyes were soft, she pulled back her arm and looked down. She could feel the blush heating her cheeks. She heard him laugh quietly.

'Now, we have to go through HR, come on', Lois said as she got up and pushed her chair back at her desk.

They both walked towards the elevator and Lombard joined them right before the doors closed. Lois sighed, she was sure he would say something annoying. She pushed the story button and sttod by Clark's side. Lombard opened his mouth : 'So, how was it Lois ?'

'What Lombard ?', she replied, already dreading the worst.

'Kissing Superman ? You guys are together or what ?'

Heat invaded Lois' cheeks and her heart raced in her chest. Of course, Clark would notice. That made it worse, she took a deep breath to compose herself.

'None of your business', she simply replied with a fake smile.

'Guess you're too good for me then', he sighed and thankfully the elevator stopped.

Lombard got out and made his way on the left. Clark and Lois were going straight to the HR department. Her heart hadn't really calmed itself. She didn't dare looking at Clark. She had to take another breath when they arrived in front of Lauren.

'Hi Lauren', Lois said.

She raised her head from her screen and smiled at Lois. And looked at Clark.

'Hi…'

'This is Clark Kent, it's his first day. Can you give him his card and his health insurance paper please ?'

'Sure. How are you ?' This question was for her.

'Fine, you ?'

'Lost my apartment but apart from that, I'm okay.'

Lois didn't know what to answer so she just looked down then at Clark, he looked upset.

'I need you whole information, name, date of birth, adress and phone number', Lauren asked Clark.

'Clark Joseph Kent, April 18th 80,…'

Lois smiled at him. That was certainly the day he landed on Martha and Jonathan's farm.

Lauren typed the rest of the information on her laptop and printed the card. Then his health insurance contract, as if he was going to need it.

She handed them to him.

'Here you go, welcome, you're in good hands with this one.'

Lois nervously laughed and they got back to the elevator. They were alone this time.

'You didn't reply to Lombard', Clark told her with a smile.

'Do I need to ?' Lois replied back, looking in his eyes.

It was much easier to be close to him without anyone around.

'No,' he said.

They remained like this until the elevator ride stopped. Just looking at each other was nice.

When they sat back at Clark's desk, he suddenly looked at her and asked: 'Would you have dinner with me tonight?'

That surprised Lois but pleased her at the same time. 'Sure', she replied with a smile.

'I'll let you choose the restaurant,' he said.

'Alright, I'll let you know'

Chapter 2 coming soon!