Chapter 3

She had lost track of the time. It was way too late to still be at work, but Lois had been working on a killer story that was sure to impress the ice queen, Tess. She envied Clark who went home early because of a headache and in her opinion a serious lack of work ethic. Distracted by her work she hadn't realized how hungry she was, which was evident almost immediately after she had dotted her last sentence. She could go for some greasy food after all she deserved it after slaving away all night over a hot computer.

A quick stop to Maggie's Diner was what she was craving. A midnight burger then straight to her bed to pass out. As she pulled up in her car across the street she noticed people in her favorite booth other than that it was empty. Lois almost didn't give them a second glance but as she was halfway across the street she noticed a familiar farm boy sitting in the window, and he was with a woman.

"Clark?" She asked aloud moving onto the sidewalk suddenly aware that if she could see them they would definitely be able to see her. As inconspicuous as she could she watched them from next to a light pole, pretending she had just received a call. She did not want to be a snoop but that's exactly what she was at the moment. "Huh so much for leaving early Smallville." He was obviously on a date and Lois felt a small twang in her gut. Not because he lied about feeling sick or even the date not being with her—at least that's what she told herself. She was hurt that he took this person to their late night spot, and the fact that she had stumbled upon them, cozied up together intimately talking. The very least Clark could have done was taken more care that she wouldn't accidentally find them here. Any other place and she wouldn't have known.

There was a hesitation in Lois's step. What she should do is march right into the diner and order her burger like owned the place. She had every right to be there as Clark did. Why should she change her plans for him? Try as she might she couldn't will herself to move towards the diner, her legs lead. Instead she slipped away back into her car and left.

xxx

Late—she was late. Lois overslept after a night punctuated by unrest. She was frustrated and took it out on anyone she crossed paths with on her way to the Planet. "Woke up on the wrong side of the bed huh Lane?" Someone called out to her as she brushed past, it barely registered to her who it was.

It was a good thing Tess barely stepped into the bullpen, where all the small fry resided. She'd hate to make another bad impression on her new boss. She hurried and slid into her desk chair.

"Miss Lane." Lois inwardly groaned. Of all days today was the day that Tess decided to make her rounds. "You look like a mess." Lois didn't need to see Tess to know that she was smirking, and way more put together than she was at the moment.

"Well working late on this new article will do that to a girl," she said, rotating her chair around to meet Tess's sharp gaze.

"Oh? I'd love to read it," she said challengingly.

"Right I'm just putting some finishing touches on it. You'll have it by the end of the day." Her story was mostly done but she'd definitely have to have someone look at it before sending it off to Tess.

"Where's your partner in crime?"

"I'm not Clark's secretary... but I think he's out chasing a story," Lois said smoothly. 'Or a girl' she thought inwardly.

As if on cue Clark arrived with coffees in hand. "Sorry I'm late I got a little held up..." he trailed off as that same woman from yesterday followed him, wide-eyed, into the bullpen.

"So is this the story you've been chasing, Clark?" She asked pointedly referring to the woman who accompanied Clark.

"Story?" Clark asked confused. "No this is my friend, she just wanted to see where I worked and now that she has... she is leaving."

"I'm Diana," she said, inserting herself into the conversation. "Prince..."

"Prince. Diana Prince. She's an old friend from childhood," Clark quickly butt in before the Princess could say more.

"We just met actually—" Diana started, just speaking the truth.

"Yes! Just met in person. We were pen pals in elementary school and kept in touch ever since. Diana is visiting, it was—unexpected, a surprise," Clark said desperately trying to keep the conversation on a normal controllable course.

"Pen pals from childhood?" Tess said amused. Lois could tell that Tess was not convinced by a word of what Clark was saying, and neither was she. "Well aren't you the sentimental one Clark. Where are you visiting from Diana?"

Getting the hint from Clark, Diana was intentionally vague in her reply. "My home is a very small island, most people don't even have a name for it."

"You'd be surprised. I've been around. Seen my fair share of unnamed islands. Go ahead and show her around Clark. As long as your work is on time you can give her the grand tour." Tess was interested in this mystery island woman. There was more to her than meets the eye. "Good to meet you Diana. You can call me Tess. I'm sure I'll be seeing more of you around." And with that she strode out back towards her office.

As this was all happening Lois was able to check Diana out inconspicuously. She was tall, dark-haired and gorgeous. Great. But there was something Lois couldn't put her finger on, something different about her.

"So..." Lois said as soon as Tess left. "Smallville's showing you around town huh?"

"Smallville—? Oh yes, I've never been off of my island before so I'm making Kal show me around." /Kal/ Lois thought, must be a childhood nickname if she were to believe they were childhood friends.

"So it's your first time out in the world and your first thought is to see Clark?" Clark coughed looking mildly offended. "No offense Smallville but there is much more to see in this world than Metropolis," she said trying to soften her earlier crack.

Amused Diana smiled inwardly—she didn't know much about this woman but Diana could tell that she was very much keen on Clark, no matter how she expressed herself the opposite. "I intend to see all parts of the world but for now I have some very important matters I have to finish up here that may take a while," she said gravely. "And besides Kal is the only person I know off my island and he's been very kind to let me stay with him."

"Right." Lois said, processing. "I'm Lois. Lois Lane. And if you're ever bored of Smallville here, which nobody would blame you if you did, call me up and I can show you the town, the more exciting parts." She wasn't sure where this all was coming from. Maybe she felt bad that the only friend she had outside her island was Clark. But then again she just noticed that there were three cups in the coffee carrier Clark had brought, and one of them had her name on it. Clark definitely had his moments, she thought grabbing her coffee from his desk.

"Clark said you were a kind person so thank you, I think I'll take you up on that sometime."

xxx

It was surprising to Clark to see Diana so amazed at things he took for granted. On the island they didn't have the technology or any modern inventions for that matter. "It must be a huge culture shock for you Diana."

"Yes, it's quite amazing all these gadgets you have. They look so fragile though," she said picking up someone's phone. "It's all glass. Not suitable to take into battle."

Clark quickly took it back from her and placed it back down. "Most people don't see much battle here, Diana."

"Hmm I was told your kind are a violent and warring people."

Your kind, men, Clark interpreted. "I won't say you're completely wrong Diana, but your sources may be a bit biased. I hope you'll learn to see the good I see in this world."

"All my sisters were slain by the men of this world. I want my sisters to be wrong but with my experiences in Gotham and the brief one I had here doesn't fill me with hope."

"Not a great track record," Clark admitted. "But you haven't seen even a fraction of what this world has to offer."

"I will always keep an open mind and heart Kal-El."

"That's all I ask." Clark paused thinking, "Oh and one more ask. I go by Clark to everyone. I don't exactly advertise my alien name. It poses too many questions," he said in a hushed voice.

"But you are Kal-El, the last son of Krypton. You should proudly carry your family name." Diana didn't understand him. To her he was extraordinary, an alien from another planet. Special and destined to save the world and nobody would even know. He should wear his name like a badge of honor.

Clark shook his head, glancing around to see if anyone had overheard them, "I'm just Clark Kent. I have to keep a low profile and so should you."

"Ok Clark I will go along with it. I trust you."

"Thank you Diana... Prince." He added, "That name suits you."

"If you say so Clark Kent."

xxx

While Diana was preoccupied with figuring out how to use a computer Clark called Chloe.

"Hey Chloe I really need your help for the day. Are you busy?"

"Never too busy to help a friend. What's up, is it serious?"

"No nothing like that. I kind of need a babysitter."

"Whoa Clark I'm not exactly Mary Poppins. Computer stuff and life and death situations I can do. Kids, not so much."

"Actually it's better that you just come to the Planet and I can explain."

xxx

"So she's like Xena warrior princess?"

"Who is this Xena? Another warrior? I would like to meet her," Diana said, not looking up from the computer. She had just discovered YouTube.

"Oh." Chloe said. "You're not joking."

"Yeah and I really have a lot of work to do, with Lex gone Tess has been riding us pretty hard."

"Lois told me. Ok yeah I'll watch her until you get off work and make sure she doesn't get into trouble."

"Thanks Chloe you're a real lifesaver."

"Oh and Clark don't forget about Oliver's party."

Clark internally cursed, "I completely forgot. You think I can take Diana?"

"I thought you were going with Lois."

"I think Lois will understand. Plus she has her own invitation. I'll take Diana as my plus one."

Chloe gave Clark a look of mild disapproval, "Hey she's not my desk mate, but I would not want to get on Lois's bad side."

"We were never going together together Chloe. Just as friends and work colleagues." Clark said, serving up his own look back at her.

"Whatever you say Clark." Chloe and Jimmy were going to the party together and recently Jimmy had gotten it into his mind to try and set Clark and Lois up. She had to admit that there was something there between them but she wasn't sure if it was what Jimmy was hoping there was. And now with Clark taking Diana instead of Lois, she was sure there would not be a chance of anything happening between those two.

"I have found videos of this Xena Warrior Princess, she seems wonderful!" Diana exclaimed, extracting herself from the computer. "And did I hear something about a party?"