SMALLVILLE-"PERCEPTION"
Writer's note: I wrote this one-shot originally in December 2011 and it was posted on Kryptonsite for a gift exchange at the time. As such, it was prior to the Season 11 comic. Revisiting my previous stories, I thought I would share it with a wider audience. This is set roughly one week after the events of "Finale". This fic was inspired by a scene in Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut. Although elements were also taken from a fanfic I co-wrote named "Homecoming" (no relation to Smallville's 200th episode) from my Season 8 fanfic posted on Kryptonsite years ago.
It was a morning like any other at the Daily Planet. Well maybe not like any other. Sure, the bullpen was bustling with activity as usual; but things had not quite been the same since The Blur came into the light and was redubbed Superman by Lois Lane, just about a week ago.
Clark Kent and his partner, Cat Grant were busy working at their desks. Clark was anyways. Cat on the other hand was completely immersed in the article before her from the latest issue of the Daily Planet, entitled "Superman: The Man of Tomorrow. An Interview Reported by Lois Lane".
While Lois and Cat had been once rivals, she had to admit Lois had a certain way with words, even if spell check was required. As for the exclusive interview, that was hardly a surprise given Lois and the Man of Steel had been on speaking terms well before he became a public figure. But what caught her attention more than the article was the man himself.
Just below the headline was a picture of Superman, complete with flowing red cape, pearly white smile, and a spit curl that lay just above his forehead. The hero once known as The Blur was quite the looker. While she had have never seen the hero in the flesh, aside from a few flashes of red and blue and the back of his head, Cat had the nagging feeling that she had met him before. She did not know for sure. The only thing she was certain of was that the photo had her completely mesmerized.
Taking a moment from the article he was typing, Clark looked up to see Cat transfixed on the paper she was holding. It was like she was on a different planet. "Cat...," he prodded. "Cat, you okay?"
Cat was still fixated on the photo when she finally heard Clark calling out to her. "Yeah…I'm just engrossed in this article. It's a real…," she began.
"…page turner," Cat finished as she looked up and her eyes met his for the first time in several minutes. Cat squinted curiously at Clark, unsure whether she was imagining things, as something began to dawn on her.
'No it can't be,' she thought.
"You sure there's nothing wrong?" Clark inquired, wondering why Cat was looking at him in such a peculiar manner.
"Yeah, it's nothing," she assured him, shaking off the feeling she had.
Getting up out of her seat, Cat made her way on the desk. "What ya workin' on, partner?" she asked.
Glancing over Clark's shoulder, she didn't give Clark a chance to answer. "Intergang? That's pretty heavy lifting for a novice," Cat observed, her voice almost squeaking as she expressed her disbelief.
"Novice?" Clark questioned her, as he turned back to her, pushing his black rimmed glasses against the bridge of his nose. "I've been here for almost two years and I've published more than my share of newsworthy items."
"In fact, word is that there is a spot opening up in a month up on the 8th floor and I think I've gotta pretty good shot at it."
"8th floor? Who's getting fired?"
"Retiring actually," Clark corrected. "Daly has decided it's time to move on."
"And you think Perry's gonna choose you to fill his spot?" Cat squeaked, incredulous. "Listen, Clark. It's like my granddaddy used to tell me. Never aim higher than you can reach. If you do, you're liable to fall on your butt and break a hip."
Clark peered at her, wondering if she was for real. "I thought the saying was that you should always reach beyond your grasp," he pointed out. "Besides, you've always told me you were an overachiever."
"What can I say? Some of us just bake faster than others," Cat responded. "Don't get me wrong, Clark. You're a great guy. But you need to let your cookie dough rise a little longer before you can be taken out of the oven." Clark just rolled his eyes.
Looking over to Clark's desk, Cat noticed an old Kent family photo of Martha, Jonathan, and Clark. Picking it up off Clark's desk, she noticed the red jacket and blue shirt combo.
Cat admired the pic. "You were quite the handsome guy back in your day, Clark," she noted, smiling back at him.
"Thanks…I think," Clark commented, not sure how to react.
Cat placed the picture back down on his desk, and looked back at Clark as she moved back to her desk. Sitting down, she stared down at the photo of Superman in the paper before her once more. As she fixated on the photo, the same feeling she had before returned. She looked up back up at Clark, then back to the pic, then back to Clark, then back to the pic again.
She hastily grabbed for the black marker in her pencil holder and began tracing black circles around Superman's eyes. Within moments, she had drawn thick rimmed glasses on the picture. Cat looked back up at Clark, her mouth gaping wide. 'It was him. All this time, it was him,' Cat thought.
Shock soon turned to pleasure, as the realization set in. He was more than a man, he was a Super-man. Cat couldn't help but stare dreamily at her partner, smiling giddily.
Clark looked up and met her gaze. Once again, he was confused at her behavior. "Cat, what's gotten into you?"
"I know I said you were handsome in your high school days, but the truth is, you look really 'super' today," she gushed.
"Cat…,"
Before Clark knew it, Cat was sitting up on his desk, almost seductively. Pulling the hair clip out of her hair, Cat let her down, her curly locks falling upon her shoulders. The only other time that she let herself be this way was around Booster Gold. Just like before, she was completely enamored.
"Cat, I'm not sure what's come over you, but I think it would best if you go back to your desk."
Cat ignored the request. "You know I'm feeling kinda hungry. Whada ya say you take a gal out for lunch? Be the Peter Parker to my Mary Jane?"
Clark sighed. "You do know that I'm practically married, right?"
Cat smirked. "I just assumed that didn't take. After all, I heard you guys didn't even say your 'I do's"
"We'd already be married if it weren't for the fact that a massive planet was hurtling towards the Earth, interrupting the ceremony," Clark explained, annoyed. While they did not know about Apokolips at the time of the ceremony, he wasn't gonna get into a discussion about how Oliver had been possessed and had tried to neutralize him with gold kryptonite.
"Still, if doesn't work out, give me call," Cat responded, finally getting off his desk.
"That's never going to happen," Clark stated firmly. "I love Lois more than anything, and we're already making arrangements to reschedule the wedding."
Suddenly, Clark heard a cry for help. He abruptly got up out of his seat and began to head towards the door. "I gotta go…I forgot to feed the cat."
As Clark hastily left the bullpen, Cat was left to wonder, "Since when do you have a cat?"
Suffice it to say, Cat did not get an answer. Turning back to Clark's desk, Cat picked up the Kent family photo and then the newspaper off her desk, and marched out of the bullpen, determined.
Storming into Lois' office, Cat immediately went off before Lois had a chance to even look up. "You've been holding out on me, Lois. How could you two keep something like this from me? You've got a lot of explaining to do, Missy!"
Lois gave Cat a quizzical look. "Excuse me?"
"Oh I don't play dumb. You know exactly what I'm talking about," Cat snapped.
"I really don't, I think you better spell it out for me."
"Clark," Cat explained. "He's Superman."
Lois began to laugh hysterically. To Cat, it was like déjà vu. She had gotten the exact same reaction from Tess when she revealed her suspicions about Lois' extracurricular activities almost a year ago.
"Clark? You think Clark is Superman?" Lois questioned Cat in amused tone. She let out a laugh again. "I mean, I love the guy but Clark can barely keep his head on straight or keep his balance, never mind leap tall buildings in a single bound."
"Oh he can do so much more than that. He can fly. You're not gonna convince me this time, Lois," Cat insisted. "I may have been wrong about you being The Blur, but I'm not wrong about this."
"How can you be so sure?" Lois wondered.
"I have proof." Cat handed her the morning paper.
Lois glanced at the paper, noting the black glasses drawn on Superman's face. Under different circumstances, Lois thought she might do the same. Cat was certainly catching on, but of course, she had to do everything she could to throw Cat off Clark's scent.
Lois laughed again. "This is your proof? A doodle? Come on, you're gonna have to do a little better than that."
"I have more. I got this off his desk," Cat elaborated, displaying the Kent family photo. "He was wearing red and blue, even back then."
"A lot of people wear red and blue. This is ludicrous."
"I might have believed you a few weeks ago, but I'm not blind Lois. He's got the same baby blue eyes, the same winning smile," Cat countered.
"I don't know why I didn't see it before. I know that I once said he was no Blur, but it's so obvious," she continued. "How else can you explain him going from my confident, flesh and blood hero in that alley to a bumbling buffoon with glasses in a matter of months? He was trying to protect his identity."
"You don't know him like I do, Cat. He stumbled all over himself in high school all the time," Lois explained. "You just saw what you wanted to see when you first met him, just like you are now."
"I don't think so," Cat remained persistent. "All the quick exits, and the flimsy excuses…not to mention that you've always had The Blur's ear and seemed to be in love with Clark and him at the same time, it all adds up."
"I was never in love with The Blur, I admired him," Lois countered.
"Whatever you say," Cat remarked, unconvinced. "The worst part is that Clark gave the lamest excuse just now, saying he had to go feed his cat, when he was probably off to save some damsel in distress. You guys don't even have a cat."
'Oh brother, what has Clark gotten us into now,' Lois thought. As usual, Lois would have to play along for Clark's benefit. "Yeah we do, we got him last week."
"Really? Then what's the little guy's name?" Cat questioned Lois, skeptically.
"Elroy," Lois blurted out, with the first name that popped into her head.
"Where did you get him?"
"The animal shelter," Lois quickly answered. "I'm kind of a sucker for strays if you couldn't tell," she added, with a little smile.
"That may be so, but all your little white lies don't change the facts, Lois Lane," Cat maintained, unconvinced by Lois' protests and explanations.
As she saw Cat preparing to leave, Lois snatched the Kent family photo from her hands. "Gimme that!" she demanded, annoyed.
"You're barking up the wrong tree, Cat."
"Fine, don't admit it. But we both know Clark Kent is our favorite red and blue Boy Scout, and whether you help me or not, I'm gonna prove it." Cat spun on the balls of her feet, and exited Lois' office.
Lois placed the photo on her desk. Watching the perky blonde disappear out of view, Lois sighed heavily.
Clark adjusted his tie and pressed his glasses up against his nose before exiting the elevator. As he approached Lois' office, he noticed the door open. Lois was busy at work, typing on her computer. He smiled as he admired the beauty of his future wife.
"Hey there," he called out as he entered the room. Lois looked up and smiled. "Busy on that story about Lex?"
"Yeah, for a guy who doesn't seem to remember a certain tenacious reporter, he's been a busy bee," Lois responded.
"If he has lost his memory, he's doing a pretty good job covering it up," Clark commented.
Aside from the fact that Lex didn't seem to remember Lois when he came face to face with her, the only other reason they would know he had lost his memory was a file they found hidden on the Watchtower database. In the note, Tess explained that she suspected Lex had returned, and that she would use some sort of neural paralayzer to wipe Lex's memory if she had to. Tess had not been seen since, and she was presumed dead.
"That's because he's so closely guarded and doing his best J.D. Salinger impression," Lois suggested. "But I know someone who knows somebody that knows somebody else, who works at Summerholt who spotted him going in there with his new assistant…Mercy something."
"You think he's trying to get his memories back?" Clark wondered.
"If I was a betting girl, and I am, I would say so."
"I almost feel sorry for Lex, losing all that he was," Clark admitted. "But it would be better if he didn't remember my secret."
Nodding, Lois got up from behind her desk. "Anyways, where have you been? I've been trying to reach you."
"Sorry, I turned off my phone. There was an emergency across town," Clark apologized. "What is it?"
"Missing something?"
"No I don't think so…," Clark answered back, unsure where she was going with this before Lois pulled out a photo from behind the pile of papers on her desk.
Clark look curiously at the photo as Lois handed it to him. "Where did you…did you take this off my desk?" Clark wondered, confused.
"No, Cat did," Lois explained.
"Cat?"
"Yeah," Lois confirmed as she walked past Clark, looking to make sure no one listening nearby. She closed the door, locking it, before turning back to Clark. "She stormed in here, maybe an hour ago with all sorts of theories…about you."
"Cat's put two and two together. She believes that Clark Kent and Superman are one in the same," Lois elaborated.
"She was acting pretty strange this morning…She said that I looked 'super'," Clark recalled.
"I'm wondering if you should rethink the whole 'no mask' thing," Lois pondered aloud. "And you might want to tone down the bumbling…just a little."
He sighed. "No, Lois. We've had this discussion before. I can't expect people to trust me if I'm hiding my face," Clark began. "As for the bumbling, that was your idea in the first place."
He remember distinctly protesting when Lois suggested he go back to the way he was in High School, and only started doing it again for the greater good.
"Okay, so maybe I miscalculated a bit," Lois admitted. "Instead of making you blend in, it made you stand out even more."
"If you won't wear mask or a hood and shades, then what can you do to make sure that people don't see Clark Kent as Superman? If Cat can see it, it's only a matter time before Lex does, maybe even the world."
Clark thought for a minute. "Wait a minute, that's it. It's all about perception. Why didn't think about it before?" He headed towards the door.
"Clark, isn't that what we've been talking about the whole time?" she questioned him, confused.
"It's more than that. Something from my training…I have to talk to Jor-El," Clark explained.
"Do what you gotta do," Lois responded. "But tonight we're going to the animal shelter."
"Animal shelter, why?"
"We have a cat now, thanks to you," she stated, smirking. "His name is Elroy."
"Elroy?" Clark asked, amused by the choice.
"What? The Jetsons is the first thing that popped into my head. You're verbal blunder kinda put me on the spot."
"I thought the pet's name was Astro," Clark teased.
"Astro was a dog…really, Smallville," Lois responded wryly, shaking her head in feigning disapproval. Clark rolled his eyes.
"Go talk to Jor-El. I'll cover for you," Lois added, adjusting his collar. "Just try to stay out of trouble between now and the time you get back," Lois joked. A sly grin forming on her face as she released him.
Clark smiled, shaking his head, before exiting the office.
Entering the white, glowing fortress, Clark approached the main console. "Welcome back, my son."
"Father," Clark began. "You've taught me so much over the years, and for awhile I thought I no longer needed your guidance. But I realize there is still much you can teach me, even if my trials are at an end."
"How can I help my son?"
"I've gone to great lengths to protect my identity as Clark Kent, while still stepping into the light, being the beacon of hope that you thought I could be," Clark continued. "But it's not enough, I'm afraid my identity has been compromised."
"Living amongst humans will always put you at risk, Kal-El," Jor-El responded.
"I understand, but there has to be a way to still show my face to the world and inspire others, while protecting my identity."
"I have a feeling the answer is already within you, my son."
Clark nodded, remembering why he thought to come to Jor-El. "During my training, you spoke of an experimental technology developed by Kryptonians that would allow a person to assume a new identity."
"You're correct, my son. Centuries ago, Dax-Ur developed technology he called a perception filter," Jor-El started. "The chip and crystals contained within its matrix would theoretically obscure the wearer's true identity from everyone around them."
"But fearing his technology could fall into the wrong hands, Dax-Ur destroyed most of his research. The only thing that remains of his research is a journal, which he entrusted to our ancestors before he left for Earth."
"But for years I have shown my face to the world," Clark remembered. "There are countless photographs with me in it, looking just like Superman. Wouldn't it only be a matter of time before people figure out my identity?"
He knew this might be his only shot to protecting his identity, but he was still concerned that this would not be enough.
"According to Dax-Ur's research, the perception filter also generates a mild mass hypnotic effect, implanting the suggestion in people's minds that you're appearance has always been the same," Jor-El explained. "Only the people closest to you should see the real Clark Kent. But be warned, this technology is experimental and untested. There are no guarantees, Kal-El."
Removing his glasses, Clark stood firmly, confident in his decision. "I understand, but I'm willing to take that risk. I can't protect the world the way I need to if people know Clark Kent is Superman."
"I am proud of you, Kal-El. Good luck, my son," Jor-El's voice called out as the Fortress' main console began to pulse at an ever increasing rate.
The next morning, Clark and Lois were standing just behind the door to the bullpen at the Planet. Lois helped Clark with his glasses, adjusting them on his face. "You ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be."
"Now, you're sure that the perception thingamajig in your new glasses is gonna work?" she wondered, prodding.
"No, but there's only one way to find out," Clark admitted.
Adjusting his trench coat, Clark stepped into the bullpen, with Lois following closely behind. Much to their annoyance, Cat seemed to be rummaging through Clark's desk.
"Cat, I think it's time we discussed boundaries," he called out to her.
Caught red-handed, Cat stopped what she was doing and began to blush. She could barely look at Clark, averting her eyes. "This…this isn't what it looks like," she squeaked.
"It looks like you're rummaging through Clark's desk," Lois snapped, annoyed.
"Okay, so maybe it is what it looks like," Cat nervously confessed. "I'm so sorry Clark. I'll make it up to you."
Still discombobulated and only half paying attention, she grabbed a basket off her desk. "Maybe these will be a start. I baked these just for you," she presented the basket to Clark, smiling, her face still red.
Clark glanced down at the cookies, which appeared to be gingerbread men with a blue shirt with the red and yellow House of El symbol on their chests.
"They're Gingerbread Supermen," Cat explained, gleefully. "They're super and sweet, just like you Clark." Lois couldn't help but roll her eyes at how Cat was trying to kiss up to Clark and hit on him, even with her in the room.
"That's really sweet of you, but I think you've made a mistake," Clark commented, pushing the glasses against the bridge of his nose.
Finally regaining her focus, Cat looked straight at Clark. She did a double take, thinking her eyes were playing tricks on her. "I don't understand, I could've sworn you were…," she began.
"Superman? Hardly!" Lois offered, smirking.
Cat placed the cookies back on her desk, and picked up yesterday's paper. She looked back and forth between her doodle and Clark. "I suppose Lois told you about my theory. This is some sort of trick right?"
"Trick? What do you think that Clark is some sort of magician?" Lois interjected, sarcastically, eliciting a glare from Cat.
"Yes, she told me about your theory, but this is no trick," Clark insisted. "I'm flattered you thought I was him, but I'm no hero," he added in a humble tone.
Cat peered at Clark, still unsure. Her eyes seemed to suggest he was telling the truth, but what about all the evidence that seemed to point to him as Superman? Was it all in her head?
Suddenly, Lois' former intern, Jeff stormed into the bullpen. "I just heard on the newswire, there's a bank robbery in progress at Metropolis First Bank. Hostages have been taken."
Charging ahead of Lois and Clark, Cat quickly ran outside. Putting up her hand, Cat tried in vain to catch a cab on the bustling Metropolis street. She stepped onto the street, to try to get a better view of any coming taxis.
As Lois and Clark arrived outside, Cat turned towards them. "Comin' partner?" she asked, distracted as she stumbled further into the street.
Just then, Lois noticed a car barreling towards her, swerving. "Cat, look out!" she exclaimed.
Clark was about to make a break for it, when a swirl of red and blue appeared before them. In one fluid motion, Superman had seemingly stopped the swerving car in its tracks and scooped Cat up off the ground.
As the Man of Steel (or so it appeared), deposited Cat back down, the awestruck report smiled with glee. "That was amazing!" she squeaked.
"Happy to help, Miss…?"
"Cat, Cat Grant," Cat responded, still grinning from ear to ear, as she extended her hand to his, shaking it.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Grant," her hero responded. "But next time, try to watch where you're going more carefully."
"Will do," she responded in a high pitched tone.
"I would've love to stay and chat, but there seems to be a robbery that needs my attention," he said.
"Of course," she acknowledged.
"Mr. Kent, Miss Lane," 'Superman' noted to a confused Lois and an amused Clark. "Miss Grant," he added, before nodding and flying away.
After watching in amazement as Superman streaked across the sky, leaving red and blue contrails in his wake, Cat once again turned to Lois and Clark. Cat shrugged her shoulders. "I guess I was wrong about you Clark," she said, letting out a little giggle. "I still think you're a super guy."
Lois gave her a look that said, 'Really? you're hitting on him again?'
The death stare shook Cat back to reality, and she returned her attention to the street. "Taxi! Taxi!"
This time Cat had managed to catch a cab. As she got halfway into the cab, she turned back to the duo. "Sorry Lois but this story is mine," she began. "Clark, you coming?"
Clark shook his head. "No, you take this one."
Cat nodded and closed door to the cab. "Metropolis First Bank…and step on it!"
As the cab sped away, Lois turned to Clark. "How'd you manage that one, Kent? You have a duplicating ray I don't know about?"
Clark smirked. "Funny," he started. "Actually, I called J'onn and told him about the situation. I asked if he could do save or two for me."
"Good thinking, Smallville. Lucky for you, he was here just in time to save Cat before you had to," Lois observed.
Clark smiled. "Well, Bart's also in town. So he could've helped too," he explained. "I imagine the race to the bank will be a photo finish."
Thoroughly amused, an idea popped into Lois' head. "Now that your morning is free, how about you pick me up some of those maple donuts you know I'm so fond of."
"Right away, Miss Lane," he agreed as he pushed the glasses up against the bridge of his nose.
Clark knew just how to push Lois' buttons. Every time he called her 'Miss Lane', it got her all hot and bothered. She promptly wrapped her arms around his neck, as he braced his hands against her hips. She stared hungrily into his eyes as he stared lovingly back into hers. Pulling Clark in, Lois kissed him passionately, open her lips to his. Every kiss seemed to be as good, if not better than their first had been.
Coming up for air, Lois smiled affectionately up at Clark. "You know, Smallville. You may tell others you're not a hero, but you'll always be my Superman."
FADE OUT
THE END