Note: Thanks for reviewing. Again, this chap doesnt have much clana, but I hope you still like it.

Metropolis: Information Boulevard

8:53 A.M.

Monday, June 14th

"Hey, Kid, you alright?" was how Clark was shaken out of his shock.

"Umm…yeah…." Clark said to the man running the newspaper stand. To be honest, Clark wasn't sure if he was alright. The word meant nothing but numbness to him as he rummaged through his jean pocket for change. He held out his hand to the man and pointed at the newspaper. The man seemed to understand and handed it to him in exchange for a dollar and seventy-five cents.

Clark shook his head to rid of the swarming thoughts of how he was going to kill Lois. He knew he should have handed in the article earlier. The images of Lana naked that he had acquired over their phone call on Friday had stopped him, however.

Clark unfolded the paper and found that only one thing had been changed; instead of bearing the name Clark Kent as the author, it now beared Lois Lane.

Something told me I shouldn't have stored it in her computer, Clark thought miserably; feeling like all his snooping and time had all been a waste. He had given up several nights with Lana last week just to type it up. He sighed and folded the paper up again. With hunched shoulders and a troubled expression, he dawdled down Information Boulevard.

Clark was just nearing the tall and busy looking building of the Daily Planet when he heard a shriek for help. He stopped abruptly, causing several people behind him to swerve to avoid bumping into him. All his senses were tingling; super hearing and super vision included. Clark focused in on the shrieks that were now fading away in the morning bustle of the city.

The alley. Clark used his x-ray vision to focus in on the alley that he had left behind a few minutes ago. Clark switched to super speed mode, but stepped onto the road. He didn't want to take any chances at hitting anyone on the packed side walks. Damaged cars would be easier to pin on a large truck or a motorcycle.

Clark easily twisted and dodged through the swarm of cars all trying to get to work or school. His coordination and sharp mindedness for objects and turns helped him get to the alley in a matter of seconds. Unfortunately, not fast enough.

Down at the farthest and darkest end of the alley was a woman lying prostrate on the ground. Clark sped to her and swept the area with his precise vision for any one else. Nothing.

Clark kneeled down to the woman and turned her over. He let out a gasp when he saw blood spilling out of her punctured neck. It looked like something with fangs had bitten her. A vampire? No, that's crazy, Clark thought, shaking his head and reeling back from her. It made him sick to think of who could possibly had done this.

Wait, how do you know it's a who? It could have been a mad dog for all he knew. Clark fumbled in his pocket for his cell phone and dialed 911.

After a minute talking to the operator and her assurances that everything would be okay, Clark hung up and looked at the woman on the ground. Knots of guilt entered his stomach and his throat tightened. He should have been there sooner.

There was nothing he could do for her but pray that she would make it. Clark couldn't help but let his mind wonder to if the woman had a family. Maybe a husband and a child.

Creak. Clark stood up with lightening speed and looked around. Someone or something had moved in the alley of death.

"Hello?" Clark called uncertainly. The good thing about the big city was there were no meteors freaks or kryptonite lying around. Just psychopaths, murderers, and muggers. The thought of the woman's killer hiding out in the alley getting ready to attack unnerved Clark. His senses were alert and he bravely called out again, "Hello? Anybody there?"

Nothing. Just cold silence. Clark let out a sigh that he didn't realize he was holding. Clark kneeled to the ground again and this time, something by the dumpster caught his eye. Again, he got up and swiftly moved towards it.

It was a gold painted name tag with the LexCorp logo on it. Clark held it up so it shined in the morning sun. Dr. David Cobwell, Head Scientist of Division 1.5 was in scripted on the plate. Clark's strong fingers closed around it as he pocketed it, hoping Chloe and her journalistic skills could help him solve this confusing puzzle.

"Help me…." Clark snapped his head back and saw that the blonde haired woman was coming to.

"Help is on the way," Clark replied curtly as he kneeled by her side. He wasn't sure she could hear him; her head rolled to the side once more.

Think, Kent; there must be something that you could do for her…stop the blood.

"Clark…you're !" Where had he heard that from? Lana. Friday night. I was kissing her neck when…

Clark prayed that this would work. Bending down slightly, he blew softly and uncertainly onto the woman's wound. Slowly, but surely enough, her wound became frozen and covered with ice. The blood had stopped; at least for now.

The sounds of sirens announced the arrival of Metropolis' medical crew and police squad. Clark quickly stood up, hoping no one had seen his latest heroic move.

Clark walked inconspicuously through the herd of medical assistants and officers. He simply nodded when one of them told him to wait for a statement. Like that was happening.

"Clark!" Lois Lane was running toward him. All confusion, dazedness, and guilt about the unusual events that had just taken place were replaced with anger.

"Lois," Clark acknowledged. He pulled today's newspaper from his back pocket and flashed it in front of her. "Congratulations on your article."

Lois gulped and replied, "Err…thanks."

A moment of silence followed and neither one of them knew what to say.

"Clark, can you excuse me? I'm gonna go…" Lois gestured pathetically at the scene unfolding at the alley. She hated uncomfortable silences.

"Sure." Clark forced a smile, although he was feeling like crap inside.

Just when Lois was about four feet away from him, Clark decided to speak up. "Why did you do it?" He couldn't help it; it just slipped out. All the anger and loss that was bubbling inside of him came out.

Clark watched as Lois' facial expressions took on a look of shock and amazement. Then, they turned into denial. "What are you talking about, Smallville?"

"I'm talking about how you turned in my article for the benefit of your career." Clark couldn't believe that she was actually denying her actions when the proof was right there in print. Her denial made him even more furious; more furious that he had intended to be. The guilt and frustration of the earlier event fueled his anger.

"Look, if you're accusing me of stealing your article─"

"You're damn right I am," Clark snapped a little harshly. What was coming over him?

Apparently, Lois was also thinking along the same lines. "Clark, I didn't─"

"Yes, you did," Clark said roughly, shaking his head as to tell her to quit her act. "We both know you did, Lois."

Lois Lane couldn't help but feel a little scared now. There was a maddening glint in his eyes that Lois couldn't quite pinpoint where it came from. There were times that he was annoyed and a little exasperated by her, but he was never mad—like furious. Yes, she annoyed him to hell sometimes, but not to the point of breaking her bones—like now.

I guess it's the price you pay for stealing his article, Lois thought as Clark approached her.

"Clark…I admit, I did steal your article," Lois said calmly as he neared her like an animal catching his prey would; slow, deliberate, and sly. "But, hey, it wasn't my fault it was on my computer. And you do have to acquit for your actions too; you hacked into my computer. You stole my password."

Clark waved them off as if they were nothing. Lois had thought her words would drive him off or something. Again, she thought wrong.

"You always have to be number one, don't you?" Clark's voice was loud, but not loud enough to attract the attention of people nearby.

Lois put a hand on his shoulder, hoping the gesture would calm him down. As quick as she could blink, he had snatched it off his shoulder and was now holding it in his powerful grip.

Lois' breathing got louder and heavier and so did his. Lois ran through several scenarios/possibilities in her head: 1. Clark Kent could be suffering from multiple personality disorders. 2. Or, Clark Kent could just be ticked as hell with her and he really wanted to break her bones. 3. And, finally, Clark Kent could just be going through one his weird phases and in five seconds he would snap out of it. (Yeah, right.)

"Clark? Uhh…do you mind letting go of my wrist?" Lois tried the sarcastic, funny way of getting him to release her.

It seemed to do the trick. Clark blinked and snapped out of whatever had happened. His grip relaxed and Lois' hand fell down to her side. A few moments passed with silence, and Lois broke it with, "Welcome back?"

"Lois…" Clark reeled back a few steps. "I'm…sorry."

Lois Lane hitched an eyebrow up and Clark took that as an "It's okay; it's forgotten."

"What was that all about?"

Clark swallowed hard, his chest heaving. What was that about?

"Umm…"

"Miss, would you mind stepping out of the way?" A medical assistant said to Lois' back.

Lois turned around for a split second to see who had spoken and when she stepped to the side, she felt a breeze. Lois grimaced when a stretcher being held by two men walked pass her. The body was fully covered by the cloth. Lois dug in her bag for the camera, but realized Clark had it.

"Clark, do you─"

But, Clark Kent was gone, leaving a bewildered Lois in his wake.