Richard watched from his desk as Lois and Clark got assigned their story. Lois was with Clark now… Jason was Clark's son… he had to remember that.

It didn't mean he didn't love him any less. Or her for that matter. Jason and Lois were his family, even if the world didn't recognize it. He loved them more than anybody in the world.

But what about Superman?

As much as he felt was unknown about Lois Lane, he firmly believed in her values. She had broken it off with him when she went back to Clark, hadn't she? She wasn't the kind to string along two men.

Then how the hell did Superman fit into all of this? Richard painfully drudged up memories of Lois in Superman's arms. It wasn't exactly a platonic embrace.

A flash of anger shot through him. How could Lois do this to him, to Jason? He had been a good fiancé, not wanting to rush her into marriage. He scowled. Apparently she hadn't set a wedding date on purpose. And Clark. Richard had been nothing but nice to him, even defending him a few times from his beast of an uncle. Was this how he was going to be repaid?

And how come Lois had never mentioned him anyway? If they were so hot and heavy before… Well enough to produce a child, anyway. How come nobody seemed to know that they were an item.

Unless it was a one night stand kind of thing.

But then again, Clark didn't seem to be the kind of guy to do that.

Then why did he leave?

Richard's thoughts traveled a million miles an hour. He had always been inquisitive and he felt that his mind was his best ally for this situation. Think things through, maybe he'd get some answers.

From what he knew of Clark Kent, he was a total klutz, about 6'4 and wore ridiculously thick glasses.

Great.

Oh yeah, he was totally enamored with Lois Lane. Until about four nights ago, Richard had believed the feeling was unreciprocated. He had pitied the guy, invited him for dinner one night.

That turned out well.

Richard forced his mind back on track. Clark, Superman, Lois. What was the connection? Besides his fiancée of course, he thought, his chin tightening.

Clark loved Lois, Lois loved Superman, Superman loved Lois, Lois loved Clark.

Connection, connection, connection. He thought, scanning the image of all three of them across his mind.

Internally, Superman was confident and world savvy. Lois was confident as well, attracting trouble wherever she went. Clark was bashful and shy, always an advocate against violence.

Well… so was Superman, in effect. Richard had never known him to kill anyone when he didn't absolutely have too. He tossed Lois out of the equation for a moment and focused on Clark and Superman.

Clark—6'4…. Superman ---6'4. Brown hair on both. Superman had blue eyes though. Richard thought for a moment but for the life of him he couldn't remember the color of Clark's eyes.

Clark was so clumsy, so… invisible. He couldn't be the Man of Steel himself, could he?

Richard was thrown out of his stupor by his uncle's voice.

"Richard! Rhett! Get in here."

Richard dutifully arrived in Perry White's office a moment later, followed by the staff's newest photographer, Rhett Moniker.

"Richard, take Rhett out and try and cover the terrorist ring." Perry said, without looking up.

"Yes, sir."

Richard held out his hand to Rhett. "Richard White, nice to meet you."

Rhett took his hand and shook it, "Rhett Moniker." He didn't volunteer any more information and Richard wasn't in the mood to ask. Grabbing a notebook, he met Rhett by the elevator.

"So I hear Superman's a big deal in these parts," Rhett said thoughtfully.

Richard tensed, but managed to keep his voice level.

"Yes," he said shortly.

"You don't sound too happy about it."

"Should I be happy about him?"

Rhett shrugged. "I just thought 'cause this was the Daily Planet, that everybody here would love'im. That Lois Lane does anyway."

Richard clenched his fist in anger and bit his lip to keep from saying anything. He wasn't in the habit of confiding in minor acquaintances… he kept his fist balled up. He wasn't in the habit of punching them senseless either.

He took some deep breaths, trying to calm down. It wasn't Rhett's fault. Well he probably could help being such an obnoxious jerk, but other than that it wasn't his fault. The whole world talked about Superman relentlessly. It wasn't odd that Rhett did too, especially as a newcomer to the town.

They reached the bottom floor and started out. They hadn't gone more than twenty paces when Rhett looked up and pointed out something.

"Hey isn't that Superman there!"

Richard looked up just in time to see a blue blur come speeding out of the alley. Richard paused curiously. He had never actually ever seen Superman come out of an alley like that, speeding off to God knows where. He increased his pace, impervious to Rhett's shouts behind him.

Maybe, just maybe he could find some sort of clue left behind. Besides, Richard reasoned, as far as he knew, Superman couldn't just morph his clothing at will. If his suspicions were correct and Clark Kent was indeed Superman, then he must leave his clothing somewhere. He doubted that Clark could afford a new suit every time he had to speed off as Superman.

Completely forgetting about Rhett behind him, Richard charged down the alley and stopped.

He spun slowly around. It was a typical alley. Trash cans littered the side. A cat scrambled out of the way as Richard slowly approached one.

"Aha!" he shouted triumphantly, lifting off the lid to the trash.

The can was empty save for an overwhelming stench and somebody's left over dinner.

Richard gagged and backed away.

"What the hell are you doing, White?" Rhett finally managed to gasp out. He was not a slender man, and compared to Richard's trim physique, he was almost laughable. Richard had made his way down the alley in half the time it took Rhett.

Richard kicked the can in frustration. He looked around again. There were some flowers on a ledge. His gaze traveled up. Some clothes on a line. Up… the roof.

His gaze suddenly shot back to the clothing line.

"Of course…" he murmured to himself. Without another thought, he had hoisted himself on the ledge holding the flowers and was just tall enough to reach the clothing line.

Clothing hidden among more clothing… Right out in the open. He spotted Clark's telltale brown jacket.

Despite his suspicions, Richard staggered back down in shock.

"Clark Kent… is…. Superman." He said softly.

"What?" Rhett asked behind him.

Still in a daze, Richard repeated it without another thought.

That's very interesting… Rhett thought to himself. Interesting indeed.

Hi guys, I'm off from Sunday to Thursday, but I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.

Laura