Lois scurries throughout her kitchen. The oven dings, the microwave beeps, the pot on the stove is overflowing. There's a knock at the door.
"No, not yet." Lois says.
Lois goes to open the door of her apartment and there stands Clark with two bags of groceries.
"Hey Lois-" Clark begins.
"I've got major issues." Lois says.
"What's wrong?" Clark asks.
"Everything." Lois says, pointing over to her mess in the kitchen.
There's all sorts of food spread across the counter. Pots, pans, and kitchen utensils are lying everywhere. The sink is overflowing with dishes.
"I've got this." Clark says as he looks at Lois and winks.
Clark speeds over to the kitchen and in a blur, cleans all the pots and pans, as well as the counter. A moment later, everything is clean and organized.
"Well, you certainly have your uses." Lois says.
"Now what else needs to get done?" Clark asks.
"The chicken is in the oven; it'll be ready in about forty-five minutes." Lois says.
"Then I'll make the salad, and we'll have a moment to relax." Clark says.
"There will be no relaxing once he gets here." Lois says.
"Oh Lois, it won't be that bad." Clark says.
"Yes it will. My father has scared off plenty of boyfriends before. Not to mention his distain for Superman." Lois says.
"Well tonight Superman isn't here. It's just Clark Kent." Clark says.
"This was a bad idea." Lois says.
"Now Lois, come on." Clark says.
Clark prepares the salad and Lois sets the dinner table for three. A little while later, there's another knock at the door.
"Oh, he's here." Lois says, panicking.
Lois scurries to her feet, when Clark stops her.
"Hey Lois, calm down. It's just your father." Clark says calmly, as he can her Lois's heart beating.
Lois takes a deep breath as she answers the door. She opens it and there stands United States General, Sam Lane. Sam stands there in full uniform. His uniform is decorated with countless medals he has earned in his decades of service.
"Hello daddy." Lois says
"Lois." Sam says.
"Are you going to invite me in?" He continues.
"Yes, come on in." Lois says.
"Daddy, this is my boyfriend, Clark Kent." Lois says as she introduces Clark.
"Nice to meet you." Sam says, with a stern expression and an extended hand.
"You as well sir." Clark says as he shakes Sam's hand.
The handshake lasts a while. Sam tightens his grip. Then Clark tightens his. Sam goes even tighter, and Clark follows. Finally, Sam concedes and releases his grip. He looks at his hand in shock. Lois shoots a dirty look at Clark.
"What's for dinner?" Sam asks.
"Chicken." Lois says.
"While we wait, here's the salad." Clark says, as the three sit down.
The three take a bowl of salad and begin eating.
"This salad is delicious, what's this dressing?" Sam asks.
"It's a balsamic vinaigrette. It's my mother's recipe." Clark says.
Lois is shocked at her father's reaction, he's usually not one to give compliments.
"So, Clark, tell me about yourself. Where are you from?" Sam asks.
"I'm from Smallville sir." Clark says.
"Sir, he calls me sir. That Andrew boy you used to date never called me sir." Sam says to Lois.
"Andrew?" Clark questions.
"That was in high school daddy. Some fifteen years ago." Lois says.
"Anyway Smallville, that's in Kansas, correct?" Sam asks.
"Yes si-, uh yes it is." Clark says.
"I was stationed at Fort Leavenworth once. Smallville's football is the Crows, right?" Sam asks.
"Uh yes, it is." Clark says, surprised Sam knew such a trivial fact.
"Football is very big in Kansas. You ever play?" Sam asks.
"No sir." Clark says.
"That's surprising, you're a broad gentleman." Sam says.
"I had a lot of responsibilities on the farm." Clark says.
"A man must honor his responsibilities at home. I respect that." Sam says.
"You a Chiefs fan?" Sam asks.
"Yes sir." Clark says.
"So, the last few years must have made you happy." Sam says.
"Indeed." Clark says.
The oven rings as the chicken is ready.
"I'll get that." Lois says.
Lois gets up and heads to the kitchen. She doesn't get it. How are Clark and her father getting along so well? And worse, why does it bother her?
Lois returns with the chicken prepared.
"Dinner's ready." Lois says.
"Is this one of your mother's recipes?" Sam asks.
"No daddy, this is mine." Lois says.
"Well maybe it'll be a little better then." Sam says.
"I was just telling your father about some of my work on the south side, and poverty in Metropolis." Clark says.
"These are the kinds of stories people should be reading. Ways to help the less fortunate in their own community. As opposed to that dribble you write about the alien." Sam says, glaring at Lois.
Lois looks down. It was inevitable this conversation would be brought up tonight.
"You don't care for Superman?" Clark asks, pretending to be shocked.
"Hmph, Superman who even gave him that name?" Sam asks.
"I did Daddy." Lois says.
"Well, I wish, you would have picked something else. Like alien invader." Sam says.
"Clark what are your opinions on this Superman?" Sam asks.
Lois tenses up. Knowing she'll hate any answer Clark gives. Clark pauses for a moment.
"I like him sir." Clark says.
"You do?! Why?" Sam asks.
"I think he's a force for good." Clark says.
"Force for good, ha. I think he's done plenty of harm. And what's with the fruity outfit?" Sam says.
"How has he done harm sir?" Clark asks.
"Well let's take Bialya for example. While they were getting invaded, he was busy with a feud with that radio host broad. Then he eventually does go over there, and makes the situation worse." Sam says.
"How is the situation worse now sir?" Clark asks.
"Well after his little incursion over there, tensions rose. LexCorp dropped out of their partnership with the country, and Bialya revealed that Black Adam guy." Sam says.
"Actually, Black Adam was revealed before he went over there sir." Clark says.
"That's not the point. The U.S. was close to declaring war over there. The revelation of this Black Adam, and Superman's interference put a stop to that." Sam says.
"Sounds like Superman stopped a war." Clark says.
"And meanwhile refugees continue to flee Bialya for countries like Markovia." Sam says.
This statement gives Clark pause. Lois sits there shaking he head. She knew this is exactly how this night would go.
"Well, the president likes him." Clark finally says.
"And I will respect my commander in chiefs wishes, for the two years he has left to serve." Sam says.
"Superman isn't here. Let's not dwell on him tonight." Lois says.
"You're right Lois. This night is about Clark, not Superman." Sam says.
The night continues as the conversation moves away from Superman and politics. As the night comes to a close, Clark gets up to help Lois clean.
"Lois, let me help you with those dishes." Clark says.
"Oh no, Lois can take care of it." Sam says.
Sam gets up and walks Clark to the door.
"Thank you for meeting with me tonight Mr. Kent." Sam says.
"It was a pleasure sir." Clark says as he extends his hand for a shake.
Sam shakes his hand, but it's more casual this time. Neither man tries to show off. Clark leaves and Sam turns around to see Lois cleaning the dishes. He approaches her, and Lois looks up at his.
"Go on." Lois says.
"Go on what?" Sam asks.
"Go on and tell me everything you didn't like about him." Lois says.
"The proper answer is go on sir." Sam says, as Lois rolls her eyes.
"So, what's the problem with him?" Lois asks.
"Actually, I like him." Sam says.
"You what?" Lois asks, surprised.
"I like him. He's not like the boys you usually go out with. He's proper and respectful" Sam says.
"But what about his views on Superman?" Lois asks.
"He gave me his honest opinion. He didn't just fold and tell me what I wanted to hear. I respect that." Sam says.
Lois was taken a back by her father's feelings towards Clark. She expected him to dislike Clark, thinking he'd be too weak and mild mannered. Yet, he approved. He's never approved in Lois's choice in men, and somehow this bothered Lois even more.
"I have to be honest. I'm just happy you've found yourself a good normal man instead of fawning over some alien." Sam says.
Lois goes back to doing the dishes as she turns around with a smirk.