Clark had been at the office for almost an hour when Lois rushed in, late, as usual.
"Morning, Smallville."
Ever since Lois started dating Lex, and now living with him, she had grown out of most of her bitter, harsh criticisms, and had, for the most part, stopped the endless teasing of Clark Kent. But she couldn't stop calling him by her pet nickname.
"Glad you could make it in," he said teasingly, removing his glasses and giving her that Clark Kent grin.
Lois recounted with a sharp look as she threw down her bag on her desk and flipped on her computer.
"There was another visit from the FBI this morning," she replied, as she hoped he would ask no more questions. Ever since their falling out, Clark had avoided the topic of Lex, and vice versa. It was hard for Lois, because she loved Lex, and Clark was such a close friend, ever since the Kent's informally took her under their wing all those years ago.
Clark paused, not sure of what to say. Her statement shut Clark up, as he made no more jokes about her tardiness.
The uncomfortable silence was broken when Chloe Sullivan came rushing into the room bursting with some news she needed to share.
"My source at the FBI just gave me a huge tip," she made a beeline for Clark's desk. She paused seeing Lois, "Hey, Lo'," she said quickly, smiling, then commenced to make her announcement, "Lionel Luthor was found dead in a culvert just outside Hub City, and get this, his internal organs, along with his eyes, were all missing!" She looked between Clark and Lois for their reactions to this news. Lois seemed disgusted with the state the body was found in, and Clark just looked incredibly uncomfortable at the mention of a Luthor and a little shocked at the brutality of it all.
Chloe moved to her desk and proceeded to start organizing notes, no doubt getting ready to gather research about the last few months of Lionel Luthor's life.
"Perry said I could write a story on this. The discovery will be announced tomorrow, by the FBI."
With all the hell that Lionel put Chloe through back in Smallville, she was determined to break this story. It was only fair, as she was certain his death had to have been a result of some treachery, or illegal dealings.
"You don't seem surprised, Lois," Chloe observed while typing, stealing a quick glance at Clark, who she noticed was staring at Lois, all too obviously. Poor guy, she thought.
"I was just telling Clark that there was another visit by the FBI this morning," she paused as Clark suddenly stood and walked out of the room, excusing himself under his breath. She sighed heavily and closed her eyes.
"You know, this whole situation really sucks!" Lois exclaimed with exasperation.
She stood suddenly and started pacing circles around the small office they all shared. "I wish things could be like they were that last year at Met U," she stopped, and looked at her feet.
Chloe watched her cousin, the reporter in her dying for the scoop. "What exactly happened? Clark never said, and I've given up trying to get him to talk about it."
Lois looked at Chloe, "all I know is what Lex told me. So the story, I am sure, is a little one sided. As much as I love him, Lex still has the ability to play the victim."
Lois walked back to her desk and sat on the edge, dangling one leg off the edge.
"Okay-this is what Lex told me. It was the night after you all graduated, Lex and I were arguing-and to quote Rachel from Friends, we were on a break." She paused and gave a small smile and laugh. Chloe gave a supportive laugh but didn't comment. She wanted the story.
"So, Clark and Lana were, you know, involved," she said this word with sarcasm, rolling her eyes. Lois never fully believed that Chloe had gotten over her attraction to Clark, and she never thought Lana and Clark were meant for each other.
Chloe made no movement and gave no indication of being affected by this statement, so Lois took a deep breath and continued. "Anyway, you know Lex, he likes his drink. Well, being the good friend he is, he hosted your graduation party at Luthercorp, which you know, you were there." Chloe nodded, remembering the elaborate decorations, and all the food and drinks. It was quite a party for the three of them.
"I'm sure you are used to hearing this, but Lex, from the first moment he met her, has always had a crush on Lana. I mean, he helped her save the Talon, he helped her get to Paris, he tried to protect her from Jason, and to his credit, he tried to help Clark deal with Lana, too." Lois stood up again and paced the office back and forth a few times.
"So, after High School, when Lana and Clark finally hooked up and got over all the crap between them," Lois rolled her eyes again as she said this. Such angst had existed between those two, it was ridiculous, she thought.
"Lex was happy for them, but feeling more alone then ever. After that night, when Lex and I found our way back-he was forced to tell me why Clark never stopped by anymore, and he told me how he used to have such a crush on Lana, way back in the day," Lois sat on the desktop again, this time dangling both legs.
"He said that when he first got to know me-you know when Lucy caused all that trouble? Anyway he was intrigued by my exuberance and lust for life-those were his exact words. But his infatuation with Lana just faded away, like an old school-boy crush." Lois smiled at her memories. She had let Lex pursue her for several months before she agreed to have dinner with him. She finally decided that she would go out with him and show him that she could play the part as well as anyone…Chloe cleared her throat when Lois didn't continue her story. Lois snapped out of her memory.
"Sorry. Enough about Prince Charming and me…I'm guessing that at the graduation party, with all the free flowing alcohol, and the fact that we were apart at the time, Lex's inhibitions were put aside. He was angry with me and out looking to hurt himself."
"Lex cornered Lana and made some inappropriate moves and propositions towards her. Well, Clark, as seemingly all knowing and all hearing he is, came in at the worst time, when it appeared that Lana was responding to Lex's advances. I don't know what was said, only that all three of them were a mess after."
"Yes, I remember chasing Lana to the bathroom, she was crying, but she wouldn't tell me what about," Chloe remarked, remembering the night.
"All I know is, Lana took that job in Paris at the museum, leaving Clark heartbroken. Then Clark and Lex had another huge argument. But there are many years of issues between them. Again I'm not sure what all was said but I'm guessing it was serious, because this rift has lasted almost a year," she stopped talking and took a deep breath. Chloe made no move for a minute.
"How one woman can have such an effect on so many men, and those two in particular, is beyond me." Chloe remarked. Her curiosity satiated for the moment.
Clark stepped outside the door of the shared office, and as soon as the coast was clear he supersped out of the building, pausing at the entrance trying to appear as normal as possible.
Clark just did not understand what was happening. Ever since they all were hired at The Daily Planet, he'd been seeing Lois in a new light. He knew he shouldn't, and he knew there was nothing to be done, but he couldn't help himself. Gone was the brash, annoying, obnoxious girl that had appeared at the Kent farm almost 6 years ago. She had matured.
"A lot of that due to her involvement with Lex, no less," he said under his breath. At the thought of Lex, Clark gets frustrated again. Why can't he be attracted to a woman who is unattached, like Chloe!
Clark had known for years that Chloe always harbored feelings for him. And she'd been able to keep his secret for almost 5 years. That proved a lot in the way of her loyalty. And she was attractive, yet Clark couldn't bring himself to make a move. He cherished her friendship too much.
Clark started walking down the sidewalk, the direction away from the Luthercorp building. He still couldn't believe he'd been assigned to cover this unveiling at Luthercorp. Some new technological marvel. Clark was jut glad Chloe would be there as well. And Lois…
Clark shook his head in aggravation, trying to get thoughts of Lois out of his head. As he rounded the street corner walking full speed he ran right into someone in just as big of a hurry.
"Damn!" the woman said, dropping her bags, and her coffee. "Damn, this is not good."
"I'm so sorry, let me get that for you," Clark stooped down and collected the bags and partially spilled coffee cup. "Can I buy you another cup?" He offered as he gathered her things together.
"It's only fair, I suppose," the woman said, eyeing him with blatant interest.
"My name's Lila Lotz," she offered her hand. Clark glanced up from his stooped position and took in the sight of this woman.
Clark stood slowly, noticing her obvious beauty. She had long dark hair, held back with small, rhinestone clips. She was dressed very smartly in a simple pantsuit of a very neutral color, and her makeup was obvious, but barely there.
"Clark Kent," he introduced himself as he shook her hand.
Lila Lotz flashed a smile, then turned on her heel and started walking back the way she had come. This woman knows how to put herself together, he thought as he took a few quick steps to catch her.
"There's a coffee shop right down here. A White Chocolate Mocha, with soy milk please," she gave Clark her order with a hint of playfulness.
"Oh, sure, let me just…" he searched his pockets for his wallet, "ok, here we go, I'll be back in a moment."
Clark stepped into the coffee shop, only to find himself stuck in a line about twelve people deep. He checked his watch out of habit and noticed it was almost ten. The presentation at Luthercorp was at ten fifteen. Clark stepped out of line and headed back outside.
"No coffee," Lila observed, with some amusement. "Did you not have enough money?" She asked with that playful look in her eyes once again.
"Uh, no; I mean, yes, I had enough money, it's just that, well, I am a reporter for The Daily Planet, and I am covering a presentation at the Luthercorp building, it's a big deal apparently. The presentation starts in about twenty minutes so I need to get back," He stopped speaking, surprised he'd run out of breath.
Lila looked at him with a bemused expression. "Don't worry Mr. Kent, there won't be any presentation without me, I am the one giving the presentation."