There was a huge crowd already gathering across town at the warehouse. Superman has everyone out of the building already, and they were being treated by the paramedics at the scene. Lois and Chloe arrived just in time to see a couple of firemen talking to Superman. He nodded at them, they shook his hand, giving him pats on the back, and then he floated up in the air a little.
"Stand back, everyone, stand back! Superman is putting the fire out!" The firemen said to the crow, moving it back. There were two fire trucks at the scene already, that weren't even being used.
"I supposed it cuts down on tax payers money for him to put it out, rather than the fire fighters," Chloe mused to her. Lois could only nod.
Superman blew hard at the largest open door on the third floor. Immediately the cold force of air quickly extinguishing the flames. The crowd gave a loud cheer, and Superman settled back on the ground, walking over to the ambulances to check on the victims.
"Are they all going to be ok?" He asked on paramedic. The man looked at him in awe, only getting out a shaky nod of his head.
Several reporters were already rushing forward.
"Superman! Superman! Are you collaborating with Metropolis Fire Department? What about the Police department? Superman!"
He turned to face them, smiling at them all. "Though I do not have any sort of contract with the respective emergency personnel departments, you always know that I am happy to help, especially if it will get the problem solved quicker, give brave men and women in our service a chance to take a breath every once in a while, and plus saving a dollar or two for the every day American."
"Still standing for truth, justice, and the American way, I see." Chloe grinned at Lois. Lois quirked a smile.
The reporters pressed on. "Superman! Do you have any ideas of how the fire started? Do you suspect arson?"
He gave them a serious look. "I know that the police and fire departments will investigate this and reach the correct conclusion in record time." he paused for a moment, looking at the building. Lois knew he must be using his x-ray vision. "I see faulty air vents, which may have been a part of the problem." He gave the reporters another serious look. "That is why it is so important for everyone to know proper procedures during a fire for evacuation, to save lives. As well as buildings being completely up to fire codes. We need to ensure that rooms never exceed maximum occupancy, that the smoke detectors, fire alarms, and sprinklers work and are in every room, that the windows are treated to not shatter from heat, and that there are working phones or good cell reception to call the authorities."
"Because only we can prevent fires, right Supe?"
All heads turned to the right of Lois, to see Chloe standing there, smiling. Superman looked at her for a second, before a wide grin broke out on his face. He and Chloe grinned at each other for a few seconds, while the entire crowd looked back and forth between them. Lois couldn't help but feel like a third wheel…especially since, for the first time, he wasn't noticing her.
"That is right, Ms. Sullivan." Their gazes at each other were not going unnoticed by the reporters, who started writing furiously on their notepads.
"Will I see you around?" She asked him, almost coyly.
His grin grew wider, "You know me, I'm always around." Then he took off into the air, leaving the reporters wondering whether it was more of a news story to cover the fire and the facts, or the intriguing looks between the Man of Steel and the pretty blonde who just happened, they noticed, to be standing right next to the rather grumpy looking Lois Lane.
Lois grabbed her cousins arm, "You seemed really…friendly with Superman just then."
Chloe looked genuinely surprised by this remark. "Wait, I didn't tell you? I've known Superman since I was 16 years old!"
Lois swallowed, her mouth and throat dry. This was all too much for her to see, hear, take in…and she felt horrible for feeling ignored, when she knew she had no right to, especially if he wanted to move on. She'd rather he be with Chloe than anyone else.
"Why don't we go back to The Daily Planet?" She suggested.
Chloe nodded, "Yeah, I didn't see Clark here anyway…he probably got out of the way and went back to work before it got too dangerous."
Lois nodded mutely, "Yeah, maybe…"
When they got into their cab, Chloe turned to her cousin.
"So, are you going to tell me what's bothering you? Or am I going to have to use my investigative journalist skills to pry it out?"
Lois gave a weak smile. "I'm not too sure what is wrong with me…I just – have you ever learned something about someone, and it completely changed your entire view of them?"
"Hell, yeah! Why? Who are you looking at differently now?"
Lois sighed, "That's the thing…I learned something…something…big, major, I mean something, just huge, and I'm not sure if it has changed how I look at this person."
Chloe gave her a look. "Yeah, Lois, maybe you should try to make sense of what you're saying in your head before you try putting it into words."
She threw an annoyed look at her cousin. "Don't worry, Sullivan – I'll snap out of it…it is just taking some getting used to."
"What is it?" Chloe pressed.
Lois gave her a knowing smile, "Nothing, forget about it…maybe I'll tell you later."
"Alright, but I want to see you acting like the inquisitive journalist and over-protective mother I know you are!"
Lois had to laugh at that, "All right, I will!"
They made their way up The Daily Planet elevator and started walking across the bullpen.
"Richard will be glad to see you again," Lois commented as they walked along, "and I can think of someone else who also loves to see you."
Chloe looked at her questioningly.
Lois just smiled, "Hey, Jimmy, you remember my cousin, Chloe Sullivan?"
Jimmy looked at Chloe, stuttered a bit, and then promptly knocked a giant binder to the floor.
"So clumsy…" He muttered to himself.
"Aren't we all on occasion?" Chloe smiled at him as she helped him pick up the papers. "I remember you, Jimmy, it's good to see you."
He gave her a hopeful little smile. "And I remember you, Ms. Sullivan…" He looked at her wistfully.
Lois grinned at her cousin, thinking the entire situation was just too cute.
"I'm glad you do, Mr. Olsen."
He looked surprised by the formality, "Oh, no…I'm just plain Jimmy. Everyone's friend and all around good guy."
Chloe gave him a friendly hug, "Well, since we are friends, you've got to start calling me Chloe. Ms. Sullivan makes me feel like my mother."
His eyes widened in surprised, "Oh! I'm sorry Ms. – Chloe! I didn't mean to make you feel – "
"CHLOE!" An excited voice came from behind them.
Chloe and Lois turned in surprised just in time to see Clark trot up to them and lift Chloe off the ground, hugging her with great zeal. No one noticed the look of disappointment on Jimmy's face.
"Clark!" Chloe practically squeaked as his arms wrapped around her. She hoped he was careful how hard he squeezed. But, he let her down before he got to over zealous.
"How are you? I didn't know you were coming to town! I thought you were in Belgium! What are you doing here? Where are you staying? How long have you been back? Have you seen everyone?" Clark's questions came in a rush of breath, leaving Chloe to stare at him breathlessly.
"Let her have some room to breath, Clark. She literally just got in." Lois put forth.
"What she said." Chloe said with a little smile, pointing at Lois. "I got back to L.A. and heard you were back in town. I thought, might as well see my childhood best friend, Clark Kent, and make a visit to my cousin Lois while I was at it."
Clark smiled, "Well, I can't possibly tell you how happy I am to see you."
She nodded at him, "Five years is a long time to be gone."
He gave her a sympathetic look, "It is, but I needed to go."
Lois and Jimmy both watched the display with heavy hearts. Jimmy had nursed a quiet crush on Chloe since he met her one Lois was pregnant. Lois, herself, didn't completely understand what she was feeling. She looked him up and down, noticing little things about him, things she never saw before except on Superman. She didn't know how she could have been so blind. Even in the three-piece suits, floppy hair, and glasses, he couldn't hide who he was. They didn't hide his height, strong frame, nor chiseled good looks.
"This is the perfect welcome back for both of us, isn't it?" Chloe asked Clark, a large grin on her face.
"Absolutely! Don't you guys agree?" He looked excitedly at Jimmy and Lois.
"Couldn't agree more." Lois commented.
"Ditto." Jimmy put out feebly, trying not to hide how upset he was.
Lois felt desperation come on. She needed to get out of this situation, and fast!
"Um, Chloe, why don't you and Clark come over for dinner tonight?"
"What?" Chloe blurted out, confused.
"Yeah, you haven't seen Richard or Jason yet, and I know that Clark could use the time to sit down and relax…be at my place at…7? Great, see you then!" Lois turned on her heel, and walked away before they could even reply. Jimmy, Clark, and Chloe all looked at each other in confusion.
"What's going on, Chloe?" Clark questioned her.
"I wish I knew, Clark. She's been acting strange since I first arrived."
"You guys should go to dinner at her house, find out what's bothering her." Jimmy piped up,
Clark looked down at Chloe. "Well? How about it? You want to be my dinner date at Lois' place?"
She gave him a small smile, taking his proffered arm. "I can't think of anything I'd rather do right now."
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My apologies on the weak ending for ch 2...but ch 3 has a lot happening in it, and I needed some type of filler to get to it...plus, it's also midnight now as I'm finishing this and bloody 90 degrees outside...so, I think I can give myself a little leeway. I'm also seeing the movie over again tomorrow, and that should inspire me even more! So, enjoy this chapter, and I'll write and post the next one on 7-3-06!
