A/N: Here's the next section. Please notice the dates of each section. I will be flipping from the past to the future constantly, and I display the date every time I make that change.

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Chapter 1: Scene 2

July, 2015

A cab stopped abruptly at the curb just in front of The Daily Planet entrance, it's shiny, yellow exterior almost blinding underneath the rays of the early morning sun. The back door opened with a small creak, and two black, shiny shoes stepped out onto the sidewalk. They clipped against the concrete as the passenger closed the door roughly, and then stepped up to the driver's side window. The passenger reached in the back pocket of his gray slacks, fishing for his wallet. It took only a second to shift through his money to find the faire and tip, and he folded the bills in the center before handing them to the driver. The cab driver smiled as he took his fee, then shot away into the traffic, disappearing quickly in the sea of cars, trucks, and other yellow cabs hurrying to their morning destinations.

The huge Daily Planet signature globe hung proudly above the entrance of the building and loomed over everything within a fifty-yard radius. Any other person might be driven to shock and surrealism with such a daunting sight, but for Clark Kent, the passenger of the cab, the goose bumps faded months ago. Yet he still felt a little surge of excitement when he turned to look at it, as if still in doubt that he was actually a reporter for such a prestigious newspaper. What was the saying? The Daily Planet was the home of kings, presidents, celebrities, and superheroes? Clark smiled at the latter, sensing his recent fame as Superman was in direct correlation to the Daily Planet's constant reports of his good deeds.

However, what made the experience even more fulfilling was his partnership with Lois Lane, noted as one of the best reporters in the world of journalism. Clark was surprised by her choice of a career when he considered her dislike of the profession when they were younger in Smallville.

But, well ... a lot of things changed. Most importantly, his contempt for Lois. Oddly, he no longer felt the sting of disgust when he thought of her. Recently, he sensed a distant pang of attraction for the woman he once despised. An attraction that scared him. An attraction that probably arose from not only his close, working relationship with her, but also from the numerous times he has saved her life as Superman. Though her eyes carried a sense of loyalty, genuine care, and friendship for him when he was Clark Kent, Lois' eyes burned with desire and love when she stared at the super hero. Two distinct personalities, Clark Kent and Superman, that were both hidden from the other, yet one in the same.

But it was a clear indication, however, that Lois did not know who he really was, and Clark wondered if she ever would. Wondered, further, if that meant any attraction he felt was futile because he could never tell her the truth.

At least not any time soon. At least not until she saw the real man behind the mask, he thought, realistically

Regardless, Clark could not fight those feelings and kept hope alive that something might happen between the two of them. In the meantime, he would continue to deal with his loneliness as best he could. He often pondered upon such a concept - a lonely Superman. Did anyone ever know? Or, further, did anyone ever realize how much the fame actually scares The Man of Steel?

A deep sigh escaped his lips as Clark stepped to the front door and pushed it open lightly. Once inside, he said hello to the elder security officer behind the desk who greeted him every morning with a small, exhausted smile. The elevator was just ahead, and Clark walked swiftly through the busy lobby to reach it before the doors closed. Luckily, a young woman saw his quickening approach and held the doors open to give him entry before it was too late.

Clark thanked the woman with a smile and adjusted his glasses on his nose; instantly realizing they were close to slipping off of his face from his small run. The woman winked at him, and Clark's expression changed immediately from gracious to uneasy. It was not a secret that many women in the Daily Planet thought Clark to be attractive, and they never hesitated to tell him so - one way or another. Sometimes they would only hint to him with difficult to read non- communication tactics, such as a wink or an affectionate smile. Sometimes they were a little more blunt, telling him flat out how often they wanted to rip off his suit and tie and unleash the animal within.

Just the thought caused Clark's heart rate to rise just a bit, especially under the intense gaze of the young woman in the elevator with him right now.

Actually, Clark remembered another, similar moment a woman flirted with him while Lois stood next to him. It was another elevator, but this time they were in the LuthorCorp building traveling up to Lex Luthor's office for an interview. He remembered standing at the very back next to Lois, both leaning against the wall of the elevator as they prepared to take the long journey up to the top. A woman stood in front of them - a rather attractive woman. And when she turned around casually to look at them, she immediately noticed who they were - something Clark caught by the pleased expression on her face. Of course, 'Lane and Kent' was a popular team for the Planet.

Yet her attention was completely on Clark, and she winked, smiled, and stared at him with a hint of lust in the whites of her beautiful, blue eyes.

Lois seemed to see this little exchange of heated pleasantry, and without a thought, laced her arm through Clark's protectively. With a mischievous smile, she looked to Clark with a grin and commented, "Your place or mine tonight?"

Clark felt his stomach do flip-flops with the question, taken aback by Lois' boldness and apparent jealously. But the damage had been done, and before he could say anything to the woman, she turned and folded her arms in frustration. Lois smiled in triumph and tugged him closer, eager to keep the charade up until the woman left.

When the young woman finally did get off at the next floor, Clark felt the need to inquire upon Lois' actions. "What was that about?"

Lois looked to him and shrugged innocently. "What? I meant where do you want to go over the Luthor interview when we get back? Your desk or mine?" A small smile crossed her lips, and Clark couldn't help but smile and shake his head. He decided against accusing Lois of being jealous, figuring the last place he wanted to be was on her list. No one wanted to be there, Clark mused with a small smile.

Despite such pleasant memories, and despite the hidden feelings he had for Lois, Clark sensed his destiny went far beyond a life in Metropolis. Far beyond Superman, and far beyond Lois Lane, especially when he considered how much she didn't know about him.

His destiny ...

His destiny was somewhere else ...with someone else ...

He could feel it.

Momentarily, Clark found comfort when the elevator doors finally opened to the newsroom floor of the Daily Planet. He stepped out and onto the top landing, and stopped just at the railing to give the newsroom below an appraising look of appreciation. Many reporters and other workers had already arrived this morning, quickly attending to the early morning tasks. He smiled before walking immediately to the right to the small kitchenette with fresh coffee and donuts. Though he ate breakfast this morning, Clark always needed the jelly filled donut and coffee with cream and sugar to start his day.

Just as he approached the coffee maker and grabbed a fresh mug beside it - his mug, actually, which he labeled CK across the side - a familiar person came up beside him.

"I can't believe you can eat like that every morning," Lois commented dryly, with her own mug in hand that read Take And Die all across the front.

Clark shrugged and asked curiously, "What do mean?"

Lois took the coffee pot out of his hand and poured herself a fresh cup. "I mean ... look at you, Clark. You look like you've just stepped out of the cover of a romance novel, and you eat junk. I could never do that because it would go straight to the hips."

Clark perched his eyebrows a little as Lois took a sip of her hot coffee. "Are you saying I'm attractive?"

Lois forced her sip down quickly and insisted in the next breath, "No, no, I didn't mean that. I just meant that … there are some girls out there who apparently like the nerd slash muscle farm boy mix. I just wonder how you can pack the calories you do and still look ... you know," she paused slightly, then whispered, " ... good."

Clark smiled and shrugged, happy he caught Lois off guard a little. Their banter was always refreshing. "I don't know, Lois ... I just do," he admitted with a little grin. "Maybe it has to do with my farming roots or something."

"Maybe," Lois repeated with a small smile. "If that were true, I have to admit, I have no idea what your parents fed you. Because for a while I did eat the same meals and I obviously look nothing like a super model, " she added skeptically, descending the ramp and taking another sip of her coffee.

A small blush crept to Clark's cheeks as he watched her walk quickly ahead of him, and whispered quietly to himself, "You'd be surprised, Lois." He sighed and looked to his coffee, taking a sip of his own. He then walked down the ramp, anxious to get the day going, knowing it would help him forget about sassy brunettes.

"C-K!" came a shout, urging Clark to look to his right as he stepped into the busy rumblings of the Daily Planet newsroom floor.

He smiled when he noticed a young man rushing around the corner to greet him. "Morning, Jimmy."

Jimmy, young photographer and always-hopeful reporter, was a few years younger than Clark. He was slightly shorter, as well, with a young face and bright dreams for his future at the Daily Planet. Actually, his desire to be apart of the Planet almost matched the same intensity as a certain blonde from Clark's past. A certain blonde Clark suddenly realized he had not thought of in years. Not since college graduation anyway, which was four years ago.

Sudden, unexpected thoughts of Chloe Sullivan warmed his heart like hot chocolate on a cold, January day in Smallville. A smile crept across his lips in recollection of everything he did with her in the past. So long ago ...

"I called her last night," Jimmy replied proudly, his smile beaming.

Clark blinked away his past and turned his attention to his young friend. "Called ... " he began, thinking quickly for the name.

"Kate? You know, that awesome looking new girl in accounting who has been waiting for me her entire life?" Jimmy informed, a little irritated with Clark's loss of memory of such an important piece of information. "I can't believe you don't remember. I've been chasing after her since she graced the Daily Planet with her beauty months ago ... " he added, trailing off with a dreamy smile.

Clark rolled his eyes as he walked up to his desk that was only a few feet away from Lois Lane's. Lois was sitting at her own desk looking intently at a police report, already hard at work. However, by the time Clark and Jimmy came along next to her, her attention was clearly drawn to their conversation with genuine interest. Her eyebrow perched in curiosity.

"No, I remember," Clark insisted as he sat down. "So you asked her out?"

Though the question seemed easy and expected, Jimmy seemed taken aback, and any enthusiasm he once had deflated quickly under the pressure of such expectations. "Well, um ... " Jimmy stammered. "Not really."

"I thought you said you called her?" Clark asked, amused.

Jimmy shrugged and looked away. "Well, yeah, but ... you know, answering machines really aren't that friendly."

Lois tried to stifle her laugh the best she could, knowing Jimmy wouldn't appreciate the humor of the situation. Yet a small giggle did escape, causing Clark to turn to her with scrutiny. "Lois ... " he scolded lightly.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, though the amusement did not leave her beautiful features.

"What?" Clark asked, wanting to hear her interpretation of the situation.

Lois put her hands up. "Seriously, you're right, it's not funny." The pause was heavy in the air as Clark and Jimmy stared, waiting for her to explain herself a bit better than the quick apology to cover her obvious enjoyment of Jimmy's heartache.

"It's just," she added, the amusement transformed to genuine play of advice, "I think if a man really wants to go out with a woman, he should just swallow his pride and ask her. Stop trying to play games. And using the phone? There's an obvious escape route there ... you know, calling when you know she won't be there. If you want her that badly, go to her in person and ask. Don't hide behind fear. Trust me, a woman would much rather have the 'brave, willing to have his heart trampled on' guy to the 'weak, won't take the chance' type."

Clark shook his head and covered his mouth, looking away from Lois so as not to anger her with his own amusement.

Jimmy's eyes, however, grew as he asked, "Does that work?"

"Sure," Lois insisted. "A woman loves it when a man is willing to fall on his sword."

At that, Clark huffed and looked back to her, eyes dancing with deep disappointment and contempt with her words. "I can't believe you're telling him that," he said irritably.

"You don't believe me?" Lois asked, the challenge in her voice slight but powerful. "Well, coming from a man who hasn't had a date since he came to Metropolis, I doubt you would understand anything about love in the big city."

"I guess not," Clark argued back. "So you're telling me there's no room for small town values under the big, neon lights of Metropolis?"

However, before Lois could shoot back a retort, Perry White stormed quickly out of his office across the room. "Kent, Lane!" he shouted, causing Clark, Lois, and Jimmy to stand and turn to their boss, the conversation topic lost to the insistence in his voice. "Some guy is about to jump off the Kelsey office building. Get over there right now!"

"Yes, sir," Clark said quickly. His mind whirled for only a second in anticipation, though he knew exactly what he had to do. And he knew exactly who he had to become.

Jimmy ran across the room to grab his camera, knowing every photograph he took that made it to the front page of the Daily Planet increased his chances of becoming a full fledged reporter. There was no way he was going to miss this.

At the same time, Lois bent down below her desk to grab her briefcase, which was full of everything she would need for any news story. It was a lesson she learned quickly - have everything, from a camera, to a notepad, to a tape recorder, for anything news worthy at any time in life. A lesson she learned from a very smart, blonde reporter who taught her everything about journalism.

Lois stood and said urgently, "Come on, Clark."

But when she turned to his desk, Clark was gone. Frantically, she looked to the elevator, and saw the doors closing ominously. Lois sighed heavily; fuming as she slung her briefcase across her shoulder and ran up the ramp. She pressed the elevator button just as Jimmy caught up with her from behind, and she cursed softly, "Every time, Kent. You never wait for your partner, do you? Never!"

Jimmy smirked. "I think you really angered him this time."

Lois just glared at him.

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more to come ...