Disclaimer: I don't own Superman.

This is a filler chapter, kind of leading up to the next event and subtly introducing new scenes and characters. It's alright, but don't be too harsh with your comments, it's not a main event chapter. I did manage to get on the computer, my sister is at her job currently. Enjoy the chapter!

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The dinner party went well. Clark made some new friends, and Lucy made some new boyfriends. Lois, though, walked around in a daze, not sure of anything anymore. Was Clark Kent Superman? Was it possible? She took another good look at him, trying to match the profiles. 'Stupid glasses,' she thought, 'they're always in the way!'

Growling, she took another sip of wine and grimaced. She had had four glasses already, and heavy drinking wasn't her thing. The wine was starting to taste a little too sweet. Remembering that they were on the third floor of the building, a generally empty floor used for parties, she snuck subtly to the elevator and pressed the up button. She needed something from her office right now.

She tapped her foot impatiently and took a gulp from the glass she still clutched in her hand. Had the elevators always been this slow? It seemed to take forever. When the doors finally opened, she rushed as fast as possible to her desk.

Finding a pen and notepad, she started to write out a heading, but then remembered that if Clark Kent was indeed Superman, he should be able to see it no problem. So, she just stuffed it into her pocket and returned to the party.

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Clark had met some very interesting people, several of which had come from different businesses. He glanced at Lois, and his cheerful mood faltered. She definitely didn't look like she was having a good time. He started to walk over when he saw an old friend across the room.

"Bruce." He wasn't afraid to use his normal, slightly deeper voice with Bruce Wayne, owner of Wayne Enterprises. Bruce turned and let out a chilling smile. Well, chilling for women, anyway. Clark was more or less unaffected.

"Clark." He smiled, revealing rather sharp teeth. Clark held out a hand, which Bruce shook firmly.

"What are you doing out of Gotham? Metropolis is my territory," snapped Clark. Did Bruce consider him incapable of protecting his own city? That ruffled his feathers. As if reading his mind, Bruce laughed dryly.

"It's good to see you again, too, Kent," said Bruce coolly, watching his friend relax a little. He knew he was the dark type, and that made his friend uncomfortable.

"I've heard they made a TV show about you," said Clark softly. Bruce looked around to make sure no one was in earshot.

"Me, or Batman?" he asked dully, "And I've heard that they've been making comic books about you."

"Actually, that one I didn't know," said Clark, perplexed. A comic book? This craze was getting a little out of hand. Then, he remembered where he had been going.

"Ah, it was nice seeing you again, stay out of Metropolis or I'll snap your arms off, blah, blah, blah, the usual," he said quickly, moving away from his dark friend and towards his unhappy female friend. Bruce grabbed Clark's arm.

"I'll break your neck if this is about a woman," he said, trying to see where Clark was looking. Sighing, he noticed Lois Lane.

"That's Lois Lane, I presume? She's good-looking enough, I suppose," he said, and Clark glowered at him.

"I thought we already got to the goodbyes and empty threats, now let me go," growled Clark, pulling a little. He could easily yank free, but ripping off Bruce's arm in the process was an unnervingly imminent possibility.

"Well, I didn't get mine out," said Bruce in his gravelly, serious voice, "I'll kill you for ditching me for a woman, be sure to stop by in Gotham to say hello if you have a chance, but stay out of my crime-fighting territory or I'll skin you alive."

Letting go of his friend, he watched him head for the beautiful woman across the room and sighed. It sure wasn't easy to have a normal relationship with a woman when you're a hero. He had learned that lesson with Natalie Kurt. Well, not that he didn't love her like hell, but it still wasn't easy.

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"Lois? Lois, are you alright?" he asked anxiously. Lois wobbled dangerously while she nodded, and Clark grabbed her upper arms to steady her.

"I'm fine, but this party reeks," she mumbled almost incoherently. Clark sighed and led her towards the door.

"Well, I wish I could help you with that, but I can't. I can, however, take you down the street for a nice glass of water," he said, waiting for the elevator to reach the first floor. Stumbling, Lois followed him onto the street.

They sat in a small diner five minutes later, a cup of coffee for each of them. Lois sighed and rubbed her eyes. Coffee had the kick to knock some senses back into her, but not so much that it gave her a headache. She groaned a little and sipped the hot liquid. Clark watched her, concerned.

She looked up and into Clark's eyes. They were so absolutely blue that they made her look away. She took another gulp of coffee and sighed.

"Clark Kent, I don't know what I would do without you," she said in a much clearer voice. He was visibly relieved.

"Well…I do have the Smallville charm," he said mildly, shrugging. She laughed.

"Don't push it," she said, taking another sip. It was like manna from heaven; a godsend.

"Oh, yeah, I talked to Perry. He said he's sorry about my house burning down, but we still have to go to Kansas," said Clark cautiously. Lois wasn't going to like that.

"What? Your house burns down, we're practically homeless, bumming off my sister, and he still wants us to go?" she hissed furiously. She would probably be yelling if it wasn't for her pained head.

"Well, personally, I think it's great. God knows you need some time off, and I need to visit my mom before she gets worried, and I think Kansas is a great place to unwind," he said. Suddenly, he heard a cry for help and leapt to his feet.

"Lois, I have to go, I'll explain later," he blurted, throwing money on the table to pay for the drinks. In a flash, he was out the door and ripping off his suit.

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Jenna walked towards the street from her yard, shivering sourly. It was the middle of winter, why did that stupid dog have to run off now? Oh, the kid's mom was going to kill her for losing Muffy. Jason was sniffling inside, and Muffy was somewhere running down the street.

"Muffy?" she called tentatively. The dog didn't come running, so she stepped out onto the sidewalk.

"Muffy!" she called louder, glaring around. Suddenly, a cold, hard thing poked her back.

"Shut up and walk, girl," said an unfamiliar voice from behind her. Her breath catching in her throat, she walked, trying not to cry. There was something different about this gun, though. It didn't feel complex and lumpy like a normal gun. It was smooth and hollow…and it definitely wasn't a gun. She decided to take her chances with this.

"Help! Help me!" she screamed, starting to run. Hearing her captor curse and start chasing after her, she ran faster. Unfortunately, her stylish Keds weren't made for running. She tripped, stumbling and skidding across the unforgiving street. Her pupils dilated as the beam of headlights flooded her vision. She shut her eyes.

Of course, she wasn't really expecting the car to hit her. Her life had been endangered twice while babysitting this kid and nothing had happened. Well, at least, the second time wasn't dangerous; it was just a dream, right? But then, why was her bat upstairs, bent into a question mark shape?

Sure enough, she was lifted into the air. She wasn't even surprised, nor did she question who the hero was. Opening her eyes, she met a pair of blue ones.

"Hey Superman," she said almost boredly. This was really getting old.

"I am never babysitting this kid ever again," she said unhappily as she was placed on her feet.

Clark kind of whaled on the kidnapper, a little upset over having his date ruined. Having properly punished the villain, he flew him over to the police station, dropping him out front. The officers rushed out, just as Superman flew away. Cuffing the man, they silently thanked the hero for putting so many crooks in jail.

Clark rushed back to Lois, straightening his tie. Unbeknownst to him, she was quickly writing in her journal; at least, as quickly as a slightly intoxicated woman can write.

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Okay, I'll update soon. I hope you liked the chapter, it's nothing to some of my other chapters, but it has its moments. I like to draw out my stories so they take longer to read, because I like to read other stories like that. If you know about any stories besides the ones on my favorites list that I might like, feel free to tell me.