Chapter 13
"I'm still completely envious of you two, saving those orphans in that fire. Could your New Years have been any more romantic?"
Chloe sighs as Lois and Clark smile holding hands while walking down the hall. Suddenly Chloe stops turning towards her friends abruptly.
"Quick, go all super for me and keep me away from Lex today."
She turns a quick corner before hiding in the Torch room.
"Are we avoiding him?"
Chloe shrugs as she tosses her bag down and turns on the computer.
"I'm going for an avoidance and thus gradual separation phase, but I'm not sure how he's responding as of yet so…"
Clark grins exchanging a knowing look with Lois before pulling out his notebook.
"So how's he dealing with that Chlo?"
Chloe looks up shrugging.
"Too well, he never tried calling or iming or text messaging me since your parent's party. All signs point to my plan working against me. So until I'm used to this I have to avoid him completely. I'm going for the band aid method."
Pete walks in just in time to hear Chloe's last sentence.
"The band aid method?"
Chloe rolls her eyes demonstrating ripping off a band aid quickly.
"It's the easiest way to show a guy that a relationship is casual, not too serious."
Pete nods laughing as he hands Chloe a folder and memory card with his latest pictures.
"Then that explains why Teresa Maller was trying to shove her tongue down Lex's throat a minute ago."
Lois laughs looking at Chloe whose eyes double in size. She takes a deep breath shrugging.
"See, it's working already. It's a new year Pete I'm starting over that means single and with a new outlook on life."
Pete nods as he grabs his book-bag swinging it over his shoulder.
"You let me know how that goes."
He waves leaving the room, as Chloe looks to Clark and then Lois for an explanation.
"Where is he going?"
Lois shrugs as Clark answers.
"He's meeting Anna before basketball practice."
Chloe bites her lip deflated before she responds.
"Oh, okay."
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"You don't understand!"
Lois looks away from the chilly voice that bellows above the arctic chill that engulfs the Fortress.
"I understand that you've kept this from me, that there's a human out there with Kryptonian powers and you've done nothing to stop him."
Lois kicks a large chunk of ice from the side of a wall; it ricochets before flying out one of the sides.
"He's not just some human. He's handled these powers very well. You would be proud of him."
"He's not Kryptonian, the power he carries through his body is false. You, as the heir of the house of El need to understand that."
Lois folds her hands over her chest.
"I understand that he's done great things with his powers."
"And with great power comes great responsibility."
Lois rolls her eyes.
"Don't give me that crap; you think just by being born Kryptonian means you have the right to those powers? How does that explain General Zod and his followers? Jor El…"
She pauses, smiling to herself.
"Father, I know you are but a shadow of what you once were, but I am the last remaining Heir of the House of El. And it's time you trust me, and accept that I want Clark to keep his powers. He helps me; he inspires me, if you could just speak with him…"
"Alright…"
Lois looks up puzzled looking around, as the fortress remains eerily quiet.
"Alright?"
"Bring him here again and let me judge if he's worthy."
"And then what? Promise me you won't take his powers from him; promise me when and if the time comes you'll leave that up to me."
She looks around waiting for his response.
"On the day you come to me before training, bring him with you."
Lois smiles, biting her lip. She felt she had won the argument. Tilting her head, she walks out of the fortress.
"Okay, you've got yourself a deal."
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As Lois emerges from the cave she smiles in her triumph. Looking up she frowns as a petite red-head emerges from a Limo.
Lois rolls her eyes remembering she had flown here, alone.
"I didn't expect to see you here again."
Lana pushes her hair to one side surveying the land.
"Why shouldn't I come here, I own this land."
She meets Lois's glare, as she looks around.
"How did you get here Lois?"
Lois bites her lip taking out her cell phone.
"I was dropped off."
Lana narrows, her gaze nodding.
"I was just wondering what it would look like with a three story mall and a nice big parking lot."
Lana smiles as she looks to Lois, who is shocked.
"A mall?"
Lana shrugs.
"Or whatever Queen Industries will do with it, once the deal is done."
Lois bites the inside of her cheek, as Lana laughs before turning back to the limo. The driver opens the door for her as she pauses looking back to Lois.
"I would offer you a ride but…"
Lois shakes her head.
"That's fine I'd rather walk."
Lana laughs as her driver closes the door.
Lois pretends to call someone on her cell phone as Lana's limo pulls away.
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"So he's still here?"
Lois shrugs as she turns a corner with Clark.
"I guess, you should have seen her smirk Clark. It took all of my strength to not blast a hole right through her limo."
Clark laughs as she squeezes his hand in anger.
"So you talked to Jor-El then?"
Lois smiles brightly.
"Yep, everything's out in the open. You just have to come with me before I go for training this summer."
Lois shifts her neck laughing as Clark stiffens.
"Wait, he wants me to go with you?"
Lois nods.
"Yeah, he wants to just, I don't know size you up."
Clark nods worriedly.
"Don't worry though; nothing's going to happen he promised."
Clark tries to smile as Lois leads him back down the hall.
As they turn another corner, some people stare at Lois oddly, as she looks around the hallway. All eyes are on her as she turns to Clark who shrugs. Nervous they dart into the Torch. Chloe looks up from reading a paper, as Lois tilts her head at her best friend.
"Why is everyone staring at me as if I have two heads?"
Chloe bites her bottom lip, shaking her head.
"You haven't heard?"
Lois shakes her head as Chloe tosses the Gazette to her.
"Someone broke the story about Supergirl; they leaked your name as knowing her true identity. Lana Luthor held a press conference they're trying to find out who's Supergirl."
Lois looks around the room anxious, as she looks back down at the headline in the paper.
"Small hometown girl could be only link to Supergirl's Identity."
Lois tosses the paper down, as she reaches up turning the TV above Chloe's head on.
"And in local news today this video, which has been circling around the internet; shows Supergirl saving two young kids from falling into an open grave. With only a few witnesses, including the young reporter Lois Kent people are starting to ask, what's the connection?"
"I have been acquaintances with Lois Kent in the past. It's no secret that she's a journalist, working in her spare time with the Gazette and her small High School paper."
Chloe growls shaking her head at the comment.
"I think it's time the press let the people know the truth about Supergirl. She has been plaguing this town and this country for a few years now. Sure, she starts off as being helpful. But, who's to say she couldn't turn on the American people?"
Lois turns away from the TV closing her eyes as a red beam threatens to rushes out. Clark rushes to turn the TV off, as Chloe looks to her best friend.
"I'm going to kill Lex."
Lois laughs.
"Not if I don't get to him first."
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"Lang!"
Lex turns, his face flushed as Lois glares at him by his locker.
"Lois, hey I…"
"You posted that clip of Supergirl online."
Lex nods.
"Yeah, it was a good video, I just thought it'd be cool ya know?"
Lois shakes her head.
"They're asking me to sell out Supergirl. After all she's done for people."
Lex shakes his head, frowning, as he looks ashamed.
"Look I never knew it was going to go like this. I got this offer, to intern at WKROZ in Metropolis this summer. In the interview, they asked me to bring anything we've worked on. I brought our project. I didn't think they were going to run this as some big story."
Lois sighs looking outside as some of their classmates wait by a small group of reporters.
"WKROZ is owned by Lana corp. Now wonder."
She laughs shaking her head.
"Yeah, well now I have to keep Supergirl's secret, this isn't fair to her."
Lex furrows his brow, studying Lois's face carefully.
"Yeah, that's got to be hard. I mean, you're like the only one she's ever trusted enough to talk to."
Lois catches the weird look on his face.
"Yeah, and now I don't even know if I can get an exclusive again."
She raises her head, looking at Lex trying to read him.
"Lois, I've watched that tape like a million times, I-I just…"
Lois laughs taking a deep breath.
"Fine you're off the hook. This is what a journalist has to deal with when working with a high profile story."
Lex nods, biting his lip as Lois turns from him.
"Just a little warning next time?"
Lex nods smiling awkwardly watching Lois walk out into the fray.
"Ms. Kent! Lois?"
Lois laughs as reporters take pictures.
"Look, you are all reporters, you know the drill, it's freedom of the press. I cover my sources, as you would cover your sources. Supergirl is just that."
She goes to walk away as a reporter shouts another question.
"What do you think of Lana Lang's allegations that Supergirl believes, she's 'above the law?'"
Lois laughs tilting her head, she could feel the anger boil within her.
"I think those who live in glass house shouldn't throw stones. I believe Lana Lang was the one tried for her Father's murder was she not?"
A couple of the reporters laugh as Lois walks away from them.
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Jonathan turns off the TV looking at his daughter. Lois takes a deep breath as he stares at her for a moment.
"I don't know what to say?"
Martha sits down next to her husband as Lois rolls her eyes annoyed.
"Look, this will all blow over. They're not linking Supergirl to me. They're trying to pin down Supergirl. And that was just one sound bite; it's not that big of a deal."
Martha sighs tilting her head at her daughter.
"I just don't want this thing to get out of hand."
Lois nods as she gets up from the couch.
"It won't, tomorrow there'll be something…."
She stops as she hears screaming coming from far away.
"I have to go."
The Kents nod, they were used to their daughter getting up and super speeding away to help others. They couldn't help but fear for her though. She was invincible physically but she still had some time for normalcy.
"Should we worry Jonathan?"
Martha asks.
"We raised her right; we have to trust her to do the right thing now."
Martha nods smiling as she grabs her husband's hand.
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As Supergirl flies through the air a blue and red blur whizzes by and stops in front of her. It's Superboy flying backwards shaking his head.
"It's a set up."
She tilts her head confused, focusing her hearing on the location of the screaming. It was right outside of the Smallville Library, a perfectly open spot for news crews.
"So, I have to save their decoy."
Supergirl grits her teeth as he puts his hand out.
"Let me."
He smiles as she slows to a halt, letting Superboy speeds ahead as she grins to herself.
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"There, she… is?"
Reporters and news crews come from behind the bushes as Superboy picks up the decoy reporter who was on the roof of the Library. Lois smiling in her street clothes with a notepad; pushes through the crowd of reporters smirking.
"Superboy, we thought Supergirl would come."
A few reporters look to Lois who is smiling up at Clark; who, suspended in air is holding the petite blond reporter as he slowly sinks towards the ground. She is reluctant to let him go, but Superboy laughs as he sees Lois. She has a pair of her Mother's old glasses on and he beams at how cute she looks.
"Well, Supergirl isn't a fan of the press."
He puts his hands on his hips sharing the joke with Lois as some of the reporters beg to ask him more questions.
Superboy puts his hands up, quelling the crowd to silence.
"Look, I'm new to this area. But I'll say this, I know Supergirl. She's helped this town and surrounding towns and cities before without any regard to her own anonymity. I think we owe it to her to accept her privacy and to continue to profit from her aid to the community and the country as a whole."
Lois laughs to herself, as she lifts her pencil pushing through the crowd.
"Are you saying you're here for good Superboy?"
He smirks, winking quickly at Lois; she was the only one to catch the gesture.
"I'm saying that I'm here to help, that I'll always be around."
A few reporters push forward, trying to get a question in.
"What do you have to say about Lana Luthor's comment and I quote, 'Supergirl is a unknown plague on this town and on the country as a whole.'"
Superboy looks up at Lois as she closes her eyes, fighting off the anger that would set a bush on fire.
"I think Ms. Luthor is confused, perhaps she'd be better off accepting the help that Supergirl and even I provide for this country, for this world. I'm sure all of her humanitarian efforts for the future could benefit from a little Super influence."
He was enjoying the moment. When a reporter tries to ask another question he just smiles waving to the crowd, as he floats towards the sky and then out of sight. A few reporters look towards Lois, who shrugs as she writes more notes smirking.
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"You want me to publish a story about the press?"
Lois laughs, as she drops her story down in front of the Editor of the Gazette.
"It's a good story Chief, and it's an angle that we haven't had before. They're out to discover the identity of Supergirl, and here comes Superboy. A story we broke months ago, but since then it's been nothing. Everyone's going to be talking about Superboy this and Superboy that; but this will give us an angle."
Lois smiles, as she sees her words are sinking in with the editor.
"You really have to stop coming in here right before we put the presses on Lois."
She laughs nodding.
"Sir, this story would be in the afternoon editions tomorrow, our article could be in the morning edition."
He smiles laughing to himself.
"I'll fax over a copy to the planet just in case."
Lois nods getting the nervous feeling she always got, when the Daily Planet was mentioned.
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As Lois walks out of the Gazette office Clark who is waiting for her smirks.
"So, is he going to print it?"
She smiles nodding.
"Yeah and send a copy to the Planet."
Clark laughs as he slides his arm around Lois.
"So, disaster averted?"
She shrugs looking ahead.
"For now."
He smiles as they look at each other then around the building before they both shoot up in the air at super speed.
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"I should probably get home; my parents are likely to have called Pete and Chloe by now."
He nods smiling, as they are suspended in the air above the woods behind the Kent farm. He leans in kissing her again as they spin down towards the ground. As he separates from Lois, he smiles searching her eyes.
"I love you Lois."
Lois stops, taking a deep breath and laughing. When they touch the ground, she leans in to kiss him instead of reciprocating the declaration. As they separate she laughs, biting her lip.
"I'll see you tomorrow Lane."
Leaving Clark there confused, she walks away smiling to herself. As Lois reaches her kitchen door, she notices Lex sitting on the steps.
"Lex?"
He stands up nervously nodding.
"Hey Lois, I'm sorry, I just had to talk to you."
She takes a deep breath nodding, as Lex smiles awkwardly at her.
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"Lex, I'm already late for curfew."
He nods cuing up his laptop in his room. He shifts a bit, smiling at the fact that Lois was in his bedroom. He shakes off the thought, as the video from their project opens.
"Lex, aren't we done with this project?"
Lex nods as he slowly forwards through, frame by frame.
"This is the raw footage from the cemetery. You remember, when, Supergirl saved those kids?"
He stares at her when he says Supergirl, turning back towards the screen as he swallows hard.
"This is where you put down the camera."
Lois stares at the screen as she goes out of the frame and Supergirl appears on the left side saving the kids. Then Lois appears at the right side of the frame again picking up the camera and running with it towards Lex. Lois shrugs.
"So, what are we looking at?"
Lex turns towards her sighing, before clicking the computer and breaking down the frames per millisecond, sorting through frame by frame in slow motion. You could see on the left side of the screen, Lois going into super speed. Gasping, Lois grits her teeth as Lex winces exchanging a glance with her.
"Look, I won't tell anyone."
Lois laughs shrugging.
"Tell anyone what?"
He nods, shaking his head as he hands her the CD before deleting the file from his computer.
"The version that's on youtube is too distorted; you can't see this on anything but the raw version."
Lois nods taking a deep breath, not responding to Lex's comforting words.
"I know you're, ya know Supergirl."
He whispers the last part shaking his head.
"Ya know it all makes sense now, you disappearing you guys always going quiet at weird times."
He laughs shaking his head, as Lois looks down not giving him any indication that he was right. However, Lex shrugs not letting her silence deter him.
"Look, you don't have to say anything, I figured it out but I won't tell anyone."
Lois winces shaking her head at Lex.
"You think I'm Supergirl?"
Lois asks laughing, as Lex nods.
"I do."
She shrugs as taking the CD and waving it in the air.
"Thanks for this, Supergirl will appreciate it, but I'm not her."
Lex nods smiling, as if he finally solved the puzzle of Lois Kent.
"Okay, that's fine, but either way I'm not going to talk about this."
She smiles turning away from Lex.
"Goodnight Lex."
He smirks watching her leave as he turns back to his computer rubbing his eyes. He had just told Lois he knew, finally after a month of knowing. Laughing to himself, he spun around in his computer chair, feeling free.
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"So Clark told you he loves you and you say nothing?"
Lois rolls her eyes at Chloe, as she turns the corner of the hallway walking into the Torch.
"Look, we have bigger fish to fry, Lex thinks I'm Supergirl."
Lois drops her bag on a chair as Chloe's eyes widen and she shakes her head.
"I didn't tell him."
Lois laughs shrugging.
"Of course, it was that stupid video project, he went all investigative reporter on me and did some frame by frame slow mo job."
Chloe smirks impressed, as she looks back at her best friend who isn't amused.
"Okay so, what did you say?"
Lois laughs, throwing her hands up in the air.
"I denied it, of course but he's insistent."
Chloe smiles, remembering her short relationship with Lex.
"Yeah I used to love that about him."
Lois smirks rolling her eyes as she looks to the door just as Clark walks in, he stops for a moment upon seeing Lois. His heart always skipped a beat when he saw her, but usually he could hear her heart beat and knew where she was. Today he was so focused on last night and the fact that he admitted to loving her, that he was off his game.
"Hi."
Lois grins blushing as Chloe raises her eyebrows at her two friends, before grabbing her book bag.
"Well I have to get these articles approved by the VP, he's gone Big brother on us so."
She slings her book-bag over her shoulders, patting her cousin on the shoulder. She sneaks out smiling to herself.
"Look, about last night, with the Love thing."
Lois looks down nodding; she could sense he was nervous.
"I know that just came out of nowhere, and in no way did I expect an I love you back. It's just."
Lois pulls him towards her as she kisses his hard and full on the lips. When they part, he laughs leaning his forehead on hers.
"I love you too Clark, it's just hard to say it sometimes."
They lock eyes as he smiles widely, euphoric with the fact that she feels the same way he does.
"So you love me?"
Lois chuckles as she grabs Clark's jacket in both her hands kissing him again, his arms wrap around Lois's back as her hands go into his thick hair.
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"So you guys must have had a major make out session. I waited outside the Torch for fifteen minutes before I heard you two talking again."
Lois laughs, as Chloe empties some of her books inside her locker.
"What are we talking about?"
Pete asks as he approaches the two girls opening his locker next to Chloe's. Chloe blushes as she looks to Lois who can hear her heart begin to pick up speed. She gives her friend a look as Chloe raises an eyebrow before taking a deep breath.
"Well, Lex thinks I'm Supergirl."
Lois whispers as Pete laughs closing his locker.
"So you told him you're not right?"
Pete asks amused as his two best friends roll their eyes.
"Yeah, I told him he was wrong, but he's so sure."
Pete nods thinking.
"Maybe you have to prove him wrong."
He smiles, as Lois furrows her brow at Pete's words.
"Right, I'll just find another Kryptonian girl who looks like me and we'll be fine."
Lois scoffs as Pete smirks shrugging.
"Hey, you're the one with the super alien brain; I just come up with the ideas."
Lois laughs as they walk down the hallway together. Chloe smiles at Pete as he looks away confused smirking to himself.
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"You noticed that too?"
Lois laughs as she walks down Main Street holding Clark's hand.
"She's boy crazy."
Clark laughs as he shakes his head.
"Oliver Queen…"
"Can you imagine if he was around?"
"Hello Lois."
Lois looks up noticing the tall blonde smirking in front of her.
"What are you doing here? I mean, I thought you were going back to Star City?"
Oliver laughs, exchanging a humorous glance with Clark.
"Is she always this friendly?"
Clark looks down at Lois smirking.
"She's always friendly with me."
Lois grins as she looks to Oliver.
"I have some business still here in Smallville."
Lois nods, "We heard, you're buying the land over the Kawatchi caves. Lana mentioned something about a Mall."
Oliver shrugs as Clark locks his jaw.
"Well, maybe I'm not sure what's going to happen yet."
Lois rolls her eyes, as she moves away from Oliver.
"Well good luck with that."
Oliver turns around as the couple walk away from him.
"Could you maybe get a message to Supergirl?"
Lois stops, shaking her head as she looks to Clark before back at Oliver.
"Have her meet me at the Kawatchi caves, and Superboy too tonight seven o'clock."
He smiles as the couple turn from him not answering.
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"I didn't think you'd take this seriously?"
Lois looks at Clark who is dressed as Superboy.
"He's going to build a mall over the caves, how else are we supposed to get to the Fortress?"
Oliver laughs as he walks behind the two smiling.
"I'm glad you two came."
He was staring at Supergirl, but smirks when Superboy clears his throat.
"We weren't sure why you asked for us to meet you here?"
Green Arrow nods, looking towards the empty fields before looking back at the couple.
"I figured with all the drama in the media this was the last thing you wanted to hear, that I was building a mall on this land."
Supergirl quirks an eyebrow as she tilts her head at Green Arrow.
"It's reservation land."
Superboy looks at her before back at Oliver.
"It's important that this land stays reserved."
Green Arrow nods.
"I agree, that's why I've made it a national preserve. I was hoping you two, if you could watch over it for a while, you know while you're here that is?"
He smirks looking at their surprised faces.
"But Lana said…"
"Lana wanted to hear that I was going to level this place, she doesn't have the interest in Smallville. Her sights are set on Metropolis, so with the mention of a mall she was all too happy to sell this land."
Supergirl shakes her head angry.
"These caves they're special to me."
Oliver nods.
"I know all about them, I've done my homework. Queen Industries was instrumental in blocking Lana's research years ago. You'll find I know more about your Kryptonian heritage than I let on."
He steps closer to Lois his eyes intense as Superboy frowns, trying to change the focus of the situation.
"So what was the purpose of buying the land then?"
Green Arrow laughs as he turns towards the fields; Supergirl eyes him suspiciously, as she looks to where his gaze lies.
"As soon as Lana mentioned putting this land on the market I knew I had to take the bait. You'll find that I'm not a bad guy. Protecting your secrets, are inherently close to protecting mine, and helping this world."
Clark nods as he thinks about Oliver's words.
"So what, was this like a favor?"
Supergirl quirks an eyebrow staring at Green Arrow skeptically
"Sure, a selfish favor, I wanted to show you, both of you that I'm on your side. That this isn't just about us, it's about the bigger picture. The closer the Lana Luthor's of this world are to your secret the less likely we can save those in need."
"So what you're saying is you think Lana Luthor's dangerous?"
Lois asks Oliver but looks to Clark first. He takes a deep breath before looking up at him.
"Of course, someone with that much power and ambition is likely to be up to something. Plus, I've been working on putting out fires from her father for years. Lana Corp. is no different, but we could use some help."
Supergirl rolls her eyes as Clark takes a deep breath. He was taking Oliver's words to heart, he wanted to be like his father, he wanted to make a difference.
------------------------------
"You do make a difference everyday."
Clark smiles as he pulls Lois closer to him.
"I'm not going to be the normal guy Lois. Thanks to you I can make a real difference in this world."
Lois looks up at the sky, shaking her head as she sighs.
"I'm not saying you have to do as I do, but just think about it. Being normal for a little while, saving people and going to school."
She smiles as Clark nods kissing her gently on her cheek, as she leans towards the warmth of his face.
"What if I asked you to give up the Planet, to come with me and Oliver and join this League?"
Lois shakes her head laughing.
"I'd tell you you're crazy, and to send me a postcard."
Clark laughs nodding.
"Exactly, you said it yourself, you have responsibilities this summer. And maybe I can get a little superhero training in myself."
Lois wraps her arms around his neck, leaning away from him as she drinks in his face.
"One summer with me stuck in the Fortress and you listening to that Green bandit."
Clark laughs as he kisses her neck gently pushing her hair back.
"Green Arrow."
She shrugs, annoyed with the subject.
"You don't like him do you?"
She shakes her head.
"He's arrogant, and full of himself. But there's a good side to him I'm sure."
Smiling she looks into Clark's eyes.
"He's a pale shadow of you."
Clark leans in kissing Lois again as they continue to twirl in the air suspended over the ocean.