A/N - Long chapter ahead...thanks again for the comments

Chapter 12 - Somebody's New in Town

"Clark, I have some news to share with you." Lois bounded up the stairs, not thinking and then stopped.

"Lois, I'm not really in the mood for anything right now." Clark walked by Lois pushing the pint sized lady in front of him. He started to sit down at his desk when Perry called him.

"You didn't have to get snooty." Lois sat down huffy, staring at the girl sitting next to Clark's desk.

"Clark, may I speak to you." As Clark neared Perry, he asked, "Are we babysitting today?"

"Sir, this is what I was taking care of. Can we talk?" Clark turned around and pointed to Brittany and told her to stay. She just looked over at Lois and smiled softly. Perry let Clark enter his office and closed the door. Clark pulled out a sheet of paper and handed it to Perry. Perry read the paper and looked at Clark again.

"Clark why didn't you tell me - we could have set up something for you son. I never want to leave any employees out on a limb."

"Chief, I don't need a handout. It's just for today - I promise I will find a place for her by tomorrow."

"Sure you will - the Daily Planet child care center. I didn't think that you would have children so I never mentioned it, but I guess I should have given you the papers to fill out." Perry handed him a stack of papers to fill out. "You can take her down right now."

"Actually, I was hoping for her to stay up here today. She's had a bad last few days."

"Sure son, whatever you need. But you do need to get some work done today."

Going out the door, Clark turned, "I will."

"Clark, could you possibly get this thing out of my chair. She's playing with all my stuff." Lois looked sickly at the child as Clark halfway laughed. He picked up Brittany and put her back in the chair next to his desk.

"I told you not to move. Did you hear me?" Lois was astonished by the tone Clark had with her. It wasn't a babysitter's tone. He went over and talked to Lois afterward.

"Could we have lunch today?"

"Sure...is she coming?"

"Lois, she has to. Please?"

"Get some work done and we'll take a long lunch."

Lois and Clark didn't talk the rest of the morning. Lois thought about the little girl and kept looking for the resemblance. Clark sat thinking of the ring that he had noticed when he asked her out. He wondered if that was what he thought it was. Perry kept checking in on then every so often to see work progress but couldn't help but play a little with Brit. Actually, he hadn't seen her in the last couple of hours. Perry had Jimmy take her around the Planet for a tour and down to the daycare center to meet the other children. About lunch time, Clark heard her come around the corner. She sat down in the chair next to his desk and started showing him pictures that she had drawn in the daycare center.

"Want to go to lunch?" Brit shook her head yes. "Lois, you ready?" Lois agreed and picked up her bag. "You be on your best behavior, both of you." They decided on something casual.

"So Lois, how was your weekend? I noticed that you got something new."

"That night that you left for home. Lex asked me out and then asked me to marry him. It was very romantic."

"Sounds like it's really coming together for you."

"I'm sorry about that remark earlier today. So how was your weekend?"

"Well, I got Brittany. You can see." The little girl was filling her mouth with french fries as they talked. "I'm a single man again." Lois saw Clark pat Brittany on the head and almost wanted to break down. She could still picture when she turned him down and almost felt she had put him in the position he was now.

"Lois it wasn't your fault. I went home after you and I uhh and made a mistake. But Brittany wasn't a mistake." He kissed on the top of the head. Lois was starting to cry.

"Can you tell me what happened?" Clark could hear her voice getting smaller.

"When you and I separated for the last time, I went home and started dating this girl from high school again. She had now become the city council woman. She had also done some acting. Weird mix huh? I went to her first big movie shoot. Anyway, Lana and I decided after several months to get married because she got pregnant. We had a real small ceremony and lived in town. She blamed me for the entire pregnancy and ruining her career, but seemed happy again when the baby was born. I'm not sure for the child or for her popularity going up again. After Brit turned one, she started working again and traveling. We grew apart and she stopped talking to me. I never saw her...she never saw me. We lived apart up until a few weeks ago when she was filing. I got the papers this past weekend and she left Brit with me after returning her from a vacation. I don't know where she is. She probably wouldn't tell me if I asked. Lois, are you crying?"

"It's just that I thought my family had problems. Clark, I had no idea that Brittany was yours. I didn't mean what I said earlier I..."

"Lois, could you hold that thought a minute...I really need to use the restroom." Lois shook her head yes and realized she was left with a child...she didn't know how to care for a child.

"How are old are you?" She calmly hoped the child wouldn't be rash.

"Three. Daddy runs off a lot."

"You sure are smart." Lois looked at Brittany and smiled.

"Daddy is gone a lot...he still likes you." Lois looked shocked. She watched Brittany fumble through Clark's overcoat on the chair. She pulled out his wallet and opened it to the center. Brittany put it down and smiled at Lois.

"Oh, I didn't think he still had..."

"He has you in the house too." Brittany watched Lois carefully as Lois flipped through pictures - ex-wife, family, parents, friends, Lois.

"Why does your daddy leave a lot?"

"No one will tell me." Brittany put the wallet back and started nibbling on her lunch again. Lois started to think; unfortunately, about using her partner as a story.

"So when did your daddy start wearing glasses? He never wore them around me before."

"He just started. Grandma says daddy's eyes hurt." Lois looked at the little girl and noticed the same serious expression that Clark so often had. Brit went on and continued eating. Lois went into a trance seeing them together way back when, realizing that she was not fond of children and would have never been able to handle being with Clark if that's what he had wanted. I would have probably left him too - my career is too important. She looked at the little girl with Shirley Temple curls and thought, Stupid Lois...you would have loved life with him. You'll learn to love life with Lex.

At the same time, on the other side of town, the strange man in a blue suit that appeared on the tabloid dropped two people lightly to the ground and then flew off, knowing the fire department could handle the clean up. Minutes later, Clark returned to the table.

"Sorry about that."

"Clark, I didn't mean upset you."

"Lois, it's ok. Are we ready to get back? We should get some work done today." He reached for his wallet and found it in the wrong pocket. "Brit, have you been digging again?" He pinched her on her nose as she smiled up at him. Lois couldn't but giggle watching him - he seemed to be a great father. They returned to work to find Perry pointing to the television. The news started carrying a story of several people saying they saw a man flying by and then saving a city worker that was scorched by an overheated pipe. Perry and Lois marveled at the story trying to think of a way to be the first with pictures and an interview with this mystery. Lois was more interested in getting the story than Perry. He sat questioning the whole thing. Clark sat at his desk listening to the entire conversation while coloring in the book with Brit.

"Perry, I can get that story."

"Lois, there is no story."

"Perry, several different people have reported it from different times. It's either a great prank or something strange and wonderful that has come to help Metropolis. You heard the worker - there was no way anyone could have helped him except someone with highly protective gear that they didn't have. Either that or someone superhuman. You've seen the tabloid stories lately too."

"Ok, but if there's no story then drop it. You promise?"

"Fine." Lois almost skipped back to her desk, excited by the new story. Clark had listened to the entire conversation with intent. He had an opening into her life again. Lois smiled over at him. "Guess we have first big assignment for the Planet as a team." He smiled back at her and almost laughed. The look she gave him reminded of when they first dated in college.

This is it - I can get her back. Clark looked over at Brit still working quietly and started thinking of what he could do. I promise not to mess this one up for us, he thought as he went back to work.

"Clark, can you think of a way to contact this Superperson?"

"I think the tabloid named him Superman. I don't know - just try to catch him. I hear he's around at pretty much all disasters," he smiled at her but more at himself. Brit still sat coloring.

"Good deal...that sounds like a plan. Clark, I hate to be rude, but I think I should go on this story alone for the meantime." Clark couldn't believe how the luck was falling into place. "But I'll let you help write it." Lois grabbed her bag, undoubtedly off to the tabloid paper to get a scoop. He felt this was a good time to exit. He picked up Brit and started home, smiling all the way. Brittany smiled back, knowing dad was happier then he had been in a long time.

Clark and Brittany got home. Martha hadn't called but he had expected that. He turned on the radio as he got dinner ready.

Well, it looks I finally made the front page

You know you always said I would

And things are well here in room 28

God, I hope you're doing good.

There's a picture in my wallet

I look at sometimes

And it sends chills through my bones

For long lost love or whatever you want to call it

But you left me alone...

"That was Clay Walker. The boy sure knows how to make someone break down, don't he??" Clark switched off the radio and chuckled thinking about the lyrics. Up until the last few hours, that was how he was feeling. Yet now, hope was in the air. KNOCK

"Mom, what are you doing here" His mom pushed in to see Brit running toward them.

"I thought you could use some help for a bit." She walked into the kitchen and sat down. Clark went on and served dinner to everyone; he had intended to have leftovers. Then a scream came from down the street.

"Mom, I have to go a minute." His mother shook her head and he headed out on the balcony where Brit couldn't see. He arrived at an old boarded up building where an old man was fighting with a child. Superman stripped the man off the child and took him by the neck and hoisted him off to the police waiting outside. He went back and found several children gathered around him and walked out with them, knowing this was the story he would have to talk about. He found out from the police that there had been a rash of kidnappings in the area. Down inside, it made him more comfortable to know that Brit was with him most times. Then he heard her voice.

"Superman, it's Lois, Lois Lane. I was hoping to get an interview with you." He walked over and saw she had changed since work.

"Lois Lane..I heard that you were trying to track me down."

"What?!"

"I have pretty good hearing..." He smiled thinking that she should buy that, not knowing about him.

"Yeah, about that...I was wondering if you would be interested in giving me an interview?" He could hear Lois' pulse racing and hoped it was more than just reporter nerves.

"I would love to but I have somewhere I have to be. Can I meet you later?"

Lois smiled widely, "At my place? What time about?" She almost was giggling as she handed him her card. Clark had never seen her like this before.

"In an hour or so." Before she could answer back, he flew off. She thought about following him but he was too high to pick out.

Have to get home...change...get drinks...cancel with Lex.

"I'm back and look what time it is," he said as he picked up Brittany from the couch. She had fallen asleep trying to wait for him. He carried her to the room and tucked her in. He sat down with his mother in the living room.

"I have a date."

"Clark?? What are you talking about?"

"I have a date with Lois."

"I thought she was engaged; it was in the paper." His mother looked funny at him.

"Well, its more business than anything. Lois wants to interview Superman."

"Clark, do you think that's wise? I mean you and she did have a relationship at one time. What if she figures out you're Superman?"

"Look, if she does, I'll fess up I guess. I have always loved Lois. For some reason fate gave me another chance with her and I can't mess this one up. Superman or Clark, I have got to get her back."

"Clark, she turned you down. You didn't do anything wrong."

"I did one thing wrong. I left her alone after graduation. If I'd kept her number, she and I would already been together and Brit would be our child."

"Clark, I know where this is going."

"Mom, I am talking about Brit now - Lois and I belong together. I have to go. Can you stay with Brit?" Martha shrugged, hoping he wasn't making a huge mistake. He flew slowly toward Lois' hoping that Lex wouldn't be there. He hung out outside her window and didn't see or hear him and tapped on the window.

"You startled me. You always make this entrance?"

"Seems to be the easiest way, yes."

"Would you like something to eat or ... do you eat?"

"Already ate...thanks. Being able to fly seems to give me the chance to try a variety of things," he smiled and saw her almost blush. The last time she did that was their first kiss. She sat down on the couch next to him, still pink in the face.

"You look very nice Lois."

"You remembered my name. Do things like that come easy to you...remembering things I mean."

"Somewhat. I have a memory very similar to you actually."

"Do you have the same body...chem...no ummm...parts...no..."

"I physically resemble any human male, yes." He saw her turn completely red. She knew it too because the same time she grabbed her face to hide it. He removed her hands from her face, "Lois, you look very nice in pink." He smiled widely at her. This was working.

"So what powers do you possess?" She asked, getting her composure back.

"I haven't experimented completely but I can hear well, see through objects, consume most substances without problems."

"Is there anything you can't or hurts you?"

"I can't see through lead...and there is one substance that can affect me. You see, I don't know much about my history but I do know that I am from the planet Krypton. In a message I got when I was younger, I was told that on my planet, I could not have powers. That is to say, I would be human like."

"You're telling me that this planet or remnants of this planet could you make you vulnerable?" Lois got a look of worry on her face. She instinctively took his hand and then pulled away.

"I really don' think that would be a wise thing to talk about. I mean if someone knew that you knew, that makes you a target."

"No problem. I'll stop with the name of the planet. Anything else you can tell me. I really thought I was more prepared but I guess its hard asking questions about something I can't research first." They both laughed.

"When you think of something, give me a call." He walked toward the window with Lois close behind. He turned and saw that Lois was almost on top of him. He decided hugging her wouldn't kill his chances.

He reached over and hugged her and heard her trying to whisper to herself, "I think I'm in love with you...Lois that's stupid." He pulled away from her.

"Maybe next time we'll go flying." He reached down from the window sill and pinched her on the nose. "And Lois, I believe in love at first sight too." He saw her jaw drop just before he took off. Lois stood motionless by the window.

She had stood looking out a window once before at someone leaving, someone else she thought made the Earth stand still. He pinched my nose, she thought, knowing she had seen that before.

"Yes!" Clark bounded into the living room seeing his mother watching TV.

"How did it go?"

Spinning out of his suit, he flopped on the couch, "Perfect...she whispered she was falling for Superman after one visit. Isn't that strange?" Clark actually looked thrilled like his mother hadn't seen in years. "I have to go to bed. Long day tomorrow. You can have my room; I'll sleep with Brit tonight." He took off to her room humming to himself.