CHAPTER 1: Current Events

Clark's alarmed roared in his ears. He sighed and then smiled as he got up even though it was 7 am it always felt like sleeping in when comparing it to life on the farm. He jumped out of bed and super-sped into the shower. He was ready for work and cooking some pancakes and making his Mom's secret recipe for coffee within five minutes. His life had been hectic for for about two years and it had finally settled down. He couldn't believe that two years ago today was the day he had stopped the last of the escaped Phantom Zone criminals and re-awakened Jor-el in the Fortress. That day Jor-el had sent him on a year and half odyssey across the planet and when Clark finally returned Jor-el imparted to him the knowledge of Krypton and told him his final orders.

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Two years before

"They can be a great people Kal-el, they wish to be. They only need a light to show them the way. Return home to your friends and family now Kal-el. This is the last we will speak. I love you my son." And with that Jor-el left Clarks life as mysteriously as he had entered it that day in the vegetable cellar of the Kent farm. It seemed that while Clark was away things had been exciting for all of his friends. His mom had been re-elected to the Senate and was one of the most respected Senators in Washington, the farm being paid for by Clark's good friend and former rival Oliver Queen, who Clark knew as the Green Arrow. But that is a story for another time. Lois worked her way into an entry level job at the Daily Planet where she and Chloe quickly teamed up to write an article exposing corrupt Politicians in Metropolis. This article landed them upstairs working under the new editor Perry White and landing themselves front page stories on a regular basis.

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Upon Clark's return he sought out Perry White who had always promised him a favor someday.

"Well I never thought I'd live to see the day! Clark Kent! What brings you to the Daily Planet!?"

"Hi Mr. White, I'm here..."

"Perry Clark, its always Perry or chief. I like it, makes me feel... Regal. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir Mr... Perry." Perry laughed heartily and slapped Clark on the back.

"Well seriously Clark. What can a former drunk who got a second chance do for the man who saved him?"

Clark blushed a bit and then said nervously. "Well I'm actually hoping to land a job here. Nothing big but I did some writing while I traveled the world." Clark reached into his bag and handed Perry a stack of neatly written articles, all of them stories about Clark's heroic adventures around the world and all of them leaving the part where Clark didn't any saving of any kind whatsoever. Perry sat down at his desk and starting reading. For the next half hour Clark stood awkwardly in front of Perry's desk, unsure if it would be okay to sit down. Finally Perry said.

"Well kid, you've got some real talent but you need more experience." Disappointment flashed across Clark's face. "Thankfully I have just the person for you to partner up with to get you what you need. Welcome to the Daily Planet Kent!"

Clark was ecstatic. "Thanks Mr. White... I mean Perry... I mean Mr. Perry! When can I start!?

"Well how about right now?" Perry looked past Clark into the newsroom. "Ah! Your partner just got back from her latest scoop!" Perry stood up and opened the door. "LANE! MY OFFICE! NOW!" he shouted at the top of his lungs.

"In a second Chief!" With his super hearing Clark heard muttered swearing from Lane. Suddenly neurons fired in his head and he realized. His eyes went wide as he turned around to see a beautiful brunette storming into Perry's office. "What do you need Chief! I'm a busy woman and I don't need you on my case about knocking over those interns on my way out I had a big scoop ok!" Lois rattled off as fast as she could. When she finally took the time to look around she turned her head and jumped back in a mixture of shock and several emotions. "Smallville! What are you doing here!?"

"Lois we'll talk about that incident with the interns later but for now meet your new partner! Clark Kent!" Clark gave a meek wave and smile at Lois who stared incredulously at Perry before turning her attention back to him.

"You've got to be kidding me." she muttered.

----

"Ok Smallville let me show you to your desk." Lois stormed out of Perry's offfice and towards her desk where she grabbed a trash can and swiped a stack of papers off of one side and into the trash. "There you go. Until Perry gets another desk up here we'll be sitting nice and cozy."

Clark started to say "Lois I..." but Lois kept going.

"Over there is the print room, that is Chloe's desk." She pointed. "Over there is the supply closet, thats where you should probably go and collect the stuff you'll need to write." Lois sat down at her desk angrily.

Clark tried again. "Hey, Lois I..."

"Don't talk to me Smallville. I'm busy doing... reporter things." Lois snapped. Clark could see she had just started a game of sudoku on her computer. Patiently Clark circle her desk and sat across from her where he would be setting up his things. He sat quietly and could tell she was getting annoyed. "You know what I don't get!" she snapped suddenly. "How someone can just disappear into thin air without a word for a little over a year and a half with no goodbyes and no contact to anybody... who might have cared about him. And then just show up like nothing is wrong. AND EXPECT ME TO hold his hand and let him be my partner! You know Clark I'm a respected journalist around here..." Clark heard people around scoff under their breaths as they heard her comment, "I won a Pulitzer last year. I don't need this! Okay I just don't need this!" Her face was red and she was out of breath. Clark knew she had every right to be angry. When he left things between him and her were getting weird. He missed her every moment that he was gone.

"I'm sorry Lois. I should have called you and Chloe to let you know what happened."

"And your mother" she snapped.

"And my mother. I'm sorry Lois. Let me take you out for lunch today and make up for it."

"Ha! Like I'm going to be that easy Kent!"

"Lee Changs Chinese on fifth?" Clark pleaded. He knew it was her favorite. They had gone there with Chloe who was going on a blind date and decided to make them go along and act like a couple to make her more comfortable. Strangely it hadn't felt to Clark like he was acting. He could see her defenses melt a little bit.

"Ok... but you're paying. And I can have anything I want. And you're going to answer all my questions about where you were and what you were doing." Lois' natural color had returned to her face and her voice was back at a normal level.

"Deal Lois." Clark said with a smile as he stood to go get supplies and computer for his part of their desk. As he started to walk away Lois said.

"Hey Clark." Clark turned and looked at her. "Don't leave again. I... we missed you." she said quickly.

"I won't Lois." Clark said sincerely and walked away with a smile.