Little Clark and Lois were sitting on the couch at the Kent farm. Big Clark and Lois were interrogating them about the kidnapping.

"So what all did he say?" big Lois asked.

"He said—" little Clark began.

"I don't like you," little Lois directed at big Lois.

"I don't like you either," she replied, "but just keep your mouth shut, so I can hear what Clark has to say."

"I can't believe I turn out to be such a jerk," little Lois replied.

"So I guess he told you guys that you were in the future?" older Clark asked.

The kids nodded.

"Did he say how you got here or how to get you back and shut up, Lois," big Lois said.

"It has to do with some kind of machine," little Clark told her.

"Then we have a plan," older Lois stated.

"We do?" both Clarks said.

"Yep. Tonight we're going to break into the Luthor mansion and find it."

"That's reckless," older Clark told her.

"Do you have a better plan?"

"I guess not, but let me be the leader of this operation. I know the inside of his mansion better than you."

"Yes, sir," she said, saluting him. "Meanwhile, I'm going back to my apartment. I have things to do. Did you ever call and tell Claire that we found them, Smallville?"

"Yes."

"How stupid do you think I am?" little Lois asked. "Obviously not as stupid as I turn out to be. I know Claire is Chloe grown up."

Big Clark looked surprised, "You do?"

"Duh! A reporter that covered up her name and looks a lot like her and you think I can't figure it out, now that I know I'm in the future."

"I'm beginning to empathize with my father. I was a handful when I was little. Do you want me to get her out of your hair, Clark?"

"I don't think we should watch ourselves. We might not treat ourselves like children and give them too much freedom."

"Are you saying you want me to watch young you? Aren't you afraid that I might scar you for life?"

"You're not that bad a babysitter. I guess we should meet back here about 10:00, and we'll all have to go."

"Sounds good." Young Clark followed her out to the car.

sss

"I'll be right back, Clark. I just have to run in there and get a few groceries. Will you be okay in the car for a few minutes? Who am I asking? You're Mr. Responsible."

She sighed with impatience as she waited in the checkout line with her bottle of pop, gallon of milk, and two TV dinners. The old man in front of her had a buggy full of groceries and now he was taking forever to fill out a check. It was only a matter of time before the cashier would need some sort of assistance. She had been in here half an hour already.

"Lois, how nice to see you."

Lois didn't turn around. "Hi, Lana."

"I haven't seen you in a long time."

"And as long as your boyfriend is Lex, you're not going to see me very often," she mumbled under her breathe.

"Excuse me? I didn't hear you."

"Nothing."

There was a silence for a few moments and who should come through the door of the small grocery store but little Clark. He came right up to Lois.

"I thought I told you to wait in the car."

"I was getting worried about you, Miss Lane."

"Who's this?" Lana wanted to know.

"Just a kid I'm babysitting for. I need some extra cash."

"I hope you know you can always come to me if you need extra money, Lois. What's his name?"

"Cla—," Clark started to say.

"Ude. His name is Claude."

"Nice to meet you, Claude," Lana said, shaking his hand, "I'm—"

"Best friends with me. Like sisters even."

"Really?" Lana asked pleasantly surprised.

"Oh, definitely. In fact, in my head I call you Lucy."

"I never knew that."

The cashier was finally ringing up her items.

"I was just thinking that Claude looks like Clark when he was little. Are they related? He could pass for his son."

"8.96, ma'am."

Lois counted out the cash. "I have a confession to make. Clark and I go way back. This is our son. Come on, Junior. You want to help me carry a bag? Bye, Lucy."

"I don't think Miss Lane is feeling well, today," the cashier said after they left.

"Lucy Lang has a nice ring to it. Don't you think?"

sss

"Home sweet home, Clark," Lois said, setting the bags down on the counter. "Do you want to watch a movie?"

"Yes, please. Why did we lie to that lady?"

"You're in the future. You can't just tell people who you are." She pulled out a box full of Disney DVDs from under the couch. Clark gave a funny look, wondering why they weren't on the shelves with the other movies.

"I'm a closet Disney fan. If you tell anybody, I'll have to kill you. Nobody can know I like sappy cartoons or I'll never hear the end of it. What do you want to watch?"

"I like Dumbo."

"I've got a suggestion. Why don't you watch one that hasn't come out in your time yet? I recommend Hercules."

"Okay."

"How about I order us some pizza and save the TV dinners for later?"

"Do people eat pizza and watch movies when they date?"

"I guess so," Lois shrugged.

After she ordered the pizza, she sat down on the couch to watch it with him. He gave her a silly grin and held her hand. It weirded her out a little, but he was only a kid, so she didn't make a big deal about it.

sss

Older Clark was busy making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Little Lois sat at the table watching him with admiration.

"I wish I could make a pb and j," she said.

"I wish you could too."

"What?"

"Just a little joke. I bet you miss your dad."

"Not really. I wish I could stay with you forever."

"You love your dad though, don't you?"

"I guess but only because I have to. He's family. My sister is lucky. She gets to go to a boarding school because she's really smart. Dad takes me with him and home schools me. Sometimes if we're stationed long enough and in the right place, I get to go to regular school. Every time I get a question wrong or a bad grade, I get the belt and he makes me do 25 pushups."

"He hurts you!" Clark said angrily.

"He doesn't hit me hard. He wouldn't hurt me on purpose."

"Does he ever tell you that he loves you?"

"No. I think he has to force himself to love me because I'm not the boy he wanted."

"He said that to you?"

"Not in so many words but I know. If I ever started liking pink and playing with dolls, he would freak."

Clark thought about this. Maybe that's why her father kept her around because she was a tomboy. Lucy seemed more girly. Maybe the boarding school had nothing to with who had the higher IQ but with his not knowing how to raise girls. The general probably loved them both but just didn't know how to show it. Treating them as soldiers was the only way he knew how to treat them. Lois must have had a tough childhood. She hadn't mentioned her mother at all and she still didn't as an adult, but it must've affected her deeply. It's no wonder she never wanted to show her emotions. He was definitely starting to understand her more.

"Your father loves you and is worrying about where you're at by now."

Lois looked at him skeptically but didn't say anything.

"I dropped the jelly spoon behind the fridge, and I can't reach it. Maybe if I got a yardstick and gum."

"Why don't you just pick up the fridge and move it?"

Clark tried to keep the uneasiness out of his voice. "It would be too heavy."

"Not for you. You're super strong."

"How did you find out?"

"Little Clark snapped off our handcuffs and broke off a door. Don't worry. I won't tell anyone your secret. I like you."

"I think that's the first time either of you has ever told me that," he said as he picked up the fridge with one hand and got the spoon with the other.

"I like you a lot."

He put the dirty spoon in the sink. "Thank you."

"I want you to be my boyfriend."

There was no misinterpreting that statement as she gazed at him with star struck eyes. He gave her the sandwich and milk. Then he went into the next room to call the other Lois.

"Hello?"

"It's Clark. We have a problem."

"Hold on. Wait until this part is over."

"You have a crush on me."

"What! Wait, let me go to another room…I what?"

"Young Lois has a crush on me," Clark said nervously.

She started to laugh. "That's funny!"

"That you love me?"

"You're right. That's not so funny. You want me to break her heart for you? Put her on."

"No. You're not the most tactful person in the world."

"It's me. I don't have to be tactful."

"I'll do it."

"Wait a second. I think you have a crush on me too."

"Impossible."

"So it's possible for me and not you? He's been grinning at me like a cheshire cat and holding my hand. He asked me something about dating, but I wasn't paying much attention."

Clark sighed. It sounded like he did have a crush. "Be nice."

"You can trust me, Clarkie."

"Sure I can. Bye."

"Bye."

He went back to the table.

"Lois, you're a nice girl, but—"

"You don't want to be my boyfriend. I didn't think you would."

"Don't take it like that. I'd like you if you were older."

"So you like older me? Is she your girlfriend?"

"No."

"I don't blame you. She's awful."

"She is not! I know she can be a little bossy, but she's beautiful and brilliant. She makes me laugh, and she's a loyal, caring person even if she tries to hide it."

"Then why don't you date her?"

"Because she doesn't like me."

"Oh."

"Don't tell her what I said."

"Won't she know if you told me?"

"We aren't getting these new childhood memories."

"I won't tell her."

sss

Lois put the movie on pause. "Let's take a walk, Clark." Once they were outside she continued, "I'm going to cut straight to the chase. I know you like me."

"You do?"

"The fact is, kiddo, you're too young. You should like Lana at this age and that can't get messed up. It could change things. Understand?"

Clark took running off through the field.

"Clark! I've already exercised today! Come back!" He wasn't slowing down. She rolled her eyes and took off running after him. "Slow down!" Instead of slowing down, he sped up. Lois was starting to get out of breath, and she was in good shape. A little kid shouldn't be faster. "Who are you, Speedy Gonzales? Get your butt back here!" Lois suddenly came to a dead stop. Clark had shot off faster than a speeding bullet. He was nowhere to be seen.