Born to Fly
By Serena Kenobi
Rating: T
Author's Note: I'm so sorry for not updating in ages, but my computer's been acting crazy- can't seem to see my story list or stats list. I'm going INSANE! Eh-hem.
jujitsuelf: Well, he IS Superman, lol! Has to keep himself fed and well nourished! Thanks for the review!
ItalHunni28: Thank you so much for your review! I do appreciate it!
The Kiss of Death: WOW! You're the third person in a row who loves mush! I'll have to add more to keep on pleasing you guys... thank you! Hmm, you'll see how Jason and Richard are gonna find out... soon enough!
Sunny2006: More mush! Coolness! Thank you so much, hope you enjoy this chapter!
Joe King: Thank you! I hope you like this chapter!
javaman: We'll never know with Jason, but expect some different things! Thanks!
Divamercury: Thank you!
ashsilver4: Yeah, he is, lol!
Gr33nJ3w3lRain: More mush! Ack! You guys all love mush... and that's great! Mush is good. Thank you!
Angel452: You'll just have to wait and see! Hey, by the penname, I'm guessing you're a Dark Angel fan... right? Cause if so, I love that show!
Kaimi Hoshi: He he he! Thank you so much!
katemary77: Thank you, I'm glad you like it.
Nette: More mush! He he he... you guys rock. Yes, Jason is a bit of a sneak... he's so cute. Thank you!
Beloved of Aragorn: Thanks for your review, I love your story and can't wait for the sequel!
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Chapter 3 - Susan Lynn
The two sat in a comfortable silence for a moment.
"This is a really nice apartment, Clark," Lois remarked, studying the appliances.
"Thanks," he said, "but I haven't done much decorating yet. I've got a lot of work to do, but you're welcome to come and drop by anytime you want to."
Lois nodded, saying, "Thank you, I really appreciate it." The two walked back into the living room, where Jason was engrossed in a game of chutes and ladders. "Come on, buddy, let's go home, it's way past your bedtime," Lois told her son.
"Aw mom, just a few more minutes?" Jason pleaded, looking up at her with puppy eyes.
Lois shook her head. "Honey, it's almost ten, and I've got work tomorrow. Besides, I'm sure Clark wants to get some rest, too."
"I don't mind," was Clark's gentle reply. Lois glanced at him and back to Jason.
"Thank you Clark," she answered, "But Jason's also got school tomorrow." At that, Clark looked embarrassed.
"Oh, right," he said, and looked down. "Jason, listen to your mother."
Jason stood up and put the game away. He ran back over to Clark and asked, "Can I come and visit you sometime, Mr. Clark?"
Clark laughed, patting him on the back. "Anytime, Jason." He let Lois and Jason out, but Lois halted and turned back.
"Clark, thanks for everything. I'm glad you're back," she said, giving him a smile before walking into the elevator. She realized that underneath all his shyness and clumsiness, Clark was a good, compassionate, and thoughtful guy. He was definitely rising up in her book, and she realized that she wanted to get to know him more.
"Mommy," Jason asked her, "Do you like Mr. Clark? I like him a lot."
She looked down at smiled gently at him. "Yeah, honey, I do too."
Clark stared at the place Lois had just stood, feeling overwhelmed with a sudden rush of emotions.
- - - -
"Excuse me, I'm looking for Perry White's office," a higher pitched and annoying voice spoke up. Lois looked up from her writing to see a young woman standing there. She had feathered blonde hair, bright red lipstick, and a sharp but revealing work outfit.
"Who's asking?" Lois asked, eyeing her suspiciously. After giving her a quick look over, she didn't like her already.
The blonde rolled her eyes. "Me, who else?" she said, as if that were obvious.
Lois's eyes flashed in exasperation. "And you would be...?" she said, raising her eyebrows at the strange woman. She didn't know what her problem was.
The blonde sniffed and replied haughtily, "Susan Lynn. Top reporter of Time magazine and new reporter and writer here at the Daily Planet. I need to find Perry White's office so I can get started."
Oh great. Her. Lois groaned inwardly. She had heard of this woman before, and though she grudgingly admitted that she was a good writer, that didn't mean she liked her. Susan was known for being a bit of an, um, overly friendly person.
"His office is just over there," Lois sighed, turning back to her computer.
Susan flipped her hair back and strutted into Perry's office, Lois watching her with hawk eyes. She had a bad feeling about this.
"LANE! KENT! IN HERE PRONTO!" Perry's voice shouted from inside his office. Lois rolled her eyes and entered inside the chief's office, where Richard and... Susan were already sitting. Clark got up from his desk chair and followed Lois inside, flashing her a quick smile. Lois gave him a small grin in return, and fixed a glare on Susan, who looked as if she owned the Daily Planet.
"Everyone," Perry continued, "This is our newest reporter, Susan Lynn, she just transfered from Time magazine to here. I expect you to show her where everything..." he rambled on.
Lois never brought her gaze away from Susan. How about I show you my fist so I can punch you right in the nose, you worthless little...
"And this is Lois Lane," Perry said, motioning to Lois. Susan raised an eyebrow. "Lois is our top reporter and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for one of her articles. We're very lucky to have her on board." Lois nodded, staring at Susan triumphantly. "And last, but not least, Clark Kent, also an excellent writer and reporter," Perry finished, "He's just recently returned from a world wide trip, and he and Lane make a good pair working together."
Susan suddenly eyed Clark in a way that made Lois want to kick her little butt right out the window.
"Yeah, we've done a lot of stories," Lois spoke up, all of a sudden wondering why she was being so protective of Clark. Richard gave her a funny look, confused; Clark gave her a sideways glance, also bewildered.
Susan narrowed her eyes at Lois. "I'm sure you have," she said in a sickly sweet voice. "I'll probably be doing a lot of work with you now, Clark," she said, turning to the mild mannered reporter, giving him a disgustingly over-the-top smile. Clark uncertainly nodded, not knowing what to make of her.
Perry gave all them one stare before barking, "All right, pleasantries are over and done. Lynn, you'll be following some new leads on the museum robbery the other night. Kent, Lane, continue working on what you're doing now. Now out!"
The four of them walked out of the office, and Susan immediately sidled up to Clark, who was talking to Lois about their articles on Superman.
"Hey, Clark," she giggled annoyingly, batting her eyelashes, "I'm Susan, but you can call me Susie. I was just wondering if you could, you know, show me around."
Clark was very uncomfortable, as he hadn't had many women flirt with him like this. Well, not as Clark. As Superman, that was a different story. Lois was glaring daggers at her, and Richard was just watching the entire situation, examining Lois's reaction.
"Um, well, I'd love to, but I have to get back to work," Clark explained. Susie pouted.
"Oh, but Perry said that you could show me around. Come on, it won't take that long," she smiled at him suggestively, and Lois snorted. Sue whisked to face her.
"Don't you have something better to do, like go write a story about your little crush Superman?" she said mockingly, putting her hands on her hips.
Lois resisted punching her right then and there. "I've done Superman already," she retorted, and then instantly wished she hadn't said that. Susan giggled loudly, thinking that was the funniest thing she'd ever heard. "I've covered him!" Lois continued, angry, "you know what I mean!"
Clark couldn't help but think of how adorable Lois was when she was angry. "Yes, we do," he said smoothly, "Now if you'll excuse me, Miss Lynn, I really have to finish my article. I'm sure someone else would show you around. Ask one of our photographers, Jimmy Olsen. He's right over there." With a grace that didn't match his usual bumbling self or personality, he strode over to his desk and sat down, typing.
Lois and Susan stared, open mouthed. Lois, because she'd never seen Clark act that way before, with such calm and poise, and Susan, because she'd never been rejected. Richard was also surprised at Kent's behavior, but he didn't comment on it. Yet.
Poor Jimmy ended up showing Susan around, since Clark was firm about writing, and Lois certainly didn't want to do it. The less she saw of Susan, the better. The more she was away from Clark, the better.
But what exactly had gotten into Clark Kent? Lois wondered. His behavior eerily reminded her of Superman's. But that was impossible. Wasn't it?
- - -
Well, well, well, enter Ms. Susan Lynn. Competition? Nah. A problem? We'll see.