Metropolis, 2015

"I remember now," Lois sighed, a sad expression to her face. "I'm sorry I ran. I guess the kiss confused me a little bit."

"That's okay, Lois. It was a long time ago. So, what have you been up to these last six years?"

"Well, after the general got better, I decided to finish my studies at Columbia University in New York. Then I did some training in London before coming back to Metropolis for good," Lois explained to him with a smile.

"I love what you did to your hair. Brown really suits you."

"Thank you. And what about you? What have you been up to?" Lois inquired curiously.

"Well, I spend some time in Africa, Japan, and Thailand," Clark explained, surprising Lois.

"Really? You in Japan?" Lois said, still suspicious. "It's hard to picture you there."

"Lois, I want to ask you something. Remember our last conversation about destiny?" Lois nodded with a sarcastic smile. "I still think I'm right. Come on, it's the third sign, our reunion six years later here in the Daily Planet and Perry putting us together to work."

"I don't think so, Smallville. Did you ever find my book?" Lois asked and Clark's smile faded away.

"Unfortunately not."

"And I didn't find that five dollar bill. If we were meant to be together, we would have found those by now, Clark," Lois pointed out with a smile. "I'm sorry, but it's better for us to stay friends. Besides, it wouldn't work this time either," Lois said, showing her hand to Clark who almost gasped as he noticed a beautiful diamond ring on her ring finger.

"Are you engaged?" Clark asked, shocked. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"I am," Lois nods with a smile as she took another sip of her coffee.

"Who is he?" Clark asked, curious to know more about the man he now viewed as his opponent for Lois' affections.

"He is a pilot, Perry's nephew in fact. We bumped into each other on my first day at the Planet three years ago," Lois explained as her cell phone started to ring. "Hello? Yes. No. I didn't forget, Perry. I'm on it. Bye."

"What is it?"

"I have to go, Clark. I have to be on Air Force One in a few hours to interview the President and I'm already late. I catch you later at the Planet," Lois said giving him a kiss on the cheek. "And welcome back."

After Lois left, Clarks stayed sitting at the table thinking over everything Lois had told him in the last minutes. She was engaged. How could this be possible? Now everything was officially over between them. Lois had already moved on with her life and was even with another man.

Then he remembered Martha's words a few weeks ago when Clark returned from Africa. "Everything is worth the risk if it is for love."

Clark decided then that he would fight for Lois's love, no matter what.

Back in the Planet, Clark was surprised to find Chloe back from Central City early.

"Chloe!" Clark exclaimed before hugging his dear old friend. "It's been a long time. What are you doing here?"

"Clark, what are you doing here?" Chloe inquired, very surprised but also happy to see her friend.

"I work here now," Clark explained with a smirk. "And you? Jimmy said you were in Central City."

"I was. I came back yesterday. I was covering an accident that happened with a scientist there. Some random guy named Wally West," Chloe explained as she sat at her desk to chat with Clark. "It's great to have you here. Where's Lois?"

"In the air covering the Air Force One flight," Jimmy explained, joining them. "Hi, Chloe!" he said with a smile.

"Hi Jimmy," Chloe smiled back at him which made Clark assume they are together.

"Chloe, can I talk to you for a minute?" Clark asked grabbing Chloe's arm and leading her to the staff meeting room.

"What's wrong, Clark?" Chloe asked Clark as they entered the staff meeting office that was empty.

"Lois, I need her. I love her."

"Clark, you never got over her? She moved on, Clark. She is engaged now," Chloe pointed out with a sympathetic smile, putting her hand on his shoulder.

"I know. I know, but I can't give up yet. She is not married yet. I can't lose her again, Chloe. I can't lose Lois twice," Clark said looking desperate. "Please, you need to help me!"

"All right. I promise to help you. What's the plan?" Chloe asked curious about Clark's idea.

'We need to find that book."

"The Pride and Prejudice book?" Chloe asked skeptically to Clark who nods. "Clark… we spent over a year looking for that book without any luck. Did you forget?"

"Of course not, but I think now I might have a chance to find," Clark pointed out hopeful.

"Clark, we looked in several bookstores in this and in other countries. You even looked in Japan, Africa and Thailand when you were there. I don't think you'll find this book." Chloe pointed out as she notice Perry was coming to the staff meeting room.

"Please, Chloe. I'm begging you," Clark asked with puppy eyes, hopeful Chloe would help him.

"All right, I hate when you beg. I'll help you…again."

2009

"Clark, this is insane. How will we find this book now?" Chloe asked surprised and angry. "It must be in Geneve by now."

"I don't think so. I made a call to every bookstore in there and they didn't find it," Clark explained with a serious look. "Besides I already went there personally to look for the book. Must have left the country."

"Did you find Lois at least?" Chloe asked curiously.

"No, she left for Paris in the day I arrived," Clark answered with a sad look. "That's why I need that book, Chloe. It's my only hope to find Lois."

"Calm down, Clark. So, do you remember anything about this book in particular that would help me?" Chloe asked as she starts to type, searching a search engine on her computer.

"It was a first edition of Pride and Prejudice." Clark pointed out seriously.

"All right, let me google this," Chloe chucked with a happy face. "You know, I miss her too, Clark, although I talked to her last week by phone."

"You did? How? What did she say?" Clark asked curiously.

"Her father is better now. The surgery went great and he is out of danger. She called to let me know."

"That's great."

"She asked about you," Chloe surprised him with the revelation. "She misses you too, Clark."

"Really? She said that?"

"No, but I can read her. Even by the phone. She is my cousin after all."

2015

"Okay, I'll look in the new bookstores that might receive old editions. Let's hope we get lucky this time," Chloe pointed out looking amusedly at Clark.

"What?"

"Clark, your outfit is showing," Chloe pointed out as Clark fixed his shirt and tie. "I can't believe Mrs. Kent convinced you to wear that."

"Well, I think it's great. Besides I couldn't do it as Clark, could I?"

"Of course not. Even in Smallville using your gifts was already dangerous. Here in Metropolis people would eat you alive," Chloe pointed out as she took a sip of her coffee. "Did you think of a name yet?"

"I'm working on it," Clark said as they left just before Perry entered the room.

TBC