The setting sun cast an amber light on everything within its grasp, including a large four-by-four with blackened windows. The vehicle made its way across the flat countryside, carrying Clark, Harry Wright and two unnamed, rhinoceros-sized bodyguards. Clark knew that he was taking a big risk, in hoping that his plan would all work out, but, with Lois out of the picture, things were going to be a lot easier. It was one less distraction, she wasn't exactly easy to ignore with her being loud, annoying, drop-dead gorgeous and the girl he was head-over-heels in love with. He needed her to be as far away as humanly, or Kryptonianly, possible, it was the only way he could know that she was safe.

Clark sighed inwardly. He could still hear her voice in the back of his mind, completely furious with him for leaving her behind. He could still picture her chocolate locks of hair that curled over her shoulders and framed her face perfectly. He could still smell her, the mixture of coffee, perfume and something that must come from Lois herself. Clark couldn't live without her, not after everything they'd been through. It was absurd to think that four years ago, he would've given anything to be rid of her, but somewhere along the way she grew on him, and him on her. Now, they saw each other almost daily and Clark actually enjoyed being with Lois. He could picture the smug look on Chloe's face if she ever found out what he was thinking. He knew that the fact that he had finally realized his feelings for Lois would be a good Chloe-Clark conversation moment, since she'd been trying to get him to acknowledge said feelings for too long. He was sure that his Mom would have expected Lois and him to become a couple. Even Oliver had joked about it when he'd first encountered the bantering pair! Had everyone realized the connection between him and Lois before they had? Maybe even Lois had realized that they could be more than friends. He hoped not, especially if she had to put up with his whole Lana drama. That would be horrible.

The land rover slowed to a stop and Clark was thrown from his thoughts of her. He had managed to buy more time by deciding to list the Daily Planet as the one place in which he could find the Red-Blue Blur, which meant that they had to wait for the cover of nightfall before trying to get there. After all, a well-known crime boss wouldn't just walk right into the international Daily Planet newspaper building, would he?

"Umm... Mr Wright?" Clark cleared his throat, feeling like he was suddenly a little boy again. "Where are we?"

A bemused smile was across Wright's face as he turned to reply, "Well I would think that after over twenty years you would recognise your own home Mr Kent."

Clark blinked. "But why are we here? The only place I can get the Red-Blue Blur is at the Planet."

"Mr Kent, do you really think I can just let you run into the Daily Planet without any regard for the possibility that you could be lying?"

"But I..."

"Now you need to get inside and change into something more appropriate. A work suit I think. You see I have plans of my own."

Lois paced the floor of her cell, simultaneously fuming and fretting. She vented in the only way she knew how. She talked (well, yelled) to the only person who she could right now: herself.

"How could he even think that this was a good idea? Him running off with some nutcase in a serious need of a therapist. He's such an idiot, he's gunna get in over his head, or get killed!" Lois' chest was heaving as she yelled at a nearby wall as if it would be more understanding. She couldn't admit it, but she was scared. He could die, and it would be her fault. If she had just given Wright the fact file she had on the Red-Blue Blur, Clark wouldn't be in the situation in which he had to lie. What was going to happen once he was found out to know absolutely nothing? He'd get into trouble.

Lois sighed, she hated being this helpless.

"Hey lady!" Lois' head snapped up to see a guy that looked as if he should have been in high school. "Phone for you."

Lois took the phone off of the guy, who went back out of the cell, locking it behind him. "Hello?"

"Lois?"

"Clark?" Lois couldn't help the happiness flow through her voice at that moment. He was alive! And he was calling her! Which means... what exactly?

"Yeah Lois, it's me."

"Where are you? What's going on? And what the hell do you think you're doing?" She blurted as if the words were literally falling out of her mouth.

"Lois, I'm fine I'm home. But Wright's here and he wanted me to call you. I'm going to give him the information I have on the Red-Blue Blur but first he wants to talk to us both."

Just as Lois took in this information and processed this the rich accent of one Harry Wright joined the conversation. "Miss Lane, so nice to hear that my message boy caught Karl in time."

"In time to stop my murder you mean?"

"Well, when put bluntly yes." Wright continued, completely brushing off the accusation, "However, I have a matter of utmost importance to discuss with you two. Mr Kent has assured me that he can take me to the Red-Blue Blur, but only if he is at the Daily Planet building. Now this could be perfectly fine, but if is a little convenient that this is the case since it's the first place anyone would come looking for you. So I have an idea that will certainly clear this matter up."

"And if we don't cooperate?" Lois challenged.

"Well you, Miss Lane, will come to a sudden, abrupt, painful end."

"You won't touch her!" Clark didn't care that he shocked Lois with his answer or that he had over-stepped the friend zone and ventured back into the over-protective boyfriend zone.

"Mr Kent, you don't have a lot of control in that matter. You see, even with the Red-Blue Blur on your side, there is no way he is fast enough to save both of you." The silent response allowed him to keep talking. "The first sign of any funny business from either of you, both of you will be killed."

Silence again.

"Now that is settled, I can continue. Mr Kent, you will be going into the Daily Planet as if everything is normal. You will be wearing an earpiece and a hidden camera, which will allow me to see and hear everything. I will tell you what to do and say; you will obey without question. Now does everyone understand? Even you Miss Lane?"

Lois spoke hesitantly, "What happens afterwards?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Afterwards. After you've got everything you want. What will happen to us?" Clark held his breath as she asked this, knowing full well that they both knew the answer.

"Miss Lane, I'll leave that detail for your imagination." His sneer was laced within his syllables. Lois' only thought was 'Son of a-' "Anyway, I think this conversation has been long enough. You two say your goodbyes. Oh! I almost forgot to mention, Miss Lane you will not be completely in the dark about Clark's actions. You will be able to see and hear everything he says and does too. So then you will be able to see the moment Clark chooses his safety over your own." Clark winced. "If that moment should arise. Farewell Lois." His line cut out, leaving Lois and Clark alone.

"So, I guess I have to do this." Clark let all of the tension flow out of his voice, so he sounded weary and elderly.

"Do what Clark? You promised to take him to the Red-Blue Blur! Last time I heard, he wasn't on Clark Kent's confidante list!" Lois couldn't believe him, how could he be so sure of himself?

A muffled voice in the background stopped Clark from replying to her statement. "Lois, I haven't got much time, we're leaving. I just want you to know... just know that I err..."

"Yes?"

"Just know that I care about you, you've been a great friend, and I won't let you get hurt okay?"

Lois' heart sank. "Yeah. Friends. Right."

"You've got to trust me, do you?"

"Yes Clark, I trust you."

"Bye Lois."

"Bye Clark." There was a click and Clark hung up, while tears pricked at Lois' eyes.