Chapter3:

3 nights and a few clubs later:

3 nights and what seems like a million clubs later, I only have 4 clubs left to visit. The last couple of nights have been one big run around. Someone at each club/bar telling me that Kal is seen regularly at another club and so on and so forth. I look long and hard at the small list in front of me, 2 sounding like out and out strip joints, 1 just completely dodgy and the last 1 just a mere symbol.

'Duh!' I slap my head, call a cab and make my way out of my apartment.

The cab comes to a halt across the street from club symbol as I've dubbed it. I look at the long line and take in the outer appearance of the club. Definitely a yuppy place to be, I thank God as I step out of the cab, grateful that I'd thought to buy something a little less me and more this crowd. I breathe in deep and cross the road, my pace slowed somewhat by my 3 inch heals (by the way I feel like a giant!). I walk straight up to the bouncer; he looks me up and down appreciatively. I smile seductively as he steps out of my way. People in line moaning and groaning in anger and frustration. I reach into my bag to grab some cash as I make a beeline for the bar, a double shot of black Beam calling my name.

My hand brushes over the only picture I have of Clark. I place my order and turn around to scan the crowd; a man of Clark's height is not hard to miss. My shoulders slump in resignation as I turn around. The bartender places the shot in front of me.

"Keep 'em comin' thanks." My aim now to get sloshed and then pass the picture around. I can't handle another 'cute couple' comment.

I down the shot, immune to the burning sensation from years of hitting the hard stuff. Another glass appears in front of me. I down that and the one that follows. All of a sudden there's a body pressed close to mine and a voice in my ear.

"I'm impressed Lois. It took Chloe 3 months to find me."

I turn around to be face to face with none other than Smallville. A sly grin plastered on his face. His eyes bright and so different from the Clark Kent I know. He throws a wad of cash on the bar, takes my hand and leads me onto the crowded dance-floor.

I take the time to note the rest of Clark's appearance, black from head-to-toe. Pants that are loose fitting but appear to hug all the right places, a chain hanging from a studded belt, a black shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows and only about 3 buttons done up. I can't help but nod as Clark pulls me close and starts moving to the rhythm. I'm mesmerized and can't help but move with him.

"Like what you see." He states more than questions. I nod and lick my lips. Clark leans down slightly and kisses me. Not gentle like I'd imagined he would (whoa! Where'd that come from?) but forceful, almost dominating. I melt into him and respond with all I'm worth. We break the kiss and Clark moves his mouth next to my ear.

Whispering, "I know why you're here Lois. Clark doesn't exist anymore. Come with me Lois, we could live like royalty." I shake my head no in response.

"Too bad!" And with that Clark, sorry Kal, disappears into thin air.

I'm nothing more than shocked and head back to the bar. The bartender placing another shot and the bottle in front of me. "Courtesy of Kal." He smirks at me.

"Thanks." I raise the glass and knock the shot back. I pour another and repeat the process another 5 times. I pull my cell out and call for Chloe to come pick me up before I start seriously pounding down the shots.

An hour and not quite a bottle later Chloe shows up, or at least I think the blonde blur is Chloe. Anyway, the blur helps me stand from the bar stool (when did I sit down?) and supports most of my weight. The world starts to spin and I begin to sway.

"Whoa there cuz!" Yup, definitely Chloe.

"What are you wearing and what's with the heels?" I shrug and mumble something unintelligible as I remember how my cousin lucked out in the height department.

Chloe and I struggle to walk for what seems like hours but in reality were only a couple of feet. The bouncer who let me in walks over and helps Chloe guide me out of the club and into her car.

Chloe again bombards me with questions. I tilt my head back, close my eyes and drift off (or was it pass out, not quite sure myself.)


Late morning, early afternoon:

Ugh! My head begins to pound as someone bangs around somewhere in my apartment. A strong scent of coffee, waffles and bacon sitting heavily on the air. My stomach rumbles and I push my head under my pillow just a little bit further. My left leg dangling off the edge of the bed, my comforter on the floor, the sheet tangled around my torso and right leg. My left arm is pinning the pillow to my head and my right arm is rather uncomfortably pinned under me.

"Come on Lo!" Chloe yells as she walks into my room. The scent of coffee and food much stronger.

"No!" Is my muffled response. I start cursing myself about the previous night's events when I realize that I don't remember coming home and changing into my PJ's at all. I groan and sit up, although begrudgingly, knowing that I owe Chloe a big one. She smiles and places the tray on my lap. My mouth begins to water and I can't wait to dig in so I can relieve myself of the awful taste in my mouth. I pick a waffle up and almost shove the whole thing in my mouth; I reach for the mug and swallow the waffle. I realize sheepishly that I'm not home but at Chloe's.

"So…how about some answers now?" I take on a deer caught in headlights expression and groan.


45 Minutes Later:

"Mrs. Kent called for help, explained everything about Clark, I found him last night, he blew me off and here we are." Leaving out the part about Kal kissing her, still not being sure how she feels about that.

"Oh my God! Clark Kent's an alien. You're smoking some serious sh-"

"Oh for crying out loud Chlo. I know you know so stop playing dumb." Lois snaps, the seriousness of the situation now heavily resting on both girls. The silence stretches, creating an awkward silence, something Lois clearly despises… "Sorry Chlo-"

"No Lois. Don't apologize. What can I do to help?" Chloe releases a short yet

reassuring smile.

"I honestly don't know Chlo. I don't know where to go next. I just don't know." Lois

looks down and starts to fidget with the sheet covering her lap.

Chloe scoots forward, covering Lois' hand with her own. "Lo, you're a Lane. No, actually, you're Lois Lane. You can do anything you put your mind to." Lois still stares at her hands in Chloe's.

Chloe lifts Lois' chin so their eyes are level. "Mrs. Kent asked for your help because she knows you're the only person in the whole world who can bring Clark back. You're not just going to give up are you?" Lois glances at Chloe, her jaw tenses and she begins to get out of bed to the opposite side to Chloe.

She begins changing from her pajamas (the one's she leaves at Chloe's in case of an emergency) and into her clothes from last night. Her nose wrinkling in disgust from the smell of cigarettes and alcohol. With her back still to Chloe, she walks from Chloe's bedroom to the apartment door…

"Thanks for your help Chlo." Lois swings the door open, her back still to Chloe, "We're going to have a big talk once I finish playing 'Where's Waldo'." And with that she's gone.

Chloe winces as the door slams shut, feeling bad for pissing her cousin off but knowing it's the only way to motivate Mad Dog Lane. "Sorry Cuz. Just bring him back ok."


Outside Chloe's Apartment Building:

"What the hell is wrong with everybody?! Clark hates me so why am I the only one who can bring him back? Why do I care what everyone thinks?" Holy st! I'm turning into Lana. I stop as I realize a nightmare. I run a hand through my wild hair.

"Pinky, I'm turning into Pinky!" I start to walk towards my father's apartment, those I pass giving me odd looks and an extremely wide berth. The 'Pinky and the Brain' theme song running through my head, God I hate Pinky, I mean Lana, the cartoon character Pinky's so cool.

'Great, look at yourself Lane, you're pissed off, delirious, hung over and roaming the streets of metropolis with your shoes in your hand!' I curse that pain in the ass inner voice, wondering when I became such an introspective person. Oh great, now I'm turning into the King of Plaid himself, the root of all my current problems, which coincidentally brings me full circle. Why me?

My cell begins to wildly shrill and violently vibrate in my purse, I curse as I juggle my shoes to pull the bloody thing out. I glance at the caller ID, MaKentCell flashes, I sigh as I flip the thing open, suddenly at a loss for words.

"Hello? Lois? Lois sweetie are you there?"

"Ye-yes Mrs. Kent, I'm here-"

"Is everything alright honey?" Forever the mother, my heart twinges with pain.

"Yea- actually no, everything's not alright Mrs. K. I found him last night and he took off on me, the slimy smart a-" my hand with the shoes wildly slashing through the air as I trudge determinedly just a few more blocks.

"Are you alright? He didn't hurt you did he?"

"No," well not physically anyway, "he taunted me and left." I am such a whiny little b---h, what is wrong with me!

"Did he say anything that would indicate where he's going?" I wanted to laugh,

"Nope, not a damn thing. When I get my hands on him I'm so going to wring his neck and put him through several kinds of pain!" Realizing I'm making idle threats… "Oh!"

"It's alright sweetie, I know how you feel." Uh-huh, awesome, that's just special isn't it. "Thanks Mrs. Kent."

"Call me if you find anything out."

"Yup will do." Yes, I've reached the building. I sigh in relief as I enter the foyer and cross to the elevator. "Bye Lois." Mrs. Kent hangs up. I shake my head and walk out of the elevator, now intent upon brushing my teeth and showering.

I walk out of the bathroom completely refreshed and ready to take on the world. I head to the fridge to grab a can of diet Coke when an envelope on the counter catches my eye…

"Son of a b---h!" Smallville's almost illegible scroll: Sailor (Lois).

I snatch the offensive object, viciously ripping it open to reveal a carefully folded note…

Well, well, well Sailor,

Thanks for the dance and the kiss.

You should give up trying to find me, you never will

(unless you change your mind, you know what I'm

talking about!).

Kal

Ps. Clark doesn't exist anymore.

My heart constricts and I feel a lone tear coursing its way down my cheek. I slam my fist down on the marble counter-top, the pain creating a connection to reality. I busy myself, making travel arrangements. I am going to search this entire continent from one end to the other and if I still can't find him then I'll search every continent on this damn planet, I am NOT going to let some plaid wearing alien farm boy beat me.

"Wherever you are Clark Kent, I will find you and I will bring you back. I made a promise."


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