Thank you again to those of you who have taken the time to review and huge apologies for not updating yesterday, didn't get home until very late. Hope you all enjoy the next couple of chapters and I promise I'll post daily again.

Chapter 18:

Sidewalk outside the Daily Planet:

I watch Clark carefully, concerned. He seemed a little out of it this morning but soon brightened up, but now he's back to being out of it again. I wonder what Perry said to upset him. I know now is not the time to push the subject. I wave my hand about in the air again, attempting to hail a cab. Smallville raises his hand and whistles. A cab stops in front of us.

"Well why couldn't you have done that earlier?" He shrugs and holds the door open for me.

"Farmboys!" I exclaim as I jump into the back of the taxi.

Clark follows, "Morning sir, pier nine please."

I roll my eyes. I become aware of Clark sitting extremely close, his thigh pressed firmly against mine, his arm draped along the back of the seat. He seems completely oblivious, lost in thought. His touch warms me to my very soul and his nearness makes me feel completely at ease. Comfort, safety, things I haven't felt since my Mom died. I study his face intently, noticing the difference the glasses make. I look deep into his eyes, sadness and confusion evident.

"When do you want to meet the munchkins?" I ask out of nowhere.

He looks startled, "Ah, sorry Lois what was that?"

I feel like saying never mind but our children, not to mention, Clark himself deserve better, "I was asking when you want to meet the munchkins?"

He smiles, a real genuine Kent smile, "Um… I want to say right now, but I'm nervous and scared I don't think I'd know what to do." He answers honestly.

"Well, right now could be a bit hard, with the story and the fact that they're at school but would you like to meet them tonight?"

He looks shocked, nervous and hesitant. "I'd…I'd love to Lois." He smiles again.

I start smiling too, his smile is infectious, "Great, you can come over around six."

"Perfect. Do I need to bring anything?"

"Just yourself."

"Ok."

I can feel Clark's nervousness and excitement radiate off him, my heart warming that he's accepting the children as his own, not rejecting them like I had feared he would. I smile at him, and turn to look out the window, noticing the change in the passing buildings, indicating we're almost at the docks.

"So, do we have a game plan?"

I smile at the question, "Yeah, I find the detective I know and we pump him for information, do a little digging around ourselves and then head back to the Planet to do what we do best."

"Ok, sounds good to me." The taxi comes to a halt, the driver asks for his fare.

"I got it Lois."

"It's alright Clark; I've got a billionaire in my pocket." I pull a fifty out, leaving the driver with a ten dollar tip.

"Thanks lady." The driver supplies as we exit the cab.

"You don't have to do that Lois."

"Do what?" I ask puzzled.

"Pay for me."

"Relax Smallville, you can get the next one then. Ok?"

"I guess." He supplies.

I immediately scan the crowd, switching to bloodthirsty reporter mode. The usual crowd's here, even an Inquisitor reporter skulking around. I scan the officers on duty, "Bingo!" I spy Detective Vince Murphy, good guy with a crush on me, definitely getting my story now.

"What's bingo for?"

I start walking towards Vince, pointing in his direction, "Our ticket in."

"You mean, the balding overweight guy?"

"Yup."

"Vince my man! How's the wife doing?"

"I was waiting for you to show up honey. She's good; the kids are drivin' me crazy though."

"Before I ask what we got here, Vince, this is my partner Clark Kent. Clark, my man Vince."

Clark shake's Vince's hand. "Nice to meet you sir."

"Likewise kid. I like this one Lois, he actually calls me sir."

"Don't get used to it. Anyway, what have we got?"

"All business as usual I see."

"You know me; do I have to ask again?"

"Nope, kidnapping, happened around an hour ago. A Jane Doe from a ship that just brought in a bunch of aliens, all European. The Jane Doe though is American according to some of the other passengers. She's early to mid twenties, mid shoulder length brown hair, grey eyes, attitude to spare and approximately five seven. The perps pulled up just over there," Vince points to a set of skid marks.

"One of 'em got out and chased her till about there," he points to about twenty feet away. "He caught her, knocked her out and then dragged her back to the van. They waved their guns around a bit and then took off. The van was a black Ford Transit, no plates."

Warning bells ring in my head, for what I don't know. "Thanks Vince." I smile and look at Clark; he has his glasses on his nose, checking the scene out for any other clues.

"No problems Lois, look I'll catch you around."

"Sure thing Vince. Say hi to the wife for me."

"Yeah." He walks away.

"So what ya got Smallville?"

"Nothing Lois, seems like a straightforward kidnapping. I'm curious as to why this woman?"

"Well there's our story Smallville. I'm gonna go ask a few questions, meet you back here in fifteen."

Clark has a far off look on his face, I lean in closer, "Duty calls?"

"Yeah, sorry Lois."

"Don't apologise, go save who ever it is that needs saving." I smile at him.

"You're not upset that I'm ditching you in the middle of an investigation?"

"Nope, good cause, now get going before something even worse happens."

"Don't get into any trouble Lois."

I look down and then go to answer but notice that he's already gone, "Go get 'em Clarkie." I chuckle, imagining the look on Clark's face as he hears my words. I wander off towards some of the witnesses, hoping to get a scoop.


2 hours later:

"Smallville, I'm back at the Planet following up a few leads. Didn't get myself into any trouble while you were gone. See you when you get here." I listen to the voicemail on my cell and chuckle. I decide against trying to find a cab and run to the back of the Planet. I make sure my hair's properly messed up and walk to the front of the building, whistling. Happy with the way today's turning out, Lois doesn't hate me, I'm going to meet my kids for the first time and no one was seriously hurt on a pile up down town. Yup, definitely a good day.

I happily enter the elevator, some nameless bubble gum music blaring in the background. I tap my foot to the beat, my smile growing wider the closer I get to my floor. I pick up on Lois' heartbeat, calm and steady. The elevator dings and then opens at the bull pen. I step out and head towards our desk. My heart swells as I see Lois working, oblivious to the hustle and bustle surrounding her.

"Well hello there Lo."

"Holy crap Smallville, you scared the hell outta me."

I grin proudly, "I know."

"It's not cute when you're smug."

"Keep denying it."

"How'd everything go?"

"Good."

"That's vague."

"I'll answer properly later."

"Ok."

"I'll be back in a minute. I just wanna go talk to Perry for a second."

"K, don't take too long. I wanna talk to you about some of the leads I've uncovered."

"I'll be right back." I head off towards Perry's office.

I knock on the door, "Perry, can I talk to you for a sec?"

"Sure Kent, come on in. I was wondering how long 'til you'd be back."

I close the door, "How'd you figure it out after only a day?" I blurt out, my curiosity piqued.

"No beating around the bush today? Look Clark, back in Smallville, I might have been drunk but there was definitely something odd going on, especially concerning you. Now, fast forward a few years, add in a super-powered guy in tights and the appearance of a tractor throwing farmboy and you get the answer."

I look at him puzzled. "Kent, I'm a reporter first and foremost, your glasses may fool the world but they'll never fool me. You're a good kid; I'd never do anything to jeopardize that."

"Uh, thanks. I think."

"So are we just gonna leave it with the fact that I know and I won't tell anyone."

"Uh, sounds good to me."

"Good, now as much as I like sitting around lollygagging, I've got work to do. Now out."

Perry shoos me out good naturedly. "Thanks Perry." I smile.

"Don't mention it kid." He closes the door. I shake my head in amusement at the oddity that is Perry White. I wander back over to Lois.

"Hey Smallville, they've shipped, um… can't remember his name, but they shifted the guy that used to sit there out to New York so you got a desk."

"Cool, convenient that I get to look at you all day as well."

Lois' head shoots up, shock on her face. I sit down at my desk. "So what was it that you wanted to tell me about this story?"

Lois looks behind me, surprise crosses her features, "What is it Lois?"

"Hey Martha."

Huh, "Mom…"



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