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Chapter 27:
The Bullpen:
Argh! I slam my pen down in frustration, my laptop bouncing slightly. I rub my temples, my head throbbing.
"I'm ba-ack." Clark says jovially as he slams his briefcase down on the desk.
I look at him, hands still at my temples, "I take it things went well?"
"You could say that, I got a rare interview with Bruce Wayne and I think I've just made myself a friend. I don't have many of those you know." His smile grows wider but then his face takes on a concerned look…"Lo, are you feeling ok?"
"I'm fine Clark. I've just got a headache and I'm hitting brick walls everywhere I turn in this kidnapping case."
"Why don't you go home and get some rest." He orders more than asks.
"You know what; I think I might just do that." I pack my notes and laptop into my bag. I slide my jacket on and walk past Clark. He catches my right hand; I wince as he brushes over the grazes on my knuckles.
"What happened to your hand?"
"Nothing. I was in a hurry and clipped my hand on a brick wall when Jimmy and I were out for lunch. It was rather stupid really." I want to tell him about Lex, but now isn't the time nor the place.
"If you say so." I can tell that he doesn't buy any of it.
"Why don't you come by the apartment later, have dinner with the munchkins?"
A smile quickly engulfs his face, "Sounds great, what time?"
I can sense others in the office watching our exchange, I choose to ignore them like the old Lois Lane would, "How about six again?"
"I think I can manage that."
"Great, see you then. Bye Clark."
I steadily walk to the elevator, wanting to run and hide from the scrutiny of all around me. I hope that Clark doesn't look at me; I fear that he'll see that I'm lying to him. I walk into the elevator with a couple of other reporters, Kat Grant slides in next to me, "Why hello Lois, I see that you and Kent are getting cozy." I knew it was too good to be true, trouble had to find me.
"Drop it Kat, Clark and I are old friends and his Mom lives with me."
"Oh c'mon Lo… he's a total hunk and you're saying that there's nothing between the two of you."
I sigh; I'm so not in the mood for Kat today, I'm never in the mood for Kat.
"Kat, get a life and stay out of mine." I snap at her, the doors open on the sixth floor and I exit, not being able to stand Kat and her awful perfume. People stop their work to stare at me, I wave and walk to the stairwell. I descend and ignore the chatter that's started on the previous floor. Luckily enough I don't run into anybody on the stairs, I'm left to my thoughts and the echoing clicking of my heels on the cement steps. I exit the stairwell into the lobby and make a beeline for the door Kat pouncing on me again.
"What do you want from me?"
"I want to know what's going on, remember that I'm in charge of the gossip column and I happen to have Bruce Wayne's ex standing in front of me. I want my story."
I turn on her angrily, "There is no story Kat, this is my life. Bruce and I weren't working so we ended things, so what if I'm moving on with my life? Whether there's something going on with Clark and me it doesn't matter to the likes of you."
"Go ahead Lois; tell me what you think of me."
"Not here, not now, not ever Kat." I walk away from her, heading down the street to hail a cab.
"You're a coward."
"Hurl insults like a teenager Kat, very mature. You're just jealous."
"Jealous of who? You?"
"Yeah, you always have been, you're jealous because I landed Bruce Wayne, you're jealous of my career and you're jealous that everybody likes me better than you; you cheap skank."
"I'm the cheap skank? It's only been a day since you were dumped by Bruce and you're already all over Clark and Superman."
"You know what Kat, I pity you… I'm done, I'm not doing this, I'm going home to my children." I stalk off, not even giving her a backwards glance.
I walk a few blocks when my cell starts ringing; it's Chloe, "Hey baby."
"Lo, is everything ok? Jimmy just called me, he said Kat attacked you."
Well isn't Jimmy just whipped. "I'm fine Chlo, she just pushed all the wrong buttons."
"Lo, she always pushes your buttons, that's why she's Kat Grant."
"Cha… I have a few choice names for her too."
"Lo, Jimmy told me about Lex too." I sigh, Jimmy's so dead.
"Is there anything he doesn't tell you?"
I hear Chlo sigh, "What do you think Lex wants?"
"I don't know Chlo; I have a feeling it's got something to do with the kidnappings."
"Have you told Clark?"
"Hell no Chlo."
"Lois you have to tell him."
"I know, I just want to figure out a few things first."
"It might be too late by the time you decide to. He can help."
"I've only just got him back Chlo, I don't want him to go off and do something stupid. Lex might make him do just that."
"That's true. I'll get in touch with a few of my old contacts; see what they can find out."
"I really appreciate that Chlo…how's your little munchkin going?"
"She's currently stuffing her face with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but otherwise good."
"Tell her I say hi." I hear Chlo say hi to Hannah and Hannah responds, garbled.
"She says hi back. Say hi to your munchkins for me… and Hannah."
"Will do. You guys want to come over for dinner tomorrow night?"
"Sounds like a plan Lo, I'll call you tomorrow to sort everything out, hang on a sec…" I hear Chlo say something to Hannah and a lot of shuffling.
"Sorry to cut our chat short Lo but I gotta go, Hannah broke a glass."
"K baby, love you."
"Love you too, bye Lo." The familiar click in my ear. I feel like I've walked off most of my anger, I walk to the curb and hail a cab, needing to see my babies.
Back in the bull pen:
"Hey CK!" Jimmy walks to me, he sounds out of breath.
"You alright Jimmy?"
"Yeah, I'm fi-" Jimmy looks frustrated when a red-head butts in.
"Hello Clark, I'm Kat." I paint a fake smile on my face as I realize she's the redhead from the elevator that marinated in her perfume.
"Ah, hi. Nice to meet you." Jimmy pulls faces behind Kat. I try not to laugh.
"I was wondering if you would like to go out for dinner tonight."
Well she's forward isn't she? "I'm sorry Kat but I have plans with family tonight."
"How about tomorrow night?"
She doesn't get it does she? "Sorry Kat, I'm sure you're a nice lady but I'm not your guy. I'm already involved with someone." Jimmy shakes his head, I give him a 'what' look and he shrugs his shoulders.
"Really?" Kat draws out. "Anyone I know?"
"I really don't know and I'm sorry but I'm not comfortable discussing my private life with a stranger."
Jimmy sends me the thumbs up as Kat slinks off to prey on another unsuspecting guy.
"Way to go CK." Jimmy puts his hand up for a high five.
"Thanks, I guess." I reply as I slap his hand. "Is she always like that?"
"That was Kat on her good behavior."
"Well aren't I just lucky."
"You escaped a lot better off than Lois did not ten minutes ago." I can see that Jimmy instantly regrets his words.
"What happened between Kat and Lois Jimmy?"
"Um…" Jimmy gulps, "Kat, ah… Kat verbally attacked Lo and Lo verbally attacked back."
"It wasn't anything too public was it?" I don't think Lois needs that sort of exposure after last night.
"Just right down on the sidewalk."
"You mean here, in front of the Planet?" Perry's going to have a heart attack.
"Kent! Get in here!"
"You don't think this has anything to do with… that?"
Jimmy nods and places his hand on my shoulder, "Good luck bud."
"Ah, thanks." I reply as I head into Perry's office.
"Yes Perry?"
"Close the door Kent." I nod and do as I was asked. "Do you know what happened about ten minutes ago outside the lobby?" I stuff my hands deep into my pockets.
"I heard about something between Lois and Kat but I don't know what it was."
"Well it was a very public display between two employees of the Daily Planet."
I still don't see what this has to do with me…
"Apparently it all stems from you."
"Huh?"
"Kent, what's between you and Lane?"
I sit down and run a hand through my hair. "We were… involved a few years back and the twins are mine." Perry looks shocked.
"Care to elaborate."
"We had a thing a few years back and…"
"I don't need to know about the past, I want to know about the now."
"Ah… we're keeping things quiet?"
"Kent are you telling me that or asking me because I have no idea."
"Telling you, I think…"
"Well Kent, I know you can't control Lois, because well no one can but you need to put her on a tight leash or at least put a muzzle on Mad dog Lane."
"Easier said than done."
"Well, she's you're problem now Superman."
"Thanks Perry." I answer sarcastically.
"Aren't you writing up that Wayne interview and the new hospital wing opening?"
"Yes sir."
"Well why are you still sitting in here?"
"I'm not." I answer and flee the office. Perry wants me to rein Lois in; does he know what kind of certain death he's assigned me?
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