Chapter 30:

The Bullpen, 8:49am:

"So Clark, how about dinner tonight?" Kat tries to drape herself over Clark.

I push her off with one hand, "Back off kitty, it's too early for the skank to be outta her cage."

Clark glares at me. "Sorry Kat, I've got plans tonight."

"We've got plans Smallville." I thwack his suit from last night against his chest. I ignore Kat's look of glee as she runs off towards her office.

"I thought you were going to behave and we were keeping quiet?"

"Can it Smallville, I'm tired and today's just one of those bad days."

"But what about what people will think?"

"I've never in my life given a s--t what people think before, so why should I now."

"What about Kat, she ran off rubbing her hands together at the scoop you just handed her on a silver platter."

"Kat can go shove it up her a-"

"LANE! Get in here and bring Kent." Perry screamed throughout the office.

"Bad day just got worse." I mutter under my breath as I yank on Clark's tie and enter Perry's office.

"Being called into Perry's office can't always mean you're in trouble." Clark supplies, trying to tug his tie out of my grip.

I ignore him, let go of his tie and sit in a chair opposite Perry. "Lane, explain to me why I have a complaint about you from Lex Luthor? And while we're at it what was that about in front of the lobby."

I sit up straight in my chair, lace my hands together and reply in a calm even voice, "First off, I was provoked. Lex's face happened to be in the way of my fist. Second, I was provoked; Kat should learn to mind her own business. I'm sorry Perry, it won't happen again." I answer not feeling any remorse at all or meaning the apology. I can feel the anger radiate off Clark.

"Cut the crap Lois. We both know it will happen again. Anyway, I want you to try and get along with Kat, don't want you two to be buddies, but just a little bit of civility would be nice."

"Is that all?" I ask, still keeping my composure.

"I don't always call you in here to reprimand you Lois." Perry sighs, sounding tired.

"I know… I'm sorry." This time I do mean my words.

"Anyway, great job on the Superman interview Lane, Kent the Wayne interview was good too. I want you two to get on top of this kidnapping case, there's more to it than meets the eye. I'm sure there's something the authorities are leaving out."

The nagging feeling returns. "We're on it Perry." I stand and exit the office.

Clark hot on my heels, I can feel his anger bubbling, threatening to overflow. I stop at my desk, sorting through memos. "Are you gonna tell me what that's about or leave me in the dark? Poor trusting, gullible Clark."

"Not here." I reply, not looking at him. He grabs me by the arm.

"Well, we're going to go talk on the roof then." He tugs me towards the door to the roof.

I swat his hand away, my anger rising because he won't let go. "Quit manhandling me Smallville."

He opens the door and shoves me up the first step and then follows. I'm surprised at his anger and sudden burst of confidence, I decide not to push back any harder than I have and ascend the rest of the steps on my own accord. I exit the door onto the rooftop, I take two steps, turn around to face Clark and cross my arms over my chest. Not saying a word, just staring at him.

"What happened with Lex yesterday?"

"Fine, I didn't say anything because I don't want you to go and do something stupid."

"What happened Lois?" he reiterates.

"Promise me you won't do anything stupid."

"I promise you Lois, because one of us already does stupid things on a regular basis."

"Alright, I deserved that."

"Yes you did, now answer my question."

I sigh; again it's my fault that we're arguing… "Yesterday Lex requested an exclusive interview with me, reluctantly I complied. Jimmy went with me, so I wasn't alone. Anyway, Lex was acting creepier than usual and all of a sudden he refused the interview and my temper got the better of me."

"Lois, you need to watch out with Lex."

"I know Clark, it wasn't deliberate. A heat of the moment thing."

He rubs his forehead as he steps closer to me, "Why are we fighting? What's wrong this morning Lois?" I can hear the hurt in his voice. My face softens, I feel like I've kicked a puppy…

"I'm sorry Clark… it's just… I couldn't sleep last night and then the kids were running late so Martha couldn't drop them off at school because she had a date with… uh-oh." I wasn't supposed to say that.

"Date with who Lois?"

"Would you look at that?" I exclaim and point to the sky behind Clark, I try to slip past him but he grabs a hold of my hand.

"My Mom has a date with who Lois?"

"No one…"

"Lois…" warning in his voice.

"Ah… why me? Ok, fine, she has a date with Lionel. They've been seeing each other for the last few years but have been keeping it quiet."

A look of disgust settles itself on his face, "Lionel?" he asks.

"Yup, I wasn't too happy with it at first but he's not that bad once you get to know him."

"Why didn't she tell me?" he asks sadly.

"Clark, she hasn't really spent any time with you and I think it was something that she wanted to tell you herself… when she was ready." I place a hand comfortingly on his shoulder and squeeze. Clark nods.

"Are you alright?" why is that always such a stupid question?

"Yeah… just I can't believe… Lionel."

"Your mom's happy Smallville, you should be happy for her too."

"It's just… what about how Lionel was after the stones and his obsession?"

"Lionel knew about your powers Smallville long before you went nutso… he's kept your secret and has been a big help. You just need to give him a chance."

"You're right Lois."

"And don't you ever forget it."

He smiles, "Thanks." I smile back and walk towards the door.

"For what?" I call over my shoulder.

"Always making me smile and for loving me."

"We'll take it one step at a time." I joke and swing the door open, deciding to get back to the bullpen before a search party is sent to spy on us.

I open the door and breeze past the office gossips to my desk. I sit down and start getting my notes out on the kidnapping case, hoping that Clark can find what I'm missing. I see his shadow across the desk and hear him roll his chair around to sit next to me.

"Ok, so what have we got here Lois?"

"Well, here's the police report…" I place a manila folder in front of Clark, "here's the info from Lionel…" I place another file in front of Clark, "and here's the info from Chlo's contacts. All mine have come up blank." I place the last folder in front of Clark.

He opens the top file and starts to sift through the papers, "There's something to this Clark, I just can't figure out what it is."


St Michael's playground:

"You leave my little brother alone!" I yell at Mark as he kicks dirt on Jack and his friend Thomas.

"Who's gonna make me?" the over-sized fourth grader tries to intimidate me.

"I am." I put my hands on my hips as my friends Jasmine and Kelly come to stand behind me.

Mark laughs at me as his three friends stand behind him. I can sense that Kelly and Jasmine aren't too confident with the situation.

"We're not afraid of you." I say defiantly.

"Look at that… the wimps need a group of girls to defend them."

"Leave my brother alone. You want someone to pick on, then pick on me." I pat my chest.

Mark ignores me and pushes Jack over. Without thinking I push Mark back, I make sure I don't use any of my extra strength. Mark and his friends turn on me, I fight back, making sure I don't hurt them. Mark's friends back off as I trip over; Mark keeps on coming and bends over me. The next thing I know Jack's hanging off his back beating him with one hand, screaming… "Leave my sister alone!"

Miss Jennings runs over to us as Mark throws Jack off his back. Jack's nose begins to bleed. I race to his side, pulling a spare tissue from my pocket. "Here Jack."

"Alright, all of you need to go Miss Ryan's office now." Miss Jennings commands.

She comes to squat by Jack and I. "Are you two alright?"

"We're fine." I reply as I lift Jack to his feet.

"Ok, then. Well you two still need to go to Miss Ryan's office."

"Yes Miss Jennings." I reply as I lead Jack back into the school building. "Thanks J."

"Why'd you come and stick up for me?" he asks wide-eyed.

"Jack, I might give you a hard time but I do love you. And nobody's going to mess with my little geek."

He looks at me annoyed but continues to walk and hold the tissue to his nose. I throw my arm around his shoulder and show the rest of the kids that if they mess with my little brother, they mess with me…


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