Lois was enjoying playing nurses, but Clark being injured did come with its drawbacks. However hard they tried to resist, even the briefest kiss turned into a full on love fest, well at least until Clark cried out in pain.
"I am starting to wish I had my powers back." Clark announced after one of these close calls. "It is no fun to be in pain and just think of the fun we could be having if I wasn't injured."
Lois smiled. "I can wait Clark. I am having fun anyway..."
"I know but it's just..."
She put a finger to his lips. "It does not matter this afternoon anyway or for the whole weekend for that matter because your mom is coming home."
"I know. I am looking forward to seeing her." Clark smiled.
"Lois, I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Now Jimmy is living at the Talon, do you want to move in. Please say yes!" he begged.
She thought for a second. "Ok,if you insist, as long as you apply for the job at the Planet."
His face broke into a smile. "I already have and in fact I got a call while you were in bed this morning. Tess Mercer , the new CEO wants to me to come in for an interview this afternoon."
"That's great. You can size up our new boss. She only started on Monday and it seems that she is still somewhat of an enigma. Some people resent the changes she is making whilst others say she is decisive and that is what the paper needs."
Lois continued. "I have to pop into the Planet anyway. I have to go back to work on Monday. Your mom said she would stay for next week to look after you."
"Guess I am back on the sofa then." Clark said.
"Just share with me. I'm sure your mom knows something is going on anyway."
"I'll ask her." Clark said.
"So what time is your interview?"
"At 2pm. Do you want to go and get some lunch first? I need to get out of these four walls. I feel like I am going stir crazy." Clark kissed her.
"I would love to. Shall we see if Jimmy and Chloe want to come?"
"Yeah that would be great." Clark smiled.
Lois drove them into Metropolis. "I have arranged to meet them at the tapas bar downtown."
They pulled up to see Jimmy and Chloe waiting for them. Chloe still did not know about Lois and Clark being an item.
"So CK. How are you doing?" Jimmy asked.
"Fine, thanks."
"I still can't believe that you survived a tractor falling on you. I think you need to stay away from farm equipment for a while." Jimmy smiled.
Chloe backed up Clark. She thought Lois had been spun the same story. "I think he will."
"Clark, have you heard from Lana?" she asked Clark.
"No, I just got that tape to say I hurt her and she needed to leave town. I still don't know what I did."
"Well maybe you and Lois could answer that one." Chloe grinned.
Lois looked at Clark for guidance. "What do you mean, Chlo?"
"I was only kidding. It is just that a few days before she left, she flew into the apartment all flustered saying you and Clark had said you were dating."
"And you believed her?" Clark asked.
"No, of course not. You two...yeah right." Chloe asked.
Jimmy grinned. He had noticed the looks between the two over lunch. "Wait a minute. It's true isn't it."
Clark was just about to deny it but Lois nodded. "Yes Jimmy, ten out of ten for observation."
Chloe sat there in amazement. "Well I never knew halibut and hot fudge would ever go together but it just goes to show you should expect the unexpected." Then she smiled, got up and hugged her cousin and Clark.
"So you're not mad that I didn't tell you." Lois asked
"No, but now I know I want all the gossip." Chloe winked at her.
Clark shuffled in his seat. "That should take all of about five seconds."
"So Jimmy, what can you tell me about Tess Mercer?"
"She's hot!" he exclaimed and then looked at Chloe who was giving him a disapproving look.
"How did she get the job?" Lois asked.
"Apparently she has worked for Lex Luthor for years and was his number one choice to take over Luthorcorp in the event of his death." Jimmy explained.
"It's odd that we never heard of her before now."
Lois excused herself to go to the toilet. Jimmy headed to the bar to get some more drinks as he could tell Chloe wanted to grill Clark. It had taken a long time but he was finally secure with their relationship and that they would always be close friends.
"So Clark, when did all this happen?"
"After I found out that Lana had slept with Bizarro and she had broken with up with Oliver."
"So it was the textbook case of being on the rebound." Chloe added.
"Yeah it probably was but it isn't now. I love her so much it hurts. I never felt this way with Lana."
"So it's serious!"
"Well you could say that considering we are living together at the farm now." He smiled.
"I know you miss your powers but it is quite convenient you don't have them at the moment. At least now you can have a normal relationship without worrying about Lois finding out."
"It is immaterial really. Lois knows everything. She was in Star City with Oliver when I was brought back and almost died from my injuries."
"How did she take?"
"Like you. It did not change the way she acted towards me. She treats me like Clark Kent. I know I don't always say this Chloe but your acceptance of me has always meant so much to me." Clark stretched over and hugged her.
Lois rushed back. "Clark, it is almost 1.45pm. You only have fifteen minutes to get to the Planet and you're not exactly fast with your war wounds so let's get a taxi."
Clark gulped. He was really nervous considering his last interview for a job had been at the Talon with Lana. This was a slightly more high profile job. He just hoped Tess Mercer was not as tough as her predecessor.
Clark was surprised to see a burly man sitting at reception. " Mr. Kent, we have been expecting you. Go right in."
"Have a seat, Mr. Kent. I'm Tess Mercer, acting C.E.O. of LuthorCorp."
"Lex told me all about you."
"Ms Mercer, that is surprising when you consider that there is not much to tell."
" Hmm. I don't believe that for one minute. The way he spoke about you was that you are quite an interesting character. And ever since Lex's disappearance, I have used all of LuthorCorp's resources to find him."
" Do you have any leads?" Clark asked without trying to show too much interest.
"The world's a big place. I was hoping his good friend could tell me where to look."
" The Lex Luthor that I knew disappeared years ago. It's been a long time since we were friends. I don't know what happened to him."
" Fair enough. But if you do think of something, please give come up and see me." She commented.
"Come up and see you?" Clark questioned her.
"Well you will only be downstairs in the basement. Count yourself as the newest employee of the Daily Planet. I just needed to know you matched up to the great resume that you sent in and I have to say I am not disappointed when meeting you in person." Tess smiled.
Clark smiled. "Thanks, Ms Mercer."
"Call me Tess. I'm afraid you will have to work with Ms Lane. I know some of the stories Lex used to tell me about how you two fight constantly. Try and keep any fighting to home time."
Clark laughed. "Ok, we will." He winced as he turned to leave.
Tess picked up on his grimace. "What's wrong?"
Clark pulled up his shirt and showed her his wound. "A tractor fell on me. I had a lucky escape."
"It looks nasty." Tess replied with a surprised look on her face which made Clark wonder if she knew something.
"I'm getting better. I won't be able to start for another week or so."
"That'sfine. Let me know when you are ready to start and I will show you round personally. I hope someone is looking after you." Tess suggested.
"Yeah my mom has got some time off from the Senate and is coming home this afternoon for a week. A few home-cooked meals will make all the difference." Clark replied not wanting to mention his relationship with Lois.
Clark headed to the lift and went to the basement to see Lois and tell her the good news.
Lois was waiting in anticipation. "So?"
"Bad news I'm afraid." His face dropped. "Look's like you are stuck with me at work as well as home. I am your new partner."
Lois stood up and hugged him. She went to kiss him.
"Don't!" Clark said as he broke off the hug. "Tess thinks we don't get on and I have the feeling that she will not be happy if she finds out we are dating."
Lois was annoyed. "What the hell has it got to do with her." But then she calmed down and admitted. " But I do understand we should leave all the touchy-feely stuff until home time."
"Exactly, now that you are moving in, we will have more time together." He explained.
"So what is Tess Mercer like?"
"She's hot." He laughed.
"If we weren't in the middle of the bullpen I would bust your chops." She winked.
Lois did everything she had to do and they headed back to Smallville. Clark wanted to cook a meal for his mom to welcome her back. He missed her. Lois offered to play chef for the night but Clark had managed to turn down the offer without offending her.
Martha arrived at six. One of the perks of being a Senator was a limo ride from the airport.
"Clark." She hugged him tight but soon pulled away when he yelped in pain.
"Sorry..."
"It's fine, mom. I have missed you so much." He hugged her back but not as hard.
"Lois, it is great to see you." Martha threw her arms around her.
"You too, Mrs K, sorry Martha I mean."
They all went back into the house to catch up. Martha could smell the dinner as soon as she went in.
"Clark, you needn't have bothered. I would have cooked. You are supposed to be resting."
"I am sick of lying on the sofa. Although that won't be for much longer." Clark added.
"You got the job at the Planet, did you?"
"Yeah, I have to work with Lois though." He smiled at his girlfriend.
"I am sure you'll cope." His mom laughed. "So how is it living without your powers."
"It is a bit odd, as this is the longest I have gone without them but I will get used to it. I have always said I wanted to lead a normal life."
"So you're not going to try and get your powers back."
"I don't know. I am happy with my life right now. Let me carry your bags upstairs." Clark said.
"So Lois, I hope you've settled in ok. This is your house now."
Lois was shocked. "How did you know I had moved in?"
"You look at home. I have never seen Clark look at anyone the way he looks at you. He loves you and I could not wish for anyone else for him. I love you as if you were mine and Jonathan felt the same way." Martha explained.
Lois had tears in her eyes. "I love you too. You have always been the mom I missed having."
Clark appeared looking nervous. "Mom, is it ok if Lois and I sleep in my room."
"I would not expect anything else. I am not from the Dark Ages." Martha smiled.
"Thanks, mom."
Clark felt settled in his life right now and wondered if he would ever miss his powers...
Clark loved having his mom home. He had not seen her for a while although he did pop to see her sometimes in DC. Lois was able to get back to work at the Planet and he was looking forward to the opportunity to work across the desk from her.
The day before his mom left, Clark and she headed to the Talon for a coffee.
"I am going to miss you, mom." He said .
"I'll miss you and Lois. It has meant the world to me to see you both so happy. Your dad would be thrilled. She would do anything for you as you no doubt would for her." Martha smiled.
Then suddenly Clark's world was sent into freefall by the arrival of unwelcome face in the Talon.
"Hi Clark." Lana announced as she walked towards the table.
"Lana, what a surprise!" Martha replied breaking the silence.
Clark just sat there with his mouth open. "Lana, you are the last person I expected to see."
Lana joined them without being invited. "I have decided that life is too short not to forgive you for the way you treated me."
Clark was incensed, so much so that his mom noticed and decided to intervene. "So where have you been?" she asked Lana.
"Here and there, making my life better." She chirped.
"Well if your life is so much better now, why have you come back?" he asked, annoyed by her brazen attitude.
"I came back to forgive you and let you know I am willing to give you a second chance." Lana announced cockily.
He stood up. "Lana, I don't want your forgiveness because I did not do anything that needs to be forgiven."
Lana smiled. "Clark, I knew this would happen. You are so stubborn and you will have to change before I agree to get back with you."
Clark looked at his mom. "Lana, if you'll excuse us, I have a meeting at 12pm."
Martha gave an embarrassed smile at Lana. "See you around." She smiled.
Clark jumped in the truck. "Mom, I will see you later. Are you sure you don't want a lift home?"
"No, you don't want to keep her waiting." His mom smiled and waved.
Lana was not happy. She had overheard everything, one of the advantages of her new power suit. Once Clark realised they were on a level, he would come back running, but for now she needed to know the identity of this woman he was meeting so she ran a safe distance behind the truck.
She could not work out why he was driving when he could run. This woman obviously did not know his secret.
Clark arrived just in time for the meeting. He gently tapped on the door.
"Come in!" a voice boomed out.
"Hello, Ms Mercer. Thanks for agreeing to personally show me around the Planet." He smiled as he walked in.
"No problem, but would you mind if we grabbed some lunch first. There is a great Italian's downtown and I have been in a mind numbingly boring meeting all morning and need to get out of the office for a while."
Clark was wary of Tess but knew he had to go. "Ok then, but do you take all the employees out on their first day." He joked.
They travelled by limo downtown.
"No, just the ones who knew Lex." She replied.
"Tess, I don't know what happened to him." Clark replied.
"I know that but I knew Lex for years and I like to reminisce sometimes about him. Do you mind?"
"No, of course not. I missed the Lex that I was friends with, but he was hardly recognisable in the past few years." Clark explained.
Tess nodded. "There is something else I need to talk to you about." She said as they sat down at a table.
"Doesn't this place have a waiting list of over a year?" Clark was amazed.
"Yes, but I have my own private table, one of the perks of being CEO at Luthorcorp."
Tess order for them both and then pulled out what looked like a cell phone from her bag."
"I knew it." She raised her hand to signal for Clark to remain silent and she called over the waitress.
"Can I have some paper and a pen please." Within seconds Tess had what she had asked for.
"So Clark, are you nervous about starting at the Planet?"
Tess started to write something on the paper whilst continuing to talk.
"What's this all about? Are you interviewing me again?" Clark asked puzzled.
She handed him the paper. He read it.
Tess: We are being followed by Lana. She is over the road at 10 O'Clock. Don't look. She can hear everything we say.
Clark was shocked and grabbed the pen, keeping up the pretence of a conversation. "It is always tough starting a new job."
Clark: What is she doing that for?
Tess: She has stolen a proto type suit from Luthorcorp. We have been tracking her all over the world and it seems the power has gone to her head and she is creating quite a stir. We need to find a way to deactivate the suit before she can cause some real damage.
Clark: What do I have to do with this?
Tess: We need you to get back with her so we can try and find out what her plans are.
Clark: You don't pull any punches. I will not lie to her to get back with her. Who is we?
Tess: Oliver Queen and me. We go back a long way. If you don't believe me, ask him. You will need to get rid of the powersuit before you continue your relationship with her anyway.
Clark: What relationship? There is zero chance of that happening.
Tess: What went wrong?
Clark: I don't love her and I will not pretend I do as part of your plan.
Tess got up. "Look like we will have to take a different approach to this problem." She walked out leaving a shocked Clark in her wake...