After breakfast Lois explained that she managed to persuade Perry to give her the week off to spend time with Rikki. The only reason she was stuck working was because of Clark and Chloe, seen as two of the Daily Planets best reporters decided to demand Perry for the entire summer off for the first time in years, everything had been dumped onto Lois and Jimmy. She didn't mind, it just sucked that the timing coincided with Rikki's unexpected arrival.

She explained how she wanted to take Rikki and her friends shopping for the day, a 'girls day out' Lois called out, she thought it would help them all to bond and get to know one another better.

"I remember you saying how much you liked to go shopping, so I thought well, let's go" Lois stated to Rikki as she followed her into the living room.

"Yer about that…" before she could continue, Emma jabbed her in the ribs reminding her to keep to her story "…it sounds great when do we leave?" Rikki finished, glaring at Emma as to say 'you're gunna pay for that'

"Whenever you guys are ready" Lois answered, sounding excited about spending the day with her sister for the first time in six years.

"Ok…let me just go and grab a jacket…"

"But its 40° outside?" Lois replied puzzled.

"Right I mean my bag…be right back" Rikki rushed, grabbing Emma and Cleo on her way up stairs.

"What am I gunna do? I hate shopping…now thanks to this secret of ours we have to spend a whole day of it!" Rikki complained sluggishly finding her bag within the mess of their room.

"It's can't be that bad Rikki, just think you don't have to really shop just use this time to get to know Lois better, that's what you wanted right?" Emma corrected.

"I suppose…but you guys can't leave me alone with her, I don't want her to try and dress me all in pink or something" Rikki demanded, staring down her friends remembering the times when they had tried…and failed.

"Ok fine…we won't leave you, now come on, she's waiting" Cleo assured Rikki, heading back down stairs.

8888

Lois had taken them all to Metropolis for the day…the best shops were in Metropolis, shame that Smallville didn't occupy any good shops other than coffee shops Lois thought as she led the girls down the main road which in her opinion had the best clothes stores.

"Wow! Look at that, the Daily Planet" Emma gasped, stopping in her tracks to look up and stare at the huge rotating Globe way up on the roof.

"Yer it's pretty amazing right? Mind you the novelty kinda wears off after working there for over six years" Lois explained feeling slightly disappointed that this was the truth, wishing that everyday as she looked up on her way to work, that she could be literally stopped by the spectacular Daily Planet Globe.

"That's where you work?" Rikki questioned, compete awe in her voice.

"Yep…the good old Daily Planet, Clark and Chloe work there with me, we're what you call 'dedicated' reporters and we're nothing short of miracle workers in that place…our Chief, Perry thinks we're the best damn investigative reporters' team going…and I agree, but don't tell Clark I said that or he'll have me for breakfast" Lois added her tone turning to what Rikki recognised as her important tone, much like the one their father used when he expected someone to listen.

"I still can't believe that you work here…what's it like?" Cleo asked obviously becoming more interested by the minute.

"It's a blast most of the time, especially being able to work with my cousin, but then that can have its disadvantages…we can get a little competitive at times…well I do anyway…but Perry always says 'family rivalry can only make the Planet better'" Lois quoted her boss, imitating his voice and stance as she spoke.

"Right" was all Rikki could think to say as she broke out into a genuine smile, watching her sister make a complete fool of herself.

"That's kinda cool" Rikki added truly seeing her Lois as well…her sister and an amazing one at that.

"What is?" Lois asked, still feeling slightly nervous around Rikki, careful not to do or say anything that could jeopardise their newly found friendship.

"That you work there…what else?" Rikki laughed

8888

Rikki had found it in her heart to keep up the façade that she loved shopping as Lois dragged them in and out of shops all day long, making everyone try on plenty of different clothes and pretended to be walking down a run way in the changing rooms. This was definitely not Lois's idea of a fun day out either at first…most importantly she hated shopping and she couldn't stand trying on clothes, she was the kind of gal who knew what she wanted when she had to go shopping, would buy it then get out as quick as she could. But for Rikki's sake she decide to try and at least look like she was enjoying herself, but much to her surprise with Rikki and her friends, she almost did have fun…not the clothes part but just loosening up and playing around for once.

Unbelievably Rikki felt the same, she had dreaded this day out, but once they all relaxed in one another's company she really enjoyed herself. The first few shops were boring and tedious, though once they reached the less 'girly' shops Rikki started to have fun. Lois had taken them to Pizza Hut for lunch and Rikki was pleased, pizza was her favourite.

After a long day out, they all retired back to the car and were all relieved to be able to sit down and relax their hurting feet.

"I have never felt this worn out" Cleo whined, happily slumping into the back seat of the car.

"I know what you mean" Emma agreed, mimicking Cleo's actions and slumping into her seat as well.

"Lets head home then shall we, rest up for another fun packed day tomorrow" Lois piped up starting the engine of the car.

"Tomorrow…again, I don't think my feet will take another day" Rikki complained, feeling her feet throbbing in her shoes.

"Yer I second that, we'll see what we feel like doing in the morning" Lois proposed, starting their journey back home.

8888

The journey back had been comfortably silent and they were all happy to return to the farm and be greeted by Clark's mother.

"Martha…what are you doing here, I didn't think we were expected you back so soon…not that I'm complaining, its lovely to see you" Lois rambled, as she threw her arms around Martha Kent, immediately upon entering the door and noticing her sat in the kitchen with Clark and Chloe.

"It's nice to see you too Lois, well I had an opening in my schedule and decided to come and spend some time back home…plus I was worried how Clark was coping without me here to cook for him" Martha laughed, returning Lois hug.

"How long are you here for?"

"Oh only a couple of days…it's a shame I would have loved to stay longer, but I have this press release to organise"

"Well I hope you have fun whilst you here" Lois replied cheerfully.

"Clark was just informing me of the newest member of the household…which of you is Rikki?" Martha asked, spotting the three girls follow Lois through the door, walking over to greet each of them.

"That'll be me…it's great to finally put a face to the name Clark is constantly referencing every time he complains about the mess in the house" Rikki explained, smiling towards Clark, happy to receive a leg-weakening smile back from him.

"Ah yes, I've taught him well…look at you, I can definitely tell you're a Lane, you look just like your sister…so who else do we have here?" Martha asked, greeting the other two girls warmly with a kiss to the cheek. She's great with people, I can see why she makes such a great State Senator Chloe thought, leaning her head onto Clark's shoulder watching the happy family reunion take place before her.

"This is Cleo…and Emma, they're my best friends…we decided to make this a little vacation, so they came with me" Rikki explained, instantly warming to Martha, feeling a warmness for the lack of a better word radiating from her. She had such a motherly quality about her, which seemed to make Rikki not want to let her down in anyway.

"Nice to meet you" Both Emma and Cleo chimed together, smiling towards the red haired woman.

"I still find it hard to believe that Lois has lived here for so long and not once mentioned you…what brings you all the way down to Smallville after all this time?" Martha questioned sitting back in her seat, taking her still warm coffee mug into her hands.

Easing into the room, Rikki and the others gathered around the table "Well things were getting a bit hectic back home and it was something my uncle said that got me thinking…I really don't know anything about my immediate family. So I decided to track down Lois, my sister and the rest is history" Rikki explained as everyone listened intently to her words, her friends too, having this been the first they have heard this story. All they were told was she wanted to see her sister for the first time in years and were asked if they wanted to make it a vacation.

"And here you are…ho are you liking Kansas?" Martha continued interested in hearing Rikki's thoughts.

"It's different that's a given…"

"Oh sorry to interrupt, but I forgot to ask…where are you from?"

"Oh right, Australia, South Coast to be exact" Rikki answered smiling as everyone in the room giggled.

"Very nice, well I can understand how Kansas must be a complete shock to your system…what's it like back home?"

"Well…"Rikki trailed on happy to share happy times from back home with such a loving family.

The night continued in much of the same manner, Martha learning more and more about Rikki and her life back home and Rikki just as happily listening to stories about Clark as a young boy and what life is like growing up on a farm.

Before they all knew it, they had talked long into the night, all deciding to finally retire to bed, exhaustion setting in as the jam packed day of shopping caught up with them.

Due to Martha's unexpected arrival, Clark offered to sleep on the couch, secretly not minding because he knew that he wouldn't feel that uncomfortable anyway. Chloe agreed to let Martha have her and Clark's room for the duration of her stay and she would sleep downstairs with Clark. The girl weren't at all fazed by the new plans as they were still welcome to stay in their usual sleeping arrangements, they only trouble they had was deciding who got the beds and who was exiled to the dreaded sleeping bag.

Martha followed Chloe upstairs and helped her get spare blankets from the closet, taking this time alone to catch up with the girl she once viewed as the daughter she never had and now her son's true love.

"So Chloe, how has my son really been coping here without me?" Martha started as she took blankets from Chloe as she passed them out.

"He's been…ok…it's strange for him not having anyone around the farm, that's why I think he constantly asks me stay here with him…but I don't mind, it's kinda nice knowing that he's always around when I need him, actually…we have been talking and we were thinking about keeping this as a permanent arrangement, me staying here I mean…if that's ok with you?" Chloe kindly asked, closing the closet doors.

"Of course dear…it would be a pleasure; I'm not here to notice otherwise anyway. I am so glad you two are finally settling down, its nice to see Clark have someone in his life who accepts him for everything that he is…I must admit, I had my doubts over the years, I worried that he would never find anyone who could accept him, and his…abilities. But then you came along, I knew this was meant to be, all the years you both kid yourself thinking you were meant for nothing more than friendship, but I could see it all along, the love you both shared…it was unique…touching" Martha expressed watching Chloe's eyes shine with unshed tears, knowing she must look the same to Chloe, as she took who she hoped to soon become her daughter-in-law into her arms in a loving embrace.

"I bless you both my dear…I know my son may be…super…but you definitely allow him to feel human Chloe and for that I am grateful to have you in both his and my life"

"Thank you Martha" Chloe felt those words weren't enough to clarify everything that she wanted to say to this loving woman, but knowingly she felt Martha knew exactly what she meant.

Well...What do you think? Hope your enjoying it :D