HOUR 7 - MEETING WITH PERRY WHITE
THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 11 A.M. AND 12 P.M.
"Lois, will you please slow down?" he calls out after her as they walk down the hallway towards Perry White's office.
"Don't tell me what to do," turning around and fixing him with a steely glare.
"Are you still mad about the donut?"
"Duh!'" punching him on the shoulder.
"I was only looking out for you," he responds as he rubs his shoulder for the benefit of people that were walking by.
"I can take care of myself just fine," turning on her heel and walking away.
He just sighs as he catches up with her. "I know you can, but you're pregnant and I can't help worrying about you."
She pauses in front of the door. "I know you do," still facing the door. "It's just that I hate it when somebody speaks up for me," finally turning around.
"I know," resting his hands lightly on her shoulders. "I promise I won't do it again."
"Don't make promises you can't keep," she replies.
"How about I promise to try not to do it again?"
She looks up at him. "Now that I believe," she says while trying not to smile.
Just then the door swings open. "You're late," Perry White growls as they enter the room.
"Sorry, Chief," Lois says with a barely concealed smirk as Clark pulls out a chair for Lois, then sits down next to her.
"I told you to stop calling me that!" he snaps as he sits back behind his desk.
"I keep telling her that, but she won't listen to me," Clark remarks.
"Stop talking about me like I wasn't here," she retorts.
Perry shakes his head with amusement and lets them go back and forth a few times. "So have you gotten it out of your system yet?" arching one brow at Clark.
"For now," Lois glares briefly at Clark. "So where is everybody? I thought this was a staff meeting."
"It is a meeting," Perry replies as he leans back in his chair. "It's just the three of us."
"What's going on?" Clark asks with a wondering expression on his face.
"I wanted to speak with the two of you in private," Perry says as he rises from his chair and comes around to the front of the desk. "I think it's time for you to take your maternity leave," directing his gaze at Lois.
"You want me to what?" her eyes wide as saucers.
"You heard me," he replies.
"I think it's a good idea," Clark pipes up.
"You would," she snaps while folding her arms against her chest.
"Lois," Perry begins, "You're due in a couple weeks," taking one of her hands in his. "You need to take it easy."
"No," throwing his hand off while struggling to get up from her chair. "I have an interview tonight with the Mayor after his inauguration ball," she says as she finally stands up and starts walking towards the door.
"No you don't," Perry replies. "I'm giving the story to Cat Grant."
She slowly turns around. "You can't be serious," her eyes narrowing at him.
"I am serious," he says.
"That's not fair! That's my story," stomping her foot.
"Life isn't always fair," Perry replies as he comes over to her and lays his hands on her shoulders. "I'm only thinking of you and the baby, Lois. Now I want you to go home and enjoy the peace and quiet before the baby comes."
Clark gets up from his chair. "I'll get my keys and take you home."
She shakes her head and opens the door. "I'll go on my maternity leave when I'm good and ready!" she declares as she walks through the open doorway and slams the door behind her.
Neither Clark nor Perry says anything at first. Then Perry says, "I think we should give her some time to calm down."
"I agree," Clark says with a sigh.
"Good," Perry says as he sits back down at his desk and opens one of the drawers. "How about a drink?" pulling out a bottle of scotch and a couple glasses.
"Sure," Clark says as he sits back down.
Perry pours some into each glass and hands one to Clark. "To our wives," holding out his glass.
"To our wives," Clark repeats with a smile as they clink glasses…
Coming up next: Hour 8 – Lunchtime
A/N: In this story, Perry White is NOT an alcoholic.