*Chapter Three*

POV: Clark Kent

I looked over at Lois. The televisions light bounced off of her face, giving it an angelic glow. Lois really was beautiful, even if she was a bit headstrong. It had been awful sitting there, listening to her pour out her heart about Superman. If only she knew that he was sitting right across from her. I pulled my glasses off and rubbed my eyes. I didn't need them, but they made a nice disguise. As Clark Kent I might have been a tad bit fumbling, but as Superman there was a sort of cool confidence that I had never been able to have in my daily life.

The movie ended and the screen went dark. I didn't need the light though. Lois was still passed out next to me, arm lying on my lap and head against my chest. She acted tough as nails, but laying here I could see how fragile and vulnerable she really was as a human. As much as I missed Krypton, little moments like this made my time on Earth seem all the more worth it. I gently lifted Lois's arm and laid it down beside her. She shivered gently.

I looked around the dorm. There were no apparent blankets other than her bedding and there obviously wasn't a heater. I couldn't just leave her here. I carefully picked her up. Her head lulled gently on my chest. She was so light, so easy to break. I started towards her bed. I had held her many times before, but never as Clark Kent. I set her down and wrapped the blankets around her.

Lois muttered something but remained asleep. I wanted to kiss her, but I resisted. Instead, I gently smoothed down the hair that had escaped her braid before quietly backing away from her room and into the hallway. I groaned and leaned against the wall. Lois would never actually have the kind of relationship that I wanted as long as I was Clark. Superman she would go for, but a pushover from the middle of nowhere? There was no chance.

I started down the hallway and into the night air. Metropolis was getting safer with my help, but it still had a ways to go. I ducked my head and tried to concentrate on thoughts better than Lois nearly dying and thugs' threatening her with knifes or guns. I had honestly not known that Lois was in that plane. I would've helped her. But my senses were sharp as ever, even now I could sense a gang smoking joints a mile away. So why hadn't I seen Lois? I had been too late. Then there was Luthor. I knew he had a soft spot for Lois, he always had. So it made sense that he would rescue her. It still set my skin on edge though. Luthor, of all people, had done what I had failed to do.

I finally got to my own dorm room and pushed the door open. Surprisingly, a light was already on and a woman sat at the small table, facing away from me. As soon as I saw her, I recognized the thick, curly red hair and petite frame.

"Lana?" I asked; a bit shocked.

She turned, a smile already playing on her plump lips. "Clark!" She jumped up and wrapped her arms around my bulky frame. "What… How in the world are you here?" I asked.

Lana pulled back and held me at arm's length. "Jonathan and Martha told me you moved to Metropolis and I figured we could reconnect since I was moving here too." I blinked rapidly as I tried to take it all in. I should have known that my Ma and Pa would have told Lana where I was.

"So, you're living in Metropolis?" Lana grinned in even wider. "That's right. You're not the only one who can snag an internship." I squeezed her tighter. "Lana, that's great! Where are you interning?" She smiled sheepishly. "Just with some unknown fashion designer, it really isn't a big deal." Suddenly the mode became somber.

"Thank you Clark." She said quietly. "About what happened when I left…?" Lana's voice faltered. Lana had lived in Smallville, and had been my first girlfriend and one of the only people to know about my special abilities. However, our relationship had halted to a stop when she had abruptly moved to Paris with her father who had scored a teaching job. We hadn't spoken since then.

"I was upset over my mom's death and I-" I cut her off. "It's fine Lana. I know what it's like to lose a parent." Her face fell. "Clark, I'm so sorry." Because Lana knew of my Kryptonian ancestry, she would also know that my entire family and homeland had been destroyed. She smiled and for a moment I remembered why I had been in love with her.

Yes, Lana was aesthetically pleasing with her curly red hair, perfect white teeth and large amber eyes, but she was also kind as well as smart and inquisitive. She was kind of like Lois now that I thought about it. "Thank you for coming Lana. It's nice to finally resolve things." Her smile returned and she nodded. "It really is. Thanks for being so understanding." We finally released each other and I let Lana give me a once over. "Not bad Kent." She chuckled. "You've definitely gained some bulk."

She turned and checked out the apartment. "I hear that Metropolis has gained a new blue fighting machine." She turned to give me a mischievous smile over her shoulder. "Really, have you heard good things about this Superman?" Lana leaned against the sink and crossed her arms. "Mostly good … except for that one time when he let up and coming reporter Lois Lane almost falls to her tragic death." I felt my face flush. "I don't know what happened out there. I didn't even know Lois was on that plane. I would have saved her."

Lana thought for a second. "I don't know Clark. You senses can let you see a person's heartbeat, but you didn't notice a girl falling from a plane? It's not like you." I ran a hand through my hair. Lana gave me a reassuring smile. "I don't know and I'll help you figure it out." I gave a small smile. "Thank you Lana." She pushed herself off the sink and playfully sauntered over to me.

"Now, do you think that Superman would let me see his costume?"

I pretended to think for a moment. "That could possibly happen."

Lana gave a happy squeal and clapped her hands. "Close your eyes." I instructed. Lana squeezed her eyes shut while I went and retrieved my suit from where it was stashed. I set it gently in her hands.

Lana gasped. "It's beautiful Clark." She fingered the fabric. "You like it? It's made of a Kryptonian material, and is the last of its kind."

The suit was pretty impressive, with its sturdy plating in a deep blue color. A flowing cape hung from the back, as red as blood. A huge S had been embroidered in the chest and a pair of thick soled red boots completed the outfit. "I'm guessing the material is as invulnerable as you?" Lana guessed. I nodded.

"So, why did you put the underwear on the outside?" She asked. I shrugged. "No clue." Lana clicked her tongue. "I will never understand the species known as men." I changed the subject. "Is there any other reason you stopped by?" Being here with Lana in a friendly setting reminded me of how much I missed her and to be frank wanted her back.

"Maybe we could go on a date and you know, reconnect even more." I threw out. Lana looked almost pained. "Oh Clark, that's not why I'm here. I came here to reestablish a friendship, nothing romantic." I turned away from her to look out the window.

"I'm sorry Clark. I have a boyfriend and if things keep going, I think you might have a girl who's after your heart." When I turned to make a bitter remark I found the house empty, a still swinging door the only sign of Lana's visit.