*Chapter Eleven*

POV: Lois Lane

I sighed and surveyed the cramp dorm room that I apparently lived in. Lucy stood beside me, arms crossed across her chest. "You live in a dump." She said blandly. I glared at her. "Don't make me regret it Lucy." She sighed and adjusted a couch pillow. "Whatever." She turned to me. "Why are you standing? You were freaking injured Lois. Sit the heck down."

Lucy half guided, half shoved me onto the couch. "Smells like a wet dog." I muttered. Lucy groaned. "Don't tell me that, I have to sleep there. Do you know how many blankets we had to buy? Lois, you must freeze here." I shrugged. "How would I know any of that stuff?" Lucy stuck a stray piece of wispy blonde hair behind her ear. "Lois, why don't you just stay there and I'll run out and get some Chinese?" Lucy asked as she slipped on a windbreaker.

I snorted. "Luce, I may have amnesia but even I know that it's not safe for a sixteen year old to wander around Metropolis by themselves." Lucy raised an eyebrow. "Well Lois. You were only eighteen and you gallivanted around the city freely." It was my turn to raise an eyebrow.

"That's right. And I almost died. What would I tell dad? Oh hey Pops, Lucy ran off by herself to get some Chinese and got killed by some muggers. I'm so sorry. See you next Hanukah." Lucy giggled and for a second I was painfully aware that she was no longer the little sister I had left behind in more ways than one.

"I'm fine Lois." Lucy assured me. I mean anyways, Super hunks always around if I slip up anyways." I rolled my eyes." How old are you?" I asked in the most exaggerated tone. Lucy gave me a frighteningly devious smile. "I'm old enough to know when someone is a serious catch." My eyes popped out of my head. "You know what Lucy; maybe it would be best if you went to get dinner. If you stay, I might end up killing you." Lucy did a victory dance as she squeezed through the dorm door. I groaned.

There was one thing that my new experiences with Lucy were showing; I was not ready to be a parent. Not in the slightest. I fingered the edge of the ancient and fraying pillow that was rested on the couch.

I am Lois Lane. I am eighteen years old. I live in Metropolis and intern at the Daily Planet. I have an interesting relationship with a man who calls himself Superman and there is a huge part of me that I cannot remember.

Satisfied, I closed my eyes and gently lifted myself off the couch. I groaned in pain as I steadied myself against the wall. I couldn't just sit here and do nothing; I had to rediscover my life somehow. I managed to pull a jacket on over my bruised ribs and hobble out the door. What sad shape I was in. The cold Metropolis air whirled around me, cutting through my coat and stinging my cheeks with fingers like knifes.

I saw a few people shoot me looks, but I was mostly able to avoid anyone throwing a fit. It's not like my mom was here anyways. She apparently was too wrapped up to be involved in my life. From what Lucy had told me though, it didn't seem like I had wanted her in my life much anyways. I had no idea where I was going, I'm sure that I had once knew the city but now it was as foreign as any new place.

As I hobbled down the street, I observed the people around me. Who were they and where were they going? Was the chubby man with the toupee and the limp going home to see his kids? Perhaps the overly made-up woman how was wobbling on her stilettos off to her next hair appointment to make her bleached blonde hair even faker looking. I lost track of time, happy to float down the street and let all of the people drift by.

My peaceful allusion was ruined through when I ran smack into a person, winding up on the ground. My aching ribs screamed in protest as I pushed myself up into a sitting position. A teenaged African American girl was on her knees, desperately trying to pick up the avalanche of loose papers before they flew off on the breeze. "I'm so sorry!" She gasped as she lunged for a strange sheet. "Yeah, so am I." I muttered. My butt was not enjoying the concrete. She turned to look at me. Her brown eyes glittered amber in the light.

"Natasha Irons." She stuck out a hand.

I let her shake my hands. She stopped collecting papers and looked at me for a second. "Hey, you're Lois Lane." She said as realization dawned on her. "That's me." I admitted. She smiled. "You did a piece on my Uncle John a few months ago." I racked my mind. "Who is your uncle?" She nodded. "Yep, John Henry Irons. You know the superhero Steel?" She asked.

I shook my head. "How could you forget?" Natasha cried. "You said it was the first actual interview you would have published!" I sighed. "No offense to you or your uncle Natasha, but I don't remember much of anything anymore." Natasha's eyes widened as she bit her lip. "Oh, that's right. I'm so sorry, I forgot about you're…. accident." I gave a tight lipped smile. "It's fine."

Natasha stood up and helped me gently to my feet. "You're mighty banged up." She remarked. The wind whipped her long dark hair into her mouth. I nodded. "It's a part of almost dying." Natasha laughed, and it wasn't a timid giggle either.

"Would you like to come with me to the Steelworks Lois? I'm sure Uncle John would have some great explanation about how to bring your memory back." I paused. I really should have gone to home where Lucy would be out of her mind with worry, but the temptation of having my life back was stronger. "Okay." I said uncertainly

. Natasha squealed and jumped up and down. "How old are Natasha?" She smiled. "I'm sixteen though. I just graduated from collage though and have already proven some serious algorithms wrong." Natasha had a strange way of speaking, where she would run every sentence and word together until they made one frenzied blur. She was like a teenage energizer bunny. "

That's fun." I said awkwardly as I tucked my jacket around my aching ribs. Natasha rambled on and on while we walked to the Steelworks. Would it work though, could her uncle help me remember? Natasha tapped my arm. "Lois?" She was looking at me in concern. I blinked rapidly. "Sorry, lost in thought. What did you need?" Natasha smiled, revealing white and straight teeth.

"I just asked if you wanted me to hail a cab. You look like you're in pain." I shook my head. "I'm perfectly fine." Natasha gave a small laugh as she went to hail a cab. "That's not part of almost dying." She teased. I shrugged. "Well then, as you wish." I slowly slid into the cab and let the smell of coffee and wet leather slowly embrace me.

"I'm new to Metropolis." Natasha said. I tried to give Natasha my undivided attention. "I'm from Chicago and after I graduated I went to college before coming to stay with my Uncle John. I really like Metropolis." She rambled. I smiled. "From what I've seen in the last few days, I do too." Natasha laughed. "We already have something in common!"

The cab rolled up to the curb and paid the cabbie because in all, it was me who had needed the cab. I followed Natasha onto the cement. I looked up at the impressive building where the steel archways gleamed with their own polished light. "It's nice." I remarked to Natasha. She waggled her eyebrows. "Of course it is. It's the home of a superhero!" I laughed. "You can tell."

Natasha impatiently tapped her foot. "Can we go in now?" She asked. I nodded. "Let's go." Natasha grabbed my arm and tried to lead me. I gasped in pain and Natasha dropped my arm like it was on fire. I held up my hand before she could give me a five minute speech about how sorry she was. "It's fine. Let's go." I instructed. Natasha blushed and nodded, silent for the first time since I had met her. She pushed into the Steelworks lobby and I caught my breath.

Natasha gave a confident smile. "I know right? Welcome to the Steelworks."