Lois got into town ten minutes early to intercept Star before Betty Gibson saw her and decided to get her claws into her.
She saw Star approaching the building. "Star, over here!" she said just loud enough for her to hear.
"Lois, what are you doing hiding in a bush?"
"I will tell you everything when we find somewhere more private."
"Come with me." Star motioned for her to follow her. "I have somewhere."
Lois followed curious. They walked to the food store and then headed to the car park around the back. Lois almost stopped in her tracks when she saw the large motor home with the side covered with stars and emblazoned the words "Star's Psych-Mobile"
"You're not one for subtlety, are you?" Lois smirked.
"It's just an advertisement. You certainly know when I have rolled into town."
Lois climbed into the motorhome to find a small but neat living area. "This is actually cosy."
"I know. It is home from home. Do you want a coffee?"
"Yeah that would be great!" Lois replied. "We have moved out of the B&B after my little spat with the owner. "
"Where are you living?"
"At Clark's parents farm. Not that they know he is their future son. I guess this must be really weird to you."
"Not really. As I said yesterday…nothing surprises me. So why are you here? In 1989 I mean."
Lois told Star as much as she could about Clark, and his parents without going into details about the impending meteor shower.
"So basically you have to get Clark's parents back together so they can find him when his spaceship lands. If not an evil man will adopt him, putting the whole world at risk." Star paraphrased.
"In a nutshell!" Lois smiled. "The only thing is that the reunification of Martha and Jonathan Kent is not going as planned. The other problem is the fact Clark and I are not destined to be together."
"How do you know?"
"We were told by the people from the future that he and his girlfriend Lana were meant to be together. He was just about to propose to her before we were transported back here."
"Lois, your destiny is not written yet. The mission you have been sent back in time for just goes to prove that things can change. " Star reassured her.
"Well it does not matter anyway. We are too far gone to turn back now. I love him and I don't know what I would do without him." Lois replied. "I am worried that they are going to wipe our memories. Can you do anything about that?"
"I can put you under by hypnosis and try to bury those memories, much like repressed memories. If you tell me the exact time when you jumped here, I can meet in the future to try and bring them out."
"That is a crazy far-fetched idea… but I love it." Lois grinned. "Could you do the same to Clark?"
"No…I could not get a strong enough connection with him. If I put you under, I will try to see more of your future, as often the visions are stronger when you are hypnotised, as there are no other thoughts getting in the way."
Lois nodded. She lay down on the sofa, and waited for Star to start. "I have always thought I would be immune…" Before she could finish she was knocked out.
"Obviously not that immune.." Star laughed to herself.
It took a few moments, but she was soon witnessing Lois's thoughts as if they were playing on a TV screen in front of her. There were a few unrecognisable scenes then a moment of silence before all of a sudden all hell broke loose. There were huge fireballs coming from the sky, hitting the ground all around in the distance. Star could feel the panic in Lois's body in the speed she was travelling and the pounding of her heart. All of a sudden, the view changed towards the sky, and the huge fireball heading right towards Lois. Then, there was a loud scream, and then nothing…just blackness.
Star's eyes opened, and she sat up, her own heart pounding from what she had witnessed. Whatever the hell had just happened, it was the end of Lois's memories and that could only mean one thing – her death.
Whilst Star was trying to decipher what she had just witnessed, she started to work on keeping Lois's memories intact through any mind-wipe. It took her a while as her mind kept switching back to the terrifying clip from Lois's mind.
Star knew she had to recompose herself, something she was normally expert at when she had needed to cover up unfavourable future predictions for other clients. This time it was harder, as although she had only known Lois for a short time, she had come to think of her as a friend.
She would do everything to prevent Lois meeting such a horrific end, but she knew that telling her would be too dangerous and could influence her future actions. She needed to find out more so she could intervene.
Star brought Lois around. "Star…." She stirred, still half out of it with her eyes closed.
"Just relax, Lois. It may take some time to get back to normal."
"What did you see?" Lois asked.
"We will talk about it when you are fully with it."
Star got up to make Lois a coffee. "Here you go! This should help." She smiled as she handed it to Lois.
Soon Lois was alert again and desperate for information. "So come on…put me out of my misery."
Star leaned forward. "I am so sorry but I did not see anything clearly enough to decipher. It was all a bit of a blur… but I think I have protected your memories."
Lois paused for a second, trying not to show her bitter disappointment. "That is ok… Thanks for trying. I guess we could try again, although you will be heading out of town soon."
Star smiled. "Actually I thought I would stay for a few days; this town kinda grows on you."
"That will be nice." Lois replied, not entirely convinced by Star's explanation and reason for staying…
Clark was moving hay in the barn ready to take it out to the pastures to feed the horses and cattle but he was distracted by a noise behind him. He turned around to see Lois approaching with a very strange look on her face. It was one of intense concentration and she was focusing on one thing – him.
She did not speak. As soon as she was in reach she placed her hand on his chest and pushed him onto a nearby bale of hay. He did not put up a fight, his exciting rising at the thought of what Lois had planned. She straddled him and started to carry out her planned seduction.
Clark gulped deeply, both nervous and excited at the same time about the prospect.
An hour later…
"My dad is pulling up." He had panic in his voice, but still managed to kiss her deeply again as he sat up in a pile of hay in the loft. Somehow during their marathon make-out session, they had ended up there, although neither of them could explain how.
"To be continued…." She whispered seductively in his ear just as he helped her up.
They quickly brushed off the hay from each other, and Clark sped Lois into the house and he got on with his work.
Jonathan entered the barn. "My god, you are a quick worker. I noticed you had managed to fix that outer paddock fence already. Are you sure you don't want a permanent job?"
"I learnt from my dad. He is the best!" Clark said proudly.
"I bet he thinks highly of you too. There aren't many 18 year olds who would knuckle down without complaining." He patted Clark on the shoulder.
"Let's head in for some lunch." His dad said.
Lois was already squirrelling away cleaning in the kitchen. She needed to cool herself down after her session with Clark. He was so hot! How could she have missed that for over a year? She craved him…
"Be careful not to rub too hard , Lucy. There won't be much left." Jonathan laughed when he noticed how she seemed to be cleaning the bench in one spot. "Look, you don't have to clean. You are my guest."
"I need to earn my way."
"You're working with Martha and being a friend to her…that is all that matters to me." He smiled.
Clark looked at Lois with her little apron on, and suddenly imagined her in a French maid's outfit. He suddenly collected his thoughts, shocked by the effect his new girlfriend was having on him. Lana was now a distant memory, so much so that his time with Lois was filling his thoughts. It suddenly hit him, what love was….not infatuation and obsession….but real love. He would do anything for her, and the song she was humming gave him an idea.
Jonathan headed out to the truck to unload it.
"Do you want some help?"
"No it's fine." His dad smiled at Clark's offer. "You sit down, and have some of the pie in the fridge. It is one of Martha's famous meat pies."
As soon as they were alone, Clark leaned over and overpowered her with his lips. She responded, her hand automatically reaching up his shirt. They were getting carried away, and did not hear Jonathan come back in with a visitor.
Clark looked over and realised both his parents had walked in on his exchange with Lois. He felt his face go red. "Sorry…"
"There is no need to apologise." Martha replied.
"Oh, Martha . I am so sorry." Lois looked hassled, and glanced at her watch. " I was supposed to meet you by the main road."
Clark could see Lois had been planning this all the time to get his parents in the same room.
"It's ok. You don't have to come to the meeting if you have other plans." Martha announced seriously. Jonathan smirked.
Lois was crimson now, and looked sheepishly at Clark. "It's ok. I am coming. Can you give me two minutes to put some make-up on?"
Martha looked at Jonathan. "I am sure I can."
Her husband looked nervous, as though they were on a first date. "Have a quick cup of coffee!"
Martha looked back. "Ok, just a quick one!"
Lois motioned for Clark to follow her. "Tom, the zip is stuck on one of my bags. Could you see if you can do anything with it?"
He smiled. "I am coming." He excused himself and followed her upstairs.
Jonathan laughed uncomfortably. "Either they are playing matchmaker or are going to continue what we interrupted."
" I would go with your first option." She smiled, but then turned serious.
"So where is your meeting?" he tried to break the silence.
"At the Luthor Mansion… Lionel has offered me a job as an advisor."
"Is that such a good idea?"
"You mean that you don't think I am capable of doing the job." Martha suddenly got defensive. "There is more to me than being a farmer's wife."
Jonathan tensed up in his chair. "You know I did not mean that."
"Didn't you? I am starting to wonder if my father was right about me making the biggest mistake of my life when I gave everything up to marry you."
"Martha, I love you more than anything, and if you wanted to get a job, I would encouraged it, but not with Lionel Luthor. He can't be trusted."
"Jonathan, after those cruel things you said to me, you have no right to voice any further opinions about my life. You made your opinion very clear." There was a mixture of devastation and anger on her face.
"Martha…that was not me. I could never say anything like that."
"Well unless you have a doppelganger or a twin I do not know about, it was you." She replied with venom. "Anyway just so you know... I am going to consult a lawyer on Monday and start divorce proceedings."
Clark and Lois stood at the bottom of the stairs in shock. How on Earth could they turn this situation around and get back to the time where they belonged…
Lois could see the devastation in Martha's eyes as they drove away from the farm. Her plan had completely backfired and she was at a loss about what the next step should be. She had to discuss matters with Clark when she got back, otherwise the unthinkable could happen. It was not only the threat to the Earth's future which made her shudder but also the thought of the man she loved being brought up and turned into a monster by the man she was about to meet.
The Luthor Mansion had not changed much from the outside, it was still old and cold looking fifteen years from now. The security was not as secure as it was in the future; no doubt due to the fact that the Luthor's were not badly as thought of in this time. It was after the meteor shower that they would tighten their grip on the town, and gain the wrath of the population of Smallville.
"Martha, are you ok?"
"I am fine. I want to believe him so much but I don't think I can. There is no other explanation."
Lois had an idea, albeit a crazy one. She needed to find out more about that night when Brainiac confronted her as Jonathan. She decided to leave it until after the meeting, as they had just pulled up at the mansion. One of the security guards opened their doors.
"Ms Mason and Ms Clark…welcome. I will show you to the drawing room where Mr Luthor is waiting for you."
Lois grimaced at the sound of the guard using Martha's maiden name, but Martha did not react.
They were led through a maze of corridors until they finally came to some large wooden doors. The guard pushed them open to reveal the drawing room which Lois had visited on several occasions. In fact the only thing which differed from 2006 was the size of the computer on the desk. It was huge, and made Lois laugh at how portable it would be.
Lionel was tapping away on the computer keyboard when he heard the doors open. He got up, and greeted Martha with a friendly but rather creepy hug. He headed towards Lois who stuck her hand out before he had the chance to get other ideas.
"Can I get you two ladies a drink?"
"I'll have a coffee. " Martha smiled. "Lucy?"
"I'm fine…thanks!" Lois replied, not meaning to let Lionel annoy her but something about him made her act that way.
Lionel went over the desk and phoned for some coffee to be brought.
"Have a seat!" he pointed them over to the two Chesterfield sofas at the other side of the room.
"Lionel…I would appreciate it if you referred to me by my correct name. My name is Kent…not Clark."
"I am so sorry Martha. I just assumed that you would be going by your maiden name especially with your unfortunate break up with your husband."
Martha did not give Lionel any more ammunition. "I am still Martha Kent."
"Ok, forgive my ignorance. So should we get down to business."
"Let's!" Martha sat forward to take the folder that Lionel was handing to her.
"I am not a man of many words. I like to let figures do the talking. As you will see this job role comes with very attractive benefits." Lionel sneered.
Martha took in the information before passing it to Lois to have a look. Lois almost died of shock when she saw the $80,000 per year salary plus many other benefits. That was an amazing in 2006 for that kind of job, but in 1989 it was unbelievable. How could Martha refuse the offer and even worse was the fact that this would drive an even bigger wedge between Jonathan and her. Clark had told Lois about the rows his parents used to have when Martha had spent some time working for the ruthless billionaire.
"So Martha, how does the contract seem to you?"
"It seems very generous but I will be taking some time to think over my decision. I will let you know by Wednesday."
Just then they were interrupted by the giggles of an excited child bursting into the door. "Father, can I show you my painting?"
If looks could kill, Lex would be dead from the icy stare his father was giving him. "Alexander… go to your room and I will deal with you later. Where is your nanny?" he shouted.
Lois could almost have cried from the look of utter devastation on Lex's face. She stood up, and walked over to him. "Hi, I'm Lucy. Can I come and see your painting?"
Lex's face lit up. "Father?" he muttered quietly, visibly shaking in anticipation of his father's reaction.
Lois smiled at Lionel, making him back down immediately.
"That is so nice of you to offer, Ms Mason. I am sure Alexander would be delighted to show you his artwork. " Lois could see the annoyance in his face at having to do a u-turn in front of guests.
Lois grinned. Lex took her hand and led her off down the corridor.
They had only been in Lex's room a few minutes when Lionel arrived. "Ms Mason, I hope Lex is not boring you too much. I have just left Martha considering my offer."
"Mr Luthor, you must be proud of your son's obvious talent." Lois pointed in the direction of the easel.
Lionel ignored the question and did not even take a look at the painting. "I think we had better be heading back to Martha."
Lois followed but not before smiling at little Lex who was pleased that someone had bothered to take an interest in him.
As they walked down the corridor, Lionel turned to her. "May I ask how you managed to become so influential in Martha's life. You have been in Smallville for less than a week and she is treating you as though you are her most trusted advisor. Tell me, Ms Mason… does she know about your previous employment?" he asked.
"What employment?"
"I don't know what the term is these days… but I have always used the word…Hooker!"
She glared at him in shock. "You think I am a working girl."
"I don't think… I know." He replied. "And one with expensive tastes from what I hear especially when it comes to white powder."
Lois was speechless. She did not know what Rokk and the other legion members had used as her identity but she hoped they would be a little cleverer than making her a streetwalking drug addict.
"Maybe we could get together later. You are much more attractive than what the agency usually sends me." He announced. "And if you refuse me, I will make sure that Martha finds out all about you."
Suddenly Lionel was interrupted by a voice. "There is no need, Lionel. Lucy has already told me about her past and it means nothing to me. " Martha looked at Lionel, lifted up her hands and tore the contract right down the middle.
"And I have decided I do not want to work for someone who resorts to blackmail to get what he wants."
Martha left Lionel in complete shock, took hold of Lois's hand and led her to the car...