Author's Notes: Multiverse! First written in 2011, this next chapter will continue their lives at the Daily Planet. They hope to move past what happened between them the night before. Read the first chapter to get caught up. This update came about by a recent article by DC Comics as they find insane ways to weaken our hero. You can read about it online at their website; search Red-K. Keep reading.

~o~o~

Chapter 2: Hidden Secrets

In the elevator, they sipped their coffee and tried to remove the memory of the prior evening which stunned both their minds.

Clark had a question. "You can tell me the truth. What's the real reason you tried to poison me with red-K?" She ignored him. "Lois, are you going to answer me?"

Sipping coffee, she sighed and turned to face him. "I already told you why I did it. Don't you believe me?"

"You told me that you believed that we were in a rut, but there's more. Now tell me the real reason."

Before she could answer him, the elevator dinged and they stepped off and headed to their private office. Now inside, they both booted up their computers, but emails from their boss and that took time to answer him.

"Okay, now we can talk," Clark began. "Tell me."

Feeling restless, she stood up and walked. "I found out recently that red-K is far more dangerous than what we first thought. Lex Luthor is behind spreading this account and I wanted to 'test' it out; that's all."

Clark felt stunned. "Lex Luthor is spreading this but where? I haven't seen anything in the news."

"No, it's not in the news, but as you know he's always looking for ways to harm you and he told me in a recent interview. He promised not to tell anyone else, but he knows Superman and I are close."

He also stood up and came closer. "I see, but tell me exactly what he said about the red-K."

She hated this. "He told me that if you inhale it as a mist, you could become… invisible, but there are other ways it could affect you."

"There's more?"

"Yes, there's more," she replied.

He needed to sit down, now on the sofa, she joined him.

She took his hand. "I knew that if you were affected by the red-K if you were near to me, only behave badly, being turned on, to love me the way you wanted, and that was all."

"Lois, you do know red-K affects me in different ways, not only that."

"Yes, that's true but you hadn't inhaled it, and I knew you would be excited and entirely sexy and you didn't disappoint."

He tried to smile. "Yes, it was enjoyable."

"We both did. But these new ways to hurt you, it's something Lex would want to use against you." She paused. "Please be careful."

He pulled her close to his side. "I'm always careful."

"I know, but Lex cannot be trusted to keep his word. He could spread this new variant of red-K and criminals out there want you gone, hurt or even kill you."

He pulled her closer. "Please don't worry. I have to wonder if your father knows about this variant."

She pulled away. "I have no idea; I'll call him." She pulled out her cellphone and made the call. "Dad, are you busy, I have a question."

"Hello, Lo, how are you? What is it; I have a few minutes," Sam replied.

"I'm doing fine, but have you heard of a new red-K variant out in the open or anything like that?"

"No, I haven't heard anything about red-K. What is this about?"

"I spoke to Superman and he's extremely concerned that this red-K variant could be released among the populous and he's worried."

'Oh, I see, well, I'll keep in touch if I hear anything," he said.

"Thanks, Dad; I'll call you later." She hung up.

"It's Lex we need to worry about, not your father."

"Yes, that is true." She needed to check this out. "We should search the Internet."

They got back to work. No word of the variant at all. "This doesn't mean that it's out there somewhere." Clark still felt worried.

"Let us get back to work. The staff meeting is in ten minutes."

After the staff meeting, their assignment is to interview Lex again.

She sighed. "Of course, Lex again. Perry did hint about Lex in the email earlier today."

"Yes, but this could be a good idea." He called on the office line to set up an appointment for later today.

"I'm not looking forward to it. Interviews with Lex are boring talking about his business dealings and new properties he bought." Lois is not interested in meeting with him.

"In your prior interview, how did the issue with red-K come up?"

"Oh, the usual but Superman is brought up meaning he still wants him gone from this planet and I listened to him ramble on, then red-K came up."

"Did he say where he heard about it?"

"The military, but that makes no sense, my father said…" She hesitated.

"He lied to you," Clark concluded.

"No, he wouldn't do that," she said but he did lie. "He lied to me."

"I'm sorry honey. Your father cannot be trusted, especially about Superman." He had more thoughts. "I wonder if they're both working together; it wouldn't surprise me."

"He still hates you. I cannot believe this."

"Honey, he doesn't know about my secret identity."

"Yes, I know, but maybe it's time he knew the truth?" She looked at his face and he didn't like that idea.

"No, no, he cannot know the truth about me at least for now."

A minute later, the door opened and Perry poked his head in. "Hey, anything new about the assignment?"

"We have an appointment for later today," Clark replied.

"That's great. Okay, I'll leave you to plan questions for him. I wouldn't mind seeing the list."

That's unusual, Clark thought. "There may not be time to do that."

"That's fine; I'll talk to you both later." He left.

"What was that about?" Lois asked confused.

Clark shook his head also confused. "I have no idea."

"Okay, let us compile questions for him. It won't take long."

~o~o~

Later that day, it was time for the meeting and they made it in time. They stepped off the elevator onto the penthouse suite and Lex is there holding out his hand.

"Welcome you two. It's nice to see you again," Lex said. They both shook his hand. He escorted them inside and everyone took a seat.

"How can I help you?" Lex asked.

Clark spoke up. "When did you decide to tell my partner, Ms. Lane, about red-K and how it affects… Superman?"

"Well, that's a loaded question. Ms. Lane is 'close' to Superman, as everyone knows, especially after his debut over a year ago, and she would relay this information to Superman."

"But where did you get this information?" Lois asked.

"That's top secret; do you have this clearance?" Lex asked.

"No, but I gather you have this clearance?" Clark asked.

"Yes, I do; you see, I work for the government on issues that concern this country and how to protect it from 'foreign' adversaries."

"Foreign adversaries? But I gather that included Superman?" Clark asked.

"Yes, he is an adversary, would you agree?" Lex asked.

"No, he's not an adversary; he's a hero, no one else stands against him," Lois replied.

Lex shrugged. "You see, that's exactly the problem. He's above us, reining over us like some kind of god. He's not a hero; he's a menace and he should leave us alone; we don't need him," Lex said.

"Of course, we need him; he saves lives every day," Lois said.

"This country is hundreds of years old; we were fine without him for a long time. As I said, we don't need him," Lex said then he stood up ending the meeting.

Lois and Clark both stood up.

Lois left one parting shot. "You think you're above him in every way, but you're not. Look up and he may save you or he won't. Have a wonderful day."

Clark smiled as they left his office.

~o~o~

In the elevator leaving Luthor Tower, Lois was still worried about Lex and his hatred of Superman. He pulled her close to him. "Are you okay?"

"I don't believe him; he'll never change."

"No, he won't change but are you truly surprised how much he hates him?"

She sighed and pulled away. "I guess you're thinking of Smallville and how you two were close at one time?"

"Yeah, it doesn't surprise me, but I thought he would remember me."

"Does he know who you are or not?"

"I think he knows but he has forgotten or maybe he has some form of amnesia?" He was thinking of the past.

"Yes, amnesia does make sense," she said.

They left the elevator and called a taxi. While heading back to the office, Lois is worried. "I'm still thinking of my father and how he lied about the red-K."

"I could confront him in my red and blue and ask him to tell me the truth."

Lois thought about it. "Do you think that's wise? I mean, he knows you as Clark Kent, but he doesn't know the truth. It's too dangerous."

"In Smallville, I remember all those questions about me before we became engaged, but only wanted to protect you from bad men." He chuckled thinking about it.

"Yes, I remember but it became clear how much I wanted and needed you."

Still in the cab, he pulled her close and kissed her temple. "Yes, he came around finally."

"I feel bad because I should have invited him to the wedding."

"Honey, our first wedding turned into a disaster and we were married a year later and Lucy and your father came to the 'second' wedding."

"Yes, they did come."

~o~o~

Now back inside their private office, they tried to put together an article for the evening edition but the meeting didn't hold anything they could print.

Head in her hands, Lois is stumped, nothing was coming to her. She sighed. "Do you have anything?"

"Nope, nothing." He replied.

"Wait, there was a small amount of his hatred of you but we could turn it around to a soundbite. I did record it."

"Let me hear it," he said.

She pulled out her recording device of Lex speaking of his hatred of Superman.

"Yes, I hear you about turning it around, but is that legal?"

She thought about it. "No, not really, but I could be wrong."

He sighed. "We can't print it or even release it at all." He was thinking. "Wait a minute, we could cut it and release only portions of it like when he said he's a menace to everyone. We know it's not true, and knowing Lex, everyone would hate him the same as us."

Her eyes brightened. "I see where you're going with this. We want everyone to hate Lex and he could become one of those celebrities who are canceled and hated on the Internet."

"Exactly and this will not help his reputation; it's not that good."

Now she had second thoughts. "I don't know about this. As you said, his reputation is not good, but he could sue the Planet for slander or defamation or something."

He thought about it. "We should show it to Perry and let him decide; he could check with the lawyers for any problems."

"We can do that, but he could hate it or let it fly; he's the boss."

They headed to Perry's office and he's not busy. "Perry, we have a question; it's about Luthor," Lois began.

Intrigued, he sat up straight. "Go on."

They explained about the interview with Luthor and how it didn't go well. She played the audio recording. After it ended, Lois explained what they wanted to do with the recording.

Perry is thinking; he stood up and walked. "You may have something there. Superman is a good person and a hero, but Luthor has this idea that he's a menace but we all know that's not true. Edit it and let me listen to those changes and I'll decide."

"Thanks, Perry." Clark said.

They left his office and Jimmy helped them change the recording to make Luthor sound like a hater and nothing more, but they left out the red-K variant questions.

Perry approved it and they ran the recording on the Planet's website that same day but not YouTube, but it didn't take long before it went viral all over the Internet.

Later that day, Lex listened to it and he's furious, but he can't litigate because it's his voice and it's all true. Now he would have to wait before he announced his ultimate goal to run for President of the United States.

Lois and Clark dodged a bullet.

~o~o~

It's dinnertime and they're home in their apartment. Still newlyweds, they ate take-out which happens often but Clark only wanted to eat and rest after multiple rescues.

Now eating at the dinner table, they talked about their day meaning the Planet and their stories or one story in particular.

After eating, now on the sofa, they pulled out their cellphones and of course the Luthor soundbite was all over the Internet and comments are not agreeing with Luthor, his hatred of Superman appeared intolerable and unreasonable.

"Yes, we knew this would happen and I could not be happier," Lois said.

"Yeah, me neither, but it could backfire on us."

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Lois, there are always haters out there who thinks an alien among us is not a good solution to their problems, especially one who could kill them with a look."

"Clark, you're not a crazed maniac out to kill us. You're kind, sweet, and a good person."

'Thanks for saying that, but there's always hate in the world, and why not me?"

"No, that's not true. I remember when we first met, you weren't yourself but you never gave me an idea that you should be feared not once. In all our years of getting to know each other as friends, and when you finally told me who you were, I felt overjoyed because I already knew the truth."

He smiled remembering. "Yeah you did and I can't thank you enough how much I enjoyed finally telling you the truth."

"I love you, Clark, and that will never change."

"I love you too." He kissed her deeply; she kissed him back. After a few minutes of kissing, he at once stood up and held out his hand. She took it.

Now in the bedroom, getting undressed, and underneath the covers, they kissed again never tiring of it. They stopped for a minute, as her eyes roamed over his face admiring him.

"You truly have no idea how handsome you are; do you?" She smiled.

"No, I don't think about it."

"You are very handsome and I remember when I first saw you in the suit flying, it truly turned me on."

He leaned over and kissed her cheek and went lower. She leaned back to give him access.

"Oh yes," she managed to say.

Soon kisses were not enough, and still kissing, they managed to undress quickly. In bed touching hip to thigh, kissing, and caressing in such a way that brought forth sighs and moans and loving words of togetherness. They both wanted those thoughts of the future and what that could mean.

He stopped and rested his forehead against hers.

"Lois, have to say it."

She touched his lips. "I know; there's no need to say it again."

"Wanted to…," he began but she stopped him with a kiss. Soon, though, kissing brought on thoughts of wanting to do it all night and forever came to mind. After a minute, he stopped and asked an important question. "Do you still have protection?" He asked and waited.

"You're joking right? Clark, we talked about making babies and we're not ready for that. Come here; need you to kiss me right now."

"Yes, Madam," he replied and leaned over and kissed her repeatedly. She returned his kisses with equal intensity. Clark always wanted someone who would love me as I am, only as I am; he felt blessed they found each other.

"I need you, Lois. You are my pleasure, my pain, and my endless desire. I can't get enough of you, and I don't want to." Then he kissed her passionately, his hand cupping the back of her head pulling her closer. He loved kissing her, as much as the act of love itself. To prove his love and to thank her for believing in him, he began to explore her body in ways that Lois was beginning to think she was going to die of pure pleasure. It became too much.

Lois held up her arms and then he pulled her tightly against him, kissing and caressing every part of her luscious body that his lips and hands could reach. "You're so lovely; you take my breath away." Clark whispered hoarsely against her ear while caressing her breast, as he kissed his way down her throat, kissed and stroked her nipples, and then he touched her there where she was so warm and ready for him. He kissed his way down her torso, and then his searching mouth was there between her thighs, as a jolt of desire shot clear to her toes, the feeling so strong it made her gasp, and he slid one long finger inside, marveling how hot and wet she was. She pushed against his hand. "Oh, Clark … oh!"

She tasted like heaven to him as he thought just a few more minutes, and then it happened. Lois shuddered with release but Clark would not relent until she was utterly and completely spent. He finally raised his head and smiled at her teasing eyes. "Two can play, you know," and then he pulled her close and kissed her sweet mouth and he moved on top of her careful to hold himself up and he was deep inside of her warm body and tried to exert some control. "Yes, Clark, don't stop, please," she begged, as she lifted her hips to fully accommodate him. He pushed deeper and she wrapped her arms and legs around him aching for him to give it to her.

Clark moved faster and faster and then he finally surrendered to any conscious thought and gave in to the woman of his heart, the love of his life. She clung to him acting out of instinct, love and their mutual need for each other, as they both climbed higher and higher to reach that peak, and then Clark felt Lois come and then he held her close and shuddered with the spasms of life-giving release.

Sated at last, he withdrew from her, kissed her thoroughly, and lay with his head against her chest listening to her heartbeat. Finally able to speak he whispered, "I love you."

"I love you too," she said as she stroked his hair thinking about her love hurt and me unable to help him. She pushed those disturbing thoughts aside and tried to rest.

TBC!

~o~o~

Song Inspiration: The Thing About Love, Alicia Keys.

A/N: This isn't the story I wanted to continue, but after finding out that DC Comics had produced a red-K variant to hurt Superman in several unspeakable ways, I decided to continue this one. I hope you enjoyed this second chapter. Come back next week for more.