Chapter 36
"Lois, I've got a lead on a story and I thought you could go with me. You could use your military ID to get me on the base."
"Sure, Chlo. It sounds like it could be fun. But, can we stop for breakfast somewhere along the way? I'm starving! We're out of cold cereal. I really miss Clark this morning."
"I planned on going to my apartment to change. We could get a coffee and a muffin at the Talon."
"Great. I'll be ready in a few minutes."
An
hour later--
"You live over a coffee shop? Why did I not know this?"
"You do know it—you just don't remember." They both laughed. They were still punchy from staying up late watching movies and talking the previous night.
"Why don't you go upstairs and get changed and I'll wait for our coffees."
"Sure you'll be alright?"
"Yeah, there's only one apartment at the top of the stairs—pretty hard to get lost."
"Okay. I'll leave the door open for you."
A short time later, Lois collected their orders and headed for the stairs. At the foot of the stairs Lex Luthor stood, dressed in his signature purple shirt and black long coat.
"It seems the muffin peddler has been promoted to farmer's wife. I suppose congratulations are in order—it is a step up, after all."
Lois didn't know why what he said had rankled her so much, she didn't even know what he meant, but before she could stop herself she replied, "What's wrong, TrustFund, are you jealous that another man could have a relationship with a woman based on love, without having to rely on money and trickery?"
"Is that what you have? A relationship based on love? I guess Clark's love knows no bounds. Just a few months ago, Clark kidnapped my fiancé and claimed to love her—or have you forgotten?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about. I—"
"Lois, what's keeping you?" Chloe interrupted them just in time. "Hello Lex, Please excuse us, we have an appointment." Chloe lied as she dragged Lois out of the Talon.
"Don't listen to him. He's a bitter, twisted man."
"I know, Chloe. I know. I don't even know why I reacted to him the way that I did. He called me a muffin peddler and I just snapped. I don't even know what he means."
"Maybe your feelings about things are coming back before your memories. Whatever is happening, let's try to sort it out on the road. We've got a drive ahead of us."
Several hours later
They arrived at the military base and were admitted without incident. Chloe was expected--the lead that Chloe was chasing had been a ruse to get Lois to agree to come along. When she had cooked up this idea, she didn't know that Clark would be half way across the globe on a mission with Oliver and the rest of the Super-crew. Lois was ready to agree to go anywhere just to get out of the house.
"Lois, do you want to come in with me for the interview?"
"Sure, why not?" She shrugged and followed Chloe into a green building where a guard escorted them to a tidy office.
"Please be seated. He'll be with you shortly." Said the guard and he exited.
A few moments passed. The office smelled of cigars and leather. Something about it struck Lois as familiar.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Came the gruff voice of the man they came to visit.
Chloe stood up to greet him. "Hello Uncle."
"Hello Chloe, Lo"
"Hi daddy." She replied automatically. As soon as she saw her father, all of Lois memories came flooding back instantly. She reeled and pitched before falling over.
"Catch her—she's going down." Was the last thing she heard as she fainted into her fathers' arms.
