Chapter Nine Part One- A Night in the City:

Clark stared out at the emptiness of space with his gripping a tattered metallic box that housed the stone he had received from Dr. Swan, which was now missing.

The list of suspects was futile to make, since almost anyone close to him or knew people close to him were on that list…including Lois, no matter how much he tried to deny the fact that she could've been responsible for its disappearance when he hasn't seen her in weeks following its disappearance.

'That's just crazy talk, Kent' the little voice inside his head retorts back at the idea of Lois ever betraying him, which was unlikely since no one knew about the stone's delivery into his hands except for Dr. Swan, Dr. Crosby, and Patricia Swan. All unlikely suspects.

It appeared to him that whoever had the stone now possessed the knowledge it entailed and the power hidden within, the fear of knowing that the stone could be in the wrong hands sent a cold shiver down his spine.

Metropolitan Theatre

Lois was dressed in an elegant evening gown, her hair was in a neatly combed bun that made her look less out of place amongst the rich and powerful that surrounded her.

"Relax, Lo." Richard says handing her a small glass of champagne with a cheerful smile on his face as he was dressed in a black tie tuxedo that also made him blend in with all the rest of the others, "Paula wanted us to cover this event so we could learn more about the business then getting people's coffee and writing the obituaries."

She nodded and sipped her glass, "I promised Chloe and Clark that I'd come down to visit them, I haven't seen them since Chloe's birthday party." she spoke unaware to the strange look that had crossed her partner's face at the mention of Clark.

"I know they're important to you, but its time to make a name for yourself and you cant do that back in Smallville."

Lois looked up at him and smiled, "Your right. If I want to be a great reporter then I have to be willing to make sacrifices."

Out of the corner of her eye, Lois could see Lex standing in the upper level drinking from his champagne flute with his eyes trailing over the entire lower level with a predatory glint in his eyes.

His eyes landed on the young woman wearing a red dress and sporting a seductive smile when their eyes meet, Lex leaves his champagne glass on the railing and soon follows the girl with a more lustful look in his eyes.

"You'd think that being raised by a man whose had more mistresses then wives would've made Lex Luthor more caring about the women he takes to bed." Lois nods towards the bald billionaire who was currently getting into the elevator with the woman in the red dress.

Richard cant help but laugh, "You'll learn very quickly that the longer you stay in the city, the more you start to view the world in a different light. The Luthor's are no exception to what goes on in this city." he finishes off his drink and sets it on the nearest table before turning back to Lois saying, "What do you say that we get out of here? I know this great place that serves the best sandwiches in town."

She thinks about the offer for a few seconds, "I think that I'll just head on home, I've got some last minute work to finish." she gives him a quick pat on the back with a small smile, "I'll see you at the Planet?"

Richard watches as she walks off towards the entrance, a small glimpse of want appeared behind those piercing blue eyes that were quickly masked by something else when he took another glass from a passing waiter and downed it quickly allowing the burning alcohol to sooth his inner desires.

Metropolitan Grand Hotel

An open bottle of champagne chills on the table with two nearly empty glass by its side, the condensation begins to slowly fall down the bottle causing a ring to form around it.

A red dress is laid out across the small armchair with pieces of a tuxedo skewered across the room towards the bed where Lex and the woman were in a passionate embrace with one another.

They spend hours tumbling around in the sheets until finally the lovers find some much needed rest after a night of passion that joined all the other one night stands that filled the void of loneliness in Lex's life.

After succumbing to the night, the door slowly creaked open with a shadowy figure moving quietly towards their goal.

The blade in the figures hand glistened in the moon as the figure lurched over the unsuspecting victim, a gloved hand covered the victim's mouth causing the screams to become muffled when the blade was raised high before striking down upon the body with brutality and viciousness.

Blood had turned the sheets red, the figure took seconds to admire their work before leaving the room almost quietly as before.

The body of the young woman wouldn't be discovered until much earlier in the morning by housekeeping with Lex Luthor still in bed completely oblivious to his deceased lover.

"Billionaire Lex Luthor was released today on five million dollars bail. But we're told he is still the only suspect in the grisly slaying early this morning of a young woman whose body has not yet been identified. The police investigation is still underway and no further evidence has been brought forward that would indicate Luthor's innocence."

Lois stared at the television still stunned about the news that seemed to appear on almost every news station like CNN, FOX NEWS, WGBS, and other local news broadcasters.

The only sound that seemed to knock the young reporter out of this shocked haze was when Good Ol' Boys (the theme from Dukes of Hazzard) began to play on her phone while flashing the name 'Clark' several times before she finally answered, "I really don't have time to chit chat right now Clark, I've got to get to the Daily Planet before rush hour hits."

"Have you seen the news?" Clark asks while dodging oncoming cars as he crossed the busy streets of Metropolis, "I mean of course you have, its on every news station from here to Gotham City." he takes in a shaky breath, "I was just wondering if you have any news about what's been going on?"

Lois shakes her head negatively while she sipped from her mug, "I wont know anything until I get to the Planet and by time I get there, Detective Sawyer will probably want to speak with me and Richard."

Clark stops immediately, "Why would Sawyer want to talk to you and Richard?"

"Because Richard and I were at there last night on assignment, they'll just ask us what we saw and then Sawyer will say that she'll be in touch then she'll give us her card if we ever think of anything else."

The little green monster that was jealousy begins to slowly creep its way into Clark's system, "You didn't tell me that you and Richard were going to the theatre together."

Lois just smirks at the tone in his voice, "I left a couple minutes after Lex disappeared with that girl, I had some last minute obituaries to finish…" she stares down at the surveillance photos taken of Belle Reeve inmates being taken away, "Besides, you know that nothing would ever happen between me and Richard that would change the way I feel about you."

"I don't think he knows that."

Letting out a frustrated sigh, "Can we have this conversation when one of your friends isn't being investigated for murder?" she looks over at the clock, "I've got to go or else Paula's gonna blow a gasket and send me further down into the basement."

Clark shakes his head negatively, "Try not to get in too much trouble, I cant always be there to bail you out."

A small smile appears on her face, "You know me, Smallville. I always stay out of trouble."

"I'll believe that when I see it…Goodbye, Lo."

A soft click is heard on the other line leaving Lois to flip her phone shut with a solemn look on her face, "Goodbye Clark."

TBC…

This chapter is gonna kind of show us the Lois we all know and love, I didn't know how to end this part but I thought I was pretty good and I managed to give out hints of what Lois is working on and trust me when I say that she goes more in depth as the chapter progresses.

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