Lois headed back home. So much for clearing her mind, it had just become foggier than ever and if she did not calm down she would go into meltdown.
Things got worse when Jessie, one of her friends at the Planet rang her and told her what was happening. Lois was devastated.
Clark arrived at work late that morning to an empty desk. Lois must be out on a story. He looked over to see Randall approaching him.
"Kent, can you get down the City Hall, the Major is going to be making a speech about the new deficit." Randall ordered.
"Sure, I'm on my way. Will Lois be joining me there?" Clark asked in the hope he would get a chance to do damage control.
"She's gone away for 3 weeks." Randall looked surprised that Clark did not know.
"Where, when?" Clark walked off to the elevator and went to see Tess.
He knocked on the office door and was summoned in.
"Tess, where is Lois?"
"Oh, you two have had a lovers spat have you? "
Clark was annoyed. "We are not a couple but I am just shocked she did not tell me she was going away."
"She has gone to stay with her sister in Europe I believe"
"Was she upset, did she give any indication as to why she was taking time off all of a sudden."
"What have you done to her Clark? No seriously she did not seem upset when she rang and asked for the time off. But it could have something to do with you and Mindy."
"There is no me and Mindy? There never will be." Clark explained.
"Well, Clark. The office gossip has a different opinion. The story is that you two spent the night together. And before you even think about going to see her...don't. Her father is on the war path. Stay as far away from her as possible."
"Why is she making it up?" Clark asked.
"She has not said you slept together, but she is not denying it either. Look for what's its worth, I know that you are telling the truth. I would just let things cool down for a while." Tess remarked.
"I'm not taking relationship advice off you, Tess."
Clark left the office and headed to the City Hall. He wanted to find Mindy but it would only inflame things.
Things would settle in a few days... he was so wrong.
Two weeks passed and Lois was still away in Europe. She was refusing to return all calls and even Lois had even kept Chloe was in radio silence.
Clark went to ISIS to see Chloe.
"Chloe, you must have heard by now. It's been over two weeks. I hate not being able to talk to her." Clark sounded desperate.
"Clark, I've heard as much as you. When Lois doesn't want to be found, there isn't much you can do."
"I could go and find her."
"And what would that achieve except let Lois in on your secret?"
"I just need to talk to her, Chloe. We parted on bad terms."
"When you do see Lois, tell her how you feel. I don't think I can hear much more wallowing in self pity from you. It was bad when Lana left but nothing compared to this."
"We are friends, nothing else"
"Why do you keep trying to convince yourself of that. We both know there is more to it than that!"
Clark got all defensive. "god, you imagining things too." He left.
Clark arrived at the office. From the moment he walked in the building, he felt everyone's eyes bearing into him.
What the hell, he thought to himself, but then convinced himself he was being paranoid.
He approached his desk and could not believe the sight that greeted him – there was a pack of pacifiers, a baby gro and a teddy bear.
He looked around to see everyone in small groups huddled around their desks looking and pointing at him.
Just as he was about to ask, Randall shouted across. "Ms Mercer wants to see you."
He headed up to her office and just burst in...
"Tess, what is it now." He asked impatiently.
"Congratulations!" Tess applauded him.
"What is going on? I arrive to loads of baby things on my desk." Clark snapped.
"Gossip again, I am afraid." Tess smiled. "Apparently now you are going to be a father. Mindy is allegedly pregnant with your child."
Clark's face dropped. "And you believe it."
"Well this actually came straight from her. She said you had a one night stand and that you fathered her child."
"What is her problem? All this just because I rejected her."
"So Clark what affect will your alien heritage have on the baby." Tess said trying to wind him up.
Clark was mad, but decided to calm down and not let Tess get to him. "None, since I'm not the father of the baby. Is that all, Tess?"
Clark walked out of the office and zoomed over to ISIS. Chloe smiled as he sped in.
"What now, Clark?"
"Mindy has told everyone I have got her pregnant." Clark was panicked.
"She does really have a screw loose, doesn't she. What are you going to do about it?"
"I honestly don't know Chloe. I need to talk to her and out if she really is pregnant."
"She may have fallen pregnant and is using you to cover for the real father." Chloe stated
Clark looked at Chloe. "I think you may be on to something but why use me."
"That's what we need to find out. I will do some digging on our super stalker." Chloe replied.
"Well don't take too long, Chloe. Lois gets back in a week and I don't want her to come face to face with these revelations." Clark explained.
"Give me 24 hrs..."
Clark entered the room. "Hey, Jimmy."
Jimmy: "C.K., Have I been dying to talk to you."
Clark looked anxious "You said it was urgent. Is this something about Lois?"
Jimmy shook his head, "No sorry CK, but I have a picture that could change our careers. Once you see this picture that I took last night, your life will never be the same. You might want to sit down. "
Clark looked at the blown up picture, knowing full well what it showed "What am I looking at?"
"Well, it's a - it's a person."
Clark just gave him a look.
Jimmy smiled, "Well, he's just moving so fast that he's out of focus."
"Jimmy, it looks like a, um... it looks like a reflection in the lens to me. Maybe there was a police car driving by with red-and-blue lights.
"Don't you think that I would have seen it"
"Well, it's not a person. They can't move that fast. It's not possible." Clark tried to convince Jimmy.
" A few years ago, I would have agreed with you. But you have to admit, we both have seen our fair share of the bizarre and unexplained."
"Does this have "front page" written all over it or what?" Jimmy said excitedly.
"Jimmy, there's no way that Tess is gonna publish an out-of-focus photograph. I wouldn't even bother showing her."
"Too late -caught her in the elevator, and she seemed mighty interested. She even agreed to let you write the copy."
"Jimmy, don't you think you should have asked me if I was interested first?"
Jimmy couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Clark, I was doing you a favor. I mean, this is a huge story. Look, I've been stuck in Lois' shadow ever since I landed at The Planet, and I'm pretty sure the same is true for you. It's time that we made names for ourselves."
Jimmy, I'd rather be stuck in Lois Lane's shadow than - than be in the spotlight for some make-believe story. "
"Well, if you want to continue to be stuck in Lois's shadow I would show some interest in this story. Lois definitely is.
Clark realised what Jimmy had said. "Jimmy, do you mean that you know where Lois is? Have you spoken to her."
"She rang to speak to Chloe the other day but I answered and I told her all about this."
"Why didn't you tell me this" Clark asked.
"She asked me not to Clark"
"Is she coming back?" Clark needed to know
"She landed about an hour ago and said she was heading straight back to Smallville. I have to go and break the news about her being homeless."
Jimmy was about to leave when Clark placed a hand on his shoulder and stopped him. "Please, Jimmy. Can I go and meet her?"
"To be honest CK, you would be doing me a favour. Since Chloe moves in today to my apartment I want to make her dinner."
Clark smiled. "Thanks Jimmy."
"One thing, CK. Please just kiss her and get over with."
"Not you too, Jimmy." Clark actually managed a smile.
Clark was going to superspeed to Smallville but with his cover almost blown, he had to play it careful. He had to sort out Jimmy's photo exclusive, but he needed to talk to Lois first.
Lois must have got out of customs really quickly because as he pulled up in town she saw her having an argument with what looked like a workman outside the Talon.
He pulled up outside and got out.
Lois was shouting at the poor man, "I want to see your papers, what right do you have to put me on the streets."
Clark interrupted. "Lois..."
Lois gave him the annoyed look, "Smallville, maybe you can tell me what is going on?"
He smiled at the workman and grabbed Lois and guided her in the truck.
"Lois, calm down. I'll explain."
Clark got in the driver's seat and started up the truck.
"Where are we going?" Lois demanded.
"We're going back to the Farm. You can stay there until the Talon is finished."
"Finished?"
"Yeah, there was a flood and loads of water damage. Chloe tried to phone you and let you know but you didn't answer. Chloe is staying Jimmy in Metropolis"
"I don't think staying with you is such a good idea...what would your girlfriend say..."
Clark slammed on the breaks. "Lois, I don't have a girlfriend..."
"you know, the mother of your child..." Lois burst into tears.
Those words made Clark shudder. What should he do? Lois obviously believed the rumour and why wouldn't she . He refused to tell her where he was that night.
She was sobbing. He wanted to hold her but knew she would push him away. She always did, but he had to do something.
"Lois, look at me..." Clark put his hand on her cheek and started to wipe away the tears. She turned to him. Her guard was down, her barriers no longer protecting her emotions.
"Clark, I can't do this anymore. I can't bear to see you with someone else." She moved her face towards his.
"I'm not with anyone else. Mindy is lying." Clark pleaded with her to listen.
"Well where were you that night?" Lois asked.
"I cannot tell you Lois, I'm sorry. But I was not with Mindy. There is only one person I want and that is..."
Lois sat up as though she had snapped out of a trance. "Clark, can we just get back to the Farm. I need sleep."
Clark was upset. "Lois, please..."
"Just drive, Clark."
Clark and Lois sat in silence for the remainder of the journey back to the Farm.
When they arrived at the Farm, Clark automatically went round to open the door for Lois, but she was already out by the time he got round.
He went to grab her bags, "Let me help you with them."
"I'll be fine." She replied snatching them back out of his hand, then walking into the house.
He followed her into the kitchen. "Can I get you something to eat or drink?" he asked
"I'm going straight to bed for a few hours. Don't bother cooking me dinner. I have arranged to meet Jimmy in town to discuss the 'red and blue blur'"
"The what?" Clark looked puzzled.
"That's the name Jimmy has given to the mystery superhero." Lois said dreamily. She had not met the RBB but the thought of him made her excited.
Clark was amazed by Lois's transformation in mood at the very mention of the RBB. Did she have a thing for him even though she had never met him.
"Lois, you don't even know him, or even if he exists."
"Oh he exists alright. Who do you think has been saving me and other people for the past 4 years. I worked out it must have been him all along. He is like my guardian angel"
"Even if he does exist, he obviously doesn't want to be identified." Clark remarked.
"He's just shy, but not obviously too shy since he kissed me in that alley."
Clark gulped. She had worked out that it was RBB who kissed her in the alley.
"You told me mean that person that kissed you in the alley. You told me that was Green Arrow."
Lois realised she had almost betrayed Ollie's secret to Clark. But she also realised that Ollie must know how who the RBB was.
"Look Clark, I have to go to Metropolis."
"What about you being tired?"
"well, you know nothing will keep Mad Dog Lane from getting her story."
Clark knew exactly where Lois was heading, but decided not to warn Ollie. He trusted him to keep his secret.
Later she headed towards the Queen penthouse. She got in the lift and went up to the top floor.
"Hey Lo, to what do I owe this pleasure." Ollie shouted over from his desk.
" I need some info for one of my stories."
"Oh, shoot..." Ollie smiled.
"Look, I'll get to the point – do you know who the Red and Blue Blur is?"
"Who?"
Lois looked at him. "You know this new superhero supposedly prowling the streets of Metropolis. Jimmy has a photo of him in action and he thinks he may be closing in on his identity."
Oliver decided he needed to act. "Look, Lois. You are one of my best friends and that is why I am telling you this."
Lois's ears pricked up. "Go on..."
"Right, I do know the Blur but I will give you a piece of advice. He likes to work from the shadows. If you out him, his life could be at risk and he may have to leave the city. If you have any respect for him, let this story drop. Please..."
Lois was taken aback by Oliver's speech. "Can you tell me anything about him if I promise to keep it off the record."
"No sorry, I'm not willing to cross that line."
Lois started to get upset. This story was keeping her mind off the problems with Clark and now it looked like she was going to have to give it up.
Oliver walked across to her and hugged her. "What's up Lois?"
She looked up at his smiling face. He bent down to kiss her. He still loved her and now she knew his identity, maybe they could try again.
Lois froze, then leapt back. "Ollie, I can't.. There is someone else."
Ollie was shocked. "Sorry Lois, I should not have assumed. All I can say is that he must be one lucky guy." Oliver had been out of the country on business and had no idea of the unfolding situation between Lois and Clark.
"I cannot be with him anyway, so it doesn't matter." Lois's devastation showed on her face.
"He is with someone else, or at least he was with her long enough to get her pregnant." She continued.
"Oh, I see." Oliver did not know what to say. This man must have been a fool to turn Lois down.
"He denies it. I thought he was a good, honest and straightfoward. But I have got to accept that maybe I have never known the real Clark Kent."
"Lois, you mean plaid wearing, tractor driving Clark?" Oliver asked in shock.
"Well, which other one do you know?"
"You have feelings for Clark?"
"Yes, I know... its hard to believe isn't it?"
"No, not really but what is hard to believe is that Clark got another woman pregnant.
What proof do you have?"
"Well, Mindy has been telling everyone and he won't tell me where he was one night a few weeks ago, the one he allegedly spent with her."
"Oh I see. Maybe he was busy somewhere on a highly secret story and he doesn't want to tell you about it. I will just say one thing on the matter – Clark IS a good guy."