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Three of the quartet were seated in a green padded booth while Steve Lombard returned with three lagers and a martini. He set the collection of drinks on the edge of the table, joining several other glasses already on the wooden surface from the previous three rounds and handed the odd one out to Cat before passing the other two onto the new partners. He took a large swig of his own pint and slammed it back onto the table spilling some of the golden liquid. Clark sipped his beer in a slightly more reserved manner, knowing that the alcohol wouldn't affect him but he could see it was already taking its toll on his human workmates. Cat was slurring, Steve was somehow louder than before and Lois was getting more brash by the second, currently winking at a set of college boys from Met Uni. "Thanks for these Steve, you really don't have to buy a forth round for us. I'm more than happy to get the next lot in," he offered.
"Don't worry about it my son," Steve bellowed, rolling around in his seat. "This is your first day on the job celebration so you can't buy any drinks. And I can't let the ladies buy any for themselves as a gentleman. It's my pleasure."
"Jesus Smallville," Lois butted in, returning from eye flirting with the frat members, "it's easy to tell you come from the hick town of manners. No one from Metropolis ever thanks anyone for anything."
"Nor do they ever give anyone anything," Cat continued, pointing at Steve. "It's lucky Lombard here is from Minnesota or I would be dry at the waterhole. Thanks for that Steven, for tonight and every time before that."
"I think that's the first time you've ever thanked me Cat," Steve joked. "Must be Clark's influence. I think you're the part our little group has always been missing."
"How can you know that, you've only known me a day," Clark replied lightly, enjoying the taste of his lager.
"I don't know," he replied flippantly, "it seems like someone has been writing about us for decades."
"Yeah it's about time they finally brought in a man at the office," Cat smirked, drawing a cry of mock hurt from Steve. "Wouldn't you agree Lois?"
"I don't know about that," Lois grinned, giving Clark an evil, cheeky look. A pregnant moment allowed the mild mannered reporter to remember all the things she had seen during her time at the Kent Farm: from his rumblings over Lana to embarrassing photos to awkward situations including their first ever meeting. Don't think of Clark jr Lois... "But it is nice to see you out of plaid for once, you must be lost without it."
"I don't know about that Lois since half of my shirts seemed to go missing after you left," Clark fired back.
Lois dipped her head slightly and went a tad red as the rest of the table laughed. "Didn't know you were into farm boys Lane," Lombard roared, slamming his fist on the table and taking another large swig.
"Don't laugh too hard, no of us want to bring up your leather days do they Steve?" Cat reminded, bringing the muscular man to an abrupt stop.
"Remember how the boots used to squeak whenever he walked, so we knew when he was coming?"Lois dug further.
"And the ridiculous way he swung his jacket whenever he took it off?"
"And when he tore a massive hole on his arse while showing off how many lunges he could do?" The girls broke into hysterics and clinked their glasses together. Clark gave into a brief chuckle, enjoying the atmosphere of his colleagues.
Steve smiled grimly before clearing his throat. "All that aside, I think we're forgetting the real reason we're here. A toast: to Clark Kent, newest member of the Daily Planet is ever likely to see!"
The group raised their glasses and brought them together before draining them of the remaining liquid. "Let's celebrate further with tequila shots," Lois burst out, starting to slide from the booth.
"Oh no," Cat placed her hand on the brunette's thigh and stopped her in her tracks," that only leads to Christmas Party Lois and I'm not cleaning that up again. Plus it's only a Monday night and I could really do without a hang over tomorrow."
"Fair point Kitty Kat, I don't think my wallet can take another hit anyhow," Steve said standing.
"Don't call me that," Cat warned. "Let's make a move. See you tomorrow."
"Yeah, see you then," Clark bid farewell to the pair, who left arm in arm. "I'll walk you home Lois, I need to speak to Chloe anyway."
Thanks Clark. Still a step down from last night- even you have no chance of beating Superman," she nudged him as they left the bar.
"I bet so," Clark laughed at the irony more than anything. He noticed Lois shivered in the cold and immediately removed his suit jacket. "Here take this."
"Thank you," Lois replied, taking the coat and wrapping it around her, "You know, you're no where near as annoying as a remember."
"Thanks? You're slightly more tolerable yourself Lois," Clark smirked.
"Hey, watch it. I can still kick your ass," Lois threatened lightly with a smile on her face. "And just for the record, I never stole any of your plaid."
"Oh sure, just like you never liked Shelby at all," Clark teased.
"Don't make me bring up things of the past you hope to remain dead and buried."
"Not like CHloe's eighteenth birthday party then?" Clark pushed even further but stopping after seeing the look in his partner's eyes. It was one he had feared all through high school and it brought back memories of their spats in the barn. Instead of driving Lois up the wall even more, he decided on a different tact. "What do you think of Superman?" he asked out of curiosity.
Lois' whole figure changed, somehow raising and brightening herself. "You did read my article right?"
"Yeah, it was brilliant. But that was for everyone to read. What about the opinion you've carefully tucked away?" Clark delved deeper.
"He's incredible. What he's sacrificed in order to give it all to the citizens of Metropolis is amazing," Lois swooned.
"Most people seem to think he's some kind of threat to us," Clark said, as they walked around the corner onto her block.
"Do you agree with them?"
"I don't know what to think, he's only been around for a couple of days. I guess I, and the people of Metropolis, need more time to figure it out."
"Well I don't. He's a force for good, I'm certain of it," Lois stated firmly.
"How can you be so sure Lois?" Clark asked, ecstatic for alter ego.
"His eyes. Their honest; the most honest I've ever seen."
Clark rubbed the right-side frame of his glasses nervously and looked away. "I didn't know you were such a romantic Lois."
"There's a lot you don't know about me Mr Kent," Lois dodged the bullet- not willing to reveal something so personal like her relationship with Superman to someone she had just got to know again.
"I'm sure I'm going to find that more often than not Mis Lane," Clark replied as they entered the building and made their way up to her floor in the lift.
xxXxx
Oliver felt bad about how he had ended up making out with Chloe as Green Arrow but he couldn't stop himself. Every time he pulled away to apologise or sort out the situation, she tugged at him harder. It wasn't as if he wanted to because it took everything just to attempt to break from her. He had never experienced anything like her; kissing her was the best feeling in the world. In all honesty, it was indescribable. Sure it's messy but it's easily the best I've ever had. Their limbs were tangled and all caution was thrown to the wind as they attacked each other in a romantic duel. Her scent blossomed in his nostrils as he ran his gloved hand through her hair and he struggled with the amount of skin he had access to. He ached for more but he had already stumbled into a situation by even starting to have feelings for her, let alone this. Despite that, he had never felt more passionate with anyone.
What are you doing Chloe? The blonde pushed up on the body that was filling a hunger she didn't know existed and before he could comment, rolled around so she was on top. Despite how screwed up the situation was, their was nothing she could do to prevent herself from continuing. It seemed as though she was releasing something she had kept hidden away when longing after Clark and exploring with Jimmy. His lip broke away from hers and before she could protest he was attached once again to the curve of her, making his way down to her defined collarbones. I never do anything like this. Lois is always saying I should grab the next hunky guy that comes into my life but I always refuse as it's definitely something I don't do. If only she could see me now!
Chloe laughed again as the Green Arrow rolled again and in doing so slipped off the side of the couch, crashing into the the coffee table. CHloe froze, pulling away from her hero and sitting bolt upright. "Are you ok?" asked a concerned Emerald Archer, who had still managed to land below the petite blonde with his legs remaining on the sofa.
"I'm fine but I think my cousin's about to join us and there's all kind of things wrong with that," Chloe ushered urgently. I didn't mean it when I said Lois should see me... The pair rushed to unpick themselves from each other and the Green Arrow gathered up all his equipment before perching on the windowsill and firing off a zip line. He turned back to an uncharacteristically flustered Chloe who had joined him at the opening. "Are our rendezvouses always going to end like this?"
"Just go!" Chloe replied, a humorous smile on her face as she half pushed him from the ledge. She watched as he flew across to the next rooftop but was jolted from the rose tinted scene as she heard the key in the door. She span around and sprinted towards the sofa before flinging herself onto the couch, dragging her laptop off the ground as the door opened.
"I told you I could open the door Smallville. You need to take the rod out of your ass because I'm completely sober," ranted Lois as the pair came through the door. Clark held up three fingers and mouthed 'three times' from behind her back to Chloe. "Hey cuz, you alright?"
"Yeah I'm great," Chloe breathed, trying not to look as flustered as she felt. "Just typing up my Oliver Queen interview.
"How did that go?" asked Lois as she struggled with the zipper of her boots. "I'm guessing you didn't drag him back for a night of hot love making?" Clark coughed lightly and bent down to help Lois as Chloe blushed.
"Not exactly," Chloe spoke quietly, thinking of the previous fifteen minutes with Green Arrow. "I did get good stuff from him though."
"I bet you did," Lois leered jokingly, finally free from her shoes. "Jesus Chloe, what happened in here?"
Clark finally surveyed the room, having had his eyes on Lois. The wind cut through the room through the open, previously shattered and blew about some of the papers lying around. Cushions were spread around the room as were coffee beans that surrounded a now lukewarm mug of coffee. The sofa and the adjacent were askew and one of Chloe's bracelets lay on the floor, casualty of the Modern Day Robin Hood. "Chloe i looks like you've been burgled, are you ok?" He asked, turning to finally look at his best friend. "Chloe, you look like you've been attacked, what happened here?"He rushed over to her but she moved away.
"I'm fine," she insisted, trying to settle her hair down as it was mussed up from having leather gloves run through it.
"You look sexed up cuz," laughed Lois, looking around, "and very well judging by the state of this place."
"I was frustrated, the words weren't coming to me," Chloe feebly excused, shocked at how poor the lie was after all the years of covering for Clark.
"I smell a rat. You never run out of words when you write- it's why you're one of the best. But I'll let it go for now as I'm dying to get to sleep."
"I'm sure you'll be on the scent soon, Mad Dog Lane," Chloe smirked.
"Night Chloe. I'm ignoring that for the sake of my bed. See you in the morning Kent," Lois wished them goodnight, slamming her door in a Lane like manner.
"I'll help you tidy up," Clark offered, picking up a couple of papers and placing them on the table.
"Thanks, how was your first day?" Asked Chloe straightening the table.
"I got kicked out of a Luthor Press Conference; wrote an article with the one and only Lois Lane and then had to escort her home from drinks with colleagues," Clark recounted, pouring away the coffee.
Chloe hid her wince and smiled at her best friend: "sounds like an average day at the Daily Planet. Here's to forty more years until retirement and death."
"Nicely put," Clark laughed, checking Lois was well out of hearing range before continuing. "How was Kara?"
Chloe burst into a fit of laughter as she slipped her bracelet back on. "She was great. Got a lot to learn but then again she hasn't had the same two decades worth of Earth time that you had. I think we'll get along."
"I'm glad Chloe, she's been alone for so long," Clark said, a hint of sadness in his voice.
"She's got us now and when she gets back from the rainforest or Africa, wherever she decided to go, well introduce her to the rest of the gang and find her a place to call home," Chloe offered. She was looking forward to adding another member to their little family of friends.
"Sounds good. I was hoping you would set her up with some identification. I'd rather not go to the Luthors like my parents did, especially with you on speed dial."
"Already on it. Should be finished in the in the next couple of days," Chloe confirmed.
"Thanks Chloe, you truly are the best," Clark said, giving the petite blonde a hug. "Get some sleep, I don't want to have to replace your blood with caffeine."
"That's definitely we need to get on that, soon," Chloe started, mildly joking bit also slightly praying for it to happen one day. She was about to go into it further when she saw the look on the reporter's face. "What's wrong?"
"Explosion at a bank on fifth. I've gotta go," Clark informed her, speeding off, leaving a pile of clothes at the blonde's feet.
"See you later Supes," Chloe bid farewell as she picked up the offending articles and took them in her room so Lois wouldn't find them before crashing onto her bed.
xxXxx
Superman arrived at the scene to a bizarre sight. The homeless people of Metropolis and the odd person out at such a late hour were darting about snatching at the air. Dollar bills poured out of the vault and through the open bank onto the street. This is odd. Scanning the area with his X-ray vision, the Man of Steel couldn't see any criminals packing bills into bags nor any injured victims from the explosion. Aside from those desperate people grabbing as many bits of paper as they could, the place was empty. The Last Son of Krypton swooped down to the metal vault door, which had clearly been blown off its hinges. It was an easy fix, all Superman had to do was weld the metal back onto the frame with his heat vision. It was too easy and he knew there was something wrong.
Superman stepped out from the bank to see that while the homeless people had scattered , they had been replaced by various members of the press. How did they get here so quick?
Metropolis' Marvel walked through the crowd, not taking off into the air so that he didn't scare the group surrounding him. Questions shot at him left and right. Why didn't you take the money? What do you think you'll achieve by becoming this vigilante? Do you realise you could become the most famous person on the planet. What is your reaction to people wanting to worship you as a god? Why don't you rule the world with your powers? Where were you for disasters before now? Why are you even here?
Superman had had enough. He rose ten feet, causing the crowd to jump back in fright. "I don't want money or fame or world domination. I just want to help people," he told the bustling reporters. As he soared over the city, Clark thought over what had just happened.
That was far too convenient, too choreographed. Someone wanted to see what I would do with the temptations of my powers. Someone wanted to test Superman...
xxXxx
Author's note: Hey everyone, I'm back from the USA! What a country that is, I can't wait to go back. It's good to be back in England where the weather is bad and we drive on the left haha. I wrote this chapter on a pad of paper in airports, on planes, in the car and in the middle of Death Valley so it's been quite the task. Still enjoyable but I'm sorry for the delays. I hope this bit of Clois and Chlollie help :)
Next chapter is a big 'un as its starts a new day, Metallo rises and we see the fallout for all our couples. Actually, being realistic and knowing the type of writer I am, it's unlikely to all be in that chapter but hey, what can you do?
On to the best people of all: reviewers. Thank you so much to you guys for the support and it really helps me to write and improve My prose. Anyway, thanks to twoandtwo for my single review this week. I hope you enjoy the Chlollie in this chapter as they finally take that large step and there's even more to come very soon. Unfortunately not the same for Clark and Lois but Superman should get the pleasure of her company some time soon. I also hope the bar scene fills the persona thirst a tad, even if it might be a little OCC. Thank you once again, I hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks once again guys for your patience and for your support. Every review, follow, favourite and view motivates me to continue. Cheers!