IDENTITY IMPACT

Metropolis, one week later

"Look, Jimmy, I believe you, I do," Lois was telling him, "but no one else will unless we get proof. Without a photo, this story is about as relevant as a five-part expose on the tooth fairy."

She was on a Blur hunt with Jimmy, not that he realized it. Last week, she would have been thrilled by the idea of finding the Blur. Now she was more excited about the chance to get away from her partner. When Clark said he would stick to her like glue, he wasn't kidding. Even when she was able to sneak away for a little freedom, he was like a bloodhound, showing up unexpectedly in all sorts of unusual places. After finding him standing outside the ladies' room, she decided it would be easier to tell him where she was going and so she did, inviting him everywhere. It hadn't lasted long.

"Clark, I'm going to the copier," Lois said as an experiment one day. "Want to come?" When he refused, she stayed seated at her desk.

"Clark, I'm going to sharpen my pencil, interested?" Lois asked wiggling her eyebrows.

He looked up, irritated, and she gave him a gloating look.

His eyebrows rose in challenge, "Sure, Lois, let's go sharpen some pencils together."

She heard sniggering from some of their co-workers and gave him a death glare. His face flushed, but he didn't back down.

Currently they were working under an uneasy truce. Lois promised to carry a charged cell phone with her and to tell Clark if she was leaving the building. He called her incessantly and she hung up on him regularly.

Tonight her reprieve was short-lived. She and Jimmy were on their way to have dinner with Chloe and Clark at a small restaurant across town.

Coming out of her musings, Lois realized that Jimmy was still talking while they walked, trying to convince her that his hero was real. Lois let him go on, but as they turned a corner, she stopped listening. Her nerves went to high alert as she anticipated the attack she knew was coming.

Clark would kill her if he knew she was purposefully walking into a robbery.

When the guy jumped out from the alley and demanded her purse, Lois struggled to keep it from him and take off his ski mask. She was able to fight off the robber and expose him in fairly short order.

"Jimmy, get a picture of his face!" she yelled. That's when the robber pushed her into the path of the oncoming car. As primed as she was, she barely felt the arms that grabbed her and placed her on the other side of the street. Not even a glimpse of a face.

Man, he's good.

Lois stood there heart racing and blood pumping, determined to learn all about the Blur this time. Nothing could stop her. She may have lost that hero worship when Oliver told her that Night killed the Blur but, with just a hint of his name, the excitement and the memories came back in full force. Now, the fascination seemed even stronger. After the bond they'd formed the first time, Lois was determined to find out who he was.

Trying to ignore the niggling feeling of guilt that came when she remember that her focus was supposed to be Clark, she looked across the street to see if Jimmy got the photo. He was staring at his camera while she stood there breathing heavily from the adrenaline and the excitement.

"Oh, my God," she heard him say. "It's him."

He got it.

Daily Planet, next day

Somehow, Lois wasn't surprised when she overheard Jimmy pitching the story to Clark the next morning. "Does this have front page written all over it, or what?" Jimmy was telling Clark as Lois stopped at the door of the dark room. She'd planned to ask Jimmy about his photo.

"Jimmy, there's no way that Tess is going to publish an out of focus photograph," Clark replied. "I wouldn't even bother showing her."

"Too late, caught her in the elevator and she seemed mighty interested," Jimmy said excitedly. "She even agreed to let you write the copy."

"Don't you think you should ask me if I was interested first?" Clark replied, sounding irritated and, if Lois didn't know better, a little frightened. Surely, Clark wasn't worried about looking foolish in front of Tess?

"Clark, I was doing you a favor," Jimmy said sincerely. "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."

Lois felt her heart constrict a little at that statement. She thought she'd given Jimmy and Clark a lot of story opportunities this time around. Did Clark resent her, too?

"I'd rather be stuck in Lois Lane's shadow than be in the spotlight for some make-believe story. Lois is where she is through hard-work and good instincts," Clark's indignant tone was enough to make Lois' heart swell. At least he wasn't feeling threatened by her.

Still, she was a bit disgruntled when she turned around and stomped back to her desk. Olsen was trying to keep her away from the Blur story, her story. She snorted.

Good luck with that.

When she checked her messages, she discovered that the guy who attacked her last night had been released on bond. Infuriated, she called Metropolis PD, again and was hung up on, again. You'd think they could keep a robber in custody the second time around.

"There she is, the legendary Lois Lane."

Lois slammed down the phone and turned to see Sebastian Kane. Finally, something and someone she remembered and, of course, he was one of the ones who'd tried to kill her. Why did she only remember those guys?

This time, Lois kept her hands busy when he introduced himself. Again, he tried to charm her with his story about having been a reporter in Iraq. In return, she told him a little about being an army brat, her mind churning with plans to stop the guy this time around.

"In that case, you know what it feels like to be the new kid," he said. "This is my first time in Metropolis. I still haven't quite gotten my bearings."

"You know what you need?" She offered, "Lois Lane's survival guide for the big city. I know all the tips and tricks."

"I got an idea," he said. "Why don't I take you out for dinner and you can share some of those secrets?"

"I'm busy tonight," Lois replied, trying to sound regretful when she was really trying to avoid getting killed, "but how about coffee tomorrow?"

"Uhm, sure," he said. "See you tomorrow."

Even with her memory of these events, Lois needed to review her flash drive at the farm. It contained the information she'd stolen from Lex about the meteor infected at Black Creek, along with their powers. Lois knew Sebastian Kane would be on it; he could read people's memories with a touch. That's how he'd learned she was on to him last time because Lois had foolishly let him read her palm. The problem was that she didn't know why he had been interested in her in the first place. Had someone hired him or was he working solo? All she knew was that Kane would have shot her if it hadn't been for the Blur.

Now she had even more secrets to protect and was less interested in Kane as a story and more concerned with him as a threat. Maybe she should reconsider and handle this sooner rather than later.

With that thought in mind, Lois caught Sebastian on the stairs and made arrangements to meet him that night.

At her desk, she picked up the phone. This time around, she was going to call in reinforcements.

Kent farm, that night

Lois could hear the door slam from upstairs, where she was putting on her earrings. What had happened? Clark never slammed the door unless he was upset.

Uh, oh.

She'd been hoping to avoid him all together. Last time around, she really thought she was going on a date and it'd been fun trying to make Clark squirm. This time, it felt wrong, even though they were still just friends. Somehow their friendship was more this time around and she knew better than to take it for granted.

Over the past few weeks, Lois abandoned her strike first plan when she realized that she couldn't simply push Clark where she wanted him to go. Like her, he had a tendency to push back or flee, and she couldn't risk losing her partner again. As much as she hated to admit it, she needed him. Even if he never committed to her, she needed to be there.

You can never leave him.

With those words echoing in her brain, Lois double-checked her reflection, wondering if the little red dress was too much. Last time, she'd worn it to distract Kane but it hadn't really worked. He'd still figured out her plan.

Snatching a more conservative skirt and blouse from the closet, she walked out into the hall toward the bathroom and ran head-on into Clark. While he managed to hang on to the laundry basket he was carrying, Lois dropped her clothes.

Shifting the basket so he could hold it in one arm, Clark bent down to retrieve the skirt and blouse. He was already out of his work clothes and in jeans and a gray t-shirt that Lois couldn't remember having seen before. His eyes, which met hers when he handed over her clothes, were now the light color of the shirt he wore. Her breath caught at the beautiful color. Man, he looked good in gray.

Clark had to clear his throat before she realized he was standing there impatiently with her clothes in his hands. It was when he handed them over that she noticed his expression; Clark's stress level was high.

What's going on now?

Thinking back on the day, it hit her that Clark hadn't called her more than two times today, a record low since he'd started watching out for the escaped jeweler.

"Where are you going dressed like that?" He demanded, irritation practically flashing in those beautiful gray-looking eyes.

"What's wrong with how I'm dressed?" Lois asked, annoyed by his tone. Clark had become far too dictatorial since the jeweler escaped. The guilt she was feeling about tonight's little escapade started to fade.

"Uhm, nothing," Clark's irritation diminished with her question and he looked flustered. "I just … where are you going?" He finished, face flushing.

"Actually, I'm going on a date," Lois told him, her reluctance to push receding at her partner's look, heart racing as she realized just how much she enjoyed making him all hot and bothered…

"A date?" Clark asked, hurt flashing through his eyes before he masked it.

"Yes, a date," Lois said stepping forward and looking directly at him. "When a guy likes a girl he asks her to go out, maybe dinner and movie..." Unable to resist, she smirked and put a teasing hand on his chest right above his heart.

Her fingers started to curl.

Clark swallowed and moved away from her hand. "I know what a date is."

"Right, that's why you're doing laundry tonight," Lois replied, looking pointedly at the basket in his hands and raising her brows.

"At least I know how to dress for a date," Clark muttered, moving to step around her.

"Excuse me, what did you say?" Lois asked, moving to block Clark's path. Teasing or not, she was not letting him get away with that.

"Nothing," Clark muttered again, putting his head down and stepping to the left to try to get around Lois.

Lois moved to her right and stepped in front of Clark again. "Well then, can you help a girl out?" She asked, turning her back to him. If he was going to make snide remarks, he deserved a little flustering. This had certainly done the trick before. Besides, that's what he got for moving away from her touch. "I need a zip."

Holding onto the forgotten skirt and blouse with one hand, she lifted her hair with the other. Her breathing stopped as she waited for the feel of his warm hands on her skin. When she felt the heat, followed by his smooth fingers as he slid the zipper up, she released her breath. However, instead of stopping, Clark's hands continued softly up her back to her shoulders and an involuntary shiver ran through her.

He hadn't done that before.

"Who is this guy?" He asked, his voice sounding low in Lois' ear as he rubbed her shoulders.

"New guy at the Planet," Lois replied, a little breathless. The urge to lean back against him was overwhelming.

"You're going out with someone you've never met before when the jeweler is on the loose?" Clark said incredulously, hands tightly squeezing her shoulders. "I don't think so."

Lois sighed and pulled away from his grip. Leave it to Clark to ruin the moment by arguing about her safety.

"Look, I'm meeting him at the Ace of Clubs and Detective Jones will be there," she replied, trying not to think about Clark's warm, strong hands as she turned to look at him.

"Why will J'onn be there?"

"Because we had plans for later, so he said he'd wait at the bar for me," Lois lied. "I thought you could use a break from babysitting."

Clark narrowed his eyes but when Lois continued to hold his gaze, his face relaxed a little.

"Actually, I do have a few things to do tonight," he told her, trying one more time to move around her to get down the stairs.

"I didn't realize laundry was such a priority," she teased, looking at the basket in his hands as she blocked his way one more time. She couldn't resist one last effort to lighten the mood.

When he rolled his eyes without a word, she stepped aside. Whatever was bothering him was serious if he wasn't taking the bait. When she finished her jewelry, Lois contemplated Clark's mood. What could be bothering him? For once, she didn't think it was about her because he'd actually agreed to let her go to the city and hadn't even given her grief about her date.

That last thought lingered depressingly as Lois left her room. Before she could reach the stairs, she heard voices. "Jimmy, I thought I told you I'm not interested in the byline for some make-believe story," Clark was back to sounding irritated.

Lois stopped. It sounded like Jimmy was still trying to pitch her story to Clark. She wasn't going to let that happen, but she stopped at the top of the stairs, wanting to be sure.

"You're going to change you tune once you see my research," Jimmy said. "I think the Good Samaritan started saving lives right here in Smallville."

"That's a pretty random leap." Clark said.

"Not really." Jimmy replied, and Lois heard him pause. "Teen Mysteriously Saved in Lake… Girl Rescued in Robbery… Freak Accident Saves Woman," Papers rustled and it sounded like Jimmy was reading headlines.

Chloe's stories?

"All those happened around the time that you and Chloe were in the ninth grade." Jimmy continued, confirming Lois' theory. Of course, Clark started helping people around that time …

"...all the people involved went to Smallville High," Jimmy continued. "Then right around the time you and Chloe graduated, these mysterious incidents, started …" Jimmy seemed to lose his train of thought. "They started popping up more often in Metropolis."

"What's your point?" Clark asked.

"I was just wondering if anyone at Smallville High stood out." Jimmy paused again. "You know, had hero potential."

For someone so convinced of his theory, Jimmy seemed to be awfully distracted. What was going on down there?

"No, not that I can think of," Clark told him. Then Lois caught her breath at Clark's next words. "Even if this guy does exist, don't you think it's his decision to go public?"

Lois didn't hear Jimmy's response because her head was spinning.

Could Clark be the Blur? No, it's not possible.

Oliver told her that Night killed the Blur. Why would he lie about that? And yet, in her gut, Lois was starting to believe Jimmy's theory. So much of it made sense- the powers, the isolation, the hero complex. At the thought, Lois had to grab the rail for support. For her, the implications were staggering.

She tried to focus.

"Be careful with that Jimmy, it's fragile." Clark's voice was raised in alarm. "Since when do you take such an interest in my family's photographs?"

Lois was trying to think through this latest surprise. What could Jimmy be looking for? Had this happened the first time around? How had she missed it? Suddenly, Lois had a vision of Clark carrying the laundry basket; it was overflowing with red and blue; was that what Jimmy was looking for?

Was Clark trying to hide it or get rid of it?

"Look, Jimmy, I've got a lot of work to do," Clark said and Lois heard the door open. "I've got to fix the tractor, so-"

"It's all so clear," Jimmy said quietly. "That's what's been going on between you and Chloe. She's known this whole time."

"Jimmy, you're not making any sense," Clark sounded desperate.

Problem was, for once, Jimmy was making perfect sense. Oliver told Lois that Chloe had known about Clark's abilities for a long time.

"No, it makes perfect sense," Jimmy said, vocalizing Lois' thoughts. "It's you, isn't it?"

Lois waited but there was no denial from Clark. The silence was like a confirmation. Why hadn't she seen it, especially after she learned about Clark's powers? Of course, Night always flew; she'd never seen him use super speed.

Well, there was one way Lois could find out- she had to look into Clark's eyes. She'd learned to read him better this time around. If he was the Blur, she'd see it there.

Walking as heavily down the stairs as she could, Lois continued to practically clomp into the kitchen so she would be heard. "Hey, Jimmy," she said. "What are you doing here?"

Ignoring his response, she looked into Clark's eyes and came to a complete stop, seeing in his expression all the confirmation she needed. He was trying to hide it but to her he looked completely panicked, almost sick with it. There was only one reason Clark would be so alarmed.

Clark Kent was the Blur.

Her thoughts in turmoil, Lois still tried to prevent her sharp intake of breath but couldn't keep completely quiet. Clark's eyes snapped to hers and she realized he'd heard her. The tension continued to build until Lois had to act.

She turned and grabbed the photo out of Jimmy's hand. "Is this your photo from last night?" She asked. "You never showed it to me."

"Uhm, yeah, Lois, and it's mine." Jimmy grabbed the photo back, very obviously staring at his photo and not at Clark.

"Kind of blurry, isn't it?" Lois asked, trying to distract the photographer. "Where's this hero?"

"What? Right there, Lois," was Jimmy's outraged rejoinder. He pointed to the red and blue. "He's just so fast that he's a blur on the photo."

"This is it?" Lois challenged. "I thought there'd be more, like- I don't know- a face?"

"Come on, Lois; this guy…" Jimmy looked toward Clark and gulped. "Uhm, he's really fast."

Lois scoffed. "So you're telling me that this person saved me and I didn't feel anything?"

"That's just how good he is," Jimmy responded, getting irritated and shoving the photo into Lois' hands. "You said we needed a photo. Here it is."

He happened to take his eyes off of Clark and the photo long enough to look at Lois this time. "Wow, you look great. Where you going all dressed up?"

Lois smiled weakly at Jimmy, glancing out of the corner of her eye toward the door. Clark was gone.

Ace of Clubs, same night

Lois spotted J'onn at one of the tables in the back and started to rapidly make her way toward him. The drive from the farm had calmed her somewhat but she was still reeling from the earlier revelation.

Clark Kent was- and had been- the Blur.

She was so distracted by the thoughts that she didn't notice Sebastian moving to intercept her until he was almost upon her.

"Lois, you made it," he remarked, turning to smile at her.

Lois returned the smile, turning her head to make sure that J'onn could see her. When Sebastian reached for her arm, Lois moved it to point to the Detective.

"I see a friend here that I need to talk to," she told the Sebastian. "Come with me and you can meet him," she smiled in what she hoped was an enticing manner. "All part of the tour I offer."

"Sure," Sebastian said, falling easily into step with her. "I really appreciate you doing this tonight." His eyes traveled her figure. "You look fabulous, by the way."

Lois smiled and smoothed down the front of her dress. "Thanks," she told him, moving around the crowd and dodging the hand that Kane extended in her direction.

When they reached the table, Lois made sure to stand on Sebastian's left. At J'onn's look, she reached out to touch Kane's left hand just as the Detective shook his right. It was her idea to momentarily short-circuit Sebastian's abilities by flooding him with more than one set of memories. She was hoping that J'onn's telepathic abilities would help as well, although she hadn't mentioned that part to her old ally.

There hadn't been time for that conversation.

When she actually made contact with Sebastian, Lois was hit with an unexpected, blinding pain. Her last thought was that she hoped this was worth it, and then she was lost to more memories of the future.

A thoroughly dispirited Lois sank down on the edge of the bed, pulling Oliver's silk sheet more tightly to wrap around her, her other hand rubbing the scars along the column of her throat.

It was over and, for the first time, she felt like the prisoner- or was it the prize- she was supposed to be.

Night was gone and Clark was truly lost. Failure was not supposed to be an option and yet here she was staring it in the face. It had been snatched away by the very man she was trying to save. Lois had seen awareness return to Night's eyes, watched as Clark's memories surfaced, and heard the primal cry wrenched from him when he remembered what he had done. Guilt had sent him right back to the Darkness.

If she'd only known ahead of time that she was getting close, she could have responded but everything happened so fast. In some ways, she was still shocked by what had brought him back to himself. All of her escape attempts, all of her yelling at him, talking to him, and none of that had worked. Instead, he had responded to something so simple… or maybe not so simple. Why? Did all creatures have but one basic desire, despite what the Darkness tried to twist and turn within them?

Lost in her own thoughts, Lois jumped when she heard her nickname.

"Lieutenant?" J'onn called from the balcony door. Lois found that she couldn't look in his direction. Night had flown out those doors just minutes ago.

When she heard J'onn move stealthily into the room, she finally looked up through her lashes, not bothering to hide the pain of her failure. After all, J'onn would see it in her thoughts soon enough.

"Lieuten - Lois, are you all right?"

In response Lois let the tears flow.

The feel of the hard floor as Lois dropped to her knees brought her back to awareness. Her heart was pounding furiously; she took a few deep breaths and waited until the hammering in her chest eased, while simultaneously looking for J'onn, who sitting at the booth with his eyes closed. When Lois tried to get up, she realized that Kane was sprawled in front of her, out cold.

Slowly she became aware that other patrons were around her asking questions. Ignoring them, she called out to Sebastian, gently slapping him in the face when there was no response. She felt for a pulse and found it, letting out a sigh of relief.

Her peripheral vision picked up J'onn's movement and she could see him reach for his pocket as she continued to call out to Kane.

"I've called 911," the Detective's voice whispered in her ear after a couple of minutes. "What happened?"

"I don't know," Lois told him, lowering her voice. "I think our plan worked but I didn't expect him to pass out."

While J'onn handled the bystanders, Lois continued to call Sebastian's name. After a few minutes, his head started moving. When he let out a small groan and opened his eyes, Lois removed her hands.

"Hey, Sebastian, are you all right?" Lois asked, relieved that he'd finally regained consciousness.

All she got was a blank look in response.