I Won't Lose Tomorrow

Chapter Three: Lois Lane and The Daily Planet

"….Your bottle, your toys, diapers, some food. Am I forgetting anything?" Clark asked to the boy strapped into a sturdy, steel stroller as he packed his baby bag.

The boy threw a lazy fist in his direction.

Clark had learned over the next week there were few things more distracting than a baby.

He had barely left his apartment since bringing Conner back home from his parents. Leading most of Metropolis to assume he had gone to space once again.

Conner had seemingly adjusted to being outside his pod. Within days, the toddler had learned how to crawl, scoot, and stand on his two feet. He was still babbling for the most part but Clark was certain he would speak any day now considering his progress so far.

He had probably spent an hour the other day arguing with Bruce that Conner's had purposely said, 'gubbins' in reference to the idiotic character on a bright children's show he was watching, instead of a release of gas that Bruce claimed it was.

What did he know? His boy was a genius.

He had taken the week of work to get Conner adjusted to the new place, spending up his remaining sick days in the process. Perry had been adamant he had to come in when he had called his morning. He was prepared to drop off Conner at his parents when they mentioned they had an earlier commitment. He had gotten similar answers when he had asked other league members due to the short notice of the request.

That left Clark with no other choice to bring Conner to Daily Planet. He had wanted to talk to Lois first about this situation. The reporter had only returned yesterday after a month abroad doing a story on Markovia. But it seemed it wasn't in the cards.

He had promised himself, he wouldn't be a coward when it came to Lois this time around. This seemed to be the universe's first test.

Making one last inventory check, Clark was certain he hadn't forgotten anything.

"I think we're all ready, Conner." Clark said. He threw the baby bag over his shoulder, grabbed the stroller and started off on his journey.

Lois wondered how a whole country was unable to make a decent cup of coffee. But Markovia managed to do it. The country had pretty much exclusively been a tea only place. And it didn't matter if it was green, red or iced, the reporter couldn't stand tea.

Making her way to the Daily Planet's coffee pot. She gulped the terrible, liquid with gusto. Lombard had probably made this particular pot. His coffee was an office abomination but to her taste buds it didn't matter. It was better than the hot leaf juice she had been drinking.

"Where's Smallville?" She asked as she down on her cubicle. She had a souvenir she wanted to give him to show no hard feelings on the the fact she had won the trip to Markovia over him. But she hadn't managed to see him.

"He's been out all week. Family emergency, I heard." Cat Grant, the office gossip told her over the wall they shared.

"Family emergency?" She repeated. Lois hoped the elderly Kents were okay. They were the nicest people she had ever met. Ma Kent had once spent her weekend visiting her son, taking care of her when she was down with the Flu while Pa Kent was the epitome of gentleman. They still sent her a care package once in a while.

Steve Lombard, the sports reporter who was getting himself a second cup, added. "Don't worry. He's coming. Old Steve here heard White tell him he used up all his sick days."

The elevator opened with a loud ding. And Lois peered over her tiny square to see the top of Clark's head just slightly above the maze of cubicles. She waved and he waved as well, a sheepish expression on his face.

"Oh my god," Cat squealed before running towards the reporter. Several others did the same including Steve, Ron Troupe, Jimmy and even their editor Perry White. Lois was mildly put out. She had been gone for a month and she had gotten a weak hello from everyone else. Smallville was gone a week and had gotten a ticker tape parade.

"What's going on here?' She asked. Grabbing her present, she made her way through the crowd that was forming around the farm boy turned reporter. She let out a small gasp when she did.

What she previously couldn't see with her obstructed view was the dark haired, blue eyed toddler that was strapped into the stroller he was holding.

"Hi Lois," he greeted.

"Smallville, who is that?" she asked pointing sharply at the small boy. A dark rage started forming in her chest.

"This is my son, Conner."

"This is my son, Conner," he said as the crowd of reporters formed around him.

"He's so cute," Cat gushed. Kneeling to eye level with the toddler, she said. "I'm your Auntie Cat, meow." Conner made a strangled attempt at mimicking the sound that turned into, "mwom." The Gossip reporter clapped her hands and unstrapped him from his seat, lifting him up into her arms. Conner mildly surprised at the sudden movement quickly adjusted to the contact and placed his head on her chest.

"You mean you're not gay?" Steve asked. Ron elbowed him in the chest at the remark and he quickly corrected himself, "I-I mean, who's the mom?"

"Yeah, Smallville," Lois said with uncharacteristic coldness. Her lips had formed a tight line. She was obviously displeased that he had not given her the heads up like he thought. She had made no attempt to get closer to the child and was managing a safe distance away from him. "Who is she?"

"She's a girl I had a date with a while back," Clark lied. "She ran out on him and left him on my doorstep a few days ago."

"So he might not even be yours?" Lois asked sharply. Her hands had fallen to her hips and she was analyzing the infant for any signs of a possible alternate father.

"He's mine," he said firmly. He had promised himself he would never deny Conner again. For a moment the reporter looked devastated before a mask of impassiveness covered her.

"Yeah. Don't be silly!" Cat said. "He's a little clone of you, Clark."

Clark gave her an embarrassed laugh. "He really is."

"It's just I never would have thought of you to have a baby mama, Kent," Steve said as the toddler slipped "I'm your Uncle Steve." Conner, the toddler gave the sports reporter a look of disdain that Clark had only seen on his older self whenever he looked at Lagoon Boy.

"He's really cute, CK," Jimmy said.

"Yeah, yeah, babies are adorable," Perry said. Conner had managed to slip into his arms while Jimmy spoke. "But we're a newspaper. Everyone get back to work."

Baby fever had finally worn off and the crowd around him had dispersed. Perry had handed the child back to Clark and headed back to her own office. Lois glared at him as walked back to her cubicle.

Clark sighed as he knelt down to strap Conner back to his stroller once more. The baby clapping once he was safely reseated. He had come back to save everyone and have a second chance with the love of his life.

This was looking to be a great start to the latter.

End Chapter

NOTICE!: I also took up the YJ anon meme prompt: What if Superman liked Superboy and the league didn't in my newest fic, The Boy of The Silvery Moon. Please give it some attention. My friend Tawananna gave me permission to take up the challenge too.

I also revised version of My Father's Son

I'll be switching updates between my four fics.