Chemistry
Chapter 2 Danger
Clark Kent – THERE IS A PRICE ON YOUR HEAD!
SHIT!
Clark Kent is not a coward. On the other hand, he is not a fool. He has 4 months left on his current assignment for his media outlet employer; he had volunteered to cover the conflict in Afghanistan and had mostly enjoyed (tolerated?) his time there. Yes, the living conditions were sometimes harsh, but bringing to light the conditions under which the average Afghan family lived had its own rewards. And he had won that personal award. He wasn't an award seeker, but he had to admit that beating out Lois Lane (she had won this award the 3 previous years) was a thing of beauty.
Lois Lane
Schickle's Creek
Sunday Picnic – DAMN
Back to the meeting Kent!
Major Morales goes on, "As you are aware Mr. Kent, the raw data is highly classified but I can share with you our conclusions that pertain to you personally. Your name popped up several times in contexts that almost always contain the name of a person the Taliban want captured or eliminated. We would rate the threat level to you as 9/10. Given that, we would recommend two options: 1) You should NOT go on any missions or excursions outside camp, or 2) you have your employer assign you elsewhere. We would recommend that the camp CO immediately implement #1 while you and your employer assess whether #2 is best for you and them. I believe you will find that the package in front of you contains a device that will assist you in your analysis of your situation and your options. Do you have any questions that I can answer?"
"No, I am sure that any questions I might have pertain to classified data which you cannot discuss. So, I will start working on this problem pronto. Thank you Major."
"You are welcome Mr. Kent."
Clark has 4 months left on his Afghanistan stint. He had already started looking at his options going forward. After the award he had just received, his in-box had been jammed with offers for his services. The gamut ranged from media outlets he knew about, to some he had never heard of. Salary packages at the larger employers were off the charts, compared to what he was currently making. He was not a highly materialistic person, but he wanted to be fairly compensated. And though not a prideful individual, his own assessment of his worth in the market-place had noticeably risen. How could it not have? Then there was that recent weekend.
He was going back to Smallville, KS to spend a little time with his mother, U. S. Senator Martha Kent. Lois Lane was going to Smallville for a big family birthday bash. Her rental car had suffered a lightning strike, disabling it. He had come along a little later, saw her hoofing it in the rain, gave her a ride and sparks flew. Well not that night, but increasingly as the weekend progressed. Now, since Lois was a senior member of the Daily Planet's reporting crew in Metropolis (a very highly respected member) he had a personal incentive to consider. However, in all fairness he needed to consider more options than just the Planet. How to do this? Let's take a look at that package sitting in front of him on the table.
Lois was relaxing at home after a rather slow day at the Planet. Even Jimmy Olsen hadn't been around to liven up the newsroom. His dad, owner of the Daily Planet, had sent him off on a wild goose chase after a story about moldy cheese provided to schools by the government for sack lunches for below poverty kids. Just the thing for Jimmy, but the newsroom was boring as hell. She had knocked off a half pint of strawberry ripple frozen yogurt, her go-to dessert, and was channel surfing w/o success.
Perry White and Mr. Olsen had honored her request for satellite phones for herself and Clark Kent. Hers was setting on the coffee table in front of her, turned on and waiting. Clark's had been sent to him 8 days ago. She knew it would take some time to actually reach him; devices had to be inspected and approved before being released to the intended recipient. She had no idea how long that would actually take.
Suddenly it rang; she really did fall off the couch!
Lois collected herself, sat back down and picked up the phone . . . now on its 3rd ring. "Hello, Clark?"
"Um, Lois, is that you, really?"
"In the flesh; well, fully clothed, babe."
"Damn, I was hoping . . . anyway it's great to hear your voice. I have really missed you sweetheart!"
"Same here 1-4-3!"
"1-4-3 . . . riddles now?"
"Figure it out, smarty pants."
"What is that, a password to continue the conversation?"
"Yup!"
"Come on, Lois!"
"Visualize those three special words every girl yearns to hear."
"Well . . . just a second . . . oh, really?"
"Really, 1-4-3! And XOXO!" Lois exclaims.
"1-4-3 and XOXO back at you!" Clark grins.
Lois inquires, "how have you been?"
"Pretty good; had a little skirmish on patrol. Got some minor facial cuts and a sprained ankle, all healed nicely. But I have a problem to solve, I need your help."
"Anything for you."
"It seems that my articles, which led to the award, have attracted unwanted attention from my non-fans here. I am probably going to cut my time short here and coming back to the States."
"Really? That is great news!"
"Absolutely. I wanted to give you a heads up. I'm going to try and buy out my remaining contract and start on my next one with my new employer. So, I hope to come stateside and do a tour of 2-3 options, ending in Metropolis. I hope to see you of course. I should be able to call you with details in 3-4 days. Do you have some time-off saved so we can get together?"
"Yes, I'll make it happen! How long will we have, together I mean?"
"Probably 2 days. Unless my time here is done, we shall see. I'll call as soon as I know specifics. I love you, Lois!"
"I love you too, Clark. Be safe, please!"
"Always, 1-4-3!"
"1-4-3!"
Clark talked to his employer and they came to an agreement wherein he could buy-out the remainder of his contract – amount and terms were acceptable to both sides. The arrangement would commence when he had his next contract signed and in-hand.
Next he arranged military transport stateside; he would fly commercial around to the cities he was going to visit. On his list were the New York Times, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Los Angeles Times and finally the Daily Planet in Metropolis. It looked like an exhausting tour; he would probably crash when he got to Metropolis, unless Lois had a magic potion. He thinks she probably does.
RING – satellite phone rings again in Lois' apartment.
"Hello, lover boy!"
"Hey, it's a good thing these phones can't be hacked, babe. I don't want the competition to learn just yet how hopeless their positions are."
"You mean you've decided?"
"Just between us – seriously, yes. But your lips must be sealed." Clark emphasizes.
"My lips are yours, babe!" Lois smirks.
"Ok, I will treat them with TLC, sweetheart."
"Counting on it."
"So, I will email you my itinerary. I have stops in NYC, Chicago, LA then Metropolis. I plan to arrive in Metropolis a week from next Thursday evening. I have a meeting already set up on Friday with Perry White and Mr. Olsen. I am OK with you attending that Friday meeting if you want to. You will need to ask Perry for permission though. I have not arranged a return trip as it looks like my time here is done. That should be clear by the time I have that meeting with the Planet. Can you do me a favor?"
"Sure, what?" Lois asks.
"Can you find me a nice 4* hotel to stay at?"
Lois pouts, "I was hoping you would stay here with me."
He can hear disappointment in her voice.
"I would love to; I hope you know that. But if anyone gets wind of that, they will know that my other stops were just for show. I don't want to operate like that, even though the reality was that. Can you live with that?"
"If I have to." He can hear her pout. "I do understand, and I'll give you a chance to make it up to me."
"I'll do my best."
"I'm looking forward to it, lover boy."
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