Confluent

by Jack-El49

Clark and Lois are the rock-steady power couple of the comic book universe. But both traveled very different paths that shaped them, helped define their hopes and dreams of finding love, and brought them into each other's arms. In three parts, Confluent tells their stories from a different perspective before and after they met, beginning with their teenage years.

38. Part Three, Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Metropolis

February 4, 2021

Once Maggie Sawyer had sealed the envelope in an evidence bag, Lois and Clark escorted her in the elevator to the ground floor.

"I'll be in touch," she said as she headed toward the visitors parking in the garage. Once she left the building, Lois mashed the button for the top floor and the elevator doors closed.

"We need to work on a plan," Clark said.

"That's not all we need to work on, buddy," she replied. "First things first. We're going to reach an understanding first, then we're going to update Perry, and then we'll work on the plan." Clark said nothing.

They rode silently in the elevator to the top floor. They both stepped out into the dimly lit floor that was nothing but a repository for excess and broken furniture, outdated electronics, and leftover supplies for equipment that was no longer in use. Clark scanned the floor to be sure they were alone.

As soon as they knew they were alone, Lois wheeled around. "Okay, we need to talk this out because I know you're angry with me, and it kills me when you are, and things get like this. We agreed to be honest with each other about things and that there would be no more secrets between us. So, maybe this isn't a secret, but whatever is bugging you about me is causing a problem. So, what's got you so upset? Is it because I want to make decisions for myself or my comment that I don't need your approval?"

Clark remained calm. "It's neither. Lois, you ask for my opinion and unless it's the answer you want, you just dismiss my concerns as though they're not worth considering. It leaves me wondering if you really want my thoughts or just want me to agree with yours?" He paused and before she could reply, he continued. "You know, if we disagree on where we should go for lunch, that's one thing. But if we're discussing you inviting a man who forced himself on you back into your orbit, I have a strong opinion on the matter. You told me that it was the worst moment in your life and yet you're ready to open the door to him. I think it's a big mistake."

"But I'm not inviting him back into my orbit, Clark. And that's not the real issue." Lois softened her tone. "The real issue is one of two things. Either you're insecure that I'll get cozy with Lex, which is ridiculous, by the way, or it's because I've decided to step in the lion's den to get a story and that I don't want you trying to wrap me in some protective bubble wrap." She cocked her head and raised an eyebrow. "Well, which is it?"

Clark suppressed a smile. "The first thing is ridiculous, Lois. I don't worry about you getting cozy with Lex. Do I think that he might view your reaching out to him as a gesture that you're over being angry with him and act on that presumption?" He paused and nodded. "Maybe a little."

"I'm a big girl, Clark. I can take care of myself, and I am fully aware of what Lex may think if I contact him. I am also capable of backing him off, just like I did on New Year's Eve." She paused. "So, it's not about me making my own decisions and rejecting your attempts to protect me from everything? Because if that's the issue, we need to get it resolved right now because I can't live like that, Clark; it's not me. I'm an investigative reporter and that's what I need to do and what I want to do, and I can't do it wrapped in bubble wrap. It would be like me telling you not to care about people."

Clark frowned a bit and then his face softened. He reached down and picked her up and Lois let out a squeak. He carried her to a nearby surplus desk, blew the dust from it, and sat her down on it. "I'm not trying put you in bubble wrap, but I do want to protect you." He scooted onto the corner to get closer to her, putting his arm behind her. "Lois, I've spent most of my life hoping to find someone special that I could trust unequivocally with the truth about me and the basis of the advice I get from that person. I worried about finding someone who wants me for who I am, not what I can do. But over time, I've come to realize that I need someone who is more than just a companion who will be by my side."

He took one of her hands in his and looked into her eyes. "This is more than just keeping you safe from harm because of how I feel about you, this is me protecting the one person that can be more than just a companion. I've come to realize that this is what that special connection we have is all about, Lois."

A lump formed in her throat. "So, you know why we have a special connection? I'd love to hear it because honestly, I can't figure it out. Is it infatuation, is it love, are we soulmates, am I destined to be your nemesis, or is it something else?" Lois eyes grew watery. "I hate that I can't explain it, or put my finger on what it really is, or what is behind this compelling feeling that we should be together. I'm feeling it right now. You had relationships with Lana or Lori. Didn't you have a special connection with them?"

"No. I had a regular bond with both of them. Those relationships started as friendships and became a romantic relationship. That was how we connected. But they weren't special connections, Lois, not like ours. I fell in love with Lana the instant I saw her when I was 13 years old and that was clearly infatuation. Once I got older, we began to date and that infatuation grew into love. The truth is that I still love her, but just as an old friend."

He paused, wondering whether to tell Lois everything about Lori but quickly decided that was something for another day. "Lori was the first relationship I had on an adult level with a girl. She was the first, and as you know, the only girl I made love with until you. The relationship I had with Lori was deep, but she did not draw me to her. Lori was different and a little mysterious. She was criticized by a lot of the men at the college because she was aloof, and she kept to herself. That made her seem more mature, and in that respect, she was very different from the other freshmen girls. And because she kept to herself, I felt the secret about my heritage was safer being with her. That aloofness was the bedrock of our relationship and while I was devastated when she was gone, I never felt that I could not become whatever it was that I was supposed to become simply because she was not in my life."

Lois interrupted. "But you were connected closely enough for you to trust her with the truth about yourself."

"I probably would have done that at some point because we were on a trajectory that would soon lead to having a physical relationship and it was either to tell her the truth or break up. But the truth is that I had to tell her because I had to use my powers to save her. There was an incident with an out-of-control truck on an icy road and I used my powers to keep her from being run over. Of course, once I did it, she knew immediately I wasn't a normal person." He paused and thought again about revealing Lori's secret but decided against it. "In the end, I never regretted telling her and she took my secret with her.

"But even as loving as both of those girls were, I never felt anything like an invisible force moving me in ways to be with them or them to be with me. I've only experienced that feeling with you and my gut tells me that I will have that connection with no one but you. The very instant our eyes met I felt it, and I knew that you alone were different from others. What I didn't know at the time was how you were different and why it mattered. But subconsciously I knew that fate would make you a part of my life in some way, either good or bad." He reached out and pushed a strand of hair from her face and wiped a tear that had formed in the corner of her eye. "At the time, I wasn't certain in what way that would be. And to be honest, there was a point in time that I thought you would be my adversary, forcing me to react to whatever you were doing, and in the process, driving me to be different."

"I guess I know when that was," she whispered hoarsely. "So, you believe that I must be with you and you must be with me. I sort of know that now. But if you even have an inkling of why we have to be together, I'd love to hear it

"Lois, I've realized that inexplicable force between us is more than attraction, infatuation, or even love. It's 'need'. I need you in my life. I cannot explain exactly why you need me," Clark said with a grin, "but I know I need to have you by my side. And the reason why has become obvious. Lois, it's clear that I'm not like anyone else. The universe knows that I need someone to be my back-up, my confidante, my partner, my lover, my comforter, my most ardent cheerleader, and my most honest critic. I need you to be all those things because I've realized that I can't become what I'm destined to become if I cannot be connected to humanity. And you are that connection. If you aren't in my life, I'll never be connected to humanity and I'll fail to be what I'm destined to become."

Lois took a deep breath and gently let it out. "Well, that's about the most knee-weakening thing you've ever said to me, Smallville," she said, trying to fight back tears, "Or that anyone has ever said for that matter. And I told you that I felt something very different that moment our eyes met at the Christmas party, too." A tear streaked down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away. "I just don't know why that feeling should have to make me change the way I approach my job." She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "It doesn't mean that I don't care what you have to say. It's that I am trying to understand why I, versus anyone else in the world, am so special that you feel the need to guard me like a hawk." Lois paused and then quickly added, "Or to understand why you're so important to me that I should ignore my instincts and heed your advice."

Clark had a strained expression. "The universe is telling us something, Lois, and we need to listen. It is telling me that without you to connect me with humanity, I could end up as some isolated alien being with superhuman powers lording over humanity. Call it fate, call it divine intervention, call it whatever. But it tells me that you are the one person to help me become what I'm destined to be.

"My biological parents in Krypton feared that I could grow resentful of humans, living among them but alone and never being seen as a part of them. Without you, I risk becoming isolated, separate, alone, and without a life like the rest of the inhabitants of Earth." He paused and Lois said nothing, hanging on each word. "With the powers I have, growing bitter and resentful of humanity could mean the end of humanity."

"And I believe that same power is telling you that you're destined to be the one who keeps me connected to humanity. Lois, you said that you don't know what our special connection means. But what if it is to be the part of my life that shows me the joys of living everyday life as a human? You're my lifeline to humanity, helping me to learn how best to help others. I don't want to be the Blur pretending to be Clark, I want to be Clark who can protect and save humanity as the Blur."

"Superman," Lois interjected.

"Yes, Superman," he acknowledged. "Once I reveal myself, being my connection to humanity is going to mean far more to everyone on this planet than just being a great journalist. And you are, and will continue to be, a great journalist. I never want that to change. But what will distinguish you from every other person in history is that you will be the person that anchors me to mankind."

He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. "That's what I believe that special connection is all about. So, having taken the long way around your question, that answer is keeping you safe is somehow keeping the future safe for humanity too, and so letting you take risks is not an option for me."

Tears welled in her eyes, and she hugged Clark, struggling to reply so they held one another in silence until she regained her composure. Finally, Lois managed, "I love that you said that. And it all makes sense. I told your parents that they didn't have to worry about being alone anymore because I'm here for you and I meant it. I want to be all those things for you, Clark." She snuffed and wiped her eyes.

She took a deep breath. "But if you want me to be that for you, you need to let me be me. You can't prevent me from doing what I do and expect that I will still be happy with myself any more than I can prevent you from being who you are and expect you to feel fulfilled. If I'm fighting against my nature just to be your sidekick or underling, it's me who could grow to resent that role, to resent you in the same way you'd resent humanity if isolated from it."

He listened to her, considered what she said, and conceded. "Okay, Lois. Believe me when I tell you that I'm not trying to make you into being a sidekick or somehow forcing you into my shadow. I'll never want to see you face any danger, but I know that is unreasonable given your need to seek the truth and share it with the world." He paused. "I promise that I will be more understanding and respectful of those needs and decisions too, Lois. You're right, you'd become resentful of me if I kept you from being the person that makes you special.

"I'm convinced that you're important for more than just your journalism and while you, me, and the world may not recognize that right now, I know it will someday. And when it does, the entire world will realize that it was you that kept The Blur…er, Superman, empathetic to the human condition, which enabled him to exist as a part of the human race rather than as an alien overlord."

"Superman," she said quietly but confidently. "Remember that name."

He smiled. "Superman."

She nodded silently, and then finally, "Okay. I understand how you feel and I will agree to always try to double check my urges before running headlong into trouble as long as you agree to let me make those decisions and to not sulk if I don't follow your advice."

"So, it's agreed," he said and leaned in to kiss her. "But I wasn't sulking."

"You so were!" she said, just as she pressed her lips against his. The kiss lasted longer than most and when their lips parted, she added, "And you know it."

They held each other again, feeling the tension between them melt away and replaced by a new level of mutual understanding. When they finished their final kiss, they scooted off the desk and headed for the elevator. She stopped before pushing the call button and looked at him. "So," she said, pondering the concept, "the connection is some cosmic force pushing us together because without the other, neither of us can be who we're destined to be."

He nodded. "And don't you see? It pushes us back together when we're not in sync," Clark added. "Think about it. If I were anyone else or you were anyone else, one or both of us would probably have moved on but it's like the universe won't let us." He paused. "After I left from up North and came back home, I worked for a paper in Smallville until the universe pushed me out of there to Metropolis. You might think it's because of my folks' connection with George Taylor and that would be a rational explanation but look at everything else after that." He stared deeply into her eyes. "Lois, to be perfectly honest, when I first arrived and saw your byline in the paper, it brought back some unpleasant memories, and I didn't like you very much. But that's not where this explanation ends.

"I get here and who do I run into? Lana. And we started to rekindle our relationship and things seemed like they were on the right track, but something kept holding me back from committing to a lifetime relationship with her, even though I knew that was what she wanted.

"Then, because of an article I wrote, I eventually get terminated from the Star and I'm no longer employed.

"Lex had a big hand in that, remember?"

"Well, he was a player in all of that but what moved him to want me gone? Money? He's got plenty of that, but something drove him to have me fired. And the guy who fired me was a colleague of Perry White's and he arranged for me to be hired here. And I get here and of all the seasoned reporters at the Planet, Perry picked you to be my mentor-partner.

"We're together because the universe is telling us we need each other to become what we're destined to become. Without each other in our lives, we won't be what we will be."

She slightly nodded her head. "I think I like that explanation more than what I came up with which was attraction, infatuation, or raging hormones," she smirked, pushing the call button for the elevator. "There's a sense of destiny with your explanation and that we're part of a grand design that is unfolding." She took his hand and squeezed it. "I like that."

They climbed into the elevator car and the door closed. Clark kissed Lois once more before the car stopped and they stepped out together. Lois let go of Clark's hand before Sally saw it. She looked and saw Perry White's door closed. "Is the Chief free right now? We have to bring him up to speed on the ever-changing story of Alvin Mickler and Jerome Flint."

"Yes, I believe he is. Just a moment." Sally dialed his intercom number and he answered. "Sir, Lois Lane and Clark Kent are here to see you if you have a moment."

Perry told her to send them in and she directed them to do so. He was examining some photos on his desk with a magnifying glass. Before she could ask, White explained, "You know, there's a story about Richard Nixon sneaking into Madison Square Garden to see Elvis's show when he was performing there back in April 1974. I've just gotten a hold of some of the photos taken of the crowd over several nights and I wanted to see if I could spot Nixon in the crowd." He paused. "Whaddaya got?" he asked without looking up.

"Some pretty significant information on the Mickler murder and its possible connection to LexCorp. It seemingly ties Jerome Flint to Sal D'Amato and exposes LexCorp's knowledge of the ancient artifacts that were discovered by D'Amato's people when they were looking for LexCorp's unmanned sub."

He looked up. "Now just a minute. You're saying you found new evidence that LexCorp knew about the plundered antiquities and that this killer also killed Sal D'Amato? Where did you find it?"

"It found Clark," Lois said. "It's doesn't connect Flint with the D'Amato killing. Flint's hint to the police does that. But it does implicate LexCorp in all the illegal plundering and selling of the antiquities. It's a long story but here goes." Lois explained the evidence contained in the envelope and the letter that recounted all that had happened as a result of the plundered ruins somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico.

"So, I take it you had your source with you when you opened that letter?"

"She opened it, Chief. And after Jimmy took about a hundred pictures of its contents, she sealed it all in an evidence bag and made Clark fill out the chain of custody form," Lois replied.

"Well, that's good thinking, both of you. So, where are you headed with it?"

"We're heading downstairs right now to plan that out, Mr. White," Clark replied. "There are several moving parts that I think we need to synchronize before to get the best result." He paused, "There may be more than just LexCorp knowing about the illegally plundered ruins. I think Lois and I need to put our heads together and make sure that we come up with something to close any possible loophole."

"Well, don't do anything until you hear something from your source, Lois. We don't want to foul up an investigation and get sideways with the Metropolis PD. So, let me know when you do hear something and then I want to know what your plans are before you launch them. I'll need to keep Franklin Stern updated on what's going on and the direction you're taking the story since it may directly or indirectly involve Lex Luthor." He paused and thought of something. "Hey, speaking of Lex, do you think that this investigative story is one you should be involved in, Lois?"

"What do you mean, Chief?"

"Well, with Lex and all," Perry trailed off a bit and then added, "Maybe Clark should take the lead on the story."

"Why? You don't think I can remain unbiased, Perry?" Lois asked, almost sounding hurt.

"It's not that, Honey. I'd just rather not put you in a difficult position with Lex Luthor," he replied. "Besides," he began before Lois could object, "there is something else coming up that I'd like you to take the lead on until you hear something back from Metropolis PD. We can revisit who takes the lead once you know what direction the police are taking."

"What's better than this story, Chief?" she complained.

Perry frowned. "It's a story that I know is actually going to come to fruition!" he barked back and then softened. "It sounds like a bit of a puff piece at first, but I'm putting full coverage from the newspaper on this. I believe it will attract more readers, especially to our online site. I want you to take the lead on the Metropolis Valentine's Day celebration. It's at the convention center this year, it's the 25th annual celebration, and it's going to be a big shindig."

"You want me to work on Valentine's day?" Lois asked, frowning.

"Yes. Why? Do you have big plans with someone that day?" Perry scowled.

"Nothing etched in stone," she replied. "But I'd kinda hoped we'd do something."

"He's a billionaire, Lois. He can make every single day Valentine's day for you if he wants to." He paused and saw a strange look on Lois's face. "Or…aren't we talking about Lex Luthor?"

"No, we're not talking about Lex Luthor, Chief," she replied adamantly. "He's not in that picture anymore. And the direction we're headed with this story, the only place I want to see Lex Luthor's picture is in our front-page story detailing his involvement in plundered antiquities. I'm pretty sure he'll be reevaluating his interest in me after that."

A slight smile came to his face. "Good! I never liked you being associated with that snake anyway. You can do much better than Lex Luthor, Darlin'." He glanced at Clark, who nodded, and then he looked back at Lois. "I still want you to lead the coverage on Valentine's Day, well, ahh, since you don't have any other definitive plans that I'm hearing."

Lois rolled her eyes and cocked her head. "Okay. What does it entail?"

Perry sounded excited. "There's going to be live TV coverage of it, and I want you right in the middle of that. I want you to get the stories that the TV news misses out on, you know, to undercut their coverage. It gives people something more in-depth and personal to read about."

She exhaled, exasperated at the thought of covering it, and Perry continued. "But you won't be alone. I'm sending Cat Grant out there as well to cover the society angle. You need to take Clark and Jimmy with you, too." He looked back at Lois who reluctantly nodded.

Then he glanced at Clark and back at Lois. "Well, you two get crackin' and let me know what you hear from MPD and what your plans are," he barked, picking up his magnifying glass.

As soon as they returned to their desks in the bullpen, Lois picked up the phone and called Jimmy. "Olsen, have you emailed those pictures to Lieutenant Sawyer yet?"

"Yes, Ma'am, I did," Jimmy replied.

"Good. Send Clark and me a copy of them, too. Right now…chop, chop, Jimmy!"

"Yes, Ma'am."

She hung up and within seconds, her email account had a new message with attachments. She looked at Clark and smiled.

"And you're sure that's the sculpture in Lex's penthouse?"

"One hundred percent sure," Lois replied.

He nodded. "That changes the situation about reaching out to him, then. Getting inside his place to confirm he has that sculpture ties him directly to the events Mr. D'Amato detailed."

"But not to D'Amato's murder," Lois added. She stared at Clark. "Do you think Lex had anything to do with that?"

It was clear that the thought troubled Lois. She was genuinely disgusted by Lex but that was because of his sexual aggressiveness on New Year's Eve. Up to that point, Lois simply believed others' negative opinion of him was a product of their own envy of Lex's wealth and success or they had been a victim of his heavy-handed business practices. And although she sympathized with those who disparaged him for that reason, she never gave those who were critical of Lex due to envy any credence. Being an aggressive businessman was not illegal and while his methods may not have been widely welcomed, there appeared to be no malice in his actions, and they were done legally at all stages.

The fact that it seemed that Lex may have known about the plundering of ancient artifacts and hiding that knowledge from police was troubling. It gave Lois a moment's pause in her opinion of him. But she also felt that one flaw or misstep did not make Lex a man that would order another killed. It took a far leap to accuse an ambitious, hard-nosed businessman with being a killer or someone with that would order a person killed. That was a side of Lex she just could not imagine existed.

"What are you thinking about, Lo?"

She shifted uncomfortably in her chair. "I'm trying to reconcile the crimes involved and Lex's possible involvement. I accept the idea that Lex was knowingly involved with plundering artifacts from an ancient ruins site and them being sold on the dark web. LexCorp, and probably him specifically, profited from it. But Lex being involved somehow in the murder of D'Amato or Mickler or anyone else?" She made a face. "That's a pretty big leap."

Clark nodded. "I agree. And I think that's what Perry was getting at when he said let MPD sort it out before we do anything more with it." He saw Lois relax a bit. "But I think that you should mention to Maggie that before she does make a move because of the sculpture that you'd like Jenny to take a look at it and see what she has to say. At that point, you can reach out to Lex. Jenny may not be an expert but how else would you get an expert in to make a judgement without raising Lex's suspicion? She's the perfect excuse, an innocent anthropology student that you're housing at your apartment."

"I hate to use Jenny in that way, but it would be the best way to get some educated eyes on that sculpture," Lois asserted. "I think Lex would be anxious to narrow the chasm between us and he may even go so far as to take it off its pedestal to look at. I could glance at the bottom for that mark."

"And that would confirm the statue's authenticity, the letter's authenticity concerning the sculpture D'Amato offered to Lex and prove that Lex knew that the statue was part of the plundered trove of artifacts," Clark concluded. He stared for a moment. "But would Lex arrange to have D'Amato murdered over it?"

"That's where I have a problem with the murder end of it. What would be Lex's motivation? I know D'Amato was worried about being murdered and that was after Mickler was murdered. He knew someone was killing those involved but not everyone involved was murdered." She stopped and remained silent for a moment, then said, "Mickler was selling artifacts that he had taken from the warehouse. All along, I presumed that he was murdered because he let millions of dollars of black-market sales slip through his fingers. But what if Mickler was killed for the same reason drug lords kill dealers who skim profits, because he was selling a few artifacts on the side without permission?"

Clark looked at Lois. "Do you think Flint knows who paid him to kill Mickler? He says he does but do you believe that?"

Lois shrugged. "I don't know. But DNA evidence links Flint to Mickler and Flint knew where D'Amato's body was so presumably, he killed D'Amato. I imagine it was done on the orders of the same person." She paused as Clark nodded his agreement. "But I wonder if Flint knows why Mickler and D'Amato were killed?" Her brow furrowed. "I think when I see Maggie, I'll ask if she would ask the DA to pry the 'why' from Flint as part of a deal. Maybe it's not the most important answer to get out of him for police or prosecutors, but our readers like to know why someone did something so knowing why makes for a better story."

Clark looked at the time at the corner of his computer screen. "It's getting late. Maybe we should pick this up tomorrow. What do you think?"

She sat back. "I think we should discuss it over dinner. How about some Greek cuisine tonight?"

"Sounds great! Maybe we should make some plans for the weekend, too," he said. "The Super Bowl is this weekend."

They packed up and left, heading home to get cleaned up and changed for dinner. It was cold but the air was still and they walked the four blocks from Lois's apartment to the Zaytouna restaurant. Clark ushered Lois through the door and Gus Theodorou welcomed Lois loudly, followed by a hug.

"And who is this young man?" Gus asked, reaching for Clark's hand, giving him a firm handshake.

"This is Clark Kent. He and I are partners at the Daily Planet," Lois said. She looked at Clark, "Clark, this is Gus Theodorou. He and his wife, Katarina, own this restaurant."

After pleasantries were exchanged, Gus led them to a small, intimate booth at the rear of the small restaurant. "This will keep you out of the drafts when the doors open!" he said, emphatically. Rather than sit across from Clark, Lois slid in next to him and Gus smiled. "That will keep you warm too, Lois," he said and winked.

The restaurant was not crowded but it was over three-quarters full and on a Thursday night, it seemed that Gus was pleased with the business. "We're doing better than I ever expected," he said quietly.

"That's because you have such great food and don't gouge your customers, Gus!"

"Thank you, Lois. What a nice thing to say. So, what can I get you to drink? I'll have Katarina take your meal order."

They ordered and sat quietly for a moment, surveying the room and the patrons. Lois reached down and took Clark's hand. "So, where are we going to watch the game this weekend? Metropolis, Smallville, or Iceville?" she asked.

"There's no TV in Iceville," Clark replied. "But it doesn't mean we can't swing through there and spend some time together there on the way to somewhere else this weekend."

"I like the sound of that," Lois replied. "So, maybe tomorrow after work, we'll go there and spend the night. Then if it's okay with your mom and dad, we can spend time with them on Saturday and head back Sunday afternoon. We'll watch the game at my place. How does that sound?"

"What about Jenny?"

"Oh," Lois groaned. "Maybe we should watch it at your place. I like Jenny and she's sweet, but I don't like her knowing too much about us or you, specifically. Keeping up the appearance of co-workers is important around the Planet."

"That sounds perfect. I'll call my parents after dinner to make sure they're going to be home and to expect us early Saturday morning."

"I'll let Jenny know you and I are going to Smallville after work on Friday, so she won't question where I am or what I'm doing for the Super Bowl." She rocked her head back and forth. "Maybe Jenny and Jimmy will do something over the weekend knowing I won't be there until late Sunday night," she added with a smile.

"That's almost painful to picture," Clark said, and Lois chuffed. "Leave your car at my apartment parking lot and I'll park on the top floor of the Metropolis General garage over the weekend. Once it gets dark, we'll fly back and pick up my truck and still make it to my place before the game ends."

"This is nice, Clark," Lois said, almost wistfully. "I'm just so happy we reached an understanding today because that could have been a real issue for me…for us. And while I was in the shower after work, I thought about what you said about our connection, and it suddenly seemed so obvious. When you look at our history from the moment we met as a continuous thread, it's almost undeniable." Lois looked at him, "And it took a lot of the worry over our relationship away from me. In a way, not knowing what that feeling was or what it meant bothered me on a really deep level that even I didn't know existed. Not understanding it just made me feel off-balance. But once I realized how right you were, it was like a light came on in that deep, dark place and that light showed me a future that will be fulfilling, exciting, important to mankind, and just truly amazing." Her voice cracked a little and her eyes glistened. "How could anyone not want a future like that?"

He put his arm around her and pulled her closer. "It's a wonderful destiny for both of us but I know that won't happen without you guiding me along the way. I think the universe knows it as well." He smiled, leaned to his side and kissed her, chastely. "To be continued," he said and smiled.

Smallville

Saturday, February 6, 2021

As Clark had told his parents, they would arrive early Saturday. He flew Lois nearly as fast as he could from the Fortress to the Kent Farm arriving in the barn just before the sun came up. He flew them through the hayloft window and set Lois down gently in front of the loveseat there. "I'm sure they're awake but I didn't want to presume anything," Clark said. He noticed Lois's lips looked blueish. "Are you warm enough?"

"Well, I have been warmer," Lois commented.

"Okay, unzip your coat and hold it open. This will only take a couple seconds."

When she did, Clark quickly warmed her with his heat vision, and an instant later, she yanked her coat shut. "Oh wow! Much better. Now that's a great fringe benefit of being with you!"

"Let me see if my folks are up," and he listened first and heard rattling in the kitchen. "Mom's up for sure," he said. "It means my dad is too." He hoisted her and gently drifted to the floor below. "Let's go."

They knocked on the front door and then entered. Martha was first out of the door and threw a big hug around Clark as Lois looked on, smiling. Jonathan stepped around Martha and pulled Lois into a hug with a kiss on the cheek.

"We're so happy that you came today. We've missed you," Martha said letting Clark go.

"Both of you," Jonathan added as Martha stole Lois from him and hugged her.

Martha led them to the kitchen where she had made a large breakfast of eggs, ham, pancakes, and hash browns. Lois buttered the toast as Clark poured everyone fresh coffee.

"So, what are your plans while you're here?" Martha said to Lois.

She smiled and looked at Clark, who shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know," Lois replied, returning her gaze to Martha. "We really had no plans, other than to visit with you and Mr. Kent," Lois replied.

"Getting out of Metropolis is important for us," Clark chimed in. "Seeing you gives us a purpose for doing it."

They sat around the kitchen table and talked for hours. At moments during the conversation, Lois found herself lost in the glow of a loving family conversation and it brought back vague memories of her family when her mom was alive and healthy.

Lois came alive when the discussion rolled around to stories they were working on. She talked in detail about the case involving Flint, Mickler, and now Sal D'Amato.

Jonathan scowled and looked at Clark. "So, do you think LexCorp was somehow involved in the murders?"

"We're not sure," Clark replied. "We have no reason to believe that anyone at LexCorp would want that. We presumed that Mickler was killed because he had let nearly a billion dollars of artifacts get taken from the warehouse he was supposed to secure. But when we read that he had also stolen things from the trove of plundered antiquities and was selling them on the side, it added a dimension to the story we weren't previously aware of. Then, the man who is charged with murdering Mickler is presumably involved in the murder of the owner of the salvage company. That tends to point to someone outside of the salvage company calling the shots. We're just not sure who that might be and what connection he or she had to the salvage company and the antiquities."

"If any," Lois added. "Sal D'Amato may have had debts or crossed someone else and was murdered for it. But the fact that Flint knew where his body was means that whoever called the shots on Mickler most likely called them on D'Amato."

"My goodness!" Martha gasped. "Such intrigue. It sounds like it could be dangerous for you to be involved in this," she said.

"We're only writing about it, Mom," Clark replied. "Our theories only matter if the police corroborate the facts and the direction that we anticipate the story is heading. We're not doing the police work. You don't need to worry about us being in danger."

"Well, I'm not worried about you, Clark," Martha replied. "It's Lois I'm worried about. She isn't bulletproof!"

"Speaking of which," Jonathan interjected, "I haven't seen much in the news about your alter ego doing anything lately. Has the media just quit reporting them or have you backed off?"

Clark grinned sheepishly. "I haven't been that busy and honestly, I watch and listen for trouble but most of what goes on in Metropolis is handled pretty quickly by the police. I have intervened a few times when someone is being threatened with physical harm, but those instances are growing scarce." He paused. "I don't want to do the job that the police do. I want to help when I can, but not replace the police. When someone is threatening to hurt someone or someone has found themselves in a dangerous predicament, that's where I feel like I should be intervening because police don't usually find out until after someone is hurt." He looked at Lois. "Just the other night, for example, a car with a couple and their child had skidded on some ice and was in danger of going down an embankment into the river. It was freezing cold, and they would not have been able to survive in that water for very long. The wife was screaming, I heard it, and I got there just in time to turn the vehicle around and shove it back onto the road." Clark shrugged and grinned. "They weren't even aware I was there."

"That makes sense," his dad replied, but had more to say. "But just remember, Son, ruining a person financially can be as devastating as harming a person physically. In some ways, destroying someone's livelihood or life's work can be worse. Cuts and bruises heal in a few weeks or months. The same isn't true about someone's business or life savings." His eyes narrowed. "Thieves and swindlers can bring a good man or woman to their knees financially and emotionally. Don't forget about those victims either."

His dad was right, and Clark knew it. "You're right, I shouldn't ignore a burglar alarm or signs of an intrusion."

"The problem is video cameras everywhere," Lois chimed in. "Until Clark goes public, everything he does is in the darkness because if video cameras catch a good image of him, it might just expose him before we can set up an event that can credibly distance Clark from his superhuman alter ego." She reached out and squeezed his hand. "If everyone knows who this miraculous person is, he'll never be able to lead a normal life. So, we're trying to change the way people see and think of Clark at work."

Clark weighed in. "Being in the center of a news organization is great for showing up where I am needed but I'm also in the middle of an organization whose sole purpose is to bring the truth to light for the public. There will be a lot of people wondering what I do when I'm not saving the people of Metropolis. My coworkers will be working overtime to figure it out when I become a public figure."

Jonathan nodded. "It sounds like you two have put a lot of thought into this."

"I'm just glad that you're not trying to do this on your own, Son," Martha said, and smiled at Lois. "I think it's wonderful that you're there helping him…covering for him, I suppose, so that he can lead a normal life when he's not publicly helping people. Having a second set of eyes to look at what he does and how he does things will make a huge difference."

"When I told you that I will be there for him, I meant it Mrs. Kent. I'm committed to doing this and I've taken it on as my responsibility to help him create this image among people at work. When we're there, I tease him about being from a small town, call him cute names, act exasperated with him, and call out some goofy things he'll say or do as a way of molding people's opinions of Clark."

"We're trying to do it gradually so that it seems more natural," Clark added. "As people at work are exposed to this image of me, it becomes the reality of the way they think of me. That takes some time."

"And, according to the intern staying with me," Lois added, "it's working. Clark is regarded as a mild-mannered guy who is kind of a nerdy doormat by many of the people there."

Martha laughed at the comment. "A nerdy doormat? Well, that is quite a difference in characters that you're creating."

Lois nodded and nudged Clark. "Well, at least the doormat part," she said with a grin, and Jonathan chuckled.

Later that day, Lois wandered into the kitchen to make a half-pot of coffee. Clark was in the barn with his dad helping the elder Kent with some equipment that needed some off-season maintenance. Martha joined Lois once she had set the pot on the coffeemaker and turned the appliance on. Lois turned to face her and asked, "Can I help you with anything, Mrs. Kent? I always feel bad seeing you stuck in the kitchen whenever we come to visit."

"Don't feel that way, Lois. This is where I love being." Martha saw a look in Lois's eyes and thought she knew what it meant. "But why don't you have a seat, and we can talk amongst ourselves without the boys here."

"I'd really like that," Lois said, and it was exactly what Martha had figured. She knew that Lois had spent most of her life growing up without her mother and the look she saw in Lois's eyes told Martha that she wanted motherly advice.

"So, what's going on with you two from a relationship perspective?" Martha said. "I don't mean to pry and if you'd rather not say, that's fine too. I just sensed that you want to talk about something that you didn't want to say with Clark around."

Lois eyes immediately grew watery. "There is," she said. "How did you know that Mr. Kent was the one? I mean, I'm crazy about Clark and he seems to feel the same way towards me. But we're like a team rather than a couple sometimes. And I know that's not a bad thing," she said, gulped and her voice cracked, "but I'm afraid to tell him that I love him," she said, and the tears that had pooled in her eyes crested the lids and streaked down her cheeks.

Martha swiveled in her chair and pulled a dish towel from a drawer and handed it to Lois. "Has Clark said that he loves you?"

Lois shook her head and dabbed her eyes. "And that's why I'm afraid to tell him that I'm in love with him. If he tells me that he sees me as a best friend or as a teammate, but not someone he truly loves me the way you and Mr. Kent are in love, I think it would destroy me." She let out a soft sob. "It's like walking blindfolded in a minefield to me." She blotted her eyes again and added, "He says and does all the right things except that he loves me. And I don't know why."

Martha reached across the dinette table and took Lois's hands in hers. "Sweetheart, I think you two are the most compatible pair of young people we've ever seen together. When we first met you, Jonathan and I both thought that Clark needed a woman like you in his life and we were so excited when he let Lana go and turned his attention to you." She pressed a smile. "Lois, Clark is different…obviously. We raised him but I didn't give birth to him. As human as he seems, you have to remember that he's not. He wants to be like everyone else, but he'll never be like anyone else. He has…I don't know…some internal imprinting that wasn't put there by us or anyone on Earth. We've learned to understand that his feelings and sentiments may not be spoken as freely as we do, but Lois, I know my son. I can tell by the way he looks at you, the way that he talks about you, and the way that he hovers around you that he loves you whether he says it or not.

"I can also tell you that as invulnerable as he seems, his heart is nowhere near as invincible as the rest of him. When Lana broke his heart, it about killed him. He tried to be so stoic, but it was killing him inside. When Lori died, he disappeared for over two years to come to grips with the fear of never being able to lead a normal life. And my guess is that he is as scared of being rejected by you as you are of him rejecting you."

Lois regained her composure. "So, do you think that what happened to Lori means that Clark's gun shy about love?"

"No. Really, I think it affected him just the opposite way. I think he realizes how important love is and how it needs to be nurtured and protected. But the situation with Lori, I think, molded him in a way that may be different from the way heartache affects the rest of us. Remember that he isn't used to feeling pain like we are, and heartache is a special kind of pain that doesn't quickly go away."

Lois sipped her coffee and said, "I certainly know about the protective part of that. We had a little issue with that this past week, and we finally had to have a 'come to Jesus' meeting about it." She smiled. "But we worked it out."

She smiled sweetly. "You'll learn his idiosyncrasies and how he can be so strong one way and so vulnerable in another. He wants to know for certain that you love him before he says that he loves you. Don't let that vulnerability make you think that he loves you any differently than the way you love him, Lois. He loves you and when he's certain you love him in the same way, he'll tell you."

Sunday, February 7, 2021

They left Smallville at 6:15 PM, at twilight's end, knowing that it would be dark when they reached Metropolis. Lois held onto Martha's hug a beat longer than she ever had and whispered, "Thank you," to the older woman.

Martha kissed her on the cheek. "You take care of my boy," she said and smiled.

They flew off and six minutes later, landed on the top floor of the Metropolis General Hospital parking garage. They climbed into Clark's truck and easily drove the three-mile drive to his apartment. Kickoff for the Super Bowl had occurred an hour earlier, and the roads were desolate. When they reached the apartment, the third quarter had begun, and the Kansas City Chiefs had come out of the half and driven down the field for a field goal. The score was Kansas City Chiefs, 9, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 21.

Lois had plopped on the couch after shoving a bag of microwave popcorn into Clark's microwave. A commercial break was on the TV and she looked at Clark. "That was a nice weekend with your folks. I had a nice time talking with your mom."

"What about?"

"Oh, just stuff that moms and daughters talk about, I guess. Your mom is a proxy for mine and I really think the world of her for that. Your dad, too, by the way. If only I had a dad like him."

Clark was about to say something when he froze, and his brow furrowed.

Lois knew something had caught his attention. "What is it?"

"There's trouble at LexCorp building," Clark said, still intently listening. "Now an alarm. I'll be back."

The whoosh sound was something that Lois had only heard from the Fortress when Clark went to get food. She knew he was moving fast. He was back three minutes later.

"I have a story for you," he said excitedly. "I think you should go there right away. I'll give the details so it seems like you were there."

He described a break-in at the Research, Development, and Experimental Technology wing of the LexCorp Tower. Two men dressed as LexCorp Security staff overpowered four other Security staff and ripped electromagnetically locked security doors from the entrance into the wing. They were in the process of stealing some LexCorp technology components when Clark blurred in and stopped them. One of the two intruders had held onto the component so tightly that Clark accidentally tore its arm off, revealing it to be a robot. Clark x-rayed the second intruder that also turned out to be a very sophisticated robot. The two robots were destroyed, and the components were saved.

"What about security guards or the security cameras, Clark? Were you seen? Could you be identified?"

"The humans were unconscious when I arrived, and I disabled the security cameras and cut the lights on the way in before destroying the robots. I got out of there before the other security guards made it to the wing." He looked at her. "Lois, this is big. Those mechanical beings looked just like humans. I mean identical. They talked like humans, moved like humans, looked like humans, and their skin even felt like human skin. I've never seen such sophistication with mechanical devices."

"And they were stealing LexCorp technology? It sounds like they should have been giving LexCorp engineers some tips," she quipped.

"Quick! Grab your jacket and take my tape recorder. I'll take you there before the police get there and then I'll come back and get my truck. Then, I'll drive over and join you."

When Clark returned, he flipped off the game that was now, 28 to 9 in favor of Tampa Bay. He went to his bedroom, pulled out his laptop, typed a quick article with Lois and his name on the byline, dashed to the parking lot, hopped in his truck, and drove to the LexCorp Building. When he arrived, two ambulances were on the scene, along with three police vehicles. A WGBS-TV news van rolled in just as Clark found Lois, talking to a security team supervisor.

"This is my partner, Clark Kent. Clark, this is Lieutenant Luis Padilla. He's the shift supervisor for the security team. It looks like the Blur intervened in a break-in," she announced to Clark as he walked up.

"Was anyone hurt, Lieutenant Padilla?" Clark asked.

"Please, just Luis," he said. The security supervisor told them both that it appeared that two man-like mechanical objects dressed like security guards entered LexCorp and had attacked three members of his team, eventually knocking all three unconscious.

"Mechanical objects?" Clark asked, seemingly puzzled at the term.

"Robots," Lois replied.

"Well, I wouldn't refer to them as robots. They were so life-like," the supervisor said, "I couldn't believe there was no blood when I saw them. Until I got close and saw the mechanical parts, I couldn't understand how a person's arm could be ripped off and the other just lying in a heap without some blood being spilled." He paused. "You know, I've taken my kids to Disney World and I've seen animatronic people and animals. These robots were light years more advanced than those robots at those parks. It's frightening. Like robots in some science fiction movie that are portrayed on the screen by actual people."

"And you say you saw the Blur intervene?" Lois asked.

"I wouldn't say that we saw him, actually. He knocked out lights and security cameras. We caught a blur on our monitors before that happened. It was just moments after the alarm sounded so he must have been passing by." Luis looked at Lois. "You're Lois Lane, right?"

"Yes."

"So, you put that blurry photo in the paper just before Christmas last year, right?"

"Yes," Lois said, pleased that Luis had made the correlation.

"Well, that's about the quality of image we saw on the monitors when the Blur came in."

"And the three members of your shift are going to be okay?" Clark asked.

"I think so. They're going to Met Gen to be checked out, but I think they'll be okay. Maybe a headache or something."

"I'm relieved to hear that," Clark replied. "What were the robots doing?"

"We're not sure since all the cameras and lights were disabled. But they tore doors secured by an electromagnetic lock from the hinges to get into the research and development wing. Judging by the pieces of equipment that were found lying near them, our belief is that they were attempting to steal LexCorp technology."

"Can we go in and take a look?" Lois asked.

"Sorry, Miss Lane. I can't allow that. Mr. Luthor said to lock down the building once the injured guards were removed."

"So, Mr. Luthor is here?"

"He's on his way. He was at the mansion but is enroute by LexCorp helicopter. I briefed him on what had happened, and he gave the order to lock down the building, no exceptions I'm afraid."

"That's okay," Clark replied. "I think we have enough for our initial story." He thanked Luis for the information and pulled Lois aside. "Let's post this story and scoop WGBS," he whispered. "I have it typed already and it's on my laptop in the truck."

She looked at him, dumbfounded. "You already have the story written up? When did you do that?"

"After I got back from dropping you off and before I got here."

"That was like less than ten minutes!"

Clark smiled. "I can be pretty fast when I need to be," he said and winked.

Lois skimmed the story and sent it off as soon as she finished it. It hit the website minutes later and shortly before WGBS-TV began taping its report for the news.

"That was serendipitous," she gloated as she watched the TV reporter lining up for his recorded report. Lois turned to him and playfully punched him in the shoulder as he pulled out to drive back to his apartment. "Now I know how you were able to scoop me so quickly!"

Metropolis

Monday, February 8, 2021

"Great work on that story last night, you two," Perry said. "Maybe follow up and see if there is any evidence of where those robots came from."

"On it, Chief," Lois said.

"Lex Luthor actually came on camera last night and publicly thanked the Blur for thwarting a burglary of his experimental high-tech stuff," Clark added. He looked at Lois. "I guess he believes the man exists now, too."

"That's huge because he's been a naysayer about the Blur's existence for a while, hasn't he, Lois?" Perry asked.

She shrugged and nodded, a slight smile on her face.

"So, even he's eating a helping of humble pie, now," White exclaimed, as he looked around at the faces of the reporters assembled at the table. "To the rest of you, this is what I'm looking for from you. It's beating the TV news like this that is going to keep the Daily Planet afloat and relevant. People getting alerts on their phones and being able to read what's happening before the TV news can broadcast them, that's where we get a leg up on TV news teams and draw people back to the Daily Planet. Our website got a 433% increase in hits from this story last night and most of the hits occurred during the last quarter of the Super Bowl.

"Imagine that!"