Chemistry Chapter 14
PILLOW TALK
"Clark?"
"Yes, love?"
"Have you thought about a name? We can change her name, you know."
"You don't like Maude?"
"NO! I like Mary Katherine Kent."
"Ah, I like the alliteration."
"What?"
"MKK."
"Don't you dare!"
"Why?"
"Just don't."
"Ok."
Daily Planet Bullpen
They are just finishing up on a rather dull Wednesday. Clark pushes back his chair, bumping into Lois.
"Hey, stop that," she yelps.
"Sorry," he mutters. 'Now what did I do?' He scoots back to his desk. He hears her muttering, sounds like curse words. "Better not do that at home, babe," he whispers.
"DON'T BABE ME AT WORK," Lois hisses.
"Geez, what's up with you today," he mutters.
They get up from their chairs simultaneously, bumping into each other. Lois shoves him out of her way, "Watch where you're going CLARK!" She snorts. "I'm taking a cab home," and she stomps off after grabbing her bag.
'Wow, touchy today. Beter be careful at home.'
Lois hasn't been like this in, forever. Clark is concerned. After filing his article, he drives home. He parks his Lexus in the garage and rides the elevator up to the PH. He enters softly and hears Alex talking in the FR. He peeks in and sees Alex and Nancy on the love seat. Alex is holding MKK, Nancy is reading a book – softly. He enters and sits on the coffee table in front of them. He jiggles MKK's foot, she stays asleep.
"Is Lois home," he asks softly.
Nancy answers, "Yes, didn't she come with you?"
"Cab."
"Why?" Alex asks.
"Upset. Not sure why. I'll go check."
"Be careful," Nancy smirks. She's learning Lois and Clark's moods.
Clark tip-toes into the MBR. Lois is laying face down on the bed. Her breathing is ragged; Clark suspects she has been crying. He lays next to her, rubbing softly on her back. Her breathing slows, she scootches over closer to him. He lays an arm across her shoulders and says, "I love you. Whatever I did, I'm sorry."
"It's not you. I love you more."
"I love you most! Can't top that."
Her shoulders shake a little; he got what he wanted, a little laugh. "What's wrong, sweetheart? You can tell me."
"It's not working."
"What's not working?"
Silence.
He just lays with her, softly rubbing her back. He cuddles closer, pressing a kiss to her head. They lay quietly for 10". She finally shifts so she can sling an arm over him.
"I can't do it, Clark."
"Do what, babe?"
"I can't do my regular stories, up to my usual standards, on this reduced schedule. It just doesn't work."
"I can understand that. So, what gives?"
"I don't want to give up on being a mommy, Clark!"
"Then don't!"
"But."
"But what?"
"I'll feel like I'm betraying the Planet!"
"Nonsense! You've given them many good years. Even won 4 awards, until someone better came along."
"Hey!" She sat up and hit him with a pillow.
"Ouch!"
"That didn't hurt, you sissy!"
He puts her on her back and covers her. He kisses her on her head, temple, cheek, jaw, neck, clavicle.
"Clark, what are you doing?"
"Looking for clues."
"Clues? For what?"
"For why you were crying. Should I stop?"
"Gawd, NO!" He's shedding clothes . . . hers!
"Is the door locked?"
"It self-locks."
"Are you sure? Oh . . . CLARK!"
"Hush!"
"I can't impf."
They tumble over the edge together, it's so sweet.
They lay in each other's arms as they calm down.
"I smell supper, you hungry?"
"After that, you bet!"
"Let's go." He swats her ass as she gets up and dresses.
She returns the favor.
ON THE BALCONY
After supper, relaxing with drinks.
"Lois, so what are you going to do?"
"I am not giving up being a mommy! If Perry and James won't let me start a Family Life section, or become an ad hoc sometimes contributing writer, I will quit and start the next 50 years of my life with you and the kids. So there!"
Clark ponders this new Lois Lane, aka Mrs. Lois Kent, with a smile. "I love it. And I love you!"
"You do?"
"Yup, X2!"
"Will you go with me to talk with them?"
"Absolutely."
"Good, I have a meeting at 14:00 tomorrow."
"I'll be there."
"Thanks, babe."
PH OFFICE OF JAMES OLSEN
"Welcome Lois and Clark. I just love saying that," James exudes joy. "What can we do for you two?"
Lois cringes, Perry notices and frowns.
"Well, I'm sorry, but this isn't really working," Lois admits."
"What's wrong?" Perry asks, a frown on his face.
"Whatever it is, Perry will fix it, won't you?" James says. Looking straight at his senior editor.
"I just can't do my usual high-quality work with this schedule. And I am not willing to give up motherhood."
"Well, that's a dilemma, isn't it," James says, still looking at Perry.
Perry is now sweating.
"Do you have a proposal?" James asks.
"Yes. Here it is."
LOIS LANE-KENT PROPOSAL
Continue with current schedule.
Start Family Life section, Lois to head up.
Scratch current schedule,
Lois to become an ad hoc contributing writer,
Compensation to be negotiated.
Lois leaves the Daily Planet,
Becomes a full-time wife-mother.
Only 1, 2, or 3 are acceptable.
"Wow," James expresses.
Perry is silent, looking at the floor.
James looks at Clark and asks, "Are you aware of this?"
"Yes, sir. And I support my wife 110%. We are aware that this is not what any of us anticipated when I signed on here at the Planet. But circumstances have changed. I'm sorry, but they have. This does not, however, affect my employment status. I plan to honor my contract to the fullest."
Silence.
James speaks. "I think Perry and I have some talking to do. Can we meet again tomorrow, same time?"
"Yes, we can do that," Lois replies."
"Good, we'll see you then."
PERRY WHITE AND JAMES OLSEN
"Well Perry, what do we do now," James asks. He isn't happy.
"Well, knowing Lois as I do . . . she does not like demands. So, when she does, she really means it. And she has Clark's undying love and support. AND with their status as caretakers of the Jackson girl and fortune, we have no leverage! Except maybe their loyalty, and in the business world that wears thin."
"I know. Have you thought on the Family Life section?" "Not much. With Lois so focused on being a mother, I can't see her committing the time necessary to do a start-up. We would need to have someone else do the start-up, and let Lois work as a reporter. That, I don't see working."
"I agree. So, a sometimes-contributing writer? What a disappointment! I had high hopes for that team."
"So did I. And they were doing great work. Until that foster care home fire. Damn . . . I wish I'd never sent them out to cover that."
"But Perry, that was their type of story. And that picture, oh my god! 20,000 extra copies!"
"Yeah, and then it all goes to hell!" Perry moans.
"How can we salvage something?" James muses.
"Don't know. Let's think on it."
"Yeah."
PH HOME
"Wow, have you ever seen two more deflated men, Lois?"
"No, I feel bad, Clark."
"Don't, sweetheart. But I wonder if we can help them salvage something?"
"I don't know. I do want to think about it though. We are a great team, maybe we can come up with something."
"Maybe . . . oh there goes MKK. My turn, you go to bed, sweetie," Clark turns for the door.
"There is formula in the fridge. Pop a bottle in the warmer; it will be ready when you get done changing her." She reaches for him, for a kiss.
He obliges, then goes to do his daddy duties.
TBC