Beside you still
Chapter 6 Clark's disappearing act
DAILY PLANET, MONDAY AM
Lois is sitting at her desk in their shared cubicle, concentrating on her laptop screen. Clark enters on tip toes, deliberately, and bends over close to her right ear. "Good morning!" He whispers.
She jumps 6 inches, and would have fallen over had he not caught her. "DO NOT DO THAT!" She cannot help but grin as he set her back down in her swivel chair – a firm grip around her torso. (She liked that!)
"Aw, can't I wish my girl good morning?" He mutters.
"Your girl? Clark, careful, folks will start to think something is going on between us," she responds in a low voice. A very sexy low voice.
"Oh . . . isn't there something going on, sweetheart?"
"Clark, you know what I mean! Now get to work, we've got that story about pollution and lake Metropolis to wrap up; Perry hopes that it will be page 1 material for Sunday-
Clark cocks his head, "Lois I've got to go. Be back in a jiffy-
He dashes at human speed toward the stairs that will take him to the roof. And he's gone!
'Oh man, now that I know what's going on I suppose I will need to cover for him. Suck it up Lane; you can do this.' After all she's an army brat, she can do anything!
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METROPOLIS CIRCLE EXPRESSWAY
Clark had heard the sounds of a massive pileup on the freeway circling the city. As he was taking off from the Planet's roof, he heard the 1st sirens start to wail.
As he approached the crash site, he saw that the accident involved a school bus, a big rig and several automobiles. Just before he landed, he sent Lois aa TXT: BIG CRASH 494 SOUTH AT HAYDEN Exit, come ASAP!
She grabbed her valise complete with wallet, phone, small digital camera, press pass and writing materials. As she flew past Perry's office door, she hollered out her destination and said "Send Jimmy!". She headed for the garage, wishing that she had hopped on Clark's back. 'Damnit!'
Superman's 1st priority was the bus load of school children. He saw what looked like the PIC (person in charge), a Lieutenant he thought, and trotted over to him. "Where can I help most, sir?"
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Back at the Planet Perry stuck his head out of his office and shouted, BIG CRASH 494 SOUTH AT HAYDEN Exit, JIMMY GO NOW!"
Lois arrived soon and assessed the scene. She sees Superman assisting kids off the bus. Suddenly a rescue worker shouts "FIRE". Superman steps back and sees flames shooting from under the hood of the bus. He rushes to the front of the bus, rips off the hood, and with his super breath puts out the fire.
Jimmy had arrived just in time to shoot video of the action. Lois was furiously writing notes. Superman stepped back into the bus and helped the last of the children exit. One little girl was so scared that he had to carry her off in his arms. He carried her over to one of the waiting ambulances and set her on a stretcher.
"Don't leave me, Superman," she cried!
"I won't, sweetie. What's your name?"
"Julie."
"That's a pretty name. Julie, I need to check on the other people here. If I could find a very pretty lady to stay with you, could I go and do that?"
"I suppose so." She sniffles.
Superman motions for Lois to come over, she does.
"Lois Lane, this is Julie. Can you stay with her for a while as I check on things, please? Maybe she could be your 1st interview?" He grins.
"You are pretty!" Julie says.
"Oh, did he say that now?" Lois raises an eyebrow.
"Yup, he did." Julie giggles.
Superman heads off; Lois and Julie talk.
He assists by opening 2 car doors, putting out 1 more fire, pulling one car away from the ditch it was sliding into and carrying various individuals to a waiting ambulance.
When things were stable, he returned to Lois and Julie. "And how are you pretty ladies doing?"
"Do you know Miss Lane," Julie inquires of him. She is holding tightly to Lois' arm.
"We have met, and I've read some of her stories in the Daily Planet. She is a very good writer."
"I know. My mommy reads them to me!"
"See, Miss Lane. You have a fan! Did you get a good interview?"
"Yes, I did. But there is one more I'd like to get before he flies away!"
"You mean Superman, don't you. You will talk with her, won't you Superman?" Julie pleads.
"Surely, since you asked so nicely."
Superman sits down between the 2 lovely ladies. Lois begins to ask questions. Julie listens, intrigued.
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DAILY PLANET, PERRY'S OFFICE
Lois and Clark enter as demanded and sit down.
"I assume the tip about the accident came from you Clark?" Perry opens with.
"Yes, sir."
"How are we going to handle these things going forward? And by the way, how were you tipped off?"
"My super hearing, sir."
"I thought you could turn it off?"
"I can, but that's for sleeping or special occasions."
"Like?" He looks closely at Clark.
"Well . . . um . . . you know-
Lois blushes furiously.
"Oh . . . I see." Perry blushes too.
"With all due respect, I don't think you need to know things like that, sir."
"You are absolutely correct, Clark. Shall we give some thought to this?"
"Surely," Clark agrees.
Lois nods, then asks "Chief, today Clark gave me a heads up, so I beat all the other media outlets to the scene. While I liked that, of course, that will raise eyebrows if it happens consistently."
"Ah, absolutely. But when Clark leaves suddenly, you will know something is up. Right?"
"Yes, but today I sent her a TXT with details and location!" Clark admits.
"Ah, I see. You probably should do that rarely, right?" Perry surmises.
"I think so, though I really liked it!" Lois grins. "And I got a Superman exclusive interview today!"
"Oh boy, we need to keep a close eye on how often you get one of those. Too many, and someone will start connecting the dots!" Perry says, Clark grimaces.
"Yeah, I just thought of that," Lois frowns.
"I'm beginning to see how complicated both the professional and personal relationships will be," Perry admits.
"Lois, I hate to ask this. What if we add Perry and your dad to our supper date Wednesday evening? Provided, of course, that they don't stay too late." Clark looks pointedly at Perry.
Lois stares at Clark, then at Perry. "Boss, can I trust you to leave no later than 8:30 PM?"
"Promise, ma'am." 'She has something up her sleeve'.
"Ok, my place at 6:00 PM. Don't be late. If you try to crash the party late, my security consultant will deal with you, harshly!"
"Understood."
Clark grins, Perry gulps, Lois smiles.
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TBC