Beside you still
Chapter 8 Traveling
Daily Planet
THURSDAY NOON
Lois swivels around in her chair to face her partner. "Clark, it is almost noon and we still have nothing solid on that pollution story! Perry wanted a front-page type story for Sunday. I can hear him now-
"LANE! KENT! MY OFFICE, NOW!"
"I told you so," she mutters as they hustle from their rear corner shared cubicle to Perry's front and center office.
Clark allows Lois to enter first; she slides into a chair, he does likewise. "Relax, Jimmy and I figured it out" he whispers in her ear. She gives her boyfriend the side eye.
"Well?" Perry starts, then glares.
"Sir?" Clark plays dumb. Not very well, apparently.
Lois looks at her partner, then at her boss. "Ah, well-
"Do you have a Sunday front page or not? I thought you were my 1st team? Did I miss something?" He is steamed.
"No, sir. Lois will be writing that story tomorrow morning." Clark grins.
"Yes, sir. I will." She looks at Clark, open mouthed. She doesn't know what's going on yet, but she trusts her partner. At least she did trust him.
"I will have all the facts, including pictures, to you first thing in the morning, partner." He seems pleased with himself. She's feeling better; at least a little.
"That's what I like, Kent! Results! Dismissed."
On their way back to their cubicle Lois hisses, "And how are you going to do that, exactly?"
"Jimmy and I have it all worked out, just as you and I talked about. We are working on it tonight."
"JIMMY? He tried that before. He lost our most expensive drone! Perry almost had him flogged. Have you and him worked out the wrinkles?"
"We've corrected a few things. I'm pulling out the ace up my sleeve. I hope you don't mind." He looks like a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"What?! You said we couldn't do that, Clark!" She is astounded. And pissed!
"Ordinarily. But this is do or die, correct?" He grimaces.
"And when were you going to tell me, partner?"
Lois is unhappy! He is unhappy!
"I was going to tell you when Perry shouted at us."
She glares, but he's got that smile that she just cannot resist. And he knows it. Damn him.
"I'm going with you, and don't even think about saying no!" She has her hands on hips. (Where he wants his hands.)
He has learned what that tone of voice means. Saying no never works. It's best to save time, energy and emotion and give in.
"Ok, you can be with Jimmy. I will be busy."
"We will talk about this, Clark."
"Of course. I look forward to that!"
"So do I," She smiles too.
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Clark and Lois meet Jimmy in his semisecret video/photo lab.
"You ready, Jimbo?"
"You bet, CK."
"What's up Jimmy?" Lois asks.
Jimmy looks at Lois, then at CK. "Her?"
"Her."
"Ok, CK. Well, I've got you my best hi-res video camera, with infra-red; a camera-less drone fitted with GPS data capturing; harness with drone mount; and earwig comms for you and me."
"And me!" Spits Lois.
Jimmy looks at CK. "And her?"
"And her."
"Good boys! You are learning, after all." Lois stands with hands on hips, again.
Clark and Jimmy roll their eyes. Lois smirks.
This will be interesting.
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The info they have all points to pollutant dumps at night. All prior attempts to gather incriminating evidence have failed. Jimmy's last try got him nothing but a shot down very expensive drone. So, he consulted with Clark.
Jimmy knew that Clark and Superman were friends; he did NOT know that they were one and the same person. He was hoping Superman would help.
Clark and Lois had discussed what role, if any, Superman should have in news gathering. Their conclusion? Virtually none!
So, was this an exception?
It depends on who you ask; it usually does.
"So, what's the plan boys?" Lois asks, firmly.
Jimmy looks to Clark, who nods his approval to read Lois in. Completely.
"Superman will be set-up with the camera on his belly. He will protect it with his arms and hands. On his back will be a Dummy drone, only capturing GPS data to validate the evidence. When fired on, Superman will dodge or deflect any ordinance. We should get GPS verified data and pictures."
"We must be extremely careful with the evidence," Clark stresses. "If it's not top-notch quality, we shouldn't use it. The risk to Superman's identity is too great."
"Clark, can we talk, privately. Please?" Lois implores.
He looks at Jimmywho nods, and mouths OK.
They step out into the entryway. Lois wraps her arms around his waist. She looks up into his sky-blue eyes. "Clark, I really don't think this story is worth it. Pollution is bad, yes. Luthor Corp is corrupt, yes. They need to be stopped, yes. But not this way, please. Is your hatred of everything Luthor clouding your judgment, babe? Please don't do this!"
She rests her cheek on his chest. She hears his steady heartbeat. Steady as a rock.
He tilts her head up, allowing access to her lips. He gives her a long kiss. "You are right, Lois. My motivation is off kilter. We need to find another way."
"Thank you, Clark!" Another kiss and they return to Jimmy's lab.
They tell Jimmy that the OP is off and head home.
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CK/LL APARTMENT
Lois lets them in. They each grab a beer from the fridge and collapse on the couch. Clark wraps her up in his arms.
"Thank you, my love. I was about to make a mistake. While it may have worked-
"It was not worth the risk, my love." She snuggles closer.
"You see how much you do for me?" Clack whispers.
"As much as I can, sweetheart."
"I want to reward you."
"What," she asks. Her pulse quickens.
"Not what, where. A real Italian dinner!"
"Italy?" She squeals.
"Yup, Friday evening. And overnight."
"I'm in. What shall I bring?"
"You have your black leather flying suit?"
"Yes, ready to go. An overnight case, hm?"
"Yes, that's it. Oh, your appetite!"
"Silly, I don't leave home without it!"
'Silly me for asking.'
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ITALY
Clark makes two stops for Lois' comfort: Iceland and Ireland. Both islands have little used National parks where she can stretch and take a bathroom break if needed. They finished the trip in Arpino, Italy; a medium sized town NE of Naples.
They stay with a family of 4: Antonio, Martha and kids Julia and Matthew. The Queso's. The family owns 395 acres of melons; reputed to be the best in the world. Clark's story regarding his stay there as Superman is quite similar to the San Felipe story. His world tour evidently involved a lot of trouble-shooting. Unfortunately, that means he has made a lot of enemies; necessitating keeping his real identity tightly under wraps.
Friday evening, they enjoy a fabulous home-cooked Italian dinner, topped off by a piece of tiramisu. Again, Lois is amazed by the sumptuous authentic cuisine that Clark (as Kal) is introducing her to. She could really get used to this!
Saturday, they take a ferry to Capri, the island where the Roman Emperor Tiberius spent his last 12 years in seclusion. They toured the island, including Villa Jovis – the emperor's finest architectural achievement and last residence.
Back in Arpino, Martha cornered Lois and asked her, "what's with you and Kal. I see lots of affection there, no?"
"Well, we are trying to figure things out." Lois blushes, she has this figured out!
"I see sparks, go for it, girl. He is a wonderful man!"
"I know; we'll see what happens. Thanks for your hospitality, Martha."
"You are so welcome, my dear. Please come again soon!"
"We will."
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ON THE VERANDA, UNDER THE STARS
"Clark, I was wondering, any serious relationships in your past?"
Silence. Clark sighs. He has told no one about this.
"About 3-years ago I was patrolling late at night . . . I heard a woman's cry for help. I responded, of course, and came upon a girl in an alley, being assaulted. 25-year-old Julie. The attacker had her blouse off and was going for her bra. She already had bruises on her arms and face. I threw him in a dumpster, then turned around to give her a little privacy to get herself together.
"Turns out I held her hand, emotionally, through the justice process. We had 3 dinner dates . . . no intimacy.
"Then 3-weeks later . . . a drunk driver-
"No, Clark! I'm so sorry!"
"T-boned her car, driver's side. She died in my arms."
They both are crying now; Lois pulls him into an embrace and holds him tightly.
"I was going to tell you, the time never seemed right. I'm sorry, I don't intend to keep any secrets from you, never again."
"Thank you for that. I'm really sorry . . . so, I have to ask-
"No, Lois, you are not a rebound for me. Absolutely not."
"I'm sorry for-
"Don't be. That's a reasonable thing for you to wonder about. Julie and I didn't go deep, no sex. But it did open my eyes, get me to thinking. And when you and I started working together, and the initial attraction deepened, it became obvious to me. Lois, you are the only woman for me. The only one!"
Silence.
They gaze at the stars. She reaches for his hand; he responds and pulls her into an embrace. He places a kiss on top of her head.
Martha comes out, clearing her throat. She is carrying a tray with 2 mugs of coffee, cream & sugar. "Coffee?"
"Yes, thank you," Lois says.
Martha puts the tray down and leaves.
Lois prepares the coffee; she knows how Clark likes it. She hands him his mug, he smiles sweetly.
Silence for a while as they sip their coffee and star gaze.
Clark wonders if it's time for THE QUESTION. He's not sure if Lois is ready. He thinks she is close. Another special trip? Maybe. Where?
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TBC Where will he take Lois next?