Army brat, Farm guy
Chapter 3b Who are you?
A/N: This starts a series of 3x chapters. I had already written chapters 4 and onward, when I realized that I needed some story between 3 and 4. So we'll fill in that gap – to avoid whiplash!
KENT FARM – 2 WEEKS LATER
SATURDAY
Clark Kent made his usual soft landing behind the barn. First, he went up to the loft; just to check on his special space. Everything was just as he had left it. He sat down on the couch and did some reflective thinking.
His partnership with Lois Lane at the Daily Planet is progressing nicely; he is learning a lot. Well, he's only an intern yet, but still Lois has used 'partner' on a few occasions. That felt good! Usually, it's Smallville. He's getting used to that. He thinks he better get used to it. Once Lois locks on to something – that is it!
Lois.
She really is an army brat – she even admits it. Like a girl scout honor patch. Whoa, DO NOT CALL HER A GIRL SCOUT! She raises the bar on brashness, sarcasm & testiness, sometimes almost nasty; she is always right. she can seem like a cold fish – but Clark is starting to see over that wall. He sees a lovely, lonely, beautiful woman needing someone who will love her for who she is. And who she can love in return, completely. She's been hurt too many times in the past. Trust comes hard earned. He is sure it's worth waiting and working for.
He can be patient. We'll see where this goes.
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KITCHEN
Clark is seated at the table, sipping coffee.
"Mom, this isn't the good stuff. Are you out?"
"Oh . . . no, I just use Folgers sometimes. It makes the beans you bring us seem more special."
"Ok, I get that. Now, what ideas have you and dad come up with as far as a disguise is concerned?"
Jonathon starts. "Son, you may find this funny, but I have paid more attention to what actors and actresses use to change their appearance."
"Hey, that makes sense. What have you seen?"
"Well, it doesn't need to be elaborate. You don't need a mask," mom inserts.
"Thank goodness." Clark sighs.
They laugh at their boy.
"Here is what mother and I have thought of Clark. A pair of glasses; a change of voice; a change of posture; seeming smarter, or not as smart as you really are; seeming more or less confident. How's that for a list?" Jonathon lays it out there.
"Wow! Did you write that down?"
"Yes, and here are a pair of glasses," Martha hands them to him.
"Good. Let me take this to the loft and practice somethings. I'll be back in a while – we can see what you think."
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SCENARIO #1
"Mom, dad? How is this for Clark Kent, the reporter?" He turns around, puts on the glasses, then turns back around. His voice is a touch higher, softer, less self-assured. The glasses are distinctive. His posture is slightly slumped. He disappears in a blur.
SCENARIO #2
He returns in a few seconds; no glasses; hair with a little gel; voce deeper; posture erect and confident. "What do you think?"
His folks stare with mouths open.
"Wow!" They both whisper. "That will work."
"Clark, you need to be really careful around Lois," dad emphasizes. "She has gotten used to you as you have been."
"I know. Life would be so much easier-
"Clark, you can't!" Dad is emphatic.
"I know, but I am sure the time is coming."
Dad cringes.
Mom hopes.
Clark prays.
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Daily Planet – MONDAY
Lois is already at her desk when Clark arrives. He comes around the back way, leans over and whispers in her ear, "Good morning." She jumps 3" as he puts down her coffee.
"Don't do that Clar-
She stares at him. "What the hell, Clark! What's with the glasses?" She reaches up, takes them off his face and puts them on herself. "Are you kidding me? These are plain glass."
He reaches over and slips them off of her. He looks at them carefully.
"No, Lois. The eye doctor said you'd think that. They are a special glass. I was home in Smallville this weekend and saw an eye doc. I have a special eye condition; sort of like astigmatism. She prescribed these. They really help. The low-grade headaches I was getting . . . they are gone! How do I look?"
"Um . . . different, I rather like the look, Smallville."
"Good, I'm glad you approve."
He sits down at his desk and logs onto the Daily Planet network to start work.
Soon Lois looks up and comments, "Clark, we haven't heard anything from the 'blur' lately. Do you suppose he's gone back to wherever he came from?"
"He? Are you sure the blur is a he?"
"Yes, I can tell a he from a she!"
"When . . . ah, the motion is so fast?"
"Clark, that Inquisitor picture caught him standing still for a moment. He was a he!"
"Yeah, I forgot about that."
"Clark, keep your head in the game." Lois takes another sip of her coffee. "Um, this is that good stuff, isn't it? It's cooled off."
Clark reaches for her coffee, "I'll go warm it up for you."
He's gone before she can remind him that the microwave in the break room is OOO.
In 30 seconds, he is back. She takes a sip, it's at the perfect temp. She slowly turns and looks at him. He ignores her. 'What the hell?'
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CHRISTMAS
It is 8 months later. Clark Kent is spending the holiday with mm & dad in Smallville. He would like to get Lois a present. Nothing too fancy. They have only been partners for 9 months. He mentions it at breakfast.
"Are you trying to develop a relationship, son," dad opines.
"Jonathon!" Martha exclaims. She swats his arm.
"What? I'm just asking." Dad pouts.
"No dad. I'm just trying to be a good friend."
"Clark, what about a sketch?" Mom wonders.
"Hm, that's a great idea. I can give Perry one also."
"I like that, not just Lois," dad interjects.
Clark and Martha glare at dad. But they realize that is a good idea.
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Daily Planet – JANUARY 3
Clark Kent slips into his seat; Lois hasn't arrived yet. He has 3 gaily wrapped tubes; his presents for Perry White,
Lois Lane & Jimmy Olsen. He plans to give them their Christmas gifts this morning.
Lois arrives shortly, she slips out of her coat and hangs it up. Underneath she had on a white blazer which she shrugs off. She quickly puts it back on mumbling something about the heat not being on yet.
In that brief interval Clark Kent saw bruises on her right arm; they appeared to be a hand-print. He immediately tensed. Lois had never confided in him about any relationship issues; nothing about any relationship of any kind. His protective instinct revved up. 'Careful Clark, she will not like you going there!'
He decides to talk with Jimmy later. He gets up, grabs the presents and announces, "Lois, will you join me and Jimmy in Perry White's office. Please?"
She looks up and nods. Clark texts Jimmy, then heads to their editor's office. After they all are seated, he begins; "I was home in Smallville this weekend. I had been thinking about what to give you, my closest friends this Christmas. My mother gave me an idea, and I ran with it. So here you go." He hands Jimmy the first tube.
JIMMY'S PRESENT
Jimmy unwraps the tube and pulls out a rolled-up sketch. He gasps; there he is, a pre-teen boy sitting on the LR floor in front of a Christmas tree. Wrapping paper is strewn about, he holds a brand-new Minolta camera.
"You weren't there, Clark." He whispers.
"You told me about it."
Jimmy looks up, misty eyed. He gets up, motions for Clark to get up too. When Clark does, Jimmy wraps his arms around his new-found friend and chokes out "Thank you, so much, CK!"
They take their seats.
Perry White is amazed, Lois is nervous.
"Perry, you are next."
PERRY WHITE'S PRESENT
Clark hands Perry the 2nd tube; "Your Christmas present, boss."
Perry smirks as he takes the tube. By now they all know what the presents are. Perry sheds the paper and pulls out the rolled-up sketch. He unrolls it, holds the sketch up to see it well and his mouth drops open.
He sees himself sitting at his editor's desk; his elbows on his desk; holding his glasses in his left hand; his right hand resting on the desk calendar; in the foreground is an ashtray with a cigar resting on the lip, with a soft curl of smoke rising in the air. He looks very pensive, deep in thought. There is a wall calendar – April, date blurry.
Perry looks to Clark, "How in hell?"
"You shared at lunch once."
Perry chokes out a thank you. He rolls it back up, puts it back in the tube.
LOIS LANE'S PRESENT
She accepts the 3rd tube with trembling hands. She has no idea what to expect. When she unrolls the sketch, a soft gasp escapes her lips. She looks at the sketch, over to Clark, then at the sketch. A soft smile forms on her lips.
There are 2 young girls, holding hands. They are dressed for winter with hats, coats, snow boots and gloves. They are standing in the middle of a street w/o cars anywhere around.
It is a Christmas scene; the stores on both sides of the street are decorated and lit up with colored lights. There is a tall Christmas tree in the background.
The girls have a joyous expression on their faces; they are obviously Lois and her younger sister Lucy.
"You showed me a picture of Lucy once, I hope it's ok that I did her and you?"
"It's perfect, thank you!"
All three apologize for not having a present for him. He laughs that off; and invites them to the farm next Christmas; "You can correct that deficiency then." His smile is a mile wide.
But that's not all, Clark hands Perry a manila folder.
Perry opens the folder and takes out 3 printed pages. He reads, then sets them down. He saw:
A Country Christmas
Through a child's eyes
by Clark Kent
"A story?" Perry is flabbergasted!
"Yes, and maybe illustrated by Lois' sketch. With her permission, of course."
"I'll consider."
Sunday's full, front page – the story and sketch appeared! Byline: Lois (picture permission) & Clark.
Mom and dad were ecstatic!
Perry & Lois pleased. Their intern just might work out, after all.
Lois' thoughts were a touch deeper.
She was still keeping her powder dry. Very dry.
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TBC