"TWISTED HEARTS" by Leigh Raglan Rated PG-13 First published – September 1995 Revised & Resubmitted - April 2004 Copyright (C) 1995, 1996, 2004 by Leigh Raglan All Rights Reserved [Author's Note: Although continuity-wise this story takes place after second season episode, #20 "Individual Responsibility," it is set during the middle of the month of February beginning on Valentine's Day. It was intended to be a sort of Valentine to the fans who were frustrated at certain things in the show. At this point in the series, Lois had stopped dating Clark because she was angry and frustrated that he was always running off all the time without any valid explanation. Much to Clark’s chagrin, she was now seeing D.E.A. (Drug Enforcement Agency) Agent Dan Scardino who had first come to Metropolis to investigate Mayson Drake’s death, and then there was Superman who she still seemed to love. I wrote the story during the summer of 1995, prior to the start of the third season when many fans got their wish in the first episode: Lois finally figuring out that Clark was Superman. A few of the characters appeared in earlier second season episodes and there are a few references to events which took place in both first and second seasons episodes. Because Clark is the real person in this incarnation of the superhero and Superman is just his disguise there are times, when he’s wearing the costume and where I’m describing events from his point of view, when I still refer to him as Clark, sort of as a gentle reminder, a reinforcement, to the reader that in fact it really is Clark. – LR, 4/16/04] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Lois Lane sat at her computer terminal tapping the final words of her article about the two-day-old taxi strike. "Hello, Lois," a familiar voice said. She looked up in surprise. It was Superman standing in front of her desk. In one hand he was holding a beautiful large red satin heart-shaped box edged with white lace and topped with a red silk rose. A medium-sized pink envelope was in his other hand. He was smiling broadly. "Hi," she smiled back. She had been so completely absorbed in her work, she had not heard the familiar "whoosh" sound which usually accompanied his arrivals and departures. She glanced nervously over at Clark's desk and was relieved to see he wasn't there. She didn't want him getting jealous about the superhero. "Lois," Superman said, "I brought these for you." He handed her the envelope and box. Lois stared at them in shock. "F-for me? B-but, I--I thought you... well, what I mean to say... b-but you told me that Clark and I were lucky--" "Happy Valentine's Day, Lois. These are for you, don't you want them?" "Well, sure, I-I'm just so surprised... I didn't think you--" "So, open them," he smiled handing her the box and card. Lois opened the heart-shaped box to find it contained a wide assortment of chocolates. "I know how much you love chocolate, Lois." Lois laughed with delight. She reached in, removed a piece, and offered it to Superman. He waved it away. "No, thanks. They're for you. You have it." "Okay, thanks." She popped it in her mouth. "Mmmm. It's delicious. I think I'll have another." She selected another piece which was wrapped in a gold foil, opened it and also ate it. After she had gone through about five pieces non-stop and was starting to open her sixth, Superman said, "Aren't you going to look at the card?" "Oh. Well, of course. I'm sorry. It's just that this is so good, I couldn't resist. You know how I am about chocolate." "I know." After removing the foil and placing the sweet in her mouth, Lois picked up the envelope. She had never seen Superman's handwriting before and noticed that he had written her name with a flourish. She opened the envelope and pulled out a large card covered with tiny embossed red hearts and roses which formed a bouquet tied with colorful ribbons. She then opened the card and gasped. "Dearest Lois," it began in the same beautiful script, "I may be from another world, but you fill mine completely. Won't you be mine? Forever! With all my love, Superman." "Lois, I love you," Superman said. Lois' mouth dropped open. She was speechless. Very gently Superman lifted her out of her chair and picked her up in his arms. He then bent forward and gently kissed her. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she returned the kiss feeling the warmth of his soft mouth, feeling as if she were about to faint. There was a collective gasp from everyone in the newsroom. Everyone was watching, speechless. This was fairy tale time. Lois Lane and Superman. Even Perry White had come out of his office and was staring. Jimmy grinned from ear to ear. "Jimmy, I think you better take a picture," Perry told him. Jimmy looked startled. "You want me to? But Lois?" "We're a newspaper, Jimmy. We publish the news. Superman declaring his love to Lois is news. So take a picture, son." Jimmy nodded. He went to his desk and picked up his camera. After a long while Superman's and Lois' lips separated. She looked up at him blushing. Then she noticed everyone was watching them. Embarrassed, she buried her head in his shoulder. "Can I get a photo of your kissing her, Superman?" Jimmy asked aiming his camera. "Okay with you, Lois?" Superman asked her gently. "You really love me, Superman?" she asked. "With all my heart. I tried to deny it. I thought I could deny it, but I just couldn't." "Lois, is it okay?" Jimmy asked her. She smiled broadly at him, "Yes!" "You love me?" Superman asked her. "Completely," she responded as their lips met again. He kissed her passionately as the flash went off repeatedly accompanied by the sound of the camera shutter as it clicked and whirled, auto-winding frame after prize-winning 35mm frame of the historical photo op of the century. Thirty-five frames later, Superman released her. Lois was nearly in a faint. With a smile, he gently lowered her back into her chair. At this moment a security guard burst into the newsroom and yelled, "Superman! I heard you were here. We've got a hold- up in the lobby! Can you come?" "See you later," he said to Lois before running across the newsroom and disappearing into the stairwell. * * * * * * A few minutes later Clark Kent strode off the elevator into the Daily Planet newsroom clutching a small bouquet of half-a-dozen pink baby roses. The florist called them sweetheart roses. Perfect, Clark had thought. They were for his sweetheart, the only woman who had ever captured his heart, his one true love. He was now headed directly for Lois' desk when Jimmy, trying to cut him off, intercepted him . "Chief wants to see you right away, C.K.," he told him with a worried expression. Jimmy knew Clark cared for Lois. "Okay, Jimmy. Be there in just one second," Clark responded stepping around him and continuing on his path to Lois' desk. "But..." Jimmy protested grabbing his arm, "he said 'right away' as soon as you walked in." Clark gently disengaged his arm and smiled, "I'll be there right away, Jimmy, as soon as I put these down. I want to get them into water." He walked over to Lois' desk noticing that she looked absolutely radiant. He couldn't remember seeing her look so beautiful. "Hi, Lois," he said brightly. Lois started. "Oh!" Her face fell and she could barely meet his eyes as she said almost despondently, "Hi, Clark." Clark, puzzled, looked at her unsure on how to take her greeting. "Well, I just wanted to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day, and check to see if we're all set for tonight." He offered her the bouquet. She hesitated, "C-Clark, um, I, uh, don't know what to say." He frowned. "Well, 'thanks' would suffice. Are you okay? Is something the matter?" She licked her lips nervously and looked up at him, "Clark, I'm fine. In fact, I'm GREAT! But I--I really can't... I'm so s-sorry, but I can't take these and I can't go out with you." "What!" Clark's mouth was open. "B-but--" "Clark, we're best friends and partners," she said now speaking rapidly as the words nearly spilled over one another in her nervousness, "and I hope we'll always be. And we've gone on a few really great dates, too, and we've, ah, kissed. But something's happened to me, something wonderful I've dreamed about, but I never wanted to hurt you... and I'm so sorry, but I--" "CLARK!" It was Perry's voice literally booming across the newsroom floor. "In a second, Chief," Clark said staring at Lois. He watched her as she reach into a heart-shaped box of chocolate, removed a piece of candy, unwrapped it, and popped it in her mouth. She then reached for another piece. That radiant look she had when he first saw her, before she saw him, returned to her face. He then noticed the card sitting on her desk, but couldn't see who it was from. His face hardened. "Would these have anything to do with this?" he said waving at the candy box and the card. "Yes," Lois said so quietly he almost couldn't hear her response. "Lois, who could possibly mean this much to you?" Then the horrible thought crossed his mind, but he couldn't believe it. "It can't be... Scardino?!" "No, it isn't Dan," Lois said looking down, refusing to meet his eyes and see the obvious pain reflected in them. "So, who is it then, if it isn't Mr. Gadget? I mean you haven't been seeing anyone else. We were going out... I can't believe--" "CLARK! In here, right now!" Perry fairly shouted. "Clark," Lois said looking up at him with tears in her eyes, "I'm really sorry, but Superman--" "Superman?!" Clark was shocked, stunned. Perry came over, put an arm around Clark's shoulder and led him into his office. Clark looked dumbfounded as he sank into the chair across from Perry's desk. Perry closed the door to his office and sat down next to him. "Clark, I know this isn't easy, son. I know how you feel, how you've felt about Lois. But you know that Lois has always carried a torch for Superman. It's just that he didn't reciprocate those feelings for her... until now." Clark shook his head, "Reciprocate her feeling? I don't understand, Chief. Lois knows Superman isn’t... can’t... Well she seemed to have gotten over her Superman infatuation." "There is no easy way to break this to you, son. I'm really sorry, Clark, truly I am." Perry then told Clark what had happened. Clark let out a gasp and unconsciously dropped his bouquet on the floor. He was floored. At first it didn't sink in. He thought he must be dreaming, actually having a nightmare was more like it. Then he began to get angry, livid was more like it. In fact, Clark couldn't remember a time in his entire life when he felt such rage coursing through him. "This is a LIE! This isn't true!" "Clark, I'm really sorry," Perry said placing an arm on Clark's shoulder, "but Superman came in here and told her he loved her 'with all his heart.' Everyone in the newsroom saw it." "But it's not true. I-I-I... H-he..." Clark's voice trailed off. "Why don't you take the rest of the day off, Clark. Hell, take the next couple of days off--" "NO!" Clark jumped up. "I'm going to get to the bottom of this. Of all the low-down, mean, rotten... Chief, that man... THAT was NOT Superman! Believe me, I KNOW!" He jumped out of his chair and marched out of Perry's office heading straight for Lois' desk. "Clark!" Perry called after him. Clark reached Lois' desk and snatched away the half-eaten box of candy from her. "Clark!" Lois yelled. He then grabbed the card and read it out loud. "'"I may be from another world, but you fill mine completely. Won't you be mine? Forever! With all my love, Superman.' Really? Please! What a joke! You really think I'd write... I mean, SUPERMAN would really write something like that?" Lois felt a rage growing in her as she rose from her chair and made a grab for her things. "Give them back, Clark! Those are mine!" "You think that these were from Superman?" "I KNOW they were from Superman. I'm sorry, Clark, but you know I've always cared--" "I thought you were over the fantasy, Lois. And you've led me to believe you cared for me. What about me, Lois, or am I just the last man on the bottom rung of the ladder when no one else is available?" "Well, it's kind of hard to care for a man who runs out on you every time you have something important to say." "It couldn't be helped, and I don't ALWAYS run off. You're exaggerating!" "But you still run out--" "So did Superman fly?" Clark interrupted. "There was an emergency in the lobby. He ran out." "RAN out? As in run?" "That's what I said." "He didn't fly, or vanish with a whoosh?" "He left very fast, but he ran. What's your point?" "And you still think that was Superman and not an imposter?" "Yes, I do. Do you think I'm stupid or something, Clark?" Clark stared at her. His anger was abating. "Not stupid, Lois. Blind, maybe." "Blind?" "Sometimes, Lois, I think you don't really want to see things as they really are." "I'm not--" "I'm sorry I've run out on you. I've had lousy timing, but I do have an excellent reason for doing it and it's got nothing to do with you. In fact, I've been wanting to tell you why for a long time. I was going to tell you if I thought you cared for me. But not now. Not when you're clearly not over your Superman infatuation, not when you can dump me at a moment's notice for someone else." "I said I was sorry, Clark, but he told me he loved me." "You mean the imposter told you he loved you, Lois." "He WASN'T an imposter," Lois insisted. "I can't believe you can't tell the difference if the real Superman or a fake kisses you," Clark said bitterly. Lois felt her face flame with fury. "Clark, I told you from the start, 'Don't fall for me, farm boy.' You didn't listen. I NEVER led you anywhere. You wanted to believe... you've always known that I love Superman!" It was as if she had stabbed him in the heart, assuming she could stab the invulnerable Clark in the heart. He dropped the card and box back on her desk, turned abruptly, and strode out of the news room heading straight to the stairwell. As soon as the door to the stairwell slammed shut behind him and he was alone on the steps, he spun out of his civilian clothes into his famous red, yellow and blue costume. He rocketed up the steps to the roof in a matter of seconds, and blasted off up into the air so fast that he was undetectable by the naked eye. After soaring up into the stratosphere, he looked back down at the tiny spec which represented one of the greatest cities on the face of the planet. Way down there was the only woman he had ever loved, and now he had lost her no matter what the outcome was with the imposter. Because he now knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that his dream of Lois loving the man underneath the suit, the real person Clark Kent, was just that: a dream. * * * * * * Lois sat at her desk staring unseeingly at her computer monitor. Absentmindedly, she unwrapped another piece of chocolate and had just placed it in her mouth when she heard a familiar "whoosh" behind her. She smiled. Her hero. She rose to her feet a broad smile on her face until she saw Superman's face. He stood before her with his arms crossed, stiff, formal, no smile on his face. His lips were compressed in a thin tight line. There was a deep furrow between his eyes which were dark with hidden emotion. Ignoring Superman's grim stance and expression Lois said, "You're back. I enjoyed the candy, it's delicious." She moved closer and put her hand on his arm. She felt him stiffen. In a voice which was almost unrecognizable he said tersely, "I'm sorry, Lois, but that was NOT from me." Lois stepped back in shock as the implication of those words struck home. She felt an icy chill grip her heart. Superman then turned and addressed the entire newsroom. "I know you all saw someone who you thought was me come here earlier today and court Ms Lane. I vow that I will track down this imposter and bring him to justice." He turned back to Lois, who was fighting back tears, and said quietly so that only she could hear, "I am truly sorry, Lois, that this imposter fooled you. I have always cared for you, but I could never, would never, make such a display of affection before an entire news room when I have nothing to offer you. I told you once before that I thought you were lucky to have Clark. Why, oh why couldn't you have believed me?" The look in Superman's eyes was pure torment. Lois even thought for a moment she saw a tear glisten. Then he was gone. * * * * * * Talent agent, Sammy, of Sammy's Look-Alike Agency, was on the phone negotiating a deal with a client when the door opened and in walked Superman. Sammy waved him to a chair, but he remained standing in front of Sammy's desk with his arms folded across his chest. After he hung up the phone and looked him up and down, Sammy noticed that Superman wasn't carrying a portfolio or wearing a beeper. "Barry?" "No." "Excellent, excellent. You looked just like the Man of Steel although I'm not sure you've got the cape exactly right. It's close, though. Really close. We'll have to work on that. I've already got one guy going out but--" "I AM the Man of Steel." "Very good. Very convincing," Sammy said rubbing his hands together with pure delight. "You've got the voice perfect. Barry's got this Brooklyn accent he can't seem to get rid of so I can't send him places where he'd have to talk. He also chews gum all the time." Sammy stood up and came around the desk for closer inspection. "You'll fool them every time-- Ahhhh!!" Superman had levitated a couple of feet off the floor. He looked pointedly at Sammy below his belt, then smiled. "You wear boxers with little red octopus on them." Sammy instantly crossed his hands across his front in embarrassment. "My wife bought these for me. Oh, my god! You really ARE Superman." "Relax. It's okay, Sammy, I just need some information," Clark said returning to the floor. "I'm trying to track down a Superman imposter. How many look-a-likes do you have working for you who sound and look EXACTLY like me?" "Ah, only one actually. But he called in sick this morning." "Can I have his name and address?" "Sure, Superman." Sammy spun his rolodex and plucked off a card. He then rummaged among the chaos on his desk, found a blank piece of paper, and scribbled a name, phone number and address onto it which he had copied off the index card. He handed it to Superman. "Thanks." "Superman, I, ah, apologize about the cape--" Superman smiled. "That's okay, but I do think I got it right." With a wave of his hand he was gone. * * * * * * Superman stood in front of a full length mirror and said, "Dearest Lois, I may be from another world, but you fill mine completely. Won't you be mine? Forever!" He then laughed, "What a ditz." "Ms. Lane is anything but a ditz, Mr. Jaspar." Jaspar whirled around. He found himself facing the real Man of Steel, who was walking through the open sliding doors to the balcony of the high rise apartment. "It was just a joke, Superman." "A joke, Mr. Jaspar?" Superman said sternly crossing his arms across his chest. Jaspar watched him intently, noting his body gestures. He then imitated him: crossed his own arms and planted his feet apart on the floor. An instant later he found himself being held mid-air and looking down into a pair of burning brown eyes. "The joke's over! And neither I nor Ms. Lane found it remotely amusing." "Put me down!" he cried in protest. Superman lowered him to the floor but continued to hold him in a steel grip. "Now I want to know who sent you and why?" Jaspar said, "Kyle Griffin." "Kyle Griffin, the Prankster?" Superman repeated loosening his grip on the imposter. Jaspar nodded. He went over to a desk, pulled out an envelope and handed it to Superman. Inside was a money order for $1,000 made payable to Michael Jaspar. The name handwritten in was Kyle Griffin. "And how did he contact you?" "By mail. The candy and the card came in the mail with the check." "And you just decided to take the money and do this, no questions asked?" Superman said angrily. "Look at me. I'm a look-a-like. Look at this place? I'm an out-of-work actor. $1,000 pays the rent and puts some groceries on the table." Clark looked about noticing the shabby appearance of the small studio apartment, the cheap furniture, the threadbare rugs. Jaspar was not living well. The building itself was low income. "And what about Ms. Lane? What about me?" "What about it? I needed the money. It was a gig." Clark shook his head. He then snatched the check out of Jaspar's hand, instantly reducing it to confetti. He then walked back onto the balcony. "I'm not going to let you profit from humiliating Lois Lane in front of a whole newsroom. Don't let me catch you doing something like this again, Mr. Jaspar," he said before leaping up into the air. * * * * * * Dan Scardino came into the Daily Planet newsroom with a package wrapped in dark green paper under one arm. He strolled over to Lois' desk. "Hi, Lois," he said in his inimitably cheerful way. She barely gave him a nod. "That's your cue to say, 'hi' to me, Lois," Dan said. "Can't you leave me alone," she said in an angry voice not bothering to look up at him. "Get up from the wrong side of the bed this morning? What've I done? I just brought this over for you," he said, setting a package down on her desk. "Happy Valentine's Day." "You really shouldn't have. You're doing this way too much, Dan." "Would you rather I sent flowers?" "I think I would rather you sent me nothing, Dan. You're a little too--" "Eager?" "That's it." She looked at the package and said, "I don't want another strange gift from you." "Well, it's the thought that counts, Lois. I have the sales receipt so you can get something else." Scardino unwrapped the gift and set it on her desk. She looked at it with distaste. Then Dan turned back to Lois, reached over, and snatched a piece of candy out of the box. "Hey!" Lois said angrily. "I didn't offer you a piece." "Haven't you ever heard of the word 'share'?" They both heard the familiar whoosh! The wind rustled the papers on her desk. Scardino, who was sitting on the edge of her desk, looked up at Superman with distaste. This was someone he knew he couldn't compete with. "Oh, super," he groaned. "Actually," the superhero said, crossing his arms and standing rather menacingly over Scardino, "the name is 'Superman.'" "Yeah, right. Don't you have a real name?" Lois looked stunned. Her mouth opened. She couldn't believe Dan had said this to Superman. "Of course, but this is the name LOIS gave me. I think it's caught on too much for me to change it, don't you?" Scardino realized that Superman wasn't likely to hurt him, he was too moral and upstanding for that. "Well, I guess the name fits. Good choice, Lois," he said complimenting her. "But what do you call him in private?" Lois looked at Dan suddenly realizing what he meant by that. Superman must have some other name, but she didn't know what it was. "I can't tell you that, Dan," she said. She also realized just how little she truly knew about the superhero after all this time. "Lois, can I speak with you privately?" Superman asked her. "Superman, no offense, but I'm afraid you're interrupting a private conversation," Scardino said. "In the middle of a newsroom?" Superman asked. "Dan!" Lois said, obviously irritated at the way he was treating her hero. "Lois, I just think that this guy can't just flaunt his superpowers and fly in here thinking that because he's from another planet, and can fly, and is a superhero, we're all suppose to treat him like some kind of a god. I was about to talk to you about something important and he just butt in." "Well you can just BUTT out, Dan. Superman and I go way back and if he's got something to say to me, I'm sure it IS important. Isn't it?" she asked turning to Superman. "It is, Lois," Superman said quietly while giving Dan his superhero look of defiance. "It's about Clark." "CLARK?!" both Lois and Scardino said in unison. "Give me a break," Scardino said. "Can't that loser fight his own battles. What does he need, Superman to come save his love life for him?" Lois stared at Dan and said tersely, "I think you better go, Dan." "Lois?" "I think you better go right this instant." "But we're on for lunch, right?" She nodded. He sighed in relief and nodded curtly to Superman, "Don't get your cape caught in any revolving doors, Super..." Scardino stopped abruptly, realizing that calling him just that would irritate him. He smiled brightly at Superman, bent over and kissed Lois on the cheek. He noticed with pleasure that Superman winced. Scardino then bounced out of the newsroom grinning, a face full of teeth. He reminds me of a shark, Clark thought distastefully. What did Lois see in him anyway? Wasn't that the same plaid shirt he had worn on the last three visits? "Sorry about that, Superman," Lois apologized. "Now what's this about Cl--" "What's THAT?" he asked nodding towards Scardino's gift, an unidentifiable object adorning her desk. She shrugged. "I don't know. I can't figure out what it is. A piece of junk." He smiled. "He keeps sending me this odd stuff," she said. "Can we talk privately?" "Sure." She got up from her desk and led Superman to the conference room. He closed the door behind him. "Lois, I found out who the imposter was and why he did it. They wanted to publicly humiliate you and me." Lois sat down. "But why? Why would anyone do something like that?" "The imposter was an out-of-work actor by the name of Michael Jaspar. Our old friend the Prankster, Kyle Griffin, hired him. Thought the entire thing would be a great joke." "Kyle Griffin," Lois repeated. "And I thought he was behind bars." "He is, Lois, but apparently he's got a few friends outside of prison. He won't be doing much in the future now, however. I've reported his latest prank to the warden at Stryker's and his privileges are to be revoked." Lois sat down heavily in a chair. Superman watched her for a moment before saying, "Well, I guess I best--" "Wait. But what about Clark? You told me you had something to tell me about him." He hesitated. He now wasn't so sure he wanted to after all. "Clark and I are good friends, Lois, the way you and I are friends. Well, maybe not quite the same way," he smiled. "You hurt him pretty badly this morning and he needs to know... I need to know if you meant what you said to him?" Lois looked at him. "No, not entirely. Clark's wonderful, wonderful to me, patient, kind, and I do have feelings for him. But I also care for you, too, Superman. I always have." Superman reached for Lois' hand and took it in his own. "Lois, do you have any idea who I am?" She looked at him. "Of course, you're from Krypton, you're gentle, kind, you care about people, you're benevolent, you've got a high standard of ethics--" "But do you really know the man behind the costume, Lois?" "Not as well as I'd like to," she said softly, steadily returning his gaze. "But you haven't let me, Superman. I mean, on the one hand you seemed to be drawn to me as I've been to you from the moment we first met on the space shuttle. On the other hand you've kept me at arms' length, except on rare occasions like the time you stayed and danced with me." "That was a mistake," he said. "A mistake," Lois repeated biting her lip. "Well, it was one of the nicest mistakes you've ever made." He looked away from her. She stared at his profile. "Superman, you told me that you thought that Clark and I were lucky to have one another." "I did. Do you believe that?" "I--I don't know. Clark has this irritating habit of running off all the time. He's always done it, but it's worse now because it seems to happen whenever we're about to have some sort of serious conversation." "And does he tell you why he runs off?" "No. He just apologizes profusely, tells me to, 'hold that thought,' whatever it is. We're best friends and partners. So why won't he tell me?" "Lois, I can't tell you that. What I can tell you is that neither I nor Clark know who you care for, especially since Dan Scardino's appearance. But I need to know one thing, and one thing only, Lois. I need to know your feelings for Dan?" Lois stood up and paced a bit while Superman watched her intently. "I don't love Dan, if that's what you mean." "So why do you see him?" "Because Clark's not there for me." She stopped and looked at him, "And neither are you, Superman." "Is that fair to Dan?" "Is what fair?" "Leading him on when you don't care for him." "I'm not--" "He would think you are. I certainly think you are. Clark probably thinks..." he trailed off getting this distant expression in his eye. Lois stared at him. "What's the matter?" "I heard something." "Oh, no." "Sorry, Lois, but someone's in trouble." He was gone with a flash of cape. Lois shook her head. They both ran off in the middle of conversations: Clark and Superman. * * * * * * Less than a hour after Superman left the Daily Planet, Perry White received a phone call from Clark Kent who was calling in the Prankster story. He also told him that he was picking up a few Superman stories. The superhero was busy today. As Perry was hanging up the phone, he looked outside his office and saw Agent Scardino returning to pick up Lois for lunch. Perry grunted. After tapping his pencil thoughtfully on his desk blotter for a couple of minutes, he reached into his desk drawer, extracted a piece of stationery and placed it in the manual feed of his laser printer. Perry then began typing rapidly on his word processor. * * * * * * "Clark, I told you from the start, 'Don't fall for me, farm boy.' You didn't listen. I NEVER led you anywhere. You wanted to believe... you've always known that I love Superman!" The words echoed again and again in Clark's ears as he lay in bed and stared up at his ceiling. The early rays of dawn were starting to filter in through his windows. But was it true, he wondered? Clark had heard a cry for help while talking to Lois in the conference room and flew off to stop a robbery in progress. Afterwards, he had felt thoroughly miserable and, unable to really think clearly, he had flown a few patrols, done some more Superman rescues plus a motley of other things which really didn't require his special powers just to keep himself occupied and his mind off Lois. He had, of course, also phoned in the Prankster story to Perry. After that, he circumnavigated the globe, landed in Venice, and dressed as Clark Kent had eaten a heavy three course dinner complimented by a couple of bottles of Chianti. Clark cursed his inability to get intoxicated at a time he wouldn't mind being out cold. Very late that night he finally returned home thoroughly, emotionally exhausted. He fell into bed without even bothering to read any of his mail, only checking to see if he had any important messages on his answering machine. Fortunately, he hadn't, although he was disappointed that there wasn't a call from Lois. He hadn't expected her to phone him, but he had hoped she might. Now, hours later, as he lay there replaying his conversations with Lois over and over in his head, he wondered whether or not Lois was over her Superman infatuation or not. Judging from her behavior, the answer would appear to be 'no'. Just because he had stopped visiting her wearing the costume and interacting with her didn't mean that, if given the choice, she wouldn't still pick the superhero over Clark. And what about the irritating D.E.A. (Drug Enforcement Agency) agent, Dan Scardino? What were her feelings for him? She said she didn't love him, yet she continued to see him. Clark got up and began preparing for work. Within a few minutes he was dressed and sitting at his dining room table drinking his coffee, eating fried eggs, and reading the morning edition of the Daily Planet. There wasn't a word about the incident between Lois and the imposter the day before, not that he thought there would be. Perry White probably had the highest sense of integrity of anyone one in the entire newspaper business. Clark felt a sense of relief about that, at least. After pouring himself a second cup of coffee he went through his mail. The envelope marked "private and confidential" caught his eye as did the return address: "Gotham Gazette". Clark failed to notice the postage stamp wasn't cancelled as he tore open the envelope to read the letter inside. A half-hour later he was sitting in Perry's office. * * * * * * Lois sat at her desk with her eyes closed in pain caused by her knowledge of what she said to Clark the day before which would be difficult, if not impossible, to unsay. Her pain was compounded by the fierce headache she had for no apparent reason. When she opened her eyes and looked up, she saw Clark walking into the Daily Planet newsroom. He made a bee-line for Perry's office, went in, and shut the door. She waited and watched, noting that at one point both men were waving their arms. Then, after about ten minutes, Clark got up, exited, and walked directly to the elevators without a glance in her direction. * * * * * * For the average citizen, there were four ways to get to Gotham City from Metropolis: by plane, train, bus or car. For Clark Kent, there was a fifth option. As Superman, he soared up over the Metropolis skyline and headed towards Gotham City, he took his time, wanting to think about things in route. He didn't really want to leave Metropolis, at least not as Superman. Metropolis was Superman's home just as it had also been Clark's home almost for the same length of time. But could Clark remain in Metropolis if things fell apart with Lois? Did he want to? He didn't want to hurt her anymore by running out on her as Clark, but he did not want her loving him for his superpowers which was why he never confided in her. He had thought he was making progress with her as Clark, but now he wasn't so sure anymore. After his talk with her as Superman yesterday, the nagging doubts started up again. Who did Lois really love? Superman, Clark, or, heaven forbid, Dan? He just didn't understand it. Why did she even want to go out with the D.E.A. agent? Scardino certainly wasn't Lois' type. But maybe that was it. She wanted something totally different. Clark’s only consolation was that she had said she didn't care for Dan. Lois cared for Superman. Always had. Was that such a bad thing? Clark remembered Mayson Drake's dislike of Superman which had been the one big obstacle in them having a relationship. At first it had been refreshing having Mayson interested in him, Clark, because it was his dream of how he had always wished Lois would treat him. But Mayson's contempt for Superman made the possibility of them getting closer remote. Besides, he hadn't loved her. But all of that was academic now that Mayson was dead. Lois was the only woman Clark had ever loved. The feelings he had for her could not be duplicated by another. And when he thought about the way Mayson had died when her car exploded, he knew that Lois was just as vulnerable. How many times had he saved her life in the nick of time as Superman? It was horrifying to even stop and think about. But rescuing Lois, being a superhero, being her Kryptonian Sir Galahad were not enough to build a relationship on. As Clark, he had her friendship and her trust. They were partners and best friends. Lately they had crossed the boundary into turning the relationship romantic and Lois was, in a way, his girlfriend, too. He didn't mind her loving Superman -- that was a part of who he was, after all -- just as long as she also loved his everyday self just as much, hopefully, even more. And that was the crux of the thing. Clark had no idea at this point whether Lois loved him at all. She liked him very much and was willing to become serious, but many people had relationships without actually being in love. Clark knew this from his own attraction to Mayson, who he had liked but never loved. Looking ahead Clark could see the towering gothic skyscrapers of Gotham City. Crime ridden Gotham could certainly use a Superman. Maybe... * * * * * * Lois felt fidgety. She also felt very tired. Probably boredom, she told herself. It was a slow news day and Clark wasn't there to cheer her up. Whenever he wasn't around she would realize how much she missed him, how much he meant to her. When he was there, she would be irritated with his mysterious disappearances which he never would adequately explain. Just why did he run off all the time and where did he go? She had often wondered, but Clark's timing was usually impeccable, and there would often be some major distraction which would prevent her from getting up and following him. At other times she would just be too mad at him to do anything but fume. Lois got up and grabbed her purse. As she passed Jimmy's desk she said, "If anyone's looking for me, I'll be at the Fudge Castle." "Oooh!" Jimmy said, knowing that for Lois to be going there was a strong indicator that all was not right in her world. * * * * * * "Mom, that was just great," Clark said leaning back in his chair with a look of contentment on this face. "You'll have to come more often, Clark. The only time I get properly fed is when you're here," Jonathan commented. "Dad." "Adult education classes--" "Are a wonderful thing," Clark grinned. "Seems I heard that one before." Jonathan and Clark helped Martha clear the table. When Clark took a mug of coffee and went into the living room, the Kents exchanged glances. They knew something was up with Clark although he hadn't talked about it. Throughout dinner he had kept up a running monologue about his recent visit to Gotham City, talking about the city, but not the reason for his visit. After getting their own mugs of coffee, Martha and Jonathan joined Clark. "So why did you go to Gotham, Clark?" Martha finally asked. "Are you and Lois doing a story?" "I went alone, Mom. I got this letter in the mail." Martha took the piece of paper which said the "Gotham Gazette" at the top and read it. "A job offer, Clark, as an editor? But what about Lois or Superman?" "I don't know, Mom. I don't know that I'll take it. That's really why I came here, to ask your advice," he said looking at them both. "But can you give up being Superman, Clark, using your powers to help people the way you've wanted to do?" Jonathan said. "Superman could be in Gotham City eventually. Not right away, of course, because I don't want anyone to link Clark to Superman. But people do know already that we know each other, and there's no reason for Superman to be tied permanently to Metropolis." "What about Lois?" Martha said again. Clark took a sip of his coffee and shook his head. "I don't know, Mom. It's on again, off again. Partially it's my fault because I keep running off on her to answer emergencies as Superman. Lousy timing, but I can't help it and I can't give her legitimate excuses for doing it. And the other part is she won't give any indication what her real feelings are for me. She's also interested in the D.E.A. guy." "Dan Scardino?" Jonathan asked. "Yeah. And I don't know how she could possibly care for me and go out with him." "To make you jealous, perhaps?" "No, Mom. I don't think so. Lois genuinely seems to like the guy even if she does get annoyed at the stupid stuff he gives her all the time. And with me she gets upset because I'm always having to run out on her to be Superman. And I can't tell her the truth, because I'm not sure of her feelings for me. I don't want her loving me just because I'm wearing the cape." "But she does care for you as Clark," Jonathan said. "You said that she told you there wasn't anything she wouldn't do for you." "Yeah, Dad. That's true. But her feelings for me as Clark simply do not begin to mirror her feelings for me as Superman. She says she cares, but she doesn't often get the same look in her eyes. When the fake Superman proposed, she dropped everything and everyone. She was prepared to be with him. You should have seen her face when I came to her as Superman and she thanked me for the candy. I'm now pretty sure Lois isn't over her Superman infatuation." "Clark, honey," Martha said, getting up to comfortingly put her arm around her boy while Jonathan watched with concern, a frown creasing his brow. "And now," Clark continued, "I just think maybe it can't ever work out with her. Being Superman has ruined my personal life, and I can't continue working at the Planet, being her partner, seeing her every day because it's just too painful." "But you wanted to do that before -- continue to see and work with her -- right after Lex died," Martha said. "Yeah, I did then. And I thought I could be satisfied just being her friend and partner, that it was far better than nothing. But now we've dated and things are more intense between us, it's just too painful. It's tearing me apart to even see her give Scardino the time of day. And it also hurts to see her still swooning over Superman." "So what are you saying, Clark?" said Jonathan. "That you'll seriously consider this job offer? That you'll leave Metropolis and move to Gotham City?" Clark looked at both of his parents and nodded, "Yes." * * * * * * Lois opened her eyes and blinked. Had the events of the preceding two days all been a dream? Superman coming to the Planet, telling her he loved her. Clark showing up later and her telling him off, the heartbroken expression on his face as he left the Planet newsroom never to return that day. And then the real Superman showing up shortly after Clark's departure to say that an imposter had told her he loved her, that he'd never do such a thing. Then his later returning to tell her about the Prankster being behind everything before asking her about her feelings for Clark and himself. And lastly, Clark coming into the office the next day, briefly talking to Perry before once again disappearing for the rest of the day. Lois' visit to the Fudge Castle had only been a temporary fix. She had even stopped by the vendor in the Planet lobby to buy a ration of Double Fudge Crunch Bars when her eyes alighted on Clark Bars. Clark. She had closed her eyes and had seen soft wavy black hair, deep warm chocolate brown eyes behind the glasses, full lips ready to smile, or to kiss. She remembered that first passionate kiss! "I'll buy a box of them," Lois told the vendor and quickly dumped the candy bars into her purse. Back upstairs in Perry's office she had tried to pump him for information about Clark's whereabouts, but he stonewalled her. Before she was even back to her desk she had eaten half of one of her Clark Bars. But the candy didn't make her feel any better. If anything, she was feeling worse. Now, hours later lying in her own bed, Lois stared at the ceiling thinking about it. "Everything's so twisted," she finally said out loud while getting up out of bed. "Clark runs off. Superman runs off. They both apologize. And Dan gives me bizarre presents, bouquets of flowers, and pours it on." She went into her kitchen and began making some coffee. The question was, did Superman really love her? Lois thought about it and concluded that it didn't really matter if he did or didn't since he wasn't there for her. "I'll never have a life with Superman. Hell, I don't even know his real name." That part, when Dan asked about his real name, rang true. She still knew very little about the superhero after all this time. The question really was, who did she love? Dan? "I don't love Dan," Lois said to herself. That was easy. No real conflicts there. "I like Dan. He's dependable. He's there." But how "there" was he? Dan worked for the D.E.A. and could get called away on an assignment. And unlike Clark or Superman, Dan would get called away to another city. Clark and Superman were in Metropolis. She thought about Superman again. "I love him," she said softly thinking about how it felt being in his arms flying high above the city. There was nothing like it in the world. She thought about the time they danced together and how wonderful that had been. But all the other times she had been with him had been too short. It was so frustrating the way he seemed to remain tantalizingly beyond reach. "I'll never live my life with him," she said to herself, "he's just never there." And what about Clark? She thought back to Clark's first day on the job. There was something about him even then, but she hadn't wanted to acknowledge the attraction, so she dismissed him as a "farm boy" and a "hack from nowheresville." "God, did I really say that to him?" Lois said out loud. "I can't believe he could care for me after some of the things I've said to him." "I have been, in LOVE with you for a long time, you must have known," Clark had said that day in the park. "I knew," Lois whispered, "but I didn't want to deal with it, I wanted..." What did she want either then or now? Lex Luthor. "I nearly married a monster!" Lois remembered Clark's words to her, "He's more than just evil, he's a monster." Superman. "I'm completely in love with you," she had told him. "I wish I could believe that but under the circumstances I don't see how I can," Lois said repeating what Superman had told her that night in her apartment. What had he meant by those words "under the circumstances?" What circumstances? That she was considering marrying Lex Luthor, Superman's arch enemy? How could she consider marrying Lex if she loved Superman? That made sense, but she had a feeling that wasn't it, because once Lex was out of the way, Superman's attitude didn't change towards her all that much. But the only other person around was Clark. And Superman was friends with Clark. Did Superman know that Clark had told her he loved her even though he later took it back? Had Clark told him? Were Clark and Superman buddies? Lois tried to imagine Superman coming over to Clark's apartment and the two of them spending the evening together, just hanging out. It was hard to imagine. One of them would be bound to have to run off. "Well Clark probably doesn't run off on Superman the way he runs off on me," Lois told herself. "I wish I could believe that but under the circumstances I don't see how I can." Superman's words echoed in her mind. What else had she said other than she loved him? "I would love you if you had no powers at all, if you were an ordinary man living an ordinary life, I would love you just the same." That was it! That was the other thing she had told him. "But I still don't get it," Lois said to herself, "but I'm definitely getting a headache." The coffee was ready now so she poured herself a cup of it and sat down at her kitchen table. Clark. "I didn't marry Lex, I didn’t say 'I do', because of Clark. And I never told him." Why was it so hard to get a handle on her feelings for Clark? Of all the men in her life Clark was the only one who had ever been her partner, her very best friend, and now a potential boyfriend. The first date had been great. Their first kiss... if only Mayson hadn't had to get herself blown up at that crucial moment. Talk about lousy timing. And Clark had become distant the week after that until they began solving Mayson's murder. Then Scardino arrived and Clark's disappearing act began escalating. Scardino hung about, and Lois decided to go out with him even though he really wasn't her type because she was fed up with Clark's behavior. Maybe deep down she subconsciously thought that Clark would get jealous and clean up his act, but initially, although it was clear he was annoyed about Scardino, he did little about it. Finally, after the business with Perry White getting kidnapped by Bill Church, Jr., and Superman being exposed to red kryptonite which made him apathetic, Clark expressed his feelings and told her how much it bothered him that she was going out with Dan. He promised not to disappear on their next date. And he kept his promise -- for that one date only. The next time they went out, he barely made it through the appetizers when he got that anxious look on his face and began fidgeting. He apologized profusely but again, without explanation, he ran off. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. The problem was, however, she really cared for him and the thought of losing Clark was something she was not prepared to deal with even if, at the same time, she wasn't prepared to put up with his vanishing act either. The entire business had given her a migraine. * * * * * * Clark got back from Smallville very late. He flew a few Superman patrols before calling it a night and going to bed. Fortunately, things were quiet in Metropolis and the criminal element appeared to have decided to take the night off giving the superhero some much needed rest. After a hot shower, Clark tumbled into bed exhausted. With his extraordinary powers he normally didn't get particularly physically tired, but all the mental strain of the past forty-eight hours was what was taking its toll. He was worn out from it all. Clark slept very soundly. He was having a dream in which he got into a fight with Scardino. He didn't seem to have any of his superpowers. The D.E.A. agent said something very insulting. Clark took his fist and smashed it into Dan's face, knocking him out cold. A smile of satisfaction was playing about the corners of Clark's mouth when the phone rang waking him. He picked it up. As if on cue, Dan Scardino’s voice was on the other end of the line. Clark groaned. What did he want? And what a dreadful way to start one's day, having to talk to the man. "Kent, I picked up a piece of candy in the box that the Superman imposter delivered and ran a lab check on it. Just got back the results and thought you'd want to know it was laced with an experimental drug called BT3. Causes a person to become very benevolent to the first person they meet after consuming it -- in this case the super imposter -- and hostile to everyone else they meet afterwards. It isn't serious, not life- threatening, but it can give you one hell of a hangover -- headaches mostly -- which can last a couple of days." "I'm surprised you're calling me to tell me all of this. Don't tell me, Lois isn't talking to you these days." Scardino grunted, "Don't get the wrong idea, Kent. Since you are Lois' professional partner, I thought you and Lois would want to do a story. I want to see the bozo who did this nailed." "Well Kyle Griffin did it and he's already behind bars," Clark said. "Yeah, but what about his delivery boy, the guy who showed up in the Superman suit?" "He didn't know the candy was laced. He's an out-of-work actor. But thanks for running that lab check and letting me know, Dan." "Well I did it for Lois, I care about her." "I care about Lois, too, Dan." "Yeah, right. Running off all the time shows her how much you care--" "Dan!" "Okay, Kent. But I don't understand why she puts up with it. May the best man win." Scardino rung off. * * * * * * Superman soared over Metropolis. It was one of those crisp cool mornings which were so invigorating: the wind on his face, his red cape billowing behind him. Normally Clark would fly lazily on a day like this as if he was an aerialist, doing barrel rolls, dives and sweeps. Today he just flew slowly over the city occasionally scanning the city streets, listening for trouble, but basically letting his mind wander. He was encouraged to learn that Lois' response to Superman on Valentine's Day was drug induced. Maybe she wasn't as infatuated with Superman as it seemed after all. Maybe he still stood a chance as Clark. From this vantage point the city was just spectacular with its tall buildings glistening in the early sunlight. Usually, when flying high over the city on a day like this, it was difficult to imagine adversity, unhappiness, crime, poverty, greed, or corruption teaming in the streets below. But for a lonely superhero with a broken heart, it was not difficult to imagine unhappiness in the world. Without realizing it, he was flying over the section of the city near where Lois lived, which wasn't far from the Daily Planet. (He had always presumed she picked the place because she could walk to work.) Clark flew lower noticing how quiet the street was with only a few cars out. The sudden bellow of a horn directed his attention to a vehicle swerving to avoid hitting a car door which suddenly opened in front of it. A man got out of the car and raised his fist at the passing driver. Then he slammed the door and looked up at the apartment building across the way. Dan Scardino! What's he doing in front of Lois' apartment building at this hour in the morning? Clark wondered angrily. Lois may not be infatuated with Superman, after all, but there was still Mr. Gadget, as Clark had sarcastically nicknamed the D.E.A. agent, to contend with. Clark's face was now set in a rather grim expression, his dark brown eyes flashed fire. He decided to find out what Scardino was up to and dropped down onto the street in front of the D.E.A. agent taking him by unpleasant surprise. "Superman!" Scardino said unable to mask his displeasure. "Agent Dan Scardino," he replied folding his arms over his chest. "Oh, the superhero pose," Scardino commented imitating him and crossing his own arms. "So what's going on?" "I don't see that it is any of your business, Superman, why I am here." Clark now noticed the standing mobile sitting on the hood of the car. It had a series of glittery balls hanging from flexible wires which were bouncing around in the breeze. "What's that?" "A gift." "For Lois?" Clark asked. "Not that it's any of your concern, Superman, but yes." "You're going to give her that?" Scardino picked up the hideous mobile and tried to step around Superman who was blocking his path. "Will you get out of my way?" Superman didn't budge and Scardino was compelled to step around him. Superman then turned and followed him. The wind caught his cape causing it to ripple in the wind like a sail. "Don't you ever feel stupid wearing that costume?" Dan asked looking at Superman with contempt. "I mean really." Clark observed Dan's far less than Armani attire and said, "I wouldn't think you'd be one to talk about the well- dressed man. Flowered shirts? That's something Maverick might wear -- in Hawaii!" Scardino grunted, "You should talk, wearing bright skin- tight spandex. You're not exactly Mr. Conservative." He continued into the lobby of Lois' apartment building. When Superman followed, he stopped and faced him. "Are you planning to escort me to her door?" "Is she expecting you?" "Don't you have something to do about now? Someone to rescue? A cat to save from a tree? There must be someone somewhere in trouble. An earthquake with survivors who need saving." Clark glared at him. If he weren't super powered he would probably have decked Dan right then and there, but being the strongest man in the world had its drawbacks in situations like these. It required inordinate restraint. Otherwise he'd be picking up Scardino's body parts from here to the South Side. Clark also realized that however much he disliked the man, it really wasn't any of his business unless Dan was bothering Lois. Scardino watched Superman walk away, stop, turn, and say, "I'll be watching you. One false step--" "Oh, goody," Dan said before stepping into the elevator and punching the fifth floor button. The doors snapped shut with Superman's dark eyes boring into him. * * * * * * Lois was in the bathroom brushing her teeth when she heard the knock at her door. She rinsed her mouth, turned off the water, and ran a comb through her hair before going to the door. "Who is it?" "It's me, Dan." Lois looked at her watch which she hadn't bothered to take off the night before. "Dan, it's six-fifteen in the morning." "I know, I know. But I have to go out of town today for about a week, it's really sudden, I just got the call less than an hour ago and wanted to drop this thing off to you before I leave this afternoon. I also have to tell you something." Lois unlocked the multiple locks on her door and opened it part way. Scardino tried to push his way in, but she blocked his path. "Can't I come in?" "Not right now." He noticed her eyes had dark circles under them and her face looked strained. "Rough night." "Dan! I'm really not in the mood--" "Okay. I just wanted to give you this as a token of my feelings for you." He presented her with the mobile. Lois just stared at it. "What is it?" "A mobile." He watched her grimace. "You don't like it?" "It's... interesting." "Interesting, huh. Okay. But I also came here to tell you that the candy you got from that fake Superman was drugged." "Drugged?" "Yeah. Nothing dangerous. Experimental drug called BT3. Makes you benevolent to the first person you come into contact with after eating it. Too bad it wasn't me, huh?" he said with a grin. Lois just said, "Superman." "Listen, can I come in for just a minute and talk to you?" "No, Dan." "But Lois, I'm going away." "So you said, but I don't want to talk with you now. We can talk when you get back." "It's Kent, isn't it? Or is it the blue Boy Scout?" "Superman?" "Yeah. I ran into him on my way up here. That guy's awfully protective of you." "He cares for me. He cares for everyone." "Uh, right." "Superman and I are just friends, Dan. Nothing more than that." "And what about Clark Kent?" Lois bit her lip. "I don't know, Dan." She looked up and saw that he was starting to smile. Her face hardened. "Don't you gloat, because I do have feelings for Clark." She paused as what she had just said impulsively suddenly registered in her mind, then added, "Deep feelings for Clark--" "Lois?" "Not now, Dan." "But my gift!" He tried to give it to her but she wouldn't take it. Now she was trying to close the door. He pushed the mobile at her, but she refused. "Lois!" Thoroughly angry at him now, she said, "Would you get that piece of garbage out of my face!" She shoved him back hard causing him to drop the mobile. Then she slammed the door in his face. It smashed into the mobile as it shut. Upon impact, several of the glittery balls became detached and started to roll down the hallway. Scardino could swear he heard laughter coming from somewhere outside the building. "Superman!" * * * * * * When Lois came into the office a few hours later, she saw Clark's jacket hanging on hangar, a half-eaten donut on a paper napkin and a quarter-filled coffee mug on his desk. She looked over at Perry's office and saw the door was shut. Clark was seated on the sofa, his right foot propped up on his left knee. Perry was leaning against his desk. Perry looked up, saw her, and motioned for her to come in. Lois walked over, opened her Editor-In-Chief's office door and went inside. "Hi, Clark," she said before taking a seat in the comfortable red plaid chair in front of Perry's desk. Clark nodded but didn't look directly at her. There seemed to be some tension in the air. "What's up, Chief?" Lois asked. "Well, I, uh, wanted you to be the first to congratulate Clark." "Congratulate Clark? On what?" Perry looked at Clark who shrugged and nodded for Perry to go on. Lois looked back and forth between the two. An uneasy feeling began brewing in the pit of her stomach. "Well, uh, Lois, Clark's received an offer to join the 'Gotham Gazette' as an editor." Lois just stared at Clark. For perhaps the first time in her life she could not think of a single thing to say. Clark stared back trying to determine what her feelings were. Her face was just a blank. "Lois?" "And, uh, are you going to take it?" she asked in a voice which, to her, sounded far away. To Clark her voice sounded cold, uncaring. "I don't know. I'm considering it. It's a great opportunity. But since you're my partner--" Something snapped in Lois. Her defense mechanisms locked into place as she tried to block out the hurt. She was now on automatic pilot as she said, "Were my partner... yes, that's right." She stood up from the chair. She outstretched her hand to shake his. "Congratulations, Clark. As you said it's a great opportunity. You don't want to pass it up." "Now, Lois," Perry interjected, "don't you and Clark--" "Absolutely not, Perry. He's gotten a wonderful job offer and he should take it." "But you're my best reporting team, Lois, and--" "Were, Perry. The operative word here is 'were,'" Lois said feeling absolutely numb as if she was in some sort of dream -- nightmare really. This wasn't real. None of this seemed real. Her voice sounded strange like it was wasn't her own. "Lois, I haven't decided," Clark was saying. She was going to cry. She didn't want to cry in front of them. She had to get out of there. "Um, well, I'm sorry, but I have some important things to do," she said turning abruptly and leaving Perry's office. Lois went back to her desk. She was still in auto-pilot, but very much aware that Clark's eyes were following her every move as she picked up the phone and mechanically dialed a number. Perry and Clark exchanged glances. Clark was not sure what to think because Lois had remained so uncharacteristically calm, but he thought he had caught the glint of tears in her eyes, a quaver in her voice. Maybe that was the warning sign of how she was taking it. Or maybe she really didn't care and was glad to have their situation resolved without her having to do anything herself. "Excuse me, Chief," Clark finally said. He went towards Lois desk. Activating his superhearing he heard the conversation. He froze in his tracks. "Dan, hi. It's Lois. I'm just fine," she said. "Want to have lunch before you go?" Clark stopped listening unsure what to do now. Was this just her defense mechanism or was she really indifferent? He couldn't believe that when he thought back on how she reacted when he appeared to take any interest in another woman. Toni Taylor. Linda King. Mayson Drake. Each time Lois had become possessive in a way which seemed to him to be a display of feelings of jealousy, although she would vehemently deny it. Clark decided to wait until she hung up the phone. Then he went over and parked himself on her desk. "Lois, we need to talk. Privately." "But there's nothing to talk about, Clark." Her indifference -- pretend or real -- was cutting him to the quick and he felt his anger rising. "You don't care. After all we've been through? Best friends--" "Best friends don't run out on--" "Are you going to start on that again." "Me? Clark this isn't me. This is you. You've always run off inexplicably ever since I've known you. It's always been an annoying habit. But ever since we've dated it's escalated and I don't know what to think other than you don't want to be with me or that I make you uncomfortable or something." "So you go out with Dan Scardino. Is that because you care for Dan or because you're trying to get back at me?" "I don't love Dan, if that's what you mean. But trying to get back at you is a waste. If I was trying to do that, then it obviously isn't working since going out with Dan doesn't prevent you from running off when you're with me." "I'm sorry, Lois." "Clark. The word 'sorry' doesn't begin to cut it." Lois automatically opened a desk drawer to reach for a candy bar, realizing too late that they weren't her usual kind. She slammed the door closed, but not before Clark caught a glimpse of the red wrappers with the blue lettering. Clark Bars. Very gently he said, "You don't care that I may be leaving?" Lois looked up at him noticing how broad shouldered he was, noticing how his hair had this habit of tumbling boyishly across his forehead, noticing how tender his brown eyes were, noticing how strong his hands appeared to be, noticing... "It's not working with us, Clark. This is what I was afraid of when we started dating and I think my fears were founded. It has adversely affected our friendship and we haven't even gotten, uh, serious." "If anyone or anything as affected our friendship, Lois, is has been that D.E.A. agent and your apparent interest in him," Clark said. "But you run out." "Not all the time. And I would explain it to you if I thought... But that's not the point I'm trying to make here. You act as if when things aren't going your way you can change course at the drop of a hat. What about partnership? Friendship? You sometimes act like I don't mean anything to you at all." Lois abruptly stood up from her desk. How dare Clark behave like this was all her fault when he wouldn't give an explanation for his disappearing act. She was shaking with anger, with fear over losing him, with a hundred different emotions she wasn't ready to catalog or try to analyze. She said in a hard edged voice, "You're going to Gotham. You never talked to me about it. Friendship? Ha! I don't need you, farm boy. I NEVER needed a partner!" Clark was stunned. But he could hear her heart beating rapidly and erratically and he saw a slight sheen of sweat on her face. She's lying, he thought. Her eyes refused to meet his and her hands trembled as she grabbed her purse and some items off her desk to stuff into it. Then she rapidly walked away from him and over to the elevators. Perry came up behind Clark and clamped his hand down on his shoulder startling him. "I heard that last bit. She's lying, son." "I know, Chief. But there isn't much I can do about it." * * * * * * That night Lois lay on a couple of pillows on her floor in the living room in front of the TV set. She wore a pair of sweatpants and a cropped sweatshirt. She was miserable. Once again she had let her temper get the better of her and she said things she didn't mean to mask the hurt she was feeling. Now she was losing Clark, possibly forever. But her pride wouldn't let her pick up the phone and call him or get up and go over to his place. He still had never explained his disappearances. She couldn't stop crying. Her head ached and her eyes burned. She closed her eyes... There was a gentle tapping on the window. It was Superman. Lois opened her window. He flew in, picked her up in his arms and flew back outside. They soared over Metropolis. Lois admired the view: both of the city and of her hero. She stared at the handsome chiseled face, noticing the straight brows, the slicked back black hair, the deep brown eyes, like pools of chocolate, she thought: Clark's eyes! Full rather soft-looking lips: Clark's lips! And there was something familiar about his profile, but what? Superman brought her in for a landing and she realized they were on the balcony of Clark's apartment. "Clark's apartment," she said. "Why here?" Superman carried her inside and set her down. It was then that Lois noticed the cardboard boxes and the suitcases out everywhere. "What's going on?" "I'll tell you in a minute." "But what about Clark? You told me you had something to tell me about him." "I do, Lois. Please sit down." Superman led her over to the sofa. "Can I get you something to drink? I think Clark's got some soda." "That's all right, Superman. Do you stay here very often?" He looked at her sharply. "I just remembered what you said after Diana Stride's expose." "Well, Clark and I are good friends, Lois, the way you and I are friends, well, maybe not quite the same way," he smiled. She smiled back. "What's with the boxes and suitcases?" Superman glanced at that. "Clark's moving to Gotham." "Oh, no!" "I brought you here because of us and Clark." Lois looked again at the boxes and suitcase. He WAS going away! "Clark's going away?" Lois asked. "That's what I said. But I'm here at the moment." "For the moment," she repeated. Superman stood up and came towards her. "Lois, I love you." Lois stared at him. Suddenly Superman was wearing Clark's glasses, and his hair was no longer slicked back. Or was it Clark dressed as Superman? Which was it? "Clark?" she said in confusion. "I love you," Clark/Superman was saying again as he took her into his arms. He was about to kiss her when he stopped suddenly and looked up. "What's the matter?" "I heard something." "Oh, no." "Sorry, Lois, but someone's in trouble." "Wait!" Lois reached up and pulled off the glasses. Clark's face became Superman's again. "I need my glasses to see, Lois," he said taking them back from her and replacing them on his face. "Hold that thought, I'll be right back," he said. Then he let go of her and was gone with a flash of cape. Lois said half to herself and half out loud, "Hold that thought, hold that thought..." Lois' eyes opened. She looked about in a daze. She was lying on her floor on the pillows. It had all been a dream: Superman visiting her and flying her to Clark's place. His telling her he loved her. Superman turning into Clark. * * * * * * Clark really couldn't remember any time in his life he had ever felt so wretched. As he half-heartedly watched a Knicks game on TV while sitting on his sofa, he thought about Lois. He felt he was doing the right thing in leaving Metropolis after the way she reacted to the fact he was considering the job at the "Gotham Gazette": her indifference, making that crack about never needing a partner, calling him a farm boy. Also, things had not improved as the day progressed. If anything, Lois had distanced herself further, behaving as if Clark no longer even worked at the Planet. He had tried to talk to her several times after she returned to the office, but she wouldn't let him in. Late that afternoon after Lois left, he had called the "Gotham Gazette" and accepted the job. He then handed Perry his resignation, giving two week's notice. "Clark, I don't want to lose my best reporter--" Perry began. "Your second best," Clark interrupted him. "No," Perry replied slowly, "I think you're a better reporter than even Lois. That gal is good, but I think you have the edge on her." Clark sighed and looked down at the coffee mug he was holding in his hand. He didn't look happy. "Clark are you sure about this? If this is just about Lois, I can pair you up with someone else or have you working on your own. I hate to lose you over something like this." "That's really nice of you, Chief, but I've made up my mind. I really can't stay here. It would be too difficult, you know, seeing her all the time. And besides, the offer with the 'Gazette' is a big step up, not only writing but editing the news. I really appreciate all you've done for me, but I've already called them and accepted their offer." "Well, if you've made up your mind... but if you wake up in the morning and have changed it, your job is still here, Clark. I don't want to lose you, son. Damn that gal." "It's not entirely Lois' fault, Chief," Clark said. "There were things I should have told her which I never did. I guess I wanted some things for myself I just can never have." "Well, ah, I just don't know, son. But I do know I don't want to see you coming in here dragging your feet for the next two weeks. So since tomorrow's Friday, why don't you make it your last day. I can arrange for you to get two weeks severance pay. You've more than earned it with all the hard work you've done not to mention the sick days you've never taken. You must be the healthiest man at the Planet, also the cheapest. The last time I spoke to Accounting, they said they had fewer travel vouchers from you than anyone." "Thanks, Chief, I really appreciate that," Clark said while making a mental note to pad the travel expense reports when he got to the "Gazette." "Aw, son, that's the least I could do for my top reporter," Perry said. He looked at Clark sadly. He had hoped things could have worked out between the couple, but with his best reporting team it had always been like mixing oil and vinegar, gasoline and matches. Clark had been the best thing to happen to Lois and maybe the worst thing, too. Because if she let him go, she'd never find anyone who came remotely close to being as caring, as understanding, as kind and forgiving. Clark was a prince among princes, Perry thought, to put up with all her shenanigans. Lois, unfortunately, had too many battle scars from previous boyfriends, especially the monstrous Lex Luthor, to let Clark in, to completely let down her defenses, although she had certainly come close to doing it more than a few times. If only the guy in the red cape hadn't distracted her, Perry thought; there was clearly a relationship that had no future as far as he could see: Lois and Superman. Perry could only hope it still wasn't too late. Clark was clearly still in love with her. And he felt reasonably sure that Lois loved Clark despite her erecting the fortifications around her emotions, effectively locking Clark out, leaving him heartbroken. "Are you sure I can't talk you into accepting a transfer to one of our other offices? Maybe the Paris office or the Far East? You speak languages and I think they're looking for someone in Tokyo. The pay is terrific, a helluva lot higher than what we offer here. Of course, Tokyo is the land of the twenty dollar hamburger." Clark shook his head. "Thanks, Chief. I did a lot of world traveling, but I'm ready now to stay in the good old U.S. of A. I really appreciate what you're trying to do for me, but I want to make a clean break of it." Perry nodded. "I only wish we had offices in Gotham, but with it being so close by, I'm afraid we don't." Clark closed his eyes and sighed heavily. He pulled his legs up and laid down on his sofa. Whether he liked it or not it was time to move forward to a new chapter in his life, one not involving Lois Lane. Moving to Gotham, putting physical distance between himself and Lois should further that endeavor. It should also help to ease the pain. Of course, he could have tried to find a job at a rival Metropolis newspaper -- the "Metropolis Star" would have been delighted to have a Kerth Award winner -- but he didn't want to do that to Perry. He also knew he would be bound to frequently run into Lois; he didn't want to find himself competing with her for the same stories, trying to out scoop her for them. That would be unbearable. It would be bad enough encountering her as Superman and having to act like he didn't care, but at least he could maintain his distance and he could always fly away. Clark decided what he would do about Superman was to continue to cover Metropolis exclusively for the time being, no point in raising suspicions about the link between Clark Kent and Superman again after having effectively dealt with the Diana Stride affair. And, after a few months, Superman would begin to cover Gotham City, too. It wouldn't be easy ignoring cries of distress in Gotham before that, but perhaps he could help out anonymously at first or create some other disguise. Then, eventually, he'd probably phase out Metropolis all together concentrating solely on Gotham. The city was certainly far more dangerous than Metropolis, and could use his services. Gotham had about the highest crime rate in the country. Once again Clark's thoughts traveled back to Lois. She blamed their failed relationship on his running off all the time. She knew he was lying about what he was doing, but didn't understand why. Of course, he had no choice, he couldn't ignore cries for help of the life-threatening variety. Still, that didn't make things any easier. It seemed as if from the moment he began dating Lois, the city had gone on a crime spree. He found himself running off all the time and had long ago run out of excuses. He longed for the times when they had gone on a three day stake-out in the honeymoon suite and he hadn't once heard a cry for help. When they had had their "almost first date" down at the marina, he had been able to stay put throughout the extent of their stakeout. On their first date they had lingered over a four hour dinner. Now it almost seemed as if the forces of nature were conspiring to keep them apart. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be. Clark looked about his apartment. Everything was in boxes. Only the heavy furniture remained unpacked. It hadn't taken him long to pack, not with the advantage of super speed. Besides, he had wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible. Tomorrow was to be his last day at the Planet, the last time he expected to see Lois as Clark. After that, he wanted to get out of Metropolis as quickly as possible and didn't mind paying premium price to get some movers to come on short notice the day after tomorrow. He had flown up to Gotham after leaving the Planet and found a warehouse, Gotham Mini Storage, which catered to the general public and would be delighted to keep his belongings under safe lock and key until he found an apartment. In the meantime, he could crash either in his empty old apartment in Metropolis after flying his Superman patrols, or fly out to Smallville to spend the night in his old room. Being Superman, not needing to eat or get more than a couple of hours of sleep, really did have its advantages at times like these. It reminded him of when he traveled the world with nothing more than a suitcase of clothing and not enough money to pay for accommodations, much less transportation or food. With a heavy heart Clark stood up, turned off his television, and headed to his bedroom. Although he fell into bed a few moments later, he couldn't get to asleep. He just lay staring unhappily at the ceiling for hours on end. Finally, on an impulse, he suddenly got up, and changed into his Superman costume. It was 3 a.m. when he walked out on his balcony and blasted up into the sky. * * * * * * There was a gentle tapping on the window. It was Superman. Lois opened her window. He flew in. It was her dream again. "Lois, can you come with me. I have something to show you," he said. No, not her dream. Superman had not said that to her. "What is it? It's very late," she said. "I know. But this is very important." "All right." He picked her up in his arms and flew back outside. They soared over Metropolis. Lois admired the view, both of the city and of her hero. Her hero, she thought, but what about Clark? She stared at the handsome chiseled face, noticing the straight brows, the slicked back black hair, the deep brown eyes, like pools of chocolate, she thought. Clark's eyes! That's what I thought in my dream, she remembered. She looked at his mouth. Full rather soft-looking lips. Clark's lips! My dream again. And there WAS something familiar about his profile. Superman brought her in for a landing and she realized they were on the balcony of Clark's apartment. Lois closed her eyes and shook her head. "I'm dreaming again," she said out loud. "No, Lois, this is real. We're at Clark's apartment," Superman said. "Clark's apartment," she said. "Why here?" I'm asking the same questions again, too. This is just too weird, she thought. Superman carried Lois inside and set her down. It was then that Lois noticed the cardboard boxes and the suitcases out everywhere. As if she had become an actor in a play, she said the next line from her dream, "What's going on?" I've got to say something different, she thought, so she added, "Where's Clark?" "He had to go out to a twenty-four hour deli. He ought to be back very soon," Superman replied. Maybe this wasn't a dream. He had just said something different, too. Then he told her, "I brought you here because of us and Clark." Oh, no. That's exactly what Superman said in the dream. "Clark's going away?" Lois found herself asking him, back following her dream's script. She looked about at all the boxes and cartons, many of which were sealed up, ready to go, while others were still open. "Clark's moving to Gotham," Superman replied, repeating his words from her dream. "I can't believe he's really leaving," she said softly. "He really is going to Gotham. He did take the job after all." She turned to Superman and saw that he was watching her intently. "I don't understand why you've brought me here?" "Lois, I wanted to show you that he really is leaving before it is too late, before you both do something you'll deeply regret. I'm his friend, and yours. I had to bring you here and show you this to find out if this is what you really want to happen. Do you really want Clark to leave Metropolis?" "I don't want him to go," she said impulsively. "Then why did you act like you didn't care? Why did you tell me... HIM," he hastily corrected, "that you didn't need a partner?" Clark watched her anxiously, worrying if she caught the gaffe. "Because he won't trust me. He won't tell me why he has to run off unexpectedly, and he continues to do it. And it just makes me mad!" "But you don't really want him to leave, do you?" "No!" she said emphatically. "I don't want to ever lose him." "And what about us?" he asked watching her closely to gauge her reaction. "Us?" she repeated. "Yes. You and me?" She seemed distracted. She kept looking at all the boxes, the empty bookcases, the empty kitchen cabinets with their doors ajar. She didn't answer him. Finally, he said, "Lois?" "What?!" She responded startled, her eyes returning to his face. She stared at him. Suddenly Superman was wearing Clark's glasses, and his hair was no longer slicked back. Or was it Clark dressed as Superman. Her dream again. She shook her head and blinked her eyes. When she looked at Superman again, he looked as he should: no glasses, hair slicked back. She frowned, "I'm sorry, what did you say?" "Never mind," he said smiling slightly. "Clark will be back shortly. I've got to go, Lois. I'm sure you're both going to have a lot to talk about." He turned to leave. For an instant she THOUGHT she saw the glasses on his face again and THOUGHT she heard him say, "I need my glasses to see, Lois." She watched Superman walk towards the door to the balcony. Suddenly, impulsively, without quite knowing where it came from, she heard herself say, "Do you really have to go, Clark?" He stopped dead in his tracks, feet suddenly rooted to the ground. It seemed to Lois as if his back stiffened. She took a tentative step towards him. Hesitantly, she said, "Clark?" He turned slowly and faced her. His eyes, dark with fear, just stared at her. "Clark?" she repeated. He closed his eyes tightly shut for a moment before reopening them. Then he took a deep breath and his entire body relaxed. It was as if a great weight had suddenly been removed from his shoulders: the burden of the deception, of maintaining the dual identities, of trying to be two people. "Clark," she said one more time, now as a statement of fact. He nodded, "Yes." "You were going to fly off and a few minutes from now walk in here dressed normally, as yourself?" "Yes." He just stood and watched her unsure what to do or say next. "And were you planning to tell me you're Superman?" "Only if things could work out between us as Lois and Clark, Lois. Because Clark's who I really am, the man behind the costume. Being Superman is just a part of me, the part with the powers that can do all these incredible things, but he's not who I am." "And who are you, really? A Kryptonian? The son of the Kents? What?" She looked confused. "I am Kryptonian. The planet Krypton blew up right after my parents put me, as an infant, in a space ship. They sent me to Earth to save me, but they couldn't save themselves." His voice sounded sad. "The ship landed in Kansas and the Kents found me. They brought me up as their own son. I never knew I wasn't their son until my powers came on." "You didn't have powers as a kid?" "No. I was a normal kid, Lois, just like you. The Earth's yellow sun eventually caused me to have powers. Over an extended period of time the sun caused my body to absorb its energy giving me my special abilities: invulnerability, strength, visual powers, speed. I flew for the first time when I was eighteen." "That must have been incredible," she commented. "It was. But it also was scary. I couldn't tell anybody about it. I have had to go my entire adult life having to hide, having to try and pretend I'm like everybody else so I could have a normal life, never using my powers publicly until I became Superman. So all my life I've been Clark. And having a job at the Planet, being a journalist, having friends, having, well, just being with you as a normal everyday guy is all I've ever wanted." Lois looked once again at all the boxes. "Do you mind if I change, Lois? I mean, now that you know, I'd be more comfortable..." She just nodded her head as she continued to gaze at all his possessions and tried to grasp the enormity of the situation, that he was doing all this because of her. That Clark and Superman were one and the same. She felt emotionally drained. He was back now, standing in front of her wearing a pair of jeans and an untucked maroon shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the top three buttons open. Lois gazed at him marveling how she never noticed the resemblance before to Superman or, if she did, it failed to ever register. Now she could see how much alike they looked even though Clark's hair was now full and loose, and he was wearing his glasses. "Do you have to wear them?" "No, not really, I'm just so used to wearing them, I-- I'll take them off if you like," he said removing his glasses and placing them on his dining room table. It was Superman's face, or rather, Clark's face, she told herself. She must have known subconsciously. That was the only explanation for her dream. She felt like she was in some sort of daze. "And you really were planning on leaving?" she said. "Lois, I didn't think you cared. How long could I go on?" "Was Superman going to leave Metropolis, too?" "Eventually. Once enough time lapsed. At first I figured I would keep covering Metropolis, later I would start appearing in Gotham, too. Then, I'd start phasing out Metropolis." "Metropolis needs you." "Lois, Metropolis got on for a couple of centuries without Superman. I'm not bound to her. Other places need Superman, too. Gotham has a very high crime rate and I think I could make a difference there." "So are you still planning on leaving?" "I think that's up to you." "That's not fair." "Life's not fair, Lois. Do you think it's easy for me to be different than everyone else on the planet, to have to always conceal who I really am, to hold back and not use my powers in normal everyday life because if I did, I would lose all chances of having a personal, a NORMAL life? Do you think it's fair for me to have this burden of responsibility on my shoulders? Every time there is a disaster or an accident to know that if I were there I could have made a difference, but knowing I can't always be there for everyone all the time?" "But you lied to me, Clark. You came to me romantically as Superman." "Lois, think back to when you first knew me and how you treated me back then as Clark, and compare that to how you treated me when you saw me as Superman. You called him a 'Greek god.' Now how could anyone live up to that?" She frowned and looked down, not happy with the memories conjured up. "You treated me like a second rate hack, 'a hack from nowheresville,' were your exact words. 'You are low man and I am top banana, and that's the way I like it, comprende?'" he said repeating her words to him after Perry assigned him to work with her his first day on the job. "Clark, that's not fair. That was only in the very beginning. What about later?" "Later I became your best friend and partner, but your heart belonged to Superman, Lois. Do you have any idea how much you talked about him, went on gushing about him?" "I never gush," she protested. "Babble, then. I didn't feel I stood the remotest chance with you as Clark, but I could try and fulfill my own fantasies, as well as yours, by seeing you occasionally while wearing the cape. Do you know what it was like for me seeing you look at me with such total adoration, to hold you in my arms, to have you wanting me to do that and so much more?" "Clark you took advantage of me." "Did I really? Perhaps. On occasion. And I'm sorry. But Lois, I could have really taken advantage of you. I could have come to you as Superman, flown you to exotic places, made LOVE to you..." He watched her as her eyes were unable to meet his at this last statement. "And you must have wanted to," she said finally looking up. "Very much so," he replied softly. Lois bit her lip. "But you never did take advantage. You pushed me away both times I really came on to you." "It wasn't easy to do, either. It did take all my self control." She smiled at that. "But why me, Clark? After the way I did treat you, why were you even interested? I said a few pretty rotten things to you. I did make sarcastic comments even calling your dad a 'cross-dresser'." "My parents both thought that was pretty funny." "And I said things to you about Superman and said things to Superman about you that you should hate me for." Clark reached out and took her hands in his. "Lois, I could never hate you. Not after all the things you've done for me, both as Clark and as Superman. You've always believed in me when no one else has. You have actually risked your life on more than one occasion for both of us. You are the bravest, most tenacious, brilliant reporter I've ever seen. "Danger isn't danger to me, Lois. But seeing you go fearlessly into dangerous situations would scare me silly. It still does scare me silly knowing how you could be hurt or even killed. And yet, it was and is also part of the attraction: seeing someone so beautiful and so vulnerable risk her life for something she believes in. It's far braver than ninety-nine percent of the stuff I ever do as Superman." "You saved the planet from total destruction when that asteroid was headed here." "Yes. And I did think I would die doing it. I did think that morning standing there, kissing you goodbye, that I would never see you again, that I would sacrifice myself to save the planet. That was one of those rare times that I could really experience what it's like to be in danger, to really know what it's like to be afraid, what it's like to risk your life to help others the way policemen or firemen, for instance, do every day. Mayson Drake was right about that." "Clark--" Lois began to protest. "I know, Lois. But I always was intrigued by her not caring for Superman and I wondered why. And I think I now know why. I don't think she hated him as much as she just felt what he did was effortless for him and not heroic in the manner of a human, say, a fireman, risking his life to run into a burning building." "I have to know something," Lois asked slowly, "did you-- " "No, Lois, I know what you're going to say. I didn't love Mayson. I was intrigued by her and I was even attracted. It was nice being loved as Clark. It was what I longed for from you and Mayson was a very poor substitute. But nothing ever happened between us." "I was jealous." "You needn't have been." "Why didn't you tell me sooner, Clark, when we started dating?" "How could I, Lois, when you seemed interested in Dan and were still showing interest in Superman? I didn't want to tell you and have you loving me because I was the superhero. I would never have known for sure if I had told you. It wasn't until tonight, seeing you taking a greater interest in Clark than in Superman, that I knew for certain that it was me you loved more than Superman." "You came to me as Superman so often. You even danced with me." "Lois, I've been so terribly in love with you. I wanted to be with you. You weren't seeing me romantically as myself, Clark, at that time and I didn't know if you ever would, not after you turned me down in the park after Lex proposed." "Did you lie then, Clark? Did you just tell me you loved me to try and stop me from marrying Lex?" "No, Lois. I lied outside the Planet when I told you what I said in the park wasn't true. I just wanted to try and get things between us back to normal. After all, you had told me you were completely in love with Superman. What would make me believe that had changed in so short a period of time when you had been infatuated with him for nearly a year." Now she finally understood that comment Superman had made that night about not being able to believe she could love him as a normal guy. That was because she hadn't loved him as Clark. "Oh, Clark. So many misunderstandings and mix-ups. I didn't marry Lex because of you." She looked at him now with eyes brimming with tears. "Me?" "I thought of you the whole time I walked down the aisle. I never realized how much I cared until I thought I would lose you forever." "You'll never lose me forever, Lois, not unless you want to," he said gently. "This is just so much to take in, you're being Superman. When I think of the things I've said to you as both Clark and Superman--" "Lois, it's the things you said that kept me loving you. If it hadn't been for Superman, for my getting to be with you just for a little bit as the superhero and bathe in your adoration, well, I think I would have left Metropolis long ago. The rejection of Clark would have been too painful without that counterbalance of your adoration for Superman." "I'm so sorry, Clark." "Don't be. You helped create Superman, Lois." "What?" "When I came to Metropolis, I had spent my entire adult life since I left college living out of a suitcase, trying to figure out who I was, WHY I was, what I could do with myself. I felt like a freak of nature. And I was so alone, Lois, when I wasn't with my parents. Nobody but them could ever know or understand what I was. "I came to Metropolis because I wanted to work for the biggest, the best newspaper in the world and the Daily Planet was it. Everywhere I traveled, there would be a foreign edition of the Planet. It became like a friend. A little piece of home to welcome me when I was off all alone in some strange unfamiliar land. I became familiar with the names of all the reporters, including the name of Lois Lane," he said softly, smiling. She smiled back. "The one thing I could do well which did not require holding back on my powers, was to write. Here I could compete with the best minds on equal footing without having any unfair physical advantage. But after I got here and met you, for the first time since I left home, I felt like I belonged. I felt like WE belonged together. It wasn't quite love at first sight, but it came pretty close. When I saw you in that dark blue evening gown at Lex's ball, I literally levitated a foot off the ground." "I never knew I could get that kind of a rise out of a guy," Lois laughed, delighted. He let go of her hands and put his hands on her shoulders. "After the explosion in the shuttle hangar, after I realized how close I came to losing you and Jimmy just because I was afraid to risk revealing myself to Dr. Baines, and to you, I knew I had to go ahead with my plan to have a disguise to wear. Then I could openly use my powers, not worry about anyone finding out about me, and never put anyone in jeopardy again like that. But I never expected being Superman to be so complex. At first I tried to be everywhere doing everything. I felt like what was the point if I couldn't do that. YOU were the one who told me that just doing my best was enough. "And when we had that miserable heat wave and everyone blamed Superman for causing it, you were the only one who believed in me. And after I had given up, you figured out what was causing the heat wave: Lex's nuclear reactor. I was all set to leave Metropolis forever, but you saved the day, Lois. You saved my life. "During the entire course of time I've know you, you have helped clarify in my mind what I can and can't do, what I should and shouldn't expect of myself to do or to be as Superman. You have been so supportive and given me such great advice. You've always believed in me when I stopped believing in myself. And you've never given up on me when everyone else has. In short, Lois, you helped to create Superman as much as my mother helped by sewing up the costumes." "Oh, Clark." Lois burst into tears and stepped forward into his arms. He wrapped them around her, holding her close. He rested his chin on the top of her head. "And as Clark, you gave me your friendship, the best, the closest friendship I've ever had with anybody outside my parents, Lois. And after Christmas, as we got closer, I really thought for the first time in my life, that I might really be able to have a normal life, to have somebody to love who would love me back as myself, Clark." Lois stood sobbing in his arms, overcome with emotion. He could still love her after everything she had said and done. And she cried with the relief of knowing it wasn't too late for them. Clark still wanted her more than ever. And she wanted him, too, more than she had ever wanted anyone or anything in her entire life. The thought of losing him, of living a single day without him there to share it with her, was absolutely unbearable. And he hadn't really run out on her on purpose or to avoid commitment or anything like that; he had run off to help somebody, possibly save lives as Superman. Clark gently put one hand under her chin and tilted up her head. Lois looked into his warm brown eyes. Tenderly, Clark brushed away her tears from her eyes and off her cheeks with his thumb. He gently kissed each eye before his mouth moved down and sealed over hers. His arms tightened around her, pulling her close, and she felt like she was drowning in his warm embrace. Her knees began to buckle as his lips began caressing hers and his kisses became more passionate. When he finally released her, Lois teased, "So, does this mean you're not leaving?" "Do you still want me to?" Lois grabbed him by the waist and held on to him tightly. "No!" Clark laughed. "Then I don't think you have to ever worry about my leaving you. From now on we're inseparable." "Soul mates, perhaps?" she asked. "Perhaps? No, I'd say definitely," Clark said kissing her again. Their lips clung together the longest time. "And what about Gotham's need for a superhero?" Lois asked breathlessly a while later. "I guess she'll have to find someone else." "Who else? Another costumed superhero?" "Perhaps. Maybe some guy dressed up as a bat." "A bat? A batman?! Clark, you are crazy," she giggled. "Only for you," he replied, before pressing his lips back on hers. This time when he kissed her, he began to levitate off the floor. * * * * * * Epilogue The next morning the elevator doors opened and a jubilant Clark Kent walked off holding hands with a radiant Lois Lane. They continued to hold hands as they walked all the way across the newsroom until they got to Lois' desk. Clark gallantly held her chair for her as she sat down, then he went off to fetch them both some coffee. As Perry White watched from his office, he leaned back in his chair with a smile of satisfaction etched on his face. He picked up the phone and punched in a string of eleven numbers. He listened to it ring a couple of times before it was answered. "It's Perry. We gambled and WON! My best reporting team is back!" he said punching the air with his fist. He listened for a moment to the response, then said, "No, I don't know what happened, but they're clearly on Cloud Nine right now. Came in here laughing and holding hands like a couple of lovebirds. What did I tell you, we should believe in miracles. Just think about Superman, he's a miracle if ever I saw one." After hanging up the phone, Perry opened his desk drawer. Inside were a few CD boxes which lay scattered about. They were all various Elvis recordings. He selected one which was sitting on a pile of stationery, extracted the CD from the box and put it into the player. He tossed the empty box back into the drawer on top of the paper. As Elvis began crooning, Perry glanced for a moment at the stationery and laughed before shoving his desk drawer shut. The paper was letterhead. In black gothic typeface across the top were the words, "The Gotham Gazette". THE END