Maybe I Need Glasses
By Maria TB Mendoza <Gadjo@pacbell.net>
Rated PG
Submitted February 1999


	Absently brushing her hair from her eyes, she looked at the name
plate on my desk: Lois Lane.

<<I may be considered an ace reporter by the readers of the Daily Planet,
but I would be a laughing stock if anyone ever found out how blind I have
been. >>

	As she stared intently at her partner - careful not to draw his
attention - she wondered how she could possibly look at herself in the
mirror again without wanting to laugh.

<<They both acted so - no, not they, he - he always acted so gentle and
protective around me  no matter which outfit he happened to be wearing.>>

	Watching him rise to refill his coffee, Lois wondered how he did
it. How did he keep from giving himself away? Other than his glasses-

<<I can not believe I was fooled by a stupid pair of glasses!>>

	 He didn't seem to have any real protection from anyone who put 2
and 2 together. Then again, she realized, there were a few differences if
one only looked at the surface.

<<Where is that notepad, I know it was justŠOh, here it is. Column One-
Superman.  Column Two- Clark. Ok, now to think about just the surface. Only
look at the person everyone else sees. >>

<<Maybe I wasn't as blind as I thought. I mean, if you don't get to know
them both, it wouldn't be that hard to consider them different people. This
list at least proved that I wasn't  completely blind; I just did look at
them closely enough. Maybe you aren't as easily disguised as I thought.
This is quite a listŠ


Column One			Column Two
SUPERMAN			 CLARK
Tight Tights			Suits with wild ties
Commanding 			Mild mannered
No glasses 			Glasses
Crosses arms when angry	Doesn't get angry
Businessy but caring		Casual and Friendly



Š but I still should have seen through it. I am an ace reporter. I have
several Kerth awards, and I am the envy of most of my colleagues. So how
did my own partner manage to masquerade in a pair of tights and become a
close friend of mine, without my ever catching on? You should have been
able to fool people who didn't know you too well, but I am your best
friend. I am your best friend in both of your personalities; so how come I
didn't figure it out earlier!?>>

<<Easy Lois, You didn't have a reason to compare them. After all, who
compares a Ferrari to a Volkswagen? I didn't realize you were the same
person because I saw you in two different lights. Clark was the guy who I
ate Chinese food  with and who listened when I needed to rant and rave
about an article; Superman was the guy I dreamed about when I was feeling
romantic and the person I yelled for when I was in trouble. My best friend
and my knight who doesn't need armor, and never the twain shall meet,
especially since it would be kind of hard for you to meet yourself.>>

"Hey, Earth to Lois. Come in Lo-is."

"Oh, Sorry Clark. I was just thinking."

<<Yea, I was thinking about how many other people know you moonlight as a
super hero.>>

 "What's up?"

"You OK, Lois? You look a little distracted."

"I'm fine. Now is there a reason you came to my desk or did you just feel
like bugging me?"

<<Maybe feel like telling me how come you haven't gotten around to sharing
the fact that you have a secret identity?>>

"The Chief wants us to attend the Mayor's speech. We've got twenty minutes
to get there and find a good spot. Jimmy's gone to get some more film and
is going to meet us down stairs. You ready to go?"

"Just a second. Let me grab my notes,"  <<hide my comparison list of you
and Superman>> "and I'm ready to go."

"You sure you're OK?"

"Fine, Farmboy."

<<I'm doing great, considering I just realized my best friend has been
keeping a HUGE secret from me. >>

"Clark, do you have any plans for this evening?"

"Not really, I was planning to watch the game and finish some old paperwork."

"In that case, you can cancel. Tonight, my friend, you are taking me to
dinner."

"I am?"

"Yes, you are. And then you are going to take me flying."

"I'm gonna what?"

"You heard me."

"But whatŠhowŠI can'tŠ"

"Clark."

"I mean I'm notŠ"

"Clark."

"I can contact Super-"

"CLARK!"

"What?"

"Relax. First, we are going to go cover the Mayor's undoubtedly riveting
speech. Then we will come back here and type up our wonderful coverage
piece. And then you and I are going to eat a wonderful dinner followed by a
nice long talk. Alright?"

"Alright. Um, Lois?"

"Yes, Clark?"

"How mad are you?"

"You'll find out over dinner. Now let's get going before Jimmy decides
we've ditched him and he sets out on his own."

"Whatever you say, Lois."

<<Don't try those puppy dog eyes on me, mister! After all, it's not like
I'm really mad at you, but you don't have to know that just yet.>>

"You aren't going to do anything drastic, are you?"

"Come on Kent, we've got mysteries to solve."

<<And with you, me, and you/Superman there are definitely going to be some
*Kerth worthy stories in our future.>>



The End