She had met him at some big fancy party that she attended for an article she'd finished for the Daily Planet. He had been charming and suave and, for a bald man, he was quite attractive. Not that Lois was trying to knock bald men, her father had been bald and he always seemed very distraught about his loss of hair. That man did enough body shaming for the whole family. He really didn't understand the difference men versus women put in their appearance. But this man in front of her seemed to put more effort than most men in keeping a clean, professional appearance.
They were seated at Luminarias, one of the most prestigious restaurants in Metropolis. Right off the bat Lois could tell he was one of those billionaires that liked to flaunt their wealth. If the date went well, maybe Lois would let him take her shopping.
"So what's the current story you're working on?" he asked.
Lois flipped her hair back and with a sass in her smile said, "I thought I might do some coverage on you; the newest bachelor billionaire in town."
"Me? I'm afraid I'm not that interesting."
"That's what you'd like us to believe isn't it. You and Mark Freichman started your company right out of highschool. About 3 years later it took off and Mark moved to Metropolis to hold down the home base while you handled all the foreign affairs. Spent some time in Gotham too, didn't you? City's full of crime."
"You've done your research," he said, smirking.
Lois sighed, "I'm sorry about Mark. He had a wife and kid didn't he?"
"He did. Since taking over the company I make sure that they're taken care of. It's all I can do for Mark now that he's gone."
"Were you two close?" Lois asked.
"We were when we were younger but as we grew up we started to differ in our ideas and priorities. Since coming back to the main office here in Metropolis, I'm finally starting to see exactly what he was trying to do but I'm afraid I'm learning all these things too late. Mark was a good man and I never really took the time to appreciate him."
Lois didn't really buy that story. Family man CEO killed in a car accident and then his mysterious business partner steps in to take over the entire company (and its profits.) Lois had a hunch foul play might have occured but she didn't have enough dirt to really uncover anything. And it was possible that this was one of those rare cases where she was wrong.
"How long have you two known each other?"
"Since we were young. We grew up in the same orphanage."
"I didn't know you were an orphan," Lois said.
"I'm allowed to have some secrets aren't I?"
Lois felt a pang of guilt. She knew she had a tendency to get nosy into people's pasts. It's one of the reasons why she was such a great reporter. But as a reporter no sob story was allowed to shake her. She couldn't allow emotions to rule her life. She always had to look for the next best thing.
"You know, if you want," Lois said nonchalantly, "I could write a piece on you. The humble story of Alexander Joseph Luther. It would give your company some great publicity. What do you think Alex?"
"Call me Lex please. And, perhaps I wouldn't mind a formal introduction into Metropolis limelight. Especially if it meant we could have some more one-on-one interviews. But I didn't ask you here for a business opportunity, I wanted to get to know Lois Lane the old fashion way."
"And how's that?" Lois asked.
"A method older than time really; interrogation," Lex shrugged and Lois laughed.
"Shoot away, what's your first question?"
Lex thought for a second then said, "Tell me about yourself. Who is Lois Lane?"
"For one she's among the most attractive women around and you should feel honored to be in her presence."
Lex laughed and Lois dropped the facade.
"Well, in all truth I'm just a city girl who's absolutely dedicated to her job. It can be a real obsession sometimes but I love it."
"When did that start? And, have you always lived in the city?"
"Born and raised; Metropolis has always been home. And I've always wanted to be a reporter. I remember, I think I was around 4 or so, my mother, she was watching the news. She was always reading and watching the news, keeping up to date on the latest happenings. Anyway, I was sitting in front of the TV and this woman came on and I was just mesmerized. She had just this way about her. I don't even remember what she was talking about but I remember my mom saying, 'now there's a reporter who speaks the truth.' That was it. From that moment on I wanted to be a reporter."
"Then are you on the news broadcasts as well?"
"No, those people just sit and relate what they're told to say mostly. I'll occasionally hop on an interview or a discussion but I don't overly enjoy idle chatter when the happenings are out in the streets among the people. Sitting by doing nothing drives me crazy." Lois was enjoying herself. Lex was easy to talk to and a good listener. This was kind of how she imagined a date with Clark would go, if she were to ever want to go on a date with that nerd.
"And what do you do for fun?" Lex asked. Lois wanted to get a question of her own in but Lex was too fast with his barrage of questions.
"I read a lot. You could say that I read about as much as I write. And you?" Lois said.
"Me? I happen to read a lot too."
"Like what?" Lois asked, glad that the tables had turned.
"I read a lot of scientific journals," Lex said. "I love having new ideas presented to me with applications and discovery. It's how the human race evolves."
"Really? I happened to read an article recently that gave me some thought. Apparently studies show that the amygdala, a part of the brain that helps to produce violence, is larger in men than it is in women. The speaker was using this research to argue that women are superior to men, relating that committing violent and atrocious acts are characteristic of the male species. They concluded that maleness is a 'birth defect.'"
"Oh? I happened to read a contrary article suggesting that gender between male and female is fluid and merely a social construct that we accentuate at birth and throughout a child's life. The author said, and I quote, 'most of us remain strapped in the "biosocial straitjackets" that divert a basically unisex brain down one culturally gendered pathway," Lex said.
Lois couldn't help but be impressed by his knowledge, "Did you memorize that?"
Lex held up his hands defensively, "It struck a chord with me. I can't say I agree with everything I read but I do find truth in many concepts."
Lois shrugged, "I'd say that's one of the hardest parts about doing research. Finding out what is true. People say things, but they don't always believe it or realize how untrue what they've said is."
Lex nodded in agreement, "Would you send me a link to that article you mentioned. I'd love to read it myself. I feel that I must look at both sides in order to really get a full understanding of something," Lex said.
Lois couldn't agree more and made a note to send Lex the article. The rest of the date went on splendidly. They talked about his business and her work. She told him about the most recent story she was working on, a piece about the recent rise of a new crime circle. He asked her if she knew anything about the new exhibit at the museum. It hadn't been the first time she'd heard about it. Chief had mentioned they had a new exhibit going up and he'd debated on sending in a reporter to check it out. Now Lois wondered if it was actually something worth investigating. After their meal Lois and Lex went shopping for a bit where Lex bought her a new bag, top of the fashion industry. Then Lex took Lois home and they parted ways, hopeful to see eachother again soon.
…
The following morning, as Lois waited in line for her morning coffee she began reading some news from the Museum website off her phone. Having her interest peaked by Lex the previous day Lois decided to scope out the intel to see if it was a story she'd be interested in taking.
The museum website said, "Penetrating deep into the frozen waste of the great arctic plains, an archaeological expedition searching for prehistoric fossils made an amazing discovery! A huge monster, as lifelike in appearance as when it roamed the Earth millions of years ago in the Mesozoic age, was found Frozen in the ice in a state of perfect preservation. Constantly handicapped by the hazardous Sub-Zero elements, the scientists and their band of tireless workers succeeded in removing the monster creature from the frozen pit. The ice-in-cased monster was loaded into the hull of a huge crater equipped with special refrigeration and brought to Metropolis. Here in a specially constructed wing of the museum of natural science, this awe-inspiring creature will be displayed to the public for the first time!"
While Lois thought the blurb was a bit wordy, the concept seemed interesting enough. She'd talk to Chief about it.
At the office Lois passed by Cynthia's desk which had a few listings for apartments. So she was planning on moving soon. Lois had a few places she could recommend to her. Chad's desk was empty which was no surprise this early however Lois doubted he'd come to the office at all since today was the big game. Likely he'd be at the stadium doing special interviews before covering the big event. Clark was in office and he was staring intently at his screen. Deep in thought. Deep in analysis. Probably looking over stock numbers or economic trends. Lois noticed he had something on his shoulder…
"Clark, there's a spider on your shoulder," Lois said.
Clark was so completely entranced in his work that he hardly heard her.
"Mmm." Clark said as a reply.
"Clark," Lois said.
Clark peeled his eyes off of his screen to look at Lois.
"Your shoulder," Lois said pointing to his right shoulder.
Clark looked down and then spazzed out completely. His arms flailed at the spider in such alarm that it knocked his seat off balance and he fell down completely on the floor. Lois burst out laughing. It was such an unexpected response to such a tiny spider. Clark sat for a moment on the floor trying to process what had just happened. He'd been so completely in the zone and now he was on the ground. He picked himself up and noticed Lois laughing. It was kind of funny. Lois's laughter was contagious and Clark started laughing too.
When Lois had calmed down enough she asked, still chuckling, "I didn't know you were that afraid of spiders!"
"Neither did I," Clark said laughing.
Just at that moment Chief came in and both Lois and Clark stifled their laughs as much as possible. Chief gave them a very stern look which made them both want to start laughing even more. Clark cleared his throat and began busying himself with the pencils on his desk as a distraction, which just seemed all the more funny to Lois.
"Lois, come take a look at this for just a second."
"Yes Chief."
The Chief started into his office and Lois breathed enough to calm down.
"No you want the door closed Chief?" Lois asked.
"No, it's fine," Chief swirled his screen around to show Lois an email train, "This was between myself and the Head Science Professor who was on the archeological team, you know, from that arctic dig or whatnot. Professor Jack… Jack… "
"Jack Sulivan, yes I'm familiar."
"Of course you are. Here, just take a look:"
Lois read but there was a lot of science jargon that Lois would have to decipher to understand. Skimming through, her eyes caught on the last few lines:
Chief: And you mean to say that if the ice were permitted to thaw there's a possibility the monster might still be alive!
Professor: That's exactly right.
Chief: Thank you Professor.
"It might still be alive!" Lois said.
"Exactly. Here's a new angle on that frozen monster story. Get over to the museum and see what they're doing about what they've got in their special refrigerator."
Lois nodded then started out of the office.
Clark stood up as she passed and said, "Lois, want me to go over there with you?"
Lois couldn't help thinking about the spider incident and smiled, "No thanks, you'd probably faint if you saw the monster. You scare so easy."
Then she was off.
…
Lois got there early and was met by one of the museum heads. She had called on her way over so that she could get a quick private tour before the museum opened for the rest of the crowds. Together they went inside. Lois asked all kinds of questions about the expedition and the arctic monster they brought back. The creature was a Tyrannosaurus from the habitat of Siberia. They guessed the age was around 2,400 BC and was donated by Alfred R. Let, the man in charge of the expedition. Finally they were brought before the doors leading into the room that held the creature.
"It's cold in here," the tour guide said, "So prepare yourself. We have to keep the temperatures below freezing."
Lois nodded and they went in. Lois made two big observations. First was the temperature. It was not below freezing and in fact, it was actually quite hot. Second, the monster encased in ice was dethawing. It was at least seven stories high. Bright green. Its eyes were bulging and blood shot. Its claws were extending and extracting, as if the creature were testing out its mobility. With each second passing, water dripped from the ice freeing the monster from its entrapment.
The tour guide clicked his radio, "What do you mean the monitors read temperatures normal!?! It's a sauna in here!" The monster was beginning to move its feet as loud cracking signaled the breaking of ice. "It's alive! Call the police, we're in trouble." Then the tour guide turned to Lois, "Please use the nearest exit Lois and step lively. We have to clear this room at once."
Lois started towards the exit but quickly backtracked as soon as the tour guide was out of sight, "That's what he thinks." Lois said to herself as she hid behind a pillar. There was no way she was about to miss even a detail of this story. She quickly started texting Chief, letting him know what was going on.
Then the monster broke free. It began by barging its way through the wall in front of it. In all the chaos it knocked over the pillar Lois was standing by, trapping her under debris and rubble. Then the monster escaped and began to go on a rampage around the city.
…
Chief pulled out his phone and read the message Lois had texted him to the team: "ARCTIC MONSTER RUNS AMUCK IN CITY". She apparently didn't realize she had the caps on when she was typing the message. Or if she did she was in such a rush to type that she couldn't hit the caps button. Either way, it was bad form the Chief thought.
Clark pushed past his desk, obviously worried, "Lois is in the museum!"
Chief answered, "Better get over there Kent."
"Right." Clark said.
"The rest of you, either get to safety or get somewhere you can film this thing. Your choice but I want footage."
…
After realizing this was a job for Superman, it was Superman, not Clark, that was flying through the air on his way to rescue Lois. From the air he saw that the museum was in shambles, having an entire wall utterly destroyed. Please let Lois be okay. Superman may be indestructible, but the people he cared about were not. In seconds he had landed.
"Lois!?" Superman called out.
He heard a "Superman?!" from below a pillar of debris and rubble. In moments Superman had the area cleared, moving debris away as if he were picking up laundry from the floor.
"You better get back to your office where you'll be safe. I've got some work to do," Superman said.
"Yes sir," Lois said then Superman flew off. Lois brushed herself off, "And miss the best story in years? Fat chance."
…
The monster continued making its way through the city leaving behind a trail of destruction. It walked through a dam, which Superman plugged with a giant rock. It walked through a bridge which superman saved and quickly tied together with hanging bridge cables. No missiles or bullets could stop it. It came to a large building and was clawing at the cement.
Towards the top of the building Clark could see a person with a camera filming… was that Lois!?! You've got to be kidding me, Superman thought. For a woman as smart as she was, she really needed to stop doing dumb things. The monster was face to face with Lois and her camera. Angered, he took a bite at the building where Lois was currently standing. Screaming, Lois fell into the monster's mouth. Superman flew up, pried open its jaw and grabbed Lois. Then he flew out and took her somewhere safe.
"Now this time, stay put!" Superman said fairly annoyed.
"Yes and thanks," Lois said.
Then Superman wrestled the monster and bent over lamp posts to tie it down. Finally the monster was subdued. The crowds cheered and Superman just waved. He saw Lois at the spot where he had put her. She was looking on curiously. So, Superman thought he'd be funny and blew her a kiss. She rolled her eyes. Laughing, Superman flew off.
Lois was undoubtedly one of Superman's favorite people. As much as she gave him trouble, when it came to uncharted territory, Lois was always the first to jump in. Though sometimes that enthusiasm didn't quite catch up with rationality. She always seemed to feel like she needed to prove herself. He kind of wished she would just calm down and let him protect her. That wasn't her way though. She wasn't about the type of person to get pushed around by anybody and that was something he admired. Something he felt like he lacked.
…
Lois was currently working on her story and just finishing up details about the resolution. Superman had saved the city from destruction and the monster was currently being displayed to the public at the park zoo. She had a date with Lex later to go and see it.
"You showed plenty of courage getting that monster story Lois," Clark said.
"Thanks, but where were you?" Lois asked.
"Me? Oh, I must have fainted," Clark joked and Lois smiled, "Are you planning on going to see the monster at the zoo anytime soon?" Clark asked.
Lois said, "Yes, tonight actually. I'm going there on a date."
"A date?" Clark said surprised, "With who, since when?"
"Just one of the newest CEOs in town, Alexander Luther."
"...Lex?" Clark said, "Lex Luther?"
"You know him?" Lois said. Clark must know him personally if he knew Lex's nickname.
"It's been a long time since I've heard that name," Clark said, "I wouldn't say he knows me though but I know of him."
"And what kind of a reputation would you give him, Clark?" Lois asked.
"I can't say it's favorable from past experiences. It's been years though."
"So you knew him from when you were younger?" Lois asked.
Clark said, "You could say that…"
"What's with these cryptic answers, Clark? Do you know him or not?" Lois asked.
Clark signed, "This much is true. Clark Kent has never met Lex Luther and Lex Luther has never met Clark Kent."
"Maybe that'll change. I feel like you two would really get along," Lois said.
Clark wasn't so sure.
…
Later that same evening Clark sat in his apartment wishing that he had been the one to ask Lois on a date. He could probably use super hearing to eavesdrop on their conversations. Or maybe he could "accidentally" free the monster from its enclosure and ruin their date. Unfortunately Clark wasn't that petty. But Lex would have been that petty.
Did Clark know Lex? Yes he knew him. They grew up together in the same orphanage just outside of Smallville. Lex was a grade older than Clark and his childhood "friend" who ended up turning his back on him freshman year. It took a long time for Clark to realize how manipulative their relationship was. But that was years ago and maybe Lex had changed.
Back then Clark didn't use the name Clark. He didn't even have a name. It wasn't until he graduated from Highschool that Clark got a name. As a depressed and lonely high schooler Clark had met an elderly couple, the Kents, who became his mentors. They were among the only people who had ever truly been nice to him and their example completely changed the way Clark lived and viewed the world. They became like his adopted grandparents.
Clark still remembered working in Martha's giant garden with her husband Jonathan Kent.
"That plant is as much alive as you or I," Martha had said, arguing with Jonathan.
"Alive or not, it's food. And food is food whether I throw it in the basket or gently place it down like a little baby. It's all going to the same place, Martha. How I treat it doesn't matter."
"You won't be saying the same thing when you're eating apple pies that taste like a bitter worm."
"Martha, you couldn't make a worm tasting apple pie if you tried," Jon would say and it was true. Martha's cooking was out of this world. Then Martha would huff away saying something about something she'd need to clean. She always brought a smile to Clark's day.
"Hey Billy, are you almost done over there?" Jon would ask. Billy was what Jon called him at the current time. Clark had gone through cycles since he didn't have a name. He'd gone by Billy, Kaleb, Eliot, Sue even. And whatever name he called himself, Jon was always on the same trend. If he went by Freddy today and Sam tomorrow, then Jon called him Freddy today and Sam the next.
"Tell me about your day," Jon would say as they worked and Clark would tell Jon everything. Then Clark would listen as Jon would share his stories and life lessons.
Finally, some time after graduation as they were sitting around eating one of Martha's pies Clark was fidgeting more than usual.
"Got something on your mind?" Jon asked.
Clark nodded, "I… I'm thinking about changing my name. Not just a nickname this time but get it done right and legally. Have it be my identity."
"That sounds official." Jon said.
"Have you picked a name?" Martha asked.
"Clark."
Jon and Martha shared a smiling look.
"A fine name. That was my grandfather's name." Jon said.
"I'd like your permission first. I'd… I'd like my name to be Clark Kent."
Martha took Jon's hands as tears came to Jon's eyes.
Jon cleared his throat and said in a wavering voice, "Sounds fine. Sounds fine."
"Thank you," Clark said and from that moment on, he became Clark Kent. After that he went to a community college where he found his love for journalism. He got a job working for the Smallville paper. Then he moved onto other jobs till he finally landed his first big job with the KMCP in Metropolis. As he worked with them for a year or so Martha and Jonathan back in smallville were struggling with some severe illnesses.
Clark suggested they move to Metropolis where he knew of a great hospital nursing program for the elderly and Clark was willing to help pay for them to live there. Because of their health situations, they consented and Clark went to visit them regularly. More so now since Martha was in an especially bad condition.
With all that had passed, Clark had never expected to cross paths with Lex Luther again nor had he ever wanted to. He couldn't say he was looking forward to any type of reunion.