Lois & Clark Forums Forums Fan Fiction Lois & Clark Fanfic FDK: Airport Part 6 of 32

Hopefully Lois comes around. She's taking it to Clark, when really, he just had a lucky evening, and had an interview pretty much fall in his lap. He had no control that Lois--in all the time researching the Luthor's--has never been able to score the interview she wants. And Clark has tried now a few times to put the two of them in a better place, to be the bigger person. Come on, Lois!

Really not a fan of this version of Lana!

Realization about Clark’s ignorance spread over the older man’s face. “Well, no one could ever accuse Elvis of stealin’ a song! But that’s exactly what that low down skunk did. He didn’t just steal any story, but Lois’ story. It was an exceptional article for a seasoned journalist, but coming from a rookie like Lois it was amazing. I didn’t find out about it until it was too late.” Perry paused and then said, “He romanced the story away from her, which you can imagine hurt deeply.”

Understanding washed over Clark. Of course she would be defensive! He would take pains to be supportive regarding her feelings about this particular interview. He appreciated, and what was most important, respected Lois’ ability as a journalist.

“Don’t worry sir, this story will be a cooperative effort on both our parts.”

Daae and Lana ... that sounds like a dangerous combination, though to who is the question.

Jack, mixing up his morning cup of coffee, noticed her and said to Stacy, “Doesn’t she have a job?”

“Speaking of observation. Do you ever notice how she always shows up for lunch after Clark has an assignment with Lois?” He remarked sarcastically.

“Hmmm, you’re right. Wonder what that’s all about?”

Lana turned and gave Lois an appraising look, then shrugged. “Not that it’s any of your concern, but I’m hungry … now. Oh, The Metropolis Star mentioned Gregory Daae’s comments about your being amateurish. I think he and Linda King got it right. Why put such a powerful man on the spot like that!”

“Good Morning Ms. Lang. What brings you to the newsroom?”
“My boyfriend of course,” she said this while twining her arm around his waist, “he’s taking me to lunch.”

Clark winced and said, “Lana,” with a touch of panic in his voice.
Perry noticed the pained expression on the young man’s face and quickly sized up the situation.

“Uh… son, we really need to talk about this interview. Mr. Olsen is a good friend of Mrs. Luthor’s, so he’ll be watching very closely. An important interview like this could be a career changer.”

“Good advice. I take it the Luthors are not as happy as they seem?”

A slight frown cast a shadow over Catherine’s face, “They tolerate each other. According to one of my old sources Lex had an affair. There’s nothing new about that, but this time it distressed his wife to the point where she had the woman removed from Metropolis. So here’s a little more advice; if Arianna invited you to an interview and told you to bring Lois along - do it. Don’t be fooled. Mrs. Luthor might think turnabout is fair play.” With those words, Catherine vacated her seat.

The publisher, not in the least put off by her comment, replied, “Sorry Lois, she wants both of you there. Otherwise the deal’s off.”

Lois smiled sweetly, “Then it’s off.”

“Ah, I see. Tell me Mr. Olsen, exactly why did you buy The Daily Planet?”

The younger man was taken aback; he calculated what the old newshound was saying for a moment and answered very slowly. “I’ve always respected the integrity of this newspaper, its reputation for honestly and clear presentation of the facts is second to none.”

“Uh huh, that’s good, now what is the other reason?”

Feeling a little like he was back in grade school, but determined to stand his ground he said, “To help it generate money.”

“How long do you think we will continue to gain your second objective if you sacrifice the first? Oh, you can go ahead and have all our reporters write puff pieces, but it won’t be with me as Managing Editor or high-caliber reporters like Lane and up-and-comers like Kent. You’ll have a whole newsroom full of reporters even the Weehawken Gazette wouldn’t claim as their own.”

James Olsen looked at Perry White. He was not very keen on hearing those words and this is what his own father would have referred to as ‘a prickly conversation’. But he respected Perry’s nerve to say it and the hard won experience to back it up. He stood, signaling the conversation had come to an end and walked over to the door. “Very well Mr. White, I’ll stay in the Executive Suite and you handle the newsroom.”

In some ways Clark was still a boy, whereas Daae… A thought clicked and she decided to try something - push the edge of their new association a tiny bit further.

She secretly smiled to herself in triumph and thought, <This was far better than lunch!> She entered the elevator. Upon return to the office, she called Clark and canceled their dinner date on the pretext she had to work.