Winner Takes All
Folc4evernaday
Rated: PG-13
Part 1For those interested: the trailer for this one can be found
here.
Description:
In this Elsewhere story, a different twist is taken in the Pilot. Clark isn't the only one with suspicions about man of the year, Lex Luthor. Clark's newly formed friendship with Lois Lane goes through its ups and downs as they work together against the many criminals that cross their paths during the beginning of their partnership.
Part 1***
“Partners?” Lois echoed, staring in disbelief at Perry White.
“You and Kent.” He replied. “I want you two to cover the Space Station.”
“I don't need a partner, Perry.” Lois began, “Let alone a HACK from Nowheresville!”
“If you want this story, you do.” Perry glared at her; that fire that told her not to push it flared behind his gaze. “Kent is a good man and a good writer. That's the first piece that's crossed my desk in years that I haven't had to edit.”
“Oh? Because he happens to dot every 'I' and cross every 'T'; I'm supposed to work with him on the Space Station story? Forget it, Perry.”
“Lois, I think you could learn a thing or two from having a partner.”
“I don't need a partner.”
“It'll make for good stories.” At her look, he continued, “Lois if you want this story then take your PARTNER and go talk to EPRAD.” He smiled up at her like a cat that had swallowed a canary.
She relented, “Fine. Don't ever say that I'm not a team player.” She muttered as she stepped out of his office.
She grudgingly approached Clark Kent's desk. He was typing away at his computer; no doubt some fluff piece Perry had assigned him for the time being. “Perry wants us to team up on the EPRAD piece,” she muttered grudgingly.
Clark looked up at her and noticed the distaste in her gaze when she looked at him. He could tell she didn't want to work with him. He stood up, “Okay, where should we start?”
“WE??? No, no, no. There is no 'we.' This is my story.”
“But Perry teamed us up, so it's OUR story.” Clark corrected.
She glared at him, infuriated that he had corrected her. How dare he? “Let's just hit it!” she muttered heading towards the elevators.
“Mind telling me where we're going?” he asked a few steps behind her.
“To interview Samuel Platt. He's convinced that the Messenger was sabotaged. I'll brief you on the way.” She then turned to face him, challenging him to disagree with her, “And let's get something straight, I didn't work my buns off to become an investigate reporter for the Daily Planet just to babysit some hack from Nowheresville! And one other thing, you are not working WITH me; you are working FOR me. I call the shots, I ask the questions. You're the low man; I'm top banana, and that's the way I like it.” They now stood in front of the elevator doors, “Comprende?” she turned towards him once more, daring him to challenge her.
“You like to be on top. Got it.” He smiled back at her.
Lois sneered at him, unsure of how to respond to his smart remark, “Don't push me, Kent, you are WAY out of your league!”
“Well, Lois, how do you know what my league is if you don't even know me,” he shot back. They stepped into the elevator doors and Lois stood dumbfounded. He had the nerve to....to challenge her. How dare he?
***
“Where are we?” Clark asked looking around the rundown apartments. The building looked to be infested with more than just bugs and rodents. The roof was caved in and the paint was peeling off the exterior.
“This is Suicide Slum. Most of my contacts live out here. This is Dr. Samuel Platt's building.” She pointed to the sign reading, 'Building A' and proceeded to walk up the stairs. Clark followed in hot pursuit.
Lois stopped in front of the door at the end of the stairs and knocked on the door, “Dr. Platt? It's Lois Lane. Dr. Platt?”
The door opened slightly, revealing a grungy old man in his late thirties. His eyes were glazed as if he had been drugged. “Come in.” He whispered hoarsely once he recognized Lois.
Dr. Platt reiterated his story of the EPRAD's danger. “They said I was crazy, Ms. Lane. I'm not crazy. They drugged me! It's all in my report! After the drugs—All those drugs—They forced me to take them you know? After I submitted my report to Dr. Baines.”
“Dr. Platt, how could the Messenger be sabotaged? In order to bypass security...”
“Unless the orders came from high up?” Clark suggested. Lois shot him a dirty look for one-upping her in the middle of the interview.
Dr. Platt didn't seem to notice the exchange between the two; instead, he was focused on searching through his desk as he spoke, “You see under extreme temperature conditions, the particle isolators were in danger of shutting down. To prevent that, we installed heating devices. But when I broke into one of the off limit labs, I discovered that --”
“I'm sorry, Dr. Platt, you BROKE INTO one of the labs? Why?” Clark interjected, earning him a glare from Lois.
“No one would listen to me. After I was drugged; I did a lot of things I wouldn't normally do. Anyway, when I broke into the labs I discovered the heating devices had been replaced by coolant systems.”
“To freeze the ion particles?”
“Of course! So that they'd fuse and the Messenger would blow up! It's all in my report!!”
“Dr. Platt, you keep talking about this report. What report?” Lois asked.
“The report I gave to Dr. Baines.”
“Do you have a copy of that report?”
“Of course, what kind of scientist would I be if I didn't keep a copy of my reports?” He continued to search through his desk.
“Dr. Platt, “Lois pulled out a business card, “Perhaps you could gather your report some other time; I'll send someone to come pick it up.” She noticed a picture on his desk and picked it up. It was a woman in her late thirties and a young girl in her pre-teens. The girl was in a wheelchair.
“My family,” Dr. Platt explained. “We planned to live together on the Prometheus.”
“Where's your family now?”
“Gone. They left after—Well, it's all for the best.”
“Dr. Platt, who would want to sabotage Prometheus?” Clark asked curiously.
“I don't know.” Lois was surprised to find the man close to tears, “You see, the microgravity laboratory on the Prometheus could be the key to curing hundreds of diseases here on Earth. In the zero-gravity atmosphere, we can actually separate the proteins that create viruses...So many children with crippling diseases.” He looked at the photograph once more and smiled, “My daughter. We could cure them.”
Lois and Clark looked at one another then nodded back to Dr. Platt, “I think we should pay Dr. Baines a visit.” Lois said and headed out with Clark in tow.
***
As they headed over to EPRAD Lois lit into Clark, “What were you thinking; trying to undermine me in the middle of the interview?”
“I was thinking if we're going to get to the bottom of this we need to ask questions. Isn't that our job?” Clark shot back, he wasn't sure what Lois' problem was, but he was not about to let her push him around. He may lack the experience in actual investigate journalism, but he knew how to conduct an investigation.
“What part of you're working FOR me didn't you get?”
“What part of PARTNER, didn't you get?” They were both staring at one another, an angry look in their eyes. Neither one of them was backing down.
“I do not need a partner!”
“Then take it up with Mr. White. Until then you're stuck with me, honey!”
Lois fumed; he had a point. Perry had partnered them up and she was stuck with him. Hopefully, this would just be temporary. There was no way he would keep her partnered with someone as green horned as Kent.
***
A young blonde stood before them; Dr. Baines. “Naturally, we're all still in a state of shock. I don't suppose I have to tell you what a catastrophe the explosion was. Commander Laderman, he was one of our best. Three kids, his wife, Anna.”
“Dr. Baines, what is being done to investigate the cause of the explosion?”
“Well, we won't know anything until we examine the burned wreckage. We're in the process of moving it to a hangar for inspection.”
“Can we take a look?”
“Sorry, no press allowed.”
“No exceptions?” Clark asked, flashing her one of his brilliant smiles. Lois rolled her eyes.
She was even more surprised to see Dr. Baines give him a once over then reply, “I'll see what I can do.”
“On the subject of Dr. Samuel Platt...” Lois interjected.
Dr. Baines opened a file on her desk and scanned through it, “I have his file right here. A real waste of talent. Seems the pressure of building the space station along with his divorce finally got to him. He started drinking and taking drugs. It went from bad to worse. We kept him on as long as we could. But after he set fire to one of the laboratories, we had to let him go.”
Lois and Clark studied Dr. Baines for a moment; each coming up with their own determination of her character. “Dr. Platt said he submitted a report to you?” Clark inquired.
“Something about coolant devices installed to freeze the ion particles?” Lois added, arching her eyebrows at the woman as she spoke.
“Coolants?” No, I don't recall any report. I could check my records.”
“Could you? And give us a call?” Lois handed her a business card.
Dr. Baines nodded and took the card from Lois. “No problem. Let me know if I can be of further assistance.”
Lois continued to stare at the woman, unsure of what to make of her. She headed out with Clark towards the car. “I don't trust her.”
Clark wasn't sure Dr. Baines could be trusted either but he thought it would be fun to provoke Lois a bit. “What? She seemed cooperative.”
“Are you kidding me? First, she tells us 'No Press' then she's sizing you up like a piece of meat and gives us an 'I'll see what I can do.' What was up with that?”
“Are you jealous?”
“Not in the slightest! All I'm saying is it was very unprofessional and ...”
“Well, she's very pretty. Young for a woman in her position.”
“Typical.”
“What?”
“Typical male response.”
“Lois, trust me on this, I am not your typical male.”
“No? Just because she's okay looking...”
“Very okay.”
“You immediately assume she's telling the truth.”
“And you assume she's not? Does everyone have an angle? No, honest people left in the world?” Lois shot him a look and he laughed. “That's pretty cynical, Lois.”
“It's realistic, Clark, at least I don't go through life disappointed.”
“Seriously, though, her eyes did do a funny dance when we mentioned that report.”
“Let's do a little digging.”
***
Lois sat at her desk on the phone, tapping her fingers against her desk as she listened to Mitchell go on about another horrible disease he could have because he got the sniffles. “No, Mitchell, I'm not mad. If you've got the sniffles; you've got the sniffles. Yes, that could lead to complications. No, don't call me; I'll call you.” She hung up the phone angrily and looked around the empty newsroom, daring anyone to challenge her. She had to attend Lex Luthor's ball, but now she was without an escort. She scanned the newsroom for a possible stand-in. There was Allen from Research. She watched him bite into a salami sandwich and shuddered. The man was a poster child for obesity. Didn't he know when enough was enough? There was Jimmy? No, he said he was trying to get Allison from the Archives to go with him. She didn't want to be the reason he blew off a potential good girl. Then her gaze rested on Clark. He was more than okay looking, and he was probably planning on just working tonight anyway....
She counted to ten as she attempted to suck up her pride before approaching him. She made her way toward his desk. He was busy typing up their notes from the interviews they had had earlier today. She stood in front of his desk a moment, waiting for him to notice her presence. “May I help you?” he asked, looking up at her.
“I don't suppose you own tuxedo?” she was looking everywhere but directly at him.
She hated this and he knew it. He continued to play along. He had overheard her conversation from earlier' and knew she was looking for a date to Lex Luthor's ball. He wasn't sure about going to the function, but it looked like he didn't have a choice now. Of course, he wasn't going to make it easy for her. She had given him hell all day and he wasn't about to just let her think all was forgiven. “I could get one,” he acknowledged.
“Oh, well, the man I was going to Lex Luthor's ball with has the flu and...”
“Yes?”
“Well, I was wondering if you'd like to....Do you want to take his place or not?”
“Thanks anyway, Lois, but I already have plans.”
“Plans? Like what? You've been in Metropolis for ...What? A few days?”
“Is this how you asked your date out? If so I can see why he doesn't want to go now.”
“What? Who wouldn't want to go to this? It's the social event of the season! Anyone who's anyone is going to be there!”
“So, is this a date?”
“Don't flatter yourself, Kent, this is not a date! This is business! I'm going to land the first Lex Luthor one on one interview if it kills me!”
“No thanks.” he shook his head.
“What?”
“You know what your problem is? You don't know how to be nice. See, if you asked nicely I might actually help you out, but that doesn't seem to be in your realm; so I'm gonna stick with my original answer.”
He turned back to his computer and continued to type. Lois counted to ten under her breath before addressing him again, “Clark, I would really appreciate it if you would go with me to Lex Luthor's ball.”
“Please?”
“What?”
“You didn't say 'please.'”
“Please.”
“Now was that so hard?” He asked. “Imagine how much easier this would have been if you had just asked nicely. Yes, Lois, I would be delighted to go with you to Lex Luthor's ball.”
“Okay, meet me there at nine sharp.”
“See you there.” He watched her walk away and shook his head, laughing to himself. She certainly was something...
***
Clark sat around the table with his parents, discussing his new job at the Daily Planet. He made the mistake of mentioning the ball he was taking Lois to and now his mom was grilling him for details. “So, tell me more about this woman you're going to Lex Luthor's ball with.”
“Lois is ... well, she's ...complicated. Domineering, uncompromising, pig-headed...brilliant.” He surprised himself with the last description he had settled on. There was definitely something about Lois Lane that had sparked his interest. “And we're not really going out. It's business.”
“Uh-huh.” Martha's eyes twinkled back at him at the last comment.
He stood up and headed out, giving his mom a hug and a peck on the cheek. ”I gotta go. Thanks for sewing my jacket, mom. That electrical storm over Cleveland was brutal.”
“Maybe you should take another route. See you next week.”
He walked outside with his father, staring up at the stars. “I forget how beautiful it is here. The only stars you see in Metropolis are riding in limos.”
Jonathan just laughed, “You're the one that wanted the rat race. I couldn't live there. Not for a minute.”
“There's something about the city; the pace; everyone going somewhere...”
“Impatient; like you.” He patted Clark on the shoulder, “Well, son, I guess you've finally found your niche. You can stop living out of that old suitcase.”
Clark sighed, “I hope so, Dad. Being in Metropolis, working for the Planet, it's like a dream come true, but...”
“But you still don't feel like you fit in.” Jonathan finished.
“I don't. I don't fit in. I have to control myself all the time.” He absentmindedly kicked a stray rock and watched as it ricocheted into space. “I can never use my powers because I might jeopardize my chance to lead a normal life.”
“Whatever that means.”
“Just being human like you and mom; living, working, meeting someone, having a family.”
“Clark, we don't know if that's possible.”
“But I can't hide forever, Dad. There has to be a way that I can be Clark Kent and still use what I've been given to do some good.”
“You'll find a way, boy.” He pulled Clark in for a hug.
“I hope so.” He stepped away and floated up in the air, preparing to ricochet himself into the night's sky.
***
The room was filled with music and Metropolis wealthy. Clark had scanned the room for Lois but hadn't found her yet. He spotted Jimmy Olsen and approached him with a smile, “Hey, Jimmy, have you seen Lois?”
“No, she's probably gonna try to make an entrance, though; try and snag Lex Luthor's attention. This is my date, Allison. Allison, this is Clark Kent. He just started at the Planet.” The young redhead blushed as she shook hands with Clark. “Come on, I'll show you around. This is Lucy, Lois' sister.”
Lucy held her hand out to shake Clark's. “Pleased to meet you.”
“Lucy, this is Clark; the Chief partnered him up with Lois on the space station story.”
“I apologize in advance for my sister.” Lucy smiled.
They shared a good-natured laugh and Jimmy continued to show Clark around; introducing him to key people. “Have either of you ever met him; Lex Luthor?”
“No, I've read all his unauthorized biographies, though. Rags to riches, wrong side of the tracks, self-made billionaire, owns dozens of companies, employs thousands of people, Man of the Year, every year, has his finger in every pie, but rarely in public. Won't give personal interviews.” Jimmy smiled good-naturedly at Clark. “So, where are you from, CK?”
“CK?”
“Jimmy likes to nickname everyone,” Lucy explained.
“Really?”
“Yeah, his nickname for my sister is Mad Dog Lane.”
“Shhh, she might hear you!” Jimmy admonished.
“I'm from Smallville, Kansas.”
“No kidding? I've lived in Metropolis all my life; I've never been out of New Troy. What's it like in Kansas?”
“Hey, there he is!” Lucy pointed to a tall man descending the staircase and mingling with the crowd.
“So, who all do we have in the crowds here?” Clark asked.
“Mostly upper class or dates of our upper class like with our dear Lucy Lane here. She's going out with the Governor's son.” Jimmy explained. “Everyone else is press. Everyone has to have a date, though. It IS a ball; dancing.”
“Ah.” Clark realized now why Lois had to have a date.
Speaking of Lois, her voice echoed through the room as a bolt of lightning struck outside, “Lex Luthor, why haven't you returned my calls?” all eyes directed to her.
Clark spotted her across the room. She stood in a stunning blue gown with an impressive v-neck, her hair was pulled up and she wore a face of confidence as she addressed the man of the hour. He felt like he was floating. She was stunning. He looked down and realized that he WAS floating. He quickly floated back down before anyone was able to notice. He had to be more careful.
Lex Luthor approached her with intrigue; she held her hand out, introducing herself, “Lois Lane, Daily Planet.”
Lex smiled, and took her hand in his own, intrigued by her, “I can assure you, I'll never make that mistake again.”
Clark and Jimmy watched the scene unfold; Lucy had been stolen away by her date, leaving them to themselves, “She's something, isn't she?”
“Yeah...” Clark acknowledged, trying to find his voice. “She's something.” He watched as Lois was lead onto the dance floor by Lex Luthor. He wasn't sure what the proper protocol was. Did she need him to cut in after a certain point? She did say she wanted to nail the first Lex Luthor interview, but what was he supposed to do? Just stand here on the sidelines?
***
Meanwhile, on the dance floor, Lois was attempting to get Lex Luthor to agree to an interview, “I hope you'll forgive me for being so bold.”
“Boldness is a trait I find very attractive in a woman, Ms. Lane,” Lex replied. There was something intriguing about him. The way he held himself, the tone of his voice. Everything about him resonated with power.
“Thank you,” Lois blushed, “Anyway, I was wondering, Mr. Luthor...”
“Lex.” He corrected, spinning her around.
“Lex.” She smiled as the name resonated off her tongue. “I know you're hesitant to give interviews.”
“I hope you can understand a man in my position. I wouldn't want to be misinterpreted” he pulled her close as they continued to dance. Lois hesitated slightly but allowed it; if only for a chance to land an interview with the man. “and I have had one or two bad experiences with the media.”
“But not with me.” She replied through a pasted on smile.
He smiled back at her, leaning close, “Why don't we make it dinner?”
She smiled back at him and nodded. She was about to speak when Clark's voice interrupted her thoughts. “Mind if I cut in?”
Clark was rewarded with an angry glare, but Lois and Lex had stopped dancing at this point. Lois turned and grudgingly introduced Clark. “Lex, this is Clark Kent; he works at the Planet.”
“A pleasure.” Lex extended his hand to shake with Clark. He then turned to Lois, “Later then?”
Before she could protest Lex walked off and Clark had taken her into his arms, dancing with the music. Angry at the interruption, Lois turned on Clark, “Clark, you idiot; it's taken me a year to get this close...”
“This close?” he asked pulling her closer to him.
Lois let out an involuntary shudder as she felt the heat of his body pressed up against hers. She met his teasing gaze with a glare, “I would have thought square dancing was more your style.”
“Wrong crowd for square dancing, Lois. I actually learned ballroom dancing from a Nigerian princess. She had studied the art of ballroom dancing in England.” he explained. Lois wasn't really sure what to say at that. She didn't have much of a comeback for that. He then surprised her by whispering in her ear, “I'm not as naive as I look. I have traveled outside of Smallville you know.”
“I never said that you were,” she shot back, trying to remind her brain to continue working. Her mind seemed to only want to focus on the feel of his body pressed against hers. His hands rested on her back as they danced.
“See? Even the new kid can surprise you, Ms. Lane.” He winked at her.
“Yeah.” Lois felt her face flush. Why was she unable to concentrate? She needed some air. She waited for the song to end and broke out of his arms, heading for the nearest ladies room.
“Lois, where are you going?” Clark called after her. He stopped short when he noticed her entering the ladies room.
“What is wrong with me?” she shook her head as she stared back at her reflection. She had been dancing with Clark Kent and had enjoyed it. He was a hack from Nowheresville. Nothing compared to Lex Luthor whom she had just been dancing with; so why was dancing with Clark making her head swim? She could still feel the heat from where his hands had been resonating throughout her body. “Pull yourself together, Lois,” she muttered. “You're a professional.”
The soft sobbing from underneath one of the bathroom stalls perked Lois' interest. She recognized that sound. “Lucy?”
“Lois?” the door to the stall opened to reveal a sobbing Lucy Lane.
“Lucy, what happened?”
“Steven broke up with me,” Lucy explained in between her tears.
“Oh, Lucy, I'm so sorry.” she hugged her sister.
“I'm fine. It'll be fine, Lois, really. I just need to focus on school. It's not like I'm in danger of running into him at Metropolis University or anything like that.” it was clear that Lucy was plastering on a brave face, but Lois didn't push.
“Do you want me to get you anything?”
“Do you have any makeup on you?”
Lois pulled out her purse which Lucy took gratefully, “Thanks. You're a lifesaver.” she walked over to the mirror and began applying the makeup to cover up her blotchy skin. “I met that guy you're working with, Clark. He seems nice.”
“Lucy, don't start.” Lois admonished. The last thing she needed was a lecture about her love life.
“What? I was just gonna say he seems nice. Pretty cute too.” she winked at Lois and handed her purse back to her. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” Lois followed her sister out to join the crowd. After making sure her sister was okay she then began to explore the upstairs of LexCorp.
“Going somewhere?” Clark's voice pierced through her mind as she reached the top of the stairs. She ignored him and opened one of the rooms only to find a desk with several windows behind it. The room had a collection of swords, rifles, and other weaponry. “Lois, what are you doing?” he asked when she began to look through the desk.
“Being a reporter. You should try it sometime.”
Clark sighed at the obvious lost cause. Lois was going to do what she wanted; whether he liked it or not. He turned around to find himself looking Lex Luthor in the eye and a sword at his throat. He looked down to study the sword and met Lex Luthor's gaze with a fearless one of his own. “Macedonian?”
Lex Luthor pulled the sword back and smiled, “It belonged to Alexander the Great. A brilliant tactician. Alexander's strategy was simple: always control the high ground. It was the sword that he...”
“Defeated Darius III and was proclaimed King of Asia.” Clark finished, recalling the story himself.
Lex eyed him with intrigue. “You surprise me, Mr. Kent. I'm not easily surprised.”
Lois noticed the exchange between the two men and decided to intervene, “I hope you don't mind us looking around. You have a beautiful home, Lex.”
Clark watched Lex as Lois' words registered. He saw a flicker of what appeared to be....something...he couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he didn't like it. Lex was quick to mask his feelings and instead showed them the balcony behind the desk, “Have you seen the view?” He opened the doors and allowed Lois and Clark to step out and absorb the view before them, “Tallest building in Metropolis. I must confess I enjoy the fact that everyone has to look up in order to see me.” He then ushered them out of the office, “Let's get back to the party. I'm sure my announcement will interest you.”
They made their way back to the ballroom; a crowd began to form around a table in the middle of the room. Lois and Clark listened in intrigue as Lex revealed his plan for space station Prometheus. Clark wasn't sure what it was about the man, but he just rubbed him the wrong way. He was talking about saving the space station by creating one of his own. On the outside, it seemed like a good idea, but who was it benefiting? It was benefiting Lex Luthor in the end. All the cures developed would be in his name. He would be reaping all the benefit’s. It made him wonder how Lex had gotten this 'space station' project together so quickly.
***
TBC...
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