Hi Mary!
Lois barreled into Perry's office, already talking before the door finished closing behind her. “Chief, I think there's a story here and we should check this guy out. The crazy one this morning? His name is Samuel Platt and he was an engineer at EPRAD for ten years. He's—”
Ooooh! Alt beginning? Plot untwist? What will it be…?
There was something vaguely familiar about him, but she couldn't quite place... She froze. It couldn't be.
There was no mistake. He stared back at her, his eyes wide with the shock she'd forced herself to suppress.
For the oddest reason I’m reminding of the SQD fics. She usually had a kid in the mix and a reunion years later. So…Lois finally manage to track down her baby daddy?
Kent fidgeted in his chair and gave her an apologetic look. “I didn't know...that, uh, that the Planet hired such beautiful reporters!” he stammered, chuckling nervously.
Ouch.
Perry snorted, drawing their attention. “We don't hire for looks, Kent. We hire for talent and drive
Well, then how does he explain Cat or Ralph?
, and I've got to admit, this piece about the fetish clubs speaks to both.”
She tensed. “Fetish clubs?”
“Kent here went undercover at some of the sketchier places downtown,” Perry explained while Kent silently turned a lovely shade of fuchsia.
They did not meet there, did they? Did he go under the covers with Lois? Or, well, not under the covers, considering.
“...You went...undercover?” Lois felt slightly sick. She turned to Kent, who was studying the floor.
Oh they did.
And she thought Clark was another pea in the pod.
CLARK: I did not pee in a pod.
It took a moment before she could speak. “Why, Mr. Kent, it must have been simply awful for you, having to witness such depravity up close.”
Oh boy.
Her voice became ice. “Was the story at least worth it?”
How can this story be almost over.
His eyes snapped up to hers. “No! Uh, I mean...I like to think I got more out of it then just a story.”
Wrong thing to say!
“Trust! I learned about trust,” he stammered out at last. He gave her a meaningful look. “Those people can trust their partners not to cross any serious boundaries. No matter...how bad it looks...they know they can trust them not to hurt them. Um, in a way they don't like.”
“Tell me, just what was your disguise while you were in that hive of scum and villainy?
He was the tall, hairy dude with a bandolier across his shoulder?
“Or maybe you went so far as to let one of those weirdos make you her slave for a while, catering to her every whim while you counted down the seconds until you could go back to being master of all you survey, or whatever it is men think they are!
She is a dominatrix? I never expected that one. It’s usually the dominant types who go for the subservient role.
CLARK: Why do you think I’m so shocked to see her calling the shots here, too?
You must have really grit your teeth while pretending to enjoy bringing her drinks, rubbing her shoulders, drinking disgusting made-up cocktails for her amusement...” She glanced at Perry. “Or whatever it is those people do,” she added.
/flashes to DS9’s Mirror Universe and the Intendant/ But Lois was quite tame, I must say. Or did she manage to censor herself there?
“I'll have you know,” he said firmly, “there are certain things I would never do for the sake of a story.”
Like service the needs of his master in any way she sees fit?
Kent's head was bowed as the door to the office closed behind them. “So, I...guess we'll be working together.”
Yes, but not much will change. She will still be calling the shots and be on top.
“Don't you ever—and I mean *ever*— tell anyone about...you know.”
On the plus side, she won’t need to visit those clubs now and can put her money to better use. She can just use Clark as her slave as she sees fit.
He nodded. “Yes Mistr—uh...” His face flushed.
“It's 'Miss Lane' while we're at work!” she told him sternly.
“while we’re at work”!
You are the low man, I am top banana. You're the peasant, and I'm...”
…your mistress?
Lois released the tie. “Good boy.” She patted his cheek, then turned to march away. “Now, get me a coffee.”
Please, there must be more!
because it's the kind of story that wants to be an Nfic
Oh, darn it. I *was* kind of wondering...But I'm sure you can make this clean and fit for the light of day!
Michael