Oh, dear! I'm *dying* to read this... yet some part of me doesn't want to because then it'll be over.
I feel like I'm about to burst, I'm so happy!!!!!!
”This from the people who brought us Andrus and the killer soufflé,” Lois said dryly.
LOL!!!!
“Or cook on his own,” Petal added.
ROTFL!!!!
“Maybe he needs... a partner?” Silas said, one eye on Petal. “This is my family.” He gestured towards Lois and Clark. “I’d like to be involved in their protection.”
Wow!! A few things in this little bit... I *love*, LOVE that he keeps an eye on Petal! Love it! Then... That last line just makes me want to cry all over again! *sniff*
“And until you know the ropes, Junior, you’ll need a partner of your own,” Lois interrupted quickly, shooting Madge a meaningful stare, gratified to see it fielded so astutely.
Oh! OH!!!!
OH!! Way to go, Lois!!!!
“Of course,” Madge pronounced. “We’d be honored to have you. Petal, you’ll work with Silas. Even Superman will need help bringing Andrus up to speed.”
WOOOT!! I knew it!!
“Long story,” Madge said mildly. “And it’s a good idea, Petal. I’ll put him with Hank...erm... if Hank promises not to kill him, which I’m almost sure he won’t.”
ROTFL!!!!
“So... we’re partners,” said Silas to Petal, offering her a tentative hand.
Petal took it readily. “But I have seniority. I was Hank’s apprentice and now you’ll be mine.”
“That sounds really perfect,” said Silas with enough awe in his voice to capture even Clark’s notice.
I seriously bounced right here! Bounced and squealed!!
And Clark noticed.... YAY!!!
He walked past them all and grabbed Elise with a wordless cry.
“Just in time, dear,” said Madge.
Oh god! Why do I have that foreboding feeling right now?! Okay... maybe I shouldn't... Hank hasn't seen Elise... that's it... nothing more.
The man who was holding onto Clark’s granddaughter for dear life looked over at him with exasperated disbelief. “I go home early one time... and this is what I miss.”
LOL!!!
Lois stepped gingerly around the door in the floor and into view. At the sight of her, Hank’s smile turned decidedly lop-sided. “Lois Lane. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“You’re doing so much better than me,” Elise murmured to him. “You should have heard my greeting...”
“We don’t have enough time,” a soft, troubled voice called.
Oh thank god! I'm sobbing with relief!!!!!!!
“This is Anna,” Madge said by way of introduction. “Petal, head down to the archives, the old filing system. Look under ‘B.’ The memory contraption.”
“The memory contraption?” Clark asked warily, lowering Lois slowly to the floor.
“You know too much.” Madge closed the trapdoor just as another spasm shook the building, and Clark didn’t know who looked more pained, Anna or Hank.
“Go help Petal and quickly,” Madge ordered Silas now. “I mean... if you would, dear.
Clark!!! Quickly!!! Just jump in!!!! QUICK!!!!
“The cellar,” Petal told him. “Our first assignment. Can you carry me?”
She didn’t have to ask twice. He scooped her up and moved them out of the room at a blur.
God, I love that!!!
”Break-up?” said Lois.
“Temporary spats. Nothing unusual.”
“Ok,” Lois answered shakily, and Clark felt her hand slip into his.
He leaned close. “Never, Lois.”
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!! *huge snuffle*
Death to the graemlin limit... <G>
