Hi Evie!
So great to see you delurking
with an unwilling new partner. A story set in Season 2, post-TOGOM, in a world where Clark didn’t make it back.
Is the new partner Clark in disguise?
They were littered with driveways and loading docks, but few places to hide an ostentatious SUV.
Makes you wonder if these days, Lois might just rely on a drone.
She’d finally learned to be more cautious this year. It turned out that rushing headlong into danger didn’t necessarily catch up with you. But it could catch up to those around you.
Dropping flat on the ground where she’d be less noticeable than at eye level, she army crawled a few inches forward. Slowly, she peeked around the corner.
You’re giving us lots of beautifully crafted details
“…both our heads if anyone sees…tonight,” the first one was saying. “Shake a leg …nobody’s around. …a couple of streets. …in the back.”
She had to guess at most of what they’d said, but it sounded promising.
Time to switch on the close captioning so you can understand the witty dialogue that’s barely audible over the background noise.
Surprised, she realized that he hadn’t turned to make a circuit of the warehouse as she’d anticipated.
Instead, he was headed right toward her!
Competent crooks! Very dangerous.
This neighborhood’s road disrepair would be the story after the bay pollution, if she lived through this!
Meanwhile, her jog had already taken her nearly to the next corner.
She was going to make it!
I really like the continued footsteps. Gives it a much more ominous vibe. Also, given the mention of her making it, I’ll best brace myself for her not making it. Or running into that annoying partner of hers.
Suddenly, she ran smack into a solid mass, nearly knocking the wind from her. Two arms grabbed her, pulling at her from behind.
See?
One hand clamped over her mouth, and she was pulled backwards.
Oh, look. Partner.
A familiar scent washed over her and she stopped fighting his grip, instead leaning securely back against a recognizably hard chest.
Safe.
She felt safe.
Wouldn’t it be awkward if she mistook the crook for her partner? And even more so if he told her that “thanks but no thanks. Got a girlfriend waiting back home”?
His face was stoic tonight, as usual, his brown eyes alert. She gave him an accusatory ‘what are you doing here?’ look and he raised an eyebrow in return.
She rolled her eyes without bothering to hide the expression from him. Was he planning to be an accomplice or a wet blanket tonight?
These days, she never knew.
Huh. Given her kind of non-depressed attitude. I’m starting to suspect she’s in on it. And Clark’s just overprotective now.
She sniffed as her heart constricted. Before her thoughts could drag her under, she pulled her mind away from the mild-mannered man that they always seemed to stray toward.
Aaaah, Superman’s under-the-covers(sic) with Lois now.
, he’d still found the time to save her bacon from a fire, two robberies, a kidnapping gone wrong and a hostage situation.
She tried to cook, visited her bank (twice), ticked off a crime boss, and took a bus.
But as both the kidnapped and the hostage, he’d deliberately yanked her out of harm’s way and unceremoniously dumped her halfway across town before heading back alone to bag the bad guys. She’d missed details at both scenes,
The fieeeeend!
and nearly been scooped by the Star at her own kidnapping
but contemptuously despised his affect on her stories.
/Psst/ I believe this should be ‘effect’?
He’d save her, sure. But at this rate, his idea of a ‘safe’ rescue during Planet business might cost her her job.
workplace safety officer!
cost her her job.
…which might not be the worst thing to happen to her, she thought wearily.
And she was still in the neighborhood where she’d started the night! That was a good sign.
It looked like he’d decided to play hero tonight then, and not wet blanket.
Ticked-off Lois is fun!
Her heart skipped a beat.
She grimaced internally, knowing he’d be able to hear that. But he seemed as frozen as she was.
And it’s off to the ER and next, he’ll be monitoring her food, too. Only salads from now on. No more chocolate.
“Do you have a time estimate on that?” he asked with some urgency.
“It’s more of an art than a science,” she retorted.
Oh, they’re so cute!
“Just a second,” she stalled.
A car door opened and slammed shut.
“Out of time,” he said, just as she felt the lock turn.
“Got it!” she said over him, as she felt his arm wind around her again.
And then she was standing in darkness.
Oh, that’s a fun cliffhanger! Not knowing if he interfered or not, instead of if she’s in danger or not.
This was a spectacular debut. The summary-misdirect was also great
Looking forward to getting to parts 2 and 3!
Michael
