Part 6
On Friday morning, Lois waded through the information Jimmy had brought her on Cassandra. Eventually she phoned the scientist’s office, securing an appointment with her for next week. She’d wanted to get in to see her later this afternoon or on Monday, but Cassandra was on her way to The Cat’s Meow and wouldn’t be back until Tuesday. Perhaps she could break in this weekend and see what those files held. That’s where the information she wanted would be anyway!
It was noon before a weary looking Clark Kent appeared in the newsroom straightening his colourful tie. Perry demanded his presence.
“I don’t want to know where you’ve been. You have a phone, you had a deadline and a job.” Clark knew what was coming. “Welcome to my doghouse, Kent. You’re not fired. I’m not going to break Lois’ heart. But you’re going out of town, undercover.”
Clark’s eyebrows rose. Lois’s heart? He turned and darted a quick glance at her empty desk, then back at his editor. “Undercover?”
Perry leaned back in his chair having a difficult time keeping a straight face. “Yes. It seems Lex Luthor has been up to something…new. He’ll be at a couples’ resort this weekend. I want you there…”
“Okay. Lois …”
“Not with Lois, Kent. She’s an investigative reporter. You’ll be working on the society column with Cat.”
“What?” Clark gulped and barely choked out, “Cat?”
Perry nodded. “I’m sure you two will have a wonderful time. She’ll fill you in on what you’ll be doing.”
“Chief!” Clark was horrified. “Chief, not that! Let me go alone…or send Ralph with her!”
Perry was shaking his head. “Nope, it’s you and Cat. Just a cozy couple at a fancy resort for the weekend.” He leaned forward. “And Kent….make it convincing, okay? I don’t want you blowing your cover. It’s a romantic getaway. Take care of Cat, Kent.” Perry had a hard time keeping a straight face. He was well aware of Clarks uncomfortable tolerance of the sleezy gossip columnist. This would fix him once and for all. Perhaps he’d not have any more missed deadlines.
He stood up and came around the desk to open the door before Clark could recover from the shock. “CAT! My office!”
Catherine Grant, wearing something akin to a bikini, a piece of cheese cloth and part of a skirt, fluffed her long hair as she stood, stretched and sauntered sexily into Perry’s office.
“Sit down, Cat.” He waited while she seated herself on the couch near Clark, purring in his ear as she did so. Clark visibly stiffened and slid away. Perry cleared his throat. “Save it for the resort.” Cat’s face brightened as she reached up to pinch her cheeks and smile at Clark and her editor. “You’ve got your undercover assignment Cat. Clark here will be your companion. Play the happy couple for the weekend. You’ll have the planet’s resources at your disposal, just keep it within reason. I’ve contacted the management. It’s all inclusive, so your meals are included. You’ve got reservations and a quiet drive ahead of you. I’ll have a limo pick you up out front in an hour. Go home and pack and have a nice weekend.” He winked at Clark who reddened. “See you Monday morning. Now get out of here, you two.”
Clark mutely stood to leave, but Cat latched onto his arm, snaking her way up to his neck.
Perry watched him stiffen. “And Clark, play the part. You know what Cat wants.”
Clark’s eyes widened in horror. “Perry!”
“Don’t worry, Clark, you can handle this!” Perry grinned. He was in stitches by the time Clark and Cat closed the door.
Cat held on tightly to Clark’s arm as they crossed the newsroom. When she saw Lois coming out of the elevator, she pulled Clark close and planted a kiss on his cheek, then snuggled her face into his neck.
Clark heard Lois’ heartbeat and tried to extricate himself from Cat without being offensive. As Lois neared, she shot daggers at Cat and grabbed Clark’s arm to pull him away from her. Cat put her hand on Lois’ arm as if it were a piece of roadkill and lifted it from its position on his wrist.
In a deep voice she purred, “He’s with me now, Lois. See you on Monday.” With that she turned Clark away and led him toward the elevator.
Clark commandeered the situation and turned back to Lois, leaving Cat to chase him back toward Lois' desk. Lois raised her eyebrows. Her anger at Clark for skipping out on their story without a word was fresh. She’d had it with his lame excuses. He might be a good writer and researcher, but there was no way he was going to pull her down. He had a career. A darn good one. She’d have a Pulitzer one day, but obviously not if she had to work with someone who left half of the story hanging, time and time again. She glared at him as he returned to her, avoiding the plaintive look on his face. She’d heard it all before.
He was about to apologize and break their date for tonight, but she beat him to it. “Go ahead Clark,” she began icily. “Have fun. Oh, and about our date tonight? Forget it. I don’t think you’re my type.” With that she sneered at Cat and let her gaze look them over. “You make a cute couple.” She cleared her throat. “If you like that sort of thing.”
