Next post should be Friday.
Thank you again Nancy (anonpip) and Rel
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Both Sides of the CoinPart 4
After a home cooked meal with his parents Clark smiled at his mother, “Dinner was great, Mom. Thanks.”
Jonathan snorted, “More than I get these days... your mother is an *artiste* now.”
They all turned towards a twisted landscape of metal.
Martha walked over to her creation and beamed, “I call it: ‘Too Much, Too Soon, Tortured Heart, Waning Moon.’”
<Someone kill me, please?>
<Be nice to Mom, Jay!>
<Why did she choose welding?>
<Well... she’s painting too...>
“What do you boys think? Too cerebral?”
Clark smiled, “No, no.. it’s very...”
<abstract?>
<Quiet Jay...>
“...imaginative!”
Martha smiled at him before heading into the kitchen.
Jonathan grinned and leaned in close to him to mutter, “Uh, huh...”
Martha returned to the table and looked at each man closely before she closed in on Clark. “So Clark, tell me more about this woman you’re going to Lex Luthor’s ball with...”
<I can’t wait to hear this...>
<Oh, thank you...>
“Well... Lois is... um... well, she’s... complicated... and domineering, uncompromising, pig-headed... brilliant...” His voice drops, “stunning...”
<Good show, loverboy!>
“But honestly, her date got sick and she didn’t want to go alone... so it’s not really a date...”
<Not what you told Lois...>
Martha grinned at him, “Uh huh...”
<Mom sure has you pegged!>
Clark sighed and rose, kissing his Mom on the cheek. He grabbed his jacket, newly repaired after an encounter with a bolt of lightning, and prepared to leave. As he went outside, Jonathan joined him. The two men scanned the sky, the stars plentiful in the cloudless expanse. Clark shifted, “I forget how beautiful it is here... the only stars you see in Metropolis ride in limos... Rach mentioned it last night but I guess I didn’t really think about how much the city blocks them out...”
Jonathan chuckled, “Well son, you kids are the ones who 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... guess you finally found your niche though. You can stop living out of that old suitcase.”
“I hope so, Dad... being in Metropolis... working at the Planet, the *Daily Planet*, it’s a dream come true... but at the same time...”
“You still feel like you don’t belong?”
“No... It’s not that... I mean, I *am* different... but so are lots of people... I mean look at CJ and Rach... I know that, if I can find the right person... but at the same time...” Clark kicked a rock and watched as it is launched into the atmosphere, “...I have to be careful all the time... and after that explosion yesterday... I just wish there was a way I could help... and still live *my* life... a normal life...”
“Whatever ‘normal’ means...”
“Yeah... I want to have a job, friends... a family of my own... like you and Mom or CJ and Rach... and I can’t do that if everyone knows what I can do, not to mention if I went public I would drag Jay with me... but at the same time...”
“We want you to have your life too, Clark, that’s why...”
“But I *can’t* hide forever... I just can’t... watching that explosion... wondering if I could have done something... if only I could think of some way...”
Jonathan sighed and hugged his son, offering him what comfort he could, “you’ll find a way...”
“Thanks Dad... I needed to let that out... see you next week...” Clark drew back, “Oh! Try and get Jay to talk to you too... he’s worried about Rach...” he winked before taking to the air to the sound of Jonathan’s chuckles.
<I heard that, Cal!>
<I figured you were listening anyway...>
***************************
Clark, now in a tuxedo, rushed up to the LexCorp building. A storm had set in and the lightning lit up the skyscraper. He spotted Lois in the lobby. She was shaking out an umbrella and still wearing a full-length jacket. He approached her and she spotted him, “I have to fix my hair...” she fell silent, her eyes widening, “Wow... that tux does wonders for you...” she clapped a hand over her mouth and started to blush.
Clark smiled and took her hand by the wrist, pulling it away from her mouth and placing a kiss on the back. “I can’t wait to see your outfit...”
Lois smiled slightly, “I hadn’t pegged you for a charmer, farmboy...”
Clark winked, “Let’s hope I am... citygirl...”
Lois relaxed, “Well... I’ll be a few minutes...”
Clark smiled, “I’ll wait.”
Lois nodded and headed for the restroom, casting a slightly nervous glance at Clark halfway there.
As Clark waited for her he felt a clap against his back that almost knocked him forward. Turning around he glared, “What was that for Jay? And why are you here?”
CJ shrugged, “The college of Astronomy wanted someone here and they nominated the new guy... as for the pat... you know very well what that was for...”
Clark rolled his eyes, “I knew you were listening even if, for once, you stayed quiet... besides, Dad gives good advice... or even just an open ear...”
A strangled sound came from behind them and Clark turned to find a wide-eyed Lois, “Oh! Lois... this is my twin, CJ...”
CJ grinned at her, “Hello! So you’re the poor woman Clarkie here conned into a date...”
Lois giggled while Clark rolled his eyes, “Is Rach coming, Jay?” he noticed Lois starting to frown, “Rachel is CJ’s wife... we’ve all known each other since we were kids so we both call her Rach... and I call him Jay and he sometimes calls me Cal...”
CJ nodded though, “Yeah... she’s going to be late though... maybe I’ll just steal your date for awhile...”
Lois giggled again, “Sorry... CJ... I’m a loyal kind of girl...” she looped her arm through Clark’s.
Clark beamed at her, “Well... should we head up? And where are you going to put your coat Lois?”
“There should be a coat check upstairs...”
Clark nodded, “Well then, let’s see if we can snag an elevator...”
The elevator ride kept Lois giggling as the twins heckled each other. Once in the penthouse, Clark paused to take in the mass of humanity before him. Lightning flashes threw harsh contrasts into the crowd. Lois had been right, this was quite a social event. Clark was also stunned by the opulence of the room.
As he gawked, Lois headed off to the coatroom.
After a few, moments CJ nudged him, “Incredible, huh?”
“...yeah.... have you ever met Luthor?”
CJ shrugged, “No... he’s a big-time donor to the university but I’m the new guy... so I wouldn’t be the one they would choose to meet him if he happened to drop by... I have seen him in news broadcasts and such though... rags to riches, wrong side of the tracks, self-made billionaire... companies, employees, land, buildings... Man of the Year every year... the man has his fingers in everything.”
Clark nodded, “Yet he won’t give interviews... otherwise Lois wouldn’t be so keen to get one...”
CJ nodded, “Right... and he almost never appears in public...”
Clark grimaced, “Would you?”
CJ shuddered, “No... I’m happy being the faceless scientist, thanks...” <That’s also why we hide Cal...>
<I know Jay... there just has to be some compromise...>
They heard an exclamation rising above the general noise, “Hey! There he is!” Clark looked towards the sound and noticed Jimmy standing with Perry further into the room.
Clark turned back and saw the emergence of a tall figure; lightning highlighted his entrance as he moved into the room. The man was elegance and poise personified... yet he also exuded magnetism and an aura of pure power. He was immediately inundated with people seeking his attention and favor. He responded easily, in several languages, to those he deemed worthy of his notice.
<...that is the life I *don’t* want...>
<You and me both, Cal.>
As Luthor continued to work the crowd a voice cut through the chatter, “Lex Luthor...” Luthor turned a stunned look in the direction of the voice, “...why haven’t you returned my calls?”
Clark’s eyes widened as he recognized Lois’ voice. Luthor turned to see Lois, she was stunning in an off the shoulder black dress.
<Wow...> Clark’s eyes went wide as he lost contact with the ground.
<Umm... Clark?> CJ reached out and grabbed his brother’s sleeve, preventing him from rising further.
Luthor smiled and appraised her as he approached, taking her hand in his.
Lois watched him as she continued, “Lois Lane, Daily Planet.”
Luthor’s face tensed fractionally but he quickly smiled charmingly, “I can assure you, I’ll never make *that* mistake again.”
Luthor led Lois onto the dance floor as Clark watched.
<Clark...> CJ began to pull his brother to the floor but found it difficult.
<Wow...>
<Clark? You’re making me glad Rach was 14 when I first kissed her... if this would have been my reaction when we were older...> CJ tugged harder but was constrained by the fragility of the tux he was using as a hand hold.
<She’s stunning...>
<Clark!!> CJ shook his twin.
<Huh... what?>
<You’re *floating*!>
<Oh my...> Clark grounded himself, quickly glancing around to see if anyone had noticed his lack of control.
CJ rolled his eyes, “You’re pathetic...” he hissed.
Still shaken, Clark hesitantly answered, “Um... she is...”
“Right... stunning... you’ve said it before...”
Clark watched as the elegant duo began to waltz. It was obvious to him that Luthor was flirting while Lois was single-mindedly seeking her story... even as her target pulled her closer and closer as they danced. He decided to act. He walked over to the couple over CJ’s muted protests just in time to see Luthor move close to Lois and whisper, “Let’s make it dinner?” in her ear.
“May I cut in?”
<Brave man, my friend...>
Lois whirled on him, her rage building in her eyes before she reluctantly introduced them, “Lex, this is Clark Kent... he’s a new hire at the Planet.”
<...she had to phrase it that way?>
<You obviously ticked off your date, Mr. Green Eyes...>
Luthor eyed Clark dismissively, “A... pleasure.” He turned back to Lois, “I’ll call you about that dinner.” He handed Lois over to Clark and departed.
Lois leveled a death glare on Clark, “You *idiot*.” She hissed, “It’s taken me a *year* to get this close...”
Clark swung her into the dance, “He wasn’t interested in your profession, Lois...”
Lois blinked and relaxed slightly, “I don’t need a bodyguard, Kent... and if he lets down his guard a little, I might get that interview...” She frowned suddenly, “...you can actually ball room dance? I would have thought square dancing was more your style...”
<Wait... you’re going to live?>
<Very funny, Jay...>
Clark grinned, “Actually, I learned from a Nigerian princess who studied ballroom dancing in England.”
Lois considered him, then shrugged and relaxed into the dance. “After this dance, we’re back on duty, Kent.”
Clark just smiled, “Remember, this is a date...”
Lois rolled her eyes, “Yeah, yeah...” they finish the dance without further conversation.
As the music faded, Lois tugged on Clark’s arm, “Escort me towards the balcony...”
“Lois? It’s still raining...”
“It’s a cover, Clark.”
“Oh...” They walked towards the balcony, with Clark’s hand rested lightly on Lois’ back. “You were really serious about the ‘on duty’ weren’t you?” As they came to a hallway, Lois paused before ducking behind a closed door.
<Dare I ask?>
<It’s called snooping...>
<I can see that... why are you there?>
<It’s where Lois is?>
The room was a private study with dark wood furniture, rich leather, and a collection of ceremonial and antique weaponry. Lois walked through another door and as she disappeared Clark tipped his glasses down his nose. He began to peer through the desk when a noise made him look up.
Luthor stood before him, holding a sword to his throat, his face expressionless. Clark heard a tiny gasp as Lois silently reentered the room.
Clark studied the sword, careful not to look toward Lois, “Macedonian?”
<...Are you *crazy*?! I mean... he obviously is... but if he tries to harm you...>
Luthor’s head tilted ever so slightly in acknowledgement, “It belonged to Alexander the Great... a brilliant tactician.” Luthor lowered the sword and offered the hilt to Clark, who gently accepted the ancient weapon. “His strategy was simple: always control the high ground. It was with this sword that he...”
“...defeated Darius III and was proclaimed King of Asia.” Clark finished, meeting Luthor’s eyes. As Luthor raised a brow and looked back at the sword, Clark subtly glanced towards Lois, who silently watched the exchange with wide eyes.
Luthor scowled, “You surprise me, Mr. Kent... I’m not often surprised.”
Lois decided to make her presence known. Her heels clicked as she walked towards them. “I hope you don’t mind our looking around... you have such a beautiful home,” she smiled winningly at the billionaire, “...Lex.”
Luthor frowned fractionally even as he smiled charmingly at Lois, “Have you seen the view from here?” He motioned them towards the terrace. Clark noticed Lois moving slightly closer to him and rested a hand on her back. As they looked out from a small covered area by the door they could see the lights of the city spread out before them. “The tallest building in Metropolis... I must confess a certain pleasure in knowing that everyone in the city has to look *up* in order to see me.” Lois snuck a wide-eyed glance at Clark.
<...why am I suddenly creeped out?>
<...I feel it too...>
Luthor suddenly straightened and both Lois and Clark blanked their faces. “Let’s get back to the party. I think my announcement will interest you.”
Lois turned and found herself escorted ably by Luthor while Clark was forced to follow behind them. He closed the doors and turned, only to freeze as he noticed a model on Luthor’s desk.
<Jay, is that...?>
<A space station?! Why in the world would Luthor have a model of a space station?!>
Minutes later Lois and Clark were waiting for Luthor to begin his presentation. Lois tugged at Clark’s sleeve, “You’re taking me home tonight...”
<Go Clark!> CJ silently joined them, Rachel by his side.
Clark blinked, <Butt out, Jay...> and staring down at Lois for a moment, he started to respond but Luthor called out, “Ladies and gentlemen!” A hush followed and Luthor began a speech congratulating his guests on their generosity to his charity, making note of his own dedication to the welfare of the city. Suddenly he shifted the subject to the tragedy of the Messenger explosion.
Clark shifted and looked down, not noticing Lois frowning at him as he did so. CJ bumped his twin with his shoulder, which caused Clark to look at him, <Not your fault, Cal...>
Lois’ frown deepened as she observed the twins.
Luthor revealed that the Congress of Nations planed to cancel Space Station Prometheus and then extolled the virtues of the seemingly lost space station before unveiling a hologram of his own design.
<Clark...>
<Yeah, Jay?>
<You can’t just throw something like that together... it takes a lot of time to put together a demonstration like that... let alone design the space station it shows...>
<...interesting point...>
Lois leaned into Clark, “The station in the shape of “LL” doesn’t seem to fit his speech...”
Clark had to choke down a chuckle, “I agree...”
CJ just smirked, causing Rachel to raise a brow at him. <Ya know, I just might like her...>
The crowd was enthralled and broke into wild applause. Lois and Clark clapped just as enthusiastically, but met each other’s eyes again. Luthor suddenly looked directly at Lois, who instantly smiled widely at him.
tbc...
