Chapter 2 - across town

Feeling that he'd accomplished about as much as he could, Clark suddenly wanted to check in on Lois. She was clear on the other side of town, with this the lunchtime traffic - there was no way to drive. Getting a cab would take even longer.

But Clark had a better way.

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Lois had spent her time standing in the back of the conglomerate of reporters at the Daedelus Corp. office building. After jotting down a few notes, and looking thoroughly dissatisfied with the less than amazing outcome of the press conference, she headed out the door. The mid-afternoon sun gleamed off her chocolate locks. Her face was solemn, and she grimaced as a shrill ring from her cell phone slowed her walk.

"Hello? Hey, Richard." She stopped outside the Daedelus building, stepping out near the curb to hail a cab. "What…? No…no, I didn't forget. Sorry Richard, but Perry sent me out on an assignment that Jason could have done. Seriously!" She waved her hand, but the cab passed her by. "Dammit! No, it's alright. I'll see you in a little while, okay?"

Lois stepped a little further out from the curb, "Oh come on!" Another yellow cab zipped by her, as she rolled her eyes heavenward as if asking 'why me?'

Just then, a bike messenger on a chrome-plated, futuristic bike - shades on and earphones in – came hurtling down the sidewalk. Normally bike messengers stuck to nearly causing traffic accidents in the street, but this guy must have decided to take a short-cut. Lois was facing the opposite direction, trying to hail a cab coming from the other way.

She never saw the guy…

"LOOK OUT!" Someone screeched.

Lois turned in time for the messenger to over-steer his bike avoiding a business man exiting the building. In an instant, the rider's shoulder slammed into Lois, sending her sprawling into the busy street.

Lois gasped from the wind being knocked out of her, looking up through her disheveled hair in time to see the enormous front bumper and grill of an oncoming Chevy barreling down on her.

She had barely enough time to squeeze her eyes shut and breathe, "Oh God!" – when she was suddenly being lifted in immensely strong arms! Ducking her head, and keeping her eyes shut, Lois stayed perfectly still. It was as though she was terrified to look into her savior's face.

Some distance away, he gently set his precious cargo on her feet. Lois pulled away immediately, jerking her warmth from his. He waited, while she tried to compose herself – a fair distance from me, he noticed dejectedly. Both remained silent for a few moments, the only sound was the soft ruffle of the fabric of his cape, billowing in the afternoon breeze.

He watched her small form, aching to make the first move, but still wanting to allow her some space. He could feel her emotions permeating his being, just as she could probably feel his warmth radiating toward her.

Lois finally turned around, her face a mask of indifference that struck him like a knife.

"Superman."