Oops, originally posted this in the story-thread by accident
It was creepy enough that he knew I’d bought the ticket since I never mentioned it to anyone, but once I realized that he’d sent someone onto my flight to follow me, I started wondering just how creepy he could get.
Think the alien from Alien, only much, much slimier.
I mean, I’ve suspected for a while that he’s pretty ruthless in his business affairs, but I’m not a business rival—just a woman with the effrontery to turn him down for a dinner date…and the ballet…and an art exhibit…or two.”
Sounds like she’s trying to score a mark, so…business?
There’s never anything you could pin on him directly, but between industrial accidents, apparent suicides, and unfortunate explosions, he leaves quite a wake.”
He probably owns a funeral home or two…
“So by the time I stepped off the plane, I’d worked myself up to wondering what kind of accident would happen to me if Lex found out the real reason for this trip, and I decided that if I saw even a semi-likely candidate, I’d try to fake a boyfriend.”
I guess that depends on whether he’d first like to meet her in a…personal manner.
“And you just played along?” Jonathan asked Clark. “Your didn’t realize who she was at first?”
CLARK:
![[Linked Image]](http://cosgan.de/images/midi/konfus/c085.gif)
This kind of thing happens to me a lot…
It would make our jobs pretty difficult if everyone we investigated knew what we looked like.”
/great… can’t find the billboard of The Hottest Team In Town right now…/
“Thank goodness,” Lois said. “If he’d kept following me, I would have had to cancel my meeting with my source.” Lois suddenly clamped her mouth closed and looked at Clark nervously. She developed a sudden interest in her rice pilaf.
“But if you need them, I have some pretty good contacts—FBI, White House, Congressional staffers.” At her frown, he hastened to add, “I’m not saying you need my help. I’m just letting you know you have a friend in this city—just in case you ever need one.”
Also: Look at me! I’m an alpha reporter. I can take care of my pride. You will be safe and cared for with me.
She came around from the passenger side and reached for the bag just before he did, with the result that her hand closed on the suitcase handle, and his hand closed over hers.
![[Linked Image]](http://cosgan.de/images/smilie/xmas/z020.gif)
“Or professional colleagues,” he countered. “You have to admit we worked pretty well together at the airport.”
That earned a smile. “Yeah, we did.”
Did he just suggest they continue to ‘work’ like they did on the airport? And did she just agree?
LOIS:
I’m away from home for a weekend. Why shouldn’t I have a little adventure?
“I can’t believe I’m the only one who feels this connection. It would be terrible if we didn’t at least explore it and see where it might lead.
Translation: I’ve got a super-sized ceiling for us to explore.
“Amazing? Electrifying? Incredible?” he suggested.
“Terrifying,” she said quietly.
Oooh! Hormones!
“Why?” he replied as softly. “I think we could have a fantastic time together. I’d at least like the chance to find out.”
/spews water all over screen/ Clark!
“We wouldn’t have to be,” he countered. “What if I promise that if you want to see me again after our first date, I’ll fly up to Metropolis—as often as you like?”
All she’d have to do was scream *real* loud.
“I don’t know.” She frowned in thought. “You might get sick of the commute, and then you’d resent me for it.”
To be fair, he’d have to bring authentic Chinese food and authentic Italian food anyway, so it’s basically not that far out of the way.
Reaching for her hand, he stepped closer to her. “Lois, I don’t think I could ever get sick of you, or of doing whatever it takes to be near you.”
Oooh! And if she were to break up with him, he’d look her up or take her to a lonely island or something.
LOIS: *Me* breaking up with *him*? I thought I was the smart one here?
He pulled her suitcase out of the hatch and set it at her feet. He badly wanted to kiss her goodnight, but he refrained, not wanting to scare her off. “Goodnight, Lois. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He could mention that the guy from the airport was back? Also, isn’t it suspicious that she got a hotel room under her own name instead of staying at her boyfriends?
“Kiss me, quick!” The words were a low, sexy murmur in Lois’s ear.
He flipped back to the front and held the paper up so they could both admire the bold type that proclaimed the FALL OF THE HOUSE OF LUTHOR.
LEX:
It took them much longer when they *weren’t* dating.
He smiled back at her. “Well, I was going to ask your opinion,” he said. “I don’t want to step on your toes or make you feel pressured in our personal relationship just because I moved to your city.”
I’m sure she’d tell him if he stepped on her toes.
LOIS: He’d notice the sudden cold front in his private life. I’m sure of that.
CAT:
Fresh meat!
Awwwwwwwwww!
Adorable conclusion!
Michael
. 
