Next part on Saturday!
Thank you again Nancy (anonpip), Rel and Michael!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Both Sides of the CoinPart 28
TOC Later that evening, Clark entered the Metro Club. He was in one of his nicer suits with a fake goatee and mustache. His hair was styled more like his twin’s than his normal loose bangs and his eyes were unencumbered by glasses.
Clark approached the bar and smiled. “What do you recommend?”
The barman considered him and handed him a drink without a word.
<Lois?>
<You here now, Clark?>
<Yep, at the bar... You?>
<Backstage getting ready for the next number...>
<Anything you need me to do?>
<Just scope the crowd... I haven’t gotten anything of note since that meeting...>
Clark sipped on his drink, scanning the crowd, squinting as if he was near-sighted. But as the next song started and he saw Lois’ outfit for the first time he choked on his drink. <Lois?!>
<Yes, Flyboy?>
<What... *is* that?>
<Clark, don’t make me laugh up here...>
Clark found it difficult to keep his eyes off his girlfriend and on the crowd. After a moment he forced himself to turn away. He looked at the bartender. “Any job openings here?”
The bartender frowned at him. “I don’t think so, but I’m not the one to ask...”
“You aren’t the one to ask for what?”
Clark and the bartender turned to find that Toni Taylor had joined them.
Clark smiled. “I was asking if there were any jobs available...”
Toni sized him up. “I’m afraid there are no openings... Pity.”
<Pity?! Quit eying up my boyfriend! You->
<I can hear you, Lois.>
<Good! Make sure you keep Blondie in her place...>
<Her brother patted your rear earlier, Lois... Speaking of, don’t I owe him for that still?>
<Whatever, Flyboy...>
Five men suddenly burst into the club. They were all dressed in silver, from hard hats to gloves... and they were carrying some sort of flamethrowers. The leader shouted, “Johnny! You’re a dead man!” and the five let loose plumes of fire accompanied by wild yells.
Clark lunged for Johnny, knocking him to safety while everyone else dove for safety. On the way down Clark ‘forgot’ to modulate his weight, knocking the air out of the other man.
The flamethrowers took a short break and the Metro Gang returned fire with their guns. The men quickly retreated.
Clark scrambled to his feet. <Lois where are you?>
<I’m backstage.>
<Stay there.>
<Clark...>
<At least until they stop firing, please?>
People scattered except for Lois who emerged from the stage door and ran to Clark.
Clark looked at her and silently shook his head. When everyone else was out, Clark turned to the fire and breathed out, creating a wind that suffocated the fire.
Lois wrapped her arms around his waist. “Everything ok?” Clark nodded. “Who *were* those guys...”
Clark nodded towards lettering on a wall. “I think we’ve just met the ‘Toasters’...” <You see them, Jay?>
<The must have ditched the suits... No sign...>
***************************
The next day, Lois was again in her waitress outfit. She noticed men gathering for another meeting and grabbed a tray but stopped after another waitress was turned away. She wandered into the back and found a door. Opening it she found a supply closet. She detected the low murmur of voices. Moving a few containers she found that the bullet holes from the previous day now made the perfect spy holes.
<Somehow the idea of you looking through bullet holes isn’t comforting...>
<I bet... but you know I’ll be careful, Clark...>
<Like you were careful last night?>
<I was doing my job.>
<Your job is running into a burning room?>
<Don’t get smart with me, Flyboy. Besides, I *did* wait until they stopped shooting...>
<Lo-is...>
Lois ignored her boyfriend as before her eyes Toni Taylor staged a coup. Johnny drew his gun but the other five men in the room gathered behind Toni and drew theirs as well. Johnny looked at the odds and reigned in his temper. Johnny was escorted away on a ‘vacation.’ Toni asserted herself with her new troops and laid down her plan to turn the gang into a supposedly legitimate business.
Deciding she’d been missing long enough, Lois hid her spy holes and returned to the floor.
***************************
Lois joined Clark at the Planet. “So, do we print the coup?” she said without preamble.
Clark sighed, “My gut says no, at least for a day or so, but there doesn’t seem to be any connection between the Metros and these ‘Toasters’... What do you think?”
Lois frowned. “My main concern is that I don’t want to pull out yet... If we print anything that specific they’ll know they have a leak.” Lois began to take off the trench coat she was wearing.
Clark’s eyes widened as he caught a glimpse of her outfit. <Clothes, Lois!>
Lois froze and immediately redid the coat. <Thanks, Clark...>
“True... also, Toni Taylor may be offering me a job after last night’s fire.”
“So we’ll both be there... and they would never expect *two* leaks. I say we go ahead and print...” <And your ears will be there...>
“Ok, if you’re sure...” <Nice to feel useful... Besides, it’s safer for me to be in there now anyway...>
<Who said I would be the one blowing my cover if they need to discover a leak?>
Clark just gaped at her.
Perry joined them, eying her trench coat. “So, Lois, how’s the undercover work going?”
She blinked. “Fine, Chief, why?”
Perry grinned. “Good, I didn’t think you’d *chicken* out on me...” He sauntered off laughing.
<I’m going to kill Jimmy...>
***************************
Clark sat at the bar in the clothes he had worn the previous night. He watched Toni walk in and slam a newspaper on a table. He tuned into the conversation. The gang had figured out that they had a leak but had no idea who it might be. The bartender approached Toni and notified her of Clark’s arrival. Clark tuned out as he was motioned over.
Toni looked him in the eye as he approached. “I've changed my mind.”
“About what?” He smiled widely.
“The lack of available positions... Good-looking men who save my life are handy to have around...”
<And he’s *mine*, Sweetheart...>
<Temper, Lois... How do you think I feel around Luthor?> “I’m glad... What can you offer me?”
She considered him. “Bartender. You start tonight, Mr...?”
“Clark, Joseph Clark.”
She smiled. “Joey, you were very brave last night...”
Clark shrugged and honestly replied. “You needed help...”
Toni ran a hand down his arm and he felt Lois bristle. “Are you always so cool under fire?”
“Try me...”
Toni patted his arm. “I might, but for now let’s start with bartending. Keep your eyes and ears open and you might move up...”
Clark could feel Lois losing her temper. <Lois, calm down... It’s no different than that dinner you had with Luthor...>
<That was when we first met, Clark!>
“You’re the boss...” <Consider this: You can monitor me whenever you want...>
<I... Clark...>
“I hope so...”
One of her lieutenants came up and informed her that ‘Toots’ had quit because of her fear that the Toasters might return.
<Toots?>
<The singer...>
Toni settled the matter easily, they were going to find a new singer and sue the old one.
Clark regained her attention. “When do I start, Boss?”
Toni smiled. “As soon as you shave and get an appropriate uniform...” She handed him some cash. “Welcome to the Metro Club.”
***************************
Lois headed for the bar and ordered a round of drinks, winking at her boyfriend. Clark was in a tux, he had removed the facial hair, and added a pair of CJ’s glasses. <The suit looks cute...>
<Cute?>
<Yeah, like an 18th century railroad conductor...>
<Lo-is...>
<That sounds dorky to me... I’m coming to peak...>
<Thanks, Jay...>
Lois ran a hand up Clark’s arm.
“Joey?” Toni had joined them.
<Joey?>
<‘Joseph Clark’...>
<Interesting choice... Isn’t the name of one of Mom’s ancestors?>
<I originally came up with Charlie King... but I can’t use *that* one anymore...>
<I should say not...>
Toni appraised him. “I hardly recognized you...”
Clark smiled. “Just getting to know the help.”
Toni glanced at Lois. “Not too well, I hope.”
<Sorry in advance, Lois...>
<Huh?>
Clark turned to his girlfriend. “Beat it, kid. I gotta get to work.” He copied Johnny’s move of the day before.
<Clark?!>
<I said sorry in advance...>
Lois stalked off.
Clark made a drink and handed it to Toni. “Long Island Ice Tea with a squeeze of lime?”
Toni’s eyes widened. “How did you guess?”
Clark smiled. “I have my ways...” <And good hearing...>
<You’re going to pay later, Kent...>
<What did you do, Clark?>
Toni smiled again, flattered. “Initiative... I like that...”
<Isn’t that basically what Mr. White said when he hired you?>
<Can it, Jay...>
Clark met Toni’s eyes. “Did you read about the Toaster's latest stunt? Burned a police station to the ground about a couple of blocks from here.”
He saw her drop her eyes and her heart rate increased slightly. <Lois, what if the Toasters answer to a middleman...>
<You mean just like Luthor normally does business?>
<Yeah, what if yesterday was planned... to organize the coup...>
<That would be big...>
Toni recovered and looked worried. “Bad for business. They're out of control. They've got to be stopped.”
Clark smiled. “What precautions are you setting up?”
Toni just smiled. “You need to be higher up to hear that, Joey...” She looked at the door. “We'll talk some more about this later. Right now, just stay here and look handsome. I've got some business to discuss...” She headed for a table.
Clark followed her gaze and forced himself not to react, turning so his back faced the room. Lex Luthor sat down with Toni.
Clark tuned his hearing in to the couple but just as the conversation started to lead somewhere a drum roll shattered his concentration.
<Clark?!>
<I’m okay, Lois, but that hurt...>
The announcer came on as Clark tried to regain his equilibrium. “Ladies and Gentlemen, the Metro Club proudly presents: Miss Lola Dane!”
Clark turned wide eyes to the stage. Lois began to sing ‘I’ve Got a Crush on You’ looking at Clark subtly most of the number. Clark was too stunned by the way his girlfriend looked to think straight. Suddenly her eyes widened slightly. <Clark?! Luthor is here?! I think he just recognized me...>
Clark was snapped out of his reverie. <I’ll meet you backstage...>
After she finished wild applause broke out. Luthor pulled out a rose from a neighboring table and threw it to the stage. “Brava!”
Clark quickly headed to the back. He found her easily and looked at her in concern. <What now?>
She dragged him into her supply closet. <We see if he blows my cover...>
<I think you should leave now...>
<If he wants to level this all on Toni, he might actually see me as an advantage...>
<True... but that’s quite a risk...>
Clark heard a noise outside the room. <Someone’s here...>
<Give them a ‘snitch’...>
<Lois?>
<They’ll have their leak and Luthor can’t blow my cover when we aren’t expecting it...>
Toni opened the door, glaring at the couple. “Interesting place for a bartender...”
Clark grabbed Lois. “Here she is... Your leak: Lois Lane of the Daily Planet.”
Lois struggled, glaring at Clark.
Toni smiled. “Guess I'll have to find another singer. Good work.”
Clark took a breath. “What do you want me to do with her?”
Toni motioned to the back door with her head.
Clark scooped Lois onto his shoulder, she squealed and struggled. Once outside the door, Clark noticed they had an observer. <One of the goons is watching, Lois...>
<So make it good, Clark...>
<I’m going to drop you in a dumpster...>
<You’re what?!>
Clark flipped her into a pile of shredded paper. “And *stay* out!”
***************************
Later that night, Lois and Clark met at Clark’s apartment. They went over their notes and theories. “Well, the heat’s off and Toni seems pretty impressed...”
Lois smacked Clark. “Watch it, Flyboy...”
Clark opened his mouth to retaliate but a knock sounded at the door. A quick scan caused his brows to climb. <It’s Toni Taylor...>
<You’re kidding?!>
<Hide!>
<Where?>
<Um, the bedroom?>
<This is why you need doors...>
Lois scrambled up into the loft while Clark rearranged his hair and switched glasses.
Clark opened the door to reveal Toni Taylor carrying a bag of groceries. “Once again I'm in your debt. I thought I'd pay you back with a home-cooked meal. How does lasagna sound?”
Clark smiled nervously. “Delicious.”
Toni scanned the apartment. “Nice place...”
Clark smiled. “Thanks, it was a fixer-upper... You should have seen it when I moved in... You know, you don't really have to do this.”
Toni batted her lashes at him. “I know. I want to.”
Clark seated himself. “Do you always get what you want?”
Toni considered him. “Usually. How about you?”
Clark smiled. “Occasionally...”
Toni moved closer to him. “Care to try your luck tonight?”
Clark’s face sobered. “No need to rush a good thing...” He fidgeted, trying to defuse the situation. “You said something about lasagna?”
<Nice save, Kent...>
<Thanks, I think... You okay up there?>
Toni smiled at him.
<Except for getting nauseas listening to another woman make moves on *my* man?>
<Yeah...>
<I’m fine.>
Toni was busily preparing her meal when the phone rang. Frowning, Clark reached for it. “Hello?”
“Clark? It’s Lucy...”
“Lucy? Is something wrong?”
“Well, Mr. Luthor’s at the door... He’s trying to find Lois and he’s being pretty insistent...”
<Lois? Are you listening?>
<No, why would I listen to the flirting?>
“Well, I’ll see what I can do to find her...”
<Lucy’s on the phone...>
<What?!>
“Thanks, Clark... Mr. Luthor is acting kinda creepy...”
<Luthor’s at your apartment...>
<What?!>
“If you’re worried, call Jimmy and have him come over...”
<I’ll stop by, too...>
<Thank you, CJ... I don’t want Lucy to be worried...>
“I’ll do that. Thanks, Clark...”
“Oh! And remember your sister’s working late tonight... and my brother was thinking of coming over for a visit...”
“Clark? What are you... Oh! The undercover thing...”
“Right...”
“You’re having to cover at your apartment? Is Lois there?”
“I’m sure you’re right... but you can’t be too careful these days...”
“Thanks, Clark... CJ’s talking to Luthor outside, now... Luthor thinks he’s you...”
“Great, just what I need. Anyway, talk to you later, Lucy...”
“Bye, Clark... Thanks and good luck...”
As he hung up Toni looked at him questioningly. “What was that about?”
“Friend of mine’s little sister got creeped out by some weirdo outside their place...”
<I like that... Luthor is a “weirdo”...>
<Any problems, Jay?>
<This guy really doesn’t like you, Cal... *And* he’s convinced Lois is home...>
<Well CJ, if you’re there get Lucy to let you in and prove I’m not home...>
<If that’s what you want, Lois...>
Toni frowned. “She okay?”
Clark nodded. “I told her to call her boyfriend if she needs company and my brother was heading over there anyway...”
Toni watched him. “You’re a good guy Joey...”
Clark shrugged. “I have my own code, and I stick to it...” He pulled at his shirt. “Let me go change while that’s cooking...”
Toni smiled and nodded.
Clark quickly fled to his bedroom. Once there, he glanced through the ceiling and saw Lois sitting in the loft, quietly playing solitaire on the floor. <You okay?>
Lois grimaced and rolled her eyes, unaware that he was watching. <I’m fine, bored but fine...>
<We could try to sneak you out... but I can’t really think of a good enough distraction...>
<I could if it was me... but you do *not* have permission to kiss Toni Taylor...>
Clark had changed into a casual shirt and jeans. <The only woman I want to kiss is you...>
“Joey? Lasagna’s ready...”
<And back to work...> “Coming!”
tbc....
