Previously on AFR...

Lois patted his hand. "You'd be surprised. People tend to see what they expect to see. They aren't going to make the connection between a powerful heroic being from another planet, and a farm raised mild- mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper. Don't worry I'll give you some tips." She got up from her chair and began to walk up the ramp.

"I don't know... wait, what do you mean, mild-mannered?" He followed her up the ramp. "Lois?"


And Now...
A Future Reborn - (Lois' Story III) - part 9
by Tank


Catherine 'Cat' Grant was scared. She'd been in tight situations before and had been forced to deal with varying levels of apprehension and fear, but nothing like this. She'd never been this afraid for her life.

She had gone back to the Daily Planet to get some notes on another story she was working on. Then had left to go home and change out of her 'working girl' outfit. She hadn't gotten more than a couple of blocks from the Paper when she had been picked up. At first she'd thought they were just a couple of guys trying to bid on her services. Just to tease them she had held to her cover, but had blown them off, claiming she was 'off duty'. She realized too late what their true intentions were. She knew the type - hired muscle. She must have inadvertently stepped on someone's toes back at the warehouse. Given the source of her information, that could only mean Lex Luthor.

She was in a plain, windowless room. It looked like it had been a storage room. There were signs that boxes had sat on the floor, and there had been shelves on the wall. All that was gone. Except for the hard plaster walls and the single overhead light fixture, there was a simple hard cot, and a plain wooden chair which had been bolted to the floor. She assumed that was so she couldn't use it as a weapon against her captors.

The fact that they hadn't blindfolded her or made any attempt to keep their identities a secret worried Cat. It had to mean that they didn't feel that she represented any threat to them. Which meant that either they had nothing to hide, which she strongly doubted, or they didn't plan on letting her live.

Her morbid thoughts caused her to jump out of the chair when she heard the door open. In stepped a man she was sure she had never met before, but who strangely seemed familiar to her. He was tall, past middle age, and what hair he had left was completely white, as was his moustache and goatee. Even given his advanced years, he projected an air of menace that warned others not to underestimate him. His slight smile was for show only, it never touched his eyes.

He inclined his head ever so slightly, as if barely acknowledging her presence. "I hope the accommodations haven't been too uncomfortable, Ms. Grant. Please sit, make yourself comfortable." She sat. His accent was cultured and definitely British.

"I've stayed in worse places, though I think you need to upgrade your bathroom facilities. The decor is too utilitarian for my tastes."

Even amidst her fear, Cat couldn't help herself. Wisecracks were her defense mechanisms. Just her way of dealing with tough situations. Not more than an hour ago some muscle head had come in and forcibly escorted her to what must have been a janitor's closet of some kind. In the far corner were a single metal sink and a stained lavatory. She'd been instructed to take care of 'her business'.

Since it had been several hours since she'd had the use of any bathroom facilities, she quickly overcame her natural disgust over the conditions and answered her call of nature. She'd then tried to wash up as best as possible given the icy cold water and lack of soap. Harsh, scratchy paper towels had completed her restroom visit from hell. She had barely finished drying her face and hands when the door had been flung open and her escort had grabbed her by the arm and had dragged her back to her 'room'.

A smile that almost bespoke amusement stretched the tall man's lips after hearing her comments. "Ah, well, you can take that up with my employer, who should be here shortly." The man turned as the sound of someone approaching drifted through the doorway. "That should be him now."

Cat gasped as the newcomer walked into the room. She shouldn't have been surprised, given the circumstances, but it was one thing to know that Lex Luthor was behind your kidnapping, and another to see the man actually walk into your cell.

Whereas the Englishman's smile had been indifferent, Luthor's was positively scary. It was the smile of a predator, with all the warmth and compassion of arctic winter. She couldn't help but shiver under that cold steely gaze.

"Ms. Grant, so good of you to accept my invitation. I think we have some things we need to discuss."

Cat took a swallow, trying force down the lump of fear that was growing in her throat. "Well, I do have some complaints about the accommodations."

Lex ignored her comment. "What were you doing at that old warehouse on Siegel Ave?"

She licked her lips. Suddenly her throat was very dry. "I got a tip that there might be something shady going on down there. Why? Is it yours?"

Luthor turned his feral grin back on her. "Not anymore. At least, there are no legal records that can trace it back to me." He paced a few steps then lunged toward her. He grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled her head back so that he was staring directly down at her.

She cried out in pain but he ignored it. "I don't like it when people lie to me, Ms. Grant. I know about the laptop." He jerked his hand away, letting her head fall back onto her chest. Several strands of auburn hair were still clutched in his fingers.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she muttered into her blouse.

Suddenly she was knocked out of her chair by a vicious backhand that struck her across the cheek. She cringed, lying on the floor, as he loomed over her. He reached out and grabbed her by the throat. She could feel his perfectly manicured nails digging into her neck. She struggled to breathe.

"I'm not a patient man. My request is a simple one. Tell me what you know about Lois and what's she's really up to, and I might let you live." His voice dropped in pitch and was even more menacing in its intense monotone. "Defy me any longer and you will be begging for death just to stop the pain."

Cat was no novice reporter. She'd been on dangerous stories before, and had, on more than one occasion, put herself in dicey situations. She was a good investigative reporter, but she'd never faced anything like this before. She'd never looked death so squarely in the face. Suddenly something she'd been fooling herself about for ten years became crystal clear. She was no Lois Lane, and never had been. She didn't want to die, and she was afraid. Unable to help herself, she broke down. Tears flowed as she flailed ineffectually against Luthor's grip.

"I only know what I read in that file on the laptop. Nothing more. Lois doesn't know anything." She choked back another sob. "I don't even think she got to read much of it."

In fury, Luthor hoisted Cat to her feet by the throat and forcefully threw her onto the cot. He took a few moments to regain his composure. She shrank back as he approached. "You two are roommates and friends. Don't tell me that she hasn't confided in you as to what her plans are. I would find that very hard to believe."

Tears flowed freely as Cat shook her head back and forth, her hair swinging in front of her face. "She doesn't know anything that happened back then. She was trying to find out."

Lex's face darkened in anger. "Don't you dare try to lay that ridiculous amnesia story on me." A loud smack echoed through the small room as Luthor slapped her hard, leaving a bruised and reddened cheek. "I told Lois that it wouldn't work on me, and I'm telling you." His anger had raised his voice to a shout. "Now tell me what I want to know!"

"All I know is what was on the computer, I swear!" Her voice broke and she had to take a moment to catch her breath. Her fear was making it hard to breathe. "I know that Lois was supposed to meet someone down there for you. I know she was supposed to receive some diamonds or something. But she never made it to the meet!" Cat pounded her fists on the cot. "She came down with some sort of jungle fever and never made it to the scheduled rendezvous. She never had the diamonds." She tried to choke back her sobs but only succeeded in causing a coughing fit.

Lex snarled in disgust. "I'm inclined to believe that you don't know anything. I think your *good* friend, Lois Lane, is using you just like she used me." Lex managed to calm his anger. Instead a deep frown furrowed his brow. "Well, it seems that Lois is playing things very close to the vest. She is trusting no one. Apparently she has more brains than I gave her credit for."

Luthor reached down and pulled Cat to her feet by grabbing the front of her loose blouse, causing it to tear. "Just so you know what it is that your *good* friend is going to let you die for, it's not diamonds she was supposed to fetch. Just diamond, just one. The world's largest uncut gemstone. A diamond the size of a large man's fist was stolen and smuggled out of South Africa. I went to a lot of trouble to make the proper contacts and set up the buy." Lex stuck his face right next to hers. "I lost a lot of money on that deal and I want what's mine. Lois is deluded if she thinks she can get away with taking what's mine, no matter how long it's been."

Lex savagely shoved Cat toward Nigel. "Bring her along. Maybe she'll have some use yet as leverage." Lex began to leave the room. He stopped and turned back to St. John. "Have Lois and that junior partner of hers picked up. Bring them to the warehouse. It's time Ms. Lane and I settled accounts."

************************

"Clark?" Jenny called out but the elevator door had closed. She'd just missed him. She had wanted to talk to him about the costume, but once again he and Lois had run off somewhere.

What was it about Lois Lane that had her boyfriend under such a spell? Jenny had to admit that Lois was a beautiful woman, but she knew that Clark thought she was pretty also. She twisted a long red curl around her finger. Maybe if she cut her hair short like Lois. She shook her head. No, she knew that Clark liked her hair the way it was. That style might work fine on an older woman like Lois, but it wasn't for her... and Lois *was* much older.

Was it that 'older woman' mystique? She knew that she was younger than Clark, and some people thought she acted too immature at times, but Clark never complained. Even though he was between the two of them, he was a lot closer to her than to Lois in age. She'd assumed that they would have more in common than 'the partners'.

Was that it? Was it just the fact that they were partners in their jobs? The close proximity of working together day after day. The bond that they had so quickly formed as Lois had taught Clark so much about investigative reporting. Jenny wasn't stupid. She knew how much working with Lois had made Clark a better reporter. A blind man could see it. She just wished that he didn't enjoy being with her so much.

Then there was Lois. She'd never made any overt moves on her Clark. At least nothing that Jenny had ever seen, but she saw how the woman looked at her man on occasion. There would be a certain look in her eye. It was almost like she was fondly remembering a time with him, and that worried her.

She shook her head. She was being foolish, and insecure. Clark loved her. She knew he did. If there was one thing she was sure of... well, pretty sure of, is that Clark would never betray her. He would never be unfaithful to her. It just wasn't in his nature. If he - and his partner fell in lo- had feelings for each other, he'd tell her. He would break it off with her. He would never two-time her. He would never lead her on.

She sighed. So, that meant that she should trust him when he told her that he and Lois were just friends. She loved Clark. She trusted Clark. So, why was it so hard to believe him when it came to Lois?

There was something about her, something besides her confident air, and dynamic personality. It was like she knew things that she wasn't sharing. Even though Clark had shared his 'specialness' with her, it was clear that Lois had known before she did. Had he told Lois before he'd told her? Or had Lois somehow found out? She snorted in silence. Not that it would have surprised her. She doubted many people could keep a secret from Lois Lane if she decided she wanted to know what it was.

Still, she had the distinct impression that Clark and Lois were keeping something from her. She didn't know what, and given the situation the world found itself in currently, it probably wasn't that important, but it still bothered her.

Then there was this whole Nightfall problem. It made her head swim. If Clark wasn't there to hold her each night she'd probably have fallen apart by now. How could that woman be so calm about the possible end of the world?

If that Asgard rocket didn't take out the asteroid, she claimed that Clark would be able to do it. How was that possible? Jenny knew that Clark had some pretty remarkable powers. Powers which she was just beginning to find out about. And the idea of him donning the disguise costume they'd come up with, in order to use those remarkable gifts to help others, excited her. But they were talking about a rock seventeen miles across tumbling through space at thousands of miles an hour!

She glanced up at the clock. Only a few more hours till the launch. Her gaze strayed over to the currently quiescent elevator. Where were they going now? (*Not sure right now, but if I need to I will add something that implies that Jenny follows them)

******************

"Lois, where are we going?" Clark hurried to catch up with her as they hit the sidewalk out in front of the Planet building.

Lois stopped and allowed Clark to catch up. "I'm hungry, so I thought I'd head over to Manning's for an early lunch."

Clark looked confused. "Lunch?" He checked his watch. It's only 9:30."

Lois shrugged. "So, it will be a real early lunch."

Suddenly the sky darkened. Everyone and everything halted as the city experienced another of the frequent solar eclipse. All eyes were turned toward the sky. There wasn't anything to see yet. The asteroid was still too far out. Actually, Professor Hamilton had told them that the asteroid wouldn't be visible to the naked eye until just minutes before impact. Not the most comforting thought. You see Nightfall, kiss your butt goodbye.

They entered the nearby coffee shop and took a booth near the front window. Lois quickly ordered coffee, some french fries, and a double chocolate brownie sundae.

Clark shook his head. "That's your idea of lunch?"

Lois winked at him. "Comfort food."

Clark grinned at her. "And here I thought that you had this all figured out. You've already lived through a Nightfall asteroid, and have all the bases covered. Why should you need comfort food?"

"I'm not worried about the asteroid." A frown tugged at her mouth. "I'm worried about Cat."

"I thought you said that it was probably nothing. When was the last time you actually saw her?"

Lois chewed her lip as she tried to pinpoint the when. "Just before I went over to your place the other night, but I know she was home that next morning. I yelled at her before I left for the office and she grunted at me."

"So, she really has been gone only one night?"

Lois frowned. She wasn't sure if Clark was actually trying to make her feel better, or was just humoring her. "Yeah, it's only been one night and, yes as I said before, she's been out in the past and not come home."

Clark reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. "So, why is this time any different?"

Lois stared out the window for several moments, during which time the waitress brought out her order. "I don't know, it just doesn't feel right." She munched on a few fries, and took in a spoonful of her sundae. "I'm pretty sure she read the file on the laptop, and now that's missing too."

Clark leaned back, bewilderment clearly showing on his face. "Laptop? What laptop are you talking about?"

She brought her attention back into the restaurant and onto his confused face. "That's right, I didn't tell you about that, did I."

"No, I think I might have remembered you mentioning a laptop. Is it yours? What was on it?"

As she ate, Lois studied Clark, wondering how much to tell him. It wasn't as if she felt she needed to keep secrets from him anymore. It was just he had enough on his mind with the Nightfall situation. He didn't need to be distracted by her disagreement with Lex.

She was just about to dodge the issue. Come up with a way to brush it off. Postpone it for another time. But she changed her mind. He'd only be hurt if she kept this from him. They were supposed to be partners, and partners didn't hide things from each other... well, they mostly didn't hide things from each other. Mainly, though, she was worried about Cat. Who better to have on your side when looking for someone than Superman?

Lois sighed. "The laptop belonged to this world's Lois. She'd used it to keep her notes on her investigation of Lex Luthor."

Clark shook his head. "I don't understand. Why was Lois investigating Luthor ten years ago?"

"She suspected that there was more behind the too good to be true public persona that Luthor projected, so she decided to do what she did best - investigate him."

Clark was still puzzled. "How do you investigate someone like Luthor? It's not as if he's all that accessible."

Lois shrugged. "For her the solution was simple. She went undercover. She began dating Luthor and became intimate with him in order to gain his confidence."

Clark looked shocked and appalled. "I can't believe she did something like that, just for a story." He seemed to be trying to peer through her eyes and read into her soul. "You'd never do anything like that... would you?" He stared at her for a time. She didn't answer. "Would you?"

Lois frowned. "There was a time... I don't know, maybe, if the story was big enough... no, I don't think I could've, even back when I was young and stupid." She reached over and touched his hand. "But then she and I are different people. You have to realize that Lois believed in very little, and saw most people as a means to an end. She used people... it was a hard lesson she learned early in life."

Lois took a sip of her coffee. It had gotten cold. She held the mug out to him. He glanced around, then shifted his gaze to the cup. In moments the brew was warm again. "Anyway, she had apparently gained Luthor's trust because she was supposed to go to the Congo to pick up something for him because he couldn't go himself."

Clark pursed his lips. "The Congo? That's where she died, isn't it?" Lois nodded. "So what was she looking for? Do you know?"

Lois shook her head. "No, I never finished reading the whole file."

"So, you're just assuming that Luthor was up to something illegal because Lois thought so?"

Lois let a sad chuckle escape. "Not exactly. First off, the Lex Luthor on my world was behind virtually all the major crime in Metropolis." She held up her hand. "Now I know that doesn't automatically mean that this world's counterpart must necessarily be a crook also, but he threatened me."

"What?"

"The morning of the first EPRAD conference, I had to let you go alone because Luthor had invited me to a brunch." She watched Clark nod as his memory slipped back to that time. "I was curious as to why Lex would want to see me, so I went. The conversation quickly got ugly. He accused me of holding out on him. He was convinced that my amnesia story was just a ploy to hide my real agenda. He's certain that I've got whatever it was that Lois was supposed to secure for him, and he wants it back. And now the laptop is missing, and so is Cat."

Clark's brow furrowed in confusion. "I don't think I see the connection."

"I'm pretty sure that Cat read the file the other night..."

She could almost see the light bulb going on over his head. "And you think that she might have gone out to do some investigating on her own?"

"Don't you?"

Clark nodded. "Yeah, it does sound like her." His frown deepened. "Lois, why didn't you tell me about all this sooner?"

Lois shrugged again. "I figured it could wait a bit." She pointed to the sky. "Besides, you have bigger problems to worry about." She pulled a few bills out of her pocket and threw them on the table. "Come on, let's get back to the Planet. Maybe I've been worried about nothing and Cat is back at her desk with another lurid tale of a night of perverse pleasure. We also have to plan out our story for when the government's rocket misses Nightfall."

Clark helped her to her feet. "Or when it succeeds?"

"Yeah, right."

The pair left the small coffee shop and headed back in the direction of the Daily Planet. They hadn't gone more than a block when a large black limousine pulled up to the curb beside them. The passenger window silently wound its way down. A head poked out.

"Nigel," Lois said without thinking.

"Ms. Lane, nice to see you again." He nodded at Clark. "Mr. Kent. Now would the two of you be good enough to get into the car?"

Lois shook her head. "I don't think so. We have a lot of work to do, what with the Asgard launch going up later today." She began to edge farther away from the curb.

"My mistake," the genteel Englishman said. "I shouldn't have couched it as a question." The cold blue steel of a revolver suddenly appeared in his hand. "Get in the car."

Lois felt Clark's body tense beside her. She quickly looked up and saw a look of determination in his eye. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it to gain his attention. When he looked down at her she gave him an almost imperceptible shake of her head. No need for Clark to perform any heroics just now. There'd be time for that later. Better to go along and find out what Luthor wanted.

As they moved toward the dark limo, the back door swung open and the two of them entered. The door slammed shut and the big sedan sped quickly away from the curb.