Not because I would love you any differently if you were an ordinary man,” she began hurriedly.

then whoever it was had better hope that Superman got to him – or her – first, and not Lois.

“I thought all those classes were free,” Lois said. Certainly the self-defense classes she’d taken were free.

Cat laughed again. “They are. Perry puts Ralph’s fees in the office kitty – I think Ralph has single-handedly footed the bill for the last three Christmas parties.”

Cat nodded. “Yeah. Well, I know how that feels. There was a time when I was utterly alone… I spent most of my teenage years in foster homes…”

She trailed off, remembering, before straightening up and refocusing on Lois. “Well, it was a long time ago. You don’t want to hear about it; I don’t really want to talk about it… The bottom line is, *you* don’t have to be alone anymore… And it seems to me you don’t want to. So… I just wanted you to know that I’m on your side on this.”

Lois looked at her. “Thanks.”

Cat nodded.

Lois smiled suddenly. “But I’m not telling you anything about him.”

The only reason Perry keeps him around is because every time he sends Ralph to sensitivity classes, he makes him pay a fee.”

“I thought all those classes were free,” Lois said. Certainly the self-defense classes she’d taken were free.

Cat laughed again. “They are. Perry puts Ralph’s fees in the office kitty – I think Ralph has single-handedly footed the bill for the last three Christmas parties.”

As Lois laughed, Cat stood up, gave her a little wave, and walked off.