Different Worlds Part One

by Arcadia

Part One: The Date

There was something going on with Clark Kent. Lois could feel it in her bones. There was something in the way he walked. Confidence, Lois decided that's what it was. He had such a big smile on his face. Nothing, not even the gloomy rain outside could wipe that smile away. Lois even caught Clark whistling. He was in too good of a mood and too coordinated. Not once today did Clark walk into a wall, knocked the water tank down, or say something that reminded her he was a country bumpkin in a big city. She always thought there was something strange about him but this was too much. Lois rose from her seat and marched to Clark Kent's office. This has been going on for three days now. Whatever Clark was up to, she was going to find out. Lois opened his door without knocking and stormed inside. "All right, Smallville, just what are you up to?" Clark sat at his desk typing on his computer. He looked at Lois puzzled. "You know it's customary to knock before entering." Lois crossed her arms. "A country guy like you shouldn't have to worry. You country folks sleep with the doors unlocked." She turned the monitor on his computer before her. "Now what are you up to?" She read what was on the screen and scoffed. "You typed your grocery list?" Clark gave her an innocent look. "What's wrong with that?" Lois rolled her eyes. "Y'know what? That's not important." She put both hands on the desk and leaned forward, getting in his face, staring at him with her sharp, curious pretty eyes. "What are you up to?" Clark was puzzled. "I don't know what you are talking about." "For the past three days, you have not gotten stuck between the doors, tripped or broken anything. You're in a crazy good mood even for you! What secret story are you going to break?" Leave it to Lois to think his good news had to do with a story and not the fact he had a date with Wonder Woman in less than twenty- four hours. Well, if that`s what she thought… Clark smiled at her innocently. "My good mood has nothing to do with a story." Tell her the truth, sort of. She wouldn't know. "Cut the crap, Smallville. I know you're onto something hot and I'm gonna find out what." Jimmy knocked on the opened door and entered the room. He caught Lois' icy stare at Clark. "Whoa! What's going here?" With his super hearing, Clark could hear someone crying for help. Perfect timing. He rose from his desk. "Nothing. Lois' just barking up the wrong tree. I gotta go." Lois grabbed his arm. "Where are you going?" "The men's room and if I don't leave now, I will embarrass myself. Excuse me." He pulled himself out of Lois' arm and made a quick exit. Lois watched him leave. "He thinks he's so clever." Jimmy shrugged. When Lois got in one of her moods, he knew to stay out of it. "Well, I came in to tell you your phone was ringing in your office. A Christen Bacall is waiting for you." "Christen?" Lois said puzzled. "I wonder what she wants." Jimmy followed her out of Clark's office as Lois walked to hers. "Who's she?" "An old friend of my Dad. Her husband worked with him in the army. I met her a few times. Nice lady. Last I heard she was living in Boston and she always gave me tips on Wonder Woman sightings." Lois entered her office and picked up the phone. "Lois Lane. Hi, Christen. I could be better. You got a scoop for me?" Lois listened to what Christen had to say and then suddenly screamed, "WHAT?!" Jimmy winced at Lois' screamed. Whatever Christen told her, it had to be shocking to get that kind of reaction from Lois Lane. "Are you sure?" Lois asked. "This is really big, Christen. This Barry kid's not making it up. All right. Thanks for telling me. Goodbye." "What was that about?" Jimmy asked. Lois gripped Jimmy's shoulders. "Jimmy, you won't believe what I just found out. This could be the story of the century!" "What is it?" Jimmy asked again. Lois released Jimmy and walked off talking to herself. "But if it does become the story of the century, what about me? If this is true, where do I stand with him?" Jimmy was growing impatient. "Stand with who? What's going on?" "I wonder if Smallville knows. Perhaps this is why he's in a good mood." Lois shook her head. "No way. Smallville's lucky but he's not *that* lucky." "What does Clark know?" Jimmy asked. Lois looked at Jimmy as if she remembered he was also in the room. "Jimmy, you can't say anything to Clark. Nothing at all. This conversation never happened." "Um, sure," he scratched his head puzzled, "but what's going on?" Lois smiled cleverly. "Nothing right now but if all goes well, you will know by Sunday's front page." She gave Jimmy a gentle push out of her office. "Now get out of here. I got some calls to make." As soon as Jimmy was out of her office, Lois shut her door locking it. "Superman and Wonder Woman on a date this weekend. I still can't believe it. If they go on this date and it works, and they have another and another, my chances with him will be gone. What does he see in her?" she questioned bitterly. "She's not that special." Lois thought of the beautiful Amazon Princess. "Not much unless you count the fact she's drop dead gorgeous, intelligent, noble, talented, strong," Lois sighed heavily. "Absolutely perfect for Superman. No," Lois decided. "Not perfect for Superman. There's nothing wrong with me. I can be his suitable match. Not her. I *need* to stop this date somehow." Lois sat at her desk as she thought of this dilemma. "But if I do, I could stop myself from breaking the biggest story of the century. Hell, I could get a Pulitzer for this." Lois smiled to herself as she thought of a plan. "Actually, I can have both." Lois opened her address book on her computer and searched for Myndi Mayer's name. Ever since Myndi Mayer introduced Wonder Woman to the world, Lois kept her information up to date just in case she would have to contact the woman. "Found you." Lois said once Myndi's name pulled up. She quickly dialed the number and waited. One rings. Two rings. Myndi picked up. "Myndi Mayer, Lois Lane from the Daily Planet. I'm calling about your client, Wonder Woman." Lois Lane. Myndi Mayer knew all about the famous reporter for the Daily Planet. She was practically Superman's PR. She also knew how Lois can be pushy, rude, tough and doing crazy things just to get a story. If she thought she could push Myndi Mayer over, Lois Lane had another thing coming. "Listen Lane," Myndi began rudely. "If you're after a story or if you want to be Wonder Woman's PR person forget it. You may have Superman wrapped around your manicured finger…" Myndi stopped herself and laughed as she thought about Wonder Woman and Superman's meeting tomorrow. "Well, maybe you don't have Superman wrapped around your finger and you won't get Wonder Woman. She's mine!" Lois dug her nails in her fingers, catching the insinuations she was making about her and Superman. No matter. She'll get Myndi. "I'm calling to say a source of mine has let me know Wonder Woman is having a date with Superman this weekend. I`m calling to confirm it." There was a long silence on Myndi's end then in a hissed voice she responded. "How the hell did you get a hold of that information? Did Clark Kent tell you?" she screamed. "That liar told me Superman told him nothing!" Lois nearly dropped her phone. Dammit! That's why Clark's in such a good mood. He *did* know. How do these stories on Superman fall in Clark Kent's lap? What's his secret? "No," Lois said calmly. "Clark Kent didn't tell me. My source has a nephew who is friends with some kid named Barry who is friends with Vanessa Kapatelis whose mother is Julia Kapatelis who has Wonder Woman living with her. " "I see. Well, it doesn't mean it's a date," Myndi tried to throw off Lane but she knew it was too late. She gave way her hand when she screamed at Lois. Lois chuckled. "Oh, really? Well, this source of mine also told me that Wonder Woman has dreamt of Superman; that he's like a God and pictures of him doesn't do him justice. When Wonder Woman and Superman meet, it won't be a meeting of people who are `just friends'. It's a date. Fess up, Myndi. You know I'm right." Myndi took a sip of the Vodka she was drinking when Lois called. Lois knew a lot more than Myndi did obviously. She suspected Diana was smitten with Superman even though Diana never said it herself. But Myndi had no idea Diana dreamt of him. "And what if you are right? You're sniffing for something, Lane. You don't have all the info so what do you want from me?" "It seems we are both without information. You talked to Clark concerning Superman. You know Superman and Wonder Woman have a date this weekend but you don't know where. Whereas I do. Now, even though I`m a reporter, I don`t have the resources as you do to locate them." Lois sat back in her chair and propped her feet on her desk. "I suggest a partnership." "I'm listening." Lois smiled. She knew Myndi would agree to it. "You get your people to spy on Superman and Wonder Woman and the Daily Planet gets exclusive serialization rights. I interview everyone who's spotted them together, plus I get fifty percent in publicity." "That's highway robbery!" Myndi yelled. "I'm open for a compromise," Lois said slyly. "But I am holding the cards." Myndi slammed her glass on her desk, causing the Vodka to spill out. "The hell you are! I'm the one getting helicopters, cameramen, paparazzi and sending them to where they are meeting while you sit on your ass and wait for the story to fall in your lap! Fifteen percent." "Fifteen?" Lois scoffed. "This is Lois Lane you're talking to. Forty- five." "There's millions to be made from this. No need to get greedy. Twenty percent." "If there's millions to be made, then you won't mind sharing. I'm sure Wonder Woman has already made you a wealthy woman anyway. Forty." Damn Lane was good and she knew it. Lane knew she holds the prize and will keep bargaining until she got what she wanted. "Thirty-five percent," Myndi growled. "And that's my final offer." Lois laughed. "Myndi, I would've settled for thirty but a deal's a deal." "Lane, you're a tough bargainer." Myndi had to admit she admired the woman. Clark Kent wouldn't challenged her as Lois did. He sounded so meek and pathetic. Strange that a guy like him was associated with Superman. "Now where are they meeting?" Lois gave Myndi the information. Part of her felt a twinge of guilt. With the paparazzi and copters no way would Superman and Wonder Woman get romantic. On the other hand, she was getting her story and keeping Superman from Wonder Woman. It might be a little deceptive but it wasn't evil. After all, she was protecting what was hers. Superman.