Author’s Note: I’m sorry about the extremely long wait for this chapter. I was rereading it and I just noticed that people were still reviewing and that surprised me a bit. I didn’t realize the storyline was well received. Let me try to compensate for the delay by updating but adding a little something here before I start going full throttle again. Thank you all for the wonderful comments.

Chapter 5

In an attempt to avoid any further embarrassment to her pride and reputation, Lois quickly forced herself to recall every lesson her father, the General, thought her about controlling her wayward emotions. In spite of her well known temper, she’d grown up perfecting the art.

So why is it failing her when she needed it the most?

“Right. I am. I’m going to go now,” she said disappearing from Clark’s view. If she stayed any longer like a star-struck fool she was liable to admit herself in an asylum for the decadently insane. She was beginning to think she preferred the old Clark, at least she knew how to handle him.

“I’ll be out in a moment,” she vaguely heard Clark say from behind.

She was going to use that moment to reclaim any left over dignity but that was shot to hell when he came out of the bathroom barely a half minute later. Well, at least he was fully clothed this time, but then the unwanted image of his naked chest popped in her traitorous mind and she couldn’t help but sigh deeply at its inconsiderateness.

“Is everything all right, Lois?”

Lois waved his concern off while trying to avoid eye contact. “I’m fine, Clark. I just had a lot on my mind lately.” She wished he wasn’t so naturally nice all the time.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

No, not really but she couldn’t exactly say that in her normally blatant tone. It might give her away, and that, she most certainly will not do. She has enough issues to contend with without adding another.

Damn it! She needed a drink.

“Kent.”

Clark turned at the sound of Richard’s voice calling for him, surprised that he was being addressed by the assistant editor.

“Stop by my office for a minute.”

Ever since the ‘New Krypton’ incident, they didn’t talk much and the differing relationship they had with Lois kept them at a very professional distance. He had a fairly good guess about what the eventual meeting was going to be about, and he ignored the possibility because he knew himself. He would never disrespect Lois, Jason or the man that took care of them when he selfishly left all those years ago.

“Is there something you need Mr. White?”

Outside the office, co-workers shamelessly began gossiping.

“You think he has a chance?” Damian from sports asked Candace from society.

“Depends who your rooting for. Kent or White.” She looked over the mass of suddenly interested people gathering around them. “Any takers?”

Several people raised their hands and a bevy of bets started accumulating like mosses to a flame.

Everyone who was anyone knew about the love triangle of Lane, Kent and White. Ever since the mild mannered reporter returned from his long-term sojourn overseas, no one, not even the newcomers at the Planet could ignore the obvious camaraderie and chemistry between the powerhouse reporting team of Lane & Kent.

They’re practically an institution in the journalism field, even if Clark himself was totally ignorant of the fact.

“What’s going on guys?” Jimmy asked after returning from the dark room printing out his black and white photos of Superman at yet another rescue.

“Placing bets on K & W.”

“What’s that?”

“Kent and White, kid.” One man clarified. “Where have you been?”

Jimmy blinked before processing what was going on. “Ooooh.”

“You in?”

“Okay.”

In the office, Richard didn’t know what to make of Clark Kent. On one hand, he could be the clumsiest person he’d ever met, on the other hand; he was a hell of a reporter. He’d swallowed his ego weeks ago and began reading Kent’s past and present articles, even the ones that included Lois on the byline.

So on top of feeling like he was becoming a third wheel in a relationship that should’ve been solid, he was becoming increasingly jealous at the level of skill the reporter from Smallville, Kansas possessed in spades. He wouldn’t be surprised that if Kent hadn’t left, his Uncle Perry would have probably given the assistant editor seat to him.

“Is there something that you needed, Mr. White?”

“I don’t really know how to begin.”

“Sometimes, starting from the beginning helps,” Clark offered but it was clear that Richard couldn’t hide the mounting tension between them.

“Easier said than done.”

“If you’re concerned about me and Lois, I assure you Mr. White, we’re only friends.”

Richard was more the surprised to find that Clark read his mind. “What makes you think this is about Lois?” Then he noticed all the articles he’d been reading from Kent displayed all over his desk and he cursed himself for being careless. “Look, Kent. I don’t deny that you’re a good reporter…” calling him great would just salt the wound. “But I called you in here to ask a favor, and perhaps an offer you’d like to take.”

When Clark didn’t respond Richard had no choice but to continue. “There’s a position open in London that would suit you and your credentials. With your experience abroad and with the Planet here, you can make an excellent international correspondent for the paper.”

“Are you offering me a job overseas?”

Richard took a deep breath. “Yes.”

“Because of Lois.” It wasn’t a question.

Clark’s calm and direct stare was making him uneasy. “You have to admit, it’s a good offer and the pays even better,” Richard said.

“Mr. White, I just got back–”

The fact that Kent didn’t look angry didn’t bode well for him. “I know that, but I’m giving you an opportunity of a lifetime.”

“I hardly call manipulating me into leaving an opportunity, sir.”

Richard stared as if unsure if he was still talking to the same Clark Kent that dipped his tie in coffee just this morning. It was becoming glaringly obvious that there was more to the man that the persona that greeted them every day at the office, and that perhaps, Lois knew it too.

“I thought I’d mention it just in case you were interested,” he offered by way of consolation. Richard wasn’t ready for this conversation, not by a long shot and he knew he was tipping the scales on Clark’s side by continuing this to bait him when it was clear he wouldn’t bite.

“Thank you, sir.”

When Clark left his office, Richard sighed dejectedly. Not only was he losing Lois but he was rapidly losing his own objectivity. He didn’t want to be the jealous boyfriend, but after Lois told him about Superman and just how close they were, how could he positively compete with a man like that… and now Clark?

He didn’t know what to do.

To be continued…