Connections

by irishguy


Connections
Author: Irish Guy

Genre: Crossover, Drama, Futurefic, Humor, Hurt-Comfort Pairing: Lois/Clark, Chloe/Other
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Very slight bits of Gone and Spell Summary: "The best ones always start out that way." Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or places named here. They are the property of their

respective owners.


"Where is that bumbling idiot when I need him..." she rambles while frazzledly trying to make sense of the strewn notepads and papers.

"Hey, Loi..."

"What?!" she cuts him off curtly, looking up from her disorganized, paper-covered desk. She sighs, then apologizes, "Sorry, Jimmy, I'm just having one of those days. You know it's like whenever Kent's around, he always manages to irk me somewhat, but he helps get the job done. But the one day when I get swamped and actually want him around, he gets sick! And he never gets sick! I swear one day I'm gonna have my dad lend me a rocket launcher so I can..."

Somewhat scared, he stops her ranting, "Whoa, Lois. Calm down. Why are you getting so mad? Are you okay?"

Leaning her elbows on the desk and resting her face in her hands, she lets out a heavy sigh, looks up, and replies, "I don't know. It's just, lately Perry's been putting so many stories on me. And I've been double-timing it while everyone's favorite farmboy still barely gets his job done. I mean, yesterday, I was so busy I forgot to get lunch." With a pensive look on her face, she looks at her watch. "It's 12:30 already! I almost forgot lunch, AGAIN! Wait..." She picks up her planner. She shouts, "I'm supposed to meet with the Luthorcorp plant manger at 12:45 to... oh my god..." she trails off, standing up now. She gathers her purse, notebook, and sunglasses and takes off without even saying goodbye.


"Clark, GET OVER HERE!"

"What??"

"I need you to help me put up this streamer. After all, you're the one who can leap tall buildings in a single bound. Hey, maybe that should be Superman's new slogan."

Without looking at her, he replies "Maybe so. But I`m not Mr. Fantastic. Can`t you use a step ladder? I`m trying to blow up these balloons. I wanna get done with this first."

"Fine," she yields. "But I'll need your superspeed in a couple of minutes to put out all the consumables."

"Consumables?"

"Yeah, Clark. Food and drink? Super-intelligence must be the one ability you Kryptonians don't have."

"At least I know not to use words like `consumables' in everyday conversation."

"Anyway... like I said, I'll need you to put out the consumables in a few," she repeats with a grin.

He returns the smile. "No problem. Just as soon as I finish blowing up these balloons. It's taking forever. I don't want to blow `em up too fast and pop `em."

"Amazing, there are things that Clark Kent has to do like the rest of us," she taunts.

As he sends back a grin, his cell rings. "Hey, Jimmy, what`s up?" A minute of silence goes by. "Hold on a second. I'll ask Chloe. Chloe!"

She walks back into the room. "What's up?"

"This is Jimmy on the phone. He says Lois just got back from an interview and is planning on leaving work early and taking her work home with her. What should we do?"

"Um," she ponders, "I dunno. Tell him to tell the editor to tell Lois that he needs her to finish writing her latest article she has info on by tonight. Hopefully it'll keep her busy long enough."

Clark relays the information to Jimmy. "You got it? Okay. If you run across any more problems, let us know. Alright, see ya tonight."


Jimmy hangs up the phone as Lois walks up. "Who was that?"

"Uh, my girlfriend."

"Really. What's her name?"

"Chloe."

"I have a cousin named Chloe here in the Metropolis. Weird."

"Yeah."

"Well, I need you to help me do something."

"Um, sure. I just gotta go talk to Perry about something real quick. I'll be there in a minute."

"Alright."


Someone knocks on the door. "Come in."

The door opens. "Mr. White?"

"Yeah, Jimmy."

"Uh, Lois is planning on leaving early and finishing up today's work at home. Which isn't good becau..."

"Yeah. Uh... I don`t know what to do."

"Well, her cousin said for you to tell her that you need to have an article on your desk by the end of the day. Maybe that'll work?"

"Yeah, I guess. I`ll try to work on her."


Amidst the chatter of the first wave of people to arrive at the party, she barely hears her cell ring.

"Hey, Lois. What's up?"

"Little cousin, I'm going nuts. It seems like, the harder I work and the more stuff I get done, the more they're putting on me. I mean, the editor just put this article on me and needs it on his desk by the end of the day. It's like they're purposely trying to keep me here. And the one day I want Clark around to help me, he gets sick!"

"Ouch. I wish I could help, b..."

"Chloe, you're the best. Could you swing by when you get off at the Journal to help me out? Is there a party going on over there?"

"Uh, yeah, we just got wind that we won some award. Um, I wish I could help, but I'm kinda swamped myself. Sorry."

"You Smallvillians. When I need you most, you fall short."

"Yes, we're so despicable. Hey, like I said, I'm swamped. I'll see ya tonight."

"Tonight? Why would I see you tonight?"

"Did I say tonight? Sorry I meant Tuesday, for lunch. See, I'm so busy I can't even talk right."

"Uh-huh, right. Well, I'm gonna go. Bye."

"Later." She hangs up the phone and turns around, almost running right into Clark. "Hey."

"Who was that?"

"Lois. She was trying to get me to help her finish up at the Planet."

"Geez, that girl doesn't give up. It's almost like she's trying to ruin a party she doesn't even know about."

"Yeah, telepathy. Something that could have clued you in to how I used to feel about you, thereby avoiding all the drama."

"Chloe, you are impossible."

"I know. Don't you love me?"

"Tons. How many people are supposed to be here?"

"I think it was 25. Wow, I so didn't plan for the number of guests to be the age Lois was turning. I'm kinda worried, though. My Uncle Sam and Lucy were supposed to be here a while ago. I've tried calling both of their cells but I keep getting no answer."

"I dunno. Maybe they got lost in a no reception area."

"I hope so."


"Burning the 5:30 oil, Lois?"

"Yeah. Perry really slammed me today."

"Well, even he's gone already. So is almost the whole staff. Maybe you should go home and get some rest."

"As soon as I'm done this article."

"Look, go home. I'll talk to the Pitbull about it for ya, all right?"

She sighs, then grins. "All right. I guess no job is worth all this stress. If he doesn't like it, then I can just go hang out with my cousin at the Journal."

"Yeah, exactly. Come on, I'll walk with ya."


With the lights out, a partygoer spots a car pulling up in the driveway. He whispers, "She's home! Everyone get down!"

Outside, Lois, now out of her car, spots a movement in her house.

"Is she coming in?" Clark asks Chloe a minute later

"Shhh!!" Chloe demands.

"AAAhhhh!!!" someone screams from the back of the house. Someone else turns on the lights. Now, everyone can see Lois holding Jimmy Olsen in a headlock.

"Oops. Sorry, Jimmy."

"It's ok. I think I'm gonna sit down for a little while."

"Lois, what are you doing?" Chloe inquires.

"Entering my house. Is that a crime?"

"I meant why are you coming in through the back door and putting my boyfriend in a headlock?"

"YOU'RE GOING OUT WITH JIMMY???" Clark and Lois both exclaim.

"Yeah. I guess I did get all the reporter genes in the family."

"Well, when I got out of my car I saw a movement in the darkness. Tends to make me think someone broke in. So I came in quietly through the safer way, the back door, saw someone ducking, and took advantage. I`ve got a better question. What are all of you people doing in my house? And why aren`t you home sick, Smallville?"

"Lois, in case you forgot, today's your birthday," Clark replies.

"Today isn..." she trails off with a look of thinking, then realization, then a grin. "Wow, I was so busy today I forgot my own birthday. Thanks Kent, by planning this you put so much work on me I..."

"Lois, all of that was stuff to keep you busy and make sure you didn't find out about the party."

"Right. Right, of course. That was mean! But I guess I'll forgive ya," she says right before giving him a good punch in the arm. "But I can't believe that you guys were able to keep this a secret from me!"

"Well," Chloe starts, "Clark and I are reporters. I know how to figure anything out, so if we had an idea, I made sure I wouldn't be able to figure it out before we implemented it as part of the plan. Plus, we had half the Planet in on it."

"You guys... I love you guys. Except you, Kent."

"I'm shocked, Lois."

"Hey, are my dad or sister here?"

"No," Chloe answers. "I tried calling Lucy's cell a billion times but could never get anyone on the phone."

"Weird. Well, let's not let their absence spoil my party!"

"All right!"

"PARTY!!!"


"Well, cousin, that was worth the stress today, wasn't it?"

"Yeah Chlo', nice to know we can have a birthday party in our family without Clark seeing us half-naked."

"Hey, I didn't find it so bad," Clark offers as he walks up.

"Yeah, well, that's because you weren't taken over by an evil witch who controlled everything you did."

"Hey, I was under you guys' spell. I didn't have any control over my actions either."

"Yeah, well, at least you got to see what was going on, and a little more. Lana and Chloe and I didn't see anything. We were essentially not there."

"Geez," Chloe remarks, "do you two ever stop bickering?"

"WHAT?" Clark and Lois shout simultaneously.

"Ok, well, I have a story to cover tonight. I'll see you guys later. Don't kill each other."

"Alright." "See ya," Clark and Lois call as Chloe walks out the door.

"Well, Smallville, looks like you're left to help me clean up."

"What? I'm not..."

"Clark, you helped make this mess, you're gonna help clean it up. So, hop to it, k?"

"Fine. This is exactly how I want to spend my night. Alone with you."

"My sentiments exactly."


After a sigh, Clark sits next to Lois on the couch. "You actually didn't drive me nuts tonight. Miracles do happen."

"Funny, Smallville," Lois replies as someone knocks at the door. "I'll get it." Lois gets up to open the door, with Clark behind her. When she opens it, a policeman stands on her porch.

"Lois Lane?" the officer asks with a twinge of sadness in his voice.

"Yes, officer. What's the matter?"

"May I come in?"

"Of course. Have a seat on the sofa. Would you like some coffee or anything to drink?"

"Coffee would be nice, thanks."

"Clark, can you get it?"

"Yeah, of course."

"Have we met before?" Lois asks the officer.

"No, I don't think so."

"Heh, okay. So, uh, what's up?"

"Miss Lane, I don't know how to say this. There was a military award ceremony held here in Metropolis tonight. There was an attack, a bombing."

Tears well up in Lois eyes as Clark returns with the coffee and sits next to her. "Oh my god, no, Daddy..."

"Not exactly, Miss Lane."

"What? Stop playing games. TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED!!!"

"Your cousin, Chloe Sullivan, was covering the story for the Metropolis Journal. She was killed in the blast."

"What? No, Chloe. Oh god," Lois falters as she put her face in her hands. Clark reaches over and puts his arm around Lois to console her, though his face shows that he is clearly in as much pain as she is.

"I'm sorry, Miss Lane. Thank you for you hospitality." The officer walks out without anyone saying a word. Clark and Lois just sit there, holding one another, until Lois looks up. "I need to call Uncle Gabe. I'd rather him find out from me than some police officer," she rambles while still wiping away tears.

"Lois, no. I'm sure Mr. Sullivan already knows."

"What about Jimmy? He needs to know."

"No. He can find out tomorrow at work. You don't need to make it harder on yourself. Just sit down, okay?"

"All right," she concedes while seating herself on the sofa. "I just, I can't, she..." Lois stammers while the tears return."

"Lois, don't do this to yourself. Cry if you need to, but don't torture yourself," Clark orders as he sits down with a box of tissue for Lois. "Hey, come here," he says as he pulls her towards him, putting his arms around her. "We'll get through this. I'm sure Chloe's in a better place now."

"Yeah, I know. She just loved life so much. She was set on discovering the truth. She had so much going for her. For her life to be cut short like this just really sucks."

"I know, I know."

"You know, Clark, you amaze me."

"How?" Clark asks with a little worry.

"Sometimes you annoy me so much, but then you act like this."

"Like what?"

"Like the sweetest guy I've ever met," Lois states as she pulls Clark into a kiss. Though initially shocked at first, Clark reciprocates. After a few seconds, "Lois, are you sure about this? What about Chloe? Shouldn`t we be all sad and depressed?"

"Chloe wouldn't want us grieving. And I've never been more sure of anything in my life. I never realized it until now, but I think I love you."

"Well, Lana did assume that we were an item when we first met back in Smallville. I said..."

"Shut up, Smallville," Lois snaps as she pulls him in for another kiss.


A man stands somewhere, facing away from someone. "You get one text message from your phone. I'll let you pick someone to come rescue you. Though, it's doubtful they'll survive the blast from the grenades all around the door frame that'll go off when the door is opened. Of course, if it should be Superman, the vat of liquid kryptonite will drop on him once the blast goes off." He then turns around - it's the cop from Lois' house! "So, whom shall it be?"


In the middle of the makeout session, Clark's phone rings. With a slight smile, Clark takes out his cell and sees a new text message. He opens it - it's from "Chloe Cell." It says - "No call. Journal basement. Hurry."

"Who is it?" Lois asks.

"It's my mom," Clark lies. "My dad's having a heart attack. I have to go to Smallville."

"Wait, I'll go with you."

"No. Stay here. You don't need more stress."

With a heavy sigh, she complies. "All right. Drive safe."

"Will do," Clark answers as he takes off.


As soon as Clark gets his car a few blocks down and around the corner, he superspeeds off for the Metropolis Journal building. He stops in front of the front door. Luckily, the security guard didn't see him. "Excuse me!" Clark shouts.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes. I work here, and I had to leave today for an emergency, and I left my building entry card on my desk. Can I just go run in and grab it?"

The guard thinks for a second, then responds. "All right. But if you aren't out here in fifteen minutes, you're in trouble."

"Yes sir. Thank you."

Clark goes in, then walks far enough to be out of the guard's sight. He then superspeeds down to the basement, slams himself against the door, knocking it off his hinges, thereby setting off the grenade blast. Superman walks through, just as an overhead bucket of liquid kryptonite turns over, spilling its contents on him. He falls to the ground in severe pain.

The cop appears from around a corner. "Well, I was hoping to get Lois Lane, but Superman will do. I'm sure Lex Luthor will pay a hefty sum for you."

"Why are you doing this?" Superman asks through his pain.

"I was on my way to being the best cop Metropolis PD had ever seen. I was worried about how the higher-ups might feel. You know, nepotism and favoritism and all that stuff. So, I started paying people off. I didn't want to, but I didn't have a choice if I wanted to make I sure I got to the top. Then Lois Lane, Daily Planet reporter extraordinaire, comes along and busts me, just so she can get her story! So I decided to get revenge. I will kill her, that's for sure, but I wanted to torture her a little. That little story about the military ceremony to make her worry about her dad. Then I tell her that her cousin is dead. I was hoping Chloe here would call Lois, that way I could take her out now. But you'll suffice. I'm curious, how do you and Chloe know each other?"

"It's none of your business."

"Wrong answer, because now, I have to shoot little Chloe. Bye-bye."

The cop raises his gun, then aims it at Chloe. Just as he is about to pull the trigger, a flash of red light zips through the room, and the cop falls over, a bullet fired toward the ceiling. Suddenly the cop is sent through the air and against the wall by the same flash of light. While Chloe's face is full of confusion, Superman only smiles, though still in pain.

The Flash appears next to the weakened hero. "Superman," he says as he bends down next to him, "are you ok?"

"I'm covered in kryptonite, what do you think?"

"Right. I'll get some water." He leaves and returns within a second, this time with a bucket of water. "Let me pour this over you."

All kryptonite washed off, Superman stands up. "Thanks Wally."

"What are you doing?! There's a girl right there! Don't give away my identity!"

"Wally, it's okay." Superman walks over to Chloe and frees her of her bonds. "You okay, Chloe?"

"Yeah Clark, thanks. Two superheroes saving me. This'll make for a very interesting article."

"No problem. I want you to meet someone. Chloe Sullivan, Wally West, also known as The Flash."

"What are you doing?" The Flash exclaims. "Why are you telling this girl who I am? This is Chloe Sullivan, the most notorious investigative reporter in town. How do you know her? How does she know your identity?"

"Wally, it's ok. I've known Chloe since 8th grade. She's known about my abilities since senior year of high school. She won't tell anyone."

"Nice to meet you, Wally. Would you consider an interview? It`ll only take a little while."

"Well, I trust Clark, so, nice to meet you too, Chloe," Wally says with a handshake. "I guess an interview wouldn't hurt.

"Awesome," Chloe says with a look in her eye.

"Hate to interrupt," Superman interrupts, "but could we go back to my place or something? I'm getting tired of this place."

"Yeah, of course," Chloe agrees. "Let's go back to my apartment. After all, you guys can get home a little faster than I can."


"All right. I'm gonna take off."

"K. Thanks for the interview."

"See ya man."

"Bye guys," Wally says as he dashes out.

"Chloe?"

"Yes, Clark?"

"Do you like Wally?"

"Yeah. He's a nice guy."

"No Chloe. Not just as a friend."

"Oh, come on, Clark. I'm with Jimmy and couldn't be happier."

"Yeah, well, I was in love with Lana, but I started falling for a friend of mine at the end of freshman year..."

"You thought I wasn't letting go of things..." Chloe retorts as they both grin.

"Speaking of love," Clark begins, "I'm in a new relationship."

"Really?" Chloe replies. "So, what's her name?"

"L - Lisa."

"Uh-huh. Where'd you meet her?"

"She works at the Planet."

"So you date girls you work with? Who knows, maybe one day you'll end up with Lois." Chloe offers with the biggest grin.

"Yeah."

"I'm surprised you didn't jump all over my case for that one," Chloe accuses with an analytical look. "Clark, are you sure her name is Lisa, and not LOIS?"

"Well, looks like you caught me."

"This is great! My best friend and my cousin! This is awesome! I'm so happy for you guys!"

"Chloe, we just kissed. That's all. We have even said the words `boyfriend' or `girlfriend' or `date' or anything yet. She did call me the sweetest guy she had ever met, though."

"Aww, how sweet."

"BACK to the original topic... you can't tell me you don't like Wally."

"Well, maybe a little bit."

"A little bit? You were giddy the whole time he was here!"

"Fine, I like him a lot, okay? But I can't just break it off with Jimmy because I like a superhero of all guys."

"Guess you have a complex," he teases.

"Like you're one to talk about complexes?"

"Yeah. Well, I can't go to work tomorrow."

"Why?"

"Well, I told Lois that it was my mom who called and that I had to go back to Smallville because my dad was having a heart attack. Don't want to start if off with lies."

"Well, you already did."

"Yeah but she doesn't have to know..."

"Clark! You saw what that did to you and Lana!"

"Yeah well, we're adults now. Lois can handle it."

"Yeah, and she expects you to act like an adult and be honest. But I see what you're saying. Just tell her that your mom called and told you to go home because your dad's okay."

"Yeah, I guess."

"Ya know, they say the third time's the charm."

"Huh?"

"Lana Lang. Lori Lemaris. Maybe this LL girlfriend will be the one."

"Well, when Lana first met Lois, she thought that we were an item. I told her I couldn't stand Lois, and then she said, `The best ones always start out that way.'"

"Maybe she was right." Then, the two of them in unison, "Nah."



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