Chapter 8
Chapter 7
What Time is Made Of
The Year 3009
(Lois POV)
I walked down the familiar path to the Daily Planet. I passed a newspaper stand on my way and glanced at the date on the papers lying there. 3009…I still don’t understand how I got here. I remember fighting with Tess…I remember picking up that ring and then nothing…it’s all a blur.
Let me tell you, waking up in some dark ally…not really all it’s cracked up to be. A horn blaring snapped me out of my thoughts. I rolled my eyes and jogged the rest of the way across the street. I made it to the building and pushed through the revolving doors.
I walked to the elevator, got in and pressed the number three. I felt the elevator jolt as it made its way slowly up. It dinged, the door opened and I got out. I walked through the room and to my desk. I sat down, put my bag in a drawer and angled the name plate on the desk.
I glanced at it and sighed. It read ‘Chloe Sullivan’. Why am I using my cousin’s name? Well when I first got to town and was beyond confused this is the first place I came. After realizing I was in some kind of different time and not loosing my mind I headed to the Daily Planet hoping that if I worked here I’d be able to figure out what the hell was going on.
Yeah, that didn’t exactly work out for me. I told them my name and got the strangest reaction. Apparently Lois Lane was a ‘famous reporter’. Keyword there…was…past tense. Apparently Lois Lane has had several children…grandchildren and then some come through the Daily Planet.
I had to think fast after that, so I made up a story about why I had used her name. I wound up saying that I was related to her and that the latest Lane who just retired from the Planet was a great uncle of mine.
They hired me on the spot. It’s amazing what people will do these days when you drop a name. Since then I’ve managed to uncover these facts. I’m in Metropolis, this is the year 3009, Lois Lane is a famous reporter that introduced one of the worlds greatest superheroes back in the day and life on other planets exist.
I was startled out of my thoughts when my ‘name’ was called.
“Sullivan! Get in here.”
I sighed and got up. Here we go again…I walked across the floor and into the chief’s office.
“Yes, sir?”
“Did you cover the story on the newest member of the Legion?”
“I did.”
“Where is it?”
“I’m about to put it up on broadband now. You want the paper version?”
He nodded and sifted through some papers on his desk before producing a photo. He handed it to me and I glanced at it before looking back at him. He was already back to writing. I rolled my eyes before speaking.
“Sir, what do you want me to do with this picture?”
He glanced up and sighed.
“I want you to take it and scan it into the holograph machine so we can project the picture when we scroll the story on the board outside the building.”
“Got it.”
I left his office, photos in hand and made my way down the hall and out of the bullpen. It took about ten minutes to scan in the picture and set everything up. When I was finished I made my way back to my desk. I looked down, saw a slip, picked it up and read it.
Another story…I grabbed my jacket and made my way back to the elevator. Things here were fast paced, not that Metropolis in 2009 wasn’t…things here are just different and I suspect my drive isn’t as strong because I miss home.
I stepped out of the elevator, pushed the front doors open and made my way back onto the streets. I saw a bus about to stop a few blocks away so I jogged to catch up before it left. I was a few feet away when I glanced down for a second to make sure I had my purse and when I looked back up I collided with what felt like a brick wall.
“Oomph…”
Two strong hands grasped my upper arms and kept me from falling. I looked up and saw the last person I expected to see. I squinted my eyes as my body steadied. My voice held shock when I spoke.
“Smallville?”
He focused on my face and I saw his eyes go wide before he pulled me into a hug. I wrapped my arms around his neck and laughed. I’ve never been so happy to see Smallville in my life…he moved me back grinned.
“Lois…I can’t believe it was this easy.”
He chuckled and I frowned.
“What do you mean easy?”
“I thought it was going to take me forever to find you, but…here you are.”
“How did you find me Clark?”
He hesitated before speaking.
“It’s a long story. Before I get into it I need to ask you a question.”
I nodded and motioned for him to continue.
“Have you heard of something called the Legion?”
I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms over my chest.
“I’ve been here for a little over three months Smallville, of course I know who the Legion of Superheroes are. The question is, how do you know who they are?”
He sighed before speaking.
“Listen Lois, we really don’t have time for me to try and explain everything right now, but the Legion can send us home. I need you to tell me how to find Rokk Krinn.”
My head was officially reeling. Clark is standing in front of me saying the way for us to get home has been right under my nose all this time? No…this was unacceptable…I need to know what the hell is going on. I took a deep breath and spoke calmly.
“Clark, if you want to know where Rokk Krinn is then you will tell me what the hell is going on and how I got here. I’m tired of being lied to.”
He glanced around the street at the people passing us by and then back at me. I could see hesitation on his face, and I raised an eyebrow. His shoulders slumped and he moved closer to me. His eyes met mine and he spoke.
“Fine…the truth is…I’m the red, blue blur Lois. I’ve been hiding my identity all this time…to protect myself and the people I care about…its been me all along…”
His voice trailed off and I gasped, my eyes widened and I placed a hand over my mouth. Oh my god…it all made sense now…his snooping…the disappearing acts…the miraculous saves…Smallville, Kansas farmboy is a hero…
The current Year 2009
(Chloe POV)
I was buttoning my shirt back up when there was a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
I turned around as the door opened and the doctor smiled at me. I hoped back up on the counter and raised an eyebrow. He opened the folder that held my test results and read through them. Unfortunately I’m not a very patient person…
“Well, what’s the verdict doc?”
He glanced up and his voice was calm when he spoke.
“You’re powers are back.”
“Really? I didn’t realize that…”
I trailed off and let the sarcasm sink in. He sighed.
“What exactly do you want me to tell you? We were never sure why your powers left to begin with. I think when you were infected by the alien DNA or virus it sort of blocked your ability to heal. Now that it’s cleared out of your system once and for all…well your powers have regenerated.”
I nodded.
“It’s not like last time. When I healed Dinah…I didn’t take on her wound. I was weak for a little while, but I didn’t almost die.”
He nodded again and smiled.
“That means your power is progressing. That’s a good thing. We’ll keep an eye on it and if anything new comes up or anything changes, just let me know.”
“Okay.”
He took his chart, opened the door and walked out. I could hear him calling for Bart so I hopped off the counter and got ready to go meet Oliver for lunch. I grabbed my jacket, brushed off my black pants, grabbed my purse and Oliver’s key and left the building.
It took me close to an hour before I made it into Metropolis. The traffic was ridiculous. I pulled up to the Ace of Clubs at one-forty-five. I got out, gave the vale Oliver’s car, and made my way into the building and upstairs. When I got out of the elevator I gave the host my name and said I was meeting Mr. Queen.
He led me to a table toward the back of the room where I saw Oliver scrolling through his phone. He glanced up when we were about two feet away and smiled. He stood, pulled out a chair for me and nodded in the host’s direction.
I smiled and sat down. He leaned in and gave me a light kiss before returning to his seat. I glanced to the side and noticed people watching us. I raised an eyebrow in Oliver’s direction and he shrugged.
“People are nosey.”
“I can see that…so, how did your meeting with Tess go?”
I saw him frown as he picked an invisible piece of lint off his jacket.
“She’s up to something. I’m not exactly sure what, but we’ll figure it out. She tried to get me to go to Smallville with her.”
I laughed.
“Oh yeah? Why?”
He titled his head to the side and gave me a look that said ‘really…come on now…’ I nodded.
“Ah…and you didn’t go?”
His eyebrows creased together.
“Of course I didn’t go. Chloe…when I suggested we do this I meant all of it. I don’t plan on seeing anyone else. I had hoped that, that was the case with you as well.”
“It is and I’m not. I just thought maybe…I don’t know.”
Right as Oliver was about to open his mouth and say something the waiter came. He took our orders and when he left Oliver’s face held a look of seriousness on it. He met my eyes and then looked down at his glass of wine.
“I was wondering if I could talk to you about something.”
“Sure.”
He hesitated before speaking again.
“I spoke with Clark this morning.”
My body tensed and I put down my glass.
“Okay…”
“We talked about you.”
I shook my head.
“Oliver…I thought we discussed this.”
“I know, I know, but you were so upset last night. I couldn’t just leave it like that.”
My voice held frustration when I spoke.
“Great…what did you say to him Oliver?”
He sighed and looked up at me.
“I just told him that maybe he should stay out of your life if he wasn’t going to apologize and treat you the way you deserve to be treated.”
“Ollie…”
My voice trailed off and I took a deep breath before continuing.
“I know you’re trying to help and I appreciate it, but it just makes things worse. I don’t need Clark thinking…”
He cut me off.
“Thinking that you have someone who cares about you? Someone who’s actually willing to fight for you?”
I frowned.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
I saw Oliver’s anger deflate before he spoke.
“Clark admitted something to me earlier today…something I wasn’t aware of.”
I motioned for him to continue and I could see him hesitate again. He opened his mouth, but before he could say anything there was a loud crash at the front of the restaurant. My head whipped around and Oliver glanced over my shoulder.
What the hell…I heard a girl scream, which was followed by other louder screams. Oliver stood up and I followed his lead. There was another crash when one of the waiters was thrown across the room into the bar. I looked back at the front door and saw two figures standing there in all black.
I was too far away to make out their faces so I took a step closer and Oliver grabbed my arm. I turned my head in his direction. His eyes were wide and his jaw was set.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to see what’s going on. We need to help.”
“Chloe…”
His voice was cut off and before he could finish I watched as he was thrown about five feet in the air and landed against a wall. I gasped and ran over to him. Oh god…open your eyes Oliver. I shook him lightly and he groaned. I felt myself breathing again.
“Oliver…get up…are you okay?”
He opened his eyes and when they focused on me I watched them grow big as he grabbed me around the waist and flipped us over. I heard a loud crash by the side of my head and when I glanced over there was a table upended laying right in the spot we just vacated.
We scrambled up and I finally got a good look at the people in black suits. Oh my god…it’s two of the kids from my Isis group…what were they doing…I couldn’t for the life of me remember their names. The guy came toward Oliver and I with a smirk on his face.
“There you are…it’s time for us to take a little trip”
I frowned.
“What do you want?”
“You…”
The kid walked toward me and Oliver stepped between us. I watched as the kid stuck out his hand. Oliver grabbed a dish from the table next to us and tossed it at the kids head. It cracked on the side upon impact and the kid dropped his arm down.
Oliver grabbed my hand and we started to run around him when the girl kicked Oliver sending him down on one knee. I felt myself being pulled back and I gave a startled yelp. Oliver stood again and she immediately attacked him. I watched as they threw kick after kick and punch after punch.
When her foot connected with Oliver’s face I called out to him and tried to make my way over to him. I didn’t get three steps before an invisible force was squeezing at my neck. I tried to grab at it, but nothing was there. I looked on as the girl approached Oliver, who was lying on the ground, with a knife.
The hold on my neck loosened and I screamed.
“NO..OLIVER!”
She turned grinned in my direction and I watched as her hand came up poised over his stomach. I was struggling against nothing when I felt the oxygen leaving my body. I watched as her poised hand came down quickly toward Oliver. That’s the last thing I saw before everything went black…
Chapter 7
What Time is Made Of
The Year 3009
(Lois POV)
I walked down the familiar path to the Daily Planet. I passed a newspaper stand on my way and glanced at the date on the papers lying there. 3009…I still don’t understand how I got here. I remember fighting with Tess…I remember picking up that ring and then nothing…it’s all a blur.
Let me tell you, waking up in some dark ally…not really all it’s cracked up to be. A horn blaring snapped me out of my thoughts. I rolled my eyes and jogged the rest of the way across the street. I made it to the building and pushed through the revolving doors.
I walked to the elevator, got in and pressed the number three. I felt the elevator jolt as it made its way slowly up. It dinged, the door opened and I got out. I walked through the room and to my desk. I sat down, put my bag in a drawer and angled the name plate on the desk.
I glanced at it and sighed. It read ‘Chloe Sullivan’. Why am I using my cousin’s name? Well when I first got to town and was beyond confused this is the first place I came. After realizing I was in some kind of different time and not loosing my mind I headed to the Daily Planet hoping that if I worked here I’d be able to figure out what the hell was going on.
Yeah, that didn’t exactly work out for me. I told them my name and got the strangest reaction. Apparently Lois Lane was a ‘famous reporter’. Keyword there…was…past tense. Apparently Lois Lane has had several children…grandchildren and then some come through the Daily Planet.
I had to think fast after that, so I made up a story about why I had used her name. I wound up saying that I was related to her and that the latest Lane who just retired from the Planet was a great uncle of mine.
They hired me on the spot. It’s amazing what people will do these days when you drop a name. Since then I’ve managed to uncover these facts. I’m in Metropolis, this is the year 3009, Lois Lane is a famous reporter that introduced one of the worlds greatest superheroes back in the day and life on other planets exist.
I was startled out of my thoughts when my ‘name’ was called.
“Sullivan! Get in here.”
I sighed and got up. Here we go again…I walked across the floor and into the chief’s office.
“Yes, sir?”
“Did you cover the story on the newest member of the Legion?”
“I did.”
“Where is it?”
“I’m about to put it up on broadband now. You want the paper version?”
He nodded and sifted through some papers on his desk before producing a photo. He handed it to me and I glanced at it before looking back at him. He was already back to writing. I rolled my eyes before speaking.
“Sir, what do you want me to do with this picture?”
He glanced up and sighed.
“I want you to take it and scan it into the holograph machine so we can project the picture when we scroll the story on the board outside the building.”
“Got it.”
I left his office, photos in hand and made my way down the hall and out of the bullpen. It took about ten minutes to scan in the picture and set everything up. When I was finished I made my way back to my desk. I looked down, saw a slip, picked it up and read it.
Another story…I grabbed my jacket and made my way back to the elevator. Things here were fast paced, not that Metropolis in 2009 wasn’t…things here are just different and I suspect my drive isn’t as strong because I miss home.
I stepped out of the elevator, pushed the front doors open and made my way back onto the streets. I saw a bus about to stop a few blocks away so I jogged to catch up before it left. I was a few feet away when I glanced down for a second to make sure I had my purse and when I looked back up I collided with what felt like a brick wall.
“Oomph…”
Two strong hands grasped my upper arms and kept me from falling. I looked up and saw the last person I expected to see. I squinted my eyes as my body steadied. My voice held shock when I spoke.
“Smallville?”
He focused on my face and I saw his eyes go wide before he pulled me into a hug. I wrapped my arms around his neck and laughed. I’ve never been so happy to see Smallville in my life…he moved me back grinned.
“Lois…I can’t believe it was this easy.”
He chuckled and I frowned.
“What do you mean easy?”
“I thought it was going to take me forever to find you, but…here you are.”
“How did you find me Clark?”
He hesitated before speaking.
“It’s a long story. Before I get into it I need to ask you a question.”
I nodded and motioned for him to continue.
“Have you heard of something called the Legion?”
I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms over my chest.
“I’ve been here for a little over three months Smallville, of course I know who the Legion of Superheroes are. The question is, how do you know who they are?”
He sighed before speaking.
“Listen Lois, we really don’t have time for me to try and explain everything right now, but the Legion can send us home. I need you to tell me how to find Rokk Krinn.”
My head was officially reeling. Clark is standing in front of me saying the way for us to get home has been right under my nose all this time? No…this was unacceptable…I need to know what the hell is going on. I took a deep breath and spoke calmly.
“Clark, if you want to know where Rokk Krinn is then you will tell me what the hell is going on and how I got here. I’m tired of being lied to.”
He glanced around the street at the people passing us by and then back at me. I could see hesitation on his face, and I raised an eyebrow. His shoulders slumped and he moved closer to me. His eyes met mine and he spoke.
“Fine…the truth is…I’m the red, blue blur Lois. I’ve been hiding my identity all this time…to protect myself and the people I care about…its been me all along…”
His voice trailed off and I gasped, my eyes widened and I placed a hand over my mouth. Oh my god…it all made sense now…his snooping…the disappearing acts…the miraculous saves…Smallville, Kansas farmboy is a hero…
The current Year 2009
(Chloe POV)
I was buttoning my shirt back up when there was a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
I turned around as the door opened and the doctor smiled at me. I hoped back up on the counter and raised an eyebrow. He opened the folder that held my test results and read through them. Unfortunately I’m not a very patient person…
“Well, what’s the verdict doc?”
He glanced up and his voice was calm when he spoke.
“You’re powers are back.”
“Really? I didn’t realize that…”
I trailed off and let the sarcasm sink in. He sighed.
“What exactly do you want me to tell you? We were never sure why your powers left to begin with. I think when you were infected by the alien DNA or virus it sort of blocked your ability to heal. Now that it’s cleared out of your system once and for all…well your powers have regenerated.”
I nodded.
“It’s not like last time. When I healed Dinah…I didn’t take on her wound. I was weak for a little while, but I didn’t almost die.”
He nodded again and smiled.
“That means your power is progressing. That’s a good thing. We’ll keep an eye on it and if anything new comes up or anything changes, just let me know.”
“Okay.”
He took his chart, opened the door and walked out. I could hear him calling for Bart so I hopped off the counter and got ready to go meet Oliver for lunch. I grabbed my jacket, brushed off my black pants, grabbed my purse and Oliver’s key and left the building.
It took me close to an hour before I made it into Metropolis. The traffic was ridiculous. I pulled up to the Ace of Clubs at one-forty-five. I got out, gave the vale Oliver’s car, and made my way into the building and upstairs. When I got out of the elevator I gave the host my name and said I was meeting Mr. Queen.
He led me to a table toward the back of the room where I saw Oliver scrolling through his phone. He glanced up when we were about two feet away and smiled. He stood, pulled out a chair for me and nodded in the host’s direction.
I smiled and sat down. He leaned in and gave me a light kiss before returning to his seat. I glanced to the side and noticed people watching us. I raised an eyebrow in Oliver’s direction and he shrugged.
“People are nosey.”
“I can see that…so, how did your meeting with Tess go?”
I saw him frown as he picked an invisible piece of lint off his jacket.
“She’s up to something. I’m not exactly sure what, but we’ll figure it out. She tried to get me to go to Smallville with her.”
I laughed.
“Oh yeah? Why?”
He titled his head to the side and gave me a look that said ‘really…come on now…’ I nodded.
“Ah…and you didn’t go?”
His eyebrows creased together.
“Of course I didn’t go. Chloe…when I suggested we do this I meant all of it. I don’t plan on seeing anyone else. I had hoped that, that was the case with you as well.”
“It is and I’m not. I just thought maybe…I don’t know.”
Right as Oliver was about to open his mouth and say something the waiter came. He took our orders and when he left Oliver’s face held a look of seriousness on it. He met my eyes and then looked down at his glass of wine.
“I was wondering if I could talk to you about something.”
“Sure.”
He hesitated before speaking again.
“I spoke with Clark this morning.”
My body tensed and I put down my glass.
“Okay…”
“We talked about you.”
I shook my head.
“Oliver…I thought we discussed this.”
“I know, I know, but you were so upset last night. I couldn’t just leave it like that.”
My voice held frustration when I spoke.
“Great…what did you say to him Oliver?”
He sighed and looked up at me.
“I just told him that maybe he should stay out of your life if he wasn’t going to apologize and treat you the way you deserve to be treated.”
“Ollie…”
My voice trailed off and I took a deep breath before continuing.
“I know you’re trying to help and I appreciate it, but it just makes things worse. I don’t need Clark thinking…”
He cut me off.
“Thinking that you have someone who cares about you? Someone who’s actually willing to fight for you?”
I frowned.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
I saw Oliver’s anger deflate before he spoke.
“Clark admitted something to me earlier today…something I wasn’t aware of.”
I motioned for him to continue and I could see him hesitate again. He opened his mouth, but before he could say anything there was a loud crash at the front of the restaurant. My head whipped around and Oliver glanced over my shoulder.
What the hell…I heard a girl scream, which was followed by other louder screams. Oliver stood up and I followed his lead. There was another crash when one of the waiters was thrown across the room into the bar. I looked back at the front door and saw two figures standing there in all black.
I was too far away to make out their faces so I took a step closer and Oliver grabbed my arm. I turned my head in his direction. His eyes were wide and his jaw was set.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to see what’s going on. We need to help.”
“Chloe…”
His voice was cut off and before he could finish I watched as he was thrown about five feet in the air and landed against a wall. I gasped and ran over to him. Oh god…open your eyes Oliver. I shook him lightly and he groaned. I felt myself breathing again.
“Oliver…get up…are you okay?”
He opened his eyes and when they focused on me I watched them grow big as he grabbed me around the waist and flipped us over. I heard a loud crash by the side of my head and when I glanced over there was a table upended laying right in the spot we just vacated.
We scrambled up and I finally got a good look at the people in black suits. Oh my god…it’s two of the kids from my Isis group…what were they doing…I couldn’t for the life of me remember their names. The guy came toward Oliver and I with a smirk on his face.
“There you are…it’s time for us to take a little trip”
I frowned.
“What do you want?”
“You…”
The kid walked toward me and Oliver stepped between us. I watched as the kid stuck out his hand. Oliver grabbed a dish from the table next to us and tossed it at the kids head. It cracked on the side upon impact and the kid dropped his arm down.
Oliver grabbed my hand and we started to run around him when the girl kicked Oliver sending him down on one knee. I felt myself being pulled back and I gave a startled yelp. Oliver stood again and she immediately attacked him. I watched as they threw kick after kick and punch after punch.
When her foot connected with Oliver’s face I called out to him and tried to make my way over to him. I didn’t get three steps before an invisible force was squeezing at my neck. I tried to grab at it, but nothing was there. I looked on as the girl approached Oliver, who was lying on the ground, with a knife.
The hold on my neck loosened and I screamed.
“NO..OLIVER!”
She turned grinned in my direction and I watched as her hand came up poised over his stomach. I was struggling against nothing when I felt the oxygen leaving my body. I watched as her poised hand came down quickly toward Oliver. That’s the last thing I saw before everything went black…
Great chapter and very cliff hangy. Also I like how Clark found Lois very easily and finally told her who he was. I love it so fare.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're enjoying it so far. Only three chapters left! :-)
-C