The only thing that equaled news from the Soviet Union was news about Lex Luthor. He was notoriously famous for turning down any and all requests for interviews but to Lois Lane that was just a pesky detail.

The walls around his home were so tall, one couldn't hope to peek or climb over it. She went up to the large metal gate with a guard inside his security booth. It seemed more the entrance to a prison than a home.

"Can I help you, miss?" he asked.

"I'm Lois Lane. Daily Planet. I've been calling for an interview for months with no response. I thought Mr. Luthor must not be getting my calls, so I should come down and see him in person."

"But you're a woman."

She rolled her eyes. Why did men always get hung up on that part? It was the 1940s after all. Women reporters weren't that rare a breed though maybe a bit rarer in the investigative department. "Brilliant deduction. Your talents are wasted here as a security guard. You should have been a detective."

The fool actually took her somewhat seriously because he blushed as if she were flirting. "You see Mr. Luthor doesn't-"

He was cut off by the man himself who stood just behind the metal bars. "I am known to make exceptions where such a beautiful woman is concerned. Let her in."

Lois smirked. Her father had often said she should have been born a boy because of her hobbies and her chosen career path and probably because military man that he was, he had hoped for a son, but sometimes it paid to be a woman even in this line of work.

It was hard to mistake him even if he hadn't said anything, not only did he carry with him an air of confidence and power that was unmistakable, but his trademark red hair shone even in the low lighting.

"Have you eaten, yet?" he asked as she stepped through the gate, playing the gracious host.

"I just got off work."

"Then you must join me for dinner. I was just about to dine myself."

It would help her if he was more at ease, so she said, "Sure."

Behind the fearsome wall, the house was much less foreboding. It wasn't exactly friendly, but it was very sophisticated. The finest of everything. And the food wasn't any different.

A servant brought a bottle of wine and lobster with fancy rice on the side, enough for two.

"It's almost like you knew I was coming," she commented as Mr. Luthor poured the wine.

"Not at all. I always makes sure there's plenty in case an unexpected visitor drops by."

"Interesting," she said as she unfolded the cloth napkin in her lap. "It's a big house for a man without a family, isn't it?"

"You mean why don't you hear the pitter patter of little feet running around?"

"In a manner of speaking. You don't have kids, do you?"

"No, the idea's never been appealing to me. I prefer my legacy to be greater than adding to the already overpopulated world."

She grinned. "Can I quote you on that?"

"I'd be disappointed if you didn't. Though I admit it is a little lonely at times. I wouldn't be opposed to some female companionship."

"So you're looking for a wife. The readers will love to hear that. You're Metropolis' most eligible bachelor."

"That's what I hear. What about you? Married? Kids?"

"Heavens no. I'm not the housewife type. You know most people had to tighten their pocketbooks until productivity increased because of the war. How did LuthorCorp manage to keep expanding through that period?"

"That's something you'd have to ask my father. I inherited the company from him. My you are cutthroat, aren't you? I thought we were going to stick to the niceties."

"I don't write fluff pieces. I write hard-hitting pieces. I find the truth everyone wants to know or needs to know."

"I can appreciate that, and I admire it. I've been following your career. You carved out quite the name for yourself during the war. It's a pleasure to finally have a face with the name, especially when it's such a lovely face."

"We're not here to talk about me."

He chuckled as he dabbed the corner of his lips with his napkin. "Fair enough. Fire away."

He was polite. He answered every question she threw at him, yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye.

When dinner was finished, she stood to go. "Thank you, Mr. Luthor. I think I have all I need for the article."

"I disagree, Miss Lane. I don't think you know me nearly well enough. How about dinner this time tomorrow?"

He was asking her on a date. "Why not?"