The next morning at the Planet Perry is reading over Lois' article. He's going to have order at least treble the normal number of papers to be printed up. This was just great. He didn't know how Lois did it, he didn't care really. The Daily Planet had the exclusive of the century and the follow ups were endless. Lois hadn't hanged around. He knew from the look on her face she had another story to pursue. While he would never admit it he cared for her like a daughter, she truly was one of the best reporters he had ever seen.

Clark walks in having read the early edition of Lois's article. Superman? How the heck had she come up with that? He really wished he had thought of a name. He walks over to Chloe's desk and pushed his glasses back up his nose "Morning Chloe"

"Morning Supes" Chloe grins evilly.

Oh God Supes? "Chloe could you keep it quiet, I don't think they heard you in Gotham"

"Take it easy Clark"

"How could you let her come up with a name like that?" Clark demands to know.

"Whoa Clark. This is Lois you're talking about. I can't stop her from doing anything you know that and besides a better question is what have you done with the real Lois?"

"What are you on about?"

"One night with you she's gone from the most sceptical reporter on Earth to a cheery, happy person who takes people, namely you, at their word"

"You've lost me Chloe"

"She took your warning about the helicopter without question"

"Well it's true and I never lie"

"That's what she said. What happened last night?"

"Nothing, I gave an interview"

"And?" Chloe prods knowing he is hiding something.

"And they may have been some flirting" Clark relunctantly reveals.

"She flirted with you!"

"No, well yes, well I mean it was sort of a mutual thing"

"You flirted with her!"

"I don't know what came over me. I flew there and she was in that dress and she asked me to tell her what colour underwear she was wearing". Clark is almost babbling. He really shouldn't have looked. He spent half the night dreaming about her.

"She didn't" Chloe is near hysterics

"Chloe it's not funny"

Chloe tries to stifle her giggles "Did you look?"

Clark looks away and blushes.

"Oh my god you did!"

He looks back at Chloe "Well I couldn't lie and say I couldn't see through things now could I?"

Chloe coughs and stops laughing "No, no you couldn't" She then bursts out laughing again.

Clark is away to go back to his desk when there is breaking news on the tv about an earthquake in Turkey.

Clark looks at Chloe. "Go Clark, I'll cover for you"

"Thank you" Clark zips off as quickly as he can.

As soon as Clark is gone Lois walks over "Where's he off to?"

"Oh he has an errand to do" Changing subjects. "So what about looking into this attempt on your life?"

"Well since my so called partner is obviously busy I guess it'll just have to be you and me Chloe." Clark does this habit of disappearing at odd times. Lois shrugs. He has always been a little strange. Right back to business. Lois yawns. She's tired. She couldn't get to sleep last night. She couldn't get Superman out of her mind. How it felt when he held her when they were flying. Even thinking about it sends shivers up her spine. She had never felt such an instant attraction to anyone before.

"Lois" Chloe tries to snap her of her daydream. "Lois!" she repeats louder.

"Huh, what?"

"Helicopter!" Chloe reminds her.

"Oh right" Mind on the job Lane. "Lets go"

Chloe stands up and she and Lois head off. "Lois where are we going?"

"I told you"

"No you didn't"

Oh god, got to get focused. "Sorry. They took the helicopter back to the airfield it's stored in. I figure we go and find the last guy who did maintenance on it and ask him politely why he tried to kill me?

"How do you know it was him?"

"I don't but that always throws them off guard."

Chloe rolls her eyes. Only Lois could come up with this plan.

A little later Chloe and Lois have sneaked into the office at the airfield and are trawling through the maintenance records. "Found anything Chloe"

Chloe looks up from the computer "Give me a minute Lois, they service a lot of helicopters here"

Chloe scrolls down, "Here it is. It was serviced by a George Reeves"

At which moment a man enters the office "What are you two doing in here?"

On his overall is the name Reeves. Lois seizes the opportunity "How about you tell me why you tried to kill me the other day"

George tenses up. He had no choice but to do it. You don't cross Lex Luthor. "I have no idea what your on about"

Lois in all her Mad Dog posture "You don't. Well lets recap. My helicopter crashed and I nearly died. It wasn't an accident and you were the last person to service it"

"I did and it was fine. Now leave" George walks off with Lois in pursuit, followed by Chloe.

"Come now Mr Reeves, I know someone put you up to this. I can help you" Lois tries to reach him.

George stops and turns round "You can't, not from him"

Lois stops and Chloe walks up beside her. Chloe speaks in a more gentle tone than Lois "It was Luthor wasn't it"

George doesn't move.

Lois now softens her voice "We can help you even against him"

George's eyes widen. Lois hears a noise and sees Chloe collapse to the ground. She spins round to be face with face with Lex's assistant Mercy. "I should have known you'd be doing Lex's dirty work"

Mercy hits Lois "Nothing personal Ms Lane"

Lois staggers back, her lip split. She blocks Mercy's next punch and kicks her. Mercy's now staggers back "I take my near death very personal." She punches Mercy, cutting her lip.

Mercy wipes the blood away. Lois swings at her again, she dodges and hits Lois in the face again. Lois's momentum sends her to the floor. Mercy kicks her in the head knocking her out. She reaches back up to her lip. Damn Lane woman. It was a good thing she had kept an eye on her. She turns to George "Get something to tie them up". George hesitates "Now!". He runs off. She gets her phone out her pocket and dials "Mr Luthor we have a problem"

By the time Clark gets back from Turkey it's night time. So many dead. He saved as many as he could. He just has to accept he can't save everyone. He's flying home when his ears pick up the unmistakable sonic scream of the Black Canary. Ouch. He's going to have a headache all night now. He decides to go investigate and traces it to a warehouse. Why is it always a warehouse? He x-rays the building and sees Dinah pinned down by at least half a dozen gunmen. In the blink of an eye he's through the wall.

Dinah is not having a good night. It's just a simple drug deal Oliver said. Right! He could have mentioned it was Intergang dealing. They have firepower an army would envy. So here she is pinned down and her communicator is broken. The crate she is hiding behind is slowly disintegrating. She spots a man to her left and lets loose her sonic scream. He collapses in pain. Well that's one down. Wait what's that noise. Oh crap, a grenade. Dinah dives out the way but the blast disorientates her. When she regains her senses she finds half a dozen men pointing guns at her. The leader, well she assumes the leader speaks "Kill her"

Just as the men pull the trigger she hears a wall break and suddenly in front of her is a man in a red cape. It must be that man on the news. She had driven Oliver crazy with watching it all day. Even though she could only see his back, the camera didn't do him justice.

Clark bursts in just as the men try to kill Dinah. He sands in front of her and lets the bullets bounce off him. When they had emptied their clips they move to reload. "Maybe you gentlemen haven't heard, I'm bullet-proof". They continue to reload. Clark aims his heat vision and destroys all the guns. Then at superspeed he finds some chains and ties the men up. "That'll hold you till the police come". He then goes to check on Dinah.

Dinah watches in amazement as the bullets bounce off the man. It reminded her a lot of Clark Kent but she hadn't seen him in years, in fact no-one had. Then at speed Bart would be hard pushed to match he tied the men up and walks over to her. She studies his face. "Clark?"

Clark smiles "Hello Dinah and it's Superman now" Ok when did he accept that as his name. Strange but it does have a certain ring to it. Clark offers his hand.

Dinah takes his hand and gets back to her feet. "Well in that case it's Black Canary."

They both share a slight chuckle. Clark looks her over.

"Are you checking me out? You do know I'm seeing Oliver"

"Yes I do know and I'm just x-raying you for injury"

"X-raying?"

"Not read the paper today I take it"

"Nope"

"It's one of my powers. I was just checking you for internal injury"

"Ok then" Dinah checks Clark over. Wow. Ooh bad Dinah.

Clark ignores Dinah looking him over "So you want a lift?"

"If it's not too much trouble. I lost my communicator. Oliver's going to kill me"

"I'll protect you" Clark picks her up and they walk outside.

"So you really fly?"

"Yes I do" Clark takes off. "Still based in the clock tower then?"

"Yeah, Oliver's awful fond of it". Dinah just shakes her head in disbelief at the fact she is flying. She had always known Clark was something different but she had no idea. "What's in the paper that I have to read?"

"I gave an interview" he informs her.

"An interview? We don't do that sort of thing"

"I do"

Dinah notices Clark's suit is dirty "Why are you dirty?"

"Earthquake in Turkey. I was flying back when I heard your 'call'. For someone with super hearing you're kind of hard to miss"

"I think that was an insult"

"Maybe but without it I wouldn't have found you"

"Well thanks then"

"Your welcome." They soon came up to the clock tower. Clark lands on the balcony and puts Dinah down. He is about to leave when Dinah stops him "You should come say hi"

"I'm not sure. They're all there" Clark had heard Oliver, Bart, Victor and AC long before he landed.

"Come on. They don't bite and besides even if they did they can't hurt you"

Clark could sense he wasn't winning this argument. "Ok then". Dinah slides the door open and they walk in.

Oliver had been frantic all night. He hadn't been able to get hold of Dinah for hours. He knew he should have gone with her but a meeting overran. In desperation he had called up Bart, Victor and AC. Bart as usual was first. Luckily Oliver had learned to keep snacks around for him. So he just happily ate. When Victor and AC arrived he explained his big rescue plan. Bart gave his opinion "Dude, you are so overreacting. Dinah's a big girl"

"I hate to agree with Bart but he's right" AC says.

Oliver knew they were probably right but still he had really grown fond of Dinah. "Humour me"

They all shrug their shoulders. Just then the balcony window slides open and in walks Dinah and Clark. Dinah walks towards Oliver "You can call off the rescue I'm here"

Oliver rushes over and embraces her. He is distracted by Bart "Dude, it's Superman"

Oliver hadn't paid attention and hadn't actually noticed him which considering his size was saying something.

Victor spoke up "Since when do we invite strangers here"

Clark still couldn't believe no-one recognised him "Well it's nice to see you too Victor". Clark walks over to AC "AC" and finally to Bart "Hello Bart. You know I still like Burrito's if you ever feel like a race"

Bart was slightly caught off. The only person he raced to Mexico with was Clark. "Clark, is that you?"

"Well apparently I go by Superman now but yes."

Oliver wanted to smack himself in the head. Of course it's Clark. Wow those glasses he wore the other night work great as a disguise. "Olly where's today's paper?" Dinah asks him.

"On my desk" he tells her.

She kisses his cheek "Thanks" and goes off and sits at his desk and reads the Planet.

Oliver turns back to Clark "What happened?"

"I was just flying by when I heard her. Really Oliver sending her against half a dozen heavily armed men which reminds me they're tied up in that warehouse, you should probably tell the police"

The other 3 look at Oliver "What? I didn't know"

They're interrupted by a scream from Dinah "You're an alien!"

Clark looks at her "I prefer intergalactic traveller"

She stands up and walks over and studies him "You're a real life alien?"

"Yes"

"But you look so, so"

Clark can't believes he gets this every time someone finds out. "Human" he supplies.

"Well yeah"

"It helps me blend in. You should see my alter ego"

"Alter ego?" Dinah's confused.

"Page 20" That's where Clark's latest story had been relegated to.

Dinah turns to page 20. "What am I looking for?"

"The article on the left. Read the name of the writer"

Dinah reads it. "You work at the Planet! How? I mean no-one recognised you"

"Nope. It's a good disguise, ask Oliver"

They all look at Oliver. "Dude, you knew he was back?" Bart asks.

"Well I didn't know he was Superman. By the way, why Superman?"

Clark sighs "Lois came up with it. My Kryptonian name would have done me at a push"

AC looks at him "What name?"

"Kal-El" it's Dinah still reading the paper.

"What she said" Clark says pointing at her.

Meanwhile Lois is finally coming round. She shouldn't have been out this long. God her head is killing her. She looks round. She's in a helicopter. Next to her is Chloe. Her hands and legs are tied. "Chloe, wake up"

Chloe slowly comes round "Lois? Where are we? What happened?"

"It was that bimbo assistant of Lex. She attacked us"

Chloe looks round, it's dark. "Is it night time?"

"I think so"

"How were we out for so long?"

"You were drugged" They both look at the source of the voice and Lois hisses "Luthor"

Lex had been slightly surprised by Mercy's call. Lois had slipped up faster than he expected but no matter. He had a perfect opportunity to be rid of her. He had Mercy drug her. Better to do this at night when no-one's around. He arrived at the airfield after dark and heard voices from the helicopter he had had Mercy hide them in. "Evening Ms Lane, Ms Sullivan. Well you should be more careful. Airfields can be a dangerous place, full of flammable liquids."

Lois didn't want the lecture "Skip the speech Lex"

"Terribly rude. As I was saying, did you know helicopter fuel can be quite explosive" He pulls back and Lois can see Mercy pouring a line of gas from the helicopter back towards the exit. "Well Ms Lane this is where we part. The fire will destroy any trace of you and Ms Sullivan." With that Lex slams the door shut and walks off.

"Lois what are we going to do?" Chloe asks her.

Lois didn't know. It wasn't exactly like they could yell for help. Who would hear them? Wait. Didn't Superman say just to yell for him. She could smell smoke, they didn't have a lot of time. "I hope this works. SUPERMAN! I need help! Help! Superman!"

Back in the clock tower Clark picks up Lois' voice. "I have to go, Lois is in trouble." Before anyone can say anything Clark is gone.

AC cuts in "Since when does he fly?"

Victor is next "Who knows. Think he'll join us this time?"

Oliver watches him leave, even he is rather stunned. "He will, when he's ready"

"Dude, I am so going to have to challenge him to a race" Bart comments.

They all look at Bart.

"What?"

Clark arrives at the airfield and quickly finds Lois. He sucks in the fire and blows it out harmlessly into the air. He finds the door locked so he just rips it off. He's glad to see Lois and Chloe unharmed. "You called"

Lois smiles "What took you?"

"Traffic was terrible" Clark breaks their restraints and helps them out. He holds onto Lois longer than he should . Her touch has an almost hypnotic effect on him. Their faces move towards each other. They're interrupted by Chloe coughing.

Lois was enjoying the sensation of Superman's touch. Her face unconsciously moves towards his. She thinks she might kiss him but then Chloe coughs and they break apart. "Oh Superman, this is my cousin Chloe Sullivan"

Clark pulls back from Lois and turns and extends his hand "A pleasure Miss Sullivan"

Chloe going along with it takes his hand "Nice to meet you." She could see what Clark meant about the flirting. Honestly how does he get himself into these things?

Clark decides to ask what's going on "So what happened to you?"

Lois with some anger in her voice "In two words, Lex Luthor"

"Can you prove that?"

Chloe sighs "Not a chance. He no doubt has several witnesses that can collaborate he was nowhere near here."

Lois hated to agree "I'm afraid Chloe is right. It would just be our word against his"

Clark knew they were right. Still he was going to have to do something about Lex.

"Well at least let me take you home" Clark holds Lois and Chloe in each arm and flies them home. He places them down on their apartment block roof. "Will you two be alright?"

Lois with a smile, boy she loves flying with him "Yes, thank you"

With that Clark flies off. Lois watches him leave. Chloe rolls her eyes "Come on Lois. I would like a shower"

"What? Oh yeah"

On their way down the stairs they bump into Clark, suit, glasses the whole thing. Chloe smirks. How does he do that?

Clark decided he better put in an appearance. After all he had been gone all day dealing with that earthquake. "There you are. I've been looking for you two for hours"

Lois while slightly touched by his concern wasn't about to overlook his disappearance act this morning "Well if you hadn't disappeared this morning you could have spent today nearly getting killed with me, you remember me, your partner"

"I had things to do Lois and when I got back to the Planet you were gone"

"Yeah, yeah. Well lucky for you Superman was around"

"Really, you got to see him again?"

"Yes and if you're very lucky Smallville, I might introduce you one day"

"Gee Lois that would be swell." Clark pushes his glasses back up his nose.

Again with the swell. "Well I would like to get a shower and take a whole bottle of aspirin so out the way." Lois shoves Clark aside and is off.

Chloe walks up beside him "So she ignores you as Clark and throws herself at you when your Superman. Good job there, you're in a love triangle with yourself"

"What are you on about Chloe?"

"Clark I saw you at the airfield. If I hadn't been there, I think you would have kissed her"

Would he have? Oh god she's right. "The problem there is Chloe I am Clark Kent and Superman is simply what I can do"

"Then I suggest you try to keep Superman's relationship with Lois a professional one"

Again she's right. "You're right. It's just I do care about her Chloe"

"I know. Look it's probably just an infatuation that will pass. Heck even I think your attractive in that costume. You just have this presence about you"

"Is that a good thing?"

"In your case yes. You are rather intimidating you know"

Clark smiles and hugs Chloe "You're a good friend"

"I know that too. So have a good day?"

"I rescued Dinah from some gunmen"

"Really" Chloe didn't know she was in town.

"Yep, even met Bart, AC and Victor. Do I really look that different?"

"They didn't recognise you did they"

"No"

"See I told you my make over skills were good. What are you going to do for the rest of the night?"

"Oh I'll fly up, listen out for whoever needs me but first I think I'll visit an old friend"

Clark leaves and Chloe stands there rather perplexed. Old friend?

Lex is back in his office. The lack of explosion means that Lois and Chloe survived. He swallows his large drink. They can't prove anything, he knows that. Still what went wrong? He gets his answer when he hears a knock at his window.

Clark had decided to put Lex on notice. The time where he can do what he wants is over. He flew up to the Luthorcorp building and tapped on the window.

Lex goes over and opens the window "Well, well Superman. What brings you here at this time of night?"

Clark just hovers there, arms crossed.

Lex continues "Let me guess Ms Lane has been telling you little stories about me. She always did have an over active imagination"

Clark says nothing and doesn't move.

"You know your powers are very impressive. Maybe I could offer you a partnership, what do you say?"

"I'll be keeping an eye on you Luthor. If you want to see me just look up, I'm always around" Clark then flies straight up and out of sight.

Lex watches him leave. Well, well this is the ultimate challenge but every man has a weakness. Lex walks over to his safe and opens it. He picks up a box and inside is a glowing green meteor rock. "Let the game begin Superman"

The End.

Author's Note: Well there is the start of the Lex/Superman rivalry. I end this here as I only intended this to be a reintroduction for Clark to the world. I will however be doing some follow up stories soon.