Title: A Darker Shade of Red…
Chapter 1 – The Trap

Summary: When a gang of assassins who have Kryptonite kidnaps Clark and it's up to an already undercover Lois to save him and Superman. But will she have to blow her cover to save him?

This is a piece of fan fiction. It is written for pleasure and not for profit. The characters of Lois, Clark, Jimmy and Perry are all the property of DC Comics and ABC. All other characters are my own.

NOTE: This is my first L&C Fanfic. Please be kind in your reviews. But tell me what you think.

"All right Mr. Kent," said the leader as he yanked the gag from Clark's bruised mouth and held a gun to Clark's face and cocked the trigger, "call for Superman or this is the last thing you see."

Clark stood before a disguised Lois beaten, bound and helpless and unable to call for his alter ego. She heard the gun cock and knew that if she didn't reveal herself Clark would die. But if she did she would die also. What do I do, she asked herself frantically as she stared into the face of her beloved fiancé?

A FEW DAYS EARLIER

"Good morning my love," Clark smiled as he walked up to his beautiful fiancée. The last few weeks since she had taken an undercover assignment had put such a strain on their relationship Clark didn't now where things stood half the time.

"Oh hi Clark," Lois said as she heard Clark approached her paper filled desk.

"Oh hi Clark?" Clark asked in shock. "Um Lois whatever happened to 'Good morning sweetheart followed by a kiss?" He asked sadly.

"Oh hi Clark," Lois mumbled again as she kept her gaze transfixed on her writing.

Clark looked down and noticed his fiancé was frantically writing down and names and dates. "What's the deal Lois?" Clark asked as he sat down on the edge of her desk.

Lois finally put down her pencil and looked up into the perplexed face of her fiancé Clark. "Clark can't you see I was trying to remember something and that if I don't write it down right away I'll forget. And if I forget then I'll lose my lead and if I lose my…" Lois continued to ramble on.

Clark sat and stared at her and couldn't help but smile at her.

"Am I rambling again?" Lois finally managed her trademark smile that snagged Clark in the first place.

"Um yeah," he said slowly. "What's the big deal anyways?" He asked.

"Oh just a story you know," Lois said firmly.

"Just a story?" Clark asked.

"Yeah you know my undercover story."

"Ah yes the one you somehow forgot to tell me about until last night?" Clark mused. "Care to explain that?" He asked.

"Oh its no big deal you know," Lois laughed lightly, "just a fluff undercover piece I'm doing for the east-side women's shelter."

"Which one?"

"The one on the east side," Lois said rolling her eyes.

"Yeah okay. But I still don't…." Clark said as Lois watched his trademark look off into space.

"What?"

"A sniper on the top of the Hallmark building."

"Bye," Lois said as Clark was already heading for the stairwell. She listened for the familiar Superman boom and then went back to writing her story on the leader of the underworld assassin gang Miles Rinaldi. Sorry Clark, Lois sighed inwardly, you'd just worry and tell me not to do it. And this is going to be a Pulitzer for sure she smiled. Besides I have a strong cover, what could go wrong she said as she hurried to get dressed and head undercover?

"Here you go Mr. Rinaldi. The last piece of Kryptonite we could steal," one of Miles Rinaldi's loyal but brainless henchman Rico said.

"Thanks Rico. Take it to Stuart. He'll know what to do with it," Miles said slowly as he handed the chunk of green rock back to his henchman. The man left and Miles stood before a large map and smiled. "And once you are out of the way Superman, Metropolis is just the beginning."

He turned and looked at the note before him regarding Clark Kent. "So Mr. Kent, you have the misfortune of being Mr. Goody Goody's best friend. Pity for you," Miles laughed wickedly.

He looked at the picture on his desk and a mean frown crossed his face. "Not long now brother and we'll have our revenge! Our revenge on both of our enemies. Superman and Clark Kent."

Lois changed and rushed to the Paradise NightClub, the place she always met the man she was undercover spying on. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. "You always wanted to be a blond." She laughed as she fingered the long blond strands she was sporting. She had also put in blue contacts to change her eye color and added a fake mole for an extra touch. She felt bad about lying to Clark, but she knew this story was a good one. Besides, she told herself, Clark couldn't have gone undercover here. I mean what excuse would he use when he wanted to Superman? Oh excuse me I have to return my video for the 500-hundreth time? She smiled as she used to remember some of the lame lines Clark handed to her in the beginning. They annoyed her then, now he didn't need an excuse. Oh if the world only knew I was engaged to it's first superhero. She smiled and went to her regular booth and waited. Sure enough the slimy man who was researching slowly walked up to her.

"Hello Donna my love." The man said slowly as he cozied up to her in the booth. He kissed her on the cheek and smiled. "How was your day?"

"Oh Miles it was okay. Did some shopping, got my nails done, you know regular girl stuff," she laughed. "So what's on the agenda for tonight?" She winked.

"I have some business to take care of tonight," he said, "sorry no fun."

Lois put on a disappointed face. "But I thought we were going to go dancing," She wined.

"Sorry darling, but daddy has to work," he smiled, "besides after tonight I won't need to work ever again," Miles laughed as one of his henchmen walked up to him.

"And why is that? Robbing a bank?" She teased.

"You could say that," he smiled as the man sat down in front of them.

"Hey boss. Everything's set," the man said.

"Excellent. I'll be up shortly."

"Yeah operation Kent is a go."

"Shut up you idiot," Miles snapped.

Kent? Lois said inside. They can't mean Clark. Could they? Why Clark? What's happening tonight? I have to find out she said inside her worried brain.

Lois turned to Miles and tried to be natural, all the while her heart was racing with fear of what she might hear.

"Um Kent? As in the Kent state bank?" Lois smiled sweetly.

"You have something to do right Rico?" Miles asked in an annoyed voice.

"Uh yes Sir," he said as he quickly got up.

"Uh yeah something like that," he smiled warily.

Kent Bank my foot, Lois said. He's lying to me. But could he really mean Clark? And why? What does he have planned? I have to find out now!

Superman finished up his task and sped back to the Planet in hopes of getting a better explanation from Lois. He quickly spun back into Clark and headed into the newsroom only to find Lois not there. What in the world, he asked himself? Why didn't she wait for me? Clark wondered as he headed for Perry's office.

"So tell me again why I can't see you tonight?" Lois asked Miles.

"Because me love," he said as he kissed her on the mouth.

Yuck Lois thought, it's a good thing Clark isn't here to see this. This guy would be dead in a second.

"I have to finalize some plans. But I promise tomorrow you'll see all the action!"

"Oh goody action!" She said with a large fake smile. She blew him a kiss and then turned to leave. Miles waved goodbye and then walked to the back of the bar, to a secret room.

Lois quickly took off her disguise and quietly stole around to the back. She knew Miles and his boys met there and had made herself a small and unnoticeable hiding spot with which to see what was going on. She carefully placed herself inside the small alcove and opened the little spy hole she made to listen.

"Well Stuart?" Miles asked. "Is everything ready?"

"Oh yeah. Mr. Goody Goody will never know what hit him," Stuart laughed.

"And the most recent hit?" Miles asked.

"Still on track," Stuart smiled.

"Excellent. I don't want anything to go wrong this time. Is that clear?" Miles said angrily.

"What about Kent?" One of the goons asked.

"After tomorrow Clark Kent will no longer be around to hinder us," Miles smiled evilly.

Lois heard them mention Clark and her heart stopped. What? It was Clark they were talking about. What do they have planned? She felt panic and tension starting to build up inside of her. Ever since she learned that Clark was Superman she was doubly concerned.

"And Superman?" Someone else asked.

The mention of Clark's alter-ego snapped her back to reality.

"With my little surprise planned, Superman will never know what hit him," Miles laughed, "and when he does it'll be too late."

"To the death of Superman," Stuart laughed as he raised his glass, "and Clark Kent also."

Lois sat back and started to tremble. What do they have planned? Sadly she now had to wait until they left the room or risk being caught. Oh Clark, what do they want to do to you, she asked sadly. I can't let them hurt you. Wait what am I talking about? They can't hurt Clark. He's Superman. But they said they had something for Superman. Her brain was a flurry of panicked activity. I have to get back and tell Perry. He has to pull Clark from the assassin story.

They finally left and Lois quickly vacated her hiding spot and ran to her jeep. She sped all the way back to the Planet and rushed into Perry's office, not seeing Clark already sitting there quietly.

"Chief you'll never guess what Miles has planned!" She blurted out.

"Ah Lois…" Perry started as Lois spun around to see Clark sitting in a chair with a perplexed look on his handsome face.

"Clark!" Lois exclaimed.

"Lois," Clark said firmly.

"What's going on?" She asked with a puzzled stare at Perry.

"Miles?" Clark said getting up. "As in Miles Rinaldi? Lois that's my story." Clark insisted.

"Uh I think I better give you guys a few minutes," Perry said sheepishly as he quickly left his office.

Lois turned to Clark and knew she owed him an explanation. She put on a sheepish smile and tried to find something to say.

"Miles?" Clark started.

"Look Clark, Perry assigned me to this story before you. I'm working on a different angle than you that's all," she said as she turned and headed for the window.

"What angle? The inside one?" Clark questioned. "You're not undercover at the shelter are you? It's in Miles organization, right Lois?"

"Um yeah," She said turning back to him. "Clark what's the big deal?"

"Big deal? Oh maybe it's just that Miles is an international assassin."

"Which you haven't proved yet," she said.

"Their organization has terrorist ties."

"Which you haven't proved yet," she said again.

"Not to mention that he vocally hates Superman."

"So does every other crime syndicate," she smiled. "Face it your not good for their business."

"Funny," Clark said not laughing. "Face it Lois this guy is a major player. How could Perry even think of sending you undercover alone?" Clark asked.

"Actually I um volunteered."

"You what? Without me?" Clark asked in surprise.

"Clark you'd stick out like a sore thumb. Besides what would happen if Superman were needed. What excuse would you give Rinaldi then?" She countered.

"Why didn't you at least tell me?" Clark asked. "Then I could have Superman at least keep an eye on you."

"Yeah that's just what I need when I'm undercover in a crime organization. Superman flying overhead giving me away," she pouted.

"What?" Clark asked with a hurt face. "But Lois…"

"Clark don't give me that look," Lois said softly, "I can't give in to you right now."

"It's not about giving in Lois, it's about being smart. And being smart is not being there alone," Clark tried to reason. "So what did you learn?"

"They have something planned for Superman," Lois said not mentioning Clark. She reasoned this way if Superman was warned then Clark would be fine. "What am I saying you are Superman," she laughed, "they something planned for you."

"Did you hear what?" Clark asked.

"No sorry. Do you think they have Kryptonite?" Lois asked in a concerned tone.

"I doubt it. Dr. Klein's is in his secret lockup. We got the stuff from Trask and Luthor. So unless they found a way to manufacture it, it's probably some other type of weapon. It'll be okay," Clark smiled.

"I have to find out," Lois said as she pulled away from Clark and started to pace Perry's office.

"What?" Clark asked looking at her. "You're still planning on going back in?" He asked in shock.

"I have no intention of stopping now Clark," Lois said firmly. "And no matter what you say, I'm not going to stop."

Clark just looked at his determined fiancé with a sad face. "You even took your ring off," Clark said before he turned and left Perry's office.

"Damn it," Lois cursed as she looked down and realized that she forgot to put her ring back on. She rushed after Clark and caught up with him at his desk.

"Is that part of the disguise Lois? Forgetting me?" Clark asked sadly.

"Clark I'm not forgetting you," Lois said firmly. "I can't go undercover as this guys girlfriend and be engaged. Why are you blowing this out of proportion?" Lois asked.

"I'm not," Clark said simply.

Lois was about to comment further when Perry called for her and Clark's phone rang.

"We'll finish this later Clark," Lois said as she turned to go see Perry.

"Sure Lois," Clark said sadly as his phone rang. "Clark Kent," He answered.

"Yeah it's me Marty. I have the information on the next hit you wanted," said the disguised voice of Rico.

"Where can I meet you?"

"Tonight at 6 pm sharp. Behind the Paradise Nightclub. And come alone."

Yeah no worries there, Clark sighed. "See you then," He said as he hung up and looked at Lois in Perry's office. He watched Lois frantically explaining something to Perry. Even know Lois you still don't fully trust me. What's up with that?

Clark finished up his work and heard Lois come back to her desk. He looked up to see if she was looking at him, but sadly she was too wrapped up in her story to notice. He got up and went and sat down beside her. "Lois?"

"Yeah Clark?" She said without looking at him.

"I um wanted to know if you wanted me us dinner tonight?" He asked. "Say about 7pm or so."

"Um can't tonight Clark. I'm just going to grab something and work late," she said.

"You're kidding right?" Clark asked in surprise.

Lois looked up at him with a firm smile. "Clark if this group is planning something against Superman who knows what else they have planned. I have to find out and stop them."

"You? Stop them?" Clark smiled. "What? Like by yourself?"

"Don't patronise me Clark," Lois said. "Now what is the real issue? Because I know it's not this story."

"I guess the real is you not telling me in the first place," Clark sighed sadly.

"And for that I am sorry," Lois said with a smile.

"And the ring."

"The what?" She asked.

"The ring. You could have made an excuse for it," Clark said.

"Clark I'm not about to blow my cover for the ring," Lois said without thinking. "I mean it's not like it's in danger of getting lost." She said. But as she noticed the look on his face she knew she hurt him. "I didn't mean it like that Clark," she said as he got up and walked back to his desk.

"Yeah Lois. Sure. Just you probably don't mean anything else," he said feeling sorry for himself.

"What?" Lois said standing up. "Clark come back here and let's settle this right now."

"I need to clear my head Lois," Clark said sadly as he headed for the elevator. He got in and the last look he gave her was one of sad defeat.

"That's just great," Lois pouted.

Clark sped home and spun into a pair of jeans and sweater. He would be meeting his informant shortly. Good it will take my mind of today he sighed.

He quickly ate some supper and then headed for the door. I hope we can work this out tomorrow, he said looking at a picture of Lois on the table. I love you Lois.

"When's Kent coming?" Miles asked Rico.

"He'll be here very soon," Rico said. "Why do you have that green stuff with you? It's just Kent. He ain't Superman."

"I just want to show Kent the surprise I have for his friend Superman. Besides it won't hurt him will it?" Miles laughed as they watched Clark get out of the cab and slowly walk towards them.

"Welcome to my parlour Mr. Kent," Miles smiled as Clark neared them.

Clark walked towards the place Rico said to meet him. He entered the dark alley and walked towards his two waiting captors. Clark looked around and saw no one. He was about scan with his x-ray vision when Rico stepped out of the shadows.

"Hiya Kent," he said.

"Hey Marty. What have you got?" Clark asked.

"You actually," Rico said as he pulled out a gun.

Yeah right, Clark sighed, as if that scares me. "What's this all about Marty?"

"Hands where I can see em Kent," Rico said harshly. "And the name's Rico. See that back door, move now," he demanded meanly as he pushed the gun in Clark's chest.

Clark just sighed and decided to play along. He turned around and headed for the darkened doorway. When he entered the room he was greeted by another man he recognized as Miles Rinaldi.

"What's going on here?" Clark demanded as Rico slammed the door shut behind him.

"Just want to talk to you Kent," Rinaldi smiled. "You've been causing my hitmen some problems with your troublesome meddling and story exposés. It's not very good for business. Neither is your friend Superman."

"What Superman chooses to do with his time is not my concern. What do you want with me Rinaldi?" Clark demanded.

"Just to show you something," He smiled. "But first Rico, if you would be so kind as to restrain Mr. Kent for me."

"What?" Clark asked in surprise.

"Just for my own piece of mind. So that you don't dart away until I'm finished what I have to show you. Besides I don't want you trying to stop me in any way," Rinaldi laughed.

"Sure thing boss," he smiled as he grabbed some rope and moved towards Clark. Since Clark still didn't know what they had planned for Superman so he had no choice but to let Rico tie him up. Besides he smiled inside, this won't hold me for long.

"Hands behind your back Kent," Rico said meanly.

Clark complied. He felt his wrists pulled behind him and tied tightly together. If he didn't have his super-strength to rely on he'd be in trouble as he felt Rico tighten the knots. "Shesh Rico not so tight," Clark added for effect. Both men just laughed.

Clark pretended to struggle against his bonds as he stood before his captors. "Now what?" He asked.

"Now you stay with us," Rinaldi said. "It's payback time."

"What?" Clark asked in shock as Rinaldi turned around and pulled out a small lead-lined box.

"For you and Superman," He laughed.

"What are you talking about Rinaldi," Clark demanded angrily.

"Before I get to you I want to show you the gift I have for your friend Superman," He smiled as he opened the small box.

Clark stared in horror at the small green rock before him as he was immediately hit with waves of pain. He staggered a bit backwards and if not for Rico holding him up would have collapsed on the floor.

"Kryptonite." He gasped in horror.

"That's right," Rinaldi said snapping the lid down but not closed all the way. Clark cursed silently as he felt his strength slowly leaving him. "What do you think? Think Superman will like it?" Rinaldi laughed.

"I think you'll be sorry for this," Clark vowed meanly.

"Oh really?" Rinaldi laughed. "Let's go."

"What? Where are we going? Where are you taking me?" Clark asked weakly.

"You honestly didn't think I'd capture my brother's killer and then turn him loose without some kind of punishment did you?"

"What are you talking about? I don't know your brother."

"Well I'll make sure you do. But in the meantime Rico shut him up for the ride okay," Rinaldi sighed. "He talks to much."

Rico moved in behind Clark and forced a thick musty smelling cloth between his lips and tied it tightly behind his head, gagging him effectively. Clark fought to stand uprights as the Kryptonite was slowly killing him. Clark cursed angrily into the gag as Rinaldi grabbed his arm and pulled him towards another exit, where a dark van was waiting to take him away. Rinaldi snapped the lid shut on the box with the green rock in it, but it had already taken it's toll on Clark as he just lay helplessly on the floor of the van as it sped towards his prison. Clark looked up at his kidnappers with a fearful glare.

"Relax Mr. Kent," Rinaldi smiled as he looked down at Clark's scared face, "I think you'll like your new home."

**Dear readers. What do you think so far? Should I continue? Do you like the storyline so far? Or is it lame? Please review and tell me! Thanks**