Beyond Smallville: Fan Fiction

"You should be out there saving people." Tess continued to bait him. Clark would have none of it. "Saving people from what?" He deadpanned. "You name it!" Tess’s voice rose slightly. "Metropolis is full of crime and depravity. Mobsters, crooked politicians, creeps, perverts, arsonists, drug lords, muggers, thieves, and the occasional cat up a tree."

Half of which probably report to you and Lex, Clark mused darkly. "Isn’t that what we have a police department and fire department for?" He knew just what to say to push Tess’s buttons. "Half the police force is corrupt and in bed with the crime bosses." She insisted.

True, and how many work for you? Clark again thought silently. "I told you before, if you don’t like me working here then just fire me." Tess smiled evilly. "No, that’s not in my plan. I want you right here in front of me where I can see you. You will embrace your destiny."

"People make their own destiny, Miss Mercer." Clark retorted coldly. "Except for you, Clark. Your destiny goes hand in hand with mine." Tess responded arrogantly. "How do you figure?" He countered. "Because as of today, you are assigned to reporting on the City Beat with Lane over there. The copy machines don’t need saving, Clark, we of Metropolis do."

Clark was stunned. Tess had played him again, and he was getting tired of it. "By the way, you only have to refer to me as Miss Mercer in front of the other employees." She flirted, further irritating Clark. "Tess will do in private. I’ll send out the E Mail announcement to the staff."

"Aren’t there more qualified journalists out there that deserve that kind of promotion?" Clark defended weakly. "That’s not really the point, is it? You will embrace your destiny by meeting it head on in the streets of Metropolis." Tess added haughtily. Clark sighed in resignation.

He wanted to do exactly what Tess talked about, but on his terms, not hers. Fate had once again kicked him up the road. Tess was nearly as irritating as Jor El when it came to shoving him towards his destiny, whatever that might be.

Thankfully, Tess’s cell phone rang. Clark instinctively got up to leave. Tess gestured for him to remain seated. He sat back down uncomfortably. "Yes?" Tess’s expression varied between fascination and shock. "Are you sure, Oliver?" She seemed off her game to Clark, which gave him at least a bit of satisfaction. He knew that Oliver could really get under Tess’s skin.

"That’s the final word is it?" Tess’s face showed puzzlement. Clark was tempted to listen in, but resisted the urge. He assumed that either Tess or Oliver would inform him about whatever if need be. He suffered in silence as Tess stretched leisurely, and let her long legs drape over the desktop. Clark tried not to notice, but in the end lost the battle. The woman had a massive ego.

After a few more uncomfortable moments, Tess hung up the phone. "That’s an interesting move." She said abstractedly, attempting to draw Clark’s gaze into her eyes. "Oliver has decided…" Tess began before Clark cut her off. "It’s really none of my business." He interrupted.

"Don’t worry Clark, I feel that I can tell you anything." Tess flirted heavily, playing one type of game or another. Spare me. Clark mentally groused. "Oliver has decided to promote me to executive vice president of Queen Industries’ International Operations." She informed him, awaiting a reaction. To his credit, Clark was stone-faced.

"Congratulations." He said simply. "I thought that LuthorCorp and Queen Industries were an equal partnership." Clark pressed Tess’s buttons further. "We are, but Oliver and the Board of Directors have cut a restructuring deal. I could’ve voted against it, of course, but the majority would still rule." She explained.

"Oliver said that I would have to give up my post as President and CEO of the Daily Planet." Tess still seemed taken aback. Clark wanted to leap for joy, but tempered his enthusiasm out of respect, still playing his cards close to the vest. "So then it’s a good move for you?" He asked.

"Yes. I’ll have to travel more, and get out of this dingy office." Tess symbolically glanced around the room. "This changes nothing, Clark." She refocused her gaze on him. "I still feel that our fates are intertwined." Not likely, Clark thought sourly. Then his mood lightened. Oliver had pulled a great move this time. He just made Clark’s life that much easier.

"I’m sure that I’ll see you around." Clark stated diplomatically. "Does this mean that my promotion has been revoked?" Tess grinned thinly. "Hardly, Clark. Until midnight on Friday, I’m still running the paper. You’re getting your own cubicle right across from Lane. I wouldn’t have it any other way. You two tend to drive each other insane. A woman has to have her fun."

Tess’s disarming manner made Clark wonder if she was truly as mean as she thinks she is. He hoped in his heart that Tess would finally give up on following Lex’s obsession with him and move on with her life. Oliver was trying his best to get Tess out of Clark’s face. I owe him big time, he thought wryly.

"Now scoot!" Tess smiled brightly, a rarity indeed. "I still have a paper to run for the next few days." Clark managed a cautious smile and got up from the chair. Tess watched him leave intently. "Oh, and Clark, congratulations on landing that new apartment in Metropolis." Tess threw in the dig to let him know that she was still keeping tabs on him.

"Uh, thanks. Good luck on your new position." Clark half-turned to face her as he opened the office door. Naturally the newsroom staff, including Lois, all checked him out, expecting to get some impression of what their long conversation had been about.

Clark flushed as he walked through the room, skirting cubicles and supply carts. All eyes were still on him as he seated himself across from Lois. Tess stood leaning within the frame of her office door, arms crossed, as her eyes followed Clark as well.

Jimmy scurried up to him despite Tess’s intense gaze. "Get back to work!" She suddenly hollered at the newsroom employees. Just that quickly, tapping began on keyboards, phones were picked up, and the supply person resumed his cart’s route along the center isle.

"I thought she was going to can you, CK!" Jimmy said with relief. "Thanks for your vote of confidence, Jimmy." Clark responded sarcastically.

"Spill it Smallville, what did the Dragon Lady want this time?" Lois questioned. "Is your article done?" Clark said with concern. "Yes. Don’t change the subject." She retorted. "Can I see it?" Clark ignored her protests. "Sure. Here." Lois said as she handed him the printouts.

Clark proofread it as Jimmy stood by patiently. "Okay it’s good to go." He said, returning the copies to her. "Thanks professor." Lois snapped as she pressed the ‘send’ button. Tess had retreated back within her office, as Jimmy continued to hover over Lois and Clark.

"Tess is accepting a new position." Clark answered warily. "I’ll bet she accepts all kinds of positions." Lois sniped. "Ooh! Snap!" Jimmy laughed. "Not that there’s anything wrong with that." Lois flirted tiredly. "So she’s leaving?" Clark nodded. "Yep! Oliver kicked her upstairs."

"I’d like to kick her…" Lois snarled. "She’s going to be Queen Industries’ executive VP of international operations." Clark informed them. "It’s not common knowledge yet, so we have to keep it quiet…Jimmy." Lois and Clark chorused. "What?" Jimmy asked innocently.

"I also got promoted to City Beat reporter." Clark reddened as he spoke. "Get out of town! That’s great, CK!" Jimmy remarked enthusiastically. "So, you’re equal to me?" Lois asked in disbelief, before she realized how that sounded. "Yes Lois." Clark feigned offense. "I would be equal to you. I suppose that you’ll still have seniority though."

"Are you trying to say that I’m old?" Lois purposely gave Clark some grief. "CK, there is no good answer to that question." Jimmy chuckled. "Jimmy, you are a wise young man." Clark quipped as Lois smiled.

"We should go out and celebrate." Lois suggested. "You’re welcome to join us too, Jimmy." Clark balked. "I don’t know, Lois…I still haven’t fully unpacked…" Lois dismissed his protests with a wave. "What’s to unpack? Your flannel shirt collection should’ve stayed in Smallville." Lois rode him. "As long as you’re dressed decently already…"

"Fine." Clark put up his hands in resignation. "After work we’ll go out for a while." Lois’s heart raced. She finally got the reticent Clark to join her after hours. "Jimmy? Are you free?" She asked mostly out of courtesy. Actually Jimmy might help the night’s conversation along, she mused.

"I guess so. I hate to be a third wheel." He hedged. "Don’t worry about it, Jimbo." Lois said. "Been there, done that. I mean its not as if Clark and I are on a date." Unfortunately, her mind commented. "Okay, see you after work." Jimmy agreed. Clark felt that he missed something.

"Jimmy, why don’t you ask Chloe to join us as well?" Clark suggested. Jimmy’s face fell a bit. "We’ll see. She’s been so busy at the Foundation…" Lois picked up on his lament. "I’ll call her right now." Lois offered, grabbing the cell phone.

Clark was wary, but promised to enjoy the moment. Things had just started to pick up, finally, after the hell of the last few years. He decided to take some time for himself, and relax. An odd sense of calm seemed to take over his tortured mind when he was around Lois.

He just didn’t want to get his hopes up too high.