Day Two! TLF - Blind Date

[clexmasmystery]

I forgot to mention, but after all the prompts for the True Love Fest are out, posts on them can still be made through February 18.

And if you're looking ahead at the Porn Battle, thanks to twinsarein, we now have all the prompts from Battle II up as well! She had to go through all the individual comments to find these because they didn't have them up in

Comments

Compromised 1/2

[sue_dreams]

"It's the deal for getting Cat Grant off your back," the PA said. Lex stared at her, but the woman barely flinched. If she didn't work out in his office, he could still find use for her elsewhere, managing one of his more annoying Directors.

"Explain," he requested, pausing in his acquisition of a new science team -- he loved when big labs lost funding, because they didn't always keep the best people when they were forced to downsize -- to give the PA his full attention.

"I simply explained to Mr. White that after her disasterous appearance at last weekend's gala, her presence would be inadvisable. However, in understanding that the Planet desired representation, a compromise was reached. One reporter as a company guest, chosen at our discretion."

Lex leaned back in his chair, impressed in a way he hadn't been recently. "And so you chose Mr. Kent on my behalf." She smiled genially, but didn't rush to fill the silence. She was made of stern stuff. Lex approved. "I'm enjoying this so far. Please continue."

"Mr. White's caveat was to limit choices, but it was easy to determine that Clark Kent would be optimal. Uncomfortable being the center of attention, his articles regarding society tend to be well-cited and less gossip-oriented, he doesn't cause quite the trouble as Lois Lane, and is not as unsightly Jimmy Olsen's camera."

"File the paperwork to have you added to my office staff and have it on my desk by end of day permanently. Have Mr. Kent's tux tailored to compliment mine, but ensure that he is unaware of exactly whom he will be attached to for the duration of the evening."

"As you wish, Mr. Luthor."

* * *

"It's not a date, Lois," Clark tried to argue. It was pointless, of course, but he couldn't handle her straightening his bow tie one more time, or advising him on how many buttons to undo to make his unflattering suit more flattering.

Lois scoffed and brushed her hands over his shoulders again, but there was nothing to be done for the wrinkles in his suit. "They'll probably put you on the arm of some low-level minion who will spend half the night distracting you from Luthor's glad-handling; someone who doesn't know the slime the big guy is slinging. Your only chance of a productive night is to focus on pleasure instead of business."

Clark rolled his eyes, but didn't waste his breath arguing further. She followed him to the door, heaping bits upon bits of advice upon him, but he tuned her out. He had his identification and his press badge. His invite would be waiting for him at the dinner, along with his non-date.

Downstairs in front of his building was a car and driver. Lois whistled. "Maybe you should be willing to put out, if your date is going to treat you so nicely."

"Jealous?" Clark asked, figuring that if he couldn't get her to change the subject, he could at least play it off with humor.

Her smile was shark-like. "Ask me that tomorrow, after you've been a gentleman and gone home alone to your own bed."

There was a partition in the car that made Clark aware that he was alone. At least when he'd done society events in the past, he'd had Lois or Cat to help him navigate the intricacies of meeting the right people in the right way. Or more often, demonstrating the proper etiquette by doing the opposite and getting escorted out. Clark had a feeling he'd been picked for his ability to pick up secrets and gossip and scandal without having to get in anyone's face.

Clark could hear their destination before he could see it with normal vision; there was enough fanfare being made as guests arrived. Clark's stomach twisted at the idea of being put through the same treatment. He didn't mind being the center of attention when he was dressed in his blue suit, but he typically felt more confident as Superman. Working to save people was simpler than anything he did as Clark Kent. There wasn't a lot of gray when someone's life was on the line.

But the only person in danger was Clark at the moment, and the threat hanging over him was public embarrassment. Maybe he should have taken Lois's advice and tried to find a more appropriate suit.

Which only led Clark to thinking about the first time someone had tried to dress him for a date and spent long seconds straightening his bow tie.