POI Smallville crossover fusion fic #8: Valentines day
TITLE: Valentine's day
AUTHOR: whomii2
DISCLAIMER: do not own
SUMMARY: Takes place after they have moved to Metropolis and John has started his career as Superman
POI characters in the Smallville universe [Harold=Lex Luthor; John=Clark Kent; Jessica=Lana Lang]
It was Valentine's day, and John wanted it to be special for her. Jessica thought that she detected the hand of John's best friend Harold in their dinner plans. Even if John could have gotten a reservation to one of the hottest restaurants in the city, there was no way he could afford it on a reporter's salary. John didn't like to take advantage of Harold's wealth for himself, but when it came to those John loved he was more willing to be flexible. Harold for his part would have bought the whole restaurant if necessary to help John woo Jessica.
Jessica smiled at the mirror as she got ready for her Valentine's date. With her nursing shift and John's needing to do work on a story, they had decided it was best if the two of them met up at the restaurant. Of course, John could easily make it across town in nothing flat as his alter ego, but Harold was always chastising John about using his powers publicly for trivial reasons. Surveillance cameras were everywhere nowadays, and there was always the chance that John might accidently give himself away in a moment of carelessness. John didn't worry too much about physical harm (although Harold thought that was shortsighted--eventually he might encounter some enemy that might challenge even his superhuman powers) but John did worry that with his cover blown things would change for those around him. All their lives (except perhaps Harold who was already a public person) would be changed by the intense scrutiny of the paparazzi. Not to mention possible danger from some of Superman's enemies.
Harold was a good friend to Jessica as well as a mother hen to John. As one of the few people who knew John's secret as Superman, he was the person Jessica most often went to with her concerns about John's superhero lifestyle. Jessica figured that Harold was the reason she and John were finally together. Without his encouragement and not-so-subtle pushing, doubtless John would still be hemming and hawing in her presence, unable to look her in the eye or stammer out a complete sentence. He would probably never have gotten up the courage to ask her out.
Few people would guess that at heart Harold was a true romantic. After giving John the necessary push to admit his feelings and ask Jessica out, Harold had acted as coach, enabler, and confidant throughout John's courtship of Jessica, ensuring that he treated her right. He was always ready to supply the couple with anything they might need, limo rides, hard to get tickets, even just a romantic dinner by the fireplace in his home while he made himself scarce elsewhere. He had even masterminded a spring break trip for them while they were in college. He had created a fictitious friend “Cathy” for Jessica who was supposedly transferring to another school, which would explain the reason for the extravagant trip and why no one could meet “Cathy.” Some dissembling was necessary because Jessica's mother disapproved of their relationship.
Jessica's mother was something of a social snob. She thought Jessica could do better than a “farmboy” even though they were from the same small town as John. John was handsome, smart, treated Jessica like a princess, and loved her unconditionally. Ignoring the fact that he was in fact a real life superman, Jessica wasn't sure how her mother could possibly think there was better than that. Jessica was glad that they had graduated and started their careers in Metropolis. She felt more comfortable now taking a stand and asserting her choice with her parents despite her mother's disapproval.
She saw Harold's prompting in the bouquet of roses and expensive heart-shaped box of chocolates that had been delivered to the nurses station earlier in the day. Her coworkers had been quite impressed, although they had made Jessica blush more than once with their good natured teasing about how the night might unfold. At the end of her shift Jessica had gone to the locker room to change into a little black dress for the evening. It was suggestive with its low cut V-neck and curve-hugging shape, but she thought it was still classy and sophisticated enough for the upscale restaurant. The only jewelry she was wearing was the small heart-shaped locket John had given her for Valentine's day back when they were dating in high school. It had small cut outs of their senior pictures, and was one of Jess's most treasured possessions. She thought the sentiment made it more precious than even the expensive pieces Harold often leant her when they attended some of his Luthorcorp parties. Brushing her hair out after setting it free from the convenient pony tail she sported at work, she added some mascara and touched up her lipstick with a darker shade of red. One last critical look in the mirror and she felt she was ready to go. She gave a cheery wave to her coworkers as she left, followed by a few friendly catcalls and wolf whistles and one “You go girl." She made her way to the garage where the car Harold had arranged for her was waiting. She was glad she wouldn't have to take the subway in her high heels - they looked great but were far from practical.
They made their way slowly through rush hour traffic but finally arrived at the restaurant. She went in and gave her name and was escorted to a table. Since it was a holiday, she decided to order some wine while she looked at the menu and waited for John. She was sipping her second glass when her heart sank as she saw Harold making his way to her table. Before he even started to speak Jessica knew that John was going to be tied up. Harold apologized for the intrusion, but told her that there was a hostage situation John had needed to respond to. He hadn't wanted Jessica to be embarrassed waiting alone in a restaurant on Valentine's day. So Harold had come to explain and tender John's apologies. He offered to either keep her company in the restaurant, or to escort her home. Jessica idly wondered how her mother would take it if she found out she had the opportunity to dine with one of Metropolis' most eligible bachelors in an exclusive restaurant.
Working at the hospital Jessica was certainly aware of how unexpected emergencies could throw off someone's plans. It would be the same if John had been a cop, or a fireman, instead of a superhero. It would also be a bit selfish to blame John when he was busy saving lives. Jessica thanked Harold for his thoughtfulness and told him she would wait. She would always wait, because John was worth waiting for. She also knew that Harold could ensure that the restaurant was open and ready whenever John finally made it. For all he did to ensure the safety of the people of Metropolis, John deserved to have a nice dinner on the holiday. And what better Valentine's gift could she give him than the assurance of her patience and understanding, the knowledge that she would always be there waiting and loving him.
AUTHOR: whomii2
DISCLAIMER: do not own
SUMMARY: Takes place after they have moved to Metropolis and John has started his career as Superman
POI characters in the Smallville universe [Harold=Lex Luthor; John=Clark Kent; Jessica=Lana Lang]
It was Valentine's day, and John wanted it to be special for her. Jessica thought that she detected the hand of John's best friend Harold in their dinner plans. Even if John could have gotten a reservation to one of the hottest restaurants in the city, there was no way he could afford it on a reporter's salary. John didn't like to take advantage of Harold's wealth for himself, but when it came to those John loved he was more willing to be flexible. Harold for his part would have bought the whole restaurant if necessary to help John woo Jessica.
Jessica smiled at the mirror as she got ready for her Valentine's date. With her nursing shift and John's needing to do work on a story, they had decided it was best if the two of them met up at the restaurant. Of course, John could easily make it across town in nothing flat as his alter ego, but Harold was always chastising John about using his powers publicly for trivial reasons. Surveillance cameras were everywhere nowadays, and there was always the chance that John might accidently give himself away in a moment of carelessness. John didn't worry too much about physical harm (although Harold thought that was shortsighted--eventually he might encounter some enemy that might challenge even his superhuman powers) but John did worry that with his cover blown things would change for those around him. All their lives (except perhaps Harold who was already a public person) would be changed by the intense scrutiny of the paparazzi. Not to mention possible danger from some of Superman's enemies.
Harold was a good friend to Jessica as well as a mother hen to John. As one of the few people who knew John's secret as Superman, he was the person Jessica most often went to with her concerns about John's superhero lifestyle. Jessica figured that Harold was the reason she and John were finally together. Without his encouragement and not-so-subtle pushing, doubtless John would still be hemming and hawing in her presence, unable to look her in the eye or stammer out a complete sentence. He would probably never have gotten up the courage to ask her out.
Few people would guess that at heart Harold was a true romantic. After giving John the necessary push to admit his feelings and ask Jessica out, Harold had acted as coach, enabler, and confidant throughout John's courtship of Jessica, ensuring that he treated her right. He was always ready to supply the couple with anything they might need, limo rides, hard to get tickets, even just a romantic dinner by the fireplace in his home while he made himself scarce elsewhere. He had even masterminded a spring break trip for them while they were in college. He had created a fictitious friend “Cathy” for Jessica who was supposedly transferring to another school, which would explain the reason for the extravagant trip and why no one could meet “Cathy.” Some dissembling was necessary because Jessica's mother disapproved of their relationship.
Jessica's mother was something of a social snob. She thought Jessica could do better than a “farmboy” even though they were from the same small town as John. John was handsome, smart, treated Jessica like a princess, and loved her unconditionally. Ignoring the fact that he was in fact a real life superman, Jessica wasn't sure how her mother could possibly think there was better than that. Jessica was glad that they had graduated and started their careers in Metropolis. She felt more comfortable now taking a stand and asserting her choice with her parents despite her mother's disapproval.
She saw Harold's prompting in the bouquet of roses and expensive heart-shaped box of chocolates that had been delivered to the nurses station earlier in the day. Her coworkers had been quite impressed, although they had made Jessica blush more than once with their good natured teasing about how the night might unfold. At the end of her shift Jessica had gone to the locker room to change into a little black dress for the evening. It was suggestive with its low cut V-neck and curve-hugging shape, but she thought it was still classy and sophisticated enough for the upscale restaurant. The only jewelry she was wearing was the small heart-shaped locket John had given her for Valentine's day back when they were dating in high school. It had small cut outs of their senior pictures, and was one of Jess's most treasured possessions. She thought the sentiment made it more precious than even the expensive pieces Harold often leant her when they attended some of his Luthorcorp parties. Brushing her hair out after setting it free from the convenient pony tail she sported at work, she added some mascara and touched up her lipstick with a darker shade of red. One last critical look in the mirror and she felt she was ready to go. She gave a cheery wave to her coworkers as she left, followed by a few friendly catcalls and wolf whistles and one “You go girl." She made her way to the garage where the car Harold had arranged for her was waiting. She was glad she wouldn't have to take the subway in her high heels - they looked great but were far from practical.
They made their way slowly through rush hour traffic but finally arrived at the restaurant. She went in and gave her name and was escorted to a table. Since it was a holiday, she decided to order some wine while she looked at the menu and waited for John. She was sipping her second glass when her heart sank as she saw Harold making his way to her table. Before he even started to speak Jessica knew that John was going to be tied up. Harold apologized for the intrusion, but told her that there was a hostage situation John had needed to respond to. He hadn't wanted Jessica to be embarrassed waiting alone in a restaurant on Valentine's day. So Harold had come to explain and tender John's apologies. He offered to either keep her company in the restaurant, or to escort her home. Jessica idly wondered how her mother would take it if she found out she had the opportunity to dine with one of Metropolis' most eligible bachelors in an exclusive restaurant.
Working at the hospital Jessica was certainly aware of how unexpected emergencies could throw off someone's plans. It would be the same if John had been a cop, or a fireman, instead of a superhero. It would also be a bit selfish to blame John when he was busy saving lives. Jessica thanked Harold for his thoughtfulness and told him she would wait. She would always wait, because John was worth waiting for. She also knew that Harold could ensure that the restaurant was open and ready whenever John finally made it. For all he did to ensure the safety of the people of Metropolis, John deserved to have a nice dinner on the holiday. And what better Valentine's gift could she give him than the assurance of her patience and understanding, the knowledge that she would always be there waiting and loving him.