DISCLAIMER: No one is mine! If they were, they never would have gone through half the angst that Joss has made them go through! And if Lois and Clark were mine, the show wouldn't have been canceled! Part 1: Metropolis, New Troy City. A small figure shivered in the chill of the springtime air of night on the east coast. Her bus had just pulled out, leaving her in a strange place, away from home, where she didn't know anyone. Which was exactly how she had wanted it. Pulling her black hoodie closer to her body, she stuffed her hands deep into the pockets. Head bowed she began to walk. Maybe she'd be able to find a safe place to sleep before she collapsed. Daily Planet News Office: A slender woman with dark hair that was stylishly cut reached for her mug, paying no attention to it as she brought it to her lips. Sipping it, she sputtered and spit it out as the cold brew touched her lips. Wearily, she leaned back into her chair, staring at her computer screen. Lois Lane, winner of 3 Kerths, star reporter, was drawing a blank. Her investigation was going no where. The past week there had been a rash of bodies found, all with trauma to the neck area. No prints, no clues, and to top it off, some of the bodies that hadn't been claimed and buried, had disappeared from the morgue. Sighing, she saved her work on a disk to take home, and placed it in her bag. She wasn't getting any work done here. She might as well go home, change, and get comfortable while she got nothing done. Not for the first time that day did Lois wish that her husband and partner were there, but Perry, the Chief Editor had sent him to cover a conference in Gotham. He'd been gone for half the week, and she missed having him home, and not just because their house was rather lonely, but he always had a different angle to look into the story with. And he'd be gone for at least 3 more days! Giving a slight groan, she waved to the night guard and, keys in hand, she headed to the nearby parking structure. Approaching it, she was about to go in, when across the street, she saw some trouble. A big, burly man was attempting to grab a small figure's bag, but was unsuccessful as she turned and held on. A big hand came up, knocking the girl to the ground. Lois cried out, running across the empty street, chasing the attacker away. Kneeling beside the girl, Lois checked for major injuries. The blonde moaned and made an attempt to get up. "Don't move," she ordered, reaching for her cell. "I'll call 911." Buffy Summers blinked, trying to see past the lights swirling in front of her. She should have handled that guy, but four days of no food or sleep, topped with a load of emotional anguish, were beginning to take their toll, even on the Slayer. "No. Don't. I'll be fine." Sitting up, she clamped a hand to her head. "Just as soon as the damn birds stop circling my head." "You might have a concussion..." The woman placed a hand on the her shoulder, but she flinched away. Buffy gave a humorless chuckle. "I've had worse. I'll be fine." Stubbornly, Buffy clamored to her feet. "See? All bett..." Buffy stopped and reached out as the world spun and dipped at her feet. "Ooo. Not good." The woman was there with a steady arm around her waist and bent slightly to put Buffy's arm around her shoulder. "Come on, we're checking you into a hospital." Buffy stiffened. "NO! No, please. No hospital." "Well you can't stay out on the street like this. Where do you live? Somewhere close?" "No." Her answer was nearly inaudible, even to her own ears. "Then you're going home with me." The Kent's Brownstone: Lois sat at her laptop, dressed in sweat shorts and an old worn jersey of Clark's. She'd helped the girl in the night before, thankful that Clark wasn't home to question her judgment in bringing home a total stranger, but at the same time wishing he was to help her bring the girl in, because by the time they'd gotten home, the girl was drifting in and out of the dream world. She hadn't even been able to find out the girl's name before she'd fallen asleep in the guest room. She had called in earlier, telling Perry she was going to work some angles at home. As soon as she'd replaced the handset, she'd heard noised from the room, and had gone up to offer the use of the shower. She desperately had wanted to question the girl, but her sympathies and instincts had won out. Her sympathies because the girl had looked like death warmed over, and her instincts, because she'd recognized the guarded look to her eyes. "Mornin'," said a voice from the landing. "Good morning. Do you feel all right?" An offhand shrug accompanied her answer. "A slight headache." "Hungry? I'm not much of a cooker, but I could make some eggs and toast." The blonde came somewhat closer, her head bowed, and hands playing with a silver ring on one of her fingers. "I'm not all that hungry. Maybe some toast? And coffee if you have any left?" "Sure. Come into the kitchen." Lois brought her own mug to the kitchen, refilling that and pouring out a fresh mug, which she placed in front of the girl, who had sat down at the table. Placing some toast into the toaster, she turned to lean against the counter, arms crossed in front of her as she studied her young guest. She seemed to be 17 or so, but no older than 18. Her blonde hair was long, pulled into a simple ponytail that still left wisps of hair hanging in her face. A beautiful silver cross that shimmered in the sun, hung prominently around her neck. Baggy jeans and a black tank top clothed her a small frame that was shorter than her, and seemed none the worse for wear from the escapade the night before. If it hadn't been for her posture, or mannerisms, she could have been any other happy teenager. However, dark shadows haunted dull hazel eyes that stared at nothing. Everything about the way she acted screamed that this girl had been through hell. And that reality wasn't much better. "I'm Lois Lane by the way," she said as she brought took the plate with the toast to the table with some butter and honey. "Buffy Mckellan." "Buffy, why were you out so late last night? Trouble at home?" "You could say that. Social Services?" "No, reporter." "Even better," she murmured. "Figures. I just had no place to go. I've caused too much pain." "I'm sure its not that bad." "You don't know my home Ms. Lane. Its better this way. Take my word on it." "Well, did you have a place to go when you came here?" Buffy shook her head dejectedly. "I hopped the first bus out of town." Lois fixed a studious gaze on the girl sitting in her kitchen. What had been so bad that this young girl had just up and left her home? Normally, she probably shouldn't have even bothered to help the girl this far. This was more Clark's style, helping out those in need. "All right. I'm going to help you here. I think I can probably get you a job at the Planet, since I'm guessing you also don't have a lot of money?" When Buffy reddened slightly, Lois continued. "And until you get enough money to cover a place to live, you can stay here. BUT, and I mean but, I'm going to expect you to help out around here. Sound good?" Buffy's head came up, a small smile, the only one Lois had a feeling she was going to see, on her face. Part 2 June 3, 1999 Clark pushed open his front door wearily, wishing for his bed and his wife. He was confronted however, by a petite blonde wearing what looked to be one of his old shirts, folded up in his favorite armchair. "Who are you?" he asked her. "I'm Buffy. Clark, right? Nice to meet you." With that, she got up and headed upstairs, passing Lois. "Clark! You're home!" "Lois," said Clark, after embracing her. "Who is that girl?" "Buffy? Oh. Um, well. Clark she has no place to go, and she'd been mugged and she's such a nice girl who seems to have gone through the wringer so I told her she could stay here till she gets it a little more together. I convinced Perry to give her a job in research, and..." "Lois. You're babbling. This doesn't seem like you. And what about..." He made a flying motion with his hand. "I know it doesn't seem like me, but I don't know Clark. Its almost like I'm supposed to be helping her. Grrr! I don't know how to explain it! Its just...oh you won't understand. Just trust me?" "You know I do. But what about the little super matter?" "Clark, I barely see her. I only really see her when we eat and when we go into work. She slips out for walks a lot too." Clark sighed, then nodded. A bright smile lit up Lois's face and she threw her arms around his neck. "Oh thank you Clark!" June 5, 1999 "Hey CK," said a young man with dark hair as he came up to Clark's desk. "What's new Jimmy?" Clark leaned back in his chair. "Chief wanted me to give you these....Who is that??" Jimmy cut off as his gaze moved from the papers in his hands to the elevated area near the elevators. Clark looked up and a small grin broke out over his face as he watched the girl in question survey the area and then move down into the reporter's pit. Almost unconsciously he realized that many of the men on the floor were also looking at her. She was in a black tank top and a pair of black pants, and her blond hair was down, framing tan face. As she approached Lois's desk, she seemed to feel his gaze and look at him, giving him a shy grin and a small wave. "Do you and Lois know her?" asked Jimmy as she perched on the edge of Lois's desk as the two women began to talk. "She's staying with us while she works out some family problems. Lois got her a job down in research. Her name is Buffy and she's at least 5 years younger than you are." "So, she's a total babe." Clark grinned at his friend's enthusiasm. "Jimmy, if you want I can introduce you, but I'm not promising anything." Jimmy nodded and grinned, running his hand through his hair. "Do I look all right?" Clark laughed and got up, moving over to his wife's desk. "Hey Buffy, how's it going today?" "Hey Clark. They have me going through some majorly big books down there. Ugh. Lois and I were going to go out to lunch, were you going to come with us to?" Clark shook his head. "I have a contact to meet, but you two go and enjoy yourselves. Oh, by the way, Buffy, this is a friend of ours, Jimmy Olsen. Jimmy, this is Buffy Mckellan." "Hi..." started Jimmy, but he trailed off as Buffy's half smile dimmed and she bowed her head. "Uh, Lois, I'll meet you downstairs okay? I have to, um, be somewhere...it was nice to meet you Jimmy..." With that the blonde had turned and left the room, almost running to where the elevators were. Lois shot Clark a worried glance, and he nodded, sliding his glasses slightly down the bridge of his nose as he looked over them and focused on the just shut elevator door. He looked for only a moment, the sight he saw surprising him enough that he stopped concentrating. The young girl that had just fled their presence was leaning against the wall of the elevator as if it would support her, her entire body wracked with sobs. June 5, 1999 Buffy walked the darkening streets of the new city she'd found herself in over days ago. It had been exactly 11 days since she had sent Angel to hell. The pain hadn't lessened any either. She still felt as if a part of her had died, and everyday, she felt a small piece of her soul and her sanity leaving her. She did miss her friends and everyone, especially Giles, and she was glad that they were all right, but there were times when she found herself wishing that she had let Acathla swallow the earth. At her saner times, she just found herself wishing that she had taken hold of Angel's outstretched hand. At least then they would have been together. Wrapping her arms around herself she continued on her way, walking without any particular destination in mind. She'd felt bad earlier when she had just run from the copy room, but as the guy Jimmy had smiled at her, she'd felt the tears welling up and she'd had to get out of there. Lois, thankfully, hadn't said anything when the woman had joined her for lunch, but Buffy had felt the sympathetic glances the reporter had flashed at her when she thought she didn't notice. She felt bad not telling Lois and Clark more about why she left, but she was afraid that if she even tried, she'd go so deep into this depression of hers that she would never get out. She wasn't dumb, she knew the couple were worried about her...she'd been having nightmares lately, and had woken up calling out for Angel or in fitful sobs. Suddenly a scream pierced the night air, and without even thinking, Buffy was running toward the sound. ***************** Lois desperately scrambled backwards, only to slam straight into the dirty brick wall of the alley. Her dark eyes widened in fear as the horribly disfigured, leering faces of the muggers grew closer. Taking a deep breath, she screamed. "That's right. Scream," snarled one. "You'll be dead before anyone comes." "Or not. " A voice interrupted from the darkest shadows of the alley. It was a faintly familiar voice, as was the strange glint of silver shining in the filtered light coming in off the street. "I can't belive you started the party without me. I'm hurt." To Lois's amazement, Buffy stepped from the shadows, hands on hips. Something in the way she stood seemed almost cold, predatory. Lois realized that the depressed girl that had been living in her home for the past week was gone, replaced with an person who was treating these muggers in a detached, almost business like-way; much the way Clark often dealt with thieves as his alternate persona. "Who do you think you are?" "Okay, easy question. I'll take vampire slayers for 100 Alex," quipped Buffy. "I'll have your head," growled the mugger with long hair pulled into a ponytail. "Not very creative. Or likely. Do you know how many times I've heard that? Just once I'd like one of you to come up with something original." She fell into a defensive pose. And Lois squinted through the darkness to see what she held in her hands. Was that a length of wood? "I might need to dust you just for that." One lunged for her, and just as she moved to counter it, a blue blur dove into the alley, grabbing her waist and carrying her to beside Lois. Blinking, she found herself behind a hot body in blue and red leotard. His arms crossed against a sculpted chest. "I'd suggest leaving these ladies alone." Ponytail sneered. " You think you're going to stop us? We'll suck you dry and have them for desert." Buffy, along with Lois and the other vampire, watched as the costumed man and the other vampire grappled for an upper hand. The costumed guy seemed to be handling himself pretty well, so Buffy turned to the other one. "Looks like its just us," she said as she turned, her leg going up into a vertical 180 degrees as it connected with his chin. Coming down, her right fist came up in a hook, smashing his ridged temple. She easily ducked his wild swing, placing her stake between his ribs as he left himself unprotected. She watched the other fight for a moment before yawning. Adrenaline was running through her veins now, and it felt good to not think, to just do something relatively normal. "All right, this is getting long." She gently shoved Capeboy away, and faced the vampire. "Let's play." "Gladly. I've heard Slayer blood is the strongest. I'll enjoy finding out." "Shut up and fight, fang boy." They circled warily, watching each other's movements for any warning of attack. A shift in weight to his left told Buffy he'd come at her with his right. Sidestepping his movement, her knee slammed into his stomach, then her booted heel back kicked into his face. Buffy barely even flinched as her head snapped back with the force of a hit. She matched his move, then somersaulted over him as he went low for her knees. She turned as soon as her feet touched, automatically bringing a leg into a roundhouse kick that would have made any fighter proud. The move ended with a stake to his heart. Tucking the stake up her sleeve, she stood relaxed. "All right Capeboy. What's the what?" "Buffy, what were those things?" asked Lois, her eyes wide after what she'd just witnessed. Buffy tilted her head as if saying 'you didn't know'. "Vampires. They're behind those serial killings you've been reporting. Good luck writing that by the way." "And you are?" asked Capeboy. "The Slayer. Aren't you a little old for tights?" "I'm Superman." Buffy's eyebrows shot up. "Uh huh. Superman." She studied the figure. The face, the intense, worried gaze. She shook her head. "Whatever you say Clark." The couple exchanged worried glances. Amused, Buffy gave them a soft smile. "Don't worry. I know a little about keeping a secret identity." Lois spoke. "Why in the world would you think Superman was Clark? I married him -- Clark I mean -- and this is definitely not him." "Lois, you're rambling." Clark spoke, a hint of a smile on his serious face. "All right. You know my secret. Now you called yourself a Slayer. What is that? And those weren't really vampires. Right?" "No, they were gang members on PCP." Buffy gave a dry laugh. "We'd better go someplace to talk."
Go to Part 3
SUMMARY: Buffy leaves Sunnydale, only to end up in the city of Metropolis, where she befriends the reporting team of Lois Lane and Clark Kent. And just when all she wants to do is forget what she left behind, she finds herself faced with a rash of mysterious murders, and a guy in blue tights...
SPOILERS: Up to Becoming 2 for Buffyverse. None really for Lois and Clark. All you have to know is that they ARE married.
RATING: If you can watch either show, you can read this.
DISTRIBUTION:My site,
NOTE: I know, I know, its a weird kinda crossover, but it does have Buffy and angel, with NO mention of Riley, or Kate, which is SO a good thing, right?
FEEDBACK: Yes please? I'm becoming addicted.
May 30, 1998
8:45 pm
May 31, 1999
8:26 am
11 pm.
Daily Planet Office
1 pm.
Streets of Metropolis
9 pm