Save Me

     I yawn. I can tell today is going to be a long day and am already wanting to go home to my warm bed to take a nap.

     "Didn't sleep well?" I hear his voice behind me and I smile. I've only known him for a day but I already know his voice like the back of my hand. I turn to look at him and feel my cheeks flush. Gosh, he is so handsome.

     "Nope. I stayed up late watching a movie. Wouldn't recommend though," I say, chuckling. "My ice cream melted and I had to wash the blankets."

     He laughs. "I'll keep that in mind." He smiles and then walks away from me, turning back to look at me every couple of steps. I'm sure it's the fact that I'm now wearing one of Lois' outfits, but I don't care. He's absolutely gorgeous. I go to sit down at my desk and accidentally fall off of my desk chair. I get up quickly and look around to see if anyone notices. I don't see anyone looking at me, so I assume nobody saw me.

     "You okay?" I hear his voice behind me. I roll my eyes. Of course he noticed.

     I paste a smile on my face and look at him, but my smile turns into a real one. "I'm fine, thanks for asking."

     He returns the smile and my knees feel like melted butter. I cannot with this man.

     "I'm just checking," he says. Then he chuckles. "You seem kind of clumsy, you know that?"

     I scoff, my smile growing even more. "I am not!" I retort, but then I giggle. And then internally cringe. Did I just giggle?

     He laughs again, then he nods. "You are a tad bit clumsy."

     "Windham!" I hear Perry yell from his office. I flinch and turn to see him standing a few feet away from my desk. His arms are crossed in front of his chest as he's half glaring at me, the other half smirking. I find it intimidating and scary.

     "Yes, Perry?" I ask, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear.

     "Office. Now." He stalks off to his office as I turn back to Clark and sigh.

     "Guess I'm in trouble again," I say, rolling my eyes.

     "It's partially my fault," he says. We share another smile and then I get up to go to Perry's office.

     "Yes, Perry?" I say as I enter the room.

     He motions for me to shut the door, which I do. He laces his fingers with each other and stares at me.

     "Did you get the Gotham article finished?" he asks me, his eyebrow raised.

     I nod. "I'm almost finished with it. I have to add the finishing touches and do a quick proofread and then I'm done."

     Perry smiles. "Good." He unlaces his fingers and sits back in his chair. "I was getting a little nervous about this whole thing, I'm gonna be honest," he says as he sits back. "I was thinking that you were just some silly little girl who wasn't going to take a job seriously here in Metropolis."

     I feel myself cringe inwardly. I'm not some silly little girl, I'm a smart girl who had a job. But I'm determined to get my job done and get it done right. And do it quickly and efficiently.

     But I know I'm lying. I know that sitting on my desk, in an open file on my computer, is an open blank document. Well, okay, not completely blank, I had a few sentences written on it. But I know that I have a deadline coming up, and it was to have the article on Perry's desk by the time I leave this evening. I'm not worried about it though. I'm a fast typist, I can get it done in under an hour if I'm focused. I have a plan to finish my article before Lois leaves the building tonight. I haven't lived in Metropolis long enough to be able to walk alone on the streets at night.

     "You can go, Windham," Perry says. "Make sure to have that article to me before you leave the building tonight."

     I nod, offer him a smile, and leave his office. I return to my desk and crack my knuckles, shake out my hands, and begin to type as fast as possible.

     I don't notice the hours passing as I write my piece, adding in some of the images I took at the scene of the crime. I hear Lois say goodbye and I absently wave. I see Clark linger a little bit, looking at me as I work quickly to get it done. I look up at him.

     "Can I help you with something?" I ask, a smile threatening to tug at my lips.

     "Are you going to be done soon?" he returns, a look of concern on his face.

     "I'll probably be here a little while longer, don't worry about me," I say, trying to reassure him. "I think I'll be alright. I don't live too far uptown."

     "Well, this isn't a nice city to be in at night," he says. "I've lived here long enough to know that." without another word, he pulls out a slip of paper and scribbles something on it. "If you want to talk to someone on your way home, call me. I'm always available."

     He hands me the slip and gives me a small smile, masking his concern. I smile back at him and notice I'm one of the only people left in the building. I sigh. I watch his figure leave and then look down at the slip of paper. I see a series of digits and it takes me a minute to realize that Clark Kent has given me his phone number. My heart does a little flip as I realize what this means. If I need him I can call him. I smile.

     A short while later, I finish the article and put it on Perry's desk. I yawn again and realize I didn't get to take my nap after work. I pout a little bit, but immediately straighten my shoulders. A hot shower, warm pajamas, and my bed are calling for me.

     I get into the elevator and toy with the idea of calling Clark on my way home. He did say to call him if I needed him. I shake my head. I don't think I need him.

     I take my phone out of my pocket and shoot a text to Lois to let her know I'm on my way home. I leave the building and walk down the street when I hear a noise in an alley next to me. I freeze.

     "Hello?" I call, immediately regretting my decision to do that.

     A big, lurking shadow stares at me from the shadows. I feel uneasy.

     "Well, what's a pretty thing like you doing out here on a night like tonight?" the lurking shadow asks me. It moves to reveal the scariest person I've ever met: Lex Luthor.

     I have three choices: call the police, text Lois, or call Clark.

     I make a fourth option: I turn to run. I take a step and begin to run but am caught in the arms of someone extremely strong. I'm terrified. I look up at the person who has captured me and see that it's one of Lex's henchmen.

     "You can't go anywhere, girly," Lex taunts.

     I know I can't go anywhere. I can't do anything. But I am loud.

     So I scream out into the night. Surely someone will find me.

     But two seconds later, I'm knocked out.