Lexy was busy with her job, writing her articles with Clark, and hanging out with other aliens staying at the Lab, and spent her free time exploring Metropolis. As the days passed, more of this free time was with Clark. She wondered if he spent time with her because of the articles they were writing or because he was concerned she'd reveal he was Superman. She promised herself she wouldn't reveal his secrets or ask why he spent so much time on her.

His other reason is he's working on the article with you. It's not personal. You see how much attention he gets from women and couldn't he just take his pick! Except for Lois. Her loss. She liked being with him more and more as she got to know the foundling who'd been raised by the Kents in Smallville, learned to use his abilities to help his adopted planet, and had his private life as a prize-winning journalist. She put off thoughts of how much she would miss him when she returned to Earth1.

She and Clark worked on the articles for the Planet a few evenings a week after her workday was over. She'd take the subway to Midtown Park, and walk to the Planet Building. When they finished for the day, they'd go to dinner, sometimes at the diner, sometimes another restaurant. Larry joined them on the nights he worked. After dinner, Clark insisted on seeing Lexy back to the Lab, dropping Larry off at his group home on the way.

One night they rode the South Troy Line Subway. All the seats were taken, and most of the straps. Clark held a strap, and Lexy held his arm. His warmth came through his shirt, and she felt his strong muscles flexing as he shifted when the car swayed. She wanted the subway ride to last. She said, "I can take the subway as long as it's not late, Clark, or take the bus. I used to in Manhattan. You have things to do that maybe can't wait." She meant his work as Superman.

"Call it my farm boy upbringing, but I'll see you home if it's after dark," Clark said. "Or put you in a cab if I can't. There's Larry, too. He walks to save money."

"He's a good kid," said Lexy. "Smart, hard-working. Too bad he lost his parents last year." She felt sometimes that she was living a Superman movie.

Those few days Clark didn't have to write or take care of business as Superman, they traveled around the six boroughs. Lexy thought she have to see as much of New York as she saw of Metropolis when she returned. One fine afternoon they visited the zoo and she'd seen the interplanetary animals cared for there. She said, "My world has its wonders, but nobody will believe what I've seen here."

"Do you think people will make it hard for you when you return?" Clark asked.

"I don't know what happened there, so I'll just have to see. Maybe I can avoid an explanation. Amnesia." They strolled out the zoo gates and up a quiet, tree-lined street to the subway. "I'm thirsty and I'd like tea and to sit down. There don't seem to be any coffee shops in Metropolis. Do you know where one is? They're pretty much everywhere on my world."

"Coffee shop? There's a chain of donut shops, and quick service sandwich shops. There's a diner," Clark said. "We can get coffee there."

"I mean a coffee shop, like—you wouldn't know the name. It's a café, where you can sit and have coffee or tea, a light meal, and talk for hours or read or work."

"I went to them when I was in Europe. Neighborhood spots, if you didn't want a bar."

"Right. Amazing you don't have them here. I didn't think i'd miss cake pops."

"Cake pops? Cake on a stick? How does it stay on?"

"Oh, it just a ball of cake and icing decorated. Ideal light snack and just the right amount of sweetness. Let's go to the diner, then."

*

Clark's parents came for a weekend, and they seemed very interested in her.

"Clark talks about you so much," Martha said. "We hope things work out for you."

"He's been very helpful and kind," said Lexy. "I'm pleased to meet you both."

Jonathan laughed. "At last. Clark told us you read about us on your world. Please tell us a little. Are we as good-looking as in the books?"

"Better-looking," said Lexy.

"Flattery will get you everywhere," Jonathan said.

Later that night, Lexy told Clark she liked his parents very much. They made her feel at home.

"They like you, too," he said.

*

The next night she went to a cocktail party at Perry White's penthouse. She met Cat Grant, who was warm and friendly, which no doubt helped her with her talk show, one of the most popular in the world. Jimmy Olsen introduced her to Lucy Lane, his fiancée. Their wedding was scheduled for July 30. Lucy teased Clark, and told him he could bring Lexy as his plus one, if she hadn't returned to her home world. Clark said he'd be delighted. Jerry White was charming, but Lois was polite on the surface, and something in her attitude made Lexy feel snubbed.

She shook hands with Mayor Luther, who grinned hard when he asked her about being found by Superman when she transported here. "The Man of Steel makes a habit of rescuing young ladies. So many fall in love with him." He shook his head, watching for her reaction. "He only loves himself. Are you hoping you'll have the chance to be rescued by Superman again?"

"Quite frankly, I can do without the need for rescue," said Lexy. "I never thought I'd be rescued by Superman once," she said with more truth than Luthor knew. "But he disappeared and didn't even give me a blanket." She smiled admiringly at Luther. "I saw LexCorp was around, everywhere, it seemed, doing so much to help us after the Maelstrom. They're real heroes, too, just unsung. You must be truly proud of what they did."

Luthor preened at the compliment, and invited her to visit his office. A photo op with this sensible, modestly pretty woman praising LexCorp would be a plus for him and a snub for Supes. She thanked him gratefully. Luthor moved on to another guest.

She checked her face in her compact, and headed for the bathroom set aside for women. Inside Lois was fixing her face in the mirror. Lois blotted her red lipstick and smiled a thin smile. "How do you like our Earth?" she asked, looking Lexy up and down critically.

"I like it here." Lexy looked at Lois, who wore a tight red cocktail dress that left little to the imagination and stopped short of being vulgar. Her beautiful, dark hair and brown eyes were striking. Lexy could see why Lois was regularly listed as one of the top ten influential women under 30 and on most beautiful lists. She was compelling even when she was rumpled. "I've met many fine people here, who've been so helpful. I'm going to miss them when the Lab finds my way home."

Lexy combed her hair and took out her lipstick. "Superman helped you in Midtown Park," said Lois. Lexy detected a bit of jealousy. "Don't you wish he'd be there to save you the next time?"

Lexy said, "No next time, I hope. I haven't spoken to Superman since then, technically." Lois looked puzzled. "Clark helped me settle in. He's been a friend." No more.

Lois snickered. "I dated Clark, the boy scout. He was always there to help, make things better. Do you know when I had the flu, and stayed with my sister, Lucy, he cleaned my apartment and washed and ironed my clothes?"

"He's been caring for my sister's cat. Clark helps where help is needed. You should give him a second look. He's got so much to offer." He's a super man, and you can't see him because you compare him to Superman. Superman is what he is because of Clark. He loves you, and you'd have it all. You dope.

Lois eyes brightened. "Yeah, a wheat farm in Kansas and a decent career as a news journalist," she said scornfully. 

"He doesn't even want to be an anchor. You find Clarks in every newsroom. Superman is one of a kind. He'll never marry, put his family at risk." Lois scowled in frustration. "The only man who compares to him is Jerry White. You'd jump at the chance to be near Superman again, like most women."

"Not to take anything from Superman, who risks everything for Earth, but I'll stick with Clark. He helped me when I needed it. I hope you find what—who you're looking for, Lois." Lexy checked her face in the mirror one last time and left.

She found Lucy Lane by the patio door. "Have you seen Clark?"

Lucy said, "He, Jimmy, and Jerry went to the library so Jerry could show them his mom's new painting by the latest hot new artist. Mrs. White is quite the collector."

"OK, thanks. I'll wait out here for him."

Lois came by with Lex Luthor. They were discussing his plans for LexCorp. Luthor had his arm around Lois's waist. Her sultry, bedroom eyes were fixed on him.

Lucy whispered, "I think Lex wants Lois back. She's one of the hot catches in Metropolis. She's lucky she and Jerry are so perfect."

"Lois is beautiful and successful."

"Poor Clark never stood a chance with her. Luthor wants to be governor, and says Lois would make the perfect First Lady."

Lexy shrugged. "She'll be successful whatever she does. You've got quite a sister."

"Yeah," said Lucy. "Do you have any sisters or brothers?"

"I have a sister, Pris. She's quite the go-getter. My brother, Marty passed away this year. We have a pandemic on my home world. He caught it and died. Pris and I caught it and lived. Mom was wrecked."

"I'm sorry for your loss. You and your sister can stick together with your mother."

"Yeah, Mom's close to Pris. She's the achiever in the family. Good degree, good job, well-paid. Always excelled. I was 'the other sister,'" said Lexy.

"Me, too." Lucy laughed. "I admire Lois, but I wouldn't trade Jimmy for her life. I might like a little more excitement, though. Let's refresh our drinks and talk for a bit."

The two women were still talking when Clark found them. "You ready to go?" Clark asked.

"Yep," Lexy answered. "Let's just say goodbye to the Whites. See you, Lucy."

They caught a cab to the Labs. Clark waited by the elevator with her. He would leave when she got on, as usual. "Everyone is friendly, but Lois is a little distant," she told him.

"She's annoyed she didn't get the articles with you, for one thing. Salt in the wound, her arch rival, Cat, got the TV interview with you. Don't bother about her. Jerry is right for her. She's just waiting for him to propose." Clark knew Lexy remembered their conversation about Lois leaving him for Lex Luthor, and the version of his relationship with Lois on her Earth. He suddenly realized he hadn't thought about Lois for days.

She patted his arm. "You're a wonderful man, Clark. I know things are difficult for you in relationships, but I hope you find someone who loves you enough to manage your life."

The elevator doors slid open and Lexy got on. Clark stared at her. He accepted he wanted to be with her, this quiet and sensitive woman from another world. Two things wrong with this scenario: she wanted and needed to go home, and she didn't care for him. He smiled and waved. "I'll see you tomorrow night. We'll finish the last article." The doors slid shut and Clark heard the elevator rise. He waited for a moment, breathing in her fragrance and remembering how she looked in the dark cocktail dress, a warm smile on her face as the door shut.

Lexy walked slowly to her room, wishing she dared invite Clark to her room. She liked him too much to be around him much longer. She'd ask Barry to find her a place to stay outside of Metropolis until the Lab found the way to send her home.

The next night she told Clark she'd decided to find another place to stay until she could return home, and his face fell. He's got so much to do. I can't suck up more of his free time. "Barry will tell me what's available tonight. Fortunately, there's a couple of places here in the City."

"Good," said Clark. "I'll keep in touch. There's a lot going on here. Barry says the Lab expects the Maelstroms to return in August, so nearby would be better for you. My parents are going home day after tomorrow. They said they'd like to see you again before they go. How about dinner at my apartment with them tomorrow?" Lexy nodded. The Kents felt like family, although she didn't say that to Clark.

When Jonathan and Martha learned she planned to stay with a sponsor for a while, they immediately offered their home. They were sincere, and, when she hesitated, suggested she try it for a week. If she didn't like Kansas, she could find another place. On impulse, Lexy said yes. She wondered how this would help her keep her from falling in love with Clark, especially since he was bound to visit his parents.

The Kents left the next morning, saying they would be ready for Lexy when she came the next week. They hugged her and Clark at the airport, and left to board their plane.