3458/Skeletons in the Trunk

Skeletons in the Trunk
Date of Scene:	22 December 2017
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Lois Lane, Superman

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Lois Lane has posed:
The first article against Fanelli came out a week ago. He got released, there was some messiness in the paper, a shooting that was (supposedly) unreleated, but everyone in the mob community is on edge. Lois has been working almost 24/7 to get some more dirt on him but, also, his allies. If she can get more of them behind bars, all the better. She's done her best to be subtle about it, to use her safe contacts, and to not walk alone. But no one is perfect. Tonight? Tonight she slipped up.

And now she's paying for it.

It was just around the block from the office to her car, but that was long enough for the black sleeper sedan to pull around the corner, two men get out and violently sock her across the face. The struggle was real, Lois kicking and fighting with her high heels, but they muscled her violently into the trunk of the car, slamming the hood several times on her to try and get the woman to just BE STILL before they torn back off into the night. The whole matter took less than a minute, but now she's laying half dazed and bleeding in the back of that car, drowsily trying to find the safety release while she fights to stay conscious.

Superman has posed:
Clark has been keeping a close eye on the entire situation. He wanted Lois to handle it on her own, if she could, because he believed in her. Still, he also didn't want her to get hurt. Tonight, she got hurt. He could hear the scuffle from his apartment, a good distance from the Planet, and he quickly set down the model plane he was carefully working on.

In an instant he had changed from his pajamas, to the famous red and blue outfit known around the world. The mobsters cruised along with the supposedly unconcious Lois in the back seat, unaware of what was coming.

The car suddenly slowed, and then lifted in the rear, making everyone slump forward. A glance backwards reveals a fluttering cape, and a disapproving look on Superman's face through the rear glass. "You should really ask a lady if she wants to go for a ride. Assumptions like this doesn't do anyone any good. You okay, Lois?

Lois Lane has posed:
A slight shriek of shock comes from the trunk as Lois feels the car picked up, not certain if they've been in an accident or what. THe driver tries to book it, only burning rubber against Superman's impossible strength. Then she hears that voice and relief floods her paniced mind. She keeps pounding at the top of the trunk's latch, still not quite able to get it open, "I...I'm fine...I just can't get the safety open...I think they broke it!" SHe curses softly, bloodied fingernails fighting at the inside of the trunk in the panic of a trapped animal, even if she is safe now. She knows that.

THe Mobsters, for their part, are coming to the realization that they are caught. There is no fighting this, he's Superman. So, instead of fighting with the car any longer, they move for the doors and try to run and book it away. Maybe some of them can escape.

Superman has posed:
As the mobsters begin to scramble for the doors...he simply lifts the car. He lifts it higher and higher, making the thought of opening the doors seem like a very, very bad idea. He can hear the panic in her breathing, and hear every rapid beat of her heart. His words are picked carefully, and his tone is expertly calming. "Ms. Lane, it's alright. You don't need to worry about the latch. I've got you."

He turns to fly through the air, the car dangling at an odd angle in one hand, yet held securely. He glances back and down now and again to make sure the thugs aren't trying anything. "Gentleman, sit tight. It's a one hundred foot drop at this point. You'll be much safer once I set you down outside of the police station, don't worry."

Lois Lane has posed:
His voice was reassuring. Steadying. She trusted that voice. Lois tried to calm her panicked heart and just let him do his job. She forces herself to take a slower breath in against that rapid bird beat of her heart and then exhales. It helps, a little, but not too much for still being trapped in that small space. She'd been stuck in one too many small places before -- hell, once he saved her from in a coffin. This wasn't much better, but she trusted he'd get her out.

"...Just... just open the trunk, please... I... I know you have me, it'll be fine..." She says as much to reassure herself as him. The mobsters are cursing in Italian and street lingo, clearly pissed but not willing to toss their lives away. He's well and truly got them.

Superman has posed:
He nodded slowly, and he reached down with his free hand to carefully break the latch on the trunk. The trunk swung open, revealing her...and the drop and everything. Superman smiled at her and offered her his hand, so she could climb onto his shoulders while he continued carrying the mobster's to the police.

"These men work for a certain individual that was let out of prison recently, Ms. Lane. I believe you know who I'm talking about?"

He turned, then, once she was secure on him, and flew them the rest of the way to the precinct. He carefully set the car down, before waving to several nearby police officers. "Officers! These men just attempted to kidnap this woman. Please, make sure they don't hurt anyone else?" He glanced towards the car, as if prepared to do something if the men attempted to shoot their way out of this...when set down near so many cops...in front of the precinct.

Lois Lane has posed:
A yelp escapes her lips as Lois realizes just how high up they are and that he's in the middle of literally flying a car across the sky. Still, it was better than being trapped in the car, and she trusted him. Shaking and still half panicked, she crawls out of the trunk and tightly onto his shoulders, clinging to the strength of his shoulders and neck for literal dear life.

This close, she smells so much like Lois. Her preferred coffee, the faint hint of a stolen cigarette, vanilla and sandalwood. Lois. And blood. Blood from her nose, from a long cut on her cheek, her fingers from the fight. There are a lot of bruises under the surface too but adrenaline keeps the pain away. She buries her face into his neck, she'll apologize for the blood later, and hides from the world as they fly. For a few moments, he is her entire world and that is what matters. "T-thank...thank you. Yes... Fanelli's people, I think. Yes... shit..." She breathes out against his neck. And then they are there, in front of the police station and dozen cops pour out to take in the suspects in a too quick but orderly fashion. Lois is still holding onto him for dear life.

Superman has posed:
Superman has no intention of complaining about the blood. When the criminals are handled, he offers the cops a friendly wave...and then lifts right back into the air. He rolls his shoulder and reaches back to gently unfasten her from his shoulders, and instead to cradle her in his impossibly strong arms so she can give her own muscles a break. It is clear he is flying her in the direction of her home.

His gaze dips briefly over her, and while it might appear he is checking her out or admiring her, he is giving her bone and muscle structure a quick scan for any serious damage. "I'm glad your okay, Lois. You're shaken, sure, but...you're okay. I'll bring you home and we'll see about patching you up, okay?"

Lois Lane has posed:
Nothing serious. Possibly a very faintly cracked rib, but there is nothing that the hospital could do about that. SOme tight bandaging around her ribs to give it a few days without shifting and she'd be fine. Everything else is bruising and surface cuts -- her nose isn't even broken, she just took a hard punch that is going to be sore a few days. Lois doesn't even complain about his worried words or arms -- this brush was close enough that it's shaken her to simply needing him for a moment. So, she lets herself come off her high horse and need him.

She curls in just a bit closer to his chest, as he shifts her weight like that, and allows herself to start to actually relax. She nods half mute to his reassuring words, "I...I'm fine...I've been careful, really...t-they must have been waiting outside the office. I'm sorry, Superman...I...I'm sorry."

Superman has posed:
"You have no reason to apologize, Lois. You did what you thought you needed to do to help people and put the bad guys behind bars. I can respect that. I'd never ask you to hold yourself back...even if the idea of you being in trouble scares me a bit."

Soon enough her apartment comes into view, and he floats outside for long enough to reach out and open her window. He then helps her through it, and climbs in after her. He glances about the place and then turns to focus his attention on her again.

Lois Lane has posed:
Lois' apartment is sparse. She doesn't spend much time here. A penthouse condo in one of the middle class areas of metropolis, she has functional black leather furniture in an achingly modern style, a stereo and flat screen TV, glass coffee tables, and bookshelves. So many bookshelves. The only proof a reporter lives here are hundreds of books and thousands of magazines all weighing down onyx black bookshelves that line all the walls. The week's papers lay out messily with a half empty cup of cold coffee on the dining room table. There's a few empty bottles of wine. A single wine glass. It's the apartment of a very lonely woman.

"I...I'm sure you're needed elsewhere. I can clean up... clean this up. I'm fine now, they won't come here, there's good security in the building." SHe reassures him, still slightly breathless but shes gotten better hold of herself now.

Superman has posed:
He cocks his head to the side for a moment. It might take her a moment to realise he is -listening-. To -everything-. He then shakes his head and offers her a small smile. "The world can get on without me for a few moments, Lois. It's alright. Nothing going on that the cops, or someone else in a cape, can't handle." He walks slowly around her apartment, his cape swishing behind him as he glances over her various bookshelves and stacks of magazines.

Lois Lane has posed:
It's so rare she actually just gets to watch him. That handsome figure, the cape, the outfit... He truly did seem superhuman sometimes. And too handsome. She could barely think and it wasn't for the danger she was just in. She shakily sinks down into sitting on her couch, fingertips still slightly trembling, but she's trying to pull herself back together. "...Thank you. Really. I... I don't know what I'd have done if you weren't there. I'm generally safe about these things... I try to be, at least..." She's fighting with the shame of having been grabbed, but the relief of being near him.

Superman has posed:
He listens to her for a moment before he nods. He crosses her apartment and slips into the kitchen. She can hear a cupboard beind opened, and then some water being poured. He carries it out to her and holds it out for her as he asks, "Where is your first aid kit? I could look for it, but...I'd rather not invade your privacy like that." The Man of Tomorrow doesn't comment on her guilt, but his tone certainly makes it seem like he is happy she is okay.

Lois Lane has posed:
The water helps. Her fingertips still slightly shaking, but not so much she'll drop the glass. She takes it from him, palm lingering against the back of his hand for a heartbeat or two too long. He's the only man in the world that makes her feel like this, but Lois isn't all that good at hiding that school girl crush she has on him. So she steals that touch, but then goes back to her water, a weak smile crossing her cracked lip.

"Beneath the bathroom sink. It... should have things left in there, I think. It...it's not so bad. The bleeding has stopped mostly. THey just got a bit rough. I've had worse." SHe states, some of her familiar hubris coming back.

Superman has posed:
The brief touch causes a small smile, but he doesn't mention it. In all truth, Kal'el already loves Lois. He has for awhile now. He has grown to admire her both as Clark, and as Superman. But a relationship is something he has always felt isn't meant for him. He wants it, but...

He nods and turns, making his way into the bathroom. He kneels to open the cupboard, and he withdraws the kit. "Regardless, we need to clean it. Better safe then sorry, Lois. You don't want to survive a kidnapping, and then get an infection, right?" His voice is still so deep and pleasing, even while being caring like this. He makes his way back into the living room and kneels in front of her. The Man of Steel opens the kit, and begins to slowly clean her wounds.

Lois Lane has posed:
The dark haired woman parts her lips to protest, some of that fierce pride coming back into her tone, but then he's just there. Kneeling in front of her. So utterly gentle and strong. She finds herself without words for a moment, lips hovering slightly open on the edge of a protest that never comes. Finally, she simply nods, leaning her head forward into his touch.

"You... you're always so good to me. Do you do this with every girl you save? Must get exhausting..." Lois murmurs softly, trying to figure out why her heart is in her throat again. It's certainly no longer in fear.

Superman has posed:
He chuckles softly as he works. Gentle cleaning of her small wounds. Now and again their eyes meet. His are so impossibly blue. "No, not every girl, Lois. Just you." Superman is honest about it, at least. "Now, you don't have anything broken, which is good. Bruising on a rib, bordering on a crack, but...just keep yourself on light duty for a few days so it can heal. Can I trust you to do that?"

Lois Lane has posed:
Those gentle touches from him are enough to truly calm her, all the panic faded. Lois exhales a low, quiet breath, leaning into the brush of his fingertips just a bit deeper for another heartbeat, before she gives him a small nod. "I... can promise that. I'll go to the precinct in the morning, give a report. I'll see if Jimmy wants to pick me up for work. I...I'll be fine. I promise. You.. you don't have to stay. I'm feeling better." But there is a part of her voice that wishes he would, clearly. The edge of asking him something more.

Superman has posed:
"Are you sure, Lois?," Superman asks her. Those impossibly blue eyes are on her own, as if looking into her soul. "I can stay for as long as you need me." There's something in his tone. Something restrained. Something needful. Superman pulls his gaze away, though, to pick up the cleaning supplies. He leans in and gently dabs at her cheek.

Lois Lane has posed:
"...maybe just... a little while? Until I fall asleep? We... we can stay out here. It doesn't have to be improper..." Lois offers, like he was some old fashioned gentleman. She then gets up, moving to the bedroom for just a few moments. When she returns, she's in her robe, night gown beneath it, something protective and soft. "If... if you just stayed until I fell asleep... it'd help." She admits quietly, something in her still shaken. But more of her just wanting him here. After a few awkward moments of almost dancing, she settles on the couch with him, curled in against his side. Her head to his chest, body going a bit more slack just for his presence. Like this, it won't take her long to fall asleep at all...

Superman has posed:
He nods slowly, his smile soft and warm. "Of course, Lois. I'll sit here and wait for you to sleep." Superman moves to the couch and sits, waiting for her. His thoughts drift to improper places when she returns, but he keeps his actions gentlemanly. He's better then that. He raises a strong arm when she curls against his side, and he wraps it gently around her. He could tear a moon in half with his cosmic strength, and yet he is also capable of the utmost gentleness. The Man of Tomorrow smiles down at her, listening to her heartbeat and her breathing. Eventually they both even out, and she settles into sleep.

It is then that he hears the sound of trouble three states over. He climbs from the couch with perfect gentleness, not stirring her. He moves to the window and glances back at her for the briefest moment. He is then up, up and away.