Meeting the Man of Steel

Ch. 5 Doing better

Charlie's POV
I get to my cubicle and throw my belongings on my desk. I feel so rested, I'm glad I came to work. My sleep was so deep and peaceful. Maybe I need to be held captive more often.

Just kidding. I'm good.

I begin turning on my computer when Lois makes her way over to me. "Charlie, you're here! Are you ok? You should've taken the day off! I'm so sorry I didn't go home with you last night. I really wanted to get a head start on the article." She talked so fast my eyes widened. Although I felt rested, it was way too earlier to have that much energy. I laugh and her rambling and I assure her that I'm fine. I felt great actually and that I was happy to come in. There was no need to miss work on my first week of my new job.

I was personally scared of falling back into my black hole so I needed to keep reminding myself to stay productive and keep my feelings up. I can't remember the last time I felt confidence like this. "I feel completely fine. I was a little shook up yesterday but nothing a little rest couldn't fix," I smile at Lois as she returns a look of uncertainty to me. "Ok, well, if you need anything I'll be at my desk." She looks me up and down as if to analyze me and proceeds to bounce off around the corner. Leaving me to finally sit down and get to work.

Who else better to write this article than me? The woman held at gun point. This will be a great start to my career. I roll my eyes at myself. Yes, move to a new place, start a new career, have your face planted everywhere as the damsel in distress. Perfect.

Halfway through I have to get up and grab coffee. Staring at the computer screen was starting to make my eyes tired so I head to the staff kitchen. Not paying attention to my surroundings I blindly reach for the coffee pot handle when a hand is place over mine. I pull my hand back in shock, "Oh! I'm so sorry. Please, go ahead," I say politely not even bothering to look up. I begin rubbing the back of my neck when I hear a mans voice. "No, please. Ladies first," a familiar, deep voice sends my eyes up to meet his face. He has dark curly hair that matches the dark rimmed glasses he's wearing. His jaw line stretching for days and the perfect crooked smile. "Hi, I'm Clark," he says with his quirky smile, holding out his hand. "I'm Charlie," I respond to his handshake and smile back to him. I leave my hand in his as I inch towards him. I can't help but see something familiar in his face. "I'm sorry have we met?" I ask moving my hand to my chin as if that will help jog my memory. I've seen this man before but where? His soft but masculine voice was too familiar.

Hiding behind his dark rimmed glasses he answers, "I can say that we have never met before. I think I would remember." He pushes his glasses up showing more of his icy blue eyes and has a big smile plastered across his face.

I blush and grab a cup of coffee. "Well, it's nice to meet you Clark." I keep my head down and head back to my desk. I felt my face cool down as I turned away and I kept questioning where I know that face from. I shake the thought from my head as I sit down and begin to finish the article when I'm interrupted. "I know this is forward but would you want to grab lunch. Or coffee? What ever you prefer." Clark asks casually as he places his hand down on my desk. I look up and I couldn't help but feel like I know him. That we've talked before. I've seen that smile before. And why do I know those hands?..

"Sure." I blurt out. Guess I'm not thinking that through. Oh, who cares. He's just a new friend. He asked so easily and it just felt easy to say yes to him. It's good to branch out and meet people anyway, right? I can't just bug Lois for ever. "Great. Ya, ok, good," he says suddenly appearing nervous and shuffling around. "I'll grab you at noon." He seems surprised at my response as he knocks my desk with his knuckle and walks off to his own desk. Something seems familiar about him that I couldn't help but say no to. It's driving my crazy. But who is he reminding me of?