This is a piece I wrote to combine the two best shows on earth.... FoLCs who haven't watched The Pretender should...It might give you a better idea of the basic story, and likewise with Pretender fans...Hope everyone likes it and please let me know either way! Many thanks to my IRC pal Sunnset for her huge help by editing it! Lois and Clark Meet The Pretender By Nirvana Kliese * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * There are Pretenders among us. Geniuses with the ability to become anyone they want to be. In 1963 a corporation known as "The Center" isolated a young Pretender named Jarod and exploited his geniuses for their research. Then one day, their Pretender ran away. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The dark-haired man sat quietly in front of Perry White, editor of the Daily Planet, as he looked through his countless resumes. On his face was a confident smile; he had a mission. In his hands rested a small red notebook full of newspaper clippings. He opened it and looked at the clippings once again. "Well-Respected Police Officer, Insane." "Kidnapping by Officer." "How Safe is Our Police Force?" "Insane Officer Kidnaps Child." A man called Keith Smith had been accused of a crime that wasn't his. He'd seen too much of something he should never have known existed. He was labeled insane and locked away. He was accused of kidnapping a child, he hadn't had a trial. The man knew that someone had to be taught a lesson. His attention was brought back to the present by Mr. White clearing his throat. "Well, Mr. Wilson, we'd be honoured to have you." His eyes smiled. "Please, call me Jarod." * * * * Lois looked up from her terminal at Clark, who was walking in casually through the office door straightening his tie. He had just gotten back from yet another of his frequent rescue missions. They had been taking up a lot of his time lately, too. Their most recent case -- involving a suspected kidnapper who had been convicted even though he hadn't been given a fair trial -- was one of their toughest yet, and she'd had to do the most part of it alone. That wouldn't have been a big deal to her a while ago, and she could handle it alone, but she was used to Clark now and, in her own unspoken way, she'd come to rely on him a lot more than she wanted to admit. "You're back late; those 'errands' seem to be really keeping you busy," she mumbled with the edge of sarcasm on her voice. He looked pained. "You know I can't help it, honey." He whispered in her ear. She sighed. It was true; it wasn't his fault and she knew that he hated being away from her as much as she hated being away from him. But she just keep feeling that sometimes the city took precedence over the stories they were working on, and, more importantly, her. She gently took hold of his tie and pulled him close. "I know, I'm sorry." She kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Now can we get to work here!" She gestured to the chair beside her. "What have we got?" Clark asked, leaning towards the buzzing terminal. "A case of a guy being seriously framed as I see it." She pointed at the photo emerging on the screen before them. It was of a man with short black curly hair and dark eyes; he smiled a slightly lopsided smile and wore a blue police uniform. He seemed to be a kindly looking man. "This is Keith Smith," Lois stated, "he's 42 years old and the father of two kids. He's always been considered a gentle man by all his friends and family, so much so that his wife claims that if a spider's in the house, he traps it in a glass and takes it outside." Clark raised his eyebrows. "What's with the uniform?" he asked. "He's a police officer, or used to be anyway." Lois shook her head. "That's what makes it even worse for him." "Sounds like a cover-up to me." Clark looked at the screen again. "Officer Thomas Diel was the man who fired him. Should we check him out?" Lois nodded. They stood up and began to walk towards the door when Perry came out of his office with a young man with short dark hair, wearing a black suit and looking professional. He wore a soft smile. "Lois, Clark, get back here!" Perry called. "I want you to meet someone." Lois and Clark walked towards the man and he nodded to greet them. "This is Jarod Wilson," Perry smiled. "He's a new reporter here, and he's got a stunning record for his work." Jarod smiled and shook Clark's outstretched hand. "Pleased to meet you, Clark," he said confidently. He turned to face Lois. "You must be Ms. Lane," he smiled. Perry seemed happy that his reporters where getting on well. "He's going to be working with you on this story." He broke the news softly, waiting to hear Lois's reaction. She glared at Perry for a moment, then pasted on a strained smile. "Perry, what are you talking about?" He smiled back as if he hadn't noticed her hidden distress. "Well, you and Clark seem to be a bit slow with this case and I thought you could use some help." Clark looked at Lois. She sighed. "Fine." Clark turned his attention to Jarod. "We were just heading off to see Officer Diel. Do you need us to fill you in on the case?" Jarod shook his head. "No, I'm pretty up-to-date with it. Thank you." Clark smiled at him and nodded. Lois sighed again. "OK, let's go!" * * * * They climbed into Lois's Jeep and began to drive. Jarod carried a large brown box, which he refused to tell either Lois and Clark what it contained. Jarod leaned forward and turned to Lois. "I really appreciate you letting me in on the story. It's very kind of you." Lois stopped frowning. "Oh, that's OK. I guess we could do with a bit of help." Jarod shifted his eyes between Lois and Clark. "So what do you think? Is he insane?" he asked, prying for their motives. "Not that we can tell." Clark answered. "Despite the negative media coverage, we think he just saw too much." Jarod nodded. Lois stopped the car abruptly outside the donut shop. "I'm hungry, who wants donuts?" She asked. "I do." Clark raised a hand. She looked at Jarod. He stared blankly. "What's a donut?" * * * * They carried the bag of donuts into Lois's car and kept driving. Jarod stared at them. He looked through the middle. "So," he questioned "They cut a hole in them on purpose?" Lois and Clark exchanged amused glances. "Haven't you ever had a donut before?" Lois asked with a laugh. He shook his head and gave a laugh, too. "No, they didn't have them where I grew up." Clark shrugged. "How did you survive?" * * * * "We're here," Lois announced as the car stopped outside a large brick building. It had five flower gardens outside but there were few plants in them, and the plants that were there looked lethargic. The grass was neatly cut and there was a wide concrete path leading towards the entrance, a glass door with the words "Metropolis PD" written in black. Clark began to get a faraway look in his eyes, urgency crossing his face. Lois knew that look well. "Clark, why don't you go and check out the back of the building while Jarod and I go in this way?" She nodded towards him. He smiled gratefully. "Ahh, good idea." He ran off towards the rear of the building pulling at his tie. Jarod nodded at an unasked question as if knowing the answer. "He's in quite a hurry," Jarod commented. "I guess the building waits for no man." Lois looked nervous, but soon covered it up with a smile. "Yeah." She pushed open the glass door and they found themselves in a small room which resembled a waiting area. It was full of seats and lead to many corridors. She walked over to the wooden bench and rang the bell that sat there. A moment later a large man dressed in uniform emerged from one of the corridors. He smiled warmly. "How can I help you?" Jarod stepped forward and shook the man's hand. "I'm Jarod Wilson and this is Lois Lane. We're from the Daily Planet. We were wondering if it would be possible to speak to Officer Thomas Diel?" The man's smile grew. "You're lookin' at him." Jarod and Lois looked at each other, prompting the other to go first. Finally Lois spoke. "Mr. Diel, we're here regarding the Keith Smith case. I was wondering what you could tell us about it." The man didn't bat an eyelid, his script seemed fully rehearsed. "Ahh, the Smith case," he sighed. "That's a pretty big story. I'm surprised that a big paper like the Planet hadn't been here first." "Oh, but you see we want the real story, Mr. Diel, not the pre-written one," Lois replied. "Well let's see... Officer Smith worked here for quite a few years, he was a good guy and he was dedicated. Who would've thought it?" He shook his head, showing disappointment in the spoken party. "About the kidnapping?" Jarod prompted. "Well, the child was kidnapped from his backyard at five o'clock on the evening of Saturday, the 22nd of May. He was found safe at Smiths' house." "Is it true that the boy was unconscious when found?" Jarod asked. "Yeah," Diel said. "So he couldn't prove as a witness to who the kidnapper was?" Diel nodded. "It was a very unfortunate case." "We've been doing some research and according to Mr. Smith, the child's father was here an hour before the boy was kidnapped. Something about a bribe in the system, and that the boy was going to be kidnapped by one of his gunmen, held hostage until a ransom was paid by his ex-wife, the boy's mother. Then the boy would be released and he'd keep the money. He said that the man was here making sure, via cash, that the case would be a low priority. Is that true?" Lois asked. Diel looked uncomfortable. "You're quoting the ravings of a mad man," he stated. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have business to attend to." He turned and walked down the hall. * * * * Clark met up with them outside and they returned to the Planet. "So let's see," Clark asked, "tell me the story one more time." Jarod raised an eyebrow at Clark. "I thought you and Ms. Lane where working on the story together, Mr. Kent?" He asked. Clark wriggled uncomfortably. "We are, but um, Lois is the brains when it comes to the research area!" He laughed nervously. Jarod smiled a small smile. "OK, well, here it is..." Lois changed the subject. "The boy's father, John Rays, who is a well-respected judge, had recently split with his wife, and didn't feel he got the fair half of the bargain. According to Smith, he was returning to the station early from a routine road check to find Officer Diel and a few of his fellow colleagues talking to Rays. Apparently he decided to listen before entering, and he said he heard Rays tell Diel the plan then pass him a large canvas bag containing cash. He said that the plan was to get his ex-wife, who the boy was living with, to pay the ransom," "Which was?" Jarod asked. "Four million dollars," Lois finished. "Wow," Clark mumbled. "So where does Smith come into being framed for the kidnapping?" "It seems that the officers saw him there and decided he was the perfect decoy, they'd label him insane and get it over with," Jarod answered for her. "I think we should pay Officer Smith a visit." * * * * They pulled up in front of the prison, where there was an angry looking security guard standing at the gate. "Who are you?" he demanded. "We're reporters from the Daily Planet." Jarod stated. "We'd like to talk to Kevin Smith." The security guard shook his head. "Sorry, no access." "What the--" Lois began but Jarod cut her off. "Thank you," he said and gestured for her to drive off. "You'd better have a reason for that," she snarled at him when she pulled over down the street. "I wasn't always a reporter," he said simply. "Is there a point to this?" Clark asked impatiently. "I'm also a security guard." He smiled and pulled out the box from the back of the car, opening it to expose a blue security uniform. He smiled at Lois and Clark. "It's amazing how different a suit can make you look. Isn't that right, Clark?" He smiled his knowing smile at Clark. Clark shook his head nervously. "Whatever you say." He exchanged glances with Lois who mouthed at him one word: "C-o-i-n-c-i-d-e-n-c- e." * * * * The sturdy door swung open to expose a long row of cells, each equipped with equally sturdy bars. He wandered down the passageway while being yelled and whistled at by the rowdy inmates. Towards the end of the cells he came to a cell with a man sitting on his bed writing a letter to someone. He had black curly hair and fitted the description of Smith. "Mr. Smith?" he queried. The man looked up and Jarod caught the heading of his letter: "To my dear family." "Yeah," he said bitterly. "That's me." "Mr. Smith, it's time for your exercise." Jarod smiled at him. The man frowned but didn't ask any questions to why he was to exercise alone that day. Then they reached the oval and Smith turned to him. "I know you won't believe me but I'm innocent." Jarod's expression didn't change, he was silent. "I knew it," Smith sighed. "None of you security guards believe me." Jarod caught his eye. "Well, Mr. Smith, I'm not really a security guard, and your innocence is why I'm here." "Pardon?" he asked. Jarod turned to face him. "We know what you heard." "Yeah, and you to think I'm nuts?" He sat down on the ground and put his head in his hands. "They won't let me see my kids, Mr.... Um, what's your name?" Jarod smiled. "Call me Jarod." Smith nodded. "What did you see?" Jarod asked. "You know what I saw, everyone does," he replied. "How did the child get to be in your yard?" Jarod asked. "Didn't you say someone else was to kidnap him?" Smith looked up. "They tried to shoot at me when they heard. I got away, so I guess they thought this was the next best thing." He gestured to the walls surrounding the penitentiary. Jarod nodded. "We're trying to get you out. Is there anything you could tell them to give us a hand?" Jarod caught Smith's eye, and for that moment he became him. He felt his pain and frustration, the feeling to know that you're right, but to be the only one. The urge to see his beloved wife and beautiful children. The pain of being betrayed by those that he respected and honoured the most, by the system that he trusted. And most of all the determination to prove his innocence, no matter what it took. "The boy was laying on my lawn, under a bush, unconscious," he said. "What's there to tell?" Jarod nodded. "Can we talk to the boy?" Smith frowned. "He was knocked out before he saw anything, says the last thing he remembers is being in his room playing his Gameboy." A light bulb went off above Jarod's head. "The office had a security camera right?" "Yeah, so?" he asked. "So was the tape ever recovered?" "Supposedly, but it wasn't the real tape... I swear. It had nothing on it but the usual." He sighed. Jarod smiled. "I know two investigative reporters who could probably find the real one.... Leave it to me." Smith nodded. "Thanks." Jarod exited the yard and walked towards the gates. * * * * "What did you find?" Lois asked desperately as he came back to the car. "It's what I didn't find that's our clue." "What?!" Lois asked, losing her patience. "No one ever uncovered the REAL security tape that day. The clue is in that." Clark shook his head. "Do you think we can find it... I mean, I'm not so sure." "I'm sure Superman can help," Jarod said calmly. "Um, yeah, uh, good idea. I'll see if he's around." Clark exited the car and took off into the bushes. Jarod smiled at Lois, who smiled back. Who was he? * * * * "Got it!" Clark said triumphantly as he bounded off the elevator. "Where?" Jarod asked. "Underneath Mr. Diel's bed." He replied and slid the tape into the tape player. The whole scene came up on film. Exactly as Keith had described it. "Yes!" Lois whispered as the video cut out. "Let's show this to the police." "Not so fast," Jarod said. "Huh?" "Well, the police got him into this. We have to go overseas or somewhere away from here. Do you think Superman would mind?" He asked Clark. "I'm sure he'd be happy to help." Clark headed for the elevator. * * * * Jarod popped another Pez in his mouth as he sorted through the papers on his desk. Thomas Diel, father of one, and this framing. He smiled at the colourful Pez dispenser and sighed. What could he do? There was nothing that could be done to teach this guy a lesson. Anything he did would be merely proving him guilty. No, not good enough. He needed a bit more sting. Suppose he was framed for another crime, suppose the crime had never been committed. Suppose it was on the computer and no one believed him when he pleaded his innocence, stating that no one committed that crime, that it didn't exist. Suppose he was labeled insane and locked away. Jarod picked up the phone and began to dial. A young man's voice answered. "Jimmy." Jarod smiled to himself. "It's Jarod. Could you do me a favour?" * * * * Jarod walked into the planet the next day to see Clark and Lois putting on their coats ready to leave. "Did I miss something?" Jarod asked the two reporters innocently. Clark smiled at him. "Yeah, we tried to call you all morning. Where were you?" Jarod shrugged. "I guess I slept late, what did I miss?" Lois looked up. "It seems that Mr. Diel was guilty of two crimes: the cover up and framing of Mr. Smith and the murder of a Samantha Wilson a number of years ago. It was actually on the computer system, including the locations of the evidence. The police received an anonymous tip early this morning--the non-corrupt police that is." She smiled. "Of course, Diel is pleading innocent to the murder case. He can't deny the framing, but he even claims that no one called Samantha Wilson even exists. Pretty funny, huh?" Jarod smiled. "So it seems the tables have turned on Officer Diel?" Clark nodded. "Well, it isn't like he didn't deserve it." Jarod laughed. "Can I ask you two a favour?" Lois looked back at him as they all made their way to the door. "If a woman and a man come here, later, looking from me, can you give them this?" He removed from his pocket a red note book and a donut wrapped in plastic. Clark frowned. "You going somewhere, Jarod?" Jarod shook his head. "Right now, I'm going to the police station!" * * * * When they walked in through the door of the police station, Diel was being interrogated. "I didn't commit a murder, darn it!" He yelled at the officers surrounding him. "That case doesn't even exist!!!" The officers shook their heads. "We have the evidence, and we wont believe the ravings of a criminal." Diel wouldn't give up "But I'm telling the truth!!!" He screamed. Diel was taken out to the police car protesting, but Jarod caught him along the way. "It must feel terrible not to have anyone believe you. Just ask Keith Smith, I'm sure he knows how you feel." He smiled slyly and walked to join Lois and Clark. * * * * Later that afternoon at the Daily Planet..... Lois and Clark sat at Lois's desk, both discussing the story. "I still think it's great how the tables got turned on this guy," Lois smiled, looking up at Clark. Clark was somewhere else, deep in thought. He was staring at Jarod's desk. He was sure that that guy knew more than he said. About everything, including him. And now he was gone. Clark's fingers touched the red notebook in his pocket. Who was Jarod? For some reason Clark felt like he could be anyone, even if he couldn't be himself. And where did he grow up? Never to have seen a donut? Clark was brought out of his thought by Lois holding up an envelope in front of his face. "Huh?" he said, as he realized how lost in thought he actually was. "Sorry, honey, what did you say?" "I said this just came for you." Lois smiled "What is it?" Clark took the envelope and pried it open "It's a message, but each word is in a different language. I wonder..." "What does it say?" Lois asked, studying it intently. "It says....oh, my gosh...." Clark froze. "What?!" "It, it says "I know you're Superman, your secret's safe. Jarod." Lois and Clarks eyes met. "Who *IS* he?" Lois began to pace. She came to a halt in front of a cold -looking lady and a middle-aged man and looked up at them. The lady was wearing a short skirt, her red hair was parted and she puffed at a cigarette. Her eyes bore a cold stare. "Hey lady, no smoking!" someone called from the other side of the newsroom. She turned to face them and drew another puff of smoke from the cigarette. "Live with it," she snarled, turning back to Lois. The man seemed hard also, but he appeared to be kindly. All of a sudden it twigged, these were the people Jarod where talking about. Clark, fingers wrapped around the notebook in his pocket, realized it also. "Excuse me," the lady said. "Have you seen this man?" She forced a smile as she held up a picture of Jarod. Lois and Clark exchanged glances. "Who wants to know?" Lois asked, her curiosity growing. The man replied for her. "Friends," he said. Clark looked at them for a moment. "I doubt that," he muttered. "Have you seen him?" the lady queried again. "Yes," Lois replied, "but we have no idea where he went. He left you this." She motioned for Clark to pass them the book. He removed the red notebook from his pocket and picked up the wrapped donut from Lois's desk. "Here." Clark said. She flipped through the book and Clark noticed the note pasted to it for the first time "To Miss Parker: catch me if you can. Jarod." She sighed and passed them to the man. He seemed to be amused at the note. "Do you happen to...." "No. We don't." Lois cut in. The lady and man turned to leave. "Oh one last thing," Lois smiled falsely. "Leave him alone." The man smiled at Lois and nodded but left with the lady. "Who was that?" Lois asked. "I don't know." Clark shook his head. "But I don't trust them." Lois's eyes drifted to the curled-up note from Jarod. "And him?" she asked. "Him, I trust. Whoever he was." Clark and Lois smiled at each other and looked at the by-line: "Lois Lane, Clark Kent and Jarod Wilson." The end :) :)