"Ambassador, 9 months on Earth and 3 months in Argo City. I still can't believe they agreed to it," Kal-El said, "especially with your history."

"I have a great idea about what you can wear when you're being the ambassador," Lois told him.

"I thought I would simply wear my native clothes."

"No offense, but a robe is not the best choice if you want people to take you seriously and if you intend on flying."

"I guess that's a good point. I like the concept of being an ambassador and I like that I will be helping people with my powers, but won't people figure out that the alien ambassador and the mild-mannered reporter are one and the same, unless your idea about the costume truly is great."

"The general public won't know you have 2 identities. Trust me, people in a big city don't have time to notice things like that and their own prejudices that you're an everyday geek will keep them from ever giving you two looks."

"You sound like you know about these kinds of things."

"I don't know a lot of people with dual identities, but I do know from my job experience that people can often miss what's right in front of their own noses, which can only work to our advantage. Most people will be so thrilled that you're protecting the earth and wowing them with your powers that they'll think of you like a rock star, and wouldn't dream you'd have a wife and kid."

"Are you going to be okay with the 3 months?" Kal-El asked, shifting their topic of conversation, not wanting to dwell on the thought of what it'd be like to be treated as a rock star.

"Of course I am. Now that I'm not a prisoner, I can see the beauty of Argo City. I still think it could use some change in how they view women, particularly ones from Earth, but I think I'll enjoy those 3 months. We're lucky it s only 3 months. It was nice of Mer-Un to argue so hard in out favor."

"I don't get that either. He's probably the most hard-nosed of the bunch. Why did he suddenly have a change of heart?"

"Let's just say he had some gentle persuasion."

Kal-El looked at her warily, "Do I want to know how you did it?"

"It's not that bad, trust me. Let's just say sometimes it pays to be a reporter."

The dog in the back yipped for some attention as Lois parked the car on the side of the street.

"I m glad Hero's housetrained now and out of his puppy stage," Lois said, "or I think he would have had to stay with your parents." She gave the dog an affectionate pat before getting out of the car.

"Speaking of house," Kal-El said as he unbuckled their son out of the car seat that served no purpose due to his Kryptonian heritage, other than to keep them from getting a ticket, "where are we going to live now? The landlady at your apartment was dead-set against you taking an apartment in her building."

"Well, considering the damage that Hero did, you can't really blame her. Besides, with Jon, we were going to have to look for a new place eventually anyway," she answered as they entered the Daily Planet and walked to the elevator.

Kal-El pushed the elevator button. "I can't wait for your father and sister to meet Jon. I bet they ll be surprised."

"They'll be surprised alright, but I'm sure not half as shocked as my coworkers will be."

Jimmy's eyes widened when he saw Lois, Kal-El, and the baby step off the elevator, proving Lois was right. "Lois, you're back," he said, sounding pleased. "You're a mommy?" he queried in the same breath.

She chuckled, "Believe it or not, Jimmy, I've missed you, and yes."

One of the reporters snorted. "You're gone then you come back with a husband. You're gone again and you come back with children. What are you going to come back with next time, Lane, grandchildren?"

Lois eyes narrowed at the man. "I'll come back with a train of orphans if I want to, Jerry. Shouldn't you be off somewhere writing about men chasing after balls."

He snorted again and walked off.

Lois looked at Jimmy again. "If Perry doesn't blow his top at the time I've been gone, maybe we'll be working together again."

"Are you kidding," Jimmy said with a grin, "There's no way he'd let some other paper snap you up. I got to go take some pictures of the new fire department on 5th street, but I'll see you guys later."

They made their way to Perry's office to test Jimmy's theory.

Kal-El knocked and they heard a "Come in!"

Perry sat behind his desk and looked up to see who it was. "Lois Lane," he said in a gruff voice that belied the smile on his face, "why did I have a feeling that I hadn't seen the last of you?"

"Your journalistic instincts I suppose," Lois said her eyes full of joy and amusement at the greeting. She had missed the short-tempered older man more than she could say.

"I assume you're here to get your old job back."

"You would assume right."

"So you're gone for over a year and you expect to come waltzing in here and get your old job back just like that?" Perry asked. "Give me one good reason why I should take you back."

"I can give you three. I've been living in Argo City against my will, so it's hardly my fault that I couldn't report to work. Two, I've got more unique stories than you can count as a result of my experiences, and Argo City is going to let me spend 3 months out of the year to report on the situation there. And three, you need me."

He pretended to think about it for a few moments and then said, "Okay, you've convinced me."

He seemed to notice Kal-El and the baby in the corner for the first time. "Is this your child?"

"Yes, his name is Jon, and see some of that time I was missing, I would have been on maternity leave anyway," she told him.

Perry walked over and took the baby in his arms. "I can already tell this kid's going to be as bullheaded as his mother. He's got your eyes and mouth. I wish you both luck. Just remember what goes around comes around, Lane."

Lois broke into a wide smile, "I'll remember that."

"I suppose you'll want your job back too," he said, eying Kal-El.

"If you have room for me, sir," Kal-El answered politely.

"If I remember correctly, you're Senator Kent's nephew."

"Yes, sir."

"Were you with your wife all this time?"

"Yes, it's a long story, Mr. White." They had decided to fabricate a story about how he was kidnapped too and how they had convinced Argo City to let them go and send an ambassador to improve relations.

"I plan on reading about it in a series of articles. I also seem to remember that the article you two wrote before you disappeared required much less editing on my part in terms of grammar and spelling that alone give me reason to hire you. When can you two start working?"

"Tomorrow, we hope. We have to find a place to live or stay and a daycare for Jon," Lois answered.

"I expect you both here bright and early, no excuses."

"Yes, sir," Kal-El responded.

"See that's another reason to keep Kent around. He gives me the respect I deserve. You could learn a thing or two from this man."

Lois rolled her eyes and began to head out.

"Welcome back, Lois," Perry said, becoming serious. "Things haven't been the same around here without you."

Lois turned her head back and smiled in reply.

sss

The early 20th century townhouse had a distinct personality and character. Something she found a whole lot more valuable since Argo City. The last thing she would have wanted was a home in suburbia. She marveled at the intricately carved stair rail, the charming fireplaces and the fancy little window on the top floor, dead center in the house. No other townhouse on the street looked like it. She liked it and she could easily picture living here.

"Do you like it?" she asked Kal-El.

"Yes, and it's in our price range. Is this the one you want?"

She gave the townhouse one last quick perusal with her eyes. "It is."

Kal-El stayed inside with the realtor, to discuss how to make it their home. She went outside with the baby still not able to believe how fresh the air was outside. She let Hero out of the waiting car, so he could stretch his legs.

There were two small patches that served as a garden. Lois had never been one for nature or gardens, but she had also developed a whole new appreciation for that as well. She reached to the ground to pluck a flower. She had never seen a prettier, more flawless daisy in her life. The clean air was already making the plants healthier. Jon pulled the flower out of her hand and held it tightly in his fist. Lois smiled as he studied it and then shook it to see if it did anything interesting. She had been worried that he would never get to see anything from Earth and now he was going to get to see and experience the best of both worlds and call them both home, a true blessing in her opinion.

Kal-El and the realtor came out. The realtor locked up the house and then left them to admire their soon to be new home.

"Are you sure you re going to be happy here on Earth?" Lois asked Kal-El.

"I'm positive. I love you and I love your planet. It's going to be very fulfilling to work as a reporter and ambassador. I think we're going to be able to make a difference in both Earth and Argo City. This bridal exchange is the best thing that could have happened to us in more ways than one."

She agreed with him. She had everything, a loving family, a career, a home with a newly restored atmosphere. Together she knew she and Kal-El would make an unstoppable team in both worlds. She truly thanked God that she was one of the green brides, or Kal-El s bride to be more specific.

The End