"I need to join the rescue efforts. Is your plane ready to go?" She gestured towards the sea plane sitting there, feeling the worst senses of deja vu.
He stared and stammered for a second, looking at her in a business suit and heels, surprised at her reply. "Uh... er... There's plenty of people looking for him, Miss, they'll find him."
"Look," said Lois, hands on her hips, "I'm reporter Lois Lane for the D-- London Times. I don't know if that means anything here in the States, but Superman is my friend and I am not going to sit around while everyone else searches for him. Please. Take me out on your plane. I've been in them before."
The officer seemed to be considering, glancing out at the search and the waves still created after the battle. He scratched at the back of his head, "I want to help you, Ms. Lane, but... those waves might be too hard to take off from once we get out there, and I can't guarantee--"
"What if I pay you?" she blurted out.
He blinked. "Pay me? ...Are you trying to bribe me?"
Lois stepped closer. "I'll do anything to join the search. Anything. I can't lose him again. Do you understand?"
He seemed to recognize something in her eyes, whether it was desperation or affection for Superman or something else, it worked. He glanced around, then jerked his head towards his plane. "C'mon. If you're a friend of his, you might know how to help find him better. Just don't mention you tried to bribe me, okay?"
Lois followed him but her eyes were focused out at sea. "Superman!" Maybe if she called his name enough, he'd know they were trying to find him. Maybe he could hear her voice through the wind and the waves and the oncoming storm. Maybe not. But she had to try.