The Universe's Mixer

Lois had been working long hours at the Planet. A reporter was only as good as their last story and she hadn't had a good story in awhile. She needed something, and it was possible that some of the strange murders around Metropolis could turn out to be the next great serial killer expose. For that matter, she hoped that she could get to the bottom of it and stop whoever was behind those murders. It wasn't just about the story, though the thrill of finding the truth and exposing it in words was just as much of a pull as helping people.

It was almost morning when she rested her head in her hand. She was exhausted, and she could just close her eyes for a minute or two. With any luck, Clark would be into work soon-hopefully with coffee. And she was sure she could send him on a doughnut run. She was going to need the sugar rush after pulling that all-nighter.

When she jerked awake, Lois didn't immediately notice the differences in the bustling bullpen. She didn't immediately realize that there were subtle differences in the look of the basement, or that she didn't know any of the people rushing around.

"LANE! Get your ass in here!" Lois almost jumped out of her chair as a voice shouted at her from the editor's office.

She scrambled to her feet, frowning. That wasn't her editor's voice. Not by a long shot.

"Lane, I'm not getting any younger here," the voice barked.

Lois didn't need to be told twice. Well, okay, she did. She tilted her head as she started to really take in the surroundings, and the lack of Daily Planet logo on the walls. All the same, she hurried into the editor's office.

"Lane, you're a day late and a dollar short. The Baltar rally began ten minutes ago. Now get your ass down there and do the job I'm paying you to do."

Lois blinked in surprise.

"Okay, usually in dreams like this, I'm naked in front of the bullpen too," she muttered.

The stern-looking editor just gave her a dirty look and Lois sighed.

"All right, I'm going, I'm going. Not that I'll ever make it on time. Not in this sort of nightmare."

After yet another glare, Lois sighed and rolled her eyes and turned to walk out of the office.

She made it all the way through the strange newsroom and out on the street, where she attempted to flag down a cab. Unfortunately, it apparently just wasn't her day, or night, as she was still convinced that this was all just one of those dreams. Yes, she might have had quite a few dreams about being late for a story or about trying to get somewhere to follow a lead and not being able to. No less than three taxis passed her by, despite the obvious hand waving.

"Come on," she grumbled. "Who do you have to bribe to get a cab here?"

( Rufio floated through the tall buildings, silently moving through the air and looking for any signs of trouble. )