Lois & Clark PG Fanfic Archive

Author: Sheila

Email: ethanseth@msn.com

Rated: PG-13

This story is my annual birthday dedication to Maria
Fernandez. I received my first directions from Maria when I joined the boards.
Through that communication we somehow discovered that we have the same
birthday, May 31st. I’m a bit late this year, due to school preparations.
Though Maria is away from the boards and hopefully recovering, she is still in
my thoughts and prayers.

Sorry guys…no criminal element in here. Just plain love,
forgiveness and betrayal!

I had no beta reader to blame for my mistakes. The main
players not mine though I did create the surrounding cast. I used some familiar
names but carefully without making any innuendos. So…here we go…

Heaven

The Daily Planet had been bombed, destroyed, burned to ashes
over three weeks ago, just slightly a week after Lex Luthor bought it. Though
Lex Luthor had pointed an accusing finger at the mail boy it was no secret to
Lois Lane that her otherwise mild mannered partner, Clark Kent, was pretty
certain that Lex was behind the bombing. Lois had tried to get Clark to see all
the good that Lex had done for Metropolis but Clark just would not hear of it.
Lois didn’t understand how Clark could dislike Lex so much without substance.

Lois had been going out with Lex occasionally. He had been
nothing but kind and cordial to her. It did occur to her that jealousy was
Clark’s motivation for condemning Lex. But then, the Clark that she knew wasn’t
like that. He was a naïve country boy from Kansas who always gave everyone the
benefit of the doubt. Surely Clark would have told her if he had any
quintessence to his accusations. He had been her partner for a whole year!

Since Lex had bought the Planet, Clark had been more
irritable than usual. He had said more than once that he would not work for Lex
Luthor. Lois was afraid that Clark would soon make truth of that statement.
Lois often witnessed Clark exchanging confrontational words with Lex. Usually,
Clark wanted to pursue something that Lex had deemed not financially sound for
the paper.

Though Lex had bought the Planet, it was still in financial
shambles and Lex said that he had to carefully dictate the budget until the
paper was back on its feet. This meant that he had to be guarded about what was
printed in the Daily Planet. Credibility was understandably important in order
for the Daily Planet to resurface and stay on top. Lex had even threatened to
sell it because it was presently operating at a loss. Lois understood this but
Clark didn’t seem to. He just accused Lex of not wanting to pursue a news story
that would be a conflict of his interests.

Perry had since taken early retirement and Jimmy had gone to
start over closer to his father. Perry had all but said that he did not trust
Lex Luthor. There was no one at this point filling in as editor so Lex Luthor
decided what got printed and what didn’t. He tried to make Lois feel like she
had some input on what got printed since she was probably the most experienced
reporter employed at the Planet at this point. Clark saw even then that
ultimately, Lex made the final decision. Lex was just manipulating Lois, subtly
gaining control of her by flattery. Lex would be the solo puppeteer in this
show.

Luthor had offered Jimmy to stay on as the Planet’s
photographer but Jimmy opted to resign. Lois and Clark were the only ones left
of the old gang and soon that would dwindle to just Lois.

It was Thursday, late in the evening, and Clark had gathered
his things to head home. He had straightened his desk and was hanging his coat
over his shoulder to head for the elevator. Lois approached him.

"Headed home?"

"Yeah, I am. It’s been a long day." Clark seemed
tired, mentally.

"Maybe you could stop by later. I’ll pick up some
Chinese take out."

"Umm, Lois, why don’t you come by my place when you’re
done here? There is something I’d like to talk to you about. I’ll cook dinner.
Say…six thirty?"

"Alright, six thirty it is." Clark turned and
headed toward the elevators.

Clark headed for the elevators. Lois watched him with a soft
smile gracing her features until the doors closed. As the elevator closed Lois
thought how handsome Clark was and had become more handsome since she’d come to
know him. His small town values and his kindness made him even more handsome.
She hoped that their friendship would never end. Lois would then work for
another hour before she would realize that it was a little after five.

"Oh…I’m going to be late for dinner at Clark’s."
Lois chastised herself as she straightened her desk and closed down her
computer. She grabbed her coat and headed for home to change and then to
Clark’s place.

At exactly six twenty-five, Lois knocked on Clark’s door.
After a couple of seconds, Clark answered and invited Lois in.

"Dinner is almost ready, Lois. Come on in and have a
seat."

"Oh, whatever it is smells delicious!"

"Its scallops, muscles, crab meat, lobster tails and
shrimp in a white wine sauce over ziti sprinkled with sun dried tomatoes. Would
you like a glass of wine?"

"Sure." Lois’s mouth had started to water just
from the mere description of dinner.

Clark poured Lois a glass of white wine and brought it to
her where she sat on the sofa. Clark returned to the kitchen and proceeded to
set the table while he chatted generically with Lois about the day’s events.
When the table was set, Clark invited Lois to come and sit. Lois was curious
about what Clark needed to talk with her about, but knew that the conversation
would soon get started over dinner.

***************************

Lois took the first bite of her pasta and couldn’t help but
to moan. Clark just stared at her with his forked stopped just inches before
his mouth. His mouth was open and mentally watering, not for dinner but for
Lois. He seemed frozen in space as he watched Lois.

"Clark…?" Lois finally said when she saw Clark’s
stare.

Clark quickly broke from his spell and cleared his throat.

"Oh, I umm…I…" Clark said nervously.

"So, what did you need to talk with me about?"

As nervous as Clark was about talking to Lois, he was glad
for the distraction from her eating. She sent his hormones on roller coasters.

"Oh, I…um…I wanted to ask you something. Please,
hear me out." Clark cleared his throat. "You know how I feel about
working for Luthor…right?"

"Clark, I’m not going to argue with you…"

"Please, Lois, just listen to me. I’m going home to
Smallville…for a while…a few weeks…or longer. I just wanted to ask you if you
would come with me…you know…get some time away. Besides, I could use the
company on the road…another driver. It’s a long drive from Metropolis to
Kansas." Clark was nervous. “We could talk…you know spend some quiet time
together…as friends…I mean…”

"Clark what will you do about the Planet?"

"I’m turning in my resignation. I cannot continue to
work for Luthor."

"You have another job?"

"No, but I have resumes out. I’m not worried. I have
savings…and I could always write freelance meanwhile." Clark looked down
at his hands. He was shielding himself from the rejection that he was pretty
sure would come. "Please, Lois, come with me. I’ll pay your air fare back
home…whenever you want to return."

"Are you coming back to Metropolis at all?"

"I don’t know, Lois."

"What about me, Clark? What about our friendship?"

"We’ll always be friends, Lois. That’s why I’m asking
you to come with me. Just some time away…the two of us. Please, Lois."

"Okay, but just for a little while…a week maybe. Then
I have to get back to the Planet. Maybe I can get Perry to change his mind
about retirement."

"Thank you, Lois." Clark held Lois’s hands and
kissed them. "I plan to head out on Monday morning. Is that enough
time?"

“Yeah that’s enough time. It’ll give me time to tell Lex
and…”

“Lois…no! Please don’t. I just don’t want him to know…just
please don’t. I’m begging you.”

Lois was pretty sure that she saw fear in Clark’s eyes.

“But…why?”

“Please, Lois…just this once…for me.”

Lois conceded. “Okay. If it means that much to you.”

Clark let out a breath that he didn’t know he had been
holding. “Thank you.” Truthfully Lex couldn’t be far enough from him,
especially without powers. Krypton wasn’t far enough for Clark to be away form
Lex right now.

Lois and Clark finished their dinner. They talked until way
into the night. Lois ended up falling asleep on Clark’s couch. He would wake
her in the morning in time for work.

********************************

Lois and Clark packed Clark’s grey 4Runner on Sunday and at
four in the morning on Monday, they headed out on their twenty-hour drive to
Smallville. They should get there around midnight on Monday night.

Lois and Clark took turns driving. They talked a lot and got
a lot of feelings out into the open. Clark let Lois know how he felt about her
without actually saying the three scary words. Lois alluded to the fact that
while she thought that Clark was the type of man that she would like to settle
down with, she only saw friendship in their future together.

Though Clark still would not tell Lois why he absolutely
despised Lex Luthor, he got his point across, though Lois was not buying it.
Clark didn’t tell Lois that Lex was the reason that he was driving all this way
and not flying Superman Express. Clark did not tell Lois how Lex had stripped
him of his powers. He would always remember that day.

<Superman had
responded to a bank alarm around midnight. The bank was one located near Lex Towers.
When Superman landed in front of the bank, he suddenly felt increasing weakness
and pain. He felt nausea end eventually he was on his knees. Suddenly a hand
touched his shoulder and seemed to burn a hole where it touched. He looked up
through blurred vision and saw green cuff lengths attached to Lex Luthor’s
shirtsleeves! Kryptonite! Superman tried to back away but was too weak by now.
Then Lex got to his knees and blew green powder into Superman’s nostrils. It
burned its way through Superman’s respiratory system, him like a blue flame.
Superman started to cough and tried to crawl away.

“Luthor…why…?”
Superman cried out in pain.

Luthor attempted to
drag Superman into his waiting limousine but there were police sirens in the
distance. Superman’s dense molecular structure had given Lex an unexpected
struggle. Lex instead whispered in Superman’s ear then got into his limousine,
which quickly retreated.

“If it’s the last
thing I do, I will kill you Superman!”>

The bank alarm had been false. The Metropolis police knew
that something was wrong with Superman but he shook it off as nothing and tried
to fly off. Nothing! With burning lungs with every respiration and muscles that
ached with every movement, he then slowly rounded an alleyway and sat in pain before
he could muster the strength to walk home. Luthor had planned to kill him
slowly but had not anticipated Superman’s dense structure and the police
arriving so quickly. That had been three weeks ago and his powers had not
returned. Dr. Klein thought that since the Kryptonite dust had gotten into
Superman, it would take longer to work its way out of his system. He did
however expect him to eventually recover one hundred percent.

Along the drive when Clark was at the wheel there were times
when he would look over in the passenger seat at a sleeping Lois. She was so
angelic…beautiful…and he loved her so much. He knew that the truth was that
that feisty little woman was just refueling but that is what made him fall in
love with her in the firs place. But now that things were different in
Metropolis he knew that his chances of ever having Lois as more than a friend
were essentially non-existing.

As planned, Lois and Clark arrived at the Kent’s farmhouse
about eleven twenty on Monday night. Both tired, the couple got out of Clark’s
SUV and headed into the farmhouse. The Kent’s house was dark and quiet. It
appeared that Martha and Jonathan were asleep. Clark had not told his parents
that he was coming so naturally they would not be up expecting him at this hour.
His parents knew that he was without his powers and he did not want them to
worry about him.

Clark quietly made his bed in his old room for Lois and he
grabbed a blanket and a pillow and made himself a bed on the couch downstairs.
Before long, they were both off to sleep.

Clark woke up at about seven thirty the next morning. The
house was still quiet. It was so unlike his parents to sleep in that long. He
hadn’t heard any activity, as there would normally be at this hour in the
farmhouse. Clark got up and went upstairs to check his parents’ bedroom. Their
bed was made as if no one had slept in it. He started to get worried. He then
called his mother’s cell phone number and sure enough, she answered.

"Mom…?"

"Clark, dear…"

"Where are you? I’m in Smallville."

"Oh, honey, were in Nebraska, visiting Aunt Emily. We
didn’t know you were coming home. We were planning to come back on
Friday."

"That’s okay, Mom. Stay. We’ll be here for a while.
We’ll be okay."

"We…?"

"Yes. Lois came with me. She’s still asleep right
now."

"Asleep."

"I’ll explain later, Mom. I love you. See you
Friday."

"We love you, too honey. Bye."

Just as Clark hung up from Martha, his cell phone rang.

"Clark Kent…"

"Mr. Kent, this is Dean Cain, the editor at the St.
Peter Times in St. Peter, Kansas. I was looking over your CV and wondered of
you were still interested in the assistant editor’s position?"

"Yes sir. I am."

"I’d like to meet with you…you know…to see if this is
what you really want. After all, you would be leaving the Daily Planet?"

"Already left, sir."

There was a pause on the other end of the phone line.

"When can you be here?"

"Well, just so happen I’m in Smallville visiting my
parents and I can be there, say at nine?"

"Perfect! See you then."

Clark headed upstairs to his room to get changed. When he
approached the door, he softly knocked. He didn’t want to accidentally walk in
on Lois if she were indecent. There was no answer and from the sound of her
breathing she was still asleep. Clark cautiously went into his bedroom and
surely, Lois was still peacefully asleep.

Clark proceeded to get changing clothes from his closet but
instead of using the bathroom in his room he decided to use the hall bathroom.
He didn’t want to wake Lois. He stood for a few moments and watched Lois sleep
before he mentally shook himself back to reality. Lois was so beautiful and
innocent as she slept. He ached to reach out and just slightly touch her soft
skin, gently tease the splayed hair back from her beautiful face. Instead he
leaned over and lightly kissed her on the cheek and whispered just at her ear,
"I love you." His lips gently brushed against her earlobe as he
backed away.

When Clark was showered and ready to go, he checked to see
if Lois was awake yet. She was still asleep. Clark thought he should leave a
note just in case she was awake before he returned.

Lois,

I went to St. Peter, about twenty

miles from here. I should be back

no later than noon. Make yourself

at home. Mom and Dad are in

Nebraska.

Clark

Clark went out to his 4Runner and headed for St. Peter.

The drive to St. Peter was peaceful especially around this
time of year when it was starting to get warm and the flowers were starting to
bloom. Clark thought about the legend surrounding the town’s name. The
reference was to the archangel St. Peter who is said to be the guard of the
gates of heaven. Once one passes the county line into the town of St. Peter, he
is said to have entered heaven. It was just that secluded and peaceful. If
there was a heaven on Earth, it was in the small town of St. Peter.

All went well for Clark with his meeting with Mr. Cain.
Clark was officially offered the position of assistant editor and he gracefully
accepted it. Mr. Cain offered a very generous salary as well. This was
absolutely an offer that Clark could not refuse. Finally he would be away from
the hold of Lex Luthor and with any luck he could convince Lois to stay here in
Kansas with him…on a permanent basis. Even if she didn’t want to jump right
into a permanent situation, he hoped that she would at least stay around and
see how things went.

Surely if she wanted to stay he could talk Mr. Cain into
offering her a job. With his salary, she would not have to start working right
away if she wanted to look for something else. But knowing Lois… Clark had to
slow down his thoughts. He was being much too presumptuous.

On the way back to Smallville, Clark caught a glimpse of a
real estate sign and decided to follow the directions. He ended up at a very
secluded 3-acre property with what looked like a newly built home…approximately
2500 ft2 red brick home. The lady whom he assumed to be the real estate agent
seemed to be just leaving as Clark approached.

Clark hurried from his truck and beckoned for the agent’s
attention.

"Wait, please!"

The agent turned around and waved indicating that she heard
Clark. Clark approached her rapidly.

"Thank you for waiting. I’m Clark Kent and I just
caught sight of this property. It’s absolutely beautiful." Clark held out
his hand to shake with the lady whose nametag indicated that she was indeed the
real estate agent.

"I’m Teresa Meccitti, St. Peter’s Properties."
Teresa shook Clark’s hand. Teresa was tall, average sized and blonde. She had
grey eyes and a smile that just made one trust her.

"It is a beautiful place. It belonged to an elderly
woman, 86 years old, I think. Her children built this for her but just before
she closed on the property, she had a massive stroke and was subsequently
unable to live alone. Her daughter took her in and she died just a couple of
week later. The house has been for sale since…never occupied. It’s been about
a year now. It has had a lot of showings but surprisingly no one had wanted to
buy it."

"Can I look around?"

"Sure. Let me take you inside." Teresa reopened
the house for Clark to look inside. It had three bedrooms, two bathrooms,
formal living and dining rooms, a breakfast nook and a great room. The lot was
a wooded 3 acres.

"Ms. Meccitti, I don’t understand…it’s beautiful. Why
has it not sold? Is something wrong with it?"

"Teresa, please…and no, there is nothing wrong with
it. It’s just that this is for a family…I guess…ready to settle in the
country. Most young people want the rapid pace of the city. While they
absolutely adore the property, it’s too far from the city. Are you married Mr.
Kent?"

"Clark, please…and no, I’m not."

Teresa noticed a look of longing disguise Clark’s features
as he answered.

"Girlfriend?"

"No." Clark almost whispered his answer.
"But, I’m from Smallville and I love the country. I’m hoping to convince
her…a special person in my life…to stay here in Kansas with me."

"If you’re ready to settle down, this is the place for
you."

“I’m ready. I just wish that she were ready, too.” For a
moment, Clark looked away sadly. "I just got a new job at the St. Peter
Times, assistant editor. I’m moving back home from Metropolis. I start at the
times in two weeks. It…this…is just in my price range. I’ll take it,
Teresa."

"Let me get papers together and we will set up a
closing date. Thank you Mr. Kent…Clark." Teresa shook Clark’s hand to seal
his intent.

Clark and Teresa exchanged information and Clark then headed
back to his truck. He couldn’t wait to get back to the farmhouse. He had a lot
to talk to Lois about.

When Clark got back to the farm he heard Lois up stirring
around in the kitchen as he approached the front door. It was just a little
past noon.

Lois heard Clark’s truck come up. She couldn’t believe that
she had slept that long…until almost noon. She must have been really tired. She
was plundering through the kitchen cabinets looking for coffee when Clark
entered the kitchen.

"Hello, sleepy head."

"Hi." Lois smiled. "Why did you let me sleep
so long? Thank goodness Martha and Jonathan aren’t here or they’d have my
hide."

Clark just smiled.

"Lois, I’d like to talk to you…about something…please
sit." Clark pulled out a chair for Lois. Lois got a look on her face that
Clark couldn’t quite read. He needed to talk with Lois a lot lately.

“Okay. I’m not going to like this am I? Your look…I can’t
read your look.”

“I…no…it’s nothing bad. In fact, it’s great news.”

"What were you doing so early? I mean in a suit and
all?"

"That’s what I need to talk with you about." Clark
pulled a chair and sat facing Lois. He gently took her small hands in his much
larger ones. She didn’t resist or pull away.

"Lois, I had an interview this morning…St. Peter Times.
The editor offered me the position…assistant editor. I accepted." Clark
looked down at their entwined hands. He then laced his fingers with Lois’s.

"Oh."

"I wanted to ask you if…well, we’ve been best friends
for about a year now and I know that this is all new…to you…but I’m in love
with you, Lois…have been since I met you…just in case you didn’t know.” Clark
smiled at this. “You are my life…and…well…I’m asking you to stay here, with
me. I know that you don’t feel that way about me…yet…but give it a chance and
let’s see where things go…and maybe you will, someday. I’ll wait for you, as
long as you need. And besides, I have a contract on a house in St. Peter. Lois
it’s beautiful. You’ll love it. But, if you don’t like it we don’t have to buy
it. Please, just say yes."

Lois went into a state of sensory overload.

"Stay with you? Clark I can’t just up and move halfway
across the United States. I…I…"

Clark suddenly kissed Lois, gently and thoroughly, to stop
her babbling before it got started. Lois didn’t seem to know what to do
initially but after a few seconds, she returned the kiss with much more emotion
than a friend would have.

"Marry me Lois. I know that it will take time for you
to adjust, but please, just be with me. I love you so much."

As if Lois wasn’t already in overload, Clark’s sudden
proposal took her…well she was broadsided. But she knew that she didn’t see
Clark as a potential suitor and she had to tell him that…without hurting him.

"Oh, Clark, I don’t know what to say. I do love you,
but not like that. I thought we talked about that. I thought you understood. I
always enjoy being here, in the country but I belong in Metropolis. I…"

"Then, I’ll go back to Metropolis with you…to be with
you."

"Clark, I’ve been seeing Lex off and on. You know that.
And I know that you don’t approve. But, I don’t think it would be fair to not
at least give him an equal chance. He’s offered me a job at LNN and I think I’m
going to take it. I think he’ll eventually shut down the Planet. Clark, he’s in
love with me."

"And I’m not? Lois, Luthor is…"

"No, Clark! I’m not listening to this!"

“Tell me you didn’t feel what I felt just then when I kissed
you.”

Lois didn’t say anything. She just looked away.

"Do you love him?"

"Clark, I’m warning you! Don’t go there!"

Clark slowly let go of Lois’s hands and abruptly stood. He
turned away from Lois and ran his hands through his thick dark hair.

"I guess it doesn’t matter that I’m in love with
you." Clark looked defeated.

"I’m a city girl Clark! I belong in Metropolis! You
asked me to drive out here with you for the company. I had no idea that you
were going to…propose. You have no right…"

Lois abruptly stood and disappeared up the stairs. Clark
sighed and turned to take residence on the top step of the front porch. He took
deep breaths and batted his eyes to keep tears back. Lois had said that she
didn’t want to marry him. She wanted to go back to give Luthor a chance. She
didn’t know that Luthor was the reason that he was without powers right now.

Silent tears flowed down Clark’s cheeks. He sat on the front
step for what seemed like hours, just thinking. In all actuality, it had been
two hours. He didn’t understand how Lois could be so willing to give Luthor a
chance but brush him off. He loved Lois…was in love with Lois, would cherish
her and take care of her. The last thing he would do would be to betray her or
hurt her. But no matter what he did, she did not see that…see Clark that way.

Clark realized that he had not heard or seen Lois since she
ran upstairs. Initially he could hear her sobbing and it tore at his heart. How
would he ever fix this? Reluctantly after schooling his features he got up and
went inside, up the stairs to his bedroom. Clark knocked softly on the bedroom
door and shyly asked, "Can I come in?"

*************************************************

When Lois got into Clark’s bedroom she closed the door and
fell face down on his bed sobbing. This was supposed to be rest and relaxation.
Not a proposal. She had always stopped Clark when he started down the romance
path with her but he just had not been listening. He proposed. HE PROPOSED!
Damn him!

Lois thought of Lex and how he had been wining and dining
her. Lex was exciting. He took Lois on exotic trips, to movie premiers and the
ballet. It was definitely different in the social circle of the world’s second
richest man. Lex was elegant and charming. He always made Lois feel elegant and
beautiful.

Clark on the other hand was just a normal guy who liked to
wear jeans around the house, rent movies and have pizza and beer on Friday
nights. Clark was definitely worldly as far as travel. He was a bit naïve but
smart and well spoken. He made Lois feel elegant and beautiful, loved and
cherished, protected but equal. Clark was comfortable. But Lois just didn’t
love him that way.

Lois cried and thought and cried and thought some more until
she decided that she could not stay in Smallville for a whole week with a hurt
Clark. He would sulk and make her feel guilty. And when Martha and Jonathan
came back, it would be that much worse because they were such good people. Lois
decided not to hold Clark to the promise to pay her air fare back home so she
called the airline when she finally stop crying enough and paid for the ticket
on her credit card. Clark would be devastated when he found out that her flight
would be leaving for Metropolis in just two hours, but better now than later.

Almost as soon as Lois hung up from the airline she heard a
knock and a whispered plea at the bedroom door.

**********************

"Can I come in?"

"Sure."

Clark entered his room and his breath caught as he saw Lois
sitting on the side of his bed with a tear streaked face. Right beside her was
her suitcase, all packed.

"Lois," Clark asked with a shaky voice, "what
is this?"

“I called the airport. A flight to Metropolis leaves from
Wichita in two hours…at four thirty. Please…I want to go home.”

Clark was defeated. He thought of trying to reason with Lois
but then thought better of it. He bowed his head and stuck his hands in his
pockets. He sighed as if he was about to say something but just finally
conceded an "okay".

It was a long ride to Wichita. Initially there was strained
silence but when they passed through St. Peter, Lois noticed.

“Is this where you’re moving to?”

“Yes. It’s right down that road…the house.”

“Just a few minutes from you parents.”

It took all Clark had to say even a one-syllable word
without losing control of his emotions. “Yes.” He was quietly hoping that this
was the end of their conversation for now. It was just too painful. Lois must
have understood because she said essentially nothing after that.

Clark got Lois to the airport and sat beside her at her gate
waiting for her boarding call. Almost as a sudden after thought, he gently
grasped Lois’s hand and just held it for a few minutes in silence. He leaned
forward with his elbows on his knees. Lois didn’t pull away. Instead, she
intertwined her fingers with his and just looked straight ahead. Then the
dreadful call came.

"American Airlines Flight 1833 nonstop service to
Metropolis now boarding…"

Clark stood and then did Lois. Clark tucked a disarray hair
behind Lois’s ear while still holding her hand with the other hand. He kissed
her on the forehead then whispered, "Take care of yourself". He
reluctantly released her hand almost in slow motion as he turned, slumped his shoulders
and walked away. He couldn’t let Lois see his tears so when she called to him
he just kept walking picking up the pace even.

"Clark…"

Clark didn’t acknowledge that Lois had called him. The rest
of Lois’s statement died on her lips as Clark proceeded to walk away. <"Keep in touch.">

*******************************************************************

The unspoken dialogue between Lois and Clark replayed itself
in Lois’s thoughts the whole way back to Metropolis. Lois had started to
question her decisions. It was obvious that Clark really loved her, the way
that every woman wants her mate to love them. He was good and kind and drop
dead gorgeous. But she didn’t feel that way about him…did she? But did she feel
that way about Lex?

Ultimately Lois decided that it had to be this way or hers
and Clark’s friendship would perish. Eventually he would find someone and fall
in love and have all of the things that he wanted to complete him…she told
herself.

*************************************************

When Lois got back to Metropolis, she called Clark to let
him know that she had made it home. She was relieved that the answering machine
picked up and she really didn’t have to talk to him. It would break her heart
to hear his sadness.

It was no surprise that within a week after Lois returned
Lex announced that he was shutting down the Daily Planet. He promised severance
packages and help finding new jobs for all of the Planet’s employees. Lois
expected nothing less. After his big announcement, Lex approached Lois.

“Lois, may I talk to you in the editor’s office?”

“Sure,” Lois answered as she followed Lex into Perry’s old
office.

“Have a seat.” Lex lit a cigar. “Have you heard from your
friend, Kent?”

“He said that he was taking some time…to…to explore his options.”
Lois asked herself almost immediately <“Why
did I just lie to Lex. Is my subconscious mind trying to tell me something? It
is no secret that Clark hates him. He had even begged me not to tell Lex of his
whereabouts. I won’t betray his trust.”>

“Ahh, I see.”

Lois was not convinced that Lex believed her.

“Have you seen Superman?” Lex eyed Lois carefully.

“No, actually I haven’t. I was starting to wonder where he
is. Have you seen him?”

“No, I haven’t.” Lex reassumed control. How dare she turn his
question around into a question? He would fix that in due time. “The reason I
called you aside is because I want to re-offer you a job at LNN, chief anchor,
or any position you’d like, really.”

“Lex, I don’t know what to say. I really am not a…”

“Think about it my dear and give me your answer over dinner
tonight.”

“But, Lex I don’t…”

“I will not accept `no’. Now what time should I send a car
for you? Say six?”

“Okay…six it is.”

“Thank you, my dear. Now run along. I assume that you have
to make lots of preparations.” Lex kissed Lois on the cheek and dismissed her.

It really pissed Lois off the way Lex was sometimes so
condescending to her, treating her like a seven year old…<“Now run along.”> But Lois figured that it was all
unconscious and that he probably didn’t know he was even doing it. He was
always in such a powerful position that he was probably just used to assuming
the authoritative role. She would bring it to his attention later.

That night over dinner, Lois accepted Lex’s offer as chief
anchor and another subsequent invitation to dinner. She almost felt backed into
accepting the position but Lex had assured her that he was just trying to
secure her from the sure crumbling of the newspaper industry in Metropolis.

Before Lois knew it, she and Lex had been dating regularly
over about six weeks. But she was starting to get uncomfortable with Lex. He
was becoming more overbearing and Lois was becoming claustrophobic. On
occasions Lex had made comments about things that she had said or done in the
privacy of her own apartment. She was starting to think that maybe he was
watching her.

*******************************************************

Clark regained his powers within the first week that he was
back in Kansas. He contributed his recovery to the bright pure sun and the
clean air of the country. He had moved his stuff from Metropolis via Superman
express and was careful not to run into Lois. He avoided her calls because it
was just too painful to talk to her right now. Fortunately she had been staying
out of danger and not needing Superman because he could never deny her safety.

Clark found out that his real estate agent, Teresa, lived
next door with her Black Lab, Maci. He found out accidentally one day when he
was outside in his hammock, where he liked to escape to. He had fallen asleep
as an alternative to grieving over his non relationship with Lois. Suddenly
something wet on his face startled him awake. He sat up so quickly that he fell
out of the hammock. He looked up from the ground where he fell into the big
brown eyes of a beautiful Black Lab. She seemed to be almost smiling as her
tongue hanged from her mouth. Clark laughed and reached up to rub her head.
Maci leaned her head farther into Clark’s touch and whimpered. Clark noticed her
dog tag around her neck, which read “Maci”. He knew that such a beautiful dog
had to belong to someone but whom.

He sometimes heard Maci’s owner call her but for a long time
never saw her. Eventually, one day Maci didn’t go home when she was called and
her owner came through a path in the woods to find her. Clark gulped in
surprise when he saw Maci’s owner…Teresa!

Many days Maci would come over to keep Clark company as he
sat outside. He had even brought her dog treats. Clark and Teresa had become
very good friends as well. Incidentally she lived in the house right next to
Clark, on her own 2 acres. It turns out that it was her mother that never got
to live in the house that Clark bought. Her sister had moved away to Texas with
her husband but Teresa stayed in St. Peter. It gave her a sense of closeness to
her mother who was buried there. They were from Wichita originally.

Through their friendship, Clark had learned that Teresa had
been engaged to a US Marine fighter pilot who was deployed to a ship in the
Mediterranean near Beirut. That was a good strategic location to launch an air
attack on Iraq from. With reluctance, Lieutenant Ethan Allila, broke up with
Teresa before he deployed because he said that he didn’t want her to feel
obligated to him. He was also afraid that more than dying that he would become
seriously injured and she would stay committed to him out of pity.

Teresa fought for Ethan to understand that she did not
want to break up and that she would wait for him to return, but in the end he
had just walked away. She did show up at the airport to see him off on his
flight. She had told him as she kissed him on the cheek that in spite of his
stubbornness, she would always love him and would never forget him. As he stuck
his chest out to bout face and be the Marine that he was trained to be, a lone
tear escaped which was Teresa’s undoing. She quickly retreated from the gate,
blinded by tears.

Teresa did not hear from Ethan for a month so she got his
mailing address from one of the wives whose husband was in the same unit as
Ethan. She had first written him a long loving letter and sent a huge box of
goodies. That opened up the communication lines. He responded to the first
letter by asking Teresa to forget about him and told her that there would never
be anything more between them. Teresa ignored him and continued to write him at
least twice per week and send him goodies at least twice per month. Sometimes
she would hear from him frequently and then there would be a time when she
didn’t hear from him for weeks. She assumed that that was when he was not able
to write. She always told him that she loved him at the end of her letters but
his endings were never that intimate. He was trying to keep her at a distance.

Clark encouraged Teresa to stand by Ethan because he
probably didn’t really want to break up with her. It was just the thing to do.
Teresa already knew that and was anxiously waiting for four more months for him
to come home. His tour in Iraq was to be a year. Teresa still had her engagement
ring that she wore around her neck and stared at teary eyed as she told Clark
her story.

Clark had confided some about his love for Lois but just
could not bring himself to give the details that Teresa had given him. He just
wasn’t ready to talk about it yet. Teresa understood, but with the little
information that she was able to get Clark to reveal, assured him that Lois was
struggling with herself. She assured him that he was a great catch for to
anyone able to tie him down.

When Clark was down Teresa’s Black Lab, Maci would come over
and keep Clark company. Somehow Maci just knew.

*******************************************************

Lois had tried to call Clark numerous times but always got
his voice mail, even at work. She had spoken to Dean a few times and he assured
her that he would give Clark the messages but Clark never returned her calls.
Dean sounded a lot like Clark, well spoken and intelligent. She had seen
editorial pictures of Dean and he even had some of the same features as Clark;
thick black hair, brown eyes and a handsome strong face. Finally after a couple
of months, Lois stopped trying.

Lois had started to hear of a Superman rescues but had not
actually witnessed one. Because she had become a TV news anchor, the chances
were now slim to none that she would get herself into enough trouble to warrant
Superman’s assistance.

Lois started to feel that that Lex was reading more into
their `dating’ than she was. She didn’t feel any more for him than just a
casual companion. Lately being in Lex’s company would eave Lois with a sick
feeling in the pit of her stomach. She wasn’t quite sure why but she was
starting to not want to be in his company. Whenever she suggested that they
date other people Lex became rigid and possessive with a stern “NO”. At first
Lois thought it cute that Lex was possessive but then it started to scare her.

Lois and Lex’s dates went from ending with short kisses on
the cheek or lips to him encroaching her mouth with kisses that nauseated her.
She would do all she could to get away with a kiss on the cheek but it didn’t
always work. Lois decided that the nausea from Lex’s kisses came from a
combination of the cigars that he smoked and the fact that he was not Clark
Kent.

Lois had started to think about Clark a lot and that last
kiss that they shared and she so stupidly walked away form. Clark’s kiss
awakened something inside of her that she didn’t know existed and left her out
of control and wanting more. Somewhere during the couple of months that Lois
had returned to Metropolis and started regularly dating Lex, she became aware
of the fact that she needed Clark in her life.

There was something not right about Lex and frankly it
scared her. She missed Clark. Sometimes she would find herself sitting,
thinking…about her future and could hardly imagine it without Clark in it. If
Lois were honest with herself, she was falling…had fallen in love with Clark at
some point. She had come back to Metropolis to get away from him but it only
made her miss him more. But something else had happened, too. Lex had slowly
changed Lois into someone that she didn’t know. She had become more docile and
afraid…of Lex. Now, she saw Lex as threatening, just as Clark had told her he
was. She was afraid of what he was capable of. All she wanted to do right now
was get away from Lex and go to Clark.

Three months after Lois’s return to Metropolis Lex proposed.
She was a bit taken off guard. But unlike Clark’s proposal, sincere and heart
felt, Lex’s proposal was just a matter of course, the thing to do. It was like
some grand finale that he was working up to.

“Well, Lois, my dear…have you thought about my proposal?”
Lex was smoking his cigar as usual. Lois was becoming nauseated.

“I don’t know, Lex. I need to think.” Lois had become frightened
of Lex. She had to get away from him.

“We’ll have dinner tomorrow and I’ll expect your answer
then.”

“Sure.”

The day that Lois was to give Lex her answer, she rushed
home from LNN to shower and prepare her speech…her refusal to Lex’s proposal. On
her way home, she thought of Clark. He had been right. And there were so many
criminal things that Lex was suspected of having involvement with. During her
stint at LNN Lois had accidentally uncovered an inventory of crimes that Lex
was linked to. He held a lot of secret meetings and always passed them off to
her as business when she inquired about them. The ultimate shock was when Lois
heard Lex and Ms. Cox talking about Superman returning and needing enough
Kryptonite dust to not just incapacitate him this time but to kill him. Now
Lois knew why Superman was missing in action for that time.

Why didn’t she listen? Clark was always honest with her. He
wasn’t jealous…he was telling her the truth. Anyway Clark had wanted to love
her…not possess or control her like Lex did. Why didn’t she see that before?
And Lois realized that she needed Clark now more than ever. She missed him. She
needed someone she could trust. She had to get away from Lex!

In the shower, Lois continued to think about Clark. She had
promised herself that once she ended this thing with Lex she would physically
go back to St. Peter, Kansas, find Clark and make things right with him. She
wasn’t sure if he would have her back, accept her apology, her friendship, but
she had to try. She didn’t deserve him for sure. She couldn’t help but notice
that the thought of seeing Clark again made her have a tingling deep in the pit
of her abdomen.

Lois finally finished in the shower and dressed for dinner
with Lex. He had offered to send a car but she convinced him that she could get
more done faster if she drove herself.

Just as Lois was about to leave, the phone rang. When she
picked up the phone she heard a high pitched deafening noise. She could not
hear the person on the other end speaking and all she could say was, “Hello”
repeatedly. Suddenly it dawned on her. Her phone was bugged!

Lois abruptly hung up the phone and went back into her
bedroom. Without being obvious she snooped around and spotted a tiny microphone
in her alarm clock and with all of the lights off she quickly spotted a tiny
red flashing light coming from the bathroom. A tiny camera! Lex had been
watching her and listening in on her for how long? She suddenly felt dirty and
violated. What a sick bastard he was. But she had to go on, pretending that she
didn’t suspect anything.

Superman had been seen occasionally, helping with large
scale disasters but Lois somehow didn’t think that he would still be at her
beck and call. He seemed almost evasive lately. Calling for his help was
probably fruitless so she grabbed her keys and headed for her Jeep. When she
got into the Jeep she suddenly had a notion that it may be bugged, too; maybe
like a GPS tracker. Lois took a few deep breaths and started the Jeep’s engine.
Then she turned on the radio. Oh God she needed Clark. Together, Lane and Kent
could defeat Lex.

*********************************************************

Lois tried to appear relaxed with Lex. They ate dinner in
essential silence. She barely touched her wine. She wanted to be completely
lucid and not have her judgment clouded. The proposal was coming back soon. She
could feel it.

Lex was no fool. He could tell that something had spooked
Lois.

“Lois, my dear, do you have an answer to my proposal?” Lex
had lit a cigar.

“Y…yes, Lex. I…I am really grateful that…The truth is that
I’m not ready to get married…yet. We hardly know each other; I mean…we’ve only
been dating exclusively for about three months.

I just don’t think it would be a good idea right now…”

“Well Lois, I’m sorry to hear that because I disagree.”
Lex’s eyes narrowed. “You see, I think it would be perfect!”

“But Lex…the truth is…is that I’m in love with someone
else.”

“What? Who? That alien Superman? What the hell can he offer
you? He’s a freak in tights!” Lex got in closer to Lois’s face and glared
through her eyes. “Lois, perhaps you didn’t get it. It doesn’t matter what you
think. You don’t think in this relationship. I do all the thinking. Now that
little proposal was just to humour you. You don’t really have a choice. I have
already made an announcement and I will not be embarrassed!” Lois looked in
Lex’s eyes and saw pure evil, tail and pitchfork included.

“No, Lex, please! I will not be bullied into marriage, Lex!”

Just then, Lois felt a blow to her face, so powerful that
she hit the floor. Lex straddled her and held her wrists up beside her head and
started to push up the hem of her dress. When she resisted he kicked her.

“Lex, please…no…”

“What? Saving it for that alien? I thought you were screwing
Kent until he up and left. I realized that he was not in your league, but
Superman…well…I was surprised to see him back. I thought he had gone some place
and died after the Kryptonite dust got him.”

“Please, Lex…you’re hurting me. Please…why?” Lois sobbed.

Lex slapped Lois again. She tried to escape but his hold was
just too strong. Lois realized that it was not Lois Lane standing there getting
knocked around by Lex. She had become someone else that Lex had created. She
was docile and submissive. Lois Lane needed to get back and quickly.

After multiple blows from Lex and the feeling of hitting her
head as her body was being thrown up against the wall, some mental self
encouragement kicked in and Lois went into survival mode. Lois fired back with
a solid kick to Lex’s groin and some self defense moves that left Lex on the
floor moaning. Lois took the opportunity to escape. She knew that she had to
get as far away from Lex as possible but she couldn’t go home. She would think
of something.

Lois got out of Lex’s grasp, kicked off her pumps and ran as
fast as she could tasting her own blood in her mouth and guarding every breath
she took. She finally exited the elevator on the first floor running as fast as
her injuries would allow to her Jeep. She raced away from Lex towers. She had
to think fast. Eight blocks away was the Metropolis Police Station. That was
her answer.

All Lois could think of was getting to Clark. She had to
think of a way to get there before Lex could find her and track her. She had to
get away. Fortunately, she saw where she had left her purse as she looked
around her Jeep. Only her driver’s license and her VISA card were in there. She
reached under her floor mat and found the emergency $200 that she always kept
there. Thank God for her paranoia. This would get her at least a good start.

Lois parked and ran into the MPD asking for Henderson. She
was thinking of an escape plan. How could she leave Metropolis and escape Lex.
She couldn’t exactly ask for help from Superman. She needed Clark to help her.

While she waited for Henderson to come out she stood there
thinking. She happened to see an ATM machine and decided to get more money out
just to be safe. She would be gone a while. When she put her card in, the ATM
stated that the account was not active. Lois tried a couple of more times but
the machine was consistent. She then took out her VISA card, which she held for
emergencies and inserted it into the machine and it declined also saying
account not active. Then it dawned on Lois. Lex had shut down her assets.

Someone touched Lois on the shoulder while she faced the ATM
machine in deep thought. Lois spun around on her heels in a self defense
stance.

“Oh, God, Henderson…it’s you!”

“Lois, what the hell happened to you?” Henderson noticed
that Lois was barefoot with facial bruising, torn clothes and he was sure that
there was more that wasn’t visible to the naked eye or Lois wouldn’t be down
here looking for him at this hour.

“Lex…tried to…I refused his proposal and he…I finally got
away. I left him injured on his floor. He’s tracking me Henderson. I’ve got to
get away. Please, help me!” A single tear escaped Lois. That was something that
she really didn’t want Henderson privy to.

“Whoa…whoa…wait! What are you talking about? Were you ra…?”

“No…no…he just beat me…” Lois whispered.

Lois proceeded to tell Henderson about the cameras and bugs
in her apartment and possibly in her Jeep.

“Henderson, I need to get away. I need your help! I just
need to get away from here until I can feel my way…regain my bearings. I have
$200 to my name. Lex cut off all of my accounts and credit cards.” Lois started
to sob on Henderson’s shoulder.

“Shhh, Lois. I’m going to help you. But you must make a
statement. We have enough evidence…we planned to arrest Luthor early in the
morning on multiple charges. We’re planning for the early morning because…”
Henderson whispered, “…we have a snitch in the department. We haven’t been able
to confirm who yet but we have a good idea who. I’m sure that Lex will make bail,
but then we’ll just have to watch him, closely. And you need to be examined and
file a formal report.”

“No! I’ve got to get out of here. If he catches up with me…”

“Lois…Lois…we can examine you here in the police lab and
take pictures. You really need to go to the hospital and be seen by a
physician…”

“Can the medical examiner just do it here?”

“Oh, God Lois…I’ll se what I can do. Where will you go? We
can get you around the clock…”

“No! I `m going…just driving…I’ve got to get out of here!”

“I’ll see what I can arrange.” Henderson placed his arms
around Lois’s shoulders and led her to the medical examiner. Henderson
explained the situation and the ME gladly followed Henderson’s instructions.
She owed him that much. Henderson turned Lois over to Dr. Warner and stood
outside the door down near the main hallway. He wanted to see who came and
went. He made a silent oath to himself that he was going to find who did this
to Lois.

Forty five minutes later. Lois emerged from the ME’s table.
She had no broken bones but multiple contusions, bruised ribs and a big
hematoma on the side of her head near her ear. She did get eight stitches
across her temple. Dr. Warner had given her a prescription for pain medication
but Lois had escaping on her mind. Lois filed her formal police report and went
to find Henderson. On the way to Henderson’s office she passed the door to the
outside of the precinct. She noticed a Maybach parked on the outer side of her
Jeep, just sitting there. Lex. He had found her. Henderson walked up behind
Lois.

“Lois…”

“Oh God! You scared…Lex, he’s out there! I just saw his
Maybach! He found me.” Lois was frantic.

Henderson looked out but didn’t see Lex’s Maybach. “Lois, I
don’t see anything but your Jeep. Are you sure that you don’t need to be checked
out by…”

“I know what I saw! Please, Henderson…I need your help!”

Henderson grabbed Lois by the hand and led her back to the
ME’s office. “I have something for you, Lois. Just play along until we get
behind closed doors,” he whispered.

“Lois, you need to be seen in the ER…”

“No! I’m not…”

“We called the paramedics to drive you. Lois you’ve been
hurt!”

“But…”

“You’re going!”

Henderson and Lois finally made it into the ME’s office.
Henderson’s plan was in action.

“That little dialogue was for the snitch, Lois.”

“I figured so.”

“Okay. The ambulance is the decoy. No one will be in it
except the driver and his partner riding in the back. When they leave, I’m sure
that Luthor will follow them. We’ll get him, don’t worry. We have an unmarked
car for you. Here’s another $150 for gas…food…you know. The tank is full. Here
are some scrubs and prison issue tennis shoes to change into and a baseball cap
so that you look like a guy. Where will you go?”

“I don’t know…just…west. Don’t worry I’ll get the car back…”

“Oh, I was just gonna say that if you happen through a small
town called St. Peter, Kansas, I have a friend there. His name is Sergeant Sean
O’Neill. Leave the car with him. He’ll get it back to me. He owes me.” Then
Henderson gave Lois that knowing smile. He knew.

Lois kissed Henderson on the cheek. “Thank you.”

“Get out of here. And if you need anything else, you know my
number.”

**********************************************************

Nigel St. John followed the ambulance to Metropolis General
Hospital from the police precinct at a safe distance in Lex Luthor’s Maybach.
What he didn’t realize is that he was also being followed. When the ambulance
reached the ER dock he couldn’t see which much. He called Lex on the phone.

“She’s here, sir.”

“Well done, Nigel. I’ll see you in a few.”

Fifteen minutes later, Lex Luthor arrived at Metropolis
General Hospital’s ER. He got the receptionist’s attention.

“My fiancée was brought here just moments ago, apparently
injured…Lois Lane. May I see her.”

After looking through the registration files, the
receptionist looked to Lex and said, “I’m sorry, sir, but there is no Lois Lane
registered.”

“That’s not possible. She came in by ambulance…”

“Sir no one has come in on my shift tonight. I know that because
I found it strange for us to be so slow, tonight. I’ve been here since seven
and it’s now…what…nine forty…”

“Damn!” Lex slammed his fist on the counter. He knew then
exactly what ha happened. He’d been decoyed!

Lex’s thoughts were interrupted by the commotion that he
turned to face. It was the Metropolis Police Department, led by Henderson.
Nigel was in handcuffs.

“Alexander Luthor, you’re under arrest for murder,
extortion, conspiracy to murder, assault, kidnapping and other charges too
numerous to list at this time. You have a right to remain silent…”

“I know my rights! I’ll have your badges for this…” The
police lead Lex out of the hospital screaming threats. Henderson smiled to
himself. He knew that Lex would make bail by morning but this would buy her a
little time. By the time Lex would actually leave the MPD, Lois would be far
gone, probably in Ohio or nearing Indiana by then. He would surely drag his
feet processing Lex’s release.

******************************************************

Lois made it to the interstate from the police department in
fifteen minutes. The unmarked car gave her some room to exceed the speed limit
if she had to. But right now she had a long drive ahead of her. She thought
about taking some back roads but after some thought found it to be probably
safer to be on the wide open road. She had a hand held map that she picked up
at the police station. Henderson offered her a portable GPS but it spooked her
and she opted not to take it. She estimated arriving in St. Peter at about 5
o’clock tomorrow evening. She had $350 to her name and a gas guzzling V8 Crown
Victoria. She could only buy the bare minimum because she wasn’t sure how much
gas prices would rob her to get there. Lois was not very religious but found
comfort in praying to God to lead her to safety…to Clark. And then a sense of
peace came over her and she knew that she would find him.

Lois’s first eight hours were troubling. She was sore, tired
and scared. When she stopped for gas she was paranoid, looking around. She was
afraid of being followed. After all she was not easy to miss with the
Frankenstein scar across her temple. People stared but she would quickly get
back to the car and started again. A few times she started to doze off. She
sang out loud with the radio, rolled down the windows and anything else she
could do to stay awake. After a couple of hours of fighting sleep, she got a
second wind. This wind would take her to St. Peter.

At 3 o’clock Wednesday evening with the time change, Lois
arrived in Wichita. She was tired and down right hurting then. She still had
about an hour to go so she could only take the Motrin that she had been taking
along the way. The Lorcet that Dr. Warner had prescribed would just make her
sub functioning brain resign. Besides she hadn’t had it filled anyway. She
didn’t have time.

Lois thought more intensely on the drive from Wichita to St.
Peter. What would she say to Clark? When he had tried to be a friend to her and
warn her about Lex, she had basically called him a liar. She accused him of
being jealous and refused to accept the information. Then he proposed, showing
her how much he wanted to be with her at any cost. What did Lois do? She ran
away from him, into Lex “Satan” Luthor’s arms. So, now how could she just show
up at his home and ask him for help…ask for him to accept her without
consequences. She didn’t deserve Clark.

Lois had only had three bottles of water and a bag of chips
on the drive. Truthfully it hurt her to chew. She felt sort of queasy but
wasn’t sure if it was from not eating or taking the Motrin on an empty stomach.
She decided that she would just ask Clark for a shower and a two hour nap and
then catch a bus or a train…to…somewhere. She counted her money. She only had
$67 left. That wouldn’t get her very far. Maybe she would ask to borrow a few
dollars from Clark just until she could get on her feet.

Finally, Lois crossed the St. Peter county line…into
Heaven…to Clark. Lois was grateful that Clark had passed the place on his way
to the airport…when she broke his heart. It was a few minutes after five in the
evening. Just like heaven it was a clear and sunny May Wednesday, 88ºF and dry.
There were no cars on the road and all of the noise was from nature. There were
a few tractors in the fields but not much else. There was a Keith Urban song
playing on the radio. The song embodied the exact shambles that controlled hers
and Clark’s feelings. Lois turned onto the road that lead to Clark’s driveway.
She knew this was it because she saw his grey 4Runner just outside of the
garage door. The last part of the song was playing as she put the car in park.

Would it help if I
turned a sad song on

"All By
Myself" would sure hit me hard now that you’re gone

Or maybe unfold some
old yellow lost love letters

It’s gonna hurt bad
before it gets better

But I’ll never get
over you by hidin’ this way

I’ve never been the
kind to ever let my feelings show

And I thought that
bein’ strong meant never losin’ your self-control

But I’m just drunk
enough to let go of my pain

To hell with my pride,
let it fall like rain

From my eyes

Tonight I wanna cry

Lois sat for a moment to control the sobs that escaped her
while she was immersed in the song. She could not allow Clark to see her this
way…not after all she had done to him.

**********************************************************************

Clark had been at the St. Peter Times for three months. He
had gained favor with Dean and they had become friends outside of work. He
found that they were the same age and liked a lot of the same things. Dean was
a Princeton graduate and very well rounded. There were three reporters; Lilly
Parker, Colin Andrews and Michael Sanders. Lilly was the newest reporter, just
six months out of college. She was just married and green all around. Colin was
an older man who was just trying to finish out his time until retirement. His
wife had retired and his kids were all done with college, grown, married and
had children of their own. And Michael had been there about four years. He and
his wife were expecting their first baby in the next couple of months.

Dean needed someone to go to Iraq to cover the war update.
Clark had quickly volunteered even though he was the assistant editor. He knew
that Lilly would do it but didn’t have the experience, Colin had paid his dues
and Michael needed to be there for his wife and baby. And besides Clark was
Superman. After some discussion Dean agreed. Clark had confided in Dean that he
didn’t feel like he had anything to lose anyway. He was young, disconsolate and
single (with no desire to love again if his love interest couldn’t be Lois). At
first, Dean juggled the idea around in his head because he thought Clark maybe
had a death wish. Then he remembered feeling that way once and knew that with
time Clark would pull through. Maybe this trip would be good for him. Dean sent
Clark home for two weeks vacation before his trip. That was time enough to tie
up loose ends and pack…or rescind his decision. So when Clark went home on
Friday, he would be off until two weeks from the upcoming Monday, when his
flight would leave for Iraq. Of course, he could return home at anytime,
Superman express.

Clark had a hard time at home the first few days. He didn’t
have a whole lot to do so it gave him lots of time to think…about Lois.
Sometimes he would almost find himself in tears. When he slept he often woke in
a cold sweat from dreams of Lois. He would go over to his parents’ farm and
help them but at the end of the day he was back to thoughts of Lois. Martha
knew that there was so much going on inside of Clark but she didn’t want to
push him. In time he would talk to her.

It was Wednesday evening. Clark had fallen asleep in his
hammock out back earlier. He had actually had a pretty restful nap until Maci
came and licked his face. He got up with that, got Maci a treat and retired
inside. He got a glass of wine, just because of his mood and not because he
could get a drunk from it. He turned on the radio and lay back in his couch
holding a picture of him and Lois at the Kerth Awards ceremony. He looked at
the way that they were smiling at each other. There was so much happiness in
that picture. Ironically, a very suited song came on the radio.

Alone in this house
again tonight

I got the TV on, the
sound turned down and a bottle of wine

There’s pictures of
you and I on the walls around me

The way that it was
and could have been surrounds me

I’ll never get over
you walkin’ away

A single tear escaped Clark as he held his picture securely
to his chest and closed his eyes. Eventually as the song played on, he sat up
and put his face in his hands and started to sob. He finally stopped fighting
it and released all of his pent up emotions. To see this powerful man’s
shoulders shake was like witnessing an apocalyptical event.

I’ve never been the
kind to ever let my feelings show

And I thought that
bein’ strong meant never losin’ your self-control

But I’m just drunk
enough to let go of my pain

To hell with my pride,
let it fall like rain

From my eyes

Tonight I wanna cry

Eventually peacefulness settled over Clark. All he could do
now was try to go on. He laid his head back against his cushions as the song
played on but before it ended he was fast asleep again, peacefully.

***********************************************

Lois rang the doorbell and stood. No one answered. She
cupped her hands on the screen door and could see Clark on the sofa. He
appeared to be asleep. She tried the screen door and it opened. She mentally
chastised Clark for being so naïve and trusting, even in the country. Someone
was going to hurt him one day.

Lois approached Clark and saw the half glass of wine and
what looked like tear tracks on his cheeks. He was so beautiful, lying there so
innocently…asleep on the couch. Lois reached out and gently touched his cheek.
She could feel the lump in her throat start to form again.

“Clark…” Lois gently touched his cheek with the backs of her
fingertips.

A sleepy, “Loi…” escaped Clark as he covered her hand on his
cheek with his. Then his eyes flew open.

“Lois?” He stood. Then he saw it…the black and blue bruises
in her face, the egg that had formed right behind her ear and the stitches…

“Lois…sweetheart…what happened?” Clark tentatively reached
out to tuck a strand of hair behind Lois’s ear. His eyes had started to shimmer
again.

“I’m…I’m sorry, Clark…I had no right to impose on you
unannounced. The door was open and I rang the doorbell and…if you would just
let me shower and get just two hours of sleep, I’ll leave…”

Clark gathered Lois in his arms and hugged her to him. His
silent tears fell into her hair. He held her there for a few minutes,
supporting her head against his chest. He could feel the wetness on his shirt
from her tears. Then Lois let out a painful groan.

“Who did this to you?” When Lois didn’t answer immediately,
Clark got her eye contact. “Lex did this, didn’t he?”

“You told me…Cl…Cl…Clark and…I…I didn’t listen.” Lois
looked away.

He hugged her again. “Shhh….it’s over. I won’t let anyone
else hurt you …ever.”

“I promise I’ll leave tonight. I won’t disrupt your
life…just please, let me shower and take a nap…”

“Lois…how did you get here? Where were you going?”

“I drove. I was trying to get away from Lex. I’m so scared
Clark. I don’t really have a place to go…”

“You drove alone! Lois, why? Why didn’t you call me? You do
have a place…right here, as long as you need. Have you seen a doctor…been to
the hospital?”

“I don’t know Clark. I didn’t think you wanted anything to
do with me, anymore. I figured if I just showed up you would at least let me
get a shower and a nap before you asked me to leave.”

“Lois…”

“Dr. Warner the ME examined me and gave me stitches. I just
have cuts and bruises. No breaks. I look a lot worse that I am.”

“You’re hurting…”

“I couldn’t take the pain medication that Dr. Warner
prescribed while I was driving. My prescription is not even filled. I took
Motrin…”

“Let me run you a bath and I’ll get your prescription filled
while you bathe. I’m going to get Doc Morgan to look you over.”

Clark held his hand up as Lois started to protest. “Please,
just let me take care of you,” He said softly. “When did you eat last?” Clark
noticed Lois hesitate to think. “I’ll fix you something to eat and we can talk
after you get a nap.”

Lois shook her head in agreement.

Clark ran Lois a bath and led her to the bathroom. He laid
out shampoo and a new toothbrush for her. It dawned on him that Lois didn’t
have anything to change into…wait…she had left her jeans, a short sleeved
sweater and underwear the last time she was in Kansas. She had forgotten the clothes
that she had in the wash. Clark got out one of his oversized tee shirts and
left her other clothes laying along side it out on his bed. He would take her
tomorrow to get some clothes to wear if he could convince her to stay that
long.

Clark warmed up some home made chicken soup that Martha had
made the day before. He laid out crackers and some warm tea. By the time Lois
finished with her bath, Doc Morgan was there. He checked Lois over and gave the
same report as Dr. Warner. He suggested that Clark wake Lois every three hours
until the next morning even though it had been almost 24 hours since her head
trauma. He brought along some pain medication unaware that Clark had filled a
prescription for her. After Doc Morgan left Clark noticed that Lois chose his
over sized tee shirt to wear. His heart swelled at the closeness that he felt
from her choice. Clark explained where her changing set of clothes had come
from. He had attempted to pack them away with his memories of Lois on that
dreadful day in Smallville but just couldn’t part with them. Lois ate most of
her soup and crackers and drank her tea. She really needed food for that pain
medication and for the simple fact that she was hungry.

Clark made his bed for Lois because he only had one bed so
far. He would sleep on the couch.

“Here you go, Lois,” Clark said as he folded the sheets back
for her.

“But where will you…”

“Don’t worry about me. Sweet dreams Lois.” Clark gently
brushed his lips across her cheek. She was starting to look a little better.

Clark woke Lois at 10 o’clock. He had her pain medication in
hand to offer.

“Lois…sweetheart…wake up…do you need pain medication?” She
just stirred a little then drifted back off to sleep. Clark woke Lois every
three hours all night but after the 4 o’clock wake up he fell asleep. The next
time he opened his eyes was at 9 o’clock.

Clark jumped up in a hurry to make sure that Lois was real
and that he could still wake her.

“Lois…” Clark gently called as he shook her shoulders
gently.

“Umm…”

Clark just smiled to himself and let Lois go back off to
sleep. He got up and stirred around some in the kitchen. He made coffee and
bacon and eggs. He thought he would have to sit Lois aside a plate in the oven
when he heard her patter into the kitchen. He turned around to greet her but
was caught off guard by what he saw. There Lois stood with her face cast
downward wearing his white terry-cloth bath robe.

“Lois…?”

“Clark, I’m…thank you for being so kind to me. I’ve already
overstayed my welcome. I’ll get dressed and I’ll go…” Lois turned to walk away.

“Please don’t go. Stay as long as you’d like.”

“That’s just it. I would stay forever, like I should have
when you offered the first time.”

“That offer is still open…if you’d like.”

Lois sat down at the table. Clark placed a cup of coffee in
front of her just the way she liked it. For some reason when he made it, it
always tasted better than when she made it. Clark then sat in the chair
adjacent to her.

“What happened, Lois?”

Lois stared down into her cup of coffee as if she would find
her answers there. After a few minutes, she started to recount the events
leading up to the day that Lex assaulted her. As she told her story, she
watched a kaleidoscope of emotions cross Clark’s face. She saw hurt, concern,
sadness, anger but all the time underlying love for her. After all of what she
had done to him, he still loved her. When she finished her story, Clark stared
off out the window across from him, silently. After a few moments he spoke
again.

“Lois, Luthor didn’t r-ra-force himself…did he?”

“No. He was going to…but I fought him off. That’s when I ran
to Henderson.”

Clark released a sigh that he wasn’t aware that he was
holding.

The couple talked more about the day that Lois was assaulted
by Lex and how Henderson helped her to escape. Lois told Clark how all she
wanted was to get to him. After what seemed like hours of talking about that
dreadful day Lois realized that she had not considered that Clark may have to
get to work.

“Clark, don’t you have to go to work. I didn’t mean to…”

“No. I have to go to Iraq a week from Monday, to cover the
war. Dean gave me two weeks off before I go.”

“Why you? You’re the assistant editor. Aren’t there other…”

“I volunteered. Lilly is too green, Colin is older and has
paid his dues and Michael is expecting his first baby. He should be there for
his wife. I would want to be.”

“Oh.” With that last summation, Lois saw a look of longing
briefly appear over Clark’s face. She could see that he wanted a family so
badly.

“Lois, I’m sorry that I didn’t return your calls. I just
couldn’t…couldn’t talk to you right then. It was still too painful. Rather than
sucking it up, I pouted and I should have been there to help you. Maybe you
would have called me earlier on if I hadn’t been so adamant about not talking
to you. I’m so sorry.”

“Clark, it wasn’t your fault.”

“What about Superman? Why didn’t you call for help?”

“I…he avoids me lately. I guess he thinks I’m not worth his
time. After all, Lex tried to kill him back when he was missing…with Kryptonite
powder. I really don’t blame him.”

Lois thought she saw a paleness go over Clark. “Superman
would never deny you help.”

“I guess…” Lois shrugged her shoulders.

“So, Luthor just attacked when you refused to marry him?”

“When I told him that I was in love with someone else, he
automatically assumed it was Superman and as you know, he hates Superman.”

“I promise you that I will never let him hurt you again.”

“I know.”

Lois and Clark talked for a couple more hours then Clark
sent her to get dressed. Though she was reluctant to be seen with her scarring
and bruising, Clark insisted on taking her out to buy some new clothes.

“Clark, I don’t have any money…”

“I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry.”

Fortunately Lois had some makeup in her purse and she used
it to cover most of her bruises. The stitches remained visible but she could
live with that.

First they returned the unmarked car to Sergeant Sean
O’Neill who turned out to be Father Sean O’Neill…and he was expecting her. He
knew Henderson from New York and they had helped people before. No wonder Clark
laughed when she went to the police department and asked for Sergeant Sean
O’Neill. The clerk at the police department snickered and directed her to the
rectory a block away. Lois scolded Clark for not telling her. He told her that
if she had told him who she was looking for he could have told her.

Lois and Clark had gone to Wichita and shopped for a few
hours. When they entered the mall Lois reached for Clark’s hand. He entwined
his fingers with hers and only let go to pay for Lois’s purchases. They held
hands on the ride back to St. Peter. When they got back home, Martha had left
dinner on Clark’s kitchen counter. He had called his parents and told them that
Lois was there while she slept the day before.

For the next week, Lois and Clark spent a lot of time just
talking. She cried a lot and Clark held her when she cried. He held her every
chance he got. They would spend hours in the hammock together, just talking and
Lois had even started laughing again. Her physical scars were healing and she
was feeling much better. Superman only went out for big disasters and
fortunately for Clark it had always been at night while Lois slept. Clark knew
that he would have to tell Lois the truth about Superman soon, especially since
he felt that things were changing between them. He didn’t want to be too
presumptuous but he thought that maybe Lois was starting to feel differently
about him.

Lois had called Henderson and scolded him about setting her
up to expect an officer when in fact it was a priest. Henderson feigned fear
but laughed at the end. Henderson said that he had dubbed O’Neill as sergeant
because he had worked a lot with the police department, mainly Henderson, when
long distance help was needed. Wherever he went the police departments knew
him. He told her that Lex Luthor was in jail without bail and so were his
goons. He assured her that he would not be paroled in this lifetime because he
had federal charges as well. He said that he had gotten the car back and ended
the call by telling her to tell Clark “hello.” Henderson knew all the time
where she was running to.

The very next morning, early Henderson called Lois at
Clark’s house and told her that the judge had gone for the death penalty for
Luthor. He had over forty charges and about half of them were federal charges.
Almost as if Luthor wanted to maintain ultimate control he committed suicide by
requesting and eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. No one thought this a
strange request for a multi billionaire who had had his own French chef, so
they serve it. Luthor knew that he was allergic to peanuts. He was found dead
in his cell just an hour ago. The information had not yet been released to the
media, but Henderson thought that Lois would like to know.

Henderson had also told Lois that the department had named
their snitches and there were actually two of them. They were veteran cops who
were on Lex Luthor’s payroll. They gave Lex the when’s and where’s of the
police department which therefore made him able to always be a step ahead of
them. It all made sense now.

Lois felt some relief that she would no longer be threatened
by the existence of Lex Luthor. But her main concerns were of a totally
different colour. She had no need now to stay with Clark, so surely he would
expect her to leave and resume her normal life.

*************************************************

Sunday night before he was due to leave came around. Lois
had started to become withdrawn again.

“Sweetheart what’s wrong?” Clark came and sat on the edge of
the bed next to Lois where she sat and watched him pack.

Lois smiled to herself at the endearment that apparently
slipped from Clark.

“I just wish you didn’t have to go.”

“It’s only for a week. I promise you that I’ll make sure
that you’re protected. My parents are here and I’ll ask Superman to fly by…”

“I guess I should be heading back to Metropolis, too, now.
I’m not in danger anymore and I didn’t expect you to let me stay here
forever…I…”

“Actually, I had hoped you would stay forev…for a while.
Don’t go, Lois.” Clark softly pleaded.

“Clark, when I told Lex that I was in love with someone
else, it wasn’t Superman.”

Clark got up and walked over to the window, his back to
Lois. Clark whispered, “Who? Do I even want to know?”

Lois got up and went to stand next to him. “It’s you, Clark.
I’m in love with you. It took me going back to Metropolis and making a fool of
myself for me to realize it. Could we get married, Clark…still?”

Clark looked into Lois’s eyes with the shimmering of tears.
“I’ve been in love with you for so long, Lois. I don’t want you to feel like
you owe me anything. I’ll always be here for you.”

“But, Clark, I do owe you my honesty and that is that I love
you…am in love with you and I know that I want to spend the rest of my life
with you. But if you’ve changed your mind, I certainly understand why.”

Lois turned to walk back to the bed. Clark caught her in a
couple of steps and turned her around to face him.

“Lois, I love you more than life. If you still feel this way
when I get back, then yes, I want to marry you, more than anything. But if you
don’t, I’ll still be your friend. I just …it would kill me…if we went through
with it…if you didn’t mean it…if you had regrets afterwards.”

“I’ll miss you.”

Clark hugged Lois to him.

“Lois, there is something that I should tell you.” Clark led
her to sit on the bed again.

“Yes?”

Clark ran his hands through his hair in that nervous
gesture. Then he stood…and after some reluctance started spinning…and Lois
stared at him wide eyed. In a fraction of a second Superman stood before her.

“Oh God, Clark. I’m so sorry.” Lois started to sob. “You
knew about Lex all along and I didn’t listen to you. He tried to kill you and I
almost…I’m so sorry.”

“Shhh…you didn’t…couldn’t have known. It’s okay, really.
We’re here now.” Clark tried to lighten the mood. “So you won’t have to go a
full week without seeing me.”

“Oh, Clark.” Lois leaped into his arms and he held her to
him.

*************************************************

Lois drove Clark to Wichita to the airport on Monday
morning. He hated to fly on a plane but, he had to do this for work. They sat
waiting for Clark’s flight to be called. Clark had his elbows on his knees
leaning forward with one of Lois’s smaller hands between his two. He thought
about the last time he was at this place. But…hopefully…things are different
now. Lois knew that he was in deep thought and she knew why.

“Penny for your thoughts…”

“I’m just afraid that you’re going to change…”

<First call for
American Airlines Flight 5577 nonstop to New Your, LaGuardia boarding business
class…>

“I love you, Clark. I won’t change my mind.”

“And I love you.” Clark leaned down and kissed Lois
thoroughly. When he broke the kiss he whispered in her ear, “See you tomorrow.”

Clark came home every day from Iraq. Most of the time he
would find Lois outside, talking to Maci. Lois and Maci had become great
friends. Clark had left Lois his truck keys so she spent a fair amount of time
with Martha and Jonathan on the farm. She and Martha talked a lot.

During that week of Clark’s absence Lois had gone to the
Smallville Gazette to respond to an ad for an assistant editor. Lois had has
some encouragement from Martha after she had told her her plans. She was
formally offered the job but she explained to the editor, Ms. Hatcher that she
could not give her a definite answer until Monday but she was seriously
interested.

*************************************************

Friday, evening Clark came home. It was later than his usual
visit from Iraq. Lois had though that he got busy and couldn’t come home. He
found her napping on the couch with a book that she had apparently attempted to
read. He spun into his Clark clothes.

“Hi.” Clark whispered in Lois’s ear.

She woke up with a very drowsy, “Hi.”

“I thought you got busy but I’m glad you came. There is
something that I need to talk with you about.”

“You changed your mind…”

“No! I wanted to…well…I applied for a job at the Smallville
Gazette, assistant editor, but I told Ms. Hatcher that I couldn’t give her an
answer until Monday. It depends on what you say…about…you know…”

“Is that what you want, Lois? I mean it’s not the big
city…exciting investigations.” Clark was now sitting on the edge of the coffee
table just in front of Lois. He gently cradled Lois’s hands in his and held
them close to his lips. He spoke just above a whisper.

“More than anything…I want you. I want to be with you.”

“Good. Then tell her yes…that is if you’ll be my wife.”
Clark brought Lois’s hands to his lips and kissed them.

“Oh God Clark! Yes!”

Clark reached in his pocket and pulled out a small purple
velvet box. When he opened it, it contained a simple princess cut solitaire on
a platinum setting.

“I was late because I had to make a stop in France for
this.” Clark released Lois’s hands so that he could place her engagement ring.
He then leaned over and kissed Lois. “I love you, honey.”

“I love you, too. How did I land someone as wonderful as
you? I was so…”

Clark kissed away her attempted babble.

After what seemed like hours of talking and making out on
Clark’s couch he stood to head back to Iraq.

“Will you stay…tonight?”

“I…they’re nine hours ahead of us in Iraq. I want to spend
the whole night with you our first time.” He was pretty sure that he knew what
she wanted and he wanted her as much as she wanted him. At the same time, he
needed time to work up his nerves…and his confidence…so that he didn’t
disappoint Lois. “My plane lands in Wichita on Sunday night.”

Lois smiled. “Okay. I’ll be waiting.”

Clark kissed Lois and flew off…back to Iraq.

Sunday night when Clark landed in Wichita he flew home
Superman express. He had told Lois not to come for him because Superman was
faster. He found her lying across his bed napping. It was late because their
flight had not landed in Wichita until midnight due to a delay in New York.

******************************

He lay on the bed next to her on the side she was facing.
Her eyes fluttered open.

“Hi beautiful.”

“Hi. I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” Clark leaned over and kissed Lois.

*************************************************

The next morning, Teresa came knocking on Clark’s door. She
and Lois had become pretty friendly especially while Clark was gone. Lois
answered the door.

“Teresa?”

“Sorry to bother you, Lois, but I need to borrow some sugar.
Ethan is back home and I want to make breakfast for him but I ran out of sugar.
The strangest thing happened on Wednesday. Superman just came to my front door,
out of the blue, knocked then told me that Ethan would be landing in Wichita on
Sunday. Now in Ethan’s letters he said that he would be deployed three more
months. I thought that maybe he was trying to evade me…didn’t want me to know
when he came back home because maybe he really didn’t want to be with me, but
Superman assured me that it was a sudden change and he only had time to prepare
to fly home. You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Superman up close before
Wednesday…but anyway… I would have never thought that he even knew who I was.”

“When Ethan saw me standing there, at his arriving gate, he
came over and held me like he would never let go. He told me that he didn’t
want to go home just yet, but that he wanted to come home with me so that we
could talk. I brought him here so that we could talk and we talked all night.
Then he proposed…again! Eventually this morning early, I fell asleep in his
arms. ”

“And…”

“I said yes silly! He said that I had to love him to stand
by him all those months. He also admitted that he never stopped loving me. He
thought it would be selfish to keep me waiting while he went to war, just like
Clark said. And it felt so good to fall asleep in his arms again.”

“Clark said?”

“Yes. Oh…and congratulations! I saw Clark at the airport
last night. He told me that you said yes. As long as I’ve known him, he has
been in love with you Lois.”

“I know, Teresa, I know.” Lois got a satisfied smile on her
face. Apparently everyone knew that Clark had been in love with her.

“Well…sugar? I’ve got to go and make breakfast for Ethan.

*************************************************

The following week, Lois and Clark married in Clark’s back
yard and Teresa and Ethan were married the following weekend in Teresa’s yard.
But, too soon, Teresa’s house would go up for sale because she was moving to
Okinawa with Ethan. Lois was truly going to miss her.

But she had her own life changes to deal with now. The first
time that she and Clark had made love, she became pregnant. Clark was so
excited. And truthfully, Lois was too. She wanted nothing more that to have
beautiful babies with Clark.

Who would have thought that Lois Lane…Lois Kent as she liked
to be called…would be at this place in her life…right now…literally Heaven?

~fin~