Author: Sheila
Email: ethanseth@msn.com
Rated: PG
"So, Clark, what you’re saying is that if I were married, Kyle Griffin would not
be…making my life miserable," Lois said as she and Clark walked along the
streets of downtown Metropolis.
"Well…Lois…well…yes, yes, that’s what I’m saying," Clark responded with
that dreamy look that he usually got when he looked at Lois. He very easily got
caught up in his thoughts about how much and how long he had been in love with
Lois. He had even told her in the park one day before her attempted marriage to
Lex Luthor. She had rejected him and hurt him worse than Kryptonite ever could.
After her failed wedding to Lex Luthor, outside the Daily Planet Clark had
recanted his expression of love to Lois. He had since wondered if it was the
right thing to do, because he still so desperately loved her. He had decided
that, at the time, Lois didn’t need any more stress in her life and he wanted
her to be comfortable with him and to be his best friend again.
Clark was very quickly drawn from his buried memories by Lois’ soprano tirade.
With accenting hand gestures, Lois growled, "Clark, that is just ridiculous! I’m
not going to search for someone to…marry…just because Kyle Griffin creeps me
out!"
"It’s going to be a long day," Clark mumbled as he jogged to catch up with Lois
in her fast angry pace.
"Lois, all I’m saying is that, if you were married, Kyle Griffin would think
twice about pulling pranks on you. I think the image of having a male figure
around all the time would make him back off. And I also think he has a thing for
you and being married would make you off limits. That’s all I’m saying," Clark
almost pleaded to Lois.
"Clark, first of all I don’t need a man to protect me! Second, I know you mean
well, but you just make it seem like I can just walk up to someone and say,
"Hey, marry me to keep the Prankster away from me." Talk about thinking I’ve
lost my mind. If I walked up to you and said that, what would you think?" Lois
shouted.
No sooner than the question was out of her mouth, Lois regretted asking it. She
knew or at least had a strong suspicion that Clark was in love with her even
though he had denied it that fateful day outside of the Daily Planet. And if she
were honest with herself, well, they were best friends…and…well…nothing.
Her past relationships had been federal disasters and she didn’t want to mix
romance with the best friend she ever had and get a nuclear holocaust. And she
just didn’t feel that way about him, or so she tried to convince herself.
Clark must have sensed that Lois hadn’t meant for that question to be
verbalized, because he hesitated, looking down at his feet, stuffing his hands
in his pockets, almost rehearsing his answer. Oh, he knew her so well.
"Lois, I think that most men would jump at any reason to marry you. You’re
smart, beautiful and many other things. No, I would not think you lost your
mind. You really wouldn’t have to give me a reason. Just say that you love me as
much as I love you."
Lois and Clark made eye contact briefly. Clark looked away first after a few
seconds. He could see in her eyes that she was not very comfortable with what
she was hearing from him.
Lois looked down after Clark looked away from her. She could see the hurt in his
eyes. She knew that he knew that she did not feel the same way about him as he
did her. Clark was the first to turn and resume walking. He very carefully did
not broach the subject again.
Though Clark avoided the subject, Lois could tell that he was still thinking,
probably about how she had hurt him again. Lois continued to think about it and
actually ponder the idea.
It was six o’clock at the Planet already, and the dream team had just called it
a day.
Clark had been preoccupied all day about his and Lois’ discussion. Why couldn’t
she see his love for her? She would probably cling to someone else, eventually,
if Kyle continued to scare her. But he did have one thing that no other person
had and that was Lois’ friendship and trust.
"Lois, are you ready? Want me to see you home? I can grab some takeou…"
Lois felt the need to go home alone and think. This whole fiasco had thrown her
off base and she needed to sort things out. There seemed to be a tiny bit of
something that seemed to be surfacing for Clark.
"No, Clark," Lois said solemnly. I’m okay. Really, I can take care of myself.
But thank you for looking out for me. Thank you for asking."
"Okay, if you’re sure," Clark responded, holding Lois’ coat for her to put her
arms in. "I’m here…if you need me, okay," he very softly assured Lois as he
gently touched her cheek in that way that only he could.
"Goodnight, Clark."
"See you tomorrow, Lois." Clark watched Lois as she got into the elevator and
the door closed her from his human view.
Clark sat watching an NBA game between the Bulls and the Lakers when a knock
came from his door. His x-ray vision told him that it was the only person in all
of Metropolis who had no reservations about coming over at any time of day or
night. Clark got up and opened the door.
"Lois, what are you doing here? It’s after ten. Are you okay?" he asked with
concern in his voice.
"I was…was wondering…do you mind if I…if I…"
"Stay here tonight…sure…come in." Clark stepped aside to allow Lois in. "Is
everything okay? Did something happen?"
"No…I’m just…I’m just a little…" Lois started as her voice began to crack.
Clark hugged her to his chest. "It’s okay, Lois. I wont let anything happen to
you."
Clark gently grabbed her hand and led her to the couch to sit. They sat and made
brief eye contact. In that brief moment, Lois saw a kaleidoscope of emotions
pass through Clark’s eyes. She quickly looked away to gain control.
"Clark, remember today when you said that all I had to do was to tell you that I
love you as much as you love me?" Lois asked, with uncertainty in her voice.
"Yeah…but, Lois…"
"No, wait, let me finish…before I lose my nerve. What if I told you that I am
in…in love with you? I don’t know if I have as much love as you do, but I want
to share what I do feel with you," Lois said with tears shimmering in her eyes.
This all caught Clark off guard. All he could do was look at Lois with so much
love in his eyes. But Lois took his hesitation as rejection.
"You know what, Clark, never mind, just forget it. I guess I had my chances, and
I…" Lois snapped as she got up and headed for the door.
"Lois, honey, no. Please, stay. I just don’t know what to say. I love you so
much and I have waited for so long to hear you say that." Clark stood to gather
Lois in his arms. He lead her back over to the couch and they sat.
"Lois, what would you say if I asked you to marry me? I know that it’s sort of
sudden, but I would make sure that Kyle Griffin never bothered you again."
"Would you be asking so that you could protect me?" Lois asked, looking
disappointed.
"No. Do you have to ask? I would be asking because my selfish self is so in love
with you and I want you all to myself." Clark got down on one knee. "So…what
would you say?"
"Ask and find out," Lois whispered back.
"Lois, I love you with all of my heart. I cannot imagine life without you. There
are so many things that I want to share with you. I see children with little
dark heads and feisty personalities." Clark had to smile to himself as he
imagined a miniature Lois running around. "All I’ve dreamed about for so long
was your beautiful face being the last thing I looked at as I fell asleep and
the first thing I saw when I awakened every morning. Will you marry me,
sweetheart?"
"Oh, Clark…" Lois started with tears in her eyes. "…yes, yes, I’ll marry
you."
Clark gathered Lois in his arms and hugged her like he would never get the
chance again. Then he reluctantly released her, looked down into her dark pools
and very slowly lowered his lips to hers. The kiss made enough electricity to
light a transformer.
When Lois finally broke the kiss, due to a lack of air, she looked up at Clark
with love in her eyes and whispered, "Love me, Clark…please, make love to me."
Clark looked in her eyes and responded, "Please, stay with me. Not just tonight.
I need you, honey," as he picked her up and carried her off to his bed.
Finale…