SUMMARY: Clark feels that both he and Lois are overworked - especially Lois. But there's a deeper reason. So he decides to do something about it. He tells her that they're going to a fancy dinner party, but secretly arranges for them to spend a weekend alone together at a secluded house in the middle of nowhere.

DISCLAIMER: Clark and Lois are married. It doesn't take place at any specific time. So obviously it's an AU.

PROLOGUE

"Lois, will you PLEASE sit down for one second?" throwing down his pen and watching as his wife of almost three years runs back and forth between their adjoining desks and the copy room. But she doesn't pay attention to him. That's it! getting up from his chair and following her back into the copy room; closing the door behind him. "Lois, we need to talk," taking the paper out of her hand and slamming it down on top of the copy machine.

"Give me that," she retorts; reaching over for the paper he just took away from her.

He pushes it away from her and pins her up against the copier. "Lois," whispering in her ear as his hands move to grip her waist. "You need to slow down. WE need to slow down," softly kissing her behind the ear.

She forgets what she was about to say; moaning softly as his lips make their way down the side of her neck. Her head tilts back as his hands slip underneath her blouse to caress her stomach. "We haven't made love in over two weeks. I miss you," he whispers. "And I know you miss me too," his lips reaching the base of her throat.

"Umm," she sighs. But she suddenly pulls away from him. "I have to finish this article," picking up the paper and abruptly leaving the room.

Clark leans back against the copier; a disappointed expression on his face. I have to do something. But what? He walks over to the door and opens it; standing in the doorway and observing Lois typing furiously on her keyboard.

Ever since we won the Pulitzer it's been non-stop. She won't take even one day off. He continues to watch her as she gulps her coffee. And our third year anniversary is coming up this weekend. I'm sure she's forgotten it. But I am determined to not have a repeat of what happened last year; a frown on his face.

Then he has a thought. Maybe I should take her away for the weekend. We could reconnect. Yes. That's what we'll do; a smile beginning to form on his face. I'll talk to Mr. White. He said so himself that he felt that we've been spreading ourselves a bit thin lately. I'm sure he won't mind us going away for a few days. We have plenty of days saved up.

"Clark?"

He rouses himself out of the reverie he was in. She hasn't been calling me Smallville in the last few weeks. I miss it. He finally looks up at her. "Yes Lois?"

"Have you gotten that confirmation from your contact at the police station?" she asks him.

"It's on my desk," he replies; walking over to his desk and pulling out a piece of paper.

"Thanks," taking it from him and sitting back down at her desk.

He sits down in his chair; leaning against the back of it with a thoughtful look on his face. Then he remembers that they're supposed to go to a fancy dinner party on Friday night. I don't think that Oliver will mind if we don't show up. He'll understand. I'll call him and let him know that we can't make it. I'll also ask him not to say anything to Lois. I'll pretend that we're still going, then spring the whole weekend thing on her. I'll also have to make sure I pack a bag for her beforehand. But it's not as if she'll need much clothing anyway; smiling to himself.

"Penny for your thoughts," a voice says to him.

He looks up and sees Lois standing next to his desk.

"Where were you just now?" she asks him; sitting down on the edge of his desk and crossing her legs.

"What do you mean?" he says rather casually.

"You looked like you were in another world," she says; cocking her head slightly.

"I was just thinking about that party we have to go to on Friday night," he replies.

"Do we really have to go?" a slight frown on her face.

"I think it would be a good idea for us to go. We need to have some fun. Something that's been sorely lacking lately," he says pointedly.

She furrows her eyebrows. "You think so huh?"

"I don't think so Lois. I know so," he tells her.

"Well I don't think..." she begins to say, but then her phone rings. "Excuse me," hopping off his desk and dashing over to her phone.

He shakes his head sadly. I'm going to talk to Mr. White right now. "I'll be right back," he calls out to her; getting up from his chair. She just nods at him and continues to talk on the phone. He enters the elevator and presses the button for the top floor. As soon as the doors close, he leans against the back wall; a deep sigh escaping his lips.

A couple minutes later...

Clark arrives at his editors office and knocks on the door. "Come in," a gruff voice calling out.

He tentatively opens the door and sticks his head through the doorway. "Mr. White, do you have a minute?"

He looks up from his newspaper and sees Clark standing there. "Of course," laying down his newspaper. He watches as Clark walks over and sits down in one of the chairs in front of the desk. "What's on your mind Clark?"
he asks him.

"Well..." leaning forward in his chair. "I would like to take Lois away this weekend. It's our wedding anniversary and I really feel that we really need to get away," he concludes.

"I see," leaning back in his chair; a thoughtful expression on his face.

"We do have enough vacation time saved up, so..."

Perry interrupts him. "You don't have to convince me Clark. I am quite aware of how overworked the two of you have been since you won the Pulitzer. I think it's an excellent idea."

Clark breathes a sigh of relief. "I'm relieved to hear that," a smile forming on his face.

"So when do you want to leave?" he asks Clark.

"I was thinking of Friday," he replies. "We're supposed to go to a fancy dinner party at Oliver Queen's house that night, but I thought I'd surprise Lois by taking her away instead."

"So you don't want her to know about the change in plans until Friday then," raising his eyebrows at Clark. "That's pretty sneaky of you," a slight lilt in his voice.

"I don't see any other way," Clark replies; leaning back in the chair.

"Believe me when I say I've been there," Perry tells him. "I wasn't there enough for my first wife. I can't say I blame her for leaving," a pensive look on his face. "I'm not an easy person to life with. But I learned from my mistakes and now I'm happily married to Catherine," a smile appearing on his face.

Clark nods at him. "I understand," a small smile on his face. He glances at his watch. "I should get back. I need to finish that article," getting up from his chair. "Thanks Mr. White. I really appreciate it."

"No need to thank me Clark," also getting up and walking with him to the door. "You know," he begins to say, "I know the perfect place you can take her."

"Really?" Clark remarks.

"Really," he says with a smile. "I have a friend who has a huge house located a couple hours from Metropolis. It's secluded and very private. There's a outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, a fireplace in the living room. Perfect for a romantic weekend getaway."

"That sounds perfect," says Clark.

"He told me I could use it as much as I want. He's overseas right now and won't be back for another three months," walking back to his desk and pulling out one of the drawers. "Here are the keys to the front and back doors. As soon as I go home, I'll find the directions to get there as well as the security code for the alarm system and give you a call."

"Can you text me instead?" asks Clark; taking the keys from him. "I don't want Lois to suspect anything."

"No problem," he replies.

"Thanks again," Clark says to him. "I can't wait to see the look on her face when I spring it on her. And she'll probably be a little annoyed at first - but not for long."

"Have a good time," Perry calls out to Clark as he leaves the office; closing the door behind him.

Oh we'll have a good time all right; whistling to himself as he walks down the hallway...

To Be Continued...