"…Clark."
I couldn't breathe. It was undeniable. In that moment, I knew that he was the one person in this world that I would never be able to live without. In that moment, I realized that with that kiss, he was saying goodbye…and a world without him was a not so distant reality I didn't want to have to face. My mind flashed to our earlier conversation in the barn. He told me to go to Africa. He knew this was going to happen. He knew he was in danger. My mind was racing, putting all the pieces together. It all made sense. He was protecting me.
My heart stopped as a gold beam of light shot skywards. My body shook with the realization that Clark could be taken from me tonight. I looked to the light and I ran. What I could do as plain old Lois Lane, I didn't know. But I couldn't just sit and watch as the only man I've ever given my whole heart to was taken from me.
Suddenly, I saw him falling. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears. I knew it was him, I could feel it in my chest. Tears stung my eyes as I ran to him. He couldn't leave me.
I turned the last corner and saw his motionless form lying on the pavement, a blue dagger stuck in his chest. The chest I thought was impenetrable. I ran to him and screamed his name. He remained motionless.
"Oh please god no, Clark! Please! Don't leave me! Clark! Come back to me!" I screamed as the rain pelted his body without reaction. I couldn't lose him. I had never needed anyone until I met Clark Kent. I loved him with every fiber of my being, every inch of my soul, every beat of my heart. I couldn't remember how I ever lived without him. He was like oxygen now…a necessity for my survival. I couldn't lose him.
I gripped the dagger, pulled it from his chest and threw it. I'd never been one for prayer, but I prayed now. I prayed he would open his beautiful blue eyes and I would be able to tell him that it didn't matter to me that he was the Blur, that I loved him no matter what. I would be able to tell him that I didn't want to go to Africa, that I didn't want to spend one night away from him for the rest of my life. I laid my head on his chest and sobbed. I didn't know what else to do.
Then I heard him make a noise. My head shot up in shock and stared at his face, and I felt his hand move. It felt like my heart had completely stopped beating and my lungs forgot how to function. I kept my eyes on him, waiting. Waiting for him to open his eyes.
And then he did.
"Lois…" He spoke weakly and quietly, and his hand slowly lifted and touched my cheek lightly, brushing the tears away.
"Clark, I love you." I sobbed, hoping his eyes would stay open and he would stay with me.
He smiled softly. He brushed his hand through my hair and cupped my face, pulling my lips down to his. The kiss was warm and delicate, and I knew he was saying something with it other than goodye. I felt something in the kiss, something without limit.
I felt hope.