A.N: Please read and review. Let me know if you like this. I', still debating whether or not to continue it. Hopefully you guys like it as much as the L&C series if not more. =] Happy reading!!!
Chapter 1
Lois walked into the bullpen in a hurry. She'd left Chloe's birthday present in her desk, and was now officially late. She threw open the top drawer of her desk and sighed seeing it was empty. Then she remembered she'd given it to Clark and smiled, walking around her desk to his that was across from hers. She gently opened his drawer, not wanting to break it, and saw the carefully wrapped gift they'd both chipped in to buy for their friend. Lois went to close the drawer when a glistening caught her attention. She pulled it out gently again and smiled for the second time that night. It was still there. Lois Lane's Rules of Reporting were still framed and in his desk. She really thought after finding out about it that night a year ago, he'd get rid of it. But apparently not, who knew Clark Kent was a sap. Lois left the frame untouched, committing it to memory and closed the drawer.
She hurried to the elevators pushing the down button. She stepped in and leaned against the wall clutching the gift in one hand and running her other hand through her hair.
So what if Clark Kent framed her rules. It didn't mean anything. Did it?
Lois did notice one thing for sure. He never added that last rule she gave him about keeping it on the field to the list. So if a rule doesn't make the list, does that still make it a rule?
She wasn't sure she was ready to find out.
~*~
Clark looked at his watch again, for the umpteenth time. She was late. There was nothing new about that. But he really thought she'd be on time for own cousin's birthday party. And Lois was in charge of picking up Chloe's present too. He shook his head in frustration.
"I don't think that frustration is directed at all the party favors", Chloe smiled.
"No just at one very late cousin of yours", he said.
"Has she called", Chloe asked.
"No", Clark said shaking his head, "Because she knows I'll tell her I told you so."
Chloe shook her head.
"So how are things down at the Planet", Chloe asked.
"Perry's really making us work for our merit badges, Lois seems to look for trouble at least six times a day and oh did I mention she's rubbing her love life in my face…."
"I doubt she's rubbing her love life in your face, Clark", Chloe said looking at her best friend.
"It sure feels like it", he said almost pouting.
"You made your bed, now lie in it", Chloe said solemnly, "None of this would have happened if you'd just told Lois your secret instead of push her away."
"I don't regret not telling her", he said, "I just regret pulling away that night. I've been trying to find my way back ever since, but it seems like she's completely relocated if that makes any sense."
"Actually it does", Chloe said sadly.
"I'm sorry about Jimmy", Clark said understanding.
Chloe waved it off. "Don't be. He's better off without me…"
Clark nodded softly.
"How is he by the way?"
"He's good", Clark said, "Working hard."
"That's good."
"Yeah."
"Well, this just got awkward", Chloe said smiling, "I better go make the rounds… try to enjoy yourself, Clark."
He nodded and watched her walk away, staring at his watch again.
~*~
He walked in to the barn for the first time in years. Walking up to the loft he looked around. It looked like no one had lived here in ages. Clark Kent had apparently moved out of the farm he grew up in. Smiling he looked through his drawers to see if there was any address or new information.
He wanted to see her again. He really had loved her two years ago, even after she tried to destroy him with blue kryptonite, he'd forgiven her. Clark Kent didn't deserve the life he had. But he did. And this time nothing could stop him from getting what he wanted. He learned from his mistakes. This time he'd take away the love of Clark Kent's life, once and for all.
The phantom flew out of the barn and towards Metropolis. He arrived at the Daily Planet. Chloe worked there before, he figured she'd know where Clark and Lana were staying these days. He stopped when he saw a name plate on a desk adjacent from one Lois Lane.
Clark Kent.
The phantom grinned and walked to the desk tearing open the top drawer. He looked inside and pulled out a frame.
"Lois Lane's rules of reporting", he read, "Well, it looks like your eyes have drifted Kent…"
He sat down at his computer and looked around to see if he found anything of use. He finally found an address, but it wasn't Clark's.
"Lois' new apartment", the phantom smiled, "And not too far from here either."
He tucked the address into his jeans and super sped out of the bull pen. He'd pay Lois Lane a visit later tonight.
~*~
"Relax Smallville, I said I was sorry I was late."
"I know", he said sighing, "It's just you walked here from the Planet and something could have happened to you."
"I've got my pepper spray and that tazer you got me for my birthday", she smiled, "I was protected."
"I worry about you, Lois", he said.
"Well, it's not your job to worry about me, Clark", she said.
He nodded. She was right. He gave up that chance a long time ago.
"Now if you'll excuse me", she said her eyes dancing around the night club, "I've got to find my date."
"You brought a date?"
"Well, I'm actually meeting him here so technically I didn't bring him."
"Anyone I know?"
"Um, not really…"
"Okay", he shrugged, "Save me a dance or something, you know… later…"
She smiled. "Look for me later, Smallville…"
He nodded and smiled and watched her walk away.
~*~
He didn't get that dance with Lois. His super hearing had picked up a siren nearby and he ducked out of the party to try and help. It turned out to be a structure fire and after putting the fire out and super speeding victims to safety, he was covered in soot.
He opted to just go home early instead. He knew Chloe would understand and he'd just give Lois an excuse about being tired in the morning.
He walked into his new apartment in the city and headed straight for the bathroom.
He'd eventually moved out of the farm earlier this year, to be closer to the city when they needed his help. He'd rented the land out to Ben Hubbard, but still chose to stay there on the weekends. It was solitude of sorts for him. After his shower he got into his flannel pants and lay back in bed.
He knew he was in love with Lois. A part of him may have always been in love with her. But after all these years, they were still just friends. And that didn't look like it was ever going to change. He got comfortable on his bed and closed his eyes to sleep. Finding comfort in dreams of a feisty brunette who sat across from him but sometimes didn't even realize he was there.
~*~
Lois walked up the stairs to her apartment and went to open the door. She noticed something in the shadows, and reached for her tazer.
The figure stepped out of the shadows and smiled.
"Clark?"
