Author's Note: I do not own the characters. Oh, and Shelby is still a boy!

A TALE OF TWO PHONE CALLS.

Hi Son!

It was a clear and calm evening, with the crickets busily chirping away and the only light on in the vicinity being the small one in the porch. The Kent farm was a picture of serenity, a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Metropolis. Clark had lived here all his life but no matter what lay ahead for him and his destiny, the farm always had a calming effect on him. It was his human sanctuary just as much as his Fortress of Solitude in the arctic was his source of Kryptonian guidance. The farm was the perfect place for him to unwind - the chance to unwind from the stresses of everyday life being as important to his well-being as it would be for anybody of the non super-powered persuasion. It was also both close enough to and far enough away from the city when monitoring the activities of Zod and the Kandorians, keeping an eye on Tess' dubious motivations and activities, working at the Daily Planet or just patrolling the city streets protecting civilians.

The stillness and calmness was broken by a familiar whoosh as Clark arrived back, opening the door and stepping into the empty house. His family very rarely kept the place locked, even at night, so that routine was simply continued by Clark with little by way of forethought, in spite of the many things he needed to ensure remained a secret. Like a most trusted friend, the farm actively guarded his secret. Removing his long black overcoat and placing it on the kitchen counter, he took a moment to survey the scene. Everything was as he'd left it this morning.

A soft panting sound and faint footsteps announced Shelby's presence. The faithful dog was always pleased to see him, no matter his mood. They often say love is a cold wet nose, and that was particularly true of Shelby. Anybody happy to pet the golden retriever behind the ears had made a friend for life, even if they were allergic and claimed to merely tolerate the canine. Clark knew that despite her protests, Lois really loved Shelby. Lois never learned that Chloe had told Clark about the time she'd taken Shelby to the Talon with her after coming to the farm one night only to find the dog all on his lonesome. It was a reminder of how important a part human emotions and the capacity for love had played a part in Clark's life, and was why he would return every night to feed Shelby in spite of him 'abandoning' his human side.

"Hey boy, you miss me?" Clark asked as he knelt down to pet Shelby, who barked to the affirmative.

The bowls of food and water remained half eaten and half drunk, and Shelby's chew toy was sat in the corner of the living room where Shelby usually left it after getting bored. Looking at the clock which read 10:30, Clark thought about fixing himself something simple to eat as he was feeling hungry - maybe a slice or two of apple pie from the fridge. He had to hold that thought as the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hi sweetheart, it's Mom."

Clark switched the receiver from one ear to the other. "Mom! Hi, I wasn't expecting you to call."

Martha was sat in her office at a ridiculously late hour, poring over the finer points of a bill that was to be heard in Congress the following week. The prospective changes to the law had ramifications for the state of Kansas as well as her Senate seat. She was tired but wanted to speak to her son now while she still had the energy and motivation instead of after she'd got back to the house she was living in. Martha knew that once she got through her front door, all she would want to do is hit the sack. Being a brownstone, the house may have had better insulation, better plumbing and heating as well as more space than the Kent farmhouse, but it lacked the warmth a house has when it's been lived in by a family. Having friends over all the time was no substitute.

"I know, Clark. I tried about ten minutes ago but you weren't home. I'm just going over some notes and I thought about calling home to see how you are."

"I'm fine, Mom. I was dealing with a small matter with Chloe, and I've just had my whole weekend organised. Are you really that busy?"

"Sometimes it feels like the only thing I'm doing is working. I wake up and it's like I'm already at my desk."

"They're working you too hard."

"That's just the way it is in Washington. Most of the time is taken up trying to cut through red tape and legal loopholes."

"Sounds like you need to get away for a while. Why don't you come back to Smallville? It's been so long since you were last here and I miss having you around."

He was merely echoing thoughts that Martha had had for weeks. She dearly wanted to get back to Smallville for a short break, to feel the soil beneath her feet and take in the smell of the farm in late fall. The one-time city girl now had a preference for the simple rural life though she knew how important her work was to so many people.

"I know, sweetheart, I'm miss being there too. And I'd love to. It's just a matter of finding the time. I'd hate to have to rush there and rush back again. I promise I'll make time to come home soon."

"That would be great."

"Clark, the other reason I was calling was to find out if you knew any more about the Kandorians. Last time we spoke, you told me that Zod was here. Going by previous experience, that doesn't sound like good news."

"I want to believe that he has the right intentions but part of me is not so sure. It was in his nature to want to rule with an iron fist so I can't dismiss the possibility. Zod does pose a threat to the world, but I think I can get through to him and make him see that it's possible for the Kandorians to exist peacefully here on Earth. That they can live among us. The biggest problem at the moment is Tess. We still need to establish what her motives are."

"I have some back channels in Washington that can do some digging for me, all strictly off the record."

Martha was keeping her own counsel on this fact. She still had a significant role to play in protecting Clark from outside interests that wanted the Blur to sing to their tune or to bring him down. She also had to make sure none of it could be traced back to her as a Senator. Like her son, that required an alter ego. She'd been spending some time tracking a shadowy agency known as 'Checkmate'.

"Thanks Mom, but I think I need to keep a closer eye on Tess from here. I don't want you to get caught up in this. That's why Chloe and Oliver are working with me. We've re-established Watchtower and Oliver is providing the use of his satellites."

"Well, I know that you'll do everything you can but I want you to be careful. I still worry about you."

"I will, Mom."

Sensing that the subject might see Clark withdraw into himself as the weight of the world once again made its presence felt on his shoulders, Martha opted to change the subject and lighten the tone.

"So, I also wanted to ask how work is going. I've read some of the articles by you and Lois. I'm proud that you've found a way to help people by working in Metropolis, and I'm glad that you and Lois are working well together."

"Yeah, we make a great team…"

Martha paused as she took in that sentence. It wasn't the words but the manner of the delivery that was different. The affection when talking about Lois was obvious, but there was something else - a happiness and contentment that is normally only noticeable when thinking about one's personal life. Could it be that Lois and Clark were closer than mere friends or partners at work? Martha couldn't help but probe further to try and confirm her suspicions.

"Clark?"

"Yeah, Mom?"

"There's something else, isn't there?"

Clark realised the jig was up. His mom was one of the most perceptive people he knew, and she could always tell when he was holding something back. He sighed as he thought about how he was going to reply. Ideally, he'd have liked to have Lois with him so they could share the happy news with his mom.

"Mom, I wasn't going to tell you this until we'd discussed how to break it first, but Lois and I are now a…um…couple."

Martha got up from her chair so fast, she gave herself a little head rush. No matter. She was ecstatic at the news and was beaming from ear to ear. Holding her hand over the receiver as she let out a small squeal of delight, she composed herself and got back to the conversation with her son.

"Oh Clark, that's wonderful news! I'm so happy for you both. I have to say, it's about time."

"Not you too?"

Clark was again taken aback by the lack of surprise when those he knew first learned about the relationship.

"Well Clark, I noticed years ago that there was this spark between you. I figured it was only a matter of time but you both seemed to be in denial. I'm glad you've both realised the feelings between you."

"Was it really that obvious?"

Clearly it must have been. He recalled Lana talking about the spark between him and Lois soon after meeting Lois for the first time. Oliver had said something about hiding feelings behind a wall of sarcasm when he first met Clark. Jimmy had tried several times to play matchmaker. Even John Corben had recognised a connection, and that was despite his mind slowly being corrupted by the kryptonite heart he'd been encumbered with. Several colleagues at work used to speak about the two of them as though they already were a couple.

"I'm your Mom! Look, Lois has a way of making you lighten up that nobody else ever could. She challenges you, and that impression you sometimes give of carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders seems to disappear when you're with Lois. And I know that Lois was always fond of you. She might be headstrong but she does listen to you."

Clark took in what his mom was saying. It was always enlightening to see or hear something from a different perspective. All those wordless conversations and stolen glances must have been noticed by others no matter how much care Clark took to ensure they weren't noticed. Ever since he'd realised he may have some romantic feelings for Lois, he'd taken the way her whole face lit up when she smiled to be something reserved only for him - something only he would notice. Evidently not. His infinite patience when she was babbling or getting riled up. The way he casually leaned over her chair when she wanted him to look at something on her computer. The way she equally casually sat on the edge of his desk when they discussed their latest assignments. Looking at it through an objective window, these were clearly indicators of a greater affection and intimacy.

"It's all still new to us. With everything that's happened recently, we haven't had a chance to spend some time together and see where we stand. Chloe and Oliver already know about us but we were going to make it official at the charity gala organised by the Planet."

Martha felt re-energised, her previous tiredness and lack of focus washing away as she listened to her son talk about Lois in a way she'd never heard before. Not only that, but this wasn't the Clark of years gone by who tried desperately to convince himself (and everybody else) that he and Lana were meant to be, or who believed that Alicia merely knowing about his abilities and accepting who he was because of them equated to true love. The Clark of the here and now was talking as a young adult cautiously optimistic of negotiating successfully the choppy waters of romance. He genuinely sounded happier because of it.

"I think it's wonderful. When I know my son is happy, I'm happy. Not to be all gossipy, but when did you finally realise that there was this connection between you?"

"Um…well…I think I first realised there was something there during Chloe's wedding, but it really hit me when Lois went missing following Doomsday's attack. I couldn't find her and I thought she'd died. I'd never felt so empty or less in touch with my human side after what had happened that night. Her coming back brought me back. I was ready to walk away from it all before that."

"She put the smile back on your face."

That was true. He knew he'd been grinning like an idiot when Lois regaled him with tales of her escapades with the Blur when he'd returned to work. He'd been laughing away internally at her description of herself as the Blur's sidekick and her exaggeration of her involvement, and then egging her on to tell him everything in great detail. He knew the real truth behind everything she was talking about but just listening to her babble on and on was music to his ears.

"She did. Seeing her again when I went back to work, and just hearing her voice brought home just how much I'd missed her. One time, I'd have given anything for her to just go away but now, I don't think I can do without her."

"Not to put pressure on you but at some point, she will need to learn your secret. Only you can decide how and when although knowing Lois as I do, I think she'll take it in her stride."

Clark knew his mom was right that he needed to be more open about himself if his relationship with Lois was going to last, but he wasn't yet at the point where he was absolutely certain that she was the one. With every previous relationship he'd had, there had been a time when he'd hoped that this would be the one because he wasn't the sort to look for short-term thrills. He wanted long-term companionship, just like his parents had had. He was pretty certain that one day he would tell Lois the truth about him and that she would take it all in her stride. After all, he'd done that once before. She'd laughed in disbelief before displaying a measure of awe, acceptance and intrigue in equal measure once he'd proved himself. Keeping her safe after telling her was the thorny issue.

"Let's just see how our weekend goes first."

"You know, I would love to speak to Lois too. We haven't had a chance to chat in quite a while now."

"I know she'd love to speak to you too. She's coming over tomorrow so we can work on our next assignment. If you do decide to call, don't tell her I told you about us."

Martha laughed. She knew exactly how she'd get Lois to talk. Lois had shared many of her hopes and fears with Martha over the years, safe in the knowledge that Martha would offer both sagely advice as well as keeping the matter private. All it took were the right words.

"I won't! Well, I'd best finish off while I still have the motivation. You take care, Clark, and I'll speak to you again soon. Give a big hug to Shelby for me. Love you."

"I will. Love you too, mom. Bye."

"Bye sweetheart."

Clark replaced the receiver and stopped to think. His mom had taken the news extremely well, and that weight upon his shoulders was suddenly a little lighter. It would remain beyond him just how his mom always knew the right words to say at just the right time. His stomach grumbled, drawing his thoughts away from the phone and back to that apple pie in the fridge. Shelby decided he wanted in on it too.