Lois had been sitting with an unconscious and, until recently, badly bleeding Jimmy for hours, days possibly. She sat on a steel chair facing his bed and the window, with only the blossoms from the trees floating on the wind for company. Chloe's abduction, what happened to Jimmy, their wedding… Lois hated it, hated what it had become. A plateau of broken dreams and hearts. What she hated most thought was her selfishness, that in all the pain surrounding Jimmy and Chloe, she could feel her pain in the thud of each heartbeat.

She saw the way he looked at her; it wasn't in her head, Clark was going to kiss her. She was going to kiss him. But the moment, the moment, Lana walked through the door it was over. Did it ever really begin? She had thought so… she had hoped so. She understood what they meant to each other - who forgets their first love? But she hoped there might be a place for her in his heart, a bigger place. But apparently not… She could feel her heart sink… or was it her stomach? She hadn't eaten since God knows when.

Disturbing her thoughts, she heard footsteps coming down the previously deadly silent hall, and a soft murmur of voices… a nurse and… someone familiar. Turning towards the door, Clark entered, baring a friendly smile. "How's he doing?" Clark asked gently, as not to wake Jimmy or not to startle her she wasn't sure.

"Better." She nodded as optimistically as she could. She sniffled, "I mean, he's not walking out of here today, his wounds were … um, pretty serious." She struggled to get the words and smiled bravely, "But they put him on meds, so better I think."

Clark brought her close into a supportive hug, clutching her tightly. Lois tried, but she couldn't hold it in in front of Clark, he was the one she had permission to let her guard down for. She couldn't explain it, he just was. "It's just so awful…" She pulled herself together and pulled away, putting the distance between them she wished wasn't there, but that time was passed. "Any news on Chloe?"

Clark nodded, smiling. "That's what I came here to tell you. She's ok Lois, she's resting at the Smallville Med Centre, they're keeping her overnight for observation."

Lois sighed, completely relieved and embraced him again, holding back her tears so fiercely, she could only manage, "Thank God."

"Yeah." He breathed in her ear. He felt a warm teardrop against his own cheek and held her tighter; he felt the same. Having Chloe back was what mattered, all his friends were safe. He pulled away, and sat them both down on the chairs next to Jimmy. Glancing at Jimmy and then back to Lois, he asked, "Do you need anything?"

At first she was going to reply with a witty retort, but was tired, she didn't want to play games, she just wanted sleep. "You always say that. You need to look after yourself too, Smallville. How else will you go about saving the day?"

Clark smiled for the first time in what felt like an eternity. He had the urge to wipe away the tears from her cheeks, to make her smile, but he couldn't. He wouldn't. Too many complications, it wouldn't be fair to her, or himself. "I don't think that's something we need to worry about. You, on the other hand…"

Lois looked to Jimmy, so white and frail, he could have lost so much… Tears welled up again, but she forced them down and looked to her hands. She didn't want him to protect her, she knew she had to protect herself. She let her guard down on this one she knew, and once again it was the wrong guy, but for a few seconds that night, she so hoped he was the right one.

"Hey." He soothed, kneeling down beside her so that she had to look down into his puppy brown eyes and gentle face. "It's going to be ok, Lois, this will all be fixed, you'll see."

She smiled thankfully and nodded. They held each others gaze for what seemed to be a few minutes, just like they had at the wedding, just before they almost… Lois shook her head and looked to the window. "So, er, is Chloe coming? To see Jimmy?"

For a moment she thought she saw disappointment in his eyes as he rose up, but quickly dismissed it. He answered, "She wanted to, would've broken out of the hospital if I hadn't told her I would physically restrain her there if I had to. She's coming tomorrow."

Lois stood up. "Good plan." She nodded. They stood in silence for a few seconds, avoiding eye contact.

"Look Smallville -"
"Lois, I -" They started simultaneously, then smiled embarrassingly. "I just wanted to say - " Clarked started, but Lois cut him off.

"I know what you're going to say, I'll save you the embarrassment, wouldn't want your face to clash with your shirt." She quipped, trying to sound as neutral as possible. "I get it, don't worry Smallville, you and Lana make so much more sense, and that stint at the wedding?" She smiled and rolled her eyes. "I think we'd both had a little too much champagne. Didn't mean a thing, right?"

Clark struggled for words before stuttering, "Right, champagne. Yeah, that must have been it." He averted his eyes, unable to form a smiled uncomfortably, her heart aching in her chest. "Well, I've been here way past my shower expiry date, so I think I'll head home." She nodded and walked past him through the door, unaware that Clark was watching her as she went down the hall.