Masquerade!
By Bren Ren

~~*S*~~

Masquerade!
Burning glances,
turning heads.

Masquerade!
Look around -
there's another
mask behind you!

~~*S*~~

Summary: "I get to pick out your costume." Just what costume would Lois Lane dress Clark in for the Met Con costume ball? Inquiring minds want to know!

Rating: General Admission, All Audiences Approved.

Disclaimer: Aw, come on, guys! You left us with too beautiful a lead-in to not follow it up in fic!

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A highly apprehensive Clark Kent eyed the garment bag dangling from Lois's outstretched fingers with more than a little trepidation. "What sort of costume do you have in mind, Lois?"

"Relax, Smallville. You'll love it. It's even in your best color," Lois answered as she unzipped the package.

Clark frowned quizzically as he caught sight of some bright, bold, primary red fabric through the opening. "I am not wearing spandex, Lois. I don't care how short a skirt you put on."

Lois quirked one brow up in a perfect arch. "I always knew you liked seeing me in those minis."

A broad grin stole across Clark's face. "Who wouldn't?"

"It's not spandex, so you can breathe easy." She carefully extracted the garment and thrust it toward Clark. "It's a ski suit. I have to add a little something to the front, but that won't take but a sec."

He reached out and fingered the soft material. "I guess a ski suit's not too bad. What do you need to add?"

Lois turned the suit's front back toward herself and traced a zigzag across its chest. "Bolt of lightning. Bright yellow, white outline."

Clark tipped his head to one side as he tried to visualize the concept she'd described. "And I'd be going as…?"

"The Flash!" Lois answered with a sparkling megawatt beam. Both of Clark's eyebrows inched up toward his scalp. "It's perfect. You are somewhat notorious for your now-you-see-him-now-you-don't disappearing acts."

"Ha ha."

"If you don't like it, you could always go as Green Arrow." Lois nodded to one side with a saucy wink. "I'm sure Ollie would be happy to lend you his leather." She paused for a beat, then added, "Again."

Clark's eyes narrowed for a split second, and then a sheepish little smile formed across his lusciously full lips. "How long have you known?"

"You know that little… impromptu vacation I took a few weeks ago?"

Clark's eyes twinkled teasingly. "You mean your little disappearing act after our first kiss?"

Lois chuckled lightly. "You mean our second," she corrected smugly. "I did a lot of thinking while I was staying with my Aunt Penny."

Clark let out a light chuckle of his own. "I guess I should have expected you to figure that one out eventually. Still, that's some pretty impressive kiss-recognition—from one kiss almost four years later. I guess if I ever have a reason to try and pull off some sort of secret disguise in front of you, I'll have to be sure not to kiss you."

"Now why on earth would you ever want to disguise yourself from me, Smallville?"

"Oh, I don't know," Clark hedged. "Undercover investigation, maybe?"

Lois shook her head slowly. "There're a lot of ways other than a kiss that would give you away. I've known you nearly five years now. I know every line, plane, and curve on that fantastic body of yours. I know the touch of your hand better than my own; I'd recognize you in the dark with my eyes closed."

"You think so, huh?" A strangely knowing gleam filled his eyes. "Wanna bet?"

"Try me."

"Name your stakes."

"Monster truck rally."

"And if I win?"

"What do you want?"

Clark tilted his head in thought. After a moment, his eyes lit up like the proverbial light bulb over his head. "Weekend getaway. Bed & breakfast out in the country."

Lois waggled her brow mischievously. "Sounds like a win-win wager to me. You're on."

Clark grinned with supreme confidence. "Game on!"

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