Set in season 4 after Devoted and the famous dunk tank scene – goes a/u but may have call backs to events in season 4.
Plot: Four years ago, Chloe did Lois a massive favour and now it is payback time. Chloe wants Lois to ask Clark out for a date and then become the worst girlfriend in the world, hopefully pushing Clark in Chloe's direction. But when it comes to Clark and Lois things don't always go to plan.
Prologue
July 2001
Being a 15 year old on an army base was not exactly the height of fun, or at least Lois Lane did not think so. It had been almost a decade since her beloved mom died and her father had done his best to bring up his daughters. Most people would have recognised how difficult it was for Sam Lane to raise his daughters but not a headstrong girl in the midst of her teenage rebellion years.
There were strict rules for under 21's on the army base – no alcohol, no gambling and no smoking. Lois Lane broke the latter two on a regular basis but the booze embargo was a little harder to overcome.
Lois saw her chance that summer when her dad announced that her cousin Chloe would be coming to stay for a few weeks. She had contacted her 14 year old cousin and convinced her to sneak some vodka and whisky into the base, citing how easy it would be as she would most likely not be searched too well.
Chloe had reluctantly agreed but it had taken all Lois's powers of persuasion. It was obvious that Chloe had not inherited the same daring streak as Lois. She was convinced they had managed to pull it off until one night her dad became suspicious and announced an immediate search of Lois's belongings. It did not take long for the General to sniff out the contraband.
For some reason Chloe took the blame, saying it was all her idea and Lois had been reluctant to take part. She had been so convincing that within the hours Chloe was on her way back to Kansas and her father was well aware of the reasons why.
Lois had always felt guilty about that day and promised her cousin she would pay her back in whichever way she wanted – no questions asked. Chloe had never been able to come up with a favour until now.
It had only been a few weeks since Lois arrived in town but Chloe could not believe how she had managed to get under Clark's skin and make every nerve in his body twitch with annoyance. No one could affect Clark like Lois could. Maybe this was the answer to her prayers, but she knew it would not work. Clark would never agree to it.
But now Lois had just dunked Clark in the tank with a direct hit and Chloe had definitely noticed a moment between them, there was a connection. And what better way to use this connection than to convince her cousin to ask the gorgeous farm boy out on a date...
She knew a week dating a nightmare firecracker like Lois would send Clark in her direction, or at least she hoped it would...
Lois was on a high from dunking Clark in the tank. Chloe needed to talk to Lois as soon as possible, especially after the sight of Clark's t-shirt clinging to every rippling muscle. He was gorgeous and to make things more hopeful, her main competition was out the picture and all loved up with Jason, although this was not common knowledge.
"Lois, could you meet me at the Talon at 4pm. I need a major favour." Chloe asked as they were tidying up the field.
"Yeah of course." Lois asked, curious what Chloe was talking about.
When Lois entered the Talon just after four, she looked for Chloe and eventually found her sitting in the corner. What was with all this secrecy?
Lois sat down next to Chloe. There was a latte waiting for her.
"So Chlo. What's with all the mystery. You don't want me to rob a bank for you." She smirked.
"No nothing like that. I want to call in my favour from summer at the base."
Lois's face lit up. "Anything Chlo. I have always wanted to pay you back for that. After all you saved my ass being hauled over the coals. What is it? Just name it!"
Chloe spoke very quietly so she would not be overheard. "You know how much I am into Clark. I love him so much but he has never given me as much as a second look since he went out with Lana."
"I am puzzled, what does this have to do with?"
"I want to draw his attention to me as girlfriend material. And one way to do that would be, setting him up with the only girl who can get under his skin and fire him up."
Lois knew exactly who she was talking about. "When I said anything Chloe, I meant anything but that. Smallville does not even like me, in fact on some days he barely tolerates me and believe me the feelings are mutual. Even if I was to ask him out, he would never agree."
"I saw the way you two connected today and I think he would say yes out of curiosity." Chloe suggested.
Lois sat back and knew she had no choice. "Ok, I'll give it a shot but it won't work."
"So you have to be the worst girlfriend Clark could ever have."
Lois smiled. "I won't even have to act. I rub him up the wrong way without even trying."
She shook Chloe's hand. "I am out of your debt after this. When do you want me to ask him out?"
"How about tomorrow when he is not expecting and then he may be forced into a position where he has no choice but to say yes."
"Chloe, what if after all of this you two were not meant to be a couple?" Lois asked honestly.
"Lo, he has been so blinded by his infatuation for Lana that he has never considered anyone else. We are best friends. Isn't that how a lot of good relationships start?"
"Maybe so and I am not trying to rain on your parade but I think you need to consider the possibility that he is not attracted to you in that way. How about this guy you met a few months ago at the Daily Planet?"
"Lo, I have told you before. Jimmy was just a fling, and besides he did not seem very interested in continuing our relationship once I moved back to Smallville." Chloe sounded sad. "Jimmy is no Clark."
Chloe looked at Lois. "Will you do it?"
"Yes but I don't necessarily think it will work." She managed a smile.
Lois headed home back to the farm to think about how to tackle this. She decided to wait until the following day when she had had a chance to lie in. It was a weekend anyway so she knew Clark would be pottering around the farm doing his chores.
Her dinner was ready when she got back. There was something definitely odd happening at the table. Clark was being nice to her and kept smiling at her making her very uncomfortable.
"Enjoy your dunk today?" she smirked at him. His parents soon joined in the laughter. "Direct hit, eh...Smallville."
"It was luck. You would not hit next time." Clark gave her a smile. Of all the annoyance that Clark was to her, she had to admit he had the most amazing smile. His whole face just lit up when he moved his lips upwards. There had been a few smiles amongst the moping for Lana.
They finished their dinner and his parents said they were heading to see Ben Hubbard about some farming matters for a few hours.
After they had left. "Who is doing the washing up?" Clark asked, knowing he would end up doing it as usual.
"We could both do it." Lois looked at him.
She could tell by his look that he was weighing up that proposal with suspicion. "Ok...then." he replied.
"You wash, I'll dry. I don't want to chip my nail varnish." She smiled.
"Lois, was Chloe alright when you met her after school? She seemed preoccupied today." Clark asked with concern.
"She is fine." Lois remarked. "You care a lot about her don't you?"
"Yes I do. She means so much to me." Clark replied.
Lois saw her chance. "Why don't you two go out more? You get on so well."
"I'm scared to ask her Lois." He replied.
"Why in case she turns you down?" Lois asked, hoping she could convince to him to ask Chloe on a date and save this charade.
"No, I am worried she reads more into it than there is. She has feelings for me and as much as I have tried to think of her in that way, I can't. She will always be one of my best friends but nothing more."
Lois's world started to crumble. Should she tell Chloe what Clark had said or play out this game which would never work?
"This is about Lana, isn't it. Maybe you need to accept that Lana and you are not meant to be." Lois said.
"You could be right but getting together with Chloe is not the answer. As mom always says, love will creep up on me when I am not expecting it." He explained.
Lois had never seen Clark be so sincere and honest, in fact it was a refreshing change to be able to have a heart-to-heart without the arguing.
Lois could not stop herself. "Clark, why don't we go out sometime?"
He just looked at her, mouth wide open almost trailing on the floor. "Yeah right Lois, on a date... You don't like me! Where is the video camera?"
"I do like you, Smallville. If I didn't, I would not waste my energy bickering with you. Have you never thought about us going out?"
"Umm...so what if I have?" He replied nervously, not wanting to tell Lois he did find her extremely attractive and how much he enjoyed their bickering sessions.
Lois was not expecting that answer. "Oh...I see. So why don't we go on a date and see where it takes us."
His face lit up. "Ok then, how about tomorrow night? There is a movie on at the drive-in at Granville."
"It's a date." She replied, telling herself that the funny sensation in her stomach was gas.
The following day she was starting to wish she had not asked him out. His constant smiles were making her feel guilty.
Things just got more awkward over lunch. Martha looked at Clark and Lois. "Is there something I should know about?"
Clark looked at Lois. "Lois and I are going out tonight to the drive-in."
Martha almost choked on her sandwich. "O...k. Is this a date?"
Lois intervened. "No, just as friends." She noticed the look of disappoint sweep across Clark's face.
Clark was upset by Lois's flippancy about their night out but then realised she obviously did not want his parents to know about them dating.
"Yeah that's right." He smiled.
Martha could see the looks between them. She was shocked this had happened so soon, although she knew within a day of Lois arriving that her son would end up with her. Jonathan always told she was imagining things although he admitted that Lois and Clark would make a good pairing.
"Lois, would you mind popping into town for me?" Martha asked.
"I'll drive." Clark said enthusiastically, grabbing the keys before Lois had a chance to reply.
The guilt was growing by the second. Lois wondered whether his enthusiasm was based on his desperation to prove he was over Lana or whether there was a chance that he had real feelings for her. Whatever the reason she had to tell him the truth, she could not hurt him like this. He meant too much to her.
"Clark, do you mind if I go by myself." Lois asked nicely. "I was going to meet Chloe anyway for a girltalk."
"Ok, of course not. We will have to leave about six tonight to make sure we can a good parking spot."
Lois relaxed a little. He was obviously more concerned about watching the movie more than making out.
She drove into town and bought what Martha needed before heading to the Talon to find Chloe.
"Chloe, we need to talk. I need to get out of this." Lois was desperate.
"He accepted a date but I can't lie to him. I am going to tell him the truth."
"Lo, please do this for me. He will not mind you breaking up with him when you start acting like the woman out of Fatal Attraction."
Lois saw the desperation in Chloe's eyes and knew she had no choice. She just knew that no matter which way this charade ended, someone would end up hurt. "Ok, but just for a few days."
"Ok, so where are you going tonight?" Chloe asked.
"The drive-in at Granville."
"That should be the chance to start annoying him. It is the worst kept secret that you two cannot get on."
"I'll see what I can do."
Lois drove up and headed up to get dressed. She put on a tee and jeans as she did not want to wear anything too revealing.
She was down in the kitchen at half six. "Only half an hour late." She said proud of her achievement.
Clark laughed. "We did not need to leave until 6.30pm so I told you the wrong time deliberately." He looked gorgeous in his jeans and shirt. Not a hint of red, blue or even plaid. He had obviously made an effort.
Clark was acting the real gentleman, opening the doors for her and helping her into the truck.
"How was your coffee with Chloe?" Clark asked.
"It was nice. Lana joined us."
"Is she ok?" he asked, more out of politeness rather than the need to know.
"She is fine." Lois answered realising she should not have brought up his ex girlfriend.
They pulled up at their parking spot at 7.30pm. "What movie is it?"
"It is a Piranha double bill." He replied.
She almost jumped up and down in her seat with excitement. "Those are classics, well not as good as the Jaws Trilogy but not far off."
He was giving her that look again. Now she had to start acting at the psycho girlfriend.
"Shall we will go and get some drinks and popcorn." He asked as they climbed out the truck.
She suddenly felt his hand take hers and all she could feel was them trembling with nerves. She held his tighter letting him know he should not be worried. He turned to her and smiled. There was that gas again. She really needed to watch what she ate and drank.
They stocked up on supplies and headed to back to the truck. The picture soon started and Lois was captivated whilst the only thing Clark was captivated by was the girl who was cuddled up to his right shoulder. She kept hiding her face in his chest when the scary parts came on.
It was soon the intermission between films. "I thought you loved these movies." Clark smirked. "I think you have seen more of my chest than you have the movie."
"Maybe I just like strong muscular chests." She joked and then wished she hadn't.
Their eyes were fixed on each other, neither of them daring to move or say a word. It seemed like hours before Clark started to inch his face towards hers. She tried to move her head back but something made it move the other way. Both their eyes were soon closed, waiting for the inevitable first touch of their lips, but it never came.
"Want some soda?" There was a bang on the window. A young girl stood there waiting for an answer.
If looks could kills, the girl would now be dead. Clark was not impressed but soon tried to get back to where they were. Lois had been snapped out of whatever spell she was under and pulled away from him, sitting as far from him as she could without falling out of the door.
"Lois!" he looked at her. "Did I overstep the mark?"
"I just was caught off guard. Maybe it would be better to wait unless you are just after one thing of course." She said cuttingly, trying to act like the unstable girlfriend.
Clark was taken aback by that comment. "Lois, do you really believe I am like that?"
"Maybe I should ask Lana." She replied.
Clark was becoming annoyed. "What is up with you? What's with the sudden 180°? Lana and I never did anything like that if you must know and no, it is not high on my list of priorities so I would appreciate if you would give me more credit."
This was breaking her heart. She could not be horrible to Clark so he would run to Chloe. He was not interested in her cousin anyway and all she would achieve would be to drive a wedge between her and Clark.
"I'm sorry Clark. I just don't handle relationships very well and subconsciously I chase men away so I don't have to deal with commitment issues."
He grabbed her hand and smiled. "Commitment issues? Lois, we are on our first date. I am hardly going to propose to you. I thought I would leave that until the third date." He joked.
"I'm sorry. Shall we just watch the rest of the movie?" Lois replied.
When the movie ended they headed off home. "Can we do that again sometime?" Clark asked hopefully.
"Ok, why not? I thought I would have frightened you off with my outburst" Lois replied
"No Lois. You can't get rid of me that easily." He smiled.
"I am going to head to bed if you don't mind." Lois yawned and then without thinking leant over and gently brushed her lips on his. She pulled away before he could react.
"That's for before. Thanks for a great night Clark."
She went to bed but there was no way she could get to sleep as she was trying to work out why she had kissed him. She was obviously starting to believe the act herself.
Next morning she got up after her obligatory Sunday lie-in. "Good afternoon." She said chirpily to Martha who was working on the accounts with Jonathan.
"There must be something going on around here." Jonathan said puzzled. "Lois, it normally takes you an hour before you can function after a sleep in. Funny thing is, Clark is happy today and was whistling his way to the barn. I take it you had fun last night."
"Yes, it was nice." She smiled. "I think I will go and see him. Is he still in the barn?"
"Yeah he is fixing the tractor."
Lois laughed at that comment. If he showed a woman as much attention as that tractor, they would be besotted.
"Hi." She said as she saw his feet poking out from underneath.
He got up, banging his head hard as he got up. His reaction to the hit was oddly delayed.
She walked over to him out of concern. "Oh, that must have hurt." She motioned for him to sit down a hay bale. She ran her fingers through his hair looking for any signs of injury or bleeding but found none.
"I'll be fine." He whispered, as he looked at her longingly. Due to the different in their height, their faces were almost level with each other. It was Clark this time who initiated the kiss, brushing his lips gently against hers. He could taste the cherry lip balm, making her lips taste sweeter.
Instinctively she deepened the kiss enjoying and taking in every second. It was only after a few minutes that the passion began to cool down, until they finally managed to separate themselves from each other.
It was in that breathtaking moment, whilst gazing into his eyes that she knew...She was falling in love with Clark Kent.