Disclaimer: I own nothing. I just enjoy jumping into the world that the wonderful creators of Smallville crafted for us.
A/N: I'm re-watching Season 8 at the moment and I found myself wondering what might have happened if Clark had not pushed Lois to face him and clear the air. Both of them were always much better at denying and suppressing uncomfortable emotions. So I figured I would explore how that might have played out differently. The first chapter is a recap of what happened in the actual episode for those who haven't watched it recently! Reviews, both good and bad, are welcomed - suggestions for improvements, criticisms, or positive feedback is helpful! :)
In a dark basement underneath a jewelry store, intrepid reporter Lois Lane sat with leather cuffs securing her arms and legs to a heavy wooden chair. Wires connected her to an electricity generator, which was unfortunately under the control of a crazed jeweler standing above her.
Clark Kent, her usual partner in crime was sitting opposite her with a grimace on his face, writhing in pain. Sweat glistened on his skin as his body struggled to recover from the punishment inflicted on him just moments ago. The madman had electrocuted him when her previous answer proved unsatisfactory to the lie detector.
It had been her idea to go undercover as a newly engaged couple to get a scoop on this story, but now they were trapped in a lethal game of truth or dare. Well, okay, really it was just truth. Dangerous levels of truth.
The jeweler held up the trigger for Clark's electric chair and glared at her as he continued his interrogation.
"Next question. Deep down, underneath it all, do you love this man?" Lois raised her eyes to meet Clark's in desperation, willing him to do something to save her from the situation. Being held at gun point she could face, but the raw emotional vulnerability this man was demanding was her worst nightmare. Clark held her gaze evenly, nodding slowly and giving her a pointed look that made it very clear that he would be more than a little annoyed if she got him electrocuted again. He spoke through gritted teeth, albeit still in a soothing tone.
"Answer the question Lois. Don't over think it. Just tell the truth." It figured - even locked in a dingy cellar with a madman threatening to kill them both, Smallville still managed to sound calming and stoic. Damn him. The jeweler was looking annoyed now, growing impatient.
"Do. You. Love. Him." His tone left no more room for stalling. Clark raised his eyebrows, pleading with her to answer before the man lost his temper and electrocuted him again.
"Tell the truth, please Lois." The pained note in Clark's voice was hard to handle, especially knowing it was her fault that he was hurting. She was finding it hard to breathe as tears filled her eyes and she prepared herself to answer. The jeweler had had enough. Yelling, he demanded,
"Do you love him?" Taking a deep, sobbing breath, she replied softly.
"Yes." For a brief second her gaze met Clark's and she saw her own vulnerability reflected in his surprised eyes. Then it was gone, his impenetrable emotional mask back in place. Temporarily satisfied, the madman smiled slightly and moved on to his next question. Addressing Clark, he queried lightly,
"And you? Do you love this woman?" Lois saw Clark lower his head and look away, then closed her eyes, afraid to see the truths his expressions might reveal. "Speak up," the madman yelled. "She can't hear you if you don't speak up!"
It was all a blur after that point. There was some kind of explosion, and then the room filled with smoke. Next thing she knew Clark was standing in front of her looking concerned.
"Lois." She couldn't look at him, couldn't face him after the admission she had just made. Instead she simply responded to his words instead of the worry he was expressing.
"Clark." As he knelt down in front of her to take off the cuffs which held her to the chair she could not resist a glance in his direction. The empathy in his voice as their eyes met was nearly her undoing.
"Lois, are you okay?" Okay? Well she wouldn't be if he kept looking at her like that. She responded shakily,
"I'm not sure." Mercifully he didn't pursue the subject.
"Let's get you out of here." It was all she could do to nod gratefully as he pulled her to her feet.
In the midst of a comfortably messy room, clothes strewn all over the floor where she had dropped them the night before, Lois Lane dozed fitfully until the shrill ringing of an alarm clock jerked her to reality. Monday morning. Ugh. Groaning, she rolled over and forced her feet to the ground. Facing Clark at work today would require an even larger cup of coffee than usual.
While being abducted by a madman was nothing new to the military brat turned reporter, being forced to admit her feelings for one Clark Kent, both to herself, and to him, had shaken her more than she liked to admit. Shaking her head slightly as she got pulled on her favorite light blue suit, she gave herself a quick pep talk.
"Pull yourself together Lane. This isn't your first time at the rodeo. Just pretend like nothing happened." She nodded curtly at herself in the mirror and adjusted her jacket, pleased with the results. With her carefully honed air of confidence and mask of sarcastic wit in place, she was ready to face the day, whatever it decided to throw at her.
She managed to avoid Clark for most of the day by barely checking in at her desk at all. Instead she claimed to be running errands and chasing down leads. It would have been easier if he didn't seem to be everywhere. His presence seemed to completely fill a room the moment he entered it. As soon as 5o'clock hit she rushed for the elevator congratulating herself for making it through the day without him confronting her.
"You're not avoiding me are you?" She ground her teeth as Clark's voice broke into her mental dance of self-congratulation. Yep, there he was, standing right next to her. He was definitely invading her personal space. Damn it, why did Smallville always manage to catch her off guard.
"Me? Why would I be avoiding you? I was just shopping for wedding gifts for Chloe and Jimmy." Nice save Lane. Believable. Almost. Clark just smirked in reply. The man was impossible.
"So you're finally on board with the happy couple?" Did she even have a choice in the matter?
"Yup, all it took was them passing a madman's electric-Cosmo death quiz and I am sold." Better. Convincingly steady, even.
The elevator dinged loudly, almost making her jump. Clark stepped in and held the door open for her, giving her a questioning look as she remained frozen in place.
"In or out?" The mischievous, challenging look on his face made her realize that he knew exactly how uncomfortable she was feeling right now. Son of a bee-sting. Pasting a smile on her face she replied flippantly.
"You know, all things considered, stairs are better for cardio." Before Clark had a chance to argue, she took off towards the stairs, leaving him standing alone in the elevator with a slightly amused look on his face.