CHAPTER 1

He was just reaching for the door knob to jet out for his nightly patrol, thinking maybe he'd pop by the Talon to see what Lois was doing … they hadn't talked much over the last few days and he'd wondered if she was avoiding him. He was such an idiot. Why didn't he just keep his mouth shut? Whatever possessed him to say those things to her? Lois did not take well to anyone insinuating she couldn't take care of herself, and certainly didn't want him "chopblocking" her as she would say. It seemed every time he bared even an ounce of his carefully guarded feelings for her, she'd put distance between them. The words just sort of flowed out of him and he felt like he was watching the scene from a distance.

{Flashback}

He'd been sitting at his desk, staring at the screen and wondering where she was when she came barreling in, plopped into her seat and started typed furiously.

"There you are," he said, louder than he'd intended.

"Huh," was her distracted response. "Oh hey, Smallville," she said, still looking at her screen. He felt annoyed but wasn't really sure why.

"What's up Lois?" he asked, trying to sound nonchalant. Though he failed, she was too preoccupied to notice his increased concern.

"Big lead," she said engrossed in her research.

"Lead?" He asked, hoping to get her to continue.

She didn't look up but said, "I've been out pokin' around at the old Colby plant. Something's going on."

"Care to share?" This time he'd leaned around his computer and was looking at her intently. He knew Colby had some dealings in the past with the Luthors so his guard was up. She noticed his stare but shook it off, going back to her research and talking without eye contact.

"Overheard some goons … you know, these weren't your average factory workers … some sort of shipment. Definitely going back tonight."

Her chair spun around and he leaned forward with a hand on each armrest. She was completely surprised. She hadn't even noticed him moving.

"What the …," she began, but he cut her off.

"Lois, you cannot go back there tonight," he said definitively.

"Excuse me?" she balked back, clearly offended.

"It's too dangerous," he continued, not wavering and not backing away.

"I'm a big girl, Smallville," she said, attempting to turn her chair from his grasp; his glare was getting to her. But he held firm.

"No Lois. I know you can take care of yourself but you just … can't."

Wow, he's adamant. I'd be pissed if he didn't look so sweet right now, she thought.

He realized he was still leaning over her and pulled back, releasing her chair. He also noticed a few stares from around the office so he straightened and said more quietly, calmly, "I just don't want you to get hurt."

"Aw shucks, Smallville, thanks for caring," she teased a little, though she was still unnerved by his fervor.

He backed away and leaned against the doorway, hanging his head. She could tell he was beating himself up for his little outburst. She stood up and walked toward him, shooting her patented "mind your own business" glare at onlookers. When she was standing before him and he didn't look at her, she placed a hand on his forearm, folded across his chest.

"Clark," she began softly, "I'd be careful, you know." He raised his eyes to hers and she thought he was going to cry.

"Lois, so much could happen … if I'm not there …." He looked down again and continued, "practically everything I do is to protect you … and you don't even see … if anything happened to you …." Their gazes met again and he realized the words were practically boiling over out of his lips; he bit down to stop himself and lowered his eyes again.

"Wow, Smallville." She cleared her throat, not trusting herself to respond any further just yet. What is happening? She couldn't explain it but she felt like collapsing into him. She suddenly realized she was still touching him and quickly removed her hand. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it again.

She turned to walk away but he moved behind her and cupped her elbow, turning her to him swiftly but gently. Their faces were very close now, a look of torture on his face.

"Please … be careful Lois," he breathed, and she could feel his breath on her face.

"'Course," she squeaked out, not moving an inch. The pain in his face seemed to subside a little. They stared at each other for what seemed like forever. Then, finally, she whispered, "How do you do that?"

"Hmmm?" He hummed, still looking at her, breathing her in.

"Look at me … like that? Like you can see straight through me?" His lips curled up. "Straight to my soul," she finished.

He smiled softly, never breaking eye contact, and said quietly, "Would it be so bad if I could?"

She parted her lips and noticed his eyes travel to her mouth and she smiled.

Her phone rang and startled them both back to reality. She turned from Clark and retrieved it from her purse, began talking furiously with the caller, grabbed her purse and was out the door, glancing only briefly at Clark along the way.

{End flashback}

He'd tried to keep up with her that night, feeling like somewhat of a stalker, and was pleased when she didn't go to the plant. But over the next few days they'd barely crossed paths. He felt sure she was avoiding him. So here he was on his way out into the night hoping to keep his mind off her. Just as he pulled the back door open to exit, she came barreling in …