Disclaimer: I do not own, nor do I claim to own Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. I will not profit from this story. It is for entertainment purposes only.
The title of this fanfic is also the title of a song, "Turn In the Road," performed by Steve Wariner and can be found on his CD Faith In You.
The song Turn In the Road will be used in this fic in later chapters
This is my first Lois and Clark fic, so please r/r. Criticism or praise is appreciated.
Title: Turn In The Road
Chapter 1: Life Throws a Curve Ball
There was no one in the world that Clark Kent loved more deeply than his partner and girlfriend Lois Lane. She was soft, elegant, and gentle, as well as brave, stubborn, and sometimes downright gutsy, oh and did he mention loyal. There was no one person he loved more, no one he trusted more, and no one he'd rather protect. The only thing was there was one thing that she needed to know, the only thing she didn't know about him that could hurt her more deeply than anything. He was Superman.
He had to tell her tonight. But, he said reaching into his pocket and closing his hand around the little velvet box, there was something else he needed to do first.
"Earth to Clark," Lois' voice broke into his musing, "Was is it? You were a million miles away."
"I'm sorry, Lois. I was just thinking."
"Well, if I were you, I'd be thinking about the latest discoveries about Intergang. There is the odd rumor that Mindy Church is the new head of Intergang. Jimmy is checking it out. Personally, I don't think that Mindy Church had the mental capacity to run a blowdryer, never mind a worldwide criminal organization, but…"
"Lois, forget about Mindy Church right now. Until Jimmy finishes checking out the lead, there's nothing we can do anyway. I need to talk to you."
"Is there is something wrong?"
"Not really, I just need to talk to you. There is something on my mind that I need to get off it."
"Oh, I wonder if you'll ever get there."
"Lois, I haven't done that in three dates."
"No, but just yesterday we were having a talk just like this, you said you had something to tell me, I said what, and you said, "Um, I'm sorry Lois, but I have to check my e-mail."
"I'm sorry Lois. That won't happen tonight I promise."
"Ok, so you'll pick me up at seven?"
"No, I was thinking maybe we could stay in tonight."
"Ok, I'll get some dinner together, and we'll have a nice evening at home. Clark, are you sure you're feeling okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just a little tired, that's all."
"Okay," she said, laying her soft hands on her shoulder, "Wow, you feel like steel. Where's all this tension coming from?"
"Like I said, I haven't been sleeping well. I don't know, I guess it's the left over stress from Perry's kidnapping and Tom dying."
"Who's Tom?"
"A friend of my dad's. He passed away and Dad didn't take it so well. Don't worry, I'll be fine."
All the while Clark was telling her the story, Lois was gently massaging the tension in his shoulders away. Clark was such a strong man, a complicated and frightened man, but a strong man. There were so many sides to Clark Kent. The fierce protector, the devoted friend, the ace reporter, the loving son, and now she was discovering a new side to him, the shy suitor. For all she knew about him, she also knew that there were many things that she still didn't know, things she couldn't wait to discover.
"That better?" she asked after a few minutes.
"Yeah, thanks. Listen, um, I've got to call my folks while I'm thinking of it, so you finish up her and I'll see you at seven."
"Seven," she repeated softly.
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Even when involved in their most difficult stories, Lois had never seen Clark so distracted. Even when he was pulling one of his disappearing acts, he still seemed more in tune with what was happening. Something was seriously wrong with Clark, and she had no idea what it was. She would have to wait until tonight, but then, she would pry it out of him. She knew exactly what he needed, a nice homecooked meal, even if she made it, and a lot time to sit with his feet up and relax.
Lois' first step in Operation: Cheer Up Clark, was a phone call to Martha Kent.
"Hello," said the older woman.
"Hi, Martha. It's Lois."
"Lois? Is everything all right?"
"Yes, it's just that Clark…"
"What about Clark?"
"He seems like he needs a little vacation, and of course, with the way things are a the Planet, I don't foresee that, but he's distracted, upset, and I wanted to do something a little special."
"That's sweet of you, Lois."
"Well, you know that Clark and I have been seeing each other, nothing's too much."
"I'm glad that Clark has you to look after him, even he can overdo things sometimes, kind of like his father."
"Is Jonathan all right?"
"As all right as he can be for a man that doesn't realize that rest is not a dirty word."
"Clark told me that his friend, a Tom, passed away."
"Yes, Jonathan took it hard. They were close, and now he's trying to prove how young he is. Well, he'll get over it, he's done this before. So how can I help you with Clark?"
"I wanted the recipe to that stew he likes, the beef one you made the last time we were in Smallville."
"Oh, all right, I'll get it. Hold on."
At seven o'clock, Clark stood outside Lois' apartment staring at the wooden door. He'd been there since six forty-five, wondering if he should tell her he was Superman before or after he proposed to her. He decided on after. Although, he was sure the she loved him for Clark now, it would give him peace of mind to know that she said "Yes" to Clark Kent. Then he could tell her the truth, knowing that she loved him, not some fantasy.
Clark drew in a breath and raised his hand to knock on Lois' door. He was late now, almost ten minutes. He hoped Lois wasn't mad, and as if God was sending him a sign, she was not.
"Hi, Clark. Come on in. Supper will be ready in a few minutes."
"Sorry, I'm late Lois."
"Ten minutes late is better than ten minutes early to me, you know that. Sit down and relax."
"Um, Lois, take the stew off the stove and come sit by me for a minute."
Lois didn't argue. Clark obviously needed her to be close to him, so she moved the pot to the side and obeyed him.
When she was seated, Clark made no sound. He just lifted his hand and caressed her cheek. A move that had become familiar to her these past weeks. His thumb brushed across her cheek, and his other fingers applied gentle pressure at the back of her head, indicating his intent to kiss her.
His kiss was gentle, it always was, but there was an urgency to this kiss like he was trying to escape. He held her to him like a drowning man clinging to a life preserver. When the kiss ended, Clark slipped off the couch and fell to one knee in front of her. Slowly, he opened the ring box and revealed its contents to Lois.
"Lois, I love you. Will you marry me?"
Lois opened her mouth to respond, when the phone rang. She gave Clark an apologetic look and leaned to answer it. "Lois Lane."
It was Martha Kent. She sounded desperate. The woman was sobbing hysterically and gasping, "Mrs. Kent, slow down. I can't understand you. All right, okay, Clark and I will be there on the next flight."
Clark's eyes were wide with alarm by the time Lois hung up the receiver.
"Clark, that was your mother on the phone," she said, keeping her tone gentle and taking his hand, "Honey, your father had a heart attack. They aren't sure if he'll make it through the next few days. We have to get to Smallville."
Clark took a deep breath. "All right, I'll go home on get some clothes. Meet you back her in one hour. Call Perry and the airline."
As soon as Lois left the room, Clark spun into the supersuit, and called her name, trying to keep emotion out of his voice, "Lois."
"Superman, I really don't have time right now. Clark's father had a heart attack…"
"I know, I saw Clark outside. I flew him home. He asked me to fly you to Smallville, then come back for him. I'm a lot quicker than the red eye."
"Thanks, Superman. I'm sure Clark really appreciates it."
"He appreciates you, Lois. Only you."