It Can Be

Author's Note: This will contain spoilers for episodes up to Hex and will contain possible spoilers for future episodes, plus a lot of my own speculation about future events in the SV-verse. It takes place about a year or so in the future. Please read and review. Every review is like a piece of a gold to me! ;-) But, seriously, I do value each review. Thanks!

"What do you think?"

Eyes wide with an expression akin to horror, Clark simply regarded the red and blue costume that Oliver had laid out on the couch, dumbfounded. His mouth flailed open, after a moment, but only grunting sounds emerged from deep in his gut.

"Well," said Chloe, trying to hold back her grin. "I like it."

Clark's eyes shot to Chloe, incredulity shining through.

The blonde simply shrugged, then moved behind the conglomeration of computers that the team of superheroes lovingly referred to as the "Watchtower Switchboard."

The other two members in the room, apparently unable to hold in their laughter any longer, burst out in long peals at Clark's reaction to Oliver's unveiling of the costume
Clark had so long protested against.

"Dude," hooted Bart. "You should see your face."

A.C. attempted to further comment but couldn't seem to catch his breath.

"Just try it on," Oliver sighed, picking up the thing and tossing it at Clark. "And don't forget this," he added, dangling a blue oval shaped item from his finger.

"A mask?" questioned Clark, grabbing the slip of blue. "I don't need to wear a mask."

"Uh, yes you do. Think about it Clark. If someone saw your face, they would know who you were. And there is one person in particular you seem to rescue more than anyone else. That same person knows you pretty well and if you slipped up -"

"I get it," grunted Clark, getting ready for a fast change. "Lois would figure out my secret if she saw my face." A few seconds later, he looked down at his body, now clothed in red and blue leather. "It's kind of…tight. Don't you think?"

Struggling against merriment, Chloe bit her lip, glancing at Oliver, amazed that he was able to keep his cool so easily. "Nooo…"

"Of course it is," Oliver interjected. "You can't race around saving people wearing loose clothing. This helps with aerodynamics."

Not pleased with the explanation, Clark frowned, trying to find a rebuttal, when Chloe's cell phone rang.

"Oh," she gushed, glancing at the caller id. "It's Jimmy. Everyone be quiet."

A.C. and Bart rolled their eyes before strolling to the kitchen, most likely intending to "carb up," as Bart called it, before heading out on their mission.

"Hey Jimmy," Chloe sang. "What's… What? Lois got a…she got a what?" Chloe's tone turned from loving to afraid in a second. "Well, yes, I know that's what she always wanted… Hey, can I call you back?" Face pale, Chloe lifted her eyes to Clark's. "Um, Clark. You're here."

"Yes." Clark and Oliver exchanged looks, both wondering at the sanity of their friend, before Clark went on. "And…"

"And Lois is on her way to meet you somewhere. Well, actually, the Red Blue Blur. She got note from him - you. Which doesn't make sense because you're -"

"Here," finished Clark, looking concerned. Straining his ears, Clark listened for a sound he had become accustomed to in the past several years of his life. "I can hear her heartbeat. She's on the other side of the city. It's beating at a normal pace -"

"Wait, wait," interrupted Oliver, holding up a hand. "You can distinguish Lois' heartbeat from other people's heartbeats?"

Uncomfortable, Clark shifted a bit. The retort that he was trying to come up with died away on his lips as the pounding of the familiar heartbeat increased. "She's in trouble. I have to go." And in less than another heartbeat, he was gone.

In his wake, both Chloe and Oliver stood, eyes fixed on where he had just been standing. "When is he going to man up and tell Lois how he feels?"

"I don't know," chuckled Chloe, glancing at one of the computer screens. "Speaking of which, Dinah called earlier…"

Face impassive, Oliver raised one eyebrow at her, then exited the room, leaving Chloe to shake her head at him as well.


Lois Lane was not stupid. The Red Blue Blur sending a note to her desk, asking her to meet him at an abandoned warehouse in the slums seemed more than a little odd, but her curiosity wouldn't allow her to simply pass by what could be an amazing opportunity. Carefully and quietly, she tread the ground outside of the huge building, staying in the shadows. At the side door, she paused, frowned, questioned herself for actually showing up, then pushed the door open, praying it wouldn't creak. When it didn't, she let out a whoosh of air and tip toed in, keeping behind a row of barrels. Trying to retain her cover, she peaked out from behind a barrel to see the empty floor space.

Maybe he's running late,
she thought. Or maybe the note wasn't even from him. But why would anyone want to - Her train of thought ran aground as her lips quirked. Actually, her hard hitting reporting skills had made her the target of many a mobster, dirty business man, etc. She really had too long a list of nemeses to narrow it down to one person or one group of people. Perry told her having so many enemies also had something to do with her winning personality but such statements only caused her roll her eyes.

The sound of a pipe dropping from somewhere within the warehouse brought Lois out of her reveries. Pressing her back against the wall, Lois listened for more sounds. When none came, she decided to sneak out and head home. A meaty hand, coming seemingly out of nowhere, stopped her, grasping her upper arm.

"Hello sweetheart," growled the most repulsive looking man Lois had ever laid eyes on. His vice like grip held her fast and the size of his fists gave her pause in battling him.

"Who are you?" she demanded.

"I'm the Red Blue Blur," he slurred before spinning her around and throwing into the middle of the ground to land at the feet of another man.

Glancing up at him, from her position on the cold concrete, she saw a tall man dressed in all red and blue, a large mask obscuring his face. "Actually," said the man. "I'm the Red Blue Blur."

The voice sounded familiar but Lois couldn't quite place it. "No, you're not."

"You're right," the man admitted, a laugh escaping his lips. "I'm not. But I would like to meet him and since he loves rescuing you, I thought I'd, well, use you Ms. Lane."

Incensed, Lois struggled to stand but the ugly man's booted foot on her back kept her pinned down. "You can't catch him, you know," she told the man through gritted teeth. "No one can."

"We'll see," the man replied, lowering his head to look in her eyes. When he did, a
shiver ran involuntarily down her spine. Something evil was lurking behind his eyes and…something familiar as well.

Her wish to further deride the man was not fulfilled as another man, somewhat smaller than Ugly Face, approached her with a long needle. Not at all dubious as to what the effects of the liquid in the syringe would have on her, Lois only flinched when something sharp pricked against her skin. Then, rather quickly, sleep came over and she drifted off.

It seemed that only minutes had passed when she awoke, groggily, to the sound of rushing wind. Chilled, her teeth began chattering. Her mind struggled to recall the events that had transpired before she lost consciousness. Slowly, the scene replayed itself in her mind and her eyes snapped open. She was too drugged, however, to keep them open for long and soon they were shut again though Lois was aware of voices talking from the cockpit.

The…cockpit?

Blinking one eye open, she looked around to find that she was in a helicopter. The man in red and blue was kneeling over, the mask barring her from making out any of his countenance besides those chilling eyes. "Ms. Lane," he soothed her, one hand stroking her brow, which made her want to vomit. "I'm glad you're awake. Now comes the crux of my plan. I'm going to throw you out of this helicopter. But don't worry. I'm sure the hero in red and blue will make sure that you land safely on your feet. Then he will come after us…and you can figure out what happens next."

If her tongue hadn't turned to lead, she would've responded, but instead she just stared up at him, hatred in her hazel eyes.

"Let's get to it then," he said standing and gesturing to Ugly Face.

She felt his arms around her then she was lifted from the metal floor of the helicopter. Fear filled her as he dangled her out the helicopter's door. Then, without any warning, he had let go and she was falling down, down, down….


A frustrated Clark raced out of the warehouse and down the street. Cocking his head, he listened for Lois' heartbeat and began to panic when his ears couldn't make out the sound. Hoping that he hadn't been too late, and that her heart rate had only decreased, he took a leap and landed on the top of the nearest tall building. Unfortunately, the building wasn't tall enough, so he took a giant leap and crashed unto the roof of the Daily Planet. Not too far in the distance, he spotted a helicopter - and a person falling out of the helicopter. His heart in his throat, he realized that it was Lois hurtling to the ground. Relieved the Lois was alive and anxious that she wouldn't be for long, Clark took another jump. He caught her just as her body came level with the top of a building and he cradled her to his chest, blinking against the stinging tears in his eyes. He buried her head in his chest and was surprised when she murmured, "Clark?"

Body shaking, he lifted his gaze to the helicopter, seeing someone staring out at him. Rage filled him but he kept it in check, struggling to fight against the urge to murder whoever had sought to harm his Lois. The anger quickly dissipated when he realized he was floating. Flying.

He didn't have long to concentrate on his newfound ability when a bullet zinged past his ear. Instinctively, he turned himself, allowing his body to be a shield against the bullets Lois' kidnappers were now shooting their way. Hovering closer to the ground, he found Lois a safe spot and left her leaning against the wall of a building. Then he zoomed up the helicopter, grabbed it, and yanked it behind him as he returned to the street. Onlookers were gathered on the sidewalks and Clark allowed himself to be momentarily concerned about their safety. In order to, hopefully, keep them safe, he slammed the helicopter, jarring the occupants so they fell to the street, in the process dropping their weapons. The three men scrambled out, dashing down the street. Clark was, of course, faster, and in an instant he had two of the men tied to the helicopter. Upon searching for the third, however, Clark found only a pile of red and blue clothing. Mouth in a straight line, Clark chose to check on Lois rather than continue the search for the mysterious man, believing that the task would prove fruitless anyway.

In two seconds, he was kneeling by Lois' side, his hand gingerly touching her face.
"Lo-er, Ms. Lane? Are you okay?"

Groaning, Lois shifted her body, then whispered, "Clark?" again.

Trying not to grin, in spite of the situation, Clark swallowed, then said, "No. It's the…Red Blue Blur."

"Red…Blue…"

Sirens sounded from down the street and Clark stood up, twisting his head. Behind him stood a crowd of people gazing at him in awe.

Throughout the crowds he hushed voices speaking about him. "He's never stood still before." "I bet he's really hot behind that mask." "The Red Blue Blur…it's really him."

The emergency vehicles pulled up and Clark looked back down at Lois. "You're in good hands now Ms. Lane." Then he was gone, once more the Blur.


Frustrated, Lois yanked a comb through her hair, ignoring the pain in her scalp as she pulled out her own hair. "He was right there," she muttered to herself. "Right there, standing still, in a costume and all! And I was drugged! Drugged!" Giving up on her hair, she threw the comb across the room, not even hearing as it hit the wall and fell to the floor. "Ugh! I cannot belie-" A knock at the door interrupted her rant and she quickly crossed her apartment, part of her hoping that behind the door would be the man who had rescued her.

Unfortunately, it was only Clark.

Not reading the concern in his eyes, she opened her mouth, preparing to launch into a description of the evening's events but before she could, he had crossed the threshold, uninvited, placing an arm around her waist and entangling his fingers in her wet hair. Surprised, she allowed him to kiss her before she found herself kissing back. Her hands moved to his hair, her fingers running through his dark mane. Many times, she allowed herself to wonder what it would be like to kiss Clark Kent. Never had she imagined it would be at midnight on a Thursday - well, Friday now - while wearing her pajamas and bunny slippers, her hair dripping water down her back. As the kiss progressed, Lois realized that he was a really good kisser and she wished they would've kissed a lot sooner. Maybe they would have had that almost kiss at Chloe and Jimmy's wedding not been interrupted by - Mind reeling at the memory, Lois pushed Clark and stepped back from him. Hurt immediately filled his eyes but Lois held up a hand so that he wouldn't speak. "Just great, Smallville," she snorted, keeping her tone light. "Now things are going to be really awkward at the office."

"Lois," Clark said, voice low and full of emotion.

Shaking her head, Lois began ushering him to the door. "Look, I'm willing to forget it ever happened so why don't you just-"

"No!" he cried, spinning and facing her, grabbing her hands in his larger ones. His eyes of blue spoke the words of his heart before his voice could. "I'm not doing this anymore Lois, not pretending I don't feel something when I do. I love you."

Shocked at the anti climactic way the words fell from his lips, she stepped back but found he wouldn't let her go. "Clark-"

"I don't know for how long. Maybe since the first time I saw you and I just was too blind…too stupid. But I do Lois. I love you." His voice softened as the words kept flowing and, gently, he pulled her towards him. Dazed, Lois let him. "I don't just love you, I need you. I need you in my life. I know you've been in danger before but tonight, when I heard about what happened to you…it was, I don't know, different somehow. More real. And I thought about what my life would be like without you and…it made me feel empty."

Desperately wanting him to go on but knowing that everything had already changed too much, Lois wrenched herself from his grasp and moved across the room. "It can't be Smallville." At his hopes being dashed, the man before her wilted. Feeling devoid of strength, she took a deep breath. "It…just can't be. I'm sorry."

Without saying anything else, Clark exited her apartment, softly shutting the door behind him. Emotions caught in her throat, Lois remained frozen in place, at once wanting to run after him but letting her fears keep her rooted.

Several minutes passed before she sank to the ground and pressed her head into her knees, silent, hot tears soaking her through her pajama bottoms. From outside, a man clothed in red and blue floated outside her window, regret and pain etched in his features that not even the small mask could hide. When the hollow feeling became unbearable, he turned and flew away, not quite sure where he was going.


"But…you love him too Lois."

Her knuckles turned white as her hands tightened around the coffee mug she was holding. "I don't-"

"Stop it," chided Chloe. "I know it, Jimmy knows it, Oliver knows it."

Appearing horrified at the thought of her emotions being so evident, Lois opened her eyes a little wider. Then, sighing, she said, "It's that obvious, huh?"

"Only to those who really care about you," responded Chloe, settling on the couch across from Lois.

Swirling the brown liquid in the mug, Lois asked the question that had been on her mind since the night before. "But what if it doesn't work out? I…um…" She cleared her throat, not even comfortable talking to Chloe about matters of the heart. "Clark's special. Not like other guys. What if we dated for awhile, then things went awry and he exited my life for good? If we can't be together romantically, I at least want him in my life as friend."

Biting her lower lip subconsciously, Chloe pondered the best way to answer Lois' question. "I guess that's just a chance you'll have to take. I did, with Jimmy."

Arching an eyebrow, Lois said, "And look what happened there."

Blinking to hold back the tears at the now distant memories of her first few months as a married woman, Chloe nodded. "It was a train wreck for awhile there. But look at us now. We're working through those problems. We're still together. And we're happier than we have been in a long time. No one ever said relationships were easy."

Lois seemed to agree but she still did not appear consoled. "I'm glad that you guys are piecing your relationship back together."

Leaning forward, Chloe focused closely on Lois' eyes until her cousin finally made eye contact. "What's really bothering you about this Lois?"

Pausing, Lois wasn't sure she wanted to tell Chloe the real reason she had spurred Clark's advances the night before. "It's…a she."

"Oh," said Chloe, leaning back against the arm of the couch. "It's a Lana."

Embarrassed at her lack of confidence, Lois let her gaze linger on the center cushion which was unoccupied. "Every time that girl walks back into Clark's life, he jumps at a relationship with her. How do I know that she won't return in the future and he'll dump me for her? I just don't think…" The rest of the sentence stuck in her throat and she blushed at how open she was being.

"Well then, I guess you shouldn't give a relationship with Clark a chance. You should never allow yourself to discover what would happen if Lana did come back. He could be the love of your life but you don't want to take that kind of risk. After all, you're not really all that much of risk taker."

As she knew they would, Chloe's words caused a fire to burn inside of Lois. "That's…absurd. I mean, I'm absurd. You're right Chloe. I'm going to Clark's right now."

A goofy smile broke out on Chloe's face as Lois charged out of the apartment, a woman on mission. Her hands clasped together as she leaned back into the couch, already wondering what color bridesmaid dress Lois would choose for her. She looked good in yellow. She could probably persuade Lois to choose yellow….


The fire had fizzled out until it was barely a burning ember. Hopping from one foot to the other, Lois hesitated at knocking on the door of the Kent family house. It felt weird to even be knocking. Usually, she strode right in, as if she lived there. In fact, she had for awhile… Just as she had decided to head home, the door swung open and Lois almost went into cardiac arrest.

"Clark!" she sang, her voice sounding sickeningly sweet even to her own ears.

Seeing her there seemed to cause no emotion in him. For a few seconds, he just stared at her. The sound of a dog barking and bounding across the house distracted both of them. The golden furred dog threw itself at Lois, yapping joyfully at one of his most favorite people.

"Hey boy," said Lois, dutifully scratching him behind his ears. Pleased at the action, the dog let out another happy ruff before running into the yard. Lois and Clark watched as the dog bolted from one side of the yard to the other, clearly demonstrating his happiness at seeing Lois.

"He really likes you."

There was no mistaking the scratchy quality to Clark's voice. Knowing that she was probably the source of the rough sound, she pivoted on her foot, hoping to convince him of her utter stupidity the night before. But she stopped as she realized that words hadn't always been her friend in the past, other than in print, so she decided to show him what she really felt. Stepping closer to him, she gingerly placed a hand on his chest, over where his heart was, then lifted eyes full of vulnerability to his face. Clearly confused, he made no move away from her. Swallowing hard, she inclined her head more, allowing her emotions to be more visible in her eyes. The confusion melted away as he realized what was happening. A small smile touched his lips and he closed the distance between them, bringing his lips to hers. Just as before, the kiss took her breath away and she found herself completely lost in him, her arms snaking their way across broad shoulders. His arms wrapped around her waist with the intention of pulling her closer, though he couldn't seem to bring her close enough to him.

It was Shelby's wet muzzle pressed against Lois's leg that broke them apart. Both breathing heavily, they stared into each other's eyes before he brushed her forehead with his.

"So, does this mean it can be?"

Recalling her words from the night before, Lois grinned. "Yeah Smallville. It can be. It definitely can be."

Again the moment was interrupted by the dog, who laid a toy at Lois' feet. "Looks like he wants to play," commented Clark.

"Well, I wouldn't want to disappoint the dog that I'm highly allergic to."

"You know Lois," Clark said, grinning. "I think that's all in your head. I mean you haven't sneezed -" ACHOO! "- never mind."

Scrunching her face on one side, Lois grabbed the toy and tossed it across the yard. "Fetch boy!"

Eyes fixed on her, Clark felt happier than he had in a long, long time. As if to reassure him she felt the same, she looked at him, her face almost melting in the process.

"Come on Smallville," she said, her hand swinging to punch him in the arm. "Shelby's waiting!"

Smiling, Clark followed her across the yard, mentally noting that some things never changed.

And that was just the way he liked it.

TBC...