Author's Note: Long time since I've posted something (I blame classes and my upcoming midterms), but Hex was so unbelieveably good that I ditched homework and got into the writing spirit. Originally, I was going to make this a little one-shot, but if you guys are enjoying it, I've got some ideas so I'll continue. You just have to let me know. :)

Spoiler Alert: Slight spoilers for the upcoming season finale. But nothing major, I swear. This is mainly me interpreting a spoiler that (let's face it) everyone saw coming.

Disclaimer: Trust me, if I owned anything Clark and Lois would make out at least twice an episode and both Tom Welling and Justin Hartley would spend 95% of their scenes shirtless :)


Lois Lane was no psychic. To her, psychics had no merit; they were the fake carnival acts and stupid hotlines that cost a paycheck per minute. She didn't trust them or put any stock in what they had to say. After all, the last one she had been to had dropped a bunch of hints about the love of her life being some sort of cross dressing pilot.

She smirked as she clicked the end of her pen. She was sure that that would go over well with the general.

"Hi Daddy, this is my fiancé. Oh sure, we have lots in common. For example, we're both the same dress size!"

She held back a laugh. Not in this lifetime. She preferred her men to actually look like men. So dresses or tights with mini skirts were off the table. She preferred men who wore suits, or dress shirts, or…or flannel, or plaid…or of course, nothing at all…

One more word on that train of thought, and no more coffee for you, Lane, she thought sternly.

She shook herself mentally. She had to snap out of it. She had, after all, made the decision to move on from Clark Kent and keep their relationship safely in the friends/co-worker zone. She had even gone on a date since the whole stood-up-by-Clark debacle. She had figured it was the best thing to do; let him know that there were no hard feelings and move on with her life.

But damn it, she hadn't realized it would be this hard.

Stupid, utterly blind, annoyingly sexy farmboy.

Speaking of the farmboy… Her eyes travelled over his empty seat across from hers. She wondered where he'd gotten to now. She had seen him once this morning before he had made up one of his lame excuses and bolted from his desk and out the door. She was so accustomed to it now that she hardly noticed when he did so. But this was an abnormally long time to be MIA, even for him.

Lois pulled out her cell phone, ready to send him a text when she paused. No service available.

"What?" she murmured to herself. "That's impossible. The Planet always has great reception. Must be my phone."

She turned her head as one of her co-workers passed her desk. "Hey Jess? Is your cell working? Mine isn't, and I want to make sure it isn't the phone company trying to say that I haven't paid my bill or something."

Jess reached into pocket and pulled out her phone. She frowned at the screen. "No, I haven't got any service either."

A few people nearby started checking their phones, looking confused as they did so.

Someone across the room shouted, "Hey, what the hell? The internet just went down!"

There was a slight rush as people went to check their own computers. Lois swallowed loudly, her eyebrows pinching slightly. No, Lois didn't believe in psychics, but she did believe in instinct. And her internal alarm was sounding off loud and clear; something was wrong.

"What's going on?"

"This never happens!"

"I don't understand!"

"Did the servers crash?"

"Lois?"

She turned at the sound of her name. Jimmy Olsen stood behind her, clutching his camera and looking confused. Lois smiled at her friend, though her expression remained worried. "Hey Jimmy. Finally coming back to work? I heard a rumor that you quit."

"Changed my mind. But forget that," Jimmy glanced around. "Why is everyone acting like it's Armageddon in the bullpen?"

"Our cells and computers just went down," she explained. "There wasn't an accident nearby, was there?"

Jimmy shook his head. "Not that I saw."

A sudden tremor rocked through the floor, eliciting gasps of surprise and fear from the entire floor.

"What the hell?" Lois muttered.

"I just tried to turn on the TV to one of the news stations," a breathless intern whose name still escaped Lois announced to the basement crowd. "There's no picture right now – it's just fuzz. All the channels are like that."

"It would have to be a pretty big accident to knock out internet, TV, and cell signals," Jimmy frowned, setting his camera down on the desk and checking his phone again. "I wonder what's going on out there."

Lois chewed on her lip thoughtfully, before grabbing Jimmy's arm. "I have an idea. Come on."

She led him to one of copy rooms and shut the door behind them. "They still keep radios in the basement. Most of the upper floors use internet feeds and local news stations. There's a chance that we can get radio reception."

"Genius," Jimmy said, watching her fiddle with one of the radios.

Lois smiled. It was nice to see Jimmy get excited about a story again. After his hospital time and this fight with Chloe –

Both Lois and Jimmy jumped when the radio hissed to life.

" – unconfirmed reports about the cause of the disturbance in downtown Metropolis have authorities wary. Hundreds of people have been pouring into Metropolis General, and so far no one has been able to paint a clear picture of what exactly is going on. Although we're hearing scattered reports of some sort of 'creature', police suspect a possible explosion is responsible for the demolished buildings and downed power lines –"

"Creature?" Lois said, straightening up slowly. She noticed Jimmy's stricken face, paper white, and knew he was reflecting back to his wedding night.

"Jimmy?" she said cautiously.

"It's back," he said hoarsely. "God, Lois it must have come back."

"Jimmy," she said in an uncharacteristically gentle voice, "we don't know anything yet. The police think it might be some sort of explosion."

"Do you?" he asked.

"I don't know. Besides, knowing some of the crazies in this city, the so-called creature could be a sewer rat or a stray dog."

"Destroying buildings? Even Metropolis doesn't have rats that big."

She paused. "I'm going down there. You don't have to come, but –"

Jimmy shook his head, his pale face determined. "No, I'll go."

"Okay," she agreed. "Go get your camera then and then we'll go."

Jimmy nodded. "I'll grab some my digital too, just in case."

"Jimmy," she called before he left. "Have you, uh, have you seen Clark?"

"CK? No, why?"

"I haven't seen him all day, and…" she trailed off.

Jimmy smiled knowingly. "I'm sure he's fine."

Lois scowled at his retreating back.


Clark Kent threw open the doors of his workplace, tension and stress rolling off him in waves. He didn't have much time. He didn't have any time, really, but he had managed to make this little detour on his way to meet up with the Justice League. He should have been with them already, but he couldn't stop himself from coming here to resolve a growing worry that he had.

Davis. Clark shook his head. If only they had noticed the signs. Though they may not have been able to guess what he was, they would have at least been able to tell that something was wrong with him. Jimmy had seen that something was wrong…

He shook himself mentally. For once, he didn't have time to dwell on the what ifs. He had come here for a reason. Searching through the unusual crowd, he spotted his and Lois' desks. Hers was empty. He had a slight moment of panic before he saw Jimmy stop by her desk to gather his camera.

"Jimmy," he said quickly, tapping his friend on the back. "Have you seen Lois?"

Jimmy looked up in surprise. "CK! Yeah, she's around here somewhere. We're heading out to check out what's going on downtown. You should come along."

"Jimmy, don't go there," Clark advised. "Trust me, it's not somewhere you want to be."

Jimmy froze, reading Clark's expression. "Clark, it's not… Is it -? Lois and I heard on the radio that – well, they're talking about some sort of creature. You don't think it's the same –?"

When Clark didn't answer, Jimmy's eyes widened.

"Where's Chloe?" he demanded.

"I haven't seen her yet," Clark answered. "She might be back at her apartment. All I know is she's not down there."

"I have to find her," Jimmy said stiffly. He dropped his camera into the desk and grabbed his coat. "Tell Lois where I've gone."

"Jimmy I think you should just stay –"

"Look, Clark I can't just stay here and hope she might be safe. I have to make sure," Jimmy told him. In that moment Clark saw life from Jimmy's point of view: to him it didn't matter what deplorable state his and Chloe's marriage had sunk to; he still loved Chloe, and he wanted to keep her safe. Besides, Clark couldn't argue with his reasoning; a similar line of thinking is what had brought him here to the Planet today.

Clark nodded, and Jimmy left. Clark turned around with a heavy sigh, and relaxed just a fraction when he saw a familiar brunette, his reason for coming here.


"Lois."

She jumped and turned, surprised to find Clark standing just a foot behind her. When had he gotten here?

"Clark," she said in relief. "Good, you're here. Get your stuff together, Smallville. We need to get downtown right now. There's –"

"Lois." She felt his hand grip her elbow. "You can't go downtown."

As it always did when someone threw the word 'can't' at her, her body tensed and irritation leaked through her thoughts. "I don't know how many times I have to tell you this, Clark, but I'm a big girl. Not only am I big girl, but I'm a reporter. And right now, there's something huge going on downtown, so I –"

Clark shook his head. "Lois…"

She crossed her arms, waiting for his explanation. Clark sighed, glancing at the clock across the room. He looked back at her, a muscle in his jaw jumped. For a moment she thought he was angry, but when she met his eyes, she saw the worry and, if she wasn't mistaken, the fear in them. She stopped short in the midst of beginning another tirade and stared at him, wondering what was happening to make him this way.

"Clark," she said slowly. "What's going on?"

He opened his mouth to speak before pausing. His hand slid down from her arm to her hand, leaving goosebumps in its wake. "Lois, come with me."

Casting a furtive glance around, he quickly pulled her out of the bullpen towards the elevator. He didn't speak a word the whole ride up but the tension was palpable, and every few seconds she would catch him staring at her out of the corner of her eye.

Lois tried not to squirm, refraining several times from demanding to know what was going on and what he thought he was doing. There was something about the way he was acting that made her think twice. So instead she took her usual stance on all things Clark Kent: if he wanted to tell her something, he would. If not, let it go and move on.

But when he led her from the elevator and onto the Daily Planet roof, latching the door behind them, she didn't bother to quell the rest of her questions.

"Not that I mind the scenic view," she said, raising an eyebrow, "but what are we doing up here? Whatever is going on is happening downtown as we speak. Look."

She crossed to the edge of roof, directing her gaze to the section of the city where faint tunnels of smoke were rising. Quiet screams could be heard in the distance. Lois bit down on her lip. "What the hell is going on down there? We need to go. I'll go grab Jimmy and –"

"Jimmy went to go find Chloe. Lois," he turned her around to face him, his expression urgent as his hands snaked around her upper arms. "You need to listen to me. I need you to promise me something."

A loud, explosive crack cut through the air, muffled by its distance. Clark glanced out over the building ledge at the section downtown being destroyed. He flinched and turned back to her.

"I need you to promise me that you'll stay here," he said earnestly. "I need you to promise that you won't leave here until I come back for you."

Her lips parted. "Smallville, what –?"

"This is the safest place for you right now. Promise me you won't leave unless you absolutely have to. Don't go downtown for any reason."

She shook her head, feeling slightly numbed. "I can't promise that! What if –?"

"Lois, please." One hand reached up to cup her the side of her face. "For me? Please. Just don't leave."

Sucking in a breath, she said quietly, "You're leaving though, aren't you?"

She expected him to look surprised at her deduction, but he didn't. His head dropped a bit and he answered, "I'm sorry. I have to go."

She didn't ask why. She didn't demand an answer. And for that, Clark was grateful. That had always been one of the things that had set Lois apart from all of the other women in his life; she never pushed him to know his secrets or his reasons. She just accepted them as they came, understanding that his secrets were just that: his.

It was a little ironic to Clark then, that the person who never demanded his secret was the one person he desperately wanted to tell. He wished she could know why he was leaving her here by herself, why he was running off on her again. He quickly reflected back on what he had once said to Kara; sometimes it seemed that Lois would be safer if she knew his secret. But he didn't have any time. Not now.

If I come back, he thought to himself, I should tell her.

If. And that was a big if. Panic rose like bile in his throat. This wasn't going to be easy. Or rather, this was going to be impossible. He had seen what the monster – it was still too odd to think of it as Davis – could do briefly at the wedding. He was hardly a match for it. Even with Oliver and the others by his side, there was only so much that could be done. Super-powered or not, they were only human.

Just like Lois.

Which is why he needed her to promise to stay. He needed her to say that she wouldn't go near downtown. He needed to know that no matter what happened Lois would be okay.

His gaze rose back up to meet hers. Her face was set in a determined expression – Army brat, he thought with a wry smile – but her hazel eyes were pained. His breath caught. Suddenly it almost killed him to know that he might never see them again. See her again. Despite the ticking clock, he took the time to marvel at how beautiful she could look even when the city was falling apart. Regret at moments long gone and opportunities ignored washed through him. He hated himself for his fear of acknowledging his feelings and his major oversights over the years when it came to Lois Lane. It hurt to know that if today really was his last, regret over so many things would inevitably follow him to the grave.

"I'm sorry," he repeated. He dropped his arms to his sides and turned to go. "Goodbye, Lois."

"Goodbye?" he heard her say. "Goodbye is permanent, Smallville. You're not supposed to say that."

He turned back. "Who taught you that?"

"My mom used to say it," she answered simply. "You are coming back, aren't you?"

Clark swallowed. He didn't answer. That way, he didn't have to lie. He gave her a weak smile. "See you later, Lois."

He turned away again, but not before he heard a soft, "See you around…Smallville."

It occurred to him in that very minute that he shouldn't have to regret everything. There was one thing, at least, he wanted to do to take away a touch of the regret he felt for hiding his feelings for her. Besides, he thought, if this was his day to die, then he deserved a little bit of happiness before he went.

"Lois?" he whispered hoarsely. She too had turned away, looking out over the slowly darkening city.

Before she had the chance to fully turn around he was in front of her, holding her face in his hands. He saw the quick look of surprise before he caught her lips with his in a fierce and urgent kiss. His mind took on such a haze that he hardly noticed when her hands gripped the collar of his jacket to pull him closer before abandoning it in favor of wrapping her arms around his neck. Slipping a hand into her dark hair, he slowed the kiss down as though he had all the time in the world, letting it sink into something much more gentle and slow. Which was quite an accomplishment for him, considering all he wanted to do was crush her against him and never let go. He should have done this a long time ago.

The seconds seemed to melt into hours with her, at the same time strangely feeling all too brief. When he did release her, he kept his eyes closed, leaning forward to kiss her forehead. "Bye, Lois."

He opened his eyes to see her watching him with an odd expression on her face. He pulled away from her and with great difficulty, he walked away and sped outside, away from the Daily Planet, and even harder, away from Lois.


Lois stared at the door he had exited through in a daze, her lips still tingling slightly.

Bye, Lois.

He hadn't said he wasn't coming back. But there was something about that finality in his voice that scared her. It didn't matter that he hadn't said where he was going or what he was doing; whatever it was, Clark seemed to think it was serious enough that he wouldn't see her again.

Involuntarily, her gaze drifted towards the smoky mess that was downtown Metropolis.

No way, she thought. Smallville might not exactly be a genius, but he isn't dumb enough to go down there.

Dumb enough, no, her mind seemed to answer. But it's Clark. When is he not in the middle of things like this?

That was true. But why in hell would he go there? No one even knew what was going on; reports were sketchy at best. He was going to get himself killed.

Bye, Lois.

He obviously knew that getting killed was likely. So why would he –?

Something clicked in her head, and she stopped short, her eyes wide.

"Oh my –" Her eyes widened even further as a loud roar echoed through the eerily quiet streets. " – God."

Abandoning her post on the roof, she ran for the door. Screw promises, she had to find Clark.


So, should I continue? :) I hope this was good (I'm a little doped up on allergy medicine right now, so my judgement is a little off, haha). Reviews would be greatly appreciated!