CHAPTER 1: ASKING THE QUESTION
Daily Planet - 10:00
Clark was busy typing his story when he heard her voice. The voice that as of late has been haunting his dreams. He stops typing and watches as she comes closer to his desk.
"Hey Smallville," she says with a smile.
"Hey Lois," he replies.
But instead of sitting down at her desk, she continues to walk right by him. He swivels his chair around and continues to watch as she stops in front of the elevator; pressing the button to go down.
His eyes can't help but linger on her long shapely legs. I guess I am a leg man, he thinks to himself. Then the doors open and she steps into the elevator. She happens to look up and see him observing her. Just as the doors are closing, she winks at him; smiling as the doors completely close.
She winked at me. Why did she do that? She doesn't normally wink at me for no reason? Was she flirting with me? And why did I blush? Maybe I should just ask her out on a date. That's what normal people do. Except I'm not exactly a 'normal' person. But what if she turns me down? Then again, she could say yes. Ugh! So many damn questions. He just shrugs his shoulders and turns back to his computer. I'll think about it later.
Five minutes earlier...
Lois was in the copy room waiting for her turn at the machine. She was trying to concentrate on reading the story in her hands, but instead her thoughts center on the blue-eyed man who now occupies the desk in front of her. She looks over in his direction; watching as he continues typing. Her eyes are fixed on his hands; fascinated by how his fingers seem to fly across the keyboard.
I've never seen anyone type that fast. How does he do it? she wonders. I can just imagine what else his fingers could fly over. She gives herself a mental shake. Get a grip Lois. You shouldn't think about Smallville in that way. He's one of your best friends for pete's sake. She finally gets her turn at the machine and begins to make her copies, but her eyes keep lingering on Clark.
He stops typing for a moment to run his fingers through his hair. Umm, she sighs. I wonder if his hair is as soft as I think it is. Her eyes pop open at that thought. Okay Lois, stop it. Stop fantasizing about how much you want Clark to... oh, who are you kidding Lois? You just want Clark period. I wish he wanted me in the same way.
She frowns for a moment. All the mixed signals. Well I'm not making any move unless he does it first. I won't put myself out there again. Not after what happened at Chloe and Jimmy's wedding. The only good thing to come out of that fiasco was...actually, now that I think about it - nothing good came out of it.
Then she thinks about what almost happened with Clark. I know he wanted to kiss me. Why did Lana of all people have to choose that exact moment to show up? She frowns again at the name of Clarks supposed soul mate. I've never understood that relationship. They just don't seem compatible. What did he ever see in her anyway?
She finishes making her copies and begins to walk towards her desk. It's almost noon. Time for lunch. Maybe I should just ask him to join me. But she chickens out. Maybe tomorrow, she tells herself. I know; a thought occurring to her, I'll just walk by him and just say 'hi' then go into the elevator. I know he likes to look at my legs. I've caught him on several occasions. He always blushes and turns his head away. He's the only guy I know who can blush like that and make it look sexy. She smiles to herself, then approaches his desk. "Hi Smallville," she says; walking past him.
"Hi Lois," he replies.
She continues on until she reaches the elevator; pushing the 'down' button. She could feel his eyes on her as she stands there waiting for the doors to open. She takes out a compact from her purse and pretends to powder her nose. I thought so; smiling to herself. He is checking me out. I knew it. The doors open and she steps into the elevator. She looks up and sees him looking at her. I'll wink at him. I bet that'll make him blush. He'll wonder why I did because I don't usually. She winks at him as the doors begin to close. Yep. He blushed.
Daily Planet - 12:00
Clark finishes proofreading his story, then clicks on 'publish'. Thank goodness that's done. He stands up and puts on his jacket; once again looking over at Lois's empty desk. I should have asked her what she was doing for lunch. He glances down at his watch. 12:00. I guess I'll just go out and pick up a sandwich or something, walking over to the elevator and pressing the button for 'down'. The doors finally open and he steps inside. As the doors are about to close, he hears her voice calling him.
"Smallville," she calls out. "Hold that elevator!" running towards him. He keeps his fingers on the 'Doors open' button until she steps in, then let's go of it; the doors closing on them.
"So..." after a few moments of silence, "Going out for lunch?" he finally asks her.
"Yeah," not looking at him. "I thought I'd pick up a sandwich or something."
"It's funny you should say that," He remarks.
She looks at him curiously. "Why is that?"
"I was just thinking the exact same thing," smiling back at her.
"That's nice," turning her head back and staring as the floor numbers continue to decrease.
Come on Kent. Just ask her. It's only lunch. It's not as if you're asking her on a date. You've had lunch with her before. It's not that difficult.
Why is he having such a difficult time just asking me for lunch. You would think he was asking me on a date. She frowns for a moment. What if he did? What if he was hinting at more than just lunch?
He tilts his head slightly; a curious look on his face. Why is she frowning? What is she thinking about? He just sighs. Why does it have to be so hard? You know why Kent. You're the one making it hard. You're the one who's afraid to get his heart broken again. At that thought, he straightens up; clearing his throat. I'm gonna do it. I'm going to ask her out. He's about to call her name when the doors suddenly open.
"I'll see you later Smallville," winking at him again as she exits the elevator.
Damn it! rushing after her. "Lois," he calls out to her, but she's already exited the building. He stands outside and looks up and down the street. Where'd she go? If I didn't know any better, I would think she had super speed? He frowns again, then starts walking down the street towards a cafe he frequents. Maybe I'll ask her tomorrow; knowing full well that he'll probably lose his nerve again.
Daily Planet - End of day
Lois was on the phone when Clark came back from his meeting with the new Editor-in-Chief. She looks up at him as he sits back down at his desk. She hurriedly says goodbye to who she was talking to, then hangs up. "Smallville?"
He looks up at her. "Yes Lois?"
She gets up from her chair and walks around to his side of the desk and sits down on the edge of it; crossing her legs in front of him. He can't help but notice her skirt riding up a few inches up her thighs. She's doing that on purpose. She just wants to rattle me.
"How did it go?" she asks.
"How did what go Lois?" pretending to not know what she was talking about.
She purses her lips into a frown. "The meeting with the new Editor-in-Chief, that's what?"
"Oh that," he says matter of factly.
"Yes THAT?" she retorts; casually swinging her leg.
Don't look at her legs. Don't think about how much you want to lay your lips on her toes and...
"Smallville?" staring at him as he turns at least two shades of red right in front of her. "Are you okay? You look a little flushed?"
"Huh?" he murmurs. Then he realizes she was talking to him. Get a grip Clark. He gives himself a mental shake. "I'm sorry. My mind sort of drifted. What did you say?"
"I asked you if you were okay. One minute you looked fine, and the next minute you were as red as the blouse I'm wearing right now," her finger casually gliding up and down the lapel of her jacket.
"I'm fine Lois."
"Uh huh," not believing him. "So you didn't answer my question. How did it go with Perry White?"
"It went fine Lois. It's not as if he was a complete stranger. After all, I've known him for over five years."
"Really?" staring at him in disbelief. "Exactly how do you know him?"
"I met him when he came to Smallville over five years ago. He was working for "X-Files" at the time."
"Oh," looking thoughtful for a moment. "Wasn't that show cancelled recently?"
"I hadn't heard about that. I don't watch a lot of television."
"So what did he say?"
Man she doesn't quit does she? No wonder they call her "Mad Dog Lane" behind her back. I wonder if she knows that? Probably. But if she did - wouldn't she say something? Sometimes I just can't figure her out. One minute she's acting all flirty with me - the next, she's cool and professional.
"Clark?"
"What Lois?" giving himself a mental shake.
"You just drifted off again. What's with you today?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that all day you've been pretty quiet. And I keep on catching you ogling me."
His eyes widen at her comment. "I have no idea what you're talking about," getting up from his chair and putting on his jacket.
She hops off the desk and grabs him by the collar. "Admit it Smallville, you want me - don't you?" her voice an octave higher than normal.
He gulps thickly. I can't believe she asked me that question. What do I tell her?
"Well?" she asks. "Do you or don't you? Because I'm getting tired of all the mixed signals." That's just great Lois. You just vowed a while ago not to make a move. So much for your good intentions.
He continues to stare at her. But he's not the only one. She glances around to see that everyone has stopped what they're doing; watching the two of them. He slowly turns his head to see what she's looking at. That's just great. If I say yes, then I'll never hear the end of it. If I say no, she'll be humiliated and she'll never speak to me again. Then he makes a decision.
"I'm not going to answer that question here Lois," removing her hands from his collar; grabbing her hand and pulling her along with him as he walks away.
"Where are we going?" she remarks; following him down the hall. But he doesn't say a word until he reaches the supply closet; pulling her inside and closing the door behind him.
"You want the truth Lois? I'll give you the truth," stepping toward her. She takes a few steps backward until her back hits the wall. He places his hands on the wall on each side of her head and gazes intently into her hazel eyes. "I do want you Lois," he says. "But more importantly, I need you."
She stares at him in shock. "You need me?" looking a bit confused. "What happened to..." But he interrupts her.
"I'm not in love with Lana anymore," he states simply. "I never needed her as much as I need you Lois. Now the question is," leaning in to whisper in her ear, "Do you feel the same about me?"
She swallows thickly; his hot breath tickling her neck. "Umm," a small moan escaping her lips.
"Can I take that as a yes?" he quips; pulling back and smiling down at her.
"Uh huh," she murmurs.
"Good," he replies. "Then there's just one more question I have to ask you."
"Okay. What is it?"
"Will you go out on a date with me Saturday night?"
She smiles back at him. "I thought you'd never ask."
TO BE CONTINUED...
Coming up next: Getting ready for the big date
THE STORY OF MY LIFE - NEIL DIAMOND
Words and music by Neil Diamond
The story of my life is very plain to read
It starts the day you came
And ends the day you leave
The story of my life begins and ends with you
The names are still the same
And the story's still the truth
I was alone.
You found me waiting and made me your own
I was afraid
That somehow I never could be a man that you wanted of me
You're the story of my life, and every word is true
Each chapter sings your name
Each page begins with you
It's the story of our times and never letting go
If I die today, I wanted you to know
Stay with me here
Share with me, care with me
Stay and be near
And when it began I'd lie awake every night
Just knowing somewhere deep inside
That our affair just might write
The story of my life is very plain to read
It starts the day you came
It ends the day you leave.