TITLE: MY MOMENT

This is a One-Shot for post-Hydro!

The elevator door to Oliver Queen's Metropolis base opened widely, allowing Clark Kent to enter. He was both nervous and excited, having had an earth-shattering liplock with Lois Lane, the highlight of his night. He studied the unwavering gaze of the multi-billionaire CEO of Queen Industries, who's gaze matched his, and wondered what the reaction to that kiss would be.

As Oliver put his paper down, Clark couldn't help but feel elated, Oliver had that lost little puppy look in his face, showing Clark far more emotion than he expected.

"Do you know what it's like to be second-best Clark? To know the woman you love sees you differently after you've spent so much time trying to make her love you?" Oliver asked, standing up and moving to the front of his desk. Clark frowned, he did know. Answering truthfully, Clark met Oliver's gaze and said, "yeah."

Oliver smiled, "of course, I read all about Lana's heart-breaking confession this morning. Then you must know how I feel, Clark. I'm torn, confused, and I feel betrayed, and I know it wasn't your fault."

Clark's expression didn't change as he looked at Oliver. "I know, Clark, that you didn't want to kiss Lois, and we both knew that she might. What I didn't expect was for her to compare my kissing ability to yours."

Clark blushed, remembering her confession of his kissing ability and his state of mind after that... kiss.

"I don't know what to say, Oliver. I never meant to make her have these feelings."

"Clark, do you remember what I said after I found out Lois lived with you for so long?"

"Yeah, you said, 'if I had her living with me, I'd hide my feelings too, Clark', right?"

Oliver nodded. "Yeah. I... I can see it already, Clark. Lois feels differently about me now. She looks at me, and sees Oliver, her boyfriend, the okay kisser. She looks at whoever the Green Arrow was that night... and she sees a potential someone. I can't explain it any better than that."

Clark frowned, wondering what his point was. "Clark, I can see it with you, too. You're falling for her hard, and I don't blame you. It's just so hard to see her slipping away from me. It tears me up to know that if I had just been honest with her, if I had been honest, I wouldn't be going through this pain now."

Clark walked over, worried, and said, "where does this leave us, our friendship?"

Oliver shrugged, "I can't really blame you or Lois, Clark, that wouldn't be fair to put you in that situation. I think that for everyone, the best thing would be for me to go back to Star City. At least there, I can do some good, and hope that Lois finds happiness."

Then, after pausing to take a breath, he asked, "how do you feel now that you've kissed Lois?"

Clark blushed but said, "I don't know. I was surprised, and I... I liked it, alot. I've wondered what kissing Lois would be like, Oliver, but I never made a move because of a lot of things."

Oliver smirked and said, "well, just do me a favor. Treat her right, Clark, or I'll find a way to hurt you."

Clark smiled. "You know, it's funny. When I got back, Chloe knew I was the Green Arrow that night because of Jimmy Olsen. She... she had this look on her face that said, "I so saw this coming". I wonder if everyone's noticed it, other than me and Lois."

Oliver shook his head. "Clark, I... just promise me that you'll protect her."

Clark stared him down and said, emphatically, "with my life."

As Oliver headed up to the Helipad, Clark smiled and ran back to Metropolis, intent on seeing Lois... now.

End