A.N: I didn't want to wait til Monday. ;D

Chapter 1

"I thought you weren't returning for another six months", Jonathan said suddenly during dinner. He looked up from his plate to find Martha glaring at him and Clark staring down at his plate.

"I get two weeks of vacation, sir", Clark muttered.

"Oh", Jonathan nodded before he continued eating.

"But hopefully", Clark said looking up from his plate, "I'll be home more often after this summer."

"This summer", Martha asked looking at her son.

"It's going to be my last summer in Germany mom", Clark smiled at her, "I requested a transfer to Fort Ryan and it's been approved."

Martha grinned. "That's wonderful Clark! Fort Ryan is only a twenty minute drive from here and with your abilities…."

"Why did you transfer", Jonathan asked cutting her off.

Martha and Clark looked at him slowly. Clark took a deep breath before responding, "Mom's told me about the hospital visits dad. I don't have to x-ray you to know your heart's pumping three beats slower than the average person. And today at the hardware store you stopped three times to take a breath. You've got a weak heart dad. With me closer to home, I can help around the farm-"

"Like hell you will", Jonathan said standing.

"Why do you have to be so stubborn", Clark stood toe to toe with him, "I'm only trying to help you."

"I don't need your help, Clark", Jonathan shook his head before turning away.

"Yes", Clark called after him, "You obviously do, dad!"

Jonathan stopped and turned around looking at his son who was now a man, standing before him. "I never wanted this life for you."

"Dad", Clark said softly walking toward him, "I'm not a kid. I am capable of making my own decisions. And I've already decided. I'm going to be closer to home. I can sneak out of the base, come here and do the chores before you even wake up. It'll be fine. Dad, you need my help. Let me help you."

Jonathan felt tears prick his eyes. "I never approved you going off to the Army…"

"Which you remind me every day", Clark smirked nodding.

"But, it will be nice to see you more than once a year…"

"Twice a year dad", Clark corrected.

Jonathan nodded and walked over to him wrapping him in a hug. Clark stood shocked into silence. His father hadn't hugged him since he graduated from high school and he'd announce that he'd enlisted.

"I love you, son", Jonathan mumbled softly knowing that only Clark would be able to hear.

"I love you, dad", Clark mumbled into his shirt as he returned the hug.

Clark walked down the halls of the base's main building. He had an early meeting with his new commanding officer. That morning he'd woken up early, before the sun even rose, and worked on the farm. He'd fed the animals, fixed a fence that his mother mentioned the night before and cleaned out the stalls. By the time his parents had woken up, breakfast was already served on the table and he was dressed for his meeting. The Army expected things like that. His parents didn't. But he liked surprising them from time to time. He smiled softly to himself not noticing as he bumped into a wall.

Except the wall wasn't as strong as he was and she fell down to the ground in front of him, scattering all her papers on the floor.

Clark's eyes widened, "I am so sorry…"

He bent down to help her pick up everything she was carrying. His curiosity got the better of him as he peaked and realized they were articles. "You're a reporter?"

"No", she mumbled, "I just write for fun."

He smirked at her sarcasm.

"Don't smile so much and make yourself useful", she growled.

"Right", he said, "Sorry…"

He picked up the rest of the papers quickly and tried to help her up as well.

"I'm good, thanks", she nodded.

He looked at her and realized for the first time that she was pretty. Not in a superficial way, but she had a fiery look to her. Like she didn't take crap from anyone, much less a soldier. Obviously, she was surrounded by them a lot.

"Hey, Lois", a soldier behind him called out, "This guy bothering you?"

Lois, Clark smiled, now he had a name.

"No, Wes", she called to him shaking her head, "This big for nothing soldier just bumped into me is all."

"Well, alright then", he eyed Clark warily and left them alone.

Lois smiled softly biting the corner of her lip. "He doesn't like you."

"He doesn't know me", Clark shook his head in confusion.

"True", she nodded, "But you're still talking to me."

"What is he", Clark asked, "Your boyfriend?"

Lois snorted. "Hardly… Wes is like my big brother. He's just really protective is all..."

"Right", Clark nodded.

"I'm Lois", she smiled extending her free hand.

"Clark", he said shaking it enthusiastically.

"Whoa there, Clarkie", she grinned taking back her hand; "You've got quite a handshake there."

Clark closed his eyes and groaned. He scolded himself for not controlling his strength around her.

"Too strong", he asked, "I'm sorry-"

"Don't apologize", she shook her head, "You can tell a lot about a person based on their handshake. I have to say, I've met royalty and yours is the most confident handshake I've ever encountered."

"I'm hardly confident, miss", he smiled.

"I didn't say you were confident", she winked walking around him.

"Wha-hey!"

"You here to see someone", she asked.

"Um… yeah… A General Lane?"

"Daddy", she nodded, "Of course… he's right around that corner. Just follow the smell of cigar and whiskey and you should be fine. Good luck."

"Good luck? Daddy? Wait!"

He turned to find her but she had already rounded the next corner and left his sight.

Clark stood in front of the closed door for a second before knocking. What if they'd terminated his request? What if he hadn't actually been approved and he would be forced to carry out the rest of his term in another location, chosen by the government? What if they knew about him? Meeting with a new commanding officer was always a nerve wracking experience. You didn't know what they knew until you opened the door. But what they knew could be life changing and that was scary every time. Clark breathed in slowly and let the breath out just as softly. He didn't want to blow the door off its hinges. He raised his hand and knocked softly and consistently. He listened in carefully for a reply. When the gruff invitation came through the wooden door, he opened it. He stepped inside and saluted the man behind the desk, the way he'd been taught the last three years.

"At ease soldier", the man said slowly standing and walking around the desk to greet him.

Clark dropped his hand and stood with his legs separate from one another and his hands tied behind his back.

"And you are", the man asked with a stogie in his mouth.

"Sir, Clark Kent, Sir."

Clark was taught to never look directly at your commanding officer, so he missed the change in demeanor and widened eyes on the general.

"Clark Kent, eh", General Sam Lane asked, "I've heard a lot about you… good things might I add. Top of your class at Smallville High…."

Sam walked back to his desk retrieving one of the folders that sat there and opened it. "Top of your brigade… You actually are the first soldier to become an E-4 in just under three years… have a seat, son…"

Clark nodded and sat down in one of the leather chairs in front of him.

"Sir, I recently became Corporal, sir", Clark answered.

"I see that", Sam nodded, "That is quite impressive."

"Sir, thank you, sir."

"Enough with this sir yes sir business, I get it all day long", Sam shook his head as he sat on the edge of his desk, crossing his arms in front of him.

"Sir, yes-" Sam glared at him and Clark mumbled, "Sorry."

"I understand", Sam laughed, "Took me a whole year to stop saying ma'am yes ma'am to my wife…"

Clark smiled. "My parents must hate it then…"

"I'm sure they'll love it in the beginning… but try not to overdo it."

"Yes, sir", Clark nodded.

"So", Sam started picking up the folder again, "It says here you want to transfer to our very own Fort Ryan…. Why is that?"

"It's my dad, sir", Clark nodded, "His heart's not as strong as it used to be and me being closer to home can really help my parents out."

"And I thought it'd be because of a girl", Sam said shaking his head.

"No, sir", Clark shook his head, "I don't have anyone like that in my life right now."

Sam nodded. "Well, alright then. You're approved."

Clark's eyes widened and he smiled in excitement.

"But you do know you have to carry out your term in Germany over the summer", Sam continued, "And then you start here with us in September…"

"Yes, sir", Clark nodded enthusiastically.

"Good", Sam said curtly, "Then you better go enjoy the rest of your vacation. I'll see you in September, soldier."

"Yes, sir", Clark nodded again with excitement and stood. He shook his hand and walked out excitedly.

Sam watched the door close behind him and picked up the receiver on his desk. "Wes, I want you to run a background check on Clark Kent. I want to know everything about him right down to what his sleeping habits are and his favorite food. You got that….? Oh and Wes… no one can know you're doing this. It'll be our little secret project."

Clark rounded another corner and stopped himself before knocking into someone again.

"Careful, Kent, that's twice you've bumped into me today. I'm going to start thinking you're stalking me."

"I didn't bump into you that time, Lane", he grinned and then frowned, "How'd you find out my last name?"

"I have friends in high places", she said winking.

He groaned nodding. "Your dad."

"Hardly", she snorted, "Daddy doesn't talk about new recruits."

"So…", he asked, "You're the general's daughter?"

"I'm the general's oldest daughter", she smiled attempting to walk around him.

He blocked her path. "So are you from around here?"

"No way", she laughed, "I was born and raised in the city. Dad's never even been to Smallville until recently. He was transferred here last month. He used to work from Metropolis before that."

"Well", Clark smiled down at her, "Since you're new and all and I'm a local… it's my civil duty to show you around… I would think so anyway."

"Sure", she said shaking her head and finally succeeding walking around him.

"So is that a yes", he called after her.

"I didn't that say that", she called back.

"Is that a no then?"

"Didn't say that either, soldier…"

Clark smiled. "I'll pick you up at 7:00 then", he called after her.

"Make it 8:00 and you've got yourself a date."

"8:00 it is", he confirmed watching her walk away. He smiled softly to himself and shook his head walking in the opposite direction.

Clark looked at himself in the mirror of his room and shook his head removing the white shirt he'd just tried on. He picked up a royal blue dress shirt and buttoned it up. He was tucking it into his black slacks when he heard a knock on the door.

"Come in", he mumbled as he picked up two different ties and held them up to his chest.

"You going somewhere", Martha asked.

"Um… yeah", he nodded, "I've got a date…"

"Clark… I thought things were done with you and La-"

"It's not with her mom", he smiled softly.

"Oh", she said softly, "Need help?"

"I can't pick a tie", he muttered, looking between the two in his hands.

"It's that kind of date", she asked knowingly.

"Yeah", he nodded smiling, "I think so…" She watched him curiously. "Actually, I'm not sure… you think I'm over dressed?"

"Tell you what", she walked up to him taking the two ties out of his hand and hanging them back up, "How about you don't wear one… that way if you're supposed to be dressed up you are and if you're not then you won't look like you're going to the office…"

He smiled. "Thanks. It's been a while…"

"I know honey", Martha nodded smoothing over the front of his shirt and fixing his collar, "So, who is she?"

"Lois Lane", Clark grinned, "She's the general's daughter."

Martha stopped. "General Lane?"

"Yeah", Clark nodded.

Martha stepped back. "Have fun, sweetheart. Don't stay out too late."

"Okay, mom", Clark said taking one final look at his appearance and walking up to her he kissed her cheek and left the room.

Martha felt her chest tighten.

"This is Lois", Ellen introduced smiling.

It couldn't be. What were the chances that in this big world Lois and Clark would actually find each other? She looked around the room one last time before walking out and closing the door softly behind her. She walked down the stairs, noticing Clark had already left. She found Jonathan in the study looking at his rifles and walked up to him slowly. He looked up at her and noticed the concern on her features.

"What is it, Martha", he asked.

"I… I think we have a problem…"

"You're late."

"By about thirty seconds…"

"It's okay", she grinned, "I'm impressed that you knew where I lived."

"That's actually what made me late", Clark excused as he stood on her doorstep, "You seem to be overly protected Miss Lane."

"I grew up around some of these guys", she shrugged, "If they don't look at me like their daughter, they look at me like one of their sisters, or cousins or whatever…"

"I see", he nodded, "How many snipers have their rifles pointed at my head right now?"

"Enough", she smiled and moved aside, "You want to come in?"

He nodded and grinned. "Yeah, sure."

He followed her inside and closed the door behind him.

"I'm bunking with my sister and father", she called over her shoulder, "But they're not home now. Do you want something to drink?"

"Um, no I'm good", he answered though he felt his throat dry at the mention that they were in fact alone.

"Well then, let me just grab my coat and we can go", she smiled walking to the closet in the hallway.

Clark tucked his hands in his pockets grateful for having listened to his mom tonight. She was wearing a pencil skirt with a nice blouse. Nothing to overly dressed, so he was glad he didn't end up wearing a tie. He was watching her, like in a trance, that he didn't realize when she'd suddenly stood right in front of him.

"Earth to Kent", she said waving a hand in front of his eyes.

He snapped out of it and smiled. "You ready?"

"Yeah", she nodded in confusion, "Let's go…"

He led her toward the door and out to his pickup truck with his hand on the small of her back.

"So where do you want to go?"

Lois bit her bottom lip smiling. "Well, its Friday night… where do all the young college kids like to hang out…?"

Clark looked at her. "You want to go to a college hang out?"

"Yeah, why not?"

He shook his head. "Don't you rather go somewhere nice?"

"Somewhere nice", she asked and then shook her head, "No, I want to go somewhere good."

He nodded smiling. "The Talon it is then…"

"The… Talon", she asked.

"Yeah, it fits all your criteria", he nodded, "It's not nice… its actually good… and college kids hang out there. High school too but… it is a small town."

"Sounds perfect", she smiled.

"The only thing is I think we're kind of over dressed", he looked at her.

"So", she asked, "Better to be over dressed than under dressed right?"

"I guess so", he said turning onto the main road that would lead them to Main Street.

Clark walked back to their booth holding their coffees. She was looking around her taking in all the Egyptian décor. He watched her as he sat down across from her and smiled.

"I bet this isn't what you expected to be doing tonight", he shook his head as he took a sip of his drink.

"Definitely not", she smiled taking a sip of hers, "Wow, now that is a good cup of coffee."

"Well, there's a movie starting in a few minutes", he continued, "They usually play these really old movies in the old theatre."

"This is a movie theatre?"

"It used to be", he nodded, "Before La-someone changed it…"

"But they still play movies", she asked excitedly.

"Yeah, the old ones", he nodded taking another sip.

"What are they playing tonight", she looked like a little girl sitting up in excitement.

"I think My Favorite Wife", he shrugged, "I can find out if you want…"

"I love that movie", she smiled biting down on the side of her lower lip.

"We can see it", he nodded.

"I'd like that", she smiled. She glanced into her cup as she felt her face grow hot with a blush.

Clark smiled drinking another sip. "I'll go get us tickets."

He turned to slide out of the booth and stopped looking up into the face of the Talon's owner.

"Lana", he greeted with surprise.

"Hi Clark", she smiled, "When did you get home?"

"Yesterday", he answered then gestured toward Lois who was sitting across from him, "Lana this is Lois, Lois… Lana… she owns The Talon."

"I love what you've done with the place", Lois smiled, "It's amazing."

"Thank you", Lana smiled tightly, "Are you in the Army too?"

"Lana", Clark started.

"Sort of", Lois cut him off, "My dad's a general… I was recruited at birth…"

"Dating the boss' daughter, Clark", Lana smirked with mirth.

"Lois", he looked at her with soft eyes, "Can you excuse us for a second…"

"Yeah", Lois nodded, "I'll just go get us tickets."

Clark pulled out his wallet and handed her a twenty, "I'll meet you inside."

"Okay", she nodded smiling and slid out of the booth, "It was nice to meet you Lana…"

"Likewise", Lana muttered as she walked away. She turned back to Clark, "You weren't going to call?"

"Lana", Clark started, "We broke up. You dumped me when I joined up and left to Germany."

"Yeah, but we also hook up when you get back on leave", she said seductively, "I was waiting for you… But I had to find out from Chloe Sullivan that you were home because her dad saw you at the hardware store… what gives."

"Nothing", he answered quickly, "I just don't think our arrangement is going to work for me anymore."

"You just met her Clark", Lana was seething, "You've known me all your life…"

"Lana we don't work", he shook his head, "It's over… I've got to go."

He walked around her toward the theatre where Lois was standing outside waiting for him. Lana watched him guide her through the double doors into the theatre. She glared.

"Like hell it is, Clark Kent. I don't give up without a fight."

She looked down and saw that Lois had dropped her Military ID card in the booth and smiled picking it up. She tucked it into her apron and walked back toward the counter grinning.

"What was that about", Lois asked as he reached her outside the theatre.

"It's… complicated", he tried.

"A complicated thing", she nodded, "Say no more… I have plenty of those…"

"Yeah", he nodded, "Lana can come on a little strong… but she's great once you get to know her…"

"I don't think she liked me very much", Lois shrugged.

"She just doesn't know you. But she will", he smiled, "Eventually…"

Lois nodded. "I got our tickets."

"Great", he smiled leading her into the theatre.

Clark pulled up to the house on the Army base and looked at her as he parked the car.

"Thanks for tonight", she said, "I had a lot of fun… present exes included…"

He snorted. "Yeah, definitely not the highlight of our night."

"It's okay", she said sincerely, "It's not like you can control that."

He watched her softly. "No, you can't."

"And thank you for using your ID card to get back in", she smiled, "I thought I brought mine with me…"

"Its fine", Clark smiled, "You're just lucky everyone here seems to know you…"

"Yeah", she nodded, "That can be a blessing and a curse believe it or not…"

She smiled and then turned to jump out of the truck, "Well, I'll see you around…"

He smirked and super sped out of the truck to meet her on the other side and opened the door wider for her.

"How did you", she asked looking behind her at the empty driver seat.

"I'm talented", he shrugged.

"I'd say", she said smiling.

He held out his hand to her and she took it. They walked hand in hand up to her porch. Clark stood in front of her with his hands tucked in his pockets.

"So", he started.

"So", she mimicked.

"I'd like to see you again", he said softly.

"Me too", she nodded.

He grinned and lifted his hand, caressing her cheek. His smiled wavered and she saw his eyes take a darker shade. She thought she'd seen red in them, but that was impossible. He started to lean in and was a breath away when she pulled back. "I think we're being watched…"

He pulled back and lowered his gaze nodding. "Right…"

"Sorry", she apologized.

"It's okay", he smiled, "What are you doing tomorrow?"

"Nothing yet", she smiled.

"There's kind of this festival in town", he started, "And I did say I'd show the ropes… you can't visit Smallville and not attend the Miss Sweet Corn Festival…."

She bit her lower lip to keep herself from laughing as he continued.

"Do you want to go with me", he asked.

"Hmm", she pondered and then smiled, "Sure… I'll see you tomorrow."

She leaned up to him and kissed his cheek softly before pulling away.

"Goodnight, Smallville."

He smiled softly. "I'll be by around nine."

"I'll be ready", she said.

"Goodnight Lois", he smiled and then turned around to walk back toward his truck.

He looked over his shoulder and saw she was standing there watching him walk away. He sat in the truck and waited until she was inside before driving away. The twenty minutes it took him to drive home, his smile never left his face.