Disclaimer: DC Comics and WB Entertainment own everything. No profit is being made from this story. This is strictly for my own amusement.

Author's Notes: This will NOT be the final chapter. *hear that Laney?* HA, my Muse has a name now! *lol* There will be a small amount of angst, but it's only because they're crazy about each other and their feelings are still a bit raw. You'll know what I mean. I sincerely hope you enjoy this chapter. Ok then read on.

~o~o~

Chapter 2: We're Almost There

The Daily Planet building, just after lunch:

In the long elevator ride up to the bullpen, Lois and Clark were at the back of the elevator staring at each other. No one seemed to notice. Only ten more floors to go, then the last person got off and then they were in each other's arms, kissing and caressing as if their lives depended upon it.

Clark's lips flowed down her throat. He managed to talk. "How much longer before we can leave here and … talk?"

"Talk, huh? I don't think so," Lois replied. "Oh, Clark, this is the longest day ever."

The elevator dinged then they jumped apart but, unfortunately, their hair was a bit windblown. They had flown together for the first time since the invasion. It was lovely and beautiful. Of course, they couldn't stop kissing each other.

"Wait, your hair," Clark said and tried to smooth it down.

"Yours isn't much better." She smoothed his hair.

The elevator door opened Lois exited first and went down the hall. Clark went in the other direction.

Once at her desk, she sent him a text.

This is crazy!

I know.

What are we going to do?

Lois, we can do this. We just need to keep busy, concentrate on other things, and …

And what?

Can you cover for me? I have to go. Bye.

Lois sighed and placed her head in her hands. Then an idea came to her, and it just may be the answer to their problem, but Perry would have to agree to it. She jumped up and knocked on his door. "Got a minute Chief?"

"Only if you have that Superman story I asked for three hours ago." He raised his eyebrows.

"Well, I … Ummm, I just got back from lunch," Lois said knowing that was stupid excuse.

"I gave it to you at the staff meeting." He frowned. "What is going on with you?"

"Nothing, but I was thinking."

"Oh, no, what about?"

She closed the door, went over to the window and happened to catch a glimpse of Superman flying over the city.

"Lois, what is it? What are you staring at?" He stood up and realized what it was. "Oh, it's him."

"He's amazing, isn't he?" Lois asked, a bit wistfully.

"I get it now. Sit down, Lois." Perry realized that her family were pretty much non-existent in her life. He'd known her since she was a teenager, showing up after school and giving him stories from her high school newspaper hoping to acquire a job there. She was practically a daughter to him.

"But Chief, I wanted to ask you something."

"It can wait, take a seat," he demanded in his fatherly tone.

"I know that tone of voice. What did I do now?"

"Lois, I saw the kiss."

"The kiss?" Did he mean in the conference room, but the door was closed.

"Yes, in the street after Superman rescued you."

"Oh, you mean that kiss."

"Are you in love with him because it could spell disaster for you?" He held up his hand to stop her from speaking. "I know it's not my place to say these things, but … I care what happens to you."

"Chief, you don't have to worry. I'm not in love with him. He's just a fantasy, someone you put up on a pedestal to admire now and then. I mean, it's nothing more than that," Lois managed to say, thinking about him.

"Are you sure, because I would hate to see you get hurt?" He paused. "He's not one of us."

"I know that," Lois replied not looking at him.

"Alright, if you say so. I won't bring it up again." He leaned back in his chair and watched her for a moment. "Now what did you want to ask me?"

"It's not important." She stood up. "I'll finish my story and send it to you in a little while."

He frowned. "Ok, I'll look for it then."

Lois left his office, closed the door and leaned against it. She looked up, and Clark walked in. He flashed a brilliant smile just for her. She tried to bring up a smile, but she couldn't. She hurriedly headed to her desk, pulled out her rooftop access card and headed for the elevator.

Clark frowned as he watched her leave. "Lois?"

"I'll be right back." The elevator door closed, and Clark watched as it went up instead of down. He headed for the stairwell. He was waiting for her when the rooftop door opened.

"Lois, what is it?"

She put her hand over her heart. "Oh, you startled me."

"I'm sorry. Are you Ok? Did you want to be alone? Is that why you came up here?" Clark didn't know what to think.

"Actually, I did, but you can stay. We need to talk."

His heart constricted. That did not sound pleasant. "What is it? Is anything wrong?"

He sounded upset. "No, no, nothing is wrong." She took his hand and walked over to the ledge. They stood there for a minute or two. "It's going to take a long time before this city will ever get back to normal."

Clark sighed, put his arm around her shoulder. She leaned into him. "I know it will, but I'll help as much as I can."

"I know you will." She turned to him then she touched his chest with both hands. "Clark, I had an idea something that would help us get through our workdays here at the office."

"Oh, and what's that?"

"Well, how about we share an office? I could convince Perry to make us partners."

"Partners, you mean share bylines on stories?" He liked that idea at first. "But what if we have a disagreement on how the article should be written? Our writing styles are quite different. It may cause problems in our relationship, and that's the last thing I would want."

"I don't think it will. We'll compromise, discuss the issue, brainstorm, and maybe work late at night alone," she wiggled her eyebrows, "and we can spend a lot more time together. It's a win-win situation."

He thought about it, and it certainly would help with all this secrecy and not being able to work together as much as they wanted. "I think I like the idea."

"I knew you would like it." She hugged him close. "Clark, Perry saw us kissing in the street after you saved my life."

"He did and what did you say?"

She held him tighter. "I told him that you were a fantasy, unreachable, on a pedestal, and kind of like a god."

He pulled back and took her hand. "Lois, I'm not a god."

She squeezed his hand. "I know that, but I had to throw him off the track so he would think there's nothing between us."

He shook his head. "I hate all of these lies."

"It's for the best. You won't have a chance if everyone knows your secret." She watched him closely. "We won't have a chance. You do realize that it has to stay that way." He nodded. "Let's head back downstairs. You use the stairwell, and I'll take the elevator. Once we're set up as partners, no one will think twice about seeing us together."

He pulled her to him. "You're brilliant, just in case you haven't heard it before."

"I've heard it before," she told him with a cheeky grin.

He shook his head at her. "Before we go back, I need this," he whispered and kissed her for a minute or two but it wasn't nearly enough. Then they went their separate ways.

~o~o~

"Did you say partners?" Perry was flabbergasted. "Lois Lane has never had a partner, and you know why."

"I know you're talking about my ego, but the past several weeks have humbled me Chief. Just look out the window. We could have all died except for one man. It's something to make you evaluate everything about your life." She paused as she thought about him. "You know, it's strange, but he changed me."

Perry was silent as he thought about her words. "Alright, we'll try it for a few months, but if your product deteriorates, it's over between you two."

Relieved, Lois smiled at him. "Thanks, Chief." Perry hadn't seen a smile from her like that in an awful long time. He frowned.

"Chief, it's Ok to smile now and then."

Perry managed a smile. "Go on, get out of here. I'll contact IT, and you can move in tomorrow."

"Thanks Perry," Lois said. She left him with a confused look on his face.

Lois closed the door, and Clark saw her. He stood up and watched her face and knew everything was a go. She gave him two thumbs up. He smiled that brilliant smile she loved so much.

Love, now where did that come from?

~o~o~

Later that evening, in Lois's apartment:

They were just finishing up dinner, but Clark couldn't find it in his mind to tell her that her cooking skills were a bit lacking. "That was delicious." He swallowed with difficulty.

She gave him a side-eye glance then took his dinner plate. "Thank you so much. You don't have to lie, it was awful. The salad was limp, the chicken was undercooked, the string beans were soggy, and the rice was …"

He stood up and took her by the shoulders. "Lois, I know you wanted our first evening together to be special, and it was special, and do you know why?"

"Because I didn't poison you with the food I prepared?" She asked with a straight face.

"No, because it was prepared with loving hands and I love you for trying."

Does he even realize what he's saying? She thought. Not looking at him, she headed to the kitchen. Does he even know the meaning of the word? What a question, Lois, of course he knows. He loves everybody, every human on Earth. I know that to be true, but what about me? Stop it Lois. You sound like a needy female.

Clark frowned, then he shrugged his shoulders, picked up the glasses and silverware and headed to the kitchen, but when he got there Lois was sitting at the kitchen table dabbing at her eyes with a dishtowel. He put the dishes in the sink and came over to her. He sat down and watched her for a minute. "Lois, what is it? Are you crying?"

"No, I have something in my eye." She put the dishtowel down. "See, I'm fine." Her smile was a bit strained, and it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"No, you're not." He took her hand and pulled her into the living room. She didn't resist, but sat down on the sofa, and he sat down next to her. "Now tell me what's bothering you."

She took a deep breath and turned to him and there it was, the same look he had given her in the cornfield after he had rescued her. She would never forget that moment.

"I know what it is," he whispered, when she hadn't said anything.

"You do?" She asked, wondering if it were true that he could read her mind.

He squeezed her hand. "You're worried about us, aren't you? Wait, just let me finish, please. I know I'm not like anyone you've ever met. I'm an alien and …"

She touched his lips. "Clark, don't ever say that to me again Ok? I … I like you, and it doesn't matter to me. But I know it will be an adjustment for us, but I think we can do this. I'd like to try if you're willing?" She tried to bring up a smile.

"Of course, I'm willing." He smoothed her hair behind her ear. "And Lois, you should know something, and I've been thinking about it for a while now."

"What is it?"

"I can't explain it, but every minute that we were together, I felt it. Did you?"

She bowed her head. "Yes, I did."

He raised her chin. "You shouldn't be afraid. I'm not going to hurt you."

"Oh, Clark, I know you would never hurt me."

"You seem so sure." She had seen him destroy Zod, and that worried him.

She looked into his eyes. "I'm very sure."

She always amazed him. He pulled her to him tightly. He kissed her hair and her temple. "I should go."

"No, don't go." She pulled him closer. "I don't want you to go."

"Lois, we shouldn't."

Frowning, she pulled away. "But why not, I know you want me?"

"I do want you, don't ever doubt that. It's just …." He hesitated. He needed to hold her so badly. It was palpable discomfort in every part of his body.

"Go on, you can tell me anything," Lois said hoping to persuade him.

"I've never wanted to be with anyone because of what I am, not ever until I met you," he confessed then he lowered his eyes.

Lois was shocked then she took his hand. "Look at me, Clark."

He raised his blue eyes to her face, but what he saw there wasn't pity or amusement, just trust and he adored her for that.

"We'll take it slow Ok?" Lois smiled at him.

"You actually have no idea how much I want you. I can't seem to think about anything else." He touched her cheek, his hand moved to the back of her neck then he pulled her to him and kissed her. She closed her eyes as their lips met. Lois saw his need, felt it all the way down to her toes. Holding her tight against him, almost hurting her. He kissed her over and over again, never tiring of it. He stood up suddenly, then he picked her up carried her to her bedroom and laid her down.

"Are you sure about this?" Clark asked, hoping she would say yes because he'd never been so sure of anything in his life.

"Oh Clark, yes, I'm sure!" Lois smiled and held up her arms. He twirled out his clothes, then came into her arms then helped her remove her clothes slowly loving seeing her squirm and try to be still. He watched her for a bit but then he spotted the scar on her lower hip.

"What is it, why did you stop?"

He reached out and touched the scar. "If I hadn't been there …?" He couldn't finish.

She took his hand. "But you were there, and every other time that you saved me. I never thanked you." Her eyes watered. "Thank you, Clark."

He wiped away a tear that slid down her cheek. Lois closed her eyes and leaned into his hand. "Oh Clark, I need you so much."

"I need you too, Lois." Clark pulled her back into his arms then he kissed her again, stealing deeper and deeper tastes. His palms touched her cheeks gently then his hands moved slowly down her throat. Her back arched waiting for his hands to hold her. Lois was squirming on the bed. She thought she might actually burst into flames, her mouth was dry, and she forgot how to breathe.

He smiled at her actions and then his smile faded. Lois watched him and wondered what he would do next. What is he thinking? Lois wondered.

Clark was thinking. She's so lovely; she takes my breath away. He held her tightly running his hands all over her body. He touched her breasts, her straining nipples, down her flat stomach and that warm and soft part of her that was ready for him. She was desirable to him, so sweet and irresistible.

Lois moaned at his warm touch. His long fingers touched and caressed her pliant flesh, loving the silky wetness of her flesh. Her body lifted up happy and waiting, then his lips were on her breasts tugging and sucking to his heart's content. She gasped as a shiver of desire ran from her heart to her womb. She leaned back to give him better access. "Don't stop, please," she begged. Lois could not help her moans. "That feels so good!"

Clark was so aroused that he thought he might burst from wanting her. His own body was hard and flushed with arousal, his muscles tense with need. He slowly lifted his head and stared into her eyes and kissed her again. He couldn't wait anymore. Then he entered her in one smooth glide, and he didn't stop until he was fully embedded within her body. They both moaned loudly then both loving how they just fit together perfectly.

"Oh, yes, that's it." Lois pulled his head down and kissed him. Lois closed her eyes and let it happen. Clark buried his face in her neck. She was actually a part of him and then she realized that she loved him so much and that maybe they could be together like this for a long, long time. Her soul sang with joy. She followed him to the highest peak and over.

A few minutes later after some tender kisses and caresses, Clark pulled the covers over them. Lois snuggled within his arms feeling safe and so supremely happy.

Lois smiled against his chest, and she couldn't help teasing him. "You did good Smallville."

Clark frowned. "Just good, I think I can do better than that," he whispered. He raised her chin, looked into her eyes and proceeded to show her that he was a superman in more ways than she could think.

Hours later, dawn was breaking, and Lois was about to fall asleep, having never felt so loved or happy in her life. He clearly answered her question about love and the value of the word. She snuggled close within his arms.

It was almost time for Clark to go, but he had to say it before he burst. "Lois, I meant to say something last night, but as you see things got a bit crazy and passionate. You see, I love you, Lois. I don't know when it happened, but it's there none the less. I love you."

Lois' eyes watered then she hugged him close. "Oh, Clark, I love you too."

The end?

~o~o~

Song Inspiration: We're Almost There, Alicia Keys.

A/N: *sniffles with joy and happiness* I hope you liked it. These two get to me every time. At this point, I'm honestly not sure if I'll continue this, so I'll finish it for now. There will be more to this! Thanks for reading everyone. Please leave a comment. Thank you for reading.