Authors Note: Wow, thanks everyone. I must admit it's a long time since I've written a story so I wasn't too sure how it would go down; hence the shortness of the teaser. I'm glad it's captured your attention though and I promise the chapters will be much longer from this point onwards. With that said, I hope you enjoy the story and I look forward to reading your reviews… I should also mention that I love constructive criticism, so if you don't like where I'm taking the story then please feel free to let me know. Thanks again everyone!

Chapter One:

I rolled over onto my side, instantly regretting my decision; my head was pounding so hard that I could have sworn there was a heard of elephants stampeding across my temple. I groaned as I began my checklist, thumping headache… check. Stuffy nose… check. Sore throat… check. Yep, I was definitely sick. Damn Smallville and his inability to stick to plans. I wasn't one of these people who often pinned their problems on somebody else, but that man had a way of bringing out the worst in me.

But I wasn't about to throw myself a pity party, I had deadlines to meet and stories to break; so with every ounce of energy that I possessed I hauled myself out of bed. Standing stationary for a moment as I waited for the dizziness to subside. I tried to remember the last time I had felt this ill, but as an army brat I had always been taught that sickness was weakness. You fought it out or you perished and if I was certain of anything it was that Lois Lane NEVER perished. With a new found determination I made my way into the bathroom deciding that a hot shower was the answer to all my problems.

Thirty minutes later and a cup of coffee later, I was beginning to feel more alive. Caffeine was my addiction, I could easily put away ten cups a day; it probably explained the abundance of energy that I usually exhibited. Realising that I was running late, I quickly retreated back to the bedroom and haphazardly put on a skirt and blouse combo before rushing out of the apartment; another sign of my upbringing; punctuality earned praise whilst tardiness was a punishable offence.

I stumbled into the Daily Planet office precisely thirty five minutes later, the bull pen was already bustling with activity as people were seemingly unaware of their surroundings and solely focused on whatever story it was that they happened to be chasing. I glanced over at my shared desk and gave a sigh of satisfaction upon seeing the desk opposite noticeably empty. Usually his towering frame was the first thing I search for upon entering the office, and usually I'd be disappointed to find an empty desk. However, today I was relieved with his absence, I wasn't quite ready to take another journey on the apology train.

I made my way across the office, dodging people as they continued on their missions. Falling into my chair I let my throbbing head fall forward onto the desk; today was definitely not going to be a good day. Minutes passed before the smell of fresh coffee pulled me out of my pitiful stupor and just like that my day got a little bit worse. I raised my head and found myself falling straight into a toxic eye contact with Clark Kent. Those eyes should come with a warning; caution… heartbreak in process. I realised I was being a little unfair as the poor man probably had no idea of his affect on the female species; but at the same time it was a little sickening.

"Lois, you look awful. Did you bother to sleep at all last night?"

Just what a girl wants to hear in the morning. I forced out a smile and forced my brain to think of a response. Something witty. But I got nothing; my head was too cloudy. I was also reluctant to bring up last nights events; I didn't want to feel angry as well as sick.

"I… No Smallville. I didn't"

His humorous tone changed instantly as he released it wasn't a self-inflicted illness that had taken over and weakened my usually flamboyant self.

"You're sick Lois, you should be at home in bed. Come on I'll take you home."

His concern made me falter slightly, it sounded genuine, almost as if he cared that I had gotten sick because of him. He was standing next to me now, but I remained firmly in my seat. I wasn't about to let his guilt make me feel worse.

"Sit down Smallville, I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself and believe it or not it was me who made the decision to come to work this morning, I wasn't forced into making an appearance."

A look of hurt flashed across his gaze momentarily before he shrugged and retreated back to his desk.

"Suit yourself Lois, I was just trying to help"

I could feel the anger building inside of me as his words registered in my head. How dare he make me seem like the bad guy when I wouldn't be in this state if he had actually tried to show up on time last night. I know I was perhaps being a little unreasonable, girls got stood up all the time and he had bothered to make an appearance, albeit a little late. Not to mention that he would have no doubt had a brilliant explanation for his delay; but it wasn't the first time it had happened and I had heard almost every excuse under the sun.

"Save me the martyr act Clark, I'm sorry but I'm not in the mood to hear anymore of your excuses'

For a minute he looked like he was about to argue, but then his expression changed. His gaze took on a softer feel and his eyes returned back to being full of sincerity.

"You're sick Lois, we shouldn't be arguing right now. Please just go home and sleep it off?"

He was pleading now. It was both annoying and a little strange. Since when did Smallville care so much about my well-being? I shook my head in disbelief but he must have taken that as his answer for he quickly returned to being insistent. Like I was a small child who could be told what to do.

"Will you stop being so damn stubborn and just listen to my advice for once?"

I smiled as I felt my sense of sarcasm returning a little.

"Wow Smallville, who knew you had it in you… When did you get so high and mighty?"

He rolled his eyes but walked over to my desk again, outstretching his hand and offering it to me. I considered my options; I could either stay and suffer or go home to my lovely warm bed and sleep it off. As much as I hated to admit it Clark was talking sense. I extended my own hand accepted his offer, but not without parting words.

"Just don't let it go to your head, okay?"

He chucked and smiled his crooked smile.

"As if you would ever let that happen, Lois"

I awoke to the smell of bacon and eggs; two things bothered me about that. One: I didn't remember getting into bed in the first place and Two: I certainly couldn't have been cooking if I had been sleeping. From this I expertly deduced that someone else was in my apartment with me and that person had also removed my clothes.

I remembered leaving the office with Clark, him moaning about how I should take better care of myself and then a big, fat nothing. Talk of the devil, Clark appeared in the doorway to my bedroom, not only revealing the identity of my mystery guest but also sending a blush to my cheeks as I realised he had seen me in only my underwear.

"Afternoon sleeping beauty, feeling any better?"

I groaned in response. My throat was on fire and although my headache had considerably improved my nose was still stuffy. Clark wondered over and perched on the edge of my bed. I inadvertently checked that the covers were pulled all the way up to my neck. He caught onto my action and smiled.

"Feeling shy all of a sudden Lois?"

He kinked an eyebrow and my blush deepened after he had just confirmed my earlier fears. I opened my mouth to reply and found my voice was raspy, probably from the unexpected argument that had occurred earlier this morning,

"Why are you still here Clark? Don't get me wrong I'm grateful that you brought me home and everything, but was undressing me really necessary?"

Clark's eyes sparkled and his grin became bigger if that was even possible.

"Don't worry Lois, even in a state of semi-consciousness you wouldn't let me help, so I called Chloe"

Just then Chloe, who had been suspiciously quiet during our conversation, appeared in the doorway carrying a plate of breakfast. I felt a wave of relief wash over me as she came and joined us on the bed.

"Rough night Lo?"

I wasn't the only one who looked uncomfortable at that particular question, Clark shifted uneasily, clearly not wanting his best friend to know about the previous night.

"Not my finest, but Clarky here has been taking good care of me"

I punched his arm and winced, much to his amusement. I cradled my arm to my chest, staring at him in amazement.

"Jeez Smallville, anyone would think you were made of steel."

He chuckled to himself.

"Get some rest Lois, me and Chloe will be here when you wake up"

I felt more satisfaction from that statement then I possibly should have and I made no protest as I snuggled back down and drifted off to sleep, dreaming off a knight in shining armour who looked suspiciously like Clark.