Lois was relieved to hear she was not the cause of Clark's brushing her off at the shack.

"I will do anything I can to help, just name it." She walked slowly up to him and sat next to him.

"Well, you could keep me company for a while, maybe we could just talk." Clark offered.

"I'm so sorry I got involved in Mike's stupid little game. I did not want to make you uncomfortable."

"Lois, you didn't. I have just experienced the two most special events in my life this afternoon. And I don't just mean the sex, I mean the chance to get close to you. I felt something between us."

"I think it was Clark jr." Lois laughed.

"No, Lois. I had this massive surge of feelings for you, like a floodgate had been opened. I don't want this to be just about what happened in the shack. I want to date you, and spend time getting to know you even more."

Lois smiled. "And maybe occasionally we could...you know..."

Clark looked at her. "Yeah ok, Lois, if we have to, we could even hold hands occasionally." Lois burst into fits of laughter, so did Clark.

Clark suddenly had a flashback to a comment his mom made a few weeks ago that she had never seen her son laugh so much since Lois arrived at the Farm. And it was true. Even though they sparred insults regularly he enjoyed and even needled her deliberately so she would needle him back.

"Can we take this slow, Lois. I know that has not been the case up until now but I am an old fashioned kind of guy."

Lois beamed. "That's why I like you Clark., You're so different from other men."

Clark started to look nervous. "If you want to know my secret at any time, ask and I will tell you."

"No Clark, I would never put you in that position. I always had a feeling that you were special and I will find out when you are willing to share that part of you with me."

Clark stuttered a little. "Lois...I don't know how to ask this. But do you need me to drive you to the drugstore. We can go to an out of town one if you want."

Lois took a while to realise what he was getting at. "Are you meaning about the pill."

He gulped nervously. "Men are so funny. They will sleep with you but get nervous when they ask you about contraception after the event."

Clark looked hurt by her comment. "I know I should have asked, but we couldn't do much about things anyway. I don't exactly carry things around."

"You're new to all this, aren't you Clark?"

""Yeah I am." He went red.

"Clark, calm down. I'm on the pill."

Clark breathed a sigh of relief. "That's great."

Lois changed the subject. "Can we keep this a secret? I kinda like the whole sneaking behind people's backs. Adds to the excitement."

"Fine by me." Clark smiled.

Lois started to kiss him. He could feel the warmth in his body as he deepened the kiss. She started to turn towards him, then suddenly there was a sound of someone entering the barn. It was Jason.

"Hi Clark, your mom said you were up there."

Jason climbed the stairs and smiled at Clark and then at Lois who was now at the other side of the loft.

"I just need to talk about Saturday's match. I want you on the team."

Lois smiled. "Look I'll leave you two to the guy talk. See you back in the house."

"Bye Lois." Jason smiled.

"Ok coach. I'm all for it. Let me know what you have planned."

"Look Clark before we talk about that, I need you to know that I care about Lana a lot and I am not taking advantage of her."

"Jason, I was shocked at first but I think you are good for each other. I swear I will not tell another soul apart from Lois and Chloe who know from other channels."

"Don't tell me Lana told them. How did you cope with her?"

Clark held up his hands. "Don't get me involved coach. Lana is in my past now. I will always love her as a friend but I am not in love with her anymore."

Jason realised it was the truth. "You know, that means a lot coming from you."

Clark and Jason talked tactics. Lois went back in the house amazed and excited by the unfolding events of the afternoon. Clark was amazing. He had a brilliant disguise. She always thought Clark would be one of these solid and predictable men, but underneath the plaid he was on fire.

She had never experienced such passion from anyone before. Maybe his secret was a double life as a gigolo, she laughed to herself.

Chloe arrived at the Farm to see how her cousin was.

"Hi, Lo. Did you get sorted?"

"Yeah it got a bit heated, but we're good now. It was just being stuck in the confines of that wooden structure that made him react the way he did."

"You and him will never get along, will you?" Chloe joked.

Lois just nodded. His dad arrived back from the city.

"Have a nice time in Metropolis, Mr K." Lois smiled.

Jonathan looked worried. "Yeah I did, but looks like all hell is about to break loose again." He headed towards the phone.

"What's up?" Lois asked puzzled.

"As I were coming up the driveway, I was followed by a blast from the past." Jonathan explained.

"Who?" Chloe asked,

"Alicia Baker...looks like Clark's life is going to get complicated again."

Lois tried not to react. "Who is Alicia Baker?"

"She is a meteor powered girl who seduced Clark last year and then got jealous and tried to kill Lana. I thought she had been locked up in Belle Reve." Chloe explained.

Jonathan walked in from the lounge. "I have just spoken to the Sheriff. Apparently she is cured and has been released."

"Where is she now?" Lois asked.

"Probably trying to seduce my son all over again. She went to the barn to see him."

Jonathan explained. "But I am not going to let that happen."

"Neither am I." Lois thought to herself.

Lois sat on the porch with Chloe. Her cousin had wanted to watch the fireworks, although she was pretty convinced that Alicia would be back with Clark before she left the barn.

"Chloe, what do you think is going on in the barn?" Lois asked concerned.

"They are probably making out by now." Chloe rolled her eyes. "He always had a weak spot for Ms. Psycho."

"I hope he doesn't do anything he'll regret." Lois suggested.

Just then, Alicia came out from the barn in tears, got in her car and drove off.

Chloe was going to see what had happened but Jonathan stormed past her straight over to the barn. He did not seem happy.

Jonathan found his son sitting on the sofa. "Hi dad." He seemed chirpy.

"Clark, would you mind telling me what is going on?"

"Nothing dad. Alicia tried to come on to me and I told her I wasn't interested."

"You expect me to believe that. She's a beautiful girl."

"Dad, I am hurt that you think I would go running back to her after all she did last time she was here. Knowing Alicia she has probably fabricated all the stories about her being cured and being released."

"She was released. I spoke to the Sheriff. The concern I have is with Alicia hanging around your studies will suffer. It is an important year Clark and I don't want you to throw all your hard work away."

"I won't..." Clark offered.

"I must admit I was quite relieved when I heard you and Lana were over. You can do without distractions." His dad lectured.

"So I have to be a monk for the next year, do I."

"No Clark, you can date but as far as the monk thing goes, you know you have to be careful with your powers."

Clark was blushing. "I will be careful."

Jonathan noticed a familiar look in his son's face. "You are seeing someone aren't you? I can see it by your face."

Clark knew lying was pointless. "Yeah, I've been seeing someone for a few days. I really like her."

Jonathan smiled. "Who is she?"

"Dad, I would rather not say until we have been seeing each other a little longer."

"I hope you and this girl are not rushing into anything."

"We've agreed to take it slow, although we might hold hands occasionally if that's ok." Clark asked jokingly.

Jonathan laughed and patted his son on the shoulder. "Shall we head back. I think your mom has dinner ready."

Clark could see Lois sitting on the veranda with Chloe. Her look said it all. It looked like she was both jealous and insecure. He had to talk to her and reassure her.

Chloe had to get back to the Talon. "Look I'll see you to your car, Chloe."

Lois smiled. "Me too."

They waved Chloe off and then Clark turned to Lois. "Lo, are you ok?"

"What happened with Alicia? I didn't know about her. Just a shock."

"I'll tell you everything when we get some time alone, but for now just know I'm not interested in anyone else but you." He kissed the end of her nose.

"Well, looks like you got rid of her."

"Not quite, she has moved in with her aunt and is starting school on Monday. My dad guessed I was seeing someone but they do not know who."

"Life's getting complicated." Lois gave Clark a smile, but he could see there was concern hidden by her facade.

"We'll deal with the problems as we get to them. All that matters is spending time together."

"Sounds like a good idea Mr Kent. Now if you don't mind the smell of your mom's pot roast is beckoning me back into the house."

Clark smiled and they went back in.

All four of them sat down to dinner. Things felt a little awkward at first with Clark and Lois not knowing how to act with each other following the complete transformation in their relationship.

"This is so mom." He smiled.

"Yeah Mrs K. It's great as always."

Martha looked at both of them. "Can we just break the ice here. Your father and I are well aware that you two are dating."

Lois almost choked on her carrots. "What..."

Martha smiled. "If the kissing outside was not a giveaway, then the fact you are not trying the one-up-manship game at the table sealed the deal."

"Are you mad?" Clark looked at his dad.

"Well I was at first, but as long as you respect the house rules I can get used the idea."

"What house rules?"

"I want no sneaking around during the night and when you are with Lois in your room the door is to be left open."

"Dad, I'm 17years old. Why are you treating me like I'm 14 again."

His dad put his hand up. "Let me finish! These rules do not extend to the loft. That has always been your place of privacy and I respect that."

Clark smiled. Lois was bright red.

She got up and started to tidy away the plates. "Let me help you." Martha got up and followed her.

"Sorry about this Mrs K."

"Look, Lois, honey... I am thrilled Clark has found someone like you. I have seen you two dance around your feelings for months. The sparks started to fly the minute you met. Just one thing, please call me Martha."

"Thanks, Mrs...Martha!"

"Do you mind if we keep this quiet." Clark asked. "We want to take our time with this relationship."

Jonathan smiled. "Of course. I am so proud of the way you two are handling this."

Clark smiled, hoping his dad would never find out about what happened at Crater Lake.

School was back after Spring Break and Lois was prepared for the constant ribbing from Mike and the gang. Clark had told her to ignore them. Even worse was the enrolment of Alicia in the same class as them. Lois could not believe what she was hearing when the Principal approached her.

"Ms. Lane. This is Alicia Baker. She is new to the school like you were a few months back so I would assigning you to be her buddy for the first week. She will be attending all classes with you and if I hear one word from her that you have not been looking after her, I will be reconsidering what I will be writing in your reference for Met U."

Lois looked at him. "That's blackmail. Wouldn't someone else be more appropriate."

"No, I have chosen you, Ms. Lane."

Alicia gave a sugar sweet smile. "Lois, I don't bite. I am sure we will get along just great."

Lois just smiled. "Ok, then."

"I'll show you to the canteen for a drink before we go to class."

Lois showed Alicia to the lockers. She turned the corner to see Clark waiting for her, but he changed his mood when he saw Alicia with her.

"Hi Clark." Alicia announced, cheerfully.

"Hi Alicia, Lois can we talk for a few minutes." Clark asked.

"It's ok, whatever you have to say, you can say in front of Alicia. I am being her buddy all week." Lois grimaced and made a face to Clark. Luckily Alicia could not see her expression.

"I was just wondering if you could tell my parents I will be late from football practice." Clark made it up.

"Of course I will. Have fun."

After Clark had left, they went to the canteen for a coffee. Alicia looked at her. "Lois, can I just ask why Clark is asking you to pass a message on to the Kents. Do you live near them?"

"You could say that. I live with them. They took pity on me and gave me a place to sit when I arrived in town to see my cousin, Chloe."

"Chloe Sullivan?"

"Yeah, that's her. Here she is now." Lois smiled at an approaching Chloe who had a puzzled look on her face.

"Hi Chloe, grab a seat." Lois patted the chair next to her.

"Hi Alicia, I heard you were back. I didn't know you knew Lois." Chloe asked trying to find out why her cousin was suddenly best friends with Alicia.

"We've just met. I'm her buddy." Lois gave a fake but convincing smile.

Lois's phone suddenly beeped. It was from Clark.

Lois waited a few minutes and said she was popping to the toilet. "Can you wait with Alicia, Chloe."

Chloe nodded.

Alicia looked at her. "So Chloe, I bet you have missed me. You don't have to pretend you like me."

Chloe smirked. "I won't pretend then. Just leave Clark and Lana alone. I won't let you hurt them again."

"Well, I think that is up to Clark and after what he told me in the barn the other night, I think it won't be long before we are getting back together."

"That's funny cos I could have sworn I saw you leave in tears."

Alicia changed the subject. "Isn't it a coincidence that Lois lives with the Kents."

Chloe laughed. "I wouldn't bother using Lois to get to Clark. They don't get on, in fact they are barely on speaking terms most of the time."

Alicia's idea was not going to plan but she could still use Lois as an excuse to go to the Farm.

Lois was walking along the main corridor when the door to the janitor's cupboard opened and she was pulled inside. Clark locked the door and started to kiss her passionately.

"I missed you, Lois."

"Kinda reminds me of the loveshack." Lois whispered as she started to fiddle with Clark's jeans.

"We can't Lois. Not here."

Lois was not taking no for an answer.

Five minutes later, they appeared from the cupboard. "So much for slow." Clark remarked.

"Yeah that was a bit fast wasn't it, but I'm not complaining." Lois smiled.

"Me neither. You are a wicked woman, Ms. Lane. Corrupting an innocent guy like that."

"Yeah I'm downright cruel. "

What's with Alicia? Can you not shake her?"

"I don't think it is going to be that easy, Clark."

Lois kissed him quickly. "See you later. Hope you don't miss me too much."

"After that little performance in there, I think I will find it difficult to concentrate on my work." Clark smirked.

Lois got back to the table and could see from the body language that there was still no love lost between Chloe and Alicia.

"Lois, you look bright red and you were ages." Alicia commented.

Lois looked embarrassed. "I was a bit...need to eat more fruit...I am not saying it out loud."

Alicia laughed.

Lana arrived. "Hi Chloe and Lois." She completely blanked Alicia.

"Lana, can I just say that I am sorry for our little altercation last year."

"Little altercation, you tried to kill me." Lana snapped. "And if you don't stay away from me, I will seek out an injunction against you coming within a yard of me."

Lana walked off. Chloe looked at Lois and gave a faint smile before following her best friend.

Lois was stuck with Alicia for the rest of the week.