A/N: Thanks for the reviews everyone! I really appreciate the feedback! So keep it up! *wink wink* this chapter was hard to write for some reason. So I hope it's up to par.

A very big Thank you to my wonderful beta, without which this chapter would have never been possible! Thanks!

Chapter 3

Enough

She took an uncharacteristically short shower. Usually she liked to soak in the warmth of the water; it relaxed her and helped her think. But right now the last thing Lois wanted to do was think. She abruptly turned off the water and wrapped her self in an oversized towel.

She changed into a pair of actual pajamas tonight, and not one of Clark's old flannel shirts like she usually did.

That would have definitely been a bad idea.

Snuggling deep into her pillow Lois pulled the blankets up to her chin. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

A pair of focused turquoise eyes greeted her.

Lois groaned and turned over trying to banish the image from her subconscious.

Not dice.

Realizing that Clark Kent was not going to stop haunting her psyche anytime soon, Lois threw off her covers, slid on her bunny slippers and made her way to the kitchen.

If she couldn't sleep she might as well get some work done. Yes, she was already working on another story. Though not as juicy as a crooked mayor who had a taste for expensive transvestites, road construction was still a very big issue for the citizens Metropolis.

However, as dire a problem as it might be the topic didn't exactly hold Lois's interest very well. Her mind kept drifting- replaying the scene on the rooftop over and over and over again.

Fuck!

Lois slammed her laptop shut not bothering to save her work. She didn't care.

She had almost let Clark Kent kiss her. Worse. She'd almost kissed him back!

What the Hell was wrong with her? God!

Lois put face in her hands. She was so confused.

She'd spent so much time in Star City repressing her feelings for him that she had actually made herself believe she wasn't still in lo-

No! Do not go there, Lane!

But she had wanted him to kiss her. To really kiss her, to throw her up against the nearest surface and make her forget her own name!

Lois let out a bitter laugh.

No.

She was just a little hormonal that was all. She didn't really want him to kiss her. She was just going through a romantic dry spell at this point in her life and her body was betraying her. That had to be it. Because there was no way on God's green earth she was still in love with Clark Kent.

She wouldn't accept it. She couldn't.

Besides even if she were still in love with him, which she wasn't, it would never work out.

Hadn't her relationship with Ollie taught her that? And Clark's destiny had the potential to be even bigger than the vigilante billionaire's.

If her suspicions were right, if Clark was really the Red and Blue Blur he probably had abilities that would make Oliver even greener than his leather.

Which would explain their testosterone competitions.

Wait a second.

Lois mentally kicked herself for not putting it together sooner.

Oliver.

If she were moonlighting as a primary colored superhero he'd be the first one she'd go to.

And even though Ollie and Clark had a strange relationship. They were still friends.

Good friends.

Her puzzle was becoming clearer by the day. All signs pointed to Clark Kent. But she had nothing solid. And she couldn't risk being wrong about this. Coincidences and 'face touching' weren't enough for her to go charging into the farmhouse slinging accusations. Not that she was planning to do that anyway. But she needed something conclusive.

There was no room for doubts.

Lois sucked in a sharp breath.

She didn't want to be right.

The realization hit her like a freight train.

All this collecting evidence wasn't because she was trying to prove her theory it was because she was trying to disprove it.

And she wasn't sure why.

When she believed Ollie was the Green Arrow she was excited, at first. The man she loved was trying to save the world. She had been ecstatic about the idea.

But then he left. He chose his duty over her. Which was the right thing to do.

But it also made her realize when Oliver confirmed her suspicions about him; that at the end of the day, she didn't love him enough to make the sacrifices she needed to in order to be with him. Deep down she knew Oliver wasn't the one for her.

They weren't meant to be together so there was no reason to rehash a doomed relationship.

Something Clark had yet to learn. Lois wished that thought hadn't been so bitter.

And it wasn't like she was worried about Lana Lang coming between them. If hypothetically she still had feelings for him, that is.

If it had been anyone other than Clark Kent the fear that she would be 'second best' or his 'consolation prize' would be pretty high on her list of reasons not to get into a relationship with him.

But she knew Clark. Probably better than he knew himself. And Clark wasn't the kind of guy to be with someone just because he was lonely. Despite his greatest fear of ending up alone. Clark was way too chivalrous to ever use a person like that. He'd rather be single his entire life than live with that kind of guilt.

Which begged the question if he almost kissed her did that mean he was finally over Lana?

For good?

Of course he'd almost kissed her at the wedding too. But still-

Lois shook her head trying to erase the thought. Why did she care if he was over his first love or not? She didn't care.

Why was she even thinking about this at all?

Was he?

Lois growled.

No. Lane get a grip! She ordered herself.

And even if he was over Lana and let's just say for arguments sake, she did still have feelings for him, it could still never work.

Right?

Lois worried her bottom lip.

The way she felt about Clark was- had been different than the way she had felt about Ollie, though. It was stronger more potent, relentless. Getting over Oliver had been one of the hardest things she'd ever had to do, but she had been sure that could do it. She wasn't sure if she could ever really get over Clark.

And that scared her shitless.

But the way he made her feel it was just so-

God!

She couldn't describe it. It was like being drunk and completely sober at the same time.

And yet it was so disgustingly cliché, too.

When she saw him across the room she felt excited. Her skin would tingle. When he smiled her heart raced and her breathing became slightly shallow. When he did that cute little pouty Lois-is-mad-at-me puppy dogface. Her heart of stone melted.

And she had always found him way too easy to talk to. She had a bad habit of revealing things to him she didn't mean to.

He may not always know the right thing to say, but he was always there when she needed him most. And he made her laugh.

And when he held her she felt safe and warm, like it was where she belonged. Like she was home.

But was it enough? Did she love him enough to share him with the world if she had too?

Even though she had no physical evidence and there was still a chance he didn't run around town fighting crime. She had to face the fact that it was still a possibility.

Was she ready for that? Was he? And what if it didn't work out? Could she deal with another heartbreak? Could she deal with the possibility of losing her best friend forever?

No.

Lois couldn't risk it. She couldn't let someone leave her behind again. She was a strong person, but everyone has their breaking point. Even Lois Lane.

And Clark had forgotten about her once, what made her think he wouldn't do it again?

Of course the way he looked at her tonight. She had never had anyone look at her like that.

Her knees had gone weak. She had been so mesmerized that she forgot where she was.

And he had been extremely attentive these past months.

Lois took a deep breath.

She had to know. Even if the truth was something she didn't want to face. It didn't matter. She needed to know for sure.

Lois felt the butterflies begin to flutter in her stomach.

Tomorrow night she was getting that interview.

***************

Clark was still frozen in place staring at the door.

He knew she wasn't coming back.

It was official. He was an idiot.

As Lois would say he hadn't been thinking with his big brain! He couldn't help it she had looked so-

Clark was at a loss for an adjective, beautiful just didn't seem to cut it.

Why had he tried to kiss her? He knew better. Lois wasn't ready for that. Was he ready for that?

Lois wasn't the kind of girl you casually date. She was the kind of girl you married. The kind of woman you dedicated whole self too.

She wouldn't take any less. And he wouldn't give her any less.

She was one hell of a woman.

And he was falling for her. Fast.

Was that OK?

Lana hadn't even been gone six months? Funny that was the first time he thought about Lana since Lois came home.

But every time he was with Lois. Every time he saw her or touched her. Every time she rolled her eyes and called him 'Smallville'-

It just felt right.

He'd never felt that way with Lana. He'd made the right choice letting her leave. Things had ended oddly with them, but Clark was glad that part of his life was finally over. He had mourned the loss of his first love for a few days, but Lana was never his true love, his soul mate. The woman he was meant to be with.

He knew that now. Finally. He wished he had realized it sooner. But old habits, especially old bad habits were hard to break.

And he knew the decisions he made were going to bite him in the ass for a while.

He was done dwelling in the past. Done obsessing over a fantasy. He needed something tangible in his life. Someone real and you couldn't get anymore real that Lois Lane.

It was time to look to the future.

And the more he thought about his future and who he wanted to be the more he thought about Lois.

And the more he thought about Lois the more he wanted to tell her his secret.

But it wasn't the right time. He was still getting used to this whole 'double identity' thing and letting Lois in on the secret before he had a handle on the super hero gig, could be dangerous.

Of course, looking back on the past few months, not telling her was also becoming a hazard to her health.

Clark sighed and finished the rest of the champagne in his flute in one gulp.

There had to be a way where he could tell Lois, without actually telling her.

Clark leaned against the ledge thinking.

A smile spread across his face.

He had a plan. He just hoped that it was enough to satisfy the intrepid reporter's curiosity for the time being.

***************

Lois walked into the Daily Planet the next day looking tired. She had decided the night before to play it cool. To act as if nothing had happened. Well, nothing had really happened so it shouldn't be that hard.

"Hey Smallville." She greeted her friend and sat down at her desk, filtering through a couple of files.

Clark was surprised. He had been expecting the silent treatment. "Hey Lois." He replied cautiously eyeing her with suspicion.

"Which one do you want?" She asked holding up to manila folders, "Road construction? Or the tearing down of that old movie theatre on 5th?"

"Uh, which ever one you don't want." Clark answered.

"Here. You can have the theatre you're better with the touchy feely stuff, anyway." She tossed the file on his desk.

"Thanks?" What the Hell?

"Lois, are you feeling OK?" Clark ventured carefully.

"Yeah. Why?"

"Well you just look really tired, that's all." It wasn't a lie. She did look exhausted.

"Oh, I uh didn't sleep well last night." Lois shot him a weak smile. "I drank so much coffee this morning I don't think I'll sleep for a week." It was a lame attempt at keeping the conversation light. But it seemed to work.

"Speaking of which, here." Clark handed her one of the styro foam cups on his desk.

"Thanks."

Lois took a quick gulp and smiled. Just the way she liked it.

"Well, I'm off to get some quotes from the masses on the 'construction dilemma'" Lois announced rising from her chair.

"Wait." Clark jumped up.

"What?" Lois looked concerned.

"I was just-uh- wondering if you were going to do any Blur hunting tonight."

"I think so, why? Are you worried about me?" She teased.

"Always." He whispered back completely serious.

A small crimson tint spread across Lois's cheeks. She had no response to that.

"Oh, um, well I better get going."

"Right." He smiled watching her walk away.

***************

Lois knew what she was doing could be categorized as suicidal, but it was the only way to get the Blur out of hiding.

Tonight she was going to get that interview even if it cost her, her life.

And judging by the dark lust filled eyes of the several gang members who were slowly backing her into a corner, it might cost her more than that.

"Look, boys, I really don't want to have to hurt you." She announced sounding braver than she felt.

They laughed.

"Come on doll face don't be like that." The nearest one said. He wore a bandanna on across his forehead. And every inch of exposed skin, except for his face was covered in tattoos. Lois assumed he was the leader of this not-so merry band of delinquents

The reporter grabbed the nearest object she saw. It turned out to be a broken metal broom handle.

That would work.

"She's feisty I like that." The one with the deep scar across his right cheek smiled.

Lois rolled her eyes.

"I'm telling you your messing with the wrong chick." She held the stick up in a defense stance. She knew how to defend herself. And hey she might just take a few of these thugs down with her before they over powered her. That was comforting.

Clark, where the hell are you!

"It's OK. Little darlin" the leader smiled. He was missing a lot of teeth and of the ones he still had quite a few were crooked and gold plated. Gross.

"We just want to have a little fun. That's all, right guys?"

The rest of the hyena's grunted and laughed in approval.

Lois's back hit a fence. Crap.

She took a deep breath and spread her legs shoulder width and crouched lower to the ground, ready to spring into action if she needed too.

"Alright, boys. You want fun. Let's play."

The leader's smiled widened. He made a hand gesture and the two mindless apes on either side of him attacked first.

The first one went low, hoping to grab her around the waist, but Lois had anticipated that and knocked him hard on the head with her broomstick. He fell.

She turned just in time to poke the second in the gut. She had been aiming lower, but oh well.

Lois pivoted back to her original stance, but one of the gang members grabbed her stick.

As she wrestled with him, another thug crept up behind her and grabbed her by the abdomen. He whirled her around and threw her body hard against the brick siding of the alley.

Lois cursed under breath.

Before she could turn around bandanna boy forcibly grabbed her ponytail and pushed her face into wall.

He used his body weight to hold her still.

"It's time for the real fun to begin." He licked her ear.

Lois made a gagging noise.

The brunette squirmed trying to wrench her hand free from under her body.

Damn! He was too heavy.

She opened her mouth to scream out when suddenly she was freed from the extra weight on her back.

She turned quickly just in time to see several gang members being thrust against a dumpster. Then just like the night he had rescued her from the mugger. The hero lifted her up into the air and they blurred away.

This time he took them to the front of her apartment building.

He set her down, but Lois didn't unlock her arms from around his neck.

"I'm a reporter I want an interview." She blurted out quickly afraid that he might leave.

The hero licked his lips.

"If I give the interview will you promise to stop looking for trouble?"

A voice modifier, that was new.

Green Arrow probably had a few extra lying around.

"I'll do my best." Lois answered trying to sound sincere.

"Alright. You've got it." He turned to leave.

"Where are you going? You just said you would give me an interview! And by the way, how did you know I lived here?" Lois hands rested on her hips.

"You'll get your interview. Soon. I promise, but tonight you need to rest. You were attacked." And he was gone.

Lois scoffed. He had completely side stepped her second question. And she still didn't have enough evidence to prove or disprove her hunch.

But at least she had her interview.

And for now that was enough.

TBC

***************

A/N: Please review! Thanks!