Chapter three: Patience
Lois typed away at her desk, several thoughts ran through her mind as she tried to narrow down the facilities in Gotham City that could be holding her cousin.
Kal El watched her as he stood calmly with his arms folded, leaning on the desk across from her, Lois felt his eyes on her, but she continued typing, something was off about Clark. She just couldn't place it, lately, he wasn't the Clark she knew and cared for. She snuck a glance in his direction, he was staring straight at her, she quickly turned back to the keyboard, flustered by the heavy silence.
She frowned as she clicked a link on her screen, as it took her to yet another facility in Gotham she glanced up at him again, this time she didn't look away. No matter how much his steady gaze made her heart pound.
'I'd appreciate it if you'd help me out here.' She said, doing her best to remind herself she didn't find him attractive, it was just hormones playing up.
'What is it that you want me to do?' He asked in a tone that Lois could only describe as borderline arrogant.
Lois frowned, finding herself suddenly put off by his laziness, 'Help me find the facility they're holding Chloe in.'
Kal El nodded, a decisive expression spread over his face as headed for the door, Lois frowned, 'Clark?!'
Kal El turned to look at her, Lois blinked at him, 'where do you think you're going??'
'To do what you asked.'
With that he strolled out of the Daily Planet, he glanced back, convinced Lois wasn't watching, he launched himself into the sky and flew through the skies of Metropolis, heading to Tess Mercer. She knew where their friend was, Kal El didn't see why he couldn't ask her nicely.
Lois stared at the large empty room, looking more defeated than ever, she slumped into her chair. She buried her face in her hands as she groaned in frustration. After a moment of defeat, she shook her head angrily, standing up, she stormed out of the Daily Planet and headed to Chloe's apartment. She was pissed at Clark for being so odd lately, she was mad at Chloe for just vanishing on her, she was mad at the world for being so hard, but mostly, she was mad at herself for being so powerless. She just hoped Chloe was okay as she drove back to Chloe's apartment.
Kal El landed upon the balcony, strolling into Tess's study just as Tess entered the room from the door.
'Clark??' she looked puzzled for a moment, wondering who let him inside, but on seeing his chiselled features, she instantly lost her train of thought.
'Tess.' Kal El said strongly, Tess studied him.
'Clark...What brings you here?'
'I want you tell me where Chloe Sullivan is being kept.'
Tess raised an eyebrow at him, 'Are you asking or demanding?' she said with a curious smile.
Kal El felt a wave of impatience hit him, he walked straight towards her, stopping only inches apart from her, she stared up at him, misunderstanding his impatience for something else, as Kal El tried to keep his cool Tess leaned up, pressing her lips firmly against his. Without hesitation Kal El lifted her and pushed her down onto the desk, as he returned the kiss aggressively, she pulled away at the sound of footsteps in the corridor outside. Kal El glanced up at the doorway to see Lois staring straight at the two of them.
'Clark?!' she said aloud, Kal El felt an odd emotion spread through him, was it guilt?
'Lois.'
Tess let out a sigh, 'Lois Lane.' She said unenthusiastically, Kal El watched Lois as she turned on her heel and stormed out of Tess's office. Kal El followed her without hesitation, Tess frowned, 'Clark?!'
Kal El didn't even look back, 'Lois.' His firm tone only drove her more angry, 'Get lost Clark.' She said without looking back at him.
Kal El frowned, he reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her to him, 'what's wrong? Why are you upset?'
Lois ignored his formal wording, 'Why am I upset?? I'm wracked with fear that somewhere out there my cousin is being tortured or something worse-I asked you for your help and I find you with your tongue shoved down HER throat?!'
Kal El paused, 'Are you upset because you assume I'm not helping, or because of the tongue part?'
Lois seethed at him, 'What's going on with you?!' She was mad at him for the 'not helping' part, 'Why would I be jealous of you kissing Tess Mercer??'
Kal El smiled at her as he wondered if she always lived in constant denial.
'What? What're you smiling at?' she asked in an annoyed tone.
Kal El pulled out a piece of folded paper and handed it to her.
Lois raised an eyebrow as she unfolded the piece of paper, they were incarceration details for Chloe, Lois stared up at him, shocked.
She punched his arm, 'I didn't know you had it in you Smallville...Just tone down the use of tongue next time...' Kal El raised an eyebrow at her, she shrugged defensively, 'What? I don't want you to get yourself a reputation, that's all...' With that she began to walk away.
Lois smiled to herself, she was secretly glad that she had had a change of heart before going to Chloe's and decided to come back here. Who knows what Clark and Tess would have done if she hadn't interrupted. The thought not only disturbed her, but also unsettled her. Clark had just broken up with his childhood sweetheart, a passionate one night stand was the last thing Lois wanted him to have. He needed to gather his senses, and she would do her best to look out for him, because that's what friends did.
First they would find Chloe, then she would deal with Clark and his odd behaviour.
Kal El watched her walk away, a bemused smile on his face. Lois Lane may have been a mere mortal, but she had one hell of an attitude. And he loved that, every aspect of it. It would be so easy to seduce her and get it over with, but for a reason he didn't entirely understand yet, he wanted to wait. Wait until he had evidence of her feelings for him. The son of Krypton marvelled at the fear of rejection, he hadn't come across it before, the risk of losing made her all the more attractive to him.
Chloe's apartment:
'Okay,' Lois said as she checked the map, 'that means...she's being kept here.' She pointed to a spot as she nodded at Kal El, 'Where should we break her out from? They'll have so much security-'
'From here.' He said with ease, pointing to a spot on the map, 'The back entrance, least security, we get her out-'
'But she'll be on the run-'
'Get her out of there. Then we'll clear her name if she's innocent.'
Lois scowled, 'IF...?'
'I mean, we'll clear her name.' He said as he corrected himself.
'Clark...' Lois said after a pause, Kal El glanced at her, every time she called him by that name, it tugged at his heart, was he deceiving her? It wasn't like him to care... 'How're you doing?'
Kal El frowned at her, 'I'm fine. How are you doing?'
Lois gave him a look that seemed to penetrate his bulletproof skin and hit his heart, 'You go missing for a fortnight, you come back all arrogant and strong, and you want me to act like you're normal and ask no questions?'
Kal El found himself at a loss for answers, he didn't understand emotions, he wasn't raised to.
'Lois.'
'Look at me Clark, you're one of my best friends, Lana crushed you, she was living with you and she broke your heart – she just got up and left.'
Kal El felt his heart sinking in his chest as her words got through to his softer side.
'I'm just glad to be back Lois.' He said truthfully.
Lois smiled sadly, 'Is that all i'm gonna get?'
Kal El stared at her, he didn't know what more to say, the fragility of her tender gaze left him speechless. He was afraid his words might not be the ones she wanted to hear. He wasn't the man she seemed to care for so sincerely. The last thing he wanted was for that care to vanish, on meeting his gaze Lois managed to pick up on his inner turmoil.
Without saying a word, she did something that left him powerless. She leaned in and hugged him tightly, her warmth pressing against his body, it sent shocks through his usually rational system, he didn't understand his own emotions. He didn't understand himself around her. Without any pre-planning, without any form of rational thought occurring, he watched as his arms held her close.
'Just give it time,' she whispered comfortingly, for the first time in his existence, Kal El felt uneasy.
'What if time's the one thing I don't have.' He uttered distantly.
Lois frowned, she pulled away and looked up at him, 'what?'
Kal El held her gaze longingly, enough was enough, he placed a firm hand behind her neck, cradling her head, he leaned in to kiss her deeply, but before his lips could reach hers, Lois pulled away.
'Clark...?' she whispered, her voice revealing how much she wanted to give in, 'What are you doing??' she asked as her eyes held his gaze.
Kal El released her, regaining his posture, he studied her as he straightened.
Lois studied him, completely blown away but what he was about to do, did he just try to kiss her?
A storm flooded her heart, amidst the storm, unbeknownst to Kal El, were fireworks. As a disappointed Kal El turned away, Lois grabbed his collar, turning him to face her, she kissed him passionately, he returned the kiss with a deep-rooted hunger as he felt her body pushing up against his.
Lifting her in his strong arms, he pushed her up against the wall as she wrapped her arms around his neck, both of them letting the kiss deepen into something else.
End chapter three:
