Target: Lois Lane

Folc4evernaday | Rated: M | Chapter 4

Clark stared at the ceiling, letting out a long breath as he listened to the pounding on his front door. He knew it was Lois. He could tell by the sharp clicks of her heels and the pattern of her knocking. She was angry. He didn't care.

"Clark! Open up! I know you're in there!"

He sighed. Climbing out of bed, he headed for the door to attend to his unwanted guest. Midway, he realized he wasn't dressed and went back to his bedroom to slip on a pair of jeans before answering the door.

"Clark!"

"I'm coming already," he muttered. He glanced at the clock and shook his head. It had taken her two and a half hours to come looking for him. How long had it taken her to find his note? How long had she sat with Scardino doing whatever she was doing with him?

"What?!" he barked irritably, yanking the door open.

"Don't you 'what' me, mister!" She stormed past him, pushing him aside. "What kind of partner are you, leaving me on a stakeout by myself like that? What would have happened if we'd gotten a break? What if Wilder had left her office? Do you know it took thirty minutes for Alan to drag himself down there?"

"Are you done?" he asked irritably, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Am I done? Where do you get off? You...you...!"

"ME? I'm not the one over there having a date in the middle of an investigation! I was gone for what, five, or maybe ten minutes before he showed up?"

"I was not having a date!"

"Really? You could have fooled me! You're over there having wine with the guy. I was gone for TEN minutes, Lois, then I come back and he's there. What did you expect me to do?"

"He just showed up. What was I supposed to do, barricade my car door with your name plastered all over it?" she fumed, sarcastically.

"Well, you didn't have to invite him in to have dinner!" Clark paced around her as the fight escalated.

"He brought food. He went out of his way to bring dinner. I didn't want to hurt his feelings," Lois argued.

"You didn't want to hurt his feelings?" Clark echoed in disbelief. "Since when has sensitivity been a part of your demeanor? From the first day, we met you were anything but - "

"That's different!" she retorted.

"How?" he challenged.

Lois grew quiet. He could feel the anger coursing through his body as he watched her withdraw. He hated seeing her like this but he couldn't take it anymore. Dan Scardino was not someone he wanted as a permanent fixture in his and Lois' life.

He could tell by the way her body language changed that she didn't have an answer for him. Did she want to be with Dan? Is that why she couldn't just tell him off like she had done to him so many times before? Or was there something else he wasn't seeing?

How?

Lois didn't have an answer for him. She hated remembering the beginning of their partnership. She had acted so arrogantly toward him. It was true she'd mellowed out over the past year, but Clark had suffered the brunt of her temper through the worst. The old Lois Lane would never have tolerated Dan Scardino and his interference with her relationship. What had happened to her?

"Well?" Clark probed, interrupting her thoughts. "Why don't you explain what is so different?"

"Because, because..."

"Because what?" Clark pressed.

She could see the frustration and hurt all over his face. She hated seeing this side of him. He hardly ever allowed himself to get this angry with her and now it seemed he wasn't going to just let this go as he had with so many other things in the past.

"Because it just is," she argued. "You're my best friend," she said quietly.

"Yeah, some best friend..." he muttered.

"What is that supposed to mean? I am a very good friend!"

"Oh, really? You ditch me on investigations every chance you get to grab the exclusive for yourself. Yeah, that's a great friend. I know, how about when you decided to teach me the ropes of being a reporter by stealing my story? That was a sign of great friendship. Then, of course, there were the countless times I tried to warn you, you were involved with a sociopath, but I don't know anything, right? Oh, and let's not forget more recently when you slammed the door in my face after our date? Or why you kept letting that Scardino guy hit on you?"

Lois had the decency to look ashamed. She fought to keep the tears from escaping the corners of her eyes. "That is not fair, Clark."

"How do you think it makes me feel when every time I try to talk to you or spend any time with you...there he is?!" Clark was fuming. "I'm not stupid, Lois."

"I never said you were," Lois said, between heated breaths.

"Well, you sure seem to act like I am. You keep him around for some reason I don't even know."

Keep him around? Is that what Clark really thought? She was keeping Dan around as a backup? She didn't want a relationship with Dan, she wanted one with Clark. Pigheaded, bonehead Clark. As frustrating as he was she still couldn't deny the fact that she was in love with him.

"Clark, I..."

He waved her off. "Just leave, please."

"What?" she asked surprised.

"Leave." He sighed. "I have better things to do than fight with you about something you don't even... Just forget it."

Anger coursed through her as she watched him walk back towards the living room. She stalked after him, angry at him for dismissing her. "Oh, no, you don't! You started this, you're going to finish it!"

"Lois, just leave, now."

"No! For once, I would like to finish a conversation with you without you running off to do whatever it is you're really doing."

"What is that supposed to mean?" he scoffed.

"Mr. Cheese of the Month club? Give me a break!"

"I do have a life outside of your little universe, Lois, you're just too pig-headed and stubborn and ...and self-absorbed to realize that."

"I am not!"

"Really? A year ago you didn't care about me leaving; it was all about the exclusive for you."

"That is not true."

"Isn't it? You couldn't have been less bothered about my leaving before; now, all of a sudden, it's your main concern."

"Why wouldn't I care? What you do reflects on me and - " She stopped mid-sentence, realizing what she was saying. She was a bit self-absorbed. She glared back at him, realizing she had walked right into that one. "That is not fair. I'm a different person than I was a year ago."

She'd softened over the past year and had grown to depend on him. It was true she didn't care where he was a year ago. She'd been too busy chasing after a fantasy and refused to realize what was right under her nose the entire time.

"I know," he said quietly.

He hated this. He hated fighting with her. Most of all, he hated seeing her so upset. She was fighting valiantly to suppress the tears that were threatening to escape from the corners of her eyes.

Clark closed his eyes for a moment, pinching the bridge of his nose tightly as he fought for control over the anger that was raging through him. The adrenaline pumping through his body scared him. "Look, I'm sorry I blew up at you. It's just been so frustrating."

"I know," she said quietly. She sat down on his couch and began to cry. "You hate me," she cried. "I don't blame you. I hate myself."

Clark was unable to remain angry with her when she was this vulnerable. He took a seat next to her and pulled her into his embrace.

"I don't hate you, Lois," he tried to soothe her. He felt the moisture from her tears against his chest. The vibration from her heaved sobs subsided slightly. "Lois, look at me." She caught his gaze. "I don't hate you. I might get angry or annoyed with you but I could never hate you."

"I don't deserve you," she sobbed again.

He sighed as he held her tightly. "Lois, please stop crying."

"I don't deserve you. I'm an idiot. I kept leading Dan on after Mayson died," she continued to sob. "Now, he keeps on asking me out and I don't know what to do. I've made such a mess of things."

Mayson. This had started with Mayson's death. He had had such a hard time dealing with his guilt over her death. He'd pushed Lois away - apparently right into Scardino's arms. He silently cursed himself.

"Lois," he sighed. "Come on, it'll be okay," he said quietly. She relaxed against his touch, allowing him to put an arm around her as she cried.

Back at Lois' apartment, Jimmy and Sarah were getting to know one another. A bowl of popcorn sat on Lois' coffee table as they watched television. Sarah shook her head. "You think this is funny?"

"Come on, it's F-troop," Jimmy said as if that explained everything. "Look, I know it's kinda hokey, but I mean Corporal Agarn, Chief Wild Eagle..." He caught the look she was giving him. "You think I'm retarded, don't you?"

"No." She traced the outline of his jaw. "I think you're just weird enough to be sexy."

Jimmy smiled at her then took the remote and turned the television off. "Bag F Troop." He then moved in to kiss her.

"Do you want something to eat?" Clark asked, pulling away from her slightly.

Lois had shed her jacket and shoes and sat curled up on the couch next to him. Her stomach was in knots after their fight. She shook her head. "Not now." She reclaimed his embrace by snuggling up close to him. He was leaned back against the back of the couch. She lay against his chest as he ran his hand through her hair. Her breathing was still a little unsteady from crying earlier.

"Lois, are you okay?" he asked. She knew he was worried about her. They'd both said a lot of hurtful things to one another.

"I'm fine," she said softly, tracing random patterns against his well-chiseled chest. She rested her cheek against his chest, taking a shallow breath.

"You sure?" he inquired, shaking her slightly.

She nodded, tightening her arms around him. He was always there for her when she needed him. From Lex Luthor to Trask to Barbara Trevino she had always come to Clark for comfort. Maybe that was why it had been so hard to push things past the friendship threshold. He had always been safe.

Back at Lois' apartment, Jimmy pulled away from Sarah for a moment. "Uh, do you want something to drink?" He rose from the couch and went into the kitchen to grab a drink.

"This wouldn't be one of those avoidance of intimacy moments, now would it?" Sarah teased.

"No, it's just my mouth was really dry."

Sarah just smiled, laughing inwardly at Jimmy. It was evident he was uncomfortable in an intimate setting with a woman for very long. The phone rang and she answered it.

"Hello?"

A female voice was on the other end. "Sarah?"

"Yes?"

"It's time to choose the fallen warrior."

"What?"

"Warrior," she repeated.

"Yes, I understand."

Jimmy sat back on the couch. "All Lois has is diet. I hope that's okay."

Sarah didn't acknowledge him. She got up from the couch and went to open the door.

On the other side were two women he didn't recognize. The eldest woman handed Sarah a gun.

"Sarah, what are you doing?" Jimmy asked.

"Exactly what she's been told to do." Claudette smiled at him. "Lock the door, Sarah.

"You don't get it, do you? Martin wasn't kidnapping Sarah. He was putting her back." She pulled out a needle and headed towards Jimmy.

"I'm sorry," Clark cupped her cheek. "I never meant to hurt you."

"No." Lois shook her head. "You were right. The old me never would have tolerated any of this."

"Lois." He rubbed his hand up and down her shoulder as she continued.

"I don't know. Maybe I'm losing my touch. A year ago I was able to nip this kind of a situation in the bud before it even became anything. Present company excluded - not without me trying, though."

"Of course." Clark smiled back at her.

She had done everything in her power to push him away for months until finally, she started to let him in. He wasn't sure what had been the final breaking point for her. "I guess, no matter what, you can't go through life unchanged, huh?" she mused.

"It's been a rough year," Clark reasoned.

"Yeah." Lois nodded. "Listen, I'm sure they've got a movie on or something." She clicked the remote to the television on. "Probably much more interesting than all this emotional mess."

"Lois..." Clark reached his hand over to take the remote from her.

"Clark," her voice was shaky as she spoke. "I'm fine. I really just want to watch a movie right now."

He met her gaze. She was determined to close herself off for the moment. He relented, knowing she wasn't going to deal with the emotional tsunami that was threatening to take over until she was ready.

"All right, let's see what's on."

He leaned back against the couch. Lois leaned back against him as she clicked through the channels until she finally found the classic. 'It's A Wonderful Life.'

"I really love this movie," she whispered, resting her head in the nook of his shoulder and neck.

"Me too." He smiled down at her. "We used to watch it every Christmas."

"Sounds nice," she said, wistfully.

"Yeah, it was." He smiled. "Kind of a tradition for the holidays."

Her fingertips brushed against his skin, sending a heated chill down his spine. He looked down to see her watching the famous scene of George Bailey throwing the rocks into the abandoned house. Her right hand continued to draw random patterns against his chest as she remained oblivious to the effect she was having on him.

'What is it you want, Mary? What do you want?' George Bailey asked Mary.

Lois smiled. "This is one of my favorite scenes."

'You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around and pull it down,' George said to Mary.

Lois felt tears come to her eyes as she watched the scene between George and Mary Bailey. She had watched the movie more times than she could count, but something about the scene seemed different to her now. Mary had a man willing to give her anything she ever wanted. Even the moon. It made her heart ache as she watched the scene unfold. She had once dreamed of having someone to take care of her the way George Bailey had Mary. To love her so much he'd be willing to give her the moon.

For a time she'd thought Superman was that man, but it was slowly becoming apparent that he would never be what she needed. She had turned to Lex when she had been rejected by Superman, time and time again. She had still tried to pursue a relationship with him regardless; until that fateful night that had changed everything for her.

"Who are you; her big brother?" Dillinger pushed Clark back a few steps, but he stood his ground, standing in front of Lois protectively.

"Clark, no!" she pleaded, knowing he was about to try and do something extremely stupid.

Clyde held up a gun and cocked the trigger. She held her breath, unable to move. He wasn't. He wouldn't.

Several shots rang out as she screamed, watching Clark fall to the ground. "Clark!"

Clark nodded, resting his head against hers. "Classic love story," She smiled against his chest, tightening her arms around him. "Hey." He looked down at her in concern. "You okay?"

"Fine." She smiled up at him, turning in his arms to link her arms around his neck. "Thank you," she whispered, leaning up to brush her lips against his ever so lightly.

He smiled. "What was that for?"

"For not being like everyone else." She smiled. "I'm not as good at the relationship thing as I may look. This..." She gestured between them. "...it's scary, but in a good way. I don't know if you noticed but I'm not the best at working with anyone. I guess that's why none of my past relationships worked out. I wasn't willing to have a partner or compromise."

"Lois Lane, independent? Nah," he teased.

He was trying to help ease the tension by joking around with her. He always knew what she needed. He was her best friend. That was what was so scary about this. She needed him as her best friend but she also needed him for so much more.

"Yeah."

"So, what changed?"

"What do you mean?"

"You said you refused to partner with anyone, but we've been partners for over a year." He lifted up his arms. "I don't think you've killed me yet." She thwacked him against the chest. "Sorry, bad joke."

"Extremely," she agreed. "I don't know. You're you."

She wanted to kiss him. He was such a good kisser. She could feel the heat of his hand against her lower back as he held her in his arms. She didn't want to move. She wanted to stay like this forever. She wanted to kiss him again. She looked up into his eyes. A drowning sensation surrounded her as he stared back at her.

Was he thinking the same thing? Did he feel the same way? She knew he cared about her, but those words - the three scary words - had not yet escaped their lips to each other yet. Was it normal to be so overwhelmed in the beginning of a relationship?

She brushed her hand against his chest. She could feel the hardened buds of his pectorals against her palm. She pushed her hand up, linking her arms around his neck once more as she sat up, supporting herself on her knees. She leaned up against him brushing her lips against his once more; a little longer this time. He cupped her cheek, fingering the outline of her jaw line as they slowly pulled apart. She needed more.

She let out a shuddered breath before she reached up to recapture his lips once more. He groaned when her weight shifted against him. The soft cotton of her blouse pressed up against his chest as she deepened their kiss.

She couldn't get enough of him. Her hands ran through his hair, raking the soft curls as he held her against him. "Lois," He murmured against her lips. She needed more from him; so much more. She moved his hands from her waistline to cup her flesh mounds through the cotton blouse. He gently squeezed them with one hand as he tightened his arm around her waist with the other. She moaned his name as she pressed her weight up against him, deepening the kiss.

Just as quickly the contact between them was gone. He removed his hand, breaking off the kiss as he pushed her back. "Lois wait," His hands rested by his side. He let out a shuddered breath, resting his head against the cushion behind him.

Why was he stopping? He wanted this just as much as she did. The evidence was pressed up against her inner thigh at the moment, "What is it?" She asked in between shaky breaths.

She felt so good in his arms. He'd dreamed about this for so long. Holding her in his arms, kissing her, making...

He couldn't do this. Not yet. Not like this.

"Lois," he began. "Are you sure this isn't too fast?"

"Positive," she murmured, leaning in to nip at his earlobe. "All I've been doing is waiting. I'm tired of waiting."

"Oh, God, Lois," he moaned as he felt her graze her fingernails against his chest. He fought to remain in control of his body, his emotions. "Wait, wait, wait," he pleaded with her, pushing her away from him.

"What?" Lois asked irritably.

What? Why couldn't he just enjoy having the woman he loved in his arms? Maybe it had something to do with the fact that a few hours ago she'd been flirting with another man. He had to be sure Scardino was out of the picture. He had to be sure of where they stood.

"We need to slow this down," he said, reaching up to cup her cheek.

Her expression sobered slightly. "Why?"

He smiled up at her. "Because I don't want you to wake up in the morning and regret… " He was cut off by her recapturing his lips in a passionate kiss before she pulled away from him.

"You were saying?" she teased.

He laughed. "You're trying to distract me."

"Is it working?"

"No," he replied softly. "I don't want a repeat of you slamming the door in my face is all."

"I don't see any doors here, do you?" she teased.

"Lois," he breathed, exasperated.

"What?" She slid off his lap, sitting next to him.

"I'm not doing this, especially not when things are so up in the air between us,"

"Up in the air?" Lois inquired.

"One minute you're flirting with Scardino; the next you're here trying to sleep with me. I need to know where we stand."

"For the record, I wasn't flirting," Lois argued.

"Whatever it was," Clark said. "I'm...You're not ready…we're not ready for this," He sighed, raking a hand through his hair. "I don't do casual relationships."

"I could never have just a casual relationship with you, Clark," she whispered back.

She leaned up to recapture his lips. He wrapped his arms around her, deepening the kiss.

TBC...