A/N: Okay here it is. Self edited so please forgive... And again sorry for taking so long..its been migraines, stomach bug, family RL issues, headcold...haha
Good news though, A healthy baby nephew was born a couple of days ago!
Chapter 3 - The Closet Affair
*Two weeks after Lois birthday party*
Lex observed Clark from a distance, after he pulled up to the farm, in the waning sunlight. He had decided to stop by on his way back to the mansion from Metropolis. Lex loved the Kent farm, always did, but after Clark had finally told him his secret, it took on a new found sense of peace when he was there. The placed grounded him, especially after several days of board meetings and other elements that represented power. He had no intention of going the way of his father and his super powered friend mending the fence in the distance reminded him of that.
Sometimes he came over and rode one of the horses with Lois and Clark, other times he lent a helping hand. He tried to make it a weekly thing, though usually it was every two weeks or so. Often he ended up drinking coffee with Lois, who tended to pop in on the farm whenever she wanted, they'd talk and wait for Clark. It had allowed him something else. Another good friend.
Clark seemed to be completely engrossed in the fence. He could have easily finished it in seconds but was taking the longer route, which told Lex one thing. Clark was in musing mode, something was bothering him.
"I take it the tractor didn't fit your mood today?"
Looking up, Clark gave Lex a slight smile and shook his head, while placing another board into place. "This needed to be done.."
"So what is it?"
"What is what?"
"Clark, no games. You could have this done in seconds. Instead you are working like any mortal man. So what is it?"
Pushing a nail down into the board with his palm, Clark turned and rubbed a hand over his face. Another sign of stress.
Waiting patiently, Lex watched as whatever was eating at Clark worked its way out. "I keep pretending I don't notice."
That wasn't exactly the opening Lex had imagined. "Pretending you don't notice what precisely?"
"All of it. How she is acting, how he is an ass.."
"Ah," Lex nodded and took one end of another board as Clark resumed. It was easier for them both to do this. Clark needed it for his thoughts and Lex enjoyed the activity while listening to his friend. "Lois and Joshua.."
"Josh. Josh is an ass!" Clark repeated as if that said it all.
"I don't disagree with you. However, Clark, you have known this. Why is it an issue now?" For a split second, he wondered if Clark was recognizing his jealousy, but sighed as it became obvious from Clark's next statement he was still clueless.
"I'm just worried about her."
"Migraines or this believed pregnancy."
"Both" Clark once again pushed the nails down with a palm. Lex watched and as always marveled at the amount of control and strength in the action. Thankful that Clark was who he was, raised how he was. In the wrong hands that power could destroy the world.
"You know Clark, " Lex began as he leaned against another part of the fence. " You should say something."
Clark looked up abruptly, "You know we're talking about Lois right?"
Lex gave a slight smile, "Yes. You can't ignore it. You're driving yourself into distraction! So express your concerns. About the pregnancy I mean, anything about Joshua and you will lose your head."
"I know.." Clark mumbled. "I wasn't planning on bringing him up anyway. Its just lately he doesn't exactly act like the doting guy she plays him off to be. He ditches her with tabs, doesn't show up when he should.."slamming the last nail down he winced at the slight cracking sound the wood made.
"Clark that is her problem to deal with. You can't make her see it differently. If she really is unhappy she has to handle it." Lex mentally rolled his eyes. The pair of them were completely clueless. Lois was unhappy, it was just a matter of time before she realized it. In the meantime, Clark was getting close to losing it.
Not wanting things to get out of hand, Lex decided to encourage a reasonable course of action. "Say something or let it go. If Lois is pregnant I am sure she knows by now, either way you can't do anything about it and making it into something big isn't doing either of you good."
Clark pushed away from the newly repaired fence with a big sigh, "I know, I'm trying to let it go."
Changing the subject as they began to walk to wards the farmhouse, Lex tested the other waters, "So how are things with Cindy?"
"Good. We're going out for the day tomorrow.." While Clark seemed happy about it, he didn't have the same vibe as when he had plans with Lois.
Lex watched the younger man. Wondering how long it would take for this relationship to fall apart.
** Seven months before present time **
"I'm going to ask him!"
"What?" Chloe looked up from her half eaten chicken salad sandwich to Lois who was staring once again at the object of her affection. Or was that obsession?
"We've talked, he knows my name. We've even hung out.. if I don't do this now I'm going to chicken out and Lanes do not chicken out. Its against the rules." Lois replied without taking her eyes off of one Joshua Davenport.
"You sound like a teenager Lois. Hung out? He's so not even your type. I still don't understand what you see in him" Not to mention Davenport was about as uppity sounding as one could get.
Lois turned to give her cousin a hard stare, "You didn't just say that?.. Chloe, Have you seen his film work? He's good. Not to mention he is totally my type! Daring and adventurous."
"Lois, your type has always been a bit outside the box, I don't see him as being outside anyone's box let alone yours. No offense cuz, but seriously, Joshua Davenport.." The name almost got stuck in her throat, "..is a TA. You are a student." It felt like deja'vu this conversation.
Chloe could not get why Lois was so hung up on the guy. Yes, Joshua was a little cute, his film projects were well known and it seemed Lois wasn't the only one drooling all over him. Chloe, though, could not find it in her to share in the fanclub. The guy was.. boring. She had never seen or heard of him in the last year do something or say something exciting to illicit this response from Lois. It was like her cousin had created a fantasy around him and to make it worse he had taken notice.
"I won't be for much longer, besides I'm not taking one of his classes."
"That's beside the point" Chloe packed her sandwich up having lost her appetite. This Joshua problem was a serious crimp in her plans for the news she was about to impart on her two best friends. She had hoped that their growing friendship would make up for it. Josh would only be a third unhealthy wheel.
"I love you Lois, but I am going to say this, and say it only once. Joshua is not your type..he is dull. Yes, he has managed to produce some seriously awesome film projects for the school. But you're going to end up bored out of you mind. You need someone who challenges you.."
Lois looked her over, "How do you know he doesn't?"
"How do you know he does.."
"I won't until I get that date. Look, if he isn't my type and I'll find out soon enough and then you can stop worrying. Besides Chloe, haven't you said that I am sometimes too quick to judge a book by its cover. Sounds to me the pot is calling the kettle black"
Chloe threw up he rhands, "Fine. Okay, you're right..and on a purely shallow note, why him? We have a far better looking guy we see every day."
Lois raised a brow at that as if confused. Rolling her eyes, Chloe bumped her shoulder, supplying "You know.. Clark."
"hmm.."
"Please, Joshua is not better looking than Clark. "
"No one is. Who could compete with Mister..I'm to sexy for my Plaid."
It was Chloe's turn to raise a brow, "Oh, so you admit Clark is hot?"
Lois scowled at her, as if wondering why were they talking about Clark rather then Joshua, "I've never denied it. I'm just not going to.."
"Admit it either." Chloe interrupted grinning.
Unable to figure out what Chloe's angle was, Lois shook her head and before she could respond the guy in question was suddenly sat next to her on the steps at the campus.
A warm drink was carefully placed in each of their hands. "Neither one of you can ever say I don't take care of you." Clark remarked watching them both inhaled the scent of their latte's like nothing else existed.
Chloe opened her eyes, "No, we can't. Thank you!. This was just what I needed, is this why it took you so long?"
Both girls noted the usual awkward look in Clark's eyes for a second before he provided his excuse, "Traffic. I chose the wrong coffee place." He hoped it was a decent enough cover for the unexpected detour. He couldn't ignore the pleas for help when he knew he could and do so without anyone being the wiser. The satisfaction that he had saved lives still reverberated in him. No one had died because he had been around, because he could help and did.
Watching him, Chloe and Lois exchanged a look but kept it to themselves. Clark could be so weird at times.
Lois took a good sip,"Thank you Smallville, however my stomach isn't as grateful when its still churning empty. We were suppose to meet so we could go off for lunch." She glanced down at her watch, "Now we don't have enough time."
"I realized this, Lois. That's why I grabbed one of these.." He handed over a small paper sack. "You're quite scary when your starving."
Lois took the bag and opened it. "Oh.. My stomach forgives you!" She gave him a beaming smile which he returned.
Chloe listened as the conversation changed to classes and other things that occupied their lives. Once again taking a comfort in knowing that Clark and Lois both would have someone when she finally made the move. Neither would take it well when she would eventually find the courage to tell them Gotham was soon to be her new home. They'd graduate, and instead of competing with Lois for the limited places at the Daily Planet, she had put in for an internship at the Gotham Gazette. Not as prestige but it would be near her parents.
Just after they graduated high school, an opportunity for her mother to get better treatment had come up unexpectedly in Gotham. Her father had found work and grabbed at the chance, and despite their underlying belief it wouldn't work, it had. Moira showed steady improvement to the point they had been able to have lucid conversations. Chloe found herself building a relationship again with her mother when she visited. Now she couldn't pass up the chance to continue it. Besides Gotham held enough fascination for an intrepid reporter, she'd never be bored.
However, the dangers of Gotham would cause her two friends enough concern that would only increase the protesting she expected to have.
"You lie, Smallville, and for that you are going to pay!"
"I did not! Its the truth" Chloe turned from her thoughts to hear Clark reply with a laugh.
"Please.. So if I called her right now that's what she would say?"
"Yes. On my word!"
Lois rolled her eyes and punched him in the arm, "For a second there I thought you were going to say scouts honour and then I was going to have to beat you."
"You already do.." Clark smirked standing, edging away.
"OH! that's it!" Lois flew up, going for a second arm punch.
Chloe laughed, shaking her head. Her sense of guilt for leaving them soon eased a little by their interplay. At the least they'd have each other as friends, and maybe more then friends.. a slight knowing smirk played at the corners of her lips.
Mumbling to herself she stood, "Just please Lois..not Joshua."
\S/
"Pick up, pick up, ..PICK UP!" Lois hissed into the phone as she paced her bedroom. She groaned when it hit Clark's voice mail. For half a second she thought of just hanging up, but the need to rant a little had her practically growling into the phone.
"Alright Clark..don't pick up. Do you know what kind of day I've had? Some friend! What kind of friend doesn't pick up the phone.. First Chloe is busy and now you! PICK UP DAMN YOU! Or better yet get your .." she hit the end of her allotted time and scowled at the phone.
Still pacing, she hit redial wondering if she'd get Clark this time or his voice mail. If she got Clark at least it would be a one on one conversation rather then a second message, but then that would leave the first message for him to hear later. Shaking her head, she chuckled at the idea.. yeah, he deserved that message.
It rang and rang again. Why wasn't he picking up? A tiny part of her worried for a moment, imagining some sort of worst case scenario. Farm chores gone wrong. Oh, that sounded like a horrible TV special.
Rolling her eyes at the ludicrous thought, she resumed ranting into the phone when it hit the voice mail again. "Get your PLAID wearing farm boy butt over here and don't forget the coffee.. and ice cream.. wait..no make that donuts. Uhh.." She wasn't sure she was in the mood for either. It wasn't as if she'd turn either down but still. Lately, she had been having cravings. Now what was she in the mood for today? "Oh.. never mind bring coffee and bro.."
Bing. "If you wish to delete this message press 1, if you wish to keep it simply hang up. Thank you and goodbye"
Oh MY Gawd! How could they not give longer message times, did the average human just say what three words and then was done?
"Give me a break!" She almost tossed the phone aside than her eyes fell on the very reason she had freaked and called Clark in the first place – her closet. The closet that had been invaded.
Someone was going to die unless her friend, the guy who claimed to hold the title of best friend, came over and did something about it.
Groaning, she spun away from the closet and fell back on to her bed as she once again dialed Clark's number.
It didn't even ring this time before it went to voice mail which just made her all the more upset. "I guess you want a demotion.. where the heck are you? Did you just now turn your phone off on me? GET OVER HERE PRONTO!.. Bring brownies.. I decided on brownies " she started to speak fast knowing she was running out of time, "don't forget the coffee. PLEASE SMALLVILLE! This is a matter of life or death and you don't want to be the reason I kill someone do you? I can't be held responsible for my actions if you do not get over here. PLEASE .. for the love of all man kind, please get over here or call back!"
She managed to get the last words out before the message ended and closed her eyes in relief. His voice mail cut off to quick. He probably set it up that way. Lois mused and fumed before turning away from her closet and burying her face in her pillow.
\S/
"There were two of them?"
"Two sets?"
"Yes, and as you can imagine it was completely awkward. "
Clark chuckled, "How did you get out of it?" Taking a slow sip of his drink. His hand slid to the vibrating cell in his back pocket and hit off on his phone.
Though unaware his cell had been going off repeatedly, Cindy had continued relating some of her experiences as a human interest journalist. A part of her was aware that despite the genuine enjoyment Clark seemed to be having with her, he was distracted, perhaps even bothered.
"I backed out slowly and pretended I didn't have a clue what was going on. Which wasn't hard because at that moment I didn't. It wasn't till later I found out that she given up both. You would have thought they were quadruplets."
Clark nodded, trying not to let his mind wander. Lois persistence was only increasing his anxiety. But having heard her first message he knew it wasn't life or death. The others would just be her ranting at him, probably yelling at him for not answering and blaming him for whatever came to mind. He could deal with that later. What truly worried him was the nagging thought of how she had been acting in the last two weeks.
Remembering his conversation with Lex, he wanted to believe that he was making a mole hill out of nothing. But he knew something wasn't right. Maybe not pregnancy, he could concede, but it didn't change the feeling. Lois had been off lately, and it worrying him.
It made it harder to be civil when it came to Josh, hard at times to give Cindy his full attention, and even his dreams lately had taken a worried tone when it came to Lois. He found himself often saving her, but when he woke he couldn't be sure what it was he had been saving her from.
A hand placed over his brought him out of his distracted thoughts, "Clark are you okay?" Cindy's normally bright voice was softened with concern.
Giving her a rueful smile, Clark bowed his head in apology, "I'm sorry. I've just been worried for a friend." He felt bad not just because it was rude to be this way on a date but because he really liked her.
Cindy leaned forward and rested her chin in her hand, "Lois?" she asked tentatively.
Hesitating Clark nodded, "Sorry." While he may be clueless to a lot of things he wasn't stupid to the fact women tended to get jealous even when there wasn't a reason to. He wasn't sure if Cindy would feel that way about Lois and his close friendship with her. It had been a problem with Sarah and one of many reasons it hadn't of worked out.
Cindy though only squeezed his hand, giving no indication she was bothered. "Do you need to go? We've been out for hours Clark. If you need to go help Lois with something its fine."
"Are you sure? I wouldn't ask if I didn't think it was important."
"I know. You are a good friend and I know Lois has been dealing with headaches.."
Clark frowned, "Does she have them a lot at work?"
"A little I guess.. " Cindy shook her head slightly, "I'm not exactly sure. They don't look pleasant when she has them. I 've been down at her end a lot cause of a story lately..and I've seen her a few times looking I guess a bit green around the gills. I loaned her some aspirin the one day."
Clark took a deep breath, this wasn't exactly a surprise, just confirmation. He had a feeling Lois had been downplaying how bad they were. "Yeah, I think I am going to go check on her. Do you think we could have a rain check for another day out?"
"Of course, though, Clark we have had a day out. How about a rain check to finish it. Dinner tomorrow? I sorta have to finish a story piece I've been working on, but if you don't mind being my company we could get take out at my place."
Returning the small smile playing on her lips, Clark nodded, "I'd love that. You sure you are okay with this?"
Cindy stood and began to slip on her coat. "Clark, I wouldn't have offered." She honestly wasn't. If he had of been acting this way over just a phone call from a nagging friend she might have been upset, but knowing Lois hadn't been feeling well she couldn't fault his concern. It made him all the more attractive that he was so attentive to those he cared about.
Standing, Clark put down the money for their tab just as she finished putting her coat on and stepped closer, taking her hand. For the first time in a long time he wasn't regretting being out, dating, or the fact Lois had set them up.
"Tomorrow then?"
She smiled looking up at him, "Yes.. 5:30 and don't be late."
"I won't." Clark recognized the twitch of her lower lip and what it meant. Now that this was their fourth date he had a little more confidence at kissing her goodbye.
Lowering his head he placed his lips on her soft ones for a sweet kiss. This time unlike before the kiss lasted a little longer, their lips mingling together with more intimacy. For a brief second, Clark toyed with the idea of deepening it, but Cindy pulled her arms from around his neck looking pleased. He let the thought go and returned the shy but satisfied smile.
Picking up her purse, Cindy let her other hand linger in his a moment before walking away. Clark watched her go. It had been a lovely day but now it was time to face his concerns and quite possibly an irate Lois.
\S/
Clark wasn't sure what he was going to be walking into when he knocked on the door. Was he about to be crispy fried by Lois' own version of heat vision and verbal fire, or be talking her down from frying someone else?
The door suddenly swung open and Lois stood in her pajamas which consisted of one of his old flannels and a pair of red pj bottoms, her light brown hair pulled back into a relaxed ponytail. Her beautiful face held wrath which made Clark swallow.
"So, you come now?"
"Uh..Lois.."
Before he could finish, she pulled him in and slammed the door, crossing her arms. "Well.."
Clark sat down the grocery bag he was carrying and a pan covered with foil. He kept his eyes even with hers. Gauging her state of distress by how long it took her to break the silence. 8 seconds, obviously it was all mood and no real suffering.
"Clark! You didn't answer your phone and I needed you and THEN you turned it off. On ME!"
He frowned. Thinking wait a minute! Didn't she lay down the rules for what she termed as relationship days? Clark crossed his arms mirroring her with stance and facial expression. "Well..I was having a day out with Cindy when I got your repeated messages. I would have answered but I remembered the small nagging voice in my head that said 'Smallville our love lives need their space. Remember that.' " His voice took on a tone that was meant to be girly but sounded like all levels of wrong to Lois.
Lois gave him the 'haha your so funny' look before throwing her hands up. "Sorry..I'm sorry!.. But you won't believe what he did." She started to pull him toward the bedroom when it finally sunk in that he had a pan with him. "Is that the brownies?"
"Yes, Lois."
She practically dived for the pan but Clark quickly lifted it up into the air. "Lois! Have you eaten dinner?"
Lois stopped trying to reach the pan that was hovering high above her, taunting her with its brownie chocolaty goodness. Hands on her hips she rolled her eyes, "Yes.."
"Lois! " Clark kept his eyes on hers. Daring her to keep the lie up.
"Fine, no..but gimmie!"
"No, not till you eat dinner."
"All I have is Joshua's tofu and you won't let us order takeout when you're over" she pulled a pouty face at that last bit, hoping to melt his resolve.
"That's because you'd eat it all the time Lois and you know it makes you sick when you have to much. Now how many times this week have you ordered take out?"
"Um, twice."
"Lois..?"
"Oh alright! Four times. But really its only three since I didn't finish the pizza.. "
"Did you go out with Josh at all this week?"
"Yes, for lunch one day and then last night. Oh my gosh Smallville, I am gonna kill him!" She balled her fist looking as if she was going to murder someone again.
"Okay, well before you do, how about I heat up some of the left overs I brought over?"
Lois glanced at the paper sack that sat on her counter. Looking through it, she practically squealed with delight which got a chuckle out of Clark. "The Kent homemade Lasagna! Oh, how many cheeses Clark?"
"Four."
"Only four this time?"
"Well, I didn't like the combo last time as much as the time before, thought I'd go more simple."
Lois was already at this point grabbing plates out of the cupboard. "Yeah, I thought it was great..but even four cheeses..sounds good to me."
Clark opened the bag watching her and enjoying how something as simple as his Lasagna could cheer her up and bring a smile to her face.
\S/
"So.. no weird, you know, laugh or demands?" Lois asked as she scrapped her plate. Pointedly not paying attention to the closet sitting before her.
Clark pushed his now empty plate aside and leaned against the bed, turning his head to look at her. "Nope. Sane, nice and no weirdness."
Lois nodded, unsure why she was feeling a bit of unease with the conversation. Shouldn't she be happy with the fact Cindy was treating Clark well? That he seemed happy?. Unable to look at his face and see the possible smitten expression she managed to ask, "Chemistry? Do you think you two have chemistry."
Clark smiled as he thought about how well he got on with Cindy, but the smile fell at the way Lois was analyzing her empty plate. "Yeah. I think so.." Feeling uncomfortable and a little confused. Didn't Lois want him to have a nice time with Cindy? She had set them up after all.
Unable to take the strange shift in mood Lois jumped into the reason she had called him over. The reason they sat on the floor in front of her closet eating their dinner. "Ready for the horror?" She glanced at him and nodded toward the closet.
Taking her cue, Clark nodded back and sat up straighter, "As ready as I can be.."
Lois handed her plate to Clark who stacked it on his and their eyes met, Lois looked solemn. "I thought what he tried to do to it to my desk at the Planet was horrendous but this.."
"Its that bad?"
"Decide for yourself." She slipped her fingers under the door and pulled it open.
Clark's eyes widen at the sight. He opened his mouth and shut it. He looked over at Lois, "I'm sorry.." he whispered. Watching her eyes cloud with the storm that had been brewing.
Lois took a deep breath as she turned to look back at the closet that normally looked like a twister had hit it. Instead it was tidy and neat. No, that wasn't an accurate description of it. It went beyond that. It was organized so much that things were colour coordinated. How had he found the time to do this and she not know it?
"I can't believe he did it! I pointedly told him to leave it..but no! First he takes over my fridge with tufo, tries to 'clean up' my desk, reordered my CD collection and now this!" She huffed and sat back against the bed, arms crossed. They stared at it.
"When did he do it?"
"I don't know..that's the other part I don't get. I didn't think he was over long enough and alone to do this. He must have used the key I gave him." Her tone spoke of hurt.
Clark sighed, this was one of the reasons he did not like Josh. Lois would shake it off after a day or so but it was hard to ignore that it seemed like the man was trying to change her. Yes, Lois was messy, her methodology was chaotic organized. But it worked for her and it didn't bother him, Lois was Lois. Josh, however, kept trying to get her to be orderly. Didn't he get that would change her very nature?
Trying to hid his own annoyance and perhaps even anger, Clark struggled to sound calm as he asked ," What are you going to do?"
Lois closed her eyes, suddenly she felt like crying. It had been happening a lot, the over the top emotional responses. Swallowing, she managed, "I don't know Smallville. I'm just so tired of all of it lately. I love Josh.. but he irritates me to no end and that's not fair is it?"
Clark sighed, finding her statement of love for Josh to hurt and not sure why, its not that she had never said it before now, but for some reason it bothered him. Maybe it was because she had seemed a little unhappy with the relationship lately. He never liked to see her feel that way.
"No it's not." He knew she might figure he meant for Josh, he wouldn't correct her. Instead he pulled her into a hug. Lois leaned her head against his shoulder and for several minutes they stayed close and looking at her closet.
"I'm gonna mess it up.. put it back the way it was." She knew that sounded childish but didn't care. Clark didn't either.
"You remember how it was?"
Lois laughed, "funny.. I had the important stuff hung up, that's about it."
"Don't forget the rest lying on the floor, and the bits that usually peak out through the crack on the floor or trail across your room." He added feeling her giggle into his shoulder. He continued failing to keep the laughter out of his voice, "Not to mention the odd assortment of costumes and the handcuffs that usually lie in the far corner."
She sat back and punched his arm, "Hey! you're not suppose to know about those."
Clark gave her a raised eyebrow. "Considering how many times I've run errands for you. You're surprised? How do you think your dry cleaning got hung up?"
Lois rolled her eyes and titled her head narrowing them. "So have you been snooping?"
Returning the expression, Clark shook his head. "No.. though I do have to ask. Why handcuffs?"
Laughing, Lois stood looking around the now 'organized' closet wondering where Joshua had placed the handcuffs. She found them sitting on the shelf. Pulling them down a horse whip fell to the floor. Lois turned bright red at the look on Clark's face.
"Its not what you think.."
Clark blew out a breath and gave her an exaggerated shocked look, "I don't know what to think. You'll have to explain it to me." He waited expectantly.
Lois smacked him with the whip on the shoulder. Clark pretended to flinch, "Hey"
"Please..or there's more where that came from."
For a second the words hung in the air. Lois cleared her throat, "You know what I mean! Okay, " she held the cuffs out. "These were because of that frat party investigation..remember?"
"Okay and the whip?" he knew he had to be blushing a little. It was hard to avoid the slightly naughty mental images of Lois with a whip especially with how she was holding it.
As if sensing his thoughts, Lois tossed the whip at him. Clark caught it in a fumbling manner before placing it on the floor.
"That, Smallville, I will tell you one day. But not today.. and its not why you think, though it is an interesting story." She was amused at the myriad of expressions that crossed his face. He was so easy to get going.
"I'm keeping you to that." Smiling at her, he began to pull himself to his feet and found her hand held out to him. Though he had no need he took it and allowed her to feel she was helping him up.
"Thanks. So brownies?"
Lois grinned, "Uh.. Yeah! With the works. Why don't you get it ready and I'll start the process of de-joshing my closet." Her tone went from excited to annoyed with no effort.
Clark would have laughed if the issue really had been harmless. Feeling like a bad friend for wishing his best friend would let go of her awful boyfriend, Clark just gave her a tender smile before agreeing. "Good, I'll have to go out and get ice cream unless you have some."
Lois looked from the closet to him, "Yeah I do. Not a lot.. there's a bit of phish food left"
"Coming right up.."
\S/
Everything stopped mid laughter.
It felt like someone was drilling into her head. The spoon midway to her mouth, Lois found she couldn't quite figure out how to complete the task. It was if she not only lost touch with reality but the ability to function.
She couldn't be sure how long it was, nor was she able to in the matter of seconds the first wave hit her, register the alarmed look that spread across Clark's face. All Lois knew was the pain. The insidious pain that lately seemed to be taking over more of her life.
Hoping Clark wouldn't notice exactly how bad it had become, Lois had down played anything he had seen but moments like this made the illusion she was trying to paint fall apart. Knowing Clark like she did he'd worry enough for her, him and half a dozen people. She didn't want that.
"Lois? Lois you okay?" Clark tried to keep the frightened edge out of his voice. It scared him how Lois had gone white as a sheet, the glazed over look her eyes took, the pain filled expression that flickered across her face.
What was more startling was the way she had frozen for about ten seconds and then blinked at him with confusion.
Frowning, Lois gave a sigh as the world shifted back, the pain only lessening a little, rather than leaving. "I'm fine Smallville." Even she knew she hardly sounded convincing with the way her voice had gone hoarse.
"Lois, have you been experiencing that a lot?"
Continuing to play clueless Lois frowned incredulously at him, "What a lot?"
It was his turn to give her an unbelieving look. "You've gone pale and you can't tell me something isn't wrong Lois."
Starting to shake her head, the nausea now hit and unable to answer, Lois went flying for the bathroom. Clark was sure he'd never seen her move so fast and it was obvious her coordination wasn't at its best, she almost hit the door frame to her bathroom as she disappeared from view.
Sitting stunned at the table, Clark grimaced at the sound of her losing everything she had eaten. He wasn't sure which to be more concerned about, the migraines he knew she was still suffering from or that the possible cause for them and being sick, pregnancy.
He wanted answers. Clark needed to know even though the idea's of what the answer could be scared him. But how did he ask her if she was pregnant? Wouldn't she have realized by now if she was?
Shaking his head from these thoughts, Clark got up from the table and went to the bathroom. Opening the door slowly he called softly, "Lois.."
The answer he received in return was more sounds of retching. Going all the way into the bathroom he found her leaning over the toilet. Having very clearly lost her dinner..and still in the process. Clark's heart sunk at the sight of her.
If this was Joshua's fault he was gonna kill him. It didn't matter that it took two to tango and make a child, he was blaming him.
Kneeling down next to her, he lifted her hair behind her neck, holding it firm, tenderly rubbing her back as she continued. The way she was reacting, including how she groaned occasionally as if she was still in pain rivaled the times he had done this when she drank to much. Atleast in those times they both had been prepared for the possible consequence. But this..
Eventually she stopped, looking more drawn then he'd ever thought possible. He helped her clean her face, mentally frowning how she didn't fuss at his help. Lois seemed almost listless.
Once she was in a suitable state to leave, he picked her up and brought her to her bed.
About to tell her to not move he didn't bother when she saw how much pain she was still in. She wasn't going anywhere.
Clark retrieved a wet wash cloth from the bathroom and came to sit beside her, dabbing her face. "Lois.. maybe I should bring you to the hospital." maybe this time they'd get some answers.
Lois grit her teeth and managed to get out, "No, no Clark please!" The migraines had never been this bad before but the need to avoid the hospital made her push through the pain.
"They can give you something for this.."
"Please Smallville! No hospital."
"Okay..only if you let me help and you don't get worse."
Lois managed a small nod, allowing herself to first grip her head and then the pillow, as another wave of nausea and intense pain flooded through. Why did it feel like her mind was being torn apart? It was the only way she could describe the intense pain that pulse,stabbed and pierced her head.
Making sure she was fully situated on the bed, Clark got up to go get her a drink. Not sure what, but he needed to try something, replenish what she had lost.
\S/
Over the days since he had experienced death and begun this new existence, Mark had learned more about his abilities. The differences and similarities between how it was now and how it had been before. One such discovery was that he could, for a short while, take over someone with weak defenses. But it wasn't permanent. He knew this.
He could feel it, that a person with weak defenses and in a sense still inhabited their own body simply suppressed by him, wasn't a viable option for a permanent residence. He needed strength and he needed the individual gone. Mark wouldn't have been able to explain how he knew this. Just that he did.
Lois was very strong but he could feel that he was having an affect on her. Pushing at her barriers, causing not only migraines, but messing with her emotions and even cause her behavior to change just a little. Not much but enough to know his efforts weren't wasted.
Then there was the joy of watching Clark. He didn't say much to Lois on it but it was written all over his face. He was worried about her, seeing it, and Mark found being patient as he broke down her defenses wasn't hard in the slightest if it meant Clark suffered.
Another advantage for him, one that made the long term project of pushing Lois out of herself, was the fact time really held no meaning for him. Some days passed so quickly he was barely aware of them. He could watch, wait and not feel the loneliness from it, just the need for revenge. Lois had similarities to Gwen, enough that if Clark hadn't had impenetrable defenses it would be his body, his life he'd steal. But it simply wasn't an option. Lois had to go, Clark had to suffer, and some how Mark would have a new life.
\S/
Carrots.
Loads and loads of baby carrots.
Clark stared at the shelf in the fridge trying to comprehend what it was he was seeing. This wasn't right. Lois wasn't a fan of veggies. Especially if they weren't soaked in gravy or meat juices, or buried deep in some dish. So why was there so many bags of carrots?
He could have accepted the idea they were Josh's but there wasn't a scrape of evidence for that. Josh had taken over the little drawer that people usually put their lunch meats and cheeses in. It was all neat and tidy with tufu and his other super diet necessities. The bags of carrots if Josh's, would have been piled neatly not half thrown all over, besides Josh wouldn't have bought so many.
Frugal was the polite way to describe the mans money habits. That many carrots at his girlfriends house would have been considered a waste of money. Clark had no doubts about this which meant they had to be for Lois. But that made equally no sense to him.
A pain filled moan broke him out of his momentary shock and musings, Clark grabbed for a bottle of water before searching her cupboards quickly. The only thing he could find that a sour stomach might be able to handle was a fairly just ripened banana. He could remember his mother saying they were good for a sensitive or upset stomach.
"Lois, don't get up" Clark spoke softly as he came back in the room to find her trying to crawl out of bed.
"Its fine. I'm fine.." She grumbled, the words barely intelligible, her colouring still immensely pale.
With no strength to fight him, Lois allowed herself to be pushed back down against the pillow. Even without the lack of strength the pounding in her head left her feeling disoriented. She couldn't be entirely sure Clark was actually there, that she wasn't even imagining it. The water he gave her felt good against her dry throat that burned from losing her dinner. But a part of her mind wondered if her desire for a drink was causing her to think she had it.
Despite her uncertainty, she mumbled a thank you and laid completely back against the pillow.
Clark wiped at her brow again. Wishing he understood more about migraines and headaches. This seemed so intense. Once again the idea of pregnancy flashed through his head along with the mental image of the baby carrots. Didn't pregnancy cause cravings?
"Lois?" he asked quietly after a few minutes.
On the verge of sleep, exhausted by the pain, Lois turned her head in his direction but didn't open her eyes. "yes.."
"Who are the carrots for?" Clark helped her adjust the pillow as she shifted towards him. Even though he couldn't relate to her pain he found himself seeming to know what she needed.
"Carrots?" Lois wasn't sure what he was on about.
"You have a lot of carrots in your fridge.."
"oh," she leaned into the hand that stayed near her face. Glad he was there, specifically him. Anyone else and she wasn't sure she'd be able to relax. "I've been craving them. Don't know why.."
Lois trailed off, unable to fight drifting away. Clark let out a deep sigh at her words. Craving.. some how he was going to have to bring up a baby? If for some reason she didn't know she was, then he needed to find out. For her sake.
For the babies sake.
The thought felt like a punch to the chest with green Kryptonite. Joshua in Lois' life was hard enough to handle as it was. A child by him would only make it worse. Clark hated the idea of everything it would bring for her. Why she couldn't see how unhappy she was with the insipid man was beyond him.
Lois was his friend, no she was more then that. She was someone who made his world right when it felt wrong and that meant her happiness and well being was beyond important to him.
Seeing her so vulnerable on the bed, even if it was only from a migraine, left Clark feeling a bit sick. It seemed unnatural for her to be this way. A reminder once again of the complicated shield she had around her. Yet, she trusted him enough to rest and let those guards down at times. Without words or even a conscious thought on this, as he gently covered her with the blanket, Clark refused to hurt that trust.
He wasn't about to go anywhere.
Leaving the room to lock up the apartment, Clark made the decision he was staying the night, Shelby and the farm would be fine until morning. He pulled a cushion off the couch, not cause he really needed it but he knew she'd worry about his comfort. As he position the cushion in front of her end table, at the side of her bed where she slept, he was pleased to see the music box he had given her. For someone who gave the impression of a tough exterior, there were touches in her bedroom that spoke of a soft heart.
The photo's, the music box, her life here and there. around the room, in bits and pieces. What might seem unimportant to others he knew had a history for Lois. The faded friendship bracelet that Chloe had given her during what Lois considered the best summer of her childhood, a picture of a deflated birthday cake that she had made him a couple of years ago. An unimpressive shell that had the initials of her parents surrounded by a heart, a token of love passed down from mother to daughter.
It didn't escape his notice that not a single memento could be tied to Josh, and for some reason he felt not only relief but vindicated in his belief that the man wasn't the right guy for Lois, that she deserved better.
With his back gently against the table, he took her hand, and let himself drift off lightly, keeping an ear tuned to her.
Lois opened her eyes a while later during the night to find Clark's warm hand around hers, his dark head of hair leaning against the bed where her pillow was. Smiling, she shifted a little so she could look at him better, leaving her hand in his.
She marveled at how warm his hand felt in hers. Clark never seemed to get cold, always warm to the touch and often wearing in appropriate winter wear when most would be bundled up. She had to admit it made him feel even more reliable. Which, despite how everyone saw her enjoyment of adventure and trouble, she liked those qualities in Clark. Joshua drove her crazy with his constant need to be in control, and ever other guy in her life was either emotionally unavailable or was very unreliable. Clark had a mystery to him, but he was there for her, she needed that.
Once again he had proven himself. Took care of her, demanded nothing, listened and stayed by her side. His warm hand around hers, contented Lois brushed a hair back from his eyes. Feeling bad when a moment later his eyes snapped open and locked on to hers.
"You okay.." He asked in a sleepy voice.
Lois gave a light smile, "Yeah. You didn't have to stay Clark, you can go home now." Starting to sit up she barely had a chance to grab her head before the room started to spin. As usual he came to her rescue. Steadying her.
"I'm not going anywhere, Lois. You're obviously not 100 percent yet, you need anything and I'll get it for you."
"Smallville, I'm not gonna die from a bad headache. I don't need a babysitter or for you to be on a death watch. "
"I know your not dying and I am not babysitting. I'm helping my best friend so stop complaining." He replied with the same slightly acid tone. Lifting the legs she had swung over the side of the bed, easing her back, fully prepared for her stubbornness. "besides you can always pay back the favour."
Allowing herself to be laid back, Lois rolled her eyes and grimaced when that hurt as well, "You hardly if ever get ill.." she was already mumbling a bit as the headache went from light, when she moved, to demanding more attention. Trying to recall him actually getting ill she could only remember one time when he had the sniffles.
Clark shook his head and sat down next to her on the bed, bottle of water in hand, feeling she needed a drink. "Lois there are other ways you can pay me back."
"I don't cook Smallville so I am not exactly sure what you are getting at.."
He had to laugh as she took a tentative sip from the bottle of water. "I'm sure at some point you can pay me back in whatever way suits you. And definitely not with your cooking."
She would have punched his arm if she wasn't afraid it would make her head throb worse. "Funny.. now move to the other side and lay down, there's room"
The suggestion while innocent, offered from friend to friend, left Clark feeling uncomfortable. The words out of his mouth came out with far more ease and lightheartedness then he actually felt, inside he was awash in conflicting emotions. "What would Josh think?"
"Joshua, Clark..its Joshua. And he's a big boy..I can have a friend over if I want. " She grumbled moodily at him. Josh was obviously a sore subject. As if afraid he would then leave, she grabbed at his arm, "Besides..I don't want you to go." her voice heavy with emotion.
Clark nodded. While their had always been moments where she bared her vulnerability, allowing him in, lately there was an emotional edge to it. It felt like further proof she was pregnant. Even if he had wanted to leave there was no way he could at the sound of her voice, besides he didn't. Everything else could wait.
"I'll stay.. " Clark wanted to kiss her forehead, but for some reason it felt like a bad idea. So he squeezed her hand instead and moved off the bed and back on to the cushion.
Lois sighed with relief, "Thank you."
"Always Lois, you know that."
"I know. " Sleep was claiming her once more, now that she was still and comfortable. "Same here."
Clark smiled and once again watched her drift off. After a few minutes that smile turned into a slight frown as he was left to think about all the changes Lois was going through and what it could very well mean.
~ \S/ ~
Feedback is Cookies. You know the drill