A.N: This is my shortest chapter, but it had to be alone. I couldn't run any other chapter after this. This is where they stand, and we have to kind of look at it as a scene rather than a chapter. I hope you all enjoyed their first meeting after five years. It was tough to write but so totally worth it.

Chapter 3

"Clark..."

He tried to smile, and tucked his hands into his pocket.

"What...", she stumbled over her words, "I mean... how... I'm dreaming."

She walked around him and dropped the bat.

"You're not here", she repeated to herself over and over.

Suddenly, she felt a familiar breeze and looked up to see him in front of her again.

"I'm here, Lois", he whispered leaning in to hug her; "I'm here."

Lois, shocked, didn't move from his embrace.

"How are you here", she asked pulling away.

"I came back, Lois."

"But how?"

"I flew", he smirked.

"You know what I mean", she said, "Why? Why now?"

"It was time", he said walking around her, "My father said my training was complete."

"Your father", Lois asked.

"My biological father", Clark smiled, "You remember him right?"

"How can I forget", she said, "Big booming voice inside an ice palace."

Clark nodded. "I'm sorry to barge in on you like this..."

"It's fine", she nodded, "How long have you been back?"

"A few days", he said, "I was hiding out...."

"In your loft?"

"How'd you-"

"I had a feeling something was strange when I noticed your loft suddenly look like someone had been there."

"It could have been my mom", he said.

"She hasn't stepped foot in that barn in five years", Lois said seriously.

Clark stopped and turned around.

"I guess no matter what I say", he said, "It doesn't change the fact that I left."

"You felt like you had to leave", Lois said, "For whatever reason you may have had... But they were your reasons and we had to respect them."

"Lois, I never meant to-"

"Hurt me", she asked watching him nod softly, "But you did, Clark, more than anyone ever could."

"I know this is very cliché", Clark said slowly, "But can we start over?"

"I don't know", she said, "Can you ask me again in a few days?"

Clark nodded. "Sure."

He walked toward the window and opened it.

"Will I see you", she asked his back.

He turned around and faced her. "I'm always around, Lois."

She nodded at the familiar words, and watched him fly out her window.