Chapter 11
'I should've gotten something else.' She thought for the umpteenth time as she opened yet another present.
'Thanks, uncle Gabe.' She said with a smile looking at the book cover.
It seemed interesting enough.
'Do you like it?' He asked with some apprehension.
He knew just how picky his niece could be when it came to presents.
'I'm sure I'll love it.' She leaned in and gave him a quick peak on the cheek trying to ignore the fact that brain insisted on reminding her that she'd given everyone their gift except him.
She glanced in his direction. He stood by the couch on the other side of the room, alone, looking at the CD Jimmy had given him.
This was it! She inhaled deeply, her grip on her last package tightening as she crossed the room.
God, her heart was racing!
'Maybe I'll do this later.' She began to back peddle, faltering in her stride. 'Later is good!' She convinced herself. 'Later it is!' She decided turning on her heels only to find Mrs. Kent standing in her path, blocking her hasty retreat.
'Mrs. Kent!' Lois let out the breath she had been holding for the past minute.
Martha looked up and smiled gently. Lois found herself relaxing in its warmth.
'I really liked the scarf.' She finally said fingering the piece of fabric she held.
'Really? Cause I wasn't sure you'd like it.' Lois blurted nervously.
'I loved it.' Martha made her point clear by taking the delicate cloth and wrapping it around neck. 'You really know how to pick gifts.'
'Yeah? I'm not to sure about that...' She muttered rolling her eyes and digging her fingers further into the wrapping she held.
Mrs. Kent leaned in and with a knowing smirk whispered:
'I'm sure that he's going to love whatever you've picked out for him.'
And with that she turned around to join Mr. Sullivan leaving a baffled Lois behind.
What did she mean? What did-
She was jolted out of her thoughts by the light touch of a hand on her shoulder. She didn't have to turn around to know who it belonged to. Helplessly trying to ignore the butterflies raging in her stomach she turned to meet his gaze.
'Hey...'
'Hey...'
The two stood in uncomfortable silence for a few seconds, the very recent memory of what had almost happened in the kitchen lingering around them.
Abruptly Lois outstretched her arm, handing him the crumpled package.
'Here you go! Merry Christmas!'
He was caught a bit off guard by the sudden movement, but accepted the present.
'Thanks.'
Lois felt her heart pounding in anticipation as he sluggishly pealed the duck tape, careful not to damage the wrapping paper.
'I'm not sure if you're going to like it... but I felt this intense need to intervene. I mean, you went to college and still your fashion sense seems to be limited to the flannel section at Wal-Mart.'
She watched as he continued to slowly unpack the gift. It was killing her.
'You are in desperate need of a make over and I-'
That was it!
'What are you doing?' She inquired; the annoyance evident in her voice.
'I'm trying not to ruin the paper.' He explained giving her an innocent look.
'Why?' She asked with a perplexed frown.
'Because it's nice and-'
'Oh, just give me that!'
She snatched the gift from his hands and in the same move ripped the paper taking out the sweater inside and handing it to him.
'There you go.'
She tried to hold his gaze, but the way he was looking at her was making it really hard.
After a couple of seconds he finally broke eye contact to look down at her present taking it from her hands.
When he didn't say anything she felt the intense need to fill in the void.
'It's a turtleneck sweater…'
'I can see that…' He smiled.
She was nervous. God, she was adorable when she babbled. The fluttering in his stomach doubled at the thought that he was the cause of her babbling.
'…and it's blue. Cause you do look good in blue.' She continued. 'The guy at the store said it was navy blue, but I'm pretty sure it's midnight blue… or Prussian blue…'
'Since when do I know so much about colours and why are you babbling, Lois?' She chastised herself.
'Anyway, if you don't like it, your can-'
'I love it!' He cut her off.
'Yeah, but if you don't you can-'
'I love it.' He insisted taking the sweater and easily slipping it on.
Her lips pressed together tightly as she gulped, causing the dimples in the corners of her lips to appear. He definitely looked good in blue.
'Very good!'
The high turtleneck emphasized his squared jaw.
'How do I look?'
'It's ok.' She said nonchalantly adding a shrug for good measure.
'Just ok?' He cocked an eyebrow at her.
'It's not plaided or flannel. It's not VH1 fashion award worthy but it's an improvement.'
'And there is always room for improvement, right?'
She felt her cheeks burn as the familiar line evoked the memory of their recent tryst in the kitchen. Instinctively she looked up.
'Good. No mistletoe.' She tried to convince herself.
Looking back down their eyes met and once again the tension escalated. It was Clark's turn to break it noting:
'And you got the right size.'
Oh, she knew his size alright.
'Excuse me?'
Lois' eyes widened. Had she said that out loud?!
'Oh my god!'
'Hmm… nothing, it's nothing.' She mumbled fretfully. 'Anyway, I'm glad you liked it.'
She stuffed her hands in the her back pockets and tensely balanced herself on the heel of her shoes.
'And the awkwardness continues…'
'Well, I better…'
'Wait. I didn't give you your present.'
'Oh… right.'
She looked at his empty hands. She couldn't help but quip:
'Let me guess. Is it… oxygen?'
He rolled his eyes at her.
'It's upstairs, I didn't want Shelby to ruining it. I'll be right back.'
With a grin he jogged up the stairs.
He raced into his bedroom and picked up the package that was on his night table. He was beginning to have doubts about this one. What if she didn't like it?
Walking out into the hall the fear tugged at his heart. Lois was fussy about presents, what if-
'Out of the way, Smallville.'
Clark backed up against the wall as Lois and a greenish looking Chloe rushed past him and into the bathroom. Before he could say anything the door was slammed in his face.
'Is everything ok in there?' He asked concerned.
There was no answer beyond the foul sound of someone retching.
'Lois?'
Nothing.
'Chloe?'
He was about to knock when the door was flung open. From over Lois' shoulder he could see Chloe bent over the toilet.
'She had a little too much cranberry cream pie. Add in the gallon of eggnog she gobbled down and I think the heaving sound coming from behind me right now is self-explanatory, don't you think?' She wrinkled her nose at him.
'Chloe… are you ok?'
He asked from the threshold.
'Oh, I'm just…' She held up her hand as she felt another wave of nausea roll up her oesophagus.
She waited a few moments, swallowed hard and finished her sarcastic remark:
'I'm just fine and dandy!'
After a second she garbled out:
'This is all your fault…'
'My fault?' He asked innocently.
'You promised me you wouldn't let me eat so much again in my life.' She grumbled from her spot on the tiled floor, leaning her head against the toilet.
It was cold; it felt nice.
'Actually, that promise was related to ice-cream only…'
He trailed off when Chloe gave him a very familiar murderous glance; one he had grown used having received numerous ones from her cousin, but seldom from the small blond.
'Entirely my fault.' He quickly agreed. Turning to Lois he added: 'I'll just wait downstairs.'
'You do that.' She nodded before closing the door.
Chapter 12
'Maybe we should check on her.' Jimmy paced around in front of the staircase looking up.
'I'm sure she's going to be fine.' Martha tried to soothe him. 'She just ate a little too much.'
'A little?' Clark chuckled.
He quickly slumped down in his seat when Jimmy and his mother threw him a look. Thankfully, footsteps coming from the stairs were heard and the attention was diverted from his remark.
'Oh, Chloe are you alright?' Martha asked.
'Are you ok?' Jimmy whispered brushing her hair back as they walked into the living room.
'I'm fine… Still a little queasy… but I'll live.' She managed to say.
'Here, let's go into the kitchen and I'll give you some water.'
'Are you sure you don't want us to drive you to the hospital?' Her uncle questioned as he trailed after Jimmy and Chloe into the kitchen.
Lois was following closely behind when a hand around her arm stopped her.
'You think she'll be ok?' He asked letting go of her when she turned around to face him.
She had to stop herself from having any outward reaction to the chaos going on in her belly at the sight of him. She was starting to regret having bought him that sweater, he looked… She pushed back the intoxicating thoughts swimming around in her mind and assured him:
'She'll survive this one.'
'Well…' He scratched the back of his neck with one hand while handing her her present with the other. 'Merry Christmas, Lois…'
His palms were clammy and he was having a hard time controlling his breathing as it came in short erratic pants.
'Thanks…' She smiled up at him.
Just to tease him she mimicked his behaviour earlier that evening and took her time as she unwrapped her gift. She picked and prodded at the duck tape without actually getting it off.
'Such a nice wrapping paper.' She mischievously narrowed her eyes at him. 'We wouldn't want to ruin that, would we?'
He let out an exasperated sigh; a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
'You've made point. Just open it.'
'What?' She played coy and oblivious. 'Might come to some good use. You never know.'
He almost died when she impishly bit her lower lip.
The painful look on his face as his Adam's apple bombed up and down made her aware of what she was doing and she quickly dropped her attentions back to the present.
Without further ado she tore the paper and frowned; her heart sinking in disappointment when she identified the frame.
'You got me a frame?'
'Turn it around.' He said pressing his palms together.
What if she didn't like it?
She did as he asked and her heart stopped at the familiar faces smiling in the picture.
The black and white portrait was framed by a white passepartout which visibly enhance the different shades in the photograph and contrasted with the simple black frame.
'Mom?'
It was barely audible; the word seemed like it had squeezed its way through her closed throat.
Her fingers lingered on the image while his eyes were focused on her face, trying to read her expression.
He watched silently as tears began to well up, her eyes became glassy, her cheeks became flushed and her lips pressed together tightly.
She didn't like it, he figured as she continued to stare at the picture.
One single tear escaped the corner of her eye to trail down the side of her face.
'I'm so sorry I didn't…' He began restlessly.
'Where did you get this?' She finally spoke never taking her eyes off the frame.
'Chloe had it. It was pretty old and a bit wrinkled so I asked Jimmy if he could help and…' He paused, his heart aching for her. 'I thought you'd like to have it.'
He stared at her intently until she looked up and met his gaze.
Without a word her hand came up to his neck to pull him down as she craned up, on the tip of her toes and pushed her mouth against his. He froze, taken by complete surprise, his heart threatening to pound its way out of his chest.
Pulling back a bit and easing some of the pressure her lips lingered there for a few seconds, sluggishly brushing up against his once, twice as if beckoning him to reply.
He was about to respond but as abruptly as it had begun it was over.
With a foggy gawk he managed to see her large, glassy eyes staring back at him.
He vaguely remembered her whispering 'Sorry…' before she bolted up the stairs and left him there panting for breath; completely and utterly dumfounded.
She'd kissed him! He couldn't believe it! Lois Lane had kissed him!
'I'm ok...' Chloe assured everyone with a weak voice as she entered the living room, Jimmy, Martha and Uncle Gabe trailed close behind.
Clark's eyes darted between the ailing blonde and the staircase, struggling with his choice.
'Are you sure you don't want to rest for a bit?' Martha asked worried.
'No. Right now all I wanna do is go home and get some sleep.' She cringed when she felt another spasm in her stomach.
'Chloe, you can barely walk.' Clark finally spoke, his eyes lingering on the top of the stairs for a few seconds before turning to Chloe. 'Let alone drive.'
'I can drive. No problem.' Jimmy supplied as he joined Mr. Sullivan in gathering up the presents.
'I'm really sorry the evening had to end like this...' Martha uttered, running her hand over Chloe's head.
'It's ok, Mrs. Kent. It was a great evening, well... up until...' She trailed off trying not to call to mind the disturbing memory. 'But other than that it was the best Christmas Eve I've had in years.' She smiled weakly.
'Well, I think that's everything.' Uncle Gabe announced carrying three bags stuffed with presents. 'I put Lois' gifts in this one so she can... Where is Lois anyway?' He asked when he looked around and failed to find his eldest niece.
'She's upstairs. I'll get her.' Clark promptly offered.
He was half way up when a loud thud was heard coming from outside.
'What was that?' Mrs. Kent voiced out the question in everyone's mind.
'I don't know...' Clark replied coming back down. 'Did you let Shelby out?'
'No.'
'I'll go check it out.' He said walking over to the front door as he slipped on his jacket.
She almost had it, she was home safe and then she had to go and slip on the ice. She came plummeting down the roof to hit the snow covered ground with a loud thump.
'Ouch!' She grumbled, her hand coming up to the back of her head. 'Cramp!' She exclaimed when she remembered and quickly checked the frame she held in her left hand.
Using the faint light coming from one of the windows she was able to see it was unharmed.
She tried to move but froze when she felt a razor-sharp sting irradiate from her left ankle and assault her entire body.
'This is can't be good...'
Clenching her teeth she tried once more and again the paralysing pain made her breath catch in her throat.
'Cramp!' She repeated.
With a sigh she let her head drop back, but regretted it the moment her tender skull came into contact with the icy snow.
This was ridiculous. She had stooped to making daring escapes out of first floor windows just to avoid having to come down the stairs and face him. What the hell had she been thinking?! Even if it had worked, what was she going to say to her cousin and her uncle? She'd just decided to up and leave in the middle of Christmas Eve celebrations without telling anyone? She definitely hadn't thought this whole thing through, she'd just been caught so off guard by what had happened...
The moment she had gotten to the hallway and had managed to catch her breath her brain asked the impertinent question: 'Now what? Eventually you're going to have to go back down and you just know Smallville is going to be there… waiting. That is if he doesn't come after you.'
At that thought she'd immediately opened the first door she could find and hid inside. When she realised where she was she panicked. With her luck it was obvious her lousy instinct would lead her to the lion's den – his bedroom.
After that it had all been an unnerved haze; survival instinct kicking in making the escaping through the window a very appealing plan. It seemed perfect. She'd avoid him and could get home at the same time. Somehow she'd managed ignore the few minor glitches in her dazzling plan – a) her purse was inside and inside it were the keys to her car, b) she was going to have to come up with a pretty elaborate excuse for her disappearance and… hmm… there was something else… oh yeah! There was the fact that she was laying flat on her back with most likely a broken ankle and a high chance of a concussion.
'Good because I haven't had one of those lately!' She scoffed in the dark.
'What was I thinking?' She thought as she lay there in the chilly snow.
Opening the door he stepped outside into the frosty night.
He narrowed his eyes, squinting to make out the shadowy figure laying on the ground, flat on its back and staring up at the sky. Coming closer his eyes widened ad he was at her side in an instant:
'Lois! Oh my God! What are you doing here? Are you ok?' He shot out the series of questions as he knelt down next to her.
'Of course who else would find her but him?!' She mentally rolled her eyes. She hated her luck.