Author's Note: Hey! As always, thanks for the great reviews. Also, due to a review I received, I just wanted to point out again that this story is alternate universe. As in, what would have happened if Lois had been there for that five-episode arc. (And, since I'm writing Lois in and it's a Clois story, it will most likely change everything that came after that, too.) So things are going to be different. I'm sorry if you don't buy into it, but… that's just the way I wrote it.
Anyway, I hope that you all enjoy this chapter, because, once again, it's been over a month since I've updated. We're almost through the first episode (finally). Now I just have to go and watch the other ones… ugh. Also, since everyone knows how Chloe was rescued from Brainiac, I'm not going to really get into that or change it. Just a heads up. Sorry for the super long author's note!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Clark Kent was frantic.
"Lois, you can't go down to the Daily Planet with us," Clark said for what felt like the hundredth time.
And for the hundredth and one time, Lois repeated, "Why do you get to go down? What makes you think that you can do anything?"
Clark gritted his teeth together. He was a patient man, but Lois always found a way to try that patience. "I… I just can, alright Lois?"
"Not good enough," Lois stated. She followed him to the front door, where Rokk, Imra, and Garth waited.
Clark looked over his shoulder at his three friends from the future, but they were of no help at all. They seemed to be at just as much of a loss as he was.
"I can try, alright? I'll have Rokk, Imra, and Garth with me. We'll be fine."
Lois crossed her arms and nearly stomped her foot. She looked like a petulant child, but she didn't care. "Why do they get to go and I don't?"
"They're not injured, that's why."
"But—"
"Lois, if you go, you're in danger of ripping open your stitches. That is the last thing that any of us want. Besides." Clark was about to hit her where it hurt, and he knew it. "Do you really want Chloe to come back and find you in the hospital again?"
Lois stared at him for a long moment. Their eyes were locked on each other's, never once wavering before, to Clark's surprise, Lois finally relented.
"Fine," she grumbled. "I'll stay here."
Clark nodded his head once. Their eyes stayed locked for another long moment before he turned towards the door. But Lois's hand shot out, gripping his arm, causing him to stop.
"Promise me that you'll call if she's hurt, Clark," Lois whispered.
Shit. Clark hated lying. "Of course," he said, holding her gaze for just long enough.
"Hey, cuz."
"Oh my God, Chloe!"
Lois jumped up from the couch, ignoring the twinge in her back as she rushed at her cousin. She threw her arms around her, embarrassed to feel tears suddenly burning in her eyes.
"It's good to see you too, Lo," Chloe said with a laugh. She hugged her cousin gingerly, clearly aware of Lois's injuries.
"I'm so glad that you're okay, Chloe," Lois whispered.
"Me? I'm glad that you're okay! I heard about your injuries."
Lois finally pulled back and shrugged her shoulders slightly. "It looks worse then it feels."
"That's what they all say." Chloe hugged Lois one more time, and it was then that Lois noticed the bags at Chloe's feet.
"Where are you going, Chlo?" she asked, her brow furrowing.
"I have to go relieve Oliver of his nursing duties," Chloe said.
"Something tells me that Jimmy would much rather have you as his nurse then Oliver," Clark said with a gentle chuckle.
Lois also realized that Clark was there for the first time. She squeezed Chloe's hand and smiled at Clark—a real, genuine smile. A huge weight had been taken off her chest at seeing Chloe safe and sound once again.
"I'm not going for another day, though," Chloe said. "So we'll have some time together. I'm gonna go put my bags upstairs."
Chloe grabbed her bags and disappeared up the stairs, leaving Lois and Clark alone. Clark shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels, waiting for Lois to say something. He was not disappointed, but he was also very surprised.
Lois launched herself at Clark, throwing her arms around his neck and burying her face in his chest to hide her brimming tears.
Clark blinked down at Lois in surprise before he wrapped his arms around her in return, careful of her back. One hand threaded gently in her long locks as the other moved in small circles on her back.
"Thank you, Clark," she whispered. "Thank you so much."
Clark found Chloe in the newly re-constructed farm, staring out at the darkening sky. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a quick hug as he came to stand next to her.
Before Clark could say anything, Chloe said, "So how is it now that Lana's back in your life?"
"It's, uh…" Clark shifted from side to side. "It's not like that. At least, I don't think it is."
Chloe shook her head and chuckled. "It's always difficult when the Lana-Clark triangle gets thrown around. And, speaking from experience, the third point always hurts."
Clark's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"
"I may not remember much about my wedding, Clark," Chloe said with a knowing look, "but I do remember the way you and Lois were looking at each other. And dancing together. Yes, it is that obvious, by the way."
"I…" Clark shook his head, his mind going back to that brief dance. "Lois is just so…"
"Lois?" Chloe supplied. "I know. Just… just promise me that you won't hurt her."
The thought had never even crossed Clark's mind. "Why would I…?" He trailed off and inhaled deeply. "I wouldn't. Ever."
Clark smiled as he looked at Chloe and Lois curled up on the couch. He was glad that they were able to get Chloe home safely. He had already said goodbye to the three Legion agents, and he could feel what was now his Legion ring in his pocket.
He didn't get much time to quietly sit back and enjoy everything being quiet, as Oliver burst through the door. Chloe and Lois stood up at the same time, looking at their friend in alarm.
"Oliver?" Lois asked. "What are you doing here? What's wrong?"
Chloe didn't say anything. She just glanced between Clark and Oliver and wished that she could run to the Isis Foundation and do whatever she could to help.
"Nothing. I just wanted to hang out with Clark for a little bit," Oliver said as he made his way over to the kitchen. "The game is on. I thought I would grab a beer. You know, guy stuff."
Lois tossed Chloe a confused look as they disappeared into the kitchen. "What game?"
"Oliver, what's going on?" Clark demanded.
"Jones was shot."
"What?"
"Jones was shot tonight. He's over at Metropolis General. He's stable, but… he's still gotta fight."
"Oliver, who operated on him?" Clark said. "No one can know… Shit. If he hadn't sacrificed his powers to give me back mine, that bullet wouldn't have even scratched him."
"Yeah, I get it, Clark. You feel guilty. Look, we have bigger things to worry about. We have to find out who shot Jones. And don't worry about someone finding out about Jones. I figured we could use a doctor on our payroll."
Clark nodded his head. "Let's go."
Author's Note: Yeah, I didn't leave it in a great place. And yeah, this chapter was kind of a filler. But I think it had a cute Clois moment, right? And don't worry. I have big plans for the re-write of Bulletproof. I hope that you all enjoyed this chapter!
