Chapter 9

Lois tried not to squirm, as Lana went on and on, about getting Clark into an 'intervention'. For the love of God, sister, the man is not sick! But I will be if you don't get out of here and let me enjoy...

Clark, from his perch underneath the bathwater, began to move inside of her slightly. Lois could not stand it any longer! That and the bubbles were disappearing! It was time for a topic change, pronto!

"Uh, Lana, I don't mean to be nude...I mean, rude, but...what does Lex think about all of this concern you're showing Clark?"

Lana's eyes widened.

"Lex cares about Clark's well being."

"Hmmmm, well I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary. Are you sure he just wasn't kidding around?"

"Lois, why would he do that?"

"I guess what I'm asking you is, does he not look well physically?"

Lana shrugged.

"He looks normal to me, yes. But he shouldn't be able to fly...and that strange place he took me to which I still don't know what to make of...I just think he's in denial."

"I'm still not getting you. I mean, I've never seen Clark fly or do anything out of the ordinary. But...I have heard that those meteor rocks can have really harsh affects on parts of the anatomy."

Lana frowned.

"Which part?" Lana asked suspiciously.

"I think we both know what we're talking about, Lana. Shrinkage and I mean major. Now, you were Clark's girlfriend so..."

"I don't really want to get into this." Lana said, standing up. Lois nodded. Lana was preparing to leave this bathroom. Half her job was done here.

"Lana, I'm concerned too. I mean, did you know that the first time I ever met Clark, he was naked...in a cornfield no less. Now, what I need to know is, does 'Clark Junior' look like...oh I don't know...a rope? You know...really thick and...well, you know. Because if 'Clark Junior' doesn't look that way anymore, then yes, I would agree that he's probably ill in some way."

"Lois, I'm going to leave now. I had hoped you would take this seriously, but maybe the stress of the day has gotten to you. I'll leave you to your bath."

"That's it. It's the stress. I'll probably be better by morning." Lois said quickly. She watched as Lana turned and walked out of the bathroom. She then heard a door close.

"Smallville!" she hissed. Clark came up, with his arms wrapped around her front and stood up...all the while keeping himself inside of her! Lois managed to turn herself around, so that she was facing him, and wrapped her legs around his waist.

"No, no and no! I would love to, I really would. But I have to get to your mother, so please just let me go."

Clark after a few moments, managed to disentangle himself from Lois. He set her down, so that they were both standing in the tub. She pointed to the corner.

"Your clothes are over there, under that towel. And I can't believe you did that!"

"I loved your analogy in regards to my health. I think I'm just going to tell Lana that I went to the doctor and got 'cured'." Clark said, looking around for his clothes. Lois looked at him sadly when he said that.

"What?" he asked Lois.

"You can't give up on her. She might understand if you re-explained everything gently. But you can't keep lying to her. Now, I'm going to get dressed and try and save your mother from Lionel's attentions tonight..."

"Why are you pushing me away?"

"I'm not doing that."

"Yes you are. Everytime you suggest that I could have a chance with Lana again, you're as much as telling me that there is no chance for us."

"I just don't think you should make any hasty decisions, okay?" Lois asked, not really expecting an answer. She stepped up out of the tub, looking for a towel. She had NO idea how to help Martha, short of drugging Lionel.

"You just don't see us together, do you?" he asked quietly.

Lois found her towel and wrapped it around herself.

"Okay, Smallville. I'll tell you what: if I manage to get rid of this bogus murder charge, find Lucy's killer and get your mother out of this marriage, then, maybe...I might consider giving us a chance."

Clark walked up to her.

"But all of that would have to happen first, correct?" he asked smiling at her.

"Yes, definitely."

Clark stared at her for a moment, before speaking.

"I think I know you well enough, to know, that if you thought there was a chance that all of that would happen, and that you would have to keep your end of this bargain, you would've never offered me this deal. Which part do you think won't happen? Getting rid of the murder charge?"

"Clark..."

"Finding Lucy's killer? Or getting my mother free of Lionel?"

"I'm going to go get dressed. Those are the conditions, Smallville. And it will also give you time to think about what you could really be getting in to."

"Or are you giving yourself time, Lois?"

Lois's eyes widened!

"Explain yourself, Smallville. Why are you turning this around on me?"

"Because you have never been afraid of jumping into any other relationship I've seen you in. Is it me? Is it my abilities?"

"And I dated A.C...," Lois said in a sing song voice. "And I'm not afraid of anything. Clark...now is just not the time to get into this!" she said, feeling sort of stressed. She had just expected him to accept her conditions so they could be done with this conversation. But here he was, arguing with her!

"I think it's a fair question." Clark said, not bothering to cover himself at all. He followed her out of the bathroom. Lois opened up the suitcase she had brought with her, and rummaged through it for something to put on. He walked up behind her and pulled the barrette, that had been holding her hair up, off. Lois felt her hair cascade down her back.

"Smallville," she began, without turning around, "I need a man that will do as I say, when I say do it. We're just not compatible, okay?"

"I can go along with that. I can do as you say, when you say do it...except when we're in bed." Clark whispered, kissing the back of her head. Lois felt her knees weaken, and she turned around to face him. He smiled.

"This is a first. Lois Lane speechless."

Lois still said nothing. Clark stared at her a moment longer, wistfully, before turning to go back into the bathroom to look for his own towel. Lois didn't quite know what to make of his silent reaction. She decided it was just best to put it from her mind. She hurriedly dressed, sans underwear, and left the room in search of Martha Kent.

Lois did not find Martha right away. What she did not realize was, Martha had went to Lois's room, shortly after Lois left it. The newest Mrs. Luthor, was quite shocked to find her son getting dressed in there!

"Clark? What are you doing in Lois's room? And why are you..."

Clark did not answer her, but was dressed, with the exception of his shirt. Martha closed the door and walked over to him. Something was wrong.

"Honey?"

"Mom...Lois was asleep when Genevieve Teague's body was planted on the farm."

"Yes...I know that."

"She was asleep because...because we had been making love. I left her asleep at the house. If I had just stayed and dealt with what happened between us, she would not be in all of this trouble."

Martha stared at her son. She could hear real pain in his voice, and it was not just guilt over Lois.

"Okay...there is more going on here, isn't there?"

Clark's eyes met his mother's.

"Lois thinks that I'm on the rebound from Lana."

"Are you?"

Clark stared his mother in the eye.

"I tried to tell Lana about my abilities tonight, Mom. During the dinner party. I took her some place where we could be alone. When I showed her what I could do, Lana fainted, then insisted that I had been affected by the meteor rocks, THEN, she told me that we couldn't be together until I saw a doctor. It was the reaction I had always dreaded from her, that short of outright fear and disgust...I just feel as if I have my answer now, when it comes to my future with Lana. I will always care about her, but we can't be together...and I'm not having such a hard time dealing with that. Not like I thought I would."

"Okay, honey, but Lois may react the same way when she finds out."

"Mom, Lois KNOWS! She was the one that told me to turn your plane around."

Martha's mouth dropped open!

"Lois knows? Well...how did she take it?"

"She wanted me to use the rays from my eyes, to seal her grilled cheese sandwich."

Martha sat down in a chair.

"Well..."

"Yes, I know. That's Lois for you. And it was exactly what I wanted...needed, to hear. For someone to accept me and love me for me. And when we were together...she feels something too, Mom, I know it. But Lois thinks that I still need to work things out with Lana. Worse yet, the police, and Cole, don't believe that Lois was asleep the whole time."

Martha stood up.

"God, Clark! Lois is covering for you in some way, isn't she? I don't understand that though. I mean..."

Clark took a deep breath.

"Lois and I were together...up in the sky."

"Clark!" Martha yelled. "That was irresponsible...oh God...are you two responsible for the power outage?"

"Yes." Clark said quietly.

"Oh God! Okay, well...maybe there is some benefit to being married to Lionel Luthor."

"No, Mom! Now, I'm going to get you out of this marriage! Lois and I don't want, or need, his help!"

Martha rested a hand on his cheek.

"I want you to take a breath and be happy for once. Lois is not one to let people in easily. I think she is pushing you away, because she is overwhelmed by her feelings for you."

"I know that. I do. But...I'm worried sick about her, and the unrealistic way she thinks that the trouble she is in, is just going to go away! We need to find the men that framed Lois! Chloe and her friend, saw these men plant Genevieve Teague's body on our property."

"What!"

"Yes, so I'm hoping that they can clear Lois. I just have such a bad feeling about this whole thing. Like Chloe's word might not be enough."

Martha decided that she didn't want Clark worrying about anything, but his own happiness. And if Lois's predicament did get worse, then Clark would do something drastic, Martha could sense this.

She decided she was going to make a deal with Lionel. Lois would be out of trouble by the morning. Martha Kent Luthor, would see to that.

She hugged Clark.

"I don't want you to worry about a thing. I have to go and find Lois."

"Mom, let me help. I'll trap Lionel in a closet or something."

"I'll deal with Lionel. I have to go." she said, hugging her son. She then turned and walked towards the door. She flashed him a gentle smile, before closing the door. Martha turned and ran straight into Lois!

"Martha? Were you just in there?"

Martha nodded.

"I was, Lois. I have to say, I haven't seen my son that enamored since..."

"Martha," Lois interrupted, "forget about that, please? Now, I have some sleeping pills, back from when Lucy was first killed, that I used to take. We'll crush them and you can put them in Lionel's drink."

Martha reached out and touched Lois's shoulders.

"No."

Lois tilted her head.

"What do you mean, 'no'?"

"What I said, Lois. I knew the consequences of what marrying Lionel would mean."

Lois's mouth dropped open!

"Martha! The man has hair like a lion!"

"What's wrong with that?"

Lois frowned.

"Martha...my father was very happy with you. I know he's not an overly demonstrative man...but he has been alone for so long. And...you have always been like the mother I never had. Please, PLEASE don't tell me that there is the slightest possibility, that you might want to sleep with Lionel?"

"Lois, give Clark a chance and trust in his feelings for you." Martha answered instead, hugging the young girl. She then walked off. Lois slapped a hand over her mouth! Holy Crap! Martha was going to do the deed...willingly! She felt nauseated! How was she going to tell Clark? He would go ape!

The door to her room opened, and Clark stepped out. Lois gave him a nervous smile.

"Did you see my mother?"

"Yes...uh, she said she had it covered."

"Really? How?"

"She's going to drug him...for tonight."

Clark sighed.

"She won't be able to keep that up for long. Look, I'm going to go and see Chloe and Spike. I want to make sure they go to the police station and clear you. Mom actually hinted that she was going to do something unsavory, to get Lionel to help us. I don't want her making any perverted deals with him."

Oh God! Lois thought. She reached out and rubbed his arm.

"She's okay for tonight." Lois lied. "So why don't you just go and get some sleep, okay?"

"You mean in my own room, right?"

"Smallville..."

Clark nodded.

"Goodnight, Lois."

Lois said nothing as Clark turned and walked off. He was mad, that much was obvious.

Lex grinned as he watched the chilly parting between Clark Kent and Lois Lane, on his secret cameras. That bathtub incident had really been something. Something he was going to share with everyone at breakfast tomorrow. There was a big screen TV in the dining room, behind a panel in the wall.

Lex was going to let everyone view the bathtub encounter at breakfast over muffins. His mind went to Lana. She needed to see this. Clark was making a fool of her. He would deal with her wrath later.

Meanwhile, Martha Kent Luthor, opened the door to her new bedroom, and found Lionel lying on the bed, naked. She took a deep breath, muttered, 'forgive me, Jonathan', and closed the door.

"Lionel, I need a favor. And if you do this for me, I'll be a wife to you in everyway...starting right now."

HELL

Cole Turner, a.k.a. Belthazor, The Source and the Seer, were watching these events unfold in the Seer's bowl.

"That will NOT do!" The Source rumbled.

Cole sighed. The Seer had shown them a vision, of the child of Kal-El/Clark Kent and Lois Lane, being conceived in the Fortress of Solitude, after harrying events forced Clark to take Lois there. Events related to the murder of Genevieve Teague. If Martha Kent got Lionel Luthor to help Lois...

The Seer raised a brow. New events were unfolding. Cole and The Source edged closer to the bowl again.

"Twins? Wait a minute! Wait! The contract specifically requests that Lois give us her first born CHILD, not children!" Cole griped. The Source glared at the Seer.

"You should have known that, before you had Belthazor foist the contract on Ms. Lane!" The Source hissed.

"I don't know what happened." The Seer replied calmly. "I have been unwell."

Cole rolled his eyes, and looked down into the bowl. He frowned. It looked as if Clark and Lois were placing two babies on a ship...a spaceship of sorts...

Clark and Lois were not boarding the ship. Lois was crying. The Source's eyes glowered with fire.

"They are clearly trying to send the children away!" he hissed, feeling more enraged, as he watched the ship take off! The Source nodded to Cole, who produced a fireball, obliterating the Seer!

"I didn't like her attitude," The Source grumbled. "Mistakes like that are costly."

"Yes." Cole said, turning to look at someone tied up behind them.

It was A.C. Curry. He was clearly in distress from the heat, and the lack of water. Cole poured a glass of water, walked over to him and flung it in his face! Cole then walked back over to the water pitcher, poured a glass for himself, and drank it down!

The Source smiled with approval, as Cole walked back over to A.C..

"You know you wouldn't be in this position, if you had just not snooped through my briefcase."

"I won't," A.C. croaked, "I won't let you take Lois's baby...my baby..."

The Source grinned! Cole snorted!

"Yeah, just keep thinking that, fishboy!" Cole grinned, as he walked over to a stone, produced a water gun, and shot some water into A.C.'s mouth! A.C. desperately tried to lap up the little water that he had been given.

Cole stopped shooting and put the water gun away. He looked at The Source.

"We'll use him to get Lois to sign another contract, giving us the twins."

"Yes, well I want those children! I think I will help speed things along as well." The Source murmured, and shimmered to the surface. He soon inhabited the body, of the sleeping Gunnar Teague!

The Source/Gunnar, sat up in bed and opened his eyes. Now, Lionel Luthor would not be able to talk him into letting anything go. Now, he could force the justice system to give Lois Lane a speedy trial...he WOULD force the events that would produce the new offspring that he planned to adopt, and raise in hell, for his very own.