A/N: Sorry about the late update! But I hope you'll find that your patience has will be greatly rewarded! Thank you so much for the reviews/comments/encouragement it means a lot! Oh, My! Almost 100 reviews *is overwhelmed and humbled* THANKS!

And a special Thank You to my beta!

Chapter 8

Inappropriate

It was easy. That 's what Kara had told him. Easy. Just concentrate and let go. Or something like that- just take a deep breath and- he leapt off the top of the barn and for a moment he felt as though his body was suspended in the air. Yes! But the next moment he lost it and fell tumbling to the ground. Hard.

Clark got up and dusted himself off. He studied the oddly shaped imprint he had just made. It looked like a 3D chalk out line of his body. Any other time this would have caused him to laugh. It was like in those old Wile E. Coyote/Road runner cartoons. But after about the fifteenth time, it loses its hilarity.

He grudgingly climbed the stairs of the loft, hoisted himself through the window and onto the top or the barn to try for the sixteenth time. Maybe if he somehow persuaded Lois to kiss him again?

Clark winced. No. Not after the fight they'd had a couple days ago. She still wasn't speaking to him. So, he may have overreacted when she told him about Perry White's offer, but he'd been trying to apologize for two days! She wouldn't hear any of it. Difficult, stubborn, pig headed-

"Clark?"

He looked down to see a half confused half amused look on his best friend's face.

"Oh, hey Chlo." He said casually. Well, as casually as one could, standing on the roof of a barn, looking like they were about to commit suicide. But he knew Chloe knew better.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to fly." He answered simply.

"Oh." She said. "Uh Clark? It's not that I'm not happy, but can I ask what brought on this sudden need for take off?"

Clark sighed. "One minute."

He closed his eyes and tried to concentrate on how it felt to have Lois's lips against his. How her flawless body had melded perfectly into his. The sound of her moan. The touch of her skin.

He was doing it. He felt his feet lift off of the shingles. It was happening he was-

Falling. He was definitely falling.

BAM!

Chloe gasped. Clark sighed. Once again he picked himself off of the ground and dusted off his shirt and pants.

Chloe gave him a sympathetic look. "You almost had it that time." She encouraged. "You floated for a few seconds before you-"

"Yeah. I've been getting really good at floating. I just can't seem to hold it."

"So, you never answered my question." The blonde said.

"Hmmm."

"Why the sudden need to soar above the clouds? Not that I disapprove I'm just-"

"Curious." Clark finished. "You're not going to like the reason," he warned. "I don't even like the reason," he ran a hand through his hair.

"Clark?"

"She's leaving in two weeks." He stated. "I only have two weeks to learn how to fly. That doesn't give me a lot of time with work and Blur stuff and-"

"Wait? What? You're learning to fly because of Lois?"

Clark nodded.

"Why would I be mad about that? I'm a little confused. But not mad." She said.

Clark sighed in frustration.

"You're supposed to be mad because of how incredibly selfish I'm being!" He answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Still not getting it." Chloe said.

"Chloe, I should be learning to fly to save the world. I should be learning to fly because of my destiny. I should not be learning to fly because in a matter of fifteen days your cousin is going to a third world country! A third world warring country! What if something happens to her and can't get there in time? Super speed isn't enough!" He paused taking a calming breath. "Look, I know this isn't the right reason to do this. But I-really don't care." He finished.

"Wow," was all Chloe could say.

"I know," Clark answered, grimly.

"Who knew the secret to getting your rear in gear was to fall for Lois Lane!" Chloe laughed.

"It's not funny!" Clark groaned.

"It's a little funny," Chloe disagreed.

"It's not my fault," he said.

"Oh, I believe that whole heartedly." Chloe was having a little too much fun with this. "But it's about time, I suppose."

"What do you mean?"

"Please, Clark, the only two people in this world that didn't notice that you and Lois had fallen for each other were you and my stubborn big cousin." She smirked.

"So, did you come over here just to tease me or is there another reason?" Clark changed the subject quickly. He didn't want to talk about this. It was hard enough admitting it to himself, but saying it out loud just made it more- real.

Great. He was pathetic and a coward. Just great.

Chloe smiled and handed him a manila folder. "Ollie needs a favor," she said.

"What else is new?" Clark asked opening the folder.

********

Creak. Creak. Creak.

Lois stared daggers at her computer screen. She was determined to ignore him. He could squeak that chair till the cows came home for all she cared. The jerk.

Creak. Creak. Creak.

Lois pressed the keys harder trying in vain to block out the annoying sound.

Creak. Creak. Creak.

She started to pop her gum. Two could play at this.

Creak. Creak. Creak.

Dammit! "What Smallville!"

Clark smiled triumphantly and stilled his noisy chair. "Lois I'm sor-"

"I don't want to hear it!"

"Lois! I over reacted. I just-"

"Are you deaf? What part of I-don't-want-to-hear-it don't you understand?"

"Wasn't prepared for what you said." He continued ignoring her.

"Clark!"

"I'm really sorry Lois. C'mon don't stay mad." He was doing that 'sexy pouty please forgive me' face. She couldn't resist! She was only human for God's sake!

"I'll think about it." She decided refusing to give in completely.

"What if I take you to lunch at that new café on Main? The one you've been dying to check out since it opened?"

He was playing dirty!

"Fine." She agreed after a pregnant pause. Let him squirm a little. "But no funny business, Smallville," she gave him a pointed look to emphasize her statement.

"Scout's honor." He promised.

It was only eleven thirty, but Lois decided she and Clark could take an early lunch. It's not like they did it every day.

"Let's go now. I'm starving." She declared.

"Whatever you say." He smiled.

Lois rolled her eyes. Suck up. She had to admit she kind of liked it. Anything she said, huh? This could be fun.

********

Lois picked out a booth for them to sit at close the front window. "More natural light." She explained to Clark. "And we can people watch. Which is always fun."

He grinned. He and Lois loved to people watch. It was their favorite pass time.

"Hi. My name Darla and I'll be taking care of you today. Can I start you off with something to drink?" A golden haired waitress asked cordially. She smiled extra warmly at Clark.

"I'd like the raspberry ice tea with a lemon wedge on the side." Lois answered.

"Water for me." Clark returned the waitress's sugary sweet expression out of politeness. Lois tried not to roll her eyes. He was so naïve sometimes.

"I'll be right back with that." Lois watched as she practically floated to the kitchen.

The brunette giggled. "What?" Clark asked.

"You have no idea what you've just done, do you?"

"Huh?"

Lois opened her menu and shook her head. "You are so oblivious sometimes, Smallville."

Clark scrunched his eyebrows at her, but let the subject drop.

Lois glanced at the entrees and immediately knew what she wanted and how she wanted it.

Darla returned with their drinks. "So, have we decided yet?" Lois didn't miss that she was talking solely to Clark.

"I'd like the Club please, on wheat bread. Can you have them cut it across instead of down the middle? Oh, and also I want the tomato and the onions on the side and I'd like the half order of the garden salad with the balsamic vinaigrette on the side and can you make sure that they pick out those purple colored leaves? They freak me out." Lois ordered expertly.

Darla and Clark were both giving her strange looks.

"What?"

"Does the movie, When Harry met Sally mean anything to you?" Clark asked.

Lois glared. "What are you trying to say, Smallville? I'm high maintenance?"

"To say the least." Clark muttered.

Lois clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth. "OK." Lois said after a beat.

"OK?" He seemed surprised.

"Yeah. I'm high maintenance." She looked straight into his eyes. "But I'm worth it." She flipped her hair.

Clark grinned.

And Darla stood there watching the exchange looking rather deflated.

"And for you, sir?" She leaned in close to Clark. Giving it one last shot.

"Oh, I'll just have the uh-turkey sandwich with the vegetable soup." He handed her both his and Lois's menus absentmindedly his eyes never leaving his partner's.

When Darla went to put their orders in, Lois and Clark turned their attention to the window.

The busy Metropolis population was scurrying about the streets. Trying to go somewhere or meet someone or do something. Rush. Rush. Rush.

Lois relished in the fast pace of the city. She drank it up! The city was never quiet. The city was never lonely. The city was alive and thriving and breathing. She loved it.

"Oh, my God!" The brunette exclaimed, suddenly.

"What?" Clark asked, his eyes frantically scanning the crowd. Was there danger?

"That woman is wearing purple lycra pants and a leopard print tank top!"

Clark let out a sigh of relief while Lois burst in to giggles.

"Where are her friends?"

"Lois!" But Clark couldn't help chuckling when he saw the poor fashion challenged woman. She was older maybe in her late thirties or early forties. That made it worse.

"Seriously!" Lois went on. "Friends don't let friends got out in public like that!"

"Well, there's an exception to every rule." Clark answered nodding to the woman in a zebra print mini skirt and matching vest, wearing stretch pants, who had just embraced the first woman.

Lois gasped. "It's an epidemic!"

They were both laughing hard now.

"Is her skirt- snake skin?"

Clark threw his head back and howled. Lois felt tears starting to streak down her cheeks.

"You know we're going to hell, right?" Lois said trying to calm down.

"In a hand basket," came the breathless reply.

Darla returned carrying their food. She wasn't too happy to see their smiling, flushed faces. She set the food down.

"Is there anything else I can get for you?"

"No." Lois replied. "I think we're good. Right, Smallville?"

Clark nodded to the waitress. "Thanks."

Lois inspected her food carefully before taking a bite.

"Looking for a bomb?" Clark asked as he watched her lift the bread off her sandwich and searched the contents.

"No. I wanna make sure no one hocked a lugy in my food!"

"Lois! C'mon."

"Ever since we saw that movie Waiting I've been a little paranoid." Lois confessed.

Clark laughed. "So do you forgive me, yet?" He inquired when Lois decided her food was untainted and took a bite.

She chewed languidly, as if pondering his question with great care.

She eyed the table and spotted an advertisement for a double fudge chocolate brownie served a la mode.

"It depends." She said off handedly

Clark held her gaze. "Just tell me what you want." He said in a serious tone.

A hot sensation that started in Lois's lower abdomen began to rapidly spread throughout her stomach and chest. She must have shivered, because Clark asked her if she was cold.

"No. I'm actually kind of hot." She said quietly. Trying to resist the urge to lunge across the table and show him exactly what she wanted.

"So?" Lois said loudly, breaking the tension.

"So," Clark echoed, "six months," he added after a beat.

"Yep. Six months," she answered.

"That's a long time," Clark expanded.

"Clark, don't worry, I'll be back before you know it!" Lois tried to assure him.

The farm boy frowned at his soup.

"Besides," Lois added quickly, "I'll email and call every chance I get and I'll have a tech guys set up one of those live feed Internet thingies, so we can see each other- it'll be like I never left!"

"But you won't be here." Clark said. "I mean, what am I going to do without my daily dose of Lane sarcasm?" He tried to laugh.

"Well, you survived pretty good without it when I was in Star City," Lois replied lightly.

What the hell had compelled her to bring that up?

"Lois?"

"It's just last time I left things got-er-crazy and-" she didn't know exactly what else to say without revealing too much.

"Lois." Clark's hand reached over the top of the table and covered hers. "Last time, was different. I wasn't sure of- certain things." He captured her gaze with his own, trying to get her to understand. "But now, it's too late. I'm too aware of those certain things that I wasn't aware of before." He hoped that made sense.

Lois's heart was palpitating against her ribcage the way it always did when he touched her. She tried to keep her breathing even, but when he squeezed her hand, she involuntarily gasped.

How could one person have that kind of effect on her? True, he wasn't 'of this world,' but it was still completely unfair! If she didn't leave soon she was going to do something extremely inappropriate.

"Are you all right?" Clark looked concerned for the second time, in what? Ten minutes?

"Um, actually I have to go-uh meet a source-Sorry, I forgot about it. Thanks for lunch. Bye!" She slipped her hand free from his gentle grasp and practically sprinted out of the café.

Darla popped up out of nowhere, "did your girlfriend want a doggy bag?" She asked looking at the uneaten food.

"No." Clark answered still staring at the door, he didn't even notice when waitress left, saying something about bringing out his check.

That was the second time he'd try to have a meal with Lois and she bolted. What did he do this time? She was acting weird. He understood about the rooftop, he had been out of line there. But here-

Clark dug into his wallet and placed a fifty-dollar bill on the table. He knew he just left the waitress one hell of a tip, but he wasn't going to let Lois run out on him again. Not without an explanation.

He burst through the café door and jogged in the direction he'd seen her dash off in. He saw a flash of her bright blue blouse; turn the corner two blocks up. Without thinking, he increased his speed.

"Lois!" He grabbed her arm gently once he caught up to her.

"Clark!" Lois blinked a few times, "did you want to come with me to interview my source?" Crap! She needed a source! Now!

"Lois, we both know there is no source," he answered, gingerly pulling her off the sidewalk into the mouth of an alley.

"There is to a source!" She said defiantly, sticking out her chin.

"I don't believe you. Now tell me what's really going on? What did I do this time?"

"Nothing." Lois said a little too quickly. A smile played with Clark's lips as he raised his eyebrows, "Lois."

She sighed defeatedly.

"I guess I'm just a little nervous about the trip. I mean this could change my entire career!" She flailed her arms.

"Yeah. It's a great opportunity," Clark agreed, reluctantly.

"Smallville, I know you're worried. But there will be soldiers everywhere we go." She squeezed his hand.

"What do you mean, 'everywhere we go?'" Clark asked.

"Well, Perry and I won't just be in Iraq. He wants to go everywhere, Iran, Afghanistan, and Israel, Palesti- "Lois's voice died in her throat when she saw her friend's expression.

Clark was trying very hard to not over react. Overreacting would be bad. Did he really want her not speaking to him for another two day? But she was going to be gallivanting all over the Middle East for six months without anyone to protect her- to really protect her!

At that moment Clark wanted nothing more than to grab her around the waist, super speed them back to the farm and barricade them inside his house for-the rest of their lives!

Sure, she'd be mad at him at first- furious even. But he could think of few ways to make her un-furious.

Or, better yet, he could cash in on that favor Perry owed him. Lois wouldn't be furious at him for that. Nope, she'd skip right ahead to killing him. He may be a super powered extraterrestrial who was virtually indestructible, but Lois Lane would find a way to murder him- Kryptonite or no Kryptonite.

"Smallville?" Lois waved a hand infront of his face.

"Sorry, just taking it all in." Clark answered. Lois hadn't let go of his hand.

"Clark?"

"It's just I-I mean The Blur, won't be there to protect you."

"I can take-"

"Care of yourself. I know. I just-"

Lois smiled, "It's going to be OK, I'm going to be fine and the six months will fly by so fast you won't even have time to miss me!"

"I seriously doubt that," unconsciously he moved his free hand and placed it on the small of her back, pulling her closer to him.

"Careful Smallville, or I'll actually start to think that you care." She said half jokingly.

"I do care, Lois. More than I should." He started to lean towards her, his eyes fixated on her lips.

Lois brought her free hand up to cup the side of his face as she resituated their clasped hands so that their fingers laced together.

"Lois, I'm going to kiss you." Clark whispered his mouth inches away from hers.

"Do you always announce it, like that?" She asked smiling.

"No," Clark grinned, "but I'm afraid if I don't tell you first, you'll run away, again.

Lois crashed her lips to his then pulled back. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Good."

He fused their mouths together in a long searing kiss.

TBC

********

A/N: Please REVIEW! Thanks!