They arrived home to Martha in full swing with preparations for dinner. Lois could smell the meatloaf. "That smells delicious!" Lois commented.

"Thank you, Lois." Martha said as she waited for Clark to disappear. "How are you feeling today? I meant to ask if Emil knows that I am in the loop."

"Yes, he does. I am feeling fine today. That injection Emil gave me must have done the job. I may need a top up in the next few days. One of the advantages of going out with a doctor."

"That's good."

"Now where do I start?" Lois took her jacket off.

Emil arrived right on time at 6pm. "Thank you for the invite, Martha." He handed over a very expensive looking bottle of wine.

Martha showed him into the living room. "Emil, can I introduce you to my husband Jonathan." Jonathan got up and shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, Emil!" He smiled.

"Lois, can you go over and get Clark from the loft?" Martha asked."

"Yep sure!"

She found him sitting on his sofa just gazing into space. "Dinner is ready!"

"Come and join me!" He asked calmly. She sat down next to him. He turned to kiss her. "I am going to be on my best behaviour, promise."

"You had better be or I will make you pay later." She said in a demanding tone.

"Oh, I can't wait." He flirted back

They headed over to the farmhouse. "Hello Emil." Clark greeted him cheerily.

"Hi Clark." Emil smiled from across the table as they tucked into their food.

"Is no-one going to join me?" He asked pointing at the bottle of wine.

Jonathan smiled. "I'll have one although I need to be careful with my heart. It's not as good as it used to be."

"What happened?" Emil asked in his concerned doctor mode.

Jonathan explained about his heart problems.

Emil smiled. "Funnily enough I am running a new exercise and advice clinic for patients with varying degrees of cardiac issues. Why don't you drop in?"

Lois looked across the table at Emil wondering what that was all about.

The night went by without any issues, a good time being had by all. Lois was pleased that Clark behaved himself by not over-questioning Emil about his relationship with her. However that all changed when Clark insisted on driving Emil home alone.

Lois decided not to argue. "Ok, it will be so much better when you get your car." She kissed Emil on the cheek.

Clark headed out to the truck with Emil. They started the 5 minute drive back to town. "So, just come out and ask Clark?"

Clark looked over at him. "Ask what?"

"About Lois and I. She told me that you were worried about our friendship, which is all it is. She has strong feelings for you, don't underestimate them. I would love it if I still be friends with Lois, but I will back off if you feel threatened by me. You never know maybe we could be friends."

"I think I can live with that. I am hoping Lois and I can go the distance." He confessed. "Being with her is like a breath of fresh air compared to my previous girlfriend."

"Yes from what I heard Lana was a little bit complicated from what Lois told me. Lois is one of the most generous and caring people you could meet. You look after her!"

"I will." Clark pulled up at Emil's building. "Doctors must get paid well these days. These are nice!"

"Why don't you and Lois come around for dinner on Friday?"

"I will check with her but I don't see why not!" Clark replied with a nod.

Lois was pacing up and down the kitchen wondering what Clark was saying to Emil.
"Are you ok?" Martha asked. "I am sure Clark will be not be saying anything he shouldn't to Emil. "

With the mood he is in these days I am sure he is too preoccupied with making up to Lana, although why he still bothers is a mystery." Jonathan added. "I will be glad when he meets someone less complicated."

Lois smiled. "I know what you mean."

Martha looked at her watch. "Is it that time already? Emil must have been here for almost four hours. He is lovely, Lois. I think you have chosen well. I am sure he will make a great dad." Martha stated after making sure they were out of earshot of Jonathan.

"I am sure he will."

Jonathan got up. "Lois, will you ask Clark if he can have a look at the fence in the far paddock tomorrow to see what size panel it needs. Just we have to head into Metropolis early in the morning for an appointment with the bank manager."

"Yes, no problem. Sleep well." She said.

Clark came in a few moments after his parents went up. "What happened?" Lois tried to remain cool.

"Emil explained about your friendship and asked my permission to still spend time with you. He also asked us over on Friday for some takeaway. I said yes if that is ok with you. Lo, you can hang out with who you want. I want to be with you; not own you."

She walked over and hugged him before pulling apart although she left her arms hanging around his neck. "You are amazing! I knew I was with you for a reason." He kissed him gently. "I am afraid our new sleeping arrangement is out of the window for tonight as your parents are getting up at 4pm. Your dad also asked if you could check out what is needed for the repair on the outer paddock fence."

He smiled. "I will check in the morning. Since we can't cohabit my room, do you fancy snuggling up on the sofa and watching a movie with me."

"Now, how could I turn down such a tempting offer?" She smiled.

Lois snuggled against his chest as they watched Jaws. "This is really nice to let me choose."

He looked down at her. "I am happy with whatever you choose."

Something in his words triggered an unexpected reaction. She pulled away from him and looked at him with a serious look. "Do you like Jaws?"

He shook his head. "I did the first time I saw it, but now on the 19th time it is getting a little predictable."

"So why are we watching it?"

"Because you wanted to." He smiled sweetly.

"Clark, can I be honest? You need to realise that I am not Lana. There is nothing wrong with a couple having a disagreement or even a fight. You don't need to walk on eggshells or do everything you can to keep me happy. Some days, you won't be able to keep me happy. You are not completely responsible for my happiness. I will not leave you when the going gets tough. I am in this for the long-haul if that is what is meant to be."

Clark sat in shock. "I don't know what to say. I am so used to having to tread carefully around my girlfriend or being careful not to upset her. This is a new experience for me and I would like us to make a major go at this relationship. I hope you know how much you mean to me, Lo." He leant over, pushing his lips on to hers.

She responding by pulling him on top of her. The passionate exchange was seriously starting to heat up. Suddenly Lois heard someone approaching the farmhouse. She jumped up. "Someone is coming?"

Clark listened carefully and heard some footsteps. "How do you know?" He asked puzzled.

"I heard Shelby get up like he does when someone is coming." She explained so he would not be suspicious.

There was a knock at the door. Clark got up and went to answer it. Lois tried to concentrate on the door and was shocked when she could suddenly see through it. It was Lana. She sighed to herself.

"Hi Lana." Clark announced as he opened the door. "What brings you here at this time of the night?"

"I have come to say sorry for my childish behaviour. I did not mean to storm off the other day when you turned down my offer to stay at the farm."

Lana walked in and sat down at the kitchen table, not realising that Lois was sitting on the sofa in the other room, listening to the full conversation. She would have left them to it, but there was something very suspicious about her behaviour. One thing she had learnt over the past few months was that Lana would never back down because she knew Clark would back down to keep her happy.

"It's ok, Lana. I am not bothered." He just wanted her to leave. "You are forgiven."

"Ok, I have a plan. Think of last time as a rain check. Chloe said your parents were going away in Springbreak for a few days. I will come and stay then. Of course you will have to ask Lois to move out for a while. I wish she would move out altogether to be honest with you.

"Lana, whilst we are on the subject - why did you tell Lois I resented her being here and wanted her to move out." He asked curiously, well aware of Lois's eavesdropping.

"She told you about that. God, she is such a drama queen. You didn't need to tell me about it. I know you hate her and would do anything to get rid of her."

"But that is not true. We do have rows but I do not hate her. Anyway, it is late and I am about to settle for the night, so goodnight." Clark replied without much emotion as he ushered her towards the door.

"Ok, we will get together at school tomorrow and finalise the details." Lana smiled and turned around and left.

Lois appeared from the other room. "Well that was interesting. Did she ever give you a choice when she went out with you?"

"Funnily enough… no she didn't. But now I can make my own choices, I have made my final one…you. I am not going to let anything come between us, Lo." He kissed her on the forehead and pulled her into a hug.