Chapter 9 – Memories
Previously:
Clark chuckled. She really was amazing. He kissed her again. "Lois, you may be a little ... sore, so I think we should wait awhile before... you know, before we ... you know."
Lois giggled. "Clark, you're blushing. That's so sweet."
"Lois, come on, we can have a nice breakfast, and I have something important to tell you."
Oh, I could use some good news,Lois thought.
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Clark had prepared this incredible breakfast for them, including omelets, fruit, bacon, juice, and coffee, they both sat down to eat. I could definitely get used to this, Clark thought. He smiled at her. She had a mouth full of food. "Well, how is it?"
"Wow, this is delicious. When did you have time to do all this?" I had a feeling he was up to something.
"I seem to really enjoy the mornings. It's invigorating."
"Oh, so you're a morning person?"
"Yes, I am. Why?" Did Lois forget I was raised on a farm? Clark asked himself.
"Oh, because I'm not. Smallville, we've been dating for months. How could I not know this about you?" Lois mentally smacked herself. Of course, he was, getting up with the chickens and cows, Lois thought.
"Lois, it's not important. I'm not going to drag you out of bed, disturb your rest, or anything like that. Well, not to get you 'out' of bed anyway." He chuckled. "Come on, give me some credit."
"Well, I would hope not," she said, and smiled at him. I'm glad that's settled, Lois chuckled to herself.
"Anyway, that's not what I wanted to talk to you about. I wanted to take a few minutes and reflect on our past so we can understand how we got to this point."
"Smallville, its way too early in the morning for that kind of conversation, and anyway, most of our past, I would like to forget."
"Come on, Lois, it'll be fun. Remember when we first met?" Clark wiggled his eyebrows and laughed.
Lois snickered. "Of course, I remember. How could I forget?"
"You tried so hard not to look at me and failed." Clark couldn't help but laugh at the memory.
"It's not funny, Clark. When I first saw you laying there stark naked, I thought you were dead. Then, when you got up, I was thinking... good god, what a man. I mean, you were standing there, completely oblivious to your nakedness, and you asked me my name, for goodness sake. I didn't know what to think. Thinking back on it now, I was just relieved you weren't hurt or worse."
"Well, physically, I was fine, but inside, there was a war going on. I wasn't Clark; that wasn't the real me. You weren't actually talking to me; you were talking to Kal-El."
"Of course I was talking to you. He is you." Clark wasn't making any sense.
"No, it wasn't me, not then. You see, Jor-El and I were having a disagreement, for lack of a better word, and he kind of insisted that I be Kal-El, not Clark."
"That's ridiculous, and it makes no sense. How could he expect you to be two different people in the same body? I cannot believe he thought that would work. Well, after meeting him, maybe it's not so hard to believe he would do that."
"You're right. Jor-El was being unreasonable. So, no, it didn't work. He can't seem to accept the fact that Clark is who I am, and Kal-El is what I can do. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"
"I think so."
"This is kind of hard to explain. There is something I could tell you that will make it clearer."
"Ok, and what could that be?"
"When I was Kal-El, I flew."
"You flew? You mean, like a bird?" She chuckled. Lois could not believe what she just heard.
"Yes, pretty much." I can see she doesn't believe me.
"You cannot be serious. A man can't fly."
"I can ... well, Kal-El can."
"Will you please stop talking about yourself in the third person? It's creepy."
"I know, sorry about that. It's really hard to explain. You see, Kal-El is inside me. He's a part of me. I've tried in the past, but I can't ignore that part of myself anymore, and now that I don't have to hide who I am, it's liberating. I've never felt this way before." He looked into her eyes, took her hand and squeezed it. Lois knew that look. It was a look she was becoming very familiar with. "So, I wanted to see if I could fly as ... well, Clark and Kal-El."
Lois stared at Clark as if he had lost his mind. This has got to be the strangest conversation I have ever had with anyone, she thought. "You're serious, aren't you?"
"Yes I am, very serious, and I want you to come with me." Lois is a bit of a cynic, so it will be hard for her to believe it unless she sees it for herself.
"Ok, then, well, I think I'm going to need another cup of coffee."
##
After finishing breakfast, they headed to the farm. Lois couldn't remember a time when she was so nervous. She had to figure out a way to talk him out of this. Clark couldn't fly. It was impossible. She glanced at him. He seemed convinced that he could do this. I suppose I should have more faith in him, but I could not bear it if he were hurt or worse. He was standing in the loft looking up at the sky.
What was he thinking? He seemed to be in some kind of a trance. Seeing him like that, took her back to one of the many awkward moments between them. I remember that day after the faulty lie detector test, and what I said to the madman's question ... do you love him? Yes." Lois shook her head, remembering. What if I had told him the truth afterwards, that the lie detector wasn't faulty, that I was telling the truth, and that I loved him with all of my heart? No, it wasn't the proper time. He wasn't ready then, but who knows how things would have turned out between us. I guess we'll never know. Anyway, it wasn't important because, whenever he looks at me in that special way, my heart knows, and that's the most important thing.
Clark was looking up at the sky and thinking how lucky he was to have such a smart, beautiful and caring woman in his life. Then, the memories came flooding back. We were standing on the rooftop of the Daily Planet. I wanted to impress her and to prove to her that I was more than just a 'farm boy' or a 'normal' guy. I'll never forget the look she gave me when I asked her to join me on the ledge looking out over the city. She looked terrified and exhilarated all at the same time. I pulled her close to my chest, and then I leapt into the sky. I'll remember that moment forever, the way she felt in my arms, the feeling of having her with me at that moment in time. We were flying over Metropolis, high, high into the sky. She never took her eyes off of me. I could feel her trust and acceptance. I remember feeling there was nothing I couldn't do, as long as Lois was within the circle of my arms. All too soon, the flight ended and we were on Oliver's terrace, and all I could think about was kissing her, and making her mine forever.
"Clark, are you sure about this? I mean, flying is for birds, not people." Lois was still trying to talk him out of it.
Hearing Lois' question pulled him back to the present. He smiled at her. "Lois, everything will be alright. I promise."
"But how can you say that? Exactly how many times have you done this, anyway?" Lois was still skeptical about the entire thing.
"Lois, I'm asking you to trust me. I can do this." What will it take to convince her?
"I trust you, Clark, but ... maybe for this first time, you could maybe, you know, do it by yourself just to be sure? I promise I'll go with you when you get back, ok? Please don't hate me." Lois felt as if she was betraying him in some way.
"Don't be silly. I could never hate you, and I understand completely." It was a lot to ask of anyone, so Clark decided not to push her anymore. "Come on, let's head out to the back pasture. I don't want anyone to see us."
Clark knew deep inside that what he was about to do would take a tremendous leap of faith. Was he ready, could he do it? He also knew that it would change everything, not only for Lois and him, but for the entire world.
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A/N: It was hard trying to decide which memories to use, but those three stood out for me. What's your favorite Clois moment? Easy question, right? I hope you enjoyed it.
