Summary: Lois has an obsessed meteor freak stalking her and putting her life at risk. In order to protect her, Clark reveals to her his secret and proposes. Proposes to pose as a married couple that is! Do new identities also come with new feelings? Or are these fake too?

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Forged I.D.'s and I Do's

by Chinita92

Chapter Nine:

DAWN

dawn:

-noun

1. To begin to appear or develop; emerge.

2. To begin to be perceived or understood.

"Once we walk through that door, we're not Clark Kent and Lois Lane."

Lois stared at the drain, watching the soap sud-mixed water swirling down into the sewer. She hoped if she stared at it long enough, she would slip through as well. She viciously wiped her face with her palms, ridding of the excess water from her cheeks.

"We're Tod and Erin, married, and in love. ...It's going to be weird and hard, but its just going to have to be."

She didn't know why, but Clark's words scared the living lights out of her. Just thinking about it made her feel panicky, and if she wasn't showering at the moment, she was sure she would be sweaty too. But what scared her the most, was a small little fact:

That she was even scared at all.

"How many times have you been there when I didn't know it, saving me?" He turned around, he knew that voice. He stood in the fortress, watching... himself and Lana?

"It doesn't matter, Lana. I couldn't let anything happen to you." They were standing by the edge of an ice cliff, staring at large crystals before them.

"And no one knew." 'I remember this... am I dreaming?'

"There were so many days I wanted to tell you." A small frown played on his face, it was the day Lana's life was exchanged for his father's. In Lana's eyes, none of what he was reliving, happened.

"What makes today any different?" He watched her chestnut brown eyes look up at himself. He watched the pair before him. Things were so, so, different now.

"I want you to know who I really am..." He held out a piece of coal in his palm, to which she looked up at him confused. An orange glow radiated from his now closed fist. He opened his hand, revealing a heap of dust. Still confused, he blew the gray particles away, leaving a small diamond in the center, glistening with the iridescent white lights. With a look of conviction, he held out a gold band, and placed the diamond atop it, welding both pieces together with his heat vision. He got down on one knee, looking longingly into her eyes.

"Will you marry me?" At that moment he had given her time for an answer, but later that day she had accepted his proposal. He was the happiest man in the galaxy, perhaps even the next. He shook his head, knowing now that she sported a different ring nowadays. Lex Luthor's. He shut his eyes, trying to block out the images.

'Lana is your past,'

It was true, he had to move on. He felt his chest tighten... only, he wasn't causing it. He popped his sea green eyes open, to find Lois looking up at him, a handful of his shirt in her grasp.

"I'm your future." He looked around. They were in Lex's dining room, only to find the situation a little differently than he remembered. No Engagement Party guests, nor were there shard of glass across the floor from having tossed Lex to a side. No, it was just them.

Alone.

"This is the present." he said, surprised at his answer. Unlike the first time, his answer wasn't meant to offend her, or throw her off... it was like a statement of reassurance.

The lack of a crashed party wasn't the only difference from before. Lois... Lois didn't look quite the same either. He remembered her wearing a ridiculous black ensemble, her bright red lips drenched in lip gloss, and her long golden-brown locks in tight curls. But what he most vividly remembered, was how love-drunk she looked. But not this time.

It was different.

He stared into her hazel orbs, unmistakably filled with her signature Lane conviction. Seeing her dark brown fringe brushing against her extensive dark lashes seriously tempted him to brush her hair to a side, which he did, gladly. His fingers rested just above her ear after tucking her the strands behind it. The Lois from last year's Valentine's Day would've melted over him, or planted a kiss on his lips for doing something so personal. But not this Lois, she looked almost confused by his action. Noticing that she still held a tight hold of his shirt, she let go. She wrapped her arms around herself, a look of insecureness painted on her visage.

She walked away from him, giving him a clear view of her figure. She was wearing what she wore when he last saw her. Pink flip-flops, frilly white top, and denim Bermuda shorts. Her dark hair pinned back. Why were the memories in his dream all mixed up? He shook his head and walked over to her.

"Why did you do that?" she asked, not looking at him in the eyes.

Not knowing what to say, he answered with another question."Well... why were you grabbing my shirt and referring yourself as my future?" he said, a slight sarcastic tone in his voice, but nonetheless expectant of a straight answer.

"Because that's what I did last time," she started, and seemed to debate whether to complete her thought. "But you didn't do what you did last time. You were suppose to choose Lana. You were supposed to leave me. Reject me. Why didn't you walk away?"

He processed her question. Why did he? He wasn't on Red Kryptonite... He shook his head. He didn't know. Maybe because Lana not being there didn't make her an option? Or maybe it was because all he could see was Lois, all he could think about was... Lois. His eyes widened. Where did that come from? Was that true? Outside of the dream, as well?

"Because you are the only one," he looked up at her. "--here, I mean."

She nodded silently, understanding that. The fact that she didn't fight back to correct him turned his stomach. She was suppose to point out that he was lying, she was supposed to see that he... really did... want her? Did he? He looked at her, and the urge he felt to hold her and kiss her insecurities away answered that question. I guess you could say he did.

"Do you really believe that?" he asked softly grabbing her arm, turning her to face him. Her head hung low, her eyes hidden in shadows. She refused to look at him. He didn't know how to deal with this side of Lois. He cupped her chin, bringing her head up to face him. Her vision reluctantly aligned with his.

"You said it, so it must be the truth." she whispered, her voice slightly cracking.

Where was the Lois he knew that fought her way to the truth? Did he do that to her, make her act like, well.. fragile?

He sighed. "You know me enough to know that I don't always say what I mean. But, since this time you're not willing to decipher my words, I'll be frank with you." That caught her attention.

"The reason I didn't reject you had nothing to do with Lana. If she were here, I still would've stayed. To be honest, I'm glad she's not here, because I'm not sure I want Lana around." He thought that through. He didn't. What did that really mean? All he knew is that he liked the situation he found himself in.

Alone with Lois.

"Why are things different now?" she asked.

"I don't know, but they just are." It was true, everything was different. "But I think I like the change..."

She saw the corners of her lips lift into a smile. Her hazel eyes glued themselves to his blue ones. His palms began to sweat when he noticed her take a step closer. "Clark, I think I should be frank with you too." she said, her body getting dangerously close to his. It was a dream, so it didn't matter if he wanted her to come even closer... right?

"Frank about what?" he asked, a faint smile tugging on his lips as he began to lean his face closer to hers.

"I've wanted to do this," she darted her eyes up from his lips, a haze of lust embedded within her pupils, "at least, the right way, because well, there have been circumstances that weren't the best, I mean I was on Love Potion No. 9, and you were affected too and it just wasn't right, so-"

"Lois you're rambling again." he said, smiling.

She caught herself. "What I'm trying to say is... that I've wanted this for a very long time." She grabbed his hands, and he noticed that she too was nervous. She closed her eyes, and he mirrored her action, as they found themselves being pulled in by the other. His lips lingered a hair away from hers, and in any second, the genuinely desired, and not to mention, mutual contact would take place. Except...

"Clark!"

His head snapped to his left, facing the source who called him, causing his nose to bump into Lois'.

"Ouch!" she said, stroking the bridge of her nose. She looked up at Clark, only to find him looking away. She slightly furrowed her eyebrows when following his gaze.

"What are you doing?" asked Lana in a low whispery voice. She still had on her winter jacket and scarf from earlier on in his dream. Her peach-colored lips tightened, as she held back the tears that were forming in her eyes.

He looked at a scared Lois. She feared he would take back everything he had told her. He wouldn't.

"Lana, we need to talk." Clark said, his hand still intertwined with Lois'. He squeezed her hand reassuringly. He felt her relax.

Lana took a step closer, her long brunette hair hanging lifelessly around her thin, but beautiful face. A fire in her eyes began to blaze.

"I come here to tell you that I want us to be together until death do us part," she said holding up her hand, the gold ring that he made her glistening in the chandelier light, "and I see you about to kiss Lois?!"

He felt it was the right time to tell her everything he had bottled inside, all the doubts that he knew were not a figment of his imagination.

"Lana, you know we're not meant for each other. All these years, and we've always had rough patches, always had a hard time," he paused, she look taken aback, not comprehending him, at all. He continued anyway,"Those hard times were us trying to make something work, that was always destined to fail. Lana I did love you, but we just outgrew each other-"

"-No. You outgrew me! You're here with Lois, and I'm alone-- wanting to be with you."

But, she was with Lex. She married Lex. She loved Lex. She chose Lex over him. A part of him knew she, in fact, did want to be with him, even after all they had recently gone through, but he didn't want to be with her. Not anymore at least. She was right: he had outgrown his first love.

"Lana, I'm so sorry."

She smiled sadly at him, knowing there was no point in being angry. "I know you are. But I have a feeling you'll outgrow that feeling too. I wish there was something I could do to change your mind, but you can't choose those you love." she said, and wiped a single tear from her cheek, hoping no one noticed. She looked up at him."I only wish you had chosen me." She stepped closer to him and grabbed his hand, with one last look, she placed her engagement ring in his palm.

"Goodbye Clark." she said softly while he stared at the shiny ring. When he looked up, he found himself sitting on his couch in the barn's loft.

Expecting to be alone as he spent many a night there, he was startled to find Lois sitting next to him. The same Lois from earlier. She had followed him in his dream and hadn't left him alone.

"I'm sorry about Lana." she said, still holding his hand between hers.

"It's okay. I always had a feeling that we weren't right for each other." he said and shrugged, "But a lot of times we ignore our true feelings." Perhaps that not only applied to Lana.

"So, do you think you have enough?" she said, cheerfully changing the subject.

He eyed her strangely. "Enough of what?"

She rolled her eyes. "Enough saved up." she said, matter-of-factly. He still wasn't catching on. "You know, to buy a Harley?"

He smiled, understanding her question. "I think I always put in extra money in my piggy bank..."

She scrunched up her nose. "Why?"

"Because I never really wanted a bike." he said, his head laying on the couch's head rest. He was content just staring at her.

She snuggled in his arms, her head resting on his chest. "Well, I hope you got exactly what you wanted."

He ran his fingers up her arm, breathing in her scent. "I got that and so much more." He closed his eyes, feeling a wave of calm come over him.

When he opened his eyes, he met Jimmy's shadowed TV in the darkness staring back at him. He automatically looked to his left. No Lois. When he felt his heart sink, he was sure of one thing, and one thing only:

He never wanted a Harley so much like he did now.

"That could only mean one thing..." he said aloud. When realization dawned him, he began to bang his head on the couch's armrest.

"Stupid, Stupid Stupid!" he said, his voice switching from being muffled from the couch and being perfectly clear. He heard the shower head turn off.

"Oh no."

He couldn't face Lois now- there was no way. He didn't know how to act around her now, not after realizing he had feelings for her. Ugh. Just saying that in his mind made him feel so much more stupid! How could he let himself have feelings for someone who would never return them?

Hearing the doorknob being turned, he closed his eyes, and pretended to be asleep. He heard the bathroom door close, followed by the sound of a humming Lois who walked around the master bedroom. He heard water drops crash onto the floor, possibly from her drenched hair. He could also hear he unzipping her suitcase, and shortly after the sounds of a brush running through her hair. He tried to tune her sounds out, because it really wasn't doing him all that well. But he couldn't, he found it somewhat addicting. She set her brush down on what he assumed was the night table. And then it came. The sound of her damp towel falling down to her feet. He felt a flashback of a wet and nude Lois ready to attack him with a back massager come to mind. He was going to go crazy. He covered his ears with his hands, hoping this would help, but surprise, surprise: it didn't.

A drawer opened and he heard rummaging. He knew what to expect next. The drawer closed and the sound of a possibly very sexy piece of underwear being slid up her legs filled his ears. The snap he heard when she accommodated the panties on her hips was enough to scar him for life. He bit his lip, frustrated (in more ways than others). He heard her buttoning up what he could imagine was her pajama top. But then she made a tying sound of sorts. A robe? Why wear a robe if she had already dressed herself? He was to busy to answer the question when he heard the door open and her footsteps coming closer. He tried to relax, and steady his breathing.

"Clark?" she said. Hearing her voice made his heart beat faster. So much for relaxing. "Did you fall asleep?" she asked and shortly after prodded his cheek with her finger. "My god, he better not get used to this." she said and slid off his glasses, setting them on the coffee table. He tried to not fidget when she slid off his sneakers and socks. Oh boy, why did he have to be such a coward? Pretending to be asleep because you don't want to see the face of the woman you just realized you had it bad for? Wasn't it worse to hear her undress, or better yet, hear and feel her undress you?

She carefully slid his green T-shirt off his head. Maybe it was just him, but he sensed her a bit hesitant to put his shirt down.

"Oh lordy." he heard her say. Was was she going to do? Was she- oh no. She unbuttoned his jeans. He held his breath. She held his breath. The tension consumed them. He was so tempted to come clean, but she would be so angry at him for even letting her take his shirt off if she knew he was awake the whole time.

"Look at his face, Look at his face." she said. Thank god it was dark, because he could feel his cheeks on fire, possibly shining brighter than his infamous red jacket.

In one swift moment, she slid his jeans off his legs and set them down. She scurried away and shortly after came back. He was, to say the least, startled when he felt her hands on his chest, except he then realized she was setting him in a sleeping position. Once laid horizontally on the couch, he felt a familiar warmth envelop his skin. One he felt the night before. When taking in a whiff, he recognized the scent of Lois' car. His red blanket. Great, now he wouldn't be able to sleep. After dreaming about her, hearing her, touching her, and now- smelling her, there was no way he would get any shut eye.

He heard her sigh. "Sweet Dreams, Smallville." If only she knew just how sweet dreams could be, so sweet, perhaps he'd turn diabetic tonight. And then she did something unexpected. She stroked his forehead, pushing his hair back. There was no way he could not have reacted to that. He pressed his face deeper into her palm, moaning softly. He then settled back to his normal sleeping position. Her breath hitched in her throat, just before running away and shutting the bedroom door behind her shut, and locking it.

He opened his eyes, knowing he didn't need to worry about her coming back out. He stared at his clothes neatly folded on the coffee table before him. He turned his back to it, as if blaming them for all his problems. Damn that Lois Lane.

Damn her.

To be continued...

Author's Note: Okay, sorry for the short chapter but, once again, I didn't want to extend this too much, because then we'd forget about all the great things that just happened. So yeah, let me know what you think, and don't worry- Tod and Erin will be back next chapter, and I hope (stressing the hope here) that I will make you happy with them. So yeah, please let me know if there is something you want to see, or something I need to improve, if not everything, lol! Anyway, thanks again for all the reviews (wouldn't know what to do without them!!).