Chapter 9
Chloe and Clark talked for nearly three hours and covered nearly everything that had transpired between them since Chloe's wedding. Getting each and every item resolved, Clark rose to leave feeling better about Chloe and that the air had thoroughly been cleared.
"This was long overdue," he said. "I'm glad it's done and we can begin rebuilding our friendship instead of tearing it down."
Chloe hugged him and he hugged her back. She sighed contentedly and said, "I mean this in only the most platonic sense of the word, but this is where I belong. I've missed this feeling, Clark."
"Me too, Chloe; I hope it can all be put behind us because your friendship has always meant so much to me."
"I'm willing to put it behind us," she replied. "And I promise that I'll mend the fence with Lois, too. I need her as much as I need you." She let go of him and looked him in the eyes. "Which brings me to my last subject."
Clark frowned. "I didn't know there was a last subject."
"Well there is;" Chloe said matter-of-factly, "it's about Lois."
He was anxious over Lois being the last subject. He thought Chloe was going to ask him about their relationship and the last thing Lois had said to him was not to mention it. "What about Lois?" he asked warily.
"I love talking to my cousin and sharing things but it's so hard at times because of your secret. Clark, I can't be open and closed with her at the same time. She's way too intuitive and knows when I'm being evasive. She doesn't always call me out on it but I know that she senses I'm keeping things from her.
"I can't keep doing that to her. First off, she's never going to be fully trusting of me if she senses I'm holding something back from her. Secondly, I can tell you two are growing closer and if my intuition serves me right, you have started forming some long-term plans in that complex head of yours, which truly makes me happy.
"I know that over a year ago you were convinced that Lois could never know your secret but I think it's time you re-examine that decision."
Clark nodded reticently. "I know; and you're right. Since I've been talking to her as The Blur, it's helped me realize a lot of things about Lois that probably would have taken years to realize…"
"If at all?" Chloe interjected.
"Exactly," he replied. "Now I've begun to worry less about her knowing my secret and more about what she'll think of me once she knows it."
"You've shared some pretty intimate feelings, right?" Chloe asked and Clark nodded. "And now you think she'll be angry because you used your alter ego to draw out her intimate thoughts, right?"
"Yes."
Chloe face lit up. "Well, I don't blame you; I would be worried too and I wouldn't want to be in your shoes when you tell her. Lois is…" she trailed off.
"So Lois?" he finished.
"Yes. She's going to feel hurt, I can assure you. She's going to feel foolish because she'll think back about all the things you've talked about that she would never have told Clark Kent and she's going to feel, I don't know…used, maybe?" She shrugged her shoulders. "My advice, if you're still taking my advice anymore, is that the sooner you tell her, the sooner the damage stops and the sooner you begin repairing the damage that has already been done."
"What if she rejects me?" he asked somberly.
"You know better than that, Clark." Chloe grinned again, "But that doesn't mean she's just going to let you off the hook either. I don't want to see her hurt or misled anymore. Not by me and certainly not by you, especially if you are thinking about any long-term plans with my cousin."
Clark nodded pensively. "Okay, thanks Chloe." He hugged her once again and left.
After traveling a safe distance from the Watchtower, Clark tried to reach Lois at her desk but there was no answer. He called her cell phone and learned that she had already finished the article, submitted it for publishing and was on her way home.
"It went really well," he told her of his conversation with Chloe. "Things are back on track between us and I think that will help you two get back on track too."
Lois was relieved and excited but she detected something strange in Clark's voice. "Clark, it sounds like there's something you're leaving out; you sound funny."
"What do you mean," he asked, knowing full well what she meant.
"Clark, I can tell when something's bothering you.What is it?"
"Just some things that Chloe said to me hit pretty close to home and made me think of things in different way. That's all."
"What things?What did she say?" Lois demanded.
He had to think quickly. "Just things between her and me over the years. Hearing her side and how she interpreted things made me look differently at things I've done." He figured that Lois wouldn't accept something so vague so he added, "Once I work through it, I'll talk to you about them, okay?"
"Well, I would expect you to, Farmer John," she teased. "After all, you are my boyfriend now and I don't expect to be kept in the dark about things that are important to you."
Clark cringed. The hole he was digging himself into just kept getting deeper. "Of course, Lois. I just need to work through it myself first."
"Okaaaay," she said warily. "Does that mean you're going to be stashed away in your he-man women-haters clubhouse working through it and I won't be seeing this weekend?"
"Are you kidding?" he said, relieved that Lois was being playful and not inquisitive. "Your place or mine?"
"Mine," she replied. "That way I have you all to myself.No Shelby, no sneezing, no Kleenex."
"What time?"
"Whenever you feel like coming.If you get here by one, we can watch some college games and have turkey sandwiches."
He liked the sound of that. "That sounds great to me. I'll bring a six-pack and some chips with me. I'll see you then."
"Okey dokey," she said gleefully, "it's a date!"
Clark chuckled. "Okey dokey?" he asked incredulously. "Since when does Lois Lane use the phrase, 'okey dokey'?"
She snorted. "I've been studying up on my 'country and hick slang' since we've started dating, Flannel King.I figured it would come in handy talking to you."
"Really?" Clark replied mischievously.
"Yep," she replied. "I went on line and ordered it; Rosetta Stone, Hayseed edition; cost me an arm and a leg but you're worth every penny of it, Clark."
Clark grinned. He was amazed at her ability to change his mood so quickly. "Well that's good to know, Lois. I wouldn't want there to be any misunderstanding between us."
"Not now," she replied, "especially now, since it took you forever to step up to the plate, Farm Boy."
He nodded. "So I'll be there around one."
"Ay-yup!" she replied and snickered. "That was in Lesson Two."
"Good night, Lois," he said and disconnected from the call. He shook his head and laughed. Hayseed edition!
Lois was climbing into bed when her cell phone rang. She saw her cousin's name on the display.
"Hi Lo," Chloe's voice said cheerily through the phone.
"Hi Cuz; it's good to hear from you," Lois replied.
"Well, I guess you probably know that Clark and I talked this evening and it made me realize that I've been pretty cold towards you and I wanted to say I'm sorry.It's just been…"
"No!" Lois interrupted. "No apologizing, Chloe; we're family and you don't have to apologize because we love one another and understand, right? It's been a tough few months for all of us."
"You're right, Lois; it has.So what do you say to a 'girl's night out' tomorrow night?"
"I'd say it sounds like a plan," she replied excitedly. "I'm dying to talk to you. It's like we haven't really talked in months and we've got a lot of catching up to do."
"See you around nine o'clockthen?We'll go into Metropolis and bar hop," Chloe suggested.
"Perfect! I'll pick you up at nine then, Cuz."
"Great! I'll talk to you then.Later."
Lois disconnected from the call and climbed beneath the covers. Everything was going so well and she could hardly quit smiling long enough to fall asleep.
(As Lois drifts off to sleep, she begins to dream again)
Lois is lying next to Clark in bed.She is aware that she's naked and she runs her hand across his bare chest and follows it down beneath the sheets to finds that he is naked too.She senses that they have made love but does not recall having done so; only that she feels satisfied and content.
It seems like morning but the red glow of the sun makes her think it is late afternoon and she's disoriented.She gets up, wraps a sheet around her and goes to the loft window and looks at the red, setting sun.From behind, Clark places his hands around her and she leans back against him as they both look at the ruby sun.
She turns within the grasp of his powerful arms and they kiss.There is a feeling of desperation inside her; a feeling that this is the last time they will ever share one another's bodies.There is exhilaration but also sadness; a feeling of pending doom.
They return to the bed they left only moments before to make love. Lois knows it isn't the first time but cannot recall the first time.Clark feels so comfortable to her, like they are joined not just physically but spiritually as they begin the tender and passionate exploration of each other's body.
Their lovemaking is exhausting but euphoric; a connection so deep and on such a profound level that it seems it will never be broken.She has never experienced lovemaking like it has been with Clark.
As they lay next to one another, spent and glistening, Clark rolls to his side and hoarsely whispers, "I love you."He traces the outline of her face with his finger. "I never want to lose you again, Lois.My life isn't the same without you in it and I'd rather die than live without you again."
The words are tender and heartfelt but to Lois, they are also ominous.