Eleid: I've always wanted to include at least one of Clark's parents in my stories, but this was the only time that I felt it was fitting, so Martha is here :) I'm glad you enjoyed my take on her :)

LoisNClark4Ever: Have you read my mind? Or at least my outline? Hmmmm… lol you'll find out in this chapter which one of your guesses is correct. Thanks for reading :)

asaMade: I know right? I mean, this is the real Lois, the one he is really attracted to, inside and out :) Glad you liked it!

clarkfan325: I'm happy you liked my addition of Martha to this story. Thanks! :)

polks87: Thank you! and I think Martha is here to stay :)

I have to be honest. I do not know why, but this chapter was the hardest to write for me so far. So many changes were made in this chapter, thus creating a chain of events to the succeeding chapters, meaning there were some changes to the whole outline as well, but I think this turned out better. I mean, I had to delete at least two pages before I finally was satisfied! And then real life pulled me in, with work and studies and exams and well, this was the first time in a long time that I've had a breather, and I knew I had to write a chapter, if not here then in Atonement.

So again, thank you guys for sticking with me and leaving reviews and everything. I mean, we're not even halfway through the story ;) Here's the next chapter :)

Chapter 10

"Your Grace!" Lois shouted, panting as she had just been running a few moments ago.

Martha, who was preparing their lunch in the kitchen, came out at Lois' bellow. One look at Lois and Martha knew what she meant.

"It is time."

"I will be right there with you." One final stir and Martha looked at the kitchen maid. "Watch the pot and see that it does not boil over."

At the maid's affirmative answer, Martha took off immediately as fast as her feet could take her. Leaving the house, she headed towards the stables and saw Lois and the veterinarian at one corner where the whelping box was placed. Martha knelt down beside Lois and patted the dog's head.

"You are going to be fine, Shelby. You will have a family of your own soon."

The dog gave a slight whimper, and just looked at both Martha and Lois. As soon as Shelby's eyes fell on the younger woman, Lois sneezed, and then laughed at her own misfortune.

"I know, your Grace." Lois said at the look Martha gave her. "I just can't seem to stay away from her." She said with a shrug. "It was worse when I first came here a week ago though. Now it comes and it goes."

"Maybe you are getting immune to her now, as time goes by." Martha suggested as she watched the veterinarian ready Shelby.

Lois gave a hopeful smile. "I certainly hope so."

It wasn't long when eight amazing puppies were born in a span of a couple of hours. The veterinarian remarked that it was unusual, but that maybe Shelby was an unusual dog. Soon enough Shelby started nuzzling each and every one of them while they suckled her.

The veterinarian called the stable boy and gave instructions, with both Martha and Lois listening. At one instance, Lois piped in. "I can do that. I can check in on her every hour."

Martha looked at Lois and smiled, and all of a sudden everything that Clark had told her about Lois came rushing back. While they have been living in the same house for a week now, they have yet to talk about the circumstances that led her to Smallville in the first place. Martha vowed to remedy that.

Soon, the veterinarian was off, and Lois and Martha headed back to the house in companionable silence. "I will have someone prepare the meal as we both clean ourselves up."

Lois nodded and they headed to different directions, Lois to her room and Martha to the kitchens.

"That was divine." Lois said, slumping exaggeratedly in her chair as she finished her meal. "Knowing that I will have this good food up until at least the picnic this weekend, I think I need to have my dresses altered!"

Martha laughed and called for a maid to clear the dishes. Once they were alone, Martha decided to open the topic she had been longing to discuss ever since Lois came to Smallville.

"Has my son told you when he will be coming back?" Martha asked nonchalantly, and looked at Lois intently, wanting to catch her reaction.

But Lois did not give out any, just a shrug and a simple answer. "He was not very specific, Your Grace. He said it might be a couple of days, may be longer."

"And he did not tell you the reason for his absence?" Martha inquired further.

"I am afraid not, Your Grace." Lois answered.

"I remember when Jonathan was still alive." Martha said. "He would tell me everything there is to know about him; sometimes even more than what was required." She laughed recalling a fond memory. "I do miss him terribly."

Lois reached out and placed her hand over Martha's. "I am sorry for your loss, Your Grace."

Martha smiled and squeezed Lois' hand. "It has been years now, but I still think of him every single day."

Lois sighed. How she wished she would have a marriage like theirs. It came then to her surprise when Martha answered that she realized she has said that unbidden thought out aloud.

"I think you and Clark are on your way there."

Lois blushed and stammered. "Uhm.. Your Grace.. Clark and I.. uhm.. we are.."

Martha gave Lois a reassuring smile. "I know what you mean, Lois. Clark has told me everything there is to know, I believe."

"There are always two sides of the coin, Your Grace." Lois said sadly.

"Then show me the other side, Lois." Martha said warmly that Lois did not hesitate to tell the older woman her story.

And Martha listened. It was a revelation, this woman. Martha could now understand Clark's bewilderment; it was as if there were two versions of Lois. The Lois in front of her was animated, intelligent, and a no-nonsense woman who can carry herself.

"I know you believe your son. But please, I am begging you with all my heart, please believe me when I say that I have never married him and before all of this has happened the only encounter I had with him was my cousin's masque."

Martha looked at her thoughtfully. The distress shown in her face was proof enough for her that Lois was telling the truth. "I raised no liar, Lois. But I still believe I am a good judge of character, and something tells me that you are also telling the truth."

Lois looked relieved. "I will understand if you doubt me, Your Grace, but hearing that certainly lifts a slight burden from my shoulders."

"Clark will get to the bottom of this. This is what he does best." Martha replied.

"And here I thought Clark was a man born with the proverbial silver spoon who only chases after the finer things in life as someone waits on him hand and foot."

"Do not banish that thought. He has chased the finest things in life, and found that they do not satisfy him so. I do not think Clark has told you, but he works as a spy for the King." Martha said.

"A spy!" Lois said, astounded.

Martha nodded.

"Isn't it dangerous?" Lois asked; concern clearly etched on her face.

Martha smiled inwardly. This woman cared about his son, whether she knew it or not. "It is. And I pray every day that he be far from harm. I know what his profession entails, but I trust my son and his judgment."

"He left because he intends to find out what happened to me in Granville?" Lois asked aloud, not really addressing anyone in particular.

Martha still answered. "I believe so."

Warmth spread throughout Lois, and she fervently hoped that it did not translate into a blush. Hope may be upon them yet, that he may not completely hate her if he was delving deeper into her incident in Granville.

If the earlier warmth did not manifest physically, then Lois' train of thought might have done the trick, that the hope that blossomed in her meant that she had been hoping that the Duke does not hate her, which may lead to other things, that at this time Lois was still not prepared for.

Martha, sensing the realization coursing through Lois, declared that she would have to tend to her herb garden. Lois then said that she will check in on Shelby. Martha smiled at Lois' retreating back; she wondered if there will come a time when Lois would not run away from her feelings any longer.

He was ready to go home to Smallville. He was not ready to face her.

It was night and he was sitting at one of the tables in the inn at the border of Metropolis, only a half-day ride away from Smallville. But he knew that he was dreading his return, and he finally acknowledged that it was not because of the marriage hanging upon them. It was because he missed her.

Damn. Clark thought. A couple of days together and already Clark has been mesmerized all over again. Not to mention the protective instinct surging in him when he thought about her almost drowning in Granville.

Which lead him to this trip to Kandor. He had met with Constantine, the occult detective who had helped him during his last mission. Clark had described his situation, and even Constantine was baffled. He did, however, describe a group of gypsies he had met during one of his travels, who exhibit different powers among the members. One had the power to invade minds. Another had the power to speak with animals.

Clark was at a loss. How would Constantine know when he himself did not understand? Does Lois have the power to clone? Can she be in two places at once? Is it even Lois at all? He was grasping at straws, and they both knew it.

His musings were interrupted by a call of his name, which came from Bruce. "Fancy seeing you here." Bruce pulled out a chair and joined him.

"Bruce." Clark acknowledged. "Needed rest. Heading back to Smallville."

Bruce caught Clark's slip. "Back? Is that where you've been hiding at?"

Clark groaned inwardly. Bruce was one of the more astute persons among their group. "You could say that."

"Good, because I am heading to my estate. Nasty business."

"Nasty?"

"Cobblepot ran me dry." Bruce answered. "I need to assess the damage, recoup my losses, find the bastard."

"And here I have half a mind to hire him as well." Clark replied.

"He came with good recommendation. I checked his background as well. Nothing came up that was nefarious. Perhaps there is always a first time for everything."

First time for everything. Clark thought. "Perhaps." He said, completely different from what Bruce was alluding to.

"I could drop by your estate; I have a proposal for you, and pay a visit to your mother as well."

Clark wanted to cringe at Bruce's suggestion, but did not dare. "Now is not a good time, Bruce."

"Of course not now."

"Not now or in the near future." Clark qualified.

"Come now, the Dowager Duchess could definitely use some visitor." Bruce replied, taking Clark's denial rather lightly.

"I am on a mission, Bruce." Clark said rather forcefully, which did take Bruce by surprise. "I am afraid that we will have to talk about your proposal once I am done."

Bruce understood the vehemence. "Well, I cannot interfere with your business now. I will leave you be. We will see each other soon?"

Clark just nodded and Bruce finally left him.

No, Clark cannot let anybody know about his current situation with Lois; the fewer the players, the better.

Arriving at Smallville the next day, Clark was welcomed by her mother, who told him that they had brunch and that Shelby just gave birth yesterday.

"Shelby." Clark groaned. "I had forgotten about her. How is she doing?" he asked as he looked around.

Martha just laughed at her son's current disposition. Here he was asking for a female dog when he was in fact more interested in a female woman. "Shelby is with her pups and they are doing well. Lois just came in from the stables after seeing Shelby. She does so every hour. I think she is upstairs in her room."

Lois has been to the stables? And going there every hour at that? "I will let her know what I found out in Kandor."

Which is what exactly? Clark asked himself. Did he really use that excuse so he could see her?

With each step his anticipation grew, and by the time he reached her bedroom door, he finally admitted that he was eager to see her again. He raised a fist and knocked.

"Come in." came Lois' reply.

Clark was not prepared for what he saw. Lois was there facing the bedroom door, wearing nothing but her chemise, bent over her waist giving him ample view of her bosom, her foot propped on a stool and examining her exposed left leg.

"Thank you for bringing the water." Lois said, still bent over, oblivious that it was Clark who entered the room and not the upstairs maid.

And that was when Clark noticed the long, thin wound on her leg. "What the hell happened?"

Lois stood on attention, her back straight as a ramrod, surprised at Clark's return.

Clark approached, grabbed her arm, and gently led her to sit on the stool. He knelt down and lifted the hem to expose the wound.

Lois seemed to be at a loss for words. She had to be prodded just to answer. "I caught a nail. No, I mean," Lois blew out a breath. "My dress got snagged on a nail," she said, pointing at the bed where lay the ruined dress. "And as I pulled free I lost my balance and fell on this stack of wood, I think it was for your fence, and one of them was splintered, so here I am with a nice tear on my leg."

"You did not tell my mother about this, or else she would have told me."

Lois shook her head. "Oh, I did not want to put any more burden on your mother. Besides, the wound is not deep. I have had my fair share of lacerations and abrasions, I know what to do with it."

"It seems like you do." Clark said as he noticed the bandages and ointments on top of the bureau.

At that moment, another knock sounded, signalling the arrival of the upstairs maid, and Clark gave directions on where to place the bowl of water.

As soon as the upstairs maid left the room, it became evident to Lois that Clark intended to be the one to attend to her wound. Lois voiced her objections, but Clark was adamant. He told her he wanted to do this.

Never before had Lois felt this agonized, and it was not because of the wound. Here she was, dressed in only her chemise, her leg being held by Clark's gentle hands as he tended to the gash. She has to talk, if only to conceal the loud beating of her heart.

"Have you learned this while doing your work for the King?" Lois asked, and then bit the corner of her lower lip. Was she supposed to let him know that she knew about his profession?

Clark looked up, hand still on her leg and narrowed his eyes. "Who told you?" he asked, and then resumed taking care of her when he added. "My mother must have told you."

"She did. Forgive me, it just came out naturally in our conversation." Lois said. "I promise I will keep it a secret. I may be chatty but I am not dense."

Lois did not get a response, but it wasn't long and Clark has finished tending to her. After one last examination of his work, he stood up. Lois did the same, and took a deep steadying breath after realizing their bodies are only inches away from each other.

"Thank you." Lois said.

She did not get a response, but what she received was an intense stare that made Lois feel everything at once. Her only defense was to fill the awkward silence.

"Shelby is doing well. The doctor told us that she would not want to leave her puppies, but that she may have to attend nature's call. Just this morning I have to coax her to leave the box so she can do her own business. She gave birth to eight pups."

Lois stopped and gauged his reaction. Same intense stare. She has to continue prattling. "Your mother baked this amazing pie two days ago. She told me it was your favorite. But I am afraid I may have finished the last of it, it was that good. I wish I could I cook as good as your mother. My father would always tell me to stick to ladylike hobbies, but I am afraid I went the other way. Riding and fencing for me. Say, what fencing sword do you favor? I have always played with the epee though I dabbled with foil and sabre as well. Of course my fencing instructor—"

Lois halted her babbling at the touch of Clark's hand on her bare arm. To say tingles ran up it was an understatement. Her whole body was on fire.

"Thank you for looking out after Shelby."

With a small nod, Clark turned and left, leaving Lois a bit relieved, for she cannot trust herself whenever she is around him.

It was as if someone set his tailcoats on fire. Clark reached his study and sat on the chair behind the table, trying to calm himself. It was a contradiction: his body wanted to stay but his mind was screaming for him to get out of the room.

Seeing Lois in her undergarments was like being punched in the gut. He already had a glimpse once and he was captivated. This time he was drawn, like a moth to the flame, the attraction too much.

Was it ever like this when they were married? Funny how Clark could not recall most of their married life together, but after seeing her again after he just buried her, every occurrence, every incident was burned into his mind forever. It was as if he was taken back to the time when he was completely enthralled with her during Chloe's ball.

Which brought up the memory of the kiss: would her lips taste the same? Would she make those delectable sounds she had made before? Would her hands stay on his chest, or would they explore his body like the way he wanted to?

Instantly he hardened, and he cursed himself. Damn those perfect breasts, and those long legs, and her creamy skin all over. How he wanted to replace his hands with his mouth, to pull those legs up and wrap them around his waist.

And the trick was upon him, he was lusting after his supposedly-dead-but-now-alive wife. His lust driven daydream was broken when the door opened and his mother entered.

"In your haste to see Lois I was unable to ask if you have taken your meal." Martha said with a knowing grin.

Clark almost gave her mother a disgruntled look, but instead showed stoicism on his face as he answered. "I have eaten breakfast at the inn I spent the night in before I journeyed. Thank you for your concern, mother."

"Well, have you learned anything?" Martha asked.

I have learned that I still desire my wife. Clark thought. "My contact in Kandor only gave me a lead, but it is like a needle in a haystack. I would be chasing a river and before I know it I am swimming in the ocean."

Martha gave Clark an apologetic look. "I am sorry to hear that. I know how much you want to shed light on this, giving both you and Lois a closure you needed."

Clark did not want to dwell on this closure. What he wanted was to find out if this Lois was telling the truth.

As if sensing his thoughts, his mother added. "Though I think, Lois is also telling the truth."

"Was that an indirect way of you saying that I am a liar?" Clark asked, surprisingly not the least bit offended at what her mother said.

Martha understood. "You know that was not what I was referring to, hence the word 'also.' I have spent the week with her, and she was nothing like the things you have told me. It was as if the one you married is a different woman than the one you brought here."

Clark shook his head, still confused. "But I cannot discount the fact that her lover asked me to help her, that I saw Lois burning inside the hut, and that we have recovered her charred remains immediately after the fire died down and then buried her the next day."

"You very well know that I cannot explain it either," Martha said as she approached her son and gave him a comforting squeeze on the shoulder. "But give her the benefit of the doubt. I think you will find it beneficial."

Clark's mind started to wander again, at those benefits his mother was definitely not referring to. But before he could let loose with his fantasy, Martha interrupted his musings.

"The real reason I came here is to invite you to this picnic that I am planning for the past month."

"When will it be?" Clark asked.

"In two days' time. I have invited some of the church goers and the families of our servants. It is time to give something back, don't you think?"

"That sounds wonderful, mother."

"Lois offered her assistance as well."

Again the dichotomy between the Loises he knew. "Very well, mother. I will be happy to assist as well."

"Thank you, son." Martha said, and walked towards the door with a definite spring in her step. "This will be most fun, I guarantee it." She said before she closed the door behind her.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Your thoughts and criticisms are most welcome. Love you lots! :)