Your post made me chuckle since I'm exactly the same way. I'll read for hours, get a hideous headache, take painkillers and still keep reading, rubbing my forehead all the while. I was wondering if I should bother posting this anymore in case anyone who was reading it had gone to DI, but as long as people are still reading, I'll be happy to keep posting.

I really enjoyed writing this next part which is lighter than the previous chapters, but the fun times aren't going to last, so enjoy it while you can. BTW: most people find Lois maddening in this update, I think she's hilarious (yes I know that I wrote it, but still) so here you go...

Linda

**

Chapter 10

Day Two: 2015

Lois rolled over, looked at the clock and was surprised to find it was nearly 7.15am. She'd gone to bed fairly early last night and had napped during the day so hadn't expected to sleep so late. Not that 7am was late but it was when she'd already had so much sleep.

Finally deciding that she could delay no longer and smelling breakfast downstairs, she gathered her things and went to have a shower.

She took her time getting dressed wanting to put off going downstairs and having to face the inevitable questions of how she was feeling and if she was alright. She knew everyone was just concerned but still hated feeling like a bug under a microscope.

Sitting down on the bed, she ran the previous night's conversation and dinner through her head.

Ok, so she was initially going to find a way to retain her memories before going back to fix their lives. But really, here was a perfect opportunity, almost like a gift from the gods dropped into her lap.

If Lana's feelings for Clark, no matter how subtlety displayed had rekindled his own for her, causing him to have second thoughts about the engagement, then confronting him about it wouldn't do any good. He'd just clamp down and would be too busy reproaching himself to listen to anything she said about not assigning blame. But there were ways around any problem, she wasn't a general's daughter for nothing and as the saying went 'there was more than one way to skin a cat'.

All she really had to do was remind Clark of how much he didn't used to like her, how irritating and annoying he thought she was. He may have learnt to overlook her less than charming attributes but maybe it was time he had a reminder. And at the same time refresh his memory on just what he did like; delicate creatures that needed to be rescued, usually from their own stupidity. Girls who couldn't hold a conversation without a sob in their voice or tears in their eyes; and despite the intervening years, she couldn't imagine that Lana had changed so much that she could talk to Clark without crying and making him feel all manly, ugh.

That's what the Clark she knew liked in a girl, and she'd bet anything it was still there, hiding. All she had to do was find the right button and push it.

She could bug him, get under his skin, really piss him off, and with Lana as a constant example of a fragile and sensitive female around, he'd be breaking off the engagement and running into Lana's ever open arms in no time.

She'd have to find a way to get Lana to stick around for the next few days but as she'd been around back then, it shouldn't be too odd asking her to help again.

She could also trip down memory lane and remind the two of them just how hot they were for each other.

And if all of that didn't work then she'd talk to him again, but this time she'd remain calm and rational and let him know that he was free.

Joanne wouldn't even have time to be unhappy about being dumped because the moment she returned to her own time, she'd get them back together and the future would have been changed. This way everyone would be happy, she'd be rid of Clark and it would also save her from having to listen to anymore guff about the two of them.

THIS would be a piece of Cake.

So she had a three way plan. First remind Clark and Lana of their relationship, second be annoying and third talk to him. And if none of that worked, she'd just grease the damn guy up, throw him at Lana and run like hell in the opposite direction.

Right she'd be cheery and peppy and remind them of how happy they were together. Ok, not how happy they were, that was impossible but she could talk them up, make them sound like something out of a Danielle Steel novel as opposed to a Steven King novel, which was actually closer to the truth. But hey whatever worked, quite frankly she didn't care if they spent the rest of their lives hissing and clawing at each other, as long as she was very firmly out of the picture.

Right now all she had on Lana's feelings for Clark was her own intuition, but her intuition was hardly ever wrong, so she was pretty certain that Lana would lap it all up, Clark would be a harder nut to crack but by the time she was done with him, he'd be wondering why on earth he ever stopped kissing Lana's ass in the first place.

Nodding her head in satisfaction she went downstairs.

***

Lana was frustrated. She'd tried looking for anything that would allow her to at least try and reach Lois in the past but had come up empty. She was a witch for god's sakes there were spells for just about every occasion, how on earth could there not be spell for that?

She'd found one for causing harm to an enemy but that didn't help because it was the Lois in the past she needed to get at. But she'd give it a try, see if it worked and keep it in reserve if all else failed. She'd found a couple of love spells but since she had already tried to change their lives and brought Lois here to this time, if she did a love spell on Clark, Chloe and Martha would become suspicious. At the moment no one was looking her way but if Clark suddenly fell in love with her, they'd soon figure out that she was behind everything and if they found a way to reverse it then she'd lose Clark for good.

She would keep looking, there had to be an answer and she'd find it but for now she'd just have to let things play out and hopefully it would all work out. At least one good thing had come out of all this. While young Lois was here, she and Clark weren't together, not romantically so she didn't have to see them together and not sexually, which was a huge relief. The thought of him being with anyone like that was like a knife in her heart, no matter how unsatisfying their sex life, she hated the thought that he could ever do something so intimate with anyone but her.

***

When Clark first started drifting awake, he automatically put his arm out to pull Lois against him. When he didn't feel anything, his hand patted around on the mattress but feeling only emptiness he finally opened his eyes and saw that he was in the loft.

Memory rushed in. His sleep hadn't been restful; he was used to having Lois beside him. He'd spent most of the night in the half awake state until the early hours of the morning. It was just as well he didn't need as much sleep as most people or he'd be pretty useless for the rest of the day.

He turned his head to the side to check on Lois only to find her asleep. Well at least one of them was getting some rest.

When he finally fell asleep his dreams had been full of Lois and himself which wasn't surprising. He missed his fiancé, he missed talking to her and holding her and making love with her. He wanted her back.

After talking with his mom the day before, after telling her of their fight and his feelings he felt a lot calmer. He was still apprehensive but his mom was right, he hadn't given up on Lois when she wouldn't go out with him, when she didn't love him and he wasn't going to give up now.

He had an edge now. He knew that regardless of her compliant nature of the night before she wouldn't give up her campaign to get him and Lana back together. He just had to make sure not to fall into her trap. Years ago he would have done but he knew her now, he knew her very well. That's not to say she couldn't surprise him but at least he had an edge. He knew that she never gave up, never conceded defeat.

Just as she was determined to get him and Lana back together, he was determined to show her that he wasn't interested. She said she wanted to keep her memories and get them back together when she went back but he wouldn't put it past her to try getting them back together now.

There was no chance of success in any of her schemes succeeding but if she got even the slightest idea that he wanted Lana back, she'd do everything in her power to find a way to ensure her memory stayed intact. At least if he showed her that he wasn't interested, hopefully she'd come around to the conclusion that he did love her and hadn't settled after all.

Yesterday he hadn't found that funny but thinking about it now, he had to admit the humour in the situation was priceless. If he ever settled, it wouldn't be with a woman as contrary, fascinating or bull headed as Lois. It would be with someone who would only utter 'yes dear' every time he opened his mouth.

As much as Lois exasperated him on occasion, as much as she could piss him off at times, he never wanted to be with anyone else but because he knew her so well he'd have to be on watch.

She could be stubborn but so could he, she would push and he would push back and when she tried to fight, he would too.

His mind drifted back to the time a few weeks after they moved in together, they'd been arguing, he'd been angry because she'd put herself in danger and been hurt as a result. She'd been angry because she could take care of herself and became furious when he pointed out that he had to save her and followed it up with pointing out the six inch cut on her arm.

Their argument had gone round in circles for a full 20 minutes, both of their voices getting louder before she finally just pulled at her hair and screamed. After which she grabbed him by his shirt collar, dragged him through the apartment, and all but pushed him on the bed and the whole time she was attacking him with her hands and mouth, continued to call him every filthy name she could think of. He hadn't exactly tried to hold her off; he'd been purging his own anger and fear but had thankfully still retained enough sense to ensure he didn't hurt her. She didn't have the same consideration, although with him being Superman she knew holding back wasn't necessary.

Afterwards they had lain on the bed, panting with their clothes still half on and ended up turning to each other before she apologised for scaring him but making sure he understand that she couldn't change who she was and wouldn't, not even for him. He'd told her he didn't want her to change, just to be more careful with her life, that she was necessary to him.

Once the adrenalin had worn off, her arm started to hurt and they realised their activity had all but torn her stitches open again and he had to take her back to the hospital for treatment and medication. He had lain awake all that night watching her, worrying and thinking about how close he'd come to losing her. It never crossed his mind to break up with her; years ago he may have done so thinking she'd be safer away from him, but he knew that Lois could find trouble all by herself and frequently had. Maybe he was selfish for holding onto her but he wouldn't give her up, not after everything it took to get her, he'd just have to be more vigilant with her safety.

Rolling over he picked up the engagement ring he'd placed on the floor beside the mattress the night before. When HIS Lois came back, he would put this ring back on her finger.

Getting up, he dressed, did the morning chores, returned to the loft to get some clean clothes, returned to the house for a shower and joined Chloe and his mom ready to face a new day.

***

Chloe woke up to the smell of coffee and bacon frying, when she glanced into the kitchen she saw Martha at the stove but no one else.

She said good morning, grabbed her clothes and went upstairs to shower. When she came back down 20 minutes later found that there was still only the two of them sitting down to eat.

"Are the others up yet?" Chloe asked pouring both herself and Martha a cup of coffee.

"Lois is still asleep but Clark's outside doing some chores." Martha took her seat and handed the plate of bacon across.

"Thanks, what time is it?"

"Seven and I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you up."

"No that's ok; I finally went to bed around 11, so I had a pretty good sleep. How's Clark this morning?" forking the bacon onto her plate and passing it back before reaching for the eggs, she looked over at Martha.

"He's pretty good. I think getting it all off his chest yesterday was what he needed. He's determined that it'll all work out and isn't going to worry about it too much anymore." The two ladies smiled at each other.

"I'm glad, I certainly feel better after a good night's sleep and what you said also helped. I was thinking we should share it with the others, let them know that worrying and stressing about it isn't going to help and maybe just by letting it rest and stew the answer will come to us." Chloe replied before digging into her breakfast.

"I think that's a good idea, we all need to know what's going on."

"Yeah."

There was silence for a few minutes, then the back door opened and Clark came in. He said a quick good morning, retreated upstairs and a few minutes later returned newly showered, sat down at the table and spooned breakfast onto his plate.

"Morning again Chlo." He smiled before taking a sip of coffee.

"Morning, I have to say you look a lot more chipper than I expected this morning but I'm glad." Chloe smiled back.

"Yeah, well I was thinking about Lo and I last night and when I woke up, I just decided I wasn't going to worry, it'd work out. As mom said yesterday, I didn't give up on her before and I'm not going to give up now."

"Good." She smiled and once again tucked into her breakfast.

"Listen I was thinking, Lois can be pretty sneaky. I know she said she wanted to go back and change things but I wouldn't be surprised if she tries to throw Lana and I together while she's here, so we really need to watch her ok?"

Both ladies nodded their heads in understanding, knowing that Lois could be very artful when it came to getting what she wanted.

"Good morning everyone." Lois smiled and sat down at the table.

"How are you feeling today Lo?" Chloe asked after everyone had greeted her.

"I'm good." She smiled and reached for her share of breakfast.

The room was quiet as everyone ate. Clark surreptitiously sneaked looks at Lois every now and again. She looked rested, she didn't appear to be angry, confused or even trying to hatch some plot but he knew her. Just as he had thought things out the previous night and this morning, she would have done so too. If she was up to anything she'd be canny enough to keep it to herself. When Lois was calm, that was usually when he had to start worrying.

In the silence Chloe decided now was the time to fill the other two in on her conversation with Martha the previous night. When she finished both Clark and Lois seemed accepting of the idea. They all agreed to let things lie and hopefully the answer would come to them.

They were all glad that Lois wasn't angry that they weren't going to run around looking for answers, not only because she had a loud voice but because she didn't hesitate to use it when showing her displeasure.

What they forgot, what they should have remembered was that Lois was never that accepting when told there was nothing to be done.

"So what are we going to do today then?" Lois asked with a smile and lifted brow.

"Well, originally we were just going to relax, have a nice holiday and help mom with any last minute party details." Clark replied.

"Does everyone know it's an engagement party or do they just think the Kent's are having an early Christmas party?" She asked glancing around the table.

"They know it's an engagement party, it's only early November Lo." Clark reminded her.

"I see, well do you think we should tell them the engagements been put on hold and you've decided to just make it a party instead?"

"Lo, this situation should only be for five days, well four now, which means come Saturday night, your older self will be back and the engagement will still be on." Chloe gently put in.

"Joanne." Lois corrected firmly.

"Right sorry, Clark mentioned that." Trying to hide the smile behind her coffee cup Chloe looked over and noticed Martha was doing the same while Clark's face was stoic but his lips were quivering and his eyes were full of laughter. "Humm, so can I ask, why are you calling yourself Joanne?"

She had to clear her throat to get the words out but she just had to ask. Clark wouldn't tell them yesterday and she had a feeling this was going to be good, Lois could always make a situation entertaining.

"I'm not calling myself Joanne, I'm calling HER Joanne; I got sick of saying 'my older self' in my head and I wasn't going to call myself Joanne, that's just dumb and it's not like I'm not calling her Harriet or anything. So I'm Lois and she's Joanne." The way Lois phrased her answer she might as well have shouted 'how stupid that anyone has to ask' causing all three of them clear their throats.

"So you've finally gotten around to giving yourself a nickname. I wondered when it was going to happen."

"It's not a nick name it's my middle name, besides it makes sense don't you think?

"Yeah I guess it does." In a Lois kind of way Chloe silently thought "So Joanne it is but Lo as I said before, when Joanne comes back the engagement will be on again."

"Ok, umm, well I could help I guess. Although I'm not very good at organising party stuff, usually I just throw some hot dogs together and serve beer."

"That's ok honey, most everything's been done. It's really just a matter of picking up supplies, like napkins and decorations, doing some shopping that kind of thing." Martha smiled.

"Ok, well I guess I can pick out some decorations, what exactly are you after?" She asked turning to Clark.

"Lo, we were going to go and pick them out together. It's only a casual party, neither of us wanted anything formal but with mom doing the cooking and Chloe helping her out, we decided to do the running around for the small stuff." Clark hoped that she wouldn't back out. Maybe she'd get caught up in the party preparations enough to be happy about the engagement.

"I see, well ok, we could do that I guess."

"You were also hoping to find a dress. You brought one along but weren't quite sure if you were happy with it, so you decided to shop around and hopefully find something better."

"Shop around in Smallville?" The town did have some nice shops but if she couldn't find something to wear in Metropolis, why on earth would she think to have better luck in Smallville.

"Yeah, there's a few new dress shops open and you decided to check them out."

"We weren't going to do that together though, right?"

"No, that you were going to do with mom and Chloe."

"Good, no offence but shopping with a man is not my idea of a good time. So who's coming to the party, anyone I know?"

"You'll know most everyone, there are some people you many not know very well but most of the people coming are friends of ours."

"But is anyone coming that I know now. I mean my now, not your now"

"A few people, your dad and Lucy, us, AC, Oliver …."

"Ollie's coming?" Lois asked; interrupting the list of names Chloe had started to recite.

Chloe quickly started talking again "Yes and other people too, Jimmy, Lana, people you know who live in Smallville, people from the Planet, you may not know them now but you will and…." Damn, she hadn't meant to say Oliver's name. In Lois' time they hadn't been broken up for long. Lois projected the picture of being fine and for the most part she was but she cared about Oliver and the sting of his leaving look a long time to heal. She quickly looked at Clark and Martha hoping they could fill in the awkward silence.

"Lo, are you alright?" Clark asked seeing the look on her face at the mention of Oliver's name.

"Ollie's coming?" she repeated.

"Yes, he's friends with both of us and wanted to be here for it." Clark could feel his heart drop. Lois was clearly shocked that Oliver was coming but she couldn't hide the hopeful look on her face at seeing him again.

"So I guess we never got back together then. When he left he said…I hoped ….." she trailed off, ducked her head and started tracing a pattern on the table top with her finger.

"Lo…"

"Hmm"

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm just going to go wash up, I'll be back soon." She kept her face averted, pushed her chair back and went upstairs.

"Shit, sorry Martha, and I'm sorry Clark, I never meant to say Oliver's name. I'm just so used to saying it around our Lois that it slipped out." Chloe said remorsefully.

"It's alright. You know, back then I thought Lois got over Ollie pretty fast but she and I have talked about their relationship, so I know now that she didn't?" Clark said with a quick meaningful look at his mom.

Chloe, who was in the process of pouring herself a cup of coffee, missed the glance shared by mother and son "Well you know Lois, she tends to keep her deepest feelings hidden, she isn't one to display her pain and upset for all to see. So it's not surprising you thought she got over it so quick."

"Still I wish I'd been more observant then, been there for her to talk to if she wanted but at least she had you."

"I don't think she felt like she could talk to me. I wasn't exactly her supportive cousin at that time remember, I was too busy being jealous of her job at the inquisitor. All she said was that he left and it was over. I don't know if she expected him to come back but I think she was hoping he would." She replied before taking a sip from her cup.

"He did want her back you know." Clark grimaced in remembrance. He'd been so scared he was going to lose her to Oliver that he'd acted like an imbecile and almost lost her through his own actions instead.

"What…when did that happen?"

"I can't talk about it right now, she might hear and I can only imagine how much worse things will get."

"What'd you mean?"

Clark leant across the table and whispered "He wanted her back but by then she was with me. If……she's coming." The three people at the table quickly sat back in their seats pretending they hadn't been talking about anything of interest.

It was obvious that Lois had been trying not to cry but he'd seen her face and the tears she'd been trying to suppress before she went upstairs and his heart hurt for the pain she was feeling at Oliver's leaving and ached for himself, seeing the woman he loved torn over another man.

"Well it's too early to go shopping or looking for decorations and stuff, so what are we going to do in the meantime. Is there anything you need help with Mrs Kent?" Lois smiled at Martha.

"Not really honey, I was just going to start doing some baking but I know cooking's not one of your favourite things." Martha smiled back.

"True, I'm more of the appreciative audience to your cooking" She knew both her easy going manner and smile was forced and was grateful that no one commented on it, or god forbid, wanted to discuss it.

"We could go for a drive around town Lo and when the shops are open, we can start picking things up."

"Ok, Chloe you coming?" Lois looked over at Chloe and sent her a pleading look. She did not want to be alone with Clark. The silence would either be awkward, or he'd ask her if she was alright and want to talk about Ollie, or he'd want to talk about their own relationship. None of those options appealed to her.

"Umm, sure, it'll be fun, the three of us together. And when the stores open, Clark can just fly me back here and I'll help Martha with the baking." She couldn't resist the plea in Lois' eyes and she could tell by the look on Clarks face that he thought she'd made the right decision.

"Well it looks like you all have a plan, so I'll just start washing up the breakfast things and you can decide where you're going first." Martha said shooing them all out of the kitchen and into the lounge room, hoping that Lois would soon forget about Oliver.

***

"So where are we going first?" Lois asked.

"I don't know we could just drive around and …." Clark trailed off.

"You have no idea, do you?" Chloe said with a chuckle

"Umm, no."

"There really isn't much to see in Smallville. Not unless looking at caves, water towers, and fields of corn is your thing, and it's never been mine." Lois informed them "So why don't we visit Lana."

"Lois…" Clark started only to be cut off.

"Why?" Chloe interrupted.

"Because she needs to be kept in the loop, that's what you said right and I know you three were interested in the caves and that kind of stuff but I never was, so we should visit. We're all friends, so I was just thinking it would be nice to spend some time with her."

"Lo, what are you up to?" Clark asked suspiciously.

"Nothing but don't forget where I'm from you and her aren't talking and it's nice to be around the two of you without all the tension." She had to sell this but be very casual. God she hated subtlety, it was completely stupid. "And as she's been married, maybe she can also help us with the party preparations."

"You're not going to tell her…."

"Of course not, I told you I wouldn't."

"Sorry, you're right. But Lois, please don't try and throw Lana and I together, ok?"

"I resent that. Look you know my thoughts and I said I wasn't going to tell her anything. If you don't want her to join us, that's fine. I just thought it'd be nice." Maybe she could try for injured innocence. She'd probably pull that off as badly as she seemed to be doing trying to be subtle but shit, come on, give her a break.

All three knew exactly what Lois was up to, she was trying to be subtle but it really wasn't her strong suit. They wanted to laugh at how obvious she was being. Lois hadn't said she wouldn't try to get Lana and Clark back together, just that she wouldn't say anything to Lana herself. They knew she'd keep her word but god only knew what she'd try in the next few days.

"Fine, you two decide where we're going, I'm going upstairs to grab my purse." She said before walking out of the room and up the stairs.

***

Why the hell didn't she ever study needy, weepy females more closely, they could get what they wanted with a few crocodile tears. She had the perfect specimen right under her nose and hadn't even bothered to try and pick up a few lessons; she wanted to kick herself for missing a basic opportunity when she had the chance. Lana was the most drippy, whiney, limp noodle she'd ever met. But she got what she wanted just by letting her eyes fill up and allowing the tears to run down her cheeks all without ruining her makeup or making a sound. It was almost an art. She must have practiced for years to perfect that.

Actually that wasn't a bad trick to keep handy. She'd have to teach herself that. Guys were suckers for a girl's tears. When she cried, her eye makeup smudged making her look like a raccoon, her nose became so red she could guide Santa's sleigh and she was loud.

It wasn't fair all she wanted was to get two stubborn, orally constipated people together to try and sort themselves out, but he didn't want to be accommodating and she still thought that lying was the way to go.

She paced around the bedroom wondering what to try next. Her idea had obviously gone down like a lead balloon. If she could just get them to agree to go and see Lana, then she could ask her to hang around, be with them every day. Neither Clark nor Chloe would contradict her, they'd be afraid of hurting Lana's feelings and they wouldn't have any proof that she was trying anything. And if they did confront her afterwards, she could just remind them that ALL she'd promised was not to say anything to Lana, nothing else.

Maybe she could call Lana, tell her they were coming around and present them with a fait accompli then they'd have to go along with it. No it would hurt Lana's feelings if they refused and she had to call and cancel besides she hated duplicitous behaviour, she didn't mind doing it when the cause was just or looking for the truth but she didn't have that excuse. Being sneaky to get them together was one thing but being deliberately hurtful wasn't on, especially to people that had done nothing to warrant that behaviour.

She just wanted everyone to be with the right partner, including herself, there was nothing wrong with looking out for her own self interest; she had never pretended to be a saint.

Screw it, she'd let them decide where they wanted to go but eventually she'd get her way. Clark and Lana would be back together before she left or she'd make sure that somehow she went back with her memories. Right now she didn't care which.

***

Down in the living room Chloe and Clark looked at each other, smiled and shook their heads, he glanced over and saw his mom was smiling too.

He could hear Lois pacing in the room upstairs so knew they were safe for the moment.

"Not very subtle is she?" He asked quirking his brow.

"No, I don't think she ever learned how." Chloe replied.

The three looked at each other and started to chuckle, then laughed remembering the look of innocence Lois had tried to portray when called to account.

"So what are we going to do?"

"Well she knows; we know what she's up to. She won't say anything to Lana, so I don't suppose it could hurt if we go and see her. We just need to watch Lois because she's going to do everything she can to throw the two of you together." Chloe replied with a wicked twinkle in her eye.

"I know. I knew she wouldn't give up, that's not her style. I just hope she doesn't try anything too embarrassing." Clark replied rubbing a hand around the back of his neck.

Martha wandered over "Oh, I think that's a given honey. Lois is desperate and although the situation itself isn't funny, I can only imagine what all she's going to try." Martha said smiling.

"You may want to make sure that you don't eat or drink anything she prepares for you Clark and you might want to keep an eye on Lana's intake as well." At his curious look, Chloe continued "You might find yourselves, drugged and in front of a Justice of the Peace reciting your vows if she gets desperate enough."

"Ha ha, this really isn't funny. My fiancé is trying to get me back with my ex girlfriend. It sounds like a plot to a really stupid movie." He had laughed at Lois' pathetic attempt to be innocent and would be highly entertained by whatever she tried next; if he didn't know that underneath it all she was dead serious.

"I know and I'm sorry. Look she's going to keep trying to get you two back together, there's nothing we can do to stop that, all we can do, is try and spike her guns every chance we get, ok?" Chloe patted Clark on the arm in commiseration.

"Ok, sorry for snapping." Clark replied looking at both his mom and Chloe.

"You didn't snap honey, it'll all work out. Lois is determined but I think you forget just how determined you can be too and she doesn't know you as well as you know her, so in that way you kind of have the edge."

"Yeah, I was thinking the exact same thing this morning." Clark replied "Ok, look, Chlo, can you call Lana and ask her if it's ok if we come around. Or better yet, the Talon's not open, maybe we can all just meet there, have a coffee or something before it opens for business." Clark swung to face Chloe, who nodded and withdrew her cell phone.

She wandered away to make the call and returned a couple of minutes later.

"Lana's at the Talon now getting it ready to open and she's fine with us dropping around." Chloe remarked.

"Good."

"So what are we doing?" Lois asked descending the staircase.

"We've decided to do as you suggested Lo; we're going to see Lana. She's at the Talon, so we're going to drop in for a coffee." Clark looked up and smiled.

"Great, so are we ready?" she asked swinging her purse strap onto her shoulder.

"Yep, let's go, bye mom." Clark kissed Martha on the cheek and started to hustle the two ladies out the door.

"Bye honey, bye girls."

"Bye."

"Wait, Clark, do you have your mom's list?" Lois asked putting a hand on the door frame to stop her forward momentum.

"Ah no, sorry hang on. Mom….oh thanks." He replied upon having the list shoved into his hand.

While helping her into the car, Clarks hand automatically went to Lois' back. She shrugged it off, then turned and gave him an apologetic look "Sorry I…."

"No it's alright, I'm sorry." He smiled hoping that his face didn't betray the hurt he felt at her response to his touch.

"Ok, enough of this, you're both sorry can we now go?" Chloe put in, trying to defuse the awkwardness that had fallen between them.

They gave each other embarrassed smiles then laughed.

During the drive, Clark kept an eye on Lois, she seemed unusually pensive and he hoped she wasn't trying to hatch some plot for when they got to the Talon.

Chloe caught his eye in the mirror and smiled and he gestured with his eyes for her to say something, he really couldn't think of anything. He and Lois always had something to talk about, whether it was work, their personal life or just mundane small talk. She was a talker, he was the quiet one in their relationship but their silences were usually peaceful. The air in the car didn't feel tense but there was something there and he couldn't put his finger on what it was.

"What are you thinking about Lo?" Chloe asked to break the silence and he sent her a grateful look in the mirror.

"Hmm."

Chloe repeated the question, but as the silence started to stretch out, she thought that Lois wasn't going to answer.

"Oliver." Lois replied softly.

"Oh, umm are you alright?" Once again, Chloe and Clark exchanged looks in the mirror.

"Yeah, it's just funny you know, him coming to the party. I guess I thought…..I don't know, don't worry about it" Lois gave a sad sigh, then turned and smiled. "Eight years have passed, so I ….he's not bringing a girlfriend is he?" She didn't want to see Ollie with someone else. For him it had been 8 years, for her a little over two months and she just wasn't ready.

"I don't know, the invitation did say Oliver and guest, so he could be bringing someone." Clark replied.

"Oh." Lois nodded her head before looking out the window.

"Lo, you won't be here, you'll be back where you belong but I'm still sorry I brought him up earlier." Chloe reached over and patted Lois on the arm.

"It's ok and anyway I'm engaged so screw him." She turned back around and smiled again trying to hide her unhappiness.

Clark took one hand of the wheel, reached over and gave one of her hands a squeeze. When she looked down, then back up at him again with an uncomfortable look on her face, he immediately thought back to the time in the hospital after the plane crash. This time he didn't pull his hand away, just gave her a smile and her hand another squeeze before letting go.

She just looked at him, then turned back to look out the window again.

The silence in the car seemed easier. Lois was a fighter, she wasn't one to let anything keep her down for long for which both occupants of the car were pleased.

Reaching over she switched on the music, then lay her head back and closed her eyes. She was glad that if all worked out she wouldn't be here. When Ollie left, she told him she wouldn't be waiting and she meant it. She wasn't one for wearing her heart on her sleeve or thinking the world well lost for love. But she also knew that she wasn't ready to see him. If she had too, she'd pull it off but didn't relish the thought of seeing him again so soon.