A.N: This chapter is the beginning of Clois but there is still some Lollie in it... I hope you enjoy this chapter, as it sets the stage for the next one which is the one you've all been waiting for since the beginning.... =]

Chapter 10

Lois opened the door quickly when she heard the soft knock on the other side. She tried to smile, but found she couldn't and ushered Oliver inside. He pulled her into a tight embrace and she heard herself breakdown again. He tried comforting her but it was no use.

"I talked to my father", she said softly, "He wants Lucy to come stay with him…"

"What'd you tell him", Oliver asked.

"To go to hell", Lois smiled for the first time since she'd heard of her sister's pregnancy; "It felt good."

Oliver nodded smiling and nodded toward the room where the younger Lane slept.

"How's she doing?"

"She's knocked out for the next couple of hours, the doctors gave her a prescription and we picked it up on the way home", Lois said, "Ollie, I don't know what to do… I feel like I've failed her…"

"Who's the father", he asked.

"I don't know and she's not telling", Lois said suspiciously, "Said he's married…"

"Married", he said slowly, "As in not available to date much less have his baby…"

"Exactly", she said standing, "We need to find out who this guy is…"

"Lois, if she didn't tell you it's probably for a good reason…"

"So", Lois said, "Am I supposed to watch my sister raise a baby alone for the next twenty years?"

"She's not alone, she'll have us…"

"It doesn't matter", Lois said, "The baby won't have a father."

"Given what we know, you think its better the baby knew his deadbeat dad…"

She stayed quiet.

"Lois?"

"Clark…"

"You think the baby is Clark's… he's not-"

"No", Lois cut him off, "Clark can help…"

"How?"

"Well, he's a reporter for one thing", Lois rolled her eyes, "And the last time Lucy got in trouble he miraculously came to the rescue. He can help."

Oliver stood up. "I don't know, Lo-"

"I trust him", Lois said, "He may have left suddenly and disappeared into nothing but I trust him. He was there for me more than I can count in that one year and I have no doubt in my mind he would have continued to be there for me if he or I hadn't left… so if it's that you don't trust him, then please trust me…"

Oliver stood in front of her now, rubbing her arms soothingly. "Okay", he said.

"Okay", she asked unsure.

"Okay, you trust him then so do I", he nodded and she smiled.

Lois leaned up and kissed him softly. "Thank you."

He smiled and leaned in and kissed her again.

__________________________________________________________________________

There are many things in life Clark Kent will always remember.

He'll always remember how it felt to kiss Lois Lane for the first time, and then again, for the first time without any Red Kryptonite or a costume.

He'll remember the day he realized he'd fallen in love with his partner.

He'll always remember their last day together before she was brutally taken from him.

He'll remember when he realized he'd already lost her.

He'll always remember the day he came back to the past to change their futures, and the way he felt that last day they were in front of each other twelve years ago.

And now, after last night, he'll remember her voice on the line, late at night, asking or begging for his help.

He'll always remember the way his heart leapt into his throat and the fuzziness that tickled his stomach.

Now sitting at his desk, so early in the morning, alone he realized that every detail planted in his memory forever had to do with her. He'd long ago forgotten the other women in his life. He didn't give up his life and travel back in time for them. He'd done it all for Lois. For a chance to be with her again, even though he didn't get that outcome in the end. He was still glad he'd made the decision he did, because she was safe and alive, and if asked to he'd gladly do it again without hesitation.

"Clark?"

He looked up and saw her. She was obviously dressed for work, but something was off. She wasn't as bright as usual. She didn't have a cup of coffee in her hand, and he looked around his desk and realized he didn't have any to offer.

"Lois?"

"Thank you for meeting me here so early", she said quickly.

"Sure, it sounded really important", Clark nodded finally standing, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine", she smiled at his concern, and some things never changed apparently, "its Lucy…"

"What's wrong?"

"She's pregnant and I need to find the father…"

"Does she want you-"

"No", she admitted walking past him to look out the window at the Metropolis skyline, "But she's young and scared and I can't let her do this alone…"

"Well, do we know anything?"

"I know he's married", Lois said, "And if Lucy's covering for him he's got to be someone powerful…"

"Lois-"

"Please don't try talking me out of this", she said, "I have to help my baby sister."

Clark wanted to take away all her pain. But he realized he couldn't. She wasn't his, she belonged to someone else, and therefore she was off limits.

"Okay", was all he could say, "I'll help."

She smiled and it was her that closed their gap and hugged him tightly to her. He breathed in her scent, seeing that it hadn't changed in twelve years. Lois Lane still smelled like she did when she was nineteen years old. He snaked his arms around her waist slowly and protectively. Right now if she asked for the moon and the stars and the yellow sun that supplied his powers he'd gladly give it to her. Even if it meant the world would be a dark and void place, because his wouldn't. She'd be right there by his side. He still loved her after all these years and all these circumstances. Letting her go this time would be harder than all the rest, because this time, she didn't know of the love they'd shared in a different life, but he did.

Lois turned her head to the side and placed it on his chest. She could hear his heartbeat erratic, and realized after a moment that it was in perfect tune with hers. She closed her eyes and breathed him in. She remembered in that moment the last time he held her like this. That last day they spent together. It was a memory she'd chosen to hide deep within her heart, into an abyss but it was slowly resurfacing. All the feelings she'd thought she felt. The way they spoke. The life they could have shared if he'd stayed. If she'd stayed, would he have also? She'd wondered that for the next year, until she'd met Lex in Paris. Then all thoughts of Clark Kent had been buried, until now. Every memory, every touch and every kiss, was suddenly all coming back to her. And dreams blurred with memories. She thought of a dream she had in that first year, where they jumped off the roof of the Daily Planet and flown together. How ridiculous was that. A dream where Clark Kent and Lois Lane could fly. She pulled away from him.

He had a look in his eyes, which she'd never seen before, but felt like she had somewhere. In a dream once… maybe…

"Clark", she started.

"Lois", his voice was strained with emotion, "I can't let you go one more time…"

"Let me go", she asked, "One more time?"

He stayed quiet, his gaze falling to her lips.

"What are you saying?"

"I have something I need to tell you", he said, "The truth…"

"About-"

"About why I left twelve years ago… you need to know and I can't hold it in anymore."

"Okay…", she said looking straight into his eyes, "You want to go get breakfast?"

"Come on", he said grabbing her hand and leading her to the elevator.

"Where are we going?"

"The roof", he smiled softly, "I can only tell you where I can show you."

Lois nodded dumbfounded. That's exactly what he'd said in her dream…