I Want You

Authored by dark-halo-princess

:A Smallville fanfic:

Pairing: Clark Kent and Lois Lane
Genre: Romance, Drama and Humour
Rating: T (Content not suitable for younger ages)
Note: Rating has been changed from K+
Date last revised on: 09/05/09

Disclaimer: I do not own Smallville or any of its characters. This fanfic is created from my ramblings with the use of the characters from the show.

Chapter Ten

Sneezes, Coughs And That Extra Little Help

It was Thursday, the day Lois was going out to dinner with Brad. She woke up feeling exhausted. At seven in the morning she had dragged herself out of bed, kicking the duvet over in her haste. Her head was feeling all groggy and her mind was all over the place. She didn't know how, but somehow she had managed to brush her teeth. Her hair was still in all its natural abandoned state and she was wearing her pyjamas. Now stumbling about in the kitchen, she tried to hold herself up against the counter top as she made her all important morning coffee. She was all on her own, ready to collapse at any second but she told herself to stay strong. This headache will go in a few minutes, she kept on repeating in her head. As she crossed the kitchen over to her couch, she caught herself in the mirror which made her gasp.

"Crap!"

What she saw was herself with hair all over the place, red blotches on her skin and red eyes. To finish it off, her nose was red, likening herself to Rudolf the red nose reindeer. She could feel her skin reach rocket high temperature. All she wanted to do was soak in a bath forever until she got better but she couldn't even sit up.

As Lois took small sips of her coffee, which required great strength, her thoughts strayed to the dinner date with Brad which was in the evening. I won't be able to go, she moaned to herself. For the last couple of days, she had really been looking forward to it. She told herself she needed a break from the Talon and her career as the Chief of Staff for Martha (despite the fact that those hours were cut back a little.) For the last month she had been working non-stop which had been making her very stressful. She didn't want anyone to know because they would pity her and that was something she did not want. Vulnerability made her weak – her father had taught her to stay strong and never to falter. Clark had sensed something was wrong but luckily she had brushed him off. Clark made her feel something so she tried to deny anything in front of him. It was however, harder to deny things to Clark than it was to anyone else, even Chloe was easier to lie to. (Not that Lois lied intentionally of course.)

When the coffee eventually finished, Lois felt her stomach growl – she needed food but she couldn't even lift her head – how was she going to make food? She lay on the couch, trying to think over the headache, about how she would manage the day and then came to her last resort of a conclusion. She had to call Clark. Without anyone else her she needed someone desperately to help her and Clark was the only one around.

Fortunately for Lois, her cell phone was on the coffee table next to her so she didn't have to get move all the way. She heaved a big sigh as she waited for Clark to pick up. She noticed that it was only past eight in the morning and that Clark would be doing his chores so he wouldn't hear the phone. Just as she was about to put the phone down, a familiar voice spoke at the other end.

"Hey Smallville." Lois managed to get out but her voice came out all croaky and broken. Oh hell! I've got a sore throat as well. For the first time in a while, Lois wanted to cry. Her emotions were all over the place. Keep it together Lane, she willed herself.

"Lois? What's wrong?" Despite Lois' voice, Clark recognised the difference and the concern for her was clearly evident in his tone.

"I'm dying," she quipped and attempted to chuckle. "Not really...I'm just a little sore. Can you come around? I need a little help." She didn't want to admit too much. She didn't want to tell him how awful she was feeling. She felt like vomiting and crying. Lois never cried – her brilliant father had drummed that into her – showing emotion is a weakness Lo and you know how I detest weakness. Good old dad – always there to cheer me up.

"First time you've admitted you need help. I'm impressed Lois." Clark teased. He didn't know how much Lois needed him.

"Shut up Smallville. I'm not admitting anything." Lois huffed.

"I'm coming right over." Clark heaved a sigh.

He was about to put the phone down when he heard Lois speak. "If you've got important stuff, you don't have to come. I'll manage." She didn't want that but she didn't want Clark to leave anything urgent just for her silly headache and cold.

"Shut up Lois. I'll be over in five minutes." He put the phone down straight away so that she couldn't say more. He could have been at the Talon in a split second but he couldn't do that since it would arouse suspicions.

Clark took a minute to finish the rest of his chores and then rushed over to the Talon. He wondered what could be wrong with Lois. Making his way up the stairs to Lois's apartment, he heard continuous sneezing followed by coughs. When he knocked on the door, she didn't open up.

"Lois, are you in there?" Clark asked.

"I'm coming. It's going to take me a while...wait a sec..." She trailed off as she bumped her knee while getting off of the couch. She dragged her feet across the room to the door. While holding her head with one hand to stop the pounding, she opened the door with the other.

"Christ, what's happened to you?" Clark's face was a mask of horror and concern. His eyes were popping out and his mouth was hanging open.

"Yeah Yeah. So nice to see you too Smallville." Her voice dripped with sarcasm. She really was not up for their usual bantering as her head was falling off. "Are you going to stand there all day or come in?"

Clark shut his mouth, took his eyes back into sockets, nodded at Lois and then proceeded shut the door behind him. When Lois had said that she needed a hand she was nowhere near the truth – she needed a whole medical team, he thought. Looking at her made him ache. All he wanted to do was help her and comfort her but Lois wouldn't let him do that – he knew. He had to break her barriers sometime so why not start now.

The sight of Lois made him weak at his knees, his heart pounded faster. Even in her ill state, he wanted to kiss her. He looked at her pyjamas and smirked – typical Lois. Her hair though was another story. She really must be ill, he thought. While Clark continued to stare at Lois he wasn't able to see that she was finding it difficult to move.

Clark cleared his throat. "Here let me." He put his arm around her waist and led her back to the couch where he gently made her sit. "Have you had breakfast yet?" He searched her eyes.

"Erm...not really. I had –" she coughed, "I had coffee."

"Sit there and don't move. I'll make you breakfast. It'll make you feel better." He went about the kitchen making a sandwich and soup. "And don't worry. I'll look after you today."

Lois was taken aback by his last comment. Clark was showing concern for her which wasn't unusual but it felt strange hearing it so directly. She didn't want to feel like a burden to him. All she wanted was his help for a few hours and then she'd probably feel better. But the whole day? She'd love spending time with him even in her state because Clark had already seen her ill but she was trying to ignore her feelings for him. Lois was about to open her moth to protest about him staying the whole day but was stopped with a raise of Clark's hand. Lois thought that he was acting unlike himself today as he wasn't nervous but showing authority over her. He was standing up for himself and not letting Lois get one over him.

"I know what you're going to say Lois." Clark shook his head as a smile appeared. "You're going to say you don't need me to stay all day but the truth is you do. So stay quiet because there is no way that I'm giving in to your protests today. I'm staying here and looking after you, whether you like it or not." Clark purposely held Lois's gaze, daring her challenge him.

When she didn't say anything, he was surprised and happy. He mentally congratulated himself because he had gotten Lois to comply with him which she rarely did to anyone. It was a personal victory and he could tell by looking in her eyes that she did need to be looked after but was not willing to admit it – yet. Lois's stubbornness was part of her personality which Clark admired at times and found it irritating at others.

"Thanks Smallville." Lois croaked when Clark handed her the breakfast. She averted her gaze as she didn't want Clark to see through her like he always did. It was unsettling when he read her mind because no one else could – he just knew her too well and that scared her.

Clark sat down next to Lois on the couch, prompting her curiosity. "Smallville. You'll get what I've got if you sit too close."

Clark grinned, showing his white teeth, "It's okay Lois, I'm immune to these things. My immune system is invincible."

"You are one weird farm boy, Kent," she laughed.

"Not as weird as you Lois." He smirked.

"You know...if I was able to move I'd punch you." She grinned. With her head pounding away, she still managed to grin – it was all Clark's doing. Just being in the same room as him brought a special smile to her face – she just wasn't consciously aware of the fact.

"You'd be too slow. I'd move out of the way then you'd hit the ground." Clark smirked.

"All talk Smallville. That's all you're good for." Lois winked. "I punch you all the time and I've never been too slow." She took a bite of her sandwich. "Yum. This is tasty. Not bad Smallville."

"Only the best for you Lois." Clark chuckled at Lois's eyebrow raising. "Otherwise you'd probably kill me." He added.

Lois sat in silence for a while as she ate her sandwich and soup. Clark surveyed the whole apartment. The couch and the coffee table were covered with tissues, the kitchen appliances were all over the place and he could see that the Lois's bed in the bedroom was all messed up – the duvet, alarm clock and her clothes were thrown on the floor – no doubt because of Lois's struggle in the morning. He smiled to himself, looking around. Then he rested his eyes on the girl. She looked so adorable to him – in her pyjamas with her hair everywhere and a red nose. He wanted to reach over and kiss her nose better. It was difficult trying to mask his emotions for her, but in the past couple of weeks he'd managed well. At the least he was able to look after her when ill. She had no idea he was feeling desire for her while sitting right next to her. She'd thump him otherwise.

Before Clark came over to the Talon today he was determined that he would break down some of the barriers around Lois and get closer to her. He was well on the way – they were sitting so close together that his shoulder and hip rested against hers, transferring heat.

Clark gave Lois antibiotics and then proceeded to clear up. He started with the kitchen and then the lounge. He threw away all the tissues and put a new box in place, ready for Lois.

"Do you mind if I make your bed?" Clark asked. At this point he couldn't hide his embarrassment at being in her bedroom.

"No. Go ahead. I want it clean."

"So you like me as your house keeper do you?" Clark feigned shock. He was over his nervousness.

"Yes I do. Now get on it Kent! You don't have all day." Lois played along and giggled. Lois Lane never giggled – maybe she'd had a brain transplant!

With the whole apartment cleaned, Clark took his place near Lois. He offered to brush her hair which she balked at, saying that it was way to girly for him. He replied that it was perfectly acceptable and so he ended up brushing her hair. That was the second time Lois complied which made Clark overjoyed. Her hair was silky which he loved feeling fall through his fingers. He trailed his fingers across Lois's scalp, unaware of the sensations he was creating in the pit of Lois's stomach.

Throughout the rest of the day Clark and Lois played board games with each of them trying to up-man-ship the other. Her headache had gotten much better as a result of the medication but her sneezing and coughing fits remained. Clark patted and rubbed Lois's back at the times she lost her breath though the trauma. He made her lunch which she showed appreciation for.

"I can't believe you made this Smallville. You do have a lot of hidden talents."

If only you knew, he grimaced at his thoughts.

"You're becoming very soft Lois. Complimenting my food...what next?" Clark raised his eyebrow. Then with a raise of his hand he added, "Wait don't tell me...My cleaning skills? No...maybe me?"

"Don't get ahead of yourself Smallville. It's only making your head bigger than it already is." A grin played at her lips.

"I don't think my head could ever get bigger than yours Lois." Clark chuckled. "Ouch!" He pretended the cushion which Lois threw at him had hurt him.

End Note: (I've changed author's note to end note. Makes more sense I guess). Anyhow! I realised today that I haven't uploaded for almost 3 months when I had planned to - shows that my plans cannot be trusted. My exams will be finished by the end of next week and then I'll have loads of free time - 4 and half months to be exact! I desperatly need a job! Damn. I'll go on...thanks for everyone being patient and all who've reviewed, added me to favourites and so on. This chapter's not really been changed much from the first draft, although I did want to change it - really, my writing is kind of atroicious through this whole thing. A year can change so much!

Also, check out my new story - Dear Journal. (Another Lois and Clark Fanfic).

Until next time (please don't hold your breath, lol)

See ya.