Note: Thanks all so much for your feedback!! This one's another fluff chapter. I promise the next one's all about the legend/connection explanation, etc. Hope you enjoy and you're not getting too tired of this one. It's almost over if you are. Would love to read your comments!!

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Chapter 11

"Loincloth?" Clark's eyebrows drew together in distracting concern. "Lois, are you sure that concussion isn't worse than we thought?"

Lois chuckled in begrudging admiration. "Wooow. Niiiiice deflection there, Smallville. Complete with the creased brow and everything. I'm impressed."

Clark gave her that I-don't-know-what-you're-talking-about look then merely shrugged in silent response when she rolled her beautiful eyes at him.

Then, with an arched brow, she pinned him with a look.

Lois obviously had a story she wanted to tell. And she obviously wanted Clark to want to hear it. It just so happened Clark was in more of a mood to play. After all, an even exchange of information didn't have to be boring. And never was. Especially with Lois Lane.

He held his silence and waited for it. He didn't have to wait long.

"So?" Lois prompted. "Aren't you going to ask me?"

"About what?"

Her growing frustration filled her staccato sigh. "Kinky Clark. Loincloth. Aren't you even the least bit curious?"

"No. Should I be?" Clark shook his head then chuckled when Lois punched him in the arm. "What? I figure you'll tell me what's in that wicked mind of yours sooner or later." He grinned down at her and offered a playful wink. "You always do."

"Oh, yeah? Well, for that I'm going to make you wait a long, looong time."

When that long, looong time lasted longer than her usual five seconds of petulant silence, Clark rolled his eyes in mock annoyance and sighed his defeat.

"So, this…Clark fellow…" A blush spread over his cheeks as he studiously avoided using the full name. He could only guess what she meant by that. His guesses were usually pretty accurate. "Is this going to be one of your labels for me?"

"Don't know." Fighting a victorious grin, Lois replied flippantly. "Guess that all depends on if you live up to his reputation."

"Oh, really?" So she was still going to hold out on him now, huh? Well, two could play that game. "Well, I'll have you know, you have a reputation to live up to as well. Quite legendary, from what I hear."

"Yeah?" Lois was clearly intrigued. "Do tell."

"You first." Clark challenged back.

"Uh-huh." Lois chuckled and playfully poked him in the chest. "I'm keeping him all to myself until you've earned the right to know about him."

"So, that's how you're going to play it, huh?" An eyebrow hitched. "Well, maybe I should do the same. After all, I do have a few secrets of my own." His mind drifted instantly to the cryptic book he'd laid on the bedside table.

"Which was made abundantly clear tonight." Lois tossed out with a roll of her eyes.

Clark sobered, her teasing words hitting him much hard than was intended. Ok, so perhaps a little seriousness was in order. Especially given the bombshells that had been dropped on her. He shifted suddenly, preparing to not only reveal everything about himself, but take everything she was ready to dish out.

The potential range of emotions were limitless.

Anger. Hurt. Resentment.

He promptly propped himself up on his elbow as he lay on his side facing her. "Lois, about what happened in the warehouse…I need to explain…"

Obviously, this was a sensitive subject and Mr.-World-on-My-Shoulders was gearing up for another guilt session. Lois turned to him and mirrored his position. Knowing exactly where he was headed, she sighed and cut him off at the pass in her blunt, no-nonsense Lois way.

"Clark. The way I see it, what with the super speed, the fire balls from the eyes and the whole invulnerable to pain thing, you either a meteor fr—" Skidding to a stop, she rephrased. "…infected or an undocumented being from another planet." She waved her hand casually as if she'd just revealed to the world that Clark Kent was drop-dead gorgeous. "Some guy called Kal-el from some place called Krypton."

"Yeah, well." His steady gaze held. Though he didn't even realize it, his entire body tensed into a rigid sculpture of ice. "I'm not a meteor freak."

Lois nodded once, clearly unfazed by this now non-revelation. "Right. Undocumented being it is." Her gaze shifted in thought as her lips pursed. "Well, at least that would explain the stars I see when we kiss."

An expressive eyebrow rose. "You see…"

"Kidding." Lois chuckled before running her hand up his chest. Her touch was gentle, possessive. Her eyes, sparkling with mischief. Clark instantly thawed at her touch. "But you do have the ability to make my toes curl."

"Yeah?" A gloating grin made an appearance.

"Eh, sometimes." She knocked it off his face with a shrug of her slim shoulders. "But mostly, I just go with the flow to make you happy."

Clark grinned as he tweaked her nose. "You are such a bad liar."

"And you're a pretty good one." She accused lightly. Then let him off the hook. "At times."

"Lois…"

"And still others, you're worse than the worst I've ever seen. You do know the whole checking-to-see-if-you-left-the-oven-on excuse only really works when you're going on vacation and not every other day of the week, right?"

Clark shook his head in amazement. She could be seriously angry right now, even hurt, but instead? She was teasing him for past discretions. Clark released a grateful sigh, his heart filling with so much love he could barely breathe. "I'll keep that in mind."

She studied him for a long moment through narrowed eyes. She seemed to be working something out. "I still can't believe I didn't figure all this out sooner. I mean, it's not like the clues weren't there…"

"Practice makes perfect, I guess." Surprisingly, he wasn't offended by her off-handed remarks. Later, he would work out why. But now? He was just relieved she was alive and speaking to him. "I've spent my life hiding it, Lois." He reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Keeping it from you was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Especially these past few months."

"I can imagine it was." Still studying him, Lois' admission was soft and understanding. Not wanting to dwell on things that couldn't be changed, and certainly not things that would put any hint of gray in those baby blues, she switched gears on him. "So, what was that thing? That red thing she was using against me?"

"It's a crystal that acts like a sort of transport." Clark explained.

"Transport? To where?"

"Another dimension."

"Oh." That took a moment to sink in. And when it did, Lois didn't betray the panic that twisted her gut. Wow. How massively stupid had she been? With one thoughtless act of bravery, she could have zappified her way out of his life...and this world...for good. "Ok. So, if she'd won, I could have accurately said, 'Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas any more'."

She was trying to make light of a very dangerous situation. But Clark knew better. He was the horror flash through her eyes and hastened to reassure her.

He cupped the side of her face, drawing her gaze. "I wouldn't have let that happen. I would've either stopped it or gone with you."

"I know." Lois conceded, a small smile touching her lips as her hand covered his. Then she swallowed hard. She knew the answer to her next question, but she asked it anyway. "So, um…did Lana know? About your…special heritage?"

"Yes. But only after many years of..."

"Train wrecks?" Lois interpreted his look of guilt on his face rather accurately.

"Exactly." The sincerity in his eyes was breathtaking. "I didn't tell her, Lois. She stumbled onto it. Just like Chloe did."

"Just like me."

"Actually, no." Clark answered slowly. "You finding out wasn't an accident."

Ok. So, she hadn't expected that. "It wasn't?"

He shook his head slightly. "I realized after this morning, for us to move forward, you needed to know everything. And more than anything, Lois, I want us to move forward. So, I'd planned on telling you…" A slight shrug and the tilt of his lips. "…well, as soon as you started talking to me again."

His smile faded and in its place was disgust mixed with regret. "But Maxima happened and I didn't get the chance."

"I see."

He couldn't tell by her unreadable expression if she, in fact, did see. After all those years of hiding, he'd finally decided to step out of the shadows only to be pre-empted by a psycho queen bent on acquiring a king. It was only fair then to assume the revelation was more a result of him being yanked into the sunlight instead of willingly stepping into it.

He wouldn't let that assumption shadow their future.

Or their love.

"You know, Lois, I could've done of number of things to hide what happened today. It's not like I haven't done it before."

"Like what?"

"Breaking a steam pipe. Shooting out the lights. Knocking you out. I could have pretended to not know what Maxima was talking about when she called me Kal-el. But I didn't. I chose to reveal my secret to you because…" His thumb languidly caressed her cheek. "…I want you to know who I am."

Lois' heart swelled and her eyes filled.

Clark Kent, super being from another planet, had chosen her. Out of all the people in the world. Out of all his friends, the ones he loved…she was the only one.

Never in her life had she felt so loved. So trusted. So…uncommon.

"I want that too." She practically whispered as she leaned into his hand. It was time to disclose a few revelations of her own. After all, he'd earned the right. "Especially since who you are seems to be pretty wrapped up in who I am. Or who I was."

Clark was clearly confused. "What do you mean?"

"Clark, I know you felt it. The connection between us."

"I did." Clark acknowledged with a whisper.

Her chest tightened with uncertainly "Has anything like that ever happened to you before?"

"No."

The relief that swept over her expression was only matched by the awe in her eyes. "And earlier…when we talked without speaking?"

Clark's expression mirrored hers. "Never."

"Was it a one time thing or will it last?"

"I honestly don't know."

"So…" Swallowing hard, the implication of his answers grew exponentially with each one he gave. "…when those crystals hit us…did you…see anything?"

Clark nodded. "Did you?"

"Yeah." Lois nodded in turn. "Yeah, I did. Seems we've done this before."

"What?"

Her hand gently ran the length of his face as her eyes roamed every precious inch before meeting his gaze. "Love each other."

Clark's lips spread as his eyes narrowed. "Is this the part where Kinky Clark comes in?"

Lois chuckled and scooted closer, her breath hot on his skin. "Oh, most definitely."

Her bottom lip slipped between her teeth as her gaze dropped to his lips. There was no doubt in his mind what was on hers.

"Lois…" Her name was a mixed concoction of a warning and a plea.

The door to Lois's room swung open unexpectedly, ushering into their world of solace an unwelcomed, invading force in the form of a burly nurse with an equally burly attitude. She crossed her massive arms over her portly chest. "Alright, snuggle-bunny. Time to go."

Lois groaned in protest.

The nurse with the name 'Puddin' on her name tag shook her head and held up a halting hand. "Nope. Not this time. I've already broken the rules letting him stay as long as I have. Visiting hours were over a while back, and you, little lady, have some healing to do."

Lois instinctively wrapped her arms around Clark's waist before her rules-following Kryptonian had a chance to move. "No, no, wait. Can't we just…break the rules a little bit more? Just this third time? Pretty please?"

Puddin's gaze swept over the two of them, entwined bodies and all, as an eyebrow rose. "Seems to me you're already breaking a few. And those beds are made for sleeping, you know. If I let him stay any longer rules won't be the only thing broken."

"Lois, she's right." The admonition reaching Cautious Clark, he sided with the nurse, earning a disgruntled frown from Lois. "You need sleep to heal. This can wait. I'll be back first thing in the morning."

But Lois didn't want to wait. Or waste precious time missing Clark. Or fall asleep anywhere but in his arms.

"Ok, ok, fine." Lois dramatically sighed her defeat. "Then can you give us just one more minute? Just one?"

"Miss Lane…"

Clark chimed in again. This time, on Lois' side. "Just to say good night? It's been a really rough day. And we...kinda have a thing for each other." His understatement was endearingly delivered with a famous Clark Kent, bone-melting grin.

Puddin' softened perceptibly. "Alright, but only a few." Her gaze shifted to Lois. "You are one lucky girl."

Lois beamed. "And you have no idea..."

She left the two alone and Clark reluctantly slipped out of bed and Lois' arms.

Before he could escape too far, Lois captured his hand and gazed up at him, her eyes soft and glowing. "Hey. Thanks for saving me today."

"Saving you is an act of self-preservation." Hovering over her, Clark smiled back as he swept a strand of hair off her cheek. "You don't need to thank me for that. What you do need though, is sleep. We can talk about all this tomorrow."

"Kay." Lois nodded and stifled a yawn that suddenly overtook her. "Clark?"

"Hmm?"

"Maybe I was wrong earlier for…well, you know."

Clark chuckled, knowing that was the best he was going to get. At least verbally. "Apology accepted." He leaned forward to capture her lips in a slow, lingering kiss. When he finally pulled back, his glowing eyes echoed his words. "I love you, Lois Lane."

It was the first time she'd heard the words out loud though she realized she'd felt them for what seemed like years. She knew it was customary, even traditional, to return the sentiment in such a situation.

But Lois and Clark were anything but traditional.

"Yeah, well…" A smug smile tugged her lips upward. "…what's not to love?"

For once, Clark Kent couldn't argue. And surprisingly, he wasn't disappointed by her response. The look in her eyes was more than enough for him. Besides, he had a very strong feeling Lois Lane wasn't through with him yet.

"What indeed?" Another kiss. Another wink. "Sweet dreams."

He made it a foot from her bed before he was stopped.

"Clark?"

Clark turned and came back to the bed. "Yeah?"

"Do me a favor."

"What?"

"When you sneak back in…"

"Sneak back?" He blinked innocently, though there was a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Lois, how could you think I'd do something like that?"

"Still trying out that poker face, huh?" Lois rolled her eyes. "Clark, you and I both know you can't be without me for too long. Especially not tonight."

She stifled another yawn, feeling the full effects of the drugs working their way through her system now that a six foot two god of a man was no longer lying in her arms, completely distracting her. "Surely you know the whole wanting to say good-night things was just a ploy to get you alone long enough to make plans to break every rule possible."

He opened his mouth to protest, but she ignored him. "So, when you sneak back in…bring me my bunny slippers. Oh. And my Nascar blanket. You know…the one with Dale Sr. on it. And if you just happen to pick up a pint of mint chocolate, I just might be grateful enough to share."

Clark fought back the laughter building inside of him. "Anything else?"

"Uh…nope. Nope, I think that's it. Oh, except…"

A questioning eyebrow rose. "Except?"

"Make sure you're back here and in my arms by midnight."

"Midnight, huh?" Amusement danced in his eyes when he saw her struggling to keep hers open. "And just what happens at midnight?"

Lois scrunched her nose in disappointment. "Don't you know any fairy tales?"

"Uh…no." Clark grinned. "And I certainly didn't know tough-as-nails Lois Lane did."

"I said I know them, that doesn't mean I like them." Lois replied as defensively as she could in her increasingly groggy state. "Besides, you pick up a few when you read them to your younger sister every night for years." Lois waved the explanation away with a flip of her hand. "Since you're a total novice, I guess I have to explain."

Clark slipped back onto the bed, preparing for what he correctly assumed would be a fascinating explanation. As it turned out, he had to listen closely. Lois' words were beginning to slow.

"Midnight's when all the sparkles and fairy dust and magic ends. And the prince? He goes bye-bye. Just poof. Disappears. Such a typical male." Her eyes slipped closed and she let out a dreamy sigh. "Unless he's a rare one. From another place. Far, far away. In which case, he sneaks back in and let's his princess hold him when the clock strikes. And then…he has no choice but to stay with her…" Her smile deepened. "…forever."

"Oh, so I'm your prince now?" A smug smile slipped over his expression and made it into his voice.

Hearing it, one eye popped open. "It's only a one night offer."

"And if I accept this offer, will that make you my princess?"

Her expression registered disgust at the suggestion, completely forgetting it was her suggestion in the first place. She cast about for a better label. "More like…your warrior queen."

"Now, that's more like it." Clark commented, unable to mask the love underlying the taunt.

"Ha. Ha." Her eyes slid open to meet his gaze. "Think you can handle it?"

Clark slipped off the bed, leaned down and brushed his lips against hers before uttering a command that made her heart stop and race all at the same time. "Get some sleep. A lot's riding on that midnight date of ours."

She waited till he was out of her room and several steps down the hall.

Then she spoke to him without saying a word.

"Smallville? Can you hear me?"

Clark stopped dead in his tracks as a smile that rivaled the sun broke out over his expression. Something warm exploded in the center of his chest then radiated outward till he was sure he was glowing.

"Yeah. Yeah, I can."

She could sense his awe through the connection.

"One more thing."

"What?"

Lois sigh filled their connection.

"I love you, too."

Tbc…