Just Making Sure

Lois blinked awake in the dark. Instinctively, her arm shot out to her right and felt for Clark. The back of her hand met soft chest hair, and she let out a relieved breath. To her surprise, his hand gently grabbed her arm, then he reached out and pulled her against his warm body. Her cheek was pressed to his shoulder.

"I'm right here, Lois," he whispered into her hair.

"I know," she whispered back, "I just…wanted to make sure."

"I understand. Sometimes, I wake up, and I can't believe I got my life back."

She pressed her palm against the center of his chest, where the wound had been; now smooth like it had never happened. Like it had all been a long, terrible dream.

"Is this allowed?" she asked, "Are people allowed to cheat death like this? What if we're punished?"

"I don't believe that Lois. I think it was meant to happen this way. Look at the League. They were all lost, and they found each other. That couldn't have happened if I hadn't died. And I love you more than before, even though I didn't think it was possible. I know you don't believe in this kind of stuff, but I do."

"I believe in it more, now. Maybe you're right."

She didn't see it, but he smiled. He pressed his lips to her forehead.

"Go back to sleep. I'll be here the whole time."