2:40 PM

Staring at her computer screen, Lois Lane found that she was at a loss for words.

She had felt better. For a few minutes anyway. That was until she got back to her desk and had gone through the picture files on her phone for a picture to send to A.C.

Seeing her sister's smiling face, a face that looked so innocent and yet seemed to be anything but, she felt her heart twist all over again. She knew this was what she had to do, though. Clark's agreement with her had only reinforced that.

His opinion meant more to her than just about anyone's at this point in her life. A part of her had been afraid that he'd be disappointed in her decision to let her sister fend for herself. He was Clark Kent after all, and Lois' experiences with his desire to help those who needed it over the years, including herself on more than one occasion, spoke for themselves.

She was beyond grateful as well for his suggestion to contact A.C for help. It was a way to give her the answers she needed. If Lucy was truly in danger, she would be there to help in any way she could. And if it was just another one of her sister's scams? She would know for sure.

She hit 'send', the picture now flying through the wireless network to A.C's phone, and decided that the best way to ease the ache in her stomach was to do what she did best – throw herself into her work.

Especially since her "Lucy" medicine – a big container of triple chocolate truffle ice cream – wasn't presently available to her.

Sighing, her eyes drifted to the small clock in the corner of her computer screen.

2:40 PM.

She had to leave in about fifteen minutes to meet her source.

And then, of course, there was the kiss.

Truth be told, it was kinda hard for her to stay mad at Clark about keeping the Rogers story from her, not after he'd listened to her about Lucy, supported her, and even gotten their friend to check in on her wayward sister.

Then again, her pride wasn't going to let her back down now, particularly after she had let Jimmy in on her plan.

4:20 PM. That was the time she'd told Jimmy she wanted. The moment of truth. She had to, by that exact minute, drive Clark so out of his mind with desire for her that he'd throw caution to the wind and kiss her.

In the sobering light of reality, where her anger at Clark had subsided significantly and she was facing another little sister induced drama, the plan seemed…well? As Jimmy had said, not in the least bit a form of payback for Clark.

In fact, it seemed more like a way to allow herself to kiss Clark even though she was ostensibly ticked off at him about concealing the fact that Perry had given them the story.

Her very own 'free pass'. And he would make the first move. Of course, that first move would be predicated on her flirting up a storm with him.

So, would it really be him making the first move?

Lois shook that particularly annoying thought out of her head.

She wasn't sure why that was so important to her, that he be the one to kiss her.

Because if he kisses you, you don't have to worry about being rejected.

Shutting her eyes at that, she tried to push away her conscience's irritatingly accurate thought.

She and Clark teased, they flirted, and she thought there was something between them – something more than the obvious physical attraction they shared. But, what if she was wrong? The sleepless nights she had spent lately had been consumed by thoughts of him, of what they could be together.

While she hoped he felt the same way, and there were times when she was all but convinced he did, well…there were more times when she wasn't sure.

And for all her risk taking, for all her 'look before you leap' attitude in her job and for the most part, her life? She was terrified to take that chance with her heart. Especially when that chance involved her best friend, whom she didn't think she could live without.

Which was why she continued to live in a state of denial.

It was only going to be one kiss. She knew that. It was safe, as safe as a kiss between them would get. There were no feelings involved; it was just a means to an end. With him being the initiator of the kiss, she wouldn't have to tip her hand.

Tapping her finger absently on her mouse, she realized she was going to have to do some heavy flirting when she got back from her meeting. The time she had chosen gave her a little leeway, but not much. She figured she'd be back from meeting her source around 3:40 or so, which gave her a solid forty minutes, assuming she didn't get held up in any way.

She had to have a plan.

Her fingers started to move on her keyboard. When she looked up at the words she had typed, her eyes widened in surprise.

There, on the otherwise blank document, were the typed words "How To Seduce Clark Kent In 40 Minutes Or Less."

Subtle, Lois. Real subtle.

Looking around quickly to make sure no one caught a glimpse of what she typed; she swiftly hit the delete key and began plotting.

She was wearing a good outfit today. She'd already seen him distracted by the view the top two open buttons of her fitted button down afforded him, not to mention the way his eyes were continually drawn to the way her long legs looked in her just-above-the-knee length pencil skirt. Playing up both would definitely help move things along.

But what else?

Her thoughts were interrupted for a moment by Jimmy walking into the bullpen. Seeing her look at him, he gave her a tentative wave, and was rewarded with a patented Lois Lane glare in response. He quickly took a seat in the far corner, as far away as he could get without actually leaving the room.

Unable to help a grin, she did love toying with Jimmy after all, her eyes moved to her partner's still empty chair directly across from her.

Perching herself on his desk, particularly with the type of skirt she was wearing, that always seemed to cause his breathing to change a bit. She'd definitely have to put that on her mental list of strategies. Playing with his tie, maybe even 'accidentally' grazing her fingers against that deliciously broad chest of his.

It's a tough job, but…

As that thought crossed her mind, she looked up to see Clark entering the bullpen. Watching him walk purposefully over to their desks, she realized thoughts of him had somewhat distracted her from stressing over Lucy.

Once again, he'd come to her rescue. Only this time, he didn't even know it.

A Few Minutes Earlier…On The Roof Of The Daily Planet…

"Yes, Lois' sister is very cute, A.C. But you're not there to hit on her, remember?" Clark reminded him, as he had just called to inform Clark he had arrived in Rio and gotten the picture Lois had sent.

"I'm just sayin' bro, there are some damn good genes in that family."

"Tell me about it," Clark muttered in response, eliciting a laugh from his friend on the other end of the line.

"I wonder what Lois would do if she knew the Boy Scout had some seriously impure thoughts about her."

Clark was silent at that, though he felt the heat crawl up the back of his neck at his friend's words. What had possessed him to confide in his friends the attraction he felt for Lois was beyond him, because since he had, they never missed a chance to tease him mercilessly about it. Or try and embarrass him in front of her.

After a moment, he heard another chuckle through the phone.

"Dude, I didn't think it was possible to hear someone blush, but you totally are aren't you?"

"Shut up, Fish Stick," he grumbled.

"Alright, alright... I'm gonna go do some digging, I'll call you when I've got something. Tell Lois not to worry – little sister is in good hands."

Clark smiled at the sincerity of A.C.'s words. Despite the teasing, he knew A.C. had a soft spot for Lois, and he had been dead serious before when he told Lois that the superhero known as Aquaman would do anything for her. Not because he harbored any kind of romantic feelings for her, Clark had made sure of that a long time ago, but because A.C. genuinely cared for and respected her. He had from the day he saved her life at Crater Lake years ago.

"I will. Thanks, A.C.," he said, and shut his phone, slipping it back into his pocket.

He glanced at his watch.

2:40 PM.

He knew Lois would be leaving in a few minutes to meet her source, and he was considering going along with her, though he knew he'd get an argument from Lois on that one.

He started to head back inside.

"Two hours and fifteen minutes."

Stopping suddenly, he looked around, wondering where that voice came from.

And then he realized, it came from him.

Two hours and fifteen minutes from now until 4:55, also known as the exact minute that Clark Kent would kiss Lois Lane.

A pang of guilt struck him in the chest. He was keeping something big from her, the whole reason for the fact that they would be kissing at all, to be exact. And here she was, her nerves frazzled because of her screwed up sister. He could go down there right now, and he could make her day by telling her Perry had given them this story. She'd never have to know he kept it to himself for a bit. It would cheer her up and maybe even distract her from worrying about Lucy.

Yes, that was exactly what he would do.

He felt his heart twist with disappointment, knowing that what he was about to tell her would likely mean any kiss with Lois would be off. But deep down, he knew it was the right thing to do.

Groaning softly as he began to head back to the bullpen, he admitted to himself that sometimes, being the Boy Scout wasn't all it was cracked up to be.

***

Lois picked up on his nervousness as soon as he walked into the bullpen. As he walked purposefully over to her, she can feel her heart rate speed up and the gnawing feeling in her stomach increase with worry.

"Did you hear from A.C.?" she asked quickly, as soon as he reached her desk.

"Huh? Oh…yeah. He just got to Rio a few minutes ago. He got the picture you sent, he's gonna get back to me as soon as he knows anything. He also said to tell you not to worry, he'll make sure she's okay."

She nodded, and he heard a slight sigh of relief escape from her lips.

Rubbing her hand over her forehead, she closed her eyes. Only seconds ago, she'd been dreaming of a way to drive Clark Kent insane with passion. It had been a welcome distraction, for sure, but once again, Lucy had a way of bringing reality crashing down. Hard.

"Um…Lois? There's something I have to tell you…"

She looked up at him wearily. "Can it wait, Smallville? I just…I can't even think straight right now and I have to get myself ready for this meeting in a few minutes."

The look on her face caused him to think that Lucy is lucky to be in Rio at the moment because if she were in front of him, he would be sorely tempted to wring her neck for what she was putting Lois through.

"So much for the Boy Scout," he mumbled.

"What?"

Startled, not realizing he'd actually voiced that thought, he shook his head. "Nothing. Talking to myself."

"We can talk when I get back, okay?"

"Are you sure? It might cheer you up."

"Right now, the only thing that will cheer me up is knowing my sister isn't in any danger," she said quietly, her hand reaching over and grabbing her tiny voice recorder. "I don't know how I'm gonna get through this meeting."

And there it was again.

That helpless feeling. He'd experienced it up on the roof watching her, and now it was enveloping him again.

She didn't seem to want to talk. He knew if he offered to take the meeting for her, she would turn him down, because Lois would never let a problem in her personal life interfere with her ability to do her job.

He'd seen her like this before more times than he'd like to remember when Lucy stormed her way into Lois' life. The tension, the sadness, the guilt that weighed on her – they were all trademarks of Lucy Lane's intrusion into her big sister's life.

Well, those emotions and Lois curling up on her sofa with….

His eyes widened as the thought completed itself in his head. He glanced at the clock.

2:44 PM.

She was meeting her source at 3:00 in a little dive diner about three minutes walk from the Planet. He mentally calculated that he had about a good ten minutes or so, which was way more than enough time with his superspeed ability.

Clearing his throat lightly, he jumped up suddenly and muttered, "I'll be right back," before walking briskly out of the bullpen.

Assuming he'd picked up someone in need of help with his superhearing, she turned back to her desk, and began to scribble down some questions to ask her source. Normally she'd be able to come up with questions on the spot, but knowing she was distracted by the whole Lucy situation, she figured it was better to have some with her just in case.

Looking back at her phone, she saw the picture of her smiling baby sister still displayed on the small screen. She felt her eyes begin to sting with wetness, wetness she quickly and forcefully blinked back.

"Damn it, Lucy," she whispered.

Picking up the phone, she hit the 'back' button, and the screen returns to her normal 'wallpaper' – a picture of her, Clark, and Chloe from the previous year's Christmas party at the Kent farm. It was her favorite picture. Chloe had teased her about it, saying that Lois loved it so much because she and Clark looked like a couple in it – an accusation Lois denied, way too vehemently, saying it was her favorite because it featured her cousin and her best friend.

But if she were to be honest with herself, they did look like a couple in the picture. She was standing slightly in front of Clark, and his arm was encircling her waist as she leaned back against him. It was definitely a more 'couple-y' pose than a friendship one, but they hadn't planned it. Jimmy had just snatched up Lois' phone and pointed it at the three of them and Clark had instantly grabbed her like that. And she hadn't complained a bit. On her other side was Chloe, leaning her head on Lois' shoulder, biting her lip like she was trying to keep from laughing, and Lois thought to this day that that particular expression was because she had seen the way Clark grabbed her and pulled her too him for the picture.

Looking at it, she could almost feel his warmth surrounding her. He had this unbelievable ability to make her feel safe, like nothing bad could ever happen to her as long as he was around.

Caught up in staring at the picture, she was startled when a small brown paper bag landed in front of her. Confused, she looked up, and saw Clark walking back toward his desk.

"What's this?"

"It's for you."

"Is that where you went?"

"Yeah…and you better hurry up and open it because," he paused, glancing and pointing to the clock, "you have to leave in about six minutes."

Following his eyes, she saw it was about 2:47. Hard to believe only 3 minutes had passed since he had left the bullpen and returned, but then, Lois was used to his quick comings and goings. The benefits of superspeed.

She looked over at him, and saw him standing by his desk, leaning over to type something on his computer. Turning her attention to the bag in front of her, she opened it, her brow furrowing as she looked in and saw a covered white container, napkins, and a plastic spoon.

Lifting out the container, she set it down on her desk and carefully lifted off the lid. Her eyes widened as she looked at the chocolatey, cold confection in front of her.

"Triple chocolate truffle?" she said, looking up at him.

He just shrugged, and gave her a shy smile. "It's your Lucy ice cream."

Her mouth dropped at that.

How the hell did he know that?

She was sure she'd never told him. She'd never told anyone. It was just a fact in her life. Hurricane Lucy = Lois gorging on Triple Chocolate Truffle ice cream.

Clark turned his attention back to his computer, continuing to type, unaware that Lois is still staring at him, completely gobsmacked.

When she looked back at her life, there were moments that Lois Lane could point to that marked a turning point. And while it didn't seem to make sense, they were often little ones, sometimes seemingly insignificant, but as time wore on, she saw just how important those tiny moments were. They affected her deeply, they changed the course of her life. They caused her to put herself out there and take risks.

Lex Luthor calling her a muffin peddler. The Kents' barn door falling from the sky.

Years later, she would look back on this very second and realize this was moment she allowed herself to finally admit what she'd known for a long time - she was in love with Clark Kent.

And the moment she laid it all on the line and risked her heart.

Without a word, Lois stood up and walked around the side of his desk, standing next to him by his computer. In one fluid motion, she reached up and placed her hands on either side of his face.

And at exactly 2:50 PM in the middle of the Daily Planet bullpen, Lois Lane pressed herself against Clark Kent, covering his lips with hers.