A/N: Ate Vikki, gracias for your help. You're one-in-a-million.

Chapter 12: One More Day

Clark woke up with as rays of sunlight passed through the apartment window. He frowned and put his hand to hold his forehead. He was alone in the room. Maybe Lovell got up earlier than he did and Martha didn't want to wake him up. He ran a hand through his hair as he went to the bathroom, brushed his teeth and washed his face. He didn't spend any time worrying about how he looked; he didn't care. He put his glasses on and went into the living room. He decided not to use his super hearing because he really needed a day off. He walked downstairs with his head down, not watching where he was going when he bumped into someone. Instinctively using his super speed without first seeing who he bumped into, he caught the person.

He heard the familiar snort before a batch of words came out from that person. "Ouch Smallville! Why don't you watch where you're going.?"

He looked up and into familiar hazel eyes. He pulled her close to him "I'm sorry," he said nearly choking on the words. "I thought I lost you forever."

"What do you mean lost forever? Clark did you have a bad rescue yesterday? When you came home, you went straight to bed and slept the whole day."

"The whole day," Clark asked.

"The whole day," Lois confirmed then teasingly added, "Sleeping Beauty."

"What day is it?"

Lois rolled her eyes. "Today is Sunday. It's our day-off."

Clark looked on the calendar. It was the same day Lois fell off the water tower or at least it was the same day he thought she fell.

"Oh no, what's happening?" he said confused over what he thought had been the last three days. He shook his head thinking how real his dream had been.

"Smallville are you okay?" Lois asked concerned. She held his face with her two hands.

"I am fine Lo."

"You're not."

"I am fine."

"No, you're not. I can read your face like a map. You can't fool me"

Clark didn't answer her. When she saw that he wasn't ready, she gently took his hand and led him into the kitchen.

"Your mom picked up LJ yesterday." She pointed to the kitchen chair. "I made breakfast. Now, sit here and eat."

"Can grab a vase and fill it with water." He asked.

She shook her head at the odd request, but went along to humor him

She turned to the cupboard and grabbed a vase. Moving to the sink, she filled it with water and turned to head back to the kitchen table. Clark was nowhere in sight.

"Clark?" She sighed.

She went to master's bedroom and found [out that] the window open. She closed it, but before she could turn back around, she sensed that Clark was behind her. The next moment, she felt familiar arms wrapped around her waist.

"I have a surprise for you," he whispered in her ear.

Lois looked down to Clark's hands at her waist. "Lilies," she said surprised. "Thanks Smallville. That's so sweet of you." She turned so she was facing him and soon found herself lost in his baby blues.

"Clark, are you sure you're okay?"

He displayed his gorgeous smile, "Perfectly okay."

"You brought me my favorite flowers. Tell me what's wrong," she asked again. Then her expression grew more serious. "It's Red Kryptonite, isn't it?

He simply smiled.

Lois shook her head, "Oh no, not again."

"No, Lois, there's no kryptonite. Listen to me," Clark said. "I love you."

Lois tilted her head in doubt and started to step back, but he held her close to him. "I know its funny but it feels so right when we're together. It feels like … I'm home. I was so afraid to tell you before because I don't want to ruin our friendship. I'll risk everything just to be with you, even my pride. If you don't feel the same way…"

Before he could finished what he was about to say, she stood on the tips of her toes as her lips met his. He returned her kiss with passion and longing.

They kept kissing until Lois needed air. When she moved towards him to kiss him again, he moved back holding her by her arms so he could look at her. "Lois, as much as I want this, I can't continue. If I can't control my powers, I could hurt you."

Lois looked at him tenderly, "You didn't last time. You won't this time either. I trust you."

Taking her hand, Clark led Lois upstairs.

"Aw, come on Clark… Show me your six-pack."

Clark tried to feign announce, but the sparkle in his eyes gave him away.

Lois, wearing only a lacy bra and tight fitting jeans smiled mischievously. Clark took off his blue t-shirt and threw it on the floor next to Lois's sweater.

"Come on Smallville! One more game, pleeeease. Give me the cards. I'll deal."

Lois quickly dealt the next round.

"Lois I will win this time." Clark teased.

"Really?" She raised an eyebrow. "Queen."

"King… I won… Whohoohoo!" Clark cried out in celebration.

"You used your x-ray vision," Lois accused.

"I did not."

"Did too."

"Not."

"Okay, okay, I lost." She threw her hands upwards in defeat. She got up and started to move across the room.

"Lois, where are you going?" Clark asked warily.

"Stay there."

Lois went to the stereo and put in a cd. As the music began to play, she moved slowly towards Clark, her hips swaying slightly. He stared at her with mouth wide open. She unbuttoned the first button of her jeans. Then she stopped and waited. She winked and gave him the sweetest smile.

Lois whispered, "Close your mouth Smallville."

Clark groaned, "Lois you're torturing me…" He gazed up at her his eyes dark with desire. His breathing became uneven.

Lois just winked at him and smiled sweetly as she finally unzipped her jeans and shimmied out of them standing before him in her lacy black bra and panties.

"Relax Clark." She sat on his lap and felt his arousal.

She blushed. "You're naughty Lois Joanne Lane Kent. How long do you have your period?" Frustration shown on his face.

"Three days." She answered while hiding a small smirk on her face.

"Ouch, that long?"

"I'm sorry, really. I almost forgot that I have my red days."

He mumbled inaudible words, which made her laughing so hard.

A few hours later, Lois woke up to find Clark smiling down at her.

"I have an idea." Clark announced.

"What is it?" she asked rubbing her eyes."

"It's a surprise. We can fly there," he playfully swatted her on the bottom, "Come on. Time's a wastin'"

They quickly cleaned up and got dressed.

When Lois was dressed, she found Clark downstairs waiting for her. "You wanna tell me where we're going?" she asked.

"You'll see."

Carnival…

Holding hands, Lois and Clark entered the fairgrounds to the carnival.

"Stay here Honey. I'll be back."

"What did you say?"

Instead of answering, Clark just looked over his shoulder and smiled. He went to the ticket booth and purchased some tickets. From there, he walked to the Ferris wheel; he turned around and waved Lois over to join him.

She bit back a smile and followed him.

"Whohoohoooh! I'm the King of the World."

"Smallville!!!" Lois felt the dizzy looking down from the top of the Ferris wheel.

"Try it Lo, It's fun," Clark encouraged, his arms still up in the air.

Lois rolled her eyes. But then she joined in.

"We're the King and Queen of the World! Whohohohoooh!"

Through his super hearing, he listened intensely. For a change, no one was calling for help.

They got off the Ferris wheel and walked through the carnival and played some games. After awhile, Clark steered them towards the food stands.

"What do you want to eat?"

"A hot dog is fine. And pink cotton candy."

"Thanks for the Bunny, Smallville. This is the second time you won a bunny for me. LJ has the first one. Now she will have a friend for him." She looked at Clark and noticed a far-away look in his eyes. " Smallville are you listening?"

"Yes I am. About the Bunny, I'm sure he'll be happy with his new friend." Clark looked at Lois and tucked a stray lock of her behind her ear.

Lois stood and ruffled Clark's hair.

"Hey Smallville, Am I being too selfish right now?"

"Why do you think that?" Clark asked between bites of cotton candy he answered.

"You're spending the day with me. Any cries of help?"

Clark shrugged. "Nothing… yet."

They strolled around making their way through the crowd. Without much notice, rain clouds filled the formerly blue skies and shortly afterwards, there was a downpour.

"Come Clark, let's dance in the rain," Lois laughed playfully, grabbing his hand. "Moments like these are rare; you can never regain a lost moment. There can be the same month and time but never the same year and circumstances. "

"That's how we count how old we are or how many years had passed."

"Yeah… So come on."

"There's no music Lo."

"Then you'll sing for me."

He shook his head in defeat. "So Lois," he asked, "may I have this dance?"

She smiled cheerfully.

"Lo, take my hand please." He put one of his hands on her waist and the other on her hand.

"It seems like yesterday when I said I do
And after all this time my heart still burns for you
If you don't know by now that you're my only one
And take a look inside me and watch my heart strings come undone

I know I promised you forever
Is there no stronger word I can use?
To reassure you when the storm is raging outside
You're my safest place to hide

Can you see me? Here I am
I need you like I needed you then
When I feel like giving up
I climb inside your heart and still find
You're my safest place to hide"

He stopped from singing as he felt the tears stream down his face and wanted to hide them to Lois. He held on to her never wanting to let her go.

You see colors no one else can see
In every breath you hear a symphony
You understand me like nobody can
I feel my soul unfolding like a flower blooming

When this whole world gets too crazy
And there's nowhere left to run
I know you give me sanctuary
You're the only truth I know
You're the road back home

"I love you Lo." He lifted he chin so her eyes met his.

"I love you too Smallville." She leaned forward, her lips meeting his in a kiss that continued there was no tomorrow.

Can you see me? Here I am
Standing here, where I've always been
And when words are not enough
I climb inside your heart and still find
You're my safest place to hide
My safest place to hide

I know I promised you forever
There's no stronger word I can use
To reassure you when the storm is raging outside
You're my safest place to hide

Can you see me? Here I am
Standing here, where I've always been
When I feel like giving up
I climb inside your heart and still find
You're my safest place to hide
Oh, yeah
You're my safest place to hide

o0o-o0o-o0o-o0o

"Aaachoo." Lois sniffed. They were both soaked from the rain.

"We'll go back to the house. Bur before that…" He dried her clothes with his heat vision"

"Thanks Clarkie." She smirked a little.

He rolled his eyes upon hearing his nickname, "You're welcome Lo."

When they reached their apartment, he watched her closely. He wanted to memorize every single detail of her. He thought about all the things he loved about her, the way the light made her hair glow, her beauty, the gentle rise of her chest as she breathes, the perfect shape of her body, the specks of brown in her hazels that made him lost inside her eyes, even her incessant babbling.

He remembered the way she cried at sad movies even when she had already seen it before. She caught him watching her and smiled at him. He sighed. Her smile could brighten his darkest day. He looked at his watch… He got few hours left before he'll finally let her go.

"Lois."

Lois saw Clark fighting back tears. She walked towards Clark and reached out for him.

"The rescue, yesterday - that bad?"

Clark didn't answer. He could no longer hold back the tears and pulled Lois close to him. They ended up on the floor holding each other as Lois tried to be strong for her husband. She wiped the tears from his face as Clark told her about his dream.

"It was so real, Lois – almost like it was a premonition."

"Oh, Clark," Lois said not quite sure what to say to make him feel better. Do you want to go to Smallville"

"No," Clark said quickly. "We can't. If something does happen, I don't want to put LJ at risk."

As soon as he finished speaking, a sudden green beam came crashing through the window. Clark covered Lois's body to protect her, but in the process, his body absorbed the green light, which rendered him unconscious.

"Clark! Oh my God! Wake up," Lois cried.

She checked his pulse and felt the beating of his heart. She momentarily breathed a sigh of relief.

Group of strange men with hoods over their faces forced the door open and entered the apartment.

"Get them," one of the men ordered pointing towards Lois and Clark

"Who are you? What are you doing?" Lois tried to fight, but with so many her efforts were futile.

Clark woke up and immediately knew he was no longer in the apartment. He raised himself to his knees. Fresh blood trickled down his face. Green laser beams surrounded him – a Kryptonite cage. He looked up. The ceilings were very high. To his left there was a staircase leading to a balcony towards close to the ceiling.

"Lois?"

A familiar image appeared before him. Unfortunately, it was not Lois.

"Oh, you're awake. How are you old buddy?"

Clark used his last ounce of strength to stand before his former friend, "Where's my wife?" he demanded.

"Your wife?" Lex shrugged casually, then lied. "I killed her."

Clark's face paled, he engaged his superhearing and sighed a breath of relief when he detected Lois's heartbeat.

"Let her go Lex," Clark demanded. "This is between you and me. She's never harmed you."

"Really? How about her stupid articles concerning me?"

"Your plan to destroy the earth would have come out anyway, and it will never work."

Lex clapped his hands as he moved closer to the cage. "And who will stop me? You?" Lex challenged. "Ha, you can't even touch those laser beams. Poor Alien! Anyway, here's the love of your life. I grant you the honor of witnessing her death! Hahaha!" Lex directed his gaze upwards towards the top of the staircase.

Clark's eyes followed the gaze. He felt as if his heart stopped. He saw Lois, held by one of Lex's men at the top of a building. She looked unconscious.

"No," Clark cried. "I'm begging you."

"Oh, is that what you have become now, a beggar?" Lex scorned.

"How pathetic?"

Hearing voices, Lois woke up and saw Clark inside the Kryptonite cage with Lex standing a few feet away. She yelled for him.

"Goodbye Ms. Lane." The man holding her threw her towards the ground.

"Nooo!" Clark managed to free himself from the kryptonite cage, but the effort made him weaker. He managed to grab Lex, but another man behind Lex stepped forward and punched Clark in the stomach bringing him to his knees. Clark felt an intense sharp pain course through his spine as the man plunged a dagger made of green kryptonite crystal in his spine. Clark fell to his knees. The images of Jonathan… Martha… Chloe… Lovell… and Lois flashed his eyes.

With his final breath, Clark whispered his final words, "I love you Lois." He closed his eyes and his heartbeat stopped.

o0o-o0o-o0o-o0o

TBC

A/N: This chapter includes the lyrics of Safest Place to Hide by Backstreet Boys.