Chapter 19
"Clark", Lois said sitting down, "So you worked for Intergang?"
"Not exactly", he said sitting on the coffee table in front of her and taking her hands in his, "I ran away from home when I was sixteen and I went wild in Metropolis. I'd steal to live extravagantly and I got tapped by Morgan Edge for a job. He'd noticed my abilities in my recent bank robberies-"
"Bank robberies", Lois shrieked, "What?"
"I tipped police about where everything was when I got back Lois", Clark said, "But Morgan Edge hired me to steal something for Lionel Luthor."
"Did you", she asked.
"I did", he said, "Lionel wasn't exactly on top of my confidant list back then. So I did it, Lois, Lionel had a sample of my blood, that's what Morgan Edge had hired me to steal. Jor-El gave my father my abilities temporarily so that he could at least attempt to bring me home. And he did. So I bought the blood back with me, instead of handing it off to Edge, he found me here and tried to kidnap me to give me to Lionel. But I got away and I never saw him again. Not until the surgery a year later. He'd gotten a new face so I couldn't recognize him even if I wanted to. That was the last time I ever saw or heard of Intergang. Then when the empire fell after he died, I breathed a sigh of relief, but I always wondered if he'd told anyone about me…"
"And you think he told his son", Lois nodded understanding.
"Wouldn't you", Clark stood up frustrated; "It makes sense. Which means everyone I love is in danger again. And all because of me!"
Lois stood back waiting for him to stop yelling. When she saw him lower his shoulders in defeat, she stretched her hand and touched his back. He turned his head slightly to see her hand, but he wouldn't look at her face.
"Clark look at me", she said softly.
"I can't", he mumbled, "I can't see you look at me the way you did just now when I told you everything."
"Clark I-"
"No", he said wiping a tear away, "I understand. I'm not the same Clark Kent, you've always known anymore."
"Why because you made a few mistakes as a rebellious teenager", she asked her voice cracking, "How many mistakes have I made since I met you…"
"Lois-"
"No seriously Clark", she said, "We're not perfect. We're human and we all make mistakes but it takes a real man to own up to them, and you've done that. Stop condemning yourself, because no one else is."
He finally turned around. He looked into her eyes and leaned in kissing her passionately. He wanted her to feel every emotion he felt at the moment. And she did. Right down to the tears that stained his cheeks, those were now falling on to hers. She felt so close to him, but yet he felt so far away. She pulled away slowly.
"Clark, let me in", she said, "I knocked down my walls. I need you to do the same."
"Lois, my world is a dangerous one", he said holding on to her waist, "I don't want you to get hurt."
"You'd never let that happen", she said honestly.
"What if I can't save you one day", he asked, "I'd never be able to live with myself."
"And you're actually living now", she asked, "Clark, I became alive the moment I fell in love with you. I've never felt freer and more alive than I do right now in your arms. And I know you feel the same way. Whatever comes our way, we can handle it. No one's going to mess with Lois and Clark, remember?"
He smiled remembering those exact words he told her in the phantom zone, years ago. He was about to kiss her again, when headlights caught his attention. He perked his super hearing.
We get the girl first. Kent will come willingly when he sees she's in trouble. It's like watching the lamb in the lion's mouth, it breaks his heart.
Lois heard the car and sighed. "You'd think Richard can wait until tomorrow. I swear that-"
Clark placed a finger to her lips to silence her. "It's not Richard."
Her eyes opened wide and she almost stopped breathing. He used his x-ray to see that two men were already circling the farm house while one of them was going toward the barn. Clark took her hand and led her upstairs quietly.
"What are we going to do", she whispered.
Clark smiled and picked her up once he reached the top of his stairs. He walked over to his parent's room that faced the front of the house, the window already open from last night's sleep.
"You ready", he whispered and heard the front door burst open.
"I trust you", she smiled and with those words Clark took to the sky heading for safety.
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"I am not staying here", she was arguing.
"Lois", Clark said evenly, "Those guys knew where the farm was. Chances are they know where my apartment and your apartment in the city are. Right now this is the safest place to be."
"Why because your superhero friends are here to watch over me", she glared.
Clark looked over at Oliver. "No, because no one would expect you to stay with your e-"
Clark stopped himself. "Oliver."
"If Dinah, Bart, Victor, Bruce, John or AC show up… I'm leaving."
"Fine", Clark nodded, "It's a deal."
He looked at Oliver. "I guess I'll cancel poker night", Oliver said.
"Fine", Lois crossed her arms, "And just what are you going to do?"
"Check out the damage those thugs no doubt left on the farm."
He turned to leave out the balcony.
"Clark, wait", Lois called after him.
He turned around before stepping fully onto the balcony.
"Just be careful", Lois said softly.
Clark smiled and leaned in to give her a chaste kiss. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
Lois nodded and smiled. She watched him take off from the balcony, no doubt in the direction of Smallville.
"So", Oliver said softly, "What do we do until he gets back?"
"We're going to find out more about Thomas Edge", she turned back around grabbing her purse.
"Lois, Clark said-"
"That you are watching me", Lois said, "So you coming or are you going to break your hero's pledge."
Oliver rolled his eyes. "He's going to kill me."
"Not if he doesn't find out."
"Yeah right", Oliver mumbled, "Clark Kent knows everything."
"Very true", Lois smiled, "But at least if you come you'll be keeping half your promise."
Oliver rolled his eyes again. "Fine, let's go and you better hurry up."