Wow, thanks sooooo much you guys. And as promised, here it is. The FINAL Chapter of Double Trouble. Thank you so much for sticking with me on this story, I didn't plan for it to go on as long as it has but I have finally reached the end. I hope you all enjoy this chapter Chapter Twenty

"Clark, what the hell are you talking about?" she asked in a hushed voice.

Clark blinked, as if coming back to awareness and looked at her. "I'm sorry Lois, I didn't mean for it to come out that way."

She frowned then looked down at the ground. "You can't…"

"You know what? Actually I did. I don't want to deny it longer Lois, I'm in love with you."

He heard her sharp intake of breath and felt her fingers dig into his arms. "You…nah, you're messing with me."

"Am I? Would I really do that right now?"

Lois reared away from him, leaning against the kitchen counter, narrowing her eyes at him. "You…think you're in love with me?"

As he stood there, watching her grow more and more uncertain, he knew that what he'd blurted out was the truth. Okay sure he hadn't meant to just say it like that, it probably could've been delivered a little more delicately but this wasn't the time for delicacy. She needed to hear the truth and he just…he didn't want to pretend it wasn't happening anymore.

He was tired of feeling like something was different whenever she was around him, and not knowing what it was. Now that he knew, he felt…happy, released almost. Like he could finally admit it and not feel worried that it wouldn't be returned. Because something told him that it would be.

She fell silent and then out of nowhere, her face changed and she lunged forward and smacked him in the shoulder. "Clark!"

Confusion quickly took over the elation he was feeling. "What was that for?" Out of habit, he rubbed his shoulder, acting like it hurt.

She rolled her eyes as she folded her arms. "Oh please, like that hurt!"

He looked at his hand and, realising what he was doing, he gave a sheepish smile and dropped it to his side again. "Lois, what's…?"

"You can't just blurt something like that out! All we did was kiss."

"That may be so but Lois, you kissed me first. Don't tell me that didn't mean anything."

Her mouth opened and closed, kind of like a goldfish and Clark had to fight the urge to laugh. It would certainly not help at this point. "I wasn't myself Clark, even you said that."

"Okay fair enough, but you said some things to me when you thought Joanne was trying to take over your life."

Fear entered her eyes and he wondered if she knew or remembered what he was talking about. "What things?"

"You don't remember?"

"If I did would I be asking?" she snapped.

Clark pursed his lips, taking in a deep breath before sitting down again. Lois continued to stand in front of him, glaring down at him. "You told me that she couldn't have me. You wouldn't allow her to have me."

She took a moment to think about that, and then he saw a faint red blush creep her neck and into her cheeks. She remembered that at least. "That…" she cleared her throat. "That doesn't mean anything Clark. I didn't want her to hurt you, that was all."

"But I can take care of myself Lois, you know that. So it led me to believe that maybe your feelings for me run a little deeper than just friendship."

"It was just a kiss." she whispered, as if it was her last line of defence and she was clinging to it.

"So? If you can stand here, look me in the eye and tell me that you don't have feelings for me too, then I'll leave it alone and I will never mention it again."

"Well I…I don't…" she grunted as she realised that she couldn't actually say the words. Like literally couldn't say them, it was like her mouth refused to even think of saying them. "Fine! I have feelings for you, but what does it change?"

"It changes everything Lois, because now I can do this…" he leaned forward and captured her mouth, and this time his kiss was different. It was more confident, he was surer than before. And Lois liked it. She wrapped an arm around his neck but before she could really return his kiss, he stopped and pulled back. Confused, she frowned at him.

"Lois…" he whispered, leaning his forehead against hers. "There is nothing about you that I don't like. I wish you could see what I see when I look at you."

Swallowing back the tears, Lois looked into his eyes. "What's that?"

"Someone who is passionate about life, her friends, family, her career. You're…you're Lois! When the rock split you into two people, it split your personality but you were both Lois Lane. The strong side of you, the one you consider harsh? She's the glue that holds everything in place. The one who kicks my butt every time I need it. The one who was raised to believe that being soft is a sign of weakness but that couldn't be more wrong."

He paused for a moment then carried on. "Then there's the softer side, the one you think is too vulnerable or soppy? She is the one who feels everything you need to feel. But together as one, you're human. You're perfect, just the way you are."

"Nobody's perfect Clark." She scoffed, but her voice felt thick and sounded strange even to her own ears.

"No, they're not but you're pretty close. And those faults that you hate yourself for? They're the things I love you for. You're everything a person should be, faults and all."

"I don't hate myself Clark."

"That's good."

"I just…I remember feeling that Joanne was so soppy and mopey and…I don't know, it just irritated me I guess."

Clark pulled her closer so that she was standing between his legs as he sat on the stool, wrapping his arms firmly around her waist, effectively trapping her. "Well when I said that the meteor rock caused behavioural changes, I didn't mean just for one of you. Joanne was highly sensitive but that didn't mean that it's how she…you normally are. Both of you apart were much more heightened versions of when you're joined. Does that make sense?"

"I think so." She sighed and finally allowed her own arms to close around his shoulders. Breathing in his scent, she closed her eyes. "So my sensitive side was just amped?"

"Exactly. Both sides were. And that's why this happened." He said, gently lifting her injured hand.

"I'm sorry I asked you which one you preferred Clark."

"It's okay. I couldn't have given you an answer anyway, I love all of you Lois. And besides," he winked at her. "I kinda liked them both."

"Oh really?" she asked, raising her head to look at him. He was smiling wickedly, something she was really not used to seeing.

"Well, you were pretty hot at that club. All I could think about was getting you out of there."

When her mouth dropped open in shock, he realised how that had sounded and hastened to add. "You know because the guys were all over you."

"Ah…" Slowly she grinned. "You were jealous."

He shifted in his seat a little. "No I…well I didn't like it."

Lois actually laughed, and the sound was different than Clark remembered. It was amazing to hear her laugh again after all this.

"It's okay Smallville, I guess I got a little jealous too."

"You did?" he asked, confused for a second.

"Well when I saw you with Joanne I was…angry. I thought you chose her over me."

Clark just shook his head, still finding it a little hard to take all this in completely. He didn't think he would ever truly understand it.

"But I think I get it now. I know why you felt you had to protect her more than me. Lois was the stronger side, I could take care of myself, and clearly…" she raised her bandaged hand. "You were right to do so."

His face turned serious as he stared into her eyes. "It wasn't your fault Lois, you know that right?" he asked, cupping her cheek tenderly.

"I'm starting to." She smiled.

"Good."

"Most people would've ended up in therapy." She chuckled.

He shook his head firmly. "Not you. You're stronger than you think Lois."

She drew in a deep breath, and released it slowly. "Clark…I…"

"What is it?" he asked softly when she hesitated.

She swallowed and looked deep into his eyes. "I don't really know how to say this."

"So just say it, it's never been a problem for you before." He chuckled.

"This is different." Raising a hand to touch his face, she placed a tender kiss on his lips, the merest of brushes but one that ignited a fire so intense he had to take a deep breath.

"Clark…I love you too." She whispered.

"Really?" His eyes widened slightly as she chuckled. He hadn't expected her to say it back so soon. He thought he'd have to give her time to get used to the fact that he'd said it first.

"What, you don't believe me?"

He shook his head as a slow grin appeared. "No it's just…hearing it…it's," he took her good hand and placed it against his heart. "It's perfect."

Unable to stop himself, Clark leaned forward slightly and cupped her face in his hands. The glint in his eyes both captivated and made Lois nervous. She scoffed inwardly, her, nervous? Unlikely. And yet here she was, shaking.

"What are you doing?" she asked, trying desperately to sound in control. In reality her heart was thudding fast and heavy, and she had rarely felt less in control in her life.

The question was echoed in Clark's head, but he ignored it. Her skin was so soft. Fascination gleamed in his dark eyes as his thumb explored the smooth contours of her flushed cheek.

"I should…probably go." She whispered.

"It's four in the morning Lois, where would you go?" he replied, letting her step back. He didn't want to push her too soon.

Lois stood nailed to the spot by a forceful longing as she took in the details of his lean, streamlined body as he stood. He was quite, unbelievably gorgeous, she decided, as her eyes greedily explored him. Though she wouldn't admit that to him, not yet anyway.

The simmering silence stretched and stretched. "I should just go back to bed…"

"No."

A muscle clenched in his jaw. "Don't go Lois. Stay with me."

Before the throaty plea had left his lips, a needy moan had left her own and before she knew what had happened, she was walking back towards him. She felt relief as his strong arms closed around her, holding her so tight she couldn't breathe. He kissed her again and again, with a driving need.

Lois didn't care about breathing; she just wanted this not to stop any time soon. But was it too soon for them? She didn't care, he loved her and she loved him, which was all that mattered. She wanted to carry on feeling like this forever. It was insane, but she loved it.

Then she stopped thinking because she was too busy feeling.

Giving her a little more encouragement, Clark covered her mouth with his, and at the first touch, he felt a spark light his lower belly. But when she put her arms around his neck and eagerly accepted his kiss, the spark quickly turned into flames.

He wasn't exactly sure what he was doing, all he knew was that it felt so right. He loved this woman, and everything about her. And though he knew he shouldn't, he wanted to show her how much he wanted her. How much he had wanted her ever since their kiss at that club.

As he deepened the kiss, his hands found their way to the hem of her nightshirt. Sliding them underneath, he caressed her sides. Fire immediately streaked through his veins at the feel of her satiny skin beneath his palms and her eager response to his tongue teasing hers.

Without thinking, for he was now lost in the moment, he slid his hand upwards, catching her gasp with his own mouth as he accidentally brushed past her breast to smooth his hands over the bare skin of her back. But it was the feel of her warm touch when she placed her hand on his chest, doing a little exploring of her own, that caused his body to tighten almost painfully.

On a hiss he broke the kiss and stared down at her. Her eyes were glazed over and her lips were swollen from his kisses and it took all the strength he possessed not to kiss her again. Taking a few deep breaths, he willed his beating heart to slow. They had reached a line here, and once crossed, there would be no turning back. At least not without a cold shower and a lot of suffering on my part, he thought grimly.

"Clark?" her voice was husky and all kinds of sexy. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing I just…"

"This is too fast isn't it?" she asked, voicing his own concern.

"Maybe."

She nodded and moved back a little, her own breathing now starting to slow a little. She pressed her fingertips to her mouth as if she could still feel his lips there.

Resisting the urge to take her mouth again, Clark studied her features. She looked exhausted, there were dark circles under her eyes and the hazel depths reflected the recent ordeal she'd been through.

"It's late, I think maybe we should go to bed." She said, echoing his thought but as his eyes flared she quickly backtracked. "I mean, I should go to bed and you should…"

"I know what you meant Lois, it's okay. But you're right, it is late and you need to get some rest."

She smiled teasingly. "Is that your way of telling me I look like crap?"

"No! Not at all, I think you're…" he trailed off.

"What?"

He raised his eyes to hers, amazed that he now felt so nervous when a few minutes ago, his hands had been all over her. "I think you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

For a moment she was silent, looking ever so slightly shocked. Then she masked it with a grin and punched him in the shoulder. "Boy are you sappy in the morning."

Chuckling she made her way to the stairs, but as she took the first step she stopped and looked back at him, all traces of laughter gone from her face. "Clark?"

Shaking himself out of his thoughts, he glanced up at her. "Yeah?"

"Will you sleep with me tonight?"

His mouth opened, then closed, then opened again.

"I just meant to sleep. Get your mind out of the gutter Smallville."

Feeling embarrassed, Clark cleared his throat. "Maybe it's best if I stay on the couch."

She rolled her eyes. "Clark, I'm far too tired to think of anything but sleep right now." She paused, her vulnerability showing for a split second. "I just don't want to be alone, that's all."

How could he say no to that? With a small smile, he simply nodded, turned off the lights and followed her up the stairs. About halfway up she stopped and wavered, her whole body just swaying. "Lois? You okay?"

"Yeah I just…I guess I'm just really tired. But these stairs…have they always been this long?"

Instead of answering, Clark reached out and swept her up into his arms. At first she held herself stiff, but then as she looked into his eyes, she started to relax and then as he started climbing, she nestled her head in the crook of his neck.

With gentle hands, Clark placed her on his bed and held the covers up for her to climb under. After taking off his jeans, leaving him in just his boxers and t-shirt, he crawled in the other side.

He settled down beside her and after a moment's pause, tucked her into his arms. She twisted about, trying to find just the right spot. When she scooted backwards, closer to his body, she heard his sharp intake of breath, and she froze, feeling the effect she'd apparently had on him right there against her. She started to move away but he clamped his arms around her, rendering her immobile.

"Sorry." He whispered, loosening his grip a little, but not by much. "But just…please, stay still."

Her cheeks flaming, she tried to relax. The moment he'd touched her, her fatigue had fled. Now she faced trying to sleep with him wrapped around every inch of her. His warmth bled into her, making her relax slowly against him. It was so strange, she thought that this would feel…different. But it just felt…so right. Being here with him felt right.

Clark listened to the sound of her heartbeat, slowing down as she began to relax, but she was still nowhere near falling asleep. "Lois…" he murmured.

She twisted her body around so that they were lying face to face. "Clark, what are we doing?"

"What do you mean? I thought we were going to sleep."

His clueless and almost nervous expression nearly made her laugh. She worked to keep her expression neutral as she answered. "I mean us. What are we doing?"

He reached up and traced a finger down her cheek. "I know what I want Lois. The question is, do you want the same thing?"

"I…"

"I love you." He whispered. "And I want to be with you."

"Even when I'm as neurotic as I am?" she chuckled. But Clark's serious expression stopped her.

He let his fingers trail through her long hair, making the back of her scalp tingle. "Lois, I've always wanted you."

"You…you have?"

He nodded. "Yes, I just never let myself admit it."

Lois' eyes narrowed as she looked into his. She loved him. It shouldn't surprise her but now that she'd acknowledged it, she realised that she hadn't immediately recognised it until now. Shouldn't she have known on some level that she loved this man?

"Maybe we should just try dating for a while? See how that goes?" she offered.

He smiled. "If that's what you want, that's what we'll do. But Lois, nothing will change. I'm still going to love you after fifty dates, a hundred or even a thousand."

"Is being smooth one of your super powers too?"

He chuckled. "I wish. It would've saved me a whole lot of time and effort. You, Lois Lane, are a hard woman to figure out."

She smiled and snuggled down next to him, tucking her head under his chin. "Well now you have the time to find out."

Clark laughed and breathed in the scent of her hair, closing his eyes. It wasn't too long before he heard the rhythm of her heart slow and her breathing deepen, and he knew she was asleep. He shuffled a little, trying to get comfortable without moving her, and felt the last few days of strain slowly seep out of his body. This was where he wanted to be. And this was exactly where he would stay.

Warm lips kissed a line from her shoulder down her arm. Lois stirred and opened her eyes later that morning, to Clark's dark head moving sensuously down her body.

"That's a very nice way to wake up Smallville," she murmured.

His head came up and she met the blue-green of his eyes. So clear and warm, she thought.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

She rolled onto her back and lifted her hand to thread it through his soft, wavy hair. "Much better. I finally feel like me again."

"Good." He replied, kissing her neck. She tried to stifle the yawn that was coming, but it beat her anyway.

"You're still tired." He said, frowning.

"No, no I'm just…very comfortable." She tugged his head back down to her and he leaned down and captured her mouth with his.

"Hi," he said after pulling back, smiling down at her. Their faces only millimetres apart.

"Hi." She said, a little breathlessly. How was it that he could have such a devastating effect on her with just one huskily spoken word?

But then it didn't matter because he was kissing her again, making her forget everything she'd been about to say. His tongue gently teased her lower lip, seeking access, which she then granted and he deepened the kiss.

Wrapping his arms around and under her, holding her so close that she didn't know where he ended and she began, Lois knew she was putty in his hands. And it surprised her that she was okay with that. This was the first time she'd ever surrendered control, and she actually found that she liked it. Seeing Clark this…bold, was definitely something she could get used to.

She bit her lip hard as his mouth moved lower, kissing with light feathery kisses down her neck and onto her shoulder, then up to the sensitive region just below her ear. She gasped at the assault on her senses, feeling the world tilt as he moved to the other side to do the same.

It was so easy to forget her doubts and insecurities in the shelter of his arms. There were no barriers, no stiffness and no reluctance. But she had to wonder what had changed from last night when he'd said that maybe they were moving a little fast.

"Clark…" she murmured. It seemed to bring him to his senses, like he hadn't really been in control of what he was doing and for a split second she saw the uncertainty in his eyes. But then he smiled at her and it was gone.

A moment passed between them then, like an electrical current sizzling in the air and Lois knew that this was right. She cupped his face in her hands, and then in a moment of pure clarity, she whispered. "Kiss me Clark."

With a low growl, he swooped back down and captured her lips with barely controlled restraint. His movements were impatient, as though he couldn't get enough of her. His body pressed tightly to hers, he moved them so that they were lying side by side. But Lois needed to touch him, to feel him so she moved so that she was on top of him. Sitting up, she stared down and placed her palms on his chest. Then frowned.

Clark followed her gaze to his t-shirt, then grinned as she pulled him up to take it off. After throwing it onto the floor, Lois let her gaze linger for a moment, sure that she'd never seen anyone quite so beautiful before. And that was probably the wrong word to describe someone like Clark, but it was no less true.

Before she knew what was happening, she felt the buttons of her night shirt being popped open, one at a time. But his large fingers fumbled with the job and with a growl of frustration, he ripped the remaining buttons open, sending them flying into all corners of the room.

She was sure she heard some hit the window, but as he sat up and started kissing her again, she didn't care. She pulled back and took a moment to smooth her hands over his bare chest, relishing in the feel of the muscular torso. She grinned at him, and moved to kiss where her hands were, but Clark stopped her, putting his hands over hers.

"Lois…" his voice was almost her undoing. He waited until she looked up and as their eyes connected, she sucked in a sharp breath. "Are you sure?"

Swallowing hard, she pulled her hands out from under his, trailing them up his arms, over his shoulders and up to his face. Leaning in she placed the lightest of kisses on his lips. "I've never been more sure of anything else."

He closed his eyes at her answer, as if in relief, and then all of a sudden, the room flipped and she was on her back again. He stared down at her. "I love you Lois."

"I love you too Smallville."

"Chloe it's still early, I doubt Lois is even up yet." Oliver said, watching as she cut the engine and got out of the car. A woman on a mission. She stormed up to the back door and knocked. But no one answered.

"Clark? Lois?" she called, but again, no answer. She checked the door, it was locked. Which was unusual at this hour because Clark would've normally been up and about doing his chores way before now.

"Maybe we should just leave them alone." Oliver suggested, climbing the steps to the porch and then following as she went around to the front door.

"It's unlocked." She said right before walking in. Oliver just shook his head and went to follow. But Chloe came rushing back out before he could even get a foot in the doorway.

"What are you doing? I thought you were checking on Lois." He asked.

Her embarrassed smile met his. "I think Lois is okay. We should go."

"Oh?" Then Chloe glared at him and tilted her head. "Ohhhhh."

They made their way back to the car and before starting the engine, Chloe started to laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing. I just can't believe I've been so worried that things would be hard for Lois. That she'd be needing a shoulder to cry on today."

"What makes you think she doesn't?" Oliver frowned but couldn't help smiling at her obvious humour of the situation.

"Something tells me that Lois and Clark, are going to be just fine without our help."

And without another word, she started the engine and reversed out of the farm's driveway.

THE END