A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! As always they make me very happy. The support for this story has been wonderful! Writing long stories is not as easy as it looks and this story has already reached something ridiculous like over 145,000 after I upload this chapter. I'm like, wow. I just hope I can keep all the plot lines together and the story doesn't start getting boring :) I intend to wrap it up in about six chapters, hopefully.
Special thanks to VisAVis2 for editing this chapter for me.
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Chapter 20.
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Lois had Sundays off. It wasn't her choice. As much as Perry White was a work horse the Daily Planet wasn't open for business unless some major event or calamity took place.
'Everyone needs a day off, Miss Lane,' he had told her.
'What do I do?'
'There's always church.'
Church – really? She hadn't been to church since she had stayed at the Kent farm. Clark would nudge her in the arm as she tended to drift off to sleep during those long boring sermons. The memories brought a smile to her lips. She quickly pulled herself up with a start. Could she not even go five minutes without thinking of him? Feeling annoyed with herself she started on an apartment cleaning frenzy. She cleaned the shower and toilet, vacuumed the floors, wiped down the bench tops and scrubbed the ashtray clean in the sink.
She screwed up her nose at the smell of stale tobacco. It really was a disgusting habit. She was stupid for taking up smoking again. Stupid. Stupid. She had to stop. The number of internal conversations she'd had about quitting were endless. There was always tomorrow, next week and New Year's resolutions. Now here she was three years later and still smoking. Had it really been that long? As much as she always blamed Iraq, least that is what she told other people, truth was she started smoking again way before that. After leaving Clark, the farm and the only place she could really call home, the first thing she had done when arriving in Fort Benning was buy a packet of cigarettes.
Her father hadn't been happy.
'You give up the cigars, I'll give up the cigarettes,' she had flung back at him.
What had she been thinking? But at that time she hadn't been. The only thing she had felt was a certain sort of self-hate for what she had done, good intentions or not, for hurting Clark even though it had hurt her just as much if not more. Maybe it had been a self-inflicted punishment of sorts.
Lois didn't stop until the apartment was sparkling clean. She felt satisfied and glanced at the clock. It was only ten in the morning! What did she do now?
Maybe Chloe was free?
But Chloe was out and about with Jimmy that day.
Lois had woken up that morning up feeling restless and bored. Sure there was some stories and leads she could work on, but for some strange reason she didn't feel like working. Then there was the gym, she could do a couple of hours' work-out there, burn off some of her restless energy.
She could hear Chloe's voice in her head. Seriously, Lois, the gym? Because it's not as if you really need to burn off any more calories. True, and she wasn't in the mood for the gym either.
The cat, she still hadn't named him yet, sat on the bench watching her every movement. It was unnerving at times.
"What?" she exclaimed. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
He merely raised a paw and started licking it.
"You know it stinks of cat in here," she muttered.
Approaching the window, she yanked it open. The smell of maple pie wafted through. It made her think of the farm and Mrs. Kent's cooking. She suddenly found herself longing for the simpleness that was the Kent farm, the smell of hay and fresh air, the peacefulness and good home-made cooking.
Closing her eyes, she could picture it all in her head. Mrs. K's motherly concern. God how she missed it, and then she knew exactly what she wanted to do.
She was going to see Mrs. Kent. She had tried to deny the part of her that longed for some kind of motherly guidance. She could go without it, so she kept telling herself, and she didn't need any help. But she was only lying to herself. Last night the dreams had returned. They left her feeling shaken and distressed. The light she had left on in the bathroom offered little relief. Much to her surprise the cat had jumped on her bed, curling itself in the crook of her knees, and she had felt strangely comforted.
When she woke up in the morning, the cat wasn't there. She found him perched on the window sill, gazing out the window, watching the world pass by. The dreams always left her feeling uptight. Where could she go? Who could she trust? She felt so – hollow.
Mrs. K was the closest person she'd ever known that had filled in that particular void in her life. And Clark, but he was off limits.
If it meant risking running into him, then so be it. She had pretty much seen him every day over the last week. Strange how that went. Lois tried not to dwell on it.
She borrowed Chloe's car. One of these days, when she had saved enough money, she would get around to buying a car. Owning a car had a sense of freedom. She missed it. The knowing you could just jump in it any time and follow the road it happened to lead you on.
The city suburbia eventually panned out into pastoral farmland, rows of corn fields passed by. The familiarity of it brought along a sense of nostalgia, and then the Kent farm road came into view, as if no time had passed by at all.
She was home. The only home she had ever really had.
Lois pulled into the driveway and, just to be on the safe side, parked Chloe's car behind the barn.
Why are doing this, Lois, she silently chided as she walked into the barn, because this was nothing more than a form of self-inflicted torture. Memories swamped her as she stepped into the barn, but they were pleasant and she welcomed them. How she had loved this place. Training Clark, teasing him and becoming friends with him. She glanced up at the loft; 'I want to make love to you right now.' And that – the most memorable night of her life. The only time she had felt so completely connected to another person.
Hearing the back door creak open, she carefully peered through a crack in the barn door. Clark walked out with Shelby on his heels. Her heart warmed at the sight of him. Hopefully he was about to take Shelby for a nice long walk.
When he began to fill on old metal tub with water that she recognised as Shelby's bathtub, her heart sunk. Oh crap, he wasn't going anywhere.
He warmed up the tub of water using his heat vision. It had been a long while since she'd last seen him use it. Pity he hadn't been around in Iraq.
And do what exactly, Lois. He might be able to save people, but he couldn't change politics.
She watched him trying to persuade Shelby to get in the tub. He hadn't realised she was there yet, and for once, his guard was down. He was wearing plaid. It brought a smile to her lips; right now he was a lot like the Smallville she remembered, even if he filled out that shirt more with the broadness of his deep chest. And as for those big arms, she imagined them wrapped around her and - get a grip, Lois. She shook her head to clear it, but she couldn't help staring at him. At the way the sunlight reflected in his hair, though too short for her liking, the odd curl threatened in its defiance, making her want to reach out and touch it, damn, damn. His beautiful eyes held a contentment she'd yet seen, as if some of the simple things in life still meant something to him.
"Okay, you leave me no choice, Shelby," he growled.
Picking the dog up, he put him into the tub. Clark then proceeded to rub soap through his fur, followed by several jugs of water. By the end of it Lois wasn't sure who was wetter, Shelby or Clark?
"Shelby, keep still," he admonished, but there was a smile on his face as he spoke, the sort of smile Lois hadn't seen on his face in such a long time that it made her heart ache. Oh, so he did remember how to smile. He ruffled the dog's ears, and Shelby obviously deciding it was time to shake, did just that, drenching Clark in the process. She couldn't help the small giggle that escaped her lips.
Clark froze and looked her way. Damn his super hearing. Taking a deep breath she stepped out from behind the barn door, feeling suddenly awkward.
"Sorry, didn't mean to spy on you like that, Clark."
He stood up, instantly wary, his body stiffening. "What are you doing here?"
"What, no hello?" she returned, annoyed.
He blinked. "You startled me."
Making her legs move, she walked over to him. "Don't sweat it Clark, I'm not here to see you. I've just about seen you every day."
"Really, I hadn't noticed," he remarked, dryly.
She had practically driven him up the wall yesterday at the police station. She liked getting an emotional response out of him and knew him well enough to get one.
"I came to see your Mom."
Not noticing the bar of soap on the ground, she stepped on it. Her legs gave way beneath her and she was suddenly falling backwards. Expecting to hit the hard impact of the ground, her fall never happened. She found herself caught up in Clark's arms. She gazed up into his handsome face. Her breath caught in her throat at the brief conflicting emotions in his eyes. What put them there? For a moment neither of them looked away. He smelled of wood-smoke and soap. She had the feeling he wanted to ask her something; something important. But the moment passed and as if suddenly aware she was still in his arms, he quickly placed her back on her feet. A sharp sudden pain in her back made her groan as she straightened.
"Are you all right?" he asked, frowning.
Not really, but Clark didn't need to know about it. "I just twisted my back. It's nothing," she dismissed.
"Judging by the pained expression on your face, Lois, it doesn't look like nothing."
"It'll be fine in a few minutes."
Shelby would happen to choose his moment, deciding to jump up on her.
"No … Shelby!" Clark exclaimed.
In a flash he was gone. She blinked. Clark had chained a now dry Shelby to the railing.
"That was fast," she remarked, amused.
"Yeah, well the last thing you needed was having Shelby jump all over you when you have a sore back."
He almost sounded concerned. She felt touched for a moment.
"There's a heat pack inside the house. Mom pulled some muscles in her back about a year ago. It might help you."
Seeing this side in Clark again warmed her in more ways than one, though she couldn't understand the sudden change?
"Okay, why don't you go ahead and get changed into some dry clothes as I make my way inside."
She didn't want him to see her move stiffly; that would then lead to questions, questions she didn't know how to answer. Talking about that day was too hard, despite the therapist telling her she needed to. Not that she was about to listen to any shrink. It was bad enough she had been forced to see one.
Clark nodded and disappeared into the house. She followed, carefully taking measured steps toward the door to test out just how bad the pain was. It was - okay. It should sort itself out over a couple of days and …
Clark stood in the doorway, watching her. Couldn't he for once get changed like a normal person? Damn his super speed.
She met his questioning gaze.
"It's an old injury, Smallville," she began, suddenly going still.
Oh crap. Did she just call him Smallville? It was being here, back in this place again.
She took a deep breath. "Nothing you just did."
"What happened?"
Now he was curious! A week ago she had been invisible to him. And as much as it had hurt, she wished for it now.
She had to Lie and make it quick.
"It happened during basic training. I strained a few ligaments."
More like severed them from the shrapnel that flew into her back. He didn't need to know that. He took the few steps towards her, and she found herself swept up in his arms once again. She was about to protest.
"Forget it, Lois. I can see you're struggling. Just swallow the tough girl act for once."
He really had become very strong-minded. Was that part of Jor-el's training too? She didn't mind this new found assertiveness of his.
As he carried her inside, she tried not to think about how nice it felt to be in his arms again. Where did she put her hands? Not his chest, Lois, don't go there. Don't look at his face either, she silently chided or his arms. Oh hell, where did she look? It would be all too easy to rest her head on his chest, drink in the smell of his spicy underarm deodorant as if no time had passed by.
He put her down next to the table. Well, this was awkward. She brushed her hair out of her eyes.
"Um – thanks, Clark."
She chanced looking up. His eyes sought hers. Why did he have to have such beautiful eyes and life didn't play fair.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
She nodded. "Umm, hmm." It was about all she could manage.
"I'll go get that heat pack."
Yes, great idea, being in close proximity to him only played havoc with her senses. She gratefully lowered herself onto a chair, watching him walk into the kitchen. It seemed surreal to be here once again, memories she sought to hold at bay had a way of returning. She thought she knew it all back then, but when she really thought about it, she had been naïve and innocent.
Clark returned with a heat pack. She took it from him, trying not to notice the way he filled out that white t-shirt he'd changed into.
She cleared her throat. "Do you have any pain killers with a strong anti-inflammatory?"
"Mom has some in the cupboard."
He disappeared into the kitchen once again and returned with two pain killers and a glass of water. She peered at the glass, then up to his face.
"I don't suppose you have anything stronger?"
"Like what?" he frowned.
"I don't know, like whiskey?"
"Lois, its midday. You can't really be thinking of alcohol now?"
Well that could be debated, she mused. Seeing the frown on his forehead and the questions in his eyes, she quickly looked away.
She was saved from having to say anything further when the door opened and Mrs. K walked in. She was such a sight for sore eyes.
"Lois," she exclaimed.
Lois gingerly stood up from the chair, and found herself caught up in Mrs. K's warm embrace. She fought back the tears.
"Mrs. K, I've missed you so much."
Mrs. K pulled back, her warm gaze skimming over her face. "It's great to see you again, Lois."
As any mother would, or the closest thing Lois had ever known as a mother, Mrs. K brushed a strand of hair back from her forehead. "You've dyed your hair?"
She self-consciously brought a hand up to the back of her neck.
"I know it's a bit extreme," she began, "Black and all, just it had suited my mood at the time. I had just come back from Iraq."
Her words trailed off there, maybe she had said too much. But Mrs. K had that understanding expression on her face and Clark already knew she'd been in Iraq, thanks to Chloe.
"It must have been rough there?"
Lois nodded. How was it that she could so willingly ditch her tough girl act whenever Mrs. K was around? If there was one person she could talk to about her experiences there, maybe it would be her. She glanced at Clark, but not with him here and definitely not with the way things were between them. It's not that he would understand or judge, Clark wasn't like that, but she couldn't bear any form of pity. She had her tough girl act to keep up.
"Now you are here, why don't you stay for lunch?"
"I'd love that."
Lois talked non-stop at the dining table. Clark didn't know how she could talk so much and eat so quickly at the same time. Her presence here unsettled him and not in an unpleasant way. Just that - he hadn't expected her to ever come back here. It seemed unreal, seeing her sitting at the table once again. Funny how she was annoyed with him knowing she'd been to Iraq, but had so openly told his mother. But his mother did have a way of softening the hardest of people.
He could sense that discussing anything that had happened to Lois in Iraq was off limits. She had also been reluctant to discuss her so-called back injury. There was more to that, and he hazarded a guess she was lying.
He couldn't help glancing at her face every now and again. Despite the fact that she talked in her usual chirpy way, there was a restrained sadness behind her eyes. Chloe's words from yesterday had played, too often, through his mind. Lois wasn't being selfish when she left you to join the Army. She truly believed that she had to let you go. Maybe that was true, but to completely sever any connection to him and for three years, indicated that she had no problems sticking to her guns. Would she have ever come to see him again of her own violation and not by chance? Did that mean that she no longer felt much for him? Or had she too, made sacrifices as much as he had? It was confusing him, leaving him feeling bothered. Irrespective of what they may or may not feel for each other, nothing could ever come of it again.
It was probably for the best that she had left. He just couldn't understand why she happened to suddenly turn up in his life again. Was fate mocking him now?
His eyes rested on her face. Now that he could so clearly see the shadows in her eyes it made him curious, and as much as he didn't want to admit it to himself – concerned.
Don't look her – don't think about it – don't show that you care because you don't. Recall the memories of how annoying she used to be. She had effectively driven him crazy yesterday. Some things didn't change.
"This is just like old times," she gushed. "Sitting around the table, chatting and eating." She glanced at him. "Only Clark seems to have forgotten how to smile."
He averted his eyes. Yep, annoying. She still liked to poke and prod. And why? She had told him that he needed to become, what he was born for; a Kryptonian. And while she might have believed she was doing the right thing, he couldn't escape the pain of her abandonment.
During his training these last three years, Jor-el had shown him what power did to men who allowed themselves to revel in human emotion. They became proud, driven by greed, driven by need to control, and brought misery upon others. You, Kal-el, have unspeakable power and you need to learn to control it, my son, harness it for the good of others. And that meant sacrifices. It meant he had to forgo all human emotion. He couldn't afford to fall in love. His life didn't entail the happy ending, a white picket fence, a loving wife to come home to and children to hold, bring up – love. He probably couldn't have children even if he wanted them. No doubt, one day, Lois would want that.
His gaze met hers. There was a teasing smile on her lips, but it really didn't hide the question in her eyes. What happened to you, Clark?
He quickly returned his attention to his meal, forcing himself to eat. The sooner she was gone the better. But trying to ignore her presence wasn't as easy as he thought it would be. Tonight, he would be visiting the fortress. Once there, he would put a stop to any budding feelings before they had the chance to resurface.
"You've lost weight, Lois," his mom said. "Have you not been taking care of yourself?"
Clark stabbed at the peas on his plate. That was an understatement. She was a twig. He chanced a glance her way, suddenly curious to hear her answer. Then cursing the curiosity.
"I just have a fast metabolism," she returned.
He snorted. "Yeah, and it has nothing to do with smoking."
Had he just said that out loud? Given the 'way to go' look she shot his way, then that would be a yes.
"You're smoking, Lois?" his Mom asked, sounding concerned.
He saw her grit her teeth, looking pissed with him. Well, it was the truth.
"Like a chimney," he couldn't help adding.
Lois' fork clattered to the table. She glared at him.
"What can I say, it was stressful in Iraq. I guess I just fell back into the bad habit of smoking."
"Well, I'm sure you'll give it up when you're ready, Lois," his Mom said, patting her hand, giving him a 'take it easy on her' look.
He lowered his eyes. No doubt it would have been stressful. He wasn't being hard on her, he was merely pointing out the truth. He didn't care what she did, he told himself, as he had done countless times already that week.
It seemed Clark wasn't the only one suffering here. Lois was a former shadow of herself, not that it was noticeable on the outside. She was good at bluffing and pretending. But Martha could sense the girl was struggling. Her tough outer shell had taken some heavy knocks, and she was in a more fragile state than she would let anyone see or know.
She needs you Clark. But they were words he wasn't ready to hear. And Clark needed her, more than ever. It was up to them to find their way back to each other. Martha wanted to remain optimistic.
"She really isn't herself," she spoke in the cool afternoon air, as Lois' car drove away.
"I need to go to the fortress," he said.
She turned her gaze to his. No – No! She caught him by the arm as he began to walk down the steps.
"Don't go, Clark, please."
He stopped. She had to reach him. She had to try. "Every time you come back from there, it's as if another part of you is gone. There is hardly anything left of Clark Kent."
Her voice broke off there. Tears sprung to her eyes. Why did she feel like she was fighting a losing battle?
"It's for the best, mom," he sighed.
"No, it's not!" she snapped.
"It's the only way I can deal with – what I have to do."
She knew her son well enough to get the pain behind the words, a life he felt he couldn't have because of what he was and his destiny.
"Then hug me before you go."
His arms went around her, and held her. She allowed herself to take small comfort. He wasn't totally lost to her yet. "It'll be okay, Mom," he murmured.
In a flash he was gone. She stood, alone and bereft, shivering in the cool air. Both Clark and Lois were suffering, and there was nothing she could do about it.
Clark stormed into the fortress. "Jor-El," he called, "Why is it that I can still feel? I thought you could fix that."
"I am limited in what I can do to you, Kal-El."
"What do you mean?"
"I can train you, call you and put thoughts into your mind, but I cannot control what you feel."
"You said you could!"
"I have only ever shown you the Kryptonian way, given you all the knowledge that you need. I've instilled ways in which you can deal with your emotions."
"It's not enough."
He was met with silence. Typical, but maybe this would get a reaction from Jor-el. "Lois is back. You know, the girl who you warned to leave me."
There, give him that, Clark could imagine the response.
"What interaction you have with the human girl is up to you, Kal-el. At that time it was imperative that you completed your training, which you have now done."
What did he mean by that? "So, it doesn't matter if Lois is in my life?"
"The human woman has a strong moral conscience."
She did, it was one of the things he had lov – liked about her.
"It's up to you, Kal-El, how you deal with the human emotions that you grew up with. I cannot change what was done to you as a child, or your experiences growing up with humans. Those experiences play a part in shaping what you become."
He always ran at night when feeling uptight. He'd run for hours and hours, till his powers were completely depleted. With no sun to re-charge his batteries, it was the closest he could come to feeling – human. By the time he returned to the farm, the thirst would be so overwhelming that he would drink one glass of water after another. The sweet relief of the water filling him, felt like bliss. He'd stagger into bed, falling into a deep sleep, and for a time, he could forget everything.
His Mom was shaking him awake.
"Clark. Don't you have work, Clark?"
He sat up startled, blinking the sleep out of his eyes and running a hand through his hair.
"What's the time?"
"Seven."
He stumbled out of bed. Feeling groggy, he pushed the curtains back to let the sun in. Soon as the sun hit his body, pure energy filled him. His hands rested on the window sill.
"You weren't gone for long?" his Mom spoke from behind.
He had forgotten she was there. Turning around, he reached for his shirt.
"Jor-el couldn't help me."
He could see the sudden relief in her eyes. "Emotions are not a bad thing, Clark. You can deny it all you want, but they also make us part of who we are."
"Jor-el said much the same thing," he muttered, tugging his shirt on.
Surprise crossed her face. "Oh, maybe Kryptonian parenting isn't so different from us?"
"A voice in a Fortress hardly makes a parent."
Buttoning up his shirt, he noticed the thoughtful expression on his Mom's face.
"I guess this sudden distraction wouldn't happen to do with Lois' return."
He scowled at her. "No."
And yes. Who was he kidding? Only himself. Lois returning back into his world had turned it upside down; once again. She was the reason for the sudden break in his concentration. The last thing he had expected was for her to rock up at the farm. There was no escaping her. Although she had been there to see his Mom, not him, and why?
His Mom had that knowing look in her eyes. There was no fooling her.
"I'm going to have a shower."
When he descended the stairs, dressed in his police uniform, his Mom dumped a large bag full of food in his arms.
"Do you know where Lois lives?"
"Yes." Dare he ask "why?"
"Can you give that bag of food to her?"
He looked at her suspiciously. What was his Mom up to now? Was this some ploy to get him to see her? It seemed he was never going to escape Lois now she was back in his life.
"I'm worried about her," his Mom continued.
It wasn't unusual for his Mom to be thoughtful. He looked up to find her watching him.
"You can't tell me, Clark, that when you look at Lois you don't see she is struggling?"
Of course he did. But he didn't want to see it.
"If you're trying to get me and Lois together, don't. It's not going to happen."
She sighed. "I'm not, but she was your friend once, Clark. I don't see why you have to lose that?"
He didn't want to start connecting with her again, risk feeling too much. But looking into his Mom's eyes, he never had been able to let her down.
He nodded. "Okay."
Clark knocked on her apartment door. He waited patiently for a minute. When there was no answer he knocked again.
"Lois," he called. "It's me, Clark."
He heard a thump, swearing and the door before him was suddenly yanked open. She looked pale, maybe because of the darkness of her wild messy hair.
"My Mom wanted me to bring some food over to you …" his voice broke off there, when she shoved a hand over her mouth and ran to the bathroom.
He cautiously stepped into her unit. He could hear her heaving in the toilet bowl as he placed the bag he carried onto the table.
Was she all right?
"Lois," he called out.
"I'll be right there, Clark."
His eyes wandered around the apartment, from the ashtray on the window sill, numerous boxes of coffee sachets and half empty bottle of whiskey near the sink. Is this what her staple diet consisted of; caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes?
Lois re-appeared from the bathroom, looking pale but composed. She'd brushed her hair, and put on a jacket.
"Are you feeling okay?"
"It's self-inflicted, I'll live," she murmured. "Apparently alcohol and strong pain killers are not a good mix."
That didn't reassure him any. He had worked long enough in the police force to recognise the tell-tale signs of PTSD. Maybe his Mom was right. But then Lois did like to drink. He didn't know what to say or think.
She looked awkward, and moved stiffly towards him, her eyes resting on the bag. The real reason as to why he was here.
"My Mom's worried about you, she wanted me to bring over some food."
Lois peered into the bag, a slow smile turning up the corners of her mouth. "That's sweet of her."
She began pulling food items out of the bag. His eyes rested on her hair. It was still kind of on the shortish side, had she always kept it that way whilst in the Army? And she had dyed it black after returning from Iraq, 'It suited my mood.' Her mood – did that mean she had been in a bad way? Half a dozen questions began to formulate in his mind. He wanted to know. It's not your place to ask, he reminded himself. If she wanted to talk about it she would.
"How is your back?"
"Better," she returned, and held up a blueberry muffin.
"This bring back memories, Smallville," she grinned.
Smallville, he mused, why was she still calling him that? He looked at the muffin in her hand. 'We can't all be goody two-shoes straight 'A' students like you, Clarkie.'
"Yeah, you stole my lunch," he grumbled. "You implied I was boring and you called me tubby."
Her smile widened. "Those were the days."
He almost found himself smiling in return. As much as she frustrated him, she always did have a way of amusing him.
"What is your Mom trying to do? Fatten me up?" she quipped.
His eyes skimmed over her skinny frame.
"You need fattening up."
She took a bite out of the muffin. "What every girl dreams of hearing. I'm sure I'll have fun eating my way back to health."
It was getting harder not to respond. She was too likeable. He cursed the fact that no matter how many years passed by, he still felt drawn to her.
She made him feel normal. She always had.
Jor-el's words from last night came back to mind; what interaction you have with the human girl is up to you, Kal-el.
At least his father wouldn't intervene if he did get in a relationship with Lois, not that he was about to. Relationships were a no-go zone for him.
A tabby cat leapt up on to the bench, appearing out of nowhere. Clark looked at it, startled.
"You have a cat?"
The look of disbelief on his face brought a smile to her lips.
"It decided to call this place home."
Clark reached out a hand to pat the cantankerous cat. "Um, I wouldn't Clark, he hates peop …"
Her voice broke off there as the cat arched its back when Clark's big hand swept over it.
She shook her head amused. Of course the only person the cat would happen to like is Clark.
"What are you? Some kind of animal whisperer? Next thing you'll be telling me you can talk to animals, and it's one of your powers or something."
He smiled. She blinked shocked. Clark was smiling?! It would appear the only thing to make Clark smile these days were animals. She wanted to bask in the sudden warmth of that smile.
"Not that I'm aware of," he returned.
Cat, was really disgracing himself, lying on its back as Clark rubbed its belly, purring in pure contentment. Clark, appearing preoccupied by the cat's behaviour, tickled under its chin. She found herself beginning to envy the affection he was giving it. Great, she was now jealous of a cat.
"Does he have a name?" he asked.
"No, just cat."
He glanced her way, bemused. "Lois, he needs a name."
"Once you name something, you form an attachment to it."
Damn, she shouldn't have said that. Nick names excluded she felt like adding. She could see the curiosity in his eyes.
"You know me," she shrugged in a nonchalant way. "I'm never in one place for long."
A shadow passed over his face. "I know."
The awkwardness was back.
He shoved his hands in his pockets. "I should go. I'm already late for work."
"Oh crap, that makes two of us," she muttered.
She quickly opened the door for him, eager to see him go. He would happen to call by when she looked like something – the cat had dragged in. Puking in the toilet bowl, with him there, was embarrassing enough. Why did he always have to catch her at her worst?
"Thanks for the food, Small … Clark."
"You're welcome, Lois."
He tore his gaze away from hers.
"I'll see what leads I can find on that Bob guy."
He nodded. "Me too."
Closing the door behind him, she slumped against it, taking a deep breath. Okay, Lois, time to get yourself sorted.
She had a quick shower, dragged a brush through her hair, frowning at her pale reflection. Maybe she should think about dying her hair brown? Black, it was so –austere. She needed a change.
Lois entered the Daily planet, her thoughts drifting to Clark Kent. For the last two mornings he had knocked on her door, leaving a brown paper bag with a toasted ham, cheese and tomato sandwich. Her favourite. He hadn't forgotten. Of course the man himself was never there when she opened the door, just the brown paper bag on the doorstep, but she would catch a whiff of his aftershave.
She smiled to herself as she placed her handbag on her desk. Was it possible that Clark still cared just a bit? Or was it Mrs. K, nagging him to make sure she was eating properly? Whatever the reason, it put her in a good frame of mind for the day. Though, she hadn't seen him these last three days, and she had to wonder if he was avoiding her? Or was it because murderers were taking a holiday? It had been quiet on the Western front.
So far she hadn't been able to find any leads on Bob, but then Grant Gabriel had been keeping her busy with other mundane stories. There was only one word to sum up that man; annoying but likeable. Okay, so that was two words. She saw a lot of him, too much actually. Was he possibly interested in her? Normally she wouldn't mind, but she was currently sworn off all men.
It wasn't long before he tracked her down, telling her she had to attend some Charity ball Lex Luthor was hosting, was he serious?
"Don't give me that look, Lane. It's part of your job."
She folded her arms, as he leaned against her desk, making himself perfectly at home.
"I'll meet you there at 8.00pm tonight," he continued. "It's formal. You need to dress up."
She was silently fuming. "I'm not writing any favourable story on him."
He raised a quizzical eyebrow. "Why?"
"I don't trust him."
"You know him personally?"
"No … but I know enough about him."
Grant straightened up. "Try to be objective."
She glared up at him.
"I like your hair that colour, Lane. It's much softer on your face."
If he thought a compliment would put her in a better frame of mind then he was wrong.
"Don't try and sweet talk me."
He grinned. "Don't be late." And walked off in that determined cocky stride of his.
Damn, she didn't have any dresses. Guess that meant she had to go shopping. She had already spent fifty dollars at the hair salon yesterday, having her hair dyed back to brown. The last thing she needed was to fork out more money on a dress.
Chloe fastened a diamond stud ear-ring to her ear lobe. Jimmy, she could tell, was not happy.
"He's my friend. I said I would go as a favour."
"He can't get a date on his own?"
"It's a last minute thing, Jimmy."
"And he's a good looking guy. It wouldn't be hard for him to pick up girls."
"Clark's – kind of shy. Everything with him is a very slow process. He doesn't just randomly pick up girls."
"What's wrong with him?"
Chloe sighed, turning to face him. "You know I adore you and you don't get much more honourable than Clark Kent, trust me."
He sighed, resting his hands on her shoulders. "I do trust you. I just don't understand why you have to go."
She could hardly tell Jimmy it was because she couldn't let Clark go on his own. It was Lex Luthor, she had to be there just in case – something went wrong. She couldn't explain the 'must protect Clark' to him. The other thing that confused her was why she hadn't been asked to attend the charity ball from work? Normally she had to attend such things.
"And why is C.K. even going to this ball?"
She chewed on her lip. "He and Lex are old friends."
Jimmy frowned. "Really?" A puzzled frown dented his forehead. "Huh, he doesn't seem the type to be friends with Lex."
"It goes way back to our freshman year in high school."
"The mystery that surrounds Clark Kent."
She frowned. "Mystery?"
"Think about it. Your overprotectiveness of him, as if he has some secret, and he's friends with Lex."
Chloe turned back to the mirror and fastened the other diamond ear-ring. Jimmy was too astute for his own good. He was like one of those blood hounds, once he'd sniffed out something odd, he didn't relent when it came to the trail.
"Why would Lex be interested in a guy who grew up on a farm?"
She inwardly sighed. "Maybe because Clark saved his life."
Jimmy blinked. "Oh." She could still see him mulling it over in his mind. "A thankyou gift wouldn't have sufficed?"
It was time to get out of there before Jimmy asked any more questions. Turning to him, she gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Who knows the mind of Lex Luthor?"
Lois found Grant Gabriel waiting for her in the lobby of the Luthorcorp Plaza. A hundred dollars later, and spending an hour getting ready, had put her in a bad mood.
His eyes wandered over her with male appreciation. "Wow, you look amazing, Lane."
She felt like stabbing him in the eye with one of her high heels, but part of her warmed at the compliment. Okay, maybe the hundred dollars hadn't been spent in vain. She hadn't looked this good in a while.
He held out his arm to her. She begrudgingly took it.
"Behave, Lane."
She merely snorted, as if that would happen.
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A/N: Thanks for reading. I know not much action takes place in this chapter, just lots of Clark/Lois interaction. Hope you don't mind? There will be plenty of Lex Luthor next chapter and some interesting plot twists.
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