Chapter 25: I Won't let you Go- James Morrison

Say those words, say those words like there's nothing else. Close your eyes and you might believe that there is some way out. Open up, open up your heart to me now. Let it all come pouring out. There's nothing I can't take.

Watchtower

"Are you sure it's ready?" Oliver asked while Tess was helping Emil set up the technology.

Emil's eyes were still glued to the generator as he answered Oliver, "We're not quite sure if it's effective, for now it's just a test subject and we can see where we can go from the results."

Oliver pursed his lips while nodding, circling the object Emil was setting up, "Alright so explain to me what this little thingamabob is?"

Tess replied, "This was what we used to piece together the mirror box when Clark destroyed it. Emil made some modifications to it and combined it with the technology I had that generated the crystal of knowledge when I tried to activate it."

Oliver crossed his arms and furrowed his brows, "And how exactly will that locate something literally out of this plane of existence? I mean we're basically talking about going to the land of OZ here."

Emil smirked at Oliver, "When repairing the mirror box, I had collected a sample of a shard of the mirror box. We're hoping that the generator can activate the particles of the mirror box that are in this technology using the sample and possibly locate it wherever it is... like I said this is just a test subject we're just hoping to get a reaction that could give us a lead on where it is."

"I really hope you know what you're doing Emil, I funded a lot for this." He teased.

Tess rolled her eyes at him and stood next to him, "You're funding for this was money well spent compared to the green leather suit you constantly have to replace after every battle."

Oliver scoffed at her, "Hey enough with the green leather jokes! I've been hearing about this for like 10 years!" Emil chuckled as they all looked up when the doors opened and Kara and Chloe walked in.

Tess looked back at Kara in surprise, "I didn't know you were coming... I thought you said you were patrolling the Middle East today?"

Looking back at Chloe, Kara answered Tess, "Yeah I was, I just wanted to see if this technology was going to work. It does involve my counterpart cousin." Tess nodded, not questioning any further.

Walking over to Emil, Chloe asked, "So are you all set with the machine?"

Nodding, Emil replied, "Almost."

"How are you going to activate this generator?" Kara asked, "It's not plugged into anything..."

Emil turned to her, "It's computer generated it doesn't need a plug, I just need to put in a series of numbers, and click a switch."

Kara raised her brow, "That's it? Those simple steps can locate the mirror box? Seems farfetched to me."

Chloe shrugged, "It's just a prototype whether it works or not, we're not expecting to find the box this instant, just see if it can locate-"

Without turning to Chloe, Kara cut her off with a stern tone, "I don't remember asking you Chloe." Everyone was taken aback by her coldness towards her including Chloe, who's lips parted, astonished, but no one said a word.

Oliver looked back and forth at the two of them as Kara looked straight ahead, "Did I miss something here? Kara is there something you want to share with the class?"

Everyone waited as Kara sighed, "I'm just having a bad day, forget about it. Let's just get this over with."

Without another word, Emil nodded and turned to the technology as he began to activate it. After typing some stuff on the computer, he turned to flip the switch, "Here goes nothing." Everyone waited as he flipped the switch and nothing happened, they all looked back at each other and jumped when a white light emanated from it and shot through the sky, puncturing a hole through the ceiling right through the Earth's atmosphere. Everyone ducked for cover as it continued to shoot through the sky. After 30 seconds, the light disappeared and the technology shut down. Oliver helped Chloe up and everyone took a step towards the generator.

Breathing heavily, Tess turned to Emil, "Did it work?"

Emil looked closely at it, waiting for a reaction, when it suddenly steamed up. Oliver's eyes widened, "Did it just self destruct or something?"

Emil tilted his head, "Or something... it didn't work."

Everyone sighed in disappointment, Oliver patted Emil on the shoulder, "Don't worry doc, we'll figure something out."

Huffing, Emil, took off his glasses, "I was sure it would help us somehow. I must've calculated something wrong." He paced around thinking for a moment and turned to Oliver, "I'm going to need some resources from Luthorcorp."

Oliver nodded, "Sure you want me to take you to the lab?"

Emil shook his head, "I don't mean anything technological..." Oliver furrowed his brows at him, confused, "I want to see some of Lionel Luthor's journals and see if there's any information on it... Lionel was the one who kept the mirror box all these years so he must've recorded his research on it. I mean he wouldn't just keep an alien technology without running some tests on it and recording it with ink."

Chloe walked towards the two men, "I think he's on to something Ollie. Jor-El had chosen Lionel to be his Kryptonian vessel and stored all his knowledge into his head and he subconsciously recorded all that knowledge in his journals. Dr. Swann's journal's recorded everything about the history about Krypton and about Clark's heritage... but Lionel's were all about the Kryptonian crystals and technology, as well as the Kryptonian heritage; there's got to be something in there about the mirror box." She turns to Kara, "The journal's written in Kryptonian so you're going to have to go with Tess and read through it and see if you can encrypt any passages concerning it..." Her voice trailed off when she noticed Kara's steely glare as if she wanted to throw Chloe through a wall. Swallowing hard, Chloe turned to Tess, "You have your father's journals right?"

Tess nodded, "They're in the vault at the Luthor mansion."

Chloe nodded, "Go with Kara and let us know what you find." Nodding, Tess was heading towards the elevator whereas Kara stood still, glaring back at Chloe with her arms crossed. Turning away from Kara's stare, she was making herself busy.

"Kara?" Tess called out to her as she stood by the elevators. Without flinching, Kara slowly turned to follow Tess out of Watchtower.

Chloe held her breath until they were gone, she didn't notice Oliver's hand on her shoulder as she looked up at him with a concerned face, "What's going on with her did you two have a fight?"

Looking back at him, she could see he was concerned for her, smiling back at him, Chloe held Oliver's hand on her shoulder, "Nothing I can't handle, Kara's just having a bad day..."

Oliver didn't seem convinced, "She seemed to be taking it out on you the most don't you think?"

Chloe didn't reply she simply shrugged, Oliver was about to press the subject when Emil called him over to help him manoeuvre the technology. As he was helping him out, Chloe struggled to focus on her task as one thought ran through her mind, She knows.

Queen/Sullivan Loft: 1 hour earlier

Chloe burst through her doors with J'onn close behind her heels, "Oliver's at Watchtower with Tess and Emil right now testing the technology that could potentially locate the mirror box. I have to go meet them to see if it goes well..."

J'onn nodded as they stopped in the middle of her office, "So do you think this technology will work?"

Wrapping her arms around herself, Chloe shrugged, "I can't say, I really don't know... but I hope that if we locate the mirror box, then we can find Clark too. His disappearance has got to be connected to the box."

J'onn nodded, "There's no other explanation. If we find the box then we find Clark... but Chloe even if we do find him, I can't guarantee that he's even alive he's most likely still..." He didn't finish his sentence as he saw Chloe nod in defeat.

"I know... As long as we find his body... we'll return it to his casket in the mausoleum and I'll forget ever pursuing this mission on trying to bring him back to life." She breathed in heavily and had a sudden cold feeling within her.

J'onn watched her and placed his hand on her shoulder, "We'll find him Chloe... don't give up. You're the only one of us who hasn't given up so don't do it now. And even if we can't bring him back to life... you did everything you could." She gave him a weak smile and nodded, "I have to go now. I'll speak with you soon."

"Okay. Thanks for helping me decrypt Dr. Swann's journal." Nodding, J'onn left, and as soon as he was gone, Chloe let out a deep breath, turning back to her research papers as she looked through Virgil Swann's journal she took from Clark's loft, which proved to be useless as it didn't have anything about the mirror box in it as J'onn had told her when he translated it.

After a moment of silence, she heard a loud whoosh behind her, confused; she turned to see Kara standing in front of her, looking enraged. She opened her mouth to speak, but Kara interrupted, "You and I need to have a little chat Chloe."

Swallowing hard, Chloe tried to act nonchalant, desperately hoping Kara didn't hear anything with her conversation with J'onn. Putting on a smile, Chloe tried to walk around Kara, "I'd love to sit and chat, but everyone's waiting for us at Watchtower, Emil's testing out the technology they built for the mi-" She stopped in mid sentence when Kara grabbed her arm and yanked her back in front of her in one swift movement.

"Watchtower can wait. You and I both know this is a little more important." Chloe took an unsteady breath as she turned to face Kara. She narrowed her eyes at her, "You wanna tell me what the hell is going on? What you and J'onn are hiding from the rest of us?"

"I don't know what you're talking about Kara"

Narrowing her eyes on her, Kara replied with a low growl, "Don't lie to me Chloe. No more secrets. No more lies. I want full disclosure and you owe me an explanation as to why you kidnapped Clark Kent's body and now you somehow lost it." Chloe's eyes widened, She knew, Kara continued, "After I heard your conversation with J'onn I took a visit to my cousin's casket... I x-rayed it and you know what I found... nothing. Just and empty box!" Chloe winced, "What did you do Chloe?" Kara asked in a stern tone.

Taking a deep breath Chloe pulled her arm away from Kara and she let her arm go, "Okay... I'll tell you everything." Chloe ended up telling Kara everything about when she decided to take Clark's body a month before Christmas and J'onn helped her out, preserving his body in the Fortress, asking Jor-El to give him life energy, J'onn taking him to the Sun and all their other failed attempts to try and bring him back to life, up to the part where his body suddenly disappeared when Lois activated the mirror box and brought Clark Luthor to Earth-1. Kara stood there with her mouth agape as she took in what Chloe had just told her. Pacing back and forth, Chloe spoke in a nervous tone, "Please say something..."

Kara shook her head at Chloe, "Do you have any idea what you've done Chloe? How could you do all of this without telling anyone?! You kept this from everyone! Including Oliver and Lois... Oh god Lois..." She ran her hand through her blonde locks, "She's going to flip out when she hears-"

Chloe's eyes widened as she held her hands up, "You can't tell Lois?!"

She raised her brow at Chloe, "I'm not the Martian I won't just accept your plea you can't expect me to keep this a secret!"

"Please Kara..." Chloe pleaded, "You can't tell Lois... not yet. Just let me do what I can to find Clark and then I'll tell her. I don't want to disappoint my cousin... I need you to understand I didn't do this out of my own selfishness I'm doing this for Lois. I tried to see if I can bring Clark back and hope by some kind of miracle he'll come back to us..."

Kara looked at Chloe with disbelief, "You're not god Chloe! Kal-El died a tragic death and we all need to move on from that."

Chloe huffed, "Look, in all the years I've known Clark we've both seen way too much to simply give up on each other when the impossible happens okay. When I was taken over by Brainiac the Legion said the only way to save the world was to sacrifice me. Clark wouldn't have any of that and he found a way to save the Earth and me." She shrugged, "I owed that much to give my best friend the same chance he gave me."

"Yes but you did it while keeping it a secret from EVERYONE and look at the consequences! For all you know he could be in Earth-2 and Rao knows what the people in that world are going to do with his body!" Kara exclaimed.

Taking a deep breath, Chloe replied, "I know that now. We've ruled out the possibility that he's in Earth-2"

"How could you possibly know that?!" Kara yelled out, "You lost my cousin! And you're acting like you know exactly what happened to him but the truth is you have no idea do you!"

Chloe winced, as she sighed; trying to calm her down, "Just let me find his body. Let me find Clark and then I'll tell everyone. This is my responsibility and I intend to take full responsibility... I'm just not ready to give up hope on Clark yet. Please just give me some time and find Clark. J'onn and I have come to the conclusion that when we find the mirror box we'll find Clark as well so please... let's just see how this technology that Emil built goes and see where it takes us... who knows maybe Clark's body will appear back in the Fortress today... and as soon as that happens I'll tell everyone what I did."

Kara stared at Chloe for a long time before sighing, "Fine Chloe. We'll do it your way for now. But I'm warning you, if all else fails, Lois has a right to know and it's not going to be pretty when she finds out what you've been keeping from her."

Chloe sighed and nodded, "I know. Thank you Kara."

Kara shook her head slightly, still appearing to be angry, she headed out the door, "Come on, let's see if Emil found a way to get the mirror box. You better hope this works Chloe." Without another word, Chloe followed Kara to Watchtower.

Lane Condo: Present Time

Fixing herself a cup of coffee she turns to see Clark getting up from the couch, "Turns out you were right..." She tilted her head, wondering what he was talking about, "'The Phantom Menace' is crap."

Shaking her head, Lois giggled at him, "I told you! I never lie when it comes to this. You gonna watch the other ones?"

Clark rolled his eyes at her, "After that one? I'm done with Star Wars."

Lois took a sip of her coffee while he poured himself one, "Well I guess the Indiana Jones trilogy is next."

He scoffed at her, "More Harrison Ford? Great."

Lois smirked, "There's always Die Hard. I think you'll like that, it's my favorite."

"It must suck then." She squinted her eyes at him as she turned away to pick up the paper on her dining table, "How's the story going? You find the serial killer yet?"

Lois shook her head as she sighed, "No leads other than the Michael guy. I looked into his profile and he matches the description, tall 6'4, dark hair..."

Clark smirked at her, "Yeah and so is half of Metropolis. Come on Lane I thought you were actually good at your job."

"Hey I am good at my job! This guy's just really good at covering his tracks... I'm meeting a source tomorrow who was a former Intergang member in Kansas State Penitentiary. I hope he could help me out and let me know of Michael's whereabouts." She said while looking down at the paper.

Clark's face suddenly tightened as he stepped towards her, "You're meeting a member of Intergang?" He hissed.

Lois turned to him, as she heard the sudden edge to his voice, "Well former member. Intergang doesn't exist anymore..."

Crossing his arm, Clark cautiously asked, "What do you expect to get out of him? He's probably looking for some way to get money and he's bullshitting you his information."

She smiled triumphantly, "Well considering the fact that he's still in prison he's not going to make much use of money."

Clark stared back at her, confused, "Who would you be getting information about another member like this from-" And like that, he fit the puzzle pieces together, watching Lois worry her bottom lip, his face tightened, as he fought to keep his cool, "You're meeting with Morgan Edge." He said each word slowly, through his teeth.

Clearing her throat, Lois shuffled her papers around, "He offered to give me information."

"In exchange for what?!" He exclaimed as his voice grew louder.

Her eyes met his as she moved her hair out of her face, "Well his first intention was for his freedom but I told him that's off the table since I can't control that... and then he said he won't tell me anything unless I help him get out... so instead I found another alternative to make him speak."

He raised his brow as Clark took a step towards her, "Which is..."

She fidgeted with her hands for a moment before answering him, "I found out Edge has a son... and he's been hiding that fact for nearly two decades no one knows about this. And I've found out some evidence that could put his son on Metropolis' radar... just some offenses that Morgan's helped his son get away with. He's a professional con artist. So, I was thinking of using that to make him tell me what I want." She noticed the look he was giving her as he was about to burst as she quickly came up with a defense, "Morgan will do whatever he can to protect his son's identity and I know just by using a little bit of blackmail it's get him to just tell me where Michael could be and any connections he had with the other victims."

Clark on the other hand felt something very wrong and just hearing her made him feel sick, "Do you have any idea how dangerous this is?! You really think Edge is going to just give in to blackmail?! Especially from a journalist! You're basically asking to become a walking target. You might as well hold up a sign saying, 'Shoot here I'm your enemy'!" Lois blinked, taken aback by his outburst, "Do you really think Morgan Edge is going to let you live to tell the world his son's identity regardless of the fact that you're simply investigating an ex-dirty cop on a separate case? Morgan Edge doesn't want anyone to poke their nose in his business at all! You think he doesn't still have connections to the outside world?! You're seriously delusional if you think there won't be any consequences from this Lane, this is probably the stupidest plan I've ever heard!"

Lois furrowed her brows at him, "Trust me I can handle Morgan Edge, I've had a lot of people giving me death threats just so I can drop a story and they all know I'm not one to do that. Besides he's delusional if he thinks he can get away with murdering Lois Lane without the Justice league on his ass."

Clark scoffed in disbelief, "You're just in your own little world right now. You're not invincible! You can't just walk around gathering evidence in places you shouldn't be. Even if it has nothing to do with Intergang, there's a fine line there and you're about to cross it."

Shaking her head, Lois put her mug down, "I can take care of myself thank you! For now this is purely about whether or not I should rule Michael out as a potential suspect okay! I'll deal with the rest later and if I have the opportunity to find this serial killer using a bit of blackmail I'll take it and whoever wants to come at me can try, but they won't succeed." She said with her hands on her hips.

He blinked back at her confidence, that what he just said didn't scare her one bit, as if it was just another day at the office, "Lane I've worked with Morgan Edge in my world... he obviously works under me, but I know what he's capable of. Whether he's behind bars or not he won't lose the upper hand to a Daily Planet reporter" He said in a stern tone.

Lois sighed and nodded, "That's a little late considering he's helpless in prison with no chance of parole." She turned to close her laptop, "Don't worry, I'll be fine Smallville." She froze as soon as the name left her lips. Her eyes slowly went to his as he furrowed his brows in confusion at her, completely lost at what just happened. It came out so casually, so natural out of pure impulse... She swallowed hard as she stood frozen, her eyes never left his and Clark couldn't find himself moving a muscle. She thanked god for the sudden knock on the door that saved her. They both moved at the same time. Clark walked towards the living room as Lois rushed to get the door, grinning as she saw Bruce.

"I just got a call from Ollie and got an update on the mirror box." He said as she let him in.

Lois' lips parted as her heart sank, she suddenly felt sick, as her entire body shuddered at the thought of him leaving, "What is it..." She whispered.

Bruce sighed, tilting his head at her, "Emil built a piece of technology to track it down but it was just a test shot so it didn't work out. There was apparently a bright light that shot up at the sky but as far as that nothing happened."

Lois jerked her head back in surprise, "When did this happen?"

"This morning. I was on a conference call with Wayne Industries so I couldn't be there, but Oliver said it was a complete fail so they're making a up a new plan..." His voice trailed off when he noticed Clark a few feet away with his arms crossed, listening intently. This made Bruce feel uncomfortable as he turned back to Lois, ignoring Clark Luthor, "Here's the thing... we're kind of going to need you to write about the mysterious white light shooting through the sky from Watchtower... cover our tracks and maybe say it was some basic military training exercise or something?"

Raising her eyebrow at him, Lois gave him an amused smile, "Since when does the military shoot beams of white light into space in the middle of the city." Bruce sighed and tilted his head at her which made Lois laugh as she hit him gently on the arm, "I'll do my best to spin it."

"Thank you." They both stood in awkward silence as Bruce turned to Clark who glared back at him.

"Oh no need to acknowledge me we don't need to be acquainted to talk about something that concerns me." Clark said sarcastically.

Lois cleared her throat awkwardly as Bruce turned to her, leaning forward which created an unknown rage within Clark at how close he was getting to her, "Lois can we take a walk outside for a bit? I kind of need to talk to you about some stuff... about what the League plans to do next..." Lois hesitates at first but silently gasps in surprise when she feels Clark's chest slightly brush against her back and she realized he was right behind her.

Bruce looks behind Lois to glare back at Clark, who says, "Whatever you have to say to Lane here you can say to me. Besides, anything about the mirror box involves me too so enough with the secrets Wayne." He said in a stern tone.

Bruce narrowed his eyes at Clark, "This is more of a private matter not everything concerns you Luthor." He looks down at Lois as his features become softer, "Lo, do you mind?"

"Well... I don't think I should leave Clark alone..."

Bruce chuckled at her, "He's a big boy Lois I think he can handle being on his own for a bit... then again you never know with this one. After the little stunts he pulled at Watchtower maybe he does need to be treated like a little b*tch." He nodded towards Clark.

Clark growled and took a step towards him while made his chest hit Lois' back as she jumped forward with him. Impulsively, Lois turned and put her hands on his chest, "Whoa back off Clark! He's just messing around!" Lois raised both her brows as looked back at the two men, realizing she was wedged in between them. Clearing her throat once again, Lois turned back to Clark, "Clark?" He didn't seem to hear her as he continued to give Bruce death glares, "Clark!" He finally looked down at her as she gave him a weak smile, "Do you mind watching Chris for me while I step out?"

Clark blinked, taken aback that she had chosen to go with Wayne, unable to say anything else he gave her a stiff nod, stepping away from Bruce. She was about to get her jacket as Bruce called out, "Why don't you bring Chris too? I miss the little guy." Hearing that made Clark's blood broil he just wanted to knock him out, and cause him serious pain, mind blowing pain.

Lois shouted behind her as she went to her room, "He's sleeping right now I don't think he'll like either of us that much if we wake him up."

Chuckling Bruce responded, "Aw are you kidding, the kid loves me. Every time I come over he looks at me like I'm Santa." As he spoke he watched Clark to see his reaction who was gritting his teeth, turning to watch Lois come back with her purse.

She laughed at him, "That's true, probably cause of all the toys you spoil him with you might as well be." She said as she narrowed her eyes at him. Bruce shrugged innocently. She turned to Clark, "I'll be back soon okay?" Clark didn't answer her as he walked away. Lois sighed as she turned back to Bruce and he led her outside. They walked to his car and Lois squealed with excitement, "I love when you take the Lotus!"

Bruce chuckled, "I know you do."

"Aw you took it out just for me?" She teased as he opened the door for her.

"Something like that" He said as she got in, but didn't hear him.

They drove off as Clark looked down from the balcony, shaking his head to himself as he saw them drive off, confused at why he was feeling so... angry? He scoffed, why would he get angry at that? Lane and Bruce can do whatever the hell they wanted for all he cared. As he thought about her, and what they might be doing together, made his anger rise even more, until he heard Chris calling out for his mother in his room. Sudden his rage went away at the sound of that boy's voice. Turning around, he faced the hall that led to his room, as his calls became louder. Sighing, he headed down the hall and opened the door to see Chris leaning against the crib, with his dark hair messed up like he rolled around during his nap. Smiling at that, Clark spoke up, "You're mom's not here." Chris simply gave him a blank stare and Clark never felt so stupid, of course an 18 month old wouldn't understand that. Chris held out his hands towards Clark, who was still standing at the doorway. Clark's eyes widened as he shifted his weight from one leg to the other. Chris simply stood impatiently against his crib waiting for Clark to hold him. Sighing in defeat, Clark slowly and cautiously walked towards the baby and extended his arms out to him, lifting Chris out of the crib as Chris comfortably settled into his arms, wrapping his tiny hands around his neck. Clark stared back at Chris face for a long time and Chris had wide beady eyes before he broke into a smile and giggled loudly. Clark smiled back at him and took him out to the living room, trying to put him down in his playpen, but Chris threw a hissy fit, not wanting to be put down as he clung to Clark's shirt for dear life. Clark surrendered and held him up again, "Alright, what do you want?" He asked. Chris mumbled a whole bunch of noises together which made no sense as Clark looked around for help.

Chris put both palms on his cheeks and leaned his forehead against his, "Hoongy!" He squealed out.

Clark blinked a couple of times, "You're hungry?" Chris giggled and buried his face in the crook of his neck. Clark found himself chuckling as well as he went to the kitchen, "Let's see what your mom left you." He went to the fridge where there was milk in the bottle, and then went to the cabinet where there was smushed baby food. Debating for a while, Clark went with the milk, no way was he feeding a baby, Chris could feed himself. He took out the milk and was about to hand it to Chris but stopped for a moment, trying to remember what Lois always did. Putting the bottle in the microwave, Clark gave Chris his bottle and as soon as it was in his hands, his eyes lit up and he drank it vigorously as Clark smiled, "You weren't kidding when you said you were 'hoongy'." He teased.

Finally putting Chris down on the floor, Clark sat down next to him and opened up his toy chest. Chris pulled himself up and pulled out a bunch of toys out, handing each one to Clark to hold. Clark smiled as he plopped down on the floor and started playing with his toys, and then giving it to Clark play with it the same way. Clark pulled out the 'Whack-a-Mole' game as they started playing together and Chris jumped up and laughed whenever Clark hit a mole every time, and he helped Chris actually hit the mole on the head.

Meanwhile Bruce had finally come to a stop by the park as he and Lois walked down the lake. She looked back at the water as they walked, "This is so nice. I haven't been here in so long. I've been so busy with work that I pretty much forgot this existed. I should take Chris here soon." She said as Bruce listened to her intently. She turned back to him with a grin, "So what'd you want to talk to me about?" Bruce nodded as he filled her in on what the league was planning, how Kara was currently encrypting Lionel's journals back when Jor-El used him as a vessel. Lois nodded as he spoke and when he was done, the corner of her mouth curved up, "That's not what you actually wanted to talk about is it?"

He smiled back at her as he looked down at his feet, "How'd you know?"

They came to a stop at a cliff which had a full view of the lake and Lois propped herself down on the ledge as Bruce did the same. She swung her legs back and forth as they looked back at the lake, "Cause you could've easily told me this back at my house if that was all, along with the first attempt at trying to locate the box... but you kept that part of information as a back up to lead up to what you actually wanted to talk to me about... some private matter." She nudged him as he smiled which didn't meet his eyes, "What is it Bruce?" He looked into her eyes as she waited, "You know you can talk to me about anything."

Taking a deep breath, Bruce realized, It's time. He stayed silent for a long while which made Lois incredibly uncomfortable, but soon enough, he finally spoke up, "How long have we known each other Lo?"

Pursing her lips, Lois thought for a moment, "I think it's about 8 years? And counting" She teased.

Nodding, Bruce agreed, "Yeah... 8 years. I've been seeing things real differently lately, feeling something that I haven't felt in a long time, feeling something for you." Lois blinked, taken aback by that. Bruce took her hand in his as he looked into her hazel eyes, "There's no other way to lead up to this smoothly so I'll just say it... I'm in love with you Lois Lane." Lois' lips parted, completely speechless as he continued, "I think I've been feeling this way for a long time now. We've gotten to be really close since... you know." Lois swallowed hard at that, "I just... there was something about you which made my heart skip a beat, you just made me smile and that rarely happens, and being around you and Chris it just... I love being around you two, being a part of your lives made me feel complete... and somewhere along the way I fell in love with you. I just... I needed you to know that. I love you Lo."

Lois inhaled a deep breath and turned her head to look straight into the lake, "Oh wow... I... I had no idea." He stayed silent, waiting for her to speak as she took it all in. She did not see that coming, and then she thought back to what he said before,

She's got to have those eyes, those kind of eyes that could see right through the bullshit, to the good in someone. She needs to be down to Earth, have a fierce independence in her, and a generous heart with staggering kindness...

Tears formed in Lois' eyes when she came to the realization he was talking about her that time they went out for lunch the day after her birthday. She turned to him and squeezed his hand, "I love you Bruce. I do... but..." Her voice trailed off when she saw him smile, as she continued, "You're my best friend. You've helped me go through so much... I mean I think you of all people know about all the crap I'm feeling inside more than anyone and you understand it. You being here with me makes me happy..." Her voice cracked as she fought hard not to cry, "I'm so sorry Bruce... but I don't feel the same way... I love you as a dear friend..." She said softly.

Bruce looked down at their hands for a long while, playing with the bracelet he got her for Christmas, the Phoenix charm between his fingers, before looking up at her again, "It's pretty much what I was expecting ... I know your heart always belonged to Clark." Lois tilted her head, swallowing hard, "I love you Lois. I think I have for a long time now, but it was okay when you were with Clark. I guess I always thought your hearts were the same."

She wrapped both of her arms around his and leaned her head against his shoulder, "I'm so sorry Bruce... I never knew. I just..." She winced, "I don't want to lose you now that-"

Bruce chuckled under his breath, "Don't be sorry Lo. No matter what I'm not going anywhere. I always knew you wouldn't feel the same way. But I just want you to know something. Getting to be here with you right now, being in your life and Chris'... I would give it all up if it could bring Clark back."

Lois choked back tears as she squeezed his arm, "Thank you" She whispered softly as he kissed the top of her head while they sat there in silence, looking down at the lake, "Why did you keep it in for so long?"

Bruce looked back down at her bracelet, taking a deep breath, "Cause you needed a friend more than anything. I wanted to wait till you were able to deal with it, until you were ready to hear it, cause I knew no matter when I'd say it... you wouldn't feel the same. There was always a part of me that was hoping you'd feel the same so I wanted to take a chance and tell you now, but it was okay, cause I'd be fine with just being your friend, I'm not letting you go Lois. I'm still here you won't lose me." Lois closed her eyes, inwardly thanking Bruce for being the person that he is.

About two hours later, Bruce dropped her off in front of the entrance as she turned to him, "Thank you Bruce... for everything. For what it's worth I'm glad you're in my life."

Bruce stared back at her, nodding, "Goodnight Lois." She leaned in to hug him as he breathed in her scent, while she wrapped her arms around his neck. As she pulled away, Bruce tugged her waist closer to him as he leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. He took her by surprise she didn't see it coming. She sat stiff for a moment, and soon reciprocated as he kissed her gently, cupping her face, breathing in her scent, while she moved her lips against his when he slowly pulled away, winking at her, "I always wanted to do that."

Lois stood with her lips parted in shock and soon broke into laughter and held up a finger, "Never again though."

He nodded grinning back at her, "Fair enough." She got out of the car and waved goodbye as she breathed in the breeze that swept by her face as she entered the lobby, unaware that Clark Luthor stood outside her balcony from above, witnessing the whole thing, gripping the railing so hard his knuckles turned white.

More updates coming soon;)

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