Clark's eyes slowly fluttered open to find Lois stirring restlessly in her sleep during the night. She kept shifting her position from lying with her head on his chest, to rolling over and laying on her back, to his chest again. She didn't stay still for longer than five minutes.
"Lois, you awake?"
"Ugh!" She huffed and then settled herself on her back again.
"What's wrong?"
"I can't get comfortable." She grumbled. He rolled onto his side and faced her, smiling sympathetically.
"Can I do anything?"
"No, I just…" She squirmed a little more and rolled over to face him. "I can feel him moving. It's like he has ants in his pants." They often called the baby a 'he' now, it was easier than saying he or she. Clark chuckled at the image she presented and spread his large hand over her equally large bump.
He sighed, disappointed. "I can't feel anything yet."
"We should be able to feel it by now." She frowned. "I'm six months pregnant Clark, I feel him squirming around in here all the time but I have yet to feel him actually kick."
The worried tone of her voice had Clark leaning his head down to her belly, placing his ear against her bump as he listened. No matter how many times he heard it, it never failed to amaze him.
"He's fine Lo don't worry, I can hear the heartbeat. It's strong. And I can actually hear him moving around in there." He said, in awe. "Maybe we can't feel it for the same reason we can't see him. Maybe the baby's protected by…"
She cut him off by saying. "I just wish we could see what's actually going on in there. It's so frustrating. We're missing it Clark, he's growing and we're missing it. It's okay for you, you can hear it."
Clark brought his head back up and leaned forward to capture her lips in a loving kiss, hoping to bring her some comfort. It occurred to him that when he first found out, he was the one freaking out about the safety of his wife and child and now things were on the other foot, Lois was worrying and he was the one calming her down.
He wrapped an arm around her waist and brought her in close, smoothing his hand up and down her back as she deepened the kiss. She hooked one of her legs over his and groaned as his lips moved to her neck.
Clark could never get enough of this woman, she was irresistible to him. Her skin was so soft, and smelled fantastic, he just wanted to cover every inch of it with his kisses. It was intoxicating. Every sense he had, was filled by her.
Pregnancy definitely agreed with her, he thought. She looked amazing. Her curves were filling out in all the right places, and her eyes held a twinkle that he hadn't seen for a while.
"It'll be okay Lois, I promise." He whispered against her shoulder.
As he began unbuttoning her flannel shirt, he nibbled his way along her collar bone, eliciting a moan from her. He felt her fingers tangle in his hair and as he pulled back to look at her, he saw the love shining in those hazel eyes that held him so captivated.
"Are you feeling a little better now?" He asked.
"Not really, you're pressing the baby into my bladder Smallville and now I have to pee." She chuckled.
"Oh, sorry." He let her go and watched her walk through to the bathroom, his flannel shirt coming down to her bare thighs, her brown, wavy hair swinging as she walked. He closed his eyes and laid back down, smiling as he heard her humming a lullaby to their child. It was a habit she'd developed lately and she didn't even know she was doing it half the time.
Every time he heard her talking to their baby, his heart skipped a beat and part of him just still couldn't accept that it was really happening. Things like this just didn't happen for Clark Kent. He had been so happy when he'd married Lois that he thought that that was it. That was all he was getting and he would've been perfectly happy with just that. She was more than he deserved.
But now, he was gonna be a dad. He was excited beyond belief, he couldn't wait for the day when he would be able to see his little baby, but a very small part of him still wondered whether he was cut out to be a father.
"Clark?" He opened his eyes to see her standing in the doorway. "Do you think I waddle?"
"What?" He almost let out a burst of laughter at her question but the serious expression she wore told him it wouldn't be a good idea. Her moods were all over the place lately. Lois was by far, the strongest woman he knew, but even she was no match for the raging hormones and every so often, he would see her with barely disguised tears that appeared over nothing.
"Chloe says I waddle now." She replied, walking over to the bed. He couldn't believe his eyes. Was Lois Lane-Kent pouting? Couldn't be. Lois never pouted. "Is that true?"
"No, of course not. Chloe shouldn't have said that. Come here." He held the duvet up for her to climb in, making a mental note to have a word with Chloe Olsen, and once she was settled, he wrapped it around her and held her body close to his.
"You're biased anyway but I love you for it." She mumbled. "I didn't think I was big enough to be waddling just yet."
"Lois, you don't waddle. Trust me, I know." She raised her head to grin at him. Her hair was all mussed up, her cheeks were flushed, but in that moment, she looked so incredibly sexy it was all he could do to keep his hands off her.
"So you're still checking me out huh?" She teased.
Without thinking, he replied. "You're kinda hard to miss Lo…"
Clark's smile faded as he realised that what he'd just said had hit a rather delicate nerve and before she sat up and turned away from him, he saw tears build in her eyes.
"No Lois, hey I didn't mean…" He tried to pull her back towards him but she turned to him with angry eyes. "I just meant that you're too beautiful to…"
"Don't!" She said, and she pushed him back. The next thing Clark knew, he had landed on the floor beside the bed with a loud thud. What the…?
He peered over the bed to see Lois sitting there looking at him in surprise but as soon as she saw the look of what he could only guess was complete shock on his face, she burst out laughing.
"Oh my God, that was so funny Smallville…" She said, holding her sides as the laughter kept coming. "You should see your face!"
"Lois," He climbed back up onto the bed. He didn't think she realised just what this meant. Heck, he didn't even know what it meant.
"What?" She wiped the tears from her eyes, the laughter slowly beginning to subside.
"You pushed me off the bed." His tone just made her laugh even more, until she started to get a stitch in her side and had to stop.
"Oh don't complain Smallville, you deserved it for that comment and besides, its not like it hurt you." She chuckled, turning to face him.
"No Lois you don't get it…you pushed me. You pushed me…"
"So? Oh…" Finally she got what he was trying to say. "How did I do that?"
"I don't know, maybe you're getting stronger."
"Is that possible?"
"You're asking me? How am I supposed to know?" Suddenly, without warning, she leaned over and punched him hard.
"Hey!" He grabbed his arm and rubbed it, his eyes shooting to hers as he realised that he shouldn't have been able to feel that, and more to the point, it actually hurt a little.
"Huh, guess I am getting stronger. Do you think it's normal?"
He raised an eyebrow at her. "Lois, nothing about this pregnancy is normal."
She shrugged her shoulders. "Well, we're seeing Helen tomorrow anyway, we can ask her about it then."
He nodded but was too preoccupied with his own thoughts that he didn't notice the gleam enter Lois' eyes.
"Well, you're up, I'm up…What are we going to do about this?" She said, her voice soft and quiet as she lifted a leg and straddled his lap. Wrapping her arms around his neck she leaned in and whispered in his ear. "I have an idea."
It sent shockwaves down his spine and as he looked up into her eyes, he was powerless to resist. The second her lips connected with his, he had a hard time trying to even remember what they'd been talking about in the first place.
Finally he decided to stop thinking and start feeling. He rolled Lois over onto her back and began his assault on her neck again. Women were strange, that he knew, but they were even more so when they were pregnant. Hormones made them do and say the weirdest things. And they weren't carrying half-Kryptonian babies.
Slowly, Clark unbuttoned her shirt, kissing his way down her neck, chest and finally reaching her stomach. She flinched a little as he placed both hands on her bump and he looked up to see a frown on her face. A thought occurred to him, but he couldn't believe it. Did Lois think she was unattractive to him now?
All the books he'd been reading had prepared him for the possibility but he never actually thought she would think that way. Knowing that words would not be enough to take away her fears, Clark leaned his head down and kissed her stomach lovingly.
He didn't need words. He was going to show her exactly how beautiful she was to him.
"Morning Lois, I got you your tea." Toby said, holding out a steaming mug for her as soon as she stepped inside the bullpen, complete with puppy dog eyes.
"Oh, thanks Toby." She smiled politely at him and took it, but even Toby couldn't rival the puppy dog look that Clark gave. That man could melt her heart in two seconds flat. And after last night, she was feeling so loved that not even Perry's barking could irritate her.
"Lane!" He bellowed as he stormed in.
"Lane-Kent." She murmured, though she didn't know why she bothered. He never listened. She shrugged out of her winter coat and looked over at him, chuckling at the impending storm coming her way. The man was going to give himself an ulcer one of these days.
"Yes chief?" She said, knowing that it would only fuel the fires but unable to resist.
"Where's Kent?" He stopped a foot away from her desk, his cheeks showing the familiar redness he always got when he was hyped up about something.
"He's running a couple of errands…"
"I don't care Lois! Get down to the Regency Hotel ASAP. There's a guy on the roof threatening to jump. We all know he'll be there so make sure you get some quotes this time."
Well, that answered Lois' question of where Superman had had to rush off to this morning. He'd left so quickly he hadn't even kissed her goodbye. Once Perry was gone, Lois set about putting her coat back on.
"Wow, he really gives you a hard time doesn't he?" Toby said, appearing at her desk, watching the doors Perry had just exited from with a deep frown.
"Perry? Nah, he likes to talk tough but inside, he's a softie really."
"Still, he shouldn't talk to you like that Lois. It's not right. And he shouldn't be making you run around like this in your condition." Lois paused, taking a moment to study the young man before her. Surprisingly, his attitude wasn't irritating her, and that was new.
She chuckled as she checked inside her bag, making sure she had her voice recorder in there. "In my condition? Toby, I'm pregnant, not ill."
He shifted his weight to one foot and looked at her with a smile. "You're the best reporter he's got. He should treat you a little better."
"Not that I don't appreciate the ringing endorsement Toby but, Perry's one of the good guys. He treats me just fine. I know how to handle him don't worry."
"I know, you're a tough cookie Lois. I admire that about you. You see what you want, and you get it." Lois frowned and then rolled her eyes. She knew he had a crush on her and she should probably stop him saying things like that, but she didn't have the heart to hurt his feelings. He seemed so…fragile. And a little lonely too. She'd never once seen him with any friends, he was always alone.
"Oh!" He exclaimed, running around to his desk to get something. "I almost forgot. This came for you this morning. I signed for it for you." He handed her the package, with a bounce in his step that reminded Lois of Shelby when he was begging for a treat.
With an inward chuckle, she took the package and began opening it, unaware of Toby's keen gaze as she did so. Her smile faltered as she looked inside. A small silver bauble sat in a nest of blue crepe paper, with a card attached to it. If she hadn't been so worried as to who this came from, she would've been able to appreciate the intricate patterns on it, as if hand drawn.
It was really beautiful. A feeling of dread washed over her as she picked up the card and read. 'To Baby Lane-Kent' Unsigned, obviously.
"Lois, are you okay? You've gone awfully pale." Toby said, grasping her shoulder lightly.
She frowned down at the expensive looking package. "I'm fine. Who delivered this Toby?"
"Uh, some UPS guy." He replied.
It has to be Lex. She thought. Who else would do this? This was the second time she'd been sent something for the baby. Something very expensive looking.
"Lois, is everything okay?"
She glanced up at Toby's worried frown and forced a smile. "Everything's fine Toby. I have to get going. Have you seen Jimmy?"
"I think he's out."
"If you see him, tell him to meet me at the hotel." She walked out and headed up to the lobby, her arms crossed protectively over her stomach against the biting wind as she stepped out onto the busy street.
She took out her cell phone as she hailed a cab. "Hey Chlo it's me. Listen, I need you to do me a favour…"
Lex watched with only mild interest as the scene unfolded on his TV inside his limo. Clark had saved him. What a surprise. Saint Clark had swooped in and saved the day yet again. He had managed to talk the man down from the roof. He huffed out a breath and reached to turn it off, stopping when he saw the camera aim into a crowd of onlookers on the street.
A woman with chocolate brown hair and a notepad, stood taking quotes from Superman. Lois Lane-Kent. He would know that back anywhere. That self assured, confident stance. But his eye was drawn to the way she was holding a protective hand against her stomach.
Superman was his usual distant but pleasant self. Giving a few quotes before flying away. But he was not important. No, what was important was still standing in line of the camera. He took a few moments to study her, watching the way she moved. But his view was cut off when the camera turned to focus on the man exiting the building.
Frustrated, he turned off the TV and got out of the car. It had taken a long time to track this place down. Oliver Queen had hidden her well. Just on the outskirts of the city. But not well enough. He walked up the to main doors and lifted a hand to press the buzzer for her apartment but was pleasantly surprised when she appeared through the door. Her eyes immediately registered him and as he watched, all the blood drained from her face.
"Helen. It's been a long time." He said, his smile warming his face.
"Lex. What are you doing here?" She asked, straightening her back, giving him a confident look that told him she was anything but.
"I was in the neighbourhood. Imagine my surprise when I found out my ex-wife is now working for one of my enemies. It was an even bigger surprise to learn that you were back in Metropolis." She walked past him and out onto the street, trying to maintain her composure but Lex knew his presence had rankled her.
"I have nothing to say to you."
"Well, seven years has passed. I should think that a 'hello' would suffice."
She stopped, abruptly turning round to face him. "What do you want Lex?"
"Such hostility Doctor. I was just merely checking up on an old friend." He grinned.
She glared at him. "You and I were never friends Lex. I may regret my actions towards you in the past…"
"You mean when you tried to kill me and subsequently lived in my mansion in the lap of luxury."
"I was a different person back then Lex. I'm not the same. I've changed, moved on with my life. I have things that give it meaning now," She replied flatly before walking away. He followed slowly after her, like a cat stalking its prey.
"I heard. Tell me Helen, what does being the personal physician of a woman carrying an alien baby pay these days?" She stopped, her breath coming in short gasps. "Judging from your accommodation, it must be pretty good."
"I don't know what you're talking about." She replied nervously.
"No? Let me help you out then. Lois Lane and Clark Kent." He watched as something in her eyes flashed as she tried to keep her face blank.
"Clark Kent? The boy you were obsessed with all those years ago? What does he have to do with anything?"
"Oh come now Helen, you know that I know the truth. I bet they've told you all about it. Clark and I share a somewhat…troubled past…"
"I wonder whose fault that is." She bit back.
"Oh I take full responsibility for my actions, I suffered enough because I thought I was doing the right thing." He stepped a little closer to her, enjoying the scent of her fear. "But I see now that it was the wrong choice. Superman helps this world, I'm no idiot, I can see that."
"What do you want Lex?" She asked again, placing her hands on her hips in defiance.
"I want your help actually."
She let a short burst of laughter. "You want my help? You've gotta be kidding me!"
"Well, it wasn't exactly a request." Her smile faded as his grew wider. "You see Helen, I know all about the baby Lois is carrying and I am aware of how special this baby is."
"You're not getting anywhere near that baby Lex!" She spat.
"You misunderstand me Helen. I don't want the child. Not yet anyway. I want something else. And only you can get it for me."
"What?" She asked, grimacing at the reply.
"I want to know everything you've discovered in your testing of Lois. Everything, her blood works, her scan pictures, everything." Without warning, her hand shot out to hit him but he caught her wrist, squeezing hard, making her wince.
"I'd never help you."
"Oh I think you will. Unless you want to be joining your dear husband sooner than you planned."
Her jaw fell as her eyes popped wide. "You!"
Lex merely smiled.
"You had him killed! You...you, son of a... I'll kill you!" She flung herself at him, her hands trying desperately to claw at him, to hurt him in any way she could. But he wouldn't release her arms and she was no match for him. Tears streaked down her face.
"How could you? I loved him so much!"
"And that was why. Ultimately, his loving you was his downfall. I told you Helen…" He stared into her eyes, his glinting with malice. "I would make you pay for what you did to me. You didn't honestly think that I let you go all these years thinking that this was forgotten did you?"
"I'll tell the police, you won't get away with this!" She spat angrily.
"Go ahead, they'll find nothing on me. I however, have everything on you. Evidence of what you did to me is still sitting safe and sound in my possession. So unless you want to be wearing orange for the rest of your life, you'll do what I ask."
Helen took a step back, her eyes flashing dangerously at him. But he knew he had her right where he wanted her now. Her shoulders slumped in defeat.
"You know he won't let you anywhere near Lois or the baby." She said, Lex knew she was referring to Clark.
"He doesn't have to know. This will be our little secret. Helen…" He paused, waiting for her to meet his gaze. "You do this for me, and I will never bother you again."
He held out his hand, a small smile tugging at his lips as she weighed up her non-existing options. "Do we have a deal?"
To Be Continued...