Chapter 35

The Choice

After the heart wrenching discussion with Lana, Clark decided it was time to relax, and try and move forward. This time, the sting of seeing Lana again, and the repetition of their conversation from last year about moving on, was less painful. He assumed that it would get better after they part company again. Lana was right, there was so much in life left for them both to do.

Clark sighed and headed back towards Lois. The young reporter was seated at a table with Chloe, Zatanna, Jimmy, and Bruce. Oliver had flipped the music back on, albeit at a lower volume. Lana carefully climbed out of the Mech and stepped down its back, straightening her dress as she descended. She playfully pressed a button on a remote, and it beeped, locking the suit up.

Tim Servo watched the Mech suit in fascination with Victor. Lana saw them, smiling at Victor, "Good to see you again." She remarked politely. "Boys and their toys!" Cat Grant said as she approached Lana, hoping to grab some face time with her. Lana would have none of it, instead handing Cat a preprinted press release that Marcus Worthington had authorized for use.

Lois, meanwhile, had downed a full third of her Gentleman Jack fifth. Her eyes became bloodshot as she glowered vacantly at Clark. Here it comes, the grand screw off! Lois thought sourly. He'll give me some lame ass story about he and Lana getting back together, she sniffled.

"Lois!" Clark shook his head. She scowled. "What?" He sat down next to her, and grabbed the hand that didn't hold the bottle. "Don't you think that you've had enough of that?" Clark gestured at the clear, alcohol filled bottle. "I'll tell you when I've had enough." She snapped at him.

Clark smiled at her, completely unnerving Lois. "How're you going to dance with me, if you can't stand up?" He gently removed the bottle from Lois's grasp. "Really?" She sniffled. "Yes. We still need to be pleasant hosts at the party, and Oliver's playing some slower music." Clark pulled her other hand into his. It was awkward to be sure, but either way, they had to get over it.

Clark wanted to send a message to Lois that he'd made his choice. At the same time, he didn't want to make Lana feel any more uncomfortable than she already did. He would walk a thin line for the rest of the evening between the two women.

Lana continued to circulate through the crowd, handshaking, and passing out the chosen literature about the Excelsior 3000. Wearing a sensible black spaghetti strap dress, and black high heels, she appeared to be all business.

Lana finally stopped when Bruce offered her a chair. Oliver and Mia blanketed the other side of her. Dinah sat nearby, more interested in Oliver than the Mech, but she was still businesslike in her manner. Kara and Laura had wandered off, avoiding the Lana Mech.

After the initial shock of Lana and the Mech, the younger people soon lost interest, instead choosing to socialize fully with all of the guests. Dick was in his element, as the girls lined up to dance with him. His ungainly two-step was more than sufficient to make it through the night.

Cat Grant had given up trying to nail down a story from Oliver, Bruce, or Lana. She sighed quickly growing bored, and threw in the towel. Cat tapped Bart on the shoulder, being the last available male to hang with. AC, Lori, Barb, Victor, and Vixen had all since resigned themselves to the snack table.

The party was beginning to wind down. Bart and Cat slow danced.

Kara and Laura circulated through the party one last time before grabbing a seat near the DJ setup. Dinah noticed that the girls seemed out of sorts. "What's up ladies?" She stood before the awkward acting teens. "Nothing." Laura said flatly. "Enjoying the party?" Kara asked politely.

"More than you two are, apparently." Dinah gibed. "You haven't found any boys that you like?" Kara reddened, and Laura sighed. "Not really a lot to choose from." The Gold Wing sniped. "Okay, pick one." Dinah challenged her. "Huh?" Laura glanced up at her wide-eyed.

"Pick one guy." Canary smirked. Laura glanced over at Clark. "Other than Clark." Dinah grinned, following the teen beauty's gaze. Sara Conroy had joined them. Clark was holding hands with Lois and staring into her eyes. A wave of nausea passed through Laura's mind, cluing Sara into her broken heart. "I don't know. Richard?" Laura guessed.

"Dick Grayson?" Dinah said as she checked on the teen crime-fighter's whereabouts. He and Barbara were chatting next to Bruce Wayne, who was still engrossed in Lana's sales pitch. "He seems nice, a bit immature, but I think you two could work it out." Dinah appraised.

"I agree." Sara said as she felt Laura's mind relax at the mention of the normal human teen. "I sense no malice towards anyone, but I do pick up some duplicity or a hidden agenda." Laura and Kara exchanged glances. "How can you do that?" Dinah's curiosity was aroused.

"I'm not sure." Sara explained. "Over the last few years I've picked up this special ability. I can, like, read moods or thought patterns from total strangers if I concentrate. This is how I got involved in all of this in the first place, from Chloe Sullivan's Isis Foundation."

"You were born in Smallville?" Kara jumped on the opening. "Yes. Clark called it a meteor freak version of extra sensory perception." Sara replied nervously. "An Empath!" Dinah realized. She'd heard of that ability before, but had never met anyone who openly had it.

"You can read people's minds?" Laura was horrified. "No, not exactly." Sara answered. "I can pick up things from people. It's kind of like how an animal can sense danger or perceives no threat." Dinah nodded. "That makes sense, about as much sense as anything does in Smallville."

"What about Abby and Maddie?" Laura grilled. "I noticed that you three hang around together." Sara nodded, again becoming anxious. "I don't feel comfortable talking about them. Maybe if you asked them yourself?" Laura understood her point. "Okay. No problem. I will."

Back to the men." Dinah shifted the conversation. "Kara, what about you?" The alien beauty shrugged. "I guess since my situation is more unique, but I haven't really latched onto any guy." Dinah patted her shoulder. "You'll get there. After all, Clark did."

"Just consider tonight, who'd you like to dance with?" Dinah urged. "Tim, I suppose." Kara responded. "Go for it, K Girl. He adores you." Laura put in the good word. "Of course, sorry Laura, but Richard would be on my list as well." Kara admitted.

Sara nodded. "I can sense Kara's conflict." Suddenly Sara turned ashen white. "Uh…you're Clark's cousin?" She gulped. "Yes." Kara replied warily.

"Why? What did you pick up?" Laura's voice showed some distress. "It was like a major power boost." Sara shook her head. "Remind me not to do that again." She sat down hard. "Definitely." Dinah reassured Sara.

"Well, K girl, did you want to dance with Richard?" Laura volunteered to back off. "I guess." Kara admitted sheepishly. "Go for it." The Gold Wing decided that hitting on Dick Grayson wouldn't really get her anywhere, especially if he, Barb, and Bruce were returning to Gotham City. Besides, if she was truly interested, she could always hyper-speed there to visit him.

"You don't mind?" Kara reluctantly stood up. She'd had enough of the personal conversations for the moment. "Nope! Just don't break him." Laura forced a thin grin, despite her mixed feelings. Kara gave Laura the thumbs up, and wandered casually towards Dick and Barbara.

Sara's color had returned to normal, but she still eyed Kara suspiciously. "It will be tough for her." Dinah said to no one in particular. "Adjusting to life here." She finished, minus the obvious 'on this planet' implications. Laura agreed. "I'll be there to help her!"

"Richard?" Kara began, after clearing her throat. Nightwing glanced up from his soda. "Hey, Kara!" He smiled brightly. Barb smirked. "Go for it, bird boy!" She sniped quietly, though Kara heard her loud and clear. "Would you like to dance?" Dick quickly arose and took Kara's hand.

"Sure." Kara said, as she reddened. The two young heroes took off to enjoy one of the last remaining slow dances of the evening. Kara relaxed in Dick's arms, which suited him just fine. "Awww!" Barb smiled appreciatively.

Laura was less enthusiastic, but refused to let it weigh on her good time. She realized that she hadn't danced with her best friend Tim all evening, casually strolling over to him. "Well, Tim-Ster, how'd you like the party?" She sat next to him, hefting her long legs up on the table, and carefully leaning back in the chair.

"Greatest night of my life." Tim's eyes were glazed, but she knew that he didn't drink. "Good for you." Laura patted his thigh. "How about you?" Tim inquired. "Oh pretty good, not so hot. It was great meeting all of these new people though." Laura responded.

"C'mon Tim, let's hit the floor." Laura vaulted onto her feet, as her self-proclaimed geeky friend followed, grasping her hand. AC playfully slapped Tim across the head as he rejoined the group after a vast water fill up. "Keep your hands above the waistline, sunshine!" AC quipped.

Laura cracked up. "Maybe he was talking to you?" Tim returned the barb. "Could be!" Laura snickered. Despite the fact that Laura towered over Tim, Barbara thought that they looked cute together. She was growing bored though, running out of men to dance with.

Kiss of Steel

With most of their business concluded, Lana danced with Bruce. The Batman was nearly a foot taller than Lana, but was smooth on his feet, a practiced elegant dancer. Afraid that Lana might get too close to them, Clark helped Lois to her feet. "I think that you need some air." He chuckled as Lois wobbled to a standing position. "Oh you do, do you?" She teased.

Clark grinned broadly. "I insist." He guided her out the barn door and out into the chilly October night air. They walked hand in hand along the path past the corral. Clark's red Warrior Angel cape swirled behind him in the dusty breeze. Lois flipped down her Stiletto mask.

"What are you doing?" Clark cast her a lopsided grin. "There's nothing wrong with a little mystery, Smallville." Lois teased. "You're no mystery to me." She added. "Really?" Clark smirked. "Really." Lois held him close and the two kissed passionately beneath the foggy moonlight.

How about a little steam?

Lois climbed atop the wooden fence at the far side of the horse corral. She sat facing Clark, spreading her legs invitingly. Clark snuggled up to her, wrapping his arms around her thin waist. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and wrapped her arms around his broad neck.

At this height Lois and Clark were eye-to-eye, making out. After a few minutes, Lois asked a particularly interesting question. "What made you decide?" She asked vaguely. Clark stared at her blankly. "Decide what?" Lois sighed. "Decide to pick me over Lana?"

Clark gulped. He hadn't expected Lois to grill him on their first official date. "Well," he began cautiously. "Lana and I could never really get it together. There was too much on again off again romance issues. We had some very good times. We both made mistakes. We both take blame for its failure."

"Fair enough." Lois grinned lustily, gazing through an alcohol induced haze. "Do you remember what I said to you the first day I met Lana?" She teased. "Uh, sorry, no." Clark shifted uneasily. "Let me refresh your memory, Smallville." She slurred. "I could see why you're in love with her, she's way too much for you to handle." Clark dimly recalled that statement years ago.

Back at the party, Kara and Dick were still dancing. To his credit, the former Robin held his own, as gracefully as he could, keeping off of Kara's feet, not that she would've felt anything. Kara caught on quickly to the human dance steps. She let Dick lead for the most part.

Suddenly, Kara felt woozy. She knew that alcohol didn't affect Kryptonians, so she assumed that she'd gotten too close to Lana. Sure enough, Bruce had led Lana backwards, in a waltz like move. Kara quickly compensated by seizing the lead on Dick, guiding him further away from the center of their makeshift dance floor, until the dizziness had worn off.

"That's different." Dick commented. "Are you complaining?" Kara tried to sound like she was flirting. "Nope, not at all." Dick gathered her in closer, until they were thigh to thigh. Kara had really never been this close to a guy before. It would take some getting used to, she justified.

Dick smelled Kara's flowing blonde hair. Its aroma reminded him of a floral bouquet crossed with…spilt beer? He simply kept concentrating on his dance steps, now that Kara had returned the lead to him. AC attempted to dance with Chloe, which was ungainly at best.

Laura and Tim weaved their way through the dwindling crowd of young people. "I notice that Lois and Clark have stepped out for a bit." Tim whispered in Laura's sensitive ear. "Yeah, thanks for bringing that to my attention, Tim." She snapped. Tim quickly silenced.

Cat Grant had said her goodbyes, sighing in frustration. She hadn't even gotten an inkling of a scandalous romance anywhere. All she got for her trouble was Lana's generic Worthington press release about the Excelsior 3000. Cat eyed Lois and Clark lip locking as she left. At least that would be a source of amusement at the office come Monday morn, she thought sourly.

Jimmy had given up trying to patch things up with Chloe, and readied his exit. The next few weeks would be terrible, as the young photojournalist ended the romance officially by moving his stuff out of the Talon apartment. Chloe spent most of her time at Watchtower anyway.

Oliver was well buzzed, lounging around the table with Dinah and Mia. Lori had been watching the couples dance all night, and found some semblance of rhythm to it. She was finally ready to try, but was having a hard time locating an available male. Lori didn't really want to dance with her cousin, so she waited patiently near the snacks, polishing off a portion of potato chips.

After a fill up of water for strength, the fish out of water found Bart. The speedy acquaintance of AC had just completed a spin with Barbara Gordon. Lori sung two or three notes that made Shelby / Krypto bark all the way back in the ranch house.

"Yikes!" Bruce winced, being the closest to her. "That woman has a set of pipes on her." He remarked to Lana who laughed. "At least she was on key." Dick criticized as he passed close to them, having completed his dance with Kara.

Kara grimaced at Lori's wail, but was too preoccupied to pay close attention. She'd just given Dick her cell phone number, still unsure if that was the correct thing to do. Abby, Sara, and Maddie were about ready to leave, as were Victor and Amari.

Lori approached Bart cautiously. "Hello. Can we dance?" She asked. Bart shrugged. "Sure." He took Lori by her cool, clammy, hand and led her out among the remaining dancers, Bruce, Lana, AC, Dinah, Jimmy, and Mia. Oliver began to disassemble his makeshift podium.

Oliver wondered if he'd gotten his message through to everyone about banding together under a common banner. Only time would tell. Chloe had downloaded all of the guests' information into her PDA under Contacts. It was up to the individuals to call Watchtower.

Back outside, Lois and Clark were still making out. Just then the hairs on Clark's neck stood up. "Wow!" Clark had heard Lori's outburst. "What was that?" Lois shrugged. "Sounded like a coyote." Clark smirked. "In the middle of Kansas?" Lois playfully punched his arm.

"Why did you wait so long to ask me out?" Lois continued her interrogation. "I'm not sure. I was afraid, unsure, and always too busy to consider another romance seriously." Clark attempted to explain. "I got that part." Lois smirked. "I've had more rebounds than an L A Lakers basketball player." Clark laughed. "I thought that you hated sports analogies."

"I do." Lois confirmed as she wedged in closer to him. "Let me clear it up for you." She kissed him passionately. "We've got chemistry, my man, like Bogey and Bacall, Samson and Delilah, or like oil and gasoline, as Chloe always says." Lois added quietly after a lengthy lip lock.

"So I also recall someone referring to us as halibut and hot fudge." Clark playfully taunted. "Yeah, well you've earned some serious stripes since then, Smallville." Lois admitted.

"I think that Lois and Clark will go straight to the top." She slurred, feeling cocky. "I thought we agreed to take things slowly." Clark hedged. "We will, but you have to get on the road to drive, Smallville."

Lois kissed his neck. "Which reminds me of another analogy." She continued. "Remember what I said about saving up for that shiny new ten speed bike? I said 'when you were really saving up for that Harley Davidson'?"

"Vaguely." Clark admitted. "Well that Harley is riding right up your driveway!" Lois continued to kiss the rather confused Clark. He just gave up and enjoyed the moment. It was time for them to go inside and say goodbye to their guests.