Author's note: Sorry again for the huge delay, guys. Happy New Year!

Chapter 36

"NO!"

The screams woke her. Lois sat up in bed, her heart pounding in her chest. She looked worriedly at Clark who was sleeping next to her. He was obviously having a nightmare. She placed a hand on his shoulder and shook him vigorously.

"Clark, wake up! Clark!"

He opened his eyes and she saw that they were filled with terror and pain. He blinked twice and looked at her intently, an expression of deep relief covering up his handsome features.

"Lois? Oh my God, Lois! You're alive!"

"Of course I am, Smallville. And I'm not planning on dying anytime soon either."

Clark wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and held onto her like she was his lifeline. Then he burst into tears and started to shake. Lois raked her fingers into his hair and rocked him back and forth like a child to comfort him. Seeing him cry tore her heart to pieces.

"Shhh… It's OK, baby. You had a nightmare but it's over now. You're safe."

He buried his face into her neck, unable to stop crying. It may have been only a bad dream but it had seemed so real! He felt so scared, so desperate, so hopeless with her lifeless body in his arms. So… empty. Like he had lost a part of himself.

"You wanna talk about it?" she asked softly.

"You… you died," he stuttered between sobs. "Even with my powers, I couldn't save you. I couldn't be there in time to save you, Lois!"

He took a few deep breaths and inhaled the sweet scent of Lois' perfume. The soothing sound of her heartbeat finally calming him. She gently wiped the tears on his cheeks with her thumb and kissed him on the forehead.

"You saved my life many times before and I know you would risk your own life to save mine again. But with or without powers, you're not God. You can't save everyone, even if you try. When my time comes to leave this world, nothing or no one will be able to change that, not even you."

Clark lifted his head and stared into her beautiful hazel eyes, full of love and concern for him, stunned by what she just said. He felt like a burden had been lifted off his chest. Somehow Lois always seemed to know exactly what to say to make him feel better.

"I love you so much, Lois! I don't think I could live without you. Please, don't ever leave me."

"I'm not gonna leave you, Smallville. I promise. You're stuck with me for the rest of your life."

"I need you so much…"

"I need you too," she whispered, caressing the side of his face with her fingertips.

He closed his eyes under Lois' loving touch and felt her soft lips pressing on his, urging them to part with her tongue. She tenderly captured his bottom lip between her own and sucked on it, making him moan as he slipped his fingers into her hair. Her tongue tangled around his and her hands looped around his neck, dragging him even closer to her. He kissed her back hungrily, his need for her now turning into a burning desire, igniting his body.

Clark pinned her down on the bed, his mouth never leaving hers, and feverishly unbuttoned the plaid shirt she was wearing. He loved that she wore his clothes to sleep in, that they made her feel closer to him when he wasn't there. He removed the thin layer of material that prevented their skin from touching, threw it on the floor and drank in the sight of Lois' naked body lying under him.

She was looking lustfully at him, her silky hair spread onto the pillow, her cheeks flushed, her lips swollen by his kisses, her voluptuous creamy breasts rising rhythmically under her quickening pulse…

"Like what you see, Smallville?" she asked with a smirk.

"Yes," he bluntly admitted. "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, Lois. I still can't believe you want to be with me."

"It's because I love you, silly. Now quit talking and give me some action!"

He couldn't help but smile at her words. His mouth crashed on hers again, plunging his tongue inside to taste her, while his hands cupped her breasts, massaging them, his thumbs grazing over her nipples. The moans escaping her caused him to moan deep in his throat in return, his erection nudging impatiently against her thigh.

Lois ran her palms over the rippling muscles of his abdomen. His lips traveled to her neck and he nibbled on her favorite spot, sending chills down her spine. But she needed more. She needed to feel him inside her.

"Make love to me, Clark," she breathed out against his mouth. "I want you. Now."

It sounded more like an order than a request but he was happy to oblige, unable to resist the sensual heat of her voice. He could never deny Lois anything. And he wanted her as much as she wanted him, if not more.

She raked her fingernails down his back and dug into his butt, pushing his groin against her throbbing core, grinding her hips against his.

"Make me float again!" she demanded.

Smiling, he slid inside her with one deep thrust, filling her completely. The sensation almost causing her to come undone. He rested himself on his forearms and remained still, looking straight into her eyes.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too…" she said a little breathlessly.

He grabbed the back of her knees, lifting them to wrap around his waist as he slowly began to move, her hands clutching his shoulders. He claimed her mouth again, thrusting into her harder and faster. The pressure was building inside her, bringing her closer to the edge.

He felt her walls clenched around him and she let herself fall free, screaming his name as her orgasm washed over her like a giant wave of pleasure, making her body tremble under his. Clark continued to pump into her until he reached his own climax, devouring her mouth. He unexpectedly slipped his fingers between their joined bodies and massaged her tingling clit.

"Oooh…" she whimpered as a second orgasm overtook her body.

That's when he exploded inside her. No matter how many times they had sex, it was always like the first time but never the same, every time more intense than the last. And the fact that they were floating three feet above the bed was just a bonus.

The next morning, Clark woke up with the sunlight hitting him straight in the face. His eyes fluttered open. He glanced down at Lois, cuddled against his body, her arm lying across his chest. He listened to her snoring and smiled, feeling the warmth of her breath on his skin. She was safe and sound in his arms, right where she belonged. He couldn't imagine his life without her. The thought of having lost her forever was unbearable. Thank God it only had been a nightmare.

But if it had been real… would he have done the same thing? Clark asked himself. He realized the answer was yes. As shocking as it seemed, he would've saved the little girl first, even knowing that meant losing Lois. Because he wouldn't have been able to live with himself knowing he could've saved a child and didn't. And Lois would've hated him for it.

He stroked her hair and let his hand trail down her bare back, loving the feel of her smooth skin under his fingertips. He heard her heartbeat accelerate and he knew she was awake. But she kept her eyes closed. He dropped butterfly kisses all over her face. She smiled and opened her eyes.

"Mmm. Good morning, Smallville."

"Good morning, Lois."

She rolled on top of him and kissed him passionately, not caring if they both had morning breath.

"I love you so much! I wish we could stay in this room forever."

She chuckled.

"Trust me; you'd get tired of me after awhile."

"No, I wouldn't.'

"You told me once that I was bossy, rude and annoying. I take it you feel differently now?" she joked.

"I still think you're bossy," he grinned.

"You see!" she pointed out, poking him in the ribs. "We could stay in here for a week max, but after that we'd both go crazy!"

"Maybe. But it's still a nice fantasy."

"That's all it is, a fantasy," she replied with a serious tone. "When I first met you, I thought you suffered from a severe case of hero complex. As it turns out, you truly are a hero. You have amazing abilities that you can use to help people. And they need you, Clark. It would be awfully selfish of me not to share you with the world."

He stared in awe at the incredible woman lying next to him and blessed his lucky star to have her in his life. He now knew without a doubt that she was his soul mate. And he knew what he had to do to prove it.

"You're an amazing woman, Lois Lane."

"Thanks," she smiled. "That's why you love me, right?"

He laughed.

"Absolutely! Now, let's put some clothes on. There's something I want to show you. But you're gonna need a coat."

She raised an eyebrow.

"We're in September. I don't need a coat. It's still warm outside."

"Do you trust me, Lois?"

"Yes. But why…"

"Then humor me and bring your coat."

"Alright," she shrugged.

They got out of bed and took turns in the bathroom before getting dressed.

"You'll need gloves and a scarf too. Maybe even earmuffs."

"You have got to be kidding me! There's no way I'm putting on earmuffs in the middle of freaking September! I don't care if my ears freeze and fall off! And where are you taking me, anyway? The North Pole?"

"You'll see," he simply smiled.

"You know I hate surprises."

"Oh, you're gonna love this one."

"That confident, huh?"

"Yep."

"This better be good, Smallville."

"It is," he replied, leaning in to kiss her. "Ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be."

Clark scooped her in his arms and sped off.

TBC