"What do you mean, nothing?"

Looking away from her computer to spare him a glance, she shrugs.

"Just that: nothing."

Confused, he frowns.

"You can't do nothing on Christmas, Lo." She barely stops her chuckle as she turns her attention back to her research.

"Well, I've been doing it for 15 years now, and so far, I'm fine."

"What?" The horror in his tone is almost comical.

She looks back up at him, the pure shock on his face adorable. "You can't be serious."

"I am." Surprise and indignation cross his features, and she gives him a soft smile as she rolls her eyes. "It's not a big deal, Clark."

By the look of it, he certainly seems to think that it is. His eyes soften, then, and she can see the compassion growing in them. She never really talked to him about that, and he never pushed - but today, he ventures to ask.

"So you and your family really don't get along that well?"

"No. Not really, I guess. It's not even that, it's just - " For a second, she hesitates, not sure of her words. "Christmas used to be a big thing for us when Mom was still alive," she eventually says. "She'd spent all day cooking, made us all give a hand. My sister was great at it, but I was already a bad cook even then, so my job was limited to peeling the potatoes - but I took it very seriously." She smiles at the memory, and he smiles with her.

She doesn't let herself think about her mother much - she forgot how good it feels. "We had to wear Santa's hats and everything," she chuckles. "And then -"

Coming back to reality, Lois shakes her head slightly, and shrugs again.

"The year she died, my father didn't feel like celebrating it. He found an excuse the year after that as well, and then I was off to college and it was that, I guess. But it would have been the same, anyway: I was closer to my mom, my dad and I never - saw things the same way. Didn't really understand each other, I guess. And my sister always took his side, so."

Clearly he doesn't like what he's hearing, which is oh so Clark, and so she smiles to reassure him.

"It's fine now - I promise. And hey, I can help you find a present for your mom, if you want."

Nodding, he smiles back, and, pushing from the counter, heads to her kitchen to drop off his mug.

"It would be great, thanks. I'm sure she'll be very grateful when you give it to her for us."

Lois frowns, and, as he emerges in the living room again, Clark grabs his jacket, and smirks. "You're coming to Smallville with me this year."

"What? Clark, no, I'm not going to intrude like that - " she starts, cut by his quick peck on the lips.

"No, you're not going to intrude - just join." Half a protest still on her lips, Lois watches, dumbfounded, as he grabs his bag, and heads for the door.

"Clark, I barely know your mother, I can't just - "

"Yes, you can just. Anyway, I have to go interview that woman for my article, but I should be able to make diner. See you tonight."

And, with a last grin, he's gone.

That Christmas, Martha adjusts a bright red Santa hat on her head, smiling at her as she tenderly cups her cheeks. "Merry Christmas, Lois."

With a wink, she goes back to help Clark in their Kansas kitchen.