Time for the next chapter of a piece of home!

The next morning I flew Lois home. It was Tuesday and she wanted to 'get some work done.' I knew better than to argue with her. She would do it anyway when I wasn't looking. So, I gave in and let her go. To be fair, I had to get some work done myself. So, I wasn't one to talk. Besides, I needed to get some information from Lois who had sources within Intergang. Which I hadn't approached her on yet. She was not going to be pleased. It was best to pick one's battles. This was one that I was not going to win. It was not worth fighting. So, I let it go. I let Lois have her way. I helped her get home so that she could be ready for work today.

I decided to go in with her. It had been a few days since anyone saw me at work and I'm sure that Perry wanted to talk to me about something. Plus, I wanted to make sure that nothing happened to her or the babies. Call me old fashioned or paranoid but I was worried about that. I knew Lois too well. She was likely to step in it. Putting herself and our children at risk. Yes, she would be trying to 'take it easy.' However, for Lois that was a tough thing to do. I needed to be there to ensure their safety. To take the hit for them and to keep my enemies as far away as possible.

Secretly, I hoped that my efforts were all unnecessary. That I was just blowing things out of proportion. However, with Lois one never really knew. She really didn't know the meaning of restraint. More than likely she was going to get herself into trouble once or twice before she got the memo. I wish that I wasn't true, but I knew my wife. She was good at stepping into things. Too good if you ask me. I had to be careful.

Lois caught on pretty quick to what I was doing. I tried to hide the fact that I was guarding her but I failed. She figured it out within seconds. One look from her and I knew that she knew. She simply grunted then continued on as if I was not guarding her. From her vitals I could tell that she was annoyed. Not angry, just annoyed. Which meant that we did not fight about it. Instead, we just went on about our business. Making phone calls, checking sources, and working on articles. All without saying more than a few words to each other. Which raised the eyebrows of our coworkers. They honestly thought that something was wrong. There wasn't. We were just doing our thing. I tried to tell them that but they did not believe me. They thought that we were fighting. We were not. At least I thought we were not. Maybe we were. I don't know. Sometimes I do not understand women.

It all came to a head when Lois wanted to go to the bathroom. I did not try to follow her in (That would have been inappropriate.) However, I followed her to the door. That set her off.

"For God's sake Cark! You don't need to follow me everywhere! I'm not going to die while on the john. Besides, I'm in the Daily Planet. No supervillain is going to get me here. I can go to the bathroom in peace!"

Now everyone was looking at me. I wasn't trying to be creepy, but now Lois ensured that I was going to receive lots of complaints from the female staff. Thanks, Lois. I thought as I tried to defend myself. "Of course you can. That's not what I . . ." Words failed me. "I didn't mean . . ."

Lois rolled her eyes. "Of course, you didn't. You just won't stop worrying." Her tone softened. "I know that you mean well, but it's gotta stop. Clark, nothing is going to happen to us. It will be okay." She got in real close then whispered. "Don't worry, you can watch us from the desk if it makes you feel better. I don't care, just give me some space!" In the end, she was practically yelling again. Leaving me still at a loss for words. It was going to take forever to live this one down.

I was so embarrassed that I ended up leaving Lois alone for a while. I still made a point to keep tabs on her but I did not follow her every move. Mostly, I listened for their heartbeats. So, long as they stayed nearby and constant I left her alone. I had to pick my battles. I would give her this one. Besides, she was probably right about this.

I tried to patch things up as soon as we got home. At first, Lois wanted nothing to do with it. She did not want to talk to me. It took a little while but I managed to get her to come around. It just took a little screaming, that's all. Something that I was not looking forward to. Alas, it was best to get it over with. That way it all blew over.

"Lois," I began. I hoped that she would not kill me. "About today . . ."

"Don't even go there." Lois warned me as she cut me off.

I sat down next to her on the couch. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to crowd you. I just . . . I just . . . wanted to make sure that you were safe."

She shook her head. "I was safe, Clark. You were just too blind to see it."

I looked down. "You're right. You never left the Planet nor did anyone attack you."

"Exactly." Lois sighed. "I kept my word, Smallville. I didn't do anything dangerous. I followed leads by phone and email. I didn't do anything that would put our children at risk. I was a good girl."

"I know and I'm sorry."

"Everything is going to be okay. We'll make it through this. Just a few more months to go."

I smiled, "That's all? I suppose then I have no choice. I'll have to make sure that everything is ready."

"You? Clark, you're not the only one in on this."

"True, but I can run faster than you." I joked.

She hit me in the arm. "Then you better get running. For these babies are coming soon."

"Yes, Ma'am." I said before starting dinner. At least Lois was in a good mood now. That meant something.

I didn't breach the topic of Lois's sources until after dinner. When Lois was in a better mood and we were alone. It was my best shot to get the information out of her. At least her cooperation. I needed Lois to help me. She was my in on this. I had to know who she was talking to and what they knew. I needed her help. Lois, understandably, did not want to give them up. No reporter ever did. Even I would be reluctant to do so. A source relies on the anonymity that the reporter gives them. I would never try to take it away without a good reason. I need to know what is going on with Intergang. Lois might be the key to finding that out. I needed her sources.

"Clark, what the hell is going on with you today? Is this why you were stalking me today? To get my sources? What the hell?"

"No! Of course not." I countered. "I would never do that. I was just worried about you, okay?"

She shook her head. "No, it's not okay. It's damn right creepy! You have to stop. I'm not going to die, Clark. I'll be fine. I can do my job and have our children. I will not just walk into danger. Not like I normally do. I'll hold back a bit I promise. So, you can stop worrying about me and stop asking for my sources!"

I growled. This all went wrong. Lois took it the wrong way. I wasn't getting anywhere with her. "Lois, you understand how important this is?"

"Of course, I do, Smallville. The implications are enormous. What if someone was selling Krypotian tech? What would that mean for the rest of us? Frankly, it's terrifying."

I sighed. She only got half of it. "Yes, that would be bad. Kryptonian tech in the wrong hands would be devastating. But that's not what I meant."

Lois shot me a puzzled look. "Huh?"

I sighed again. She really didn't get it. "Where did they get the tech, Lois? Did they find it in some wreck somewhere? Did they steal it from my Fortress? Did they get it from another source? Is there another survivor out there somewhere? If so, do they need my help? Or is it all fake? I just don't know." By the end, I was slumped over with my head in my hands. I didn't realize how much it was affecting me until then.

Lois scooted over to me. She said, "It will be okay, Clark. We'll figure this out. I'll set you with my contacts. You just gotta wait a bit, okay? They're kinda skitzy and won't want to meet with someone else. But I'll get them to meet with you. Just wait a bit, okay?"

I agreed and just like that we stopped fighting. Instead, we spent the evening just enjoying each other's company. I knew that I should be out there, protecting people but for some reason, I couldn't leave her side. I had to watch them. To protect them. This was going to be a long nine months.

That's it for now. See you all next time!