Author's Notes: In this next update, one more evening in Smallville, but after returning to the Planet, they appeared confident in their status as a couple, and it is back to work. Lois and Clark are given an assignment that may involve a magician and Clark is concerned by it. Perry dismisses that case and gives them one involving armed thieves on a crime spree, and they accepted that one. The twists, turns, and drama of that episode drew me in. Please read and tell me what you think. Thank you.

~o~o~

Chapter 5: A Part of You

At the farm, later that evening.

Martha and Jonathan noticed the change right away. They appeared close and comfortable around each other. They could not be more pleased. Lois offered to help with dinner, Clark set the table, then Martha said a prayer, and the meal began.

During dinner, Lois and Clark could not stop talking. Lois told jokes about her friends at the Planet, Clark about pulling kittens from trees, and then they talked about how they truly needed an office to work more closely together.

"An office, but we assumed you had an office, I mean you are partners, right?" Martha asked.

"Well, not officially, but we were assigned to work together on stories since the first day Clark arrived at the Planet," Lois replied.

"Is that true?" Jonathan asked.

"Yes, it is true, but it was an adjustment for both of us. We continued to work together, but it did take time," he admitted which got a side-eye from his partner.

"Oh, I see, that is understandable, but how was the first day?" Martha asked.

Lois had the good grace to apologize. "That is on me. I am sorry, Clark, but you seemed rather out of your element, and I did not have the time to teach you, well, not at first."

"I did not need a teacher, not at first, but I did need a partner." He paused. "We made that adjustment and now we are seeing each other as a couple, right Lois?" He asked hoping to smooth things over.

"Yes, we are," Lois replied and glanced at her partner. They managed to bring up a smile.

Before they got started again, Martha said, "Well, you made it through that first day; it is all in the past now, and we wish you luck to get the office you need."

"Thanks, Mom," Clark said.

After dinner and more apple pie, Jonathan, and Martha, said their good nights and made plans for later in the year. His parents no longer had any doubts that they would work things out but talk things through and settle their differences, exactly what couples do and not go to bed angry.

~o~o~

Lois and Clark returned to the hotel and then after almost having an argument, they climbed into bed and faced either wall. Minutes later, they turned to each other at the same time, then the words.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too."

"Come here," Lois said and pulled him close. They kissed and caressed for minutes, never wanting to stop but as always, kissing is not enough.

"Clark, make love to me," Lois said wanting and needing him like never. She did not wait for him to answer but pulled his head down and kissed him.

Clark kissed her back for a moment. He pulled away and stared at the beautiful and amazing woman in his arms. "All I want is the taste that your lips allow." He slowly kissed his way down her throat, and then his emotions got the better of him. He kissed her then and Lois melted as passion burst to sweet life between them.

"Burn for me," he whispered. She put her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Clark promised he would not rush this; he wanted it to last, but kissing Lois sent a fire to his loins. He was burning up. He had to have her, all of her.

Lois moaned then, as her body reacted in two regions at once. Clasping him closer, she kissed him back with all the love she felt for him. It was not enough. She arched her back hoping he would relieve the unbearable pressure. Clark understood her need. He felt the same way.

He knew Lois wanted him inside, and he wanted that too more than anything. He positioned himself then and slid smoothly into her waiting heat and tried to exert control. "Yes, Clark, don't stop, please," Lois said, as she lifted her hips to fully accommodate him. He pushed deeper and she wrapped her arms and legs around him.

"Oh yes, when I am with you, the only place that I want to be is closer." Unable to resist her any longer, he surrendered to any conscious thought and gave in to the woman of his heart, the love of his life. Lois clung to him acting out of instinct, love, and their mutual need for each other, as she climbed higher to reach that goal. Clark held her close and shuddered with the spasms of life-giving release. Sated at last, he withdrew from her, and kissed her thoroughly.

Moments passed. "Are you okay; did I hurt you?" Clark asked worried about her. He may have gotten a little carried away.

"I'm fine, Clark. That was amazing," she replied smiling and stroking his cheek.

He went back into her arms and closed his eyes loving her stroking him and kisses on his forehead enjoying it. "You know Lois, everyone has an addiction, mine just happens to be you."

She smiled at that comment, and he is right because she feels the same way about him. Still stroking his hair, but she needed to hear it. "Do you love me?"

"Oh, yeah," he replied as he went ahead to prove to her just how much. An hour later, both thinking of their 'almost' argument earlier, he apologized again. He kissed her forehead and pulled her close.

"Lois, honey, you were not to blame for us not getting along that first day. I had to prove myself not only to Perry but to you as well. I felt intimidated by you because you are famous and an incredible writer and being paired with you put me on edge. I had no idea how to approach you or even speak to you, then I decided to tease you; it did not go well." He admitted.

She leaned up on her elbow. "You truly felt that way?"

"Yes, I did, but as the weeks went by and we continued to work on assignments together, I relaxed and enjoyed your company."

"Yes, we did get along later after a few assignments."

"But I do have another apology about our exclusive interview."

She frowned. "Did you leave something out or?"

"No, those first assignments together seemed fine, but you were not interested in me, and Perry knew that whoever got the exclusive interview would make them famous or something. I wanted you to have it; that is why I approached you after your dinner with Lex and gave you the interview."

"Oh, I see, but there is no need to apologize. The important thing was the interview and it worked out fine."

"Lois, the point I am trying to make is that it was deceitful of me to give you the impression that I, meaning Superman, may have feelings for you."

"Clark, you were being a friend, and that is all. Please let us drop this; it is all in the past. Okay?"

Relieved, "Thank you, Lois."

She snuggled close. "Now go to sleep."

"One more thing I have to say. You were wonderful and an amazing partner after you relaxed as well, but even before you knew the truth, you never made me feel as if I did not belong at the Planet, but as a person here on earth as Superman too."

After that statement, her eyes watered and pulled him close. "You belong with me."

He smiled and stroked her hair. "Indeed, I do." He leaned over and kissed her deeply, she kissed him back.

~o~o~

Back at the Planet, the next morning:

As they stepped off the elevator, sipping coffee, but they glanced at each other every now and then as if they had a secret between them and no one else. It did not surprise them when they returned from their trip and although it was over the weekend, everyone stopped and stared at them. They did look somehow different.

Jimmy was the first to notice it. "Hey, welcome back you two," he said and watched them curiously as they walked toward Perry's office.

"Thanks, Jimmy," they replied together. They decided that Lois would ask for an office, but Clark is there helping if it has influence, but he is not sure.

Lois knocked and entered. "Morning Chief," they both spoke at the same time and took a seat.

"Well, look whose back. The staff meeting is in half an hour." Perry frowned and noticed it too. He realized they did appear different, more in step than ever.

"We know that Chief, but Lois has a question for you." Perry frowned again. "It will not take long," Clark said.

"What is it?" He asked and leaned back in his chair.

"Chief, Clark and I have been partners for months and we need an office," Lois said, getting right to the point.

Surprised to hear this, he sat up straighter and asked, "An office, but what on earth for?"

"Well, I have given it serious thought. The past weeks have humbled me chief. I almost died and when I look out that window from my small desk, I think about everything since I became a reporter and what it means. With this office we both can generate stories the way you want it, and I can promise you, there will be a difference. Please give us a chance and you will not regret it."

"And you, Kent, do you have anything to say about an office you desperately need?" Perry asked.

"There is a problem with our desks the way they are, Chief, and just as Lois said, we are partners. It is not efficient for us to walk back and forth between our desks to check up on our stories. It wastes time and we could be better reporters if we had that space, plus you would see our product improve for the better. I honestly believe that." Clark made his statement.

He stared at them deep in thought. "I have to be honest, and I have watched you two, and you are right; you do need the space. The office is yours, but it will take a day to put it together. Now, get back to work and do not miss the staff meeting."

They smiled at each other and left his office. After the door closed, they went into each other's arms, not caring who saw them.

"You were great," Lois said, still holding each other.

"You were too," he said. After more looks between them, they pulled away and headed to their desks and thought… one more day.

After the staff meeting and given their assignment, Clark did not appear happy. He did not need to say it then nodded his head and headed toward the conference room. She followed him and he shut the door. "What is it?"

"Superman cannot have anything to do with magic. It affects his ability to control his powers."

She shook her head. "Why are you speaking in third-person? It sounds strange."

"I am sorry about that but even the idea of magic makes me a little crazy."

Lois is finding this 'no magic' thing unreal and frankly unbelievable. "Please explain it."

"Well, if someone managed to hypnotize me, it would affect me the same as you."

"You mean the same as a human?"

"Yes, exactly the same, and when and if that happens, I will have no control over what I do, and Superman can never lose control, or someone else could take that control and do something bad or." He could not finish.

She turned from him and walked thinking of a solution, but nothing is coming to her.

"Lois, I am sorry, but I cannot work on this assignment."

Shocked, she turned to face him. "No, we have to think about this."

"Well, short of telling Perry my secret, we have no other options."

"We cannot tell Perry; get that thought right out of your head." She paused. "We will think of something."

He sat down and ran his fingers through his hair hating to say it. "Lois, if I cannot work on stories, Perry may fire me, then I may have to leave Metropolis and… you." He stared at her his heart breaking at the thought of leaving her.

Stunned and unable to think of what to say, but before she could produce a reply, a knock came at the door.

Perry poked his head in. "Hey, there you are. Is anything wrong?" They were silent. "Look, I told you my answer about the office, but to come in here every time you need to talk, well it looks suspicious." Still silent, he shut the door. "Alright tell me what is going on?"

Lois spoke up. "Clark is not feeling well."

"Okay, take a few days off and you will be fine."

Lois and Clark stared at each other thinking about it.

"Yes, it may help," Lois said still staring at her partner.

"Maybe It could," Clark reluctantly agreed, still worried.

"Good now, but that is not the reason I came in here. Forget about the missing kids, the suspect who could be a magician, but the police are on the case, and they have a suspect in custody. I have another case and it is dangerous and it involves me and Jimmy." He paused. "Earlier this morning, we were victims of a carjacking," he said still shaken up about it.

"Oh, no, are you and Jimmy, okay?" Lois asked.

"Tell us what happened, Chief," Clark said.

"Well, we are fine now, but I spoke to the police a minute ago, and this is not the first time they robbed someone with the same description. They were looking for the antique car which will be used for the Planet's anniversary celebration in a few days. People approached and demanded that we hand over the car, and of course, we refused. They pulled out automatic weapons, then we handed over the keys. Then they tied our hands behind our back, placed us inside my car, turned on the ignition, and closed the garage door. We almost died."

"Then what happened?" Clark asked.

"Jimmy managed to push the cruise control on the ceiling with his nose, reached the accelerator and the car sped out of the garage saving us both. We told the police everything."

"Did the thieves wear masks or anything that would help the police?" Lois asked.

"Here's the weird part. No masks, but they were wearing clothes as if it were the 1940s or something. The clothing they wore reminded me of famous criminals in that period… oh, yes, they were dressed as Bonnie and Clyde."

They both thought that truly is strange. A minute later, Jimmy knocked and entered with an alert from the police with another armed robbery and they were dressed the same as the people who carjacked them.

"That is three so far; it is a crime spree," Clark said unnecessarily. "Lois we should go."

"I'm right behind you," Lois said then they were gone.

~o~o~

Now in her car, they drove to a location that Lois had never heard of. "What is this place again?"

"I was thinking of the clothes they were wearing, vintage clothing then a store came to mind, but their outfits were specific to a certain decade. Then I thought of a place that rents and sells clothes to people who want to look like celebrities and famous people, like singers, actors, people like that," he replied.

"That is a clever idea," Lois agreed. Minutes later, they arrived, and the owner jumped right in and asked if they needed an actor costume, because they looked like famous people.

"No, we are reporters, and we have questions about vintage clothes specific to the 1940s and if anyone came in recently looking for those particular clothes?" Clark asked.

"Yes, weeks ago, a gentleman came in and bought an entire rack of clothes specific to that decade," he replied.

"Do you have a name?" Lois asked.

"Yes, I do, but let me check my records." He shuffled papers on his desktop, small pieces of notes, then he found it. "Here it is, and his name is Emil Hamilton."

"Dr. Emil Hamilton?" Lois asked.

"Yes, that is his name," he replied.

"Thank you, Sir," Clark said, then they left.

Back in her car, Clark asked, "Where are we going now? I wanted to check in with Perry."

"We have one more stop, and his name is Bobby," she replied. "The guy at the clothing store said the clothes were bought weeks ago and Bobby may have answers." She pulled into an Italian place that specializes in hero subs and desserts.

"Oh, I remember him; is he that professional snitch?"

She chuckled. "Yes, he is an excellent snitch, but we pay him with food." After buying Bobby's huge meal, they met him in an alley behind the take-out shop.

Once inside her car, he popped up from the back seat, and reached for the food. "Hand it over," Bobby said, starving and ready to eat.

"No answers, no food," Lois said and held it away from him.

He sighed. "Alright, alright, what do you want to know?"

"In the past few weeks, what have you heard about armed thieves wearing antique clothing and robbing people at gunpoint?" Clark asked.

"Yes, have heard of them, famous criminals from the 1940s: Bonnie and Clyde; Al Capone; and John Dillinger."

Lois handed over the food, and he began to eat.

"What do they want besides money and scaring people to death?" Clark asked.

Chewing his food, Bobby replied, "What do they all want, a piece of the action, meaning taking over businesses but they need money to do it, not to mention making dirty deals, intimidation, and extortions."

"Anything else?" Lois asked.

He searched the bag. "Where's dessert?"

Clark gave his partner a look, then she reached under her seat, and handed over the cannoli, an Italian pastry.

"Thanks," he said, and ate it and with whipped cream on his upper lip, he said, "Oh, there's something bad going down tonight at an illegal gaming club on Hawthorne Avenue."

"What's going on there?" Clark asked.

"The usual, intimidation, threats and guns probably," he replied. "Anyone want a pickle?" He held it up. Lois snatched it before Clark had a chance. "Thanks for the food, and please bring water next time," he said then he is gone.

"We should go to that club tonight, hopefully, to end this insanity before anyone else gets hurt," Lois said and fastened her seatbelt.

Clark also fastened his belt, but he is not convinced they should go.

~o~o~

Later that night, the Gaming Club:

Earlier that day, and after speaking to Perry about Dr. Emil Hamilton, the clothing store visit, and that he is the key to all of this. They asked him to pass along that name to the police, that it could be the connection he needed to close his case.

Now midnight, they stood outside near the entrance and talked about the club and how they should manage it.

"Lois, I cannot stress enough how dangerous these people are. They are armed and after I witnessed their attempt to rob a bank and blow up the place because Superman showed up to stop them, they got away because a guard suffered a heart attack and I needed to help him. Please stay close to me, understand?"

Feeling anxious and ready to go inside, she replied, "Yes, of course, please do not worry about me."

He could not believe she said that. "Lois, please be careful. I cannot lose you." He stressed his concerns.

"I will be fine; now let's get this over with."

After they entered the club, Lois at once began to play a slot machine, then Clark left her and went to the bar to get a clear view of the entire room. He knew the thieves' faces because of the bank robbery, but he did not see them. A woman at the bar, one of the thieves, Bonnie, flirted with him but he is not interested. Her boyfriend's name is Clyde, but he shoved Clark away meaning stay away from Bonnie.

He left them and went back to Lois who hit the jackpot of nickels. Then three men heavily armed, the leader named Al Capone walked into the club. He at once informed the crowd that the owner is no longer available, and he is now the owner of the club.

Lois and Clark also noted the weapons and the men appeared ready to shoot if anyone disagreed with them. Clark felt worried for Lois, but they were standing close together. Clyde still upset and jealous because of Bonnie, but he did not like either of them. He approached Lois far too close, but Clark pushed him away, then shots were fired. Clark is hit three times in the chest, and because hundreds of people are watching, he collapsed to the floor and remained motionless.

Stunned he appeared hurt, Lois kneeled beside him, but his eyes were closed as if he were dead. For a second, she believed it, as her eyes filled up then said his name. "Clark, Clark!" She touched his face, his lips, not believing he is dead.

Capone did not like this problem. "Pick him up and take him outside." But as he is lifted, he stared at the body but did not see blood on his chest, on the floor, or anywhere; must be a police officer with a vest, he thought.

Still unbelieving, Lois watched as Clark is taken from her sight, but she wanted to see where they were taking him, and tried to follow, but Capone stopped her.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Eyes shining, she replied, "He could still be alive; I need to get him to the hospital."

"He is gone, and you are not going anywhere."

"Please, I need to see him, please!" She begged.

"John, take her to the back and keep her quiet," Capone instructed thinking she may also be police. "Nobody move or you will be sorry."

John grabbed her arm and took her to a small room, which appeared a storage area for tables and slot machines. In a chair, they tied her hands behind her back, her feet, and a gag around her mouth.

Meanwhile, Clark is thrown in a dumpster near to the club. He made sure they were gone before he at once searched for Lois. Using his super hearing, he heard a beeping sound, a sound he knew well. Someone is trying to contact her.

Now, in his costume, he followed the sound and found her still at the club toward the back entrance. He scanned the entire building to avoid the armed thieves, not wanting Lois to get caught in the crossfire. He found her, untied her, and picked her up and flew out the door. Holding him tight and trying hard not to cry, happy to see him.

"Are you okay; did they hurt you?" He asked worried about her.

She nodded. "I'm alright."

"I'm taking you home."

"But the thieves; I heard Capone planning to take over the Planet and the celebration is happening right now. You have to stop them."

"Okay, but I'm taking you home first."

"Thank you, Clark." Holding him close, she kissed his cheek.

After leaving her at the door, she had to kiss him goodbye, and she did. "I'll see you later?"

"Yes, see you later." Then he flew away, but he saw her tears and wondered at it.

TBC!

~o~o~

Song Inspiration: So Emotional, Whitney Houston.

A/N: The magic effect on Clark is canon. Coming up, emotions are stressed as they talk about the club shooting and hard truths about their relationship. Later, they speak of that night and their understanding. Thanks for reading. Please review when you get time. Thanks again.