Chapter 4

Lana's Concern

And Lois' Surprise

Disclaimer: My friend Stand helped inspire part of this chapter. So thanks for that!

A Few Days Later At The Talon

"Mrs. Kent, can we talk?" Asked one Lana Lang to Martha Kent.

Adopted mother of the boy that despite being with Jason Teague, she still loved a great deal despite his issues. They may be young, but she knew what was between her and Clark was real love, even if she had tried deny it. Even if he had tried to deny it and had realized that with painful clarity during her time in Paris, that love like theirs didn't just die. Lana had intended to talk to Clark about the whole thing once she got back from Paris but then she had met Jason. And things had spiraled from there until she went back to Smallville and met Lois. Who Clark apparently shared a shower with much to her jealous dismay and of course Jason showed up and once again, things spiraled.

"Um, sure, things are looking calm at the moment. What do you need to talk about?" Martha replied with a smile towards the girl who had granted her a wish all those years ago as a little girl.

Said little girl having grown up into a fine young woman despite some hardships in her life. And someone Martha approved whole heartedly of where her son was concerned. Even if he did have to keep certain things from her and Martha honestly hated the fact she and her husband had had such a hand in forming his fears and paranoia where his powers and telling anyone was concerned. She watched as Lana looked down at the counter for a moment, worrying her lower lip as she did so until she looked back up at her. "Its about Clark."

"Oh?"

Does she know about RJ?

And if so, how many others knew? "Yeah, umm… I've been noticing how awfully exhausted he's looked in the last two weeks. Is everything alright? Its not another Sarah Conroy situation is it? Or something like that?" Asked the young woman in worry and concern.

Lana knew of course that it couldn't have anything to do with Sarah as she had called up her friend last night about the whole thing. Who now lived in Coast City with an Aunt of her's and had been quick to reassure her that she hadn't been in Clark's head again. Even finding herself curious and concerned as well and told her to keep her informed if she found out what was going on. The panic inside Martha calmed itself after those questions had been asked. Causing for a mental sigh of relief to happen within the mother. "Oh, its nothing like that, I promise. Clark's… Clark's just not been sleeping well lately is all. But other then that, everything is okay."

Okay, so she was partially lying but Lana didn't need to know that. Or about RJ as she was certain the younger girl wouldn't take the news too well. Especially considering who that sweet, beautiful baby boy's mother is. And though it was most definitely a shock to her system where that little boy and her son were concerned, Martha was certainly proud of her son for rising up and taking responsibility where RJ was concerned. Even if part of her did wish he didn't have to deal with such a huge responsibility considering he already had to deal with his powers. The reassuring smile she gave Lana didn't exactly help the younger girl, as she felt like there was more to it that wasn't being said. Something that unfortunately, she learned the hard way was a thing with the Kent family. Why that was, she didn't know and hated it as she truly wished they would let her in. Clark most of all.

"O-Oh, bad dreams?"

"I… I don't know, to be honest. You know how that son of mine is, always keeping things in."

Lana sighed at that, as oh yes, she knew all too well. "Yeah, I certainly do." She replied with a slight hint of sadness.

Gaining a look of sympathy from the older woman in the process. Clark, I hope you're okay.

Kent Farm

Hurricane Lois Lane had blown into town once again and after a little meet up with her Cousin Chloe, the city girl had decided to go and see her favorite farming family. And maybe prank and or annoy a certain Smallville that lived there while giving a little love to Shelby. Even if the furball did make her sneeze a lot! Mr. Kent was clearly somewhere on the farm doing his thing while Mrs. Kent was at the Talon, Clark was who knew where. Most likely at the Talon or in his Loft brooding about who knew what. Most likely thinking yet again about a certain Lang girl for the hundredth time when he could do so much better in her view. Not that she tried to think about that sort of thing mind you as that way was madness!

Ooh, Smallville's gonna be SO pissed with all this Whipped Cream covering his room!

A smirk was on her lips as she neared his door with a chuckle. Testing it, she found it was unlocked and slowly opened it just to be on the safe side. But when nothing happened, Lois made her way in. "And its time TO WHAT THE HELL!? SMALLVILLE!?" Yelled out the college girl in shock.

For on the bed, was her favorite Smallville with a baby on his chest! And both were asleep! Or were until her loud voice woke them up. "Wha? Lois!?" He asked in equal shock as the baby cried.

"You, baby, bed, sleeping, WHAT THE HELL!?"

Scrambling out of the bed while holding on to his son, an exhausted Clark glared at her as he tried to soothe RJ. "Could you keep your voice down!? I just got him to sleep not that long ago!"

Unfortunately, that not long ago was 12 minutes ago much to his dismay! Lois gave him an incredulous look. "You really expect me to do that!? Especially after I see a baby asleep on top of you!? Decided to branch out into baby sitting because farm life got too boring!?"

Clark groaned as his son continued to cry despite his attempts to calm him. "If you must know, I'm NOT babysitting!"

"Then WHAT are you doing!?" As surely he didn't kidnap a baby, right?

Then again, she did find him naked as the day he was born in a cornfield courtesy of a flash of light her first night in Smallville after all. And my oh my had she seen a lot of him that night! Which was enough to fuel her fantasies and never would she ever speak a word of those to anyone! Most of all, her Cousin! "Oh, I don't know, putting my son down for a nap!?" He snapped back bitingly.

Not thinking too clearly at the moment thanks to a lack of lots of sleep. Lois' eyes widened. "I'm, I'm sorry, but did I just hear you right? Because there's no way I heard you say that this baby is yours, Smallville!"

Mr. Bread and Butter? He who is all 'Yes Ma, Yes Pa'? A father at his age!? It just didn't match up, damnit! He groaned in frustration again. "Yes, Lois, you heard right! I'm a father and I'm still pretty surprised about it myself from time to time."

"What? But, but how? Why? When? Where? I didn't even think you knew about the Birds and the Bees!" She told him.

Of course… Some of those fantasies of her's DID include teaching sessions about those Birds and Bees… Clark glared at her in annoyance. "Just cause I live in a small town doesn't mean I'm ignorant, Lois. Sheesh."

She winced at the harshness of his voice. "Sorry, you know I tend to be mouth first, think later. But how did I not know about this before now? I mean, Chloe knows, right? Because there's no way she wouldn't have told me!"

Clark sighed as he gently rocked his son in his arms. "Except for my parents, a friend in New York, the Belle Reeve staff, and RJ's mom and her parents in Granville, no one knows about him, Lois. And I would prefer it to STAY that way, okay?" Requested the young man as it seemed his son was finally, thankfully, beginning to quiet down.

Lois stood there, processing it all until she sat down on his bed heavily. "Wait… Why, why does Belle Reeve know?"

"That's what you chose to focus on?" He asked in slight disbelief.

She just shrugged at him. "Well, yeah. So spit it out."

Another sigh escaped him. "Last year… I met a girl named Alicia. She uhh, she saved us both from a crashing elevator by teleporting us out of it. Things kinda went from there."

Lois could hear a faint hint of sadness in his voice and that concerned her. "That teleporting thing made her go off the deep end, huh?" She asked curiously and sympathetically.

He blew out a breath. "Not, not really. More like her parents really screwed things up with her in how they raised her and that impacted her in a big way. She… She also got a wrong impression about Lana and uhh… Well, she tried to kill her."

"Oh. I'm sorry about that, Clark. I really am."

"Yeah, I am too. Alicia… She made me feel normal, you know? Normal AND special all at the same time. Even though we'd only been together a short time." He said sadly as he stared at his more calmed son.

Lois could only look at him in sadness and sympathy, hating that her friend (though would deny it if asked by anyone) had this kind of pain he was dealing with. "My parents aren't happy about RJ and his grandparents don't want much to do with him but… Its whatever, you know? I'm dealing with it like I always do."

"Well, now you have me." Blurted out the slightly older girl much to their combined surprise.

"Lois..."

"No, Smallville, I'm serious. Its obvious you need somebody in your corner and who better then me to do it? But tell me this, how come my Cousin doesn't know?" She wondered curiously.

Blowing out a breath, he looked at her. "I might act like I don't pay attention, but I know she still likes me a certain way. And this… RJ, it'd hurt her and its the last thing I want. Lana… She doesn't know because I don't think she'd handle it too well considering his mom tried to kill her. Everyone else… They, its not their business. Last thing I need is them saying crap."

Lois thought about that for a moment and realized Clark was right. The knowledge about his little boy would cause a problem or two and for now, she wouldn't say a word unless he gave the okay. But then she thought about it some more and came to a realization. "But eventually, my Cousin, Lana, and everyone else will find out, Clark. And that might make things worse."

"Yeah, I kinda came to that conclusion on my own, Lois, but thanks anyway." He replied tiredly.

Things went quiet between the two for a time, allowing for a cooing RJ to go back to sleep much to Clark's relief. Which was then that Lois got an idea in her head and smirked. "Have to say, I'm a little jealous this Alicia girl saw Clark Jr. long before I did. Guess I'm not that special anymore."

He gawked at her and she laughed, which thankfully didn't wake up RJ as Clark blushed heavily. "Lois!" Whined the boy.

That made her laugh harder and unfortunately, that did wake the baby up. "Oh crap." Moaned the college girl.

"Here, you calm him down this time." Decided Clark as he handed over the baby and laid down.

Leaving her to gawk at him in shock. "What!? Smallville! Taking care of my sister was one thing but a baby!?"

"You woke him up, you do the time." Was all he said.

That got him a hit to his side but he didn't even react, already having passed out and snoring away, leaving Lois on her own as the baby cried in her arms. "Damnit, Smallville!" Groaned the nervous Lane.

As this was SO not where she had expected things to go! Also, what kind of name was 'RJ' anyway!?

Author's Notes: Heh heh… Poor Lois! That was definitely enjoyable to write! I should be asleep right now cause of work in a few hours but damnit, I needed to write!