A/N: It's been a long journey, I know, but I do appreciate all who stuck around this long for me to finally finish up this story. Hopefully it met all your expectations. Thank you for everyone who left reviews even years after I started this story. I truly appreciate all your feedback and support! It's weird to think this story started out as me at a young age trying to work through an experience I had and the feelings it brought. Now, it's a fully finished story! Without further ado, please enjoy the last chapter of Crushed.

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4 years later…

"Jeff, we need to get this story out to print ASAP. No dilly-dallying," Lois chided as she made her way through the bullpen up to her office. She rolled her eyes at the constant coaching she was having to give Jeff the intern. He was a promising kid, but sometimes he lacked that biting motivation. As she entered the office, she took a deep sigh of relief as she looked at Clark's desk seated right across from hers. His chair was completely empty causing her to slouch slightly. She knew he was probably off doing his whole Superman thing.

She shook her head and sat at her desk looking down at the keyboard as a note was seated cleanly on it. 'Meet at rooftop – 7pm tonight.' Smiling to herself, she bit her bottom lip excitedly. She knew what day it was. She had been prepping for it for months now refusing to let Clark show her up this time around. Reaching down in her desk, she pulled the drawer open and pulled out a box. Cracking it open, she smiled down at the telescope that shown brightly. He was going to be very surprised.

Closing the box, she put it back in the drawer and closed it choosing to focus on work for a bit and trying not to get excited about tonight. Her mind was not on the same page as it kept drifting back to when he finally told her his secret. Sure, she had been surprised even didn't believe him at first. Although, after picking up the tractor, it was hard to deny the evidence in front of her. It had been a long night of them talking over everything after that. Last son of Krpyton, kryptonite, power development, who knew vs. who didn't know. A disappointment filled her gut when she found she was the last of everyone to know, but a small bit of hope flared when she found out she was the only one he'd truly told. He chose to share this part of himself with her even though they weren't getting back together in that moment.

Lois curiously had asked why he had told her out of everyone especially now. His response came easy and surprised her. "Out of everyone, you never wanted anything from me besides being Clark. You didn't push or question things. Telling you now felt right." The answer hit her like a brick at the possibility of people asking so much of someone with the abilities Clark had. She couldn't imagine having to hide a part of herself because of fear of people using it for nefarious purposes. Lois had ended up crashing at the farm that night processing everything. It was a lot to take in.

She had her suspicions, especially after her memory came back about him potentially being the Blur. Her head had reeled trying to pinpoint some explanation for what she had seen. She even had tried to convince herself they were a sort of dream she'd made up in her vegetable state, but she knew she had to know for sure. So, come the morning, when comfortable silence had fallen between them as Clark busied himself making breakfast, she had finally asked him about her now remembered memories. It was weird seeing him not being squirrely or trying to hide anything. He had given her the honest answers she wanted. She just couldn't believe someone like Clark had kept something so big so quiet for so long. No wonder all those times he felt he had the weight of the world on his shoulders it was because he literally did.

It would seem his promise of showing her he cared and being honest was something he meant. A warmth had filled her at that. Clark was a man of his word she'd found and as the months followed one after the other, he continued to prove that. He included her in everything including cluing her into Watch Tower which was more of a shock than anything. Sure, there were bumps in the road, and her having to speak up when he was excluding her from important information, but it felt like they had fallen into a type of normal only they could understand. To Lois, it felt easy to fall back into their old friendship patterns. She felt there was a sort of closeness between them only they knew, and it felt like she'd been doing it her whole life with him.

As the year rounded out, she found herself wanting more again. The fears she had felt previously seemed completely washed away by the wave that was Clark Kent. So, on a day that seemed like any other, she had asked him out seemingly nervous for some reason knowing full well he was hers. The smile that broke out on his face was enough confirmation for her. And while she thought it might be weird to fall back into the romantic aspects of their relationship, it wasn't. It was just as easy as anything else. Now that everything was out in the open, there was no worry of him running off or being scared away from her. He let her know he would always return in the way only he could.

So when I love you's were exchanged, it felt like the unspoken was just finally said out loud and meant. As the years trickled by, one big bad after another came and went and came again. One life after another was saved and crime slowly dissipated or left for other cities. Stories were printed one after the other slowly rising the names Lois and Clark to renowned status and putting them in an office of their very own. The Blur changed to Superman and showed his face to the public putting those fears back in Lois's mind. When the transition seemed smooth and effortless, the fear started to dissipate like anything else with them. Soon, life became comfortable, or as comfortable as it could be for the world's greatest reporting duo. Lois never let things get too dull.

Keys were exchanged before boxes were moved and lives intertwined into its own space and style. Before Lois knew it, it had been four years since they had decided to start that clean slate, and she decided it was the best decision both had made in that moment. Life wasn't what she had imagined, it was more than that.

Outside of the life they shared, their hero friend group slowly grew as more heroes arose from the inspiration of Superman. Soon, the little league that was created to fight crime was now a hall of heroes across the globe and galaxy. The intimate parties that were shared among six became eight then ten then hundreds. The loneliness she knew Clark felt his whole life seemed a distant memory as she watched the man feel an inclusion, he never thought he'd feel; the love he never thought he'd have.

With more heroes, came more time available for the two of them. She was sure Clark had asked the League to cover for him tonight, so they could celebrate what they'd created. Lois was never more appreciative of the team then on nights like this.

Soon, the clock moved from four to five, and Lois found herself rushing out the door to get ready. A happy nervousness sat in her stomach at the image of Clark's face when he got her gift. She was sure she'd have one'd up him this time.

Quickly, she threw on the dress she had bought for tonight. A red one, of course. Clark was a sucker for the color especially on her. Hair was curled and fell naturally down her shoulders. As she finished up her makeup, she glanced at the clock knowing she was already late. Clark wouldn't expect anything less. She grabbed her coat and rushed out the door ensuring she grabbed her purse that housed the gift. Before she knew it, she was sprinting to the Daily Planet elevator sliding in as the excitement bubbled further. She wasn't sure she was going to be able to hold it all in.

As the elevator dinged, she made her way up the steps to the roof. Once there, she took a deep breath and opened the door. Her mouth dropped as she looked around at the suddenly transformed roof. Lights were strung about the place as a table for two sat in front of her eyes. Champagne sat on the table as rose petals were strewn about. She smiled as she looked around before making eye contact with the familiar blue eyes. "Clark," she drew out breaking into a smile and shaking her head.

"Happy anniversary," he replied happily and easily as he made his way towards her to take her coat.

She looked up at him as he gave her a quick peck on the lips. "Leave it to you for a setup like this," she replied as he started guiding her towards her chair.

He simply shrugged in response. "I had a little help from the team," he replied simply as he took his own seat.

"I'm assuming their covering tonight?" Upon his nod, she grinned to herself and took a sip of the champagne that had been poured for her already. It was still cold and bubbly as if it had just been poured. Leave it to Clark to predict her lateness. He was probably keeping an ear out for her as she made her way to the roof. "Happy anniversary," she replied finally raising her glass before kissing him instead. "Four years."

"Yes, four years officially," he responded throwing her his charming Kent smile. "You look great tonight, by the way." A slight blush rose to his cheeks at the compliment he sent her way mostly from the thoughts that followed the compliment.

Lois's face turned a bit scarlet as well knowing full well the thoughts that had crossed his mind. "You don't clean up so badly yourself," she replied biting her bottom lip and sending him a small wink. "Long day of saving," she asked changing the subject to fall into their usual conversation.

"Had to ensure we'd have no interruptions," he responded. "Big news cycle day?"

Shrugged, she took a small sip of her drink. "Not really, other than Superman saves. I caught up on some things." She fidgeted a little as she looked around her. "I was actually thinking I'd beat you this anniversary." She smirked a little and rolled her eyes at his curious eyebrow raise. "I got you a gift." She reached into her bag and pulled out the box and handed it over. "But after all this, I'm not sure it compares."

Clark took the box curiously and opened it looking down at the telescope in the box. A wide smile broke out on his face as he looked back at her. "Lo, it's perfect," he responded as he removed it from the box to set it up.

"It's inscribed on the side," she commented feeing a wide smile start to grace her face at his excitement as she watched him start to set it up. "I know you like all this space stuff. Figured we could keep it in the apartment." She shrugged slightly her eyes not leaving his movement.

He looked at the telescope on the side and smiled. 'A half of a whole. Love LL'. "Seriously, this is a great gift."

"Are you sure, because I can always still return it I'm sure," she started rambling.

"Lois," he replied kneeling in front of her and touching her hand. "It's perfect." He sent her a reassuring look with another charming smile which made her noticeably soften. "Thank you," he finished before kissing her softly.

A smile broke out on her face as relief filled her nerves. She knew him, and she knew that, but sometimes it was hard to justify that in her head. She was always making mistakes except with Clark. Clark made her feel like she wasn't a screw up. Things seemed to just go perfectly around him when it came to her. "Good," she responded staring at his eyes that were radiating happiness.

"I got you something," he replied easily as he stood and made his way over to his seat.

Her whole body seemed to perk up at that. "This wasn't the gift," she asked indicating the whole dinner setup.

He shook his head smiling over at her. "Nope, but you're going to have to wait for it."

Rolling her eyes, she shook her head. "Are you kidding me? You know I hate waiting." She glared over at him causing him to only smile further. "Is it something you have here," she asked wanting to know the answer instead of waiting.

He shook his head and looked over at her. "I shouldn't have said anything," he responded as she continued her glare. He sighed before looking at her. "Fine, I'll give it to you now." He got up and went over to the food grabbing a cake that was clearly laid out for dessert.

"Clark, if you're surprise was cake, I'm not mad but kind of a bummer conclusion to the buildup."

Smiling he set the cakes down one in front of him then her. "Well, you see Lois. It's been four years since we decided to start with a clean slate, and I told you my secret." He paused wondering if she realized what was in front of her. She just kept looking at him confused. "And it was clear to me before that I wanted you in my life forever, and, these last four years have only strengthened that idea for me." Still she looked at him with confusion in her eyes which caused Clark to smile wildly. "I can't imagine my life without you, so why don't you look down at the cake, Lo."

Confused, she looked down at the cake and finally looked at it. Perched on the top was an engagement ring. "Clark," she breathed out feeling speechless for probably the first time in her life.

He grabbed the ring and kneeled in front of her. "Lois, you're my partner at work and in life. I couldn't imagine anyone else by my side. All those years ago, you were right. I was saving up for my Harley."

She chuckled slightly looking down at him as her eyes started to water slightly. She couldn't believe he pulled this all off.

"What I'm trying to say. Lois Lane, will you marry me?"

Looking into his eyes, she didn't hesitate. "Yes, yes of course," she finished as he slipped the ring on her finger. She grabbed his face and planted a kiss smiling into the kiss feeling completely on cloud nine. She would almost think it was a dream if she weren't holding onto him at this moment. They stayed like that in the moment lips locked for them what felt like eternity. Soon, Lois had found herself standing in Clark's arms continuing the kiss.

Eventually, the kiss was broken when the sky lit up suddenly. Lois looked up as fireworks burst in the air. She looked down at Clark giving him a knowing look. "Was this also you?" She should've known she couldn't beat him when it came to anniversary presents.

Clark shook his head. "No, my guess is Ollie or Bruce," he replied looking at her as they both turned to the fireworks Clark holding Lois in his arms as she rested her head on his shoulders.

Standing there in the night with the perfect end to the perfect day, Clark could suddenly see his whole future in front of him, and, for the first time, he wasn't dreading it or worrying about it. When he had met Lois all those years ago, he knew she was going to be important in his life somehow whether it was to annoy him for the rest of her known days or something else. He would've never imagined his life to turn out to be quite like this, but he couldn't have been happier with the turnout. He finally had people all around him who accepted him for all that he was, and he had a woman that loved him fully.

Lois lavished the moment she was in. Never would she have expected her life to be quite like this. A screwed-up army brat prone to making mistakes turned world renowned reporter with a super boyfriend. As the fireworks brightened the dark night sky, she never felt more comfortable and happier in her life. She would relive every moment if it meant she ended up here; all the good and bad

As the fireworks began to die down and silence filled the air around them, they stayed cuddled standing while looking at the night sky. Neither really wanting to move finally feeling the familiar contentness that always fell between them. The night air soon grew chilly as he felt her shiver slightly under him.

"You ready to go?" He asked her looking down as they snuggled. The dinner was long forgotten at that point, and he would most likely super speed it all home for later. He wanted to be with Lois right in this moment.

She paused considering the question. "Yes," she finally replied. And she was. She was ready for whatever was next with them.

End…

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A/N: I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter of this saga! If you could, please leave a review as I still read them and love to hear your guys' feedback. Thank you all for going on this journey with me over the years! Your support kept me going! Until next time :)