Clark watched as Lois entered the Daily Planet newsroom and without looking his way, headed to the coffee machine. It had been two days since she had found out he was Superman and she hadn't spoken a word to him since. There were no new breaks in the story they'd been working on, at least not on Clark's end. He suspected if Lois found anything out, she would inform him out of professional courtesy, but that was probably the best he'd get from her.
He wondered if it would be like this from now on. People in the newsroom were beginning to notice the freeze-out going on between the two of them. He had caught Perry giving them a disapproving look at their solo research efforts more than once. Would he assign them different partners if they couldn't get along? Or would he have them work individually? Would he have to fight Lois for every story he did? Would she revert to the Mad Dog Lane persona she had been hiding behind when he first met her? He hated to think that would happen.
They worked so well together. Their styles, though as different as night and day complimented each other perfectly. Perry had said so on many occasions. Clark sighed and turned back to his computer.
He would regret the loss of their partnership if it came to that, but wouldn't be what he mourned the most. He was desperately afraid that he had lost everything now. She had told him she loved him. If that were true, than he had ruined their chance to be together with his deception. He couldn't blame her for it. She deserved her anger. He couldn't bear the thought of not talking to her every day, laughing with her, going out to movies, hell even arguing with her. She was a part of him in a way that nobody had ever been before. She was everything to him. How could he have been so stupid? He should have told her from the moment he met her.
Looking over, he saw her seated at her computer, typing. It looked like she had possibly found something out, as she was staring at the screen as if her life depended on it. Clark gave a soul weary sigh and turned back to his own computer. He wanted to go over there, to apologize to her, but knew that would be futile. She would talk to him, when and if she was ready. If that happened, Clark was determined to get her friendship back somehow, even if it took the rest of his life to gain her trust again. He had given up hoping they would ever be together. The hurt likely went too deep for that. But friendship, well he couldn't live without at least that.
He was startled from his thoughts by a soft beep on his screen. Clicking on the instant message bar at the bottom of it, a window popped up. It was from Lois.
Clark, can you meet me at my apartment tonight? I think we should talk.
I'll be there Lois , he replied typing almost at super speed. He risked a glance at where she sat, but she hadn't looked up. Despite that, he allowed himself a hopeful smile. She wanted to talk. Talking meant she wanted to understand. He only hoped he didn't make as big a mess of things the second time around. He knew if he did, he wouldn't get another chance.