Author's Notes: This chapter is all Lois Lane for those who inquired about getting into her mind more. You know so much of what's going on in Clark's mind, I agree that it's time that Lois got the same treatment. I will probably not go this route again because this story is a Clark-story. Harish, thanks for the review. Lex is a great character and I hope I do him some justice here. Joseph B… always a pleasure to hear from you. I'm aware that severing the relational ties between Lois and Chloe is going to take a little getting use to, thanks for keep up with me. Hopemaster, I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Metamorphosis – Chapter 24

Lois Lane's POV

I exited the mansion with this lingering feeling of dread. It was never my intention to hurt Lex, even if in fact it isn't my fault to begin with. Lex has always been like this: protective, caring and a little bit obsessive. I practically grew up with him, so I knew all this and it still doesn't make me love him any less.

And that's the thing that separates us.

He loves me, I know, but I always got the sense that he wanted more from me.

I love him. There's no question about it, but it wasn't romantic love, its brotherly love.

I love him like a brother. I always have. No matter how much we've changed physically and intellectually, I couldn't see him as anything but as a brother. I knew all along that getting involved with Clark would put a strain in our friendship, and I held back as much as I could.

Not anymore. I agreed to his date and I enjoyed myself immensely, and for a night, I forgot about the world and bathed myself in his attention.

His embrace.

Reaching my car, I hop in and drive back to Metropolis. Lex has on numerous times offered to fly me via-helicopter, and as much as I enjoy flying, I like the feel of the gas beneath my feet when I push to accelerate. I like to be in control of my life, I wouldn't want it any other way.

I also like my independence, and that two has always put a strain in my friendship with Lex Luthor.

Four Hours Later

"Hey Chloe," I greeted her with enthusiasm. Sullivan's quite the character, and I find myself endeared by her personality and awe-struck outlook on life. You talk with her about anything that involves journalism and her eyes widens in excitement.

"Hey, Lois," she says, and I note that there was some teasing in her tone. Naturally, I roll my eyes.

"I can already see this conversation coming." That's when I notice the waste basket on the floor. I lean down but then immediately yanked my face from the god awful smelling contents inside. "What the hell is that?"

"Oh." Chloe looked like she committed some heinous crime, and judging by the waste in the basket, I can almost understand.

Almost.

I raise my eyebrows and waited, practically impatiently for her to answer. "Are you okay, Chlo?"

"Yeah. Um… I just got a little stomach ache earlier. Must've been something I ate"

If there was anything that I learned about being a journalist, its reading people's body language, and I could already see the wheels falling off in Chloe's head. Sullivan's not a very good liar. She hasn't been for months. I figured that it was something personal so I didn't press, but it is moments like these that make me question otherwise.

"Are you pregnant?"

Chloe looked like she coughed up a lung. "NO!" she denies vigorously, her reaction makes me laugh.

"Okay. Then what's wrong?"

She didn't answer my question and went back to the part where I thought she was pregnant.

"What made you think I was pregnant?"

I shrugged. Honestly, it was just a possibility that occurred to me.

"Well… I'm not okay"

I nod but she continued.

"And unless this was an immaculate conception, I'm totally NOT pregnant"

"O…kay," I repeated, she was getting a bit tetchy. Really, I shouldn't get my head blown off; I was simply asking if she's okay. "Are you sure it's nothing else bothering you? I could be a pretty good sounding board to sound off to"

Her face immediately looks guilty and my face softens as it did so. We've really become close, Sullivan and I, she's becoming a sister to me. Hmm… Lex is like a brother and Chloe is like a sister, I'm beginning to wonder if I need to see a shrink or something.

If I don't feel like I'm having lack of family issues, is it possible to have family issues? That's so complicated; I remove it quickly from my thoughts.

"How's your day?"

I could see her trying to keep the grin from showing on her face but I knew better.

"What did Clark tell you?"

She beamed and grabbed me by the hands and tugged me across the room to sit down on the couch. Sullivan picked up her knees and waited for me to share the 411 on the previous night's event.

"Moonlight walk. The carriage ride. Rooftop dinner at the Daily Planet." Sullivan was totally all into this. "I didn't even know Clark had it in him to be that romantic. He's always so conservative."

"He definitely surprised me." Did I just admit that out loud? Judging by the look on Sullivan's face, I did. Dammit. There goes by tough act.

"So… what'd you think, besides being surprised I mean?" Chloe waited for my answer, my impending words leading her entire body off her position, she looked like she was going to fall. What did she eat at lunch today?

"It's…" I began but not really knowing what to say at this particular juncture. "It's not what I expected from him. He was very romantic"

"And…" Chloe encouraged.

"And…" I repeat. "I had a great time"

She frowned, apparently my answer lacked imagination.

"That's all?"

"I'm never one to kiss and tell." Foot in mouth.

Her eyes went wide. "There was KISSING?"

"NO!" I got up off the couch and paced a couple of times before facing her again. "Nothing happened. We walked. We talked. There was some occasional teasing, and then we danced. But that's it. Nothing else happened"

"Why not?" I could almost swear that Chloe looked at me like I was crazy or something. Since when did a date with Clark 'Smallville' Kent become the talk of the town?

"What exactly did Clark tell you?"

Busted. Chloe hesitated giving an answer and I cross my arms waiting for her to do so. I could tell she was holding back on something, I just don't know what it is.

"He really had a great time last night," she says and I go soft at the response.

"I did too," I admit sincerely.

"Will there be another?" Chloe fished and I grin.

"Perhaps," I reply vaguely.

"Are you seeing him tonight?"

"If you mean if I plan on bothering him, I definitely am"

Chloe laughed and I had to laugh along with her too. These are the other moments I like. Light. Fun. Nothing was dramatic. I'm just a girl remembering the first night I truly enjoyed being on a date with a guy I happen to like.

Nighttime in Metropolis

"Clark." I was surprised to see him at my door.

"I called your cell, but it was off. We haven't spoken all day and I'm wondering if… last night was too fast, wasn't it?" his voice was sad, hurt even. I didn't mean to shut him out but after I spent sometime with Chloe, Lex came by in a fit of anger. I spent the entire evening just helping him calm down.

I turned my phone off in the process, knowing the likelihood that Clark was going to call. And I knew what he would think when I did, and it pains me that I inadvertently misled him.

"I'm sorry"

"I guess I was pushing too hard"

"You weren't," I assured, closing our distance. I looked into his eyes and it's like I could see my future. "There's been a… complication"

He furrowed his brow, not fully understanding so I elaborate.

"I was just at Luthor Corp." His face becomes unreadable and I immediately knew what he was doing. I would know; I've been guilty of doing the very same thing too. "Lex has been… drinking lately…" I couldn't go any further. Whatever is happening between Clark and me, I still respect Lex's privacy.

Clark's face grows worrisome. "Are you okay?"

I nod. "He didn't hurt me, if that's what you're wondering"

"It wasn't," he says wholeheartedly and I believe him.

I sit myself down on the steps and he follows right besides me. We've done this plenty of times before in addition to our late night scramble visits and movie marathons. We'd sit around and talk for hours on ends. I think it was these moments that made me fall for him, but I'm not ready to admit to that verbally just yet.

I don't know how long we sat there, but he didn't push for answers, and I appreciated it greatly. I start to shiver and I don't want to pretend I'm strong and waiver the cold. He gently pulled me into his arms and held me, my face lay on his chest and the world went right somehow.

To be continued…