Chapter 5: Realization

As Lois waited for an answer, Clark had an ongoing mental debate in his head. In all honesty, he enjoys the relationship he and Lois had now, whatever kind of relationship it may be he liked it a lot. But the question is, can he risk discovering if there may be something more?

He looks at her dejectedly. "Maybe next time," the words didn't want to come out, but he knew it had to be done. Being around Lois is becoming a little too disorienting for his liking, and he needed a way to get around it.

Lois let out that breath she hadn't realize she was holding. It relieved her that he had said no, but then why is she disappointed. She turned to leave quicker before things got more awkward than they already are, the wide expanse of his loft suddenly becoming a little too constricting for her liking. This can't be good, she thought.

Several hours later, Lois got to Metropolis in quick time and headed straight to the Hyatt where Bruce had been staying. As she arrived, she knocked dreadfully at the door.

Inside, Bruce was suddenly jolted out of bed when a loud bang was heard emanating itself throughout his room. He reached for his watch and the time it showed didn't quell his irritation at being woken up so early. Rising up, and still half asleep, he checked to see who this person was. It had better be good.

When he reached the door, he didn't even bother looking through the peep hole.

He opens it only to be greeted with a sudden push to the side. "What the - " He squinted his eyes trying to clear his vision, and then reached for the light switch.

He looked to see his best friend, Lois, who was already situated on the couch before he could even complete his reaction.

"You realize what time it is, right?" The door slamming mildly shut.

"You were right"

Bruce looked confused, it's way too early to be thinking. "About the time?"

"No, about Clark"

Bruce's mind was swirling. Clark? His memory quickly flashed back to his and Lois's conversation the week before.

Flashback

"You two seem close," he began.

Lois looked at him incredulously. "That's the popular theory," she replied.

"So you're not." He knew otherwise. Watching the two of them tonight, he saw a glow in Lois's eyes he doesn't see too often. Most times, it would fade as fast at it had come, but it was different this time around, the glow in her getting brighter by each passing moment. He doubts that she even notices, considering her mouth runs faster than her mind can follow, he smiles to himself.

"We're just friends Bruce, nothing more"

End of Flashback

Now this is truly a first. Lois Lane, the queen of non-committal relationships has finally found a guy that was worthy enough to get her thinking at this time in the morning, add to the fact that 'the guy in question' is responsible for Bruce's own early morning wake-up call. His nightly disturbance didn't seem like a total loss anymore. This should prove interesting.

"I'll go make some coffee," he added as he disappeared into the kitchen.

Back in Smallville, Clark himself couldn't get any sleep because a certain college-girl has been relentlessly occupying his mind. He wandered downstairs, he sat by the counter replaying the events that occurred hours earlier.

Clark had thrown that bracelet away, but she found it. Of all the people in this town, it was Lois that found it. Not only did she find it, she actually kept it, adding to the fact that he made a mental note to update it to an actual jewelry bracelet even before he could stop and think about what he just decided. This is all just so confusing, he doesn't ever recall feeling this way when it came to Lana.

"Son?" A voice crept up behind him, taking him away from his thoughts.

He looks back. "Oh, hey dad." Clark's voice was a low whisper. "Sorry if I woke you."

Jonathan waves the notion away. "Nah, I couldn't sleep. What about you?" He made his way to the coffee machine.

"I've got a lot on my mind"

Turning the brewer on. "Is this about Lois?"

Clark's eyes widen. How did he... Oh, his mother. He shakes his head in consternation. Could this night get possibly worse? Even through his parents he couldn't get his thoughts away from her.

Back in Metropolis, Lois paces the living room as Bruce looks on with amusement, waiting for Lois to stop running on.

"... I mean, seriously, we've got nothing in common. Okay, so there's Chloe, but other than that, we're nothing alike. We can hardly stand each other," she babbled.

In Smallville... Like Bruce, Jonathan himself is on the receiving end of his son's problems.

"She's stubborn, dad. Very bossy, she's a lose canon, what could we possibly have in common other than Chloe?" He tried to rationalize to himself.

Metropolis...

"Do you know if he feels the same way?"

Lois stared at him nervously. "Whoa there, what do you mean, 'if he feels the same way?' Like you mean actually making an effort to see if these confusing feelings are mutual?" She arched an eyebrow. "I'd rather not"

"Why not?" he asked rather loudly.

"Because!" She says defiantly.

"Because what?" Lois is really in denial about this.

"See, this is why it's confusing"

Shaking his head in annoyance. "I think you need to talk to him"

"Never gonna happen," she replied stubbornly. She stood and walked out into the balcony with Bruce following close behind.

"What are you so afraid of?" he asked her earnestly. He's never seen her like this before, and he's beginning to think that there are things about Lois Lane he wasn't privy to. "Why won't you let yourself fall?"

"Have you let yourself fall for anyone?"

"Besides you," he answered honestly, remembering the time when they were more than just friends. "No - but if the right person came along, then maybe." He thinks a moment, then answered again. "Yeah, I would"

She looked back at him sympathetically. She loved Bruce, but being in love with him was an entirely different thing. It was fun, she'll give you that, but the connection was always unclear. In the end, they both knew they were better off as friends, and they've been doing great at it since.

"I don't know Bruce," she adds softly. "Clark's a great guy," she admits. "I relish the fact that I can irritate him so well, and I can tolerate his presence 95 of the time." She smiled remembering all the moments she deliberately gives Clark a hard time. "We've got this thing going on between us - I'm not sure what exactly it is, but it's there. It's freaking me out a little"

"Maybe it's because you genuinely like him"

"Ugh," she reacted rather disturbingly. "Why did you have to say it like that, it makes it all the more tangible"

Bruce chuckles at her reaction. Lois Lane has fallen, now if she could just hit the ground, maybe she can even get herself to move forward with this and Bruce could finally get some sleep.

Meanwhile, back in Smallville, Jonathan sat and listened to Clark's situation.

"Look son, I know these past few years, personal relationships has been more than difficult, but you won't know what the future holds if you don't take that leap of faith"

"Easier said than done, dad," he replied, skeptically. "Lois isn't exactly the easiest person to get along with. Let's not forget the fact that I'm an alien." He wanted to throw something, anything to release the frustration building up in his mind.

"I know you've made the decision to keep that part of yourself a secret from everyone." Jonathan puts a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Whatever you decide, your mother and I will be here to support you."

Clark smiles gratefully. "Thanks dad, that means a lot to me"

Jonathan returns the smile. "Now why don't you get back to bed and try to get some sleep. The cows won't feed themselves in the morning you know"

"Ugh," Clark reacted tiredly, his head falling down on the counter. This is going to be a long night.

To be continued...