On the other hand. Chapter 2
A/N: Superman doesn't belong to me (although I wish he did!) and I didn't make any money from this story. Set post Superman Returns. Implied slash Richard/Superman.
Also, I modified chapter 1, so that Superman isn't giving Richard a mobile number (if you had read the original version of it, please just re-read the last paragraph or two…).
The flame of her lighter flickered, as Lois tried to light her cigarette. She paused a moment, half wishing that the flame would snuff-out, like it did the last time she flew with Superman.
"I still say that they're bad for you, Lois." Said the Man of Steel, as he watched from the roof.
Lois turned and gazed up at him, then sighed and looked away. "I know they are," she whispered "but right now I'm feeling just a bit self-destructive."
"It's about Richard finding out, isn't it." The statement held no question, merely facts. "You know you've hurt him, but you couldn't see any other way." Superman drifted down to join Lois on the balcony of the hotel room she had rented.
"That's not it at all!" she started, but as she turned and looked up at him, she knew in her heart she was lying. "Well, not entirely" she sighed "I just wish I knew how best to let him down, Superman."
"Lois, you shouldn't have to." Taking a deep breath, he continued gently "Richard still loves you, it just came to him as a shock, is all." He took a step forward, resisting the urge to reach out and touch her, to try and console her. The tears that stood out in her eyes bewildered him, but also tugged at the fear that he tried to hide. The fear that Lois Lane was irrevocably and inextricably in love with Superman.
Lois sighed, crumpling up the cigarette and taking a step closer. He smelled so good, so masculine and yet… his eyes told her another story. "I can't be with him, knowing how I feel about you, Superman."
Holding a finger to her lips, he gently hushed her "Lois, you know we can't be together."
"I..." she paused and looked away. "I guess I always hoped you'd change your mind. After your travels and all."
"No, Lois, I can't. I can't put you in danger and now that Jason's here, I can't risk him. He's so precious, we can't risk his life just with the fact that you're linked to me."
"Jason…" she turned and looked into the room where he son was sleeping. "I... guess you're right." Her shoulders slumped as the knowledge weighed her down. "But you know I love you, don't you?"
He laughed softly and nodded "I've known that for a long time, Lois. It's how I survive each day, knowing that there's someone out there who sees me for what I really am. Who sees me as a person, rather than an icon."
"It must be so lonely, having no one you can talk to." Lois looked up, into those blue eyes and longed for one moment to hold him, to try and show him that he didn't have to be alone. "I remember that once I showed you what it would be like." She broke off, not knowing where she was going with this. "I still want to be there for you, Superman. I want to be someone you don't have to hide from."
Lois looked so kissable standing there and it took all of his willpower not to bend down and scoop her up. Ultimately, though, he stepped backwards, limited by the space in the balcony. It was enough, though, for him to take a deep breath and refuse the offer. "For no reason other than I do love you, Lois," he whispered. "I can't let you destroy your life, or put your own life at risk just because of me."
"But I WANT to give you this, Superman. I WANT to be a part of your life, both as a friend and as more, if you'll have me."
As Lois stepped forward, Superman crossed his arms and floated up and backwards, over the railing. "Lois, you… don't remember how it turned out last time, I made sure of that. But when you and I were together, it was fantastic. You knew all of the truth, and for one night I never regretted our meeting. Nor did I regret that I'd fallen in love with you. Until Lex Luthor and Zod came." He sighed, not even sure if Lois remembered much of that encounter.
Flashes of memory had eluded her, but Lois was undaunted. She could see in his eyes the abiding love he held for her, could see the pain and loss in his face. "I don't care." She said, vehemently, her hands finding her hips in defiance. "Look, Superman, you're the one man in this world who really means everything to me. You're the one man I'd die to protect. And you're the only one who…" she stopped, biting her tongue.
"There are other men, Lois, like Richard. He loves you and truly wants you to be happy. I don't see why you can't be with him?" He hated himself for saying it, but he had to try, because nothing he could bring to Lois would ever bring her happiness.
"But you're the only one who can make me happy" she whispered, defeated.
"No, Lois. I saw the way you would look at Richard when I returned. I saw the secret smiles, the little touches… small things that you can only give to someone if you truly are in love with them. With your love for me, it's a case of nothing more than infatuation."
"Never!" she hissed, stepping forward to clutch at the rail, only to watch in frustration as Superman floated a little further away. "I love you, Superman, for who you are!" A flash of memory came to her as she looked up at the Man of Steel. A little knowledge that she shouldn't have remembered, then she gasped. "I love you, no matter who you are, Clark." She whispered, a little crestfallen, yet somewhat elated that she remembered when he hadn't wanted her to.
Superman blinked, trying not to show his surprise. But the surprise was momentary, considering how strong-willed Lois was. He regarded her silently, seeing how her eyes begged him for something more than he felt able to give her. "Lois, I can't be what you want from me," he whispered finally. "I can only be me and I have a duty to this planet, to more than just the…"
A scream stopped his words and he looked up with a frown. He'd been so wrapped up in this conversation with Lois he'd failed to hear the sounds of emergency, only two blocks away! As he turned to look, an orange glow had started to form, flames licking at the night sky.
"I have to go."
As Superman turned to leave, Lois reached out "Will you come back tonight?"
"I'll try."
And with that, Superman left in silence.