It had been three weeks since Richard had passed away. Lois thought sadly. She had left work a little early to pick Jason up from day care, but the school hadn't let out yet. So there she was, sitting on the empty swing set, idly pushing herself back and forth. The swings creaked and she dug her toe in the sand, aware that she hadn't sat on a swing set for fifteen years at least.
Clark had been absolutely wonderful. He had opened his doors to them when they had returned to find their house… her and Richard's house consumed in flame. It had seemed almost final, as if cementing his death. Their last connection was gone. Lois had insisted on them finding another place to stay, but Clark was adamant about them staying at his apartment.
It hadn't taken too long for her to cave in, however, because she still was plagued with nightmares nearly every night. She needed Clark there with her. When she was alone with Jason, she was the strong one, the one for him to rely on. But she didn't always feel so strong. When she was at Clark's, she could depend on him. She, Lois Lane, was dependent on someone. It had never happened to her before, not even with Richard.
But when she was with Clark… the thought of losing him was unbearable. He had picked up an uncanny sense of waking her just as her nightmares worsened. He would come in and pick her up so they wouldn't wake Jason, and then carry her out, sometimes with her still struggling against him. When they were finally alone, he'd speak to her firmly and she'd gradually stop struggling and wake up.
And that's usually when the tears came. He'd crush her to his chest and it was only then that she could relax. When Clark Kent was holding her no nightmares could invade her mind. He was strong, but so unbelievably gentle. At the slightest movement he was loosen his grasp and she could face him, gently running her hand across his cheek.
That was the most contact they usually had. He'd hold her, and she'd touch his cheek, or run her fingers through his hair. It was unspoken but mutual that they would do no more.
Until last night.
Her nightmare had been particularly violent, her tears especially fierce. When Clark had gently comforted her, she looked up into his blue eyes, the eyes that understood her so well, and kissed him.
It had been weeks since they had kissed, and the feeling had been sorely missed. After that first, exhilarating touch of their lips, he had pulled back slightly, making sure this was what she really wanted. Lois responded by pulling his head back down on hers, smiling in delight against his lips when he let out a soft groan.
They slowly slid down onto the couch, rediscovering the exquisite feelings their kiss could spark in them. For the first time since Richard's death, Lois felt free, like a giant weight had lifted from her shoulders. She had loved Richard and he had loved her, but that chapter in her life had passed. It had taken a while, but she finally felt like a small part of her was healed. The thought of him being really, truly gone still made her heart wrench, but now she could now sometimes remember him without that feeling. She could remember how happy they had been together at one point and how he had wanted her to continue to be happy.
All philosophical thoughts, however, left her mind as Clark spun her around on the couch, pining her below him. They broke for air, both gasping slightly. He looked slightly concerned; like he'd taken advantage of her, but his eyes had a sparkle in them that she hadn't seen in a long while.
"I've missed that," she said softly, running a hand lightly up his back. The worn T-shirt he slept in barely disguised the smooth muscle beneath.
And then he was kissing her again, balancing his weight so he didn't crush her. She reached around to the bottom of his shirt, trying to divest him of it. He finally ridded himself of it and groaned again as she ran her hands across his chest. He moved his hands to the hem of her shirt before he broke the kiss with a Herculean effort.
He pulled away, gasping slightly.
"Jason…" he managed to get out, nodding his head toward the next room.
Lois sighed at the mention of their son and agreed with him. They needed to stop. The thought of him walking in during a moment like this… He began to sit up to lead her back to her room when she shook her head and pulled him back down with her.
"Let me sleep here with you," she said softly.
Unable to refuse, Clark gave her a chaste kiss on the lips and she snuggled up next to him, resting her head on his bare chest. She fell asleep a few moments later, the steady thump of his heart a soothing lullaby.
Clark sighed and smiled at the woman in his arms. He was asleep soon after, and for the first night in weeks, both slept without nightmares.
Lois continued swinging back and forth, smiling at the memory. Waking up in Clark's arms that morning… it had just felt so right. She had woken before him, a rare occurrence, since he preferred to get up at obscenely early hours. For a few minutes she had just stared at him, having never actually gotten to observe him as he slept.
He was wonderful. Both inside and out he was wonderful. How he came to care for her, a cynical, self assured reporter, she'd never know, but she knew that he loved her with every fiber of his being.
And that was enough.
The bell that signaled school's end rang a few moments later, breaking Lois from her thoughts. Jason came out, talking to another little boy before they both laughed at something.
The sight was so normal, so everyday, but it touched Lois' heart. Jason had never been a particularly social boy… Must have gotten that bit of his personality from his father… but his communications with people other than her or Clark since Richard's death had been slim to none. He had been opening up to Clark more and more everyday, and she could see how Clark in turn, was beginning to rely on Jason as well. It was funny to think about, how the big, strong savior of the city could be brought to his knees by a five year old. But then again, so could she.
Jason saw her then and ran over, excitedly talking about his new friend Max.
They were just beginning the walk home when a familiar voice called out to them.
Lois and Jason both spun around, grinning delightedly at the sound. Clark jogged over to them, still dressed for work.
"Perry let me off a little earlier to come meet my favorite people," he said with a crooked grin as he fell in step with them.
"Mr. Clark! I've missed you!" Jason stood on his tip toes to wrap his arms around Clark's waist. Clark picked him up a second later and Jason gave him a kiss on the cheek. Elated at this bit of affection from his son, Clark turned a big, Kansas farm boy smile on Lois.
"I guess I've missed you too," Lois conceded, smiling against her will. She reached up and kissed him quickly on the lips. Jason, still in Clark's arms, seemed to take particular enjoyment at this. He scrambled in Clark's arms until he could put his mouth next to Clark's ear and whisper softly.
"Sweetheart."
Clark blushed and lifted his son up on his shoulders, not dignifying the five year old with an answer.
Lois watched this curiously. "Secrets, boys?"
"No mommy!"
"Not at all Lois," Clark chimed in, reaching over to her to link her fingers in his.
They continued walking like that, talking about their day and what to have for dinner, when a thought struck her.
They were a family. She and Clark might not be married, but they were a family. And this was exactly the kind of scenario she could expect for the rest of her life. She glanced over at Jason, chattering away to Clark, and caught his eye. The look he sent her made her realize that he was quite aware of how precious what they had was. She tightened her grip on his hand and with the other hand inconspicuously ran her fingers up his arm and around to his back.
Clark's eyes widened slightly and she smiled smugly. That part of their relationship hadn't succumbed to routine. She glanced again at Jason as they passed the cemetery.
Jason hadn't noticed, but the memory of Richard passed across her memory like a stab in the heart. Clark immediately pulled her closer, wrapping one arm securely around her shoulders.
"It's alright, Lois," his voice rumbled softly near her ear.
Thoughts of thefuneral and Jason's sprinting feat crossed her mind as well. Perhaps it was time for Clark to teach Jason a bit about controlling his powers. She smiled up at Clark to reassure him that she was ok and vowed to talk to him tonight about teaching Jason.