A/N - I would like to thank Sep sepideh9) for all her help with this story, without her I have no doubt this story would have not been as enjoyable. I would also like to thank Sana for her input and help. Most of all I would like to thank all of you who have reviewed my story; you are what makes me strive to make the story better. This story is scheduled for 15 chapters, much more than I originally thought. But, I have promised a sequel to resolve the confrontation with Zod; so be patient and I will start it as soon as I have enough of the story sorted out.
Gunn
Chapter 14 (Part I)
Lois awoke the next morning in Clark's bed hugging the extra pillow. She couldn't resist drawing in a deep breath, inhaling his scent. She was wearing one of his famous plaid shirts. She had always felt safe here; she had just never associated that feeling to Clark. Now she knew it was his scent and the feel of his shirts that made her feel this way.
She reflected on the scene last night when she had asked him to join her in his room. Smallville had blushed so red, she broke out laughing. Even after she assured him nothing would happen, he still refused. Clark was adamant she should move into his room and he could sleep on the sofa.
She inhaled his scent from the pillow one last time as she sat up in the bed. She quickly brushed her teeth and quietly went downstairs, where she found Clark floating above the sofa. She ran her hand through his dark locks; as her hand passed through his hair she could hear him softly call her name.
She went into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of orange juice. She opened the door letting Shelby into the yard. Suddenly she heard Clark crying her name "Lois … Lois … NO!" she dropped her glass. Clark's flight abruptly ended dropping him onto the sofa. The legs of the sofa broke at the same second as the glass hit the floor. Lois ran to his side, as he began calling her name, a longing desperation in his voice. "Clark, I'm right here" she cried, dropping to her knees and wrapping her arms around his head. "I'm right here. Everything's going to be okay. Everything's going to be okay" she repeated softy holding him.
Clark opened his eyes and took in her visage. "Lois, thank God! I thought Zod had killed you. I was too weak and he made me watch as he tortured you." Clark said softly tears rolling down his cheeks.
"It was only a dream. I'm right here." she repeated tearing up herself. The agony in his voice was something she had never heard from him before. She didn't know how, but right then, she decided she would save him. He was always saving people and now it was his turn to be rescued. Lois made certain that from that moment on, she would do all in her power to never hear that agony in his voice again.
Martha came running down the stairs, to hear Clark say "Lois, promise me you won't go up against Zod. Promise me to stay clear of Zod. I couldn't stand losing you." His voice was a whisper as he added "Only if ... I don't come back…if I…"
Lois put a finger over his lips, stopping him. "I promise … but, only if you promise no more of this talk. You promised me yesterday that you would always come back to me; and I'm going to hold you to that, Smallville." Lois said soothingly. Then she kissed him, silencing him. A pregnant silence descended.
Martha wiped the tears from her eyes as she asked "Who want's some buttermilk pancakes?" effectively breaking the silence and brightening the atmosphere.
"I would love some pancakes, Mrs. K" said Bart opening the kitchen door. "Hey Clark … I didn't mean to intrude" he added noticing Lois and Clark's situation.
"It's alright Bart. I just had a bad dream." Clark replied. "I'll get you a chair Bart" Clark said kissing the palm of Lois' hand before standing up. He helped Lois up and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"So Bart, what are you doing now?" Martha asked pointedly, effectively diverting Bart's attention as Clark and Lois wiped away each other's tears.
"Clark hasn't told you?" Bart asked surprised. A satisfied smile crossed his face as he said "I'm doing quite well, thanks to Clark here." Slapping Clark on the back as he held out Bart's chair waiting for him to sit, he added "Clark nagged me enough that I finally saw the error of my old ways. My stealing days are over." Bart actually laughed when he saw the look of surprise on Lois's face as she set down glasses of juice in front of each chair.
"Lois, I take it our alien friend never told you how we met?" Bart asked amused. While Lois shook her head and began to sit in the chair Clark pulled out for her, Bart continued "I picked Mr. Kent's wallet and our resourceful alien here tracked me down."
Lois's expression changed to one of outrage as her voice took on an icy edge as she said "You stole from dad, and now you and Clark are friends?" Once again gaining her feet, Lois towered over Bart menacingly.
"Lois, it's all right. He saved dad's life and that was in the past. He's not that person any more, we all deserve a second chance; dad taught me that." Clark said slowly easing Lois back into her chair.
"Well, you know Clark, always seeing the good in people. I just was happy looking out for number one, then over time Clark convinced me I was better than that. So, I did what came natural … I started a courier service. When I outgrew that, it became a same day delivery service. I started in Central City, now we're in six of the largest cities in the country. We're doing well if I do say so myself. I've almost paid off all my debts for starting the business in a little more than a year."
"That's wonderful Bart. I'm glad Clark got you to see the light." Martha said beaming at her son as he helped her sit at the table.
"Who would loan you money? A start-up like that has to be expensive." Lois asked truly bewildered.
"One of my first clients, outside of Central City that is, Bruce Wayne." Bart said in a self satisfied tone, while helping himself to a generous pile on pancakes and what looked like half the bacon.
"You know Bruce Wayne? Such a tragedy about his folks." Martha said.
"He's pretty grave really. He was impressed that he received his package so quickly, so he asked me about the company. After a little talk, he gave me a million dollars for startup money. I'm proud to say I only owe less than two hundred thousand dollars in fourteen months." Bart bragged.
"Wow, you are doing great Bart. You never told me you were doing that good." Clark said awed, watching Bart help himself to another stack of pancakes.
"What can I say? I picked the right business. 'Nobody beats BA Quick Courier; we get in there in a Flash.'" Bart exclaimed grinning ear to ear. "But enough about me, I came to ask about this kryptonite. Where do I find it?" Bart asked suddenly.
"Kryptonite? …" Martha asked so surprised she was actually talking around the food she had just put in her mouth. Ignoring Clark's chuckling behind the hand that suddenly covered his mouth she added "What are you kids going to do with Kryptonite?" looking directly at Clark.
Clark had the decency to blush, as he quietly said "That's the one thing we didn't tell you yesterday. I want you, all of you, to keep some Kryptonite with you at all times. Just make sure it's shielded, I don't want any of you to get Kryptonite poisoning."
"Poisoning?" Bart asked with a slight hesitation, right before he took the last of the bacon.
Clark picked up a couple slices of bread and asked "Anyone want some toast?" Only Lois said yes, so Clark toasted the bread with his heat vision while saying "It has happened, but only with prolonged exposure to purified Kryptonite. I just don't want any of you taking chances. So, make sure any Kryptonite you have is encased in lead. Okay?" Clark passed Lois her toast adding "Be careful, it's still hot."
"Clark, that was way cool." Bart said watching Clark toast his own bread.
"It's nothing Bart, but as for the Kryptonite" Clark said casually. Then he added in a coy tone "Chloe is your girl, she knows more about Kryptonite than I do." winking to Bart.
"I could definitely be persuaded to visit the lovely Chloe." Bart said playfully taking the last of the pancakes.
"Slow down there speedy, you expect to drop out of nowhere and put the moves on my cousin?" Lois asked in here best drill instructor tone. Her stern expression softens when she added "She deserves the best. If you hurt her, I'll kill you. Understand?"
"Ma'am, yes ma'am" Bart replied imitating the recruits he watches on television.
"Bart, she's serious." Clark said quietly as he leaned towards Bart.
"Damn Skippy. She's my cousin and we Lane's take family seriously." Lois added looking into Clark's eyes. A fleeting message passed between them, saying the Kent's were now Lane's.
"Teenagers" Martha said softly laughing. "I had forgotten how wonderful it was having you around."
Clark got up and started clearing the table as Bart and Lois discussed Bart's 'intentions' with Chloe. After he finished, he asked if he and Lois could be excused for a moment. Clark led Lois back to the living room and quietly said "Lois, I really wanted tomorrow to be only you and me, but I'm beginning to think that's selfish. Do you think we should invite everyone to the Fortress? You can be the last to leave; I want you by my side till the last second. We'll have to do it at night, so no one would notice. But, I think they deserve to be with us, since we'll all be fighting this together."
"Smallville, of course they can come. I agree; we should all see you off and don't worry about me, I'll be stuck to you like glue until…" Lois said reassuringly until the end when she began tearing up.
"Lois, all my life I kept waiting for this incredible feeling of connection. You know, like I was exactly where I belonged, but that's only happened to me once in my life." Clark said quietly kissing her tears away.
"When?" Lois asked still with her eyes shut.
"The day I met you." Clark said emotionally holding her chin looking directly into her eyes barely an inch apart.
"For a spaceman, you are the most romantic person I've ever known. Earth guys don't stand a chance against you." Lois replied hugging him fiercely.
"Lois, I gave you my word; I will come back to you, scout's honor." Clark ended playfully.
Lois pulled him in for a long kiss and said "You better." before kissing him again.
Bart and Martha walked in and Bart joked "Hey, you two why don't you get a room?"
Lois picked up a throw pillow and hummed it at Bart, who caught it without seeming to move. Everyone had a quiet laugh as Clark kissed Lois again.
"Lois and I decided we want all of you to go with us to the Fortress tomorrow. We can all meet here for dinner; I pick us up 'something special.'" Clark said winking at Lois who beamed with delight. He then added "We just need to see if I can arrange a way for Pete to get home"
Bart happily chimed in "I can take care of that. I'll get him a plane, if you like I can even bring him to Metroplois and if Chloe feels like it she can drive us to the farm, that way everyone can get back home."
"No, Bart that would be too expensive." Clark objected immediately.
"What do you mean? I'll just pop in and ask Bruce to loan me one of the Wayne Enterprise jets. I'll even tell him to call me if he hears anything funny in the future." Bart said nonchalantly.
"Bart, you can't..." Clark began before he was interrupted by Bart.
"Don't worry; I wasn't going to tell him anything. Bruce always asks me what I hear on the streets. Hell, most of our first conversation was about my 'criminal' past. Bruce likes to be informed of criminal activity. I guess that can happen when a simple mugging becomes a double murder of your parents right in front of you. I think he's almost obsessed with crime and criminals. Believe me, I'll just tell him I heard some strange rumors of some crazy stuff about to go down; he won't bat an eye."
"Okay, if you think you can do it, go ahead. Another set of ears could be useful." Clark said after thinking it over for a minute.
"Well, I better get going if I am going to meet Chloe for lunch. Thanks for the great breakfast Mrs. K. I'll see all of you tomorrow." Bart said as he opened the door. Everyone wished Bart bye as he departed.
Lois turned to see everyone and said "I think I like him, he's got spunk. Chloe better watch out, he seems to know what he wants" she turned to Clark while she added playfully "unlike some people who take two years to admit what they want."
"I seem to remember that went both ways Miss Lane." Clark said imitating Lois's trademark smirk.
Martha laughed and said "You two … you were made for each other."