Notes: Here is the third chapter! I was having problems uploading, so I'm sorry that it's a little late. You may have noticed that I have not given the 'judge' a name. I've done this on purpose to keep from accidentally referring to any real life judges. I hope you guys understand. Well, I hope you guys enjoy it!
Disclaimer: I do not own Superman, though I wish I did.
Back at the Daily Planet
Lois slammed her purse onto the desk. Huffing, she sat down and immediately started her part on the reconstruction article. Lois knew that she wasn't angry at Clark, but really just angry at herself. She had lost it as soon as she saw the judge.
'Get a grip, Lane.' She stopped typing and leaned back in her chair. She looked down the aisle towards Clark's desk. 'I really ought to apologize.'
"Lois?" Lois jumped slightly. Richard was behind her and had been trying to get her attention for some time.
"Oh, Richard, I didn't see you."
Richard chuckled, "Obviously…Are you busy?"
Shaking her head, Lois stood up and gave Richard a hug. "Uh, no, I was just beginning my part of the article….and I'm a little frustrated."
Richard frowned, "What's wrong, honey?"
"Oh, that stupid judge that let Luthor out of jail. I ran into him at the FEMA conference."
Richard nodded, "Lois, it's over…So let's just try to forget about it. That judge is just bad news. Okay?"
Lois threw her hands up in the air, "Argh, that's what Clark said!"
"Clark?"
"Yea, he was there. He tried to keep me from confronting the judge, but I did it anyway."
"What happened?" Richard started to look very worried.
"Nothing…nothing really…It's probably just stress. I'll make sure to apologize to him if I see him again."
Lois gave Richard her best confident smile and hoped he would buy into her little white lie.
'When have I started keeping so many secrets?' Lois thought.
Richard told her that he would go pick up Jason at school so she could work on her article. After he went back to his office, Lois decided she needed to go apologize to Clark. She found him at his desk working on his part of their article.
"Hey, Clark."
He jumped slightly, which seemed odd to her…almost as if it were somewhat delayed. Lois shrugged, "I wanted to apologize for my attitude earlier. I-I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. I know you were only trying to help and it's truly appreciated." Lois closed her eyes for a moment. "I can't just get over what that man allowed to happen. My son is the most important thing in my life and I was scared that I'd lose him. It was the worst feeling I have ever experienced."
Clark smiled at her then pierced her with a very serious stare. "I know, Lois…you just have to be careful. Don't even worry with an apology, it really isn't necessary."
Lois was very happy that he understood. She completely forgot everything and hugged him. It was act that should have been awkward, but wasn't. As soon as Lois realized what she did, she jumped back like she had been stung. She quickly made sure no one in the office saw what happened. Luckily, the office was like it always was: chaos.
'Has he always been so muscular?' Lois couldn't believe that Clark was the type to lift weights, but she definitely felt strong muscles under that three piece suit.
Lois finally managed to stutter, "Uh…um…sorry, Clark. I kind of forgot myself there for a minute."
Clark was looking at her with an unidentifiable expression on his face. Perhaps it was a mixture of emotions. Lois didn't stay very long to figure it out, "Oh, well, I better get back to work. I'll see you around, ok?"
Clark was still standing by his desk looking stunned.
Later that day
Thirty minutes until office hours were closed and Lois was still working on her rough draft. She couldn't keep her mind off what she did and how it felt.
'I hugged Clark!' Lois threw her head into her hands.
If he had any kind of attraction for her earlier, it probably grew a lot today. The worst thing was the feeling. 'I actually enjoyed it! What the hell is wrong with me? Haven't I got enough problems with men already?'
That particular thought brought him back into her mind. She hadn't seen him since he visited their house a few days ago. She had to push Clark out of her mind because she had bigger fish to fry, Superman for instance. Lois had decided that next time she saw him that they would talk about Jason's future. It's now or never.
Turning her computer off, Lois got up and went to Richard's office.
He was at his desk working and distractingly replying to Jason's questions. He looked up upon hearing the door open, "Hey, honey."
She told him that she was going on home to start supper and get Jason ready for tomorrow. Jason jumped up and started gathering his homework and toys. Richard kissed her and Jason on the forehead and started to tell them goodbye when his phone rang. He took the call as Lois made her way out of the office with Jason on her heels.
While sliding her time card, Jason managed to disappear into thin air….something that seemed to be happening more and more lately. Lois found him at Clark's desk where he was animatedly talking about whatever was on his mind. As she got closer, she thought she heard them talking about Superman. Clark froze and hurriedly told Jason goodbye for the day. "What are you doing, sweetie, we need to go." Lois said.
"Sorry, mama, I was just telling Mr. Clark bye."
Lois smiled, "Oh okay. Are you done?"
Jason nodded and began to walk towards the elevators with her. Lois turned around as she walked, "See you tomorrow, Clark."
He waved that normal, goofy, Clark type of wave. Lois turned back around and stepped onto the elevator. Once the elevator was moving, Lois regarded Jason. "I thought I heard you talking about Superman, Jason?"
"I was just telling Mr. Clark about my new picture. I wanted to show him but I gave it to daddy."
Lois smiled, "That was nice of you, honey."
White/Lane Home – 6:30 PM
Lois decided to splurge on dinner and cook hamburgers. Jason was coloring at the table waiting for Richard to get home.
'He must be trying to finish his article today.' Lois thought.
She knew that the hamburgers would make him happy. Lois used to hate cooking, but she picked it up after moving in with Richard. It usually took her mind off of her problems, but tonight she couldn't help the multitude of thoughts bouncing around in her head. She hoped Superman would come visit her again soon. As much as she regretted hurting Richard, keeping secrets from him were driving her insane.
Richard made it in around seven and they had a nice little family dinner. Jason was showing him the picture he had been working on. Lois half expected it to be of Superman, but it wasn't. It was actually of Clark and Jason.
"You really like Mr. Clark, huh Jason?" Richard asked.
Jason nodded enthusiastically, "Mr. Clark said I can spend as much time at his desk as I want!"
"That's good since I'm behind." Lois sighed. "Jason, you should give Mr. Clark your picture. I'm sure he'll love it."
Jason liked that idea a lot.
"Lois, why are you behind? Did you get stuck?" Richard asked.
Lois shrugged, "Nah, I've just been preoccupied with the judge. He kind of ruined my whole day. I'll be fine tomorrow."
He seemed to buy that and didn't ask any more questions.
Midnight
Lois woke with a start.
She had heard something down the hallway. Ever since the boat incident, she had been even more paranoid about Jason's safety. She quickly got up, slipped on her robe and headed for Jason's room, but not without grabbing her small derringer.
She listened at Jason's door and heard a rustling sound. Suddenly the door opened and she was jerked inside. She opened her mouth to scream, but realized it was Superman. Luckily his hand was over her mouth so nothing escaped. Whispering she said, "Good lord you scared me!"
He apologized in that strong, sexy voice that always made her shiver. He looked pointedly at her gun.
"I've been a bit paranoid, lately." She admitted.
"Let no one accuse you of not being a good mother." He grinned.
Lois grinned back, "I'll take that as a compliment."
He stood beside Jason's bed much like the last time he was there. "How is he?"
"Great. Last week's events haven't affected his school work and he seems happy."
"I'm glad," he paused, "Lois we need to talk."
Lois' heart rate sped up…This was it.
He looked straight at her, "Lois—I, I know I have no right to Jason, but I want to be in his life somehow." His big blue eyes were pleading with her and it made her heart rate beat even faster.
Lois walked up to him and put her hands on his forearms, "Of course you have rights to Jason. He is your son, after all. Besides, I have decided that I cannot lie to Richard any longer."
She rose up and he met her halfway for a slow kiss. It was their first in a long time and she relished the feeling that swept over her. She knew that her love for him hadn't gone away, but that she had been hiding it from herself.
Superman pulled away, "I also want to tell you that—"He paused as if he were listening.
He frowned, "Lois, I have to go now but I will be back soon." He kissed her again, but more quickly.
And with that, he flew out the window and into the night.
Lois sat into the chair beside Jason's bed and softly brushed his hair out of his eyes. She was content for now, but there was still much to be talked about.
'What was he going to tell me?' Lois wondered.
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-Kristina Leigh