"Lois! What happened last night?" Clark said suddenly as she walked past him at the Daily Planet.
"Excuse me?" she asked, lifting an eyebrow. "What business is it of yours?"
Clark realized he had been too quick to speak. He hadn't slept at all last night. Instead he had just tossed around in his bed trying to come up with possible reasons for Lois standing him up at the pier. He couldn't get over how close he had come to unveiling himself as Superman.
He quickly changed his tone as he calmed down. "Uh, I saw Richard last night." Lois flinched for a second, but tried to act as though she had no idea what he was implying.
He allowed himself to graze her arm briefly as he tried to comfort her. "I was just worried about you."
"Don't be Clark. I can take care of myself." She took a breath and then said quietly, "I don't deserve any sympathy anyway."
"For what it's worth," Clark interrupted, "I admire your honesty. Few people have the strength you do to follow your heart."
Her small smile that followed surprised him.
"You know what Kent? I'm glad you're back." She smiled once more before quickly changing the subject back to work. "So what was that you were saying the other day about a lead on Luther?"
Lois had always thrown herself into her work to avoid her feelings. It was a trait Clark had picked up on within days of meeting her.
"Well, I called…" he started to say, but was stopped by Jimmy slamming his suitcase down on the desk.
"Sorry Clark. Chief says he doesn't want you living out of the storage room anymore."
Clark blushed for a moment as Jimmy was called away again. He hadn't realized Perry was aware of his current living situation.
"Clark, you're living out of a storage closet?" Lois said somewhat disgusted by the thought.
Clark began to mumble about how he had been trying to find an apartment when Lois began speaking again.
"Well," she sighed, "that just won't do. You can stay with Jason and I at the house on the lake. And don't think I'm doing you any favors Kent. I plan on putting you to work as soon as you arrive."
Clark hesitated. He did need a place to stay, but it would be hard keeping his secret from Lois if they lived under the same roof.
"I don't know Lois…" he began.
"I won't take no for an answer." she stated flatly.
"Well, I guess there is no arguing with you then." He paused for a moment and then said "Thank you." before he watched her turn back to her computer.
His thoughts then drifted to Jason. He was grateful for the opportunity to get to know his son he had practically deserted for five years.
"Oh, and Clark?" Lois said as she leaned over to look at him. "Don't get any ideas."
For the first time in weeks he heard Lois laugh. It was one of the most beautiful sounds he was fortunate to hear.
He stared back at his own monitor and muttered to himself "Living with Lois? This should be interesting."
pqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpq
"Do you think Clark knows how to play piano?" Jason asked as he sat and watched his mother make up the guest room.
"I don't think so honey. Clark is a pretty simple guy. I don't think they even have music classes out in Kansas." she responded. Lois was exasperated by her son's numerous questions, but since Richard had just left and another man was moving in, she figured Jason was bound to be suspicious.
"Maybe I can teach him." Jason said cheerfully. For some reason, Lois had noticed that he had quickly taken a liking to Clark.
"Jason, I'm sure Clark has better things to do than learn piano from…" but she was suddenly interrupted by Clark's voice in the foyer.
"I'd love for you to teach me piano, Jason." Clark said as he found his way up to the guest room down the hall.
Lois had always been amazed by Clark's hearing abilities. There had been more than one occasion that they had even seemed superhuman.
"Clark! Hi! I wasn't expecting you until seven. Jason, can you go help Clark with his bags?" she said as she finished tucking in the sheets.
"Actually, this is all I have." Clark said uncomfortably.
"Oh. Nevermind then. Clark, dinner will be ready in an hour. Until then, Jason can show you around. I'll be in the study if you need me." she said, hoping to sidestep the embarrassment Clark had over his few belongings.
"I think I can find my way around. Why don't we start on those piano lessons instead?" he offered.
Jason's face lit up at the suggestion and he began dragging Clark by his arm out the door. Clark looked back at Lois and gave a quick smile and a shrug before he was out of sight.
Lois rolled her eyes and headed for the study. The house seemed empty without Richard. He had kept his promise by leaving for London and picking up his things before she had returned from work. He left a short note explaining that he would call Jason when he landed, but left no personal messages for Lois. She reminded herself for the millionth time that what she did was the best for both of them.
Lois then remembered how she had left Superman alone at the pier last night, and began thinking how she could make it up to him. She wanted to do something to take his breath away like he had done so often for her. The question was, "What is more amazing than Superman?"