To Meddle or Not to Meddle?

Let's Get It Started

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Lois had volunteered to accompany me to the job Lana had chosen for me. It was at a flower shop. It was first owned by her aunt but after she moved to Metropolis, a new owner had taken over. Of course I knew all this but I wasn't about to make the situation even more suspicious. Lana had asked Lois to accompany me. Great. It was time to get this plan started.

We entered the flower shop and Lois' face showed obvious disinterest. I shook my head. You could take the girl out of the city but you couldn't take the city out of the girl. "Hello! Is anyone here?" Lois called out.

"I'll be with you in a minute!" A voice far away called back. Lois and I started to look at the beautiful flowers. Time to strike up a conversation. I picked up a flower and grinned. I turned to Lois who was looking a bouquet of chrysanthemums.

"Aren't these the same flowers Clark picked for Lana?" Lois looked lazily at the beautiful hibiscus and shrugged.

"I guess."

I sighed to lengthen my effect. "Clark is so sweet to Lana. Don't you wish you had a boyfriend just like him?" She rolled her eyes.

Lois scoffed. "Yeah, someone annoying just like him. Perfect boyfriend material, Shauna." Lois said sarcastically. She then shook her head at me. "What's with all this, 'Clark is so sweet' talk?"

I twirled the hibiscus in my hand and ignored her statement. "Why don't you like Clark? I mean, he's so caring. Like when he helped me out with my homeless situation. He was truly sympathetic for me and decided to help me. And that face was just so determined to find a home for me. It was remarkable."

Okay, it may have seemed that I had a crush on him myself and maybe that's what I wanted Lois to think. I just wanted to see she how she would react. Or has she already accepted the claim that Lana and Clark would always 'love' each other?

Because that's just bull.

Lois eyes me oddly and I smiled mysteriously. "We've just never clicked." Lois said slowly, still trying to understand what that smile meant. "Do you like Clark?"

"Yeah, but Lois that isn't even a real excuse. What did he do? Did he hurt or something? I mean why do you and Clark bicker endlessly around each other? It is kind of annoying…."

"What's up with the twenty-one questions?" She snapped.

"What's up with you and Clark?' I retorted. We both shared an angry glare. Why couldn't she be straight up for once in her life? Why did she have to be so secretive? There were so many questions in my head I wanted to corner her with.

"Um….p-please p-put down the hibiscus….please."

"What?" Lois and I both said at the same time. We both looked at the source of that voice. It was a man about my height, curly hair and glasses. He smiled nervously at both of us and then walked awkwardly towards us.

"I said, put back down the hibiscus….please." He said, with a bossier tone. "You're Shauna Williams, right?" he stretched out his hand and I hesitantly shook it. I smiled, slightly shocked and giving Lois a this is not my boss, is it? stare. She shrugged her shoulders and I felt even more shocked.

"Johnny, don't scare her away." A deeper, soothing voice called out. An older, taller man came inside. His grin made his appearance even sexier and I almost fell in love with his grin alone. He stretched out his hand. "I'm Daniel." I shook his hand and smiled.

I didn't care whether Johnny or Goliath was my boss. I had company. I had great company. "Johnny, get the last supplies for me, alright?" He ordered Johnny. My smile became even wider.

"You're the boss?"

"Surprised right?" I nodded.

"Much." I said, a little relieved. God, he's cuter when he smiles. Suddenly, I heard a loud rough cough. I turned to Lois who had an eyebrow raised and then I realized that I had been staring at him for a long time.

Why was she still here? Oh, yeah, Shauna! You're not here to gaze on cute, sexy guys. You're here to make Lois gaze on cute, sexy Clark! And I was trying to do that by making her angry at me for liking Clark.

But with the mirth look on her face I knew that all those thoughts had vanished from her mind. I'm so screwed today….

"Um….I was just looking at the different types of flowers I have to work with. Do I have to start working now or…" I ignored the nudge Lois gave me in my ribs, "later?"

"Yeah sure you can come tomorrow." Daniel shook my hand again and I think my heart just flipped….no, Shauna stay focused. His hands are so incredibly warm…focus, dammit! He gave us one last knee-shaking smile and went back inside his office.

We exited the flower shop a few minutes after and I refuse to look at Lois much less communicate with her. But obviously, she saw my obvious tension and before we had even reached an earshot from the store, she started. "So, you don't like Clark. You like Daniel. What a nice name: Daniel."

"Drop it." I said flatly. "He's my boss, so, there is absolutely no way that we can get together."

"Right, he's your boss. I forgot." Lois replied. After a few seconds of silence… "But, he's a sexy one." I groaned and rolled my eyes at her.

---------------------------------

"Are you sure he won't be there?" I asked Chloe for the umpteenth time. Chloe sighed, looking very annoyed by my repeated question.

"Yes. Now, calm down. I thought I was the one nervous about this whole thing." Chloe parked parallel to the white picket fence and looked out and saw the small, yellow and white cottage. I smiled. I loved this home (mainly because I love yellow) and what it stood for Clark.

We exited the car and walked up the steps. Before we could knock, the door was opened by the one and only Martha Kent. She smiled warmly at both of us and held out her hand for me. "And you are….?"

"Shauna Williams." I shook it. "I'm a friend of Clark's." She nodded her head and led us inside.

"Uh, Mrs. Kent, is Clark here?" Chloe asked. Martha nodded.

"He's upstairs, in his room with Lana." I inwardly groaned and I looked at Chloe was slightly disappointed. It was bad enough Clark was home, but with Lana.

It sucks.

"I'll call him down if you like." Martha was about to take the first step.

"No! No, its okay. We'll wait in the barn for him. He always hangs out there after a long day. We'll meet him there, Mrs. Kent." Chloe said, persuading the woman. Martha nodded and went back inside the kitchen. Chloe let out the breath she had been holding and we went to the barn loft.

It was so spacious. There was a couch and a desk at the side and at the window, there was a large telescope pointing to the sky. I had seen Clark use it so many times. I touched it and smiled. Boy, he's was one special guy.

And that is why I'm positive that Lois and Clark would be perfect for each other. Add one special guy and a spunky girl and you got love, baby.

"This is where Lana and Clark first kissed." Chloe half-smiled. "Lana told me." I glared angrily at her. What a way to kill a moment. She noticed this. "What? You have to know these things."

"But not all of them." Next thing you know she'll be telling me where they first….I suddenly shuddered. Yep. I knew that too. I sighed and looked through the telescope. The stars were so amazing. This would have been such a romantic place for Clark and Lois but, unfortunately, it reeked Clark and Lana. "We can't have them alone here." I explained the Chloe, "It's too…"

Suddenly, we heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Chloe and I quickly dived behind some boxes and waited breathlessly for the footsteps to go away. Then, we heard….kissing sounds? Chloe and I looked at each other. We were both confused. Who would….? I then silently groaned.

The terrible duo of Clark and Lana.

"Clark….Clark," Lana was mumbling in the kiss. "I've really got to go." Clark released her. "I have a lot of studying to do."

"But we were studying a while ago." Clark whined. I winced at his whining. He wanted this? "C'mon." he mumbled and began to draw into his arms again. But Lana pushed him away.

" We didn't study a thing. I'm sorry Clark." She began to make her way downstairs, leaving Clark alone. He sighed and dug his hands into his pockets. He made his way over to the window.

Why can't he leave?

Chloe hit me hard and I looked at her confused. She put her finger over her mouth. My eyes opened wide. Did I say that out loud? I prayed that Clark didn't hear me but it was too late. He was looking at our hiding place. His eyes were boring through it. But after a moment he shook his head and began to make his way downstairs.

I smiled in relief. He hadn't seen us. We got up from our hiding places. "I don't trust Lana." I said immediately. Chloe nodded her head in agreement. "She's keeping something from Clark. And if it helps this mission then I intend to find out."

"What mission?" We swiftly tuned to see who voiced that question. Our jaws hit ground when we saw Clark leaning on the wall behind us.

"Nothing." Chloe and I immediately said together after we could speak again. "Clark, how did you….you sly idiot." Chloe said. Clark grinned. I looked at them suspiciously.

You know, just for the sake of it.

I knew that he used his super speed to come back up just in time to hear our conversation. Chloe folded her arms and I shook my head.

"Now, answer my questions with a sensible answer. Why don't you believe that Lana's telling the truth and what mission are you talking about?" I wasn't so sure about the second question but I definitely knew I could use the first one to my advantage. I secretly wink at Chloe and she grinned also.

"Well, think about it Clark." I said coolly. "Isn't it strange that she just left you like that so fast? And weren't you two studying? Why would she possibly need to study more?"

"Right. And you are a good worker." Chloe added. Very nice. I nodded at Chloe who smiled. Clark looked at both of us, narrowing his eyes. "It's just oddly suspicious Clark. I mean, earlier in your relationship with her, you guys were inseparable. Now, she has these sudden emergencies and you hardly see her."

I looked at Chloe proudly. sob I taught her well.

"So what are you saying?" I groaned. Men can be so daft at times!

"Well, don't you think that you're growing apart?" I lightly suggested. Praise God if this goes well. Clark jaw tightened and his glare became more distinct. Okay, it didn't work. Heh.

"We are not growing apart." He almost growled. Chloe and I winced at his anger. Great, here comes the 'we belong together' part. "We love each other. It's just that everytime we have tests, we…. study apart from each other."

"Very unlikely considering that you two always studied together." Clark's anger turned immediately to shock and Chloe's eyes opened wide at me.

Right. How would I know that?

I faked a confused expression. "What?" I looked at their shocked faces. "It's obvious that they do." They seemed satisfied with this. "Look, Clark we're sorry." We sat down on either sides of him. "We just want everything to be alright with you." He looked at me and cracked a grin.

"And you've only known me for a couple of days."

"Hey, what can I say? I'm a very caring person." We all smiled at this. Chloe noticed the books used for studying beside her and she opened them.

"Wait a minute, Lois had an essay somewhat like this." Chloe said. Lois was majoring in the some of the subjects used in Journalism. Chloe looked at me. "Maybe she could help you study, Clark." A small smile formed on my face while Clark looked at Chloe like she was insane.

Brilliant, brilliant, Chloe!

"No way!" Clark refused. "It's Lois!"

"Why do you hate Lois, Clark?" I started.

"Because she's an annoying." Clark said immediately. "And I wouldn't be caught in a room with her and she's so stubborn…."

"Oh, shut up, Clark, so are you." Chloe defended her cousin. I give her a scolding glare. Its better he just gets it out of the open.

"So, what are the good things about her?" I asked him. He raised one eyebrow at me.

"There are good things about her?" Clark joked. I shook my head at him.

"Just state one." I replied. "Okay, how about this." I say after a while. "Why don't we all state something good about her. I'll go first." Chloe threw me a questioning glance and I smiled. She'll soon realize what I'm doing. "She's so funny."

"You mean sarcastic." Clark interrupted. Chloe and I ignored him.

"She's a good friend." Chloe said. We then looked at Clark.

"She's crazy." That earned him two hits on his shoulder. "What? That's good."

"Try again." I told him. He sighed and thought about it.

"She can defend herself really well." Chloe and I nodded in approval at this.

"Okay, she's sweet."

"You can depend on her to do something for you."

Clark smirked. "She's got many talents." Chloe looked at him puzzled and I gave him one too. But I knew what he was talking about.

You know, Striptease is a very nice movie…..

"She's very cheerful." I continued.

"She's very bold." Chloe remarked.

"She's vibrant." Clark said in a reflective tone. I smiled at this and Chloe shared an understanding glance. She finally realized where this was going.

"She's understanding."

"She is caring."

"She's amazing." Clark was now fully smiling.

"You can lean on her when you're down." Chloe said.

"Hey, it's my turn." I playfully snapped. "And you stole that from me!"

"She's beautiful." Clark half-whispered. By now, I'm beaming with excitement. Clark's eyes open-wide. "I can't believe I just said that about Lois." Chloe hit him again.

I ignored his reaction. "Well, I can't say anything else about her considering you stole my response from me!" I playfully glare at Chloe and she plays along.

"She's….Lois." Clark said. Still in that reflective tone. "That's all you can say about her. Wow. I didn't know she was so…great." Chloe and I nodded. I wanted to jump up and down. He finally realized who Lois really was! BIG accomplishment!

Yay me! And Chloe.

"So, Clark." I began. Mirth was written all over me. "What are you going to do now? Lois knows the subject of what you're studying and Lana looks like she wants to study everything all by herself."

Clark's smile suddenly turned into a frown. He looked at both Chloe and I. Our eyes were twinkling with delight. He groaned and we laughed. "Fine." He growled.

"Fine…what?" Chloe asked. Our smile became wider.

He deeply sighed. "I'll ask her to help me." He said flatly. Chloe and I looked at each other with our smiles still on our faces.

Don't you just love Clarkie?

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The next day, I heard someone knock on Lois' door. I immediately jumped out of my couch and ran to my door. I creaked it open and I see Clark at the door of Lois' apartment. I smiled. This was going to be the first stages of their bond and I was so happy I could do it. With the help of Chloe of course. Lois opened the door and you could even the see the surprise written all over her face.

"What's up with Chloe, Clark?" That was her first response when her future husband was at her door? Oh, poor child. She is so in denial. Clark looked confused by this.

"What did you hear?" He asked her. I shook my head at both of them. I pity them. I pity them a lot. "Nothing's wrong with Chloe, Lois. I need to talk to you."

Lois cocked an eyebrow. "About?"

"Could you just let me inside…at least?" Lois rolled her eyes and opened the door wider so that he could come in. After she closed it, I sneaked out of my apartment and put my ear to the door. "I heard that you had done an essay about Travel and that contained a note on Journalism and its relationship between the two. I was wondering….I was hoping…"

I shook my head. I could practically hear him swallowing really hard.

"….that you and I could or you could just show me it and I could leave or we could just…"

"Get on with it, Smallville." Lois interrupted him. Finally, I thought that nonsense would never end.

"Okay, I was wondering if you could….help me study for my test?"

There was a moment of silence and then, "Have you lost a glitch in your system or are you really asking me to help you?" I sighed a frustrating sigh. What do you think!

"I'm really asking you to help me. I'm desperate." Clark added. He didn't want it to look like he was actually begging her. Too damn proud.

"I still don't believe you." Lois said, stubbornly. What was this? Be- a- stubborn –asshole- day?

"Look, someone told me that she could depend on you to do anything for her. Could you give me that chance?" Hesitation. "Please?" Another moment of silence passed. I heard a sigh….

"Okay, sure." Lois replied.

"Great! Thank you Lois." Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! I leaned against the door to hear more, but little did I know that the door was unlocked, and I slipped inside.

Well, not exactly slip…..okay, okay. It was louder.

But, it didn't come without a prize……

"Really, thank you." Clark said, obviously he didn't hear my little thud. He came closer to Lois, almost smirking. Lois looked up at him confused. Her eyes widened when she realized Clark was barely two inches near her.

"Clark…"

"Shh." He put his finger on her lips. He leans closer to her lips….I'm smiling…Lois is frozen and time stops for them. Then….

He kisses her….

On the cheek!

My jaw dropped as he pulled away. "Shauna!" Clark looked at my shocked expression. I quickly close my mouth and grabbed an imaginary…something.

"I got it!" I stated and put my hand over my left ear covering my earring. "I got my earring."

"How did it reach here?" Lois had just come back from fantasy land. Hey, welcome back to reality! Can I stab your crush? I was led on to believe he would give her a real kiss. A special, soft, scintillating kiss. But instead he gives her cheek kiss. A damn cheek kiss. Damn bastard.

I gave her a small smile and drew in a deep breath. "I was running up the stairs and I lost my balance, fell and lost my earring. I bent down on the floor in search of it and found it at the base of door. The only reason I slipped in (and yes, I will use the word slip) was because I pushed against the door too hard when I was trying to collect my earring." My small smile became a calm, collected smile and they were forced to accept that excuse.

"Right." Clark said, he and Lois were looking at me oddly. "I'm going to go now. Bye." He was about to exit the apartment when I stopped him.

"Did you ask the question?" I said, still smiling.

He scowled at me. "Yes." After the door closed and I knew he was away from our hearing distance (but considering this is Clark, which would never happen. Heh. Better to just try something), I put on my sly smile and moved toward Lois.

She was smiling to herself and still touching the part where Clark kissed. Man, if this was how she reacted to a simple cheek kiss, then imagine the real one. She might have fire-works booming on top of her……

That's it!

"So, Lois." That snapped her out of her reverie. She looked at the mirth filled smile and rolled her eyes. "You and Clark just don't click, huh?"

"He was just giving me a thank you kiss on the cheek for helping him." Lois said and made her way toward her small kitchen and prepared a sandwich for herself "Nothing big." She looked at me and saw that I was still smiling. "God, Shauna." She made her way to the couch to eat it. "It's nothing. He and Lana belong together. Duh. Besides, he doesn't like me that way. Thank God he doesn't like me that way. I would have to break his silly little heart." She clutched her heart and I couldn't help grinning. Boy, this girl was original.

But I can be better.

"Yeah, but you do know he played you." I said, taking a soda out of the fridge.

"What?" She asked confused.

"Well, he tricked you into thinking he was going for your mouth but instead went to your cheek. That was so funny." When she didn't respond, I stopped drinking and turned to her. "You did know he was going for your lips at first, right?"

"No, he was going directly for my che…"

"But then again, he could have wanted to kiss you on the lips but thought better of it since he was with Lana." I said, interrupting her. "It's either one of those two." I began drinking my soda again. "But considering your guys' history together, I would say the first one." I looked over at her and saw her frozen in thought. I smiled and cleared my throat. She looked at me. "Are you going to finish that?" I pointed to her half-eaten sandwich. She slowly shook her head and I gleefully grabbed it and ate it.

AN: Yeah, so that's my latest installment of this story. Sorry that I took sooooo long to update. I don't have my internet…waaaah! So I had to update a school…blah. Loved this chapter and loved making it. Yeah…anyway…read\review! Remember, the more reviews the more I'll write.