Whew...ok. Chapter 6 is here. And I have to say, it was definitely an emotional one to write. I hope it's as emotional to read.

So, anyway. Remember, feedback is adored. :)

Author: Alison

Disclaimer: Characters belong to DC, WB, AlMiles, etc., etc., etc. I only own the story, which I love, so I'd appreciate you not taking it away from me. Due to popular demand, NBC has asked my cat to take Michelle Kwan's place as a commentator for U.S. women's figure skatingin Torino.

Chapter 6

He didn't want to move. He didn't want her to leave.

And he didn't know why.

"Look, Lois…I know we give each other a hard time. And…I've never dealt with this before…losing a parent." He paused as she continued to look out the window. "But, I meant it last night when I said I'm here for you. If you just want to talk, or even if you don't, I'll still be here."

Sure, he cared about her. Sure, he wanted her to be happy. But, maybe it was because they'd never really said it out loud. He didn't know.

He was silently hoping she wouldn't hurl an insult at him. He was trying, perhaps in vain, to be nice…to show he cared. To somehow say…we are friends, right?

She was shaking. He could feel her tremble as his hand rested on her shoulder, still lightly massaging it. Why was it still there? There was every reason in the world why it shouldn't be there.

But there was also every reason why it should.

It felt right. It felt natural. But, more importantly, neither seemed to mind that it was still there.

Her back was to him, but he still heard it. She was holding it in. She sniffed and took a deep breath. Then, slowly, she turned around.

His eyes met hers. The wetness glistened in the moonlight through the window. He watched as one small tear gracefully fell down her cheek.

He wanted to reach up and wipe it away, just as he brushed her hair away that morning. Just something to make her feel better.

What was this feeling? It was deep in his gut. That sinking, uncontrollable feeling. It affected everything and seemed to control his every movement. He was pretty sure it had something to do with that flutter that kept popping up around her lately, too. It was just so strange. He'd never felt this before…even with Lana. And that confused and terrified him, especially because for so long, Lana was supposed to be the one. But now…

Lois sniffed and quickly wiped her cheek. It was a mistake, he was sure. He wasn't supposed to see. It was the same as last night when he walked in.

"Thanks." She smiled weakly and looked at her feet. "I guess everything that's happened this year is finally catching up with me." She paused and took a breath. "Thinking Chloe was dead, then she was alive." She looked up and turned her head to the window. "Leaving the big city behind and moving to this, the Corn Capital of the World." She glanced back at him and smiled. "And even though it was short-lived…having to revisit the traumatic awkwardness that is high school to get one measly credit. Oh, and let's not forget being possessed, not once, but twice. Getting kicked out of college…twice. Making my stripping debut and giving you a lap dance, then getting kidnapped and nearly smuggled out of the country."

Ah, yes. The stripping sailor incident. He'd never tell, but that image did seem to creep into his thoughts occasionally. He was a guy, after all. He smiled broadly and glanced down for a moment, vividly recalling that day.

She smirked, and then paused to take a deep breath as she looked away from him.

"Finding out my sister isn't the person I knew her to be… and then experiencing the meteoric apocalypse and thinking that you and your parents had died…"

Well, that explained a lot. But he had no idea the meteor shower bothered her so much. Of course, he was a little preoccupied that day. So much had already happened by the time he found her in the hospital.

But that was before their hug. He shouted her name down the hall. She turned and, seeing him, rushed to hug him. It was so natural and effortless. And he loved it. Part of him thought she did, too.

"Lois…"

She looked at him and sarcastically smiled.

"No, really, Smallville. It's okay. It's just been one of those years. How does that saying go? 'You've gotta hit rock bottom before you can make any real changes?' Yeah, I think that's it. Well, I think I've done it. This is my rock bottom."

Why did she have to be like that? Those defensive walls usually seemed to rise just when it looked like he was gonna get a straight answer. They went hand-in-hand with her sarcasm, too.

He saw her bite her lower lip and turn away again, this time squeezing past him, causing his hand, which had been resting on her shoulder, to gently fall to his side. She walked to the couch. His eyes followed her the whole way as she sat on one end of the old sofa.

Maybe he should've hugged her while he had her near. She was right there. He missed his chance.

"No, that's not what I meant, Lois. I guess I just didn't realize the meteor shower had that much of an effect on you."

"Well, it did. Not to sound like Chicken Little, but the whole sky fell that day. It was terrifying, even for me. I didn't know where anyone was. After it happened I couldn't find Chloe, and I'm still lost on exactly what happened to her."

Um…now probably wasn't the best time to explain that whole situation. Maybe someday.

He looked down at his feet as she continued.

"And when I got here…and I saw the house… I had to step into a crater to get to the house, Smallville." Her voice was gradually getting louder and more intense. "When I screamed out your name, I saw your dad throwing debris around while he frantically searched for your mom. And when we found her, she was bloody, she was unconscious, and she barely had a pulse."

His head shot up as their eyes met.

"What?"

"She would've died if your dad and I hadn't found her and gotten her to the hospital when we did."

He slowly walked to the couch and sat next to her, keeping his head down, lost in his thoughts.

He knew his mom was in bad shape after the meteor shower. But he had no idea she was that close to death. He'd been so worried about those two freaks going around town causing havoc…and about Lana…that he didn't get a chance to see his parents until they came home from the hospital. But Lois had said they were gonna be fine. And he trusted her.

And she was right.

Leaning forward on his elbows, clasping his hands, he had to ask the obvious.

"I had no idea. Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"Well, let's see. You hooked up with Lana, I was in Metropolis for a while, then I hooked up with A.C…"

And he was immediately sorry he'd asked the obvious.

It's not that he didn't like A.C. But did the guy have to keep one-upping him? First, he rescues Lois. Then, he dates Lois. And then, he dumps her.

No. Wait. He was sure there was more to that story than just Lois. Ugh…his mind was foggy at the moment…

He sighed and closed his eyes while she continued.

"Then, the next time I saw you, I gave you a lap dance, and, let's be honest, that's not really the best time to discuss your mother's near death experience."

There she goes again…bringing up the lap dance. Yeah, he knew she enjoyed it just as much as he did…but neither were ever going to admit it.

All of this obviously bothered her, more than he ever knew. She was in the dark on so many things, especially what had happened the day of the second meteor shower.

But, for some reason, she stuck around. She helped take care of his parents while he was away. And he had thanked her for that. Yet, she still came around. She didn't have to. She had her own life, job, school, and, most importantly to him, apartment. But she was still there. Like now. She was still sitting in his loft on a cold night. And she was there voluntarily. Wasn't she? He wasn't forcing her to stay.

Neither had said anything for a while. They both sat…lost in their thoughts. Thoughts of each other? He couldn't speak for her, but she did occupy his thoughts more and more lately, no matter how hard he tried to push her out. No, for some reason, she always came back.

She sighed and spoke softer this time.

"Listen…Clark."

Clark. She only said his name when she meant it. It didn't take him long to figure that out.

She softly continued.

"I'm sorry we haven't talked about this. But there just never seemed to be a good time to discuss it. But everything worked out. Your mom is okay, your dad is okay. And…you're okay." She smiled and gently placed her hand on his arm, sending light chills throughout his body. What was going on with him? He knew he couldn't feel the cold, but it'd certainly be his excuse. "And Shelby. Shelby survived, and as much as that mutt irritates my allergies, I'm glad he didn't bite the dust."

She always did try to wriggle out of uncomfortable situations. But using Shelby?

He smiled and looked at her. The flutter was back. But he didn't care. For what seemed an eternity, they were lost in each other's eyes. He would've been content to drown in her beautiful hazel eyes all night.

Lois' hazel eyes? Huh. And all along he thought he had a thing for brown eyes.

He saw her quickly remove her hand from his arm. Though it was brief, his heart sank just a little.

She cleared her throat and turned her head. But he couldn't stop looking at her. She was opening up more than she ever had. And he was grateful he was there to witness it.

She quickly stood.

Was she leaving?

"Well, I guess I should be going. I've got class in the morning, then a double shift at the Talon."

What? No!

Um…uh. Well. Huh?

His smile fell as he lightly nodded his head.

"Oh. Okay."

Just act normal. Remember, you don't care if she stays or not. Do you?

She crossed her arms and made her way to the stairs.

This was happening too fast. She was going. It didn't feel right. He had to do something.

"Lois."

Well, that's just great, Genius. Now what?

She paused and slowly turned around to look at him. He didn't know what else to do…what else to say.

It just overwhelmed him. He was drawn to her and he still couldn't figure out why. But it was just enough to give him that extra nudge he'd needed all night.

He stood and closed the gap between them.

Call it a longing. Call it a natural instinct. Whatever it was, he couldn't ignore it.

And so, he reached out and pulled her into him, wrapping his large arms around her small frame.

He couldn't believe it. He was hugging her. What startled him more, however, was when she reached up and wrapped her arms around his body.

No words. Just the two of them in his loft on a cold night…embracing.

He could hear her deeply sigh and press her cheek into his flannel shirt as he rested his chin on the top of her head. The flutter was gone and was now replaced with tingly and…deep happiness.

Happiness. He hadn't felt that in a while. A long while. Not since…well…her. He couldn't even say her name anymore. And part of him didn't mind.

But even the happiness he felt then couldn't compare to now. No. This was beyond him…beyond…anything… he'd ever known. It didn't make sense, but in that moment, he didn't care. All that mattered was her.

He didn't want to let go. He just wanted to stay there a little longer. With her.

And that's what bothered him so. He wasn't supposed to be feeling this way…not towards her, anyway. But…it felt right.

He needed to pull away. Maybe she'd release first.

But it didn't look like that was going to happen. And that perplexed him even more.

He slowly released his embrace from her and put his hands on her shoulders, looking into her eyes.

"Lois, just remember. You're never dealt more than you can handle. And if you can't, that's what I'm here for."

He'd remembered the way she lovingly told the story of her mother's comforting words to her father. It touched him enough to stay with him until just the right moment. And he meant every word.

She quickly darted her eyes, then looked back up at him. He slowly smiled as she shook her head. He had her once again.

She smiled faintly and nodded her head. He wanted to reach out to her again, but he wasn't sure if he could take it…emotionally and mentally. Besides, he wasn't sure if he'd violated any boundaries or not in their relationship. He didn't know how far he could go.

"I'll stop by the Talon sometime tomorrow afternoon."

Maybe by then, after she'd had a chance to sleep and, no doubt, cry a little more, she'd be okay. He just wished there was a way he could make her feel better.

She nodded her head and turned to leave. He stood and watched as she slowly made her way down the stairs. He listened as she got in her car and started the engine and could hear the gravel crunch under the tires as she pulled down the driveway.

Maybe he listened longer than he should have. Maybe he listened too intensely. But he was pretty sure he wasn't supposed to hear what he did.

For his heart sank deeper at that moment than it ever had as he listened to her cry all the way home.

And it was then he knew he had to do something more…for her.