NOTE: Another chapter for all you guys! It's got a good does of Superman/Lois fluff and Lois/Clark stuff too. Enjoy!

Alphie: That's exactly what I thought. He would want Jason around as much as possible. I hope it is in the sequel. Thanks!

Lil'layah: Funny, I actually diduse that themein this chap. (brief though it is).It was a good plotline to use :). I'm glad you like it!

Angel452: Yes, Clark will ask Jason about how he knew. I'll answer that question at least ;). But you'll just have to read and find out what happens.

gaylarain: I don't know when you'll get to this chap. but that is funny :D your comment on ch. 1. I thought about that too but afterwards. Really though...I would rather feel safe actually if Superman was my stalker, lol...

Maddi-B: Thanks a bunch :).

Thanks also to Amylion, Sunny2006, Jacqueline Roget, and Mr. Firenze. You all keep me writing!


Another aspect of their lives was stalled in those weeks as well. Though Jason knew he could see Superman almost every day, Lois did not. The frequent sightings in Metropolis and his face plastered all over the TV were the only things closest to physically being near him again. If he visited Jason in the night, she did not see him, and he had not come to her since their last conversation about their son. And how could she go to him? She knew nothing about his 'real' life except that he must be out there somewhere doing the everyday tasks of normal people. Who was he? Did he have another name she could use for her son? Or did he have a home besides the Fortress of Solitude?

But the greatest disappointment was being apart from him. Her heart began to ache if she contemplated it too much.

So she rode the elevator up to the rooftop of the Daily Planet where the giant globe turned, radiating warm light and where Superman had first come to her since his return. The memory of that night brought her solace for the void inside.

She leaned against the stone barrier and let the shifting wind stir her hair and caress her skin. The fresh air seemed to calm her nerves.

"Lois."

Superman's voice conveyed an immensity of meaning in just the one word.

She spun around and fought the urge to run into his arms. "Superman."

"I was passing by and saw you up here." He took a step forward. "Lois…I…I cannot even tell you how much more at peace I feel when I'm with you."

"I wish…But no, my wishes don't mean anything." She wrung her hands. What she was going to say was: I wish we could be together and not have to hold up these barriers anymore. I want to be with you. We belong together. It was written before time itself.

"It's been difficult to say away, and I can't do it anymore."

"I know. Don't think you're the only one."

Lois looked away and dug through her purse for a tissue but could not find any. Her eyes were starting to glisten with unshed tears, and Superman sensed her resolve was crumbling.

"It's so hard!" she cried, throwing up her hands. "I try to be strong and endure whatever is flung at me, but this is almost too much." Hot tears rolled down her cheeks as the torment overwhelmed her.

Superman covered the gap between them in an instant and cupped her chin in his hand. "I'll never stop loving you no matter what choice you make."

She couldn't stand it anymore. She threw herself into his arms, and he enveloped her in the warmth and devotion of his love for her. It was pure and great just as he was. She let the tears flow as he held her close in a passionate embrace.

With her head against his chest, Lois heard his heart beating steadily in tune with the beat of her own heart. He was as warm as ever and barred the chill of the rooftop air. She could not even describe how safe and comforted she was in Superman's grasp. It was like coming home after a troublesome ordeal in a far off place.

He rested his chin on her smooth hair and closed his eyes. "I love you, Lois."

The lump in her throat did not stop her from speaking; nothing could in that moment. "And I love you, Superman." Her mind went back to the evening Richard asked if she had been in love with Superman. She had answered 'no' and knew it was a lie; yet deep inside she had answered after realizing what song Jason was playing then on the piano: Heart and Soul.

Her weeping subsided and she finally leant her head back. "Will I ever be able to call you by your name?"

The gladness in his face faded. "I don't know." He sighed. "Lois…I have wanted to tell you everything for so long, but I just don't know if I can."

She stepped back out of his arms. "Then how will it ever work?" she murmured. "We have a son! Who am I going to say is his father?" Her voice softened. "I want to know you, all of you, and not have you as much a mystery to me as to the rest of the world. I want your son," she halted on the word, "to know you too."

"And you don't even know how strongly I desire that. It's not easy for me to live my life being who I am, keeping secrets. I'm not even from this place and cannot live a normal life like the rest of you. I'm an outsider in this world no matter how accepted I am. Things are rarely simple for me." He spoke without any complaint, anger, or chastisement, but spoke pure truth of what his life was in a passionate, honest voice. There was sadness in his eyes.

Lois felt guilty for ever blaming him for anything—except perhaps leaving without warning—and her heart burst with compassion.

Superman suddenly cocked his head as if listening.

Oh no, not now, she thought.

He focused back on her. "I have to go. I'm sorry."

"No, I understand." She tried to smile.

He drew her close again and kissed her brow. "Goodbye, Lois."

As she watched him disappear among the glittering stars, she touched her where his lips still burned.


Richard, Lois, and Clark all went to work the following morning not knowing the events that would crash upon them in the next few days.

Richard watched Lois as she was scribbling some notes and checking some things on her computer. She seemed unusually intent on her work like he had never seen before in a whirlwind to keep herself busy. She hadn't said a word on the way over. He could sense her mind was occupied and troubled to a great degree. He determined to go talk to her.

Jimmy came bursting into his office. "Hey, chief wants to see you. Said something about the article on page two…"

"Okay, thanks Jimmy." I guess that talk will have to wait.


Lois massaged her temples. She woke up with a headache, and it was not going away.

She looked up as Clark came in a bit late. He normally had that goofy grin on his face or at least sounded cheerful; however, he seemed almost depressed today like she had never seen him before. His eyes were downcast, his shoulders slumped, and his walk slow-paced.

I know exactly how he feels.

He passed her desk, and she stood. "Good morning, Clark. Is everything all right?"

"Um…yeah. I'm doing fine." He rubbed his forehead. "Thanks for asking."


Clark was somewhat surprised at the concern in Lois's voice. He thought Clark Kent was just 'some guy' she worked with, and yet she was genuinely worried for his well being. Maybe it's because Jason and I get along well. We were a bit closer before I left, but I didn't think she would ever look at me again more than a few seconds. If only I could just take her aside and tell her everything…
"No problem, Clark," she said. "I know how you feel."

She patted his arm and stopped short when she felt solid muscle. That's strange. I never expected Clark of all people…

"I guess not every day can be a good one." He smiled sheepishly and let his head hang, but he was already feeling his mood improve.

Lois glanced around the room. "Hey do you want to go get a cup of coffee? They won't miss us if we're quick."

"I don't know; I'm already sort of late…"

"Come on. We both need it today." What she did not say was that her curiosity was suddenly enflamed. Her mind was becoming clear again, so she needed to get out of the office to allow it even more space.

Clark set his stuff at his desk and joined Lois walking to the elevator. The doors started to close when he put out his hand to stop them. Lois was surprised at how quickly his reflexes reacted, and she walked under his arm. She caught a faint scent like night air, fresh and pleasant, that tickled the back of her memory; yet she could not think of what it was.

They got their coffee down the street a short distance and started to leave. Lois got close to him again, but did not smell the familiar scent.

"Clark, have you ever thought about having a family? I've seen you with Jason, and it seems you like kids."

A flash of pain passed over his face. "Sure, I mean most people have at some point." He looked highly uncomfortable, but when had that ever stopped Lois Lane the reporter?

"Well, have you met anyone special, like on your trip?"

"Uh…no, not exactly…"

"You really should think about it. You'd make a great father or husband."

"You think so? Wow, thanks Lois."

She laughed, her smile beaming like the sun in his eyes. Then she turned her smile on Clark and could not help but feel a sort of freedom she did not often feel. She was realizing how much of a constant in her life he was becoming: the sweet, loveable, and clumsy guy who always smiled and said hello every morning and followed her around at work. He returned her smile with his usual crooked grin.


Jason was again at the office later that day, and he began to trot over to Clark's desk when he saw a bad incident about to happen. Clark was starting to roll back in his chair to stand up and another man was walking right into his path carrying an old printer he was replacing. The two collided and the printer went toppling to the ground after smacking Clark in the head as he went to stand. His glasses went with it.

Lois was making her way in that direction already while scanning a few papers in her hands. She looked up when she heard the mishap and hurried over to see if Clark was okay.

Jason panicked for Clark's sake—well, Superman really. In an act of desperation, he fell to the floor and called out for his mother in a voice just loud enough for her to hear.

Lois was distracted by the call of her child and veered left to rush over to Jason instead. "Honey, what's wrong?"

The attention of a few other reporters was diverted to him as well, and he hid a smile of accomplishment.

"I fell. I'm all right, mom."

She stroked his hair and sighed. "That's good. Be careful in here. Aren't you supposed to be in your dad's office?" She arched an eyebrow at him.

"I was saying hi to Mister Kent."

His eyes went around her to see what was happening in Superman's area. Clark was given enough time by Jason to retrieve his glasses again.

"Oh, Clark!" She helped her son to his feet and both went over to him. The man had already apologized and left with his printer. Lois peered up at his forehead where normally there would have been a scratch on anyone other than Superman. She brushed it off as coincidence. "That could have been a lot worse. I'm glad it didn't get you."

"Yeah, I'm lucky, I guess," he laughed with a shrug.

Lois smiled, shook her head, and continued on with her papers, leaving Jason with him. Clark sat in his chair and leant forward.

"Hey, thanks. That was some pretty quick thinking there."

Jason shrugged. "I got scared mommy would see. She would know if she saw."

Clark's voice lowered even further. "How did you see, might I ask?"

"I just did." He told him about the TV and his face beside it. "You only have glasses to hide it."

Clark chuckled, his voice rich and deep when not in Clark Kent's normal mode. "I suppose a more innocent, straightforward mind would see clearer."

"So…how many people have you saved today?"


NOTE: Next chapter has some veeerrry interesting events, including one very big one :). I will say no more...