Disclaimer: I don't own Superman.
Author's note: Okay, there's a few things to get straight in this chapter. First, though it doesn't seem like it, it is very important to the plot, but mainly just the beginning. Second, Lana is not married, and she doesn't know Clark is Superman. I wasn't sure if she was supposed to, because a few stories have her know, and a few don't, so in mine, she doesn't. Oh, and if you think Lois and Lana are acting immature, blame hormones. I think this chapter is cute.
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Lois stirred when she heard a faint creak in the doorway. Sitting up and rubbing her eyes, she blinked vigorously, trying to see through the darkness. A tall figure was silhouetted against the moonlight, and, frightened, Lois reached over to switch on the lamp.
The light was dim, but enough; she saw Clark, standing in the room, with an odd expression on his face. Her eyes took in the scene before her, and she noticed that he wore only his pajama pants; he was otherwise shirtless. Yawning, Lois rubbed her eyes.
"Clark? What are you doing here? It's almost three," she grumbled, checking the clock. He didn't answer, but walked swiftly and determinedly to the bed, climbing on and crawling up next to her. She gasped a little, not sure what to say or how to feel about this.
"Clark?" she asked, and that was just about the only word she managed. He crushed her lips against his, wrapping his strong arms around her and holding her close. She made a muffled yell against his mouth, confused and scared.
"Clark, what are you doing?" she insisted, but he didn't say a word. His fingers didn't fumble as he pulled her pajama shirt over her head, nor did she stop him. His hands were soft and gentle as they ran up and down her sides, skin silky against skin. He nipped her neck at that one secret spot that only he seemed to know about, and she had an intense feeling of déjà vu. Her brow furrowed in concentration, she struggled to remember why this was so familiar.
The pajama pants came off more easily that the shirt, and also with the same lack of hesitation. He seemed so sure, so confident…like a side she had never seen before. His fingers tickled her thighs, and she squeaked and jumped, giggling. He leaned over her heavily, and she could barely breathe.
Lois began to respond to his passionate touch, her hands exploring his wide shoulders, his strong back; she could feel his steadiness under her light touch, though she had fully expected it to make him quiver. Loving the feel of his lips against her neck, she ran her hands down his back…and stopped dead. There, under her fingers, was a small scar, about two inches long…exactly where…
Her hazel eyes soared up to meet his own blue. She saw the source of his steadiness…saw the pain from when she pulled out the kryptonite that caused the scar…saw the love that Clark, her friend, felt for her, and saw the love that Superman, her son's father, felt for her. A thousand moments that she could all but remember flashed through her mind, and she stared into the face of her lover, wishing against hope that he would make her remember. She didn't see Superman, though; Clark was before her, thick glasses in place.
"I'm always around, Lois," he rumbled in that deep, powerful voice that wasn't his.
Confusion and heartbreak overtook her, and Lois sat up, Clark and Superman disappearing as she woke up into the bright sunshine of her room.
Lois sat in bed, still as confused as ever. What was that? Was that a fantasy? More importantly, was that a fantasy that included Clark? Did she have a crush on her business partner? Who had a well-known crush on her?
The more answers that came, the more questions popped up. Lois rubbed her temples, wishing she knew what was going on. Why was that dream so familiar? Why was Clark in it? Speaking of that dream-raiding bastard, where was he?
Lois sniffed, becoming more and more disappointed. Usually, since she lived with Clark, she woke up to the smell of something delicious. Of course, she had insisted more than once that he stop cooking for her, but he said it was a habit to get up early for him, so Lois gave in without much fight. Hey, why stop him if he enjoyed it?
She listened, and heard voices. Who was outside? Listening more closely, she recognized Clark's slight stutter, and…a woman? That feeling…that feeling that was becoming uncomfortably familiar…envy.
Lois almost stomped down the stairs until she realized that she was still in pajamas…that weren't nearly as sexy as they had seemed last night…but then again, it was just a dream.
Lois changed into casual but sleek white jeans that brought out her curves nicely, and a blue sweater that wasn't too baggy. It was still chilly, being early spring, so there weren't many options. Applying makeup as fast as she could, she rushed out the door. This was about to get ugly.
Lois felt that burn in her heart when she saw the woman. She was beautiful, with long dark hair and lovely eyes. Lois felt ashamed of her slightly fluffy morning hair and plain eyes. What she didn't notice, though, was Clark gazing at her with avid wonder. Lana, however, noticed, and turned to face Lois with a fierce determination barely hidden by her plastered smile.
"Clark…I didn't realize you had a friend over," she said, her charming voice grating on Lois' nerves. Lois laughed dryly, and Clark noticed the fire immediately.
"Ah…Lois…this is Lana," he said, quite unsure of what to do next. Lana stuck out an unfriendly hand, which Lois shook bitterly. Clark could have laughed if he wasn't so frightened; it looked like they were trying to break each other's hand.
"Um…Lana is an old high school friend," stuttered Clark, in hopes of cooling them down. It didn't work exactly as he planned, though.
"Why, Clark, we were more than just 'old friends' in high school, don't you remember?" asked Lana in her chilliest voice. Lois, though, was raised by vicious parents in a jungle home that losing wasn't an option; she didn't even blink.
"Obviously it ended, though, right?" she snapped, directing the comment more to Clark than to Lana. Clark cleared his throat uncomfortably and pulled his collar; he knew how to handle everything from train wrecks to twisted villains trying to kill millions for their own benefit, but didn't have a clue on how to handle two angry women.
"Ah…no…not quite…" he managed to mumble, "but what say we go inside and have some drinks and discuss something else, like civilized adults." He put an emphasis on the last part, but it seemed to have no effect.
"Don't you have somewhere to be? I'm sure you have a job, don't you?" snarled Lois. Lana glared at her, and Clark held his head in his hands. Great.
"Well, since I'm currently on my vacation," said Lana, shooting death glares at Lois and coy glances at Clark. It was an odd and unsettling combination.
"Well, we're not, and we actually have a report to work on. Together," added Lois pointedly, already pulling Clark inside; not that he was exactly resisting.
"But…"
The door slammed. Lois whipped around to face Clark, her eyes burning with anger. He actually took a few steps back.
"What was that? You can't just drag old girlfriends over when we're at your house…"
"But Lois,"
"…and more than just old friends? What was that supposed to mean?"
"Lois, I…"
"…like, did you sleep with her? Do you have an STD?"
"Lois, no, I just…"
"…and she obviously had a problem with me! How could you just bring over all these people who hate me?"
"LOIS!"
Lois stopped and stared at her partner. He looked frustrated and confused, and had just been the loudest she had ever seen him…in her entire memory of having met him.
"What is wrong with you today? Why did you just attack Lana? She just stopped by to say hello. What, did you think she was trying to steal me away from Loisland? And by the way…were you jealous?" he asked delicately, not wanting her to attack him. She looked away for a moment.
"Well…that was a little out of hand. I shouldn't have suspected her of trying to steal you. And…I wasn't jealous!" she added, looking defiant. Clark sighed and ran a hand through his hair. She looked down and away again, that guilty feeling gnawing at her. If Clark was indeed Superman…which he wasn't, of course…then that meant that he had never lied to her. She scuffed the toe of her shoe on the floor.
"Well…maybe a little," she admitted, blushing slightly. She turned away, trying to hide it. She had never blushed for any man but Superman, and she shouldn't now. Clark saw it, though, and smiled to himself. Only one man could ever make Lois Lane blush…did she know?
Lois sat at the kitchen table, waiting for the coffee to finish. Clark had claimed that he needed to send a letter to his mother, so she was left alone in the house. Of course, this was all going in her 'why Clark Kent was Superman' journal. It was getting rather full…was it possible? Sighing, she watched the brown liquid drip ever so slowly into the pot.
The sound of the doorbell jarred her from her dreamlike state, and she jumped a little. Shaking her head and getting up, she walked over to the door, wondering who would be here in the late afternoon. It was a small town…hadn't everyone Clark had ever met in his childhood already been here? She opened the door, and quickly fought down the temptation to slam it shut again.
Lana stood there, examining her nails. When she looked up, her pretty face twisted into a sharp grimace. Lois couldn't help but feel the same expression lingering on her face, and yet, neither woman said a single word. They just stood, taking in each other's appearance.
Lois noticed, for the first time, how sincere and kind Lana looked, naturally. She saw her exquisite green eyes, feeling a bit envious, but not jealous. Lana noticed that Lois' hair was exceptionally thick and curly, and silently, begrudgingly, applauded her for taming that beautiful hair. She also noticed the large and lovely eyes, making her face look small and delicate, a task that she herself had never achieved.
After making their judgment on each other's appearance, the two women made eye contact. For a few seconds, it didn't break. Suddenly, alarmingly, Lois felt a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips, and saw the same effect on Lana.
Five minutes later, the two women were sitting in the living room, laughing together like long lost friends.
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Once again, don't complain about Lois being immature. She's just confused and in love, even though she doesn't know with who. I actually thought, reading some other stories, that Lois and Lana could make good friends from their descriptions. Don't you? Please review!
