Disclaimer: I don't own Superman.

I actually really, really like this chapter...it's got a little more humor for you comedy-lovers. I hope you like it, and please review, I didn't get much feedback from my last chapter...but that could be because it was bad, haha...bad, but important to the plot in general. This chapter is one of those little pearls...important and good...not that I mean to pat myself on the back, but I recognize a nice chapter when I type one. Well, if you like this chapter, leave nice long reviews. Tell me what you like and what you don't like...but no flamers, please.

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Clark circled the globe a little more carefully, making sure his altitude was high enough to escape the deadly green energy. It was relatively quiet, and he decided to check up on Jason. This time, though, he would be a little more wary of paranoid teenagers with bats.

It was easy to slip unseen behind the house. It was so easy to open Jason's window without a sound. It was even easier to land silently, trying not to wake the family. Suddenly the door opened, revealing the angry mother. Things just got a whole lot harder.

"Lois, I..." he tried to explain himself, but she cut him off.

"I know. You're here to see Jason, not me. You're always here. But how come you're never here for me?" she asked, her voice full of pain. He winced visibly, adding fuel to her fire.

"I don't want to wake up Jason, but we need to talk. Come downstairs with me." It was an order, not a request. Even Superman didn't dare refuse her, but at least he could stall.

"Lois..." he started, but once again she cut him off. Apparently, she knew all the answers tonight.

"Lucy isn't here. She's out on a date." Turning, she walked out the door, clearly signaling for him to follow her. For a split second, Clark contemplated running away, but decided against it. It would be much worse to have a furious Lois than an upset Lois...not that he wanted her to be upset, but it was usually better for everyone's health when she wasn't furious.

Timidly, he followed her down the steps, the wood creaking beneath the unexpected weight. He tried not to seem too mild, just in case it was too 'Clark Kent.' He grumbled to himself. Why couldn't he just be himself? Kal-El...neither Clark Kent nor Superman, he seemed so alien. Which, of course, was perfect for an alien like him. Before he knew it, he was in the living room, sitting on the couch while Lois poured coffee. The scene was odd; Superman sat patiently on the couch while Lois Lane calmly poured drinks. It was like he was watching it from somewhere else, as someone else.

She handed him a steaming cup of coffee, and sat on a couch across from him. Blowing gently on her coffee, she watched for a moment as he took a big swallow, not noticing scalding heat. She tried to find the words that she had told herself to say to him, but was barely able to find them. She remembered, though, the opening line.

"Why are you ignoring me?" she asked angrily, not quite sure if she should feel miserable or enraged. He looked away, and she decided on enraged.

"I know you're not ignoring Jason. You visit him every night, because he's always tucked in and asleep when I come to check up on him. Before you came back, before the...the hospital...it was never like that. I always tucked him in. Always." She stumbled on, going off course and losing track of what she was trying to say. He wasn't like most men, though. He paid rapt attention to every word she said, like she was a goddess. She frowned.

"Stop that," she snapped, looking away and glaring at the floor. He looked confused.

"Stop what?" he asked, puzzled. He hadn't even said anything, and yet she found fault in everything he did.

"Stop...being so...so...you!" she exclaimed, reddening slightly. He still looked politely bewildered.

"Well, who do you want me to be?" he asked, answering himself in his head, not daring to say it out loud. Kal-El. Himself. Clark Kent and Superman together, like they weren't two seperate people.

"I don't know...someone a little less...perfect," she finished lamely, trying to figure out where the conversation left off. Oh yeah, Jason. No, wait, ignoring her.

"But why are you avoiding me? Is it something I did? Something I said? One day you act like you're in love with me, and the next you avoid me like the plague!" She tried to relax her choking throat, so tears wouldn't come and she wouldn't look weak in front of the man without weakness.

Clark was silent. How could he tell her of his childish idea that maybe she would like Clark Kent if Superman was out of the way? How could he tell her that he loved her without any doubt, that he would die a thousand times over for her to be happy? She assumed he was perfect...but she seemed to bring out all the flaws in him.

"I...I didn't mean to avoid you, but..." he started, but she interrupted him.

"Of course you didn't mean to. You're perfect in every way, only doing what's best for the world. But while I'm here, you're there, saving someone in need. I don't mean to stop you from doing your job, but I can't be with someone who's never there for me. You're gone all day and all morning and all night, only to stop by to see your son," she said painfully, trying not to cry. She just wanted him all to herself...but was that selfish? The world deserved him more than she did...but what about him? Didn't he deserve a little happiness, too?

How could he tell her he was always there, every day, working with her? How could he tell her that he still followed her like a lovesick puppy, even in the day? He opened his mouth to tell her, tried to make himself speak, but couldn't do it. Too many people already knew, and telling Lois might put her in danger. He shut his mouth and bowed his head.

"I can't stop you from visiting Jason, he needs you more than I do. But...but I think we both need our space for now," she said, forcing the last part out. Her blood chilled as he sat quietly for another ten seconds, and she prayed that he would do anything, say anything, just to make the cold, guilty silence stop. She released her breath when he stood, and yet she wished he wouldn't go.

"I...I guess I'll just go now," murmured Clark, emotions tangling with a dead weight somewhere in his stomach...or was that his heart? Lois stood, unable to stop herself from saying it.

"Will...will I see you again?"

Clark gave her a crooked smile.

"I'm always around."

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Clark seemed to be in a daze. He bumped into more people than usual the next morning, but this time he did it accidentally. One little girl almost fell over, but he quickly reached out and righted her, apologizing. His super senses seemed to be dulled, almost to the point of gone. He heard and saw the collisions, but was too weary to dodge them. He wasn't physically weary, but emotionally. He was tired of this, tired of being Clark Kent, tired of being Superman. Couldn't he choose both?

Before he was quite ready, he ran into Lois. His heart melted when he saw her red eyes, the dull, ininterested expression on her face. She looked awful, absolutely miserable, but definitely the most lovely creature he had ever seen. How could she be so perfect in every way? She thought she was too stubborn, but Clark saw she was fiery. She thought she was too ferocious, but Clark saw her as charming and witty. She thought she was so plain looking, when in reality she was the most beautiful thing this planet had to offer. Why couldn't she just see what he saw?

He turned away, almost forgetting that he was Clark and not Superman. She wasn't mad at Clark; just a little frustrated. Sitting in his cubicle, he proceeded to type up the article on the K-9 unit that Perry had assigned him. Suddenly, surprising him with an almost painful jolt, Lois walked in and leaned against his desk, her arms folded.

"Hey," she said quietly, watching his face for a reaction. He opened his mouth but said nothing. Closing it, he swallowed and tried to start over.

"Hey," he managed to smile. She sighed and looked away.

"Are we still fighting?" she asked, glancing almost hopefully at Clark's face. He really was cute, in a goofy, dorky sort of way. Sighing, Clark contemplated the statement for a few seconds.

"No, we aren't," he concluded, pulling a smile from his friend. She laughed softly, running a hand nervously through her hair.

"I must look terrible today," she said, half smiling. She was happy that she still had a friend left, but still not sure how to approach him. Were they still buddies, or co-workers being friendly?

"No, not..." he started, but she gave him a sarcastic look. "Well, yeah, you kind of do, but that's okay, we all still love you." He chose his words carefully. He didn't want her to jump to conclusions.

Lois's heart nearly leapt to her throat. Did he love her? Was he just putting 'we' in to cover up his own feelings? Was she just jumping to conclusions? She wasn't so sure anymore. Suddenly, she felt a little bad. How could she swoon over Superman one night, but jump on Clark the next? Maybe it was time to settle with one man...Clark, preferably, but he obviously wasn't interested.

Clark hated decieving her, though if she only asked him, he would gladly tell her everything. He wanted to make her ask, though. He wanted to know that she didn't just love one side of him, but all of him. It was a little obvious that she liked Clark...but did she still love Superman?

"Do...do you want to...maybe get something to eat?" he said cautiously, trying to sound friendly. She sniffed and nodded, wiping her eyes. Maybe a nice dinner out with a good friend would cheer her up.

Smiling shyly, Clark offered her his arm. Yep, this was definitely a buddy relationship. Laughing, Lois took it and dragged him out the door. Perry caught them right before they made it to the elevator.

"Hey...where are you two going?" he yelled, making the pair freeze on the spot, right as the elevator doors opened. They turned around guiltily.

"Um...um...we were just...um..." stuttered Clark, trying to find a loophole. Unable to lie, it made him a terrible lier.

"We were just going out to lunch to compare notes on the dead body the police dogs discovered...you know, I've got the article on the body's identity, and he's got the article on the dogs...maybe we can fit some pieces together," she said smoothly, not missing a beat. Perry didn't do anything for a second, and the pairs' hearts were in their throats. Then, Perry grinned.

"Nice job, great idea. I think you two quick thinkers may get an extra little chunk of cash in your Christmas bonuses...now get out of here and discuss that murder," he said, turning and waving them off with his hand. Lois turned and raised an eyebrow at Clark.

"You are definitely one of the worst liers I have ever met," she said, grinning as Clark smiled sheepishly. The first was...nope, don't even think it. But...he couldn't lie...and neither could Clark...and...nope, don't say it. Don't say it.

"Yeah, well, I'm a generally honest person," said Clark casually, holding out a hand to stop the elevator doors from closing. They stepped in, Lois once again grateful for the silence. Like she always said, nothing was awkward for Clark. Well, maybe it was awkward for Clark, but not for whoever he was with. Quietness just came so naturally with him.

They walked amiably down the street, both of them noticing how their elbows occasionally brushed. Lois leaned towards him a little more, guiltily wanting more contact. Clark, though she didn't know it, was doing the same thing, and they ended up bumping into each other. Both blushing bright red, they murmured apologies and walked on.

With his super hearing, Clark caught the conversation of a couple sitting on a bench not too far but not too near.

"...and with the baby coming, that'll come to...oh, Jerry, look at that adorable couple!"

"What? We're an adorable couple, too, you know."

"No, look at the way they walk together, standing so close, but not even touching...like they're shy but so in love..."

"Hey, isn't that Lois Lane? Ha, Superman would kill her if he caught her with another guy..."

"No, no, I heard they broke up...kind of. Anyway, he's avoiding her for some reason, I read it in a newspaper."

"How do you know? It's not like the reporters follow Lois Lane around...she's a reporter, too."

"Yeah, but they follow Superman around...and he hasn't been seen with her for a few months."

"Annah, you're getting off track again. So, anyway, if we buy this apartment, it'll cost more, but it's in a quieter location..."

He stopped listening when he realized that they were no longer even in view. Lois was staring at him with an odd expression on her face. Nervously, he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

"What?" he asked, anxiously twiddling his fingers. She shrugged and looked away.

"Nothing, nothing..." she said, smiling a little. He was so cute sometimes, like a kitten, or a child. Suddenly, she remembered something.

"Hey, you left Muffy with us when you...when you moved out...do you want her back?" she asked, glad she remembered to ask him. Jason had begged her not to remind him, but it would be impolite if she didn't.

"Oh, no, keep her. I know Jason likes her, and I wasn't really all that attatched. Besides, I'm a bit too busy to keep a dog, so I'd decided to either let Jason have her or give her to the shelter, anyway," he said, smiling at the thought of his son having his dog. Lois sighed, relieved. She didn't want to be the one to seperate Jason from his beloved puppy.

They walked into the old Italian restaurant, the doors creaking a bit. It was relatively full, but there was never a long wait.There were many tables in the restaurant, and the food was great, so it was one of Clark's favorite places to eat.

"Aah...I think the lasagna sounds good," murmured Clark, flipping through the menu. Lois smiled. It was so nice to be friends again.

"Hm...I think I'll have the spagetti," she said, tossing all of Lucy's logic out the window. Apparently, spagetti was too messy to eat on dates, but it sounded delicious right now. Besides, they weren't on a date, right?

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It was chilly, even though it was late spring. Lois hugged her jacket closer. Being friends with Clark was a welcomed relief. She needed someone to support her when she was falling, but not some stranger. She needed someone who already knew her soft side, the reserved gentleness she saved for close friends and family. Rubbing her arms, she tried to keep warm.

It was getting dark, and Lois regretted not calling a cab. She had decided to walk home, not living too far from the Daily Planet. It was only a fifteen or twenty minute walk, so she decided to go. It was risky to wander around the city, but the city was so beautiful at night she tossed all thoughts of danger from her mind. Usually, it was rather busy, but tonight it was quiet. Worried, she wished there were more people out. The more people there were, the smaller were the chances of getting mugged.

Her heart jumped to her throat when she realized that she was being followed. Shivering, she also realized that there was nobody on the street around her except for the man following her, who was dressed in a thick overcoat and a hat. She could hear him nearing as his boots grew louder, and she quickened her pace. For a few seconds, nothing happened, but suddenly she heard him start running towards her.

Terrified, Lois sprinted, as fast as only a terrified Lois Lane in heels could. She had surprisingly good balance, so she was able to run swiftly. Unfortunately, she wasn't swift enough, for she could hear him catching up. Frightened and breathing raggedly, she looked desperately for an escape route, a shortcut, a place to hide. Finally, her eyes caught an alley, and she turned quickly into it in the hopes of a nice maze of more alleys, which was usually quite common. Sadly, this wasn't one of those alleys. This was a dead end.

Turning, she pulled out a pocketknife, which she always carried with her. The man walked calmly towards her, not worried by the knife. Reaching under his jacket, he pulled out a gun and pointed it to her.

"Put the knife down, lady," he drawled, cocking the gun. Lois, trying not to look as frightened as she felt, tossed the knife to the side and put her hands up. He took a step forward, gesturing with his gun.

"The jacket. Take it off," he demanded, and Lois stopped.

"What?" she snapped, "It's freezing!"

"I didn't ask how cold it was, I told you to take it off before I blow your brains out," he snarled, his finger pressing the trigger. Hurriedly, Lois tore off the jacket. She didn't particularly feel like dying tonight.

"That's more like it. Now, the shirt, that too," he said, his eyes cold. She knew he would shoot, he wasn't bluffing. Slowly, with numb fingers, she unbuttoned the blouse, shaking from the cold. Wishing she hadn't worn a delicate, lacy bra, she tossed the shirt aside. Suddenly, something caught the corner of her eye...something blue.

It was almost too fast to see.One second, the man was standing in front of her, eyeing her greedily, and the next, he was thrown against the brick wall. Lois growled; why couldn't it just be a passing policeman for once? Why was he always the one to save her first? After thoroughly walloping the poor rapist, Superman came back to make sure she was okay. Reaching down, he picked up her shirt.

"Did he hurt you?" he asked, handing it to her. Snatching it from his grasp, she pulled it around herself, embarrassed and irritated.

"No, of course he didn't," she snapped, buttoning it hastily. She missed a button, but didn't care. Superman looked a little hurt.

"I was just asking," he said, handing her the jacket, also. She shrugged into it, feeling angrier that he was always right. Shivering, she rubbed her arms.

"Well, you didn't need to come save me. I could handle it myself," she lied, trying not to think about how many times she would be dead without him.

"Yeah, because you looked so in control when I showed up," muttered Clark quietly, but Lois's sharp ears caught it.

"Excuse me, I did not ask you to come save me. I'm not your girl anymore. I do have a boyfriend," she lied again, but this time it worked. His eyes snapped up to meet hers, and she caught the distinct air of envy.

"Who?" he demanded, unable to stop himself. Lois gaped for a moment, he mind searching for a name, any name...

"Clark...Clark Kent."

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Okay...now here's the right time to click that little button on the bottom left...go on, click it...it's not going to bite...