The Ball was held at the Metropolis Banquet Hall. Chosen for its large rooms that could hold a great number people its large kitchen which would supply the guests with a four star meal and the beautiful spacious gardens when the guest wish for some air. A helicopter had picked them up from the Luthor mansion. Lionel's gift or bribe. Martha had accepted on the ground that it would be best to keep peace but she was wise to keep her eye or her son's good eyes on what the Luthors were up to.
After the speeches and the lavish dinner and even more speeches, the music began and all the couples made their way to ball room in the adjacent room.
"Mum. May I ask for the first dance?" He held his hand out to his mum.
"And I thought you would avoid me now that you've done your job of accompanying me" She smiled as she took his hand and the walked to the dance floor.
"Of course not"
A few moments later they were interrupted from a voice behind Clark.
"May I cut in"
Clark could recognise that voice from any where and it wasn't someone he expected to see at a formal party.
"Of course you can. I need to talk to a few people on business and I most say how wonderful you look tonight"
"Thank you, Martha but you look even more stunning"
" Thank you." Martha smiled and took her leave to a group of people that sat on the opposite side of the room.
Clark turn to face his new partner. His heart skipped a beat, something which never happened unless someone bunched his chest with a hand full of kryptonite.
"Don't look so shocked Smallville. I can look nice if I want or when I have an important invitation"
Lois Lane. The tomboy army brat with an attitude more suited to lioness stood before him. She was wearing a white silk bodice gown, with a red Japanese style images. It perfectly accentuated her curves more than anything she had ever worn before. Her hair was held back loosely letting some of the one-day curls cascade down her bare golden skin shoulders. A cold necklace with a red stone rested across her chest. It occurred to Clark hat it could be red Kryptonite but realise a second later that it was only garnet. Her chest with the beautiful golden skin rose and fell suddenly. Clark took a step back from his thoughts which he felt were now taking a step over the boundaries. Looking at her now he realised how nervous he had made her by staring at her. She rubbed her hand across her stomach with her white silky glove which covered her arm up past her elbow.
"Please don't stare at me Clark." Her eyes stayed glued to his shoes as she spoke. "I feel uncomfortable as it is wearing this…"
"I don't know why. You're the most beautiful woman in the room"
She looked up into his eyes. No longer nervous, she took her hand from her stomach and smiled at him. Her smile was so radiant, Clark couldn't help but smile back.
"In that case why haven't asked me to dance"
Clark held out his hand towards her with a slight bow. "Lois Lane, will you give me the honour of your hand?"
"Okay, Smallville. Don't go too far with the pleasantries." She took his hand.
He gently pulled her towards him and wrapped his arm around her waist. At first the closeness shocked her and she stiffened.
"Relax"
"Do you not know who you're dancing with? I don't relax"
"Well you're going to have to or it's going to be very uncomfortable and they'll be no reason to dance"
Her body loosened instantly to his last words. He gently pulled her closer to his body. She held her breathe a little. He smiled at her hoping she would relax little more. She placed her hand on his shoulder and gave a slight squeeze. They looked into each others eyes unaware of the rest of the room as the twirled together.
"I didn't think this was your kind of thing. Too many snobby people"
"It isn't but the General happened to get an invitation. So he made his orders and I got wod of cash for expenses which I wasn't going to complain about"
"I didn't see you at dinner"
"No wonder you didn't look up that much and when you did you were staring in to space"
"Probably" Throughout the dinner and speeches he kept thinking of his father and what it should have been. His father making the speeches and his mum sitting beside him in support and him at another table or maybe at home waiting for them to return.
Lois knew what he was thinking but also knew that he would rather not talk of it. The music changed key and speed. Much softer than the last few dances. She laid her head against his shoulder. The scent of berries drifted up to his nose and the warmth of her body was hypnotising. He closed his eyes lost in her presence.