Author's Notes: In this next chapter, Lois is not dealing with the shooting very well. Clark hopes to reassure her then explains terrible things happen sometimes unexpectedly and the implications of all of it. Then later on assignment, Lois and Clark must find a man intent on revenge by ending her life because she sent him to prison five years ago. Keep reading and please review. Thank you.
~o~o~
Chapter 6: Our Reality
Meanwhile, at the Planet:
Al Capone and his assailants with guns drawn are aiming to take over the Planet by stealing and terrorizing guests, caterers, and staff. With guns pointed at their faces, terrified and worried, Perry could not do anything but only hope that no one is hurt.
Earlier in the day, he then remembered when Capone had walked into the Planet and he offered him a trade through threats and extortion, but of course he refused. He assumed the man was a malicious hoodlum dressed that way, and now he knows that he is the real Capone, and all of this is happening because of him.
Clark arrived moments later, and he at once, took in the situation and he had to remove the threat, meaning the weapons. He burned them all with his heat vision, as they fell from their hands, then the police arrived, and it is over in minutes.
"Where's Lois and CK?" Jimmy asked Superman.
"Lois and Clark are together coping with what happened earlier this evening," he replied.
"But we heard that Clark died at that club," Perry said. "I did plan a speech to commemorate Clark and how we will miss him."
Clark felt honored but sad about all of it. "I will let him know when I see him." He then went on to explain how Clark survived his injuries. "Clark is alive, and he is doing okay. Ms. Lane and I contacted Dr. Emil Hamilton, the scientist who fixed his wounds by using a DNA modification system, the same technique he used to create criminals from the past, and his wounds will heal as if it never happened."
"That is great news and thank you for letting us know," Perry said relieved, happy to hear it.
"Are you saying that they were the real criminals from the past?" Jimmy asked, stunned to believe it was true.
"Yes, they were the same. Now, I need to speak with the police, then check in with Ms. Lane and Mr. Kent. Have a good night." He flew away.
"I will never get over seeing that." Perry watched him fly out the window.
"Me neither." Jimmy is stunned once again.
~o~o~
Back at Lois' Apartment:
Clark returned to Lois feeling excited but also worried then decided not to wear the suit but his regular clothes. He took a deep breath and knocked. She opened the door, and he is at once concerned. It was obvious she had been crying.
"Clark, you're here," she said and after shutting the door, she went into his arms holding him close. He pulled her closer and stroked her hair. After a minute, she pulled away, took his hand and they sat down on the couch.
"Lois, I can see that you have been crying." She bowed her head. "I know what it is."
Her head came up at that. "You do?"
"Yes, I do." He squeezed her hand. "You saw me get shot but not in the suit and at that moment, you could not accept that I am Superman and Clark as well. Am I right?"
"Yes, I am sorry Clark." Eyes shining, she explained. "When I saw you laying there unresponsive, my first reaction was that the man I love was shot, and my mind could not accept that you were all right and then when they carried you away, I lost it. Afterward, when they tied me up, I felt silly, then you found me, and now that I have time to think back on that moment, I know you are Superman and you are okay," she said and wiped away her tears.
He pulled her close under his chin. "No, it was not silly. I am all right; everything is fine now."
She pulled away and tried to understand all of it. "Since you left me earlier, I was thinking of you and me and how everything is mixed up about our feelings, especially after, you know, that night," she said hating to bring it up.
"I know what you mean. We do have this attraction and that is not going anywhere, but we need to calm it and not get too carried away."
"No, we tried that, and it will not work, not for us. We cannot pretend that there is nothing between us. You know we cannot go back to the way things were. Is that what you want?"
"No, that is not what I want. I love you and I want to spend time with you as often as possible and you want that too. We need a solution, and I may have an answer."
"What is it, but please no more pretending."
"Well, I thought after we get our private office, we announce that we see each other not only as friends, but as a couple."
Surprised, she asked, "You want to tell everyone about us? But are you sure?"
"Yes, I am. I have thought about us too. We are a couple, not only partners, but we are in love. We should tell them the truth."
"The truth… yes I agree but up to a point." Then the doubts rose inside her mind. "You do seem excited to do this and I am too, but." She hesitated.
"Do you have doubts about us?"
"No, that is not it. It is because it has not been that long since 'that night' and it may seem strange that now we are a couple," she replied.
"That is not exactly true, if you count the moment we met because that is when it began." Then he had a thought. "You know, Perry agreed to give us the office because he was watching us, and ever since that night, we always talked in the conference room, and he may have believed we were working."
She thought about that, and he is right. "Do you think everyone feels the same that we were working or doing other things?" She tried to smile.
"Well, knowing our friends, they probably thought we were doing 'other things'," he replied.
She chuckled. "Yes, and you are right; they know about us. The staff may have noticed our attraction, but I did push you away and denied what I felt about you." She pulled him close again. "What you said before about the way we met and became close, it was true, not only as Clark but Superman as well." She smiled remembering.
And now she felt excited about their decision to tell everyone the truth. She threw her arms around his neck and then she kissed him. He kissed her back, then stood up, took her hand, and went into her bedroom. While undressing, she said, "You know Mr. Kent, I'm ready to come up with a lot of ways to show our feelings." She said it in that throaty way that reminded him of that night.
Clark felt turned on by those words. She meant something else entirely, as he pulled her tightly to him, kissing her like a starving man, the suit is gone. She pulled away and Lois finished first, and she is in bed waiting for him. His eyes roamed over her face and then down over the outline of her breasts. He stood before her in his boxers; he joined her.
Back in her arms again, he kissed her passionately and Lois kissed him back as her hands running through his hair, kissing him repeatedly until it was not enough. He managed to remove his lips from hers, both breathing heavily.
"Clark, what is it?" She asked and wondered at his mood. "Are you worried about… what happened earlier tonight? You seemed startled that you were shot that way."
"No, that is not it," he replied. They did need to clarify what happened at the club, no matter how painful.
"Then what is it?" She squeezed his hand. "You can tell me."
"Well, I have been thinking too, not only about the shooting, but it is the fact that you could have been hurt tonight and I do not know what I would do." He paused. "You see, you and me as a couple are fine now but terrible things happen unexpectedly like the shooting and there is another reason, I chose not to get close to someone." He hesitated to hate to say it.
"What other reason could there be?" She felt the need to say it. "I know you love me, and I love you; that is all that matters. You know that right?" She asked worried.
"Yes, I do know that but." He paused again as his eyes welled up. "It is because someone close to me could be hurt or worse." Then he had a terrible thought. To save her, I may have to let her go. The thought of it made his heart break in two. He felt it, then he covered his eyes sad and in pain.
She pulled his hands away. "Oh, Clark, please look at me." She saw his tears and he is hurting. She touched his cheek. "But I am willing to take that risk because I love you and want to be with you no matter what happens. Okay?" Eyes shining, she tried to smile.
He felt blessed to have her, and pulled her close, closed his eyes and prayed he would not have to go through any of it. "You have no idea how much I need you and want you." He stared into her eyes.
She smiled and wiped away his tears. "I know you do, but what's holding you back?" He did seem to have more to say.
"I was thinking of our life together and where we go from here," he announced without preamble.
"Oh, Clark, you did?" She asked feeling so many things.
"Yeah, but it was not the first time I thought about us and what all of this could mean. And after what happened at the club, you felt unsure about us and our adjustment after the truth came out and you could not accept it. The thing is, before that night my feelings were there and I could not deny it, not anymore. Then the perfume incident happened; that was the moment; I had to tell you," he confessed.
"Yes, I am not surprised you would say that because I felt the same way. It took time, but from the beginning, our love shown through all of it: the doubt; the misunderstandings; and how we truly felt," she said sure of it.
"Yes, it did," he agreed as his eyes roamed over her lovely face, then he kissed her deeply pulling her closer, almost hurting her. Their kisses continued for a long time, tasting each other's tears, both needing this reassurance like never. Soon their kisses became desperate and deep, so deep that they wanted it to go on and on, never ending until the end of time if that were possible.
He suddenly looked up from pleasuring her, with a look, and then the words. "I am glad we understand why that night happened not because we were forced into it, but our feelings were there all along." He paused. "You are 'the one' for me, Lois. I have always felt that way." Then he leaned over, and Lois was transfixed by his voice. She could not breathe; could not speak. His lips flowed over her face, his breath hot and soft as it moved over her skin.
"Oh, Clark, I need you so much," she managed to say.
"I need you too, Lois. You are my pleasure, and my endless desire. I can't get enough of you, and I don't want to." Then he kissed her deeply, his hand cupping the back of her head pulling her closer. He loved kissing her, as much as the act of love itself. To prove his love and to thank her for believing in him, he began to explore her body in ways that Lois was beginning to think she was going to die of pure pleasure. It became too much.
"Now, Clark, please!" She begged for it then opened her legs even wider needing him to take her now, and when his fingers finally teased her slick and sensitive flesh, she moaned loudly then, his fingers traced the opening to her body moving in and out. Lois was in heaven, and he was right there with her.
Minutes later, he entered her with a smooth glide exciting them both to a fever pitch. Coming home, he kissed her his tongue meeting hers in hot wet kisses as his body pumped in and out of her body. Lois moved with him loving his movements. His lips on her throat, as he pulled her tight against him almost hurting her.
"Kiss me," she whispered throatily, and he did deeply linger over her mouth with kisses and little nips over her face and then her throat.
Moments later, Lois sobbed and shuddered with release and Clark was right behind her. He gave himself up to the feelings that rushed through his body and his mind. Not wanting to hurt her, he pulled her close. Lois was beyond thought. It was heaven being with him again. The feelings were overwhelming her mind and her heart, then she pulled him close to hide her face.
"I'm alright now; I'm alright." But tears had a mind of their own. She wiped them away.
He kissed her forehead holding her close. "I love you Lois, more every day."
"I love you too, Clark... always."
Soon, they both fell asleep.
~o~o~
The morning after:
Lois rolled over and stretched her muscles, then she realized she was sore in all the right places. Clark was not in bed, then a lovely aroma filled her nose; he was cooking breakfast. Starving and ready to eat, she was about to leave the bed, when Clark walked in carrying a tray of food.
She sat up and pushed her hair out of her eyes. "Clark, what are you doing? I should be cooking for you; I mean," she hesitated.
He smiled. "You did ask me if I could cook, and you told me that you never learned, and so here you go."
"Yes, I did and I'm sure it's delicious," she said and took a bite of French toast. "Yummy; I could get used to this. Aren't you joining me?" She continued to eat, bacon, juice, and coffee.
"No, I am not hungry," he replied. "On second thought, I will have juice and coffee. I loved cooking for you, and I will continue doing it; if you let me." He called from the kitchen.
"Clark, we are a couple now and you can stay over whenever you want."
That surprised him and poked his head in. "You mean it?"
"Of course, I do," she replied and finished her meal. "Thanks for the food." she said and glanced at the clock. "We have an hour before we need to head into work. I hope our office is ready," she said, flirting with him.
Now in bed, he smiled and remembered their second trip to Smallville. "You do know how to please me in more ways than one."
She giggled, and moved the tray aside, grabbed him and kissed him soundly.
After more kisses, he pulled away. "I thought you wanted to get dressed and head into work."
"Do not say another word," she whispered smiling.
"Whose talking?" He asked and then he kissed her again.
After minutes, both relaxed enjoying this quiet time before work, she whispered, "Clark?"
"Uh, hum."
"I know we decided to never mention our first time ever again, but." She hesitated.
"Just one more time; go ahead."
"You did say that you had to tell me how you felt, but I have often wondered what you were thinking the moment you revealed your true self in the suit?"
"Well, the answer to that question is complicated and sort of long." He sat up against the headboard and pulled her close to his side. "When I first arrived in Metropolis and the Planet, I was convinced that no one would know the real me and to appear normal like everyone else. Out of fear of rejection, it was drummed into my mind my entire life, but then I met you, and you were different." He paused and stared into her eyes. "You never feared me, but I wanted to tell you constantly; it rang inside my head every day. And then all the doubts were pushed aside; I stood before you in the suit and waited for your reaction."
Lois shook her head, but one comment stood out. "You honestly thought I would reject you? Clark that is not true, well as Superman was concerned, no, not him, but accepting you into my life as a friend and partner took a little more time. That night when I saw you, I thought that you stole the suit, and the glasses were gone. The next thing I remember is our kisses and how frantic we both were to kiss, to get closer and to have sex."
"Yes, I do remember how eager we were, but that question was always my doubt about telling anyone my secret. You did accept me as Superman both in our interview and on the shuttle, but I guest those doubts about trust and being honest; it was tough to move beyond the doubt, but I did finally." He watched her come to grips with that reply. "Lois, this is the last time we will talk about that night. What happened to us should not have happened, but neither of us is to blame. It happened and it is in the past and we can move beyond all of it," he confessed.
"Now you sound like me when I first began to remember."
"Well, we are closer now than we ever expected, but I think it would have happened eventually."
"Do you mean that we were destined to meet and fall in love, as if it were fate?"
'Yes, I do," he replied and waited for her to believe it because it was true.
She shook her head, but she did think it felt strange that she met both personas within days, then they connected on distinct levels, plus the fact that they both became fixated in her mind unable to forget either of them.
"What are you thinking?"
"All I know is you Sir are 'the one' for me. I know that now, and it may be fate that we met."
"I know it is true and I am going to prove it to you every day and every night."
She smiled liking that comment. "I'm going to hold you to that."
Pulling her close then he kissed her deeply and she kissed him back.
~o~o~
Later that morning at the Planet:
They managed to arrive in time to attend the staff meeting. After everyone received their assignments, Perry pulled them aside and gave them the good news.
"Your office is ready. Follow me." Perry smiled at their reaction.
They both smiled feeling excited and thrilled. He opened the door, which had their names on the glass. Lois' name appeared first and Clark's name beneath hers. They seemed pleased. Once inside, it did look recently painted. The desks; computers; file cabinets; chairs; a small sofa; lamps; everything looked new. Lois and Clark were content to have their own space to work together.
Perry watched them take it all in, and they did appear pleased. "Well, what do you think?" He asked and waited.
Lois spoke up. "We love it, don't we Clark?"
"Yes, we do; thank you Perry."
"It's perfect; thank you for doing this and quickly," Lois said getting emotional.
"Okay then, get to work," he said, smiled, shut the door, and left them alone.
They stared at each other feeling happy but conflicted. Clark spoke up. "Are you having second thoughts about telling everyone about us?"
She sat down on the sofa, he sat beside her then, "Yes I am," she confessed.
"We can wait, but I still think we should. It will relieve all this pressure about that night, and we can concentrate on our stories and remember how far we have come, and our stories will flow better than ever. I genuinely believe it."
She took his hand. "I hope so."
"It will; trust me," he said and pulled her close to his side.
She did trust him with all her heart. "I do trust you."
They both smiled. "Let us get to work."
Now sitting at their new desks, they both logged on and pulled up Perry's notes, images, and background summaries about their assigned case. One photo sparked a memory.
"I know this guy," Lois said.
"Who is he?"
"I think he's in jail; I sent him there five years ago."
"I wonder why Perry sent us this story?" He read Perry's notes again. "Oh, I see, he's an ex-con, out on probation, but he's causing all kinds of trouble doing pranks and disturbing the peace but the more he continues, it causes issues with the police."
Lois thought about that. "He does not sound that bad. A prankster, joking around, but he has not broken the law, at least not yet. There must be more to him than pranks. If he hurts anyone, then he will be sent back to prison."
"Why was he sent to prison; do you remember?"
"Of course, I remember. He broke the law."
He smiled. "What did he do to receive a sentence of five years or more?"
She sighed. "I need to check my notes." She walked to her file cabinet in the far corner. "Okay, my files are set up by year." After a minute, she pulled out five cases. "Okay, let me see. This is the guy."
"What do you remember?"
"Well, I do remember it was a huge case, especially after the FBI became involved. It took months but they caught him along with twelve others for illegal arms dealing with foreign countries, high tech weapons, stealing and a host of other crimes. I exposed all of it in the Planet as a whistle blower and there you have it. The free press, a lot of good it did me." She shook her head.
"Lois, writing about crime is not against the law. He is fixated on you, but that anger and resentment is misplaced. No one forced him to commit all of those crimes." Clark is getting upset by all this guy's fixation on his girlfriend. My girlfriend? He wondered.
"Yeah, I remember him now, because of my exposure to his crimes, he may not like me, and he may be holding it against me."
He watched her face. "Lois, we need to be careful. He could be out for revenge."
"You think?" She deadpanned.
"We have a stop to make about that ring you received from your 'secret admirer'," he quipped feeling jealous.
~o~o~
In her car, driving to the jewelry store to investigate a poisonous ring given to her by this guy, who is now called the Prankster, but they needed more time to examine the ring. Now back in her car, they turned down a street then she lost control and could not stop or pull over. Clark opened the door slightly and with his foot, he managed to stop the car as it skidded down the street.
"Wow, what happened; why couldn't I stop?" She asked then she noticed the door. "You did that? Thank you, Clark. Where are you going?"
"I need to check something first. Wait here." He left and managed to change, checked the street and it appeared to be shining. It was oil, and with is heat vision, he removed all the oil from the street, but just before he cleaned it up, Lois left the car and at once slipped and fell on her backside. A truck came careening down the street unable to stop, but before it hit her, Clark picked her up and they rose and returned to the sidewalk, and he set her down.
"Are you okay?" He asked and checked her over.
"I'm alright," she replied. "What happened?"
"I did not see an oil truck, but there was oil all over the street. It may have been a diversion for another theft."
"Oh, you mean the poisonous ring he sent me and the theft at the museum? Do you think he is the same guy?"
"Yes, it is him the Prankster."
"What is he doing?" But she had a thought. "Do you think this is his revenge plot against me? Do not answer that. It is about me. You were right, he hates me for sending him to prison."
"He is sick, delusional and a stalker, but we will catch him and send him back to prison and for longer than five years. Trust me," he said firmly.
He sounded determined and she believed him. "I do trust you."
TBC!
~o~o~
Song Inspiration: Run to You, Whitney Houston.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter; they finally realized that their feelings were there before the perfume incident. But it was sad because of their talk about being close to someone and Lois could be hurt because of him. Thanks for reading. The last chapter is coming up to catch the Prankster, and later at his place, their first time there since 'that night.' Thanks again and please comment.