Jimmy bounced happily down the stairs to the bullpen of the Daily Planet. He slapped the tickets he was holding against his opposite hand and jumped off the last step. Spying Chloe at her desk, he tried to mask his glee as he walked through the threshold toward his girlfriend. He hid the tickets behind his back and slid his feet across the floor until he stopped at the edge of her desk.

"Hey, Bright Eyes."

Chloe looked up from her current assignment to see her boyfriend giddily trying, and failing, to keep his poker face.

"And what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Well…" he drawled and then suddenly displayed the four tickets before her. "Look what your boy won."

Chloe chuckled and plucked one of the tickets from his grip.

She examined it and saw the logo for the Shuster Sports Arena and the sports teams for the event. "Metropolis Mammoths hockey game? Where did you get these?"

"I was caller number 38 on KRDP this morning! I just went and picked them up."

"I hope one of these is mine," she said, lifting up the ticket she was holding.

"Of course," he confirmed.

Since he had four tickets total, and two would be for them, she was curious what would happen with the rest. "What are you going to do with the other two? Sell them?"

"Actually…" he said, cocking his head to the side.

Chloe shook her head, knowing the gears in her boyfriend's head were turning with some kind of plan.

"Uh oh, I know that face."

He feigned innocence. "What face?"

"The face you make when you have an out of the box idea."

Unable to hide it, he smiled wider. "I kind of love that you know that."

Chloe was taken aback by his word choice. "Love?"

"Like! Like, I mean. Like that you know it." he cried, overemphasizing the word.

Chloe held back her reaction, but was feeling content in the developing feelings in their relationship. Getting back on topic, she asked, "So, what were you thinking?"

"That maybe we could give a ticket to Lois-"

"Oh, wow, Lois?! Jimmy, that's so nice of you!" she gushed.

"And Clark," he finished.

Chloe's eyes widened. "Not that I don't find it endearing that you want to invite my cousin and my best friend, but we've talked about this. Especially after what happened on Valentine's Day!"

Jimmy bowed his head for a moment and let it then turn into a nod. He recognized that his attempt at fixing Lois and Clark on V-Day had been a blunder on several levels, but he still had hope for the both of them. He could feel it in his gut when he watched their interactions, both in person and caught privately.

"That's exactly why I want to do this! You saw that footage that Marcus had from security!"

"Which is why I had it destroyed before Lois saw it. It's bad enough HR sent out a memo about public displays of affection and frosted the glass in the booths."

"The frost would melt with them," he commented.

"Jimmy!" she scolded.

"Chloe, this doesn't have to be more than four friends going out. I promise."

But if it led to more, it wouldn't be his doing. He was merely a messenger.

"It better not be."

Chloe pulled out her phone and bit her bottom lip nervously as she began to start wording her text to Clark. She decided to omit the part about Lois also being invited to the game. It wasn't that she thought the information would be a deal breaker for him, essentially, but she didn't want to take a chance. Clark had been awkward around Lois ever since he had been dosed by her red kryptonite lipstick. And since he remembered and Lois didn't, he was plagued with memories Chloe only got the slightest glimpse of from Daily Planet security footage. She hadn't wanted to admit it, but there was a playfulness and softness about Clark she had never seen when he was under the influence. It also hadn't been exhibited when he was at the engagement party. It seemed reserved for Lois. Though, she couldn't lie that Clark showed a cheeky, freer side when bantering with her cousin anyway.

It seemed that Lois had an effect on him, kryptonite or not.


Working in the barn doing chores, Clark heard his phone sound from his pocket. Pulling it into view he saw that Chloe was messaging him.

Chloe: Jimmy won tickets to a Mammoth's game on Friday night and wanted to invite you. His idea! Please join us. It would mean a lot to me…. :)

Clark sighed as he felt guilt build within him. He liked Jimmy and thought he was a nice fit for Chloe. Struggling to have a normal relationship, as normal one could get with the strange and unexplainable things that happened around them, he knew Chloe wanted to bridge the gap between him and Jimmy so they could both be included in her life.

Clark was reluctant to say yes. Staying on the farm was sometimes the more opportune choice, but if he stayed with his thoughts long enough he would dwell and even with his super strength, it was exhausting. He knew those around him would encourage him to do otherwise. He could hear their voices, Lois' being the loudest, of course.

He suddenly wondered if she would be at the game. Chloe hadn't mentioned her in the text, but it could just mean that she hadn't gotten an answer yet. Ever since Valentine's Day he had been careful around her. Not only was he embarrassed for how he acted on red kryptonite, but he couldn't get the visuals out of his mind. When he closed his eyes in bed he would see flashes of their escapade together. He could feel her body rubbing against his, her soft lips brushing across his mouth, the scent of lavender from her hair. It was haunting him.

It was distressing mostly because he seemed to have no control over the highlighted fantasies that took over in his sleep. The only girl ever to invade his dreams had been Lana. Now, Lois' presence dominated. He didn't know what it meant. Was he just lonely? Or, like his mother had hinted, deep down was he truly attracted to Lois, wanting to kiss her-his mind trying to achieve his true desires?

Did it matter? Lois was not interested in him. She had been in love with Oliver and had her heart broken.

Just as he had done his whole life, he would trap any straying thoughts and lock them away.

Red kryptonite influenced dreams shouldn't mean anything more. He was allowed to be aware that Lois Lane was attractive. Beyond the banter, she was someone any man would be lucky to be with. He shouldn't be embarrassed that this beautiful woman entered his dreams. But he was also respectful. Any details would be kept to himself.

In the end, this was a friendly get together during a sporting event.

He sighed again and started to type back and hit send.

Clark: Sure.

It was ice hockey. If anything, being in the cold would feel like The Fortress and he could try to find some solitude.


Lois walked into the Daily Planet, ready for the lunch date she was about to have with her cousin. In the weeks after her break up with Oliver, she was finally feeling like she was mending her broken heart better. She hated to admit that after Valentine's Day and her 'Lois Gone Wild' event with Clark that there had been some sort of weight lifted off of her. She didn't want to analyze it. She was just happy she was feeling more like herself.

Chloe spotted Lois walking down the stairs and quickly grabbed her stuff. Texting Clark had been the easy part. Getting Lois to go to the game was going to take more convincing.

While she wasn't trying to hook up her cousin and best friend like Jimmy had, she did feel that the two still needed to get out more and get over the lumps of their failed relationships. This was for their well being.

"Hey, cuz," Lois greeted.

Chloe smiled and hooked her arm around her cousin's when she reached her. She also figured she needed to make sure Lois didn't try to run away when she asked her question.

"Ready for lunch?" Chloe asked enthusiastically.

Lois stopped in her tracks. "What's going on?"

Chloe shrugged innocently. "What?"

"You have a weird pitch in your voice."

"No," she squeaked. Chloe cleared her throat and tried again. "No, I don't."

How was it that she could keep the secret that Clark Kent was an alien from Krypton with superpowers and she couldn't cover up that she was trying to meddle in Lois' social life?

Lois narrowed her eyes. "Spit it out," she ordered.

Chloe sighed and as her eyes looked up at the ceiling. They fell back on Lois and she confessed, "Okay, fine. Jimmy won tickets to a hockey game and I was going to woo you with lunch to go with us."

"That's it?"

"Yes."

Lois was relieved. She had been expecting worse. "Chloe, that doesn't require wooing."

Chloe started to smile and feel relief.

Lois then continued, "I mean, if you were going to add that Smallville was also going then maybe there might need to be some wooing." She caught Chloe's face faltering. "Oh, don't tell me…"

"Lois, we're not trying to set you both up, I swear," she promised. "And I think it would be good for the both of you to put that Valentine's Day awkwardness behind you once and for all."

"Chlo-"

"Lo, please ," she pleaded as she grabbed Lois' hands and hopped slightly.

"Fine," Lois grumbled.

"It'll be great! You'll see!" Chloe said as she resumed their walk to the stairs.

"The seats better be worth it."

"Center ice." Chloe sang. "Right behind the glass."

It was right where the action was. Lois could hardly say no, but she did want to negotiate a little.

"You're paying for my snacks, too."

"Just go easy, my salary here isn't that great."

"If I have to spend my night babysitting Smallville while you and Jimmy have your date, then you better be supplying me food and drinks."

"Let's stay away from alcohol, okay?" she bartered.

Lois grimaced as she thought of herself accidentally having too many drinks and needing Clark to help her. She didn't need another night of memory loss when it concerned him.

"Deal."


Chloe and Jimmy stood outside the sports arena, waiting for Lois and Clark to arrive. Jimmy had tried to make conversation with his girlfriend but she had been ultra focused since leaving the Daily Planet.

"Don't be nervous," he assured her.

Chloe's hands were in the pockets of her tan coat, pressing into the fabric firmly. "I can't help it."

"Look, you and I both know that as much as they balk about spending time together they've hung out many times of their own free will."

"I know that. But they also argue and the last thing we need is the referee from the game leaving the ice and heading up into the stands for those two."

"That's not going to happen," he assured her.

"I hope you're right."

Clark rounded the crowded corner and spotted Chloe and Jimmy. He tugged on his red jacket and put a smile on his face. Chloe started to beam when he came into view.

"Clark!" she waved.

"Hey."

"Glad you could make it, CK." Jimmy smiled.

"Congratulations on winning the tickets," he said.

Lending a pearl of Olsen wisdom he recited, "When you set your mind to something and pursue it, magical things can happen."

While both Chloe and Clark were thinking over his words, Lois snuck up on the group.

"Looks like I'm the last one here." she announced, her ponytail of dirty blonde hair swaying behind her.

"You're right on time," Jimmy told her.

She acknowledged the photographer with a head nod. "Thanks for the invite."

Her eyes then met Clark's and they stared at each other for a moment. While Lois had played it cool in the loft post-wild event, her curiosity about running around the city with Clark had made her wonder if they entered into the clothing optional stage that night. He had assured her that nothing happened, and she believed him, but she also felt in the depths of her being that it had gotten close. And against her wishes, her mind wondered what that would be like. And for the moment, she told herself it was okay because nothing would ever come of it. He was unattainable, his heart tethered to another.

"Hey, Smallville."

"Hey, Lois."

Lois bounced on her feet, feeling self conscious at the way Jimmy and Chloe were looking at them.

"Is this an outdoor game, or…" she questioned aloud.

"Oh, right! Let's head inside." Jimmy laughed.

The young couple headed in first, leaving Clark and Lois to walk side by side following them. They each took quick glances at the other, trying to gauge how the other was feeling. When they made it to the door Clark made sure he grabbed it and held it open for Lois. Their eyes met once more.

As in any game of ice hockey, it starts with the face off. The puck is dropped between the opponents and they fight for possession of it. But Clark and Lois weren't playing regular hockey. What could be dropped in front of them was anyone's guess. The question would be if they would fight over it to gain sole possession and in dominant control or if the twist was they were on the same team all along.


It was the conclusion of the first period. The Metropolis Mammoths and Gotham City Goliaths each had one goal on the board. The group sat in their seats at center ice, Clark on the aisle, Lois next to him as she made sure she was seated next to Chloe, with Jimmy at the end of their foursome.

Clark wasn't much of a hockey fan, but he had been entranced with the game. Though, it wasn't by the players on the ice. His attention had been drawn to Lois. She hadn't been able to sit still during the period, rising from her seat and shouting "Get the puck out of your zone!" on multiple occasions. She was so involved in the action that his eyes followed her. To keep up with the game, he zeroed in on her. Her commentary brought a smile to his face. He was enjoying listening to her and watching her mannerisms, not comprehending why the misery he usually carried was almost non-existent.

Jimmy was also distracted by Lois' colorful expressions targeted at the ice, but he was also aware of how Clark was looking at her. He felt vindicated. It was as clear as day that Clark had feelings for Lois. Why the Smallville farm boy wouldn't or couldn't admit it was a mystery to him. In his opinion, Clark needed to move past whatever lingering feelings he had for Lana Lang and realize what he had right in front of him.

Jimmy then turned to Chloe and let his smile be fueled by her presence. With all the chaos of Dark Thursday, the silver lining was reconnecting with Chloe. The strangeness of the world didn't faze her and he thought that was so cool. He had been worried about her relationship with Clark, if she had feelings for him, but it was also insecurities he needed to deal with. If they could continue to have nights like this, hanging out and enjoying each other's company with friends (and another potential couple?), he could get used to it for a long time.

Chloe felt Jimmy's eyes on her and tried to hide her blush. Being close to the ice was helping her at that moment. She gave a sideways glance toward Lois and saw that she had settled down in the break. While she had been fearing how Clark and Lois would be reacting and interacting with each other, she had been pleasantly surprised. It was a nice, calm evening. Her face started to fall as she thought it over. All she needed was to have jinxed everything.

The opening notes to the song "Kiss Me" started to play through the speakers and she looked up at the Jumbotron to see what was happening.

The announcer in the booth sounded, "It's that time again, folks. Which lucky couples will our camera find? Better start puckering up."

"Let's hope they pick us," Jimmy said, putting his arm around Chloe's shoulders and giving them a squeeze.

Lois rolled her eyes. She was genuinely happy for her cousin and Jimmy, but she found the notion of the 'kiss cam' a bit much. It could also be that she was sour on couples since her ill fated relationship with Oliver. She was trying her hardest not to be a drag. She was focused on the game, letting her frustrations out on the players and their boneheaded decisions on the ice. Feeling like her scarf was choking her as couples appeared onscreen, she unwrapped it from her neck and put it on the back of her chair.

The screen skipped through couples delighted to be caught. Clark gave a half smile, watching the embraces and kisses. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted Lois' scarf had fallen off the back of her seat. He extended his arm and reached behind into the next row for it.

From far away, though, it looked like he was putting his arm around Lois. The camera caught the gesture, misunderstanding Clark's good nature, and zeroed in on the chemistry ridden pairing. Their image was next to flash up on the screen.

"Guys, look!" Jimmy exclaimed with joy.

Lois and Clark both looked up and froze. They started to shake their heads, but the camera stayed on them. They turned and looked at each other. It had to be the most preposterous idea, the two of them kissing because graphics on a screen demanded it.

"Come on, you two!" Jimmy urged.

"Jimmy," Chloe hissed.

"Just a peck and get it over with."

There were rumblings from the crowd in the section they were in, chanting, "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"

Lois hated being told what to do. She wasn't going to kiss Clark because of peer pressure. She refused. Except, she found herself leaning closer to him. She couldn't quite stop herself and couldn't fathom why.

Clark was on the same wavelength. His brain was against kissing Lois in an arena full of people. Yet, his body was growing closer. He witnessed that she was doing the same thing and it confused him even more. Did she want to kiss him? Did he want to kiss her? He couldn't deny that when he had been on red kryptonite, free of his inhibitions, that kissing Lois had been an exhilarating experience. One that still lingered with him he reminded himself. But it had been even before that. He had gotten his first kiss with Lois in a dark alley while he was pretending to be someone else. It resonated in him, a kiss like no other. A kiss she even voiced had been awe inspiring for her as well.

As their heads drew closer, the noise was drowned out by the loud beating of their hearts in their ears. Blue-green eyes locked on hazel ones. Breaths shortened.

It would just be a peck. Just like Jimmy said. A peck and it would satisfy whatever it was their bodies were craving.

Because of loneliness. Yeah, that was it.

They inched closer, feeling heat on their lips. It was magnetic. They couldn't pull back now if they tried.

The scent of lavender filled Clark's nostrils and he felt an incredible urge to close the gap between them. Before he knew it he had done just that. His lips were fused to Lois', a spark igniting. There was heat behind his eyes and he screwed them shut and savored the rush flowing in his veins. It was reminiscent of red kryptonite, a freedom achieved without the substance. How could that be?

Lois' eyes were wide when she felt Clark's mouth on hers. But her lids soon closed too and her mouth responded, welcoming him. He accepted the invitation and she felt a flicker from his tongue. She reciprocated, moving her head and elongating the kiss. Her hands reached up and took hold of his red jacket, unconsciously pulling him closer.

The crowd was howling unbeknownst to the lost pair. Jimmy slowly smiled wide, letting out a chuckle. Along with others in their section he started clapping at the display.

Chloe hadn't realized her mouth had dropped until she started to feel it run dry. She couldn't believe what she was witnessing. It had been surprising enough when the two were under the influence, but for them to be sober and kiss right in front of them was unbelievable. What threw her the most was seeing Clark be the one to initiate it. She never thought she'd see that happen, for him to act so bold.

She felt the smallest bit of jealousy. It reminded her of the time during senior year Clark was in the dunk tank and Lois threw the football at the bullseye. Their interaction then had been full of fun, Clark smiling and splashing Lois after getting his hair ruffled by her. Chloe had sensed something that day between the two of them, realizing later that he would never look at her the same way. He was obviously intrigued by Lois, but she also knew about his love life and attachment to Lana. Her cousin was already recovering from a broken heart, she didn't want it to shatter even more if his feelings weren't true.

It was the whistling in Lois' ear that brought her back to her senses. Her eyes snapped open and used her hands on Clark's hard chest to send a hefty push, catapulting herself away. She sat stunned in her seat, catching her breath.

Clark too searched for air, somehow breathless in his lungs of steel. He had lost control momentarily and that terrified him. His eyes bounced around and settled on the circle in the middle of the rink, trying to use it to center himself.

"Did you get a puck to the head and I missed it?" Lois said to him.

He blinked rapidly and turned his head toward her. Her voice may have sounded angry, but the visual he had told a different story. She was flushed, her chest heaving beneath her yellow V-cut shirt, and her hands clenched in her lap as if trying to keep from latching on to anything or anyone else. Maybe she was imagining throttling his neck, or maybe she was trying to keep them from grabbing his jacket again.

"Lo-" he started apologetically.

She interrupted him and continued, "You're lucky you still have your teeth, try that again and you'll be matching some of the players down there."

The announcer came back on the loudspeaker and commented as the segment commenced, "Oh, it feels like the temperature just went up. Somebody check the ice to make sure the players can still skate on it."

Lois started to slide down her seat in embarrassment. As the daughter of a general she should have been able to stop Clark's "power play". Why hadn't she? She had the skill set. Why did her body betray her? Why had she felt like she was floating in the air as she was hanging on to his jacket?

Lois and Clark were uncomfortable as the next period played, aware of each other more than ever. His arm hit hers, startling Lois. Her leg brushed up against his as she jumped up to chastise the referee, causing Clark to shift and almost knock over fans walking up the aisle stairs. The commentators were also throwing around hockey terms that out of context could make the mind go wild.

He was involved in his thoughts when a player got slammed against the glass and broke him out of them momentarily. Sensing danger, he extended his arm out to protect Lois and shield her with his back. When he realized that there wasn't shattered glass or danger he slowly backed off and settled in his seat. Lois was startled and surprised by his reflex. She tried to show annoyance, finding it difficult not to grin at his Herculean ways.

"Body checking for number 17."

Body checking. Clark's mind wandered into dangerous territory, replaying moments of Lois pushing him against the wall of the phone booth. He pulled the term apart, thinking of it literally, remembering ripping open her shirt and checking her body for spelling errors on the tattoo she had gotten on her chest.

Lois wasn't doing any better. Though, her mind wasn't specifically narrowed to Clark. She was back in the dark alley, a mugger attacking her only to be whipped back and thrown into a billboard, saving her. He helped her up, but she couldn't see his eyes behind the dark glasses. She remembered grabbing his biceps, feeling how strong they were, especially when his arms were wrapped around her.

Why was she thinking about the Green Arrow in the midst of the current crisis? Her brain then switched gears, connecting the feeling of the alley with the red haze of Valentine's Day. She couldn't win.

"Back to the neutral zone." The voice through the speakers commented.

Yes, back to the neutral zone for the both of them.

But the thoughts didn't stop. Memories would creep up. Dreams that they had been having recently. What Lois' body seemed to remember and her mind tried to piece together on feelings alone. Clark was cursed with the actual memories, except there were the dreams where he didn't see the invitation. The dreams that were created in his imagination affected him most of all.

"Number 8 is in trouble. High sticking will send him straight to the penalty box."

Clark let out a cough, shifted his legs, and quickly recovered. He decided to just focus on what was in front of him and not on the commentary from above.

At the next intermission the screen went through different advertisements before the music of Faith Hill's "This Kiss" started to sound. It was a replay of Clark and Lois' kiss on loop, their image outlined in a pink heart and the words "Best Kiss Award".

"I'm going to go to the concession stand," Lois announced.

She didn't even wait for Clark to move and placed her hand on his knee and jumped over his legs like a turnstile.

Chloe sighed as she watched her cousin.

"I'll be right back," she told both men.

She scurried from the seats, Clark moving his body this time, and tried to catch up to Lois.

"Lois, wait!" she called out.

Lois grunted in frustration as she looked at the different vendors in the concession area. She could just head for the gate, but ruled against it.

"Lo!"

Lois finally stopped and turned to wait for her cousin to catch up.

"I'm fine. I just want a hot pretzel." she explained.

Instead of beating around the bush Chloe just came out with it. "What's going on between you two?"

The pitch in Lois' voice heightened, along with its volume, as she declared, "Nothing!"

"How can you say that?"

She crossed her arms over her chest. "What do you mean?"

"I have eyes, Lois."

She leaned forward and said, "Well, then maybe you need glasses."

"Or maybe you and Clark need glasses." Chloe remarked from her observations. Which was ironic for a guy with x-ray vision.

"Chloe…"

"Come on, the whole arena could see it. Why do you think they put you both back up on the screen?"

It had opened her eyes and she could clearly see what Jimmy had been commenting about.

Lois grunted, "Just because they put two hot people up there doesn't mean…"

Chloe cut her off. "Hold it, did you just refer to Clark Kent as hot?"

Lois' eyes bulged out at the admittance. She shook her head. "What I meant was…"

"No, you said two hot people. Do you have feelings for him?" Chloe pressed.

This was breaking news. Front page style. She needed to get the scoop.

Lois shook her head again and scoffed, "How could I? There's no way."

Chloe wasn't buying it. As good of a poker player Lois was, she could see the truth written on her face.

"Lois, it's okay if you like him."

She firmly replied, "No, it's not."

She looked at her cousin with gentle eyes. "For the record, if this has anything to do with the late night calls years ago about a certain high school crush, you don't have to protect me."

"What?" Lois asked softly.

Chloe started to grin, feeling a weight lift as she explained, "I realized that it's not worth waiting for someone to fall in love with you when it's clear that they never will. I let it go and decided to explore a relationship with someone who reciprocates my feelings."

Lois took a breath. "And yet you're pushing me towards the guy who won't reciprocate your feelings and is still in love with his ex. You might need to rethink your future as a matchmaker."

Chloe lifted her hand and placed it on Lois' upper arm comfortingly.

"He's never looked at me the way he looks at you. And as someone who was front row center to the Clark and Lana show, I can tell you there's a light in his eyes that is conjured because of you. There's video proof of it."

"Chlo, Oliver just left me behind. I'm not going to be a stand in until the ink is fresh on Lana's divorce papers," she sighed.

"Lois…" Chloe tried.

Lois didn't want to talk about it any further. It didn't matter even IF she was having confusing feelings about Clark Kent. She wasn't going to put herself in a position of pining. Anything one sided would be extinguished.

And one of the ways of dealing with or avoiding unrequited feelings was food.

"Can I just get my hot pretzel now?"

"Sure."

Lois extended her hand. "Money, please."

Chloe gave half an eye roll and reached into her bag to fetch some bills. She gave them to Lois who took them excitedly.

"Thank you!" she said and ran off.

Chloe just hoped she didn't run too far. Clark wasn't the only one with super-speed.


Clark took a deep breath. He was having a tough time settling his body down. Seeing the kiss again with Lois had awakened certain parts of him. It was just like when he kissed her as the Green Arrow. He'd had a hard time calming himself then, too. He had ripped off the hood and glasses as if they were stifling and suffocating him. He had been overcome with heat and blindsided by the intense feelings. He could try to deny it, try to avoid it, but, like a boomerang, it kept coming back. There was no escape, there were only ways to find relief. He focused on the cold air and let it penetrate his skin.

"You okay, CK?" Jimmy asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Jimmy leapt from his seat and sat where Lois had been.

"You know, if you want to talk I don't just have a keen eye, I have a good ear, too." He offered.

"Thanks, Jimmy."

"And just so I can add my two cents here, I know I wasn't around when you and Lana were a thing, but you can't deny there's something between you and Lois. I think you'd be a fool not to at least see what it is."

"Most see it as aggravation."

Jimmy shook his head. "That's not what I was witnessing."

Clark bowed his head and uttered, "She just got out of a relationship."

He understood what that felt like. Lois usually also needed space. Maybe she wasn't ready to try something new. He still was contemplating if he was, too.

"I'm not saying to get engaged, just, you know, go on a date and test the waters. You might find that it's worth it to take the plunge."

He quickly thought it would be worth it to take a Polar Plunge. It was like he was learning to handle heat vision all over again, except his eyes weren't the issue, it was his entire self-internally and externally.

Thinking about Lois and the possibility of something more in a relationship shifted his response to his nerves, the real obstacle.

"And what if it doesn't work out? I don't want it to ruin our friendship. As much as we might annoy each other I wouldn't…"

"Wouldn't what?" Jimmy pried.

"Want to lose her," Clark finished, an anguish in his chest surprised him from his honesty.

Just saying the words stung. After going through everything he did with Lana, he didn't want the same result with Lois if he ever dared to start something. Which is why he wouldn't. He didn't want to hurt anyone, especially her. He didn't think he could handle it.

"But if it's the right person, then you won't." Jimmy told him with hopefulness dripping in his voice. "Because when you leap, they'll be right there with you."

Clark mulled over that a moment. His mind flashed to taking a leap from the Daily Planet roof, holding Lois in his arms tightly, her with a look of awe as she looked upon him. When he had revealed himself to her she hadn't been afraid, she hadn't berated him, she was just curious and because of the lipstick…in love. Was that what it could be like? Telling his secret willingly only to be accepted and supported? He hadn't even been that open when he made the rash decision to take Lana away from the engagement party. Why could he be so open with Lois and not with her? Why did it feel easy with Lois? Could it be that it was staring him right in the face and he didn't see it? Or was it because he didn't want to see it?

He was about to respond to Jimmy when Chloe returned, sans Lois.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

Chloe gave him a sympathetic look, but tried to smooth it over. "She's in search of hot pretzels."

"I'm feeling kind of thirsty. I think I'm just going to-" he said as he stood and let Chloe in.

Once he was up the stairs and out of view Jimmy and Chloe looked at each other.

"I don't think this was such a good idea," she commented.

"The night isn't over yet." Jimmy reminded her. "There's still time in this game for a breakout play."

But which one would be used? And would it work?


Lois was finally enjoying the soft salty goodness of the hot pretzel she desired. It just hit the spot as she sat on a bench by the gate. She had weighed her option to leave and decided that sitting by the gate and getting the fresh air helped. The pretzel was the real hero, though.

"I put a little mustard on mine," a deep voice said to her.

She looked up to see Clark gazing at her from six feet away.

"Noted. But you need to get your own because I'm not sharing." she said as she broke off another piece.

"Wouldn't dream of that."

But he had been dreaming about her. He couldn't let himself forget it. Maybe Jimmy was onto something. Maybe this was a moment he couldn't and shouldn't pass up. Maybe he just needed to line himself up and take his shot. Maybe he would miss or maybe it would set the sirens blaring in celebration.

Lois watched him carefully as he was contemplating something. He probably wanted to talk to her, break down the kiss, explain to her that it was a lapse in judgment and he regrets she's not shorter, quieter, and more vanilla.

She needed to get out of there. She needed to get around him. In ice hockey, it was called a deke. She just needed to distract him and then make her move.

She looked over to the right and pointed. "Oh wow, is that Gotham City's elusive Bruce Wayne?"

He looked in the direction she pointed, which was his left, and said, "Who?"

She hurried to the opposite side and was just about to clear and get out of the space, when she felt a pressured hold on her forearm. She whipped backward and spun until she was stopped by Clark's rock solid chest.

"Lo-" he couldn't even finish her name when his eyes caught hers.

"Clark, let me go."

"Are you going to try and trick me again?"

She sighed, "I just want to avoid the inevitable."

"What's the inevitable?" he questioned.

"Where you tell me that the kiss was nice, but it meant nothing. You're still waiting to save the damsel in distress from the bald dragon in Castle Luthor. I get it. You don't have to say anything. Mistake erased. We can put it behind us."

"Is that really how you see me?"

"What, Prince Charming waiting in the wings to save the princess?" She watched his face fall further, the light that Chloe had commented on dimming, and she added, "it doesn't matter what I think."

He responded in a low voice. "Of course it does."

"Why? My opinion isn't important. Half the time you want me to stop talking and ranting."

"I still listen. I…like to listen."

What did he mean by that? What was he doing? It was also then she realized he still was holding her arm and she was flush against him.

In the area they were standing they could hear the commentary from the speakers. The Mammoths were in the Goliath's zone. The puck was moving quickly across the ice. It was passed to number 8. He protected the puck. He skated toward the goalie, saw his opportunity and took his shot.

"Why?" Lois repeated.

The answer she got was Clark kissing her again.

Goal.

Lois started to give in. He was incredibly good at this. When she was invited to a hockey game she never in her wildest dreams expected that it would include tonsil hockey with Clark Kent.

He maneuvered his head and deepened the kiss. It was so familiar to Lois. The similarities to her kiss in the alley were stark. Could it be?

She pulled away and caught her breath.

"What did I tell you before?" She tried to threaten, but she was in no shape to slap teeth from him.

He panted in apology. "I know. I'm sorry."

She started to pepper him with questions. "Are you on something again? Is it a dare? Is it loneliness?"

"What? No."

"So then what is this?" she demanded.

"I don't know." He said truthfully.

"You don't know?"

"I…I just…I'm sorry. I thought maybe you felt something, too."

"I didn't say I didn't. I just don't know if you know what you're doing. I think I know, but there's also something I don't know."

"What?" He asked, confused.

"What?"

"You're driving me crazy here."

"Right back at you, buddy."

But they were still close. The intoxication drawing them near. Lois wished she had the ability to stop time and just live in the moment and not think about inevitably or what comes next.

"Kiss cam couple! Whoo-hoo!" Someone shouted as they passed the pair.

The spell was broken, the fog was clearing and behind it Lois uncovered something. It was a piece of the puzzle that fell into place. The picture was that much clearer in her brain.

"Personal space." she croaked out.

Clark let her go and she started to walk along the tables of merchandise as her mind was reeling. She soon thought of an idea to get the proof she needed. It was her turn to yank on his arm and be in the position of dominance.

"Lois?"

"Stand here."

She took a ball cap and lifted herself on her tippy toes to put it on his head. She pushed the brim down over his eyes.

"Ugh. No hat." She said and tossed it back on the table.

She next grabbed a green Metropolis Mammoths hoodie and shoved it into his chest.

"Try this on."

"Why?"

He was very lost and couldn't decipher what Lois was doing.

"Just do it." she commanded.

Clark sighed and obeyed to satisfy her. He took his jacket off first and started to put the sweatshirt over his blue shirt. Once on, she pulled the hood up over his head and drew the strings on each side tightly. Clark gasped and jerked at the unexpected action. The material covered his eyes, leaving his nose and mouth exposed.

She was on the offensive side now, skating into the attacking zone. She stood on her tippy toes again, her mouth hovering just over his, preventing the hat trick of kisses. She made sure their lips didn't touch even though Clark seemed to try and make the effort. He was tempted to use his x-ray vision to try to see exactly what she was doing, but he was stuck in a moment of surrender to her advances and instinctively wrapped his arms around her.

She grabbed hold of his biceps, closed her eyes, and continued. It was just a hover. But it was enough with all the other evidence to confirm her suspicions. She had kissed him before. He was the Green Arrow in the alley.

However, it didn't make much sense. She saw the wound on Green Arrow's arm. She didn't remember seeing one on Clark when he was in his short sleeve blue t-shirt arriving for their fake movie night. Why she could remember his body in detail was another issue, but she was positive. Which meant…

She had been right all along. Oliver's wound was the true connection. She had been duped. She suddenly felt very stupid.

"What was that?" Clark breathed out as the hood came off his eyes and dropped at his neck.

She was angry, but hurt more than anything, to be made a fool.

"You helped him, didn't you?" she asked with narrowed eyes.

Clark was in the midst of taking off the hoodie and folding it. He didn't understand what she meant.

"Huh?"

"Oliver, she elaborated. "You helped him cover it up."

Clark tossed the garment on the table and responded with only her name. "Lois-"

She walked over to an isolated corner near an emergency exit. She faced the door and then when she turned around Clark was right there.

"What is my deal with emotionally unavailable weekend warriors? Did you both look at me like I was stupid?"

He could see the hurt in her eyes and he felt as if he had been stabbed with kryptonite. It was exactly what he didn't want to do to her. How could she think that he looked down at her intelligence? It bolstered his defense, not for himself but for her.

"It's the opposite, Lois. It's because you were able to put it together the way you did. It was impressive."

She bit the inside of her cheek. "He could have just told me. I would have kept his secret."

He knew it was true. He knew it when she confided her feelings to him. Though he never admitted being jealous, he had felt a twinge of it for Oliver. Lois would have tried to dismiss her theory and not confront it had he not intervened with Oliver to throw her off the trail.

I swear, the guy could tell me he was from Mars right now and I would find a way to dismiss it as an endearing quirk.

"I know you would have," he told her.

She started to pace in front of him and then made a sudden stop.

"Then why?"

He took a deep breath and answered. "He didn't want you to get hurt."

"Well, he hurt me anyway."

Again the words stung him. In his conversation with Oliver he had told him that Lois wasn't Lana. That was the truth. She wasn't at all. The lighter hair color and height weren't the only notable differences.

He tentatively took a step closer, letting some of his vulnerability appear on the surface.

"I don't want to hurt you either." She looked up at him curiously and he maintained eye contact. He added, "But I also can't stop what I'm feeling."

"What's that?"

"Ease. I feel at ease when you're around. Unlike anyone else," he stressed. "After everything, the roller coaster I feel like I've been on for so long-somehow with you it doesn't hurt so bad or I even forget about it for a little while. It just makes me feel better."

"Even when we're arguing?"

"Especially then," he grinned.

"How's that?" she asked in disbelief.

"It makes me feel…normal."

He couldn't help but smile as he spoke the last word. What made it funny was that because she looked at him as a dorky farm boy, it would make him want to prove what he could do. He had never felt that way before.

"Smallville, you are normal," she tilted her head to the side and continued with a tease, "for you." She gazed at his eager expression. "What I mean is, you have multiple sides, where you're all quiet and nervous one minute, but the next you're trying to shield me from a hockey player getting pummeled into the glass like you're a Greek god. Sometimes you're weird, but I kind of like that about you," she shrugged.

Her mind was still swirling around the events of the Green Arrow impersonation. The apprehension and throwing of a mugger across the alley. The sudden disappearance at lightning speed. But, she dismissed the details. For now.

"Why?" he asked.

All he had ever wanted was normalcy. It seemed like those around him had yearned for it, too. But, once again, Lois proved to demonstrate how unique she was, how he had never met anyone like her.

"Because I don't mind a little mystery and surprise…as long as trust is there."

He stood tall and asked her directly, "So, with some mystery, do you trust me?"

"I do," she replied without a second thought. She trusted that Clark wouldn't be pursuing something or someone if he didn't mean it. If she were to take the risk and jump, her mind and body assured her that Clark would be right there, that if she faltered he would catch her. She bounced the question back at him. "Do you trust me?"

His mouth curved up. "I do."

It was the truth. He did. He had opened himself up to conversations and advice in the first days of knowing her. She would end his sentences and see through him. There were times where he thought she knew him better than anyone, and she revealed that she knew -and hated- how he knew her, too.

And that was the clincher. What set her aside from anyone else. She somehow knew him, a puzzle she had put together and could see the image it made clearly, except for one last piece to complete it.

He cleared his throat and said, "Lois…"

She held up her hand to silence him. She knew what he was about to do and it wasn't the time or place.

"No need to reveal deep dark secrets tonight."

"What if, for the first time, I want to?" he urged.

Because of the current conversation maybe he did, to step out of his comfort zone which was a rare occurrence. But those words alone meant a lot to her already. The fact that he saw the possibility with her to be the first. She knew for a fact, hearing from various parties and from first hand experience, that Clark kept things to himself and hadn't opened up to Lana, which had been a nail in the coffin for their relationship. But even before starting anything, while still just at a stage of friendship, he wanted her to know something he didn't divulge freely to just anyone. It made her feel special.

She had pulled the hood off one secret. She didn't want to feel like she needed it from him, too. Not tonight. For him, she could be patient.

"Hold the thought. If you still want to tell me in a few weeks or a month, then do it. You can keep the mystery for now. Makes you more interesting."

He smiled brightly at her.

"What?"

He shook his head slowly. "Nothing. It's just…it's just refreshing."

"Like a tall glass of lemonade on a hot day."

He contained a growl in the back of his throat, voicing exactly what he felt. Lois was lemonade personified, the only thing to quench his thirst.

"That's one way to describe you."

She laughed and then asked. "So, what's next?"

Lana's your past. I'm your future.

And this is the present.

He could kick himself for what happened next that night but he had a second chance to change it.

"The future."

She moved her mouth to the side and told him, "I hate fortune tellers. But what do you see in this future, Mr. Magic 8 Ball?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Coffee?"

"Coffee?" she asked.

He nodded.

"Okay then. But we need a real cup of coffee, not this crap." she said waving at the concession stands that surrounded them.

He thought of some nearby places and suggested, "Metro Café?"

"Okay." Lois took her phone and wrote a quick text message. "Just letting Chloe know I didn't run away."

"Well, if you do I'll just have to keep up."

"Ha ha."

She went to punch him in the upper arm as she had always done, except this time Clark's quick reflexes caught her arm in the air. They wore matching amused expressions. Things were changing.

They exited the sports arena and started walking in the direction of Metro. They talked and laughed about silly things along the way. When they finally made it to the block with the café they would have to bypass traffic to get to the other side.

Lois started to walk into the street but Clark pulled her back before a car sped down.

"Don't you ever look?" he asked.

"I take my chances." she answered with confidence.

The heat was building again. It kept getting more intense each time.

"How about we try this…"

Clark grabbed her hand and their fingers intertwined.

Lois thought to pull away and say she wasn't a child, but then it dawned on her that Clark wasn't meaning it in that way. Even though they had already kissed that night, holding hands was more intimate and had more meaning. This was real.

It couldn't be more real.

Their steps were slow as they walked to the edge of the curb, but their hold was strong. They waited as the cars passed, obstacles in their way. Suddenly, there was a lull. It was the perfect moment to go.

Lois was at his side, not looking at the road, but looking at him. She felt protected, that no harm would come to her while he was there. He too felt protected in his own way. Lois intensified his strength. With her there he felt invulnerable, like he could do anything. He looked down back at her and gave a smile. She couldn't help but smile back.

And then after a beat, they crossed the street.

Ready.

Together.