Author's note: I'm pulling from some of my own family history for some of Martha's and Jonathan's misadventures.

The view from Martha's front porch was even better tonight, Lois decided. Clark was sitting on the railing, his long legs stretched out almost all the way to the next post. It would have been a precarious perch for anyone who wasn't able to fly, and she remembered with a smile his comment last night about being himself here. He caught her staring and winked, making her grin wider.

The sun was just slipping beneath the horizon, and the warmth of the day was easing into something more comfortable. Martha was on the porch swing beside her, and all three of them were enjoying brownie sundaes while the Kents kept up the family storytelling. To spare Clark's feelings, Martha was reminiscing about Jonathan instead.

"I was a senior in high school when we met. He was a year older than me, so he had already graduated and was working on his uncle's farm over in Iola at the time. I was a cheerleader and traveled with the football team."

Clark grinned, clearly familiar with the story. "When the Baldwin City Bulldogs came to play, Dad ended up watching her instead of the game. That's what he always used to say."

Martha shook her head with a fond smile. "He brought me a candy apple afterward and asked if he could have my phone number."

"That was pretty bold," Lois said. From the descriptions she'd heard so far, he seemed too laid back to do something like that.

"This was still the 1960's, you have to remember, and besides, we had to pay for long-distance phone calls back then. It wouldn't have been very gentlemanly to expect me to call him, especially if it was on my dime."

Lois chuckled, trying to imagine a teenage Martha back in the Decade of Love. Maybe one of the photo albums would have a picture to help her. She'd have to ask Clark later.

"It was an hour-and-a-half drive for him to visit me, but one way or another, we'd see each other every Friday night. He'd drive that old Studebaker pickup up for the school dances or follow the football team with me. Even in winter when the roads were to snowed-in, he'd call and we'd talk."

"Tell her about your first kiss," Clark said, already chuckling, and it didn't take Lois' reporter instincts to tell there was a good story here.

Martha laughed in answer as she nodded. "Over Christmas, we went to the movies. I think the date before that he'd wanted to kiss me but he couldn't quite work up the courage. So anyway, it was a romance that we saw, and I guess Jonathan was feeling pretty inspired because when we got back to my house, he pulled me close and tried to dip-kiss me."

"Tried to?" Lois blurted out.

Clark was laughing so hard the railing was shaking.

Martha's eyes danced. "Yes. He lost his balance and we both tumbled off my front porch into the snow."

Lois shook with giggles herself. "Were you okay?"

"Oh yes. He helped me to my feet and got me back up onto the porch. He was so embarrassed it was adorable and I just couldn't help myself. I gave him a quick little peck."

"And then he ran away," Clark added. "Retreated to the truck and drove off."

Martha shot him an amused glance. "Yes, but in fairness, he called me the next day to apologize."

"I wish I'd had a chance to meet him," Lois wistfully said.

"Me, too," Martha answered, patting her hand.

Before the lull in conversation could become awkward, Clark gestured to Lois' empty ice cream bowl. "Can I take your dish?"

"I'll do that," Martha said, rising to her feet. "It's a nice night. You two should go for a walk or something."

"You sure?" Lois asked to be polite.

"Yes, I'm sure!" Martha laughed, stacking all three of their bowls. "You two don't need me tagging along. Now shoo!"

"Thank you," Lois said.

Clark held the door for his mother, but after he closed it behind her, he reached for Lois. Hand in hand, they went down the porch steps and started around the house to the back yard.

"So...what do you want to do this evening?" Clark asked. "The stars will be even brighter than last night in another half-hour or so."

"I don't know," Lois said, frowning thoughtfully. "I'm kind of starting to miss the city lights. What's the nearest big town?"

Clark chuckled. "Define 'big.' Wichita's the nearest city of any size, but it's less than half a million people. I could get the Geo..."

"No," Lois firmly said. She didn't want to just travel, she wanted to be with him. "I don't want the car tonight. I don't want anything to come between us."

He paused on the edge of the yard and turned to face her, smiling gently before he stooped to kiss her. The sweet taste of chocolate lingered on his lips, and Lois wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned closer.

"I like the sound of that," he murmured, holding her close.

She rested her head in the crook of his neck, breathing in that closeness. "I'm glad you do." Despite the fact that they spent the entire evening together, feeling him pressed against her sent tendrils of warmth curling through her body all the way to her toes. Part of it was undeniably physical – he was Superman after all, and could be imposing just entering a room – but an even bigger part of it was that his superhuman caring was directed at her. He could go anywhere, do anything he wanted, and he chose to spend every moment he could with her.

She chuckled to realize they were already levitating. His powers had their own charm, too. Feeling reckless, she lifted her head and kissed him again, her fingers twining in his hair.

His arms around her waist kept her pressed against him, and he matched her kiss for kiss as they continued to rise into the night sky. The warmth of his body, the sweetness of his kiss, the magic of being suspended between heaven and earth all conspired to make the moment perfect.

The wind stirred her hair, and she pulled back enough to realize he was flying backward again like that night in February. She didn't need the shelter of his wake this time, though. "It's warm out, and I like the breeze."

Clark shook his head at her with a wry smile, and in a blink he was behind her, holding her against his chest again. One of his arms was low across her hips, while the other crossed her torso like a shoulder seat-belt. "Let me know if it becomes too much," he said in her ear, and then he tipped forward in earnest flight.

Lois' breath caught, giddy joy making her laugh, as the wind whisked her hair back and swept over her skin. She had no idea how high up they were, no point of reference to even guess, but the farmhouses spread out beneath her were the size of her thumb, and the fields were a deep blue patchwork in the dark.

Clark swooped to the left, making her stomach flip, and Smallville sparkled before her like stars tossed in a casual pile on the plains. It looked remarkably welcoming to Lois – civilization among the dark farms – even though the town itself was so small.

"Where's the IHOP?" she asked, trying to get her bearings.

He turned in flight again, and at the new angle, she could see the sign. Now she got it. There was Main Street, the post office, the little motel she'd stayed at when she'd come here as a reporter hunting down her mystery man. Only in her wildest dreams would she imagine that one day they'd be flying together like this.

He glided on, and they were still so high that her hand hid the water tower. The curve of their flight path brought them beyond Smallville, and she lifted her gaze to take in the view. A couple of other little towns glittered on opposite sides of the horizon, and off in the distance, she could see a faint glow against the underside of some clouds. "That's Wichita over there, right?"

"Yes, I'm impressed," Clark answered.

"Well, you said it was the only city of any size," she pointed out.

"Did you want to go there?"

"Not necessarily. I don't think any attraction there could beat this."

She felt more than heard his chuckle, and she wished that she could somehow wrap herself up in his amusement. How on Earth had she been lucky enough to cross paths with him, to catch him on camera in the Arctic, to successfully track him down? What did she do to not only earn his trust but to also win his love? It was almost enough to make her suspect that some higher power or another had intervened.

With this flight arrangement, she couldn't kiss him, but she caressed the strong arm that crossed her body and held her to him. Everything about him was so...different, and it wasn't just the depth of his caring or the steely strength of his biceps. They'd been dating for three months and hadn't really made it past kissing. She'd never been in a relationship where, by this point, the guy wasn't at least strongly hinting he'd like some action. Of course, if Jonathan was where Clark learned his moves, maybe she should just count herself lucky that she hadn't been romantically dumped in a snowbank yet. The thought made her chuckle, and she caressed his arm again.

She felt Clark turn his head behind her, and his warm lips kissed the side of her wind-chilled neck. She shakily caught her breath at the desire that swept through her. Seriously, how did he have that kind of power over her?

They continued on in flight, Lois getting lost in a blissful barrage of sensation as his mouth moved over her neck and the top of her shoulder. Her skin was alive to the slightest change – the warmth of his breath, the wind-chilled trail of his kisses, the air flowing over her face like water. She closed her eyes and clung more tightly to his arm, surrendering to it all.

When his mouth slid up to tease her earlobe, she realized he'd turned the tables on her. She was the one getting overwhelmed by her senses while, punk that he was, he was free to kiss her with abandon.

She tried to open her eyes, and the wind whipped tears from them. Clark was flying much faster now, and she closed them again. Maybe this was like driving a car for him – get him excited and he'd lose track of his speed. The thought made her grin, but she was also noticing that her shortness of breath probably wasn't due to just his kissing. The wind was a constant pressure against her chest.

"Too fast," she managed to say.

Her stomach lurched as he suddenly slowed down. "I'm so sorry, Lois!"

She chuckled, now that she could breathe more freely. "Don't be. I'll bring goggles next time."

In a blink, he was in front of her again, searching her eyes with concern. "Are you sure? I could bring you home..."

"Yes, I'm sure. And I want to keep flying. I'm just... merely human."

He nodded and was behind her in a blink again – her personal, supernatural jet-pack. She laughed at the thought and said, "Show me more."

He leaned them both forward in flight again, gently gliding. They were traveling in a wide circle as Wichita slowly reeled out of sight and an inky-black ribbon meandered beneath them. "Is that a river?"

"Yes. And up there to your right is where Riley Creek empties into it."

They swooped lower, and Lois' heart crept to her throat. She wasn't afraid of getting hurt, but she also couldn't help her body's reaction to their swift descent. Clark adjusted their path so that they followed the creek, and she recognized where they were when he slowed.

The swimming hole was cool by night. Last night it would have felt cold, but tonight it was simply pleasant. They alighted on the long grass next to the boulder, and Lois missed the warmth of Clark's body as he let go and stepped back a pace. Still, she looked around in wonder. Faint starlight reflected on the surface of the water, but deep shadows under the cottonwoods made the shoreline mysterious. Instead of surrounded by farmland, she felt like they were in the middle of a wilderness. Without consciously choosing to, she reached for his hand.

He caught her hand, of course, and squeezed it once reassuringly before taking a seat on the boulder. "Did you enjoy that?"

She sat on the stone, too, and leaned into him. "I did. You spoil me rotten. I'm going to have to take a flight on a stupid airplane for work at some point, and I'll hate every second of it."

He laughed again, and Lois rested her head on his shoulder.

Clark twined his fingers with hers, their clasped hands on his knee. His thumb stroked her skin, and Lois was acutely aware that, not only were they in the middle of nowhere, they were alone.

"I kind of have a bone to pick with you, though," Clark eventually said.

She sat up straighter in surprise and tried to look at him in the faint light. "Oh?"

"Yes. You said earlier that you were merely human. That's inaccurate. You're amazing."

She chuckled softly, feeling flattered, and rested her head on his shoulder again. "Thanks for the compliment, but I think you might be a teeny bit biased."

"I mean it. I've never met a woman like you before," Clark said.

Lois couldn't help but laugh at his cheesy pick-up line. Like father, like son, at least when it came to wooing women.

"What?" he demanded.

"I've never met anyone like you either, Clark."

"I'm serious here," he said, though she could hear the smile in his voice.

"I'm one of the sharper crayons in the box," she admitted, "but coming from you..."

"I might be the only Kryptonian on Earth, but you're the only Lois Lane."

"Lane isn't that uncommon of a last name," Lois retorted, teasing him. "I bet if I Googled..."

He cut her off with a kiss, and Lois laughed softly against his lips as she willingly returned it. Maybe it was the attention he'd lavished on her in flight, maybe it was the fact that she could be herself here too, but Lois suddenly wanted him. She wanted to make love with him right here on the soft grass under the stars.

Clark broke off the kiss and leaned away.

Lois' eyes fluttered open and she tried to read his features in the dark. He didn't seem to be breathing heavily or anything – no indication that she'd overwhelmed his senses. "Are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm..." He trailed off and Lois tilted her head. He sounded uncertain more than overwhelmed. "I'm more than okay. I'm in love with you. I've never...I mean, I've had crushes, I've thought women were attractive, but not..."

He was kind of adorable when he was at a loss for words.

"There's something...about you, something...precious and brilliant and fiery and...and just beautiful...and I love you for it."

Her heart swelled at his words, but just as quickly, she deflated. Beauty was in the eyes of the beholder, and he only saw the best in her. Still, she caressed his rough cheek. "I love you, too."

His face turned under her hand and he kissed her palm, sending another pang of longing through her. Catching her hand, he lowered it away from his face. "I wanted to answer you yesterday when you asked for help in the shower."

She was a little miffed that he'd insist on a conversation right now, but trying to hide it, she admitted, "Yeah, I shouldn't have embarrassed you in front of your mom that way."

"I could have lived with that, but... I have a confession to make."

Remembering their conversation from the morning, she smirked. "I don't have the God cred for that."

He huffed an exasperated sigh. "I lied when I said that Zod almost killing Mom is what scared me the most." He hesitated and drew a deep breath. "The thing that terrifies me is hurting you."

"Clark..."

"No, I need to say this, Lois. When I had to use my heat vision on you..." She felt an echo of searing pain at the memory. "...that scream still haunts my dreams sometimes. I know it was necessary and that it saved your life, but the thought of hurting you again, on accident...I'm not sure I could live with that."

Lois turned his words over in her mind. Apparently the flip side of him caring so much was that sometimes he cared too much. The thought made her frown in concern. "I really don't think that's something we need to worry about. I'm not worried, anyway."

"I am. You know how strong I am."

This was beginning to sound like the worst-ever variation of "It's not you, it's me." He couldn't be working himself up into dumping her, could he? After bringing her home to meet his mom and everything? Frustrated, she asked, "So...what?"

"What do you mean, so what?"

A lump was swelling in her throat and she fought to swallow it down. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means I'm afraid of hurting you, Lo."

"And...?"

"And I would genuinely hate myself if I did."

He was going to make her spell it out for him, wasn't he. Was that why he wasn't getting handsy with her on this trip like every straight human male would have? Grinding out the words, she demanded, "Are you breaking up with me?"

"What?!" he said, his voice pitching higher in surprise. "No!"

He sounded genuinely shocked, and Lois let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

"Lois, I mean it when I say I love you. I just... I did eventually learn to hone my senses. This is pretty intense, though. It might take me a little longer."

She chuckled in relief. Yes, this was a variation on "It's not you, it's me," but it was one she could live with.

He kissed her palm again (and dammit but it made her melt a little) and leaned into her hand against his cheek. "I guess..." There was a roughness in his soft voice that warmed her all the way to her toes. "I guess it means I'm asking for your patience. Don't give up on me. Please. Because I do love you."

She closed her eyes as his words sank in, surprised at how... appealing it was to hear him plead like this. It wasn't a power thing, it was...he cherished her. He was willing to make whatever effort it took to be with her. Because he loved her. She impulsively closed the gap between them and kissed him, her other hand also finding his face. "I won't give up," she whispered against his lips, "but I'm not sure I can promise patience."

He chuckled and, pulling her close, rose into the air again, this time face-to-face. "I'll take whatever promise I can get, then," he said, peppering his words with kisses.

"Greedy," Lois observed, her hands sliding down to clasp behind his neck.

"Guess so," he agreed. "So demanding." His mouth moved over her chin to her neck. "Don't know why you put up with me."

"Must be your fashion sense," Lois said, her head lolling to the side.

That made him actually laugh, his warm breath puffing against her skin, and Lois held him close with all her puny, human strength.

"I don't deserve you," he said, caressing her face.

"You're right, you deserve much better," Lois retorted, "but I'm glad you're content with me."

Even in the faint starlight, Lois could see the dirty look he gave her at that, but he yielded easily enough when she kissed him again. She was careful to not overwhelm him, much as she'd like to, but she'd promised. Their feet touched earth again before he had to break off their kiss.

When she opened her eyes, she could clearly see his face and realized it was because of an electric light. They were back at the Kent home. Their flight was over for the night. Sighing wistfully, she rose on her tiptoes and stole one last, lingering kiss. Then twining her arm with his, she let him escort her up the back porch steps.

A very pleasant thought occurred to her. "You know, the more we do this, the faster you'll be able to hone your senses. Right?"

"It's certainly a theory worth testing," he said.

Lois glanced up at his formal wording, but the sly twinkle in his eyes gave away his delight at the thought. Maybe her impatience would be rewarded.