Notes: *Since this is written as part of the Tempus universe be advised that Chloe has a different ending than what was shown in Finale and the Season 11 comic. Basically, an event happened in 2012 and she's not around anymore. Sorry.


Sounds

February 2014

It had been a couple of weeks since they had told Perry and part-time high school intern Jimmy about the baby. Somehow (and Lois suspected little Jimmy because of his excitement) word had gotten to Cat Grant and from there the news had spread like wildfire throughout the office. The most disturbing "Congratulations" had come from Lex Luthor, though. The League, who knew because Clark hadn't been able to contain himself (showing everyone the sonogram photo he kept in his wallet), was watching Lex closely.

Now, Lois felt more eyes on her more than ever. The tabloids newest issues had almost sent her into a rage—"Lois Lane is having Superman's Love Child!" Granted, it wasn't far off, but little did they know that Superman was indeed her husband, Clark Kent. Still, she hated the gossip, not so much about her, but what they were saying about Clark. Emil had told her to keep her stress level down so her blood pressure did not rise, so she did what she did best—she wrote stellar journalism. Her latest was investigating Intergang and Kord Industries. She knew how much Clark was worrying about her doing such a piece, but it was a story worth telling. So much so, Bruce Wayne himself had taken interest and began collaborating with her, much to Clark's chagrin. Danger came along with the territory of her job but a pregnancy wasn't going to stop Lois Lane from being, well, Lois Lane-hyphenated Kent implied.

What might slow her was the incessant baby advice interruptions she was getting from every person who thought they were an expert on the subject. It was driving her crazy. There was advice about strollers, cribs, pacifiers, breastfeeding versus formula, magazine clippings, and the dreaded minivan suggestion.

"If anyone is going to be the designated 'Soccer Mom' it's going to be Smallville." She huffed under her breath as she typed at her desk.

The other question she was getting about a baby shower. She scoffed at the thought of Cat Grant planning some party with women in the office she hardly ever interacted with. She already had a small shower that consisted of her sister Lucy, Mrs. Kent, Kara, Babs, Diana, and surprisingly Tess. It still hurt that her cousin Chloe, who had been as close to her as a sister, had been absent. 'Miss you, Chlo,' she sadly thought as she adjusted a framed picture of them on her desk. She then shook her head, not wanting to think about the circumstances to what had happened a year and a half prior.

Lois sighed, trying to clear her thoughts and heed the warnings of Dr. Hamilton. She needed to focus on one thing and that was her story.

It was late and the floor was empty, but she didn't feel like going home even though she could probably fall asleep at her desk. Well, she could if her back wouldn't hurt her as much as it did when she slept regularly. Another speed bump in her mission. She used to be able to power through a late night, but without her beloved coffee it was more difficult. She wasn't giving up just yet. She moved files on her desk which unearthed the magazines she had found earlier that morning. They weren't so much intact anymore. She forcefully threw the remnants in the trash can and wiped her hands of them. She could feel the return of annoyance rising within and she tried to calm herself again. A kick within her abdomen jolted her.

"Ow! Sorry, baby." She said, placing her hand on her stomach. "I'll try to be less irritated with those in the workplace."

She had been feeling the baby more and more lately, especially in the middle of the night when Clark would try to sneak back in from his night shift of crime fighting. It also seemed to happen whenever Clark spoke to the baby. The absent minded "hello/goodnight" he would whisper to the expanded mass that was her stomach would cause the baby to stir. It was apparent that her growing child's ears were fully developed, which sprouted Clark into nerd overload insisting that he read that soothing sounds would calm the little one. A download of Clark approved baby songs appeared on her phone soon after.

While she knew he had the best intentions, classical music wasn't exactly welcomed by the other artists on her device. Plus, she had other ideas of music that her baby would hear from the womb. Pulling out her phone she plugged in the head phones and placed them on her belly.

"I know Daddy is on a 'Baby Mozart' kick, but Mommy would rather go with something she calls 'Baby Mötley Crüe.'"

She hit play and let the tunes transcend from the headphones for her baby's listening pleasure.

"My child is going to be educated on good music from the womb. That's all I'm saying." She defended to the empty space that was across from her.

"You know, our baby is going to get confused and think her doctor is 'Dr. Feelgood' instead of Dr. Hamilton." Clark's voice said behind her.

And there was the movement in her belly. It never failed. She smiled and took the headphones off and pushed the phone aside. She turned around to see him leaning in the doorway to their work area on the 8th floor. His hair was combed back, his black framed glasses in place, and his tan trench coat hanging off his body. He looked so hot, but she contained herself.

"Her?" she questioned.

"The more you say it, the more it sticks for me." He shrugged as he walked further in.

"That's not going to go well if 'she' turns out to be a 'he'." She laughed swinging around in her chair as he got to his desk.

"I'll make sure to adjust accordingly." He smiled. "How was your day?"

"Made a collage of newly cut up baby and tabloid magazines. It's currently in the trash. You?"

"I interviewed Bruce about rumors of him acquiring Kord Industries." He said, taking out his notebook from the inside pocket of his coat and dropping it on his desk.

"Oooh, do tell." She perked up, but then narrowed her eyes at him. "Wait. Why didn't he come to me with this?! We were working on the story together about Intergang!"

"Lois, he passed the information along to me knowing it would get to you for the story. With the pregnancy progressing I think you need to start lightening up your workload. Maybe going home at a decent hour. I can take on more things."

"Nuh uh!" She shook her head. "No way. We've had these 'I'm trying to look after you' talks before. I can handle it until I say I can't."

"And knowing you you'll never admit that." He challenged as he leaned on his desk.

"I can, too!"

Clark made a face at her as he took off his coat, sat down, and smoothed his tie.

"I can!" she exclaimed.

He nodded his head, but it was clearly in feigned agreement.

"If you don't stop, our baby is going to hear Mommy kick Daddy's bulletproof ass."

"Then maybe Mommy should turn up "Home Sweet Home" to drown it out." He cracked. "And you owe money into the jar now." Referring the swear jar he created for her language in preparation for their baby's arrival.

She glared her eyes at him. "You always come back very quippy after being with Bruce."

He lifted one shoulder and replied, "The hazards of being around him."

"That's right, you become the one with the sense of humor when you are together."

He smirked and she smiled triumphantly at her jab.

"Any more helpful hints from the office?" he inquired and looked at the waste basket next to her desk. "Ones that aren't in the trash?"

"Some ideas on where to go to find the top rated baby products for this year and then I gave some helpful hints of my own right back on where they can go in general."

"Lo-is." He said in that warning tone of his.

She rolled her eyes. "I was nice about it."

He backed away from his desk, stood up, and walked around to hers. She rolled her chair back and gently got up from her seat. Clark was immediately at her side helping her.

"I'm sure you were." He agreed, as he glanced over her body.

"Why are you looking at me like that? I'm annoyed at you."

"Because I forgot to tell you something when I got back into the office."

She crossed her arms and glared. "And what's that?"

His expression softened as he said, "I missed you." Then he glanced down at and touched her belly. "And you, too"

She let out a sigh as she felt her stomach stir. "Always have to have the perfect thing to say, don't you?"

He smiled brightly at her.

"I hate your Kent charm." She remarked.

He shook his head, "No, you don't."

"Hey, do not tell me wh—."

Before she could finish he grabbed her shoulders and his lips crashed into hers. She let out a moan as his hands fell on her hips and pulled her as close as he could because of her obstructing bump.

"You can't always win an argument that way." She breathed against his lips.

"Always have to try." He responded as he brushed her hair over her ear.

"You're lucky that kickstarted my hormones in a different direction. I know somebody else who the baby may get confused as Dr. Feelgood." She smirked at him as her lips hovered over his.

She felt movement again in the womb and stared into Clark's eyes.

"Uh oh, I think baby knows banter is our foreplay." She said as she latched her arms around him.

"I guess we'll just have to be more careful." He said in a playful voice.

She looked down at her stomach and said, "I'll try to keep it down so you don't hear us."

Clark snorted, "That'll be the day."

Lois' eyes snapped back up to his.

"I can keep quiet, but I don't know about you."

"Me?" He chortled. "How about we test this little sound theory out."

He first looked around them and did the squinty eyed head tilt reserved for when he was using his super-hearing. Seemingly satisfied, he ducked down and she felt his lips attach to the side of her neck. Her mouth opened to release a gasp, but she tried to keep her vocal chords at bay. She squeezed her eyes shut and pressed her lips together as tight as she could. She couldn't let him be proven right. However, what he was doing with his lips and tongue on her skin was arresting. He knew the exact points that sent her into a frenzy. She hated that he knew her like that at that moment. She wanted to win their little bet.

Yet, as his hands started to move, setting out on a haphazard course across her body, she knew that she wouldn't be able to keep it together for long. His hands were everywhere. It always seemed like he had more than two. 'Cheater,' she managed to think before her mind went blank again. Her lower back hit her desk and she quickly gripped the edge to stabilize her legs. Then she felt the most incredible sensation. Her eyes snapped open. Her mouth opened, sound waiting to erupt.

She was about to lose the first round, the blame entirely placed on her hormones, but it certainly wasn't the end. She had a few tricks up her sleeve to prove her right.

'Sorry, kid.' She thought. 'Some sounds you're just going to have to deal with.'