Chapter Two

He had no other choice. Since he had only been back for the last couple of weeks, he couldn't say no. He knew Perry would hold it against him in his own bossy way.

The truth was that Clark absolutely didn't want to show up at the Daily Planet party. He had no real reason. So what if it was Jeff's birthday. It wasn't like he and Clark were really close or even really friends. They would exchange hellos in the morning, but nothing that would normally require Clark to show up.

However this situation was different. He had things to prove. Perry didn't think he was ready to be back in the bullpen. Just last week, he suggested Clark take more time off. Clark personally felt like Perry was just trying to get away from him. He understood because who would want to work with their exes son. Aside from that, Perry still hired him and Clark was determined to show he could do it.

Then there was Lois. She didn't think he could manage the whole double identity full hero thing. Upon the day of his arrival, she even told him it would be better if he just stayed as Superman. It tore him apart. So, now he was determined to prove to her that he could be the hero and the man. He could be both the man that everyone admired and the man of her dreams.

Clark had all theses thought in his head as he entered the Daily Planet. Almost instantly he spotted Lois in the crowd. She was always a crowd pleaser. If she was cracking jokes about football players or just making conversation, she brightened the mood.

Then Clark saw him. Richard walked over to Lois and put his hand on her shoulder. He smiled at the people who Lois was talking to and talked to them as well.

Clark hated him. He knew it wasn't right to hate someone he didn't even know, but he couldn't stand the fact that Richard was with Lois. Lois Lane was supposed to be with him. It was them that were supposed to live happily ever after.

Clark watched as Lois's eyes brightened up when she talked to her co-workers. Her smile was perfection. But the second her eyes met Clark's that smile faded. Their eyes remained glued to one another, but no movement or words were said.

Richard saw who she was staring at. Clark could have sworn he saw Richard mouth his name, but considering they never met, he didn't know how this was possible. Richard looked over at Clark then whispered something to Lois. She shook her at him, but then he flashed her a smile. She rolled her eyes at him and then playfully patted him on the chest.

The next thing Clark knew, they were making their way over to him. He wanted to run, hide, anything. But there was no out in this. He had to meet Perry White's nephew and Lois's boyfriend, Richard White.

"You must be Clark," Richard said. He extended out a hand to him.

"And you must be the famous Richard White Lois keeps talking about," Clark said. It was a lie. Lois never talked about Richard when she was with Clark unless he asked, which he tried not to do.

"You know, Lois talks about you like all the time. It's nice to finally put a face to her old farm boy friend as she puts it,"
Richard said.

"Friend?" Clark asked.

"Yeah, friend," Lois said. She looked over at Clark and hoped he would get the clue.

"Yeah, just best of friends," Clark emphasizes on the word friend.

"Richard, get over here!" Perry called from across the room.

"Family calls," Richard said as he made his way over to his uncle.

As soon as Lois was sure that Richard would hear her words, she pushed Clark in the arm hard. "Try to make it more obvious, why don't you?"

"Hey, it's not my fault that you didn't tell your boyfriend that we were in love," Clark said.

"We weren't in love," Lois said.

"That's not what you said earlier," Clark said.

"What are you talking about?" Lois asked.

"You said after our break-up that you were still in love with me. Which goes to prove that we were in love, Lois. Deny it all you want, but I won't. Lois Lane, I was madly and completely in love with it and I think you were just as crazy in love with me too," he said.

Lois couldn't believe what she was hearing. The whole two weeks since he's been back, Clark had never been so bold and upfront about things. So, why was he choosing now of all times to confess his great love to her?

Before she could question him about it, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around and saw Richard standing right there. "Uncle Perry wants me to follow some leads. I'm sorry, but I have to go," he said.

"I'll come with you," Lois said jumping at the chance to get away from Clark.

"That's crazy. Lois, you never go out and have fun. So, I'm forcing you to have fun tonight," Richard said. He turned to look over at Clark, "Clark, will you make sure Lois has fun tonight?"

Clark nodded and smiled. "My pleasure, Richard. I'm sure Lois and I have tons of catching up to do," he said giving Lois a wink.

Lois wanted to slap Clark across the face, but she knew making a scene wasn't the right choice.

"See you later, sweetie," Richard said. He placed a quick kiss on Lois's lips and then headed out.

Lois's watched at Richard exited the Daily Planet, but she could feel his breath on her shoulder. Clark was standing directly behind her and he was making sure she knew it.

"Stop breathing down my neck, Smallville," Lois griped with him.

"He'll never love you like I did," Clark said.

Lois heard him loud and clear, but she ignored him. "I'm going to get some fresh air," she said. She made her way to the stairs leading to the roof.

\S/

He gave her privacy for five minutes, but then he got worried and went after her. When he got outside, he saw her leaning against the ledge. She stared off into the sky as if she was deep in thoughts.

"I was out of line back there," Clark said.

Lois held on to her chest. "Holy crap, Smallville. You scared me," she said. He had the biggest smile on his face. "What you get a kick out of scaring woman on rooftops?"

He laughed. That was something she would say. "No, I was just happy to hear you call me Smallville," he said.

"So? I always use to call you Smallville," Lois said.

"Use to. You haven't done it in a long time," Clark said.

"You haven't been around," she said coldly.

He knew he deserved that. "Have you ever wondered what you life would have been like if I had stayed?" he asked. She didn't answer him. "I think about it every day."

She didn't answer him or utter a single word.

Seeing that she wasn't going to answer him, he gave up. "Lois, what are you doing out here, you should be inside with everyone else," he said.

"I needed some fresh air, it was getting a bit too uptight in there, especially for me" She said blankly.

He put his hands in his pockets, "You know, you don't need to act like this."

"Act like what?" She turned around, sticking her hands on her hips getting rather defensive.

"Like we hate each other"

She sighed, "I don't hate you, Clark, but you know me, I have a lot of built up emotions that don't come out easily."

"I don't know why, you have so many people that care for you."

"Yeah, well, if you grew up the way I did, you'd understand"

"Lois, I understand, more than you'll ever know" He walked towards her.

She smiled at him, and he returned the smile. The two of them shared smiles that could say a thousand words. Not to mention the eye sex the two of them always shared. Simple gazes and smiles with each other could write an entire book between them.

As they continued to gaze into each other's eyes for a moment like old times, a familiar song started to play in the background.

I should have known better
Than to let you go alone
It's times like these
I can't make it on my own
Wasted days, and sleepless nights
An' I can't wait to see you again

When the song distinctly became louder, both Lois and Clark recognized it immediately.

I find I spend my rime
Waiting on your call
How can I tell you, babe
My back's against the wall
I need you by my side
To tell me it's alright
Cos I don't think I can take anymore

"Oh my gosh, do you hear that?"

"Do you recognize the song?" They both asked at the exact same time.

Clark stuck out his hand, "Come on for old times sake" he jerked his head for her to come forward and take his hand.

At first, she was hesitant, but she loosened up and took the hand of her former love.

Is this love that I'm feeling
Is this the love that I've been searching for
Is this love or am I dreaming
This must be love
Cos it's really go a hold on me
A hold on me

Clark pulled her in closely as she slowly let her head fall onto his chest. As they danced together, they both baked in the feelings they felt. They hadn't felt this happy in a long time. Both have strongly missed the feeling of being one another's arms.

I can't stop the feeling
I've been this way before
But, with you I've found the key
To open any door
I can feel my love for you
Growing stronger day by day
An' I can't wait too see you again
So I can hold you in my arms

"I'm glad to see that you haven't lost your rhythm, Smallville." Lois said quietly as she looked up.

He smiled, "Just trying to keep up with you."

She smiled, "Keep trying." She winked at him.

Is this love that I'm feeling
Is this the love that I've been searching for
Is this love or am I dreaming
This must be love
Cos it's really got a hold on me
A hold on me

Clark began singing along while Lois giggled at his attempt to sing to her, "Smallville, I appreciate the attempt to carry a tune, but let's face it, you're no member of Whitesnake," she paused and smiled at him while he let out laughter, "I'm glad to see I rubbed off my excellent taste in music."

"That's not all you rubbed off on me," Clark stared at her for a few moments and was lost by her beauty, "You… look absolutely beautiful."

She gave a half smile with a laugh, "Smallville, you don't need to…"

He cut her off, "I'm serious. You may have moved on from me, but you still take my breath away every waking moment"

She stared at him, her eyes filling up with tears that were about to be released, "Clark, you… we can't do this"

He looked at her confused, "Lois, I'm not trying to…"

She pulled away but still held his hand, "No, Clark, I know what you're trying to do. I know you well. You're going to feed me all these compliments and think that that will be enough for me to come back to you."

He pulled her towards him yet again, "I wasn't trying that at all, I was just being nice, Lois."

She pulled away for the final time but this time releasing his hand, "Clark, I'm committed to Richard." She looked at him and could see the pure sadness in his eyes, "I'm sorry, Clark, I wish it wasn't this way."

"Then let's make it not be this way." He licked his lips, he didn't want to beg, but he wanted another chance badly, "Please, we can be like we used to…"

She smiled at him at the thought of the old times when they were happy, "Like we used too? Clark, I'm sorry… I need to go, Richard could already be home"

Is this love that I'm feeling
Is this the love that I've been searching for

As she turned around to leave, she continued to walk towards the door to leave the top of the Daily Planet. All of the memories surrounding her and Clark flooded her mind like a flash flood. With the tears beginning to fall, she turned to face Clark one more time.

He looked at her as the tears in their eyes fell together in sync. They both so desperately wanted to say all their feelings but neither spoke the truth, just like they used to.

Lois looked at him, then looked back down while she proceeded to exit the Daily Planet.

Clark stared at the door as she walked out on him. He sighed and sat on the edge of the building, "It's love, Lois Lane, and one day you're going to realize it."

Is this love or am I dreaming

TBC

Song: Is This Love by Whitesnake