Chapter 7 - Betting It All

On a Saturday in August, Lucy knocked on the door to Clark's now empty dorm room. "You ready?"

"Yeah," Clark picked up his jacket and walked with Lucy on his arm. "Does she know?"

"No. I wish she would just get her head out the sand. I would have taken you in a second." Clark looked at her and smiled as they arrived at the coliseum.

"Why didn't you?"

"She wanted you to herself - she made that clear. She still watches you leave the study sessions even though you two never speak a word to each other when you're there. My sis has always been stubborn. Clark, please knock sense into her before you leave her with me again." They sat down as Clark tried to hold back a laugh. He pulled something put of his pocket.

"I don't know if I can solve the problem, but I'm willing to try. What do you think?" Lucy just looked at the card he had gotten Lois, all flowers and teary eyed messages in it.

"You sure know how to mess with a girl's mind." Clark put away the card and pulled out something else. "Clark, do you think that's really wise? I know you still love her but are you ready for the answer."

Clark looked plainly at Lucy, put the item back in his coat, and softly spoke, "I have to give it one more try." Lucy nodded in understanding.

"Here we go." They sat in silence listening to the names. Clark could 'see' that Lois was upset that her father had again ducked out of one of the most important moments in a daughter's life. He could feel himself almost float off the bleachers hearing Lois' name announced. He looked over and saw how proud Lucy was and smiled at her.

"LUCY OVER HERE!" Lois looked radiant and happy, but quickly changed moods when she saw Clark walking with Lucy. "You work fast Clark. You two will make quite a pair."

"Calm down Lois. I came to see you and your sis gave me a ticket. That's it."

"Really? Oh Clark, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to jump down your throat." Lois looked at Clark nervously as Clark approached to hug her. "Congratulations Lois. You think we could talk for a bit before I take off?" He anticipated her saying yes and took her hand. She looked up at him and smiled softly. He hoped that was an opening for him, knowing that this was the last chance.

"Lois, can we talk?" He took her hands in his.

"Sure, where?"

"I thought we could take a walk." He looked at Lucy, who offered to take Lois' stuff back to the apartment and meet them there. "Lois, I was hoping we could work out something."

"What do you mean - I have an interview in Metropolis in two days. What could we possibly need to talk about? Clark, what is it?" He stopped there in his tracks and looked over at her.

"Lois, I love you. I want you to know that. I have loved you since the first day. You don't say anything if you don't want to." He stood quietly and heard no response. Lois started to walk again but she had turned white. He followed behind her until she sat down next on a park bench. He sat down next to her, confused about her reaction. He saw that smile was peeking out and felt that was good. On the other hand, he could tell she was deep in thought.

Suddenly, Lois took Clark's face in her hands and held it, "I love you Clark Kent." Clark heard this and knew it was then or never. He got up and then kneeled in front of her. Lois looked at him puzzled and then in shock. Clark could see her start breathing heavily.

"Lois, will you marry me?" Clark held the ring in the box. "I would give up everything for you to be my wife." Little did Lois know that the diamond she was staring at was picked out of a coal field in South Carolina.

"Clark...you...I...I'm sorry." She dropped her head. "I love you but this wasn't what I meant." She heard him close the box and saw him put his hand out.

"I'll take you home." Clark took her hand and walked silently back to the apartment. Lucy saw them come up the stairs and knew what the answer had been.

"Clark don't forget me." Lois said to Clark softly.

"Never," Clark was able to muster in a whisper.

"I just never thought that.."

"Please, just say goodbye." He pulled her close to him, hoping to hold her scent for the rest of his life. "I love you."

"I'm sorry Clark." He pulled back from her. She was already in tears. He noticed that he was crying for the first time too.

"I have to go..." He let go of her, and she watched him leave from her steps, for the last time.

A/N - Where do you think this is going to go? I know - do you?