A/N - Ok, I have finally finished retooling this story for the Smallville set from the 90's show, so I'm going to finish posting it in it's complete state. If you were on the alert list, sorry for the massive emails you got for me posting each piece. Many apologies. Please still r/r.

Chapter 20 - Confusion Abounds

"Where have you been honey? I know you told me where you were going, but that was hours ago." Lois walked up and kissed Lex on the cheek. He could tell that something was up, but decided not to probe.

"I'm sorry it took longer than I thought. But we still have some time right now to finish shopping, but I need to talk to Perry first." She saw him in his office buried in a pile of papers. "Perry, could we have a party for Brit here. She'll be turning four."

"I don't see why not. We could get the child care center involved." Lois agreed and made a temporary date for it on her calendar before their leaving the Planet.

Clark walked into his apartment hours later. He looked around and saw just his mother sitting in his living room. Looking at the clock and her, he noticed that it was already nine at night. He remembered that Ally had been there before he left. "Ally leave?"

"No, but I was wondering what bank you use." Michael, Brit, and Ally came around the corner. Clark smiled as his mom exited the room.

"I thought that you would have been smart enough to leave a long time ago."

"We kept thinking you would come home. Then, your mom and I started talking and we all got to know each other. I mean our children play together and we should know each other too." Clark walked over and sat down next to them on the couch. "So where did you go exactly?"

"I thought of a few other things that I needed to do. Excuse me a minute." Clark left the room and went into the kitchen for a drink. His mom was waiting for the real report.

"Clark, what really happened?"

"That thing I had to take care of...the bomb blew up in space and left me stranded in Chicago. I called Lois to come get me since I couldn't fly. I guess maybe it was too soon to go out. Then I ended up over there in the middle of an interview among other things."

"What do you mean by other things?" His mom was strangely curious.

"She told Superman that she loved Clark, in a way. I'm sure that was what she meant to say." He left to sit out on the balcony and stare out the sky. "I just don't know what I'm going to do now. And with Ally." She squeezed his shoulder as she walked back into the apartment.

"Penny for your thoughts." He felt a warm hand and turned around to face his guest.

"I guess I'm really distracted." Ally knelt next to him and then sat on his lap when he invited her to.

"Care to share?" Ally seemed to mean well by her interests in him but something wasn't quite right about the woman going after the man thing. He had been around even though he grew up in Kansas, but still felt it unnatural for a woman to do the hunting. Then again, maybe he was just not interested since Lois was coming around. "It's a woman, isn't it? I know someone like you had to be involved."

"Ally."

"Look, I'm not trying to find a father for Michael. You seem to have things to work out in your life and I came in at the wrong time. I'm sorry I got in your business. I'll be going." Ally rose as Clark grabbed her gently on the arm. Ally stopped and sat down again. "Yes?"

"I'm sorry. You come here to have a nice night and I wander off and then ignore you when I am here. You are real nice Ally..."

"But I'm in the way and..." Ally stopped when she felt his hand run down the side of her face.

"You're not in the way." Clark started to pull her closer but Ally stood up and called to Michael.

"We need to get going. Michael get ready now. Clark, come back to me when you figure out everything." Ally walked through the living room. "Thank you Mrs. Kent." Clark lightly kissed her on the cheek as she walked to the door. Letting her out, Clark saw Lois and Lex walk up.

"Clark, we have some great news." Lois and Lex pushed into the apartment.

"Just be at the Planet tomorrow about ten." Clark looked at her confused.

"Why?"

"Don't you mind that right now. By the way, I ran into Superman tonight and we have a story to put together tomorrow. Just make sure you, Brit, and your mom is there. You can come too." Lois was pointing to Ally and Michael. Lois and Lex were out the door as fast as they arrived. Clark said a last goodbye to Ally. He didn't know whether Lois was happy to see him or was happy with Lex. He closed the door and sat on the couch, his mother looking at him.