An Understanding: Part 5

Lois awoke alone the next morning. Her heart sank, afraid the talk she and Clark had the night before was a mistake, and he had bolted. She rubbed her eyes vigorously and propped herself up on her elbows. Before she could think of more ways to disembowel her partner, a glinting caught her eye. Sitting on the table near the window were some wildflowers in a small plastic cup from the bathroom. As Lois picked up the note, she smiled:

Lois,

You're so beautiful when you sleep, I didn't want to wake you. Had to take care of some business. Get dressed, and I'll be back before 9:30 so we can get going.

Love You,

Clark

It was a simple note, but it meant a lot. Lois didn't like waking up alone, but she suspected that a relationship with Clark would mean opening her eyes to an empty bed. Knowing that he took the time to consider her feelings meant a lot.

She pulled on nice pants, a t-shirt, and pumps. As the post on her second earring pierced through, there was a commotion at the door. She could here Clark sliding his card into the slot, and being rejected each time, a small beep eliciting some low swear Lois didn't understand. She walked to the door smirking, "Do you want some help, or should I leave you two alone to settle this like men?"

Clark sighed. "Just open it." He stepped inside and set down coffee and a small wax paper bag. "I just solved a mysterious bridge collapse, but the mystery of the hotel door is beyond me."

Lois took a long sip of her coffee. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." Clark closed the distance between them quickly and took Lois in a deep kiss. She squeaked in surprised, but soon responded in kind. When they separated, Clarks swollen lips a hairs breath away, Lois whispered, "Why did you do that."

"Because now, I can. It's not a bad way to start a day."

"I agree." She patted them on the chest before sitting down and opening the bag. "Only one muffin? And bran?"

Clark began eating enthusiastically, little crumbs escaping has he talked. "I didn't want you to fill up, there's going to be so much good stuff at the fair."

"Fine, but couldn't the muffin have raisins at least."

"It's good for you."

Lois grabbed her half eaten bag of Cheeto's. "You can eat it then." She sprawled on the bed and flipped on the weather.

"Are you really going to wear that?"

Her orange lips pouted. "What?"

"It's not really appropriate for the fair."

"I look professional."

"Lois, I love having you in my arms. But carrying you back to the hotel after you've lost your heels in mud will not be pleasant. I hope you brought jeans and some sneakers."

She grabbed stuff out of the drawer and slammed it shut. "Fine I'll change."

"I'll wait."

They started out shortly after, Lois in proper attire carrying a purse and fidgeting digital camera they were supposed to use. The day was clear, but not too warm. Clark had picked up an events schedule at the front desk and was reading the contents swerving on the sidewalk. She leaned back slightly and snapped a picture. Clark looked blurry, his glasses completely blocking out his eyes.

"Do you actually need those things?"

Clark pushed his ocular back up his nose. "Not since I ten. They're just part of the mystique now." His eye brows went up and down, and she rolled her eyes.

"You're such a dork."

"Yeah. But that's why you love me."

Before Lois could respond, a truck pulled up next to them with a cow in the back. The driver leaned over, and Lois recognized the man immediately from the Walgreens the night before. He tipped his hat, "Mornin' you two. Can I offer you a ride?"

"Good morning. Sure, we'd love a ride. I'm Lois, and this my, uh, partner, Clark." Clark was disappointed that she didn't refer to him as her boyfriend. He'd have to talk to her about that later.

"Well, my name is Gus, and the beautiful lady in the back there is Ann. Why don't you hop in here with me, and Clark can keep Ann company." Both climbed in and they were off. "It's a big day for Ann, her first show," Gus said, turning a bit through the cabin so Clark could hear.

"Congratulations Ann," Clark said giving her a little pat, and Ann tried to lick his face.

"Don't mind her. She thinks she's a dog. Can't help it I guess, we raised her in the house." Lois rolled her eyes. "No, really. When her mama died, we had to. As long as you set some rules, and make sure she goes outside, it's no better or worse then a big dog."

"She gave us a scare lately. Leapt the fence in the backyard while I was at work last night and got all the way to the highway. My neighbor found her hours later. I just hope she didn't cause any trouble."

They turned off the main street, and across several fields was the county fair. There were stalls, rides, animals, food, and lots of people. "This is your stop guys; I need to go round to drop off Ann." Clark jumped up first, and opened the door for Lois. "I hope you guys will stop by and cheer on Ann later, I think she'd appreciate it."

They agreed to try, and waved as Gus went off in a cloud of dust.

Lois grabbed Clark's arm and dragged his ear down. "You don't think that Ann was the cow we had trouble with."

"I don't know. Maybe."

"Well, if she is, it makes quite the opening to our story."

Clark nodded, looking up at a large, hand painted sign that said "Oneida Welcome's you to the Kewanee County Fair."

"So," Clark said, rubbing his hands together, "what should we do first?"

Lois took the list of events from his pocket. "First we need to make a plan. May I suggest that we walk up and down the grounds and see what's going on? Then we can sit and write out a schedule of events we want or need to cover. Then we can decide…"

"Whoa Lois," Clark threw his hands up. "Uh uh, nope. No plans."

"Why?"

"Because it's not in the spirit of the fair to make a plan like we're invading."

"But we need to write our article."

"We will. Fairs are meant to be experienced. Relax. We'll get what we need and more. And if we don't get everything, who's going to know, or care."

Lois relented. "OK Clark, I trust you. But I'm keeping the schedule of events."

"Of course, how else will we see Ann in her moment of glory!"

"Alright, fun master, lead on."

Clark took Lois' hand, pleased at how naturally it fit into his own.

First they walked over to the children's area. Kids ran around, laughing and chasing each other. There were art stations, clowns and performers, a small petting zoo, and off in one corner, slightly older children were helping younger ones show animals like rabbits and sheep to judges. Off to one side were various bails of hay that children could clime over, and to the horror of their parents, jumps off. Lois smiled to herself. "Jason would love this."

"Really," Clark perked up at mention of his son. "Which part."

Lois gazed around. "Hmm, first he'd want his face painted. Then he'd introduce himself to every animal. Then he'd want to run around with the kids without me yelling every three seconds that he needs to be careful."

"Sounds like me as a kid." They went over and sat on a bail of hay, and Clark pulled out the camera and started taking pictures, happy the machine had motion control.

"Do you think I worry about him too much?"

"All mothers worry. With everything that I went through, all the changes, I know I'm the reason every hair on her head turned grey."

"Jason is so fragile though, it's hard to let go."

The flash on the camera went off, and Clark looked at the viewer before turning to Lois seriously. "I wasn't fragile like him when I was little, but I had weird problems with allergies. One day I'd be fine, the next allergic to things like oatmeal or bees. It never lasted long, a few weeks, but it was random and difficult to work with." Lois nodded. "With Jason, I think that his Krypton genes and his human genes are having a little war for dominance. Eventually, I hope he'll grow up to be just like me."

"Hope?"

"I don't know for sure. There's nothing to compare his progress to. I've only been dealing with this issue for a couple of months now, and it's killing me to see him struggle. I can't imagine what this has been like for you. You talk about feeling guilty over the choices you've made. I can understand that, cause I feel terrible for leaving you alone."

She hooked an arm through his and put her head on his broad shoulder. "I'm glad you're here now."

"I want you to know that if I had known you were pregnant, I would have stayed."

"I know," she said quietly.

Suddenly, a little girl fell to her knees a few feet away. Her brother had pushed her down and ran away laughing. Immediately Clark went to her, her eyes welling with tears. "Hey, are you alright?" She shook her head. "Come on, stand up, let's see if there's anything hurt. Oh honey, don't cry, you'll ruin your face painting. What are you?"

She was standing now, bashful at his attention. "A tiger."

"A tiger! I hope you don't eat me. Are you a nice tiger or a mean tiger?"

"Mean!" She bared her claws and started to paw the air.

"Uh oh, I'd better run away, I don't want to be eaten! Why don't you go eat your brother?" She nodded and sprinted off, her tiny voice growling.

As Lois watched the interaction, she could feel some tears welling up. Clark would make a good father. Maybe things just go right every once in a while. She got up and touched his arm softly. "You're a natural dad."

He gave her the biggest smile. "Ya think?"

"I do, I really do." They stayed in contented eye contact for a few moments before Lois began to look around. "Well, the day isn't getting any younger, so what's next?"

"Hmmm, maybe we should hit the rides before lunch. Let's go on the big ones"

"How do you even know I like big, scary rides?"

"Lois, I've seen you on assignment. I have the feeling you enjoy a little thrill."

Lois laughed, took his hand, and they started to make their way over to the midway, where people seemed drawn to the lights and colors like bugs. Just as they were entering the gated area, there came a deafening screech of ripping metal. Soon screams followed, and the unmistakable crunch of things being crushed by something very large. They looked simultaneously at the direction of all the commotion. On the far end of the midway a ferris wheel had broken off its hinge and began to role down a slope with passengers in tow.

"Clark, maybe you should…" but he was gone before she could finish her sentence.

So much for a relaxing day at the fair.

To Be Continued…

OK people, here's the deal. I love this story, and I have gotten such great feedback that I want to continue it back to Metropolis and beyond. However, the next few weeks will be a little crazy since there's a good chance I will have to pack, move, and start work in Florida in about a 10 day period (I should mention that right now I live in Michigan). I will work hard to update as much as I can, but it's a little up in the air for the near future. So please, please, stick with me. I promise that if you like this story, there's more to come.