Chapter 7 - Dream Date

Clark was in the shower when he heard the knock on his door. Actually, it was a steady pounding, accompanied by Lois muttering, "Come on, Smallville! Don't make us late!" Clark got out of the shower and frowned, reaching for a towel for his waist. What's she doing here? Clark hastily dried himself off, missing most of his chest and back. And arms and legs. He grabbed his glasses and put them on, opening the door. Lois' fist crashed into his chest.

"OW!!!" said Lois, "Smallville! Do you know what time…" Lois caught her breath, absently rubbing her hand. Clark was clad in only a towel, still dripping from the shower. He was well built, nearly perfect. Lois couldn't rip her eyes off of his chest. "Uh" she stammered, dumbfounded.

Clark stepped back to invite her in. "Lois, what are you doing here?"

Lois shook herself. She looked Clark in the eye, which was a lot harder to do now than it was twelve hours ago. "Hello? City Court? The Falconetti sentencing? It starts in one hour!" Lois shook her hand out, trying to get some feeling back.

Clark grabbed her hand and absently massaged it, sending shocks all along her arm. He was completely unaware of the effect he was having on her. "Lois, that's tomorrow" he said gently.

Lois shook her head, "what, did you go through a time warp, Clark? Monday morning, nine a.m. sharp. Perry'll have our hides if we…miss?" Lois stopped confused. Clark had turned on his television set, where Good Morning, Metropolis: Sunday Edition was blaring out loud and clear. Lois' face went from confused to shocked to humiliated.

Clark looked at her with concern. "Lois, you don't look so good. Here, sit down" he said, guiding her to the couch. "Are you okay?"

Lois shook her head, "Haven't been able to sleep well, lately" she mumbled.

Clark frowned with concern. "Sit here, don't move. I'll get dressed and be right back."

Lois heard that and remembered what Clark was, or rather wasn't, wearing. She stared at his perfect form. "Uh, huh" was all she could get out.

Clark went into the bedroom, taking the Superman suit from the corner and hiding it in the closet. He chose jeans and a red t-shirt, dressed and went back to Lois. She was sleeping soundly on his couch. Clark sat down gently beside her, stiffening a little when she slid over to use him as a pillow. Her regular breathing was a gentle harmony with her heartbeat. Clark closed his eyes, listening to the most beautiful symphony on Earth.

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Superman came to her apartment, opening the balcony doors silently. He swept in dramatically, finding Lois standing amid dozens of lit candles. I knew you'd come to me she said breathlessly. Of course, Lois. You are the only one I love said Superman. Lois frowned. How come our lips aren't moving? She asked. Superman smiled, because this is a dream? Lois shrugged and threw herself into the dream headlong. She moved to Superman, who encircled her with powerful arms. They kissed deeply, passionately. His lips left hers, traveling down her neck to the collarbone. Lois gasped at the intense sensations rocketing through her. Superman lifted her in his powerful arms, carrying her to the bedroom. This was the part of the dream where Lois always woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. She could never get Superman undressed. It was like the man didn't exist under the suit.

Superman lay Lois down on the silken sheets, hovering over her. His hands played her body like a master with a Stradivarius. She moaned and writhed under his carress. Lois reached up, behind his neck, knowing the dream would end soon. She felt under the cape, and held a small zipper in her fingers. This is new. Lois drew the zipper down to his lower back, and pulled the two halves of his uniform apart. Superman drifted down to the bed, giving soft moans as Lois traced circles down his torso with her tongue. Yes, Lois! Moaned Superman. Lois looked up at his face, full into the glasses and smile of Clark Kent. Lois gasped and woke up.

Sometime during the late morning, Clark had fallen asleep with Lois cuddled against him. They had ended up laying along the couch, Lois draped along Clark's long frame, his arms wrapped protectively around her. Clark woke up to the sound of Lois moaning. He shook the cobwebs from his head and looked at her. Lois was writhing softly on him, giving small cries of pleasure. She just happened to be rubbing her hips on a verrry sensitive part of him, and there wasn't much blood in his brain right now, for some reason. "Lois?" he said in a strangled whisper, then gave a long sigh as she ground her hips into his. Clark blinked a few times and gently shook her, "Lois, wake up!" he whispered.

Lois eyes snapped open with a gasp. She looked at Clark in confusion, then looked around at his apartment not sure where she was. Clark looked at her with concern, "Are you okay?"

Lois nodded, not trusting her voice yet, and quickly sat up. She had noticed Clark's sleepy reaction to her body, and it embarrassed her. With the dream, and waking up in his arms, she needed fresh air quick. "I'm…I'm fine, C-Clark" stammered Lois, who mentally kicked herself. She never stammered in front of Clark. She took a deep breath, calming her racing pulse. "I'm fine, I just have some things to do today." Lois got up and retrieved her jacket and shoes, and turned to leave. "Thanks, Smallville. For everything."

Clark actually blushed, and was having a hard time standing up. Lois could feel the heat remaining on her body from where she was pressed up against him. I'll go for a long run, then take a cold shower. A long cold shower. "So, see you tomorrow, City Court?"

Clark grinned, "Nine A.M. sharp."

Lois smiled and literally bounced out of the apartment. Clark sat on the couch for a long time, thinking. Suddenly rising, he thought, I'll go for a long flight, then take a cold shower. In the arctic.

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Six weeks. Lois Lane had avoided talking about the couch episode for six weeks. Not that she hadn't thought about it, almost constantly. Her Superman dream hadn't faded either, but it always ended up being Clark in her dream at some point. Lois thought that she might have to see a therapist. She shouldn't be thinking about Clark like that.

Lois and Clark had just put their latest story to bed, and were putting their things in order. Clark looked over at Lois, "Lo, did you have any plans for dinner this evening?" he asked.

"Not really" she replied. "Thinking about takeout again."

"Oh, well, in that case…would you like to have dinner with me?" asked Clark.

"Um…sure!" said Lois, "Johnny's Deli has a special on soup and sandwich tonight."

Clark shook his head. "No, Lois…I mean, like a date?"

Lois froze. Is Clark asking me out? "Are you asking me out?"

Clark nodded, becoming more self conscious, "Yes. I, Clark Kent, am asking you, Lois Lane, out on a date with me tonight." He smiled, and Lois was shocked at his charming smile, "So? What do you say?"

Lois stared at him, her dreams still in her head. "Okay…Pick me up at eight."

Clark's grin grew even brighter, "Eight o'clock sharp. Dress up a little, I've got a great place in mind." With that, Clark got up and left, whistling a happy tune.

Lois sat in shock. I just agreed to go on a date with Clark! She looked at the clock, cursing. Only three hours to get home and get ready? Lois sprinted to the elevator.

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Clark had never seen Lois look lovelier. She was wearing an emerald dress with low neckline and heels, not her usual sensible flats. She wore a chain with a locket that he hadn't seen before. Her makeup was perfect, tastefully understated. She answered the door, full of nervous energy, and paused when she saw him.

Lois had seen Clark in suits before. He usually wore a light grey three piece in the office. Tonight, he had a dark charcoal Italian cut on, with a crisp white shirt and red tie. His work suits fit him loosely, almost hanging off him. THIS suit hugged his body perfectly, accentuating the perfect form underneath. Lois jaw dropped. "Wow! You clean up pretty good, Clark." She blurted.

Clark smiled, "You look amazing, Lois" he said. Lois blushed, She had tried on several outfits, which lay in a scattered heap in her bedroom.

"Oh, well, this old thing…I don't wear it very often." She said.

"You should, you're absolutely beautiful" Clark said, offering his arm. Lois grabbed her purse and coat, and the couple left for their first date.

Lois was surprised. They were at the most exclusive restaurant in Metropolis, the dizzying skyline opening up around them. Soft music came from the chamber quartet on an elevated platform. She didn't think Clark had the kind of pull in this city to get a table here, and told him so.

"Well, my grandfather is Rolland Clark, and he kind of made a phone call" said Clark, embarrassed.

Lois almost dropped her fork, "Rolland Clark, as in Clark and Associates? The biggest law firm in the city? Clark, how could you not tell me that?"

Clark shrugged, "It never came up before. My mom was going to Met U, intent on becoming a high-powered corporate lawyer. She met my dad when he was there learning some accounting for the farm. She fell in love and traded one life for another. She says that she has no regrets about her decision, but I know that she sometimes misses the excitement." Clark paused, "That's probably why she was Lionel Luthor's personal assistant a few years ago. She was trying to get back some of that feeling."

Lois jaw dropped, "Your mom and the Luthors? Clark, I thought that you were just a simple farm-boy. Now I find out that you've been rubbing elbows with some of the most powerful people in the city since high school?"

Clark shrugged again, "I'm still me, Lois. I am really just a farm boy trying to make his way in the big city…" began Clark. Clark never got to finish his statement, for he was interrupted by a familiar voice.

"A farm boy with an amazing talent for being in the right place at the right time, isn't that so, Clark?"

Clark grinned as Lois looked up at the man who had approached behind Clark. He was about six feet tall, dressed in expensive designer black, and was completely bald.

Lois got another shock as Clark said casually, "Only when you have the knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, Lex." Clark stood and turned, offering his hand to Lex Luthor. Lois dropped even more into shock when Lex ignored the proffered hand and hugged Clark like an old friend.

"You know Lex Luthor?" Lois asked Clark in a strangled voice.

Clark nodded, "Yup" he said. "I was the best man at his first wedding. Of course, the marriage lasted all of a week…"

Lex laughed, "But, I'm alive because of you, Clark. If Desiree had her way, I'd be dead and she'd be rich. And, it wasn't the first or last time you saved my life." Lex turned to Lois, "It's been a long time, Ms. Lane. I trust your cousin is well?"

Lois nodded, "So, how did you two meet, anyway?"

Lex laughed, "Clark pulled me out of a river. I drove a Porsche off a bridge, and Clark saved me." A shadow seemed to pass over his eyes, but he quickly brushed it off. "I bought Clark a new truck to show my gratitude, and he surprised me by returning it the next day. Said he couldn't take a reward for doing the right thing."

Lois smiled, "That sounds like the Clark Kent that I know."

Lex nodded, "Instead, he offered true friendship. Clark was the first person that didn't want to know me for a price." Lex slapped Clark on the back as Clark blushed. "I read your articles on Superman, I must say, I'm highly intrigued. A visitor from the stars with the strength of ten men, shooting fire from his eyes? I'd love to meet him face to face."

Clark shrugged, "He's always around somewhere, Lex. Maybe he'll want to meet Metropolis' most important citizen."

Lex smiled, and this smile made Lois shudder. It was tinged with cruelty. "Perhaps I would be so fortunate." Lex seemed to shake himself, "Well, I won't keep your time any longer. Please, Clark, call on me for anything, and remind your parents that my offer on the farm still stands." he said, handing Clark a card.

Clark put the card in his pocket, nodding. "With what I give them, they should be able to meet the price in about six months. Thank you, for everything."

Lex nodded and left the couple. Clark sat back down, calmly eating his dinner. Lois was still staring at him. "Clark, who are you?" she asked.

Clark frowned, "Excuse me?" he asked.

"I…I just had this picture in my head…of who you were." Lois looked down and collected her thoughts. "I mean, you are friends with one of the most powerful men in the world, your grandfather is the most well-respected attorney in Metropolis…this is just a side of you that I never saw before."

"Like I said, Lois. I'm still the same person inside" said Clark. He put down his fork and reached across the table, taking her hand. "Lois, Smallville may seem like a hick town, but for a few years, when I was in high school, some incredible things happened. Powerful men made earth shaking decisions there, and I did what I could to protect the people I love from the consequences."

Lois began eating again. The subject quickly changed to life as an Army brat. Clark was impressed with all that she had done. Survival training at ten, unarmed combat, parachuting and SCUBA training. Lois was soon feeling comfortable again. As they finished dinner, Lois realized that this was perhaps the best date she had been on in her life.

Clark walked Lois back to her apartment. He stood close to her as she fumbled for her keys in her purse. This was the moment of decision that Lois had been dreading. The goodnight kiss. She wanted to kiss Clark goodnight. But, she wasn't sure how she should do it. She despaired of Clark ever making the first move. Should she dive in for the full kiss, keep it chaste, or just a friendly peck on the cheek. She found her keys and unlocked the door, turning to Clark. "I had a really nice time, Clark." She said.

Clark smiled, "I did too, Lois. It seemed almost perfect." Clark started leaning in to kiss her.

Lois looked into his eyes, and nodded. It was perfect. "That's why we can't ever do this again," she blurted, fleeing inside and slamming the door.

Clark stood rooted outside. What just happened? "Lois?" he called quietly, softly tapping on the door.

Her voice came through the door, muffled, "Please, Clark…I'll see you at work tomorrow."

Clark sighed and turned to leave. He stopped and whispered, "I love you, Lois Lane."