DISCLAIMER: If anyone out there wants to sue over this story, you'll probably get ten dollars, two credit cards, a hairbrush and a lipstick (name that refrence, Supes fans!)

Chapter 9 - Confessions Part I

Lois had been avoiding him for weeks. She still worked alongside him, chasing story after story. But, she was careful to avoid situations that would place them alone together. It didn't help that he was constantly coming up with lame excuses for his absences. How many suits did he have in dry cleaning anyway? Clark sighed and looked over at Lois, sitting at her computer. She was doing a good job of ignoring him. Clark turned back to his computer and sighed yet again. Superman's popularity was through the roof. It was fortunate that Clark didn't need more than two hours sleep a night, or his double life would have ended a month ago.

Lois was getting up to get some coffee, again. Clark didn't know how she could drink so much caffeine and still not have a heart condition. Clark followed her to the now-empty pot, "Lois, we need to talk" he started.

"Can't right now, Smallville…too much to do" said Lois, brusquely.

"Lois," Clark pleaded, "you've been avoiding me."

Lois barked a short, nervous laugh, "Clark, I work with you every day, how can I be avoiding you?"

Clark sighed, "By doing just what you are now, avoiding talking about…you know…"

Lois smirked, "Now who's avoiding things, Clark?" she asked smugly.

Clark rubbed his eyes behind the glasses, wishing he were rid of them, "Lois, you can't avoid talking about our date for long. I'll corner you eventually."

Lois giggled, "In your dreams, Smallville" she said, and scooted quickly to her desk.

Clark was going to follow her and corner her like he promised, but a distant cry for help caught his attention. He looked once more back to Lois, and then quickly exited the newsroom.

After a few minutes, Lois looked up, scanning for Clark. She frowned when she couldn't see him. "Hey, Jimmy" shouted Lois, flagging down the young man, "where's Clark?"

Jimmy came over to Lois, "He left a few minutes ago, Miss Lane. Looked kind of upset, too. You guys okay?"

Lois sighed, "I don't know, Jimmy. I really don't." Lois looked down at her blank screen as Jimmy quietly retreated. You're a coward, Lois. Just talk to him.

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Clark floated high above the earth, the bitter winds ruffling his hair. He hovered with his eyes closed, absorbing just about all of the sounds produced by the earth. He heard laughter, screams, sobs of broken hearts and the sounds of lovers meeting in the dark. His advanced brain processed and catalogued all of the noise, letting him concentrate on all of it, with out becoming lost in all the information. He had spent the past four hours zipping all over the world, staying busy and trying to forget about Lois. It's no use, thought Clark. Lois was in his head. She was either going to have to accept him, or break his heart.

Clark opened his eyes, looking down at Metropolis. His enhanced vision picked up Lois' apartment, and his deep vision showed him that she was home, watching TV again. Clark grinned and made his choice, rocketing down to the woman he loved.

Lois was gloomy. The unresolved fight with Clark was still bothering her. She had faced down Presidents, Prime Ministers, CEOs and murderers in her day. Why couldn't she talk to her partner? Lois sighed and gave herself an honest self-assessment. Because, Lane, she thought, you never let anyone in. You are the loneliest person in the world. Unshed tears threatened to fall. She angrily dashed a hand across her eyes, daring herself to cry. Lanes didn't cry. Her father had made that clear when her mother had died.

A gentle tapping sounded at her door. Lois composed herself and checked the peephole. She was surprised to see Clark there, standing nervously. She put her forehead against the door, gathering her emotions. Slowly, she unlocked the door and slipped off the safety chain. She opened the door, putting on her "nothing's wrong" face. "Hey, Clark. Missed you at the office" she said, stepping back to admit him.

Clark entered shrugging, "I had some things to take care of." Clark looked around the apartment, noting the disheveled living room. "So…how was the rest of the day?"

Lois frowned slightly. Okay, Smallville, I can play it cool, too. Lois brightened, "Chief was on the warpath again today. Jimmy and I covered for you. That must've been a hot lead for you to tear out of there so fast without leaving word" probed Lois.

Clark nodded and grunted non-comittaly. "Lois…we need to talk" began Clark.

Lois cut Clark off, "Yes. You're right, and I have to apologize…no, Clark, don't interrupt. If I don't get all this out at once, I may never say it." Lois took a deep breath and began to pace, not looking at him. "I was rude to you, which was inexcusable. In fact…I was scared. Scared that our date was perfect and if we had one perfect date, then we would probably have another, and another, and then have a relationship, but still be partners, and we know what kind of mess that would make…"

Clark interrupted Lois with a finger to her lips. "Breathe, Lois" Lois nodded and gulped some air. "Clark…I got confused and a little scared. I'm sorry, I never wanted to hurt you."

Clark smiled sadly. "I scared myself, Lois" said Clark. "I thought that I had done something wrong, upset you somehow. It took a lot more courage than I expected to ask you out." It was Clark's turn to pace now, "Lois, I'm not going to lie to you. You're my best friend and partner. I've had deepening feelings for you for a long time. I tried to get Lana and Chloe, to tell me what a bad idea it was. I was afraid to get closer. I'm not afraid anymore."

Lois was staring at Clark in disbelief. Clark stopped pacing and faced her, "I've fallen in love with you, Lois. I love everything about you."

Lois was stunned. She could not even speak. She just stared at Clark with her mouth wide open. Clark raised his eyebrows at her. "Lois, even if you end up breaking my heart, I had to tell you. I can't live with the secret anymore."

Lois' brain was working overdrive. Tell him, Lois, tell him, Lois. "Clark…I…I" Tears began to form in her eyes. "There's somebody else that I'm in love with…Superman." I can't believe I just said that! You're a coward, Lois Lane!

Clark seemed to crumble inward. Lois watched in pain as the light in his eyes died. "I see, Lois." Clark seemed to have trouble breathing. "Well, I certainly won't stand in your way, then." Clark turned without another word and left.

Lois stood frozen in place for an hour, replaying the scene in her head over and over. She came to the inevitable conclusion, that this was the single worst mistake she had ever made in her life. She collapsed on the floor, weeping uncontrollably. I love you, Clark Kent. Please forgive me.