Three months, three months since Lana's memorial service; Clark just hadn't been the same. At the service he was distraught, but also seemed distracted. Since then she hadn't seen him at all and she was worried. When Chloe said she hadn't seen him in a while Lois got really worried. That was why she was on her way to the Kent farm at 3:00 on a Friday afternoon. She had the rest of the day off from work and she hoped Clark was home. If he wasn't then she was willing to wait.

Since Martha had moved to Washington, Clark had the whole house to himself. Lois was all too aware how lonely it could be to have a house to yourself. She told herself that she was not leaving till she had cheered Clark up; and she would no matter what. Stepping the gas pedal a little harder Lois thought about when she had fallen for Clark.

The first time she meet him in the field she was attracted to him. When she found out who he was she buried that attraction knowing how Chloe felt about him. When Chloe started dating Jimmy, Lois knew she didn't have to bury her attraction anymore. Then she got to know him and gradually fell head over heels.

When Lana married Lex Lois hoped that Clark would move on and at some point just maybe he would take a romantic look at her. She knew they were getting closer as friends, but then Lana died. Lois knew Clark wouldn't be open to anyone for a while. He had probably built up a wall around his heart so he wouldn't get hurt, just the way Lois had. Right now he needed a friend, one to understand what he was feeling and tell him it was ok.

A small smile showed on her lips as she realized that Clark single handedly penetrated the walls around her heart. She had built up a wall so high she thought no one could ever get past it. She made friends and lovers but knew that when it didn't last, she wouldn't be hurt. Lois thought she was incapable of loving anyone but family, then Clark came into her life. He showed her love. Even though it was a friendship love it made Lois remember what it felt like to be loved and to love someone in return.

As Lois turned into the Kent drive, dark clouds gathered over head faster than she had ever seen them. Just as quickly as they had gathered they burst forth an abundance of rain. Even with the wipers on full speed she could barely see.

"Ok, I can handle a little rain; we'll just have to stay indoors. As long and there isn't any thunder and lighting." No sooner had Lois said this than lightening flashed through the sky followed by loud thunder. Lois was fine with rain storms, but when the thunder and lightening came, she wanted to hide under her bed till it was over with.

Lois hit the brakes and jumped out of the car. She needed to get inside away from the storm. She got out of her car and was drenched by the time she got to the back porch; the rain was only coming down harder. She opened the back door and ran right into Clark.

"Hey, Smallville." Lois tried to act as though she wasn't scared. Clark's hearing picked up on her heart beat, he knew she was terrified. He just didn't know of what. "Lois what are you doing here?" Clark reached behind her and closed the door.

"I thought you might need so cheering up." Her teeth began chattering. The red shirt she was wearing, which was already flatteringly tight, hugged her body even more since it was soaked.

"Well that's nice," he flashed the famous Kent smile. "A little strange coming from you." His smile faltered, "You're not wearing that lipstick again are you?" Clark looked at the annoyed look on her face and had his answer. He shifted his gaze away from hers but to the wrong spot.

He finally realized how tight the rain had made her shirt. His breath caught in his throat, red was a great look on her and she quite literally took his breath away. Clark blinked and tried to think of something to take his mind off her body. "Thanks for trying to cheer me up. I could use the company. Would you like something to drink?" He noticed her heart beat was getting back to normal.

"Some coffee would be great right about now." Just then the lightening flashed followed by yet another loud rumble of thunder. Lois jumped and looked to see if Clark noticed her fear. He had, he also noticed her heart beat again. Clark was by her side is a second, lightly holding her arms.

"Lois are you ok?" He was surprised to see tears in her eyes. She tried to pull away but Clark wouldn't let her. The wind was picking up and making howling sounds through all the cracks of the house. Lois started shivering; from the cold since she was soaked and from her fright of the storm.

She was getting more scared by the second; Clark started to gently rub her arm with his thumb to give her some comfort. He knew she would punch him for that normally (not that it would hurt) but she didn't seem herself now. Especially since she let him see the tears.

Lois on the other hand started to tell him to let go when her eyes locked with his. Any words she had got stuck in her throat. She momentarily forgot her fear of the storm. What she saw in Clark's eyes scared her more than the storm. She saw real caring, no laughing at her fear of storms, just pure… love? That can't be right, she thought, he still loves Lana. The thunder crashed loudly causing Lois to visible jump and grabbed Clark's arm. Her trembling was getting worse.

"Lois why don't you go upstairs and take a hot shower, it will warm you up, ok." Lois nodded but didn't move. She couldn't believe how scared she was right now. Her brain started shutting down and all she could do was stand there. Clark gently tugged her arm and pulled her toward the stairs. He let go of her arm, thinking she would walk up the stairs herself. When Lois just stood there looking at him, he knew he would have to help her.

Clark took hold of Lois's hand and led her upstairs and into the bathroom. He turned the water on and made sure it wasn't too hot, he knew Lois loved hot showers. He then grabbed a towel and placed it on the towel rack closest to the shower. Lois wouldn't release his hand. The wind causing more howling noises through the house made her skin crawl.

"Lois your shower is ready," Clark stated the obvious. He looked her in the eye but she just stared at him. "Can you manage?" Still nothing, she just stared at him as she clung to his hand. "Lois," Clark reached with his other hand and cupped her face. "Lois, you're ok. You're safe here. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. You'll feel warmer after the shower. I'll be right down stairs. Just call me if you need to." Clark had a sudden flash back to being in the ally with Lois when he was dressed a Green Arrow. He caught himself leaning toward her and stopped. Lois did register this, and looked down when he pulled back.

"Ok," she finally said. "Just don't close the door all the way."

"Ok, I'll put some clothes on my bed for you. When you're done we'll wash yours." At her nod he slipped out of the bathroom, leaving the door open a few inches. Lois stood frozen in place. It's just a storm Lane, get in that shower and get warm. Clark is right outside, he won't let anything happen to you. He's proved that over and over. She was finally able to shed her clothing and step into the shower.

Clark was waiting right outside the door; at hearing her clothes hit the floor Clark let out the breath he had been holding. He was afraid he would need to put her in the shower himself. Not that he would mind but that would not only be embarrassing for the both of them but Clark wasn't sure he could handle the emotions it would cause. He walked down stairs, still keeping his super hearing in tuned to Lois. When he reached the bottom of the stairs he started a fire in the fire place with just a glance on his way to the kitchen. He started the coffee and fetched some blankets to wrap Lois in.

TBC