Title: From Where I Stood
Story by: k3josai
Written by: k3josai
Beta'd by: superlc529
Crossover: Superman comics, Arrow and Smallville TV Shows
POV: Lois Lane, Oliver Queen, Clark Kent, Diana Prince
Rating: K+
Summary: Composed of four parts, all consisting of random thoughts and events
Disclaimer: I own nothing. The characters are owned by CW/WB/DC. Superman, Clark Kent and Lois Lane created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Green Arrow created by Morton Weisinger and designed by George Papp. Wonder Woman created by William Moulton Marston.
Authors' Notes:
This might not be the best fic I've written, but this might be the last fic that I'll be writing for now because I'll be taking on another phase in my life and it will require much of my time. Thanks to the Clois fans all over the world who are always there to read and/or comment on my fanfiction. God bless us always. =) Thanks also to my betareader, Linda and to the talented Malvill Aces for the banner. May God bless us always. =)
From Where I Stood
Part II
(Oliver Queen)
From where I stood, I could see Lois Lane munching on her favorite Big Belly Burger – two beef patties – and a veggie salad on the side. I was always in awe of her whenever we ate together in this fast food chain.
I left her for five minutes to take a call and when I came back, she was almost halfway through her order. I shook my head in amusement. She had even ordered large French fries, and two chocolate sundaes and sodas for both of us. How could she eat all of her share and still not get fat?
Must be a fast metabolism and she probably thanks it because not all women have that.
What do I like most about Lois Lane, you ask? Well, I can tell you one by one…
Firstly, she doesn't care about my status as a billionaire rich playboy. She accepts me for who I am and not by my businesses or anything like that, but as Oliver Queen, the person.
I remember the first time I asked her what she wanted to eat after she helped me out in an investigation. She replied, "Aw, Queen, no expensive restaurants where there could be paparazzi. I don't want to find myself being clawed by all of the women you dated. Plus…" She raised her right forefinger upward. "No funny business. No flirting."
My lips turned into a big O, "Ohhh-kay." That was all I could manage to say. I knew Lois Lane was definitely a keeper. And I did want to keep her as one of my trusted friends. I wouldn't mess with that. Once, I even told Lois about the person I love the most and how I couldn't be with her because of the things I had done.
I won't go into the story about Dinah Laurel Lance right now because tonight it's all about Lois Lane.
How did Lois and I meet?
My younger sister and I had a short stay in Metropolis one December. Mia had just got her driver's license and was eager to drive. We weren't too familiar with the streets, of course, so it was a bit of an adventure.
We were laughing and having a good time when out of nowhere, we hit something.
It was a woman crossing the street in a hurry.
Maybe she was running from someone. I later found out she was just running to get a scoop on a Superman save on another block. Thankfully Mia wasn't driving too fast otherwise the damage could've been a lot worse.
I ripped open the door to check on the woman, but by the time I opened the door the woman was already standing and giving me a death glare. I was stunned. She didn't say anything as she tried to walk away and failed.
Then I heard my sister, "Miss, are you okay?"
I was able to make out her mumble as she turned to face us, "I'm in a hurry."
She was hurt. Once again, she attempted to walk away but stopped, the pain was now evident on her face. Without a word, I grabbed her and picked her up bridal style.
"Put me down." she ordered.
At this point, I caught the ID tag hanging around her neck. It was a Daily Planet Press Pass for one Lois Lane.
In my arms, her right leg was more exposed than what she probably wanted because she was wearing a skirt. She had long legs, a weakness of mine when it comes to women.
Doesn't take a genius to guess why I call her 'Legs.'
But that wasn't the second thing I like about her the most… it was her stubbornness.
Anyway, back to the present. Lois smiled at me as she continued to chew on the incredibly large bite of burger she just took. She took a sip of her soda and I handed her a napkin.
"I know that look, Ollie. It's that look that says I eat like a man." Then she laughed.
There's another thing I can add to my list. She was wittingly funny.
"Where's my burger?"
"I thought you'd like veggie salad for tonight." She teased.
"Legs, I traveled many miles so you could only offer a veggie salad for me? You're very hospitable."
She giggled, "I know I am." She pushed it closer to me, "There you go, your favorite."
We ate together and chatted for awhile. We talked about random things like our jobs and our families.
That's another thing I liked about her, despite her busy and hectic job, she still had time and communication with her family. Even though we've had our share of family arguments from our siblings and parents, we still found ways to be with them.
I chose not to broach the delicate topic until we reached her apartment.
Lois and I drank some Chinese tea to help digest the bulk amount of food we had for dinner. I could tell she was trying to hide the pain she was suffering.
Oh yeah, forgot to mention… she knows my secret about me being Green Arrow. I told her about few months ago. On one of her assignments that led her to Starling City, she was put into danger when she slightly touched on an issue in the Glades, the dangerous and notorious location in Starling City.
Of course, I had to rescue her because the Boy Scout asked me to guard her while she was in Starling. Clark had no need to ask me that though. Lois and I were friends.
Lois' loyalty to her friends was yet another thing that made her special and a reason for why I returned it in kind.
"So, how'd it go?" I asked carefully, though I had the feeling that the answer wasn't going to be one that either of us wanted.
She looked down before she stared into my eyes, "I told Clark the truth and it didn't exactly turn out well."
I could see the mist forming in her eyes as she started to tell me the whole story.
-OQ-
"Hey, Smallville."
He shifted his attention from his laptop to me. I felt like telling him that I really started to hate those blue orbs of his because they didn't look at me the same way they had before. So this was it, the moment of truth. I had a feeling that there was going to be a large percentage of my heart that would break apart, but Oliver told me it was now or never.
"Yes, Lois?"
"Can I talk to you?
He slightly raised his eyebrows as he glanced at his watch. It was five minutes before five in the afternoon and soon our co-workers would call it a day.
"I promise, Clark, it won't take much of your time." He was not his usual self around me anymore for some reason. He would always find time for me, but now he seemed so distant.
He stood up and I led him into the vacant conference room. I locked it so nobody could disturb us. I took a seat even before he offered one to me. He chose to stay quiet and chose a chair opposite of me.
I released my breath before I started the conversation – this was going to be the longest few minutes of my life. I couldn't find my tongue. I wanted to read his expression, but I was at a loss. "I just want to ask you a few questions."
Clark smirked. He was acting the same way as he does when he's in his Superman costume. Too reserved. Too formal. "Is this an interview, Lane?"
I gulped.
Clark changed. I could feel it. I blinked a few times. I needed to hide the moisture forming in my eyes. Thankfully I was successful.
"I really wanted to apologize because I'm not your best buddy like before. We've had so many disagreements, from Jonathan to the line of work I chose. I know I'm to blame for the distance we have right now, even if I do come back to the DP. I'm really sorry about all that. One day I woke up and I realized that I chose some things that I'm not exactly proud of… I've always learned things the hard way. I'm sorry if I have given you any pain because of the decisions I've made."
I rehearsed my follow-up questions so many times, but now, it seemed like I couldn't bring them up without the feeling of further hurt and humiliation on my part. I had to put myself in a 50-50 situation.
"About Diana… Does she make you happy?"
"Yes."
"Does she make you mad or sad sometimes?"
"Yes."
"Does she make you feel different emotions?"
"Yes."
I nodded, though my heart was getting number and number after each answer. I read his eyes behind those spectacles and they told me that he was telling the truth. Where was I? I couldn't see myself in him for I could not be the source of his smiles. I had to accept the fact that it was not me.
"No matter what I say today, I know it won't change your mind and that's okay. I just want to get it off my chest." I paused for a few seconds. I could feel a lump in my throat.
He waited for me to continue.
"I'm in love with you."
Clark blinked.
I could tell he was trying to find the right words to not hurt me. His silence and deep breaths were a big sign that I wasn't going to get the answer I wanted.
"I'm with someone else."
I nodded in response. We could never have all the things we wanted and needed. That was a fact that could never change.
"I know." I replied in a low tone. I could feel the tears behind my eyes threatening to fall in a few moments.
"Why now?"
Why now? I repeated those words in my mind over and over. I couldn't find the answer.
I shook my head as I said, "I don't know."
I took a breath, "I just woke up one day and I felt it. Don't worry, Clark, I don't expect you to return my feelings."
"Why? Is it because those feelings won't be there forever? One day, you're going to wake up and discover that those feelings are already gone. Just like Jonathan?"
My head shot up in shock, "Is that an insult?"
"No, I'm only speaking the truth, Lois. With me and Diana, it's…"
I nodded as his sentence trailed off. I didn't know how to respond really. Maybe Clark was right. When it comes to emotions and a love life, mine was a very big disaster.
"Forget what I said, Clark. We should just pretend this conversation never happened. I think this is for the best."
I stood up and before I opened the door, I said, "Just so you know, I have no intention of stealing you away from her. Telling you about my feelings set me free. I think it was the best thing I have ever done in my life. I hope this won't affect our friendship. I'm Lois Lane. I speak my mind and what's in my heart."
-OQ-
"You're such a courageous person, you know that?"
Her courage and strength topped my list of why I like Lois and why I hope she'll stay in my life.
Lois smiled between the tears. "Is this the price I pay for being brave? It was like my heart went through a wood chipper until it became smooth powder."
"Maybe, but it will make you stronger." I hugged her.
"Do you think we should start a group? The Broken Hearts Club?"
I chuckled. "Who'd be the President?"
"I think you mean Queen. And I'd be of course. You can be the Vice President for Finances, 'cause you have resources."
"Right."
"Wait. When are you going to tell me about your thing with Laurel?"
"Not tonight."
"Why not?"
"We'd probably flood Metropolis with our tears."
"Who would have thought the playboy billionaire would cry for a woman?"
"What about the tough and intrepid Lois Lane who shed tears for her best friend?"
We laughed together through the heartaches we shared.
"You know what, Lois. I hope someday Clark realizes your worth. And when that day comes, I will willingly give you an all-expenses-paid world trip."
"Awww… That's so sweet of you. But you know what, Mr. Green Bean? I talked to Attorney Laurel Lance yesterday."
"What? How? When? Where?"
"Yeah… Sorry, can't divulge the details. Let's just say it was a patented Lane way. She agreed to meet you this Sunday. Don't give me that wrinkled forehead… In case of emergency, Diggle will cover for you."
"Thanks, Lois."
"Don't mention it. I'd do anything for my long-lost brother."
I smiled knowing I felt the same way about her. "And you're my long-lost sister."
Tomorrow, me and Boy Scout are going to be having a man-to-man talk…
-OQ-
TBC
Reviews are welcome! =)
