Free Fall
Author: Krys Yuy
Summary: Clark isn't willing to risk his heart again. But when Fate gives him a glimpse into his future, the only question is – how hard will he fall?
Pairing/Characters: Clark/Lois, Chloe/Bart, Oliver/Dinah, Justice League
Warning: Spoilers up to Hex.
Rating: PG-13/T
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters used. This fic is purely for entertainment purposes only.
Author's Notes: I know I promised more Lois, but unfortunately, that didn't come to be. I'm so sorry! Hopefully, the appearance of two new characters appeases you somewhat. I know it doesn't make up for it, but I can tell you that Lois will definitely, definitely be in a majority of the next chapter (I already have a definite outline). Please note that there are now spoilers up to Hex.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to review! (Meg, k3josai, CuteANDSexxxy17, Cath, audrey555, Monaivendork, Dreamscometrue16, f1ameseeker, reeven, NaomiBlue, RleFay, cloisharley, Mana-Reader, Louise, Kara, Aaron Leach, superrogue17, Evergreen, buckinut, huddytilidie, icesk8er93, Hakkyou Kuusou, JapaneseAnimeFreak16, daydreamer10101) – You guys are awesome! If you leave a review and you have a FanfictionNet account, I will respond to you. Once again, everyone else who's favorited and/or put this on story alert, please tell me what you think! I'd love to get your feedback as well. I hope you guys enjoy this update. Now, please read, review and enjoy!

Chapter 4: Suspicion

Clark almost crumpled the article in his hands before he caught himself. What was he getting so worked up about? So, Lois spent the night with Superman. That didn't mean anything. At least, not what initially crossed his mind. He felt immature for even thinking it.

He nodded to himself, stormy thoughts calming. Of course not. Lois wasn't like that. She wouldn't broadcast her personal life to the world. The headline was a way to sell papers. Like rule #7 said…

Put all the good stuff at the beginning.

And to the general public, the mere implication of someone spending the night with a hero was good stuff. Not what he would consider 'good stuff' personally, but he wasn't the one the Daily Planet was selling papers to.

As for Superman, Clark couldn't shake off the feelings of irritation. He wasn't one to judge someone before he got to know them. But this new hero – new to him, anyway – had come along and apparently made the Red-Blue Blur inconsequential. What had happened in the past six years?

He couldn't imagine giving up helping people. Not when he had finally accepted his powers. Not when he knew he could do good in the world. Make a difference. Save those in need.

It just doesn't make sense.

Who had he become? What had happened to Clark Kent?

He closed his eyes. The bleakness he had kept at bay the moment he realized his situation came flooding into him. He sat down in Lois' chair and leaned forward, letting his elbows rest on the desk, his right hand still holding onto Lois' article about Superman.

He had to focus on his own situation. Superman had nothing to do with him. He didn't have time to investigate a hero. He had to find a way back home. He had to fix things. There was no way he was done helping people. Maybe that was why he had been sent to the future in the first place. To become aware of what happened and to correct a mistake.

His pocket started to vibrate in the middle of his brooding. Shaking his head as if that would rid him of his depressing thoughts, he took out his cell and flipped the cover open to read a new text message.

Call me when you get this. You're not being funny, Smallville.

He winced. Lois was mad.

Well, better to get it over with. Clark found Lois in the 'Most Recent Calls' section, and dialed her number. She picked up in the middle of the first ring.

"Where are you?" she asked, her voice almost drowned out by the merrymaking going on in the background.

Clark quickly stuck the Superman article back on the wall where he found it and fixed it so the list of to-do things again covered part of it. "I'm on my way," he replied, walking back over to his desk. He used his x-ray vision on his drawers to locate the bridal shower invitation in the middle compartment.

"You were supposed to be here over more than an hour ago," she said, irritation coloring her tone.

Clark opened the invitation to scan the time and place. 6:00PM. Ace of Clubs. He dropped it back on his desk and jogged over to the stairs rather than the elevator. Looking around to make sure no one was watching, he slipped into the stairwell and then supersped all the way down to the lobby before crossing the street to the Metropolis Satellite Center. He continued on inside and sped quickly to the top penthouse floor where the nightclub was located. He paused behind the door of the stairs and then, using his x-ray vision to make sure nobody was on the other side, stepped out.

Clark straightened his jacket and dusted off the rest of his clothes. "I'm here now," he said, walking through the entrance of the Ace of Clubs. He noted the poster announcing the bridal shower placed outside the doors.

It had only taken seconds between Lois' comment and his arrival. He scanned the crowd, recognizing a few faces while also spotting members of the Justice League. No one had seen him yet though, as they were pre-occupied either on the dance floor or with other people. He heard the distinct click of the line going dead and looked to the left to see Lois coming up to him, all smiles.

Clark steeled himself, already recognizing the ire beneath her sweet façade. "Lois," he began.

She put her cell in her jeans pocket and cut him off. "There you are," she said.

Clark chanced a look into her eyes, and was surprised by the relief that flashed through them before she closed herself off. He felt a surge of disappointment, but realized this was the Lois he was used to. He was tugged in the direction of the bar as she slipped her arm through his.

"We're going to talk about this later. But not now," she said very quietly. "Right now, we're going to smile and play nice with the guests because this is for Chloe and the Casanova she calls her fiancée. I will not make a scene like I did last time. No drunken speeches, and definitely no fighting with my significant other."

Lois smiled again, squeezed his arm harder than necessary, and went back into the crowd, leaving him alone. Clark felt as if a whirlwind had just picked him up and deposited him by the bar. With only a few short sentences, Lois managed to both chastise him and make him feel guilty. He declined any kind of drink when the bartender approached him, choosing instead to lean against the bar counter and watch Lois roam around the room, mingling and socializing.

She wore the same outfit from that morning – a light blue long-sleeved v-neck T-shirt and a pair of dark jeans. Glancing around, he saw everyone had actually come dressed rather casually except for a few who seemed almost semi-formal. Clark guessed that the casual aspect of the party was because of Bart, even though the Ace of Clubs was usually more dressy.

He watched as Lois looked over at him from the middle of the room. She had grabbed a glass of champagne and was holding it close to her chest. She had on a small frown and Clark felt another dose of remorse. He wasn't exactly sure what he was in the doghouse for, but it had to be more than just being late. The dash of relief in her eyes when she had seen him spoke volumes. She had been worried about him. Were he and Lois one of those couples that constantly checked in with each other?

Clark immediately dismissed the thought. Lois wasn't the type of woman who had to know where her significant other was twenty-four seven. And neither was he that type of man. Especially since they were married. Marriage was an important commitment, perhaps even the most important kind a person could make in his or her lifetime. His parents had taught him that. Trust and love were foundations for a successful marriage.

Trust and love.

Clark looked back at Lois with fresh eyes just as she casually glanced over at him again. Their gazes locked and Clark drew in a sharp breath. The most curious look took over her face then, but he didn't even notice. His mind was already reeling from his new train of thought. He had to turn away and face the bar.

It hadn't seemed real to him, this future relationship he shared with Lois. Frankly, it had all seemed like a dream, a feeling that persisted even after Bart revealed Lois was his wife. He had been so busy taking in his new surroundings that he had never stopped to think what marriage to Lois implied.

Trust and love.

And Clark knew, with every fiber of his being, that he would not have married Lois without either.

Trust.

He turned slightly to glance at Lois again. She was in deep conversation with someone, but Clark found he couldn't look away.

She knew.

She had to know. The more he thought about it, the more Clark wanted to hit himself for his ignorance. He wouldn't have married someone with his secret dangling over their heads. Lois certainly wouldn't have committed herself to him if she thought he was hiding something. She might have started a relationship, yes, but marriage was a whole other ballgame entirely.

Trust was important. Essential.

She knew his secret. And nothing horrible seemed to have happened to her. Actually, aside from the fact that she was currently mad at him, she seemed rather happy to be around him. Very happy and very content, if his memory from that morning was correct.

"Six years later and you're still so lovesick."

"Married nearly three years and still going strong."

"The Lane-Kent team cannot be beat."

The spark he hadn't acknowledged earlier that day burned brighter, and he recognized it for what it was. But could he… could he really dare to hope?

A longing so deep gripped his heart and he breathed in shakily.

"Hey, stranger," an unfamiliar voice said from behind him.

Startled, Clark tried to compose himself before turning around. A beautiful woman with exotic features and a small smile stood in front of him. Her long wavy black hair reached past her shoulders. She wore a wrap-around skirt made of black silk and a burgundy blouse. The tops of her black-heeled boots disappeared beneath her skirt, so he didn't know how high they actually went.

She looked at him expectantly, and Clark realized he was supposed to know her. He hoped his smile was convincing. He didn't know what to say, and went for a neutral greeting. "Hello."

Her light-green eyes seemed almost gray under the light. "Someone looks like they need a wish," she commented in a tone of voice that suggested an inside joke. One that he didn't get, but the expression on her face said she believed he would.

He pretended to chuckle, and hid a wince, wondering if it sounded as false to her as it did to him. "Umm, no, not a wish per se," he replied. More like a time machine.

She raised one delicate eyebrow, but said nothing else on the subject. Instead, she commented, "We missed you at Oliver's."

Alarm bells went off in his head. She had to be talking about the League. There was something more to her than met the eye, and Clark was understandably wary. However, he didn't want to take a chance that she was referring to something else entirely. "I'm sorry. Something came up," he replied, not exactly lying. He had gone off to save people, after all.

"I understand." The stranger smiled again, but looked around discreetly before leaning forward as if to divulge a secret. "I do have to warn you that Oliver doesn't feel the same. Neither does –"

"Running off to warn him, darling? I should have known," a deep voice interrupted.

A man in a dark business suit came up behind the woman. His suit was black and his button-up shirt was a dark blue. He also wore a dark grey vest underneath the jacket. His brown hair was slicked back just so, complimenting his handsome features. In fact, it looked like he came straight out of a GQ magazine.

He wrapped an arm around her waist and regarded Clark with intense blue eyes. "Clark," he greeted. His tone sounded genial and carefree, but Clark recognized the steel buried beneath.

So Clark only nodded wordlessly, afraid to give himself away so soon. Something told him he had to be particularly careful in front of these strangers. Especially if they were part of the League, like his gut told him. The woman had an air of mystique surrounding her, while the man… He exuded confidence and an easygoing attitude, but Clark's instincts said there was something inherently dangerous about him.

"Zee," the man chastised softly, leaning in next to her ear. "You should have let us talk to him first."

'Zee' glanced back at the stranger, and Clark felt like he was witnessing some kind of silent communication. Finally, she spoke and her voice brooked no room for argument. "I didn't think it would be fair for you to blindside him."

Clark was beginning to feel distinctly more and more uncomfortable. "I'm sorry," he interrupted the couple. "Should I go?"

"No, don't," she said, raising a hand. "Bruce was just going to get Oliver."

Bruce's hold tightened on her waist. "Zatanna," he whispered, his tone suddenly a lot less accommodating.

She, however, didn't seem the least bit intimidated. "Bruce," she said, mirroring his attitude. "I'm going to talk to Clark now before you and Oliver jump to conclusions."

"I don't jump to conclusions," he replied roughly.

"No?" Zatanna slipped from his grasp and went over to Clark's side, placing a hand on his arm.

Clark wasn't exactly sure what to make of anything going on around him, especially when the storm clouds gathering around Bruce's head seemed to disappear. He smiled warmly, looking for all the world like an amiable party guest.

"As you wish, darling," he said, reaching out to grab her right hand. He brought it to his lips and kissed it.

Her smile was serene. "Thank you."

Bruce gave Clark another penetrating stare before he released Zatanna's hand and walked away. He seemed to melt into the crowd naturally and Clark wondered why it felt like he had escaped a session with the firing squad.

For now, he thought as he looked at Zatanna's face. Her calm gaze had become somewhat troubled. "Are you all right?"

All traces of unease slipped from her countenance and her hand fell away from his arm. "I'm fine," she replied, a small smile lighting her features. "Though I do envision an argument in my near future." She sobered a bit. "Clark, they're not happy that you missed the project meeting today. Combined with the odd eccentricities you exhibited…"

"Your source on this being…?" he asked smoothly, fighting inwardly to calm the rising state of apprehension.

"The groom himself, actually," she replied, gesturing to the other side of the room where Chloe and Bart were dancing. They seemed to be off in their own little world, and despite his predicament, Clark couldn't help but smile when Chloe laughed, carefree and lighter than he had ever seen her.

"Bart wouldn't have said anything," Clark said after a moment, knowing it to be true. Bart had dismissed his behavior as him having an 'off day' and nothing more.

"He only relayed the events upon demand," Zatanna admitted. "Oliver is more cautious than he is."

"I didn't do anything wrong," he pointed out. He began to search the crowd for his billionaire friend and frowned slightly when he saw him talking to Bruce on the terrace.

Zatanna started to say something else, but Clark turned his head slightly and focused his hearing on the two men outside.

"The mission in the Philippines is a go with or without Big Blue," Oliver stated in a low voice.

Big Blue? Clark didn't know why, but he had the distinct impression Oliver was talking about him. I think I prefer Boy Scout.

"Those experiment facilities would be easier to take down with him," Bruce pointed out matter-of-factly, though his voice was also very quiet.

"Yes, well, we're in a bit of a time crunch," Oliver said, sounding frustrated. "I won't let months of digging and researching go to waste because we might be compromised."

"We won't," Bruce agreed calmly. "Someone else will have to take down the main power grid."

"Then there's travel time," Oliver commented, annoyance still heavily apparent. Several seconds passed, and with his next words, he seemed to have calmed down. "So, what do you think?"

Bruce's response was gruff. "He's not himself."

"So you're in agreement with me?" Oliver asked.

"Don't get used to it," he replied dryly.

Oliver returned in kind. "I wouldn't dream of it." He paused. "So we try to trip him up, then?"

"Agreed. Though Zatanna ruined the element of surprise."

"Zee always goes her own way," Oliver replied. "You know that better than anyone."

Instead of replying to his statement, Bruce said, "Ask him things Clark should know. It's the fastest and easiest way."

"Clark never was a good liar."

Clark's frown deepened, but he was roused from the men's conversation by a light tap to the shoulder. He looked up to find Zatanna staring back at him, puzzled. Her gaze turned from him to Oliver and Bruce as they came back inside the club. A knowing light entered her expression.

"They won't be satisfied unless you give them as honest an answer as possible," Zatanna commented.

"You didn't have to warn me," Clark replied quietly. It felt like he should be at ease around her, but something about her also held him back.

"You're my friend, Clark," she said warmly. "And I believe there is something else going on than what they think."

"Oh?" He tried to sound nonchalant, but obviously failed when her smile grew wider.

"All you heroes," she said, softly laughing, "really do need to work on your sleight of hand."

Clark flushed and tugged at the collar of his shirt when he saw how close Oliver and Bruce were getting. "Thanks for the warning," he murmured.

"Try not to let them intimidate you," she replied, turning her own eyes on the pair of men.

"They don't," Clark said, and it was true. He was anxious he would be found out, but he didn't feel the least bit threatened by the seemingly powerful duo. He would face them as they pleased.

"Clark. Hey," Oliver greeted. He wore the same outfit from earlier in the day, but his eyes lacked the same welcome. "Do you mind if we talked? Outside?"

"Not at all," he answered. Clark was surprised at how steady his voice was. He walked ahead of them, knowing they would follow.

As he headed for the terrace, he spotted Lois out of the corner of his eye. She was talking to some co-workers he recognized from the Planet when he saw her glance back at the bar. Her brow turned quizzical as her gaze began to sweep around the room. He ducked out onto the terrace before she could spot him, not wanting her to come after him now. He placed himself just out of view from the inside of the club behind a group of potted plants.

Clark felt them at his back and turned around slowly, knowing he couldn't show any sign of weakness. Not in front of Oliver, and especially not in front of Bruce. Clark didn't know him, but there was something about the man that put him on edge. Oliver and Bruce stood a few feet away with Zatanna behind them. She leaned against the edge of the balcony as they began to talk.

"What's this about, Oliver?" he asked, wondering exactly what they suspected.

"Clark," Oliver began, face serious. "Why didn't you come to the meeting today?"

"I couldn't ignore a cry for help," Clark replied truthfully. Even if he had known what the meeting was about, there was no way he could go when someone needed saving.

"No one's begrudging you for that," Oliver replied, looking somewhat insulted at the suggestion. "But there's no reason you couldn't come to headquarters after."

Besides the fact that he didn't know where the headquarters was? Clark shook his head. "I'm sorry about missing the meeting," he said sincerely. Since it was League business, Clark knew it must have been important. "But I don't know what else there is to say."

"Clark, what was our meeting supposed to be about?" Oliver asked, crossing his arms.

"The experiment facilities in the Philippines," he responded almost immediately. He kept his face straight, but his lips nearly twitched when he saw Zatanna smile at his answer. She knew there was something going on, but she wasn't about to tell either of the men questioning him. For that, he was grateful.

Clark continued before Oliver could ask another question. "I know we're under a time constraint, but I also know you would relay whatever I need to know," he said. "I can still take care of the power grid."

Clark knew he had thrown Oliver for a loop. The blonde billionaire hadn't expected him to know anything at all. He wasn't out of the woods yet, though. Bruce remained unmoved and Clark felt like he was being studied carefully.

Oliver recovered quickly. "Explain why you forgot where the tux shop was," he said, his tone growing close to demanding.

"That was an oversight on my part," Clark replied, lying through his teeth. His expression turned blank. "I've been having trouble with the leads I'm pursuing on my current story."

"That I could maybe believe… if not for the glasses, too," Oliver replied, eyes narrowing.

The glasses, again! Clark resisted the urge to groan, and instead, pushed said glasses up the bridge of his nose. "I really have no idea where you're going with this."

"Bart told us everything," Oliver said, taking a step closer, but Clark didn't move. "How you 'lost' the directions and couldn't remember the name of the tux shop…"

Clark would have winced if the men across from him weren't watching so closely. Had he really said that to Bart? No wonder Oliver was suspicious.

"How you 'forgot' your glasses… And then, missing a meeting you coordinated in the first place."

Now that he definitely hadn't known. Somehow, Clark knew this had all been inevitable. "Ollie, what are you saying?"

Oliver stared at him hard. "You don't forget," he said firmly. "I've known you for a long time, and despite all the craziness we get into daily, you never forget what matters." He nodded. "Those glasses shield your identity. They keep your loved ones safe. Clark Kent would never forget to wear them."

Were the glasses magical or something? Clark stood his ground, still unwilling to admit to anything. "I am Clark Kent," he stated with such authority that Oliver almost seemed to waver.

"Let me clarify something," Bruce interrupted smoothly, speaking for the first time since they had come out onto the terrace.

Clark couldn't help but tense ever so slightly. He knew Bruce had seen it too when a smirk formed on the man's lips.

"You say you were off saving people the entire day." Bruce regarded him with a calculating gaze. "That's why you couldn't make it to the meeting."

"Yes."

"Then tell me, Clark…" Piercing blue eyes challenged him, daring him to answer.

"Why were there no sightings of Superman?"