NOTE:

Sorry, guys that it took me so long to post this one up. I had visitors and then I got hella sick...Ugh...it sucked. But now, here you guys go! I hope you like it!!!

Chapter 4: "Stepping Aside, Fighting Back"

The Next Day…

"I have to tell you, Chlo. I have never had this kind of luck happen to me before--except for when my parents adopted me," Clark said through the phone to Chloe. He had just finished explaining to her about how everything had turned out last night. He had promised her that he would give her a call back in the early morning, before he went to work.

Chloe sighed at the other end. "Clark, it's not because of luck that Lois was able to handle your secret. Lois is tough; I've known for a very long time that she wouldn't spazz out when you told her the whole truth."

"But, Chloe…you should have seen her. She didn't give the tiniest hint of freaking out even for a tiny bit when I told her about Krypton or all of the weird stuff that has ever happened to me. I mean, her eyes got a little wide every now and then when I told her something surprising. But her eyes didn't grow in shock, but in wonder. Even my parents weren't that controlled when I told them something new about myself."

"Do you think she was faking it, for your benefit and not wanting to hurt your feelings?" asked Chloe curiously.

Clark let out a sigh and shrugged. "I honestly don't know. There's a part of me that's glad--that she's able to cope with it so well because that makes things so much more easier. But then there's another part me…."

"That's just waiting for her to pop and completely lash out?" she finished for him.

"Yeah." He rubbed his temple. "I feel myself on guard every minute that I talk to her now…."

"I bet she senses it."

"She does. She keeps snapping at me to stop."

Chloe chuckled. "That's Lois for you."

Clark let out another deep sigh.

For a moment, neither spoke. Clark was in deep thought--troubled and worried about Lois.

Chloe wanted to change the subject. She knew Clark was beating himself pretty badly right now. "So…when are you planning on proposing?"

He let out a small groan. "Not anytime soon. I'm thinking I should see how it goes these next few weeks. If she is going to pop at any moment, I don't want it to be while I'm kneeling down on one knee. Plus, I already put enough on her already. I don't want to add any more pressure."

Chloe pouted. "Sounds fair."

She was really disappointed. Even though she knew what Clark's plans were about when he would propose to Lois before he mentioned it to his best friend, Chloe still hoped that he would do the complete opposite and propose to Lois immediately. Both had waiting enough. Both had gone through their equal share of heartbreaks and suffering. They more than deserved each other. Plus, what was the point in waiting much longer? They loved each other. Anyone that knew them--or glanced at them briefly--knew that Lois and Clark were made for each other.

"Smallville! We're gonna be late!" Lois called from the kitchen.

"I'll talk to you later, Chloe," Clark informed his best friend.

Chloe suddenly snickered. "Did Lois Lane spend the night at your house?" She giggled, dirty thoughts popping into her head.

Clark felt himself grow red with embarrassment. "Yes. But it's not what you think. We just talked. After I told her everything in her apartment, we decided to take a drive and we wounded up in Smallville. It was late, so she stayed the night. And that was it."

Chloe shook her head. "My poor cousin. You always manage to get her all hot and bothered."

Clark felt his flush creep up behind his neck now.

Another giggle left Chloe's lips. "Thank God for masturba--"

"Goodbye, Chloe." Clark immediately hung up, just as he started to feel his ears burn up. Best friend or not, he did not wish to discuss about this issue with her…or anybody for that matter. It was a personal and private matter between Lois and him--no one else.

"Dammit, Smallville! If I'm late and Perry gives me an earful, I swear I'll have your head for lunch! Get your ass moving!" Lois threatened.

Clark controlled himself and grabbed his coat. He sped raced to the kitchen, where Lois stood impatiently with keys in her hand.

Once she saw him she threw him a glare.

He gave her one of his dashing smiles. "Ready?"

"Yes. But apparently you aren't," she said as she eyed his tie. He certainly still couldn't get that right. She rolled her eyes. It only took her four steps to close the gap between them.

He frowned at her, a little confused. But then he saw her reach over for his tie and he understood. He waited until she was done. "Am I good to go now?"

She took a step back and eyed him up and down. God, there was no other way he looked more handsome than when he wore a full, nice suit and a tie. When her eyes reached his face, she nearly fainted.

His piercing blue eyes shone brightly and his smile just took the breath right out of her.

A desire once again began to rise deep inside of her as she stared at him deeply. God, how can he do that with just one simple stare? She asked herself as her breathing became a bit uneven.

Clark frowned at her and became a little worried. Lois' breathing was a little off. "Lois, are you ok?"

And that's what sent her off. His deep voice was all that she needed for her body to trigger.

With no warning, Clark saw Lois throw her arms around him. At first he thought that there was something wrong with her, so he placed his palms on her small waist to steady her, his frown deepening.

Lois let out a moan of satisfaction at the feel of his strong hands on her. She leaned in immediately and began to kiss him deeply.

At first he grew startled, but the passion soon overtook him as well. The feel of her hands digging deep into his skin drove him off the walls!

Lois clutched on tighter, wanting to mold her entire body around his. She felt his hands caress the small of her back and she let out another moan of pleasure.

Clark's breathing came down harder, he could barely catch a breath. And then he felt her tongue. Clark nearly exploded into a million pieces right then and there. However, he had to stop this before Lois took them both way overboard. With his entire strength, he pulled away. "Lois," he said with a husky voice.

Lois refused to be pulled away from his body. She pushed herself closer to him as he pulled away. "Don't start, Clark. We just got started." She gave him an evil smile and leaned into his lips once more.

It took everything inside of Clark to turn his head away. "Lois." His voice was tighter, and more serious.

He couldn't let this get out of hand. He couldn't afford to lose control with her like this. If they went on further…if he hurt her…. He wouldn't be able to live with himself.

Lois sent him a death stare. "Fine," she said in the most freezing tone Clark had ever heard. She pulled away from him and headed towards the door. "Lets leave, then." The desire she had for Clark Kent had suddenly vanished, and was now replaced with deep annoyance.

Clark almost cringed at the look on her face.

Just as she was about to touch the door handle, Clark was able to block her with his super speed.

Lois exhaled and looked up at him. "We're gonna be late, Kent."

"Lois." He took a step towards her.

She took a step back and looked away from him, not wanting him to see the sudden tears that were threatening to burst out of her eyes.

Rejected was something Lois Lane did not deal well with. Not when she put her heart on the line.

Something squeezed at his heart when he heard her take a sharp breath in. She was hurting. "Lois…please. You know why we can't…do it."

Even though he was 26 years old, he still felt uncomfortable when it came to any explicit material, even the word sex made him feel a bit uneasy. But could he really be blamed?

Lois shook her head. "No, I know why we couldn't do it before I knew. I get that. But, what I don't get is why we can't do that now!" Her sexual frustrations were getting harder and harder to control.

"I'm not gonna put you in that sort of danger, Lois," he said with determination. "If I were to lose control--" He couldn't finish it. His jaw tightened and he tried to calm down.

Lois' anger quickly vanished. She closed the gap between her and Clark and placed her palms on his chest, trying to soothe him.

The moment he felt her touch, he was almost completely relaxed. He had no idea how every single different touch Lois gave him, he seemed to react accordingly to them. If she touched him softly, he would quickly feel calm. If she were to hold his hand, he would feel at ease. And if she were to dig her fingers in his skin with fierceness, his hormones would go into overdrive.

And Clark had a feeling that Lois also knew this fact.

Once she saw that he was back to normal, she gave him a small loving smile. "I know you worry about what might happen if we were to go further, but you have nothing to worry about."

His jaw tightened. "I beg to differ."

Her palm reached out to caress his cheek. "Not if we take it slow."

He met her gaze for a moment. "Slow?"

She snickered and half-rolled her eyes. "Well…not too slow. A girl can only hold on for so long." She laughed.

His eyes quickly looked down and he blushed in embarrassment.

Lois frowned and noticed that she had said something wrong--something that had given him some hurt. Just by looking at his face, she knew this. "Clark, I was kidding. Of course, I'd wait until you were completely sure you were ready. You know how I let my mouth run off sometimes. I--"

"Lois," he cut her off. He still tried to avoid her gaze. "What if…. What if after we--uh, after we…do it….?" He forced himself to look at her straight in the eye for this next part. "It doesn't turn out the way you expected it to?"

Lois' eyes grew in shock. Is that what he's really worried about? She thought to herself. That he'll fail?!

Clark grew instantly red again and his eyes dropped down. "I mean…you've had plenty, uh…plenty. And I, uh…haven't. I don't want--"

Lois shook her head and lifted a finger to his lips. "Clark."

His blue eyes met hers, worried about what she might say.

With complete honesty she said, "I don't care for my past relationships. They don't matter, because I'm now with you." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you, Clark Kent. And I am more than willing to wait for that perfect night for you. When you're ready…so will I." She smiled.

Clark exhaled the air he was keeping in. He stared down at this perfect woman and brought her as close to him as possible. "And I love you, Lois Lane."

She pressed her lips to his collar and breathed in his cologne.

They stayed tied in each other's embrace for several long moments, taking in the wonderful feeling. However….

Riiiiiiing!

Lois gave a small whine and stepped back from her boyfriend's arms.

Clark let out a grunt. He picked up his phone and brought it to his ear. "What's up, Jimmy?"

"Uh, CK? You better get to downtown quick," Jimmy said on the other line.

However, it was hard to understand him because of all the background noise.

Clark immediately grew a bit weary. "Why? What is it?"

"There's been an accident. A school bus collided with several cars. The driver lost control of the wheel and…well…it doesn't look so pretty." Sure enough, there was screaming and crying in the background, along with some sirens.

"Are there any fatalities?" Clark prayed that there weren't.

"Two kids…so far." Jimmy's voice sounded like he was trying to hold back some tears. "They were the ages of 7 and 10."

Clark let out a sharp breath. "Lois and I are nearly there." He quickly hung up and turned to Lois.

And by the expression on her face, Clark saw that he really didn't need to fill her in on what Jimmy had just told her. She had heard everything. She looked ready to pass out.

"Are you ok, Lois?" He placed his hands on either side of her, just in case she passed out.

Lois tried to shake off the feeling. She gave a small shake of her head. "I'm fine. Lets just get there as fast as possible."

Clark nodded. "Get your stuff."

Once Lois picked up her coat, Clark swept her in his arms and was out of there in a flash.

-------------

The place was surrounded by cops and news reporters. Clark scanned the area and saw that the place was a bit of a chaos. The bus and a couple of cars were full of flames.

He placed Lois down on her feet and leaned close to her ear so that only she could hear him. "I'll be back. I'm gonna change into--"

"CK!" came Jimmy's voice from up ahead in the crime scene. He caught up to his two friends. "Good thing you guys are here."

"How are the kids?" Lois asked anxiously. Her shaking grew a little more rapid as she saw some kids with deep cuts and bruises on them.

Jimmy turned back to the scenery with sad eyes and then back at his friends. "I just found out from the paramedics that they announced another 9-year-old girl dead. They think she was the last one, though."

"That's awful," muttered Clark as he saw a little boy get put into the back of an ambulance.

Jimmy nodded. "And the strangest thing is that Superman still isn't here."

A knot inside Clark's stomach soon began to form.

"He can't be everywhere, Jimmy," Lois said in great defense and with a bit of anger.

"Of course he can't," came a woman's voice from beside them.

They all turned and saw that it was none other than superhero, Hawkwoman. She stood there in front of them with her yellow/green/red jumpsuit and hawk mask covering her face. Her long, brown--almost red--hair was put down today.

She turned to Jimmy. "Superman's on a mission overseas with Batman, Green Arrow, and Wonder Woman," she sent Clark a quick look before continuing on with Jimmy. "He asked me and a few other members of the Justice League to keep an eye on things around here for the next few days. However, it's a bit difficult because we're also looking after Gotham, Star City, and Gateway City. And that's also not mentioning my own home--Midway City. Thankfully, Hawkman is able to take care of it on his own."

Jimmy gave a shaking nod. "Of--of course." He tried to control his breathing and sudden sweatiness.

After two years of doing continuous stories on superheroes and even getting to meet them--thanks to his closeness to Superman--Jimmy Olsen could still not act like himself in front of anyone in the Justice League. He'd been able to do it with Superman, but that was because he saw and talked to him at least three times a week!

Hawkwoman turned back to the bus and children, then back again to the three reporters. "If you'll excuse me, I have more work to do." She turned to leave.

"Do you need some help, Hawwoman?" Clark asked anxiously.

She turned back and shook her head. "Maya is almost here. We've got it covered. Don't worry about it, Clark." She said the last line with a sincere tone. And she met his eyes when she said it, letting him know that she meant it.

Clark nodded.

Hawkwoman's went back to the scene, and sure enough Maya--in her red/purple suit and manifested bow--was soon there at Hawkwoman's side. It didn't take long for the two superheroes to clean up the mess. Maya did most of the work with her mystical water arrows shooting throughout the bus so it could stop the fire.

Jimmy immediately left to take some pictures.

Lois could not take her eyes off of the horrible scene in front of her, or off of the courageous women. "You know who they are?" she whispered to Clark.

Clark nodded and looked around to see if there was anyone around at earshot. "Shiera Hall and Chandi Gupta. Shiera is the curator in Midway City's museum and Chandi is that London woman Bruce Wayne introduced us to not too long ago."

Lois nodded, vaguely remembering. However, she said nothing else. She just kept looking off into the distance…thinking about those kids.

-----------

By the end of the day, both Lois and Clark were exhausted. Clark followed Lois into her apartment.

When they got there, Lois did not utter a word. In fact, she had barely said a word all day long. Clark had not pressed any questions because they hadn't had a moment alone together. However, now they were.

"Lois?"

Lois did not turn. She hadn't heard him.

Clark was more than worried now. He walked up to her. "Lois?"

She finally looked up, her eyes full of sorrow. "What?"

"Lois, what's wrong? You've been awful quiet all day. It's really worrying me." The anxiety in his voice was proof of that.

Lois swallowed hard and walked over to the kitchen. She needed some tea to calm her down. "I've…been thinking."

Clark frowned. "About what?"

Lois filled up a pot and placed it on the stove. She took a deep breath. "About us." She tried to control the clump that had formed in her throat.

"What about us?" Clark felt as if he did not want to hear the answer.

Lois took some several breaths as she fought back the tears that were suddenly about to burst out of her. "I don't think this can work out." She was surprised that she had let that out without her voice breaking.

The blood suddenly fell off of Clark's face. He looked as pale as a ghost. His breathing stopped, his heart stopped. He could not feel anything other than this sudden…emptiness inside of him.

And when she did not get a reaction, Lois's tears finally came down.

"Why not?" His voice was thick and raw.

Lois bit her lip from trembling. Her tears were coming down faster.

Clark waited a little while longer and when she didn't answer, he asked again. "Why not?" This time, his voice sounded a little angry.

Lois tried to steady herself. "This is too difficult, Clark."

"And since when do you give up on anything this easily?" he accused with anger.

She turned to him, angry now herself too. "Do you really think this is easy for me?! Letting you go?!"

"You know what I think?" He walked over to her until he was towering over her. "I think you're scared out of your mind to see where this can go to!"

"I'm scared?!" She gave him a shove. "You're the one that's too damn afraid of getting physical with me!"

"Yeah, I'm afraid for your safety while you're afraid for your heart of getting broken again!"

She shook her head. "This has nothing to do with that!"

"It has everything to do with it!"

"No, it doesn't! This is about innocent people!"

Clark shook his own head this time. "Don't use that as an excuse, Lois. What happened today was an accident. A horrific accident. But things sometimes happen. Things that no one can control sometimes."

"Yeah, but if you hadn't been with me this morning, those kids would still be alive!" She screamed out at the top of her lungs. And right when she had said it out loud, her sobs began.

Clark sighed and shook his head. He had suspected that this was the true reason why Lois had been quiet and shaken all day long. He knew that deep inside, she was blaming herself for those children. But she was wrong.

"Lois…that was not your fault." He emphasized every word.

"Yes, it was," she barely let out between sobs.

Clark took hold of both her arms and looked at her straight in the eye. "No, it's not."

Lois took a few deep breaths. "Clark…I can't make you choose. I won't stand in the middle of your destiny."

Clark frowned, confused. "What are you talking about?"

More tears came down. "The world needs you more than I do." Her voice cracked twice. "And…it's not fair for those people to not have a superhero when they really need one just because that superhero has a horny girlfriend he can't to control."

He continued to shake his head. "Lois--"

"The world is more greater than I am, Clark. Lets face it." Her heart felt as if it was slowly getting cut up, because she knew this was true.

Clark was more than frustrated with her now. He shook his head. "Don't ever say that, Lois. You mean more to me than anything or anyone else in this existence."

Lois' shoulders shook uncontrollably. "Clark, you don't understand. They need you--"

"No, you don't understand." Tears filled his own eyes this time as he looked down at her. "Can't you see that I need you? All those stupid years when we were younger, I didn't know what was staring at me right in the face. You are all I ever wanted and needed. And the moment I figured that out some years ago, I was determined not to let you go."

Lois stared up at him as the sobs continued to come down her face.

His own tears were coming down too. He couldn't lose her--he wouldn't lose her! He had gone through hell…. He'd be damned if he lost her now.

Clark placed his palms on either side of her face and with determination in his voice he said, "I am not the General--or Oliver Queen for that matter. I will not let you go. I will never leaving you behind."

Lois shut her eyes as she reached up in her tip-toes to place her forehead against his. "You will one day," she said in a small, tiny voice. "You may not want to, but you'll have to."

Clark shook his head. "Never," he vowed.

And to lock in that vow, he leaned down and kissed her with all the love he had for her.

Lois more than willingly accepted his lips on hers. For the first time in these long minutes, Lois was able to breath again. She felt the air fill up her lungs once again. And the emptiness she had felt for a while there, quickly vanished.

Clark never wanted to let go. He wanted to keep her this physically close to him forever. In his heart and soul, she was already linked to him for all eternity.

Lois felt the same way, but she wasn't sure if fate would allow them that much amount of happiness. She had never felt this strongly about anyone and it frightened her that since it felt so good, one of these days someone was just going to step in and strip her away from it.

And right in that moment, Clark grew stiff.

Lois felt it. She pulled away from him and frowned. "What is it?"

Clark gave her an apologetic look. "Someone set off the alarm at the bank. Shots are being fired." With his super hearing, Clark checked if any innocent people had been shot. Thankfully, he didn't hear anyone being hurt…as of now.

Lois nodded and stepped back.

Clark quickly changed into his uniform.

As she took a deep breath, she stared at him intently. And he leaves me again, she thought to herself sadly.

Superman closed the distance between them. "I'll be back as soon as I can," he promised.

She just nodded, too afraid to say anything else.

"I love you," he said before giving her a quick peck on the lips and flying out of her window.

She stared after him, trying to control herself from crying again

.

Next Chapter: "Keep Your Window Open..."

This is the LAST chapter. Lois and Clark have ONE final talk before deciding which destiny they will choose for themselves.

NOTE: Ok, so I don't think I'll be posting this last chapter for another two weeks because I usually have free time to write in the WEEKEND. however, since this weekend TWILIGHT is coming out, I'll probably be too ecstatic to even THINK about anything else except for that! *sigh* Goodness, this has been a year of AGONY, waiting for this damn movie! LOL. And then NEXT weekend it's gonna be hell at work cuz of THANKSGIVING! *ugh!* SOOOOOOO not looking forward to that. ANYWAYS! Go out and buy those tickets for the midnight showing! They're selling out FAST! AND! Remember to watch Smallville this Thursday. It's the LAST episode showing this year! :( So sad!

SPOILERS for next episode on Smallville: Clark and Lois ALMOST kiss---but then they are RUDELY interrupted by Lana...or Doomsday...or both! *grrr*