THE MORNING AFTER

He was in the shower, finally getting up after the clock struck twelve. Easing out of bed, he thought she was asleep once again

But she was not asleep. She was restless in her heart and mind

For the first time in her life, all the uneasiness of an intimate encounter seemed to evaporate at the sight of Clark Kent's smile. This was a first for her. she had always felt regrets before, but not this time, this time even in the midst of embarrassment, she felt safe. She slowly got up and began looking for her dress, to no avail. Looking over at the bathroom and frowning, a thought crossed her mind and then a smile crossed her face.

Quietly tip toeing to the bathroom she eased th door open and then proceeded to move all towels and any articles of clothing,

She then stood outside the door waiting, waiting and smiling.

He let the water rush across his face, the uneasiness he had was only because of the secret that now stood between him and Lois.

What had he been thinking?

He loved what had changed between them, but at the same time he felt guilty. Now that she was closer to him, how much more danger would she be in?

And how could he hide his activities at night when they were supposed to be a couple? He could only use the "working on a story" so many times before she would start to realize that there was more to him than she had originally thought.

And what then? How would she take finding out her boyfriend was not even from the same solar system?

Doubt doubt doubt, kept through his mind like a steady drip. It was impossible for him to escape. Just as he was agonizing over all these things, he felt a draft, an ignored it for a moment. Finally getting out of the shower, he realized what the reason for the draft was.

"Lois!"

Smiling on the other side of the door she answered cheerfully, "Yes?"

"What did you do with all the towels?'

"Towels?"

"Yes and my clothes…"

Trying hard not to laugh out loud she answered, "…Oh those….they're in the laundry."

He just looked through the door and saw her leaning against it…exasperated, he had suddenly forgotten about all the worries that had been weighing on him moments ago.

"Lois?"

"Hmmm?"

"Can you get me a towel? He asked impatiently

"oh I would love to…"

She didn't move a muscle.

"Lois?"

"Hmmm?"

"The towel?"

"Oh that will take a while…there are all in the laundry...you really should wash clothes more often!"

The door opened as she fell backwards wit it only to be pulled into the bathroom with one very interested Clark Kent

Breathless as she tried to keep her eyes on his she said quietly…

"Hi there…"

Instead of kissing her like she thought he was going to, he simply stroked her hair, and gazed into her eyes…

She put her hand on the side of his face and said …"what?"

"You make me forget there is anything else in the world but you and me…"

Smiling she answered, "is there anything else?"

"Sometimes…but not right now there isn't…"

And there it was, the look that she could never figure out, the one that said he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders…

She knew one thing for certain,

Clark Kent had secrets.

Was it a loss of some kind, was it some way h had been hurt…what it could possibly be, she had no idea, but it drove her crazy trying to figure it out whenever she thought of him

It had been one reason she had kept her distance, his reluctance to open up was not a good sign. But in this moment, she felt that somehow she had eased his pain. The playfulness the between them, the banter, the arguing…all felt so natural and right.

She never felt more at home than she did when she was with him.

In a sea of sharks, she had somehow managed to find the one angel fish.

"I have things…I haven't told anyone…" he said it in a whisper…

"You want to talk about it?"

"I can't…not right now…not yet…"

She stroked his face, and said, "its okay…I'm here…whenever you want to talk about it…you don't have to until you're ready…"

He didn't answer her; instead he felt his mouth come crashing into her.

Time stood still, suddenly they were on a new level of intimacy, it was an unspoken desire that was suddenly sparked inside of him, she felt it rushing through her as his emotions reached her through his arms, his lips, his body carrying her to his bed once again, he could think of nothing he wanted more than her with him like this forever. The look on his face was intense and full of wanting, and adoration, it was a look she would relish in her memories as long as she lived.

No man had ever looked at her in the many ways he had, and this…this was the best of all. his hands was all over her, his mouth was insistent, and his torso was in full motion already filling her and he watching her intently as he found a rhythm that suited them both, he was wanting her to moan, to all his name…to beg him for more

She wanted him like this forever. Nothing felt more right.

She felt as if she was flying, soaring above the sky high and free from worry free from everything. His intensity seemed to be easing, and her arms wrapped around him as he finally eased himself on top of her.

After a second he rolled to his side and just stared at her with a smile and a slight blush.

"Lois?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I have my towel now?"

"Absolutely, right after you give me my dress back…"

Grinning he answered…."Well, in that case, I guess we will just have to find a way to do without."

"Yes we will Smallville…yes we will."