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Chapter 2 – The Other Plan

"Superman! Thank you," came the shuddering voice.

"You are welcome, miss." He nodded at the elderly lady who was hugging her husband so tightly. When the couple pulled apart they stared into each other's eyes. He felt a little rude listening as he leapt away but it was hard to miss the conversation, especially with his hearing.

Are you alright, honey?

Fine, sweetheart. Let's just go home.

Mmmmm.

Such love. A lifetime love? Wouldn't that be nice!

As he flew back to the office he tried to mentally prepare himself for Lois. It took less than a second. Years of practice had honed his 'sarcasm' superpower. What he still wasn't prepared for, and hadn't developed a superpower defence against, was his heart.

In the quiet silence of his apartment at night, or in the lonely sky, he allowed himself to run away with thoughts of marrying Lois; of making her go through with the pact, or lately, of her even being the one to make him go through with it.

But it was a fantasy. He couldn't allow himself that life. And, thankfully, Lois seemed to have forgotten, otherwise it would have been difficult to explain. How could he have gotten out of the pact with his secret intact?

He landed on the roof and quickly changed back into his outfit. After seven years living a double life it was all second nature. The feel of the tight, Superman suit; the slightly geeky wardrobe; the glasses. Adjusting his tie and buttoning up his last button he descended the stairs back to his office ... with Lois.

He opened the door and that's when it truly hit him.

Lois was perched on the sofa just under the windows. Leaning over the back she was peering out of the window. The look on her face was one of awe, coupled with wistfulness. It made her look more beautiful than he'd ever seen before. His gaze was drawn down to her skirt and legs. He felt the familiar prickling behind his eyes.

Control, Kent. Keep your control.

When she turned away from the window and noticed him there she gave an unexpected smile. Her eyes lit up and sparkled.

That's when he knew.

I need her.

Lois had been staring out of the window, lost in a daydream that she couldn't remember anything about now. She'd been waiting and waiting and checking her 'fake' e-mail that she'd set up for Clark.

"Come on. How long do these stupid sites take to make stupid matches?" Repeatedly pushing the refresh button on the web site and the send/receive button on her e-mail had made her tension level increase so she'd taken a step back and tried to lose her inner turmoil in a fantasy.

A whoosh going by the window snapped her out of it and she'd gone running to the couch to peer out.

"Superman!" she whispered.

Craning her head around to see where he had gone she realised she'd missed him. Hearing the soft click of the door behind her she turned and a smile came to her face, unbidden, when she saw that Clark had returned.

"Clark, how was your interview?" she asked then climbed down off the couch. "Did you see," she continued without pausing to let him answer, "Superman just flew past." She made it back to her seat and sat down, quickly check that nothing incriminating was showing on her screen.

"Superman, eh?" Clark said and strolled in, nonchalantly. He closed the door behind and strode over to his desk. "You know, Lois. It's been seven years since he showed up. Surely he's old news by now."

"Old news," Lois looked up in shock. "How can you say that? He's the city's saviour. He's the world's hero."

"Hmmm," was the only reply she got. She looked up to see Clark fling his coat across the room to land on the couch. It landed in the exact spot she'd just been knelt. She glanced back at him, knowing the shock was showing on her face, but he wasn't looking. He dropped into his chair but misjudged and it skittered out behind him.

Lois tried to stifle a giggle, unsuccessfully. "Clark, you are such a klutz." He gave her that 'and I have to put up with your quirks too' look then stood back up and popped himself correctly in his seat this time.

"So, Lois," Clark spoke. She looked up but he wasn't looking back, he was focussed on his computer. "It's the big day tomorrow. What do you want to do?"

"Do?" She questioned. "Tomorrow?"

"Your birthday." He looked up and caught her eyes. She froze and then gulped. "We always spend your birthday together."

"Of course," she answered lightly. Somewhere inside a little molecule of strength actually made its way to her brain and activated it again. "Highlight of your year, Smallville."

"Every year." He raised an eyebrow at her and grinned. "So, what shall we do?"

"Um." Lois found it impossible to think of anything. What if the subject of 'The Pact' came up? Thankfully she was saved by the ding-dong sound that indicated she had new mail. She gave Clark an apologetic smile and frantically looked for the mail.

Subject Title: Match found.

Her heart gave a little jump in anticipation. I can send him on a date instead. I'm saved. She clicked on the mail and opened up to see a brief profile of the prospective date.

Height: 5'8

A bit tall, but then what does that matter to someone Smallville's size.

Features: Blonde hair, blue eyes.

Hmm, not his usual

Interests: Opera and fine dining

Lois frowned. Not what I expected.

Name: Brian

BRIAN!

Damn, this is for me.

Clark watched the range of emotions flicker across Lois's face. The e-mail she received was obviously causing an intense commotion in her thoughts. When he sensed that she'd finished reading he approached the subject once more.

"How about come over to my place and we'll just watch old movies. You bring the bubbly, I'll provide the entertainment."

Lois's eyes widened and Clark wondered what strange thoughts had gone through her mind at his words. After an almost imperceptible cough she replied.

"I'll provide the movies, Smallville. I'm not spending my birthday watching 'chick flicks'."

Clark grinned. "Fine. Just as long as you're there."

He turned away and his smile dropped.

OK, how did everything turn upside down in less than an hour? I thought I just flew back here convincing myself that a superhero couldn't have this kind of life. He glanced back to Lois quickly and couldn't help but think about the sweet, elderly couple he'd managed to save just minutes ago. But I want it so badly. Maybe it can work. Maybe I can do this.

He swing back around and tapped away on his computer.

So how do I win the delectable Miss Lane? I'll need a plan. And it has to be ready to go into effect by tomorrow night.

Review please, then come back tommorrow for Chapter 3