Chapter 3

Standing there watching the game was truly a painful experience for Lois.

For once she had no idea what to say to Clark when he finished the game. How does one apologise for being such a bitch that you drive a total change in someone's life. She had hurt him so badly and driven him from her life yet at the same time she couldn't take her eyes off Clark. He was poetry in motion, his sheer athleticism and physique could only be described as perfection and his play at times verged on the unbelievable.

"Where was Clark hiding all this all those years," she thought to herself. "Did I really know so little of the person that I didn't see this. God, what do I say to him?"

By the time the game had finished she was still no closer to working out what to say. She watched as Clark shook hands with all the players and started to walk towards the changing room. She went to step forward but realized that Richard was standing in front of her talking. Shaking her head slightly she focused on him, "Hi Babe, what are you doing here, didn't you get my message?" he asked.

"How long have you known Clark was back?" she asked him tensely.

"Clark? What do you mean how long have I known he was back. Tonight was the first time I have seen him in ages," he replied before adding "it's not like we were friends before he left anyway. By the way what are you doing here?"

"What? Oh sorry, I have to meet the mayor's assistant tonight to discuss the coverage of the election so I can't look after Jason." She replied a bit absently.

"And"

"and, don't be slow Richard!" she said as she focused 100 on him, "I need you to look after him tonight, can you please take him home?"

"Of course, you just have to ask." He said smiling at her.

"Thank you," she tightly smiled back at him "I need to talk to Clark and apologise for what I did."

"Why? Why go back over something that happened a long time ago. You have moved past it and no doubt he has as well."

"Richard I am not sure that I have moved past that, I can't stop thinking how bad my behaviour was that day. I drove the man away from his life."

"Lois, no one can drive another person to change their life, the only person who can make those changes is the one who decides to change."

"I should apologise, if not for him, then I need to say sorry for myself."

"Your call Lois, but I think you are probably stressing over a little thing."

Lois saw Clark leave the changing room. Seeing her eyes focused over his shoulder Richard turned his head to see what she was looking at. He smiled at her and quickly squeezed her hand before saying "Alright, Jason and I will leave you alone, see you at home. Good luck babe."

Stepping away from her family Lois, called out across the gym, "Clark!"

She watched Clark stop moving towards the door of the gym to turn and look at her. Knowing he wasn't going to make this easy she started to walk towards him. As she approached him she took in how much he had changed in the last 2 years. Gone was the slump and hunch of his shoulders and he was standing tall. His blue eyes were clear behind his glasses and he looked so different wearing jeans, tight t-shirt all under a black jacket. Getting close she, for the first time, realized how tall and imposing he really was.

"Clark, can we talk?" she asked looking up at him.

"Hi Lois, not now I am going to be running late, sorry," he replied a little disinterested.

"Clark, please?" she asked with a slight urgency.

Taking his non-movement as a yes, Lois quickly said, "Clark, I am so sorry for what I said to you the day you left, I was angry and I took out my anger on you. It was unforgivable what I said and I am very sorry, you have no idea how sorry."

Clark stood there looking at her for what seemed like an eternity to her. Finally he replied, "Lois, it was a long time ago and we have all moved on, but I appreciate how hard that was for you say."

"Clark, I never meant to say those things to you."

"But Lois, you did say them and very publicly at that. It was what you thought of me and that is fact," he replied, before adding, "Goodbye Lois, I have to go."

She couldn't let him leave without knowing, "Clark, are you ok, where have you been the last two years, what have you been doing."

"Sorry Lois, I have to run but rest assured I am fine so you don't have to worry about it," replied Clark before he turned away and walked towards the door of the gym.

"Clark, at least tell me are you living back in Metropolis?" she called with a hitch in her voice.

"I live everywhere," he cryptically replied before he walked out the door.

Knowing that not knowing was going to gnaw at her, she ran across to the door of the gym and called out his name, but he was gone.

To be continued . . .

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