Part 3: Fun

"A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other."
--Charles Dickens

Smallville, Christmas Eve Day, 2007 - 12:48 PM

The air was crisp, the innocuous falling flakes and cool breeze belied the blizzard that had brought the town of Smallville and surrounding areas to a complete stop. The streets were quiet and empty, most of the inhabitants content to spend their day by a warm fire in the presence of family.

"Contemplating life, Smallville?" a cheerful voice interrupted his reverie.

Then there were the people like Lois and himself.

He turned and gave her a pointed look. "Enjoying the peace."

"Well that's overrated." She surveyed the street, looking for her car. "Let's get a move on. I need a shower. I have more gravy on me than the dinners I served."

Clark smirked. "There's also a fair bit in your hair."

She grimaced. "I can imagine." She brightened as she regarded him. "You didn't fare so well either. That kid really got you with the potatoes."

He shrugged, "What can I say? I have a way with kids."

Lois snorted. "Oh, you definitely do. I think you have real potential as – Shit."

"What?" He saw Lois' tiny car under and surrounded by mounds of snow. "Oh. We should've taken my truck." As soon as the words left his mouth he knew it was a mistake. Lois' glare confirmed it. "Uh, let's go to the Talon and I'll call a tow truck."

"Look around, Clark; we could be waiting a while." He followed her gaze to the line of snow-covered cars lining the street.

"Oh."

"Yeah."

…

"Okay." Lois clapped her hands together. "It's not that cold. Let's walk back." She slapped his stomach with the back of her hand. "You could use the workout anyway."

He glanced down at his stomach doubtfully. "You think?"

"I was kidding, Clark. It's been awhile since you've wondered the fields naked."

"Are you ever going to let that go?"

She turned and grinned in response. He sighed, and lengthened his stride to catch up.

"I thought the farm was closer," Lois huffed as she tried to maintain her balance wading through knee-deep snow.

"Lois, just grab my arm before you--" he stopped, watching as she stumbled forward, dropping like dead weight face-first and sending up a cloud of white snow. He tried to stifle his laughter. "Here, give me your hand." She batted it away, pushing herself up slowly. He caught a glimpse of her scowling face – white flakes covering most it – and could no longer hold it in. He laughed.

Clark braced his hands on his knees as he tried to stop picturing Lois' fall, but the harder he tried, the funnier it became. He couldn't remember the last time he'd laughed like this. Finally, he glanced up and met her steady gaze; her expression was unreadable. He took a deep breath and stood up straight. "Lois, that was…" he shook his head and chuckled.

She quirked her left eyebrow, and in one smooth motion she stepped forward, leaning close she placed gloved hands on either of his shoulders and smiled, then pushed. Hard.

He landed in an undignified heap on his butt. Stunned, he sat there a moment before falling backwards, the feeling of cold snow on his neck almost refreshing.

Lois laughed and he realized he'd rarely heard her laugh – really laugh. But what surprised him the most was the fact he wanted to hear it again, and often. He grinned up at her and held out his hand.

Lois stopped laughing and eyed him with amusement. She reached forward, hand outstretched to meet his. Just as their hands made contact, she pulled away. "Nice try, Farm Boy. I'm not falling for that one. C'mon, I'm cold."

"You're no fun," he pouted.

They trudged the rest of the way home with only the occasional stumble and traded good-natured taunts along the way. They took a short cut through Ben's fields. Along the way, Lois' gloved hand snuck under his arm and grasped his forearm, near his elbow. He glanced at her in surprise, but she pretended not to notice.

He grinned.

Part 3.5: Midnight Interlude

Smallville Church, December 2007 - 12:08 AM

As the bells rang, the sound echoing through his body, Clark found himself at peace. The fact that he was sitting in one of Smallville's picturesque little churches, on Christmas Eve, with Lois was strange enough, but even more disconcerting was how well they were getting along, despite his initial response to her surprising request.

i"You want to go to church?" he was stunned, and she had been annoyed.

"Yes. It's Christmas Eve." Lois had shrugged self-consciously, her face tinged pink. "I thought midnight mass might be neat. I've never been. After this last year, I thought I'd try something new. And with your mom stuck in Washington…I— Oh, forget it."

He'd reached out, grasping her elbow before she could make her escape. "No, I'll go. It's been a while for me. I was just…surprised."

She'd smiled; relief and gratefulness flashed in her eyes before it disappeared, leaving him to wonder if he'd only just imagined it. Maybe he was lonelier than he thought, or just desperate not to spend Christmas Eve alone. Either way, the decision was made. They were going to church, a place he hadn't visited since his dad's death. Perhaps it was time./i

Lois darted her eyes back to him, then once again returned to her people watching. Her constant glances left him feeling awkward and unsure. He glanced down at his tie, hoping it was straight and he looked presentable. Lois had given it a hard tug before they had entered, shaking her head and saying, "How was he ever going to dress himself without her." He had helpfully pointed out that anyone that dressed in head to-toe-red leather shouldn't comment. That had earned him an unexpected smile and a wink.

"What?" he finally caved in and whispered.

She looked puzzled. "What? What?"

He rolled his eyes. "You keep looking at me!"

She smirked. "You want to re-phrase that?" she whispered back.

He glared at her. "No. Just stop it. It's making me-- you're doing it on purpose, aren't you?" He watched her suspiciously as she bit her lip to stop from laughing. When that didn't work she subtly covered her mouth with a hand.

Finally she choked out a response to his accusation. "You are so paranoid, Smallville." At his unimpressed expression she added, "I wasn't doing anything on purpose. Promise. We're in this cool little church on Christmas Eve and it got me thinking."

When it was apparent that was all she was going to say, he nudged her hip.

She pursed her lips and collected her thoughts before answering. "I was just wondering what your childhood was like. You know, the Christmas traditions and such." She shifted uncomfortably. "I could really do without these glorified wood benches; they hurt the ass." Her eyes widened and she quickly clamped both hands over her mouth.

"What is it, Lois?"

She leaned over and whispered in his ear. "I don't think you're supposed to say... you know, in church."

He glanced down into her blushing face. "You're serious." Lois Lane was embarrassed. For saying 'ass' in a church. The fact that she was watching him, her expression oh-so-serious, nearly made his heart melt at her unexpected naiveté. For a moment he was able to imagine Lois as a little girl--before the sarcasm and self-assuredness she wrapped around her like a shield--and found himself thoroughly enchanted by the vision.

He smiled down at her, and gently pushed her wrists down. "I think it's okay, Lois. I just wouldn't make a habit of it."

She nodded. "I guess we should stop whispering. People are looking." She reached forward and pulled out two hymnals and pushed one against his chest. "I hope you have a good voice."

Clark grinned, suddenly grateful for Lois' curiosity to attend a midnight service. It had been a long time, but right at this moment, with the piano and voices echoing and the warmth of too many people in an enclosed space making him sleepy, he felt like no time had passed at all. He leaned towards her, his nose bumping her ear. "Thanks, Lois."

He felt her slight nod of acknowledgment. "Glad you came. Merry Christmas, Clark."

TBC

To all Clois fans:

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