Chapter Ten: Case of the Ex

Lois and Clark climbed out of her car, they both approached the hospital, if they had arrived a moment later they might have missed Davis and a friend leaving the large grey building.

He looked tired, almost exhausted, Lois and Clark frowned...was he with Chloe?

On coming face to face with her cousin, Lois, along with Chloe and Clark asked, 'What are you doing here??'

'We're working on a story-' Clark said.

'Together?' Chloe said, as if she was imagining putting Lois in a test tube and adding Clark to the mix, causing a large explosion...'Uh is that a good idea-'

'Probably not,' Lois admitted.

'But Tess ordered us to be together-' Lois cast him a sideways glance, he paused as he realised what he had said, 'Work together-she ordered us to work together.' Chloe had a bemused expression on her face.

Davis smiled at them warmly as Lois stepped forward, 'we have some questions for you...'

'About what?'

'The body found last night, you were already at the scene-'

Chloe shook her head, 'Okay, before you guys go all Nancy Drew, I'm gonna leave-meeting Jimmy for lunch...bye guys...'

The three of them watched Chloe walk away, particularly Davis, who found himself taken by the witty blonde.

'hey-' Clark said, almost disapproving of Davis for watching Chloe longingly, Lois chimed in too.

'Over here big guy...'

Davis looked down at Lois, 'Yes, I was in the area...but I suffer from black outs, so if you wanna ask me how I got there-I can't help you...'

'Isn't that abit suspicious?' Lois asked, reading Clark's mind.

'Not really,' Davis frowned, 'It's a busy road Miss Lane.'

'Call me Lois.'

'Its a busy road Lois. And I've suffered from the blackouts for years, so it's common for me to wake up in random places...'

'Random places?' Clark asked curiously.



Davis simply shrugged, 'Yeah, once I woke up in a pie store, and then there was a strip club, and then there was a public toilet...' he said with a frown, 'not one of my favourite memories.'

Lois looked taken by the man, Clark looked at her, he turned to face him, 'what was the cause of death?' The sombre topic caught both Davis and Lois off guard as they turned to look at Clark. Davis might have impressed Lois and Chloe with his offbeat charm, but not Clark.

'We still don't know...she was just...' Davis gulped, 'lifeless.'

Lois and Clark stared at him.

In Lois's Car:

'Maybe someone's poisoning them...'

'But Davis said the tox screens came back clean...' Lois offered.

'Davis said that?' He muttered to himself, 'then it must be true.'

Lois looked at Clark for a beat, Clark frowned, 'what?'

Lois shook her head, 'Nothing.' Their eyes met, but their moment was cut short by the buzzing of Lois's cell phone, Lois answered her cell phone.

'Lois Lane...' she said, she paused, nodding, 'I'm sure he won't mind...' she glanced at Clark, seeing his uncertain expression she smiled, 'Okay...I'll see you then, I'll bring champagne...'

Lois hung up and looked at Clark, 'Chloe's making dinner tonight, apparently Oliver's back in town, Davis is invited too. She thinks it would be nice for us to all spend some time together.'

Clark nodded, relieved, Lois reversed the car, 'oh,' she said as she pulled out of her spot, 'I told her it was okay to have it at yours because our apartment's too small-'

'Lois?!'

Pretending she needed to concentrate on her driving she simply scolded him, 'shsh-I'm driving!'

Clark glared at her. There was no use arguing, he didn't mind it that much, he wondered why Ollie was back in town, lost in his thoughts, he noticed who he thought was Davis sitting in his ambulance with his head in hands...was he crying?? Clark frowned to himself.

The sound of a car horn made Clark jump in his seat, he turned to see what had happened, Lois was swearing and yelling at a car that over took her, this time she pushed the horn even louder. Clark shook his head, a small smile on his face, he turned back to the window to see Davis staring straight at him. His eyes seemed almost voids of emotion now, they unsettled Clark, who simply turned away.



Davis watched the two reporters drive away, his eyes never left Clark's, there was something odd about Clark, Davis wasn't telepathic, but, Clark seemed to exude a certain aura...a powerful one, which seemed peculiar to Davis, because from what he had just seen, Clark let Lois walk all over him. Maybe Clark had a secret. Just like Davis.

His cellphone buzzed, he flipped it open and read the text message, 'Dinner, tonight at Clark's in Smallville, am emailing you directions as we speak! Chloe x', Davis closed the message, his phone flashed, 'new message received' flashed across his screen, then the word 'Inbox' flashed twice. Davis opened Chloe's email, and there they were, directions to Smallville, he smiled, it was nice to have friends, he was still new to Metropolis and Chloe was wonderful, even if her friends may have been a little odd.

He texted her back, 'Thanks for the directions : ) See you tonight. Davis.'

Pausing for a moment, he pondered before sending the message, Chloe was dating Jimmy...was it fair of Davis to spend so much time with her, he enjoyed her company and found her attractive...but was it fair? He shook it off as he pushed 'send'.

His phone read, 'message sent.' Davis smiled as he put his phone aside, it was time to get to work, turning on the engine, he drove away from the hospital.

That evening at the Kent Farm:

Lois handed Clark the plates, 'go set the table-they'll be hear any minute...I have to go get dressed!'

'So do I-' Clark scowled, Chloe looked at him, they both new it would take him milliseconds, 'you promised you'd help-' she said.

Without arguing, Clark headed for the table.

Upstairs:

Lois looked herself up and down, her black dress fitted her perfectly, she gave herself a nod. She looked hot. This meant she was ready for dinner...She yanked the door open, and entered the hallway, she froze in her steps as her eyes landed on a suited up Clark. Her jaw hung open for a moment, Clark turned around at the sound of her heels against the wooden floor. He looked taken by her.

'Lois...' he said as all sense left him, 'you look uh...'

Lois nodded, 'so do you...' They both paused, Clark's maroon tie matched Lois's maroon dress, a colour which not only made her skin look as if it glowed, but made the flecks of soft brown in her emerald eyes stand out even more. She looked amazing.



The sound of the doorbell broke the silence between the two as Lois followed Clark down the stairs.

Clark pulled open the door, Lois popping her head over his shoulder to see who it was, they both spoke at the same time, a habit they both were getting used to, 'Oliver...?' as Clark and Lois opened the door wider to let in the attractive man, Lois's face fell as she saw who was with him, Oliver grinned at the woman besides him.

'Lois, Clark...this is Tess, she's new in town, so I asked her be...' Oliver looked to Lois briefly, 'my date for tonight.'

Tess looked dazzling-Oliver and Clark froze as they realised the reason Lois and Tess were glaring at eachother's outfits-and it had nothing to do with Oliver or Clark...

Lois and Tess were wearing the same dress-'I think I'll go get changed-' Lois muttered as she turned on her heel-Clark grabbed her hand, by pulling her closer, he was preventing her from going and possibly offending her boss-if Tess could be even more offended than she was at her apparent wardrobe malfunction. 'Haha, that's funny Lois, Tess,' Tess smiled at him, 'Lois...you both look marvellous tonight...'

Tess smiled warmly, 'thank you Clark.'

Nor Lois or Clark realised he was still holding Lois's hand, until Oliver looked them over and noticed the matching outfits.

'So...Lois is your date?' he asked Clark. Lois scoffed, 'me? HIS date?' Lois laughed hard, too hard.

Clark looked offended, he turned to smile at Oliver, trying to make sense of Oliver's unimpressed tone.

'Uh...'

'We-'

Lois and Clark faced eachother and then turned to Oliver and Tess, 'No.' They said at the same time, and then flinched immediately. Oliver looked amused, as he led Tess inside, 'Chloe...' he said charmingly, Chloe grinned at him. 'Hey Oliver,' she hugged him briefly, 'This is Tess.' He said with a smile.

Chloe shook Tess's hand, 'How can I not recognise the woman who organised my release from prison?'

Tess smiled, 'don't mention it...'

Before Chloe could reply the doorbell rang again, this time, Jimmy and Davis walked in together, both of them looked content, 'Jimmy!' Chloe said with a smile, she pecked him on the lips and turned to Davis, 'I'm glad you made it.'

'Thanks for inviting me.' He said with a small smile, Chloe held his gaze for a moment, 'you're welcome Davis.'



There was something sincere about him that she liked. Clark watched a very charmed looking Jimmy making smalltalk with Davis, he groaned internally, not Jimmy too...

Chloe beamed at them all, 'Come on in... Dinner is served...'

The seven of them headed over to the table.

Lois sat besides Clark, directly opposite Tess and Oliver.

Chloe sat at the head of the table, with Jimmy and Davis sitting across from eachother.

Lois stared at Tess and Oliver, she didn't understand why she was jealous, because she was certainly over Ollie...or so she thought, she studied him as Tess made everyone at the table laugh, she felt her bloodboil...she enjoyed being the only hot chick in the joint, especially when it came to Clark or Oliver. She glanced at Clark who was smiling politely at Tess as she spoke, Lois couldn't help but feel disheartened as she attempted to took her feelings for Clark into the back of her mind, she turned back to Oliver who was saying something now...

Clark noticed Lois watching Ollie and couldn't help but feel a wave of disappointment spread over him, how could Oliver have bought another date to dinner? He must have known Lois would be here. Clark shook his head to himself, he had always thought Oliver was an idiot for letting Lois go, if Clark ever had Lois's heart, he'd take on the entire universe before giving up...deep down, he had always felt Ollie didn't deserve Lois, but had never felt as though it was his place to tell Lois that. From Lois's jealous expression as she watched Tess and Ollie talk and chuckle, Clark realised something. Lois Lane might never be his.

Chloe watched Clark and Lois's miserable faces, she decided Lois was miserable because her outfit matched Ollie's date's outfit, but why did Clark look so disheartened...? She decided to ask him later, she glanced at Jimmy who gave her a wink and a smile. She broke into a grin.

'The food is delicious Chloe...' Davis said sweetly, Chloe smiled at him, genuinely flattered.

'Thanks, there was a moment in the kitchen where I was pretty sure the chicken wouldn't survive the extra 10 minutes in the oven...' she joked, both Davis and Jimmy laughed-Jimmy paused now, as did Davis, the two men looked at eachother, Jimmy was realising for the first time in days that where him and Chloe were concerned Davis could actually be a threat to him...

'So, Oliver...what brings you back to Metropolis?'

Lois took a sip from her drink as Oliver replied, 'Besides the beautiful women?' Clark glanced at Lois, who almost choked on her drink as Oliver, who was blissfully unaware of Lois's turmoil continued answering Clark, 'Business...amongst other things,' he looked at Tess as he said the last part.

Clark frowned, why would Oliver be interested in Lex's new replacement?



'So Clark...how was your first day?'

Clark looked away from Lois and over to Tess, 'It was...interesting,' he said with a small smile.

Lois sat up in her chair to make sure she didn't miss ANYTHING that was said or unsaid between Clark and Tess. Not that she was the jealous type or anything...

'Glad to hear it,' she said with playful smile that even Oliver noticed. He looked at Clark who seemed unaware of Tess's subtle flirtations, his eyes drifted to Lois who was watching Clark intently as he spoke. Oliver felt a wave of indignation hit him. What did Clark think he was doing in the romance department? Picking up Oliver's leftovers?? He made a note to himself to confront Clark later.

Lois silently scolded herself, her emotions were driving her crazy, she needed to get a grip, she wanted what was best for Clark, and even if she hadn't been jealous of Tess she would still tell Clark that Tess was trouble. Because that's what friends do, they looked out for eachother, just as Clark had done with her whenever she dated someone new.

'Davis...how long are you in Metropolis?' Oliver asked.

'I've just been hired as a full-time paramedic, so, I'll be around for a while I hope,' he replied with a sincere smile. Oliver nodded, 'what made you move to Metropolis?'

'Well, I lived in Smallville for a year or two when I was younger, then I moved to Gotham city...but I got bored I guess,' he raised an eyebrow, 'so now I'm here, it works out well for me, because every city needs paramedics...'

'Very true.' Chloe said.

Tess's cellphone began to buzz, 'excuse me...I need to take this.' she said politely as she left the dinner table.

'So how long have you and Tess been dating?' Lois asked Oliver the moment Tess left the room.

'A few weeks I guess.'

Lois nodded, Oliver looked at her, 'How about you...is there someone you're seeing...'

'I wouldn't call it seeing, but there's definitely someone.'

Clark paused, Lois had a 'someone...'?? Who? When? For a moment he was completely lost, then it hit him. Lois wasn't arrogant, but she was proud. She was defending her pride...and lying.

'Good.' Oliver said.

'It is. What do you know about Tess?'

'Lois?' Chloe said, Clark gave Lois a warning look.

Oliver looked amused, 'don't worry, I know Lois...it's not because she's jealous. It's because she doesn't like Tess.'



Lois stared at him for a moment, he was right. Absolutely right.

'And why should I be fond of her??'

'She got me out of prison Lois-the least you can do is be polite about it-' Chloe exclaimed.

'Oh COME ON Chlo-'

'Go in there and apologise for being so weird-she's your boss!' Lois sighed at her cousin.

'Fine...' she muttered and headed into the kitchen.

Oliver took the opportunity, 'And how about you Clark-since when have you been picking up my leftovers in the romance department-'

'Lois is NOT a left over-' Clark argued.

'I didn't say I was talking about Lois-' He smirked.

Clark fell silent, Chloe's eyes grew huge. Clark liked Lois ...in THAT way??

'You're just mad because Lois is an amazing woman-and you'll never find anyone quite like her again-' Clark said loudly, Oliver glared at him.

'Stop acting all high and mighty Clark-be honest with me-Are you or are you not attracted to Lois?'

'It's not like that-'

'Then why is it that whenever I turn around -she's either staring at you, or your staring at her??'

'I don't know what you're talking about-' Clark replied.

Chloe, Jimmy and Davis watched as the small discussion grew into a full-blown argument.

'Besides...Why do you even care about Lois's love life??' Clark demanded.

'Why are you dodging my question?!'

Both of them stood up now as they yelled.

'So WHAT if I'm attracted to Lois?' Clark said challengingly. Oliver's eyes collided with his.

'Some friend you turned out to be- with all your morals-' he scoffed sarcastically, 'You don't deserve Lois-' Who did Clark think he was?? Just because he had abilities that Oliver didn't, did not mean he could take who and what he wanted when he felt like it.

'Neither of us deserve Lois! ...She's...' Clark trailed off, at a loss for words, but Ollie understood, Lois was one of a kind.

'You shouldn't have let her go Ollie.'

'She let me go Clark.' Oliver said softly as shook his said.



'I would've fought for her.' Clark finished. The statement caught Oliver offguard. 'If I was with Lois and she tried to end things with me, I would have stood there fighting for her to take me back, no mater how long it took, be it hours or years...' His confession made the air thicken with a stunned silence.

'Would you?'

Clark and Oliver turned their heads at the sound of Lois's questioning voice.

The two men stared at her...Lois and Tess were standing in the doorway, completely stunned, just like Chloe, Davis and Jimmy.

Clark stared at Lois as she held his gaze, 'would you Clark?' she asked again. Clark looked down, his wordless answer was loud and heavy.

He would. Unable to look Lois or any one else in the eye, Clark walked out of the house leaving his shell-shocked friends at the table.

Angry at himself for arguing with Clark over Lois, Oliver walked over to Tess, 'come on...we're going.'

Tess let Oliver lead her out of the house.

Lois stood in the empty doorway, what Clark had just said to Oliver had stolen her heart. It was all she needed to ever know.

In the barn:

Clark stood by the barn window, running a hand through his hair, he wondered what had come over him at dinner, how he had let Oliver get to him, how he had blurted out so much...Lois had heard it all. Every single painfully honest word. He didn't know where all his courage had gone the moment he heard Lois's voice during his argument with Oliver. Nor did he know why he practically fled the room when confronted. The depth of his feelings for her overwhelmed him, but he just didn't know what to do ... He knew how much it broke her heart when she discovered Oliver's secret...He never wanted to hurt her like that. He never wanted the burden of knowing he broke her heart.

'One hell of a dinner huh?'

Clark turned around as Lois climbed the barn stairs, he closed his eyes for a moment and turned back to the window, despite all his turmoil and all his emotions, she still looked mesmerising to him. She walked over and stood beside him, the two of them staring out over the farm, a car was approaching the Kent House, it's headlights lighting it's way in the pitch black night. It was probably Oliver or Tess...Clark didn't care much about that right now.

'You never answered my question...' Lois said softly, her eyes felt heavy as she lifted them to face him, why was she feeling so reluctant? Maybe she was nervous of losing Clark, maybe she was nervous because she had never desired someone this much, maybe she was nervous because it was new territory, she couldn't figure it out. She just wanted an answer. She needed the answer.



'Lois...'

He faced her now, they stood inches apart, two hearts pounding in the silent night, their gazes met. She held his blue gaze, she found herself stepping closer, her subtle gesture made Clark lean in.

'Hope I'm not interrupting...'

Lois and Clark turned to see the intruder, it took them both a moment to recognise her with her new haircut.

Both Lois and Clark stared at her as it hit them, 'Lana...?' The instant her name left his lips, he felt his heart tearing into two inside his chest.

'Welcome back...' Lois said with a forced smile, she turned to Clark, her eyes glistened in the moonlight, Clark watched them carefully, wishing he could stop the world for an instant and have lingered in the moment they shared seconds earlier...'I have to go...' she said, her words barely leaving her lips.

'Lois...' he said, but it was no use. She had made up her mind, she didn't have the heart to look back at Lana and Clark, without further hesitation, she walked away, ignoring the tears that tried to fill her stinging eyes.

End chapter ten: