Chapter Eleven: And so it begins...

Lois stared at Oliver's old loft, which she had converted into her own over the past two days. Since the dinner, she had successfully managed to move out of Chloe's apartment, avoid Clark completely and not answer her cellphone or her door to anyone. She was being antisocial and she couldn't care less about what Clark and Lana could be doing in the barn as she stood there alone-or atleast that's what she told herself.

She glanced at the apartment, she hadn't done a bad job, that was certain, it looked almost...homely. She could see herself living here, she paused as she realised just how hard she was trying not to think about Clark or the dinner, or Lana's killer timing.

A knock at the door got her attention, she stood very still, hoping somehow the person would assume she wasn't home and simply leave.

'I know you're in there cuz!' Chloe's voice called.

Lois flinched but still didn't move.

'Open up, or i'll kick the door down-and do you really want me to hurt myself a month before my wedding??'

'A month?' Lois accidentally said aloud.

'I heard that!'

'Damn it.' Lois muttered, giving in, she walked over to the door and pulled it open. Chloe grinned broadly, on seeing how sleep-depraved Lois looked, Chloe glanced down at the latte and donuts she had bought her cousin. She should have asked for a black coffee instead of a latte...

'I don't know what's more impressive Lo, you're ability to vanish from my world in two days, or your ability to have moved out of my apartment without once being there when I was...'

Lois shrugged, 'I don't know, they're both pretty useful tricks Chlo...'

Chloe smiled, 'ah...the sting in your words, remains untouched by awkward dinners and old flames...'

Lois gave Chloe a look. Chloe handed Lois the latte, 'Drink.' She ordered, Lois did as Chloe demanded, then Chloe handed her the donuts, 'now eat.'

Lois took a reluctant bite of the donut, doing her best not to show how much she enjoyed them.

Chloe looked around, she frowned at the closed blinds, and the unplugged phone, 'wow, you've really got the whole 'anti-social' thing down huh...?'

Lois groaned, 'Chloe...I don't wanna talk about it-'

'What do you wanna talk about? And don't say nothing-because I know you Lois.' She said with a smirk.



Lois frowned, 'How about I tell you what I don't wanna talk about-then you pick something that doesn't involve those topics?'

Chloe simply gave Lois a look.

'I don't wanna make smalltalk about the weather...I don't wanna talk about the dinner, I don't wanna talk about Lana, I don't wanna talk about Clark, I don't wanna talk.'

'Gee Lois, that...REALLY narrows down my options here...'

'Chloe, I'm fine.'

'You have a very vague definition of fine. Blinds shut, phone unplugged, not answering your door or your cellphone, Jimmy said you haven't even been in the Daily Planet...'

'I can work from home for a few days-'

'Sooner or later-you're gonna have to turn up. I mean, not that there's a hurry, Tess is showing Clark around so...' this got Lois's attention, realising what Chloe was doing, Lois glared at her.

'I don't want Clark Kent.'

'Riiight.'

'Look, Chlo, there MIGHT have been a moment over dinner-I blame the champagne, but...seriously? Clark's so old fashioned, and I'm...I'm just not the kinda calm, 'yes ma, yes pa' girl that he's into. Besides, Lana's back...and...if you saw the way she was looking at Clark...?' Lois shook her head.

Lois trailed off, 'Lana's a friend...and everyone knows about the saga that is Clark and Lana...' she joked. 'They're meant to be together-'

Chloe raised an eyebrow, 'are you serious? I know Clark. Okay? After everything that's happened, there's no way in hell, he's going back to Lana. Besides Lois, you're not as bad a catch as you might think...'

'Then why isn't he here?'

'Because you're not answering your cell or your door.'

'Chloe...if he didn't want Lana...' Lois said, her eyes glistened softly, 'he'd be here.' She said sadly as she looked at the empty apartment. 'But he isn't. And that's what matters. Trust me, I know Clark.'

'Not as well as I do Lois,' Chloe said comfortingly, Chloe had complete faith in Clark and knew he simply didn't want Lana, 'Lois, I saw the entire argument he had with Oliver...the way he talked about you...'

Lois shrugged, refusing to let herself care, refusing to let the thought of him make her vulnerable, 'The general used to say, 'It's not words that make us who we are, it's actions.' Chloe fell silent, no matter what she'd say, Lois would simply brush it off. On some level, Chloe wondered if Lois even wanted to fall for Clark, maybe it just happened and poor Lois didn't know what had hit her...



'Look Chloe, Thanks for checking in on me, but I just...I need to be alone.'

'For how long?' Chloe said, giving in, she couldn't bare to see Lois struggling to keep it together, she almost felt mad at Clark.

'I don't know.' Lois whispered with a sad smile, Chloe hugged her tightly, long enough to let Lois know that Chloe was there, if she needed anything, she had Chloe.

'Thanks Chlo,' she said, she gave Chloe a smile that was close to sincere, but not fully there.

'Take care Lois, see you soon, okay?'

Lois nodded at her cousin.

'I love you,' Chloe said with a smile, Lois felt her heart warm towards her cousin, it was nice to be reminded she wasn't as alone as she thought.

'I love you too Chlo.'

Chloe gave Lois one last concerned look and walked away. The sound of the door shutting bought tears to Lois's eyes, what was she doing? Tears brimmed in her tender gaze, but she refused to let them spill over. All this over Clark Kent?

She shook her head, sometimes she hated not having control over her heart.

The Kent Farm:

Clark glanced at his watch, he needed to be at work in afew minutes. Even with superspeed, he'd get there 5 minutes late. He hadn't slept much at all the previous two nights, Lois was completely avoiding him and he didn't blame her. He felt angry at himself for being unable to make a move, he didn't even look at Lana, who was seated at the dinner table with two plates of breakfast, Clark had agreed to let her stay in town for Chloe's wedding. But after that he had completely avoided her.

'I've made breakfast.' Lana said nervously as Clark walked straight past her and over to the fridge, he pulled out a bottle of orange juice, turning to Lana as he headed towards the door, he flippantly said, 'I don't have time for breakfast.'

Lana frowned, 'you do if you use your abilities...' Clark looked at her, she was referring to his superspeed, he stared at her for a long moment, trying to understand how he had fallen prey to letting her know his secret. It was the one decision he regretted completely. He didn't think Lana would do anything to harm him or his secret if he ended things with her bluntly, but he didn't want to find out. Instead he was phasing her out, letting her be the one to end things with him.

'I'm sorry Lana...I've lost my appetite.' With that, he left her alone at the dinner table, letting her think about what had just happened.



As Clark supersped towards Metropolis, overtaking several trucks, he felt as if he could finally breathe, being away from Lana, he felt a kind of freedom...whenever he'd lay eyes on her, he'd feel guilty or ashamed of himself, he couldn't bare to look at her, for him she had become a broken dream. And being a Kryptonian, Clark didn't enjoy to be reminded of his failures. He had given up so much for her to be his, but now that he realised what kind of a person she really was, now that he felt the heartache she had bought him over and over across the past few years. He wanted her as far away from his heart as possible. His secret was precious to him, more than words could define, and he had given it to someone who simply wasn't worthy of it. He was surprised to find that no tears reached his eyes when he saw Lana again that night in the barn.

The only women Clark cared for more than himself, were Martha, Chloe and Lois. He only felt regret and pain whenever he looked at Lana, there were some points in a relationship, you just couldn't come back from.

His thoughts fluttered back to Lois...he slowed down as he thought of her, she had been blatantly avoiding him since realising he had feelings for her. He wondered if Lois knew how much her eyes gave her away, the instant Lana returned, Clark saw her pull herself away emotionally, she was so occupied with protecting her own heart, she didn't see Clark reach out slightly to take her hand, she had turned away and walked out too quickly to notice. Lana had seen it though. The gesture missed by Lois Lane had been seen loud and clearly by Lana Lang. In that instant, both Clark and Lana had realised how much things had changed, it wasn't a planned action, he had reached for Lois out of instinct, he wanted her to stay by his side even though Lana was back, and it was that instinct that had kept him awake for the last few nights...

The sound of a car horn grabbed his attention, he was standing in the middle of the road outside the daily planet, he shook off his thoughts, hoping Lois would be at work today.

The instant Clark approached his desk, he regretted it, Lois's desk wasn't empty, but Lois wasn't there. Instead it was an unimpressed looking Chloe glaring at him with her arms folded.

'Where's Lois?'

'How's Lana?'

Clark studied Chloe, he gave her a look, 'you don't think I'm with Lana do you??'

'Look, Clark...I don't WANT to think that-but you...' she sighed, 'You really oughta think things through before you play with two hearts instead of one-'

Clark frowned, he wasn't playing with anyone's heart-he watched Chloe as she rambled a lecture he wasn't paying attention too. He felt she deserved to know something he could barely accept himself.

'Chloe...Chloe...' she carried on rambling, until he said, 'I'm in love with Lois.'



A loud silence hit the air, Chloe stared at Clark-she was partly stunned partly glad, and partly confused. The only word the usually resourceful sidekick could utter was, 'Woah.'

Clark nodded slowly, 'yeah,' he whispered.

'What about Lana?'

'She's staying with me-' Chloe through him an infuriated glare-'JUST for your wedding-'

Chloe groaned, 'Oh Clark.' That would not go down well.

'Things aren't looking good for me are they?' he asked gloomily, 'I can't just kick Lana out...'

'She can move in with me...I'll ring her tonight...'

Clark looked at Chloe, 'Chloe...you and Jimmy just made Lois move out-'

'No-we didn't MAKE her move out-that's not even the point-look, Jimmy won't mind Lana, Lois is...very...present when she home.'

Clark grinned at the thought of Lois strolling into the lounge, interrupting Jimmy and Chloe's evening as they were seated on the couch, sitting herself right between them and asking what they were watching and having for dinner.

Chloe shook her head, Clark glanced up at Chloe nervously, Chloe studied him. She knew that look, he wanted to ask something.

'Shoot...' Chloe prompted.

'How's Lois?'

Chloe smiled at the smitten reporter, 'She's...adamant on being alone.'

Clark cringed as he looked down.

'Why aren't you fighting for her like you said you would.'

'I said I'd fight for her if she was mine-'

'Maybe she is.' Chloe said simply.

Clark stared at Chloe, Chloe gave him a weak smile.

'I know, I'm the greatest best friend in the universe...now go. Save the day and get the girl...'

Clark grinned at her, he headed for the revolving doors, only to hear Tess calling him.

'Kent?'

Clark turned around, Tess didn't look impressed, 'where's Lane??' Before Clark could answer, she continued, 'There's been another death-this time closer to the centre of metropolis...right behind the hospital-'



Chloe looked to Clark, 'I'm on it.' He said.

'Oh and Kent...don't bother trying to do a story without your partner...you're still new to this...'

Clark nodded, glad he had an excuse to turn up at Lois's door.

Lois's apartment:

A knock at the door made Lois jump, she yelled at the door, 'Chloe...leave me alone...' her annoyance vanished the instant she opened the door, on seeing her visitor, it was replaced curiosity, 'Davis...?'

Davis Bloome smiled politely at her, 'Lois...I need to talk to you...'

'Come on in...' She said, closing the door as he entered.

There was an awkward pause as Lois watched him whilst he tucked his hands in his pockets, he looked at her, he seemed worried, 'Lois...remember how I told you I had been having blackouts...and waking up in random places?'

Lois nodded, Davis took in a deep breath, 'I've been having these dreams you know...that contain the victims that have been found mysteriously murdered.'

'What are you saying? What do you mean?'

Davis pulled out a piece of paper, it had several names written on it, Lois frowned as she began to recognise them all...these were the people who had been murdered over the past few weeks by some unknown murderer.

'Should I be worried?' Lois asked Davis, Davis shook his head, 'No, I think I can help you. You are a reporter right?'

Lois nodded, 'I don't recognise the last name...'

Davis looked at it, he gulped, 'I dreamt of her last night...'

Lois stared at him, 'you mean you see it before the anyone else finds out...??'

'I don't understand what's happening to me...but I think I can help you with the story, if we can figure out who he picks and why...'

'I see where you're going with this-'

A strong voice drew Lois's attention, 'Lois?'

Lois and Davis turned around to see Clark in the door, Lois stared at him, her soft expression softened momentarily and then turned cold. He had no idea what he had put her through, and seeing as he took his sweet time turning up, she'd let him earn back his spot in her good graces.



'What're you doing here?'

'I wanted to talk to you...' he said, Lois's eyes drifted over his maroon shirt.

'You didn't wear that to work did you? It's too much.'

Clark frowned at her, was she seriously giving him dressing advice when he was here to tell her that he wanted to be with her??

Clark looked suspiciously at Davis, Davis felt a cold vibe from Clark and turned to Lois, 'I'll call you later.' He said as he brushed past Clark. The moment their shoulders brushed, Clark felt himself temporarily feel lifeless, and not in a good way. But as quickly as it happened, it ended.

Clark turned to look at Lois, 'what was he doing here?'

He flinched as he realised how jealous he sounded.

'If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were jealous.'

'Maybe I am.'

Lois scowled at him, 'you are unbelievable, Jimmy told me you and Lana are living together like old times Smallville-I didn't know you could be so-'

'I'm not sleeping with her.'

This silenced Lois, Clark held her gaze, Lois shrugged, 'what makes you think I care?'

Clark studied her for a long moment, 'why're you trying so hard not to feel anything for me.'

'I'm not-' she mumbled and began walking to the fridge, so she didn't have to face him.

'Then look at me...'

Lois took in a deep breath, turning on her heel, she folded her arms and levelled him with a strong gaze, their eyes locked, neither of them breaking the indescribable hold they had on eachother.

'Clark, I don't know what I'm thinking or feeling right now, I just wanna be left alone for afew days...' she said softly. Clark felt a wave of annoyance hit him, this wasn't the Lois Lane he had fallen for, the Lois Lane he had fallen for was brave, and ready for anything, she didn't hide behind closed doors.

'Look, I'm sorry that you hate being vulnerable Lois-'

'Clark-'

'And I'm sorry that you didn't plan on this-but I love you...' he declared, with complete and utter untouched confidence that made Lois stop her arguing. His eyes were so true, so sincere and it was driving her crazy.

'You can hide behind closed doors all you like Lois...but I'm not giving up on you, I don't know how it happened and I don't know when it happened...but somewhere inbetween the arguing and the fighting, I ...' he looked down as he tried to word his feelings, 'I fell for you...and,' he tried to figure 

out how to tell her he had never felt this way before about anyone, not even Lana, but his heart beat was so loud, he couldn't focus on anything but her.

'Clark-'

He cut her off, if he didn't say it now, he would never be able to say it, 'I don't know how... not- to be in love with you...and I hate it as much as you do.' He said with a bittersweet smile, finally, he noticed a slight tug at the corners of her lips, her eyes were on the brim of tears.

What he found most stunning was how easily she had backed off when she thought he would want to be with Lana that night in the barn, whether she was able to say it or not, she loved Clark more than she ever thought possible.

Lois didn't say a word, she simply smiled at him gently, Clark smiled back and walked towards her. Her eyes never left his as he leaned in, tiptoeing, Lois closed her eyes, anticipating what she was longing for. Clark kissed her slowly, savouring the moment, the storm of emotions that stirred within them began taking over as the kiss deepened.

Kal El supersped through the snowy plane, cold and gripped by rage. How dare Clark banish him with his father's own crystal for that mortal. What Kal El wanted, Kal El had a habit of taking.

'Jor El...' He said strongly as he stared up at the sky.

His father already knew what was coming, 'she is not meant for you Kal El.'

'He willingly sacrificed me for her-'

'Kal El. SHE is not the reason YOU were sent to Earth. There is a great danger encircling Clark and he is unaware of it. There will be a great battle, and Clark will be defeated.'

'What do you want me to do?'

'The moment Clark is defeated-You are to thrust the black crystal into your heart.'

Kal El felt enraged, 'You expect me to sacrifice myself so he can live?'

'Sacrifice? I created you. Surely it is I who is sacrificing something. You know your purpose Kal El. Do not disappoint me.'

Kal El stared up at the skies, Jor El's voice came to him once again, 'In a month from now. Your destiny will be completed and the son of Krypton will rise again...Is that understood?'

Kal El glared at the empty vast surroundings, this was not a fair thing to ask of him. 'If my destiny is so simple...why did you give me free will?'

'Because your ability to rationalise places you above others, my son.'

Kal El felt his cold blood freeze even further as contempt began to fill his every molecule.



Jor El had the nerve to call him son after asking for such a sacrifice, he expected Kal El to kill himself without any arguments so his energy could be restored to Clark, because Clark was unable to defeat his next nemesis...surely, this was wrong.

'These mortals...they have a saying...'Survival of the fittest.' Kal El said coldly.

Jor El's voice thundered as the clouds darkened, 'You are merely my creation, a substitute for my son in the case of his death-'

'Clark split us in two by accident-'

'When will you see what is a coincidence and what is fated son?'

'DO NOT CALL ME SON.' Kal El demanded. He felt robbed of his father's love, he felt robbed of his desires, he felt wronged, and there was nothing quite like a Kryptonian searching for revenge.

'You can not fight your destiny Kal El, though you hide it, goodness is in your core-'

'So is darkness...' A blizzard began to form around Kal El.

'Control your rage son, for one irrational mistake on your part, can endanger many galaxies.'

End chapter eleven: