December 22, 2009 – Seven Months Later

"I can't believe I let you two talk me into this," Chloe Sullivan groaned, looking with dread at the numbers ticking off on the way up to Oliver Queen's apartment.

"Come on Cuz, you just might have fun," Lois countered.

"And maybe even take a baby step out of Denial Land," Clark quipped with a smirk.

Chloe turned toward them, arms folded over her chest.

"You know, ever since you two started dating? You've become really annoying."

Lois giggled at that, leaning back against Clark, who had his arm snugly around her waist.

"I mean really, just because you two left Denial Land six months ago, doesn't mean I have to," she muttered, turning her eyes back to the red numbers that kept increasing, much to her dismay.

Lois rolled her eyes at her cousin's remark. "Okay, fine, forget about Speedy. You have a more important reason for being here," she said gleefully, raising the festive red and green gift bag in her hand and shaking it slightly.

"Ahhhh yes. The revenge. And don't get me wrong, I fully support that and am glad I'll get to witness it," Chloe offered, "I just wish you'd tell me what you're planning."

"Nope. Only Smallville and Dinah know, and that's the way it's gonna stay."

"But why?" Chloe whined.

"Deniability, Cuz," Lois grinned.

"Okay, Clark I get you telling," Chloe said, motioning to him, "But Dinah? And not me?"

"As the girlfriend of my intended target, I figured she should be in on it," Lois responded matter of factly.

"Especially considering what it is," Clark muttered quietly, but not quietly enough as Chloe picked up on it.

"Come ON! I wanna know!"

"Forget it, Chlo. You're gonna have to wait for the show, just like everyone else!"

Chloe stamped her foot in response, earning her a grin from her cousin.

It had worked out so perfectly. They had all decided that for the holidays, considering the League was growing, along with their circle of friends, that they'd do a 'Secret Santa' instead of everyone exchanging gifts at the Christmas party. When Lois had picked Ollie's name from the basket, she knew the time had come.

Considering what she was planning, she had talked to both Clark and Dinah about it. Ollie and Dinah had begun dating roughly the same time as she and Clark, and while the two women hardly got along before, they had been able to come to an understanding, and a friendship had even begun to grow between them. With Dinah working with the League, and therefore Clark, not to mention dating one of her and Clark's friends, it made sense to try and bury the hatchet.

After the whole DVD incident, Lois had been cool towards Ollie, but gradually it had lessened, lulling the young billionaire into a false sense of security. And in truth, Lois had forgiven him, and they were certainly still friends, but Lois wasn't about to let him get off scot free for his little stunt.

Chloe sighed as the elevator reaches its destination.

"Well, at least letting you guys talk me into coming to this shindig at the last minute means I'm spared any embarrassing Secret Santa gifts," she said, with a weak smile, gesturing towards Lois' bag. Even without knowing the exact contents, she could foresee a very red Oliver Queen in the near future. Her eyes drifted to Clark's hands, which were empty other than holding a contented Lois.

"Wait, where's your gift?"

Clark was silent for a moment, waiting for the main door to open before sliding the second door to the side, gently pushing Chloe into the apartment, with Lois and him trailing behind her.

"Yeah, about that," Clark said, reaching over to Lois' purse and pulling out a long length of bright red ribbon. In the blink of an eye, his superspeed coming in handy in this particular situation, he had a large bow tied around Chloe's waist. Seeing Bart's eyes light up from across the room at the sight before him, Clark grinned, grasping Chloe's shoulders with his hands and moving her further into Ollie's living room.

"Merry Christmas, Bart!" he said cheerfully, trying to stifle a laugh as Chloe shot him a glare that would freeze lava.

"DUDE!" Bart yelled, and within half a second he's standing by Chloe's side. He grinned at Clark, throwing his arm around Chloe's shoulders. "You are the best Secret Santa ever!"

A satisfied smile adorned Clark's face as he turned to face Lois, who was watching him with a mix of amusement and admiration. Walking over to him, she slid her arms around his neck.

"Is it wrong that that totally made me want to have sex with you right this minute?"

"That's never wrong, Lo."

"Hmmm….you're becoming rather devious, Mr. Kent," she said, her voice almost a throaty whisper that caused Clark's breathing to catch. "I think I'm rubbing off on you."

Rather than engaging in their usual verbal banter, Clark decided to go for a much more intimate response. Leaning in, he gently grasped her lower lip between his. Sighing softly, Lois tightened her arms around his neck, slanting her head slightly to deepen the kiss. She felt his tongue pressing insistently against her lips, and she was just about to part them for him when a very distinctive voice rang out from behind Clark.

"God, can't you two at least save it for the mistletoe? Lord knows there's enough of it in this place."

They both pulled back, looking in the direction of the voice to find Dinah Lance smirking at them.

"I mean seriously, I know he loves green and all, but this?" she paused, waving her hand around the penthouse, "Borders on the ridiculous."

"Well, you know Ollie, he never does anything small," Clark said, grinning as he leans down to kiss Dinah on the cheek. "Merry Christmas."

"Same to you," Dinah responded, before heading over to Lois and exchanging a quick hug. "And to you, too."

"Merry Christmas, Dinah."

Pointing to the bag, a devilish glint lit up her eyes. "Is that what I think it is?"

Lois nodded, sharing a conspiratorial look with her partner in crime. Dinah had been onboard with Lois' plan, especially after hearing how her boyfriend had actually kept a DVD of his ex-girlfriend in some rather compromising positions. Regardless of the fact that it had gone down before she and Ollie had started dating, Dinah was none to happy with the merry archer.

"You're sure about this?" Lois asked.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well…you know what it is…"

"I told you, it's cool. Besides, seeing him turn as red as the millions of holly berries he has hanging in this place is something I am definitely looking forward to," she said wickedly, taking the bag from Lois and placing it under the lavishly decorated Christmas tree. "Now, Ollie bought enough egg nog to get the entire city of Metropolis plastered, so drink up!" she finished, motioning them towards the large bowl sitting on the counter, before heading over to her boyfriend, who smiled and waved at Clark and Lois from across the room.

Entwining his fingers with Lois', Clark brought her over to the punch bowl, tilting his head slightly toward it in a questioning manner.

"You want some?"

"Just a little."

"A little? You love this stuff."

"Yeah, but I want to be of completely sound mind for the festivities," she said, grinning. "I intend to remember this night for a very long time.