Chapter 22:

The Limo, downtown Metropolis:

Well I guess that went better than expected. I have never heard Bruce raise his voice. I know he did for the simple fact to be heard; I mean that was the whole point. We waited until after we ate our dinner, why ruin a good meal...right? Bruce had waited for our table to be cleared and again I nodded in understanding. With his voice slightly raised, he had started with the public break up...

"Lois I don't think this is working out."

"What do you mean Bruce?"

"Metropolis is your home but Gotham is mine. I cannot take only seeing you once in a while. Plus our relationship has drifted apart being in different cities most of the time. I care for you and I will always be a friend...but I think we should end it now while we are still on good terms."

I was surprised at how well Bruce held his composure, and even more surprised that I held the same composure. The right people's ears were peaked as Bruce immediately asked for our bill. We left rather quickly as we both tried to look upset over the evenings festivities.

I had this sudden urge to see Chloe... "Alfred, could you please drop me off and Chloe and Jimmy's."

"Yes Miss Lois, will we be waiting around for you?"

"No, thanks. The walk after will do me some good, time to think and all that." I continue to stare out the window, finding it hard to talk to Bruce right now, not knowing what to say.

"We're here." Alfred calls out.

"Already?"

"We took the scenic route home from the restaurant; we weren't far from Chloe's when you asked." Bruce offered.

"Thanks, Alfred, Bruce… I'll see you two back at the apartment then."

"No. I'm staying at a hotel tonight, no point in going back to the apartment, it was never my home. Anyway, I'll stop by the Planet tomorrow."

"Oh ok. Night then." I slam the door closed, waved and then turned to the apartment building. I sigh deeply and enter the lobby, just as the doorman was about to lock the doors.

"Hey there Miss Lane."

"Ah, hey. Am I too late?" damn can't remember his name.

"No, here." He holds the door open for me.

"Thanks. Um, night."

"Night Miss Lane."

I smile nervously and hit the call button for the elevator. I feel the doorman's eyes on me, I wish the elevator to appear and amazingly it does. I enter speedily and stab at the floor number. I smile at the watching doorman as the doors close. Phew… glad that's over with. I lean against the back of the elevator, some old Backstreet Boys song in the background. Sounds familiar but I can't quite pick it out. The doors ding and I exit, making my way to Chlo's front door. I brace myself and knock. Chloe is not going to be happy with me after last night, but on the plus she'll be happy that I told Clark.

"Coming. Gimme a sec." I hear Chlo yell out. "Hello." She says as she opens the door.

"Hey Chlo, mind if I come in?"

"Sure, why not." She swings the door open and steps aside.

"Thanks Chlo, hey Jimmy." I call out as I spot Jimmy watching the TV.

He stands… "I think I might go read a bit… in the bedroom. Night Lo." He quickly flees the room.

"Night Jimmy." I think I'm in trouble… "Chlo, how much trouble am I in?"

Chloe doesn't look impressed… "Well Lois… where would you like me to start?" I gulp, Chloe's really going to give it to me…


9:30pm, Lois' apartment:

The chat with Chloe didn't go as well as I hoped, although we're still talking so everything's still good, isn't it? Hell, I don't know anything anymore except that I need to see Clark and see him now. I sigh, unlock the door and enter. I place my bag and keys on the kitchen bench, looking around for Clark. I see the top of his head over the couch and am about to call out to him when I spot a note on the kitchen counter. I pick it up:

'Lo,

After a really long day I couldn't stay up any longer.

Jack is already in bed. Clark and Lara fell asleep together

on the couch. Will see you in the morning,

Martha xoxo'

I walk around to stand in front of the couch, admiring the breath-taking sight before me. The man of my dreams and our daughter sleeping peacefully on the sofa. I can't begin to explain how I feel right now, all of a sudden I feel an overwhelming need to see Jack so I head into the twins room and watch my baby boy sleep. He tosses and turns, I sit next to him, push his hair back and whisper reassurances. He stills almost immediately, peace finally washing over him. I'm amazed that I have this much power over a human being. I sit and just watch Jack for a little while, thinking over ways that I can get him to bond with Clark, and then I sit just watching my fragile baby boy. I sigh, place a light kiss on his forehead and then go to leave, a small sleepy voice halting me… "Mommy?"

I smile warmly and walk a little closer to Jack. "I'm here baby."

"Where's dadda?"

"Daddy's in the lounge room with Lara."

"Not Clark, dadda."

My heart breaks, "Shh baby, why don't you go back to sleep now."

"K." Jack lays his head back down.

I sadly walk out of the room and into my room, changing out of my evening wear and into something more comfortable, one of Clark's old plaid shirts and a pair of 'Whinnie the Pooh' boxers, avoiding the bunny slippers. Those things have been a bit too talkative lately. I exit the room barefoot, going into the lounge room. I sit on the coffee table in front of Clark and Lara, watching the two sleeping peacefully, my heart warming after the worrying words I just had with Jack. I watch the two with loving eyes for a little longer before trying to rouse Clark.

"Clark… Clark." I whisper lightly, trying not to wake Lara up. I stand and lightly shake Clark's shoulder.

"C'mon Smallville." I try a little louder this time. He sleeps on, oblivious to my attempts. Gently I try to lift Lara but Clark holds onto her tighter, I tug on her a little harder and he jerks wide awake; his blue eyes meeting mine.

"It's alright Clark; I'm just taking her to bed." I reassure quietly.

He nods, rubbing a hand over his face. I lift Lara completely into my arms and carry her into her room, easily lifting her a little higher onto the top bunk. I pull the covers over her and push a stray strand of hair behind her ear, hand lingering on her cheek. I sense Clark watching me from the doorway. I take a deep breath…

"Sweet dreams babies." I whisper to my children, I turn around and make my way towards Clark. I take his left hand and lead him towards the couch.

"How was your night with the munchkins?" I ask as I sit in the corner of the couch, Clark sitting a small distance away from me, our hands still joined.

"It was good, all too short but I enjoyed myself." He smiles slightly.

"You don't look too happy Clark, what's wrong?"

"Jack… he's so different to Lara, with her immediate acceptance of me, Jack's distance just hurts so much." His eyes wander to our joined hands.

"Oh Clark, he just needs a little bit of time, he loves you, he just needs to get to know you." I smile what I hope is reassuringly. Clark's quiet for a moment…

"I hope so Lois, I really do." He's quiet again, and I don't know what to say.

"Why do you call them munchkins?"

I laugh a little. "My Mom used to call Lucy and I her little munchkins and I guess it kind of just caught on once they started roaming about and getting into trouble."

"Do they get into a lot of trouble?"

"They're just kids, but yeah, I guess they do. Both are as bad as the other but Lara seems to get blamed for most of it because she's… what's the right word?"

"Out there."

"I was thinking of out-going but 'out there' works too." I smile as I think about all the times the terrible two have gotten themselves into some sort of trouble or another, my smile falls as I realize how much Clark has actually missed.

"What's wrong?" Clark asks concerned.

"There's so much you've missed, I don't know how to make it up to you." I look anywhere but at his face.

"Lois…" Clark says, I continue to look elsewhere. With his spare hand he tilts my head so we're looking into each other's eyes.

"Lo, I'm not going to miss another moment and you have nothing to make up to me. I left of my own accord, and for that I'm really sorry. You have no idea how sorry I am."

I look deep into his eyes. "I believe that you're sorry Clark and I don't hold anything against you, I just don't understand why." Clark licks his lips as he thinks about what to say, there's so much that I want to say but I let him take his time.

"There were so many things that I felt guilty about after Kal's possession. I kept vigil over you for ten days at the infirmary, but I felt so guilty about hurting you. And I… I thought it would be for the best if I left. So I took off to Smallville, I was going to talk to mom about everything but I overheard her talking to Chloe about your condition and the guilt just overwhelmed me. I left for the Fortress."

He stops thinking over his words…"What happened at the Fortress Clark" I urge carefully, feeling that Clark needs the nudge to continue.

"At the Fortress I sought out Jor-El, I wanted to know why all this was happening. Whether you would be alright. He said that you would be fine but that I must complete my training so I could fulfill my destiny."

"So you didn't know that I was pregnant?"

"No. I didn't know and Jor-El didn't tell me a thing, he just said that you would be alright." I feel that Clark is leaving something out, but I let it be. Grateful that he's opened up to me.

"So Jor-El knew and he didn't tell you?"

"Yeah, he said that I wouldn't have completed my training if I had known and that everything that has happened has been for the best. The best for who though?" he asks with spite, tears forming.

I squeeze his hand, placing my left hand on Clark's cheek. "Clark, I'm not saying that I agree with Jor-El but the important thing here is that you're here now, and that you will get the chance to know our children. Clark, the past is the past; you only have the future to look forward to." Wow! When did I get so philosophical? I quietly muse.

A tear spills from Clark's eye. "Thank you Lois." He says huskily. Leaning in closer to me, his intention written clearly on his face. I neither move away nor move closer, longing to kiss him yet not sure whether this is too soon. Before I've completely made up my mind Clark's lips meet with mine, a sweet, gentle, loving kiss. I lean backwards, pulling Clark down with me. He deepens the kiss and I part my lips, allowing his tongue access to my mouth. I push my fingers through his hair, his hands roaming my stomach under the oversized plaid shirt. I break the kiss momentarily as I remove his glasses. He smiles devilishly; showing his pearly whites and then claims my mouth with his once again. I can't help but moan. I run my hands along his chest and abs, his hands working to undo the buttons on my shirt. I've waited for this for so long, but I can't. I pull away…

"I'm sorry Clark, I can't. Not right now."

He looks confused and disappointed. "I'm sorry Lois. I shouldn't have. It's…" he rambles moving away from me.

"Clark, it's not that I don't want to, because I really do." I look at him longingly. "Anyway, this is just too soon Clark. We need to get to know each other again before jumping straight into a relationship. And it's not like we had a real relationship before."

"You're right Lois, I just… I don't know anymore."

"I'm sorry Clark and I'm not saying no, just not now."

"Yeah…yeah of course."

Oh boy is this getting awkward, I try to wrack my brain for something to say. Nope. Nothing. Clark gets a far off, distant look on his face; he tilts his head to one side.

"I'm sorry Lois but I gotta go."

"Duty calls Superman huh?"

He gets up and walks towards the balcony. "I'm not a fan of the name either."

"It'll grow on you, just like Smallville did."

"It never grew on me Lois; I just learned to deal with it."

"Exactly. Now don't you have some people to go save Superman?"

"Bye Lois, see you in the morning. Oh and I love the plaid on you, the boxers are cute too." He takes off into the night.

I smile, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. I can't believe I'm acting like a giddy school girl and I can't believe that Clark Kent became so forward. I get up and close the door to the balcony and then collapse on the couch where Clark and I were making out not five minutes ago. I sigh as I think about all that's happened. Mentally bashing myself for stopping things with Clark.

"I must be the world's biggest idiot." I say aloud, my eyes sliding closed, warm thoughts of Clark carrying me into one of the best night's sleep I've had in a long, long time.


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