CHAPTER 5
The next morning…
Clark felt the morning sun on his face as he woke up. He blinked his eyes a few times so they could adjust to the light, then looks over and sees a naked Oliver lying on his stomach next to him.
"Oh sh!t!" his eyes widening as the memories of what happened between them the night before come flooding back to him.
"Huh?" Oliver murmurs sleepily as he opens his eyes and looks up.
"Huh?" Clark repeats as he grabs the blanket and throws it over his shoulders before bolting out of bed and grabbing his glasses from the side table.
"Take it easy," Oliver says with a confident grin as he turns on his back.
"Take it easy?" whipping around and glaring back at Oliver. "I was barely engaged for one day before…before…" he stammers.
"You're getting a little agitated," Oliver replies as he sits up in bed. "Why don't you just sit down and take a deep breath," he says in a soothing tone.
"I don't think so," Clark snaps. "Sleeping with the ex-boyfriend of my fiancé was not part of the plan," he says as he picks up his clothes from the floor. "Bad luck. That's what this is," shaking his head as he opens the door to the closet and steps inside.
"You're making me feel guilty," Oliver says while grabbing his dark green silk bathrobe.
"You are guilty. I'm guilty," Clark snaps back as he closes the door behind him. "I'm marrying your ex-girlfriend," Clark calls out from inside the closet. "She's going to be the mother of my children."
"All right, I'm guilty. I confess," Oliver admits as he pulls on the bathrobe and ties the belt around his waist.
"We're getting married on Valentine's Day and you're invited. Okay?" Clark yells out from the closet where he was getting dressed.
Oliver walks over to the closet and opens the door. "What did you do?"
Clark stares up at him while half-dressed. "What did I do?" slamming the door closed.
Oliver opens the door again. "You ruined my life."
"That's impossible!" Clark retorts as he slams the door shut again. "It was ruined when I got here. You ruined my life," he replies as he finishes getting dressed.
"No, I didn't," Oliver sighs as he sits down on the edge of the bed.
"Oh, yes you did. Yes, you did!" Clark declares as he comes out of the closet. "You got those bad eyes like a gypsy and I don't know why I didn't see it yesterday. Bad luck. That's it," he says again. "Is that all I'm ever gonna have?" Clark gestures with his hands before putting on his socks.
"I should have taken a rock and killed myself years ago," sitting down next to him on the bed and pulling on his boots. "I'm marrying Lois. Do you hear me? Last night never happened. I'm marrying Lois and having kids with her and we are going to take this to our coffins."
"I'm sorry but I can't do that," Oliver shakes his head as he gets up and stands in the doorway of the bedroom.
"Why not?" Clark asks as he gets up from the bed.
"Because I'm in love with you."
Clark stares at him in disbelief, then walks up to him and slaps him across the face. When Oliver doesn't respond like Clark expected him to, he slaps him again. "Snap out of it!" he exclaims and walks out of the room.
"I can't," Oliver replies and follows him out of the room.
"Then I must never see you again, and the bad blood will have to stay between you and Lois forever," Clark says as he heads for the bathroom.
Oliver come over and stands in the doorway as Clark splashes some cold water on his face. "I'm gonna be late for work," he mutters under his breath as he uses a comb to try and smooth down his tousled hair.
"I love your hair like that," Oliver smiles as he comes over and wraps his arms around Clark's waist. "It's sooo sexy," he drawls in a sexy tone while nibbling on the back of Clark's neck.
Clark ignores him and pulls out of his arms. "I won't even have time to go home to take a shower, shave, or even brush my teeth. Good thing I keep a change of clothes in our office at work," he mutters as he turns around and points at Oliver. "And you won't come to the wedding."
"Oh, I'll come to the wedding," Oliver replies with a mischievous grin on his face. "I might even give the groom my very own personal congratulations," wiggling his brows.
"I'm telling you, you can't come!" Clark retorts while ignoring Oliver's last quip.
"Lois wants me to come and I wouldn't want to disappoint her."
"That's because she doesn't know what happened between us," Clark counters as he brushes by him and exits the bathroom.
"Now wait a minute," Oliver calls after him as he follows Clark down the hallway. "Listen, honey. I won't come to the wedding, provided you do one thing for me."
"What?" turning around as he puts on his coat.
"You come with me Friday night…to the opera."
Clark stares at him with surprise. "What are you talking about?" he asks as he puts on his glasses, then wraps his scarf around his neck.
"I love two things," Oliver says with his hands crossed over his heart. "I love you, and I love the opera. If I can have the two things that I love together for one night, I will be satisfied to give up," pausing a moment, "The rest of my life."
Clark rolls his eyes as he puts on his hat then the matching gloves. "Alright."
Oliver smiles at him as Clark unlocks the door and pulls off the door chain. "Meet me Friday night in front of the water fountain at the Met around seven," Oliver tells him.
"Fine," Clark says as he walks out and closes the door behind him. Oliver starts to put the chain back on when Clark pokes his head in again. "Where's the Met?"
Oliver looks at him with astonishment. "You don't know where the Met is? How could you not know where the Met is?"
"Gotcha," Clark smirks just before he closes the door again.
Oliver could hear Clarks laughter as he walks away, shaking his head with amusement as he puts the chain on the door, singing Baby, it's cold outsideto himself as he goes back into the bathroom to take a shower.
Clark exits the building, then walks to the corner and waits for the light to change before crossing the street. He can't stop himself from blushing when he thinks about Oliver's hands touching his body.
Why oh why did I have to agree to go to the opera with him? he wonders for the hundredth time.
He finally reaches the other side and starts walking down the street. The familiar sound of his ring tone pulls him out of his reverie and he pulls it out of his pocket. It's an instant message from Oliver.
What does he want now? he frowns as he opens the message.
From OQ to CK: I just remembered that I don't have plans tonight. How about dinner and a movie? My treat.
He just doesn't give up; Clark mutters to himself as he responds to the message.
From CK to OQ: I don't think that's a good idea.
From OQ to CK: Why not?
Clark types out an answer and presses 'send.'
From CK to OQ: You know why.
From OQ to CK: Why don't you refresh my memory?
I can just picture the smirk on his face right now, Clark thinks to himself as he once again types out a message and sends it.
From CK to OQ: Have you forgotten I'm marrying your ex-girlfriend?
From OQ to CK: So getting married means you can't have dinner with a friend?
Clark takes a long pause before typing another response.
From CK to OQ: So we're friends now?
From OQ to CK: I won't tell anyone if you won't.
Clark can't help smiling at Oliver's response.
From CK to OQ: Fine. I'll go out with you.
From OQ to CK: Great.
From CK to OQ: Not so fast. There are conditions.
From OQ to CK: Alright. What are they?
From CK to OQ: How about coffee instead of dinner and a movie?
He waits for Oliver to respond. Finally he does.
From OQ to CK: Alright. So is that it for the conditions?
Clark thinks about it for a moment before he replies.
From CK to OQ: No. There's one more.
From OQ to CK: What?
From CK to OQ: Sex is off the table.
He won't like that one, Clark grins inwardly while waiting for an answer. He doesn't get one until a few minutes later.
From OQ to CK: I don't like that last condition.
From CK to OQ: Take it or leave it.
A few more minutes pass by before Oliver responds again.
From OQ to CK: Alright. No sex, but you're taking the fun out of it. *pouts*
Clark decides to let him stew a while before he answers back, typing out his response with a grin on his face as he sends it.
From CK to OQ: It's a deal.
From OQ to CK: So where do you want to meet?
From CK to OQ: I haven't decided yet. I'll let you know later.
From OQ to CK: Alright. Let me know when and where.
From CK to OQ: K.
From OQ to CK: K?
From CK to OQ: That's short for okay.
From OQ to CK: K. See you tonight, honey buns.
From CK to OQ: I am not your honey buns!
From OQ to CK: How about sweet cheeks?
From CK to OQ: I'm not your sweet cheeks either!
From OQ to CK: You certainly have sweet cheeks. I oughta know. :D
From CK to OQ: Stop it!
From OQ to CK: Make me stop.
From CK to OQ: You'd love that wouldn't you.
Clark stares at the message he just sent. Why did I write that?
From OQ to CK: Of course I would.
From CK to OQ: That figures. *rolls eyes*
From OQ to CK: Just one more thing.
From CK to OQ: What?
From OQ to CK: Are you absolutely positive about the 'no sex' condition?
From CK to OQ: Yes.
From OQ to CK: That's a shame because I was just thinking about whether or not to go commando tonight.
Clark nearly drops his phone at Oliver's last message. He types out a response with slightly shaky fingers.
From CK to OQ: I have to get to work before my editor starts breathing down my neck.
From OQ to CK: Okay. Bye honey buns.
From CK to OQ: *rolls eyes again*
Daily Planet
Clark throws a couple bucks into the Salvation Army bucket before entering the building. He locks the door to his and Lois' office once he's inside. He immediately walks over to the closet and pulls out a fresh pair of trousers and shirt. After he adjusts his tie, he stuffs his jeans and flannel shirt into a bag, then puts it into the bottom drawer of his desk. There's a pounding at the door as he sits down.
"Kent!"
Oops. Clark immediately rushes over and unlocks the door. "I'm sorry about that," he apologizes as Mr. White brushes by him into the office. "You're almost two hours late," he says in a gruff voice.
"I'm sorry about that, Mr. White," he says again as he sits down at his desk. "I had an unexpected delay this morning."
"You're full of 'sorries' today," Mr. White glares at him as he slams a manila envelope down on the desk. "I need this proofread and on my desk by noon today."
"Yes sir, Mr. White," Clark replies as he opens the envelope.
"Good," turning around.
Clark swivels his chair around and calls out to him. "Mr. White?"
Perry pauses in the opened doorway and turns around. "What?"
"Can I talk to you for a minute?"
Perry looks at him curiously for a moment. "I'll give you five, but that's all I can give you," he says as he closes the door behind him. "So what do you want?"
"I was just wondering if everything is okay with you and Alice."
Perry's eyes narrow. "What makes you think that everything is not okay?"
Clark takes a deep breath, then exhales as he gets up from his chair and stands up, his hands resting on the desk behind him. "We saw you having dinner a couple nights ago at the Grand Ticino with another woman."
Perry's jaw drops at Clark's statement. "We? Who's 'we'?"
"Lois and I."
"Why didn't you say anything sooner?"
"I told her that whatever you did in private was none of our business," he answers back.
"So if you feel that way, then why are you bringing it up now?" Perry asks.
"Because I realized that I think of you as being more than just my boss," he answers truthfully. "I think of you as my friend too."
After a short pause he adds, "You have our word that we'll keep your secret."
Perry leans back against the door and crosses his arms against his chest. "Thank you," he says after a long pause. "Just between us, Alice and I separated two months ago."
Clark lets out a soft sigh. "I'm really sorry to hear that," a solemn expression on his face. "So does that mean you're getting a divorce or-"
"I can't answer that question right now because I don't have an answer to give you," he replies.
Clark gets up and walks over to him. "If there's anything I can do-"
"I appreciate that," he replies with a small smile as he opens the door again. "Don't forget that I need that article done by noon."
"I'll work on it right away," smiling back at him as he sits back down.
"Another thing, Kent."
Clark swivels his chair and looks up. "What?" he asks as he pulls his hazelnut latte out of the paper bag and takes off the lid.
"You can have tomorrow afternoon off."
Clark stares back at him with an arched brow. "Really?"
"I figured you'd need time to get ready for the opera tomorrow."
"What!?" He drops the cup and jumps to his feet as the coffee spills all over the front of his pants. "How did you know I was going to the opera tomorrow? I haven't told anybody about it yet," trying to keep his voice steady as he walks around to Lois' side of their partners' desk and retrieves some paper towels from her bottom desk drawer.
"Oliver Queen called me."
"Why would he call you?"
"He wanted me to know that you were late this morning because you were interviewing him for an article."
Clark looks at his editor with a surprised look as he wipes down his pants. "He said that?"
"He did," fixing his eyes on Clark. "I don't recall assigning you such an article."
"You didn't," Clark replies. "I ran into him yesterday at a bakery and we started talking. Before I knew it, he had agreed to an interview for this morning. He's a very interesting man."
"So I've heard," Perry remarks. "Would you care to explain when the opera entered the picture?" Perry asks him.
"He had an extra ticket for tomorrow night. When I said I've never been to the opera, he offered it to me," Clark replied.
Perry looks at him curiously for a moment before stepping out into the hallway. "Well I certainly look forward to reading the article," he finally says with a wink and a smile as he closes the door behind him.
Clark waits until he hears Perry's footsteps disappear down the hall before pulling out his iPhone.
From CK to OQ: I'm really, really pissed at you.
From OQ to CK: Why?
From CK TO OQ: Why did you call my editor and tell him I was interviewing you?
From OQ to CK: Oh, that.
From CK to OQ: Yes, that.
From OQ to CK: I didn't want you getting into trouble for being late.
From CK to OQ: I don't need your help. I can take care of myself, thank you very much.
From OQ to CK: So you're not happy about getting the afternoon off?
Of course I'm happy about it but I'm not about to tell you that, Clark thinks inwardly as he responds back.
From CK to OQ: That's not the point.
From OQ to CK: Then what is it?
Clark rolls his eyes and rapidly types back a reply.
From CK to OQ: Never mind. I have to get back to work.
From OQ to CK: So when do you want to do the interview?
I'm not doing the interview, scowling as he types out his reply.
From CK to OQ: There will be no interview.
From OQ to CK: You have to do it.
From CK to OQ: I'll get out of it.
From OQ to CK: Not if I have anything to say about it.
Son of a b!tch! Clark mutters to himself as he furiously types.
From CK to OQ: You are a real pain in my ass, Mr. Queen.
From OQ to CK: That's not the impression I got from you last night when I was in your ass.
Clark's cheeks turn a deep shade of crimson as he reads Oliver's response. Damn. I really walked into that one all right.
From CK to OQ: I really have to get back to work.
From OQ to CK: Alright, but let me leave you with this last thought.
From CK to OQ: Now what?
From OQ to CK: I decided to go commando tonight after all.
Clark's mind briefly drifts to the visual in his head of a naked Oliver before giving himself a mental shake.
From CK to OQ: So you're telling me this because…?
From OQ to CK: I thought you'd find it interesting.
From CK to OQ: Why should I?
From OQ to CK: I thought…never mind. So how about it?
From CK to OQ: How about what?
From OQ to CK: How about you going commando too?
From CK to OQ: Bye, Oliver.
Oliver reads Clark's last reply and laughs out loud before slipping his iPhone into his jacket pocket and looking out the window. You'll be mine sooner than you think, Mr. Kent, still laughing to himself as he swivels his chair around and pick up the receiver for the desk phone, dialing a number that he knows by heart.
"This is Oliver Queen," he speaks into the phone as he leans back in his chair. "I need to have something delivered to a Mr. Clark Kent at the Daily Planet this afternoon," a confident grin on his face as he goes on to describe exactly what he wants. "Make sure that it's a Christmas red and not that orangey red," he adds as he goes on to tell them what else he has in mind…
TO BE CONTINUED…