CHAPTER 7

An half hour later…

Clark looks again at the front door of the café where he told Oliver to meet him. What is taking him so long? he wonders again while checking his watch. He's late on purpose, muttering under his breath while his fingers continue drumming on the table. Just then, the front door opens.

"Sorry I'm late, but the traffic around the mall was unbelievable," Oliver says as he strides over to the table. "Why do people wait until the last minute to do their Christmas shopping anyway? frowning as he sits down.

"I don't know," Clark mutters as Oliver picks up the menu and scans it quickly before setting it back down on the table. "I know what I want," he says just as the waitress comes over.

"May I take your order now?" she asks Clark.

"I'll have a medium decaf coffee with milk and sugar on the side," Clark replies.

"Anything else?"

"A couple cannoli's," he tells her.

She turns to Oliver. "And what would you like, sir?"

"I'll have a large regular black coffee and some of your delicious tiramisu," he replies with a smile as he hands her the menu.

"Very well," she smiles back as she takes the menu from him. After she leaves, he starts to say something when Clark takes off his jacket and hangs it on the back of his chair. "I was hoping you'd be wearing the new shirt," a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"I'm glad you brought that up," Clark replies and picks up the bag he had set down beneath the table. "Thank you, but I can't possibly accept it," placing the bag on the table and sliding it towards Oliver.

"I said I'd buy you a new shirt to make up for the one I ripped and I always keep my promises," sliding the bag back towards Clark.

"It's one thing to buy me a shirt, but it's quite another to buy me…well…you know," lowering his voice at the end.

"Boxers, Clark. They're called boxers," Oliver replies in a normal tone of voice.

"Well I don't think that giving intimate apparel to someone you barely know is appropriate," Clark declares and once again pushes the bag towards Oliver.

"I think it is entirely appropriate considering we had some mind-blowingsex last night. In fact, I think I should have gotten you some thongs instead. I bet you would look really sexy in them," his voice lowering to a throaty whisper as he slides the bag over to Clark again.

Clark takes a long pause before responding. "Fine. I'll keep them, but don't think you're gonna see me in them," grabbing the bag and putting it back underneath the table.

That's what you think, Oliver smiles inwardly as the waitress brings over their drinks and desserts, then leaves. "This looks delicious," he says as he inserts his fork into the tiramisu and takes a bite. "I was right. It is delicious," taking another bite. "Almost better than sex. Almost," giving Clark a flirtatious wink. "Would you like to try it?" extending a forkful towards him.

"I don't know," Clark hesitates. "I already have my cannoli's," holding one up.

"One bite won't hurt," Oliver counters. "Come on. Try it," he insists.

"Well…okay," reaching out for the fork.

"Nope," Oliver shakes his head and holds the fork out of reach. "Let me. Open your mouth."

Clark hesitates again, but the expression on Oliver's face changes his mind and he opens his mouth.

"Now that's a good boy," Oliver grins as he slips the fork into Clark's mouth.

Clark's eyes slowly close as his lips close around the fork. "Mmm," he moans softly as the flavors of the cake swirl around in his mouth.

"Didn't I tell you that it was delicious?" Oliver winks again as he pulls the fork away and sets it down.

I'd love to put more than just your fork in my mouth. In fact, I'd also love your mouth on my… Clark's eyes pop open at that thought. No, Clark, he tells himself. You're here to do an interview. Out loud he says, "I think we should get to the interview," Clark replies in a slightly nervous tone as he adds some milk and sugar to his coffee before taking a sip.

"Alright," Oliver replies.

"I just want to get this over with," Clark pauses a minute in order to pull out his recorder. "I'm gonna ask you some questions and I just want you to answer them as honestly as you can."

"You can ask me anything. Nothing is off limits," Oliver says in a teasing tone.

For the next hour, Clark asks him questions that he had written down. Finally he shuts off the recorder and puts it into his jacket pocket along with his list of questions. "So is that it?" Oliver asks.

"Yes," Clark replies as he finishes off his second cup of coffee.

"Good, because I'd like to ask you a question."

Clark looks over at him with a raised brow. "Like what?"

"Like when was the first time you ever kissed a guy?"

Clark sighs and leans back against the chair. "I had just come back from backpacking in Europe after having taken some time out after finishing college. I was dating my wife at the time. Anyway, we had gone to the Daily Planet's New Year's Eve party and almost everybody was drunk out of their minds. When it was almost midnight, I started looking around for her because we had gotten separated. Just as midnight struck a guy that I had never met before came up to me and planted a kiss on me, then he staggered away."

"So how was the kiss?" Oliver asks next as he takes another sip of his coffee.

"It was…nice," a dreamy smile on his face.

"Just…nice?" Oliver quirks a brow.

"More than nice," Clark replies with a smile. "It was the most amazing kiss I had ever had…until last night that is," his cheeks flushing ever so slightly.

"So if it was the most amazing kiss you ever had, then why did you end up marrying her in the first place?"

"I was still denying my true feelings to myself, but…"

"But what?" Oliver asks him as he takes another bite out of his tiramisu.

"She got pregnant."

Oliver drops his fork and stares back at Clark in shock. "You have a kid?"

"Had a kid," Clark shakes his head sadly. "He was three months premature and…" his voice breaking.

Oliver hands him a handkerchief. "I'm so sorry, Clark."

Clark doesn't respond as he wipes his eyes before handing the handkerchief back to him.

Oliver waves it off. "Keep it. I have plenty of them."

"Thank you," blowing his nose and slipping it into his pocket. "When Lois brought up the subject of marriage, I thought it would be my last chance to be a father. That's why I agreed to marry her." He looks over at Oliver. "What about you? Do you see yourself having kids someday?"

"I haven't really thought about it in a long time," Oliver admits after a long pause. "My ex and I planned on adopting a couple kids after we got married, but then we broke up and I put it out of my mind."

Clark nods his head in understanding as they continue eating their desserts.

"So does Lois know about the baby?"

"She knows," Clark replies. "It's one of those subjects that's just too painful to talk about all that much. Even my parents don't talk about it. It's not that they deny that it ever happened but…" his voice trailing off.

"I understand," Oliver reaches out to lay his hand over Clarks.

Clark doesn't say anything; instead resting his other hand over Oliver's. They stare at each other for what seems like a long time before he averts his gaze. "So can we talk about something else?" he asks as he reluctantly pulls his hand away.

"Of course," Oliver replies as he picks up his fork again while Clark bites into one of the cannoli's. "Let's get back to the subject of that amazing kiss. Do you remember anything about the man that kissed you?" Oliver asks after a little while.

"The mystery man wasn't the only one who had a few too many drinks that night," Clark shakes his head. "All I remember is that he had blonde hair and was wearing a unique looking pin on the lapel of his jacket."

"Pin?" Oliver asks with interest. "What did it look like?"

"I think it was some kind of family crest," he replies as he picks up another cannoli. "It had a depiction of arrows on it and-" his jaw dropping as he stares at Oliver's jacket. "Where did you get that?" pointing at Oliver's jacket.

"Get what?" Oliver looks at him with confusion.

"That," Clark pointing at the pin on Oliver's lapel. "Where did you get it?" he repeats.

"That's my family crest," Oliver says before the meaning behind Clark's words finally hit him. "Wait a minute. Are you saying that I was the one who kissed you that night?" his eyes widening.

Clark continues to stare at Oliver in shock. "It can't be," shaking his head in disbelief.

Oliver's mouth opens and closes several times, but no words come out.

"I don't believe it!" Clark declares and leans back in his seat. "I just don't believe it! How on earth did I not realize it when you kissed me last night? I knew there was something amazing about it, but I never would have guessed the reason why."

"Maybe it was because it happened such a long time ago," Oliver says at last.

Clark nods his head. "You're probably right."

Oliver leans forward. "Look, Clark, I know I was drunk that night, but I never forgot that kiss either. When Clark looks at him warily he adds, "I know what you're thinking. You're wondering how I could have not forgotten an amazing kiss like that when I don't even remember giving it."

"That's exactly what I was thinking," Clark replies with an arch of his brow.

"I wish I could explain why but I can't," he shrugs his shoulders with a sigh. "You know what else I remember?"

"No, what?" Clark asks as he sips his coffee.

"I also remember Lois finding me in the elevator shortly after that kiss. You've seen her angry, right? Well that was nothing compared to how she was that night."

"Wait a minute," Clark gestures with his hand. "Was that the night the two of you broke up?"

"Yeah," Oliver replies with a nod of his head. "She saw me kiss you but she never saw who it was I was kissing because of where she was standing," he adds. "That was also the night that I realized that I only wanted to be with men. Until that time I considered myself a bisexual, but after that kiss…yeah I was definitely sure," he smiles back at Clark.

"I still can't believe it," Clark says with a chuckle. "What a coincidence it was that you were the first man I ever kissed."

"I don't believe in coincidences," Oliver replies with a grin. "It's fate. That's what it is."

"I don't know about that," Clark remarks as he stands up.

"Where are you going?" Oliver asks, looking up at him.

"I want to finish up this article tonight before I go to bed," putting on his jacket and picking up the bag.

"Will you need a ride home?" Oliver asks as he gets up from his chair and inserts several bills inside the check cover. "I have the limo parked right outside."

"Thanks for offering but I think I'll walk home. The fresh air will do me good," he says as they walk together towards the front door of the café. "I'll see you tomorrow night," Clark adds as he puts on his hat and gloves before stepping outside. "Good night."

Oliver leans forward and presses his lips softly on Clark's cheek. "Good night," he whispers softly before turning around and getting into his limo.

Clark stood there with his fingers lightly touching the spot on his cheek where Oliver kissed him. He remained there until the limo pulled away, then he began to make the long walk home.

About an hour later…

Clark enters the house and hangs up his coat. "Mom?" he calls out as he takes off his boots and sets them down in front of the coat rack.

"Upstairs," his mother calls out.

He smiles as he heads upstairs, briefly stopping in his room to drop off his wallet, keys, and the present from Oliver. "Where are you?" he asks as he steps into the hallway.

"In the bathroom," she replies.

He walks over and sees her standing in the doorway watching an older man checking the pipes. She turns around. "You're home earlier than I thought," giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"What's going on?" he asks as he gives her one back.

"You were right about the pipes. It looks like they'll have to be replaced," she says with a sigh.

The man turns around. "Hi, Clark. Merry Christmas."

"Hi, Mr. Castorini, and Merry Christmas to you too," Clark says with a smile.

"How many times have I told you to call me Cosmo," he replies as they shake hands.

"Too many to count," Clark smiles back. "It's been a long time. How are you? How's the family?" he asks.

"I'm fine. The wife is fine," he replies. "Loretta just got married about six months ago and is expecting a baby."

"That's great news," Clark says in a sincere tone. "How far along is she?"

"Two months," he replies.

"I'm getting married in a couple months," Clark tells him. "Valentine's Day."

"Congratulations," Cosmo replies.

"Thanks."

"So do you have an estimate?" Martha asks him.

"I do," Cosmo says as he steps out of the tub. "Here it is," handing her a piece of paper.

Clark looks over her shoulder as she's reading it. "Are you sure about this figure?"

"I'm positive," he replies as he closes his tool box.

"Your father is not going to be happy about this when I show him this," waving the piece of paper at him.

Cosmo looks over at her as he puts on his coat. "I think you know that the kind of pipe you have right now is garbage…and you can see where that's gotten you. You could go with bronze, which is very good, but something always goes wrong with it."

"So what do you use?" Clark asks him.

"I only use copper," he replies. "It may cost more, but in the long run it saves money."

Martha turns to Clark. "What do you think?"

"Well…" hesitating for a moment before turning to Cosmo. "No offense, but I think we should get a second estimate."

"I understand," Cosmo replies. "I always recommend getting a second estimate," he adds as he puts on his gloves and fedora.

"So does this mean that we can't use the water at all?" Clark asks as they all head downstairs.

"We can use the toilet, but not the shower," he says as Martha opens the front door. "The pipes in the kitchen are fine. The original owners were smart enough to put copper pipes in there to begin with, but why they didn't for the shower is beyond me," he rolls his eyes.

"Damn," Clark frowns. "I suppose I could take one at the gym in the morning."

"I thought the Daily Planet already had a workout room," Martha looks at Clark curiously.

"It won't be open until mid-January," he replies. "That's why I'm still going to the gym."

"I see," Martha remarks before turning back to Cosmo. "Thanks for being able to come out on such short notice."

"Any time, Martha," he smiles and gives her a peck on the cheek. "Rose would have my head if I didn't ask the three of you to come over for dinner next week."

"That would be lovely. I just have to check with Jonathan though," says Martha.

"Naturally your groom-to-be is invited as well," he turns to Clark.

Clark and Martha exchange glances. "I'm…ah…marrying a woman."

Cosmo arches a brow. "I see. Well tell her she's invited too."

"I will," says Clark. "She always loves a good home-cooked meal."

Cosmo chuckles as he steps outside. "Let me know what you decide about the pipes, Martha."

"I'll talk to Jonathan and we'll let you know. Thanks again," Martha replies.

"Anytime," flashing her a wink as he heads down the stairs.

She locks the door and leans back against it with a sigh.

"Dad's not going to like it at all," crossing his arms against his chest. "Where is he by the way?"

"I don't know," she sighs again. "He still won't talk to me."

Clark comes over to her and wraps his arm around her shoulders. "You don't still think that he's cheating on you, do you?"

She lays her head on his shoulder. "When I was sorting the clothes so I could do laundry, I caught a whiff of perfume on one of his shirts. It wasn't mine," a hint of pain in her voice.

He kisses the top of her head. "I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation for it."

"I hope you're right," she replies before lifting her head and looking up at him. "I think I'm gonna turn in. I'm beat," yawning as she pulls away from Clark and starts walking up the staircase.

"Mom," he calls up to her. She turns around. "Do you want me to tell Dad about the estimate?"

"No," shaking her head. "I'll wait until the morning and show it to him then," giving him a small smile before heading back upstairs.

I think I'll make myself a cup of hot chocolate, he decides and promptly walks into the kitchen. As he's stirring the hot chocolate mix into the hot milk, he hears the front door opening and footsteps coming towards the kitchen. "Hey, Dad," Clark says as he picks up his mug and takes a sip.

"I thought you were supposed to be working late tonight," Jonathan remarks as he comes into the kitchen and heads for the refrigerator.

"I finished with my interview sooner than I expected, so I just decided to come home and write the article instead of staying at the Planet," he responds as he sits down at the kitchen table. "So where have you been?" he asks as Jonathan pulls out a beer and pops the cap off.

"Out," he replies tersely as he takes a slug.

Clark slams his mug down on the table, startling Jonathan. "What's going on with you, Dad? Why have you been so moody lately? Mom and I are both concerned about you."

"I don't want to talk about it," finishing off the beer and tossing it into the recyclable bin.

"Dad-"

"I'm going to bed. Goodnight," abruptly turning around and going upstairs.

Clark shakes his head sadly and finishes up his hot chocolate, then sets it down in the sink and heads upstairs, but not before retrieving the tape recorder from his jacket pocket along with the list of questions he asked Oliver. After he changes into his nightwear, he sits down on the bed and turns on his laptop. As he's waiting for it to boot up, he wipes his glasses and thinks about one of the questions he asked Oliver.

"So you were stuck on an island for two years. How did you manage to survive all that time without all the conveniences of modern life?" Clark asks him.

"It wasn't easy at first," Oliver admits. "I was pretty spoiled at the time. I had everybody doing things for me - but when I was on that island, I had to fend for myself for the first time in my entire life. I had to find shelter, build a fire, hunt and fish for food. In short, re-learn all the basic necessities of life."

"Speaking of hunting, you became quite skilled at archery. How long did it take you to master it?"

"I'm not sure how long it took me. I didn't have a calendar so I couldn't keep track of my progress," Oliver replies with a smile. "After I was rescued I joined an archery club. That's when I became a master at it."

"Do you still keep it up?" Clark asks next.

"I keep a lot of things up," Oliver answers with a wink, causing Clark to gulp and adjust his collar.

"So have you ever gone back to that island?" Clark asks as he recovers his composure.

Oliver nods his head. "I go back there once in a while to regroup whenever the stress of running the company gets to me. The peace and quiet does me a world of good," he smiles at Clark before leaning forward.

"One of these days you should come and see it for yourself," he says in a voice full of hidden meaning. "I built a small place there. I'm sure you'd love it. A big four-poster bed, wood-burning fireplace," his hand reaching out to lightly caress Clark's fingers.

Clark shakes himself out of his reverie and turns on the tape recorder and begins to transcribe his notes…

TO BE CONTINUED…