I guess this has a bride spoiler, so if you don't want a glimpse – if a very unlikely one – of what may happen in bride, then don't read this quite yet. I have been piggy backing with the show as it airs, but I'm jumping ahead now.
Okay guys, enjoy!
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Lois entered quite possibly the nicest restaurant in Metropolis. Chloe's wedding was just around the corner and the two love birds wanted to have an informal celebration of sorts with their closest friends: Lois and Clark. As the doors of the elevator slid open, Lois saw Chloe speaking with the maître de in the plush entryway and moved to join her. She made it to her side and rubbed her cousin's shoulder in greeting as Chloe continued speaking to the short Frenchman in a pin striped tailored suit.
When Chloe finished discussing the details of their reservation she turned to Lois with a large smile. "Hey! You're right on time. Where's your partner." She looked around for Clark. After their huge drug bust, Lois and Clark had been ripped out of anonymity and thrown together as partners with the hope that lightning could strike twice.
"I could ask you the same thing," she replied with a laugh. "Where has Jimmy gotten off to?"
"He had a last minute deadline and will be just a few minutes late. Where's Clark? Since you two partnered up I haven't seen one of you without the other." Chloe meant to tease Lois, but it wasn't untrue.
Lois shook her head with a frown and fallowed the maître de through the full dining room. She spoke as they walked, "He left before me. I'm not sure why he's not here. He kept reminding me what time the reservation was, as if I'd be late." She huffed in annoyance and took the seat that the maître de pulled out for her.
"Your server will be here momentarily. Please enjoy your evening Mademoiselles."
Chloe thanked the man. He bowed his head slightly and returned to his place at the podium. "Clark probably just got stuck in traffic," Chloe supplied in an attempt to cover for him. Lois shrugged her shoulders in reply and silently looked around her beautiful surroundings. Royauté was located on the top of the Emperor Building. Windows enclosed the room on three sides. The kitchen lay somewhere behind the fourth wall. The city of metropolis spread magnificently below them, the lights of the town creating a sparkling mélange. It was a breath taking view that Lois and Chloe took a moment to appreciate from their window table vantage.
They stared out the window quietly enjoying the beauty of the city. A waiter came to their table bringing water and a bottle of Dom Perignon which he expertly opened, releasing only a small hiss. Lois watched as he poured the bubbling liquid into her glass, finishing with a twist of his wrist. He repeated the process standing beside Chloe's right shoulder and then left with a promise to return.
"This place is really amazing Chloe. I hear that you have to wait nearly a month just to get a reservation. How did you manage this?" Her curiosity was peeked. Chloe and Jimmy didn't exactly have deep pockets.
Chloe took a sip of her champagne. "Mmm," she finished with a 'tsk'. "Actually this was an engagement present from Lana," she said cautiously and watched Lois react using her peripheral vision.
Other than squaring her shoulders, she controlled her reaction to the news masterfully. She couldn't help that the simple mention of Lana's name made her stomach clench and her teeth grind. She hated it that the thought of Clark and Lana made her lose control. She was very fond of her control. She needed it. It was her base, but Clark had become like an earthquake shaking her foundation.
She sighed and forced the lid back on her control. "That was very thoughtful of her," was all she could manage turning to her glass for a distraction. She held it in her hand watching lines of bubbles streaming to the surface.
Luckily for her both Clark and Jimmy arrived. They were a welcome distraction from the current conversation. Greetings were shared among the group as the guys took their seats. Jimmy gave Chloe a quick kiss and big smile. The table fell into easy conversation as the waiter returned to pour champagne for Clark and Jimmy as well as deliverer their menus. He rattled off the specials of the night and moved away once again, giving them time to make their selections.
Lois was running on about her newest obsession. "So, after Jimmy's photo I've been trying to track this guy down, but he is really shy. Clark here hasn't been any help. You skeptic," Lois said shooting him a displeased look. "I mean how can you not get excited that this Good Samaritan is out there? He saved my life three times in a single week, for god's sake, and still you treat this story like it isn't worth any time."
"I just think we need more to go on than a blurry photo to write a legitimate story. If you can find him and get more, then I'll be on board." Clark had no intention of being found and thus thought this was an iron clad argument, but he had to admit that Lois had been making things difficult for him recently. He now knew how Oliver had felt when she was pursuing the Green Arrow. As much as he tried to distract her, she was a woman on a mission and refused to be deterred.
"Well you haven't been much help in that category either. Every time I think I have a lead on him, you suddenly realize that you have a meeting or appointment of some sort." She nudged his shoulder and her frustration was clearly evident. "I mean I know he's out there saving people, it's just a matter of providing tangible evidence and we'll have one hell of a story. Metropolis' own white knight!" Lois and Jimmy exchanged excited grins while Clark and Chloe shared a knowing look.
"Yes, exactly Lois. We need tangible evidence. That's all I'm saying." He emphasized his point by patting her hand. Their eyes met and the moment drew out. Clark's hand came to rest swallowing her smaller one.
Lois found herself unable to tear her eyes away from his clear blue stare. She swallowed as he sent her his most charming smile, and desperately tried to change the subject and break the dangerous tension she felt forming in the small space between them. "Well, we're not here to talk about work. Today is about my cuz and Jimmy." She was finally able to rip her eyes away from him and smiled tightly at the couple across the table. Her stomach flipped as she felt his thumb begin rubbing circles on the back of her hand.
"You're absolutely right," he agreed his gaze following hers, innocently ignoring his thumb's ministrations. He knew he shouldn't be playing with her like this –the tease affected him too, evident by the tightening of his throat – but when he heard her pulse pick up he couldn't stop. The effort of appearing serene when his heart was beating double time took all the concentration he could muster and he didn't dare look down at her. He had been struggling with himself at moments similar to this for weeks now, and he had even surprised himself with his boldness at times. He knew he couldn't have her and that indulging himself like this would only make things harder on him, but when it came to Lois, he was finding that often his body didn't care to listen to what his head knew.
"I'm glad we agree on that." Lois let out a nervous laugh pulling her hand out from under his and using it to smooth a stray hair behind her ear as an excuse. What's he doing? Does he realize he's even doing it? She couldn't look at him. Her stomach fluttered as a small blossom of hope bloomed in her. She knew that innocent flirting had become more common between them recently. It was subtle, but it was there. She could see glimpses that he felt something too, but he held back. She figured that Lana had something to do with his hesitation. She fought to clear her mind of the tall dark man sitting beside her and bestow the proper level of attention on her engaged cousin.
Chloe watched intrigued as Lois and Clark were caught in their own moment. They were both looking at her, but she could tell their attention was focused on each other; it was obvious by how hard they were trying not looking at each other. Had something finally happened between them and she hadn't been told, she wondered.
"So, the wedding is just two days away. How are you two feeling," Clark asked trying to distract his thoughts away from the slender brunette at his side.
Simultaneous dopey smiles appeared on their faces as they turned to stare into each other's eyes. "Is it two whole days," Jimmy practically cooed. Lois noticed and rolled her eyes in disgust. Clark didn't miss her reaction and nudged her leg to tell her to behave, which only succeeded in eliciting another roll of the eyes.
"Yeah. I'm really excited. Just to go over the schedule real fast, the rehearsal starts at six and once we're done at the farm we have dinner reservations for eight," Chloe recited absent mindedly, her gaze remaining fastened to Jimmy.
Lois chuckled. "How could I forget? You remind me every time we talk. You would think that I hadn't helped you plan all of this."
Chloe turned back to Lois and Clark, an anxious frown materializing. "Are you sure you guys can't take tomorrow off?"
Lois recognized her anxiety and hurried to relax her. "Don't worry, Chlo, we are both getting off early and we'll be there." When her frown stubbornly remained, Lois continued, "We'll probably beat you there." She laughed lightly and put her hand on Clark's shoulder, meeting his eyes. "Won't we, Smallville," she said seeking his support.
He jumped in, "Of course. You have nothing to worry about, Chloe. We just have to finish up an exposé we were assigned last minute and then we're out of there. I'm even staying at Lois' tonight so that we can go in extra early tomorrow morning." He utilized his most confident smile and held up his middle and pointer finger. "Scouts honor," he said and she couldn't help but to laugh.
"Well in that case…" Chloe trailed off and she finally relaxed.
The waiter returned to take their orders and Lois took the opportunity that the other's distraction provided to put her hand on the ridge of Clark's shoulder, giving it a tiny squeeze. The muscle tensed as his head turned. He met her eyes and she let her lips turn up slightly as she mouthed, 'nice work'. His shoulder shrugged under her hand and his lips mimicked hers.
He was memorizing the many specks of color swirling in her hazel eyes. He became mesmerized by the way they sparkled and shone. The rest of the room seemed to drop away until there was just her.
She thought about his earlier affectionate touch of her hand. If he wants to tease, I can tease. Her finger tips tenderly traced his jaw as softly as a gentle breeze as she pulled her hand back.
Clark's heart raced. He tried to take a breath, but it felt like a lump the size of an apple was blocking his throat. She turned away from him and casually began giving her order to the waiter as cool and calm as could be. His eyes continued to bore into the back of her head, frozen in place. She faced him again and he saw her lips moving. What was she saying? He drug himself out of his daze and concentrated his hearing.
"Clark? Clark,"
"W-what," he stuttered a little dazed.
She saw his eyes refocus she asked again, "Are you okay. Are you going to order already? Don't make the poor man stand here all night."
"Oh. Yeah. Sorry." Clark began ordering and Lois looked out the window, facing away from him to hide the amusement plastered all over her face. She laughed internally…her little maneuver had worked better than she had planned. She had finally admitted to herself how much she wanted him. She thought that maybe if she drove him a little crazy he would actually make a move.
Once Clark was finished and the waiter was gone, Lois raised her champagne flute. "To you Chloe and Jimmy." The other's followed suit.
"May there always be work for your hands to do,
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine warm on you windowpane,
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of your love always be with you,
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you."
Lois finished and 'tinks' were heard around the table as they tapped their glasses together before bringing them to their lips. Chloe and Jimmy kissed and the goofy grins were back on their faces to Lois' dismay. Chloe turned to her mischievously and asked, "So, what book did you get that out of Lois?"
"Hey! I liked it," she said defensively.
"Well it was certainly better than your last toast," she teased, inadvertently causing guilt to overtake Lois's features. Chloe reached across the table and took her hand smiling brightly. "I liked it too. Thank you Lois," she finished sincerely.
The four of them moved on to lighter subjects and laughter drifted frequently between them. Their first courses arrived, but the stream of conversation never died. When Lois was sure that Clark was looking at her, she decided it was about time to put her plan into action. She took a bite and excruciatingly slowly slipped her fork back through her lips and out. She rocked her head back and let her eyes gently shut. "Mmmmm," she purred and lazily ran her tongue across her lips. "Now that is great," she announced and took a peak at Clark. Sure enough his eyes were glued to her lips, which she wetted again for good measure. "What did you order, Clark?" She leaned into him examining his plate closely, her body pressing against his, and put her hand just above his knee to balance herself. She felt him stiffen. Her middle finger began drawing little circles on his knee and she went on nonchalantly, "Oh, the beef Carpaccio." She leaned even closer and whispered, her breath softly brushing his neck. "Leave it to you, Smallville. You're able to order practically anything at a fantastic restaurant and you choose a strip of raw meat." She 'accidently' let her lips brush his earlobe and gave a hoarse little laugh. Your move, she thought, thoroughly enjoying herself.
Clark jumped out of his seat and she had to jerk her head back to avoid being hit by his rising shoulder. He exclaimed, "I d-didn't…w-wash my hands." He was already moving towards the bathroom when he added over his shoulder, "I'll be right back."
He walked as quickly as he could without drawing the ire of the rest of the restaurant's occupants. Lois watched him the entire time straightening herself in her chair with a feline grin. He disappeared around a corner and she let out an evil chuckle. This was turning out to be fun. Is there anything more fun than making Clark Kent uncomfortable? She returned her attention to Chloe and Jimmy who were looking at her with utter astonishment. "What," she asked innocently and took another bite.
It was Chloe who spoke. "What do you mean 'what'! You just made Clark practically jump out of his skin. What did you say to him?"
"Mm," she murmured, taking her time in answering keeping her facade straight and calm. She stalled again by taking a sip of champagne. "Yeah. That was fun. I love champagne," she stated offhandedly, staring at the contents of her glass before continuing to eat as if the two people across from her weren't still staring at her like she had just sprouted wings.
"So, what did you say to get him so jumpy," Jimmy asked again with a curious smile.
"I simply mentioned that he could have ordered anything and he chose raw meat. I don't know what has him so jumpy." She looked at them with innocent doe eyes, as innocent as a feisty Lois Lane could look. Jimmy shrugged and returned to his plate. Chloe, however, was very suspicious. She knew Lois was up to something, she just wasn't sure what.
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Clarke splashed cold water on his face. Was Lois trying to kill him? His ear was burning and his stomach was cramped around a ball of liquid lava. He had to pull himself together, go back out there, and face her. He just hoped she was done playing her little game.
He wiped his face down and reluctantly left the safety of the bathroom. He returned to the table and sat. Her face was all innocence and her tone contained a forced cutsie tone as she said, "Squeaky clean?"
He gave a tight lipped plastic smile and he apprehensively glanced at her. His thoughts certainly weren't squeaky clean when she ran her fingers over his hand inspecting their state of hygiene. It was at moments like this that he wished that alcohol affected him. It would be really nice to loosen the tension that had spread throughout his body with a drink.
As the dinner went on Lois continued her barrage on his psyche. She managed to find inventive excuses to touch him, keeping him constantly on edge. Chloe watched carefully and soon picked up on Lois' subtle teasing and the way it was making an almost sweating Clark fidget.
Jimmy spoke up, "So, I don't think I've ever heard how you two met." He pointed his fork at Lois and Clark. "I'm assuming that it was through Chloe." He smiled at his fiancé.
Lois looked devilishly at Clark. "Chloe had something to do with it, but she didn't introduce us." Lois chuckled and she launched into telling the story. She told him about Chloe's supposed death and how she went to Smallville to investigate. "And then a huge bolt of lightning strikes right in front of my car causing me to swerve into a cornfield. Another huge bolt struck a few yards away in the field, frying about ten square yards to a crisp. I peeked cautiously out my windshield and saw what looked like a body; so, I got out and walk towards it. Before I got halfway there it stands up, and by it I mean Clark," She wagged her eyebrows at him and he groaned, searching desperately for a way to stop her from finishing this story.
She was overcome by a fit of laughter and Jimmy jumped in with a question. "Wow, CK, you got struck by lightning!"
Clark opened his mouth to answer, but Lois beat him to it. "He sure did, but that's not the best part." Jimmy's eyebrows rose in anticipation. "Did I fail to mention that he was stark naked?" The other three laughed raucously while Clark blushed and found a spot on the wall to stare, waiting for their laughter to stop. Lois calmed herself. "Yep, who knew that our little Clarkie could be such an exhibitionist?"
He was irritated by her intentionally embarrassing him, and he felt it was about time he retaliated. "Well, you're the one who likes to wonder around your apartment completely naked," he said with an eyebrow accusingly raised.
"What are you talking about, Smallville?" There was a chuckle still playing in her voice.
"Oh! You don't remember?" His voice dripped with sarcasm. "You were dating a serial killer," he paused to grin at her. "You know…he was just your type, when I came over to warn you. You greeted me soaking wet, preparing to hit me with a back scrubber. Oh, did I fail to mention that YOU were stark naked." He adopted her words from before. He sat back oozing self satisfaction at the shocked faces of Chloe and Jimmy, and the death glare from Lois. He was so pleased it just bounced right off, leaving him completely unfazed.
"What! I never heard this part of the story," Chloe cried. "You saw her naked that night?"
"Don't forget the part about the back scrubber," he quipped raising his hand fisted in the air as if he were holding something. He turned to her feigning seriousness. "Lois was that some new martial art you know that I have never heard of? Stun your opponent by flashing them the goods and while their guard is down you gently scrub them into unconsciousness?" His grin grew with her glare.
Her face suddenly relaxed and she lazily tilted her head to the side. Oh this isn't good. What is she up to? She leaned in and whispered in his ear. "The goods, eh. You seem to be able to describe the whole scene with avid detail...did you like what you saw, Clark?" He coughed at her insinuation and the remembered image of Lois standing in front of him, water rolling lazily down her sleek tan body. His face turned red and he averted his eyes.
Lois looked up at Chloe with a wink. Her eyes sparkled with victory and conveyed a thought, 'he should know better than to play this game with me'. She chuckled and Chloe joined her. Jimmy was as usual a little oblivious.
The rest of dinner flew by. Lois drank only enough to take off the edge and get a little buzz, while Chloe and Jimmy were in full on celebration mode. They had just finished dessert and Chloe stood. She had to figure out what Lois had been up to all night with Clark. "Lois, will you come to the ladies room with me." She smiled and tugged on her cousin's hand.
"Okay. Easy there, Chloe, I'm coming. Don't rip my arm off." She got up and walked around the table, suddenly stopping and turning back. She leaned across the table in front of Clark and grabbed her purse. The maneuver afforded Clark a generous view down Lois' swooping neck line. He groaned and quickly looked away. What did I do to earn this torture, he wondered. Chloe grabbed her arm and drug her through the maze of tables. When they made it out of view of the guys and into the back hallway, Chloe pulled Lois to a halt and nearly shouted, "Okay! What the hell is going on? Why are you making Clark practically squirm out of his chair?"
Lois looked at her intoxicated cousin and smiled. "I'm giving him a nudge," was all she said and walked into the bathroom.
Chloe chased after her. "What do you mean?"
"I mean…I think he has feelings for me, but he refuses to act on them for some reason. So, I'm going to drive him nuts until he breaks down and gets it over with already." Frustrated, she moved to the mirror and checked her makeup.
"Wow. You have it for him pretty bad…don't you? Resorting to psychological warfare," she said her head cocked to the side.
"Just let it go, Chloe. Besides we're here to celebrate you tonight."
Chloe shrugged her shoulders and turned to leave. "Go easy on him. Are you coming," Chloe asked and reached for the door.
"I'll be out in a second," Lois replied still staring into the mirror.
"Okaaay," Chloe slurred.
She stayed in the bathroom a few moments longer before leaving. Lois immediately ran face first into what felt like a brick wall and bounced back before two large hands shot out and caught her. She looked up and found Clark towering over her, his arms wrapped protectively around her shoulders, and his face mere inches from hers. Their eyes locked and she gulped in a breath. "Are you okay," he asked barely above a whisper, his blue eyes boring into her.
Her hands rested on his chest and she felt his heart rate beating erratically, which made her smile and sent a shot of excitement down her spine. Her hands ran up his chest and settled on his shoulders that she used as leverage to pull herself up straighter. "Mm hhh," replied wordlessly.
Clark felt powerless. She had been driving him crazy all night and now here she was in his arms. She smelled amazing and his eyes, with a mind of their own, kept darting to her red lips. It wasn't helping that he had stupidly brought up the idea of her naked earlier. "That's good," he murmured out unable to think of anything more intelligent to say.
"Yeah," was her equally distracted response. His full ready lips filled her vision and her stomach flipped when he moistened them. They moved to within a millimeter of hers and paused. He was so close she felt his breath. She had had more than enough of waiting and her hands stroked across his shoulders and wrapped around his neck.
"L-L," gulp…"Lois."He didn't know what he was trying to say, her name was all that made it off his tongue. His mind seemed to abandon him. He fought for control. Tried to tell himself how wrong this was. Begged himself to pull away. All to no avail…she applied the smallest ounce of pressure to his neck and his miniscule hold on restraint shattered. Their lips crashed together. They moaned into each other's mouths. Weeks worth of tension fueling the need filled kiss.
"Hey, CK, I thought you were going to the bathroom." The voice pulled Clark back to reality and he broke away from her quickly. The kiss had lasted only a few seconds, but their breathing was already haggard and their eyes glassy.
Clark turned to Jimmy. "I was…excuse me." He used Jimmy's distraction to extricate himself from her embrace, and bolted away from her. She didn't miss the glimmer of longing in his blue depths before he made his escape. Her body shuddered in frustration and unresolved desire. Jimmy took a step back when he looked at Lois. If looks could kill he would have burnt to a crisp where he stood.
"Nice one Olsen. I swear to god if you weren't marrying my cousin," she spit out and stomped by him.
His eyes followed her. "What did I do," he asked the now empty hallway and sulked his way to the men's room.
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Clark walked beside Lois as they reached her door. She dug in her purse for her keys. Finally finding them, she jingled them triumphantly in the air in front of her. Unfortunately, they slipped through her grasp and bounced off the door before clinking to the floor. "Shit."
She leaned down to pick up the wayward keys just as he said, "Here I'll…" and he bent to do the same. They both crouched and reached for the metallic object, his hand came to rest over hers. Their eyes met for what seemed like the millionth time that night, and the air immediately electrified. He became immediately fascinated by her lips. How did she do this to him, was the last cognizant thought that registered before he felt himself moving towards her. She felt lost in his deep blue pools. She felt him leaning in. Her breathing hitched and she waited expectantly for his lips to cover hers.
The sound of the elevator ding and the drunken laughter of two voices spilling out as the doors slid open snapped them out of their trance. Lois and Clark once again repelled away from each other, and she violently grabbed her keys, rising. "Oh my god, Lois, you shuuld have seeen the look on the doormaan's face when we pulled up in the limo with the music blaring," Chloe slurred, clearly drunk.
Lois fitted the key in the lock. Fate just isn't on my side tonight. "I did see…I was there, remember Chloe." She wasn't trying very hard to humor her drunken cousin. Her annoyance with the couple went completely unnoticed by them. It hadn't been the plan for them to stay with her tonight, but the champagne had gone to their heads and so she and Clark were taking care of the pair.
"Oooh yeah! You and Clark came up while we paid the driver." Chloe's blood shot eyes bounced between them. Clark looked guilty and Lois looked mad. Then a knowing smile suffused her face. "What cha been doin?" Her tongue stuck to her canine tooth as she grinned.
Clark averted his gaze, but Lois answered unfazed. "Opening the door. So, get your champagne soaked ass in here before I kick it. I don't care if you are getting married." She motioned with her hand and Chloe and Jimmy walked through the arch of her doorway leaning against each other for support.
"I'm not feeling so well all of a sudden, Lois," Chloe said looking a little green.
Lois was quickly at her side. She pleaded Clark with her eyes and asked, "Can you take care of him? I think she's going to need some major attention."
He used his signature smile and replied, "Of course, Lois, you can count on me. This isn't my first time taking care of an overly inebriated friend," he finished with a wink.
She ignored his jab and took his hand in passing, squeezing and then releasing. "Thanks, Clark," she said genuinely appreciating his help. She maneuvered her cousin into her bedroom and closed the door.
The tension in his body had become painful. He rubbed his neck attempting to relieve the pressure that Lois was responsible for. He had to physically restrain himself from using his vision and hearing to follow her on the other side of her door. He tried to distract himself by taking Jimmy to the kitchen to get him some water. She had really worked him over tonight. He felt like he had gone ten emotion rounds. It wasn't fair how easily she pushed his buttons. He filled a glass and handed it to Jimmy. "How are you feeling," he asked still staring at the door she had disappeared behind.
"Good..thanks CK," Jimmy said drinking the water Clark offered him.
"Let's get you settled on the couch, shall we." Clark said before moving off to find sheets and pillows.
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They had been working hard since their arrival at the Planet early that morning. Clark looked up at her for the umpteenth time. His shoulders still held tension after last night, and it wasn't helping that she seemed completely unaffected, going about her work with her normal zeal.
"I have to go down to copy for a minute. I'll be right back," she said and swayed away. He tried to focus on his work again, but his mind flittered back to a brush of the lips and an almost kiss. He had to stop thinking about it. Last night didn't change anything between them. He was still a 'weekend warrior' and she still couldn't handle that. He had to get some air and walk this off.
Lois read the print she had gotten from copy as she walked back to her desk. She spoke without looking up. "This looks pretty good, Clark," she said tapping the papers. "Has Jimmy gotten back to you on that photo we asked for?" She looked up when he didn't respond and focused on the seat across from her. Her throat constricted and she suddenly lost the ability to breathe.
"Hey Lois! I was actually just looking for Clark. I hope you don't mind."
The blood drained out of her face leaving her pale. Lois' mouth opened and closed several times but all she managed to get out was, "Uhhh…un uh." Breathe. Just breathe. You can do this…you've had a lifetime of practice. Control. Get control. She took a deep breath. "Hi. Sooo…are you back in town just for Chloe's wedding, or are you back in town to stay." Lois' voice and face became completely emotionless as she reigned in her raging emotions.
"I'm actually going to help Chloe run the Isis Foundation again," she said with a companionable smile.
"Lana!?" Clark called out at the base of the stairs. He gave her a faraway look before moving with lightning speed to wrap her in his arms. Lois had to look away. She thought her heart had clenched tightly earlier…now it was physically painful. She couldn't even summon jealousy. Hopelessness and heartbreak made her go cold inside, and in true Lois Lane fashion she retreated behind the stalwart defenses she used to keep the world at bay. She sat down and threw herself back into the story she was almost done with. Work. Yes, she had work. She did her best to tune out the happy greetings being shared between Clark and Lana.
So, she missed it the first two times Clark tried to talk to her. He looked curiously at Lois before finally shaking her shoulder to get her attention. Her head snapped up and she looked at him blankly. Clark pulled his hand back quickly. Her eyes were cold, hard, and he couldn't read any emotion in them. "What?" Her voice mirrored her eyes and his brow furrowed in confusion. What was wrong with her? She was happily cracking jokes at his expense not fifteen minutes ago.
"I asked if you wanted to get lunch with us and catch up," he said warily.
"No," she vehemently spat a little too fast. She cleared her throat, turning back to work. "I mean…I should really get this finished if we're going to be on time. Chloe will kill me if I'm not."
"Come on, Lois. We're almost done, and you have to eat," Clark urged offering her his hand.
She ignored it. Yeah, that sounded like a horrific form of torture to her. Go have lunch with the man you're in love with, while he fawns all over the girl he's in love with. The thought was nauseating. No thank you. "I'm not hungry." That was true. Her stomach was tied in so many knots that she didn't know when she would be able to eat again.
"You just told me you were starving."
"Well it passed," she said through gritted teeth. "Just go, Clark. I'll finish the story." Her fingers flew over the keys as she typed. He was torn between finding out what was wrong with Lois and finally talking to Lana after all their time apart. He couldn't believe she was here! She looked exactly the same, he noted…her dark hair cascading down her petite shoulders. Lois looked up and saw him giving Lana the Kent boy smile. "Go," she said again looking quickly away from him.
"Okay, but I'll be back soon." She waved him off dismissively, refusing to look up. As he walked out with Lana his eyes ran over Lois again, concerned and confused.
When they disappeared Lois' head dropped into her hands and she let out a shuddering sigh. How did this happen? I fall for him of all people, and then his one true love decides to walk back into his life! What am I going to do? She rubbed her face with her hands before straightening. She had to stay strong and in control. This was Chloe's special time and she couldn't fall apart during it. She finished the story quickly before Clark could get back and hurried to gather her things. They had planned to ride to the farm together, but Lois suddenly dreaded the idea of the long drive alone with him. She wrote him a note that explained she was going early and she rushed out of the Planet.
She went straight to her car and headed directly towards Smallville. She spent the entire drive giving herself one long pep talk. She was going to be happy, damn it, for Chloe. After that one failed miserably, she practiced fake smiles. As she pulled up the farm's long driveway she saw Chloe directing a burly man as they stood beside a large catering truck. Behind the house she could see the top of a tall awning being raised. She parked by the barn and went to greet her cousin.
Happy thoughts, Lois. Happy thoughts. Smile. Time to put on a show. "Hey Chloe!" She tried her best to sound excited. Was that believable? She studied her cousin's face.
"Hey Lois!" Chloe gave her big toothy smile. "You're early. I'm so happy! I was worried," she admitted.
Lois wrapped her arm around Chloe's shoulder and they walked towards the house. "You know I'm always here for you, cuz. Let's get this party started."
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When Clark got back to the Planet ready to help Lois, he discovered that she had already left and found only a short note. He had had to ask for a ride with Lana, which she was more than happy to give, especially considering he had cut their lunch short to hurry back and figure out what was going on with Lois. He had been brooding over her strange behavior since Metropolis. They were almost to his house.
"You've been awfully quiet, Clark. What's on your mind," Lana asked as she drove and cast a glance at his frowning face.
"What?...Oh, it's Lois. She's acting really strange and I'm not sure what's wrong."
"Oh really? She seemed fine to me," Lana tried to assure him.
"Mmm," he mumbled.
They continued to talk about everything they had done during their long hiatus. Eventually, they found themselves walking through Clark's door, and could hear the voices of two cousins laughing in the kitchen. They walked through the house towards the laughter.
"Hey Clark," Chloe quickly had her arms around him in a quick hug. Then she noticed Lana. "Lana! When did you get back?" The two old friends hugged tightly.
"Last night. I wanted to surprise you."
"Well it worked. I see you found Clark."
Lana smiled. "Yeah. We had lunch and rode out here together."
Chloe drug Lana into Clark's living room already talking a mile a minute and asking question after question. Clark smiled at his best friend and turned back to Lois, but at some point in their exchange she had slipped out of the house.
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Lois stood behind Chloe straightening her train. They were preparing to walk out of the Kent's house and begin the ceremony. She thought back on yesterday. The rehearsal and dinner had gone smoothly. She hadn't been avoiding Clark, she had just been busing herself with other things, she tried to convince herself. Ok, the fact was if she was around Clark that meant being around Clark and Lana, and she was in no mood to have the fact that Clark may have begun seeing her in a different light but that didn't stand up against a lifetime love rubbed in her face.
After the rehearsal Clark had asked her if anything was wrong. She had given her best smile –it never quite made it to her eyes – and assured him that everything was fine. After that she had appointed herself the wedding coordinator and thrown herself into the job. No detail was too small to escape her notice.
At the rehearsal dinner she had attached herself to Chloe as an excuse to avoid other people. Chloe noticed and told her to relax and have some fun. She did her best to ignore Clark and Lana as they chatted companionably through the meal. As a whole, it was a fairly low key event, most of the festivities being saved for the wedding reception the next day.
At the end of the night the happy couple was split up. Clark took Jimmy to stay with him while Lois and Chloe stayed at the Talon. This morning Lois had once again returned enthusiastically to making sure Chloe's wedding went off beautifully. She ordered around the guy putting down the dance floor and barked at the crew setting up tables. It got to the point that she saw a visible cringe when she'd gone to speak with the caterer later on. Well, whatever, everything was finally perfect.
Clark had come up to talk to her, but she informed him that she was really busy. He said, "Yeah, I can see that. I think I just saw a waiter running the other way." She had shrugged him off and gone in search of something else to do. Instead of work, she had found ice cream in his freezer, and instead of the calm she sought, she now found herself a bit jittery off the amount of sugar she had eaten.
Her attention snapped back to the present. "Chloe stop fidgeting with your shawl. You look incredible. You're going to blow Jimmy away." She gave Chloe her most reassuring smile. "Now let's go make an honest woman of you," she said with a wink.
They walked outside and around the house. "She's all yours Uncle Gabe," Lois said and moved a few steps away. Rows of chairs filled with people created an aisle, which a white carpet was elegantly stretched down. At the end of the carpet Jimmy stood under an arch staring wide eyed at Chloe, his groomsmen lined up beside him. The music started and the flower girl walked down the aisle spreading rose pedals ahead of her. After a pause, she was followed by Chloe's other maids.
When it was Lois' turn to march, she turned back and gave Chloe another bright smile before taking slow steps forward. With a mind of their own, Lois' eyes hungrily ran over Clark standing tall in his tails tuxedo. He looked incredible, her heart picked up. A cool breeze stirred her hair and the late afternoon sun warmed her back. She watched his eyes as they moved from her head to her feet and back up. Their gazes locked and she took another step carrying her closer to him. She smiled at him softly. His adam's apple bobbed up, paused, and slowly slid back down. He shifted on his feet, but his gaze stayed locked on her. She arrived at the last row of chairs, pivoted, and moved to her left taking her place along the line of maids. Her eyes followed Chloe and her uncle down the aisle as she joined Jimmy. Lois had never cried at a wedding before, but as they exchanged their vows she felt her eyes moisten and she had to blink rapidly.
Before she knew it the ceremony was over and she was walking back down the aisle arm in arm with Clark. He cleared his throat and sounded nervous when he said, "You look really nice today."
She looked up at him. "Thanks, Clark. You too." She refrained from sarcasm and left it at that, looking ahead again. Being pressed against him had butterflies fluttering around her stomach. She concentrated on how happy she was for Chloe and pushed things she had no control over like Clark out of her head. They walked silently beside each other into the pavilion that held the dance floor, band, and tables.
Chloe and Jimmy were inside preparing to receive their guests. Lois immediately enveloped Chloe in a warm hug and murmured her congratulations in her ear. She moved on to Jimmy and clasped his shoulders. "You better be good to her, Jimmy, or I'll have to break some bones," she said stone faced. He looked frightened and his eyes darted to Chloe for help. Lois' face broke into a large grin and she laughed. "Welcome to the family." She hugged him quickly and backed away. Clark shook Jimmy's hand after he was done talking to Chloe with a shake of his head, and gave him a reassuring smile.
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The evening had gone off beautifully. The food was served and the room was abuzz with the sound of chatter and laughter as everyone ate. Lois got the crowd laughing during her speech with amusing anecdotes about Chloe the younger years. The cake was cut - without too much funny business occurring between the bride and groom as they fed each other. The sun had set and the icicle style lights that stretched along the roof cast a romantic light. Chloe and Jimmy had shared a sweet first dance before the floor was opened for everyone to join them.
Lois stood off to the side absorbed in watching the quaint scene as she sipped on her champagne. She took a moment to run her eyes over all of Chloe's happy friends and family. A hand brushed her lower back causing her to jump, jolting her out of her serene observations. "Sorry I didn't mean to startle you," Clark's deep bass rumbled.
"That's okay. I was just lost in thought. What's up?" She eyed him with curiosity.
He gave her a sheepish grin. "I was thinking too." Her eyebrows rose encouraging him to continue."I was thinking that the maid of honor needs to dance."
He took her glass from her and set it on a table and had her hand leading her to the floor before she could say anything on the subject. "Did Chloe put you up to this," she asked suspiciously as a slow medley drifted around them.
"I have to be persuaded to dance with you?" His face twisted into a lopsided grin.
"Or drunk," she replied flippantly. Once they made it to the floor, he put his hands on her hips and pulled her closer. They shared a knowing smile as both thought back to the last time they had danced.
She responded to his request to dance, placing her hands on his shoulders. They began slowly swaying to the gentle beat of the song.
"Chloe looks happy," Lois said and pointed with her chin to her cousin and Jimmy, who were dancing near them.
His eyes followed the direction of hers and smiled. "Yeah. She really does."
They fell silent. It was as if the music reached out and physically moved them closer. Clark wrapped his arms around her waist closing the space between them, and her arms wound around his neck. She let out an inaudible sigh and laid her head on his chest letting the warmth and safety of his arms soak through her. Her stomach unwound for the first time since Lana's reappearance into their lives. She unconsciously made the decision to just let herself enjoy the moment and she relaxed into him. She felt his cheek come to rest above her ear. There were very few times when Lois could tolerate extended silence, but she wouldn't have broken this one for the world. She could feel each breath he took as his chest rose and fell, and before she knew it her breathing matched his.
All too soon the song was coming to an end. She mentally groaned and wished that they could stay in this place for just a little while longer. Reluctantly she pulled away from him, away from his comforting heat, and looked into his eyes which held intensity. She looked deeper and recognized wistful regret. What's that about? She was surprised when he leaned down and tenderly brushed a kiss across temple. Her lids felt heavy and lazily half shut. "Clark?" she said questioningly, her brows drawing together.
His face twitched and he looked around quickly. His eyes stopped and he moved wordlessly away from her, his hand trailing down her forearm. She stood utterly confused, until she saw he was moving in Lana's direction. And the knots are back. She tried to fight it but her chest constricted. She shook her head, sighed deeply, and turned away no longer able to watch. She spun on her heels and walked off the dance floor in the opposite direction.
And that's when all hell broke loose. A high pitched shriek pierced the air. Lois spun quickly and saw a 'thing' mostly obstructed from her view. The screams picked up and people began running away from it...everyone except Clark who was striding quickly towards the beast. What is he doing? Is he insane? People ran clearing out of the tent as quickly as they could and it finally allowed her a glimpse of the creature. What she saw stopped her heart. The menacing thing had Chloe clutched in one arm. She was pushing on its arm, but couldn't dislodge herself from its strong grasp. Chloe began yelling at it to release her.
"Chloe!" Lois yelled across the room and ran towards her, not knowing what she was doing, panic for her cousin clouding her judgment.
"Lois stay back!" Clark yelled and moved towards her, but the bony beast stepped forward and backhanded Clark across the face. He flew twenty feet through the air, crashing violently into a table causing it to collapse.
"Oh my god, Clark!" She dashed towards him. Her heart falling to the floor. Her mind wiped of every thought but one. No! He couldn't die. He just couldn't. He has to be okay. She scrambled towards him, her panic rising to unknown levels. She felt something grasp her left wrist. She ripped away from the strong grasp – her strength fueled by panic and dread – feeling a tear and sharp pain as she did. Then something hit her from behind. All she registered was blunt ache before she fell face forward and everything went black.
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Clark pulled himself off the floor reeling from pain. He touched his face and felt a steady stream of blood running down his cheek. What was this thing? Nothing had ever hit him that hard. Bone like shards protruded from various points of its large body. He super sped and delivered a heavy punch directly to its jaw. The thing stumbled, off balance, and he used its distraction to rip its arm away from Chloe, freeing her. She dropped and rolled away from the two battling giants.
Clark quickly began landing punches harder and harder on the seemingly indestructible beast. The force of his effort made sweat bead on his bloodied forehead. A well placed upper cut lifted the monster off the floor and it fell heavily onto its back. Clark paused staring at the beast as it let out a rumbling groan and rolled on the ground attempting to get up. He stood in horrified awe trying to catch his ragged breathing as the creature stood and shook off debris, looking no worse for the wear. What is this thing? I would have killed anything else I've ever seen if I hit it that hard. His mind raced, and he never should have dropped his guard. The beast closed the distance between them its fists pounded angrily into Clark's abdomen. The air hissed out of him and he doubled over, gasping. His opponent used his bone enshrouded elbow to land a vicious blow to his back. It tore his coat, and left a blood soaked gash. He fell to his knees. His mind hazed over in agony, but as shock flooded through his body it took the edge off the throbbing pain. He had to stay strong and protect the people he loved. He rose to his feet with a furious growl. He unlocked the control over all his anger and let it course through his veins. How dare this thing come in here and wreak havoc and hurt the people I love!
As Clark pulled himself together, he noticed 'it' was moving towards Chloe who was pressed frightened against the tent wall. Her eyes flashed pure fear as she looked at Clark. Her eyes grew even wider as she noticed the blood dripping down his face and staining his no longer crisp white shirt. He moved at lightning speed lowering his shoulder and plowing with all his strength into its sternum with an angry cry. The monster flew backwards away from Chloe, and Clark positioned himself protectively between them.
He almost didn't hear her when she whispered frightened and concerned, "Clark...you're bleeding!?"
He ignored the comment. He would deal with his wounds later. He needed to focus…push the pain out of his mind. He had to find a way to defeat this murderous beast. It once again rose and faced him, cold menacing eyes boring into him. It snarled and bared long sharp teeth before lowering its head and charging towards him. Clark took its challenge and sped to meet it, a growl of his own rumbling from deep in his chest. The foes met in the center of the tent, a wave of kinetic energy pulsing through the enclosed space as they collided. The flaps of the tent fluttered as if a strong wind had ripped through the tent. They bounded off of each other, each falling violently to the ground. The breath was once again knocked out of Clark and he wheezed, rolling onto his side instinctively as he desperately tried to draw air into his screaming lungs. The creature moved mechanically towards Chloe. Clark followed to intercept him as quickly as his oxygen deprived body was able. He caught it and grabbed the thing's arms, holding him at bay. It growled and spun raking its claws across his abs, knocking him off balance. It towered over him before reaching down and lifting Clark over its head, then body slamming him to the ground. The earth shook violently causing a tall speaker near where Chloe was hunched to tip off balance and come crashing down on her. The monster looked up and saw the blonde's form sprawled unconscious under the equipment. It bellowed in anguish and ran out of the torn structure. Clark tried to get up, but failed the first two times…his ribs pulsed already turning blue and his breath came painfully forced. Finally, he was able to push himself up and tried to prepare to go after the menace, when he saw her.
He froze, unable to breath or move. After a moment he mastered his dread enough to super speed to her side. "No. No. No. No. NOOOO," came his strangled screams. She lay on her stomach and blood seeped out in a pool under her. There was blood…too much blood. Jimmy ran back into the tent. He had left to go into the house on an errand right before the chaos broke out. His eyes were painfully wide as he surveyed the destruction. Clark spoke without looking up, "Chloe's over there Jimmy," he pointed numbly. "Make sure she's okay," he barely got out, fear attempting to strangle him. He drew shallow uneven breaths that had nothing to do with his beaten body.
He reached down and gently rolled Lois onto her side and stroked her pale cheek. Her lip was split and hair matted from a cut at the back of her head. Her left arm was covered in blood and he couldn't see her chest moving. He let out a strangled sob before picking her up like she was a porcelain doll. He felt so powerless. How had he let this happen? He couldn't lose her. He hadn't even told her how he felt. The thought of her dying made him want to lie down and die too. He concentrated and finally heard her slow week pulse, and it sent a wave of strength and hope through him that he didn't think his bruised body had left. He saw a deep gash on her arm that was bleeding profusely. He covered it with his large hand applying pressure in an attempt to slow the flow of blood. A frightened tear ran down his crimson streaked cheek and he ran out into the night, springing into the air, and shooting towards Smallville Medical Center.
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A/N: And that's where I'm going to leave you :P…The End. Okay, not really, but for now anyway.
Let me know what you think.