Happy Thanksgiving! Before I get started I wanted to thank each of you again for your wonderful comments. They make writing a lot of fun!

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Lois had been tossing and turning for three and a half long hours. She was right to give herself time to think...right? Clark was one of her best friends and there was no doubt they had strong feelings for each other, but Clark was right about her reservations in taking the next step with him. His hero persona scared her. It played to the ingrained paranoia that men like her father and Oliver had instilled in her. She didn't think she could handle being hurt by him…being left behind. At the same time, she was incredibly moved that he had shared himself with her. Talk about a secret! She had an overpowering desire to protect him, and she couldn't deny that what he was doing was amazing.

She wondered if Oliver had been honest with her if things would have been different. No, she decided. He had always put his job and the Green Arrow before her. Clark was…well Clark. He was Smallville, Clarkie, and the Boy Scout. He was always there for people even when he hardly knew them. She had known that about him from the beginning; so, it wasn't a big leap to imagine him doing it with super powers. She knew deep down that he had always been there for her, emotionally and when her impetuous nature led her into dangerous situations.

All the issues between them were running on a continuous loop through her head, but what was making it completely impossible to sleep was the tightness in her chest...she wanted nothing more than to go to him and soothe away the hurt she had heard in his voice when she'd left him so abruptly to mull things over. That and the powerful desire to finish what they'd started earlier…the flutter in her stomach revealed as she thought about his touch. There were still traces of his scent lingering on her, driving her crazy, and making it impossible to think about anything but him. Lois sat up in bed running her hands through her hair in utter frustration. She wanted him and nothing he had said tonight had changed that, she realized.

She thought back on the hopelessness that had come over her when Lana returned. She remembered how it had felt like her heart was in a vice, causing her to retreat behind stalwart defenses, and seek out the relative comfort of numbness. She had believed there was something between them, but he had made her second guess herself when he had spent so much time with Lana and had been crushed later when he kissed her. Sure he had explained things to her, but at the time it had knocked her off balance and sent her head spinning dizzily. She had been overcome with heartbreak that she would never be able to explore a relationship with easily the best man she knew. She didn't want to put herself back in that position, and if she walked away from him now, she knew that's where she would find herself…wanting him from afar. This time at least she had a choice, where before with Lana circumstances had been out of her control. She didn't think she could live with herself if she chose to walk away. She would be letting her fear rule her and that was weakness in her eyes. Lois Lane is not weak, she told herself. She was very careful who she trusted her heart with. Men with destinies as big as Clark's had always found a way to hurt her and leave her in their wake, but as she considered their entire relationship, she noted once again that he had always been there for her.

She sighed heavily and shifted the pillow beneath her head, trying without success to find comfort in its soft depths. The situation boiled down simply if she was honest with herself. The facts were that she was in love with Clark Kent, but he was exactly the relationship she feared. He was different though…wasn't he? He was Mr. Reliability who was always there for his friends. If they were in a relationship that wouldn't change, right? She had trusted Clark for years, so would it really be so frightening to take the final step and anoint him guardian of her heart. Had she done that already and just hadn't come to terms with it? Yes, the thought whispered in her head.

Now, she wondered what to do with her new found clarity. Without really thinking, she found herself outside the door that she had called her own during her stay at the Kent farm years ago. Her stomach clenched as she opened the door and slipped inside. What am I doing? This is crazy. He's asleep for sure. She saw the large shadowy lump shift and face her. "Lois? Is everything okay?" His concern was evident even though the low light shadowed his features and blurred them into unrecognizability.

Her hands shook with nerves and her brain froze. That kept happening to her at the most inconvenient times recently. "Hey. Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up," she supplied lamely, shifting on her feet.

"No. It's okay. I couldn't really sleep," he confessed sheepishly.

"Yeah…me either. Couldn't sleep. No sleep." Great now I'm rambling and repeating myself like an idiot. She wrapped her arms around herself protectively. It was a nervous gesture, but he took it to mean she was cold. Awkward moment. Work brain! Think. Speak. Nothing came to her despite her internal mantra. He pulled his comforter back and motioned with his head to the empty place beside him. No way, she thought. If she couldn't think at this distance, climbing into bed with him would be her doom.

She cursed her flimsy will as she settled the blankets around her. They lay facing each other, eyes locked. "So," she whispered.

"So," he repeated. He was hypnotized by her as the sun began to break the horizon, its week rays playing across her features and reflecting off the green flecks in her eyes.

"Clark. Listen-" she trailed off, her stomach fluttering violently.

He jumped in, "I know, Lois. You were right. I totally understand that you need time. I know I shouldn't push you."

"Clark," she tried to stop his ramble.

He talked on with more energy, completely ignoring her attempt to interrupt him. "I mean I told you I was from another planet. That's not just something you spring on someone and expect them not to need time to-"

"Clark that's not what I wanted to-"

His brows drew even tighter together and he continued, talking over her. "-I mean it took Pete weeks to truly wrap his mind around-"

She was seriously tired of being interrupted. She had something important to say and if her nerves weren't making it hard enough, Clark freaking Kent wouldn't stop babbling. She nearly shouted in her frustration. "Will you shut up and let me tell you that I love you," she blurted out, eyes going wide at her own words.

Clark's mouth snapped shut with an audible 'click'. The room fell eerily silent as both realized exactly what she had just revealed. Clark's heart stopped. Did I hear what I think I did or is this sleep deprivation playing on my inner desires? "W-what," Clark sputtered not trusting his ears. His eyes bored into hers, full of hope and love.

Once she said it her nerves seemed to settled and Lois felt her normal confidence return to her in full force. She took his arm and pulled him towards her. He maneuvered one leg between hers and hovered on one elbow above her. Her hands ran up the column of his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. She pulled back and began speaking between kisses, "I said. I." She met his lips for a smoldering kiss. "Love." Her mouth trailed down his neck, leaving his pulse racing in her wake. "You." She captured his ear, tracing the shell with soft lips.

He silenced further conversation by crushing his lips into hers with finality. He shifted, moving fully on top of her. She smiled, letting him settle between her thighs. His body completely covered Lois and she sighed in pleasure, thrilled by every inch of him she felt stretched over her. His warmth seeped into her, relaxing her completely, and thrilling her with its quiet intimacy. Clark propped himself on his elbows and broke the kiss to stare down lovingly at her with a goofy grin. He could barely contain his happiness and his face glowed with it.

She grunted her complaint at his withdrawal and wrapped her legs around him, using them to force Clark tightly into her. His body responded immediately and his head dropped to her neck. She drug her nails across his back while her hungry mouth found the niche behind his ear.

"Lois," he moaned into her neck. "I want this so bad…but with my powers. I could hurt you."

"Mmm. You won't," she said confidently. Her hands ventured lower until they slipped under the back of his sweat pants. She pulled him quickly into her, stimulating her throbbing center. "Ahh. I need you."

Clark was astounded how easily she could work him up. His eyes rolled back as she moved under him. It was already a labor to think and he was panting into her neck. "My powers, Lois. We need to talk."

She pulled back, rolled her eyes and buried her head deeply into the pillow behind her in frustration. "You know, Clark, those are quickly becoming my four most hated words in the English language."

He looked down at her, face appearing tortured. "I am so sorry. Believe me," as if to prove his point he ground into her and both sucked in a breath. He gently kissed her closed eyes affectionately and tried to get up. Her arms shot out and pulled him back down instantly.

"It will be fine," she said upbeat and encouraging.

"How do you know?"

"Experience," she said with a 'duh' inflection and a sarcastic roll of the eyes.

His head jerked up and his eyes grew comically wide. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She became engrossed in exploring the column of his neck as she joked, "Do I really need to school you in English now, Clark. I mean, I know you're from Krypton and all, but you've been here for awhile I think it's time you adapt." Her eyes shone mischievously as they met his, and her lips twisted up at her own humor.

He rolled his eyes. "No, but you're not making any sense. We have no experience to draw on in this situation." She snickered and rose a challenging eyebrow at him. He read the look perfectly. 'Really? Are you sure' it said. "You're saying we've had s-sex. Where was I when that happened because I certainly don't remember that," he said dryly in stunned disbelief.

She chuckled and ran her hands through his hair. "No, of course not, Clark." He huffed out a heavy breath. She'd made him doubt himself there for a minute, even though he knew it was impossible. I've lined up the balls and now it's time to sink the shot, she thought deviously to herself. "I'm saying we had sex twice."

His reaction didn't disappoint her. His jaw dropped open and he squeaked, "What! Are you crazy? Is this your idea of a joke? When would we have slept together and why don't I remember it?"

"Do you really need me to answer that?"

Oh, that night. The dreams…were…real? "I-I-I've had flashes, but those were just dreams." He was talking to himself more than her.

She was getting a kick out of this. Nothing was more fun that watching him squirm. "Doubtful," was her one word reply. "How about I fill in the holes in that spotty memory of yours, Smallville?" She craned up and whispered the 'highlights' into his ear seductively.

He felt a blush creeping up his neck as she spoke quietly. "Lois!" Clark admonished.

"Don't 'Lois' me. You're the one who did it," she said as her laughter grew.

The blush had successfully suffused his entire face by the time she was done, but he was surprised to find that it did patch things together and the picture was pretty clear. I can't believe I've slept with Lois! How could I have forgotten? Between his thoughts and her words, Clark felt his stomach tightening and his head getting cloudy as the blood allotted to his brain drained south.

She started working his t-shirt up his torso. Having a little innocent fun with him was nice, but she had something a little more R rated in mind. With a little effort she had freed him from the garment. Her hands ran freely over him and he responded by resuming kissing her, nipping at her bottom lip. She moaned and took control of the tempo, swiftly maneuvering her tongue over his, sweeping across it and passionately assaulting his senses. She flipped him onto his back and pulled away to sit across his waist. Together they managed to remove his sweats, leaving him in only his boxers.

Soon they were both lost in each other again. The heat building quickly between them until it could rival a forest fire. Their satisfied moans and heavy breathing filled the room. Clark sat up, unhappy with the current ratio of clothes. Lois definitely had too much on. He petted her smooth taut thighs just under her shorts, which turned out to be a pair of his boxers. How had he missed that? His hands continued onward, grasping her tank top, he began lifting it up agonizingly slow, letting his knuckles brush her sensitive back as they rose. She bit down on his lip to suppress a shiver and Clark moaned deeply.

Their passionate moment was broken by a gasp and exclamation, "Oh my god."

Lois' mind registered the presence of another person in the room and snapped into panic mode. She grabbed the hem of the shirt that was almost over her head and roughly shoved it down to cover herself. She tried to scramble off an equally stunned Clark, but her escape was hindered by Clarks leg. Her left ankle was trapped under his right leg, so when she tried to roll towards the window and away from the door, her journey came to a sudden premature halt. "Gffw," was pressed out of her by the edge of the mattress as she dangled half on and half off the bed. Well, this isn't humiliating or anything, she thought sourly.

"Lois! Are you okay," Clark asked concerned. She felt his hands wrap around her waist and he lifted her back onto the bed beside him. She was not okay. She was furious! Who the hell would barge into someone's bedroom at this ungodly hour? She turned her death glare on the figure in the doorway, and was surprised to find her cousin staring slack jawed at her.

"Wow. Awkward. When I thought I was going to have to drag you out of bed to say goodbye, Lois, this is not what I had in mind." Chloe couldn't help but take the opportunity to get the better of her older cousin. Chloe laughed on the inside as she looked at them. Clark looked absolutely horrified as he sat on his bed in only his boxers, hiding behind a pillow, and trying to cover as much of himself as possible. Lois on the other hand looked angry enough to chew nails.

"What are you doing here, Chloe," Lois bit out between clenched teeth. Her jaw twitched as she tried to control her anger.

"Jimmy and I were supposed to swing by and say goodbye before we leave for the honeymoon...remember. Also, Clark can we get that dvd player for the flight? You mentioned that we could borrow it at the reception."

Clark's mind finally snapped out of its stake of petrification and he jumped up and rushed around his room quickly dressing. He was finally able to speak. "Your flight isn't till eleven. What are you doing here so early?" He turned to face her, feeling much better now that he was clothed.

"That's true. It's almost seven. We have to get to the airport early to check in and we still have the long drive to Metropolis to consider."

"Well, what's the deal with just letting yourself into people's bedrooms," Lois grumped.

Chloe chuckled nervously. "Clark never locks the house, so we let ourselves in. I was calling and calling, but no one answered. I was starting to think that you two weren't here. I came upstairs to see if you were sleeping, and for the record I knocked several times. I was about to walk away and call you when I heard Clark; so, I called his name and peeked in. I guess you guys were to busy to hear all that," Chloe supplied, regaining her smirk.

Jimmy suddenly appeared by Chloe's side with his usual bright smile. Lois rolled her eyes and groaned. Just what this situation needs, another member for the viewing audience, Lois thought. He looked between Lois and Clark, the situation immediately becoming clear. A triumphant smile split his face. After all this time, he was right. Lois and Clark were supposed to be together.

Lois continued to glare and the folds on her forehead deepened. "Okay. Show's over. I'm going down stairs," she said as she pushed by the newlyweds. Let Clark deal with the gawking couple, she needed space before she bit someone's head off. She stomped down the stairs and began rummaging through the kitchen cabinets. To her delight she found several types of cookies and dug into them eagerly. She sighed contentedly as the sugar drove away her anger and eased her embarrassment.

Clark, Chloe and Jimmy joined her in the kitchen a few minutes later and goodbyes were passed around. Clark decided to walk them to their car. Lois felt a wave of fatigue hit her and her eyelids drooped heavily, reminding her that she hadn't slept last night. "I'll just rest my eyes for a second on the couch till he gets back."

Clark walked back into the house after seeing Chloe and Jimmy off. "Lois?" Where has she disappeared to? He finally noticed her draped across the couch, her head lolled to the side. He took a moment to watch as she took deep slow breaths. He didn't want to wake her up. She had had a long day and then he had kept her up all night.

He picked her up as gently as he could, trying his best not to jostle her. As he lifted her into his arms she nuzzled into the crook of his neck and sighed happily. "Hhhmm. Are they gone?"

He maneuvered them up the stairs. "Yes," he whispered back, kissing the top of her head and pulling her closer. She mumbled something incomprehensible as he entered his bedroom. The sun shone brightly through the window, displaying a bright new day. He laid Lois down gently and drew the curtains. She snuggled into the warm folds of his comforter. A content smile split his features as he crawled in after her, drawing her close and sighing happily. He wondered if he had ever felt better. This was just so right. She murmured his name and pulled his arms more tightly around her. "I love you," he whispered as he laid his head close to hers. His eyes closed and he was finally able to sleep because everything finally felt right with the world.

The End.

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A/N: This was both a lot of fun and a great challenge. I have read so many fan fiction stories and I always thought 'oh I can do that'. Well, I have a new respect for every single one of you authors out there. This was definitely humbling.

Sorry this took me so long. I know I promised to get this out fast…I kind of got distracted elsewhere.

I hope you liked it!