This Chapter is dedicated to Natty, author of Tempus, the first story that made me realize that Lois' birthday should be in August (my birthday month). She also made me realize that Lois was never given a Smallville birthday party. So here's to August birthdays and I hope you like this, Natty!
CHAPTER FOUR - TOXIC TWO
Ace of Clubs, August 2008
Everything was not great. Everything was not going to plan. In fact, it was all completely screwed up.
Just a few weeks ago, Lois had tactics and strategies that were all on track. Now nothing was right, especially with Clark. They were friends and co-workers and … nothing else.
To top it off, she was waiting outside of the Ace of Clubs for Oliver so that she could attend this charity event as his date and Clark was inside with his best friend, Chloe. How messed up was that?
It wasn't as if Lois was ignoring her mission. She'd continued bantering with Clark, tried flirting with him, even given him compliments, but the man was like a rock. One problem was that she really didn't know what would work. The only two romantic relationships in Clark's life involved Lana and Alicia. Since there was no way Lois could ever act like Lana, using her as an example was out. Alicia wasn't really around enough for Lois to get an idea of what her secret was, although the thought of drugging Clark and taking him to Vegas for a quickie wedding had crossed her mind. At least she could call the mission accomplished.
Lois sighed; who was she kidding?
It should be easier if you know it was meant to be …
Imra's words taunted her. Was it meant to be? Lois had never believed in fate. As far as she was concerned, each person created their own. What kind of crazy fate hooked her up with Clark anyway? He was quiet, polite and mild mannered. Lois, well, she was none of those things.
So, she'd fallen subject to her impatient nature. Now, it was as if the harder she pushed, the more Clark retreated. If it was meant to be, why did Clark have to make it so difficult? He was driving her crazy.
At least she didn't have to try with Oliver. He had come on to her during their first work-out at the gym. She'd ignored him until she remembered what happened three years ago and agreed to attend tonight's event, hoping to improve the outcome of the evening.
The flash of the cameras heralded Oliver's arrival as Lois stood waiting for him on the first floor. She'd called Oliver and agreed to meet him after Tess had dumped her with a last-minute assignment. It had taken everything she had to finish it and get ready on time.
For the tropical theme, Lois had chosen a sleeveless silver blouse, with ankle length skirt black skirt, to contrast with Chloe's strapless gold dress. Evidently the theme extended to the temperature in the club as well.
"Hey there, beautiful," Oliver said, walking into the lobby next to the elevator, slowly giving Lois' an appreciate once-over. When he leaned into plant a kiss on her cheek, Lois could smell his alcohol on his breath. When he straightened, he was grinning like an idiot.
"Oliver, have you been drinking?" Lois whispered furiously. He'd promised her he wouldn't drink any alcohol tonight.
"The representative I was meeting with wanted to toast our new venture," Oliver whispered back, and Lois noticed that his words were starting to slur.
"With what, a gallon of Jack Daniels?" she asked him, grabbing him by the arm and escorting him on the elevator. By the time it opened on the top floor, beads of sweat had appeared on Oliver's lip and forehead. When Lois scooted him over to the men's room before the paparazzi could spot them, she noticed he was starting to sway.
"Wait here," she told him, shoving him through the door as his eyes were starting to glaze over. "I'll get some help." Oliver grabbed her arm before she could shut the door.
"I'm not drunk," he told her, having trouble forming the words. "I've been poisoned."
"I know," Lois told him as he staggered back and she shut the door, hurrying into the bar to find Chloe and Clark.
Isis Foundation, same night
"Look, Oliver specifically said no hospitals, and I know he had a good reason for that," Lois told Chloe and Clark, just as Clark sat Oliver on the chaise in the outer office.
"What reason?" Clark asked her, looking unconvinced.
"I don't know exactly but I think it has to do with the type of poison," Lois told him, appalled at her lack of memory about these events. "Oliver seemed to know something about it. Maybe we need to research his past?" Lois looked at Chloe.
"I'm on it," she said, "but I think we should call Davis."
"No," Lois shouted out before she could think.
"Why not?" Clark asked her, both he and Chloe looking stunned at her outburst.
"Wouldn't he be required to take Oliver to the hospital?" Lois asked. "If not, we'd still have to argue with him about it, wasting time that we could be using to find the antidote."
With a little more persuading, Lois was able to convince the two that it wasn't her hospital phobia talking and that they needed to do a little research on their own before summoning emergency personnel. While Lois settled in to watch Oliver, Chloe disappeared into the inner sanctum of the foundation to conduct her research and Clark left the building with a blood sample. Lois knew that if the poison progressed as it had last time, they had a few hours before Oliver's condition would become critical. Unfortunately, that was the extent of Lois' knowledge. For a reporter whose job was to get the details, her memory was remarkably vague; she didn't know how the poison had been administered, why Oliver was poisoned, or how to find the antidote. Round two and she was still in the dark.
At least Lois knew how to treat the fever. In the small office kitchen, she collected ice and some cold compresses and placed them strategically on Oliver's head and chest. According to the thermometer in Chloe's bathroom, Oliver's fever wasn't as high as last time but it was going to be harder to monitor without the equipment Davis provided. Lois sighed. If Oliver's condition worsened, they may have no choice but to seek Davis' help.
That's all she needed, a killer lurking around.
The throbbing pain hit her temples.
Oh no, not now.
With a small groan, Lois put her head in her hands and closed her eyes.
She was walking into her small apartment, muttering to herself about the new curfew. Didn't they realize a girl needed to make a living?
Right now, she was working on something big, she was sure of it. Whatever had taken over in Metropolis was spreading to Star City. People were reporting a dark figure that flew through the night. If he got to you, you were never the same.
A loud moan sounded as she turned on the light. Oliver was lying on the floor, blood everywhere.
"Oliver?" she said, startled, running over to him. "What the hell ...?"
"Lois," he said weakly. "Lois, help."
Somehow she managed to get him to the couch. His injuries were extensive; cuts, bruises and what looked like puncture wounds in his left side. He refused to go to the hospital. Instead, he told her to call "a friend." His friend Victor was there within the hour, stitching up the wounds.
While she helped, Lois peppered Victor with questions. To her surprise, he answered them. He told her a little about the Darkness and how humans who were infected succumbed to their darkest impulses. Evidently, Metropolis was lost despite the best efforts of fighters like he Oliver. They were both leading resistance teams in the final battle when they became separated.
Oliver's objective in the final battle had been to take out the weapon of the Darkness, the figure in black who flew through the night. The dark figure had certain powers and Victor explained them to her. It was a wonder that Oliver had made it out of Metropolis alive after facing the weapon. The more she listened, the more she started to suspect that Victor knew this weapon. It was something in his tone of voice - fear tinged with respect and sadness.
After a few days, Lois heard rumors that the weapon was coming to Star City. Lois worked around the clock and finally, armed with eyewitness descriptions and other information, she wrote her article naming the mysterious figure.
Victor stayed with she and Oliver until Lois' article was finished. After that he started leaving the apartment as soon as Lois got home, returning only in the early morning hours to care for Oliver, while Lois returned to work. Lois was usually happy to get back to work, given that Oliver had withdrawn into himself, shutting out her attempts to get him to talk to her. Evidently, he was suffering emotionally as well as physically. The only time he was using more than monosyllables was when he was arguing with Victor.
Two weeks after Lois discovered Oliver bleeding on the floor, she awakened to the raised voices of Victor and Oliver. She swung her legs over the side of the bed with a sigh and headed toward the bedroom door. Not again.
"Damnit, Victor, he's more powerful than you, and he won't hold back!" Oliver shouted.
"I know, but I'm the closest match. I have to try." Victor replied calmly.
"Don't give me that crap," Oliver's response was bitter. "You're not going out there to fight him; you're trying to save him."
"Shouldn't I return the favor?" Victor asked quietly.
"He's not the Boy Scout anymore, Victor; he's a ruthless killing machine."
"The Darkness controls him; he's not himself, Oliver," Victor argued.
"That was his choice, he gave up!" Oliver's voice was rising.
"He was part of the team; Clark deserves it," Victor finished with a sigh. Lois could hear Victor move to the door and open it but she couldn't respond. Clark was with the Darkness? That was impossible. She stood at the threshold to her bedroom as Victor's voice faded.
"What about the others - Impulse, Zatana, Watchtower? They were team members, too, and they were killed because of him," Oliver spat out. "Victor, the Blur is dead."
Lois felt her heart stop. No, it couldn't be. Granted, she hadn't talked to him in ten months or so but the Blur seemed indestructible. What was going on?
"If I don't come back, take Lois and get out of here," Victor urged, his tone even more serious. "You know he'll come looking for you and for her, eventually."
"Why do you think I crashed here?" Oliver said with a sigh. "You be careful. We'll be gone when you get back. I agree; it's time to leave."
"See you, man."
Oliver didn't reply or, if he did, it was too low to hear. Lois stood at her bedroom door for a few minutes before she was finally able to walk toward the couch.
"What was that all about?" Lois demanded. She was tired of Oliver being so distant and disagreeable. It was time for some answers.
Oliver closed his eyes in frustration.
"Let it go, Lois-" he started, but she cut him off.
"No, Oliver," she argued. "This has been put off long enough. I heard Victor; this has something to do with the Darkness. I have a right - no, I need to know. Tell me."
Oliver looked her in the eyes and nodded. "Fine," he said, expression pained. "You know that character you've named Night? He's … well, he's Clark Kent."
As with her other waking memories, Lois returned to the present slowly. Her mind took in her surroundings, but her emotions were fueled by the fear and despair she'd felt from the sting of every word Oliver had said.
She was fighting the tears when Clark entered the outer office, hair tousled and tie askew. A remote part of her brain wondered if he'd been flying.
Sensing him as he walked up behind her, she swiped at her eyes, feeling the wet that lingered. His hand landed on her shoulder.
"Lois, how's he doing?" Clark asked quietly.
Lois shook her head and moved her lips, but no sound emerged. Her fears and inadequacies were choking her and so she sat there saying nothing. When he squeezed her shoulder lightly, she wondered why she was shutting herself away.
Wasn't she supposed to be getting close to Clark?
Letting go of her vulnerabilities, she stood up and threw her arms around him. She had wanted this, more than anything, after Oliver had revealed him as Night. She had yelled at Oliver, called him a liar, tried to call Clark, threatened to go see him. She knew she was being ridiculous even then. It was her choice to separate herself from Clark; why should she care what he had become? Still, she did. He was a constant; maybe the constant in her world. She owed him, needed him for that.
Clark didn't push her away this time but circled his arms lightly around her. Lois breathed deep, needing to feel his strength and draw from it. Just the feel of him was like no other. It was so natural to be in his arms and yet hugging wasn't something they did very often. She could remember vividly the few times they had - in the hospital after the second meteor shower, once after she'd split with Oliver, the other time after Lana'd left Clark her goodbye video.
"Lois," he said, his voice rumbling in her ear. "Is he all right?"
Lois nodded against his chest, not willing to let go yet.
"And you?" Clark asked; he was always good at the comfort thing. After Oliver left …
Crap, Oliver. He probably thought she was distraught over Oliver, a reasonable conclusion given that she was Oliver's date tonight. Why did she agree to that? She hadn't succeeded in keeping him from being poisoned and now Clark probably thought she was having feelings for her ex. Just something to add to all of the other bad decisions she'd made lately.
Before she could respond, Chloe interrupted.
"Clark, can I talk to you for a second?" Chloe asked softly.
Lois pulled away and nodded, staring at his chest, unable to look at his face. When he followed Chloe into the other room, Lois trailed behind, standing close so she could hear. She was tired of being out of the information loop.
Clark spoke first, "I couldn't identify the poison at the hospital."
"That's because the profile doesn't match any public data-base." Chloe responded quickly. "Oliver was stranded for two years on an uncharted island in the South Pacific. His blood contains bacteria with a similar makeup to a flower species on the island." Lois could hear paper rustling. "Here it is," Chloe finished, providing a Latin name that Lois couldn't pronounce or understand.
"I'm looking for an antidote now," Chloe continued. "Thanks to Lex's obsession with toxins and viruses, Luthorcorp has the most comprehensive collection of organic material on the planet." Lois could hear the tapping of computer keys.
"You're reading all of these, aren't you?" Clark's voice asked, sounding sullen.
There was a pause when Chloe didn't answer.
"There it is," Chloe said.
Just then, Oliver moaned and Lois walked over to check the monitors. His condition was the same. On the way back, she could hear Chloe's raised voice from across the room.
"…like it or not, I can read and process data at lightening fast speed," Chloe's voice sounded louder and Lois stopped walking.
"I know that right now you're making a list in your head of all of the possible ways this could be your fault but, please, don't," Lois heard Chloe tell Clark, followed by the slamming of a file cabinet.
Clark's voice was raised, "If this is because of Brainiac, then we don't know what could happen."
Brainiac, what's a Brainiac?
"Exactly," Chloe responded, her voice louder than before, "No one knows, so let's not worry about it until we have to. Clark, this is my life, and for once something good came from something horrible. I'm choosing to look at this as a gift, one that could help us save Oliver's life. Right now, I think it's time you called in a favor with your new boss."
The look on Clark's face told Lois that, as far as he was concerned, the discussion with Chloe wasn't over yet. Lois couldn't help but wonder if this had anything to do with Chloe's abduction or Jimmy's murder. It was even worse being in the dark when you knew that you should know the answers.
After twenty minutes, Oliver's fever started to spike and Chloe urged her to call Davis. Lois didn't respond but kept her eyes on Oliver, her friend and fellow fighter. Even when he was being a pain in the -, he was truly one of the good guys. He would be needed if things went wrong, if she failed. They couldn't afford to lose him now. Trading out the cold compresses, she considered Chloe's comments as she pressed her lips together and waited for Clark.
"Davis can help," Chloe said again a few minutes later. "I'm going to contact him if Clark isn't back in five."
Three minutes later, Clark burst through the door.
"Use this," he said, showing them a needle filled with clear liquid. "It's the antidote."
"Most of these types of serums need to be administered in the chest," Chloe told Clark, getting up to wrap her hand around his until Clark's fingers were gripping the syringe. "I don't think Lois or I have the strength. You'll have to do it."
"Hurry," Lois told him as Oliver's body started shaking, "I think he's having a seizure."
Clark hesitated and looked at Chloe. Lois could see the question in his eyes - are you sure? Chloe's nod was barely visible but it was enough. Clark leaned forward and stabbed the needle into Oliver's chest depressing the plunger until the antidote was gone. By the time he removed the needle, Oliver's eyes were open.
"Mercy, you have to find Mercy." He was barely coherent.
"What?" Clark asked him.
"Tess Mercer, Clark, please, whoever did this to me, they're going to go after her next." Oliver said, his voice rising.
"You know Tess." It was more of a statement than a question, but Lois could tell that Clark was surprised.
"There's no time," Oliver practically shouted.
"She's working late, she's at the Daily Planet," Clark muttered to himself and took off. Lois wondered if Clark would manage to save their new boss, again. She wondered, not for the first time, if she would ever get to see him in action as a hero.
"Clark will find her," Lois said to Oliver, who was still looking upset, his head thrashing on the pillow.
"Lois?" he said softly, stopping to look at her with a smile forming on his face. "No poison would dare kill me with you as the nurse." Lois noticed that his face was flushed and his words slurred. The symptoms weren't gone completely.
She smiled briefly at him and turned to Chloe, serious again. "Maybe we should call Davis now."
When Davis arrived, he performed a basic exam on Oliver and, to Lois' surprise, didn't recommend the hospital. Instead, after talking with Oliver about the history of the poison, he suggested an overnight private nurse. Lois told Chloe to call a very young, very attractive one.
"That way we can be sure he follows the instructions," Lois laughed at Oliver's chagrined expression. He was starting to look more like himself.
"No nurse could be as good as you, Legs," Oliver said seriously, putting his hand on hers. Lois gently pulled away.
"This was an emergency, Oliver," she told him seriously. "And that includes earlier in the evening. I was just helping a friend."
She waited until Oliver nodded, saddened a little by the disappointment in his face, even though she knew it was for the best. When she turned away, she caught Chloe's speculative look.
Daily Planet, next morning
"Hey, Smallville, figures this is this how Tess Mercer rewards you for saving her life - early hours and more work, huh?"
"Lois, what are you doing here?" Clark looked up, surprise clear on his face.
Lois raised her eyebrows at the question, "I work here remember?"
"I know that," Clark scowled. "What about Oliver?"
"Well, he should be home right now playing nurse with his very own, very attractive Florence Nightingale," Lois said, picking up some notes on her desk.
"Oh, I thought, I mean … I figured you would stay with him."
"I may have played nurse, Clark, but it was never going to progress to doctor," Lois stared across the desk at him. "Ollie and I were over long ago."
Lois didn't let her gaze waver as she stared into Clark's eyes.
He blinked.
"Uhm, wow, I mean, I thought that after last night …" Clark stammered.
Lois shook her head at Clark's assumption. It was reasonable but she wanted to clear it up now, for everyone's sake.
"No, at the charity event, I was just helping him out, as a friend," Lois responded firmly, knowing that Clark didn't always get subtlety.
"How can you be so sure it's over?" Clark asked her, clearly intrigued by Lois' certainty.
Lois blinked in response. How could she respond to that? There were lots of reasons, most of which she couldn't share with Clark. In the future, she'd learned a lot about Oliver that convinced her they weren't meant to be. There had been plenty of opportunities for them while fighting the Darkness but they'd kept their friendship status through it all.
"I just know he's not the one," Lois said, shuffling some more papers. It was as much of the truth as she could give him. Last night's events forced her to accept the fact that she was using Oliver for a lot of things … that she was using Oliver, period. If she was going to complete her mission it was time to be all in, no more back up.
"Must be nice to be so sure," she heard Clark murmur.
"It is," she responded succinctly, watching his surprised glance meet hers.
Just when she was thinking he understood more than she realized, a haunted look crossed his face. Her heart sank. Maybe Clark's resistance didn't have anything to do with Oliver.
If it's Lana …
Knowing that it was best if Clark got off that roller coaster now, Lois told him, "You should try it sometime."
Clark looked doubtful and then smiled his Kent smile. It rocked Lois to the core and she promptly sat down, weak in the knees. He really needed to stop doing that. Who could resist that smile?
It took her a few minutes to collect her thoughts after her body's reaction to him. When she did, she looked across the desk at the determined expression Clark wore when he was working. All in, how would it be with someone like Clark?
Her body shivered at the thought.
One thing was certain; she needed a better understanding of his world. Thinking over the events of last night, she turned on her computer and typed in "Brainiac."
Metropolis, One Week Later
"Happy Birthday, Legs," Oliver greeted Lois with a hug, a beer, and small gift-wrapped box.
"Oliver Queen, what brings you to my party?" Lois asked loudly, trying to talk over the noise of the local bar. "I thought you'd still be battling the paper over that piece of fiction they printed about you … or be off somewhere drowning your sorrows."
"Ouch, maybe I should take my gift back," Oliver said, nodding to Chloe and Jimmy, who were seated at the bar next to Lois. Lois snatched her hand away as Oliver reached for the brightly-wrapped package.
"Don't be such a spoil sport," Lois said, ripping in to the gift. "Thanks for the present."
"It's nothing, the least I could do after you nursed me back to health," Oliver replied, taking a sip of his own beer.
"I didn't do anything," Lois told him, opening the box. "Chloe and Clark found the antidote." She looked inside at the high-tech flashlight keychain, complete with safety alarm, and pulled it out of the box.
"Oliver, you shouldn't have," Lois said, raising her eyebrows at Chloe and Jimmy, who were attempting to stifle their laughter.
"With you, Lois, it's safety first," Oliver said, toasting her with his beer and smirking. She handed the keychain to Jimmy for examination and when she turned back she caught the Oliver's stiff body posture, his earlier expression replaced by a decidedly wary one.
By following Oliver's gaze, Lois was able to spot Clark standing by the door, still in his work attire. She watched as he looked around, his eyes resting on Oliver, and he froze. Clark looked uncomfortable and for a minute she was sure she saw a touch of guilt in his eyes. A traffic jam developed as patrons tried to move around Clark to get in and out of the door. He was like a brick wall.
What's going on?
"Clark's here," Lois shouted to Chloe and Jimmy, deciding to ignore the tension. She moved to make her way through the crowd to grab Clark's arm. Her touch seemed to break the spell and he looked down at her.
"Hey, it's supposed to be a party, Smallville. Turn that frown upside down," Lois yelled at him over the noise of the bar. He smiled a little and handed Lois a small box.
"Happy birthday, Lois," Clark told her loudly, speaking up to be heard.
She held the box tightly to her as she dragged Clark back to the bar to rip into the present. Everyone was quiet until she opened the box and pulled out the gift. Then Jimmy and Chloe couldn't contain their laughter. Even Oliver chuckled.
It was another high-tech flashlight keychain with safety alarm. Lois raised her eyebrows at Clark, who managed to look sheepish.
"You do work awfully late, Lois," he told her in all sincerity. "I thought you could use some additional protection."
"Thanks, Clark; safety first," Lois said, trying not to roll her eyes. She started to punch Clark in the arm but then thought better of it and gave him a hug. She grabbed the other keychain back from Jimmy, who was playing with the flashlight, and tried to ignore Clark's surprised look as she placed both in her purse. Oh, well, that's what she got for hanging out with protector types.
"Sorry I don't have a gift for you to open," Chloe told Lois. "Your gift from me is your maid of honor dress, shoes, flowers, and all that. Weddings are expensive."
"No problem, Cuz, I'm just glad you've decided on a winter wedding," Lois told her sincerely. It had taken all of Lois' skills but she had managed to get Chloe to change both the date and the location of the blessed event. She just hoped it would be enough to change the outcome as well.
"Tell me what I need to do to help and I'll take care of it, when it's not my birthday, of course," Lois said, swinging her beer toward Chloe's for a toast.
Chloe narrowed her eyes at Lois with a rueful smile and a shake of her head. "I'll schedule an appointment."
Stepping back, Lois careened into Clark, who steadied her with his hands while she leaned in to talk to Jimmy.
"Jimmy, a winter wedding is a great idea, a chance to start the new year fresh," Lois shouted, patting him on the back. "Take advantage of that," she added, watching as Jimmy sidled closer to Chloe.
"S-sure, Lois," he replied nervously. "Thanks."
Lois chuckled to herself at Jimmy's display of nerves. Good, she was still keeping him on his toes. He deserved it for being tricked into working for Lex. Then her heart fell as she remembered events from the future. Jimmy didn't deserve to die the way he did.
For a minute, the weight of her responsibilities hit her and Lois felt the fear of history repeating itself. She tried to brush the feelings aside for tonight. For her birthday she wanted to have fun, forgetting missions, the Darkness and danger.
When Oliver was the first one to leave her little party, Lois breathed a sigh of relief. He'd been tense all night. Whatever was going on with Clark was serious. Both of them had been unusually quiet and the tension in the air had put a serious damper on the party.
"You know you're always welcome to crash at my place," Oliver told Lois on the way out, brushing her bangs out of her face and looking over to Clark, who stood talking to Jimmy at the bar.
"I might take you up on that someday, as a friend," Lois emphasized, blowing at her bangs and patting Oliver on his cheek. "Don't forget I'm kicking your ass again next Thursday," she reminded him with a smile.
Oliver shook his head with a resigned look and headed for the door. Lois noticed that he didn't say goodbye to Clark on the way out. However, Clark watched Oliver as he made his way across the bar, regret and guilt returning to his features.
Looking at Clark's expression, Lois could see a brooding session coming. It was time for an intervention. Today was her birthday and she wanted everyone to have fun. Squaring her shoulders, Lois walked up to Clark at the bar.
"Let's dance," she said, putting her hands on his arms and trying to drag him out onto the floor. It was like trying to move a rock.
"You just want to make fun of my dancing skills," he said to Lois, shaking his head in the negative.
"What skills?" She commented, laughing. When Clark raised his brows, she stopped and pulled on his arms.
"Come on, it's my birthday and I'll dance if I want to," she half-sang, sliding her hands down his forearms to tug his hands. He rolled his eyes at her singing, resisted for a minute and they engaged in a playful tug-of-war before Clark let her lead him to the dance floor. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Chloe and Jimmy looking on with interest and then following them.
She watched as Chloe and Jimmy pulled each other close and hesitated as the song changed to a slow rhythm. Tentatively, Lois put her hands on Clark's arms and waited, continuing to look over Clark's shoulder at her cousin who was talking and laughing with her fiance. A twinge near her heart made her realize that she was jealous of the ease Chloe had with Jimmy. When Clark's arms closed around her, Lois looked up at his facial expression. She wondered if that kind of easy relationship was what he wanted. She couldn't tell from his expression because he was staring off into the distance.
Frustrated by his stoicism and fueled by the alcohol and that little lingering twinge, she let her hands slide to Clark's shoulders and used them to pull her mouth up close to his ear.
"Lighten up, Smallville," she told him. "We're supposed to be having fun."
Her feminine senses thrilled at the shiver she felt go through his body, and she purposefully pressed against him as she slid back down onto her heels. Rokk had told her that her that with the process of sending her thoughts back, certain protections would be put into place so that her mind couldn't be tampered with. She wondered if those were designed to protect her from intoxication. If so, she wasn't sure they weren't working. It must be the alcohol because she'd never been so bold as to tease Clark like this before. Still she couldn't resist peeking through her lashes to gauge his reaction.
He was looking at her now, eyes darkened and narrowed. She gulped as a slow smile appeared on his face and she quickly lowered her gaze to his shirt, a little embarrassed at Clark's confident response. Her body shivered from the intensity of Clark's gaze and he pulled her closer. The heat from his body, along with the slower tune, soothed her nerves and she felt her eyes slowly close … and pop open the minute she felt Clark's breath on her ear.
"Oh, I am having fun," he whispered, and Lois' knees buckled.
What had she started?
Whatever it was kept the party going into the late night hours. As Lois stood on stage, singing karaoke with a reluctant Chloe, she couldn't take her eyes off of Clark.
She says, We've got to hold on to what we've got
'Cause it doesn't make a difference
If we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot
For love - we'll give it a shot
Nothing appeared different; he had the same dark hair and blue eyes, the same full lips and athletic body. He was the same decent, hardworking brooder, but he wasn't brooding any more. He was more relaxed and she liked it. It surprised her to know how much she wanted him to be this way, to feel this way, without the weight of the world on his shoulders. It was as if a weight was lifted from her own.
Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
Whoa, livin' on a prayer
As she and Chloe belted out the chorus, Lois caught Clark's eyes and felt her face flush at his expression. The affection mixed with amusement she saw heated her from the inside, made her feel warm all over and, for just a minute, the lyrics of one of her favorite songs took on new meaning. Maybe she was starting to make some progress after all.
Whoa, we're half way there …
After her little party ended, while walking back to the Daily Planet with Clark, Lois was feeling the same warmth from earlier and she smiled to herself.
"If I didn't know better, Smallville, I would almost think that you know how to have good time," Lois told him, needing to fill the silence and distract her wayward thoughts. Thinking about his breath on her ear made her shiver.
Damn traitorous body.
"Gee, thanks Lois," Clark replied sarcastically, looking straight ahead while he continued walking.
As his silence continued, Lois continued to watch his profile. Something was different. As soon as they left the bar, Clark's demeanor changed again. Now his was brooding. Her mind reviewed the events of the evening - he wasn't upset with her condition, only amused, and he seemed okay with the dancing, more than okay, actually -
"So what's up with you and Oliver?" Lois asked him.
When he flinched she knew that she'd hit the nail on the proverbial head.
He didn't respond.
"Come on, Clark, you can tell me," Lois said. "I promise I won't take sides."
Clark stopped and ran his hands through his hair.
"I found out something … something about Oliver's family and I didn't tell him. He discovered it anyway and now he's angry," Clark told her, looking glumly at the sidewalk as turned and continued to walk.
"Why did you keep this information from him?" Lois asked, glancing at Clark out of the corner of her eye.
"I don't know," Clark sighed. "I guess I was worried about how he would react. I didn't want him to do anything stupid," Clark told her, as he stopped and looked up toward the globe at the top of the Planet.
Lois stopped and looked as well, first at the globe and then at Clark.
"So you didn't trust him?" Lois suggested.
"What?" Clark responded in astonishment. "No, that's not it." Clark stammered. "I was trying to protect him."
"Protect him?" Lois snorted. "You just didn't trust him to make his own decisions."
Clark took a step closer, his face cloudy, "I thought you said you weren't going to take sides?"
"I'm not. This is Oliver talking. I'm pretty sure this is how he sees it," Lois said, taking a step closer herself and narrowing her eyes at him.
"Then you are taking sides!" Clark said, raising his voice.
"No, no, no, I'm just trying to get you to see the other side. Oliver thinks you hid the truth because you don't trust him, Clark. He feels betrayed," Lois continued.
Clark put his hands in his pockets in frustration, walking over to the after-hours door.
Lois followed, trying to ignore the memory of her last argument with Oliver, when she was trying to protect Clark and, in some ways, Oliver himself. He was stubborn, impetuous and unpredictable. Maybe that's why they got along so well and why Lois could understand Oliver's point of view.
When she reached the door, Lois put her hand on Clark's arm and felt the sharp pain in her temple that preceded either a headache or a memory.
Crap, not again.
Lois gripped Clark's arm tight. It wasn't a headache but the memory she was trying to ignore earlier springing to the surface.
"He needs to be taken down, damnit!" Oliver yelled at her for the third time, as they were getting ready for what they hoped would be their final confrontation with Night.
"Ollie, you know that we could use his abilities. If he could be turned-"
"What makes you think you can turn him? We've all tried and failed, even Chloe and Lana. Hell, Chloe died trying to turn him."
And there it was. The real reason Oliver couldn't forgive Night. Despite Oliver's efforts and their romantic relationship, Chloe had followed Clark rather than him. Her loyalty to Clark had resulted in her submission to the dark side, which had ultimately led to her death. Lois was never sure if Oliver blamed Night or himself more.
"What makes you think you …" Oliver continued, trailing off as his eyes narrowed at her expression. "Unless you know something I don't know. Did something happen-"
"That's enough, Oliver. Now get into position; this will work."
"Is that an order?" Oliver asked her sullenly.
Lois shuddered as her thoughts cleared. At least it hadn't been a lengthy memory. Still, she could hear the concern in Clark's voice.
"Lois … Lois, are you all right?"
When she didn't respond, his free hand moved under her chin, forcing it up. "Lois, look at me."
Trying to focus quickly and squelch the emotions that came with the memory, she smiled in an effort to ease his apprehension.
"I'm fine Clark," she told him. "I just zoned out for a minute. Maybe I had a teensy, weensy too much to drink?" Lois used her thumb and forefinger to illustrate.
Clark raised his brows but before he could respond, a feeling of intense fear rose to the surface. She gripped Clark's arm tighter and he stopped, waiting for her to speak. Following her argument with Oliver, he had managed to get his way in the end and Clark had suffered for it.
"I understand why you did it, Clark. Oliver can be unpredictable, but if you trust him you need to tell him-" Lois started, an edge to her voice.
As Clark opened his mouth to speak, but Lois couldn't stop herself from interrupting when a new thought hit her.
"Or, better yet, do something to show him that you trust him ..."
Lois watched as Clark leaned forward this time, opening his mouth again.
"Or, you could do both," Lois continued, on a roll now, "apologize and do something nice." She stopped and smiled at him in anticipation, proud of her own cleverness.
"Are you done?" Clark asked with an exasperated expression on his face.
Lois nodded, confused by his lack of enthusiasm.
Clark continued, shaking his head with a superior smile, "Thanks for the advice, Lois, but I'm not sending Oliver flowers or candy."
In a huff, Lois turned and walked into the building, tripping slightly over the threshold, huffing again at Clark's chuckle. He should be more appreciative of her good, solid advice. Granted, she wasn't Dr. Phil, especially with a few beers in her, but usually knowing the right thing to say was easy with him.
It should be easier if you know it was meant to be …
Easier, when did Lois do anything the easier way? By nature she was pushy, she knew that, but it was because Lanes didn't do things halfway. The General never lived by the motto step back and let life develop at its own pace. Instead, he was all about moving forward and making progress.
Battle ready …
Prepare for every eventuality …
Those were words you lived by in the Lane household. The General would never rely on the fact that it was meant to be. As Lois stopped on the other side of the door, she steadied herself and considered Imra's words.
"Do you believe in destiny?" Lois blurted out as Clark turned to face her after closing the door. Immediately she gave herself a mental slap as she started to rub her throat. What was she thinking?
Expecting him to laugh, Lois was stunned when Clark's bitter gaze slammed into to hers and held. His eyes narrowed and she shivered.
"No," he said, taking her arm, pulling it down and practically dragging her through the hall toward the parking garage exit.
"Why not?" Lois said trying to keep up and not stumble over her feet. She failed miserably and crashed into Clark, who turned and caught her up against his chest. It was like the bus explosion all over again and, as Lois leaned in, Clark stepped back, holding her in place with both hands.
"Why not?" Lois repeated softly and wondered what she was asking, as his distance hit her like a rejection.
Clark looked exasperated, and whether it was at the question or at her, Lois wasn't sure.
"Destiny is just another word for having no choice," he said tersely, removing one hand from her arm and running it through his hair. "Everyone should have options."
"But we don't always, do we?" Lois whispered, hearing the slur in her words.
Clark must have caught her inebriated tone as well because he relaxed and turned her back toward the garage, pushing her lightly in front of him.
"Well, for tonight, you don't have any choice, not in your condition," he said lightly. "I'm driving you home."
Settled in the passenger seat of the truck, Lois turned sideways and rested her head on the seat, studying Clark's profile while he watched the road. She considered his strong reaction to her question about destiny. It was rare that he displayed negative emotions about anything. What had happened to garner such resentment from her mild-mannered co-worker?
It hit her that if he knew about her mission, he would hate it, try to talk her out of it, fight to give her alternatives. He would try to protect her as he had Oliver; that's what he did.
Now it was her turn to protect him. Didn't he deserve the same from her? She thought about how relaxed and happy he'd looked tonight. She wanted to give him that. Maybe she should back off, pull back on the attack, so to speak. He should be given choices and if he didn't want her … she would continue to support him in the best way she knew how.
It should be easier if you know it was meant to be …
Easy for Imra to say.
Lois felt her eyes grow heavy as she let the effects of the alcohol lull her to sleep. Tomorrow she should reconsider her strategy. Clark deserved it.