CHAPTER NINE - BLOODLINE BACK
Talon, one week later
Lois breathed deep. Oh, the smell of coffee. It was more invigorating, more addictive than her morning run and that was saying something.
Sweats on, hair still in a pony tail, Lois stepped up to the counter to place her order. She made note of the regular Saturday crowd and nodded to a couple of familiar customers. Stopping by after a run was part of her routine at least before the jeweler escaped. It felt good to get back to it now that the jeweler was locked up. She needed to work off some energy, particularly after this week.
Since the night Clark revealed his secret, Lois felt like a little girl on a teeter totter. Her bothersome inner child, at random times of the day, felt the need to remind her of the obvious.
Clark told you his secret … Clark told you his secret …
And then, no matter what she was doing, her face would break out in an annoying smile. Randall had become so irritated with her arbitrary grins that he'd lectured her for an additional two minutes one day for "making fun of the boss."
Waiting to place her order, Lois thought back on the giddy feeling she'd had the "morning after."
Grabbing her high-heeled shoes in her hand, Lois headed out of the bedroom, putting on one and then the other before making her way downstairs in haste. She was running late for work and really needed her coffee.
Clark was sipping his cup at the counter, newspaper in hand, so Lois snatched up her own, yanked Clark's arm, and pulled him with her as she reached for her jacket.
"Come on, Clark, let's go. We're going to be late."
Clark let her drag him about halfway there. Then he planted his feet.
"Ugh," Lois exclaimed, letting go of his arm so she could grab her jacket and put it on. "If I'm late one more time, Randall's going to have my-"
"I think you've probably scored a few bonus points with yesterday's story," Clark interrupted calmly, still holding the newspaper in his hands.
"Oh, yeah," Lois replied hesitantly. Last night, they hadn't had time to talk about anything but Clark's heritage. "Well, you didn't think I was going to go through all that and not write about it, did you?" Lois asked taking in Clark's annoyed expression.
"No," he responded, looking down at the front page. "But you gave all the credit for the rescue to the Blur."
"Of course," Lois told him. "It wasn't like I was going to expose you to the world," she told him, taking a sip of coffee. Her mind was already on the two stories on her desk and she was anxious to get going. "Besides, it was the truth. The Blur did save-"
Her eyes slammed into Clark's as she realized her mistake too late. Even with all that Clark had disclosed last night, they hadn't gotten around to talking about his alter ego. Most of the conversation was centered on Clark's past.
Stepping up to the counter, Lois placed her order and waited, sighing as she remembered the feeling of her stomach dropping to her knees. She'd bottomed out on the teeter totter and the thrill of knowing had been wiped out by the reality of living with secrets. Not everything could be revealed in an evening. It was a reminder that there were still secrets between them, and now most of them belonged to her …
In response to the panic on her face, Clark closed his eyes in resignation. "How long have you known?"
"Known what?" Lois asked, taking another sip. She needed more wake-up juice for this … and time to consider the right response.
"Lois," Clark warned taking a step toward her. "How long have you known?"
Lois sighed, "That you're the Blur?"
Clark nodded, his eyes going wide at hearing her say it out loud.
Looking down at her coffee cup, Lois told him, "Since last month when Jimmy confronted you."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"Why didn't you?" Lois challenged, taking her own step forward. If Clark thought he could intimidate her now that she knew about his powers, well he could think again.
"Because I … because, well," Clark stammered and then, losing his bluster, he seemed to deflate as his anger dissipated and hurt took its place. "You let me go on last night …telling you things about myself, private things, and it seems that you knew all the time."
"But I didn't," Lois told him, looking at his wounded expression. "I mean, I knew that you had powers and that you save people every day without asking anything," Lois stepped even closer and placed her hand over his heart, absentmindedly making note as its beat increase under her fingertips. "But I didn't know most of what you told me last night and, even if I did, I couldn't have stopped you. You must know I wasn't trying to … that I wouldn't … last night was-"
Lois had to close her eyes momentarily to stop herself from babbling or breaking down. Things could not unravel now. With his heart continuing its thunderous beat beneath her hand, Lois waited until the silence seemed deafening. Nervously opening her eyes, she tilted her head in response to Clark's confused expression.
"But you didn't hint, didn't ask …"
"Of course not," Lois returned, growing confused herself. "Your secrets aren't mine to tell. I figured you'd let me know when you were ready. Thank you," she said simply.
"For what?" Clark asked her, clearly confused by her response.
Placing her money on the table and taking her order, Lois considered Clark's response. It was if, for all his trust in humanity, he still expected the worst reactions to his revelations. Most the time, she was convinced that she knew him better than anyone but, at other times, he was a complete mystery, the smallest things seeming to make him the happiest.
Lois took a deep breath, trying to find the words to help him understand, to make him see that she knew all about keeping things hidden. "For last night – what you told me – that was a gift, Clark, your gift."
Clark's eyes widened at Lois' words and then he broke into a smile, appreciation and warmth in his gaze.
At the Kent smile, Lois felt her legs grow weak and, reflexively, her grip tightened on his shirt. Her mind wandered to the engagement party where they had stood in the same position only, that night, Clark's hand had been lifting her chin.
As if he'd read her thoughts, Clark's warm fingers reached out to cup her face.
"Lois," he said softly, seeming to marvel at her words, and Lois stopped breathing as she waited and wondered …
This time it was Shelby who broke the spell, scratching and whining at the door until Clark let him inside for the morning meal.
While Clark fed the dog, Lois took extra sips of coffee, struggling to catch her breath. When she realized that she was staring at Clark, she shook her head at her own behavior and looked at her watch.
Time to get focused.
"Chop, chop, Smallville," she told him, working to get a grip on her emotions and bring things back to some semblance of normal. "For someone with super speed, you're as slow as molasses. Let's get a move on," she continued talking while walking out the door.
"Yes, ma'am," Clark responded in a mock military tone, the smile never leaving as he followed her to the car.
Even now, Lois could feel her heart race with anticipation. Her body had been more than willing to share a kiss even as her mind was screaming for her to move away. Engaging in that kind of activity was risky while Lana was around. As much as Lois would like to ignore it, she knew that Clark needed to deal with Lana before he could ever move forward.
Lana.
Lois sipped her coffee as she considered the only person who consistently put a damper on her inner child. Every time Lana stopped by the Daily Planet or the farm, Lois felt displaced.
Even Clark seemed to be reverting to the past, breaking into intermittent fits of moping and brooding. Disappointed with Clark's response and with her own feelings of insecurity, Lois started avoiding Lana as much as possible. Some part of her knew that it was the coward's approach and yet …
In every incarnation of Clark Kent, you are his second choice.
After the drama of the week, she'd been relieved this morning to find a note from Clark telling her he'd be gone for most of the day. Unfortunately, her run had given her mind time for worrying and now the last thing she wanted to do was be alone.
Standing at the bottom of the stairs with a coffee in her hand, Lois took a deep breath and headed up the stairs to her former apartment. Chloe was getting some company today.
At the door, Lois paused, disappointed by the sound of voices but not wanting to walk in on the love birds. After a second, she realized that the male voice was too deep to be Jimmy's but, before she could barge in, she was practically bowled over by Davis Bloome.
"Hey, watch the coffee," Lois said, stumbling back and turning to the side, trying to protect her cup.
"Oh, sorry, Lois," he mumbled, continuing down the stairs.
Lois watched Davis leave, a funny feeling in her gut. What was she supposed to do about a murderer who hadn't killed yet? For all intents and purposes he had killed Jimmy, at least in Lois' past. Of course, that could change this time around. Maybe it already had. Lois straightened, remembering that she was here to try to make things better. She needed to get focused. Determined and still a little agitated at the sight of Davis, Lois' call to Chloe came out louder than she intended.
"Lois, what are you doing here?" Chloe asked, jumping a little and slopping her coffee on the counter as a result. When it came to coffee, the cousins were definitely alike, Lois thought as she entered and closed the door.
"What am I doing here? Why was I almost run over by Davis Bloome? Is he making house calls now?" Lois fired off in rapid order, the feeling in her gut still unsettling.
"Whoa, okay," Chloe said, sitting down her cup and holding up her hands in surrender. "I've been helping him with a project. He stopped by to see how it was going."
"So now he knows where you live?" Lois asked incredulously.
"I do live above a public coffee shop, Lois," Chloe answered defensively, picking up her large coffee cup. "What's with the third degree?"
"I just don't trust that guy, Chloe, especially since he tried to hide records-"
"But he wasn't responsible for those murders. If you recall, one of my group confessed," Chloe was growing perturbed.
"I know; it's just …" Lois sighed, walking over to set her own coffee down on the counter. "My gut's telling me something's not right when tall, dark and medical is around."
And I don't know what else to do to keep him from killing Jimmy …
"Your gut …?" Lois held her breath at the disbelieving look from Chloe. "Lois, what's going on?"
"What do you mean?"
"Something's going on with you, I can tell. I'm your cousin, remember-"
"Nothing's going on, Chloe, I don't know what you mean …"
"You've been having these gut feelings lately that have a lot to do with me. You've told me to stay away from Davis and yet you also want me to put off my wedding," she continued, raising her arms in frustration. "I'm used to Clark's over-protective nature but lately you've surpassed even him."
"It's not like that, I just-"
"Is it still Jimmy?" Chloe interrupted, clearly bothered by the thought. "I know you've had your issues with him …" Words trailing off, Lois watched as her gaze softened and she came around to put her hand on Lois' arm. "I'm sorry, Lois. Is it the jeweler? Clark mentioned that you had this … uhm, break-"
"Whoa, Chloe," Lois said, removing Chloe's hand as she turned to walk to the couch. The last thing she needed was sympathy, especially after the week she'd experienced. "I'm fine. It's just, you know, being kidnapped is nothing compared to … well, my baby cousin getting married, that's all. It's a lot to take in, I guess."
For a minute, Chloe looked at Lois like she could see right through her. Then she smiled impishly over her coffee cup. "You know what we need?"
"What?" Lois said, squirming a little at that particular glint in Chloe's eyes.
"Some quality cousin time," Chloe told her, walking over to the television. "With all of the wedding stuff, I hardly see you anymore."
Relieved, Lois leaned back against the couch and smiled. "Sure, that sounds great."
After rifling through the movies, Chloe turned to Lois. "Which one's better, Russell Crowe or Christian Bale?"
Lois responded without thinking. "I prefer brooding over angry."
"Really," Chloe said, raising her eyebrows, "since when?"
Lois tried to laugh off the question but inside her inner child was screaming …
Clark told me his secret … Clark told me his secret …
That same inner child was urging Lois to tell her cousin everything, just like she used to when they were little girls. The adult warrior in her who'd battled the Darkness was countering and telling her to keep her secrets. What if she revealed too much and messed up the future yet again? Her internal debate raging, Lois kept her face hidden in her coffee, trying to decide what to do.
Chloe took her silence as a confirmation.
"Wow," Chloe breathed out, lowering herself into a nearby chair, eyes wide and face pale. Her eyes were intently studying her cousin. "I can't believe I didn't see this coming. How did I miss it? I mean, you work with the guy and you live with him now. You're practically attached at the hip-"
"Whoa, Chloe, I don't live with Clark …" Lois stuttered at Chloe's considering look. "Uh, I don't know what you're talking-"
"Jimmy always said you guys have chemistry … Does Clark know?"
"You know what? Let's just watch something else," Lois said, starting to panic as Chloe went from considering to convinced, while Lois' internal debate still raged. Trying to act nonchalant, Lois jumped off the couch and walked over to the movies.
In the meantime, Chloe continued on, ignoring her. "If Clark knows, that would explain why he hasn't fallen over himself at the return of La-"
"Okay, how about My Big Fat Greek Wedding?" Lois responded, definitely not wanting to talk about the girl whose return had plagued her all week.
Chloe ignored Lois' question and leaned forward in her chair. "Not until you admit it," she said, her intense gaze turning into a knowing grin. "You like Clark."
At the look on Chloe's face, Lois felt her denial catch in her throat. She swallowed hard.
Kent farm, next day
Trying to adjust the moving boxes in her arms, Lois stopped outside at the kitchen door. The last of her things were being moved from the Talon to the farm. During their girl's day, Chloe had mentioned the lack of space and so Lois had taken the hint, finally packing up some of her little-used possessions.
While she was filling up four full boxes, she cursed herself for leaving so many things behind.
Why had she done it?
That was easy - she'd never expected Clark to let her stay at the farm for very long. Every day, some part of her still expected him to throw her out. Their ability to share a house together, without killing each other, repeatedly took her by surprise.
Of course, if she took Chloe's advice, they'd be sharing more than a house. After Chloe practically beat a confession out of Lois, the bride-to-be felt compelled to hand out advice.
"Look, when it comes to matters of the heart, Clark is obtuse. I think that's why he's stuck with Lana so far," Chloe told Lois, grinning when Lois wrinkled her nose at the sound of Lana's name. "He has to know, in no uncertain terms, that you are interested in more than friendship."
"Come on, Chloe, I always hated those girls who fought over guys-"
"Lois, take it from someone who played the supportive friend. It doesn't work with Clark. He'll take you at your word. He's literal like that," she muttered throwing in a set of fur-lined handcuffs with raised brows and a smile.
When Clark opened the kitchen door from the other side, Lois nervously shoved her moving boxes into his arms with Chloe's words echoing in her brain and visions of furry handcuffs dancing in her head.
"Handle with care, Smallville, I've had those albums since I was ten," she told him, needing to say something, anything, to get rid of those kinds of thoughts. Snatching back the top box, she brushed past Clark on the way to the kitchen counter.
"Great, your Def Leppard Anthology, can't wait to hear that," Clark responded sarcastically, looking inside the box as he sat it on the counter opposite Lois. "Why are you bringing this stuff here when you obviously haven't missed it?"
"Quit your whining," Lois told him. "I forgot a few things, okay? The love birds don't need my stuff cluttering their nest and we've got plenty of room …" At Clark's amused glance and raised eyebrows, Lois panicked and started babbling. "I mean you've got plenty of room … I mean there's plenty of room here … at the farm, it's big, with lots of space ..."
Rifling through the items in her box like she was looking for something, Lois ignored Clark and his climbing eyebrows. She wondered if the horror she felt at her words was showing on her face.
Where did that "we" come from?"
"It's all right Lois," Clark said, reaching across the counter to place his hand on her arm. "I want you to think of the farm as your home."
Before she could adjust to his heat, Clark removed his hand but his words brought an entirely different kind of warmth to her heart. She'd heard the sentiment often enough from Ms. Kent but to hear it from Clark … her eyes rose to capture his, looking for any signs that he was joking with her. His answering smile of sincerity sent a thrill through her to her toes.
Home.
Lois couldn't resist returning his smile and, as she did, Clark's seemed to brighten. They stood there grinning at each other until the sound of the screen door interrupted.
"Clark?" Lana's voice preceded her into the kitchen.
Lois looked away from Clark, watching as the petite woman walked through the door, garbed in her all-black attire, carrying a plainly wrapped package in her hand. Lois was still adjusting to her shorter hair cut. She seemed even more fragile, more petite, with the shorter hair. It didn't help with her own insecurities that Lois now felt like a clumsy giant next to the smaller brunette.
When Clark turned to greet Lana his smile dimmed slightly.
"Lana, uhm, what are you doing here?"
For a minute, Lana looked taken aback by the question but her reaction was quickly replaced with a confident smile. "I thought we could go over what we discovered yesterday," she said quietly, obviously expecting Clark to agree. She signed, looking around the house with a proprietary air. "This place never changes," she smiled intimately.
When Clark returned the smile, Lois felt like she'd been punched in the gut. At least when Lana showed up at the Planet it was Lois' exclusive domain but here … Lana had lived here, too, and with a few words, she seemed to place her own stamp on the place.
Home - right.
Lois felt displaced.
Fighting the urge to run, feeling like a third wheel, she looked away and caught a glimpse of the box in Lana's hand. Wondering if she'd dropped something on the way in, she interrupted the silent stroll down memory lane. "What do you have there?"
"Oh," Lana said, not breaking eye contact with Clark. "This was on the front porch. It was leaning up against the outside of the house. It looks like a delivery," she continued, glancing at Lois only when Clark took his eyes of Lana to examine the plain brown paper.
"No return address. That's weird." Clark said, glancing at both women in confusion.
Lois shrugged her shoulders and then watched with Lana as Clark ripped off the paper, revealing a leather case inside. The blue crystal in the case looked very familiar.
"Wait, Clark, that's the crystal I saw at the mansion," Lois cried as soon as he touched it. "I'm sure of it."
The sight of Clark with the crystal triggered something in Lois' memory. Running around the counter, she tried to grab Clark's arm but he jerked it away when the crystal started glowing. Mesmerized, they all stood there watching the blue light until the windows started to rattle.
"Let's hope no more bimbos appear," Lois shouted, trying to break the spell. Clark just looked at her, seemingly stunned by the crystal's power.
"Clark, drop it," Lana cried out, looking around at the shaking house.
"Get back!" Clark shouted, moving away from both women toward the dining room. "Both of you - run."
"I'm not leaving you!" Lois cried, racing over to grab the arm holding the crystal. As soon as she touched Clark there was a blue light, she felt her body being pulled, and there was nothing more.
Phantom Zone, same day
When Lois regained consciousness, Clark was standing over her blocking the suns, both of them. A dry, harsh wind was blowing and Lois felt as if all of the moisture had left her body. Her lips were already cracked and dry. Strangely enough, the wind seemed to alternate between hot and cold temperatures.
Something stirred in her memory at the familiarity of the place.
Had she really told Clark they'd been abducted by aliens?
Mortified by her recollections, Lois closed her eyes. Obviously, this place had not been a hallucination the first time around.
"Lois, are you okay?" Clark asked, and Lois marveled at the fact that he didn't have a scratch on him. Already she felt like she'd suffered any number of little cuts and bruises.
"Where are we?" Lois asked in response, opening her eyes again and letting Clark pull her up to a standing position. "What happened?"
Clark looked at her for a minute. She captured his eyes with her own and tried to hold them but he looked away. He knew something about this place, but he was wrestling with his guilt-
"Clark, you said we need to keep moving."
At the sound of Lana's voice, Lois jerked her head around and realized the she was holding on to Clark for balance. She immediately let go at the look in Lana's eyes.
"Lana, are you all right?" Lois asked her, dimly remembering how horrible this place could be.
Lana shrugged her shoulders, her small frame swaying against the wind when she moved closer to Lois. "Clark says we need to keep moving," she responded, raising her voice to be heard.
"Okay," Lois nodded and turned to find Clark looking at her with concern.
"What?" Lois asked him. "If we need to go … then lead the way," she added, gesturing with her arm for Clark to move in front of her.
While Lana gave Lois a curious look, Lois watched Clark. He was looking between both women as if he couldn't decide what to do or who to protect. Lois would have laughed if she hadn't been fighting her own feelings of inadequacy. Having pushed all memory of this place out of her mind, she didn't feel prepared to deal with it. In fact, something about the harshness of the landscape was calling up memories of her battles in Star City. Forcing them aside, Lois forced herself to focus on walking along the treacherous ground.
It wasn't long before Lois felt physically drained. The wind blew nonstop and kept the strange white sand in and around her nose and mouth. Her throat felt as if it was coated and she was dying of hunger and thirst and, of course, there was nothing to eat or drink. The two suns beat down and seemed to add to dryness of her already dehydrated body. They passed a river that was as red as blood. As thirsty as she was the red liquid was not tempting.
Lagging behind now, Lois watched as Lana stayed side-by-side with Clark through the rough conditions. In fact, she was walking as close to Clark as possible, impressive given that Clark's stride was twice as long as hers.
There was something about the way Lana carried herself. Had she been training? Why? More importantly, why leave Clark to go into training and return? Lois stumbled as the answer came to her - Lana was trying to make herself stronger for Clark. She was trying to be his equal.
She wanted him back.
The realization caused Lois to stumble again, her legs feeling like dead weights. Since Lana's return, Lois had wondered about Lana's intentions. Now she knew, not only did Lana want Clark but she had a plan. As she walked along, the competitive general's daughter couldn't resist assessing whether Lana had formed the better plan.
In every incarnation of Clark Kent, you are his second choice …
Lois ran through some scenarios in her head, trying to keep her mind off the harsh conditions, and caught Lana giving her speculative looks over her shoulder. Finally, Lana turned her face to look up at Clark.
"What … tell Lois?" With the wind, only some of her question drifted back.
Clark glanced behind him, nervous expression on his face. Lois could see his body start to drag.
"Lois knows …"
At Clark's words, Lana broke stride for the first time, moving away from Clark as if she'd been struck. After a few steps, she returned.
"How … known?"
"Since … jeweler …" Clark responded, his words muffled.
Lana pursed her lips, obviously upset by Clark's response. It didn't take Lois long to realize that they were talking about Clark's secret. Evidently Clark hadn't told Lana that he'd told Lois. She knew it shouldn't bother her. It was Clark's secret, which is why Lois hadn't said anything about it to Chloe yesterday. Still, it hurt somehow.
Lois tripped over her own feet, feeling the hurt in every part of her body. Putting her hand to her head in an attempt to stop the sudden pounding, she felt her stomach constrict as well. The harsh wind continued irritating her already chapped skin. She really wanted to stop, but she couldn't. Putting her head down, Lois tried to concentrate on her feet, while avoiding the little drama playing out in front of her.
She didn't realize Clark had stopped until she practically ran into him. He reached out to steady her when she started swaying.
"You're doing great," he said, obviously trying to be supportive.
"My legs feel like two-ton barbells," Lois shouted as they all continued to walk a little slower now.
Clark's response was a wan smile, and Lois noticed for the first time that he looked ragged. Was this place getting to him, too?
"How about you; you okay?" Lois asked.
"Fine," he muttered, barely audible over the wind.
Lois raised her brows in his direction, noticing Lana out of the corner of her eye. Her irritation still visible, Lana was listening and looking at Clark suspiciously.
"You don't have any powers here, do you?" Lana queried, looking up at the two suns and back at Clark.
Before responding Clark looked at Lois as if to gauge her reaction or avoid Lana's. He shook his head. "No."
"What is this place?" Lois asked, curious about any place where Clark had no powers.
Both she and Lana waited for Clark to respond but when he hesitated, Lana answered the question for him.
"This is the Phantom Zone, isn't it, Clark?"
Clark winced in response to Lana's tone, which sounded more like an accusation, and Lois couldn't help but glance at the young woman in surprise. If this was part of her strategy to win Clark back-
"Yes, this is the prison my father built," Clark told her, starting to look and sound uneasy.
"So this is the place where you were trapped a few years ago?"
At Clark's nod, Lois spoke up. "How did you get out?"
"Through a portal left for me by my father; I'm trying to find it," Clark told them while walking a little faster, his anxiety becoming almost palpable. Lois reluctantly let him go, some part of her understanding that he needed quiet in order to get his bearings.
Visibly anxious and still irritated, Lana followed and continued to ask questions. "How will you find it? Everything around here looks the same."
At Lana's tone, Lois felt her body stiffen defensively. "I'm sure Clark is trying to spot some familiar landmarks," she told the other woman.
Lana's face reddened slightly, but she didn't back down. "Well, maybe if he told us what he was looking for, we could help."
They turned simultaneously to get Clark's response but he was gone, moving forward with his head down.
"So much for looking for landmarks," Lois muttered under her breath as she fell into step behind Clark.
After a few more feet, at the top of a small ridge, Clark stopped to look at the landscape and waited for the two women to catch up. "We need to pick up …" Clark started, the last part of his remark cut off by a strange cry. Lois flinched at the sound. It was eerily familiar.
"What was that?" Lana's asked, her body tensing.
Lips tightening, Clark responded by turning on his heel and walking at a slight angle from their previous direction. At Clark's silence, Lois grew concerned and tried to concentrate on the last time she'd been here.
"Clark, what made that sound?" Lana asked as she fell into step beside Clark.
Lois watched as Clark's body tense before he kept walking. Lois started counting.
One, two, three ...
As if on cue Clark slowed down, helping Lana to walk in front of him. Now Lana couldn't talk without turning around.
Ah, the Kent chivalry …
Lois would have chuckled in any other situation. Clark's ploy never worked with her. In fact, she'd been known to talk to him while walking backwards just because she knew it drove him-
Another scream interrupted her thoughts, this one coming from the opposite direction of the first. Lana shuddered and stopped, waiting for Clark.
"Enough … what is that?" She demanded, gripping his arm.
"Zoners, the local-"
The rest of Clark's response was lost in the buzzing of Lois' ears as her hearing shut down, followed by her vision. Her body stopped moving, closing all of her senses one by one. She felt herself whimper right before her breaths became shallow and her throat closed.
Another wail and she was listening to the tortured cries of people, the blowing dust turning into the smoke high above the Star City. Night's face appeared in her line of sight and Lois immediately backed away, watching in her mind as his eyes turned red. She gasped and lashed out, fighting with all of her might.
A sharp pain in her head and she was gone.
She and A.C. were captured, their mission a bust. All that time waiting in the water – time that Lois hated - and they were prisoners of the Darkness anyway. She glanced over at A.C., watching for his signal. The team always had an escape plan. A slight shake of his head told her to wait.
They continued to struggle as the men drug them along the dock.
It wasn't until they reached the end of the pier that Night flew in and landed under the one remaining lamp. The light caught his features, and Lois gasped at his deterioration. He literally looked like the life had been sucked out of him, skinny and sallow, with eyes that reflected his emptiness.
She shivered as if the cold from him had penetrated her wetsuit.
Stone cold eyes looked at her.
"Lois."
A cry was ripped from her at the sound.
"Lois."
A different, gentle voice was pleading with her to keep moving, and it penetrated her memories. Familiar and welcome, it seemed to break through the dark and calm her racing pulse.
"Lois."
Still holding her breath, she readied her body for the attack that didn't come. Instead, something soft and warm stroked her face, her hair, and her back. The touch was soothing, calming, and Lois felt her body relax.
"It's okay," a gentle voice kept repeating. "Please, Lois, it's okay, I promise."
So soft, everything was soft and soothing. Soon, the beating of her heart slowed to match the rhythm of the soft words and caresses but, before she could open her eyes, another voice intruded. Lois felt her body grow stiff in response.
"Clark, is she all right? What's wrong with her?"
"I've got this, Lana," the gentle voice responded firmly. "I've dealt with - it's a reaction to the stress, I think. Give me a minute."
Then the soft voice was back. "Lois, open your eyes. It's okay. Look at me, please," the voice begged. "Come on, open your eyes."
How could she resist that voice?
It took more effort that she would have thought to simply comply and, when she did, everything was still dark because her face was tucked up against a chest, a chest in a blue shirt.
Pulling back slightly as awareness returned, she trembled before Clark tightened his grip. She was in his arms and it was his voice that was still whispering her name. His face was gentle; his concern for her obvious but there was something else. Lois searched his eyes, seeing fear in them. He was trying hard not to let her see it, but they were in trouble.
Her meltdown hadn't helped their situation.
Lois knew that she needed to get her wits about her, but she felt so cold. Leaning into Clark, she turned her head just in time to see Lana's considering look.
"I'm okay," she croaked out, reluctantly pulling away from Clark and stepping back. When her leg muscles seized, Lois lost her balance and latched on to Clark's arms.
"You sure?" Clark asked quietly, his hands steadying her.
Again, he was trying not to let her see how urgent their situation was but Lois could hear it in his tone of voice.
"Yeah," Lois whispered this time, trying to get her voice back. "I know we need to keep moving." Her lips cracked as she tried to smile up at him.
His return smile was weak but, before he could respond, Lana spoke up, her voice urgent. "Clark, shouldn't we get going?"
Clark simply nodded and turned determinedly, tucking his hand under Lois' elbow, and helping her walk to the rocks ahead. At the look on Lana's face, Lois tried to pull her elbow away, but Clark wouldn't let her. Walking between the two women, Clark kept his eyes focused forward and ignored them as both continued to give him irritated glances.
Still trying to pull her arm away when they reached the rocks, Lois was surprised when Clark suddenly released her and she went flying backwards. Looking up she spotted a cloaked attacker jumping from the top of one of the rocks. Clark moved to intercept but, before he could, Lana delivered a hard kick to the cloaked figure's legs.
The attacker dodged the kick and spun around, lunging at Lana with some kind of rough knife. Gripping the sand as she tried to get up, Lois felt her hand closed around a loose rock. Picking it up, she launched it at the attacker's knife arm. The knife dropped just as Lana blocked the next charge, ducking under the figure's arm and delivering a kidney punch in the process. By then, Clark was able to grasp one of attacker's wrists and hold it.
In the odd light, Lois thought she saw the glint of a metal bracelet. Looking at it, Clark spoke. "Kara?"
"Kara, it's me," Clark said softly. Lois stopped as Clark's soft words eased her own racing heart.
What was Kara doing here?
"Kal-El," Kara whispered and, at the sound, Lois put her head down on her knees. Still sitting in the sand, Lois was flooded with memories of her future friend and ally. Tears filled her eyes at the thought of their last conversation.
In the light of the dawn, Kara was returning from patrols, refugees in tow. Most of them were children, abandoned, scared, and wondering what had happened to their world.
As Lois watched, Kara escorted them to the kitchen and got them started with a meal. Many of them were eating for the first time in days and they all looked at Kara with the same expression. Dressed in white - she refused to wear black even for stealth missions - she looked like an angel.
Right now, with her dark expression she looked like the angel of vengeance.
"Trouble?" Lois asked as Kara returned to the main room.
"Kal-El," Kara spat out, stubbornly refusing to refer to him as Night. "I almost had him this time-"
"Kara," Lois said, grabbing the woman's arm in concern. "You can't challenge him head-on. You know that the Darkness works through him somehow. None of us are strong enough to take down the leader by ourselves. We can't afford to lose you …"
"Huh," Kara responded, rolling her eyes in a familiar manner. "The day I can't take Kal-El is the day-"
"He's not your cousin anymore, Kara."
"I'll never believe that, Lois," she urged, knowing that Lois was one of the only ones with hope for her cousin. "He will always be Kal-El to me …"
Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Lois wasn't surprised to hear Clark's voice in her ear. "Are you all right?"
Nodding, Lois wiped at her eyes as Clark helped her to her feet. Swaying a little, she looked up to see Lana rubbing Kara's arm and talking to her in a low voice. "Kara … end up here?" Lois could only hear part of her words over the wind.
"What am I … what are you doing here?"
Lois didn't wait any longer but rushed forward to hug her former ally, forgetting for a moment that this was not her Kara.
"Lois?" Clearly surprised and almost bowled over by the show of affection, Kara only briefly returned the hug before pulling away.
"You shouldn't be here, either of you," Kara said looking at Lois and Lana, then back to Clark.
"Not really making a social call," Lois told her, shrugging her shoulders.
The smile she was expecting didn't come as Kara simply shook her head, giving Clark a disapproving glare before she turned to walk away. Lois turned to Clark, confused and concerned but he didn't have any answers. In fact, his face was a mirror of her own and he shrugged right before he raced ahead to catch up with his cousin. Lois could only hear pieces of their conversation as she worked to follow along.
"Are you okay?"
At Clark's stupid question, Lois snorted, taking in a nose-full of sand. Of course Kara wasn't okay. She looked like she'd been through hell. They'd all be looking like her soon if they didn't escape this place.
"I thought you were Zoners," Kara said, "Zoners kill." Her voice was emotionless, monotone. Lois recognized that tone from those who'd reached their limits while battling the Darkness … her own fear increased when she realized that if Kara was stuck here then they all could be … Gritting her teeth against as sudden burst of wind, Lois fought to stay upright as she continued to listen for Kara's explanation.
Her ears perked up when she heard Clark say the word "portal."
Lana, who was a little ahead of Lois, must have heard them because she followed up on Clark's question. "Do you know where Clark's portal is?"
Kara's response was muffled by the wind but she could hear Clark's question loud and clear. "Why haven't you used it to get back?"
"I didn't … mistake you did … Zoners got out …" Lois could only catch bits and pieces of Kara's words.
"So … all this time to protect Earth?" Clark asked.
Clark and Kara stopped as they reached the top of a ridge. The wind was even more biting here, scouring the skin and as Lana stopped, she and Lois both kept their heads down, fighting against the intrusive sand.
Inching closer to Kara and Clark, Lois considered their conversation. So those Zoner things could escape? That didn't sound like a good thing. The fact that Clark had released some of them previously came as a complete surprise. Something else she'd miss-
"Looks like Lana can fight, she'll need to," Lois heard Kara say to Clark, and Lois glanced at the smaller woman who seemed to be fading as she rested with her hands on her knees trying to take deep breaths.
"No, she won't, we're sending her back. We're sending them both back," Clark grabbed Kara's arm, turning her to face him, letting her know he meant business.
"How many innocent lives are they worth to you?" Kara asked, and Clark responded as if he'd been slapped, jerking his head back in surprise. Evidently, he hadn't considered that.
"Whoa," Lois shouted, not sure that she wanted to hear Clark's answer as she moved closer to both he and Kara. "I don't know what you two are arguing about but I can tell you right now that we're all going back together or not at all. It's not like we can leave you here, Kara."
Clark and Kara just looked at each other, two sets of blue eyes filled with stubborn intent.
"We need an escape plan," Lois interrupted before the cousins could break into a fight. "With a solid plan we might be able to get back to Earth without the Zoners following us."
Lana, who had moved over to stand with the group, agreed. "What kind of terrain is around this portal?"
Evidently, Kara's escape route was located in a cave-like structure, which Lois thought had lots of possibilities. By the time they reached the ridge surrounding the portal they'd outlined a rough plan. With a nod to each other, Lois and Kara took off to the left, while Clark and Lana headed right in an effort to confuse any Zoners who might be watching.
Once they were on either side of the "cave" Lois and Kara turned to hot-foot it to the entrance. By the time they got there, Clark and Lana were already in position rolling stones in front of the opening to block it. Lois started helping while Kara stood guard. When the opening was narrowed to allow only one person through, they shouted for Kara to enter. Racing, she jumped in and headed straight for the portal device.
An eerie cry sounded on the wind.
Zoners.
Without words, they both pushed harder on the largest boulder, heaving until it was blocking the entrance.
"Clark, watch it," Lana shouted, as a wraith seemed to fly past Clark's head right before the boulder fell into place. With the entrance obstructed they'd managed to trap themselves and one of the Zoners inside. Clark tried to keep the creature from the portal, but it moved in the air like a ghost. It swept by Lois before she could even reach out.
Continuing to move, it headed for the center of the room with Lois, Clark and Lana right behind. The Zoner made a beeline for Kara, who was working at the raised platform. Lois halted in horror as Kara sliced into her hand with a rough knife.
It was Lana who reached Kara first, after the Zoner took off around the dais where Kara was standing.
"Open it," Lana told her as Kara looked around after seeing the movement of the Zoner for the first time. "We should trust Clark; he'll take care of that thing."
Having temporarily lost track of Clark, Lois turned at the sound of his name and spotted him wrestling with the creature, neither of them budging. Without thought, she launched herself against its side.
"Lois, don't!" Clark told her, just as the Zoner reached out to use Lois' momentum against her. A brief sense of cold claw-like hands and Lois felt herself flying through the cave, landing hard on the sandy floor. Working to push herself up, Lois caught Clark running toward her, giving the creature access to Kara and Lana.
Lois waved him off, unable to speak as she tried to catch her breath. Pointing toward Kara, Lois pulled herself up and started limping toward the portal, watching as the Zoner moved around, staying out of Lana's reach. Circling like a vulture, the creature seemed to be waiting for Kara to open the device that would release it from this world.
Focused now, Kara placed her hand on the top of the pillar and, instantly, a shimmering circle of light appeared behind the dais where the blond girl was standing.
With a scream, the creature launched itself, but Lana was there to block. Claw-like hands reached out to toss Lana aside, but she twisted her body at the last minute and was propelled forward into the circle. She disappeared into the light.
As Kara moved to block the Zoner, Clark approached the creature from the other side. Without hesitating, the creature pushed Kara toward the portal opening and she was pulled in to the circle.
With a strangled cry the creature moved toward the light but Clark managed to pull the Zoner down with a flying tackle. Struggling furiously on the ground the Zoner managed to break through Clark's grip. Once free, it flung itself through the portal, leaving Clark on his hands and knees in the sand.
Her steps halting, still hurting from the Zoner's toss, Lois reached Clark's side and helped him up. "Lois, it won't stay open. Let's go," he shouted.
Hand in hand they raced forward together, jumping toward the circle just as the light flickered and died.
Phantom Zone, minutes later
Lois shivered as she heard another howl from outside. Zoners seemed to be closing in, and fast. As she sat in the sand, her body rocked back and forth in place. She and Clark were stuck here and they would either have to wait it out and hope for help from the other side or make a run for it to Clark's portal.
Both options carried little to no chance of success.
Clark sat down next to her as another cry tore through the air.
Her body jumped and she pressed her lips together, pulling her knees up to her chest and holding them with her arms. Every nerve felt over-extended, but she refused to break down again.
Next thing she knew, her body was encircled by warm, strong arms, and she stopped moving at the feel of Clark's warmth. Adjusting his body he managed to surround her.
"How long should we wait?" she asked after a moment, relishing the feel him even as her heart pounded with fear.
"The place seems secure for now, so let's give it some more time," Clark said quietly, having walked the perimeter before he sat down. "I'm sure Kara and Lana are making every effort to get us back."
After a couple more cries from outside, Lois felt the ringing in her ears. Breathing deep, she fought against the panic.
"We'll be okay, Lois," Clark responded to the tension in her body. "After all, no one's going to mess with Lois and Clark - right?"
"They'd better not," Lois responded, forcing her body to relax against his. "Tell me about the first time you were here," she asked, hating the panic she heard in her own voice.
Tightening his arms around her, Clark started talking, telling her about the trap set by Brainiac, how Brainiac had used Lex as a vessel for Zod, and how his father's assistant, Raya, had rescued Clark. Scared for Chloe now that she knew what Brainiac was, Lois tried to redirect her thoughts to escaping this place.
"Do you think Raya's still here?"
"No, she was pulled to Earth with the others who go out of here. One day, while I was trying to figure out how to find them all, she showed up at the farm." Clark's voice was warm as he told her about his contact with Raya and Lois could practically feel the connection he felt toward the woman from his home world.
"What happened to her?"
Lois regretted asking the question the minute she felt Clark's body stiffen. It took a while for his answer.
"She died protecting me from one of the escaped Zoners."
The words seemed to reverberate deep inside of her until they struck a chord. With eyes burning Lois felt Clark's pain and recognized it. Clark wasn't obtuse about matters of the heart; he was guarded … afraid … frozen. He didn't want to open his heart and risk the pain of loss. More than anyone, Lois could relate to that. Suddenly, her body, heart and soul ached for him.
"I'm sorry," the raspy tone of her voice reflected her empathy.
His arms tightened around her. "It's okay-"
"No, it's not," she responded, finally tilting her face to look at him, some part of her speaking to her own pain as much as his. "It's not all right … and it's not fair … and I wish I could …"
"What?" Clark asked, his eyes searching her face, looking for an explanation, questioning this unusual display of emotion from her.
Overwhelmed, she could only look at him. Didn't he see the loneliness there, the isolation that called to her, making her ache for him, feel this connection-
Using her arm to pull him down, she latched on to his lips with her own, showing him the all the pent-up feelings she couldn't express in words. The agony of loss, the loneliness, the eventual emptiness – all of it was poured into one kiss – and wiped away when Clark responded with a low moan.
Lois gave herself over to the feel of Clark's lips on hers and kiss quickly grew needy, desperate, as each fought to get closer to the other. Soon, the only sounds in the cave were moans and gasps for breath. Somehow Lois ended up on top of Clark, the feel of his body making her burn. His kiss, his hands moving over her, his little moans seemed to be answering her own needs and she couldn't get enough.
Growing light-headed, Lois eventually had to pull away.
"Lois," Clark practically moaned her name and it was the most beautiful sound she'd ever heard.
Before she could kiss him again, the loud wail of a Zoner caused her heart to constrict. Panicked, her eyes met Clark's as his widened in fear. A shadowy movement caught her attention just seconds before she felt clawing fingers at her throat, scratching and squeezing. Lois cried out and tried to pull away but it was Clark who quickly rolled her over, placing his body between hers and the creature's as it continued to attack.
Trying to protect Lois' face and neck, Clark used his lower body to kick the shadow away just as a light appeared at Lois' feet. She felt some kind of pull and kicked out with her own legs, trying to resist.
Clark looked over his shoulder and held on to her tightly before turning back, his expression calmer. "Lois, it's okay; hold-"
Whatever Clark was going to say was lost as Lois succumbed to the pain on her neck and the panic inside.
…
Continuing to struggle, she and A.C. were dragged along the dock. Night flew in and landed when they reached the end of the pier. He stood completely still, simply waiting under the one remaining lamp. The light caught his features and Lois gasped at his deterioration. He literally looked like the life had been sucked out of him, skinny and sallow, with eyes that reflected his emptiness.
She shivered as if the cold from him had penetrated her wetsuit.
Stone cold eyes looked at her.
A.C. must have heard her gasp because he stopped struggling. "Damn, bro," she heard him whisper.
For just a second, Night's attention was diverted to A.C., so Lois took action, elbowing her attacker and, when she had one arm free, turning to knee him in the groin. He released her other arm with a groan and she took off running toward the water. She heard chaos behind her but kept her eyes focused on the edge of the dock. She felt the tackle from behind right before she hit the dock with a smack.
Two sets of hands roughly grabbed her by either arm and she was hauled to feet and dragged, kicking and screaming, toward Night, who stood impassively in the same place. Focused on him, she missed seeing the guy she'd broken away from reach out to grab her by the throat.
"Bitch," he said, jerking her sideways toward him and squeezing her neck with both hands. "You'll pay for that." His look was filled with hate and Lois knew there was no getting away this time.
She struggled anyway, turning her head and jerking back. A flash caught her attention and she saw Night's eyes burning red. Suddenly, the man's sleeves were on fire. It quickly spread up and down his arms and Lois felt the heat on her neck. He didn't let go. Laughing maniacally, the man hung on to Lois' throat, as they both burned.
…
Metropolis General, same night
"Lois, look at me; can you look at me?" A vaguely familiar voice directed. "I need you to open your eyes."
Through the fear and pain, the voice was foggy and distant. Lois tried to listen but the fog was thick and her mind numb. Drifting, her mind alerted and her heart swelled when she heard a more welcome voice.
"Is she going to be all right?" Clark sounded worried.
"She should be coming out of this – you say she's lost consciousness before?"
A discreet cough was followed with, "Uhm, yes, Dr.-"
"Hamilton … Emil Hamilton," the voice responded. "I remember when you brought her in after she was strangled." Lois heard some papers rattling before the doctor continued, "I had a hard time getting her to come to then as well. Hmm, seems like your friend has been here a few times this year …"
Lois felt her thoughts drifting until she heard Chloe's voice. "Well, she is a reporter for the Daily Planet and she's a bit … gung-ho when she's working on a story."
"The reason I brought it up is because, based on what her friend Clark described …" the doctor continued, his voice turning curious, "Where is he by the way?"
"Oh, he spotted a family member and went to fill her in on what's going on," Chloe told him.
Clark left.
Only half awake, Lois felt her chest tighten at the idea.
"Anyway, I only brought up her prior admissions because I think that your cousin may be suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder."
"Really?" Chloe questioned, clearly requiring convincing.
"I'm pretty confident about the diagnosis," the doctor continued, sounding a little defensive at Chloe's skepticism. "According to her chart, Ms. Lane has been through some significant trauma this year. Let's see … she was strangled, kidnapped, electrocuted and then kidnapped by the same man again." Now the doctor sounded incredulous. "It appears that she also collapsed from exhaustion a few weeks ago."
"Let me see that," Chloe demanded, and Lois smiled to herself as Chloe interrogated the poor doctor for the next few minutes.
Feeling exhausted, she drifted again, hearing only pieces of conversation.
"She needs to slow down-"
"Right," Chloe snorted in response, "You don't know-"
"This is very serious …"
"I understand but-"
"If your cousin doesn't learn to calm herself, these breaks could interfere … the stress on her body could cause … medical conditions."
Once again, her mind seemed to focus when Clark spoke.
"I'll make sure she takes it easy, doctor," Lois heard Clark's voice respond and without considering the meaning of the words her body reacted as if to a caress, her heart rate automatically slowing at the timbre of his voice.
He's back.
"Hmm, do that again, Clark," the doctor directed.
"Do what?"
"Her heart rate slowed at the sound of your voice - tell me, have you brought her out of these before?"
"Uhm, a few times …"
"What?" Chloe's interrupted. "What do you mean a few times? How many of these episodes has she had?"
"Well, why don't you see if you can get her to respond?" The doctor interjected calmly. "I'm not having much luck."
"Okay," Clark reluctantly agreed, while Lois could still hear Chloe sputtering in the background. Then the bed shifted and Lois could feel Clark's heat next to her. Part of her knew that she should open her eyes, but the other part of her - the curious and therefore stronger part - wondered what Clark would do.
Feeling more alert with every passing second, she warmed as Clark's hand gently took hold of her smaller one and began rubbing light circles in her palm. His soft, gentle voice followed and for just a moment her sleepy brain wondered if this was what it was like to wake up next to Clark all the time-
At that crazy thought, hazel eyes popped open and caught Clark's blue ones.
"That was fast," he whispered, eye's narrowing.
Lois simply shrugged, not trusting her voice, and tried to sit up.
She noticed that Clark didn't pull away when Dr. Hamilton stepped forward. "Welcome back," the doctor commented and Lois caught a glimpse of dark, curly hair and glasses before light filled her eyes and the doctor had her following it.
Clark's hand was still rubbing her own, and Lois felt her body continuing to warm with every soft stroke.
Welcome back, indeed.
Metropolis General, one hour later
Lois was alone, restless and ready to go home. Chloe was out getting her car, while Clark was talking with the doctor, probably conspiring to keep her under lock and key.
Grabbing her bag, Lois opened the door and peeked out, making sure the coast was clear.
Stepping into the hallway, she looked around for Clark and froze. At the end of the hallway was Lana, simply standing there elegant and composed, like she'd never been to the Phantom Zone.
Reaching for her throat, Lois considered her own messy ponytail and pale complexion and sighed.
Why here and now?
Intending to at least acknowledge the smaller woman, Lois stepped forward and stopped at the sound of Clark's voice.
"Lois, stop. That's not Lana."
Just as Lois turned to ask Clark what was going on, Lana spoke.
"Very good, Kal-El," Lana replied and Lois noticed the change in her tone. It was not warm and whispery soft. Instead, it sounded biting. Clark was right; this was not Lana. "Do you know who I am?"
"Faora, wife of Zod," Clark replied, taking a step forward, and Lois felt her eyes go wide at the name. "Now, release Lana."
The smile that appeared on Lana's face was unpleasant. "Of course," Faora responded. "She's not the one you want anyway. She was just convenient."
The next thing Lois knew, the much smaller woman was pinning her against the wall and, no matter how she struggled, Lois couldn't break her grip.
"Now …" Faora said watching as Clark stopped in his tracks. "This human is the one you want," she told him, making a face. "Your feelings for these humans are so easily manipulated."
"Let her go," Clark demanded, taking a hesitant step forward.
"It doesn't matter, Kal-El. Zod may be gone, but our creation will destroy your world and everyone in it that you … love," and Lana's face showed Faora's distaste as she turned back to look at Lois. "What do you know about love anyway?" Faora questioned, still holding Lois in her grip.
Lois struggled but Lana was strong, as in intergalactic bimbo strong. When Lois realized that Faora must be supplying Lana's strength, she stopped struggling, preserving her own energy for the right time. Unable to watch Lana's cold, accusing stare, Lois turned to Clark, who was struggling to maintain control.
Following Lois' gaze, Faora turned to Clark, shaking her head as if she'd gotten off track. "Tell me, Kal-El, have you even told this woman your feelings for her?" She studied Clark's surprised expression and laughed wickedly, while Lois closed her eyes.
Not again.
For a minute, her heart had swelled at the Zoner's words before she realized that the creature was simply taunting them, just like the Darkness. Clark couldn't really have those kinds of feelings for her-
"Of course not … understandable, given your parentage, I suppose. After all, did Jor-El or Lara come looking for you? No, they didn't love you like I love my son. I came back to bring him to power."
"Lana, I'm sorry," Clark said, trying to ignore Faora, but Lois had seen the flash of hurt in his eyes and felt the pain of his loss. With each passing second, Lois grew angrier with the day's events. Clark had been hurt enough-
"Oooh," Lana's cloying voice interrupted Lois' thoughts. "This one knows how to love, Kal-El. She is ready to attack me now, not for her own sake, but because I caused you pain. A warrior like her loves fiercely," and Lana's eyes seemed to look through Lois to her heart. "Perhaps I didn't give you enough credit. Too bad you'll have to lose her."
Faora reached for Lois' throat just as Clark rushed forward. Before Lana could get a solid grip, Lois head-butted her as hard as she could. Fighting to stay alert she heard Clark call out to someone as Lana fell back, loosening her hold on Lois. Lois looked down the hall to where J'onn and Kara were standing as she fell to floor. J'onn was holding some kind of device out toward them. Its red light caught Lois' attention just before everything went black.
Kent farm, four days later
Lois was late again. Running down the stairs in her bare feet, she stopped at the bottom and held on the rail while she slipped on one of her high heels.
Holding up the other foot, she paused when Clark cleared his throat, wobbling a little at the over-protective look on his face. Determined, Lois straightened and smirked as she placed her newly shod foot on the floor. She'd been cooped up at the farm for three days; it was time to get back to work.
"What?" Lois challenged, crossing her arms in front of her.
"Nothing," Clark said, his eyes seeming to roam over her. Smiling slightly, he took another sip of coffee.
Ignoring the flush in her face – Clark's gaze seemed to linger on her legs a little longer than necessary – she took in his casual appearance. "Why aren't you ready? We're late for work," Lois continued, going on the offensive at the thought of a lecture.
"I've decided to take the day off and spend it with Kara," Clark told her, losing his smile as he looked down into his cup. "I think the time she spent in the Phantom Zone really affected her."
Immediately contrite when she heard the guilt and concern in his voice, Lois walked forward, grabbing her own cup of coffee and placing a sympathetic hand on Clark's arm. "She'll be okay, Clark. She just needs some time to adjust to being back in civilization, back around people," Lois told him sincerely. If anyone could understand Kara's issues, it was Lois-
"That's why I'm staying home today. I don't want to leave her alone."
"Oh," Lois said, her excitement at returning to work fading a little at the thought that Clark wouldn't be there. Realizing where her hand was resting, she removed it quickly, automatically raising it to rub at her throat, her recent injury having brought back the old habit. Before it could reach, Clark was standing up and his hand was holding hers, gently pulling it away.
"Is something bothering you, Lois?"
Ready to snark in response, her mind froze when Clark raised his other hand to her throat, lightly tracing the marks left by the Zoner with his warm fingers.
"The scars are disappearing," he commented softly and Lois couldn't remove her eyes from his profile as he studied her throat with great interest.
"I guess so," Lois gulped, the light caresses bringing butterflies to her stomach and his nearness causing her blood to boil.
Clark's hand stilled as he looked at her face, his expression tender. "Are you sure you're up for work today?"
"What? Of course," Lois told him, stepping away from his tender gaze before she did something stupid.
What was Clark doing anyway?
Ever since her second, and final, release from the hospital three days ago, they'd gone back to being friendly, ignoring Faora's words and her crazy response in the Phantom Zone. She'd been grateful to have the quiet to recover, although her mind had returned again and again to that kiss and the feelings that went with it. Clark's tender expression only brought back the intensity.
Shaky with emotion, Lois snatched up her coffee and stepped closer to the door. She needed to get back to work.
Pressing his lips together as he watched her retreat, Clark stuffed his hands into his pockets and at her. "Lois, I'm not sure that's such a good idea-"
Relieved at being back on familiar ground, she straightened her spine before responding. "I'm fine, Clark. After all, I can't stay cooped up here forever."
At the considering look on Clark's face – one that told her he would gladly lock in her room if he thought it would work – Lois shuffled even closer to the exit and freedom. By way of distracting Clark she blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "How's Lana doing?"
Where did that come from?
"What?" Clark seemed as surprised by the question as Lois was. "She's fine, I guess. I've only heard from her once since the hospital … She's looking into some theory."
"What theory?" Lois asked intrigued by anything that would keep Lana away.
"Oh," Clark answered distractedly. "She thinks Lex sent the blue crystal."
"Lex? I thought he was dead," Lois said, starting to get concerned. "Didn't you tell me that he knows about your secret? If he's alive-" Lois stepped closer to Clark, agitated at the thought of Lex Luthor walking around with Clark's secret in his head.
"If he's alive, then I'll deal with him," Clark told her, running his hand through his hair and growing more defensive as he continued to talk, even after Lois opened her mouth to speak. "But I'm not racing all over the world looking for him."
Picking up on Clark's defensive tone, Lois lowered her voice. "Is that what Lana wants you to do?"
"She's obsessed," Clark told Lois, as his defensiveness turned to concern. "She's convinced that Lex is alive, that he's monitoring Tess, the Daily Planet, her, me …"
"What do you think?"
"Knowing Lex, anything's possible but, if I drop everything to look for him, hasn't he won? I'm trying to build a life of my own now as a reporter … as the Blur," Clark's voice was considering, like a man who was trying to convince himself. "Besides, I'm not a vigilante. I want to protect people and I can't do that by focusing on just one bad guy."
Blue eyes, which had drifted away during his speech returned to look at Lois and she smiled at the sincerity, and the uncertainty, in them.
"Okay," Lois said, taking a sip of her coffee from her travel cup. Clark was right. Of all of the bad things that happened in the future, Lex wasn't one that Lois had heard about. Of course, anything could happen now, but at least Clark was aware of the threat. Going after Lex was Clark's decision. She turned to walk outside.
"What do you mean, 'okay?'"
"I mean, 'okay,' Smallville," Lois told him, looking at her watch as she turned back to face his astonished gaze. "Whether or not you go after Lex is your call. Go with your gut," Lois said distractedly. "Look, I'm running late. Randall's going to kill me. I've got to-"
Lois abruptly lost her train of thought as Clark appeared right in front of her.
"Whoa … okay, no using the powers to trap me," Lois told him, jumping at his quick proximity and taking a step back. "And this," she added, waving her hand the very short distance between them, "is a personal space breach."
"Oh, so you can jump me in the Phantom Zone but I can't get within …" Clark looked down at the slight distance between them, "six inches of you without you calling foul. That hardly seems fair."
At Lois' wide-eyed expression, Clark raised his brows and inched even closer, much to her body's excitement and her brain's dismay.
"Are we ever going to talk about what happened-" Clark started, eyes peering at her through long, dark lashes.
"Wh-why would we talk about that?" Lois stuttered, inching toward the kitchen door.
"You told me to go with my gut and my gut's telling me we should talk-"
"Well, you've obviously got indigestion or something."
"Lois," Clark said, taking another step forward. "I think we should talk about … us."
"Wh-wh-what?" Lois stopped in her tracks, feeling flabbergasted, thrilled, and horrified all at the same time. Was Clark really going to ... "What us?"
At Clark's annoyed - and slightly hurt - expression, Lois tried to correct herself. "I mean I know that we're co-workers … and friends and … and …"
Clark's mouth tilted up a one corner in a confident smile, causing Lois' heart rate to accelerate. He reached out and, with a slight tug, pulled Lois into his chest.
"And … this," he mumbled against her lips before he claimed them with his own. At the feel on his lips on hers, her entire body combusted.
Okay, so maybe there was something to talk about …