Clark fidgeted uncomfortably in his chair. Fundraisers for the Star City Children's Fund were most definitely not his thing. His mother might thrive in this kind of situation, but everything about it, from his stiffly starched tuxedo to the awkward small talk with various members of Star City's elite made him antsy. He'd rather step out the window-wall of the 80th floor ballroom than spend a minute longer here than absolutely necessary.
Then one of the doors leading into the reception hall opened, and Lois walked in. Clark's heart nearly stopped, even as his superhearing tuned into her heartbeat, which was racing. She must be every bit as uncomfortable and nervous as he was, he thought, but you'd never know it to look at her.
She was dressed simply, in a forest green silk evening gown that brought out emerald tones in her amber eyes that he'd never noticed before, and she wore a pair of pearl earrings. Gifts from Oliver, he guessed bitterly.
Lois made her rounds through the dancing couples, speaking to prominent guests, and collecting quotes. After several minutes, she slipped her notepad and pen into her clutch and made her way toward the bar where Clark was sitting.
He felt a moment of panic. If he was going to crash the costume ball tomorrow (not to mention sweep her off her feet as some mystery man), he didn't particularly want her to know that Clark Kent was in town. Quickly he slipped away from the bar and made his way across the room to the tables where many of those less inclined to dance were seated.
After several minutes of watching the waltzing couples and sipping his drink, Clark became aware of a very attractive young blonde woman making her way toward the table where he sat alone. He dimly recalled his mother pointing her out as being the mayor's daughter.
"Hi," she said, reaching his table. He stood. "I'm tina," she said, extending her hand. "Tina McFirth." Taking the proffered hand, he said, "I'm Clark Kent." "Oh yes, Martha Kent's son. She mentioned you," Tina said, every inch the charming socialite. "Well then, Clark, would you like to dance?"
She really was very beautiful, Clark had to admit, and it was a tempting offer. "I'm sorry, Tina. I'd love to, but I'm a really terrible dancer," he said. Tina giggled. "Oh thank god! I was terrified you'd actually say yes! I'm not much for dancing myself," she said, seating herself primly in a chair across from Clark.
"So Clark," she began, "Where are you going to college?" Clark sighed inwardly. This was exactly the kind of girl Lana was; all sweet and sugar and beauty but no real substance, no depth, no... No Lois. But Tina had singled him out, and he wasn't going to be rude to her.
"Well, I started out at Central Kansas, but I took some time off when my father passed away," he said. He felt a dull pain in his heart. Even a year later, thinking about Jonathan Kent was still difficult.
"But I've submitted an application to Met U," he continued. In fact, he had done no such thing, but suddenly it seemed a tremendously good idea.
"Really? That's nice," Tina said. "I'm attending NKU. I'm an English major." She batted her eyes at him. Attempting to ignore it, Clark responded, "I don't really know what I want to study, but I'm thinking about... journalism."
He didn't know why he said it. No, actually, he did, but if he thought about her, his mind would drift away, and he owed Tina his full attention, simply as common courtesy.
"Oh really? That is so exciting!" Tina bubbled. "You must be really good with words. Hey, that's something we've got in common!" And she was off, prattling away about something one of her professors had said.
And, try as he might, Clark's attention wandered. Tina was charming and beautiful, but she wasn't interesting and she wasn't Lois.
Clark's gaze was drawn to the bar. Lois was seated on a high silver stool, gazing into something that he suspected contained a large amount of vodka. Even from this distance he could clearly see that something was bothering her.
All thoughts of concealing his presence in Star City vanished. Lois was upset. She needed him. That was all that mattered.
Tina had finally stopped talking, and he used the sudden pause to say, "Would you excuse me? I've just spotted... a friend of mine, and I should probably go say hello." Tina nodded and he stood up.
Tina watched him go. She'd noticed the moment his attention had left her. He'd glanced all around the room, and then suddenly his expression, previously reserved and uncomfortable, had changed. It was as though he'd lit up from the inside. His eyes had softened, the tiniest smile crossed his lips, and his whole posture had relaxed. She had followed his gaze and saw that reporter girl, something-or-other Lane. So that was why he wanted to get into journalism...
Tina smiled as Clark made his way across the room. She'd never seen any guy look at someone that way before, and she had observed many budding romances. Clark was clearly deeply in love with her. Ms. Lane was a damn lucky woman and Tina hoped she knew it.
She didn't mind letting Clark get away, as long as he was going away to her. Besides, there was a really cute blonde guy across the room...
Clark rested a hand on her shoulder, and Lois whipped around. "Who-- ? Oh, Smallville. It's you," she said. Clark forced a smile, but her tone pained him. It was like she'd been expecting- hoping for- someone else.
"So what exactly are you doing at this white-collar shindig?" she asked. Clark smiled. "It's my mother's 'white-collar shindig', remember? I'm required by my duty as a son to put in an appearance," he said in a mock-serious tone.
Lois laughed. "Thanks Smallville. I needed cheering up. I've never been good at these formal things," she said. Clark nodded. "I know what you mean. I hate them."
She smiled at him, and he felt as though, had he not been sitting down, his legs would have given way. How did she do this to him? Lois Lane had always been his friend, and had almost always been able to get whatever she wanted from him by throwing words around and giving him sad eyes until he was either completely lost or simply gave in to shut her up. But now he was in love with her, and she could completely undo him with a look, a gesture. How did she do it?
On an impulse, he asked, "Would you like to dance?" Lois looked at him strangely, and he rushed to explain. "I mean, you're here and you've got to stay to get information for your story, right? You might as well try to enjoy yourself."
She grinned. "Well, I denied you the pleasure at your senior prom, and as your arguments are so pathetically similar, how can I turn you down again?" Clark smiled. "I'm going to assume that's your convoluted way of saying yes."
They stood up, and he took her hand as casually as he was able. The band in the corner of the room changed songs, starting in on some swing tune from the '40s.
As the pair made their way onto the dance floor, Lois leaned over and asked, "So Clark, do you know anything about swing dancing?" He grinned. "I tried it. Once. Lana made me promise never to do it again." "Great. Me neither," Lois said, laughing.
Although the other guests clearly knew exactly what they were doing, Clark settled for an awkward sort of two-step. Far less dangerous than attempting the wild flips and turns of the other dancers. Several breathless minutes later, the song ended and Lois, laughing, said, "You're right, you really are a terrible dancer." Clark shrugged.
"That's alright. I won't hold it against you. This time." she said with a wicked smile. Clark melted. Even if she didn't feel the same way about him, it was wonderful to see her, talk to her, dance with her. He didn't think he could get any happier until Lois said, "So, shall we dance again, or is one near-disaster enough for you?"
He said, "I think we can tempt fate twice and get away with it, don't you?" Taking his hand, she said, "You know me, I like living on the edge."
The band struck up a new song. It was a slow lounge jazz piece. Perfect for slow-dancing, Clark thought. Good, he could do this. He slipped his arm around her waist and her hand found his shoulder; they began to sway gently.
A minute or two into the song, he looked down and saw that Lois's eyes were swimming with unshed tears. "Lois, what is it?" he asked gently. She bit her lip and looked away. "It's just that... on our first date, Ollie and I danced to this song." A single tear spilled down his cheek.
Clark's stomach iced over, not from jealousy at hearing Oliver's name, but because he'd had no idea she was still hurting this much. Lois was upset, she was hurting, and it was killing him. Seeing her cry was like a physical wound, and he had no idea how to make her pain go away.
Releasing her right hand, Clark wiped the tears away with his thumb. "I know it hurts," he whispered. "It's like you don't know how to be yourself without them. Everything reminds you of them. But there's light at the end of the tunnel. I promise there is."
Lois smiled weakly. "Thank you," she said softly. And then suddenly, unexpectedly, she leaned in to rest her head on his shoulder, and took his free hand in hers again,
They continued to sway together, and hesitantly, Clark rested his cheek in her hair.
He could smell her perfume, a crisp citrus scent unlike anything Lana or Alicia had ever worn. Yes, Lois Land was one of a kind. He wouldn't have it any other way.
He was unsure how long they stayed that way. occasionally he dimly registered the songs changing. Occasionally, he registered the songs changing. Once, he considered the fact that they must look odd, still slow dancing when the band was playing such an upbeat song, but the thought went away as quickly as it came. This moment was too perfect for him to care.
Clark looked up at the clock. He had promised his mother he would stay until at least nine-thirty. It was a quarter to eleven. He smiled and leaned his cheek against Lois's head once more. He could stay just a little longer...
Cautiously, Lois opened the door to the ballroom. This was Ollie's world. The rich and famous, the influential... Everything here reminded her of him. And this was Star City, his hometown. There was a good chance he'd be here. At least at the masked costume ball tomorrow, she wouldn't have to worry about being recognized by him.
Why had she even come? She'd known it was a stupid idea in the first place. Not even the chance to see the Green Arrow was worth running into her ex. Oh well. She was here now; might as well do her job.
And she tried. She spoke to all the right people, sounded out the room. But there was only so much to be done, and her heart wasn't in it. Eventually even the most stoic reporter will get tired of talking to old politicians, old billionaires, and their much-younger wives.
She found her way to the bar. "Vodka soda," she muttered at the bartender, tossing down a few bills. Very soon she was engrossed in staring at her drink, wondering what the hell she had been thinking, coming here.
Suddenly, Lois felt a large hand on her shoulder. She whipped around, thinking, "Please god, don't let it be Ollie." She wasn't disappointed. "Who--? Oh, Smallville. It's you." In fact, she was somewhat disappointed that it wasn't Oliver. They hadn't left things well. Maybe clearing the air would help her feel better.
Clark settled on a stool next to her. "So, Smallville, what exactly are you doing at this white-collar shindig?" she asked, surprised to see him. He flashed her his ten-megawatt smile, and she suddenly found herself very disconcerted. It was always very distracting to her how good he looked in a tux, and it shouldn't be. I mean, for god's sake, this was Smallville she was talking to!
"It's my mother's 'white-collar shindig' remember? I'm required by my duty as a son to put in an appearance," he said.
She laughed. For all his geekiness, Smallville could be really charming when he wanted to. "Thanks, Smallville. I needed cheering up. I don't do well at these formal things." He nodded, grinning again. "I know what you mean. I hate them!"
He was giving her a look that she couldn't place. There was a kind of softness in his eyes that she'd never seen there before. It couldn't possibly mean what she wished it meant. There was no chance Clark had had the same thoughts that- Green Arrow or no Green Arrow- she'd found herself unwillingly having lately.
Then Clark asked, "Would you like to dance?"
And Lois found that she did want to dance with him. But why? This was Clark after all. Her best friend! If she was completely honest with herself, she wished he weren't just a friend... It scared her.
Clark hurried to explain. "I mean, you've got to stay to get information for your story, and you might as well try and enjoy yourself." She grinned. Clark always had a way of putting her completely at ease, and he looked so pathetic with those green eyes so apprehensive...
"Well, since I denied you the pleasure at your senior prom, and your arguments are so pathetically similar, how can I turn you down again?" she said, and was rewarded by seeing him smile again. "I'm going to assume that's your convoluted way of saying yes," he said, and if that were possible, he grinned even wider. God he had the best smile. Even Ollie couldn't smile like that.
He took her hand and led her onto the floor as the band began to play and Lois groaned inwardly. It was swing music. This was not going to end well, if the rumors she'd heard from Chloe were true.
Making light of it, she asked, "So Clark, you know anything about swing dancing?" He gave her a sheepish grin and murmured, "I tried it. Once. Lana made me promise never to do it again." Lois laughed. "Good. Me neither!"
Clark took her other hand, and they began some kind of strange dance pattern Lois couldn't begin to identify. The other guests were glaring at them, and Lois was sure that, had she been with Oliver, she would have felt self-conscious. But Clark somehow made it feel like some big joke, completely natural.
Once, she stumbled, and she was sure that in her too-high heels, she would fall. But suddenly Clark's hand was on her waist, steadying her. She smiled her thanks, and tried to calm her flip-flopping stomach.
Finally the song ended. Lois decided that it had been far too short for her to have any reasonable kind of fun. Casually and with a couple of friendly jabs at Clark thrown in for good measure, she suggested another dance.
"I think we can tempt fate twice and get away with it, don't you?" he replied jokingly. The band began again, this time a slower piece that seemed oddly familiar to her. As Lois placed her hand on his shoulder, she racked her brains, trying to remember where she'd heard it before.
And then it hit her. She and Oliver had danced to this song at Lex Luthor's charity ball. Sudden tears sprang to her eyes. It wasn't fair! She'd been having such a good time, and then reminder of him came crashing into her.
"Lois, what is it?" Clark asked, suddenly looking concerned. She bit her lip and looked away. She didn't want him to see her cry, didn't want him to see her weak. Haltingly, she explained the problem, refusing to look at him, refusing to see the pity that was surely in his eyes.
Suddenly, she felt his hand on her cheek, drying away her tears, and she couldn't help it. She looked up at him, and to her surprise there was not a shred of pity in his gaze. Sympathy, yes, but no pity, no condescension.
"I know it hurts. It's like you don't remember how to be yourself without them. Everything reminds you of them. But there's light at the end of the tunnel. I promise there is," he whispered gently. She tried to smile. "Thank you," she said simply.
Then she leaned in and rested her head on his shoulder. She wasn't sure why. All Lois knew was that at that moment, everything just felt... right. She felt Clark's cheek rest gently in her hair, and smiled to herself.
The song ended, and she briefly considered pulling away, but decided against it. All her life she'd been a drifter, moving from one place to another and never staying long enough to put down roots. She knew only too well that everyone would abandon her sooner or later. But right now, with Clark holding her here, moving slowly in time to another song, all her doubts and fears fell away. She could deal with them later. For now, just for this moment, she was anchored. She was safe.
Across the room, Martha Kent watched her son dancing with Lois Lane. There was a look on his face that she couldn't ever recall having seen there before. He looked totally and completely at peace, and happier than she remembered ever seeing him.
She smiled. She'd known for some time that Clark and Lana weren't a good match. She would never have guessed, though, that it would be Lois of all people who finally caught his eye.
He'd always preferred quite, sweet girls. Lois, so fiery and ambitious was Clark's polar opposite. But then, maybe that was the point.
Tina McFirth glanced at the pair in the center of the floor. It was tacky, she thought, to still be slow-dancing when everyone else was engaged in a lively tango. But then, there wasn't a person in the room who would dare encroach on that couple's moment.
If she had thought Clark's expression had been luminous before, it was nothing compared to what he looked like now. There was a radiant joy in his face that Tina couldn't even begin to comprehend.
Now, Tina thought wryly, if only she could get the handsome billionaire on her arm to look at her like that. She glanced up and smiled at her dance partner, none other than Oliver Queen himself.
Oliver sighed. He'd known it would happen. Eventually she would find someone else. But he hadn't expected it to be this soon, or for that someone to be Clark Kent. He'd sensed the sparks between them the first time he'd seen them together, but had assumed it would never amount to anything.
Every fiber of him wanted to go and tear Clark to bits, even though he knew that wasn't physically possible. But his conscience held him back. Lois looked happy and at peace with the world in a way he'd never seen her. And Clark... well it was a wonder the air around his friend didn't catch fire, he was so happy.
Oliver hoped Clark made Lois as happy as she seemed to make him. She deserved the very best.
He glanced around the room. There wasn't a person in attendance who hadn't noticed the pair. That didn't surprise Ollie. It was hard not to see them. Clark was quite literally glowing with happiness.
Ollie sighed again. He still wanted nothing better than to rush over there, to apologize to Lois, tell her the truth, win her back. But this budding romance he was seeing, young (and probably unacknowledged) though it was, felt somehow different from every relationship he'd ever seen. There was something... sacred... inviolable... between these two. Even from here, even knowing that the emotions involved couldn't have been in existence long, there was suddenly something powerful between these two, something he had a difficult time defining.
After much thought and more alcohol, a possible answer drifted through his mind. Soul mates, he thought idly, and he downed a fourth shot of brandy.
--
N/A: Okay, so I've got this little dilemma: I can't decide on costumes for Lois and Clark for the costumed ball. If anybody's got any suggestions, please review and let me know. And just so you know- Batman and Spiderman are out. I'm not considering them.