HOUR 3 - THE SHOWER DILEMMA

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 7 A.M. AND 8 A.M.

"I should take it first," Clark replies as he begins to clear off the table.

"You?" she narrows her eyes at him.

"Of course me," turning around to stare back at her. "If I didn't take mine first, there wouldn't be any hot water left."

"It's not as if the temperature bothers you," she says pointedly.

"It doesn't, but it still feels nice," he says as he turns back around to open the refrigerator, then placing the syrup back in its proper place. He closes the door, then walks over to the sink and squeezes some dishwater liquid and runs some hot water.

She watches him for a moment as he starts washing the dishes. She slowly begins to walk backwards and doesn't stop until she reaches the bottom of the staircase, then turns around and starts to climb up the steps.

"Where do you think you're going?"

She looks up to see him blocking her path. "Where do you think?" she glares at him.

"I don't think so," he replies with a determined expression on his face.

"You were doing the dishes so I figured..."

"They're already done," raising one eyebrow at her. "One of the benefits of super speed," winking at her.

She scrunches her face up in annoyance. "You really are a pain in my ass."

"Now, now, Mrs. Kent," wagging his finger in front of her face. "I will not have that kind of language in front of our child."

"Our child is not even here yet, so stop wagging your finger in front of me," reaching up to punch him.

He grabs her arm in mid-punch. "No hitting either," holding it firmly.

She reaches out with her other arm, but he catches that one too. "You are such a bad girl, Ms. Lane."

"I am not," a pout on her face.

"You are too," he replies. "Need I remind you about what you did to me last night?" cocking his eyebrows.

"There's no need to bring that up," her eyes narrowing.

"Are you sure about that?" looking curiously her.

"Yes," she says emphatically.

"I see," a thoughtful expression on his face.

She watches his facial expressions and can't help but think that he's up to something. "What are you up to?" she says at last.

"Who says I'm up to anything?" he replies with a glint in his eyes.

"I do," she says as she manages at last to extricate herself from his grip. "I know you better than anybody on this planet," raising her own eyebrows at him.

"I will admit to that, but only that," he smiles back at her as he suddenly lifts her up into his arms and carries her up the stairs.

"Where are you taking me?" staring at him with a confused look on her face.

"I was just thinking that we should conserve how much water we use," he quips as he kicks open the door to the bathroom and steps inside.

"Are you suggesting..."

"Yep," interrupting her as he sets her down.

"Now who's being bad?" she says coyly.

"I've always been bad," untying her bathrobe and allowing it to fall to the floor. He gazes at her naked body. "You are so beautiful," reaching out to caress her stomach again. "Do you have any idea how much?"

She rests her hands over his. "You are such a sap," she quips, but with a smile on her face.

"I freely admit it," a grin on his face. I wouldn't be the man you've known all these years."

"Silly me. I always thought you were a dorky farm boy," watching as he slips out of his clothes and turns on the shower.

"I know you did," opening the curtain and helping her into the tub. "You never hesitated to tell me either," stepping in himself and pulling the curtain back into place.

"Now those were good times," a smile on her face.

"What are you talking about?" staring back at her with surprise. "You still tell me that sometimes," opening the bottle of body wash and squeezing some onto a washcloth.

"I know and it just tickles me," a smirk on her face.

He frowns at her for a moment. "Does this tickle you?" grazing his fingers around her belly button.

"No," her body betraying her by twitching as his fingers make their way all around her stomach.

"You are such a liar," shaking his head. "You really need to be punished, but it'll just have to wait until after the baby is born," gently pushing her against the back wall.

"It will, huh?"

"You better believe it, Ms. Lane," holding up the washcloth. "I may not be able to clean your mind, but at least I can clean your body," he smirks as he lays the washcloth on her shoulders.

"I can live with that," a smile on her face as he moves it all over her chest.

"You like that, huh?" he says in a husky voice when he hears a soft moan escaping her lips as he kneels down in front of her, then he proceeds to slowly glide the washcloth between her legs.

"More," she whispers.

"I'd love to, but we have to get ready for work," removing the cloth and moving it down her legs. He stands up and turns her around. "Don't want to forget the back," gliding the washcloth down her back. "Or your luscious behind," whispering in her ear as he spreads the lather all over her cheeks. He drops the washcloth and reaches up for the portable showerhead. "Now to rinse you, my dear," first adjusting the flow of the water before rinsing her off completely.

"I love it when you bathe me," a coy smile on her face as she turns around to face him.

"I know you do," smiling back at her as he shuts off the water.

She furrows her eyes in confusion. "I wanted to give you one," her lips forming into a pout.

"Tomorrow, okay? I promise," he replies as he pulls the shower curtain open and reaches for a towel, then wraps it around her. "You get ready and I'll take a quick shower," helping her out of the tub, then pulls the curtain back.

She stops him. "What happened to conserving water?" she asks him as she grabs a smaller towel and wraps it around her head.

He just flashes a smile and pulls the curtain the rest of the way.

"You just needed an excuse to see my naked body," she says accusingly as she pulls the curtain back and glares at him.

"I don't need an excuse, but it's a lot more fun this way," a smirk on his face as he pulls it closed yet again.

"Now get dressed, okay?" he calls out.

"Don't tell me what to do," slamming the door behind her as he starts laughing.

Coming up next: Hour 4 - The commute to work