HOUR 8 - LUNCHTIME

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 12 P.M. AND 1 P.M.

Clark glances up at the clock on the wall. "It's lunchtime," he says while saving the article he was currently working on. "How do you feel about Chinese today?" She ignores him and continues typing. He comes around the desk and stands behind her while resting his hands on her shoulders. "Are you still upset about what happened in Mr. White's office?" he asks in a soft tone while pressing his lips against her neck.

She swivels her chair around; forcing him to take a few steps backwards. "What do you think?" glaring back at him.

"I think you are," he replies as he sits down on the desk in front of her.

"Well, duh!" rolling her eyes and folding her arms across her chest. "I don't like being told what to do, and I especially don't like it when both my husband and my boss conspire behind my back."

"We're only looking out for you and the baby," he responds in a soft tone.

"Last time I checked, you weren't the one with the protruding stomach, overactive bladder, swollen ankles…" she retorts.

He has a thoughtful expression on his face. "How about we make a deal?" he pipes up suddenly.

She cocks her head curiously. "What kind of deal?" she asks in a wary tone.

"If you agree to go home right now and relax for the rest of the day, Mr. White will allow you to interview the Mayor tonight."

She looks up at him with surprise. "He will? When did he say that?"

"Right after you stormed out," Clark replies. "So how about it?"

She crosses her legs; her skirt sliding up to mid-thigh as she starts swiveling her chair back and forth.

"Lois, this is the only way you'll get the story," he adds when she doesn't answer him right away. "So?"

"Alright," heaving a soft sigh.

"Good," he replies with a smile and lowers his lips towards hers. She pulls back before he could kiss her. "What the-" looking at her with confusion.

"I want my food first before we go home," she says teasingly as she gets up from her chair. "How about Hong Kong Café?"

"Whatever you want," he replies as he hops off the desk and grabs his jacket. "I just have to log off and then we're good to go," proceeding to do just that.

About ten minutes later…

"So what are you in the mood for?" he asks as the waiter hands them each a menu.

"Not sure yet," her eyes scanning the menu. "What about you?"

He smiles inwardly. "What I'm in the mood for is not on the menu," he remarks while scanning the daily specials insert.

She stares at him with an arch of her brow. "Exactly what are you in the mood for?"

"You'll find out when we get home," a twinkle in his eyes; looking up only when the waiter returns. "Until then, I think I'll have the crispy walnut chicken and shrimp with brown rice," turning to the waiter. "What about you, Lois?" he asks her.

"I think I'll have the dragon & phoenix with brown rice," handing the waiter the menu.

"Uh, Lois, maybe you should get something a little less spicy," Clark pipes up.

"If you want to get whatever it is you're really in the mood for, then you won't say another word about my lunch choice," her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Fine," rolling his eyes inwardly as he hands over his menu.

"Your food should be ready in about ten minutes," the waiter replies with a smile as he fills up their water glasses before walking away.

"So will you give me a hint?" she asks as she picks up her napkin and dabs her lips with it.

"About what?" he asks in an innocent tone as he opens a sugar packet and empties it into his tea cup.

"You know darn what," beginning to sound a little annoyed. "What you just said about what you really were in the mood for."

"I told you that you'll find out when we get home," he teases as he sips his tea.

"You can be so exasperating sometimes," throwing down her napkin in frustration.

He just grins at her before taking another sip. "Sometimes the anticipation can be…exciting," his voice becoming low and husky. She gulps thickly as he picks up her hand. "You really want a hint?" he asks as he presses his lips to one finger.

"Mmm," a soft sigh coming out of her mouth as he makes his way from finger to finger.

Her eyes close as he picks up her other hand and does the same thing before laying her hands back on the table. "That was your hint," sitting back in his chair.

She opens her eyes just as the waiter returns with their meals. "I think my wife needs to go home and rest," he tells the waiter. "Can we have it to go?"

"Of course," picking up the plates; returning a minute later with the take-out containers as well as the check.

"Here you go," Clark hands him some money. "The rest is your tip," he says as he helps Lois rise to her feet.

"Thank you," he says with a smile. "Have a nice day."

"We will," Clark smiles back as he rests his arm across Lois' back and leads her away from the table.

Another waiter comes over as soon as they're gone. "Here you go," handing him a ten dollar bill. "You were right as usual. They didn't make it through lunch."

"It was only a matter of time before she got knocked up," he grins as he takes the money from him. "Now what about that couple over there?" pointing to a couple that just entered the restaurant. "Another ten bucks they don't make it through the appetizers," holding up the bill in his hand.

"You're on," the other waiter replies.

Meanwhile…

"So did they bet again?" Lois asks as Clark starts the engine.

"Oh, yeah," he says as he pulls away from the curb. "Our waiter said it was only a matter of time before you got knocked up."

"Now that's funny," she laughs as they enter the flow of traffic. About half-way to Smallville, her phone starts ringing. "Lois Lane," she answers. "Hey, what's up?" she asks while holding the phone between her neck and shoulder. "You want to come over now instead of later?" Clark looks over at her with a wondering expression. "Well…okay," she answers at last. "We'll meet you at that café down the street from the Planet around 1:30. Bye," hanging up the phone.

"Who was that?" Clark asks as he turns the car around.

"That was my sister," she replies.

"What did she want?" he asks next.

"I don't know," sporting a worried expression on her face. "She said she had something important to tell me and that it couldn't wait until dinner tonight," slipping her phone back into her jacket pocket.

"I'm sure everything is fine," patting her hand reassuringly.

"I hope you're right," leaning back against her seat with a sigh as they head back in the direction of Metropolis…

Coming up next: Hour 9 – A visit from Lucy

A/N: The dragon & phoenix is an actual dish from the menu of a Chinese restaurant I frequent from time to time. It consists of tender white meat chicken with homemade special sesame sauce and jumbo shrimp in Hunan spicy sauce served with fresh steamed broccoli.