Chapter 10: Love

Black.

Cold.

Safe.

The darkness of where she was washed over Lois' vision. She could no longer see, but she could feel. The chilled air touched her hot skin like an unnatural slap. She cringed at the sensations that the air was causing her naked body. She bit her lip hard in concentration, trying to find where the cool draft was coming from. But all of her senses told her the air was coming from all around her.

She curled into a ball trying to keep that last bit of warmth within her body to stay. It was then she realised that even though it was dark, even though it was freezing, she felt safe and loved. She felt like she was home. It was also then that Lois' realised that she had been moving slowly the entire time. Lois was floating in, what she believed to be, thin air.

"What is the meaning of the emotion love Lois?"

She jumped at the deep voice that echoed around her. That voice seemed eerily familiar to her ears. "I would really like to answer that, but I'm kinda busy having wind forced into places I don't want it forced into. Sorry bub."

The gusts of air suddenly stoped and Lois was gently dropped a few feet onto the ground. "Better Lois?"

She gingerly put herself into a sitting position and crossed her long legs in front her. "Much" She replied. The wind may have stopped but the darkness did not.

Lois pursed her lips before asking her question. "Say, God?"

"You may call me Kal"

"Hey, whatever… Listen Kal, It's been awesome talking to you and all but could you let me go?"

"Lois you are free to go whenever you like."

She slowly got up, still feeling the sensations of floating slightly in her wobbly legs, she dusted her self off. "Well, see..." She smirked to herself. She couldn't exactly see him could she? "Well, talk to you later."

She started to walk forward, not knowing where she was as it was still pitch black. But she was determined to find her way back home. She had no idea if Chloe or Conner was alright and Lois Lane did not like to be uncertain about anything. Her fast paced walk sped up into a run.

"You are free to leave Lois…But do you want to?"

Lois stopped abruptly, skidding a little on the smooth glass-like ground. She could feel it; the big voice was baiting her to respond. Her curiosity got the better of her. It was in her nature. And this Kal guy knew it.

"Now what the hell does that mean?"

"Whatever you wish it to mean."

She turned back to the direction she came from. She was seriously thinking about staying and listening to what he had to say. But as soon as the thought entered her head she mentally slapped herself. Anything could have happened to Chloe and Conner. Those beefy jerks who had shot her could have raped Chloe and brought back Conner to where ever he came from, dissecting him or something.

"I would not worry. Your friends are safe and well."

"Ok…You obviously know what's going on, who I am, where I come from and you must also know that if I don't want to be some where, I'll find a way out." She crossed her arms across her chest, feeling the skin of her bare breast. "Oh and if you're gonna 'keep' me here, I'd like some clothes and little light."

"I'm afraid that is impossible Lois, I apologise."

Lois' jaw clenched in anger at the faceless being's words. She wanted out. Now.

"You can't expect me to stay here do you? And even if you could keep me trapped in this, this…Where am I, by the way?"

"You are in the very depths of your mind."

"Great." She muttered, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Why should I believe you?"

Silence was all she got in response. "Oh I get it…The silent treatment, eh? Fine. That's just fine."

"What is the meaning of love Lois? Do you know?" The voice of 'Kal' asked again.

"Why should I answer?"

"Because it is the only way out…And it's the polite thing to do."

She smirked. "You're good…"

"I thank you."

Lois wondered around until she found a wall that was made of the same material as the floor. She leaned on it and slid down to the ground slowly, finally resting her head back as she got comfortable.

"So Love? Do I get thinking time?"

"Take as long as you need Lois."

"What if something happens-"

"I will inform you if you or your friends are in danger."

"Fine." She sighed "Just... Fine."

He couldn't do it. He couldn't open the door and see her. Her eyes would not be open. Her mouth would not be teasing him the way it should.

He couldn't do it. But some how, as he stood rigid in front of her door, his hand gently touched the handle and turned.

The colour of the flowers was what he saw first. The rainbow petals of the exotic flowers, so perfect in sight and smell, wanted to make him cry. Straight away he knew, they didn't belong here with her. His blue eyes searched amongst the burst of colour for the white shade that he knew belonged to the lily, her favourite.

Nothing.

He sighed, as he closed his eyes. Silently he promised to buy a bunch for her. The quietness of the room unnerved him. With his eyes closed he could hear her more clearly. Lois' breathing was slow and deep. Her heart beat thumping in her rib cage steadily, giving her life. It was only then that Clark could close the door behind him and slump in one of the chairs beside her bed.

"Hi Lois…"

For a full five minutes that was all he had said to her. He just watched her chest move by her steady breathing. Shaking his head, he had slumped down onto one of the chairs next to the bed. Next to him the cold clean equipment kept a beeping track of her life patterns.

Watching her like this just broke his heart into a million tiny pieces.

"This…Oh, god this is my entire fault!" He squeezed his eyes painfully closed. That image of her on the cool hospital bed would forever be imbedded in his mind. Flicking his eyes open again he glanced down at her hand. Taking the soft, relaxed thing in his giant one, Clark Kent sighed.

"I… I know. I know you'd be saying 'shut up Smallville stop blaming yourself' or 'what could've you done?'" He gave her a watery smile. "I know ok? So stop bugging me. But you're wrong Lois. So wrong. I could've done something… Anything! I should have done everything in my power… I should've been faster, not hesitated." He sighed again. His eyes going around the room once more. He took in the variety of flowers and smiled down sadly at her.

"Do you see the colour in here? Do you see how much you mean to so many people? How much you mean to your family, my family? …To me?" His thumb slowly rubbed over the back of her hand. "Hmm, How many years have we known each other? 3 or 4? I think I've known you longer. It feels longer. Hey, do you remember the time when we washed Shelby at the car wash?" He gave a deep laugh. "You put him on a little buggy and demanded them to let us put him through that…"

Clark got up from the chair and carefully lay down in the small spot on the bed next to Lois, never letting go of her hand. "That dog had the time of his life that day. Chasing the water streams till we had to drag him away. We all did. Strange, you always make me have the time of my life… Um Lois, I've been thinking, yeah I know me right? Well I have and I'd like to think I now fully realise the phrase 'You don't know what you've got till it's gone'. Luckily you're not…" He choked back the rest of the sentence. "You're not gone." He whispered.

He turned his head to look at the side of her face. "I'm in love with you Lois Lane. There. I said it. I can't take it back and you know what? I don't want to. I'm gonna get you out of this, I'm gonna make you wake up and tell you all this all over again. Every night until you understand."

Carefully he stretched over her body and slowly leaned his head down closer to hers. Softly, he touched his lips to her unmoving ones. "I love you."

Love.

You love. You are loved.

To care. To be cared about.

To understand. To be understood.

To stand with. To be stood with.

To protect. To be protected.

To be needed. To need.

Now you know…

This is the meaning of the emotion called love.

You whisper that you understand and the darkness descends. It is replaced by a bright light. Much too bright for your weak human eyes. But a figure approaches in front of you. Tall and proud and you know instantly that this is Kal. The voice. You mumble an awed hello and raise your hand in greeting. He crouches down before you and places his hand on your own. He pulls you up close to his chest and you finally are able to see his face.

"Clark? Why are you in my head space?"

And he smiles at your innocent question. He does not answer though; instead he cups your face in his large hands and looks you in the eye. He looks straight into your soul. And you feel a rush in the pit of your belly. A gentle warmth that over takes your body. You realise suddenly that a white robe has been placed upon you and your right wrist feels heavy. Gazing down you see a thick bracelet, one you have never seen before.

"Wake up Lois." He speaks softly. "You need to wake up."

You frown. "Why? I kinda like it here now."

His smile brightens as he shakes his head. He smooths out the frown lines on your beautiful face and kisses your forehead. "Because, I need you."

And that's all you need to hear…