LoisNClark4Ever: I will never forget this, but as it is, I felt like this is my hardest story to date, as I keep changing the outline over and over again :( but I'm glad you'll be with me even if it might take me forever! (I sure do hope not though lol) You'll see in this chapter how magic will play out, and we'll see if Z will make an appearance down the road ;) hope you enjoy the rest of the ride!
razorstar90: Thank you! Hope you like this new chapter
Eleid: Maxima is insane! That's all (lol) Thank you! I think writing that kiss was one of my favorites in all my stories :)
clarkfan325: Thank you for reading! Sometimes I feel like they're moving too fast, but hey, it's Clark and Lois, so it would be instant attraction causing a massive ripple effect around them ;)
multi-shadows: Thank you! I'm sorry though about the 'update soon' part. It have always been remiss on that :(
Jill: Thank you! I'm glad we have readers like all of you who are willing to wait :)
cathy03: HIIIIIII! Missed reading your reviews :D well, glad you found this one! I have another outline laid out (Luthor-verse) but I think I'll finish this one first before doing that. And about the rating.. well.. we'll see about that ;)
Like I said in one of my responses above, this is probably the hardest story I have started to write, as I keep on changing characters, outlines, scenes, etc. This chapter is in fact, very difficult to write for me. I don't know why, but I got stuck, maybe because this chapter is kinda the turning point of the story. Well, I hope you stick with me 'til the very end. :D
Chapter 5
Lois was not an early riser. She never has been. But today was different. A huge smile bloomed on her face.
Sitting up, Lois looked at the mirror on her bureau at the opposite wall. She looked like ready to burst with excitement. She was always feeling like this whenever she would meet Mr. White for their lessons, or with her fencing instructor, or when she would just ride Blaze. But then she realized what she was feeling today was so much more. By a mile.
Standing up, Lois grabbed her robe and went to do her morning routine. Leaving her room, she went downstairs, knowing Chloe was already up and Oliver was gone, having told them last night that he had to leave for he had received a report about Lucy's whereabouts and that he will personally check it out. Lois was eternally grateful.
Arriving at the dining room, Lois found Chloe sitting at the table in the same state of undress. Chloe was surprised. She knew of Lois' penchant of waking up late. "Surprised to see you up and about. Good morning, Lois." Chloe said brightly.
Lois smiled. "Good morning to you too, Chloe. What is that wonderful smell?" she commented as she sat down on the opposite side of the table facing Chloe.
"Maurice's bread just came out of the oven. One of the reasons I married Oliver."
Lois laughed. "I bet."
"It will be served shortly." Chloe said, motioning towards the kitchen. "Now tell me, what has you up early today?" she said in a rather teasing manner.
Lois cannot help the heat rising up her face, which she knew translated into a blush, knowing the full blown smile that Chloe sported. "Is it wrong to wake up early once in a while?"
"No." Chloe said, leaning back on the chair. "Unless you are excited about something and could not wait for it to happen."
If it was possible her face grew more heated. Chloe looked like she was ready to burst. "Well, if you must know, I am eager to see the Duke of Metropolis' stable. You were the one who told me all about it."
Their food came in and Chloe immediately slathered her bread with butter. "True. But is it only the stable you are thrilled about?"
Lois wanted to wipe the smugness in Chloe's face. Why she had to be smug was confusing her. "Of course." Lois answered. "You know my love of horses."
Chloe laughed at Lois' distress. "I know. I know. But If I knew better…"
She was interrupted by the bell, indicating a visitor. "So early in the morning, I wonder who that would be." Chloe muttered, mostly to herself. She then shrugged and addressed Lois. "Probably one of Oliver's business partners, he has so many I always wonder how he keeps track of them."
Lois smiled, happy at the change of subject. "Well, your husband really does have a knack for business. He is good at it."
"True." Chloe said, taking another bite of her bread. Another sigh escaped her. "It does hurt though, when I hear vicious gossip milling about."
Lois knew what Chloe meant. Some older ladies had labeled Chloe a social climber, jumping from one heir to another, all because their daughters did not land another eligible bachelor. How she would like to sock them one by one for thinking that of her cousin. If they only knew the pain she had to go through to achieve this kind of happiness. "Forget them. Oliver knows the truth. You know the truth. That is all that matters."
Chloe smiled. "I could always count on you to pull me out of my self-pity."
Lois rolled her eyes, and started with her bread. But as she was about to take a bite, the butler had announced the names of the visitors, which completely shocked both occupants of the dining room.
"General Sam Lane and his daughter Lucy to see the mistress of the house."
Lois opened the door to the drawing room, panting from the running she did to reach it fast. It was true. Sitting there were her father and her sister.
"Oh Lucy." She said, running over to her and gave her a big hug, Lucy smiling from ear to ear. She then whispered. "How far have you gone?"
Lucy stole a glance to the General, who was staring straight ahead and not really paying attention to his daughters. "Kandor."
Lois smiled. How she would have loved to visit Kandor. "I'm glad you are well. How did you find each other?" Lois asked, this time addressing both.
The general looked up at them, still not pleased with the events that have transpired. "Father found me." It was Lucy who answered with a shrug.
"And we need to go home now. You," he said turning to Lucy. "have caused an uproar over at Fort Ryan. That is not becoming of a young lady."
"But Father…" Lucy began.
The general just raised his hand motioning Lucy to stop. Lois knew that the General was keeping his composure because they were not in their home. Lucy will definitely not hear the end of it once they are back in their own abode.
"Let us be thankful that Lucy is all right and nothing is amiss. She just wished to have an adventure. You did not raise weaklings, Father."
The General just grunted, and Lois knew that the General had somehow conceded with that point, that he did not raise naïve and uneducated children.
It was at this point that Chloe entered the room, and gave the General a proper greeting. She welcomed Lucy with a hug. "I am glad that you are all right."
Lucy returned the hug. "And I am glad you are finally happy."
Chloe beamed and turned to the General. "I will have the rooms prepared so you can spend the night. I am certain your journey has been taxing and you need some rest."
"There is no need Chloe." The General interjected. "We need to return to Fort Ryan post haste."
Lois blanched. Chloe frowned. She tried once more. "Surely the return could wait? And my husband would definitely want to play host to you."
"Forgive me, Chloe. Pressing matters." The General said, walking towards the drawing room door. "I will give you ample time to pack your belongings, Lois. I will be waiting by the carriages."
With that, the General left the room, leaving the three ladies inside with different reactions on their faces.
"Lois, is something wrong?" Lucy said, noting her slumped demeanor.
Lois just shook her head. "Nothing is wrong." She reassured her sister. "I will go pack. You are welcome to join me, you and Chloe."
Lucy smiled, but then her stomach growled, which did not escape Chloe's notice. "I think you need sustenance." She told Lucy, and then turned to address Lois. "I will join you in a minute."
Lois just nodded and headed to her room. She sighed, she would have to see the stables, and the Duke, on another time.
Chloe did not bother knocking as she entered the guest room. She was honestly upset, because after that kiss she had witnessed, she knew there was something special between her cousin and her friend. She had tried delaying their return journey, but the General was adamant, and she knew that once the General set his mind, there was no stopping him.
Silently, Chloe helped Lois in packing her bag. It was only a luggage, but it seemed like they were both taking forever.
"Chloe," Lois started.
Chloe looked at her and saw conflicting emotions. She completely understood.
"Can you please tell the Duke that my visit to his stables be rescheduled? And please, if you have to beg, please tell him not to rescind the invitation because of my absence today? Please explain fully and completely why I have to—"
Chloe stopped Lois' ramblings with a tight hug. "Have no fear, cousin dear. I will explain everything to Clark. I am certain he would understand."
"Thank you." Lois said, finally putting the last piece of clothing in her luggage. "I am happy, I am going home." She declared, looking straight to Chloe's eyes.
But Chloe knew of the battle within her cousin. Knowing Lois would not want words of comfort, she gave her cousin a tight hug, and arm in arm, left the guest room to join General Lane.
"Is that whistling I am hearing?" Ben said as he approached Clark and gave him his preferred saddle.
Clark looked at the older man and gave a short laugh. "Is it a crime to whistle?"
Ben just shook his head as he took a brush and ran it over Napoleon's coat. "It has been a long time since I have seen you like this."
"Like what?" Clark countered.
Ben shrugged. "Carefree."
Clark laughed out loud. "Carefree is not something I want to be."
"Light hearted then." Ben continued, not giving up. "You seem happy."
Clark raised an eyebrow and looked at his oldest and best horse trainer. "You know I am always happy when I am here, with my horses."
"No." Ben insisted. "There is something different in you. I will find out soon enough."
"Of course nothing can escape you. For a man your age, you sure do gossip a lot." Clark said with a smile.
Ben's laugh was soon followed by the sound of a bell, alerting both men that they have visitors. That it has sounded without someone informing Clark first meant that he was expecting someone. What Ben did not expect was the expression in Clark's face when he heard it.
And Ben finally understood. "It is a woman!"
Clark just gave Ben an impish smile, and clapping the older man in the back, went outside to welcome whoever the visitor was.
The soft-spoken trainer did something so uncharacteristic of him. He shouted.
"Finally!"
Clark watched as the familiar carriage rolled towards where he was standing. His time with her at the ball had been fascinating. Today would be exceptional.
Stopping in front of him, Clark placed his hand on the handle and opened the carriage door, only to be surprised by the lone participant inside.
"Forgive me, Clark, but Lois will not be able to make it today."
Clark schooled his face not to show any emotion rumbling through him. Helping Chloe step out of the carriage, he escorted her towards the gazebo. To say he was disappointed was putting it mildly.
"The General found Lucy, and they are now all on their way home. We were all shocked. It is well and good that Lucy is safe and sound and back with her family."
And Clark felt like an idiot for being selfish. Of course something of this magnitude would prevent Lois from attending their scheduled appointment. "Yes, she has told me about her sister. I offered my assistance but she told me that Oliver already had it covered. It is a good thing he pulled through."
"Well, this ending was not because of him. The details are sketchy, the General definitely wanted to return to Fort Ryan as soon as possible, but it was not Oliver who found Lucy. The General arrived with her in tow."
"I see." Clark murmured. The timing of it all, but Clark knew that he should be happy for Lois. Maybe there would be another time that they can get together. Just as he was about to suggest a gathering of such sort, Chloe interrupted his thoughts.
"And Lois told me, pleaded even, to beg you not to rescind your invitation. Maybe if she has the time and her father's permission, she may be back here in Metropolis and she would still very much like to see your horses." Chloe said with a mysterious smile.
Clark could not help but be happy with that small ray of light. "Of course. You are one of my closest friends, and your family is as good as mine."
Chloe's face lit up. "I am glad to hear that." She said. "I would not like this visit to go to waste, maybe I can snoop around, see which horse is best for me?"
Clark laughed, and Chloe realized that Clark did not oppose her allusion to their bet. Walking arm in arm towards the stables, Chloe could not wait to tell Oliver about what had transpired. He would be shocked!
It was almost the end of the day, Chloe leaving hours before, and Clark was still checking on his horses when one of his workers approached him, telling him a visitor by the name of Lois Lane was waiting at the gates.
His eyes rounded with surprise, immediately telling the hand to let her in.
Walking briskly, just short of running, he finally saw the small unfamiliar carriage rounding the bend, approaching him. Stopping just in front of him, Clark wasted no time and opened the door. A huge smile broke from him as he saw the familiar face, and helped her step down.
"Lois." Clark began. "I thought you were on your way home with your father and your sister."
Lois gave him a coy look. "I was, but I thought that now that my sister is in good hands, I would be of no use to my father anymore. Hence, my presence."
"Believe me," Clark started. "I am glad you are here, but did you have your father's permission? Chloe told me earlier that you have to—"
"In all honesty, my father does not know. And Chloe as well. Better we keep this a secret." She said with a wink.
Clark could not believe that Lois was in front of him right now. A burst of emotion suddenly bubbled up inside him, something unexplainable, and he knew that he would not be able to let go of Lois today or any other day.
A movement inside the carriage broke his thoughts, and as Clark looked past Lois, he saw another woman, probably a couple years older than Lois, stepping down from the carriage.
Lois did not waste time. "This is my chaperone, Linda."
"How do you do, Your Grace?" the chaperone said, bowing and then extending her hand. Clark did not think it unusual, and he extended his, grasping hers in a firm shake. A chill ran through his spine, but a hand on his arm, Lois' to be exact, told him that everything would be fine.
Miles away from the stables, the real Lois was sitting inside the carriage, on her way home with her family, unaware that her face and her body have been borrowed because of an obsession.
So, what do you guys think? I'm quite nervous about this chapter. Again, sorry for the mistakes as this is unbeta'd. Your reviews are most welcome. Love you lots :)