razorstar90: yes! I just hope I didn't make it too thick.. lol

LoisNClark4Ever: I'm so happy you're liking the story :) the only thing I can tell you is that Linda will have her punishment, one way or another ;)

Guest: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it :)

Eleid: Thanks! :) And your guess? You might be right about that ;)

clarkfan325: Thank you for reading! I think the next chapters will be full of Clois :)

asaMade: I know :( Really sorry for the delay

Back to my same old schtick, I am super sorry for the delay. Real life has really caught up, and with me being back to school (fulfilling my dream) and working at the same time, I have little time for myself and the stories I have up right now. So I hope you bear with me and stick with me until the end of the stories.

This might be short but I hope you like this one as well :)

Chapter 7

"Lois!" Lucy called, waiting outside the stables, and Lois could not mistake the delight in her sister.

Lois has just finished her morning ride, wanting to release the tension she has been feeling for the past weeks. After arriving home, it only took Lois three days to ask for permission to return to Metropolis. It has been a month and still she has not received an answer from the General. It seemed now that she has.

Lois pulled her horse to a halt, and after dismounting gave Blaze an affectionate pat on his muzzle. "What has brought you here, dear sister of mine?" she asked, downplaying the emotion she was feeling.

Lucy could not contain her smile. "Father wants to see you."

Lois' eyes widened, and after handing over Blaze to the stable boy, ran towards their father's study, leaving a laughing Lucy behind.

Stopping in front of the door, she took a deep breath and composed herself. She knocked, and after a response from her father, she grabbed the knob and slowly turned it, pushed the door open and stepped inside the study.

"You wish to see me, Father." Lois stated.

"Yes." The General said, pointing to a seat in front of his table. Lois sat down dutifully. She waited for her father to start.

"I have given thought to your request." The General paused, and then gave a slight smile. "I give you my permission."

Lois gave a small squeak, and forgetting herself, ran around the table and gave her father a hug. She knew that her father was caught by surprise by her spontaneous reaction, with the way he awkwardly patted her head.

Lois released her father, and with a smile. "I promise I will behave."

The General gave her a stern look. "No fencing. No breeches. You can ride as long as it is side-saddle."

She rolled her eyes, which her father caught. "None of that, young lady."

"But Father, what difference does it make? The things I do here and the things I do in Metropolis?"

"Here, nobody will judge you. Not so in Metropolis." Her father said. "And what gentleman would want a woman who can ride better than them?"

Lois knew it was a compliment. "You have taught me well." She said with a smile.

"I know." Her father said. "And none of that. Promise me, Lois."

Lois gave an exaggerated sigh. "I promise." She acquiesced, but not for long. "Side-saddle? But Father—"

The General gave her a look meant to silence, and Lois ceased. "And you will not bring breeches. Understood?"

Lois' shoulders dropped. There was no use arguing with her father. If she carried on with her complaints, the earlier given permission might be rescinded. "Yes, Father. With your permission, I would take my leave now and pack."

"You leave early in the morning. No need for a missive, I am certain Chloe will welcome you."

Her father sat down, meaning their conversation has ended. Lois gave a nod, and short of running, left the study to go to her bedroom.

And lo and behold, waiting for her there was Lucy sitting on her bed, waiting for the story.

"Did Father give you his permission?"

Lois waited a moment, but could contain it any longer. "Yes. I leave in the morning."

Lucy gave a squeal, and pulled Lois down on the bed with her, ending with them both lying down. "This is such good news. You are finally getting that adventure you wanted."

Lois glanced at Lucy and smiled, and then thought about Clark. Honestly, it scared her, the intensity of what she was feeling every time their kiss entered her mind. It was completely foreign to her, yet she could not help the thought that what she did was right.

A quiet sigh escaped from Lucy, and Lois turned to her sister. "Are you sad?"

Lucy looked at her and smiled. "To be completely honest," she paused, appearing to give it much thought. "I feel happy, sad, and a little bit jealous."

Lois knew what Lucy meant, but she let her sister continue.

"Sad because I will miss you." She said with a smile. "Happy because I know you are happy."

"Jealous?" Lois prompted.

Another sigh broke from Lucy. "Jealous because I wanted an adventure myself."

Lois grabbed her Lucy's hand and squeezed. "Worry not, Lucy. Your time will come. I admit it might have been my fault why you are still closeted here because of my inability to snag a husband, but believe me, your season will not come soon enough."

Lucy snorted. "I do not want a husband. I want an adventure."

"Oh dear sister, once you are in Metropolis, husband-hunting will be in the back of your mind. Look at me, three seasons and still no husband, but I still had an adventure nonetheless."

Lucy hugged her sister tight. "I am going to miss you big sister." She said, then abruptly she stood up. "Wasting time is not a good habit. I will help with the packing."

Lucy left the room, no doubt to get a valise. Lois stood up as well, invigorated at the thought of returning to Metropolis.

Clark pulled back the curtain from his coach, and welcomed the familiar sight that is Metropolis. However, he was dreading the moment he would inform Chloe of Lois' death.

He still could not believe the events that had happened. He, a man of good judgment, has fallen prey to a woman's conniving and devious charms. He had never been this irrational, but somehow, that one kiss in Chloe's garden made his mind go in a tailspin.

It all went back to that night, how he had experienced one of the most glorious nights in his life. But all was lost. Lois was dead, and that masterful performance that night would never be recreated.

The coach got into a halt, signalling that he had arrived at his intended destination. Stepping down, Clark felt dread at the sight of Chloe's home. She would be devastated.

Every step felt heavy but Clark knew he had to go through this. Knocking on the door, he knew that the moment of truth has finally arrived.

Chloe was extremely happy when the maid informed her that the Duke of Metropolis was waiting downstairs. Was Clark so attuned to Lois, when just a couple of hours earlier Lois had been the one in the parlor waiting, that he was now here inside her home? Chloe had no doubt: this was destiny.

Chloe left the room and went to Lois'. She knocked, and after a response from Lois, went right in. "You will not believe who came calling right this instant."

Lois smiled, realizing what Chloe meant. "I will change immediately. Keep him company, cousin."

"That I will." Chloe said and came bounding downstairs.

Entering the parlor, Chloe immediately noticed Clark's gloomy attitude. It was as if somebody has died.

"Chloe." Clark said, standing up and greeting Chloe with a kiss on the cheek.

"Clark." Chloe said, leading them both to the couch. "What brings you here on a fine morning?"

Chloe noticed that Clark seemed to have difficulty finding his words. She decided to take matters in her own hands. "Does this have anything to do with Lois?"

Clark's eyes widened and Chloe could not help but laugh. It only cemented the idea in her mind that Clark and Lois were perfect for each other. Lois was the only woman who had elicited such a reaction from Clark.

"How did you know?"

Chloe laughed gaily. "Oh Clark." She patted his hand. "I saw you and Lois at the party. It was clear that you were enjoying yourself, and she was happy to be in your company too. I knew you were a match made in heaven."

Now Clark seemed more distressed, head now bowed down. "But Chloe…"

"Do not fret, Clark. She is on her way down."

Clark snapped his head up, shock in his voice. "What?"

"She is just upstairs. Clark," she said with a shake of her head. "Why would you be here only a couple of hours after Lois arrived?"

Clark seemed at a loss for words, which confused Chloe. The door flew open, and Lois stood at the doorway, a bright smile on her face.

"Good morning." She greeted.

What happened next completely baffled Chloe.

Clark could not believe his eyes. Lois was standing there, in the flesh! What kind of madness he was in he had no idea. The only thought coursing through his mind now was that the woman in front of him and Chloe was a ghost.

Standing up, completely forgetting Chloe, he strode over to where she was standing. Stopping just in front of Lois, he remembered the kiss, immediately followed by her adultery, which made him grab her all too real wrist and dragged Lois, to Chloe's protest.

"Clark!" Chloe said.

Clark stopped just in front of the main door. "Stay out of this Chloe. This is between Lois and me."

Chloe stopped at the look of anger in Clark's face, which made Clark immediately pull back. "Talk is all we will do." He said, while he released his hold on Lois' wrist.

Clark could see the two cousins communicating silently. Both nodded, but Clark still waited for the meaning of those nods.

"I will go with you." Lois said.

Grabbing her hand and without another word to a confused Chloe, Clark pulled Lois towards his coach. A lot of questions swam in his mind, and he intended to get an answer to each and every one of them.

You guys know the drill.. love you lots :)