clarkfan325: Wow thanks! Hope you like this next chapter as well :)

LoisNClark4Ever: Thank you for the long review! I simply love reading your thoughts :) Well, let's just say Clark still has fresh wounds, hence the hesitation on his part. But don't worry, someone in this chapter will guide him towards the light ;)

Saphire49036: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it :)

Eleid: It's good to be back as well :) Thank you for reading :)

Wow, this might be a record for me, only two weeks since the last update? Anyway, this story did take a different route than what I have planned but I hope you still like it. :)

Chapter 9

Worry was something Chloe was good at, much to Oliver's dismay, and today she was bountiful with it.

Waking up quite earlier than expected, Chloe could not erase the fear that has seeped through her. What made her more scared was that she did not know what she feared of.

She does not fear for Lois, no. Lois knew how to take care of herself, been doing so ever since they were little, and Chloe had been witness to the handful of times that Lois displayed such resourcefulness and independence.

On that note, Chloe does not worry about what Clark might do to Lois. While she saw how angry Clark was at Lois yesterday, somehow she knew deep down that Clark would not hurt Lois. It was something borne out of his upbringing by his parents. And ever since Clark's father has passed, Clark not once defiled Jonathan Kent's legacy, and he would not start now.

Which made Chloe even more fearful. Call it intuition, but Chloe could not shake the feeling that something was going to happen. Something bad.

Sitting up on the bed, Chloe suddenly felt faint. She did not bother looking at the other side of the be: for one, she knew Oliver was already up and about, and two, she did not dare to add to the light headedness that she was feeling.

Closing her eyes, Chloe took a deep breath and turned, her feet now dangling on the side of the bed. Another deep breath and she stood up. Worry can be such a danger to her.

And then she promptly fainted.

Chloe awoke to a thunderous looking Oliver looking at her cowering maid.

"Tell me one more time. What happened?"

Chloe realized that her maid would not be able to answer with Oliver throwing daggers. "I just fainted. That was it."

At the sound of the voice from the bed, Oliver's demeanor changed from mutinous to concerned. "How are you feeling? Is something ailing you?"

Chloe dismissed her maid and Oliver helped her sit up on the bed. "Lois and Clark."

"There is now a malady named Lois and Clark?" Oliver jested, trying to keep the mood light despite his anxiety.

Chloe threw a pointed look at her husband, which Oliver took that she was now feeling better. "I simply worry about them. I told you what had happened yesterday. It was completely uncharacteristic of Clark to drag Lois off."

"And completely uncharacteristic of Lois to let her be dragged off by Clark." Oliver replied.

Chloe realized that her husband was right, but she waved her hand as if it was inconsequential. "It does not matter, anyhow. I know Lois will be able to hold herself against Clark."

"Well, if you must know, a message from Lois arrived. Will you be able to read it?" Oliver asked.

"I merely fainted, my dear husband. My faculties are still with me, as such, I believe I will be able to read this message."

Oliver rolled his eyes, and gave his wife a kiss on the forehead, before handing over the paper to Chloe.

Unfolding it, Chloe immediately recognized the scrawl that was Lois'. Her eyes shot up in surprise, but her brows knitted once she started reading the letter. Upon finishing it, a small sense of relief washed out through her. Fear was still there, but somehow, knowing that Lois feels she was safe with Clark made it all the more easier for Chloe.

"Care to share what has you worried so?" Oliver sat down beside Chloe, putting an arm around her shoulder.

Chloe sighed. Lois did say that she may tell Oliver about what had happened. Still taxed from her fainting spell, Chloe handed the note to Oliver. In a short while, Oliver looked at Chloe with questions in his eyes.

"The word 'safe' keeps on grating at me. The fact that Lois has to reiterate that she is safe with Clark somehow tells me that they are in a sort of danger. This misunderstanding," Chloe said with a sweep of her hand in the direction of the letter, "is something I am not comfortable with."

"Darling, we both know Clark. He is one of the most capable men that we know. If Lois tells you that she is safe, then I believe that she is. However, do you think it prudent not to tell her father of this?"

Chloe sighed once more. "That is what adds to my worries. This situation that they are in, Lois called a burden. And burden will not sound good in whatever sentence it was used for."

And then suddenly, as if struck by lightning, Chloe straightened her back, leaving Oliver's comforting arms. She looked at her husband with pleading eyes. "Lois trusted me not to tell anyone but you, but perhaps you may be able to investigate the matter, see where they are and what they are up to?"

Trust Chloe to drag him into this. "I would be happy to oblige you, but I do not want another event like this to happen without me nearby." Chloe began to frown, so Oliver hurried on. "Though I do know someone who might be able to help us."

A small smile graced Chloe's lips. She grasped his hand and laid her head on Oliver's shoulder. "I trust your judgment, dear husband. Thank you."

"You are most welcome, dear wife."

Somehow, Chloe seemed placated. She just hoped fervently that she was wrong about her hunch that Clark and Lois were in danger.

The carriage pulled to a halt, and Lois could feel knots in her muscles. Another long trip and she will pass out from exhaustion.

Lois beat Clark going down the carriage as soon as the door was opened. A smile spread on Lois' face as she saw the structure in front of her. The Duke's lodgings in Granville was magnificent, and this one in Smallville far less than that, but somehow, home better described the house in front of her now.

"How long will we be staying here, your Grace?"

Clark looked at Lois with hooded eyes. "For as long as it is needed."

Lois just nodded, and to Clark's surprise, she suddenly turned nervous. Somehow, Lois and nerves do not go along. "In Granville, you have a housekeeper. Do you have one here?"

Clark's eyebrows lifted. "And you ask why?" Clark inquired, though he had an inkling to her answer.

There is no mistaking the tell-tale blush that graced Lois' face. "It is only proper that we have someone, another housekeeper perhaps, living with us."

"Have you forgotten that we are quite married and there is no need for a chaperone?"

And the nerves were replaced with another bout of irritation. "And have you forgotten that I am contesting said marriage simply because I was not there as your bride?"

"Then we are at an impasse." He started to walk towards the house. "Just to assuage your feminine sensibilities, we are not alone in this house."

As if on cue, the door flew open and a woman made herself presence known.

"Clark?" as soon as the woman saw the person whose name she uttered, she broke into a wide smile and welcomed him into her arms.

"Mother." Clark said, affection evident in his voice, giving her a kiss on the cheek and returning her hug.

"It has been too long since your last visit." She smiled, fawning over her son, adjusting his coat and dusting it off. "But no matter, you are here. It has been too long since I have prepared a meal and now is the perfect time to do so."

"Make it a meal for three, Mother."

"For three?" Martha asked, and as Clark stepped aside, she finally saw what Clark meant.

"Lois, my mother, Martha Kent, Dowager Duchess of Metropolis." Lois gave a small bow, not mistaking the confusion in the older woman.

"Mother, this is Lois Lane. My wife."

Clark knew that an explanation was in order. And now was the opportunity to tell his mother while Lois was resting in her assigned bedroom.

"How can you be married without my knowledge?" Martha asked rather calmly as soon as the door to the drawing room was shut, hurt at the exclusion in one of the important events in her son's life.

Clark pinched the bridge of his nose. Trust mothers to lay on the guilt thick without the histrionics. "Believe me, mother, I have no explanation whatsoever."

"You simply found yourself married to her?" Martha took a seat to the nearest couch.

Another pinch to the bridge of his nose. "Of course not, mother. We are both willing participants. However, it is a long story, and a complicated one at that."

"I have all the time in the world to listen to my son." Martha said, patting the seat next to her.

And listen she did. Martha never uttered a word while Clark relayed his story. She did not even stop him from pacing around the drawing room while he grew agitated over his confusion and the mystery surrounding the Lois he married and the Lois he is with now.

Finally finishing his story with the event that made them head to Smallville, Clark sat down beside Martha again, taking her hand in his. "Mother, forgive me. Really, please do. But I need to sort this out."

Martha gave Clark a sad smile. She had never seen his son this confounded in all his life. Yes, she knew about the work Clark does for the King, and somehow she always felt that he is safe, for he knew what he was doing. Not so this time. "It so pains me to see you in this bind. However, your father and I raised you the way we thought what was best for you, and I know that you will do the right thing by her. I agree with your decision to bring her here."

Clark let out a breath he did not realize he was holding. "Thank you, Mother."

"What are you planning to do next?" Martha asked as soon as she saw the determined glint in Clark's eyes.

"Believe it or not, Mother, but this is not the first time I have seen something like this. I intend to travel to Kandor to do some inquiry, so I will have to leave her alone with you for a spell."

Martha just nodded. She then stood up, to which Clark followed suit. "You do what you do best, son. And do not worry, I will look after Lois. Something tells me that we are going to get along well."

Clark's heart skipped a beat at what his mother said. "Do not get your hopes up, Mother. I will reserve judgment until I get to the bottom of this."

"Oh Clark," Martha started. "You have already judged her. What confuses and irks you is that she keeps on proving you wrong with your judgment."

Clark could not gather a good enough response. Martha gave Clark a look that said clearly, I know you too well.

Was she right? As they separated ways, Martha to the kitchen and Clark to his own bedroom, Clark could not mistake the burgeoning hope in his heart. Who was he to question the saying 'Mother knows best?'

"Thank you for the glorious meal." Lois said as she and Clark stopped in front of her bedroom door. "Please do tell your Mother."

"You already have Lois. Thrice." Clark said, feeling lighter than he had in the past couple of days.

"It would not hurt to do so again." She said. "In fact, the only thing I might like about you now is your mother."

Clark's eyes narrowed. Have they ever had this kind of conversation in the month that they married? He shook his head. Everything about that marriage was muddled.

He then grew serious. Better to focus on the task at hand. "Lois, tomorrow I take my leave. It might take me a couple days, even longer, so promise me you will not try to escape. I will not feel at ease until the danger has been resolved."

The thought never once crossed Lois' mind, but as she saw that Clark was waiting for her answer, she promised him that she would not leave without his or his mother's knowledge.

"Good." Clark said, and he could not help himself but look at Lois' mouth. The same mouth that has him mesmerized during dinner, making witty remarks, filling the table with laughter. Would they feel the same as he felt when he first kissed her in Chloe's gardens? The unbidden thought surprisingly made Clark more alert. He did not need fall for the attraction again. The mess he has gotten himself into was proof enough. "Good night, Lois." He said abruptly, and turned on his heel, heading to his own bedroom, before he did anything he might regret come morning.

I only realized now that this is the first story with a parent of Clark's in it! I hope I did Martha justice :) You know the drill, love you lots! :)