imhooked: It is like a roller coaster huh? I'm really glad you liked it. Thanks :)

Guest#1: Thank you for reading! I hope you like the next chapter too :)

tua33915: Don't worry, there's more of "showing" than "telling" in the succeeding chapters. Thanks for the comments :)

clarkfan325: I really wanted to show Linda's backstory, so she won't be a two-dimensional character (like Maxima) because she is the main villain of the story. I hope you like what happens in the next chapters with regards to Clark and Lois. Thanks for the review :)

Guest#2: Update is coming!

Sorry guys for the week delay update, as I was hospitalized for the past week. But I'm better now so here's the next chapter of No Other You :)

Chapter 14

"Clark?"

Clark's eyes cracked open, and the barrage of discomfort from him having slept on the chair in his study came. His eyes focused, and he saw both his mother and Bruce looking at him with concern. Each time he was called he dared to hope, only for it to be dashed instantly at the news that Lois still has not awaken.

It has been three days, but the image of Lois crumpled on the grass, seemingly poisoned, was already burned to his mind. How he longed to see her hazel eyes again, glinting with life and vivacity that seemed to lick at his soul. How he longed to once more hear her voice, making striking conversations and witty retorts that fed his intellect. How he longed to taste her mouth, sweet as nectar yet hot as summer, which touched his very core. Here he was, finally given the proof of Lois' innocence, only for his chance to redeem himself immediately taken away.

Straightening himself in the chair, Clark tried to shake the cobwebs caused by sleep. A moment later, he looked first to his mother, a questioning look in his eyes. The somber smile on her lips meant that Lois still has not gained consciousness. "She still climbs in and out of the fever."

At least she was still alive. He gave out a sigh, stood up with every intention of returning to Lois' bedroom, as he was wont to do ever since the picnic, but he was stopped by Bruce's voice. "Are you interested in hearing an update about the inquiry?"

Clark did not even turn around to answer Bruce. "I am. I want to see Lois first." He did not intend to be rude, but he was exhausted, even after he was just roused from a sleep.

Closing the door to his study, Clark halted. Ever since that picnic, he honestly did not know what to prioritize, amused at the irony because he prided himself as being a controlled and methodical man. As soon as he had placed Lois' comatose body on her bed, Clark had begun pacing the room, waiting for the doctor to arrive. The minute Dr. Hamilton appeared and started administering treatment, Clark was torn between staying and watching over Lois and returning to the picnic to start the investigation. Deeming Lois was in capable hands, he had left the house and went back to the church grounds, only to berate himself because he had forgotten to give the order that no one was to leave in his haste to bring Lois back to the house.

A few remained, and they were all steering clear of the black patch of grass where Lois once was sprawled over. Martha had told him immediately that nobody seemed to suffer the same mysterious ailment as Lois. Clark just nodded, his thoughts scattered as Bruce approached him, volunteering his services into finding out who was behind the attack. As soon as those words left Bruce's mouth, he was storming back to check on Lois, only to see her in the condition he has left her prior. It took all his willpower not to take Dr. Hamilton by the neck and demand that she be cured at once, for Dr. Hamilton was first a friend, and second, a capable doctor.

Here he was, undecided whether to stay or go, because of the concern for Lois' wellbeing and gratitude for Bruce in assisting him that it barely registered that his mother and Bruce were talking about him.

"This is the first time I have seen him like this." Bruce remarked, noticing the concerned look on Martha's face.

"I as well." Martha replied. "He was always sure of himself, always confident, and it is quite vexing to see him so muddled."

"Oh my son." Martha said, clear that she was worried at the turn of events. "Lois is a remarkable woman. That someone has plotted to harm her is beyond me."

Bruce nodded. He had only a few moments with her and already, he was of the same opinion. "I am certain that this is connected to Clark's farce of a marriage."

Martha agreed. "Whatever this is, I pray this ceases soon. It breaks my heart to see Clark like this."

Clark blinked, still a door separating him from his mother and his friend. It was not pleasant hearing their opinion of him, but somehow it made him think outside of the box again. Recalling his conversation with Constantine, Clark knew that they had to divert their attention into finding someone who was capable of wielding dark power and the motive of doing so. But first he had to see Lois.

Emil was stepping out at the same time Clark had stepped foot on the second floor. Emil waited by the door as Clark approached, knowing there was only one destination in Clark's mind.

"Any change?"

Emil shook his head. "I'm sorry, Clark, but in all my years studying and being a doctor, this is the first time that I have encountered something like this."

Clark just nodded. "Thank you, Emil. I trust we will see each other tomorrow?"

Emil nodded in the affirmative. Clark returned the gesture and opened the door to Lois' bedroom, effectively ending the conversation. Emil, however, clamped a hand on Clark's forearm and Clark turned questioningly at the doctor.

"Your grace," Emil started, seemingly hesitant to continue.

"Yes, doctor."

"It might be best that you consult others about Ms. Lane's illness."

"You are the best there is. I do not need another doctor." Clark replied, ready to see to Lois.

"I did not mean doctors."

Clark paused, then turned around to see if Emil was serious.

The doctor almost buckled under the gaze, but they have no other option. As Clark had said, he was the best there is. He continued under the duke's intense scrutiny. "There are a lot of mysterious things in this world, Clark, and I for one am not close minded to things that are unexplained."

Clark just nodded, and Emil gave sigh of relief that his suggestion was not met with skepticism. "An apprentice of mine, of sorts, knows someone who can help."

"Then we must make haste." Clark said as he entered the room walking towards the bed, leaving Emil at the hallway. Looking down at Lois, Clark could not help but place his lips against her hot forehead. "You will get better Lois. You must."

With those words, Clark turned, renewed confidence in his gait. "Take me to your apprentice, Emil. No time should be wasted."

Martha knew she had to stop, but after Clark left yesterday only telling her and Bruce that he had business to do with Dr. Hamilton, she could not help but be worried, as it was already night and there was still no sign of them.

Heading to the kitchen to check on tonight's dinner, Martha heard the sound of an arriving carriage and without preamble headed to the main door and pulled it open. The carriage came to a halt, and it was Clark who first disembarked.

Clark seeing her mother by the entrance, gave her a kiss on the cheek and without uttering a word headed straight inside. Martha wanted to call him back and inquire about his puzzling behavior, but decided against it as she knew it would be futile for at the moment, there was only one woman in his mind, and it was not her.

However, her question was soon answered when she was greeted by Dr. Hamilton, who was accompanied by a striking young woman. "Your grace." Dr. Hamilton said.

"Dr. Hamilton, thank you for coming." Martha answered. "I do have a lot of questions right now but I believe Lois' health is of greater importance, so I will hinder you no longer." She said as she stepped aside to let the doctor and his companion in.

Martha followed the two to Lois' bedroom, but the young woman halted at the open doorway. She turned to Dr. Hamilton.

"I sense dark magic." The raven haired woman said.

Martha's eyes widened, but she did not dare question the statement. She followed them inside and one look from the woman and she knew that what gripped Lois was something strange.

"All of you leave this room immediately."

"I will not leave her." Clark said vehemently.

"But you must!" the young woman answered back. "If you want this woman saved, you will have to do as I say."

Martha knew that Clark was debating with himself. After a few moments, Clark stood up from Lois' bed and left the room, with her and Dr. Hamilton following suit. With the door closed, Martha knew nothing of what was going to happen, but she prayed that the outcome was something they have been praying for these last four days.

This was hell, this waiting. He hated it, and he hated that he had no control over it. Martha had invited him and Emil to dinner, but Clark knew that his place was right here, and he told them so. His mother had understood and left Clark, while they do their own waiting downstairs. Almost an hour has passed, but Zatanna was still inside Lois' room.

Clark thought of the many ways to make it up to Lois once she woke up. He would let her ride one of his horses. He would let her win in poker. Hell, he would even take her back to her family and offer his sincerest apologies.

That last idea brought certain sadness to Clark. He admitted that he did not want to do that, but if Lois wished to, then he would fulfil it.

Slowly, the door opened and Clark met Zatanna at the doorway. She looked exhausted, but there was a small smile on her face. "She is awake now."

A huge smile broke from Clark's face, but concern still marred his joy. "Are you certain?"

"Yes." Zatanna answered. "The magic has been drawn from her body, and she will recover in time, given the proper care."

"How can I repay you?" Clark asked.

Zatanna ignored the question; she decided that her answer to his query would depend on his answer to her own. "This is not the first time you have encountered something of this sort?"

"Yes. I have seen first-hand that magic is not just found in books and imaginations. Someone like you has helped me before. It was not something I wish to relive. Yet here I am."

Zatanna nodded and smiled. "Give me the name of that person as payment, nothing more."

Clark looked at Zatanna quizzically, but answered all the same. He knew that that person would not mind anyway. "His name is John. John Constantine."

"John Constantine." Zatanna repeated. "Thank you, your grace. I will see myself out after I talk with Dr. Hamilton."

"The carriage is at your disposal. You have my deepest gratitude." Clark said. As soon as she turned her back on him, Clark entered the room and sat on the bed beside Lois. Taking her hand in his, the other stroked the hair away from her face and at his touch, Lois slowly opened her eyes.

"Clark?" she said quite weakly.

Clark let out a breath he did not know he was holding. "Yes, it is me."

"What happened?" she asked. "I feel as if I am burning all over."

"You were unconscious for days, Lois. And you suffered the fever as well. But the doctor said that you are on your way to recovery."

"Fever?" Lois said as she closed her eyes again and her eyebrows met, as if she was in pain. "But I do not get sick."

Clark smoothed her forehead for her and smiled. Trust Lois to think she was impervious to disease. "You were poisoned."

"By your kiss?!"

Clark looked at Lois astonished. "Was that the last thing you remember?" Clark saw Lois redden, but chalked it up to her body still fighting the fever.

"No." Lois said and then tried to recall the events after the kiss, but even that seemed to entail a lot of effort. "My head is aching."

"Then talk no more." Clark said, rearranging the pillows to make her more comfortable before releasing her hand so he could leave the room.

Clark stopped at Lois' call of his name. His heart filled with warmth with the words she uttered next. "Will you stay, until at least I sleep?"

Clark nodded and reclaimed the spot he had vacated, because he knew deep down that he would stay well into the night, long after sleep consumed her.

Sorry if this was a short chapter. Hope you all liked it :) You know the drill. Until next week, love you lots!