imhooked: Thanks for reading! You'll know the answer to your theory in this chapter :)
Lois and Clark Fan: Aww thanks! If there's one thing I am proud of, it is the fact that my stories really are mine. I mean, I am influenced by all types of writers and all types of stories (for example, some scenes might be similar to others) but in the end of the day, this is all coming from me :)
Eleid: I completely understand. Thank you as well for being honest. No bad feelings here :)
Guest: Thanks! Linda is gone for good, don't worry about it ;) I know right? What else is new with regards to Lois and Clark :)
polks87: Thanks for reading! I am really happy I am now finding the time to write again.
Few chapters left! I hope you still stay with me. Here's the next chapter :)
Chapter 19
"Maxima? Really?" Bruce said as he offered the glass of whiskey to Clark. "Well, I have always thought her to be a bit," he paused. "Temperamental."
"You call that temperamental?"
"That is the best word I can come up with without disrespecting those who passed away." Bruce sat down on the chair opposite Clark's. "Besides, who on their right mind would do something like what she did? That was obsession."
Clark just shook his head. "I pity them. Maxima was blinded by her obsession with me, Linda was blinded by her love for her sister."
"Agreed." Bruce then took a sip. "People today choose to be blind, and I do not mean visually." He said as he stared straight at Clark.
Clark almost buckled under his gaze. They both know what Bruce was talking about, but he felt he was not yet ready. He chose to ignore the barb Clark was certain was directed at him. "How have you been, now that you are not flying around?" Clark asked instead.
Bruce laughed, it was an evasion if someone ever saw one. "You rehearsed that line on your whole ride here, haven't you?" Bruce asked challengingly.
"Indeed." Clark said. "But honestly, are you feeling fine?"
Bruce narrowed his eyes and looked at Clark expectantly. "Of course I am. Question is, are you?"
Clark sighed. Leave it to Bruce to stay on track. "How can I not be?"
"Now that the danger has passed, Lois is now free to return to her home. Am I right?"
Clark schooled his features so as not to show any kind of emotion. "Yes. She's getting ready to leave for Fort Ryan. I am also to contact the solicitor so he can declare the marriage null and void."
"So the solicitor hasn't been summoned yet?" Bruce asked, a small smile forming on his face.
"I haven't got the time." Clark answered while clearing his throat.
"You want to do it now?" Bruce queried.
"Uh, no. I can do it once I return home. I do not have my stationery with me."
"You can always use my stationery." Bruce said, standing up and heading to his desk to get said paper. "You can also use my seal, if you are not too finicky about it."
"I'd rather use my own, thank you." Clark replied.
"Or maybe," Bruce started. "You really don't want to call on the solicitor because you want to stay married to Lois Lane."
Clark was deep in thought on his ride on the way to the village. He still was not ready to face Lois yet. In fact, he still has not seen her ever since Linda's demise yesterday.
He neared the market, and he caught a glimpse of his mother with the cook, buying vegetables from their usual vendor. Tying Sultan to a nearby tree, he called out as he walked towards them.
"Clark!" Martha said as Clark bent down to kiss the older woman's cheek. The cook bowed to him, and asked permission to continue on with the shopping, effectively leaving Martha with Clark. "What brings you here?"
"I just wanted to see how everyone is doing." Clark said, placing a hand on her back leading her to a walk, heading nowhere in particular.
Martha knew instantly that Clark wanted to talk. "Is there something that you wish to tell me?"
Clark looked at his mother and smiled. "Trust a mother to know what is going on in their child's mind."
Martha laughed. "But I am not a clairvoyant, Clark. Of course I have no idea what you are thinking of right now." She then paused. "Forget that, I think I do know what, or rather who, you are thinking of right now. The particulars though, I have no inkling."
Clark sighed. It has been haunting him that he had taken Lois' virginity outside of marriage. That, and the fact that he had acted like an ass the morning after the deed was done was an addition to his guilt. She deserved better. "I want to do the right thing, mother. Returning Lois to her family is the right thing to do." He stated as if he was trying to convince himself.
"Of course." Martha said, knowing exactly the dilemma he was experiencing right now. "But tell me, and do not lie because I will know instantly if you are fooling your mother, why do you doubt this action so? It seems you are hesitant in this decision."
Clark stopped walking, trying to put words into what he was feeling at that moment. Recalling Bruce's statement, one that he had evaded once more, it was filling him up, feeling he would burst any moment.
Clark looked straight into his mother's eyes, and Martha knew that Clark finally accepted what he was feeling all along.
"I do not think I will ever be ready letting her go."
Martha smiled and pulled her son into a hug. She cupped his cheek as they parted. "I assure you, you are doing the right thing returning her to her family. What I am also certain of, is that whatever is bothering you now, you will also do the right thing for both your and Lois' hearts."
Clark smiled, realization dawning him. "Thank you, mother." He said, and then hugged her once more. "What would I ever do without you?" he said playfully, but meaning the words all the same.
With renewed fervor, Clark rounded the gate in record time to reach the stable to deposit Sultan in his box. He wanted to find Lois so they can leave for Fort Ryan immediately.
It turned out there was no need to look for Lois anymore, for the woman was already inside the stable, playing with Shelby's puppies in one of the empty boxes. He could not help the smile growing on his face.
Lois looked up at the sound of hooves, and Clark could not help but hold his breath at the beauty before him. He dismounted and led Sultan to his box, next to where Lois and the puppies were.
"Good morning." Lois said with a polite smile.
Clark's smile waned a little. He should not have expected Lois to welcome him with open arms after his absurd reaction due to the guilt he was feeling. However, he had vowed to make things right between them, and he had to follow the plan he had formulated on the ride back after an enlightening talk with his mother. "Good morning to you too." He cleared his throat, as if it would clear the tension and awkwardness surrounding them now. "How are—" Clark started at the same time Lois uttered. "Your grace—"
The smile completely disappeared. Have they returned to the formalities? He just nodded. "Ladies first."
It was Lois' turn to clear her throat. "When are we heading back to Fort Ryan?"
At that moment, Clark felt as if the whole world closed in on him. Lois wanted to depart for Fort Ryan post haste. "When do you wish to return?"
"As soon as able." Lois replied curtly.
That put a damper on his plans of wooing her in Smallville. Clark nodded once more. "Then we leave at dawn, tomorrow."
Lois nodded as well. "Will you let me borrow one of your horses?"
"Certainly." Clark replied. "Are you sure you want to forego the comfort of plush seats and heated bricks?"
"The journey will be faster." Lois replied simply, bending down to pay attention to a puppy pawing her dress.
Clark just nodded and watched her, his hope dwindling. Why did he ever assume that Lois would be fine after all of this? "How are you doing?"
Lois never looked up to him while answering. "You can say I am free, my Lord."
Clark flinched inside, another brick straight at him. However, he could never blame Lois for all that has transpired these past few months. She became a pawn in a deadly game. "Then I am happy for you."
This time Lois stood up and looked at him straight in the eye, face sans emotion. "Are you truly?"
Clark did not know how to answer. He decided that a half-life would be the best option at that moment. "Yes, I am."
Lois nodded, and resumed playing with puppies.
Clark meanwhile, was crushed. She effectively ended the conversation; he had wanted to continue, but he would have to give her space. He just hoped that that would be the key so that his plans would come to fruition.
It was a gruelling two days of travel. Lois sure was a trooper, never complaining once.
Never speaking was more like it, Clark thought. The whole ride they were enveloped in silence, only answering when asked, and curt and short responses at that. Every minute spent with her, Clark sensed he was losing ground, feeling her slipping away from him.
Even at the inn where they stayed the night, they had taken their dinners inside their respective rooms, after Lois requested hers brought to her. Clark knew it was a lost opportunity, but then again, he could never blame Lois for her behavior. He had a firm belief that he had brought it upon himself.
Finally, they reached the imposing walls of Fort Ryan. The guard, seeing Lois at the gate, immediately let them in and sent another to inform the General that his daughter had arrived.
Clark saw Lois breathe in deeply. She must have surely missed this.
Reaching the house, Lois dismounted without being assisted. That no one came to assist her did not really surprise Clark. He did the same, and handed Sultan to a boy who was ready to take the horses to the stable.
The door of the house flew open, and Clark knew that the man who now graced the doorway was not a man to be trifled with.
"Father!" Lois exclaimed, running up the steps to hug her father.
Lois' father returned the embrace, but his eyes were solely focused on Clark. Clark felt brave meeting his gaze.
They soon parted, and the General wasted no time. "Why are you travelling without a proper chaperone? And at horseback at that?"
Lois opened her mouth to answer, only for the General to stop her by putting a hand up, indicating that the question was directed at Clark.
Clark visibly gulped, but he knew what had to be done. This was the right thing to do. This was the only thing to do, for both him and Lois.
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