Chapter 21
Clark and Lois continued to swirl amid the sea of men clad in blacks and white and occasional greys twirling their sequined and beaded partners in time to the finely tuned orchestra. Lois enjoyed the feel of Clark's hand splayed possessively against the bare skin at the small of her back, his solid frame encompassing her in his warm embrace as he led her along in step with the other dancers in one waltz after another.
"Clark, what were you and Lionel talking about? You were with him a long time"
"We talked about my mom. Then he asked about you and offered to pay for a Neurology consultation with a top doctor."
"Oh. Are you going to take him up on it?"
"I hadn't made a decision about it. I wanted to discuss it with you."
"I'm sensing that you have reservations."
"He says he is doing it out of friendship, but favors from the Luthors usually have strings attached."
She nodded.
"I want the best care for you. But, I'm just afraid of the consequences."
"Clark, are you anxious to have the old Lois back. Am I so very different now than the Lois that you knew before?"
"W--"
"Before you answer, think carefully and don't give me another lame excuse like that crap you laid on me about snoring. Tell me the truth. I can handle it."
"I – I, uh."
"I mean it Clark. I want to know. I need to know."
He nodded. "All right, Lois, you want truth. The truth is that I've seen a side of you that I never knew existed before."
"And you don't like this Lois? She's not the Lois you originally fell in love with?
"You misunderstand me--I like this Lois very much."
"But?"
"But our relationship wasn't like this. . . Not like the way we are now. . . I feel . . . It feels like I'm betraying the real Lois somehow. Does that make sense to you?"
She nodded. "I see." She knew he was telling her the truth, she could sense it. She sensed there was more to it than this, but she knew that at least this part was true. "Is there more to it than that?"
"I'm worried that when you regain your memories, you'll be angry. That'll you'll never forgive me."
"I--"
"Hey, CK, mind if we cut in?"
Lois and Clark were now paired with Chloe and Jimmy, and started to spin off in opposite directions on the dance floor.
"Jimmy, are you enjoying the reception?"
You know, Lois, I am. I didn't think I would, but it's like there a kind of magic in the air."
"Magic." She repeated wistfully.
"Watching you and Clark tonight reminded me of Valentines Day."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the dance floor. . .
"Clark, snoring? Really?" asked Chloe
"It's the best I could do on the spur of the moment."
"It's pathetic."
"I know. What can I say--I'm no good at lying."
"She doesn't buy it."
"I know, she already called me on it.
"That was fast—at least she's consistent in her persistence."
"Yeah. it's funny, she so different now, but she's still Lois. Know what I mean?"
Chloe was about to speak and noticed a look in Clark's eyes.
"What's wrong?"
"I hear someone screaming outside. They're in danger. Will you cover for me with Lois?"
"Of course. GO!" Clark dashed off in search of the scream.
Chloe found Lois and Jimmy standing on the edge of the dance floor as the orchestra began the opening notes of a Tango.
"—but it turned out you were both under a love spell."
"JIMMY!?"
"Chloe, Jimmy was just telling me about the night Clark and I got married."
"Yes, I managed to pick up on the tail end of that." She said tersely.
"Don't be mad at him, Chlo. I asked him to tell me, and I'm glad that he did. Everything makes sense now."
