Chapter 37

"Clark, we need you to come home right away."

"What's happened? Is Lois okay?"

"I'm not sure. I took her out to the base today"

"You WHAT?"

"I took her to the base today. I was trying to be proactive. I thought that seeing her dad might bring her memories back. When I talked to your mom, she thought it was a good idea."

"And?"

"I don't know. It seemed like she recognized him. But then she fainted. There are still trying to revive her. Maybe it was just too much too soon."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, first there was the video that Oliver sent, then her run in with Lex, and now seeing her dad. Maybe it was overload."

"What happened with Lex?"

"We went to the Talon so that I could change and we could get some breakfast. She ran into Lex. He was being naturally snide. He called her a name—she reacted. That's all I got out of it before I dragged her out of there. She said she didn't even know why she reacted to what he said."

"Ok, I'm on my way. And Chloe, call the doctor."

Back at the farm

Dr. Chase was already at the farm when Clark arrived. The doctors on the base had been able to revive Lois. They wanted to keep her for observation, but she insisted on going home. At length they relented when Chloe assured them she planned on contacting Lois' doctor once she got home.

"Hello Clark."

"Doctor. How is she?"

"She's had an eventful and somewhat upsetting day. She's going to be fine. I'm giving her a sedative to calm her nerves. She needs to get some rest. I know we told you to help stimulate her memories—and you're doing a great job, but now we need to back off a bit. She's made some progress, but today was almost too much."

"I'm sorry."

"No need to be sorry. We just need to be careful. Clark, I'm a bit worried about you. You look tired. Are you getting any sleep at all?"

"Not really. But I'm not worried about myself. Once I know Lois is okay, I'll rest easier."

"While that is noble, it is unrealistic. I'm going to leave some sleeping pills for you. I'd like you to take them tonite."

"Thank you doctor."

"Call me if there is any change in her condition."

"Yes, I will."

Later that night

Clark bolted out of sleep at the sound of Lois screaming. He zipped up the stairs, flung open the door to his room, and found Lois sitting up in bed, her face a mask of terror. He came to her side and reached over to gently shake her out of her torment.

"Lois, what is it?"

"Clark?" Her eyes snapped open at the sound of his voice, and the feel of his hands on her shoulders. "Oh, Clark." She whispered as she slumped against his chest, relief flooding through her body at the realization that Clark was really there. He pulled her quaking body closer to her and smoothed her hair away from her tear-stained face.

"You were screaming."

"It was horrible. I was so scared. It felt so real."

"Shhhh, You're safe now."

She was comforted by the deep rumble of his whispered words. She began to relax as she rested comfortably in his embrace.

"This isn't the first time you've had this nightmare, is it?"

"No."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"I don't even know where to start. Every time I tell you about one of my crazy 'dreams' it winds up to be real. I'm not sure I want to know about this one." She had her memory back, but some pieces still didn't fit. She planned on keeping quiet about regaining her memory until she was able solve a few more of the mysteries.

"Take your time. I'm not going anywhere." Clark said gently as he continued to stroke her hair.

"I had been kidnapped and then I was put underwater. I was paralyzed and couldn't help myself. I was drowning."

He remembered the incident like it had just happened yesterday.

"That wasn't your imagination. That really happened." Clark filled in the details for her.

"And you saved me, didn't you?"

"Yes Lois."

"Did I ever thank you?"

"You never knew about it before today."

"Well, then I guess my thank you is long overdue." He opened his mouth to tell her that she didn't need to thank him, but before he could say anything else, Lois had pressed her lips against his. What she had intended to be a tender, chaste kiss quickly gave way to something more passionate as Clark returned her kiss. Lois wrapped one arm around his torso and curled the other hand in the silky hair at the nape of his neck. Clark tightened his embrace around Lois. His lips were warm and he tasted wonderful, just as she remembered. His tongue teased her lips and his hand massaged her back. How could such a simple thing be so provocative, so sensual? She groaned as she shifted against him, her aroused nipples brushed against his hard chest through the flimsy material of her tank top. He must have felt it too, because she heard a deep groan escape his throat.

"Lois." He whispered, his voice thick. "I – I should go."

"Please don't go."

"I uh . . .Lois, I –"

"Stay with me."

Before Clark could lobby any further protests, Lois captured his lips in another soul-melding kiss. He knew he should stop, that this was wrong, but it felt so incredibly right. The longer he stayed there kissing Lois, the fewer protests his mind could find. She traced the outline of his jaw, lazily stroking the cleft in his chin with her thumb. She sucked on his bottom lip and her heart skipped when she heard another primal growl erupt from his lips. Clarks' mouth found hers again and he branded her with another scorching kiss, heat spiraling through her body, detonating a need so primitive and carnal, she felt as though she might explode.

Her hands traveled over the smooth contours of his rock-hard abdomen. She slipped her hand underneath the waistband of his pajamas. It was like a slap and Clark quickly grabbed her hands to stop their further exploration.

"Lois, we have to stop. Now." His breathing ragged.

"I don't want to stop Clark. I want you." She was flushed and her lips were swollen from their passionate kisses; her voice was thick with desire.

"And I want you. But, if I stay with you now, I'd be taking advantage of you. If you were yourself, your feelings about this might be different."

"Clark, I don't understand. Are you telling me that the 'real' Lois doesn't love you—that the feelings I have for you aren't real? This feels so right. When you kiss me, I feel so connected to you. It's like we're soul-mates. And we've kissed like this before, I know we have. You can't tell me we haven't."

"It's true. We have kissed like this before."

"So what's the problem?"

"You weren't yourself then."

"I'm not myself now."

"Lo, please. This is harder for me than you know."

"I can see that it's hard for you." She trailed her fingers seductively over the erection straining at the fabric of his pajamas.

"Lo-is" He rasped, pleading.

"You know, ordinarily I think it's adorable that you are so shy, but right now, not so cute." She pushed him over onto his back, and nipped at the sensitive skin of his neck.

Clark grabbed her shoulders and pushed her away and got up off of the bed. "I care too much about you to take advantage of you. I'm sorry." Clark strode out of the room, leaving Lois confused and frustrated.