Chapter 47
Oliver was at his desk working when Superman landed on his balcony for the second time that day. "Boy Scout! Back so soon? She's in there," he said, pointing to his bedroom, "but I suppose you already knew that." Superman gave him a dark look, then Oliver added defensively, "Look, would you rather I let her drive back to the farm? She sort of drank too much."
"Sort of?" He exhaled roughly. "I was listening. I heard everything. Oliver…" he shook his head in disgust, "did you have to encourage her?"
"Oh, well, I thought—"
"Really? Because I don't call that thinking. Just get some coffee ready. I need her to be on form quickly."
"Hey, if I were you, I'd change before going in there. That suit does a number on her, in case you haven't realized it by now."
Looking down, he knew Oliver was right, and before he crossed the threshold of the bedroom, he was once again just Clark.
Lois lay on the top of the covers on her side, hugging one of the pillows. Her hair covered most of her face, and Clark sat down on the edge of the bed and gently pushed back the tresses until he could see her peaceful face.
"Lois?"
A slow smile bent the corners of her mouth upwards, and her eyes fluttered open as she put a hand up to her forehead. Her eyes focused, and she suddenly sat up straight. "Clark!"
"Lois, I wanted to—"
She cut right across him, "Your play date with Bondage Barbie over so soon?"
"Lois—"
"Don't 'Lois' me!" Realizing her position wasn't the strongest for arguing, she scrambled across to the other side of the bed and stood, trying her best in a losing battle for height in her bare feet against all his six foot four frame. "What was that scene in there all about? How come she called you Clark? You were Superman! And she was practically crawling all over you! No wonder you didn't want to tell me about the 'other' member of the League! Pawing you like she—"
"Lois, calm down. Before you start jumping to all kinds of conclusions about—"
"No! That's what you do! I wait for facts, and one great big, spangled, busty bimbo of a fact flew right in and out of here with you trailing along after her like some…some—"
"Lois, please. I needed Wonder Woman—"
"Oh?" She threw her hands up in the air and spat, "Of course you did!"
There was a whoosh of air and he was right beside her, putting his arms around her, and kissing her like his whole being depended solely on her. His need for her, and for her to believe in that need, flowed from him to her in one soul wrenching kiss.
While she recovered, he began explaining quickly. "The Lasso of Truth. That was the only way we could get the truth out of Grange. And we did. We got the judge to agree to hold Grange for five hours while his power fades. Lois, I need you, or rather, your talents now. You're the one who can end all this."
"Hmm?" She was still staring blearily at his lips. "Me?"
"Yes. How clear is your head?"
"Not really a fair question, Smallville, after a kiss like that," she said, licking her lips and wondering if super kissing could be a hidden power of his. "Oh, you mean the champagne. No problem. I told Oliver that I was perfectly—"
"Lois, I need you to go to the Planet. Look through that research of yours again. There's something there you've missed. You said it yourself. We've only got so much time until the judge will either have to charge him or let him go."
"So now I'm allowed to be alive?"
"Well, not completely, not until I find out his motive for all this. The power to influence people to do all this is one thing, the reason behind it is another. I'll take you in through the skylight."
"No, I can drive. Besides, my car—"
"I'll move it to the planet parking garage." She watched as he peered at a spot on the wall down and to the right of the headboard. He was using his extraordinary vision to look into a parking garage blocks away from where they were standing. Inadequacy flooded over her at the thought. "There's a spot two rows away from the place you usually park. It'll be there. I don't want anyone there but Perry to know you're back yet. Try not to let anyone see you?"
"My jacket's got a hood and I have my sunglasses. It's not like anyone will expect to see me anyway." She realized that something in her tone had let him know she was completely on board with him again. The moment to fight had been taken from her with one stupid kiss.
"What?" Clark had seen something behind her eyes.
"Just so you know? We're heading for one very big round of sparring soon, Smallville. I'm not exactly thrilled with you using your body parts to wage war with me."
Clark raised his eyebrows. His forehead furrowed and he looked totally lost. "I…I don't understand."
"Of course, you don't, Mr.-puppy-dog-eyes-and-if-all-else-fails-kiss-her-stupid. I've got your number."
"That you do. See you back at the farm." He kissed her again, lightly this time, before he disappeared into that indefinable blur.
Author's notes: Cloisharley – now you know he heard it all. But I agree with anacaro that Clark will still need to do some major apologizing. The only thing is…she just had to bring up Lana. Oh my, I will have to deal with that.
girlinflux – Wow, thanks for the super review of chapter 7! (bowing humbly) I did think that scene ranked right up there with my getting Zorro drunk and naked in "Lessons"! (note to self: how can I do that to Clark?)
