Chapter 72

Oliver and Chloe froze in place, shocked at the sight before them, but Lois dropped immediately to her knees beside Clark.

"Clark!" Her first shout was one of concern, but her second was venomous and directed at Oliver. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"I…I…" Oliver, surprised at the sight of Clark's state of undress, just stood there with his arm outstretched as if waiting to be told what to do next.

A loud groan reminded all three of them that Clark was writhing in pain on the floor.

Coming to her senses first, Chloe pushed Oliver back far enough away so Clark could recover and then shut the door. Lois, hearing Clark's breathing become less labored, heaved a big sigh of relief.

"Oh, GEEZ!" Oliver suddenly came out of his stupor and turned his back on them, clasping his hands firmly around Chloe's shoulders to make sure she did the same. "Put some pants on, man, will you?"

"Love to," Clark croaked from the floor, his face a blistering red and moist with sweat. As a very thankful Lois watched, he managed to sit up slowly and address Oliver sternly. "That door was locked, and I thought I told you to get rid of that ring!"

Assured by his recovery, Lois allowed herself to dissolve into giggles. Clark, naked and angry, was really something she'd never in her wildest dreams imagined.

"Aw, come on." Oliver hunched his shoulders and tilted his head to the side. "I can pick a lock. I was surprised those super ears of yours didn't hear, but I can see you were a bit distracted. Lois, you really should invest in a deadbolt."

"She'll have one tomorrow!" Clark declared with irritation. The next moment Lois was holding onto only air as Clark sped into the bedroom, gathering up his discarded street clothing as he went. By the time her laughter died, he was standing there, fully clothed. "The box is over there on the couch, Oliver, or do you want to keep that on you for insurance?"

"Might not be a bad idea," Oliver mumbled. "Are you sure," he said as he headed for the couch, "the red stuff is out of your system now?"

"Yes, and if you had given Lois about ten more minutes, I think I would have been just fine."

"You mean it worked?" Lois asked brightly as she got to her feet.

Clark looked at her and rolled his eyes. "The brother thing? You've got to be kidding me. Lois, you're a terrible liar, probably worse than I am."

"Impossible!" Chloe announced, finally figuring it was safe to turn around, a close-mouthed grin on her face. "Clark, you've had so much more practice." As their eyes met, Chloe couldn't contain her laughter any longer, and she, Oliver, and Lois were joined by Clark himself chuckling.

"Okay, okay, so you've now both seen me naked. Satisfied?"

"Both?" Oliver looked around the room, grinning. "Uh, Clark, there are three of us here."

"Ah, but one of us has already seen that show," Lois teased.

"Really?"

"And the curtain's just come down on it," Clark said firmly. "Thanks for—"

"Oh, come on, how were we to know you were going to get in the buff that quickly? I mean it takes me two glasses of wine these days to get down to my birthday suit."

Shoving them both toward the door, Clark continued, "…For getting me out of the red K haze, but right now, four's a crowd,"

"Wait a minute!" Oliver said, putting up a hand. "What was Lois doing that was working? It might be useful to know."

"She kept reminding me that…," he paused and sighed, "I am Superman."

"That's all?"

"I think it's an identity thing…" Clark began, but before he could go on, Oliver's cell phone rang.

He answered with only a "Yeah?" The three others watched as he assured his caller Clark was okay. "Yes, Diana, he's fine."

Lois visibly bristled at the name, but Clark was oblivious to her reaction and told Oliver, "Tell her I'm going to need her tomorrow."

Three pairs of eyes zeroed in on Clark as Oliver complied.

"Why?" Lois asked quietly.

"What?" He turned to face her. "Oh…I want to destroy the fortress tomorrow— "

"Destroy the fortress?" They all echoed his words.

"…and since it is Kryptonian, I figured I could use her help."

All three of them looked at him, silently wondering if there was a trace of red Kryptonite left in his system, when the strident voice of Diana came loudly from Oliver's phone.

"Oliver! Tell him I heard. I'll meet him at your place at nine. And, tell him, it's about time."

The dial tone buzzed loudly in the still room for several seconds until Lois said, "What does she mean 'it's about time?' Since when do you discuss with her something like—"

"Oh, this should be good." Oliver grinned at Chloe as he punched the end-call button on his phone, put it back in his pocket, and crossed his arms, preparing for the coming argument.

Chloe only shook her head and mumbled, "Poor Clark"

"—destroying the fortress?" Lois took a deep breath to continue as Clark raised a hand to placate her.

While all eyes were focused on Clark, three cell phones rang in unison

"Well, don't look at me. I left mine at home. I didn't want to be disturbed tonight," Clark said wryly.

Chloe and Oliver pulled their phones from their pockets as Lois raced into the kitchen for hers. Clark stood there, trying his best not to eavesdrop on conversations that he imagined weren't meant for him as he couldn't help but hear their answers.

"You're kidding!" said Oliver. "I'll be right there!"

"Seriously?" asked Lois. "We're on it!"

"When?" Chloe questioned her caller. "Are you sure?"

As each one lowered their phones, they peppered Clark with information.

Lois was first. "Perry says Grange's car's been stolen! Lex's fingerprints—"

"— Were all over the place!" Chloe finished for her.

"Star Labs was just hit too!"

"Clark's records!" Lois cried.

"Are safe. We instituted new procedures after a certain reporter pilfered records," Oliver said pointedly.

Clark digested all the information in seconds. "Oliver, the car is more important. Call Diana back, and—" Out of the corner of his eye he saw Lois pick up her purse and grab her keys. "And, Lois, you're staying here with Chloe. We can handle this."

Lois frowned, but threw her bag down, along with her keys, onto the closest chair.

After the two men left and the women had hashed over the information they'd both been told in their phone calls, Lois picked up her keys and purse once again.

"Lois! Clark told you to stay here."

"Yes he did." Lois turned back to smile at her from the doorway. "But did I say I would?"

********

Author's Notes: Sorry again for the delay in posting. Life getting in the way again of fun. Sigh.

Mari2Anne - I do hope these two chapters answered a few of you questions. Thanks for the nudges! I know I'm late in posting when I get a note from you! Vanishing Point – Ah…interruptions are the writer's best friend! Such a nice review of my style. I'm not sure I deserve it, but thank you. Dialogue is probably my strong point, description, however… Cloisharley – In the comics, red K wore off typically in 48 hours. But then, the effects were more varied. In SV, they seem to have established it had to be removed from him physically, but they did indicate he could do that himself if he desired. I think he intentionally destroyed that ring during the fight with his dad in Metropolis when Jonathan made him realize he had almost come to the point of killing. Here, I wanted it to be Lois bringing him to his senses with his "Kal" side realizing that he is first and foremost the Superman part of Clark. I have no idea that I accomplished that. I'm sure I'll be told! (Cringe!) I do hope your head hasn't exploded waiting for this. That would be messy! Ily18 Thank you twice. Hope I delivered what you wanted. I'm not sure. It's been a week since I wrote that Valentine's conversation! LOL. Anacaro – WW coming up! Not talking about one of the other things you mentioned yet. Wiiviewer – Thanks for the suggestions, but I really wanted to keep this PG. And I've tried to express that his powers are growing to the point he would be unsure of his own control of himself. In the comics, WW has at times flirted with Superman. I do have ideas how to wrap this all together. Sometimes, I can't decide which way to go or Lois gives me fits, and I suspect that's when I seem to ramble. But planning has never been a forte of mine and this is really only the second time I've written on the fly, as it were, so it's been rather fun to add things because of reader's requests. If I had completed this before posting, or was submitting it to an editor, I'm sure it would be much tighter. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the rest. LeaMarie – We totally agree about Lois. Callista – I must have confused you if you wrote anything without saying "Update!" I'm sorry. Hopefully, this made it clearer. Or not. And thanks to all the rest of you who reviewed! Going back to writing now…