Clark stood at the balcony doors, pulling at the handle as he wondered why they had been locked. He called Lizzie's name through the glass, urging her to open the glass pane for him. She did so after a moment, a glass of wine in one hand as she swirled the liquid. Clark walked into his living area as she slammed the door shut again, peering through the curtain and onto the alley way.
"What is it?" Clark wondered as Lizzie pulled the curtain firmly shut. She downed the alcohol and placed the glass on his sideboard.
"Someone was in that alley," she informed him, folding her arms over her chest. "I know what I saw, Clark. There was someone in that alley...watching...he looked at me..."
"Liz," Clark whispered to her, "calm down."
"How can I calm down?" Lizzie snapped back as Clark rested his hands on her shoulders, running them up and down her upper arms. Shaking her head, she ran the back of her hand over her forehead, nerves getting the better of her.
"Clark...what are we going to do?" Lizzie whispered. "Someone was watching, and I am pretty sure they weren't there to watch me."
"Okay," Clark soothed her, placing his hands on her neck, slowly turning her head upwards to look at him again. He bent down slightly, his cape flailing behind him as he did so. She took a moment to take a deep breath, Clark's eyes widening as he saw her.
"No one is going to hurt you, Liz," Clark promised her with a small whisper. "I'm here now."
"I was scared," Lizzie admitted with a whisper. "Clark, I was petrified...over nothing...over that, for goodness sake! I'm scared about someone looking at me!"
"It's understandable."
"It is overemotional." She retorted. "What was he going to do? Climb the walls like Spiderman?"
"Liz," Clark whispered her name again, bending to press his lips against her forehead. She wrapped her arms around his waist, her cheek turned against his chest as he knotted his fingers into her hair. She closed her eyes and inhaled sharply, his scent overwhelming her.
Clark turned his head to look back to the locked up balcony door. He used his x-ray vision, trying to determine if anyone was there at that moment in time. It seemed quiet, but Clark knew that Lizzie wasn't the type to have an overactive imagination. Something had seriously spooked her.
...
Lizzie didn't get a wink of sleep that night. She remained awake, staring into the darkness of Clark's bedroom. He slept soundly beside her, claiming that he was in need of resting his mind. She had smiled at him as he promised her that he wouldn't leave her. She couldn't help but think how he was not at liberty to make those kinds of promises. If he heard someone in pain then he would help. It was what Superman did.
He walked Lizzie to work the next morning, his bike beside him and his messenger bag slung over his shoulder. He kissed her quickly, promising her that he would see her that night at her apartment. She forced herself to smile back at him, nodding and doing her best not to yawn.
The day passed by slowly, Lizzie spending most of her time sat at her desk, yawning and typing. Lex needed notes for this speech during the evening, and he needed tickets printing for a trip to California over the weekend. Lizzie did her best to make sure everything was in order, printing the speech out and knocking on Lex's open office door.
He looked up from his work, a smile on his face as he noted his PA stood there. Lizzie walked into the room, the notes held in front of her as she looked over his shoulder to the Metropolis skyline.
"I made the notes for your speech, and your flight is booked for eight a.m. on Saturday morning. First class, of course," Lizzie told him.
Lex nodded, picking the notes up to read through them.
"Are you feeling okay today?" he wondered from her. "You seem distracted."
"Oh," Lizzie said, hoping that he hadn't noticed her far away mind. "It is nothing, Mr Luthor. I'm fine."
"You don't look fine," Lex contradicted, standing up and moving to the water dispenser in the corner of his room. "I've seen the bags under your eyes. No amount of foundation can conceal them. Sit down, have a drink of water."
"Honestly, Mr Luthor, there is nothing wrong."
"Lizzie," Lex said, a sigh escaping him as he looked at her with a smirk. "I'm the boss here. Sit down and have a drink."
Lizzie did as Lex had told her, taking a seat by his desk. He handed her the water and sat in the seat next door, leaning forwards and clasping his hands together. His tie fell in between his legs as he watched his PA lean back. Lizzie crossed her legs, pulling at her skirt before sipping the water.
"So what is wrong?" Lex asked her, "and don't say nothing. I'm not stupid, Elizabeth."
"It probably is nothing," Lizzie admitted. "It was just...well...I was at Clark's apartment, and I thought that someone was watching last night. I couldn't sleep because of it."
Lex tried to refrain from smirking, knowing full well who had been watching her. He watched her as she closed her eyes and drained the remainder of the water.
"Anyway, what does it matter? It was probably nothing."
"Probably," Lex agreed limply with her. "Anyway, I am sure your boyfriend will have told you that."
"Clark didn't really see anything," Lizzie bit her lip after speaking. "He was out at the time. He told me that you're bound to find all types of people lurking in the alleys."
"He's right," Lex said. "You don't want to know some of the sights I saw when I was a youngster."
Lizzie forced herself to return his smile as she placed the cup on his desk and stood up again, knowing full well that she had to work.
"I'm overreacting," Lizzie declared. "Anyway, I should get back to work."
"Yes," Lex agreed. "As should I. Listen...Elizabeth...if you ever need to talk, well, you know where I am."
Lizzie turned back to look at him, her hands by her sides as her fingers nervously twitched against her skirt. "Thank you, Mr Luthor."
Lex nodded to her as she left his office, wondering how much longer he would have to play his little game.
...
"No...he hasn't..."
Clark couldn't believe how fast time had passed. It was the night of the Daily Planet's Christmas office party. Clark didn't really want to go, but Lois had persuaded him to be sensible. He needed to socialise with those who he worked with. Apparently it was a fun night. Clark doubted that statement.
He'd invited Lizzie to be his date, urging her not to leave him alone. He had changed into his suit, doing his best to look smart. The office party was being held at some downtown restaurant where each employee had a chance to bring a guest. Clark's guest was currently stood in his room, drying herself after showering and trying to talk to her mother on the phone.
Clark said he'd watch a bit of the game on TV whilst she changed. As it so happened he was listening to her conversation.
"No, Clark doesn't need to, mom. We're both thirty three. We're adults. We can do what we want...besides...we've only been dating for a while."
Clark could make out Ellie Lowe's nagging tone from the phone, the conversation something which startled him as Lizzie moved back to his bathroom, placing toothpaste on a toothbrush.
"We haven't even thought about that," Lizzie said with haste down the phone. "Look, mom, I need to get ready...no...a party is not as important as grandchildren...but...no...maybe...okay...I'm going, mom. Okay, yes, I love you."
Clark felt a lump form in his throat as he heard her speak of children. Children? Clark had never considered the notion of having children. It wasn't something which he had ever considered, truth be known. He stood up after a moment and moved into his room, looking to Lizzie in the bathroom. Her cell balanced on the shelf beneath his mirror as she spat into the sink, rinsing her mouth.
Clark took in the white dress which she wore, her hair curled on top of her head, some strands flowing freely down her back.
"I know you heard that."
Clark arched a brow, watching her as she turned to look back at him.
"My mom goes on about everything."
"I think she had a reasonable question," Clark replied, sitting down on the end of his bed so he could still watch her apply her make up in the mirror. "I mean, we are thirty three. Normal couples would consider settling down."
"We're hardly normal, Clark," Lizzie reminded him. "My mom knows all about you. She doesn't like the fact you fly around Metropolis at night and then returns home to sleep beside her daughter. She isn't your number one fan."
"I can hardly blame her," Clark muttered. "How long has she wanted you to have grandchildren?"
"Ever since I left college and married James," Lizzie snorted. "It's nothing new, Clark. Don't stress about it."
"How can I not stress about it?" Clark wondered. "Do you want children?"
Lizzie shifted about in the bathroom, twiddling her face wipe in her hand as she shrugged.
"I'd thought about it." Lizzie whispered her admittance. "I mean, if they had your looks then everything would be fine, wouldn't it?"
Clark smiled gently at that, a sad smile slowly taking place as he took a few moments to contemplate what Lizzie wanted from him.
"But, then I was thinking," Lizzie admitted. "Can you...well...everything about you is superhuman, isn't it?"
"I don't know," Clark complained. "I've thought about it. I mean...you have no idea how much I want to...well...but, I worry that I will hurt you. I couldn't live with myself if I did."
Lizzie turned to look at him, her brow arching as she took a few moments to think of what he was saying.
"I've been completely selfish-"
"-No," Lizzie interrupted. "Clark, you're hardly selfish. Look, we will just have to try one night when there's no one to save. I trust you not to hurt me. You've spent thirty three years controlling yourself. I'm sure you'll be able to manage one night."
"Yeah," Clark said, not too sure whether he would be able or not to. He didn't want to hurt Lizzie. "Anyway, you should get ready. We'll be late."
"Fashionably so," Lizzie smiled at him, moving back to the bedroom after finishing in the bathroom to find her earrings. Clark watched her with enticement. Everything she seemed to do captivated him. She placed the pearls in her ears and slipped her nude heels onto her feet, holding Clark's shoulder as she did so.
"Okay," Lizzie said, straightening out the white dress which she wore. "How do I look?"
"Beautiful," Clark assured her as she straightened out his tie and grabbed her clutch. She grabbed his glasses from his bedside table, placing them on his face before resting her hands on his shoulders and sighing.
"I suppose we should go and face the Planet."
...
Clark held Lizzie on his arm as they mingled with his co-workers in the restaurant. Lights dangled down from the ceiling whilst Christmas trees sat in the corners. A man was playing the piano as people walked through the room, champagne flutes in their hands.
"I feel out of place," Lizzie complained to Clark as they stood by their table. Clark had one arm resting on a chair whilst the other held his glass of alcohol. Lizzie stood by the back of the chair, looking up to Clark as she folded her arm over her waist and drained the alcohol.
"You look stunning." Clark assured her.
"You're my boyfriend; you're supposed to say that."
"I'm also an honest man," Clark replied in a soothing voice. "I wouldn't lie to you, would I?"
"I suppose not," Lizzie responded, turning her head over her shoulder as she heard Lois call Clark's name. Clark rested his hand on her arm, glancing down at her with twinkling eyes.
"Be nice," he urged.
She rolled her orbs. "I'm always nice."
"Clark, you made it," Lois spoke as soon as she stood before them, a slinky green dress covering her lithe body. Lizzie pulled at her dress some more as Clark kissed Lois on the cheek.
"You remember Lizzie," Clark said.
Lois forced her politest smile to come to her as she held her hand out to Lizzie. She briefly shook hands with the petite girl and nodded.
"Of course," Lois said. "How are you doing, Elizabeth?"
"I'm fine. How are you?" Lizzie returned the courtesy.
"I'm good," Lois assured her. "Anyway, I just wanted to say hello. I should go and see Perry before he drinks too much champagne. We wouldn't his reputation ruined, would we?"
"I assume not," Clark replied as Lois scampered away and Lizzie folded her arms over her chest once more. Clark turned back to look at her. "You can be nice when you want to be."
"Shut up," Lizzie mumbled as Clark dropped his hand to her hip and kissed the top of her head.
"Lizzie!"
Clark startled for a moment as Lizzie looked around him, the sight of a familiar man coming into view. She glanced back up to Clark, noting how his jaw had tightened all of a sudden.
"Now you be nice," Lizzie lowly growled as the formidable sight of Lex Luthor appeared before them.
"Mr Luthor," Lizzie greeted him. "I didn't think I would see you here."
"Well, the Planet is my business," Lex replied, bending down to peck his secretary on the cheek. Clark drank more of his champagne, his eyes never leaving Luthor as the millionaire smiled at Lizzie. "I'm not one to pass up free parties."
"I cannot blame you," Lizzie smiled. "Oh, Clark, this is Lex Luthor. Mr Luthor, this is my boyfriend, Clark Kent."
"Pleasure to meet you, Clark," Lex said, holding his hand out to him.
Clark took hold of it, doing his best not to squeeze too hard as he shook his hand tightly.
"You too."
"Lizzie has told me a lot about you," Lex said. "You're a lucky man, Clark. Lizzie's as important to me as my right hand."
"Considering you write with your left hand, I doubt that is a compliment," Lizzie smirked as Lex dropped Clark's hand and rested his fingers on her upper arm, the motion not going unnoticed by Clark.
"But I need my right hand just as much," he told her. "Anyway, I should go and entertain guests. They need to see that LexCorp isn't some evil company ready to make them redundant."
"I doubt they think that."
"You'd be shocked," Clark scoffed to her.
Lex turned his smug face back to Clark, his brow arched as he did so. "Well, I really should appease them. Have a good night."
"And you, Mr Luthor," Lizzie said, watching as he walked away before she hit Clark with her clutch bag. "Don't be rude."
"I wasn't."
"That was rude," Lizzie hissed. "Clark, he's my boss. Can you stop with the evil looks and staring downs?"
Clark grunted nothing as Lizzie ran a hand through her free flowing curls. She watched as Clark heard something in his ear, the noise distinct before he turned to a TV above the bar to confirm what he thought. Lizzie followed his gaze, shaking her head with haste as she did so.
"No," she complained. "Don't go tonight. Don't leave me with these people. Please, Clark."
"I have to," Clark said.
"You don't have the suit," Lizzie protested.
He said nothing, shifting nervously on his foot as he did so. Lizzie arched a brow, standing on her toes further and pulling at Clark's collar. She could make out the blue outline underneath his white shirt. She let it go before standing back.
"Unbelievable," Lizzie complained to him. "You are unbelievable, do you know that?"
"But I am super duper Clark Kent," he teased, placing the flute down and resting his hands on her waist for a moment. She rolled her eyes as he forced his lips upon hers, knowing that she wouldn't protest for too long. He pulled back to look into her soft eyes.
"Go," she urged him. "I'll go to the bathroom and hide there. Don't do anything stupid."
"Love you," Clark pecked her on the cheek once more before he rushed away from her.
She smiled, watching him go before she tucked her clutch under her arm and decided to go to the bar. She ordered a mojito before sitting on a bar stool to watch the news.
"Where's Clark?"
Lizzie turned to see Lex taking a seat next to her, ordering a whiskey as Lizzie waited for her drink to be made. She picked around in her clutch for ten dollars.
"Don't worry about it," Lex assured her. "I've got these."
"Mr Luthor-"
"-I insist," Lex said. "Anyway, where is Clark?"
Lizzie pulled her mirror from the bag, checking that her hair was in the right place as Lex paid for the drinks.
"Some phone call from his mom," Lizzie said, faking annoyance. "He'll be back soon."
"If I was him then I wouldn't leave you alone," Lex replied. "You never know who is lurking."
Lizzie smirked at that, shaking her head as she sipped through the straw.
"Besides, I'm sure he could hurt anyone who dared to hurt you," Lex drawled, turning his attention back to the TV screen where Superman had made his appearance. Lex had to admit that David had done a good job in making sure the train's brakes failed.
Lizzie followed his gaze, shrugging as she did so.
"He's a big guy, I guess," she said, resting her elbows on the bar and sipping her drink.
"Superman, or Clark?" Lex wondered. "I get confused. I mean...they're both quite similar, aren't they?"
Lizzie felt her eyes widen as she turned to look at Lex, nonchalantly laughing after a moment.
"You aren't insinuating...seriously?"
"I'm not insinuating." Lex assured her. "I'm stating a fact, Lizzie. I know who he is."
"He's not," Lizzie assured Lex. "Trust me, Clark is not Superman."
"And I'm not blind," Lex replied. "I'm smarter than most, you know that. Those glasses do not help him that much. You have no need to lie to me, Lizzie."
Lizzie didn't know what to say in response to Lex. He moved his hand to rest on top of hers, his thumb slowly moving along her knuckles as she gulped loudly and looked back to the TV. Lex's gaze remained fixed on her, his orbs intent on cracking her.
"It must be hard," he whispered. "Your boyfriend is constantly out saving Metropolis...leaving you alone..."
Lizzie didn't know what to say. She knew that she couldn't confirm it, but she may as well save her breath by refusing to deny it.
"He's a brave man, but a foolish one," Lex promised her. "He should be here with you instead of out there. Do you not get fed up?"
"Mr Luthor," Lizzie whispered. "How did you find out?"
She turned back to look at him, slowly peeling his hand from hers.
"You have restless nights. You come into work drained of energy. You forget me, Lizzie. I know everything in this town."
Keeping quiet, Lizzie drank some more of her drink, closing her eyes and thinking of how Clark would react.
"You don't need to worry," Lex said to her. "I want nothing from him. I am willing not to tell anyone of him. It would not do any good, would it?"
"He doesn't want anyone to know."
"He wants to pretend to have a normal life, even though he never will be normal." Lex spoke. "His secret is safe with me, Lizzie. I'm not a monster."
"Thank you," Lizzie gratefully replied. "He will appreciate it, Mr Luthor."
Lex smirked, standing up and pecking her on the cheek once more.
"I'm one of the good ones, Liz," he whispered. "Now, I should go and join the party. I'm sure Clark will be back for you soon."
She said nothing more as Lex swept away, leaving her alone with her own thoughts as she watched him. Her mind was still in shock as worry came over her. Clark definitely would not like this one bit.
...
A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and followed. I hope you'll continue to let me know what you think! Just to let me know people are still reading!