XYK

CHAPTER 15- Wake up call.

Lois had been awake for at least 5 minutes, but she didn't unfold her limbs from the chair she'd been sleeping in, nor did she yawn and stretch or arms out as per usual. Instead she sat silently watching Clark who had Baby Durga in his arms .He was staring down at the baby adoringly whilst successfully feeding her a bottle.

"You're a natural." Lois broke the silence.

Clark caught Lois's eye, she could tell that he was losing the fight to contain a smile. "You're awake.", he said in a half whisper "She's got a healthy appetite."

Lois smiled, "...so, I see." She unfolded her limbs and stood up to stretch. She looked around at the hospital surroundings. "I can't believe I fell asleep. You should have woken me. Did a nurse check on her?"

"Yep. She's fine. They said I could feed her and..." Clark said still looking down at the baby in his arms. Durga reached up and put her chubby little hand over his mouth as if to stop him talking.

Lois and Clark both laughed. Clark stood up to burp the baby, carefully positioning her over his shoulder. Lois stood quietly astounded, she had know Clark the gentle giant but to watch him cradle a baby was simply beguiling, it made her warm and tingly, she hadn't realised she'd been smiling until Clark asked "What?"

"Oh,nothing." Lois answered blushing bright red.

The early morning sunshine seeped in through the windows .

"You were amazing yesterday."

"Not amazing enough."Clark looked at Lois.

Lois got up and walked over to where Clark was gently rocking the baby, "Hey! That's enough of that talk. You saved almost 100 lives last night. You did your best..."

"My best..."Clark scoffed sadly "...Saraswati would still be here if I'd done better."

"There was nothing that anyone could have done." Lois leaned in closer "Not even you."

Clarks sad eyes met Lois's determined eyes ,and he couldn't tell whether it was the conviction in her voice or intensity of her gaze ,but he believed her.

"Saraswati...That's Durga's mothers name, huh?"

"Yep, she had on similar gold necklace as Durga. The lady doctor was kind enough to translate it for me."Clark reached down into his jean pocket and pulled out a golden necklace. "The police were kind enough to let me have it, for Durga as a keepsake. I figured she'd want something that belonged to her mother."

Lois smiled and gently stroked the babies head. Clark was so damn thoughtful; it had taken all her strength not to hold him when he looked so vulnerable. Instead Lois ran her finger over the golden Hindi script " सरस्वती " it read. "Saraswati", Lois whispered sadly "Such a beautiful name."

Just as a comfortable silence settled over them Lois's cell phone rang, beep beep. She smiled apologetically at Clark and reached into her bag that had been lying nearby.

"Lex?"

Lois caught the clenched teeth and look of disdain Clark gave at the mention of his arch nemesis ,so she turned her back and continued with her phone call.

"Lois,I've had my assistant ringing your home line for the best part of an hour."

"Why?"

"We have a press conference today. We introduce the magazine to the world; drum up some publicity, get people talking...You do remember?"

"Of course I remember."She lied. With all the events of the last 24 hours she'd totally forgotten her agenda for the day.

"Hmm ummm" Lex said, none too convinced " 2pm the Luthor Regency Hotel."

Lois looked down at her watch 7:30 am, she breathed a sigh of relief, there was still time. Time for her to go home ,have a shower, grab a coffee, type up a summary for her last article, pick her press conference outfit up at the cleaners and beg Kat or maybe Odessa to pack up the last of the belongings on her work desk.

Lois rubbed her forehead "I'll be there ,2pm at The Luthor Regency Hotel."

"Good." Without fuss or sentiment Lex Luthor hung up.

Just as Lois flipped her cell phone closed a Nurse walked in. A portly lady with white hair and round orange framed glasses. "How'd she feed?"

"Finished the lot."Clark stood up and handed the baby over to the nurse.

"Well,this cherub is going down to the Nursery today. Wave goodbye."The nurse smiled down at Durga.

Lois smiled "Bye Bye Durga,we'll see you soon."

Clark gave her head a quick pat and watched the nurse leave with her. After the nurse and the baby had exited, Clark and Lois stood there feeling somewhat superfluous and empty. Clark looked down and Lois fiddled with the cell phone still in her hand.

"We should probably go."Clark suggested.

Lois was already ten steps ahead, gathering up her jacket and belongings.

The two walked out of the hospital side by side in silence. Once they had reached the exit, Clark turned to Lois "Do you need a ride?"

"No. Kat's place is like 6 blocks away. I can walk."

Clark nodded. Parting as if they hardly knew each other was strange but he wasn't sure how to overcome it.

"I have a press conference today."

"I'd heard."

"Oh." Lois looked down at her shoes.

The two stood in awkward silence again. Until Lois broke it, "I don't know who from the Planet is reporting the conference, but you should come...I mean, only if you want to and only if you can."

Clark nodded "We'll see. "He turned in the opposite direction and began to walk towards the Car Park. Lois sighed and bit her lip, she watched him walk a few paces towards his car, and then turned to navigate her way to Kat's apartment.

"Lois!" Clark called suddenly, making Lois jump and immediately turn to face him.

"Yes."

"Good Luck." he said "For this afternoon."

Lois smiled. "Thank you."

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TBC.