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Chapter 23- "Friends."

They were awoken simultaneously by a loud roll of thunder, followed by a dazzling display of lightning. Lois shot up like someone had just stepped on her, she immediately covered her ears with her hands.

"Just what Metropolis needs to break the stifling heat" Clark said staring out of a window. He stood up and put on his jacket "I've stayed too long, I should go.." He turned to Lois who had gone a deadly shade of white.

"Lois, You're shaking." He said concerned, he had almost forgotten that his brazen little Lois had always been afraid of Lightning, it was her very own Kryptonite-the only thing that could defeat her, in the old days this was were he would have gently picked her up, and carried her through to the bedroom, slowly undressed them both,lay her down and softly caress her body all the while whispering promises of his love and protection through the nights onslaught, but those days were long gone. "You need some scotch. Do you have any?"

Lois just shook her head, silence except for the chattering of her teeth, and the violent night skies.

"I'll go get some " He made a movement. "I'll be a second."

"NO!"Lois protested "Please -don't leave me."

Clark looked at Lois, Lois looked at Clark and for a brief moment silent memories of their intense stormy night love making sessions passed between them. Clark shook them away. "I'll stay until the storms over."

Lois nodded gratefully.

"Why don't you go get into bed ,I'll be right here if you need me."

"No.I'll stay here,with you."She jumped as another whirling bang reverberated from the heavens. "…on the sofa." Said Lois,sitting up as rigid as a board.

Clark couldn't help but grin. "You look real comfortable,Lo.C'mon be a good girl and do as you're told for a change."

Lois didn't budge,nor did she say a word.

"I promise I won't leave." Without further ado,he picked her up effortlessly and stood for a moment as she lay in his arms,looking deep into the swiling hazel pools of her eyes.

"I'll sit right by you on the bed and hold your hand."

Lois nodded gratefully,happy for the fact that he wasn't leaving. Clark carried her into the bedroom,sat her down on the bed and knelt to take off her shoes.

"Now get undressed.I won't look."He said turning around.

Lois wiggled out of her dress and chucked it over his head and across the room. Clark smiled to himself over Lois's blatant disregard for etiquette and expensive clothing.

Lois put on a large MET U t-shirt,normally she didn't bother wearing anything but today was different. Clark untucked the covers.

"In you get."He said,pulling the sheet over her and sitting on the edge of her new ,unfamiliar bed .She looked so small,lying there by herself.

"Now go to sleep.I won't leave."

He must be certifiable,he reflected,sitting up here holding his soon to be ex-wife's hand instead of....But she looked all of 15 years old,wide eyed and absolutely terrified as the storm unleashed another attack- he reasoned that when the storm stopped,however long it took,he'd immediately leave.

Mortified at her own cowardice,Lois lay in the dark helplessly,clutching his strong arm like a life buoy .She looked up at Clarks silhouette in the dark,his shiny black hair reflecting the moon,his broad back a shield from the elements torment.

"Smallville."She heard herself say "You'll get cold."

"Lois,I don't get cold."

"You can't just sit up like that all night."

"Try me."

"I'll be fine now,promise."She protested,only to immediately dive under the covers as ligtning tore through the sky with a large bang,illuminating the night skies and herbedroom.

"Sure,you'll be fine." he laughed "OK if I go now?"

Lois peeped out form under the sheet,her voice muffled under the covers,he didn't need his super hearing to hear her say "You can share my bed,If you want."She sat up "You might as well,it's not like we've never shared a bed before,you'd be comfortable and at least you could sleep."

Comfortable,she had to be kidding,As for sleep…

"Sure." He tried indifference and before she got a chance to change his mind he began to undress,slowly folding his clothes as he did Lois buried her face in her pillow as she felt the bed move under his familiar weight.

"Goodnight "said Clark ,reaching behind him for her hand. he kept his back to her,turning around would be too risky,they had both vowed to move on.

"Good night Clark,and….Thanks."she murmered holding onto his hand,until gradually her grip slackened and fear gave way to sleep.

That night was the most acutely erotic experience of Clarks life. her scent,her nearness,her warmth,and the sound of her heartbeat all felt so familiar but so foreign. how he fell asleep himself he did not know ,and hours later he awoke to a sunny Metropolis morning. Lois was standing over him,still in her huge night shirt and shyly offered him a cup of coffee. Clark sat up in bed and rubbed his eyes.

"What time is it?"He asked sleepily,suddenly remembering where he was and why he was.

"Eight a.m." she said,averting her eyes as he stretched his beautiful muscular torso and ran his fingers through hair tousled from sleep. she'd almost forgotten how beautiful Clark looked first thing .Lois waited whilst he drank his coffee.

"Thanks for staying last night.I really appreciate it." She said awkwardly "You're a real…"She couldn't find the right words "…friend." Of course she regretted her choice of words the moment she said them. They weren't friends,well,not anymore.

Clark paused, he too had noticed, "My Pleasure,Lois." He said dryly.

TBC.

NB: Reviews, comments and feedback are very much appreciated.