Eleusinian Mystery
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters of Smallville…I'll say it again, they are not mine. I just like to take them out and play with them. DC Comics, The WB and The CW own all rights. Don't sue me!
A/N: Thank you to Jen (Angel's Blue Eyed Girl) for taking the mess I send her and making it readable! You're the best Jenna! *hugs*
A/N II: Ok, so I am ecstatic at the reviews this is getting! I'll be writing pm's tonight to all of my reviewers. But, to the guests or those who I can't send personal messages to… I want to take this moment to just let you all know that the feedback and comments mean a lot. They inspire me. So, thank you very much.
A/N III: I wanted to give a special shout out to LoisNClark4Ever for *always* leaving the most amazing and insightful reviews. You make me think…you keep me honest, too. Your insights into plot flaws and keeping characters *in* character are endlessly helpful. You're like a second beta reader, ;) and I truly appreciate it. If I pass your test (and Jen's) then…I know it's a great chapter! Thank you, sweetie!
Okay…now on with the show.
**************************************Clois******* ***********************************
Part 3
Kent Farm: Late night, March 22nd, 2007
Lois got to the Kent Farm in a lesser state of anger than when she'd snuck out of the Hospital. She'd realized on the ride over that Clark might not actually remember their night—just like she didn't. If not, could the blame really be laid entirely at his feet? Lois knew she had to accept some responsibility too. However, if Clark had lied to her…then she wasn't sure if she'd be able to hear him out, before she slugged him one for knocking her up!
Her head started to pound again. She felt ill and for the first time in her life, she found herself facing a situation that she had no idea how to tackle or take control of.
It scared her.
When she didn't find Clark in the loft, she snooped around a bit, but when all she turned up was some pictures of meteors, earth craters and several drawings with weird symbols on them… She shook her head, and headed for the house, making a mental note to ask him how he ever got to be such a geek looking the way he did. It was really weird, actually. However, that question was for another time, for now—she was on a mission. And grilling Smallville about Valentine's Day…until he was either, good and sautéed, or admitted the truth, was the top priority on her list.
She approached the house, prepared to use the spare key she knew Martha kept hidden under a plant on the porch, but instead she found the side door unlocked and hesitantly went inside. The house was dark and quiet, but that didn't mean Clark wasn't home. She'd lived with him. She knew he got up before the sunrise sometimes and it wouldn't be out of the ordinary for him to already be upstairs asleep. She was halfway up the stairs when the upper hall light suddenly came on. Lois froze. Now that she was here…she felt sick with nervousness. She turned to bolt back the way she'd come, however, it was too late. Martha Kent was standing at the top of the stairs looking down at her.
"Lois?" she called out, forcing Lois to stop dead in her tracks. "Is that you?"
Somehow relieved it was Mrs. Kent, and not Clark, Lois turned and plastered a cheery smile on her face. "Uh…yeah, it is. Hi Mrs. K., I'm really sorry to wake you up," she apologized, realizing (once again) she'd leaped without thinking in her decision to come over here tonight. "I was um…looking for Clark. Is he here?"
Confused and a little worried, Martha noticed that Lois was still dressed in her hospital gown. "Lois, aren't you supposed to be at the Medical center?"
"I'm fine, Mrs. K. I just really need to speak with Clark."
"Isn't he in the barn?"
"No, I checked there first." Lois bit her lip as (ridiculously) she felt tears start to flood her eyes. "Okay…well…" She smacked her hands against her sides like she did in times when she was nervous. "I'll just be out of your way…sorry again," she said, and turned to get away before Mrs. Kent could see she was about to cry.
"Lois, wait!" Martha called after her, tying the sash on her robe tighter as she rushed down the stairs after the younger woman.
In a sudden blur of movement, Lois found herself at the door, her hand on the knob and her back to Martha. Her instincts said 'run for your life', but she was still a little surprised on how fast she'd gotten there. Plus, Lois knew Mrs. K. would probably follow her outside; and stupidly she'd sent the taxi on its way, thinking she and Clark would be having a very long conversation tonight.
Martha finally caught up and noticed how tense Lois seemed. She couldn't help but be concerned. "Lois, are you okay?" she asked warily. As if she might frighten Lois off is she spoke too quickly.
Lois kept her back to Martha as she got her emotions in check. When she felt she could face the older woman, she turned and pasted a cheerful smile on her face. "Peachy Mrs. K., really…but I'm just gonna go. If you could just tell Clark I came by, and I'll talk to him later."
Before Lois could open the door, however, Martha was there, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and making Lois really look at her. The watery hazel eyes were a dead giveaway. "You're not 'peachy'," the elder woman chided, pulling Lois in to the kitchen. "What's wrong?" When Lois just shook her head and bit her lip hard enough to draw blood, the Kent Matriarch got really worried. She made Lois sit down at a stool beside the kitchen sidebar. "Let me get one of Clark's shirts for you to put on, and then I'll make us some hot cocoa. Okay?"
Lois nodded, pulling at the frayed ends of the ratty hospital gown she wore. "You're too kind, Mrs. K." she sniffled.
Martha patted Lois's hand. "Nonsense, you're family," she said and hurried up the stairs to grab Lois something to wear.
***************Clois************
Smallville Medical Center
Clark made it inside the Records Room and retrieved Lois's blood work and pregnancy test results without anyone seeing him. He quickly hid the blood vial within the inside pocket of his jacket, and then scanned over her medical chart. She was indeed pregnant! They'd performed the test twice. Clark reeled all over again at seeing the results there in black and white. He went up to the front desk to ask about how Lois was doing, but all the nurses would tell him was that Lois had left the hospital against medical advice.
"What do you mean? Do you know where she went?" When no one was forth coming, he started to panic. He called Chloe and immediately told her Lois might have been kidnapped from the hospital. He was beside himself and ready to start scouring the town, looking for her.
On the phone, Chloe asked him if Lois had been informed she was pregnant. He had admitted that yes, she had.
He could almost hear Chloe's eyes rolling when she asked, "And, how do you think Lois reacted to that news, Clark?"
Clark sighed as it dawned on him what should have been his first thought. "Not good and she most likely left by herself."
"Exactly," Chloe replied and the sarcasm in her voice was so thick, it was dripping from each word. "And when she put the dates together…where do you think she's going to go?"
Clark's brow lowered, heart rate jacking up a notch. "The farm to either confront me or kill me," he said, trying for levity, but falling flat, because Chloe merely agreed with him.
"Look Chloe, I know you're upset…but I promise you…me and Lois didn't have sex that night. We kissed…a lot. There was a lot of kissing and some…um…well groping and touching, but that's it! I wouldn't lie to you about that," he added, his voice quiet in its intensity.
"Then explain it to me, Clark, because what I see is Lois getting pregnant on or about the same time as your 'Red-K Adventure Night'. She was sick in Florida, remember? And now, she's displaying super strength! I want to believe you, Clark, I do, but facts don't lie either," she finished just as quietly.
Clark had no answers, so he remained silent.
"Did you get the blood?" she asked, changing the subject.
Clark was making his way out of the hospital. With Lois maybe on her way to the farm, he needed to get home pronto. "Yeah, I got it."
"Good. Drop it off to me in the morning and I'll have Dr. Hamilton compare it to the sample he already has of yours."
Clark moved across the street and out of sight of any spectators. He was about to speed off and he didn't want any witnesses. "Okay. I'll see you in the morning then," he said.
"Clark," Chloe said right before he could hang up. "If Lois is there…well good luck, but remember she doesn't know your secret, at least not yet, so be careful what you ask her or say to her. Okay? At least until we know for sure whether this is your baby or not."
Hearing her say that again… Clark felt lightheaded. The very idea was insane, but he managed to keep it together. "I will," he told his best friend. "And Chloe…?"
She sighed, "Yeah Clark?"
"Thanks. I know you're mad at me, but I appreciate that you're still helping to figure this all out."
"You're right. I am mad at you," the little blonde said, "but I still love you. You're my best friend and I'll always be there for you and for Lois," she said quickly and then hung up.
Clark sighed as he put his cell phone in his jacket. He was happy for Chloe's help, but there was also a part of him that was upset at her lack of faith in him. He'd told her he hadn't gotten Lois pregnant, but she didn't really believe him. He could hear it in the tone of her voice. It was disappointing to know that as close as he and Chloe were….If she thought he'd just sleep with Lois and then not admit it. Then there was a part of her that didn't know him at all
Realizing he didn't have time to dwell on that problem, Clark pushed it aside, and took off like a speeding bullet for home. If Lois was there…he just hoped she'd had the sense to wait for him in the loft.
***************Clois************
The Kent Farm:
Martha gave Lois a pair of her sweat pants and a shirt of Clark's to change into. While Lois changed, Martha made them some hot chocolate. When Lois came back to the kitchen counter, the room smelled of cocoa. Lois inhaled the endearing scent as she took her seat. She had a lot of fond memories here. Living with the Kents' had been the first time Lois had ever really felt like she was part of a normal family.
Of course, back then, Mr. K was still alive and she'd relegated Clark to the role of the annoying younger brother she'd never had. Lois knew (in her heart of hearts) that she'd tried to ignore Smallville's hotness mostly because he'd been so wrapped up in Lana Lang that she'd wanted nothing to do with getting in the middle of that mess.
'And look how well that turned out?' She thought.
Now, once again, (like Valentine's Day) she was smack dab in the middle of the Lana/Clark drama, only this time, a spray of meteor rock wasn't going to get her out of it.
Lois huffed out a sigh, but just then Martha came towards her carrying a mug of steaming hot chocolate, and Lois perked up. "Please tell me that has lots of marshmallows in it, Mrs. K."
Martha handed her the mug with a teasing smile. "As if I could forget how much you like them, Lois."
Lois chuckled, taking a small sip. "Guess not, considering how much Clark used to complain about me eating all of them. Huh?"
Martha agreed, laughing softly too. "Yes, you two did have your squabbles."
"Like oil and water," Lois chirped, taking another sip of the delicious cocoa.
Martha Kent was watching the younger woman who was like a daughter to her carefully and Lois began to squirm under her scrutiny. A silence fell over them and Lois set her cup down, biting her lip as she avoided Mrs. Kent's far too knowing gaze.
Finally Martha spoke up. "Lois, I know something is bothering you. You're trying to hide it, but whatever it is that has you so upset—it's obviously eating at you. Do you want to talk about it?"
And just like that, Lois was tied up in knots again and on the verge of crying. She couldn't tell Mrs. K. what was bothering her. How did one tell the woman they thought of as an adoptive mother that she was pregnant and her son was most likely the father?! Lois leaped to her feet. "You know what? This was great, but I'm just gonna…" She made a motion to leave. "Sorry again for waking you up, just tell Clark I came by…"
But Martha was having none of that. She took Lois's hand in both of hers. "I'm not trying to pry, Lois, but Clark told me what you went through tonight. And since you obviously snuck out of the hospital to come here…something must be very wrong."
Before Lois could even try and deny it, Martha's eyes went to the discarded gown and garish red pants draped on the chair next to Lois. Lois looked away guiltily and didn't bother trying to lie about it.
Martha patted her hand. "I'm not letting you leave, so you might as well get comfortable." She smiled to take any sting out of her words. "Plus, I'm worried about you."
"Mrs. K. Really…" Lois tried.
"Whatever it is, Lois…you can tell me. You're like a daughter to me and I want to help, but I can't, if I don't know what's wrong…"
The tender concern and gentle strength Martha exhibited, not to mention all her extra hormones flooding her system, finally broke Lois's steely reserves, and to her horror, hot tears flooded her eyes, and before she knew what she was doing, she was in Martha's arms, sobbing like she hadn't done since she'd lost her own mother all those years ago...
*******************Clois******************
It was upon this scene that Clark walked in on…
He practically flew through the door only to stop dead in his tracks when he spotted Lois, in his mother's arms, crying. In all the years he'd known her, Clark could barely remember a time when he'd seen her cry—maybe when he'd found her kneeling at Chloe's grave…but other than that, Lois was always the first to say that 'She was a Lane and Lane's never cried!'. So, upon seeing the indomitable Lois Lane in tears, it (literally) rendered Clark speechless for a moment!
At his entrance, both women turned his way. Lois's tears seemed to dry up over-night and her face went hard and angry.
"You!" she snapped, her mood swinging wildly from weepy to raging in a flash. She pointed an accusing finger at him. "This is all-your-fault! What the hell did you do to me?!"
She jumped up and marched across the room at him as if she planned on physically assaulting him.
Clark took a hasty step back. "Now Lois…" he said, holding out both hands, trying to placate her, "you're emotional. Just calm down…"
His words only added fuel to her fire. "Emotional?!" she screeched almost hysterically. "I'd say I'm emotional!" She came to a halt right in front of him and got right up in his face. "Wanna hear how my night went, buddy?" She was practically snarling at him, like an angry lioness. "I just found out I'm pregnant! And if that wasn't bad enough—oh no! It gets worse. I lit a building on fire! And now I can do all these other super weird things!" She poked him in the chest and Clark's eyes widened as her jab actually hurt a little. "So…you tell me…how am I supposed to calm down, Smallville?!" she shouted, "when I don't know what the hell is happening to me?!"
Stunned and reeling at some of what she'd just said, Clark was still sure, however that he wasn't the father. He took hold of her shoulders and tried to get her to settle down. "Lois, stop. I didn't *do* anything to you. You're overacting."
"I'm overreacting?!" It was like she'd just exploded again and her voice got louder and louder. "The nurse tells me I'm pregnant and the only guy that fits the bill for the time frame is you! So please…tell me... What's the proper reaction for news like that?"
In that moment, Clark caught his mother's stunned expression out of the corner of his eye and flushed. "Lois…we didn't…I know we didn't…"
Lois's eyes narrowed. "Oh so you *do* remember then?"
Martha was so shocked at the bombshell Lois had dropped that it had taken a few seconds for her mind to stop spinning long enough to ask what was going on. "Pregnant…?" Martha finally cut in with a gasp. Her eyes went to her son. "Clark, what is Lois talking about?"
Clark's face flushed in guilt and his eyes darted away from his mother.
Lois growled. "I knew it. You remember. Don't you? You lied to me!"
To both Clark's and Martha's complete surprise, Lois's eyes heated up and suddenly a short burst of fire shot from them, blasting Clark in the chest, setting his jacket on fire and staggering him back a few feet.
"Clark!" Martha cried, but Clark waved her off. He was fine. He threw his jacket on the ground and quickly stomped out the small fire, his eyes totally focused on Lois. She was staring at him in shock, but it was obvious she wasn't as surprised as he was at what she'd just done. He suddenly remembered her words form earlier and he realized…she'd done this earlier tonight, too. It reminded him (a little too much for comfort) of himself when he'd first gotten his heat vision.
"Oh my God!" she said, putting her hands over her eyes. "See what I mean? It happened again! Now I'm a fire-starter!" Lois stood there in the middle of the room, chest heaving, her hands blindfolding her and looking, for all the world, like a lost puppy; something extraordinarily out of character for her.
"What the hell did you do to me, Smallville?" she whined pitifully.
Clark looked to his mother. Martha Kent was standing stock still, staring at Lois and wearing the same baffled expression of stunned confusion that he assumed he was wearing. "Mom, do you mind if I talk to Lois a moment…in um…private?"
Martha looked from the two of them. Lois was pregnant and… (Martha couldn't believe it) for some reason Lois thought Clark was the father! "Clark…?" Her questioning gaze sought his out, but when Clark couldn't meet her eyes, a sudden pang of disappointment arose in her. Martha turned to Lois, who was muttering to herself all the ways she wanted to hurt Clark and Martha sighed at the mess this was. "I don't know if that's a good idea..." she said, "considering how upset Lois is right now."
When her eyes had stopped burning, Lois took her hands away and slowly made her way back to her chair. She was recalcitrant now that she'd (literally) blown off some steam and the disappointment in Mrs. Kent's voice made her feel even worse.
"It's okay Mrs. K., I'm sorry I dropped the pregnancy bomb on you like that. My emotions are all over the place and I'm…um….also sorry I shot fire at Clark," she added, gnawing her bottom lip. "I really don't know how I did that, but it seems to be a perk I picked up…along with the bun in the oven I don't remember getting," she muttered softly.
Martha couldn't help but notice the similarity of Lois's sudden powers to those Clark possessed. However, Martha simply couldn't really believe Clark would sleep with Lois and then lie to her and everyone about it. He wasn't that kind of man. There had to be another explanation. She went to the distraught young woman and hugged her gently. "I understand you're confused right now, and yes, that is a unique ability you have there," she added, glancing again at Clark. "Just promise me you'll stay here tonight, Lois. We'll get through this together, but you have to stay here until we can figure it out."
"But I—"
"No buts Lois. These powers you're developing could hurt people. Please, promise me," Martha stressed.
Lois nodded. "Okay. I will, and I'm sorry again…for everything," she said, lower lip trembling. Weepy Lois was back and Martha, recognizing the mood swings of hormonal overdrive, hugged her again.
"It's alright. You can take Clark's room for the night. Clark can sleep on the couch or in the loft." Martha said, her tone brooking no room for argument. "And Clark..." she said, making sure he got her message loud and clear, "don't think this conversation is finished. I think you owe me an explanation."
Feeling like he was getting convicted without a trial again, (although Lois shooting fire from her eyes was pretty compelling evidence) Clark rolled his eyes a little. "Wouldn't dream of it," he replied defensively and more than a little out of character for himself towards his mother. "But why bother talking when I've already been found guilty?"
"Clark Jerome Kent!" Martha exclaimed at his flippant reply.
Clark sighed and ran a weary hand over his face. "I'm sorry, mom. We'll talk in the morning. I promise."
Martha nodded and with one last look at the two, she made her way up the stairs—though whether she'd ever get any sleep after all this was anyone's guess…
*****************Clois***************
Once Martha was gone, Lois went on the attack again. She crossed her arms, her heated eyes drilling into Clark with enough fire that it was surprising he was going up in flames again. "Okay spill it, Smallville, coz I know you remember more than what you said you did in the loft that day."
Hesitantly Clark approached her. He was wary of moving too fast lest she jump and run, or worse, blast him with her heat vision again. Like she said, she was emotional, so it was important to keep her calm.
"Lois, I'm sorry, I am, but I really don't remember us…um…" His cheeks reddened, "having sex that night."
"Then what do you remember? Please stop lying to me and just tell me, because I can't remember anything. Not one damned thing!"
Instead of answering, Clark asked her if she was sure that was the night she conceived. "What about what happened between the time Chloe and Jimmy took you home to the time you woke up. You were injured when you woke up, remember?"
Lois nodded solemnly. "Yeah, and dressed in bloody clothes too."
"And you had dyed your hair too," he said. "So, obviously you were awake and conscious. Think back…can you remember anything about that time?"
She glared at him suddenly. "Are you trying to say that after Chloe dropped me off, I just went crazy? I may not remember dying my hair or getting hurt, but I know myself well enough to know I did *not* go out and pick up some random guy to have sex with!"
Clark immediately back-pedaled. "I didn't mean it like that," he hastily assured her.
"You better not have!" Lois snarled. "Coz it sounded to me like you were accusing me of being some kind of slut who just jumps in bed with anyone as long as I get laid!"
Clark flushed red hot and he was furious with her that she would think something like that. "Lois, I would never say or even think something like that about you. How can you even think that I would?"
"Sorry," Lois grumbled. Still upset, but no longer accusing.
They were both quiet for a long time…
Until, Clark finally asked the question that had been on his mind since he'd found out. "Okay, so what about Oliver?" His voice was gentle, trying not to rile her up again, but still looking for the answers he needed. "You guys had only broken up a couple of weeks before that. Could the baby be his?"
Lois looked away. She didn't want to get into her and Ollie's sex life with Clark, but (if only to put the idea that the baby could be Oliver's to rest once and for all) she realized she would have to. "That'd be great, Smallville, if only Ollie and I had ever—you know—done the deed? But, we didn't."
That surprised Clark and it showed. "You're kidding! Never?!" he blurted out, unable to stop himself.
"Not that it's any of your business, but yeah…never." Lois shrugged. "Every time things got a little interesting between us, he had to take off on one of his secretive little missions. So no, Smallville, this baby is not, in any way, shape or form, Oliver Queen's. That I *do* know for a fact!" She met his gaze dead on. "Now, can you please fill in the blanks from that night? I'm freaking out here and would really like to know how I ended up pregnant!"
"Okay," he finally agreed. Clark noticed the cocoa cooling on the stove and poured himself a cup and refreshed Lois's, remembering to put extra marshmallows in hers. He handed her the mug and took a seat opposite of her.
Lois noticed the abundance of marshmallows. "You remembered," she mumbled and her lower lip wobbled.
"Remembered what?" he asked, but then he noticed her expression, and Clark froze. "Lois, please don't cry…" he pleaded, stricken by the idea that he was causing her tears—especially when he had *no idea* what he'd done this time. "Cocoa's supposed to make you feel better, not make you cry." It gutted him to see her like this. He felt totally responsible.
"It's just…all my emotions…" She waved a hand, smiling weakly, "it's like they're all out of whack." She stared down at it for a moment, before raising her big hazel gaze to his. "Thanks for the cocoa and for…um…remembering how I like it, too."
A look of comprehension flooded his features and he relaxed. Oh, so that's what it was. He'd remembered how she liked her cocoa. Clark was dumbfounded. Lois crying over that was…just crazy. And truthfully, it terrified him a little seeing her so out of control.
"Um…you're welcome. If there's anything I can do—"
"There is. You can tell me the truth now. Please…" she added softly. "What did we really do on Valentine's Day, Clark?"
Clark sighed long and hard. This was going to get awkward, but Lois did have a right to know and he certainly didn't want to see her cry anymore tonight. Twice was enough to seriously freak him out as it was! Not to mention, maybe he didn't remember everything that happened that night. Talking about it with her might trigger something in his own memories, because (despite looking for other answers) as much as Clark couldn't believe he'd had sex with Lois and forgotten it; he was starting to become convinced Lois's baby was his. As Chloe had said earlier, the facts didn't lie. Lois was developing his unique blend of powers.
Clark could no longer deny what was staring him in the face.
There was a very good chance that Lois was (somehow) carrying his child!
So, he told her almost everything he remembered. He skipped over the part about showing her his powers. Until he saw the blood test, he would keep that quiet. He also left out telling her that Oliver was Green Arrow, choosing instead, to let her believe they'd stayed at the Planet until going to her apartment at the Talon later.
"And when we got to your place…well there was some more kissing and then you got undressed—"
"Whoa, back up. I got naked in front of you?!"
Clark flushed to the roots of his dark hair. He tried to look away, but her eyes captured and held his gaze. His collar felt extremely tight all of a sudden and he tugged on it a little before answering. "Uh…yeah, but—"
"And you're still sticking to your story that we didn't sleep together? What, am I so hideous to you, Clark, that you're embarrassed to admit it?!"
Stupefied that she'd think such a thing, Clark didn't answer right away and her eyes filled with tears again. He wanted to smack himself!
Lois leapt to her feet. "I've got to go," she said and made a beeline for the door.
Clark got there first, blocking her path. "Lois, no, it wasn't—isn't that," he told her quickly. His eyes took in her face. She was so pretty—even puffy and teary eyed; Lois was gorgeous. He'd been having fantasies about her for weeks and having her here...so close, Clark tried to keep his gaze on her face, but before he could stop himself, his eyes drifted lower. She was wearing one of his T shirts—sans bra, and he could easily see the outline of her high, firm breasts. His body reacted instantly.
It was all he could do to keep his hands by his sides. "How could you think that? You're beautiful."
His words, the huskiness in his voice and the way that he'd stared long and hard at her chest had Lois crossing her arms, when her nipples tightened in response. "Well, what else am I supposed to think? We were making out—I actually got naked, and yet, you still rejected me to go crash Lana's engagement party! What does Lana have that I don't?" she asked, unknowingly repeating her own question from that night.
Clark was at a loss. He'd never seen Lois so emotional or vulnerable and he didn't have it in him to make light of her feelings. So, he told her the truth. "Nothing…I was drugged up and really angry. Crashing the party that night didn't have anything to do with you or not wanting you." She looked so fragile right then that Clark found himself taking a step closer and putting his hand on the side of her cheek, cupping her face in his big palm. "I wanted you. Believe me, Lois. I did…I still—" And just then, he realized what he was about to admit. Clark closed his mouth with a snap. He took a hasty step back, at a loss for the words needed to steer the conversation back to safer ground.
"You what…?" Lois breathed moving closer to him this time. Her heart lodged in her throat at the look in his eyes. "You still what, Clark?" she asked him, backing him up against the door when she inched closer, getting too close for either of their own good.
"Lois, don't…" Clark said, panicking when her hands went to his chest.
"Tell me," she whispered.
Clark took hold of her wrists to stop her exploration of his pectoral muscles. Her touch was making him all kinds of excited, and this was not the right time for that. But, something in her eyes compelled him to continue his confession, and he couldn't seem to stop the words from coming out of his mouth. "I still want you," he admitted thickly.
Lois rose on her tip toes, but instead of kissing his lips like he'd hoped (and feared too). She brushed a kiss across his cheek and pulled her hands from his grasp to hug him. "Thank you," she said to him as she laid her cheek against the solid wall of his chest.
After a moments' hesitation, Clark's arms encircled her too. He did his best to ignore how her breasts flattened against his chest so he could feel her nipples, or just how right she felt there in his arms. He pushed all that away. Lois was unguarded, her defenses were down, and he wanted to be there for her, not take advantage of her.
"For what?" he asked, surprising them both by placing a soft kiss to the top of her head.
"For telling me the truth," she said simply, "for being here for me right now." She leaned back to look up into his handsome face. "I'm scared, Smallville, but just knowing that you're here for me somehow makes it not so scary. Ya know?"
For the first time since he'd learned of Lois's pregnancy, a sense of calm washed over him. "I am, Lois,' he told her truthfully, "no matter what." He gave her a small smirk. "Although, I still can't imagine I'd forget sleeping with you."
She chuckled huskily "I'd hope not, but I know you're going to help me figure out what happened to me, and for tonight…that's enough."
She stepped out of his arms, and Clark was surprised to find he was reluctant to let her go. These feelings he was developing for her were as confusing as they were new and exciting.
"I'm gonna go to bed. This day has finally caught up with me and I'm exhausted," Lois said, yawning.
Clark nodded. "Feel free to raid my closet for sleepwear," he told her with a grin.
"Like I wasn't going to already, but thanks for the permission slip," she teased back, some of her usual spark twinkling in her eyes. "Night," she said, before heading up the stairs.
"Good night, Lois," he replied gently, watching her until she rounded the corner and disappeared from his sight.
Clark rubbed a hand over his chest absently, there was an odd pang there, and it had nothing to do with the fire beams Lois had shot his way earlier. After the door to his room shut softly, he went back to the kitchen and gathered up his and Lois's empty mugs. Setting them in the sink, he rinsed and washed them quickly, before flipping off the light and heading for the couch, his mind buzzing.
'Was his mom right? Did he care about Lois a lot more than he'd ever realized?'
For the first time, Clark was ready to give that idea consideration, because, for just a minute there…he'd felt so at peace having her in his embrace. It was like she belonged there. Her head close to his heart. Clark sighed as he got out the extra pillows and blankets kept in the linen closet for guests. It was confusing, but one thing Clark was sure of…it was time to let Lana go and move on, especially if Lois's baby did turn out to be his. Holding onto the schoolboy dream of marrying his first love was becoming not only ridiculous, (especially considering said girl was already married to someone else) but if he kept trying to keep hold of his Lana-fantasy, he might actually miss out on something really good with Lois.
Maybe he could even have a family of his own—like his parents had.
Clark kicked off his boots and slid his jeans off before he climbed onto the couch, pulling the blankets up around him. As he laid his head on the pillow, it dawned on him that he was starting to *want* Lois's baby to be his.
That was both an unsettling and provocative thought, and he knew he definitely had to get to the bottom of this mystery as soon as possible, before he wound up even more flustered than he was now.
*********************Clois*******************
The next day: Metropolis
"It's official. Lois's blood is mutating into a replica of yours Clark and the DNA matches," Dr. Emil Hamilton said, glancing up from his microscope.
"Well Clark, it looks like you're going to be a daddy!" Chloe said, her forced smile not quite reaching her eyes.
Clark ignored her acidic tone in favor of leaning against the wall as his knees turned to jelly under him. His stomach did another flip-flop and Clark focused his stunned gaze on Hamilton. "Are you sure—100% sure that the baby is mine, Emil?"
"As sure as medical science allows," Hamilton replied. "I did an SNP Microarray DNA test. Meaning, I compared Lois's blood, which contains the baby's DNA, to yours. The test is 99.9% percent accurate, Clark. Lois's baby has Kryptonian DNA."
Clark briefly met Chloe's deadly glare, before he quickly looked away. He couldn't handle her anger right now. His world had just careened wildly out of control and he was still trying to absorb the news that Lois's baby was really his! Although, (after seeing Lois's new powers) he'd already begun to believe… But, to actually hear it confirmed…well, to say he was still flabbergasted would be putting it mildly.
Emil didn't notice Clark's pallor and disorientated reaction as he smiled and held out his hand to him. "Congratulations, Clark. You're going to be a father."
Clark stared at his hand for a moment before shaking it. He was breathless and completely blown away. "Um…thank you," he said softly and without another word, he numbly turned and walked out of Hamilton's lab unaware of his surroundings as Emil's words reverberated in his head. 'You're going to be a father-a father- a father…'
Needing to release the huge amount of nervous energy surging through him, Clark suddenly took off at full speed. He didn't give a thought to if he was seen, or even care that he was leaving a very angry Chloe behind, whom (he was sure) would be demanding answers from him—answers he didn't have. He just needed to get away. He needed to run. Run as fast and as far as he could until he collected his bearings enough to have the conversations he knew would be coming his way now that paternity was established.
He ended up at the Fortress.
"Jor-El!" he called out when he entered the ice structure.
"Kal-El, my son. Have you finally decided to start your training?"
"I have a situation, and I need you to answer a question for me," Clark said instead of answering.
"What is this situation you speak of?"
"Is it possible for a human woman to carry a Kryptonian child?"
"Since it has never been done, Kal-El, I cannot give you the answer you seek. Why do you ask this now? Have you found a mate on Earth that you wish to carry your child?"
"It's a little more than that. She's already carrying my child," Clark confessed somewhat awkwardly.
Jor-El was silent for a moment. "You should have brought this woman to me before you decided to mate with a human, Kal-El."
Not in the mood to be chastised, Clark blew out an exasperated breath. "It wasn't exactly planned," he said, "and for once, can you please just answer one of my question-without asking one of your own?!"
"Has she started exhibiting any signs of your powers?" Jor-El asked.
"Yes," Clark answered. "Can she carry my child, Jor-El?"
"The child is absorbing the sun's power just as you do. It will most likely protect her while in her womb."
Relieved, Clark nodded. "Thank you," he said and turned to leave.
"Kal-El!"
Clark froze as Jor-El's voice reverberated around the ice and halting his exit. He turned back. "What is it? You said the child would protect her…"
"No, I said the child would protect her while in her womb. She would have your abilities, but that does not mean her human body can carry a Kryptonian child. There is only way for me to accurately predict if carrying your child could damage your human mate internally, and that is for you to bring her to me for examination."
"What do you mean by 'damage her internally'?" Clark asked, his stomach twisting in knots at the idea.
"We are a humanoid race, Kal-El, but we are not human. Looking the same does not mean a human body can withstand the power the yellow sun gives us. Harnessing that much energy within her body could weaken her and cause her irreparable damage."
Clark was reminded of his father and how getting that upload of power from Jor-El had ruined his heart. He started to feel sick. "Is there a way you can test her body and see if she is capable of carrying my child?"
"Yes, my son, there is," his father replied. "But first, you must bring her here, to the Fortress."
"What are you going to do to her?" Clark asked, a little suspiciously. Jor-El could be ruthless and he didn't want Lois getting hurt if his father decided a Kryptonian shouldn't be "mating" with an Earthling after all.
"Nothing that would hurt her," Jor-El answered in his usual clinical manner.
The crystals on the console started to glow. One flared brighter than the rest and turned hot pink. "Remove the pink crystal."
Clark did as he was told and when he pulled it out of the console, there was a shift in the structure and a cylindrical tube appeared out of one of the icy walls of crystal and ice. "What is that?"
"It is a medical chamber. Bring your human to me and I will be able to scan her body and make sure it is safe for her to carry a Kryptonian child to term."
"Thank you, Father," Clark said. He felt better, but he was still nervous about explaining all of this to Lois. "I will bring Lois to you, but first I have to tell her a few things about my heritage," he said and slipped the crystal back. The tube disappeared back into the wall.
"She does not know she is carrying a half Kryptonian child?"
"It's…um…complicated," Clark said.
"Kal-El, as her pregnancy grows, so will her powers. You have chosen this woman to mate with and produce a child. It is your responsibility to explain to her what she will be capable of, especially if it could harm her physically."
"I know," Clark agreed with a sigh. "I have to go…I promise. I'll bring Lois to you as soon as I can."
And with that, Clark zipped out of the fortress feeling relieved, yet terrified at the same time.
*************************************Clois******** ***************************
Okay…so things are moving along. This one will be a bit more of a slow burner than my fic 'Burn' It might not be as much smut, (like every chapter) but trust me—the smut will come. ;) And Jen helped me with it—it's amazing! ;) ;) Well worth the small wait.
Okay, so leave the muse a tidbit…reviews are like morsels of chocolaty goodness to feed the creative process! :) :)
**Sneak peak: Lois starts getting more of her powers…Clark and Lois go on their first date and get closer after he takes her to meet Jor-El.
*Evil plot twist plus: How soon before Lex figures it out? How will Lois and Clark react?
Stay tuned…next part will be up in a few days.
Taz
