Disclaimer: Only any original ideas in here are mine. All characters belong to the respective copyright holders, including DC comics, Warner Bros., December 3rd Productions and anyone else with a stake in the Superman franchise. Some dialogue is from the episodes written by Tony Blake and Paul Jackson (ep 2 x 22) and John McNamara (ep 3 x 1).

AN: I hadn't planned to continue this, thinking it could just slide into canon. But…. I started thinking about it, and I did get encouragement to continue, so….here it is.

Anyhow, thanks for returning and for reading this. And if you like, a review is ALWAYS appreciated, especially in these smaller fandoms.

Previously:

"How could you feel that way? Doubt my love for you, ordinary Clark? Why…" Lois recalled all that she had thought of during the day, and what she had told him last year, and she felt a blush rising up her face. "I guess I have given you a reason to think that, after all."

"You couldn't help it. You didn't know." As Lois was about to say something, Clark added, "Again, the only thing I kept from you was what I can do. Everything else about me, all my feelings, all my fears, everything, I've shared with you. You have to believe me."

Lois sighed. Her lips curled up slightly. She still wasn't at the place where she could completely forgive him. But...she was closer.

"I just feel like I don't know you. It's going to take me time to process all of this. After all, I never expected Superman to be an ordinary man."

Lois watched as a twinkle appeared in Clark's eyes. She knew he was about to make a lame joke when she saw his eyes then cloud over. "I was tempted to make a joke, but now's not the time to be funny."

"Thank you for that."

An uncomfortable silence fell over them. A sudden breeze became apparent, causing Lois to shiver. Clark noticed. "Um, should we continue this discussion in your apartment?"

Lois shook her head. "No, I think I need some time alone to process all of this."

"May I walk you home?"

Lois took a moment to consider his offer. She nodded. "Yes, I'd like that."

They walked along the familiar streets, when suddenly Lois' petite hand found its way into Clark's larger hand. He stifled his reaction, and a smile, and continued to walk, matching his steps to hers.

They walked in silence until they had reached Lois' apartment. Lois had allowed herself to simply enjoy the companionship of the man beside her, the security she always felt in his presence. Until they had reached her home.

As Clark was about to lead her up the stairs to the door, Lois stopped him. She pulled her hand out of his, and shook her head. "It's alright. I can go the rest by myself." She wanted to avoid any hint of a good-bye kiss, which always occurred when he showed her to her door.

Clark nodded, easily understanding what she didn't say. "So…I'll see you tomorrow?"

Lois startled. "Oh yeah, it's Monday isn't it?" Recalling what their daily routine was, her picking him up so they could drive in together. Suddenly she realized she'd been giving rides to a man who didn't need any assistance in that area. She felt a spark of anger go through her, which Clark apparently saw reflected in her eyes as he took a step back from her.

"It's okay, Lois. You don't have to give me a ride tomorrow."

"You'll find your own way there, I suppose," she said, allowing bitterness to color her remark. Swallowing, she said as she shook her head, "I'm sorry, Clark. Like I said, it's going…"

"Going to take time. I do understand Lois. I only hope you know how much I appreciate you giving me the time. For you to get to know me for who I really am. For still giving us a chance."

"It's just that, I fell in love with Clark. The clumsy, insecure man who stole my heart and broke down my defenses brick by brick. I had given up the fantasy of Superman, who I'd fallen in love with. I pushed him away, only to find out…only to find out he actually is my best friend?"

"I know, Lois. If you want to talk, no matter the time, please call me. Even in the middle of the night." Clark turned and walked several steps away. He turned back. "I do love you. No matter what. And like I said, I never lied about my feelings, my love for you or the amount of trust I have in you. Those were, are, real." Letting out a really big sigh, Clark added. "And Lois? The clumsy, insecure man? He wasn't an act. It really is me at times, being those things. I guess, you could say, like any other…human."

Clark turned back and walked down the street, his shoulders slightly slouched as he walked with his head down. Lois bit back a request for him to return so they could talk more. No, he does deserve to be sad, for at least a little while. He did lie to me all these years. I have to take care of myself. I need time to figure this all out, to clearly see him for who he really is. Which is a combination of the two men. Which I need time to put together.

Even though it was early, Lois understandably found herself feeling bone-tired. Almost to the point of calling in sick tomorrow. What is happening to me? Mad Dog Lane calling in sick? What's this world coming to?

Shaking herself, Lois got ready for bed, crawled in between the covers, and attempted to quiet her mind. Despite herself, all sorts of thoughts continued to race through her confused mind. She just wanted to shut it all off, for now, to stop thinking about it. It was truly something so mind-shattering, bone-shaking, to consider. Mild-mannered reporter actually the strongest person on Earth. Clark Kent, the essence of middle America, actually an alien being from outer space. No one would've guessed it, not in a million years.

Except for Trask. Suddenly Lois remembered the man who had supposedly threatened Clark because he'd thought Clark was Superman. How close she was to losing him that time, and she didn't even know it. But there again, it showed how dangerous it was for someone to know Superman's secret identity. How his loved ones would always be in danger if his secret were indeed known.

Sitting straight up in bed, Lois suddenly had several mind-shattering revelations. One, no wonder Clark didn't tell anyone who he was. He was only protecting his parents, not just himself. And, since moving to Metropolis, she supposed he was also protecting his friends and co-workers as well. Two, the burden of carrying such a secret around. Clark was only protecting the people he loved from such a burden. Except right now, she was beginning to think of it as not so much a burden but an…an honor for the privilege of truly knowing such a wonderful, complicated man as Clark Kent.

Lois shook her head. She really needed to quiet her mind and get some sleep. She really didn't want to call in sick tomorrow. There were stories to break, scandals to uncover, problems to be solved…and one super-hero undercover as a newspaper reporter she was wanting to get to know a whole hell of a lot more. She snuggled into her bed and fell asleep amidst a dream of flying once again with Superman, but knowing she was in the protective arms of her Clark, pushing all possible conflicts away. For now.

~~LL~~CK~~LL~~CK~~

Of course her alarm would not go off. And she realized she was almost out of toothpaste. And she needed to go to the store to get toilet paper as well. As she was running around the apartment, trying not to hurt herself as she was getting ready, Lois wondered why of all days this had to happen.

Her cell phone rang. She picked it up as she was trying not to burn some toast. "Hello, Perry. Yes, I'm sorry, I overslept…He's not? No, I haven't heard from him today…well, he had some things to do so I'm not giving him a ride today to work…I will be there soon…ok, bye." She hung up and gave a disgusted sigh. Urgg. Of all days!

As she made sure she had matching shoes on, Lois wondered where Clark was. Deciding the Daily Planet and Perry can wait an additional two more minutes, she turned on the TV. Luckily, all the news channels had the story of Superman in India saving hundreds of people from the newest earthquake. Of course. Why not? Of all days when she should be covering for him, she is running late.

She suddenly felt hurt he hadn't called her to let her know. This time he could've told her the true reason. For the very first time. Then she could indeed cover for him.

Shaking herself out of her thoughts, Lois turned off the TV, grabbed her keys and purse and headed out the door. She never thought of it before, but this new side of their relationship? It probably isn't any easier for Clark as it is for her. Hmm. She pushed the tantalizing thought aside to think about it later. Right now she had to get to work.

~~LL~~CK~~LL~~CK~~

Clark looked at himself in the mirror. Perhaps he should have stopped at home first to take a quick shower. He was totally dirty from the debris of the earthquake. He knew he was running so late, though, and he had forgotten his cell phone at home. Oh yeah, perhaps he should have gone home first.

"Hey, C.K., there you are! Hey, man, why are you so dirty? Did you garden before you came to work today?" Jimmy surprised him by walking into the men's bathroom before Clark could super-speed out of there. He walked into a stall.

"Hi, Jimmy. I fell down a manhole while walking to work."

"Lois mad at you? Why didn't she give you a ride like she usually does?" He came out and began to wash his hands.

Clark hesitated, then plunged in. "No, I just had some things to do before work."

"Well, Perry is a little irritated at both of you. Being late and all." Jimmy grabbed several paper towels to wipe his hands.

Clark was worried. Lois late? Usually…well, mostly, Lois was never late. Unless perhaps she forgot to set her alarm and woke up late. "She didn't call?"

"Oh Perry finally did call her, and she said she overslept. She's probably here now. So now Perry can have the two of you to yell at now, instead of me." Jimmy gave Clark a huge smile as he threw the crumbled paper towels into the waste basket. "I'll talk to you later."

Clark thought of what he should do. Now that Jimmy had seen him dirty, he couldn't superspeed home, and he couldn't superspeed a quick clean-up here. Nah, he will do it anyway and say he had good luck in getting clean in the bathroom anyway.

He scrubbed his face and washed his hair with the hand soap. After rinsing, he dried his hair by using the mirror to reflect his heat vision on his hair to dry it. He wouldn't have bothered, but he didn't need his hair to be slicked back, giving anyone a possible chance to notice the resemblance between him and Superman. Especially not today.

Not too bad. He'll go check in with Perry then go to his locker to change into his spare suit. Then he will face Lois. With whatever that would mean for today. What a day, and it wasn't even 9am yet.

~~LL~~CK~~LL~~CK~~

Clark sighed as he leaned back into his chair, holding his chin in his hand as he tried not to look at Lois. He knew he had spent most of the day trying to avoid giving her love-lorn looks all day long. In his history with Lois, he had learned the best way to deal with her anger was to allow her to come to him when she was ready, either to talk or to yell, or both. Unfortunately, she appeared not ready to do either. Yet.

Perry could tell something was up between them, but he, like Clark, knew better than to disrupt the pattern known as Lois. All he did was ask Clark if all was well, and then gave him and Lois separate assignments for the day. Clark knew he would interfere in a few days, should it remain unresolved, but Clark appreciated the older man's diplomacy. One he knew had been earned by painful experience in handling Lois over the years, but Clark still appreciated it.

At 5 pm, Lois got up from her desk, stretched, then looked at him in the eye for the first time that day. She sighed, and Clark pretended not to notice her hesitance. Clearing her throat, she said, while grabbing her coat, "I'm calling it a day." A moment of sadness passed her eyes, then disappeared. "I'll see you tomorrow, Clark."

All he could was nod and watch her disappear into the elevator. He put his things away, turned off his own computer, and grabbed his coat as well. Tomorrow, if she hadn't made any move yet, he'll have to. And he will.

AN: We shall see where this goes. We are definitely in AU territory here. Might include some canon in here, but we shall see. Don't worry, though, working towards that HEA ending, after all. Hope you will let me know what you think, and thanks again sooo much for reading! Always greatly appreciated!

Yeah, and now I'm adding Clark's POV as well. That happened naturally. But I thought it would add to the story, and he is SUCH a guy, isn't he? Sigh. I sure do miss this show, and reading and writing FF for it continues my appreciation of it, that's for sure. Thanks again for sharing in its appreciation with me.