This Chapter is dedicated to Megasaurus Rex, who wrote a beautiful short story called, "Do You Love Him?" It was so heart-wrenching that I had to include a tiny part of her concept here.

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Metropolis, September 2008

Pain.

Lois woke up a burning sensation in her side from the jeweler's taser.

Things had obviously not gone the way she'd planned. She took a deep breath and looked around, squinting to see in the dark of the basement. The whirring sounds were familiar as the figure of the jeweler moved from one of machine to another like some kind of crazed scientist.

Not again.

"Why are you here?" he asked her quietly.

Lois remained silent. This guy thrived on words, like some twisted truth seer, so she decided that she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of a response. Repeating the past could work in her favor this time. She just needed to think …

"I'm helping them, you know," the jeweler told her calmly; eerily. "These couples have no idea what they're getting themselves into and they need to know that their partner is being honest. It will save so much heartache down the road-"

Lois scoffed as the jeweler repeated the same mantra from three years ago. Yeah, lying was bad; she didn't need this guy to tell her that. She'd kept this investigation from Clark and look where it got her, chained to this chair, hooked up to wires and machines like some kind of human lightning rod.

"Even if they're not being honest that doesn't give you the right to kill them," she countered, unable to stay quiet for long, pulling at her chains. "You're certifiable."

"I need to know how you found me," the jeweler queried, ignoring Lois' remarks.

"I can' tell you that," Lois told him. If Clark couldn't get the truth out of her-

The click and whine of the device interrupted her thoughts and sent a chill through her body as it echoed in the cavernous basement.

"Do you know what will happen if you lie to me?"

Lois felt her body tense as she looked at the empty chair only a few feet across from hers. In her mind, she could see Clark sitting there and hear the echo of his screams. Her throat constricted and she couldn't answer.

The jeweler got close to her face.

"Yes, I know what you will do," Lois managed to get out, trying to head-butt the guy. "But I can't tell you."

He hit the button.

In a flash she was immobile; paralyzing pain was coursing through her, unavoidable and unstoppable.

Focus on something besides the pain.

As the General's words came to her through the anguish, Lois tried to concentrate on recent events and, of course, her mind went to one of her last interactions with Clark.

Sitting at the kitchen table in the Kent farmhouse, she had newspaper spread out in front of her. The sun shining through the window was warm but Lois felt chilled by the front page story, a reminder of events that only she could put together, that only she could stop.

Staring out the window, she tried to think of a plan that didn't involve Clark this time. Their last encounter with the femme fatale from outer space was dangerous enough. In the past couple of weeks, they'd lived easily as friends, going back to their comfort zone as each tried to recover. Occasionally, Clark would look at her or start a conversation, only to run his hand through his hair in frustration, following his action with some innocuous topic. The man was the master of avoidance and Lois didn't push him because she didn't feel the need to talk about what happened.

Clark wouldn't have kissed her but for his elevated endorphins - end of story.

Besides, there were more important things going on right now that didn't involve kissing Clark, as much as she might want to. Couples were being killed and, while the jeweler shouldn't be more than she could handle, he'd done something that hurt Clark last time-

"What are you reading?" Clark asked, voice near her ear interrupting her thoughts and sending a little shiver through her.

At her silence, he picked up the paper.

"The Inquisitor? Since when do you keep up with the Inquisitor?"

"Never hurts to check out the competition," Lois responded absentmindedly, sticking her tongue in her cheek to help her concentrate.

"Competition" He asked suspiciously. "What competition? Lois, the Inquisitor does not compare to the Daily Planet," Clark stepped around the table to pull out one of the kitchen chairs and sit down.

He waited, knowing that the silence would get to her…

"Fine, I'm just doing a little light reading, okay?" she said, irritated when she saw Clark giving her the look that meant he was trying to figure out if he was lying or not. It was the same look he had after she mentioned the blue crystal – intense curiosity mixed with suspicion and maybe a little fear.

"What?" Lois asked him, impatiently. Ever since he'd rescued her from that harlot, he'd been watching her like he suspected she knew something, and it was pushing her over the edge. How was it that he could make her feel so guilty?

"Nothing; I'm just wondering what has your attention," he answered, looking down at the front page of the Inquisitor. "Aliens Abduct Engaged Couples," he quoted with a teasing smile on his face. "Is this what you're reading?"

"Sure," Lois returned, huffing at his condescending grin. "Don't you believe in life on other planets?"

Clark's face paled and Lois took the opportunity to snatch the paper away. Before he could question her further, she took off up the stairs. That look on his face, like a frightened child, bothered her but she couldn't let him know what she was really doing. Clark wouldn't get hurt again if she could help it, even if it meant scaring him into thinking that she knew about his origins.

When the machine stopped, the relief from the pain was so immediate that Lois almost cried out. Taking shallow breaths, she opened her eyes and spotted the jeweler making more adjustments. Was he increasing the power?

"Tell me the truth," the jeweler demanded quietly. "How did you find me?"

"Why are you doing this?" Lois responded with a question of her own and cringed at the shallow sound of her own voice.

"I told you-" he started to explain, stopping as he seemed to pick up on her ploy. "Just tell me the truth."

At the very thought, Lois started laughing softly. She couldn't and, even if she did he wouldn't believe her. Who would?

When she heard the whir of the machine and saw the jeweler with the button in his hand, her mind readily shifted back to recent events in preparation for the pain, this time focusing on her only hope for rescue, as escape seemed less likely with each jolt.

"Yes, get me Detective Jones. This is an emergency," Lois requested through the phone as she sat outside the jewelry store where she knew the couples were being held and tortured.

"J'onn Jones," a deep voice responded.

"J'onn, I have some information about the guy who's kidnapping the engaged couples in town."

"Well, hello to you too, Lois," he said.

Sitting alone in the car, she rolled her eyes. J'onn was as polite as Clark and wasn't afraid to make some comment when she was being rude.

"Look, all of these couples shopped at the same jewelry store," Lois told him. "I think the jeweler is involved."

"That store on Monroe?" J'onn questioned. "We've already checked it out. There was nothing there."

"Did you check in the basement?"

"No."

"Why not," Lois demanded.

"Because I'd need probable cause and a little thing called a search warrant," J'onn told her with a slightly exasperated tone.

Never one to be deterred, Lois weighed her options."So, if I get you the probable cause, you can look in the basement?" She asked eagerly.

"Wait, what are you thinking?" J'onn asked her. "You aren't planning something stupid, are you?"

"J'onn, would I do that?"

"I don't know you well Lois but, yes, I believe you would," he replied.

Lois laughed. One of these days, she and her friend would have to have a long talk ... but not today.

"Look, J'onn," she sobered. "Promise me that whatever happens, you won't let Clark storm the place."

"What do you mean?" J'onn's words were tentative.

"I'm not an idiot. I live at the farm, after all," Lois told him. If she couldn't tell J'onn, her fellow Darkness fighter, who could she tell? "The jeweler has meteor rock on him. Don't let Clark go in there alone, okay?"

There was silence on the other line."Uhm, Lois-"

"J'onn, I know, okay? Just show up at the jewelers tonight after closing … and don't let Clark know that I know anything."

"Lois, wait-"

She hung up.

Maybe that wasn't such a good idea. Now she was waiting for a rescue that may not happen because J'onn probably thought she was crazy. A few more blasts of electricity and she might be.

The jeweler, always so calm, spoke again.

"Just tell me, tell me the truth and you might get out of here," he said.

Lois looked up through her lashes. She wasn't sure she could speak right now as this jolt left residual pain in its wake.

"I can't," she managed but it came out as a croak.

"I wonder ..." the jeweler continued, adjusting his devices, turning knobs and levers as he walked around the cords. "Do you have someone special in your life - boyfriend, fiancé, or a husband perhaps?" When Lois didn't respond, he continued as if she had, "And are you this honest with him?"

While she knew what the jeweler's game was she still felt her heart beat faster. He wasn't her boyfriend but her thoughts turned to Clark. If he knew, he would come for her. The problem was that if he busted in here right now, then he would be hurting because of her. That couldn't happen. Of course the chances were slim given that she had kept quiet about this investigation-

The jeweler stepped close, and Lois couldn't resist kicking out at him, furious that his comments were starting to make her feel guilty about keeping Clark in the dark. This 'wacko' didn't have the right question her relationships. He didn't know anything about her or about protecting people; he was only good at hurting them.

Her foot connected with her captor's shin and caused him to stumble backwards.

"Don't you know actions speak louder than words?" She managed to spit out.

The jeweler hit the button again.

This time, the General's advice was wasted as the pain penetrated every nerve ending. Lois heard herself scream as her mind seemed to separate itself, blending her memories with reality.

Dark and cold permeated the basement, as Lois sat chained to the same chair, only this time she was waiting. Clark would come for her; she knew it.

The door burst off its hinges and she felt the sense of relief she always felt. Everything would be okay…

Except it wasn't; somehow the crazy guy who captured her got the jump on Clark and knocked him unconscious. She hadn't noticed the green bracelet before but now in her memory it stood out against the jeweler's pale skin.

"Clark, wake up," Lois kept repeating. "Clark… Clark, wake up."

When he came to, Clark looked as stunned as Lois felt. In her mind she saw him focus on the jeweler's wrist.

"I know who you are," Clark told the guy, obviously trying to get him talking. Lois blocked out the rest of the conversation when the jeweler revealed himself.

They were as good as dead.

"You must really care about her, storming in here," the jeweler directed toward Clark, seemingly impressed. "It's very gallant of you."

"Yeah, he's stupid that way," Lois told the man, still astounded that the rescue had gone wrong. With her eyes she tried to let Clark know how sorry she was that she'd dragged him into this. After all, it was her idea to pose as a couple to track down Chloe and Jimmy after they were kidnapped.

"Let her go," Clark demanded, and Lois would have snorted if she hadn't been so scared… typical Clark, gallant and stupid.

"After her turn, you'll get yours," the jeweler replied.

"My turn?" Lois asked him. "What is this, some kind of game?"

With that question, the jeweler stopped and turned to face them.

"No, no; it's a test to reveal how much you two have been hiding from one another," the jeweler explained, while Lois watched her own panic being displayed on Clark's face. Her sense of dread started to take over and she didn't hear the rest of the jeweler's remarks.

The click and whine of the device penetrated her senses and echoed in her head.

"Have you ever cheated on your fiancé?" The jeweler asked her calmly.

Lois didn't remember her response. The whole situation was crazy. They weren't engaged; they were only pretending to be while trying to find Jimmy and Chloe's kidnapper. However, none of that mattered when the electricity hit Clark and he started screaming.

"What are you doing?" Lois cried in a panic. "You're killing him."

"No," the jeweler responded calmly. He was always so calm. "Your lies are."

"Okay, okay, I take it back then. I'm sorry." Lois cried, feeling the tears form. "Just don't hurt him again." Clark's pain was torment. His gasps for breath felt like her own… it was as if she could feel the electricity herself, pain that continued on and on…

Pain.

"Deep down, underneath it all, do you love this man?" The jeweler asked her.

Lies… pain.

"Do you love him?"

Pain.

"Lois …"

"Lois, can you hear me?"

That voice, she knew it. He would always come for her.

"Yes," Lois sobbed in relief. "Yes, I love him."

Daily Planet, two days later

As Lois walked into the Bullpen, she felt her spirits lift. It was good to be back. Granted, she was still a little weak from her tussle with the jeweler, but most of that was emotional. Physically, she was ready to get back to work and she strode energetically over to her desk, coffee in hand.

She ignored Clark sat at his own desk and started reviewing her notes. After the rescue, Clark had visited her only once. Lois figured he was avoiding her and she wasn't sure how she felt about it. While it was typical of Clark to avoid her when she said or did something stupid like lying to him, she was afraid that it was a reaction to her untimely declaration instead.

"Truth or Dare Murderer Attacks Couples," Clark announced before she could sit down. "When did you find time to write this?"

"I had Chloe bring me my laptop," Lois replied, shrugging. She turned on her computer, sat down and waited. "Not a lot to do in the hospital."

Crap.

She hadn't meant that the way it sounded. Sighing, she allowed her fingers to click soothingly over the keyboard, knowing that he was looking at her right now, guilt written all over his face. She kept her eyes stubbornly on her computer. She wasn't ready for a confrontation right now because if he started feeling guilty, then she'd start feeling guilty, and she was working hard to control feelings. Seeing Clark had re-opened old wounds- some unanticipated because she'd seen him so little at the hospit-

"You could have been killed in that basement and no one would have known where to look for the body," Clark interrupted her thoughts.

"That's why I told J'onn about the investigation," she said, looking around the computer to smile at him. Her smile faded when she got a close look at his ragged appearance. Maybe he was really busy and not just avoiding her.

"You could have told me what you were working on," his jaw clenched as he geared up for more lecturing.

"Look, Smallville, this guy was after couples. We would have been moving targets if we'd gone in there together," she explained, trying to end the lecture before she got irritated. Lois returned her focus to her computer. "I was trying to protect you."

"Protect me? This is the third time you've been in the hospital since July," Clark pointed out, standing up and walking around to tower over her desk. "You're the one who needs protection," he added his voice low and filled with aggravation. Lois sighed deeply, looked up, and found that clenched jaw just inches from her face.

She scowled back at him, standing up to put some distance between them. Did he really think intimidation was going to work on her? Automatically, her hand reached for her throat but she dropped it. Control, she couldn't lose control. She was feeling too fragile in the aftermath of the jeweler's torture.

"Do we have to go over this again?" Lois asked, hoping that Clark would get the hint that she wasn't ready to argue with him. "I've told you, I can take care of myself."

"Yeah, you were doing a great job of it in that basement," he returned scornfully.

Lois' eyes slammed into his, her veneer cracking.

Lies … pain.

Do you love this man?

Damn him.

She watched as Clark flinched, aware that he had gone too far.

Why was he pushing? He had practically dumped her at the hospital, leaving her to face her nightmares and her confessions alone. Now, he was trying to start an argument at work, breaching the defenses she'd so carefully cultivated in the hospital. Her insecurities were at the forefront. Anger bubbled to the surface and she could tell that full-blown fury wasn't far behind.

She snatched up her purse, turned on her heel and walked briskly toward the elevator. Work was not the place for this.

Control, keep your cool.

Clark followed and she heard him sigh when she reached for the button. He covered her hand with his own before she could press. "I'm sorry, Lois," he said softly. "I didn't mean ¼ I just want ¼ you need to be safe," he finished in a rush.

At the simple contact, all her anger melted away and she closed her eyes. It seemed her body was starting to crave touch, especially his, with all its warmth. She was tempted to turn and bury herself in the safety of his arms, remembering how safe she felt when he released her from the electric chair and carried her from that torture chamber. Somehow she managed to stop herself, knowing that if she touched him now she would break.

Instead, she opened her eyes and looked. He winced, seeing her tears in hers and his expression softened. For a long moment, she simply stared at his face and the concern reflected there.

"No one can guarantee my safety, Clark."

She watched as confusion replaced concern in his expression. Of course, he didn't understand. Clark was convinced he could keep everyone safe because he was nearly indestructible. Did he ever consider his own weaknesses?

Probably not, she thought, wondering idly if he'd charged in to jeweler's this time busting down the door to save her.

Gallant and stupid …

"You know I won't be smothered," Lois lowered her voice and her eyes, pushing the elevator button. "Tell Randall I'm taking a break."

"Lois," he said and just her name in that tone was enough to make the tears fall. Only Clark could make her name sound like a plea for forgiveness.

Keeping her head down, Lois removed her fingers from Clark's and stepped inside the elevator. When he moved to follow she held out her hand to stop him.

It was time for a tactical retreat.

She watched through heavy lashes as the doors to the elevator closed, feeling the pressure of the last few months weighing her down. The more she tried to fix things the worse they became. Events were unraveling in a way she hadn't envisioned with Davis still in the picture, Oliver all but gone, and Clark blowing hot and cold. Any difference she'd made so far wasn't good.

Head down, Lois stayed inside her sanctuary as the elevator doors opened and closed. There wasn't anywhere to go. Chloe wasn't at work yet, the farm was too quiet, J'onn was working, and Oliver, based on the latest tabloid reports, was visiting Monte Carlo. She hadn't seen him since her birthday party. At the top floor, when the elevator was emptied, she got off and headed for the stairs.

Once she reached the roof she leaned against the concrete half-wall and looked out over the city. Generally, she was not the reflective type. Instead, she preferred to talk through her problems or work until they went away, relying on her gut to tell her which. Now, thanks to the Legion, she couldn't talk and, thanks to Clark, she couldn't just work.

How was this 'thing' with Clark every going to work? Being tied to one man- especially one who was rescuing her one minute and abandoning her next- was not her idea of a relationship.

Not since the aftermath of Chloe's wedding had she wanted so badly to flee…

Strike first.

When the General's words popped into her head, she slammed her hands onto the wall in frustration. She knew she was stressed but quoting her father twice in one week was a record. Of course, out of all his mottos and sayings, she found that one easiest to follow. Hurt them before they can get to you. At the thought, she gripped the concrete tightly in her hands, battling the impulse to escape to Star City before history could repeat itself, before she could be hurt...

Too late.

Once again, at the jeweler's hands, she'd been forced to face her true feelings.

Do you love this man?

Three years ago the man had tortured Clark until Lois broke down. This time, her admission had been less obvious but it was still just as true. She loved Clark. In fact, she loved him now more than before. She'd seen his real strengths and weaknesses now, not the ones he'd presented to her in the past. She felt that she understood him in a way she could never have without knowing his secret.

Of course, that didn't mean she was ready to face him. The last thing she needed was a lecture. Instead, she realized, gripping the concrete until it scraped at her hands, she wanted an acknowledgement of her confession. Being Clark, even if he'd heard her words, he wouldn't say anything. The man was oblivious.

Strike first.

Suddenly her heart started racing as her mind considered another, very different interpretation for the General's maxim. Maybe she needed to take the direct approach. Looking over the city she considered the ramifications briefly but, before she could chicken out, she ran to the stairs racing all the way down to the Bullpen. There wasn't time for the elevator. If she was going to do this, it needed to happen now, before she lost her nerve. Breathing heavily, she exited, looking for Clark, asking around, ready to tell him…

After looking everywhere and talking to everyone, Lois gave up. Figures, when she was finally ready to launch, Clark was nowhere to be found.