Finally Clark takes action… but, remember, this is Lois and Clark. Enjoy!

ZONE ZERO

Phantom Zone, minutes later

Lois shivered at the fourth howl from outside. Zoners seemed to be closing in, and fast. She and Clark were stuck, sitting on the sand, and they would either have to wait it out and hope for help from the other side or make a run for it to Clark's portal.

Both options carried little to no chance of success.

Another cry tore through the air and her body jumped. She pressed her lips together, pulling her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. Every nerve felt over-extended, but she was not going to allow herself to break down again.

Next thing she knew, her body was encircled by warm, strong arms, and she unwrapped her legs at the feel of Clark's warmth. By adjusting his body, he managed to surround her.

She sighed and tried to ignore the overwhelming feeling of safety. "How long should we wait?"

"The place seems secure enough. I think we should give it some more time," Clark said quietly, having walked the perimeter before he sat down. "I'm sure Kara and Lana are making every effort to get us back."

After a couple more cries from outside, Lois felt ringing in her ears. Breathing deep, she fought against the panic.

"We'll be okay, Lois," Clark responded to the tension in her body. "After all, no one's going to mess with Lois and Clark- right?"

"They'd better not," Lois answered, forcing her body to relax against his. "Tell me about the first time you were here," she asked, hating the shaky sound of her own voice.

Tightening his arms around her, Clark started talking, telling her about Brainiac- the creation of his planet- which answered one of Lois' questions. By the time he'd finished describing the trap set, Brainiac's use Lex as a vessel for Zod, and how he'd been rescued by his father's assistant, Raya, Lois' thoughts were in turmoil.

"Lois?"

Terrified for Chloe now that she knew what Brainiac was, scared for them now that she knew more about this place, it took a while for her to gather her thoughts. "Do you think Raya's still here?"

"No, she was pulled to Earth with the others who go out of here," Clark told her. "One day, while I was trying to figure out how to find them all, she showed up at the farm." His voice was warm as he told her about his contact with Raya and Lois could practically feel the connection he felt toward the woman from his home world.

"What happened?"

She regretted asking the question the minute she felt Clark's body stiffen. It took a while for his answer.

"She died protecting me from one of the escaped Zoners."

The words seemed to reverberate deep inside of her. Her eyes burned with sympathy. She'd lost so many fighting the Darkness that she recognized that particular blend of pain and guilt in his voice.

With understanding came clarity and suddenly she understood something fundamental about her partner. Clark wasn't obtuse about matters of the heart; he was guarded, afraid, and frozen. He didn't want to open his heart and risk the pain of loss. Lois could relate to that probably better than anyone.

Suddenly, her body, heart and soul ached for him. "I'm sorry."

His arms tightened around her. "It's okay-"

"No, it's not," she responded, finally tilting her face to look at him, some part of her speaking to her own pain as much as his. "It's not all right," she choked out. "And it's not fair. I wish I could…"

"What?" Clark asked, his eyes searching her face, looking for an explanation for this unusual display of emotion.

Overwhelmed, she could only look at him. Didn't he see the loneliness there, the isolation that called to her, making her ache for him, giving them a connection-

Months of frustration overwhelmed her. Reaching up she gently pulled his head down and latched on to his lips with her own, trying to show him the feelings she couldn't express in words. Agony of loss, loneliness, sympathy, and understanding was poured into one kiss until Clark responded with a low moan.

After that, the kiss grew needy and desperate. Lois gave herself over to the feel of Clark's lips on hers and as each fought to get closer to the other. Soon, the only sounds in the cave were moans and gasps for breath. Somehow Lois ended up on top of Clark, the feel of his body making her burn. His kiss, his hands moving over her, his little moans seemed to be answering her own needs and she couldn't get enough.

Growing light-headed, she eventually forced herself to pull away.

"Lois," Clark practically moaned her name and it was the most beautiful sound she'd ever heard.

Before she could kiss him again, the loud wail of a Zoner caused her heart to constrict. Panicked, her eyes met Clark's as his widened in fear. A shadowy movement caught her attention just seconds before she felt clawing fingers at her throat, scratching and squeezing. Lois cried out and tried to pull away but it was Clark who quickly rolled her over, placing his body between hers and the creature's as it continued to attack.

Trying to protect Lois' face and neck, Clark used his lower body to kick the shadow away just as a light appeared at Lois' feet. She felt some kind of pull and kicked out with her own legs, trying to resist.

Clark looked over his shoulder and held on to her tightly before turning back, his expression calmer. "Lois, it's okay; hold-"

Whatever Clark was going to say was lost as Lois succumbed to the pain on her neck and the panic inside….

Continuing to struggle, she and A.C. were dragged along the dock. Night flew in and landed when they reached the end of the pier. He stood completely still, simply waiting under the one remaining lamp. The light caught his features and Lois gasped at his deterioration. He literally looked like the life had been sucked out of him, skinny and sallow, with eyes that reflected his emptiness.

Stone cold eyes looked at her and she gasped in response. It was as if the cold from him had penetrated her wetsuit.

A.C. must have heard her because he stopped struggling. "Damn, bro," she heard him whisper.

For just a second, Night's attention was diverted to A.C., so Lois took action, elbowing her attacker and getting an arm free. She immediately turned and to kneed him in the groin. The man released her other arm with a groan and she took off running toward the water. She heard chaos behind her but kept her eyes focused on the edge of the dock. She felt the tackle from behind right before she hit the dock with a smack.

Two sets of hands roughly grabbed her by either arm and she was hauled to feet. The thugs then dragged her, kicking and screaming, toward Night, who stood by impassively. Focused on him, she missed seeing the guy she'd broken away from reach out to grab her by the throat.

"Bitch," he said, jerking her sideways toward him and squeezing her neck with both hands. "You'll pay for that." His look was filled with hate and Lois knew there was no getting away this time.

She struggled anyway, turning her head and jerking back. A flash caught her attention and she saw Night's eyes burning red. Suddenly, the man's sleeves were on fire. It quickly spread up and down his arms and Lois felt the heat on her neck. He didn't let go. Laughing maniacally, the man hung on to Lois' throat, as they both burned….

Metropolis General, same night

"Lois, look at me; can you look at me?" A vaguely familiar voice directed. "I need you to open your eyes."

Through the fear and pain, the voice was muddled and distant. Lois tried to pay attention but the fog was thick and her mind numb. Drifting, her mind became more alert and her heart swelled when she heard a more welcome voice.

"Is she going to be all right?" Clark sounded worried.

"She should be coming out of this- you say she's lost consciousness before?"

A discreet cough was followed with, "Uhm, yes, Dr.-"

"Hamilton … Emil Hamilton," the voice responded. "I remember when you brought her in after she was strangled." Lois heard some papers rattling before the doctor continued, "I had a hard time getting her to come to then as well. Hmm, seems like your friend has been here a few times this year."

Lois felt her thoughts drifting until she heard Chloe's voice. "Well, she is a reporter for the Daily Planet and she's a bit, uhm, gung-ho when she's working on a story."

"The reason I brought it up is because, based on what her friend Clark described …" the doctor continued, his voice turning curious, "Where is he by the way?"

"Oh, he spotted a family member and went to fill her in on what's going on," Chloe told him.

Clark left.

Only half awake, Lois felt her chest tighten at the idea.

"Anyway, I only brought up her prior admissions because I think that your cousin may be suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder."

"Really?" Chloe questioned, clearly requiring convincing.

"I'm pretty confident about the diagnosis," the doctor continued, sounding a little defensive at Chloe's skepticism. "According to her chart, Ms. Lane has been through some significant trauma this year. Let's see, she was strangled, kidnapped, electrocuted and then kidnapped by the same man again." Now the doctor sounded incredulous. "It appears that she also collapsed from exhaustion a few weeks ago."

"Let me see that," Chloe demanded interrogating the poor doctor for the next few minutes.

Lois smiled to herself and drifted again, hearing only pieces of conversation.

"She needs to slow down-"

"Right," Chloe snorted in response, "You don't know-"

"This is very serious…"

"I understand but-"

"If your cousin doesn't learn to calm herself, these breaks could interfere… the stress on her body could cause… medical conditions."

Once again, her mind seemed to focus when Clark spoke.

"I'll make sure she takes it easy, doctor," she heard Clark's voice respond and her body reacted to his voice as if it was a caress, her whole being calming at the sound and timbre of his voice.

He's back.

"Hmm, do that again, Clark," the doctor directed.

"Do what?"

"Her heart rate slowed at the sound of your voice- tell me, have you brought her out of these before?"

"Uhm, a few times …"

"What?" Chloe's interrupted. "What do you mean a few times? How many of these episodes has she had?"

"Well, why don't you see if you can get her to respond?" The doctor interjected calmly. "I'm not having much luck."

"Okay," Clark reluctantly agreed, while Lois could still hear Chloe sputtering in the background. The bed shifted and Lois could feel Clark's heat next to her. Part of her knew that she should open her eyes, but the other part of her- the curious and therefore dominant part- wondered what Clark would do.

Feeling more awake with every passing second, she warmed as Clark's hand gently took hold of her smaller one and began rubbing light circles in her palm. His soft, gentle voice followed and for just a moment her sleepy brain wondered if this was what it was like to wake up next to Clark all the time-

At that crazy thought, her eyes popped open and caught his blue ones.

"That was fast," he whispered, eye's narrowing.

Lois simply shrugged, not trusting her voice, and tried to sit up.

She noticed that Clark didn't pull away when Dr. Hamilton stepped forward. "Welcome back," the doctor commented and Lois caught a glimpse of dark, curly hair and glasses before light filled her eyes and the doctor had her following it.

Clark's hand was still rubbing her own and Lois let herself drift, her body continuing to relax with every soft stroke.

Welcome back, indeed.

After two hours Lois, armed with pain killers, was restless and ready to go home. Chloe was out getting her car, while Clark was talking with the doctor, probably conspiring to keep her under lock and key.

Still, they couldn't keep her from leaving the room. She grabbed her bag, opened the door and peeked out, making sure the coast was clear.

Stepping into the hallway, she looked around for Clark and froze. At the end of the hallway was Lana, looking elegant and composed, like she'd never been to the Phantom Zone.

Reaching for her throat, Lois considered her own messy ponytail and pale complexion and sighed.

Why here and now?

Intending to at least acknowledge the smaller woman, Lois stepped forward and stopped at the sound of Clark's voice. "Lois, stop. That's not Lana."

Just as she turned to ask Clark what was going on, Lana spoke.

"Very good, Kal-El," the woman said and Lois started the change in tone. This was not Lana's whispery voice. Instead, the tone was aggressive and biting. Clark was right; this was not Lana. "Do you know who I am?"

"Faora, wife of Zod," Clark replied, taking a step forward, and Lois felt her eyes go wide at the name Zod. "Now, release Lana."

Frozen by the scene playing out in front of her, Lois looked from one to the other. Given what Clark explained about the prior escaped Zoners, she was assuming that the one who got away was now possessing Lana.

An unpleasant smile appeared on Lana's face. "I could be persuaded," Faora responded. "She's not the one you want anyway. She was just convenient."

Before Lois could blink, she was being pinned against the wall by the smaller woman and, no matter how she struggled, she couldn't break her grip.

"Now this one…" Faora drawled, watching as Clark stopped in his tracks. "She is different." Lana's unusually focused eyes turned to Lois. "This is the one you want." Her expression turned disgusted. "Your feelings for these humans are so easily manipulated."

"Let her go," Clark demanded, taking a hesitant step forward.

Possessed Lana turned to look back at Clark, her expression amused. "It doesn't matter, Kal-El. Zod may be gone but our creation will destroy your world and everyone in it that you love." Faora scoffed. "What do you know about love anyway?"

Lois struggled but Lana was strong, as in Zoner strong. She ignored Faora's last question and looked over her shoulder to Clark, who was struggling to maintain control.

"Tell me, Kal-El, have you even told this woman your feelings for her?" She studied Clark's surprised expression and laughed wickedly, while Lois closed her eyes.

Not again.

For a minute, she felt like she was back with the jeweler and his insane question. What did everyone else see that she was missing? Her heart had swelled at the Zoner's words until she realized that the creature was simply taunting them, just like the Darkness. Clark didn't really have those kinds of feelings-

"Of course not," fake Lana mused after Clark failed to respond. "Understandable, given your parentage, I suppose. After all, did Jor-El or Lara come looking for you? No, they didn't love you like I love my son. I came back to bring him to power."

"Lana, I'm sorry." Clark's eyes flashed with hurt before he ignored Faora in an effort to reach his former girlfriend.

It was a good strategy on Clark's part but Lois was angry. She pushed against the women's grip in an effort to break free or, at least, to distract her. Clark had been through enough of this-

"Oooh," surprise entered the creature's bitter tone as Lois' resistance. "This one knows how to love, Kal-El. She is ready to attack me now, not for her own sake, but because I caused you pain. A warrior like her loves fiercely," and those strange eyes seemed to look through Lois to her heart. "Perhaps I didn't give you enough credit. Too bad you have to lose her."

Faora grasped Lois' throat just as Clark rushed forward. Before the woman could get a solid hold, Lois had had enough. She head-butted possessed Lana as hard as she could. Fighting to stay alert she heard Clark call out to someone as her attacker fell back, loosening her grip.

Her head turned as she fell to the floor and through blurry vision she spotted what looked like J'onn and Kara running toward them. J'onn was holding some kind of device that emitted a red light. It flared, blinding Lois, right before she lost consciousness.

Kent farm, four days later

Lois was late again. Running down the stairs in her bare feet, she stopped at the bottom and held on the rail while she slipped on one of her shoes.

Holding up the other foot, she paused when Clark cleared his throat, wobbling a little at the over-protective look on his face. Determined, she straightened and smirked, placing her newly shod foot on the floor. She'd been cooped up at the farm for three days; it was time to get back to work.

"What?" She challenged, crossing her arms in front of her.

"Nothing," Clark said, his eyes seeming to move from head to foot. Smiling slightly, he took another sip of coffee.

Ignoring the flush in her face- Clark's gaze lingered on her legs a little longer than necessary- she took in his casual appearance. "Why aren't you ready? We're late for work." She challenged, going on the offensive at the thought of a lecture.

"I've decided to take the day off and spend it with Kara," Clark told her, losing his smile as he looked down into his cup. "I think the time she spent in the Phantom Zone really affected her."

Immediately contrite when she heard the guilt and concern in his voice, Lois walked forward, grabbing her own cup of coffee and placing a sympathetic hand on Clark's arm. "She'll be okay, Clark. She just needs some time to adjust to being back in civilization," Lois told him sincerely. If anyone could understand it was Lois-

"That's why I'm staying home. I don't want to leave her alone."

"Oh," Lois said, her excitement at returning to work fading a little at the thought that her partner wouldn't be there. Realizing where her hand was resting, she removed it quickly, automatically raising it to rub at her throat, her recent injury having brought back the old habit. Before it could reach, Clark was standing up and his hand was holding hers, gently pulling it away.

"Is something bothering you?"

Before she could give an appropriately snarky response, Clark raised his other hand to her neck, lightly tracing the marks left by the Zoner with his warm fingers. The words got caught in her throat.

"The scars are disappearing," he commented softly and Lois couldn't remove her eyes from his profile as he studied her skin with great interest.

"I guess so," Lois gulped, the light caresses bringing butterflies to her stomach and his nearness causing her blood to heat.

His hand stilled as he looked at her face, his expression tender. "Are you sure you're up to work today?"

"What? Of course," Lois told him, stepping away from his tender gaze before she did something stupid.

What was Clark up to anyway?

Ever since her second release from the hospital, he'd gone back to being overprotective but friendly, ignoring Faora's words and everything that had happened in the Phantom Zone. She'd been grateful to have the quiet to recover but found herself thinking again and again about their kiss and the feelings that went with it.

Shaken now by the emotions brought on by Clark's touch, Lois snatched up her coffee and stepped closer to the door. She needed to get to work.

Pressing his lips together as he watched her retreat, Clark stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Lois, I'm not sure that going in is such a good idea-"

Relieved at being back on familiar ground, she straightened her spine before responding. "I'm fine, Clark. After all, I can't stay cooped up here forever."

At the considering look on Clark's face- one that told her he would gladly lock in her room if he thought it would work- Lois shuffled even closer to the exit and freedom. By way of distraction she blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "How's Lana doing?"

Where did that come from?

"What?" Clark seemed as surprised by the question as Lois was. "She's fine, I guess. I've only heard from her once since the hospital. She's following up on some theory about how we ended up in the Phantom Zone."

"What theory?"

"Oh," Clark answered distractedly. "She thinks Lex sent the blue crystal."

"Lex? I thought he was dead," Lois felt her concern growing. "Didn't you tell me that he knows about your secret? If he's alive-" She stepped closer, agitated at the thought of the bald billionaire walking around with knowledge of Clark's origins in his head.

"If he's alive, then I'll deal with him." His tone grew defensive. "But I'm not racing all over the world looking for him."

"Of course not." Lois scoffed but then her partner's words caught up with her. "Is that what Lana wants you to do?"

"She's obsessed." He disclosed, running a frustrated hand through his hair. "She's convinced that Lex is alive, that he's monitoring Tess, the Daily Planet, me…"

"What do you think?"

"Knowing Lex, anything's possible but if I drop everything to look for him I give up what I've been working for as a reporter and as the Blur." He continued, like a man talking through an issue. "Besides, I'm not a vigilante. I want to protect people and I can't do that by focusing on one man, no matter how bad he may be."

Blue eyes which had drifted away during his speech returned, and Lois smiled at the sincerity and uncertainty in them.

"Okay," she said, relieved by his decision. She didn't want Clark to leave, of course, but setting her desires aside, Lex wasn't the threat that the Darkness was. Lois knew that the future could change but as long as Clark was aware of the concern, she was satisfied. In this circumstance, it was his call-

"What do you mean, 'okay?'"

"I mean, 'okay,' Smallville." She looked at her watch. "Whether or not you go after Lex is your call. Go with your gut," she told him distractedly. "Look, I'm running late. Randall's going to kill me. I've got to-"

Her words were cut off abruptly when Clark appeared right in front of her.

"Whoa…" Lois jumped back. "No using the super speed to trap me," she told him. "And this," she added, waving her hand the very short distance between them, "is a personal space breach."

"Oh, so you can jump me in the Phantom Zone but I can't get within…" Clark looked down at the slight distance between them, "six inches of you without you calling foul. That hardly seems fair."

At Lois' wide-eyed expression, he raised his brows and inched even closer, much to her body's excitement and her brain's dismay. "Are we ever going to talk about what happened-?"

"Wh-why would we talk about that?" Lois stuttered, edging around him toward the kitchen door.

"You're always telling me to go with my gut and my gut's telling me we should talk-"

She scoffed. "Well, you've obviously got indigestion or something."

"Lois," he admonished. "I think we should talk about… us."

"Wh-wh-what?" Lois stopped moving, flabbergasted, thrilled, and horrified at the same time. Was Clark really going to- "What us?"

At Clark's annoyed and wounded expression, she amended her words. "I mean I know that we're co-workers and friends and… uhm…"

In response, his mouth confidently tilted up one corner and her heart rate accelerated. He reached out slowly and, with a slight tug, Lois was pulled to his chest. "And this," he murmured against her lips before pressing them against her own. At the feel of his lips she melted and started kissing him back.

Okay, so maybe there was something to talk about.

It was the last coherent thought she had for some time. All she could do was feel, as his soft lips slid over hers and his tongue moved against hers in a rhythm that seemed as natural as breathing now. Gradually his hands slid from her arms around her back to pull her even closer and she felt the hard contours of his body meet and match the softness of hers.

In response her hands slid up his chest and tangled in his hair as she pulled herself even closer.

She'd never admit it to him but when Clark took the initiative it sent her a little over the edge. Knowing that he wanted her made her feel free- free to caress, kiss and explore- in a way that didn't happen when she made the first move.

Eventually, desperate for air she pulled away and realized that Clark had lifted her up until her feet were no longer touching the floor. She couldn't resist teasing him. "Trying to sweep a girl off her feet, Smallville?"

"Lois…" he breathed, eyes still closed in pleasure, and she felt herself fall over the edge, the last drop of her reserve disappearing as she attacked his neck, running her lips along the long column, and kissing the muscles while taking in his scent.

"Unh… Lois?" Clark stumbled back a little in response to her assault.

She ignored him, talking was now the last thing on her mind. Instead, she was desperate to feel more, taste more…. She'd have crawled inside his skin if possible-

"How… do?" he started to ask, pausing as her lips continued up his strong jaw, her nips and kisses causing him to shudder. Lois tried to ignore that his hands had stopped but his stillness finally caught her attention.

Oh right, he wanted to talk.

Still, she couldn't stop. Her lips continued running along the underside of his strong jaw. He tasted incredible.

"Good…" he sighed as Lois lightly nipped at his chin. "You make me feel good," Clark managed to choke out, his voice filled with astonishment.

"Good," Lois repeated, her mind only partially focused on her words as she devoted her attention to devouring Clark. "Hmmm," she muttered purposefully kissing the dimple in his chin. His words penetrated her brain and her body shuddered in response. She made him feel good.

Could it get any better?

"You should feel good," she muttered wondering at the sense of surprise in his voice. She moaned a little as his hands began moving over her again, thoughts swirling as she reveled in his touch.

What did he expect?

He certainly made her feel good- great- wonderful. Why wouldn't she do the same for him? She focused on the exquisite feel of his lips as she moved her mouth over his and closed her eyes in pleasure.

"Good," she repeated, whispering against his soft lips. "Love should feel good…"

Clark's body stilled completely. "Love?"

Eyes popping open, Lois glimpsed the shock in Clark's before she hastily pushed herself away. Scrambling clumsily, practically climbing off of his tall frame, she ran out the door, leaving him standing in the middle of the kitchen.

Quickly putting the key in the ignition she sped away, a trail of dust following her as she cursed herself and her big mouth.

What had she said?

What had she done?

She was an idiot.