Disclaimer: DC/WB Entertainment owns these characters. No profit of any kind is being made from this story. This is strictly for my own amusement.

Author's Notes: In this next chapter, Clark goes to see Lex; Clark has doubts about his and Lois' relationship; the police have questions for Lex; and later, the President gets involved in the Zod mystery. Please read and review. Thank you!:D

~o~o~

Chapter 8: Music to My Soul

The Daily Planet bullpen, moments later:

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but Ms. Lane, you have a phone call. It's your Father and he says it's urgent," Helen, the receptionist said.

Glancing at Clark, she touched his arm, and whispered, "I'll be right back." She decided to take the call in private. In a conference room, she picked up the phone, not surprised she would hear from him. "Hello, Daddy; yes, I'm alone."

"You saw Luthor's speech, if you can call it that?" Sam asked.

"Yes, I saw it," Lois replied and rubbed her tired eyes.

"The President has decided to forgive Superman."

Lois immediately brightened. "Do you mean a pardon?" She couldn't believe it.

"Yes, and it's very rare. He called the base immediately after Luthor's speech. He was not happy that it came out this way, especially after Superman saved the world again, but he felt it was the right thing to do."

"Superman will be thrilled, I know. Thank you, Daddy. I'll get in touch with him," Lois happily said.

"Lo, the President felt it was necessary to give a reason for his forgiveness. He will state that he was worried about Zod's intentions and Superman was too. We all understood Zod's subtle threats when he first arrived here. Of course, we never suspected that he wanted to rebuild Krypton on Earth at the expense of the entire planet," Sam explained.

"No, we didn't have a clue," Lois agreed.

There was a knock at the door. Clark poked his head in. Lois waved him in.

"Yes, Daddy, I'll tell him. Goodbye, Daddy and thank you."

"Well, what did he say?" Clark asked, still extremely concerned.

"Let's sit down for a minute." After taking a seat, she took his hand. "The President has come up with a way to help you."

"How could he possibly help me?" Clark asked.

Lois then explained what the press release would say. Clark was stunned. "I can't go along with that; it's as if he's condoning what I did. It was my decision to kill Zod; no one else."

"Clark, you don't understand. The President is giving you a pardon. You do realize how rare it is for him to do this?" He nodded. "It doesn't exonerate you of any crime. It's an expression of mercy and forgiveness. It would not be justice to put you on trial for killing Zod. The President realizes this, and that is why he's doing it." Clark was silent. "I know that look. Please don't reject it. It will work, and after everyone realizes that Zod had to be stopped then all of this will die down in no time."

He shook his head. "I don't know, Lois. It just feels wrong; I don't know."

She squeezed his hand. "Clark, the President and the entire world wanted to thank you for saving all of us, and you did it twice." Her eyes watered, getting emotional. "Please, tell me you'll think about it."

Her eyes were shining. He stood up and pulled her close. "I'll think about it; I promise."

~o~o~

Lex Luthor's tower space, minutes after his speech:

When Lex arrived, Thaddeus Rourke was waiting for him. "Nice speech," he said and sipped his drink.

"I'm busy; make it quick," Lex said, not looking at him. He sat down at his desk.

"You called me, Lex. There's an envelope waiting for you; it's inside your desk."

Lex frowned, opened the top drawer and pulled out a brown flat mailer. He opened it and inside were photographs of Lois Lane with Clark Kent and they were smiling and holding hands. "What the hell is this?"

"Looks like we were wrong," Thaddeus replied.

"Don't you mean you were wrong?" Lex asked, furious with him.

"Look, I know what I saw. Superman cares about her, but apparently those feelings are not returned."

Lex thought about it for a minute. "It doesn't matter. Superman is going down, and there's nothing that anyone can do to stop it."

"Lex, what about that lawyer's card you promised me?" Thaddeus asked.

"You're out of luck."

Thaddeus fumed, but it appeared that it was true. He was definitely out of luck. Jones had turned against him; his lawyer told him that he was going to testify against him for a lesser sentence. He was doomed.

~o~o~

A little while later, the bullpen:

After giving her statement to the police about Lex, Lois and Clark returned to the office.

Jimmy walked over to them. "Perry is looking for you two."

"Thanks, Jimmy," Lois said. They went into his office.

"Take a seat," Perry said. Deep in thought, he looked out the window for a moment. "I'm still finding it difficult to believe that Zod is out there walking around waiting for the right moment to attack. He's all alone, isn't he?"

"As far we know," Clark replied distracted.

He turned from the window. "Superman is the key to this story. Zod was determined to kill him. I saw it myself."

"That's true Perry, but I think you're wrong about Superman being the key," Lois said.

Perry frowned. "What do you mean?"

"What you said about Lex looking to gain something from his vague questions about Zod; he's the key." She glanced at her partner. "I think he wants to discredit Superman and put doubt into his ability to defeat him."

Perry stroked his chin. "You may be right about that." He thought about it. "But Superman can do no wrong; everyone loves him."

"That's true, Chief," Lois agreed.

"We need to talk to Lex Luthor. I should be insulted that he didn't invite the Planet to his speech this morning."

"Well, I can't do it, Chief; I burned my bridges with him, remember?"

"Yeah, that stunt he pulled by keeping you against your will. Have you spoken to the police about that?" He asked.

"Yes, I went to see them a little while ago. I told them exactly what happened, and there will be an investigation," Lois replied.

"Good because, what he did was against the law. You can't keep someone against their will; whether the world is ending or not." He thought about it for a minute. "Luthor is up to something, but what?" He had an idea. "Well, Kent, you could interview him."

Clark was quiet; thinking about the pardon. "Well, I guess I could go see him."

"Excellent set it up and run your questions by me. You can go now."

They left his office, and put together questions for Lex Luthor.

After a little while, Lois came over to him. "I don't know about you going to see him alone. You could lose your temper."

"Lois, I don't have a temper," Clark said, reading his questions.

'Everyone has a temper," she said. "Keep in mind that he probably knows by now about you and me so he won't be in a good mood, plus the police are probably talking to him as we speak."

"Well, his foul mood is his real self. This good guy persona is a fake, and the sooner the public knows it, the better," Clark said.

She could see he was getting worked up. "Alright, hand them over." She held out her hand.

He gave her his questions, but they were all wrong.

"Clark, you can't bring up the kidnapping."

"Why not; he did it, didn't he?" He asked surprised she would say that.

"Yes he did, but the police will handle it. You can't get involved."

"But I am involved. You're mine, and he needs to know that."

Lois grinned. "I'm yours, like a piece of property?"

"You know what I meant."

She sighed and handed the list back to him. "These questions are not going to do; besides Perry will agree with me."

"Uh, huh; we'll see." Clark was sure that Perry would be on his side and he was right.

"Excellent questions, Kent," Perry said.

"Thanks, Chief." After leaving Perry's office, he whispered to her on his way out, "Told you." He had a smug look on his face when he left the office.

Lois shook her head, but then she began to worry. Lex was famous for twisting words to get what he wanted. Clark could be a bit naïve about how cruel people could be.

~o~o~

Meanwhile, Luthor's office at the tower:

"What is it, Jane?" Lex answered the intercom.

She cleared her throat. "Police detectives from the Third Precinct are here to see you, Sir. They have a few questions for you concerning Lois Lane."

Dammit, he thought. "Send them in." Lex stood up and held out his hand. "Gentlemen."

"This isn't a social call," Detective Williams said. He showed him his badge and so did his associate, Detective Burns.

"Of course, please take a seat." They all sat down.

"You know why we're here?" Detective Williams asked.

He sighed. "Yes, Ms. Lane has apparently pressed charges. I'm not surprised. Unfortunately, she was under the impression that I wanted to keep her there against her will, which wasn't the case at all."

"She said that she was tied up; sounds to me like you were holding her against her will," Burns said.

Lex stood up and paced for a moment. "Gentleman, let me explain something to you. During the tour, Lois was completely understanding about the bunker; she was actually very impressed. But the more we continued on our tour, the more I realized that I had to stop her from leaving. Superman was not himself. Everyone knew about his memory loss. Who knew what would happen up there? All we knew was that he didn't know who he was. I had to save her and if that meant keeping her there against her will, well." He paused. "I know it was an extreme solution, but I truly had no choice."

Meanwhile outside Lex's office in the reception area, Clark was bit early for his appointment. He heard every word. Taking a few deep calming breaths, he closed his eyes and thought about the President's pardon. He had decided to accept it. To lose his temper now and expose himself would be a stupid thing to do. Lois was right; he did have a temper.

"I see," Williams said. "The District Attorney will decide whether to continue this case, but in the meantime, Luthor, everyone has free will and to deny that is a serious offense. Remember that." Williams was firm with him.

"Of course," Luthor said and escorted them out. He came up short when Clark Kent stood up and stared at him with a look that gave him pause.

"Mr. Luthor, Clark Kent is here to see you. He's a bit early," Jane said.

"No problem. Please come in, Mr. Kent, and please take a seat."

Clark was not in the mood to sit down. "I should wring your neck."

Lex's eyebrows rose. He sat down at his desk. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Superman told me what you tried to do to Lois Lane."

"And why would that concern you?" He asked.

He stood up straighter and puffed out his chest. "Ms. Lane and I are involved."

"Involved; really?" He chuckled and decided to have a bit of fun. "I wonder what Superman would say to that. It's obvious to everyone that he cares deeply for her." He looked him up and down. "I do have to hand it you though. Superman must be a tough act to follow if you know what I mean." He smirked at him.

Clark narrowed his eyes. It took everything in him not to strangle the man.

"I can see you want to hurt me. That wouldn't be wise. You see, Mr. Kent, I know about you and Lois."

"Then why did you kidnap her? She wants nothing to do with you," Clark asked and wondered what was really going on.

Lex stood up and walked over to his balcony, walked out and looked up, expecting to see the alien. "Superman is a menace. All he does is circle all over my city destroying property and hurting people under the guise of helping them. One of these days, he's going to hurt the wrong person and he could end up in jail. You mark my words."

Zod came into his mind. "You're wrong about him." Clark didn't believe that; he was always careful, especially since killing him.

"I don't think I am." Lex came back inside. "You know, Kent, I was wondering."

Clark frowned. "What were you wondering?"

"Superman is a rival for Lois' affections." He let that sink in then he wondered if he could trust him. "You want him gone and so do I."

"What are you asking me?"

"If I and my scientists could come up with a way to get rid of him, well, are you in?"

"Not on your life." Clark didn't hesitate.

Lex was taken aback. "Wow; that was a quick answer."

"I don't have to think about it. Superman belongs here on Earth. Without him, we would all be dead. Think about that, Luthor." He turned on his heel and left, but he could still hear him.

"Think about it, Kent! If Lois had a choice, she wouldn't choose you! You know it's true!"

The elevator doors opened and he stepped inside. Clark covered his ears. "It's not true; it's not true." He whispered over and over again.

~o~o~

Later that evening, Lois' apartment:

That afternoon, Lois took Martha to the airport. Lois hated to see her leave, but she sent her off with hugs and kisses, promising that Clark would come and see her soon. Martha understood how busy he could be. Back at her apartment, she glanced at her watch. It was almost 9:00 o'clock.

After his meeting with Lex, Clark hadn't returned to the bullpen. Perry was also worried, but apparently nothing had happened during their meeting. Perry called his office looking for Clark. His assistant said that Mr. Kent had gone hours ago.

It was now past ten and she was really worried. Sitting up in bed, she turned on the television, switched on the news and there was Lex leaving the Mayor's downtown office. The charges had been reduced to probation. A reporter asked him if it had anything to do with the money he promised the city. Lex strongly denied that rumor. The City would get their money. He would not go back on his word. Then he smiled at the camera and departed in his limousine.

"Well, of course he denied it," Lois said and shook her head. So much for justice, she thought. Turning toward the sound, she heard noises coming from the living room. "Clark?" She jumped out of bed and he was standing there looking so confused. "What happened? Why didn't you return my calls? I was so worried."

"I'm fine Lois," he replied, not looking at her, hands in his pockets.

She didn't understand. "But where were you?"

"At my apartment," he replied.

"Oh, I see." Lois has never been to his place. "Are you ready to talk now?"

"Lois, I won't be staying here tonight. We may need to pull back for a bit."

Her heart constricted. "What are you saying?"

"I've been thinking about us all afternoon, and," he paused and stared at her. She was getting upset.

She pulled herself together and straightened her shoulders. "Just tell me what happened with Lex; something must have happened?"

Sighing, he walked over to the balcony, pulled the curtains aside and looked up at the moon. "He said some things."

She followed him. "What things? And please tell me you didn't listen to him. He's crazy."

He turned to her with a question. "If you had a choice and if I didn't have super powers, would you choose Superman over me?"

"What kind of a question is that? I'd love you no matter what. You must know that."

"Are you sure? I mean all those times I saved you and."

She took his hand. "Clark, listen to me. You are Superman Ok? The fact that you do have powers and you saved me, well, that's you and no one else." She came closer and touched his chest. "Do you know when I fell in love with you?"

He shook his head. "No, I don't."

"It was those few minutes you were in my arms in the train station." She paused becoming emotional. "You were you, Clark, so vulnerable, so hurt and upset. I was so glad I was there for you."

He smoothed her hair behind her ear. "I was too; I guess I needed to hear it."

She leaned into his hand. "Oh, Clark, I can't believe you would be insecure about yourself. Superman is a part of you, powers or not. You're my hero, always and forever."

He clutched her to him tightly. "Always and forever." He kissed the top of her head.

"Yes, don't ever forget that Ok?" Her eyes watered.

"I won't; I promise." He pulled away, picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. She kissed his cheek, his ear and down his hot throat. "So warm."

He stopped walking and kissed her deeply, swirling his tongue inside her mouth. They both moaned loving being together like this. She managed to pull her mouth away. Foreheads touching, she whispered, "Clark, I need you so much."

"I need you too," he whispered and set her down.

"You are wearing entirely too many clothes," she whispered and helped him out. Slipping off his jacket, she placed on the side chair. His shirt and tie came next, and then he stepped back. Everything else came off in one second or it could have been less; she wasn't sure because she blinked and there he stood in nothing but his boxers. The suit and the rest of his clothes were on the chair.

"I can't get over how you do that. It's sexy, weird and so hot!" She came closer and touched his chest with both hands. They wouldn't be still. She stroked his arms and chest at her leisure. "Damn, I'm a lucky woman."

"No, I'm the lucky one." He slipped her nightgown off her shoulders and she moved out of it. She had on her underwear.

She climbed into bed and slipped under the covers. His boxers fell to the floor.

Lois couldn't tear her eyes away from his magnificent body. "Clark, I was so worried."

"I know and I'm sorry, Lois," he whispered. She held up her arms inviting him in. He moved under the covers and went into her arms holding her close. Then he began his exploration of her beautiful body. Her panties were removed slowly then kisses moved past her stomach until they reached her beautiful breasts. He took a nipple into his mouth and pulled delicately. "Ohh," Lois said and arched her back. He continued to the other breast for a few minutes more. Lois clutched his dark head to her breast as she watched him pleasure her. "Oh, Clark; that feels so good," Lois managed to say, as she felt her body react with every pull of his lips.

Clark had to stop for a moment to get some control. Lois's moans were turning him on beyond measure. He wanted their time together to last a whole lot longer. Lois knew how tense her love had been over the past few weeks so she pushed him back on the mattress to pleasure him in much the same way. He moaned as her lips to his lips, his cheek and then down his throat to his chest. Her lips closed over his nipple and then went to pleasure the other one. I know how much he liked that, but she knew what he would like what she was about to do even more.

She kissed her way back down his stomach, as she stroked and caressed his ever hardening erection. Clark closed his eyes as his love's moist mouth slowly moved over him up and down, up and down.

She stroked him for a few more moments, and then he pulled her up and kissed her pushing his tongue inside his mouth. He left her hot mouth and kissed his way down her throat and back to her lips again. His hands roamed over her body, wanting to make this moment last forever, oh, if only he could.

Despite his raging need, his mouth slanted against hers, as his fingers traced the opening of her body, moving along her slick and sensitive flesh. Her hand covered his to press his fingers inside her body, as a low moan rumbled inside his chest.

"NOW, Clark, I want you now… Please," Lois pleaded on a sigh throwing her head back into the pillow.

Clark positioned himself between her thighs and thrust home, too hungry for her to delay the pleasure any longer. They both gasped when he filled her. Lois pulled his mouth back to hers and thrust her tongue inside his mouth.

He held the back of her head and took her lips in a deep kiss one after the other. Soon, they found that ancient rhythm. She felt so safe in his arms, as her cries and thrusting hips carried him closer to that peak. A few minutes later, her delighted cry and her expression of release sent him over the edge.

They floated back down to Earth caressing and stroking their heated bodies. Clark covered them, pulled her close, stroking her hair and arms. Several minutes passed before either of them could speak. Pulling her closer, he kissed her forehead.

"I know you don't want to talk about it, Clark, but did anything else happen today?" She felt him stiffen. She raised herself up on her elbow. "Tell me."

"It was Lex. He said that Superman was a rival for your affections, then he said that he was working on a plan to get rid of me, meaning Superman."

"What; how could he possibly do that? You can't be killed; can you?"

"No, not yet anyway," he replied hoping to lighten the mood.

"I'm serious, Clark. Nothing can hurt you right?"

She was getting upset, so he pulled her close. "No, nothing can hurt me, except."

"Except what?"

"If you turned against me or left me."

She touched his chest. "You're stuck with me flyboy; remember that." She snuggled close.

He chuckled. "You're stuck with me too." He closed his eyes then he felt soft kisses on his chest up past his throat, and before he knew what was happening, Lois was on top of him, kissing him and rubbing her body against him. He closed his eyes enjoying her movements then he rolled her to her back and then it began again.

Loving his lingering kisses, Lois moaned deep in her throat. "Oh, yes, that's it." While he worked his magic on her ear and her throat, she stroked his hair. "You know, Clark, when we're together like this, nothing can hurt us." She pulled his head up. "Nothing and no one can come between us, not even you."

He smiled. "I believe you," he whispered firmly. "Now where was I?"

"Right there," she answered softly. His lips moved back to her throat.

TBC!

~o~o~

Song Inspiration: My Love, Sara Bareilles.

A/N: Lois and Clark needed this time alone for reassurance and encouragement. Clark's doubts about his alter-ego are so canon and strange. He hasn't been Superman very long, so to have these doubts didn't seem unusual to me. As far as Lex getting probation, well you would be amazed what money can buy, even freedom. I know it sucks, but there it is. Now as far as the President pardoning Superman (and please don't beat up my Muse about that plot twist), but I say right on Prez! I think it was really cool! Now, I'm not saying there won't be repercussions, but we'll see what happens next. Tell me what you think. Thanks for reading everyone. Reviews/kudos is love.

Look for an update in about TWO WEEKS. The beach is calling; leaving early tomorrow for a week. I can hear the waves! Bye for now! *Please feel free to comment. I will be online!*