Chapter Twenty Six

Red, Black or Blue. The nervous kryptonian couldn't quite decide on what color tie would go with his attire as he continuously switched back and forth indecisive on which one to pick.

"Maybe you shouldn't wear a tie." Chloe said after finally getting tired of watching him play tug of war with the neckties, "You could be wearing plaid and my cousin would still like you." She stopped reading the magazine when a thought occurred to her, "Although there was that one time one of her dates showed up dressed like Jack Sparrow."

He gave her a look and she just replied, "Don't ask." She went right back to reading the magazine while the ties were thrown off to the side and he unbuttoned the collar and one more button before reaching over to grab his black blazer.

Chloe could practically feel the worried father look through the pages of the magazine, "Everything will be fine. This isn't the first time I've babysat my niece."

Reassured that everything was going to be okay he walked into his daughter's bedroom to give her a kiss goodnight before walking towards the elevator exit but stopped when he realized that he had forgotten his glasses…again.

"Have fun" She called out when he entered the elevator and closed the gate, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do" she adds once the cart began its descent.

The door to red pickup opened and he held his hand out for her to take as Lois stared up at the destination for their official first date and immediately looked at him surprised, "How did you get a reservation? This place has been booked since it opened."

"You're not the only one with connections." He replies while he shuts the truck door and escorts her inside, "I may have called in a few of my league favors." He adds in a hushed yet humorous tone.

He held her chair out for her and went to walk around the other side of the table when one of the waiters came up to them to take their drink orders. Clark of course ordered a soda while Lois ordered a glass of red wine.

"I don't know if I told you already but you look beautiful tonight." He reaches across to place his hand over hers and flashed his charming smile, "I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused. The whole-"

"You don't have to explain yourself." Lois cuts in, "I understand why you did what you did and I admit that I reacted rather harshly when I should've been standing by your side through it all."

He shakes his head and was about to respond but Lois spoke first, "Let's not talk about it." Their drinks arrive and she holds her wine glass up, "To second chances." He holds his glass up too and taps it against hers in cheers of their fresh start.

They spent the night chatting away enjoying each others company until their dinner was finished and the pair walked out towards the truck, "Let's go for a walk" she says grabbing his hand and pulled him closer to her as they walked down the street, "We haven't been like this since DC." She says with a small smile on her face as her head lay against his shoulder.

"Hold that thought" he says suddenly with a smile before disappearing and reappearing seconds later holding a lily.

"You remembered." She states surprised as she accepts the flower from him with a small smile.

"I never forget the small things"

She leaned up to give him a soft kiss, "You keep this up and I might consider going on that second date" she turns back around walking towards the truck with Clark following close behind.

He grabs her by the arm and crashes his lips to her before she could question his actions, "What about now?" he asks once they pull away a little breathless

"I'll think about it" she says with a playful smile.

The night was coming to an end as Lois and Clark stand at her apartment door for a few minutes unwavering and silent as they just stand there, "I guess this is goodnight" he leans down and places a soft kiss on her lips.

Her hand wraps around the back of his neck pulling him closer as the kiss deepens into a passionate embrace that also happened to be very public, "I'll see you back at the bullpen" she pecks him once more before entering her apartment leaving Clark standing there speechless and out of breath.

Lois stood against her door biting her lip as she smiled while Clark walked away with an extremely goofy smile on his face.

The seminar had let out early and the attendants filed out with Clark trying to squeeze his way through while calling out Lois's name only to fall over when the pressure from the large group lessened.

A small laugh caused him to look up into her eyes as she knelt down to help him and held out his glasses to him when she noticed for the first time how blue his eyes were, "Have you ever thought of contacts?"

He gave a nervous smile when he accepted the frames and slipped them back on, "I've tried them but they don't really work. Why…do you think I should get them?"

She looked at him for a few minutes when suddenly she was thrown out of her thoughts when his hands appeared in front of her as he helped her back onto her feet, "I like a guy with glasses. You kind of have the hot nerd thing going for you."

They start walking towards the exit as he holds the door open for her, "You think I'm hot." She immediately wishes she could have picked better words to describe him but silently told herself it was the truth.

"Do you wanna go out sometime?" she asked suddenly quickly changing the subject.

He almost lost his footing, "I um…" he tried to stop his stammering when he heard her let out a small laugh, "I'd love to." He responds suddenly causing the army brat to grow silent, "What time should I pick you up?"

The question woke her up from her silent haze and she looked into his eyes and replied, "Seven"

He gave her an incredible goofy smile, "Great." He was about to walk off when he turned back around, "Where exactly are you staying?"

She laughs and grabs his hand and proceeds to write down her phone number and address unaware that Clark was looking at her while she did it.

Its funny how much can change in four years but when it comes to matters of the heart…nothing really changes.

TBC

So…What did you think?